MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Volume 19 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Number l 1 THE MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore 9, Maryland STATE OFFICERS President: Mrs, Edward Mendinhall, R.D. 2, Chestertown 778-0826 First V.P. : Mr, Melvin H* Kleen, 339 Talbot Ave._, Laurel PA5-6867 Second V.P: Mrs, Gordon Taylor, 75 Broadway, Frostburg OV9-6791 Treasurer: Mr. Thomas S. Carswell, R.D., Chestertown 778-2693 Rec. Sec'y: Capt. J.E.M. Wood, 101 Old Crossing Lane, Annap, C03-3229 Exec, Sec'y: Miss Mildred F. Cole, 1*201 Belmar Ave., Balt, 6 HA6-0190 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 5lli Littlejohn Hill, Sherwood Forest VI9-h33U 75 Broadway, Frostburg 079-6791 625 Valley Lane, Towson U VA3-2650 Bel Air TE8-5835 Chesmar, Chestertown 778-2U7U 8A Ridge Ed., Greenbelt GRU-6193 Acadeny Ave., Owings Mills TE3-2585 STATE TRUSTEES *Mrs. Gordon Taylor Harford Co.: Miss Nan Livingstone *Mrs. Douglas Miner Kent County: Mr. Harvey Hall *Mr. Cecil Ryan Patuxent Mrs. Richard Cole Mr, Percy Jones Soldier's Mr. Chandler Robbins Delight: ■sMrs. Carol Scudder Talbot Co.: Dr, Douglas F. Miner Mrs. Gordon Taylor Mrs. Gladys Cole Miss Estella Everett Mr. G. L. Gardner Mr. David Bridge Mrs. Edgar Poe Allegany Co.: Anne Arundel: Baltimore: Caroline Co.: *Mr. Barclay Tucker Miss Estella Everett *Mr. G. L. Gardner Mr. T.S. Caswell *Mr. Melvin H. Kleen Mr. David Bridge *Mre. Edgar Poe Mr. Frederick Roelecke *Mr. Robert Sharp II Mrs. Gardner Tillinghast Frederick Co.: Mr. Marvin Hewitt * Mrs. Mabel Hoyler Mr. F.G. Wteirether * Chapter President Active membership (adults) $ 2.00 plus local chapter dues Junior " {under 18 years) .50 plus local chapter dues Family membership 3.00 plus local chapter dues Sustaining membership 5.00 plus local chapter dues Life membership 100.00 (payable in 4 annual installments) Out-of-state membership 2.00 (MARYLAND BIRDLIFE only) CONTENTS, MARCH 1963 Birds and Birding at Triadelphia Walter K. Booth 3 A Lazuli Bunting Winters in Maryland Mel Garland 9 New Sanctuary Buzzing with Activity Sanctuary Committee 10 The New Shelter at Rock Run Sanctuary Jane D. Smith 11 Rock Run Sanctuary 1963 Mel Garland 12 State-wide Bird Count, May 4 Vernon M. Kleen 13 Nest Record Cards’. C. Douglas Hackman 14 Trip to Nags Head, North Carolina Patricia C. Thomas 15 The Season — October, November, December 1962 Chandler S. Robbins 16 Magpie in Talbot County Jack Jones 21 Our Trip to the Wildlife Sanctuary Billie Taylor's Class 22 Coming Events 23 COVER: New shelter at Rock Run (see p. 11) Photo by Dr. Turner Smith HEADINGS: By Irving E. Hampe, Art. Editor MARYLAND BIRDLIFE iA'a/r/Zi/zec/ cjudxtz%[y [?y tfiE ciTij [u tzcl i[)znitfzofo^Lcaf c^ociztij r iJnc.. Cyiburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore 9, Md. Volume 19 MARCH 196jf " Mlui&er 1 BIRDS AND BIRDING AT TRIADELP^A RESERVOIR Walter M. Booth For pleasurable year-round birding in the Baltimore-Washing ton area Triadelphia Reservoir is strongly recommended. This Piedmont lake astride the line between Howard and Montgomery Co nties was formed when the Pat- uxent River was impounded by construction of Brighton Dam twelve miles upstream from Laurel. This reservoir has been subject to varying degrees of scrutiny by ornithologists and bird students since its formation in the forties, and a wide variety of species of birds has been observed. No systematic list of the species seen on or near Triadelphia has been kept, but such a list would certainly approach, and probably, exceed two hundred — among them a few rarities, and several species uncommon in Maryland, or not usually found away from tidewater. Because of a variety of man-made and natural habitats, and a paucity of such human endeavors as would interfere with ornithic activities, many nesting species are attracted to this beautiful lake. Its situation un- der intersecting flyways makes it the stopping place of large numbers of migrating birds, while many migrants pass over without alighting. At times the numbers of individuals of certain species on the lake are un- usual— though doubtless no more so than in other parts of the state. What makes Triadelphia unique, at least for an inland location , is the large number of species represented by large numbers of birds. Even in winter many birds may be seen on and near the lake. Nesting Season Before the excitement of spring migration has passed, nesting activ- ities have already begun at the reservoir and mary species may be found at various stages in the breeding sequence. In the fields nesting Mead- owlarks and sparrows of different species maybe found while cuckoos, woodpeckers, thrushes, vireos, warblers, and tanagers forage through the woods, searching for nesting materials or for food for hungry young. Species known to have nested here include the following: Green Heron, Black Vulture, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, Acadian Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, House Wren, Catbird, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and Chipping Sparrow. The following species also doubtless breed near the lake: Broad-winged Hawk, Bob-white, Killdeer, Barred Owl, Whip-poor-will, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-3hafted Flicker, Hairy u MARYLAND BIRDLIRE Vol.l?, NO. 1 Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood Pewee, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Robin, various warblers, Baltimore Oriole, Cardinal, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Grasshopper Sparrow. The prize nesting bird of the reservoir undoubtedly is the Cliff Swallow. In 1958 a pair of these birds was found nesting on the part of the dam lying in Montgomery County. No nest was found, but the actions of the birds indicated that they had built a nest on a part of the dam inaccessible to observaticn. Nests of the species were found during the two following summers and the species certainly nested here in 1961 and 1962 also. (Cliff Swallows also nested on nearby Rocky Gorge dam in 1958, 1959, and I960.) Inasmuch as this species has nested only rarely in eastern and central Maryland during the last half-century these re- cent breeding records are truly gratifying. Several dozen pairs of Bam Swallows share Brighton Dam with the Cliff Swallows. Throughout the sum- mer months many of these handsome birds may be seen from the walkway above the dam, perched on the dam, or in flight as they attend their young or hawk for food. During July they are joined by dozens of migrant Bank Swallows, among which there is sometimes a Tree Swallow or Rough- winged Swallow. There can be few places in the state where the various species of swallows can be studied and compared so advantageously and conveniently. Migration The migrant Bank Swallows mentioned above make up the vanguard of the fall migration which extends from July 1 to about December 1. Be- tween these dates, and agr:l r during the spring migration (February 15 to May 31) a fascinating variety of birds may be observed, particularly if the reservoir is visited during periods of bad weather. Because of its position near the Fall Line and under the Lake Erie- Chesapeake Bay migration route, Triadelphia is in a strategic position as far as migrat- ing birds are concerned. Waterfowl , Loons, and Grebes . Among these three orders of birds, nearly every species of regular occurrence in Maryland has been represen- ted by birds seen at Triadelphia. From early September to late May vary- ing numbers of waterfowl species are present. With them during migration and even winter are numbers of loons and grebes. The numbers of waterfowl that pass over Maryland between the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay (with its numerous estuarine streams) must indeed by tremendous. Many of these birds may be seen at Triadelphia, particu- larly in the Fall; 27 species of waterfowl have been identified there* For the purposes of this report, they may be classified into three groups on the bases of food and habitat preferences. First, such fresh-water birds as Canada Goose, all the surface- feeding ducks, plus Hooded Merganser and Common Merganser. Birds of these soecies find adequate food in the waters of die lake or in the nearby grain fields; fish for the nu3*gansers and waste wheat and corn for big flocks of Mallards end Black Ducks and smaller numbers of other March 1963 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 5 ducks, such as Pintails and American Widgeons. Many of these birds win- ter on the lake, particularly Mallards, Black Ducks, and Hooded .nd Com- mon Mergansers* Second, those fresh-, and salt-water diving birds that depend on ac- quatic plants for food7 Inasmuch as the fluctuating water-level of the lake prevents the growth of much vegetation these species are usually- seen on the lake only during periods of stormy weather* This group in- cludes the following: Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, scaup. Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Old squaw, and Ruddy Duck, and also Whist- ling Swan. These species sometimes are seen in unusually large flocks, for example: 215 Whistling Swans (late March, 1958), 200 Buffleheads (early November, 1957), 65 Oldsquaws (late November, 1957), and UOO Ruddy Ducks (late October, 1958), Third, such species as are not common in Maryland or have a habitat preference for salt waiter These species (Brant, Snow Goose, Blue Goose, scoters, and Red-breasted Merganser) are of very infrequent occurrence at Triadelphia. Always they are seen as singles or in small flocks dur- ing or after periods of bad weather. Snow Geese and Common Scoters have not been definitely identified at "the lake, but a high-flying flock seen in late March, 1958, may have been birds of the former species. One of the most unusual bird occurrence records for Maryland was secured when John Willoughby spotted a Western Grebe at Triadelphia in November, 1959. This straggler from the west stayed at the reservoir for several weeks during which time it was seen by many ornithologists and bird students* Hover before had a bird of this soecies been seen in Maryland. Earlier in the same year a flock of 23 Red-necked Grebes visited the lake— far more than had ever before been seen at one time anywhere in the state. This species is of rather rare occurrence in the state, although it has been seen in several locales. Common Loons, Homed Grebes, and Pied-billed Grebes are of regular occurrence during the migration seasons. (A report of a Red-throated Loon seen here in November 22, 23, 1957 is not valid.) Shorebirds . The water-level of the lake is generally held suf- ficiently high to prevent the exposure of sizeable mud flats j hence, the bird student should not expect to see many shorebirds at the Lake. Under such conditions all that one can even hope for will be a few individuals of the commoner species, such as Killdeer, Spotted Sand- piper, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and lesser Yellowlegs, and a few peep. During the summer, fall, and winter of 1957, however, the water receded sufficiently to expose mudflats at the upper end of the lake and near its middle, and 15 species of plovers and sandpipers were seen by the writer between late July and late November, including the following species found rarely in non-tidal areas of Maryland: Semi- palmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone (1 previous Piedmont record), Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird »s Sandpiper (5 previous Maryland records, none frem the Piedmont), Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitcher, in addition to the commoner species. 6 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 19 , No. 1 Other shorebirds that have been seen at the lake in previous years include Long-billed Dowitcher (the only Maryland record listed in Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia , by Stewart and Robbins), and Wilson 's Phalarope (1 of about 6 Maryland records)* Gulls and Terns . In April large numbers of Ring-billed Gulls move westward along the Patuxent, flying at very high altitudes* Among the sub-families of galls and terns this appears to be the only species that occurs j°t Triadelphia in large numbers. Herring Gulls are uncommon, and the Bonaparte's Gull has been seen here only once. Migrating terns are uncommon but probably regular. Three species of terns, Forster's, Common and Black, have been observed durjng migration. The last named species was seen on the unusual date of June 22. Hawks * Sixteen species of vultures, hawks, and falcons have been observecTin Maryland, and thirteen of these have been seen at Triadelphia. During spring and fall migrations many hawks pass over the lake but apparently not in the numbers sometimes seen in other parts of the state. Gn March 28, 1958 the writer saw several dozen hawks migrating at an altitude that defied identification. In all probability they were Red- shouldered Hawks. Later during the spring and during September and Oct- ober of the same year a good variety of migrating raptores was observed but no large numbers, Nighthawks and Passerines . One interesting feature of the migra- tion at Triadelphia is the large number of Common Nighthawks that occur there in late August and early September. On August 31, 1957 the write witnessed such a gathering consisting of about 600 birds. Such a count is by no means unique in Maryland, large migrations of this species having been seen in other parts of the state. Probably even mare fascinating than the nighthawk migration is that, of Blue Jays. The numbers of these birds that migrate across Maryland must indeed be tremendous as revealed by one-day counts from several locales running into the hundreds of birds. The writer has also wit- nessed large flocks of migrant Jays in central West Virginia and western Michigan. Because the jays move along such a broad front counts ob- tained at one point must be considered sample counts only. Perhaps it should be pointed out that Blue Jays migrate largely during daylight hours, generally at rather low altitudes; hence they are easily counted. On May 3, 1958 the writer and the late Seth Low observed 600-700 birds moving north across Triadelphia Lake, and on the following day a similar number were seen. By far the largest one-day count in the state was secured seven months later when the writer, on the basis of sample counts at several places in the Patuxent Valley, estimated over 5000 south-bound jays. Large numbers of Robins move through or across the Patuxent Valley in late March and again in late October. It is assumed that these birds leave the area for winter. An estimated 1000 birds on October 25, 1958 certainly should be considered unusual for this part of the state. The birds were moving into a roosting area. March 1963 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 7 Red-winged Blackbirds and Purple Grackles are very common during the fall migration. On October 28 and 29, 1958 the writer witnessed flocks that must have ccntained 20,000 and 10,000 birds respectively. So far we have been considering only those species that are quite conspicuous during migration. These by no means exhaust the possibil- ities of bird study at this fascinating place — which is in reality a wildlife refuge, hunting being prohibited* The bird-finder who prefers the smaller passerines can have lots of fun here, for, during migration, various sections of the deciduous woods near the lake are alive with cuckoos, woodpeckers, flycatchers, titmice, wrens, thrushes, vireos, warblers, orioles, tanagers, buntings, and sparrows* Miscellaneous . Other migrants, not readily classified, may be seen at Triadelphia, including an occasional Double-crested Cormorant, flocks of coots, and herons in their post-breeding wanderings: Great Blue, Little Blue, and Black-crowned Night Herons, and. also Common Egret. There is always the chance, of course, that sane rare duck, shorebird, gull, or tern will show up* Winter prating birds may be seen at Triadelphia in almost every month of the year except December and January. Even in the dead of winter many species are to be seen at and near the lake. Birders respond annually to the challenge of Christmas counts and each year uncover, on the Tria- delphia count, upwards of sixty species. In 1958, 8 I 4 species were found on the count. Many waterfowl (mostly Mallards, Black Ducks, American Widgeon, Hooded Merganser, and Common Merganser, together with a sprinkling of other species) regularly winter on the lake. Hawks, Killdeers, gulls, woodpeckers, and many passerines are present in varying numbers. The last named group includes such species as Blue Jays ( which sometimes are very numerous), chickadees, nuthatches, creepers, kinglets, Carolina and Winter Wrens, Mockingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern Meadowlark, Cardinal, Rufous-sided Tcwhee, and many sparrows, the Slate-colored Junco, White-throated and Song Sparrows being the most common. Occasionally such unusual birds as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Even- ing Grosbeak, and Snow Bunting are seen. A SUGGESTED TRIP Should the bird-finder desire to visit Triadelphia with the purpose of identifying as many species as possible, a date about May 10 is recommended. The following areas have been found to be productive* If, when they are investigated, the woods and fields are alive with migrant passerines such as thrushes, vireos, and warblers, the hard working birder who really knows his birds should see one hundred or more species in a full day. First, spend an hour or two before dawn scouting around for such 8 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol, 19, No. 1 nocturnally active species as owls and Whip-poor-will, When there is sufficient light to permit visual identification, park the car in the village of Brighton and hike along Route 6^0. toward Unity, Turn right shortly into Green Bridge Road, which, within a mile, leads to the reservoir. Species to be seen In May along these stretches of road in- clude House Wren, Mockingbird, Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Bobolink, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, and Savannah Sparrow, Green Bridge Road passes a small stand of decidous woods, which should be investigated for thrushes, Vireos, warblers, tanagers, and other songbirds# Turn off the road at the entrance to the bridle trail and follow this, making a sharp left turn onto a narrower trail, after about one-fourth mile , This trail finally passes threw gh a mature deciduous woods, -where many cuckoos,, woodpeckers, flycatchers, chickadees, thrushez, vireos, ahd warblers will be seen. Continue to the point where the trail passes close to the lake at its widest part. Scan the lake for loons, herons, waterfowl, coots, gulls, and terns; the shore for shorebirds; and the sky for migrating hawks, and for vultures and swallows. Retrace your steps to the car, stopping at the lake on the way to look for such birds as Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck and Green Hercn. Drive to the intersection at Sunshine (where there is a colony of Purple Martins), looking out along the way for such roadside birds as Loggerhead Shrike, Indigo Bunting, and Savannah Sparrow# At Sunshine drive north on Route 97 for less than a mile to a dirt road leading to the lake on the right. A hike along this road will doubtless yield sane species what have been missed: perhaps Louisiana Wa ter thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Grasshopper Sparrow and others. Return to the highway and drive north to the bridge across the Patuxent. The areas along both banks may be explored profitably; the woods on the right for warblers and Summer Tanager, the open areas on the left for Brown Thrasher and Yellow-breasted Chat. Return to the car and drive back to Brighton, Turn left here and proceed on Brighton Dam Road to the parking lot below the dam. Inspect the dam for nesting Barn and Cliff Swallows. The nearby areas will yield Prairie Warblers, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, and other species. If time permits, make a cir- cuit of the Howard County side of Triadelphia Reservoir, taking any of the roads shown in this sketch. The best birding will be found in the vicinity of the coves. There is no one vantage point fran which all of the reservoir can be scanned for waterfowl, so it pays to search carefully from each access point. It is helpful to have a tele- scope in the car# F0 Box 221, College Station, Berrien Springs, Mich. BP l GH TO N . March 1963 MARYLAND BIEDLIFE 9 A LAZULI BUNTING WINTERS IN MARYLAND Mel Garland "Help - help - help." This was the ending of a note I received from a parent of one of the children I've been working with this year# Mrs. John Raine had stopped by to report an unusual bird coming to her feeder and when all possible birds suggested met with negative replies, 1 loaned her Roberts* Bird Portraits in Color # On Friday, February 1, l?63j the book was returned with the note asking for help# Mrs. Raine was certain the bird was not In tne book and she sent the following description; "slender and dainty, with a narrow forked tail- blue collar, rose breast (rosy like the titmouse color) - and white belly. The center of its back and tail is this same blue. It may be a species of bluebird, but the tail is not stubby." The bird described certainly was not in Roberts* book so I called that night and arranged to stop and watch for this unusual fellow the next morning# Accompanied by Pan Minke and Gladys Cole, I reached the Raines' Timonium, Maryland home at 8 a.m.The bird flew in shortly afterward and Mrs. Raine * s description was a good one. No*, this bird was not in the book X*d loaned her# We stretched two nets across the lawn in front of a rail fence covered with honeysuckle and then returned to the kitchen window to watch and wait. We hardly had time to finish the cup of coffee, provided by the discoverer of the bird, before he returned to feed. Judge Raine and Johnnie and Jeanie had joined the expectant group around the kitchen sink and all eyes watched one blue bird as he ate seed after seed. Jeanie was asked to go out the side door and walk toward the feeding bird. This she did and into the net flew the des- ired fellow# A band was placed on the leg of this Lazuli Bunting ( Passerina amoena ) in adult male plumage and he was photographed and released. According to the 1957 A#O.U. Check-list, the Lazuli Bunting has not been recorded east of the Mississippi River. "Laz", as this bird was named, was first seen at the feeder by- Mrs. Raine on January lU, 1963. He continued to return to the feeder several times each day during the winter months. Many people saw him visit the feeder for his 8 a.m, breakfast# Since the snow has disappeared and natural food is more obtain- able he visits the feeder less frequently and seme days does not appear at all# At this writing, March 26, 1963, the bird, who is about 2,000 miles from home, stopped for seed at the feeder where trees, shrubs and honeysuckle make the area a bird's paradise. 36 Burke Ave., Towson U# 10 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE Yol. 19, No. 1 NEW SANCTUARY BUZZING- WITH ACTIVITY Sanctuary Committee Despite heavy snow In Western Maryland this winter, 130 people have signed the registration book at our new Carrett County sanctuary. Many waded in through snow drifts when the road was Impassable. Each week the feed- ers have been filled with suet and seeds. One of the first groups to take advantage of some of the educa- tional values of the new wildlife sanctuary was the fifth grade of Beall Elementary School in Frostburg. Their report is on the Junior page. On March 9, Miss Nan Livingstone took her grades five and six from Northeast Elementary School in Cumberland to put up the bird boxes that they had made in a contest. The majority of the boxes were made for bluebirds, but there were some for chickadees, wrens, flickers, and other woodpeckers. The following bofs participated in the contest: Stephen Beeghly, Duane 3oyd, Chucky Bucy, Michael D’Atrl, Paul Dom, James Izzett, Dale Mease, James Sherwood, Elmer Spangler, Richard Strawderraan , and Gary ffalllzer. The photographs were taken by Anderson J. Martin. The sanctuary is being made ready for the Statewide Adult Weekend, June 7-9. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar. * March 1963 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE 11 THE NEW SHELTER AT ROCK RON SANCTUARY Jane D. Smith After MOS acquired the sanctuary at Rock Run and members from vari- ous clubs began clearing away dense growths of honeysuckle, poison ivy and other scrub growth in an effort to make trails and observation areas, stone foundations were uncovered, where a barn or stables had stood in the distant past. The stonework had remained intact in some places, while in other areas, parts had fallen away, leaving the top uneven. At this early stage Gladys Cole visualized possibilities for future use of this spot, and she and other members worked diligently cutting, weeding and burning within the walls. How fortunate that Dr. 3ums was especially interested in and adept at restoring stone walls. After days and weeks of such work in the vi- cinity of the house, he started on the barn foundations, finding and us- ing the original stones, which were partially buried under the debris of years. Laying up dry stone walls, as they were built in early days, is an art at which few people are skilled, Dr. Burns being one of the few. At various times while so engaged, he was approached by people who gladly would have bought his services, but they were not for sale. While the stone walls were being restored, weeds continued to grow lush in the good soil within, but constant effort has almost conquered them. During Mel Garland's stay at Rock Run last summer, he improved the contours by making a split level effect, using railroad ties and stones for edging to the rear part. Now there was a large open area perfect for picnicking and observing birds, and whispers began to circulate about a shelter therein. Perhaps a bird carried the message to Mr. Paul. He consulted with Dr. Burns and as a result his architect drew up plans; and in due time the contractor started this project. The architecture follows in part the original structure in that lo- cust Y posts support a 30 foot log. Considerable time was spent in find- ing just the right locust trees as to thickness and with forks at the proper height. This arrangement supporting the roof in front creates a rustic effect, which fits extremely well in the setting. The roof design Is similar to those on old meeting house sheds with a short steep pitch in front and a longer, more gradual slope to the rear. This portion of the property is one of the best for observing birds, one reason being that there is a variety of natural foods as well as cover in the Immediate vicinity: wild cherry trees, apple trees, grape vines, honeysuckle, pokeweed, and insects in abundance. Added to this are quantities of Jewelweed to lure hummingbirds. Not only may one see many birds close by from this vantage point, but in a large expanse of open sky one may observe flights of hawks, waterfowl, and other migratory birds. Sherwood Lane, R.D. 1, Havre de Grace 12 MARYLAND PIRDLIFE Vol. 19, No* 1 ROCK RUN SANCTUARY 1963 Mel Garland Birding has been great at Rock Run during the early months of 1 63. A horde of birds set up winter residence in the sanctuary honey- suckle tangles and many pounds of suet and seed have been consumed. With the Bay ice-bound, many ducks have been seen on the Susque- hanna River. On March 2-3, there were Mallard, Black, Pintail, Red- head, Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Common Mergansers. Turkey Vultures have been fairly common and two Black Vultures flapped along on March 3rd, A Sharp -shinned Hawk spent January and February at the Sanctuary. Two Bald Eagles flew over on February 10th. A Marsh Hawk and a Pigeon Hawk were near the Sanctuary on March 3rd A Ring-necked Pheasant flew across the clearing in back of the house and his rattling call nearly sent me up a tree. Later he worked his way through the honeysuckle on the hillside. Great Black-backed Gulls have been seen on the river and Ring- billed and Herring Gulls are there in large numbers. One can watch them feeding and sunning on the many rocks that Jut out of the Susquehanna. Great Horned Owls can be heard booming out their "hoo’s 1 * most winter evenings and a Saw-whet was banded and photographed March 3rd. Belted Kingfishers are also working the open waters of the river. A flash of wings and the rattling call tell of his passing. Flickers, Red-bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers have been around and usually there are several waiting their turn at the suet feeders. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was observed at the house March 3* HLue Jays in small numbers come for their food. Many crows have been going about their noisy business and also the business of others. Fish Grows are common along the Susquehanna as they compete for their share of the river* s bounty. The areas around the suet feeders have been constantly moving lines of many Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White- breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, and a pair of Carolina Wrens. Starlings also located the n easy pickin’ s" and Joined the line-up. A Catbird was seen in honeysuckle on Feb. 23rd and was banded on the 2iith. A pair of Bluebirds stopped in the top of a locust on Feb. 3rd Let’s hope they saw one of the many boxes awaiting them. Golden-crowned Kinglets were calling along Deer Creek on March 3rd, but none has been seen on Rock Run territory this year. Ruby-crowned March 1963 MARYLAND BIHDLIFK 15 Kinglets were at the Sanctuary during the month of January, Across from the house, the Cedar Waxwings sat in the top of the Tulip Poplar* They were amazing to watch - all facing in the same direction and when one flew, all the flock of 30 or UO followed. A Ifyrtle Warbler appeared along Deer Creek on March 3rd, House Sparrows have visited from time to time, but none seemed to find the area quite civilized enough to stay. Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds have flown over morning and evening, calling as they pass. Cardinals are everywhere and though one could hardly estimate the number, 1*3 have been banded since Jan. 5th* As many as 15 Purple Finches have been counted at one time and several, singing in the sunshine, were heard on the coldest days. American Goldfinches; added their flight calls to the sounds of winter and on Feb. 17th, 83 were in the top of a Locust tree. At least three Rufous-sided Towhees wintered near the Sanctuary House, along with Slate-colored Juncos and many White- throated Sparrows, 25 of which were banded in two hours on Feb. 3rd. Several Song Sparrows also wintered at Rock Run and I can not think of anything more deserving the name. With the least suggestion of sunshine they bubbled forth with glorious song; but then this winter has been worHiy of song. 36 Burke Ave., Tow son k SPECIAL RATES FOR M.O.S. Inc., CONVENTION at HAS TINGS-MIRAMAR Rates include room, meals, sales tax and gratuity Room and bath with 2 or more to the room #18*00 per person Single room and bath (limited number) #20.00 Double room without private bath - #16.00 per person Single room without private bath #18.00 Make your reservations now for May 10, 11, 12, 1963 STATE-WIDE BIRD COUNT, MAY 4 On Saturday, May 4, 1963, members and friends of the Maryland Orni- thological Society will participate in the 16th annual State-wide May Count. These people will be looking for as many birds and species of birds as possible on that day. This count is taken just one day each year. Some members will start as early as 3 a. a. and others will con- tinue past 9 p.m. We would like as many people as possible to help make this count. We keep each individual list separate, but we add all lists together to make the State-wide totals. Several counting areas are already well established throughout the State, but there is plenty of room for more areas and also for more in- dividuals to participate. For example: Some counties have two or three groups of people helping while several counties generally are not covered at all. Members need not stay in their own area or county, but may help anywhere in the State as long as another party is not counting there. 14 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 7ol. 19, No. 1 If you have not been on a May Count before and would like to see many interesting and unusual birds in one day, here is your chance. If you would like to participate and do not know what to do, let me know the area you prefer to cover and the approximate time you can help. I will tell you who is in charge of the area closest to your choice and then you can make arrangements with this person, either to work with someone else, or, if you prefer, to cover an area by yourself. Remember, we can use your help. It is said that two or three pairs of eyes can see more when riding in a car; well, these same numbers of eyes can see more birds too. Let's make this the best May Count ever. After the Count has been completed, send all lists to me as soon as possible or give them to me at the Ocean City Convention the following week end. The earlier I have these lists, the easier it is for me to get them ready for the June issue of Maryland Birdlife . --Vernon M. Kleen, 339 Talbot Avenue, Laurel. NEST RECORD CARDS! C. Douglas Hackman OBJECT: To collect as mi eh information as possible on the nesting habits of all species of birds native to the State of Maryland through care- ful observation and accurate recording of these observations. Basic Information to Record on Nest Record Cards: 1. Date first observed and condition of the nest. Building? Contents? 2. Habitat: A brief description of topography, type of tree or bush and other vegetation nearby. 3. How was nest constructed and situated? Saddled on a branch or in a fork? On the ground or some other location? 4. What materials were used for construction? Were any unusual ob- jects found in, on or around the nest? 5. What were the parent's reactions to your approach? Did they fly off? Did they stay close to the nest and scold? Did their be- havior change after the young hatched? 6. How many eggs? Did they all hatch? If not, why if known? 7. Was there a cowbird egg in the nest? If so, what happened? Did the parents abandon the nest and leave the area? Did they build another nest nearby? If the cowbird egg hatched, what happened? 8. Was there a second or third brood in the nest? If so, was the second or third brood smaller in size? Was the incubation period shorter fbr the second or third brood? 9. How long did the young remain in the nest after hatching? 10. How long after leaving the nest were the young seen begging for food? How long did the family group stay together? 11. How many times was the nest revisited? What was the condition of the nest on each revisit? What was the condition of the nest and contents on the last visit? 12. Some common reasons for ne3t failure: a. Destruction of the nest by machinery. b. Destruction of the nest by weather. c. Leaving trails directly to the nest through tall grass, making March 1963 MARYLAND BIRDLIEE 15 it easy for house cats and other predators to find the nest. d. Trampling down vegetation and breaking away branches from the nest exposing it to predators. e. Handling young birds. f. Approaching nest too close too often, touching eggs or nest, or other lack of caution by the observer. 13. Additional questions: a. Did both parents incubate the eggs? b. Did both parents feed the young? c. What food was given to the young? d. How often were the young fed in fair weather? In poor weather? e. What time did feeding begin each day? find each day? Lilac Lane, Perry Hal] TRIP TO NAGS HEAD, NORTH CAROLINA, APRIL 14-16 On Saturday morning, April lU, 1962, my husband and I left for Nags Head with a promise of fair, cool weather. Large numbers of Can- vasback with Pied-billed and Homed Grebes were scattered over the estuaries of Kent Island. At Cape Charles, where we spent the night, we saw huge flights of Double-crested Cormorants streaming across the horizon in single file against a bright mother of pearl sunset. Sunday morning was cold and threatened rain, but the ferry ride was interesting birdwise - large flights of grebes and cormorants, as well as the expected Laughing, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. As the ferry landed at Little Creek, Va. , we spotted 2 Royal Terns and 6 or 7 Bonaparte's Gulls. Past Norfolk and on the coastal plain of Virginia we sighted Cattle Egrets in full nuptial plumage - the orange red plumes erected as the egrets walked among the black Angus cattle. On the way- home we almost ran over Cattle Egrets on the highway. At Nags Head, Double-crested Cormorants, Red-throated Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and the four above-mentioned gulls were continually in sight from our motel window. On the flats towards the ferry for Cape Hatteras we must have seen thousands of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. We stopped the car and they quarreled and called within three feet of us. Huge flights of Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal and Black Ducks were wheeling and land- ing in the shallows. There vert Green-winged Teal, Common and Snowy Egrets, Am. Widgeon, Pintails and even, at the freshwater pond, nine Avocets in full spring plumage. There too we saw Black-necked Stilts, dowitchers and many small shorebirds. With the interested, courteous aid attentive help of a Mr. Market te of the National Park Service we located a flock of at least 10 Glossy Ibis, flying and feeding in easy binocular range. In spite of the un- certain and rapidly changing weather conditions at Nags Head we had a rewarding, wonderful birding experience and one we hope soon to repeat. Patricia C. Thomas, 1352 Fentwood Rd., Baltimore 1 6 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol . 19, No, 1 OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, 1962 Chandler S. Robbins October had its usual succession of cold frontal passages, each followed by a big influx of migratory birds from the north. Warm weather brought in by southwesterly winds periodically slowed down the migration pending the arrival of the subsequent cold front. This alternation of cold and warm periods averaged out to give Maryland "normal" October weather. November was 1° or 2° on the cool side, as predicted by the long-range forecasters; but the prediction of "muon above normal" for December proved that 30-day forecasts are still in their infancy. After the first week in the month the mercury plunged, in the second week the temperature averaged 20° (l6 degrees below normal), and most freshwater ponds froze. Temperatures remained well below normal the rest of the month and no appreciable thawing occurred. By Christinas count time there were few birds left in the ponds and marshes. Good numbers of waterfowl, however, were still present in the bays and the larger tidal estuaries. More than a quarter of a million geese and ducks were identified on the Maryland Christmas counts . The high counts for waterfowl, and for other birds as well, are a direct re- sult of the splendid cooperation of the 258 Christmas count participants who logged a total of 949 party-hours in a dozen strategically located areas. Although several of the larger states submitted more counts than Maryland, it is likely that no other state had such uniformly intensive coverage of the various ecological units within its boundaries . This was a poor winter for irregular visitors from the north, but there was ap abundant supply of weed seeds and this made it possible for towhees to winter in unprecedented numbers: over 1,000 on the Christmas counts . Nearly half of the fall departure dates this year came from Opera- tion Recovery banding stations . We wish to thank the dozens of people who participated in the operation of these stations, and the scores of others who contributed the sighx observations that also are summarized in Table 1. The following individuals supplied the great majority of the dates used in the table. Mont gomery County- -John II. Fales, Margaret Bridge; Balt imore City and County- -Douglas Hackman, Mel Garland, Mrs. Richard D. Cole; Harford County- -Douglas Hackman, Mel Garland;- How ard March 1963 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE II 'Dable 1. Pall Departure Dates, 1962 Species Balt Harf Howd Mont Pr .G Anne Calv St .M Kent Caro Talb Wore Green Heron 9/23 — 10/ 6 12/ 8 10/lU 9/28 — 9/20 - - 10/13 10/21 Little Blue Heron 0 0 9/ 19 0 — -- 0 — 0 8/ 12 10/13 9/ 7 Common Egret 0 10/13 9/ 8 0 - 9/ 1 — 8/31 0 8/31 10/ 6 10/l4 Canada Goose -- 10/ 14 10/20 10/30 -- 10/16 -- -- — 10/17 — Broad-vlnged Hawk 9/20 9/ 9 0 -- 9/30 — 0 0 0 0 9/ll 0 Osprey 9 / 23 9/ 9 9/ 20 — 10/12 9/30 71 97I2 “ Greater Yellowlegs 9/ 23 -- 10/ 8 10/ 8 -- U/29 -- -- -- -- 10/29 ll/l2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 9/ 23 10/21 10/ 9 -- 10/ 5 — -- — -- 9/28 9/ 14- 9/25 Common Nighthavk 10/ 2 9/ 5 10/ 2 10/ 5 10/ 5 -- -- 9/3 — 9/30 9/29 — Chimney Swift 9/23 — 10/ 8 10/ 1 10/12 10/l2 -- 9/21 - 10/ 5 10/ 8 9/27 Ruby- thr. Hummingbird 7l 9/23” 9/15 - = 9/ 15 10/ 59/9 9/1? 10/ 6 9/ 18 10/l3 9/ 8 Red-headed Woodpecker 9/22 0 0 9/ 8 10/ 14 0 0 0 0 0 10/ 13 9/21 Eastern Kingbird -- -- 9 / 3 ~ 9/2 9/19 9/39/5 -- 9/l4 9/ 5 9/l7 Gt. Crested Flycatcher 9/15 -- -- " 9/ 1 - 9/ 13 -- 9/16 9/ 3 9/21 Eastern Phoebe 10/12 IO/26 10/28 10/ 7 10/15 ll/ll 10/l3 - 10/l9 10/31 10/ 14 10/Sd Acadian Flycatcher 9/ 2 9/10 - 9/3 9/7 9/8 — — 9/20 9/25 9/17 ~ “ Least Flycatcher 9/ 1 9/l5 9/l6 0 0 0 0 9/l3 0 0 0 10/21 Eastern Wood Pewee 10/ 69/9 9/ 24 9/ 7 9/30 9/ 5 9/30 9/19 9/24 10/ 3 10/l4 IO/18 Tree Swallow 9/ 22 -- -- -- -- - -- -- 9/28 10/29 ll/l6 ll/ll Barn Swallow 9/22 -- 8/29 — 8/26 -- 8/20 9/4 — 9/28 -- 9/27 House Wren 9/23 _ 97lO0/8 - 10/ 3 9/28 ~ 9/10 10/13 9/19 10/13 10/20 Catbird 10/10 10/13 10/22 10/13 10/28 11/29 10/13 — 10/22 10/17 10/l4 10/21 Brown Ibrasher 9/23 -- 9/24 10/ 8 10/28 10/ 5 10/13 — 10/23 W 2 10/l4 10/21 Wood Thrush 9/ 22 10/ 7 9/22 9/3O 10/ 9 10/ 4- — 9/21 10/l2 10/ 8 10/ 8 9/30 Hermit Thrush 11/ 7 10/27 10/38 -- 10/l8 10/31 - — ll/ 9 0 10/l3 10/21 Swains on's Thrush 10/11 10/30 10/ 8 9/30 10/17 10/30 0 9/20 10/19 9/18 lp/13' 10/l9 Gray-cheeked Thrush 10/ 6 9/29 9/30 0 10/17 10/l2 0 9/21 10/ 3 9/l5 -- lO/ll Veery 9/l8 9/ 15 - 0 0 9/29 0 9/20 9/ 25 0 — 10/ 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -- 9/ 9 9/ 10 -- -- -- 8/21 9/7 -- 9/21 Ruby-crowned Kinglet IO/27 10/28 ll/l2 ll/l2 ll/l3 ll/ 5 - — H/ 2 9/ 26 10/l3 jjffi White-eyed Vireo 9/23 9/15”" 9>22 71 9722 - ~ 11 9730 Yellow-throated Vireol0/l3 — 9/*3 -- 9/2 6 -- -- -- -- -- 9/30 Solitary Vireo 10/24 10/21 0 0 9/25 -- 0 0 10/29 0 0 10/ 19 Red-eyed Vireo 10/13 10/ 6 10/14 — ll/ 8 9/4 9/8 9/20 10/13 9/23 — 10/19 Black- &- white Warbler 9/ 23 9/23 10/ 1 — 10/ 5 9/26 - 9/18 10/ 1 9/21 10/l4 10/ 1 Tenne ss ee Warb ler 0 9/2Tw^WIFT0/Tl^p7 0 0 10/ 1 — 0 10/11 Nashville Warbler 9/22 9/16 9/20 0 0 10/13 0 9/21 — 10/ 1 - 10/21 Parula Warbler 9/23 — 9/14 — 10/l0 10/ 17 - — 9/28 9/26 10/l4 10/ 4 Magnolia Warbler lO/ll 9/22 10/ 2 0 10/ 7 9/'ll 9/ 15 9/l8 10/l4 9/l£ 10/l4 10/ 6 Cape May Warbler 10/ 3 — 10/ 8 0 10/ 7 9/30 0 0 10/ 6 10/ 10 -- 10/21 Black -thr .Blue Warb. 10/ 2 '9/29 9/30 IO/29 0 0 0 0 10/14 10/27 10/l4 10/ 1 Myrtle Warbler -- 10/28 ll/ 8 ll/22 11/28 12/l8 — -- ll/ 8 10/l8 10/l4 10/28 Black-thr. Green Warb.io/ 6 9/29 10/ 8 9/ 23 10/ 3 10/ l8 0 0 9 / 20 9/22 10/ 13 11/ 12 Blackburnian Warbler 9/ 23 -- 9/21 0 9/28 9/ 22 0 0 — 10/l3 9/l6 Chestnut -sided Warb. 9/23 -- 9/23 0 9/15 — 0 9/21 -- 0 9/lg 9/21 Bay-breasted Warbler 9/ 23 9723 9A6 9/13 §/25 9/22 0 0 l67""l — — 10/ 7 Blackpoll Warbler 10/l4 10/21 9/21 10/l6 10/ 13 10/12 0 0 10/23 lO/ll — 10/20 Prairie Warbler -- 8/l4 9/20 -- -- — 9/ 3 9/18 -- -- -- 9/21 Palm Warbler 9/22 10/21 10/15 0 10/ 5 10/ 1 0 -- 10/13 lO/ll 10/l4 10/21 Ovenblrd 9/23 10/ 7 9/30 — i0/i4 9 / 2 b — 9/20 10/l4 10/ 2 10/13 10/ 7 Northern Waterthrush 9/15 9/22 0 9/14 10/10 9/22 (T 9/ 20 10/ 3 9/12 — Jo^Tl Connecticut Warbler 0 9/22 0 9,/l8 10/ 1 0 0 0 10/ 1 9/22 0 9/30 Yellowthroat 10/ 3 10/13 10/ 8 9/1 6 10/l4 9/17 -- 9/20 10/ 3 9/ 29 10/l4 10/21 Yellow-breasted Chat 9/ 5 10/ 7 10/ 1 — — 9/27 -- 9/21 10/ 99/5 — lO/ll Wilson's Warbler 9/15 9/30 9/17 — 0 0 0 0 10/ 17 9/18 -- 9/ 30 Canada Warbler 9/15 10/23 9/ 8 0 9/22 “9/ 22 0 9/l2 — 9713 II 9/5! American Redstart 9/23 9/l6 10/ 5 9/2 9 9/28 9/18 — 9/21 10/ 2 10/ 2 10/l3 10/20 Bobolink 9/22 9/ 9 0 0 8/31 9/11 9/ 8 0 0 10/17 9/ 7 10/12 Baltimore Oriole 9/ 4 8/30 9/20 -- — ll/ll — 8/29 10/ 3 9/26 9/23 10/21 Scarlet Tanager 9/23 9/l4 9/30 9/30 10/ 12 10/l4 -- 9/ 10 10/20 10/ 2 0 lO/lO Rose-br. Grosbeak 9/23 9/30 9/30 0 10/ 3 9/2 9 0 9/l8 ~ 9/29 10/lV 10/11 Indigo Bunting 10/ 3 10/ 7 10/ 8 — 10/ 8 — -- 9/21 ll/ 9 10/ll 10/l4 10/20 Chipping Sparrow 10/13 -- 10/20 — 10/29 10/30 10/13 -- ll/ 6 10/30 -- ll/l2 10 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 19, No. 1 County- -Mrs . Dorothy Rauth, Morris Collins; Prince Georges- -Vernon Kleen, John H. Fales, Chandler S. Robbins; Anne Arundel--Mrs . Gail Tappan, Mrs. W. L. Henderson, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard, Harold Wierenga; Calv ert -- John H. Pales; St. Marys- -Vernon Kleen; Kent --Mr . and Mrs. Edward Mendin- hall, Mrs. Bradley Fiske, Mr. and Mrs. Sam McSorley, Geryl Gardner; Caro line- -Mr . and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Marvin Hewitt, Carol Scudder; Talb ot --Jan Reese, Richard L. Kleen; Worcester- -Mrs . Richard D. Cole, Pan Mlnke, Samuel H. Dyke, Chandler S. Robbins, Anderson J. Martin. A zero ( 0 ) in the table means that the species was not recorded during this fall migration period in the county in question; a dash (■--) means that the species was recorded but that no significant departure date was obtained . Herons . The cold weather can be blamed for the complete absence of Common Egrets in the late fall and winter. The last ones seen were 6 flying south over Rock Run Sanctuary on the evening of Oct. 13 (Douglas Hackman). A late Little Blue Heron and a Green Heron were found in Tal- bot County on this same day (Jan Reese, Chris Clark). A much later Green Heron was seen at Seneca on Dec. 1 and Dec . 8 (Robert W. Warfield). Another hardy Green Heron remained for the Kent County Christmas count, Dec. 30 (Dr. Daniel Z. Gibson). Swans and Geese . Dick Kleen points out that a large collection of pinioned exotic waterfowl escaped from captivity in Talbot County during a flood tide last spring, but that all except a pair of Mute Swans were returned to. captivity. As there is a possibility of future escapes, anyone finding a non- native swan, goose, or duck is urged to determine whether or not the bird can fly, and to check to see whether any of the captive birds are missing. The 2 pinioned Mute Swans that were released in Talbot County raised 3 young- An adult and a young Mute Swan, both capable of extended' flight, were found on Triadelphia Reservoir on Dec. 22 (Robbins, Ted Van Velzen, Ted Stiles and others), furnishing the first Piedmont record for this introduced species. Counts of 89,649 Canada Geese in Lower Kent County, 46,629 in Southern Dorchester County, and 34,820 at St. Michaels were largely responsible for this year's high Christmas count total of 182,000 Canadas in Maryland. Here's one for the "coincidence (?) department": On the morning of Oct. 7 a flock of 27 Canada Geese and 1 Snow Goose flew southeast over Hawk Mt . , Pa.; near dusk on the same day Harry Armistead saw 27 Canada Geese and 1 Snow Goose land in a field on Deep Neck, Talbot Co., and bed down for the night. On Nov. 11 Professor Harold Wierenga found a Brant at the mouth of the South River; this species is seldom seen on the Western Shore. Ducks. For the 11th winter a male European Widgeon rexurned (on Nov. 1) to Gibson Island (Mrs. W. L. Henderson). A female European Widgeon was seen at Ocean City on Nov. 12 (Dr. Fritz Scheider). A few eiders now appear almost every winter at Ocean City inlet; but this is the first year that an adult male has been found here- -a Common Eider first seen by Samuel H. Dyke on Dec. 8 and still present on Dec. 29 . Dyke saw 2 other Common Elders there on Dec. 8, and a female King Eider, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. For the third time in 15 years a Harlequin Duck (male, Dec. 26-30) was seen on the Ocean City Christmas count. March 1963 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 19 Eagles. Last year 27 Bald Eagles were identified on Maryland Christmas counts; this year there were only 19. Of the 19, 3 were white- headed adults, 10 were in immature plumage, and 6 were unspecified. Two Bald Eagles were at Gibson Island as late as Dec. 18; they were not found on their count, but one was seen the next day. Single Golden Eagles were seen on the Kent County and Blackwater counts . Quail and Turkeys . Bobwhites must have had good nesting success followed by high survival at least through December as attested by a total of 1,755 on Maryland Christmas counts. This total includes new regional records of 424 at Annapolis, 280 at St. Michaels, 231 in Lower Kent County, and 174 in Southern Dorchester County. The rash of reports of wild Turkeys near the Potomac River can be explained by the release of 6 birds by the National Park Service. Shorebirds , Terns, Dovekie . Hackman's observation of a flock of 250 Black-bellied Plover flying down the Susquehanna River on Oct. 28 would seem to indicate that the peak migration period of "August 15 to September 30" in Birds of Maryland is grossly inaccurate. The dates were set up so as to include all available records of large numbers of migrat- ing birds. Was this a freak occurrence, or do other observers have records of heavy movement in October? At Gibson Island, Mrs. W. L. Hen- derson saw a Greater Yellowlegs on Nov . 29 • Dyke counted 12 Least Terns at Ocean City, Oct. 28, and saw a Dovekie at the Inlet, Dec. 2. Owls . A year ago we remarked on the large number of Screech Owls (125) recorded on the Christmas count. The decline to 43 this year can be blamed squarely on the miserable weather that plagued observers during most of the count period. More serious is the total of only 7 Barred Owls; this species was missed at Ocean City for the second time in 15 years. And Triadelphia was the only area that reported more than 1 indi- vidual. Mrs. Edward Mendinhall established a "high" count for the Saw- whet Owl when she netted and banded 3 on Nov. 2 at Chestertown; she band- ed another on the 9th . Upon learning that Gladys Cole banded 2 at Towson on Nov. 7, Ted Van Velzen set a net at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center the next night and banded the first one he had ever seen. Goatsuckers , Hummi ngbirds . Six counties reported Common Nighthawks in late September or early October, with the latest reports on Oct. 5* Generally very few are seen after mid-September. Two hummingbirds were reported after the latest Maryland departure date for the Ruby- throat; in neither case did the observers say they had excluded the possibility of a Rufous Hummingbird, of which there is a Nov. 8 record. To quote from Birds of Maryland , "Any hummingbird seen in Maryland after early October should be studied with care." Accordingly, the Oct. 23 date from Rock Run Sanctuary (Hackman) and the observation of 2 individuals at Gibson Island on Nov. 8 (Mrs. Tappan and Mrs. Henderson) have been omitted from the table. The female Rufous is best distinguished from the female Ruby-throat by the rusty bases to the outer tail feathers-, seen when the tail is spread. Woodpeckers . There were 38 Pileated Woodpeckers on the Christmas 20 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 19, No. 1 counts , 18 of them on the Blackwater count (Southern Dorchester County). This species was missed on the Kent count, although one had been seen at Pomona on Oct. 29 by Mabon Kingsley. Red-headed Woodpeckers were widely scattered during this period, but with no concentrations; they were re- ported from Charles, Kent, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot and Worces- ter Counties. Dyke saw 30 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Oct. 11, at Ocean City. Flycatchers . To the two Western Kingbirds recorded for September we can add 3 for October and 1 for November. One was seen at East Riverdale on Oct. 9 by Clara Schoenbauer ( Atlantic Naturalist l8: 36) and 2 at Federalsburg on Oct. 13 (V. E. Unge r ) , s ub s e que nt ly seen (l) on Oct. 21 and 22 (Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher). The November bird was seen near Ocean City on the South Point road on the 12th (Dr. Scheider and others). A Least Flycatcher was banded at Ocean City on Oct. 21, twenty days after the latest departure date in Birds of Maryland (Pan Minke). Chickadees , N uthaxches . The only Black- capped Chickadees seen out- side their normal winter range wei e a single bird near St. Michaels on Dec. 30 (Robert Sharp) and up to 3 at Gibson Island, Dec. 13-29 (Mrs. Tappan and Mrs. Henderson). The erratic White -breasted Nuthatch was down to 98 individuals on the Christmas counts as compared with 601 last year, and Red-breasts dropped to 9 (l88 last year). Thrushes , Gnat catchers . There were several late thrush dates (see Table l); the Oct . 30 Swainson's Thrush dates at Rock Run Sanctuary (Hackman) and Annapolis (Wierenga) are the laicot migration records for Maryland except for a Nov. 28 stray in 1958. A Swainson's Thrush in the St. Michaels area on Dec . 30 was carefully checked by Bruce Schuck and Brian Weger and vouched for by Richard Kleen, for the second Maryland winter record. Hackman and Garland found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Carpenter Point in Cecil County on the very late date of Dec. 2. Vireos. On Oct . 13 at his home in Baltimore City, Charles Buchanan broke Kirkwood’s 1397 departure date for the Yellow-throated Vireo. A late Solitary Vireo in the city was identified in the small garden of Christ Church, 1110 St. Paul St. by the rector, the Rev. Warren C. Skipp, who saw it on the afternoon of Oct. 2k and again on the following morning, A Red-eyed Vireo banded at Beltsvllle on Nov . 8 by Melvin Kleen furnished the third-latest Maryland record. Warblers . As many as 23 species of warblers (a new high) were re- ported during October, none of them in especially large numbers except the turtle ( e .g . , 335 banded at Ocean City on Oct. 21 ). Largely because of intensive work at several banding stations well into October, several late departure dates for various Sections of the State were obtained: Worm-eating Warbler, Oct. 13, Bay Hundred District of Talbot County (seen, Jan Reese); Nashville Warbler, Oct. 21, 2 banded at Ocean City (Pan Minke); Parula Warbler, Oct. 17, Annapolis (seen, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard); Black-throated Blue Warbler, Oct . 27, - Denton (Mrs. A. J. Flet- cher) and Oct. 29, male and female at Travilah (Lucille V. Smith); March 1963 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE 21 Black- throated Green Warbler, Nov . 12, exhausted bird at Ocean City Inlet (State record. Dr. Fritz Scheider and others); Wilson’s Warbler, Oct. 17, banded near Chestertown (Mrs. Edward Mendlnhall ) ; Canada Warbler, Oct .23, Rock Run Sanctuary (seen, Douglas Hackman); American Redstart, Oct 20 , Ocean City (seen. State record; 2 banded on the iBth, Martin, Robbins). Winter Finches . Evening Grosbeaks were seen only at Rock Run Sanc- tuary (2 on Dec. 2 by Dr. and Mrs. Turner Smith) and in Talbot County (2 on Christmas Count). There was a brief flight of Pine Siskins along the Fall Line in November, but at Christmas time they were found only at Ocean City. No crossbills. Pine Grosbeaks or redpolls were detected. House Finches are continuing their gradual infiltration of the Free State . One was banded near Denton on Dec. 12 by Mrs. Essie Pepper, the first record for Caroline County and the Eastern Shore. Another was discovered at West Ocean City on Dec. 28 by John Weske, and 10 at a Talbot County feeding station were checked off on the Dec. 30 St. Michaels count. Sparrows . Despite the cold weather — or more likely because of the snow cover- -Savannah and Vesper Sparrows appeared to be wintering in larger numbers and over a wider area of the State than is usual. Savannahs were found on all Christmas counts except Ac cokeek (which had the small- est number of observers) and Allegany (which is in the mountains). Vesper Sparrows were found on 7 counts for a total of 4-1 individuals . For the third time in 15 years a Lincoln's Sparrow was seen on the Ocean City Count (Robbins). Although both the Snow Bunting and the Lapland Longspur were missed on this count, Hackman and others tallied 49 Snow Buntings and a Lapland Longspur at Tolchester in the Kent County area on Dec, 30; the Longspur was the first ever recorded in the county. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Laurel MAGPIE IN TALBOT COUNTY Jack Jones Early in the morning of November 27, 19^2, while on my way to school, I saw an unusual bird. It was flying and appeared crow- like with long tall feathers and a lot of white underneath the body. I watched it until it alit on one of our sheep, and when I approached it flew. I suspected that it was a Black-billed Magpie ( Pica pica ). I did not see it again until two days later when I confirmed n$r identification. The sheep on which it landed was old euad lame and couldn't move around much. When I investigated the sheep, I saw small holes in the skin where the wool had been pulled off by the magpie . This bird appar- ently had been feeding on the meat of the still living sheep. The sheep died within a few days. This is the first record of a magpie for the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Neavltt 22 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 19, NO. 1 OUR TRIP TO THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Billie Taylor's Fifth Grade On Tuesday, December 4, our class went on a trip to the new Garrett County sanctuary. We went especially to see beaver dams and lodges. Our chartered bus left school at noon. Everyone had something to carry: a camera, field guide, binoculars, first-aid kit, bag of sun- flower seeds, suet feeder, jar of peanut butter, or some cracked corn. First we put up the feeders we had taken with us. Next, we filled the ones that were there. Just then Mr. Ward, from the Evening Times, arrived and took pictures. We took some pictures too. Then we walked up the valley along Carey Run to look for the beaver ponds. Soon someone shouted, "There they are. Not Just one pond! There are five of them.’’ Another voice shouted, "Look! I see two lodges." Still another sounded off, "Look at those stumps. How did they get pointed at the top?" The beaver lodges were bulky mounds made of logs, branches, and grass. We guessed that they were ten feet across and that the tops were at least four feet above the water. We could see the mud that plastered the openings between the logs. We looked for an airhole on top of one lodge. If only we could have seen the under-water tunnels extending up into the mounds! Or Photo by Robert Prichard the hollowed out rooms inside! For their winter food supply the beavers had cut large trees, which they stuck in the mud on the bottom of the ponds near the lodges. When the water froze over, the beavers simply used their under-water tunnels to reach their storage area. We saw many branches completely stripped of bark. Two paths to the orchard made us think beavers eat apples too. We are glad that the Maryland Ornithological Society bought the Ber- nard A. Minick farm for a sanctuary. Our first trip was such fun. In the spring we hope to explore the entire sanctuary. Beall Elementary School, Frostburg March 1963 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE 23 COMING EVENTS Apr. 19 TALBOT monthly meeting, Talbot County Library 8 P.M. Mr. Luther Goldman, Dept, of the Interior, on "Birds of the Southwest". Apr. 19-21 Eastern Bird Banding Association (EBBA) Annual meeting. Apr. 20 ANNE ARUNDEL Bird walk at Goldsborough's 8 A.M. Mr. & Mrs. P. L. Goldsborough, hosts. Apr. 20 BALTIMORE Lake Roland for early spring arrivals 8 A.M. Mrs, C. L. Conley, ID5-7Wi3 Apr. 21 TALBOT morning hike. Meet at Talbot County library 7 A.M. Mr. & Mrs. Ed Henderson, hosts. Apr. 23 BALTIMORE On With The Spring at Lake Roland. Tuesday walk 8 A.M. Leader: Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner, DR7-8990 Apr. 23 PATUXENT monthly meeting at Equitable Trust Co. Use back door on Main Street* 7*1*5 P.M. "Magpies" by Patrick 0*Halloran. Apr. 2h BAL TIMER E Wednesday walk at Qylbum 7-9 A.M. and 9-11 A.M. Leader: Mrs. Carl Lubbert, DR?- 63 i ;6 Apr. 2h ALL EGANY monthly meeting 7*30 P. M. at Board of Education Bldg. Speaker: Mr. Don Emerson on "Wildlife Conservation" Apr. 2? BALTIMCRE Banding demonstration by Mrs. R. D. Cole at 625 Valley Lane, Towson. All day from 7*30 A.M. Apr. 28 BALTIMCRE G. & 0. Canal, Seneca to Sycamore Landing. 7 A.M. D.S.T. Mr. &. Mrs. Malcolm Thomas, ID5-6ii88 Apr. 28 TALBOT morning hike. Meet at Talbot County Library 7 A.M. Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Oakley, hosts* Apr. 30 BALTIMCRE Tuesday walk May 1 BALTIMCRE Wednesday walk May 2 BALTIMCRE Woodstock for warblers. Meet Woodstock Bridge ever Patapsco River on Md. Rte 125, 8 A.M. Ifrs. Carl Lubbert, DR7-63i*6 Jfey 2 FREDEHCCK monthly meeting. Mrs. Ellen Edwards May h STATEWIDE BIRD COUNT May k ALLEGANY monthly meeting at home of Mr. & Mrs. R.M. Douglass 8 P.M. Tally bird count. May 5 BALTIMORE Finally Farm, home of Mr. & Mrs, Otis Mace, Phoenix, Meet Mrs. Rowe (VA5-3076) at Hutzler’s Towson 8 A.M. May 5 TALBOT morning hike. Meet Talbot County Library 7 A.M. Miss Margaret Smith, hostess. May 7 BALTIMCRE Tuesday walk May 7 TALBOT Audubon Wildlife Film - Mt. Pleasant School, 8 P.M. "The Shan don Hills". May 8 BALTIMCRE Wednesday walk May 10-12 M. 0. S. CONVICTION, Ocean City, Md, May 11 BALTIMCRE - Stay-at-homes* Warbler Walk at Cylburn, 8 A.M. Miss Ono Lescure (VA3-5962) and Mrs. Thomas Anderson (ID3-3738) May 11* BALTIMCRE Tuesday walk May 15 BALTIMCRE Wednesday walk May 18 BALTIMCRE Botany Bird Walk at home of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Simon, Mcnkton, 8 A.M. Leaders: The Simons and Dr. Elizabeth MARYLAND BIEDLIFE Vol. 19, No. 1 2k Fisher (H07-0676) May 21 BALTIMORE Tuesday walk May 22 BALTIMORE Wednesday walk May 26 BALTIMORE Loch Raven. Meet at Box 3U* Manor Road, J mile north of Glen Arm Road, for later migrants, summer nesters and nesting wood ducks. Leader: Mr, Corliss (N08-6oi;7) May 26 SOLDIER’S DELIGHT Woodstock trip for warblers and botany trip. Meet Owings Mills School, 1:30 P. M. Dr, Worthley. May 28 BALTIMORE Tuesday walk June KENT definite date to be announced for covered dish picnic supper at Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mendinhall's, with bird banding demon s tra ti on . June 1 BALTIMORE Frederick County exploring trip all day. Meet Hutzler's Westview 7 A. M. Leader: Charles Buchanan. June 3 SOLDIER'S DELIGHT monthly meeting. June 7-9 ALLEGANY Statewide Adult Weekend at new wildlife sanctuary in Garrett County. June 9 FREDERICK Club Picnic. June lit BALTIMORE monthly meeting at Pratt Library 8 P.M. Speaker: Dr. Elmer Worthley, "Headwaters of the Amazon". June Hi, 15, 16 BALTIMORE Chapter Junior Nature Camp - Note change in dates. Camp will be held June H;, 15, 16, at Camp flaredaca in Unity, Md., near the Seth Low farm. For informa- tion contact Mrs. N. K. Schaffer, 8 Beechdale Road, Balt. 10. Telephone 323«J;090. June 17-22 ALLEGANY Junior Nature and Conservation Camp. Pleasant Valley, Garrett County* June 18 BALTIMORE Picnic Supper in Patapsco State Park and courtship flight of nighthawks in Soldier's Delight at dusk. Bring supper to McKeldin Section of Park, 1 mi. west of Patapsco River on Marriottsville Rd., 6:30 P. M* Leaders: Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Rowe, June 23 SOLDIER'S DELIGHT and BALTIMORE. Baltimore Chapter will be guests of Soldier's Delight Chapter. Meet Red Dog Lodge at 2 P. M. for walks and supper. June 29 & 30 SOLDIER'S DELIGHT Over-night camping trip to Rock Run Sanctuary. Contact Mrs. John Martin or Mrs. Poe (TE3-2585)# MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage and Study the Birds in Maryland Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Lctrrel Editorial Board: C. Douglas Hackman, Vernon Kleen, Miss Nan Livingstone, Mrs. Jean Worthley. Production: Gladys Cole, Mildred Cole, Mel Garland, C. Douglas Hackman Vernon Kleen, Pan MLnke BACK ISSUES OF MARYLAND BIRDLIFE NEEDED Our supply of Volume 1 and of issue Number 4 of Volume 3 is exhausted. These issues are needed to complete a library set. If you would be willing to donate your copies please send them to our Cylburn office.