2 THE AUDUBON SB USC eee 
Like all that section of the city, the terrain originally had been sandy, 
lying in a series of low undulations left by the geological retreat of Lake 
Michigan, with a sparse growth of trees, chiefiy “black-jack” and bur-oaks. 
Some of the intervals between the sand “ridges” were semi-marshy swales, 
and one of these, running roughly along the previously mentioned alley, 
Black and White Warbler in tree trap 
afforded a channel for a tiny brook, which, issuing from a moderately large 
spring some 50 yards north of the area under consideration, ran for a 
quarter-mile southwest, to disappear in lower, swampy ground. This brook 
existed until some 50 odd years ago, when the erection of homes began and 
the construction of an adjacent sewer cut off the underground water supply 
of the spring. It has been mentioned because it may well have been a local 
migration path for untold centuries, and so, through the instinct of many 
bird generations, account for the fact that an unexpected variety of species 
still include it on their travels. 
The list of species observed at this location during the past 32 years 
has ranged up to 51 for the year 1927, although the largest number seen on 
any one day has been only 21, noted on May 18, 1933. The total of species 
definitely observed in that period is 99, with several, such as gulls, a tern 
or two, one small group of slowly flapping crows, a single “V” of Canada 
geese, and numerous chimney swifts and nighthawks, being observed only 
in flight. Within the limits of the area some unexpected visitors have been 
an American bittern, two sora rails and a killdeer, and one each of sharp- 
shinned and sparrow hawks. Likewise rare comers were two meadowlarks 
and one mourning dove, although the latter species is normally common in 
Washington Park, a mile and a half away. More than a dozen species of 
