BIRDS. 149 
numbers that he could not even count the flocks, 
many of which were amazingly large. 
123. “ And as he passed on, they continued to 
increase, so that the air was literally filled with 
them, and the light of noon-day became dim, as du- 
ring an eclipse. For several days they were killed 
in multitudes by the inhabitants with poles and 
j clubs.” 
124. The Pigeons visit those parts of the country 
where nuts and acorns are most abundant, and con- 
tinue there till they are wholly consumed. At such 
times the inhabitants feed mostly upon their flesh, 
which is considered excellent food. 
125. The Pigeons, for hundreds of miles around, 
roost in one place. This roosting-place is always 
selected in a part of the forest where the trees are 
of great magnitude, and is often several miles in ex- 
tent. About dusk the Pigeons begin to arrive at the 
roost, and continue pouring in till late in the evening. 
126. The noise which they make with their wings 
is so great that all conversation in the vicinity is un- 
intelligible, and the report of a gun can be heard but 
within the distance of a few yards. And though 
fire arms are discharged upon them, it produces no 
effect but upon those which are killed. 
127. The limbs of the trees are continually snap- 
ping, and in their fall kill thousands of the birds. In 
short, the whole is one continued scene of uproar 
till towards morning, when for a short time they are 
quiet. With the first dawn, they begin to move off, 
and soon the whole forest is still. 
128. Then the bears, lynxes, wolves, foxes, and 
other wild beasts flock in, to partake of the spoil, 
Give some account of them as found in the Western States. 
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