[PW] "Pigeon-killers"

[Brian Whatcott]

At 05:16 PM 1/21/2008, Kerry Webb, you wrote:
> >
> > We need this before 6:00 tonight!!!!!!!  Our children's librarian has
> > cub scouts coming in after hours and we need to know what the
> > 19th-century term "pigeon killer" might mean.  It is listed in our
> > city's ordinances as "forbidden in any public place", including the
> > new  in 1884 city park -- along with playing baseball, throwing
> > stones, flying kites, and using "pigeon killers."   Our guesses
> > include: 1) sling-shot  2) shotgun  3) poison corn.
> >
> > We will still be interested tomorrow, if nobody can answer tonight.
> >
>
>A Google Books search gave this reference:

   <http://books.google.com/books?id=OXA1VVOSUg4C&pg=PA350&dq=pigeon+killer&lr=&ei=aCeVR63aL56GiQHxh4mjAQ&sig=ZgikW2jC8fCYt1JOydwJavKhxNE>

>Kerry


This book reference [which I have angle bracketed] mentioned two 
plausible methods: a tall stick with lines to sweep it rapidly across 
the flight path of great flights of pigeons: another mentioned a wide net to
  be hoisted on two sticks to intercept a flock.   Elsewhere, I have 
read of smearing a sticky glue on tree branches as a bird snare.



Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!