CHAPTER XXVIII 



BIRDS IN EXISTENCE BEFORE LIGHTHOUSES 



My endeavour in treating this subject has been 

 to show how birds and others " accomplish 

 their remarkable feats," and if my convictions 

 are in the track of truth, we must conclude 

 that " definite appearances of coast-lines 

 shown up by the projections of light from sea- 

 side towns, lightships and lighthouses," are a 

 hindrance rather than a guide to the birds, and 

 also that powerful searchlights would tend to 

 baffle the migrants. 



It must be remembered that migrating birds 

 were in existence long before the erection of 

 lighthouses and electrically hghted towns ; 

 therefore, if birds were capable of finding their 

 way in times when the nights were unillumined 

 by artificial rays, it is presumable they can do 

 so now. For though man, in consequence of 

 his reasoning mind, has progressed and altered 

 his ways of living, birds, who have not the 

 same advantage, have retained their primal 

 habits, 



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