Dec. 6, igofi.] 
least nearly all small flocks exhibit this formation; but, 
unlike wild geese or ducks, they do not follow a leader, 
and form no arrow-like bodies in the air, but advance m 
a line lilce soldiers, one as far forward as another. Flocks 
of small size can at times be seen flying through the tim- 
ber and generally a few feet below the tops of the trees, 
just where the limbs appear thickest and present the most 
impediments to fast flight. A mount of only a yard or 
two would put them above all obstructions ; yet they con- 
tinue their flight upon the lower plane, and apparently 
with as much speed as if in the open. They dash and 
wheel, this way and that, now under, now over obstruc- 
tions, and now seemingly hang momentarily in the air, 
before entanglements of limbs that present an almost im- 
pervious front, but the next second they have passed on ; 
how. one cannot exactly tell, breaking their line of forma- 
tion, however, but reforming it in the next open space be- 
yond, and all this breakneck racing continued for miles 
without ever touching a limb with a feather. 
In large flocks numerous tiers are observable, but while 
the line formed by the advance birds is quite clearly de- 
fined and maintained, there are no lines resembling ranks 
perceiA'able among those that fly after upon the same 
plane. 
There is a curious bit of evolution connected with the 
flights of these birds; and, although the same conduct 
may be observed among blackbirds;, yet it is never upon 
such scale as in the case with the long columns of the 
swift flying pigeons. A great flock, perhaps a half mile 
in length, would be flying along in column like shape, 
when, suddenly the leaders would dart down almost to the 
ground and then back again toward the plane upon which 
they had been flying, with such speed that the eye could 
scarcely follow them ; and this action would be followed 
by every bird throughout the entire flock, and with such 
accuracy that the column would appear like a long waving 
.^carf, gliding through the air with remarkable rapidity. 
The bird does not pitch directly forward and downward, 
but seems to partly close the wings, one, a little more than 
another, perhaps," and makes the descent in a sidelong 
manner ; but the dash upward, if not upon a straight line, 
lacks but little of it. The curious part is, how one bird 
finds out what his neighbor is going to do, so that he may 
execute the maneuver to the line, and as quickly. Yet the 
telegraphy must be perfect, for every bird darts and 
dashes exactly as and when all the rest do, and the flock 
resumes its usual flight, as if it was more a solid body 
than consisting of an immense multitude of individuals. 
Whether the action is caused by their meeting with a 
stratum of air difl'erent from and less pleasing than that 
through which they had been flying ; or, is a kind of bird 
evolution executed out of pure joyousness; or, a parade 
of bird telegraphy and drill for the benefit of the two- 
legged creatures called men down on the earth observ- 
ing, will have to be left entirely to conjecture. 
For sometime before the establishment of a roost, flocks 
of all sizes will be seen flying about in every direction, evi- 
dently inspecting the quality and quantity of the acorn 
crop. Large areas, doubtless, are looked over and re- 
ported upon, and at last a convenient and central spot is 
chosen as the place for the roost. Here at nightfall all 
the birds for a considerable distance, and considering the 
pigeons' power of flight, this must mean a territory with 
a radius of forty or fifty miles — assemble, to digest the 
acorns and pass the night. 
At sunrise not a bird is to be seen, all having dispersed 
at daylight in search of food. They feed on the ground 
in flocks ranging from hundreds to thousands. It is a 
curious sight to see them in the woods after the acorns. 
A flock will alight on the ground and every individual 
goes forthwith industriously to work, scratching away the 
leaves that cover the food; and if the flock be large, the 
leaves are fairly made tq boil up, as if a tiny whirlwind 
had got underneath them and produced the commotion. 
A feeding line is established, and when the birds in the 
rear can find no food, they fly over the rest of the floclc, 
and alighting a few yards in advance, begin again their 
work with the leaves. Those now left behind repeat 
this maneuver whenever the find fails, so that there 
is almost always a flock of birds in the air. It is aston- 
ishing how great a distance they will travel in this way in 
a short time. A hunter must get well in front if he de- 
* sires a shot, and allow them to feed toward him ; when a 
shout sends them into the air, and he fires on the wing, 
for though there may be thousands of the birds, and quite 
near, they cannot be seen on the ground for the flying 
leaves. 
Late one afternoon the intelligence spread that the wild 
pigeons had found a roost on the west side of a small 
prairie about seven miles away. We hastily formed a 
party of some six or seven, horses were saddled, blankets 
rolled np and tied behind, and food being hurriedly se- 
cured for man and horse, we seized guns, mounted and 
struck gallop for the place. It was quite dark when we 
reached the edge of the prairie, but as soon as we were 
fairly out in it, we could see quite distinctly, and were 
able even to make out the lines of timber bounding on all 
sides. It was a beautiful night, and although there was 
no moon, the stars shone overhead, and some fleecy clouds 
appeared above the horizon. 
A halt was called to breathe our horses. We dis- 
mounted, and with bridles in hand, stood to listen to the 
pigeons that about one and a half miles across the prairie 
were gathered in the timber to the west. It is impossible 
to describe the noise made by a vast number of pigeons 
forming a roost. It resembles somewhat a great roaring 
wind; but still, the ear can detect therein a multitude of 
minor noises, which, although collectively constituting the 
great roar, are not so thoroughly attuned as not to be 
noticeable. The noise is in some way connected with the 
process of digestion. The crop is filled with acorns at night, 
but in the morning it is empty. Some imagine that the 
bird opens its mouth to produce a stir or grind among 
the acorns in its craw, thus causing a slight noise to be 
made with the vocal organs; and this performed by mil- 
lions, produces tlie roar. 
The roaring is only heard when the birds are at rest, 
perched upon the limbs of trees. On a still night it can 
be heard for a distance of three miles. 
Remounting, we rode across the prairie and entered the 
timber on the west side, the roaring growing louder and 
louder, as we advanced. We encountered considerable 
imdergrowth for several hundred yards that compelled 
us to ride iti single file, and rendered our progress neces- 
FOREST AND - STREAM. 
sarily slow. Reaching a small brook where the under- 
growth seemed to terminate, we dismounted and tethered 
our horses to trees, unsaddling and feeding thcan as well, 
for we meant to follow the pigeons afoot and probably 
until daylight. Then we followed our captain in single 
file. 
If the roaring would have been considered loud at a 
distance, now that we were directly underneath a part of 
the roost, the noise made was fairly deafening. 
The birds were roosting in tall pine timber, most of 
the trees being over seventy feet high. It was quite dark, 
and though the noise proclaimed tens of thousands above 
us, we could not see a single bird. 
Selecting a tree that appeared a little lower and more 
umbrageous than the rest — for the form of such trees as 
stood something apart from others could be dimly dis- 
cerned as outlined against the sky— our captain shouted 
his commands for us to point our guns toward the 
branches of the one tree, and countmg one, two, three, as 
a signal, all fired. The report of twelve or fourteen 
heavy charges from shotgun barrels, and proceeding from 
a single spot, silenced all other noises and sent the myriads 
of birds into the air. We heard numbers of limbs crack, 
break and fall, as the pigeons betook themselves to flight; 
for, indeed, limbs can be found of surprising size broken 
and lying on the ground on mornings after the trees have 
been occupied as a roosting place. 
Through the open spaces above we could dimly discern 
vast numbers of the birds in the air; the swish of their 
wings being particularly audible. For a time it seemed 
as if they were undetermined as to which way to go, sail- 
ing around on slow wing just above the timber, but 
finally they moved off in a southeast direction, and in a 
few minutes more we heard the roaring begin, betoken- 
ing the fact that they were again settling in the trees. 
We now set to work to recover the birds that had fallen 
at our discharge, and while we were lucky enough to find 
some pieces of pine for torches, the light was so imper- 
fect that it was only possible to find the major number 
of those that had been struck dead, all with broken 
wings — of which there must have been a number — ^flutter- 
ing a short distance away in the darkness, being aban- 
doned. As it was we filled a three bushel sack with those 
obtained. 
We soon found that there were several parties in the 
woods, and not being able to come up with them so as to 
form one party and thereby exhibit concerted action in 
the hunt, and seeing that desultory firing would force 
the birds to remain on the wing, or, else, move ofi^ too 
far to be followed, we returned to our horses about mid- 
night, and after building a rousing fire, slept until day- 
light. 
I visited another roost two or three years later about 
fifteen or sixteen miles to the south of the one described. 
The same cause, however, operated against our obtain- 
ing many birds. Men and boys had come to the roost 
from different directions and kept up a continual firing, 
until finally all were driven beyond hearing. The previous 
night, however, which was the first the birds had roosted 
in this location, had been passed by them without being 
disturbed. In looking about the next morning after I 
was there, I could not help remarking the effect the 
weight of the birds had upon the timber. The woods 
were principally composed of yellow pine, large trees, 
with tall, slim saplings of the same species for an under- 
growth. A number of birds alighting in the small 
branches of these pliant saplings caused them to_ bend 
considerably at the top, and fresh numbers continuing to 
arrive and always, of course, perching upen the upper or 
bow side, weighed down the young tree more and more, 
until the upper portion of the trunk appeared almost hori- 
zontal. This weight remaining steadily upon them all 
night, well nigh took all the spring out of the timber, 
and the trees, when the birds had flown and the weight 
was removed — unable to assume an upright position — ^still 
exhibited a bent attitude. 
It Avas a queer sight. The saplings looked as if their 
tops might have been filled with loads of ice and snow 
for some time, or that the trees had been on a lark, and 
as yet had not sufficiently recovered to perform their 
ablutions. 
Some long-winded yarns are spun on the subject of 
Avild pigeons in the Southern States, Avhere they were 
plentiful during the seventies. Many birds no doubt have 
been killed with sticks, and sack loads of them brought 
home as trophies of a visit to the pigeon roost, for I have 
heard such tales related by persons whose veracity could 
not be doubted. Still, we have representations of the size 
of fish, the length of snakes, the weight of deer caught 
and slain, to continually deal with, and as the general 
sportsman demands that the microscope be passed over 
these before entries thereof are made in the record, it is 
evidently but just to employ the glass upon many of the 
wild pigeon stories, true, perhaps, but not in a digestible 
condition. 
The wild bird has about the same stretch of wings as his 
domesticated brother, but is not so heavy, being of a 
neater, trimmer build. The sexes bear no obvious marks 
by which they can be distinguished, both being of a pale 
blue color, Avith feet so clean and red, that it Avould seem 
that nature's Avasherwoman had scrubbed them in ice 
water so long that they appear Avell nigh frozen. The 
meat of the bird is dark, like that of the genuine foAvl, 
but not so SAveet and tender; yet, after thorough cooking, 
it becomes fair eating. 
For speed among the long distance fliers, the pigeon 
probably ranks first, it being supposed that it Avill cover 
sixty miles an hour, and the hunter is aware of the dis- 
tance birds shot flying Avill be carried by the momentum 
before falling. 
The sagacity of the engineer birds, as shoAvn in the loca- 
tion of the tAvo roosts mentioned, Avas very apparent, they 
being pitched near each other in the first considerable 
body of pine timber — a species the pigeon seems to pre- 
fer — upon the bluff, marking the western edge of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley. The valley, fifty miles broad, contained 
multitudes of mast-bearing trees: while the uplands, for 
an equal distance to the Avest, Avatered by several consid- 
erable streams, grew immense numbers of Avater oaks, of 
the acorns of Avhich the bird is particularly fond. During 
both these years the mast Avas exceptionally good. 
Though multitudes were to be found in this region dur- 
ing the time to Avhich the description refers, the wild 
pigeon has now entirely disappeared; from what causes 
447 
cannot now be ascertained; but certainly not from lack 
of food, for though many of the acorn-bearing trees have 
been destroyed by the timberman of late years — still those 
were of selected groAvth— the bulk of the timber still re- 
mains. 
As those that once Avere, however, hatched and grew up 
unnoticed until their numbers were legion, it might be 
that they again may increase to myriads, and, if so, those 
Avho Avill then behold them will agree with_ those who 
have beheld their numbers in the past, that it is one of 
the sights of a lifetime; doubtless the greatest concourses 
of birds on the continent; perhiaps the greatest that have 
taken place in the Avorld. 
American Ornithologists* Union. 
The twentieth congress of the American Ornitholo- 
gists' Union convened in Washington, D. C, Nov. 17, and 
continued until the 20th. 
Monday Avas devoted to a meeting of the Council, and 
to the evening or business meeting of the FelloAvs, both 
being held at Dr. Merriam's residence. The public meet- 
ings, commencing Tuesday, Nov. 18, were held in the large 
lecture hall of the U. S. National Museum. 
The Fellows present Avere: Drs. G. Hart Merriam, A. 
K. Fisher, T. S. Palmer, C. W. Richmond, Theo. GiU and 
L. Stejneger, Profs. F. E. L. Beal and W. W. Cooke, 
Messrs. R. Ridgway, F. A. Lucas, E. W. Nelson, H. C. 
Oberholser, and Wm. Palmer, of Washington; Drs. J. 
A. Allen and Jonathan Dwight, Jr., Messrs. Frank M. 
Chapman and Wm. Dutcher, of New York city; Wm. 
Brewster, of Cambridge; Chas. B. Cory, of Boston; Ruth- 
A^en Deane, of Chicago ; Prof. Walter B. Barrows, of Lan- 
sing, Mich.; Dr. Thos. S. Roberts, of Minneapolis; Dr. 
Louis B. Bishop, of Ncav Haven; Witmer Stone, of Phil- 
adelphia, and John H. Sage, of Portland. Conn. 
The members and associates present during the ses- 
sions were: Dr. F. H. Knowlton, Vernon Bailey, Nelson 
R, Wood, Dr. Wm. C. Rives. Mrs. Florence Merriam 
Bailey. Mrs. Jeanie M. Patten, G. S. Mfller, Jr., Dr. Wm. 
L. Ralph, John W. Daniels, Jr., H. W. Olds, EdAvard A. 
Preble, Barton W. Evermann, H. W. Maynard. Dr. Hugh 
M. Smith, Frank Bond, Frank H. Hitchcock, A. H. 
Howell, Paul Bartsch, A. M. Reed, and E. A. Goldman, 
of Washington; Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Mrs. Olive 
Thorne Miller, Miss Eliza S. Blunt, Miss Isabella L. Sand 
and Miss E. Putnam Moore, of Ncav York; Geo. Spencer 
Morris, C. J. Pennock, Dr. R. M. Strong, Wm. L. Bailey, 
Sam Wright, W. E. Clyde Todd and Jas. A. G. Rehn, of 
Pennsylvania; R. W. Williams, Jr., of Florida; Walter 
Deane. Mrs. Anna B. Phelps, Geo: C. Deane, Rev. Wm. 
R. Lord, and Miss Harriet E. Richards, of Massachusetts ; 
Hubert Lyman Clark, of Michigan; Mrs. Elizabeth B. 
Davenport, of Vermont; Prof. T. Gilbert Pearson, of 
North Carolina; Dr. W. F. Hutchinson, of Virginia, and 
Wm. B. Evans, of Ncav Jersey. 
Dr. C. Hart Merriam was re-elected President; C. B.- 
Cory and C. F. Batchelder, Vice-Presidents; John H. 
Sage, Secretary ; William Dutcher, Treasurer ; Frank M. 
Chapman, Ruthven Deane, Jonathan DAvight, Jr., A. K. 
Fisher, E. W. Nelson, Thos. S. Roberts and Witmer 
'Stone, Members of the Council. 
Henry C. Oberholser, of the Department of Agricul- 
ture, Washington, D. C., Avas elected a FelloAv; Ernst 
Hartert, of Tring, England, and John A. Harvie-Brown, 
of Stirlingshire, Scotland, Honorary FelloAA^s; Archibald 
J. Campbell, of Melbourne, Australia; W. P. Pycraft, of 
the British Museum, London; Dr. H. von Ihring, of 
Brazil, and Alfred J. North, of Sydney, N. S. W., Cor- 
responding Fellows. Thirteen associates were elected to 
the class knoAvn as Members, and eighty-four new asso- 
ciates Avere elected. 
Mr. Geo. Spencer Morris read extracts from the un- 
published journals of EdAvard Harris — the friend of 
Audubon — and gave many facts relating_ to his- life. It 
Avas an important contribution to the historical side of 
ornithology, and Avill undoubtedly be published. 
A paper by Prof. T. Gilbert Pearson on the summer 
bird life of Eastern North Carolina provoked much dis- 
cussion, and many inquiries Avere made for further infor- 
mation about the birds of that State. Dr. Bishop spoke of 
the species found along the coast, especially as regards 
their destruction by marketmen and milliners' agents. Mr. 
Dutcher remarked on the proposed legislative bills look- 
ing to the protection of birds on the North Carolina coast. 
Dr. Palmer thought the upland, as Avell as the shore birds, 
needed protection. He told of the immense number of 
ducks annually taken to the northern markets. Prof. 
Pearson referred to the destruction of bob Avhite in his 
State, and of the illegal methods used in their transporta- 
tion north. 
Mr. Chapman compared the bird life-_ of Gardiner's 
Island, N. Y., and Cobb's Island, Va., and showed con- 
clusively the great benefit of protection. Gardiner's Island 
has been oAvned for several generations by the Gardiner 
family, and birds, having always been protected there, 
are increasing, Avhile at Cobb's Island, for Avant of suitable 
protection, the birds, once so common, are now nearly 
exterminated. 
The report of the Committee on Protection of North 
American Birds, read by its chairman, Mr. William 
Dutcher, shoAved that satisfactory results had been ob- 
tained during the past year, and that interest in the pre- 
servation of wild bird life was not lacking at the present 
time. 
Dr. T. S. Palmer spoke of Federal Game Protection in 
1902, and AA-as followed by Mr. Sheibley, of the U. S. 
Department of Justice, Avho commented on prosecutions 
under the Lacej^ act. 
In his "Glance at the Historical Side of the Check-List 
of North American Birds," Mr. Witmer Stone referred to 
the help accorded by the earlier ornithologists in making 
a check-list possible, and ga\"e in detail the number of 
species described by each. Dr, Allen traced the history of 
the present A. O. U. Check-List from its inception, and 
spoke of its future. 
The Union sustained a scA-ere loss in the death of Major 
Jas C. Merrill, U. S. A., a prominent FelloAv of the Union, 
and of Chester BarloAv, a Member, Avho was also the lead- 
ing spirit in the Cooper Ornithological Club, of Californ'ia. 
By invitation of the secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution the members of the Union visited the National Zo- 
ological Park on Friday, Nov. 21, and many availed them- 
selves of the privilege. Secretary Langley received, the 
