TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Officer* - - - - - -.2

Foreword - - - - 3

The Trials of a Near-ornithologist - F. H. Kennard 4
The Shooting Season of 1 934 in Essex County

Edward Babson 7
Ipswich River Bird-trip, 1934 - - Ralph Lawson 9
On the Trail of the Pileated Woodpecker in Boxford

R.E. Wolfe 11

Note* from the Katahdin Region - Campbell Bosson 1 4
A June Morning at Crooked Pond - - R. E. Wolfe 1 5

PAGE

Sunday Morning October Twenty-first W. A. Marc's 16
Around the Big Table - - - - - - 1 7

Annotated List of Birds Observed During 1 934

Compiled by S. G. Emilio, Recorder 22
Many Long Years Ago - - ErnestS. Dodge 32

Dr. Charles Wendell Townsend - Ralph Lawson 33
Club Calendar for 1 934 - - - 34

List of Members - - - - - 35

A Field- List of Essex County Birds

S. G. Emilio, Recorder 37

BULLETIN

OF THE

Essex County Ornithological Club

OF

Massachusetts

1934

ESSEX COUNTY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB
OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.

Salem, Massachusetts

G

OFFICERS OF THE

ESSEX COUNTY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

1934

President

Frank W. Benson

Vice-President
Albert P. Morse

Secretary

Ralph Lawson
88 Washington Square
Salem, Massachusetts

Treasurer

Benjamin Shreve
29 Chestnut Street

Salem, Massachusetts

Recorder

S. Gilbert Emilio

7 Winter Street
Salem, Massachusetts

Council , the Officers
and the following

Norman R. Brown
Ernest P. Dickson

Robert Walcott

BULLETIN

of the

ESSEX COUNTY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

of

MASSACHUSETTS

Issued Annually

E. S. Dodge .

Editorial
S . G. Emilio .

Committee

A. P. Morse. T.L. Southack, Jr .

December 1934 Salem, Mass. Number 16

FOREWORD

Our sixteenth Annual Bulletin appears, as is obvious,
in a somewhat changed format. The typography lacks the degree
of excellence we hoped for originally as we were unable to get
the so-called aligning paper for pica type, with the result
that we have had to space words arbitrarily and quite without
the desired degree of uniformity in order to avoid the uneven
right hand margin of the type-written page. The type is lighter
faced than formerly but we hope not less legible. It is plain
that the lines are closer together, and they actually number
half again as many per page as heretofore. The consequent re¬
duction in the number of pages required and also the lessen¬
ing in the cost per page, when the printing is effected by the
photo-lithographic method, have caused the making of the change.
It is incidental, but not unimportant, that the final printed
page appears exactly as did the original copy, though reduced
in size. In other words, the almost inevitable uncorrected
errors of the compositor, which have been such a source of ag¬
gravation in other years, are entirely eliminated. Reproduction
of the charts of the appended Field List is done excellently
by photo- lithography and furnished another reason for so re¬
producing the whole issue.

The membership has increased slightly the last year
and several changes have been made in the personnel of the
Officers for 1935. It will be noted that the Officers for 1934
only, are listed. At the Annual Meeting, Mr. Benson was elected
Honorary President, Mr. Morse, President, Mr. Lawson, Vice-
President, Mr. Southack, Secretary, and the new Council is Mr.
Emerson, Mr. Osborne, and Mr. Lawrence Ropes. The Treasurer
and Recorder were re-elected.

And finally we wish to comment on the prompt issuance
of this 1934 Bulletin by expressing the hope that it will set
an example and establish a precedent to be faithfully followed
in the future .

Editorial Committee.

3

4

Bulletin of the

1934

THE TRIALS OF A NEAR-ORNITHOLOGIST
Fred H. Kennard

The Boston Society of Natural History, during
recent months, has been cataloguing its collection of mounted
birds and has been trying to correct the various errors and
inconsistencies and omissions of the last sixty years. The
following is one of the problems that confronted us.

We have a skin, collected by William Brewster,
March 25, 1874, (exactly 60 years ago), at Watertown, Mass.,
and recorded by him in the Quarterly Bulletin of the Nuttall
Ornithological Club,Vol.I,No .1, April 1876, page 19, origin¬
ally labelled by him Junco oregonus female; and correctly so
for there had been only three of the J. hy emails group then
described. No. 566 Junco hy emails var. aikeni fcldgway, which
was later changed to Junco aikeni Ridgway ; No . 567 Junco hy-
emalls (Linn.); and No. 567a Junco hy emails oregonus ( Towns’?) ;
and the First Edition of the A . 0 . U . Check-List published in
1886 apparently recognizes this record by giving J.h. orego¬
nus (Towns.) as "accidental in Michigan and Massachusetts 7"

Then in 1887, Henry K. Coale, in an article in the
Auk, Vol.IV, Oct. 1887, page 330, entitled "Description of a
New Sub-species of Junco from New Mexico", described Junco
hyemalis shuf eldti , clearly identical with our bird, and Brew¬
ster changed his label by scratching out oregonus and sub¬
stituting h. shuf eldti .

By the time the Second Edition of the Check-List
came out in 1895, the number of the J. hyemalis group had
been increased by four newly described sub-species:

567b Junco hyemalis shuf eldti Coale, or Shufeldt's Junco,
our bird, and given as "Accidental in Michigan,
Illinois, Massachusetts and Maryland, etc."

567c Junco hyemalis thurberi Anthony, Thurber's Junco.

567d Junco hyemalis plno sus Loomis, Point Pinos Junco.

567e Junco hyemalis carolinensls Brewst., Carolina Junco.

In the meantime, back in 1884, Elliot Coues in his
Revised Edition of the Key to North American Birds, page 378,
had described Junco hlemalis connectens , "Hybrid Snowbird",
"possessing, in varying degree, the characters of hlemalis"
(not hyemalis ) "and oregonus" . By the time the Third Edition
of the Check-List came , Brewster had again changed the name
on the label of our bird, this time to J .h . connectens ( Coues ) ,
and all on the same small label.

Then, in 1898, Ridgway described a new sub-species,
Junco hyemalis montanus , in"The Auk",Vol. XV, Oct. 1898. page
331, which he characterized as "Similar to J. oreganus" (now
spelled with an a ) " shuf eldti ,but much paler; adult male with
the head, neck and chest slate-color or slate-gray instead of
black or slate-black," that winters "casually to the Missis¬
sippi Valley and even to Maryland."

When the Third Edition of the Check-List came out
in 1910, there was a considerable shake-up with four new sub¬
species added; and sub-specific letters all along the line
had been shifted, so that Shufeldt's Junco which, no matter
what its scientific 'name, had always been 567b, was now 567c,
a detail, of course, but a confusing one. Coues’ name for
Shufeldt's Junco, after 26 years, was recognized, and Junco

Essex County Ornithological Club

5

hyemalis shufeldti Coale, became Junco hiemalis connectens
Coues, and the following were added to the list:

567g Junco hyemalis montanus Ridgway, Montana Junco.

"Breeds in the Canadian Zone from southern Alberta,
south to northern Idaho and northwestern Montana."
For some unguessed reason, the Committee on Nomenclature
decided that this, and not J. h. connectens Coues, must be
our bird, for it is recorded as wintering "East casually
to Kansas, Illinios, Indiana, Massachusetts and Maryland."
567h Junco hyemalis mearnsi Ridgway, Pink-sided Junco.
5671 Junco hy email's annectens Baird, Ridgway' s Junco,
formerly Junco annectens .

567 j Junco hyemalis townsendi Anthony, Townsend's Junco.

In 1918, Dr. Jonathan Dwight published his revision
of the Juncos, entitled "Geographical Distribution of Color
and of Other Variable Characters in the Genus Junco", Bull.
Am. Mus . Nat. Hist ., No . 38 , pages 291-295, in which he decided
that "neither the name connectens nor the name shufeldti was
applicable to the brown-backed bird','and called it Junco~ore-

fonus couesl , or Coues' Junco, and showed our bird very dls-
inctlv in figures 1 and 2, plate XIII, and says its breeding
range "extends from the western parts of Washington and Bri¬
tish Columbia to the Rocky Mountains."

On January 28, 1919, Mr. A. P. Morse collected a
Junco at Wellesley, Mass., as recorded in this Bulletin for
1920, pages 12-14, and took it out to the Museum of Compara¬
tive Zoology for Mr. Outram Bangs to identify. Bangs quite
properly called it a "typical male of Coues' Junco, Junco
oreganus couesl Dwight" (formerly shufeldti and later connec¬
tens ) .Then Mr. Morse presented the Boston Society of Natural
History with' the bird, which we have had on exhibition ever
since in the mounted collection labeled as above.

On Brewster's death, July 11, 1919, his collection
and the Junco skin taken March, 25, 1874, went to the Museum
of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, and the skin was later
presented to the Boston Society, where it now rests with its
original label, and a newer one reading "Junco hyemalis con¬
nectens Coues, male", which had been changed later to "Junco
oregonus couesl Dwight" .

then, at last, in 1931, 21 years after the Third
there comes the Fourth Edition of the A.O.U. Check-List and
this time the sub-specific letters have been shifted back to
where they were in the First and Second Editions. There are
only two birds left in the hyemalis group, the Slate-colored
and the Carolina Junco; all the rest, both red and brown-back¬
ed birds are changed from hyemalis to oreganus as follows:
567a Junco oreganus oreganus (Townsend) , Oregon Junco.

567b Junco oreganus shufeldti Coale, Shufeldt ' s Junco, going
back to the old name 'shufeldti, and ignoring Dwight's
couesl altogether ."Breeds from the interior of central
British Columbia (Skeena Valley) east to western cent¬
ral Alberta, and south to northern Oregon. Winters
over the entire Rocky Mountain table-land to eastern
Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, Chihuahua
Sonora. Casual in Illinois and northern Lower Calif."
567f Junco oreganus montanus Ridgway , Montana Junco . "Breeds
in the Canadian Zone from southern Alberta south to
northern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northwestern Montana.

6

Bulletin of the

1934

Winters south to Arizona, New Mexico, Chihuahua and
Texas. East casually to Kansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Massachusetts and Maryland." Apparently the powers-
that-be are still sure that montanus must be our bird.

567c Junco oreganus thurberi Anthony . Thurber's Junco.

567d Junco oreganus plnosus~ Loomis . Point Pinos Junco.

567 j Junco oreganus pontllls Oberhols . Hanson Laguna Junco.

5671 Junco oreganus towns ent?l Anthony. Townsend's Junco.

Then, to cap the climax, the Committee adopted the
order in Alexander Wetmore's new "Systematic Classification"
for the Birds of the World", published in 1929, and shook up
the Check-List as it had never been shaken before , retaining,
however , though out of order, the previous Check-List numbers.

I recently compared the Br3wster skin and the Morse
mounted bird, probably for the first time they had ever been
brought together, and then took them out to the Museum of
Comparative Zoology for comparison with the "First Series"
there, which is supposed to be nomenclaturally up to date.
Of course these Juncos are often very difficult to identify;
but J. L. Peters and I looked them all over carefully and
these two specimens, evidently of the same race, originally
and correctly identified by Brewster and Bangs, seemed to us
lust what Dr. Dwight, in his very careful revision called
"Junco oregonus couesl " , Coues' Junco, which is now, according
to the Fourth Edition of the A.O.U. Check-List, "Junco ore¬
ganus shuf eldtl Coale", Shufeldt's Junco.

Forbush, in his "Birds of Massachusetts and Other
New England States", Vol. Ill, 1929, pages 90-92, confused
perhaps, by these birds 'distributional and nomenclatural wan¬
derings , records them as of two different sub-species , Morse ' s
specimen as Junco hyemalis oreganus (Towns.) and Brewster's
as Junco hyemalis montanus Ridgwav, where he piously hopes it
"may be allowed to rest in peace."

In addition to the above two records, there is an¬
other Massachusetts specimen of Junco oregonus couesi y Dwight
or Junco oreganus shuf eldtl Coale, as the A.O.Ul Check-List
has it, originally identified by Outram Bangs and Ludlow
Griscom, an adult male , collected January 30, 1931, at Ipswich,
Mass., by Dr. Charles W. Townsend, and presented by him in the
flesh to the Peabody Museum at Salem, Mass., and recorded in
"The Auk", April, 1931, page 274, too late, apparently, to
receive any notice in the 1931 Check-List. These three birds
were compared by Mr. Peters on a later visit, and found to be
identical sub-specif ically .

Now there are rumors that the genus Junco is about
to undergo another revision at the hand of one of our genial
hair-splitters, and one can't help wondering just where these
three birds will land in the next Check-List when it appears.

Essex County Ornithological Club

7

THE SHOOTING SEASON OP 1934 IN ESSEX COUNTY

Edward Babson.

To most of the wild-fowlers and upland-game hunters
the 1934 shooting-season hereabouts will go down in their an¬
nals as the poorest yet experienced by them. Comparatively
few ducks and geese have been shot in my district this season
due to an alarming decrease in nearly all species of wildfowL
Some idea of just how poor this shooting-season was may be
gleaned from the reports given me within a week or two of the
close of the season by several owners of gunning stands where
in other years, goodly bags of both ducks and geese have been
killed, while this season they report that they have not shot
a goose and only a Black Duck or two.

There is no doubt that the moderate wind and weather,
which prevailed during most of the better part of the season,
was a contributing factor to this scarcity of wildfowl and a
consequent poor season. And also, one must consider that it
was only lawful to hunt wildfowl this year on Thursdays, Fri¬
days and Saturdays of each week between October 18 and Decem¬
ber 22. So far as I am aware, the staggered season was strictly
adhered to, sometimes under very tempting circumstances. Some
gunners report that practically the only shooting obtainable
this season was on Thursdays, on birds which had come along
and collected during the rest day period.

The increased wariness of Black Ducks to gunners and
on inland waters and marshes, except nocturnally, is becoming
more and more apparent each year. There are other reasons than
gunning that are at least partly responsible for this habit,
to my way of thinking. I have noticed that, with the establish¬
ment of a commercial flying-field on the Plum Island marshes
and the adoption of low fly-ways by passenger planes across
our marshes , flying between Boston and Maine every hour or two,
no ducks concentrate or breed any longer in that locality.

Technically qualified official observers assure us that
Black Ducks, because of their wide-ranging breeding grounds
outside the drought area are in normal numbers. I cannot sub¬
scribe to the idea of their being In normal numbers, when I
know by personal observation here that there has been a cons¬
tant and noticeable decrease occurring each year since 1924.
There were not half as many Black Ducks this year as in 1933,
which was also a year of marked scarcity in their numbers.

I have been somewhat astonished at hearing statements
from gunners whom I have long considered true sportsmen and
conservationis ts , that "there are just as many Black Ducks as
ever there were, only you can't see them except by night." I
have worked about the various marshes , tidal creeks and rivers
considerably by night, this season, and have found the ducks
extremely scarce , though there were more than you will find by
day. Little good can result from such prevarication.

While the Black Ducks are yet our predominant species
of ducks in this locality, they are also the most harried, and
an unbiased study of all conditions affecting their status
will show the necessity of throwing every possible safe-guard
around the species before they become too much reduced.lt was
interesting to note that a number of the threatened species

8

Bulletin of the

1934

of ducks showed an increase in numbers hereabouts this season
over last, namely. Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup and Buffle-
head. as well as Brant, and there were more Green-winged Teal
and ''blue-bills" shot by gunners then there were Black Ducks.
On the other hand, I saw only two Red-heads on two instances,
undoubtedly the same birds each time, and no Canvas-backs, or
Eiders or Ruddy Ducks.

Mr. R. 0. Currier of Haverhill, tells me that while
gunning with others at the Indian River wild-rice fields from
sneak floats, one male Shoveller was shot by a companion and
the daily bag limit on Green-winged Teal was easily secured
on several different occasions.

There was a decided improvement in the natural food
situation for wildfowl hereabouts this season. The eel-grass
has started to reappear in Plum Island Sound and tidal rivers
connected therewith, while the thatch also staged a come-back.
There is an ample food supply for all species of wildfowl ex¬
cept Brant, I believe.

Despite the heavy distribution of young state-reared
Ring-necked Pheasants during the late summer and early fall,
pheasant hunters found them exceedingly scarce and hard to
find when the season opened on upland game. These propagated
pheasants are inferior in stamina to the wild stock, on which
about all shooting now devolves, and certainly succumb to dis¬
ease and inclemencies of weather and vermin to such an extent
that few live to see the opening- of the season on them. House
cats .dogs , hawks and especially foxes, take heavy toll of them.
All those released this year were banded with metal bands on
their legs and very few of them were reported shot during the
open season by gunners. The stock of wild pheasants has become
much reduced and for some reason very small and few broods
were reared the past year.

While "Partridges" seemed to have a more successful
breeding season and were more plentiful than in recent years
I was unable to find a trace of them in cover where they were
reared, once the season had opened on them, but since its close
I find that some of them have worked back into these same
covers. Their habit of scattering and seeking new covers just
before the shooting commences, doubtless saves many of them
from being found and shot. Hunters reported varying success
with them, finding them scarce and very hard of approach.

Some good sized bevies of "Quail" continue to be re¬
ported seen throughout the district, but as there is no open
season on them in this County, there is not the interest in
them there ought to be by sportsmen. Ground vermin, especially
cats, skunks, and red squirrels , interfere with them in nesting
season to a great extent.

Only scattering Woodcock were noted by me this year
and I found very few of them in hunters'bags or game-pockets.

Very few hunters go rail- and jacksnipe-shooting here
in recent years, but the few who did go this season had some
fair hunting, especially on snipe at the start of the period.

Fox hunting was never better than at the present time,
which harbors no good for our more valuable game birds and
animals. Meanwhile the hares and rabbits have never been so
scarce locally and the "partridges" and pheasants are very
far from plenty.

Essex County Ornithological Club

9

IPSWICH RIVER BIRD— TRIP 1934

Ralph Lawson

The twenty-eighth annual trip was made this year on
May 19th and 20th. One hundred and fourteen species were re¬
ported observed during the two days by members of the party.

The sky was partly overcast and it was cool with a
moderate breeze. The river was well within its banks due to
a rather dry period immediately preceding the trip.

The winter of 1933-34 had been very cold, with re¬
cord low temperatures, but during April and early May con¬
ditions had been normal, and the northern finches and their
associates had gone. A few days of forcing weather earlier in
the month had brought the foliage somewhat beyond normal and
had caused a wave of shorebirds , present during the preceding
week-end, to migrate north, so that results near the mouth of
the river were very disappointing.

Despite the large list birds were numerically scarce,
the 20th being a particularly "dry" day. A very unusual bird
for the River Trip was a Duck Hawk and the Alder Flycatcher,
reported as both seen and heard, was a good find. A singing
Cape May Warbler gave a group of some half-dozen observers a
long time during which to study him at close range. A Pipit
and Barred Owl also deserve special mention, although the owl
nests regularly within the County .Warblers were very scarce.

The regular routine was followed and some thirty-
five members and guests were in the party at least a part of
the time. The Friday evening group at the Bruley-Kimball camp
was larger than usual. Mrs. George R. Felt very thoughtfully
opened her camp, for our Saturday noon meal, and afforded us
the warm hospitality we had so long enjoyed from her late
husband.

The list of species reported, follows:

Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron
American Bittern
Black Duck
Wood Duck

Red-breasted Merganser

Sharp- shinned Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red- shouldered Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Marsh Hawk

Duck Hawk

Sparrow Hawk

Ruffed Grouse

Ring -necked Pheasant

Virginia Rail

Sora

Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer

Black-bellied Plover

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper

Greater Yellow-legs

Least Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling

Herring Gull

Mourning Dove

Black-billed Cuckoo

Screech Owl

Barred Owl

Whip-poor-will

Nighthawk

Chimney Swift

Ruby- throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Flicker

Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Kingbird

Crested Flycatcher
Phoebe

10

Bulletin of the

1934

Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Wood Pewee
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Blue Jay
Crow

Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Prairie Marsh Wren
Short-billed Marsh Wren
Catbird

Brown Thrasher
Robin

Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Olive-backed Thrush
Veery
Bluebird
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Starling

Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Black and White Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler

Cape May Warbler
Myrtle Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Chestnut- sided Warbler

Black-poll Warbler

Pine Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Oven-bird

Water-Thrush

Northern Yellow-throat

Wilson's Warbler

Canada Warbler

Redstart

English Sparrow

Bobolink

Meadowlark

Red-wing

Baltimore Oriole
Rusty Blackbird
Bronzed Grackle
Cowbird

Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Goldfinch
Towhee

Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow

Essex County Ornithological Club

11

ON THE TRAIL OF THE P ILEA TED WOODPECKER IN BOXFORD

Rolland Emerson Wolfe

In December, 1931, the members of the Essex County
Ornithological Club were somewhat startled when informed by
Mr. Dunbar Lockwood that a Northern Pileated Woodpecker was
being observed frequently in the trees about his summer home
in Boxford. Club members spoke to the caretaker who had also
frequently noticed the bird. In the weeks and months which
followed, many unsuccessful attempts were made to gain even
a glimpse of the bird in the surrounding dense woodlands , es¬
pecially in the Boxford Wild Life sanctuary which is nearby.
On March 20, 1932, two members of the Nuttall Ornithological
Club, Messrs Perry and Conkey, heard in an adjoining grove
the Pileated * sf call . The wary bird evidently had heard their
approach and disappeared. However, upon arrival at about the
place from which the call had come, they discovered freshly
cut long, vertical holes or gashes which were as much as six
inches in depth, in some large dead pines. Probably the bird
was actually working on one of these holes when frightened.

The next report was on January 15, 1933, when Lock-
wood again reported having seen a Pileated Woodpecker.

During the remainder of January and February, 1933
I made many trips into the deep woodlands of Boxford in an
effort to see the bird, but without success. However, I found
on these trips many wood-workings such as could be made only
by a Pileated Woodpecker. On the Dresser Road was a partly
decayed tree-stub about fifteen feet high, which was riddled
evidently by one of these birds. Near the tree, the ground
was covered, and for a radius of ten feet was littered, with
fresh chips which only the powerful axe-like blows of a bill
like the Pileated* s could have hewn.

During this same period, when there was a two-foot
snow-fall, Mrs. Little of Boxford, found in a field near our
house, a huge woodpecker, such as she had never seen before.
Her boy, picking it up, carried it under his coat for some
distance, but after the bird had thus been warmed somewhat,
it suddenly flew away. Upon learning of this the following
day, I covered the region where these events occurred. While
I did not see the bird, many of its four-inch foot-prints in
the snow were still clearly visible. There were also on the
snow wing-marks which indicated that it had fluttered back
and forth over the snow-banks . The description of black color
indicated that it was either a Three-toed or a Pileated. But
the description as well as the size of the tracks and wing-
spread, certainly favored the theory that it was a Pileated.

On the morning of the third of April, 1933, I was a-
wakened at the first glimmer of dawn by a loud birdcall out¬
side my window. At first it reminded me somewhat of a Flick¬
er, but the tone was much lower-pitched, and much deeper and
louder than a Flicker's. It seemed almost like the "quack’^f
a Black Duck repeated with effort eight or nine times. I con¬
cluded before it reached an end to the first series of calls
that it could be nothing other than the long- sought Pileated
Unfortunately, as I leaped out of bed, the window-shade was
down, and in pulling it to one side I scared the bird, which
was on an oak tree only about twenty feet from me. From the

12

Bulletin of the

1934

observation of the posture of the bird for the second before
it flew, I was certain that it was a woodpecker. I saw it go
with labored flight and noticed its great wingspread but was
unable to distinguish any colors because of the darkness. It
simply appeared as a large, black, bird which had an awkward
flight. As it flew, another one from an elm tree across the
field, gave a similar series of "quacks’' and joined what was
evidently its mate in flight through the village towards the
Boxford Wild-life Reservation. I heard their series of calls
again when they were probably half-a-mile away. Though I had
seen no head-coloration, the possibilities as to a woodpecker
of this size and general color are so restricted as to leave
me in certainty that, after all the searches, I was the first
member of the Club, after Lockwood, to see the local birds.
This, of course, is not to be credited to keen observation but
merely to the location of my home in the region frequented
by them.

In July, 1933, Herbert K*Prout employed by the State
to make a survey of the wild-life sanctuary at Boxford, told
me that he had encountered a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers on
the Hemlock Trail, one day. Since he was a federal man who had
done such work in other states there is good reason to think
that his observation should be credited. I went out with him
once and can verify his other identifications as correct. In
all probability this was the same pair which I had seen the
third day of the preceding April. While, up to that date, it
was thought that the birds were here only a portion of the
winter, it seemed evident from these last two observations
that this pair was breeding in Essex County.

In October ,1933, Mr. 0. C .Bourne who has supervision
over the Boxford and other sanctuaries , reported he had heard
the Pileated Woodpecker near the Hemlock Trail, where they
were reported in July. Mr. Bourne is well acquainted with
this species from observations made in New Hampshire.

The species was next reported on November 10, 1933
by Mrs. Maxwell Foster in the adjoining town of Topsfield.

On a certain morning (date uncertain) during Jan¬
uary or February, 1933, Professor Franklin C. Roberts who re¬
sides on Forest St., in Andover, reports that his whole fam¬
ily, as well as a number of the neighbors on that street, were
awakened one morning just at daybreak by the noise made by a
Pileated who was going through his antics on a hickory tree
near his house in the thickly settled part of Andover. I feel
satisfied that his observation is credible, especially since
he taught at the Ke«ne Normal School for a number of years
and saw the species there frequently.

May 16, 1934, one-fourth mile from my house, I saw
a huge woodpecker dart silently from a tree. Because of the
very poor visibility, I was unable to see anything except
that it was a large, black, bird. It disappeared among the
trees so quickly that I was not able to focus my glasses on
it. Though prolonged search was made in the woods, no subse¬
quent trace of the bird was found. But one important source
of evidence remained to be examined. I concluded that if the
bird was a Pileated, it might have left some unmistakeable
evidence of its work on the tree from which it flew, depend¬
ing of course upon the amount of time which it had been at
work there. Returning to the tree, I found a large, live,tu-

Essex County Ornithological Club

13

pelo which was girdled with a circle of ten fresh holes. One
of these was three by four inches in size by four and three-
quarters inches deep. On the ground there were strips of bark
as much as eight inches long. Returning the following morn¬
ing, I sat there quietly for an hour and a half , enduring the
butchery of the mosquitoes, but the bird did not appear. This
identification was not of course wholly certain, but I felt
confident , personally, that I had obtained another glimpse of
the Pileated, because of its size and the fact that holes of
such size in live wood could not have been made by any other
woodpecker. Other similar holes, by that time already some¬
what weathered, in trees nearby, gave evidence of at least
one previous visit, probably at least six months earlier.

On October 3, 1934, I heard the Pileated' s call from
my home. It was in the woods, where the tree just described
is located. However, my search for it was fruitless.

On the morning of October 9, I was awakened before
six o'clock by the "quacking" of the Pileated near the house
but upon coming out, the bird was not to be found. Happening
to go outside, about half an hour later, I heard what seemed
to be fairly heavy pecking in the top of a hickory tree only
about fifteen feet from the barn. After going into the house
for my binoculars, I cautiously maneuvered into a favorable
position. At last my search of almost three years was re¬
warded for here I saw the Northern Pileated Woodpecker for
the first time in broad daylight. The bird was near and the
light could not have been more favorable . The richness of the
coloration about the head and the length of the beak are
sights which one will never forget. After I had observed him
chop for five or six minutes, he evidently detected my pres¬
ence and immediately flew away in apparent fright. He did a-
light on another tree but remainedonly a fraction of a sec¬
ond. Then he gave a series of twelve or fifteen loud"quacks"
e s he proceeded on his heavy and awkward flight through the
dense woods.

This morning, November 29, 1934, the big Woodpecker
was observed by me on a large oak tree in our yard. He was
near enough so that I could see the head and neck coloration
distinctly. When frightened, he flew into the village. This
same thing occurred a week ago, when the bird was on another
oak in our yard and when frightened, flew toward the village.

This species has been a rare bird in Essex County,
there being only five records of its appearance between 1886
and 1931. It is regarded as accidental from north-westward.
But the chain of evidence which is related in this article,
seems to be conclusive proof that it has not only been here
at times, since 1931, but that it has also been a year-round
resident during much or all of that time. The fact that Dam-
sell shot a bird at Amesbury on July 8, 1886, indicates that
it also may have been breeding in the County at that time.

The bird is extremely secretive and evidently can
best be observed in early morning. This particular pair,
or perhaps more than one pair, of birds seem to extend their
trips over vast regions of dense woodlands. While in 1931
they seemed to be localized in or near the Boxford Wild Life
sanctuary, at present their activities seem to be localized
more or less in the woodland near my home in Boxford village.

14

Bulletin of the

1934

NOTES FROM THE KATAHDIN REGION
Campbell Bosson

August 27 and 28 were very cold with a northeast
storm covering the entire district. The wind did not seem par¬
ticularly strong but the fog was at times very dense. On the
evening of the 28th we were surprised to see a long string of
large water-birds flying low over Sourdnahunk Lake. They were
in V formation but with one side of the V two or three times
as long as the other and the apex of the V was not sharp. They
did not light but circled and I was told that they landed on
another part of the lake. On the following morning, however,
they again flew past and lit very close to our camp. The night
before everyone thought that they were geese and was amazed
at the early date. When they lit, however, it was quickly seen
that they were not geese but cormorants. There must have been
a hundred birds and the minute they lit they started to dive
for fish. The owner of the camp was much perturbed at the
danger to his fishing and promptly brought a rifle and fired
several shots. The first shot induced most of them to fly away
but three shots were necessary before all the birds were out
of range and then they simply settled down on a more distant
part of the lake. Some of the natives said they had heard of
cormorants coming inland before but this was the first time
they had ever seen them.

I did not see any Canada Jays nor did I hear anything
that sounded like a Canada Jay. My boy, however, described a
bird which he had seen which might well have been one. On at
least two occasions I heard Acadian Chickadees. We also saw
several Spruce Grouse, a couple of males with brilliant red
above their eyes. One sat still while the guide touched him
with a three foot stick.

September 4 and 5 were cold, rainy and wintry days
on the mountain with a southeast storm blowing. September 5
was warmer, though not hot, and clear except for high cumulus
clouds. September 7 was clear except for local clouds on the
mountain. About 8:00 o'clock in the morning we left Chimney
Pond to climb up the Saddle Slide. About 9:15 we reached the
top of the Slide and rested. This was an elevation of about
3800 feet and above tree-line, unless scrub spruce and birch
two or three feet high are called trees. When we first sat
down there was no bird within sight or hearing. Within five
minutes a Pine Siskin flew past and disappeared. Within the
next five minutes the rocks and grass around us were alive
with warblers. I recognized Black-throated Greens and Myrtles
but there were undoubtedly many others that I did not name.
Within a space of twenty-five yards square there must have
been twenty-five birds and in this space there was not even
scrub spruce or birch. One of the warblers flew right at Mrs.
Bosson and came within a foot of her face before veering off,
giving her quite a start. After three or four minutes they
passed out of our sight. Assuming that they were migrants
which might have lit there at that time I do not think that
they resumed their migration immediately.

Incidentally, one of the pleasures of climbing
Katahdin is the privelege of looking down upon hawks, some¬
thing that can be enjoyed at the head-walls of the ravines in
the Presidential Range but in comparatively few other places.

Essex County Ornithological Club

15

A JUNE MORNING AT CROOKED POND

%

Rolland Emerson Wolfe

It was my privilege to accompany Mr. Emilio on the
second day (June 25) of his annual two day summer survey of
the nesting birds of Essex County. While driving by Crooked
Pond, in Boxford, Emilio heard what seemed to him to be the
notes of a Black-throated Blue Warbler. We hoped that after
stopping the car and motor, it might be possible to hear the
bird again and perhaps see it, but to our disappointment, no
trace of it could be found. While there was a possibility of
course that some other song or noise, distorted also by the
sound of the motor and moving machine , might have been heard,
Emilio was quite sure that these distinctive notes, which I
had not heard, could have beer; none other than those of the
Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Two mornings later, I went back to the same place
determined to get a view of the bird. I had scarcely left the
car when I heard the characteristic song from the tall pines
across the pond. Almost immediately the bird was in the dense
foliage of an oak tree near which I was standing. Though I
followed it into the woods, the foliage always prevented my
obtaining a view. This happened again and again as the bird
was evidently flying back and forth in search of food, possi¬
bly going to and from its nest. Now it was on the other side
of Crooked Pond and again it was on my side. I finally gave
up in despair and turned to the observation of other species.

In the hour and a half which was spent there, the
following were observed or heard : Canada , Black-throated Green,
Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided and Black and White War¬
blers, Oven-bird, Northern Yellow- throat , Blue-headed Vireo,
Red-eyed Vireo, Wilson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet Tan-
ager. Hairy Woodpecker, Chimney Swift, Crow, Bluebird, Blue
Jay and Towhee. Many persons are of the opinion that the
dense woods have little bird-life even in the summer season,
but from observations taken on such mornings, when birds are
in constant motion seeking insects for their young, there is
much evidence that the woodlands are teeming with bird-life.

Just as I was about ready to leave, I heard again
the Black-throated Blue Warbler. It was nearby on top of the
wooded ledge where I had pursued it several times during the
morning and where Mr. Emilio had heard it two days previously.
After climbing the ledge, I was fortunate in obtaining a most
excellent view of the bird.

This observation is significant. The bird is known
here only as an uncommon spring and rare fall migrant. So far
as I am aware, there are no records of this species as a sum¬
mer resident In Essex County. But this bird, or perhaps pair,
which was observed on June 25 and 27, 1934, was very probably
engaged in caring for a nest of young. The record, therefore
is most interesting.

16

Bulletin of the

1934

SUNDAY MORNING OCTOBER TWENTY-FIRST
William A. Marcy

It was a rather dull forenoon but with good visi¬
bility and the temperature ranging from 45 to 60.

We met about 8:15 in the Fay Estate, Lynn, at the
Back Lane and drove by Granger's to the northwest side of
Farm Pond, It was sparrow day, and we found large flocks of
Song, Swamp and Chipping Sparrows with an occasional Slate-
colored Junco.

Soon, about a dozen Red-winged Blackbirds flew into
the top of a nearby tall spruce where we had a fair chance
to observe them. They very accommodatingly gave a few "Kong-
a-ree"calls ,and as the light changed we were able to see the
coloration on the wings of some of the males.

A flock of Myrtle Warblers and Chickadees, with a
sprinkling of Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets had us hop¬
ping around rather lively for a few minutes, but we found no
belated migrants with them, the only additional species being
a weakly lisping Brown Creeper.

With a small flock of sparrows near the "Barnacle"
were two Hermit Thrushes.

We then went to the Lynn Shore at King’s Beach and
rolled southwestward toward Nahant.The tide was nearly full.
Just beyond the Bathhouse on the ocean side and just off the
beach were six large birds which proved to be Common Loons.
Beyond, was one Black-backed Gull and several Herring Gulls.
To our disappointment, no ducks or shore-birds were there at
the time, but at the Nahant end of the beach we found a flock
of eight White-winged Scoters , which we watched for some time.'

Our trip through various streets and roads of Nahant
was uneventful until we found a nice flock of migrants back
of town hall. These were mainly White-throats with some Song
Sparrows, a few Hermit Thrushes, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet or two
and a lone Black-poll Warbler.

Two trim immature White-crowns appeared on the road at
Lodge's and we studied them for some time there and on the
grass and in the low bushes. They were joined by a Field
Sparrow just to make comparison ideal.

I had usually seen most of my birds just inside the
entrance to the estate and sure enough we found at the place
a small flock of sparrows, kinglets and one Black-throated
Green Warbler with several Myrtles.

On the water, from the Cliff Walk, we saw a bunch of
eight Cormorants, a few scoters and two more Black-backs,
while scores of Herring Gulls were near the fishing boats.

Returning, a fine cock Pheasant inspected us, and we
him, at close range, while a little further along we found two
Hermits and a very certain Olive-backed Thrush as well as
more Myrtles, a Downy and a Hairy Woodpecker also.

At the "swamp" we flushed the few remaining Black -
crowned Night Herons, and then hunger, or what passes for it,
prompted a return home.

To me it was an ideal morning and my companion who
was somewhat more experienced than I called it a reasonably
typical October 21st, and I venture to record the short trip
for that reason.

Essex County Ornithological Club

17

A KINGFISHER PREPARES A MEAL
Wendell Taber

One mid-September day as I was walking around Caver-
ly's Pond, otherwise known as Sagamore Pond, Ipswich, I noticed
a Kingfisher with a goldfish in his bill. Goldfish, incident¬
ally, have been in this pond many years and have multiplied.
They have retained their bright red# color and seen to form a
delicacy for certain birds. In winter they may be seen, at
times, swimming beneath the ice.

The Kingfisher was sitting on a tree-limb beating
the goldfish violently against the limb. This action was
accomplished almost entirely by movement of the Kingfisher’s
head, the fish being held by its head at right angles to the
bill of the bird. I supposed, at first, the main objective
was to kill the fish, which wriggled, somewhat , occasionally ,
but ultimately it became evident that, perhaps, the fish was
too large to be swallowed without preparation in the form of
mashing. As the fish was held by t the head, however, most of
the mashing was applied to the tail and smaller part. The
bird seemed to realize his mistake and a number of times
changed his grip to the tail, but each time the goldfish
would almost slip out of this grip on the first swing and
the Kingfisher would revert to his original hold. I counted
eighty-six blows and estimated that at least fifty blows
must have been made before I started counting.

Ultimately the meal was prepared properly and was
swallowed. The Kingfisher was unable, however, to close his
mandibles which remained pointed straight up in the air,
spread far apart. He kept making swallowing efforts every
few seconds and these efforts would cause the mandibles to
move slightly, a little progress being made each time as the
fish was forced further and further down the throat .Finally ,
the mandibles were closed completely and the bird sat quiet¬
ly on the limb resting and digesting the meal until , inadver¬
tently, I scared him off.

I

18

Bulletin of the

1934

ANOTHER KINGFISHER AND A GOLDFISH
Albert P. Morse

Mr. Taber's Incident of the Kingfisher recalls to
mind a similar experience that happened many years ago.

With my class, which was composed largely of school
teachers, I was watching the birds and drinking in the beauty
of the surroundings (it was rhododendron -time , in June) near
a pool on the Sargent estate in Brookline.

The pool, which was but ' a rod or so across, I have
the impression contained a number of goldfish. At all events
I was duly appealed to by one of my students with the excla¬
mation: "Oh' Mr. Morse, is that bird really going to swallow
that fish?" I looked, and saw a Kingfisher perched upon a
dead stub, three or four feet above the water, with a large
goldfish crosswise in its beak. The fish was so large that
such a feat seemed preposterous and I hastened to assure the
student that it was not possible - but the bird had a differ¬
ent opinion. By repeatedly thumping the fish on the top of
the stub to lessen its struggles, and also working it from the
crosswise position in its beak to one with the head downward
the bird secured a better hold on the creature and a more fa¬
vorable position for swallowing it. However, the fish was at
least twice as wide as the bird's gape and the possibility of
its being swallowed seemed decidedly doubtful. Nevertheless
the fish slowly disappeared in the bird's capacious maw, all
except its tail, which still projected from the bird's mouth.
At last the fish ceased to struggle.

Soon after, the bird flew. But it had apparently
forgotten to make allowance for the weight of the fish and
fell headlong on to the surface of the pool, skittered to the
bushes at its side, climbed them, rested, and finally flew away,
slowly at first, clearing with difficulty the surrounding
trees. It left, it is perhaps needless to say, an audience as
breathless as itself.

WHAT ONE CHICKADEE DRANK
T. L. Southack

Last spring, just after the sap had started to run, I
made the mistake of pruning a rather large shoot on my back¬
yard grape-vine. A day or so later I glanced at this cut and

saw that it was "bleeding" - the sap coming out constantly in

drops, at least one a second. I stood nearby , cursing my stupid¬
ity, when a Chickadee flew by, lit on the vine, and in a few
moments hopped over the branches to examine the "leak".

Without hesitation he up-ended, placed his beak so
that the dripping sap would hit it, and gave every evidence
of drinking. At least, he fluffed his wings and feathers and
waggled his tail, as if he were enjoying something .After samp¬
ling this rather unusual beverage for about a half-minute, he

Essex County Ornithological Club

19

flew off.

Later the same day, and several times during the
following days until the cut healed, a Chickadee could be seen
indulging in the juice of the grape- -or what would eventually
be grape juice at any rate. It seemed to allay his thirst and
the bird's performance in getting at the dripping sap gave us
a good deal of enjoyment. However, the best gardeners probably
would not recommend this means of providing for our feathered
friends .

ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE RING-NECKED DUCK

S. G. Emilio

A small duck with wing measuring less than eight
inches was brought to me recently for identification. After
gazing at the bird in mild consternation for a few moments,
for it was almost as devoid of color-pattern as a female Cow-
bird, it seemed best to begin at the beginning and determine
it to be either a tipping, river-duck or a diver. The lobed
hind toe settled its status as a diver, -and it was obviously
not a merganser.

Next, th§ bluish-gray speculum indicated fairly con¬
clusively the Redhead or the Ring-necked. The size was with¬
in the range of possibility of either but strongly suggested
the smaller of the two, the Ring-necked. This was, of course,
wholly inconclusive and as the bill was plain blackish, it
furnished no clue or definite evidence.

Careful reading of detailed descriptions of plum¬
ages of females and immature males revealed that the outer
web of the tertials of the Ring-necked Duck show a metallic
greenish color, and our bird on examination showed plainly
this very character.

Both ducks under consideration have white axillars,
hence the identity of the bird at hand, in the absence of any
comparative material, was determined by the green of the ter¬
tials, a character certainly not shared by the Redhead.

I

LEAVES FROM A NOVICE'S NOTE-BOOK
T. L. Southack

Migration Highlight: Watching for warblers in the
dark shade of a tall evergreen--then the flash of flame from
a Blackburnian's throat during a second's halt in flight,
directly in the path of a filtering sunbeam.

Music A-wing: Mating pursuit of three Wood Thrushes
madly chasing each other at a wood's edge, liquid melody

20

Bulletin of the

1934

pouring from each bird’s throat.

Artists Paradise: A lake near the ocean, but in the
hills, framed in trees to the water’s edge. On the surface,
a group of gulls, glistening white at a distance, under the
full sun. In darting flight overhead, a pair of terns. High
above, a circling Osprey. Par across the horizon, the slow,
majestic progress of a Great Blue Heron.

Study in Contrasts: A Robin's clumsy, elephantine
bulk when perched momentarily on a telephone wire close to
the next-to-no thingness of a Hummingbird.

Communal Life: Six species , -Goldfinches , both Nut-
a.tches. Downy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper and Chickadees-f eed-
ing together in a grove of larches on a winter afternoon.

Rare Silhouette: A Duck Hawk perched on a church
steeple, motionless, etched against the sky.

Breath-taker: Aerial combat of two Kingfishers,
fighting to establish territory. First, a rocket-like climb
to the heights - then a headlong plunge toward the earth - a
swoop and again skyward. Variation in "side-slips" , "steep-
banks” and other evolutions. "Machine-gun fire" in the cons¬
tant vocal rattle. Aeroplane "dog-fight" in minature .

ODD MOMENTS
M. E. Kelley

I have not had the time to give to ornithology dur¬
ing the past that I would have liked, and I have spent only
odd moments in observing bird-life. Of particular interest to
me is the real purpose that birds have been put on Earth for
especially their relations to insects and plants and there¬
fore their indirect effect on human life.

Corn, for instance, is one of the most important food
staples today, as for many hundreds of years past. And the
corn-borer, one of the worst pests to assail this grain, has
certainly gained in spite of all our efforts to quell it. In
my garden, I raise sweet corn of different varieties, matur¬
ing enough daily to satisfy my family's wants from about the
twentieth of July to the time of the first real heavy frost.

Last year I noticed a great many Chipping Sparrows
spending considerable time in my corn patches. I suspected
then, what I dared not hope, namely that these little birds
were plucking the corn-borers from near the tassels that had
been rotted off partly by the inroads of the grub. This year
I confirmed my suspicions. The sparrows alight on the broken
stem, pull apart the broken tops and extract the small black¬
headed grubs from the tassel. Whether they also eat a little
black beetle that is often found in the stem near the grub,
I do not know, as yet, but I doubt it. Nor do I know yet whe¬
ther this little black beetle itself kills the small borer,
though whenever the beetle is present the grubs seem to dis¬
appear .

I did not count fifteen matured borers, and I mean
by that large ones, in all my corn this year. So I am giving

Essex County Ornithological Club

21

credit positively to the Chipping Sparrows,- and, hazily, as
yet, to the beetle.

The Field Sparrow is another friendly little neigh¬
bor which nests nearby. As I work in my garden planting or
weeding, these birds are sometimes so near that I am moved to
speak softly, or whistle to them. They actually stay about
within ten or fifteen feet of me, picking up bits here and
there. For hours they will do this; a little noise behind
you and there one will be in the row just worked over, appar¬
ently following along. Another will sit for hours swinging
in the tall heavy bush or grass nearby, in the hottest sun,
singing a delightful song which starts something like a Song
Sparrow’s but it ends in a musical trill. The peculiar thing
about this bird is that when the intense heat of July and
August has stilled nearly all other bird sounds, its song
comes joyfully down the hill through the hot noon-time.

Still another neighbor, not so friendly or intimate,
is the Crow.

One day last January when it was terribly cold
and with deep snow, I looked out of a window facing the hills
about sunrise and saw what appeared to be a black rag, flap¬
ping in the wind. I gave it no further thought until about
a half-hour later, when going out to the hen-coop, I noticed
the black thing still flapping about. Becoming curious then,
I watched it awhile and finally made out that it was a large
Crow worrying something and endeavoring to pull it apart.

A few minutes later I made my way on skis across
the newly formed snow-drifts to the place where the Crow was
working. He flew up when I had approached within thirty-odd
feet and on arriving at the spot of his activity, I found an
old shoe, ladies' fashion, 1890, held firmly by ice and snow,
from which the Crow had been trying to remove the last re¬
maining button. Further examination showed that he had suc¬
ceeded in ripping off two other buttons. I could not find
them, however, though I hunted quite a while.

What a field opens to the imagination! Where did
Miss 1890 shoe come from, and when, and how? Did Old Black
Crow try to make a breakfast out of the but l;ouS , or was he
Indifferent to food in that arctic setting, and intent only
on securing a shiny trinket to hide away as do other members
of his sagacious family?

22

Bulletin of the

1934

ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED DURING 1934
Compiled by S. G. Emilio, Recorder.

The weather during 1934 was rather typical of New
England. We had a little bit too much of all sorts.

January actually averaged above normal in tempera¬
ture by about two degrees, due entirely to a warm spell from
the eighth to the thirteenth. Precipitation was about normal.
February was the real winter month, as often happens. The
thermometer averaged eleven degrees below normal and the pre¬
cipitation, which was almost entirely snow, was some thirty
percent more than usual. March was normal, with the first
migration wave on the eighteenth. April was a trifle warm and
wet with no marked extremes of temperature. May also aver¬
aged warmer than usual and rather dry but only on the sixth
and seventh was the temperature along the middle Atlantic
coast sufficiently high to drive on a good wave of birds.
June also showed exceptionally warm weather on the sixth and
seventh and the last of the spring migrants completely left
us then. Otherwise the month was much as usual. July was
slightly warm and very deficient in rainfall .August also was
very dry but notably cool .Unusually low temperature prevail¬
ed on the fifth, sixth, seventh, fourteenth, twenty-second and
thirtieth. There were a corresponding lot of migration waves
of southbound migrants and an unusual variety and abundance
of birds in evidence afield. September was as poor a bird
month as August was good. It was foggy and cool with easterly
winds on many days and then warmer at the end of the month
when a cool spell usually brings a wave of migrants. October
was cool with several spells of real cold weather and there
was some evidence of migration then but it was not a really
good bird month. November drifted along with no marked temp¬
erature changes, although with a spell of freezing weather
in mid-month, but otherwise unusually warm and averaging
nearly three degrees above normal with less than half the
usual rainfall. December gave first a spell of Indian Slimmer
and then a spell of weather suitable for the Arctic Zone. The
month averaged cold by three degrees with rather scanty pre¬
cipitation and few birds.

The year as a whole was sub-normal in temperature
and also deficient in rainfall by nearly fifteen percent.

Due largely to the fine flight of northern birds
present here early in the year and the exceptional activity
afield of certain members, the composite list is the longest
we have compiled and in many respects not uninteresting.

Re-cords reported by observers who are not members
of this Club are included but are not numerous . These records
are given in full , -date-place-name of observer. So also are
given in full the few records which extend the known periods
of occurrence of various species here in Essex County. Such
detail seems unneces sary, however, in connection with the rest
of the dates given, but the observer's name in each case is
kept in the Recorder's files and is available to anyone who
may be interested.

Common Loon. Present until May 27 and June 17. Except for one
seen August 12 at Newburyport by the Recorder and others.

Essex County Ornithological Club

23

none were reported until October 2.

Pacific Loon. This bird is still on or in the Hypothetical

List for lack of a local specimen, but we continue to see
birds we believe to be it, as at Nahant, February 4, and
Rockport, December 23.

Red- throated Loon. May 23 and June 17 in breeding plumage;
November 4, Scarce.

Holboell ' s Grebe. April 29 and May 20; November 4.

Horned Grebe. May 6; November 4. Scarce both spring and fall.

Pied-billed Grebe. April l.Two pairs nested at the Fay Estate,
Lynn and at least one young bird remained there as late
as August 7, when the '’pond" was almost completely dry.
Observed during the fall from October 2 to November 4.

Gannet. Off Cape Ann on January 1, Griscom,Low and others saw
one adult. Another, captured December 26, 1933, was fed
and finally released alive at Salem on January 4. No
others reported until September 3, and last, November 12.

European Cormorant. April 11; October 14.

Double-crested Cormorant. April 29 to May 13; August 10 to
October 21.

Great Blue Heron. April 1 to June 7; very rare, this spring;

July 24 to November 24. At least normally common in fall.

American Egret. August 16 to August 30. One bird at Ipswich.

Little Blue Heron. August 12 to September 16. Both color phases

Eastern Green Heron. May 6 to September 23.

Black-crowned Night Heron. April 1 to November 23.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron. April 11, Gloucester, one adult
seen by the Recorder. August 22 to September 25, one in
nearly adult plumage seen repeatedly at Ipswich.

American Bittern. April 8 to November 4, also November 20.

Eastern Least Bittern. Dr. Phillips saw this species at the

mouth of the Indian River in West Newbury in late August.

Common Canada Goose. January 21, six seen at Newburyport and
eleven there on February 19. Migrants from March 6, when
M.E. Kelley saw eleven over PeabodyV to April 22; October
14 to December 23. A great flight about November 21.

Blue Goose. The third specimen ever to be taken in the County,
of which we have any record at least, was shot at Ipswich,
November 10 and the fine adult specimen was mounted by
Mr. Tortat.

American Brant. April 29, two^ birds seen by Griscom and Taber,
and May 27, also two bir'ds, at Newburyport, seen by
Griscom, Lawson and Emilio; October 12 to November 24.

A good flight reported in the fall.

Common Mallard. February 19, one duck and on the 22d a pair
at Newburyport, also a drake at Manchester March 4.

Red-legged Black Duck. Regularly seen to May 23; November 4.

Common Black Duck. February 18, a pair at a water hole in the
Fay Estate, Lynn. Few seen after the breeding season.

Gadwall. April 22, Newburyport, Griscom and others.

Baldpate. April 22, as above, and also the only record.

(The "9’’ was omitted after ’’January" in the 1933 List.)

American Pintail. A few wintered at Manchester and Newburyport
Latest spring date, April 22. At Crane Pond, Grove land,
Babson saw one on August 10 which is remarkably early,
and no more were reported until October 14. Two were
seen as late as December 23 at Manchester.

Green-winged Teal. April 1 to 22; September 2 to November 24.

24

Bulletin of the

1934

Blue-winged Teal. April 15 to April 22; August 6 to October 14.
The teals and Black Ducks were about the only fresh-water
ducks appearing in any number at all in the autumn.

Wood Duck. March 25 to October 13. There were a good number
along Pish Brook, Boxford, in September.

Redhead. October 21 to November 16. Very scarce.

( ’’winter" was omitted between "previous" and "record in
the 1933 List. )

Ring-necked Duck. April 8, Newburyport; November 12, Amesbury.
On the latter date there were nine in Lake Attitash.

Canvas-back. December 6, Plum Island. C. A. Safford.

Greater Scaup Duck. March 4, Newburyport, one bird; November
12, Lake Attitash, also one bird, Griscom and others.

Lesser Scaup Duck. March 4, Newburyport, drake, Griscom and
others; November 12, Amesbury, one, Griscom and party.

American Golden-eye. May 13; October 14.

Barrow's Golden-eye. January 1, two drakes at Lynn, seen often
until March 4. January 23, a pair at Rockport.

Buf fle-head . May 14, Lynn-Nahant ,last spring date; October, 12,
Nahant, three birds, P. H. Allen.

Old- squaw. May 13; November 4.

(The "14" was omitted after "May" in the 1933 List.)

Eastern Harlequin Duck. January 1, a pair at Rockport, also
February 4. February 12 and 22, two birds, Gloucester.

American Eider. January 1, 21 and February 4, near the

Salvages, off Rockport, forty or more birds; December 23,
thirty birds in same locality.

White-winged Scoter. June 17; August 14, one, and August 30,
three birds, then on September 6, four small flocks of
apparently migrating birds.

Surf Scoter. June 17, ten birds with seventy-five White-wings;
September 16, fall migrants.

American Scoter. June 10, Newburyport, 5 birds; September 9.

Ruddy Duck. October 14, West Newbury, four.

Hooded Merganser. April 8 to April 22; August 12, Clark's
Pond, Ipswich, three seen by the Recorder and others,
to November 12, and December 23, Essex, one, S.H.Low.

American Merganser. April 22; November 4.

Red-breasted Merganser. May 23; October 14. Scarce in fall.

Eastern Goshawk. January 3, Danvers, Preston and Emilio.

Sharp- shinned Hawk. Unreported only in January, June and July.

Cooper's Hawk. Fairly common in April and May.

Northern Red-tailed Hawk. March 25; September 15.

Northern Red-shouldered Hawk. Resident, but rare in winter.

Broad-winged Hawk. April 29 to September 15.

American Rough-legged Hawk. April 1; October 14.

Golden Eagle. February 22, Newburyport. A nearly adult bird,
showing tail whitish with terminal band and the bases of
some of the inner primaries showing light areas as seen
from above, was seen by Griscom, J.H.Conkey and Emilio.

Southern Bald Eagle. While the bird, or birds, reported in

January and February from the northern part of the County
may well have been the northern race, of which we have no
local specimen, the July 10 and 18 observations by Safford
were doubtless of the southern race, -seen at Plum Island..

Marsh Hawk. April 1 to November 20.

American Osprey. April 8 to May 27; also seen at Newburyport
on June 17 by Griscom; August 26 to October 10.

Essex County Ornithological Club

25

Duck Hawk. February 5, Ipswich, Dr. Townsend, and May 6, New-
buryport; early August, Ipswich, C.E. Clarke, to November
23, Rowley, C. A. Safford.

Eastern Pigeon Hawk. April 7 to May 13; August 22 to October 14

Northern Sparrow Hawk ( sparverlus ). Resident .

Eastern Ruffed Grouse. Very few reported.

Bob-White sub-spp. Occasionally reported to June 21.

Ring-necked Pheasant. Not many seen this year.

Virginia Rail. May 6 to June 24 only.

Sora Rail. May 6 to October 14.

Florida Gallinule. May 23 and 27 the reedy notes of this bird
were heard in Topsfield; September 15 to October 2.

American Coot. April 22, one; October 13 to November 12.

Piping Plover. April 8 to September 16.

Semipalmated Plover. May 6, Newburyport, Gri scorn and others,
to June 8; July 13 to October 14, both dates by Safford.

Killdeer. March 2, Peabody, M.E. Kelley, to October 21. Also
on December 24, F.B. Lawson found three at Marblehead.

American Golden Plover. August 22 to October 2.

Black-bellied Plover. May 6, Newburyport, a few, Emilio and

others, to June 10; July 16 to November 24, both Safford.

Ruddy Turnstone. May 27; July 27, Safford, to September 9.

American Woodcock. March 25 to November.

Wilson's Snipe. Two birds wintered at Danvers surviving the
worst weather in the memory of most of us: Teel saw one
or the other bird repeatedly through January, February
and until March 20. The species was giving its mating
flight performance on April 8 and last reported May 23.
August 12 two were seen in West Newbury and the last fall
bird was observed November 17.

Hudsonian Curlew. Mr. Safford reports the bird present on

Plum Id. June 26 to July 1, also July 5, 18, etc. These
are the first late June records. Last, September 16.

Eskimo Curlew. The Recorder takes this occasion to correct his
error in placing the bird, three years ago, with the
Extinct and Extirpated species of the local fauna. Since
then. Dr. R.C. Murphy has, very probably, seen the species
on Long Island and others have been reported, so It Is
hardly safe to consider the bird Extinct quite yet.

Upland Plover. May 6 to September 3.

Spotted Sandpiper. May 6 to September 6.

Eastern Solitary Sandpiper. May 6 to May 23; July 4, Safford,
Plum Id., to September 3.

Eastern Willet. August 8, Rockport, Rand, to October 17,
Ipswich, one seen by the Recorder, -a new late date.

Greater Yellow-legs. April 22 to June 8; July 1, Plum Id.,
Safford to November 24.

Lesser Yellow-legs. May 6 and May 13, Newburyport, one heard
and seen by Griscom and Emilio, each date; June 26,
Safford reports' the bird at Plum Id., two days aaj?lier
than the previous early record, to September 25.

American Knot. August 22 to October 17. Unusually common.

Purple Sandpiper. May 20, at Red Rock, Lynn, on the mainland,
a most unusual place for these island-haunting birds,
seen by Perry and others; not again reported until
December 23.

Pectoral Sandpiper. August 14 to October 2. •

White-rumped Sandpiper. May 13 to June 8; August 14 to Oct. 21

26

Bulletin of the

1934

Baird's Sandpiper. August 14 to September 16. Occasional birds

Least Sandpiper. May 13 to May 27; August 12 to September 16.
Strangely few reported this year.

Red-backed Sandpiper. May 17 to June 10; October 2 to November
24, Plum Id., Safford.

Eastern Dowitcher. May 6 to June 10; June 26, Plum Id.,

Safford, to October 14, also Plum Id., seen by Safford. The
two June dates and the October date are slight extensions
of previously recorded figures. The bird has increased.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Three sight records this year: August
14 and 22 and September 16, seen by Griscom and others.

Stilt Sandpiper. August 14 to September 9.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. May 6 to June 10; July 15 to Oct. 21.

Western Sandpiper. May 23, Lynn, Griscom and Emilio; September
2, West Newbury, six, to October 14, Ipswich, Griscom,
Taber and others. October 9, 1932 is the previous date.
(October 1, was given in error last year as the latest.)

Marbled Godwit. August 22, mouth of Saugus River, two, C.E.

Clarke to September 9, also October 17, Ipswich, Emilio.
This is the latest local record but the species lingered
on Cape Cod, less than seventy miles away, much later.

Hudsonian Godwit. September 9, Ipswich, C.E. Clarke, Perry,
Griscom and others.

Ruff. August 22. On the Parker River meadows in Newbury,

Griscom, Eaton and Emilio found a puzzling shore-bird
which they Identified shortly, as an immature Ruff.

Direct comparison with Yellow-legs and Pectoral Sand¬
pipers was made and the lateral white areas on the other¬
wise dark tail were particularly noticed. The bird was
not collected. There is but one other County record.

Sanderling. May 13 to June 7; July 19 to October 17 and
also November 23, Plum Id., Safford.

Wilson's Phalarope. May 23, Newburyport, a pair in full

spring plumage, seen by Griscom and Emilio. A fine sight.

Northern Phalarope. May 20, Marblehead. The specimen, which
eventually reached the local Museum, was found dead by
David Pinkham of Lynn. September 2, Griscom saw twenty
or more birds off Cape Ann.

Pomarine Jaeger. September 23, Plum Id., Griscom.

Parasitic Jaeger. May 23, Lynn, Emilio and Griscom; September
16, Plum Id., Griscom.

Glaucous Gull. Repeatedly observed until May 13; September

2 at Gloucester, Griscom saw one adult but no more were
reported until December 16.

Iceland Gull. May 6; November 12. Twelve were seen at Glou¬
cester, January 1, 1934.

Great Black-backed Gull. January 23, Annisquam River, 125
or more were seen by Emilio and L.G. Worley. Adults
largely disappeared In April but Immatures were reported
to June 7; August 7, Breed's Pond, Lynn, one nearly adult
seen by Emilio; frequently reported thereafter. December
23 the estimate of the Cape Ann Census was 150.

We venture to record here reports of the so-called "Kumlien's
Gull", which certain ornithologists consider a hybrid,
argentatus X leucopterus , but which certain other orni-
tholo^.sts deny is a hybrid. At any rate, adult birds In
the plumage we have known as "Kumlien's Gull" were seen
at Nahant, February 22, Rockport, April 11 and off Cape

Essex County Ornithological Club

27

Ann, December 23. On the last date three birds were seen.

American Herring Gull. Resident. The severe weather drove

these birds far inland in unprecedented numbers, in their
search of various dumps, pig-pens, etc. for food.

Ring-billed Gull. Reported, in its various plumages, in every
month of the year, but never at all numerous. The summer
birds are invariably not fully adult.

Laughing Gull. April 21, Nahant, Dickson, to June 17; August
19 to October 2. Very common at Lynn during migrations.

Bonaparte’s Gull. Some present practically every month in the
year. Hundreds here in mid-November.

Another Hypothetical, thi3 time not a hybrid, of which we have
no strictly local specimen, was observed and identified
at Lynn, June 7, by Gris com and J.H.Conkey. This was
the Little Gull, a straggler from Europe.

Atlantic Kittiwake. Only three birds reported of this pelagic
species, January 21, February 4, and December 23.

Common Tern. May 17 to September 16.

Arctic Tern. August 12 to September 9. Few identified.

Roseate Tern. May 17 to June 17; July 15 to September 9.

The twenty present June 17 may indicate a colony nearby.

Black Tern. June 2, Newburyport, F.H. Allen and W.M. Tyler;
September 9, Plum Id., Griscom, Taber and others.

Razor-billed Auk. January 21 there was a marked southward
movement of alcids along Plum Id., and among these
several Razor-bills were seen by Griscom, Emilio, and
others. Two were seen off Gape Ann, February 4, and
again in the fall, one there December 23.

Atlantic Murre. That this species does visit the County

shores occasionally is attested by the specimen secured
in 1921. With the alcid flight of January this year the
bird was to be expected and was found February 4 off Cape
Ann when two of the sixty murres seen were identified as
Atlantics by Griscom, Low, Emilio and others. The
Recorder again saw one, from shore this time, on Feb¬
ruary 15, also at Cape Ann.

Brunnich’s Murre. Many reported from January 21 to March 4.

Dovekie. This alcid, often so common, was present the past

winter in rather scant numbers, perhaps an aftermath of
the disastrous flight and storms of 1932-33. Present to
March 4; November 26. On JDec ember 23, 1934, the Cape Ann
census party reported 115,- far above normal.

Black Guillemot. February 15; December 23. Scarcer than usual.

Atlantic Puffin. January 21, one seen in the scattered alcid
flight off Plum Id., Griscom and others.

Rock Dove. A few succumbed to the cold and storms of last

winter but the reduction in numbers is not noticeable now.

Eastern Mourning Dove. February 22, Newburyport, two, Wolfe,
and another reported in Danvers. February 24 to April 8,
one or two birds seen repeatedly in Andover. March 12 to
November- 4 and again wintering, December 23, one at
Ipswich. Only very hardy birds could survive last winter.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. May 20 to June 24.

Black-billed Cuckoo. May 8 to September 15.

Eastern Screech Owl. Resident in town and country.

Great Horned Owl. A few reported.

Snowy Owl. Fairly common along the coast to March 4; mid-
November on, rather scarce.

28

Bulletin of the

1934

Northern Barred Owl. Resident. Especially observed in Boxford.

Long-eared Owl. Resident. Very few reports.

Short-eared Owl. Observed on Plum Id. as late as May 22 by
Griscom, an extension of our spring date by over two
weeks; November 11, Safford.

Saw-whet Owl. Heretofore considered only & "winter" visitor

with, to be sure, a rather long period of visitation each
year. This year it was reported from Boxford on August 22
which date is at least suggestive of summer residence.

Eastern Whip-poor-will. May 1 to September 6. An indirect

report comes from Rowley of the bird there on October 3.

Eastern Nighthawk. May 19 to August 10.

Chimney Swift. May 5 to September 10 and the very late date
of October 10, of a bird seen in Lynn by Moulton.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. May 11 to September 15.

Eastern Belted Kingfisher. Seen at Gloucester and Danvers

through January. March 31 to November 4 and present on
Cape Ann again through December.

Northern Flicker. Resident. Sixteen reported December 23 by
the Cape Ann census party.

Northern Pileated Woodpecker. Reports not mentioned by Wolfe
elsewhere in this Bulletin are from Wenham, September 20
and October 30 by Dr. Phillips and Mr. P.J. Perkins.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. April 27 to May 13; October 2 to 14.

Eastern Hairy Woodpecker. Rather uncommon this year. Resident.

Northern Downy Woodpecker. Resident.

Eastern Kingbird. May 6 to September 18.

Arkansas Kingbird. September 4, Newbury, C.E. Clarke and Perry;
September 7, Plum Id., probably the same bird, seen by C.
A. Safford; October 12, Cape Ann, an Indirect report; Nov
ember 18, Marblehead, one seen by F.H. Allen and W.M. Tyler
November 19,. Plum Id., TWO birds seen by Safford.

Northern Crested Flycatcher. May 6 to September 6.

Eastern Phoebe, April 2 to October 14.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. May 26 to June 4, Salem, Emilio.

Alder Flycatcher. May 23 to 27; September 6, Crooked Pond,
Boxford, the bird was heard by Griscom. This is a long
sought, definite, reasonable fall date, five weeks later
than the previous late summer figure.

Least Flycatcher. May 6 to September 6, Boxford, specimen
taken and Identified by Griscom. This also is very
definite and pleasing and gives us a valid September date

Wood Pewee. May 20 to September 15.

Olive-sided Flycatcher. August 14 and 22, Griscom and others,
both dates. The first fall dates reported in nine years.

Northern Horned Lark. April 15; October 23. Few reported.

Prairie Horned Lark. Mid-winter identifications of the

Prairie race were held to be questionable in the 1933
Bulle-tin, unless and until substantiated by specimens.

On January 6 a bird, very probably of this race, was
observed repeatedly through 8X glasses at close range
in company with many others of the Northern race.

April 21, Danvers, downy young, which left the nest
eight days later. Last report for the year, July 9.

Tree Swallow. April 2 to September 6.

Bank Swallow. April 28 to August 22.

Rough-winged Swallow. May 6 to 27. Two pairs were seen at
West Peabody by Griscom and others and another pair

Essex County Ornithological Club

29

frequented the Fay Estate, Lynn, for a time. We still
lack definite evidence of successful nesting.

Barn Swallow. April 22 to September 16.

Northern Cliff Swallow. April 28 to August 16.

Purple Martin. May 6 and 23, one bird each time.

Northern Blue Jay. Very common resident.

Eastern Crow. Resident. Even the severe weather of January
and February did not drive them all away.

Black-capped Chickadee. Resident. Perhaps the commonest

winter land bird. Not so much in evidence in summer.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Unusually common until the end of
March. Last reported for the year, September 11.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. It was very common in the fall of
1933 but steadily decreased in number and was last
observed May 23. It has not been reported this fall.

Brown Creeper. April 18; next reported July 21, Andover,

probably a nesting bird seen by Dodge and Emilio; fall
-migrants from October 12, on.

Eastern House Wren. April 29 to September 11.

Prairie Marsh Wren. May 6 to October 14.

Short-billed Marsh Wren. May 6 to October 2.

Catbird. May 6 to October 20, and December 23, Essex, S.H.Low
and others. The bird has wintered occasionally.

Brown Thrasher. April 29 to September 11.

Eastern Robin. Many wintered in spite of the severe weather.
Migrants and summer residents, March 26 to November 18.

Nine were reported December 23 by the Cape Ann census.

Wood Thrush. May 13 to August 22. None were reported thereafter
until October 20, when Moulton believes he saw one in Lynn.
This is some ten days later than any previous local record.

Eastern Hermit Thrush. One was seen in Danvers, January 20
and 21 by Teel and others. April 19 to October 21.

Olive-backed Thrush. May 14 to 23; September 6 to October 21.

Gray- cheeked Thrush. May 23, only.

Veery. May 13 to September 6.

Eastern Bluebird. March 16 to November 4.

Eastern Golden-crowned Kinglet. Scarce to April 22; common
from October 2 (the first fall date), on.

Eastern Ruby-crowned Kinglet. April 15 to May 20; October 12
to October 21.

American Pipit. A large flock, Danvers, April 8, to one bird
seen April 28; September 16 to November 4.

Cedar Waxwing. A few wintered; migrants and summer residents.

May 19 to September 11.

Northern Shrike. More than usual to March 11; November 4, on.

Migrant Shrike. March 4 to April 8, three birds only.

European Starling. Thousands must either have migrated or
perished early this past year. One could always find
the species but there would be only a few observed and
these usually in or near small towns and the cities. On
the Cape Ann census, December 23, however, twenty-six
hundred were reported.

(In the 1933 List, under White-eyed Vireo, "male bird" was
the printer’s rendering of "ADULT bird".)

Yellow-throated Vireo. May 13 to July 1. Too often this

species is not reported the second half of the year.

Blue-headed Vireo. April 29 to October 14.

Red-eyed Vireo. May 13 to September . 1 5 •

30

Bulletin of the

1934

Eastern Warbling Vireo. May 13 to June 25. So, too, does

this bird often escape us the second half of the year.

Black and White Warbler. April 29 to September 6.

Golden-winged Warbler. May 6 to August 19. (In the 1933 List
"October 13" should read AUGUST 13.)

Tennessee Warbler. About May 30, Salem, Lawson, only date.

Nashville Warbler. May 6 to August 22 and October 2.

Northern Parula Warbler. May 6 to 27; October 14.

Eastern Yellow Warbler. May 6 to September 16.

Magnolia Warbler. May 14 to 27; August 22 to October 14.

Cape May Warbler. May 14 to 19, three birds in all.

Black- throated Blue Warbler. May 6 to 23; June 25 to July 1;
October 14, only fall date. See also page 15

Myrtle Warbler. Wintered as usual; migrants, April 21 to May
19; September 15 to November 18; again reported on Cape
Ann census, December 23, 150.

Black- throated Green Warbler. May 5 to October 21 and Novem¬
ber 3, Nahant, Prof. F.%. Saunders .

Blackburnian Warbler. May 7 to June 27, only.

Chestnut-sided Warbler. May 7 to September 6.

Bay-breasted Warbler. May 17 to 20; September 6, only fall date

Black-poll Warbler. May 14 to 31; September 2 to October 21.

Northern Pine Warbler. April 15 to October 14 and December 23,
Essex, S.H.Low. This is the first local winter record.

Northern Prairie Warbler. May 7 to September 11.

Western Palm Warbler. April 19, Boxford, J.H.Conkey, Taber
and Emilio; October 2, also the only fall report.

Yellow Palm Warbler. April 15 to May 13; October 2 to 14.

Ovenbird. May 6 to September 6.

Northern Water- Thrush. May 6 to June 3, Andover, Perry, at
the same place where seen in July, 1933; August 19 to
October 2.

Connecticut Warbler. September 23 to October 2.

Mourning Warbler. May 19, R . T. Peterson, to June 3, Andover.

Northern Yellow-throat . May 9 to September 25.

Wilson's Warbler. May 20, only date for the year.

Canada Warbler. May 18 to August 31.

American Redstart. May 7 to August 26, and October 14.

English Sparrow. Abundant resident. In February, Dickson
found eleven at Lynn, frozen.

Bobolink. May 6 to September 9.

Eastern Meadowlark. Quite a few wintered in spite of deep

snow and cold, but only one was reported on the Cape Ann
census on December 23. Common summer resident.

Eastern Redwing. March 15 to November 12.

Baltimore Oriole. May 6 to September 11.

Rusty Blackbird. March 25 to May 13; September 25 to Nov. 12.

Bronzed Grackle. Reported from Danvers February 1. Migrants,
March 18 and a common summer resident to November 12.

Eastern CowbLrd. March 11 to November 12.

Scarlet Tanager. May 13 to September 11.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak. May 6 to September 2.

Indigo Bunting. May 13, Swampscott , Mr. Gustafson, to August 26

Eastern Evening Grosbeak. Decidedly common and stayed until

May 27 when C.F. Ropes saw fifty, in Boxford, some of them
pairing. None in the fall.

Eastern Purple Finch. Decidedly uncommon in the colder months.

Hudsonian" Pine Grosbeak (leucura ) . One of this large, far

Essex County Ornithological Club

31

northern race was collected in Beverly for the M.C.Z. by
Mr. Griswold. Doubtless many others were present.

Canadian Pine Grosbeak ( eschatosus ) . There was a fine flight
of Pine Grosbeaks during the winter of 1933-34, most of
them, probably, of this race. They were seen until Feb. 22.

Common Redpoll. January 3, Danvers, four birds, Emilio and
Preston. Sole report for the year.

Northern Pine Siskin. Some of these also came with the great

flight of northern finches late in 1933 and they remained
until April 22.

Eastern Goldfinch. Regularly seen but not very common in
the early part of the year. Resident.

Red Crossbill. The only birds of this species reported were

seen at Fay ' s ,Lynn, between April 8 and 22. Up to 9 birds.

White-winged Crossbill. These were in great numbers in the

pine and hemlock woods of Beverly and Boxford, until, at
least, February 18.

Red-eyed Towhee. April 29 to October 14.

Ipswich Sparrow. February 11, only date seen early in the
year; October 12 to November 12.

Eastern Savannah Sparrow. April 7 to November 12, and on the
December 23 census five birds of this species were seen
in the dunes by Lawson and tethers.

Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow. July 20 and 21, Boxford, Wolfe,

to September 3, Newburyport, Griscom. The last is another
long-sought, reasonably late fall date for this species.

Acadian Sparrow. June 2, Newburyport, F.H. Allen and W.M. Tyler,
only spring record; November 4, also Newburyport, two,
Griscom and others, only fall record 1934.

Sharp-tailed Sparrow. June 2 as above to August 22.

Eastern Vesper Sparrow. April 2 to October 21.

Slate-colored Juhco. April 22; September 11.

Eastern Tree Sparrow. April 15; November 4.

Eastern Chipping Sparrow. April 13 to November 4.

Eastern Field Sparrow. April 15 to December 2, when six were
found together with a Tree and a Song Sparrow at Fay's,
Lynn, by the Recorder.

White-crowned Sparrow. May 7 to 20; October 14 to 21.

Unusually large number in the spring.

White-throated Sparrow. Several, at least, wintered in Salem,
Lynn, Swamp scott and Boxford. Migrants, April 29 to May
20; October 2 to November 4.

Eastern Fox Sparrow. January 28, Fay's, Lynn, one; migrants,
March 18 to April 15; November 4 to December 16.

Lincoln's Sparrow. May 18 to 20; September 22 to October 14.

Swamp Sparrow. April 8 to November 4.

Eastern Song Sparrow. A few wintered as usual. Migrants,

March 17 to November. A few again present in December.

Lapland Longspur. A most unusual number wintered to March 4;
first seen again in the fall, October 14.

Eastern Snow Bunting. April 2; October 13.

32

Bulletin of the

1934

MANY LONG YEARS AGO
Ernest S. Dodge

The following notes on some ornithological matters
of many years ago were received from Col. L. W. Jenkins. The
first is taken from the journal of Bryant P. Tilden which is
in the Peabody Museum of Salem. This journal was written on
a voyage to China in 1833-34 aboard the brig "Nabob".

"April 14th Crossed the equator in Long. 28 W. We
are now thirty one days at sea, and consider one third of our
passage to Sts of Sunda accomplished, as regards time.

(Sent an account of this from Batavia to my grand -
children)A few days since a swallow flew into the cabin win¬
dow chirped around, and finally lit upon my knee. Not finding
itself molested it became more bold and after a flight round
perched on my cap - and then flew away until sunset, when it
came through my window and roosted for the night on the edge
of a shelf in my state-room. At daylight it began chirping -
& after awhile flew on to my naked breast, tickling me with
his sharp little claws. Seeing my side port light open, he
flew out, but quickly came in again through the cabin window
and ventured up the stair-way. Now my pretty bird must needs
try and know more about his newly found home, and unhappily
scaled through between decks -- where our sly cat caught him
for her breakfast . Puss was not to blame, but I shall not play
with her again very soon. This little visitor must have been
a long time on the wing, or it may have come from the St. Paul
rocks, not far distant, as we are a great way off from any
known land.-"

"May 5th - Latitude 35 South. Long. 14 West, fifty
three days from Boston. We have not reefed a sail until 2d
inst, since March 27th.

Albatross , black large sea birds - and thousands of
smaller ones named cape pidgeons, from their resemblance to
our common pidgeon when on the wing are continually flying
around us, night and day; but ocean fishes have been quite
scarce, within & outside the tropical limits."

"May 12th Lat. 37 30 South, Long 2 30 East of

London, sixty days from home. Caught many pidgeons and several
albatross with hooks & lines, over the stern. The lively lit¬
tle pidgeon ducks, are delicately speckled, black, brown &
white on backs and wings, but are snow white under the breast

- all but their black legs, & webbed feet; and when floating
over a wave,- are the prettiest little wild water fowl I have
ever seen.' Their wings seem as if stamped calico fashion, all
alike. When caught and waddling on deck, from which they can¬
not fly, being web-footed, they scold like noisy hens. Whale
gurry, and other fishy blubber, being the common food of all

- off soundings, sea fowl, they are offensive, to the smell,
& therefore but seldom cooked as food. However, an albatross

- skinned & scalded, if well peppered, are a good substitute
for a deviled leg of a goose. We have tied labels to several

- and let them fly; but they are so greedy many have been
caught a second time. The larger magestic class of fowls,
scale round, and shoot ahead of us with perfect ease - like
expert skaters, no matter how fast we may be sailing."

Essex County Ornithological Club

33

It is interesting to note the mention of "recoveries"
or "repeats" of "banded" albatrosses. These can claim to be
among the early records, if not the earliest of their kind.
One is uncertain just which species of the albatross family
is meant by "black large sea birds", but in all probability
the Sooty Albatross, Phoebe trla fuse a , is the one referred to.

The second note, quoted from an article on Salem
commerce by A. D. Ropes, in the Salem Register January 3,1887,
concerns what must rank close to the earliest importations
of exotic birds into this country.

"Of the Emeu’s eggs, a few were brought on board, laid in
the sand, one enough for a strong man’s meal. A pair of these
rare birds each 13 feet high may be recollected as standing
before Captain Mugford's residence near Bott’s Court, Essex
Street, Salem, or his mother’s then at Federal St. They were
about the only ones brought, so early at least, to this coun*
try on his voyage before in the ’Augustus'."

Capt. Charles D. Mugford commanded the "Augustus" in
1839-40. It might be better to mention that it is extremely
doubtful if any Emeu ever grew to a height of thirteen feet.
A fully matured male of the largest species certainly would
not measure over seven feet, and one between five and six
feet would probably be considered a very large specimen. Let
this not, however, cast any reflection on the sobriety of Mr.
Ropes, as the birds may have been considerably stretched in
mounting.

DR. CHARLES WENDELL TOWNSEND
November 10 1859 - April 3 .1934

From its inception, the Essex County Ornithological
Club had a staunch and true friend for whom its members have
had the regard and affection as for a wiser and older brother.
The records of our first meeting show that Dr. Townsend attend¬
ed and gave us his ideas and ideals of a working basis. It is
due in great measure to his deep and active interest in our
affairs that our Club .has grown and prospered. We have learned
from him to regard our avocation as worthy of most serious
thought and study, and by him we have been taught the frailty
of human memory, and, to use his own words "the importance of
notes taken at the time".

Well do we remember our walks through the Ipswich dunes
with him and our suppers of clam chowder prepared by his own
hand at his home on Argilla Road. It is hard to believe that
we shall not see him again, but at least we shall have always
our happy memories of days afield, and evenings with him.

Ralph Lawson.

34

Bulletin of the

1934

CALENDAR FOR 1934
ESSEX COUNTY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

January 8. Regular meeting. Eighteen members present.
Discussion of Club activities, and Field Notes.

January 29. Special meeting. Ten members present.

Plans formulated for a class in ornithology.

February 12. Regular meeting. Seventeen members present.
Communication from Mr. Emilio, "Essex County Gulls".

March 12. Regular meeting. Seventeen members present.

Communication from Mr. Lawson, "Essex County Wildfowl".

March 26. Regular meeting. Seventeen members present.
Communication, "Identification of the More Common
Spring Migrants", by Messrs Lawson and Emilio.

April 9. Regular meeting. Sixteen members present.

Field Notes.

April 23. Regular meeting. Twenty-one members present.

Mr. J. D. Smith gave a practical demonstration of
the making of bird-skins.

May 14. Regular meeting, held at the Club Camp, Boxford.
Fifteen jnembers present. Migration Notes.

May 28. Regular meeting. Seventeen members present.

The reading and discussion of the reports of the
Ipswich River Bird-Trip of 1934 and Field Notes.

June 11. Regular meeting, held at the Club Camp, Boxford.
Ten members present. Field Notes.

August 13. Special meeting, held at the Club Camp, Boxford.
Ten members present. Field Notes.

September 10. Regular meeting. Eight members present.
Summer Field Notes.

October 8. Regular meeting. Thirteen members present.

Field Notes.

October 29. Special meeting. Twenty members present.

Plans formulated for a better conduct of Club affairs,
including the maintainence of the Club Camp.

November 12. Regular meeting. Thirteen members present.
Communication from Mr. Emilio, "The Effect of the
Drouth on the Breeding of Certain Wildfowl."

December 10. Annual Meeting. Twenty-six members present.
Communication from Mr. Griscom, "When and Where to go
Afield in Essex County, and Conditions Favorable for
Finding an Abundance of Species."

Essex County Ornithological Club

35

LIST OF MEMBERS.

Bates, Walter E.
Beckford, Arthur W.
Benson, Frank W.

Benson, George E.
Bosson, Campbell
Brown, Norman R.

Bruley, Roger S.

Bushby, Fred W.
Cogswell, Lawrence W.
Cushing, Milton L.
t>ickson, Ernest P.
Dodge, Ernest S.

Doyle, John F.

Emerson, Philip
Emilio, S. Gilbert
Fay, S. Prescott
Fletcher, Laurence B.
Floyd, Charles B.
Foster, Maxwell E.

Foye , Elmer P .

Gifford, Morris P.
Granger, Ralph
Griscom, Ludlow
Haley, Francis N.
Ingraham, Phocion J.
Jenkins, Stephen W.
Jones, Gardner M.
Kelley, Herbert W.
Kelley, Mark E.

Lawson, Ralph
Little, Charles R.
Little, Philip
Lockwood, Dunbar
Long, Harry V.

Low, Daniel S.

Low, Seth H.

Mackintosh, Richards B.
Marcy, William A.

May, Dr. John B.

Means, Robert W.

Means, W. Gordon
Moon, Wilbur D.
Morrison, Alva
Morse, Albert P.
Moulton, Charles E.
Newhall, Milo A.
Nichols, Rodman A.
Osborne, Arthur A.
Perry, George L.
Phillips, Dr. John C.
Porter, Willard B.
Preston, Charles P.
Proctor, George N.

Rand, Stuart C.

Raymond, John M.

Fayette Court, Lynn
10 Park Street, Danvers
14 Chestnut Street, Salem
31 Summer Street, Salem
560 Concord Avenue, Belmont
20 Ash Street, Danvers
64 Centre Street, Danvers
17 Washington Street, Peabody
Temple Court, Salem
Shirley Centre, Mass.
27 Essex Street, Lynn
Peabody Museum, Salem
Lee, Higginson & Co., Boston

8 Mt . Hood Terrace, Lynn
7 Winter Street, Salem

2 Otis Place, Boston
50 Congress Street, Boston
454 Walcott Street, Auburndale

Topsfield, Mass.
74 Bridge Street, Salem
Bennet Hill Road, Rowley
123 Edgemere Road, Lynn
21 Fayerweather Street, Cambridge
414 Lynnfield Street, Lynn
235 Lowell Street, Peabody
103 Columbus Avenue, Salem
119 Federal Street, Salem
3 Willow Street, Winchester
52 Sutton Street, Peabody
88 Washington Square, Salem
481 Chatham Street, Lynn
10 Chestnut Street, Salem
205 Richdale Avenue, Cambridge
260 Clarendon Street, Boston
16 Cypress Street, Marblehead
North Eastham, Mass.
110 Central Street, Peabody

9 Hawthorne Street, Lynn
South Main Street, Cohasset

10 Post Office Sq., Boston
Essex, Mass.
46 Maple Street, Lynn
19 Congress Street, Boston
Peabody Museum, Salem
72 Maple Street, Lynn
12 Temple Court, Salem
7 South Pine Street, Salem
183 Lowell Street, Peabody
68 Thurston Street, Somerville
Windyknob, Wenham, Mass.
5 Lee Street, Salem
Baynesville, Virginia
35 Congress Street, Boston
30 State Street, Boston
21 Brookhouse Drive, Clifton

36

Bulletin of the

1934

Robinson, John, Jr.

Ropes, Col. Charles F.
Ropes, Lawrence G.

Ropes, Willis H.

Sears, Judge George B.
Shreve, Benjamin
Southack, Theodore L., Jr.
Spofford, Charles A.
Stevens, Harold C.

Taber, Wendell
Taylor, Arthur W.

Teel, George M.

Tortat, William R. M.
Walcott, Judge Robert
Whitney, Charles Frederick
Wilkinson, Robert H.

Wolfe, Rolland Emerson

18 Summer Street, Salem
67 Dearborn Street, Salem
11 Brimble Avenue, Beverly
83 Federal Street, Salem
37 Cherry Street, Danvers
29 Chestnut Street, Salem
5 Waldron Court, Marblehead
23 Elm Street, Danvers
Ropes Memorial, Salem
6 Rollins Place, Boston
41 Lovett Street, Beverly
2 Otis Street, Danvers
6 Perkins Street, Peabody
152 Brattle Street, Cambridge
29 Pine Street, Danvers
Asbury Grove, Mass.
Depot Road, Boxford

Corresponding Members

Bab son, Edward
Chase, Charles E.
Doolittle, Albert W.
Ellis, Ralph, Jr.

7 Forrester Street, Newburyport
761 Auburn Street, Bridgewater

Plaistow, N. H.
2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, Calif.

IN MEMORIAM

Charles H.
Frederic P.
Charles W.

Preston

Spalding

Townsend

Essex County Ornithological Club

37

A FIELD-LIST OF ESSEX COUNTY BIRDS
S. G. Emilio, Recorder.

This field-list
information and for the
notes, such as
their

is intended to serve as a source of
convenient recording of very brief
checking the species observed or indicating
abundance on a series of field trips.

The names are arranged in the order adopted by the
American Ornithologists’ Union in its Fourth Check List of
North American Birds. There is, however, a supplementary list
-in the same order- of some forty birds which have been re¬
corded only a very few times, usually only once, in the Coun¬
ty, and which obviously are no true part of the local avi¬
fauna. To list them with spaces for checking their presence
on a series of field trips in this County is palpably absurd.

Following each name of the main list is an abbre¬
viated statement of status of occurrence. That is all that
can be given in the space available. It is unsatisfactory as
it is very incomplete , but it does give some idea of the rel¬
ative abundance of the birds listed during the times of the
year when each is most commonly seen.

The line opposite each name and status drawn across
the vertical lines which indicate the duration of the twelve
months, shows accurately the time each species has been ob¬
served in the County and hence the time or seasons when its
presence or absence is to be expected.

Of the abbreviations, Ab . appropriately stands for
for Common; Uc . , Uncommon; Irr., Irregular;

Abundant ; C
M., Migrant;
Summer; V.,
It

certain
part of

Very

will

Permanent; R., Rare

S.

or Resident;

or Visitant; and W., Winter,
be observed that a line may be heavy for a
length and lighter for the remainder. This lighter
the line represents a marked decrease in abundance

during the period or season cov-

of the species in question
ered by the lighter line.

On the right-hand pages some abbreviations in the
names have been necessary. There is space at the top of the
ruled area for recording the dates of a series of trips and
there are blank pages* at the back for notes or descriptions
of the area covered on various dates. #In the separates.

The main list comprises 301 forms and there are in¬
cluded all the extant species known now to visit this County
regularly, no matter how rarely, and many that cannot be con¬
sidered of regular occurrence but which have been recorded
so frequently as to be expected to appear again. This is in
contrast to the birds in the supplementary list which are
really no more likely to appear in this part of the country
than many species which have never yet been seen here.

"Should I be seeing what I think I am seeing?" is
a question everyone afield should constantly ask himself.
The experienced observer knows, pretty well, the answer in
most cases, yet he will turn to these pages more quickly and
more often for precise information than the average novice
who lacks and needs that information most.

Separates of this list on much
with very much reduced margins which will
booklet, will be printed and be available

stronger paper and
give a pocket-size
at nominal cost.

Common Loon

Red-tht. "

Holboell's Grebe

Homed "

Pied- bill. "

Sooty Shearwater

Greater "

Leach's Petrel

Wilson's "

Gannet

Eu. Cormorant

D.-crst. "

*

Great Blue Heron

American Egret

Lit. Blue Heron

E. Green «'

Black- cr. N. "

Yellow " " "

American Bittern

E. Least "

Whistling Swan

Canada Goose

American Brant

Les. Snow Goose

Common Mallard

R.-l. Black Duck

Com. " "

Gadwall

European Widgeon

Baldpate

American Pintail

Green-wing. Teal

Blue-winged »

Shoveller

Wood Duck

Redhead

*

Ring-necked Duck

Canvas-hack "

Great. Scaup Duck

Less. Scaup

Am. Golden- eye

Ehrrow ' s " "

Buff le- head

Old -squaw

E. Harlequin Duck

American Eider

King "

White-wg. Scoter

Surf "

American »

Ruddv Duck

Hooded Merganser

American "

Red-brst. "

Turkey Vulture

Black "

Eastern Goshawk

Sharp- shin. Hawk

Cooper's "

Red- tailed "

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Common Name Status

N. Red- shouldered Hawk Uc.P.R.
Broad-winged Hawk Uc.M. ,R.S.R.

Swainson's Hawk Accidental

Am. Rough- legged Hawk Uc.W.V.

Golden Eagle V.R.V.

Southern Bald Eagle R.V.

Marsh Hawk Uc.S.R.

American Osprey Uc.M.

Black Gyrfalcon Y.R.W.V.

Duck Hawk R.M.

Eastern Pigeon Hawk Uc.M.

Eastern Sparrow Hawk Uc.P.R.

Eastern Ruffed Grouse Uc.P.R.
Eastern Bob-White V.R.P.R.

Ring-necked Pheasant C.P.R.

King Rail V.R.S.R,

N. Clapper Rail Casual

Virginia Rail Uc.S.R.

Sora C.S.R.

Yellow Rail V.R.M.

Purple Gailinule Casual

Florida Gailinule V.R.S.R.

American Coot Uc.Fail M.

Piping Plover R.S.R.

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Killdeer Uc.S.R.

Am. Golden Plover Uc.Fail M.

Black-bellied Plover C.M.

Ruddy Turnstone Uc.M.

American Woodcock C.M. .Uc.S.R.

Red-shlrd. Hawk

Broad-winced "

Swainson's "

Rough-legged 11

Golden Eagle

So. Bald Eagle

Marsh Hawk

Am. Osprey

Black G.yrfalcon

Duck Hawk

Pigeon "

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Ruffed Grouse

Bob-White

Ring-nk . Pheasant

Kina Rail

Clapper Rail

Virginia " *

Sora

Yellow Rail

Purple Gallinule

Florida "

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American Coot

Piping Plover

Semipalm. "

Killdeer

Golden Plover

Black-bel. "

Ruddv Turnstone

Am. Woodcock

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Common Name Status

Wilson's Snipe C.M.

Hudsonian Curlew Uc.Fall M.

Upland Plover R.S.R.

Spotted Sandpiper Uc.S.R.

E. Solitary Sandpiper Uc.M.

Eastern Willet R.M .

Greater Yellow-legs V.C.M.

Lesser Yellow-legs V. C.Fail M.

American Knot R.M.

Purple Sandpiper C.W.R.

Pectoral Sandpiper C.Fail M.
White-rump. Sandpiper C.Fail M.

Baird's Sandpiper R.Fail M.

Least Sandpiper V.C.M.

Red- backed Sandpiper C.Fail M.

Eastern Dowitcher C.M.

Long- billed Dowitcher V.R.M.

Stilt Sandpiper R.M.

Semi pal mated Sandpiper Ab.M.

Western Sandpiper R.Fail M.

Buff-brst. Sandpiper V. R.Fail M.

Marbled Godwit V. R.Fail M.

Hudsonian Godwit R.Fail M.

Sanderlinc v.n.M

Red phalarope R.M.

Wilson's Phalarope V.R.M.

Northern Phalarope C.M.

Pomarine Jaeger R.M.

Parasitic Jaeger Uc.M.

Long- tailed Jaeger V.R.M.

Wilson's Snipe

Hudson! an Curlew

Upland Plover

Spot. Sandpiper

■‘Solitary "

Eastern Willet

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Gr. Yellow-le^a

Less, " "

American Knot

Purple Sandpiper

Pectoral "

White- rump. "

Baird’s "

Least "

Red- hacked "

E. Dowitcher

Lon*- hill."

Stilt Sand-Diner

Semioalm. "

Western "

Buf f-hreast . "

Mar hied Godwit

Hudsonian "

Sanderlin*

Red Phalarope

Wilson’s ”

Northern ”

Pomarine jaeger

Parasitic "

Lon*- tail. "

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Common Name Statue

Glaucous Gull R.W.V.

Iceland Gull Uc.W.V.

Gr. Black-backed Gull Uc.W.R.

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Bonaparte's Gull C.M.

Atlantic Kittiwake Uc.W.V.

Forster's Tern V.R.Fall M.

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Razor-billed Auk Irr.W.V.
Atlantic Murre V.R.W.V.*
Brunnich's Murre Irr.W.V.

Dovekie Irr.W.V.

Black Guillemot C.W.V.

Atlantic Puffin V. R.W.V.

nocic uove ad.f.k.

E. Mourning Dove Uc.S.R.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo R.S.R.

Black-billed Cuckoo Uc.S.R.

Bam Owl V.R.V.

Eastern Screech Owl Uc.P.R.

Great Homed Owl Uc.P.R.

Snowy Owl Irr.W.V.

Am. Hawk Owl V.R.V.

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Iceland "

,Gr. Black-bk. "

A. , Herring "

Ring- "billed "

Laughing "

Bonaparte's "

Atlan. Klttiwake

Forster' s Tern

Common "

Arctic "

Roseate "

Least "

Caspian "

Black "

Razor- billed Auk

Atlantic Murre

Brunni ch ' s "

Dovekie

Black Guillemot

Atlantic Puffin

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Yel . -bill . Cuckoo

Black-bill. "

Bara Owl

Screech Owl

Great Homed Owl

Snowy Owl

Am. Hawk Owl

Barred Owl

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Great Gray Owl V.R.W.V.

Long- eared Owl R.P.R.

Short- eared Owl R.M.& W.V.

Richardson's Owl V.R.W.V.

Saw-whet Owl Irr.W.V.

E. Whip-poor-will Uc.S.R.

E. Nighthawk Uc.S.R.

Chimney Swift V.C.S.R.

Ruby-thtd. Hummingbird R.S.R.

E. Belted Kingfisher Uc.S.R.

Northern Flicker C.P.R.

N. Pileated Woodpecker V. R. V.

Red- headed Woodpecker R.& Irr.V.

Yellow- bel. Sapsucker Uc.M.

E. Hairy Woodpecker Uc.P.R.

N. Downy Woodpecker C.P.R.

Arctic Three- toed Wpkr. V. Irr.V.

Am. Three-toed Wpkr. V.R.W.V.

Eastern Kingbird C.S.R.

Arkansas Kingbird Casual

N. Crested FI vcatcher* R.R.R.

Eastern Phoebe C.S.R.

Yellow-bel. Flycatcher R.M.

Alder Flycatcher V.R.S.R.

Least Flycatcher C.S.R.

Eastern Wood pewee Uc.S.R.

Olive-sided Flycatcher R.M.

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Long- eared "

Short- eared "

Richardson's "

Saw- whet "

Whip-poor-will

Night hawk

Chimney Swift

Hummingbird

Belt .Kingfi sher

Flicker

Pileated Woodpkr

Red-headed "

Sapsucker

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy "

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Ark. Kingbird

Crest. Flycatcher

Phoebe

Yellow-bel. "

Alder "

Least "

Wood Pewee

Olive- sided "

N. Horned Lark

Prairie " "

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Tree Swallow C.S.R.

Bank Swallow Uc.S.R.

Rough-winged Swallow V.R.M.

Bam Swallow C.S.R.

N. Cliff Swallow Uc.S.R.

Purple Martin R.M.

Canada Jay V.R.W.V.

Northern Blue Jay C.P.R.

Eastern Crow V. C.P.R.

Black-cap. Chickadee C.P.R.

Acadian Chickadee V.R.W.V.

White-trst. Nuthatch R.P.R.

Red- breasted Nuthatch Irr.W.V.

Brown Creeper Uc.W.R.

Eastern House Wren R.S.R.

eastern winter Wren R.M.

Carolina Wren R.& Irr.V.

Prairie Marsh Wren Uc.S.R.

Short-bill. Marsh Wren Uc.S.R.
Eastern Mockingbird R.& Irr.V.

Catbird C.S.R.

Brown Thrasher Uc.S.R.

Eastern Robin V. C.S.R.

Wood, ..Thrush _ Uc.S.R. _

Eastern Hermit Thrush Uc.S.R.

Olive- backed Thrush Uc.M.

Gray- cheeked Thrush Uc.M.

Bicknell’s Thrush R.M.

Veery C.S.R.

Eastern Bluebird C.S.R.

Tree Swallow

Bank "

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Barn "

Cliff "

Purple Martin

Canada Jay

Blue "

Crow

Chickadee

Acadian "

White-hr.Nuthch.

Red-br. "

Brown Creeper

House Wren

Winter "

Carolina Wren

Prairie Marsh "

Short-billed "

Mockingbird

Catbi rd

Brown Thrasher

Robin

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Hermit "

Olive-back. "

Gray- cheek. "

Bickn ell’s "

Veery

Bluebird

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Blue- gray Gnatcatcher R.& Irr.V.

E. Golden- crowned Kinglet C.W.V.

E. Ruby- crowned Kinglet Uc.M.

American Pipit C.Fall M.

Bohemian Waxwing V.R.W.Y.

Cedar Waxwing C.S.R.

Northern Shrike R.W.V.

Migrant Shrike V.R.M.

European Starling Ab.P.R.

white-eyed Vireo V. R.V.

Yellow- throated Vireo R.S.R.

Blue- headed Vireo R.S.R.

Red- eyed Vireo C.S.R.

Philadelphia Vireo V.R.M.

E. Warbling Vireo R.S.R.

"Black & White Warbler C.S.R.

Prothonotary Warbler Casual

Worm- eating Warbler Casual

Golden- winged Warbler Uc.S.R.

Tennessee Warbler R.& Irr.M.

Orange- crowned Warbler V.R.Faii M.

Nashville Warbler Uc.S.R.

N. Parula Warbler C.M.

E. Yellow Warbler C.S.R.

Magnolia Warbler C.M.

Cape May Warbler R.M.

Black- tht. Blue Warbler Uc.M.

Myrtle Warbler V.C.M.
Black- tht. Green Warbler C.S.R.
Blackburnian Warbler R.S.R.

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Gol.-cr. Kinplet

Ruby " "

Pipit

Bohemian Waxwing

Cedar "

Northern Shrike

Migrant "

Starling

White-eved Virec

Yellow- tht. "

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Red- eyed "

Philadelphia "

Warbling "

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Prothonotary "

Worm- eating "

Golden-wg. "

Tennessee "

Orange- cr. "

Nashville "

Parula "

Yellow

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Cape May "

B1 ack- tht . B1 ue "

Mvrtle "

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Blackburnian "

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Chestnut- sided Warbler C.S.R.

Bay- breasted Warbler R.M.

Black- poll Warbler V.C.M.

N. Pine Jffarbler Uc.S.R.

N. Prairie Warbler Uc.S.R.

Western* Palm Warbler R.Pall M.

Yellow Palm Warbler C.M.

Oven- bi rd C.S.R.

Northern Water- Thrush C.M.

Connecticut Warbler R.Pall M.

Mourning Warbler V.R.M.

N. Yellow- throat C.S.R.

Yellow- breasted Chat -R.& Irr.S.V.
Hooded Warbler Casual

Wilson's Warbler R.M.

Canada Warbler R. S.R.

Am. Redstart C.S.R.

English Sparrow Ab.P.R.

Bobolink C.S.R.

Eastern Meadowlark C.P.R.

Eastern Redwing V. C.S.R.

Orchard Oriole R.& Irr.S.V.

Baltimore Oriole C.S.R.

Rusty Blackbird. C.M.

Bronzed Grackle V. C.S.R. •

Eastern Cowbird C.S.R.

Scarlet Tanager Uc.S.R.

Summer Tanager Casual

Rose- breasted Grosbeak Uc.S.R.

Indigo Bunting R.S.R.

IE. Evening Grosbeak irr.w.v.

Chestnut- sd.Warb

Bay-brBt. "

Black- poll "

Pine »

Prairie "

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Yellow Palm "

Oven- hi rd

Water- Thrush

Connecticut "

Mourning "

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Yen low-brst. Chat

Hooded Warbler

Wilson's "

Canada "

Redstart

Enriish Sparrow

Bobolink

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Redwing

Orchard Oriole

Baltimore "

Rusty Blackbird

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Red- eyed Towhee C.S.R.

Ipswich Sparrow R.W.V.

Savannah Snarrow C.S.R.

E. Grasshopper Sparrow V.R. S.R.

E. Henslow's Sparrow V.R. S.R.

Acadian S narrow Uc.M

Sharp- tailed Sparrow Uc.S.R.

E. Vesper Sparrow C.S.R.

Eastern Lark Sparrow V.R.V.

Slate-colored Junco V.C.M.

Eastern Tree Sparrow C.W.R.

E. ChinDinK Sparrow V. C.S.R.

Eastern Field Sparrow Uc.S.R.

17hlte- crowned Sparrow Uc.M.

WVil +. +.Vir>r>at.fid Rnarrow C.M.

Eastern Fox Sparrow C.M.

Lincoln’s Sparrow R.M.

Rwamn Sparrow C.S.R.

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Pine Grosbeak

Common Redpoll

Greater "

Pine Siskin

Goldfinch

Newfld. Crossbill

Red "

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Red- eyed Towhee

Ipswich Sparrow

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Grasshopoer "

Henslow's "

Acadian "

Sharp- tailed "

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Slate-col. Junco

Tree Sparrow

Chipping "

Pi eld "

White-cr. "

White-tht."

Fox *'

Lincoln' s "

Swamp "

Song "

Lapland Longspur

Snow Bunting

ADDITIONAL ESSEX COUNTY BIRDS.

White Pelican. One record only, 1886, Gloucester.
White-fronted Goose. Two were shot in Salisbury, Oct. 5, 1888.
Pink-footed Goose. From Europe. Sept . 25 , 1 924 , Rowley.

Blue Goose. Three records. Oct. 7; Nov.lO; Dec. 7.

Sheld-duck. From Europe. Oct. 5,1921, Gloucester.
Swallow-tailed Kite. Sept . 25 , 1 882, West Newbury.

Canada Spruce Grouse. One record only.

Willow Ptarmigan. One record only. Escape?

Wilson's Plover. May 8, 1904, Ipswich; May 15,1932, Lynn.
Long-billed Curlew. Formerly a rare migrant.

Eskimo Curlew. Now, nearly, if not quite, extinct.

Western Willet. One authentic record. Aug. 5, Newburyport.
Curlew Sandpiper. Three records, the last in 1872.

Ruff. From Europe. May 20,1871, shot at Newburyport;

Aug. 22, 1934, Newbury, bird seen.

Avocet. Three records.

Black-necked Stilt. One record only.

Black-headed Gull. From Europe. Jan. 26, 1930, Newburyport.
Franklin's Gull. Oct. 28, 1885, Salem.

Ivory Gull. One record only, about 1850.

Gull-billed Tern. Sept., 1871* Ipswich.

Eastern Sooty Tern 0ct29,1876, Lawrence.

Royal Tern. July 17,1904, Ipswich.

Black Skimmer. In numbers, 1879 and 1924, late summer.

Western Burrowing Owl. May 15,1875, Newburyport.

Nelson’s Downy Woodpecker. One record only. Dec. 28, 1875,
Lynnfield^ Certain field identification not possible.

Gray Kingbird. Oct. 23, 1869; Nov. 22, 1931 » West Newbury.

Say's Phoebe. Oct. 13, 1930, Ipswich.

Varied Thrush. Dec., 1864, Ipswich.

Western Tanager. Jan. 20, 1878, Lynn, and seen Aug. , 1 927 , Ess ex .
Eastern Cardinal. None since cage-birds became illegal.
"Hudsonian" Pine Grosbeak. Certain field identification is
not possible.

Hoary Redpoll. Nov. 16,1878, Swampscott; Dec. 29,1910, Ipswich.
Holboell ' s Redpoll. Mch. 26 , 1 883, Swampscott .Validity of this
race questionable and field 'identification impossible.
Lark Bunting. Dec. 5, 1877, Lynn.

Labrador Savannah Sparrow. Field identification of this race
can rarely be made with certainty. Regular migrant.
Nelson's Sparrow. Local status of this race not definitely
determined. It may be that old records are erroneous.
Certain field Identification is rarely possible.

Northern Seaside Sparrow. Aug. ,1877, Nahant. There is a
recent Suffolk County record.

Shufeldt's Junco. Jan. 30, 1931, Ipswich.

Chestnut-collared Longspur. July 28,1876, Gloucester.

PUBLICATIONS
of the

ESSEX COUNTY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

Annual Bulletins 1919 - 1934

inclusive. - - .50 each

Index of first 10 numbers (1919-

1928) - .10

Check List, 1921, Brief migration

data. - .05

Check List, 1922. More complete
migration data and brief status
of occurrence, both with ruled
pages for field records. .10
nA List of the Birds of Essex
County, Mass.*' giving status of
occurrence, full records and
migration data. 1931. Eor
reference only. Compactly

bound. - .50

"A Field-List of Essex County

Birds 1934. Separates on

more durable paper, of the
final twenty-eight pages of the
1934 Bulletin, - .20

Address

S. 0, EMILIO, RECORDER.

Peabody Museum
Salem, Mass.

Published February 9, 1935

Phillips Library

3 6234 10001729 5

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