June, 1902.] Summer Birds of Lake Erie’s Islands. 
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THE SUMMER BIRDS OF LAKE ERIE’S ISLANDS. 
Lynds Jones. 
During the year several places in the state were visited in the 
interest of the ‘ Revised Catalog.’ The first in April, to McCon- 
nelsville in Morgan county ; a second to Medina, in Medina 
county ; and a third to the islands of Lake Erie, not to mention 
several minor trips. It is of the third of these principal trips that 
I wish to speak, because it was planned with special reference to 
work on the ‘ Revised Catalog,’ and was of more value as deter- 
mining the northern range of several sp.cies whose summer homes 
are supposed to lie much farther south. 
This field work was planned in conjunction with Rev. W. L. 
Dawson, of this city, with whom the best of my ornithological 
work has been done. A kindred spirit with whom such work 
becomes recreation of the most satisfactory kind. 
Family, church and college duties prevented an earlier start than 
the 5th day of August. True, that was pretty late to study the 
summer birds, many of which must be in the annual molt, but, as 
it proved, there were but few from farther north, and those among 
the water birds. We were most concerned about the land birds 
which regularly breed upon these islands. 
The landing on Middle Bass at six on the evening of the 5th 
left little time for study of the birds before going into camp. The 
best part of the next morning was given to a study of the birds 
swarming on the mud flats of the lagoon back of the large wine 
cellars. Such a company of swamp loving birds as here greeted 
us it has never been my privilege to see elsewhere. Of the 1 5 
species recorded the Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semi- 
palmated Plovers and King Rails were the most interesting. Of 
the 42 species recorded for this island, there was nothing else of 
any special interest. 
A row boat proved the only available conveyance, and with the 
light airs usually prevailing, was very satisfactory. Twice the 
seas ran high, but that served only to add zest to our outing. 
A day spent on North Bass yielded little of interest among the 
34 recorded species, except a Carolina Wren, in the hedge by the 
church, and a pair of hoary old Bald Eagles spooning in their 
nest near the west side. No Yellow Warblers were seen north of 
this island. 
The island commonly known as Big Chicken— the most south- 
erly' of the group of the Hen and Chickens — proved second only- 
in interest of all the islands visited. Apparently formed by the 
stones pushed up by the ice during late winter, it stands 15 or 20 
feet clear of the water, the loose stones thrown into windrows by- 
ice and waves. Two fair sized trees and a bed of nettles are the 
