12 



forest, which formerly covered these mountains, has in most places 

 driven away the more characteristic Canadian birds which were wont 

 to breed in the cool dark Avoods and deep rhododendron swamps. 



Regarding the disappearance and present extent of the hemlock 

 forest, Mr. Dwight says :* " Tliere was a time when the mountains 

 of Pennsylvania were clothed with unbroken forest, the cool re- 

 cesses of which afforded refuge for many species now found in re- 

 duced numbers in the few tracts of timber still untouched by the axe. 

 At the present time the plateau region is in many places covered 

 with farms, which often extend to the very crest line, and there is 

 little suggestive of the top of a mountain range. Bits of the original 

 forest, however, still remain in many places, and on North Mountain 

 (which includes a large section of plateau in or adjacent to the south- 

 ern part of Sullivan county) is found what is said to be the largest 

 body of timber remaining uncut in the whole State." 



As regards the general character of these forests, we cannot do 

 better tlian to quote from Mr. Dwight's description of North 

 Mountain. He says : 



" The forest is truly primeval ; the hemlock, the yellow birch and 

 the maple are the characteristic trees, and attain great size. The 

 hemlocks are scattered in considerable numbers through the forest, 

 and tower above it, their huge trunks often four or five feet in 

 diameter, marking them out as giants among their lesser brethren. 

 The underbrush is often dense, and everywhere great logs, covered 

 with moss, lie mouldering. Here and there you hear clear cold 

 brooks that seem to imitate the song of the Winter Wren that is 

 almost constantly heard along them. The drawling song of the 

 Black-throated Blue Warbler and the sprightly one of the Canadian 

 Warbler is heard on every hand. High up in the hemlocks the 

 drowsy sounds of the Black-throated Green Warbler are heard, and 

 the lively chatter of the Blackburnian Warbler catches the ear." 



Among other species which breed in these forests are the Cross- 

 bill, Snowbird, Magnolia Warbler, Small-billed Water-Thrush, 

 Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet (?), Olive-backed Thrush 

 and Hermit Thrush. 



AVINTER BIRDS. 



As all species have certain limits witliin which they find a nesting 

 ground suitable to their requirements, so also they have more or less 



*The Auk, 1892, p. 129. 



