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Other birds have other migration 'habits and move at other rates, biit as 

 a general thing, the different kinds of birds move along their course in waves, 

 with a nxaraber of stop-overs during the trip. The famous golden plovers, how- 

 ever, are still supposed to msuze non-stop flights of 2,000 miles from Labrador 

 to the 'lest Indies and from Alaska to Hawaii, and back again. 



As far as there is any record, no golden plover has ever been seen to 

 light upon the water along the course of its migration. However, Mr. Lincoln 

 says that it is well worth noting that the golden plover and all the other 

 apparently non-stop long-distance fliers are water birds that could rest on 

 the surface of the water and take off again. Until the golden plover is caught 

 in that act, however, it will probablj'- continue to hold undisputed championship 

 among birds for non-stop distance flights. 



And novj just another word on the modification of old notions. It was 

 believed that most bird migrations took place 15,000 feet or more above the 

 earth. The people argued themselves into that by the idea that as the air is 

 rarer aloft, flying would be easier. Since we have taken to the air ourselves, 

 however, we have found out that it is really harder to fly in the rarer upper 

 regions. T^e need air to support our planes. 



Of course, the birds have undoubtedly known that ever since the flying 

 business was in the fledgling sta^!;e. Since there is nothing to gain by going 

 way up, most bird migrations probably take place at a height not exceeding 

 3,000 to 5,000 feet. That depends, of covjse, on the birds. The weaker 

 migrants travel at only a few hundred feet up; just high enough to clear ob- 

 stacles. 



Mr. Lincoln recalls that before the City of Washington became so well 

 lighted as it is now, hundreds of warblers, thrushes, tstnagiers, and other birds 

 were often found dead at the foot of the Washington Monument on mornings follow- 

 ing the migrations. 



But if newer knowledge has pared the height, and rate, and speed estimates 

 of bird flight, that knowledge has brought the birds closer to us, end us to a 

 closer understanding of them, and it has renewed interest in bird migration and 

 flight. 



ANNOUNCEMENT : You have just listened to the feature known as With Uncle Sam's 

 Naturalists, presented once every two weoks through the cooperation of Station 

 fuid the United States Department of Agriculture. 



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