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Pioneer History of Meigs County 129 desired. The meat was fine, and frequently a very large fowl would be with the flock, so that they furnished many a good dinner for an emigrant's family. The feathers were not elastic or fluffy, though some attempts were made to use them for beds and pillows, while the wings and tail feathers were serviceable for fans and dusters. The pheasant and quail remained here all the year, but crows and blackbirds seen in large numbers in the spring and sum- mer, migrated in the fall. The wild pigeons passed over in vast numbers when going north or south, in the early or late season. Large flocks would sometimes tarry for a while in the fall and select a roosting place, where might be seen pigeons coming from every direction to sta all night. Men would sometimes visit those roosts at night and capture many birds, which were used for food. The wild goose was often seen by the early settlers, on their yearly migration from the lakes and swamps of the South to the lakes and swamps of the North, fleeing the ap- proach of cold weather in each case. They moved in large flocks, with a leader to direct their course, following in a closed-up column in a triangular shape obeying the com- mand-a singular "honk," uttered by the leader. Southern Ohio was neutral ground, as none stopped, except a few that by weakness or some unknown reason strayed from the com- pany. The crane was a very large bird, not numerous, though fre- quently seen in warm weather. The large owl remained in this climate during the year, and the small owl-"screech owl"-were noted for their habits of taking chickens from the roosts at night. The large owl made a peculiar "hoot" at nightfall. The hawk was another invader of the domestic fowls, in broad daylight swooping down on a brood of young chickens and seizing one in his talons, fly away from the distracted |
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