MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

t/i^

c:A/\ai.jj[and Ornitlioto^Laat <Sod.Eiij^ Unc.

Cyiburn Mansion, 4915 Grsenspring Ave., Baltimore 9, Md.

Volume 17 SEPTEMBER 1961 Number 3

FIRST MARYLAiro RECORD OF FULVOUS TREE DUCK
Charlotte M. Hoover

On. July 19 ^ 1961 , I discovered a Fulvous Tree Duck ( Pendrocygna bl -
color ) on the pond north of Route U.S. 50 in West Ocean City, Maryland.

It was In a typical Tree Duck habitat — a densely grown-up marshy area
adjacent to croplands. The bird was '’tipping up," althoiigh most authori-
ties refer to Tree Ducks as land-feeders the diet of which consists
chiefly of weed seeds, com, waste grain and green vegetables.

After watching the duck for some time, I brought ny husband back to
see it; and we observed it for an hour or so. It swam around unconcern-
edly and eventually came to the shore where we were parked; it then
proceeded to take a nap. It was in perfect plimeage, and we could see all
the marks quite clearly — tawiy color, long legs and neck, black bill,
white line along the side, white on tail, dark line down the back of the
neck, and whitish feathers on the throat. Since Fulvous Tree Ducks are
mostly nocturnal in their habits, we were fortunate to have such a good
look. We were familiar with the field marks of this species, since we
had seen it previously in Louisiana.

Since the pond owner keeps other waterfowl there, ay husband checked
to be sure it was not a captive bird. The pond owner was completely im-
aware of the bird’s presence. It is very likely the duck was a recent
arrival to the pond.

Althoi;igh we went back on the 20th, we did not see the Fulvous Tree
Duck again. However, on July 23 it was observed by Samuel H. Dyke. He
wrote: "I had no difficulty in locating the Fulvous Tree Duck early this

morning. The bird was feeding with a group of Black Ducks along the edge
of the marsh on the northwest side of the pond. In order to get a closer
look, I walked around the pond and crossed the marsh, finally coming to
within 200 feet of it. When I tried to move closer, the bird watched for
a few minutes with its long neck extended, and then swam to the center of
the pond where it began to preen. Although the duck did not fly while I
was there, it did spread its wings several times, showing the flight
feathers to be in good condition. No doubt about it — an adult Fulvous
Tree Duck in good pl\miage.'' On July 30, Theodore R. Hake photographed it
through a telescope, watched It in flight, and commented on a peculiarity
that Mr. Dyke noted also — that of sinking low in the water like a grebe,
possibly to escape detection. It was still present on Aiig. 20 (Dyke).

68

MAEYLAM) BIEDLIFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

The distribution of the Fulvous Tree Duck is an interesting subject.
This duck is found in five widely separated parts of the world: India,
eastern Africa, southeastern South America, northern South America, and
northern Mexico and southern United States. In the United States It nor-
mally occiirs in two major areas: southern Louisiana and Texas, and

southern California. Eichard H. Pough, in his "Audubon Water Bird Guide"
(1951)? comments, "The curious, discontinuous distribution of this bird
suggests either a decadent species of which only a few relics survive or
an aggressive species which is spreading and colonizing new areas," and
he leans toward the former possibility. However, in recent years there
have been increasing reports of birds found in the southeastern United
States, mostly along the coast.

The major Influx, judging by available literature, began simulta-
neously in Florida and South Carolina in the fall of 1956. Prior to that
time, Florida had had only a few scattered records, but on the Dec. 28,
1956 Christmas Covint at Cocoa, Allan D. Cruickshank and party found 1^+
( Audubon Field Notes 11; 13l)- Dr. William B. Robertson, Jr., reports
that in November i960 there were 65-75 at Loxahatchee (ibid. 15: 30).

The first record for South Carolina was a count of 4 on Edisto Is-
land on Dec. 15, 1955 (Sprunt, Chat 20: I?)- Then on Nov. 26, 1956, 24
visited the Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge on the South Carolina
— Georgia border for 10 days (Mellinger, Chat 21: 22). On Dec. 15, 1959
and Jan. 13, i960 there were 32 at the same location ( Chat 24: 22), and
on Dec. l4, i960 there were 9 there ( Chat 25: 15).

The North Carolina Invasion did not come until i960. After the
first record of a single bird in July 1886, no more were noted until
Apr. 15, 1949, when 2 were found by the late Charles L. Broley ( Chat 13:
49). In the winter of 1959~60, 4 more were sighted, and then on Oct. I9,
i960 John L. Sincock spotted 55 from the air during a waterfowl inventory
of the Currituck area (Sykes, Raven 32: 60).

Paul W. Sykes, Jr., has documented the Virginia occurrences in an
article entitled "The Fulvous Tree Duck Invasion into Southeastern Vir-
ginia" ( Raven 32: 6O-63). tferch 30, I96O marked the first record, a pair
seen by Mrs. A. D. Strong at Williamsburg. Since then there have been a
dozen more reports, Including 6 mounted specimens, and a notable count
of 21 on Jan. 1, 1961 by R. V. Dudley at Virginia Beach (Sykes).

A note on Puerto Rico seems worth adding. In the July 1961 Auk
(78: 425), an article entitled "Records of Two Migrant Waterfowl for
Puerto Rico" by Vlrglllo Blaggl, Jr. and Francis J, Rolle mentions a
specimen taken from a flock of about 20 Fulvous Tree Ducks on Dec. 21,
i960. Only two previous records were known for the whole West Indies.

From the above information, it would appear that Fulvous Tree Ducks
are rapidly expanding their range along our East Coast. With so much
favorable habitat available, we may soon have a nesting record!

225 Mt. Zephyr Drive, Alexandria, Va.

September I961

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

69

FURTTffiR PILEATED OBSERVATIONS IM BALTTMORE SUBtfRBS
Alice S, Kaestner

The first report of a Pileated Woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus ) in
the Nor"^ * Baltimore suburbs was made by Mrs, Joshua Rowe in May I960, when
she saw one at the Cylbum Wildflower Preserve ( Maryland Birdlife 16: 85).
A short time later, it was observed there again "by Dr, Elizabeth Fisher,
and its characteristic oblong drilling in trees at Cylbum was confirmed
by Dr, Robert Bums,

Li June^ a bird watcher spoke of seeing this woodpecker in Mt, Wash-
ington, and later in the month, one was sighted in Roland Park,

The next view was ty Ifr. Churchill Carey, who noticed the bird for
several days in September, close to his home in the wooded section of
Lakehurst,

On Christmas Eve, Mr, and Mrs, Mitchell Griffith watched this species
at their home on the edge of the woods in the Lake Roland area. And on
Christmas Day, it was observed by Dr, and Mrs, Leo Vollmer at their home

in Murray Hill, which is near Bellona Avenue, Just west of Charles Street,

Susanne Michel was next to sight it in the woods off Joppa Road, Tow-
son, on February I 8 , I 96 I.

On February 22, as I opened the door of our home in Lakehurst to go
out to the feeder with a sweet cake, I heard a very loud hammering.
Glancing up in the direction of the sound, I spied a Pileated Woodpecker
drilling on a limb high up in the Norway Maple, close to the back of our
house. It was then 8:10 a,m, and the visitor continued at its work un-
til 8:30, Both sides of the limb had been worked on and I saw the bird

tear pieces of live bark three and a half inches long by one inch wide
from the limb with one thrust of its powerful bill.

Formerly, if a bird watcher desired to add the Pileated Woodpecker
to his life list of birds, it was thought to be necessary to go to the
deep woods, sometimes far afield. Some years ago, I recall having
gone to five states before finally seeing one in West Virginia. Now
to look up and see one at my back door in a completely developed suburban
area, it was really unbelievable.

In late March, Mr, and Mrs, Eliot Williams came upon this species
while they were walking at Cylbum,

It is not known whether the birds seen are a pair or a single bird
since no one has seen two together; neither has anyone reported seeing a
leg band.

!Ihe Pileated did not return to our home until April i:; then my hus-
band sighted it clinging to the tree beside the suet feeder at 6:20 a,m.
Usually, a Starling ( Stumus vulgaris) will chase another bird from the

MAEYLAND BIRDLIFE

70

Vol. 17, Mo. 3

feeder but that morning a Starling lighted, glanced at the new and larger
visitor and departed immediately.

After leaving the suet, the woodpecker flew over to the lowest limb
of the maple and proceeded to drill to the depth of two and a half inches
where it started feeding. Sitting motionless on the same limb about
three feet away was a Yellow-shafted Flicker ( Colap tes auratus), which
remained until after the Pileated flew away; then, it moved to the Plic-
ated 's fresh drilling and fed in the same manner.

On the following two mornings the Pileated Woodpecker was drilling
on the maple at a,m. It continued coming each day, and on the 11 th

it was feeding on the suet at 8:3? a.m* Whenever it came, it stayed
from fifteen to twenty minutes and it was very deliberate in whatever it
was doing* Nothing seemed to disturb it, such as other birds flying near
or a person walking under the tree.

The last view I had of it at our home was on April 12, when I saw it
at 10:10 a.m. Each visit meant more holes in a different spot; some of
these were visible, and others were known only because of the fresh chips
on the ground.

On f^y 3, the Malcolm Thomases and I, while walking near the north
end of the Bird Walk at Cylbum, fi*ightened a Pileated from a dead
stub. As it flew, we heard its loud flicker-like call. In a few min-
utes, it returned to the same tree to work over another dead limb. We
hoped that it was nesting in Cylbum, as this date was within the nesting
period.

Ihose of us, who enjoy the world of nature around us, might say that
ones feelings are expressed in the words of a popular song, "The best
things of life are free." Although I do consider the Pileated* s visit one
of the best -tilings that has happened to me, I know it is not going -bo be
free. The Norway maple, highly valued as our cooling system, will have
to be treated by a tree expert, who has suggested using protective paint
•bo cover up the excavations of our unexpected visitor. Could this ex-
pense, by any chance, be considered deductible?

600? Lakehurst Drive, Baltmore 10

AVIAN SYMBOLISM
Dorothy Vemon Smith

When I went to school we knew a few tried and tms-ty symbols - you
know, peace was the dove with the olive branch. Uncle Sam and/oi* the
eagle was the USA, an owl was the wise old bird, etc. Now and -then we
were Introduced to something like a Morality Flay with Everyman and Eve-
ryworaan, but the characters were carefully labelled "Pride" or "Glut-bony"
or some sudi - and it took no great mental exertion to get the drift of
what was going on. The ground was firm under our feet. Nowadays the

September 196I

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

71

youth of the nation is steeped in symbolism. Any seemingly innocent met*
aphor may have a deep Freudian meaning. Avant garde literature reeks of
symbolism and anybody who has seen or read **VJaiting for Godot" or Mac-
Leish’s "JB" knows what I mean. The ground under our feet is slipping
sand.

So when I began to look up bird symbolism in the Library I was pain-
ed to find the going there slippery too. In fact one bird can be symbol-
ic of several things, ihe Hebrews, for example couldn’t seem to make up
their minds about the eagle. At first it was a sign of God's protection -
Exodus 19, *'Now I bare you on eagle's wings and brought you unto myself.."
And later, in Ezekiel the bird is a symbol of wordly power and represents

Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon like "a great eagle with great wings who

comes into Lebanon and takes the highest branch of the Cedar."

I looked briefly over l|. books -

"Pandora's Box" by Dora and Erwin Panofsky
"Picture Book of S^ymbols" by Ernest L. Lehner
"Signs and Symbols of Christian Art" by
George Ferguson (wonderful bookl)

"All the Birds of the Bible" by Alice Parraelee
Bird symbolism was used by the Greeks and the Romans, in the Byzantine
Empire and in early Chidstendom. It can be religious, patriotic, senti-
mental, etc. Under Cyrus the Great, the Persians had vulture emblms de-
picted on the standards of their army. The Roman standbearers carried
"the eagles" in their campaigns into far off posts of the Roman Entire.
Today baby announc^ent cards drip storks I

Judo -Christianity has made much use of bird symbolism. The Hebrews
were a people living close to nature j they recognized migration for what
it is, and left us one of the oldest accounts of it in world literature
(Jeremiah 8 : 7 ). In Christ Church in Easton Uib lectern is supported by
an eagle (the symbol of St. John the Svengelist), and at the top of the
chancel window there is the symbol of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit - a
triangle superimposed on a dove.

Probably someone has done "bird syiabolism" to a turn, but if they
haven’t its's a wonderful subject for a bird seminar. So here's a begin-
ning list for somebody to work on.

Blackbird - darkness of sin and ten^jtation of the flesh (Devil appeared
to St, Benedict in guise of a blackbird)

Cock - vigilance - (associated with St. Peter)
courage - symbol of France
Crane - vigilance, loyalty, good life
Crow - companion of Hope as she rises from Pandora's box
later a symbol of hope itself
companion of Death (Geoffrey Troy's book of Hou)

Dove - purity and peace (sacrifice of doves at the Ttemple in Jerusalem)
Holy Spirit (descending from heaven at the baptism of Christ)
with olive branch - peace
Eagle - USAj St. Johnj courage 5 God's protection

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

72

Falcon - spirit of the sun

domesticated falcon - gentile converted to the Christian faith
Goldfinch - symbol of the Passion of Christ because of its fondness for
eating "Oiistles and thorns

Goose - providence and vigilance (story of geese who cackled and saved
Rome)

Lark - symbol of humility of the priesthood because it sings only in
flight toward heaven

Owl - wisdom - often shown with Athena Greek goddess of wisdom is depict-
ed on Greek Coins

Partridge - symbol of theft or deceit
Peacock - resurrection (Byxantine)
vanity

all-seeing church - because of the hundred eyes in its wings
Pelican - pierces its breast to feed its offspring - therefore symbolizes
Christ's sacrifice on the Cix)ss

Raven - devil - originally white, goes the story, but its feathers turned
black when it did not return to the ark after Noah sent it forth
Sparrow - humility; the lowly ones
Stork - fertility

Swallow - 3 summer swallows mean safe travel
Swan (black) - death
Swan (white) - perfection
Vulture - death

or power of a terrifying kind
Woodpecker - devil or heresy

13 North Aurora Street, Easton

NEW EARLY DATE FOR MOURNING DOVE EGGS IN MARYLAND
Hervey Brackblll

In larchmont, Baltimore County— which is just beyond the north-
western edge of Baltimore City, near Woodlawn — I found a pair of Mourning
Doves ( Zenaidura macroura ) building on March 5, I961. Eggs were laid in
this nest on March 6 and 8, which is four days earlier than the earliest
egg date (March 10) recorded in '^irds of Maiyland and the District of
Columbia," Stewart and Robbins, North Americsin Fauna 62: I72, I958.

One egg hatched between 5;33 p.m. (E.S.T,) March 22 and 7;28-a.m.
March 23. The other hatched between the latter hour and 9:52 a.m. March
25. On three days during incubation the minimum official ten5>erature8
for Baltlmorg City were in the 20’ s; the lowest maximum ten^ierature , how-
ever, was 38 F. The official Baltimore City mean for the period was ^3*^;
the official mean at Friendship Airport was 42.3®; with figures so near
alike, it seems probable that larchmont ten5)eratures were similar.

On the morning of March 30 I found the nestlings dead. I suspect
that a group of small children, playing near the nest-tree on several
warm days Just then, kept the parents away from their young.

September I 96 I

MARYLAND BIRDUFE

73

It is Interesting that this early nesting occurred on the heels of
the most severe winter In many years. A l^i-inch snow fell on December
11-12, i960, and cold weather and additional snowfalls kept the ground
covered until well into February; there was no appreciable amount of bare
ground in this vicinity imtil February I9.

2620 Poplar Drive, Baltimore

MARYLAND NEST SUMMARY FOR I96O
David Bridge

One hundred and twelve species were found nesting in Maryland in
i960. While no outstanding rarity was reported, this is the third high-
est total recorded in one year. Coverage and participants, on the other
hand, have decreased. Fourteen counties had fewer species than in 1959^
two the same, and five increased. Two- thirds of the counties reported
nests for fewer species than last year, and for the second yesur no Somer-
set or Carroll County nests were reported. Tnere were only 52 observers
in i960, whereas there were IO9 in 1959*

Caroline County reported the largest number of species: 76. Carol
and Bill Scudder contributed greatly by reporting over 200 nests. For
more detailed information on i960 Worcester County nests see Maryland
Birdlife 17: 3-6.

The nesting season is in^erfectly known for many species. In fact
no nest has ever been found in Maryland for the Hermit Thrush, Black-
throated Green, Blackburnian and Mourning Warblers, and Savannah Sparrow.
Only one nest has been found for Northern Waterthrush, Bobolink and Dlck-
cissel. All of the preceeding birds except the Dickcissel nest in the
Allegheny Mountain Section, and because of rareness and lack of concen-
trated field work the nests have gone undetected.

At the coast are such new nestlr^ species as Cattle Egret, Glossy
Ibis, Herring Gull and Royal Tern, as well as many old ones such as Black
Skimmer, Willet, American Oyster catcher, Clapper Rail, several egrets and
herons, and Boat-tailed Grackle. The author and others are intensively
studying this group and should soon have more accurate information on
their nesting.

Only a few nests of the following species have ever been found in
Maryland: Chuck-will’ s-wldow — 3 nests. Tree Swallow — 17 j Brown- headed

Nuthatch — 11, Black-capped Chickadee — no egg dates, Short-billed tfarsh
Wren — only 1 egg date. Warbling Vlreo — no nesting dates, and so on. The
opportunity for tferyland ornithologists is clear.

Neither should the common species be overlooked. There are on file
more than two thousand Redwlnged Blackbird nest records, more than a
thousand Robins, and five hundred each for the Eastern Phoebe, House
Wren and Chipping Sparrow. With a sample as large as that some very
interesting analyses could be made.

74

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

Table 1. Summary of All i960 Maryland Nests Reported

Species

A

1

1

ConL^ion Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Louisiana Heron
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black- cr. Nt. Heron
Glossy Ibis
Mallard

Black Duck

Blue-winged Teal
Wood Duck
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Red- shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Osprey

Sparrow Hawk

Bobwhlte

King Rail
Clapper Rail
Am. Qystercatcher
Kllldeer

Am. Woodcock

Willet

Herring Gull
Laughing Gull
Forster's Tern

CoLtimon Tern

Least Tern
Royal Tern
Black Sklramer
Mourning Dove
Yellow- billed Cuckoo
Barn Owl
Whip-poor-will
Common Nlghthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-t. Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow- sh. Flicker
Plleated Woodpecker
Red-bel. Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Great Crested Fly.
Eastern Phoebe
Acadian Flycatcher
Eastern Wood Pewee
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Rough- wing Swallow

A B

C C C D
a e h o
1 c a r

F G H H

K M P
e o r
n n 1

S T W W
t a a i
M 1 B c

60

LOO

16 76
110 110
9 9

33 33
4o lii0

66 72
8 118
10 10
2

2 k

LIO

21

1 1
2

5 30
3

12

5 5

8 8
2^5 245
160 160
255 25^

1 5
4

1 2

12 12
125 125
5‘8 58
9
5

1

2

1 2
2

2

2 1
2

3 2

6

7

1

7

7

11

8
23

6

4

4

2 2

8

7

2 8
3

^

3

2

3 3 1

1

2 1
1

4 2

2

16

September I96I

MARYLAND BIRDUFE

75

Species

Barn Swallow
Purple Martin
Blue Jay
Common Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-br. Nuthatch
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Long-bill M. Wren
Short-bill M. Wren
Mockliigblrd
Catbird
Brown Thrasher

Robin

Wood Thrush
Eastern Bluebird
Blue-g. Gnatcatcher
Starling

White-eyed Vlreo
Yellow-thr. Vlreo
Red-eyed Vlreo
Black- &- white Warb.
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Yellow Weurbler
Chestnut- sided Warb .
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler

Ovenblrd

La. Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Yellowthroat
Yellow-breasted Chat

Hooded Warbler

American Redstart
House Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Redwinged Blackbird

Orchard Oriole

Baltimore Oriole
Boat- tail Crackle
Common Crackle
Er.- headed Cowbird

Sc6u:let Tanager

Sumner Tanager
Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
American Goldfinch
Rufous -sided Towhee
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Total nests

A A B C
1 n a a
1 n 1 r

C C C D
a c h o
1 c a r

F G H H
r a a o
e r r w

K M P Q
e o r u
n n 1 e

S T W W
t a a 1
M 1 s c

1 1

6k

k

3

3

19

81

9

k

10

~E

1

33

10

k

5

2 k
1

2 1

8 3

1 2

1 11
k 7
1 15
2 1 10 26

1

1 1

a

3 7 1

1 1

3 A
7 1

1 If 2

1

15

20

26

58

15

6

8

11

1

1

1 2
2

1

1

1

1 1

1

1

10

6

93

5

if

3

32

5

2

11

1 1
1

lf2

To

52 53
50

19

3

10
2 3
1

33

2

8 15
5
if
2

2 11

1

i+ 5

1

37

6

6

2

3 2

1

if if

5

3

1

2

1 20

5

3

1

2

22

2
1 if
2 5 57i<2:

1 1 33

69 25 18 6

2

1 1
2 69 112

9
9

4298 22 1 112292382

76

MARYLAUD BIRDLIFE

Vol. ITj Ho. 3

Tlie number of nests reported for each species is given by counties in Table
1. The counties are abbreviated at the top of the table; All(egany), Ann(e Ar-
undel), Bal(timore and Baltimore City), Car(oline), Cal(vert), Cec(il), Cha(rles),
Dor(chester ), Fre(derick), Gar(rett), Har(ford), How(ard), Ken(t), Mon(tgomery ),
Pri(nce Georges), Que(en Annes), St. M(arys), Tal(bot), Was(bington), Wic(omico),
and Wor(cester). Record-breaking dates are underscored in the annotated list.

GREAT BLUE HERON — Known to nest regularly, but no colony reported, 1958- I96O.
COMMON EGRET--47 young banded off South Point, Worcester County (David Bridge,
John S. Weske, Maryland Birdlife 17: 3). 68 young banded at St. Catherine
Island in St. Marys County on June k (JSW).

SNOWY EGRET-- large colony off South Point, 301 young banded (DB, jSW).

GREEN HERON — Caroline County nest had young on May 25 (R- B. Fletcher and N. W.

Hewitt). 120 young banded in Worcester County~tEB, JSW).

LITTLE BLUE HERON--100+ nests in St. Catherine Island heronry; 8l banded on
June 4 (JSW). 105 banded off South Point (DB, JSW).

CATTLE EGRET--Second colony in Maryland was found on June 12 on the islands off
South Point; 25 young from at least 9 nests were banded (DB, JSW).

LOUISIANA HERON— 94 young banded on the islands off South Point (DB, JSW).

BLACK- CROWNED NIGHT HERON- -About 110 pairs in St. Marys County on St. Catherine
and Blackistone Islands (JSW). 21 young banded off South Point (DB, JSW).
GLOSSY IBIS — 27 young banded from 10 nests off South Point (DB, JSW).
mallard — O ne egg on May 7, 9 eggs on May l4 in Caroline Co. nest (C&B Scudder).
BLACK DUCK — 11 eggs in an abandoned nest in Prince Georges County on May 7 (DB
and R. R. Feller).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL — A nest with 10 eggs in salt-meadow grass near Elliott Island
in Dorchester County on June 11 (DB, JSW).

WOOD DUCK--TWO broods in Caroline County, June 23 (C&BS) and July l4 (RBF).

TURKEY VULTURE— Two nests in Caroline County, 1 young on June 2 (jay Smith), 2
young in the other on July 16 (C&BS).

RED- TAILED HAWK— Young heard in Montgomery County nest, April 20 (H. Fessenden).
RED- SHOULDERED HAWK — Nest being built on Feb. 9, young on May 2, Caroline (C&BS).
BROAD-WINGED HAWK- - Building in Worcester County on April 23 (HF).

BALD EAGLE — Incubating on Kient Island on Feb. 17 and in Charles County on March
3 (Brooke Meanley).

OSPREY — John Weske found more than 20 nests in Colton Point area of St. Marys
County, mostly on offshore duck blinds.

SPARROW HAWK — Five nestlings banded on June 9 i*^ Frederick Co. nest (S. W. Edwards).
BOBWHITE — Eight broods in Caroline County: l4, l4, 12, 10, 9, 8, 8, 3 young;
mean, 9.8 per brood; also nests with 6, 13, 15, and 20 eggs. Some animal
crushed every egg in the 20-egg nest (C&BS).

KING RAIL — Three young in Talbot County on June 8 (BM).

CLAPPER RAIL — A nest with one young and 9 eggs found on Robins Marsh in Chlnco-
teague Bay, Worcester County, on June I8 (DB, JSW).

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER — One large young banded on June 12 and 2 small young on
June 18 on islands in Slnepuxent Bay, Worcester County (DB, JSW).

KILLDEER— Four young out of the nest on June 16 in Caroline County (C&BS).
AMERICAN WOODCOCK— Four eggs on May 25 in Howard County nest (Aelred D. Gels).
WILLET — Three nests with 4 eggs each and one with 3 eggs; one l€u*ge young banded
on July 3 (DB, JSW).

HERRING GULL — Eight nests in Worcester Covmty; 17 young banded between June 12
and July 2, eggs between June 12 and June 19 (DB, JSW).

LAUGHING GULL — 115 young banded from about 245 oests on four islands in Worces-
ter County (DB, JSW).

FORSTER'S TERN — I60 nests on Robins Marsh on June I9 (DB, JSW).

COMMON TERN — 535 young banded from about 255 nests on 3 Ocean City islands.

LEAST TERN — 12 nests with eggs or young at Ocean City, June I8 (DB, JSW).

September I 96 I

MARYLAITD BIRDLIFE

77

ROYAL TERN — 125 pairs on Island off South Point; only 13 young handed (DB, JSV),
rest of colony destroyed by high water.

BLAC3C SKIMMER — 58 nests on three islands, 125 young banded (DB, JSW).

MOURNING DOVE — Five nests with 2 eggs each found on April 16, 20, 23, 2k, Jfcy 21.

YETiTGtf-BITiTED CUCKOO — Feeding young out of nest In Caroline Covinty on June 1,

June 23 and July 15; Frederick County nest with 2 young on July 9 (DB).

BARN OWL— Two nests (3 eggs and 9 eggs) at Blackwater Refuge on Apr. 9 (JSW).

WHIP-POOR- WILL — One young out of the nest on July 28 In Caroline County (C&BS).

COMMON NIGHTHAWK — Two Caroline County nests: 1 young on June 12 (MH); 2 young

on JuOy 8 {CSeBS).

CHIMNEY SWIFT — First young heard on June 20 in Caroline County (Mrs. Ethel Poore).

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD — Incubating on June 20 in Caroline County (EP).

BELTED KINGFISHER— Adult feeding 3 young at Choptank River, July 9 (M. Butenschoei).

YELLOW- SHAFTED FLICKER— Young in the nest in Prince Georges County on May 7, In
Montgomery County on May 16, and in Caroline County on May 17.

PILEATED WOODPECKER— One flying young on July 9 in Caroline County (C&BS).

RED- BELLIED WOODPECKER- -Young in Caroline County nest on May 1^)-, and in Montgom-
ery County nest on May 23.

HAIRY WOODPECKER — Young in the nest in Prince Georges County on May 7> ia Mbnt-
gomeiy County on May 28, and in Caroline County on June 7 .

DOWNY WOODPECKER — Young in the nest in Prince Georges County on May I3, in Mont-
gomery County on May 28, and in Baltimore County on June 20.

EASTERN KINGBIRD — Earliest nest with yoiing in Caroline County on June 4 (MH).

GREAT CRESTED FIYCATCHER — 5 eggs in Montgomery County nest on June 9 (HF). Three
of the 5 nests reported were in newspaper boxes.

EASTERN PHOEBE — Contents of 21 nests were: 3 eggs or young in 2 nests, 4 in 13

nests, 5 in 4 nests, and 6 in 2 nests.

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER— 3 eggs on June 7 in Caroline County (C&BS).

EASTERN WOOD PEWEE--A nest was used twice in Caroline County (Robert Fletcher
and Eddie Hall).

HORNED LARK— 4 eggs on June 17 (MH); 2 young in the nest on August 30 (C&BS);
both nests were in Caroline Coimty.

TREE SWALLOW — A pair at Garland Lake raised 2 broods; young during May 26-30 and
July 1-9 (AJF, RBF).

BANK SWALLOW- -Young in Talbot County nests on Jvine 12 (AJF, RBF).

ROUGE-WINGED SWALLOW — Adults seen entering nest holes in 3 counties, April 10,
April 24, May 5. 3 young on July 7 in Caroline County (C&BS).

BARN SWALLOW- -5 eggs laid between May 21 and 25 in Montgomery County (EF).

PURPLE MARTIN- -Colony of 46 pairs in Caroline County; first young left on June
19 (Harry Hubbard).

BLUE JAY — Building neat on April 20 in Prince Georges County (DB).

COMMON CROW— Young in nest on May 7 (C&BS), May 30 (EF) and M^ 31 (C&BS).

CAROLINA CHICKADEE — 6 eggs on April 20 in Montgomery County nest (HF).

TUFTED TITMOUSE— 5 large young in old Pileated hole, July 12, Caroline Co. (CSt^).

WHITE- BREASTED NUTHATCH— Feeding young in Gstrrett Co. nest, June 17 (Mason Diehl).

HOUSE WREN— Egg dates: May l4 in Prince Georges County (V. KLeen) to August 10
in Caroline County (MB).

CAROLINA WREN — Young in Montgomery County nest on May 3 (BF).

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN — 2 nests (6 eggs, 4 eggs) near Elliott, June 11 (JSW, DB).

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN--Nest with 5 young near Blackwater River, July 9 (c&^).

MOCKINGBIRD — First egg laid in Caroline County nest on April 27 (RBF); 4 young
in another Caroline County nest on August 2 (C&BS).

CATBIRD — 4 eggs on May I6 in Baltimore City nest (Betsy Schaffer). 3 eggs in
Caroline Coiinty nest on July 1 (AJF, RBF).

BROWN THRASHER— Four nests with eggs in Mongtomery County on May 3 (HF). Caro-
line County nest with young on May 10 (RBF).

ROBIN— Eggs on April 29 in Baltimore City (BF). Young in Caroline nest, May l4.

78

MARYLAND BIEDLIFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

WOOD THRUSH — Three out of 4 nests found in Prince Georges County had 1 cowbird

egg and 3 Wood Thrush eggsj 13 Wood Thrushes and 3 cowbirds fledged in early
June (DB).

EASTERN BLUEBIRD — Five eggs in Frederick County box on May 12 (SWE).

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER— Building , April 21; young. May 20; both Caroline Co. (C&ffil).

STARLING- -Five young on April 28, Caroline County (Bob Pepper).

WHITE- EYED VIREO — 3 eggs hatching in Dorchester County on July 9 (C&K).

YELLOW- THROATED VIREO — Building on April 29 in Prince Georges Co. (Melvin Kleen).

RED-EYED VIRE0--Marvin Hewitt reported a nest with 3 cowbird eggs and 2 Red-eye
eggs on June I9. Edgar Reynolds found a nest with 1 cowbird egg and 3 vireo
eggs on June 11 in Garrett Coxinty.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER — No nest found, but building on April 24 in Worcester Co.
(HF). Yoinig on the wing mist netted on June 29 (DB).

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER — Two nests with 3 young each were found in Caroline County,
June 30 and July I5 (C&BS).

WORM- EATING WARBLER — Adults feeding 4 young on July 1 in Howard Co. (R. Munro).

YELLOW WARBLER- -Nesting in Frederick County on May 1 (SWE).

CHESTNUT- SIDED WARBLER — Pleasant Valley nest in Garrett County had 1 egg on June
l4, 2 on June 15, 3 on June I6 (l, a cowbird' s, removed), 3 warbler eggs on
June 17 (BlUle Taylor).

PINE WARBLER — 2 young out of a Caroline County nest on July 21 (C&BS).

PRAIRIE WARBLER — Building in Caroline Co., May cowbird egg on May 7 (MB).

OVENBIRD — Three nests at Pleasant Valley, Garrett County, contained 2 eggs on
June 12 (Gary Downton), 4 young and 2 eggs on June l4 (joe Densock) and
3 young on June I6 (Carlene Dowell).

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH — Feeding young out of nest on June 25 j Baltimore Co. (BF).

KENTUCKY WARBLER — Nests with young in Caroline County, J\ine 1 and June 21 (CSBS).

YELLOWTBROAT — Nest with eggs in Caroline Co. on May 18, 2 feet up (MB).

YELLOW- BREASTED CHAT — 3 young chats and 1 young cowbird, June 8, Montgom.Co. (HF).

HOODED WARBLER — 3 eggs and 1 cowbird egg on May 22 in Prince Georges County (DB).

AMERICAN REDSTART — Pleasemt Valley nest 6 feet up had 3 young on June 12 (GD).

HOUSE SPARR0W--3 young on April 12 in Caroline County nest (C&BS).

EASTERN MEADOWIARK — Young left Caroline Coimty nests on June 12 and July 29 (C&BS).

REDWINGED BLACKBIRD — 6 nests with eggs and 4 with young on May 21 in Prince
Georges County (John S. Webb, DB).

ORCHARD ORIOLE— Nests with young in Caroline Co., June 2, 6 and 25 (C&BS, RBF).

BALTIMORE ORIOLE- -Feeding young in five Caroline County nests between June 6 and
July 15; mean height of 9 nests was 45 feet.

BOAT-TAILED CRACKLE — 87 young banded in Worcester Co., June 12 — July 3 (DB, JSW).

COMMON GRACKLE — Six nests were found on offshore duck blinds by John Weske on

June 4. One blind had a grackle nest and an Osprey nest with two young; do
the Ospreys protect the grackle nests?

BROWN- HEADED COWBIRD--Parasitized 13 species; Cardinal 5^ Wood Thrush 4, Eastern
Phoebe 2, 1 each of Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler, Chestnut- sided
Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Hooded Warbler,
Orchard Oriole euid Indigo Bxmting.

SCARLET TANAGER — Four yoxing in Caroline County nest on June 5 (RBF).

SUMMER TANAGER — Adult feeding young in Caroline County nest, June 5 (RBF).

CARDINAL— A late nest in Caroline County had 3 eggs on August 10, young on Avig-
ust 18. Mean height of 27 nests was 5-5 feet; last year's mean for 37 nests
was 5*3 feet.

BLUE C2?0SBEAK— Eggs on June 13 and young between July 10 and Aug. 12 in 4 Caro-
line County nests; mean height was 4.4 feet (C4BS).

INDIGO BUNTING — Four nests between June I 8 in Harford County (Jean Worthley, et
al. ) and August 4 in Caroline Co. (C&BS); inean height, 3 feet.

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH — Two young in Caroline County nest on September 11 (C&BS).

RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE— 5 eggs in Montgomery Co. nest. May 4; all hatched by 1^^.

September I961

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

79

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW — Adults feeding young out of the nest; July 18 and August 15,
both in Caroline County (C&BS).

EENSLOW'S SPARROW— One young being fed In Caroline County on July 25 (C&BS).
VESPER SPARROW- -Four large young in Caroline County nest on June 1*4- (c&BS).
CHIPPING SPARROW— Eggs between April 29 and August 2k, young between May 15 and
July 23; mean height for 21 nests was 6.5 feet.
field SPARROW- -Three nests with eggs between April 28 and June 23 .

SONG SPARROW — Six nests with eggs between May 2 and August 9; young May I 9 , Aug-
ust 16 .

Contributors for I 96 O were: Randy and Ronnie Albury, David Bridge, Charles

Buchanan, Margarete Butenschoen, Joe Densock, Mason Diehl, Car lane Dowell, Gary
Downton, Maria Ebert, Sterling W. Edwards, Ronald R. Feller, Helen Fessenden,
Alix Fisher, Betty Fisher, Robert Fletcher, A. Jerome Fletcher, Roberta B. Flet-
cher, Melvin Garland, Aelred D. Gels, Caroline Hadley, Eddie Hall, Marvin Hewitt,
Naomi W. Hewitt, Rodney B. Jones, Melvin Kleen, Vernon Kleen, William leeson,
Andy Me Cosh, Brooke Meanley, Mrs.* Rosamond Munro, Pete Myers, Jane O'Leary, Bob
Pepper, Mrs. Ethel Poore, Alpha Reynolds, Edj^ Reynolds, Don Richardson, Mrs.
Eleanor C. Robbins, Betsy Schaffer, Roger Segar, Carol Scudder, Bill Scudder,

Jay Smith, Billie Taylor, W. Bryant "lyrrell, John S. Webb, John S. Weske, Breeze
Wood, Sarah Wood, euid Jean Worthley.

8-A Ridge Road, Greenbelt

CONSERYATIQK NEWS

THE SAI'IDS OF TIME ARE RUNNING OUT

Elizabeth C. Wood

For several years Congress has had great plane for natural resources. The
pressure of forces destructive of scenery and plant and wildlife resources have
Increased rapidly with each succeeding year. On so many issues the time is new
or never that a magnificent effort on the part of all who cherish our God-given
natural wonders is called for. If Senators J. Glenn Beall and John Marshal
Butler and your Representatives feel there is enough pcqpular support they will
do their best to see that these crucial measures pass.

Years of narsh draining, of drought, and of ever-increasing numbers of
hunters have reduced duck numbers drastically. In an effort to curb the decrease
in waterfowl the House approved H.R. 7391 to lend $150 million to the Bureau of
Sport Fisheries and Wildlife to purchase duck breeding marshes. However, the
Senate committee cut the amovint to one-third. If passed, the Conference Com-
mittee must decide the amount.

This is virtually the last chance to pass the Wilderness Bill, which de-
clares that undisturbed wilderness areas have value (for wildlife habitat, re-
creation, research, watershed and soil stabilization). As usml, selfish com-
mercial interests are loud opponents, but with a little more pc^ular sxqpport
Congress might actually pass 3. 17^ • The Senate Interior and Insular Affairs
C(»milttee has reported it favorably. Opponents are making coordinated vigorous
efforts to kill S. 17^* 'Hiey may revive crippling amendments that the Senate
Ccamittee has already rejected. According to vol. 15 no. 16 of Outdoor News
Bulletin published August 11 by the Wildlife Management Institute: ’^Tbe three

most hamful amcndnients would require the virtually ii^osslble task of obtaining
a separate congressional act for each area that would be included in the wilder-
ness system, keep all national forest lands in the system open to mining, and
prohibit the inclusion of all wilderness tracts larger than 100,000 acres In the
new system without specific congressional authorization . "

Jfeny of the tracts of land that the Department of the Interior suggested

80

MARYLAND BIRDUFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

two and a half decades ago should be national parks are now changed beyond re-
pair. At that time all proposed psirks could have been purchased for a small
fraction of the present price . In recent years many areas have been considered
by Congress as candidates for National Park status. We mention a few that are
in most danger of encroachment.

PADRE ISLAND. As park planning experts and conservationists state: Roads

should lead TO Padre Island^ not ACROSS it. This road conflict seems to be de-
laying establishing the park.

POINT REYES. This is a beautiful California peninsula recommended in 1935
to become public land. Miraculously^ it has remained virtually unspoiled. Sub-
division lots have now been laid out. This year may be too late for acquisition
as a much needed national seashore near millions of homes. Certainly, next year
will be too late. This peninsula around Drakes Bay is rich in history as well
as in varied plants and small animals. The dairy ranchers eu:e the chief oppo-
nents of a park. The National Park Service has offered to let private dairy
farms continue as long as they are not diverted to other use.

INDIANA DUNES. About half of the last five miles of Indiana Dunes that re-
mained two years ago has now been built into a steel mill and housing develop-
ments; a harbor and another steel mill are planned. About three miles remain.
Bills S. 1T9T (Paul Douglas), S. 231? (R. N. Hartke), and H.R. 6544 (Saylor) seek
to save at least part of this remnant. "Tomorrow is forever" for these unique
dunes and bogs where many plants of both northern and southern latitudes grow.

Hard foxight battles do not stay won. Merely not building Glen Canyon Ham so
high as was specified would have saved the Rainbow Bridge National Monument from
flooding. Public opinion refused to sanction Glen Canyon dam until the law
authorizing it provided a guarantee that the Rainbow Bridge National Monument
would not be flooded. But Congress has repeatedly failed to appropriate money
for the barrier dam.

Certain interests supported by certain Congressmen have for years been tiy-
Ing to build dams in National Parks. Kie whole park system is threatened if this
barrier dam is not built or the authorized height of Glen Canyon is not lowered.
Bills to give Rainbow National Monument park status seem to be traps to legalize
the flooding of the Monument. The area is park quality, but conservationists
feel that before additional land can be considered, the lowering of Glen Canyon
Dam or building of a barrier dam at Aztec Creek would first have to be assured.

In yet another cause Congress has sold conservation short. There are dedi-
cated, far-seeing conservationists in Alaska, but the governor and two senators
from Alaska persuaded Congress not to appropriate any money for the new Arctic
and Izembek National Wildlife Ranges in Alaska. The Izembek Range is a breeding
ground for scarce migratory waterfowl, which fly across many states.

Although courts ruled that dams must not be built on the Cowlitz River,
Washington, because they would destroy the salmon, and although the electorate
twice defeated an effort to dam the Cowlitz, the City of Takoma is building a dam
on the Cowlitz.

It is distressing to learn that for the fourth year another $2.4 million was
appropriated to match that much state and that much individual money to spread
poison intended to kill fire ants. The poisons seem to have little effect on the
ants, but even traces and deterioration products of them are lethal to humans and
other mammals, domestic sind wild, all birds, fish, and other useful animals.
Congressman Dingell introduced H.R. 4668 "Chemical Pesticides Coordination Act"
requiring consultation with U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State wildlife
agencies before beginning mass chemical control programs. On May 23 Congressman
Dingell presided over a discussion by representatives of the U. S. Departiaent of
Agriculture, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and members of conservation organiza-
tions . A committee of similar representatives has been appointed and it is to be
hoped that the much-needed control over the use of pesticides will be attained.

101 Old Crossing Lane, Annapolis

September I96I

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

81

THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE

Your Executive Council met on August 12; most of the afternoon was
devoted to fiscal matters. All pending bills were approved for payment;
owe current financial situation was evaluated; and a budget was adopted
for the new fiscal year (September 1 I96I through August 31, I962).

The Council reaffirmed that the Sanctuary Fund would continue to be
reserved for the purchase of a sanctuary. The income for this fund Is
derived from life memberships ^ specific donations to this particular fund,
and Interest. The ciirrent balance of $2,l8l.8l is invested at in the
West Baltimore Building Association.

An exact evaluation of the present status of the Operating Fund
could not be made. Most of the Income for this fund is derived from the
annual membership dues. At our May annual meeting the outgoing Treasurer
turned over to the incoming Treasurer the sum of $1,^4^20.80. However,
neither Treasurer has determined how much of this sum was prepaid dues
for the coming year.

The lun^jing together of annual dues for the current year with pre-
paid dues for future years has caused considerable confusion. It has
inflated the balance at the end of the administrative year and made it
appear to be more favorable than was actually the case. It has obscured
the fact that for the last year or two we have apparently been operating
very close to if not actually in the red. And currently it is hindering
a precise determination of the amount of dues already collected for the
new year. Without knowing this amount, it is difficult to figure closely
how much more we may anticipate in dues for the rest of the year.

After adjusting the figures for prepayments on the basis of what
information has so far been provided, it appears that the average of the
amounts received in dues for each of the past foxir years is approximately
$832 per year. The Income from dues this past year was well under $900.

Therefore, the Council adopted a conservative estimate of $850 as
the probable total amount of dues that would be paid in for this year.

The Council also assumed that some $400 in dues had already been col-
lected as of June 30, 1961. Thus $450 could be anticipated in additional
dues during the balance of the year.

On the above basis the Coimcil concluded that approximately $l,-600

was available to budget and allotted it as follows:

Rent - Rock Run Sanctuary (Dec. I96I thru Aug. I962) $ 9O.OO
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE (Sept. 6I; Dec. 6I; Mar, 62; June 62) 70O.OO
Office of the Executive Secretary 120.00
Office of the Recording Secretary 20.00
Office of the Treasurer 20.00
Miscellaneous including Rock R\m Sanctuary expenses 100.00

$1,050.00

Balance to be reserved as carry-over to next

fiscal year:

(continued on page 94)

$550.00

82

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol, 17, No. 3

APRIL, MAY, JUNE, I 96 I

Chandler S. Robbins

These three months mark the annual peak of activity for birds and
bird students alike . The peak of northward migration for nearly all
migratory birds the world around takes place during this period. In all
areas north of the tropics, singing and nesting activities also reach
their height in these three months. Bird watchers, eager to find new
species, to renew acquaintances with old ones, and to relearn songs, take
to the field in increasing numbers mtil their vision is obscured by the
spreading foliage and the numbers of transients begin to dwindle. Then,
as the nesting season progresses, observers spend less and less time
afield, except for the more serious students who conduct population studies
of nesting birds or follow the progress of individual nests, or perhaps
engage in photography or behavior studies.

As spring approaches, the birds, quite oblivious of man's efforts to
learn their ways, respond to seasonal changes in their environment by
undergoing physiological changes that prepare them for migration. At a
time dictated by a combination of internal and external stimuli, the mi-
grants begin their northward journeys, some species starting by day,
others by night. Cong)aratively little is known about the flight schedule
of individual birds — the number of hoiars they stay airborne in each hop of
the journey, the mileage they cover in a single flight, the normal and ex-
treme altitudes at which they fly under various weather conditions, or
the navigation system that directs them home to their breeding grounds .

Through banding we have learned that it is normal for adult birds to
return to the same nesting grounds each year. It is likely that at least
20 percent of Maryland's nesting birds return to within a hundred yards of
their previous year's territory. How many of the birds that do not return
have drifted off course, been blown out to sea, or for other reasons been
unable to find their way to the few acres for which they were headed?

Banding recoveries eventually may enable us to trace some of the birds
that fail to return to their breeding territories. In the meantime we can
study records of unhanded birds that are found outside of their normal
range or on unusual dates and, with the aid of weather data, hypothesize
how these birds went astray.

One of the purposes of this column is to place on record both normal

September 1961

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

83

and abnormal migration records from our State so they will be available
for futxire study. The scores of observers who take the trouble to Jot
down and to report the arrivals, departures, and peaks of abundance of the
common species, as well as the rarities, are contributing small pieces of
an Intricate puzzle that will gradioally take shape and reveal some of the
answers for which we are searching.

You have read in the June issue ( Maryland Birdlife I 7 (2): 27-28) of
the phenomenal wave of transients that descended on Talbot County on May
7 . This made mighty interesting reading — especially for the throng of
observers who worked so hard to find a mere handful of transients on the
preceding day. Now that other reports are available, not only from
Maryland, but from all the states to the south of us, we can follow north-
ward a great surge of migrants of which the Talbot County incident was a
small part.

As background to the May 7 flight, one should read Aaron Bagg’s
"Changing Seasons" report in the August I 961 issue of Audubon Field Notes
(15 (^): 380 - 389 ). Mr. Bagg describes in detail the northward progress of
a major April movement in relation to weather conditions. He then alludes
briefly to the "accumulating wave of warblers, and other migrants, build-
ing at the northern edge of a tropical air flow" over Texas and Louisiana
on May 4-5, and he shows weather maps for May 6-8 demonstrating the north-
ward movement of the warm front from the Gulf States to New York. The
transients, which had been detained several days by cool weather and
northerly winds, moved northward in the southwesterly winds behind the
warm front. Figure 1 shows the positions of this warm front at 1:00 a.m.
on May 3-8. After moving rapidly northward May 5-7, the front stagnated.
The northward flow of transients continued within the southwesterly air
flow, but rainy weather to the north of the now stationary front caused
the bulk of the migrants to come to earth Just south of the front. Since
the front moved only slowly northward on May 8, while conditions to the
south of Maryland remained favorable for migration, both diurnal and noc-
turnal migration through Maryland continued in full force through May 8.

A glance at Figure 1 leads us to suspect that May 7 "was an unusually
fine day for a heavy flight of migrants, not only in Talbot County, but
throughout Maryland and in southern Ontario and Cape May; the regional
Audubon Field Notes reports show this was Indeed true.

Vernon Kleen, in his Report of the State-wide Bird Count, May 6 , I 96 I
( Maryland Birdlife 17: 29-35 )j indicated with an asterisk those species
that were missed on the 6 th but seen in the sane area on the 7fb. Most
of the areas were covered only on the 6 th, so the absence of asterisks has
no significance. Many observers, disappointed by the miserable conditions
of the 6 th and by continued rain and drizzle early on the 7 th, were not in
the field to witness the magnificent Influx.

Samuel H. Dyke had been in the Pocomoke Swan^) with Ted Hake of York,
Pa. early on May 7 and reported: "things were very quiet except for the

resident species." Mr. Dyke then continued, "Immediately following the
end of the rain (about 10:30 a.m.) on May there was a tremendous wave of

84

MARYLAND BIRDUFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

Fig. 1. Frontal positions at 1 a.m., May 3-8.
From Daily Weather Maps, U. S. Weather Bureau.

migrating passerines here on the Shore that continued until about 4 p.ra.
that day and resumed again for a few hours on the morning of May 8 . On
May 7 - 8 , I added 20 species to the attached list (State-wide Bird Count).
In my two-acre wooded lot east of Salisbury, I saw 24 species of warblers
in 24 hours 1 Ted Hake encountered a phenomenal flight of thrushes and
warblers in the swampy woodland on the west side of the Bombay Hook
Refuge at about 12 noon on the 7th . "

West of the Bay, the arrival of the migrants was less dramatic. Many
birds were grounded by dawn, but they sang little until later in the day
when the fog lifted. The species marked with asterisks in column 4 of
the State -wide Bird Count were seen by Mr. and Mrs. Sterling W. Edwards,
Sterling Edwards, Jr., and Jackie Calhoun north of Monument Knob in a
single hour at midday on the 7 th.

At Seth H. Low’s Stony Broke Feirm near Unity, 78 species were identi-
fied on the 7th. In Annapolis, Commander Edward P. Wilson ’’had one of
the greatest 2^-3 hours of blrdlng. . .watching a procession of birds
arrive from Truxton Park across Spa Creek to ny side." In addition to
many warblers, he mentioned Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a Red-headed
Woodpecker.

September I96I

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

85

Harold and Hal Wierenga did not submit a coniplete list of birds seen
at Sandy Point on May but only a list of arrival and departure dates
for Anne Arundel County; this list, hcfwever, contained May 7 dates for ^
species that had not been reported from Sandy Point on the preceding day
(column 16 of State-wide Bird Count). At nearby Gibson Island (column 15),
thrushes were most prominent; Mrs. Henderson wrote that she "never saw so
many thrushes — Veeries everywhere (25)... they must have come in in the
night . "

On Rock Run Sanctuary, Douglas Hackman counted 'j6k birds of 79
species in I5 hours on the 7th. His list included 18 species of warblers,
but very few transient thrushes (I9 Wood Thrushes but only 1 Veery and 1
Gray-cheek). Evidently the front lay between Gibson Island and Rock Run
Just prior to dawn, for the thrushes typically end their migration Just
before dawn, whereas many warblers continue to fly for a few hours after
daybreak .

During the night of May 7-8, Hank Kaestner made a significant series
of nocturnal counts from his Baltimore home. He counted all birds heard
overhead from 11:15 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., and then made san^jle counts
hourly until dawn. At 11; 15^ Veeries were passing over at the rate of
about 15 per minute; from 11:30 to 12:30, he counted 1,000. He noted a
peak of nearly 25 Veeries per minute at i(-:30 a.m., and computed that a
minimum of 5^000 to 6,000 Veeries called within hearing distance of his
home during the night. Other birds heard during Hackman's listening
periods included 75 Gray- cheeked Thrushes, a very low count of only 3
Swainson's Thrushes, a flock of Bobolinks (25 est.), 4 Yellow-billed
Cuckoos, 1 Black-billed Cuckoo, White-throated Sparrows, many Indigo
Buntings, a good variety of unidentified warblers, and a few shorebirds,
including 2 Spotted Sandpipers.

Sam lake’s counts of transients seen at his home near Salisbxjry show
that May 8 was as good a day as the 7th in that area. Here are con^ara-
tive figures for his thrushes and warblers (the first figure refers to
the number seen on May 7j the second figure to those seen on May 8): Gray-
cheeked Thrush, 1, 0; Veery, 0, 1; Golden- winged Warbler, 0, 2; Blue-wing,

2; Nashville, 1, 1; Parula, 2, 3; Yellow, 2, 0; Magnolia, 0, 1; Cape
May, 0, 1; Black- throated Blue, 1, 1; J^yrtle, 20, k; Black-throated Green,
4, 2; Blackburnian, 1, 1; Yellow-throated, 1, 0; Blacls5)oll, 0, 1; Prairie,
1, 1; Ovenbird, 2, 2; Northern Waterthrush, 1, 1; Kentucky, 1, 0; Yellow-
breasted Chat, 1, 0; Canada, 1, 1; American Redstart, 1, 4. Note that
West Indian transients as well as species typical of the Mississippi
Valley route were represented both days. The principal difference between
the two days at Salisbury was the departure of l^yxtle Warblers and White-
throated Sparrows during the night of May 7-8. Referring again to Mr.
Bagg's summary and Geoffrey Ceirleton's regional report in Audubon Field
Notes , we find that the great wave reached northern New Jersey, New York
City, and western Long Island on May 8 and 9.

Tables 1 and 2 summarize by counties the eeurliest spring arrival
dates and latest spring departure dates for selected species. By perusing
these tables and making due allowances for extra observer activity on

Table 1. Maryland Spring Arrival Dates, I961

00

a^

Median

Species

Green Heron
Broad-winged Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Yellow-blU.ed Cuckoo

195^ 19^9 I960 1961 Garr Alle Wash Fred Balt Harf Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Calv StMa N.E. Caro Talb LES*

4/20 — 4/14 4/25 — 5/6 — 5/6 4/27 5/85/6 4/l4 5/ 6 4/ 17 5/ 6 3/29 4/15 V^l V 3 4/23

4/29 4/26 5/65/6 -- 4/23 4/ 1 4/23 5/ 6 4/16 4/28 — 0 4/l4 0 5/ 64/8 4/29

4/26 4/29 5/25/2 - -5/65/2 4/20 5/ 5 V26 5/35/6 4/24 5/ 6 4/24 5/ 4 4/30 5/ 3 4/30

—5/15/6 0 — 0 5/65/60 5/6 4/25 5/ 6 4/30 5/ 6 4/28 0 5/ ^ 5/ 6 4/30

5/3 5/2 4/28 5/ 6 - - 5/65/7 V27 5/75/25/65/6 5/12 5 / 6 5/ 5 5 / 6 5 / 6 5/ 6 4/29

5/45/65/25/6 - 5/60 5/25 5/ 55/7 5/ 4 5/ 6 5/ 5 5/6 "0 5/17 5/ 6 "0 0 0

- 4/26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 05/65/6 4/23 0 4/25 4/23 4/28

4/23 4/18 4/22 4/23 — 5/ 6 — 4/22 4/23 4/25 4/23 5/6 4/2 4/23 5/ 6 4/23 5/ 5 Vl5 V30 4/l8

5/25/25/75/8 0 5/2 5/11 5/85/9 5/16 4/24 0 05/705/8 5/11 4/24 5/75/6

4/10 4/10 4/16 4/20 5/65/6 4/23 4/22 4/15 4/15 4/20 -- 4/10 4/16 4/25 4/11 4/24 4/16 4/i4 4/21

Black-billed Cuckoo
Cbuck-will ' s- widow
Whip-poor-will
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift

4/30 5/ 2

4/24 4/24

4/30 5/ 2

5 / 35/3

4/26 4/28
4/23 4/25
4/27 4/26
5/65/6

- 5 / 6

5/ 6 -

5/15 -
0

- ir72T

4/28 4/24
5/ 1 4/25
5 / 7 V 30

T7s6 --
4/25 4/25
4/26 5/ 2
- 5/ 5
5/ 7 0

^/26 5/ 1
4/14 4/16
5/ 3 4/24
5/ 6 5/ 5

0 546

4/24 5/ 6
4/25 5/ 1
4/22 5/ 6
5/65/6
4/29 5 / 6

v^ 4/3 o' 'T r^

4/24 4/28 4/16
4/24 4/29 4/25
5/ 8 5/13 4/25

0 0 Hi.

4/27 5/ 7
4/23 4/29
4/26 4/24
5 l ^ 1

0 0

V30 57“S

Ruby- t hr. Hummingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Gt. Crested Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher

5/6 5/6

- 4/25
4/16 4/24
4/25 4/27
4/23 4/25

5/15
5/11
5 / 6
^6

5/6 5/6 -

57 ""4" W

5/ 8 4/24
4/16 4/23

5/ 1 4/26

5/ 5 4/25

4/25 -

4/25 5/ 5
5/ 7 4/27
4/26 4/25

5/ 65/5

- 4/25
4/23 4/19
4/25 4/22
4/25 4/23

5/ 6 5/ 6
5 / 2 -
4/24 5/ 8
4/24 5/6
4/23 5/ 5

5/65/8 4/21
4/17 4/18 --
4/18 4/21 4/17
4/24 4/25 4/22
4/26 4/21

Eastern Wood Pewee
Blue Jay
House Wren
Catbird
Wood ThrviBh

4/22 4/16
4/29 4/24
4/26 4/26

5/ 7“5/ 4 5/ 6

5/ 7
5/ 75/6
4 /l 4 4/15
4 / 8

5 / 6
4/26
5 / 6

5/ 6 4/24
5/ 6 5/11

4/15 5/ 6

V 7 4/27
5/25/2
5/ 7 4/25
4/24 4/16
- 3/29

5 T

5 ! 1

’>1 1 3 l ^
4/15 4/16

0 5/15
5 i 3 l ^
4/15 4/ 6
4/ 1 4/ 5

4/29 0
5/70
4/30 0
4/ 8 -
4/ 7 -

5/11 5/14 5/12
5/35/65/8
3/29 4/15 4/15
4/12 — 4/i4

4/26 4/22
4/19 5/ 6
4/26 4/22

trrtn

5/ Q 5/ 7
5/75/7
4/16 3/31

Swalnson's Thrush
Gray- cheeked Thrush
Veery

Blue-gray Gnat catcher
Golden- crowned Kinglet

^1 6 5 l 2

4/18 4/ 9

0

0

5 / 6
5 / 6
4/8

- 4/17

- 5/ 6

4/25 4/23

5/ 75/5
T 5 / 6

“ 3/31

5/ 6 4/29

5/ 2 4/24
4/23 4/24
4/29 4/27

V 7 -
5/22 5/ 6
4/23 -
4/30 -
5/6 0

4/ 7 4/19 4/21
3/14 4/ 8 4/14

4/27 4/27 4/19
4/25 — 4/24
4/l4 0 4/23

4/15 4/22

4/26 4/15
5/ 3 4/27
4/25 -

Ruby- crowned Kinglet 4/16 4/ 7 4/12 4/15 5/ 6
Cedar Waxwing — 3/28 4/l4 5/ 6

White-eyed Vireo 4/26 4/26 5/ 4 4/24 0

Yellow- throated Vireo 5/ 1 5 / 1 4/28 4/28 0

Solitary Vireo -- 5 / ^

4/8 0

5/13 --

Red-eyed Vireo 4/29 4/26 4/27 4/28 5/15 5/ 7

Warbling Vireo — 5/25/75/6 0 0

Black-and-white Warbler 4/20 4/l8 4/l4 4/26 — 5/6

Prothonotary Warbler 4/26 — 5/ 1 4/29 0 0

Worm-eating Warbler 5/35/25/75/6 0 5/6

Golden-winged Warbler 4/29 5/ 2 — 5/6 — 5/ 6

- 5 / 6
0 0
■57

■5^

4/27

5 / 6

5 / 6

4/15 4/10

-- 5/19

- 4/23

- 4/28

0 4/26

4/30 4/24
-- 5/ 5
,4/16 4/22
0 0

- 5/3

- 5/ 1

V26 57"6'
0 0

4/25 4/26
4/29 0
- 5/ 6
0 0

4/29 4/27
0 5/17
4/23 4/28
4/23 4/29
5/ 6 5/21
4/25 5/ 6

4/28 5/ 6

5/5 5/6

4/30 5/ 6
5/45/6
- 5 / 6
5/85/6

4/27 5/ 5 4/21

0 5/10 4/24

4/n 5/ 5 4/16
0 5/5 4/22

5/16 5/60
0 5/11 0

4/23 4/23

5/ 6 -
4/26 3/28
- 4/15
5/ 6 5/ 7
0 5/7

MAEYLAiro BIRDLIFE Vol. 17, Ho

Species

Blue-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler

Table 1 . Spring Arrival Dates, I 96 I (cont.)

Median

I 95 B 1959 19^0 19^1 Gerr Alle Wash Fred Balt Harf Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Calv StMa N.E. Caro Talb LEB*

V 30 5 / 25 / 75/6 0 0 - 5 / 6 5 / 5 / 7 0 4/25 5 / 65/60 5/6 5/11 V 30 4/28 4/27

5/70 0 5 /li^ 5/13 0 0 - 5 / 75/6 5/10 0 05 / 705/70

-- 5 / 2 - 5/6 - 5/60 5/7 V 29 0 5 / 8 4/23 V 26 5 / 5 0 0 0 5 / 85/7 V 23

4/25 V 18 V 20 4/25 — 5 / 6 — 5/13 4/22 4/29 5 / 6 4/23 4/18 4/23 — 4/25 5 / 6 4/22 4/27 4/15

4/24 4/26 4/24 4/29 5 / 65/6 4/28 5 / 3 4/25 5 / 7 5 / 6 4/24 4/26 4/23 4/24 4/25 5 / 5 4/26 5 / 5 4/30

5/10

0

5 / 6

_ 5 ZJ_

4/30 57 7
5/7 5/5
5 / 8 4/25
4/30 4/25

5/7 4/30

5 / 7 5 / 7
0 5/7

5/7 5/8

5 / 65/5

5Z-L5/ 6

5/ “3 57 5
5 / 2 4/26
5 / 5 5 / 6
4/25 5 / 5

4/25 5/ 8

4/26 0
5 / 15/6
5 / 25/6
0 0

T5716

0

5 / 6

5 / 7

5 / 7 5 /^

5 / 75/8
5 / 1 5 / 6

4/27 5 / 6

5 / 7 0

Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black- thr. Blue Warbler
Black- thr .Green Warbler
Cerulean Warbler

45/4
4 5 / 3
45/2
45/2

5 / 4 5 / 2

5/ 45/2

I

5 /H 5 / 7

5 / 15/7
5 / 25/6
- 5 / 6
7 5 / 6

-- 5 / 6

5/7 5/6

- 5/12

5 / 75/8

4/23 4/25

5 / 75/4

5 / 7 4/27
5/13 0

5/13 5 / 9

4/30 4/23

5/ 7 5/ 6

5/7 5/6

0 5 / 1 ^

5 / 85/8

4/254/23

5/ 6 4/30
5 / 35/5
5 / 6 5/10
5 / 65/8
5 / 3 4/24

5 / 6
5 / 6
0

4/26 0 0

4/23 5 / 6 -
5/90 0

5 / 6 5/22 5/15
4/30 - 4/23

0

5 / 9
5 / 8
5 / 6
0

"0 57^

0 5/8

0 0

0 5/10

4/24 4/23

5 / 6 5 /

5 / 5 -
5 / 8 5/13
5 / 85/8
4/28 4/25

Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut- sided Warbler
Bay -breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Prairie Warbler

5 / 4 5/-6

4/26 4/25
^ i"V26
5 / 45/2
4 /l 4 4 / 3
5 / 2 4/30
4/20 4/15
5 / 3 5 / 2
4/30 4/29

wirr
4/29 4/26
4/24 4/16

5 / 75/4
4/17 4/24

0

0

0

■5715

5 / 6 -
5/18 0
5/18 0
5 / 65/6

5 / 7 5 /

0 0
4 / 35/6

4/24 4/29
4/28 4/23

4/28 4 / 6
5 / 65/6

5 / 6 4/29

5 / 7 4/27
0 0
4 / 8 4/16
5 / 75/6

4/25 4/23

5 / 5 4/18

4/25 5 / 5
4/29 4/16

5 / 35/3
5 / 3 4/24

5/14 5/ 6 5 / 1
4/25 0 5/2

5 / 3 -- 5/2

5/65/65/1
4/22 — 4/18

4/27 4/21
4/30 4/26
4/30 3/30
4/30 4/27
4/22 4/15

Ovenblrd

Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Yellowthroat

4/30 4/30
4/28 5 / 4

-- 5/17

5/10 5 / 7

4/30 4/30

5/15

■57V

5 / 6 ^
5 / 6 —
5 / 6 -
5/60
5/60
5 / 65/ 6

5 / 3 4/30
5 / 7 4/27
5 / 7 5/20
5 / 35/9
5 / 3 4/25

4/25 4/24
4/28 5 / 6

0 5/18
5 / 7 5/13
4/26 5 / 6

5/ 3 4/2B
5 / 6 4/28
0 5/17
y 6 5/ 8
4/23 4/24

4/30 - 4/25
5 / 35 / 65/1
5/21 0 0

5/70 5/4

4/24 5 / 65/2

5 / 6 5/16
4/24 4/23
-- 4/12
5 / 4 4/23
4/21 4/17

4/29 4/21
- 5/ 6
0 0
0 5/12

5 / 1 4/23

V/30 5/ 6
— 4/23
5/70

5 / 75/7
4/30 4/15

td

Yellow-breasted Chat
Hooded Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
American Redstart

5/ 85/2
4/28 4/26
5/1 5 / 9
4/30 5/ 2

5 / 3 4/29
4/30 4/27

5 / 3 5 /

5/7 5 / 6
5 / 2 4/26
4/30 4/28
4/26 4/26
5 / 45/ 6

■ 5 /^

0

5/15

7 5 / 6
^/30
4/28 4/28
5 / 5 4/29
0 0

0 5 ?^
- 4/25

4/25 5 / 6
4/25 4/25
0

W 17 ^
4/23 4/26
4/24 4/26
4/25 4/25
5 / 65/6

5 / 7 5 / 6
4/26 5 / 6 4/26
5/45/5 4/25
4/28 4/25 4/26
' 6 5 / 6 4/24

5 /" 6 4 / 26 '

4/28 4/23
5 / 6 4/24
5 / 6 4/25

5/4

57 " B -

4/27 5 / 3

4/28 5 / 7
4/30 4/25
5/6 4/30

Bobolink
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Scarlet Tanager
Summer Tanager

“ 5 /

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5 / 35/2 4 / 3 O 5 / 6
Bliie Grosbeak 4/27 5 / 2 — V 30
Indigo Bunting 5 / 35/2 4/30 4/30
Grasshopper Sparrow 5 / 3 — 4/22 4/30
White- crowned Sparrow 5 / 45/2 5 /l 2 5 / 6

4/30 4/28
5 / 65/6
0 0

5 / T 5 / 6
5 / 7 5/25
4/25 5 / 3
- 5/ 6
0 5 / 6

4/29 4/24
5 / 7 4/25

4/25 4/25

5 / 5 ^/ 8

5 / 65/6

722 ^ 5 -]i725
if/26 — 4/29
4/26 5/ 6 4/23
5 / 6 - 4/25
4/23 5/60

5 /T 57 '" 6 "

4/25 4/23
5/ 2 4/23
— 4/12

5Z_LiZ^

473 0 ^ 7

4/30 5 / 9

4/30 4/29

5/6 4/24

4/30 0

5 / 6

5/6

5/17 5 / 6
0 0

5 / 65/9
5 / 6 4/23
5/65/6

5/ 7 4/30
0 0

5 / 4 4/30
4/20 —
5 / 65/6

*^Lower Eastern Shore (Worcester & Wicomico Counties)

00

September 196I MARYLAM)

88

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

weekends, one can detect other major movements of birds into and out of
our State. Notice, for instance, the number of early arrivals on Monday,
Apr. 24, immediately after passage of a warm front. As in previous tables,
"0" indicates no report from the county in question during the I96I spring
migration season, and " — " indicates that no significant date was reported.
The median figures are given for con5)arison with the past three years.

(The median is the date so chosen that half of the dates in the series are
earlier than it and half later; it has the advantage that one or two ex-
tremely early or late dates do not affect it unduly.) It is remarkable
how little variation there is in the medieuis from year to year. We are
always plagued with a preponderance of first dates on the day of the
State-wide Bird Count sin^ily because of the large number of observers
afield. This bias was especially noticeable in I96I because May 6 was a
day almost devoid of active migration; yet there were enough May 6 dates
in Table 1 that this date appeared 23 times (out of 71 ) in the median
column for this year. It is Interesting that the hard-to-flnd Worm-
eating Warbler is the only species in the table with median dates falling
on the day of the State-wide Bird Count all four years.

Table 1 shows the best coverage we have ever had for the part of the
State lying west of the Chesapeake; Carroll and Charles are the only two
counties west of the Bay that are not represented by a column in this
table. East of the Bay, Cecil and Kent are combined in "N.E." and Wor-
cester and Wicomico in "LES"; Queen Annes, Dorchester and Somerset
Counties are not Included. Once again we extend our thanks to each and
every correspondent for generously supplying records for use in this
siommary, while we acknowledge individually only those whose dates have
been used for three or more species in the tables .

Garre tt County- -Melvin Garland, Pan Minke; Alle gany — Pan Minke;
Wash ington- -Mrs . Lloyd Mallonee, Dr. R. S. Stauffer; Frede rick — Joseph R.
Jehl, Jr., Dr. John W. Richards, Pan Minke, Sterling W. Edwards, Mrs. A.

L. Hoffman; Balt imore — C. Douglas Hackman, Betsy Schaffer, Mrs. Robert E.
Kaestner, Hank Kaestner, Mrs. James H. Oliver; Harfo rd — C. Douglas Hackman,
Betsy Schaffer; Howa rd — Mrs. Harry B. Rauth, Mrs. George Munro, Ted Stiles,
Chandler S. Robbins; Mont gomery — Mrs. James C. Cooley, Miss Lucille V.
Smith, John H. Pales, Seth H. Low, John Weske; Prince Georges — David
Bridge, Melvin Kleen, Paul Springer, Chandler S. Robbins, John Fales, Ted
Stiles; Anne Arxmdel — Mrs. William L. Henderson, Mrs. Ellse Tappan, Prof,
and Mrs. David B. Howard, Harold and Hal Wierenga, Frlel Sanders,

Elizabeth Slater; Calve rt — Friel Sanders, Elizabeth Slater; St. Marys —
Vernon Kleen, James Banagan; N.E. — Vernon Rossman, Mrs. Edward Mendinhall,
Mr. and Mrs. Clark Webster; Caro line — Marvin Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. A. J.
Fletcher, Alicia Knotts, Carol Scudder; Talb - -Richard Kleen, Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Lubbert; Lower Eastern Shore — Samuel H. Dyke, M.O.S. Convention.

Egrets and Herons . Cattle Egrets continued to make news this spring
by wandering deeper into the interior sections of Atlantic Coastal States,
and by appearing at new locations in the Mississippi Valley. This species
was seen for the first time in Prince Georges and Howard Counties; and an
observation from western Montgomery County recalled two prior unpublished
reports from this inland county; 1 near Darnestown on May l4, 1957 by

September I96I

MARYLAHD BIRDUFE

89

[fable 2. Spring Departure Dates, I 96 I
Median

Species

195tt 1959 I960 1961

Fred

Balt

Harf

Mont

Pr.G

Anne

StMa

Caro

Talb

LES»

Whistling Swan

J +/12 -- —

0

3/20

__

0

4/26

4/l4

V 5

5/ 6

Canada Goose

V 27 V 2 V30 4/29

3/20

3/28

5/ 8

4/24

5/ 6

4/27

4/15

5/ 1

5/ 6

5/13

Common Snipe

- 5/ 2 - -

0

--

5/ 6

5/ 7

4/ 4

5/13

Greater Yellowlega

- - - 5 / 6

5/13

5/ 6

5/ 7

--

5/ 6

5/24

5/ 9

5/ 6

5/ 6

5/28

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

- .. 4/17 ..

4/26

V T

4/26

4/30

Blue Jay

- 5/ 6

5/24

5/ 8

5 / 7

5 / 9

5/25

5/ 3

Brown Creeper

- 4/28 4/13 5/ 1

4/30

5/ 6

4/15

5/ 6

5/ 6

4/23

4/l4

5/ 1

--

—

Hermit Thrush

4/21 -- 4/27 4/24

—

5/ 6

4/26

5/ 9

5/ 6

4/23

4/14

4/23

—

4/13

Swainson's Thrush

-- - 5/25 5/22

5/24

5/24

0

--

6/ 4

5/14

5/24

5/12

5/21

5/15

Gray- cheeked Thrush

- - - 5/23

5/24

—

0

6/ 4

5/14

5/23

5/12

--

5/21

Veerj

5/16 - 5/ia 5/ia

--

--

5/ 7

5/27

5/30

5/22

5 / B

5/ 7

Golden- crowned Kinglet

.. .. 4/10 4/l4

4/15

--

4/15

4/30

3/29

4/ 7

4/13

4/i4

Ruby- crowned Kinglet

5/10 5/ 2 4/27 5/ 6

5/ 6

5/ 6

5/ 8

5/ 7

5/ 8

5/10

5/ 6

5/ 6

5/ 7

5 / 6

Solitary Vireo

- - - 5 / 7

0

5/ 7

5/ 7

5/ 7

4/26

5/ 7

5/13

Blue-winged Warbler

5/8

--

--

5/ 7

5/ 8

5/ 6

5/ 9

5/15

Tennessee Warbler

0

0

5/16

5/23

5/19

0

0

0

Magnolia Warbler

5/15 5/14 5/22 5/18

5/ 7

5/l4

--

5/ 9

5/28

5/24

5/29

0

5/21

5/ 8

Cape May Warbler

5/11 - 5/75/9

--

--

0

5/ 9

5/17

5/20

5/29

5/ 9

5/ 7

5/ 8

Black- thr . Blue Warbler

5/11 - 5/16 5/14

5/20

5/22

5/10

5/17

5/ 8

5/ 8

5/14

^^yrtle Warbler

5/14 5/10 5 / 85/9

5/ 7

5/ 8

5/ 7

5/ 7

5/13

5/ 9

5/i;i

5/13

Black- thr. Green Warbler

5/15 5/10 - 5 / 8

5/ Y

—

5/ 9

--

“5^

5/ H

5/ t

Chestnut-sided Warbler

5/11 5/13 - 5/ 9

5/ 7

--

--

5/ 9

5/22

5/ 7

5/29

5/ 8

5/ 9

5/14

Bay-breasted Warbler

5/18

0

0

5/20

0

0

5/l4

Blackpoll Warbler

5/24 5/18 5/30 6/ 3

5/18

6/ 4

6/ 3

6/ 6

6/ 3

6/ 3

5/18

--

5/20

6/ 1

Northern Waterthrush

5/11 - 5/18 5/16

5/14

5/18

0

5/ 9

H ^

5/21

5/17

5/ 6

5/14

Wilson's Warbler

— __ 5)17 1 .

—

^ 72 ^

0

0

5/17

5/21

0

0

5/ 7

0

Canada Warbler

- - 5/25 5/18

5/18

5/20

--

5/ 9

5/30

5/ 7

5/25

5/15

5/ 8

5/22

American Redstart

5/23 - - 5/23

—

5/21

--

5/23

5/29

—

5/30

5/21

Bobolink

5/14 5/16 - -

5/12

0

5/ 9

--

5/22

0

—

—

5/ 14

Rusty Blackbird

4/16

5/ 6

--

5/ 6

--

4/28

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

5/12 - 5/7 5/9

—

5/ 9

5/ 7

5/31

5/21

5/10

5 / 6

5/10

5/ 9

5/ B

Evening Grosbeak

5/10 - 5 / 7 4/21

0

0

3/10

4/21

4/20

0

5/ 5

5/ 6

0

Purple Finch

5/12 5 / 25 / 45/4

4/22

4/30

5/28

5/ 6

5/ 4

5/ 7

4/18

Savannah Sparrow

- 5 / 25 / 75/6

--

5/ 6

—

5/ 6

5/ 6

5/13

4/21

5/ 6

5/ 6

5/13

Slate-colored Junco

5/ 9 4/25 4/22 5 / 6

5/ 7

5/10

4/29

5/ 9

5/ 8

4/30

4/21

5/ 8

5/3

White -crowned Sparrow

“^13 -- 5/17 5/ 7

5/ 9

--

0 —

0

0

White -throated Sparrow

5/20 5 / 9 5/16 5 /i 4

5/ 7

6/ 4

5/ 7

5/14

5/25

5/27

5/17

5/14

5/21

5/14

Fox Sparrow

4/6

3/ 5

4/ 3

4/16

4/ 2

3/ 2

4/ 8

4/12

Swan^) Sparrcw

5/10 5 / 2 5/l4 5/ 7

5/ 6

5/ 6

V 6

JAA.

5/16

—

—

5/14

Miss Lucille V. Smith; and an unidentified small white heron, now be-
lieved to have been this species, seen with cattle at Unity in the spring
of 1950 or earlier by Seth H. Low. The I961 reports were as follows: 1
at Patiixent Wildlife Research Center on Apr. 27 by Francis M. Uhler and
others; a different individual at the same location on May 16 (Frederick
C. Schmid and others); 4 at Daws onvi lie on Apr. 29 by Mr. and Mrs.

Lathrup Smith; and 1 a mile west of Fulton on May 18 (Mrs. George C.

Munro and Mrs. Harry B. Rauth). Single Yellow- crowned Night Herons were
seen near Stafford Bridge in Harford County (Apr. and Mrs. N. K. .

Schaffer) and at Patuxent Reseeirch Center (Francis M. Uhler). The Yellow-
crowned Night Heron is the only one of Maryland's 11 species of herons
whose nest has not been reported this summer. On May 17j Mr. MIIIb re-
corded the first Least Bittern ever seen on Gibson Island; and for the
second time this small heron nested at Patuxent Research Center (Bridge).

Waterfowl . A Mute Swan visited Gibson Island on June 9 arid vas
carefully studied by Mrs. Elise Tappan. A flying Whistling Swan closely
studied at Loch Raven Reservoir on June 2 is the first recorded in summer
in the Maryland Piedmont (Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe, Mrs. 0. J. Theobald, Mrs.
Robert Thompson). There were several late records of geese. Three
flocks of Canada Geese totaling 3^0 birds flew northward over Rock Run
Sanctuary in Harford County on Apr. 26; and Helen Webster wrote that 86

90

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

birds were still at Remington Farms on May 23 , tying the State departure
record. Twenty Brant were still on Sinepuxent Bay on May l4 (M. 0. S.
Convention). Snow and Blue Geese left Remington Farms near Chestertown
on the night of Apr. 23-24 — a record-breaking date for the Snow Goose
(Clark and Helen Webster). Three Ring-necked Ducks lingered at Patuxent
Research Center through June 2 (Francis M. Uhler). The Common Elder was
last seen at Ocean City on May 6 (Samuel H. Dyke) and the King Elder on
May l4 (Robbins and others). The third Maryland nesting record of the
Hooded Merganser, and the first for the Coastal Plain of this State, was
obtained at Patuxent Research Center (F. M. Uhler).

Hawks . The M.O.S., the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, and
the Maryland Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are cooperating with
the National Audubon Society in gathering information on the location and
success of Bald Eagle nests in our State. An effort is being made to map
all active and Inactive nest sites; but in order to protect the conrpara-
tively few active nests in Maryland, the locations are being kept confi-
dential. Observers who can supply information on either active or in-
active nests are urged to write to the Editor for special reporting forms.
Please also report all other observations of Bald Eagles in Maryland,
specifying whether each bird is a white-headed adult or a dark-headed
Immature; the decline in proportion of young birds in recent years is an
indication of poor breeding success, and emphasizes the need for taking
an inventory of the Bald Eagle population and determining what steps can
be taken to give further protection to the species. Douglas Hackman saw
a late north -bound adult Bald Eagle over White Marsh on May 3 * One of
unspecified age, possibly a late migrant, was at Gibson Island on May 7
(Mrs. W. L. Henderson). Hackman also saw a record-early Broad-winged Hawk
at White tfersh on Apr . 1. The best Broad-wing count of the season was of
125 birds in one houi* in midday just south of Enmitsburg on Apr. 24 by Dr.
and Mrs. John W. Richards. Judge and Mrs. Henderson counted 28 Ospreys
at Poplar Island, Talbot Coimty, on June 23 .

Grouse , Quail , Rails . Anderson Ifertin, Official Recorder for the
Pleasant Valley Gang), reported Ruffed Grouse "extremely abundant" in that
section of central Garrett County in mid-June. One was heard drumming in
the Pocomoke Swanip west of Libertytown on May 13 (Robbins); the mystery
of the origin of the small Pocomoke detachment of this species has not
yet been solved. Mrs. Henderson reports more Bobwhite than ever before
in her long experience at Gibson Island, but it is doubtful whether Bob-
white are equally abundant in nearby areas with less favorable habitat
and fewer feeding stations . A pair of Soras that Brooke Meanley found in
the Elliott Island marsh was still present on June 20; as yet there is no
nesting record for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. A Sora recorded
at Gibson Island on May 6 was a late migrant (Mrs. W. L. Henderson, Mrs.
Elise Tappan).

Shorebirds . Killdeer are still con 5 )aratively scarce as nesting birds
in Maryland, not having recovered from the severe winter of 1957-28; note
that the maximum number found in a single area on the State-wide Bird
Count on May 6 ( Marylemd Birdlife 1?: 31 ) was 7 . Common Snipe seldom are
heard winnowing in Maryland, but several did so frequently at Gibson

September I961

MARYLAMD BIRDLIFE

91

Island during April; the last one was heard winnowing on Apr. 26 (Mes-
dames Henderson and Tappan). The best shoreblrd counts for Chesapeake
Bay came from Sandy Pointy where on May 7 Harold and Hal Wlerenga found
the only White-rumped Sandpiper of the spring. On the same day they also
found such uncommon species for the upper Bay as the Ruddy Turnstone,
Willet, Dunlin and dowitcher. At the same place, they found an early
Pectoral Sandpiper on Mar. 30 and Western Sandpipers on May 24 and 25-
The third and the earliest spring migration record for the Wilson’s
Phalarope in Maryland was recorded on May 1 by Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Hewitt,
who found one with Pectorals, yellowlegs, and peeps between Greensboro
and Ridgely . It was seen dally through May 4 by the Hewitts and Fletchers .

Gulls and Terns . Forty Great Black-backed Gulls were counted at
Ocean City as late as May l4, and scattered individuals spent the summer
in the coastal area. Two were at Gibson Island through May 7 j and then
none until July 8. Eight late Ring-billed Gulls were seen in a plowed
field near McHenry in Garrett County on June 10 (Billie Taylor, Robbinses
and others). Douglas Hackman's first White Marsh observation of Bona-
parte's Gulls was of 17 flying north on Apr. I7. David Bridge reports
that drastic changes are taking place in the nesting populations of terns
in Iferyland. After nesting on islands off South Point from 1950 through
i960, the Royal Tern colony disappeared and was not found anywhere in
Maryland in I961. Common Terns and Black Skimmers all but abandoned their
biggest i960 colony at the Ocean City Bridge and dispersed to other islands
they had occupied in prior years. Least Terns, which are so prone to lay
their eggs on areas of fresh sand fill, where they commonly fall prey to
dogs, men, and machinery, raised a few young in a freshly filled area
near 27th Street in Ocean City. Further details regarding the 1961 popu-
lations of colonial birds will be published in a later issue. In Mary-
land, Common Terns seldom are seen away from the Coastal Plain; and most
of the few inland records are from the vicinity of large bodies of water.

So one seen at Frederick on May 20 by Joseph Jehl is of special interest.

Cuckoos , Owls . Several observers commented upon the abundance of
Yellow-billed Cuckoos, which were common in all parts of the State this
summer. A late Saw-whet Owl found on the morning of Apr. 4 at Denton was
heard the same evening but was not found subsequently (Carol Scudder).

Goatsuckers , Hummingbirds . Although an eeirly Whip-poor-will was
heard at Largo on Apr. 2 (Mrs. Ethel Cobb) and early Common Nighthawks
were found near Highland (Mrs. Harry B. Rauth) and Denton (Mrs. Scudder)
on Apr. 24, most reporters did not encounter these two species imtil about
three weeks after the "early birds" arrived. In commenting upon the late
arrival of nlghthawks, Mr. Hackman asserted that he had made regular
evening observations through late April and May watching for this species;
he saw none until May 24. Ruby- throated Humminghirds, in contrast, were
seen in seven counties In April, and had arrived in almost all areas
prior to the wave of May 7* As many as 9 were seen in the vicinity of
Rock R\m Sanctuary in Harford Coimty on tfcy 28 (Hackman).

Woodpeckers . During the past six years, the Plleated Woodpecker has
been reported for the first time in Calvert, Caroline, Harford, Bent,

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 11 , No. 3

Queen Annes and Talbot Counties. Another Harford County bird was noted
on Apr. 30 near Alllbone (Dr. and Mrs. N. K. Schaffer). Howard County
was added to the list on May 6 , when single birds were found at two loca-
tions by Robbins and Ted Stiles. Carroll, Cecil, and St. Marys now are
the oniy Maryland counties without Pileated records, and it seems oniy a
matter of time before this species will be known from every coimty in the
State. Spring arrival dates for the Red-headed Woodpecker have been hard
to obtain because of lack of regular observations on the western ridges
where the principal flights occur; a Red-head seen at Frederick on Apr.

22 was at the expected time for first migrants (Jehl).

Flycatchers . There were very few reports this spring of the rarer
transient flycatchers. The Olive- sided was not noted at all, and the
Yellow-bellied was detected only in Prince Georges and Montgomery Coun-
ties. A transient Traill's Flycatcher singing the eastern "wee-be-o" song
was heard on May 25 near Simpsonville in Howard County (Robbins); the one
bird heard in the Pleasant Valley bog near Bittinger on June 10 also was
singing the eastern song. One heard and seen on a brushy hillside in
northwestern Howard County near Woodbine on June l8, however, was singing
the western "fitz-bew" song (Robbins and many others). On June 26, Bruce
Newman added Traill's Flycatcher to the known breeding avifauna of Prince
Georges County by finding a nest, with 3 eggs, along the Anacostla River
south of Bladensburg; the record was verified by David Bridge, who also
banded 2 adults and 2 nestlings at a nearby nest 50 feet across the D.C.
line. Transient Least Flycatchers were reported from nine counties.

Jays , Nuthatches , Creepers . The northward migration of Blue Jays
was described by most reporters as comparatively poor and late. The peak
at Gibson Island was reached on May 2-3, and stragglers were still moving
along the Fall Line on May 25. For the third consecutive year at least 2
pairs of White-breasted Nutchatches nested on the Patuxent Research Center,
where up to ten years ago this species was considered a "very rare summer
visitor" (Robbins). Betsy Schaffer discovered a Red-breasted Nuthatch at
Can^) Shadowbrook, Conowingo, on June 27--the fifth summer record of this
species in Maryland and the first below 2000 ft.; she counted a maximum
of 3 individuals on July l^i-, and her last observation was on July 22.

Wrens , Thrushes . A late Short-billed Marsh Wren heard singing in a
hayfleld near Savage on June 1 is believed to be the first for Howard
County (Robbins). The continued scarcity of Carolina Wrens is general'
throughout the State. On the State -wide Bird Count on May 6, Calvert was
the only county to report more than 9 individuals. The rainy weather
doubtless was largely responsible for the 50 percent reduction from last
year's State total — but compare the I96I total of 77 birds with the 3^
individuals counted in 1957 i The Carolina Wren, Hermit Thrush and Eastern
Bluebird are three of the species that were most adversely affected by the
severe winter of 1957-58; all three still are far below normal nxinibers.

On the State-wide Bird Count, the bluebird showed up better in con5)arlson
with a year ago than did the Carolina Wren — probably because the bluebird
is a more conspicuous bird than the wren when weather conditions restrict
singing. The Eastern Bluebird totals were 47 in i960 and 50 in I96I. The
earliest and latest dates for transient thrushes generally come from

September I 96 I

MARYLAI® BIEDUFE

93

banding stations or from observers who Identify the flight calls of these
nocturnal migrants. Single Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes were
banded at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center on June 4 — a record-breaking
date for the Gray- cheek, and only one day short of the record for the
Swainson ' s (Robbins ) .

Pipits , Waxwlngs . Water Pipits reached a peak of between 25O and
350 at Frederick on May 7, but none were seen there after the 13th (Jehl).
Cedar Waxwlngs were notably late in arriving. Several active observers
did not see this common species until after the middle of May. Hackman
wrote that the peak passed through the White Marsh area from May 25 to
June 1. No correspondent reported a good departure date --probably be-
cause the late stragglers were mistaken for breeding birds.

Warblers . The warbler migration was considered good, but late.

Median dates (based on 5 more counties) for both I961 and one or more
prior years are given in Table 1 for 26 species of warblers. Of these
26 species, all except the Northern Waterthrush and Yellow-breasted Chat
were at least slightly later in I96I than the mean of the median dates
for the three preceding years . The May migrants were not only late in
arriving, but late in departing as well. This lateness can be associated
in part with the late arrivals of many individuals from the South (corrob-
orated by reports of belated transients along the Gulf Coast beyond the
middle of May) and in part with the cool weather that prevailed through-
out Maryland during the latter half of May. Unfortunately, there were not
enough correspondents afield in the closing days of May and first week of
June to obtain an adequate sample of the late birds. A median departure
date of June 3 the Blacl^oll Warbler, however, shows that this most
conspicuous of the late migrants caught the attention of numerous bird
watchers west of the Bay several days after the holiday weekend. At the
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, where mist nets were in operation on
June 2, 4, and 7, 1 or more Northern Waterthrushes were caught each day
(Robbins )j the latter date is five days past the latest tfaryland record
outside of the breeding range. From the many individual comments con-
cerning warblers, we must select a very few for mention here. The
Prothonotary was seen for the first time at Gibson Island on May 7 (Mrs.
Henderson and Mrs. Tappan) and was so common as a breeding bird along
the Susquehanna canal near Rock Run Sanctixary that 1 or 2 males could be
heard from almost any position along the canal (Hackman). The Cerulean
Warbler arrived as early as Apr . 25 at Pennyfield (Mrs. James Cooley),
was added to the Talbot County list on May 7 (Kleen, Maryland Birdlife
17: 28), was found summering at several new locations in the Middle
Patuxent watershed in Howard County (Robbins), and was one of the com-
monest nesting warblers in the Rock Run Sanctuary census area. A Yellow-
throated Warbler 40 miles north of its usual breeding range was first
seen on Apr. 29 and spent the summer within hearing distance of Rock
Run Sanctuary (Dr. R. K. Burns and mai^ others). Only 2 Mourning
Warblers were reported: an early bird at J^ederick on May 7 (Jehl), and

the first Caroline County record on the more normal date of May 3I (Hewitt).

Finches and Sparrows. Rodney Jones’ Black- headed Grosbeak (Maryland
Birdlife I7 (l): 1 ), the first for Maryland, was last seen by him at his

24

MARYLAND BIRDUFE

Vol. 17, No. 3

Plkesville home on Apr . l4 . Summer Dickclssels vere found in four widely
separated areas; 2 singing near Charlton in western Washington County on
June 11 (Robbinses 5 along New Design Road in southern Frederick County
on J\me 12 (Mrs. E. L. Becker and Miss Eva Linscott), 2 singing 1 mile
north of Detour in Carroll County on May 25 (Dr. John W. Richards), and 1
singing near Burrsville in Caroline County on Aug, 4 (Mrs. A. J. Fletcher).
Douglas Hackman found a very late Purple Pinch at Rock Run Sanctuary on
May 28. Three White-crowned Sparrows were trapped at the annual picnic
and banding demonstration at Seth and Ann Low's farm; one was typical
leucophrys , which nests primarily east of Hudson Bay, one was typical
gamibellli , which nests from northern Manitoba to northern Alaska, and the
third was an Intergrade, possibly from northeastern Manitoba (A. 0. U.
Check-List). The representative of gambellil , recognized by a white
superciliary line that extends to the bill, was a "repeat" that had spent
the winter on Stony Broke farm; it is only the second of this race iden-
tified in Maryland. In addition to the late White- throated Sparrows
listed in Table 2, one was seen at Fairplay in Washington County on June
19 (Alice Mallonee). The State departure record for the Snow Bimtlng
was tied by Joseph S. Larson, who observed a single bird at Sandy Point
State Park beach on Apr . 1.

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, laurel

The President’s Page (cont, from page 81)

With the adoption of the budget the status of the Operating Fund as
of the close of the meeting on August 12 , 1961 was as follows:

BALANCE on hand June 30, I 96 I;

Perpetual Building Association, Washington, D. C $1,220.80

Middletown Savings Bank, Middletown, Md 454.00

RECEIPTS; Undeposited dues 8.00

EXPENDITURES:

Approved for payment by Executive Council,... $ 504 . 16

Encumbered as per approved budget 1,050.00

BALANCE on hand at close of meeting, Aug. 12, I 96 I: $ 128.64

Members are urged to study the budget and the above statement and
to consider the following;

a) In another year the carry-over from prior years may be depleted.

b) This August sufficient money was In hand to carry through the

coming year. Next August only what is left over from this year
will be immediately available. There will no longer be a sub-
stantial prepayment of d\ies.

c) The Council directed that all costs of the I 962 convention be met

from the registration fees. Thus no profits may be counted on
from this soijrce.

d) The expenditures (approved budget) for the new year exceed the

es^cted receipts from annual dues by $ 200 .

September I 96 I

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

95

Oct.

e) The budget does not provide for any expansion of MARYLAND BIRDLIFE,
for any nevsletters, or for any new projects or programs.

It would appear that the M.O.S., Inc. Is standing still; not pro-
gressing. The conclusion Is Inescapable. We must substantially Increase
our membership, or find new sources of revenue; or Increase our dues.

Seth H. Low, President

COMING EVENTS

Sept. 17 BALTIMORE Hawk Count. Migrating hawks and eagles at Doug Hack-
man's home at White Marsh, 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. Phone ED5-4437,

23 BALTIMORE beginner-adult walk at Cylburn, 7:30 a.m.

23 BALTIMORE children's walk. Meet Cylburn, 8 a.m,

24 BALTIM®E trip to Liberty Dam. Meet 8 a.m. Gwynn Oak Jet.

26 PATUXENT monthly meeting, Laurel City Hall, 7:45. Fred Schmid.
30 ANNE AilUNDEL walk. Meet entrance to Hillsmere Shores, 8 a.m.

30 PATUXHifT trip to Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 7 a.m,

2 SOLDIERS DELIGHT monthly meeting 8:15 p.m. Meet 1907 South Rd.

5 FREDERICK monthly meeting, 8 p.m, C.Burr Artz Library .Lecture
by Joseph S. Larson, Conservation and Education Specialist.

7 BALTIMORE and FREDERICK trip to Gambrill State Park, 8 a.m.

7 BALTIMORE and PATUXENT bird banding demonstration at Cylburn.
Meet 8 a.m,, Cylburn. Leaders: David Bridge & Edward Rykiel.

8 BALTIMORE and SOLDIERS DELIGHT supper trip to Rock Run, 2 p.m.

8 PATUXENT Hawk Count. Rocky Gorge tower, 9 to 3. Ted Stiles.

13 BALTIMORE monthly meeting and dinner at Rodgers Forge Evangel.
Church. Film on Glacier National Park. Make reservations
with Mrs. Robert E. Eaestner, DR7-8990 by Oct. 1, $2.00.

13-15 PATUXENT trip to Hawk Mountain, Leader: Charles M. Wilson,

14 ANNE ARUNDEL circle meeting, 8 p.m,, 608 Monterey Avenue,

15 BALTIMORE and PATUXEOT trip to Patuxent Research Center. Meet
Montgomery Ward parking lot 7 a.m., Patuxent main gate, 7:30.

17-19 A.O.U, CONVaJTION at U. S. National Ifeiseum, Washington, D. C,
Scientific paper sessions open to the public, main auditorium.
A.O.U. field trips to Ocean City, Blackwater and Patuxent.

Make bus reservations in advance with Dr, John W. Aldrich,

U, S, National Museum.

BALTIMORE chlndren's walk, Cylburn, 8 a.m. Leader :Mrs. Gillespie
21-22 BALTIMORE trip to Hawk Mountain, Dr. and Mrs. R. Taylor.

22 FREDERICK field trip. Meet Baker Park, 1 p.m.

PATOXENT monthly meeting. Laurel City Hall, 7:45. Vernon KLeen.
ANNE ARUNDEL and TALBOT trip to Patuxent Wildlife Research
Center. Meet at Merrlam Lab at Headquarters, 8:30 a.m.
BALTIMORE adult walk at Cylburn, 8 a.m. Leader: Percy Jones.
PATUXENT fall colors and duck trip on Patuxent River wild rice
marsh by canoe, 3/4 day. Register with David Bridge by Oct. 15.
BALTIMORE trip to Kent Island. Meet Sam Smith Park, 7 a.m.

Nov, 2 FREDERICK monthly meeting, 8 p.m, C. Burr Artz Library.

BALTIMORE trip to Rock Run Sanctuary. Meet 7 a.m., Hutzler's
perking lot. Leader: Mrs. Carl Lubbert.

BALTIMORE walk at Cylburn, 8 a.m, Mrs. Rowe & Mrs. Theobald.

20

21

23

28

28

28

29

2

4

96

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 17. No. 3

Nov. 4

5

6

10

10

11

11

12

12

16

18

18

19

19

Dec. 2

10

16

17

20 -

23

26

27

30

Jan. 1

PATUXENT trip to G-reenbelt. Banding demonstration, ileet
Greenbelt Lake parking lot. Leader: David Bridge,

TALBOT and BALTIMORE: trip to Blactwater Refuge. Meet north
end of Cambridge bridge, 9 a.m.

SOLDIERS DELIGHT monthly meeting.

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

BALTIMORE monthly meeting, Pratt Library, 8 p.m. Speaker:

Mr. Paul Bruce Dowling of the Nature Conservancy.

PATUXENT trip to Patuxent Research Center and Beaverdam Lake
for ducks. Contact Vernon Kleen, 339 Talbot Ave., Laurel.
BALTIMORE and SOLDIERS DELIGHT trip to Carroll County, Leaders:
Mrs. Elmer Worthley and Mrs. Joshua Rowe.

BALTIMORE banding demonstration, 625 Valley Lane, Towson, 8 to
11 a.m. Refreshments served. Leader: Mrs. Gladys H. Cole.
FREDERICK field trip. Meet Baker Park, 1 p.m.

TALBOT Audubon Screen Tour, Mt. Pleasant School, 8 p.m.
BALTIMORE children's walk at Cylburn, 8 p.m. Banding demon-
stration. Leaders: Mrs. Cole and Mr. Hank Kaestner.

ANNE ARUNDEL trip to Bombay Hook Refuge. Meet 8 a.m. at Dutch
Mill on U. S. 50. Leaders: Douglas and Marion Miner.

TALBOT fall migrant hike. Meet Easton Library, 7:30 a.m.
BALTIMCSIE trip to Perry Point, Meet Edgewood Diner, 7:30 a.m.
ANNE ARUNDEL meeting, 8 p.m. 142 Lafayette Ave., Annapolis. ^
Host: Mrs. George E, Rullman.

BALTIMORE children's bird walk at Cylburn, 8 a.m. and beginner
adult walk at 8:30 a.m.

BALTIMORE trip to Sandy Point. Meet Sam Smith Park, 8 a.m,
FREDSRICK monthly meeting. Meet C. Burr Artz Library, 8 p.m.
Speaker: Mr. Chandler S, Robbins.

BALTIMORE monthly meeting, Pratt Library, 8 p.m. Speaker:

Mr. John Cooper, "A Herpetological Expedition in Cuba."
BALTIMORE trip to Remington Farms, Meet Sam Smith Park, 8 a.m,
BALTIMORE children's walk and decorating the Birds* Christmas
Tree. Leaders: Miss Ann Taylor and Miss Betsy Schaffer.
BALTIMORE and HARFORD trip to Rock Run Sanctuary, 12 noon.

-Jan. 1 Christmas Count period: following dates have been set —
DENTON and TRIADELPHIA Christmas Counts, A. J. Fletcher ; S.H.Low.
SOUTHERN DORCHESTER COUNTY. Note change in date. C.S, Robbins.
OCEAN CITY. Register with C, S. Robbins,

CYLBURN. Register with Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner.

ST, MICHAELS. Register with Richard L. Kleen.

Note: Oct. 1 Lows’ Picnic has bean CANCELLED

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc,
to Record and Sncourags and Study the Birds in Maryland

Editor:

Editorial Board:

Production:

Chandler S, Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel
C. Dou^as Ifoekman, Vernon KLeen, Miss Nan Livingstone,
Mrs. Helen Webster, Mrs, Jean. Worthley.

R, K. Burns, Gladys Cole, Betty Fisher, Melvin Garland
Shirley Geddes, Douglas Hackman, Bertram Haines.