49 



are frequently seen swimming across the largest 

 rivers, and are extremely destructive to fields of 

 Indian corn. 



Of the winged fowls, the swan and pelican are 

 sometimes seen ; geese, brant, and ducks of various 

 species, are found in the rivers ; turkies, pheas- 

 ants, partridges, and quails in abundance, in the 

 forests. Turkies are still in great plenty, though 

 perhaps not so numerous, as before the settlements 

 commenced. They are of a large size, and the 

 flesh of an excellent flavour. Large flocks visit 

 the wheat fields after sowing, and at the time of 

 harvest, and often greatly injure the crop. When 

 their eggs are hatched under hens, the turkey 

 chickens will be tame, and in this way the wild 

 turkey is easily domesticated. The pigeons are 

 so numerous as almost to exceed credibility. 

 At certain times in the year, vast flights resort to 

 particular places, called pigeon roosts. Many of 

 these roosts extend over more than an hundred 

 acres of land, and it is said, some have been found 

 to exceed a thousand acres. They light upon 

 the trees in such numbers as to fill all the branches, 

 and, by their weight, break off large limbs. Ev- 

 ery tree in these extended roosts is killed, and 

 the dung on the ground, which has been found 

 from twelve to eighteen inches deep, destroying 

 every species of vegetation beneath them. The 

 green paroquet with a yellow crown, a species of 

 the parrot, is very common. It has a harsh, un- 

 pleasant note, and although easily tamed, it cannot 

 BErgftj : M . '\' ■'-"'» m 



