SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



casin flower is its proper name, for in its 

 broad and swelling outlines it resembles much 

 more closely the Indian moccasin than the 

 pointed lady's slipper. 



Of the bushes growing in the dunes, the 

 beach plum is the most characteristic, a strag- 

 gling prostrate shrub where it is exposed to 

 the full force of the wind, but expanding luxu- 

 riantly in the protected hollows. In the early 

 spring it is a mass of w^hite blossoms, and in 

 the fall the small globular purple or crimson 

 fruit can be gathered. There is a wild flavor 

 about it not unattractive. It is not common 

 at Ipswich, but abounds at Plum Island, from 

 w^hich, indeed, the island takes its name. 



Everywhere in the dunes grows the bay- 

 berry or myrtle with its fragrant leaves and 

 aromatic, wax-covered berries, the favorite 

 food of four different kinds of birds, namely, 

 the flicker, crow, tree swallow and myrtle 

 warbler. In fact the myrtle warbler not only 

 owes its name to the berries, for the older 

 name of yellow-rumped warbler has been dis- 

 carded, but also its ability to brave the north- 

 ern winter when all its companions of the 

 same tribe have fled to warmer climates. The 

 early settlers found these bayberries useful 



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