JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



27 



At the present day uo vestige of the 

 fort remains except traces of a treucli, 

 aud the spot has been profaned by the 

 planter. The bhiff or high bank of the 

 Savannah is composed of a deep stratum 

 of brown sand, resting in turn on a 

 quicksand and mass of marine pebbles 

 mixed with chalk. 



The highwa}', resumed at the ferry 

 landing, winds along parallel with the 

 river, finally rising and mounting the 

 bluff-like terrace and attaining the level 

 country which is dry and destitute of 

 the "Spanish moss." As the ferry 

 landed us at the place of the ancient 

 fortress, the birds were not ignored 

 although very different thoughts pre- 

 vailed. 



One of the most noticeable birds was 

 the Cardinal whose rich voice blended 

 most harmoniously with the scene of 

 abundant and luxuriant life, everywhere 

 visible, though frequently he was out- 

 mastered by the outpouring of the more 

 elaborate and richer song of the Wood 

 Thrush, for that shy body found a snug 

 retreat in the thicket between the river 

 and the highway. 



The Carolina Wren vied with these 

 larger neighbors, surpassing both in the 

 height and vigor of his musical efforts. 



The grand cypresses, which charmed 

 their beholder in the beauty and refresh- 

 ing softness of their foliage, and filled 

 the mind with a sense of their solemn 

 grandeur, afforded also a resort for 

 Parula Warblers which were al)undant. 

 A glimpse was to be had now and then 

 of a Redstart, and as the season of 

 migration was not passed, Blackpoll 

 Warblers loitered here, as they bent 

 their courses northward. At no great 

 distance, voices of Yellow-breasted 

 Chats and Indigo Buntings, bore witness 

 of the abundance of their authors. 



Hooded Warblers and Acadian Fly- 

 catchers {Emi)idonax virescens), both 

 overlooked by Catesby were at hand. 

 Carolina Woodpeckers and Chickadees 

 made themselves conspicuous by their 

 busy voices, while two species supposed 

 in South Carolina to be restricted nearly 

 to the coast, were present, though not 

 very numerous. One, the Fish Crow, 

 was very likely confined to the Savan- 

 nah valley in this region ; the other 

 was the beautiful and graceful 

 Mississippi Kite, of which I secured 

 three specimens and saw three more. 

 A pair of adults had evidently begun 

 breeding and deposited eggs. It was a 

 surprise to find this species and not the 

 Fork-tailed. 



Near the ferry landing, a clump of 

 sycamores proved most attractive to the 

 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, which moved, 

 after the manner of our Chickadee, in 

 wide circles for food, ever giving utter- 

 ance to its peevish notes. The northern 

 observer was ever reminded of Maine's 

 woods by the familiar notes of the Red- 

 eyed Vireo. but possible reflections were 

 suppressed by the louder aud more vig- 

 orous cries of the tiny White-eyed 

 species. 



Stepping now into the tangle after 

 observing a number of other species, a 

 true reward was in store. Now pausing 

 to watch with admiring interest a pair 

 of Prothonotary Warblers as they go 

 about their domestic duties in silent 

 gracefulness, then crossing a belt of 

 spongy ground, a dark-mantled, stupid- 

 acting warbler started from the ground 

 where its color is so well harmonized, 

 and thus another Swainson's Warbler 

 offered itself in the cause of science, by 

 perching on a conspicuous twig. Soon 

 another was taken. Though this species 

 is not uncommon here, its history would 



