MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
167 
in the thicket at the Overflow. Besides these I have occasionally seen 
the Water Thrush and Louisiana Water Thrush in the willows about 
the Overflow. 
During migration we may always expect to see the Golden-crowned 
and Buby-crowned Kinglets, and Wilson’s and Hermit Thrushes, while 
among the winter visitors each year, the Purple Finch, Tree Sparrow, 
Junco, and occasionally a Bedpool, seek shelter and food in these thickets. 
BIRDS OF THE MARSHES AND RIVER. 
There are several species of birds that are found all summer in the 
marshes and along the river, and many more which occur there only 
during the migration periods. Of the summer residents the Pied-billed 
Grebe and American Coot are the only swimmers that are found in the 
marsh. The American and Least Bittern are quite common, the former 
apparently more so than the latter; its “pumping” being frequently 
heard. The Great Blue Heron is often seen along the river, but does 
not nest in this particular territory; the Green Heron does however, 
and their nests may be found each year in the small marshy pond 
on the north side of the railroad. The Virginia and Sora Bails are seen 
in the marsh each spring and probably nest, but I have never run across 
them except during the spring. The bogs also furnish a good feeding 
ground for the American Woodcock, Spotted Sandpiper and Killdeer. 
but they usually nest on higher and drier ground. Every year I have 
found a nest of the Marsh Hawk among the bushy cinquefoil, both at 
Blake’s and at the Overflow proper, and on March 30, 1904, I found a 
nest of five eggs of the American Long-eared Owl at Blake’s. 
The Belted Kingfisher is frequently heard and seen along the river, 
but it nests on the opposite side of the river in the sand banks. The 
Bed-winged Blackbird and Cowbird are very common, and in the spring 
and fall, large flocks of Bronzed Grackles and Busty Blackbirds and 
also of Bobolinks are seen here. 
The Swamp Sparrows are quite common about the Overflow, but I 
have never found them nesting. Of the swallows frequently seen skim¬ 
ming over the river and marshes are the Tree and Bank, and occasion¬ 
ally a Purple Martin or a Cliff Swallow. The Maryland Yellow-throats 
are very common and can be heard singing in the marsh and along its 
edges all summer. I have frequently seen the Long-billed Marsh Wren 
at the Overflow, and on June 2, 1903, a boy brought in a Short-billed 
Marsh Wren that he had killed there, but I never saw one myself. 
Each spring before the ice is out of the lakes many Loons gather 
along the river, and especially during the spring of 1904, one could 
generally find from five to a dozen in front of the Overflow, feeding and 
swimming about; several were killed by boys. A few American Herring 
Gulls come up the river each spring, but are only here for a few days, 
and I have seen the American and Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, Green¬ 
winged Teal, Wood Ducks, Bed Head and the American Golden-eye, 
feeding here during the spring migration. During the winter of 1903-4 
a flock of fifteen American Mergansers tried to winter on the river, 
much to their disaster, for by spring the last one had been shot. 
Flocks of the Canada Goose fly over each spring and fall, but I have 
never seen them settle. During migration, Wilson’s and the Solitary 
