How 'bout a round of Kumbaya

The pretty reflective glass on the Mathematics and Science building at Emory University is an 'aviary slaughterhouse, says John Wegner.' It kills dozens of birds who confuse the reflective woodsy view with the actual forest. The school puts up netting during the migratory season. It is one of Emory University's most environmentally friendly buildings, a hallmark of the institution's efforts to "go green." To hear John Wegner describe it, it's also a slaughterhouse.

The soaring glass windows in Emory's Mathematics and Science Center reflect the woodsy view, confusing hapless birds who smash into it at full speed.

"The building killed 60 birds in the first year," said Wegner, Emory's chief environmental officer. "It was the wall of death."

Wegner, a professor in Emory's Department of Environmental Studies, began documenting the deaths shortly after the building opened in 2002. He found an average of two birds a day were losing their lives during the height of the migration season.

Magnolia warblers, Swainson's thrushes, ovenbirds — no species was safe.

After getting the brush-off from the administration and architects, Wegner stuffed a couple of dead birds into his pockets and whipped them out during a meeting with his boss. Suddenly, he had an audience.

Now Emory drapes parts of the $40 million building with black mesh netting for about three months each fall, and migrating birds bounce off safely.

"It has saved hundreds of lives," he said. More here:

HA HA -- I wonder how much it costs to put up the netting. Yes -- I wonder about the "cost per bird-life saved." To me, if it's cheaper than cleaning up dead birds, fine -- if not -- I vote nay.

I'll bet the building looks great too -- with huge black nets -- surrounded by onlooking admirers -- mostly disheveled jackasses with hairy legs wearing Birkenstocks and black socks (and that's just the women.)