Allen on the Destruction of Birds hy Light-houses. 133 



one time, a few of them now and then killing themselves by flying against 

 the glass. They come mostly from the last of September till the middle 

 of October. As many as 20 have been seen dead at one time. The large 

 sea birds, as Ducks, Coots, etc., do not now come near the light, as they 

 used to, which may be because they are not as plenty as formerly. Nearly 

 all the different species of small land birds come about the light, but the 

 Sparrows seem to take the lead in striking it. Frequently in the fall of 

 the year we pick up 8 or 10 in the morning outside the light ; the cats get 

 a great many that fall on the ground. A great many birds alight on the 

 window-frames outside the lantern, and sometimes stay there all night, 

 fluttering against the srlass, tryino- to get inside to the lio;ht. The liti-ht 

 partially blinds them, as they allow themselves to be taken in the hand. 

 These birds are the most numerous in September and October. A 

 great many Plovers, it is said, used to fly against the light, but have not 

 done so during the four years I have been here." 



10. Hyannis Light, Hyannis, Mass. Fixed white light; height, 42 

 feet. Alonzo F. Lothrop, keeper. March 28, 1877. — As this is a low 

 light, situated almost within the village, the water-fowl pass too high to 

 strike it, none having been known to fly against it. 



11. Succannessett Shoals Light-ship, 14 miles west of Hyannis. A 

 fixed white light ; height, 40 feet. — The writer of the report last given 

 states that when he was at this light-ship, a few years prior to 1877, 

 Ducks and Coot in the fall, and more particularly in November, would 

 strike the light, sometimes breaking the glass, and fall on deck. 



12. Sandy Neck Light, entrance to Barnstable Harbor, Mass. Fixed 

 white light; height, 59 feet. Jacob S. Howes, keeper. March 13, 1877. 

 — During the previous year and a half, one Night-Heron and a few 

 Sparrows were the only birds killed by striking the light. 



13. Cape Page Light-house, northeast point of Martha's Vineyard, 

 Mass. Fi.xed white light ; height, 57 feet. E. Worth, keeper. March 

 23, 1877. — Have kept this light-house eleven years, during which time a 

 dozen birds may have been killed by flying against it, chiefly in the fall 

 when migrating. Those recognized are 1 small Owl, 1 Night-Heron, 1 

 Woodpecker, and a number of " Flycatchers" and " Sparrows." 



14. Point Judith Ught, southern point of Narragansett shore, E.. I. 

 Flashing white light ; height, 67 feet. Joseph Whaley, keeper. April 5, 

 1877. — "1 seldom find any birds dead ; sometimes 8 to 10, and others 

 crippled ; chiefly Yellowbirds in the fall months and in foggy weather. 

 This light is not high enough for water-fowl to strike it." 



15. Block Island Light, northern extremity of Block Island. Fixed 

 white light ; height, 204 feet. — The writer of the last report states that 

 his son, who keeps the light on Block Island, informs him that it is some- 

 times struck by Brant and other sea-fowl. 



16. Monlauk Point Light, extreme east end of Long Island, N. Y. 

 Fixed white light varied by white flashes ; height, 172 feet. N. A. Bab- 



