The Migration of North American Birds (1935)

The book opens by asking the timeless questions that have long haunted anyone who watches birds vanish from our backyards each autumn. It weaves together ancient observations—from Hesiod and Homer to biblical references—with modern scientific inquiry, showing how curiosity about these skyward journeys has shaped human culture. By grounding the discussion in both historical anecdotes and early 20th‑century fieldwork, it sets the stage for a systematic exploration of why and how birds undertake their seasonal travels.

Listeners will be guided through the major patterns of North American migration, from short local movements to epic trans‑continental routes across the Atlantic and Pacific. The author explains the roles of weather, altitude, day‑night cycles, and innate orientation in shaping these journeys, and introduces the pioneering banding studies that first revealed individual pathways. Along the way, the narrative highlights the perils birds face—storms, exhaustion, and habitat loss—underscoring the relevance of this knowledge for farmers, hunters, and conservationists alike.