MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Volume MARCH 1965 Number l TOE MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Cylbum Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21209 STATE OFFICERS President! Mrs. Edward Mendinhall , R. D, 2, Chestertown 21620 778-0826 First V.P.* Mrs. Richard D. Cole, 625 Valley Lane, Towson 21204 VA3-2650 Second V.P. : Dr. W. Rowland Taylor, 1540 Northbourne Rd. , Baltimore 21204 ID3-1803 Treasurer* Dr. Turner L. Smith, R. D. 2, Box 224, Chestertown 21620 778-3691 Rec. Sec'y* Mrs. Katherine Bauer, Royal Oak 21662 RI5-2731 Exec. Sec'y* Miss Mildred F. Cole, 4201 Belmar Ave. Balt. 21206 HA6-0190 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Mr. David Bridge 12A Plateau Place , Greenbelt 20770 Miss Estella Everett Bel Air, Md. 21014 Dr. Howard Hodge 436 W. Greenwood Rd. Linthicum Hgts. 21090 Mrs. Robert B. Kaestner 6005 Lakehurst Dr., Baltimore 21210 Mr. Richard L. Kleen St. Michaels, Md. 21663 Mr. Edward Mendinhall R. D. 2, Chestertown 21620 Mrs, C. Gordon Taylor 75 Broadway, Frostburg 21 532 STATE TRUSTEES 474-1463 TE8-5835 ST9-3687 DR7-8990 RI5-4821 778-0826 0V9-6791 Allegany: Anne Arundel* Baltimore: Caroline* Frederick* ♦Mr. Joseph Mink© Harford: Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor ♦Mrs. Edwin C. Gras font* Ctadr. E, P. Wilson ♦Dr. W. Rowland Taylor Montgomerys Mrs. Richard D. Cole Mr. Compton Crook Patuxent* Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Soldiers ♦Mr. Aldridge E. Pepper Delight* Mrs, Aldridge E. Pepper ♦Mrs, Mary S. Motherway Talbot Dr. Howard Hodge ♦ Chapter President ♦Mrs. Grace H. Wright Miss Estella Everett ♦ Mrs. Edward Mendinhall Mr. Edward Mendinhall •Mr. Carl W. Carlson Mr. Robert L. Pyle ♦Mr. Melvin Kleen Mr. David Bridge ♦Dr. Elmer G. Worthley Mrs. Bertha Poe ♦Mr. Richard L. Kleen Mr. Robert Sharp II Active membership (adults) Junior "(under 16 years) Family membership (Mr. & Mrs.) Sustaining membership Life membership 0ut-of_state -membership $ 2.00 plus local chapter dues .50 plus local chapter dues 3.00 plus local chapter dues 5.00 plus local chapter dues 100.00 (payable in 4 annual installments) 2.0° ( MARYLAND BIRDLIFB only) Cover: Ruby-crowned Kinglet Photograph by A. Aubrey Bodine Headings* By Irving E. Hampe, Art Editor MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 5-fUd CfUaxtzxCy £y tliz tzA/larytand &%nLtfto[ocjLca[ ^ociattj, {Jnc. Cyiburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave Baltimore 9, Md. Volume 21 MARCH 1965 ~ Number 1 BIRD BANDING - PLEASANT VALLEY, 1957 - 1963 Edgar W. Reynolds As one motors west on U.S. Route 40 from Hagerstown over the mount- ains to Cumberland and on toward Grantsville, Maryland, one may be aware of topographic changes. Ridges and valleys are predominant; however, somewhere between Cumberland and Grantsville, a physiographic division, the Appalachian Plateau, characterized by mixed mesophytic forests, begins. The mountains, prevalent eastward, diminish not at all abruptly but easily, and are usually unnoticed by the casual observer intent on reaching home or the favorite fishing hole. Most of the forest communi- ties are intermediate between the mesophytic forest types of the region and the northern hemlocks and hardwoods. A subdivision, the Allegheny Mountain section, alone, has its own particular and peculiar character- istics and oddities. To reach Pleasant Valley, one need only to follow Maryland Route 495 from Grantsville, and with permission, continue beyond the public recreation area to the secluded 4-H camp across the lake where our story begins. Pleasant Valley Run, its “headwaters" a boreal bog ( one of two tributaries), empties into Cunningham Lake, 2592 feet above sea level. Although the lake is man made, it now provides the necessities required by an abundance of plants and animals, from protozoans and algae to a variety of mammals, hydric and mesophytic plants. Beavers abound in the area and construction of several lodges has often made it essential to relocate "Castor" to prevent overpopulation. Below the lake is Cunningham Swamp where one has no difficulty locating the Green Heron, the Wood Duck, the Least Flycatcher (bird of the high forests), and even an occasional snapping turtle as contrary and contemptible in the moun- tains as he is in the lowlands. The numerous "tail-wagging" Tubiflex inhabit the mud of the brackish water. The giant oaks, white and red, stand with the Sugar Maple, the Beech, the Shagbark Hickory, the Red Maple, and the Yellow Birch. Here and there is an occasional Hemlock and White Pine. The Rattlesnake Fern may be observed along the hill- sides, and where there is adequate moisture beyond the lake, the Cinnamon Fern grows tall. In June, the Canada Mayflower is often blooming. Sometimes, even the Snowberry grows. The Allegany County (Maryland) Bird Club, for 15 years has operated a nature and conservation camp here for children, ages 10-18 years. (Annually, except 1964), Some 100 children and 10-15 adult counsellors i MATOAflp Biaim Vol. 21. Ho. 1 arrive at the 4-H camp the third veek in June. The campers and adults are housed in rustic cabins which are quite adequate and comfortable. Well that they are since the average annual teaqperature is near 50°F, and the average June temperature somewhere around 55-60°F. Of course, the days are usually warm, but, warm or cold, the adult counsellors, cooks, and nurse are ever present to assist in the many duties that be- come necessary when the campers arrive. For many of the children, this is their first true and practical experience in meeting the wonderland of nature they have so often read about in books, or seen in motion pictures. Nature comes to life! For some, this is the first time away from home, with all its problems and anxieties which are never long lasting. For others, new adventure. For all - a good time! During the week, the children attend classes outdoors unless it is raining. Glasses in bird study, trees, ferns, arts and crafts, and geology are conducted daily. The early morning bird walk is standard procedure. The adult counsellors with their many talents in other areas enrich the program. In 1957 Mr. & Mrs. Richard D. Cole attended the adult weekend at Pleasant Talley; this weekend precedes the arrival of the youngsters. Nets were strung, 40 birds of 10 species (see chart) were banded during the week, the bird banding at Pleasant Talley began . . . The program was continued the next year by Mrs. Gladys Cole, (alias "Bunny") , a gracious lady. She explained to children, as only she can do, the importance of gaining knowledge about migration and distribution of birds. She demonstrated all phases of banding to the children, and taught several adult counsellors the techniques of banding. She gave to Western Maryland a new science and an awareness that there is still much to be done. The program was continued the next year by Mrs. Richard D. Cole. She explained to children, as only she can do, the importance of gaining knowledge about migration and distribution of birds. She demonstrated all phases of banding to the children, and taught several adult counsellors the technique of banding. She gave to Western Maryland a new science and an awareness that there is still much to be done. The author has had the opportunity to examine the records submitted by those who helped with the program at Pleasant Valley* Mrs. Gladys Cole, William Deeson, KLeanor Minks, Melvin Garland, J. S. M. Wood, Anderson Martin, and Edgar Reynolds. As I studied the records, I found we had neglected a few of the important scientific aspects. I charge this to our exuberance about the instructional and educational success of the program in to to . We neglected to keep* daily weather data, num- ber of nets, net hours, and net patterns. There is no accurate record in qy possession of immature birds netted and banded; thus, it is an impossible task to provide a correot per-centage on returns. We at- tempted to be more accurate in later years; but the pressures of camp March 1965 MARYLAND BIRILIFE * work , where all had duties beyond instruction, interf erred with detailed recording. (A separate notebook was set aside for each person to record daily at the end of the day, the birds netted.) Bat, we can take pride in saying we brought pleasure, enlightenment, and happiness to many youngsters. This fact makes banding at Pleasant Valley worth far more than all the completely accurate records ever could. We leave to pos- terity our mistakes; we also leave to posterity what we have done for all the children who attended camp. One week per year, random sampling, will show little consistency as one may see by referring to the figures below. There is some degree of consistency for a few species. The Catbird, the Red-eyed Vireo, the Redstart, the Canada Warbler, the Chestnut-sided Warbler, the Wood Thrush, the Robin, the Ovenbird, the Towhee all show degrees of consis- tency. All are primary breeding species for the area with the excep- tion of the Redstart. Many species, usually considered primary breed- ing species, did not appear consistently. Some species listed as secon- dary breeding species showed some consistency: Black and White Warbler, Redstart, and the Phoebe. We believe it is safe to assume we were not getting a good sample of the primary nesting species, or ail nesting species, for that matter. In some oases constancy of population does not correlate with primary and secondary nesting species. (See date). Red Letter Tear - 1959 1 Why? Our suspicions are we were netting in the midst of the "tail-end" of the spring migration. No other year has been so profitable as far as numbers are concerned. Of course, we do not attempt to be "status-seekers" through numbers banded. We seek to teach conservation, and we teach it with one excellent tool, bird banding, a good psychological approach, as it were! Some interesting items with regard to returns may be noted. Species Breeding Species Number Banded Number of Returns Black and White Warbler Secondary 2k 0 Canada Warbler Primary 60 0 Ovenbird Primary W T Redstart Secondary gZ 12 Catbird Primary ISO 21 Red- eyed Vireo Primary 82 9 Our Red Letter Bird is a female Red-eyed Vireo. She was banded in 1958, returned in 1959* and again in 1963. She is "honored" with the red letter classification because she was netted in exactly the same place each year and constructed her nest in the same tree! Perhaps she was with us in i960, 1961, 1962. W» hope to find her in 19651 References Consulted Stewart, Robert E. , and Chandler S. Robbins. Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia . Washington, D. C. s U. S. Government Print- ing Office, 1958. 615 Louisiana Avenue, Cumberland MARYLAND HrmTTTfi Vol. 21. No. 1 SOMMARY OF BIRDS BANDED AT PLEASANT VALLEY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND 4-H CAMP BITTINGER, MARYLAND SPECIES* YEARLY TOTALS 1?63 7 ?ear TOTAL Banded 7 Year TOTAL Return Fre^u 15 56 17 6 11 82 9 2 10 24 0 13 27 67 12 4 8 21 1 14 21 44 1 9 3 25 1 12 25 120 21 1 18 53 13 7 9 50 8 8 34 60 0 5 3 8 2 20 1 4 0 21 6 18 2 15 2 7 0 21 1 9 0 19 _ 10 0 18 4 27 6 10 1 13 3 16 _ 10 0 18 1 9 2 19 _ 5 0 23 2 5 0 23 1 9 0 19 3 7 0 21 7 10 0 18 _ 1 0 27 - 1 0 27 2 74 2 3 4 12 1 17 12 26 0 11 - 1 0 27 _ 6 0 22 1 5 0 23 - 3 0 25 5 18 0 15 2 26 3 11 - 1 0 27 _ 1 0 27 - 3 0 25 - 1 0 27 _ 5 0 23 _ 5 0 23 _ 2 0 26 1 2 0 26 4 8 0 20 1 2 0 26 - 1 0 27 2 2 0 26 2 2 0 2 2 0 26 2 2 0 26 965 • 104 Chestnut— sided Warbler 4 7 5 15 Red-eyed Vlreo 5 11 16 18 Black a 1 1 White Warbler 2 13 6 Redstart 4 6 22 5 lellcwthroat 1451 Ovenbird 4583 Eastern Phoebe 2665 Catbird 10 9 34 22 Wood Thrush 4 10 9 7 Robin 4 7 24 3 Canada Warbler - 4 12 8 Eastern Wood Pewee -31- C hipping Sparrow -2-1 Song Sparrow 2 5 2 Scarlet Tanager 1 1 3 Cowbird 1 3 Cedar Waxwing 22- Rufous- sided Towhee 3 7 5 Brown Thrasher - 3 5 1 Black-billed CCuekoo - 1 2 2 Yellow-shafter Flicker -3-2 Downy Woodpecker 1 2 Crested Flycatcher - - 1 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 6 White-breasted Nuthatoh 4 Veery - - 2 - Swainson's Thrush - - 1 Ruby-throated Huaedngbird - _ 1 _ American Goldfinch - - 55 2 Field Sparrow 2 Golden-winged Warbler 4 4 Black-throated Hue Warbler 1 Magnolia Warbler 6 Black-capped Chickadee - - 3 1 Purple Finch 1 Indigo Bunting 6 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak - _ 18 5 Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 Blue Jay - - 1 Tree Swallow 3 Nashville Warbler 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5 Worm-eating Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 1 Northern Water-thrush 1 Cardinal 1 Spotted Sandpiper - Belted Kingfisher - Hooded Warbler - House Wren - Kentucky Warbler - TOTAL SPECIES Total Individuals Banded ...... Total Returns Total Number of Different Individuals returning 8 16 2 2 1 2 18 5 3 2 1 15 4 6 52 90 * Sequence not from A. 0. U. # The frequency number in this suannaiy indicates the position in a listing of the species relative to the total number banded during a period of seven i years, and species with the same total number are provided with the same frequency nuiriber. ** Typical Breeding Species t P-primary: S-secondary; M- minor m to 01 w <*. o. (mm o> w ws* to to a to ft. ac to to « n. March 1965 MARYLAND BIRELIFE z HESPERIPHONA VESPERUNA WAS HERE V. Edwin Unger No one recalls having seen Evening Grosbeaks in Federalsburg prior to the winter of 1957-58. The arrival of a few individual birds that year became a subject of conversation and interest for many folks who had not previously considered themselves "birdwatchers". Each succeed- ing winter except that of 1962-63 saw their return in varying numbers up to a few score. Something changed in the fall of 1963. There may have been a shortage of foodstuffs in their usual haunts, or, possibly it was simply wanderlust that drove them in vast numbers to the Del-Mar- Va Peninsula. I saw the early "scouts" on Nov. 14th (three females) . Within a few days the number had increased to dozens. It was difficult to estimate their numbers because many folks in the community began to feed them, and the flocks could be found simultaneously in each of several sec- tions of the community. They invariably arrived each morning shortly after dawn, the number rapidly building up until nine or ten o* clock. They would feed with seeming desperation until eleven or eleven-thirty. At about twelve noon their numbers would begin to diminish, and within another hour most would be gone. As the season advanced, the hour of their departure advanced, slightly, but few were ever seen after three P. M. On only one or two occasions a lone bird was seen after four P.M. I became a bander in the summer of 1963 and did my first banding at 0. R. Ocean City that Fall (see Maryland Birdlife, Dec. 1964), so I was naturally prepared and anxious to band these visitors. Also, I began to see banded birds in these feeding flocks, and wished to retrap them for the records. At the beginning, I did not possess a trap, so had to re- sort to a mist net, but as this could not be erected near ay feeder, the hope of netting more than a few stray birds was remote. An additional feeder placed in the net area soon changed this and brought a modest number of grosbeaks to the net. Neighborhood cats made it imperative that netted birds be removed promptly, and each trip to the net would cause the entire flock to leave the vicinity at least temporarily. It thus became evident that a trap would be more productive, and so I proceeded to construct a trap of the Seth Low type. This proved to be the answer to the problem, and now I began to band grosbeaks by the score. Results and figures immediately became interesting and revealing. Not until my fiftieth individual, did I retake a bird I had previously banded, indicating the presence in the area of a vast number of birds. The first grosbeak was banded on Nov. 30. On Dec. 15, I trapped the first of two dozen trapped and banded elsewhere. This one was banded at Grand Marias, Michigan, on May 16, 1962. I soon began to trap birds banded by the Peppers at Denton, Md. , but knowing the band numbers, I released these without recording them. 8 MA5ILAHD BIRDLIFE Voi. 21. No. 1 During the season, I trapped twenty-four "foreign" birds as follows: Tear banded Humber “T959 T 1 960 1 1961 2 1962 6 1963 13 1964 1 By February, the "repeats" were becoming numerous, and in March and April, more than half the birds trapped were birds I had previously banded. Eventually, there seemed to be few unbanded birds left and I began to feel I was worrying "my" birds unduly and so was resigned to the need to bring the work to a close. It is evident from the compilation of the seasonal figures that females outnumbered males, approximately five to three: Month Number banded Males Females November 1 1 December 217 87 130 January 453 179 274 February 112 41 71 March 30 7 23 April “ 8 $' 8 55$ 322 "Biggest" days December 27 , 1963 55 21 34 December 29, 1963 63 22 41 With the records compiled and the trap stored, I naturally looked forward to the receipt of reports which would tell me where these birds were next seen. As of now (March 12, 1965 ) I have heard from just six of the eight hundred thirty birds banded. Here are the returns : Date banded December 20, 1963 December 24, 1963 December 27 , 1963 January 5* 1964 January 11, 1964 Where retrapped Date Salisbury, Maryland April 1964 Enfield, Maine May 21, 1964 Newport News, Virginia Jan. 28, 1964 East Haven, Vermont July 31 , 1964 Ste. Florence, Quebec July 1964 Naturally, I have looked forward to the 1964-65 season, to loam how many of "my" birds would return here, but alas, exactly one h as been seen in Federalsburg this season. It visited my yard on Jan. 3, and for three days thereafter. Friends reported having seen a single bird in town at or about that same time, but none since. The Evening Grosbeak has been termed an "erratic wanderer" and the description seems most apt. Federalsburg, Md. March 1965 MARYLAND HTREtTFR 2 RETURNS ON AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES BANDED AT KENSINGTON, MARYLAND Katherine A. Goodpasture From January 28, 1957 through July 5, 1959 I banded 127 American Goldfinches ( Spinus trie tie) in Rock Creek Hills, Kensington, Maryland. Returns on these goldfinches coupled with the movement of one of them across the Potomac and the capture at my station of a bird banded by another local bander present several records of interest. These goldfinches were taken chiefly from spring flocks that fed at a suburban feeding and trapping station. Banding was not begun until January 28, 1957, and its regularity was interrupted significant- ly during the spring of 1959; we moved from Kensington in July of that year. Table 1 . — Goldfinches Banded by Months Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Total 1957 1 k 21 3 0 0 0 0 1 30 1958 5 7 38 20 0 0 1 0 0 71 1959 0 0 0 15 0 2 0 0 26 T TT 25 15 ^1 Garland March 1965 MARYLAND BIRELIFE H DAMSITE - CHESTERTOWN Thanks to the cooperation and loyal support of family, friends and members of the Kent and Caroline County Chapters of M. 0. S., this station was in operation 2 days in August, 20 days in September and 28 days in October. 3*3^2 birds of 87 species were recorded. The commonest species were Myrtle Warbler (1,041), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (354), White- throated Sparrow, Swains on's and Hermit Thrushes and many Brown Creepers. A Sharp-shin and two Pigeon Hawks competed with us in watching the nets and with the deer, rabbits, flying squirrels and dogs in damaging them. Many photographers took advantage of the subjects in hand and were especially pleased to be present for the six Sawwhet Owls which were netted the morning of Nov. 1st. A woodcock and the hawks were also favorite subjects. Special emphasis was placed on skulling warblers and the study of the Myrtle Warbler plumages. Nets used were the Standard Type A (Bergstrom) which is my favorite all purpose net. These interspersed with British Dacron Tethered nets, both standard and small mssh, made for an efficient and satisfactory coverage. Dorothy A. Mendinha.ll DENTON The Denton station was operated for 23 days in 1964: 6 days in August, 10 in September, and 7 in October, Because of the long drought there was very little food available for the migrants. On days with strong winds birds moved very little. Nine nets were in operation. Less than half the number of birds were banded compared to 1963. Although White-throated Sparrow was again the most numerous species, we banded only 28 as compared with 147 in 1963 . Species that had not been banded before at this station included Yellow- bellied Flycatcher (a new species for the county list), Nashville Warbler, Black- throated Green Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow- bellied Sapsucker. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher TILGHMAN ISLAND The station was operated mainly on a weekend basis from the last week in August through October (plus some partial days in early November) • Unfavorable weather conditions and the lack of good cold fronts during the days of operation greatly reduced the number of birds netted compared to the previous year. The decrease in the number of birds handled, however, allowed the collection of more data (weights, measure- ments, etc.) and thus compensated for the reduced catch. 16 MARYLAND BIRELIEE Vol. 21. No. 1 Snalnson's Thrush (314) was the species caught in greatest abundance, with the White-throated Sparrow (210) and Veery (173) next in line. A Ruby- crowned Kinglet, banded at the Ocean City Station, was netted in early November. Jan Reese and Ted Van Velzen Box 213* Tilghman OCEAN CITY At the North Ocean City Operation Recovery Station in 1964, we found that a few more new houses nad oeen built about two blocks from the net- ting area; Trees, shrubs and vines had grown and . muscadine grapes were more abundant than ever. Banding was slow until Sept. 25, but we did net and band 2,634 new birds of 89 species in September. October was a busier month; weather was good most of the time and we netted, processed and banded 9 ,781 birds of 92 species. Surveyors were working on part of our territory for a few days, but were very considerate and we did not have to take down nets. If the plans of the developers progress, half of our banding station site will be developed by next year. As most people know by now, our station has been very primitive, something like an army bivouac. We were very fortunate this year to receive a gift of a portable shelter, designed by Mr. W. Henning and built by Mr. Henning and Mr. Edwin Hager, for weighing the birds. The special scales used are very sensitive to the wind and the shelter is light enough to be shifted as the wind direction changes. This was our tenth year of banding at North Ocean City. Below is a summary of the birds banded each year; Tear -Bays New Birds Species Sept. 10 - Sept. 18, 1955 8 629 64 Sept. 15 - Sept. 23, 1956 8 863 74 Sept. 7 - Sept. 26, 1957 19 863 72 Sept. 5 - Sept. 21, 1958 16 1,122 66 Sept. 4 - Sept. 27 » 1959 23 1,845 79 Sept. 3 - Oct. 3. I960 30 2,368 87 Sept. 2 - Oct. 1, 1961 28 2,666 89 Sept. 1 - Oct. 1, 1962 30 4,264 101 Aug. 30 - Oct. 20, 1963 50 7,285 115 Sept. 4 - Oct. 31, 1964 5 ? 12,415 112 tUaays H, Cole March 1965 ■MdBIT.ANn RTRmiFE 1Z BANDING HIGHLIGHTS in MARYLAND Vernon M. Kleen These notes are arranged in AOU order rather than in sequence of significance or importance in order to make them easier to read. Great Blue Heron - Each year I visit a colony near Oakley, in St. Mary's County, the third or fourth weekend in May, These herons nest 75' in pine trees; therefore, I only band about 40 birds each year. One that I banded on May 22, 1961 was shot in Cuba on March 2, 1962. The first weekend in June, David Bridge takes a few of us on an annual trip to Ocean City to band the 8 species of herons that nest nearby. By noon the first morning we have usually banded 750 birds. We discontinue banding at noon to keep disturbance at a minimum. The species include; Common Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Blue Heron, Louisiana Heron, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron and the Glossy Ibis. A few notes follow. Little Blue Heron - Banded June 9. 1962; recovered in Trinite, Martinique, French West Indies on September 22, 1962. Common Egret - Banded June 11, 1961; recovered in the Grand Bahamas, British West Indies on January 27, 1964. Snowy Egret - Banded June 6, 1964-; recovered in Sea Girt, New Jersey on July 19, 1964. Louisiana Heron - Banded July 28, 1962; recovered in Oropoli, Honduras on January 3. 1963. St. Catherine's Island in St. Mary's County is also a fine spot to band herons. It is not so easy to band there as at Ocean City; there are fewer birds, and only the Common Egrets, Little Blue Herons and BiacK-capped Night Herons nest commonly. Last Hay 23, my brother and I swam the 3/8 mile out to the island, towing a raft behind us. A Common Egret banded on that trip was recovered in Puerto Rico on November 22, 1964. Osprey - Banded as a nestling on a channel marker near St. Catherine's Island on June 23, 1962; recovered near Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, South America on April 2, 1964. The best place that I have found to band shorebirds in quantity is on the Ocean City mudflats during the month of August while the birds are migrating south. I have banded the following species there: Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Killdeer. As yet I have had no recoveries. In the spring (late March and early April) I also catch a few Common Snipe and American Woodcock here at Laurel, just after dark. MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 21. No. 1 IS- American Oystercatcher - banded June 9, 1962 at Ocean City. Wlllet - band one or two each summer; they nest around Ocean City. Later in the summer, about the first weekend of July, a group of us again go to Ocean City. Although we still band a few herons, our primary interest concerns the banding of Common and Least Terns, Black Skimmers and Laughing Gulls. Black Skimmer - banded as a nestling June 29, 1963; later I caught this same bird on August 17. 1963. 8 miles up the coast while I was banding shorebirds . Laughing Gull - banded July 28, 1962; recovered near Apalachicola, Florida on July 4, 1963; - banded June 29, 1963 ; recovered near Buena venture , Colombia, South America on February 20, 1964. - banded June 30. 1963; recovered near Turnaco, Columbia (8 miles from the Ecuador line). South America on Januaiy 29, 1964. All of the above birds were banded as nestlings or as locals (just barely able to fly). The individuals recorded below were all fully grown birds and most were adult birds banded in the spring or migratory birds banded during Operation Recovery in the fall (except for the Savannah Sparrow). Hybrid Flicker - On April 11, 1964, at Laurel, I caught an adult female that had the 4th, 5th and 6th primaries red rather than yellow. Bank Swallows - I have been trying to determine the sex of this species by plumage. Each year I band several pairs at the Annapolis colony and can tell the sex by presence or absence of brood patch (first week of June), but have not been able to definitely see plumage characteristics which could positively be used for sex determination. If anyone has the answer, please let me know (also for other species difficult to sex). Brown Creeper - Two records seem interesting. One was an adult bird banded at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center on April 14, 1963, and the other banded there on August 14, 1963 . Chan Robbins, I, and others have recorded this species there throughout the summer also. Now all we have to do is find the nest. Warblers are probably the most interesting of all species to band, especially in the spring when they are so brilliantly colored. I am always glad to catch a few more warblers. I have banded all but 5 species that occur in Maryland; They include: Cape May, Cerulean, Blackburnian, Black- throated Green, and Yellow- throated. Some interesting notes about those which I have banded follow: Prothonotary Warbler - nests abundantly in the Pocomoke Swamp and easily caught. I banded 9 there during the weekend of the MOS convention. Swainson's Warbler - Nests in the Pocomoke Swamp near Whaleysville . During the MOS convention last year I caught 5 different birds, 3 new ones and 2 returns. The returns were banded by Ted Stiles and John Weske 1 year and 4 years ago respectively. This is the first time more than one individual has ever been caught in a single year, the first time 19 March 196? MARYLAND BIRDLIFE one has ever been caught again as a return and only 4 had previously been banded in Maryland, Lawrence's Warbler - banded at Catoctin Mountain on May 30* 1963. I also caught this same bird as a return on May 30* 1964. I am looking forward to catching it again this year, Brewster's Warbler - banded at Catoctin Mountain on May 30, 1963. I caught this bird just 5 minutes after I caught the Lawrence's and just one inch away in the same net that I caught the Lawrence 's. Orange- crowned Warbler - banded February 17, 1963; it was caught here at Laurel (in the Piedmont) in with a wintering flock of Myrtle Warblers. I also caught another one during Operation Recovery last fall during the second week of October, also here at laurel, Connecticut Warbler - banded only during Operation Recovery in late September, Mourning Warbler - caught only between May 20 and May 30 each year, Glenn Austin catches most of them for me in a dense, moist deciduous woods. Summer Tanager - This species usually only nests in the southern and eastern part of the state. My experience with it was in St. Mary's County. One nestling that I banded there on July 5, 1962, I caught 8 miles away at the Patuxent Naval Air Station at my Operation Recovery Station. Evening Grosbeak - I caught a bird here in Laurel on February 2, 1964 which was banded at Chisholm, Minnesota, on April 18, 1963. This is the only truly western bird I have caught. Of the 69O individuals I banded here at Laurel, so far only 11 have been recovered (from Virginia to Massachusetts). House Finch - banded March 11, 1963, at my feeder in Laurel. I caught the male, but the female escaped banding. Pine Siskin - These birds were common last spring along with the Ameri- can Goldfinches, Purple Finches and Evening Grosbeaks. I banded 26. White-winged Crossbill - On January 25, 1964, an adult female appeared at ny feeder. A half hour later she was banded. A few days later another appeared along with the first one. She too was soon banded. They stayed until mid-April. In a nearby, short, pine woods (trees up to 12 feet) Glenn Austin and I banded 14 more, mostly males. These stayed until April 25, which set a late departure date for the state. Savannah Sparrow - one nestling banded along New Design Road in Frederick County on May 30* 1964. This established the second breeding record for the state. Vesper Sparrow - this is the only species which I have a 100$ recovery rate. That bird was banded on March 30, 1963* in Laurel and recovered on the north side of Lake Ontario, August 1964. Slate-colored Junco - After long hope, I finally had one of these re- covered outside of Maryland, One was recovered in Maine years after I banded it here. Song Sparrow - banded at Patuxent Naval Air Station on March 10, 1961; recovered in Maine on June 25, 1961. - banded at Laurel on November 25, 1963* recovered in Maine on April 15* 1964. All of these bandings and recoveries keep me interested and working 20 MARYLAND BIRDUFE Yol. 21. No. 1 hard to do better and learn more. To date I have banded over 13,000 birds of 1 71 species, 3 hybrids and several subspecies, with 61 recov- eries and undetermined number of foreign retraps. 339 Talbot Avenue, Laurel. MIGRATING WATERFOWL AT TRIADELPHIA RESERVOIR, 1964. R. W. Warfield Triadelphia Reservoir is situated on the upper Patuxent River and forms part of the boundary between Howard and Montgomery Counties. This impoundment is a resting area for migrating waterfowl and also supports a small population of Black Ducks. The general status of migrating water- fowl at -Triadelphia has been reviewed by Booth' and in part by Stewart and Robbins . This area also has been covered many times in the Spring and Christmas counts of the Maryland Ornithological Society. However, in so far as can be determined, no study has been published on the numbers and species of waterfowl present during the spring and fall migration periods. It is the purpose of this note partially to fill this void and to stimu- late others in field work at Triadelphia. The field work was conducted during March and again during October to December. Usually the reservoir was visited early in the morning and the waterfowl were counted by walking along the shore from near Green- bridge Road to a point about one mile north at the narrowest part of the reservoir. About 80 per cent of the water area (including most of the coves) was thus seen. To insure maximum coverage a 40 -power telescope and 8x35 binoculars were employed. The results of the spring field work are shown in Table 1 . Table 1. 1 Homed Grebe Mallard Black Duck 2 Pintail Redhead Ring-necked Duck Canvasback Lesser Scaup Duck Bufflehead Common Merganser 20 Spring Counts of Waterfowl March 1 2 10 14 21 28 2 1 1 2-2 2-4 100 75 75 20 4 100 4 4 3 15 3 2 £ 2 20 Hank Kaestner^ recently reported on the spring waterfowl popu- lations at another piedmont reservoir, Loch Raven, and a comparison of the two sets of data is of interest. On March 19 Kaestner noted an in- flux of Redheads that had presumably left their wintering area pre- maturely and stopped over at Loch Raven for several weeks before continu- March 1965 MARYLAND BIRELIFE 21 ing their northward migration. A similar situation appears to have oc- cured at Triadelphia. The Redheads first noted on March 14 stayed for several weeks. The data of Table 1 also suggest that a considerable migration occured during the night of March 28-29. The results for the fall migration, shown in Table 2, are typical for this piedmont location. Undoubtedly more nearly complete and more frequent coverage, particularly in the Middle of October and November, would have yielded several additional species. However, a similar survey conducted in the fall of 1 963 yielded results comparable with those of Table 2. During September small numbers of Black Ducks and Pied-billed Grebes were present. Table 2. Fall Count of Waterfowl October November .Dec, 3 25 25 3T 2T25 25 15 Horned Grebe - 14 - 1 _ - 2 - 1 Canada Goose 159. - 5 - . 7 10 10 10 - Mallard 5 5 50 100 100 150 150 100 Black Duck 1 - 20 1 53 100 100 150 150 120 Redhead Ring-necked Duck - 23 - Bufflehead - - 2 7 5 - 1 1 - Ruddy Duck - 1 - - - - - Common Merganser 2 Both the Mallards and Black Ducks gather in the coves and the numbers present were estimated. In general these results confirm those of Booth in that the reservoir provides a resting area for small flocks of migrants and an occasional larger flock. The reservoir is also a wintering area for Mallards and Black Ducks. It would be of interest to have the results of studies at addi- tional piedmont reservoirs and also along the Potomac River in the vicinity of Seneca. References 1. Booth, W. M. , Maryland Birdlife 19:3. 19&3 2. Stewart, R. E, , and Robbins, C. S. , Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia, N.A. Fauna Number 62, Dept, of the Interior (1958) 3. Kaestner, H. Maryland Birdlife, 20:75, 1964. R.F,D.#1 , Hereford Hills, .Germantown. 22 MARYLAND BIRDLEFE Vol- 21 . No. 1 OCTOBER , NOVEMBER , DECEMBER , 1964 Chandler S. Robbins October brought a welcome return to cool weather, though the drought continued in all inland areas . Juncos were scarcer than usual, but most other species of migrants appeared in good numbers in well- defined waves following passage of cold fronts across the State. The large number of unusually late departure records can be attri- buted in part to the mild weather in September, and in part to the con- centrated efforts of banders and other field observers in October and November. Six species of flycatchers and 25 species of warblers Were recorded in Maryland in October, and five species of vlreos were seen after the middle of the month. The latest fall migrants reported from each comity are summarized in table 1. Banding records are identified by underscoring. Thanks are extended to the many observers whose records are included in this table. The chief contributors for each county were: Western Maryland (Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties )- -Carl W. Carlson, Mrs. Sarah S. Baker, Anderson J. Martin; Balt imore City and County — Hank Kaestner; Howa rd — Morris Collins, Mrs. Dorothy Rauth, Mrs. Rosamond Munro; Mont - gomery--Carl W. Carlson, Robert W. Warfield, Lucille V. Smith, Mrs. Sarah S. Baker; D . C , - -Mr . and Mrs, Robert L. I ^yle; Prince Georges --Vernon L. Kleen, Ted Stiles, David and Margaret Bridge, Chandler S. Robbins; Anne Arundel- -Paul and Danny Bystrak, Bill Anderson, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard; Kent — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. L. Lenz; Queen Anne s- -David and Margaret Bridge, Mrs. Jane Church, Mrs. Marian Metcalf; Caro line — Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Marion W. Hewitt, Mrs. Alicia Knotts; Talb ot --Jan Reese, Don Meritt, Richard L. Kleen, Ted Van Velzen; Worc ester — Mrs. Gladys Cole, Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge Pepper, Samuel H. Dyke, Chandler S. Robbins. Pelicans , Herons . The only hurricane bird of the season was a Brown Pelican seen at Kent Point on Oct. 20 by Mrs. Jane Church and Mrs. Marian Metcalf. This straggler from the Carolina coast was presumably blown into Chesapeake Bay about Oct. l6 by Hurricane Isbell. Very late Louisiana Herons were identified on Oct . 11 at Kent Point by David and Margaret Bridge and at Assateague Island and North Ocean City by Harold Wierenga . March 1965 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE n Swans and Geese . Three Black-necked Swans, presumed to have escaped from captivity, wintered for the second year at Quaker Neck in Kent County. The first 17 Whistling Swans appeared at Kent Point on Oct. 24 (Bridges), "but no major influx occurred until Nov. 12 (Tilghman, Jan Reese). Canada Geese wintered in excellent numbers along the east shore of the Chesapeake. Nearly 100,000 were seen on the Kent County Christinas Count and over 43,000 on the Blackwater Count. A fine specimen of the Hutchins race from Kent County was presented to the U. S. National Museum (Dr. D. Z. Gihson). A Barnacle Goose, a vagrant from Europe, was seen at Blackwater Refuge on Nov. 2 6 by Ted Hake; there is but a single prior hypothetical record of this species in Maryland. Blue and Snow Geese continue to increase as wintering birds in Kent and Dorchester Counties; peak counts were l4 Blues and 76 Snows in Kent County on Dec. 27 and 110 Blues and j6 Snows at Blackwater Refuge on Dec. 28. Also of note on the Blackwater Christmas Count were 1,300 Brant; 5 were observed as far up the Bay as Kent County, Dec. 27. Ducks . A White-winged Scoter, a rarity for Garrett County, was at Herrington Manor Lake on Oct. 10 (Dean Weber). Hawks . It was a good winter for Rough- legged Hawks throughout east- ern and central Maryland. Hie total of 27 on the Dec. 28 Blackwater Count smashed the previous State record of l6 birds in one day, and at least 1 or 2 were identified on most of the other Christmas Counts. Another new high was established at Blackwater by a count of 80 Marsh Hawks . Once again an immature Golden Eagle wintered at Blackwater Refuge; as many as 4 were seen there on Nov. 26 by Ted Hake. Introduced Gallinaceous Birds. A female Turkey was seen with 8 young near River Road (between Shepherd Road and the Potomac River) in Montgomery County, suggesting that the release of birds in that area is proving successful (Sheila Cochran). Ring-necked Pheasants were seen as far south as central Frederick County, central Howard County, southwest- ern Talbot County (Tilghman) and northern Caroline County (Greensboro). Shorebirds . Although Woodcocks can be found regularly in winter In Dorchester and Worcester Counties, the listing of 3 on Quaker Neck in Kent County on the Dec. 27 Christmas Count was a surprise; 10 were found on the next day at Blackwater. A Golden Plover seen in a muddy field near Sycamore Landing on Oct. 4 provided the first record for Montgomery County (Robert Warfield). Persistent coverage of inland shorebird flats yielded several interesting records: White-rumped Sandpipers at Sandy Point on Oct. 2 and 3 (WIerenga), Lilypons on Oct. 11 and 17 (Carlson) and Loch Raven on Oct. 24 (Hank Kaestner); Pectorals at Lilypons through Oct. 11 (Carlson) and Loch Raven through Nov. 15 (Kaestner); and Dunlins at Sycamore Landing on Oct. 4 (Warfield) and Lilypons on Oct. 11 and 25 (Carlson). Four Semipal mated Sandpipers were at Lilypons to Oct. 17 and a Western Sandpiper was there on Oct. 11 (Carlson). The Sept. 7 D. C. arrival date for Least Sandpiper in the December issue was in error; a Least Flycatcher was banded on that date . 24 MARYLAND BIRELIFE Yol. 21. No. 1 Species Green Heron Common Egret Snowy Egret Broad-winged. Hawk Osprey ,, , Spotted Sandpiper 10/12 Greater Yellowlegs 10/29 Lesser Yellowlegs 10/17 Pectoral Sandpiper 10/29 . Yellow-billed Cuckoo 9/26 Black-billed CSSSbo Whip-poor-will Common Nighthawk 9/18 Chimney Swift 10/l£ Ruby- thr. Hummingbird 9/l2 Table 1, Fall Departure Dates, 1964 W.Md Balt Hcwd Mont D.C, Pr.G Anne Kent Q.An Caro Talb Wore 10/11 9/21 8/14 10/18 9/18 10/ 3 10/29 9/25 10/10 n/i4 9/27 9/ 3 10/10 8/23 10/l0 10/30 White- crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow 10/ 3 March 1965 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE 25 - Gulls and Terns . No rare gulls or terns were seen, "but there were several high counts of the common species: 73 Great Black-hacks in Kent County on Dec. 27, and 15 in southern Dorchester County on Dec. 28; 3 j 225 Ring-hills on the Dec. 29 Ocean City Count and 8l0 in southern Dorchester County the previous day; 260 Forster's Terns in Talbot County on Oct. 18 (Reese). Bonaparte's Gulls were noted for the first time on the Kent County and Southern Dorchester Counts. Forster’s Terns were last ob- served on the Piedmont on Oct. 10 (Seneca hy Warfield) and along Chesa- peake Bay on Nov . 29 (33 at Tilghman hy Reese). Cuckoos , Owls. Late Yellow-hilled Cuckoos were handed at Denton on Oct. 31 (Mrs. Fletcher) and Ocean City on Oct. 30 (Mrs. Cole). The Men- dinhalls ' Christmas card was not made hy trick photography; all 6 Saw- whet Owls were caught and handed at their home station, "Damsite7'' near Tolchester, on Nov. 1. This is the largest number ever seen in one day in Maryland. Three were banded the same day at Tilghman (Reese and Van Velzen). Most ambitions to obtain record totals of owls on Christmas Counts were shattered hy windy and rainy weather. The highest counts at hand are indicative of what might he accomplished in other parts of the State if sufficient effort were expended and if weather conditions were suitable: Screech Owl, 34 (St. Michaels); Great Horned Owls, 46 (Lower Kent County); Barred Owl, 7 (Lower Kent County); Short-eared Owl, 8 (Southern Dorchester County). Woodpeckers . We believe that most woodpecker migration takes place during daylight hours. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, however, typically migrate hy night; Hank Kaestner found the remains of 7 beneath the Balti- more TV tower on Oct. 4 and 2 on Oct. 19. The Yellow -shafted Flicker migration reached its peak at Ocean City Sept. 24-2 6, and at Tilghman, Oct. 1 (300 birds). High Christmas Counts of woodpeckers included: 167 Ye llcw- shafted Flickers at Ocean City (their third-highest ) and 160 in Kent County; ll6 Red-bellied Woodpeckers at Ocean City, 113 in Kent County, and 100 at Triadelphia; and 20 Pileateds at Ocean City and 6 in Allegany County. Flycatchers and Swallows . A Traill's Flycatcher handed at Ocean City on Oct . 6 and a Least Flycatcher banded there on Oct. 7 were later than the State records in Birds of Maryland . The Traill's may he the latest for the State, hut I have no way to check on this in ny hotel room in Honolulu. An Eastern Phoebe wintered again at Seneca (Warfield), and Mel Garland saw one on the Allegany Count on Dec. 26. There have been previous late reports of Barn Swallow in Maryland, but none can match the 2 birds seen on the beach at Plum Point in Calvert County on Nov. 21 by John Fales . Jays , Ravens , and Crows . Over 1,000 Blue Jays passed Kent Point on each of the following days: Oct. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Bridges). Carl Carlson saw 2 Common Ravens over Fox Gap and 1 at nearby Monument Knob on Oct . 3 • This species is rarely seen east of the Hagerstown Valley. Fish Crows were reported wintering more commonly than usual; there were 70 on "the MARYLAND BIO® LIFE 26 Vol. 21. No._ 1 Catoctin Christmas Count, and 56 in Southern Dorchester County where the highest tally in the 17 previous winters was only 13 individuals. Chickadees , Nuthatches . Carolina Chickadees were unusually common. This apparently is the result of a successful breeding season rather than an influx of birds from elsewhere, as no migration was detected at the Operation Recovery stations . Peak Christmas Count tallies were broken at Triadelphia (425) and. Southern Dorchester County (218), and Ocean City had its second highest total of 470. Red-breasted Nuthatches were ex- tremely scarce; only 7 were reported. Catbirds , Thrushes . Catbirds wintered more commonly than usual. Ocean City had a new high of 21 on their Christmas Count and one was found on the Dec . 26 Allegany County by Mrs . Billie Taylor and Mrs . Char- lotte Folk. Swainson's Thrushes were banded in four counties on the late date of Oct. 24. Two Gray-cheeked Thrushes set a late date at the Ocean City banding station on Oct . 31, as did a Veery on Oct . 27 (Cole and others). The peak migration of Hermit Thrushes took place on Oct. 31> when exactly 15 0 were banded at Tilghman by Reese and Van Velzen, setting a State record for abundance. Kent Point banders , n ett ed.' 72 on Oct. l8. Bluebird numbers, on the whole, showed no improvement over last year; the highest count was 68 in the Poolesville area on Oct. 17 (Carlson and Mrs . Baker ) . Gnatchatchers and Kinglets . A late Blue -gray Gnat catcher was spotted at Kent Point on Oct . 11 by Paul and Danny Bystrak and Bill Anderson. It was a poor winter for Golden- crowned Kinglets and an exceptionally good one for Ruby- crowns . As many as 51 Ruby- crowns were found on the Southern Dorchester County Christinas Count, 23 in Kent County, 17 at Triadelphia, and 3 la Allegany County. Vireos . Late vireos, all with bands on their legs, were reported as follows: White-eyed at Ocean City on Oct. 19, Yellow- throated at Ocean City on Oct . 18 , Solitary at Kent Point on Oct. 24 and Ocean City on Oct. 27, Red-eyed at Damsite on Oct. 24 and Ocean City on Oct. 31, and Philadelphia at Ocean City on Oct . 20 . Warblers . Noteworthy warbler records fall into two categories: high counts and late dates. Both high counts were of birds banded at Kent Point: 67 Magnolia Warblers on Oct. 1 and J2 Black- throated Blues (State record) on the same day. Ocean City totals for the same day were 2 and 1 , respectively. Late records were as follows: Blue-winged, Magnolia, and Connecticut Warblers banded at Ocean City on Oct . 24; Nashville banded at Damsite on Oct . 23 and Ocean City on Oct. 28; Yellow banded at Dan site on Oct . 5; Black- throated Blue and Blackburnian banded at Ocean City on Oct . 21 and Chestnut-sided on Oct. 19; Ovenbird banded at Tilgh- man on Oct. 31; Northern Waterthrush banded at Ocean City on Oct . l 8 ; a Yellowthroat seen in Talbot County on Nov. 5 (Don tferitt); Yellow- breasted Chats in four counties on Oct. 19, with eight later stragglers at Ocean City and a Nov . 8 bird banded at Tilghman; Hooded Warblers March 1965 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 2Z Landed, at Kent Point on Oct. 5 and Ocean City on Oct. 6; and American Redstart Landed at Ocean City on Oct . 29 - Orioles . A late Baltimore Oriole was seen in Talbot County on Nov. 21 (Reese ) . Two appeared at the feeder of Peter Gilsey in Chevy Chase, Md . , on Dec. 20 , and one was seen daily at Sandy Spring from late Novem- ber through the rest of the period (Mrs. A. S. Michael). Dickcissels , Towhees . A very early Dickcissel visited the Dean Weber feeder at Clinton on Aug . 23 • Rufous -sided Towhees broke records of abundance on several Christmas Counts; there was 3 at Catoctin, 31 at Rock Run, 3^ at Triadelphia, and 62 in Kent County . Sparrows . A Seaside Sparrow was found on the St. Michaels Christ- mas Count on Dec. 27. I believe this is the northernmost winter record on the east shore of the Bay. A Lincoln's Sparrow banded at Tilghman on Nov . 1 (Reese) exceeded by two days the latest fall departure date for Maryland. Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel STATE-WIDE BIRD COUNT, May 1 On Saturday, May 1, 1965, members and friends of the M. 0. S. will participate in the 18th Annual State-wide May Count. This count is taken just one day each year. After the Count has been completed, send all lists to Vernon Kleen, 339 Talbot Street, Laurel, Md. 20810, in time for the June issue of Maryland Birdlife 1 9 6 5 ANNUAL nONVENTlQH at HASTINGS-MIRAMAR, Ocean City, Maryland Special rates to M. 0* S. May 7-9, 1965 Double room and bath Double room and running water Apartment acconmodations for 5 or 6 persons $19.00 per person 17.00 per person 18.00 per person The above rate, inelnde too nlghta lodgl^ t sl^ »»al» starting with Friday night dinner, gratuity and Maryland Sales Tax. Reservations must be made by May 1, 19^5 28 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 21, No. 1 A REMEMBRANCE* FLORENCE HELEN BURNER Ruth L. Worms He Florence Helen Burner will be remembered as one who truly loved the out-of-doors. It seems this interest began with her teaching career in 1909. At School #2, Miss Evaline Ulrich who also taught the first grade, "was a great walker". She took Florence "at noon to various local points of interest". Together they "joined the botany class (one of the first extension courses offered) taught by Mr. Charles C. Plitt" . They also went at Miss Ulrich's insistence "on excursions planned by Dr. Kock to points of interest around Baltimore". (Quotations from notes found by her niece, Mrs. Helen Burner Stifely, in Florence's desk) The more abiding of the interests stemmed from the botany class. I first met Florence on a Saturday botany tramp with Dr. Plitt in October, 1928. She had been one of the more regular attendants of these year-ground Saturday tramps for nearly twenty years and continued on them until after the death of Dr. Plitt in 1934. Some of the places we tramped in those days were: the Walters' Estate (now the site of the Woodboume Junior High School) because of the wide variety of imported trees and shrubs* Soldier's Delight, for Phlox subulata in the spring and the gentians, both fringed and bottled, in the fall; Ben's Run, for marsh marigold? Severn Run area for Schweinitzia, climbing fern; Cran- berry Bog, Garrett County for golden thread, etc.; Marley Creek, for Helonias and box huckleberry. Many of the favorite sites have long since been swallowed by Megalopolis. For all of the trips Florence kept records — filling many notebooks with lists of plants in bloom and other pertinent data such as meeting places, weather, etc. She could always be counted on to know where and when such a plant was seen in bloom the previous year. She was also the bird enthusiast of the group. With all this activity and of course her teaching, she managed to find time to plan and execute the most charming of back yard gardens. When the Mountain Club of Maryland was organized in 1934, a prime mover was Osborne 0. Heard, also a devotee of the botany tramps. He got the enthusiastic support of the more active trampers including Florence Burner. Though the trips of the Mountain Club covered more ground in more distant places the interests were the same: birds, flowers, trees, topography. In fact, a "Bird group" in the club ar- ranged special trips with W. Bryant Tyrrell. Florence was an active participant and group leader for several years. Carroll Island with enormous flocks of swan, geese, ducks, to say nothing of the bald eagles; Old Rag Mountain in the Blue Ridge with the Ravens nesting in its rocky ledges are two of many trips that come to mind now. These, however, were the milder forms of her activity. She was an ardent ice-skater (skating regularly with the teachers at Carlin's Rink) and attended the winter sports trips of the Mountain Club with this in mind. If the ice was not good, tobogganing was fine. Her hiking March 196 5 MARYLAND HERDUFE 29 centered around, but was by no means limited to, the Appalachian Trail. She was a "High-point" collector. Just how many state high points she actually listed as having been scaled, I do not know. Two western trips with other club members left few to be checked off. Though she did not hike the whol,e length of the Trail she knew both the top of Katahdin, Maine (northern terminus) and Mount Oglethorpe, Georgia (former southern terminus) and was familiar with many sections through- out the length of the two thousand miles. In the early days of the club she assumed responsibility for the maintenance of a section of the trail north of Pen Mar. (Publications #1 and #11 of the Appalachian Trail Conference give the specification for trails and their mainten- ance). In general this meant keeping the trail clear of tall weeds, re- moving any branches that would obscure blazes, and painting the blazes. Just as a group of the Saturday Trampers gave impetus to the organization of the Mountain Club so a group of bird enthusia**® of the Mountain Club contributed to the organization of the Maryland Ornitho- logical Society. Florence Burner was one of these. Dr, Rowland Taylor, in the Baltimore Chapter News Letter of March first, has given a splendid summary and evaluation of her contribution to the Society. For those who do not see this News Letter, I quote* "For all these years (20) she served as a member of the Board, as an officer, or as a committee chairman. Her school teacher* s wit and sense of values have helped us many times to keep things in their proper perspective. For 15 years she served as Trip chairman and in this capacity she kept complete bird and trip records. She continued to compile this information until shortly before her death. For several years Miss Burner was "Information" to members and non-members. No one knows how many have Joined MQS because of information she gave them . . . The last thing she did for us was to compile the delightful * Highlights* of the early years* which was presented at our 20th Anniversary Meeting this past month." Florence was born to Charles F. and Laurel BuckLands Burner on April 4, 1889, in Newark, Ohio (the second of four children). Early in this century the family moved to Baltimore where she attended the Western High School and the Teachers Training School. In 1924 she was awarded the Bachelors degree (French and Spanish) by the Johns Hopkins University. It was after this that she taught in the secondary schools including Forest Park High School and Western High School from which she retired in I 960 . Her amazing health and physical vigor was matched by her alert logical mind and dependable, f orth-right personality. Her death on February 20, 1965 , culminated a full and fruitful life. She will be long remembered with affection and respect by many people. Route 5» Box 130H, Baltimore MARYLAND blRDLIFS a Vol. 21. No. 1 THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE Dorothy A. Mendinhall It gives me great pleasure to report that our membership now stands at 941 . This means that many of the new members will need the help of each of us to acquaint them with all the information so many of us take for granted is common knowledge. Let us all strive to explain and publicize the many splendid programs that are available to all members and urge an interchange of program participation among the chapters. Now is the time to participate in the annual meeting and convention at Ocean City, Maryland, May 7, 8, 9. This is the highlight of our year when the diversified interests of all members are met. The finest trip leaders — specialists in sight, sound, song and in hand identification of shore birds, passerines, etc. — are present to teach beginners, to share and discuss their knowledge with the experts. And for those non- birder spouses, friends or children bring them along to enjoy sun, sea, sand and sociability. There is a welcome for the whole family. The inexpensive but gracious hospitality of The Conners at the Hastlngs- Miramar awaits you. Meanwhile M. 0. S. has been honored to be the hosts for the EBBA Convention, with Gladys Cole and Chan Robbins in charge of arrangements. We are proud to be able to share our knowledge of the Ocean City area with our banding friends who will meet there April 23, 24, 25. And now as this will be ay last President's Page, may I say thank you for the many ways you all have contributed to the success, honor and pleasure that has been afforded me as your leader. A hearty welcome to the new officers and may great success attend them and M. 0. S. Damsite, Chaste rtown. COMING EVENTS April 24 BALTIMORE April 24 KMT April 25 BALTIMORE April 25 TALBOT April 27 BALTIMORE April 28 ALLEGANY April 30 TALBOT Loch Raven for spring arrivals. Leaders Mr. Charles Buchanan (ID5-8305) 8 A.M. Field trip Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Botany-Bird Walk. Leaders: Dr. Elizabeth Fisher (H07-0676), Mrs. Carl Francis (N05-3943) and Mrs. Robert Kaestner (DR7-8990) Breakfast Hike. Hostesses: Dottie Bowman and Stewart DeButts. Meet Easton, 7 A.M. Lake Roland Monthly meeting 7*30 P.M. Botany Seminar. Mr. Wm. Leeson, Guest: Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, State M. 0. S. President Monthly meeting. "Report on West Indies Trip" by Richard Kleen. March 196*; MARYLAND BIEDLIFE 31 May 1 STATEWIDE BIRD COUNT May 2 BALTIMORE Mill Creek Sanctuary. Leaders: Mr. Richard Kleen, Talbot Chapter President and Dr. W, Rowland Taylor, Baltimore Chapter President. May 2 TALBOT Breakfast Hike. 7 A.M. May 4 BALTIMORE Lake Roland May 6 FREDERICK Monthly meeting. Dr. Walter Foster to speak on status of proposed dams. May 7-9 M. 0. S. CONVENTION at Ocean City. Md. Mate own reservations at Hastings-Miramar before May 1st. May 8 BALTIMORE Lake Roland for those unable to attend the Convention. Leader: Mr. William Corliss (N08-6047). Meet Lake & Roland Aves. 7 A.M, May 11 BALTIMORE Late Roland May 13 BALTIMORE Pleasantville & Countryside for warblers. Leader: Mrs, Carl Lubbert (DR7-6346) May 15-16 TALBOT Weekend at Carey Run Sanctuary in Garrett County May 16 "BALTIMORE Rock Run Sanctuary. Leaders: Mr. Mel Garland and Mrs. Nicholas Kay (VA3-1533) May 16 TALBOT 7 A.M. Breakfast Hite May 16 KENT Botanical field trip. Leader: Dr. Elmer Worthley. May 18 BALTIMORE Lake Roland May 22 ANNE ARUNDEL Bird Walk 8 A.M. Maeothv recollections. Leader: Mrs. E. G. Riley (647-3999) May 22-23 BALTIMORE Chincoteague-Assateague Island, Va. , trip. Field leader: Mr. Ted VanVelzen of Migratory Bird Populations Station, Patuxent Research Center. Leader for information and reservations at Channel Bass Hotel: Miss Grace Neumann (DR7-9032) May 23 ALLEGANY Carey Run Sanctuary field trip 9 A.M. Leader: Mr. Ken Hodgdon May 23 FREDERICK Annual picnic at Seneca May 25 BALTIMORE Lake Roland May 29 BALTIMORE Catoctin Mt. & Buckeystown. Leader: Mr. Vernon Kleen. June 3 FREDERICK Monthly meeting. Speaker: Dr, Paul H. Fluck, Washington Crossing Nature Education Center. June 8 BALTIMORE Picnic Supper in McKeldin Section, Patapsco State Park, and courtship flight of Nighthawk in Soldiers Delight at sunset. Leaders: Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Rowe, VA5-3076 June 11-13 ALLEGANY Pre-camp training at Western Maryland 4-H Center June 11-13 BALTIMORE Junior Nature Camp at Camp Mohawk on the Patuxent River. For info nnat ion contact Mrs. N. K. Schaffer, 8 Beechdale Road, Baltimore, 21210. "Phone 323-4090 June 14-19 ALLEGANY Junior Nature and Conservation Camp. Western Maryland 4-H Center. June 25-27 ALLEGANY Anniversary weekend. Chairman: Mrs. C, Gordon Taylor. 32 . MARYLAND BIRDLXFB Vol. 21, No. 1 CONTENTS, MARCH 1965 Bird Banding - Pleasant Valley, 1957-1963 Edgar W. Reynolds 3 Hesperiphona Vespertina Was Here V. Edwin Unger 7 Returns on American Goldfinches Banded at Kensington, Maryland Katherine A. Goodpasture 9 Light on Some Ways of the Catbird Hervey Brackbill 10 Operation Recovery in Maryland, 1964 13 Banding Highlights in Maryland Vernon M. Kleen 17 Migrating Waterfowl at Triadelphia Reservoir, 1964 R. W. Warfield 20 The Season — October, November, December Chandler S. Robbins 22 A Remembrance: Florence Helen Burner Ruth L. Wormelle 28 The President's Page Dorothy A. Mendinhall 30 Coming Events 30 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage and Study the Birds of Maryland Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel Asst. Editor: Mel Garland, 36 Burke Ave. , Totrson, Md. 21204 Editorial Board: C. Douglas Hackman, Vernon Kleen, Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Production: William S. Clark, Gladys H. Cole, Mildred F. Cole, Betty Fisher } Mel Garland, Shirley Geddes, Ted Van Velzen. JJ^adtinqd iramar 9 6 Ocean City, Maryland On the Boardwalk — Open All Year 90 ROOMS, 60 WITH BATH Phone: Ocean City : ATIantic 9-7417 EXCELLENT MEALS 30 BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS PARKING space SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDERS