The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-10-03
s------------r-~------------ vOYAGERS OF THE AIR.


 One bright moonlight night, about year ago, I went with friend to the top of hill to watch the birds which at this season are journeying toward the south in countless thousands. We were soon aware that we had chosen good night for the work, for we heard, apparently from the stars, an almost incessant twittering, which proved that the winged voyagers were passing over us in a steady stream. Of course we could see nothing with our naked eyes, but we had with us a telescope, and through 1t we took turns in watching the bright surface of the moon. For hours we. watched, and dur ing the whole of the time. lit- tie black figures went "flit-fit-- fit. across the glowing disk. sometimes at considerable intervals, and at other times in such rapid succession that we had difficulty in keeping count of them. Now and then some large birds would pass. and from some pecuiiarity in it's flight it was possible at times to identify the species to which it be- longed. Such observations may be made by any one at this season. and any bird student who will take the trouble to make them will get an insight into subject of bird migration which he could scarcely get in any other way. Of course almost every one is more or less acquainted with the annual flight of the wild geese. and as they pass above us in the gray dawn of a spring morning, each with his neck extended toward the pole. they form a picture which we could scarcely forget; but to me 1t is not nearly so impressive as the clear twittering of millions of smaller rni- grants, failing straight through the frosty air of straight night in au- tumn. We are wont to boast of human migration. and we speak with pride of express trains, ocean liners and rapid transit, but let us once comprehend the annual migrations of the birds, and the travels of men are dwarfed into insigni- f1cance. Fitting about in the woodland we may see a mite of karbler-a frail little bunch of feathers, whose life might be snuffed out between the thumb and finger of 8 babe-yet tonight that tiny creature will embark on a voyage of several thousand miles, over moun- tains, rivers and oceans, braving storms which no man would wish to be out in, and with naught to carry it but it's own frail wings, which weigh but the merest fraction of an ounce. But.it will not be alone, for with it will be myriads of companions, hurrying along in the same direction, and joined from time to time by other throngs, which flow into them as brooks flow Into river And all night they will fly, following we'll known route, marked by the white line of the surf along the coast, the snow capped peaks of mountain ranges, or perchance the course of some mighty stream, ribbon of silvei, in the moon- light. In the morning they will separate, and wheeling down to the earth will seek food and rest. That is, if they live until the morning, for should clouds darken the face of the moon, they might lose their way, and be lured to their death by lighthouses on the coast. At such times they see only the light, and flying toward it dash themselves against the solid masonry ohu LRii dcdu LII uylHS tU lNe ground Sometimes, as they are crossing the sea a great storm of wind and rain will arise. beating back the tiny voyagers, in spite of all their plucky efforts. Twittering still to guide and encourage each other in the awful blackness of the night, they work their little wings to the very limit of their strength. All to no avail Their voices are drowned by the bowling of the storm, their plumage is watersoaked and heavy, and the strokes of their pinions become slower and weaker. Courageous to the last, they are driven slowly backward, and down, down, until the hissing white caps lick them into the flood. Next when the rain clouds have passed away and when the anger of the sea has been spent, the bodies of the brave little warblers will be found upon the beach, amongst the wet pebbles and the tinted shells.
 But there are many which make the voyage in safety, and these, after spending the winter in their southern homes, start northward again in the following spring.
 ERNEST HAROLD BAYNES.
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