12 Roberts and Benner on the Ornithology of Minnesota. 
previously mentioned, and on either side of it arise the high bluffs 
which border the State of Minnesota and the Territory of Dakota. 
The valley is about four miles long by about a mile wide, and its 
appearance indicates that it at one time was an extension of the 
lakes which it now separates, and formed with them a continuous 
water communication from Hudson’s Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. 
Some' distance in the “ Coteau des Prairies ” rises the Minnesota 
River, which runs down into this valley near Lake Traverse, and 
then, flowing southward, empties into Big Stone Lake. It is here 
merely a small stream, not over ten or fifteen feet wide ; yet along 
its banks for about two miles has centred all the timber visible, ex- 
cept perhaps a few stunted oaks in the gullies running down from 
the bluffs on either side. Swamp-willows, black-oaks, and two or 
three groups of large cotton-wood trees made up this wood, and into 
it seemed to be gathered all the bird life for miles around. 
From the date of these observations — June 5 to 20 — it is to be 
presumed that all the birds noted were breeding in the localities 
mentioned, or had their nests in the near neighborhood. 
Although the birds around Minneapolis had been nesting some 
ten days or more, they seemed to have but just begun here, and 
most of the nests obtained contained fresh eggs. 
Among the notable Water Birds observed were Forster’s Tern 
(Sterna forsteri) and Franklin’s Rosy Gull (Larus franklini ), which 
were seen daily, and, although no eggs were found, were appar- 
ently breeding. The occurrence of three birds heretofore unnoted 
in this State is of especial interest. They are the Chestnut-col- 
lared Bunting ( Plectrophanes ornatus ), the White-winged Blackbird 
(Calamospiza bicolor ), and the Arkansas Flycatcher (Tyrannus verti- 
calis). The first is the most common bird upon the dry prairie, and 
it seems strange that it should have been so long overlooked. 
The varietal forms of the Grass Finch, Savanna Sparrow, and 
Meadow Lark seem to be very distinct, when compared with simi- 
lar ones from regions further west, and with types from the south- 
eastern portions of the State. 
The vicinity of Herman abounds in small lakes surrounded 
with high reeds, and here the Ducks were breeding commonly. 
Their nests were not confined to the borders of the lakes, but were 
situated upon the prairie or in a wheat-field some distance from the 
water. 
The most prominent Wader was the Great Marbled Godwit 
