River Bird Life 



BY JOHN D. CARTER 



The time has long passed when even the keenest observer can 

 reasonably hope to find a new species of bird in the Delaware 

 valley. Stragglers from other regions may be found, for acci- 

 dents always have happened and always will happen. Such 

 sporadic occurrences are interesting, but are not usually of much 

 significance except in the rare cases in which a bird is shifting 

 its range. The outstanding facts of the lives of most of our birds, 

 the times of migration, feeding and nesting habits, plumage 

 changes and so forth, are fairly well determined. The day of 

 the intensive student, the observer with a metaphorical fine- 

 toothed comb, has come. Most of us have little opportunity 

 for such study. But if each one would record what he does 

 observe, there must result a decrease in the great sum-total of 

 our ignorance. So much in explanation of the publication of the 

 following notes, made beside the Delaware River at Chester, Pa. 



The time of observation has been limited to an hour or less 

 near noon of each day. The point of vantage made use of, is 

 the end of a dock extending into deep water. Down river, toward 

 the southwest, the high ground near Wilmington forms the 

 horizon. In the opposite direction the tall stacks at League 

 Island can be seen in clear weather. In front beyond two miles 

 of open water rise the low shores of New Jersey. Somewhat 

 up stream and near mid-river, lies Chester Island, an expanse 

 of reeds, relieved by a few small trees. Below the visible end 

 of the island, a bar extends for more than a mile. 



At the outset, let it be understood that the bird-life of the river 

 differs from that of the land very strikingly, in that the winter, 

 and not the summer, is the season of greatest activity. Even 

 the wonderful spring migration which fills our forests and shade- 

 trees with birds of marvelous beauty, is represented but feebly 

 on the river. 



About the middle of the 4th month (April) come the very 

 attractive little Bonaparte Gulls. Trim and neat in figure, light 



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