THE SEMI-ANNUAL. 33 



storms that are worse than a Dakota blizzard, with a soil into 

 which you are sinking ankle deep at every step, or scrambling 

 over jagged, volcanic rocks. These are a few, but not all of its 

 discomforts. 



MARSH COLLECTING IN THE VICINITY OF 

 OSWEGO, NEW YORK. 



Danbury, Conn., Feb. 4, 1891 



During the past season, 1S90, I have confined myself almost ex- 

 clusively to marsh collecting and although it was hard 'and tire- 

 some work, the results were very gratifying indeed. 



About five miles from Oswego, N. Y., is a level swamp 

 meadow, containing 100 acres or more, grown over with tall, 

 wild grass, cat's-tails, etc. and dotted here and there with clumps 

 of willows and wild rose bushes 



Several hummocks covered with rocks and bushes, rise a few 

 feet above the surrounding flat. Through it flows a creek of 

 considerable size that overflows the entire meadow in Spring 

 and Fall. On one side it is bounded by pastures and upland 

 meadows, on the other sides by woodland. 



May 24, 1890, I made my initial trip to this place in quest ol 

 duck's nests. Upon arriving there, I found the whole meadow 

 covered with water from one and one-half to two feet deep. 

 Divesting ourselves of unnecessary clothing and trappings, we 

 waded in to the nearest hummock. As soon as we showed our- 

 selves on top of the hummock, the ducks began to rise— Wood 

 Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Mallards and Black Mallards. Oc- 

 casionally a Bittern, Green Heron, or a Great Blue Heron would 

 take wing, while from the surrounding bushes and grass, could 

 be heard call notes of the Sora and Virginia Rails and the song 

 of countless Long-billed Marsh Wrens and two or three Coots 

 were detected as they sought a more secure retreat in a dense 

 growth of flags. 



What a sight for a collector, who, in years gone by had de- 

 voted himself to fields and woods ! What a thrill wobbled o'er 

 the oological side of my "think tank," as I gazed upon this new 

 field of bird life ! 



