134 Allen on the Destnidion of Birds hy LigJU-Jwuses. 



cock, keeper. April 7, 1877. — A few small birds fly against the lantern 

 in summer. 



17. Navesink Light, Hiojlilands of Navesink, N. J. Fixed white light ; 

 height, 248 feet. Daniel P. Caulkins, keeper. March 24, 1880. — "Have 

 kept this light for only eighteen months. Robins and Woodcocks are 

 found dead from flying against it. Also one Duck, which came with such 

 force as to break the glass. Found most frequently in heavy weather, 

 with the wind southeast or east, during the winter months, sometimes a 

 dozen or more in a night." 



18. Cape Mmj Light, Cape May, N. J. Flashing white light; height, 

 152 feet. Samuel Still well, keeper. March 25, 1880. — Reports that great 

 numbers of small birds of all kinds strike the light in spring. Sometimes 

 as many as 200 are seen dead on the ground at one time. The kinds 

 especially mentioned are " Chipping Birds," Robins, Catbirds, Flickers, 

 Red Birds, and Sparrows. Sometimes the light is struck during heavy 

 storms by Black Ducks and various kinds of sea-fowl, but not nearly so 

 often as formerly. The light is a very powerful revolving light. 



19. Cape Hatteras Light, 1^. C Flashing white light ; height, 191 feet. 

 N. P. Jennett, keeper. April 20, 1877. — Snipe are killed by flying against 

 the light in April and September ; 60 to 75 fre(|uently found dead at one 

 time. Curlews and Willets, and two other kinds of shore birds called 

 " Pebo " and " Sea-chickens," occasionally strike the light during the 

 months of June, July, and August, seldom more than one or two in a night. 

 The " Marsh Hen " now and then strikes the light at all seasons of the 

 year. About September 1, Teals strike the light, sometimes as many 

 as 8 in one night. The " Myrtle Birds " come on only one night in the 

 year ; this is in September. They come in great numbers, 200 to 300 

 being sometimes killed in one night. Other birds unknown to the reporter 

 are also occasionally found dead, but by far the greater number consist of 

 Myrtle Birds* and Snipe. In this connection the following may be quoted 

 from a letter by Professor Baird, published some time since in the "Amer- 

 ican Sportsman " newspaper : — 



" On the night of October 17, 1876, I was on the top of Cape Hatteras 

 light-house. It was a very dark night, and ' misting.' The wind was 

 blowing thirty-five miles an hour from the northeast. As soon as it was 

 fairly dark, I could see thousands of small birds flying around the leeward 

 of the tower. It was a grand sight, as the lens of the light would per- 

 form its steady revolution, throwing its dazzling rays upon them while 

 seeking shelter by hovering close up under the lee of the tower. As 

 soon as the light would fall upon them, they would fly from it and 

 come in contact with the lantern with such force that they were in- 



* The Myrtle Birds, here and elsewhere mentioned in these abstracts, may 

 embrace other species of the genus Dendrceca than the D. coronata, to wliich 

 this name usually pertains. 



