MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
171 
Solitary and Pectoral Sandpipers are found. The latter are migrating .and 
only remain a few days. Several varieties of ducks stop here on their north- 
ward journey. The herons, except the Least Bittern, are only accidental 
although the Green Heron should nest here as all the conditions are present 
which determine its breeding in other parts of the valley. The Virginia 
and Sora Rails nest here in limited numbers. One nest of the latter was found 
June 15. 1904, containing eight eggs, and another June 17, 1904, with twelve 
eggs and one downy young. These nests were placed in the beds of sweet 
flag, one nest of the Virginia Rail was found among the cattails. A few 
Swamp Sparrows nest here with the Song Sparrow. 
CONDITIONS IN SUMMER. 
Under the head of general conditions the summer habit is quite fully 
described, for at this time all the sedges, water lilies, etc., spoken of 
are in full growth. Food of all kinds, especially insects, being very numerous. 
All the common species which birds are known to feed upon are easily obtained, 
which means much to the parent birds at this time of the year when the 
young are being hatched. Excellent protection is furnished by the thick 
sedges which grow to a height of two to three feet. The beds of sweet flag 
also furnish cover for several species not found among the sedges. Redwinged 
Blackbirds find the tall, thick masses of cattails the best place for nesting 
and refuge. Not much rain falls during the summer so the river sometimes 
drops so low that the larger portion of the marsh is left dry except for the 
moisture from below. This causes a premature dying of many plants, but 
does not seem to seriously affect the bird life. The maturing of fruits and 
seeds in other habitats causes some of the birds to extend their feeding ground, 
but does not affect their abundance in this habitat to any appreciable extent. 
CHARACTERISTIC SUMMER BIRDS. 
The characteristic summer birds are the same as those characteristic of 
this habitat in spring. Therefore, each of these birds will be taken up and 
the changes produced by the new conditions discussed. 
Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus (Linn.). Red-winged Blackbird. These 
birds continue nesting through June, their feeding and other habits remaining 
essentially the same. With the closing of the nesting season the Redwings 
gather into flocks and wander about the swamp and into the neighboring 
habitats. Their food at this time consists of insects and a considerable 
quantity of weed seeds and a little grain. They generally return to the 
cattails at night, however, a few sometimes roost in the bushes and willows 
along the river. 
T elmatodytes pcilustris (Wils.). Long-billed Marsh Wren. These birds 
remain in this habitat throughout the summer. The reeds and flags generally 
die during the dry season in August, but sufficient food and protection still 
remains, for the birds have never been seen in any other habitat at this 
season. 
Fulica americana Gmel. American Coot. When the young of this bird 
are old enough to travel, the old and young gather into small flocks and 
constantly change their feeding grounds. One day they may be found at 
the bayou, another a considerable distance up the river. There does not 
seem to be any rule governing these wanderings and they are probably 
made with the object of securing or in pursuit of particular kinds of food. 
