Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-02-21
RISKS OF THE FEATHERED TRIBE
Birds Liable to Accident, Like Other
Creatures.

| 6fabfC 70 StCCtoCul, Like Okner
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 fight sometimes
equals the speed of a railroad train,
they have little to fear when well
above the ground. Collision with 9TH
er birds seems scarcely possible, but
It sometimes occurs. When a covey of
quail are flushed occasionally two
birds viii collide, at times meeting
with such force that both are stunned.
Flycatchers darting at the same in
sect viii now and then come together,
but not hard enough to injure either
bird. In the English papers few
years ago rare accident was record
ed-a heron had spiked itself on enc
of the sharp pointed iron arms of
cross surmounting church steeple.
Even the smallest and most wonder
ful OF all fyers-the humming-birj-
may come to grief in accidental ways,
as was recently shown by the case of
tiny bird of the ruby-throated va
riety which became entangled in the
hooks of a burdock burr and died a
prisoner before help could free it.
Young phoebes sometimes become
entangled in the horsehairs which are
used in the lining of the nest. When
they are old enough to fly and attempt
to leave. they are held prisoners or
LETT dangling from the nest. When
mink traps are set in the snow in
winter owls frequently fall victims.
mice being scarce and the bait temp
ing.
Lighthouses are perhaps the cause
of more accidents to birds than any
other obstacle they encounter on their
nocturnal migrations north and south.
Many hundreds are sometimes found
dead at the base of such structures.
The sudden bright glare is SO confus-
ing and binding, as they shoot from
intense darkness into it's circle of rad
lance that they are completely bewild-
cred and dash headlong against the
thick panes of glass. Telegraph wires
are another menace to low-fying
birds, especially those which, like |
quail and woodcock, enjoy whirlwini
and attain great speed within few
yards. Such birds have been found |
almost cut in two by the force with |
which they. struck the wires.
The elements frequently catch
BIRDS unawares and overpower them.
A sudden wind or storm will drive |
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, as
well as other creatures. Small islands
are known to have become completely
iepopulated of their feathered ,inhabi-
ANTS from such a cause Violent hail
storms, coming without warning In
warm weather. are quite common
agents in the destruction of birds, and
of English sparrows have
been stricken in city during such
/ storm.
Ruffed grouse have a habit of bur-
owing deep beneath the snow in win
er and letting the storm shut them
n. They spend the night In this warm,
'osey retreat, their breath making
is way out through the loosely packed
crystals. But this becomes a fatal
rap when cold rain sets in during
ne night. and an impenetrable crust
uts OF their means of escape. Il
Ducks, when collected about a small
pen place in an ice-covered pond,
Twins for the tender roots on which
hey Weed, sometimes become confused
nd drown before they find their way
ut. They have been seen frozen into
he ice by hundreds, sitting there help
essly. and lucky If the sun with it's
having power releases them before
hey are discovered by marauding
q xxytc |