VOL* II JANUARY - FEBRUARY , 1946 NO *1 BUCKS LIMITED A cold wind and an overcast sky greeted twelve bird students on the morning of February tenth as they gathered at the terminal of the Middle River bus ’line* On the road to Bowley’s Bar a flock of fifteen or more Robins were sighted in an open field; this was the first Robin record of the year for many of the group* At Bowley f s bar a lone Whistling Swan came winging in over the water and veered off upon sighting our group* Flocks of ducks could be seen flying in the distance but identification was not possible* About six American Mergansers were observed just before we left this area* Several stops were made near Oliver Point* Bucks in small flocks were seen flying about but not close enough to identify as to species* Most of them seemed to be scaup ducks* Seven Whistling Swan were observed close in shore at one point, but upon our closer approach they swam slowly out to deep water* Three of the swan were in immature plumage. The heads and necks of all of them were streaked and dark looking; they had evidently been feeding in a mucky shallow. Small groups of American Mergansers were "trading” back and forth. Most of the. smaller land birds were observed near Oliver Point. A Cardinal and several Song Sparrows were feeding on bread crumbs near one of the cottages. Tree Sparrows and Juncoes were moving about in the shrubbery. Two white-breasted Nuthatches called and fed in the branches of some large trees near the water f s edge. Her- ring Gulls were observed at most of the water front sites whenever we stopped. Two Ring^billed Gulls flew close enough to be carefully identified. English Sparrows and Starlings were added to the list at several spots. The group enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Orville Crowder at hi? place on Railroad Creek* After a warm meal and much bird talk, pari: of the group continued the trip. A small flock of Bluebirds were observed perching on the wires along the road as we drove to Otter Point* Here again the ducks 'were too far out to identify with any certainty. Most of the creeks had been frozen over for weeks and the ice was just breaking up. This we decided was the reason so few ducks were seen. Later in the season, when the ice is out and the northward migration is in full swing this area will have a large population of waterfowl. And here too will be our group, observing and recording the thrilling phenomena of migration. - 1 Irving E* Hampe CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS, 1945 Introduction The Society was able to gather but three Christinas counts for the Baltimore region in this first year* Two of these were sub- mitted to the national report published by Audubon Magazine* The third, while not conforming to the national rules is of interest as representing an. area which our group has been visiting monthly in a survey of its year-round birdlife* Baltimore County, Md* (West shore of Chesapeake Bay from Middle River to Gunpowder River, inland to B & 0 Railroad* Open farmland 3 0$, mixed woodland 40$, cattail marsh 10$, tidewater creeks 20$. ) Dec. 30; 8 A. M. to 4 P. M. Heavy overcast turning to very heavy fog at 10 A. M.'| fog with rain from 11 A* M. on* Wind N* , 13-18 m.p.h.; temp. 30°-35° F.; ground covered with 3 inches of old snow; creeks frozen - open water of bay estuaries beyond limit of visibil- ity in fog. Six observers in 3 parties. - Total hours, 16 on foot; total miles 21 on foot* Great blue heron, 1; whistling swan, 8; redhead duck, 1; sharp-shinned hawk, 1; herring gull, 3; flicker, 1; hairy woodpecker, 3; downy woodpecker, 9; blue jay, 15; crow, 37; tufted titmouse, 8; white breasted nuthatch, 1; Carolina wren, 5; mockingbird, 1; bluebird, 8; golden-crowned kinglet, 7; starling, 78; English sparrow, 38; redwinged blackbird, 21; cardinal, 15; goldfinch, 14; slate-cplored junco, 53; tree sparrow, 55; white- throated sparrow, 12; song sparrow, 4* Total, 25 species; 400 in- dividuals. — 0. W* CROWDER, RAY BEASLEY, STEPHEN SIMON, WM. McHOUL, FLORENCE BURNER, PEARL HEAPS. (Maryland Ornithological Society). Loch Raven (Baltimore Co.) Md* (From Towson around the lake through Dulaney Valley. Same general area as former counts; time divided into 75$ early serai stages — 20-30 years following culti- vation — ; 5$ mature deciduous woodland; 10$ cultivated land; 10$ coniferous plantations,) Dec. 23; 6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; clear; about 6 in. snow on ground; about 50$ of lake ice-covered; wind NW, 8-12 m.p.h.; temp* 25-15F. (Baltimore City readings). Total hours 11 on foot; total miles 18 on foot. Mallard, 1; black duck, 3; Am* merganser, 52; turkey vulture, 6; sharp-shinned hawk, 1; red-shoul- dered hawk, 1; mourning dove, 47; flicker, 1; downy woodpecker, 10; crow. 111; black-capped chickadee, 1 (direct comparison visually and vocally with next species); Carolina chickadee, 11; tufted titmouse, 5; white-breasted nuthatch, 1; Carolina wren, 1; robin, 2; bluebird, 39; golden-crowned kinglet, 2; ruby-crowned kinglet, 1; starling, 5; myrtle warbler, 2; meadowlark, 2; cardinal, 9; purple finch, 1; gold finch, 15; junco, 88; tree sparrow, 77; white-throated sparrow, 10; swamp sparrow, 3; song sparrow, 3. Total, 30 species; 511 individ- uals. — HAVEN KOLB. Lake Roland (Baltimore Co.) Md* Dec. 28; morning hows; day heavily cloudy; ground covered by snow; temperature about 40°. Mallard, 10; herring gull, 1; red -bellied woodpecker , 1; downy wood- pecker, 5; phoebe, 1; blue jay, 1; crow, 7; Carolina chickadee., 3; tufted titmouse, 2; white-breasted nuthatch, 2; Carolina wren, 1; redwinged blackbird, 2; cardinal, 5; goldfinch, 4; junco, 41; tree 2 sparrow, 51; white -throated sparrow, 5; song sparrow, 37 « Total, 18 species; 179 individuals — RAY J. BEASLEY FLORIDA GALLINULE AT BROOKLYN ON AUGUST 26 On the Patapsco River marsh at Brooklyn on the morning of Au- gust 26, 1945, I had a brief view of a Florida Gallinule ( Gall inula chloropus cachinnans). This date is two weeks earlier than'TEe September 8 given for the beginning of the fall migration in the Natural History Society of Maryland’s ’’Birds of Baltimore and Vicin- ity", It may be noted in this connection that although the 1938 pam- phlet just mentioned lists the Florida Gallinule as a’ migrant in the Baltimore area, and F. 0. Kirkwood’s 1895 ’’List of the Birds of Maryland" also regarded it as a migrant, Ralph W. Jackson in the Natural History Society’s Bulletin for April, 1941, gives a breeding record for the vicinity of 'Cambridge. May -Thacher Cooke’s 1929 "Birds of the Washington, D.C., Region" also reports it a "rare and local breeder." The bird I saw was immediately above the B. Sc 0. Railroad trestle that is next upriver from the Brooklyn span of the Hanover Street Bridge. It was swimming along the edge of a lane through the tall reeds and cattails. The red bill and frontal shield were seen clearly, at close range. Hervey Brackbill LATE FALL DATE FOR ROSEBREASTED GROSBEAK On October 21, 1945 I observed a female Rosebreasted Grosbeak at Arbutus, Maryland. The bird was perched in the hedge in my yard when first observed. I approached within ten feet of it and watched as it preened It3 feathers. The bird had just finished bathing in the creek beyond the hedges. The orange under-wing coverts were plainly seen. This is the latest date for this area judging from the available literature. Irving E. Hampe CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAYi/3 OF THE MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Note:- In less than a year our Society has more than doubled its membership. Many of our newer members live at some distance from Baltimore or are otherwise unable to attend meetings frequently to learn at first hand the character of their organization. So that we might all be acquainted with the structure and mechanics of the Society we publish below the "Constitution and By-Laws’*. - 3 - CONSTITUTION Article I Name The name of this organization shall he "Maryland Ornithological So- ciety". Article II Object The object of this Society shall be to record the observations of bird life in Maryland; to disseminate in a popular manner the re- sults of such observation; to collate the scientific data furnished by bird students throughout the State; to supply such available in- formation to other groups as requested; and to promote the cultiva- tion of public sentiment in the preservation of our native bird life. Article III Membership The membership of this Society shall be of two classes; Regular and Junior* Section I The dues of Regular members shall be $1*00 per year* Only Regular members shall be allowed to vote* Section 2 The dues of the Junior members shall be $.50 per year. Junior members shall be under 18 years of age. Junior members will not be permitted to vote on Club business or elections* Section 3 Membership shall be paid-up for one year next ensuing from the date of such dues, or ensuing from the expiration date of the last previous paid-up membership. Section 4 Members three months In arrears shall be dropped from the roll* Article IV Officers Section 1 The Officers of the Society shall be President, Vice- President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treas- urer. Section 2 The duties of these Officers shall be those usually per- taining to their office. Section 3 The above Officers, together with five duly elected mem- bers , shall constitute the Executive Council. Section 4 The Officers and the Executive Council shall be elected at the annual Meeting, and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are duly elected. Article V Duties of the Executive Council Section 1 The Executive Council shall have general charge of the affairs and funds of the Society. It shall be its duty to fill all vacancies among the Officers; and to devise and adopt such measures as shall advance the interests of the Society. It shall meet at the - 4 - call of the President on due notice to all its member's. Section 3 Three members, one of whom is not an Officer, shall con- stitute a quorum. Article VI Committees Section 1 The Executive Council shall make provision for all stand- ing Committees, Section 2 Special Committees shall be appointed by the Chair, as required. Section 3 The President shall be empowered to appoint the members o f a 1 1 'commit tees* Article VII Amendments Section I This Constitution nay be amended at any regular stated' meeting by a two -thirds vote of the members present, after the pro- posed amendment has been submitted in writing to the Society Mem- bers at least fifteen days prior to voting. Section 2 Repeal of any section or words may be made by the same procedure as for making amendments. BY-LAWS Article I Meetings Section 1 Regular meetings of the Society shall be .held every month on the second Friday evening. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum. The place of such meetings shall be designated by the Ex- ecutive Council. Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the President, on ap- proval of the Executive Council. Section 5 The regular meeting in the month of March shall be con- s icier eel the Zmnual Meeting. Article II Elections Section- 1 The Officers and five non-Officer members of the Execu- tive Council shall be duly elected at the Annual Meeting, and shall take over their duties at the next regular meeting. Section 2 A Nominating Committee of three members shall be appoint- ed by the President at least two regular meetings prior to the Annu- al Meeting. This Committee shall present the names of candidate^ for offices, and for the five non-officer Executive Council members at the last meeting prior to the Annual Meeting* Additional nomina- tions may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting. ^Article III Amendments Section 1 ■ By-laws of the Society may be adopted, amended or re- - 5 - pealed "by a two-thirds vote at any regular meeting# article IV Parliamentary Procedure Section 1 The deliberations of all Society and Executive Council neetiiTgs - shall he governed by Roberts 1 "Rules of Order"# EDITORIAL NOTES At the January meeting resolutions were adopted favoring pro- tection for the Bald Eagle by the State of Maryland, and the estab- lishment of a closed season on the Bryant Fox Squirrel. These reso- lutions were presented, to the Maryland Game and Inland Fish Commis- sion at its semi-annual meeting on January 50# On February 1, H#S# Kolmer, Secretary to the Commission wrote to our president in part as follows: "I had the pleasure of presenting your Resolution to the Game and Inland Fish Commission at its semi-annual meet- ing Wednesday, January 30, pertaining to the protection of the bald eagle# As you know, the present law in Mary- land classifies the eagle as a predatory bird. I am happy, however, to" advise you that the Commission unanimously adopted a regulation, effective immediately, protecting the gray or bald eagle in the State of Mary- land. This regulation will, within the next few days, be publicized in the press and copies of the regulation will be forwarded to all deputy game wardens and the county press*" Concerning the second resolution, Ernest A. Vaughn wrote to Mr* Hampe the following information on February 4: "I wish to advise that the resolution sponsored by the Maryland Ornithological Society requesting that a closed season be placed on the Bryant fox squirrel in the State of Maryland was discussed thoroughly by the members of the Game and Inland Fish Commission at their regular meeting on January 30, 1946 and that instead of closing the season on this sub-species it was deemed wise to establish a series of small sanctuaries extend- ing across the southern end of Dorchester County which will provide brood stock for that entire area which holds the largest population of Bryant fox squirrels in Maryland . I might add that the Bryant fox squirrel has extended Its range during the past ten years to Talbot, Queen-.; Anne, Somerset, Wicomico and Caroline Counties and that in lower Somerset County around King*s Creek and We stover we find a sizeable population. The Wellington 6 Wildlife Refuge located in southwestern Somerset County is probably responsible for the increase of this squir- rel in that area. I assure you that this Department is giving every con- sideration toward the perpetuation of this important game animal and although it has had a difficult time to survive, I do not think it is in immediate danger ■ of extinction.” 4HRHBHS- The Editorial Committee is still greatly in need of material and will welcome all contributions, particularly from members who have not yet written for Maryland Birdlife* It will save us much time if contributors will place the' number of words in their ar- ticles at the top of the first sheet. We have recently received a number of fine suggestions from various members concerning the bet- terment of this publication. Unfortunately they are often received at busy times when they may easily be overlooked. It would be well if such. ideas could be presented to the editor in written form. The present issue opens Volume II of Maryland Birdlife for it has been deemed wise to make our volumes concurrent with the calen- dar. Hence Volume I contained but five numbers, a total of twenty- seven pages. The first number lacked a printed heading and bore the title: "Maryland Ornithological Society Bulletin”. This number has long been out of print and v/e have received many requests for copies frtm persons interested in preserving a complete file. If any of our members have copies which they do not wish to keep the editor will be glad to see that they reach the interested parties* We are particularly desirous of obtaining a copy for the U*S* Rational Mu- seum. It seems desirable to have a brief record of the general course of the seasons for year-to-year comparisons* Beginning with the next number the editor will compile such a "Season Report” and he invites assistance from all members in obtaining notes on all mat- ters which will tend to show the natural development of plant and animal life and Its effect on birdlife. The period to be covered in the MarclWqpril number will be that from December 15 to February 15. H. K. 7