VIRGINIA BIRD HOMES 
117 
could be seen at their best. The salt marshes teemed with 
Clapper Rails, or Marsh Hens ; Ospreys and Eagles built 
their huge nests in the strips of woods; Great Blue Herons, 
long of neck and limb, plied their hshing-trade and nested 
in colonies somewhere in the vicinity. The fact, too, that the 
region was one of sea islands added to its interest, for there 
is a sort of romantic fascination about an island. Bird- 
students from time to time had visited it, and their accounts 
were always glowing. 
To be dehnite, this favored locality comprises the islands 
which lie off the northern peninsula of Virginia. Of these, 
Cobb’s Island has been the most celebrated, but there are 
several others that are of equal interest. These islands are 
from two to four miles from the mainland, long narrow strips, 
parallel with the shore, and almost joined together, extending 
for many miles. The backbone of each island is a ridge of 
sandy loam, usually covered with woods of tall pine. On the 
ocean side are fine, broad sand-beaches, while in the rear is 
a vast salt marsh, cut up by creeks innumerable. The whole 
region is a veritable Rehoboth, where the traveller will find 
no lack of room. 
When the time came that my zeal would brook no further 
delay in seeing these things for myself, I was unable to find 
another of like mind and with the necessary time at his 
disposal. Yet, desirable and agreeable as is a congenial com¬ 
panion on such a trip, its pleasure is not spoiled by one’s 
being alone. Anticipation keeps one in a pleasant day-dream, 
and realization is sufficiently absorbing to make one forget 
all else. 
On this occasion there was no time for lonely reflection. 
One evening late in June, bestowing myself in a sleeper berth, 
ere the late train left Jersey City, I dreamed delightfully of 
the birds, and awoke early in the morning not long before 
