46 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



birches, growing along the lower slopes of the neighboring ridge. The ground 

 beneath the larger trees was nearly or quite free from undergrowth, but else- 

 where it was very generally obstructed by tangled thickets overtopped by vigor- 

 ous young red maples and gray birches. Pout Pond, then filled with sweet if 

 somewhat muddy water, lay hidden in the innermost recesses of the swamp. 

 Giant pines crowded close upon its eastern shores and dense second-growth 

 woods hemmed it in on the remaining three sides. So perfectly was it sheltered 

 by these trees, that when all of them were covered by foliage only the heaviest 

 winds availed to ruffle its ordinarily calm and shining surface. 



During the period to which I am now referring the Pine Swamp continued 

 to afford a congenial and reasonably secure retreat for most of the larger species 

 of birds — as well as very many of the smaller ones — which then inhabited or 

 visited the Cambridge Region. It was frequented in autumn and winter by 

 Hawks and Owls, in spring and summer by Night Herons and Green Herons, 

 at all times of the year by Ruffed Grouse. Its secluded little pond was often 

 visited by Wood Ducks and occasionally by Black Ducks and Blue-winged Teal. 

 The Great Horned Owl has bred there at least once, and the Wood Duck 

 repeatedly, within my recollection. 



The destruction of the Pine Swamp and its immediate surroundings was 

 accomplished between 1876 and 1884. During January and February of the 

 former year, most of the larger trees were felled, but portions of the second- 

 growth remained untouched for some time later. After the hills and ridges to 

 the southward had been levelled — a work that consumed several years — 

 the ground they had occupied was taken for a large slaughtering establishment. 

 Besides disfiguring the locality by its unsightly buildings, it was permitted for a 

 number of years to discharge its drainage directly into the neighboring swamps. 

 Those immediately about Pout Pond have suffered especially from this outrage ; 

 but, although they have become not more unlovely to the eye than revolting to 

 the sense of smell, they have been by no means deserted by the birds. The 

 Hawks, Owls and Grouse have disappeared of course, and the Night Herons 

 and Wood Ducks are now comparatively seldom seen ; but the fetid pools 

 which surround the pond, or the beds of rank herbaceous vegetation, by which 

 they are bordered, are resorted to at one or another season by several species 

 of Ducks, Bitterns of both kinds. Green Herons, Virginia and Carolina Rails, 

 Florida Gallinules, Coots, Wilson's Snipe, Redwings, Swamp Sparrows, Mary- 

 land Yellow-throats and Marsh Wrens. The Black Duck and Florida Gallinule 

 have even been found breeding there of late, and for ten or fifteen years past a 

 few Redwings, Swamp Sparrows and Marsh Wrens, with an occasional Yellow- 

 throat, have made the place a zvinter, as well as summer, home. 



