1 6 RiDGWAY Oil Birds observed i)i Knox Co.^ Indiana. 



a mile in average width. It is rather a swamp, however, than 

 a pond, probably less than half its area being open water, the 

 remainder filled with trees, chiefly willows {Salix Jiigra) av- 

 ei^ao'ing 50-60 feet high, mixed in places with a larger growth, 

 chiefly ashes (^Fraxinus americana., F. sambncifolia and F. 

 pnbescens), red maple, and swamp Cottonwood {Popnius heter- 

 ophylla)^ the latter chiefl}^ around the margin of the pond, 

 wdiere grow also swamp, white, and water oaks, sweet gums, and 

 an occasional catalpa (C. speciosa) . The sun^ounding country, 

 where not cleared, consists chiefly of original forest, of various 

 oaks and hickories, "poplar" {Liriodendron) ^ beech, elm, and 

 other trees in great variety, coniferous species being wholly 

 absent. 



The pond is never very deep, probably nowhere or at any- 

 time exceeding four feet, and in seasons of drouth becomes 

 absolutely dry, then forming an excellent pasturage for the stock 

 of the neighboring farmers. Even when filled with water, the 

 latter is, in the season of vegetable growth, entirely hidden by 

 a luxuriant growth of aquatic plants, rendering the passage of 

 a boat, of any description, impossible, while numerous muskrat 

 holes and the intricate submerged stems render wading ditficult 

 and fatiguing in the extreme. For these reasons the pond was 

 but slightly explored, while it was wholly neglected after the 

 use of a boat became out of the question. I am therefoi-e quite 

 ignorant as to what species may have been breeding in the 

 recesses of the pond, my investigations having been wholly con- 

 fined to the surrounding fields and woodland, the northern por- 

 tion of the pond and its immediate ^•icinit\• having been the scene 

 of my ornithological investigations from April 15 to ISIay 27. 



Notwithstanding the very vmusual lateness of the season I 

 found on my arrival (Api'il 15) that man}^ of the migratory 

 birds had preceded me, but subsequent arrivals were carefulh' 

 noted up to Alay 6, and are presented herewith. 



April 15. Prairie Warbler {Dendrceca discolor). 



April 17. Yellow-throated Warbler (^Dcndreeca domhiica alhiloni), 

 Yellow-thoated Vireo (^Laiiii'ireo flai'ifrons), Least Flycatcher {Empi- 

 donax minimus). 



April iS. Prothonotary Warbler {Protonotaria citrea), Canada Fly- 

 catching Warbler (^Alyiodiocies canadensis), Blue Yellow-backed Warbler 

 (^Pariila americana), Scarlet Tanager i^Pyranga rubra). Summer Red- 

 bird (-f. CBstizHi), Lark Finch {Chondestcs gramniica). Summer Yellow- 



