An Island Eden 179
In two localities where tallY slender swamp maples grow from low flooded woodlands. several hundred Night Herons build their rude platform nests of sticks high in the branches. As, with frightened squawks, the old birds leave the home tree one might imagine one had invaded a henvroost. In early June the streaked young are nearly grown, and sit in rows of three
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N0 TRESPASSIXGI Fish-hawk and ground nut. The ":5! murmur three ncally Krown yarn: Phnmgnphed July 7. 190).
and four on the limbs near the frail structure in which they were reared, waiting for the impulse which will bid them use their newly grown wingsi
But the birds for which, among naturalists at least, Gardiner's Island is famous are the Fish-hawks, or Ospreys. The island furnishes them with a safe retreat to which, year after year, they may return and find their bulky nests undisturbed, awaiting them, while the surrounding waters afford an unfailing supply of food. Among the birds they are the lords of this land.
