PILOTS SEE “WAY OF AN EAGLE"

Evening Star, Issue 20255, 16 August 1929, Page 12

PILOTS SEE “WAY OF AN EAGLE"

AEROPLANE BEATEN AT 100 MILES AH HOUR New light on the height and speed at which birds fly, and upon bird migration, is. being thrown by aeroplane pilots, says the ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ air correspondent. Joint plans arc being developed by bird societies and aeronautical associations, to compile systematically such aerial observations of feathered tolls:. It seems that birds are rarely sighted bv airmen above a height of about 3,000 feet. Not long ago, however, one pilot reported seeing a couple of large birds, which he took to be eagles, qt an altitude of more than 12,000 ft. It is believed that some birds, when ecs aaigratiug flights, attain nearly 20,000 ft, - Ornithologists are asking airmen to make special observations as to the

speed at which birds fly. In one case, already on record, a pilot cruising at about 100 miles an hour was approached by a number of swifts. These graceful birds not only overtook the aeroplane, but outstripped it with ease. During the war pilots on' patrol above the dunes of Western Belgium often amused themselves by pitting their aeroplanes against teal and mallard. Both these birds seemed capable of a speed of more than 100 miles an hour, :,

It is hoped that aerial tests may throw fresh light upon the eyesight of birds, w'hicb is known to be amazingly keen. Tn some instances it is believed to be TOO times as acute ,as that of human beings* <