■36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Turning now from the number of individuals and species to 

 the sex, we find that practically three-fourths, if not more, of 

 the birds found were females. Of the sixty Parula Warblers 

 examined, I cannot recall a single adult male specimen. In 

 explanation of the above facts we can only refer to the late date 

 of the occurrence. As in practically all species the males arrive 

 some time in advance of the females, and this, being in all 

 probability one of the last migratory ' ' waves ' ' of the season, 

 was composed almost entirely of the latter sex. 



We must however bear in mind that this was but one imme- 

 diate locality, and when we consider the number of towers, and 

 equally as tall buildings through the city, we realize that the 

 loss of life must have been tremendous, and can certainly not 

 help but have a noticeable effect upon bird-life at one locality 

 or another. 



Although a few birds are picked up every year about the 

 City Hall, from information gained from employees, August 

 28, 1905 marked the last slaughter in anyway comparable to 

 the one cited above, and this like most others, occurred in the 

 late summer or early autumn. 



As before stated the greater number of birds were killed by 

 striking hard structures, and it is the writer's opinion that the 

 birds, being forced to migrate low on account of the storm, were 

 attracted by the bright lights, and apparently misconceiving 

 them to be suspended in midair, attempted to fly past just 

 above or below the center of illumination, and therefore struck 

 the darker portions of the tower, which were unilluminated. 



Since the above occurrence many others birds have lost their 

 lives by striking the City Hall Tower, and under conditions 

 that appear puzzling, when we consider the theories that were 

 formerly advanced. On the morning of September 28th, 

 1915 an adult Flicker was picked up in the courtyard after 

 an absolutely clear night, during which a bright moon was 

 shining. Although not indented, the skull showed heavy blood 

 clots, indicating a severe blow against some hard structure. 



Again on October 17th-18th 1915 another migratory " wave " 

 passed over the city and many more birds struck the towers, as 

 A result of apparently unknown reasons. The night was abso- 



