r v. MARYLAND BIRDLIFE S^uiistin oj- the. <^l/{azij[anJ. iDinitiioLocj Lea [ and 20 at Freder- ick, April 28 to May 8 (Sarah Quinn). Nineteen were still present at Frederick on the late dates of May 26-30 (William Shirey), and 2 were identified at St. Michaels on June 17 by Harry Armistead's parents. Other Herons . Three Yellow- crowned Night Herons, the first for the Caroline County list, were discovered at Henderson on Apr. 4 ; this also September 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 81 Table 2. Spring Departure Dates, 19 66 Median County Species 10-yr . 1966 W.Md Balt Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Calv Kent Caro Talb Wore Common Loon __ 5/1-0 5/13 - 5/ 7 0 5/ 7 5/21 __ 5/19 0 __ 5/ 7 Whistling Swan 4/21 5/ 7 -- - 5/ 7 0 3/27 3/27 5/ 7 0 5/11 0 Canada Goose 4/30 5/ 5 4/18 3/19 6/ 4 5/ 3 5/ 7 5/ 7 Common Snipe 5/ 2 4/27 -- - 5/ 7 -- 4/17 5/ 1 V 3 5/ 7 4/ 8 4/23 5/15 Solitary Sandpiper -- __ 5/22 5/21 — 5/18 0 5/15 Black-tilled Cuckoo Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Blue Jay White -breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Winter Wren Hermit Thrush Swainson's Thrush Gray-cheeked Thrush 4/24 5/ 7 5/14 5/13 -- 5/~8 4/22 5/ 7 - 4/18 %/28 5/ 6 5/24 - “11 0 0 6/ 4 6/ 2 5/17 0 5/18 77 0 5/T5 5/ 7 5/ 7 5/ 7 5/ 7 4/ 4 5/ 7 - 5/7 4/ 9 5/ 7 5/15 - - 5/ 7 5/1Y 5/13 5/21 5/ 8 -- -- -- - - - -- -- - 5/ 4 3/19 5/ 7 -- 4/16 - 5/ 8 5/16 5/ 94/8 5/19 5/75/75/5 5/10 4/l6 5/15 5/ 7 4/26 4/1% 5/ 7 5/ 7 5/ 7 4/ 9 5/ 7 5/ 1 4/16 5/ 7 5/ 7 4/19 5/ 4 -- -- 4/17 -- 3/22 4/ 9 4/26 5/75/75/4 4/26 6/ 66/9 -- 0 5/ 8 4/26 -- 5/17 0 -- 6/ 5 5/ 7 4/21 -- 4/10 0 5/22 6/ 2 5/24 0 -- 5/26 5/14 0 5/21 - 5/ 7 0 0 0 § Veery 5/18 5/18 Golden -crowned Kinglet -- 4/21 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5/ 2 5/7 Cedar Waxwing -- 6/3 Golden-winged Warbler 0 37iS“ -- 4/21 4/21 -- 4/18 5/ 7 5/ f 5/ 75/75/2 5/12 5 / 7 4/19 5/ 4 6/ 3 - 6/ 6 6/ 1 6/ 5 5/ 7 - ' 0 5/15 -- 4/16 - 5/15 , 5/12 5/13 0 . 5/10 5/12 - 15/12 5/12 5/ 7 5/13 5/14 - 0 0 0 5/14 5/19 5/18 5/15 - - 5/23 5/18 5/31 5/ 7 - 5/18 - 5/14 5/14 5/14 - — 5/14 5/23 — 5/16 5/14 — 5/10 - 5/15 5/10 5/16 - 5/18 5/13 5/20 5/ 7 - 5/17 - 5/15 5/11 -- - — 5im 5/14 0 5/18 — 5/14 -- 5/20 -- - 77 - 5/20 5/23 5/14 - 5/21 - 5/15 5/13 5/16 -- -- -- 5/23 5/18 5/21 5/ S - 5/13 - 5/14 -- 5/18 5/20 5/15 0 5/23 5/i8 5/18 — 0 - 0 0 5/28 5/30 5/22 -- 6/ 2 5/25 5/30 6/ 6 5/30 0 5/30 — 5/15 - 5/ 5 05/75/75/5 -- 5/ 7 4/18 0 4/16 0 4/23 5/17 5/23 5/22 - 6/3 — 5/31 5/23 0 - 5/10 6/ 3 5/20 -- 5/22 - Cape May Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warb. Myrtle Warbler Black-thr. Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Chestnut -sided Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Palm Warbler Northern Waterthrush Mourning Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler American Redstart 5/20 5/23 3A5' 5/20 5/23 J/ie 5/ET 5/ 7 5/12 5/ 7 .?/ 7 0 - 5/15 0 0 0 0 0 6/30 0 5/14 -- -- 5/22 0 5/22 5/11 5/26 - 6/ 4 5/23 5/14 5/30 5/17 5/27 5/23 5/30 5/22 6/ 5 - 5/30 5/13 - 5/13 5/20 5/22 -- 77 - 5/14 5/75/75/75/5 - 5/ 7 4/19 - - 7 7 7 5/17 5/ 9 5/18 0 -5/75/p 5/15 5/ 7 5/20 5/ 7 5/10 5/75/7 05/7 5/23 4/24 - 5/75/7 5/12 5/ 7 5/10 5/22 4/22 5/75/7 -- 4/23 5/10 — 0 5/ 7 77 4/ 6 0 0 4/11 77 0 0 05/7 5/11 5/19 6/2 0 4/25 5/19 4/16 0 5 / 8 7 5/75/75/7 5/25 - 5/20 5/ 7 - 5/15 5/75/75/7 5/18 5/11 5/ 7 4/21 5/ 7 4/15 4/24 4/20 ■7 7 7, 7 47 77 7 22 s/a 5/ 1 s/a — 4/12 4/24 4/ 9 4/16 4/17 — 5/ 7 -- — 77 5/ 7 5/ 7 5/13 5/ 2 5/18 5/18 - -5 /ft- 5/15 Bobolink Rusty Blackbird Rose -breasted Grosbeak 5/12 Evening Grosbeak 5/ 6 , Purple Finch 5/ 3 5/ 7 House Finch Pine Siskin Savannah Sparrow Slate -colored Junco Wh it e -throated Sparrow Fox Sparrow Swamp Sparrow 5 / 6 5/ 1 5/14 VT 5/11 5/8 5/ 7 5/14 “ 5716 - 5/ 7 5/10 is the earliest date on file for the State (Marvin Hewitt). On Apr. 18 Glen Smart spotted an adult Little Blue Heron at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center near Laurel--an early date for this inland location. Glossy Ibis . Lhis species continues to increase on the Maryland coast, and we now expect small flocks to explore other parts of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont each spring. We were not disappointed in 1966. Four were at Bishop's Head, Dorchester County, May 6 (Armistead); 3 at Dover Bridge, Tanyard, May 5 , first record for Caroline County (W. Engle); 82 MARYLAND B 33® LIFE Vol. 22, No. 3 27 at Denton , May 11 (R. Dulin); 2 near Sandy Point, Anne Arundel County, May 1 (Harold Wierenga); 1 far inland at Lilypons, Frederick County, on May 21 (Marcia Lakeman and Marcia Nelson); a late flock of 7 flying over Kent County on June 8 (Arlene Delario); and a still later flock of 14 at Catonsville on June 9 (Stephen W. Simon). White Ibis . The greatest puzzle confronting M. 0. S. members at the Ocean City Convention was a white ibis that kept company with a flock of Glossy Ibis near the east end of the Assateague Island bridge. First discovered on May 7j this ibis was seen by more than 100 people on May 14-15 and by another group on May 22. Since the wingtips were dushy rather than jet black and the bill light pink rather than bright pink there was considerable debate as to whether it was an albino Glossy Ibis or an odd-plumaged one-year old White Ibis . Even color photographs taken through a telephoto lens on May 15 by Don Messer smith were inconclusive . Who would have believed so many people could be confused over two species that are so strikingly different- -one black, the other white! Fortunate- ly, the mystery bird was seen in company with a typical White Ibis on May 22 (Ray Teale, Ruth Strosnider and others), providing the second White Ibis record for Maryland. The first White Ibis occurred at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in 1961 and was photographed by Francis M. Uhler and Chandler S. Robbins on Aug. l4. Swans , Geese and Ducks . Two Mute Swans were seen at linchester in Caroline County as late as May 17 (Marvin W. Hewitt), and the first for Dorchester County was discovered at Secretary on May 6 (Armistead). Many observers were surprised to see a small flock of Whistling Swans at the east end of the Bay Bridge during all of May and the first half of June; the latest report at hand is of 8 individuals on June 17 (Robert W. Warfield). Armistead and Mary Mallam saw a Snow Goose, a Blue Goose and a male European Widgeon in Thlbot County as late as Apr. 17* On Apr. 18 Mrs. Robert Kaestner saw 2 White-fronted Geese on Prettyboy Reservoir--the latest spring record of a rare Maryland species. And Seal Brooks and Tom Talarcwski broke the State departure record for the Harle- quin Duck when they saw two females at Ocean City Inlet on May 7 - Mrs. Edward Mendinhall broke another State departure record when she observed a European Widgeon at her home near Chestertown on Apr . 20 . Rails . Nearly a score of campers and counselors at the Baltimore Chapter's Junior Nature Camp near Huntingtown (Camp Mohawk) in Calvert County were treated to a series of calls from a Black Rail on June 11. The bird was heard at dusk in the Patuxent marsh (Robbins, Garland, Clark); this is the first time in many years that this species has been found in the Patuxent marsh. John Terborgh's party counted 28 Piping Plovers along the Maryland coast on May 7 and. Mr. and Mrs. Iyman Bryan and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bohanan estimated 75 Willets there the same day. Shorebirds . On Apr . 21 Friel Sanders observed an American Oyster- catcher from her kitchen window at Churchville . This is a first not only for an M. 0. S. kitchen window, but for the Maryland portion of Chesa- peake Bay . She last saw it on April 2k . On Apr . 22 Harold Wierenga discovered a Ruff in a rain pool on a 10-acre lawn near the mouth of the September 19 66 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 83 South River in Anne Arundel County; he studied, the bird for 20 minutes at distances as close as 100 feet and submitted a whole page of notes on the bird's plumage and actions. This is only the third Maryland record. May 21 was a late departure date for 25 Purple Sandpipers at Ocean City (Edwin McKhight), and on May 29 Robert Warfield broke the State departure record for the Whimbrel when he noted several small flocks and then a flock of 55 flying north-northeast over West Ocean City. The next is hardly a spring record, but it was not received in time for the previous report . Mrs . Edward Mendinhall saw a lesser Yellowlegs at Damsite in Kent County on Jan. 21; this is the northernmost winter record for Chesapeake Bay. A Northern Phalarope was watched on May 14 and 15 by scores of M. 0. S. members as it alternately drifted with the tide in the Ocean City Inlet and flew back to its original position. Gulls and Terns . Another Black-headed Gull was added to the small number of Maryland observations of this species when B. D. Carrick found one at Ocean City on Apr. 30. In the out- of -place- tern department we have a Roseate at the Headquarters Pond at Blaekwater Refuge, well studied by Harry Armistead and Miss Mallam on April 30 and May 6, the first Maryland record away from the ocean; a Black Tern, the fourth re- cord for the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, on May 5 "by Elwood Martin; and a mid- summer Caspian Tern at Cambridge on June 26 (Armistead and Miss Mallam) . Cuckoos . Black-billed Cuckoos were scarce in migration and Yellow- bills were late in arriving — which is not unusual for them. Only five counties reported Yellow-bills in the first three weeks of May, but all except the two westernmost counties had them in June (Breeding Bird Sur- vey). They had arrived in most places by June 10. Owls . Seventy-five years ago the Long-eared Owl was a fairly common permanent resident in central Maryland, but now it is known only as a rare winter visitor and we sometimes go through a whole year without a single report from the State. Therefore, Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner's discovery of a Long-ear that remained at M. 0. S. headquarters at Cylburn Park in Baltimore City throughout the entire period is of special interest. Goatsuckers . David Bridge counted 36 Chuck-will 's-widows on Kent Island on May 7 __a most extraordinary tally for the very northern limit of the species' range. The Common Nighthawk is one of the few landbirds that is regularly seen in the hundreds during its fall migration, but is never seen here in large flocks in spring. Robert Warfield remarked that 22 birds, including a flock of 19, seen over his home at Germantown was the largest number ever reported from Maryland in one day during spring migration; the date was May 21. Flycatchers . A lone Eastern Kingbird arrived at Beltsville on Mar. 24, a full month ahead of schedule (Mrs. 0. F. Bodenstein); we suspect that this was a trans-Gulf migrant that kept on flying northward in a stream of maritime tropical air that preceded the arrival of a cold front in the morning of the 24th. The only earlier kingbird record for the State is a Mar. 10 observation from Gibson Island (1955)- The Breeding 84 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22, No. 3 Bird Survey showed that Traill's Flycatchers are slowly extending their range eastward through the Maryland Piedmont. Richard Banvard heard 2 near Unity in Montgomery County on June 23 . In Howard County, one was singing at Columbia on June 2 6 at the same place where one was heard last summer; another was singing on territory near Clarksville on June 7 and June 10 (Robbins). Both these birds as well as those recorded summering in adjacent Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore and Prince Georges Counties in previous summers are immigrants from the west rather than from the north, as all have been singing the western "fitz-bew" song. Bill Clark added a new Maryland county to the summer range of the drain's Fly- catcher when he identified one at EUcton, Cecil County, on a Breeding Bird Survey route on June 26 . Swallows. Bank Swallows, although formerly much more common as nesters in Maryland, now are restricted primarily to the shores of Chesapeake Bay. The main exception is the colony on the south side of US 50 about three miles west of the Bay Bridge. This summer a very small colony was discovered by Ted Stiles in a gravel pit near laurel; observers are urged to check other gravel pits for the possible nesting of Bank and Rough-winged Swallows and to report the number of swallow holes . The Bank Swallow is one of the few species of songbirds for which it would be feasible to obtain a close estimate of the entire nesting population within the State . Nuthatches, Creepers, Thrushes . Red-breasted Nuthatches remained with us later than usual. Eleven parties listed a total of 19 of them as late as May 7 on the Statewide Bird Count. One was at Ocean City on May 15, a new late record for the Eastern Shore, one at Stephen Simon's feeder at Monkton on May l 6 , and one at laurel on May 19 , the second- latest record for the State (Russell). Brown Creepers also stayed late, with 9 parties reporting a total of 15 on May 7 . The first Wood Thrush seen in Kent County this spring was a banded bird that returned to its summer home at Damsite on Apr. 21 (Mrs. Edward Mendinhall). Warblers . There was no shortage of warbler migrants this spring. All of the usual species were found, and most were recorded in at least average numbers. As a bonus, a Lawrence's hybrid was found on May 1 at Greensboro by Marvin Hewitt and seen later by Mrs. A. J. Fletcher and Mrs. Hewitt; this is the second record for Caroline County. The nesting Lawrence's failed to return to Catoctin this year. There was a Brewster's hybrid south of Elkton on May 7 (H. Ferguson and others). Four species of warblers reached an all-time high on the Statewide Bird Count, May 7: 103 Chestnut- sided, 20 Wilson's, 104 Canadas, and 4l3 American Redstarts. No migration date records were broken this spring, but a very late Canada Warbler was banded at Patuxent on June 4 (Robbins). Winter Finches . Several late stragglers from the winter finch in- vasion are worthy of mention: Evening Grosbeak at Marvin Hewitt's Greensboro feeder on May 23 (latest Eastern Shore record); Purple Finch at the David Howards' Annapolis feeder on May 22 (latest Coastal Plain record for Maryland); a male and female House Finch on May 7 at Lucille Smith ' s feeder at Travilah and a male at Mrs . Dwight Collmus ' Frederick September 1 966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 85 feeder on May 10 (latest Maryland records outside its limited breeding range at TcwsonJ; a Pine Siskin at the Howards' feeder in Annapolis on June 2 (latest migration record for Maryland); a pair of Red Crossbills at Towson on May 15 by James Emerson (latest record for Spring migrants); and 2 male White-winged Crossbills at Lake Roland, Baltimore, on the extraordinary date of May 17 by the Rev. Wilfrid W. Ward (the latest previous date for Maryland is Apr. 27 ). U.S . Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel ★ THE MAINE AUDUBON CAMP Katharine G. Gelder % first impression of the Maine Audubon Camp was the varied assemblage of campers. Ages ranged from 18 to 70* Occupations ran from accountant to public relations, housewife, teacher, and museum curator. Birding knowledge and experience also varied greatly and was by no means a prerequisite for enjoyment of the camp. Campers were united by a common interest in nature and its preservation for study and the benefit and enjoyment of mankind. A few campers came on scholarships from bird clubs and garden clubs (such as the one of which I am most appreciative - the Helen B. Miller Audubon Camp Scholarship), but most paid their way for an experience unique in camping. The staff consisted of the director, plant, animal and marine life instructors, several bird leaders, a nurse, cooks, student assistants, and various wives and families. The student assistants are carefully chosen boys of high school and early college age who have displayed considerable interest in the natural sciences. They perform the many necessary chores around camp and in return may accompany any group in their spare time . While we were divided into plant, animal, and marine life groups according to our preferences, the areas happily overlap and all groups are treated to the bird trips - some by land and some by sea. For myself I was most pleased with the warblers - the Parula nesting in the usnea moss, the Yellow Warbler resembling a golden star on the top of small spruces, the Magnolia, the Chestnut- sided, the Bay-breasted, and many others which the better birders identified by ear as well as sight. The Wilson's Petrel was sighted skimming the waters of the outer bay (which is one of its wintering areas) and the leach's Petrel was tracked to its burrow under a rock by the peculiar oily odor of the orange fluid it emits. Being an easy prey of the larger gulls, it flies only at night and returns to its burrow by day. On boat trips to islands we also enjoyed seeing Common and Arctic Terns, guillimots, eider, cormorants. Osprey, and many of their nests, and seals. On one island the Double- crested Cormorants nested in trees looking like clumsy Turkey Vultures. The richness of their guano, though, is killing off the trees and eventu- ally they will have to settle for a rocky nest or move to a new site. MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22, No. 3 Land trips traversed deciduous and coniferous woods , open fields and settled areas, and circumvented fresh and salt water marshes - each a separate microcosm containing its own particular forms of life . Some plants and animals can exist under a wide variety of conditions while others demand a peculiar combination for survival. An example of this is the luminous moss ( Schistoga osmundacea ) which can be found in only about a dozen spots in North America, one of which is near Muscongus Bay. Under an angled boulder shielded from direct sun light grows a dull green film barely noticable under the damp earth . Move a few steps and the faceted cell structure suddenly reflects a brilliant lime- colored glow. Whether our outings took us calf deep in mud in a salt water marsh at low tide or scalp high in mosquitoes in a spruce forest or in a fresh water marsh, we observed the life around us in each microcosm. We learned to be aware of the "food- chain", that is, which animal eats which other animals, which eats plants, which manufactures food from chemicals and the energy from the sun. We learned how plant life progresses from lichens to gigantic trees all the while changing the face of the earth by disintegrating rocks and adding their own matter to produce rich soil. And as the plant life changes in an area, we learned to notice the related change in animal life. The point stressed over and over at camp was the dependence of one form of life upon another up to and including man. Man's very existence upon this earth depends upon his wise use of all life and matter which he has found here. Conservation is not just saving , but the wise use of our earth and its bounty. R. D. $ 2 , Havre de Grace * THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE V. Edwin Unger It is a privilege to be able to announce to the membership the creation of another Audubon Camp scholarship, made possible by funds provided by Miss Marcia Iakeman of the Montgomery Chapter, to be called the Katharyn Brown Lakeman Scholarship in honor of the donor's mother. This scholarship is specifically for the year 1967, but Miss Iakeman has expressed the hope of repeating the grant in 1968. I quote the donor's wishes that the scholarship be awarded to "some person interested In helping young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors (teachers of nature study, or those involved in the scouting movement, or similar outdoor- oriented activities)." She suggests that the award should go to an applicant in need of the financial assistance which the award provides . Her final suggestion is that whereas the award covers a two-week board, lodging and tuition fee, it might alternately provide the same for one week for a married couple if there be such applicants . The Executive Council, on July 9th gratefully accepted the offer of this scholarship, noting that the donor's wishes conform to the stipu- lations which apply to the Helen Miller Scholarship. It follows that any September 1 966 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE 87 applicant sponsored by any member or any chapter is then an applicant for either of our two scholarships ■ The central idea behind these scholarships is that, by extension, they -will convey to a great number of youngsters a knowledge and a love of nature, together with an awareness for the need to conserve our resources and to protect our wildlife. I feel, therefore, that these scholarships constitute one of the most important things we are doing and I urge each chapter to survey its community to find a worthy applicant. Chapter Presidents may find it wise to let one of the monthly meetings be centered around a program calculated to induce some qualified person to apply for a scholarship. Invite to such meeting any and all persons who could qualify. Ask other organizations to suggest possible applicants. At this meeting, you might have an "alumnus" (listed below) to report on his or her experience at the Camp. Also, the Audubon Society will furnish for a nominal charge of two dollars, a set of colored slides with accompanying script; write, Photo & Film Dept., Audubon House, 1130 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. 10028). Letters of application should be directed to me and must be received before February 10, 1967 * The applicant's letter should state, at least in a general way, how he or she hopes to make use of the information and techniques acquired at the Camp. It should also name the sponsoring member or Chapter. A letter from the sponsor would be useful to the Trustees when the winning candidates are to be chosen. We of M. 0. S. are grateful to Marcia Iakeman for making another scholarship possible . Let us make the most of our good fortune and of our opportunity to spread further an appreciation of nature and the gospel of conservation. Federalsburg List of Helen Miller Scholarship winners: 1959 Nancy Dulaney Rowe (Mrs. Joshua W. ) Box 348, Glen Arm Road, Glen Arm, Md. 21057 1 960 Miss Pan Mihke - now with Peace Corps, stationed in Tanzania, Africa 1961 Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor, 75 Broadway; Frostburg, Md. 21532 1962 Jan Reese, Box 213, Tilghman, Md. 21671 1963 Mel Garland, 38 Burke Ave., Towson, Md. 21204 1964 Mrs. Vagn Flyger, Rte. 2, Box 393 , Arnold, Md. 21012 1965 Mrs. Daniel Ravesies, 1523 Pentridge Road, Baltimore 21212 Mrs. Stanley Wilson, P. 0. Box 4, Betterton, Md. 2l6l0 1966 Mrs. Katharine G. Gelder, R. D. 2, Havre de Grace, Md. 21078 The following reports have appeared in MARYLAND BIRD LIFE : Sept. 1959, page 75 "A Day at Audubon Camp of Maine" Sept, i 960 , page 64 "Experiences at the Audubon Camp of Wisconsin" March 1962 , page 5 "% Week at the Audubon Camp of Connecticut" Dec. 1963 , page 91 "Audubon Nature Camp in Maine" Dec. 1984, page 108 "Report of Audubon Nature Camp, Maine, 1964" 88 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22 No. 3 MARYLAND'S PART IN THE 1966 BREEDING BIRD SURVEY Willet T. Van Velzen During the summer of 1966, members of the Maryland Ornithological Society and the Delmarva Ornithological Society joined with a legion of other observers throughout 2 6 eastern states and 4 Canadian provinces to carry out a Breeding Bird Survey similar to the one initiated in Maryland and Delaware last year. This year's enterprise recorded a grand total of over one -half million birds . The techniques for this year's survey were the same previously de- scribed by C. S. Robbins in the June (21:48-49) and September ( 21 : 73-79) > 1965 issues of Maryland Birdlife . This year complete reports were re- ceived from all but one of the 50 Maryland routes and all of the 10 Delaware routes that were covered last season. The total for all 30 states and provinces in 1966 was 585 routes. The results of the survey were again put on punch cards so that the two years ' data can be com- pared and also combined with data from the additional states covered this year. The total number of birds recorded for 49 Maryland routes during the current season was 53 > 26 l compared with 50>373 on 50 routes in 1965 . This represents an average increase -of 80 birds per route over the 1007 individuals per route recorded last year. Although the number of species recorded per route averaged 57, two more than the previous year, the total number of species recorded within the state was only 146, or 7 fewer than the 153 species recorded in 1965 . The list of species recorded in 1965 , but not in 1966 , includes: Little Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Marsh Hawk, King Rail, Bora, Least Tern, Spotted Sandpiper, Blackpoll Warbler (a late transient) and Northern Waterthrush. Species recorded in 1966 but not on the previous year's survey were: Black-crowned Night Heron, American Bittern, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagle, Forster's Tern, Rock Dove (not requested in 1965 ), Screech Owl, Dickcissel and Sharp -tailed Sparrow. The list of the 10 most conspicuous birds recorded in Maryland is quite similar to that reported last year, the only basic difference being that the Mourning Dove replaced the Barn Swallow for position num- ber ten. It is interesting to compare this list with that of the 10 most conspicuous birds recorded for the entire area covered in the Survey, and to notice the percentage of the routes upon which each of these species was observed. As was cautioned last year these figures do not represent actual abundance but rather the relative conspicuousness of each species. The species composition of the two lists in Table 1 is nearly the same, the only exception being that the Eastern Meadowlark replaces the Mockingbird over the larger area sampled. In addition to species shown in the table, the Barn Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Wood Thrush, Indigo Bunting, Chipping Sparrow and Field Sparrow were recorded on every route run in Maryland. Reports for the 35 Maryland and Delaware routes that were done September 19 66 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE §9 Table 1. Ten Most Conspicuous Breeding Bird Species, 1966 Maryland All Eastern States Combined Av . Indiv . $ of Av. Indiv. $ of Species per Route Routes Species per Route Routes Common Grackle 177 100 Common Grackle 85 98 Starling 116 100 Starling 83 97 House Sparrow 104 ■ 100 House Sparrow 82 94 Red -winged Blackbird 71 100 Red -winged Blackbird 80 99 Bobwhite 48 94 Robin 35 88 Robin 46 100 Common Crow 28 99 Common Crow 34 100 Bobwhite 25 68 Mockingbird 30 96 E. Meadowlark 23 89 Cardinal 29 100 Cardinal 22 79 Mourning Dove 25 98 Mourning Dove 21 87 by the same observer in both 1965 and 1966 were examined to determine whether populations of any species had changed appreciably from one year to the next. By using only these routes covered by the same observers for the comparisons, any observer bias is eliminated. For most species no change was evident. Those species that appeared to have significant changes were statistically analyzed. An analysis of variance showed a highly significant increase for the Bobwhite and a significant increase for the Downy Woodpecker. On the other hand, a highly significant decrease was shown for the Eastern Meadowlark and a significant decrease for the Eastern Bluebird. Increases were suspected for the Mourning Dove, Wood Thrush and Common Grackle and decreases were suspected for the Barn Swallow and Carolina Wren; but, owing to the higher variability between routes, the changes were not statistically significant. The means for the species for both years and the percentage change are shown in Table 2. Table 2. Comparison of 1965 and 1966 Populations of Selected Species Mean No. of Birds Per Route 1965 1966 $ Change Bobwhite 47.09 53*79 +14$** Mourning Dove 20.74 23.94 +15$ Downy Woodpecker 2.4l 3.69 +53$* Barn Swallow 18.60 16.63 -11$ Carolina Wren 4.55 3-97 -13$ Wood Thrush 16.91 18.94 +12$ Eastern Bluebird 2.64 1.45 -45$* Eastern Meadowlark 18.89 13-46 -29$** Common Grackle 144.26 167.09 +16$ ^Significant at 9 5% confidence level. **Highly significant at 9 9$ confidence level. 90 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 22 No. 3 The 1966 Survey data for many species were printed from the punch cards directly onto special maps to show the distribution and abundance of species of particular interest. The individual totals for each route were printed on the map at the geographical position of the starting point. Figures 1 through 5 show the northern limits of the breeding range for the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Carolina Chicka- dee, Prothonotary Warbler and Blue Grosbeak, based on data collected by the Survey. Figures 3 and 6 show the southern limits of the breeding range of the Black-capped Chickadee and Song Sparrow. These particular maps are not designed to show relative abundance, but rather to demon- strate the position of Maryland with respect to the breeding ranges of these birds. Several other species such as the Carolina Wren, Yellow- throated Warbler, Kentucky Warbler and Hooded Warbler show a similar pattern in the northern limits of their ranges, and the Warbling Vireo and Veer y in their southern limits. It should be kept in mind, when examining these maps, that the shaded areas do not show the exact limits of the breeding range for a particular species but simply show the areas where that species was sufficiently widespread to be detected on the random Survey routes. The Red-bellied Woodpecker's range (Figure l) along the Atlantic coast barely extends beyond the northern boundary of Maryland; however, west of the Appalachians its range extends well north of this latitude into Wisconsin and Michigan. The Acadian Flycatcher's range (Figure 2) closely approximates that of the above species although it is much more spotty in its distribution throughout the states south of Maryland. This distribution probably re- flects the irregular distribution of suitable habitat. Breeding ranges of both the Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees (Figure 3) terminate near the northern border of Maryland except for a southward extension of the Black-capped Chickadee along the Appalachians. During some winters, influxes of the Black-capped Chickadee push south into central and eastern Maryland. Although the Prothonotary Warbler (Figure 4) breeds locally at latitudes much farther north than Maryland ( i.e . , into Michigan) it was not recorded on the survey beyond the northern border of our State. As can be seen on the range map, the distribution appears quite spotty and avoids the Appalachian mountain region, following the coastline and in- terior river systems. The range of the Blue Grosbeak (Figure 5 ) is restricted mainly to the Coastal Plain and Piedmont in Maryland, although it extends well into the Appalachians in the south. As will be noted on the map, this species was not recorded beyond the extreme southeastern corner of Pennsylvania. Although the Song Sparrow (Figure 6) is widespread throughout the states north of Maryland, it is interesting to note how rapidly the species disappears as one progresses southward. Recent literature. September 1 966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 91 Figure 1 Red -Be Hied Woodpecker Figure 2 Acadian Flycatcher Black -capped and Carolina Chickadee 92 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22 No. 3 however, shows that this species is now extending its range into central North Carolina (Sykes, Chat 30(2): 39-^2, 1966). Maryland and Delaware observers are playing a major role in improv- ing the techniques of the Survey. By running certain "check routes" in addition to the regular route(s), they are contributing valuable infor- mation on the effects of the major variable factors that affect the results of the Survey: differences in acuity of observers, effects of weather conditions on numbers of birds recorded, and amount of day-to- day variation. By having many different trips along a single check route we were able to demonstrate the advantage of covering many routes once, rather than striving for very intensive coverage of a small number of routes. The comparison of 10 paired counts of Blue Jays on the Beltsville (P-l) Route, showed that this species had experienced a statistically signifi- cant decrease along that route since last year. However, when figures for the entire State are examined, they show that the Beltsville decline was a local one and was not representative of the State as a whole. The combined data for 3^ trips made on the Beltsville route show a- sharp increase in the numbers of Downy Woodpeckers recorded as the season progresses. It is apparent that as the young leave the nest, the species becomes more vocal and, thus, is recorded in greater numbers. It is very important to recognize temporal bias of this type and to correct for it in the analysis of Survey material. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following 2k indivi- duals who covered one or more routes in Maryland or Delaware and, in addition, ran a check route. An asterisk (*) following the observer's name signifies that the person completed the same routes for the second consecutive season: R. Glenn Austin*, Richard A. Banvard*, David Bridge*, Paul G. Bystrak*, William S. Clark, W. Russell DeGarmo*, Margaret T. Donnald, Frederick W. Fallon, A. J. Fletcher, Roberta B. Fletcher*, Marcia Lakeman*, John T. Linehan*, Peter P.. McLaughlin*, E. T. McKnight, J. William Oberman*, Chandler S. Robbins*, William C. Russell, Edward J. Rykiel, Jr., Carol E. Scudder*, William N. Shirey*, William J. L. S laden*, Karl Stecher, Jr.*, Ted Stiles and Willet T. Van Velzen*. In addition, the following 8 individuals ran one or two Survey routes each but did not also run a check route this year: C. Edward Addy, Danny R. Bystrak, Samuel H. Dyke*, Hank Kaestner, III*, Richard_ L. Kleen*, Donald Merit!*, Donald H. Messersmith, Edgar W. Reynolds* and Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor. The following 28 individuals assisted as recorders, drivers, etc., for the 1966 Survey: Bill Anderson, T. J. Banvard, Danny R. Bystrak, Arlene Delario, Morrill B. Donnald, Richard Douglass, Gerald Elgert, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Kirsten Flyger, John Getgood, Peter Kaestner, Betty Linehan, Jerry R. Longcore, Asenath McKnight, Ted McSorley, Dorothy A. Mendinhall, E. Pat Monaghan, Charles Mullican, Marcia Nelson, Alpha Reynolds, Leslie Sehunick, Carol Scudder, Percy Scudder, Ted Stiles, Joan Stiles, Mrs. H. E. Stiles, Pat Straat, and Robert C. Wood. Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel September 19 66 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE 93 Blue Grosbeak Figure 6 Song Sparrow MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22 No. 3 94 MARYLAND'S SECOND LARK BUNTING Roberta B. Fletcher On August l8, 1966 ; I found a very unusual bird in one of our band- ing nets. Our two nets are set up in an old peach orchard planted to perennial rye grass and Korean Lespedeza. The small orchard is about 30 feet from our house. The bird looked very much like an immature Purple Finch but had a large white wing patch. Unwilling to make the identification alone, I called Essie Pepper to help me. After reading several references, we decided the description of the Lark Bunting ( Calamospiza melanocorys ) fitted the bird which I had caught. The large white wing patch and the white spots on the tail feathers (except the two center feathers) were the outstanding characteristics. The bird measured 6 3/16 inches with a wing measurement of 8l mm. Pictures were taken by several persons. Although I had seen Lark Buntings in western Kansas, I never ex- pected to see one at Denton, Maryland, or to hold one in my hand. The only previous Maryland record for this common breeding species of the Great Plains was obtained on July 10, 1958, when Brooke Meanley, Robert Mitchell and John Webb collected an adult male in breeding plumage at Taylors Island in Dorchester County ( Maryland Birdlife lh(3): 59)* Route 1, Box 201, Denton COMING * EVENTS Not. 12 12 13 1 ? 18 20 20 22 30 BALTIMORE FREDERICK KENT MONTGOMERY TALBOT ANNE ARUNDEL and MONTGOMERY BALTIMORE PATUXENT ALLEGANY Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel. Field trip. Fish ponds and Thurmont area. Leave Frederick Band Shell, Baker Park, W. 2nd Street, 7:30 A. K. Field trip to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge . Monthly meeting Monthly meeting, 8 P. M. , Easton Library Joint walk - Sandy Point and Kent Island. Meet at entrance to Sandy Point Park 8:00 A. M. Co-ordinator: Alta Gras (263-^708) Prettyboy Lake area and "Possum Cove 1 ’ . 8 A. M. Monthly meeting 7:^5 P. M. St. Philip's Parish House, Laurel.. Dinner meeting at Shrine Country Club. Speaker, Mr. Anderson J. Martin: "Terns of the Dry Tortugas". September 1966 MARYLAND RTKELT7R Dec. 1 FREDERICK 2 ANNE ARUNDEL 2 BALTIMORE 4 RALTIMORE 7 KENT 9-12 BALTIMORE 10 FREDERICK 15 MONTGOMERY mi Jan, 4 KENT 5 FREDERICK ? BALTIMORE 13 ANNE ARUNDEL 22 BALTIMORE Dinner meeting. Illustrated lecture by Mel Garland, "Birds of Prey 1 '. Monthly meeting Si 00 P. M. at Assembly Room of New State Office Bldg. Speakers Mr. Michael Sorenson, "Waterfowl Identification, Behavior, and Habitat". Monthly meeting, 8 P. M. , Pratt Library. Speakers Mr. Chandler S. Robbins, "Birding Around England". Sandy Point and Kent Island for winter residents. Snow buntings, homed larks, waterfowl. Leaders s Mr. & Mrs. Mac Plant. Please do not enter gate before leaders 8s 15 a. m. Monthly meeting Nags Head, N, C. Reservations at least three weeks in advance with leaders, Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Thomas (823-1132) Field trip 7:30 A. M. to new Greenbrier State Park, Route 40 West. Monthly meeting Monthly meeting Monthly meeting 7*30 P. M. Speakers C & 0 National Monument Park Ranger, William Clark. Film: "Potomac Concept". Sandy Point and Prof, & Mrs. Howard's Bird Sanctuary in Annapolis. Snow postponement date, Jan. 14. Monthly meeting 8 P. M. at Anne Arundel County Library. Speakers Mr, Francis Williamson. Illustrated lecture "Major Biological Features of Alaska". Covered- Dish Supper and monthly meeting at Cylburn 5:00 p, M, "Vacation Experiences" by members. Reservations by Jan. 16th with Mrs. Nicholas Kay (VA3-1533). ★ CHRISTMAS COUNT DATES ★ Dec. 24 Denton. 26 Triadelphia. 27 So. Dorchester. 28 Ocean City. 28 Allegany Co . 29 Chincoteague , 31 Catoctin, Jan. 1 Lower Kent Co. 1 St. Michaels. 2 Annapolis. 2 Rock Run. 2 Seneca. A. J. Fletcher, Rt. 1, Box 201, Denton W. T. Van Velzen, Box 74, Bowie PR 6-6760 C. S. Robbins, Migr. Bird Pop, Sta., Laurel C. S. Robbins, Migr. Bird Pop, Sta., Laurel Anderson J. Martin, 826 Windsor Rd. , Cumberland Va„ F. R. Scott, 115 Kemondale, Richmond 26, Va, Dr, John W. Richards, Emmitsburg HI 7-4006 Dr. D, Z. Gibson, Washington College, Chestertown Richard L. Kleen, St, Michaels RI 5-4821 Capt. J. E. M. Wood, Old Crossing Lane, Annapolis Gordon Hackman, Lilac Lane, Perry Hall ED 5-4437 David Bridge, 12- A Plateau FI, , Greenbelt and Carl W, Carlson, 5706 Lone Oak Dr. , Bethesda 26. MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 2a. No. 3 JUNIOR PROGRAM BALTIMORE Bird walks and natural science talks for young people sponsored by the Baltimore Chapter will be held at Cylbum Park on the following dates: Nov. 19 Dec. 3 Dec. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. 17 14 28 11 25 Bird walk, 8 A.M. Nature talk, 9 A.M. "Natural History of Madagascar" by Dr. Edwin Gould Bird walk, 8 A.M. Nature talk, 9 A.M. "Iceland and its Birds" by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Lubbert Bird walk. Decorating the birds’ 8 A.M. Nature talk, 9 8 A.M. 8 A.M. 8 A.M. Bird walk. Bird walk, Bird walk, Bird walk, Hassett Wild pet show, Nature talk, 9 A.M. Nature talk, 9 A.M. Christmas tree, 8 A.M. A.M. 9 A.M, "Bees" by Dr. Charles CONTENTS . SEPTEMBER 1966 Maryland Nest Summary for 1965 and 10-Year Recapitulation The Season— April, May, June, 1966 The Maine Audubon Camp The President's Page Maryland’s Part in the 1966 Breeding Bird Survey Maryland's Second Lark Bunting Coining Events Willet T. Van Velzen Chandler S. Robbins Katharine G. Gelder V. Edwin Unger Willet T. Van Velzen Roberta B. Fletcher 71 77 94 94 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage and Study the Birds in Maryland Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel Asst. Editor: Mel Garland, 36 Burke Ave. , Tcwson, Md. 21204 Editorial Board: C. Douglas Hackman, Vernon Kleen, Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Production : Ethel Cobb, Gladys Cole, Mildred Cole, Mel Garland, Ceil Nalley, Ed Rykiel, Ted Van Velzen. JJ-astinqd - ifV]i iramar $6 Ocean City, Maryland On the Boardwalk — Open All Year 90 ROOMS, 60 WITH BATH Phone: Ocean City : Atlantic 9-7417 EXCELLENT MEALS 30 BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS PARKING SPACE SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDERS 88&S?