10 AMERICAN ORNITUOLOUY. 



any time perched on a near-by twig looking for passing insects. 

 Among the briars on the bank, the Song Sparrows reigned; in the 

 piece of woodland referred to I found the nests of Blue Jays, Crows, 

 Cat Birds, Wood-Thrushes, Cardinais, Vireos, Crested Flycatchers etc. 

 The quarry was also frequently visited by a pair of Green Herons and 

 I think they had a nest in the vicinity. 



Owing to the large number of insects around the water, the quarry 

 was a favorite feeding ground for King Birds, Pewees and wSvvallows, 

 and the latter could be seen skimming over the surface of the water, or 

 circling high in air, from early dawn until evening. They present a 

 pretty sight, flying here and there, the rieh coloring of their plumage 

 flashing in the sunlight, and ever accompanied by their pleasant socia- 

 ble twittering. 



The clear call of the Killdeer would frequently ring out from near-by 

 fields, and the song of the Meadow Lark from the low lands; Red- 

 wings were also often there, and I found a nest on two or three occas- 

 ions. Sometimes a Hawk would pass over the locality~and what a 

 sudden change— all voices were hushed, not a feathered Citizen was to 

 be seen anywhere; they had all completely vanished; there was a still- 

 ness as of death. These conditions would last for a time, and finally 

 the more venturesome denizens would come forth and if all danger 

 seemed to be past, others would follow their example until things re- 

 sumed their normal State. 



Aside from this large bird population, there were many other things 

 of interest, among which may be mentioaed land and water turtles, 

 snapping turtles, frogs in all stages of transformation, sun and cat fish, 

 many beautiful insects and a family of little gray rabbits; I had the 

 pleasure of seeing the latter when they were scarcely larger than small 

 kittens. Along the borders of the wood were gray squirrels, ground 

 squirrels and ground hogs. Thus in this one particular locality, oppor- 

 tunity was afforded for the study of a large number of natural subjects. 

 Here, too was the pleasant odor of fresh green mint and the scent of 

 wild roses. 



In the early spring time a profusion of wild violets (blue and yel- 

 low), dog-tooth violets, blood roots, spring beauties, anemones, "jack- 

 in-the-pulpit", belwort and hare bell were to be found in the strip of 

 woodland, and later in the season the pasture fields were covered with 

 buttercups and daisies. Were all details entered into a volume could 

 be written concerning this old quarry and the many happy hours spent 

 there, but I have simply recorded a few of the scenes and occurrences 

 which come up more prominently before me. Berton Mercer. 



