44 PROCEEDINGS OP THE 



being the highest point. Below Trenton, on the Jersey shore, 

 there is a long, low expanse of meadow and swampy land, 

 skirted by a high embankment which is mostly well wooded 

 and rises abruptly to form a large plateau. Low islands, bars 

 and shallows are also numerous and these, as usual, are very 

 attractive to migrant water birds. In fact, all the natural con- 

 ditions prevailing along this part of the river are admirably 

 adapted to a variety of bird life, although the proximity to a 

 great city must naturally have its effect upon the abundance of 

 the more wary species. 



The principal tributaries flowing into this part of the river are 

 on the Pennsylvania side, the Neshaminy, Poquessing, Penny- 

 pack and Frankford creeks, and on the New Jersey side, Cross- 

 wick's, the Rancocas and Pensauken ; the estuaries of which 

 form a harbor for many birds which do not prefer the more 

 open water. 



The river is tidal as far as Trenton, covering the whole section 

 under consideration, and the tide-water extends some distance 

 up the tributaries, especially on the Jersey side. 



Of the birds in the following list only a few are known to 

 breed along this part of the river, namely, the Least Bittern, 

 Green Heron, Night Heron, King Rail, Virginia Rail and 

 Spotted Sandpiper. It is probable that the American Bittern 

 and Sora Rail may be added to the list, though I have no per- 

 sonal knowledge to that effect. 



The Great Blue Heron has a nesting colony in the vicinity of 

 Glass boro, N. J., and possibly another nearer, while the Killdeer 

 and Bartramian Sandpiper nest in the uplands or interior not 

 very far back from the river. The Wood Duck was unquestion- 

 ably a resident species in former years. 



With the exception of the above species the notes in the 

 following list will be understood to refer only to the winter 

 months or the seasons of migration : 



Colymbus holbcellii. Holbcfill's Grebe. 



Although I have never taken this bird on the Delaware 

 myself it has been seen at rare intervals according to local gun- 

 ners, and one was shot by Mr. John Reese at Riverton, N. J. , 

 February 12, 1894. 



