Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-04-29
Flight of wild Pigeons.

an apparently endless flock of wild
pigeons, which was passing over that
section to the northward. For over .
quarter OF an hour the flight continued
i'll an incessant stream, obstructlng al!
view Of the sky, and giving TO the sur
roundings that sombre appearance caus-
ed by the gathering and passing OF
thunder clouds. 1t was not known at
the time how far the flock extended to
the eastward, but it was subsequently
learned that it reached over twelve
miles in continuous line. The birds
were too high to be shot at with any
degree of success, although during the
flight quite 4 number were killed by
UNUSUALLY fortunate gunners. Old hun
tiers said that tie pigeons were seeking
nesting places, but from the altitude OF
their flight it was not supposed that
they would rest short of the North
Woods. in John Browns tract. Two
days afterward, however, lumbermen
from the head waters of the Beayerklll
aud the beech woods of the upper
wilderness Of Sullivan county, brought
in the news that these sections had been
taken possession of by wild pigeons in
enormous number, and that they were
preparing for the nesting season. Law
and order sportesmen, acting rs ildl-
v:duals and for fish and game societies.
at once set about taking measures 10
protect the birds from lawless deslruc-
ton. The woods were found TO be
literally swarming with pigeons. De
putty game constables were stationed in
considerable force in the wilderness,
cabins being erected for their accom-
modation. They had orders to deal as
summarily with all gunners or trappers
seeking to disturb the birds rs the laws
would warrant. Unparalleled sport was
anticipated in due time; butunfortunately
severe weather INTERVIEWED, snow falling
to the depth of nearly foot along the
Beaverkill few days after The pigeons
rested. After the storm had ceased the
constables noticed an unusual stir among
the birds throughout the region, and
about noon OH the fifth day of their
stay they began taking flight, and in
few hours there was not pigeon TO
be found in the entire territory. They
took direction northwest, aud in due
time were leard of as having passed
over the counties OF Delaware aud
Broome in this State, and Susquehanna
and Bradford in Pennsylvania, aud took
up their quarters III the beech woods
of Pike and Monroe counties.
The beech woods of these counties
comprise thousands OF acres OF almos,
primitive wilderness, they being inyad-
ed only by lumbermen, bark peelers
and sportesmen. In their Businesses
the black bear roams at will and the
wild deer finds security from hunter
and hound. On Friday last Clinton
Waters and Isaac Bennett, two bark
peeers, were in the depths ofthe beech
woods, about five miles from this sta
ton, selecting place to build a cabin
for the ensuing bark peellng season.
The sun was shining brightly, not a
cloud being in the sky, when suddenly
the sun was hidden as ifby dark cloud,
and noise like that producted by a
gale of wind or the roll of distant
thunder broke on their ears. Simultaue-
ously the woods commenced filling
with wild pigeons. Tree after tree was
filed with the rapidity of lightning, and
stil the air was black with one great
moving mass Of birds as far as the eye
could reach.
After the FIRST excitement attending
the appearance of the pigeons had
passed off and it was apparent that the
great body had found resting places.
Walters aud Bennett true TO the
instinct of the human race, began 10
wage war against the birds. They
were possessed OF no guns, but taking
each long pole, they swooped about
them among the pigeons, rIghtand left.
With every blow dozens OF the birds
fell killed aud MANNED TO the ground.
The men slew hundreds in this way.
The pigeons in tree that they attacked
would fly at the first assault, only TO
seek the nearest resting place. This
ruthless destruction oi the pigeons was
kept up by the two men until they
were actually gluited with killing, when
they picked up fifty of the dead birds
and started for this place, leaving the
ground strewn with others, dead, dying
and wounded.
For the purpose of seeing how far
the woods were occupied by the pig
cons they walked for five miles through
the forest. As far as they could see on
either side the birds occupied the trees,
and when they stopped III their walk to
turn off TO the Summit, they could not
discover the end of the flock. When
they brought the news of the great pig
con roost 10 this place the excitement
was great among the lumbermen aud
others, aud dozens Of meH started oat
to kill them at night on the roost They
were armed with guns and clubs. Each
man carried a lantern or torch made OF
pine kuot. On reaching the roost a
continuous slaughter was kept up for
two hours. The birds, alarmed by the
guns, flew bliudly about among the
trees, some dashing against the lanterns
and siDgeing themselves in the torches.
The noise made by the dirturbed pig
eous flying from their roosts was ter
rifle. 1t is estimated that 10000 were
killed and wounded, the most Of which
were left on the ground. The party re-