Bird lore - Project Puffin

Protection of Migrating Birds in England 295
Early in the evening the conditions were most propitious, for there was a
southeast wind, accompanied by considerable fog; but, unfortunately for me
and to the advantage of the birds, the wind soon changed to the northeast,
resulting in a clear sky, with a bright moon, so that very few birds approached
the light.
At St. Catherine's, the lirst perches were placed on the roof, outside the
reach of any of the rays of light and, as the birds could not see them, they
were of little or no use.
Other perches were erected below the light, and sufficiently low to prevent
their obstructing the rays of light from performing their proper function,,
yet high enough to receive some of the light, so that the birds could distinctly
see them.
These perches are on the south and east sides of the light, as that is the
direction whence the birds arrive in their spring flight.
In a report recently received from Trinity House, which is the headquarters
of the British Bird Protective Association, most encouraging results have been
attained at both the St. Catherine and Casket lights. The following is a quo-
tation from the St. Catherine's keeper's letter:
"From close observations made, there is not the slightest doubt that the
perches are of great value in saving the lives of the birds during the migration,
and it is now a very rare occurrence to pick up any dead birds." Previously,
they used to be collected by the basketful.
It would seem that we would be justified in erecting similar perches at some
of the lighthouses under the control of the United States government.
FEMALE PHEASANT
Photographed by A. A. Allen