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Dr. Frederick W. D’Evelyn,



is everywhere protected on one side with wire net on light

wooden frames to take off when glass requires cleaning. A

foot plank runs along the bottom where cats could do damage.

Where the ground is not masonry round the outside of the flight,

there are attached to the bottom of this plank L-shaped pieces of

perforated zinc i8in. down and i8in.out. The ditch thus formed *

is filled with stones to help drainage. Wire netting would have

been cheaper and equally efficient as a protection against under¬

ground vermin.



THE TRAGEDY OF THE WHISTLING SWANS

AT NIAGARA FALLS.


By Dr. Frederick W. D’Evelyn,


President Cooper Ornithological Society, San Francisco.



Ships’ masters, light-house keepers, signal tower men, and

others often relate tales of bird destruction which, as far as the

general public are concerned, are dismissed with the passings

tribute of a sigh. Seldom indeed, however, are we fated to hear

of a tragedy in migration of such an unique character as that

which comes to us from Niagara Falls. Through the courtesy of

Mr. James H. Fleming— {Auk. July)—and Mr. James Savage,.

Buffalo, N.Y., we are in possession of facts concerning the disaster.

On the morning of March 14th, a flock of some 300 or 400 Swans

( Olor. columbianus), rare migrant along Niagara River, lit upon

the upper reaches of the river, probably attracted by the open

water. All day the birds remained on the river, numbers of

them at times could be seen floating down the river, carried

along by the current until the proximity of the cataract caused

them to rise and fly back to a place of safety. The day following

(March 15th) was stormy, rain and thunder at intervals. The

birds appeared in distress, and not being able to obtain food,,

added to the constant exertion necessary to keep them out of

danger no doubt weakened them. Shortly before noon, a work¬

man who was engaged in removing some lumber from the ice-

bridge, was startled by a loud cry. Turning around he saw a

Swan struggling at the upper edge of the ice-bridge, but on look¬

ing towards the Falls he saw a great mass of struggling Swans in



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