PART I. 



OBSERVATIONS ON NOCTURNAL BIRD FLIGHTS AT THE 



LIGHT-HOUSE AT POINT LEPREAUX, BAY OF 



FUNDY, NEW BRUNSWICK. 



That myriads of the smaller land birds are killed annually during their 

 migrations by flying against our light-houses is now well known, and various 

 data bearing on this sad fact have been collected, — as well as to some extent 

 formulated and published, — especially since the Migration Committee of 

 the Union began its useful work. But as the various observers have been 

 usually light-keepers or their assistants, their records relate chiefly to such 

 matters as the dates at which the heaviest flights have occurred, the direction 

 of the wind and conditions of the weather at the time, and the number and 

 kinds of birds killed. In short, no trained ornithologist seems to have 

 studied the subject in the actual light of a government lantern, or at least 

 to have given the world the benefit of such an experience. On this account 

 the following notes, made in 1885 at Point Lepreaux,* New Brunswick, 

 may be acceptable. 



Point Lepreaux Light-house is a strongly built wooden tower of the usual 

 tapering shape, perched on the very edge of a vertical clifl" at the extremity 

 of the point from which it takes its name. There are two lights in the tower, 

 both in the same vertical plane. The upper or principal light is eighty- 

 one feet, the lower fifty-three feet, above high water mark. The former, a 

 fixed white light, belonging to the class known as "catoptric," is visible 

 fifteen miles in clear weather, between the bearings W.N.W. around by S. 

 to E. by N. The latter, a "dioptric" light of the sixth order, is visible 

 about six miles. f 



The upper or principal lantern is in the top of the tower, immediately 

 beneath a conical tin roof having projecting eaves and a wide-mouthed 



* Point Lepreaux, or Cape Lepreaux as it is sometimes called, is situated on the west shore 

 of the Baj of Fundy, near its mouth, in latitude 45° 23' 40" N. , and longtitude 66° 27' 39" W. 



tThe above data are taken from the " List of Lights and Fog Signals of the Coasts, Rivers 

 and Lakes of the Dominion of Canada," published b/ the Canadian Department of Marine. 

 Despite this authority I cannot believe that the height of the lanterns is correctly given. The 

 lower lantern cannot possibly be over forty feet above high water mark, and I doubt if it is 

 much more than thirty. 



