4-00 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



his grandidentata) attains fair proportions along rocky lakeshores 

 with the American aspen (Popidus tremuloidcs) , of slightly smaller 

 size. Associated with the trees there is much undergrowth consisting 

 of witch hobble {Viburnum alnif olium) , cinnamon fern (Osmunda 

 cinnamomea) , seedlings and saplings of the parent trees in various 

 stages of growth, and other elements. 



Many stream valleys intersect the outer rim of the Adirondack 

 plateau and converge like spokes of a wheel toward the " hub " of 

 the region. These stream valleys form highways up which the more 

 abundant and varied vegetation of the lower levels makes an ascent 

 along the watercourses, thus creating lines of valley woodland 

 reaching far into the forest characteristic of the high ridges and the 

 central plateau. The invasion of this lowland vegetation inclines 

 lowland birds which are fond of it and more or less dependent on 

 it, to ascend the hills and mingle with the species that prefer the 

 elevated evergreen woods. Thus the animal life of the region is as 

 mixed as the forest, and any attempt to define zoological " zones " 

 or take account of any influences of altitude (short of the high 

 " alpine " peaks) is of little value. Whatever degrees of so-called 

 Canadian character the fauna presents at 3,500 feet elevation, it 

 also exhibits at 1,500 feet; and whatever degree of similarity to the 

 Alleghanian fauna it shows at 1,500 feet elevation is also evident 

 at 3,500 feet. These facts are amply demonstrated by comparing 

 the list of birds resident in summer at Cranberry Lake with a list of 

 those of the Mount Marcy region. 



It is natural to ask why the 101 species of birds to be enumerated 

 in Chapter 7 choose this region for their annual seasonal home. 

 What are the local features that determine their preference? The 

 desirability of the region appears to be found in the character of 

 the widespread forest and its lesser vegetation, enhanced by the 

 presence of a plentiful water supply in lake and streams, and the 

 sunlit openings provided by swamps, bogs, burned areas and clear- 

 ings. The summer temperature is favorable, the average tempera- 

 ture of a nesting site more or less exposed to the sun being about 

 85 °F., while that in low bushes or on the ground, where nearly all 

 birds build their homes, is only about 65 °F. 



The western Adirondack border in particular furnishes an ade- 

 quate supply of food, both animal and vegetable, in the form of a 

 vast variety of insects, seeds, berries, and other fruit. The virgin 

 forest offers a less plentiful and varied bill of fare than the lowlands ; 

 but the effects of widespread lumbering operations in the region 

 have been to create " burns " and clearings, where fruit-producing 

 bushes and trees have grown in profusion, thus gradually extending 

 the food supply attractive to the birds. Frequent openings in the 

 heavy woods are therefore desirable, to give spots of illumination 

 where shrubbery can thrive and bear its fruit. Summer camps and 

 inns might be made more attractive, from the bird lover's viewpoint, 

 by having near them a clearing for the natural growth of berry- 

 producing shrubbery attractive to birds other than those of the sur- 

 rounding virgin woods. 



