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PAGE TWELVE

Mid-April Gales Blow Rare Birds to Their Death in N. E.

Scores Carried More Than 1000 Miles by Wind Are Found –Five Summer Tanagers Seen– Some Reported Exhausted Far Out to Sea

By THE HERALD'S ROVING REPORTER

Storms of the last two weeks have been ill winds for many summer birds blown into New England hundreds and often 1000 miles from their usual habitation, according to the department of agriculture.

Scores of brilliantly plumaged birds which only visit this section of the country in the hottest months have been picked up dead or exhausted, victims of terrific mid-April gales.

Nearly every mail for the past two weeks has brought to Dr. John B. May, head of the state division of ornithology, reports of birds arriving here ahead of time and of birds which rarely visit New England.

Most surprising are reports of summer tanagers which have been seen in Massachusetts only a few times during the 75 years that records have been kept. These birds usually come as far north as Maryland to spend the summer and rear their young. Reports of five summer tanagers, only one alive, have been received by Dr. May.

BLOWN BY DESTINATION

The expert explains that the birds were probably forced by terrific storms into the upper reaches of the air and were unable to reach the safety of lower air strata until they had been driven 1000 miles past their destination.

Newspapermen aboard the coast guard cutter Mojave, which rescued the rudderless steamer West Hika 500 miles at sea, were thrilled during the storm when a beautifully plumaged bird landed on the ship 300 miles from land.

The bird, long-beaked and of an exquisite mottled brown color, seemed exhausted as it rested from its long flight. But when sailors approached it with food it became frightened and flew in cleaving circles around the cutter. After it had rested about 20 minutes it hopped off and disappeared in the driving sleet toward the southeast and land.

Many beautiful birds from the tropics probably lost their lievs [[lives]] in similar situations when they dropped exhausted into the sea.

As the summer birds are insectirorous creatures they have slight chance of surviving in New England even if they finally alight safely. All birds picked up alive are emaciated from their long battle with the elements high above the clouds.

Dead summer tanagers have been found at Vinepard Haven, Chatham and Cohasset. nAother [[Another]] observer reports the presence of indigo buntings which usually arrive on Vineyard Haven about May 10.

There has been a report of a scarlet tanager found in Lewiston, Me., and a cardinal grosbeak in South Portland. Me. It is pointed out that the brighter colored birds are usually reported because their fall is easily seen. But the birds of more somber colors might fall in a backyard without the residents being aware of it.

A worm eating warbler, a bird which rarely visits New England voluntarily, has been seen in Ipswich.

Storms have a marked effect on the migration of birds, bird lovers say. If terrific gales, like those of this month, come during the migrating season the effect is often disastrous upon the bird population.