HISTORY OF KANE .COUNTY.
627
like the sound of a mighty rushing wind. Myriads moved on northward, while other myriads tarried here. In some favorite grove or clump of trees, which they chose for their nesting or roosting places, they broke down the branches with the weight of their numbers. If permitted to settle upon a field of late sown spring wheat or oats, they would devour the seed or young grain, in a few minutes destroying the whole seeding. The women and children guarded the crop, and "scare-crows" were rigged to frighten them away. Thousands and thousands of them were netted and shot. It is said that the species is now utterly extinct.
The "brown thresher," robin, lark, bobolink, cat-bird, whip-poor-will and many other song birds in great numbers filled the air with their delightful notes. Birds of brilliant plumage were not wanting. The Baltimore oriole and scarlet tanager flashed amid the foliage; the red-headed, golden-winged and spotted woodpeckers clung to the trunks and branches of the trees and winged their rapid flight from cover to cover, while the gaudy, jaunty blue-jay followed one with his impudent scolding, and the beautiful little blue-bird delighted you with its soft color and modest song. In the quiet evening from the loneliest depths of the woods was heard the plaintive cry of the whip-poor-will. In the long twilight of the summer evenings how many night hawks there were sailing on tireless wing through the sky, ever and anon plunging downward in rapid flight almost to earth, and then, with graceful curve, sweeping away and upward to the heights again!
This was a favorite abode of the carnivorous birds. Our historic bald eagle and the great gray eagle were frequently seen, and their wild, fierce scream was familiar to the early settler. No person who has brought down one of these terrible creatures with but a broken wing or less than a mortal wound, will ever forget its appearance of malignant savagery. Its flat head and low protruding brow, its burning eyes flashing defiant hate, its vaporous breathing and raucous cries, together with its wicked, powerful beak and talons, produce an impression too deep and vivid for time to efface. The smaller varieties of raptores were very abundant and, from the large hen-hawks down to the bee-eating king-bird, and unconquerable little shrike or soldier bird, they waged relentless warfare upon each other and upon the smaller birds, reptiles and insects. There were four or five varieties of owls; the great horned, the equally large gray owl and the little barn screech-owl-the latter being most numerous. Crows were scarce in the early days, and if there were any of them here when the white man came, they have largely increased in numbers, notwithstanding the mistaken and cruel warfare incessantly waged against them; but the large black-bird, with his rich plumage, and the brilliant red-winged starlings were then, as now, very abundant. The singular little tame brown "cow blackbirds" were also very numerous; and their habit of familiar attendance upon the cattle was pleasant and interesting. They would follow the grazing or working animals closely and constantly, almost alighting upon them, and when the tired creatures lay down to rest, their little attendants never left them. The companionship seemed mutually agreeable, and children used to think the birds protected the cattle from the tormenting flies, and that they also pulled out the irritating murrain or grub that, far too often, burrowed in the thick skin along the backs of the poor animals. The assembling in the fall of the clouds of black birds, preparatory to southern migration, was interesting to observe.
CHAPTER IV.
EVOLUTION OF THE COUNTY.
EARLY CONDITIONS WATER-COURSES CONVERGING
TOWARD ILLINOIS THE "ILLINOIS COUNTRY" IN
TRANSITION A PART OF VIRGINIA-TERRITORIAL
ORGANIZATIONS - NORTHWEST TERRITORY IL
LINOIS STATE ENABLING ACT-NORTHERN BOUND
ARY QUESTION WONDERFUL FORESIGHT OF
DELEGATE NATHANIEL POPE KANE COUNTY GOV
ERNMENTAL CHANGES COUNTY ORGANIZATION
AM) FIRST ELECTION-JUSTICES' DISTRICTS AND
VOTING PRECINCTS TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
It is highly interesting to note the remarkable accessibility of Illinois to immigration, in those days when the rivers were the best and
