MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

'j 3 >ii[[s.tin 01- ili£. ^'liarLjCanJ ^xnitfzofo^ cat c:Soci£.t^, JJnc, I

<^iianiion, 49^5 SaCiimoic ^%u I

J

THE IIARUAND OHNITHOLOOIGAL SOCIETY, INC.

Cylbura Uanaion, 4915 Greenaprlttg Ave., Baltimore 9, Uarylaad

State President: Mr. Marvin W, Hewitt, Greensboro, Md. HOnter 2-5781

First Tice President: Mr. Seth H. Low, H. D. 2, Gaithersburg, Md.

State Secretary: Mr, A, Jerome Fletcher. Rt, 1, Box 201, Denton, Md,

State Treasurar* Cdr, Edward P. Wilson, 119 Archiwod Ave., Annapolis, Md.
State Membership Sec.: Mrs. Shirley Geddas , 503 Overbrook Rd., Balto., Md

Local Chapters

iPt<

Coi

Allegany County
Anne Arundel Co.
Baltimore

Caroline County
Frederick County
Harford County
Kent County
Soldier’s Delight
Takoma Park
Talbot County

State Vice Presidents*

!bld.

Miss Nan Livingston
103 Washington St,,

Capt. J. E. M, Wood
101 Old Crossing Lane,

Mr. Seth H. Low
R, D. 2

Gaithersburg, Md.

Mrs. A. Jerome Fletcher
Rt, 1, Box 201, Denton
Mr. Frank J, Weiruther
214 E. Church St., Frederick
Mr. Barklay E. Tucker, Jr,
Grafton Rd., R.F.D., Bel Air
Mr. Clark G. Webster
Remington Farms, Chestertoim
Mrs. Bertha W. Poe
Academy Ave., Owings Mills
Charles N. Thomsen
419 Elm St. , Takoma Park 12
Mr. Richard L. KLeen
Box 122, St. Michaels

State Trustees
Mr. Daniel Iblk
Mrs. Daniel Folk
Prof. David Howard
Annap. Capt. J. S, M. Wood
Mr. Seth H. Low

Mrs. Richard D. Cole
Mr. Carl Lubbert
Mr. A. Jorone Fletcher
Mr, Marvin W. Hewitt
Mr. Frank J. Weiruther
Mr. Sterling W. Ediwrds
Miss Eetella Everett
Mrs. Basil M. Gregory
Mr. Thomas S. Carswell
Mrs. Thomas S. Carswell
Mrs. Bertha W. Foe
Mr. Fred Roelecke
Miss Hilda S. Smith
Mrs. Elsie Hovey
Miss Edith Adkins
Dr. J. T, B. Ambler

State Vice Furesldents are Presidents of their respective chapters.

Active meaberebip (adults)
Junior " (un^ior 18 yrs.)
Sustaining membership
Life membership
Out-of-etats membership

^ 2.00 plus local chapter dues

.50 plus local chapter dues

5.00 plus local chapter dues

100.00 (payable in 4 annual installments)

2.00 (MARnAND BIRDLIFS only)

CONTSTES, JUNE 1960

Cowblrd Dnsuccessfally Parasitizes Catbird Hervey Brackbill 35
The Tear Eveniing Grosbeaks Came to Lakahurst Alice S. Kaestner 35
Report of the 3tate-wido Bird Count, May 7 John Seddon Weake 37
Committee Appointments for 1960-61 44
Rock Run Wildlife Sanctuary of M.O.S., Inc. Edward P. Wilson 45
1960 Annual Co^vstitlon A, J, Fletcher 46
Baltimore Club'*s winter Trip to Del-Mar-Va Hank Kaestner 47
The Season — Jajnuary, February, March, 1960 Chandler S. Robbins 48
Editorial— A Clhallenge 57
New Members 58
Coming Events 59

COVER: Feimale Evening Grosbeak. Photograph by Chandler S. Robbins

HEADINGS: 3y Irving E, Hampe, Art Editor

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

^J^uJj[L±^£.d (^uaxtzzttj i/i£

czA/{a%ij[anA (D ^nit^to^iaat <cSoci£.i^, iJnc.

Cylburn MansJon, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore 9, Md.

Toluse 16

JXRIS 1960

Number 2

COSfBIRD DNSUCCESSFULLT PARASITIZES CATBIRD
Herrey Eraokbill

In a Catbird ( Dumetalla earollnengls) nest Just outside a window of
the Edwin Appel home in Larchmont, Baltimore County, the first Catbird
egg end also a Brown-headed Cowbird { Molothrus ater ) egg appeared be-
tween 8 a.m. end noon on May 10, 1960, but by 5 p.m, the same day the
cowbird egg was gone, ICrs. Appel told me the next day. Friedmann (The
Cowblrde, 19S9: 253) states that the Catbird usually throws out a cow-
bird* s egg, and Stewart and Robbins do not list the Catbird among the
Brown-headed Cowbird* s known Maryland hosts (Birds of Maryland and the
District of Columbia, 1958: 329).

2620 Poplar Drive, Baltimore

THE TEAR THAT TEE ETaiING QS0SBEAE5 CAME TO LAEEHURST
Alice S. Kaestner

Great predictions hare been made for the next ten years, but little
did I dream that an outstanding experience was to happen to me which might
bo called "Grosbeak Spectacular." It was in the first month of the first
year of the new decade, January 6, 1960, to be exact, that six Evening
Grosbeaks ( Hesperiphona vespertina) came to my feeding shelf.

In February 1946, when the Maryland Ornithological Society was in
its Infancy, there being no state society then, a flock of these birds
ceuie to several feeding stations in Dickeyvllle. Many of the members
made numerous trips to see these colorful birds, which were unusual to us
at that time.

But my first opportunity to observe the Evening Grosbeaks at my own
home did not come until 1960; it was a great thrill. A still greater one
was to see them return day after day for 131 days, end the greatest thrill

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 16. No. 2

cane on January 27th when I counted thirty-four birds at the sane time
eating voraciously the sunflower seeds on the shelf and below on the ground.

Until January 17th, only f^oale grosbeaks cane to the shelf; then on
that day two male birds arrived and brightened up the scene.

On February 10th, I heard them callijig for the first time as they
perched in a nearby maple tree. Roger Tory Peterson describes their call
as resembling 'glorified House Sparrows", I agree that it is a very
cheerful call*

£ach day the number of birds varied, but there were between twelve
and twenty here daily. As they feed for long periods, they were most
satisfactory to watch. X timed one particular bird eating continuously
on January 26th from 2:35 to 3:02 p.m, and again, this same bird on Jan-
uary 29th from 300 to 4:01 p.m. Usually their departing time here was
between 1:30 and 2 p.m. However, this bird was at the shelf on March l6th
at 4:35 P«»* which was my latest observation for the afternoon, Althou^
not banded, identificatiem was easy as it was the only bird here >diose
feathez^ were rou^ from his beak to the crown of his bead, as though some
were missing. He was less easily frightened than the others of his flock,
continuing to feed and remaining on the shelf until I was only six feet
from him.

How often during these weeks I wished for a camera operated by remote
control, especially when the shelf, six feet in length was completely cov-
ered with the grosbeaks alone, with the sunli^t turning the yellow of the
males to a much brighter shade. But being endowed with a vivid memory, 1
had never felt the urge to take up photography; pertiaps this was a selfish
attitude*

Another colorful picture which has turned into a memory was the pres-
ence of a male Evening Grosbeak, a male Purple Finch and a male Cardinal
feeding on the shelf vftdJ.e beneath on the ground, a Blue Jay scratched in
the fallen seed.

My fast rnmnory of the grosbeaks, after seeing them daily for more
than four months was the strange one of them flying donn to the shelf out
of a Norway maple In full foliage. The recollection of them in this area
is usually that of a winter scrnie— snow and bare trees.

The sunflower seed consumed from January 6th to May 15th, their de-
parture date, was more than 350 pounds and the grosbeadts had eatoc the
greater percentage of it. But it had been spread ungrudgingly, and the
dividoids received far exceeded the investment,

I hope that ^y M,0,S, friends did not become too wearied with my
repetitions of daily enumerations of my unexpected visitors, but that
they will be gmierous when they remmaber that "it*s different when it
happens to you," And I hope that it will, too.

6CX)5 Ladeehurst Dr., Baltimore 10

June I960

MAaYLAMD BIRELIFE

H£PC»IT OP THE STATE-WIDE BIRD COUNT, MAI 7, I960
Compiled by John Seddon Waeke

The I960 State-wide Bird Count, as in the five preceding years,
failed to coincide with a "wave” of spring migrants. Comments like
"much worse than last year" and "surprised at the scarcity of warblers”
frequently aecoiQtaaled the checklists snit to the compiler. The weather
in Howard County, which was typical for the State as a whole, ranged in
temperature from 46^ to 77^ , idith skies clear or li^tly overcast and the
wind east-southeast to south at 6 to 25 Knots, gusting to 32 l^ots. The
strong winds in the afternoon hampered observations considerably.

On all quarters migration was reduced to the barest trickle. Broad-
winged Hawks were recorded in only six areas* There were less than one-
third as many Blue Jays pres€nt as a year ago, and only three Blaek-thr.
Green Warblers were seen, against 75 last year* Likewise, less 'than one-
eighth as many Myrtle Warblers and White-throated Sparrows were noted this
year, but the later date of the Bird Count may account in part for this
fact*

The total number of party-hours spent afield this year was U2B^,
a new high for the history of the Bird Count, but other statistics fell
short of the previous records* In all, 123 observers in 16 of the state's
23 counties tallied 40,227 individuals of 213 species. Fourteen species
were counted this year that were missed a year ago* six winter-resident
water birds, two shorebirds, four passerines, the Mute Swan, and the Gull-
billed Tern* Among these, the Evening Grosbeak was moet widespread, oc-
curring in nine localities. The two species of northern gulls were still
present at Ocean City, and worthy of special menti<n is the Philadelphia
Vlreo at Gibson Island, a bird seldom seen in springtime*

A good shorebird concentration at Ocean City produced new hi^
spring counts for four species: 100 Knots, 60 Purple Sandpipers, 1000

Dunlin, and 200 Sanderlings* Also seen in this area were 30 Oeat Black-
backed Gulls which are becoming commoner every year, and 72 lingering
Brant. Other high counts in the state included 23 Solitary Sandpipers at
Patuxent Refuge; BOO Laughing Gulls and 16 Screech Ouls in Talbot County;
21 Warbling Vireos in Washington County and 10 in FreCsrick County; 15
Cerulean Warblers along the Gunpowder Elver, and 75 Grasshopper Sparrows
in Fraderick County. The totals on herons reflected a large nesting
colony on St* Catherine Island, and the 49 Prothonotary Warblers in Car-
oline County probably resulted largely from a twentynnlle blrding txdp
by canoe*

The total species, total individuals, and party-hours for each area
may be found at the foot on Table 1, and the remaining information on
coverage in the State-wide Count is givmi below.

1, Garrett County (Pleasant Valley Camp, Bittinger). Pan Minke.

2* Allegany County (within a five-^le radius of Cumberland). 13
observers in 5 parties. William Leeson ( costlier ), Allegany County Bird
Club.

Table 1. State-wide Bird Count, May .7, I960

Species
Camion Loon
Red-throated Loon
Homed Grebe
Pied-billed CSrebe
Qannet

1

Gar

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1? 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

All Vfae Eam Cat Fre Car Ekl Gun Vtol LEto Cjd How Brk CW ^e Gib Arm ^d C^ Cln Tal OcC TOT

TT

20

4

2

2

Oouble-cr« Conaorant

55

1

24

80

Great Blue Hercm

2

3

2

2

2

2

25

5 5 6

1

55

Green Heron

2

1

1

2

2

4

3

1

4

13 4

3

31

iiittle Blue Heron

12

4

16

Coataon Earet

150

1

Snowy Egret

2

4

6

Black-cr* Night Heron

225

225

American Bittern

1

1

Mute Swan

5

5

Whistling Swan

1

1

Canada Goose

17

2

40

6

^5

Brant

7

72

79

Mallard

1

5

1

3

6

16

9

10

1 11 8 20

91

Black Duck

2

3

5

2

2

2

2

2

16 6

42

Blue-winged Teal

?

5

Wood Duck 1

U 3

5

1

a

3

2

1

8

13

4

2

2 12 1

80

Lesser Scaup

1

1 10

12

American Goldeneye

1

1

Oldsquaw

1

1

White-winged Scoter

100

3

10?

Surf Scoter

1

1

Coajnon Scoter

3

3

Hooded Merganser

2

2

Red-br. Merganser

2

2

26

30

lurktT Vulture i

57 U

6

p

12

12

3

?

?

10 55

}

1

1

4

10

20

195 14

6

506

Black Vulture

3

6

1

lo

Sharp-shinned Hawk

1

1

2

Cooper's Haidc 1

1

2

2

6

Red-tailed Haidc 1

2

1

1

3 4

12

Red-shouldered Hatdc

2

1

2

4

1

1

5 ..

16

Broad-winged Hawk

1

3

1 1

1

1

8

Bald Eagle

1

1

7

2

11

Marsh Hawk

3

3

Osprey

1 1

1

4

1

2

4

1

15

40 J

5 13 11

12

112

Sparrow Hawk 1

4

1

1

2

3

2

2 2

1

1?

Ruffed (k’ouse 3

2

4

2

11

Bobwhite

12 16

2

1

12

1

2

2

2

1

24

6

4

14

17

7

58

7 ■

7 92 39

6

332

Ring-necked Pheasant

11

1

12

W

Vol. 16. No

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8 9 10 11

12

13

14

15 16

17

18

19

20 21 22

23

24

25

26

Species

Gar AIJ. Was C^ Fre Car Ekl Gun Whi LRo

Cyl How Brk C&O Pat Gre Gib Ann Brd Cal StM NAS

Cln Tal OeC

TOT

Clapper Rail

12

12

Virginia Rail

1

1

American Coot

3

3

Am. Oystercatcher

1

1

Piping Plover

1

1

Semipalmated Plover

50

50

Killdeer

2

2

2

10 2

1

5 3

1

4

3

5

5

1 10 1

3

14

].2

6

92

Black-belUed Plover

4

1

90

95

Rudd7 Turnstone

4

4

American Woodcock

1

?

1

2

1

1

2?

Common Snipe

2

2

Upland Plover

1

1

Spotted Sandpiper

3

1

1

2

1

1 2

2

1

3

6

3

1 2

2

3

1

2

37

Solitary Sandiiper

2

U

1

4

1 23

3

1

4

1

4

53

Willet

2

40

Greater Yellowlega
Lesser Yellowlegs
Knot

11 1
8 1

1 1

3

7 3 8 35

2 2 1 14

100 100

Purple Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper

5 2

?

1 2

4

60 60
4 16 2 39

Dunlin

1000 1000

Short-billed Dowitcher
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Sanderling

4

5

3

8 8
4 20 36

1 1
200 200

Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull

1 1
1 1

Gt. Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull

1

57

9

1

3 5

1

25 200
_ 15 30

30

8

40 300
3 25

7

3

1 30 40

300 100 1061
36 400 10 547

Laughing Gull
Gull-billed Tem
Forster's Tem
CoDunon Tem
Least Tem

20

12

65 1032
6

8

48 800 150 1117
4 4

6 6
500 506
2 75 85

Caspian Tem
iloyal Tem
Black Skimmer
Moumjng Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo

12 8

-S-I

3C 20

1 7

15

1

7 19 5
13 2

2 78 16
112

lU

-X

47 13 12 1

J. .a-

58 12
2

1

12 12
100 100
79 32 3 50C

3 1 6g

12

Black-billed Cuckoo
Bam Owl
Screech Owl
Great Homed Owl

1

1

16

11

1

17

12

Cil

no

June 1960 MARYLAND BIRDLIF^

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

9

10

U

12

13

14

15 16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Species

Gar All Was

f.At. Fre

Car Ekl Gun Whl LRo Cyl How Brk

C&O.Pat

Gre Gib Ann Brd Cal StM NAS Cln Tel OcC

TOT

Barred Ovd

1

1

1

2

3

e

Chuck-will* B-v(idow

3

1

2

5

1

18

30

Whip-poor-will

3

4

2

10

6

2

21

5

1

15

4

5

11

3

92

CoBsnon Kighthawk

4

6

1

1

5

. 3

1

21

20

7?

10

X 75

10

2?

28

20

3

9

U 13..

26

39

9

6

?8

25 11

1??

71

?o

806

Hxiby-thr* Hutimingbird

2

1

5

1

2

3

1

3

3

1

3

3

28

Belted Kingfisher

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

n

1

1

4

2

4

T

2

11

1

1

48

Yellow-sh. Flicker

?>

50

6

4

3 3

2

3

3

5

1

2

8

3

3 2

9

4

2

3

13

4

2

141

Pileated Woodpecker

1

2

4

3

3

1

1

1

15

Red-bellied Woodpecker

2

2

3 5

1

?

8

1

3

1?

5

10 15

?

16

4

34

2

3

32

8

179

Red-headed Woodpecker

i

3

2

2

8

Yel. -bellied Sapsucker

1

1

2

Hairy Woodpecker

2

2

2

1

2

1

1

2

4

4

2

1

6

2

32

Downy Woodpecker

JL

1

4

6

3 4

1

1

9

1

1

7

2

5 5

U

5

2

13

5

4

21

5

1

121

Eastern Kingbird

2

1

6

4

4 3

1

2

}

6

4

2

30

22

U

17

30

6

17

5

3

?4

10

-4-

250

Gt. Crested Flycatcher

2

1

4

8 17

2

4

2

19

7

3 4

9

15

17

9

4

29

17

6

185

Eastern Phoebe

6

3

5

3

1 12

1

2

2

2

1

4

6

1 5

7

1

U

1

13

1

2

100

Acadian Flycatcher

1

1

2

2

5 5

4

5

3

2

8

4

1

43

Least Flycatcher

4

1

5

Kmpldonax Csp.)

1

1

£. Wood Pewee

2

2

2

1

6

1

5

1

1

.LO

3

23

5

Olive-sided Flycatcher

1

1

2

Homed Lark

4

4

4

4

2

7

1

1

1

18

10

6

69

Tree Swallow

1

31

20 3

2

3

40

16

4

39

6

3

31

4

203

lUnlf .Smllow

3 2

1

2

6

10 95

. I7i

2

1

139

Rough-iriJiged Swallow

8

30 6

2

27

i6

4

2

5

3

55

8

4

4

4

17

10

205

Bam Swallow

34

17

20

20 41

12

10 30

14

6

3

81

21

19

45 225 33

6

115

60 10

240

40

50 1152

Cliff Swallow

10

1

11

Purple Martin

80

2

10

10 u

24

30

12

20

3

5

31

2

23

16 U

102

13

50

461

Blue Jay

klXB

6

1?

20 29

12

16 10

8

10

5

9 5

4 a

14 43

1

43

6

1

44

12

2

?49

Common Crow

4152

20

50 29

2

5

7

21

5

10

74

19

9 13

67

20 17

79

2

116

23

20

7W

Fish Crow

5

2

1

2

2

17

7

18

20

4

24

17

6

125

Black-capped Chickadee

34

34

Carolina Chickadee

10

2

10 6

2

5

6

2

6

15

4

3 6

16

21

3

38

3

6

58

12

4

233

Tufted Titmouse

1

16

10

4

20 10

2

2

5

8

3

3

2^

2

4 15

21

22

1

1

??

16

3

61

22

6

White-br« Nuthatch

1

25

1

1

1

3

32

Brown-headed Nuthatch

20

20

Brown Creeper

1

1

House Wren

48

6

6

20 20

1

5

3

4

3

2

22

15

2 5

U

13

1

1

2

1

1

7

1

1

201

Carolina Wren

1?

n

?

8 10

2

2

1

3

1

3

4

3

8 2

2

10

2

21

2

1

19

?

-M2

Long-billed Marsh Wren

1

1

1

9

1

13

Short-biUsd Marsh Wren

2

2

Mockingbird

57

5

5

10 12

3

4 10

7

4

3

63

6

4 7

57

12 17

6

50

5

4

53

29

20

453

Catbird

8

-il.

20

4 IB

-JL

1

12

2

-21.

10

-JL

-71.12-..

-SI-

20 14

-J2-

-2!L

6

411

t

M

BIRDLIKC Vol. 16. No

Speclea
Browi Thrash«r
flobin

Wood Thrush
Hemit Thrush

12 3 4 5 6

Gsr All Was Cat Fre
7 10 “S 13 12

22 275 42 40 40 82

15 44 31 15 25 26

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Car Ekl Gtm Whl LRo Cyl How Brk 040

4
16
6 2

2 3 7

15 8 10
10 U 4

18 3 1

83 10 15
69 22 6

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Pat^^AM^C^&UHNA^ OcC

7 17 150 5 4 14 10 1 "55 14 15

U 91 25 21 3 64 U 219 21 50

29 57 85 1 47 5 4 74 57 17

1

1 1 1

TOT

‘351

1183

668

1

Gray-che^ked Thrush

1

1

7«ery

1

1

1

5

2

1

1

2

1

1

16

Eastern Bluebird

8

2

2

6

7

1

6

3

9

1

1

1

47

Blue-gray Gnat catcher

4

3

15

6

2

1

3

10

1

12

8

U

1

4

4

22

3

2

115

Water Plnit

5

3

3

Cedar Waxwing

2

1

5

1

13

8

12

4

15

61

Starling

19 500

31

40

X 105

30

5

61

39

18

20 216

35 100

30 284

50

29

4 L22

8

18 269

5

40

2078

Whlte^qred Vireo

2

1

3

2

1

2

5

6

U

1

16.

2

3

20

1

6

82

Tellowthroated Vireo

1

3

2

1

9

6

3

2

3

9

1

40

SoUtarr Vireo

1

1

Hed-eyed Vireo

3

5

24

10

15

4

2

10

19

1

10

88

12

13 105

64 180

4

sT

28

5

55

22

10

777

Philadelphia Vireo

1

1

Warbling Vireo

21

10

1

1

1

5

1

40

Black-4Hwhite Warbler

3

3

9

3

1

4

1

10

4

1

2

10

5

8

7

17

3

14

3

1

109

Prothofiotarr Warbler

3

5

1

2

1

49

1

4

67

Swalnson's Warbler

2

2

Wontt-eating Warbler

2

1

2

3

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

2

20

Golden-winged Warbler

6

2

6

1

1

16

Blue-winged Warbler

3

3

6

2

1

1

1

3

1

21

Tennessee Warbler

1

1

Nashville Warbler

1.

2

1

4

Parula Warbler

3

25

3

3

15

15

3

19

15

33

1

12

6

2

13

17

2

187

Tellow Warbler

17

23

2

1

1

3

1

5

4

2

13

1

7

2

7

4

1

94

Magnolia Warbler

1

1

Cape Mar Warbler

1

1

1

1

4

Elk-thr. Blue Warbler

1

1

1

1

2

1

4

1

1

1

3

1

18

Hyrtle Warbler

5

1

12

1

15.

5

5

1

5

1

1

7

8

13

1

1

5

20

16

2

126

Blk-thr. Green Warbler

1

1

1

3

Cerulean Warbler

4

15

1

2

]

23

Blackburnian Warbler

3

1

Yello»f-thrtd. Warbler

2

2

5

1

3

U

Chestnut-sided Warbler

16

5

1

1

1

1

1

3

29

Blackpoll Warbler

1

1

4

3

2

4

1

1

1

3

21

Pine Warbler

2

1

5

7

U

1

30

Prairie Warbler

5

1

6

1

2

U

16

10

7

17

3

45

20

4

24

18

2

1^2

Pain Warbler

2

1

1

4

Ovenbird

12

2

5

5

1

2

6

3

7

2

12

5

27

23

7

13

1

1

20

7

10

171

No. Waterthrush

1

1

2

2

1

1

8

La. Waterthnwh

1

1

1

1

2

-A.

1

1

4

2

—L

2

1

1

10

1

6

June 1960 MARYIAKD BIRDLIFE

CO

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

n

12

13

U

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Species

Gar All Was

Emm Cat Fra Car Ekl

Gun Whi

LRo Cyl How Brk

GAO Pat

Gre Gib Ann Brd Cal StM

NAS

Cln Tal OcC TOT

Kentucky Warbler

1

3

2

1

1

7

13

3 e

5

1

23

8

3 77

lellowthroat

12

15

3

3

2

U

12

7

3

7

11

6

73

31

54

46

70

n

86

32

4

62

23

12 606

Tellow^breasted Chat

2

5

6

n

8

3

6

8

25

12

6

7

15

3

33

15

4

36

9

1 215

Hooded Warbler

1

6

1

1

1

7

2

17

12

30

23

6 107

Canada Warbler

3

4

1

1

1

1

8

American Redstart

7

2

12

1

2

3

1

8

1

4

5

23

28

64

61

9

1

18

12

5

8 280

House Sparrow

500

60

50

X

39

51

4

50

37

15

10

83

15

7

15

22

22

17

1

117

10

15 434 121

201717

Boblink

1

18

10

5

34

Eastern Meadowlark

2

27

26

50

X

30

1

10

15

1

10 130

21

n

10

1

7

27

13

4

71

9

12 521

Redwliuced Blackbird

7

76

9?

50 100

79

24

1

>0

6

10 215

35

?

75 146 U7

40

4 200

35

7 1341_492 10 3233

Orchard Oriole

2

4

1

2

7

4

11

3

1

15

1

10

32

4

97

Baltimore Oriole

65

23

6

2

u

3

2

C

>

6

2

12

2

1

1

2

12

1

159

Boat-tailed Grackle

6

30 36

Common Grackle

3 250 234

50

X 292

41

2

30

12

19

20 191

18

51

74 193 174

16

20172

120

6 965

762 50 3765

Brown-headed Cowbird

8

>00

10

20

?0

57

2

25

>0

12

6 152

17

10

16

3^

35

5

8

56

20

2 133

102 10 U50

Scarlet Tanager

4

4

20

10

4

1

2

36

2

3

18

18

22

2

52

1

28

— T

4 249

Summer Tanager

1

5

1

1

7

8

1. 24

Cardinal

1

200

20

20

15

59

12

10

14

8

10

98

5

19

15

31 147

35

6 116

a

10 173

34

16 1095

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

1

3

1

2

1

1

2

U

Blue Grosbeak

2

2

7

2

1 14

Indigo Bunting

5

1

6

10

7

1

1

13

1

10

3

3

2

2

2

9

3

1 86

Evening Grosbeak

32

14

2

21

1

8

10

8 149

Purple Finch

23

2

1

2

28

American Goldfinch

5

20

23

20

10

45

50

7 100

71

25

5 259 432 250

26

19

41

3

113

5

41

24

2 1596

Rufous-sided Towhee

2?

1?

30

2?

20

18

8

6

10

8

?

10

65

17

6

10

40 119

4

16

7

92

82

15 698

Savannah Sparrow

2

2

4

2

10

2

2

1

1

9

1

2 38

Grasshopper Sparrow

10

75

3

6

39

7

3

1

5

15

3

167

Henslow's Sparrow

2

3

5

Sharp-tailed Sparrow

2 2

Seaside Sparrow

1 1

Vesper Sparrow

1

2

20

3

1

2

1

i

41

Slate-colored Junco

2

2

Chipping Sparrow

12

25

n

6

15

2

3

10

25

11

2

3

28

13

7

7

7

1

51

4

1

88

9

4 345

Field Sparrow

3

15

n

10

10

10

3

10

4

21

1

43

13

8

13

3

2

67

20

8

62

17

4 362

White-croimned Sparrow

>

3

White-thrtd, Sparrow

17

6

1

3

2

2

1

2

8

3

7

13

1

21

u

119

Fox Sparrow

3

1

4

Swamp Sparrow

1

1

2

3

7

Sixis Sparrow

no

22

20

10

28

12

10

_Jl

6

JtL

8

Ji

26

«2^t_

-L

11

8

4

-J6.

11

4 472

51

266 S2 82 72 70 62 35 81 66 73 64 92 64 43 92 103 108 62 23 109 82 79 112 123 122 213

U39 777 498 806 336 2933 647 2040 606 3909 377 4160 .'40,227

3494 734 1368 143 623 262 982 132 2465 86 1555 6421 3468

5 35 20 8 4 18 4 li 3 Hi 5 4 14i 6 3i 6 24 48 11 l 95 11 15 61 12 6 428^

to

TOTAL SPECIES
TOTAL INDIVIDUALS
PARTI HOURS

BIRDLIFS Vol. 16, No

June I960

MAHYLAfJD BIHDLII'^E

3* Washington County. 6 a.m, to 6 p.m. U observers in 2 parties;
116 party-miles (6 on foot, 110 by car), Alice Mallonee, John G, Stauffer,
R. S. Stauffer (compiler). Sue C. Stauffer.

4. Kmmiisburg, Frederick County. 5:30 a.m. to S p.m, (not contin-
uously). R. Joly, W. 0. Meredith, J. W. Richards.

5. Catoctin Mountain to Monocacy River, Frederick County. 75 miles
by car. Joseph Jehl.

6. Frederick County. Fredeidck city and environs, Hansonville and
northern Monocacy River areas (morning); southern Frederick County along
Monocacy River at Lilipons and Bennett Creek, and Reich's Ford Road (after-
noon); Catoctin Mountain near Five Forks area (night). 5*30 a.m, to 9 p.m*

7 observers in 2 parties. Dale Dudash, Ellen W. Edwards, S. W. Edwards,
Charles Mullican (compiler), Sara Quinn, William Shirey, Hazel White.

7. Carroll County. 20 observers in 1 party, 11 party-miles (1 on
foot, 10 by car), J, Worthley (compiler), Soldiers' Delight.

6. Eklo, Baltimore County. Hi 30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Betty Fisher.

9. Gunpovder River, Baltimore County (Area to Route U.S. 1). 6:30
to 9:30 a.m. 2 observers in 1 party. 3 party-miles on foot. Hank
Kaestner (compiler), Franklin Wing.

10. White Marsh, Baltimore County (Area of 0,7 sq. mi, bordered by
Joppa Road and Old Philadelphia Road). 5:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. C. Douglas
Hackman.

11. Lake Roland, Baltimore County, 6:30 to 11:30 a.m, Alice S,
Kaestner*

12. Cylbum Park, Baltimore County. S a.m. to 12 nocai. R. K. Bums

13* Howard County (Patuxent Drainage), 4 observers in 1 party;

4:20 a.m. to 8 p.m. (not continuously); 107 partynniles (4 on foot, 103
by car). Chandler S* Robbins (compiler), Jane Robbins, Stuart Robbins,

Ted Stiles,

14* Brookeville and Ashtcm, Montgomery County. 21 miles (6 on foot,
15 by car). Helen Fessenden.

15. C & 0 Canal, Montgomery County (Sycamore Island to Cabin John
Lock). 6 to 9:15 a.m. 2 observers in 1 party; 2 3/4 miles on foot,

Joseph E, King, Robert L. Pyle (compiler).

16. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Prince Georges and Anne
Arundel Counties. 5:30 a*m. to 3 p.m. (not c<xitinuously) . R. £. Stewart,

17. Greenbelt, Prince Georges Coimty (including Beltsville, Berwyn,
and Bladensburg) . 3:15 a*m, to 8:45 p.m, 2 observers in 1 - 2 peurties;

159 party-miles (12 on foot, 147 by car). David Bridge (compiler),

Ronald Feller.

18. Gibson Island, Anne Arundel County. (Entire island as in past
10 years). 5 a.m. to 5 p*m. 15 observers in 4 parties. C. Buchanan,
J.A,C. Colstoi, R. Dwight, W. L, Henderson, Mrs. W. L. Hendersoi (co-com-
piler), J. Kidd, C, Lawrence, J, Lewis, Mr, & Mrs. 0. Lubbert, Miss M,
McLean, Mrs. J. Harkell, Jr«, B. Smart, Mrs. S. E. Synington, Mrs. G«

Tappan (co-compiler).

19. Annapolis, Anne Arundel County (including Sandy Point State
Park), 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2 observers in 1 party. Prof, and Mrs. David
G, Howard.

20* Broadwater Point, Churchton, Anne Arundel County, K. Friel
Sanders, H. Elizabeth Slater.

21, Calvert County, 392 party-miles (47 on foot, 345 by car). 15

MAHYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 16. Wo. 2

observers in 7 parties, Mrs. H, B. AUanson, Mrs. Arthur B, Fridinger,
Mary W, Goldinan, Claire Hall^ Donald Hall, Harvey Hall, Charlotte Johnson,
Jane Love, Mrs* Parr, Ruth Riley, Louise Rymer, K. Frie) Sanders (cohh
piler), H, Elizabeth Slater, Mrs. John White, John Fales.

22, St. Marys County (including Colton Point, Palmers, Blackistone
Island, St. Catherine Island, and Bull Run). 8 a.n, to 7 P*is. 2 observ-
ers in 1 party; 11 party-hours ( 6 on foot, 2 by car, 3 by boat) ; 66 party-
miles {6 on foot, 50 by car, 10 by boat). James Banagan (coiqjiier).

J. S. Weske.

23* Patuxent River Naval Air Station, St, Marys County. 5 a.m, to
8 p.m, 20 miles (10 on foot, 10 by car). Vernon Kleen.

24, Caroline County. Nineteen observers in 12 parties; 61 party^
hours (40 on foot, Jl by car, 9 by canoe, 1 by bic^le); 284 partjMadles
(26 on foot, 236 by car, 20 by canoe, 2 by bicycle). Annabelle Bilbrough,
Elsie Bilbrou^, Hargarete Butenschoen, A. J. Fletcher, Robert £, Fletcher,
Roberta B. Fletcher, Marvin W. Hewitt, Naomi W, Hewitt, Alicia iOiotts,
Minnie Miller, Terry Moore, Aldridge Pepper, Bob Pepper, Essie Pepper,

Ethel Poore, Bill Scudder, Carol Scudder, Jacquelin l^th, A. May Thcnp-

8 (» 1 .

25, Talbot County. 3 a.m. to 3 p.n. 3 observers in 1 party; 170
party-miles (20 on foot, 150 by car). Harry Armistead, Richard Kleen,

Will Russell,

26, Ocean City area, northern Worcester County and eastern Wicom-
ico Cowity, Heavy surf and high tide at Ocean City inlet, 5:30 to
11:30 a.m.; 63 miles (3 on foot, 60 by car). Samuel H. Qyke.

Sandy Spring

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS FOR 1960-61

The following Committees were appointed and approved by the Trustees:

AUDITING CQMMUTEE: Charles M. Buchanan, Chairman; William Shirey and

Douglas Miner.

BY-LAWS COMMITTEE: Thomas Carswell, Chairman; Edgar Reynolds, William

Leeson, Mrs. Douglas Miner and Sterling W. Edwards,

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE: Mrs. J. E. M. Wood, Hans Kriram.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Marvin W, Hewitt, Chairman; A. J. Fletcher,

Seth H. Low, Daniel Folk and Captain J. E, M. Wood.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Richard L. Kleen, Chairman; Mrs. J. E. M. Wood,

Richard Douglass, Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, Miss Hilda Smith and
Barklay Tucker.

SANCTUARY COMMITTEE: Commander Edward P. Wilson, Chairman; Mrs. Basil

Gregory, Mrs. Richard D. Cole, Sterling W. Edwards and Miss Edith
Adkins. Edgar Reynolds and Chaidler Robbins were appointed to serve
with this commitb ee as advisors .

June 1960

MARTL&ND BIMLIFK

45

ROCK RDN WILDUKK SAHCTOARY OF M.O.S. . INC.

The first sanetusry of M. 0. S. is now s reslltT*. After examiclxig
many pieces of property for possible acquisition as sanctuaries during
the pest firs years, the Sanctuary Committee has now completed arrange-
ments to lease from Ur. T. ailman Paul a Sanctuary House and 57 acres
near the Saaquehanna Rirer in Harford County. The Sanctuary lease, at
the modest price of #10 per month, la renewable annually.

Rock Run Wildlife Sanctuary, ahlch is located one-half mile south
of the confluence of Deer Creek and the Susquehanna Rlrer, is bounded on
the north by Wilkinson Road, on the east and south by Rook Run Road, and
on the west by a atone ivall. Host of the property is corered with young
second-growth deciduous woods, but some of tbs southern portions are
recently abandoned fields that are passing through Tarlous successlonal
stages. The ncrth half of tbs Sanctuary is being suTTeyed and lurorided
with straight trails from which bird population studies will be con-
ducted at all seasons. Nature trails are planned for the entire Sanctu-
ary. The relatlTely open habitats, with their abundant supply of natlTS
foods, are attract ire to a wide vaxlaty of wildlife species. Members
who hare Tlslted the Sanctuary hsTS been Impressed with its bird popula-
tion. Broad-winged Hawks summered, a Screech Owl was heard on seTeral
occasions, Red-bellied Woodpeckers (which are rare that far north) were
seen, and warblers such as the Ferula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-
breasted Chat, and Redstart, were much in evidence. Some of the most
colorful species, the Scarlet Tanager, Blue Jay, Indigo Bunting, Cardinal
and Gk>ldfliioh, were seen right from the porch of the Sanctuary House.

Ur. Paul Is presently making some repairs to the four-story stone
Sanctuary House, and he has recently completed a new stone spring house
from which running water has been piped Into the Sanctuary House. Uany
M.O.S. mambers hare already Tlslted the Sanctuary. A privy, aoae signs,
bird houses and trails have been constructed, a banding program has
bean initiated, and a file of bird records has been started.

All members are urged to share in the progr^ of our Society* s first
Sanctuary. Sanctuary Committee members, who are listed on page 44, will
be glad to tell you how you can help by donating such things as stools
or other fhmlture, kitchen equipment, garden and carpenter tools, and
supplies, or by helping with trail construction, building maintenance,
preparation of exhibit a, etc. Aerial x^otcgraphs of the Sanctuary have
been obtained, and a copy is on file at Cylburn.

Mrs. Basil M. ^egory, who Uvea 1.4 miles up Rock Run Road from
the Sanctuary, will have custody of the Sanctuary House keys for the pres-
ent. It is suggested that members write her (R.D. 2, Hivre de GTece) or
phone her (REdfleld 4-6609) in advance. To reach the Sanctuary from BWl
Air, drive east on route 22 to ChurohTllle; bear left on route 155; In
4.0 miles turn left (north) on Darlington Road, and in 0.3 mile turn
right (east) on Rock Run Road. Proceed east for 1.3 miles to the Gregory
farm, and 1.4 miles farther to the Sanctuary. All members and guests are
requested to register on arrival, to leave a copy of their Sanctuary bird
observations, and to list in the registration book any supplies or equip-
ment donated and any work dons on tbe Sanctuary.

Sdward P. Wilson, Chairmen, Sanctuary Coimnlttee
119 Apchwood Are., Annapolis

45

MAHYLAND BIRDLIFE

Yol. 16, No. 2

1960 AMNUAL CCHYEMTICN

A record number of members ivas present for the Annuel ConTentlon of
the M, 0, S., Inc., at Ocean City on May 13-15, 1960. Irery Chapter, in-
cluding one not yet Installed, was represented.

Meeting of Retiring Trustees

A part of the Convention of which many members are unaware is the
meeting of the Board of Trustees irtiich precedes the annual business meet-
ing. In this Trustees meeting, the representatives of each chapter are
given an opportunity to present ideas or problems that may become issues
in the general meeting. At this time, most of the controversial items
are discussed, and if possible, decisions are reached to the satisfaction
of the Trustees. In this way, much of the work of the Corporation is
accomplished. However, those items that affect the entire membership and
to vrtxich their contributions would be valuable are brought to the Annual
Business Meeting by the appropriate Trustee. The Trustees voted to re-
commend to the membership that the fiscal year of the Corpt^atlon run
from September 1 to August 31, with dues for each year due on September 1.
They also voted that all members of local Chapters be members of the Soci-
ety. The 1959 proposal for consideration of a change in the name of the
Corporation was rejected. Five motions concerning proposed changes in By-
Laws were passed and referred to the By-Laws Committee.

Annual Business Meeting

By the means outlined in the foregoing paragraph a minimum of busi-
ness remained to be conducted by the Society, A menfcer of each Chapter
reported briefly on the activities of his club. The treasurer gave a
report showing balances of |1,043.31 in the General Fund and |1,720.46
in the Sanctuary Fund. The editor of Maryland Bjrdllfe requested more
original articles, and prompt selection of Christmas Count dates. The
Sanctuary Committee reported that a 57-acre tract of land was available
in Harford County, The Society, by majority vote, directed Cdr. 1. P.
Wilson, Sanctuary Committee clmilnnan, to lease this property. A further
motion was made to support the Sanctuary Committee 100 per cent in this
effort; the motion was carried and raselved the only applause of the
meeting. Other committees gave reports, and tte election of officers
for the coining year completed the old business. The only item of new
business was a report by Mrs. Bertha Poe of Owlnge Mills regarding a new
club that is seeking admission to the Society, The by-laws of the club
are being studied, and it was anticipated that this new Chapter would
be admitted soon.

First Meeting of the 1960-61 Board of Trustees

Following the business meeting the new Trustees met. A report was
received from the retiring Board. It was agreed that the 1961 Conven-
tion should be held at the Hastings Hotel, Ocean City, Md. on the second
Saturday of May, 1961. The committees listed on page 44 were appointed.

(continued on page 56)

June I960

MAR^MD BIRDLIFE

BALTIMORE GLUB*S WINTER TRIP TO DEL-^iAR-VA

JtZ

Hank Kaestner

The vdnd was blowing hard and the sky was clear as we entered Boot-
bay Hook Refuge in Delaware^ the first stop on the Baltioore Chapter's
trip to the Delaarva peninsula, February 27-28* A short drive through
grain fields to headquarters yielded Sparrow Hawks, Killdeera, Pintails
and others* At headquarters our leader, Mrs* Cole, questioned where we
could ^* We found out that we could drive on the dike around Raymond
Pool, one of the three artifioal ponds on the refuge* On the dike we
added Marsh Hawk, American Merganser axkl Coot to our growing list. The
biggest "find" on the dike was a flock of six Snow Buntings I! They look-
ed very brown at first, but when they flew they showed large white patch-
es on their wings.

After leaving Bombay Hook we headed south toward our next stop at
Silver Lake. On the way, however, we stopped beside a small pond to add
Homed lArk to the list* We set up the scopes idien we noticed a few ducks
in the hi^ grass next to the ptxid* The "few" ducks turned out to be 15
Black Ducks, A5 Pintails, and 2 Shovelersi Interest picked up and we de-
cided that a swell trip was in store*

We had lunch at Silver Lake, a small sanctuary at Rehobeth Beach,
Delaware. From the cars we could see Ruddy Ducks, Coots, Geese, and about
2000 Canvasbacks. After enjoying a well-deserved lunch at 2:00, we headed
south along the barrier beach toward Ocean City*

The ocean was calm at the Ocean City inlet* We walked out on the
jetty watching for the eiders we had heard. Sure enough, out beyond the
end of the Assateague Island Jetty were 3 Common Eiders, 2 King Eiders, 1
Harlequin Duck, 50 Red-throated Loons and several hundred Eed-breasted
Mergansers* After a "run" to West Ocean City to look for the Icelax»i Gull
(we didn't find it then) we hit the sack*

Some highlights of the next morning (we woke at 5:15) were an early
trip to South Point, where we saw courting Red-br. Mergansers, and a return
to the jetty where we met Sam Dyke. He showed us the Iceland Gull and Har-
lequin Duck. After we left Ocean City, we headed west with the idea of go-
ing to Elliott Island. The highlight of this excursion was when we stopped
at a roadside picnic grove. Upon piling out of the cars we observed sev-
eral crows chasing a Great Homed Owl. This was exciting enough, but the
real surprise was vrhen one member of the group observed it fly into a tree
and land on its' nestl

After lunch (both kinglets and Brown-headed Nuthatch were added to
list there) we headed for Elliott. At Savanna Lake the group added two
>dilte birds to the list: Common Egret and Nhistling Swan, as well as
Kingfisher, Gadwall, two teals, and Virginia Rail. The sun was slowly
sinking In the west as we left Elliott Island, and so ended a great week-
end of bird watching.

405 Hollen Road, Baltimore 12

46 limLAMD BIRDLIFE Yol. 16, Ko> g

JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1960
Chandler S. Itobhlns

The first tbree months of 1960 Illustrated Tlvidly the striking
effects of neather conditions on survival of winter birds. In effect,
the combination of an abundant food supplY and uniformly mild weather
during the late fell lured countless thousands of semi -hardy migrant song-
birds into wintering farther north than usual. At the turn of the New
Year, large flocks of Robins were wintering in every county except
Garrett. And the Maryland Christmas Bird Counts showed that populations
of most passerine species were above normal. As the winter progressed
the weather remained normal, departing very little from the average con-
ditions in January and February. It looked as though the Eastern Blue-
birds, which had been so hard hit by the severe winter weather two years
ago, would continue their recovery slowly but steadily. It looked as
though the great hordes of Robins would survive the wintry weather. It
looked as though less hardy species such as orioles, Tree Swallows, and
strays of various warblers in tidewater areas would live to see their
congeners return from the South.

March, however, came in like the proverbial lion with tbree weeks
of bitter cold weather and a sueceseion of heavy snows. Hie last day of
February ended a 13 -day period of normal weather, with daily meximum
temperatures at Friendship International Airport near Baltimore between
39^ and 47^ (except 35^ on the 21st) and daily minima between 21*^ and
34°. On March 1, all 49 states lay under a thick blanket of Arctic air.
The 500-ffillllbar weather map for 7 p.m. on Feb. 29 shows winds of 116
miles an hour and a temperature of -30°, 3 miles above the Maryland
countryside. During the next 13 days, tbe highest tetters ture recorded
at Fplendehlp Airport was 36® and the average minimum was 16®. At
Blttinger, the temperature remained below freezing for 19 consecutive
days and nights, Feb. 27— Mar. 161 A measureable amount of snow fell
on some or all of Maryland on each of tbe first 11 days of March, and
again on each day from the 16th through the 24th. At the Sines Deep
Creek station 52.5 Inches of snow fell during March!

The presence of continuous snow cover in all states northwest of
Maryland through the first three weeks of March was partly responsible
for our continuous period of low tei^ratures. The air masses that
normally irairm considerably as they pass over the mid<western states
entered Maryland without losing their Arctic characteristics.

June 1960

MARYIAMD BIRDLIFh:

49

As each succeeding snow storm covered food supplies on or near the
ground f more and more birds depended upon frozen fruits. For days at a
time no active insects were available except to tree-boring birds. The
fruit supplies already had been largely exhausted by the great flocks of
Robins, and soon the more desirable fruits were consumed. (One wonders
whether the caloric value of certain fruits Is sufficiently high to pro-
vide the nourishment necessary for survival idien so much heat Is lost
within the bird's crop while the hard-frozen berries are being melted.)
The net result of the long-continued snow cover and sub-freezing tem-
peratures was a pronounced decrease or total disappearance of such
species as Robins, Hezmit Thrushes, Rastern Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens,
Eastern Phoabes, Killdeer, Myrtle Warblers, and Cedar Waxwlngs. The
full Impact of 'Qie loss will not be known until data from the May State-
wide Bird Count and the December 1960 ChrlstisaB Count have been analyzed.
By the end of March, however, It alr^dy was apparent that few Carolina
Wrens survived In central Maryland except In the Immediate vicinity of
feeding stations.

Migration was nearly at a standstill until the last week of March.
Ihirlng Februery, the Southeastern States experienced temperatures that
averaged 2° to 4^ below normal; this, together with a complete absence
of warm days (60® or more in central North Carolina) during the latter
half of the month, prevented the release of the migratory trigger. The
lower-than-ever temperatures of Ifarch were just as pronounced In Virginia
and the Carolines as in Maryland; in fact, in coastal North Carolina it
was tbe coldest and snowiest March on record. It is not surprising,
then, to find that February migrants, March migrants and a few April
migrants suddenly burst onto the Maryland scene when the white curtain
finally was lifted. By Mar, 26, the effects of the last great cold air
mess of the month were gradually wearing off, winds were light and
southerly, and nighttime temperatures hovered near the melting point.

On the 27th, temperatures reached 70° all across the State of Virginia,
and the mld-alxtles In Maryland, The migratory trigger finally was
released*. With clear skies and light southerly winds on Sunday night,
Mar. 27-28, myriads of winged visitors arrived in Maryland. For the
next two days and nights, birds continued to penetrate a stationary
front that lay along our southern border. At Frederick on the evening
of tbe 29th, Joseph Jehl witnessed one of the biggest migratory flights
he has ever heard: "Chip-notes irere almost deafening and most of the

birds seemed to be very low. Sparrows of various species coa^osed the
bulk of the movement."

Finally, on the 31st, strong southerly air currents along the
Atlantic coast swept an undetermined number of tropical winterers into
and past our State, weeks In advance of their normal arrival dates. A
notable example is a Prothonotary Warbler that Carol R. Scudder of
Concord says was "Blown Into my yard during a gusty shower. When rain
stopped he perched on top of the bam and preened for almost 10 minutes,
singing at Intervals— then he left and went to tbe woods." Equally
unusual, but predating the ideal weather pattern of the 31st, was a
Ruby-throated Ihuuaingbird that Lois Horn feels certain she heard several
times at close renge at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center near
Laurel on Mar. 29.

50

MARYLAND BIRDLIFS

Vol. 16. No. 2

Table 1 glTes a auininary of early spring arrlTsl dates by counties.
Thanks are expressed to all contributing obserTers. Those who supplied
the largest number of reports for each county were the following:
Washi ngton County— *Mrs. Alice Uallonee; Frede rick — Joseph R. Jehl,
Sterling W. Edwards, William N, Shirey, Sarah 1. Quinn; Baltimore City
and County — Douglas Hackman, Betsy Schaffer; Montg omery— Helen Fessenden,
John Weske, Lucille V. Smith; Prince Georges — David Bridge, Ronald Feller,
, John Fales, Chandler Robbins; Anne Arundel* -Vera Henderson, Elise Tappan,
Martina Luff, Prof. & Mrs. David Howard; St. ^rys — Vernon Kleen; Caro-
line— Marvin ^wltt, Roberta Fletcher, Carol Scudder; I^er ^stem
Shore— Samuel H. Dyke, Dr. J. T. B, Ambler.

Table 1. Spring Arrival Dates, 1960

Wash

Fred

Balt

Moat

Pr.G

Anne

St.M

Caro

LES*

Whistling Swan

3/29

3/20

3/29

3/29

Canada Goose

3/26

3/26

—

—

3/29

—

2/29

3/24

—

Ring-necked Duck

8/23

3/ 6

4/ 2

2/16

—

Red-br. Merganser

—

—

4/16

—

—

3/25

3/17

—

—

Osprey

3/29

4/ 9

3/27

3/24

3/28

3/19

3/26

Killdeer

4/ 4

3/22

—

2/11

—

2/ 9

American Woodcock

3/29

—

3/25

3/28

2/10

2/ 9

Mourning Dove

3/ 4

2/28

3/20

2/29

—

3/27

Tel-shaft. Flicker

4/12

3/26

3/26

4/ 2

3/28

—

Sastem Phoebe

3/29

3/30

3/28

3/28

3/28

3/28

—

3/28

—

Tree Swallow

—

—

4/11

—

—

3/27

3/30

4/ 2

3/31

Purple Martin

4/12

3/31

4/ 2

4/10

4/ 1

3/31

„

3/26

3/27

Brown Thrasher

4/15

4/17

4/14

4/10

3/31

3/31

4/11

4/15

Pine Warbler

3/28

—

4/ 7

3/29

3/30

La. Water thrush

—

4/23

4/ 2

4/27

4/24

4/25

4/30

3/28

3/30

Redwinged Blackbird

3/ 2

3/26

2/20

3/27

2/22

2/18

Common Graokle

2/ 9

3/18

3/20

2/21

2/ 8

2/14

2/17

Brown-head Cowblrd

2/18

3/28

3/ 5

3/ 5

2/11

2/14

2/26

—

—

Rusty Blackbird

—

—

3/27

—

—

3/ 5

3/30

3/10

—

Rufous-sided Towhee

4/10

—

—

3/31

3/29

3/14

Savannah Sparrow

4/ 4

3/29

3/24

3/27

3/31

4/13

Vesper Sparrow

4/ 4

3/29

3/26

4/12

—

3/27

—

—

Chipping Sparrow

4/21

4/10

4/ 5

4/ 6

3/31

3/28

3/31

—

4/15

Fox Sparrow

—

—

3/26

2/28

2/10

2/13

—

2/20

—

In the paragraphs that follow, dates or counts that broke previous
records for their respective sections of Maryland are underscored.

Loons . Ganneta. Herons . A high count of 75 Red-throated Loons in
one group was recorded at the Ocean City Inlet on Feb. 13 Ij Samuel H,
^Toz^ster, Wicomico and Talbot Counties

June I960

MARTLAMD BlRDLin;

51

Dyke. On Jan. 17, Mr. Dyke counted a naxiouim of 24 Qannets; aoine oaae
as close to shore as the ends of the Ocean City Jetties. IItoib 1 to 3
Common Egrets were seen In Dorchester County In each of the winter
months, although none was reported during tbs coldest part of the winter,
from late February until the closing days of March; Mr. Dyke found 1
Common ^Igret with 6 early Snowies at Elliott Island on Mar. 31. Philip
DuMont contributed a rectn^d-breaklng winter count of ^ Blaok^orowned
Night Herons at Ocean City on Feb. 20. This species winters much more
corjm>nly In coastal areas to the north of us and to the south of us, and
no reason has been offered for its apparent scarcity in Maryland's
marshes during the winter im}nths. Joe Jehl Identified by ear "many”

Qreen Herons as they migrated over Frederick on the OTening of Mar, 29 —
breaking the spring arrlTsl record for Inland Maryland.

Swans and Geese . The first northward moTement of Whistling Swans
was noted on Mar. 20, but It was not until the 26th that the full flight
of swans and geese began. Douglas Hackman obseired ftwe flocks of
Whistling Swans, totaling more than 125 IndlTlduals, migrating over
White Marsh on the 26th; and on the same day Mrs. A. L. Hoffman counted
a total of 230 Canada Geese winging their way OTer the Brederlck County
mountains. Peak counts of migrating Whistling Swans (300 at Brookerille
and a ware at Glbaon Island) and Canada Geese (500 over Baltimore County,
400 OTer Frederick County) were obtained on Mar. 29, when balmy tempera*
tures and light tall winds proTlded safe passage from Chesapeake Bay to
the Great Lakes. On this same date, Eleanor Robbins obserwed 200 Snow
Geese and 3 Blue Geese flying northwestward orer "Robbins Nest" to bring
to 179 the 10*yeer list of species identified on or orer her 3 acres near
Laurel. Mrs. W, L. Ifenderson and Mrs. Bllse Tappan saw 3 Snow Geese at
Glbaon Island on Mar. 27 for the 5th local record.

Ducks . More than the usual few reports of the rarer duck species
were received. The European Widgeon that was seen at Gibson Island on
the Jan. 3 Christmas Count was still present on Mar* 29 (Mrs. Henderson
and Mrs. Tappan) . The still rarer European Teal was carefully studied
at Elliott Island on Mar. 27 by Daniel D. Gibson and Philip Shiraly, and
on the 31st by i^m Dyke. The eiders at the Ocean City Inlet prowided a
thrill fbr all obserrers who Tlsited that area during this three-month
period. The ^ King Elders that were present until Feb. 21 (Dyke) set
a new high count for this latitude; an adult male, 3 first-year males,
and a female lingered until Apr . ^ breaking the spring departure record
for Maryland (Dyke) • Although 8 Common Elders were Identified on the
Dec. 29 Christmas Count, only 6 (2 first-yaar males and 4 females) were
found subsequently; when last seen on Mar. 12 by Sam Dyke, only 2 males
and 1 female were present. Another rare northern rlsltor to the Ocean
City Inlet was the Harlequin Duck; a drake was seen Irre^larly from
Feb, 13 into May (Dyke, Harriet Sutton, Gibson, Gladys Cole, and many
others) . Dyke diacorered a female Harlequin there and observed It Mar.

26 through Apr. 9; he aaw the drake and 2 females on Apr, 1 and so
established a high count for this species. Dyke remarked on the scar-
city of scoters and Oldaquaws along the coast, and Mrs. Henderson men-
tioned a scarcity of Oldsquaws, Ring-necks, and Common Mergansers at
Glbaon Island. Few Redheads were reported.

5S

MARTIAND BIRDL1W5

7ol, 16t No. 2

Hawlcs. Douglas nadonau, at hi a stratoglo position on the edge of
the Piedmont Plateau at SVhite iiarah, can distinguish early olgratlng
hawks from wintering Indlfiduals of the asms species. He asserted that
the migration started late this spring, with only single Bed-tails on
?eh. SO and Peb. 27, and no aeolplters until Uar. 12, when a Cooper* s
Hawk flew over. Blsewhore, the first migrating raptors detected were a
Sharp-shin at Greenbelt on Mar. 21 {Darid Bridge) , a Bald Kagle at Brooke-
Tllle on Mar. 19 (Helen Pessenden) , an Osprey at Denton on Mar. 19 (Car-
roll Laramore) , and a Pigeon Hawk at Creenbelt Lake on Mar. 28 (Bridge) .
Hackman reported the "first real actirity" on Mar. 27, when he counted 2
Red-tails, 1 Bed-shoulder, 2 Ospreys, and 4 Sparrow Hawks in 90 minutes.

Shorebirds . On Mar. 14, 1959, Dan Cibson and hi a fhthsr spotted 2
American Oystercatchers on Assateague Island, the first March record for
the State. On the same date in 1960, Dan foiuid none, but six days later,
on Mar. 20, he and Blok Bowes observed 1 flying north past the Ocean
City Jetty* On the 26th, several people watched 2 oystercatchers on
nearby Aasataague Island. Now that these birds have nested in Maryland
for ten consecutive years we may find that they return each year in
March. Kill deer were relatively scarce during the winter, especially ao
in Pebruary and March. American Woodcock were found in February in
Howard (Mrs. C. C. Munro) , Anne Arundel (Mrs. W. L* Henderson), Prince
Ceorges (R. S, Stewart), and St. Marys (Vernon Kleen) Counties, but did
not appear elsewhere until Mar. 20, when David Bridge fdund 2 in Oreen-
belt. There were many arrivals during the last seven days of March. On
Jan. 26 Hichard L* Kleen and party counted over 150 Pur pie Sandpipers on
the Ocean City Jetty; this count greatly exceeds the previous high tally
for Maryland.

Gulls. Terns . Not aims the days of the Mstapeake Ferry have the
northern "white-winged" gulls been reported ao frequently as they were
this past winter. The first Iceland Gull of the winter was spotted by
Dr. Ira N. Gabrlelson at Ocean City on Dec. 29, and this was the only
"white-wing" reported until the easterly gales of mid-February. Samel
Dyke attributes the appearance of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls that began
in late Pebruary to the great quantities of starfish washed ashore by
the starms. Dyke discovered the first Glaucous Gull at Ocean City on
Feb. 26, and on Mar* 12 he had 3 In second winter plumage under surveil-
lance at the same time from the^flahlng pier north of the Jetty — the
highest definite count ever reported from Maryland. Two Iceland Gulls
In second winter plumage mde their headquarters at the West Ocean City
fish docks during the month of March, according to Dyke and Gibson; a
first year bird Joined them on Apr. 1 and Apr. 3, breaking another high
count for the State (Dyke) . During the Feb. 13 easterly storm, Mr. Dyke
found a Black-legged Kittiwake in first winter plumage at the Ocean City
Inlet; there were only two Maryland records for this species prior to
the pest four winters, but now 1 or 2 birds are recorded annually*

Turning from northern birds to southern winterers, the Cwnmon Tern was
recorded on Jan . 17 and Feb . 26 at Ocean City by Dyke; these are the
first January and February records for Maryland. Any tern occurring In
Maryland in winter is e rarity, but it is no longer safe to assume that
wintering terns ere Forster* s.

June 1960

MAHgLAHD BIRDLiyJC

53

Alolds . The Dorakid I 0 another northern speoiee rarely sem from
the Maryland ahore» but one that probably occurs fairly regularly seyeral
miles out to sea. Dyke found one at the inlet on Jan. S5. On the fol-
lowing day, Dick Eleen and 5 other observers studied a Razorbill at a
distance of 15 feet, at the inlet, No specimen of this auk has been
taken in Maryland but the Razorbill can now be transferred from the hypo-
thetical to the regular accepted list of Maryland birds on the basis of
throe well documented sight observations (following prerequisite number
3 of Stewart and Robbins in Birds of Maryland) . The two previous records
were on Dec. 4, 1926 (Alexander Wetmoe^) Md^ Ibb. 3, 1938 (John H, Buck-
alew), both in the Ocean City area.

Owls. Woodpeckers . On Mar. 16, Marvin Hewitt found a dead Long-
eared Owl beside a road in Greensboro; this was the second county record.
Not mentioned in the previous report was a Saw-whet Owl killed by traf-
fic along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway near Beltsvllle on Dec. 16,
1959; another was killed near the same place on Jan. 28 (both found by
Henry Bell). A Saw-whet was netted and banded at Brookeville by John S.
Weske and Helen Fessenden on Jan. 24. Wintering Red-headed Woodpeckers
are so scarce in the immediate vicinity of Chesapeake Bay that It is
worth recording that single birds were seen at Crownsville on Jan. 3
(John H. Fales) and Broadwater Point on Jan. 10 (Friel Sanders, Elizabeth
Slater, and Gladys Cole) .

Song birds (general) . M, 0. S. members used four methods to study
bird population changes this winter: (a) 15 Christmas Bird Counts were

taken, representing parts of 15 of the 23 counties and Baltimore City;

(b) Vinter Bird Population Studies were made at Loch Raven by Haven Eolb
and near Plum Point in Calvert County by John and David Fales; (c) from
studies of banded birds, David Bridge computed the population of birds
visiting his Greanbelt feeding station from Dec. 1 to Mar. 6; and (d)
Douglas Hackman made periodic counts in an area of ICX) acres near his
White Marsh home, and from these counts be estimated the population of
each avian species present during each month.

The Christmas Counts p^mlt appraisal of the bird population at the
beginning of the winter, and direct comparison with populations in pre-
vious winters. The Winter Bird Population Studies show the January
populations in spselfie habitats for coiiq>arlson with past jrears; theae
studies ore based on the average number of birds of each species seen on
a aeries of trips through the same area. Mr. Bridgets intensive banding
study was not Inltiatad until the present season, but in future winters
it will provide a measure of year-to-year changes in total birds of each
apecles and Of returns of banded individuals, Mr. Hackman's semi -weakly
counts through the entire period provide a measurement of population
changes as the season progresses; these counts are of very special inter-
est in a season whan high mortality is suspected. Space does not permit
a detailed analysis, species by species, of the population changes re-
vealed by the various studies outlined above, but a few exasq;>le8 can be
given. It is hoped that these may stimulate other members to participate
in similar invaati gat ions next winter. Lumping together all Maryland
Christmas Counts, we find that there were 975 party-hours of coverage In

54

MAHTLAND BIRDLIFS

Yol, 16. No. 2

the winter of 1958-59 and 844 party-hours in 1959-60, For detailed
studlee the areas should be exsinined separately and the party-hours
should be adjusts separately for each area. Certain characteristics of
the 1959-60 population are so striking, however, that they stand out In
even the most rudimentary comparison. Adjusting only for the total
difference in coverage (by converting all counts to birds per 100 party-
hours for the State as a whole) , we see that the following species were
substantially more abundant this winter than laet: Blue Jay (96 in 1958-

59, 354 in 1959-60) , VIThlte-breasted Nuthatch (10, 42) ; Red-breasted Nut-
hatch (0.1, 10), Carolina Wren (53, 102), Robin (198, 2,750), and Evening
Grosbeak (0.1, 20). On the contrary, Eastern Meadowlarks (470 per 100
party-hours in 1958-59, 335 In 1959-60), and Field Sparrows (285, 187)
were noticeably less common in the winter of 1960. On the whole, at the
beginning of the winter, the 1959-60 population was well above the 1958-
59 population. Haven Kolb found no difference in total population in his
study area as compared with the previous year, but John Fsies reported a
35 per cent increase on his Plum Point area. The Myrtle Warbler, Cedar
Waxwing, Cardinal, and Carolina Chickadee were chiefly responsible for
this Increase.

Flycatchers. Swallows . Harry Armlstead called attention to an error
In the March 1960 issue, where he was given credit on page 25 for a West-
ern Kingbird that Dick Kleen saw at Tllghman on Sept. 13, 1959; Armlstead's
other observation on Nov. 1 was correctly cited. He also forwarded
another late record of the Western Kingbird — one seen at Cambridge on
Nov. 22, 1959 by Frederick V. Hebard. Eastern Phoebes, which had shown
little recovery since the severe winter of 1957-58, were reported winter-
ing in only one locality west of the Coastal Plain; 2 hardy individuals
were found along the Honocacy River in northern Frederick County on Jan.

2. A phoebe seen at Greensboro on Feb. 20 (Marvin Hewitt) and one at
Willows In Calvert County on Feb. 28 (Fales) were the only ones recorded
in Maryland between Jan, 2 and Mar, 28, The latter date marked the ar-
rival of the first spring migrants in many Coastal Plain and Piedmont
localities. A scattering of Purple Martins arrived with the break In the
weather in late March, but many breeding individuals did not show up
until mid-April.

Catbirds. Thrashers. Thrushes . It Is safe to assume that the
majority of the Catbirds and Brown Thrashers that attempted to winter in
Maryland failed to survive. Not a single Catbird was reported after the
close of the Chrlstmas-Count period. And only 4 Brown Thrashers were
reported during the prolonged <»ld weather of March; 1 at Beltsvllle on
Mar. 5 (Yernon Kleen), 1 at Gambrills on Mar. 7 (Martina Luff), 1 at
Concord in Carolina County, Mar, 9-13 (C, E, Scudder), and 1 at Alicia
Knotts* Denton feeding station throughout the winter. The hordes of
Robins that wintered throughout the Coastal Plain and as far west as
Hancock and McCoole were partly responsible for the heavy casualties
suffered by other species during the critical weather of February and
March, because they had seriously depleted the supply of both natural
and cultlvatad fruits before the critical weather began. At White Marsh,
on the edge of the Piedmont, Doug Hackman counted an average of 12 Robins
per day in January, 4 in February, and 1 In March prior to the 25th. In

June 1960

MAJgLAND BIRDLIFE

55

many places Robins disappeared entirely during February and most of tbe
month of Uarch; but by the closing days of March, migrants had begun to
arrlTs from farther south. Last dates for Hermit Thrushes that attempted
to winter west of the Coastal Plain were: Deo. 29 at McCoole (Leonard

Llewellyn) and Jan. 24 near Wererton (Sterling Edwards). The only ^b>
ruary and early March records west of the Bay were at BeltsTille (Jhles) .
Although 658 Eastern Bluebirds were counted on the Christmas Counts,
there were very few subsequent obserrations * Two of the 5 February re-
ports from the Piedmont referred to last dates of birds that succumbed
during the extended cold and heavy snow cover; Feb. 2, Laurel (Jane
Robbins) and Feb. 7, White Marsh (Heckman). This species was entirely
missing from the many lists of returning migrants compiled during the
closing week of Uarch.

Warblers . The Myrtle was the only warbler recorded in Maryland be-
tween Jan. 1 and Mar. 26. Some of the Pines, Palms, and Yellowtbroats
that were fbund during the Christmas Counts probably survived into the
new year, but we have no reports of efforts to determine their fate
during the critical period.

Orioles . Blackbirds . The Baltimore Oriole that was reported at the
feeding station of Miss Margaret Hoffman in the Eastport section of Anna-
polis on Jan. 3 was verified on the following day by Prof, end Mrs. David
Howard. The Howards had no wintering oriole at their Annapolis residence
until mid-March,, when a very dull-colored bird appeared; all of their
wintering orioles of prior years were Baltimore Orioles, but they identi-
fied the 1960 bird as a female Orchard, The »dntering oriole at Silver
Spring, believed by Hilda Smith to be another Orchard Oriole, was present
until at least Jan. 16. In the Ealethorpe section of Baltimore City,
Irving E, Hampe paid particular attention to the wintering flocks of
Brow^n-headed Cowbirds. Among them he found a few Brewer’s Blackbirds:

1 on Feb. 19, 6 on Feb. £5, and 2 on Feb. 26. There are no previous re-
cords of this species for Baltimore City or for neighboring counties,
and as yet no Maryland specimen has been collected. It behooves observ-
ers in all parts of the State to watch more closely for this western
species.

Northern finches . This was a banner year for Evening Grosbeaks,
with an abundance of reports representing all sections of the State.
Purple Finches by the score Joined the Evening Grosbeaks at many feeding
stations, as did an occasional small company of Pine Siskins. Only the
banders knew the approximate numbers of these species that were present
at their homes, for there was considerable turnover of grosbeaks, end
Purple Finches and Pine Siskins seldom were all present at tbe same time.
At Greenbelt, David Bridge saw a maximum of 55 Purple Finches at one
time, but he banded 168 from Dec. 1 to Mar. 6 and trapped 5 others that
had been banded at other stations; he estimated 20 unhanded birds, making
a total of about 193 in his flock. Gladys Cole, Friel Sanders, and
Elizabeth Slater identified 10 Red Crossbills at Broadwater Point near
Churohton on Jan. 10. The real treat of tbe season, however, wbm the
unusually heavy invasion of Common Redpolls from Canada into the northern
states. A scattering of these colorflil birds crossed Mason and Dixon's

56

MAHTLAHD BIRDLiyE

Vol« 16, No. 2

line. Singles were studied at Aspen In Montgomery County on Jan. 1
(Bales), at Sandy Point on Jan. 3-4 (C. S, Robbins & B, C, Gate bell; Prof.

& Mrs. DaTid Howard), at Laurel on Feb. 7 (Robbinses), at Unity on Mar. 10
(Seth H. Low), and at Sllrer Spring (Mrs. Joseph H* Akeroyd) and in Dor-
chester County (Armistead and Jim Russell) on Mar. IS. Two were seen at
Ocean City on Feb. SI (Jim and Cordon Meade), 6-8 in Frederick on Feb. 25
(Joseph Jehl) , 5-6 a few miles east of Mt. Airy in Howard County about
Mar. 15 (Jehl) , and 2 at Sandy Point on Mar. 12 (DuMont). Others were seen
in Talbot County. A flock of from 12 (Mar. 11) to 24 (Mar. 12) IndlTiduals
frequented the University of Maryland oasqpus along U.S. 1, and 2 netted
there on Mar. 12 by Bridge and Feller appear to be the first ever banded
in Maryland; 16 were still present on Mar. 13. The latest report was of
10 in Frederick on Apr. ^ breaking the State departure record (Jehl).

Roae-breasted Grosbeak . Sparrows. Mention has already been made of
the Red-beaded Woodpecker and Red Crossbill recerded at Broadwater Point
in southern Anne Arundel County on Jan. 10 by Sanders, Slater and Cole.

A third "red” rarity discovered there that day was a Roae-brsaated Gros-
beak — the first live bird of this species seen in Maryland in winter! Bor
the second year in a row, Rufous-aided Toiriises wintered on the Coastal
Plain in large numbers. On Mar. 4, Dr. and Mrs. W. G. Bodenstein aatl-
mated 100 of these birds along tbs roadside near Bowie when the ground
was covered with snow. Our two most abundant wintering sparrows, Slats-
coXored Juncos and Whit e-tfar oats, were present in normal numbers at
Christmas-Count time. Juncos were not reduced appreciably as the winter
progressed, but Douglas Hackman's figures showed a decrease in White-
throats of more than 35 per cent. At Greenbelt, David Bridge estimated
230 juncos and 59 White-throats were using his feeding station. Helen
Fessenden had an unusually large wintering flock of White-crowned Spar-
rows at Brookeville; from Jan. 23 to Apr. 8 she bended 13 adults auid 19
first-year birds— nearly her t*ole flock. Fred Schmidts bended AJrris*
Sparrow was present at Patuxent Reaearch Center throughout the period.

1960 ANNUAL CONVENTION (continued from page 46)

Field Trips

Members selected field trips from a list of 15 scheduled excursions
to the PooQmoke Swemp, Sinepuxent Bay oruiaa, Aasawoman Refuge, the Mills
Island heronry, the Operation Recovery banding station, and local store-
bird concentration areas. On May 15, liien a heavy migratory flight de-
veloped along the barrier beach, all mid-momlng field trips were rerouted
to enable everyone to visit the banding station. A Whip-poor-will and a
Chuok-wlll's-vrldow ware studied simultaneously in the hand, as were half
a dozen apeclsa of warblers. Both male end female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
and Scarlet Tanagers were examined at close range, as mas a Solitary Vireo
— a rare spring transient on tbs Maryland coast. The commonest species
banded that day was our State bird, the Baltimore Oriole, To moat members
the banding damonstration mas the highlight of the Convention. The total
nuaber of bird species observed during the Convention was 170.

A. J. 71 etcher, Secretary

A CHALLENOS

Th6 Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc., has taken a big step
forward In the leasing of our first Sanctuary,

Rock Run Wildlife Sanctuary has been obtained without any large
capital InrestAent or any long-tera comaiitfflent . Mrs. Basil M. Gregory
Is to be con^atulated for suggesting this area for a Sanctuary. Com-
mander Sdward P. Wilson and his Sanctuary Cooniittee deserve our thanks
for all their efforts in making arrangaments for the lease, for planning
the development and use of the area, and for the initial work on the
Sanctuary itself. And Mr, J. Gllmn Paul deserves our appreciation for
making tbs Sanctuary House and the 57 acres available to us at such a
reasonable price. Paul Is taking a great interest In tbs success of
our Sanctuary program, and he is helping to make the Sanctuary House
more serviceable.

We have a fine secluded tract on idiioh to relax and enjoy the world
about us—a tract to idiioh we can retreat from the noise and smells of
the city. **^0 bave unpolluted streams in which we can study animals that
once were more widely distributed through our State, We can conduct
group projects and carry on individual studies on a great variety of
birds, mamaals, reptiles, amphibians, or Insects. We can have family
outings and club field trips.

But more than this, we have an opportunity, at very modest cost to
the Society, to provide educational facilities mot only for our own
meabarship, but also for tbe Maryland public. The hobby from which we
derive so much enjoyment can be converted into a tool for sowing the
seeds of conservation, so that more of Maryland's citizens will learn to
appreciate the natural areas of our State, and In turn help to preserve
more of these areas for the enjoyment of future generations. This is
our great challenge. Will we accept it? Will each of us make a solemn'^
promise to visit the Sanctuary, to have some part in the development of
its nature trails and exhibits, and to help educate others through our
Sanctuary program? Will we all pull together to make this program a
great success? The response of each of us to this challenge will de-
termine whether our present lease will be extended; furtheroiore, it will
show us whether our Society is sufficiently mature to embark upon an
expanded program of nature education.

SEND 1960 NEST RECORDS BT NOV. 1 TO DAVID BRIDGE, 8A RIDGE RD. , GRESWBELT

MARYIAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 16, No, 2

NEW MEMBERS

Belden, Mr. George, State Teachers ^College, Towson 4, Md.

Cantwell, Miss Janet, Montrose Ave. , Gairison, Md. HU, 6-5914

Cantwell, Mrs, Margaret, Montrose Ave., Garrison, Md. HU. 6-5914

Charlton, Brian, Bond Ave. , Heist erstown, Md, TE.3“364d

Donoho, Mrs. Murray T.', Park Heists Ave., Owings Mills, Md. KJ. 6-4226
Elgert, Gerald G., 3412 Mayfield Ave. , Baltimore 13, Md. PE.2-6069

FitzPatrick, Miss Thekla M., 12 E. Chase St,, Baltimore 2, Md. LE.9-2784
Gardner, Geyrl L., Chesmar Estates, Chesterbown, Md.

Grieb, H. Norman, Clark's Conveniency, Chestertown, Md,

Gerringer, Mrs, W, F., Green?) ling Ave., Lutherville, Md, VA.5-2175

Hale, Mr, Malcolm, BW Plants Div., Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.

Hayes, Rear Adm'l. John D., 1970 Fairfax Road, Annapolis, Md.

Hazen, Mr. Gardner, Easton, Maryland
Henderson, Owen, Huntingfield Farm, Rock Hall, Md.

Iseminger, Mrs. H. M., 1839 Virginia Ave., Hagerstovn, Md.

Katz, Mrs. Blema P., 2613 Oakley Ave., Balto. 15, Md, MO. 4-3394

Kelmenson, Mrs, Harry, Caveswood Lane, Owings Mills, Md. HU. ^1218

Kemper, Mrs. William A., Dahlgren, Virginia

Koontz, Mrs. Amos R., Garrison, Md. HU. 6-5533

Martin, Mr. & Mrs. Johi, 138 S, Ritters Lane, Owings Mills, Md.TE. 3-1751

Martin, John, Jr., 13B S. Ritters Lane, Owin^ Mills, Md.

Martin, Miss Gail, 138 S. Ritters Lane, Owings Mills, Md.

Martin, Miss Lynn, 138 S. Ritters Lane, Owings Mills, Md.

May, Dr. Robert E., 1633 Woodboume Ave., Baltimore 12^ Md. ID. 5-5566
Mulfcrd, Mr. & Mrs. Rowlaid H., 1021 Wagner Road, Ruxton 4, Md.VA. 5-3528
Platt, Clarence S., 718 Highwood Drive, Baltimore 12, Md. ID. 3-8742

Poe, Miss Carol, Acadeny Ave,, Owings Mills, Md. TE. 3-2585

Poe, Mr. & Mrs. Edgar, Academy Ave., Owings Mills, Md. TE.3-2585

Reissman, Dr. Hildegard Heard, Arden on the Severn, Crownsville, Md.
Roelecke, Mr. & Mrs. Frederick 0., 6800 Dogwood Road, Woodlmai WI. 4-0782
Schwarz, John J., II, 214 Old County Road, Seva*na Pazk, Md.

Smith, Mrs. Lloyd L., 921 Register Ave., Baltimcre 12, Md. DR.7-7985

Snyder, Mr. W. Edwin, 7 Holmehurst Ave., Catonsville 28, Md. RI. 7-7252

Speicher, Mrs. John, Chestertown, Md.

Steigner, Miss Mary A., 277 W. Nabley Road, Silver Spring, Md.

Struthers, Francis W. , Route 1, Marlboro, New Hampshire
Teele, Mr. Ray P., 3713 Jenifer St. N.W., Wa^ington 15, D.C.

Thomas, Mrs. Malcolm F., 1352 Pentwood Road, Baltimore 12, Md, ID, 5-6488
Thompson, Mr. Franklin, 20Q7 "0« St., N.W., Washington, D.C.

Thomley, Miss Elizabeth J., 3014 N. Calvert St., Balto. 18,Md.TU. 9-7556
Tillinghast, Mrs. Gardner, Route 4, Easton, Md,

Tongue, Mrs. Benjamin S., Dolfield Road, Owings Mills, Md. HU. 6-6744
White, Mrs, John J., Saint Leonard, Maryland

Wolf, Mr. & Mrs. Harry B., Jr., Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills,

Maryland TE.3-35U

Teckl^, Mrs, Kathlyn, Chestertown, Maryland

June

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96Q MARYLAND BIRDLIFE ^

COMING EVENTS

3-25 "Operation Recovery” at Ocean City, Maryland

5 BALTIMORE work party at Sylbum, 8 a.m.

8 FREDERICK monthly meeting. Artz Library, 8 p.m.

9 BALTIMORE monthly meeting Pratt Library, 8 p.m.

10 BALTIMORE trip Loch Ravai. Fall migrants. Leader: C. Buchanan

11 WOOD*S PICNIC. Meet 9 a.m. Sandy Point State Park

16-18 BALTIMORE trip Cape May vdth Audubon Society of South Jersey.

18 ALLEGANY picnic at Gilbert Miller's. 2 p.m.

18 TALBOT breakfast hike. Meet St. Michaels High School 7:30 a.m.

23 CAROLINE monthly meeting. Can^ Mardela 8 p.m.

24 ALLEGANY monthly meeting, 8 p.m. at home of Mrs. Isaacs.

24 BALTIMORE walk, Cylbum, 8 a.m. The Cylburn walks are primarily
for children, but adults are most welcome.

24-25 aLLEGANY hawk count. Watch from any ridge-top in Western or
central Maryland.

25 FREDERICK ha^ count. South Mountadn.

25 BALTIMORE hairic count. Migrating hawks and eagles at Doug Hack-
man's home at White Marsh, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone ED. 5-4437

2 STATE PICNIC. All day birding and banding at Seth Low's Farm.
Meet Edmondson Village parking lot 7 a.m. Leader: Percy Jones.

2 SOLDIERS DELICaiT business meeting. Trip to Soldiers Delight on
Dolfield Rd. 2 p.m. Follow signs.

6 FREDERICK mcmthly meeting. Artz Library, 8 p.m, "Bird Song;s",

7 BALTIMORE hawk seminar by Chandler Robbins. A fine chance to
learn the hawks, particularly for those going to Hawk Mt.

Meet Cylbum 8 p.m., 50^ fee.

7 TALBOT monthly meeting Easton Library, 8 p.m.

8 ANNE ARUNDEL early birding. Mr. Hal Garner, CO. 3-3 787. Patux-
ent Refuge. Meet main gate, 9 a.m. Leader: Chandler Robbins.

8 BALTIMORE Junior Walk, Gylbiarn, 8 a.m. Bird Banding. Leader:
Mrs. Richard D. Cole,

9 BALTIMORE trip to Remington Farms. Meet Sam Smith Park 7*15

a.m. Reservations not later than Sept, 30. Leaders: Mrs,

Edward Mendinhall and Mr, & Mrs, Clark Webster, Chestertown,

9 TALBOT breakfast hike. Meet St, Michaels High School 7*30 a.m.
Breakfast Mrs. Galloway's.

10 ALLEGANY panel discussion, 8 p.m, to be presented to the Garden
Club at the Woman's Civic Club, 515 Washington St.

12 TALBOT Audubon Screen Tour Lecture, Easton Playhouse, 8 p.m,
"Jun^e Trek in India" by John Moyer,

14 BALTIMORE monthly meeting. Dinner Rodgers Forge Evan, Church,
6:30 p.m. Speaker: Mrs. 0, J. Theobald, "Beauty Spots in Mary-
land”. Make reservations with Mrs. Kaestner, DR. 7-8990,

14-16 ALLEGANY trip to Hawk Mountain.

16 BALTIMCRE trip to Patuxent Refuge, Tour by Mr. Brooke Meanley.
Meet Ward's parking lot, 7*15 a.m. Leader: Mr, Michael Drazin.

16 FREDERICK field trip. Meet Baker Park, 1:30 p.m,

16 TALBOT breakfast hike. Meet St. Michaels Hi^ School, 7:30a.m.

21 CAROLINE trip to Hawk Mountain.

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MARYIAND BIRCLIFE

Vol« 16 1 No. 2

BALTIMORE Hawk Moiintain, Make your ovm reservations. Meet
Hutzler parking lot, Towson 7 a.m. Leader: Mr. Homer Rizner.
BALTIMORE Junior Walk, Cylbum, 8 a.m. -10 a.m. Leader:

Mrs. Norwood K, Schaffer.

BALTIMORE trip to Rock Run Sanctuary. Meet Hutzler's 7:15 a.m.
Leader: Mr, Charles Buchanan.

FREDERICK monthly meeting. Artz Library 8 p.m. Lecture by
Mr. Chandler S, Robbins.

TALBOT Audubon Screen Tour Lecture •'Cypress Kingdom" by
Alexander Sprunt, 8 p.m. Easton Playhouse.

ANNE ARUNDEL Meet Acme Market lot 8 a.m. Leader Mr. Tlbby
Stevens.

BALTIMORE Junior Walk, Cylbum, 8 a.m, -10 a.m. Leader:

Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe.

BALTIMORE trip to Triadelphia. Meet Edmondson Village, 7:30
a.m. Leader: Hr. Malcolm Thomas.

SOLDIERS DELIGHT monthly meeting. Lecture and slides on vdld-
f lower 3 by Dr, Fessenden, 8:30 p.m, at home of Mr. Roelecke,

6800 Dogwood Road.

BALTIMORE - Bombay Hook, Ocean City, Blackwater. Lodgings at
Hastings House, Ocean City, Leader: Mr. Chandler S. Robbins.
FREDERICK field trip. Meet Baker Park, 1:30 p.m.

AXXEGANY mcxithly meeting. Board of Education, Speaker:

Mr. Dan Folk. 7:30 p.m,

TALBOT monthly meeting, Easton Library, 8 p.m.

CAROLINE monthly meeting at heme of Miss Butenschoen, 8 p.m.
BALTIMORE mcmthly meeting. Room B, Pratt Library, 8 p.m. Mr.
Merrill Cottrell, "A Trip to Field, Stream and Forest" and
"A Trip to Shares, Beaches and Marshes".

BALTIMORE Junior Walk, Cylbum, 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. Banding Demon-
stration. Leader: Mrs. Richard D, Cole.

SOLDIERS DELIGHT trip to Rock Run Sanctuary. Meet Owings Mills
School, 2 p.m.

TALBOT breakfast hike. Meet St, Michaels Hi^ School, 7:30 a.m.
BALTIMORE bird banding demonstration at 625 Valley Lane, Towson,
by Mrs. Richard D. Cole, 8 a.m, - 11 a.m.

CHRISTMAS COUNTS - Dec. 24, Denton; Dec. 26, Triadelphia; Dec, 27, Chin-
coteague; Dec. 28, Ocean City and Allegany County; Dec. 29,
Blackwater Refuge; Dec. 31, Lower Kent County, Cylbum, and
Soldiers Delict; Jan. 1, Annapolis and St. Michaels; Jan. 2,
Gatoctin.

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc.
to Record and Encourage the Study of Birds in Maryland
Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel

Editorial Boax^i: Mrs, Roberta Fletcher, Mrs. Mabel Hoyler, Richard L.

Kleec, Gordon Knight, Mrs, Martina Luff, Charles J.
Stine, W. Bryant Tyrrell.

Jr, Editorial Board: Wilbur Rittenheuse, Gordoi Knight, James Voshell.

Production: Dr. Elizabeth Fisher, Shirley Geddes, Mr. a«l Mrs. Carl

Lubbert , Mr. and Mrs, Hcrnier Rizner.