WEST COAST OF ENGLAND. 75 



light is red towards the shore." From Burnham it is reported 

 ** Birds very rarely strike, the lantern glass being only eight feet by 

 four feet." And from Skerries report I extract the following : — 

 ** There is a small quantity of birds in comparison with years 

 prior to introduction of fog-horn (see also Kep. 1880, p. 119). 

 In thick and foggy weather during November and February great 

 quantities were always seen, chiefly Starlings, with Blackbirds, 

 Thrushes, Wheatears, Larks, &c. On one occasion I saw our 

 lantern gallery full, and at the base of the tower the quantity 

 killed necessitated the use next morning of the wheelbarrow to 

 remove them to the garden for manure. On one occasion a 

 monster pie, made by workmen emploj^ed here, contained two 

 hundred Larks, besides other smaller birds. But since the fog- 

 horn has been sounded in thick weather birds coming to the light 

 have been few, though many seen and heard in the air." — 

 H. Knott. 



From the same station Mr. Garret, P.K., writes : — " These 

 birds (Sea Swallows, which breed on the island) seem to take no 

 notice of the fog-horn, while others, such as Starlings, Black- 

 birds, Thrushes, Larks, &c., keep off while the horn is sounding, 

 so that very few are seen round the lantern now, while formerly, 

 in thick or misty weather during February and November, the 

 lantern-gallery would be full of birds ; each on striking would 

 drop into the gallery and remain till daylight, when, if not too 

 much injured, they would fly ; but with strong winds a great 

 number, chiefly Starlings, would be killed." 



It is- easy to believe that the hideous sound of a fog-horn, till 

 the birds get used to it, will keep them at a distance. That birds 

 recognise landmarks cannot, I think, be doubted, and possibly a 

 complete change in colour of a light they have grown accustomed 

 to may for a time make them suspicious of it. I think that if a 

 light be placed in a new, and not altogether unfavourable, situa- 

 tion, birds will be attracted to it, because, though not yet accus- 

 tomed to see it in that spot, they will recognise it as a resting- 

 place and sign of land. From some light-keepers I have heard 

 that years ago (the lighthouse then not long erected) the slaughter 

 among birds was much greater than now. Of course the nature 

 of the season would partly account for this, but I think also that 

 the unaccustomed light might attract many a weary wanderer to 

 an untimely death. That birds protit by experience cannot, I 



