Study of the Avi-fauna of Lake Erie Islands. 177 



birds flying within a hundred feet of the water, but occasionally 

 individuals mounted high in the air. The only days on which no 

 migratory movements were noted were when a brisk to strong 

 north wind was blowing. The largest movements occurred against 

 a stiff south wind. Companies often gathered on the bare sand of 

 the spit for a short rest before' essaying the passage. 



Iridoproaie J)icolor. — Tree Swallow. 



Except on August 6, 1910, when fifty were counted in the mi- 

 grations, there were very few individuals of this swallow scat- 

 tered among the migrating host. This seems strange when we 

 found them in great numbers roosting on the lotus stems and 

 leaves in the Cedar Point marshes later. This species can be so 

 readily distinguished from the others that it is not likely that we 

 overlooked many. 



Riparia rZ/ja/m.— Bank Swallow. 



Everything considered this was the most numerous of the swal- 

 lows on all visits to the island. It was in migration every day 

 after July 20, except only when there was a north wind. The line 

 of migration over and parallel to the sand spit was often half a 

 mile wide. There was almost never a continuous stream of migra- 

 tion, but one bunch of the birds following another, so closely that 

 there was at least one bunch within the range each minute during 

 the heavier migrations. The depth of the migrating stream was 

 seldom over 200 feet, and often much less. 



Stelgidopteryx serripennis. — Rough-winged Swallow. 



A close second to the last in point of abundance, and found ou 

 all visits to the island. Every migration of swallows contained 

 many of this species. These flights of the swallows furnished d 

 splendid opportunity for studying the characteristic actions of 

 each of the species. Thd more deliberate flight of the Rough-wing 

 as compared with the Bank was always noticeable. The flight also 

 tended to be more straightaway, with fewer abrupt upward turn- 

 ings. The Rough-wing gives one the feeling of great reserves of 

 energy. 



Bonibycilla cedrorum. — Cedar Waxwing. 



Present on every visit, and common in the cedar belt. These 

 birds were strongly inclined to live in flocks. They fed upon the 

 cedar fruit extensively, but were also seen to eat other fruits, par- 

 ticularly the wild grapes. They were decidedly more wary than 

 the Ohio birds. Nests were not found, but it is wholly likely that 

 extensive nestings occurred on the island. 



