MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY, ,UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, NO. 44 THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO BY MILTON B. TRAUTMAN ANN ARBOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PRESS MAP 7, 1940 PRICE LIST OF THE MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS OF THE MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Address inquiries to the Director of the Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bound in Paper No. 1. Directions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens of Dragonflies for museum Purposes. By E. B. WILLIAMSON. (1916) Pp. 15, 3 figures $0.25 No. 2. An Annotated List of the Odonata of Indiana. By E. B. WILLIAMSON. (1917) Pp. 12, 1 map $0.26 No. 3. A Collecting Trip to Colombia, South America. By E. B. WILLIAMSON. (1918) Pp. 24. (Out of print) No. 4. Contributions to the Botany of Michigan. By C. E. DODGE. (1918) $0.26 No. 6. Contributions to $0.46 America, North of Mexico, and a Catalogue of the More Recently Described Species, with Notes. By BRYANT WALEER. (1918) Pp. 213, 1 plate, 223 figures $3.00 No. 7. 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Both series were founded by Dr. Bryant Wallrer, Mr. Bradshaw H. Swales, and Dr. W. W. Newcomb. The Occasional Papers, publication of which was begun in 1913, serve as a medium for original studies based principally upon the collections ill the Museum. The papers are issued separately to libraries and specialists, and, when a sufficient number of pages have been printed to make a volume, a title page, table of contents, and index are supplied to libraries and individuals on the mailing list for the entire series. The Miscellaneous Publications, which include papers on field and museum techniques, monographic studies, and other contributions not within the scope of the Occasional Papers, are published sepa- rately, and, as it is not intended that they will be grouped into vol- umes, each number has a title page, and, when necessary, a table of contents. FREDEIZICR M. GAIUE Director of the Museum of Zoology MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, NO. 44 THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO BY MILTON B. TRAUTMAN ANN ARBOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PRESS MAY 7, 1940 PREFACE WITI-I the white man's iiivasioii of the area now known as the state of Ohio, there began the recording of its avifauna. During the early years of the invasion, in the eighteenth century, the recording of birds was largely in- cidental to the general description of the country and its resources. Later, in 1808, there began, with Alexander Wilson's first volume on American ornithology, the first of a long series of scientific publications which defi- nitely recorded certain species of birds within the boundaries of the state. In 1838 J. P. Kirtland published the first list of the birds that were then known to occur in Ohio. Since then the list of tlic birds of the state has been revised several times. With the beginning of the twentieth century the tendency among workers on Ohio birds has been to specialize more and more upon small areas within the state and to investigate these areas in a more or less thorough manner. In the present publication an attempt has been made to give as conzplete a conception of the status of each bird species in the Buckeye Labe area throughout historic time as is possible with the data at hand. There is included in this paper a brief account of the interglacial and postglacial history of the Buckeye Lake area, from Wisconsin time to the beginning of historic time ; a brief discussion of the invasion and occupation of the area by the white man, aizd his influence and effect upon the topo- graphy, flora, and fauna, especially as regards birds ; aizd a compilation of the literature concerning the bird fauna, and of uiipnblished data on it and on conditioizs in the area before February 1, 1922. Thereafter, the results of twelve years of bird observations made between February 1, 1922, and February 1, 1934, are given. The observations were made principally by me, but sonie were made by other members of the Wheaton Club of Colum- bus, Ohio, various members of the Columbus Audnbon Society, a few other ornithologists, game protectors of the Ohio Division of Conservation, a few residents at the lake, former inarket hunters, and sportsmen. Finally, I discuss the numerical status and habits of the 282 species and six subspecies of birds which have been recorded and observed. It is evident that intensive aiid well-conducted studies of the avifauna in a comparatively small area over a several-year period are of much scien- tific importance. Such studies add to the general knowledge of the life history of the species concerned and give a fairly accurate conception of such factors as the past and present status of the species, the yearly popula- tions, and the influence of the white man. A number of such local, inten- sive studies madc in several widely separated localities in Ohio will give a better conception of birds and their habits in the state than could be obtained by a cursory exaniination of the entire state. 5 Such local, intensive studies are of consitlerable i~iiportance frorri the standpoint of the conservation of the entire bird population; for it is only when the basic facts concerning a bird and its relations to other animals and to its environment in general are known that it is possible to assist the species or for man to utilize the bird to his advantage. Tl~ese intensive studies point out reasons why certain species of birds have greatly increased iri numbers during certain periods and within a certain area; why other birds have maintained their numbers, sometimes despite seemiizgly adverse conditions; and why still others have been unable to maintain their num- bers, or have become extirpated from a given area. These studies liliewise indicate which species are in danger of decrease in numbers, in marly in- stances give a practical method for the prevention of such a decrease, and make it possible to establish future policies which will result i11 the greatest and most lasting benefits to both the bird species and to man. An investigation sucli as tliis one envisions a usefulness for a future time. A twelve-year study of the Buckeye Lalre area made later i11 the same manner will demonstrate changes a~icl their causes in the status of any species. It was partly in the hope of such a comparative study that much of the detail concerning existing coliclitioils between 1922 and 1934 has been given. In the course of this study I have been greatly assisted by many friends. From 1922 until his death i11 1930, Professor James S. IIine gave much help- ful advice, and his encouragement ~vas most stimulating; Mr. Edward S. Thomas greatly assisted with advice arid information and donated some of the photographs used here; Dr. Charles F. Wallrer aided with field work and in the collection of birds and preparation of some of the bird slrins; Mr. Edward L. Wiclrliff joined in niany of the field trips and assisted in the ac- curnulation of data; and Dr. Josselyn Van Tyne contributed much advice and criticism during the preparation of the manuscript. Other Wheaton Club members have helped in illany ways, particularly in the field worlr. Dr. Robert 13. Gordon has helped greatly by discussing and checking the bolailical pliases of the paper; Mr. Thomas M. Earl gave several interesting records obtained before 1922 and has assisted iii the preparation of bird slrins; Mr. Roscoe W. Franks has presented several photographs and has assisted in other ways; Mr. J. Stanley Doixglass, Dr. Robert M. Geist, Professor James C. Hambletoii, Mr. Arthur R. Harper, Dr. Lawrence E. Hicks, Mr. Harold S. Peters, Mr. F. Dale Pontius, and Mr. Frederick VCT. Wood have assisted in various ways ; Dr. W. Storrs Cole has given advice upon glacial conditions and their effects. The active interest of Mr. William G. Fargo since the early stages of the field worlr has been most stiniulating, as has the enconragenlent given me THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 7 during the preparation of the report by Professor Fredericli 31. Gaige. Dr. Carl L. Hubbs has assisted in many ways. Dr. Edward L. Rice and Dr. Lyiids Jones gave information concerning the area before 1922. Three conservation officers of the Ohio Division of Conservation, the late Earl McPealr, Mr. Fred Harlow, and Mr. Louis L. Ludwig, assisted in the field in many ways; two Buclreye Lake residents, Mr. JVilliam Harlow and Mr. Stephen Holtzberry, helped greatly with their illformation con- cerning conditioils in the area between 1860 and 1922. A host of other residents of the area have assisted in innumerable ways, such as showing me the birds or nests they had found. The many land owners of the area were particularly helpful, for without exception they gave me permission to study conditions on their properties. Aclrilowledgment is also made to the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies for the grant which made this publication possible. I wish to express my appreciation to Miss Elsa K. Hertz for the typing of the manuscript. CONTENTS PAGE Location and Size of the Buclreye Lake Arca 13 History of the Buckeye Lake Arca .... . . . . .... .... .............. .. ........ ... . .... ............... ..... . 13 Interglacial and Early Postglacial I-Iistory 15 The Invasion The Period Between 1821 and 189 The Period Between 1891 and 192 The Period Between 1921 and 193 Changes in Status of Various Groups out Historic Time .......... . .............. .......... ..... .... . ... . ....... ........ ... ..... .............................. 51 The Future for the Birds in the Area 60 Localities and Conditions Between 1922 and 1934 ...... ........... ..... ... ..................... ......... ....... 62 Climatic Conditions ... ....................... ................................................................. ...... .... ......... .... .......... 80 Bird Migration 87 Wintering Birds 114 Nesting and Sum 124 Ecological and N ... . . . 129 Distribution and Relative Abundance of Bird Species Throughout the Year ........ .... 135 Sources of Ornithological and Othcr Data upon Which This Report is Based ..... ..... 142 Disposition of Birds Collected in the Area ........ 147 The List of Unrecorded Birds 148 Exotic Species Escaped from 148 The Method of Recordil~g Da 149 Explanation of Terms ................... ...................... .................................................. .................... . . 150 Amount and Sources of Error in Determining Abundance ................. .......... ... .... ............. 151 SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT OF TIIE 282 SPECIES AND 6 ADDITIONAL SUBSPECIES OF BIRDS RECORDED FOR THE BUCI\IEYE LAKE AREA ... ............. ........ .... ............................... ....... ......... 155 ILLUSTRATIONS PLATES (Plates I-XV face page 439) PLATE 1. IV. VI. VII. VIII. IX. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. Fig. 1. East end of Buclteye Lalce. Fig. 2. Western end of Buckeye Lake. Fig. 1. Maple Swamp. Fig. 2. The "North Banlr." Fig. I. Tlie "North Bank." Fig. 2. The "North Bank" at the beginning of the present century. Fig. 1. A farm on the till plain west of the lake. Fig. 2. A well-managed farm on the till plain. Fig. 1. Westward from the high hill near the eastern end of the lake. Fig. 2. Part of the cranberry-sphagnum bog meadow. Recently emerged peat islands. Southward from the high hill near the eastern end of the lake. Northwestward across a small bay and cultivated field to Jack's Neck Woods. Fig. 1. A part of the abandoned canal. Fig. 2. The canal on March 28, 1937. Fig. 1. A woodland pool in Jack's Neck Woods. Fig. 2. A beech-oalt ridge in Jaelr's Neck Woods. A part of the wooded ravine near the eastern end of the lake. Eastward from the high hill near the eastern end of the lake. Fig. 1. Snow on Liebs Island. Fig. 2. A high-grass swamp meadow at the western edge of the Big Woods. A Icing Rail on a nest. A Sora at the edge of a marsh. MAPS MAP PAGE 1. The Great Swamp 14 2. The Buclteye Lake area 64 THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO INTRODUCTION PART I LOCATION AND SIZE OF THE BUCKEYE LAKE AREA TIIE Buclceye Lalre area (Map 2: No. 47) is approximately thirty miles east of Columbus, Ohio, in the east central part of the state. It is situated between 39" 53' and 39" 58' N. Lat. and 82" 24' and 82" 37' W. Long., and is in parts of Walnut Township, Fairfield County, Union and Licking townships, Licliing County, and Thorn Township, Perry County. The area is very irregular, though roughly rectangular in shape, and has beell limited by purely arbitrary boundaries as follows: by the National Highway on the north from the village of Iiirkersville eastward through the village of Hebron to the village of Jacksontown; on the east by the Jaclrsontown and Thornville road as far south as the village of Thornville; on the south by the Thornville and Millcrsport road as far west as its intersection with the Millersport and Thnrston road, thence directly south to the southern bound- ary of Section 4, Walnut Township, Fairfield County, west on the southern boundary of Sectioil 4 to its southwestern corner, thence north along the western bonnclary of Section 4 to its northwesterii corner, then west along the road that runs due west of Millersport to its intersection with the Iiirkers- ville and Baltimore road (southwest corner of Section 25, Liberty Towaship, Fairfield County) ; and on the west by the Iiirkcrsville and Baltimore road from thc intersection last mentioned, north to Kirliersville. East and west the area is approxiniately ten miles long, and its greatest width is five miles. It contains a little less tlian forty-four square miles. To obtain a fairly comprehensive understanding of a group of animals in any given locality dnring any given period it is necessary not only to make a detailed stllcly of the group and its present and recent past but also to investigate fully the present and past geological, topographical, and climatological conclitions of the place, the present flora and the changes in the flora during the recent past, and certain other animal groups which have affected the group in question, or which will assist in giving a fuller understandiiig of it. In ilialiy instaiiees full, accurate data upon past geological, floristic, and fauilistic conditions are impossible to obtain, and occasionally it becomes necessary to speculate slightly in order to reeon- struct the entire picture. In the following several pages a brief history of the Buclreye Lake area is given, from interglacial and early postglacial 13 OLD COURSE OF THE SOUTH FORK OF THE LICKING RIVER ------ ---.-. OHIO CANAL MAP 1.-The Great Swamp and the course of the South Fork of Licking River as of the survey of 1799. Over this is superimposed Buckeye Lake and the present drainage systems. The old Sandusky Indian trail is also shown. THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 15 times to February of 1934, with a discussion of the effects of the various changes upon the avifaiuia throughout historic time. INTERGLACIAL AND EARLY POSTGLACIAL EIISTORY The interglacial and early postglacial history of the Buclieye Lake area has been studied in considerable detail during the past sixty years. The various investigators1 are generally i11 agreement on the early history of the area. A summary of their principal conclusions are as follows: Glaciation.-The immediate bedrock underlying the Buckeye Lake area is composed of the Waverly series of shales, siltstones, aiid sandstones (Bownoclier, 1920). At least two glaciers, the so-called Illinoian and Wisconsin (and possibly an earlier ice sheet), have passed over it and have deposited a mantle of drift npon the bedrock. This drift conipletely covers all of the imniediate underlying bedrock except a small outcrop at the eastern end. Leverett (1902: 224-25, and Pls. 2 aiid 13) has shown that the Scioto lobe canie from a ilortherly direction and by spreading eastward covered conlpletely the area and extended past it some twelve iniles to the present line of Licking and Mnsliingum counties. He (1902 : 226-27) has indicated that the Scioto lobe of the Early Wisconsin glaciation extended over the entire area, and that probably the Late Wisconsin glaciation likewise in- vaded it, for he stated that "the late Wisconsin drift seems to reach about to the border of the early Wisco~lsin and possibly in places beyond it, in central and eastern Ohio. . . . 7 7 A preglacial or intcrylacial river.-During preglacial or interglacial times a deep and broad river flowed through the area. The existence of this river and its valley, which since postglacial times has been almost com- pletely filled with drift, was first mentioned by Read (1878: 348). Later, Tight (1894 : 47-50 ; and 1903 : 18 and PI. 2) outlined the course of this river and suggested that it be called the Newark River. Tight has shown that in preglacial times2 the waters from the upper section of the present 1 Scc Dachno~vski, 1912 ; Davis, 1899; Dctmcrs, 1912a and 1912b ; Lamborn, 1932; Leverctt, 1902; Rcad, 1878; Sharp, 1932; Stout and Lamb, 1938; Tight, 1894 and 1903; and Wright, 1884. 2 Tllc major point of dissension bctwcen present geologists and those of the past concerns tllc time of formation of thc Ncwark channel and its tributary valleys. Rcad, Levcrett, Davis, Tight, and Detmers considered the Newark River to be a preglacial stream, and that its vallcy was principally formed in preglacial times. More recent investigators are of the opinion that the Newark River was an interglacial stream which existed between an early Pleistocene ice sheet and the Illinoian ice sheet, and which was formed in inter- glacial times during the period known ns the "Deep Stage" (White, 1934: 373 ; and Stout and Lamb, 1938: 72-73). The pertincnt facts are that this valley and its tributaries cxistcd and were later almost completely filled with glacial drift (Sharpe, 1932; and Lan. born, 1932). 16 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN Muskingunl drainage basin did not flow south from Dresden, in Muskingum County, to the Ohio River as they do today. Illstead, these waters flowed southwest from Dresden through the now abandoned Newark Valley to the city of Newark, in Liclring County, thence southward through tlie Buckeye Lake area, and then southwestward to the vicinity of the village of Lock- bourne, in Franl~liii County. Here they joined an old river system, part of whose valley is now occupied by the present Scioto River. The presence of the Newark rLiver has been corroborated by Leverett (1902 : 155), who outlined its course : Tight has sl~own that the greater part of tlie Muslringum drainage system xas for~nerly connected with the Scioto system 1)y a broad valley lcnding from Dresden [a few rniles above Zanesville] wcstward past Nemarlr to tlie Licking lieservoir and tl~cnee into the Scioto Basin near Circleville. Tlie present soutl~\rard course past Zanesville is through a nlucll narrower valley than tlie old line leading westward to the Scioto Basin, and the rock floor is marlredly higlicr along tlle present course of the Muslringurn tl~n~i the old course. Along the old line of discharge there is, for about 10 miles an open valley, 1 to 14 n~ilcs in width, leading westward from Dresden past Frazersburg. This open vallcy is now drained by a srn~111 stream, Wallatornalra Creek, which eilters it from tlie north near Frazers- burg. Tl~e old outlet of the Muskingurn continues broad and o1)en as far ~est as the oastorn border of Liclring County, where it becomes obstructed by a great aceulllulation of drift, which fills tlle valley to a lreigllt of 150 feet or more above tlic level of tlie broad bottom on the east. This filling obstructs tlie valley in this manlier for only a couple of miles, and even there but l~alf fills it, for tl~e bluffs rise about 300 feet abovc tlic broad bottom just mentioned. At EIanovcr an open valley sets in, mlricll cxtelids westward to Newark and tllcnce south~vcstward r~long the sontl~ Fork of tl~c Liclring Rivcr to the vicinity of the Liclring reservoir, where it is so fillcd wit11 drift as to render its further course difficult to determine. A series of gas borings, however, indicate that it passes southward about to 11adley Junction and there turns wcstward, passing near Cmlal Winchester and Groveport and coming to the Scioto River about midway between Columbus and Circleville, where it seems to have joined the old Kanawl~a system. Detmers (1912~: 529), through a stntly of the depth of the drift as re- corded by gas-well borings, verified the conclusions of Reacl, Leverett, and Tight, relative to the course of the Newark River from the city of ATewarlr, to the Buckeye Lake area, and thence to the Franklin County line. Lamborn (1932 : 452) recently reviewed the work of his predecessors and clearly outlined the old Newarli River channel through the area : From the west edge of Newark tlie old Newark River ellannel is directed a little west of south passing a short distance east of IIebron to the north sllorc of Buckeye Lake. Here tho valley turns to the west and extends bcnentll tlic \vcstern end of the lalie as far as Millorsport where it again turns to the south and passes about a mile northwest of Tliurston to a point approximately one milo south of Baltimore. The maximum thickness of the drift in this part of the valley is about 350 feet. In the region lying immediately north of Buckeye Lalrc wells penetrate drift ranging from 65 to 345 feet in depth. The lorvest point of which we have record in the old channcl in this vicinity mas reached in the Cliff Sturgeon No. 3 well located on the north shore of the lake about one mile southwest of tl~e THE BIRDS OF BUCICEYE LAKE 17 electric railway terminal. The drift here has a thiclriless of 344 feet and the elevation of bed roclr is about 540 fcet. Two tributary valleys of tl~e ATezuark Cha7znel.-Two drift-filled tributary vallcys join the southwest-iiortheast Newark channel in this area, the one entering from tlie iiorthwcst and the other from the east. The now sliallow valley entering from the northwest at Kirkersville is at present almost en- tirely filled with drift ancl contains the upper half of the South Porlr of thc Liclring River. The vallcy entering the Newark channel from the east has i11 its former headwaters a stream known as Jonathan Creek, which flows eastward in a reversed direction up the former tributary valley to break throagh a col at the extreme head of the valley and to continue eastward until its confluence with the present Maskingum River (Davis: 1899). The lower half of this tributary valley enters the Buckeye Lalre area from the east at Thornport and co~~tinues westward to join the Newark channel at the present western end of Ruclreye Lalre. This lower half of the partly drift-filled valley con- tains a long narrow depression, formerly the "Great Swamp" and now Buclreye Lalre (Laiiborn, 1932 : 453-54). Tl~e retreat of the Wisconsin ice sheet.-During the period of maximum extension of the eastern edge of the Xcioto lobe of the Wisconsin glaciation, the ice sheet extended over the Enckeye Lalre area and for several miles to the eastward. Bceause of the ice action the Newark channel and its two tributary valleys in the area were almost conipletely filled with glacial drift, which was likewise deposited over the uplands on both sides of these valleys. Throughout the eastern half of the area tlie glacial drift is rela- tively thin, and consists of a great number of moraines that are from a few feet lo two hundred feet in height. Because of the thinness of the drift the terrain is largely controlled by the drift-covered bed rock. In the wcstern half the moraines are low or absent, and the till plains have typical sag and swell topography. In fact, Tight (1894: 38) believed that this level area, and more to the north, was the site of an old shallow postglacid lake, to which he gave the name Lake Liclring. Detiliers (1912~: 517-21) later proved 'that while there may have been a very temporary large lake in this region clnring the early retreat of the Scioto lobe, it did not remain sufficiently long to deposit lalre silts or clays or to form lalre beaches, and that much of the till underlying this western half was composed of sands and gravels that were evidently an outwash deposit from a glacial outlet. Formation of the "Great Swamp."-With the retreat of the Wisconsin ice sheet from the eastern half of the present Buckeye Lake area, a loop moraine was foriiied across the eastern tributary valley at Thornport, which completely blocked the then eastward flowing glacial stream. At this time the western or lower portion of the Newark channel was still blocked with 18 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN ice so that the waters from the receding glaciers were ponded behind the moraine, converting this lower portion of the old eastern tributary into a lake. The ponded waters continued to rise until they eventually spilled over the loop moraine, aiid in so doing inacle a well-defined overflow gap. Still later, and before the loop moraine was entirely cut through, another outlet was formed to the westward which reduced the poiided water level until it was lower than the gap ill the loop moraine. This latter outlet, which probably entered the South Forlr drainage basin, was not sufficiently low to drain entirely the poiided waters in this partly-filled eastern tribu- tary between the loop moraine aiid the high till plains to the west. As a Consequence, a finger-like lalce was fornied. At the time of the white man's first visit in 1751, this lalre had been reduced to a long, liarrow swamp with a small finger-like lake in its ceiitral portion (Detiiiers, 1912~: 522-23). The swamp and the lake coiisisted of approximately four tliousand acres (Dachnowslri, 1912 : 86). As further proof that the "Great Swamp" dates from early post-Wis- consin times Detmers (1912~: 523-25) points out that the sm7amp contains a rather typical postglacial cranberry-sphagnum bog. This bog also con- tains other northern plaiits that are accepted as relicts of early postglacial times, which, because of favorable conditions, have survived in this swamp Par south of their present center of distribution. Summary o/ tlze glacial Izistory.-The Buckeye Lalre area formerly coil- tained a portion of the huge Newark Eivcr channel, which bisected the area in a northeast-southwest direction. Two tributary valleys entered the Newark- channel in the central part and opposite each other, the one entering from the north\vrst, the other from the east. At least two glaciers, the so-called Illiiioian and the Wisconsin, have passed over the area, moclified the bedroclc hills, and almost filled their valleys with drift; they have deposited many moraines in the eastern half and left a rather level till plain in the western half. A loop moraine in late Wisconsirl times bloclied the eastern tributary valley near the present site of Thornport, and thereby bloclced the then eastward flowing stream; this resulted in the establishmeilt of a large temporary lalie. The waters of the lake continued to rise until they overflowed the loop moraine; later, however, another and lowcr outlet was formed to the westward. This outlet, though lower than the gap in the loop moraine, did not en- tirely drain the lake, for the lake lay in a depression in the lower valley of the eastern tributary, between the loop moraine 011 the east and the higher part of the till plain to the west. TI-IE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 19 The finger-like lalre thus formed in the lower valley of the eastern tribu- tary continued slowly to decrease in size. When the white men first visited the area in 1751 this lake had been converted into a long, narrow swamp with a greatly reduced finger-lilre lake in the long central part. TOPOGRAPHY The Buclreye Lalre area is situated in a re-entrant of the till plain (pos- sibly low platean; see White, 1934) into tlie west-facing escarpment of the glaciated portion of the Appalachian Plateau. The area therefore reflects to a marlied degree two major topographical features: the hilly, well- drained, glaciated eastern half, which in most respects greatly resembles the adjacent, hilly, unglaciated country to the eastward, aiid the flat, poorly- drained western half, which is similar to the slightly rolling prairie-like country of the central lowland of central and western Ohio. Within the area are two large drainage systems; the Muskingum River to the east, which draii~s the great part of the area, and the Scioto River to the west, which drains the southwestern corner. For convenience in describing the topography of the area, it has been divided into three parts: (1) the dissected, hilly eastern section; (2) the slightly rolling, till plain, western section; and (3) the former "Great Swarnp" section, now covered by Backeye Lake. The eastern section.-This half of the area lies east of a line drawn from I-Iebron, south to the southern border of the area; but it does not include that part of the "Great Swamp" which is a re-entrant projecting east- ward. The land has a distinct morainal hill aiid valley topography, with considerable dissection by small streams and with the knolls of the morainal hills broad and rounded. The hills range to 170 feet in height. The lowest elevation in this section is 880 feet above sea level and is in the ex- treme northern portion, where at present the South Forlr of the Liclring River crosses the National Road. The highest elevation, 1070 feet, is on the crest of the hill at the northeastern edge of the lake. The eastern section is entirely within the South Forli of the Licliing drainage (part of the Muskingum River system), and the small tributaries which drain it flow directly into the South Fork or else into the former "Great Swamp" (now Buckeye Lake) and then into the South Forlr. With the exception of the South Fork itself, all of the streams are small, and during recent years have in dry periods ceased to flow. Their valleys are mainly broad and open, though some are distinctly V-shaped, and a few have well-defined ravines. The drift, primarily of boulder clays with boulders as large as four feet in diameter, is usually niany feet in depth, but at a few places northeast of the lahe there are small outcroppings of Waverly sandstones. 20 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN Tlte western scction-This section comprises the half of the area west of a line drawn from Hebron, south to tlie southern border of tlie area, but does not include the section now occupied by the western end of Buckeye Lake. This western part is mainly a flat till plain interspersed with gently sloping hills and shallow valleys. The lowest elevation, 880 feet, is along the South Fork of the Licking; the highest elevation is on the crests of the gently sloping morainal hills of the westerii and southern borders and is aboat one thousand feet. The greater part of this sectioii is uiiiform in altitude at approximately the lowest elevation. All of the streams except the South ForB are of small size and are largely intermittent in character, for they flow oiily cluring the rainy periods of the year; also all except a few are now dredged aiid have had their courses straighteiied. The South Pork itself is rather snrall, for during most of the year it is orily fifteen to forty-five feet in width, with a maximum depth of eight feet, aiid it, too, has been allnost entirely dredged aiid straightened. All except the small soutliwesterri part of the western section drains into the South Fork, eitlicr directly, or into the "Great Swamp" (Buclreye Lake) and t11ea illto the Soutli Fork. The si~iall southwestern portion which does not drain into tlle Soutli Pork is in the Little Walnut drainage, a part of the Scioto Giver system. The entire western section was originally dotted with swamps, which ranged in size from less than an acre to several hundred acres. By 1934 all except a few of these swamps had beell drained aiid were under various stages of cnltivation. The soil of the western sectioii consists of light and heavy boulder clays with varying amo~~iits of fiiie and coarse gravels, with occasional large boulders. I11 the swamps tlie clays and gravels have been covered by black loam or peat deposits, sometimes to a depth of forty feet. The " Great Swanrp" sect ion.-This section was origiiially tlie " Great Swamp" proper; when flooded it became the Old and New reservoirs, and still later Buclreye Lalre. The western half lies in the center of the Buclieye Lake area, and the eastern half extclids almost to the eastern border. Be- fore its conversioii illto a reservoir aiid lake, the entire swamp section was low, rather level country which coiitained one or more long narrow ponds3 that apparently extended throughout the center of its long east and west axis. The subsoil consists of glacial clays and gravels of the same type as are present over much of the entire area; because, foriiierly, a large lake 3 There has been considerable discussion conccrlling whether the "Great Swamp" contained one or more ponds. The Indians and early settlers told of the presence of two ponds which they called '' Two Lakes' ' or "Big and Little Lalrc ' ' (Detmers, 1912b : 9) ; but the surveys of 1799 (Dachnowski, 1911: 7) and 1801 (Simpson, 1912: G) show only one long narrow pond. I11 an 1825 report of the canal commissioners to the General Assembly of the state of Ohio it is clearly shown that there was a chain of ponds which became one large pond during periods of high water (Kilboiirne, 1832: 105). TEIE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 21 and later a swa,mp and bog were present, the topsoil consists of loam and peat deposits. The artificial lake has, since its construction, entirely flooded all except a small portion of the "Great Swamp." During recent years the water level of the lake has been at or near 892 feet above sea level; since the lowland immediately north of the "Great Swamp" section is only 880 to 890 feet above sea level, it is lower than the impounded waters in the lalre. THE INVASION OF TIIE WHITE MAN, AND HIS ACCOUNTS OF THE AREA FROM 1751 TO 1820 The interesting journals of Christopher Gist (1893) give the first ki~owii record of a white man in the Buckeye Lake area. Gist, a native of Mary- land, was one of the earlier explorers of the Northwest Territory. In the fall of 1750, he was chosen by the Ohio Land Company of Virginia to explore the Ohio country, and in late October of that year he journeyed to Shannopins Town (then situated where Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now stands). He arrived there on November 19, 1750. A few days later he went westward to a town of the TNyandot Indians, which was on the Musk- ingum River near the present site of Coshocton, Ohio, and which was called Muslringuni. Here he spent Christmas and met two traders, George Croghan and Andrcw Montoar. On January 15, 1751, these men4 left the Indian town of Muslringum, and jouriieyed in a southwesterly direction, until on Thursday, January 17, 1751, they came to a "Great Swamp" (Gist, 1893 : 42 ; and Johnston, 1898 : 122), which is now part of the Buclreye Lake area. Unfortunately, Gist does not give further details of the "Great Swamp." On the next day the men went southward to I-Iockhockin, a small town of the Delaware Indians, at the present site of Lancaster. Gist later went into southwestern Ohio, visited the Twigtrees (Miamis) in their town at the mouth of the Great Miami River, crossed the Ohio River, and wcnt through Kentucky, southern West Virginia, and Virginia, to his home, which was then in South Carolina. At the time of his visit, and apparently for several years before, the region about the "Great Swamp" was primarily inhabited by the Wyandot and Shawnee tribes, and to a lesser extent by the Delawares (Hill, 1881: 199) ; and the "Great Swamp" itself was used by these tribes as a hunting and fishing ground. Two important Indian aiid game trails passed through or near it. The more important one came down the Muskingum River froin the north to the present site of Zanesville, crossed the river there, continued south of west across Perry and Fairfield counties, and passed on the south side of the "Great Swamp." The other trail, the one used by Gist, fol- 4 Gist was also aeeompanicd on this day and on his entire expedition by a seventeen- year-old negro servant. 22 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN lowed the Musltingum River south to Dresde~~, wl.iex-e it crossed the river and bore southwestward to the "Great Swamp," and to the headwaters of the Hoclcing River. This trail probably passed through or on the northern eclge of the "Great Swamp" (Map 1). In 1755, a few years after Gist's visit, another white nian visited the area. This young man of eighteen years was James Smith (1870), who earlier in that year bad beell captured by Indians and talien to Fort Du Qnesne (later Pittsburgh). The same year Smith was talten to Tullihas, an Indian village composed chiefly of Delawares, Caughiiewagas, and Mohicans, and which was at or near the confluence of the Mohican and Kolrosing rivers (now in Newcastle Township, Coshocton County, Ohio). IIere he was adopted by the Indians axid shortly thereafter was talcen on a hunting expedition. Upon leaving Tullihas the hunting party went in a southerly direction until they came to a buffalo liclr. According to Smith (1870: 168) this was in the Buclteye Lalre area; however, from his descrip- tion I believe it may have been north of this area, possibly in central Licking Connty. IIe (1870 : 21) stated : We then moved to a buffaloe lick, mliere me killed several buffaloe, and in tlieir small brass ltettles they [Indians] made about half a bushel of salt. I suppose this liclr was about thirty or forty miles from the aforesaid town [Tullihas], and solnewliere between the Musltingum, Ohio and Seiota [rivers]. About the licli was clear, open woods, and thin wliite oak land, and at that time tliere were large roads [Indian and game trails] leading to the Liclr, like waggon roads. We moved from this lick about six or seven miles, and encamped on a creek. Smith also related that near this lick tlie Indians lrilled an ell< and a number of deer, and that the Indians and he hunted for turlreys. The hunting party apparently remained encamped at the creek for several days before returning to Tullihas. After traveling over much of what now is Ohio during the next few years, Smith finally escaped from his captors and returned to his family in Pennsylvania. In 1773 the eccentric "Chaplain Jones" and an Indian trader by the name of David Duncan came from the Shawllee towns on the Scioto River eastward to Hockl~ocliin (Lancaster), and on February 10, 1773, they passed the "Great Swamp" along the sallle trail which Gist had followed in 1751, but in the opposite direction. After 1773, and especially after the close of the Revolutionary War, visits to this area becaine more frequent, though it was not until twenty years later that the pioneers began the actual settle- ment of the surrounding country. When the pioneers came it was principally along the newly made Zane7s Trace, which was built by Jonathan Zane during 1796 and 1797, and which traversed southeastern Ohio from opposite the present site of Wheeling, West Virginia, westward past the southeast corner of the "Great Swamp," THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 23 to opposite Maysville, Iientuclry, on the Ohio River. With the increase in emigration from the east which began at the beginning of the nineteenth century over Zane's Trace, the pioneers began to settle the country sur- rounding the "Great Swamp" and to lay out towns. Thus to the north, Newark was settled in 1802, and Grailville in 1806; at the east end of the swamp Thornville was laid out by 1815, though a few families had been living in the vicinity for five years; to the south Lancaster came into ex- istence in 1800 aid Somerset in 1807. By 1820 there were several small towns within twenty miles of the swamp, and the deforestation and the establishment of farms in the Buckeye Lake region had begun. In order to understand some of the changes in the bird fauna which have taken place within the Buckeye Lake area during historic time it is necessary to reconstruct as accurately as possible the primary vegetation and the avifanna as they existed in early historic time, and to demonstrate in what manner they have become modified. Unfortunately, early accounts of the flora and avifauiia are rather meager, and i11 many instances are obviously unreliable or incorrect; however, sufficient accurate information5 does exist to give some conception of past conditions. This information and a knowledge of the flora and fauna remnants that still exist, and of plant and animal successioiis6 make possible the general reconstruction of the flora and avilauna. As stated in the resnarlrs on topography, the area may be divided into three major sections. In the following account of the primary vegetation it can be readily seen that these sections each contained a distinctive type of vegetation. The eastern section.-During the period between 1751 and 1820 the eastern section mas heavily forested, and apparently with few or no openings or clearings other than those made by Indians or early pioneers. The forests which covered tlrcse uplands could probably be classified as belonging to the oalr-hickory-chestnut-maple association, which graded into a beech-maple forest on the lower slopes of the hills, and, in the intervales, into a beech (Pagus grandif olia) forest. The "majestic oaks," which according to 5 Some of tllc following information on the flora and avifauna of the past has been obtained from Dachnowski (1911 and 1912), Detmers (1912b), Hill (1881), Gralram (1883), Sehaff (1905), Smith (1870), and Smuelcer (1876) ; further information upon the flora as it probably cxistcd during early llistoric times was given me by Dr. Robert B. Gordon and Dr. Edgar N. Transeau, of Ohio State University. 6 For an account of the numerical status of some mammals throughout historic time in the Buclreye Lalre area sce Trautman, 1939b: 13343. 7 The scientific namc of a plant is given the first time that the name of the plant is used. The common and scientific names have been taken from Schaffner (1928). 24 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN Schaff (1905: 81) and others, were six feet or more in diameter and which towered "royally fifty aiid sixty feet without a limb," were iliostly white oaks (Querczcs alba), and the remainder were largely red oaks (Q. rubra). The shagbark hickory (Ilieoria ovata), although present, was perhaps not very numerous; the chestnut (Castanea dcntata) was probably very abun- dant and must have dominated the gravel lriiobs aiid glaciated ridges. The maples of the uplands included the sugar maple (Acer saecharuaz), red maple (A. rubrum), and a few black maple (A. nigrum) . Besides these more numerous species there undoubteclly were in the upland forests, some sassafras (Sassafras sassafras), flowering dogwood (Cynoxylon floridzciu), and an occasional tulip poplar (Liriodendron tzclipi- fera) , linden (Tilia anzericana) , redbud (Cercis cunadensis) , blaclr cherry (Prunus virginiana), red mulberry (Morzis rubra), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) , aiid hop horiibeain (Ostrya virgiztiana) , as well as occasional clumps of Juneberry (Ameluncltier canadensis), witch hazel (Humamelis virginiana) , blaclr haw (Viburnzcm prunif olizcm) , aiid staghorn sumac (Rhzcs hirta). The sumac was probably in the more open areas. The overdrained portions of the upland forests, such as tlie "clear, open woods, and thin white-oak land" described by Smith (1870: 21), uiidoubt- edly contained a large proportion of white oak aiid chestnut. In the upland forest the lxndergrowth was apparently sparse, and no doubt included sev- eral species of ticli-trefoil (Meibonzia sp.), bush-clover (Lespedexa sp.), corrimon wild-oat-grass (Danthonia spicata), woodlalid sunflower (Fleli- anthzcs clivaricatus) , small wood suiiflower (TI. ??zicrocephal~cs), broad-leaf panic-grass (Panicunz lafifoliunz) , gray goldeiirod (Solidago nenzoralis) , Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana), possibly the eboiiy spleenwort (Asplenium platynezcro~z), and other associated plants. Ferns were scarce, and no evi- dence exists that there may have been pitch pine (Pinzcs rigida) or scrub pine (Pinus virginiana) as there was, and still is, a few miles south of tlie area. The slopes and iiitervales of tlle eastern section probably contaiiied an oceasiorlal specimen of the trees, shrubs, and herbs that were present upon the Biiobs aiid overdrained uplands. In addition, the slopes and intervales nzay have also contained, as they still do, white ash (Praxinzcs anzericana), all occasional hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) , blaclr waInut (Jl~glans nigra) , butternut (Juglans cinerea) , bitteriiut (Hicoria cordif orjnis) , aiid clumps of pawpaws (Asinzina triloba) . The ground cover of the slopes and intervales must have been denser thali it was oil the overdraiiied uplands, except when they had been recently fired by the Indians or pioneers. Without fires the ground cover should have contained many of tlie spring-flowering herbs and sedges. Such spring flowers as the bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), roundlobed and sharp- THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 25 lobed liver-leaf (Hepatica hepatica and H. acutiloba), anemones of several species, including the Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis) and wind- flower (A. qzcinqnef olia) , rue anemone (Syndes~non thalictroides) , Jack-in- the-pulpit (Arisae77aa triplzyllzcin) , Greek valerian (Polemoniunz reptans), yellow and white dogtooth lilies (Erythronzizcwz anaericanzci.rz and E. albi- duwz), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), and several species of trilliums, such as the large-flowered trillium (Trillize?~z grandiflorzcnz) and sessile tril- lium (T. sessile). Several species of ferns should have been present, such as the Virginia grape-fern (BotrycJzizcuz virginianunz), maidenhair fern (Adiantzcnz pedatunz), niarginal shield-fern (Dryopteris nzarginalis) and Christmas fern (Polystichunz acrostichoides), as well as such herbs as shin- ing bedstraw (Galizcm concinnzcin), running strawberry bush (Ez~onyntus obovatus), early meadow rue (Tltalictrz~?n dioicun~), blue cohosh (Cazclo- phyllum thalictroides), white baneberry (Actaea alba), wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia), zigzag goldellrod (8. flexicaulis), and common blue wood aster (Aster cordifolizu). If there had been fires recently, tlien there could be expected ail illcrease ill woody vines, such as the several species of wild grapes, particularly the northern fox grape (Vitis labrz~sca) and summer grape (Vitis aestivalis) , Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus qzcinquef olia) , and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), as well as an iiicrease in the aniount of blackberry bushes of such species as the black raspberry (Rubus occidcnialis) and high blackberry (R. allegltaniensis), blacli- cherry, and an increase i11 abundance of the Compositae. With these there was a corre- spoilding decrease in the abundance of spring flowering herbs and ferns. When and wherever the trees were removed by such agents as wind- storms there uncloubtedly occurred an increase in the amount of saplings of many species and particularly black cherry, oaks, chestnut, pawpaw, stag- horn sumac, smooth sumac (Rkzcs glabra), wild grapes of several species, Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and blackberries of several species. With the increase of these plants there also occurred a decrease in abundance of ferns and some spring-flowering herbs, except the spring beauty, sessile trillium, common blue violet (Viola papilionacea) , and striped violet (V. striata) . The latter may have even increased in abundance for a short period fol- lowing the destruction of the forest. Undoubtedly, too, there was a great numerical increase in the Compositae and in several species of grasses. The western section.-The vegetation of the upper slopes and crests of the moraines in the western section of the area was essentially the same as that present in the hilly, upland, eastern section. In the lowlands, which corn- prised most of this western section, the primary flora was considerably dif- ferent, for here the elm-ash-soft maple type of swamp forest was dominant. I11 this swamp forest two species of elm trees were apparently present in large numbers, the white elin (Ulmzcs americana) and the slippery elm (U. fulva). There were at least four species of ash trees, thc wliite ash (Prasi~zus amer- icana), red ash (El. pennsylvanica), green ash (P. lanceolata), and blaclr ash (F. nigra), and the first of these must have beell abundant. The silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and the red maple ulldoubtedly were vcry aumerous, as were the swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), pill oak (Q. palustris), and shellbark llicliory (Hicoria laciniosa) . Other species present i11 at least small numbers were the America11 beech, red oali, shingle oak (Quercus imbri- caria), linden, box elder (Acer ncgundo), black cherry, haclrberry, tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) , blaclr walnut, butternut, bitternut, blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), and mulberry. Along the stream courses there rliust have been an occasional tree or small group of the Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra), sycamore (Platanz~s occidentalis), cottoilmood (PO~~C~ZIS dcltoides), blaclr wil- low (Salix nigra), and white willow (8. alba). The shrub layer of the swanlp forest coiitained elderberry (Sanzbusczcs canadensis), priclrly ash (Zanth- oeylunz americanum), witch hazel, black haw, wild black cnrrant (Ribes americanum) , prick1 y gooscberry (Grossularia cynosbati) , and spicebush (Benzoin aestiuale). The last nained shrub was probably not very nmner- ous, except in those parts of the swamp forest which hati recently been disturbed. Scattered thronghout the swamp forest of the western section were several more or less treeless swamps of various sizes, and tlicse contailled a plant community conspicuously different from that of the surrounding for- est. The centers of these swamps were either devoid of bushes and trees or else contained only scattered individuals or cluilips and were water- covesed throughout several il~onths of the year. Thcy contaiiied a grass- sedge-bulrush habitat, i11 which were such species as the tall slough grass (Spartina michaz~xiana) , inflated sedge (Carcx vesicaria) , and wool grass (Scirpus cyperinzcs). The brush community which bordered these open swamps contained the s~nooth alder (Alnz~s rugosu), possibly the hoary alder (Alnus incana), poisoil sn~nac (Toxicodendron vcrnix), red osier dogwood (Cornzis stolonif era), sillry dogwood (C. amomz~m) , sheepsberry (Vib- bz~rnz~nz lentago), elderberry, buttoilbush (Cephalanthzis occidentalis), wild rose (Rosa carolina) , withe rod (Viburnzhnz cassinoides) , and blaclr cholie- berry (Aronia melanocarpa). Interspersed in this brush community were such trees as the red maple, honey locust (Gleditsia triacanihos), wild plum (Przc?z?is anzericana), hawthorns (Cmtaegus sp.) of several species, pussy willow (Salix discolor), and pin oak. On the borders the brush community gradually merged into the swamp forest. Beside this type of swamp there was also the cranberry-sphagnum bog- swamp, which contained peat deposits in varying depths, and of which the Bloody Run swainps was the largest in the western section. The treeless 8 Said to have originally contained "near 1000 acres" (Kilbourn; 1832: 106). THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 27 part of such a bog-swamp contained a dense ground mat of the large cran- berry (Ozycoccz~s macrocarpa) and sphagnums of several species (Sphagnum cyntbifolium, S. parvifolizcnt, S. aczctifolium, S. recurvum). This part of the swamp was also interspersed with, and suri-ounded by, clumps of swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus), alders, poison sumac, elderberry, button- bush, wild rose, withe rod, chokeberry, and winterberry (Tlex verticillata). Among the cranberries and sphagilunl grew such bog plants as the thin-leaf cotton-sedge (Eriophorum viridicarinatzcm) , Virginia cotton-sedge (E. vir- giniczenz), and blaejoint reed bent grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) ; along the borders and ridges of the swamp were the red maple, silver maple, black cherry, pin oak, shingle oak, honey locust, several species of ash, black willow, pussy willow, and bog willow (Salix pedicellaris). In the thicket and along the margins of the bog-swamp grew such vines as the groundnut (Glycine apios) , bittersweet (Celaslrzcs scandens), hedge binclweed (Convolvulus sepium) , and Gronovius dodder (Czcscuta gronovii) . Some of these bog- swamps also contained patches of shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora frzcitcosa) . The literatare contains frequent referellees to "prairies, " "wild plum prairies, " and "bowling greens. " 11111 (1881 : 166) in writing of the early history of Licking County, stated that "of prairies, there were few and none contained more than a very limited number of acres." I-le also stated, how- ever, that "there were several prairies along the southern border of Union Township [Licking County and i11 the Buckeye Lake area], one being: of considerable magnitude." From such statenieilts and from present con- ceptions of conditions in early historic time, it appears probable that these were not tall grass prairies, such as were present in portions of western and central Ohio (Transeau, 1935). Rather, they were either dry prairies, containing such plants as big blnestem (Andropogon furcatus) and little bluestem (Andropogon scoparizu), and were probably caused by frequent burning, or were wet, marshy prairies, which contained such plants as the broad-leaf cattail (Typ7za lalifolia), narrow-leaf cattail (T. angustifolia), inflated sedge, wool-grass, tall slough grass, tall smooth panic grass, purple joe-pye weed (Ezcpatorium pztrpzcrezcm) , common boneset (E. perfoliatum) , blue vervain (Verbena hastata), tall ironweed (Vcrnonia altissinza) , Jeru- salem artichoke (Helianthzcs tzcberoszcs) , purple-stem aster (Aster punicezcs), tall cone-flower (Rzcdbeclcia laciniata), bushy fragrant goldenrod (Euthanzia graminif olia) , swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum), swamp milkweed (Ascle- pias incarnata), and a host of other marsh species. On the ridges and edges of the wet prairies the sanie shrub and the tree commuiiities occ~~rred that were previously described as occupying the borders of the open swamps. Apparently, in these "prairie" opeiiin.gs, the wild plum was particularly numerous. 28 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN The "bowling greens" nientioned in the literature appeared to be chiefly grasslands containing scattered waliiut trees of large size. Tllese "greens" must have been the result of former buriiiiigs by aborigines. Appareiitly no "bowling greens" were actually linown to have been present in the Buclc- eye Lalie area between 1751 and 1820, but there were several a few miles to the eastward, in Bowling Green Towiiship, Licking County. The "Great Swamp" section.-This section of the area comprised the original "Great Swamp" which later became Buckeye Lake. Only a very small part of this lowland section was as much as ten feet above the sur- rotmcling area. It contained one or more long, narrow postglacial lalies, said to be very clear (Graham, 1883 : 308). Undoubtedly, they also contained a considerable amount of submerged aquatic vegetation, such as several species of poilclweeds (Polanzogeton), water-meed (Philotria canadcnsis) , tape grass (Vallisneria spiralis), aiid liornwort (Ceratophyllum denzerszcnz) , and such emergent aquatic vegetation as the yellow water lily (Nymphaea advena), tuberous white water lily (Castalia tzcberosa), and water lotus (Nelumbo luiea). Parts of the shores of the lake probably contailiecl marshes of cat- tails and their associates, such as the broad-fruited bur-reed (Sparganizcnz ezcrycarpum) and several species of the genera Carex and Scirpz~s. As evideiiced by the peat deposits still present, aiid by Cranberry aiid other islands, a considerable part of this section was a cranberry-sphagnum bog-swamp, and it is quite possible that the original lalie or lalies were almost entirely surrounded by such a bog. This surely must have contained, besides the large cranberry and four or Inore species of Xp?cagnum, such bog plants as the thin-leaf cotton-sedgc, Virginia cotton-sedge, bluejoint recd bent grass, white beali-rush (Rynchospora alba), blunt spike-rush (Eleocharis obtusa) , bristly sedge (Carex comosa) , iiiland sedge (Carex inierior) , ciiiiiaii~on fern (Osmuncla cinnanzomea), roundleaf suiidew (Dmsera rotundifolia), and buckbean (JIenyantlzes trifoliata). Scattered through the bog and along its outer border there unquestionably were such plant species as alder, swamp loosestrife, poison sumac, elderberry, wild rose, withe roil, black cliolreberry, winterberry, red osier and silky dogwood, swamp rose mallow (Hibiscus moschezctos) , small beggar-ticks (Bidens' discoidea), groundant, poison ivy, bittersweet, wild grape, hedge hiadweed, red maple, pussy willow, black wil- low, bog willow, hawthorn, aiid wild plum. Apparently hawthorn and wild plum were rather abundant, for Graham (1883: 308) stated that these and the cranberry were "very plentiful" in Thorn Township, Perry County, in the locality "now nearly all covered by the waters of the Reservoir." Ac- cording to Graham (1883: 307), the township of Thorn was so named because of the abundance of "thorn bushes, bearing red berries, which grew in early times adjacent to the little lakes." Oil the higher ground of the swamp there was a forest of large trees of such species as the swamp white, red, pin, and shingle oaks, white and slip- THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 29 pery elms, red and silver maples, white, black, and green ashes, beech, black chcrry, shellbark hiclcory, honey locust, and hackberry; on the better-drained ridges there probably were sollie white oak, blaclc and sugar maple, shagbarli hickory, walnnt, and their associates. Sonie trees of the swanip were of mam- moth size, for stunips fonr feet in diameter were recorded by Detmers (1912b : 12), and a few of these large stumps could still be seen in the shallow waters of the lalce as late as 1934. Some estimate of the relative proportions of forest, brush, open swamp or bog, and lake in the central portion of the "Great Swan~p" in 1828 is obtained from a report by Isaac Minor, an early president of the Ohio Canal Board. This report, dated January 17, 1828, was written before the filling of the "Old Reservoir" with water. Minor (Kilbourn, 1832: 3034) wrote that "Sroin the survey which has recently been made, it appears that the area which will be covered by the water of the [Old] reservoir when filled, contailis upwards of two thousailcl fonr hundred acres,"%f which probably twelve handred acres was in "heavy timber," five hundred acres in "light timbcr and under brush," and the remainder, about seven huildred acres, in "lalre and open swamp with a growth of very light brush." A most enlightening description of the "Great Swamp" previous to 1825 is give11 in the third annual report of the Canal Commissiollers to the General Assembly of Ohio (I\-as most secretive, except for a short period between 7 : 00 and 8: 30 A.M. If ail investigation was made of its habitat during the short period when the bird was fairly conspicuous, as many as fifteen individuals conlcl be recorded; if an investigation was made later in the clay seldoni more than one mas observed. Such variation in con- spicuousness made it difficult to judge accurately the abundance of such a species. There was a personal equation to be considered. As I gained experience with a species I fouiid more individuals in a given time, and had I not been aware of increased ability to discover individuals I might have attributed the increase to an actual change i11 abundance and not to an ability to find birds. If I based my interpretation of abundance upon recorded numbers alone, these would indicate that the Henslow's Sparrow was absent between 1922 and 1925, that it invaded the area in 1926, and that it continued yearly to increase in abundance until 1934; however, I was largely unacquainted with the bird, its song, habits, and habitat until 1926, and as I became more acquainted with the species I discovered more individnals. I have concluded that it had more available nesting habitat before 1925 than after, and that it must have been present before 1925 and possibly in greater numbers than during and after 1926, when I first recorded it. In the hope of indicating probable sources of errors in abundance I have, in the succeeding pages, given for many species some indication of their conspicuousness t2iroughout their sojourn in the area. SYSTEMtlTIC ACCOUNT OF THE 282 SPECIES AND 6 ADDITIONAL SUBSPECIES OF BIRDS RECORDED FOR THE BUCKEYE LAKE AREA Lesser Loon Uncolnmon spring and common fall transient, very rare summer and winter visitant. Earliest date of arrival : (March 23, 1934)l (September 19, 1926) Median date of arrival: April 1 October 13 Median date of departure: May 17 December 7 Latcst date of departure : (May 29, 1931) (January 1, 1932) During the 1922 to 1934 investigatioil of the birds of the area, the Lesser Looil always inacle its spring appearance on or before April 6 ; in several years it arrived before April 1. The peak of inigration toolr place during the last 3 weeks of April aiid the first 2 weelrs of May, and at that time 1 to 11 iiidi- viduals were recorded daily. The last transients departed during the second half of May, aiid after that only an occasio~lal crippled bird was found. In at least 2 years a crippled individual was noted throughout the summer. The first fall transients appeared between September 19 and October 16. By October 25 the species was always present, and it remained until the lalre was covered with ice in December. Even then a few hardy indi- viduals, or crippled, flightless birds, sometiines remaiiied in open holes until an extrenlely cold period forced then1 to leave or caused their death. In late October and November, 1 to 15 birds could be noted daily, aiid during the largest waterfowl flights of autumn between 16 and 200 iildividuals were observed each day. The largest recorded number, 200 birds, was seen during the phenoineiially large waterfowl flight of November 2, 1927. Win- ter visitailts were seen in January of several years, but iloiie in February or early March. The ston~ach of a bird found dead, October 23, 1929, contained 29 gizzard shad which averaged 2; inches in total length. The stomach of another bird foui~d dead, Noveniber 24, 1932, contained 6 shad that averaged 3 inches in length. OP 3 Ohio State Museum slrins collected in the area, those labeled May 5, 1881, and November 21, 1897, are referable to Gavia inznzer elasson; the slrin dated November 24, 1932, is of an intergrade between G. i. elasson and G. i. immer. Of 6 Ohio State Museum slrins taken elsewhere in Ohio, 4 are referable to elasson and 2 are intergrades. Marlret hunters and sportsinell who hunted in the area between 1860 and 1921 have told ine that the Lesser Loon was a nuinerons spring and fall traiisieilt throughout that period. It has probably been a regular semiailnual transient throughout historic time. 1 For explanation of parentheses in this connection see pp. 149-50. 155 "Wavia stellatn (Pontoppidan) Red-throated Loon Very rare fall transient. On the afternoon of October 17, 1926, while observing migrating water- fowl fro111 a blind on the exposed "l\liddle Bank," I saw a floclr of large birds, each flying about 35 yards from its neighbors aiid approaching the lake from the north. As they came closer I iclentified all except one as looils. This unidentified bird, because of smaller size, I first nlistook for a duck, but upon closer inspection it proved to be a Red-throated Loon i11 fall plumage. Still later this individual flew and swain near my blind, and I had an opportunity to note the characteristics of the species. Occasionally the bird gave a guttural call that was very unlike the calls made by the Gavia inbqner with which it flocked. On Noveiiiber 3, 1926, I found another at the western end of the lalre. I spent the afternoon observing it and made several unsuccessful attempts to capture it. I saw the third loon of this species on Noveiiiber 9, 1929. It also ap- peared to be only half as large as a Ga~ia inznzer. The bill was slightly up- turned, the baclr was spotted with white, aiid the call note was guttural and distinctly different from that of i~~zmcr. This bird was lilrewise at the western end of the lalre. The Red-throated Loon was seen elsewhere in ceiitral Ohio during the period of this study, and a female was collected from a small pond near Columbus, oil December 12, 1923 (Geist, 1928: 5). "Colymbus grisege~aa holboelli (Reiiiharclt) Holboell 's Grebe Very rare spring and fall transient. Earliest date of arrival: Fcbruary 6, 1927 October 25, 1925 Mcdlan date of arrival: ililcdlan date of departure: Latest date of departure: February 28, 1925 Novcmber 27, 1925 EIolboell's Grebe was recorded only in4 of the 12 years, aiid I and other Wheaton Club members succeeded in noting only 10 individuals: 1 on Feb- ruary 24, 1924; 2 on February 28, 1925; 2 on February 6, 1927; 1 011 October 28, 1922; 2 on October 25, 1925; and 2 on November 27, 1925. Althoagh all spring records were i11 February, this grebe has been found as late as May 20 (Walker, 1928b: 11) elsewhere in central Ohio. The species was a transient in the area before 1882. Whcatoli (1882: 567) wrote : "It has been talten several tiines at the lake [Lake Erie], at the 2 An asterisk is used to indicate each of the 36 species of which no preserved specimen has been examined. THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 157 St. Mary's and Licking [Bnclreye Lake] Reservoirs. " I11 1903 Dawson (1903 : 629) stated that "last fall upon the Licking Reservoir, as I was lying in wait offshore for ducks, I was approached by what I took to be a bird of this species." Only one sportsman knew this species, and he told me that he had shot 1 or 2 during several autumns between 1880 and 1910. Colymbus auritus Lilinaeus Horned Grebe UsualIy a common spring and fall transient, vcry rare winter visitant. Earliest date of arrival: (February 3, 1923) September 7, 1924 Median date of arrival: March 10 Octobcr 12 Median datc of departure: May 1 December 6 Latcst datc of departure: May 12, 1923 (January 1, 1924) The records of spring migrations of the Horned Grebe disclosed a marked irregularity in time of arrival, departure, and period of greatest abundance, and a great variation in the yearly numbers. In some springs the bird appeared immediately after the break up of ice i11 late February, and iiidi- viduals could be seen daily from then until early May; in other years the species did not arrive until mid-March, or else disappeared by early April. In some migrations the period ol greatest abundance took place in early March; i11 others it was in late March or early or late April; and in a few years the birds were so scarce that no peal< of migration was indicated. When the birds were numerous as niany as 60 were noted in a day. Irregularities in time of arrival and departure and in period of greatest abuadaiice, and variations in annual total n~unber of birds were also marlred i11 the fall migrations, though not so evident as in spring. The species could generally be found from late October until the entire lake was first covered with ice in December. During the 8 years when the species was numerous, the height of migration occurred in November. Teniporary winter visitants were noted in January and February of several years, and only during the abnornially warm winter of 1931-32 was an individual recorded throughout an entire winter. This grebe captured and ate many fish, particularly the abundant gizzard shacl. Sto~naclls of 5 birds, found dead upon the waters during the fall hunt- ing season, were examined : 1, on December 14,1922, was einpty; 1, on Decem- ber 12, 1923, contained 4 gizzard shad that averaged 3 inches in total length ; 1, 011 December 14, 1933, conlained 2 gizzard shad that were 3 inches long; 1, on December 14, 1933, mas empty; 1, on October 22, 1927, contailled 3 gizzard shacl aiid 1 yellow perch, that averaged about 3 inches in total length, and the renlains of 2 large dragonfly larvae. The former market hunters and sportsmen, who hunted in the area be- tween 1860 and 1921, stated that the Horned Grebe mas usually a numerous spring aiid fall transient, that exceptionally large flights occurred in fall at 158 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN infrequent intervals, and that the last great Bight took place sometiiiie be- tween 1912 and 1917. During this flight, which lasted about a week, Iiun- dreds and possibly thousands of birds were daily present; a h~~nte' claimed he shot 42 in an hour. Apparently numbers of grebes were sold by market hunters. These men called the birds "silkies," in reference to the sillrilless of the whitish breast and belly feathers. Podilynabus podiceps podiceps (Linnaeus) Pied-billed Grebe Common spring and fall transient, very rare surnmcr resident and winter visitant. Earliest date of arrival: (March 8, 1930) (August 20, 1929) Median date of arrival: March 16 Septcmber 10 Median date of departure : May 10 December 15 Latest date of departure: (May 15, 1930) (January 1, 1924) In spring migrations during the investigation the time of arrival and departure and the yearly abundance of the Pied-billed Grebe were rather con- sistent. The first arrivals were seen between March 8 and 20, and migration was well under way by March 25. The largest coiiceatratioiis took place dur- ing the last few days of March and the first 3 weelrs of April, when between 5 and 50 individuals were recorded daily. During the last week of April there was a definite decrease in nuinbers, and the last transients usually disappeared during the first half of May. Evidence of a successful nesting was notrd once, though 1 or 2 summeriilg individuals were recorded during several years. On June 15, 1929, I found an adult with 5 newly hatched young in the Little Buckeye game refuge, and on June 26 I saw this little fanlily again. The first arrivals 01 the southward migration appeared in late Angust or i11 the first half of September, and by mid-September the movenient was defi- nitely begun. The species was present each day of October and November, ant1 there were distinct flights daring the larger waterfowl migrations. 011 the average October and Noveillber clay between 1 and 20 birds were noted, and during the larger flights fro111 20 to 55 were recorded daily. A decided decrease oceurrecl in late Noveinber or Dece~nber, whenever the lalre was first covered with ice; after that oi~ly a few, usually crippled birds, remained. The migration mas generally coinpletcd by December 20. During each fall hunting season a considerable number of Pied-billed Grebes and other grebe species aiid loons were found floating dead upon the lalre. They had been shot by hunters who inistook thein for duclrs aiid left them lying on the water upon realizing the mistake. I examined the stoinachs of 5 birds, killed in this manner daring October and November, 1929; they each contained from 2 to 5 gizzard shad 29 to 4 i~iclles in total length. The grebes ate considerable quantities of fish, tadpoles, and frogs. TIIE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 159 Some of the frogs were medium-sized green frogs and large leopard frogs. The coiltortions made by a grebe while swallowing a large frog were often very amusing. Four individuals were recorded throughout the 1931-32 winter. A11 occa- sional temporary visitant was noted daring January and February of several other years. Evidence indicated that the Pied-billed Grebe was a nuiilerous transient throughout historic time, and probably a rather regular nesting species. The former marlTILTON B. TRAUTMAN "Accipiter gewtilis atricapillus (Wilson) Eastern Goshawli Very rare minter visitant. Earliest date of arrival: November 20, 1924 Median date of airlval: Median date of departure: Latest date of departure: Marc11 14, 1925 Three Eastern Goshawks, all in immature plumage, were recorded. On Novembcr 29, 1924, Charles I?. Wallier and I saw a very large Eastern Qoshawli flying over Little Buc1:eye s~vamp. Froill that day until March 14, 1925, various members of the Wheaton Club saw this iildividual upon a total of 16 days. Throughout its sojolirn Ilie bird seeini~~gly reinained in and about Little Buclieye ancl IIoiley Creel< sImmps, xvhere food was abun- dant. The hawk must have fed upon tllc Bob-white, for by spring the coveys in these swamps were unusually depleted. Upon several occasions evidence was fonnd that Bob-whites had been eated by a hawk. On Febr~lary 7, 1926, while I was near Sellars Point whistling the "Screcch Owl7' call to attract birds, an Easterii Gosha~vl: came gliding from behind a cottage and alightccl in a near-by tree. The bird perched less than 35 feet froin me, and it was possible to idciitify it. An Easterii Goshawk was seen 11 times in or near Jack's Neck: TVoocls be- tween December 22, 1927, and March 18, 1928. Probably because of this hawli-'s activities a covey of Bob-whites that originally contained 14 individ- aals was reduced to 6. On March 18, 1928, 1 saw the hawk capture a Bob- white. When I noticed the hawk it was standing upon a fence post, which it presently left, to fly and glide alternately toward a large tai~gle of black- berry bushes. Upon reaching the tangle the hawk flew into it wit11 incredible speed and dexterity and captured a Bob-white from the covey 01 7 which hacl been feeding there. Upon reaching the tangle I found 6 Bob-whites huddled together on the ground beneath a clense clunip of bushes ; they were so frightened that they refused to leave their cover, even though I canle within 3 feet ancl touched 2 of thein with a sticli. Had this hamB appeared regularly and i11 coii~ide~able numbers in the area, it might have had a destructive effect upon the game crop and upon poultry. Because of its irregular occurrel~ce aild small number, the species was of little or 110 ecoiioinic importance. It therefore seenled futile for the state government, public 01-ganizations, and private indivicluals to spend much time and money in efforts to extirpate this predator. Accipiter striatus velolr; (Wilson) Sharp-shinned IIawli ], Fair- field County; the other 5 were of bircls trapped i11 Little Buckeye game refuge, Thorn Township, Perry County, during Jan~~ary and February, 1932; 1, of a female, shot January 24, 1931, in Uiiioli Toxvnrhip, Liclri~ig Couaty, was gorged with the flesh, toes, tarsi, and part of the shoulcler girdle of a Doniestic Pigeon (Colunzba livza livia) ; 1, from a hawk trapped January 12, 1932, in Union Township, Liclring County, contained traces of a siiiall 11 Mr. Stuplra was temporarily employed by the Oliio Dirisioil of Co~lscrvatio~l during a portioil of 1931 and 1932, to study stolnach conteilts of hawks and owls trapped or shot throughout the statc. THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 211 unidentifiable bird (not a domestic or game bird) ; 1, from a hawk trapped February 8,1932, in lUniorl Township, Licking County, contained the remains of a white-footed nionse and traces of a small unidentifiable bird (not a domestic or gallie bird) ; and 1, from a hawk trapped February 19, 1932, in Union Township, Liclriiig County, contained the remains of a red squirrel. The Cooper's Hawk fed to a large extent upon the most readily available birds the size of the Bob-white or smaller. Daring spring asld sumincr the hawk was seen to capture sillall land birds only, particularly fledgliilgs of such abanclant birds as the Eastern Rcclwiiig, which because of their choice 01 perch ai~cl the persrstence of their call exposed theillselves to ready captnre. During summer the ~~ecrctive game bircls such as the Bob-white seemed little molested. 111 winter, when laud birds were few, the Bob-white appareiitly became a principal article of food, and particularly whenever it became weakcned by lack of food 01" cover. As the Bob-whitc formed a part of the food of the Cooper's Hawk, and as I was particnlarly iiiterested in the life history of the Bob-white, I spent much ti~lle iwvestigating the relationship of these species. I con- clude that the Coopcr's Hawk was the principal bird predator of the Bob- white in the area. The hawk captured few Bob-whites, either old or young, in spring, summer, and autumn, because of the ab~uidance of the more readily obtained nongame bircls. The hawk preyed, sometimes to a con- siderable extent, upon Bob-white during winter, particularly when this game bird was very ~un~e~ous, was weakened by disease or hunger, or when sufficient cover was lacking. At no time d~~ring the period was the Cooper's I-Iawlr so abundant as to be a principal factor in the decrease of the Bob- white brood stock. It is possible that the capture of weakened or diseased Bob-whites may have beell iieatral or beneficial to the species, since removal of weakened birds miiy have left more food for the stroager survivors, and removal of diseased birds Iizay have prevented the spreading of disease. Attempts to extirpate the Cooper's IIawk from the area should cease until it is established that such action is neccssary and desirable. Buteo jamaiceqzsis borealis (Gmelin) Eastern Red-tailed Hawk Fairly common spring and fall transieilt and winter visitant. Earliest datc of arrival: Scptember 17, 1930 Median date of a~rival: (February 25) October 12 Mcdinn date of departure: Aprll 5 (November 20) Latest date of departure : Apiil 30, 1933 A study of coi~diltions in the past leaves no doubt that the Red-tailed Hawk was present throughout early historic time. Wheaton (1882 : 427) wrote that it was a common resident in ceutral Ohio, and Field (1903 : 136) 212 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN stated that it was a "conlmon permanent resident" in Liclciiig County. Market hunters, sportsmen, and old residents have told me that between 1860 and 1910 it was numerous throughout each year, and that as late as 1910 they noted it nesting in the hilly, beech-maple woodlands south and east of the lalie. Apparently the bird ceasecl to be a nesting species be- tween 1910 and 1922. Daring the investigation this splendid hawk was not seen between May 1 and mid-September. Migrations took place priniarily in March and late October and early November. These movements were poorly defined, aiid a distinct influx of transients was noted only during a few days of each migration. At no time did a large migration take place, for never more than 12 were recorded in a day and only occasionally were more tlian 6 noted. The winter popula- tion usually consisted of 4 to 20 individuals. Because of marked peculiarities in color or color pattern some wintering individuals could be readily recognized. It was found that most of these recognizable birds maintained definite wintering territories, which, with few exceptions, were 2 square miles or less in extent. Once a given territory was established the bird left only when forced to do so by uiifavorable conditions, such as when snow covered the food s~~pply. If forced to leave the bird often re-established itself i11 the old territory as soon as conditions became favorable. Sometin~es, however, there was a gradual shifting of territory in a given direction as winter progressed, so that by spring the bird was as much as 2 miles from its original establishment. A Red-tailed Hawk with a well-established territory often attempted to chase from its territory ally large liawlc, especially wheii the iiivader attenipted to alight. Stomachs of 3 birds were examined by Stupka or myself: 1, of a male, shot November 30, 1929, in Unioii Township, Liclring County, contailled the remains of 4 meadow mice; 1, of a large, immature female, shot February 22,1930, in Lakeside Voods, Walnut Township, Fairfield County, contained 2 short-tailed shrews, 1 least shrew, axid 2 ineaclow mice; and 1, of an indi- vidual trapped Jaiiaary 16, 1932, contained 1 meadow mouse and 1 crayfish. Individuals were observed eating or carrying food upon 16 occasions. 011 14 occasions the food was a sillall rodent; twice it was chickerl whicli had been thrown into a field by a farmer. Buteo lineatzcs lineatus (Gmelin) Northern Red-shouldered Hawk Fairly common spring and fall transient and summer resident, rare or absent in winter. Earliest date of arrival : (January 14, 1928) Median date of arrival: February 15 (October 20) Median date of departure: (March 20) Novcmbcr 15 Latest date of departure : (December 22, 1927) THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 213 Apparently the Red-shouldered Hawk was a comnion transient and nest- ing species in early historic time, for the few old men who could correctly identify this "chicken hawk" have told me that it was a conspicuous nesting species as early as 1870. Wheaton (1882: 428) recorded the bird as nest- ing coilimonly in all parts of Ohio, and Field (1903 : 137) stated that it was a "common perinanent resident" in Licking County. In this investigation the Red-shouldered Hawk was the only Buteo to nest in the area or to be found regularly throughout late spring, summer, or early fall. As with the Cooper's Hawk, its annual nesting numbers steadily de- creased. From 1922 to 1924 all large wooded areas contained I to 4 nesting pairs, and the total nliinber averaged slightly illore than 22 pairs a year. From 1927 to 1929 the yearly number had been reduced to about 14; and in 1933 there were only 4 nesting pairs. About 30 nests were located during the investigation, and many of these were used for several stzccessive years. Most of the nests were situated in lowland woods of the elm-ash-soft maple type, and only occasionally was one found in the hilly, beech-hard maple woodlands. The trees selected for nest- ing sites were usually elm, ash, hard or soft maple, oak, or beech. The nest- ing trees were often large in size, and with no large branches less than 30 feet from the ground. The nests were built in the forks of 2 or more of the larger branches ancl were generally between 40 and 75 feet above the ground. Medinnl-sized twigs were nsed in the construction, and the nests mere lined with smaller twigs, leaves, bits of corn lznslrs, and shreds of bark. Of six nests with eggs, 5 contained 3 eggs each, and 1 had 4 eggs. The earliest set was colnpleted March 30, and the last on May 2. The first young left the nest in late May, and the last young left in early July. On April 19, 19281, a nest and 3 eggs were collected. This nest was in the principal fork of a green ash tree in the Lakeside Woods and was about 40 feet above the ground. It was made of twigs and lined with a few leaves and contailled 3 eggs and a large corn cob. The cob was not part of the nest proper, but was lying with the eggs. The female, a bird in immature plumage, was collected as she left the nest and while her mate, a splendid creature in adult plumage, hovered near by. Upon the discharge of the gull the male mome11t;~rily flew away, but qaiclcly returned to make a spirited defense of his nest as I climbed the tree. The pair was especially interesting because one was in immature plumage and the other in striking adult pluniage. Usually both sexes of a pair were either in adult plumage or in immature plumage. The Red-sho~~lclered Hawk left during late December, January, and early February, when sno~v lay deep upon the ground. During the warmest winters 1 to 4 individuals remained. The first arrivals of the year appeared in late February, the spring migration took place chiefly i11 early March, 214 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN and by March 10 alniost all of tlre pairs -were in their nesting territories. At this season the male was particularly bold and conspicuous as he soared above his territory or perched i11 a tree, aiinouncing by his wild, free scream that he had established nesting territory. The habit of conspicuously an- nouncing his presence was often his undoing, especially dnring the latter years of the investigation when the so-called "vermin campaigns" had become popular, and the "chiclren ha~vlt" was considered a great prize. The poorly clefiized fall movelneiit tooli place i11 late October and early November. The Red-shouldered IIaxvlr was chiefly an inhabitant of lowlands, for it nested most numerously in swampy woodlan(ls, and ~irost of its hunting was done there. Wlren hunting, the species .mias usually rather incon- spicuons, for it did not soar as inucll as did the Recl-tailed Hawk, bat flew at a low elevatioii fronl one perch to another. It was decicleclly conspicuous, however, when hunting the breeding bullLrogs during late May and early Jane. Then these hawks perched in the tops of large trees, or i11 small trees and large shrnbs whose branches seemecl hal-dly strong enough to sup- port their weight, and looked for the siilging frogs. When a frog was sighted the slow-moving l~awli flew directly over it, paused inomeiitarily, and then dropped upon its prey in a seeitiingly awkward fashion. Two stomachs were exanlined : 1, of a fenrale, shot on April 19, 1928, while leaving her nest, in the Lakeside Woods, Fairfield County, contained a 15- inell garter silalte and 1 lneadow mouse; 1, of all adult male, trapped Janu- ary 29, 1931, contained 2 mouse hair pellets, 1 of which included the skull of a meadow mouse. 011 at least 50 occasions individuals were observed carrying or eating food, which in more than 40 instances was soiue cold-bloocled vertebrate, such as a toad, Crog, or silalte; on 10 occasions it eolisisted of inice or shrews. At thc close of tlie iilvestigatioii the Red-shouldered I-Iax~rlc was nearing extirpation as a nesting species, and it was evident that i11 a few years the bird would cease nesting i11 the area if not given the protection it deserved. Bz~teo platypterzcs platypterus (Vieillot) Broad-winged I-Ia~vk Very rare spring and fall transient. Earliest date of arrival : April 12, 1930 September 5, 1929 Median date of arrival : Median date of departure: Latest date of departure: May 29, 1931 September 8, 1928 The Broad-winged Hawli was recorded 7 times in spring: On April 24, 28 and May 8, 1925, 1 on each day in the san~e section of the Jaclr's Neck Woods (all 3 records probably were of the same individual) ; on April 26, 1927, 2 birds, 1 i11 the Lalceside Woods and 1 in the Big Woods; on April THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 215 30, 1929, 1 in Jaclr's Neck Woods; on April 12, 1930, 1 seen soaring over the lake near Journal Island; on May 29, 1931, 1 collected in Jack's Neck Woods. The latter was apparently a i~onb~eeding, immature female; its uiideveloped ovary v7as only 3 mm. long. The stomach contained remains of a fledgling Eastern Robin. The species was seen twice in fall: On September 8, 1928, 1 near the Lalceside Woods; on September 5, 1929, 1 flying over the lake near Cran- berry Island. The Broacl-wiiigecl EIawlr was probably not as rare as the few records indicate. The species was extremely retiring in its habits, and lulllike most hawlrs of the genus Bzrteo clid little soaring. Those under observation relnaiiied quietly perched jn some heavily foliated tree or else uiiobtrusively lzuntecl through the woocllancls by alternately perching and flying from one tree to another. Apparently none of the inen who huiitecl in the area for many years previous to 1922 lrnem the species. The early ornithologists gave little in- formati011 concerning its status, for they coizfusecl this species with other Iiawlrs, as can be secn by referring to Wheaton (1882 : 429-30), Jones (1903 : 94), and Dawsoii (1903 : 410). The Broad-winged Hawk has been recorded as nesting i11 inany counties of eastern Ohio ancl irlay have nested in the B~xclteye Lalre area at some period in historic tiiiic (Ilicks, 1935 : 145). "Butco lagopz~s s.-johavmis (Gmelin) ilmerican Rough-legged Hawk Rare or uiicommoii spring and fall transient and winter visitant. Earliest date of arnval: October 21, 1923 Median datc of arrival: (November 20) Median date of departure: (February 28) Latest date of departure: AIarcli 21, 1931 The Amei.ican Rollgli-legged IIawlc was a late fall arrival. It was noted only once i11 October (21, 1923), mras first noted in November during 9 years, aiicl in 2 years was not observed until December was well aci~ranced. The poorly defined fall migration usually took place in very late Novennber or Deccmbw. The species was generally present throughout late December, January, anci February, though ordinarily fewer than 5 individuals were seen in a day. A niarlred exception occurred between January 15 and February 3, 1930, for then as many as 25 (January 25, 1930) were noted in the fallow, lowland meadows northwest of Xellars Point. I11 the warmest winters evidence of a northward movement became apparent as early as the latter part of January, and in the average or colder winters the movement became evident during the first 3 weeks of February. The spring movement was more pronounced than was the fall one. 21 6 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN Both the extreme light aiid dark phases of plumage were noted as well as maiiy interniediate color combinations. In 11 years the lighter birds out- nunibered tlie clarlrer ones, but in the winter of 1929-30, when there was a large concentration, dark birds were greatly i11 the majority. On Jaiiuary 25, 1930, there were recorded 6 typically black-phased individuals, 18 inter- mediates tending toward the darlr phase, aiicl 1 in the light phase. Because of the great variation i11 color aiid color pattern the majority of the birds could be recognized. Many were foulid to have a definite wiiitering territory of 2 square miles or less in extent in mhicli they usually reinailled throughout a winter. Witli few exceptions the territories were in lowlal~d fields and meadows or in the broader valleys between the hills. The lowlands supported a large rodent population. The birds huiited by fly- ing or soaring at a moderate height over fields, meadows, and pastures. By hunting over open sit~xations and feeding upon small rodents, this hawk was inore of a Cood competitor with tlie Sparrow Hawk than with either the Red- tailed or Red-shouldered hawks. The Amcricaii Rough-legged IIawk was observed with food upon 34 ocea- sions. The food always consisted of sinall rodelits except once wliei~ it was a chiclren, which had bee11 thrown, dead, into the field. Because of its prefer- ence for meaclows ancl fields I suspect that the bird was rather uncommon or rare during early historic time. Wheaton (1882: 431) wrote that it was a rather rare winter visitant in central Ohio, aiid Field (1903 : 136-37) failed to record the bird for Licking County. "Aquila chrysaitos canade+zsis (Linaacus) Golden Eagle Casual visitant. While rowing a boat oil the western half of Buclreye Lalre, December 8, 1928, I saw an immature Golden Eagle i11 a tree on Jollrnal Island. When I was within 30 yards of the bird I began to observe it with field glasses. It reniained quietly upon its perch, with no apparent ~measiness because of my presence. After 5 minutes it became restless, frequently turning its head. A few secoilcls later tlie bird left the perch and flew to the center of the lake, where it began stoopi~ig after a female Coniii~oii Mallard on the ~vater. The eagle stooped repeatedly, but each time the quarry dived and escaped. After maiiy futile atteinpts the eagle gave up the chase. While the eagle was perched I could plainly see its feathered tarsi, and, ilz flight, the white basal portioii of the tail aiid the light area under the wing near tlie base of the primaries, indicative of ail immature Golden Eagle, were plainly visible. The apparent tan~riiess of this eagle seeins characteristic of the species ill Ohio. I have noted this tameiiess or stupidity in 2 other immatures seen elsewhere i11 the state, and other observers have likewise noted a lack of THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 217 wariness. In December, 1926, a farmer in western Ohio showed me a mounted immature (Golden Eagle, which he had shot on his barn. The fariner stated that he firetl 8 times before he succeeded in hitting the eagle, and that he was less than 50 feet away and visible to it. Its unwariness is also evidenced by the fact that, despite its rarity in Ohio, I linow of at least 7 specimens that were killed between 1922 and 1933. All were immatures. "Haliaeetzcs leucocephalzcs washi~zgtowiensis (Audubon) Northern Bald Eagle Rare or very uncommon alpring and fall transient and wintcr visitant. Earlicst date of arrival Septembcr 6, 1930 Median date of arrival: (February 15) (October 20) Median date of departure: February 28 Latest date of departure,: March 4, 1931 Never more thaii 4 Northern Bald Eagles were seen i11 an autunln migra- tion, and in 5 aut~lmns none was noted. Most of the fall transients ap- peared in very late October or Noveinber. There was at least 1 seen between December 15 and February 10 of each winter, and occasionally 1 to 4 re- mained thro~lghout that season. The spring migration tool~ place chiefly in the latter half of February. The species was noted more frequently then thaii at any other season, but never more than 6 (February 16, 1930) were seen in a day. The majority were observed in the immediate vicinity of the lake, and the remainder i11 the larger woodlands. The individuals in the vicinity of the lake hunted persistently for food that was upon the waters or perched in the top of a tree or upon the ice, watching the gulls. As soon as a gull found a dead fish or other offal the eagle left its perch to rob the gull of its food. The eagles also flew above the ice-covered lake, looking for fish frozen in the surface of the ice, and when one was found, the eagle scratched it out of the ice. It was a curious sight to see the huge bird iii~lust~iously scratching the ice to obtain a fish. Upon 2 occasions 3 to 6 eagles were observed playing with a stick. Such a habit appears to be not well lniomm, and therefore a brief description of ail observation is givcn. While standing on Sellars Point on the rather warm, sunny aftcriiooll of February 15, 1930, I watchcd 6 of these great hawks playing with a stick. The birds were grouped about an open hole in the icc-coverecl 1aB.e ant1 were approxiinately 250 yards south of the Point. The sticli- was about 18 inchcs long and 1; inches i11 diameter. A bird, followed by 2 or 3 of the others, tool< the stick and began to ascend in great spirals nntil it altained a height so great that it could be seen by the naked eye only with difficulty. Thereupon the bird dropped the stick; the others stooped and attempted to catch it with their talons before it hit the ice. The bird catching the sticli began to ascend again, sereanzing all the while, and 218 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN followed by the others. The gallie of dropping ancl recovering the stick col~tinued for niore than 10 minutes, after which the birds caine down and stood upoil the ice abont the open hole. During the downward plunges, these usually heavy, awkward liawlis appeared surprisingly swift and graceful . According to market hunters and sportsnlru the No]-then? 13ald Eagle mas a regular transient and winter resident between 1860 and 1921; during the first half of this period it was said to have been a suliinier resident. Wheaton (1882: 436) was of the opinion that the species snmniered, for in 1882 he wrote: "I have seen it in October, at the Liclcing County Reservoir [Bnclceye Lake], aild have beell informed, that it through the summer and probably breeds there." C.i.rcus cya~t~zds ~ZC~SO~~ZCS (Linnaeus) Marsh I-Iawlc Coinnlon spring and fall transient and wlilter vis~tant, rare suminer res~dent. Earliest date of arrival: (October 11, 1028) Mcclinil dntc of arrival: (,Tanuary 25) October 16 Medi:~n date of departure: March 28 (Deecn~bcr 15) Lntcst clatc of departure: (April 14, 1929) Tlie former nlarlret huatel*s and sportsmen stated that the llarsll Hawk was a rather conilnon nesting species and corninoil transient and winter visitant throughout the 1860 to 1921 period. Even as late as 1926 condi- tions were still rather favorable, especially for trailsients ant1 winter visi- tants, and until that year as niany as 50 were frequently recorded in a day. Dnring 1927 a downward trend i11 nunlbers began which was given added iilzpetus i11 1930, when dredgi~ig in the lowlal~ds north and west of the lake destroyed mnch habitat of the species and reduced its food supply. The Marsh Hawk was niost numerous during migratiolis, chiefly in late October and November and in late February and March. During migra- tions Iron1 8 to 50 iizdividuals could be recorded daily. The hawk was usaally rather comnlon i11 winter, especially before 1926, aacl between 2 and 45 birds could be daily noted. The species nested annually. The first nest located, on June 3, 1928, was in the swampy meadow across the road and west of the Lalreside Woods; it contained 4 eggs brolieii by some animal a few hours before I discovered it. I found another nest with 4 eggs in the same meadow on June 16, 1929, in the ce~~tral part of a clump of swamp rosebushes. 011 June 26 1 col- lected this nest; the eggs contained enibryos in various stages of develop- ment. One embryo would have hatched in a few days. Upon several days of late April and early May, 1930, I found a pair of Marsh Hawks in this meadow, going through their spectacular courtship flight-"looping the THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE 219 loop," twisting aiid turning, and crying "cac-cac-cac." On May 17, I found their nest and 3 eggs at the base of a cl~~inp of rosebushes, and on May 21 found 5 eggs, which provecl to be the complement. This nest was destroyed a few days Later. I11 1930, 3 additional pairs nested in the area; 2 iii low ineadows north of the Big Woods, and 1 i11 Little Buckeye swamp. 011 August 9 the latter pair was seen accoinpanied by 2 young. Each year froin 1931 to 1933 a pair nested in the low meadows north of the Big Woods, but nolie nested in the swampy nieadow near the Lakeside Woods, because in 1930, after dredging operations, the meadow was coiiverted into a cornfield. The Marsh I-Iawk was recorded capturiiig, carrying, or eating food upon 41 occasions, ant1 with 1 exception the food consisted of a mouse, shrew, frog, snalie, or crayfish. Once, on June 16, 1928, an ach~lt Meadowlark was talien by a male Marsh I-Iamlc. When I first saw the hawk he had the lark in his talons aiid was flying toward his inate in the smTainpy nieadow west of the Lakeside TVoocls. As the male came over the nest he dropped the lark, and at the same instalit the female rose vertically from the nest into the air for about 10 feet, t~lriied upon her back, aiicl caught the falling bird in her talons. After catchiilg the lark the female alighted about 50 yards from her nest, pulled out a few of the largest wing and tail feathers, and tore the bird apart aiicl ate it The time talcen to eat the lark was 3 minutes and 10 secoiids, and the liawlr was away from her nest for less than 5 minutes. 011 August 23, 1930, a Marsh I-Iawk flew past me with a prairie rattle- snake in its talons. The snalre was about 20 inches long and seeiniilgly iiot clead, for its 1-attliiig coulcl be plainly heard. The stoi~iach of a bird col- leetecl Deceilzber 11, 1925, contained 2 meadow mice. Pagzdion haliaetzcs carolinensis (Gmelin) Osprey Uncominon spring and fall transient, very rare summcr visitant. Earlicst date of arrival: March 28, 1925 (August 31, 1931) Medin.n date of arrival : April 5 September 4 Median date of departure: (May 16) October 14 Latest date of departure : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 30, 1926 In first recordiiig the Osprey, Wheatoil (1882: 432) wrote: "I have ob- served it at the Licking Reservoir [Buckeye Lake], in the vicinity of which it doubtless breeds, . . ." In 1903 Field (1903: 137) recorded that it "breeds at the Licking Reservoir" and that it was a "rather uncommon snmmer resident [Licking Colui~ty] from April to October." These state- ments agree with accounts of former market hunters and sportsmell that the Osprey nested in the area from 1860 to about 1905, aiid that between 1860 and 1921 it was a regular spring and fall transient. The Osprey was regularly noted in April and early May, aiid in Septem- ber and early October. The species was never numerous, for even during 220 MILTON B. TRAUTMAN the height of migration seldom more than 3, and never more than 8, were noted in a day. An occasional bird, probably nonbreeding, was seen during several summers. No evidence was obtained indicating that it nested in the area. In spring the Osprey was found chiefly in the vicinity of the larger marshes of the eastern half of the lalre. A11 occasional bird was noted along streams, especially wlien these were exceptionally clear and low. The "fish hawk" fed principally upon spawning carp, in the marshes; gizzard shad, mostly talren in the more open waters of the lalre; and sucl