June, 1902.] Summer Birds of Lake Erie's Islands. 281 



THE SUMMER BIRDS OF LAKE ERIE'S ISLANDS. 



LvNDs Jones. 



During the year several places in the state were visited in the 

 interest of the ' Revised Catalog.' The first in April, to McCon- 

 nelsville in ^Morgan county ; a second to Medina, in Medina 

 county ; and a third to the islands of Lake Erie, not to mention 

 several minor trips. It is of the third of these principal trips that 

 I wish to speak, because it was planned with special reference to 

 work on the ' Revised Catalog,' and was of more value as deter- 

 mining the northern range of several sp:cies whose summer homes 

 are supposed to lie much farther south. 



This field work was planned in conjunction with Rev. W. L. 

 Dawson, of this cit}^ with whom the best of my ornithological 

 work has been done. A kindred spirit with whom such work 

 becomes recreation of the most satisfactory kind. 



Family, church and college duties prevented an earlier start than 

 the 5th da}^ of August. True, that was pretty late to study the 

 summer birds, many of which must be in the annual molt, but, as 

 it proved, there were but few from farther north, and those among 

 the water birds. We were most concerned about the land birds 

 which regularly breed upon these islands. 



The landing on Middle Bass at six on the evening of the 5th 

 left little time for study of the birds before going into camp. The 

 best part of the next morning was given to a study of the birds 

 swarming on the mud fiats of the lagoon back of the large wine 

 cellars. Such a company of swamp loving birds as here greeted 

 us it has never been my privilege to see elsewhere. Of the 15 

 species recorded the Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semi- 

 palmated Plovers and King Rails were the most interesting. Of 

 the 42 species recorded for this island, there was nothing else of 

 any special interest. 



A row boat proved the only available conveyance, and with the 

 light airs usually prevailing, was very satisfactory. Twice the 

 seas ran high, but that served only to add zest to our outing. 



A day spent on North Bass yielded little of interest among the 

 34 recorded species, except a Carolina Wren, in the hedge by the 

 church, and a pair of hoary old Bald Eagles spooning in their 

 nest near the west side. No Yellow Warblers were seen north of 

 this island. 



The island commonly known as Big Chicken — the most south- 

 erly of the group of the Hen and Chickens — proved second only 

 in interest of all the islands visited. Apparently formed by the 

 stones pushed up by the ice during late winter, it stands 15 or 20 

 feet clear of the water, the loose stones thrown into windrows bj' 

 ice and waves. Two fair sized trees and a bed of nettles are the 



