MARYLAND BIRDLIFE JiuLleiin of ike .Jktarifland Ornlikolo^ical Society, £nc. Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Green Spring Ave„ Baltimore 9, Md. C Volume 15 MAR CH 1959 Number 1 THZ MaRYUU® ornithological SOCIETY, INC. Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Green Spring Ave., Baltl^re 9, Maryland State Iresident: Dr. Charles J. Stine, 6305 Belair Rd. , Baltimore 6, Md. State Secretary; Mr, Robert M. Bowen, 5011 Leeds Ave., Baltimore 27, Md. State Treasurer: Gdr. Edward P* Wilson, 119 Archwood Ave., Annapolis, Md, First Vice President: Mr. Marvin 'W, Hewitt, Greensboro, Maryland. Second Vice Presidents: Wm. Leeson, Douglas Miner, Elmer V/orthley, Hazel /.hite, Evelyn Gregory, Richard McCown, Hilda Smith, Francis .7elch. Trustees; Prof, Dnvid Howard, Cdr. Edward V/ilson, Stephen Simon, Rodney Jones, Dr, Lois Odell, Mr, and Mrs. A, J. Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Ster- ling Edwards, .Valter Braun, George Drumm, Elsie Hovey, Goldie Thomsen, Richard Kleen, Dr. Thonas Ambler, Ronald Nevius. Membership Sec,: Mrs. Shirley Geddes, 503 Overbrook Rd,, Ealto. 12, Md. LOCAL CHAPTERS Allegany County Bird Club Frederick Branch, M.O.S., Inc, Avid Avists of Anne Arundel Co. Harford County Bird Club Balto. Chapter, M.O.S,, Inc. Kent County Chapter, M.O.S. , Inc. Caroline County Bird Club Takoma Park Nature Club Talbot County Bird Club Out-of-state membership (Maryland Birdlife only) $2.00 Junior membership (under 18 years) .50 Life membership (payable in 3 equal installments) 75.00 Active membership 4^2,00 plus Local Chapter dues CONTENTS, MARCH 1959 Occurrence and Measurements of Chickadees Stephen W. Simon 3 Maryland Nest Summary for 1958 Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher 5 Effect of a Severe Snowstorm Richard L. Kleen 13 Conservation News Dr, and Mrs. Hans Krlmm 15 1958 County Bird Lists Richard L. Kleen 16 First Nesting of Cattle iferet in Maryland G, Ellis Miller S2 Relative Abundance of Adult Male Redstarts, Robb ins. Bridge and Feller 23 Helen Miller Audubon Nature Camp Scholarship 25 Junior Column: Rescue of a Horned Grebe Richard Kelmenson 25 And They Said It Couldn’t Be Done Meade Lloyd 26 The Season — October, November, December Chandler S, Robbins 20 Scarcity of our Winter Birds Chandler S. Robbins 34 M, 0. S. Membership List 36 Seneca Christmas Bird Count 47 Coming Events 47 Hawk and Owl Bill Introduced in Md, Senate, Krlmm and VJood 48 COVER: Mallard Duck. Photograph by Dr. Charles J. Stine HEALINGS: By Irving E, Harape, Art Editor MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc, to Record and Encourage the Study of Birds in Maryland Editor: Chandler S, Robbins, Patuxent Refuge, Leurel, Md, Editorial Board; Mrs. Roberta Fletcher, Mrs, Mabel Hoyler, Richard L, Kleen, Gordon Knight, Mrs. Martina Luff, Charles J. Stine, v;, Bryant Tyrrell. Jr. Editorial Board: V/llbur Rlttenhouse, Gordon Knight, James Voshell Production; Mr. and Mrs. E, h, Andrews, Gladys Cole, George Hli, Hans Krimm, Dorothy Krimm, Gemr.a Rizner, Homer Rlzner, Geoffrey Pass, Shirley Geddes. Cylbiim Mansion, 4915 Green Spring Ave., Baltimore 9, MARYLAND BIRDUFE Volume 15 MARCH 1959 Number 1 OCCURRENCE AND MEASUHEM5KTS OF BUCX-CAPPED CHICKADEES AT MONKTOH, MD. The 46 Black-capped Chickadees ( Parua atrlcaplllua ) banded at Monk- ton, Baltimore County, during the winter of 1954-55 have been dlacuased by. the author in Maryland Birdlife 12 (3): 75-85, September 1956. Also mentioned was the one Black-capped Chickadee banded the following year on December 26, 1955. It remained through the spring and suannsj' of 1956 and was last seen on July 25, 1956. It returned two years later when it was caught on March 1, 1958. It did not repeat after that date. A Black-capped was heard singing as late as August 31, 1956, but it was not determined whether or not it was banded. One Black-capped Chickadee was banded on October 4, 1956. It repeated on November 10 and was not seen or heard again that winter. Another large group of Black-capped Chickadees came to Monkton in the winter of 1957-58, Robbins ( Maryland Birdlife 14; 26-27) reported that Maryland was at the southern fringe of an Invasion. That winter 37 Black-capped Chickadees were banded at Monkton, 9 fewer than during the winter three years before. (Only 10 were banded at Laurel by Robbins as compared with 17 in 1954-55.) The arrival date at Monkton was Octo- ber 14, 1957, when the first one was banded. The last one was banded and the last one repeated on April 19, 1958. The final departure date was May 2, 1958, when a Black-capped Chickadee was heard singing. (Laurel arrival and departure dates were October 30, 1957 and April 29, 1958.) Table 1 gives a summary of the dates of occurrence at Monkton. Table 1. Occurrence of Black-capped Chickadees at Monkton Year Number Banded Arrival Departure For comparison with the data in the earlier articla. Table 2 shows the Wing-Tail measurements of Black-capped and Carolina (P. carolinensls ) Chickadees banded at Monkton since the winter of 1954-55. The measure- ments were to the nearest 0,5 mm. For convenience, in the table the Stephan W, Simon 1954- 55 1955- 56 1956- 57 1957- 58 37 and 1 return 46 1 1 10/26/54 11/ 6/55 10/ 4/56 10/14/57 6/27/55 8/31/56 11/10/56 5/ 2/58 4 MARYLAMD BIRDUgE Vox. 15. Mo. 1 0.5 fflm. measurements were raised to the next 1.0 mm. (The 6 Carollnas and 9 Black-caps measured at Laurel by Bobbins during the winter of 1957- 58 fall In the same pattern as the Monkton birds.) Table 2. Wing and Tall Measurements of Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees Banded at Monkton in 1955-56, 1956-57, and 1957-58 Tall mm. 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 Table 3 gives the Tall/V/lng ratios for the Carolina and Black-capped Chickadees using measurements to the nearest 0.5 mm. Table 3, Tail/A’ing Ratios of Chickadees Banded since Winter of 1954-55 Species Number Mean Standard Deviation Range Black-capped Chickadee 38 .961 .017 ,933-1.000 Carolina Chickadee 66 .870 .019 .827- .922 Looking at the measurements of many Maryland chickadees, one sees that there is a greater difference in length between the tall and wing in Carolina Chickadees than in Black-capped Chickadees (Table 4) . Table 4. Difference Between Tail and Wing Lengths Difference In mm. — ii. Black-capped Chickadee 2 6 12 10 6 2 Carolina Chickadee 1 2 6 18 16 13 9 1 Wing measurements alone are of little valua in separating these two species in Maryland. The difference between the wing length and tall length will separate only about 86 percent of the chickadees. Btom a sample of 199 chickadees (71 Carollnas and 128 Black-caps), including those banded In 1957-58 by Robbins, all except 2 Carollnas had a wing length of 57 mm. or less, and all except 3 Black-caps had a wing of 59 mm. or more; the zone of overlap was 56 to 59 mm. Ninety-nine percent of the chickadees could be identified correctly by comparing tail and wing measurements with Table 2. 402 Sharp St., Ashland, Ohio March 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 5 MARYLAND NEST SUMMARY FOR 1958 Mr. and Mrs. A, J, Fletcher Several ImprovementB are noted in reports from the 103 participants in the 1958 Nest Study in Maryland. Foremost in aiding the editors was the nearly 100 percent cooperation in the use of standard nest report cards, the use of which simplifies study, and makes it possible to file the results for future use, *ts usual, some notations are most amus- ing, some startling, and all of them very useful. An example: ’’Bald Eagle — seemed big enough for me to take a bath in and be well hidden... One neighbor never lets her little children play outside without a grown person nearby." (Sterling Edwards) , And another: about a Starling "2 birds carried nesting material for about 2 weeks. Roofers came and re- paired roof, blocking out Starling. Two frustrated and bewildered Star- lings'. Don't know where they moved." (Sarah ^uinn) . Speaking of Mr. Edwards, he should come in for special commendation. His nests were very diversified, representing broad coverage, and his work covered a sizable area in four counties. Another valuable worker is Miss- Elizabeth Slater in Anne Arundel County. These two persons have been moat useful to the editors in assuming some responsibility to act as "county editors," This scheme has not materialized fully, but it offers promise for improving the whole study method. Several contributors unwittingly put two nesting actions on single cards — in the case of parasitism by Brown-headed Cowblrds. V,Tien a cow- bird uses the nest of another species, this is actually nesting activity on the part of two species, and two cards should be filled out. Your editors would like to Improve the information on cowbird nest data by having full data on each species on separate cards. Unusual reports on several species, three of which ere first records for the State, make 1958 a good year. The Short-eared Owl was found by John Warren, an observant employee of the Maryland Game and Inland Fish Commission. For the past three years it was known that Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were present near Golden Hill, but it vjas the good fortune of two Fish and Wildlife Service employees, Brooke Meanley and Robert E. Stewart, to actually observe the mated pair in action. Chandler S, Rob- bins heard young Brown Creepers while on a field trip at the Allegany County Junior Nature Camp at Pleasant Valley, Garrett County, and Rebecca Cregar actually found the young birds to establish the first breeding record for Maryland. Two aests seldom found were reported; Chuck-will's- widow from Dorchester County, and Cerulean Warbler along the Potomac in Washington County. And a species so neiv to Maryland that the thrill of seeing one has not yet disappeared; the Cattle Egret is making real pro- gress in Worcester County. The 1958 records Include nesting evidence for 119 species — the lar- gest number ever reported in Maryland during a single year. Only one nest each was reported for twenty-seven species. The persons who re- ported these nests rendered a contribution to our effort out of propor- tion to their achievement. Several counties reported fewer than four 6 iURYl^ BIRDLIFE 7ol. 15, No. 1 summary of all 1950 MARYLAND NESTS REPORTED A A B C 1 n a a 1 n 1 1 C C D F a 1 o r r 1 r e G H H K a a o e r r w n P Q S rut 1 e M T W W W a a 1 0 1 s c r Pied-bllLed Grebe Green Heron Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret Common Egret 25 * 14 + 1 26 ♦ 14 Snowy Egret Louisiana Heron Black-cr. Night Heron Least Bittern Glossy Ibis 25 1 1 25 Mallard Black Duck Wood Duck Bald Eagle Osprey 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 6 1 2 9 14 2 3 Sparrow Hawk Ruffed Grouse Bobv/hlte Clapper Rail Virginia Rail 2 1 Am. Oystercatcher Kllldeer Wlllet Herring Gull Laughing Gull 2 1 1 1 2 8 6 11 Gull-billed Tern Forster's Tern Common Tern Least Tern Royal Tern 120 2 36 256 14 88 2 36 256 134 88 Black Skimmer Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Barn Owl 1 2 1 2 1 4 3 53 53 17 2 1 3 Screech Owl Barred Owl Short -eared Owl Chuck-will' s-wldow Common Nl^.thawk 1 1 Chimney Swift fiuby-th. Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Yellow-sh. Flicker Red-bel. Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Rad-cockaded Woodpk, Eastern Kingbird Great Crested Flyc. 1 1 1 1 •2 1 2 1 1 2 2 3 1 20 6 Eastern Phoebe Acadian Flycatcher Eastern Wood Pewee Horned Lark Tree Swallow 1 2 1 1 3 2 . 1 1 1 3 12 1 1 2 2 2 2 15 7 8 1 3 Bank Swallow 669 Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow 11 2 *Count indefinite, see annotation 30 2 20 38 5 35 4 669 8 tl47 March 1959 BIRDLIFE 7 A A B C C C D F G H H K U P Q. S T V? W W T 1 n a a a 1 0 r a a 0 e 0 r u t a a i 0 0 1 n 1 1 r 1 r e r r w n n 1 e M 1 s c r t Cliff Swallow 1 1 1 3 Purple llartin 31 9 3 18 10 16 87 Blue Jay 3 1 1 2 2 9 Common Crow 1 1 9 1 12 Carolina Chickadee 1 3 3 2 1 1 1 14 Tufted Titmouse 1 2 3 1 7 Brown Creeper 1 1 House V»ren 3 1 3 1 4 3 2 2 19 Bewick's iVren 1 1 Carolina Wren 1 1 1 1 4 Long-bil. Liarah rfren 2 1 3 Short-bl. Ii^arsh Wren 1 1 Idockingbird 7 4 7 3 12 1 34 Catbird 3 8 1 2 4 4 2 2 3 29 Brown Thrasher 5 3 12 3 1 1 1 3 29 Robin 3 23 17 9 6 1 20 6 75 Wood Thrush 3 1 5 1 1 1 2 1 15 Eastern Bluebird 5 7 3 3 1 19 Blue-gr. Gnatcatcher 3 3 1 1 1 9 Cedar V/aiwlng 1 4 1 6 Starling 2 6 4 9 5 1 4 1 4 36 White-eyed Vireo 1 1 Yellow- thrtd. Vireo' 1 1 Red-eyed Vireo 3 1 3 4 2 1 14 Warbling Vireo 1 1 Prothonotary Warbler 1 2 3 Blue-vjinged Warbler 1 1 Yellow Warbler 1 1 2 4 Black-th. Blue Warb. 1 1 Cerulean Warbler 1 1 Chestnut-aided .Verb; 1 3 4 Pine Warbler 1 1 Prairie Warbler 1 1 Ovenblrd 1 1 2 Louisiana Waterthr. 1 1 Kentucky Warbler 1 1 1 3 Yellowthroat 1 1 1 1 4 Yellow-br. Chat 1 2 1 4 American Redstart 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 House Sparrow 1 1 6 2 13 2 3 4 32 Eastern Meadowlark 1 1 2 Redwinged Blackbird 6 11 7 1 6 9 2 1 43 Orchard Oriole 1 1 2 1 1 1 7 Baltimore Oriole 1 2 5 1 1 2 1 13 Boat-tailed Crackle 1 24 25 Common Crackle 3 5 4 60 10 4 5 3 94 Br, -headed Cowbird 2 5 8 15 Scarlet Tanager 1 1 1 3 Summer Tanager 1 1 1 1 4 Cardinal 1 1 1 1 5 1 9 2 3 1 1 26 Blue Grosbeak 1 1 2 Indigo Bunting 1 3 3 7 American Goldfinch 1 3 4 Rufous-sided Towhee 2 1 2 1 6 Grasshopper Sparrow 1 1 2 Seaside Sparrow 3 3 Vesper Sparrow 1 1 Chipping Sparrow 1 14 1 2 2 1 5 2 28 Field Sparrow 2 4 1 2 2 11 Swamp Sparrow 2 2 Song Sparrow 4 2 4 1 1 6 18 8 MARYLAND BlHDLIgE Vol. 15. No, 1 nests, and Cecil, Charles and Somerset had none. Caroline County led with 56 species recorded, and Montgomery was next with 51 species. Each year the organization of contributors becomes more powerful. Adults with ten or more nests to their credit are Elsie Bllbrough, Wal- ter Booth, Winifred Bright, Margarets Butenschoen, Sterling Edwards, Roberta Fletcher, Mrs. Carl Francis, Katherine Goodpasture, Marvin Hewitt', Leonard Llewellyn, Erana Lubbert, Z. Porter, Sarah i^ulnn, Chan- dler Robbins, Carol Scudder, Stephen Simon, Elizabeth Slater, Robert Stewart, John Webb, Hazel V/hlte and Jean Worthley. Twenty-eight juniors contributed: H. Armlstead, E. Brown, S. Dobbs, R. Fletcher, R. Feller, B. Folk, J, Farley, D. Gibson, H. Kaestner, P. Little, M. Low, H. McMil- lan, T. Moore, B. Miller, A. Nilson, J, Robbins, S, Robbins, B. Robb, M. Resser, T, Ruebush, J. Scudder, C, Smith, P. VanNewkirk, B. Worthley, M. Wilson, B, Wood, J, Workmelster and J. Willets. Juniors who supplied the largest number of records were Dan Gibson, 117 nests; Terry Moore, 37; Trenton Ruebush, 35; and Harry Armlstead, 17. The following county abbreviations are arranged vertically over the table: All(egany), Ann(e Arundel), Bal( timore) , Cal(vert), Car(ollne), Cll (Carroll), Dor{chester) , Pre(derlck), Gar(rett), Har(ford), How(ard), Ken(t), Mon( tgomery) , Pri(nce Georges), ftue{en Annas), St. M(arys), Tal(bot), Was(hington) , Wlc(omico), and Wor(cester) . PIED-BILLED GREBE — A brood of 5 was founu at Patuxent Refuge, Sept . 22 . by Robert E. Stewart ( Maryland Birdllfe 14: 97) . GREAT BLUE HERON — Although known to nest regularly, no report was re- ceived in 1958. COMMON EGRET — Most of the young were out of nests on Mills Island by July 2. Chandler S. Robbins and RES report increase over prior yrs. SNOWY iXJRET — 31 banded by RES and CSR on Mills Island, and Middle and South Islands off South Point, Worcester Co., on July 2. GREEN HERON — Walter Booth flushed adult from Montgomery Co. nest, May 23. Many eggs and young found in coastal colonies, July 2 (CSR, RES). CATTLE EGRET — ^ nests were found on Mills Island by Jacob Valentine. For detailed account see Raven 29 (8): 68-96. August 1958. LOUISIANA HERON — July 2, 2 young banded, Mills and South Is. (CSR, RES). LITTLE BLUE HERON — Young in all stages in Mills Is. colony, July 2. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON — Only occupied nest reported was one at Mills Is., July 2; other young birds, nearly grown, were in the treetopa. Either many bad already left the Island, or there was a marked de- cline this year ( Audubon Field Notes 12: 403) . LEAST BITTERN — One nest with 4 eggs in grassy marsh at Elliott Island on July 10 (Harry Armlstead) . GLOSSY IBIS — Nests were found in Red Cedars on Mills Island. Three young were banded on July 2 (RES, CSR) ( Maryland Birdllfe 14: 76). MALLARD — Apr. 12 nest with 10 eggs, Caroline Co, (Robert Fletcher). BLACK DUCK — Earliest nest this year held 11 eggs, Apr. 7, In Anne Arundel Co. (Hans and Dorothy Krlmm) . WOOD DUCK — At Whites Perry, Montgomery Co., 1 brood of 22 young on May 24 (WB) . Nest of 14 eggs reported from Kent Co,,-^ mile from water in farmyard (Richard McCown) . March 1959 MAHYLAWD BIRDLIFE 9 BALD eagle — Reported building on Jan . 26 . Anne Arundel Co. (Mrs. Barnes); another nest reported from Harford Co. (Sterling W. Edwards). OSPREY. — A pair perched on nest, Mar. 28 In Kent Co. (Daniel Gibson); building in Anne Arundel Co., Apr. 3 (V*. Henderson, E. Tfeppan) . sparrow hawk — A fledgling out of Its nest was fed by an adult in an abandoned school near Denton on June 21 (A, J* Fletcher), RUFFED GROUSE --8 eggs in a Garrett County nest on June 19 (Buddy Polk and Jean Worthley) , BOEWHITE — Anne Arundel Co. nest with 18 eggs on June 8 (VH, ET) . CLAPPER RAIL — Adults with 3 downy young on Juno 29 at Churchton in Anne Arundel Co . (H. E. Slater) . VIRGINIA RAIL — Nest with newly hatched eggs, Elliott Is., July 8 (HA). AM. 0Y3TERCATCHER — Young out of nests, July 3, Slnepuient Bay (RES). KILLDEER — Earliest nest reported on Mar. 28, Anne Arundel Co. (HES) . WILLET — Eggs on May 24 on Slnepuient Bay Island (Robbins e1^ al. ) . HERRING GULL — First nesting record for coastal Maryland on Chlncoteague Bay In June (Neil Hotchkiss, Ellis Miller and R, B, McCartney) (Md. Blrdllfe 14: 93).- Talbot Co. (Sharps Is.) had 8 nests, July 1 (HA). LAUGHING GULL — 35 young banded off South Point, Worcester Co., July 2 (William Kiel, RES and CSR) . GULL-BILLED TERN — Ttoo nests with eggs In Slnepuient Bay area (RES). FORSTER* S TERN — Eggs and young at Robins Marsh, Worcester Co., June 27 (NH, EM) and July 2 (CSR, RES) . COMMON TERN — Nests with young on June 19 (Mrs. M. B, Donnald), Ocean City; and many young banded on July 2 (WK, CSR and RES) . LEAST TERN — Young seen on June 19 at Ocean City (MBD)'; 120 .nests with eggs in southern ^ueen Annes County in June (Vernon Stotts) ■ ROYAL TERN — 165 banded off South Pt., Worcester Co., July 2 (RES, CSR). BLACK SKIMMER — An early nest with young on June 19; 63 other nests re- ported from same area with young and eggs, July 2 and 3 (CSR, RES). MOURNING DOVE — Frederick Co. had a nest by Apr, 21 (Sarah Quinn); Mrs. Donnald reported a nest used for 2 broods In Montgomery Co. YELLOW- BILLED CUCKOO — Adult feeding young in Baltimore Co, nest on June 4 (Mrs. Carl G, Francis). BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO — Billy Worthley found a nest with 3 young in Gar- rett Co. on June 14. BARN OWL — Three nests in Blackwater Refuge towers on Mar. 23 (DG) . SCREECH OliVL — Richard McCown found 2 nests with 3 young each In Kent Co. BARRED OiVL — Young owls seen with adult on Johns Hopkins campus In Bal- timore on May 18 (Krlmm) . SHORT-EARED OWL — On May 15 , John Warren found a nest of 5 half-grown young In a brackish marsh of Dorchester Co., near the mouth of the Blackwater River. This Is the first positive breeding record for the species In the State (Stewart, Atlantic Naturalist 13: 246-247). CHUCK-WILL* S-WIDOW — ’*Nest on ground In open stand of Loblolly Pine, be- neath a small partly bent over Sweet Gum, and fairly well hidden by scattered growth of Wai Myrtle" with 2 downy young, June 18 (Brooke Meanley, RES and John V/ebb) ( Atlantic Naturalist 13; 257). COMMON NIGHTHAWK — Nest of 2 eggs in Caroline Co. on ^ (Tom Rob- bins); adult with 2 young In neat, June 10 . Frederick Co. (Hazel White) . CHIi(INEY SWIFT — 4 eggs In Baltimore Co. nest, Aug , 12 (Stephen W. Simon). 10 MARYLAND BIRDLIME Vol. 15, No. 1 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD — A bird observed on Frederick nest, May 25 (HW); one Caroline Co, fledgling left nest on June 19 and the second left the saine nest June 25 outside a Denton window (John W. Haycock) . BELTED KINGFISHER -- Adult flew from Caroline Co. nest site, June 9 (MWH). YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER — Making neat in Frederick Co. on May 18 (SQ). RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER — Adult fed 2 young on May 30 in Caroline Co. (Carol Scudder) . Immature in same county was fed on Aug. 20 (Alicia Knotts) . HAIRY WOODPSCKER — Young were heard in a Prince Georges Co. nest, May 16-30 (CSR). DOWNY WOODPECKER — On June 10 an adult was feeding young out of the nest at Greensboro, Caroline Co. (Z. Porter). RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER — Occupied nest found in mature Loblolly Pine about 3 miles from Golden Hill, Dorchester Co., May 30 (Brooke Mean- ley and RES) ( Maryland Blrdllfe 14: 63), First Maryland nest record. EaSTERIJ KINGBIRD — Building in Caroline Co. on May 3 (R. B. Fletcher). great CRESTED FLYCATCHER — May 25 is earliest date in Caroline Co. Adult added pine needles to nest after nestlings were partly grown — were these added to control vermin? (ZP). EASTERI^ PHOEBE — Young left a Baltimore Co. nest on May 30 (SV/S) . ACADIAN FLYCATCHEIR — Young were out of an Anne Arundel Co, nest on June 18 (VH, ET) , Howard Co. nest had 2 young on Aug, 15 (Mrs, G. C. Munro and CSR) . EASTERN WOOD PEWEE — 2 young fed out of Caroline Co. nest, Sept. 4 (MWH). HORNED LARK — Samuel H. Dyke found a nest of 4 young on May 8 In Wor- cester Co. Ihe nest was later destroyed by heavy rains. TREE SWALLOW — Adult at nesting perch at G^arlend Lake, Caroline Co., June 3 (RBF) . Nest In box 3 feet above lake at Pleasant Valley In Garrett Co. on June 14 (Stuart Robbins). BANK SWALLOW — 669 nests in good condition were counted near Sandy Point, June 8. Much activity there, July 1, with some nests still under construction and young leaving others; 2000 birds estimated (HSS) . ROUGH-V.'INGED SWALLOW — On June 1, adults were at nesting site at Denton. Walter Booth reported an adult entering a drainpipe in a bank with food, at Little Falls, Montgomery Co., June 29. BARN SWALLOW — Earliest nest building, Apr. 30, in Caroline Go. (Ethel Poore). Montgomery nest had young as late as Aug . 23 (WB) . CLIFF SWALLO'W — On June 7, Booth saw birds apparently taking food to young in a colony of Barn Swallows on Brighton Dam. He also found Prince Georges County’s first nests since 1898 (M. Blrdllfe 14:87). PURPLE MARTIN — Building began by Apr. 25. A colony of 30 pairs was destroyed by a Raccoon and a Pilot Blacksnake at the Fletchers' . Other counties reported that birds had left boxes by Aug. 1. BLUE JAY — Caroline County had a nest with 3 eggs, May 14 (ZP). COMMON CROW -- A Baltimore Co. nest, 30 ft. up, had 5 young on May 12 (Wilson Fadeley) . CAROLINA chickadee — Building on Apr. 12 at Chevy Chase (Mrs. Donnald) . TUFTED TITMOUSE -- Adults building at Denton, Apr, 15 (Winifred Bright). BROVifN CREEPER -- First Maryland breeding record: 2 adults with 2 young on Meadow Mountain, June 14 (Rebecca Cregar, CSR ^ al . ) HOUSE V'.'REN — Nest started by Apr. 15 at Denton (M. Butenschoen) , Late young with heads out of nest in Anne Arundel Co., Aug, 13 (liES). March 1959 MAHYLATID BIRDLIIE 11 BEWICK'S WHEN — Five eggs In a nest in a mail box, May 18, in Allegany County (Leonard M. Llewellyn) . CAROLINA WREN — On May 15, a nest with 3 ypung in Calvert Co. (Trenton K. Ruebush) . LONC-BILLED MARSH WREi-I — Nest in Kent Co., June 24 (DO). Two nests in lower Dorchester Co., July 8 and 10, each with 4 young (HA). SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREl'f — Anna and Brooke Meanley found a nest of 6 eggs in Elliott Island marsh on July 12. MOCKINGBIRD — Butfenschoen had a late record of adult bringing young to feed in Yew at Denton on Sept. 11. Color-banded adults nested for second season at Churchton, where they also wintered (HES). CATBIRD — Adults were building in ftederick Co. on May 7 (SQ). Young left a Q,ueen Annes Co. nest on Aug . 50 (RBF) . BROWN THRASHER — A Caroline County nest was built by Apr. 20 (MB) . ROBIN — Birds were building In Caroline Co, by Apr. 18 (E. V. Bilbrough). Two young left a Federalsburg neat on Sept . 16 (GS) . WOOD THRUSH — Howard Co. had an early egg date, May 17 (WB) . A Baltimore City nest contained Scotch tape and other debris (Krlmm). EASTERl^ BLUEBIRD — Steve Simon saw adults carrying nesting material on Apr. 15 and banded 3 young as late as Aug. 5 in Baltimore Co. BUTE-GRAY GNATGATCHER — Nest being built at Robbins Nest near Laurel in Prince Georges Co. on May 3 (CSR) . CEDAR WAXV^'ING — Pair building on June 7 in Anne Arundel Co, (HES). Gibson reported young being fed in a Kent Co, nest on July 1, STARLING — Building as early as Mar. 10 at Frederick (SQ) . WHITE-EYED VIREO -- Adults carrying food, June 21, Montgomery Co. (WB). YELLOV/-THROATED VIREO — Adult observed on nest, June 21, near Laurel — in same tree as above gnatcatcher nest (CSR) . RED-EYED VIREO — Baltimore Co. had a nest by May 12 (EL). warbling VIREO — On May 16 Mrs. K. C, Heineman found a nest in Allegany Co. On May 88 she saw an adult singing on the nest. PROTHONOTARY warbler — T wo nests in Washington Co., May 31 (SWE). WORM-EATING WAR3I.ER -- Simon found a nest with 5 eggs at the base of a small tree in Baltimore Co. on May 30; it was unsuccessful. He foimd another nest on June 29 with 4 young that he handed on July 4. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER — A nest, on the ground, in Frederick Co. with 3 young and 1 egg on June 14 (WB and James Bruce). YELLOW V;aRBLER — Jean and Elmer Worthley found a nest with 4 eggs on May 21 in Baltimore Co. Two fledglings and one Brown-headed Cowbird left a Montgomery Co. nest on June 16 (Katherine A. Goodpasture). BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER — 4 nestlings were banded In Garrett Co. on June 14 (found by Homer R. Rizner, banded by CSR). CERULEAN WARBLER — A nest found along the C&O Canal in V/ashington Co. about 16 feet up in an Elm on May 31 (SVffi) . CHESTNUT -SIDED WARBLER — 2 nests with eggs on June 18 and 1 with young on June 19, all in Garrett Co. (Worthley, Folk, Wilson, Resser) . PINE WARBLER — Young out of the nest being fed in Dorchester Co. (KA). PRAIRIE WARBLER — A neat was built in a Lilac bush near a window in Greensboro, but was abandoned with parasitized by a Brown-headed Cowbird (May 30 to June 6, RBF and ZP) . OVENBIRD -- Birds building in Frederick Co. by May 11 (I. E. Hampe) . Young being fed in Caroline Co., June 0 (HWH), 12 MAHYLAMD BIHDUFB Vol. 15. No, 1 LOUISIAH/I WATEATHHDSH — Adult seen feeding young out of nest on June 14 at Svallov Falls State Park, Garrett County (CSR). EENTUCSY fflARBLSR — 3 eggs In a Prince Georges Co. nest on May 21 Ronald Feller) . TSLLOWTHROAT — Earliest nesting date reported was from Prince Georges Co. with a nest containing 4 eggs on May 23 (David Bridge) . YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT — Edwards reported a IVederlck Co. nest, May 18. AMERICAN REDSTART — Birds finished a Harford Co. nest on May 12 (EL). HOUSE SPARROW — Records this year show earliest date Apr. 1 In Caroline Co. This species was reported appropriating nests of other species in several counties, EASTERN MEADOWLARK — A nest on June 5 had 4 eggs In Kent Co. (DG) . RiDWINGSD BLACKBIRD — Anne Arundel Co, nest had 2 eggs by May 12 (HES) • ORCHARD ORIOLE -- Adults building on May 21 In Baltimore Co. (J&EW). BALTIMORE ORIOLE — Began building In Caroline Co., May 4 (E7B) , and In Frederick Co., May 11 (Maryland Ornithological Society field trip). BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE — Three young out of nest In Dorchester Co. on June 30 (ha) . Many nests with young and a few with eggs In Worcester Co., July 3 (CSR). COMMON GRACKLE — Building in Baltimore Co., Apr. 2 (EL), Breeze Wood and Margaret Low found 30 nests in the Ironwork of a Monocacy River bridge on an MOS field trip, May 10. A nestling banded at Adelphl in Prince Georges Co. on May 24 (John S. Webb) was recaptured at Patuxent Research Refuge near Laurel on July 23. BROWN-HEADED COV/BIHD — Earliest record of young was in the nest of a Song Sparrow on May 20 In Montgomery Co. (KAG). SCARLET TANAGER — Young ware in a Garrett Co. nest on June 14 (JW). SUMMER TANAGER — Booth reported a female with nesting material on May 14 in Montgomery Co. CARDINAL — Earliest date was Apr. 28, 3 eggs in Caroline Co. (E7B). BLUE grosbeak — A nest on Patuxent Refuge, made mostly of Kleenex, was found on June 5 (Ll^ellyn and Schmid). A Caroline Co. family (3 young and adults) stayed together from July 1 to Oct. 5 (CS). INDIGO BUNTING — Building in Prince Georges Co. by May 28. Mrs. Scudder spent 3 days locating a nest only 3 feet from the ground In a Caro- line Co. alder thicket, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH — Incubating in Montgomery Co. on Aug. 18 (KAG), Adult feeding 2 immatures on Sept, 5 in Caroline Co. (RBF). RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE — Two eggs in Caroline Co. nest. May 24. One nest In Frederick Co. had 5 eggs on June 14 (Booth and James Bruce). GRASSHOPPER SPARROW — Adult carrying food in Caroline Co., June 3 (MWH) . In Montgomery Co . , adult was with young on July 25 (WB) . SEASIDE SPARROW — Four young In nest in Elliott Island marsh, Dorchester Co . , June 7_ (CSR) . VESPER SPARROW -- Adult carrying food on June 14, Montgomery Co. (WB) . CHIPPING SPARROW — Earliest nesting date reported from Caroline Co., Ltoy 3 (MB), Young were fed in the same county, Aug. 31 (RBF). FIEU) sparrow — Simon found a nest with 4 eggs In Baltimore Co., May 26. SWAMP sparrow -- 3 young in Garrett Co. nest, June 14 (CSR). SONG SPARROW — First nesting evidence was in Caroline Co., Apr. 13 (EVB). R. D. 1, Box 201, Denton March 1959 MAHYUMD BIRDLIFE 13 THE EFFECT OF A SE7EBE aJOtfSTOHM ON THE WIKTEB BIRD POPULATION OP THE ST. MICHAELS AREA Richard L. Eleen. The St. Michaels area suffered one of the most diaasterous snow- storms of recent years when, on February 15 and 16 of 1958, six inches of snow fell upon Talbot County. Winds during the period reached gale proportions and drifts of five and six feet were not uncommon in various sections of the county. The snow remained upon the ground for ten days and temperatures were wall below freezing most of the period. Table 1 gives an indication of the weather conditions as they existed during the period of the storm and the week which followed. This weather informa- tion was furnished by John Swalne, who operates a meteorological station at Royal Oak, three miles from the center of the 3t. Michaels Christmas Count area. Table 1, Royal Oak Weather Record February Maximum Minimum Snowfall Snow on 1958 date temp. temp. 24 hours ground 15 39° 20° 1” 1" 16 25° 21° 5" 6" 17 14° 5° • 6'’ 18 18° 10° trace 6" 19 36° 14° — 5” 20 37° 26° — 4-1 21 44° 17° — 3" 22 48° 29° — 2" 23 42° 23° — 1" Although the storm was merely inconvenient to man, the birdllfe of Talbot County appeared to be seriously affected. There were reports of dead birds from all sections of the county. One birder, hiking from his snow-bound home to St, Michaels, a distance of two miles, counted ten dead and frozen birds along his path, Coveys of Bobwhlte ( Collnus vir- glnlanus ) , which had been counted prior to the storm, were found to be reduced in numbers, A number of reports were received of birds found dead at feeding stations. Reports of cannibalism among Brown Thrashers ( Toxostoma rufum ) , Mockingbirds ( Mimus polyglottos ) , and Blue Jays ( Cyanocltta cristata) also were obtained. This reduction in our birdllfe seemed to be significant. However, It was not until the ccmpilation of the St, Michaels Christmas Bird Count on December 21, 1S58, that the great damage to our wildlife could actually be measured through comparison with counts from previous years. Table 2 presents some of the information which was derived from our Christmas Counts. It compares the population of the permanent resident land birds for the past four years. The last column gives the percentage of individuals of the various species found in 1958 as compared to the average of the three previous years. 14 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol, 15. No. 1 Table 2. Population Indices for PerBianent Residents Species 1955 1956 1957 1958 Bobwhlte Red-bellied Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Mockingbird Eastern Bluebird Cardinal Song Sparrow 215 193 257 124 5 6 26 25 65 31 80 18 7 16 23 168 80 41 72 41 64 347 182 437 134 42 76 57 78 66 94 148 78 117 14 12 137 129 263 120 68 153 115 258 126 72 320 491 504 331 76 576 418 516 384 76 The most dramatic reduction appeared in the population of Carolina Wrens ( Thryothorus ludovicianus ) . Our wren population dropped from 117 in 1957 to 14 in 1958. The count in 1958 was only 12 percent of the average of the three prior years. The Carolina V/ren also decreased from 10 to 2 in the two latest Spring Migration Surveys. Ihe fact that the Carolina Wren is a bird of the underbrush, seldom being found higher than three or four feet, is probably a significant factor in its decimation. A pronounced drop also occurred in the population of seven other perman- ent resident species: Bobwhlte, Downy Woodpecker ( Dendrocopos pubes pens) , Carolina Chickadee ( Parus Caroline nsis ) . Ldocklngbird, Eaatern Bluebird ( Sialia slalis ) . Cardinal ( Rlchmondena cardinal! s ) . and Song Sparrow ( Melosplza melodia ). Less noticeable reductions appeared in the popula- tions of the Tufted Titmouse ( Parus blcolor ) and Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Centurus carollnus ) . The numbers of the Hairy Woodpecker ( Dendrocopos vlllosus ) actual.ly Increased according to this study. The storm affected other than the permanent resident species. There were also great reductions in the number of certain less hardy species that regularly winter in Talbot County In small numbers. Towhees, Cat- birds ( Dumetella carollnensis ) . Brown Thrashers, Field Sparrows ( Splzella puallla r. ^ildeer ( Charadrius vociferus ) , and Robins ( Turdus migratori - us) were much harder to find during our past Christmas Count than in previous years. Our winter visitors also appeared to suffer from the period of snow, as Whi te- throated Sparrows ( Zonotrtchla alblcollls ) and Slate-colored June os ( Junco hyemalls ) also were greatly reduced In numbers. Thble 3 compares the populations of these two groups for the last two years. It will be interesting to see hov; many years it will take for our bird populations to reach the numbers that previously occurred. That they will once again reach these nuiTibers is almost certain. Periods of freezing and snowy conditions during which food is difficult for our birds to obtain have happened since before the beginnings of recorded ornithological history. Population fluctuations are part of the total picture of wildlife. Prior to this storm there were a number of years during which no serious weather conditions occurred in our county. Avian March 1959 MAHgLAND BIHDLI?B 15 populations built up. With this storm we must assume that the birds which died were, in the most part, the weaker individuals. Those that remain are generally the stronger and more virile members of the species In the long run this periodic killing of the weaker individuals improves the species and makes it more able to compete in the harshly competitive society of nature. Table 3. Population Indices for Leas Hardy V/inter Residents Species 1957 1958 Species 1957 1958 Kllldeer 74 10 Rufous-sided Towhee 40 11 Catbird 2 1 Slate-colored Junco 1840 1181 Brown Thrasher 9. 1 Field Sparrow 881 122 Robin 129 77 White-throated Sp. 2982 1726 We must remember that only man cares for the individual. In all other creatures, the individual is of little importance. The primary importance lies in continuation of the species. V/e are assuming a false and foolish attitude when we attempt to look upon wildlife as we look upon man. Let us think of this storm and like storms objectively, not just with a feeling of sorrow and regret at the multitude of dead birds, but also with a feeling of awe at the grand and perfect plan which has brought all this about. Box 122, St, Michaels CCU3SRVATI0N NiT-’/S Senator Hubert Humphrey (Ldlnn.) in a recent communication has as- sured us that he will continue his efforts for action on "The V.'ilderness Bill" (S.1123; H.R. 1960, H.R. 4367, etc.) in the 86th Congress. Pre- servation of our wilderness resources is of the greatest importance to the whole nation and of special interest to all nature lovers. The pending measure has run up against strong opposition from some self- interest groups, and its passage depends largely upon public support. Conservationists are now v/riting to their Congressional representatives and to Hon, iVayne aspinall, Chairman, House Cor-m, on Interior and Insular Affairs, House Office Building, '.Vashingtoii , D. C. ijany other conservation measures mentioned in the March and December 1958 issues are still pending. Bills favored by conservationists in- clude the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park bill; Saylor^ s bill (H.R. 951) to change Dinosaur National loonument into Dinosaur National Park; bills to establish Indiana Dunes, Cape Cod, V.'isconsin Moraine, and Padre Island National Parks, Conservationists also hope to double sewage treatment grants. However, they oppose spending large sums for fire ant control prior to a thorough investigation of the effects of toxic chemi- cals on wildlife and domestic animals. Your Senators, Hon, Jol^in Mar- shall Butler and J, Glenn Beall, are interested in learning your views on these issues. Mr, and Mrs, Hans ?j?imm 16 MARYLAND BIHDLIFS 70l. 15. No. 1 1958 COUNTY BIND LISTS Richard L. Kleen For the fifth year Marylanders have compiled yearly bird lists for the twenty- throe counties of our State. This year the coverage has boon more extensive and Intensive than ever before, with many MOS members re- porting very complete lists for their areas. Fourteen of our counties in- creased their totals from last year, some of them dramatically. Only nine counties decreased in number of species observed. "Hiis year the least well-covered area was Carroll, the only county that did not record at least 100 birds. Five counties recorded 200 birds or over. Itforcester led the way as it has in the past four years with 240. Rounding out the charmed 200 circle were Anne Arundel with 216, Talbot with 210, Prince Georges with 204, and Montgomery with an even 200. This year three species were added to the five-year total. The Harris' Sparrow was reported in Allegany and Montgomery Counties. The Lark Bunting was seen in Dorchester, and a House Finch was shot in Har- ford. The Lark Bunting and Harris' Sparrows were probably strays from the West. The House Finch, however, was possibly an advance guard from the expanding colony in Long Island, Connecticut, and northern New Jersey. Of exceptional interest were three hybrids. Brewster's Warblers were observed in Frederick, Montgomery and Howard Counties, and a Law- rence's Warbler in Frederick County, The third was a Cliff Swallow- Barn Swallow cross reported by Walter Booth in Montgomery County. The total number of species recorded was 286. The county by county total Is listed for comparison purposes. Garrett 100 Montgomery 200 Queen Annes 149 Allegany 142 Pr. Georges 204 Caroline 172 'Washington 125 Anne Arundel 216 Talbot 210 Frederick 170 Calvert 167 Dorchester 187 Carroll 69 Charles 114 Wicomico 136 Baltimore 195 St. Marys 164 Somerset 138 Harford 116 Cecil 151 Worcester 240 Howard 163 Kent 167 Special recognition must be given to those who contributed lists of observations. Almost sixty members and friends of the MOS contributed. The most nearly complete reports were submitted by the following: Garrett Co. — Dan Folk, Jr,; Allegany Co. — Pan Minke, Charlotte Richardson; Washington Co. — ^Mrs. L. L. Mallonee, Jr., Dr. Ralph Stauffer; Frederick Co. — Dr. John Richards; Carroll and Baltimore Cos. — Jean and Hlmer Worthley; Harford Co. — Bvelyn Gregory; Howard Co. — Chandler S. Robbins, 'Walter Booth; Montgomery Co. — Walter Booth, Seth H. Low; Prince Georges Co. --David Bridge, Ronald Feller; Anne Arundel Co. — Prof, and Mrs. David Howard, Friel Sanders, Elizabeth Slater; Calvert Co. — Friel Sanders, Elizabeth Slater; Charles Co. — Dr, and ihrs. Hans Krimm; St. t^Iarys Co. — James M, Banagan; Cecil Co, — J, Whitney Day, Rev. 'Walden Pell II; Kent Co, — Danny Gibson; Queen Annes Co. — ^Richard and Martha Dubois, Terry Moore; Caroline Co. — A. J, Fletcher, Terry Moore; Talbot Co. — Richard L, Kleen; Dorchester Co. — Harry ml stead; Wicomico & Somerset Cos. — Samuel H. Dyke; 'Worcester Co. — many members. Box 122, St. Michaels G A W F c B H H M P A C C S c K Q C'T D w s w T a 1 a r 1 a a 0 0 r n a h t e e u a a 0 i 0 o 0 r ■ 1 s e 1 1 r w n 1 n 1 a M c n e r 1 r c m r t Common Loon X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 15 Red-throated Loon X X X X 4 Red-necked Grebe X 1 Horned Grebe X X X X X X ‘X X X X X X X X X X X 17 Pled-bllled Grebe X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 18 Cory's Shearwater X 1 Wllsoh's Petrel X 1 Gannet X X 2 Double-cr. Cormorant X X X X X X X X X X X X 12 Great Blue Heron X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 21 Green Heron X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 Little Blue Heron X X I X X X X I X X X X X 13 Cattle Egret X X 2 Common Egret X X X X X X X X X X X I X I X X X X 18 Snowy Egret X X X X X X X X X X 10 Louisiana Heron X X X 3 Black-cr. Night Heron I X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Yellow-cr. Night Heron X 1 Least Bittern X X X 3 American Bittern X X X X X X 6 Glossy Ibis X 1 Whistling Swan X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X 15 Canada Goose X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 Brant X X X X X 5 Snow Goose X X X X X X X 7 Blue Goose X X X X 4 Mallard X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Black Duck X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Gadwall X X X X X X X X X X X 11 European Widgeon X X 2 American 'Widgeon X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 18 Pintail X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X 17 Green -winged Teal X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Blue-winged Teal X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X 15 Shoveler X X X X X X X 7 Wood Duck X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 Redhead X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Ring-necked Duck X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Canvasback X X X X X X X X X X X I- X X X X X 17 Greater Scaup X X X X X X X 7 Lesser Scaup X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 15 Common Goldeneye X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X 18 Bufflehead X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X 17 Oldsquaw X X X X X X X X X X X X 12 King Elder X 1 White-winged Scoter X X X X X X X I X X X 11 Surf Scoter X X X X X X X 7 Common Scoter X X X X X 5 Ruddy Duck X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Hooded Merganser X X X X X X X X X X X 11 Como^n Merganser X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Red-breasted Merg. X X X X X X X X X 9 Turkey Vulture X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Black Vulture X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Sharp-shinned Hawk X X X X X X X X X X z X X X X X X X X 19 G A W F c B H H MPA c c s c K Q c T D w S w T a 1 a r 1 a a 0 0 r n a h t e e u a a 0 i o o 0 r 1 3 e 1 1 r w n i n 1 a M c n e r 1 r c m r t Cooper's Hawk X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 17 Red- tailed Hawk X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X S3 Red-shouldered Hawk X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X 20 Broad-winged Hawk X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 15 Rough-legged Hawk X X X X X 5 Colden Bagle X X X 3 Bald Eagle X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X 16 Marsh Hawk X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 21 Osprey X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 Peregrine Falcon X X X X X 5 Pigeon Hawk X X X X X 5 Sparrow Hawk X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Ruffed Grouse X X X X 4 Bobwhite X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X 23 Ring-necked Pheasant- X X X X X X X X X X 10 Turkey X X X 3 King Rail X X X X X X 6 Clapper Rail X I X X X 5 Virginia Rail X X X X 4 Sora X X X X X 5 Black Rail X X 2 Common Galllnule X X X 3 American Coot X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 18 Am. Oyster catcher X 1 Piping Plover X 1 Wilson's Plover X 1 Semlpalmated Plover X X X X X X X X X 9 Kllldeer X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 American Golden Plover X X 2 Black-bellied Plover X X X X 4 Ruddy Turnstone X X X X 4 American Woodcock X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 17 Common Snipe X X X X X X X X x~ X X X ‘l X X z 16 Whlmbrel X 1 Upland Plover X X X X X X 6 Spotted Sandpiper X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 Solitary Sandpiper X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 WlUet X X X X X 5 Greater Yellowlegs X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Lesser Yellowlegs X X X X z X X X X X 10 Knot X 1 Purple Sandpiper X 1 Pectoral Sandpiper X X X .3 Whlte-rumped Sandpiper X X X X 4 Least Sandpiper X X X X X X X X z X X X X 13 Dunlin X X X X X 5 Short-billed Dowltcher X X X X 4 Stilt Sandpiper X X 2 Semlpalmated Sandpiper X X X X X X X X X X 10 Western Sandpiper X X X X X 5 Buff-breasted Sandpiper X i Marbled Godwit X 1 Sanderllng X X X X 4 Gt. Black- backed Gull X X X X X X X X X 9 Herring Gull X X X X X X X X X X z X X X X X X X X X X 21 G A W F c B H H MPA c c s c K 0. G T D w s u T a 1 a r 1 a a 0 0 r n a h t e e u a a 0 i 0 0 0 r 1 s e 1 1 r w n i n 1 a M c n e r 1 r c m r t Ring-billed Gull X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 17 Laughing Gull X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Bonaparte’s Gull X X X X X X X X 8 Black-legged Kittlwake • I 1 Gull-billed Tern X 1 Forster's Tern X X X X X X I X X 9 Common Tern X X X X X X X X X 10 Least Tern X X X X X X X 8 Royal Tern X X X X 4 Caspian Tern X X X X X 5 Black Tern X X X X X X X 7 Black Skimmer X X 2 Mourning Dove I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Yellow-billed Cuckoo I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 21 Black-billed Cuckoo X X X X X X I X X X X X X 13 Barn Owl X X X X X X X X X X X 11 Screech Owl X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Great Horned Owl X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 15 Barred Owl X X X X -X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 Long-eared Owl X 1 Snowy Owl I 1 Short-eared Owl X I 2 Saw-whet Owl X 1 Chuck-will' s-widow X X X X X I X X X 9 Whip-poor-will I X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X 20 Common Nighthawk X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X 19 Chimney Swift X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X 23 fiuby-thr. Hummingbird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X z 20 Belted kingfisher X X X X X X X X X I "X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Yellow-shafted Flicker X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Fllaated Woodpecker X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Red-bellied Woodpecker X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Red-headed Woodpecker ■ X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Yellow-belly Sapsucker X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 Hairy Woodpecker X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Downy Woodpecker X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X I X I X X X X 23 Red-cockaded Woodpeck. X 1 Eastern iilngblrd X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X 22 Western Kingbird X 1 Gt, Crested Flycatcher X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Eastern Phoebe X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Yellow-bel. Flycatcher X X X 3 Acadian Flycatcher X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X 16 Traill’s Flycatcher X X X X X X X X X 9 Least Flycatcher X X X X X X X 7 Eastern Wood Pewee X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X 23 Olive-aided Flycatcher X X X 3 Horned Lark X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X 21 Tree Swallow X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 Bank Swallow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 17 Rough-winged, fallow I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Barn Swallow X X X X X X X X X I X X I X X X X X X X X X X 23 Cliff Swallow X X X X X X X X X X 10 Purple Martin X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Blue Jay X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 G A w F C B H H MPA c C s C K Q C T D w s w T a 1 a r 1 a a 0 0 r n V h t e 0 u a a 0 i 0 0 0 r 1 s e 1 1 r w n i n t a M c n e r 1 r c m r t Common iiaven X X 2 Common Crow X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X I X X X X X X X 23 Fish Crow X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X 19 Blk-capped Chickadee X X X X X X X X X X 10 Carolina Chickadee X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I 21 Tufted Titmouse X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 White-brdaated Nuthatch X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Red-breasted Nuthatch X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 17 Brown-headed Nuthatch X X X X X X 6 Brown Creeper X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 House VJren X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X 23 Winter Wren X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 18 Bewick^ s Wren X X X 3 Carolina ’Wren X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Long-billed Marsh ’Wren X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Short-bill. Marsh Wren I X 2 Mockingbird X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Catbird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Brown Thrasher X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X .X 23 Robin X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Wood Thrush X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Hermit Thrush X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 Swalnson^s Thrush X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Gray- cheeked Thrush X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 Veery X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Eastern Bluebird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X X X X X X X X X X .X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Golden-crowned Kinglet X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 Ruby-crOwned Kinglet X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X 17 Water Pipit I X X X X X X X X X X X 12 Cedar Waxwing X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 Loggerhead Shrike X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I 15 Starling X X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 White-eyed Vlreo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 Yellow-throated Vlreo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Solitary Vlreo X X X X X X X X X X X X 12 Red-eyed Vlreo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Philadelphia Vlreo z 1 Warbling Vireo X X X X X X X X X X 10 Black-dc-whlte Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 21 Prothonotary Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Swalnson's Warbler X 1 Worm-eating Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X 12 Golden-winged Warbler X X X X X X X X X X 10 Blue -winged Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X 11 Tennessee Warbler X X X X X X X 7 Orange-crowned Warbler X 1 Nashville V/arbler X X X X X X 6 Parula Warbler X X X X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X 21 Yellow Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Magnolia Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X 16 Cape May Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Blk-thr. Blue Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I X X X X X 20 Myrtle Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I 23 Blk-thr, Green Warbler X X X X X X X I X I X X X X X I X X X 19 G A W F alar rise C B H H 1 a a 0 1 1 r w M P A C 0 r n V hint C S C K h t e e a M c n :i G T D u a a 0 e r 1 r w s ’fi T i 0 0 0 c m r t Cerulean //arbler XXX X X X X 7 Blackburnian A'arbler XX X XXX X X X X X X X X 14 Yellow-throated V.’arbler X XXX X X X X X X X 11 Chestnut-sided '.Varbler X I X X XXX X X X X X X X 14 Bay-breasted iVarbler X X X x*x X X X 8 Blackpoli -Varbler X X X X XXX XXX X X X X 14 Pine Warbler X X XX X X X XXX X X X 13 Prairie Warbler X X X X XX X X X X X XXI XXX X X X 20 Palm 'Warbler X X X X XXX XXX X 11 Ovenbird X X X X XXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Northern Waterthrush X X X X IX X XXX X X XXX X X 17 Louisiana 'Waterthrush X X X X X X X X X X XX X XXX X I 18 Kentucky Warbler X X XXX X X X X X X X X XXX X X X 19 Connecticut Warbler XXX X 4 ti'ournlng Warbler X X X XXX I X 8 Yellow throat X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X, X X X X X X 23 Yellow-breasted Chat X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Hooded Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX X X X 18 Wilson’s Warbler X X X XXI X X e Canada Warbler X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX X 16 American Redstart X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX XXX X X X 21 House Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Bobolink XX I X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16 Las tern Meadowlark X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Redwinged Blackbird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Orchard Oriole XXX X X X X X X X X XXX X X X X X X X 21 Baltimore Oriole X X X X X X X X XXX XXX XXX X X X 20 Rusty Blackbird X X X XXX X X X XX X 12 Boat-tailed Crackle X X X 3 Common Crackle X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Brown-headed Cowbird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Scarlet Tenager X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Summer Tanager X X X X X X X X XXX X X X 14 Cardinal X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X :c X X 23 Rose-breasted Grosbeak X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Blue Grosbeak X X X X X X X X X X X X 12 Indigo Bunting X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX X X X X X X X 22 Dickcissel X X X X 4 oivenlng Grosbeak X X X X XXX X X X X X X X X X X 17 Purple Finch X X X X XXX X X X X X XX XXX X X IS House Finch X 1 Pine Siskin X X XXX X X XX 9 American Goldfinch X X X X XXIX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Rufous-sided Towhee X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 25 Lark Bunting X 1 Ipswich Sparrov/ X 1 Savannah Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X, X 17 Grasshopper Sparrow XXX X X X X X X X X XXX XXX X 18 Henslow’s Sparrow X XX X XXX X 8 Sharp-tailed Sparrow X X I X X 5 •Seaside Sparrow X X X X X 5 Vesper Sparrow X X X X X X X X XX X XXX X 15 Lark Sparrow X 1 slate-colored Junco X X X X XXX XXX X X X X X X X X X X X 21 Tree Sparrov; XXX X X XXX X XX XXX I 15 2S MAHYLAMD BIRDLIFE Yol, 15, Ho. 1 G A W F c B H H P A C C S C K ^ c T D w S W T a 1 a r 1 a a 0 0 r n a h t e e u a a 0 i 0 0 0 r 1 s e 1 1 r w n i n 1 a M c n e r 1 r m r t Chipping Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 23 Field Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X X I X I X X X X X X X X X 23 White- crowned Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 Harris' Sparrow X X 2 White -throated Sparrow X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 Fox Sparrow X IT X X X X I X X X X X I X X X X X X 18 Lincoln's Sparrow X I X X X 5 Swamp Sparrow X X X X I X X X X X X X X X X X X X 18 Song Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X I I X X X X X X X 23 Lapland Longspun X z 2 Snow Bunting X I X X 4 FIi?ST NESTING OF THE CATTLK EGRET IN ilARYLAND G. Ellis Miller The following statement regardi*^g the Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) appeared in an article written by Jacob id, Valentine, Jr., which was published in The Raven (29:85): "Five were counted at the iiills Island heronry colony on June 1, 1957 (Neil Hotchkiss), but no nests or young were recognized." Similar statements appear in Birds of Maryland and the- District of Columbia , by Robert E, Stewart and Chandler 3. Robbins, page 389, and in Mr, Valentin^ paper, "Cattle Egrets Nesting in Maryland'' ( Maryland Blrdlife 14:49). I would like to correct these statements. I accompanied Mr , Hotch- kiss on this visit to Mills Island on June 1, 1957, and we did find and recognize a Cattle Egret's nest containing three eggs. v;hlle moving around the heron colony we noticed that one of the Cattle Egrets kept the same perch on top of a cedar tree, except when approached too closely, even then returning to the same perch. Upon ex- amining the nests in this tree I discovered that a nest near the top contained three eggs that appeared slightly larger and more oval than the eggs of the Snowy Egret. I then secreted myself under a low-growing cedar while my companion wandered off by himself. I was rewarded a half-hour later by seeing an adult Cattle Egret go to the nest. The eggs measured 43,5 x 33.5 mm., 46 I 33 mm., and 46 x 33.5 mm. They were oval in ^ape and pale blue in color. The nest was placed in an upright fork about ten feet from the ground and was made of coarse sticks with smaller sticks or twigs near the top. Later I visited a library and found that these specifications agreed with the characteristics of Cattle Egret’s eggs, giving- further proof of our Identification. During this visit to Mills Island we also were delighted to see seven pairs of Glossy Ibises, and v/e discovered a nest of this species containing two eggs. They measured 52.5 x 35.5 mm., and 56 x 36 mm., were deep blue in color and elongated ovate in shape. 4414 Grid ley Road, Silver Spring March 1959 MAHYLAHD BIRDLUE 23 RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF ADULT MALE REDSTARTS AT AN INLAND AND A COASTAL LOCALITY DURING FALL MIGRATION Chandler S, Robbins, David Bridge, and Ronald Feller Banders who operate netting stations in fall along the Atlantic Coast have been impressed, again and again, with the preponderance of im- mature birds. They have theorized that immature birds are blown off course more readily and that they therefore tend to appear in greater numbers among the heavy concentrations of transients that congregate in the coastal thickets. Without competrative observations from an inland locality, however, it is not safe to accept the theory as fact, for there could be other explanations. For example, in many species the different age and sex groups reach their migration peaks on different dates. If the peak movement of adult male American Redstarts ( Setophaga rutlcllla ) were to take place either before or after the period when the coastal netting stations are in operation, this alone could result In a low pro- portion of adult males among the netted birds. Unusually good nesting success also could produce a high percentage of immatures among the migrating population. The percentage of adult male American Redstarts at the Ocean City netting station has been consistently low each autumn (see Table 1). Table 1. Proportion of Adult Male Redstarts at Ocean City Dates of Operation Total Redstarts Adult Males ^Ad, Males Sept. 10-18, 1955 48 2 4.2 Sept. 8-23, 1956 122 6 4.9 Sept. 7-26, 1957 68 3 4.4 Sept. 5-21, 1958 122 4 3.3 TOTAL 360 15 4.2 During the period September 5-21, 1958, 138 American Redstarts were banded at the Ocean City netting station by Chandler S, Robbins, Mrs. Richard D. Cole, Lir. end Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Mrs. L. W, Goodpasture, Gordon Knight, Mrs. LI. B.' Peacock, Arthur H. Fast, Edgar Reynolds, and lir. and Mrs. Carl Lubhert. Of these birds, 122 were identified as to sex and the males were further subdivided according to age. For the remain- ing 16 birds the banders either failed to record age or sex or were doubtful of their determination. In the present comparison these 16 birds (11.6 /Kof the total) can be ignored. (Wing measurements and 24 MARYLAMD BIRDLIFE Vol. 15. No. 1 weights of unaeied birds were not unlike those of Ihe birds that were sexed.) Netting effort was distributed fairly .evenly throughout the period, except on the first and the last day, when the effort was less. During liie same period, as well as before It and after It, David Bridge and Ronald Feller kept careful notes on the number of redstarts of each sex and the number of adult males and Immature males that they found during the course of their periodic field trips In Greenbelt, 106 miles west-northwest of Ocean City. Their observations were made on 16 days from August 27 through October 1, generally for 1 hour in the early morn- ing plus 1^ or 2 hours In the afternoon. On four days (Sept. 6, 20, 27, and 28) field trips lasted about 5 hours, and there was a corresponding increase in the number of redstarts identified, ilr. Bridge and lir. Feller believe that they saw nearly all of the redstarts that were present in the area that they covered on each trip and that there was very i,ittle if any bias introduced by the fact that the adult males are more brightly colored than the females and immature males. Therefore, we can compare the Greenbelt data with the Ocean City data without fear that any appreciable distortion of the age and sex ratios resulted from differences in the sampling technique. Table 2 shows the ages and sexes of birds at the two stations during five-day periods. Several interesting points are brought out in this table: (1) The sex composition at each station was close to 50-50; (2) The sex com- position at each station remained essentially constant throughout the period covered by this study; (3) the age ratio of the males did not vary appreciably at either station during the period; but (4) there was a highly significant difference between the age ratios of the males at the two stations. At Greenbelt, 67^ of the males were in adult plumage, while at Ocean City only 6 % of the males were in adult plumage*. Table 2. Comparison of Greenbelt and Ocean City Redstarts, Fall of 1958 Greenbelt 5 ^ Ad M Ocean City % Ad M Period Days Ad M Im M Fern Ad M Im M Fem Aug. 27-31 2 3 0 3 50 Sept. 1- 5 2 2 2 6 20 0 0 1 0 Sept. 6-10 2 1 3 4 .12 3 17 23 7 Sept. 11-15 0 1 12 8 5 Sept. 16-20 4 6 1 7 43 0 26 20 0 Sept. 21-25 2 2 0 2 50 0 6 5 0 Sept. 25 — Oct, 1 4 0 ' 1 5 17 TOTAL J.6 14 7 27 29.2 "4 ■ ~3 Pi£RC£IJT 29.2 14.6 56.2 3.: 3 50.0 46.7 Vt’e thought that a more accurate comparison might be obtained by con sidering only those days during which observations were made at both stations. However, on those six days every one of the 24 male redstarts banded at Ocean City was in Immature plumage*. Greenbelt figures for the same six days showed 7 adult males and 4 immature males. At Greenbelt on these six days the males constituted exactly 505^ of the total popula- tion, and at Ocean City 52 % of the birds were males. Liprch 19P9 MARYLAIiD BIRDLIFE 25 The great difference In age ratios at the two stations demonstrates very clearly that it is dangerous to draw conclusions about the repro- ductive success of a migratory bird species on the basis of observations :iz a single station. Although there was o highly significant difference between age ratios of male redstarts at a coastal station and those at an Inland station dur- ing the fall of 1958, we must not jump to the conclusion -that the differ- ence was due entirely to the drifting of the Inexperienced immature birds toward the coast during their southward migration on winds with a pre- vailing westerly component. The data seem to give weight to this hypo- thesis, but there also may be inherent differences in migration routes of the two age classes regardless of wind conditions. More detailed studies of this species and other species can provide the answer to the problem. The next step will be to correlate age ratios at both coastal and in- land stations with wind direction and wind speed at the time the birds arrive. This presents a wonderful opportunity for amateur ornithologists to make a worthwhile contribution to science. The essential requirement is a planned schedule of observations that can be carried out uniformly during the period of the study. Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel 8 -A Ridge Road, Greenbelt 11 -M Ridge Road, Greenbelt HELUJ B. UILLER AUDUBON NAIURE CiVUP SCHOLARSHIP The Maryland Ornithological Society takes pleasure in announcing that a scholarship fund is being established for the purpose of sending a liaryland teacher or youth worker to the Audubon Nature Camp of his or her choice. An einonymous gift to the il.O.S, makes possible the awarding of the first ;j?10O scholarship this summer. The scholarship fund, to which additional contributions may be made, is named in honor of our beloved youth leader, the late Mrs. Helen Burns Miller. Applicants (18 years or older) for the 1959 scholarship should send President Charles J. Stine (6305 Belair Road, Baltimore 6, Md.) the following information no later than April 3: a statement of the use you expect to make of the ex- perience gained at camp, your occupation, the camp you wish to attend (Maine, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Texas or California), the 2-week period you prefer, and thd name of an M.O.S, member who knows you. We urge mem- bers to call this offer to the attention of teachers and youth workers. JUNIOR COLUMN RESCUH OP A HORNED GREBE I found the grebe on the pond when it was frozen. My father took the grebe in the car. Then we took the grebe home. And then ive looked up what it was. Then we put it in a cage and gave it some water, December 12, 1958 at 4:30 p.m. Richard Kelmensoa, Age 6, Owlngs Mills 26 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 15, NO. 1 and they said it COULDN’T BE DONE Meade Lloyd Oa last December 6, seyeral junior members of the M. 0, S. sponsored a bake In St. Michaels. The bake was held to raise money for an ornitho- logical trip to Florida via Mr. KLeen's chevy, V,e made fifty dollars on the bake, thanks to the donors, which we used to buy gasoline. The trip started the day after Christmas. Our destination was Key West and our cargo was much camping gear and sii anxious members of the M.O.S., Mr. Richard Kleen, Ronnie Soulsman, Meade Lloyd, Jimmy Voshell, Herndon Steilkle, and Billy Bowers, When we reached "sunny” Florida (actually It was raining) after two hard days of driving and viewing such birds as are known commonly to Marylanders, we made carq? at Fort Clinch near Jacksonville, Florida. Quite a variety of birds had been seen so far, including the Hooded Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Snowy Egret, Com- mon Egret, many Black Vultures, and other frequent visitors to Maryland. With the weather being warm, averaging 75°, we made our way toward Key West, camping and stopping at places of interest. Among these were the following: Mar ineland, vrtiere we saw porpoise acts and many varieties of fish. The Parrot Jungle near Miami was one of the most spectacular of all places with many kinds of parrots and other "wild birds" perform- ing and flying. Here we saw a Painted Bunting which actually was wild. The Everglades National Park where we camped for three days and added many new birds Including Vi/hite and Brown Pelicans, all the herons and egrets, V/ood Ibis, Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Mottled Duck, both gallinules, the small Ground Dove, the Western Kingbird, and many others native to Florida. The Overseas Highway to Key West where we saw the rare Flamingo and Short-tailed Hawk, Anhingas, the Roseate Spoonbill, the Man-o’ -war- bird (now called Magnificent Frigate-bird), and others. Sanibel Island. a famous shelling area off the Gulf Coast of Florida, where we saw many species such as the usually timid Pileated Woodpecker and the rare Cabot's Tern. Inland Florida where we viewed the citrus groves, drank all the orange juice we could for ten cents, and drove through the Kissimmee Prairie. On the prairie we saw many Caracaras, the Sandhill Crane, the Scrub or Florida Jay, and hawks of several species. The State Parks of Florida in which we camped were very beautiful. There we found various species such as a Screech Owl, wild Turkeys, and other birds. This trip was very successful with a count of 141 species of which three were life birds for ilr. Kleen and an average of twenty-five were life birds for the rest of the group. The trip required nine days (December 26 through January 4) and everyone had a wonderful time. VJe owe our thanks to Llr. Kleen for his time and effort in making this trip a success. aND THEY SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE - in nine days. Newcomb, Maryland March 1959 UARTUmi BIHDLIPE 27 FLACES INTEREST ON OUR TRIP Michaels M'(TO beach ML m cuNCH^.(^rk) LANDS mmK CS], PdrkJ pm JHHflE EVERGLADES giff. ?m) SB MARYLAND BIRI3LIFS Yol. 15. No. 1 OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, 1958 Chandler 3. Robbins In the closing months of the calendar year we always note an ebbing of ornithological observations. This is due not so much to a drop in the total population of birds in Maryland, as to a reduction in the variety of back-yard species and to a feeling that there won' t be much that is "new" during the remainder of the year. Fewer of the birds that are seen are recorded in notebooks. Because departure dates are not the product of a single day's observations, th^ can be obtained only by routine list- keeping over a period of days. Consequently, it is not surprising that the number of contributors reaches. its lowest point during the present quarter. Vte wish to express our special thanks to the 74 members who took the trouble to keep and submit notes, Many observers underestimate the value of their notes and neglect to send them in because they feel they are too scanty. One member who contributed 15 dates to the migration tables added the following comment: "I doubt that this vjill help you but I'll send it anyway so you can get a little idea of our migration." Had these particular notes not been submitted, a v;hole column would have been omitted from one of the tables for lack of sufficient data. October was a typical fall month in Maryland, vjith periodic cold fronts crossing our State at intervals of from 4 to 7 days, i^l though mean temperatures for the month were 1° to below normal, no hard freeze was reported in the central or eastern counties. November was relatively mild, with no snow east of the mountains. December, in marked contrast to the preceding months, was cold and raw throughout the State. Any stray insectivorous birds that lingered through the mild November had to fight for survival in December. This was especially true in the gen- erally mild coastal areas, where two northeast storms brought copious snowfall that covered the ground from Dec. 11 to Dec. 24. Conditions became most critical on Dec. 16, when the temperature plummeted to -6° at Salisbury. Christmas Counts two weeks later bore silent witness to the effect of these conditions on the less hardy avian species. Migration tables . As usual, the earliest and latest migration dates for many of the more common species are summarized in tabular form. This permits ready comparison between the various parts of our State, and also makes it easier to compare dates from year to year. The tables also enable us to include more material in the allotted space. The more unusual observations always are repeated under the appropriate species March 1959 MARYLAMD BIBDLIFE 29 paragraphs, where localities, observers' names and other Information is given. The following persons contributed material that was used in one or both of the tables: Washi ngton County — Mrs. Lloyd L. Mallonee; Frede rick County — Dr. and Mrs. John W. Richards, Sterling W, Sdwards; ^Itl more County — Mrs. Richard D. Cole, C, Haven Kolb, Jr., Irving £. Hampe, Mrs. Elmer G, Worthley, Hervey Brackblll; Montg omery County — Walter Booth, Seth H. Low, Katherine Goodpasture, Miss Lucille V. Smith; Prince Georges County — David ^idge, Ronald Feller, Chandler S. Robbins, John H, Fales, Mrs. Lois Horn; Anne Arundel County — Mrs. Gail Tappan, Mrs. W. L. Henderson, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard, H. N. Hall, Martina Luff; Calve rt County — John H, Fales, Friel Sanders, H. Elizabeth Slater; Carol ine County — Marvln-W. Hewitt, Mr, and Mrs. A. J, Fletcher, Alicia Knotts, Robert Butler; Central ^stern Shore (Caroline, Kent,. and Tal- bot Counties) — Mr. and Mrs, Clark G. Webster fbr Kent County; Talbo t County — Mr, and Mrs. Carl Lubbert, Richard L. Kleen; ^wer ^stern Shore (Dorchester, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties) — Mrs. Richard D. Cole, Chandler S. Robbins, Mr. and Mrs, J. Fletcher, Marvin W. Hewitt, Samuel H, Dyke, Robert E. Stewart, Dates in parentheses represent ob- servations on the monthly aerial waterfowl surveys conducted by Charles D, Evans; they probably are not actual arrival dates, but they have been used to fill in where no better dates are available. Table 1. Fall Arrival Dates, 1958 Fred Balt Mont Pr G Anne Calv CES ^ LES* Whistling Swan 11/ 6 11/11 10/18 11/ 8 11/ 9 11/ 5 11/(9) Canada Goose 10/ 6 11/16 10/11 10/ 6 10/(8) 9/10 10 /( 6 ) American Widgeon -- -- 9/13 — 9/22 10/(8) 9/14 10/(5) Common Goldeneye — -- 10/30 11/ 1 11/(8) 11 /( 8 ) 11/(4) 11 /( 6 ) Buf fie head -- — 10/19 11/10 11/28 -- 10/24 10/26 Ruddy Duck -- — 10/12 10/28 10/(8) 10/(8) 9/15 11/(6) Yellow-b.Sapsucker 9/30 10/ 4 10/ 4 9/20 10/ 4 10/26 10/ 4 9/18 Blue Jay -- 10/ 4 9/19 9/25 9/29 9/28 9/20 — Winter Wren 10/ 5 10/ 6 10/ 5 11/ 5 12/ 8 9/30 — Hermit Thrush 10/25 10/13 10/19 10/26 _9/^ — .10/12 _ 10/18 Golden-cr. Kinglet 10/23 10/ 6 10/19 “ib/ 7~ 10/4 10/26 10/ 5 10/18 Myrtle Warbler 10/ 3 • 9/23 10/19 9/29 10/ 2 10/26 10/ 4 10/18 Rusty Blackbird — 10/ 4 10/18 10/16 9/29 — — -- Purple Finch 10/29 10/27 11/ 1 10/ 8 11/ 9 — 11/15 -- Slate-col. Junco 10/11 10/ 2 10/ 4 9/29 9/29 10/11 9/28 — White- crowned Sp. — 10/ 6 10/ 4 — — — 10/18 10/18 White-throat. Sp. 9/29 9/23 10/ 1 9/29 9/28 10/12 9/29 10/18 Fox Sparrow 10/29 11/ 1 11/ 1 10/25 11/20 -- 11/20 -- Central Eastern Shore Lower Eastern Shore Loons , Grebes , Cormorants . Loons and Grebes seldom are seen In numbers exceeding 5 or 10 In Maryland's upland streams and reservoirs. Walter Booth, who visited Triadelphia Reservoir frequently during the fall migration period, reported that he did not see more than 2 Common Loons there on any one day. He did, however, see as many as 16 Horned 30 MARYLAND BIRDLI?E Vol. ITo. 1 Grebes on Oct, 28. He found single Double-crested Cormorants there on several dates, Aug. 5 through Oct. 25. Table 2, Fall Departure Dates, 1950 Greater Yellowlegs Chimney Swift Eastern Phoebe £. Wood Pewee House Wren Catbird Brown Thrasher Wood Thrush Swainson*8 Thrush Gray-cheeked Thr, Solitary Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Black-and-white W. Parula V/arbler Cape May V/arbler Magnolia Warbler B-t. Blue Warbler B-t. Green Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Prairie 'Warbler Ovenblrd Yellowthroa t American Redstart Scarlet Tanager Rose-br. Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Rufous- aid .Towhee Chipping Sparrow Wash Fred Balt Mont Pr G Anne Caro Ihlb LES* — 10/25 10/ 8 10/ 8 — 11/17 10/ 7 10/11 10/ 5 10/13 11/ 8 10/ 9 10/ 1 10/ 4 — 10/14 10/17 10/12 10/19 10/16 10/16 12/ 7 11/ 5 10/18 10/19 — 10/ 4 10/ 4 10/11 9/22 — 10/ 5 9/21 10/12 9/20 10/ 7 9/26 9/28 9/29 — — 9/20 10/ 5 10/18 10/19 10/14 10/16 . — 10/15 — ~ Wl8 9/16 10/18 10/24 — 9/29 10/ 9 — 10/19 10/18 — 10/14 — 10/ 6 10/14 10/ 7 — 9/20 10/19 10/22 10/19 9/27 10/24 11/28 9/23 10/12 9/21 — 10/ 7 10/ 4 10/ 7 9/29 10/ 9 — 9/21 — 10/18 — — 10/16 9/29 9/21 9/ 8 — — 9/24 10/ 6 9/30 9/29 10/18 9/21 9/10 - 9/29 9/ 4 9/29 10/ 5 9/21 9/22 — — ' -- 9/28 9/ 3 9/30 12/16 9/21 — 11/ 3 9/27 10/12 10/19 10/14 -- 9/28 "9/26 10/ 5 10/19" 9/1'TiO/ 7 9/29 9/30 10/12 9/20 10/14 — 10/ 3 10/18 10/ 6 10/ 7 — 10/12 9/21 10/ 3 10/15 10/11 9/25 10/16 9/29 — 10/12 9/20 10/ 4 — — 9/29 10/ 7 10/17 10/ 9 10/12 9/21 9/15 — 9/20 — 9/20 10/ 8 — 9/ 5 9/2l 9/30 11/ 7 9/iri^7"2~9726~8/H 9/26 10/ 4 9/20 9/18 9/20 10/ 5 — 10/17 10/ 7 9/23 9/13 10/18 9/25 9/13 — 10/ 1 10/ 6 9/30 10/12 10/18 9/23 10/18 io/ 5 10/ 4 10/ 4 11/ 4 10/ 5 10/12 10/18 9/25 — 9/28 9/25 10/ 7 — — 10/12 9/21 11/ 1 10/ 3 10/11 — 10/12 9/29 9/12 10/ "s 9/21 10/17 10/22 — — 11/ 2 10/18 — — 10/18 10/26 10/23 10/24 11/ 1 11/17 11/27 11/ 4 — 10/18 Herons . There was only one Christmas Count report of a southern heron (Little Blue, Common Egret or Green) in Liaryland — a Little Blue at Denton on Dec, 20 (Richard Kleen) . In the absence, of Christmas season reports from the tidal areas of southern Maryland, we can assume that the several late records submitted actually referred to migrants rather than to wintering individuals. Dates later than any previous record for the' respective areas are underscored for the benefit of those who wish to keep their copies of Birds of alaryland up to' date. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher and Marvin Hewitt saw a Green Heron on Oct. 18 at Hooper's Island in Dorchester County, and Ronald Feller and David Bridge found another on Oct, 21 at Greenbelt. James M. Banagan observed an immature Little Blue Heron at St. Patrick's Creek in St. Marys County, on Nov . 30. Mr. Banagan also noted a Common Egret at Colton's Point, St. Marys County, on IJov . 22 , and Mrs. Tappan and Mrs. Henderson watched one at Gibson Island on Nov . 29 . At Snow Hill Landing, Paul Springer identified a Louisiana Heron on Oct . 11 . March 1959 MAHTLAHD BIRDLIFE 31 Waterfowl, No unusual migration dates were reported. Notable for the Piedmont were 10 Surf Scoters and 400 Ruddy Ducks on Triadelphia Res- erToir, Montgomery and Howard Counties, Octl 28 (Booth). Pintails and Mallards were especially common this fall on the Lower Jilastern Shore, but Canvasbacks and Redheads were unaccountably scarce. A drake European Widgeon was found at Sandy Point on Dec. 21 (Ted Stiles). Hawks . On Oct. 18, 20 members participated in a State-wide hawk count. All sections of the State except the Upper Chesapeake Section were represented in the 10 reports. Despite light and shifting winds, there was a felrly good flight along the Fall Line. Feller and Bridge counted 42 hawks of 6 species during an all-day watch at Greenbelt, and Robbins and Stiles saw 90 hawks of 8 species from the Robbins* deck near Laurel between 1:50 and 5:00 p.m., F.S.T. Both pairs of observers counted the same number of acclplters (20 Sharp-shins and 5 Cooper's). The principal difference between the two stations was in the number of Red-shouldered Hawks seen: 45 at Laurel (directly on the Fall Line), and 7 at Oreenbelt (about 4 miles out on the Coastal Plain). Observers on Monument Knob and at Emraitsburg saw good variety but very few individuals. Brnest Baldwin, Robert Beaton, and Jerry and Joe Mersercau saw 2 Golden Eagles among 19 hawks sighted at Monument Knob. John Richards observed no eagles at Em- mitsburg, but he found an enviable variety of 6 species among the 12 hawks that passed his way. The Hoopers Island fli^t was disappointing, for only 7 hawks were encountered in 5 hours by the Fletchers and Marvin Hewitt. The other parties each reported 6 hawks or fewer in from 2 to 4 hours of observation. Totals for all parties combined were as follows: 60 Sharp-shins, 56 Red-shoulders, 22 Red-tails, 12 Sparrov/ Hawks, 11 Cooper's, 2 each of Golden Eagle, Marsh Hawk and Osprey, 1 each of Broad- wing and Bald Eagle, and 15 unidentified. Two other Bald Eagles were seen on the same day at Seneca (Baltimore Club trip). The best late-fall flight was of 115 birds reported on Nov. 3 at tVhite Marsh (Douglas Hack- man). Among the late departures were single Broad-wings near Halethorpe, Oct. 12 (I. £, Haii^je) and over Laurel, Oct. 18 (C. S. and £. C. Robbins), and 2 Ospreys at Ocean City on Nov, 9 (Brooke Meanley) , A real rarity for Anne Arundel County was a Golden Eagle that flew over the David Howards' garden in Annapolis on Oct. 17. Shoreblrds . The fall shoreblrd flight was normal in most respects, but there were several late stragglers that are worthy of note: a Soli- tary Sandpiper with an injured leg at Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Montgpmery County on Oct . 30 . latest Piedmont record (Booth) ; a Pectoral Sandpiper in the Elliott marsh, Nov . 17. 5 days past the latest Maryland date (Stewart); a Whlte-rumped Sandpiper at Gibson Island on Oct . 23 . the latest Maryland departure west of the Bay (Elise Tappan, Vera Henderson); a iiVillet at Ocean City, Dec . 30. the first winter record (John E. Wil- loughby); and a Marbled Godwlt on Assateague Island, Dec . 30. also a first winter record (Harry Arndstead, Joseph Beatty and Gordon Knight). Gulls and Terns. Herring, Ring-billed, and Laughing Gulls reached peaks in excess of 2,000, 1,000, and 1,000, respectively, at Gibson Is- land on NOV. 7 (Mesdames Henderson and Tappan), Walter Booth reported no gulls at all at Triadelphia Reservoir on this date. Late tern records 32 MARYLAND BIRDLIEE Vol. 15. No. 1 from Gibson Island were of single birds, as follows: Forster’s Tern on Nov. 20 (2nd latest from there), Royal on Oct. 7 (latest local record), and Caspian on Dec . 21 (second December occurrence for Maryland). Cuckoos . Swifts . Interest in these two families centered around late dates. At Denton, Roberta Fletcher found a Yellow-billed Cuckoo on Oct. 14 and a Black-bill on Oct. 8. Departure dates for the Chimney Swift ranged from Oct. 1 to Oct, 13, except for a single bird watched at Patuxent Refuge on Nov . 8 by Lois Horn — 6 days past the latest Maryland record, ” Owls , Woodpeckers . The first Maryland Snowy Owl since 1955 was seen on Dec, 21 at the head of St. Patrick’s Creek in St. Marys County,, where it was pursued by 7 crows (James Banagan) . Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were reported in greater numbers than usual; more were found on the Mary- land Christmas Counts (67) than in any previous year. Red-headed Wood- peckers were found wintering only at Greenbelt, Annapolis, Accokeek, the Zekiah Swamp, and Talbot County. Dr. R. K. Bums found a Red-cockaded Woodpecker at Blaclswater Refuge on Doc. 31. Flycatchers . Most of ths Maryland records of the Western Kingbird have occurred in the month of September, but there are single observa- tions fbr the months of November, December, and May. Harold Weirenga provided the first October sighting when he found a single bird at Assa- teague Island on Oct. 11. As no Eastern Phoebes were found on the Mary- land Christmas Counts this year, we can Include this species in the fall departure table without any qualifications. A late Eastern 'Wood Pewee Was noted at Fairplay in Washington County on Oct. 19 (Alice Mallonee). The only Olive-sided Flycatchers seen during their autumnal migration were single birds at Emmitsburg on Sept. 18 (Dr, and Mrs. John W. Richards) and Sept, 25 (Ralph Joly) . Jays . Mass migratory flights of Blue Jays, although characteristic of all parts of Maryland west of Chesapeake Bay, apparently do not occur anywhere on the Eastern Shore. The heaviest movement this fall was re- ported on Oct, 4, Feller and Bridge counted 984 Blue Jays over Green- belt on this date, and remarked that 521 of them were counted in a single hour. (Valter Booth (from sample counts at three observation points) estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 migrating southwestward across Tria- delphia Reservoir and upper Rocky Gorge Reservoir from 8 a.m, to 12:30 p.m, on the 4th. Although no prolonged count was made at Gibson Island, 39 were in sight at one time on the 4th. Chickadees, Nuthatches. In contrast to last winter, only 2 Black- capped Chickadees were reported from east of the mountains (Gibson Is- land, Mrs, Herderson). Also, in contrast to .a year ago, both the White- breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches were scarce in migration. The only Red-breasts reported were single birds at Unity on Oct, 18 (Seth H, Low) and at Greenbelt from Dec. 7 on (Feller and Bridge). Thrushes. Hermit Thrushes generally were reported as scarce, although the Fletchers and Marvin Hewitt found a migratory concentration March 1959 MAHYLAND BIHDLIFE 33 of 25 at Hoopers Island on Oct. 18. Swalnaon*s Thrushes were found as late as Oct . 19 at Falrplay (Mrs, Mallonee) and Baltimore (handed by Mrs. Cole), and Oct . 24 at Beltsvllle (Fales); and one was reported from Gribson Island on the extraordinary date of Nov . 28 (Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Tappan, and Mr, and Mrs. Dolf Swing) . Eastern Bluebirds continued to be scarce throughout the period; the highest "one man" count was 30 at Cambrills on Oct. 24 (Mrs. Martina Luff). Gnatcatchers . Warblers . Arthur Paulson found a dead Blue-gray Gnat- cateher at his home in Charlestown, Cecil County, in mid -December, and Mrs. Jay Smith saw 2 live ones at V/illlston on Dec. 20. This species has never been known to survive the winter in Maryland, although it has twice been seen into the first week of January; It normally departs in Septem- ber. Seventeen species of warblers were reported in the month of Octo- ber, but only three in November: Ovenblrd, Cape May, and Myrtle. The Ovenbird was seen at Sramltsburg on Nov . 7 by Ruth 0. Richards, and a Cape May was banded at Towson on Nov . 3 by Mrs, Richard D. Cole, both estab- lishing new late departure dates for the Maryland Piedmont. A Parula Warbler in Talbot County on Dec , 16 (Kleen) is the latest ever recorded in Maryland. An American Redstart seen at Hoopers Island on Oct . 18 tied the latest Maryland departure date (Mr, St Mrs, A, J. Fletcher, Marvin Hewitt). Other individual birds seen at late but not record-breaking dates were a Magnolia and a Nashville Warbler at Loch Raven on Oct. 19 (Haven Kolb), a Nashville banded at Unity on Oct, 17 (Seth H.Low), and a Prairie Warbler seen at Gibson Island on Oct. 6 (Mesdames Tappan and Henderson). Blackbirds . Tanagers . Among the many interesting birds seen by the Fletchers and Mr. Hewitt during their hawk count at Hoopers Island, Oct. 18, were 5 Boat-tailed Grackles and a late Scarlet Tanager. "Latest rec- ord here" was the modest comment accompanying the report of a Scarlet Tanager at Gibson Island on Nov . 4 by Mesdames Henderson and Tappan; actually, this is the latest Maryland record except for 2 winter strays. Finches and Sparrows . Both the Blue Grosbeak and the Indigo Bunting were seen on dates that tied their latest Maryland departure records. Brooke Meanley saw a Blue Grosbeak at Port Tobacco on Oct . 24 , and the Fletchers and Marvin Hewitt saw one at Hooper Island on Oct . 18 (where, Incidentally, this species is not known during the breeding season). The late Indigo Bunting was seen at Fairplay in Washington County on Nov . 1 by Mrs, Lloyd Mallonee, Northern finches were unusually scarce. Even the Pine Siskin and the Evening Grosbeak were found in only two counties each. There were 2 Dlckcissels during this period: 1 banded on Oct. 19 at Unity (Seth H. Low) and 1 at the feeding station of Aelred D. Geis near Clarks- ville from about Dec. 15 on. Four Jfhite- crowned Sparrows seen at Hoopers Island on Oct, 18 by the Fletchers and Marvin Hewitt are believed to be the first ever reported from Dorchester County. Snow Buntings were at regular occurrence in November and December at favored spots along Chesa- peake Bay and thp Atlantic Ocean, Mrs, Henderson and Mrs. Tappan found the first 2 at Gibson Island on Nov. 1, missing their own State record by just one day. The second report came from Sandy Point on Nov, 8 (Philip A, DuMont). These two areas yielded a combined count of 61 individuals on the Dec. 21 Christmas Count. 34 MAHYLAMD BIRDLIFE Vol. 15, No, 1 SCARCITY OF OUR WINTER BIRDS Chandler 3. Robbins Nearly everyone who has been afield this winter has commented upon the scarcity of several species, or on the scarcity of birds in general. It may be appropriate, therefore, to examine the data that are before us — data to which so many MOS members contributed — to see what evidence there is for below-normal populations in I^ryland this winter. In the March 1958 issue of Maryland Birdllfe (14:19-23), we com- puted the number of birds of several species that we would expect to find on 1957 Christmas Bird Counts. To make the computations, we used the average number of individuals for the past ten years as the base and multiplied this figure by an adjustment factor to compensate for the dif- ference in party-hours of coverage. For purposes of comparison we used only tjiose areas for which counts were available for a minimum of 7 of the past 1C years ( loc . clt ., p. 20): McCoole, Catoctin, Triadelphia, Loch Raven, Gibson Island, accokeek, Denton, Southern Dorchester County, and Ocean City. When we compared the 1957 counts with the computed averages, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Hairy Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, and Song Sparrow were present in normal numbers, while the Bobwhite, Sapsucker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Mockingbird, Robin, Goldfinch, and Rufous-sided Towhee were at least half again as common as was anticipated. Of nearly 40 species checked, the only one that was less than half as abundant as expected was the Red- headed (Voodpecker. I should add here that many species that are subject to radical year-to-year change were omitted from these 1957 comparisons. For 1958, on the other hand, we considered all of the commoner land-bird species except the raptors. The table on the following page includes only those species that were expected to total 50 or more indi- viduals on the nine areas used in last year's comparison. As the 1958 coverage (party-hours) for these nine areas was 1,6057 times as great as the mean coverage for the preceding ten years (1948-1957), the ten-year mean was multiplied by this factor to obtain the expected total for 1955. In Table 1, this expected figure is compared with the observed count. Instead of listing the percentage of change to the nearest whole percent, v;hich is not justified in view of the uncontrollable variable factors inherent in Christmas Counts, the species have been grouped in ten categories, rounded off to the nearest 25 percent. In comparing this table with llr. Eleen's Talbot County analysis on pages 13-15 of this issue, it is interesting to note that all but three of the birds mentioned in his tables fell in the same category or an adjacent category in both tabulations. In the three exceptions (Caro- lina '.Vren, Field Sparrov/, and Hufous-sided Towhee) the State-wide de- crease, if any, was less severe than the local decrease. The large number of low counts in December 1958 may be attributed primarily to three factors: (1) The prolonged cold v/lndy weather and (continued on page 46 ) March 1959 MARYLAND 3IRDLIFE 35 Table 1. Comparison of 1958 Counts with Mean of 10 Previous Years Species Purple Crackle Starling Expected Observed Species Expected Observed More Than Thrice Normal 10,984 330,234 Brown-hd . Cowbird 7,038 25,623 lOOi?^ Increase 15,755 33,414 Snow Bunting 62 119 Brown-headed Nuthatch 232 75 Increase 389 Hedwlng Blackbird 24,955 44,697 50^ Increase 25^ Increase Hufous-sided Towhee Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodp. Dovmy Woodpecker Tufted Titmouse Brown Creeper Mockingbird Myrtle Warbler Bobwhite Belted Kingfisher Yel. -shaft. Flicker Hairy Woodpecker Blue Jay Carolina Chickadee Eastern Bluebird Horned Lark White-br. Nuthatch Carolina Wren Robin 361 506 Common Crow 12,002 16,504 Normal 1,681 1,559 House Sparrow 3,941 3,568 236 219 Rusty Blackbird 105 101 415 402 Cardinal 1,708 1,563 615 585 Savannah Sparrow 396 425 130 131 Field Sparrow 1,230 1,088 346 310 Song Sparrow 2,202 2,171 5,372 5,060 259S Drop 302 228 Golden-cr. Kinglet 347 292 69 47 Eastern Meadowlark 4,677 3,014 378 260 Purple Finch 80 52 110 82 Slate-colored Junco 4,911 4,157 553 371 White-throated Sp. 7,006 5,296 1,204 841 Fox Sparrow 65 52 723 474 462 50^ Drop 194 American Goldfinch 2,896 1,552 U6 55 Tree Sparrow 862 344 570 327 Vfhite-crown Spar. 116 69 2,429 1,283 Swamp Sparrow 1,253 736 75^ Drop Killdeer 649 U2 Hermit Thrush 143 Black-cap. Chickadee 87 16 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 54 Winter Wren U.6 37 Cedar V/aiwing 121 100^ Drop Eastern Phoebe 80 0 Water Pipit 548 Tree Swallow 287 3 Boat-tailed Grackle 54 Long-bill Marsh '.7ren 66 6 Pine Siskin 116 Short -bill Marsh VTren 76 0 32 13 2C 15 0 0 36 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol, 15. No. 1 MEMBERSHIP LIST JAiJUARY 1959 HONORARY itmms Mrs. B. Juhle, Ironsides, Maryland "E, John Besson (Deceased) !f5MBERS Adams, Mr. & Mrs, Ernest H., 3026 N. Calvert St., Balto. 13.CH3-3466 Adams, Miss Plorence, St, Michaels, Md. *Adkins, Miss Edith D. , 13 N. Aurora St,, Easton, Md, Ambler, Dr, J, T, B., 211 Earle Ave,, Easton, Md, Anders, Mrs. Louise, Francis Scott Key Hotel, Frederick, Md, Andrews, Mr, 4 Mrs. E, A, Jr,, 900 Navy Rd., Rxncton 4, Md, VA5-8825 Anthony, Mr, & Mrs. James, Chestertown, H. D., Md. Archer, Miss Susan E,, Bel Air, Md. Armistead, Harry T., 7720 McCallum St,, Fhila. 13, Pa. Arnold, Elting, 4914 Dorset Ave., Chevy Chase 15, Md. 0L3-4441 Atwell, Mrs, Richard N., 270 Jay St., Brooklyn 1, N. Y. Baker, Miss Margaret, 313 Green St., Cumberland, Md. Baldwin, Mrs, Charles R, 7 East 13th St. Frederick, Md. Baldwin, Ernest G., 2126 Suitland Terr, S. E., Washington, D, C. Baldwin, Mrs, John C., 4513 Roland Ave,, Balto. 10, Md. H07-0452 Balch, Mrs, Herbert, "Ditchley", Easton,Md. Earner, Mrs, George, Miles River Bay Farm, Easton, Md. Barroll, Mr, Sc Mrs. Maurice, Chestertown, Md. Barry, Edwin M., R, R, 1, Epping Forest, Annapolis, Md. Bartlett, Mrs, H. Wehr, "Hitching Hi the", Easton, Md. Bartlett, Mr, &.Mrs, J. K, Jr,, "Tanglewood", Woodbrook, Balto. 12, DR7-8638 Barton, Mrs, Bolling W, , Pikesville 8, Md. HD6-7180 Bauer, Mrs. John C., Royal Oak, Md. RI5-2321 Benesch, Mrs. Jerome W. , 100 Tuscany Rd,, Balto. 10, BE5-2011 Bilbrough, Miss Annabelle, Greensboro, Md. Bilbrough, Miss Elsie, Greensboro, Md. Bilbrough, Miss Irene, Greensboro, Md. Boone, F. E. Jr,, 3322 Chesley Ave., Balto. 14, Md, Borden-Smith, Miss Carolyn, Hambleton Apts,, Easton, Md. Bosley, Mrs, C. B., Skyline Rd,, Ruxton 4, Md. VA3-5889 Booth, Walter M., 6512 West Moreland Ave,, Takoma Park, Md, March 1959 MARYLAND 37 DPS Bound, Mrs. Randoli^, 4539 Keswick Rd., Balto. 10. H07-9355 Bowen, Mr, 4 Mrs, Robert M. , 5011 Leeds Ave„, Halethorpe 27,CI7-0382 Bowman, Mrs, Charles T7, , Bailey's Neck, Easton, Md, Brackbill, Hervey, 2620 Poplar Drive, Balto. 7, WI4-3382 Braun, Mr, & Mrs. W, p, , R F D 1, Sherwood Lane, Havre de Grace. Md. Bridge, David, 8A Ridge Rd,, Greenbelt, Md. GR4-6193 Bright, Mrs. Carroll, Second St,, Denton, Md, Brown, Miss Stella E,, 504 Dunkirk Rd,, Balto, 12, DR7-6496 Browne, K, 4., Dean of Inst,, State Teachers College, Towson 4, Md, ^Buchanan, Chas, M,, 104 Melrose Ave,, Balto, 10* Buchanan, Mrs. David C,, Glebe Road, Easton, Md, Buck, ?^r, Mrs, Geo, S,, 702 Alleghany Ave,, Towson 4, Buckingham, E. G,, 1019 Winding Way, Balto. 10, ID5-8305 VA3-2718 TD9-2770 Md. VA3-4897 H07-7106 Bunting, Mrs, G, L., Valley Rd., Brooklandville , Md, Burgess, Mr, & firs, E. H,, 3700 N. Charles St. Balto. 18, Burk, Allen, 332 Stinson St. Balto, 23, Md, Barker, Mr. & Mrs, L. L., 1203 Evesham Ave,, Balto, 12, ID3-0408 Burky, Mrs, Earl, Talbot Lane, Easton, Md, Burner, Miss Florence, 1336 Crofton Rd,, Balto, 12, H07-3733 Burnett, Mr, Mrs, James, Kennedyville R. D, , Md, Bums, Robert K. , 2115 Kelley Ave., Balto, 9, F07-4563 Buser, Mrs. John, 7 W, Elliot Rd., Annapolis, Md. Buser, fir, Wm,, "Quietwater Farm'*, P, 0. Box 197, Annapolis, Md, Bush, Mrs, Clarence C., Virginia Ave., R 3, Bel Air, Md, Bush, Ronald B,, Virginia Ave,, R 3, Bel Air, Md. Butenschoen, Miss Marguerite, Denton, Md, Buterbaugh, Mr, Mrs. L." B., 4016 Bedford Rd,, Balto, 7, HUB-4146 Caimes, Miss Annie H,, 1C*4 E. Broadway, Eel Air, Md. Caimes, Miss Minnie, 104 E, Broadway, Bel Air, Md. Camper, Miss Jean, 103 Washington St., Cumberland, Md, Carswell, Mr, & fjrs, T, S,, Chestertown, R. D,, Md. Carter, Miss Esther, Eckhart Mines, Md, Carver, John 'S,, Catherine St,, Bel Air, Md, CAtes, firs. Clifton, Box 240, Edgewater, Annapolis, Md. Chaplin, Mrs. Wm,, Box 536, Easton, Md. Choate, Mr, Mrs, Lawrence, "Sylvian Shores", Riva, Md. Clark, Miss Elizabeth, East Chestnut St,, St, Michaels, Md. Clarke, Miss Gladys E., 209 Lincoln Ave., Takoma Park 12, Md, Coggin, Miss Helen, 3120 St, Paul St,, Balto. 18, H07-3100 ^*-Cole, Mrs. Richard D. , 625. Valley Lane, Towson 4, VA3-2S50 Collmuss, Mrs. Dwight, 117 W. Third St,, Roderick, Md. Conklin, Louis, Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague, Va, Conrad, Prof, 6: Mrs, Win,, 121 Spa View .vn, R. D, , Md. Smith, Mrs. Katherine A., 3476 Dolfield Ave., Balto. 15, LI2-6320 Smith, Mrs, Lida, Claiborne, Md, Smith, Miss Margaret, Easton, Md, Smith, Mrs, Turner L. , R, F, D, #1, Havre de Grace, Md. Somers, Mrs, S. G,, R. F, D, fly Denton, Md, Spies, Donald M,, Gobble Green Farm, Easton, Md, Spies, Mr, Taylor, Gobble Green Farm, Easton, Md. Spring, Dr, Mrs, David, Dept, of History, Johns Hopkins University, Balto, 13, Md. Standiford, Mrs, C, A,, Montrose Pratt Aves., Balto, 12, Md. Stauffer., Miss Martha, 302 W. Madison St., Balto. 1, VF7-5197 Stauffer, Dr, Ralph S., 208 W, Irvin/ Ave,, Hagersto’-n, Md, Stauffer, Atrs. Sue C,, Mercersburg, Pa. Steiner, Dr. & Atrs, Albert, 4301 Miami PI,, Balto. 7 Steiner, Mark, 4301 Miami PI,, Balto, 7, Stewart, Robert E,, Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Md. M04-4255 MG4-4255 March 1959 MARYUHD BIRDUre 45 Stine, Dr. Charles J, Jr., 6305 Belair Road, Balto. 6, CL4-8088 Stoehr, Father Edward, St, Conrad »s Friary, Annapolis, Md, Stollenwerck, Mrs, Frank, 621 E, 34th St., Balto, 18, CH5-6096 Strack, Mr, & Mrs, Herbert P., 529 Sussex Rd,, Towson 4, VA3-2444 Sturdy, Prof, H. F, , 85 Shipwright St., Annapolis, Md, Swing, Mrs, Dolf, 15 West G^h St,, New York 23, N, Y, ‘ Tanner, Dr, & Mrs. H. G,, 510 Milite.ry Road, Frederick, Md. Tappan, Mrs, Gail, Gibson Island, Md, Taylor, Miss Ann, 1540 Northboume Rd., Balto, 12 ID3-180S Taylor, Mrs. Howard, Gobble Green Farm, Easton, Md, Taylor, Mr, ^ Mrs, Gordon, 75 Broadway, Frostburg, Md, Taylor, Dr. & Mrs. Rowland, 1540 Northboome Rd., Balto. 12 ID5-1905 Theobald, Mrs, 0. J., 13 Maryland Ave,, Towson 4, Md, VA3-6867 Thomas, Dr, Mrs. J. B., 905 Rosemont Ave,, Frederick, Md. Thomas, Mr, & Mrs. Robert 0,, 3041 Third Ave., Balto. 14, N08-7867 Thompson, Misf^ A, May, Denton, Md. Thomsen, Mr, ^ Mrs. C, N,, 419 Elm Ave,, Takoma Park 12, Md, Tomes, Benjamin L., St, Michaels, Md. Toth, Mrs, Joseph C., 30 Upshur Rd,, Annapolis, Md. Trautroan, Robert J., 25 Murdock Rd,, Balto. 12, DR7-7424 Travis, Mr, & Mrs. J, R,, 4258 Fairway, Los Alamos, New Mexico Triplett, Dr, Williajn H, , 505 Stamford’ Rd, , Balto, 29, L06-0500 Truitt, Mrs, H, S., Rlchbottom Farm,. Easton, Md. Truslow, Mrs, Claude, Che s ter town, Md. Tucker, Mr. <5- Mrs. B, E,, Grafton Shop Rd,, R. F, D., Bel Air, Md, Tucker, Barklay E, Jr., Grafton Shop Road, R, F. D,, Bel Air, Md, turn Suden, Dr, Caroline, 707 Hickory Rd,, Bel Air, Md, Tyrrell, Mr, W, Bryant, 246 Park Ave,, Takoma Park 12, Md, Valentine, Jacob M, Jr,, Box 1296, Boynton, Florida Van Newkirk, Mr, & Mrs. Wm., 26 Park Ave., Frostburg, Md, Vieweg, Mrs, Marjorie, Chestertown R. D., Md, Vollmer, Mr. <5- Mrs, Leo J. , 6405 Murray Hill Rd., Balto. 12.VA3-4556 Voshell, James, St, Michaels, Md, Wagley, Dr, & Mrs, Phili[> F. , 21 Meadow Rd., Balto, 12, DR7-7160 Walker, t Mr, & Mrs, Albert H, , 610 Overbrook Rd., Balto. 12, DR7-5956 Wanuga, John, Box f?^12, Easton, Md. Warren, Miss Edna, 198 South Cherry Grove, Annawlis, Md. Watson, Mrs, C. B., Chestertovm, R, D,, Md. Waugh, Dr, &. Mrs, Leuman, Betterton, Md, Weaver, Miss Barbara, 117 W, Second St,, Frederick, Md, Weaver, Rev. Merval W, , 117 W, Second St,, Frederick, Md, Weber, Mrs, W, M,, 37 Upshur Rd,, U. S, N, A,, Annapolis, Md, Webster, Mr, & Mrs. Clark, Chesterto’.m, R, D,, Md, Wedge, Miss Etta S., 1804 Kenway Rd,, Balto. 9. M04-5581 Weeks, Dr. Games, Glebe Rd., Easton, Md, Weirether, Mr, & Mrs, F. J., 214 East Church St., Frederick, Md, Welch, Mr, firs. Francis W, Jr,, 16 N. Aurora St,, Easton, Md, Wendt, Miss Lorina, Ant. 404, 2377 Champlain St, N. W., Washington 9, D, C, 46 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 15. No. 1 ffeske, John S., The Valley House, Brookeville, Md. Westcott, Mrs, Nell, Chestertown, Md, White, Mrs; Hazel, Francis Scott Key Hotel, Frederick, Md. White, Hon. &-Mrs. John C,, Barnatablehill, Chester, Md. Whltehouse, Dr, Samuel, 2935 H, Charles St,, Balto, 18 T’09-1821 Whitney, H, Bruce, 711 Brookwood Rd., Balto. 29, Md, Whittock, John U. Jr., 2701 N. Charles St, Balto. 18, Md. Wierenga, Harold, 1216 Tyler Ave., Annapolis, Md. Wilcox, Mrs. Eleanor R,, 4006 Liberty Heights Ave,, Balto, 7, Md. Williams, Br, Charles H, , 1632 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville 8, Md, HU6-7600 Williams, Miss Grace M,, 1521 Pentridge Rd., Balto, 12. H07-6667 Williamson, Mr, & Mrs. David, Chestertown, Md, Willis, Mrs. McHenry, Jr,, Easton, Md, Wills, Dr. & Mrs, J, Henry, 15 Webster St,, Bel Air, Md. Wilson, Cdr, & Mrs, Edward, 119 Archv^ood Ave,, Annapolis, Md, Wilson, Capt. Lucille, R, F, D, Aberdeen, Md, Winer, Mr, & Mrs, Richard, 1000 Camden Ave., Cumberland, Md, Winn, Mr, & Mrs, Charles L, , Fallston, Md, Winsor, Mrs, Charles P, , 107 Taplow Rd. , Balto. 12, ID3-2288 Wittenberg, Jfrs, Albert M. , 34 Mill Road, Morris plains, N, J, Wood, Capt. & Mrs, J, E, M,, Old Crossing Rd,, Annapolis, Md, Workmeister, Mr, & Mrs, John, Park Heights, Cumberland, Md, Wormelle, Mrs. Curtis, Rt,5, Windsor Mill Rd. Ext,, Balto. 7, 0L3-8399 *Worthley, Dr, & Mrs. Elmer G,, Bonita Ave,, Owings Mills, Md. TE5-2582 Wortman, Miss Hattie G., 136 Gordon St., Bel Air, Md, Wright, Tirs, Grace H,, Box Aberdeen, Md. Wright, J, Kenneth, Sick Bay, DSCG Training Station, Groton, Conn. Wright, Miss Mary, Arundel Apts., Eastport, Md. Yfright, Miss Sarah, 313 Greene Street, Cumberland, Md, Yeckley, Mrs, William, Chestertora, Md. Yerby, Mrs. Edna R. , 20 S. Washington St., Easton, Md. Yoder, Mrs. Verda, Springs, Pa, York, Mr, & Mrs. Lyndall, 511 Bradford Apts., 3301 St, Paul St, Balto, 18, Md. BE5-4500 Yost, Mr, & Mrs, John, Easton, Md, ^ Life Members SCARCITY OF OUR -VINTER BIRDS (continued from page 34) heavy snowfall of February 1958, which caused high mortality, especially among birds of insectivorous species; (2) ^ cold December in 1958, with heavy snowfall on the Eastern Shore, which sent late migrants farther south and killed many individuals of the less hardy wintering species; and (3) An abundance of natural food in eastern Canada and the northern States, which made it unnecessary for northern finches and nuthatches to come south to ularyland . The high counts for blackbirds are the result of better coverage of the Ulnepin roost southwest of Berlin. March 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 47 SjillXA CHRlsr^ BIRD COUNT This Count was not eligible for publication In Audubon Field Notes because of insufficient coverage. It initially was scheduled for Dec. 2-7, but was cancelled and later rescheduled for Jan. 1. However, freezing rain kept /nost observers from participating. In order to preserve the continuity of the Seneca Count, we are publishing here the combined list for thd two days. - Dec. 27: 7:45 to 2:00, and Jan. 1: 6:45 to 1:00. Four observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours, 12. - Mallard, 45; Black Duck, 6; Cojiunon Goldeneye, 30; Bufflehead, 10; Turkey Vulture, 150; Red- tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; fiobwhlte, 10; Barred Owl, 2; Belted King- fisher, 2; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 16; Pileated 'Woodpecker, 6; Red-bellied V/oodpecker, 24; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 5; Hairy V.'oodpecker, 5; Downy IVoodpecker, 27; Blue Jay, 5; Common Crow, 39; Carolina Chickadee, 28; Tufted Titmouse, 39; V/hite -breasted Nuthatch, 13; Brown Creeper, 9; vvinter Vi'ren, 5; Carolina Jren, 18; Mockingbird, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 7; Cedar Waxwing, 4; Starling, 124; Myrtle '..'arbler, 13; House Spai’row, 31; B, Meadowlark, 2; Cardinal, 91; Am. Goldfinch, 21; Rufous-sided Towhee, 1; Slate-colored Junco, 42; Field Sparrow, 20; White-crowned Sparrow, 5; v;hitei- throated Sparrow, 191; Swamp Sparrov/, 4; Song Sparrow, 21. 40 sp, ; 1081 indiv. — W. M, Booth, Mrs. li. B, Donnald, I^therlne Goodpasture. Mar. 21 Mar. 22 Mar. 22 Mar. 25 Mar. 28 Apr. 1 Apr. 4 Apr, 5 Apr, 7 Apr, 8 Apr. 10 Apr, 12 Apr. 12 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr, 17 Apr. 16 Apr. 19 Apr. 22 COMING EVENTS KBNT COUNTY field trip to Blackwater National Wildlife R-fuge. Baltimore woodcock trip to Loch R-ven. Leave Hutz-lor's park- ing lot In Tow son at 5 P.M, TAKOMA Park trip to vicinity of Belvoir, Va. Phone Hilda Smith. FREDERICK monthly meeting, 8 P.M., Burr Artz Library. ANl'g'APOLIS "Early Birding." Meet 7 a.M., 6C8 Mont-rey Ave., -^ost Annapolis, Register with Mrs. Garner, CO Ion ial 3-3757. KENT COUNTY monthly meeting. Richard Kleen, "Mexican Birds." Baltimore trl? to upper Loch Raven. 7:30 A.M., Hutzler’s lot. x^LLEGANY trip to Lake Coon and Lake Gordon. 2 P.M, Naves Crossroads, TALBOT Audubon Screen Tour. Puerto Rico USA, Easton Theatre Baltimore General Ornithology seminar. First of 5 Wed. even- ings. BaLTIMORS monthly meeting. "Nature Necrby" by Dr. Charles Stine, Pratt Library auditorium, 8 P.M, TmKOMa trip to rtntietam area. Phone Miss Hilda E. Smith, aLLEGaNY trip to Lakes Coon and Gordon. 2 P.M., Naves Cross- roads. Baltimore trip to Leakln Perk, Meet at Forest Park Ave. and Windsor Mill Road, 7:30 a.M. Keif day. Leader; Cecil Ryan. TaKOMa monthly meeting. TaLBOT seminar: "Spring Plumages of Warblers" by C. S, Rolbir^. Baltimore trip to vgoodstock. Old court & Liberty Rds. 7 a.M. KEiviT trip to Mendinball’s at Tolchester, Bring supper. ^JjLEGaNY monthly meeting, Board of Education Bldg,, 7:30 P.M, itr. Ernest Ogden will speak on "Forestry" & lead ^pr, 26 trip. 48 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 7ol, 15, No. 1 Apr. 24 TALBOT monthly meeting, Apr, 2f? AI^lIArOLIS trip to Luff’s Farm, 7 A,M. Phone COlonial 3-!5'^8e. Apr. 26 BaLTIMORR trip to Patuxent Refuge, V.'ard’s parking lot 7 A.M. Apr, 26 TaEOMA trip to Fort Frederick in Washington County. Apr, 29 FREDERICK monthly meeting, 8 P.M. Burr Artz Library, May 1 ANNAPOLIS meeting & picnic, 3:30 at "Mullikins Delight" at Mltchellville. Register w it h Mrs , Kirtley, CEdar 6-8392, May £ STATEWIDE BIRD COUNT. Note correction of date I Make count in area of your choice. Turn in list and coverage details at Statewide Convention next week. See June 1958 issue. May 3 Alternate date for Statewide Count only in event of bad weather. May 3 TAKOMA trip to Violets Lock, C & 0 Canal near Seneca. May 6 KBNT monthly meeting. Prof. & Mrs. David H£r.7ard's Warbler film. May 8-lC ANIRIaL STATEWIDE CONVENTItU . Hastings Hotel, Ocean City. May 11 TAKOMa. monthly meeting. May 13 TALBOT Audubon Screen Tour. Rocky Mt. Rambles, Easton Theatre, May 16-7 hLLEGANY overnight Pymatuning trip. Register by May 1 (PA2-4478) May 17 TaKOMa trip to Gambrill State Park, Catoctln Mt. Frederick Co, May 24 BALTIMORE trip to Pretty Boy Reservoir, .7 «.,M, Hutzler. Lunch. May 31 ALLjdOANY trip to Garrett Co. Meet 8 A.M. "Antons", Big Savage Mt. June 3 iLcNT monthly meeting. "Bird Nests" by A. J, Fletcher, June 8 TaKOMA picnic. Phone Hilda E. Smith for details. June 12-14 STATE.VIDE adult weekend at Pleasant' Valley, Garrett County. Register with Allegany Club or Mrs, Richard Cole (VA3-2650), June 13 ALLEGANY trip, Dolly Sods & Roaring Greek. YMCA 7 A.M. Lunch. June 13 KENT. local bird song trip. Leader: Robert E, Stev;art, Dec', 23 — Jan, 3 Christmas Bird Count period. + ♦ ¥ ¥ ¥ * ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ^ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ HaWK and O’WL BILL INTRODUCED IN THE MARYLAND STATE SENATE ’ ¥ ¥ A bill designed to remove from the "unprotected birds list" all species of hawks and owls, vultures, blue jays, and kingfishers has been introduced in the State Senate by Senator E. S. Northrop (Montgomery Co.). The bill, resem- bling the National Audubon Society’s model hawk and owl law, constitutes an important step toward wise wildlife management in Maryland and warrants the support of all conservationists. Conservationists are writing not only to their local Senators, but also to Senator Robert P. Dean, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mary- land State Senate, Annapolis, asking that his committee recommend early passage of Senate Bill 354. Mr. & Mrs. Kans Krimm and Mrs, J.E.M. Wood Conservation Committee ¥ 3ic¥><‘¥¥¥¥T ¥¥'¥¥ ¥¥^>f¥ ¥¥¥’P¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥* ¥¥>^¥¥¥¥*¥¥¥¥¥¥¥*i ¥■¥¥¥»» + ¥¥¥¥*¥¥¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ■¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ _¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ f ¥