Page:The Migration of Birds - Thomas A Coward - 1912.pdf/129

Rh caught, but 30 miles from land, by a violent "norther." Other similar sudden disasters have been recorded off our British coasts, even so far back as 1786, when, as quoted by Southwell, a Newcastle collier passed through water off the Suffolk shores black with vast numbers of drowned woodcocks.

During normal migration birds may be brought to a lower elevation by strong contrary winds, or they may be bewildered by fogs and cloud and dropped nearer the surface; it is then that the travellers meet with disaster at our coastwise lights.

Mr Tomison records some of his experiences of migration at Skerryvore (52). He never saw a bird at the windows when the moon was shining, and on clear nights the passing crowds go on without a pause. But on hazy nights, with an easterly wind and drizzle, or during fogs, if large numbers of migrants are passing, hundreds may be seen flying in all directions, "all seemingly of the opinion that the only way of escape out of the confusion is through the windows of the lantern." On one September night, when he was standing on the balcony, he likens the appearance of the birds to a heavy fall of snow. "Thousands were flitting about; hundreds were striking against the dome and windows; hundreds were sitting dazed and stupid on the trimming paths; and scores falling to the rocks below, some instantaneously killed, others