The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1904-01-09
Birds Liable TO as Many Accidents
as Other Creatures.

or all creatures birds are most ex-
empt from liability TO accident, yet
they not infrequently 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 equals
the speed OF railroad train they have
little TO fear when well above ground.
Collision with other birds seems scarce
~ possible but IL sometimes occurs.
When a covey of quail are flushed oc-
casionally two birds Will collide, Mt
times meeting with such force that
both are stunned. Flycatchers dart
ing at the same insect will now and
then come together, but not hard
enough TO injure either bird. In the
English papers a few years ago a rare
accident was recorded-a heron had
spiked itself on one OF the pointed iron
arms of cross surrounding a church
stceple. Even the smallest and most
wonderful of all fiers, the humming
bird, may come TO grief I'm accidental
ways, as was recently shown by the
case OF tiny bird Of the ruby throated
variety which became entangled In the
hooks OF a burdock bur and died pris-
oner before help could free 1t.
Young phGbes sometimes become en-
tangled in the horsehairs which are
used I'm the lining OF the nest. When
they are old enough to fly and attempt
to 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 migratlons north and south.
Many hundreds are found dead at the
base Of such structures. The sudden
glare is so confusing and binding as
they shoot from intense darkness into
It's circle OF radiance that they are
completely bcwildored and dash head
long against the thick panes Of glass.
Telegraph wires are another menace
TO low flying birds. especially those
which. like quail and woodcock enjoy
whirlwind and attain great speed
within 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 overpower them. a
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 I'm the West
Indies are said TO cause the deaths OF
innumerable birds, as well az other
creatures. Small islands are known TO
have become completely depopulated
OF their feathered inhabitants from
such a cause. Violent hailstorms, COM
Ing without warning I'm warm weather,
are quite common agents I'm the de
struction OF birds, and thousands OF
English sparrows have been stricken
In city during such storm.
Ruffed grouse have habit OF bur
rowing deep beneath the snow in win
ter and letting the storm shut them I'm.
They spend the night I'm this warm,
coy retreat, their breath making its
way out through the loosely packed
crystals But this becomes n fatal
trap when n cold rain sets In during
the night and an impenetrable crust
cuts or their means OF escape.-New
York Post.