Bulletin No. 2t. 51 



of the " Nickle Plate" rail-road. He had been warned against the 

 endless monotony of this region in vain. Monotonous it may be at noon- 

 day, under the scorching rays of an almost vertical sun ; but in the 

 tender light of an early morning, while the birds are scarcely yet at their 

 early devotions, while all vegetation is bending under the weight of a 

 refreshing dew and the rich green of the lithe marsh grass sweeps away 

 to the very horizon, it certainly is not monotonous to the nature student. 



But birds are the topic under consideration. In the gray light of the 

 early morning nothing could be seen against the green of the marsh 

 grass, but clouds of swallows were startled from their perches on the 

 telegraph wires and circled dizzily about. The stronger light revealed 

 Red-winged Blackbirds, Meadowlarks and Bobolinks as they were 

 startled from the marsh grass. As the day advanced birds continually 

 passed in review. From the telegraph wires and poles Barn, Cliff, Tree 

 and Rough-winged Swallows and Sparrow Hawks were startled by the 

 approaching train. From the marsh and bog grass and reeds Green 

 Herons, Bitterns and Short-eared Owls started up and soared away. 

 Marsh Hawks and Great Blue Herons sailed lazily over the broad fields, 

 and in the distance the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks could be 

 seen. Huge flocks of Bronzed Grackles, with Cowbirds intermingled, 

 passed in review from roost to feeding ground. The Song and Vesper 

 Sparrows were everywhere present, and the Long-billed Marsh Wrens 

 were much in evidence. 



As the wet prairies gave place to sand dunes and wooded copses, 

 Indigobirds, Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, with the 

 company of Flycatchers, put in an appearance. Tempting coveys of 

 Bob-whites whirled away ; Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles flashed from 

 cover to cover ; Red-headed Woodpeckers and Flickers vainly tried to 

 outstrip the train ; the Migrant Shrike was startled from his vigil, and 

 the Belted Kingfisher from his reverie above the water. The Mourning 

 Dove, Robin and Goldfinch were everywhere in evidence. At the water 

 tanks Wood Thrushes, Maryland Yellowthroats, Field Sparrows, House 

 Wrens, Towhees, Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Pewees, Catbirds and Chipping 

 Sparrows were heard singing. Swifts darted about overhead continually. 



On the return trip from Chicago, Crow, Bluebird, Blue Jay, Yellow 

 Warbler, Purple Martin, Spotted Sandpiper, Prairie Horned Lark, 

 Brown Thrasher, Grasshopper Sparrow and Ruby-throated Humming- 

 bird were added to the list. It is seldom that I have made a larger list 

 in a day's study in summer at home, not to mention such rarities as 

 Short-eared Owl, Bittern and Great Blue Heron. One of the more in- 



