18S 



border them. Each is notably affected in distribution by the w..ter- 

 ■courses. 



EFFECT OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 



Tlie effect of a large interior body of water is well illustrated by 

 "Lake Michifjan. There, on the open water, many kinds of water fowl, 

 that would otherwise go south, remain through the winter. To it, come 

 •dift"erent forms of sea birds in spring, winter and fall. Among these are 

 Jaegers, the rarer Gulls and some Sea Ducks. 



It also attracts such cosmopolitan birds as the Knot (Tringa canutus). 

 Turnstone (Areuaria interpres) and Sanderling (Calidris areuaria). The 

 latter and the Semi-palmated Plover (.Egialitis semipalmata) are found 

 along its shores in considerable numbers in late summer. The Belted 

 Piping Plover (^Egialitis meloda circumcincta), a bird supposed to 

 breed much farther northward, has been found breeding along the 

 pebbly lake beach. The eft'ect of the lake upon the local climate 

 has been observed by farmers. The result is noticeable in the 

 fruiting of plants. Fringing the southern shores of Lake Michigan are 

 sandhills or dunes of varying sizes, some reaching an altitude of more 

 than 150 feet. Upon and near these, grow northern pines and other 

 characteristic A'egetation. As would be expected, birds that love homes 

 among the pines are to be found. AVhile comparatively little study has 

 been given to this i-egion, it is known that the Pine Warbler (Dendroica 

 vigorsii) breeds there (Brayton. Proc. Ind. Hort. Soc. 1879. p. 108). 

 Other northern forms have been reported, and it is likely careful investi- 

 gation will show other interesting facts concerning this district. Where- 

 ever pines grow, the American Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra minor) seem 

 to be more or less regularly found. This is not only true among the sand- 

 dunes near Lake Michigan, but about Lafayette, Bloomington and Brook- 

 ville. At each of the two first named places, they have been reported as 

 breeding. While this would not be surprising the reports have not been 

 verified. The pines in other restricted areas, notably Pine Hills. Mont- 

 gomery County, and the Knobs in southern Indiana, are interesting fields 

 for the study of these points. 



The most notable influence in the bird-life of our State is the changes 

 that have ]>een wrought Ihrough man's influence. The general coudi- 



