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Se a BVINOSHLIWS (SSluvudi) LIBRAR HESZ SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSN!I_ NVIN > = Se ; Oo a a oO : a ON Oo RQ. = LA 7 Ger © GC. = Gem 2 KM |= . ‘ * a | J ¥ v* yt im Jee yn ii Oy vai Mi oe ti rn Ad POL | ate ‘ . ie age ¥ hy ‘ id Hey A. Va te i C dahl i a ( F Ac. ; ‘Prk ai ‘ ” ri 1 . | : : 4 \ 4 is 4” - Bai, bls de » B18 > bd3), | “BIRD BANDING BY SYSTEMATIC TRAPPING | aT Ww By S. Prentiss BALDWIN nm @ SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS OF THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Vol.1, No.5, pp. 125-168; plates XIX-XXV Issued, April 15, 1931 CLEVELAND, OHIO ie i MES. eT Te J ae were a: res SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS OF THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Vot. I, No. 5 IssuzED, Aprit 15, 1931 BIRD, BANDING BY) SYSTEMATIC TRAPPING” g BY S. Prentiss BALDWIN / INTRODUCTION The following pages contain a reprint of two of the author's papers, as follows: ; Bird Banding by Means of Systematic Trapping. Abstract of the Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New York, No. 31, for 1918- 1919 (December 23, 1919), pp. 23-56, pls. I-VII. The Marriage Relations of the House Wren (Troglodytes a. aedon). The Auk, Vol. XX XVIII, No. 2, April, 1921, pp. 237-244. The substance of the report published in the first of these articles was given at the thirty-seventh stated meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, held in the American Museum of Natural History of New York on November 11, 1919. The presentation of this paper at that November meeting in 1919 was, in the early part of 1920, followed by the adoption of the bird banding method by the United States Biological Survey, and this text was used by the Biological Survey as the first instruction book on this subject. This method of study is now so extensively used that the Report of the United States Biological Survey for the year ending June 30, 1930, states that there were then 1750 bird banders, that these had placed during the year 182263 bands, and that the return records of banded birds had numbered about 10000 for that year. The first publication here reprinted was issued at the beginning 1 Contribution No. 19 from the Baldwin Bird Research Laboratory, Gates Mills, Ohio. Sci. Pub. 126 Tue CLEVELAND Musreum oF Naturat History Vol. I of this bird banding activity, has long been out of print, and con- sequently has not been available to many of those at present engaged in bird banding work. To meet the demand for copies of it, the present reprint seems desirable. The other article here republished has also long been unavailable except in The Auk, and owing to its special connection with the early bird banding operations, seems also worth being reproduced. These papers are now published as a part of Volume I of the Scientific Publications of the Cleveland Museum of Natural His- tory, and are repaged in this volume. The original pagination is, however, strictly preserved, and for convenience of reference the original page or plate number is given in brackets at the foot of each page. A few corrections have been made in the text. Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirRD BANDING BY TRAPPING 127 BIRD BANDING BY MEANS OF SYSTEMATIC TRAPPING By S. Prentiss BALDWIN With Photographs by A. W. Moller, Thomasville, Ga., and the Author About the year 1913 I began a diligent campaign against the House Sparrow, on my farm, at Gates Mills, near Cleve- land, Ohio, using the so-called Government Sparrow Trap, which catches the birds alive and unharmed. The Sparrows were destroyed in large numbers, and the farm pretty well cleared of them, greatly to the comfort, evidently, of the native birds; for it was very noticeable that, as the Sparrows decreased in number, the native birds greatly increased. The result was most satisfactory, and the traps should be recommended to all who are interested in attract- ing native birds to their vicinity. But, it was when I learned of the American Bird Banding Association that the traps acquired a new and much greater significance, for, as the House Sparrows decreased, the traps became the resort of various kinds of native birds. In the spring of 1914 I began placing bands, not only upon young birds in the nest, but upon many adults secured from the traps, and by 1915 it became evident that this could be done on a large scale, and with most interesting results in returned birds. Probably some members of the Banding Association have been discouraged from banding young birds in the nest, when, season after season, they get few reports from their birds; and it has seemed to me that banding, itself, has failed to attain proper recognition, from ornithologists, because the results were necessarily few and scattering. Much greater returns from trapping: During the last four years I have placed nearly sixteen hundred bands, and, during that time, I have received, from outside sources, only three reports; one, a Robin, banded in Ohio and taken in South [23] Sci. Pub. 128 THE CLEVELAND MuseuM or NaturAt History Vol. I Carolina; one, a Sparrow Hawk, taken fifteen miles away from where it was banded; and one, a Flicker, taken two miles dis- tant. But, during that time I have retaken by trap, from one year to another, more than sixty birds, and some of those have been taken not only the second, but also the third and fourth years. In five weeks, in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1917, I recorded 25 birds from 1916 and six from 1915. Birds not frightened away by the trapping; ‘Repeats’: The birds regard the trap as a special feeding table, and come to it day after day. I have released the same bird three times in one hour; I have frequently released the same bird four or five times in one day; and I coined the word “‘repeats’’ to distinguish, in my notes, these birds from “‘new.”’ “‘Re- peats’’ are so numerous that of nearly seven hundred birds handled in five weeks, in Georgia, two-thirds were “‘repeats’’ and only one-third ‘‘new.’’ One Brown Thrasher, on two successive spring seasons in Georgia, spent most of every day in the trap. And a Cardinal became such a nuisance, by getting into the trap and keeping others away, that I moved the trap to another location. In summer one may keep al- most daily record of certain Song Sparrows nesting near by, and in migrations one may know the day an individual bird comes, and the day he moves on. One learns to know the characters of certain individuals, as I came to know a certain White-throated Sparrow, who always identified himself by fighting and biting my fingers; and another White-throat, who distinguished himself as a squealer. How much time or trouble? In presenting the following report, as the result of four or five years’ effort, it is only fair to explain how little time and how scattering an effort has been possible to the writer. The work at Gates Mills, near Cleveland, has been carried on during five summer seasons; but I do not go to the farm until some time in the month of May, or first of June, after all spring migration is over; then by mid-July I am usually - gone for an absence of six weeks; and then return to the farm for September and October. This limits the work to six weeks of nesting time in spring, and perhaps two months in [24] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—Bi1rD BANDING BY TRAPPING 129 the autumn, at a time when many birds have formed flocks or started southward. Not only is the Ohio work thus limited, but when living on the farm, I am in the city three days a week, so, with stormy days or other things to interfere, I can run the traps only two or three days in a week. The work at Thomasville, Georgia, has been carried on for only three seasons, 1915, 1916, and 1917. From three to five traps are run on every clear day, and I can give them very regular attention, but my whole season at Thomasville is, usually, only five weeks of February and March. I explain with so much detail the rigid restrictions under which these observations were made, because I have realized so fully that my best opportunities for steady and consistent observation are repeatedly lost by my long absences. I urge this upon the bird student who may consider these methods of work, for it is certain that any person who lives all the year in one place, in the country, or on the edge of town, can obtain much greater scientific result with much less effort, than my haphazard work costs me. While this report includes only the “‘Returns’’ of birds taken from one year to another, it is evident that not less important, to a person who operates traps at the same place all of a season, or all of a year, is the opportunity, by this method, of keeping in touch with the daily life of birds living in the vicinity; of knowing just when they come; just when young leave the nest; just how long they remain in the vicinity; and when they leave; and watching the exact movements of individual birds during migration. Indeed, the careful ob- server, in a fixed location, may obtain facts of greater scientific value on the daily records than from the reports from year to year. How to trap: Bait the ordinary sparrow-trap with cracked grain and bread. The grain should be ground fine, what is usually sold as the finest or first chick food, and scattered thinly to a distance of five feet from the trap. The soft parts of the bread may be very finely divided by rolling in the hands, but save the crusts and larger pieces and drop them inside the trap. [25] Sci. Pub. 130 THE CLEVELAND Museum or Naturat History Vol. I My experience shows that a bird has a good eye for the largest piece, and a group of birds, instead of picking up the fine particles outside the trap, will push eagerly into the trap to the large pieces. (See figure 1.) | Bait: Of course, many varieties of birds will not come to a grain and bread diet, though I have been surprised to find such birds as Myrtle and Palm Warblers, and even Red- bellied Woodpeckers, coming freely to such a bait. I have drawn Cedar Waxwings with Ligustrum berries, in Georgia, but failed to trap them, probably because of a great abundance of fruit on the bushes near by. Robins we have not taken for lack of proper bait, but, no doubt, they can be taken with some care in the use of mulberries or other fruits, when fruit is not too abundant on the trees. There is much to be done in providing proper baits to secure other kinds of birds, but I have not had time to experiment in it. Speaking of baits, the best attraction to draw House Spar- rows is to leave a couple of Sparrows in the trap; but I do not leave other birds in the trap, to draw their fellows, be- cause of the danger of injury to a bird remaining in the trap long. Guard fence: It is absolutely necessary to place a guard fence around each trap to keep the neighbors’ pet dogs and Cats at a distance. These animals will surely find the trap and torment the captured birds if it is unprotected. A piece of chicken-net fence three feet high, and about 60 feet long, will make a circular pen about 20 feet in diameter, in which to place the trap. (See figure 1.) Other trapping methods: Of course, many trapping methods are well known, but I wish to call attention to a simple trap door, which may be used on boxes, for Wrens, Bluebirds, and other birds nesting in boxes or holes in trees. (See figure 2.) A small piece of zinc is so bent upon a piece of wire, that it serves as a perch; the wire is loosely tacked to the box with staples, and is so bent that a thread may be fastened upon the end of the wire. A pull on the thread closes the perch up against the entrance. With a couple of staples this trap [26] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—Birp BANDING BY TRAPPING 131 door may be attached temporarily to any box, or tree stump, and used for all the hole-nesting birds. The time to get these birds is when the young are hatched and both parents are coming frequently to the nest to feed them. It is best to get them before the young are many days old, for the young birds soon are old enough to crowd up to the entrance, and the parents feed them without entering, and so cannot be taken. Placing of band: Always use the smallest size of band that will close around the leg of the bird, fitting it snugly so there is no room for twigs or thorns to slip through and catch in the band. According to my observation, the legs of young birds are larger, more fleshy and soft than those of adults, so no allowance for growth need be made in banding young birds approximately full grown. In fitting snugly, however, the band should be loose enough, and so shaped as to slide easily up and down the leg without binding. The Cardinal is the only species that, in my experience, is so strong of beak as to bend or pinch his band, in attempting to remove it, and he will, of course. I use on the Cardinal a large-sized band, that will go twice around the leg and re- sist pressure of the beak. A bird in the hand: In the handling of many hundreds of birds, one finds certain ways of holding a bird firmly, so that it cannot flutter. For examination, the bird is best held sitting upright, rest- ing with his claws on the little finger, and with his neck be- tween the first and second fingers. (See figure 3.) In this position the bird will rest placidly, even with the hand left open, so the entire body of the bird may be examined easily. For placing a band, the bird is best held on his back, with the little finger snugly over the throat (see figure 4); and the thumb and first finger are thus in position to hold the leg while the band is adjusted. (See figures 5 and 6.) Visit the traps often: During the nesting season the traps should be operated only when they may be closely watched— visited at least every hour to prevent the possibility of keeping parent birds from the nest when eggs or young need attention. [27] Sci. Pub. 132 Tue CLEVELAND Museum or NaturAt History Vol. I At other times, one may visit the traps only four or five times a day, or leave them for some hours, but at some risk of in- jury to the imprisoned birds. The entrance wires of these traps may be adjusted to ad- mit larger birds, or set closely enough to the ground to ad- mit only smaller ones. I have caught Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Blue Jays, and even Doves, but when the entrance is set high for these birds, the smaller birds will learn to run in and out of the trap without being caught. The first hours of early morning, daybreak, are most fruitful, for all birds hunt a breakfast soon after they wake in the morning. The traps should, therefore, be set and baited the night before. An early morning visit is wise, however, as I have sometimes found a whole family of rats in the trap as an over-night product. The traps should be visited just at dusk, or after all the birds have gone to roost, for a bird is sure to suffer cold, or storm, or injury by mammals, if left over night in the trap. Injuries: In considering the possible injury to an occasional individual bird by reason of the trapping, it must be asked by what other method may one study, actually in the hand, hundreds, or thousands, of native birds, with so little harm to them? Of some five thousand or more birds that I have held in my hand, during the last four years, not two dozen have been killed. And shrikes have been the cause of most of the fatali- ties, so that actually not five birds, or one in a thousand, have been killed by the trap or by my carelessness. One bird was left in the trap over night, a night of storm, and became chilled, and died. Who can tell how all the birds protect themselves so well from storm and come out smooth and dry immediately after? They come out like wet dish rags if caught by a rain in the trap. One warbler was killed when I set the gathering cage down, when his head was pushed out through the mesh at the bottom of the cage. One must watch that carefully. Many birds in their efforts to escape from the trap scratch the forehead just above the bill, and sometimes scratch it enough to bleed, but this seems to be a necessary incident to [28] sem bub, C.M.N.H. Voli Biate XX Fic. 2.—Prrcuw Trap Door (Partty Crosep), in Usz on a Bruepirp Box. (See page [26].) Sc Pub. GoM ON Vol. I, Plate ae Fic. 3.—Brown TuHrasHEeR, SHOWING MetHop oF HoLipinc For EXAMINATION. No. 40222. (See page [27].) Fic. 4.—Brown TurasHEer, SHowING Metuop oF HoLpING For PLAcING A BAND. No. 40222. (See page [27].) [11] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirD BANDING BY TRAPPING 133 trapping, and not more serious than a scratched finger to a man. These scratched heads are completely healed in three or four days, as I have had proofs many, many times. The one really serious danger of injury is that a cat, or one of the small hawks, or a shrike learn to get at the trap, and infest the spot until destroyed. I have had little of this trouble in Ohio; but the Loggerhead Shrike is so numerous and destructive in Georgia, that at first sign of torn or injured birds, diligent search must be made for one. These raiders have repeatedly followed their prey into my traps, killed the small birds, and then, being themselves caught, suffered the just penalty for their murders. Ido not know what the official judgment is upon the shrike, but to me it appears, in the South at least, very destructive to small birds, and it should be systematically destroyed. Home record system: In a small box which fits in my pocket, or in the feed pail, I carry the bands, pincers, and pencil, also a ‘‘day card’’ as I call it, a card, of the size used in card systems, upon which I enter every bird taken that day, just the number, name, and trap location, as I keep a record of which trap a bird is taken from. Then each day these entries are posted into a card system, such as that kept by the Banding Association, this being my permanent record. As the entries of the day cards are posted back through the card system, one really establishes a ledger account with each bird, so that his card shows at all times all the different visits he has made to the traps, and the card contains, in fact, a continuous history of the individual. (See day card, figure 11.) A very handy reference, convenient to use in the field, to find back numbers of re-taken birds, can be made by taking off, upon a few typewritten sheets, the completed season’s records. And this condensed tabulation gives a more com- prehensive view of the entire season, than one may obtain from examining a card system. Law: While it is not probable that the game or bird pro- tective organizations in any state would seek to interfere with the scientific study of birds by this method, yet it is possible that the taking of native birds, even for prompt [29] Sci. Pan 134 Tre CLEVELAND Musreum or NaturAt History Vol. I release, may constitute a technical violation of the State Law. In some states it might happen that a local official, either in spirit of revenge, or in too great avidity for fees, would seek to take advantage of such technical violation. It is well, therefore, to take up the question with the authori- ties and to secure perhaps a collector’s permit. Consider also the Federal Migratory Bird Law. The feeding and protection, that are much a part of this work, so greatly overbalance any occasional injury caused, that this form of study should have every encouragement. What we may hope to learn by banding: This question is asked many times, and it may be suggestive to others to point out some of the questions for solution. 1. How long do native birds live? Many returns will, in the course of time, give cumulative evidence as to this point. 2. Birds do return to the same spot for nesting year after year. The American Bird Banding Association has a great number of proofs of this, besides the proofs appearing in this report. 3. Birds do return to the same spot to spend the winter year after year. This report gives ample proof of this fact. 4. Not only are these two propositions true, but the re- turns contained herein prove that, in migrating, birds stop off at the same feeding places along the route. 5. Where several traps are operated not far from one another, we may obtain some idea of how far birds wander in their feeding, or to what extent do they come to the same feeding table, day after day. 6. My experience is that migrants do not travel each day and about the same distance each day, as some suppose, but, on the contrary, they linger at places along the route, where the feed is good, and while weather is suitable. On route to the South, the next storm will remind them of approaching winter and off they go. I have not been able to determine whether they move ahead of the storm or during the storm, but they are likely to be gone the morning after. 7. If birds do come back to the same place to nest year [30] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirRD BANDING BY TRAPPING 135 after year, will they use the same nest box, and retain the same mate? In my work I keep exact record of the tree or box used by each bird for nesting, and of the trap location where one is taken each time. 8. My experience indicates that when the young birds leave the nest, the family usually does not linger near by, but moves at once away from the locality. A pair of Wrens moved their family of six young, three hundred yards across my place, during the first day out of the nest, and toward night, had all six lined up in a row on the top wire of a fence. 9. To what extent do birds raise the second brood in the same nest, Of same vicinity as the first brood? 10. We may hope that if birds come back to the same spot to nest we may keep a faithful genealogical tree of an individual with its mates and young, from year to year. This seems a joke until you read the history of numbers 27739 and 27740 as given herein. 11. Do young birds return to the same spot another season? I have two cases, a Song Sparrow, Number 44018 banded July 4, 1917, and taken June 23, 1918. And just this week, March 19, 1919, I have taken a Robin, banded as a young bird in the nest May 15, 1917, No. 32932. This report alone is enough to prove that they do return, not only to the same spot for summer for nesting, but to the same spot to spend the winter. The scientist, rightly agnos- tic as to it, must have the fact of return proved, and it is amply proved. But the popular opinion altogether too readily accepts each pair of any species that nests near last year’s nest, or in the last year’s hole or box, as the identical individuals that were there last year. I have had, frequently, pointed out to me, the same pair of birds that, according to my informant, have nested on the same porch pillar for many years. While my evidence does not go so far as to call it positive proof, yet my experience is that, in such cases, the chances may be one in five that one of the pair may be the same individual, and, perhaps, the chances are one in twenty-five that both individuals may be the same. [31] Sci. Pub. 136 Tue CLEVELAND Muszeum oF NaTurRAL History Vol. I This does seem discouraging to our ideals of the same old friends coming back to our shelter so many years, but the truth is interesting enough to be worth while. To illustrate the point: In 1915 I banded 44 Wrens, every Wren on my place, old or young. In 1916 there were six adults on the place, only two of which I secured and one was from 1915. More to the point, in 1917 I banded 23 Wrens, old and young, on the place; and in 1918 I caught 9 adults, every adult I saw, and only one of the nine was from 1917. An interesting illustration of the popular opinion occurs in the report of Sparrow Hawk 21531, where Mr. Haylor, an unusually intelligent observer, says, ‘“‘For the last few years this same Hawk, so we think, has sat on the tip of a church steeple for hours, each day.’’ The Hawk was, in fact, at that time only fourteen months old. BANDING AT THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA Season of 1915 Two traps were operated, about 200 yards apart, during one month, from February 26 to March 28. Total birds banded during the month. .,.....1..../..2.0....200-2. 90 OF these I classified as\migrants(iaj 62-02%), 8 a5 ee ae ee 63 residents! 24 Nace vauN al nei cae RE er 27 In this classification I have considered as undoubted mi- grants the White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, and all Warblers; as probable all-year residents, Carolina Wren, Towhee, Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, and Blue Jay, though ~ I do not mean to imply that any individual of these may not be in fact a migrant. The presumption in favor of permanence of these birds consists in the fact that they appear, in March, to be settled as to locality, in pairs, mated, and nesting, and in case of the Thrasher at least, the eggs are laid by that time. Within a week after placing the traps I noticed the dis- - position of certain individuals, either migrants or residents, to come back to the traps day after day and, sometimes, two or three times in one day. [32] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirD BANDING BY TRAPPING 137 15053, White-throated Sparrow: Made itself known by appearing in the trap every day and several times a day until I gave up the count of its appearance. This bird always identified itself, in removal from the trap, by savagely fight- ing the hands, a fact which was especially noticeable because the other eleven, of the total twelve White-throated Sparrows banded, showed no such fighting spirit at all. This bird is of interest also for being taken again in the same spot in 1916. 16486, Cardinal (female): Was conspicuous for the trap habit, coming to the trap for all her meals and being released several times a day, until I moved the trap 100 yards in order to be free from her. 19246, Brown Thrasher: Living under our bed-room window, at once formed the trap habit, and was released, often several times a day, until it learned not to flutter upon my approach, but to stand quietly at the door waiting for it to be opened! 19247, Brown Thrasher: Mate of 19246, but, while coming often to the trap, it was always shy of entering and was taken only twice, February 27 and March 13. Season of 1916, THOMASVILLE During this active banding season of less than six weeks, from February 19 to March 30, two traps were operated, but four locations were used, the traps being moved from day to day. These locations were about 100 yards apart, strung across open fields, mostly surrounded by pine woods; they were mostly near buildings and shrubberies and were always kept baited, whether the trap was present or not. Sista) pitas taken from) two traps 1. ).)./) 24.2) ee Lee eo 654 Manis Number, retaken Or fepeats 22 2... se hades ee igen 441 PER MPOENIPADMEG Sica (avo oie Oe ee aks ls 213 1915 birds taken in 1916, residents, 8 from a possible 27 1915 birds taken in 1916, migrants, 5 from a possible 63 Bapers new) Pints» Mipeatits were. Oi. 25-2)! 2). 12) sca sk penton lee 169 PesiMe Mion Were we ea te eae h rok aM ie Hi uas 44 ““Retaken’’ or ‘Repeats’: I have applied the term ‘‘Re- peats’’ to those birds which come into the traps, some of them [33] Sci. Pub. 138 Tue CLEVELAND Musgeum or NaturAt History Vol. I again and again, after they first receive a band. The great extent to which they return to the traps will be seen from the above number (441) of repeats out of a total 654 birds re- moved from the traps. This will be further appreciated when I say that more than half (115 individuals) of the 213 new birds were taken a second time or oftener, in the month, while some individuals form the “‘habit,’’ and are taken every day or several times a day. Daily record of traps: A tabulation of daily records shows only a very dull season from February 19 to March 7 of only 4 to 6 total birds per day from the two traps, perhaps half being new birds. Then there was a sudden jump on March 8 to total 14. On March 9, total 29 birds; with varying totals up to 65 birds on March 13, and 75 on the 15th; averaging usually about one-third new. The sudden jump to high daily records came when the Myrtle Warblers and Chipping Spar- rows began suddenly to come in great numbers; chiefly War- blers at first about March 8, then chiefly Chipping Sparrows after March 13. Limits of range: At Thomasville, in 1916, I have faithfully kept a record of the exact location where each bird is taken, each time, this by lettering the stations and attaching the letter each time with the date a bird is taken. With the four Stations, ““A,” ““B,’’ “C,” and “D, Gi yards apart, in a line, making a total length of field some 300 to 400 yards, it is interesting to note in retaking Brown Thrashers 28 times, only two were retaken as far away as the next Station. White-throated Sparrows never occurred except at Station A. Towhees retaken ten times were never so far away as the next Station. Blue Jays had wandered to the next Station in two of the cases out of four, Wood- peckers had strayed to the next Station in three cases out of © six. In case of the flocks of Myrtle Warblers and Chipping Sparrows, we might expect more wandering, yet only a third of those retaken were so far away as the next Station (on a count of 150 cases). [34] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirD BANDING BY TRAPPING 139 We must bear in mind that the birds would wander further in seatch of a scattered natural food, than under these arti- ficial conditions where plenty is always to be found at one spot, or rather at four spots or stations; yet, making all allow- ances, these figures show what to me seems a surprising limit of foraging range; the Thrashers, Towhees, and White-throats within a 100-yard radius; Blue Jays and Woodpeckers fur- ther but within 200 yards; and, perhaps more interesting, the fact that the Warblers and Chipping Sparrows, migrants in flocks, come day after day to the same feeding station to such an extent. In fact, these migrants do not wander about carelessly over a wide area, but settle down where food is good and stay there. Returns in 1916 at THOMASVILLE These classed as Residents: 19246, Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum): 1915. Banded February 27, then taken on March 13 and two or three times a day every day until the trap was moved on March 23, always at Station A. iow taken February 21, 22, 25;\27, 28, and March |, meote 529. This bird had the trap habit last year — came for all his meals, became very tame, waiting always patiently at the door to be let out; appeared promptly this year in exactly the same spot, the second day the trap was put out, February 21, and at once fell into the same habit of constantly visiting the trap. Not taken in 1917 although the mate 19247 was taken then. 19247, Brown Thrasher: 1915. Banded February 27 and taken also March 13; mate of 19246 always at Station A. 1916. Taken on March 4, 11, and 17. Mate of 19246 this year also. [35] Sci. Pub. 140 THE CLEVELAND Museum or NatTurat History Vol. I This bird was quite shy of the trap both last year and this year but came regularly to the trap with 19246, remaining usually outside while 19246 would go promptly inside. 1917. Taken March 11 with 31783, probably the mate of this year. 19246, its former mate, was not found in 1917. Taken alone also March 12 and 13. 19252, Brown Thrasher: 1915. Banded March 18 and taken again March 25. 1916. Taken February 28. 17268, Brown Thrasher: 1915. Banded March 12 and taken again March 25. 1917. Taken March 28 and 29. 19248, Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata cristata): 1915. Banded March 16. 1916. Taken March 9 at B Station, 27th at A Station. 1917. Taken March 10 at A Station. 19254, Blue Jay: 1915. Banded March 20. 1916. Taken February 28. 19670, Cardinal (female) (Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis): 1915. Banded March 24 with l-a size band. On March 28 I removed the l-a size band and placed a No. 2 size. 1916. Taken March 26 and 29 and band found in good condition. This bird always at Station C. 15099, Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus): 1915. Banded March 18 with its mate 15100. 1916. Killed by a cat March 14 at the same Station (D) where it was banded last year. These are classed as Migrants, and the White-throated Sparrows and Myrtle Warblers must be supposed to have [36] Semerub. C.M.N.H. Vole elate ec Fic. 5.—Hoipine a Birp WHILE OpeNING A BAND WITH A SMALL, T APERING INsTRUMENT Berore PLacING THE BAND ON THE Birp’s Foor. (See page [27].) Fic. 6.—Pincuine a BAND ToGETHER OVER A Birp’s Foor. (See page [27].) [II] i ORE aie ’ ar r i} . 4 it a 2: , ’ “ Seteeup, C.M.N.H. Viol WePlate Ox Fic. 8.—Sration B, THomasvittz, Georcia. (See page [37]..) Drrvinc a Dozen CHIPPING SPARROWS FROM THE TRAP INTO THE GATHERING CaGE. [IV] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—Bi1rp BANDING BY TRAPPING 141 spent the summer of 1915 in Canada, or, at least, far north in the United States. 15053, White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis): 1915. Banded February 27 and taken many times between that date and March 23, and always identified itself by fighting and biting the hand savagely. 1916. Taken March 1 and 11. 15058, White-throated Sparrow: 1915. Banded March 7. 1916. Taken March 28. 15076, Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronaita): 1915. Banded March 26. 1916. Taken March 8. 17299, Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina passerina): 1915. Banded March 27. 1916. Taken March 13, Station C. 38325, Chipping Sparrow: (Former number 15096). 1915. Banded March 18. 1916. Taken March 13. The leg was found to be injured by pressure of the band, so the old band was removed and new band adjusted to the other leg. Notes at Thomasville, 1916 White-throated Sparrows: During both years, 1915 and 1916, in February and March, a flock of perhaps twenty have re- mained constantly in the shrubbery about Station A (see Fig. 7). I marked twelve in 1915, recovered two of these in 1916, and marked five new ones in 1916. These birds were seldom seen as far away as Station B (100 yards) and never caught so far away (see Fig. 8). More could have been marked and perhaps more from last year recovered, but the trap was, in 1916, run at Station A only occasionally. [37] Sci. Pub. 142 Tue CLEVELAND Museum or NatTurAL History Vol. I Myrtle Warblers: A few were found in flocks about the more open Stations, especially B and C, from February 19, when the traps were first set out, but about March 8 they became more numerous, then by March 20 they were mostly gone. Some individuals, however, remained about the place during the entire five weeks; as 38148 banded February 22 and taken very often to March 23; 38158 taken often from March 4 to 22; 38168 taken often from March 8 to 29; and 38169 taken often from March 8 to 21. Chipping Sparrows: First appeared on March 8, and abun- dant within a day or two; they continued to be taken in quan- tities up to the end of March, when my observations ended. Curiously, the Chipping Sparrows seem to be notable for defects of the toes, one or the other foot being very commonly swollen or club-footed. None of these cases seemed to be sore ot showed signs of recent injury or disease. This effect has not, to my recollection, been seen on any of the many hun- dreds of birds of other kinds handled during the last two years. Cardinal: The Cardinal is, no doubt, an all-year resident. In fact, I do not consider the Cardinal anywhere migratory, as it is found in northern Ohio abundantly all winter. In 1915 I banded a dozen or more Cardinals with size l-a bands, but as I got them back in the traps I found they had pinched in the bands with their powerful beaks, so as to pinch and harm the leg. l-a is correct in size, but as I have re- covered the birds bearing that size I have replaced the band with a heavier size and doubled the band upon itself to make it still stronger. The Cardinal fights the hand savagely, squeals loudly in protest when handled and bites with such strength as to be really painful. Shrikes: The colored people mostly know the “‘Butcher- bird,’’ but by many white people, who are not bird observers, . they are mistaken for Mockingbirds. The Butcher-Bird is very numerous in Georgia and must be destroyed where banding by trap is done, for a pair will establish themselves near the trap and follow into it and destroy any small bird that may be caught. [38] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—B1RD BANDING BY TRAPPING 143 Bait: I have baited uniformly with chick food or finely- ground grain and bread. The Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow, Cardinal, Myrtle Warbler, and Red-bellied Woodpecker come freely to that bait; Mocking- birds seldom; and I have taken the Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, and Carolina Wren. Healing of injury: Two cases occur of some interest: 38176, Myrtle Warbler: When taken on March 8 was en- tirely without evident tail, but within a week the tail was quite half-size or more. 31780 and 31779 Brown Thrasher: Were taken in trap to- gether March 10. 31780 was badly torn about the neck and head, and the skin much broken and torn from the rump, with some evi- dence that it was the result of attack from 31779 while in the trap. The bird was taken on March 12, 15, and 18, and by that time was thoroughly healed and sound, and when taken afterwards, several times up to March 30, it was quite smooth and healthy in appearance. Note: Since writing this paragraph in 1916, I have come more and more to believe 31779 not guilty; and that more likely 31780 was injured by the entrance wires of the trap; but I have never found other native birds injured by the entrance wires. Domestic fowls will have their heads caught in the entrance if the guard fence is not kept up. Season of 1917, THOMASVILLE During this season of six weeks from February 13 to March 27, five traps were operated, at the same four stations (see figures 9 and 10) as in 1916, the stations being about 100 yatds apart, and extending a total length of 400 or 500 yards. The whole area is open fields, each station being located by a cottage surrounded by shrubs. Mieeal birds takeén/in five traps...) 2 i). 016... oan als 684 RSE IOP ECMCAES os uh es ls addins gales. wie eal a 414 2 FSG A SS SH en aa 239 Sci. Pub. 144 THE CLEVELAND Museum or Natura History Vol. I Retarn’ of 1915 birds—-miigranes), ict hon ec ay 4 Jaye 4 from a possible 63 or 6.5 per cent. POSIGERES (6 eA LG ea riiace i a 2 from a possible 27 or 7.4 per cent. Return ot 1916 bitds- migrants.) ie ae ey kts, a 17 from a possible 169 or 10 per cent. Fesidentsiit, 4). eis ahs eNO eB 8 from a possible 44 or 18 per cent. Of new birds banded, migrants were................... 215 FESTGEMESH SL aliquid hey a araste ter aa eas aes 24 The new birds were as follows: Classed as migrants— Myrtle Warbler. fii. cocci sears denies ae ge) ten sae a 64 Yellow 'Palm Warbler... 060). 9:0 198) Sakae ce ao ae eee 2 Hermie] brash. ial Noe eee eles 3 White-cheoated Sparrow 5 }o444 15/24/40 Uh sees elec eee 18 Chipping Spareewai i) / siti see ell eae 128 Classed as residents— Mockiabind iO ri ical apie ee eteeia spate) als ee eS a 3 Brown Thrasher). 02.0. 21 eee ee ee ee re 2 Wibite-eyed' Towhee?! 0.4: 425) eta ale Mees sae ee 1 Ble Fay is ies seen hu Meee) Ee a a ee 7 Cardirialy. bia. 0 cies ca iene LAY Ue ee chek ee i a rr 11 As to Migrants or Residents, we must again state that the division is somewhat arbitrary, being based upon the fact that those birds classed as Residents are at this time mostly in pairs, and some at least nesting. Among, so-called, Residents we had the following returns: 31766, Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos polyglottos): 1916. Banded February 20 and taken also March 16. 1917. Taken on February 13 in same trap, Station A. 31773, Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centurus carolinus): 1916. Banded February 27 and taken also March 6, 10 and 26, Stations B and C. 1917. Taken February 21 and March 13, at B and C. _ 31778, Red-bellied Woodpecker: 1916. Banded March 7 and taken also March 11, 19, 21, 22, and 24, at Stations A, B, and C. 1917. Taken March 9 and 11, at B and C. [40] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirpD BANDING BY TRAPPING 145 31783, Brown Thrasher: 1916. Banded March 11, Station A. 117, Taken February 25, and March 11 and 21. On March 21 this bird was with 19247, possibly mate, which see, next. Always at Station A. 19247, Brown Thrasher: Taken in 1915, 1916, and 1917. See full statement in 1916 list. 40222, Brown Thrasher: (See figures 3 and 4). 1916. Banded March 31, and taken also March 22, 26, 7 29! 1917. Taken March 3, 6, 8, 15, always at Station C. 31779, Brown Thrasher: 1916. Banded March 10, with 31780, supposed to be its mate. 1917. Taken March 6, leg seemed hurt by the band and the band was removed to the other leg. Taken also March 7 and on March 8 with 40796 and alone on March 15, always at Station D. 19248, Blue Jay: 1915. Banded March 16. 1916. Taken March 9 and 27 at Stations A and B. 1917. Taken March 10, at Station A. 31775, Blue Jay: 1916. Banded March 1 and 4, Station C. 1917. Taken March 20, at Station D. A very handsome bird. 31770, White-eyed Towhee, male (Pipilo erythrophthalmus allenz): (See figures 12 and 14). 1916. Banded February 22, and taken also Feb. 25, 28, March 1/5, 16) 17. Taken) with 31771) female on Feb. 25, and with 29843 female March 1. Belg.) Lakes alone Mare 9.) 11.) 13.15,) 16; 19, Taken with 16251 female several times, as follows: Peb.vi22.) March) 12°) 14) 50) 17, and ‘on’ March [41] Sci. Pub. 146 THE CLEVELAND Musgeum or NaturAt History Vol. I 8 taken with a female not marked. Taken always in Trap A except on March 13 in D— 400 yards distant. It is very unusual to take a bird so far away. From Migrants we had the following returns: 38168, Myrtle Warbler: 1916. Banded March 8 in B station, and taken March 11 in B, 12th in D and C, 15th’ ia C eyes 17th in C twice, 18th in B, 20th in C, 21st in C, 23rd and 25th in C, 28th in C, 29th in 1G 1917. This bird resumed immediately the trap habit appearing the first day of trapping February 13 in B. Then February 16 in C twice, 20th in C, March 5 in C, 7th in D and C, 9th in D, 13th in D, 14th in D. 38162, Myrtle Warbler: 1916. Banded March 7, B station, taken March 9 in B and D, 10th in B, 12th in D, 13th in C, 14th in B, 15th in B and C. 1917. Another known for its trap habit in 1916 ap- peared the first day of trapping February 13 in C, then 14th in C, 15th in C twice, 16th in C twice, 20th in C, 23rd ain C, 23th in Co eyatee: and March 2 in C, 3d in C and D, 7th am & 8th in D. 38346, Myrtle Warbler: 1916. Banded March 14, and taken also March 17, at C and B stations. 1917. Taken Feb. 15 and 16 at C Station. 38175, Myrtle Warbler: 1916. Banded March 8. 1917. Taken Feb. 16. 38196, Yellow Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum hy- pochrysea): 1916. Banded March 9, B Station, and taken again March 12, C Station. [42] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirD BANDING BY TRAPPING 147 1917. Taken Feb. 14, B Station. These Warblers may remain through the winter, as they are present in numbers when I first arrive at Thomasville, in eatly February, but they increase in numbers about the middle of February; after March first very few Warblers are taken, and by March 15 all are gone except a few stragglers. 16481, White-throated Sparrow: 1915. Banded February 25, taken also Feb. 27 and March 1. Hoty, Taken Feb. 22, 27, March 19, 20. 38443, White-throated Sparrow: (See figure 13). 1916. Banded March 29, taken also March 30. 1917. Taken Feb. 25, March 2, 4, 13, 15. Photographed on March 15. 38435, White-throated Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 27. 1917. Taken March 2 and 4. 38160, White-throated Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 5, taken also March 6, 7, and 16. 1917. Taken March 7 and 19. 38438, White-throated Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 27 and March 29. 1917. Taken March 7. The White-throated Sparrows are always about Station A, the same spot as in 1915 and 1916, and it seems reasonable to call it the same group, coming each year with some accre- tions of the year (as I banded 18 new birds out of the group). This identification of the group as the same group is based upon the fact that in 1916 I obtained two 1915 birds, and this year I have had, as shown above, one 1915 bird and four 1916 birds. These birds probably remain all winter, as they are settled at Station A when we go south, in early February, and they do not change location or move away before April. [43] Sci. Pub. 148 THe CLEVELAND Museum or Naturat History Vol. I 38313, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 13. Taken also March 14 and 16. 1917. Taken March 3 and 20. 38439, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 28. Taken also March 30. 1917. Taken March 8 in D, 16 in C, 18 in C, 19 in B, 20 in D,'21 in’G; 261m Band 'C. 15098, Chipping Sparrow: 1915. Banded March 18. 1917. Taken March 12. 38428, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 21. Taken also March 29. 1917. Taken March 12. 38442, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 29. 1917. Taken March 14. 38318, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 13. 1917. Taken March 14. 38434, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 26. 1917. Taken March 14. 38337, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 14. 1917. Taken March 15. 17271, Chipping Sparrow: 1915. Banded March 19. Taken also March 26 and 28. 1917. Taken March 16. 17278, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 19. 1917. Taken March 17 and 19. 38409, Chipping Sparrow: 1916. Banded March 16. Taken also March 21, 24, 25, 28. One swollen foot. [44] Selgeup. C.M.N. H. Vol. I, Plate XXIII s Fic. 9.—INwoop PLANTATION, THOMASVILLE, Ga. STATION A Is AT THE House ON THE Lert. STaTION B 1s AMONG THE PEAR TREES IN THE CENTER. Station C 1s aT THE CotraGE ON THE Ricut. (See page [39].) Fic. 10.—Sration D, THomasvitte, Ga. THE Trap 1s AMONG THE SHRUBS BUT Not CovereD By THEM. (See page [39].) [V] Seeup. ©. M,N. H. Vol. I, Plate XXIV Fic. 11.—Type or Frerp Carp Carriep IN THE BanpinG Box. (ee page [29].) Fic. 12.—Numser 31770, Towner, Mate. (See page [41].) [VI Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirD BANDING BY TRAPPING 149 1917. Taken March 19. The Chipping Sparrows were not seen when we first came south in February; none was taken until March 3, when they appeared in great numbers. As they had evidently spent the winter farther south and were only stopping off at Thomas- ville, en route, on the migration northward, it seems re- markable that we should take, as shown above, three birds of 1915 banding, and as many as eight of 1916. Among Chipping Sparrows we found again this year many birds having swollen toes, at least 10, or probably 12 or 13 birds out of 128, or about 10 per cent. of them. Shrikes: We again had trouble with Loggerhead Shrikes, as they quickly learn to perch near a trap and kill any bird that is caught. These birds are very abundant in Georgia and must de- stroy an enormous number of small birds. We are convinced that they do more harm than good and would favor a concerted attempt to destroy them. SAMPLE Days aT THOMASVILLE The following are daily records taken from the field notes; every bird taken during the day is entered, the new birds receiving a band, and the birds that have already received bands this season marked ‘“‘repeats’’ (see Fig. 11). From these day-lists we compile for our convenience a sort of ledger-list upon which each successive occurrence of a bird is carried back to the original entry of that bird, thus giving concisely the history of each individual for the season, or for successive seasons. When banding on such a scale, we find these lists very convenient for quickly hunting up birds that are re-taken. [45] Sci. Pub. 150 THE CLEVELAND Museum or Naturat History Vol. I 1917: February 13. Sunny 50° Temp. Set traps A, B, and C. 7824 Myrtle Warbler, new 7825 new 38168 + of 916 | PPB 7826 He ihe new T8271 ie iS new 38162“ | of 1916, 31766 Mockingbird, of 1916 Trap A oa ——— 16246 Hermit Thursh, new A 7826 Repeat AOL Gs 7829 Myrtle Warbler, new } Trap C Tos0T a new Yeo 1 t i new First Day of this Season—at Thomasville March 3. Sun 75°. Traps A, AA, B, C, and D: 38313 Chipping Sparrow, of 1916 | = =), Leap 'D DTA VS i new | 40222 Brown Thrasher, of 1916 38162 Myrtle of 1916, repeat Trap C 27440 Myrtle Warbler, repeat 15ST a ShGReAt AA 15669 White-throated Sparrow, repeat A 27486 Chipping Sparrow, new C 27440 Repeat D , 38162 Repeat D Note both these this morning at C. 27487 Chipping Sparrow, _ new | 27488 . ri new D 27489 a 4 new Today is First Appearance of Chipping Sparrows [46] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirpD BANDING BY TRAPPING 151 March 12. Sun 70°. Traps A, AA, B, C, and Bp 41897 Blue Jay new 15325 Myrtle Warbler, repeat eke) ae 7844 10253 38296 Chipping ad ae 27441 Myrtle Warbler, aut D 10598 Haare ace of 1915 ) 38278 repeat 33428 |. * ‘f of 1916 38293 a 7 new | C pet. ** ye new | go295.. cs new 38291 a a fepeat | 2S a ¥ new B Dense ih” % new | 41898 Cardinal female new B 27499 Myrtle Warbler, repeat 16247 Hermit Thursh, repeat f C 32193 Cardinal female, new } 27442 Chipping Sparrow, repeat Z1500 * ‘ repeat, swollen right toe D 16251 Towhee female, repeat S770 male of 1916, repeat A, taken together several times. 15669 White-throated Sparrow, repeat A 19247 Brown Thrasher of 1916, repeat AA March 15. Sun /5°. Traps A, AA, B, C, D. On this day the traps were not visited until 11 o'clock A.M., when the following birds were removed and photo- gtaphs taken of some of them. 38665 White-throated Sparrow, new A 31770 Towhee male of 1916,a repeat, in AA (See Fig.12) 31779 Brown Thrasher of 1916, repeat D [47] 152 Sci. Pub. Tue CLEVELAND MusEumM or NaturRAL History Vol. I 38271 White-throated Sparrow, repeat D: note station D, not A. 27496 Chipping Sparrow, repeat D SBOE al ne 3s Se 2 Nh oC B 40222 Brown Thrasher of 1916 repeat C 38664 Chipping Sparrow, repeat 38666 =“ He new S807 1) u new S8068 1/017) i i 38669007 a sy B S8670 77/18" i i 38671 S7500)) hn ( ) fepeat 6 ot i if 38658 31770 Towhee male be in A, (Fig. 14) 31770 having B 16251 ‘“ female+been removed from AA only half an hour before. 38443 White-throated Sparrow of i916, repeat A, (Fig. 13) 153450074 " “Shae peat tA. S8672..) i Rial aya BANDING NEAR CLEVELAND, OxI0o Season of 1914 During this season I became interested in banding, and from June 15 to November 1 banded 117 birds, mostly young birds in the nest, including six Yellow Warblers, 12 House Wrens, 6 Chipping Sparrows, 15 Catbirds, 14 Robins and a few Flickers, Song Sparrows and others. Not until October, when I began to trap the House Sparrows, did I begin to find out the value of trapping in the banding work. Season of 1915 Batided fromthe Mest). eh OO a ike NY 0) Te 135 Banded feom traps s/o NING ee SE ORE ee ALT ee artnet 192 6 fost) MR YAS HORN EAL AM Fays tab N OG PUN MN Monte eB alte yh 327 Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—Birp BANDING BY TRAPPING 153 After my experience in Thomasville, Georgia, in March, 1915, I realized the importance of the traps, not only for banding adults but because of the immensely greater proba- bility of getting returns. During the early part of the season the traps were out only occasionally, for a few hours, and this may partly explain why so few returns of birds banded in 1914 were obtained. There were only two returns from last year: 15819, Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), adult: 1914. Banded July 5, and taken July 6 and August 12 with young 17388. 1915. Taken May 23. 15839, Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia melodia): 1914. Banded October 6. wats, Laken May 31. The Catbird had, no doubt, been south for the winter and returned; but the Song Sparrow may have remained here over the winter. The Divorced Wrens: It was during this season that I dis- covered that, in case of birds nesting in boxes, or holes in trees, as the Wrens, or Bluebirds, or Woodpeckers, it is quite easy to catch the adults, for banding, as they enter the nest to feed the young. A pair of House Wrens, Nos. 27739 and 27740, in a box on the greenhouse, were banded in this way on June 19, 1915. Their brood, banded at the same time, received bands 27723 to 27728 inclusive. After an absence from the farm for six weeks I returned to find, in the same box on the greenhouse, another young brood just ready to fly. I gave them bands 27783 to 27787 inclusive, and caught the parents, to discover to my surprise that one parent was 27740, but the other was a new mate, without band, and received band 27782. As birds so quickly find a new mate, when a mate is lost by death, I did not realize just what had happened until I found that 27739 had at the same time (August 14), a nest in a box only 100 feet away, with a new mate, and a brood ready to fly, 27772 to 27777 inclusive. I was unable to get this second [49] Sci. Pub. 154 Tue CLEVELAND Museum or Naturat History Vol. I mate of 27739 because the young left the nest that day, August 14. No. 27739 has further distinguished itself by coming back, in June, 1916, to the same box occupied by it for its second brood in 1915, and I have marked the mate, but of course cannot tell whether it is the same as its second mate of 1915. This 1916 mate of 27739 is No. 38491 and with this mate there were raised the young brood Nos. 38492 to 38496 inclusive. Total Wrens banded in 1915—44. All left the farm September 5 with the storm. Song Sparrows: Total banded—88. Of the 20 banded in May and June, only one was taken after July, No. 27755, taken on October 1. During six weeks in July and early August, observations were omitted because of absence from the farm. During the last two weeks of August, 34 were banded, many young birds in family groups; and some of these were frequently re-taken until September 5. On Sep- tember 4 and 5, there was a drop in temperature accompanied by storms, and the families of Song Sparrows departed; only 4 birds were taken after September 5, No. 27781, a young bird, on September 22; No. 27800, on September 23 and 30; No. 27806, on September 27; and No. 27822, on October 17. A week after September 6, hardly a Song Sparrow was seen, then new birds began to come in; 26 banded in September and October. All this means that after the first broods left the nests in June, both old and young left that vicinity; then other parents raised other broods in August and these mostly departed at the first September storm. White-throated Sparrows: Total banded—43. First appeared from the north on September 25, abundant by September 30. The birds arriving and registered in Sep- © tember and the first week of October did not move on each day, but many of them remained there as long as weather and feed were good, to go, on October 15, when the next storm developed; with that storm came new individuals, who, in turn, remained through good weather and moved along at the time of the next storm, about October 26, when all disappeared. [50] Apr. 1931 BALDWIN—BirpD BANDING BY TRAPPING 155 White-crowned Sparrows: These did not appear until Oc- tober 1, and the early individuals, like the White-throated Sparrows, remained about the farm until the storm of Oc- tober 14, some late arrivals remaining until the next storm on October 26, and a few stragglers until October 30. Of the 28 individuals banded in October, only 7 were in mature plumage. 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