Federal wildlife officials studying ways to prevent potentially fatal bird strikes, such as the one that forced a US Airways jet to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River in January, are focusing on mustard, which repels a favorite snack of birds — worms.

After it rains, earthworms crawl onto the runway at La Guardia and JFK airports, providing a smorgasbord for hungry birds, who can then get caught in plane engines, researchers said.

A witness has told police that a Long Island Rail Road engineer let a passenger operate a train bound for New York City.

The double-decker train left Port Jefferson at 6:45 a.m. It normally has about 400 passengers and goes up to 80 mph.

New York City officials on Wednesday reported the deaths of three more people with swine flu, and estimated that more than half a million New Yorkers may have become sick from the virus.

A few moments later, with the engines dead, attempts to restart them fruitless, and the Hudson fast approaching, Captain Sullenberger turned to Mr. Skiles and said, “Got any ideas?”

Mr. Skiles replied, “Actually, not.”

Condé Nast workers received a memo telling them that “an employee working on the 12th floor at 4 Times Square” has tested positive for the virus, according to New York magazine. Vogue is on the 12th floor.