PiUSB EE Gear Pc OUN SOF New Haven Bird Club. BuL_LeTIN No. 1 List of the Birds of the New Haven Region COMPILED BYe ‘COMMITTEE: OF FREEMAN F. BURR, Chairman PHILIP L. BUTTRICK ALFRED W. HONYWILL, JR. DWIGHT B. PANGBURN ARETAS A. SAUNDERS CLIFFORD H. PANGBURN ADVISORY COMMITTE DR. LOUIS B. BISHOP New Haven, Conn May, 1908 Price 25 Cents INTRODUCTION Recognizing the need of a brief and simple guide to the birds of the New Haven region,—something that might aid teachers and others interested in knowing what birds to look for and to a certain extent when and where to look for them,—the com- mittee have endeavored to fill that need with the present bulletin. Complete descriptions of all our birds will be found in any of several well-known manuals, obtainable at the book stores and on the shelves of public and other libraries: in the New Haven pub- lic library the officials have kindly reserved, on a special shelf, books for the use of members of the Bird Club and others partic- ularly interested. Such descriptions are not within the compass of this bulletin; nor is it always possible to say which birds may most easily be tound, or the exact locality where any one species may certainly be seen. It has, however, been found feasible to deal briefly in a more or less satisfactory manner with about two hundred birds that can be seen during any year in the immediae vicinity of New Haven: a supplementary list has been added, containing the names of birds that have been re- corded, but are extremely rare and not likely to be seen by the average observer. For the most part the data for the bulletin have been found in the field notes of individuals, taken during the last few years: we therefore feel certain that the information is accurate for his time and region. It is hoped that this may be the first of a series of bulletins issued annually or at shorter intervals if circumstances warrant; and the committee will wel- come any suggestions with regard to future issues. FREEMAN F. BURR, For the Committee, May 5, 1908. LS) EDGEWOOD, PARKVAND MEICHEL ES: ILE, A section of the country around New Haven which is more than usually fruitful for the Bird Student, is Edgewood Park, together with the Westville flats, lying beyond it for three- quarters of a mile, and ending in Mitchell’s Hill; so called from the fact that it belongs to, and adjoins the home of Mr. Donald G. Mitchell, the well known author, more familiarly known as “Tke Marvel-” The section above mentioned embodies almost all the differ- ent varieties of country found about New Haven. In addition to this it is very easily reached. It has, roughly speaking, the torm of a rectangle, bounded on the north by Whalley Avenue and on the south by Chapel Street, being divided into a square and small retangle by Edgewood Avenue. It may thus be reached by either the Edgewood Avenue or the Whalley Avenue cars. In the Park proper are found very marshy, as well as dry and slightly wet fields, a grove of evergreens, banks about thirty feet high covered with deciduous growth, and bushy places. Thru the middle hows West River. When the wind blows from the north, northwest or west, the birds are found in largest num- bers between Edgewood and Whalley Avenues along the west bank of the Park. In the country just described there have been seen over one hundred different varieties of birds: however, they are not as numerous now as they were before the large bushy area just north of Chapel Street was cut out to make room for a lake, which is not yet finished. In the flats mentioned above are found dry and ploughed fields and rows of large shade trees along some of the streets. The plant of the Elm City Nursery is also here. It has in it many small trees and shrubs in which numerous birds are found. Mitchell’s Hill fronts on Forest Street. It is nearly covered with a thick growth of juniper bushes and small cedars, with a few birches here and there. A road zigzags up the hill and is everywhere bordered on one or both sides with large maples. The Hill seems to lie on one of the migration routes and during the season numbers of Warblers may be found here almost any morning. On windy days, too, the birds may often be found here on account of the shelter afforded by the evergreens, Even in the winter a trip thru this piece of country can hardly fail to produce good results, for besides the usual winter residents which would be found anywhere, there are usually one or two Flickers wintering in the Park, and Myrtle Warblers, etc., at the Hill. DB. THE QUINNIPIAC MARSHES) FAIR EAViEN ents FOXON. The Quinnipiac marsh is an excellent bird country for those who wish to investigate it. Great numbers of Redwings and Marsh Wrens nest here while in the Fall the Redwings gather in flocks of countless thousands. ‘The Swamp Sparrow also nests here and the Black Duck has been reported to do so. Flowing into the upper east side of the marsh is a stream known as Muddy River. Along the stream is a fairly thick growth of trees containing a number of large evergreens in which the Black-throated Green builds its nest each year. The country about here is an excellent Warbler ground and doubt- less quite a large number of different species might be seen in a single day. Here in the denser country the Whip-poor-will nests and the Mourning Dove is quite commonly seen. Farther distant from the stream one will find a brushy country where the usual types of birds will be found. Across the railroad from the Muddy River tract of woods are green fields and here the Grasshopper Sparrow builds, but is not at all common. Fair Haven as a whole is open country containing a num- ber of orchards where of course the Bluebird is found nesting; but on the whole it has no especial attraction over any other similar section of country about New Haven. Foxon is an open country alternating with patches of woodland. In the fields the Meadowlark nests while in the woods one finds the Oven Bird and Wood Thrush. It might be well in ending this short sketch to give a few directions bow to reach the country described. Take Fair Haven car from city and transfer at end of line to Montowese car. To 4 visit Foxon country get off at first road on the right after cross- ing under the railroad bridge and follow this road for about a mile. ‘lo get to Muddy River continue on car beyond five cent limit and ask conductor to stop at road to Muddy River. iN sed ale WEST SHORE. The Sandspit so often referred to in this Bulletin is one of the best places about here to see shore birds as well as many other kinds. It is best reached by taking the West Haven trolley to the corner of First avenue and Main street and the going south along First Avenue till you reach the salt marsh back of it. One may then either cross the marsh directly to the beach or go round by way of the road. On the beach one may often see in late Summer and Autumn numbers of shore birds. Along shore to \Woodmont and beyond is a good place to look tor gulls and ducks when they are here. TEE BANS SStHi@RIK: This district may be said to begin at the east end of the Tomlinson bridge; running from that point along the harbor shore to Lighthouse Point, then along the Sound shore to Bran- ford Harbor. Included within the district are muddy, sandy, and rocky stretches of shore; salt marshes traversed by small rivers and creeks; and several areas of swampy woods and fields. During the Winter and Spring Herring Gulls may be seen in great numbers feeding on the mud-flats in the harbor; and far- ther out many ducks of several kinds. Along the Sound shore ducks, loons, grebes and gulls are to be found at the proper sea- sons, with occasional shore-birds on the beaches and rocky points. At low tide sandpipers of several kinds run about in the beds of the water-courses ; kingfishers make their nests along at least one of the streams,—the East Haven River; and in the grasses and sedges of the salt marsh may be found Marsh Wrens and rails. In the wooded tracts numerous warblers, thrushes, and other small birds make their temporary or permanent home according to habit; in some of the low woody places the songs of the Veery and the Ovenbird make a trip well worth while in the late Spring or the early Summer. Altogether, the district offers a large variety of conditions, and gives opportunity for observation of a goodly number of interesting hirds. That portion of the district which borders the harbcr may be reached by the Steamboat car, with a change at the freight tracks; or at the other end by the Lighthotise car without change :—the latter also makes accessible a portion of the Sound shore and some tracts of marsh and swamp. Other portions of the district farther to the east are reached by the Branford and Momauguin cars. Pi ubicuelse THE SALTONS TALL REGION: Lake Saltonstall is a body of water about two miles in length, the lower end of which is near the East Haven Green. Along the entire west side is a narrow ridge of trap rock rising about one hundred feet above the Lake, sloping very steeply to the water and less precipitously to the bottom lands of the Foxon river. This ridge is covered about equally with conifers and hardwoods although the evergreens predominate at each end. The railroad tracks cross the Lake near its south end and all of it which is of any interest to ornithologists les north of these tracks. On the east side the land slopes gently to the water from a hill of about the same height as the ridge on the west. Open meadows, cedar. thickets, and small patches of woodland alter- nate for about three-quarters of the distance to the upper end, trom which point fairly heavy timber extends the rest of the way to the head, where there is a small sandy plain, once a village site of the Quinnipiac Indians. Above this plain and the head of the Lake rises a steep and heavily wooded slope which is an extension of the western ridge. Several small streams and numerous springs flow into the Lake from the east, and there are many sandy beaches along this shore. The variety of country together with its isolated position makes Saltonstall an ideal place at which to find many of the rare and wilder varieties of birds, as well as for many commen ones. Among the evergreens Hawks, Owls and many smaller birds are found, including some species which breed only loeally 6 about New Haven, as the Black-throated Green Warbler. In the fields on the east shore birds of the open abound, while on the Lake itself ducks of different species together with gulls may be found in the right season. The Lake is best reached by taking the trolley to East Haven green and walking from there. Orkid et ANNOTATED LIST 1. HOLBGLL’S GREBE—Colymbus holboellii. See following species. 2. HORNED GREBF, Winter resident arrives from the north about October 15. Leaves probably in April. Usually found on salt water, keeps well in shore. Woodmont, Savin Rock, Lighthouse Point, Mo- mauguin. Colymbus auritus. Holbeell’s Grebe is a larger species with much the same habits and is a rare winter resident. 3. PIED-BILLED GREBE—Podilymbus podiceps. Spring and fall migrant, (may winter in mild seasons). Spring records are rare for this species, probably passes north in April. Returns in late August and September, stays till the ponds freeze. Usually found on fresh water ponds or salt marsh pools. Lakes Saltonstall, Whitney, Burton, probably any fresh pond of sufficient size. Quinnipiac marshes. 4. LOON—Gavia imber. Rather common Spring and Fall migrant. Winters in small numbers. Arrives early in October, departs about the first of May. Found usually on salt water. Keeps well inshore. Occa- sional on large fresh water ponds, Woodmont, Savin Rock, Lighthouse Point, Momauguin, Lake Saltonstall. Formerly bred. The Red-throated Loon also occurs as a common winter resident but it is not possible to distinguish it in the field from the other. 5. RED-THROATED LOON—Gavia lumme. See preceding species. 6. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL—Larus marinus. Rare Winter resident. Migration dates wanting. Keeps well off shore, usually in large flocks of Herring Gulls. Re- ported from Lake Saltonstall. 7. HERRING GULL—Larus argentatus. Common Winter resident. First arrive late in August, last leave early in June. Common from October to May. Comes well up the harbor. May be seen in large flocks feeding on refuse at the mouths of any of the sewers emptying into it, notably at City Point. They sometimes fly well up West and Mill Rivers, and up the Quinnipiac River to North Haven. At times found in large flocks on Lake Saltonstall. 8. BONAPARTE’S GULL—Larus philadelphia. Rare Fall migrant along the coast. No recent records. 9g. WILSON’S TERN (Common Tern)—Sterna hirundo. Formerly Summer resident, now rare Spring and late Sum- mer migrant along the coast. Still breeds along the coast to the east of us, notably at Madison and Stonington. In foggy weather apparently flies well inland up the rivers. 10. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT — Phalacrocora.+s dilophus. Tolerably common migrant. Keeps well off shore, usually from mid-July to November. Sometimes in April and May. 11. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER—Merganser serrator. Uncommon Winter visitant on salt water. iz. MALLARD—Anas boschas. Very rare Spring, fairly common Fall migrant. 13. BLACK DUCK—Anas obscura. Not uncommon permanent resident. Very common Fall and Spring migrant, common Winter resident. First migrants arrive late in August or early in September. Depart about the middle of April. A few pair breed on the Quinnipiac marshes. This duck is the first of the ducks to return in autumn. It frequents both fresh and salt water. This species is nearly always to be found on Lake Saltonstall in some numbers during migrations, and is a well known game duck but not often taken from “duck 8 lines.” (Note. The Red-legged Black Duck (Anas obscura rub- ripes), a larger race, occurs here in migration and Winter, but it is impossible to tell them apart in the field. ) 14. GREEN-WINGED TEAL—Nettion carolinensis, Rare Fall migrant on marshes, occasionally winters. 15. BLUE-WINGED TEAL—Querquedula discors. Rare Fall migrant on fresh water ponds and salt marshes. Formerly abundant. 17. WOOD DUCK—Ai-+ sponsa. Very rare migrant on inland waters. May still breed. 16. PINTAIL—Dafila acuta. Apparently only a casual Fall migrant on salt water and marshes, altho Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright gives it as common at Fairfield, Ct., only twenty-five miles up the Sound. 18 RED HEAD—Aythya americana. Very rare Fall migrant on salt water. 19. AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK—4ythya mariia. Common Winter resident arrives October, most leave in April. This duck is extremely common on the Sound in early Spring, gathering in large rafts some distance off shore. They come up into the harbor farther than the Scoters but not so far as the Golden-eye. A few Scaups remain on the coast till June. and are the last migrant ducks to leave. These birds are prob- ably the Lesser Scaup~ Duck, but there’ is no way of telling them from the larger form in the field. Woodmont, Savin Rock, Lighthouse Point, Momauguin, Lake Saltonstall. (a). LESSER SCAUP DUCK—Aythya affnis. Rather rare migrant and Winter resident. See No. 109. 20. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE (Whistler) — Clangula clangula americana. | Common Winter resident, arrives late in October. Departs middle of April. Comes well up the harbor and stays well in shore, has been seen at City Point, Woodmont, Savin Rock, Sandspit, Harbor, Lighthouse Point, Momauguin, Lake Salton- stall. 21. RUFFLEHEAD—Charitonctta albeola. Formerly common, now a rather rare Winter resident, No- vember to April. Both fresh and salt water. 22. OLD SQUAW—Harelda hyemalis. Very abundant Winter resident. Arrives from the north in late October or early November. Leaves in late March or early April. This is a very noisy bird and is a characteristic feature of the Sound in Winter. A large flock feeding over the shallows keeps up an incessant chorus of nazal sounds resem- bling the syllables awar-awar-arr, awar-awar-arr. Old Squaws come well up the harbor but not so far as the Golden-eye or Scaup. 23. KING EIDER—Somateria spectabilis. Occasional Fall migrant and Winter resident. 24. AMERICAN SCOTER—Oidemia americana. Rare, young birds occasionally common in Fall. 25. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER—Ojidemia deglandi. This with the following species are collectively the commonest ducks in the Sound off New Haven in the Fall and Winter. They are called Coots by the gunners and are at times almost the only birds taken in the “duck lines” along shore, altho they are not edible by reason of their fishy taste. It is often difficult to distinguish between these birds at any great distance; and since their habits are about the same, they may be treated together. The White-winged is the commonest, the American the rarest. They arrive from the north late in August or early in September, but at first keep well off shore and are not much seen. Towards the middle of September they become common and during Octo- ber and November are very abundant. ‘The last leave about May 1. Often seen flying over the city at dusk during Spring migration. Not known to occur on fresh water about here. 26. SURF SCOTER—Oidemia pers picillata. (See preceding species. ) 27. RUDDY DUCK—Erismatura jamaicensis. Rare or casual Fall migrant and Winter resident. Occurs on both fresh and salt water. Dickerman’s pond, Fall of 1907, Woodmont, December 25, 1907. No Spring records known, ee a= IO 28. CANADA GOOSE—Branta canadensis. Spring and Fall migrant. Possibly rare Winter resident. Arrives from the north about the middle of October. Departure dates in the Fall are lacking. Reappears late in March and is seen till late in April. Seen most often going over in long V shaped wedges. Sometimes seen on fresh or salt water singly or in flocks. Occasionally taken from “duck lines” but usually keeps well off shore. 29. WHITE-BELLIED BRANT (Brant Goose)—Branta ber- nicla glaucogastra. Rare Spring and Fall migrant, may winter. Arrives about middle of October. Spring dates wanting. Rarer than the pre- ceding. Keeps well off shore. Not reported from fresh water about here. 31. LEAST BITTERN—A4Ardetta evilis. Summer resident, may breed on Quinnipiac marshes. Little known about this bird’s status in this neighborhood. 30. AMERICAN BITTERN—Botaurus lentiginosus. Spring and Fall migrant on salt or fresh marshes. May breed on Quinnipiac marshes. 32. GREAT BLUE HERON—Ardea herodias. Spring, late Summer and Fall migrant. May breed in small numbers. Probably winters in mild seasons. Passes north ‘from the middle of March to the middle of May, south from early August to late December. Frequents salt and fresh marshes, borders of rivers, lakes, etc. West River, Sand- spit, Quinnipiac and Morris Cove marshes, Lakes Whitney, Bur- ton, and Saltonstall. 33. GREEN HERON—Butorides virescens. Rather common Summer resident. Arrives early in May. Departs in mid-September. Nests in trees, usually in colonies. Nested in Westville 1906 (Shumway). See Saturday Chronicle May 4, 1907. Ji 34. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON—N yctocorax nye- tocorax naevius. Rather common Summer resident. Arrives in April, leaves late in September. The Night Heron or Squawk is often seen flying over the city to and from the shore. Along shore where fish wiers are common these birds often sit for hours during the day. At dusk they become more active and are seen flying about uttering their nasal squawk! There is a colony of these birds nesting in the grounds of the Winchester Repeating Arms Com- pany back of Mill Rock. 35. CLAPPER RAIL—Rallus crepitans. Rare Summer resident, breeds on Quinnipiac marshes. 36. VIRGINIA RAIL—Rallus virginianus. Rather common Summer resident on large marshes. Breeds on Quinnipiac marshes in June. 37. CAROLINA RAIL (Sora)—Porzana carolina. Abundant Fall migrant. Probably breeds, April to October. 38. YELLOW RAIL—Porszana noveboracensis. Fall migrant. All the Rails are more or less common but owing to the fact that they hide in the marsh grass and cattails rather than taking flight are little seen. 39. AMERICAN COOT—Fulica americana. Apparently a rather common Fall migrant on fresh water ponds. Little is known concerning its status about here. 40. AMERICAN WOODCOCK.—Philohela minor. Rare Spring and Fall migrant and Summer resident. Ar- rives early in March, leaves late in November or early in Decem- ber. Keeps to low swampy woodland where it drills for worms in the mud. In late Fall during the gunning season often flushed from higher and drier woods. This species is one of our first birds to nest,—in late March and early April. For at least the last two seasons Woodcock have been found in the breeding season in the woods bordering the Wompopaug River, just south of the Derby turnpike. 4t. WILSON’S SNIPE—Gallinago delicata. Spring and Fall migrant on large fresh water marshes. Ar- rives late in March or early in April. Leaves late in April. Passes south from late September to November. Wilson’s Snipe was formerly abundant during migration in the marshy tract between West Rock Ridge and the lower Woodbridge Road. Seen last Spring in Edgewood Park. 42. PECTORAL SANDPIPER—Jringa maculata. Rare Fall migrant on marshes. Formerly common. 43. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER—Actodromas fuscicol- lis. Rare Spring, late Summer and Fall migrant along the coast. Passes north in May, returns August to October. Often associates with other “peep.” 44. LEAST SANDPIPER—Actodromas minutilla. See Semipalmated Sandpiper No. 46. 45. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER—Pelidna aplina pacifica. Very rare Spring and Fall migrant along the coast. 460. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER—Ereunetes pusillus. Common Spring, late Summer and Fall migrant. Passes north during May, south from mid-July to October. Found along shore feeding on the beach in small numbers, notably at the Sandspit ; on salt marshes, West River_and Quinnipiac some- times in large flocks. The Least Sandpiper is often associated with it. Both are called “peep” by the gunners. It is a practical impossibility to tell these birds apart in the field. The Semi- palmated is probably by far the commoner. 47. SANDERLING—Calidris arenaria. Formerly common Spring, late Summer and Fall migrant. along the coast. But few recent records. Passes north in May, returns July to October. Sometimes seen at the Sandspit with other “peep.”