Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-02-16
RIsKs. OF FEATHEREo TRIBE
Rird. Liable to rs Many Acciden'"
nm Other Creatures.

m Other CreatuFess
or all creatures birds are most eA'
empt from liability to accident YET
thev not infreQuently lose their lives
in most unexpected ways. once ABOVE
trees and buildings they have the whole
unner mir free of every obstacle ana
though their flight sometimes equals
the speed of a railroad train they nave
little to fear when well above sfouhu'
Collision with other birds seems scarce
ly possible, but it sometimes occurs.
When covey of quail are nusheu oc-
cosioually two birds will collide, Ill
times meeting with such force that
both are stunned. Flycatchers dart
ing Mt the same insect will now ana
then come together, but not hard
enough TO injure either bird. In the
English papers few years ago rare
accident was recOrded-a heron hau
spiked itself on one of the pointed iron
arms of cross surrounding cl'i:ch
steanle Even the smallest and most
wonderful Of all tiiers, the hunInlhg
bird may come to grief in accidental
WAYS. as was recently shown by the
case of a tiny bird of the ruby throated
variety which became entangled In the
hooks OF burdocll bur and died prls-
onrr before help could free it.
Young phTbes sometimes become en-
| tangled in the hOrsehairs which are
usad in the lining of the nest. When
they are old enough to fly and attempt
| IN leave they are held prisoners or left
| dangling from the nest. When mink
trans are set in the snow III winter
owls frequently fall victims. mice De-
Ing scarce ana the bait tempting.
Lighthouses are perhaps the cause OF
more accidents to birds than any other
| obstacle they encounter on their noe
turnal migra tons north ana SOUTH
Many hundreds are found dead at the
base of such structures The sudden
clare is 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
whirlwind and attain great speed
within a few yards Such birds have
been found cut almost in two by the
force with which they struck the wire
The elements frequently catch birds
unawares and ovcrpower them. 4
sudden wind or storm will drive coas
, fying birds hundreds of miles out Il
/ sea. and oceanic birds may be blown n
J far inland. Hurricanes in the Yves
Indies are said to cause the deaths o
: innumerable birds, as well rs ote
creatures. Small islands are known t
/ have become completely depopulate'
of their fcathcred inha bitants from
such a cause. Violent hailstorms. com
ing without warning in warm weather
= are quite comaOn agents IN the dc
s;ruction OF birds, and thousands o
English sparrows have been stricke
in city during such storm.
: Ruled grouse have n habit of bul
3 rowing deep beneath the snow in win
ter and letting the storm shut them il
f They spend the night in this warn
D cozy retreat. their breath making il
f way out through the loosely packe
crystals. But this becomes fat;
trap when cold rain sets IN duria
the night and an impcnetrable cru>
cuts of their means of escape.-Ne'
York Post.