THE MISSISSIPPI RESERVES 311 



over, one island a party of black terns. As 

 these are inland birds, most of which at this 

 season are breeding around the lakes of our 

 Northwestern country, I was puzzled by their 

 presence. Still more puzzling was it to come 

 across a party of turnstones, with males in full, 

 brightly varied nuptial dress, for turnstones 

 during the breeding season Hve north of the 

 arctic circle, in the perpetual sunlight of the 

 long polar day. On the other hand, a couple 

 of big oyster-catchers seemed, and were, en- 

 tirely in place; they are striking birds and 

 attract attention at a great distance. We saw 

 dainty Wilson's plover with their chicks, and 

 also semipalmated sandpipers. 



On the morning of the 12th we returned to 

 Pass Christian. I was very glad to have seen 

 this bird refuge. With care and protection the 

 birds will increase and grow tamer and tamer, 

 until it will be possible for any one to make 

 trips among these reserves and refuges, and to 

 see as much as we saw, at even closer quarters. 

 No sight more beautiful and more interesting 

 could be imagined. 



I am far from disparaging the work of the 

 collector who is also a field naturalist. On the 

 contrary, I fully agree with Mr. Joseph Grin- 

 nell's recent plea for him. His work is indis- 



