76 THE LOOlsr 



than the average of those lakes which stretch along the Illinois 

 river for miles — but because there seems to be an inverse pro- 

 portion between its size and the difficulties which are aug- 

 mented by one's not being able to get a boat through it. 



One day in mid-summer a Professor of the Institution I had 

 been attending and myself determined to make a visit to this 

 place. A short ride on the cars and a long walk took us to the 

 haunts of our feathered friends. As we drew near the swamp 

 we saw an Egret (^4. candidissima) standing on the bank of a 

 muddy stream. This one we shot, and also another which flew 

 over us. When we first reached the swamp another was pro- 

 cured, making three, which was as many as we wanted. Next 

 we looked for birds along the edge, walking around one end 

 and across the other which was uncovered by water. Here 

 were Sandpipers, Green Herons innumerable, and also Coots 

 (F. Americana) whose colloquial chatter was heard on every 

 hand but the birds themselves were not seen. As we came 

 across the upper end a very large Water Adder disputed the 

 right of way with us, but an agreement was soon made 

 whereby we gave him a " charge to keep" and passed on. But 

 as we wanted some Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias,) we 

 did not consider our mission to the lake fulfilled. So I was de- 

 tailed to penetrate the interior while my companion perched 

 himself on an eminence whereby he could keep track of me 

 by the motion of the reeds as I made my way through them.— 

 As I made my way along numerous Green Herons flew up be- 

 fore me or looked down from the reed tops high above my 

 head plainly showing their disgust at such means of locomo- 

 tion, while around on every hand little water moccasins peered 

 at me with an impertinent and unconcerned curiosity, vividly 



