The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-05-21

IU6fYE4SS4D|l methods of this remarkable phe-
uol@7loll nomenon. Theories plen-
tiful but a demonstrable expla-
nation OF all the facts involved is still wanting.
Some of the inherent characteristics OF migra-
ton, such as the apparent sense of direction
possessed by BIRDS seem to defy observation
and analysis and to be absolutely beyond our
ken so far as any understanding goes. The
cause itself of this curious habit so far is only
conjectural but the most logical explanation
seems to be search for food This apparently
holds good for the fall flight from North to
South, when insects have perished from the cold,
and vegetation died, that both insectivorous
and grain-eating birds are alike affected Yet
some members Of both species crows, jays quail,
partridges, wood ducks, cardinal grosbeaks (the
ordinary red bird) and often redheaded
woodpeckers. remain North throughout the win
ter and manage somehow to make living and
perpetuate their Species
Even If these be exceptions to the general rule
there still remains the unanswered question Why
do not those birds who winter in the South re-
main there throughout the year instead Of going
North when the spring opens? Food is abundant
and apparently southern ATTITUDES are as fitting
Tor the rearing OF young as the far North. AS
matter OF fact, we really do not know, though
we have some interesting and plausible theories
about it that do not bear the test of questioning.
So as usual when across some mystery in
animal life that cannot unravel we call it
instinct" and let it go at that or this one
thing we may, however, be quite sure that In
stinct in animals always serves some useful pur-
pose, and usually expression Of natures
for the preservation of the species
Years OF observation have developed the inter
esting fact that there are certain welldefned
routes In all countries which the migrations
follow, certain watsr courses, certain chains OF
mountains, certain valleys, and this seems. to
obtain from one generation of birds to another.
Whether the younger birds learn this from the
ri who hov haap hpfor hath
they simply mechanically follow the older birds
I'm their flights is largely conjecture, but two
facts seem we'll established First, that animals
evidently have some method of communicating
with each other Everyone who has heard Bob
White call together the scattered covey or the
hen give the alarm for a hawk to her chickens, is
convinced on this point. The second fact seems,
however to controvert the theory OF the older
teaching the younger ones the way they should
CO. for it has been shown in many instances
that hocks composed entirely of the years broods
OF young birds make their first migratory flight
alone and unattended by the older birds, and find
their way unerrngly along the usual routes OF
migration. Once more have to fall back upon
instinct
Just how birds find their way from distant
latitude to another is the most inexplicabe OF
all the many mysterious facts OF migration. The
length of the flight from northern habitat to
southern winter resort varies according to the
different species of birds all the way from 1000
to 5000 miles and in few cases to ZOO miles.
Yet these distances apparently traversed In
generally direct straight lines and with the most
orderly and businesslke methods OF procedure.
To say that the older birds show the younger
birds the way (since this has been shown to be
untrue in many cases) only removes the difficulty
back into the remote past for at some time
there had to be some birds to find the way the
first time and we only dodge this difficulty when
talk of inherited instinct.
ia of Of
way and being guided by landmarks. II is known
that migrations a rule take place at night, and
that in general birds fly very high, in fact at
tremendous heights when migrating. Under
such conditions finding their way by sight is inn
possible. Moreover. the sight theory breaks down
in the case of those birds who cross great
stretches of water where there no landmarks
whatever. There is species of cuckoo which
summers in New Zealand and winters in eastern
Australia, which means straight flight OF some
200 miles without rest or stop across the track
less waters Certain species of hummng birds
that winter in Central and South America spend
their summer vacation in the United States, and
to do so must fly across some 900 miles Of the
Gulf Of Mexico.
recent experiment demonstrated that neither
the theory or seeing the way previous knowl-
edge of the route account for the finding OF
the way in migration. Fifteen terms were taken
from their nesting places on Bird Key, Tortugas
lone of the islands Of the Florida reef and
released at distances varying from 90 to $50
miles from their home, and 13 of the 15 found
their way back safely. Observations have also
shown that the same birds return to the same
spot year after year Robins that winter In
Florida will build their nests in the same tree
in a northern state as long they live. An ex-
pIantation which is in much favor is thu probable
possession of a sixth sense-the sense of direc-