VOl i906^ ni ] Stone, Some Light on Night Migration. 251 



Over all the illuminated area, and doubtless for a great distance 

 beyond, they seemed about evenly distributed, those immediately 

 over the flames glowing like coals of fire, those further away appear- 

 ing silvery white. 



I could only guess at the species, but to all appearances they were 

 mainly finches, probably Tree Sparrows, Juncos and the like, 

 while some were noticeably smaller. A few larger individuals, with 

 a continuous rapid wing motion and heavy bodies, I took to be 

 Woodcock or Rail. Far up in the air a Sharp-shinned Hawk 

 circled for some time, doubtless drawn by the light, and two flocks 

 of American Mergansers passed, going at right angles to the 

 migratory flight and evidently passing from the river to the reser- 

 voirs in Fairmount Park where they find a safe and sheltered retreat. 



I am inclined to think that the migrants were not influenced by 

 the fire so far as the direction of their flight was concerned, as those 

 far to the right were not coming toward the blaze but keeping 

 steadily on their way. The birds, however, were very probably 

 drawn down from a higher elevation by the unusual illumination. 



The general trend of the flight was exactly parallel to the Dela- 

 ware River. Up to eleven o'clock, when my observations ceased, 

 it continued apparently without abatement, and I am informed 

 that it was still in progress at midnight. Conditions were exactly 

 favorable for migration, the mild weather of the few preceding 

 days following the unusually severe weather that prevailed during 

 most of the month; and the peculiarly clear night. 



This wonderful sight had one regrettable feature. Occasionally 

 a bird would fly over at a much lower altitude than the main body, 

 and if it happened to pass over any part of the burning area it 

 seldom escaped destruction. Up in mid air, apparently clear of 

 flame and smoke, though evidently within range of the terrible heat, 

 a slender thread of silvery smoke came trailing out from the unfor- 

 tunate bird, like the unfurling of a skein of yarn; it would fly wildly 

 and then, bursting into flame, fall into the roaring furnace below. 

 I saw twenty or thirty birds perish thus during the evening. 1 



1 Since the above was written I have seen six partially burned birds that were 

 picked up on the outskirts of the fire. Two were Song Sparrows and four were 

 Juncos. About a dozen others that were examined but not preserved were stated 

 to belong to the same species. 



