Allen on the Destruction oj Birds by Light-houses. 135 
stantly killed. At one time tlie whole element was ablaze with [them, 
shining in the rays of light like myriads of little stars or meteors. The 
moon arose by ten o’clock, which afforded them light to go on their way 
South (for they were coming from the North and going down the coast 
South). I do not think one bird stopped alone, or went into the woods at 
all, as not one was seen, for I particularly noticed. After the moon was 
up, one of the birds came striking the lantern glass. I went out and gath- 
ered from the balcony of the watch-room and lantern three hundred and 
fifty dead birds, besides one hundred and forty that were picked up the 
next morning off the ground at the foot of the tower, which had been 
blown off the balconies. They were a species known here as ‘myrtle bird,’ 
or ‘ winter yellow ’ bird. They are about the size of the sparrow, with 
gray back and yellow breast. They are excellent food.” 
20. Hunting Island Light , S. C. (entrance of St. Helena Sound). Flash- 
ing white light; height, 136 feet. S. B. Wright, keeper. March 30, 
1877. — “The birds killed by flying against the tower embrace nearly all 
kinds of Ducks and sea-fowl, and of wood and marsh birds. They are 
mostly killed in the fall and early winter, but are found dead at intervals 
all winter. During the past winter we have obtained in this way but few 
Ducks, Teal, Widgeon, and Coot. During several successive nights in 
October we gathered a peck of large fat Rice-birds each night, and there 
were hundreds of other varieties lying around the tower dead or wounded. 
Our cats and hogs had all they could eat. This was during a severe gale 
of northeast wind and rain. During stormy nights in winter there are 
often hundreds of birds roosting on the wire netting around the light.” 
21. St. Augustine Light , St. Augustine, Fla. Fixed white light, varying 
with white flashes; height, 165 feet. W. A. Harn, keeper. April 10, 
1877. — Reports that on the nights of October 13, 14, and 15, 1876, “ the 
lantern was covered with birds, most of them small.” The nights were 
very dark, and, as far as could be seen by the beam of light, the air 
appeared to be a solid mass of birds. Each morning the keepers raked 
up more than two bushels of dead birds. The ground in the vicinity of 
the light was covered with dead and wounded birds. Says the reporter : 
“ I can hardly give a correct idea of the number, but there must have 
been more than a million. The air was so thick with birds on these nights 
that I had to protect my face with my hat to keep them from blinding 
me.” The largest number of birds come here in October and November. 
“ White Cranes ” (Egrets ?), Curlews, and “ many other species,” are 
stated to fly against the light. 
22. West Rigolets Light , entrance to Lake Pontchartrain, La. Fixed 
white light ; height, 30 feet. — Mr. H. W. Henshaw writes, under date of 
March 20, 1880, respecting a visit made by him to this light some years 
ago : “ I was unfortunate in not happening to be at the light during or 
just subsequent to a storm, and as a consequence I reaped but scanty ben- 
efit from the loss of bird life that occurred. Nor can I give a list of the 
