THIRD AXNUAI. MKKTINC (U 



tree-planting and plowing furrows for fire-breaks. Among the eggs 

 taken were those of the Prairie Chicken, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Coot, 

 Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, Shoveller, Mallard, American Bittern, Black 

 Tern, Forster's Tern, and a number of others. 



We also noticed that there were present in the region a number of 

 hawks, as the Marsh Hawk, American Rough-leg, Swainson's, and one 

 or two others, some or all of which surely nested in the near vicinity. 

 The Burrowing and Short-eared Owls were likewise of common occur- 

 rence in the immediate neighborhood, while both the Nighthawk and 

 Mourning Dove were observed daily before we left. The latter did 

 not use trees or bushes for the purpose but nested on the bare ground 

 instead. Sometimes, however, we found that they selected weed-like 

 herbs in which to place these structures, as for example, the weed 

 called "Shoestring." In addition to the species already named we 

 found such others as the Western Meadow-lark, Yellow-headed Black- 

 bird, lled-winged Blackbird, Cowbird, Bobolink, Shore Lark, Grasshopper 

 Sparrow, "Lark Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Dickcissel, and several other 

 sparrows, present in large numbers and nesting. It is needless to say 

 that we were ever and anon running across their nests. When we 

 started out across country for a walk it was no uncommon occurrence 

 during a two or three miles' tramp to find a dozen or even as many as 

 two dozen nests. At this time it was noticed that the prairie chickens 

 were exceedingly numerous. In the morning we would hear them 

 "booming" in every direction. Especially was this the case in the 

 little valley where we were located. In fact this valley seemed to be 

 their headquarters. They would come down from the surrounding 

 sand-hills in every direction, and sometimes there would be forty or 

 fifty within sight at once, with the feathers on their necks up, and 

 at the same time uttering their booming song which could be heard 

 for miles. The Sharp-tailed Grouse was fairlj' common also. The 

 black terns and grebes were also quite numerous. In the little lake 

 already referred to in connection with "the mystery" there Avere 

 perhaps a dozen nests of each of tliese last-named birds; and I do not 

 know how many rail's nests might have been found by walking through 

 a little patch of rushes in the immediate vicinity. The Long-billed 

 Marsh Wren was also very common as attested by their globular nests 

 attached to the fringe of bullrushes growing about the various lakes. 

 Most of the birds were abundant for several years later before their 

 withdrawal or disappearance was especially noted. 



I might write of the various songs and cries uttered by this hosi 

 of birds which was present both day and night. Some of these sounds 

 were uttered in fear, while others were the overflow of happiness, and 

 still others those of warning or it may be were for the inirpose of 

 drawing together the members of separated families. The Meadow-lark 

 was, of course, exceedingly melodious at that time of the year, and, 

 being so numerous, the songs could be heard in every direction. Then 



