THE OSPREY. 



An Illustrated Magazine of Popular Ornithology. 



Published [Vlonthlv. 



Volume V. 



JL 1A , 1901. 



Number 7. 



Original Articles. 



CAMPING ON THE OLD CAMP GROUNDS. 

 By Paui. BarTSCH, Washington, I>. C. 



In Number 22. of the Wilson Bulletin we re- 

 counted the pleasures of "An Afternoon amongst 

 Old Scenes." and now we will attempt to ghe 

 an abbreviated sketch of a two day's trip to 

 Dollar Island, one of my favorite spots near 

 Burlington, Iowa. 



In 1895, while working up the fall flora of the 

 lower Skunk River Valley, I selected this pern 

 of an island as a hasis from which to direct my 

 researches. 



I planted my tent on the 1st of August, and 

 pulled u]> stakes October 22. It was one of the 

 most delightful outings that I have ever ex- 

 perienced. 



Picture to yourself a small island, round as a 

 dollar, some quarter of a mile in diameter; 

 washed on the east by that grand old stream, 



'I'll I. TUFTED TIT. 



the "Father of Waters", on the other side by 

 branches of Skunk River, which breaks up into 

 a number of arms ere it merges with the Mis- 

 sissippi. The island is small, to be sun-, but its 

 diminutive size and isolation have retained for 

 it most of its primitive forest; tall gigantic 

 sycamores and elms, which cause one to dream 

 of by-gone days. These patriarchs are more 



abundant in the interior, where their branches 

 spread and interlace to such an extent as to 

 make a second growth, or vegetation of any 

 thing bul the shade Joving species, an impossi- 

 bility. The border, however, furnishes thicket 

 and tangle and on the southwest side we even 

 have a sand bar which is densely covered with 

 a low growth of willow, marigolds and the 

 much beloved sandbur (Cenchrus tribuloides L.). 



Dollar Island forms the inner of the Twin 

 Islands, and has of late years been joined to its 

 sister by a dam which is supposed to help till 

 the channel with sand to obstruct navigation. 

 Whatever its purpose or result, it certainly has 

 great redeeming feature and I will always 

 praise the engineer who dared to turn the Mis- 

 sissippi from its straight course, for many a 

 pleasanl hour which we had not anticipated, 

 did hi ireate for me and some friends, playing 

 catch with the tinny tribe. 



From this dam one has a wide view* both up 

 and down the Mississippi. It forms a capital 

 place for tin- study of the migration of 

 aquatic birds. Standing 011 the bank on the 

 southwest side of the island, one gets another 

 extensive view of the valley of Skunk River. 

 Thus Dollar Island must be said to be one 

 which furnishes unrivaled opportunities for 

 the • irnithologist. 



Bearing all these advantages in mind and 

 associating them with the pleasant experiences 

 of (he past, what wonder that I rejoiced when 

 at last we wire 011 our way. on the morning of 

 tin 2''th of August, to revisit the old spot where 

 once our canvas had sheltered us from wet and 

 cold. 



The day was not all that could be expected; 

 by the time we reached Picnic Point we were 

 forced to seek shelter beneath the short railroad 

 bridge from a passing shower. While waiting 

 here we had a chance to note quite a number 

 of birds which were paying- a morning call to 

 the little rivulet that runs its troubled way over 

 a very short course. Several Brown Thrashers 

 were scolding from the bordering brush in which 

 they were joined by some Catbirds and a little 



