y of caterpillars and
grubs. They are easily frightened away by firing a few shots. There is,
however, no doubt but that they are a greater plague to the farmers
than the pigeons: besides, the latter are excellent eating.

I once accompanied the Doctor on an exploring expedition through the
tract. We encamped close to a breeding-place of these birds, when we
were kept awake all night by the noise they made. Sometimes, too, a
limb of a tree would break with the weight of the birds which had
alighted on it, when there would be such fluttering and flapping of
wings, as made it impossible for us to sleep.

Towards morning, the sound of their departure to their feeding-grounds
resembled thunder. For nearly two hours there was one incessant roar,
as flock after flock took its departure eastward. The ground under the
trees was whitened with their excrement, and strewn with broken
branches of trees.

The Americans have a plan of capturing these birds, by means of a
decoy, or stool-pigeon, and nets. Thousands are often taken in this way
during seed-time in the spring. When I first resided in the township of
Douro, the pigeons used to be very plentiful at that time, their chief
breeding-place being in the township of Fenelon, in a direct line west
from my residence, some forty or fifty miles. And yet, soon after day-
light, they would be passing eastward over my clearing, so vast is
their swiftness and strength on the wing.

It is a curious fact that, although thousands passed daily for many
days in succession, yet not one of them returned by the same route they
went. I have been informed that this breeding-place has been deserted
for several years, owing to the settlements having approached too near
to please the winged possessors.

This satisfactorily accounts for the decrease I have noticed amongst
these feathered denizens of the forest, during the last seven or eight
years. In consequence of their having been disturbed, they have sought
a more remote breeding-place. I am not at all certain whether this
decrease is general through the province; but I feel quite convinced
that, as civilization increases, all kinds of birds and wild animals
will become less numerous, with the exception of crows and mice, which
are greatly on the increase. Rats also have been imported, and appear
to thrive well in the towns; though, I am happy to say, they have not
found their way into my township yet--and long may they be ignorant of
my lo