1^2 Brewster and Chapman o« Birds of the Smvanee liiver. [April 



Fish Hawks, before uncommon, were now numerous. Cormo- 

 rants were occasionally seen. Where narrow marshes bordered 

 the shores, Red-winged Blackbirds were common, and several 

 Boat-tailed Grackles were observed. Each evening flocks of 

 White-bellied Swallows with a few Bank Swallows were ob- 

 served flving down the river, probably to a roost in the marshes 

 below. 



While the forests were now less easil}^ penetrated by foot, the 

 constantly increasing number of small inflowing creeks afforded 

 us a far more delightful means of exploring their recesses. No 

 experience on the Suwanee will be recalled with more pleasure 

 than oiu" journeys up these mysterious little branches. In our 

 light canoes we could follow their course for miles and each 

 turn seemed to bring us nearer to the heart of nature. Rarely was 

 there evidence that man had preceded us. The larger trees in- 

 terlocked their branches above us forming a leafy dome beneath 

 which the light was dim and subdued even at midday. Paddling 

 silentl}' through these shaded aisles we felt in perfect harmony 

 with our surroundings. Occasional alligators, unalarmcd by 

 our noiseless approach, slid clumsily into the water almost at our 

 bows; rows of turtles tumbled oft' their favorite logs with a splash 

 into the water ; rarely a snake glided from the banks. Where 

 bushes hung low over the stream Prothonotary Warblers coidd 

 be seen, their yellow heads gleaming like gold among the foliage 

 or showing in strong contrast against the dark water. This 

 species and the Yellow-throated Warbler, both because of the later 

 date and of the difference in the vegetation, were more numerous 

 than we had before found them. But we did not meet here the 

 large mixed flocks of migratory Warblers so common further up 

 the river. The two birds just mentioned and Parula Warblers in 

 reduced numbers were the characteristic species. 



So far as birds are concerned, however, these creeks will ever 

 be associated in our minds with Yellow-crowned Night Herons. 

 This Heron was found sparingly along the entire course of the 

 river, but was common only in these small inflowing streams. 

 Where the arching trees secluded the light we were almost certain 

 to find them. They never congregated in colonies but it was by 

 no means uncommon to start two or three pairs within a distance 

 of as manv hundred yards when the conditions were particularly 

 favorable. Their nests were easily discovered, for they were almost 



