FAUNA. 33 



Over and over with varying trills, 



All through your soul and being thrills. 



At last 'tis silent ! Then there pours forth again 



Such a wonderful chorus as e'er heard by men; 



Each one singing his own refrain, 



Then all together and over again. 



Thus joyfully through the long summer morn 



In the air the grand chorus of birdsong is born. 



Groton is an interesting and satisfactory hunting ground for 

 bird lovers; as it is situated in the Transition Zone, the 

 Northern as well as the Southern birds are liable to be seen. 

 Naturally a town with many trees and shrubs is well populated 

 with birds, as they find their food as well as live among them. 

 I have had walks with students from all over Massachusetts, 

 members of many outing clubs, and they all agree that Groton 

 is an ideal place for bird study. On a rainy day, May 9, 

 1900, nineteen different species of Warblers came within view 

 from my window, and within one hour thirty-four species of 

 birds were identified. Those living on Main Street also have 

 a good chance for studying them. During the months of May , 

 June, and July of 1909, I heard from my bed in the Groton 

 Hospital thirty-six different species. Mr. Ralph Hoffmann, 

 a well-known ornithologist, said that the Groton Audubon 

 Society was the liveliest and knew the most bird lore of any 

 society in the State. 



The following is a list giving date of arrival and departure 

 of the Birds: 



Pied-Billed Grebe. Dabchick. Hell Diver. Water Witch. Podi- 

 lymbus podiceps. This is often wrongly called a Dipper Duck; it is 

 not a duck. Rare migrant, April 1 to November 1. Doubtless breeds 

 here occasionally, as I saw them in the Nashua River, July 30, 1901. 



Loon. Great Northern Diver. Gavia imber. About twenty-five 

 years ago one was killed on the Squannacook River, is mounted and 

 in the possession of Mrs. Walter Tarbell. There is also one in the 

 Public Library killed by Mr. William Robinson. Very rare winter 

 visitant. 



Little Auk. Ice Bird. Dovekie. Sea Dove. Alle alle. Acci- 

 dental visitant. One killed over thirty years ago, on the Squanna- 

 cook River. 



