38 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 



are atle to carry out these desires with such precision and regularity, 

 is very doubtful. 



Having thus reviewed the subject generally, if we turn our 

 attention homeward we find that in an ornithological point of view 

 Hamilton is favorably situated, its surroundings being such as will 

 attract birds of all classes. In the country we fmd highly cultivated 

 fields alternating with clumps of mixed bush and rocky gullies, 

 while the bay, with its sandy shores and marshy inlets, provides 

 ample food and shelter for the waders and swimmers. Here, too, 

 we are favorably situated for observing the movements of the 

 migratory armies in the spring, and have done so with results similar 

 to those already described. 



Pressing on toward the north through Ohio early in May, the 

 birds meet the south shore of Lake Erie, and following its course 

 crowd in perfect swarms along the Niagara River till they strike the 

 shore of Lake Ontario at right angles Here, most likely, a 

 separation takes place, some following the line of the lake shore 

 eastward, while the greater number most likely take the western 

 route, and are seen flitting from bush to bush along the beach 

 where for a few days in May they almost rival the sandflies in 

 number, and that is saying a good deal. That some attempt to 

 cross the lake is evident from their frequently flying on board 

 vessels which are passing up and down at that season, and the fact 

 of these individuals being generally much exhausted, would imply 

 that many fall short of the north shore and perish in the water. 

 The spring of 1882 is memorable as one in which the birds on their 

 northern journey received a severe and sudden check. On the 9th 

 ot May the season was unusually favorable, and the migratory wave 

 was rolhng along at its height, when a severe north-easter set in 

 during the night accompanied with cold, drizzling, sleety rain. This 

 forced the birds to descend from upper air and seek shelter wherever 

 it could be found. In the morning my garden was full of warblers, 

 all in their glowing nuptial dress, but dull and draggled, not knowing 

 where to turn. I collected more rare specimens in my garden that 

 morning than I ever did anywhere else in the same time. This 

 would seem to be an unfortunate resting-place for the birds, but 

 others fared quite as bad elsewhere, for when a little daughter of 

 Mr. Smith, who keeps the Ocean House, went down to play by the 

 lake shore in the morning, she returned in a few minutes with her 



