The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-29
Our Migrating Birds.

To the lover Of nature there Is no sub
ject more interesting than that OF bird
migration. The semi-annual coming and
going Of the birds mark the changes Of
the season as accurately does the
calendar, and there is every reason TO
believe that the Indians thus determined
the approach Of warmer or colder weather.
1t is true they counted time by the
moon, dividing the year and months into
so many moons. but they anticipated the
approach Of spring by the coming Of the
bluebirds, martins and thrushes, while
the departure OF these birds in the fan
heralded the approach Of cold weather.
Boys and girls can study this subject
with pleasure and profit. 4 record can
be kept Of the different species Of birds
which arrive in the several states. together
with the time Of their departure, and
when such a record extends over a num-
her Of years the facts thus obtained are
likely to prove of great value
Besides this, by studying birds and their
habits we learn 10 love them; a rivalry
will soon spring up as 10 who shall catch
the first glimpse Of the returning song
sters, and this VIII take us 20 the woods
and fields, where bird life can be studied
in all its phases.
The Department Of agriculture, at
Washington, has enlisted the services OF
scientists all over the country, and secur-
ed from them detailed reports as to what
they have seen Of the appearance and
disappearance Of birds.
one Of the most curious and interesting
phases Of the subject is that Of the rela-
tive speed of different birds when travel
ing north and south. The comparative
speed Of the different species was readily
obtained. but TO find out the exact num-
Der OF miles which individual birds can
travel in a day was a task Of great diff
Guilty.
Birds, when they once start on their
Journey do not maintain a steady fight.
Those which breed I'm a certain grove or
orchard are always the first to appear
there in the spring, the desire to return
20 their old home causing them TO start
early.
In the migration southwark, in the fall.
the young birds seem to be most eager
TO depart to warmer ciimes.
The record Of ffty-eight species OF
migrating birds for one spring showed
that on an average they covered twenty
three miles a day during a journey Of 500
miles.
They Travelled more rapidly at the
southern than at the northern end of the
journey. In the mid-southern states they
fingered for several weeks and as they
drew near to the north they found that
the weather was still cold, so that they
did not hurry themselves.
In noting the average rate OF travel
OF twenty-five species IL was found that
most OF the species averaged nineteen
miles a day during March. twentv-tbree
miles during April and twenty-six miles
during May The later the bird IS in
starting for the north the faster II flies
1t was also found that the early-arriving
birds such as the robin, the COW bird
and the golden flicker, travel on an aver
age twelve miles a day, while those which
may be called summer birds. including
the night hawk, red bird, Baltimore oriole
and ruby-throated hammer. cover twenty
eight miles nearly every day.
During the daytime birds do not travel
so fast as by night, because they stop TO
feed and often wait for other COMPANIES
TO come up with them.
Land birds make an average OF fifteen
miles in the daytime, but cranes geese
and ducks fly much faster. Ii is also
thought that birds do not fly for several
nights in succession. but that thew ston
to rest and feed after having flown for
one or two nights.
II the birds were TO keep I'D a confirm
GUS journey northward, they would reach
their destination in very short time. But
they are on a pleasure trip and do not
care 70 tire themselves out.
When the different flocks draw near
their goal they separate. and, IN the course
OF few weeks, are scattered all over the
country.
In the fan they reassembie and start
on their southern journey What system
or telegraphy they have. by what intui-
uon they all Tx upon one gathering place
not even science can tell. VIII the pro-
plem ever be solvei?-Golden DAYS.