Hunt — On New Jersey Birds. 107 



and in spite of the earliness of the season the mosquitoes were 

 rather troublesome. 



On the second day we crossed what is known as the 

 "Plains." As far as one can see is nothing but a stunted forest 

 of miniature pitch pines and scrub oaks only three feet high. 

 Here Brown Thrashers and Maryland Yellow-throats were 

 abundant as also were Che winks, Field Sparrows and Prairie 

 Warblers. It is interesting to note that the Maryland Yellow- 

 throat, that little bird which we always associate with the vi- 

 cinity of water, should be so much at home here miles from the 

 nearest water course. One actually wonders where these 

 birds find enough water to drink. I had asked this question 

 when my friend pointed to a dead leaf lying upon the ground 

 filled with water from the last rain. Did this solve the prob- 

 lem ? 



It was on these "plains" that the Heath Hen, now extinct 

 but for a few found upon the island of Martha's Vineyard, 

 once abounded. 



At the end of the second day we reached Staffords Forge, 

 a little settlement some three miles north of West Creek. We 

 bad traveled twenty-two miles that day and had not seen a 

 trace of civilization. W T e spent June second at Stafford's 

 Forge. Wc were now within four miles of the coast marshes 

 and here we met old friends in the Robin, Bluebird. Barn Swal- 

 low. Chimney Swift, Bob-white and Red-winged Blackbird, 

 while Purple Martins and Whip-poor-wills were abundant. 



Along the Westecunk Creek were large cranberry bogs. 

 Here we saw r several Green Herons and in the woods at the 

 head of the begs the Bald Eagle still nests. 



The next two days w r ere spent in the homeward journey 

 arriving at Medford about noon of June fourth. A Ruffed 

 Grouse being the only species seen that we had not previously 

 listed. 



We had practically crossed the state and felt well repaid for 

 our eighty-four mile trip. 



