Birds of Allegany Park 319 



While there are many trees growing along the streams, there are 

 no areas of forest. Most of the stream border vegetation is to be 

 classed as thicket consisting mainly of shrubs and vines with open 

 spaces between, grown with grasses and tall herbaceous plants 

 (figure 90). 



The trees of the stream border are chiefly elm (Ulmus ameri- 

 cana), silver maple {Acer sac charinum) , red maple (Acer rub- 

 rum), yellow birch (Betula lutea), buttonwood (Platanus occi- 

 dentalism, several willows (Salix) and an occasional swamp white 

 oak (Q iter cits platanoides) . Other species of trees often grow near 

 the river or other streams but generally only where the true forest 

 types approach the margin of the stream. 



Shrubs found along the streams comprise willows (Salix) of 

 several species, elder (Sambucus canadensis), alder (Alnus ru- 

 gosa), red and black raspberries (Rubus strigosus and R. occiden- 

 talis), blackberries (Rubus) of several species, wild roses (Rosa) 

 and arrow-wood (Viburnum dentatum). The vines that climb over 

 these shrubs and help to produce dense thickets that form the nest- 

 ing sites for most of the birds of this association are river grape 

 (Vitis vulpina) and virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana) . 



The herbaceous plants of the stream border comprise numerous 

 species, some of which are especially attractive to birds as furnishing 

 nesting sites or food supplies, others having perhaps no special rela- 

 tion to bird life. These species in approximate order of abundance 

 are sedges (Carcx and Cyperus), pale and spotted jewelweeds 

 (Impaticns pallida and /. fulva), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensi- 

 bilis), New York fern (Aspidium novcboraccnse), bee balm 

 (Monarda didyma), tall meadow rue (Thalictrum polygamum), 

 interrupted and cinnamon ferns (Osmuuda Claytoniana and Q. 

 cinnauioiuca), Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpurcum), turtlehead 

 (Chclonc glabra), dog violet (Viola canina), monkey flower 

 (Mimulus ringcns), ostrich fern (Onoclea strutJiioptcris) , nettles 

 (Urtica), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatuin), Canada and Turk's- 

 cap lilies (Lilium canadensc and L. superbum), cardinal flower 

 (Lobelia cardinalis), fringed loosestrife (Steironcma ciliatum), 

 false hellebore (Veratrum viridc) and skunk cabbage (Symplo- 

 carpus fcctidus). 



In addition to the birds listed in this association, the following 

 species, discussed elsewhere, also occur : Woodcock, Downy Wood- 

 pecker, Flicker. Kingbird, Least Flycatcher, Crow, Cowbird, Red- 

 winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Bronzed Grackle, Towhee, 

 Indigo Bunting, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, Brown Thrash- 

 er and Robin. 



Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia melodia (Wils.) 



This bird, about the size of the English Sparrow, is best identi- 

 fied in the field by the streaked breast with a large dark spot in 

 the center, heavy streaks on either side of the throat, and the 

 lack of wing bars. 



