II. The Summer Birds of Chautauqua 



AN ANNOTATED REFERENCE LIST 



i. LOON FAMILY 



1. Common Loon. Strictly aquatic; in secluded places along the 



lake-shore; frequently seen during the steamer trip to Jamestown; 

 does not come near Assembly Grounds, but is seen occasionally fly- 

 ing over lake. Solitary; expert diver and fisher; powerful flier. 

 Moves south in winter as open waters freeze. 



2. HERON FAMILY 



2. American Bittern. Fairly common transient visitor; uncommon 



summer resident; departs for the south about Nov. loth. Breed- 

 ing season, May lo-june 10. Not on Assembly Grounds, but in 

 vicinity; Prendergast, Mayville Inlet, etc. Solitary, in swampy 

 places, along lake-shore. 



3. Least Bittern. Uncommon transient visitor ; occasional summer resi- 



dent. Fall migration about Sept. 25th. Breeding season June 

 10-25. Habitats similar to those of bittern. 



4. Green Heron. Common summer resident ; arrives from south about 



April 25th, departs Sept. 28th. Breeding season May 15-June 20. 

 The most common of our herons. Often seen flying over lake 

 adjacent to Assembly Grounds. 



5. Great Blue Heron. Common transient visitor ; fairly common sum- 



mer resident; arrives in April, leaves in November. Nests at 

 Prendergast, and other secluded swampy places. Occasionally seen 

 flying high overhead ; erroneously called " crane." 



3. RAIL FAMILY 



6. Virginia Rail. Uncommon summer resident; arrives from south 



about April 2Oth, leaves about Oct. loth. Breeding season, 

 May lo-june 20. Very shy and silent; never seen on Assembly 

 Grounds; restricted to cattail marshes and swampy shores in the 

 region. 



7. Sora Rail. Rare. Arrives April 25th, departs Oct. i8th. Breed- 



ing season, May 25-June 15. Like the Virginia Rail in appear- 

 ance and habits, but a trifle smaller. Found only in sequestered 



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