Flights Of Migrants

The importance of discovering as far as possible the conditionb whieh control the aerial voyages of the migrants cannot be exaggerated. These once discovered great beneflïs will undoubtedty follow. Not only do the night of aquatic fowl herald coming atmospheric changes and announce pmetimes several days in advance, the advent, of terriflc storms coming from a quarter where the wires of the Signal service will never reach, but the measurement of the endurance of ' tain fowl and the nnbroken length of their flight may lend a helping hand in the diacovery oí the distance across the ice fields of the North to those open seas which the habita of the brant goose have indicated exist this side of the Pole. It ia well known to every one that the favorite route of our water fowl and waders ia along our coaat. It was therefore recently suggested to the Lighthouae Board that the keepers of the lighthouses and life-saving stations be instructed to record in their logs the movements of wild fowl and other birds every spring and autumn, and that, by a comparison of these reporta at the end of a year much that was new and useful might be gleaned. Besides this it was urged that it would be the means of instructing a widely distributed service in the proper nomeDclature of birds, now not observed in this country, and of setting at work at one time a number of ucai oDservers who, f rom necessary discipline, would be obliged to be accurate. That at last the scheme Bhould be given a trial there can be no question, for it could be carried out without expense to the govemment, although there is no reason why the government should n-st lend a helping hand to all worthy inatters of practical scienee, which course is pursued by other uations. VELOOITY AND ENDUKANOE. As yet little is known regarding the velocity of the flight of wild birds, nor can at present a correct estimate be made of the endurance required in sustaining such flights. Indeed, the only bird of which anything is positively known is the carrier pigeon, but the records of its performances show most wonderful results of speed. Also wild pigeons have been shot in the neighborhood of Albany, N. Y., with undigested rice in their craws, which, while admitting that it was picked up by them on the most northern rice fields, proves. after experimenting on the digestivo powers of the wild pigeon white in confinement, that these birds have winged their way f or hundreds of miles at a rate of speed approximating closely to a mile per minute. But the move ments of a large flight of wild fowl which have been rusticating all winter in southem watera have not been closely followed up. Following out the systsm suggested bove their movements can be traced from the moment they convene previous to their departure, as indicated in the case of Canada geese, who seem eager to form acquaintunce and to cousult on the projected route. The whole flock is then in tumultuary commotion, awaiting the signal for their leaving, which in the spring along our coast is the south wind. No sooner does the wind veer ' to a southerly quarter than the geese take in their cargo of sand and start on their aerial voy age. The migration of all birds is governed by a scaxcity of food at their aocustomed haunts, by a disposition to breed or by meteorological changes. The waders by thus roving from climate to climate never experience the severities of winter, and their year consista of two summers. They, however, have but one brood a year. Many varities, and especially the smaller birds select, the night, and moonlight nights are preferred, in which to accomplisb. their journey, thus escapiDg the attacks of their enemies. That the enduranee of some species is wonderful is illustrated by the tern and other sea birds, who for days follow with apparent ease in the wake of vessels alniost across the widest ocean. The erratic movements of birds of this species will, of course, remalu a problem, but there are varieties whose habits are methodical enough to give some hope of repaying the trouble of close and concerted observation. What little is known regarding nocturnal migration has been Jearned from the appearance of birds in certain localities which were known the af ternoon previoua to be barren of life. The woods so Btill and silent suddenly are found to be fllled with songstrrs, while the sportsman has often been surprised at finding the meadows and timber alive with game when not a bird could be moved the day before, as is the case with the EngJish snipe and woodcock. That all birds sound their cali while traveling from one locality to another is known by those whose duties oblige them to keep awake during the darkness. Then when a flight is moving the cries of each species can be readily distinguished. FX.YING BY NIGHT. The experience of lighthouse keepers, however, has done much to prove that almost every variety of birds move in the darkness. Scarcely does a night pass during the migrating season that birds of different species are not attructed by tho rays of the lanterns, who either hurl themselves against the glass or proteuting wire netting and are killed, or hover around the reflector, alighting upon the window ledges, where they remain until dawn approaches and the keeper extinguishes bis lamps. More birds are attracted to the lights in dark and tempestuous weather, and stationary ligbts recieve the most visitors. A young man in Denver, Col., while engaged in repairing an electric lamp, mounted a high step ladder, and, with a wire in each hand, was about to connect the circuit when the current was turned on. The shock completely paralyzed him, and he feil backward off the ladder. He has brought a suit for damages against the company, and the trial will be an interesting one. He claims that the current was turned on before the usual time, which the company denies. One side of his face is still paralyzed, and the doctors think it will remain so the rest of his life.