1857

Friday, July 17, 1857

Until this date vast numbers of wild pigeons, millions of which, since early April had been nesting in the forests on the heights west of Plattsburgh (Rand Hill & the vicinity of Danemora) continued to be baited and taken by old pigeon catchers attracted from different parts of the country by news of their location.  Four companies are known to have shipped to southern markets 150,000 dozen (1,800,00) birds.  A week later not a bird was to be seen, the surviving immense flock, having taken a north-easterly direction through Henryville, Canada, to the forests of Maine.  This yearly visitation occurred in the forties and fifties, the numbers being so great as to almost obscure the sun and miles of forest trees being bent under the weight of the old birds and their progeny, a single tree containing from 20 to 80 nests.  Nothing like it has been seen in Champlain Valley in recent years.

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