AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



In the northern part of Rock County, Wis., one mile east of the vil- 

 lage of Milton, is a small but interesting lake. It is usually spoken of 

 as a "mud hole," but to one who has spent many happy hours tramping 

 about its grassy banks, gliding over its stagnant waters, or wading 

 through its turbid marshes, the applied name becomes a bane. It is not 

 picturesque to the casual observer. It is not noted for its magnificent 

 hotels, its steamboats and picnic parties. Rut to the man of nature it is 

 a perfect paradise. 



Let us leave the daily routine of our office, den or studio and take an 

 afternoon tramp 'round its marshy shores. The day, which of the many 

 shall it be? Let us select the tenth of August. Yonder, in the west, a 

 great bank of clouds meets "Old Sol," now on his course downward, 

 w4th a golden blush. 



A gentle zephyr waves the yellow grain, waiting for the binder. We 

 wend our way onward. The land birds are all quiet, for it is not the 

 time of year when they are apt to sing at mid-day. But we will be amply 

 repaid before evening. 



Down the dusty lane we tramp, through the woods, across the corn- 

 field, and we are greeted by a sudden "peet-weet" as a wary Spotted 

 Sandpiper leaves his feeding ground for places on the mud banks, where 

 human feet can ne'er approach. Let us wallow in the marsh grass. 

 Here is a Sora, there a Least Bittern, yonder a Swamp Sparrow. Soar- 

 ing in the zenith, a Cooper's Hawk, his eager eye on some young Rail, 

 plans his afternoon lunch. 



Blackbirds innumerable (mostly the young of the year) restlessly fly 

 from one patch of flags to another, apparently for no other purpose than 

 to while away the time, yet ever ready to grasp such grain as may ap- 

 pear in their course, or to relish some unfortunate worm. Across the 

 lake we hear the "plunck-a-la-plunk" of an American Bittern. Yes, the 

 bird itself has been honored with more names than Lafayette, and has 

 been accredited with as many vocal discords as the English language is 

 capable of expressing. 



Among the names applied to this bird, which come to ''my memory 



