THE TRAVELS OF BIRDS 



overhead. Indeed, during nights when many 

 birds are flying, we can, from favorable places, 

 such as high hilltops or cities in the birds' high- 

 way, hear their call-notes almost constantly. The 

 hill brings us nearer the birds, and the city lights 

 bring the birds nearer to us. Light seems to 

 attract them as it does moths. 



An ornithologist at Madison, Wisconsin, 

 states that on the night of September 14, 1906, 

 no less than 3,800 bird calls were heard from 

 one place. The average was twelve calls for each 

 minute. But at times so many calls were heard 

 that it was evident the air above was thronged 

 with birds. 



Study the birds' time-table, and some night 

 during the season of migration go out of doors 

 and listen. You may hear the chirp of Warblers, 

 the metallic chink of the Bobolink, the soft whis- 

 tle of the Thrushes. Nothing I can write will 

 make you realize more clearly how wonderful 

 is the journey, through the darkness, of these 

 small feathered travelers. 



