MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 167 



also become scattered through the orchard, apparently through the agency 

 of the birds which eat the seeds. The Waxwing or Cedar Bird is especially 

 fond of these berries, and I have seen flocks of them feeding in these trees. 

 Along the steep bank are a number of cottages, but as these are vacant dur- 

 ing the greater part of the year and especially during the season of migra- 

 tion, they do not materially affect the bird life. 



To the north of the orchard the bluff which forms the edge of the plain 

 swings awa}' from the lake leaving a low, wet wood of several acres, com- 

 posed of soft maple, elm, and ash trees. The northern part of this wood is 

 bordered along the lake shore by willows and sedges. Still further north, 

 and to the end of the lake, the tamarack forms a more or less narrow but 

 continuous fringe of swamp forest which extends along the low, wet border 

 of the lake, in places reaching the margin, which is covered with coarse 

 grass and rushes. 



The bluff at this point is grown up with forest trees and bushes, as to the 

 southward, and there is thus a long stretch of forest habitat along the lake 

 shore, which not only furnishes a place where many of the migrant forest 

 birds may stop to feed, but also affords a cover which is an efficient protec- 

 tion from the birds of prey. 



DAILY OBSERVATIONS. 



September 9. — The early migrants were apparentlv gone on this date. 

 The Bobolink gathered into flocks in late July and August. The Scarlet 

 Tanager, the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and the Yellow Warbler were 

 not seen after August 26th. A large flock of Killdeer arrived at the lake about 

 September 1st, and many of them were shot by gunners. On this date I 

 saw eight, apparently the remainder of the flock, feeding on the beach which 

 was uncovered by the very low water. 



September 10-11. — But one new bird, the American Coot, was observed 

 on these dates. Large flocks of Bronzed Grackles were observed flying 

 over the lake, and I saw large flocks of Redwing Blackbirds feeding on the 

 wild rice which is plentiful on the Huron river. 



September 12. — Several AVilson's and a Hermit Thrush, also a Towhee, 

 were seen in the woods near the outlet. . A flock of Chickadees, one 

 Golden-crowned Kinglet, and several Flickers were feeding in the trees in 

 the orchard. 



September 13. — The calls of many birds were heard in the night as they 

 passed overhead on their journey southward. In the morning a Pied-billed 

 Grebe was seen on the lake. Along the bluff, flocks of Ceclar Birds were 

 feeding on the berries of the red cedar. Flocks of Song and Vesper Sparrows 

 were feeding among the Aveeds near the edge of the tree covered bluff to 

 which they hastened when disturbed. 



September 14. — A Marsh Hawk was observed quartering over the marsh, 

 and a Great Blue Heron and several flocks of Cedar Birds flying over the 

 lake. About sunset I saw a small flock of Black Ducks alight on the lake. 

 A nest of this species was found near Dexter about May 1st, 1906, and four 

 of the young were reared. When I saw them in September they were as tame 

 as the domestic ducks they were with. I have also seen small flocks of this 

 species in this region during the summer, so that a few evidently breed 

 here. 



September 15. — Near the outlet two Warbling Vireos and several Brown 

 Thrashers were seen. On the lake an Osprey was observed catching fish. 



