Introduction 



FOR SOME YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE OPPOR- 



tunity to observe the life of a marsh, a spot not located in 

 some remote country area but near a well-populated district 

 in the city of Seattle. This marsh lies along the eastern por- 

 tion of the University of Washington campus and occupies a 

 part of pouch-shaped Union Bay. A ship canal passes through 

 the bay and connects Lake Washington, of which the bay is 

 a part, with the salt waters of Puget Sound, about five miles 

 away. Large locks have been constructed at Ballard, at the 

 western end of the canal. The bay area is a contrasting mix- 

 ture of fine residences, the University of Washington Ar- 

 boretum, the margin of the campus, and the marsh. This 

 contrast has furnished us with an excellent opportunity to 

 see how wild animals and plants could five in harmony with 

 their human neighbors. 



We visited the area continually— an expression of our great 

 interest in the natural sciences. This Union Bay marsh was 

 the nearest place in the city where we could come in contact 

 with wildlife. Visits required so little time and preparation 

 that they could be made in the odd hours that we were able 

 to find each week. 



