30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



A curious fact about the Brown Thrasher, whom we are accus- 

 tomed to associate with the fence posts and blackberry bushes, 

 is that on these plains and in other such localities the nest is 

 almost invariably built on the ground. 



On the fourth day after our arrival at Speedwell we visited the 

 West Plains. Although the two regions are in close proximity 

 there is one noticeable difference in the physical character of 

 the East and West Plains, at least in the sections visited by us. 

 The scrub oak ( Querms nana and viarylandim) which is so con- 

 spicuous a feature of the former region is, in the West Plains, de- 

 cidedly outnumbered by the dwarfed pine {P'mus rigidd) whose 

 branches instead of growing perpendicular have spread them- 

 selves octopus-like over the surrounding ground. Some of the 

 monarchs of this forest are only a foot high with branches but 

 two feet in length, but nevertheless loaded with cones. 



We found here too in abundance the Prairie Warbler, Che- 

 wink, Field Sparrow and Maryland Yellow-throat, but singularly 

 enough the Brown Thrasher was not observed by any of the 

 party. 



In journeying to the West Plains our road on one occasion 

 led us through a low swampy area covered with scrub oak, 

 above which towered the gaunt, bleached trunks of what were 

 once large trees, now riddled and worn by the bills of genera- 

 tions of woodpeckers. Here much to my surprise we encount- 

 ered the House Wren in considerable numbers, scolding and 

 warbling in turns, and fully as self-possessed as about our yards 

 and buildings. 



The night following our visit to the West Plains was spent at 

 Jones' Mill, a little settlement on the edge of a mill pond some 

 three miles north of Speedwell. According to Mr. Lee, who had 

 kindly allowed us to take shelter for the night in his straw 

 shed, a pair of Black Ducks were then nesting in the marsh at 

 the upper end of the pond. Our time being limited, however, 

 we were unable to confirm this record. Indeed, the only obser- 

 vations made during our stay at Jones' Mill were those disprov- 

 ing a surmise of the previous evening to the effect that Speed- 

 well was the headquarters of all mosquitoes dwelling in the 

 Barrens. Further experience along these lines convinced us 



