THE OOLOGIST. 



79 



dantlj'^ The nests were on the beach 

 ami not nearly so substantial as we had 

 expected. Two eggs the usual number 

 and no nest held more than three. 



The beautiful Least Terns are now 

 comparatively rare and we found only 

 a few scattered pairs bi'eeding on the 

 shelly beaches where once they swarmed 

 by hundreds. 

 Laughing Gull, {Lams atricilla,) 

 Abundant on all the marshes. They 

 collect an immense amount of rubbish 

 and build in tlie wetest portion of the 

 marsh, many nests being actually afloat. 

 Eggs not laid till June when we took 

 sets of 2, 3, 4, and once 5 eggs, three be- 

 ing the common number. 

 Bl.\ck Skimmer, (/?/(7/r/;o7J.s nigra.) 

 Breed in immense colonies on the 

 bare sand bars, laying through the 

 month of June. Where the birds are 

 not molested 4 eggs are laid at least as 



often as three. 



******** 



While we collected to some extent on 

 the mainland, most of our lime was 

 spent with the sea birds, for there is an 

 exhileration aroused by a tramp on the 

 beach and marshes among their scream- 

 ing, shrieking hosts which is never af- 

 forded by the quiet haunts of the rarer 

 but much too microscopic Warbler. 

 Theodore W. Richards, 

 Washington, D. C. 



An Hour with the Water Birds- 



We stood on the brow of a steep hill 

 overlooking the beautiful Humber Riv- 

 er. About the journey there, with all 

 its little incidents, adventures; and 

 oOlogical finds, little need be said. At 

 any rate here we stood, gazing on the 

 beautiful picture which lay spread out 

 before us. About a quarter of a mile in 

 front of us, was a corresponding Ijank: 

 and Ijetween the river llowed, bordere<l 

 on each side by extensive lily ponds. 

 Farther south, we could see, a steep 

 clitf overhanging the river, with 



its frowning front mirrored in the glassy 

 waters. Directly oi)posite, was a 

 most beautiful spot jutting out into the 

 river, shaded by several large willows. 

 The back was protected by a thick 

 growth of elders. What a delightful 

 spot it would be for a quiet afternoon 

 with birds and books! 



A dull thundering roar now attracted 

 our attention, and looking further 

 down the stream, we saw, suspended 

 between water^and skj', a railwaj' train 

 crossing the steel^bridge. Farther out, 

 the deep blue of Lake Ontario, set with 

 here and there a glinting white sail, 

 formed a picturesque and striking back- 

 ground. This reminded us of our ex- 

 perience as sailors; moonlight excur- 

 sions; an, oh dear! of .seasickness. Thus 

 our minds wanderetl to regions far over 

 the lake, picnics; excursions, and all. the 

 general pleasures of holiday life. But 

 here we were, standing in the hot June 

 sun, with still a large part of our jour- 

 ney before us. 



Down the steep- hill we rushed, re- 

 gardless of the^mercilessly hot sun; I'e- 

 gai'dless of the general shaking Ave 

 received, nor did we halt until we were 

 safely escouced behind the upturned 

 roots of an old pine stump. From be- 

 hind this we shortly afterward appear- 

 ed in gaily striped bathing suits. Did 

 ever anybody expei'ieuce so delightfully 

 rested a feeling, as we oologists did; as 

 thirsty, tired, and hot, we plunged into 

 the delightfully cool and refreshing 

 waters of tlie river. The occupants of 

 some passing row-boats, stopped to 

 look curiously at the amphibious creat- 

 ures, which x'olled and tumbled in mid- 

 stream; and no doubt wished that they 

 themselves were in the same positon of 

 ease and comfort. 



In the delight of oiu- swiiii W(; liad 

 for a moment forgotten the enthusiasm 

 we had for our favorite pursuit; but 

 only for a moment. Soon we reached 

 the other side, and dove into tlie rushes 

 amid tlie ceaseless clatter of IMarsh 



