BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 59 



to alight upon. We have the little Sandpipers here in summer that breed their little 

 ones upon the island, and they are the only ones that stop here. Along in April and 

 May when the birds return from their southern home, sometimes in foggy weather and 

 wind coming from the south, the island will be covered with all kinds of birds, but 

 just as soon as the weather clears they will leave to go farther north from here. But 

 for some reason they never seem to fly against the lighthouse lantern so as to get 

 killed, as they do at some stations on the coast. Should there be anything I could do 

 in any way to aid you, I should be pleased to do so freely." 



(Signed) Geo. L. Lyon. 



This letter is interesting and shows that the birds that crowd the island 

 during foggy weather in the migrations are for some reason able to avoid 

 destruction by the light. It is, however, possible that some are killed, but being 

 blown off, escape observation or are eaten by cats. 



