The Chat BULLETIN OF CAROLINA BIRD CLUB, Inc. Dovekie (Plautus alle L.J i I j VOL XV JANUARY, 1951 No. 1 Woman’s College, U. N. C., Greensboro, N. C. The Chat Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Dr. Archie D. Sh.\ftesbury, Editor Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, N. C. B. Rhett Chamberlain, Associate Editor, Route 1, Matthews, N. C. Contributing Editors: Mrs. Edna Lanier Appleberry Wilmington N. C.: Mrs A W. Bachman, Henderson, N. C. ; Gabriel Cannon, Spaitanbuig, S. Charlotte lain. Charleston Museum, Charleston, S. C^ Mrs. Edwin O; TsJ r* • T w TTirkorv N^. C. J Marry T. Davis, N. C. State iVIuseuni, n! C.’; John'B. Funderburg, Wilmington, N. C.; Mrs Charlotte N. C.; Miss Clara Hearn, Pittsboro, X. C.; Mrs. Zora P- Mag^e’ Joe Jones, Chapel Hill, N. C.; J. ML E Jo^.er Rocky Mount, IL C., ^enry Magie Winston-Salem, N. C.; James Mattocks, High Point, C-. Hugh Medfo^, Jr , Orppnshoro N C ‘ Rev. J. J. Murray Lexington, Va.; Oscar H. Pans, Jr^ Urreens boro N. C.’: Prof. Phillips Russell, Chapel Hill, N. C. ; Mrs. Clyde Sisson, Columbia, a p’ . jSi- Weslev Taylor Greensboro, N. C.; Mrs. Eddie W. Wilson, Los Angeles, Cam.; ana Cary^'^N. cT’Roblrt L. Wolff, Goldsboro, N. C.; D. L. Wray, Raleigh. N. C. Entered as second-class matter April 8, 19H. at the post office, Greensboro, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published five times a year on the fifteenth of January, March, May, September, and November as the official organ of Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Articles for Publi- cation should reach the editor by the first of the month m which the issue is pub- lished. Bulletin subscription, one dollar a year, i^Huded in all meinber.^np f^s. NOTIFICATION OP CHANGE OF ADHRESS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDITOR. Volume XV January, 1951 Number 1 CONTENTS Christmas Bird Count, 1950 — Archie D. Shaftesbury Dovekies Invade Inland North Carolina — Harry T. Davts Winter P'ield Trip Held in Beaufort, N. C., Region Field Notes and News .\Irs. Bessie Love Brimley Cover i’icture from ''Birds of North Carolinaf' h)' courtesy of Harry 1'. Davis, director. North Carolina State Museum, Christmas Bird Count, 1950 Archie D. Shaftesbury Carolina Bird Club Members have sent in Christmas counts from seventeen localities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, including: Char- lotte, N. C., Durham, N. C., Eastover, S. C., Elkin, N. C., Great Smoky Mountains Nation- al Park, Tenn.-N. C., Green- ville, S. C., Greensboro, N. C., High Point, N. C., Mattamus- keet National Wildlife Refuge, N. C., Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, N. C., Raleigh, N. C., Rocky Mount, N. C., Spartanburg, S. C., Statesville, N. C., Wilmington, N. C., Windom, N. C., and Winston- Salem, N. C. These seventeen localities, with 179 observers, reported 175 species and 1 extra sub-species, and counted a total of approximately 95,579 birds. In the Christmas count a year ago, nineteen localities in our area, with 230 observers, reported 169 species and two additional sub-species, with a total of about 55,431 birds. A new locality reporting this year is Elkin, N. C., and Statesville, N. C., is represented again after an absence of four years. Asheville, N. C., and Chapel Hill, N. C., two old regulars are missing for a second year. No reports were received from Charleston, S. C., Lenoir, N. C., or Mount Olive, N. C., and Henderson, N. C., failed to make an official count. The high species count for our area for 1950 is from Wilmington, N. C., where a total of 147 species was recorded, a count which puts Wilmington among the leaders of the nation. Ten of the seventeen locali- ties reporting Christmas counts to The Chat list 50 species or more. Among the records which might be of special interest are: Green Heron (Wilmington, N. C., 1); Barnacle Goose (Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, N. C., 1); and White-fronted Goose (Wilmington, N. C., 1). A Florida Gallinule seen at Charlotte, N. C., is an unusual winter record for that inland locality. Among our more or less erratic win- ter visitors. Purple Finches were listed from 11 of the 17 localities re- porting, Pine Siskins were reported from three localities (Greensboro, N. C., 11; Spartanburg, S. C., 3; and Wilmington, N. C., 18), but Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported only from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn.-N. C., 5. Pipits were reported from only five localities, Eastover, S. C., 75; Spartanburg, S. C., 1; Statesville, N. C., 2 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 8; Wilmington, N. C., 121; and Winston-Salem, N. C., 8. Among our border-line winter residents. Catbirds were reported at Mattamuskeet (24) and Wilmington (5); Chipping Sparrows were reported at Eastover (75), Greensboro (11), Rocky Mount (1), ajrd Wilmington (218); and Brown Thrashers were reported from 10 localities, all in small numbers with the exception of Wilmington which reported 22. House Wrens were reported from Durham (2), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1), Rocky Mount (1), and Wilmington (10). White-crowned Sparrows were reported at Charlotte (1), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1), and Statesville (7). Orange-crowned Warblers (2) were reported at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Warblers were reported at Eastover (1) and Wilmington (3), and Yellow-throats were reported at Charlotte (1), High Point (1), Raleigh (1), and Wilmington (4). Only three localities, Greenville, S. C., Raleigh, and Rocky Mount failed to observe Robins. Charlotte, N. C. (Area essentially the same as in last 8 years, including Clark- son city garden, ponds along Albemarle road and upper basin of McAlpine Creek, Freedom Park; pine, gum, poplar woodland 45%, cleared fields 40%, hedgerows 10%, ponds and marshes 5%). — Dec. 30; 7:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M. Cloudy, light rain; temp. 34° to 40°; wind N., 1-7 mph; light ice at pond edges from earlier freeze. Eleven observers in four parties. Total party-hours, 30 (l8 on foot, 12 by car); total party-miles, 95 (15 on foot, 80 by car). Great Blue Heron, 1; Turkey Vulture, 1; Black Vulture, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Bob-white, 2; Florida Gallinule, 1; Killdeer, 6; Mourning Dove, 42; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Yellow- shafted Flicker, 4; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Eastern Phoebe, 1; Blue Jay, 16; Am. Crow, 53; Carolina Chickadee, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 10; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Brown-headed Nuthatch, 9; Brown Creeper, I; Carolina Wren, 10; Mockingbird, 14; Brown Thrasher, 5; Robin, 63; Hermit Thrush, 3; Eastern Bluebird, 6; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3; Cedar Waxwing, 48; Loggerhead Shrike, 13; Starling, 55; Myrtle Warbler, 14; Pine Warbler, 12; Y ellovjthroat, 1; House Sparrow, 17; Eastern Meadowlark, 42; Cardinal, 48; Purple Finch, 2; Goldfinch, 3; Eastern Towhee, 9; Vesper Sparrow, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 90; Field Sparrow, 26; White-crowned Sparrow, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 71; Fox Sparrow 4; Song Sparrow, 31. Total, 47 species; 765 individuals. (The Florida Gallinule listed is an immature bird that arrived last spring at a private pond and is still seen almost daily. The White-crowned Sparrow has visited Mr. Olin Wearn’s yard since November 23, 1950.) — Dan Burroughs, Jr., B. R. Chamber- lam (compiler), Mrs. B. R. Chamberlain, Norman Chamberlain, Rhett Chamberlain, Jr., Mrs. Edwin 0. Clarkson, Lucille Herrin, Steve Mahaley, Mrs. Robert W. PooU, William Smith, Olin W earn (Mecklenburg Audubon Club). Durham, N. C. (Essentially the same area as for past few years. Duke University Campus and surrounding forest, southwest 3 miles to Hollow Rock, country roads to west and northwest. Bird Sanctuary, and Ellerbe Creek lowlands; about 50% open land, including some pasture and cultivated fields and a small amount of marsh ; 50% wooded, part pine, part mixed hardwoods.) — Dec. 30, 6:30 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. Cloudy all day with intermittent drizzle and heavy mist in late afternoon. Temp. 35*-45*. No wind. One party of 2 to 5 observers. Total observer hours. January, 1951 THE CHAT 3 32; total miles, 48 (8 on foot, 40 by car). American Bittern, 1; Sharp-shmned Hawk, 1; Bob-white, 10; Wilson’s Snipe, 5; Mourning Dove, 1; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 5; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Red-headed Woodpecker, 3; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2 ; Hairy Woodpecker, 1 ; Downy Woodpecker, 2 ; Eastern Phoebe, _ 1 ; Bluejay, 16; Am. Crow, 11; Carolina Chickadee, 29; Tufted Titmouse, 9; White- breasted Nuthatch, 4; Brown-headed Nuthatch, 8; Brown Creeper, 2; Winter Wren, 2; Carolina Wren, 36; Mockingbird, 13; Robin, 1; Hermit Thrush, 9; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 5; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3; Cedar Waxwing, 26; Starling, 359; Myrtle Warbler, 7; Pine Warbler, 4; House Sparrow, 29; Eastern Meadowlark, 1; Cardinal, 82; Purple Finch, 2; Am. Goldfinch, 67; Towhee, 20; Slate-colored Junco, 239; Field Sparrow, 59; White-throated Sparrow, 169; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Song Sparrow, 36. Total, 41 species, about 1,283 individuals. Frank Egerton, Paul J. Kramer, Richard, Kramer^ Peter Nielsen, Ben Umstead. Eastover, S. C. (Tom’s creek on Highway 764 to Wateree, up hwy. 601 to Community Pond, down hwy. 263 to Eastover; cultivated fields 33%, broom fields and grass-covered pasture 33 %, deciduous and pine woods 14%, residential grounds 10%, swampy areas around spring and ponds 10%. ) Jan. 1, 1951 — Daylight to 5:30 P. M. Partly cloudy to clearing; temp. 32° to 55°; wind NE at 5 mph; 83% relative humidity. Four observers in one party. Twenty-five miles covered, 24j4 in car, ^ on foot. Pied-billed Grebe, 2; Great Blue Heron, 1; Black Vulture, 10; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Marsh Hawk, 3; Sparrow Hawk, 9; Killdeer, 8; Wilson’s Snipe, 4; Mourning Dove, 12; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 7; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 1 ; Downy Woodpecker, 2 ; Eastern Phoebe, 2 ; Prairie Horned Lark, 1 9 ; Blue Jay, 13; Am. Crow, 4; Carolina Chickadee, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 2; White-breasted Nut- hatch, 1; Carolina Wren, 3; Mockingbird, 11; Brown Thrasher, 3; Robin, 27; Hermit Thrush, 6; Eastern Bluebird, 44; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3; Water Pipit, 75 (est.); Cedar Waxwing, 18; Shrike, 11; Starling, 52; Myrtle Warbler, 2; Pine Warbler, 47; Palm Warbler, 1 (dead) ; House Sparrow, 100 (est.); Eastern Meadow- lark, 39; Rusty Blackbird, 2; Cowbird, 200 (est.) ; Cardinal, 25; Am. Goldfinch, 24; Eastern Towhee, 22; Savannah Sparrow, 14; Vesper Sparrow, 3; Slate-colored Junco, 38; Chipping Sparrow, 75; Field Sparrow, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 95; Song Sparrow, 16. (Seen in area on afternoon before count. Brown Creeper, 1; on Dec. 29, Purple Finch, l). Total number seen on count. Species, 50; Individuals, 1,063. Mrs. Clyde Sisson, Mrs. Ben Meeks, Mrs. Rhett Clark, and Mrs. W. H. Faojer (com- piler), (Members of Columbia Bird Club). Elkin, Surry County, N. C., and vicinity. (Area included Roundabout farm on the Yadkin River, Cedarbrook Golf Course, and farms in the vicinity of state road.) — Dec. 31, 9:30 A. M.-4:00 P. M. Weather fair, light winds, temp, about 50°. Three observers. Total miles 38 (8 on foot, 30 by car). Great Blue Heron, 1; Buffle-head, 1 ; Turkey Vulture, 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk, 1 ; Sparrow Hawk, 1 ; Kill- deer, 2; Mourning Dove, 25; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 1; Red- bellied Woodpecker, 1 ; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 ; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 ; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 3; Am. Crow, 12; Chicka- dee, 10; Tufted Titmouse, 10; White-breasted Nuthatch, 10; Brown Creeper, 1; Carolina Wren, 3; Mockingbird, 10; Am. Robin, 2; Hermit Thrush, 2; Eastern Bluebird, 10; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3; Cedar Waxwing, 8; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Starling, 200 (est.); Myrtle Warbler, 1; House Sparrow, 5; Eastern Meadowlark, 50; Cardinal, 12; Purple Finch, 2; Am. Goldfinch, 6; Eastern Towhee, 3; Slate- colored Junco, 100 (est.); Field Sparrow, 1; White-crowned Sparrow, 1; White- throated Sparrow, 100 (est.); Fox Sparrow, 2; Song Sparrow, 12. Total, 42 species; 4 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 about 672 individuals. — Linville Hendren, Tom Hendren, and E. M. Hodel (com- piler). Also seen in the same locality between Dec. 23 and Dec. 31, 1950: Golden- crowned King-let, 1 (Dec. 28) ; Brown Thrasher, 1 (Dec. 23) ; BevAck's Wren, 1 (Dec. 26); Eastern Phoebe, 1 (Dec. 23); Pine Warbler, 1 (Dec. 23). Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn.-N. C. (Essentially same area as in past 13 years; circle with 7)4-mile radius centering on Bull Head of Mt. Le- Conte, including a section of the Tennessee-North Carolina divide from near Mt. Collins east to Dry Sluice Gap; towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; altitude 1200 to 6500 ft.; spruce-fir forests 40%; deciduous forests 25%, farmland and abandoned fields 25%, towns and suburbs 10%). — Dec. 31, 6:30 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. Clear; temp. 15° (above 6000 ft.) to 45°; wind variable, light to approxi- mately 25 mph at high altitudes; ground bare in lowlands, up to 12 inches of snow- cover above 6000 ft. Thirty-four observers in 10 parties. Total party-hours, 81; total party-miles 247 (74 on foot, 173 by car). Pied-billed Grebe, 2; Hooded Mer- ganser, 1; Turkey Vulture, 4; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red- tailed Hawk, 4; Bald Eagle, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Ruffed Grouse, 9; Killdeer, 20; Mourning Dove, 10; Screech Owl, 3; Belted Kingfisher, 6; Yellow- shafted Flicker, 4; Pileated Woodpecker, 12; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 13; Eastern Phoebe, 8; Horned Lark, 20; Blue Jay, 15; Raven, 7; Am. Crow, 230; Chickadee (2 sp.), 186; Tufted Titmouse, 24; White-breasted Nuthatch, 13; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Brown Creeper, 7; House Wren, 1; Winter Wren, 13; Bewick’s Wren, 1; Carolina Wren, 22; Mock- ingbird, 10; Am. Robin, 11; Hermit Thrush, 15; Eastern Bluebird, 13; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 54; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 7; Loggerhead Shrike, 5; Starling, 83; Myrtle Warbler, 4; House Sparrow, 47; Eastern Meadowlark, 170; Red-winged Blackbird, 2; Cardinal, 55; Eastern Purple Finch, 3; Am. Goldfinch, 160; Red Crossbill, 1; Eastern Towhee, 7; Savannah Sparrow, 5; Eastern Vesper Sparrow, 1; Slate-colored Junco (2 subsp.), 300 (est.) ; Eastern Field Sparrow, 84; White- throated Sparrow, 40; Eastern Fox Sparrow, 1; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Song Sparrow, 114. Total, 59 species (one additional subspecies); approximately 1,895 individuals. — Jon Beasley, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Broome, Leroy Buckner, Richard C. Burns, Mary Ruth Chiles, J. A. Counts, James Counts, Eric Cron, Brockway Crouch, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dunbar, Robert Eslinger, Arthur A. Harris, Robert P. Hornsby, Joseph C. Howell, Philip Huff, William M. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Leonhard, Bonnie McDonald, S. R. Meaker, Andrew J. Meyerriecks, Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Monroe, Elise Morrell, Robert Scott, William Searle, Edward Shelley, Jr., Louise Shultz, Arthur Stupka, James T. Tanner, Charles Thompson, William Yambert (Tenn. Ornithological Society and National Park Service). Greenville, S. C. (Paris Mountain State Park, H. J. Gilreath farm. Union Bleachery Reservoir; pine and deciduous woods 80%, open fields and border thickets 15%, wet pasture thickets and reservoir 5%). — Dec. 23; 8:30 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. Weather clear, calm, temp. 28° to 61°. Four observers in one party; six miles on foot, 20 by car, mostly within six mile area. Pied-billed Grebe, 3; Redhead, 3; Ring-necked Duck, 21; American Golden-eye, 1; Ruddy Duck, 3; Turkey Vul- ture, 12; Cooper’s Hawk, 1 ; Marsh Hawk, 1; Mourning Dove, 4; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 1 ; Pileated Woodpecker, 1 ; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1 ; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Am. Crow, 18; Carolina Chickadee, 30; Tufted Titmouse, 15; Brown Creeper, 1; Carolina Wren, 30; Mockingbird, 2; Eastern Bluebird, 12; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3; Cedar Waxwing, 50; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Starling, 2; House Sparrow, 15; Eastern Meadowlark, 3; Red-winged Blackbird, 2; Cardinal, 30; Purple Finch, 3; Am. January, 1951 THE CHAT 5 Goldfinch, 20; Red-eyed Towhee, 10; Slate-colored Junco, 50; Field Sparrow, 6; White-throated Sparrow, 24; Song Sparrow, 12. Total, 38 species; 397 individuals. Mrs. E. C. Crumpton, Misses Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hart, May Puett (observers) ; P. M. Jenness (compiler); (Greenville Bird Club). Greensboro, N. C. (Area centering mi. SW of transmitter of radio station WBIG; same regions covered as in 1949 Christmas count; deciduous and pine woods 25%, thickets 15%, fresh-water lakes and ponds 25%, marsh and wooded swamps 10%, lawns and parks 10%, others 15%. ) — Dec. 30; 7:00 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. Overcast; temp. 32°-37°; wind NW, 0 to 5 mph; light fog in morning, rain and drizzle in afternoon. Twenty-nine observers in 12 parties. Total party hours 77 (57 on foot, 20 by car) ; total party miles 167 (49 on foot, 1 10 by car.) Horned Grebe, 1 ; Great Blue Heron, 2 Mallard, 5 ; Green-winged Teal, 2 ; Wood Duck, 2 ; Red- head, 9 ; Ring-necked Duck, 5 ; Lesser Scaup, 1 1 ; Am. Golden-eye, 1 ; Hooded Mer- ganser, 1; Turkey Vulture, 26; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Cooper’s Hawk, 4; Red- tailed Hawk, 4; Red-shouldered Hawk, 4; Marsh Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Bob-white, 50; Virginia Rail, 1; Am. Coot, 2; Killdeer, 49; Wilson’s Snipe, 4; Mourning Dove, 161; Screech Owl, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 4; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 69; Pileated Woodpecker, 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 20; Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker, 23; Red-headed Woodpecker, 5; Hairy Woodpecker, 12; Downy Wood- pecker, 44; Eastern Phoebe, 9; Horned Lark, 146; Blue Jay, 156; Am. Crow, 191; Carolina Chickadee, 271; Tufted Titmouse, 143; White-breasted Nuthatch, 39; Brown-headed Nuthatch, 10; Brown Creeper, 15; Winter Wren, 26; Carolina Wren, 72; Mockingbird, 85; Brown Thrasher, 2; Am. Robin, 77; Hermit Thrush, 21; Eastern Bluebird, 119; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 50; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 27; Cedar Waxwing, 82; Loggerhead Shrike, 7; Starling, 7,541; Myrtle Warbler, 29; Pine Warblers, 14; House Sparrow, 429; Eastern Meadowlark, 479; Red-winged Blackbird, 50; Rusty Blackbird, 20; Brown-headed Cowbird, 15; Cardinal, 300; Purple Finch, 3; Pine Siskin, 11; Am. Goldfinch, 125; Eastern Towhee, 142; Sa- vannah Sparrow, 12; Slate-colored Junco, 2,257; Chipping Sparrow, 11; Field Sparrow, 905; White-throated Sparrow, 1,006; Fox Sparrow, 11; Swamp Sparrow, 32; Song Sparrow, 252. Total, 74 species, about 15,740 individuals. — Misses Ethel McNairy, Inez Coldwell, Evelyn Cole, Etta SchiffsTuin, Ann Locke, and Ida Mitchell, Mrs. Margaret Wall, Mrs. Hugh Medford, Mrs. Edith Settan, Mrs. Floyd H. Craft, Mrs. W. C. Carr, Mrs. Geo. W. Perrett, Geo. W. Perrett (compiler), Oscar Paris, Dr. Archie D. Shaftesbury, John A. McLeod, Jr., Thomas E. Street, Geo. A. Smith, Hal H. Strickland, Hugh L. Medford, Jr., Dr. Hollis Rogers, Ralph Faison, Dr. Wesley Taylor, C. R. Lamb, John Carr, and Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Hall (members Piedmont Bird Club) ; James Furr, and James R. Mattocks (Catesby Bird Club.) High Point, N. C. (7j4 mile radius centering on Springfield Meetinghouse, including High Point Municipal Lake and watershed; lake and shoreline 40%, mixed woods 25%, open farmland 20%, residential area 15%). — Dec. 26; 6:30 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. Clear; temp. 27° to 62°; wind SW, 8-10 mph; ground clear, scattered ice on ponds. Fifteen observers in four parties. Total party hours, 14 (lO on foot, 4 by car); total party-miles, 30 (lO on foot, 20 by car). Pied-billed Grebe, 5; Mal- lard, 62; Black Duck, 26; Ring-necked Duck, 58; Scaup (sp.), 8; Ruddy Duck, 1; Am. Merganser, 1; Turkey Vulture, 19; Black Vulture, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Bob-white, 2; Turkey, 8; Killdeer, 3; Mourning Dove, 5; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 6; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 ; Hairy Woodpecker, 3 ; Downy Woodpecker, 6 ; Eastern Phoebe, 3 ; Blue Jay, 13; Am. Crow, 77; Carolina Chickadee, 26; Tufted Titmouse, 25; White- breasted Nuthatch, 8; Brown Creeper, 1; Carolina Wren, 7; Mockingbird, 10; Brown 6 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 Thrasher, 3; Am. Robin, 35; Hermit Thrush, 7; Eastern Bluebird, 41; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 1 3 ; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 8 ; Cedar Waxwing, 1 9 ; Loggerhead Shrike, 9; Starling, 36; Myrtle Warbler, 16; Pine Warbler, 1; Yellowthroat, 1 (J.W.F., J.M.) ; House Sparrow, 18; Eastern Meadowlark, 29; Cardinal, 28; Purple Finch, 12; Am. Goldfinch, 24; Eastern Towhee, 11; Savannah Sparrow, 3; Slate-colored Junco, 74; Field Sparrow, 5; White-throated Sparrow, 39; Song Sparrow, 11. Total, 53 species; 834 individuals. (Seen in area Dec. 23; Great Blue Heron, 1; Horned Lark, 14.) — Mrs. Florence Baker, J. W. Furr, Mrs. C. C. Ha- ^; total party miles, 15 (mostly by truck). Common Loon, 1; Pied-billed Grebe, 3; Great Blue Heron, 5; Louisiana Heron, 2; Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 9; Am. Bittern, 1; Whistling Swan, 2; Canada Goose, 3,259; Barnacle Goose, 1 (good views at close range); Snow Goose, 8,270 ; Black Duck, 204; Gadwall, 3; Pintail, 1,620; Green-winged Teal, 234; Shoveller, 80; Ring-necked Duck, 400; Canvas-back, 3; Scaup, 16; Buffle-head, 1; Ruddy Duck, 247; Hooded Merganser, 9; Red-breasted Merganser, 1; Marsh Hawk, 4; Duck Hawk, 2; Pigeon Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, January, 1951 THE CHAT 7 1} Am. Coot, 79+ ; Killdeer, 2} Greater Yellow-legs, 2; Great Black-backed Gull, 54; Herring Gull, 700 ; Ring-billed Gull, 200; Myrtle Warbler, 160; Eastern Mea- dowlark, 27; Red-winged Blackbird, 20; Boat-tailed Grackle, 21; Savannah Spar- row, 6; Sharp-tailed Sparrow, 2; Seaside Sparrow, 28. Total, 39 species; about 16,395 individuals. (The Barnacle Goose had been on the refuge since Nov. 23; about 700 unidentified ducks were seen; no Robins were seen though hundreds had been here a week before the count.) — Houston C. P/iillifs (Refuge Patrolman), A, D. Shaftesbury (compiler), Lewis B. Turner (Refuge Manager). Raleigh, N. C. (Practically same area as previous counts: lakes and small ponds 40%, mixed pine and deciduous woodland 15%, deciduous woodland 25%, pine woodland 10%, open fields 10%.) Dec. 30—7:30 A. M. to 5:30_^P. M. Fog early, with heavy clouds and occasional rain all day; calm; temp. 32 -43 F. ; ground bare, water open. Nine observers in six parties. Total hours, 31 (27 on foot, 4 by car); total miles 35 (27 on foot, 8 by car). Pied-billed Grebe, 1; Great Blue Heron, 5; Mallard, 39; Black Duck, 6; Gadwall, 2; Green-winged Teal, 2; Redhead, 1; Ring-necked Duck, 48; Lesser Scaup Duck, 2; Buffle-head, 4; Ruddy Duck, 1; Hooded Merganser, 1; Red-breasted Merganser, 1; Turkey Vulture, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 ; Cooper’s Hawk, 2 ; Sparrow Hawk, 1 ; Bobwhite, 7 ; Killdeer, 1 0 ; Mourn- ing Dove, 16; Great Horned Owl, 1; Barred Owl, 1; Kingfisher, 7; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 16; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Eastern Phoebe, 2; Bluejay, 67; Am. Crow, 41; Carolina Chickadee, 16; Tufted Titmouse, 26; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Brown-headed Nuthatch, 7; Brown Creeper, 3; Winter Wren, 3; Carolina Wren, 31; Mockingbird, 27; Brown Thrasher, 4; Hermit Thrush, 1; Eastern Bluebird, 21; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5; Cedar Waxwing, 55; Loggerhead Shrike, 4; Starling, 230; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Pine Warbler, 2; Mary- land Yellowthroat, 1; House Sparrow, 39; Eastern Meadowlark, 51; Cardinal, 62; Am. Goldfinch, 52; Red-eyed Towhee, 14; Slate-colored Junco, 315; Field Sparrow, 38; White-throated Sparrow, 169; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Song Sparrow, 35. Total, 60 species; 1,512 individuals. — D. L. Wray (compiler), E. W. Winkler, J. F. Greene, Robt. Overing, Wtn. Hamnett, J. W. Johnson, Ethel Wray, Virginia Pickelle, F. B. Meacham. Rocky Mount, N. C. (Area 15 mi. diameter, north of Rocky Mount, N. C., in Nash and Edgecombe Counties. Roadsides 50%, open fields 20%, swamps 20%, ponds 20%. ) — Jan. 1, 1951; 8:00 A. M.-5.00 P. M. No wind, cloudy, temp. 30°- 50°; ponds mostly covered with ice. Three observers. Total miles 90 (80 by car, 10 on foot). Great Blue Heron, 1; Wood Duck, 3; Hooded Merganser, 2; Turkey Vulture, 4; Black Vulture, 4; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 3; Red- shouldered Hawk, 5; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Killdeer, 48; Wilson’s Snipe, 11; Mourning Dove, 47 ; Belted Kingfisher, 1 ; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 1 7 ; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3; Red-headed Woodpecker, 3; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Eastern Phoebe, 3; Northern Horned Lark, 20; Prairie Horned Lark, 22; Blue Jay, 18; Am. Crow, 30; Carolina Chickadee, 16; Tufted Titmouse, 7; White- breasted Nuthatch, 2; Brown Creeper, 2; House Wren, 1 (Benbow) ; Carolina Wren, 5; Mockingbird, 12; Brown Thrasher, 1; Am. Robin, 223 ; Hermit Thrush, 4; Eastern Bluebird, 20; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5; Cedar Waxwing, 46; Loggerhead Shrike, 27; Starling, 131; Myrtle Warbler, 6; Pine Warbler, 5; House Sparrow, 43; Eastern Meadowlark, 227; Cardinal, 8; Purple Finch, 6; Am. Goldfinch, 55; Red-eyed Towhee, 8; Savannah Sparrow, 13; Slate- colored Junco, 62; Chipping Sparrow, 1; Field Sparrow, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 48; Fox Sparrow, 14; Song Sparrow, 45. Total, 53 species (plus one additional sub- 8 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 species)} about 1297 individuals. — C. D. Benbow, Bill Joyner, and Rev. Gray Tem- fle (compiler). Spartanburg, S. C. (5)^ mile radius, and including Zimmerman Lake area, Duncan Park lake, Ezell woods. Pierce fish pond. Silver Lake area} open farmlands 15%, town suburbs 20%, mixed woodlands 20%, fresh water ponds, lakes and marshes 45%). — Dec. 24} 7:00 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. Clear} temp. 38° to 60°} wind 2-25 mph. Ten observers in 4 parties. Total hours 19J^ (16 on foot, 3 by car) } total party miles, 30 (8 on foot, 22 by car). Pied-billed Grebe, 4} Mallard, 7} Bald- pate, 2} Shoveller, 4} Ring-necked Duck, 6} Scaup, 8} Buffle-head, 2} Ruddy Duck, 10} Hooded Merganser, 10} Turkey Vulture, 10} Black Vulture, 24} Cooper’s Hawk, 1} Red-tailed Hawk, 3} Red-shouldered Hawk, 2} Marsh Hawk, 1} Sparrow Hawk, 3} Bob-white, 14} Killdeer, 93} Wilson’s Snipe, 2} Mourning Dove, 57} Barn Owl, 1} Belted Kingfisher, 1} Yellow-shafted Flicker, 14} Red-bellied Wood- pecker, 3} Red-headed Woodpecker, 1} Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1} Downy Wood- pecker 6} Eastern Phoebe, 3} Horned Lark, 5} Blue Jay, 33} Am. Crow, 295} Caro- lina Chickadee, 33} Tufted Titmouse, 35} Brown-headed Nuthatch, 7} Brown Creep- er, 2} Carolina Wren, 30} Mockingbird, 10} Brown Thrasher, 2} Am. Robin, 17} Hermit Thrush, 4} Eastern Bluebird, 92} Golden-crowned Kinglet, 31} Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 25} Pipit, 1} Cedar Waxwing, 22} Loggerhead Shrike, 10} Starling, 23} Myrtle Warbler, 6} Pine Warbler, 27} House Sparrow, 113} Eastern Meadowlark, 270} Rusty Blackbird, 25} Purple Grackle, 7} Cardinal, 75} Purple Finch, 13} Pine Siskin, 3} Am. Goldfinch, 140} Eastern Towhee, 47} Savannah Sparrow, 2} Slate- colored Junco, 97} Field Sparrow, 89} White-throated Sparrow, 87} Fox Sparrow, 10} Swamp Sparrow, 3} Song Sparrow, 56. Total, 65 species} about 2,040 individ- uals. (Due to high winds, practically no birds seen after noon.) — Gabriel Cannon, Louisa Carlisle, Ruth Crick, Margaret Hammond, Flora Beymer, Harold Correll, Tucker McCravy, Dr. R. E. Ruff, Dr. and Mrs. J. O. Watkins. Statesville, Iredell County, N. C. (Same locality as previous count. From center of Statesville, including Oakwood Cemetery, and the area northeast and east of it} with a new area west of Statesville, farms and woodlands of the New Sterl- ing section, lying between the Taylorsville and Hickory highways} town and suburbs 20%, mixed woodlands 30%, open farmlands 40%, lake and stream banks 5%, pine woods 5%). — Dec. 27} 8:00 A. M.-5:30 P. M. Cloudy} temp. 26°-32°} wind NE 15 to 25 mph. Seven observers in three parties. Total hours 12 (9 on foot, 3 in car)} total miles 68 (lO on foot, 58 in car). Canada Goose, 4} Mallard, 8} Black Duck, 1} Turkey Vulture, 10} Marsh Hawk, 4} Sparrow Hawk, 3} Bob- white, 15} Mourning Dove, 75} Screech Owl, 1} Barred Owl, 1} Yellow-shafted Flicker, 6} Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4} Downy Woodpecker, 8} Eastern Phoebe, 5} Homed Lark, 350 } Blue Jay, 12} Am. Crow, 35} Carolina Chickadee, 8} Tufted Titmouse, 18} White-breasted Nuthatch, 1} Carolina Wren, 7} Mockingbird, 20} Brown Thrasher, 6} Am. Robin, 3} Eastern Bluebird, 75} Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1} Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1} Am. Pipit, 8} Shrike, 12} Starling, 400} Myrtle Warbler, 2} House Sparrow, 250} Eastern Meadowlark, 350} Rusty Blackbird, 15} Purple Grackle, 6} Cardinal, 50} Am. Goldfinch, 30} Eastern Towhee, 25} Junco, 285} Field Sparrow, 15} White-crowned Sparrow, 7} White-throated Sparrow, 15} Fox Sparrow, 2} Song Sparrow, 8. Total, 44 species, about 2,162 individuals. — W. B. Cravjford, Miss Nancy Eliason, Miss Jane Eliason, John Long, John Henry Gray, Miss Sarah Nooe (compiler), W. G. Temfleton. Wilmington, N. C. (New Hanover and Brunswick Counties} sixth count In area} 7J^ mi. radius centering on Monkey Junction on the Carolina Beach road, and in- January, 1951 THE CHAT 9 eluding Wrightsville Beach and Sound, Masonboro and Greenville Sounds, Winter Park, Orton and Pleasant Oaks Plantations, Cape Fear River, and Greenfield Lake} mixed pine and deciduous woodland 60%, fresh water ponds and river 15%, beach and salt water marsh 20%, pasture 5%). — Dec. 27; 7:00 A. M.-5:00 P. M. Cloudy all day; temp. 28°-33°; wind NE 12-35 mph. Ground bare, water open except for thin ice near shore. Sixteen observers in 7 parties. Total party hours 5 3j^ (28 on foot, 25>^ by car); total party miles 247 (50 on foot, 197 by car). Common Loon, 28; Red-throated Loon, 9; Horned Grebe, 44; Pied-billed Grebe, 53; Brown Peli- can, 6; Gannet, 23; Double-crested Cormorant, 32; Great Blue Heron, 18; Am. Egret, 33; Snowy Egret, 52; Louisiana Heron, 17; Little Blue Heron, 10; Green Heron, 1; Black-crowned Night Heron, 5; Canada Goose, 58; W hite-j ranted- Goosey 2 (C. McAllister;) Mallard, 3; Black Duck, 37; Gadwall, 13; European Widgeon, 1; Baldpate, 192; Pintail, 16; Green-winged Teal, 53; Blue-winged Teal, 23; Wood Duck, 29; Redhead, 2; Ring-necked Duck, 23; Canvasback, 18; Greater Scaup, 2; Lesser Scaup, 11; Am. Goldeneye, 5; Buffle-head, 122; Old Squaw, 3; White-winged Scoter, 9; Surf Scoter, 37; Am. Scoter, 33; Ruddy Duck, 22; Hooded Merganser, 176; Red-breasted Merganser, 813; Black Vulture, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 4; Red-shouldered Hawk, 5; Bald Eagle, 12; Marsh Hawk, 6; Osprey, 1; Duck Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 14; Bob-white, 9; King Rail 4; Clapper Rail, 3; Florida Gallinule, 1; Am. Coot, 179; Oyster Catcher, 5 ; Piping Plover, 4 ; Semi-palmated Plover, 3 8 ; Killdeer, 119; Black- bellied Plover, 109; Ruddy Turnstone, 1; Woodcock, 2; Wilson’s Snipe, 6; Willet, 2; Greater Yellow-legs, 21; Knot, 7; Purple Sandpiper, 5; Least Sandpiper, 8; Red- backed Sandpiper, 290; Semi-palmated Sandpiper, 26; Western Sandpiper, 14; San- derling, 42; Herring Gull, 13,906 (est.) ; Ring-billed Gull, 3,611 (est.) ; Laughing Gull, 24; Bonaparte’s Gull, 69; Forster’s Tern, 151; Least Tern, 5; Royal Tern, 9; Caspian Tern, 203 (C. McAllister); Black Skimmer, 270; Mourning Dove, 92; Screech Owl, 1; Horned Owl, 1; Belted Kingfisher, 24; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 68; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 13; Red-headed Woodpecker, 6; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 8 ; Hairy Woodpecker, 2 ; Downy Woodpecker, 1 1 ; Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 1 7 ; Eastern Phoebe, 18; Tree Swallow, 11; Blue Jay, 77; Am. Crow, 71; Fish Crow, 1,531 (C. McAllister); Carolina Chickadee, 76; Tufted Titmouse, 43; Brown- headed Nuthatch, 68; Brown Creeper, 2; House Wren, 10; Winter Wren, 12; Carolina Wren, 42; Long-billed Marsh Wren, 5; Short-billed Marsh Wren, 1; Mockingbird, 94; Catbird, 5; Brown Thrasher, 22; Am. Robin, 1,451; Hermit Thrush, 38; Eastern Bluebird, 45; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 12; Golden-crowned King- let, 23; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 41; Am. Pipit, 121; Cedar Waxwing, 58; Logger- head Shrike, 31; Starling, 307; Blue-headed Vireo, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 636; Pine Warbler, 89; Palm Warbler, 3; Yellow Throat, 4; House Sparrow, 311; Eastern Meadowlark, 331; Red-winged Blackbird, 1,946; Rusty Blackbird, 4; Boat-tailed Grackle, 11; Purple Grackle, 1; Cowbird, 26; Cardinal, 79; Purple Finch, 30; Pine Siskin, 18; Am. Goldfinch, 182; Towhee, 119; Savannah Sparrow, 152; Henslow’s Sparrow, 2 ; Sharp-tailed Sparrow, 4 ; Seaside Sparrow, 2 1 ; Vesper Sparrow, 85; Slate-colored Junco, 289; Chipping Sparrow, 218; Field Sparrow, 37; White-throated Sparrow, 961; Fox Sparrow, 288; Swamp Sparrow, 22; Song Spar- row, 120. Total, 147 species; about 3 1,676 individuals. (Seen in the area before and after census: Lark Sparrow; Spotted Sandpiper, on ice at Greenfield Lake, Dec. 22, Baker and Appleberry; Orange-crowned Warbler; 2 Shovelers; 2 Turkey Vul- tures; Live Whip-poor-will brought in by Mary Urich’s cat, Dec. 30, at Wrights- ville Sd., still living; Western Grebe (?), seen at close range by Mary Urich and J. A. Bodine, was with 2 Horned Grebes and a Common Loon for comparison, similar bird seen by L. Crawford and P. Mebane earlier at same spot but across the 10 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 bay, and Mrs. Mebane said it was too cold to watch it and they passed it up.) The Blue Goose (cf. Tfu Cfuit, 1950, v. XIV, no. 1, p. ll) is still at Smith’s dairy.— Mrs. Polly Mebane, Larry Crawfori, John F underburg, Evan Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Thomas, Cecil Affleberry, Louise Forsyth, Bob Holmes III, Claude McAllister, Don McAllister, Mary Urich, J. A. Bodine, Mary Baker, Oscar Paris, Edna Apfleberry (compiler) (Wilmington Natural Science Club). WiNDOM, Yancey County, N. C. (Farms of L. H. Hutchins, Mack Silver, Mrs. C. P. Gibson and adjacent territory; cultivated land 25%, pasture 25%, woodland 23%, grownup fields 25%, and pine grove 2%). — Dec. 30; 8:00 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. Cloudy; temp. 40“ to 50°; wind W, 5 to 10 mph. Four observers in two par- ties. Total party hours 16 (all on foot); total party miles 20. Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Bob-white, 10; Wilson’s Snipe, 2; Mourning Dove, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 11; Am. Crow, 300; Black-capped Chickadee, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 12; Carolina Wren, 17; Mockingbird, 1; Eastern Robin, 2; Eastern Bluebird, 18; Starl- ing, 54; House Sparrow, 459; Eastern Meadowlark, 10; Cardinal, 51; Am. Gold- finch, 93; Red-eyed Towhee, 2; Carolina Junco, 125; White-throated Sparrow, 10; Fox Sparrow, 5; Field Sparrow, 130; Song Sparrow, 168. Total, 24 species; 1,510 individuals. — Roosevelt Hughes, Paul Hughes, Wade Styles, and Jofnes Hutchins (compiler). (In correspondence with Dr. Alexander Wetmore, he says the variety of song sparrow in Western North Carolina is the Mississippi Song Sparrow.) Winston-Salem, N. C. (15 mi. area from City Lake to Yadkin River; pasture 5%, plowed land 5%, old fields 15%, deciduous woods 25%, town suburbs^ 10%, lakes and rivers 40%). Dec. 23; 6:30 A. M.-7:00 P. M. Clear, temp. 27 -58 ; wind negligible; lakes 98% frozen over. Nineteen observers in 6 parties. Total party hours, 48 (44 on foot, 4 by car); total party miles, 134 (42 on foot, 92 by car). Great Blue Heron, 2; Canada Goose, 111; Mallard, 265 ; Black Duck, 26; Ring- necked Duck, 4; Scaup sp., 4; Ruddy Duck, 2; Turkey Vulture, 23; Black Vul- ture, 5; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Bob-white, 184; Killdeer, 6; Mourn- ing Dove, 35; Screech Owl, 1 (dead); Belted Kingfisher, 1; Yellow-shafted Flick- er, 12; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 6; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 18; Hairy Wood- pecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Eastern Phoebe, 9; Blue Jay, 28; Am. Crow, 85; Carolina Chickadee, 46; Tufted Titmouse, 44; White-breasted Nuthatch, 18; Brown Creeper, 2; Winter Wren, 2; Carolina Wren, 25; Mockingbird, 22; Am. Robin, 7; Hermit Thrush, 10; Eastern Bluebird, 48; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 25; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 9; Water Pipit, 80; Cedar Waxwing, 47; Loggerhead Shrike, 3; Starling, 484; Myrtle Warbler, 11; Pine Warbler, 1; House Sparrow, 111; Eastern Meadowlark, 53; Purple Crackle, 20; Brown-headed Cowbird, 30; Cardinal, 99; Purple Finch, 13; Am. Goldfinch, 19; Eastern Towhee, 28; Slate- colored Junco, 279; Field Sparrow, 134; White-throated Sparrow, 162; Song Spar- row, 62. Total, 54 species; about 2,734 individuals. (Seen in area Dec. 25: Red- breasted Merganser, 2.) — W. H. Chance, Wayne Irvin, H. M. Magie, Elizabeth Magie, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Stephenson, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Simp- son, R. N. White, Eddie Crutchfield, Henry Fishel, Jr., Graham Rights, Rev. Clif- ford Peace, Dick Benbovo, Mrs. Alex. Sloan, Mrs. W. R. Wyatt, Mrs. D. A. Ricks, John Ted Talley, R. H. Witherington (compiler). Mrs. Arthur T. Wayne Passes: We note with sorrow the passing of Mrs. Arthur T. Wayne at her home near Charleston on December 25th, last. Those who attended our Annual Meeting at Charleston in April 1950, will recall that Mrs. Wayne and Mrs. H. H. Brimley honored us by attending the dinner meeting. Both were widows of pioneers in bird study in the two Carolinas. Now both arc gone. January, 1951 THE CHAT 11 Dovekies Invade Inland North Carolina Harry T. Davis, N. C. State Museum, Raleigh, N. C. Dovekies, Greenland dwellers which are occasional winter visitors off our coasts, invaded inland North Carolina in early December 1950, one specimen being collected alive from a street in Rocky Mount, N. C., on December 6, by J. W. E. (Bill) Joyner, and another specimen being collected alive from the ground in North Raleigh, N. C., on December 8, by Roy Pitt. Early in December, Mrs. Hannah T. Fitzgerald, Kinston, N. C., reported one specimen collected from the ground, just outside Kin- ston, N. C., and another specimen collected in Dover, Craven County, N. C. These two latter localities are much nearer the coast, as is also the record of a live specimen picked up on the causeway across Lake Matta- muskeet, Hyde County, N. C., December 8, 1950, by Patrolman Edward J. McKinney. This latter specimen survived but a few hours. From the North Carolina coast, H. C. Phillips and Refuge Manager Lewis B. Turner reported seeing a group of 8 to 10 Dovekies at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Dare County, N. C., several times during late November and early December, 1950, and on November 25 these observers picked up two dying Dovekies on the road through the refuge. From Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Rafford Pitt reports picking up a live specimen at that place on December 8, 1950, and Fred Sample reports that W. F. Kubichek, of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, identified as a Dovekie, a dead bird which Sample and a group of Columbia, S. C., birders found December 10th on the beach at Bull’s Island, S. C. Winter Field Trip Held in Beaufort, N. C., Region Over fifty C. B. C. members and guests joined in the trip to Carteret County, in coastal North Carolina, January 26th and 27th. At the first session, held Friday evening at the Inlet Inn at Beaufort, N. C., the group was briefed on the plans for Saturday’s field trips by trip leader Dr. Archie D. Shaftesbury, Greensboro, N. C., and then two Carteret County C. B. C. members of many years standing. Dr. N. Thomas Ennett, Beaufort, N. C., and Dr. Ben Royal, Morehead City, N. C., talked informally to the group. Dr. Ennett telling of the history and geography of the Beaufort region, and Dr. Royal telling numerous interesting stories of bird records from Carteret County. For the Saturday morning trips, three field trip leaders familiar with the region, B. R. Chamberlain, Matthews, N. C., C. R. Davant, More- 12 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 head City, N. C., and George A. Smith, Greensboro, N. C., were each in charge of one group of the birders, and each of the three groups visited most of the following localities during the forenoon: Beaufort harbor and Fiver’s Island, Morehead City waterfront, feeding stations at the home of C. R. Davant, Morehead City-Atlantic Beach causeway, Salter Path, Atlantic Beach, and historic Fort Macon. Saturday afternoon early found most of the group at the mail boat dock at Harker’s Island ready for the boat trip across the sound to Cape Lookout, but the water seemed just a little too rough for a very pleasant boat trip. So after time out for taking a group picture, the crowd went by cars to the eastern terminus of U. S. Route 70, on the north end of Cedar Island. Saturday evening the visitors gathered at Holden’s Restaurant, in Beaufort, N. C., for a meal and for checking lists and general discussion. Among those who attended this session was the Charleston artist, John Henry Dick, who had spent most of Saturday on a trip to see Whistling Swans at the Mattamuskeet refuge. The C. B. C. members were pleased to have present also E. Burnham Chamberlain, Curator of Zoology at the Charleston Museum, and joint author of the new book, “South Carolina Bird Life.” A check showed 72 bird species had been observed. A vote of thanks was extended to Holden Ballou and his staff at Holden’s Restaurant, and to Mrs. Ann Pierson of The Inlet Inn for their aid in making the meeting pleasant and profitable. Special thanks are due also to local C. B. C. members Mrs. Joe House, Sr., and Dr. N. Thomas Ennett, Beaufort, N. C., and C. R. Davant, Morehead City, N. C., for their assistance in helping with the preparations for the meeting. Following is a list of members and guests who registered for this meeting in Carteret County: E. B. Chamberlain, Julian Harrison, John Quinby, and Ellison A. Williams, Charleston, S. C.; Miss Mamie Gray, Miss Mary A. Oates, and Mr. and Mrs. John A. Oates, Fayetteville, N. C.; John Carr, Mrs. W. C. Carr, Mr. and Mrs. Murray S. Tate, Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, Miss Virginia W. Harrison, Dr. and Mrs. Wesley Taylor, G. A. Smith, H. H. Strickland, Dr. and Mrs. Archie D. Shaftesbury, Miss Inez Cold- well, Miss Ethel McNairy, Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Glascock, Miss S. Ann Locke, Dr. Charlotte Dawley, Kenneth Wible, and Bill Wible, Greens- boro, N. C.; Theodore H. Eaton, Jr., Greenville, N. C.; Mrs. Mamie G. Crumpton, Miss Ruth Gilreath, Miss Mary Jenkinson, and Miss May Puett, Greenville, S. C.; Mrs. R. N. Johnson, Miss Pearl Lesley John- son, and Miss Sarah Lesley, Lake Junaluska, N. C.; Miss Zeta C. Davison, Lexington, N. C.; B. R. Chamberlain and Norman Chamberlain, Mat- thews, N. C.; Mrs. Mary Guy, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Overing, Miss Jo- anna Overing, Miss Bessie Jane Van Mater, and Mrs. J. B. Whitener, January, 1951 THE CHAT 13 Raleigh, N. C.; Thomas E. Pierce, Rocky Mount, N. C.; Miss Rosa Lee Hart, Travelers Rest, S. C.; Claude H. McAllister and John B. Funderburg, Wilmington, N. C.; Dr. and Mrs. N. Thomas Ennett, and Mr. and Mrs. Joe House, Sr., Beaufort, N. C.; and Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Davant, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Olschner, and Dr. Ben Royal, Morehead City, N. C. Columbia Bird Club Makes Trip to Bull’s Island Two carloads of us, eleven in all, left Columbia, S. C., in the rain, about 8 o’clock Saturday morning, December 9th. It rained steadily until we were about 20 miles out of Charleston when it faired up and stopped raining. Joseph Moffit met us at the landing and on our boat trip to the Island we saw the usual shore birds — Oyster Catchers, various sandpipers, Godwits, and a good many ducks. After a delightful luncheon, we toured the island, making the trip in the new truck, since the weather was cold and windy and it looked as though more rain would fall any minute. We stopped at the Eagle’s nest, but were unable to catch a glimpse of the young eagles which Mr. Moffit assured us were in the nest. As we reached Jackson Creek it started raining and we hurried back to the house but the faster we drove the colder the wind seemed. Back at the house the big open fire was indeed a welcome sight. On Sunday morning we split into two groups, some of the crowd going to the Summer House Pond, while others walked down to the ocean beach. While walking along the beach I picked up a small dead bird which none of our group could identify. Another visitor to the Island, W. F. Kubichek, of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, identified the dead bird as a Dovekie. Gilbert Bristow found a Wood Ibis along with several American Egrets. We also saw an usual number of herons. On our afternoon trip back to the mainland we were very fortunate to get a close-up view, and some good photographs, of a mature Bald Eagle with all his white plum- age. We were rather late leaving the Island and the tide was so low that our boat bottom scraped the mud banks several times. Carolina Bird Club members would perhaps be interested to know that the Audubon tours to Bull’s Island have been discontinued, but those desiring to make the trip can secure information and reservations by writing to Joseph Moffitt, Awen- daw. South Carolina. (Dec. 19, 1950) Fred Sample, Columbia, S. C. Field Notes and News GULL-BILLED TERN AT NEW RIVER INLET, HORRY COUNTY, S. C.: Since Gullbill Terns are nowhere numerous along our coasts, where they breed but sparingly, the following record may be worth noting. On August 5th, 1950, I observed one for some time and at close range on the ocean beach of one of the small islands at the southern entrance to Little River, which is in Horry County, S. C., near the North Carolina state line. G. A. Smith, Greensboro, N. C. A SARAH MENABONI AT ROCKY MOUNT, N. C.: We have an original Sarah Menaboni locally who has been taking birds into her home for many years. On January 2nd, I visited her to identify a bird brought in to her last August 28, after some children had discovered it fallen from the nest. It turned out to be a 14 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, which she had raised on pablum and fruit. Its tail was pretty badly frayed but otherwise seemed to be doing fine. She said she had never been able to interest it in any meat foods. The only other wild bird occupants of her home at the time were two Blue Ja,ys. However, out back she had about 10 Mourning Doves in a pen with White and Ring-neck Doves. These, her husband tells me, he had observed cross-mating, but he never permitted their eggs to incubate. Inci- dentally, this is the same Mrs. Taylor about whom the editor of The Cfmt inquired once after seeing a clipping to effect that the Blue Jays were taking pennies to their nest box and he hadn’t ever before heard of Blue Jays nesting in boxes. Of course, these were in her home. (Jan. 3, 1951) J- W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount, N. C. BIRD NOTES FROM THE BANKS OF DARE COUNTY, N. C. — Of the numerous bird species observed by me during the week of Sept. 17-23, 1950, between Nags Head (Fourteenth Mile Post) and Oregon Inlet (northern shore), the following seem, for one reason or another, to be worthy of special record. 1. Sno c t_ c >o o njs: C . OQ^ njQi; . JC v> ^ . c ■ o J- o ^ w c o C^j W fO ^ -O’- Cl'S t. ^ — — re re re i- i2<‘ re 4> •Q--^ 4) Q re ^ L ^ ns :-5n3-“'? Sj: ^_-c _ O I- ra ^ oQ--„q S . TO O ■d'§ 2 re >*2 ^ c -> o MI- re £ ^ ^ ” n c ^ c 4> •* 4) a « o -c o -M UJ i J Ore s- ^ o^ re £_ o I o ^ " -^i.E c re _ c o '“ .. l^ir ..^ui 2 5 !-o s 1°.^ S “h « E^ - O • O o _ § z- « “ CQ w £ t; - r^||l « -*- >> ™ ra S ns = .?; I- /« u re — O “ E C « X £ O-M . '“ E” SN C 4) £ W C re ^ o — o -I re 3 5-Q 1) w f\ O Local Clubs and Their Officers — North Carolina Chapel Hill Bird Club; P— Mrs. Lynn Gault, Box 1058 ; V-P— Richard L. Weaver; S-T — Mrs. Matt L. Thompson, Box 88. Charlotte, Mecklenburfr .Aiidulion Club: P — Mrs. Georfje C. Potter, 2111 Malvern Rd.; V-P— Mrs. H. W. Kilpatrick; S— .M rs. B. D. Hendrix, 1615 Oakla%vn; T— B. R. Chamberlain; Publicity Chmn. — Miss Clara Burt. Greensboro, Piedmont Bird Club: P— Mrs. W. C. Carr; V-P— Miss Harriett Mehaffie and Hal Strickland; Cor. S — Miss S. Ann Locke; Rec. S — Miss Annabel Thompson; T — Mrs. E. J. Fillinger; Ex. Comm.— Officers and Mrs. H. L. Medford and Mrs. George A. Perrett. Henderson Bird Club: P — Mrs. E. G. Flannagan; V-P — Mrs. K. L. Burton; S-T— Miss Ruth Carter, 73 7 X. William St. Hickory Bird Club: P — Mrs. George E. Bisanar; V-P — Mrs. W. J. Sluiford; S-T— Mrs. George Warlick; Reporter — J. Weston Clinard. High Point, Catesby Bird Club: P — J. O. Hauschild; V-P — R. I. Quigley; Rec. S — Mrs. Worth Ivey; Cor. S — Mrs. George Hobart; T— Mrs. D. R. Parker; Publicity dim. — Dr. George Hobart. Lenoir Audubon Club: P— R. T. Greer; V-P— S. B. Howard; S-T— Mrs. R. T. Greer, Box 813; Publicity Chm. — Miss Margaret Harper. Lumberton Bird Club: P — James Stephens, Jr.; V-P— Mrs. Henry McKinnon; S— Mrs. D. L. Whiting; T — Miss Lillian Whiting. Raleigh Bird Club: P — Hayden Olds, Wildlife Resources Commission; V-P — R. L. Deaton; S-T — F. B. Meacham, State Museum; Ex. Comm. — Officers and .Miss Gladys Currin and Mrs. .Albert Guy. Roanoke Rapids Bird Club: P — Miss Marjorie Cannon, 100 1 Madison St.; V-P — •Mrs. J. C. Fidler; S-T — Miss Thelma Garriss, 5 18 Roanoke Ave. Southern Pines Bird Club: P— M rs Cecil Robinson; V-P & S— .Miss Louise Haynes, Box 660; T — Miss X'orina Shi ring; Rec. S — Mrs. Lloyd Prime. Tarheel Bird Club: P Vaughn Brock, Hickory, N. C.; S-T — Miss Olwvn Owens, Rt. 3, Box 160-B, Kannapolis, N. C.; Historian — Mrs. .Andrew Smith, Morganton, N. C. Tryon Bird Club; P — Mrs. Arthur W. Brintnall ; S-T — Mrs. Tliomas Clark; Publicity Chm. — Mrs. H. Lan Moore. Wilmington Natural Science Club: P — Mrs. Cecil Appleberry, 5 Lake Forest Park- way; V-P — Mrs. Warwick Baker; T — Charles F. Theobald; S — Miss Edith Chamberlain, James Walker Memorial Hospital. Wilson Woman’s Club, Garden Dept.: Chm. — Mrs. C. A. Webster, 202 Park .Ave.; Miss Camilla Wills; Mrs. Will Rhodes. Winston-Salem Bird Club: P — Henry Magie; S-T — Wm. S. Rothrock, 2434 Stockton St.; Directors — Charles Babcock, Thurmond Chatham, Jr., Richard J. Reynolds, II. Local Clubs and Their Officers — South Carolina Charleston Natural History Society: P — Maj. I. S. H. Metcalf; V-P — E. Burnham Chamberlain; S — Marshall Uzzell, 7 Orange St.; T — Mrs. Louise S. Barrington. Columbia Bird Club: P — Mrs. Clyde Sisson; V-P — Gilbert J. Bristow; S — Mrs. J. L. Gibbons, 720 Brandon Ave.; T — Fred Sample; Ex. Comm. — Officers and G. E. Charles. Greenville Bird Club: P — Miss May W. Puett; V-P — P. M. Jennes; S-T — Miss Rosa Lee Hart. t The Chat BULLETIN OF CAROLINA BIRD CLUB, Inc. Greater Snow Goose (Adult) Chen hyferborea atlantica Kennard VOL. XV MARCH, 1951 Published, by No. 2 Woman’s College, U. N. C., Greensboro, N. C. The Chat Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Dr. Archie D. Sh.\ftesbury, Editor Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, N. C. Contributing Editors: Mrs. Edna Lanier Appleberry, Wilmington, N. C.; Mrs. A. W. Bachman, Henderson, N. C.; Gabriel Cannon, Spartanburg, S. C. ; E. B. Chamber- lain, Charleston Museum, Charleston, S. C.: Mrs. Edwin O. Clarkson, Charlotte, N. C.; J. W. Ciinard, Hickory, N. C.; Harry T. Davis, N. C. State Museum, Raleigh N. C.; John B. Funderburg, Wilmington, N. C.; Mrs Charlotte Hilton Green, Raleigh, N. C.; Miss Clara Hearn, Pittsboro, N. C. ; Mrs. Zora P. Jensen, Maple City, Mich.; Joe Jones, Chapel Hill, N. C.; J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount, N. C. ; Henry Magie Winston-Salem, N. C. ; James Mattocks, High Point, N. C. ; Hugh Medford, Jr., Greensboro, N. C.; Rev. J. J. Murray Lexington, Va.; Oscar H. Paris, Jr., Greens- boro, N. C.; Prof. Phillips Russell, Chapel Hill, N. C.; Mrs. Clyde Sisson, Columbia, S. C.; Dr. Wesley Taylor, Greensboro, N. C.; Mrs. Eddie W. Wilson, Los Angeles, Calif., and Cary, N. C.; Robert L. Wolff, Goldsboro, N. C.; D. L. Wray, Raleigh, N. C. Entered as second-class matter April 8, 1941, at the post office, Greensboro, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published five times a year on the fifteenth of January, March, May, September, and November as the official organ of Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Articles for publi- cation should reach the editor by the first of the month in which the issue is pub- lished. Bulletin subscription, one dollar a year, included in all membership fees. NOTIFICATION OP CHANGE OF ADDRESS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDITOR. Volume XV March, 1951 Number 2 CONTENTS C. B. C. Holds Annual Meeting in Greensboro 17 By-Laws of Carolina Bird Club, Inc 18 News of the Local Clubs 23 Unusual Warblers — Annie Rivers Faver’’ 24 A Nuisance in the “Briar Patch” — Clara Hearyie 25 Notes on Some Unusual Bird Behavior — Johri B. Funderburg and C. H. McAllister - 25 Late Nesting Dates at Rocky Mount, N. C. — 7. W. E. Joyner 27 Field Notes and News 29 With the Editor 34 New Members and Reinstated Members Inside Back Cover Local Clubs and 'Eheir Officers Outside Back Cover Cover Picture from Birds of North Carolina by courtesy of Harry T. Davis, Director, North Carolina State Museum CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Organized March 6, 1937, for the study and protection of our birds. Membership is open to those interested in this work, and is divided into four classes: Active members who pay dues of $1.00 a year; Sustaining members, dues of $5.00 a year; Contributing members, dues of $25.00 a year; and Life members, $100.00, which may be paid at cne time or in four consecutive annual payments of $25.00. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to: Robert Overing, Treasurer C. B. C., Rt. 4, Raleigh, N. C. C. B. C. Holds Annual Meeting in Greensboro Over one hundred members attended the thirteenth annual meeting of Carolina Bird Club which was held at Greensboro, N. C., on Marcli 3rd, with the Piedmont Bird Club as hosts. 1 he highlight of the afternoon session, which was held in Alumnae building at the Woman s College of the University of North Carolina, was a talk, “Birds Down Under,” given by Mrs. R. D. Douglas, C.B.C. member from Greensboro. Presi- dent Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall of Greensboro presided, and Mrs. Douglas was introduced by Mrs. Edith Settan of Greensboro. Mrs. Douglas, who is a former student (A the late E. Gilbert Pearson, told some of the intei- esting incidents and bird observations during her recent ’round the world trip, the first part of which, from New (i)rleans to Australia, via the Panama Canal, was on a cargo vessel which carried but nine passengers. Numerous interesting ocean birds were seen, and many of the beautiful and unusual birds were seen in Australia and in Tasmania, where Mrs. Douglas visited for some time with her daughter, Mrs. Bruce Shoobridge, who lives near Hobart, Tasmania. Along with the birds native to the region, Mrs. Douglas was surprised to see English Sparrows and Starlings. Flying from Tasmania to Melbourne, Mrs. Douglas took passage with some 1,200 other voyagers on a ship which took them across the bight of Australia, and Indian Ocean, and through the Red Sea and Suez Canal to the Medi- terranean, and finally home to the United States by way of England. Those who heard Mrs. Douglas’ talk, indeed envied, not only on ac- count of the many new birds which she had added to her “life list” but also for the many real friendships which she formed wherever she went. New By-Laws Adofted Following Mrs. Douglas’ talk, there was a brief pause for refreshments which were served by the Piedmont Bird Club. Then came the business session, called to order by Mrs. Wall. Treasurer Robert Overing presented his report, and the report of the Auditing Committee was presented by Chairman Harry T. Davis, of Raleigh. An important action at this session was the adoption of new by-laws, preliminary copies of which had been sent to all C.B.C. members by the By-Laws Committee, which consisted of James R. Mattocks of High Point, Frank B. Meacham of Raleigh, and Mrs. Hugh Medford, chairman, of Greensboro. Idle newly adopted by-laws are printed in this issue of The Chat. New Officers Elected ■, Editor to he Affointed Later At the close of the afternoon session the C.B.C. officers for 1951 were elected. Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, Greensboro, was re-elected President, and Robert Overing, Raleigh, was re-elected 'Ereasurer. The other officers 18 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 2 elected include: Vice President (for 3-year term), Mrs. George C. Potter, Charlotte; Vice President (for 2-year term). Major I. S. H. Metcalf, Charleston; Vice Presi- dent (for 1-year term), R. T. Greer, Lenoir; Secretary, Mrs. Edith Settan, Greensboro; Members-at-Large of the Exe- cutive Committee, B. R. Chamberlain, Charlotte; J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount; Mrs. Charlotte Hilton Green, Raleigh; and Miss May Puett, Greenville, S. C. The Editor of The Chat is no longer elected by general membership, but will be appointed by the ten officers who constitute the Exe- cutive Committee. Hugo H. Schroder Speaks at Evening Session The meeting closed with tlie annual dinner Saturday evening at Meyers Garden Room. R. D. Douglas, Sr., of Greensboro, gave the invocation; Mrs. W. C. Carr, Pres- ident of the Piedmont Bird Club, gave the address of welcome, to which retir- ing Secretary, Mrs. Mary M. Guy of Ra- leigh, responded. The highlight of the eve- ning session was an illustrated lecture by Hugo H. Schroder of Greenwood, S. C. Mr. Schroder, who is an internationally known bird and wild animal photographer, show'ed during his talk many beautiful colored bird photographs taken during his travels in various parts of the United States. Thanks are due to Mrs. W. C. Carr, President of Piedmont Bird Club, and to the members of the local committees for their wmrk which made the meeting pleasant and attractive from the time the visiting members were formally greeted at the entrance of Woman’s College Alumnae Building by Miss Ann Locke and Hal Strick- land, until the last lingering guest had departed from the Garden Room at Meyers. A pleasant interlude in the afternoon session was pro\ ided by Piedmont Club Members Miss Etta Schiffman, Mrs. R. H. Weisner, Mrs. M. B. Toler, and Miss Agnes Cox who ser\ed tea. At the dinner meeting the place cards made by Mrs. Grace Faver of Greensboro, and the flower arrangements by Mrs. Wesley Taylor of Greensboro, caused many favorable comments. This annual meeting was held in March so as not to interfere with the April field trip planned by the C.B.C. for the Wilmington region. By-Laws of Carolina Bird Club, Inc. ARTICLE I— MEMBERS Section 1. Any person who is interested in the objects set otit in the charter may become a member of this club upon the written recommenda- MRS. MARGARET Y. WALL Re-elected C. B. C. President March, 1951 'F H E C H A T 19 tion (if a member in good standing and the payment of the required dues. Section 2. Members shall be: Regular Members. Those paying One Dollar (1.00) per year; PROVIDED THAT, all members of an immediate family may become regular members upon the payment of Three Dollars ($3.00) for the family. Sustaining Members. Those paying Five Dollars (5.00) per year. Contributing xMembers. Those paying Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per year. Life Members. Those contributing One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or paying four consecutive yearly installments of Twenty- five Dollars ($25.00) each. Honorary Members. Those whom the Executive Committee shall see fit to designate. Section 3. Dues for each ensuing calendar year shall be payable on the preceeding September 1st. Reminders to members who have not paid shall be mailed by the treasurer by November 1st. Members who have not paid dues by February 1st shall be suspended after an additional reminder from the treasurer and receive no further issues of The Chat until the payment of their dues. ARTICLE II— OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the Club shall be a president, three vice- presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer. These officers, together with the editor of The Chat, and four members at large elected from the general membership of the Club, shall constitute the Executive Committee, wh^h Executive Committee shall be charged with the management and operation of the business of the Club. Section 2 Nominations for officers shall be made by the Nominating Committee to the annual spring meeting; nominations may also be made from the floor at the meeting. Section 3. Officers, except vice-presidents, shall be elected each to serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected; and .all officers shall be installed as the final item of business at the annual spring meeting. One vice-president shall be elected each year to serve for a term of three years. 20 r H E C H A T Vol. XV, No. 2 Section 4. All officers and the members at large of the Executive Committee shall be elected b)' a majority of the votes cast at the regidar annual spring meeting of the membership. Section 5. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by the Executive Committee pending the next regular election. ARTICLE III— MEETINGS Section 1. Regular meetings of the membership shall be held each spring and each fall at a time and place designated by the Executive Com- mittee upon a minimum of twenty days written notice given to all of the members. Section 2. The Executive Committee shall meet within sixty days after the election of officers to plan work for the coming year. The Ex- ecutive Committee and Committee oJtairmen shall also hold a joint meeting precceding the annual fall membership meeting. AR'l'ICLE IV— AFFILIATED CLUBS Section 1. Any bird club or natural history club in North Carolina or South Carolina which desires to affiliate with this organization may do so by sending a fee of two dollars (2.00), together With a list of its officers, to the treasurer. Section 2 Any garden club or other club not specifically devoted to birds or natural history may become affiliated with this organization upon such conditions as the Executive Committee may require. Section .3. Any such affiliated bird club or natural history club may send a voting representative to the regular fall meeting of the Executive Committee. ART ICLE V— THE CHAT Section 1. The magazine of this club shall be known as The Chat. Section 2. The editor of 'The Chat shall be appointed by the Ex- ecutive Committee to serve until his successor is named. Section .3. The Executive Committee shall have the control and supervision of the pidilication of The Chat. Section 4. All members in good standing shall receive the regular issues of 'The Chat\ provided that, where there is a family membership only one copy shall be sent to the family. March, 1951 'r H E C H A I' 21 Section 5. Each aft'iliated club shall receive one copy ol the regular issues of The Chat. ARTICLE VI— COMMITTEES Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of six membeis and shall be appointed by the president within ninety days following his election and be so notified by letter. This committee shall repiesent the g^ ographical area and membership of the club. The names and addresses of said committee shall be published in the following issue of The Chat. Section 2. 'Ehe president with the advice of the Executive Committee shall appoint the following committees: Finance Committee, Education Committee, Field Trip Committee, Sanctuary Committee, Publicity Com- mittee, Membership Committee, and Auditing Committee. The report of the appointment of said committees shall be made to the annual spring meeting following the election of officers. Section 3. The Finance Committee shall prepare an annual budget and submit it to the Executive Committee for approval. The Finance Com- mittee shall also have charge of any special financing not otherwise pro- vided for. Section 4. The Education Committee shall plan and execute the edu- cational projects of the club as approved by the Executive Committee. Section 5. The Field Trip Committee shall arrange such field trips as have been approved by the Executive Committee. Section 6. The Sanctuary Committee shall develop and execute a program for the betterment of our bird population and the extension of bird sanctuaries as approved by the Executive Committee. Section 7. The Publicity Committee shall announce and report the activities of the club. Section 8. The Membership Committee shall develop and execute plans for the increase of membership in this club, as approved by the Ex- ecutive Committee. Section 9. The president shall appoint an Auditing Committee of three members who shall audit the books of the club within thirty days after the close of the fiscal year. 22 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 2 ARTICLE VII— DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. The president shall preside at all meetings of this club and the E.xecutive Committee, and shall perform such duties as regularly pertain to the office; he shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. Section 2. In the absence of the president, the vice-president longest in office shall preside; in his absence, the vice-president next longest in office shall preside ; and the same shall apply to the third vice-president. Section 3. The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of this club and the Executive Committee, keeping one copy in the minute book and providing the president a copy of said minutes within two weeks following each meeting; shall maintain a list of all members; shall pro- vide all members adequate notice of each meeting and field trip; and shall turn over the cluh records to his successor within ten days of his successor’s election. Section 4. The treasurer shall have charge of the monies of this club; shall collect all dues; shall deposit all funds in a bank approved by the Executive Committee; shall pay all bills not recognized in the budget upon written authorization by the president or the Executive Committee; shall keep a permanent record of all receipts and disbursements; shall give a written report thereof to the annual spring meeting; and at such other times as the president shall require. The treasurer shall turn over to his successor within ten days after his election all books, records, and funds belonging to this cluh which are in his hands. The records of the treasurer shall upon change of office be audited in such manner as the Executive Committee shall direct. At the expense of the club the treasurer shall provide such bond for faithful performance as the Executive Committee shall require. The treasurer shall be, ex-officio, a member of the finance committee. ARTICLE VIH— AMENDMENTS Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a majority of the votes cast at any regular meeting of the membership, or at a special meeting called for that purpose, provided that, the proposed amendment has been submitted to the Executive Committee and copies thereof sent to all members at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted upon. ARTICLE IX— PROCEDURE Section 1 . The business meetings of this club shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition. .Adopted, March 3, 1951. March, 195 1 THE C H A T 23 News of the Local Clubs SPARTANBURG, S. C. : Carl W. Biichheister, Vice President of National Audubon Society, talked to a proup of two hunilred adults and four hundred school children at the Spartanburft Hipfh School on March 12th. WINSTON-SALEM, N. C.: The Winston-Salem Bird Club held a brief meeting on Februan,- 11th, primarily for the election of officers. Henry Magfie, whose interest in birds and devotion to the development of sanctuaries in this area have made him well known to C.B.C. members, was elected President Emeritus of the local club. Other officers elected included Dr. Thomas Simpson, President; Mrs. Wortham Wyatt, Vice President; and Mrs. T. W. Simpson, Secretary-Treasurer. Proposed activities were discussed and a round table discussion was held. Quarterly meeting's are to be held, each in relation to the four planned seasonal field trips. The Springf Field Day, scheduled for early May, will be org-anized bv Robert H. Witheringrton, and garden clubs and Scouting organizations are expected to participate. . . . There are now six bird sanctuaries in and about Winston-Salem, created under the sponsorship of the local club. Conservation activities of this sort arc to be continued as an important part of the club’s work. GREENSBORO, N. C. : The Piedmont Bird Club together with the Greensboro City Recreation Department have jointly sponsored their First Annual Bird House Contest. The contest, which closed March 8th, was opened to all Greensboro and Guilford Countv boys and girls under the age of eighteen years. Three divisions of contestants were established; Midgets — boys and girls ten years old and under; Juniors — boys and girls eleven through thirteen years; and Seniors — boys and girls fourteen through seventeen. Piedmont Bird Club gave prizes of $3.50, $2.00, and $1.00 for first, second, and third places in each of the three divisions. Thirty-two houses were entered in the contest, which was directed bv Miss Mabel Smith of the City Recreation Department. The houses were judged by a committee from the Piedmont Bird Club, and the prizes were presented to the winners by Miss Ethel McNairy, Educational Chairman for the Piedmont Bird Club. CONCORD, N. C.: Concord, N. C., has been a bird sanctuary since April 20, 1944, when the rnavor proclaimed the municipalitv an area where birds are to be protected, and urged measures to encourage the bird population. At Christmas-time residents of Concord and surrounding Cabarrus Countv are asked to spread a “Christ- mas Dav dinner for the birds” as a part of a movement sponsored by tlie Musicians’ Bird Club of Concord. . . . The Musicians’ Bird Club held its final meeting of 1950 on the ev'ening of December 29th, at the Yuva apartment home of Mrs. Janie Patter- son Wagoner. After various reports, a progratn of nature carols and flute duos was presented, and Mayor Fred A. Kestler, a self-styled “lover of birds,” gave a talk to the Club. LENOIR, N. C. On the evening of February 9th, Howard Cleves, noted wild- life photographer, gave an illustrated lecture before several hundred adults and children, in East Harper Elementary School, at Lenoir, N. C. The lecture, which was sponsored by the Lenoir Audubon Club, included motion pictures showing the night life of birds, fish, and other animals. 24 T H E C HAT Vol. XV, No. 2 UNUSUAL WARBLERS Annie Rivers Faver, Eastover, S. C. After six years of bird watching on the wooded hillside above the spring back of our home, it is an exciting event to see a new and unfamiliar warbler. Most of the common migrants we have learned to recognize at a glance, and we know just about when to look for them, and where. On Wednesday morning, August 16, my husband noticed the first Retlstart of the fall, in the pear tree outside our kitchen window. On August 21, a Louisiana Water Thrush was at the spring, wdth a Kentucky Warbler there the next day. On August 25, a Black and White Warbler and a Yellow- throated Warbler had joined the Redstarts. These birds fed along this swamp for several weeks, and appeared in the yard frequently. On the afternoon of September 11, I hurried out to the sciippernong vine, letting the screen door of the back porch slam behind me. This scared a bird out of the pecan tree over the porch, and it darted across the yard in front of me and \anished into the woods. All that I saw was a glimpse of a broad wdiite band in a grayish tail. All around were Redstarts, but that was no Redstait, foi I thought I d seen a dark face pattern! I forgot all about the scuppernongs, and flew back into the house for my book and binoculars, and down into the woods I w'ent. But that was all in vain, for all I got was redbugs. I was really puzzled, for no picture in the Peterson’s Field Guide showed a grayish bird with white in its tail. The next morn- ing I kept close w'atch from the kitchen windows, and finally I discovered a bird feeding in the mulberry tree at the bottom of the hill. So outside I went, and luckily, just as I got down the steps, the bird flew up the hill and lit in the tree right over my head. I didn’t even need my binoculars to identify it as a Golden-wmged Warbler. This bird stayed about the yard with the Redstarts for four days, and was seen also by Mrs. Clyde Sisson on September 15. Mrs. Sisson came down from Columbia, and we were delighted that she was lucky enough to see it, too. This vvas the last day it was here. However, it was reported to us that a Golden-winged Warbler was seen in Columbia on September 28, by Mr. Charlie Simons. Wonder if this could have been the same bird? On Wednesday morning, September 27, I was examining a flock of Panda and Black and White Warblers with my binoculars when I discovered a Worm-eating Warbler in the group. Though not a rare warbler, it is not at all common right here. In fact, Pd seen one only once before on this hillside. At this time of the year, these flocks of small birds roam the woods. I have learned that, while most of them wdll be commonly seen species, if T will take the time to look at each bird, very often I will find something different. On October 14, my daughter called me to come look at some “streaked birds” that she didn’t recognize. Studied carefully with Peterson’s in hand, we decided that they were Blackburnian Warblers, one male in fall plumage, one female, and one immature. The male was decidedly more orange-colored in his face-markings than the other two, although not as brilliant as when in breeding plumage. The very next day, in the oaks and hickory trees in front of the house, we saw a family of Wayne’s Warblers, one mature male, one female, and one immature like the one that Mrs. Sisson and I had seen at the spring just about this time last year. Last year, too, 1 saw the Kirtland’s Warbler, but although Pve watched every bush, Pve not had a visit from it so far this year. 1 guess once in a lifetime is all you can hope to see that one! (October 30, 1950.) March, 195 1 'THE C II A 'I' 25 A Nuisance in the “Briar Patch” What can be done with oiir songster, the Mockingbird? He lias always been on the premises but until this winter he has never disturbed the feeding stations. There are two persimmon trees in the area of the feeding stations and the Mockingbird has always acted as if he owned the trees. When the fruit began to ripen he took pos- session until he had devoured every persimmon. Ocasionallv he flew down for a crumb but caused no disturbance. In a cedar tree in front of the window there is a diner and also a hopper for grain. .'\t the window there is a covered feeder and a few feet from this there is a feeding board. In the pecan tree, a short distance from the cedar, boiled meat skins and suet have been tied to the limbs. A neighbor con- tributed a nice fat pig tail, which was boiled and suspended from a limb. It was so delicious to the birds that it was not unusual to see a Chickadee, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, or a Carolina Wren sitting “in line” until a Downy, Sapsucker or Mvrtlc Warbler had his fill and moved on. It was a most interesting center and all enjoyed the foot! and the fellowship. One verv cold day when the birds were feeding, the Mockingbird circled among them and all scattered except a few White-throated Sparrows that flew to the ground. The mocker perched on the board, ate some crumbs, spied a Chickadee on the diner and chased him off. He soon disco\'ered the pig tail, the skins, the hopper, and the board. For several days he did not find the window feeder, which was the favorite feeding place of Mrs. Cardinal (a cripple), the kinglets, wrens, and Mvrtle Warblers. Finally “Nuisance” saw a kinglet on the feeder and went straight for him. Occa- sionally the smaller birds attetnpt to get a few bites but have become so nervous and iumpy that all but a few have abandoned the feeders. The Towhees and White- throated Sparrows stand their ground against him and the Song Sparrow is becoming niore bold. The Cardinal doesn’t dare come near. To provide sotne nourishment for other birds, grain has been scattered on rp" roof of the woodhouse and the pump house, awav from the feeding stations. While the mocker patrols one area the other birds arc able to get a few bites now and then. If anyone can suggest a remedy please pass the information before it becomes necessary to “pass the ammunition!” fMarch R, 1951) Ci,ar.\ He.arne, Pittsboro, N. C. No^^es on Some Unusual Bird Behavior Recently Great Horned Owls have become fairly common along the Sounds of New Hanover County, N. C., and one nest has been closely watched. During the course of our observations on these birds we have noted some behavior which seems worthy of recording. One pair of these owls began building a nest on Masonboro Sound on January 17th, 1949, in a tall loblolly pine, and the female was seen on the nest for the first time on February 3rd. Young birds were first seen March 1st. During the month of March remains of 12 Horned Grebes, 1 chicken, and 1 rabbit were found under the nest, as were also numerous pellets containing the skulls of Cotton Rats (Sigmodon //ispidns) and Deer Mice (Perovtysais leiicopiis). On .^pril 8th, both young were found in sTiiall pines nearly 300 yards from the nest free. They 26 T H E C HAT Vol. XV, No. 2 were still unable to flv well and both were captured and banded and placed in a cag'e for observation. During the night of April 9th, one of the adults brought a decapi- tated Virginia Rail to the pen and left it on the ground. With well-padded steel traps, both of the adults were captured at the nest pen during the night of April lOh. They were placed in the cage with their young and seemed fairly content until the night of April 1 9th, when one of the young birds was killed and partially devoured by one or both of the adults. The birds had plenty of food and had been eating freely, so, while it is probably not a common occurrence, this shows that Great Horned Owls may be cannibalistic at times. It is well known that the Barred Owl feeds upon Screech Owls, but whether it or other owls prey upon members of their own species, except in unusual circumstances, we do not know. The Great Horned Owl seems to prefer larger game than insects for food, al- though it has been known to feed upon Jerusalem crickets and locusts extensively in the western United States. (O A large female Great Horned Owl from nearby Greenville Sound was dissected and the stomach found to contain fragments of seven short-horned grasshoppers, probably Schhtocerca alutacea. These grasshoppers are true locusts and are commonly known as “lubber” grasshoppers. (2) This bird was taken on October 31, 19+8, during mild weather and at a time when small birds were plentiful, so the owl had evidently fed on these insects through choice. Insects of this family furnish a large part of the food of the Sparrow Hawk, and Swainson’s, Marsh, and Red-shouldered Hawks, and of Screech Owls and Barn Owls, (s) How- ever, this is the first instance of which we are aware where this particular species of grasshopper has been noted as a food item for the Horned Owl. On March 3rd, 19+9, a Horned Owl was seen to fly out of a thick grove of pines and perch on an exposed stake in the salt marsh of Masonboro Sound. The owl was soon discovered by a large flock of Fish Crows that proceeded to harass it m their usual manner. This in itself was not uncommon, but a passing Ring-billed Gull flew in and began to cackle angrily and make short dives at the owl, much m the same manner as the crows. This was continued for a few minutes, until the owl^ flew. The crows followed the owl, but the gull flew calmly down the Sound. Did the gull recognize the owl as an enemy, or were its emotions aroused by the activities of the crows? Since it seems unlikely that the gull had come in contact with owls previously, it is possible that the latter is more likely. On May 9th, 19+8, we were looking for shore bird nests along Masonboro Sound when our attention was attracted to a Willet that had alighted on a sandbar and was vigorously engaged in tugging at some object. As we watched with our field glasses, the bird flew off with something in its beak. We went over to the spot and found that the bird had been pulling strands from a piece of half-buried hemp rope, and from the marks of the rope and from the number of tracks around it, it was plain that the bird had made a number of such trips. We tried to locate the nest ut without success. Most Willet nests are lined with fine grasses, and we have never seen string or rope fibers used by the.se birds as nest lining. .'\s far as we are aware. Snowy Egrets have never been accused of nest robbing, but on May 26, 1950, a pair of these birds was seen doing just that. McAllister heard a Clapper Rail cackling excitedly in the marsh in front of his home and know- ing that a number of pairs were nesting there, he went to see what had disturbed them. He eased up close to the nest area and saw two Snowy Egrets perched on the nest devouring the eggs. The eggs were in an advanced state of development March, 1951 ']' HE CHAT 27 so were not difficult for the egrets to handle. McAllister watched them until they had broken up the entire clutch and flew away. Two other nests within a radius of fifty feet had been similarly broken up and only a short time before. A tota of nineteen eggs had been destroyed. This is unusual heron behavior and leads us to wonder if perhaps we have not been accusing crows and grackles of breaking up nests in a number of instances where herons may have been guilty. Also, it would be interesting to know' wdiether herons that nest close to shore bird colonies ever prey on the eggs and young birds in the colonies, and whether or not they ever break up the nests of their ow'n species or other species of herons nesting in the same colony. 1. Henderson. Junius. 1933. The Practical Value ot Birds. The MacMillan 2. Williams, Samuel H. 1937. The Livin.g- M orld. The MacMillan Co., 3 Sw'ain Ralph B., 1948. The Insect Guide. Douhleday & Co., 1. Co., Y.. N. Y. (March 21, 195l) John B. Funderburg and C. H. McAllister Late Nesting Dates At Rocky Mount, N. C., In making casual observations around my backyard this past summer, I have been surprised at the late nestings and puzzled by the lack of bird songs on the part of t ese same late nesters. Who is going to teach the young birds to sing? It seems to be the generally accepted belief that the parent bird teaches its offspring to sing. If this is true, the late crop of birds around Rocky Mount in 1950 will not be singers. The latest observation I’ve made this summer w'as a Chipping Sparrow begging for food on September 16. I didn’t see the parent feed it and presumed it was being “w'eaned.” For four days before this, I did observe chippies feeding their young. On September 5, I watched two adults feed young birds in separate^ parts of the yard at the same time. This might have been one or tw'o broods of chippies. In late August there had been many broods of several kinds of birds being fed around my stations. On September 14, a young Cardinal w'as seen begging, but it too w'as not fed. On September 2, I saw' an adult feed a youngster w'hile both w'ere on a feeding tray. After the old bird flew, the young Cardinal fed itself. On August 28, I saw a male - feeding its young while a flock of Robins worked o\'er the law'n below'. ^ It seemed strange that’ one species should be migrating or congregating for migration while the other still nursed its young. I particularly enjoyed w'atching an old bird twist out a pine seed and feed its rouge-colored youngster way up in the tree, on August 18. By late August I w'as aware of the lack of bird songs. A few young Pine Warblers were trying out their trill, as they continued to do until the iniddle of September Late one evening I was particularly impressed by the cadence iff' one youngster’s song because it so nearly matched that of a July Fly or Cicada. Since T hadn’t heaid an adult Pine Warbler sing in quite a wdiilc, I wondered if the youngstei w'as imitating or learning its song from the insect. On July 14 I watched a female Towhee carrying nesting material into a vine- covered pine. The nest was about 10 feet from the ground close beside the trunk. I was more interested in the height of the nest than I w-as of the lateness of the .season since this bird usuallv nests on or near the ground. However, this nest was 28 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 2 abandoned. In its place another must have been built, for on August 27 I saw a young Towhee being fed by the old birds. The latest begging date for Brown Thrashers occurred on August 27. I had seen thrashers feeding their young on August 21 and 23. Its close relative, the Catbird, was also seen to feed its voting on August 24. I first saw this Catbird carrying food on August 17, but was not able to find the nest or determine if the young were out of it. However, five days later on August 22 I saw one of the young on a feed- ing shelf. Its tail was less than Ij^ inches long and it still retained a bright yellow border around its bill. I do not believe this bird had been off the nest more than th ree or four days. On August 10, I saw a Prairie Warbler feed its almost grown young in a neighbor’s shrubbery. This was about three weeks later than I had seen a Pine Warbler feed its young at one of my stations on July 22. As a rule. Pine Warblers appear with their broods in June. I have never tliouglit of warblers as having two broods. I once photographed a nest of Maryland Yellowthroats on July 4, wliich I considered late. Last year I saw a brooding Mourning Do\e on September 16, the dav after I I’ad been hunting doves, but the latest nest P\'e observed this year so far was on August 6. However, these birds are notoriously late and almost year ’round nesters. On August 5, a young boy brought in to me what he called an owl. Wlien I o})ened his shoe box cage I was surprised to find it in a voung Nighthawk which I guessed had been injured on its maiden flight. It was not too fullv featliered. Certainly this bird was hatched in mid-July. To re\'ert to the song angle of this report, I was as much interested in the type of begging plea of a Summer Tanager I observed on August 5, as I was the late- ness of the season. When I first heard the song, I thought it was a Bluebird’s chortle. The “grown” bird was not fed despite its pleasant and Bluebi relish pleading. The latest date on which I saw a young Summer Tanager being fed was on July 4. This brings up an interesting bit of speculation tliat might throw some light on all these late dates. How long will voung birds continue to plead for food and liow long will the parents put up with it? Is this account of a Summer Tanager dealing with one or two separate broods? I wish I knew. At the end of July, I ran across a very remarkable co-incidence concerning two late broods of Redeyed Vireos. On one side of town I was called to inspect a nest that had two practically grown birds in it. As I looked in the nest, one bird flew off. 1 recovered it and was able to get it to remain in the nest. I planned to return within a couple of hours when the light would be more favorable for photograph- ing. Before my return, howe\er, the old birds were able to persuade the youngsters to fly. To make up for this disappointment another friend across town, 3 miles away, promised me another nest of birds. I went there two days later only to learn that these birds flew off the day before; so on July 29 and 30 two broods of Red- eyed Vireos e\aded my camera by leaving their nests. The last brood of Robins around my yard were seen on July 30, very soon after iea\ing the nest. The last Bluebirds I obser\'ed this season were just before leaving their nest box on July 23. I presume they left soon after this because they certainly made a lot of racket each time the old birds came to feed them, such racket usually shortly preceding flight from the nest. I do not know that this ai^proachcs a late nesting, but I’ll report that a brood of Crested Flycatchers left one of my nest boxes while I was out of towm betw'een June 25 and June 30. IMaivh, 195 1 'VUE C H AT 29 Not that it is a late date, but ratlier an interesting record, I’ll wind up with an account of a male Bobwhite. This bird was found to be setting on eleven eggs in mid-July. It was presumed that the female had been killed since she usually does the incubating and was never seen or heard near this particular nest. Also the clutch of 11 eggs was some six or eight shy the usual number. On July 22 this iiiale suc- cessfully hatched 10 of the 11 eggs and it was hoped he was successful m rearmf? them all. This despite the fact that I photographeil it several times without a blind aiul without flushing it. And mentioning Bobwhite brings to mind Stoddard’s great work on this gaine bird He states that his observations led him to believe that only the unmated male whistled the familiar and beautiful call. If this is true, and certainly my observations and none of others that I’ve heard of contradict it, who teaches the young male Bobwhite to whistle? On August 27 I heard a Bobwhite call and made a note to the effect that I thought it mighty late for Bob to be seeking a mate. Just a final observation concerning song. I presume if an inherited ability applies to a' wild bird, it should apply to a domestic fowl. Like most everyone else during the last war, I raised a few chickens. Imagine my surprise when a caponzied rooster began to crow, the operation apparently being unsuccessful. There wasn’t a rooster who could or did crow within miles of my pen. Who taught this youngster to crow? I cannot feel sorrv for all the late brood of birds listed above, for I am forced to conclude that they will sing as beautifully as their parents since my observations lead me to believe bird song is mostly, if not completely, an inherited ability. (October 1, 1950) J- W. E. Joyner Field Notes and News CORRECTION : In the note, “Yellow-Crowned Night Heron at Greensboro, N. C.,” on page 15 of the January, 1951, issue of T//e C/w/, the date of the observa- tion should read: ‘‘August 27, 1950,” instead of April 27 1 950, whi:T is apparently later than any jirevious North C arolina record. WOOD TICK ON A SPARROW HAWK: On Jan. 15, 1950, I collected a female Sparrow Hawk, in fine plumage, on Middle Sound, New Hanover County, N. C. While examining the bird I noticed a decided puffiness of the feathers directly (ucr the lid of the left eye. Parting these feathers, I found a gorged wood tick ( Derniaceuter variahilis') nearly the size of a small pea embedded deeply in the skin, 'l icks have been found on other species of birds, and possibly on tlie Spat row Hawk also, but this is the first time I have observed one on a predatory bird. As far as could be determined, the presence of the tick had had no detrimental effect „n the bird. B. Fundkrburc (.March 21, 1951) PARTIAL ALBINO RED-SHOULDERED HAWK TAKEN NEAR GREENS- BORO, N. C.: Local newspapers reported that early in December 1950, opossum lumters shot a large, nearly white liawk at niglit in the woods a few miles from Greensboro, N. C. George A. Smith and I examined the bird which has been turned 30 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 2 ()\er to a local amateur taxidermist. The bird, which was apparently a Red-shouldered Hawk, showed very little dark color in its feathers, most of its coloration being limited to a dark gravish patch at tlie base of the neck and black tips on a few of the feathers of each wing. A. D. S. SPART.^NBURG, S. C.: Dr. J'dui Watkins and I saw a Yellow-throat near Spartanburg, S. C., on March 1st, 1951, which is about four weeks earlier than tlie usual date. Gabriel Cannon March 18, 1951 SNOW GEESE AT GREENSBORO, N. C.: Today I observed for a short time three Snow Geese, 2 adults and 1 immature, on the lake at our home a few miles north of Greensboro, N. C. Nearly a year earlier, on the morning of Feb. 3rd, 1950, I saw two adult Snow Gee.sc at this same place. (Jan. 31, 1951) Mrs. Floyd Hugh Craft BLACKSNAKE CLIMBS PIPE TO ATTACK PURPLE MARTINS: During file vears a tall privet hedge has grown up around the poles with my gourds for Purple Martins, though the gourds were six feet or more above the hedge. .'Vbout 1 1 o’clock one night T tlirew the beam of my flashlight on one of the gourds as I passed along the hedge. To my amazement I saw something protruding frosn the entrance hole. I got a ladder immediately. Inside the gourd w^s a 3-foot black- snake swallowing the second of the four almost grown birds. The snake had climbed six feet up an inch and a half iron pipe, then gone out a 2-foot iron side arm, and down a long gourd neck and through a 2^ inch hole to get to the birds. Hereafter mv poles will be set up in an open place where snakes do not strav. Wesley Taylor, Greensboro, N. C. .MONTREAT, NORTH CAROLINA: On May 8, 1950, a total of twenty-two species were recorded at Montreat. Observations were made on the mountain slopes from 2,500 up to about 4,500 feet. Tlie day was cloudy, with brief showers, and cpiite favorable for bird-watching. Large-flowered trillium, purple trilllum, pink moccasin-flower, bird’s-foot violet, showy orchids, and Clinton’s lily were in bloom; flame azaleas were in bud. Our list for the day: Chimney swift. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Blue Jay, American Crow (five, harassing an un- identified buteo), Carolina Chickadee, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eved Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-poll Warbler, Oven-bird, Canada Warbler, .American Redstart, Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Towhee. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Simpson, Winston-Salem, N. C. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS AT GRAMLING, SPARTANBURG COUN- TY, S. C.: For three winters we have been favored with the visits of White- crowmed Sparrows. At first we did not know what they were, for all of them seemed immature. Then at the end of the second year we observed some with the distinct white and black head markings. We also heard them singing on many occasions. There have been as many as six feedings around the shrubs and in the flower beds near our house, and they are fairly friendly. In 1950 they left on May 15th, and returned on October 20th. There seems to be no records of White-crowned Spar- rows staying any length of time in South Carolina and we would like to have an expert confirm our finding. If any of the readers of The Chat are in Spartanburg March, 195 1 'VHE C H A T 31 County, we would be glad to have you come by to see our White-crowns. (Jan. 30, 195 1) Mrs. M. B. Fryga, Gramling, S. C. MORE N. C. WINTER RECORDS OF BALTIMORE ORIOLES: On Nov. 4, 1950, Miss Ida Mitchell reported observing a Baltimore Oriole at her home in Greensboro, N. C., where she had observed a male Baltimore Oriole many times during the two preceding winters. However, this year the Oriole was quickly driven away by a Mockingbird and apparently did not return. On February 1st, 195 1, Miss Ethel McNairy, who lives in another part of Greensboro, reported a male Baltimore Oriole at her feeding station. This Oriole came very regularly to Miss ■McNairv’s feeding station for about six weeks. Bob Holmes HI reported seeing a male Baltimore Oriole in full adule plumage, at Mount Olive, N. C., on January 21st, 1951. This was seen on the feeder at the home of a Boy Scout, who had pre- viouslv reported several times the observance of a Baltimore Oriole. Holmes had iliscounted these reports as due to the enthusiasm of a novice, but now thinks that the Oriole was there most of the winter. In the notes following the 1950 Christmas count from Wilmington, N. C., Mrs. Edna L. Appleberry mentions a “Baltimore Oriole in Mrs. Boegli’s bird bath,” but no dates are given. A. D. S. YOUR BIRD FEEDER— should furnish protection and keep the feed dry which you put in it. Use only clean feed, free from mold or rot. Birds need good feed the same as children. It should be high enough that cats and squin-els and rats are discouraged. I place my feeder where I can enjoy seeing the birds eat, else why put up a feed- er at all. The nicest feeders turn on a post so that the open front is awav from the wind. Place it in the open and not too near trees or shrubbery. Feed what the birds will clean fairly well each day; clean the box once a week, oftener if needed, but keep it clean. Dr. Wesley Taylor, Greensboro, N. C. MULTIFLORA ROSE HEDGE FOR BIRDS: Attention has been called by the State of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to the Miiltiflora rose hedge. Last year several thousand slips were given free to applicants who agree;! to take proper care of them. Properly planted, one foot apart, they soon make a dense hedge — 6 to 7 feet high and 3 or 4 feet in width, which is imiiassable to humans, cattle, dogs, and, in most places, to cats. It will do all that the old rail fence would ever do — and more. It will not spread or become a menace; it will turn ordinary stock in three years, anrl requires no attention after it gets started. It does not require a spray. It furnishes abundant nesting facilities, protection and cover, and the hijis or berries are eaten by many birds. Birds, game and small animals seem to like it and take t(' it readily, as it is open to the ground ami does not foster weeds or grass nor furnish a gootl refuge for snakes or mice, strange to say. It is claimed to be the cheapest. 32 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 2 most efficient, beautiful and durable protection one can put around oi on his property. Trespassers tlo not go through it. Dr. Wesley Taylor, Greensboro, N. C. FLORIDA GALLINITLE WINTERS AT CHx\RLOTTE, N. C.: A young Florida Gallinule is wintering at Charlotte. The bird was watched at length by most of the group taking the Christmas census. It apparently has settled down on a small privately owned pond within two miles of the city limits. The owner of the pond tells us that It arrived alone in May, last, and that he secured a few do- mestic mallards to keep it company. The gallinule is still rather shy, but it feeds regularly along the open edges of the pond with the ducks. The frontal plate has not yet taken on the red coloring of the adult bird but the white side fiinges and general plumage coloring are clear enough. flan 29 195 1') B. R. CHAMBERLAIN, Matthews, N. C. SOME NOTES FROM CAMP UWHARRIE, GUILFORD COUNTY, N. C.; Bachfuan’s Sparrow. On June 22nd, 1950, a Bachman’s Sparrow was observed at the Scout Camp Uwharrie at close range. At about 5:30 P. M. the bird sang for some time from the lower limb of a small pine, about two feet from the ground. /Vlthough it appeared nervous, it remained within 10 feet of the observer. On June 25th, one was heard again near the same place. On the morning of June 27th, three male Bachman’s Sparrows were seen and heard singing at different points. One singer flew off to feed with three others, apparently a female and two young. These sparrows were m an area of about 15 acres which was burned some ten years ago and is now covered with voung pine, sourwood, willow oak, dogwood, broom sedge, and mixed shrubs. The area is very heavily populated with Prairie Warblers, many Field Spaiiows, some Towhees, Chats, Maryland Yellow-throats, Brown Thrashers, Catbirds, and White-eyed Vireos. The Bachman’s Sparrows were seen in the higher, more open areas, one singing in a pine, one in a small sourwood, and one on a dead snag, all within about three feet of the ground. Mountain harrie camp, loblolly pine Vifgos — These were again seen frequently during June at the Uw- of predominantly pine, seemingly preferring a planting of m an area along the road. James Mattocks, High Point, N. C. BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS FOSTER YOUNG COWBIRD IN MIT- CHELL COUNTY, N. C.: On June 29, 1950, while walking through a patch of scrubby second-growth timber, 1 heard a commotion of young birds being fed by adults, and discovered that the noise was being made by a family of Black and White Warblers {Mniotilta varia L.) , the young apparently just out of the nest. There were two or three voung warblers — I could not always be sure whether 1 was seeing the same bird twice or a different one. But, following along with the Black and White Warbler family was a young Cowbird (Molot/irus ater) also ap- parently just out of the nest, though both Cowbird and young warblers could fly quite well. The plumage of the Cowbird was somewhat sooty grayish, and its bill was very' short and blunt. The young Cowbird was about twice the size of the adult Black and White Warblers. When one of the adult warblers would approach it with food, it would open its mouth and raise a greater clamor than the young warblers. ■\s far as I could observe it was being fed as regularly as were the young warblers. The foster parents had apparently taken it into their family circle and were as de- voted to it as to their own young. , . ' . And the mystery is this: In all my observations in bird watching in this section March, 1951 '1' PI E C PI A'J‘ 33 I liave never seen an adult Cowhird in citlicr May, June, July, or August. IIow- c\'er, beyond a doubt, tlie eggs were laid in tlie nest of the Black and White Warb- lers, and were incubated, hatched, and cared for by tlie warblers. And I have no record of any other obser\’er in this section who has seen an adult Cowbird during the nesting season. (Jan. 27, 195l) TI.^RRY El.I.iS, 'roecane, Mitcludl County, N. C. NODDY TERN SEEN IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N. C.: On August 29, 19+9, Dr. Will Rose saw a Noddy Tern on the pier at Fort Caswell, Brunswick County, N. C. It was so exhausted from a storm that it allowed Dr. and Mrs. Rose to ap- proach cerv close. Previous North Carolina records seem to be lacking. Mrs. Edna Lanikr Applf.berry, Wilmington, N. C. NODDY TERNS OBSERVED AT PAWLEY’S ISLAND, S. C.: On August 9, 19+8, I observed three birds flving toward me along the beach at Pawley’s Island, near Georgetown, S. C. The birds were close together and quite low over the beach, being not over 25 to 30 feet in the air when first observed. They passed along the beach at a distance of about 100 feet, and I was surprised to recognize them as Noddy Terns, a species with which I had previously become familiar while on central Pacific Ocean atolls. Tossing a few minnows in the air attracted the three birds toward me. They hesitated momentarily, but made no attempt to alight or feed. Then they resumed their almost leisurely flight along the beach, toward the north, and were not seen again. Collecting equipment, unfortunately, was unavailable and no attempt could be made to validate this observation. George W. Sciple, 100 Terrace Drive N.E., Atlanta 5, Ga. POSSIBLE WINTER RECORD OF WILSON’S WARBLER NEAR CHAPEL HILL, N. C. : About November 29th, 1950, I noticed an exquisite little yellow bird at the window feeder at our home twelve miles from Chapel Hill, N. C., off the Greensboro road. This was one I had never seen before and I had a hard time locating him in the bird books. After a few days observance and checking with both Birds of North Carolina and Peterson’s Guide it was clear that my \isitor was a Wilson’s Warbler. Since its latest visit was recorded in October, I assumed that he w'ould depart in a day or two for Central America. However, he remained all during this most severe winter and is still with us. He is about the size of a Chickadee, perhaps a little rounder. The coloring is clear yellow beneath, with olive-green (or chartreuse yellow) above. The tail is held somewhat like a wren’s tail, and there is a perfect little round black cap on the top of his head. There *is onlv one, and he is perfectly at home — eating everything that’s offered in the way of food, and at times, even chasing much larger birds away from his special tidbits. We have two feeders, the one on the window, and another sus- pended close by, and he spends his time between the two. He also likes tlie suet-stick, and eats from this by hovering somewhat like a hummingbird, rather than bv clinging as do most other birds. A week ago. Miss Dorothy Hutaff, a Fayetteville, N. C., binl observer, came out and took some pictures of this bird. I don’t know yet whether the pictures came out all right. Miss Hutaff agreed with my identification. Our place here on Cane Creek is an ideal place for birds and I’m hoping that this little fellow has found it so much to his liking that lie will come back next winter and bring some of his friends. Mrs. Sample B. Forbus (Jan. 31, 1951) 34 1’ H E C H A T Vol. XV, No. 2 With the Editor NEW ATTACK ON ROOSTING STARLINGS: A bird control company, or- ganized at Atlanta, Ga., is manufacturing a chemical which is claimed to make roosting places repulsive to Starlings. The job, it is claimed, will last for one '\eai, come rain, snow, or shine. PLASSEINITE BIRD HOUSES AND FEEDERS — are made from a special mixture of asbestos fibre and other materials, are as attractive and as durable as the famous asbestos shingles. For a folder illustrating and describing these attrac^ve bird houses and feeders, drop a card to W. Earle Pickett, 231 N. Park Drive, Greensboro, N. C. “MIGRATION OF BIRDS” — Is the title of a splendid 102-page booklet written bv Frederick C. Lincoln, and published last year as Circular 16 by the Fish & Wild- life Service, United States Department of the Interior. The booklet, which includes 2 3 map-figures of distribution and migration of birds, is for sale for 30 cents a copy, by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C. “THE OWL AND THE AMERICAN INDIAN”— is the title of an Interesting article bv C.B.C. member Eddie W. Wilson of Cary, N. C., and Los Angeles, Calif., which appeared in a recent issue of Jounial of American Folklore (July-September 1950, p. 336-344). Miss Wilson is the author of numerous articles on folklore of ■\merica and other nations, and is also the author of several poems which ha\e ap- peared in American periodicals. Some of her writings concerning the folklore about liirds have been published in The Chat. “WHERE BIRDS LIVE” — is the title of a 5 8-page illustrated booklet, published Februarv' 1951 by the Audubon Societv of the District of Columbia, which contains thirteen' stimulating articles on “Habitats in the Middle Atlantic States.” Tne articles, which were originally published separately, were pre}mred primarily to help bird watchers who are beginning to get acquainted with the birds of the Washington, D. C., region, but in their present form they will appeal to a considera 1} wi ei audience. The price is 75 cents a copy, and the address is: Audubon Society of the District of Columbia, Inc., Box 202, Benjamin Franklin Station, Washington 4, D. . . BIRD HOUSES, BATHS, FEEDERS.— “Bird Houses, Baths and Feeding Shel- ters” a 20c booklet published by Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfiel^ Hills, Michigan, is most helpful on the 'building of bird houses, and the methods of attract- ino- birds to occupy them. . . . “Bird Houses, Feeders, Baths,” an 80-page booklet edited bv Perrv S. Graffam for The Home Workshop Library, may be secured for fl.OO from the General Publication Co., Inc., 814 N. Tower Court, Chicago 11, IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER SANCTUARY; America’s rarest bird, the Ivorv-billed Woodpecker, has been given a 1,300 acre sanctuary through agreements bv land owners, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, and Nationa Audubon Society. A pair of the woodpeckers was spotted in Honda in March 1950 bv an expedition organized by a Milwaukee business executive and amateur orni- thologist, Whitnev H. Eastman. The last previous record of the Ivory-bill was m 1947. The birds’ 'exact location had been kept secret. This bird was once abundant March, 195 1 T HE CHAT 35 over a larg'c area of our southeastern states hut lias (iisa|ipeare(l with the cutting' of virgin forests. Many hircl watchers confuse the ivory-billed variety with the Pileated Wootipecker, which is a close cousin in appearance. DR. WADE FOX: In looking over iny copy of the announcement of the annual meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Club, to be held at Pacific Grove, California, in the latter part of April, I noticed that the titles of papers for the meeting were to be sent to Dr. Wade Fox, Department of Zoology, University of Southern Cali- fornia, Los Angeles 7, Calif. Dr. Fox, who will be remembered by his many North Carob’na friends, is a charter member of N.C.B.C., and is a former resident of Greensboro. COLOR SLIDES OF BIRDS. — If you, or your club or school, are interested in securing 2x2 color slides of birds, and other nature subjects, you will probably want to get lists of such slides from some of the following supply houses; Photo & Film Dept., National Audubon Society, 1000 Fifth Ave., New York 28, N. Y. — Send !0c for the “Audubon Audio-Visual Catalog”; Ward’s Natural Science Fstab'ishment, 3000 Ridge Road East, Rochester 9, N. Y. ; General Biological Supply House, 761-763 East 69th Place, Chicago 3 7, 111.; Society for Visual Education, 100 East Ohio St., Chicago 11, 111. FINE AUDUBON PRINTS: To commemorate the Centennial of Audubon’s death, twelve of Audubon’s most famous subjects have been faithfully reproduced from the original Elephant Folio edition in the possession of the American Museum of Natural History of New York City. They are hand-colored copper-plate etchings, on the finest imported Italian paper, 22x2 8 inches. They are being distributed by the National Audubon Society, 1000 Fifth Ave., New York 28, N. Y. The price Is $ 1 5 each, but a special price Is offered to branches and affiliated clubs for the benefit of their treasuries. For information consult your local club officials or write to the National Audubon Society. .'\UDUBON CENTENNIAL STAMPS: In observance of the Audubon Centen- nial Year, in commemoration of the death of John James Audubon on January 27, 1851, National Audubon Society has issued a set of 24 full-color reproductions of Audubon’s paintings in stamp form. We believe that C. B. C. members and others who delight in the color and beauty of Audubon’s work will want to order a number of sets of the Audubon Centennial Stamps, to be preserved as a memento of the Centennial or used on letters, envelopes, and packages. It is suggested that you con- sider gift sets to schools, libraries, hospitals, youth organizations, and friends. The price is two sets for one dollar and orders for less than one dollar cannot be accepted. Do not send stamps or coins. Proceeds will aid the conservation educa- tion program of the Audubon Society. Send your orders to: National Audubon So- ciety, Audubon Centennial Stamps, 1000 Fifth Ave., New York 28, N. Y. HOW ABOUT AN OFFICIAL STATE BUTTERFLY?— To the Editor of The Chat: Since North Carolina has adopted the Cardinal as the official bird, why not launch a campaign for a State butterfly. The Carolina Bird Club or the State Garden Club might sponsor the movement. The Musicians’ Bird Club of Concord, N. C., has endorsed the movement, has adopted the Tiger Swallowtail as their club butterfly. We are of the opinion that a swallowtail poised on or near a white dog- wood blossom would be a lovely addition to the beautiful Dogwood-Cardinal pic- 36 THE CHAT Vol. XV, No. 2 ture on the post card issued bv the State Museum and that it might win public favor and acceptance. A nature lover, prominent in the state, has agreed that “the butterfly woulil be an attractive picture and that it would be helpful m fostering attention on another series of wild animals that should be given consideration and benefit of consei vation. Butterflies, butterfly jewelry, and butterfly music hav^e always had a peculiar fascination for me, especially the charming Puccini opera “Madame Butteifly, in which the composer has marvelously created atmosphere and mood. No doubt many esthetes wall prefer one of the lovely Swallowtails so common in southern states. Everybody has seen them. The fact that they are fashioned wdth a tail on each lower wdng makes identification easy. Various swallowtails are ti mimed in combinations of gold and black and blue and gray, and even a touch of red. Of the main species of smaller butterflies m the tarolinas, there is the Buckeie and a gay migratory beauty called the Monarch which stays with us during the winter and spring, but flies north when warm weather comes. Janie A. Patterson Wagoner, Concord, N. C. GULL High in the air he twists and turns Maintaining rash velocity; Or jauntily he rides the waves. Displaying harsh verbosity. Then finally he rests, alone. Assuming a constraining quize. Perched on a buoy he takes time To ponder and philosophize. Eddie W. Wilson. (New York Times, Nov. 2, 1950) AS THIS ISSLTE OF THE CHAT GOES TO PRESS — I learn that this is to be the last issue for me to edit. I wish to thank all of those wdiose suggestions and contributions and support made most of my work wdth the C. B. C. extremely pleasant. Thanks a million and best wishes for increased success for C. B. C. Archie D. Shaftesbury New Members and Re-instated Members Ralph W. Broom, Jr., 178 Ezelle St., Spartanburg-, S. C. Mrs. James M. Caldwell, St., Blackstock, S. C. Mrs. Herbert L. Chase, Box 1131, Tryon, N. C. John S. Childers, 40+ Hospital Ave., Lenoir, N. C. Miss Ethelyn M. Cole, 136 W. Chestnut St., Asheville, N. C. Miss Margaret Evelyn Cole, Box 433, Greensboro College, Greensboro, N. C. Mrs. Dorothy M. Coleman, Box 260, Univ. of S. C., Columbia, S. C. Charles Conrad, P. O. Box 518, Tryon, N. C. Mrs. Annie C. Cox, Main St., Pilot Moun- tain, N. C. Miss Marianne Cox, Main St., Pilot Mountain, N. C. Mrs. B. M. Davis, 1158 Pleasant St., Avon Park, Fla. M rs. Wilbur Dawson, Highland Ave., Kinston, N. C. Mrs. James Edwards, 905 Johnson St., High Point, N. C. Miss Nancy Eppes, 729 Eastern Ave., Rocky Mount, N. C. Mrs. V. M. Eppes, 729 Eastern Ave., Rocky Mount, N. C. Rev. Michael B. Fryga, Old Campobello Road, Gramling, S. C. John H. Gray III, 402 South Center St., Statesville, N. C. Mrs. John H. Gray, Jr., 402 South Cen- ter St., Statesvile, N. C. Mrs. Herbert H. Harris, 204 North Ave., Anderson, S. C. Herman Hauschild, 922 Country Club Drive, High Point, N. C. Hickory Bird Club (aff.), Mrs. Geo. C. Wariick, Sec.-Treas., 1826 Fourteenth .'\ve.. Hickory, N. C. Mrs. Wilmot S. Holmes, 611 Wicker St., Greensboro, N. C. Mrs. Minta Hughes, 202 Roland Park Ave., High Point, N. C. Miss Elizabeth D. James, P. O. Box 1131, Tryon, N. C. Miss Susan H. James, P. O. Box 1131, Try’on, N. C. Rev. E. B. Jeffress, Jr., 302 College St., Oxford, N. C. Mrs. J. Thomas John, Laurinburg, N. C- Mrs. Lawton Kallam, Snow Hill Road, Kinston, N. C. Mrs. John Kenfield, Box 1105, Chapel Hill, N. C. Mrs. J. William Medford, Partridge Hill, Lancaster, S. C. Miss Elsie Ellen Moore, 522 Parkway, High Point, N. C, Miss Genevieve Moore, 202 Roland Park Ave., High Point, N. C. Mrs. J. Wright Nash, 537 S. Converse St., Spartanburg S. C. Mrs. Frank R. Nielson, P. O. Box 744, Burlington, N. C. Mrs. J. F. Norton, Box 1075, Tryon, N. C. Miss Mary xA.shford Oates, 406 St. James Square, Fayetteville, N. C. E. W. Olschner, 200 S. 34th St., More- head City, N. C. Mrs. S. F. Olschner 200 S. 34th St., Morehead City, N. C. Miss Marion J. Pellew, 2204 Barnwell Ave., Aiken, S. C. Thomas E. Pierce, 1110 S. Church St., Rocky Mount, S. C. Mrs. Grady L. Price, 1052 Center St., West Columbia, S. C. Mrs. J. M. Saunders, Washington Park, Washington, N. C. Francis Lee Shackelford 416 Byrd Blvd., Greenville, S. C. Miss Evelyn Stewart, 3603-B, Parkwood Drive, Greensboro, N. C. Mrs. Wesley Taylor, Justamere Farm, Rt. 2, Box 229, Greensboro, N. C. Miss Annabel Thompson, 329 Mclver St., Greensboro, N. C. Miss Sally Wenstrand, Box 1062, Tryon, N. C. J. Harry White, 645 Manly St., Winston- Salem, N. C. Miss Mary S. Wilburn, 4 Harris, Green- ville, s'. C. Mrs. Edgar N. Woodfin, Rt. 2, Campo- bello, S. C. OMITTED FROM THE MEMBERSHIP ROSTER IN THE NOVEMBER 1950 ISSUE OF THE CHAT: Mrs. Bertha M. Palmer, Camp Mt. Mitchell School for Girls, Burns\il!c, N. C. A L ^ OV/ It ^ 313 Stone 3rive, Riverland Terrace, Charleston 43, S. C. Local Clubs and Their Officers — North Carolina Chapel Hill Bird Club; P— Mrs. Lynn Gault, Box 1058; V-P— Richard L. Weaver; S-T — Mrs. Matt L. Thompson, Box 88, Charlotte, .^lecklclllnu•<^ .‘\uilubon Club; P — Mrs. George C. Potter, 2111 Malvern Rd. ; V-P Mrs. H. W. Kilpatrick; S — Mrs. B. D. Hendrix, 1615 Oaklawn; T — B. R. Chamberlain; Publicity Chmn. — Miss Clara Burt. Greensboro, Piedmont Bird Club: P— Mrs. W. C. Carr; V-P — Miss Harriett Mehaffie and Hal Strickland; Cor. S — Miss S. Ann Locke; Rec. S — Miss Annabel Thompson; T — Mrs. E. J. Fillinger; Ex. Comm. — Officers and Mrs. H. L. Medford and Mrs. George A. Perrett. Henderson Bird Club; P — Mrs. E. G. Flannagan; V-P — Mrs. K. L. Burton; S-T — Miss Ruth Carter, 73 7 N. William St. Hickory Bird Club: P — Mrs. George E. Bisanar; V-P — Mrs. W. J. Sbuford; S-T — Mrs. George Warlick; Reporter — J. Weston Clinard. High Point, Catesby Bird Club: P — J. O. Hauschild; V-P— R. I. Quigley; Rec. S — Mrs. Worth Ivey; Cor. S — Mrs. George Hobart; T — Mrs. D. R. Parker; Publicity Chm. — Dr. George Hobart. Lenoir Auilubon Club: P— R. T. Greer; V-P— S. B. Howard; S-T— Mrs. R. T. Greer, Box 813; Publicity Chm. — Miss Margaret Harper. Lumberton Bird Club; P — James Stephens, Jr.; V-P — Mrs. Henry McKinnon; S — Mrs. D. L. Whiting; T — Miss Lillian Whiting. Raleigh Bird Club: P — William Hamnett; V-P — Miss May Lockhart; S-T — Mrs. Albert Guy; Ex. Comm. — Officers and H. T. Davis and E. W. Winkler. Roanoke Rapids Bird Club: P — Miss Marjorie Cannon, 1001 Madison St.; V-P — Mrs. J. C. Fidler; S-T — Miss Thelma Garriss, 518 Roanoke Ave. Southern Pines Bird Club: P — Mrs. Cecil Robinson; V-P & S — Miss Louise Haynes, Box 660; T — Miss Norma Shiring; Rec. S — Mrs. Lloyd Prime. Tarheel Bird Club: P — Vaughn Brock, Hickory, N. C.; S-T — Miss Olwyn Owens, Rt. 3, Box 160-B, Kannapolis, N. C. ; Historian — Mrs. Andrew Smith, Morganton, N. C. Trj'on Bird Club: P — Mrs. Thomas S. Clark; S-T — Mrs. H. Lan Moore — Publicity Chm. — Seth M. Vining. Wilmington Natural Science Club: P — Mrs. Cecil Appleberry, 5 Lake Forest Park- way; V-P — Mrs. Warwick Baker; T — Charles F. Theobald; S — Miss Edith Chamberlain, James Walker Memorial Hospital. Wilson Woman’s Club, Garden Dept.: Chm. — Mrs. C. A. Webster, 202 Park Ave.; Miss Camilla Wills; Mrs. Will Rhodes. Winston-Salem Bird Club: P Emeritus — Henry Magie; P — Dr. Thomas W. Simpson; V-P — Mrs. Wortham Wyatt; S-T — Mrs. T. W. Simpson, 3252 Rey- nolda Rd. Local Clubs and Their Officers — South Carolina Charleston Natural History Society: P — Maj. 1. S. H. Metcalf; V-P — E. Burnham Chamberlain; S — Marshall Uzzell, 7 Orange St.; T — Mrs. Louise S. Barrington. Crlumbia Bird Club: P — Mrs. Clyde Sisson; V-P — Gilbert J. Bristow; S — Mrs. J. L. Gibbons, 720 Brandon Ave.; T — Fred Sample; Ex. Comm. — Officers and G. E. Charles. Greenville Bird Club: P — Miss May W. Puett; V-P — P. M. Jennes; S-T — Mist Rosa Lee Hart. THE CHAT BULLETIN OF CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Vol. XV MAY-SEPTEMBER _ A/>^7 Nos. 3-4 THE CHAT Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Thomas L. Quay, Editor Box 5215, State College Station, Raleigh, N. C. Editorial Board: B. R. Chamberlain, E. B. Chamberlain, Harry Davis, Jack Dermid, Mrs. W. H. Faver, Mrs. R. W. Green, Robert Overing, A. D. Shaftesbury, Richard L. Weaver. The Chat is published five times a year as the official bulletin of The Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Entered as second class matter at the Post Office at Raleigh, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Bulletin subscription one dollar per year, included in all memberships. An- nual membership dues: Active — $i.00. Sustaining — $5.00, Contributing — $25.00. Life member- ship— $100.00, payable in four consecutive annual installments. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to the Treasurer. Vol. XV May, September 1951 Nos. 3,4 CONTENTS Killdeer photo, by Jack Dermid, courtesy N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission Front Cover The Lenoir-Blowing Rock Region. Fred H. May 37 Summer Birds of Lake Summit, Henderson Co., N. C. D. J. Nicholson 39 Tryon Bii’ds in the Spring. E. A. Williams 41 A Note On The Summer Birds Of Mount Mitchell, N. C. Dr. and Mrs. T. W. Simpson 45 In Defense Of The Nest. Jack Dermid 46 Going Out To Donaldson Air Base For A Lark. David A. Tilling hast 48 Venus’-Flytrap Legislation. R. L. Weaver 49 Mourning Dove Bulletin. A review by Alexander Spmint, Jr 50 Spring Field Trip To Wilmington. Edith Settan 52 Executive Board Meeting. Edith Settan 53 With Our Members 54 General Field Notes. 55 The 1951 Spring Count. 60 Announcement Of Fall Meeting Inside Back Cover CAROLINA BIRD CLUB OFFICERS President Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, Greensboro, N. C. Vice-Presidents Mrs. George C. Potter, Charlotte, N. C. Major 1. S. H. Metcalf, Charleston, S. C. R. T. Greer, Lenoir, N. C. Secretary Mrs. Edith Settan, Greensboro, N. C. Treasurer Mr. Robert Overing, Raleigh, N. C. The Executive Committee is composed of Officers, the Editor, and: B. R. Chambei’lain, Charlotte; J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount; Mrs. R. W. Green, Raleigh ; and Miss May Puett, Greenville, S. C. THE LENOIR-BLOWING ROCK REGION By Fred H. May In October there is riot in the mountains — a riot of nature’s own colors spread in panoramic splashes of reds and yellows, greens and bronzes, in all variations — standing up ridge after ridge, mountain after mountain, until the hazy blue of the horizon claims all. The Lenoir-Blowing Rock area, especially if there has been an early frost, should be at its best for the members of the Cai’olina Bird Club who attend the fall meeting in Lenoir the week-end of October 19-21. The environments of this area are much varied. There are the lowlands of the broad river bottoms. Piedmont farm and grass lands, wooded hills and mountains along with the mountain farm lands, meadows and grazing lands. The range of elevation is from about 1,000 feet, near Lenoir, to nearly 6,000 feet on Grandfather Mountain, less than twenty miles away as the crow flies — fi-om almost Low Country environment to the Canadian zone of the higher elevations. Within this range there is a variety of life — bird, tree and plant. The forests are largely deciduous, cut-over hardwoods, with scattered stands of white pine and yellow pine. There are larger stands of Virginia pine on the lower ridges. Along the streams giant specimens of hemlock, ages old, may be found surrounded by their own offspring of various years. Higher elevations still offer some fair stands of balsam, or fir, and spruce. The old coniferous forests as such are no more. They have been succeeded by second growth oaks, hickories, yellow birch, tulip poplar, and other growth, mostly of deciduous trees with scattered conifers. There are prac- tically no stands of original hardwoods, and the once magnificent stands of chestnut fell before the fungus blight which marched southward from Pennsylvania in the late teens and early twenties. The cutting of these original growth forests has almost claimed some of our once common birds. Perhaps the most missed of these is the Pileated Woodpecker. Only a few are left in this area, and these in coves where the terrain is too rough for profitable logging. These newer, or changed, conditions, in all probability have aided much other bird life. Certainly it has not had any ill effect on the Carolina Junco {Junco hyemalis carolinensis Br. ). This bird is entirely local in its habitat, ranging from about 3,500 feet elevation upward. It is fairly plentiful around Blowing Rock. Members of the bird club who have not seen this bird should have an opportunity of adding another “first” to their lists while attending the Lenoir meeting. If some wish to visit the more wooded areas, they may find Ruffed Grouse, or perhaps a Raven in the higher and more rugged sections. The October season offers many possibilities and surprises. Fall mi- grants from Canadian and other northern nesting grounds may drop in at any time to spend a few days along the southern slope of the Blue Ridge. A short stay in this area may give them the needed strength for their flight to Central and South America, or the Caribbean Islands, wherever they may be headed. Any moment may bring an unexpected new warbler 37 or some other strang’er to be identified and added to the “life list.” Among' other possibilities are birds which nested in the mountains and lingered awhile before leaving for winter quarters. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scar- let Tanagers, or Least Flycatchers may have tarried amid the changing colors before winging southward. With the wide range in elevation and climatic conditions, it is obvious that a correspondingly wide range in bird life should exist. For instance, here in Lenoir in winter and spring the Pine Siskins are found daily asso- ciating with the Goldfinches. They leave the Lenoir environment about the time the dandelion season is over and move on up the mountains where some of them are recorded as nesting and spending the summer. There are a number of other birds, especially warblers and the Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker, that are common in the Lenoir area from October to May, but which go up the mountains to higher elevations for their breeding season. A thorough census of the Lenoir area has never been made. Such a cen- sus would undoubtedly reveal some interesting facts. This was brought out most strikingly Sunday morning, July 29, in a short bird walk by a group of six persons. In the group were Mrs. J. B. Bernard, Mrs. Fred May, Miss Margaret Harper, Miss Cary Hai'rison, James Taylor, and Fred May. With- in an area of less than one-half mile long by one-quarter mile wide, they identified the following birds; Bob-white, Dove, Yellow-billed Cockoo, Chimney Swift, Hummingbii’d, Eastern Kingbird, Wood Peewee, Phoebe, Rough-winged Swallow, Blue Jay, Crow, Chickadee, Titmouse, White- breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Mockingbird, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Wood Thrush, Bluebird, Cedar Waxing, Starling, Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-throat, Yellow Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Redstart, English Sparrow, Meadowlark, Purple Crackle, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Grass- hopper Sparrow, P''ield Sparrow, Towhee, Song Sparrow, and Chipping Sparrow. This list covers only the birds seen in less than thi-ee hours in a very limited territory, almost all open fields with a skirt of woods. Birds visiting feeding stations of club members later during the day could have added a number to this list, and had we gone farther into a more wooded area we might have added a Downy Woodpecker, Black-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Oven-bird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, other flycatchers and vireos, hawks, perhaps a vulture. Kingfishers, Green Heron, or even a Woodcock or Nighthawk. The Lenoir Audubon Club was organized during the spring of 1942, and has been active continuously since that time. While the membership has been small, and all are amateurs in bird watching, the club has a record of which it is proud. Annually the club sponsors one of the national Audubon illustrated lectures which is open to the public. We are looking forward to having the members of the C. B. C. with us in October. [Fred May is a former editor of the Lenoir newspaper. The gen- eral description of the Lenoir-Blowing Rock region establishes a precedent which we hope will be continued for each of our future meetings and field ti’ips. — Editor] 38 r / Lake Summit Donold J. Nicholson SUMMER BIRDS OF LAKE SUMMIT, HENDERSON COUNTY, N. C. By Donald J. Nicholson Lake Summit is a deep lake five miles long- and one mile wide, located on the Green River at Tuxedo, seven miles south of Hendersonville. This lovely lake, at about 2,100 feet elevation, is surrounded by dense mountain forests through which run many small, ice-cold streams. We have spent two months each summer, 1945 to 1950 (except 1946), studying the bird life in the im- mediate vicinity of the lake. On these visits we have lived in the cottage of Miss Flora Beymer, a member of the C. B. C. from Spartanburg, S. C. The dates in the annotated list below are for the summer (July-August) of 1950, unless otherwise noted. The list contains 60 species for 1950, and two more recorded only in other years. The list is short at least five species of warblers, which I heard but could not see well enough to be certain of my identifications. 1. Pied-billed Grebe. One pair on lake, 25 July. Also one bird in July 1949. Probably breeds. 2. Wood Duck. One seen and heard squealing, 28 July. Also one in July 1949. 3. Turkey Vulture. One pair. 4. Red-shouldered Hawk. Several pairs, nests found. 5. Broad-winged Hawk. Three pairs; nests found. Also about five more pairs between lake and Saluda. 39 6. Osprey. One seen, in 1948. 7. Sparrow Hawk. One pair nesting in July 1949, 60 feet up in an old decayed tree. These are the only Sparrow Hawks I have seen in my five years of visiting in western North Carolina. 8. Bob-white. Breeds; young seen. 9. Killdeer. One seen, 28 July. Also one at Hendersonville 19 July. Rare, but probably breeds. 10. Woodcock. Five birds seen in July 1949, in wet meadow at Camp Graystone. One seen in same place, July 1948. Probably breeds. 11. Forster’s Tern. One seen on 14 and 19 July. Seen in other years also. Does not breed. 12. Black Tern. Ten birds calling and flying in front of house, 10 August. Seen several times, July 1949. 13. Mourning Dove. Breeds; nests found. 14. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Breeds, but rare. One nest found. 15. Barn Owl. One heard, 22 July. 16. Screech Owl. Breeds, though not common. 17. Barred Owl. One heard, 3 August. 18. Chimney Swift. Breeds, in low numbers. 19. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Common summer resident. No nests found. 20. Kingfisher. Breeds, but only a few seen. 21. Flicker. Several nests found. 22. Hairy Woodpecker. Breeds; fairly common. 23. Downy Woodpecker. Breeds, in low numbers. 24. Crested Flycatcher. One heard, 9 July; also one in 1948. Rare. 25. Phoebe. Breeds; nests found. 26. Acadian Flycatcher. Breeds; several nests found. 27. Wood Pewee. Breeds; nests found. 28. Bank Swallow. Breeds; nests found. 29. Blue Jay. Breeds, but uncommon. 30. Crow. Breeds; young seen. 31. Carolina Chickadee. Breeds; young seen. 32. Tufted Titmouse. Breeds; young seen. 33. White-breasted Nuthatch. Breeds, in low numbers. 34. Carolina Wren. Breeds, one nest found. 35. Catbird. A very common breeding bird. Nests found. 36. Brown Thrasher. An uncommon breeder. Nests found. 37. Robin. A fairly common breeding bird. Nests found. 38. Wood Thrush. Very common. Nests found. 39. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Breeds, but rare. 40. Cedar Waxwing. A few seen. Probably do not breed. 41. Starling. Breeds. 42. Red-eyed VTreo. Common, one nest found. 43. Black and White Warbler. Breeds; young seen. 44. Yellow-throated Warbler. Breeds. 45. Pine Warbler. Breeds. 46. Prairie Warbler. One pair nesting, 24 July. 47. Oven-bird. Breeds, but rare. Young seen. 48. Yellow-throat. Breeds, one nest found. 49. Yellow-breasted Chat. Breeds, but uncommon, nests found. 50. Hooded Warbler. The most common breeding warbler, nests found. 51. Redstart. Breeds, but not common. 52. English Sparrow. Breeds. 53. Meadowlark. Breeds, but in low numbers. 54. Red-wing. Breeds, in low numbers, nests found. 55. Purple Crackle. Breeds, but rare. 56. Scarlet Tanager. Two pairs found nesting on 7 July. These were the only Scarlet Tanagers seen in the vicinity of Lake Summit during the entire five years of observations. 57. Cardinal. Fairly common breeding bird, nests found. 40 58. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Rare, one seen 24 July. 59. Indigo Bunting. Fairly common breeder, nests found. 60. Goldfinch. Breeds; nests found. 61. Field Sparrow. Common breeding bird, nests found. 62. Song Sparrow. Common breeding bird, nests found. 122 Palmer Street, Orlando, Florida. [This list of summer birds from Lake Summit may be compared with the paper by Ellison Williams in this issue of The Chat — “Tryon Birds in the Spring”; and with, “Birds of Buncombe County” (C7io/ 4:21-36), by C. S. Brimley. Also, the “Note on Summer Birds of Mt. Mitchell,” by Tom and Doris Simpson in the current Chat, contains further interesting comparisons. — Editor] Donald J. Nicholson is the owner of the Royal Purple Cit- rus Research Laboratory, Or- lando, Florida. He has been a close student of ornithology since 1899, and has published many articles in The Auk and The Wilsori Bulletin. His records and photographs were used extensively in Howell’s Flori- da Bird Life, and he is at present a member of the four-man com- mittee to pass on the authenticity of sight records for the Florida Naturalist. The accompanying photograph shows Mr. Nicholson and a pet Smooth-billed Ani. The Ani is a West Indian bird which has recently been found in a small breeding colony at Clewiston, Florida. Donald J. Nicholson and pet Smooth- billed Ani. Photo by S. A. Grimes, March 1951, Clewiston, Florida. TRYON BIRDS IN THE SPRING By Ellison A. Williams It has been my privilege for many years to spend several days every spring in Tryon, North Carolina. In the isothermal belt, Tryon is a de- lightful and profitable place to study birds during their migration. I generally spend the last week in April there and although I may miss some of the late migrants, the warblers are easier to see then before the leaves are fully developed on the trees. I have kept notes in 16 of the last 18 years. The average number of species seen during the week has been about 70, and the total in and around Tryon for the 16 years has been 115 species. One of the rarer birds found in this region was a Lincoln’s Sparrow which I saw and photographed April 25, 1941, and added to my life list. This bird did not use the feeding shelf in Mr. A. M. Law’s garden, which was crowded with White-throated Sparrows, but slunk alone in the shrub- bery around the edge of the garden accepting the food put out for him away from the other birds. 41 A Least Flycatcher was heard and seen in 1939. I have recorded it only 10 of the 41 years I have kept my records, and I have listened in vain for its call note in Tryon since 1939. I like this little flycatcher; it is among my earliest bird records, as it was a regular spring bird on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute campus when I was in college over 40 years ago. But the warblers are probably my favorites. I have seen 30 different species in Tryon and get a great deal of pleasure trying to identify them first by their songs and then proving my guess by finding the singers. A slightly different song may mean a different species, and one cannot always be sure of oneself from year to year. The rarest warblers that I have seen there at that time of the year are Swainson’s, Worm-eating, Golden-winged, Magnolia, Cerulean, Bay-breasted, Palm, Orange-crowned, and Connecti- cut. The Canada Warbler I saw 7 out of the first 12 years, but I have not been able to find it since 1945. My biggest thrill was discovering Swainson’s Warbler in 1934, among the rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets. This mountain habitat was much different from the cane thickets of the swamps near the coast, where I had learned to know the bird with the late Arthur T. Wayne. Seeing it again in 1935, I published a note on the finding in the Auk (52: 458-459). I saw the birds again in 193G, 1938, and 1940, and was overjoyed this spring (1951) to find it once more on the same hillside where I had seen it before. I was able to hear its song at close range and now believe that I may have passed it by during the past few years, thinking the song to be that of a Louisiana Water-Thrush, as their songs are very similar. These warblers shuffle among the leaves often in open woods and sing either from the ground or lower limbs of trees. I tried to take a picture of one of them, but the nearest I got to it was to have one of the birds alight on my tripod. These birds may be found nesting around Ti-yon some day, since I have found them there as early as April 27 and left them there as late as May 14. I believe that the late G. H. Holmes also recorded these warblers near his Tryon home. In 1942, Brooks and Legg published in the Auk (59: 76-86) their dis- covery of Swainson’s Warbler in the mountains of West Virginia, and re- ferred to my Tryon records. In December 1950, Meanley and Bond in the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington described this Swain- son’s Warbler as a new race from the Appalachian Mountains and called it the Appalachian Swainson’s Warbler ( Limnothlypis sivainsoni alta). The accompanying table lists all the species of birds recorded by me each spring around Tryon for 16 years. The “x” mark denotes identification of the bird at least once during that week. While exact numbers are not given, a fairly good index to relative abundance is the number of years recorded. The dates of observation were as follows: 1934, May 5-9; 1935, May 9-15; 1936, May 4-9; 1937, April 22-27; 1938, April 23-28; 1939, April 21-27; 1940, April 23-29; 1941, April 22-28; 1942, May 3-8; 1943, May 6-13; 1944, April 19-28; 1945, April 24-29; 1946, April 22-29; 1947, April 23-29; 1948, April 23-30; 1951, April 23-30. 42 TABLE 1. Sixteen Years of Spring Migration Records at Tryon, N. C. •:I4 ■:I5 ’37 ’38 ’39 ’40 ’41 ’42 ’43 ’44 ’45 ’46 ’47 ’48 ’51 Common Loon X Green Heron X Lesser Scaup X Red-breasted Merganser .... X Turkey Vulture X X X X X X X X X X X X X Black Vulture X Sharp-shinned Hawk X Cooper’s Hawk X Broad-winsed Hawk X X X X X X Osprey X X X X X Bob-white X X X X X X X X X X X X X Spotted Sandpiper X X X X X X X X X Solitary Sandpiper X Mournintt Dove X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Black-billed Cuckoo X X X X X Screech Owl X X Whip-poor-will X X X X X Nighthawk X X X X Chimney Swift X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ruby-throated Hummingbird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Kingfisher X X X X X X Flicker X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Pileated Woodpecker X X X X X X X Red-bellied Woodpecker X Yellow-bellied Sapsucker . . . X X Haii'y Woodpecker X \ X X X X X X X X Downy Woodpecker X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Kingbird X X X X Crested Flycatcher X X X X X Phoebe X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Acadian Flycatcher X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Least F'lycatcher X W ood Pewee X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Rough-winged Swallow X X X X X X X X X X X X Barn Swallow X X X Blue Jay X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Crow X X X X X X X X X X X X X Carolina Chickadee X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Tufted Titmouse X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X White-breasted Nuthatch . . . Red-breasted Nuthatch X X House W ren X X X Carolina Wren X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Mockingbird X X X X X X X X X X Catbird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Brown Thrasher X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Robin X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Wood Thrush X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Hermit Thrush X Olive-backed Thrush X X X X Veery X X X X X X X Bluebird X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ruby-crowned Kinglet X X X X X X X X Cedar Waxwing X X X X X X X X Starling X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X White-eyed Vireo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Yellow-throated Vireo X X X X X X X X X X X X X Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitariuK ) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Red-eyed Vireo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Warbler — Black & White X X X X X X X X X X X Swainson’s X X X X X Worm-eating X X X Golden-winged X X X Parula X X X X X X X X X X Yellow X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Magnolia X X X X Cape May X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Black-throated Blue ... X X X X X X X X X X X X X Myrtle X X X X X X X X X X X X X Black-throated Green . . X X X X X X X X X X X X Cerulean X Blackburnian X X X X X X X X Yellow-throated X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Chestnut-sided X X X X X X Bay-breasted X X X Black-poll X X X X X X X X X X X X X 43 Pine Pi'airie Palm Ovenbircl Louisiana Watei'-Thrush . . . Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Orange-crowned Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, Connecticut Redstart English Sparrow Crackle (Quiscalus qiiiscula) . Red-wing Meadowlark Bobolink Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Cowbird Scarlet Tanager Summer Tanager Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak . . . . Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Goldfinch Pine Siskin Purple Finch Towhee Junco Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow . . . . Lincoln’s Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow 34 ’35 ’36 ’37 ’38 ’39 ’40 ’41 ’42 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X '43 ’44 '45 ’46 ’47 00 ’51 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Lincoln's Sparrow, photographed at Tryon, N. C., 25 April 1941, by Ell, son A. Williams. Ellison Williams is a banker in Charleston, South Carolina, and an extremely careful student of birds. He has been binding for over forty years with E. B. Chamberlain, B. R. Chamberlain, and Alex- ander Sprunt, Jr. These four men had the invaluable advantage of growing up under the tutelage of Arthur T. Wayne. Mr. Williams has published several notes in The Auk, and a number of his rec- ords are in the new South Ccnoliua Bi)d Life by Sprunt and Chamberlain. 44 A NOTE ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF MOUNT MITCHELL, N. C. The bird life on the upper slopes of Mount Mitchell seems little changed from previous summers in spite of the almost appalling' number of sight- seers attracted by the ne'w highv/ay to the top. Observations -were made during the afternoon of July 12, 1951, along the southern side of Clingman’s Peak and over most of the western half of Mount Mitchell. The day was warm and unusually dry, with partially overcast sky and intermittent westerly winds. Our attention was first drawn to a pair of Red-tailed Hawks soaring over Steppe’s Gap between the two peaks. As we watched the Hawks in flight, two Ravens flapped over the crest of the ridge. One immediately fell upon the hindmost Hawk, croaking loudly and beating its victim into the shelter of the trees, then sailing up in characteristic manner on widely outstretched wings. The wing span of the Raven was practically the same as that of the chunkier Red-tail. While this encounter was taking place, the other hawk had flown away unconcernedly and was seen a few moments later gliding slowly down the northwestern slope of Mitchell, just a few feet above the tree tops. Another Raven was seen later in the afternoon, when it was alarmed while feeding at the garbage pile near old Camp Alice. Southern Winter Wrens were abundant throughout the red spruces and balsams. Literally dozens of this breeding subspecies (the type locality of which is Mount Mitchell) were heard singing among the ferns and fallen logs of the cool forest floor. One or two sang vigorously from the tip of a young spruce in full view; others could be flushed up into sight for a moment. The Carolina .Junco was by far the most plentiful bird among the conifers, representing another local subspecies which in this case is rather easily separated in the field. It differs from the boreal Slate-colored Junco in its noticeably larger size, more uniformly gray color, and horn-colored bill. Several streaked immature birds were seen. The list of 22 species compiled during the afternoon includes; Red-tailed Hawk, 2 (another was seen near Craggy Dome); Downy Woodpecker, 2; Raven, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 (breeds regularly in boreal forest on Mount Mitchell, but seen on this date only near Blue Ridge Parkway); Winter Wren, 4; Catbird, 1; Robin, 3; Veery, 1 (heard singing on Clingman’s Peak); Golden-crowned Kinglet, 8; Cedar Waxwing, 1; Blue-headed Vireo, 1; Black and White Warbler, 2; Black-throated Green Warbler, 3; Chestnut- sided Warbler, 6 including 2 imm.; Pine Warbler, 1; Prairie Warbler, 1; Canada Warbler, 4; Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 2; Indigo Bunting, 2; Towhee, 4 (many others heard calling); Junco, about 50; Song SpaiTow, 1. The opening of the Blue Ridge Parkway through this area will afford to many people a new opportunity for bird observations. One may now drive quickly to vantage points at high elevations which once were accessible only after hours of gruelling climbing. The above count was confined mainly to the coniferous forests which clothe the mountains at about 5,500 to 6,000 feet. It did not include a number of birds that one miglit well expect to see at this season on the middle and upper slopes in the zone of deciduous trees. Some of those species which should be looked for here are the Broad-winged Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Cuckoo, Screech Owl, Chimney Swift, (Continued on Page 47) 45 IN DEFENSE OF THE NEST A Nature Short By Jack Dermid There is a tendency for students of bird life, particularly beginners, to think of birds in terms of the species only. Too often, for example, the Brown Thrasher depicted in a field guide and all Brown Thrashers ob- served outdoors are considered as the same bird. This is far from being true. Although birds of the same species appear and act within the limits of the species, each one is an individual. And individuals differ in behavior and “personality.” In most instances, it takes close and patient observation to detect these differences. One exception, however, is found in the way various birds defend their nests, where individual variation is often very obvious. In my experiences in bird photography, I have yet to find two birds of the same species to behave exactly alike. Two pairs of Bi’own Thrashers at their nests provide an interesting comparison. The Brown Thrasher’s nest in the picture was constructed about four feet high near the center of a Russian Olive bush. While I was setting up my tripod and camera before it, one of the parents brooded its young without Brown Thrasher even moving’ "W'hile the other one scolded me as it fidgeted about from perch to perch. I made rapid and uneventful progi’ess until I began tying back branches and cutting away twigs to provide an unobstructed view for the camera. Then the unexpected happened. The quiet bird on the nest instantly transformed into a noisy demon of fury. While I worked, it attacked my hands and fingers relentlessly with its sharp bill, constantly following my movements about the bush. Its mate came in close to lend it vocal and moral support, but kept a respectful dis- tance. I completed the photographic set-up as quickly as possible and re- treated to the remote control appai’atus of the camera. The backs of my fingers contained many small punctures and scratches and stung as if a blackberry briar had been raked across them. In a few minutes, the Brown Thrashers quieted down and both began foraging for food for their nestlings. They showed no fear of the large camera and flash reflector or of my presence in plain view some fifty feet away. It was easy to photograph their family life. But each time when I returned to the camera to change the film, the thrashers resumed their de- fensive attitudes at once. The photo shows one of the adults in a character- istic position and was taken while I stood beside the camera. The thrasher stood squarely on top of the young in the nest with its bill parted, as if defying me to come closer. The downy nestlings did not seem annoyed or injured by their parents’ activities. In time all three outgrew the nest and departed. In contrast, another pair of Brown Thrashers reacted oppositely toward me and my camera. Both birds were shy and elusive and would slip away from the nest when it was approached. Their alarm notes were frequently heard, but they were seldom seen. The thrashers refused to return to their young while the camera was in position, and I failed to get a single picture. I have observed the defense methods of other thrashers that did not fol- low either pattern described above. Individualism in defending the nest is not common only to Brown Thrashers. I have found it in varying degrees with many species of birds, and it may be a universal trait. At any rate, action at the nest demonstrates that birds of the same species have indi- vidual characteristics. NOTE ON SUMMER BIRDS (Continued from Page 45) Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Crested Fly- catcher, Phoebe, Wood Pewee, Blue Jay, Crow, Tufted Titmouse, Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Oven-bird, Hooded Warbler, Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, and Cardinal. — Dr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Simpson, Winston-SaJem, N. C. 47 GOING OUT TO DONALDSON AIR BASE FOR A LARK By David A. Tillinghast [Reprinted from the Greenville Piedmont, Greenville, S. C., 3 July 1951— Ed.] There is an “installation” out at the Donaldson Air Force Base, that the joint chiefs of staff in Washington didn’t have anything- to do with putting- there. I doubt if the commanding- officer of the base. Col. Louis M. Merrick, is aware of its presence. Certainly it does not enter in any way into the military doings there and never will. Yet it is not in the way. Not until late Thursday was there even an official record of its presence as far as I know. Perhaps when I reveal its nature, there will be a letdown but here goes. Because of its openness, the low-growing grass and the rather infertile spots that support sparse growth of any kind, the base has become the habitat of a species of bird known as the prairie horned lark. This bird has heretofore spent the winter in the South but remaining- for the summer was another thing, nesting and so forth. But today, thanks (from me) to Donaldson Air Force Base, this lark apparently has assigned himself permanently to the reservation. I saw two specimens of the type Thursday afternoon, representing- both sexes, leaving no doubt that the base had become a breeding ground. Of course, the presence of a prairie horned lark, a thousand of them, is of no moment to 99 per cent of the men, commissioned and enlisted, who are sweating out training- programs at the local air base. As a matter of fact, it takes a pair of sharp eyes to know the species are even around. They are inoffensive and make no show of themselves as they look for the poorest soil and the most out-of-the-way places for habitat. What is significant to the bird observer is the fact that a record of sum- mer presence and breeding- in the Piedmont area of South Carolina has been obtained. I am informed that only one other such record — at Columbia — is on file at the moment and the latest book on South Carolina birds makes no men- tion of even that it is so recent. But perhaps before I go further I should make it clear that I was just a witness in the matter with others due the real credit for the discovery and recording. The fellows who set the little show up were James Shuler, civilian em- ployee at the base and Captain Jack Trim, public relations officer. 1 was a beneficiary. It was the quick and alert eye of Brother Shuler who grew up under the expert wings of E. Burton Chamberlain of the Charleston Museum and Alexander Sprunt, Audubon Society field representative in Charleston, that spotted the birds. He saw the parent larks feeding young some days ago and contacted me. Surely, I wanted to see them but I don’t barge into Donaldson Air Force 48 Base, a bird book in my hand and a crazy story on my lips about wanting to see birds — not without the consent of the boys at the gate. For me to reach the unadorned spot where the birds were wont to be required the help of military channels — the good offices of Captain Trim. That courteous if unimpressed individual put his best public relations foot forward and met me at the gate, where Air Force, civilian employee and ordinary civilian formed a party of three and sallied forth to the proper spot. At first blush we saw no birds. We walked slowly across the sparsely- grassed expanse without hearing a peep. I began to fear the captain might be having booby hatch thoughts but I was so wrong. He saved the day himself. Just as we were all but giving up the quest, it fell Captain Trim’s lot to spot a non-descript little bird on the ground only 30 feet away. It was our quarry — a female prairie horned lark we decided. We all took a good look as soon as the red in Shuler’s and my faces sub- sided and all the earmarks except the ears were observed. The horns or ears just don’t show except in the book. Our look about over, I managed to hear a bird’s note and we spotted a second lark on a nearby post, singing. We stalked it and when it cooperatively flew to the earth, where there was some background, it proved to be a male, much better colored. By that time we were making progress in the direction of arousing our military escort’s interest. I was glad of that. If Captain Trim hadn’t beaten Shuler and me to the draw in seeing the first lark and hadn’t found the second of increasing interest, something beside the gate might have been closed on me. But as Shakespeare once wrote: “All’s well that ends well.” David A. Tillinghast is associate editor of the Green- ville Piedmont, Greenville, South Carolina. He writes a daily column for his paper, frequently about birds and other wildlife subjects. Mr. Tillinghast says that he, “finds a growing audience for that sort of thing and is glad to say that Greenville is more and more conscious of birds and what they mean.” VENUS'-FLYTRAP LEGISLATION Members of the Carolina Bird Club will be pleased to learn of the passage of a legislative act at the last session of the North Carolina Legislature to protect the Venus’-Flytrap from commercial exploitation. Members of the C. B. C., of the North Carolina Academy of Science, and of the Federation of Garden Clubs worked with the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development to secure the legislation which was introduced by Repre- sentative Mintz and Senator Brink of Brunswick County. 49 The act is as follows: “AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL STATUTES OF NORTH CARO- LINA SO AS TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE RARE VENUS FLY TRAP. “Section 1. G.S. 14-129 is hereby amended by inserting between the word ‘any’ and the word ‘trailing’ as the same appear in line four of said section the words ‘venus fly trap (Dionaea Muscipula)’ “Section 2. Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is hereby amended by adding a new section immediately following G.S. 14-129 and immediately preceding G.S. 14-130 to be numbered G.S. 14-129.1 and to read as follows: “G.S. 14-129.1 — in order to prevent the extinction of the rapidly disappear- ing rare and unique plant known as the venus fly trap (Dionaea Muscipula), it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell or barter or to export for sale or barter, any venus fly trap plant or any part thereof. Any person, firm or corpoi-ation violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined or imprisoned in the discretion of the court: Provided, this section shall not apply to the sale or exportation of the venus fly trap plant for the purposes of scientific ex- perimentation or study when such sale or export for such purposes has been authorized in writing by the Department of Conservation and Development. “Section 3. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. “Section 4. This Act shall become effective July 1, 1951.” Already several florists in Wilmington have hired lawyers to appear in their behalf to secure from the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development blanket permits to allow them to sell the plants for “scientific use.” No doubt these same people will attempt to have the law repealed at the next session of the legislature, on the grounds that the plant does not need protection. This offers our members an opportunity to participate in some specific conservation activity by 1) reporting any violations of this act to local police authorities and to the Director of the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, Mt-. George Ross; 2) and to tell others of the law so that they too can be on the alert for violations. Let’s all help to see that this important and valuable law is kept in force in the State and that this unusual flower, endemic to the Carolinas, is preserved for the future for people to see and enjoy. — Richard L. Weaver, Raleigh. MOURNING DOVE BULLETIN Mourning Dove Studies hi Noiih Carolina. By Thomas L. Quay. 6" x 9" paper-covered bulletin, 90 pages. Illustrated with 10 photographs, one map, one drawing. Bibliography of 56 titles. Published by N. C. Wild- life Resources Commission, Raleigh, N. C. Available free from the publisher upon request. It would doubtless be a surprise to many bird students, both amateur and professional, to learn that the Mourning Dove {Zenaidura macroiira and its races) is America’s “fourth most important game bird.” Many might view 50 this with alarm, as the saying is, and deplore the fact as such, but there is no good reason why the birds cannot so continue, and be “cropped” just as a vegetative product. In the field work on which this paper is based, the State (North Carolina) was divided into four logical regions, each offering typical conditions of weather and ecology. The map on page 8 shows these clearly. The study began July 1, 1939 and terminated October 15, 1942. The lines of investiga- tion covered nesting, population surveys, banding, examination of juve- niles, and other essential details. Illustrative of such study is the fact that “nesting success” was found to be about 50%, which checks closely with dove studies in other states. A total of 771 nests were under observation. The breeding season was found to extend from early March to late October. Nearly 1,400 adults were banded, plus 434 juveniles and 520 nestlings. Eight (8) of these were recovered from out of the State. As in similar studies elsewhere, it was noted that very little is known as yet regarding the “immediate post-nestling life of doves.” Also, that “management” is essential in the future of this species. However, if such procedure is in- telligently undertaken and followed, it is a perfectly reasonable and pos- sible avenue of maintaining a supply of these interesting and valuable birds. It is shown that shooting seasons must be better regulated and, as far as North Carolina is concerned, it is recommended that no shooting take place prior to late in October. Lack of knowledge regarding migration, cen- sus techniques, annual production, and influence of weather and agriculture now hamper management procedure. The study seems to be well conducted and clearly stated ; anyone reading the work carefully will become possessed of considerable strategic informa- tion on the dove, and will agree with the author that more work of the sort is needed. One might be inclined to take exception to the author’s inclusion of the dove as a “farm game species,” since it definitely does not depend on such management items as feed patches, or “provided” cover, and is decidedly migratory. In these respects it differs from the usual conception of a farm game species, but, after all, this point is more technical than important! As indicated elsewhere in the bulletin, dove management must be a regional procedure. In a perusal of this investigation by interested Carolinians, and certainly to this reviewer, it is a great satisfaction to realize that the author has been recently appointed to the editorship of this publication (The Chat). Such is, indeed, a long forward step in assurance that the magazine will take its place as an authoritative source of ornithological information. Dr. Quay is a scientist, with a background of biological solidarity which, one hopes and believes, will be a bulwark against much of the false sentimental- ity of bird “lovers,” so often encountered in “popular” bird magazines. More and much power to him! The Crescent, Charleston 50, S. C. 28 May 1951 Alexander Sprunt, Jr. Staff Representative National Audubon Society 51 SPRING FIELD TRIP TO WILMINGTON By Edith Settan The Carolina Bird Club’s Spring- Field Trip of 1951 -was held in Wilming- ton, North Carolina, April 27-28. Mrs. Cecil Appleberry, President of the Wilmington Natural Science Club, -was chairman of arrangements. The Ocean Terrace Hotel at Wrightsville Beach was headquarters. Thanks to the committee, cooperating with the management, the hotel was opened that week-end just for the occasion. The local club was host to the group, and as such certainly lived up to its previous reputation. The members took turns i-egistering and welcoming the 150 members and guests that came from all parts of the Carolinas. Friday afternoon was given over to registration; to greeting and chatting- together, and to some bits of binding along the beaches. At six o’clock the group, as guests of the host club, was served a delicious buffet supper in the lobby of the hotel. The service was informal, resulting in casual gi’ouping all over the lobby; and, from the sound of things everybody was enjoying each other as well as the excellent food and drinks. After the supper good fellowship was further fostered at an informal gathering in the assembly room of the hotel. The program was one of fun, stunts, quizzes, and con- tests (all Appleberry style), and of briefing on the various field trips planned for the morrow. Birding in earnest was the order of the day for Saturday, April 28. The boat trip up the Inland Waterway was the highlight for most of us. Three two-hour trips were made by the “Argo,” a lovely yacht generously made available to us by its owner, Mr. Earnest L. Willis of Columbia, South Carolina. The Captain, W. L. Ellis, was a birdman himself and very helpful to the group. This trip afforded wonderful opportunity foi- viewing, at close range and in large numbers, the picturesque shore and water birds that inhabit these banks and sandbars. Forty-eight species were identified, including Hudsonian Curlews, a flock of over 500 Black Skimmers, several Oyster Catchers, and a Bald Eagle standing on the sand. The most interesting find of the entire day was a group of four Purple Sandpipers feeding on the rock jetties right in front of the hotel head- quarters! These far northern birds typically winter no farther south than New Jersey. Unrecorded in Birds of North Carolina (Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley, 1942), Purple Sandpipers have been seen each winter in the Wilmington area ever since Bob Holmes first saw three on December 27, 1948 (C/iof 13, 1949, p. 13). At the same time as the boat trips, other trips were being conducted for the benefit of those who wanted to see special land birds. These trips to see certain “salted down” birds were very successful. Mrs. Polly Mebane led the way to Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, in the long-leaf pine woods along the road to Masonboro Sound. Mrs. Appleberry provided Prothonotary Warblers and Bachman’s Sparrows in Greenfield Park, and Mrs. Mary Urich supplied the gaudy Painted Buntings. The main feature of the afternoon was a trip by the entire delegation to Sloop Point Plantation. This interesting event was possible through the courtesy of Miss Eleanor McMillan, owner of the plantation. Miss McMillan 52 told us something- of the history of this ancient home that dates back to 1728 or earlier. She took us through the old house, famous for its doorway through the chimney, its unique stairway and paneling. It has been home to eight generations of McMillans. Birding was also good at Sloop Point. The most spectacular sight was an Osprey’s nest. Baby birds were quite active in the nest. We watched the parents catch fish and feed them to the young. Several kinds of sandpipers were feeding or resting on the Point. Painted Buntings were also found on the plantation. In the evening, everyone gathered again at the hotel to make up the list for the day. The total came to 121 species, which was 47 less than for the 21st, when the local club took their spring count. After the tally, there was appropriate entertainment. Mr. J. W. E. Joyner of Rocky Mount showed some of his excellent color movies. The subjects were mainly his own back- yard birds at his own feeders and bird houses. One series was of a Horned Lark’s nest in an open ploughed field. A very attractive picture was of his daughter feeding the Doves at Capitol Square, Raleigh. Trips to Orton and Airlee Plantations were suggested as interesting- possibilities for those who stayed over for Sunday. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING AT THE OCEAN TERRACE HOTEL, WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, WILMINGTON, N. C., APRIL 28, 1951 By Edith L. Settan, Secretary Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, President, called the C. B. C. executive board meeting in session at 7:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Ocean Terrace Hotel, Wrightsville Beach. Those present were Mrs. Wall, B. R. Chamberlain, J. W. E. Joyner, Robert Overing, R. T. Greer, Mrs. G. C. Potter, Mrs. R. W. Green, and Mrs. Edith L. Settan. Mrs. Wall announced that the object of the meeting was threefold: Ap- pointment of committee chairmen, appointment of the editor of The Chat, and planning of the year’s work. The following committee chairmen were appointed: Finance, B. R. Chamberlain; Education, Miss Mae Puett, Harry Davis; Field Trip, Mrs. Mary M. Guy, N. C., Mrs. Clyde Sisson, S. C.; Sanctuary, Miss Lunette Barber; Membership, Mrs. Key Scales, N. C., Mrs. Wm. Faver, S. C.; and Publicity, Mrs. A. W. Bachman. Next was appointment of the editor of The Chat by the executive board. This was the first time for the editor to be appointed by the board rather than elected by the membership. The change was in accordance with vote of club in business session at annual meeting in Charleston, S. C., April 30, 1950. This decision was subsequently incorporated in by-laws adopted by C. B. C. in business session at Alumnae House, W. C., Greensboro, March 3, 1951. It was then voted to have a new editor, that publication head- quarters be changed to Raleigh, and that an editorial board be appointed 53 to assist the editor. Thomas L. Quay, Associate Professor of Zoology, N. C. State College, was appointed the new editor. The following people were appointed members of the editorial board: A. D. Shaftesbury, Harry Davis, R. L. Weaver, Mrs. R. W. Green, Robert Overing, Jack Dermid, E. B. Chamberlain, B. R. Chamberlain, and Mrs. W. H. Faver. Plans for the coming year were: 1. An executive board meeting to be held in Greensboro in September. 2. A fall meeting at Lenoir, in October. 3. A mid-winter field trip to Bull’s Island, S. C. 4. The annual business meeting to be held in Raleigh in March, 1952. 5. A spring field trip to Southport. Limiting The Chat to four issues per year was favoi-ably discussed. WITH OUR MEMBERS Mrs. Charlotte Hilton Green is in northern Europe this summer, studying birds and other wildlife. Miss Lunette Barber, of the education division of the N. C. Wildlife Re- sources Commission, was guest speaker at the May meeting of the Hickory Bird Club. An editorial in the Roanoke Rajnds Daily Herald of 12 April commends the Roanoke Rapids Bird Club for its excellent work with the children of the elementary school system. Eighty-seven youngsters built and put into use bird houses and feeding stations, and the Club gave prizes for the best. At its spring meeting on 10 April, the Winston-Salem Bird Club at- tended an illustrated lecture by Dr. A. A. Allen, of Cornell University. The movies included a showing of the recent discovery of the nesting of the Bristle-thighed Curlew in Alaska. The Chapel Hill Bird Club spent a delightful week-end at Camp Bryan, near Cherry Point, N. C., on 20-22 April, as guests of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Thompson. On 18 May, the Chapel Hill Junior Bird Club was organized under the leadership of Mrs. Richard L. Weaver. Ten members of the HENDERSON Bird Club went to Barker’s Island on 18 May as week-end guests of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Flanagan of Henderson. Large numbers of migrating shore birds and numerous Painted Buntings were seen. [The editors are anxious to receive notes about the bird, wildlife, and outing activities of all the members of the C. B. C. Won’t you please keep us informed? — Editor.] The members of the Carolina Bird Club, in response to the request of the editors, have expressed interest in a wide variety of subject matter. The only way The Chat can offer wider coverage is through increased member- ship. New memberships after August 1 will be effective for all of 1952. Active members are urged to consider becoming Sustaining members. It would be of the greatest value to the future of the C. B. C. if each old member would try to enroll one new member this fall. 54 GENERAL FIELD NOTES B. R. Chamberlain, Departmoit Editor (The purposes of this Department are to encourage systematic field work, and to record the results. Your contributions should meet a two-fold re- quirement. They should be interesting' to read, and therefore attractive; and they must be dependable. General Field Notes will welcome descriptive data on occurrences and general behavior in bird life. Long articles will be considered for printing elsewhere in the bulletin. (Most of the Notes on occurrences will be based upon identification by sight or sound. In spite of colored field guides and coated lenses, such ob- servations are only what we believe we see or hear, and we not only must convince ourselves, but we must convince our critics of our accuracy. No one is infallible, but the chance of error is greatly reduced when the ob- server knows thoroughly what birds to expect at a given place and time. Armed with that knowledge he will anticipate doubt at the moment of observation and give an unusual find the careful checking it requires. Also, it is helpful to bear in mind that a record adding to the general pattern of occurrence is ordinarily of more value than a record of the accidental oc- currence of a species. For, aside from the satisfaction of seeing the unusual, the misplaced bird is surely the victim of weather, or disease, or other interference. And too, the absence of a species from a favorable location may be more significant than its presence there. (Our burning desire to identify promptly everything that jumps ahead of us is most natural but it can cause great embarrassment. We will do well to accept the fact that there are a good many birds that simply cannot be identified with certainty by sight alone, and to enjoy the ones we can be certain of. (To reduce the possibility of publishing errors, questionable data will be passed on to a group of advisors for agreement in handling. An understand- ing contributor will interpret a rejection as a move to protect rather than to injure his good name, and we hope he will continue to report his ob- servations. (Our determination to strengthen this Department is intensified by the present inability of the leading national ornithological journals to find space for the mass of material presented to them. The Chat, as a regional publication, is the natural outlet for observations in this area. It is our job and intention to make the records we print second to none in dependa- bility.— Dept. Ed.) Late Loon and Scaups at Rocky Mount. N. C. An adult Common Loon in full breeding plumage spent about four weeks on City Lake but finally was found dead on May 27, 1951, in a very emaciated condition. Its upper bill was broken, probably while here. It had become quite tame and was often observed catching and eating fish. On June 14, 1951, Bob Overing dropped in and together we checked over City Lake where we were much surprised to find five Lesser Scaups, two males and three females. I have seen scaup there as late as May 5, but wasn’t prepared to see them again before fall. One of the males seemed to be less clearly marked than the other and Overing and I speculated upon this being a family group of two old birds and three young. — J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mouvt, N. C. 55 Seabirds Off Shore. — Dr. Henry Kritzler has furnished the following notes on his observations off the coast of North Carolina in the Beaufort area: During the last week in January, 1951, while cruising in a small boat in the vicinity of Beaufort Bar, he had the good fortune to see a Razor- billed Auk suddenly pop up to the surface along side of the boat with a fish in its beak. On May 2, 1951, while some ten or twelve miles east of Knuckle Bouy, Cape Lookout, he watched four Pomerine Jaegers and two Wilson’s Petrels. These deep-sea birds probably appear in fair numbers off the Caro- lina coast. The petrels certainly do. But few of our birders get out to see them. — B. R. Chamberlain, Matthews, N. C. (Dr. Kritzler is Resident Investigator at Duke Marine Laboratory at Beaufort, coming to this State from Florida where he was Curator of the famous Marine Studios. He obtained his Doctorate at the University of Iowa. His birth and residence in New York City enabled him to be associated with prominent ornithologists there. His interest in birds began in his childhood. — Dept. Ed.) Breeding Records and Other Notes from the Beaufort, N. C., Area, 1951. Lennoxville heronry site not occupied this year. Newport River and Middle Marsh heronries are occupied, but not visited closely enough to count. The usual kinds of herons around in the harbor in about the same numbers as previous years. Clapper Rail. One family with one-third grown young on June 20. One freshly destroyed nest on June 27. One nest with seven eggs hatched suc- cessfully on July 12. Willet. Two nests, each with four eggs, twenty feet apart on dune top on Town Marsh, June 17. One deserted on 22nd, and other on 26th. Shark Shoal Colony. When first examined on June 10 contained: Gull- billed Teim, two pairs; Common Tern, about 30 pairs; Least Tern, 40-50 pairs; Black Skimmer, about 110 pairs. By June 30, half the Least Tern young were fiying. Storms and much human interference have interrupted the Common Terns and Skimmers, and many of these birds were still with eggs and young on July 12th. Nighthawks. About ten pairs nesting on Town Marsh during June. One nest with one egg on July 6, and a nest with a small chick on July 7. Pied-billed Grebe. One bird seen on June 24, and again on July 12. Wilson’s Petrel. One bird seen on June 16 at Cape Lookout, and eight were seen on June 29, off Atlantic Beach. White Ibis. On July 18, Will Hon saw four of these birds in a flock of some 200 herons at the crossing of Highway 70 over North River, about seven miles from Beaufort. (This is place at which Pearson found three immature birds on July 26, 1898. Breeding colonies of White Ibises have recently been found as far north as Lumberfon, N. C. — see Chat 14 (4) :50. — Dept. Ed.) Oystercatcher. Four adults in harbor every day. Black-bellied Plover. Four on June 25, in winter plumage. Black Tern. First one seen on July 7. Three on July 12. Cape Lookout, July 13: Brown Pelican, 2; Hudsonian Curlew, 48, all to- gether; Gull-billed Tern, 5; Barn Swallow, 38 nests in two abandoned shacks — about 12 nests still active, with freshly hatched young; English Sparrow, 32; Meadowlark, 15 — one nest freshly evacuated. — T. L. Quay. WTll Hon, and Norman B. McCulloch, Jr. July Banding Trip to Pea Island. The annual Pea Island banding expedi- tion, under the direction of Harry Davis, was conducted on July 17, 18 and 19. 'The participants, besides Mr. Davis, were: Dr. John Grey, Williamsburg, Virginia; Bill Joyner, Rocky Mount; Paul Campbell, Bill Palmer, and N. B. McCulloch, Jr., Raleigh; and Manager L. B. Turner and Patrolman Phillips, of the Pea Island Refuge. On the afternoon of the 17th. the group visited Green Island, a small grassy island one mile west of the Pea Island side of Oregon Inlet. Three hundred Laughing Gulls were banded, and perhaps 75 to 100 more left unhanded for lack of bands at the time. There were several nests of Common Terns still with eggs. 56 On the 18th, at Little Jack Island, west of New Inlet, bandings were: Laughing- Gull — 14, Louisiana Heron — 18, Snowy Egret — 9, American Egret — 3, Little Blue Heron — 1. Long-billed Marsh Wrens were very much in evidence. One Seaside Sparrow nest with four eggs was located. Nearby Big Jack Island, the location of a large Royal Tern colony in 1949, was deserted. Wind and water have cut this island to half the size of the 1949 site. On the 19th, Green Island could not be revisited due to bad weather. The Spoils Islands above Oregon Inlet were checked, but no birds were found. These islands have been used in past years by both Laughing Gulls and Black Skimmers. The total number of birds banded, 345, was considerably lower than for Pea Island visits of past years. This was due principally to the absence of Royal Terns, and it is to be hoped that they will relocate in the area next year. — N. B. McCulloch, Jr. Black Terns in the Spartanburg, S. C. Area. On May 30, 1951, Harold Correll and I saw at Zimmerman Lake a Black Tern. The weather was partly cloudy but we both had binoculars (7 x 35 and 7 x 50) and we had good views of the single bird over a period of an hour or more. On June 23, at the same place we saw a Black Tern again. This time under a hot clear sky. This bird did not seem quite so black on the underparts as the one seen May 30, nor were the wings and back quite so dark. We think they were different individuals. — Gabriel Cannon, Spartayibiirg, S. C. Sparrow Hawk Nests on Bank Building. For the past two years I have noticed from time to time a Sparrow Hawk flying over the top of a local bank building, right on the “Times Square” of this metropolis (Rocky Mount, N. C.). I asked a friend, whose office is on the fifth floor of another bank across the street, to keep a look-out and determine if this bird were feeding, as I suspected, on the sparrows and Starlings so commonly seen downtown. On May 10, 1951, this friend told me he believed the hawk had a nest in a stone opening for a gutter and downspout. On June 12, this was confirmed as two young appeared and were fed on the threshold by the old bird. On June 15, the young female made her maiden flight, but by dark worked her way back into the nest. The next morning both young had flown and haven’t been seen since. While watching these hawks, the old birds were never seen disturbing any of the sparrows who nested just beneath the overhang of the bank only a few feet from the hawk nest. The old bird was seen to work many blocks away from the nest and was never observed bringing in any large food. — J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount, N. C. (Aside from the unusual nesting site, this note is interesting on other counts. Sparrow Hawks ordinarily lay four to five eggs, which possibly was the case here, but only two young were seen. Also, the statement that the female first attempted flight adds to the frequent accounts of greater aggressiveness on the part of female nestlings of these little falcons. — Dept. Ed.) Winter Record of Black and White Warbler. Evidence that the Black and White Warbler is a hardy bird and easily withstands low temperatures is found in two unusually late observations at my home in Greensboro, N. C. On November 27, 1950, I observed with binoculars a Black and White Warbler foraging in the oaks in our yard for approximately half an hour. The bird was seen fairly late in the afternoon which was heavily overcast following a clear morning. Temperature at the time of observation was about at freezing. A few days prior to and through daylight of Friday, November 24, tem- peratures had been moderate. High for the 24th was 60 degrees. The tem- perature tumbled to about 13 degrees by 8:30 the following morning (Saturday). Rain, followed by sleet and snow, accompanied the freeze. Dur- ing Saturday, temperature rose slightly. Sunday was fair and slightly warmer, with the weather and temperature conditions already indicated prevailing on Monday, the day the bird was observed. 57 Again, on Monday, January 1, 1951, I observed a Black and White Warbler working the same trees. The bird (same one?) was seen clearly and for several minutes. Temperatures that day ranged from low of 21 degrees to high (about 4 p.m.) of 40 degrees. In both instances, the bird was very active and showed no observable signs of discomfort or suffering due to low temperatures. — John A. McLeod, Jr., Greensboro, N. C. Prothonotary Warbler Nesting on the Yadkin River. — I had the good luck on Saturday, June 23, 1951 of seeing final proof of the Prothonotary Warbler nesting near New London, some two hundred miles from the coast. I had heard them for several years at that location and was fully convinced they nested there but I had no proof. On this particular Saturday I was seated at a spot on the Yadkin River when a flash of brilliant orange appeared before me in a low bush near the water. Soon a very ratty and mottled look- ing young bird came by and was fed by his brilliant father. I believe that this place on the river, five miles northeast of New London, is one of the finest places for birding at practically any season in this area. It consists of a mile stretch along an old logging road that closely follows the river banks. The road starts under the bridge that spans the river and ends farther up among huge rocks that border the river. The woods along the river are thick and lush with large, straight tulip poplars, many sweet gums and practically all of the deciduous trees found in this section. Between the road and the river is some underbrush, a few patches of cane and several openings made by fishermen and campers. This year alone I have found four nests of Hooded Warblers at this place. Besides these, Kentucky, Yellow-throated, and Pine Warblers and Redstarts are nesting here. — John Trott, Jr., Neiv London, N. C. Worm-eating Warbler in Mid-Summer. — We are indebted to Mrs. Edith L. Settan for the following notes from an article she prepared for a local newspaper. Mrs. Settan’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. R. E. Settan, who lives on the outskirts of Greensboro, N. C., was on her screened porch on June 17, 1951, when a small bird flew ag:ainst the screen and was stunned. She picked the bird up and it appeared to be uninjured and in a short time it had revived sufficiently tp take worms offered it, and soon to fly. After an unsuccessful first flight against the screen again, it was released in the yard where it flew to a nearby tree. While the bird was captive it appeared to be entirely unafraid and she had no difficulty in identifying it. — B. R. Chamberlain, Matthews, N. C. Spring Migration of Bobolinks at Raleigh. — It is sometimes difficult to obtain a picture of the migratory passage of a species, since most of us are limited to an occasional day in the field. The impression is that most true migi'ants come and go in a matter of a week or two, but this was not true of Bobolinks in the Raleigh area this spring. Daily checks were made in- cidental to the operation of a Mourning Dove trapline one mile south of North Carolina State College, and Bobolinks were found in this area every day from April 26 to May 30. A single bird occurred on June 4, extending the migratory period to forty days. The following day, June 5, was my last in the area. The April 26 observation included approximately 20 males. Concentrations grew to a peak of 300 birds or more between May 3 and 10. During this period, males comprised more than eighty per cent of the population. By- May 20, approximately 200 birds were present, 95 per cent of which were females. Thereafter the numbers were: May 24 — 150 females (est.), 3 males; May 28 — 30 females, 1 male; May 29 — 6 females; May 30 — 1 female; June 4 — 1 male. The Bobolink migration coincided exactly with the flowering of the purple vetch (Vicki sativa). Manv fields in the area were covered with this vetch, and all large flocks of Bobolinks were gathered in either vetch or barley. Groups of 25 to 100 birds at a time often worked deep into the tangled vegetation. When such a group was flushed, a few of the birds often struggled for many seconds before breaking through the cover. Several birds 58 were almost caug’ht while in such difficulty. Although these birds often came in contact with the funnel-type dove traps, halted with cracked corn and wheat, none entered. — Norman B. McCulloch, Jr., Haleiyh, N. C. Off-color Summer Tanager. — A female Summer Tanager flew in the window of the Science Building of Queen’s College on the morning of May 10, 1951. The bird was orange suffused with gray on wings and tail. When I held it in my hands after capturing it with an insect net, I noticed its very yellow bill and a yellow spot on the top if its head. On May 23, about 6:30 p.m., I saw a female tanager with almost identical coloring. The bird’s tail was a bright orange and underneath appeared al- most as vivid as the orange of the Baltimore Oriole. Sunlight was on the tanager so perhaps this intensified the colors. She flew to a piece of scaf- folding on the Myers Park Baptist Church and tugged unsuccessfully at some rags tied around a beam. The next morning I saw the female tanager flying in this same area, and on the 27th, a pair was there. I watched the female gathering spider webs m her bill and thought she had begun con- structing a nest in a willow oak. The next day I looked for the nest but could not find it. — Sarah Node, Dept, of Zoology, Queen’s College, Char- lotte, N. C. (Ridgeway’s detailed description of the adult female Summer Tanager notes the yellow on the top of the whole head (“pileum”) rather than a spot of yellow, and does not mention the orange body color. Pough, however, re- fers to it as orange-yellow. Certainly the pronounced orange is unusual. — Dept. Ed.) Cardinal Versus Palmetto. — At Charleston, S. C., on June 23, 1951, I was shown the body of an adult male Cardinal that Mr. Ellison Williams had picked up the day before under the shrubbery in his yard near South Battery. The bird had attempted to crush a palmetto seed and had succeeded in splitting it across the left back edge of its lower mandible, where it had become so firmly and closely fixed as to prevent the bird closing its mouth or dislodging it. The dark, smooth skin of the berry gave it every appearance of a horny growth on the Cardinal’s bill. Upon prying it off with the blade of a pocket knife, no discoloration was noticed that might have indicated the length of time it had been carried, nor did the bird appear to be emaciated, but it seems most certain that the seed was the cause of its death, either directly or indirectly. Mr. Williams said that the cook had seen the bird trying to feed at the feeding shelf outside the window, and fall to the ground where it thrashed about until it died, and that no other birds were around. This eliminated the idea of possible attack upon the disabled bird. The fruit of the cabbage palmetto (Sahal Palmetto), at this season has long since dropped, excepting a very few completely dried berries remaining in an otherwise bare cluster of stems. However, under each tree where the ground is favorable, a quantity of the berries with very hard shells and firm cores may be found. It was such a berry that the powerful beak of this Cardinal had cut into. In an earlier and softer stage, palmetto berries are eaten by a number of birds, including gulls, jays, mockingbirds, blackbirds, and grackles. — B. R. Chamberlain, Matthews, N.C. Random Notes from Eastern North Carolina. At Lake Ellis, Carteret County, N. C., on June 7, and 8, I observed, in addition to the more common birds, a Pied-billed Grebe, a pair of Anhingas, and dozens of Purple Gal- linules. I am confident that these birds were nesting, but I believe the first Purple Gallinule nest in North Carolina is yet to be found. In Mount Olive, N. C., I saw a Blue-winged Warbler on May 5 — a rather rare migrant here. Young Wood Ducks were seen on the pond on June 4. On June 6 I observed a pair of Redstarts which probably indicates that the species should be considered a rare breeding bird here instead of merely a migrant, as I have previously re,garded them. The male was in immature plumage, which is in accord with Brimley’s statement concerning the breed- ing Redstarts around Raleigh. Probably this is the eastern limit of their breeding range in North Carolina. — Robert Holmes, III, Mount Olive, N. C. 59 THE 1951 SPRING COUNT By B. R. Chamberlain, Department Editor The Spring Count is growing in popularity in our terihtory. This year, one hundred birders, in nine groups reported participation. The Christmas Census is national, or rather, international, in scope and should be supported for that reason if for no other. However, in many of our interior areas, the scarcity of birds in mid-winter, and the possibility of unpleasant weather, are sometimes discouraging. In the spring, thanks to late wintering departures and early bi'eeder arrivals, and waves of migrants pushing north, almost any community in the Carolinas holds a good bird population, with an enjoyable absence of “confusing fall warblers.” Lack of details for some of the points in the 1951 count prevents full com- parison of over-all figures. The weather was generally mild, following a somewhat extended winter. There were several noteworthy contributions. At Beaufort, Prairie Warblers and Painted Buntings were particularly plentiful. Wilmington, with their usual good coverage, found 168 species, and about 2,850 individuals. Their Brown Creeper and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker were a bit late for the coast. At Raleigh, two late Holboell’s Grebes were carefully watched by one of the groups. There was special success at Henderson with warblers. At Greensboro, a Ruddy Duck, seen by Oscar Paris, was late. A Black Rail was observed by George Smith, and later by Dr. Shaftesbury and Hal Strickland. This was a rare treat. Not many of these sparrow-size rails are seen, although they probably are not rare. The Fox Sparrow at Greens- boro was just about one month late, leading us to suspect an injured bird. The total number of species recorded was 208. Since the number of in- dividuals was not noted in all cases, tbe following abbreviations are used in the table; A for abundant and C for common, at Beaufort; — for the record of the species in any number, at Henderson, Eastover and Winston-Salem; number in ( ) for number of groups which recorded the species, at Greensboro. TABLE 1. List of Species, 1951 Spring Count. SPECIES Localities in approximate order of altitude, from Beaufort and Wilmington on the coast to Lenoir at 1,130 feet. s c o e S3 > ® o c oi CO p Q 04 Common Loon Red-throated Loon Holboell’s Grebe Horned Grebe Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican Gannet Cormorant ( Vhalarrocorax auritufi) . . Great Blue Heron American Egret Snowy Egret Louisiana Heron Little Blue Heron » ■ ■ 3 1 6 (2) 31 5 1 13 1 3 4 2 — 1 12 1 - 8 (> C 4 2 2 60 Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron American Bittern Canada Goose Black Duck Gadwall Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Wood Duck Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Duck Lesser Scaup Duck Ruddy Duck Hooded Merganser American Merganser Red-breasted Merganser . . . Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Bald Eagle Marsh Hawk Osprey Sparrow Hawk Bob-white King Rail Clapper Rail Virginia Rail Sora Rail Black Rail Florida Gallinule Coot Oyster-catcher Semipalmated Plover Wilson’s Plover Killdeer Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wilson’s Snipe Hudsonian Curlew Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Willet Greater Yellow-legs Lesser Yellow-legs Knot Purple Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Red-backed Sandpiper Dowitcher Semipalmated Sandpiper . . . Western Sandpiper Sanderling Herring Gull Ring-billed Gull Laughing Gull Bonaparte’s Gull Forster’s Tern Common Tern Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Black Skimmer Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Screech Owl E 4/ 2 3 1 2 1 21 1 1 6 1 12 3 3 26 1 8 2 1 1 1 3 2 4 1 2 2 8 3 3 31 1 13 1 3 66 3 6 C 9 3 3 30 12 10 A 8 C 2 7 4 15 29 15 11 8 3 3 C 36 2 8 5 2 C 56 C 200 3 150 C 6 5 4 2 A 6 5 2 3 C 100 C 29 2 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 I 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 4 25 9 6 ■ 2 2 2 1 2 2 (7) ( 1 ) (1) (1) (1) (2) (1) (1) — (5) — (2) — (1) (2) — (2) — (4) (3) - (2) (1) - (7) (T) (11 (1) (2) (3) (1) (21 (1) 1 (11 2 (11 22 9 — (11) 2 (71 (11 (21 3 34 4 3 61 o . S s 23S Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Chuck-will’s-widow Whip-poor-will Night Hawk 3 Chimney Swift C Ruby-throated Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker 3 Yellow-b Sapsucker Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Red-cockaded Woodpecker Eastern Kingbird 2 Crested Flycatcher 3 Phoebe 1 Acadian Flycatcher Wood Pewee Horned Lark Tree Swallow Bank Swallow . . . . Rough-winged Swallow 1 Barn Swallow 8 Purple Martin 3 Blue Jay 2 Crow 3 Fish Crow 3 Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Wren Carolina Wren 3 Long-billed Marsh Wren Short-billed Marsh Wren Mockingbird C Catbird 3 Brown Thrasher 2 Robin Wood Thrush Hermit Thrush Olive-backed Thrush . Veery Bluebird Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Loggerhead Shrike ... Starling White-eyed Vireo 3 Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo sol i tariua ) Red-eyed Vireo 3 Black and White Warbler . . . Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Golden-winged Warbler Blue-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Parula Warbler Yellow Warbler Magnolia Warblei' Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Myrtle Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler £ oj c 0 c C ed m 5 ^ s? % 'O c >> j: £ >■ f >. U IM 01 • > ® O'M 0 eO 09 c ^ ol >> c C c ■ - Id $>> r ft q; eg 3 2 si ws ajS PS ws OS ^S hJS 2 1 (1) 1 2 1 — (3l — 11 (ll 2 1 — (4) — 4 1 (3i — 14 — 32 93 — (11) — 21 4 — 3 — (8) — 7 3 6 — (3) !l — 10 1 (11) — 2 4 4 1 5 (> 2 2 — (6) (3) — y 1 1 9 4 1 (3) 1 4 — 10 10 — (10) — 5 12 O •J — 12 3 — (7) — 7 — 16 2 — (9) — 2 — 4 3 (9) — 5 1 — 4 4 — (6) — 2 3 — 10 23 — (10) — 6 (1) 4 15 (1) 8 2 — 25 (6) — 3 29 6 (4) — 45 2 (2) 28 — 30 4 — (10) — 8 16 — 10 i) — (9) — 6 37 27 — 14 13 — (111 — 13 20 — 18 12 — (11) — 10 — 2 1 (9) — 2 23 — 6 2 — (2) 1 4 — 6 7 (8) — 3 18 — 18 15 — (11) — 14 2 3 21 — 22 5 — (10) — 3 9 — 15 26 — (10) — 18 14 — 18 6 — (10) — 13 20 — 42 35 ( 11 ) — 46 4 — 23 38 — (11 ) — 24 2 ( 1 ) 2 — 1 1 (10) — 2 (2) — 1 27 — 46 17 — (10) — 11 — 16 3 — (6) — 14 10 1 100 39 — 15 15 (3) — 8 2 35 — (6) — 100 — 200 17 — (9) — 12 15 — 12 4 — (6) — 1 6 — 18 1 — (8) — 2 8 2 (3) 22 — 34 — (11) — 7 2 — 6 1 (7) — 1 18 — — (1 ) — 2 (1) 21 8 4 (8) 2 — 4 2 (6) — 7 — 12 (6) — 1 (4) — 6 — 10 2 (5) 1)5 28 (8) — 7 9 — (4) — 62 Cerulean Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Black-poll Warbler . Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Oven-bird Louisiana Water-Thrush Kentucky Warbler Connecticut Warbler Yellow-throat Yellow-breasted Chat Hooded Warbler Canada Warbler Redstart English Sparrow Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Boat-tailed Crackle Crackle ( Quiscalu.f quincula) . . . Cowbird Scarlet Tanager Summer Tanager Cardinal Rose-breasted Crosbeak Blue Crosbeak Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Purple Finch Coldfinch Towhee Savannah Sparrow Crasshopper Sparrow Henslow’s Sparrow Sharp-tailed Sparrow Seaside Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Bachman’s Sparrow Slate-colored Junco Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Fox Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Song Sparrow Total Species o C c O u CO in 1 0 OS C CM 0 s: £ > ^ C X3 93 c 0 Sr c >» S >* CO >. O'M « >• C 1 >■ 113^ c >. *0 c >> - a. 0) KS pc!S 3 Q CO s s ^ ws r co oS r er year, includeil in all memberships. Annual membership dues: Regular — $1.00, Supporting— $.5!oO, Afliliated Club— $2.U(), Contributing— $25.00, Life — $100.00. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to the Treasurer. Correspondence about change of address, back numbers, iind numbers not received should be sent to Harry Davis at Ihe N. C. State Museum, Raleigh. Vol. XV November 1951 No. 5 CONTENTS Wood Duck photo, by Jack Dermid, courtesy N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission Front Cover Membershij) In The Carolina Bird Club. Margaret Y. Wall 65 Bull’s Island. WJIliam P. BaUhvhi 66 Mount Pleasant And The Low Country. B. R. Chamberlain 68 Additions To Summer Birds Of Lake Summit, N. C. D. J. Nicholson 69 A Summer Trip To Lennon’s Marsh. Thomas IT. Simpson 70 Immature White Ibises At Plymouth, N. C., Heronry. Robert L. W^olff 73 Bird Notes From Cape Hatteras. John E. W’illoaghby 74 A. O. U. Meets In Montreal, Canada. Alex. Sprtoit, Jr 75 The Christmas Census. B. R. Chamberlain 76 Notes From Elkin, N. C. E. M. Model and Linville Hendren 77 General Field Notes Backyard Birding Among Our Members Education And Conservation Club News Midwinter Field Trip, Announcement of Back Cover . MEMBERSHIP IN THE CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Margaret Y. Wall, President The time has come in the history of the Carolina Bird Club when, to move forward and achieve our purposes as stated in our Charter (Sept. 1949 Chat), we must increase our membership. This is a personal appeal to each C. B. C. member to help. I wish to give you some of the facts in regard to the financial status of our Club, of which you may or may not be aware. We have long been in need of additional funds to carry on the work of the Club. Many of the members anticipated such needs and, consequently, the by-laws committee recommended that regular dues be raised to two dollars. The amount of money received from 700 members who paid two dollars and from 50 members who paid five dollars would have been sufficient; however, the majority of those who attended the 1950 annual meeting in Greensboro voted to keep regular membership dues at one dol- lar, thus making it possible for more people to become members. I agree with this plan if we can increase our membership. We can not carry on even the minimum activities of the Club with the present income of around $875.00 per year. B. R. Chamberlain, our finance chairman, presented the annual budget at the Lenoir meeting. While this budget is a very modest one, it calls for $1,241.00 for the year. Some of you may ask, “Why do we need more money?” One of our greatest needs is to meet the increasing cost of printing The Chat. I feel sure that any member who has had printing done recently is aware that costs have advanced. Then, too, the Executive Committee is anxious to provide you with the kind of magazine that many of you have expressed yourselves as wishing to have, i.e.,. more pages, more pictures, and broader coverage. My suggestion for meeting this urgent need is for all possible one-dollar regular members to become five-dollar supporting members. If you can not become a supporting member, won’t you try to get at least three new one-dollar members (1952 dues) by January 1, 1952? The Carolina Bird Club is a wonderful organization. Member- ship in the Club makes a good Christmas gift. Won’t you let your friends know about the Club? I am counting on each of you. November 1951 65 BULL'S ISLAND William P. Baldwin Several islands along the coast of South Carolina are named “Bull’s Island,” but to ornithologists and naturalists there is but one BULL’S ISLAND — that one to be visited in Charleston County, S. C., by the Carolina Bird Club on its mid-winter field trip. Now a unit of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Bull’s Island’s 5,190 acres were added to that refuge in 1936. To those who have never visited the area, a few comments may ready them for an interesting experience. The Sewee Indians formerly used Bull’s Island for a camping ground, as witnessed to by remnant oyster-shell kitchen middens in the wooded western edge of the island. Their name of “Onisecaw” for the island died with their culture, but their tribal name is preserved in “Sewee Bay,” an opening in the three-mile wide salt marsh that separates Bull’s Island from the mainland. Recorded history dates back to March 15, 1670, when the “Carolina” landed the first English settlers of this particular coastal section. One of the passengers on that voyage was Colonel Stephen Bull, and in some manner his name became associated with the island. The subtropical aspect of the island must have been a surprise to the English settlers of 1670, just as it is today to visitors coming from more deciduous climes. Regardless of season, one is met by a forest of greenery. Overstory species in the 1,500 acres of forest are loblolly pine, live oak, laurel oak, cabbage palmetto, and magnolia. The dense overstory permits understory growth of shade-tolerant red bay, yaupon, young cabbage palmetto, wax-myrtle, and holly. In poorly-drained sections of the forest virgin pines are laced to the aged oaks and tall palmettoes by a riotous mass of vines — muscadine, greenbriars, yellow jessamine, supplejack, peppervine, Virginia creeper, and poison ivy. Mingled with this latticework of vinery are the tree-borne festoons of Spanish moss, mistletoe, and tree polypody fern. This hammock-type forest contains a breeding bird population that lacks such common species as the Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, and Catbird, and some of the swamp-nesting species (found in the nearby Santee River swamps) which one might expect to find here. Studies in 1946 revealed a 100-acre segment of woods to be supporting 169 breeding pairs in late May. The Parula Warbler was most abundant (with 29 pairs) while other prin- ciple species were Pine Warbler (23.5 pairs). Cardinal (23.5), Carolina Wren (22), Crested Flycatcher (11), White-eyed Vireo (10), Red-eyed Vireo (8), Yellow-throated Warbler (8), Chuck-will’s-widow (6), Painted Bunting (6) and ten other species (22 pairs). Published accounts of the nationwide Christmas Bird Census indicate what one can expect to find in the winter, as the island always has been included in the local census trip. Naturally, only remnants of the summer- ing population will be seen during a January visit, but this lack will be offset by the wintering waterfowl population. In the 900 acres of diked fresh- and brackish-water ponds one can view the waterfowl best in 66 The Chat October-November, the peak of migration. Even in January, however, a search will find the 20 or more species of waterfowl present each winter. It is difficult to state exactly what the waterfowl population will be this winter, since many of our ponds, dependent on rainfall water-supply, have been dry all summer. Hence the preferred, submerged aquatics (the tropical banana waterlily, sago pondweed, widgeongrass) will be in short supply. Some of this was produced by the deeper-water areas, and exposed marsh flats grew excellent stands of giant foxtail, wild millet, smartweeds, bul- rushes, spikerushes and other good waterfowl food-plants. Here also can be seen four species of cattails (all that occur in North America), geneially undesirable in water fowl marsh management except for cover. The woods and their central strip of diked ponds and marshes will yield views not only of waterfowl, wading birds, hawks, eagles, and woodpeckers, but also raccoons, deer, perhaps an otter or basking alligator, and surely the introduced fox squirrels and Wild Turkeys. If the half-hour boat trip through the salt marsh (no billboards), or a walk along the ten miles of beautiful woodland roads (no filling stations), has not satisfied the visitor’s eagerness for birding there is still a choice of 375 acres of rolling dunes (no cottages), six miles of ocean beach (no bath- ing beauties), and 2,000 acres of salt marsh (no easy walking) for explora- tion. Winter or summer, such a trip should yield a larger bird list than one can make anywhere else on 5,000 acres of Carolina lowland. For some reason, “out of range” birds seem to like the Cape Remain area, and rarities are continually found at Bull’s Island. A quick review of South Carolina Bird Life, will indicate the large number of unusual records made at this station. Thus, one can see such frequent winter residents as the Brown Pelican, Gannet, three scoters. Oyster-catcher, Black Skimmer, Duck Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Ipswich Sparrow, and the varieties of Sharp- tailed Sparrows. Or, one might see rarer winter visitors (that have been recorded here in the past) , as Holboell’s Grebe, European Teal, Old Squaw, Harlequin Duck, Rough-legged Hawk, Snowy Owl, Long-billed Curlew, and the Arkansas Kingbird. Bull’s Island is a wonderful place to visit, whether one is seeking birds, botanizing, surf-fishing, or just attempting to “get away from it all. The mid-winter trip of the Carolina Bird Club to this point should be an eventful outing, with a bird list that will run from Gannets to Gobblers, Turnstones to Teal— and who knows what rarities?— Fort Wentworth, Georgia, 16 Oc- tober 1951. [For accounts of recent field trips to the Bull’s Island area see The Chat as follows: 14(2) :25-28, 13(3) :41-44, 12(2) : 23-25.— Editor.] [Mr. William P. Baldwin is Wildlife Management Biologist for the south- eastern states coastal refuges of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He has worked in the Virginia to Florida area for the past thirteen years, including two years’ residence on Bull’s Island. His office is at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Point Wentworth, Ga., and his home is in Bluffton, S. C. — Editor.] November 1951 67 MOUNT PLEASANT AND THE LOW COUNTRY B. R. Chamberlain Strung along the South Carolina coast from Bull’s Island to Charleston are Capers’, Dewees’, Isle-of-Palms, and Sullivan’s Islands, all barrier beaches separated from the mainland by two to four miles of creek-cut salt marsh. Directly behind O’Sullivan’s Island, the ‘O’ forgotten these past 100 years or more, and connected to it by a modern causeway and bridge, is the village of Mount Pleasant, overlooking Charleston harbor. Here the mainland takes on the nature of a “Sea Island,” for the broad Wando River, swinging sharply from its junction with the Cooper, cuts well to the north and then curves back toward the sea. Beyond the Wando, stretching paral- lel to the coast, are the famed cypress swamp areas that provided back- waters to be impounded and tapped at will to flood the rice fields that founded the wealth of the Carolina Low Country. Here then is the setting for our January field trip. Here is the country that attracted Lawson, Catesby, Bartram, Wilson, Bachman, Audubon, and a host of others. Here is the work shop of the late Arthur Wayne, who added, from these very acres, 47 species of birds to South Carolina’s already long list. To begin at the sea, the beaches proper may not offer many birds late in January. A loon, a few pelicans, a string of cormorants, a scoter or two, and an off-shore raft of sea ducks and mergansers might be expected. Also, an Osprey, scattered flocks of sandpipers and plovers, and a few idling gulls and terns may show up. Beyond the houses of the Isle-of-Palms, around the sand dunes, luck might lead to a wintering Ground Dove. Behind these dunes, topped with sea-oats and backed by wax-myrtle, some suggestion of the woods on Bull’s Island remains. Live oaks, palmettoes, and loblolly pines make shade for the holly and cassina (the Christmas berry of the Low Country), and the all but impenetrable tangle of jassamine, smilax, and wild grape. The salt marshes may be more rewarding for us. Tide will be low at 1:80 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, and from the causeway (Highway 703), when tide is low and the marsh bordered mud flats are exposed, fiddler-crabs come out and lesser creatures stir, and the birds come. For the inland folks, the Oyster-catchers, and Turnstones, and a chance Hudsonian Curlew will be a treat. Possibly a Wood Ibis will come. Clapper Rails will be there if all others fail, and herons. And in the open water, grebes and ducks. On the mainland, beneath the live oaks along the highway to Georgetown, Negroes exhibit their handiwork for sale to the tourist. Do you have a pine needle basket or tray? You will want one. They are made here. They were made when this highway was paved with oystershells, and before that. Sweet gum is here, and loblolly pine. A little to the north are deer. Pileated Woodpeckers are about, for there are tall dead trees to be examined. There are wintering warblers and White-eyed Towhees. The rare Bachman’s Warbler was discovered and re-discovered nearby. And so was Swainson’s Warbler. 68 The Chat Ill the swamps, Anhingas and ibises nest because cypress trees stand in the black water and there are fish. And there are water lilies and lotus and duckweed and fallen limbs and quiet. This is the swamp. By January the ibises are gone. A few Anhingas winter. By this particular January the water may be gone, for the great drought of 1951 has been severe. As to human history, there will be plenty of that in January. Washington did not sleep here, but Sergeant Jasper was very much awake when he restored the flag at Fort Sullivan in 1776. Seventy years earlier the Charles- ton boys bottled up a wayward Frenchman in Sewee Bay. But let the his- torian Simms tell you about that. The more modern writers will fill you in on the men who fired on Fort Sumter in 1860, for that was only yesterday. ADDITIONS TO SUMMER BIRDS OF LAKE SUMMIT, N. C. Donald J. Nicholson The following list of ten species should be added to the sixty-two pub- lished in the May-Septeinber 1951 issue of The Chat (15:39-41). Only the Great Horned Owl was added in 1951. My records on the other nine species were not available to me earlier. 1. Great Blue Heron. One or two seen each July of 1945, 1947, and 1948. No evidence of nesting. 2. Little Blue Heron. Three or four immatures seen feeding around the shoreline in July of 1945 and 1948. 3. Green Heron. One to three seen every July and August 1945-1951. Probably nests in the marsh along Green River near Tuxedo. 4. Black-crowned Night Heron. One heard “quawking” as it flew over the lake one night in late July 1950. 5. Spotted Sandpiper. Two seen in late July 1949, and one in early August 1951. 6. Great Horned Owl. One seen 2 July 1951, in open spot on slope above lake. 7. Whip-poor-will. One seen in early July 1945. Two individuals calling at night in mid-July, 1947. 8. PiLEATED Woodpecker. One bird recorded each summer, 1948-1951. 9. Blue Grosbeak. One nest with three young in July 1947. Rare in this region. 10. Chipping Sparrow. One nest in mid-July 1950. Rare in vicinity of lake. Goldfinch nesting: site, Lake Sum- mit, Henderson County, N. C. One pair of Goldfinches nested in this tulip tree ( IJriodcndron tidipifcra) each of the five summers from 1047 to 19.51. Photo by D. J. Nicholson, August 1951. A SUMMER TRIP TO LENNON'S MARSH Thomas W. Simpson One of North Carolina’s most fascinating spots — at least to the bog- trotting bird watcher who doesn’t mind getting his feet wet — is Lennon’s Marsh in Robeson County, N. C. It was my privilege to visit this privately- owned preserve for the first time on 23 June 1951, on the invitation of Mr. James L. Stephens, Jr., of Lumberton. My other companion on the trip was, by coincidence, Mr. James L. Stephenson of Winston-Salem. The striking similarity in names made introductions easy! Jim Stephens is well known to Carolina Bird Club members for his intimate knowledge of the Lennon’s Marsh birdlife (see The Chat 12: 82-84). He generously arranged to spend the entire morning with us and his competent, enthusi- astic guidance added immeasurably to our trip. Our first glimpse of the marsh was from a vantage point in front of the owner’s home, as we went by to obtain permission to enter. It is a typical fresh-water marsh, thickly overgrown with submerged, floating, and emergent aquatic vegetation. Clumps of grasses, shrubs, and young cy- presses dot the surface. The mai’sh is roughly in the shape of a horseshoe; from where we stood the two arms stretched away on either side. We spotted a pair of Wood Ducks browsing among water-lilies, and watched for a while two Water-Turkeys in a dead tree some distance away. Then, as our goal was the heron rookery near the tip of one arm, we moved on in that direction. The rookery can be approached at times by flat-bottomed boat, when the water level is sufficiently high. Now, because of the preced- ing dry season, we found it advisable to go in on foot from a nearby paved road. Jim Stephens guided us through the dense, shaded undergrowth of the surrounding cypress swamp and in a short while we broke out into the sunlit expanse of the marsh. We then waded across a marginal plant succession that would delight any ecologist and made our way toward the clump of small cypresses that harbored the rookery. It was almost im- possible to approach with any degree of stealth since at each step one sank ankle to knee deep in black, quaking mud. Scattered flocks of Little Blue Herons and American Egrets flew off in alarm ahead of us. We had been told that the colony had not fared well during the recent prolonged drought; the extent of the catastrophe became evident as we entered the cypress grove. Signs of destruction were all about. The sticks which had composed the nesting platforms were torn apart, egg shells littered the ground, and the mangled carcasses of nestling herons and egrets hung in the branches. Very few young birds were still alive in the colony area; all of these were now old enough to fly off with the adults as we approached. It was Jim Stephens’ opinion that marauding raccoons had gained entry to the rookery and raised havoc with the breeding colony as the protecting water level receded. (See Wildlife hi North Carolina for October 1951:19-20 —Ed.) We looked in vain during the rest of the morning for White Ibises, which were the main object of our trip to the marsh. Our hope of finding them 70 The Chat breeding- in the heron rookery had vanished entirely on viewing- the des- truction which had followed the drought. Now it seemed that we were not to see them at all. Unwilling to give up, Jim Stephenson and 1 decided to come back in the afternoon for another look. Starting again at the ill-fated rookery the two of us struck out, down the marsh, slogging along under the hot afternoon sun. The steaming bog seemed almost tropical, an illusion heightened by the knowledge that this was one of the last strongholds of the American Alligator, Alligator missis- sippiensis, in North Carolina. We could see none of the saurians but evi- dence of their presence here was not lacking. Their heavy bodies had plowed trails everywhere through the shallow waters of the marsh. These were always seen to converge on deep pools beneath the banks of which the ’gators had their subterranean dens. Once as we waded toward the underwater entrance to one of these “caves,” three young alligators i-ose quietly to the surface and watched us with unblinking, protuberant eyes. Each was about a foot long, black with vivid yellow linear markings. The big ones stayed out of sight. We shortly flushed up an immature night heron, which kept a tantalizing distance away during the rest of the afternoon as we worked our way “Our first glimpse of the marsh was from a vantage point in front of the owner's home. From where we stood, two arms stretched away on either side.” N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission photo by Margaret Fisler. down the marsh. It was never satisfactorily identified, but its relatively stocky legs and ashy color suggested Black-crowned, rather than Yellow- crowned Night Heron. Little Blue Herons were the most abundant species. We saw approxi- mately 100 to 150 in that end of the marsh, about a tenth in dark adult plumage and several in the spectacular blHie and white dichromatic moulting dress. American Egrets numbered 50 to 75. A dozen Great Blue Herons and an equal number of Green Herons were counted, always as solitary individuals. Twenty Wood Ducks were seen; the males were in eclipse plumage. We had gone scarcely half a mile from the heron rookery when we came upon several Wood Ibises standing in the top of a cypress. We moved up close to get a good look at the awkward “gourd-heads,” as I have heard these stoi'ks called by hunting guides. Almost at once, a formation of six White Ibises appeared, filing in a line above the cypresses to settle one at a time into the upper branches of one tree. This was what we had come to see! Here were the birds so impressively pictured by the artist Francis L. Jaques — gleaming white with wings neatly tipped in black, trailing red legs, and long, red down-curving bills surmounted by bright red faces. A single drab-gray immature bird with light underparts and rump lagged far behind the others in the formation. The late-comer, which was evidently a second-year bird, circled in low over the marsh and with some hesitation joined the others. Another one also appeared to be a younger bird, though perhaps in its third summer. On close observation it was seen to be faintly mottled with gray and its bill had not attained the full red color of the other adults. The six White Ibises were eventually joined by others until the group numbered twenty. They continued to circle the marsh at intexwals and would usually come to rest near the more sedentary band of twelve Wood Ibises. We saw no others, though we did not search the other arm of the marsh. Jim Stephens did not believe that many White Ibises had returned this year, although he had reported about 1,200 nesting in the marsh in 1950 {The Chat 14: 49-50). Under tl-us circumstances it seemed unlikely that this species had been able to rear any young, and it is doubtful that they had even begun to nest. One hopes that future summers will find them again nesting successfully. As we plodded out of the bog late in the afternoon, we counted our trip a success, though we had by no means exhausted the possibilities even as far as water birds were concerned. Lennon’s Marsh presents a changing panorama of bird-life during the passing seasons; full appreciation comes only to one who sees it day after day, tramping aci-oss its muddy surface and poling a boat through its shallow channels. But even a day’s trip is well worth the time and effort! 3252 Reynolda Road, Winstou-Salevi, N. C., 30 September 1951. 72 The Chat IMMATURE WHITE IBISES AT PLYMOUTH, N. C., HERONRY Robert L. Wolff About 2 miles from the Roanoke River, near Plymouth, N. C., in a small tract of open woodland — oaks, pine, gum — there is located a nesting site of Little Blue Herons. It is the most easily accessible of some 25 colonies of Order Ciconiiformes that the writer has visited from New Jersey to Florida. Accordiiig to near-by residents, 1951 marked the 6th nesting season in this spot. Formerly the colony was nearer the river. Persistent shooting brought about the move. Over 30 observation trips were made into the hei’onry during the breeding seasons of 1949, ’50 and ’51. During each of these years American Egrets came into the rookery occasionally just before dark, with the largest number counted being 43 in 1950. In 1950 a lone White Ibis was in view for a split second and again that season, 3 were seen. In 1951, just 5, then 22, then 47, and then 74 ibises were observed on different days. Positive identification as immature White Ibises was established in 1951. No adult birds were observed. The young birds were seen from July 25 to August 15 of each year. Where they were raised must be left to conjecture for the present. In 1949, by estimate, there were 350 heron nests at this site near Plym- outh. In 1950 there were by actual count 625 Little Blue and 12 Green; and in 1951, by spot counts, 925 Little Blue and 18 Green Heron nests. No counts were made in 1949 on number reaching flight stage. In 1950 an estimated 800, and ’51 an estimated 1,500 birds were successful in leaving their nests. Crows observed taking eggs, starvation of young whose parents were killed, and natural causes subtracted from the numbers that could have reached flight stage. Counts were made of incoming birds between 5 and 8 p.m. A number of times more than 1,000 birds were checked in one hour. Thunder storms caused intense agitation in the colony. One of the most interesting observa- tions was the first flight of the young birds from branch to branch, tree-top to tree-top, following the parent bird, then around the heronry a few times and finally to the feeding grounds, the young still trailing the old bird. On the return and subsequent trips, the young were on their own. The young were apt to “play” in the air as they came in from the feeding grounds. Flying from 400 to 800 feet high, they would approach the heroni-y and often go into dives, tumbles, swoops and glides that could only be described as the exuberance of youth! The Plymouth heronry can provide interesting general study, and sys- tematic records should be made. Possibilities for photographing and band- ing are excellent. Observations can be made from eaidy May to early Sep- tember, with the height of activities from the middle of June to middle of August. Individuals assisting in gathering the data given here were: Peter Leavitt, Phil Ange, Max Graham, Ken Trowbridge, Jr., all of Plymouth; Ray Evans and James Speight of Gi’eenville; and Dan Clark of Everetts. — Box 294, Greenville, N. C., 29 October 1951. November 1951 73 BIRD NOTES FROM CAPE HATTERAS John E. Willoughby I was at Cape Hatteras and envii-ons from 28 August 1951 to 4 September 1951. As it had been a dry year the marshes near the cape were without the complement of shore-birds seen in a previous year. Instead, they were filled with Meadowlarks. The most unusual feature of this year’s observa- tions was the number of northern water-birds seen as compared with last year’s observations. A Common Loon was seen on August 30; stranded on the beach, it later died. Double-crested Cormorants were seen on August 31, and in large numbers on my return from the island on September 4. At least 14 Great Black-backed Gulls were seen at various times between August 30 and September 4. Following is the list of species seen: Common Loon — 1, Brown Pelican (5 were sailing around Hatteras Inlet), Double-crested Cormorant — 11, Great Blue Heron — 2, American Egret — 2, Louisiana Heron — 1, Little Blue Heron — 3, Green Heron — 2, Canada Goose (several seen near Rhodanthe, adjacent to the refuge). Black Duck — 21, Turkey Vulture — 7, Sharp-shinned Hawk — 3, Cooper’s Hawk — 1, Red-shouldered Hawk — 1, Osprey — 3, Clapper Rail — 1, Piping Plover — 12, Semipalmated Plover — 18, Black-bellied Plover — 7, Ruddy Turnstone — 4, Hudsonian Curlew — 1, Spotted Sandpiper — 2, Willet — 8, Greater Yellow-legs — 8, Lesser Yellow-legs — 3, Knot — 1, Pectoral Sandpiper — 3, Least Sandpiper — 20, Red-backed Sandpiper — 2, Dowitcher — 4, Semipalmated Sandpiper — 20, Western Sandpiper — 6, Sanderling — 300, Great Black-rbacked Gull — 14, Herring Gull — 30, Laughing Gull — 15, Forster’s Tern — 6, Common Tern — 45, Least Tern (very few in comparison to last year) — 3, Royal Tern — 55, Cabot’s Tern — 16, Caspian Tern — 6, Black Tern — 30, Black Skimmer— 4, Mourning Dove— 7, Yellow-billed Cuckoo — 1, Chimney Swift — 3, Belted Kingfisher — 2, Flicker — 2, Downy Woodpecker — 1, Eastern Kingbird (in one group on September 1) — 28, Crested Flycatcher — 2, Barn Swallow — 20, Crow — 15, Fish Crow — 20, Carolina Chickadee — 3, Carolina Wren— 4, Long-billed Marsh Wren — 1, Mockingbird — 3, Brown Thrasher — 1, Bluebird — 2, Starling — 10, Magnolia Warbler — 2, Black-throated Blue Warbler — 1, Myrtle Warbler — 3, Black- poll Warbler — 1, Pine Warbler — 4, Prairie Warbler — 2, Yellow-throat — 2, Redstart — 2, English Sparrow — 20, Meadowlark — 36, Red-wing — 23, Purple Crackle — 2, Cardinal — 6, Song Sparrow — 2. As can be seen from my species list, I did very little land binding. The numbers given are the most seen at any one time or close enough together «o they could not have been the same birds. The weather was fairly clear throughout the time I was there except for one day’s pai’tial rain, and with winds up to 34 miles an hour on another .—8^02 Barroyi St., Takoma Park 12, Maryland. [Mr. John E. Willoughby is the treasurer of the very active Audubon Society of The District of Columbia. He makes a week’s visit late each summer to Cape Hatteras, to vacation and study the birds there. He pub- lished the account of his Cape Hatteras trip of last year in the March- April 1951 Atlantic Naturalist (6 (4) :159-161). — Editor.'] 74 The Chat A. 0. U. MEETS IN MONTREAL, CANADA Alexander Sprunt, Jr. The sixty-ninth stated meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union took place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 8-11, 1951. It was the Union’s first meeting in Montreal and the fourth in Canada, the other localities having been Toronto (2 meetings) and Ottawa. The hospitality and atten- tion shown the Union at the Montreal meeting resulted in its being one of the best of the eighteen meetings the writer has attended. The Union now has a membership of slightly over 3,000 in its three classes — Fellows, Members, and Associates. This is the high mark in its history. At the above meeting, six Fellows were elected, 15 Members, and 260 Associates. Of the Fellows, one was from the South, Eugene P. Odum, of the University of Georgia at Athens. In the Member class, two Southern- ers were elevated, Howard T. Odum (brother of Eugene), University of Florida at Gainesville, and Samuel A. Grimes, of Jacksonville, Florida, known the country over for his superb bird photographs. Dr. Olin S. Pettingill, whose very recent book Guide To Bird Finding is attracting so much attention, resigned the Secretaryship after five years of excellent work. His successor is Albert Wolf son. Northwestern Univer- sity, Evanston, 111. Dr. Josselyn Van Tyne, University of Michigan, con- tinues as President for another year, as does the Treasurer, Dr. Allyn R. Moser, of Omaha. The two Vice-Presidents are Dr. Alden H. Miller, Univer- sity of California and Ludlow Griscom, Cambridge, Mass. The selection of a meeting place from year to year is decided by a combined vote of Fellows and Members. The selection this year should be of great interest to southern bird clubs, for the Union decided to come South in 1952, accepting the invitation of Louisiana State University to meet at Baton Rouge during the last week in October. (On two former occasions, in 1928 and 1937, it met in Charleston, South Carolina.) Let us start planning now for a goodly delegation from the Carolina Bird Club. Montreal is not only the largest city in Canada (pop. 1,210,000) but also it is the second largest “French” city in the world, exceeded only by Paris. Because of its great French population, and the hospitality extended from so many quarters, the three days of public meetings were held in three different places. On Tuesday 9th, the morning and afternoon sessions were held at McGill University, Wednesday at the University of Montreal, and Thursday at the Botanical Garden. Headquarters were at the Mount Royal Hotel, at which all meetings of the Council, the Fellows meeting, and Fel- lows-Members meeting, were held. The annual dinner, always vei’y much of a highlight, took place in the Champlain Room Wednesday evening, the en- tertainment being French songs by a fine quartet. The Mayor of Montreal spoke most pleasantly, and was responded to by a Fellow of the Union, Monsieur Jean Delacour, formerly -of France, now of New York; both addresses were in French. There were six public sessions at which papers on a variety of ornitho- logical subjects were presented. Some were of extraordinary interest. While it is not possible to mention them all, the following were outstanding. Dr. November 1951 75 Robert Cushman Murphy’s account of the rediscovery of the Bermuda Petrel (Cahow) was thrilling, and accentuated his recent article on this subject in The Auk (July, 1951). Dr. Herbert Friedmann’s paper on the activities of the African Honeyguides, those strange birds which lead animals and humans to wild bee hives, was intensely interesting and well received. Particularly interesting to the general bird student was the paper of Harold Mayfield, Toledo, Ohio, on the present population of the rare Kirtland’s Warbler. Also, Maurice Brooks’ excellent presentation on the status of Swainson’s Warbler in the Appalachians threw some very rea- sonable doubt upon the validity of the recently described new race of this warbler. The program of movies was unique in some ways. Dr. Arthur A. Allen, of Cornell, presented a new idea in the tracing of a hummingbird’s annual cycle, its nesting activities with mate, the migratory journey south, and the winter home in the tropics, all in color and accompanied by a sound recorded story in popular vein. C. Russell Mason, of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, presented a film called “Audubon’s America,” tracing the naturalist’s life and works and the localities he visited. A very striking film was one secured from New Zealand authorities by Dr. Murphy, which showed the finding of the supposedly extinct Natornis, a bird reminding one strongly of the Coot and gallinule. Receptions were held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the first at the McGill University Faculty Club, and the second at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The Bird Protection Committee held a round table discussion Wednesday afternoon which was well attended and drew much comment. Discussion was held on the renewed shooting of hawks at Cape May, N. J., and resolutions drawn protesting it and asking the city authorities to extend the bounds of the present Witmer Stone Sanctuary there. It was suggested by Mrs. Robert Cushman Murphy that a Ladies’ Committee of the A.O.U. be formed to aid the general work of the Union, particularly in its conservation and protective measures. This appeared to receive considerable and enthusiastic comment. The attendance at the Montreal meeting was close to the 300 mark. — The Crescent, Charleston 50, S. C., 15 October 1951. THE CHRISTMAS CENSUS The dates for the 1951 Christmas Census have been set for December 22- 30, inclusive. Now is the time to plan the count in your area. The rules of the past several years have not been changed. The purpose is to find out what species are pi-esent and in what numbers. Preliminary scouting over the area a day or two before the count usually helps. A review of the 1950 Christmas Census in the Carolinas provides some interesting information. For the 17 reports printed in Audubon Field Notes, a total of 106 census-takers counted, or estimated, over 107,000 individual birds. Wilmington headed the list with 147 species and Charleston followed with 137. The smallest count, 24 species, came fi-om Windom, N. C., high in Yancey County, near Mt. Mitchell. Altogether there were 58 parties in the field. Greensboro alone sent out 12 parties. The total party mileage was 76 The Chat 1,782, and the party mileage on foot was 33G, whicdi is just about the dis- tance from Asheville to Wilmington. Comparing the 1950 Carolinas count with the 412 other rei)orts from continental U. S. and Canada, Wilmington tied for third place and Charles- ton tied for fifth place in the number of species observed. First ])lace was won by Harlengen, Texas, with the enormous count of 172. The second and fourth place holders were National Wildlife Refuges. Although the primary object is to count birds, the Christmas Census pro- vides a mid-winter outdoor activity that should be on the calendar of every bird club. A good census calls for good planning. Groups of two or three in a party seem best. The 138 parties that went out last winter in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida averaged 2.6 observers per party. Coverage should be directed to include all types of terrain within the prescribed area. Theoretically, over 275 miles of travel are required to get within one-half mile of every spot in a circular area that is 15 miles across. There is some significance in the fact that the Harlengen, Texas parties covered 215 miles and that the Wilmington parties went 247 miles. Christmas counts will be tabulated in the March Chat. To allow time for cai’eful checking they should be sent in by January 10. Since they are to be tabulated, a legibly marked field check card, showing species and numbers of individuals, accompanied by the usual full supporting data, will be sufficient. — B. R. Chamberlain, Christmas Census Editor. NOTES FROM ELKIN, N. C., 1 JANUARY-30 JUNE 1951 E. M. Hodel and Linville Hendren First Record Dates for Summer Residents. 3/3 — Purple Grackle; 3/11 — Chipping Sparrow; 3/24 — Purple Martin; 3/30 — Yellow-throated Warbler; 3/31 — Brown Thrasher; 4/1 — Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black and White Warbler, Phoebe; 4/9 — Chimney Swift; 4/13 — Yellow-throated Vireo; 4/15 — White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throat; 4/19 — Wood Thrush, Yellow Warbler; 4/21 — Whip-poor-will; 4/22 — Scarlet Tanager; 4/24 — Catbird; 4/27 — Oven-bird, Summer Tanager; 4/29 — Hummingbii-d, Wood Pewee, Indigo Bunting, Chat, Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo; 5/5 — Orchard Oriole; 5/6 — Prairie Warbler, Redstart; 5/7 — Rough-winged SwalloAV, Nighthawk; 5/12 — Olive-backed Thrush; 5/13 — Yellow-billed Cuckoo, King- bird, Parula Warbler. Recorded All Six Months, Presumably Resident. Great Blue Heron (no evidence of nesting), Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk. Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Bob-white, Ring-necked Pheasant, (released) , Killdeer, Woodcock, Mourning Dove, Barn Owl, Sci’eech Owl, Kingfisher (not common). Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker (not com- mon), Red-bellied Woodpecker, Harry Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay (not common). Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White- breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Mockingbird, Robin, Bluebird, Starling. Pine Warbler, English Sparrow, Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Cardinal, Goldfinch, Towhee, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow. There have been several changes in the local bird life since the publication of the senior author’s “Birds of Elkin” eleven years ago {Chat 4 (10) :96- 104). These can not be fully described now, but a few may be indicated. Wilson Snipe become common in overflow waters following rains in late winter and spring. Woodcock are uncommon but may be flushed on occasion. The House Wren is now a common nesting bird, and frequently visits our feeding stations in winter. A pair of Bewick’s Wrens nested this year at Mt. Park, ten miles from Elkin, raising two broods. At least one pair of Scarlet Tanagers has bred near E. M. Hodel’s home every summer since 1937. Indigo Buntings were more abundant this year than ever before, both in migration and nesting. In one favored locality, a dozen or more White- crowned Sparrows could be seen any day this past winter, the last ones being recorded on 6 May. — Elkin, N. C., 31 August 1051. November 1951 77 GENERAL FIELD NOTES Advisory Council: E. B. Chamberlain, Charleston, S. C.; Robert Holmes, III, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Robert Overing, Raleigh, N. C.; Dr. Thomas W. Simpson, Winston-Salem, N. C.; Arthur Stupka, Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Robert L. Wolff, Greenville, N. C. Departynent Editor: B. R. Chamberlain, Route 1, Matthews, N. C. General Field Notes was created to provide space for comparatively short and unrelated accounts of occurrence and behavior. The material may be sent to us in finished fonn or factual data may be submitted informally for re-writing. Unusual finds must be supported with information sufficient for the Advisory Council to base decision upon. Single observations or bare check lists are definitely wanted, but they probably will be held in our files and published in related grouping. Present day knowledge of plumage, song, and behavior characteristics make sight and sound records reliable when made under favorable condi- tions. The unfavorable conditions tax us. And then there are the sub-adults and intermediate plumages. All of which is a reminder to double check what we record. Material for General Field Notes should be sent directly to the Depart- ment Editor. Black Rail Nesting in South Carolina. — Writing from Orlando, Florida, last month, Mr. Donald J. Nicholson has given us the following account of the finding of a Black Rail’s nest on the South Carolina coast by his brother, Mr. Wray Nicholson. Although the find was made four years ago, it has not previously been published: “ — we (Wray Nicholson and H. L. Harlee) went to Georgetown, S. C., and followed a road that pulled off from Highway 17, . . .below Georgetown, leading to South Island. . . . we came to a ferry on the Intracoastal Waterway, . . . and about one-half mile after crossing this waterway, on the north side, we found a brackish savannah ... at the side of the road. Here we found (a) nesting colony of Macgillivray’s Seaside Sparrows, finding several nests with eggs, and also Clapper Rail and Black- necked Stilt nests with eggs. The most important find was a Black Rail which stood in plain sight calling several times. It was about 25 or 30 feet away . . . I searched for a nest and soon found one brand new nest and another that looked as if it had been used earlier in the season.” This location is the northern end of Cat Island, on Winyah Bay. The date was June 26, 1947. Mr. Donald Nicholson’s letter continues: “Wray and I have both had a lot of experience with breeding Black Rails on Merritt’s Island and on the mainland in brackish swales in Brevard County, Florida. I found the first Black Rail’s nest ever found in Florida on July 13, 1926. The notes of the Black Rail sound very much like KICKY-COOK, KICKY-COOK, KICKY-COOK, or perhaps KICKY-KUK. It calls about three times, then waits a few minutes and repeats the calls. Late in the afternoon, and on cloudy days especially, you are more likely to hear them, during the breed- ing season. You can hear the birds 200 to 300 yards away and you will never forget the notes once you have heard them.” Other accounts of Mr. Donald Nicholson’s experiences with Black Rails are to be found in Bent’s Life Histories. He believes that the nests have been overlooked on our coast because we have not searched for them in the salt marshes. The Black-necked Stilt nests referred to are recorded in South Carolina Bird Life. — Dept. Ed. 78 The Chat Nesting of The Purple Gallinule At Lake Ellis, N. C. We have been observ- ing birds at Lake Ellis, Carteret County, for the past five years. We saw our first Purple Gallinule on April 17, 1949. In 1950 these Gallinules were fairly common at the lake all summer. There were still more in 1951, the first ones arriving in late April; at least 25 individuals could be seen any day all summer in a single trip across the lake. On September 2 of this year we found our first positive evidence of nesting — four downy young following two adults along a canal bank. We found them again next day in the same place. The young were all-over dark in color and looked to be the size of week-old baby chickens. This observation apparently constitutes the first nesting record for the Purple Gallinule in North Carolina. — Mr. and Mrs. Matt L. Thompson, Chapel Hill, N. C. Great Black-backed Gull in North Carolina in July. — On 29 July 1951 I was vacationing at Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, N. C. Amone: the Herring, Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls, Royal, Common, Least and Black Terns at the southern end of the island, I saw an adult Great Black-backed Gull fly slowly southward along the beach. In comparison with the nearbv Herring Gulls and Royal Terns, this bird was much larger and its jet black back and upner surface of the wings made the bird unmistakable. To mv knowledge, this is the first summer record for the Great Black-backed Gull in North Carolina. — Jackson M. Abbott. New Alexandna, Va. (This note bv Mr. Abbott was forwarded to us by Mr. Chandler S. Robbins, an Associ- ate Editor of Audubon Field Notes, who added, “In the past 5 years this snecies has been staying later In spring and arriving earlier in fall on the Marvland coast. We had our first mid-summer record this year.” Mr. Ab- bott’s observation is more than a month later than our latest published record. Pearson and Walker found three birds on June 22, 1939, near Kill- devil Hill. — Dept. Ed.) Forster’s and Other Terns at Rocky Mount, N. C. — Five Forster’s Terns, at least two of which were immature judging from the amount of buff plainly noticeable, were observed fishing over Citv Lake by C. D. Benbow and me on October 8, 1951. On October 16 three of these terns, possibly from the same group, were again at City Lake. Two Black Terns were on the' lake on Sept. 11. and one Least Tern on Sept. 17. I don’t think that Forster’s Terns have been seen here since 1937 when Dr. Craighill reported one killed on August 27. — J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount, N. C. Unusually High Ground Dove Nest. — On August 13, 1951, I watched a Ground Dove building a nest in a palmetto tree on the Isle-of-Palms (Charleston, S. C.). These small doves formerly nested in considerable num- bers in wax-mvrtles and scrub oaks that border the sand dunes on the South Carolina coast, and they still do to a limited extent. At this particular loca- tion. however, on the Isle-of-Palms, a recent housing project has cleared all of the undere^rowth and leveled the dunes and left onlv a few tall, scattered palmettoes. Rather than nest upon the ground, as these birds so freouentlv do in other localities, this dove selected the narrow fold of a green palmetto leaf approximately 26 feet above the ground. Fortunately, the height could be estimated fairlv accurately by comparing it with the ridge of a two story house a few yards away. During the period that I watched, the nesting material was gathered from the ground within 100 feet of the tree. It appear- ed to be dead rootlets. On one trip a small piece of white paper or cloth was taken up. Only one bird participated. — B. R. Chamberlain, Matthews, N. C. Tree Swallows in Early July. — A flock of more than one hundred Tree Swallows literally covered the sand road near Duck. N. C.. on July 11, 1951. I believe that this is an early date. Duck is near Caffey Inlet on that narrow strip of sand between Currituck Sound and the ocean (about 12 miles north of Kitty Hawk). — J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount, N. C. (This is rather early but it seems that the Tree Swallow should be on the North Carolina coast even earlier, since it breeds on the Virginia coast and is found on the South Carolina coast in the middle or latter part of June. In view of November 1951 79 Pearson’s observations of birds that appeared to be looking for nesting sites in Hyde County, we may have another case of extending breeding range.^ — Dejjt. Ed.) Horned Larks; a Fill-in For Existing Breeding Records. — Interest in Dave Tillmghast’s article on Horned Larks that appeared in the Greenville- Pieclmont and was reprinted in the May-September issue of The Chat, makes it desirable that certain data not included in the newspaper article be given here. Mr. James B. Shuler, Jr., credited by Mr. Tillinghast with the Green- ville find, has furnished the following details; “Adult birds were watched at the Donaldson Airforce Base, Greenville, S. C., between May 4 and August 28, 1951. On May 25, two of the old birds were seen feeding a young lark that was old enough to fly and to elude capture. Both parents fed the young while it sat inconspicuously beside a tuft of grass, begging in typical fledgling manner.” Mr. Shuler is familiar with Horned Laidcs, having found two nests while serving with the Airforce at Scott Field in Illinois. He expresses doubt over sub-specific identification in the field, but is “reason- ably sure” that the birds at Greenville were praticola. Another reference to Horned Larks breeding in the Carolinas was made in the May-September Chat in the write-up of the Wilmington Field Trip. Bill Joyner fills in the missing data in that case: The “nest was found in the middle of a plowed field on April 27, 1950, by Earnest Beal, Secretary of N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission, on his farm just outside of Red Oak, N. C., in the middle of Nash County. I photographed it the next day. There were three young almost ready to leave the nest, which they did be- tween April 30 and May 4, 1950.” Mr. Joyner adds, “This summer, on April 7, 1951, a pair of larks was seen in the same field by Mr. Beal. The next day I went out and saw one bird working around the field in a drizzling rain. Neither of us took the time necessary to search for a nest.” In addition to the Greenville nesting, another South Carolina record was made by Mrs. Clyde Sisson and J. H. Fowler when two young birds were seen being fed at the Fair Grounds at Columbia on June 12, 1950. This find was noted in Audubon Field Notes, 4(5) : 270. We believe that the above constitute the only actual nesting records of Horned Larks in the Carolinas since the publication of Birds Of North Carolina in 1942. They have been seen during the summer at other points (Spartanburg, S. C.), and in view of the rapid extension of the breeding range of this bird it seems that it will soon become a common breeder in our Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain areas. — Dept. Ed. Wilson’s Warbler Near Chapel Hill, N. C., Last Winter. — A recent issue of The Chat (15 (2) ;33), reported a “Possible” occurrence of this warbler 12 miles east of Chapel Hill. A further check of the particulars involved now justifies the I'emoval of this observation from the doubtful category. Writing on June 16, 1951, Mrs. Sample B. Forbus states that the bird, a brilliantly colored male, was first seen about November 29, 1950, and that it remained at her feeder until the first or second week in February, 1951. Mrs. Forbus invited a number of birders to share her find, and among them were Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Weaver, Mrs. Lvnn Gault, Mrs. H. D. Crockford, and Miss J. Sharkey, all of Chapel Hill. Dr. Weaver assures us that the identification was positive. Wilson’s Warbler is normally a rare transient in the Carolinas. — Dept. Ed. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. — About noon on April 30, 1951, I observed a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak some fifteen minutes in our yard. The bird was feeding on flowers of oak trees. — John A. McLeod, Jr., Greensboro, N. C. (Also recorded in Spring Censuses at Greensboro, May 4 and 6, and at Winston-Salem May 13, 1951. — Dept. Ed.) Blue Grosbeak Nesting Near the Coast. — This June I found a pair of Blue Grosbeaks nesting near Aynor, in Horry County, S. C. The nest, which was 18 inches above the ground, was tied into some weeds and blackberry briers in a ditch between two cultivated fields. It contained three young 80 The Chat almost ready to lly, on Juno 17. 1 later collected the nest to find that it had an outer layer of snake skin and inside the grass lining was a cast skin of the snake’s head, showing the eyes. — Mrs. G. E. Charles, Aynor, S. C. (Horry, pronounced o'-ree, is the northernmost of South Carolina’s coastal counties. Aynor is located about thirty miles inland. Excepting a single case near Charleston in 1888, recorded by Wayne, we believe that no other nest of the Blue Gi’osbeak has been reported from so close to the coast in either of the Carolinas. — Dept. Ed.) Song Sparrow Breeding at Charlotte, N. C. — On July 18, 1951, Norman Chamb^erlain watched a Song Sparrow feeding a fledgling over a j5-minute period in a city garden in Charlotte, ending a search of several weeks during which as many as three birds were heax'd singing simultaneously. Singing birds had been heard in the same area (Sugaw Creek at Morehead Street) by several observers during the previous summer. This Charlotte record narrows the gap in the rapidly extending breeding range of the Song Sparrow, which by last summer had reached Milledge- ville, in Baldwin County, Georgia. The previous most southern point in Piedmont North Cai-olina was Statesville. For the Milledgeville record see Audubon Field Notes, 4(5) :271. For comments upon the race, or i;aces, of Song Spax’i'ows breeding in our area, see Birds Of North Carolina, and South Carolina Bird Life. — B. R. Chamberlain, Matthews, N. C. Late Broods at Rocky Mount, N. C. — Here are some late nesting dates for this area for 1951. Two young Mourning Doves left their nest on Oc- tober 2 (C. D. Benbow). Blue Jays were feeding young on August 31. A bi’ood of Cai’olina Widens was hatched near Red Oak on August 8, and a Catbird was observed cai’rying food on August 31. On September 10, two young Bluebirds were begging for food, and a Summer Tanager fed two young on August 17. Young Towhees left their nest on August 25, and on September 27 and several days before I watched young Chipping Sparrows being fed. Many birders are very conscious of early nesting, but apparently fail to keep up their interest during the hotter late season. More observa- tions during this time might shed considerable light on some species that ai-e not now thought to bring off more than one or two broods. — J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount, N. C. THE CHAT FOR 1952 Publication dates for The Chat in 1952 will be the first day of March, June, September, and December. Deadlines for receipt of items for publi- cation will be six weeks previous to issue dates. We ui-ge you all_ to send in your material, eaidy and often. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. — The Editors. CAROLINA BIRD CLUB OFFICERS President Mi’s. Margai'et Y. Wall, Greensboro, N. C. Vice-Presidents Mrs. George C. Pottei', Charlotte, N. C. Major I. S. H. Metcalf, Chaideston, S. C. R. T. Greer, Lenoir, N. C. Secretary Mrs. Edith Settan, Greensboi'o, N. C. Treasurer Mr. RobeiT Overing, Raleigh, N. C. The Executive Committee is composed of the Officers, the Editor, and: B. R. Chambei-lain, Charlotte; J. W. E. Joyner, Rocky Mount; Mrs. R. W. Gi’een, Raleigh; and Miss May Puett, Greenville, S. C. November 1 95 1 81 BACKYARD BIRDING Annie Rivers Faver, Department Editor Eastover, South Carolina Many of us in the Carolina Bird Club do much of our bird watching in the immediate vicinity of our own homes. The very fact that our territory is restricted, and that the same area is under study year after year, makes our records and reports all the moi-e valuable. As backyard birders, we frequently make new life history and behavior observations missed by the field trippers. This department will be developed as one in which we can exchange ideas and experiences about attracting birds to our yards. If you have seen a rare warbler or an unusual winter visitor near your home, just why do you think it was there? Was it after some certain food, or did it come in search of water? Do you have any plants or trees that are visited frequently by migratory warblers? Do you have better or different plans for feeding stations, bird baths, or nexting boxes? If so, write us about them. We will edit the information received, and pass it on to our readers. We want this department to be useful and interesting to all of you who maintain feeding stations and study birds around your homes. — Dep’t. Editor. Add A Plant For Your Birds. By the time this is in print, weather con- ditions should be ideal for the transplanting of shrubbery and trees. No matter how many feeding stations you have near your home, check your yard for those growing plants that offer natural food for your birds. We can have such food the year around, if we will plan ahead, take the time to figure out what is lacking, and in the fall add one or more such plants to our home grounds. Luckily, some of the most common plants and trees offer the best bird food. If I could have only one such tree, I believe I would choose a mul- berry! Following it as a close second would be a wild cherry, then a per- simmon tree. Migratory warblers fairly flock to the new foilage of pecan or walnut trees in the spring. Wild plums are good for warblers, too, as well as for those birds that eat the fruit. Of the bushes and shrubs, nothing in our yard is better liked than the pokeberry. Then comes the lantanna bushes that are practically wild, there are so many. By the first of October, the French mulberries have turned to their beautiful color, and the thi-ushes. Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Bluebirds, and every other berry-eating bird on our hillside are feasting on them. Persimmons are ripe by this time, too, as well as the “gum-drops” on the large trees over the spring behind our home. These berries last several weeks, until the euonymous, ligustrum, and hedge berries are ready. When they have all been eaten it is springtime again, the dew-berries are turning in the pasture, and it is nesting time. Any one of these plants, besides numerous other more orna- mental ones that can be obtained from a nursery, will add to the popularity of your yard as a bird sanctuary, and will increase your chances of having a rare or unusual visitor. — Annie Rivers Faver. Chats and Other Warblers at Eastover, S. C. — On August 30, 1951, about 8 a.m., I was standing on our back porch watching a pair of YeJlow- breasted Chats feeding in a scuppernong vine. Suddenly, one bird which evidently was the female, left the vine and moved slowly through the 82 The Chat perennial sun-flowers to the rose vine on the fence. There she went straight to an old cardinal nest, got in it, turning and twisting as the birds do when building a nest. Then she settled down and sat there quietly for about five minutes before she noticed me watching her, and left. Three mornings after that, I saw her do the same thing. She was moulting, and by this time had no tail, so I knew it was the same bird. The male was in full plumage, veiy sleek and trim, but she was awful looking. We had never had these birds nest on our hillside. From August 30 through September 10, the wooded hillside back of our home was alive with birds. The Chats and Catbirds had joined the Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Vireos and Brown Thrashers in feasting on the pokeberries about the yard. When the scuppernongs began to ripen, these birds turned their attention to the vine, and it was while watching the Chat one morning that I noticed a smaller, bright yellow bird fluttering in the dew-dampened leaves. There was the first Blue-winged Warbler that I had ever seen! This was about 7:30 a.m. At about 9 a.m., I again saw this bird feeding in a group of sun-fiowei's with a Prairie Warbler, and watched them until they passed out of sight down the hill toward the spring. At noon the Blue- winged Warbler was feeding in the fig tree on the opposite side of the house from where it was first seen, and my husband and daughter got a good look at it too. The first Black and White Warbler of the fall had been seen on August 5. The Redstarts arrived August 16, and several were seen somewhere practically every day. On Saturday morning, September 1, I was greatly surprised to see a Kirtland’s Warbler feeding in the same sun-fiowers mentioned above. Year before last I had seen a Kirtland’s Warbler on October 14, in the plum tree just about ten feet away. This time I pai’ticularly noticed the habit of ‘wagging’ or ‘bobbing’ the tail up and down. On Monday, September 3, I saw two similar birds, though much smaller than the Kirtland’s. They were very nervous at first, and would disappear with a flash of white tail into thick shrubbery if they saw me watching them. They stayed about the yard for eight days, and gradually got over being so scary and came into the shrubbery right at the porch. As soon as I saw their yellow rumps and the wide bands of white in their tails I knew they were a new species for me, the immature Magnolia Warblers! At noon on September 6, I saw, in the pecan trees over our house, a Golden- winged Warbler. This was only the second time this species has been seen here. A Worm-eating Warbler was on the lower limbs of our pecan trees on September 9, and on the 10th the Magnolia Warblers were still feeding about the yard. On the 11th, they were gone and I have not seen them since. — Annie Rivers Faver. Baltimore Orioles. According to the records of the past several winters, Baltimore Orioles should be present this winter in a number of places in the Carolinas, particularly at feeding stations. We would like to receive rather full accounts of these occurrences this winter. All the records for the past three or four winters have not been received. If you have seen Baltimore Orioles in recent winters, v/on’t you please send us the full records, whether they have been published or not? The complete story of this bird wintering in the Carolinas, instead of in Central and South America, will be an important contribution. — Editor. Bluebirds. We have on hand some good Bluebird nesting data. We would like to have some more from all over the Carolinas. If you keep records on Bluebirds nesting next summer, would you please send them in by October 1, along with any past records?- — Editor. November 1951 83 AMONG OUR MEMBERS Charlotte Hilton Green, Department Editor Every meeting of the Carolina Bird Club proves anew how interested the members are in each other’s birding or conservation activities, and in what the individual local Bird, Science, or Natural History clubs are doing. In this department we hope to keep in touch with our members, so please send in items of interest, about yourselves, other members, and your club’s activities. Too, some of our most active members are where there are no local clubs to be affiliated with, and we want to know what you are doing. Send to me direct, 3320 White Oak Road, Raleigh, N. C. And they should be in at least six weeks in advance of publication, preferably earlier. The next Chat will be the March number. Thank you. — C.H.G., Dept. Ed.) Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, of Greensboro, President of the Carolina Bird Club again had an interesting and successful summer as teacher of the Nature Activities group at the Audubon Nature Camp, at Hog Island, Muscongus Bay, Maine. She took a five-day trip at the end of July to the Gaspe Peninsula, compiling a list of 93 species of birds. John A. McLeod, Jr., new president of the Piedmont Bird Club, Greens- boro, reports their club resumed work following the summer “lay-off” with their annual September picnic. A club project was approved whereby the group is to undertake the compiling of a complete and accurate list of the birds of Guilford County. The Greensboro Public Libi’ary has several re- quests for such a list, which will be valuable in many ways. Edith Settan, of Twin Lakes, Greensboro, Secretary of the Carolina Bird Club, for the past year has been writing a column Carolina Bird Lore as a Saturday feature of the Greev^sboro Record. Welcome to the ranks of those who are “pushing the pen” in behalf of birds, wildlife and conserva- tion, Edith. Mr. J. Weston Clinard, President of the Hickory Bird Club, reports more active work since regular meetings were resumed in September. Programs included an excellent one of native bird songs, colored slides of birds, and plans for a permanent display, at the Community Center, of ways of attracting birds. Mrs. Thomas Sanders Clark reports that the Tryon Bird Club is increas- ing its membership, largely due to the fact that they have started a com- prehensive Bird Study Course. They are on the lookout for anyone in that section of the state who could attend one or more of their meetings and give them a good talk. Miss Olwyn Owens of Tar Heel Bird Club reports several interesting fall meetings, including a September one at Kerrygil Farm, the mountain home of Mrs. Paul Maulden; another at Morganton, with Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Smith and Mrs. S. D. Dysart; and also a motor-boat ride on Lake Lure, followed by a bird walk through a wooded spot. We regret to report that Mr. Henry Magie, former president of the Winston-Salem Bird Club and who, in former years, often appeared on our state Bird Club programs, has been in failing health for some time and his present birding is confined to “arm-chair birding” and reading about birds. He should enjoy the new Chat. He reports “a large flight of geese” heard over his home in the early morning hours of October 26. Clara Hearne, of Pittsboro, former President of the North Carolina Bird Club, regrets that family sickness has made it impossible for her to attend any recent meetings of the C.B.C. She did help assist the Pittsboro Garden Club’s Bird Chairman in making Pittsboro a Bird Sanctuary, and she has 84 The Chat been doing some interesting “Backyard Birding” and will assemble her notes to report later to that Department. Louise Haynes, Treasurer of the Southern Pines Bird Club, spent several weeks birding in Massachusetts during the late summer and fall. The Richard Weavers have moved from Chapel Hill to Raleigh. Com- muting back and forth from his home to his office with the North Carolina Resource-Use Education Commission proved a bit inconvenient. They are now at home at 407 Stacy Street, Raleigh, and Florence (Mrs. Dick) is teaching 7th grade at Garner. Welcome to Raleigh, Weavers all. Chapel Hill’s loss is Raleigh’s and Garner’s gain. Sara Nooe, Dept, of Zoology, Queen’s College, Charlotte, has been doing a “Warbler Study” the past summer and fall and reports a “wave” of Tennessee warblers which lasted about three weeks during the fall migra- tion. The Edwin Clarksons, of Charlotte, left just prior to the Lenoir meeting of the C.B.C. for their annual trip to Texas to visit Elizabeth’s father and to “collect” more birds for their ever-growing “life-list.” Since Connie Hagan has so put Texas on the Bird Map of the country we, too, wish we were “Headin’ South” with Elizabeth and Eddie. “Bee” Potter, another prominent birding Charlottean, President of the Mecklenburg-Audubon Club left late in October for a “Westward Ho” of birding, though primarily to visit daughter “Bee, Jr.,” and her husband in California. At the C.B.C. banquet at Lenoir Bee sat next to Jim Stevens of Lumberton, who gave her some fine leads for good biixling in the Golden State: as Lake Merritt, Oakland and Lake Tahoe for water birds; the Farallon Islands, off the coast, where there are large California Murre rookeries. Bee has joined the Cooper Ornithological Club and will be there for some of its big meetings. “Bill” (J.W.E.) Joyner, of Rocky Mount, is deep in plans to establish a Children’s Museum in his home city. He is lining up much local enthusiasm and support for the project, and hopes to have it underway around the beginning of the year. Edna, the “Indefatigable” Appleberry and husband Cecil, of Wilmington were also “headin’ South” on a Bird Jaunt — to Georgia, which included a week’s visit with the Gregor Rohwers in Macon. The Macon Bird Club had a field trip and picnic supper for them. Edna reports the Wilmington Natural Science Club has recently purchased an opaque projector and can project any picture from book or card on it. This is their first major purchase and they know it will be of great value in their educational work. John Funderburg, another member of the Wilmington Science Club, is now back in the army, and is stationed at Camp Stewart, Georgia. He spent a week-end with the Appleberrys while they were in Georgia. Hannah Turnage Fitzgerald, of Kinston, founder and first President of the Kinston Bird Club, is again teaching chemistry and biology in the local high school, and writes me that in biology she is stressing nature study, birds, and conservation. Roxie Collie Simpson, former taxidermist at the North Carolina State Museum, is now with the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, D. C. She has earned her M. S. at George Washington University and is at woi’k on her Ph.D. In her recent letter she told of working on grouse skins and had “over 200 skins and skulls of fur seals from Japan to catalog.” The Ove Jensens, formerly of Chapel Hill (Mrs. J. was President of N. C.B.C. for two years) are now at their new “House Beautiful” on Glen Lake, Maple City, Michigan. Zora reports (as of October 27) “geese going over, a thousand in one day — we are on a Black-poll migratory route — a Golden-eye and Eared Grebe on our lake — many mergansers and loons — a raccoon as a regular visitor at our feeding station. We can turn on the outside lights and watch him feeding — a wonderful beaver home about 15 miles from here — watched movies of beavers at work being taken by a conservationist. We may come south for a vacation in the spring. Would November 1 951 85 love to take a field trip with the C.B.C. Best wishes to all our old friends.” The C.B.C. goes to Southport for a spring field trip, Zora. Try to make it then ! „ Major I.S.H. Metcalf, President of the Charleston Natural History So- ciety, told me at the banquet at Lenoir that they meet every other month, have monthly early Sunday morning field trips, and their Group Divisions are as follows; Birds, Mammals, Stars, Shells. Mrs. G. E. Charles, a founder of the Columbia (S.C.) Natural Histoi'y Society and for years a contributor to Audubon Field Notes from the Columbia area recently moved to Aynor, in Horry County, S. C. This county, on the extreme upper S. C. coast, is bordered on the west by the Lumber and Little Pee Dee rivers and is traversed by the broad black waters of the Waccamaw River. It is rich in bird life and we are looking forward to hearing from Mrs. Charles frequently. May Puett, President of the Greenville (S.C.) Bird Club and its members are interested in hawk migration, and reports a large migration of Broad- wings at Table Rock, N. C., on and around September 25, 228 being counted. Gabriel Cannon, of Spartanburg, S. C., has also been interested in hawk migrations. He and a group of friends have been watching from several key points in S. C. but so far report “no hawks” so the main migratory hawk route in S. C. is still to be recorded. Mrs. H. L. Cherry, teacher of the Third Grade in Paw Creek School (in the Kendall Mills section) of Paw Creek, N. C., is doing excellent bird work with her children. Bee Potter brought to the recent Lenoir meeting a booklet made by the children “Diary of Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal and their babies, Pee Wee, Wormy, and Red.” This was illustrated by the children and included the first appearance of the cardinal, courting, nesting site, egg laying, incubation, rearing of young. We hope this booklet may be shown at Teachers’ Meetings. We also especially invite Principal McDuffie, of the School, who is reported “interested in birds,” to become a member of C B C Evelyn Hendricks, wheel-chair naturalist of Nashville, N. C., (featured in Nature Magazine Oct. ’45) has been named research assistant to Dr. Maurice Whittinghill, geneticist and zoologist of the University of North Carolina, in a study of 4-6 generations of a widely related family (about 1,200 people) of Nash County to determine whether heredity influences development of arthritis and rheumatism. Evelyn, who had to drop out of high school when she became completely physically disabled, is self-educated, but has gone so far that national authorities on rheumatoid arthritis are glad to cooperate with her. She has already done research on 600 members of this familv and a paper, written by Dr. Whittinghill from her study, was presented jointly by them at a spring meeting of the N. C. Academy of Science at Duke University. The Rotary Club of Rocky Mount gave her a grant of $550.00 to aid in this study, which will be continued, under a grant of $3,963.00 from the USPS and runs for a year, heginnmg September 15, ’51. Besides expenses, for maid-chauffeur and car (she has to be carried) Evelyn will be on a salary for a year. A wonderful example of “Human Conservation.” , . Dr. J. W. P. Smithwick, of LaGrange, N. C., writes he may be our oldest member (And a sustaining member, at that!) He is 81 and became in- terested in birds when about 15. During the latter 80’s and early 90s he was often in the fields securing specimens and taking notes. He then lived in Bertie County and recalls “thousands of blackbirds and countless robins seen during fall and winter and wild turkeys found without much trouble. Once saw a drove of 28 and had no gun! Found several nests with 18-30 eggs in them. In 1893 I found a Prothonotary Warbler’s nest, the first record of its nesting in the state (this antedates the record of Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, of 1898, at Cape Hatteras. E'd)— all this was during the time of the Brimleys of Raleigh, Cairns of Weaverville and McLaughlin of Statesville, The new plans for The Chat sound wonderful.” In 1897 Dr. Smithwick wrote “The Ornithology of North Carolina,” an Experiment Station bulletin enumerating 303 forms. 86 The Chat EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION Dr. Richard L. Weaver, Department Editor Committee : William Hamnett, Lunette Barber, Margaret Wall. The following series of nature books have been found very useful in nature museum work and in nature and conservation teaching. They are well illustrated, accurate scientifically, and all printed fairly recently. If you, or your club, want to help a school, we suggest you contribute some of the following to its library. 1. Encyclopedia Brittanica Picture Stories. The Nature Series Books. 1946. Animals Of The Woods, Gray Squirrel, Snapping Turtle, Water Birds, What Bear Is That, Goats and Kids, Adventures of Bunny Rabbit, Animals Of The Farm. 2. M. A. Donohue Company, Chicago and New York. Traveling With The Birds (1933), Homes A^id Habits Of Wild Animals (1934), Birds At Home (1942), Friendly Animals (1947). 3. William Morrow and Company, New York. A. Books by George F. Mason. Animal Tracks, Animal Homes (1947), Animal Sounds (1948). B. Books by Herbert Zim. S7iakes (1949), Frogs and Toads (1950), Owls (1950), Plants (1947). C. Books by Robert M. McClung. Ruby Throat (1950). 4. MacMillan and Company, New York. Books by C. J. Hylander. Out-Of-Doors In: Sjrnng, Summer, Autwnn, Winter (4 books, 1949). 5. Franklin Watts, Inc., New York 17, N. Y. First Book Series. First Book Of: Stones (1950), Bugs, Horses, Dogs, Hobbies, Cats, Indians. 6. Harcourt Brace & Company, New York 17, N. Y. Books by Wilfrid S. Bronson. Turtles (1945), The Grasshopper Book, Horns And Antlers, Children Of The Sea, The Chisel-Tooth Ti'ibe, The Woiider World Of Ants, Stooping Hawk And Stranded Whale, Hooker's Holiday, Starlings. 7. Random House. Jungle Anhnals (1945, Frank Buck), American Bzitterflies And Moths (1942, Cecile Hulse Matschat). 8. The Saafield Put Co., Akron, Ohio. Wild Animals As I Know Them (zoo and circus), (Klara E. Kuecht). 9. Simon And Schuster, New York. Golden Nature Guides. Herbert S. Zim et al. Birds (1949), Flowers (1950), Insects (1951). Also available — four color slide films for each book. 10. Garden City Publishing Co., Garden City, N. Y. Birds In The Homes, (Addison Webb). 11. Wilcox and Follett Company, New York. Books by Anna Pistorius. What Butterfly Is It? What Bird Is It? What Wild Flower Is It? What A^iimal Is It? 12. Didier Publishers, New York. The Book of Nature Hobbies, (Ted Pettit). 13. Henry Holt and Company, New York. Stories In Rocks (1948, Henry Lionel Williams). Bird Supplies — THE LITTLE BIRD HOUSE in Charlotte, N. C., 117 S. Brevard St., has a large selection of supplies for bird students, including houses, feeders, stationery, bird seed, etc. Write to them for descriptions and prices. November 1951 87 Nutional Conservation Meeting in North Carolina. The National Resources Council held one of its two annual meetings in Franklin, N. C., October 1 and 2. The U. S. Forest Experiment Stations at Asheville and Coweeta were hosts to the group. North Carolinians attending, in addition to the host foresters at Asheville, were Dr. and Mrs. Fred Barkalow, Hayden Olds, and Dr. Richard L. Weaver. Thirty representatives of national con- servation organizations were present. The group completed work on a policy statement dealing with the management and use of natural resources which will be presented to Congress after it has been acted upon by the member organizations of the Council. One day was spent visiting the Coweeta Hydrological Station. The group was very much impressed with the wealth of data collected on how to control water supplies on a watershed basis. CLUB NEWS The annual fall meeting of the C.B.C. was held in Lenoir on 20 October 1951, with the Lenoir Audubon Club as host. The 150 members from all over the Carolinas who attended this highly successful meeting were un- stinting in their praise of the program arranged by the Lenoir group. Field trips were held Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, to Happy Valley, Fort Defiance (home of General William Lenoir), Jonas Ridge, Hibriten Mountain, and Blowing Rock, all under the able guidance of C. E. Lovin, Fred May, and R. T. Greer. Mrs. W. B. Simons of Charlotte had a popular display of her bird-attracting supplies in the lobby of the Smith Crossroads Motel. The feature address at the evening dinner meeting was given by Miss Lunette Barber, education specialist with the N. C. Wildlife Resources Com- Lenoir Audubon Club October 26, 1951 mission. Miss Barber spoke briefly of her conservation work with the school children of the State, and showed the magniflcent all-color “Tarheel Wild- life” film. A six a.m. breakfast of coffee and doughnuts at “Kirkwood,” the home of Miss Margai-et Harper, was well attended by the Sunday morning field trippei’s. The names of the Lenoir Audubon Club members in the picture are as follows: Front row — Mrs. Elizabeth C. Harper, R. T. Greer, B. F. Williams, Thomas Parks, Mrs. G. W. Leighton. Second roiv (seated) — Mrs. R. T. Greer, Mrs. Milton J. Cook, Mrs. S. B. Howard, Mrs. B. F. Williams, Mrs. R. C. Powell, Mrs. James Griggs, Jr. Back row (standing) — Miss Fries Hall, Mrs. R. H. Spainhour, S. B. Howard, Miss Margaret Harper, Miss Maude Hartley, Mrs. Thomas Parks, Charles E. Lovin, Mrs. Fred H. May. Mrs. C. S. Warren, president, and several other members were unable to be present for the photograph. Nominating Committee. — The following members have accepted appoint- ment to serve on the Nominating Committee for the Carolina Bird Club, to nominate officers for 1952 : Mr. James R. Mattocks, Chairman, 508 Montliew Ave., High Point, N. C. ♦ Mrs. Lynn Gault, Box 1058, Chapel Hill, N. C. Mrs. A. W. Brintnall, Seven Hearths, Tryon, N. C. Mrs. Edwin O. Clarkson, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte, N. C. Mrs. William H. Faver, Eastover, S. C. Mr. Ellison A. Williams, 27 Limehouse St., Charleston 2, S. C. Nominations for officers should be sent to the chairman of this com- mittee. OflScers to be elected at the annual meeting in Raleigh on 15 March 1952 are; president, one vice-president for three year term, secretary, treas- urer, and four members-at-large. The vice-presidency up for election this year is the one now held by Mr. R. T. Greer of Lenoir, N. C. (See By-Laws, Article II, Section 3, in The Chat for March 1951, page 19.) — Margaret Y. Wall, President. The annual fall meeting of the Executive Committee was held 30 Sep- tember 1951 at Greensboro, President Margaret Wall presiding. The prin- cipal business discussed was the editorial policy for The Chat. It was decided to publish The Chat quarterly instead of the present five times per year, and to raise the pages per issue from 16 to 24. Robert Overing resigned from the Editorial Board, and Dr. D. L. Wray was appointed in his place; Mrs. T. L. Quay was added to the Board. John McLeod, Jr., was appointed State Chairman of the Publicity Committee, in place of Mrs. A. W. Bachman. In the future, membership cards will he sent only to new members, unless individually requested. An amendment to the By-Laws (Section 3 of Article 1) was proposed, and later modified at the 20 October meeting in Lenoir. The amendment is as follows: Where it now reads, “Reminders to members who have not paid shall be mailed by the treasurer by November 1st,” it shall now read, “Re- minders to members who have not paid will be sent by December 15.” This amendment will be voted on at the annual meeting in Raleigh on 15 March 1952. Publication here constitutes the officially required notice. — Edith Settan, Secretarg. >lembership List. A complete list of the names and addresses of all members will be printed in the June 1952 Chat. — Editor. MIDWINTER FIELD TRIP Date: January 25, 26, 27, 1952. Place: Mt. Pleasant and Bull’s Island, S. C. Features: Field trips to the places of your choice and an indoor oyster-roast (or other food) at The Forks. Lodsinj?: Motor Courts on Highway 17 at Mt. Pleasant; Travel Lodge, Fort Sumter, The Oaks, and others. Reservations for the oyster-ioast (or other food) on Saturday night must be made by writing to Major I. S. H. Metcalf, The Citadel, Charleston, S. C. Reservations for lodging should be made directly with the manager of the place of your choice. It is suggested that confirmation be secured. Reservations for boats to Bull’s Island for day visitors as well as for over- night guests mast be made directly with the Manager, Mr. Joseph Moffett, Awendaw, S. C. Reservations for lodging on Ball’s Island innst also he made directly with Mr. Moffett. We understand that his rates for overnight guests are $6.75 for lodging and thi’ee meals, and that the round-trip boat fare is $2.50. Mr. Moffett has stated that he can ac- commodate 16 people on Friday night and 16 on Saturday night. He will run a boat from Moore’s Landing at 4:00 p.m. Friday for overnight guests. On Saturday for day guests and overnight guests he will make two boat trips over, leaving the Landing at 7:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., and two return trips in the afternoon. The boat will cari’y 20 pas- sengers. Box lunches on Bull’s Island can also be arranged for with Mr. Moffett at $1.00 each. Mimeographed maps and information will be available at Travel Lodge Motor Court on Friday afternoon. There will be no formal meeting. Mem- bers are requested to register at Travel Lodge as soon as convenient aft^' arrival. Tide will be high at 6:25 a.m. and 6:38 p.m. on January 26. Tide will be high at 7 :22 a.m. and 7 :35 p.m. on January 26. No Moonlight — New Moon on January 26. For further information write to Mrs. Clyde Sisson, Field Trip Chairman for South Carolina, 1430 Wellington Drive, Columbia 32, S. C.