New-York tribune., 1902-07-06
FEATHERED CASTAWAYS.
HOW BIRDS ARE DRIVEN TO SEA BY
TEMPESTS- TWO WHO WE'RE
RESCUED.
RESCUED.

BY .. William Beebe, curator of orthodoxy New
York Geological SOcety)
A shipwrecked who is picked up out at
sea, after enduring days of privation in an open
boat has generally exciting story of ad-
ventures to relate. If birds could talk, some of
those in the New-York Geological Park could
tell of experiences which would dwarf any tale
that a mariner could spin.
When birds migrate north in spring and tow
ard the tropics in the autumn, they sometimes
pass over large bodies of water, and favorite
route is along the seacOast of the countries over
which they fly. These routes are so fixed by the
law of precedence that even where islands have
disappeared in the process Of geological changes
birds will still concentrate their Ocks and cross
considerable bodies of water at the exact places
where formerly the passage made less diff
cult and the way more clearly marked by the
long since submerged land on these nocturnal
journeyS-for most birds fly at night, from fear
of hawks-storms will at times up sud
denly from the landward side and drive the birds
helpessly out to All they can do is to keep
their balance. which the very velocity makes an
easy matter, and drift along, fortunate if they
manage to avoid the black waves and sting
ing spray beneath them
A European heron recently flew on board the
steamship Gencartney when the vessel was
ABOUT Two nulluIeu ana Hke miles SpulHNeSl OF
Cape Comorin, the southern extremity of India.
The bird did not appear exhausted although it
could not have rested since it left the land.
There is no migration route near this place,
it must have been forced seaWaTd while feeding
flying along the shore. The bird was caught,
and, after one wing clipped, made itself
perfectly home board ship. 1t fell over
board twice, but kept afoat until rescued by a
boats crew. The heron confined for
time in the potato bn and defended this base
of supplies vigorously that the daily ration
for the crew obtained only with difficulty.
Fish scraps kept the bird in fine condition until
il reached New York. and finally, its home in the
Geological Park.
The bird which thus far holds the record for
a sensational capture among the birds in the
collection is a little English turtle dove, which
flew exhausted on board the Hamburg g-American
liner Ph1ncia when that ship was not less than
seven hundred and fifty miles from the nearest
land. the coast of Ireland. 1t was so famished
and bruised by the wind and rain that it showed
no fear but allowed itself to be caught and
carried to the dining room. where it ate to its
hearts content What a terrible experience it
must have passed through. heading mile after
mile for midocean. powerless to turn and beat
back against the Irresistible force of the tenn
pest! How it must have strained for glimpse
OF some resting place. some hint of a haven.
and how welcome must have been the sight OF
the ship, whose path it SO fortunately crossed,
Hundreds of birds must perish in this way.
judging from the number which occasionally
find temporary resting places on the yardarms
Of ships. The storms which carry them from
shore die away and leave them bewidercd in a
waste of waters with no food. drink or pcrching
place within sight. and ravenous fishes waiting
for the moment when at last the tired wings
refuse to do their work.
Seven hundred and fifty miles with nothing
but its wings to support it ought indeed to
make a bird trust itself to the hands of any
one, but none could be base as to refuse such
a suppliant the rest and food it Graves AS we
look at this dove. contentedy preenng its
feathers in its cage the imagination easily pict-
ufeS IT, speck amid the raging w,nd and
waters of the mid-Atlantic.