8 THE CONDOR Vol. XX 



of twelve a night in the migration season. The birds killed at these lighthouses 

 would probably amount to quite a large number from year to year. But when 

 we remember that there are twenty-seven other stations reporting no destruc- 

 tion at all, we see that the number of birds killed in this way on the whole 

 coast must be comparatively slight. j 



II. The destruction of birds at the lighthouses of the California coast is 

 confined almost entirely to water fowl and shore birds. Only two stations re- 

 port any land birds destroyed. Following is a list of the birds reported as 

 having been found dead about the lighthouse stations : 



Name of bird as reported. Number of times reported. 



1. "Small land birds"-: .a. /re ; 2 



2. "Small sea birds" (possibly petrels) 3 



3. "Snipe" (probably some species of sandpiper) 2 



4. "coot" .1; 1 



5. "Shag" (cormorant) 1 



6. "Divers"; (loons and grebes) 2 



7. "Ducks"j f 5 



8. "Spoonbill Duck" , 1 



9. "Teal" ij 1 



10. "Wild Goose" 1 ';*-,■'■ : 



11. "Curlewji 2 |J 



12. "Sandpiper" ...... 1 ;-£? 



13. "Grey Shore Bird" £ 



The evidently small number of land birds killed at the lighthouses of the 

 coast is surprising, since we have been accustomed to think of them as perish- 

 ing in great numbers at similar places in Europe, in the Great Lakes region, 

 and on the Atlantic coast. It may be that the number so killed in the regions 

 named has been overestimated, if, indeed, any careful and extensive study of 

 the matter has been made. But, making all such allowances, it seems probable 

 that the number of birds killed on this coast is far below the usual quota else- 

 where. The writers suggest the following reasons as offering a plausible ex- 

 planation of the difference. 



1. The character of bird migration on the Pacific Coast. It is a well 

 known. fact thatj western birds do not migrate with that concentrated wave 

 movement comnion among the birds of our Eastern and Middle states. In that 

 region we awake some fine spring morning to find forest and garden and way- 

 side weeds melodious with song where all was wintry silence but yesterday. 

 This does not happen in California. Migrations here are more leisurely and 

 widespread, hence less dangerous to the bird travellers. 



2. The character of the California coast. A glance at the map will show:: 

 that the portion of the North American coast comprised within the boundaries 

 of California pushes out westward into the Pacific Ocean in one vast convexity. 

 Birds travelling on this coast and taking " short , r: cuts" will be thrown away 

 from the ocean. On the Qther hand; the Atlantic coast of our country consists 

 of three great concavities^ and many lesser indentations of the sea. Birds tra- 

 velling on the Atlantic c^ast^Mve' numerous sea trips, more or less extended, 

 and will consequently be continually passing near lighthouse stations. 



3. The structure and location of California lighthouses. The senior au- 

 thor has seen over half of the thirty-six lighthouses from which reports have 

 been received, and can say that for the most part tKey are comparatively low 

 structures. The tall, brick-chimney type of lighthouse which one sees so often 

 on the Great Lakes seems to be almost wholly wanting on this coast. 



