The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-11-03
RISKS OF FEATHERED TRIBE
birds Liable 10 a. Many Accidents
as other Creatures.

or all creatures birds are most e1.
empt from liability TO accident, yet
they not infrequcntly lose their lives
in most unexpected ways. Once above
trees and buildings they have the whole
upper air free of every obstacle and
though their flight sometimes eQusls
the speed Of n railroad train they have
little 10 fear when well above ground.
Collision with other birds seems kcarce-
~ possible, but II sometimes occurs.
When a covey of quail are flushed oc-
casionally two birds will collide. at
times meeting with such force that
both are stunned. Plycatchers dart
ing at the same insect will now and
then come together. but not hare
enough TO injure either bird. In the
English papers few years ago a rare
accident was recorded-a heron had
spiked itself on one OF the pointed iron
arms OF n cross surrounding n church
steeple. Even the smallest and most
wonderful of all fiers, the hurnming
bird. may come 10 grief In accidental
ways. as was recently shown by the
tdSf Va N my bilh W. tuOe
variety which became entangled In the
hooks Of burdock bur and died pris-
oner before help could free II.
Young phnbes sometimes become en-
tangled In the horsehairs which are
used In the lining OF the nest. When
they are old enough 20 fly and attempt
10 leave they are held prisoners or left
dangling from the nest When mink
traps are set in the snow in winter
owls frequently fall victims. mice be-
ing scarce and the bait tempting
Lighthouses are perhaps the cause Of
more accidents 10 birds than any other
obstacle they encounter on their noe
turnal mIgrations north and south.
Many hundreds are found dead at the
base OF such structures The sudden
glare IL so confusing and binding as
they shoot from intense darkness into
its circle OF radiance that they are
completely bewildered and dash head
long against the thick pancs OF glass
Telegraph wires are another menace
TO low flying birds, especially those
which. like quail and woodcock. ENJOY
n whlrlwind and attain great speed
within n few yards. Such birds have
been found cut almost I'm two by the
force with which they struck the wire
The elements frequently catch birds
unawares and ovcrpOwer them i
sudden wind or storm will drive coast
flying birds hundreds of miles out to
sea, and oceanic birds may be blown as
far inland. Hurricanes in the West
Indies are said TO cause the deaths Of
innumerable birds. ms well as other
creatures. Small islands are known To
have become completely dcpopulatcd
OF their fcathered Inhabitants from
such a cause. Violent hallstorms. COM
ing without warning in warm weather
are quite common agents in the de
struction OF birds, and thousands Of
English sparrows have been stricken
in city during such storm.
Ruffed grouse have n habit OF bur
rowing deep beneath the snow in win
ter and letting the storm shut them In
They spend the night in this warm,
coy retreat. their breath making its
way out through the loosely packed
crystals. But this becomes fatal
trap when cold rain sets in during
the night and an impenetrable crust
cuts off their means OF escape.-New
York Post.