The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-21
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STORMS AND THE BIRDS.
CBy c. f. Linney in Weather Review

0By G. f. Linney in Weather Review.)
During the night Of the 18th 10th OF Au-
gust, 1898, very severe electric, wnd and
rain storms prevailed over the northern
district of Illinois, reaching their greatest
severity in Henry, Knox, Stark and Bureau
counties. The edges OF the storm, however,
spread eastward 10 Lake Michigan. north
ward TO Wisconsin. and southwark TO War
rem. Peoria and Woodford counties.
A large number of my crop correspond
ents and voluntary observers commented
on the extreme severity OF the storm the
large amount of water which fell lin many
cases exceeding . inches) and the heavy
constant snd near display OF thunder and
lightning. Anl1ng he card comments re-
ceiNed was one from Mr.. w. w Warner.
ftenry county, Illinois, station which was
Tsht in the midst OF the most severe por-
ton of the storm area Mr.. Warner said:
Five and one-half inches OF rain fell
during eight hours of Monday nigat Q5)
last IT was great electrical
Storm. We have lots of birds.
Wild singers for fonty-eight hours before
the great electrical storm not sound
was heard from the Wild BIRDS
This statement in regard to the effect of
tae approaching storm upon the wild birds
was 50 full Of interest that | wrote to Mr.
Warner for additional information supple
rnentlng 1T by a letter of inquiry TO about
twenty five other reporters and observers
scattered throughout the area covered by
the storms.
Mr.. Warmers reply to my letter request
ing particulars contains the following:
Replying to your favor of the Gath in
slant, in regard 10 tho effect Of storms
on birds would say that / am the owner
Of sGano 1900 acres here, on which / allow
no hunting; consequently have lots OF
xusl Nv
In park Of about fifty acres Of mostly
natural grown trees
Tho birds commence singing about day
light. several of the scarlet tanagers.
which are quite tame, usually lead, and
think In no place in this climate have |
beard 50 many and so great variety OF
song kfrds as here. more In the morning,
but usually continuing during most OF the
day.
81 have been in m0nSoons. hurricanes.
etc. but tho storms OF the f5th-i6th. |
think. exceeded anything ever saw In
the hsavy and continuous thunder and
vivid flsshes Of lightning. 1t lasted nearly
eight hours, and slme rain gauges showed
go 20 % inches of rain.
The day previous to the storm IL was
very still. with hot air, and remarked to
several: Have YOU heard any birds? Are
we going to have a big storm or an earth
quake?'
" have travelled over 100000 miles look
ing over this planet and on several occa.
SONS | have observed tire wild birds being
silent before storms-electrical storms
and before earthquakes volcanic eruptions
etc.
"In the first part OF May. 1898, I was in
ceylon Birds were numerous and noisy
One hot, still day tho birds were all Quiet
inquired OF my guide. Where are the
bsris todsy?' He shook his head and said.
Big storm come Next night the storm
came: deluse. with heavy and contain.
GUS lightning; killed two cingalese and
TIE horse they drove few feet from me
I'm March. 1855. was on Mauna "a
lauea. the volcano, and | noticed tho birds
did not sing. On the night Of the 4th-5th
there were forty-three EARTHQUAKE shocks
felt. the bed OF the crater broke down ere
'ln June. 1898, l was over the sana
mountain, and the birds We're numerons
happy and noisy, and no unusual storms
oocurrei. nor were there eruptlons al ths
volcano.
II mieht mamie other Instances. but
might weary ] am sure however thai
In some things our wild birds know NOR,
than We"
From the many replies received "a INV