376 ' Roberts, A Lapland Longspur Tragedy. [oct* 



findings were uniform. Briefly, all died from injuries of various 

 kinds. Besides some one hundred and fifty birds examined care- 

 fully in the field, one hundred were picked up on the ice at Worth- 

 ington and about the village and as a matter of curiosity were 

 brought home, dissected and detailed autopsy notes made of each. 

 A general summary of these notes show that in many the skulls had 

 been fractured and indented, leading to cerebral hemorrhages; 

 while in many more the bones of the body had been variously 

 crushed, accompanied by extensive internal hemorrhages. In 

 some instances the impact had been forcible enough to rupture the 

 intestines, lungs or other viscera. A few had their necks broken. 

 Many had broken wings and legs associated with other more fatal 

 injuries. The birds picked up on the ice had just as extensive 

 injuries as those found elsewhere, and it seemed certain that in 

 their utter confusion they must have dashed headlong onto the 

 surface of the lake from a considerable height. All the birds were 

 very fat and had been in excellent condition. Examination of the 

 stomachs of many dead birds revealed the fact that all were empty 

 except for small amounts of fine gravel; even this was wanting in 

 some instances. 



It would be futile to attempt any calculation as to the probable 

 number of birds killed during that one night. The center of 

 destruction seems to have been at Worthington, where, taking the 

 reasonably accurate basis of calculation furnished by the lake 

 surfaces as a guide, it would seem that certainly not far short of a 

 million and a half birds were killed. Not as many were killed at 

 other points, so far as known, but what the grand total for the whole 

 area of fifteen hundred (1500) square miles must have been I will 

 leave for your imagination to picture. All of the birds were Lap- 

 land Longspurs. Not an individual of any other species was found. 



As to the explanation of this catastrophe: It is plain enough that 

 on the fateful night there was in progress an immense migratory 

 movement of Lapland Longspurs leaving the prairies of Iowa 

 where they had passed the winter months for their summer homes 

 in the Northland, and that becoming confused in the storm-area 

 by the darkness and heavy falling snow they were attracted by the 

 lights of the towns and congregated in great numbers over and about 

 these places. In their bewildered condition great numbers flew 



