TAVERNER AND SWALES, ON BIRDS OF POINT PELEE. 143 



birds essay the passage. The day was fine and clear and but very 

 little wind blowing, but when they came out to the end of the trees 

 they turned back and sought a large tree-top, where they settled to 

 talk the matter over at the top of their voices. Then, reassured, they 

 started out, rising above gun shot from the ground and making for 

 the Ohio shore, not for Pelee Island as we supposed they would. When 

 they got far enough out to see the blue water under them they slowed 

 up, and when we waved our hats and shouted at them a few wavered, 

 paused and then fled back to the shore to their tree again, followed 

 a moment later by the whole flock. Another pow-wow was held and 

 again they started, with great determination and seemingly filled 

 with the motto, "Ohio or bust." This time they had hardly got well 

 out over the lake when a Sharp-shin was discerned far in the dis- 

 tance, but it was enough to again send them shrieking back to their 

 oak tree. This time the consultation lasted a little longer than be- 

 fore, but at last the coast seemed clear and they started once more. 

 Again, as they drew over the water, they slightly paused as though 

 doubtful, but no one shouted, there was not a hawk in sight and, as 

 there was no possible excuse for backing out this time, they kept 

 slowly and gingerly on until well started and away from land, when 

 they settled into their pace and, when lost sight of in our glasses. 

 were continuing on their way in a straight line that would carry 

 them several miles to the east of Peleee Island. 



EXTINCT. 

 Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. 



One of the older residents tells us that in his boyhood the Raven 

 was well known on the Point, but the last one wa seen there so long 

 ago that he could give no information as to the date. 



108. *Corvus bracliyrhynchos. American Crow. 



Common, though as but few nests are to be found when the trees 

 are bare of leaves it is not likely that many breed on the Point it- 

 self. A few are always to be found along the beaches pii-king up 

 dead fish and other food stuffs that are washed ashore. October 14- 

 15, 190G, they had congregated in large flocks and were constantly 

 passing up and down the Point, from the end of which we watched 

 them gathering in the final trees and acting much as did the Jays as 

 before described preparatory to crossing the lake. 



109. *Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. 



Common in the cultivated fields on all May trips. In the fall they 

 leave during the first half of September. During later August and 

 early September they frequent the marshes in large flocks and are to 

 be found in the early mornings in the corn fields or Hying over in 

 large compact bodies towards the end of the Point and from th 

 across the lake. At this season, from sunrise to about ten o'clock, 



