The Birds and Poets 147 



As we have elsewhere observed, by far the larger 

 number of birds migrate at night. These include 

 the shore birds, thrushes, woodcock, warblers, 

 vireos, sparrows, tanagers and flycatchers, and 

 those birds of timid and retiring habits that are 

 less able to protect themselves against the hazards 

 of long flights by day, when they would be exposed 

 to the attacks of hawks and other enemies. In 

 their nesting haunts during the summer these 

 birds find little difficulty in protecting themselves, 

 among the thick summer foliage, against most of 

 their natural enemies, but in migrating the birds, 

 of course, ascend far above the protecting trees 

 and shrubs, and it seems to be their fear of attack 

 which has led them to await the cover of darkness 

 for their journey. Longfellow refers to these 

 night travels in his "Birds of Passage": 



"But the night is fair, 

 And everywhere 

 A warm, soft vapor fills the air, 

 And distant sounds seem near: 



And above, in the light 

 Of the starlit night. 



Swift birds of passage wing their flight 

 Through the dewy atmosphere. 



I hear the beat 

 Of their pinions fleet, 

 As from the land of snow and sleet 

 They seek a southern lea. 



