6 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



ventilator. It is encircled by a platform about five feet in width, supported 

 by iron stays, and protected outwardly by an iron railing. In shape it is 

 octagonal, two of the sides (those towards the land) being of iron, the 

 other six, heavy panes of plate glass. The light is supplied by five large 

 kerosene lamps backed by silver-lined reflectors. These lamps form three 

 quarters of a circle, the space between them and the outer glass being about 

 three feet; 



My stay at Point Lepreaux lasted nearly seven weeks, from August 13 to 

 September 26. Living at the house of the light-keeper (Mr. G. H. Thomas), 

 within a few yards of the light-house itself, I was able to keep a close watch on 

 the movements of the birds, and I believe that no flight of importance escaped 

 my notice. At the time of my arrival the migration of many of the smaller 

 land birds had begun. Nearl}' every morning brought new comers to the 

 Point, and at night, especially after August 20, Thrushes and Warblers were 

 often heard passing overhead. But up to the close of the month there was no 

 considerable movement, at least of species which migrate by night. Rather 

 it was like the gradual setting of ocean currents immediately after the 

 turn of the tide. During this period the weather was unfavorable for birds 

 to be attracted to the light, and none were seen there either living or dead. 



The first real "rush" occurred on the night of September i, and, for the 

 two weeks following the feathered tide flowed swiftly and more or less stead- 

 ily, marking its course through the star-lit heavens by the incessant chirping 

 of its passing legions, in thick weather surging confusedly about the light, 

 wrecking many a bird life against the fatal shaft, and at daybreak leaving 

 hundreds of tired little travellers stranded in the scanty covers of the Point. 

 With this date then begin my notes on "Birds about the Light." 



Sept. I. Night cloudy and dark, but not foggy. Wind southwest, 

 light. At ten o'clock small birds appeared about the lantern in considerable 

 numbers, and for the succeeding two hours a dozen or more were constantly 

 in sight, skimming along or across the pathway of light. Every now and 

 then one would fly directlv against the glass, sometimes striking it with con- 

 siderable force, but oftener merely fluttering against the pane. During the 

 evening two killed themselves outright, and seven were hopelessly disabled. 

 These nine specimens represented eight species, seven of which were War- 

 blers {Dcndroica virevs, D. Dtaculosa, D. -pcnsylvanica. D. ccerulescetis, 

 Geoihlyfis fhiladcJ^hia, G. frickas, and Setofhag'a riiticilla) and one a 

 Vireo ( V. olivaccus) . A tenth {^Eni-pidonax trailli) entered the mouth of 

 the ventilator and came down through it into the lantern, uninjured. The 

 majority, in fact full}^ ninety per cent, did not strike, but after dallying with 

 the danger passed on, marking their progress westward by incessant 

 chirping. Others were constantly arriving, heard at first faintly in the 



