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August 2009

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Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:14:53 GMT
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Not a sighting -

Thanks to all those who responded to my post about the mystery bird in the 19th century Daniel Boone biography. When I posted this I was hoping for some spirited discussion and some insightful suggestions, and that has certainly happened, with responses both on and off this list. In a failed attempt at brevity, and possibly in underestimating the interest, I omitted some details, which I offer here, along with responses to some of the suggestions and candidates.

First of all, this is by no means a first-person account. It is not even clear if author Timothy Flint interviewed the aged Boone himself, or if he relied on various hearsay sources. Both may be true. Later in the book he does relate some recollections of Audubon, with whom Boone spent at least one night. Flint spent some time in Missouri. He says he lived in St. Charles in 1816, and he was acquainted with "Colonel Boone", who "with the return of peace (from Indian wars and British intrigues) had resumed his Kentucky habits" (hunting and trapping.) Boone died in 1818.

So, it is not clear if the account of the omen-bearing bird should be taken in the seasonal context of its appearance in the book or not. It is contained within a section dealing with the cultural practices of the Shawnee, presumably those that Boone observed while he was a prisoner/adoptee, as Paul observed February - June 1778. Specifically the account appears in the passages dealing with a salt making expedition to the licks of the Scioto, during which Boone learned of a planned attack on Boonesborough (his home settlement in Kentucky), after which he made good his escape to warn the village. He then commenced an evasive and circuitous route, "through unknown forests and pathless swamps, and across numerous rivers, spreading in an extent of more than two hundred miles" to be re-united with family and friends.

I'm sure exactly where the Shawnee made salt along the Scioto, but I think it points to central or southern Ohio. I diverted the discussion when I mentioned travels between Chillicothe and Lake Erie.  The salt making expedition was said to commence the first day of June, 1778. There is no mention of clearings or agriculture in this section. After Boone learned of the impending expedition against his home the book covers the various cleansing rituals, preparations for war, and the means by which they advance through the forest, specifically the deep woods. Then it deals with omens, like "an unpropitious dream" or the "sparrow" in question.

My assumptions are by no means rock-solid, but I am inferring late spring or early summer, and in the forest (since the account mentions "were it to perch and sing over their war-camp.") Challenge this if you will, but that's my take on it. 

For these reasons:

White-throated or white-crowned sparrow, as well as winter wren are out of season. 

Marsh or sedge wrens are out of habitat.

I think yellow-billed cuckoo is a little large. They might have even shot at those regularly, as they used to with flickers.

Carolina or house wrens seem too common. Bad omens would be everywhere, thus peace would be rampant, which it was not.

Lincoln's sparrow and veery are certainly interesting candidates. I also stand by my thoughts regarding Louisiana waterthrush, although they also may be a bit too common in certain habitats that would be difficult to avoid with a war-party to southern Ohio or northern Kentucky.

I don't know of any sources dealing with the "Shawnese" language, which might provide some kind of answer. Ultimately, the riddle is probably unsolvable, although it sure is interesting to speculate, isn't it?

It is also fascinating to find such an ornithological riddle buried in a non-scientific, historical work.

Bob Evans
Geologist, etc.
Hopewell Township, Muskingum County

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