Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-14
ALEYA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTISER
The Hunting Pig.

1hc
From the eek Run Gazette. y
Although swine are generally so stupid as to
have furnished an odous cant appelation for
the multitude of our own species, they are by
no means destitute of sagacity. But the short
life to which we doom them unfortunately pre-
cudes all improvement. In proof of their in-
tellectual endowments it might be sufficient to
'recite numerous Instances of learned pigs usu-
ally exhibited 10 travelling menagerleS.
But an Instance more truly surprising than
these is that of the Pinkard SOW, which was
broken by Robert Conns of Fauquicr, Va, to
find game, back anu stand nearly as we'll as
pointer.
This SOW, which is thin. ln"g legged, fiddle
faced animal, wheu y,ry ynung, conceived so
great partlallty to sonic pulc cr puppies that
Coous was breaking, that she played aud often
came to feed with them. From this clrcum
stance it occurred to Coons, ito use his own ex
preston, that having broke many dog as
obstinate as pig, he would try if he could not
also succeed in breaking pig. The little
Sow would often 60 out with the puppies to
some distance from home; and he enticed her
further with Shelled corn which was carried in
one pocket His other pocket was filled with
stones which he threw at the pig when she
mi<behaved as be was not able to catch and
dogs.
Coons Informed Professor Rails that he
found the SOW tractable, aud that he easily
taught her what he wished by this mode OF re-
ward and punishment Professor Rails says
he has frequently seen her out with Coons,
when she quartercd her ground as regularly as
any pointer, stood when she came on her game
(haviug an excellent Dose) and backed the dogs
as we'll as he ever saw pointer, and with ears
erect and tail closely curled. When she came
on cold scent of game she Slackened her trot,
and gradually dropped her ears aud tail till she
was certain, and then fell down on her knees.
So staunch was she that she would frequently
remain FIVE minutes and upwards on her point.
As soon as the game rose she always returned
to Coous, grunting very loudly for her reward
of Sheed corn if it was not immediately given
to her.
Mr. CooDs has not practiced this pig for sew
efa years, except for the purpose OF occasion
ally amusing his friends. In doing this fowl
is put in net and hid in the broom sedge;
and then this extraordinary animal never fails
to point it in the manner above stated.
1t is the intention Of Mr. Coons to exhibit
this pig at the Agricultural Fair to be held at
Culpeper Courthouse this week.
A WILD PIGEON RoosT.-Probably the
is now existing on the farm of MIR. VIM. Schley,
near Oakland, in Allegany county. The
pigeons collect nightly on a tract OF ground
covered With alder bushes occupying about SIX
acres The pigeons first appeared about ten
DAYS ago 10 countless hocks The Cumberland
News says The Unlocking pigeons gradually
settled down upon the bushes, until they. were
bent to the ground by the weight of the birds.
Still more pigeons came flying in from distant
points and continued to settle down upon the
already living mass, until the whole i've or SIX
acres were compactly covered. 80 great was
the number of birds that they were piled upon
each other iD places from one to Two feet 10
depth. The pigeons continued focklng 10 and
settling upon and among each other from aooq1 0sm
four clock in the afternoon until nlehtiall'
when at last they became STILL and prepar-
ed for their nights rest. With the early
dawn of the morning flock after flock arose
and flew agay in all directions, which depar-
lures were continued until about nine O'Clock,
when the place was deserted aud not living
bird to be seen during the remainder of the day,
until toward evening" when they again began
Aocking back to the same roosts, and the scenes
oftbe evening before were again to be witness
ed and all this has occurred daily for the pas,
ten days. 1t is estimated that all the hocks OF
pigeons for perhaps fifty or sixty miles around
thus gather at this one spot edcu efen!os ooi
ing their annual migratory visit to the immense
forest regions of the Allegheny Mountains; IN
quest of the heavy mast of acorns aboundlng
there. This is the only roost known this sea,
son 10 this or any Of the bordering countles,and
is perhaps the only one within circle OF several
hundred miles. It is a well established fact that
these birds have but one roosting place within
yerv large territory, and in their transit TO
warmer ATTITUDES, aud during their stoppage oy
the way. use one place only as roost at night
AT this wonderful roost on Col. Schley's place,
thousands and thousands of pigeons have been
nightly captured by men and boys, with guus,
clubs and bags. After nightfal person can
70 among the birds and scoop them into the
mouth of bag. 1t is needless to add that
thousands ofthem have been wantonly, shot, ,asno
allowed to remain upon the ground where they
died.
A most extraordinary use of advertising as s., a
means for the promotion of crime was recently
revealed in the criminal courts OF Australia.
Two Young men named Nichols and Lester,
both from England and both persons OF some e
education. after pursuing crimina! lives T Tor
several years with varying success, hit upon the