48 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 51. 



AUTUMN BIRDS OF THE LES CHENEAUX ISLANDS. 



BY WALTER C. WOOD. 



To the bird observer there is a deep interest and pleasant 

 anticipation in exploring a new section of country, especially 

 where a picturesque wilderness lends an added charm. The 

 exquisite beauty of the wild rice marshes, the deep solitude of 

 the thick cedar woods, the rugged magnificence of the wind- 

 fall tangles and the clear waters reflecting sky and bordering 

 forest form a picture of wild natural beauty never to be for- 

 gotten, and such a country is the Les Cheneaux Islands and 

 adjacent mainland in T. 42. N. R. I. W., Macinac county, 

 Michigan. 



There is but little cultivated land in the vicinity of these 

 islands. Some tamarack, balsam, pine, and birch trees are to 

 be found, but spruce, hemlock and poplar are more common, 

 while the cedar is the predominating tree and forms extensive 

 swamps. 



It is to be regretted that I could not devote my entire time 

 to bird observation, but every opportunity was embraced, and 

 probably very few species escaped notice. Of those observed, 

 however, eight species could not be identified with certainty 

 and are consequently not listed. It might also be mentioned 

 that while no owls were met with one specimen of the Great 

 Horned was shot a few days before my arrival. 



Captain John Pollock of the Les Cheneaux Club stated 

 that during his fifteen years residence in the vicinity of these 

 islands he has never observed the Woodcock or Scarlet Tana- 

 ger, birds he was familiar with in southern Michigan; also a 

 small flock of Passenger Pigeons are observed each year. Of 

 course, as none of these pigeons have been secured their iden- 

 tity is not beyond question. Hv showed me a nest of the Os- 

 prey, from which a gentleman from Chicago took three young 

 and secured the parent birds ; and also mentioned one of the 

 Northern Ravens in a pine which had been occupied for many 

 years up to 1900. 



The following list represent the birds observed between 

 October 15th and November 15th, 1003: 



