134 



/. The Birds of Winona Lake. 

 Clarence Guy Littell. 



During the summer of 11)02, from Juue 21 to August 28, wliile a stu- 

 dent at the Indiana University Biological Station I devoted all of my time 

 to a tield study of the birds about Winona Lalce. I present here my notes 

 on the occurrence and habits of the birds observed. 



The region about Winona Lake was fully described in the Proceedings 

 Indiana Academy of Science for IDOl and a detailed description is not 

 necessary. Suffice it to say that the lake is surrounded by swamps, 

 flooded in times of extreme high water, and by hills reaching a height of 

 forty feet. The vegetation varies from the aquatics in the margin of the 

 lake to swamp-grasses and l)ushes in the marshes, and to oalv forests on 

 the hills. 



Observations on birds were- all made within a radius of one mile from 

 the lake shore. In the following list the numbers in brackets refer to 

 the A. O. U. Code and Check-list. 

 I G] Podili/inhKS podiceps (Linn.), ried-billed Grebe. 



This Grebe is not common around Winona Lake. I have only seen it 

 twice, both times near the reedy shores of the western side. 

 [190] BotauruH lentUjino^m (Montag.). American Bittern. 



I have flushed this bird several times in a small swamp at the south- 

 eastern corner of the lake, but have been unable to find a nest. 

 [191] Ardctta exilii^ {Gruel.). Least Bittern. Fig. 3. 



This bird is ratlier common in the small swamps bordering on the lake, 

 but owing to the lateness of the season when I arrived, I was able to find 

 but one nesc which contained at the time three pure Avhite eggs. I found 

 this nest on July 23, in the middle of a swamp. It was a platform of 

 grasses set in the swamp grass. 

 [194] Ardca hnvdldn Linn. Great Blue Heron. 



This bird has been identified flying over tlie lake several times. I have 

 never flushed it. 

 [201] Ardca vircsrem Jjinu. Green Heron. 



This species is common aroiuid the lake and undoubtedly nested in the 

 vicinity in numbers in the spring. I foiind several old nesis tliat I believe 

 Avere built hv this bird. 



