lOS MICHIGAN SURVEY, 1908. 



motion was continuous, scarcely a bi'eak occurring in the steady stream 

 of migrants as they passed along the road. There was very little linger- 

 ing by the way, although when the birds arrived at the first clearing 

 they often scattered about, feeding on the myriads of insects infesting 

 the grass and shrubbery. Many of the birds after collecting into great 

 flocks, sometimes numbering more than a hundred, rose directly from 

 the clearing and taking a southwesterly direction, left the island, pre- 

 sumably for the south shore. As a rule the birds flew directly down the 

 Harbor and the fishermen and tourists at Washington Island reported 

 that never before had they seen such numbers of birds except during 

 the spring migration. These observers reported that the majority of 

 the flocks passed at a considerable height above the island, many of 

 them probably belonging to the same flocks that left the clearing four 

 and one-half miles up the bay. Some species, particularly the warblers 

 and .sparrows, flew from the ground in practically the direction they 

 took when on their way, but others as the American Pipit, Rusty Grackle, 

 Horned Lark and Thick-billed Redwing flew around in great circles, 

 often hanging around the border of the clearing for some time, as if not 

 quite decided whether to go or not. No flocks of the last named bird 

 Were seen on this day, however. As I passed up the road toward Wendi- 

 go that moi'ning I met flock after flock of PaliU Warblers, Grey-cheeked 

 Thrushes, and Savannah Sparrows. The progressive movement of the 

 migratory birds was clearly shown as they passed in a southwesterly 

 direction along the road from Wendigo to the clearing at the Club 

 House. 



Darting everywhere were Sharp-shinned and Sparrow Hawks, while 

 every few minutes a Pigeon Hawk would dash by. All the birds seem- 

 ed restless as if impelled by some uncontrollable spirit to keep ever ou 

 the move. Warblers, thrushes, sparrows and flycatchers were constantly 

 crossing and recrossing the path in front of me. 



During the night of September 12 nearly all the birds left the island. 

 Towards evening the temperature gradually dropped, until at 9 P. M. 

 it was only 38°. The morning of the 13th was one of the coldest I 

 experienced on the island, ice remaining on the water pail until nearly 

 noon. During the night the area of high pressure had advanced until 

 at 7:00 A. M. it was central over Isle Royale with a bai'ometei' reading 

 of 30.4, temperature at 26°, and a brisk west Avind. The sky was clear, 

 as is usual under high barometric pressure. Many Lincoln Sparrows 

 remained, as well as numerous flocks of Gray-cheeked Thrushes. But 

 the great flood of migrants had passed on the previous night. However, 

 the wave set up by these very favorable conditions was not yet over. 

 Large flocks of Horned Larks numbering from about 60 to 200 or more 

 came to the clearing, feeding on the in'sects and seeds in the open 

 meadow and on the cultivated ground. On this morning many dead 

 birds were found, among which was an adult male Yellow-bellied Fly- 

 catcher, the only one of this species seen. 



The following is a list of the 41 migrants which composed this re- 

 markable wave of September 12: Chipping Sparrow, White-throated 

 Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Spairow Hawk, Blue Bird, Flicker, 

 Myrtle 'S^'arbler, Tennessee Warbler, Phoebe, Redstart, Least Fly- 

 catcher, Hermit Thrush, Spotted Sandpiper, Pigeon Hawk, Robin, Olive- 

 backed Tlirush, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cooper's Hawk, Wilson's 



