1878 Mt. Carmel Illinois
First Trip to Cypress Swamp
May 6 (Monday) A clear, calm day.
Got off at 6 in the wagon with Robert [delete]and[/delete]
and Yance Wells - a half breed (Indian
& Negro) as guide. Crossed the Wabash at
the upper ferry and made a bee line 
thro' the woods to the Cypress Swamp striking
Cypress pond at about nine o'clock.
Took. Prot. [Protonotaria] citrea; Ardea Herodias
three (ad. [adult]; Hel. [Helminthophila] pina two; My. [Myiodioctes] mitratus
([male] & [female]) ; S. [Seiurus] motacilla one ([female] with nest);
Nests My. [Myiodioctes] mitratus, three; 3,3,& 1 eggs
(one 4 eggs R.R. [Robert Ridgway]) T. [Turdus] mustelinus one 4 (fresh);
Pro. [Protonotaria] citrea one, 3 eggs (fresh); S. [Seiurus] aurocapillus
one 3 eggs fresh; Seiurus motacilla, one, 6
eggs nearly fresh; Vireo novabora. [novaboracensis] two nests
4 & 3 eggs (fresh); Cathartes aura one 
two eggs (R. R.) [Robert Ridgway]
  We first crossed Beaver Dam Pond in
an old dug out and landing walked
to a heronry where about twenty five
pairs of Ardea herodias were breeding
R. shot six of the old birds, I three.
Most of the nests appeared to contain
1878 Mt. Carmel Illinois
First Trip to Cypress Swamp
young birds. Returning we explored
the pond just named and then
entered [?] pond, passing thro'
the sluice of an old beaver dam. 
On the shore of this pond we did
some fine work. I found three nests
of My. [Myiodioctes] mitratus and one of Vireo nov. [novaboracensis],
within a radius of three hundred 
yards. The ponds were all exceedingly
beautiful. Rank grasses & aquatic 
plants covered the surface. A few 
full blown water lilies (N. [Nymphaea] odorata)
rested on the water in each open space.
From this aquatic vegetation came at
frequent intervals, a voice like the call of
a Chat - yes! exceedingly like it, but
all our efforts [delete]failed[/delete] to discover the
author, failed. Wood Ducks with
young were everywhere and we saw
one or two broods of Hooded Mergansers
accompanied by their parents.
Left the swamp at sunset & got to the
ferry by dusk. Cat. [Cathartes] atratus & Antros. carolin. [Antrostomus carolinensis].
seen, the latter on the river at dusk.