Recollections of "Old Timers" 133 



years the wild pigeon flew south on both sides of the 

 North River by the thousands in the fall, and in lesser 

 numbers flew north in the spring. 



He also wrote: "These migrations occurred with the 

 utmost regularity. The first easterly storm after Sep- 

 tember 1st, clearing up with a strong northwest wind, 

 was as surely followed by a flight of wild pigeons as 

 the sun was to rise. During such storms, I have passed 

 many a sleepless night watching to catch the first change 

 of wind, and when it veered northwest, daybreak found 

 me on the river bank watching for the flight that never 

 failed. Ah ! how my heart jumped as flock after flock 

 of wild pigeons came flying over Fort Washington like 

 small clouds. I have shot a great many of them, but 

 alas, like the buffalo, they are almost exterminated." 



I have run across what was evidently my first diary, 

 dated 1872, when I was fourteen years old. I make the 

 following extracts from it : 



April 6th. "Pigeon flew this morning." 



Then on April 8th I mention 9 pigeons shot in the 

 afternoon by my father, and say "they flew very thick 

 in the morning." 



The record, like most boys' diaries, seems to have 

 many skips, for the next item about pigeons is on the 

 I ith of May, saying that I shot 2 that day and on the 

 I St of June I mention that I killed 3 pigeons in the 

 morning, "the most I ever have shot at one time." 



My marksmanship seems to have improved after that, 



