Sufferings of Birds 



noise of gunfire in their immediate proximity 

 undoubtedly had a more or less transitory 

 effect, according to the duration of fire, on 

 certain classes of birds, chiefly WILDFOWL, 

 on the coast. During the bombardment of 

 Yarmouth and Lowest oft in 1915 the birds 

 were driven away in a panic. Anti-aircraft 

 guns in action terrified BLACKBIRDS, which 

 were much disturbed at each detonation and 

 flitted from tree to tree uttering agitated 

 cries. Even SWALLOWS, in their aerial chase, 

 seemed to dart hither and thither more 

 spasmodically than usual. It seems prob- 

 able that birds, being naturally sensitive to 

 aerial movements, are disturbed more by the 

 concussion of the air than by the actual 

 sound of the explosions (Daily Mail, lo.iv. 



At the Zoological Gardens in Regent's 

 Park only a few birds raised protesting voices 

 during the raids, and still fewer showed any 

 sign of nervousness next morning. During 

 the daylight raids many of the birds sat with 

 their eyes fixed on the sky, and the CRANES 

 were at all times excited by the presence of 



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