Life History of the Prothoaotary Warbler. 33 



monarciis, give a pleasant diversity to the monotony of 

 this marsh, and afford summer homes to many woodland 

 species. At a low stage of the water, the lake proper is 

 comparatively small in area, and has no outlet save 

 the canal cat some years ago from the river to the lake. 

 Nowhere is the water very deep, in many places not ex- 

 ceeding a foot. Its surface is bordered by a dark, rich 

 carpet of the leaves and blossoms of the water-lily, among 

 the roots of which brilliantly colored sunfish, palatable 

 bass, and the wary pickerel play. 



At the time of our visit, the water being at a high stage, 

 the aspect of the country was far different. As we stood 

 early that morning on the high bluffs overlooking the 

 whole river valley, an immense expanse of water met our 

 view. No small lake was discernible, as that and the river 

 had joined as one, covering everything from bluff 'to 

 bluff except the timber. 



Our arrival at the small inn-like hotel the night previ- 

 ous had quite astonished the natives. The month of May 

 was far too early in the season for fishing and too late 

 for hunting, and what else did we desire. The object of 

 our visit being made known, thej were equally aston- 

 ished to learn- that we had come for the sole purpose of 

 seeing a cormorant roost. The la.ndlord's wife being busy 

 in getting our supper, we chatted with the men on bird 

 lore and kindred subjects, and soon had the exact loca- 

 tion of the roost. By this time a great number of the 

 surrounding farmers had dropped into the tavern,, and 

 invariably each one had a cob pipe fixed between his teeth. 

 While in Rome, do as Romans do, so we procured cobs 

 and did likewise. 



In the morning, an early start was made. Paddling 

 northward to avoid the driftwood, we struck across a 

 broad expanse of water some two miles distant, beyond 

 which lay the desired roost. The early start had enabled 

 us to reach our goal in a much shorter time than was an- 

 ticipated, and investigations to that end being completed, 



