Within the town limits of Saltville, Smyth County, Virginia, are marshes that contain both fresh and salt water. The occurrence of vascular halophytes typical of the Virginia coastal plain in the ridge and valley province is best explained by bird dispersal. The prehistoric, historic, and present physical environments of the marshes are discussed, and data relevant to the dispersal of Eleocharis parvula, Scirpus robustus, Juncus gerardi, Atriplex patula, and Salicornia europaea are given. Fourteen of the forty bird species cited for the marshes are implicated in the transport of one or more of these plant species. Physical data and collection history indicates that these plants have become established in recent times, although different quantities of appropriate habitat may have existed for several thousand years. Migrating waterfowl have probably dispersed the plants from northern stations and not from the Virginia coast.