. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . small fishermans hut and two willowtrees redeem the island from absolute desolation, while the birds are to befound everywhere, even invading the deserted hut itself. The odor of guanowas tolerably strong, but the sight of the restless, hovering multitude of SeaSwallows made anything endurable. Altho the season was far advanced, nests and eggs abounded, makingit appear probable that the colony had been plundered earlier in the summer, S62 THE COMMON TERN. or else had been overwhe
. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . small fishermans hut and two willowtrees redeem the island from absolute desolation, while the birds are to befound everywhere, even invading the deserted hut itself. The odor of guanowas tolerably strong, but the sight of the restless, hovering multitude of SeaSwallows made anything endurable. Altho the season was far advanced, nests and eggs abounded, makingit appear probable that the colony had been plundered earlier in the summer, S62 THE COMMON TERN. or else had been overwhelmed in time of storm. We made the circuit of theisland like excited children, only taking care not to crush the eggs beneath ourfeet. The birds themselves were tireless in voice and wing, and would not belulled to any sense of security, while the strangers were on their premises. Theconvenient, terrace-like arrangement of the ground invited the taking of acensus, which showed the following results: empty nests, 200; nests with eggs,232; nests with young only, 25 ; loose squabs, 26. Only those empty nests were. A TYPICAL BIT OF NESTING GROUND. Photo by Walter C. Metn. counted which showed some signs of architecture,—perhaps half the number. Some of the nests were quite respectable affairs, neat cushions of bark andfeathers and trash; but for the most part eggs were dumped just anywhere onthe gravel. Two nests were found in the corners of dry-goods boxes, whichhad been cast up on the reef. One of these contained a waif cork by way of anest-egg. A large percentage of the eggs found were evidently deserted ordried-up specimens. Others were on the very point of hatching; while a fewwere perfectly fresh. A similar visit and inventory was made at the Chick, a half-acre reef THE COMMON TERN. 563 hard by; and at the Little Chicken, where our illustrations were securedthe following season by Mr. Walter C. Metz, of Newark. The latter islandboasts a clump of willows (Salix amygdaloides
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1903
