Chapter III: Part 3

Tabulated observations compiled by the writer at Glen Ellyn, Illinois, during the past seven years, show that the southward movement of the Redstart commences about the end of the first week in August; the first part of September finds them common, after which their numbers gradually wane, the last of the month, or the first few days in October, witnessing its final departure. Benjamin True Gault.

THE FLYING FISH.

All animals are provided with some means of protection from the attacks of their enemies and with ways of escaping from any object which they may fear. The means furnished to the Flying Fishes is one of the most unique and interesting.

To escape the larger fishes that prey upon them, or when frightened by a passing vessel, these fishes will rise from the surface of the water and with distended but quiet fins pass over a distance of several feet. They have been known to rise to a height of twelve or more feet and fly for one hundred or more yards, although the height and distance traveled is usually much less. This power of flight is due to the great development of the breast (pectoral) fins, situated on the sides of the body near the head.

Some writers have stated that these fishes left the water for the purpose of catching insect food and that they had the power of regulating their flight by the movement of their fins. The best authorities, however, claim that they do not possess the power of changing the direction, velocity, or altitude of their flight and the position of the fins is not voluntarily changed, and that their object in leaving the water is not for food.

They rise without reference to the direction of the wind or waves, and frequently, when their course is at an angle with the wind, the direction of their flight may be changed by the air currents or by contact with the waves. The direction is also modified, when passing close to the water, by immersing the tail fin and moving it with a rudder like motion.

There are two groups of Flying Fishes, both natives of tropical and sub-tropical seas. In one of the groups there are less than five species, while classed under the other there are fifty or more.

EDITOR'S NOTE.

On account of inaccuracies in the report of Mr. Chapman's lecture, which was quoted in the June number of this Magazine, it is only due to Mr. Chapman that we publish the following letter received from him:

TO THE EDITOR OF BIRDS AND NATURE:

_Dear Sir_:--In the June issue of your magazine there appeared an
alleged abstract from a lecture by me on the "Structure and Habits
of Birds," which so abounds in errors that I beg you will permit
me to state that the matter published was a newspaper report, for
which I am in no way responsible. Yours respectfully,
FRANK M. CHAPMAN.

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| Transcriber's Note: |
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| Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. |
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| Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant |
| form was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed. |
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| Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained. |
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| Italicized words are surrounded by underline characters, |
| _like this_. |
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| The Contents table was added by the transcriber. |
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