The Natural History of Chautauqua 



swamplands and shores. Grass nest, in or near marshes; 8-15 

 eggs. 



8. Coot or Mudhen. Fairly common transient visitor ; occasional sum- 



mer resident. Habitat, swampy places, like the rails and herons. 

 Sometimes seen in open water, or in flight. The beak is beautiful 

 ivory white. 



4. SANDPIPER FAMILY 



9. Woodcock. Rare summer resident, arriving in March and leav- 



ing in November. Breeding season, April 1-20. This beautiful 

 gentle bird has been hunted to the verge of extinction, and will 

 only be saved by rigorous protection. It occurs in remote, unfre- 

 quented woodlands and coverts in the Chautauqua region, and was 

 at one time plentiful. 



10. Wilson's Snipe. Fairly common transient visitor; uncommon sum- 



mer resident; status as a game bird similar to that of the wood- 

 cock. Protection is imperative. Grass nest, in marshy places; 

 3-4 eggs. 



11. Solitary Sandpiper. Fairly common transient visitor ; casual sum- 



mer resident. Is here during northward migration, May 1-20; 

 during southward migration, July 15-Sept. 20. Peculiar nesting 

 habits, as it uses the abandoned nests of such tree-building birds 

 as robin, grackle, or wax-wing; eggs 4. 



12. Spotted Sandpiper. Abundant summer resident; arrives April 



1 8th, departs Sept. loth. Breeding season, May 15-June 10. 

 Also called Tip-up or Teeter, because of motion while walking. 

 Common along lake-shore in immediate vicinity of Assembly 

 Grounds, and also around pond in Golf Links. 



5. PLOVER FAMILY 



13. Killdeer Plover. Fairly common summer resident ; arrives March 



loth, leaves Nov. I5th. Breeding season April i5~May 20. 

 Plentiful along lake-shore, on Golf Links, and in open country. 

 Showy black and white rings around neck and breast. Begins to 

 flock by August first. 



6. QUAIL FAMILY 



14. Bob White or Quail. Rare summer resident ; formerly more plen- 



tiful, but hunted to the verge of extinction. A beautiful, gentle 

 bird, that should be domesticated. Occasionally seen in wood- 

 lands and clearings in the Chautauqua region. 



H 



