- 'Bullet in of ike ^Maryland Ornithological Society

2101 Bolton Street, Baltimore ij, JBarij LanD

Volume VIII

Numbers 4-5

THE

MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

2101 Bolton Street, Baltimore 17, Md.

State President:

Chandler S. Robbins, Laurel, Md.

State Secretary:

Orville W. Crowder, Chase, Md.

State Treasurer:

Miss Louise A. Weagly, Middletown, Md.

Vice Presidents:

H. C. Helneman, Dr. R. S. Stauffer, Miss Sarah

E. Quinn, Ralph Peakes, A. J. Fletcher, W.
Bryant Tyrrell

LOCAL UNITS:

Allegany County Bird Club Baltimore Club of M. 0. S.

Washington County Bird Club Harford County Bird Club

Frederick Branch, M. 0. S. Caroline County Bird Club

Takoma Park Nature Society

CONTENTS
September - December 1952

Summary of Maryland Nest Records, 1951 35

Edwin Willis

THE SEASON: September, October, November, December, 1951 44

Chandler S. Robbins

Catbirds Nesting High In Trees 4 8

Hervey Brackbill

COVER: Killdeer Hatching, Middle River

by Charles J. Cignatta
HEADINGS: Irving E. Hampe

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Published Bi-Monthly except July-August by the Maryland
Ornithological Society, to Record and Encourage the Study
of Birds In Maryland.

Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Refuge, Laurel, Md.

Art Editor: Irving E. Hampe

Production: M. Catherine Crone, Orville Crowder, J. L. Gerry

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Huhlisked bi ■monthly except ^uly-Ofuyutt hy the

^Maryland Orniikoloyica.1 Society
atoi “Holton Street, Haiti mo re tj, ^Maryland

Volume 8

September - December, 1952

Numbers 4-5

SUMMARY OF MARYLAND NEST RECORDS , 1951
Edwin Willis

The nesting season is probably the most interesting season of the
birding year. At no other time are birds so tame and easily observed
as when they are at the nest* some incubating birds, such as the Blue-
headed Vireo, will occasionally allow one to touch them. In this
little -explored field, each person who determines the incubation or
nesting period of a species experiences the thrill of the pioneer; and
it may be that you in finding and observing a nest will discover facts
new to science. Observations of the home-life of birds, of their
courtship and pairing, and of their devotion to eggs and young, always
provide a host of pleasant experiences.

Finding a nest is usually simple. Perhaps the first sign of the
presence of a nest will be the male proclaiming his territory with
loud songs from a conspicuous perch. Or perhaps a pair, nervous at
one's presence, will give away a nest. There is very likely to be a
nest if one adult or the other, especially the female, calls con-
stantly or is carrying food or nesting material. At this stage, it
helps very much to know the general location of a typical nest; the
Audubon Bird Guide and Audubon Water Bird Guide (Pough and Eckelberry)
are good references. If one retires some distance away or hides
nearby, one of the pair may go to the nest; "rushing" the site may
flush the adult from the nest. Occasionally, the calls of young birds
may draw one's attention to the dark shape in the foliage or the lit-
tle hollow in the ground which serves as a nest.

So far, 48 of the 176 species which have been recorded nesting in
Maryland in past years have not been reported in these nesting summa-
ries (1949-1951). Some of these, such as the Green Heron, Broad-
winged Hawk, Whip-poor-will, Nighthawk, Fish Crow, Black and White
Warbler, Pine Warbler, and Eastern Meadowlark, certainly afford good
opportunities for alert observers. For birders who wish to add to the
above 176 species, there are such nests as those of the Wild Turkey,
Ring-necked Pheasant, Alder Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush, and Mourning
Warbler to look for. Be sure to report all nests which you find on
the Society's nest cards or by letter.

36

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Volume .8, nos. 4-5

Ninety-nine of the 176 species were reported in 1951* selected
notes on these species follow. Underscored dates or localities indi-
cate exceptionally early or late records, or first records for a
county,

PIED-BILLED GREBE - One young seen on Lake Roland June 15
(Charles Buchanan).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON - Nesting colony at Blackwater Refuge
(W. S. Webster).

LEAST BITTERN - Three Strawberry Point nests (Willis) with 2, 4,
and 3 eggs. Eggs in nests, May 27 -June 30; young left on June 24,

July 1, July 10. Incubation 18-20 days, young in nest 9-12 days.

MALLARD - Eleven eggs in Middle River nest, May 5-7, destroyed
(Willis). Six young at Forest Glen, Montgomery Co., May 30 (F. C.

Cross ).

WOOD DUCK - Two broods with a female (25 birds in all) at Lake
Roland, July 4 (Pearl Heaps, Alice Kaestner). At Patuxent Refuge, 10
incubating hens (one brood each) produced 116 ducklings; first egg
laid Mar. 10; young hatched about. May 2 to June 25 (Clark G. Webster).

TURKEY VULTURE - Nest under brush-pile at edge of woods in
Greensboro had 2 eggs by May 1, 2 young in nest, May 27-June 9 (Marvin
Hewitt).

RED-TAILED HAWK - Immature seen at Greensboro, July 17 (Hewitt).

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK - Building, 35 feet up in oak tree, Apr. 14,
at White Marsh (Douglas Hackman).

BALD EAGLE - Adult near Greensboro nest 80 feet up in pine,

Apr. 6-18 (A. J. and R. B. Fletcher). Young in nest at Gunpowder Neck,
Apr . 6 ( ImhoiL ) ,

OSPREY - Two nests. Five young banded in ground nest on island
off South Point, Worcester Co., July 7 (J. H. Buckalew),

RUFFED GROUSE- - Female flew off new nest by Wolf Swamp, May 30;
later deserted (C. S. Robbins).

BOB-WHITE - Seven chicks with female. Middle River, Aug. 19
(Willis). Five late young with pair at Gibson Is., Oct. 20 ( Abbot ts).

CLAPPER RAIL - Eight eggs in Robins Marsh nest, July 20 (R. E.
Stewart).

AM. OYSTER-CATCHER - Young barely able to fly banded on July 3
and a larger young banded on July 12, island off South Point (Buckalew,
Stewart).

KILIDEER - Six nests reported, each with 4 eggs, as early as
Apr. 10 (Willis) and as late as July 15 — second-brood nest (Denton,
Fletchers). Young hatched early morning of June 2 at Frederick
(Martha K. Slemmer).

WOODCOCK - Small young at Middle River, Apr. 27 (Willis).

UPLAND PLOVER - Egg broken by mowing machine found at Worthington
Valley, Baltimore Co., June 3 (M.O.S, trip).

Sept. - Dec., 1952

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

37

SPOTTED SANDPIPER - Two young, one egg in Strawberry Point nest,
June 24 (Willis).

LAUGHING GULL - Eleven nests with 1 to 3 eggs each in Robins
Marsh, Worcester Co., July 11 (Buckalew, Stewart). Second Maryland
nest record,

GULL-BILLED TERN - Twenty-five pairs on islands off South point
and 3 pairs on Sinepuxent islands, a large increase. Sixteen young
banded July 12, and two nests with 3 eggs each found (Buckalew,
Stewart).

FORSTER'S TERN - 713 nests in Robins Marsh, July 11, 496 with
eggs (61 with 1, 173 with 2, 262 with 3); 143 young banded nearby.

Some late nests with eggs, July 20, when 110 young were banded (Bucka-
lew, Stewart).

COMMON TERN - 340 young banded off South Point and 135 on Sine-
puxent islands, July 12; 100 or more nests with eggs. 202 young
banded, July 20, off South Point (Buckalew, Stewart).

LEAST TERN - Fifteen nests with eggs, July 20, 9 young banded on
July 12 at Ocean- City (Buckalew, Stewart).

BLACK SKIMMER - 153 young banded off South Point and 119 on Sine-
puxent islands, July 12. Late nest with eggs, July 20, at Ocean City
(Buckalew, Stewart, Clark Webster). ~

MOURNING DOVE - Ten nests reported. Two eggs in Unity nest,

Apr. 4 (Tommy Low) and 2 in White Marsh nest, Aug. 30 (Hackman); two
young left Baltimore nest. Sept. 6 and 8 (Lena Picker). Young in one
Middle River nest 17 days.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO - Six nests. Three eggs in Garrett County
nest, June 17 (M.O.S. trip). Two eggs in White Marsh nest Aug. 28
(Hackman) and two young, 1 egg- in late Middle River nest. Sept. 13-16
(Willis ) .

BARN OWL - First young hatched in Blackwater Refuge tower, Apr. 13
(W. Steele Webster).

BARRED OWL - Two young in nest 15 feet up in oak stub, Apr. 28-
May 14 at White Marsh (Hackman).

SAW-WHET OWL - One young in partial juvenile plumage in Wolf
Swamp, Garrett Co., June 16 (Robbins, M.O.S. ); adult seen there in May;
second Maryland record of young birds.

CHIMNEY SWIFT - Five nests. . Adults broke twigs off trees.

May 20-June 16 (Willis). Young in Patuxent Refuge nests July 27-
Aug. 10 (Robbins).

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - Two eggs in Bittinger nest, June 16
(M.O.S. trip) and young in Choptank River nest, Aug. 1 (Hewitt).

FLICKER - Five nests. Building at Middle River, Apr. 15-May 13,
young out of nest, June 10 and July 17. Nest heights, 10 feet 7 inches
to 38 feet.

38

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 6, nos. 4-5

PILEATED WOODPECKER - Large young in nest 25 feet up in dead
cherry, June 15, Garrett County above Gorman (Robbins).

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER - Pair courting in Baltimore, May 24, at
new nest hole in maple (Pearl Heaps, Alice Kaestner). Parents fed 3
young out of Leakin Park nest, July 17 (Brandenburg).

HAIRY WOODPECKER - Young in nest at Patuxent Refuge, May 21, and
on Backbone Mountain above Gorman, May 31 (Robbins, Stewart).

DOWNY WOODPECKER - Young in Middle River nest. May 31-June 5
(Willis) .

EASTERN KINGBIRD - Building at White Marsh, May 25, and incubat-
ing June 2 (Hackman). Two young out of nest at Patapsco Flats,

June 15 (Brandenburg). Last young left on July 15 at Middle River
(Willis). Seven nests, 10-54 feet up; median, 30 feet.

CRESTED FLYCATCHER - Three newspaper-box nests. Building May 26
and June 18 near Baltimore (Duvall Jones). Three young in Berwyn nest,
Aug, 4 (Dr. J. S. Cooley). Young fed in Denton nest box, June 25
(Fletchers).

EASTERN PHOEBE - Seven nests. Building, Apr. 21, Middle River
(Willis). Two young in Patuxent Refuge nest, July 13 (Stewart), built
May 4-10, had young June 2 and 3. Two N.W. Baltimore nests.

LEAST FLYCATCHER - Nest in crotch of sapling at Lake Roland (A. A.
Brandenburg, Alice Kaestner).

EASTERN WOOD PEWEE - Building, May 30 (Willis). Young of one
brood out about July 26, and young fell from second brood nest 40 feet
away, Sept. 16; it was still on ground below, half -feat he red and fed
by adult. Sept. 19, Middle River (Willis), Late young fed at Denton,
Oct. 1 (Fletchers). Heights of 7 nests, 15 to 49 feet, median 20 feet.

HORNED LARK - Three nests. Three eggs at Middle River hatched on
Mar. 25 (destroyed by Apr, 5 — Willis); -four eggs Apr. 13. Several
young in later nest between tire ruts of road (0. W. Crowder).

TREE SWALLOW - Two nests on Gunpowder Neck (T. A. Imhof).

BANK SWALLOW - About 50 nests in gravel pits at White Marsh
May 30-June 5 (Hackman).

ROUGH-WIN GED SWALLOW - Building, May 1 (Denton, Fletchers) and
June 9 (Greensboro, Marvin Hewitt),

BARN SWALLOW - 97 nests reported, 46 from Patuxent Refuge (Robbins)
and 24 from Philip J. Ottenritter at Fishers Farm, Baltimore Co. (sup-
ervised by David E. Davis). Two to 7 eggs- were laid (mean, 4,4).
Building on May 1 (Denton, Fletchers) and as late as July 13 on the
third nesting of the same pair (uncertain success, first broods).

Eggs of last nesting at Fletchers' were laid July 17-20, hatched by
Aug. 5. Two broods frequently raised, and even in same nest — approxi-
mately a week in several cases (Robbins, Ottenritter) between young

Sept. - Dec., 1952

MARYLAND BIRDLXFE

39

leaving and first egg of second brood. Incubation period reported
about 15-16 days, young in nest about 18 or 19 days in four cases each.
However, both were quite variable. Occasionally the stay in the nest
was as long as a month. All nests were on man-made structures,
between 7 feet and 14 feet up.

CLIFF SWALLOW - Probably eggs were in 48 occupied nests on and in
barn near Bittinger, Garrett Co., June 16 (M.O.S. trip).

PURPLE MARTIN - Last young left Denton nest between Aug. 24 and
28 (Fletchers). Report from Duvall Jones (Rosedale) on 8 nests: about
2 weeks were spent building nests, 17-20 days incubating, and 22-29
days in the nest; clutches of 3 to 5 eggs, mean 4. There was 8 I 5 C suc-
cess. The first set was completed on May 29, and young left that nest
on July 13.

BLUE JAY - Ten nests found, 7 successful. At Middle River,
building Apr. 9 and July 9, incubating Apr. 20 and as late as July 30,
young out of nest May 30 and Aug. 16 (late). Building Apr. 28~ at
Denton (A. May Thompson); second Eastern Shore nest record. Nests
from 11 feet, 3 inches to 41 feet; mean, 26.4 feet.

CROW - Nest 65 feet up in red spruce at Wolf Swamp contained
large young. May 30-June 2 (Robbins).

CAROLINA CHICKADEE - Nine nests reported. Excavating at Lake
Roland, Apr. 6 (Alice Kaestner). One young out of nest and 2 young in
nest. May 11, near Gaithersburg, Montgomery Co. (J. W. Taylor, C. H.
Mayhood). Eggs in Patuxent Refuge box as late as May 29, young in as
late as June 14 (Robbins).

TUFTED TITMOUSE - Four nests. Four eggs oh May 6, 3 young left
on June 6 at Middle River (Willis). Four young in Denton nest June 30
(Roger Adams).

BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH - Adults feeding young in Elliott Is. nest.
May 6 (Tom Hallowell, Robbins).

HOUSE WREN - Thirty-six nests. First egg laid at Patuxent Refuge
on May 9; clutch size of 16 first brood nests, 5 to 7 (mean, 5.9); 13
second brood nests, 4 to 6 (mean, 5.0) (Robbins), “Three eggs were in
Berwyn nest, July 29 (Robbins),

BEWICK'S WREN - Carrying food to young in nest box, Dan's Moun-
tain, Allegany Co., on May 12 (Leonard Llewellyn).

CAROLINA WREN - Five nests reported, in such situations as roll
of roofing paper (M. Butenschoen, Denton), fertilizer sack (Hackman,
White Marsh) and tin can (Fletchers, Denton). Five young left Middle
River nest. May 13 (with parents June 13), and Bengies Point nest
after Aug. 14 (Willis).

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN - Forty-one nests at Middle River; 45.4^
of the eggs laid produced fledglings. First set completed May 24,
last July 28; first young hatched June 6 and last Aug. 11, showing
14-day incubation period; young left June 19 and as late as Aug. 24,

40

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 8, nos. 4-5

showing 13-14 day stay in nest. Nests placed 1 foot, 7 inches to 4
feet, 10 inches high; median, 3 feet, 1 inch. Mean clutch, 4.0 eggs;
extremes 2 to 5 (Willis).

MOCKINGBIRD - Fourteen nests found, heights 3 to 15 feet (median,
8 feet). Building Apr, 11, first set complete by Apr. 22. Three
broods of one pair left the nest May 25, July 5, and Aug. 13 (Willis).
Two "young ouE of the nest were fed on Aug. 24 at Denton (Fletchers).

CATBIRD - Forty-six nests, clutches 1 to 4 eggs (mean, 3.3). At
Middle River, 60# of young left safely. Courtship display seen Apr.

29 at Middle River; first building. May 2. The earliest nests had
eggs laid May 11-14, hatched May 26, and young left June 6 (Robbins at
Berwyn, Willis at Middle River). The latest eggs were laid July 29-31
at Middle River, but possibly short-tailed young near Denton nest,

Aug. 25 (Fletchers), came from a later clutch. Incubation 13-14 days,
young in nests 10-11 days. Nests from 2 feet, 3 inches to 20 feet;
median, 6 feet.

BROWN THRASHER - Eighteen nests, five clutches each of 2 eggs, 3
eggs, and 4 eggs. Courtship seen Apr. 16 at Middle River, where only
37# of young left nests safely. Nest almost completed Apr. 22, set
completed May 1 and hatched May 13 (Willis). First young out on
May 30 at Denton, and one incubating there July 7 (Fletchers). Bob-
tailed young caught, July 22, at place where first-brood young had
been out June 7 (Willis). Incubation and stay of young in nest 12-13
days. Two ground nests, and one 14 feet up; median, 5 feet,

ROBIN - Seventy-five nests reported; about 60# of the 53 at Mid-
dle River produced one or more fledglings. Twenty sets of 4 eggs
reported, eleven of 3. Two eggs in early Halethorpe nest, Apr. 5
(I. E. Hampe). Young of first brood left nest commonly from May 14
(Denton, Fletchers), to June 7, with some begging afterward and scat-
tered broods out until the first second-brood young left about June 20
A pair which had young out on May 15 at Rosedale was building the sec-
ond nest. May 18 (Jones). Second and third-brood young left nests
before the end of July, except for two young which left an extremely
late Denton nest, Aug. 25 (Fletchers). Incubation 12 days (7 cases)
and young in nest 11 to I 5 days (usually 13). Nests 4 to 50 feet high
median, 12 feet, 8 inches.

WOOD THRUSH - 47 nests, about 57# of young leaving safely.
Clutches 2 to 5 eggs, mean 3.24. They were building May 5, with first
eggs laid May 12-15. The first young hatched on May 27. Young of
first brood left June 9 to June 27 or 30. First you&ig of second brood
left July 22, and last left nest Aug. 14 — late. The banded young
called after parents to Aug. 30. Young left one nest on June 12, and
second-brood young left same nest, July 24 — 16 days between young
leaving and start of second-brood clutch (Willis). Median nest height
8 feet, 7 in.; extremes, 4 feet and 24 feet.

EASTERN BLUEBIRD - Twenty-five nests reported. Four young left
White Marsh nest about May 31 (Hackman), about same time as the two

Sept.- Dee., 1952

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

a

earliest Denton nests (one of which had 5 eggs. May 1 — Fletchers).

Last of second-brood young were in Denton nest, Aug. 10 (Fletchers).

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER - Nest 40 feet up in elm, Marshall Dierssen
game refuge near Seneca, May 11 (Taylor, Mayhood).

CEDAR WAXWING - Building at Lake Roland, June 11 (Alice Kaestner).
Adults at White Marsh nest, June 29 (Hackman).

STARLING - Building Apr. 2-27, earliest first-brood young out
May 16 (hatched about Apr. 25, allowing for 21-day stay determined at
one nest) and most were out by May 28. Second-brood young were fed
June 17, left nest July 8. A nest which 4 young left on May 22 had 5
eggs in re-lined nest, June 2 (Willis).

WHITE-EYED .VIREO - Last of 4 young left Greensboro nest, June 28
(E. Bilbrough).

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO - Building at Lake Roland, May 6 (Mrs.
Kaestner). At Middle River, 4 eggs, June 3; young left June 24
(Willis).

BLUE-HEADED VIREO - Three eggs and 2 of Cowbird in Backbone Mt.
nest June 1 (Robbins). Cowbird young removed June 2; one dead nearly-
grown young vireo and one egg were in the nest June 15.

RED-EYED VIREO - Eight nests reported, only 2 successful. One
stole paper from Wood Thrush nest. May 27. First set laid June 6-8;
young left nests between July 5 and Aug. 8; immatures fed to Sept. 16
(Willis).

WARBLING VIREO - 2 young out of nest fed by parents at Jones
Falls, Baltimore, June 18 (Miss Brandenburg).

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER - Four young and one Cowbird egg in rotted
beam of old house at Pennyfield, June 11 (Taylor, Mayhood). Parents
fed young in Denton nest-gourd, June 30 (Fletchers).

NASHVILLE WARBLER - Nest with 4 eggs at Wolf Swamp, Garrett Co.,
May 30 (Stewart, Robbins); the 4 young two-thirds grown, June 16
(Robbins and M.O.S.); first Maiyland nest record.

YELLOW WARBLER - Eleven Middle River nests (Willis), 6 successful.
Two to five eggs were laid; mean, 3*8. Two clutches were completed by
May 20, young hatched on June 1 and left about June 10 (12-day incuba-
tion, 9-day stay in nest). Young left nest on July 1 and were still
fed (perhaps Cowbird) in another nest, July 10. Nests from 2 feet, 8
inches to 32 feet; median, 5 feet,

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - Female carried nest material in
Wolf* Swamp, Garrett Co., June 3 (Stewart).

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - Female was building nest 55 feet up in red
spruce at Wolf Swamp, May 31 (Robbins).

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER - Nest with 4 young in pine tree near
Cobb Island, Charles County, June 9 (Taylor).

OVEN-BIRD - Three early young out of nest on May 29 at Patuxent
Refuge (Robbins).

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 8, nos. 4-5

4 %

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH - Young out of nest were fed In Gwynn
Falls Park, June 18 (Miss Brandenburg).

YELLOW-THROAT - Two Middle River nests. Young leit nest June 9
and July 17 ; male fed juvenile, Aug. 8 (Willis).

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - Four nests; 4 eggs June 2-9 (Willis) and 3
eggs July 6 to 19 (Hackman). Young left Middle River nests July 4 and
9. Nest heights 2 feet, 3 inches to 3 feet.

AM. REDSTART - Building at Lake Roland, Apr. 26 and May 17 (Mrs.
Kaestner). Female on Leakin Park nest, June 16, and fed 3 young out
of nest, June 26 (Miss Brandenburg).

ENGLISH SPARROW - Courtship seen, Apr. 6, at Middle River.
Building Apr. 14. Half -grown young, Frederick Co., Apr. 27. (Rod
Smith). First young left nest May 13, last fed in nest Aug, 30
(Willis). Late young fed on Oct. 20 at Gibson Island (Mrs. Vinup).

RED-WING - Seventy-eight Middle River nests; 53. 6# of the eggs
laid produced fledglings. There were 5 clutches of 2 eggs, 45 of 3,
and 21 of 4 (mean, 3.23). Three early young out of nest. May 12, came
from clutch completed Apr. 20 and hatched May 1, allowing ForTX-12
day incubation period determined from five nests and 10-11 day brood-
ing period determined from four nests. Last young left the nest
July 29. Median nest height for cat-tails, 1 foot 10 inches; extremes,
1 foot and 3 feet, 6 inches. Nests in bushes were from 1 foot, 8
inches to 7 feet (median, 3 feet, 2 inches).

ORCHARD ORIOLE - Seven nests reported. Building at Middle River
May 15 (Willis). Five young hatched, June 6, at Denton (Roger* Adams).
Three young out of nest were fed at Denton, Aug. 2 (Fletchers).

BALTIMORE ORIOLE - Six nests. Building at Lake Roland, May 6 and
May 14 (Mrs. Kaestner). Young- left Denton nest, June 9 (Fletchers).
I mma ture s in family group begged from female at Middle River, Aug. 2
(Willis).

PURPLE GRACKLE - One Denton nest (Fletchers) and 25 in Middle
River woods (Willis). Building from Mar. 21 until Apr. 27. Set of 5
eggs laid Apr. 6-10, hatched Apr. 21, young left May 4 (early).

Adults carried food as late as July 10. Nests from 10 to 48 feet;
mean, 31.6 feet.

C0WBIRD - Cases of parasitism* Wood Thrush, 1 (Fletchers); Blue-
headed Vireo, 1 (Robbins); Red-eyed Vireo, 1 (Miss Brandenburg); Pro-
thonotary Warbler, 1 (Taylor, Mayhood); Yellow Warbler, 4 (Willis); Am.
Redstart, 2 (Miss Brandenburg); Orchard Oriole, 1 (Willis); Cardinal, -
1 (Willis); Chipping Sparrow, 4 (Fletchers, Mae Sterling, Hackman);

Song Sparrow, 2 (Willis). An egg was in the Cardinal nest, May 10,
and young left on June 1. Young left Hackman’s Chippy nest, July 3*

SCARLET TAN ACER - Adults were at White Marsh nest, July 3
(Hackman). Young left Middle River nest, July 31 (Willis).

Sept, - Dec., 1952

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

43

CARDINAL - Twelve nests, most successful. One set of 2, six of 3,
and two of 4 eggs. Two early young just out of Middle River nest.

May 7, came from clutch hatched on Apr. 28, Three eggs were laid,

July 15-17, 7:20 to 8 A.M. each day, in Pikesville nest; the first two
young hatched on July 28 and the third, July 29 (12-day incubation).
Young left on Aug. 8 (9-10 day stay in nest) and were still fed,

Aug. 27 (Miss Carrie Lipscomb), Grown young were fed Sept. 18 at Mid-
dle River (Willis). Nests were from 4 feet to 14 feet, 6 inches;
median, 5 feet, 10 inches.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - Female with fecal sac, Garrett County,
June 23-24 (Taylor).

INDIGO BUNTING - Female fed grown young at Sandy Point, Sept. 9
(Jones, Jack Weaver, Willis).

DICKCISSEL - Four fresh eggs in nest at Ashton, Washington Co .,
June 15 (Robbins).

GOLDFINCH - Young out of nest, Aug. 23, at Laurel (Robbins), and
young begged from parents, Oct. 21, at Strawberry Point (Willis),
where two nests were found, one with a 6-egg clutch.

TOWHEE - Four successful Middle River nests (Willis), on ground
except for one 5 feet, 3 inches up. Three young left earliest nest,
June 1, and three more left second-brood nest of same pair, July 15.
Young left nest on Aug, 14, 21 days after completion of 3-egg clutch,
July 24. Flying young were fed at Gibson Island, Sept. 19 (Mrs.

Vinup ) .

SAVANNAH SPARROW - Young barely able to fly in pasture near
Oakland, Garrett CoV,” June 3 (Stewart ); first positive evidence of
Maryland nesting.

VESPER SPARROW - Two Denton nests (Fletchers), both on ground in
pasture, with 4 eggs, May 11 (young in nest May 18-27, 9 days), and 3
eggs on July 8, 2 of which hatched; they left about July 24.

CHIPPING SPARROW - Twenty-one nests found, 2 to 20 feet up (median
10 feet). Denton nest built by May 1 (Fletchers). Young out of nest
on Backbone Mt., June 1 (Robbins). Building Denton nest, Aug. 7; young
left between Aug. 25 and 27 (Fletchers). Sets of 2 to 4 eggs.

F TFiLD SPARROW - Eleven nests, four sets of 4 eggs and three sets
of 3, One egg in Middle River nest. May 6. Young hatched May 18-19
and left May 28 from Denton nest (Fletchers). Building on July 17 at
White Marsh (Hackman).

SONG SPARROW. - Twenty-six nests; some 55 % of young left Middle
River nests safely. Sets of 2 to 5 eggs; mean, 4.7. Building,

Apr, 21, first egg, Apr. 26. First-brood young left between May 20
and about June 13, second-brood young between June 26 and July 27, and
third-brood young between about Aug, 5 and Sept. 1 (Middle River,
Willis). First-brood nests from ground to 1 foot, 2 inchesj second-
brood from ground to 5 feet, 10 inches, and third brood from 11 inches
to 6 feet; median, 1 foot, 2 inches.

1631 Gail Rd., Baltimore

44

7d. 8, dob. 4 " 5

MARYLAND BIRDLJFE

THE SEASON - September, October, November, December, 1951

Chandler S. Robbins

Except for rather weak cold fronts which penetrated into our area
on Sept. 2 and 8, uniform warm weather persisted almost to the close
of September. October, likewise, was warm, and the month closed with-
out any killing frost except in Garrett and parts of Allegany and
Washington Counties. These conditions were conductive to late depar-
tures of summer residents and transients, and tardy arrivals of win-
tering species. In November, however. Mother Nature delivered abnor-
mally cold and windy weather, with sub-zero temperatures in Garrett
County; the migration of most species was brought to an abrupt close
in that month. Although December averaged warmer than usual, an
extended cold snap brought sub-zero temper atures to many stations in
Prince Georges County, and a low of -18° to Hancock on the -17th.

On the last day of October an intense low pressure area, accom-
panied by high winds and snow, swept across the Great Lakes region.

The strong northwest winds and freezing temperatures which followed in
its wake produced a heavy southeastward flight of waterfowl, but these
birds ran into an extensive rain system in the Appalachians and sought
shelter on all bodies of open water. The result was the greatest pre-
cipitation of waterfowl ever recorded in the Appalachian lakes.

Loons, Grebes, Garnets, Herons. Good numbers of Common Loons and
Horned "ahct Pied-billed Grebe s were reported, A flock of 24 Common
Loons in Eastern Bay on Nov. 14 by Mrs. W. L. Henderson is the largest
she has ever noted in that area. The storm of Nov. 2-3 brought 2 Com-
mon Loons and 30 Horned Grebes to Mountain Lake in Garrett County
(Miss H. Elizabeth Slater). Pied-billed Grebes reached their maximum
of 26 at this same location on Nov. 3, and Miss Slater observed the
last 2 on Nov. 20. A single Garnet at Gibson Island on Deq. 12 (Clair
Symington) is of special interest in view of the very small number of
records from the upper Chesapeake. Late heron departures include a .
Little Blue Heron at Kent Narrows on Nov. 5 (Mrs. Henderson). A
Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Sandy Point on Sept, 9 is the first ever
recorded in that area (Edwin Willis, Duvall Jones, Jack Weaver).

Swans, Geese and Ducks. The most interesting group of waterfowl
re co refs by far is the report of birds which sought refuge on Mountain
Lake at Mountain Lake Park, Garrett Co., during the Nov. 2-3 storm, as
reported by Miss Slater. Several of the diving ducks had been
recorded on only two or three previous occasions in Garrett County.

The following Mountain Lake records refer to Nov. 2 unless otherwise
specified: Whistling Swan, 50; Gadwall, 6 (Nov. 3); Redhead, 12
(Nov. 3); Canvas-back, 1: Greater Scaup, 4 (Nov. 3); American Golden-
eye 15 (Nov. 2-3); Buffle-head, 75 (20 on Nov. 3); Old-squaw, 1
(Nov. 1 and 2); White-winged Scoter, 6; Ruddy Duck, 200; American Mer-
ganser, 3 (Nov. 1-2); Red-breasted Merganser, 20 (Nov. 3). Other spe-
cies involved in this flight were Canada Goose, Black Duck, Baldpate,

Sept. - Dec., 1952

MARJLAND BIRDLIFE

45

Pintail and Coot, The same storm deposited a Ring-necked Buck, 9
American Golden-eyes and 5 Buff le-heads on Eramitsburg Reservoir,

Nov, 3 (Prof, and Mrs. J. W. Richards). Rarities among the waterfowl
included a pair of European Widgeon at Gibson Island on Oct. 30 (Mrs.
Gail Tappan and Mrs. Henderson), and a female King Eider at Ocean City
on Oct. 28 (John W. Taylor, Charles Mayhood). A lone Old-squaw on
Triadelphia Reservoir on Oct. 28 (Seth Low) is a noteworthy occurrence
for that part of the State, Blue Geese are continuing to increase in
Maryland; note the high numbers recorded on the Christmas Bird Counts.

Vultures and Hawks . The Black Vulture continues to increase on
the Eastern Shore. Two were seen at Denton on Nov. 15 (Mrs. A. J.
Fletcher) and 2 at Ridgeley, also in Caroline Co., on Nov, 26 (Marvin
Hewitt,). The fall hawk flight is to be summarized in a separate arti-
cle, but an immature Golden Eagle seen on Oet. 16 by Douglas Hackman
at his home in White Marsh is worthy of special mention, as is a dead
one recorded at Elk Neck on Dec. 28 by Seth Low, John Wholey and
Chandler Robbins; this species may not be so rare on the Coastal Plain
as the very small number of records would indicate,

Shorebirds . There were interesting shorebird reports from all
parts of the State. The prize observation from the coast was a group
of 5 Piping Plover under the Ocean City bridge on Dec. 28 — the first
December record (John W. Taylor, Charles Mayhood and others). Other
unusual stragglers were 2 Semipal mated Plover and 2 Ruddy Turnstones
identified by John Willoughby and others on the Ocean City Christmas
Count, Dec. 22. From Sandy Point we have the first fall record of the .
Marbled Godwit on this side of Chesapeake Bay — a single bird studied
at very close range by Mesdames Tappan, North, Vinup and Henderson on
Sept. 18. A count of 3 Woodcock at Allen* s Fresh ih Charles County on
Dec. 30 suggests that this species, may winter regularly in Southern
Maryland as it does on the Lower Eastern Shore (John Terborgh, Nick
Kerr, Larry. Griffin). The third Avocet record for Maryland was
obtained by John H. Buckalew on Oct. 23 at Point No Point in St. Marys
County, From the Piedmont we have some unusual records obtained at
Triadelphia Reservoir on Oct, 28 by Seth Low* 7 Red-backed Sandpipers,
and one each of Black-bellied Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Long-billed
Dowitcher, and Semipalmated Sandpiper; Mr. Low made a point of flush-
ing this very interesting flock so it could be recorded for both Mont-
gomery and Howard Counties. At the crest of the Allegheny Front,
Robbins heard and saw a single Golden Plover as it circled the Dan's
Mountain fire tower on Sept. 15 — the first Maryland occurrence of this
species away from tidewater. And finally, from Grantsville in Garrett
County, there is the first December record for the Wilson’s Shipe in
our section of the Allegheny Plateau — one observed on Dec. 23 by James
Smart.

Pulls and Terns . During stony periods in the fall. Laughing
Gulls sometimes congregate in very large flocks in the Sandy Point —
Gibson Island area. The largest such noted this year was an estimated
1,000 birds at Gibson Island on Nov. 1 (Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Tappan).
Another gull record resulting from the same storm is a group of 15

46

MARYLAHD BIRDLIFE

Vol. 8, nos. 4-5

Ring-bills at Mountain Lake in Garrett County, 'Nov. 2 (Miss Slater).
Three late Forster's Terns were found at Port Tobacco on Nov. 18
(Catherine Crone and party), and along the coast another late December
record was chalked up on the Ocean City Christmas Count by John
Willoughby.

Owls, Nighthawks. An early Saw-whet Owl was hit by a car at Fort
Washington on Oct. 24 (James 0. Stevenson). Although the heaviest
Nighthawk flights are noted in the western counties, the last strag-
glers are frequently reported from more eastern sections. The last
report from Allegany County (in spite of excellent subsequent coverage
during the hawk trips) was at LaVale, Sept. 14. At Middle River this
species was noted on Sept. 16, at Beltsville to Sept. 20, and at
Denton where it breeds, to Sept. 25.

Flycatchers, Raven. Marvin Hewitt saw a late Eastern Kingbird at
Greensboro on Sept. 27. Crested Flycatchers were reported from all
parts of the State through Sept. 15, but none were noted after the
19th. Late Eastern Phoebes appear to be the rule rather than the
exception; transient individuals were found in Baltimore County on
Nov. 11 (Pearl Heaps) and at Beltsville, Nov. 18-19 (John H. Fales).
One at Emmitsburg on Dec, 28 (John W. Richards) and one recorded on
the Catoctin Christmas Count two days later with 8 to 10 inches of
snow on the ground were evidently attempting to winter. Raven records
east of the mountains are extremely few, but obvious increases in num-
bers of this species in the mountains in recent years, and scattered
reports from the Coastal Plain of Virginia should encourage observers
to keep on the watch for this bird; one passed down Douglas Hackman's
hawk flyway at White Marsh on Oct. 12,

Nuthatches, Wrens, Catbird. Willis saw an early Winter Wren at
Middle River, Sept. £4. A Short-billed Marsh Wren at Port Tobacco on
Sept. 23 (Miss Crone and others) appears to be the first record, for
Charles County. Late Catbirds were found at Denton on Oct. 17, Middle
River on Oct. 23, and Forest Glen on Oct. 27.

Thrushes, Gnatcatcher. The thrush flight continued later than is
usual, furnishing several interesting records. Among these are some
Caroline County dates that should be mentioned since the species con-
cerned are much less common on the Eastern Shore than in the more
western parts of the State: Olive-backed Thrush to Oct. 5 at Greens-
boro, Gray-cheeked Thrush on Sept. 20 at Hillsboro, and Veery to
Sept. 12 at Denton (all by Hewitt). West of the Bay, the Olive-back
was still common on Oct. 14 (Beltsville, Fales), and the last strag-
gler was heard in migration on Oct. 20 (Laurel, Robbins); the Gray-
cheek was noted to Oct. 14 at Middle River (Willis),- and the Veery to
Sept. 26 at Patuxent Refuge (Stewart). Two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.
seen on Oct. 2, by Mrs. Fletcher at her home on Garland Lake near
Denton, are the latest on record for the State.

Pipit, Vireos, Another State record was an early American Pipit
migrating"'' southward over Dan's Rock on Sept, 15 (Robbins), There were
several late vireo records. The White-eyed was last noted at Denton

Sept. - Dec., 1952

MARYLAND RTRDT.TFE

47

on Oct. 3 (Mrs. Fletcher); 2 Yellow-throateds at Gibson Island, Oct. 1;
one Blue-headed at Forest Glen on Oct. 27 (Frank C. Cross), one on
Oct, 31 at Towson (Coles), and another singing at Sandy Point on
Nov. 10 (Cross and Miss Clara Schoenbauer) .

Warblers . Here again, emphasis centers on late records, as there
were very few "early birds" in this period, and no outstanding waves
to provide unusual concentrations. It should be stressed that the
dates mentioned in this paragraph relate to the latest stragglers,
some of which are the latest on record for the State, and most of
which are at least a week or two beyond normal departure time. Worm-
eating Warbler, 1 at Greensboro, Get . 1 (Hewitt). Prothonotary War-
bler, 1 at Middle River, Sept. 2 (WillTs ), latest on record for a
northern county. Tennessee Warbler, a fine flight with a peak of 18
at Middle River on Sept. 25, and several late occurrences; 1 at Middle
River, Oct. l4 (Willis); 2 at North Woodside, Oct. 21 (Cross); 1
banded at Unity, Nov. 17 (Low), the latest record since 1889. Orange-
crowned Warbler, an early individual of this rare species was banded
at Unity, Oct. 7 (Low). Magnolia Warbler, 1 well seen at Turkey Neck,
Garrett Co., Oct. 27 (Miss Slater). Cape May Warbler, 2, Kent Island,
Nov. 10 (Robbins and MOS trip). Yellow-throated Warbler, 1, Preston,
Sept. 10 by Hewitt (very few departure dates are available for this
species). Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1, Lake Roland, Oct. 10 (Charles
Buchanan). Black-poll Warbler, 1 on Oct. 23 at North Woodside (Cross).
Cerulean Warbler, 1 at Middle River, Sept. 23 (Willis). Western Palm
Warbler, 1 seen in migration at Kent Is., Nov. 10 (Robbins and MOS);
later reports may have been wintering birds. Northern Water-thrush, 1
at Middle River, Oct. 7 (Willis). La. Water-thrush, 1 singing at
Forest Glen, Sept. 20 (Cross). Kentucky Warbler, 1 at Denton,

Sept. 18 (Mrs. Fletcher) and another at Towson the same day (Richard D.
Cole). Yellow-throat, 1 at Denton, Oct. 22 (Alicia Knotts), one at
Patuxent Refuge, Oct. 24 (Robbins), and a wintering bird at Middle
River. Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 at Port Tobacco, Sept. 23 (Miss Crone
and others). Canada Warbler, 1 at Patuxent Refuge, Oct. 4 (Stewart).
American Redstart, a female at Chevy Chase, Dec. 4 (Dr. A. M. Stimson).

Blackbirds , Orioles , Tanagers . A very late Baltimore Oriole was
seen at Middle River on Nov. 23 (Willis). The first record of the
Boat-tailed Grackle at Gibson Island was made on Dec. 21, when Mrs,
Tappan observed a flock of 10 birds there. Although this species win-
ters in large numbers in Somerset County, this is the first winter
occurrence from farther up the Bay. A record count of 128 was made at
Ocean City, Nov. 11 (MOS trip). Seven Summer Tanagers on Sept. 23 is
a new high count for that late in the season, even in the Port Tobacco
area (Miss Crone and party).

Finches . The most notable occurrence within this group is the
Evening Grosbeak invasion, the greatest southward thrust this species
has ever made in the East. It began with a succession of record-
breaking early dates (first 5 at Patuxent Refuge on Oct. 23 by Robert E.
Stewart), and numbers continued to swell throughout the period. The
Pine Grosbeak made its second recorded visit to our State, but in much

48

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 8, nos. 4-5

lover numbers than the Evening. Professor John V. Richards had the
honor of seeing this species first on Nov. 24 at Mt. St, Mary's Col-
lege near Emmitsburg; farther information will appear in a separate
article by Professor Richards. Other northern finches were scarce,
except for the Pine Siskin which was noted at several localities}
Willis recorded a total of 100 individuals of this finch at Middle
River, Oct. 30 to Nov. 28. An early Purple Finch at Simpsonville,
Howard Co., on Sept. 4 was followed by a poor flight (Robbins). A
Dickcissel banded at Unity on Nov. 22-24 by Seth Low is by far the ■
latest on record for the State, and will likely remain so until the
first wintering bird is detected.

Sparrows . Little is known about the migration peak of the Grass-
hopper Sparrow in our area; it is likely that it occurs in late August
or early September. Every year, however, a few individuals are found
well into October, and this fall Seth Low banded 3 on the late date of
Oct. 27} possibly this secretive species is more common in late fall
than we have suspected. A late Chipping Sparrow with an Injured eye
was banded on Nov. 17 at Unity (Low). Early dates for the White-
crowned Sparrow were Oct. 6 at Turkey Neck, Garrett Co. (Miss Slater)
and Oct. 7 at Middle River (Willis) . The only September records for
the White-throated Sparrow were furnished by Edwin Willis at Middle
River, where he had the first 4 on Sept. 24. Buchanan noted one at
Baltimore, Oct. 1} and Cross saw one at Forest Glen, Oct. 3. The next
2 birds, strangely enough, were both Chesapeake Bay casualties. One
was fished out of the Bay at Gibson Island on Oct. 7 by Mrs., Palmer,
and the other hit a ship's rigging off Bloodsvorth Island at 6 a.m. an
Oct. 8 (M. S. Cue to). The only Snow Bunting of the season was re-
corded at Gibson Island, Dec. 6>-7 (Mrs. Henderson and others).

CATBIRDS NESTING HIGH IN TREES

Catbird nests are so typically built within a few feet of the
ground that it is always surprising to find one high in a tree - al-
though Bent's "Life Histories of North American Nuthatches, Wrens,
Thrashers and Allies, 11 Bulletin 195 of the U. S. National Museum,
cites records of nests as low as the ground itself and as high as 50
to 60 feet. I have seen two tree nests in Maryland in recent years.

On July 18, 1944, I located a nest with three eggs 30 feet up in
a red maple about 45 feet tall at Daniels Park, Prince Georges County.

On June 28, 1948, Mr. Lee Dean called my attention to a nest
about 23§- feet up in a 28-foot elm at Dickeyville, Baltimore City} an
July 2 I saw food carried to this nest. In 1947 Mr. Dean had also
reported a Catbird nest in the top of that tree, but I did not locate
it.. The use of this treetop in two successive years suggests that
one or both Catbirds were the same In both years and had something of
a predilection for tree-nesting} shrubs, briars and scrub growth im-
mediately at hand .offered an abundance of typical nest sites.

Hervey Brackbill

4608 Springdale Avenue, Baltimore