188 



border them. Each is notably affected in distribntion by the Wi.ter- 

 ■courses. 



EFFECT OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 



The effect of a large interior l)ody of water is well illustrated by 

 Lake Michigan. There, on the open water, many kinds of water fowl, 

 that would otherwise go south, remain through tlie winter. To it, come 

 different forms of sea birds in spring, winter and fall. Among these are 

 Jregers, the rarer Gulls and some Sea Ducks. 



It also attracts such cosmopolitan birds as the Knot (Tringa canutus). 

 Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) and Sanderling (Calidris arenaria). The 

 latter and the Semi-palmated Plover (.Egialitis semipahnatai are found 

 iilong its shores in considerable nunilicrs in late summer. The Helted 

 Piping Plover (.T^gialitis meloda rircunicincta). a Iiird suijjiosed to 

 breed much farther northward, has licen found breeding along the 

 l>el)bly lake beach. 1'lie effect of tlie lake upon the local climate 

 has i)een observed by fanners. The result is noticeable in the 

 fruiting of plants. Fringing tlie southern shores of Lake Michigan are 

 sandhills or dunes of varying sizes, some reaching an altitude of more 

 than loO feet. Upon and near these, grow northern pines and other 

 characteristic vegetation. As would lie expected, birds that love homes 

 among the pines are to be found. AVhile comparatively little study has 

 been given to this region, it is known that the Pine Warliler (Dendroica 

 vigorsiii breeds there (Hrayton. Proc. Ind. Hort. Soc. 1879. p. 108). 

 Other northern forms have been reported, and it is likely careful investi- 

 gation will show other interesting facts concerning this district. Wliere- 

 ever pines grow, the American Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra minor) seem 

 to be more or less regularly found. This is not only true among the sand- 

 dunes near Lake [Michigan, but about Lafayette, Bloomington and Brook- 

 ville. At each of the two first named places, they have been reported as 

 breeding. While this would not Ite surprising the reports have not been 

 verified. The pines in other restricted areas, notalily Pine Hills. Mont- 

 gomery Connty, and the Knobs in southern Indiana, are interesting fields 

 for the study of these points. 



The most notalile influence in the liird-life of our .State is the changes 

 that havt> lieen wrought (lirougii maiTs influence. Tlie geiiei'al condi- 



