5

-I BRAR I ES SMITHSONIAN*^ INSTITUTION^NOlinillSNI^ NVINOSHilWS^SB I SVU a
<f> 5 „ ^ _ — . (/>

«2 1

OQ '/Mu? Q Xo^oc^x 2 Q

^OlinillSNI^NVINOSHJLIWS SaidVBail^LlBRAR I ESZSMITHSONIANJ|NSTITUTI'
r* , Z r~ 2 r-

m ^ xjvas^>^ m x^vosv^X ^ m wz*nq$\£*

co ' _ co iE co

.IBR ARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIlfUllSNI NVINOSH1IWS S3IBVHa

lOllfllllSNI NVINOSH1IIAIS S3IBVUan LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTL

JBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlinillSNI NVINOSH1IWS S3IHVUS

NOlinillSNI NVINOSH1IINS S3IHVUan LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUT
2: ^ ^ co z w. co z ,v.

^ vx . > ^

LI B RAR I ES ^SMITHSON IAN INSTITUTION NOIlfUllSNI NVINOSHlIl^S^Sa I U Vd \
cn ~ co — . co

NOlinillSNI^NVINOSHlIIAlS^Sa lavaan^LIBRARI ES_^SMITHSONIAN__INSTITUTI

® 1%. . ° /S^^v w I <4

>

X)

CO — co _ co

IIRRARIFS SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlinillSNI NVINOSH1IWS S3ldVd£

RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlifUllSNI NVINOSHIIWS S3IHVaai1_

niiiSNi NviNOSHiiiNS S3 iava an libraries Smithsonian institution

m

CO — CO CO

RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlifUllSNI NVINOSH1IINS S3ldVd8l1

CO z , CO' z co

2 - >/ 2
.fUilSNl NVINOSHlIWS^Sl I d Vd 9 11 LI B RAR I ES^SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

5 ^ ^ 5

co

CO

o O x^vosv^ ~ O

RARIES SMITHSONIAN^ INSTITUTION NOIlfUllSNI^NVlNOSHlIWS S3 I dVd 9 11

m

co t: co

inillSNI NVIN0SH1II/MS $3ldVd9l1 LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
z ' co z » ♦■> . co z

< 2 , < .■> 2 <

RAR I ES^SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlifUllSNI NVINOSHlIINS^Sa I dVd9 11

CO 5 co . ~ . CO 2

UJ ^ ^ ^ ^ z^vTx co

CO

q:

ri"' m V'SsMZf ~ q

iniiiSNi-lNviN0SHiiwszs3 1 ava a ll^U B RAR I eszsmithsonian^institution?

I x^S^x 5 i jj§^ 5 £

t; (§&*h& t;

CO *■'

H

C'-

, . 1 -y ■ ' ' 2

CO - CO ± CO

; RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlifUllSNI NVIN0SH1IINS S3ldVd9l1

CO (n ■y' CO 2

The Chat

Voi. 36 March 1972 No. i

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C.

General Field Notes Janies F. Parnell, Route 3, Box 303-F, Wilmington, N.C.

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Bird Watchers' Roundtable Marcus B. Simpson Jr. and H. Douglas Pratt

Carolina Birds and Birders _ Willie M. Morrison, 1610 Home Ave., Hartsville, S.C.

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Rt. 1, Tiger, Ga.

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina
Bird Club Inc. with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon,. N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

CONTENTS

1970 Habitat Relations Study of the Nesting Birds

of William B. Umstead State Park, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 1

Conservation 4

Carolina Birds and Birders 7

Bird Watchers’ Roundtable 11

Book Review 13

Christmas Bird Count— 1971 14

General Field Notes 29

Leach’s Petrel in North Carolina,

Charles R. Blem and David W. Sonneborn 29

Little Gull at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., J. Merrill Lynch 30

Early Records for Pelagic Birds off the North Carolina

Coast, Frank Enders 30

Breeding Range Extension of the Blue-winged Teal

into Southeastern North Carolina, Gilbert S. Grant 31

Unusual Nesting Site for Tufted Titmouse, J. H. Carter III 32

Briefs for the Files 33

CB©

OUR COVER— An adult Great Black-backed Gull
posed for Mike Browne on the Outer Banks of North
Carolina. According to figures in the 1971 Christmas
Bird Count, this species is visiting the Carolinas in
winter in larger numbers than ever before.

1970 HABITAT RELATIONS STUDY
OF THE NESTING BIRDS
OF WILLIAM B. UMSTEAD STATE PARK

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

The purpose of this research was to study the habitat relations of the nesting birds in
an extensive woodland environment. Breeding bird censuses were made on seven
carefully selected plots representative of the major habitat types at William B. Umstead
State Park. Each census was conducted by visiting the plot at least five times during the
summer and directly counting the number of pairs or, more correctly, the number of
singing males present.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA AND CENSUS PLOTS

William B. Umstead State Park is located about 8 miles NW of Raleigh, N. C. Most of
the 5,200 -acre park is either pinewoods or mixed pine-hardwoods. This is especially true
in the drier and higher sections. Along the creeks there are essentially pure hardwoods,
but away from the creeks there are few pure hardwood forests. Climax forests
(oak-hickory) are rare. Below the dams of the three lakes are bushy areas, and there are a
few bushy clearings scattered over the park. Also, a power line bisecting the park offers
some nesting habitat for a few open-country birds. Along the park boundaries are a few
residential and farming areas. However, Umstead State Park is mainly a solid block of
second-growth woodland.

The seven plots I censused were of different-aged forests, except for two lowland
hardwood censuses. The youngest stage plot was located just outside the park at the
Raleigh-Durham Airport. This plot was a mixed sapling brushland, but a grassy field
adjacent to the saplings was censused in connection with them. Since this sapling habitat
was restricted to only a few places in the park, I chose this one because of its adequate
size. There was a gap in the regular succession stages at the park. There were almost no
young pine forests (10 to 30 years) in the park, since the area had been out of cultivation
for about 30 to 40 years. The next census was a middle-aged pine forest with an
understory of hardwoods. This type of forest was common at Umstead, but usually there
were a few large hardwoods present in the canopy. The next census, a predominantly
pine forest (some hardwoods in the canopy), was the most typical habitat in the park.
Following this plot was one that was approximately evenly-mixed pine-hardwood. The
last of the upland forest types, the oak-hickory climax, was so limited in the park that I
was unable to census this type. Instead, I censused a mature hardwood ridge overlooking
a creek. This forest was similar to the oak-hickory except there was less understory and
fewer hickory trees present. The two lowland hardwood forests were located along
Crabtree Creek. One census was of a fairly narrow hardwood forest along the creek, but
the other was richer and more extensively deciduous away from the creek. Many special
habitats, such as a fresh-water marsh and a wet thicket, were not censused because their
distribution was very limited at the park, and they were not representative of the area.

RESULTS

The values for each species in Table 1 are the numbers of pairs per 100 acres of
habitat (converted from the number of pairs per acres of plot). These values are
important because they can be used as a comparison of a species’ abundance in the
habitats in which it nests. Values of 10 or under on the table are not very significant,
since they represent only one or two pairs of birds on a particular plot. A plus sign on
the table indicates that a species was recorded in a plot only on one visit. The most

March 1972

1

TABLE I. Distribution of the birds recorded on the breeding bird censuses,
expressed in number of pairs per 100 acres of habitat.

>. o

C/5

i-i

o

fa

fal 4-*
d C/5

'fa

C/5

fa 'fa

C/1

TJ

•S g

s °

ofa

7D •£

O

"§ 1

S fa

fa >
fa 5

■§ |

0

c

« s

0) 0)
X u

o

fa a

Id "fa
fa ft

o ^

fa

fa fa

s fa

P K

U !£

faK

Eastern Meadowlark 46*70

Grasshopper Sparrow 46*711

Prairie Warbler

52

Yellow-breasted Chat

37

Field Sparrow

30

Bobwhite

15

4.6

6.5

10

Yellowthroat

15

Indigo Bunting

15

Rufous-sided Towhee

15

9

13

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

7.4

2.3

6.5

20

Brown Thrasher

7.4

Cardinal

7.4

18

19

14

13

60

40

Bachman’s Sparrow

7.4

Mourning Dove

3.7

6.5

Eastern Kingbird

3.7

Carolina Chickadee

3.7

14

19

18

30

10

Carolina Wren

3.7

9

13

9

13

30

20

White-eyed Vireo

3.7

Blue Grosbeak

3.7

Red-eyed Vireo

23

33

37

65

60

70

Pine Warbler

23

13

32

Wood Thrush

18

39

32

39

70

60

Summer Tanager

14

13

23

13

20

20

Solitary Vireo

9

Ovenbird

9

6.5

14

10

Yellow-shafted Flicker

4.6

6.5

4.6

13

10

10

Red-bellied Woodpecker

4.6

9

13

20

20

Hairy W oodpecker

4.6

4.6

6.5

10

10

Blue Jay

4.6

13

9

6.5

Brown-headed Nuthatch

4.6

6.5

9

Hooded Warbler

4.6

13

13

20

30

Scarlet Tanager

4.6

6.5

18

+

20

10

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

+

6.5

20

30

Tufted Titmouse

13

32

6.5

30

20

Common Crow

6.5

Yellow-throated Warbler

6.5

20

10

Brown-headed Cowbird

6.5

4.6

10

30

Eastern Wood Pewee

14

Downy W oodpecker

9

6.5

10

10

Great Crested Flycatcher

9

+

10

Acadian Flycatcher

19

60

50

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

6.5

30

30

Parula Warbler

6.5

10

20

Kentucky Warbler

6.5

10

20

Screech Owl

10

10

Eastern Phoebe

10

10

Yellow-throated Vireo

10

10

Louisiana W aterthrush

10

10

American Redstart

+

40

Whip-poor-will

10

Acres of plot

26.5

22.0

15.5

22

15.5

10

10

Pairs

65.0

40.5

42.0

66

38.0

61

64

Pairs/ 100 acres

240.5

184.0

271.0

300

245.0

610

640

Grassy field sector only.

important values on the table are the total numbers of pairs per 100 acres of each
habitat. These numbers indicate the density of nesting birds in each habitat and tell
which habitats are more attractive to breeding birds than others.

DISCUSSION

Because Umstead State Park is mostly a pine forest with a heavy growth of deciduous
understory, the most common birds in the park are naturally those that live either in the
pine forests or in the deciduous understory. The Pine Warbler is the abundant bird of the
pines, and the Wood Thrush and Red-eyed Vireo are the dominant birds of the
understory, though the vireos are also abundant in mature hardwoods. Other common
birds are those nesting in pines or mixed woods or nesting in deciduous understory.
Because most of the large deciduous trees are located along creeks, woodpeckers and
other birds of the deciduous forest are most common there. Also, a few species nest only
in lowland hardwoods, and, therefore, these woods have by far the highest concentration
of birdlife in the park.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by a National Science Foundation award (Grant No.
GY-7279) to the School of Forest Resources at North Carolina State University, under
the direction of T. E. Maki. T. L. Quay, of the Department of Zoology, at North
Carolina State University, was my advisor and helped in the preparation of this paper.

331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N. C. 27609, 25 August 1971.

March 1972

3

nature is going through a renewal that can give our lives a special lift. Back-pack along
the Appalachian trail, attend spring CBC and GOS, take in the wild flower pilgrimage, or
just get out and sit on a mossy log in your own woods and watch the first butterflies
flitting over the first flowers of the season.

For those of you who enjoy wilderness camping, South Carolina offers some
exceptional scenery and mountain hiking. Oconee State Park, 12 miles NW ofWalhalla,
is in the heart of the South Carolina Mountains, on the borders of the National Forest.
There are hiking trails extending for miles, and you can see such springtime beauties as
masses of mountain laurel and rhododendrons, and beds of blossoming trillium and
violets. Table Rock State Park is 30 miles N of Greenville, and from there nature trails
climb Table Rock and the Pinnacle mountains.

Good News!

In these days of ecological disasters and forwarnings of doom I thought it would be
refreshing for once to record only bright spots on the environmental picture. To begin
with, it seems definitely established that there is still an Ivory-billed Woodpecker alive in
South Carolina. In recognition of his work to prevent lumbering in the Santee Swamp,
supposed haunt of the Ivory-billed, Alex Sanders was presented with a painting of the
species by the Sierra Club. This presentation followed the announcement by William
Campbell, Columbia chapter president of the Audubon Society, that the Ivory-billed had
recently been photographed. Location has carefully not been pinpointed to protect the
birds from an invasion of bird-watchers that might disturb both the birds and their
habitat.

The only known recording of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker is now available on a new
record from the South Carolina Wildlife Resources Department. The record, Bird Songs

4

The Chat

of South Carolina, was produced by Peter Paul Kellogg in cooperation with Cornell
University’s Laboratory of Ornithology. The record may be obtained by sending $2.00
to the South Carolina Wildlife Resources Dept., Box 167, Columbia, S. C. 29202.

The Army Corps of Engineers announced that the controversial request to dredge a
canal on Pawley’s Island had been withdrawn.

The South Carolina State Development Board issued a report opposing the Trotter
Shoals dam project on the Savannah River. In this they join an ever increasing number of
conservation organizations, the Georgia Department of Game and Fish, and an unofficial
position by representatives of the South Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Nathaniel P. Reed, assistant secretary of the Interior, recently states that a survey
showed twice as much time spent in bird watching last year, than was spent in hunting.
This same survey by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife states that “there are
over 870,000 persons who watch birds over an average of 117 days per year.” In another
rather astounding statement. Fish and Wildlife Officials stated “units of wilderness
within National Wildlife Refuges will be administered in such a manner as to preserve
their wilderness character for the use and enjoyment of the American people, and at the
same time, leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment.”

I recently visited the Sea Pines Forest Preserve on Hilton Head Island, a 572-acre
wilderness set aside by Charles Frazier and planned by Glen McCaskey to protect animals
and birds and provide visitors with a unique experience. Trails wind through varying
habitats, with ponds of waterfowl and with areas of deep woods with age-old live oaks
and magnolias. A 3,400-year-old Indian shell ring is within the area, as well as dikes from
the original Lawton Plantation rice fields. A permanent forest preserve set in the heart of
a major development is truly remarkable, and this project should set a pattern for
community planners every where.

Mr. Frazier also recently purchased some 500 acres comprising the two heronries on
Hilton Head, that these may be preserved. White Ibis, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue
Herons, Louisiana Herons, Common Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Cattle Egrets nest in
these rookeries. Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Night Herons nest on the outskirts
of the colonies, and one rookery is ringed by five Osprey nests. Birders and ecologists
can be very thankful that these valuable breeding grounds are being preserved.

To Have and to Hold

Alaska’s “pageant of wildlife,” with emphasis on its abundant migratory birds, is
illustrated in a 16-page color booklet just issued by the Interior Department’s Fish and
Wildlife Service. Titled “To Have and to Hold,” the booklet points out, mostly in
photographs, that this natural bounty will not be easy to preserve in a vast area now
threatened by rapid change.

In his foreword, Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton stresses that “the life
cycle of tens of millions of Northern Hemisphere waterfowl, sea birds and other species
are dependent upon Alaska’s islands, coastal plains, river valleys and marine waters.” The
Secretary adds: “As the decisions to develop Alaska’s oil and water resources are being
made, it is essential that man also preserve the living riches of this northern land. It will
be a crucial test of man’s ability, ingenuity and self-restraint to do so. This is the highest
aspiration of the Department of the Interior.”

The pamphlet, for sale at 35 cents by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402, describes the vital role of Alaska

March 1972

5

in producing migratory birds for America and the entire Pacific Ocean basin and
describes the areas that must be protected if these valuable species are to survive.

Fast Action Increases Penalties for Killing Eagles

Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton praised Congress for taking fast action
toward increasing the Federal penalties for killing Bald and Golden Eagles. The House
voted favorably 7 February on the recommendation of the Merchant Marine and
Fisheries Committee amendments to the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 that would
provide for maximum penalties of $5,000 and one year imprisonment for subsequent
offenses. “After the deplorable eagle slaughters in Wyoming revealed last year, the
present efforts indicate the continuing concern of the Congress for the preservation of
our national bird,” Secretary Morton said.

Congress became concerned with the possible extinction of the Bald Eagle as early as
1940. The Bald Eagle Protection Act of that year forbid the taking, selling, etc., of Bald
Eagles or their parts unless under special permit. It provided for fines of not more than
$500 and imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both.

The Department of the Interior had recommended enactment of legislation similar to
that just passed by the House of Representatives. Under Secretary Pecora advised the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in September that “increased penalties,
together with a requirement of less specific criminal intent will serve to deter future
violations of the Act.” The Bald Eagle Protection Act was amended in 1962, extending
to the Golden Eagle those protections already afforded the Bald Eagle.

Now Available:

Plans for the Duncan bluebird nest box, available from W. G. Duncan, 519
Ridgewood Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40207. Or completed nest boxes from
Greenfield Wood Products, Youngs Creek, Indiana 47472, $3.00 each.

********

From Public Documents Distribution Center, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.
19120: Camping in the National Park System, 25 cents, and Back-Country Travel in the
National Park System, 35 cents.

Conservation Yearbook, Our Living Land-% 2.00 from U. S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D. C. 20402

6

The Chat

with Willie Morrison

What on Earth is Anting?

ELOISE F. POTTER

On 3 March 1964 I saw five Starlings anting outside our dining room window, and life
in the Potter household never has been the same since. Newly named editor of Chat, I
could think at the moment of nothing more than getting enough information to write a
good field note. Subsequent correspondence with the late Rhett Chamberlain
encouraged me to try to watch systematically for anting in wild birds, to collect
specimens of the ants used, and to try to shed some light upon the perennial question,
“Why do birds ant?” Nearly 8 years later I still do not know why birds ant, but I can
answer plenty of questions about the who, what, where, when, and how of anting
behavior.

The house in Zebulon had a glass-paned back door that could be watched easily from
the kitchen and utility room. Outside this door were two mature sap sucker riddled pecan
trees and the remains of an old apple orchard. Grass was scarce under the trees, and
several large ant colonies could be seen with the aid of a field glass. First thing every
morning and at least once every 2 hours thereafter until dark I stood at the back door
and watched for anting. If I saw any Starlings or Blue Jays within the orchard plot as I
went about my housework, I would watch until they left the yard because I had
previously noted that birds of these species are prone to ant. During the 29 months of
regular watching, I recorded 15 episodes of anting involving 25 birds of 6 species. In
September 1966 we moved into our new house on a wooded lot in the country 3.5 air
miles from Zebulon. During the next two years, without especially watching for anting, I
saw 10 additional episodes involving 20 birds of 6 species. Eventually these 25
observations formed the basis for a 22-page paper that appeared in the October 1970
issue of Auk, the journal of the American Ornithologists’ Union, as “Anting in Wild
Birds, Its Frequency and Probable Purpose.” And now for the questions:

Is anting uncommon behavior for wild birds?

No, it is just seldom seen and reported.

How do birds act when they ant?

Birds may ant either actively or passively, combine the two forms, or alternately ant
and engage in some other activity such as feeding or preening. While anting the bird may
perch on the ground, on a relatively small plant, or on any part of a tree all the way from
the main trunk to the terminal branches. I have seen a bird move back and forth from a
tree to the ground several times, anting a few times between each movement. It has
surprised me to see how variable anting behavior can be.

In active anting the bird picks up ants with the bill and inserts them among the
feathers with stereotyped motions. In the classic anting posture one wing is lifted slightly
from the body and rotated until the tips of the primaries touch the ground at right
angles, and simultaneously the tail is twisted to the side of the body and brought
forward until it touches, or very nearly touches, the wing. The bird then uses the ants to

March 1972

7

anoint the feathers, more often than not those of the wing. (For color photographs of
birds anting see National Geographic Society’s Song and Garden Birds of North America ,
pages 192-193.) The bird may crush the ants or hold them in a position so they can
spray their acid excretions on the feathers.

In passive anting the bird flattens its body against the ground either at mounds or in
the path of a moving column and allows the ants to crawl among the feathers. Then the
bird removes the ants with the same motions used in active anting. There is usually no
way to tell whether the bird is anting or sunbathing until it begins to remove the ants.

PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes preening birds will raise and rotate a wing in a manner
similar to the anting posture, but the tail is not brought forward and ants are not picked
up. Sometimes anting birds do not bring the tail forward, but the jerky movements of
picking up and inserting the ants in the plumage distinguish this behavior from ordinary
preening.

What species of birds are most likely to ant?

Over 200 species of small land birds have been seen anting in various parts of the
world either in the wild or in captivity. From North and South Carolina there are more
anting records for Starlings and Robins than any other species, with Blue Jays running a
poor third.

Other birds known to have anted in the Carolinas include Brown Thrasher, Catbird,
Cardinal, Rufous-sided Towhee, House Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, Yellow-shafted
Flicker, and Prothonotary Warbler. Doris Hauser of Fayetteville has seen both squirrels
and birds anting.

Where am I most likely to see birds anting?

While birds do ant in the woods, most of the published accounts give the locations as
driveways, sidewalks, lawns, and meadows. These are mostly open urban or suburban
sites where birds are easily seen without being disturbed by the approaching birder. The
alert housewife who cooks, washes dishes, folds laundry, or sews beside a window is far
more likely to see anting in wild birds than is the person conducting active field studies.

Once I spotted a Blue Jay anting while I was driving down one of Zebulon’s busiest
streets. Fortunately I managed to circle the block and confirm the sighting without
causing an auto accident, but I do not recommend this as a method of bird study.

When am I most likely to see birds anting?

Birds may ant from early March to late November, but the great majority of records
for temperate North America fall between mid-May and the end of the first week in
October. Apparently few adults ant before young of the first brood are ready, or very
nearly ready, to leave the nest. At Zebulon more individual birds of more different
species anted in August than in any other month of the year. More birds anted in the
early morning hours (before 10:00) than in late afternoon or at midday.

Does weather influence anting activity?

I think so, but more evidence is needed to confirm my findings. So far at Zebulon
there is an excellent Correlation between precipitation and anting. Of my 25 anting
episodes, 19 took place within 72 hours after rainfall. The most intensive anting took
place within 48 hours after rainfall during and following prolonged wet spells in August,
such as those associated with the passing of tropical storms. Autumn mornings when fog
doesn’t clear until mid-morning are also good times to look for anting.

How old are birds when they ant?

In her classic study of the Song Sparrow, Margaret M. Nice found that hand-reared
birds began anting at 36 and 37 days of age. My own records show more anting by
juveniles than by adults, but this is probably because juvenile birds outnumber adults
during the peak of the anting season. I have noted that juvenile Robins appear to be
particularly prone to ant if they become wet while molting into first winter plumage.

8

The Chat

Why do birds ant?

To the best of my knowledge no one can give a positive answer to this question. Two
popular theories are that birds ant 1) to rid themselves of ectoparasites, or 2) for the
pleasure of self-stimulation. While each of these statements might logically explain
certain cases of anting, I do not think that either one covers all the data now available on
anting behavior.

The second thesis seems quite likely to be true when one considers the large number
of birds that use strange objects like moth balls, lighted cigarettes, and walnut hulls for
dressing their feathers while assuming anting postures. Could anting be the avian version
of drug addiction? Not very likely. Those who study the development of animal behavior
say that a widespread and stereotyped pattern like anting must have had a functional
origin. These researchers tend to believe that anting helps birds reduce or prevent
ectoparasite infestations.

While I was studying anting at Zebulon, Elizabeth Teulings was gathering data on bird
parasites at Chapel Hill, N. C. When we compared notes, I was astounded to learn that
parasite infestation is low during the same summer months when anting is at its peak
(July, August, September.) Months of major anting activity coincide with the
postnuptial and postjuvenile molts for most of the species I studied. The one
Slate-colored Junco anting record falls within the early March period for the prenupital
head molt of that species, and this is the only bird I have seen scratching its head during
an anting episode. Putting these facts together, I concluded there must be some
significant relationship between anting and molting. Perhaps birds ant to soothe skin
irritated by new feather growth or to help remove the waxy substance that coats the skin
during molts. There may be some other reason such as hardening the newly emerged
feathers or softening the sheaths from which the feathers emerge. More observations of
wild birds and controlled experiments with captive birds will be needed to provide an
adequate explanation for the apparent correlation between anting and molting.

What should CBC members do if they see a bird anting?

Many published accounts of anting are imcomplete, lacking even such fundamental
data as the day of the year. Detailed reports are badly needed. If you see a bird anting,

March 1972

9

please fill in as much as you can of the outline below and send the information to me for
publication in Chat.

Date anting took place:

Time of day:

Locality:

Species of bird:

Age of bird:

Sex of bird:

Form of anting (active or passive):

Feathers treated and number of treatments:

Related behavior:

Condition of plumage (evidence of parasite infestation or molting, if any):

Weather conditions at time of anting:

Number of days since last local rainfall:

General weather conditions for last several days:

Comments:

Observer:

Mailing address:

The reason for most of the data requested will be obvious to those of you who have
read this article. The topic of related behavior probably deserves further explanation.
When a bird ants, it may be in a state of ecstasy and appear to be completely unaware of
its surroundings. On the other hand it may ant and feed alternately in a very casual
manner, drive away other birds that want to visit the ant hills, or dust and sunbathe in
conjunction with anting.

Sometimes the related behavior may be even more interesting to the observer than the
anting itself. At 6:03 AM on 29 August 1967 two molting juvenile Robins anted beside
the driveway of our home near Zebulon. The first made only a few treatments, but the
second anted steadily until 6:15. This bird on several occasions picked up in its beak a
twig of white oak having 13 small to medium-sized leaves still attached and swept the
ground with it by turning the head 180 degrees, apparently in a successful attempt to
locate more ants in the leaf litter. The bird picked up the same twig too many times for
the action to have been merely an accident. I had read about birds in far away places
using twigs to obtain food, but seeing a Robin using a tool in my own yard was
undoubtedly the most exciting birding experience of my life.

The study of anting is much like putting together a jig-saw puzzle. The ornithologist
must fit into place many small bits of information before he can see the big picture. To
gather data as quickly as possible the scientist studies birds in captivity, exposing them
to ants under controlled conditions. This is no doubt useful, but there is still a need for
abundant data on anting by wild birds that must compete for nesting sites, mate, rear
young, find food, survive storms, watch for predators, and even migrate. Such a body of
knowledge can come only from patient watching and careful note taking by
dozens-perhaps even hundreds--of amateur bird students. The persistent watcher may
even be rewarded by a glimpse of tool use by some exceptional Robin or Starling. It
won’t be as much fun as a trip to the Galapagos to see Darwin’s Woodpecker Finch in
action, but it will be less expensive and will help answer the question, “Why do birds
ant?”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Gladys Baker and Willie Morrison read the manuscript and made suggestions for
which I am grateful. The drawing of a bird anting is by my daughter, Patty Potter, who
has been a CBC member all of her 13 years.

P. O. Box 277, Zebulon, N. C. 27597, 19 January 1972.

10

The Chat

BIRD WATCHERS’

ouA/uttoub Qe.

CBC Fall Meeting on Outer Banks

The 1971 fall meeting of the Carolina Bird Club was held on the North Carolina Outer
Banks the weekend of 24-26 September. Headquarters for the meeting was the
Carolinian Motor Hotel in Nags Head. Approximately 150 people registered, and among
them were 25 members of the Cape Henry Bird Club at Norfolk, Virginia. On Friday
night James F. Parnell, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the
General Field Notes editor for The Chat, gave a slide program orienting the birders with
the Outer Banks and some of the birds characteristic of the region.

Saturday field trips were led by several CBC members familiar with the area to the
Bodie Island lighthouse pond and vicinity and to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge,
particularly to North Pond, a large impoundment 3 miles S of Oregon Inlet. Some
birders went on their own to the Cape Hatteras area. Saturday was a clear and rather
windy day, but it was obvious even by early morning that a heavy passerine migration
was in progress. Warblers were calling overhead everywhere. The most common was the
Palm Warbler, but Cape Mays and American Redstarts were also quite numerous. Most of
the birders seemed to concentrate at North Pond, where Jim Parnell found and
photographed a Reddish Egret, the second record for the state. This bird was well
observed by a large number of people. Also in the immediate area were six or seven
Buff-breasted Sandpipers feeding on a dry flats area just north of the pond. Another
highlight of the day was a pair of Hudsonian Godwits seen at the south end of the pond.
Two other exciting finds on Saturday were an Oregon Junco seen by Robert Ake at
Avon and 2 Black Rails seen crossing a muddy channel in a marsh at Bodie Island by Lou
Overman and Kitty Kosh.

By the time the Saturday evening program came around, most of the birders had
finished and unusually successful day of field work, and nearly everyone had added one
or more lifers to their lists. The slide program for the night was a study of Osprey nesting
populations in the Chesapeake Bay area by Mitchell A. Byrd of the College of William
and Mary, Williamsburg, Va. (In my opinion Dr. Byrd’s program was one of the best ever
presented at a CBC meeting.) Following the slide program was the eagerly awaited
species countdown. A remarkable total of 165 species were reported seen on the coast
from Kitty Hawk to Hatteras, and seven more species were seen on Sunday for a grand
total of 172. In addition to the rarities mentioned above were: nine species of hawks,
including several Peregrine Falcons and Pigeon Hawks; 29 species of shorebirds, including
100+ Piping Plovers and at least 15 Long-billed Dowitchers and 30 Stilt Sandpipers; a

March 1972

11

Western Kingbird; a Philadelphia Vireo; 22 species of warblers, including Nashville,
Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, and Wilson’s; dozens of Baltimore Orioles; and one
or two Lark Sparrows.

This CBC meeting was certainly one of the best ever held. The fellowship was warm,
the programs were informative, and the birding at a CBC gathering has never been more
exciting. Robert J. Hader, who made the arrangements for this meeting, did an excellent
job, and CBC President Pat Probst handled the business session with commendable
efficiency. It is hoped that the CBC can meet at Nags Head again in the near
future. -HARRY E. LeGR AND JR.

Auklets

During 1971 several CBC members published papers and notes in Auk, the quarterly
journal of the American Ornithologists’ Union. The editor is Oliver L. Austin, who wrote
Birds of the World (1961), beautifully illustrated by Arthur Singer, and edited the
three-volume 1968 finch addition to Bent’s Life Histories.

“A Field Study of the Wrenthrush, Zeledonia coronata” (Auk, 88:1-20) is by James
H. Hunt of Raleigh. Jim did the field work in Central America while he was in graduate
school at Louisiana State University. He is now working toward a doctorate at the
University of California.

“Audubon’s Warbler in North Carolina” is the title of Betty Davis’ note in the
October 1971 issue of Auk (88:924). Betty trapped the bird in her yard at Rocky
Mount, N. C., on 28 February 1970. Roxie Collie Laybourne identified the specimen as
an immature male of the Pacific coast race. This appears to be only the second authentic
record of Dendroica auduboni auduboni for eastern North America.

On the same page with Betty’s note is an article by Maurice Broun, the Hawk
Mountain man, about seeing House Sparrows feeding at night on moths and other insects
attracted by floodlights at an airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Fred L. Johns (Chat,
29:114) made the same discovery in Raleigh’s Cameron Village. Jack and Eloise Potter
have seen Killdeer feeding around lights in the parking lot at K-Mart on Six Forks Road
in Raleigh. Do you readers know any other examples of this type of behavior?

“Wood Ducks nesting in chimneys” is the title of Paul A. Stewart’s recent note in
Auk (88:425). Dr. Stewart, who lives at Oxford, N. C., and is associated with the
Agricultural Experiment Station, wrote his Ph.D. thesis on the Wood Duck and
continues to be interested in the species’ behavior and management. He is making final
revisions on a paper scheduled for publication in Chat this year, “The Plight of Wood
Ducks in the Carolinas.” EFP

A Carolinian in Zambia

Dale Lewis, whose “Summer Birds at a Coastal Marsh Impoundment in North
Carolina” appeared in Chat in December 1970, recently arrived at Lochinvar Ranch in
Zambia, Africa, to spend a year doing research for the Zoology Department of the
University of Michigan under grants from the University and National Geographic
Society. Dale’s work will deal primarily with ornithology. The 100- square-mile ranch is
part of Kafue Flats, one of the richest game reserves in Africa. The Raleigh native’s
present address is Box 12, Lochinvar Ranch, Monze, Zambia, Africa.

That’s Our Doug Pratt!

Watch for announcements of the forthcoming publication of The Mammals of
Louisiana by George H. Lowery Jr. CBC’s own Doug Pratt is currently preparing about a
dozen paintings for color plates plus skull drawings and pen-and-ink sketches to illustrate
the book. Club members who have watched Doug’s rapid growth as both artist and
naturalist are pleased that the excellence of his work is recognized by Dr. Lowery, who is
one of the country’s foremost zoologists.

12

The Chat

Confusing Winter Oriole

The Raven (41:55) recently published a note pointing out once again that no matter
how carefully we study a bird in the field or even in the hand, some circumstances
require a critical comparision with study skins:

“A bird fulfilling all the field marks of a female Bullock’s Oriole-include a white
belly-appeared at a feeding station near Fairfax, Virginia, in late December 1969. Gale
Monson saw the bird on 12 February 1970, and on 13 February it was trapped and
turned over to J. M. Abbott for treatment of a frozen foot. Several weeks later the bird
died and was given to the U. S. National Museum. A critical review of the specimen,
particularly by Mrs. Roxie Layboume, revealed that it was, in fact, a Baltimore Oriole.
This strongly suggests that sight records of female or immature Bullock’s Orioles in the
East are all suspect.”

Bank Swallows in July at Kerr Lake

The September 1970 Raven also reports that Gilbert Grant and Carl Johnson found
Bank Swallows at Kerr Reservoir near Clarksville, Virginia, in early July 1969. Because
there are no known breeding sites in the vicinity, these birds must be assumed to be early
fall migrants. However, recently established Cliff Swallow colonies at Kerr Lake and
other major reservoirs in the Carolinas suggest the possibility that Bank Swallows might
follow suit.

BOOK REVIEW

HIGH ARCTIC. George Miksch Sutton. Paul S. Eriksson, Inc., 119 W. 57 Street, New
York, N. Y. 10019, 1971. 105 p. Illus. Index. $12.95.

Subtitled “An Expendition to the Unspoiled North,” this book is a charming memoir
by the man who is currently Professor Emeritus of Zoology at the University of
Oklahoma and Curator of Birds at its Stovall Museum. At an age when many men
contentedly play miniature golf in retirement villages, Dr. Sutton joined a field
expedition to Bathurst Island, halfway between the Arctic Circle and the northernmost
lands known to man. Young in mind and spirit. Dr. Sutton gamely bounced around the
Far North in a toboggan pulled by a Ski-Doo and in an Otter airplane, making field
sketches under miserable weather conditions. Each time he encounters a scene of great
beauty, a new species of wildlife, or a new awareness of his own humanity, he expresses
himself with prose as beautiful as his paintings. I suppose the purpose of the book is to
show how zoologists study the birds and mammals of the Arctic, but I am most
impressed by what it reveals about George Miksch Sutton, artist, writer, teacher, and
thoroughly remarkable human being.-EFP

March 1972

13

wqmsoaa 82
PEN'UM ^ouis

{- I9qiU909(I l£

S '3'N “°3 aquiooung

I9qUI909(J 81

'3'N *'03 n3A\oa3W-^33“®A

J9qU1999Q 0£
'3'N “03 ip^PFO

I9qUI999Q 82
3 N<0J0qS9>n!Av qjjoN
I9qUI999Q 9J

'3'N “Epiiog-ui^a
I3qiU399Q l £

'3'N ‘suoiiBqo

AjenUEf j

'3'N “°3 ^irejs

XrenuBf z
'3'N ‘ui9iBS-uo}suiA£

Areniref i
'3'N ‘oJoqsugsjQ

XiEturef z
3'N ‘IIIH pdsqa

XrenuEf x
'3'N ‘^PIEtf

I9qui999a0£
3'N luosj9pu9H

J9qUI309Q X £
3'N ‘spidBy 9>{ouboxi

I9qU1999Q 92

3'S ‘u35f!V

J9qiU999Q ZZ
3’S ‘Biquinio3

Z I3qui909a 82

< '3'S ‘uoina

a.

_j J9qU1999Q £2

< '3'N ‘sginj uigqjnos

CO

<

O

U XiBnuBf x

'3'N ‘JunofM X>(9og

I9qlU909Q 92
'3'N “03 oonurej

AiBnuBf 2

'3'N “°3 Wjnisag

I9qlU393(X 62
3'S ‘PUE[SI PB9H uojhh

XiBnuBf 2
3'S ‘uo}S9iJTEq3

J9qui393a 62
•3'S “SI s./teiMEd-ppyqoxn

J9qUI999Q 61

'3'N ‘podqinos

J9qui909(x 81

'3'N ‘uojSuiiupAV

J3qUI999Q 92

'3'N ‘^1!3 psaqaioxv

J9qUI993Q 0£
3'N ‘PUE|SI B9J-9ipoa

SIEJOX

pjnpiAipuj

oo

<

c n

5

U

II i I ~ I I 1
I I I I ^ I I I
I I I ~ 2 i i i

I I I II I I I I ! I I I l

II I I I! ! ! ! I ! I ! I

I i I I! I I I I I I i I I

I I

I I I I I

m i ~ i i i

i i ii i i i i i i i i i i

! !

I I ! I 1 I 1 I I 1 IS

I I I ! I ! M ! ! I S

I I !
'Ill

S I I

III!

I I I ■■■■■■■■■I

I I I I I I

! ! ! ! ! ! I 1 ! I !

i ! i i ' * i ! ' i ' i

I !

'"!!!!!!!

i ! j i

iS I I

! I I ^ I I I I ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I I M I I

I I I ~ I I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I i * I I I I

! I ! " ! I ! I I I ! I ! ! I ! M I I I ! 132- I I

i i I ! I I ! I ! ! I I ! ! ! I ^ I I I I " 01 I I i

13 I * I I i i I lli I I I I * I i |4i 1 I i M

if0|^<N!!!lj!!MM°:;<N!!l!®2!ll

I st -h # rf rf

! n- co o\ it) r-i

j

^ | | c* — >

III!

i .iiiiii

e

E

o

<_>

i I

! I ! ! I i II i ! j ! - I ! I i I ! I I I

I 5 ! S !

INI!
I . ill i

|NHrtrHiMI!l|'0!rHl||!!!!

I I

I i I I i I i i I i I I I i i i i i I I I I i il ! i ! i I I i i i I M I I i I I I I i i

! I

mill!
I I ! ! I I !

I II I II ""

I I i I

I - m I I I I ^ I I I ~ I S I I I I! I

I I 2 I

VO H | 00

I I I I

*11-^*11111

I 3 I 3 I * I I I I I 3 | !
j^|2jMj!|j^!|

I I I I I I I m I I I 40 I

I | ® | I ! I

I i I

:* I I I I I I I

I l l I l l 2 i | i

I M I I i I I

-> | -< m \o -h i

i § o « s

o 2 cu
B •§ Odg
? c c £ ‘R

isqiugoaQ 8 1 ‘a-reg
Pen -u}iai Adorns IB3JO

iaquiaoaa 1£
'3'N "°3 squiooung

I3qiU303Q 81
3'N ‘ 03 nsMoaaw-^UBA

Hi i i

I i i

MM

MM

M M M ! i I M M ! M M !
M M M M M M ! M M ! i
i I I ill-1 I 'M I I l' I ill I f

I3qUI333Q 0£

'D'N “03 IP^PPO

J3qUI333Q 8£

3 N ‘oioqssjfHAV q^ON

I3qUI333Q 9£

3'N ‘Bpuog-uixia

I3qlU333Q xe
3'N ‘3)}oiieu3

ArenuBf i
'3'N “03 Ajiiejs

vtremiEf z

3‘N ‘uisies-uoisuiav

ArenuEf i
'3'N ‘oioqsu33io

ytrenuEf z
"3'N ‘IPH pdBU3

I i

MM M M

M M ! i ! ! II ! M ! M !

I I

I'M! .1

I ! I
I ! I

! I !

M Mt I MM M

* a i

Iff i M M M
H I I I M M

I 3 3MM

Mill

i i

XiEnuEf x
"3'N ‘qSisiEy

I3qUI333Q 0£
’3’N ‘UOSI3PU3H

I3qlU333Q X £

'3'N ‘spidBg sqouBog

! M II M M I! ! M ! I I!
I Mi li I MMM MM i M I

iff!

II I! I

! ! i

Mi I ! i ! i MS I

! ! !
! ! !
f I !

I3qU1333Q 93

3'S ‘U33RV

I9qiU333Q ZZ

'3'S ‘Eiquinjco

I3qUI333Q 8Z

3S ‘u°roa

I3qlU303Q £Z
'3'N ‘S3u?d uisqjnos

ArEnuEf x
■3‘N ‘junow A^oog

wquiSDsa 9Z
'3'N "°3 ooquiBg

AiEnuEf z
'3'N ‘'03 jiojnEsg

Mil

i ! !

M i M I! i If i M!

I M M 00 a

M i Mi. M
Mil!!!

1 ! !

i ! ! !

I !

MM!

!!!!!!!! j ! !

I I ! I I
ill!!

I ! I

I I I ! I I I ^22 I! ! ! !

J3qUI333Q 63
’3'S ‘PUEJSI PB3H UOXPH

AiBnuBf 3
'3 S ‘uojs3jiBq3

I3qUI333Q SZ

'3'S "si s.AaiMBg-pxsijqoxn

S !§Sh MM;

2 IS is I I M

MS |

J3qUI333Q 61

'3'N ‘yodqxnos

I3qUI333Q 81
•3'N ‘uojSuiuipyvv

I3qUI333Q 93
'3'N ‘A»!3 pssqsjopj

I3qui333a 0£
'3'N ‘PUEISI esj-aipog

Mi i«* I I I |

! ! MM

ro i ^ m | j vo ro a\ r~ j

I ! °

^ I <N 00 -

ON 00 <N ^ ON

-o |

SIElOl

jBnpuipux

vo oo o m .

• 2

: c 8 'a

g -o CO
!<2 8 §
Ilf*

3 J; 3 E u
t4 m vC < o

— ' ON O Tfr o <

i i

8 S

IJSSS Isis

tlioSslfl

1 j 1

to™ :3:c3'Sc,gcT)a?;Cii
<u co c^iS « S-r'S5

— 1- -3 t, io-r -2*.K S .£ S a

°3 a S e g s 5 o

iJO JiiiJOwJO

§ 1 1 sal 1

o 3 T3 O -J?

« O V Mt 3

Mils

E E

I ! !

! I

! i

! !

IM \ \ ! ! I
!~’l M il
I I i j ! i I
i-Y:i I I I

!*'"!* I !
H ll III

'PI I

I " i

I i~

! i i

* ! ! ~ ! | !

MOSr',P' | 00-2 ! ! «

" 2 - £ - 2 ^ 3 j | «■

0\oo^^oo>oaNO| j j vo
so co <N *h »o 2 2 5 | I ^

22-£22^ I i I

00 1-1 VO

l!i!liMS! "N2 ! m I I !
i i i i m222"2^2 j i -

I S'

I £ i 2

IS I !

12 1 122'

i i r“|

! ! !"2 !

^ | ^ vo j

2 |

2 j ^

jrtjOj jOOOCTjtN^^j— • 00 j | £ <N

12-12} ! 2£2"22 ! ! | Si

! <n ■ as i :avvo-H^coc^;<NO

vo j oo | j ^ jo vo m ov i

ov i o i | o r- ^ cm t> <

oo j jo | i 2 ^ «-< ^ -

vo | av j j oo to «-h * © -

22 i

I I

I I I

I I !

^ I I i I

2- |

=0- j

i 2 i

O I I OV vo

i ! ! ! i ! ^2* * !
~~ ! I ! j

! I I i ^2-""
mui rs*
i * | I ! ! 2£*>22^'

lwl i

! i

2 ! j i

2 i

I S * i ! m ! ! ! 2 I

-o, | |

vO'O'or'O^'HO-

2 ! I

! 2"- ! a |

! 2£ j 22

CO rj-
! -2 !

I 00 00 ^

i °^ } 22

- ! i ~ i !

M M I !
i i ! !

■ H <N o CS 00 VO I

cv o> r- io co o

122 !

I 2S 12®' i

O <0 H VO .

O r-H O 1-H

» vo VO CV ov o c—

O O vo ! * >-i »

I ^ i 00 o I OV CO |
! -H i O ^ | OJH I

I I I ! 2S ! 2 j * i 2 i ! m I ! ! - i 22 | 2 j j

S C <D M

h|| f

a^E

§ g g 2
O n & o

I O o S

I’SsS

°ss»

•T3 V ^ *5
« tto t5 T
-3^2^

£i^

23 S d 1 1 > ' I

§1* g.fS i* i |
2= is.-gs-a-s-g ^ s

!S^&§ i I il^

•S^^'Ssiiog

a:>-EQDJU«Ulh

i co oo ro vo vo '

O O vo ^ O vo

; I *3

; o g .g

! £ x ^

3=^

^ d 53 •§)

J ? 2 -s

li

U* CQ

J9qUI999Q 8£ ‘^d
■pEN 'um ^ouis ;e9iq

5004

2

1 s

108

23

109

8

314

i vo j

I i !

i 1 1 ! ! i'll °

5

J9qUI999Q le

VO 1
On i

|

! OV

j

!

! j !

1 ^ !

! ! !

I 1 I 1 SSS IN! is

s

"D'N ‘‘°D gqujoouna

VO

CN

I9qUI999Q 81

oo j

CN

• r-

I ON i J •

! 00 |

D'N ‘‘03 na^oaow-^sireA

! vo

i os ro

s 1 1 1

1 !

I9qUI909Q OE

i i

I

! co

i 1 ^

I ^ 2 1 i i 1

*“< |

I I i

| j I 1^‘Oi I 1 i j I CO

'3'N “03 IPAVPFO

1 ^ 1 I 1

VO

i 1 !

1 II 1 11 1 1 ! i H

J9qUI999Q 82

~ i

cs

j ,

i | i

i

| | jq | | ! j

, ,

1 ! 1

|||j’^*lOv|l|jj^*

•3 N ‘oioqs9>inM q^ON

' 1

I9qUI999Q 92

in

J ^

1 co co

1

O CN C j j 1 |

! so 1

'D'N ‘Bpuoy-UHig

!

1

CN VO i ! 1 I

! 1 1

llilvonlliiilo

J3qui9DaQ 1 £

oo |

1 rH

VO t — O 1 | 1 1

NT 1

1 1 1 | HOVO 1 VO O O IO

'3'N ‘3UoiiEq3

J

1

-h o ! : i i
»-• o

co !

1 M i

1 ! I I vo av O 1 OO ! O

co cq o_ vo 0^

vo"

vo" Co" H Tt

VO — < OO

ytrenuEf x

« ;

o)

1 °

20

54

10

22

44

vo J

! - 1

13

24

6

43

66

'3'N “03 Aprets

OS CN

H

Z

XiEnuBf i

^ !

!

1 S

19

17

*

i ! ! 1

!

1 ^ i

1 j 1 j 0 cn 0 ! * i 1 ! Jo

s

•3'N ‘mgiES-uojsinAV

^ CN CN CN

Q

AiEnuEf x

TV NT ‘oioqsu99in

10 !

CO

1 Pi

1 CN ^

i

S '’'I 1 1 ! i

Ov 1

j | |

1 i i 1 00 Si 2 1 ^ i ! ! S

vo ^ H 0

| 8

AiEnusf 2

00 |

p.

! g

1 OS <N
J CO VO

§

! 1 ! !

00 !
OV !

I I O I 00 vo ^ I VO ON | | *-H

1 ! \ Tt 00 OS \ 1 1 CN

'3'N ‘TOH pdBq3

AiEnuEf i

00

1

1 NOVO

m O <N | I | j

vo j

1 V-, 1

j 1 H I (OOOfM I COH I IO

'3'N ‘qSpiBy

1 vo

'' ® a'

2

o fo^ ! ! ! i

1

' 1 i cn vo 2 ^ ^ 1 ij2

J9qui909(j OE

! !

,

1 *

. MV,

,

! ! 1 ! 1

l

! 1 !

80

11

13

'3'N ‘uosi9pu9H

J9qUI999Q X £

<N 1

cs

. ^

l M n-

o

OHO | I | *

2 1

j <N j

CO! I j VO VO O 1 HO 1 1 0

'D'N ‘spidsy 95JOUEOXX

rH 00 ! I j

1

1 1 ! Tf 0 VO | VO 1 1 2

I9qUI999Q 9J

O I
VO |

r-

i 2

| <N O
1 00 CO

1

I 1 i i

5 i

i 2 |

s m ^8? 1 i m 1 is

D'S ‘U9qiy

*

I9qiU999Q H

m |

in

, ^

1 ^

>o

pj VO g | | 1 !

^ !

1 ^ 1

I I 1 j 1 VOCN j CN j CO I 0

•3'S ‘Eiquinxo3

CN 5 SO

Z

I9qUI999(X 82

|

. ,

1

*^■51111

^ i

i ^ i

! i ! ISSSi^oi 12

<

3'S ‘uonxa

1 !

1

1

Oh

J9qUI999Q £2

1

00

1 o

1 r-t CO

1

rH ^ O I I I I

m |

1 vo 1

| I I 1 C-H CN 00 1 CN j I »-(

-J

VO I

— <

! vo

1 in os

I

O ^ gj 1 1 1 i

ro !

! CN 1

1 ! ! ! vo Os O 1 CN 1 !

<

H

'3'N ‘S3u?d uigqxnos

UD

<N

CN

<Z>

<

O

u

AiEnuEf i

00 |

rH

! co

I <N CO

1

— 1 O | , 1 1

^ j

! ^ i

j I j I O 00 O \ OS I 1 10

3'N ‘}uno^ Aaooy

" :

i

! ^

! : I 1 0 cn 0 1 c ! i 1 0

j9quioo9Q 92

<N 1

1

, ^

1 CO CN
1

| ! s i | i J

00 |

i 1 I

i i 1 1 SS2 1 1 I 1 1 2

'3'N l'°D ooqured

1

1 1 2 1 i 1 1

'

! 1 | iovcnooI | | | 1 h

XiBnuEf 2

Os

| av

I VO V£> 1 , I

00

1 1

O CO | j pj 2 p- rH ^ CN | | CO

'3'N ‘‘°3 l-tojnEsg

1

I O 1 I 1

-

1 !

CN rH 00

I9qUI909Q 62

00 1

cs

| £

n -H vo

*

H VO *0 CO CN *

r- rj-

1 CN !

r- | OV | St CN 0 j I 00 | ^ CN

•3'S ‘PUEISI PE9H UOJHH

rf co

OV CO OS *

VO

q

1 ^t' !

CN 1 1 Tf 00 H ! i ^ | vo 00

CN CO CO St

AiEnuEf 2

O !

JH

! ?

c^uovo

s

5

14

7

7

1

rH J 00

ro | ^ ! S S CN 1 | Pi 1 O vo

3'S ‘uojS9[jEq3

v-H

00 ' H CN

J9qUI909Q 62

|

i vo

1 -H VO

I

° 1

1 -H I

* 1 * Bm§ 1 1 § 1 s 1

3'S ‘ si s^giMBj-pxgijqoxii

^ '

1

1

1

CN

1 1

H

<

O

I9qui909a 61
•3'N ‘jjodqxnos

'S*

-

! ^

2

21

34

CN

| 00 00 | CO ^ ^

1,281

! ^ !

5

18

8

83

196

50

468

204

u

J9qUI9D9Q 81

o i

o

Tt CN

VO *-H VO 1 VO 1 CN

1 OS CN

CN | CN CN W h CO |tJ-0 | VO VO

■3'N ‘uoxSinuip/W

r- vo

00 vo ! |

Os

O

CO

i 1

I9qU1999Q 92

'D'N ‘Al!D pEgqgioxM

210

l

1 O Ov
j vo *— <

*

2

449

1

935

r !

6

1

82

80

1,000

17

2

37

100

I9qU1933a 0£

'D'N ‘PUEISI E9J-9[pog

! m I

~TI,Z

" c "ol;

S 2 .5

Jo*

C

D- c§ S

CU £

£ £ ! £ M

>•*§1^11 I-

I® §|llo|

t2t.-5g(aOg«

SSIHI! |i|l?S?llill O!

: £ o

;>5Sos>-

SIElOl

pjnpiAipuj

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT— 1971

ELOISE F. POTTER

When CBC Christmas Bird Count observers tallied 215 species in 1965, someone who
enjoys speculating about such things predicted that with good coverage as many as 230
species could be found in the Carolinas during a single count period. No one disagreed
with the gentleman, but I seriously doubt anyone present expected to see his pipe dream
come true. It hasn’t yet, but the 1971 count comes very close with the record-breaking
total of 222 species seen on count days plus three species seen in count areas during the
count period.

Wilmington listed 161 species this year, followed by Bodie-Pea Island (154),
Charleston (148), Hilton Head (147), and Southport (142). Greensboro and Charlotte
with their blackbird roosts numbered over one and two million birds respectively,
bringing the total individuals for all 28 count areas to about 3,400,000, less than half the
number counted in 1960 when the huge roost was at Clemson.

Success of the 1971 Christmas count can be attributed to several factors: excellent
coverage, a large number of capable observers working in small field parties adequately
supplied with scopes, and the generally pleasant weather conditions that prevailed during
the count period. Coverage was improved by the addition of four ecologically varied
count areas. Southport and Litchfield-Pawley’s Island fill the coastal gap that formerly
existed between Wilmington and Charleston. At Roanoke Rapids four young people in
two field parties and two yard observers found 89 species, only seven short of the record
piedmont total set at Raleigh in 1966. Mount Mitchell (6,684 feet) is in the
Yancey-McDowell count circle. Unfortunately cold temperatures (4 to 41 F) and high
winds (gusts to 40 mph) kept the participants from finding many birds at the higher
elevations, but the list of 70 species is remarkably good for the mountains in winter.
Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and the Great Smoky Mountains also had unfavorable
weather; thus 24 of the 28 count areas had moderately good to excellent field conditions
with temperatures ranging at most places from well above freezing upward into the 60s
or 70s with Dillon reporting a high of 80 F for the count day.

Comparison of the present count table with those of recent years indicates several
bird population trends. 1) Red-tailed Hawks seem to be increasing while the
Red-shouldered Hawks are decreasing. 2) Wintering Great Black -backed Gulls continue
to increase in the Carolinas. 3) Golden-crowned Kinglets tend to be more abundant in
relation to the number of Ruby-crowns in major northern finch invasion winters than in
the off years. 4) More Evening Grosbeaks than ever before are in North and South
Carolina this winter, but the unusually mild weather has made them slow to begin
visiting feeders in large numbers. 5) Red-breasted Nuthatches, usually relatively
abundant in major northern finch winters, are scarce this year with only 46 reported
from 14 of 28 count localities compared to 417 from 25 of 28 localities in 1969. 6)
House Finches are again present in the Carolinas, but they were reported from no new
communities during the count period.

Through 1970 the all-time CBC Christmas Bird Count list included 264 species, only
two of these having been seen in the count period but not on a count day. The 1971
census adds seven species;: Ross’ Goose (Bodie-Pea Island), Golden Eagle (Charleston),
Pomarine Jaeger (Bodie-Pea Island), Little Gull (Bodie-Pea Island), Blackpoll Warbler
(Charleston), Orchard Oriole (Beaufort County, N. C.), and Lapland Longspur
(Bodie-Pea Island). Thus far Pea Island NWR is the only place on the entire Atlantic
seaboard that Ross’ Goose has been reported, though the species occurs regularly in the
Mississippi Valley. The Little Gull represents the second sight record for North Carolina,
the first of the species having been found last winter by J. Merrill Lynch (see General
Field Notes in this issue). The Blackpoll Warbler appears to be the first recorded winter
visitor for the Carolinas. Details regarding these and other sightings ofparticular interest
follow in the Compilers’ Comments.

20

The Chat

CBC CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT STATISTICS

1971* 1937-1970

Total number species

222

217 (1970)

Total number individuals

3,394,871

7,636,868 (1960)

Number count areas

28

29 (1966)

Total number observers

507

458 (1970)

Field parties

159

154 (1966)

Party-hours

1,465

1,098(1966)

Party-miles

5,623

4,927 (1966)

Highest number species:
Coast

Wilmington, 161

Wilmington, 164 (1961)

Coastal Plain

Beaufort Co., 94

New Bern, 95 (1966)

Piedmont

Roanoke Rapids, 89

Raleigh, 96 (1968)

Mountain

Yancey-McDowell, 70

Great Smoky Mt., 71 (1965)

Highest number
individuals

Charlotte, 2,163,632

Clemson, 5,504,288 (1960)

*Does not include late report from Greenville, S. C.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N. C. (center: 2.7 miles SSE of Bodie Island Lighthouse).

30 December. The four Red-necked Grebes were seen on the water at 100 and 150
yards in good light with 25X and 30X scopes by observers familiar with the species, P. A.
DuMont, P.G. DuMont, Earrand, and Kennedy. The birds were not in a flock; two
together and a single bird were on Bodie Island while the fourth was on Pea Island. One
grebe carefully studied in flight had stocky body, long gray neck, stout bill, and
conspicuous white cheek. Immature Brown Pelican was flying along ocean 31 December
(Carter, H. and E. LeGrand). R. H. Peake saw the immature Great Cormorant at about
100 yards as it flew parallel to shore on Bodie Island; slow wing beat and white belly
were carefully noted. This is second sight record for North Carolina in as many years.
Both Yellow-crowned Night Herons (C. L. and S. M. Gifford) were adults on Bodie
Island. Ross' Goose was studied at 75 yards with 30X scope as it fed in field with Canada
and Snow Geese on Pea Island. The bird was an adult in immaculate plumage; small size
and stubby bill without grinning patch were noted. The right foot was deformed
indicating that it is probably the same individual first reported by Buckley (Auk,
86:551) and seen off and on over the past several years. This winter it has been present
since mid -December according to Refuge Manager John Williamson. Common 7btf/male
was in North Pond on Pea Island 31 December (Carter, H. and E. LeGrand). Long-billed
Dowitchers (E. LeGrand, both DuMonts) gave single call note when flushed, and several
had extremely long bills. Number of Sanderlings (4,500) is extremely high for season.
Immature Pomarine Jaeger (Paul DuMont) was V2 mile offshore at Pea Island. White wing
patches, mottled under parts, chunky body, and method of flight were studied through
scope. Observer is familiar with this and other jaeger species. Parasitic Jaeger (Sykes) was
in light phase with a slender body and white wing patches. It was about the same size as
the several Ring-billed Gulls it chased at Pea Island. The 1,233 Great Black-backed Gulls

March 1972

21

are probably the most ever recorded in North Carolina. The Little Gull (Ake,
Sonneborn) was seen at close range from the U. S. Coast Guard Patrol Boat. Small size
and rounded wings were noted by observers familiar with species. Three parties saw
Black-legged Kittiwakes, 7 being sighted from land and 24 from the boat. This is the
second year in a row that kittiwakes have been found in the count area, indicating the
species may well winter regularly off the North Carolina coast in some numbers.
Saw-whet Owl (Ake, Sonneborn) was in a building at the U. S. Coast Guard Station at
Oregon Inlet on the northern tip of Pea Island. Red Crossbills (R. H. Peake) were seen
and heard flying overhead on Bodie Island. Peake saw the Lapland Longspur on ocean
dunes on Bodie Island for about half a minute; black slightly notched tail with white
outer rectrices, rusty nape, and facial markings noted. The compiler appreciates the
cooperation of U. S. Coast Guard personnel who allowed a count party to accompany
them on the patrol boat. This added greatly to the success of the census.--PAUL W.
SYKES JR., P. O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Florida 33444.

[Recently published evidence that Ross’ Geese interbreed with Lesser Snow Geese
(Trauger et aX., Auk, 88:856-875, 1971) caused some concern that the Pea Island bird
might be a hybrid. Several zoology students who are aware of the hybridization problem
studied the bird carefully after the count day and are convinced that this individual is
indeed a Ross’ Goose. They are preparing a field note for Chat detailing their
observations.-ED . ]

MOREHEAD CITY, N. C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point in Newport River).

26 December. Increase in number of shorebirds is due to first Christmas Count
coverage of Bird Shoal and Carrot Island just south of Beaufort. Bird Shoal is the
roosting place for gulls and shorebirds as well as the carefully estimated 3,000
Double-crested Cormorants. Accuracy of the count-day estimate of 70 Piping Plovers
was confirmed by careful study at Bird Shoal on 8 January. The number of Piping
Plovers has been rather high at this location all fall with some increase after
Thanksgiving. Both Semipalmated and Piping Plovers are rare elsewhere in the count
circle in winter (Christmas to March). Eugene Pond reported three Glossy Ibis at
Huntley’s Impoundment regularly from late November to end of count period. The
compiler saw the species there and elsewhere from 28 November through 9 January.
These are the first winter records for area. The immature Bald Eagle (JF III) was sighted
over Crab Point 1 January while it was being chased by Fish Crows. This is assumed to
be the same indvidual Pond saw at Huntley’s Impoundment 6 January. Over 500
Laughing Gulls were in count area on 19 December, but they left between 19 and 22
December in spite of warm weather, becoming very rare by 2 January. Caspian Tern at
Huntley’s Impoundment 2 January (JF III) was 3 to 4 weeks late, suggesting the
possibility of wintering here.-JOHN O. FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City, N. C.

WILMINGTON, N. C. (center: Myrtle Grove Junction)

18 December. Black-legged Kittiwake was seen by Frances Needham from a boat
approximately 2 miles off Masonboro Beach with a flock of gulls. Harry Latimer III saw
the Swainson’s Thrush at Echo Farm; eye-ring seen distinctly in excellent light. Some
other sightings unusual for the area at this season included Whistling Swan (Parnell),
Pigeon Hawk (Carter), Sandwich Tern (Needham, Parnell), and Eastern Kingbird
(Latimer). -FRANCES B. NEEDHAM, P. O. Box 204, Wrightsville Beach, N. C. 28480.

SOUTHPORT, N. C. (center: 33 deg. 54’ N, 78 deg. 03’ W).

19 December. Least Bittern was seen by Harry LeGrand-JAMES F. PARNELL,
Route 3, Box 303F Wilmington, N. C. 28401.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEY’S ISLAND, S. C. (center: entrance to North Litchfield Beach at
US 17).

29 December. Peregrine Falcon (J. and M. Harrison) was wearing jesses and bells;
compiler has seen one in area twice this fall. Least Terns (R. Probst) were feeding along

22

The Chat

shore at Pawley’s Island; observer knows species well, having raised one from downy to
adult. Short-eared Owl (Clyde, Dabbs, McLean) flew in front of car and alighted to
permit careful study. Snow Buntings (both Harrisons, F. Probst) at Murrell’s Inlet were
seen at close range through 40X scopes for about 30 minutes; all field marks
checked.-FREDERICK PROBST, P. O. Box 386, Pawley’s Island, S. C. 29585.

CHARLESTON, S. C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and Vi mile E of Hwy 17).

2 January. The Golden Eagle was an adult. This is an unusually late date for the
Blackpoll Warbler in our area. The bird was in fall plumage, and M. T. Coleman studied it
in good light at close range with an 8X50 binocular. Pine Warblers were in the immediate
vicinity .--JULIAN R. HARRISON, Biology Department, College of Charleston,
Charleston, S. C. 29401.

[The Blackpoll Warbler at Charleston appears to be the first winter record for the
Carolinas. South Carolina Bird Life (1970) gives 14 November as the late date for fall
migrants. In North Carolina a published record for November (Wingate and Baird,
Bird-Banding, 36:192, 1965) comes from a bird captured on Bermuda in connection
with a special study of Blackpoll migration. Banded as a juvenile on 1 1 October 1962,
the warbler was found at Pembroke, N. C., in a decomposed condition in November
1963 (Wingate, pers. com.). Attempts to locate the lady who reported the band number
to the Wildlife Protector have been unsuccessful, leaving the exact circumstances of the
recovery in doubt. Apparently most Blackpolls migrate in fall directly across the western
north Atlantic from New England and the middle Atlantic states to South America, thus
by-passing the southeastern United States.-ED.]

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S. C. (center: Spanish Wells Landing).

29 December. Caroline Newhall flushed the Whip-poor-will from a road at 5:35 AM.
Davenport, McCaskey, and Newhall watched the Common Merganser fishing in a slough
for several minutes. Orion and Alicia Hack and Alva Hines saw the Barn Swallow.
Mature Bald Eagle was seen by Ann Dow; Grant and Elizabeth Simmons had sighted it
earlier in count period .-ROBERT F. WHITNEY, Hilton Head, S. C. 29928.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N. C. (center: where Upper Goose Creek enters Pamlico River).

2 January. Barn Swallows (Ken Seal) were sitting on a wire. Wood Thrush (Seal) was
followed until all field marks could be seen. Ovenbirds (Seal) nested in a large planned
brush pile near feeders and have remained in area since then. Orchard Oriole has visited
Hugh Sterling’s feeder for past month. It accompanies Baltimore Orioles but feeds apart
from them. Identity confirmed by Ethel Barkley; bird has black throat of young male.
Osprey and Black-and-white Warbler really aren’t unusual here any more in winter.-
GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 115, Merritt, N. C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N. C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

26 December. -MARVIN TURN AGE, Route 1, Box 25, Bay boro, N. C. 28515.

ROCKY MOUNT, N. C. (center: Battleboro).

1 January. House Finches are routine, being present for third consecutive winter.
Evening Grosbeaks are back but as yet not in large numbers.-JOHN L. THOMPSON, 500
Evergreen Road, Rocky Mount, N. C. 27801.

SOUTHERN PINES, N. C. (center: 3 miles NE of Southern Pines at Niagara).

23 December. Adult Whistling Swans (JHC) are first December record for area. House
Wren (H. LeGrand) is second local winter record. Spotted Sandpiper (Mrs. Laurence
Davis) has been present at Whispering Pines much of December.-J. H. CARTER III, P.
O. Box 891. Southern Pines, N. C. 28387.

March 1972

23

DILLON, S. C. (center: Dillon).

28 December. -JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S. C. 29536.

COLUMBIA, S. C. (center: intersection of Gill Creek and Bluff Road).

27 December. The unusual record was the absence of a number of species that should
have been seen. Ducks were missing from several ponds where they have been in the past.
Evening Grosbeaks are earlier than usual.-GILBERT BRISTOW, 2921 Blossom Street,
Columbia, S. C. 29205.

AIKEN, S. C. ( center: Couchton).

26 December. Cattle Egrets (Cooper, Zippier) were in a pasture adjacent to South
Edisto River. One bird was perched on the back of a cow. Roosts formerly occupied by
Robins, Starlings, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds were almost
deserted. -GERALD E. KNIGHTON, 304 Kirby Drive, North Augusta, S. C. 29841.

PIEDMONT

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N. C. (center: intersection of Seaboard Coastline RR tracks and
Weldon city limits to include portions of Roanoke Rapids Lake, Roanoke River,
Occoneechee Neck, Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, and Halifax).

31 December. This is a new count. Six observers found 89 species, and all the good
spots were not visited for lack of time. Several other competent observers might boost
our total to 100 species. The Common Egret (Lynch, Marsh) had been at a farm pond all
month; first winter record for area. The 114 Black Vultures were counted as they left a
roost in two flocks numbering 70 and 44 birds (Lynch, Marsh). The roost is located in a
large swamp along the Roanoke River. The unusually large concentration of 66 Common
Snipe was in the marshy borders of a single farm pond in Occoneechee Neck (Lynch,
Marsh). Usually no more than 15 are found during winter in count area. The
Orange -crowned Warbler was at Roanoke Rapids foraging in a water oak on 23
December.-J. MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N. C. 27870.

HENDERSON, N. C. (center: Henderson).

29 December. House Finch present for third consecutive winter.-Mr. and Mrs. A. W.
BACHMAN, 111 Jeannette Avenue, Henderson, N. C. 27536.

RALEIGH, N. C. (center: Norfolk Southern RR and Lake Wheeler Road intersection).

1 January. Male Red-breasted Merganser (Collier, Hader, Marsh) was at Lake Benson.
Four House Wrens (three parties) represent a good count for this late in the season.
Red-tailed Hawks appear to be replacing the Red-shouldered in this area.-HARRY E.
LeGRAND JR., 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N. C. 27609.

CHAPEL HILL, N. C. (center: intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets).

2 January. Tallies of American Woodcocks, Water Pipits, Evening Grosbeaks, and
Savannah Sparrows are double or more the highest in the previous 10 counts. Although
there have been occasional winter records in recent years, our count of 9 Y ellow throats
(3 parties) was unprecedented. -JAMES O. PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill,
N. C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N. C. (center: Radio Station WBIG transmitter).

1 January. The Allens and Benjamin Lambeth estimated a million Starlings,
Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds entered a roost
in the count area between 4:30 and 5:30 PM on the count day .-DONALD ALLEN,
2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N. C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N. C. (center: intersection Silas Creek Pkwy and 1-40).

2 January. Tree Sparrow (J. Shiffert) was studied carefully with Field Sparrows for
comparison.-C. ROYCE HOUGH, 713 Lankashire Road, Winston-Salem, N. C. 27106.

24

The Chat

STANLY COUNTY, N. C. (center: about 2 miles NW of Badin).

1 January. Bald Eagle was sighted by four people including Joe Ferrebee; bird had
been in area since first week in December. The Goforths have been hearing the Saw-whet
Owl in the Girl Scout area. Our 84 species are an all-time high for count area!-VIVIAN
M. WHITLOCK, Box 219, Albemarle, N. C. 28001.

[The Saw-whet calling record is acceptable only because it does not change the
known range of the species for the season of the year. On many occasions these owls and
spring peepers can, according to Marcus B. Simpson Jr., sound confusingly alike.-ED.]

CHARLOTTE, N. C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

31 December. Female House Finch has been present at Norwood feeder since 19
November. Sayward estimated the population of the Starling and blackbird roost at
2,160,000 birds. He found the Brewer’s Blackbirds among the outbound flight from the
roost on count morning. Familiar with the species from numerous trips to western states,
he had good views of two individuals in his yard later in the day. Elizabeth Clarkson also
noted Brewer’s Blackbirds during the count period. Highest Christmas count in 29
years.-JOE AND BECKY NORWOOD, 1329 Goodwin Avenue, Charlotte, N. C. 28205.

GREENVILLE, S. C. (center: Hwy 29-291).

1 January. Weather cloudy and cold with sleet, wind 5 mph. Twelve observers in 3
parties; 27 party-hours; 70 party-miles. Total species, 47; total individuals, 4,017. [This
report was recieved 27 January 1972, the day after Christmas count copy was taken to
the typesetter.-ED.]

SPECIES: 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 7 Mallard, 15 Turkey Vulture, 2 Red-tailed Hawk, 1
Marsh Hawk, 2 Sparrow Hawk, 21 American Coot, 3 Killdeer, 42 Rock Dove, 9
Mourning Dove, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 5 Yellow-shafted Flicker, 2 Red-bellied Wood-
pecker, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 5
Downy Woodpecker, 4 Eastern Phoebe, 4 Horned Lark, 60 Blue Jay, 56 Common Crow,

17 Carolina Chickadee, 11 Tufted Titmouse, 2 Brown-headed Nuthatch, 3 Brown
Creeper, 6 Carolina Wren, 27 Mockingbird, 3 Brown Thrasher, 5 Robin, 4 Eastern
Bluebird, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 60 Ceder Waxwing, 3 Loggerhead Shrike, 2,200
Starling, 1 Myrtle Warbler, 19 House Sparrow, 80 Eastern Meadlowlark, 500 Red-winged
Blackbird, 530 Common Grackle, 28 Cardinal, 5 Purple Finch, 32 American Goldfinch,

18 Rufous-sided Towhee, 170 Slate-colored Junco, 16 Field Sparrow, 25 White-throated
Sparrow, 5 Song Sparrow.

OBSERVERS: Wilma Abrams, Mollie Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Daily (Junction City,
Kansas), Ruth Gilreath, Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart, Rosa Lee Hart, Amette Howell, John
Howell, Martha Lawrence, May Puett.-ROSA LEE HART, Route 1, Travelers Rest, S.C.
29690.

ELKIN-RONDA, N. C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin on US 21).

26 December. Common Snipe (J. Tysinger, Masten, Smith) is second Christmas
sighting in 22 years.-LIN HENDREN, Box 148, Elkin, N. C. 28621.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N. C. (center: North Wilkesboro).

28 December. Scarcity of Tufted Titmice has no obvious cause. Last fall they seemed
more common than usual, and on previous counts they have always been more numerous
than Carolina Chickadees. I was surprised at the number of Red-winged Blackbirds on or
close to the corn acreage used for feeding pigs. It contained a stand of great ragweed, the
seeds of which blackbirds apparently eat with avidity .-WENDELL P. SMITH, 911 E
Street, North Wilkesboro, N. C. 28659.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N. C. (center: Lenoir).

30 December.-HELEN MYERS, 310 Beall Street, Lenoir, N. C. 28645.

March 1972

25

MOUNTAIN

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N. C. (center: 2.3 miles S of Buck Creek Gap on NC
80).

18 December. This is a new count area with elevations ranging from 1,223 to 6,684
feet. High winds and a temperature range from 4 to 9 F made birding on Mt. Mitchell
unbearable. Only two species and six individuals were observed there-4 Ravens and 2
Slate-colored Juncos.-ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N. C. 28778.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N. C. (center: 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa).

31 December. Common Snipe (Penford) was again found at Warren Wilson College.
Large increase seen in the bluebird population in the mountains. Eight White-crowned
Sparrows including both adults and young of year, were near Juvenile Evaluation Center,
Swannanoa (Holland, S. Merrick, RCR).--ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue,
Swannanoa, N. C. 28778.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, N. C.-TENN. (center: Bullhead).

2 January. This is the first time in last 12 years that Turkeys have been seen on the
count. The numbers of Robins (5,004) and Evening Grosbeaks (726) are the largest ever
recorded for these species on this count.-RICHARD C. ZANI, Route 2, Box 181,
Gatlingburg, Tenn. 37738.

OBSERVERS

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N. C.: Robert L. Ake, Micou M. Browne, J. H. Carter, Paul G. DuMont, Philip
A. DuMont, John Earrand Jr., Wavell W. Fogleman, Clay L. Gifford, Samuel M. Gifford, Robert S.
Kennedy, Edmund K. LeGrand, Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Edward Merkle, Henry Merkle, Dwight E.
Peake, Richard H. Peake Jr., H. Douglas Pratt, David W. Sonnebom, Paul W. Sykes Jr., Bill Williams,
John Williamson, Mark A. Williamson.

MOREHEAD CITY, N. C.: John Fussell II, John Fussell III, Will Hon, Charles Lincoln, Bob Simpson,
Mary Simpson, Dick Williams, Doris Williams.

WILMINGTON, N. C.: Mrs. Cecil Appleberry, Bobby Austin, J. H. Carter III, Frank Chapman, Bill
Collier, Evelyn Dabbs, Dot Earle, Keith Farmer, Haskell Hart, Patrick Hunt, Kitty Kosh, Harry
Latimer III, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, J. Merrill Lynch, Chris Marsh, Polly Mebane, Prissy
Mebane, Frances Needham, Carl and Mary Newhous, James F. Parnell, Mrs. Lenwood Roberts,
Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Mrs. J. M. Waggett.

SOUTHPORT, N. C.: Jay Carter, Bill Collier, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Chris
Marsh, Franklin McBride, Frances Needham, James Parnell, Frederick Probst, Elizabeth Teulings,
Robert Teulings, John Wright.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEY’S ISLAND, S. C.: Calvin Clyde, Evelyn Dabbs, Dennis Forsythe, Julian
Harrison, Margaret Harrison, David McLean, Perry Nugent, Frederick Probst, Renee Probst, Ann
Townsend.

CHARLESTON, S. C.: William D. Anderson, Roy E. Baker, Edwin L. Blitch, David M. Cline, Calvin
Clyde, Mrs. R. H. Coleman, M. Teague Coleman, Ernest A. Cutts, John Henry Dick, Kenneth A.
Dodds, Mrs. D. L. Fleischmann, Melanie Fleischmann, Dennis M. Forsythe, Julian R. Harrison, S. C.
Langston, Peter Manigault, Isaac S. H. Metcalf, John S. Metcalf, Thomas E. Metcalf, Anne-Marie C.
Noe, Perry E. Nugent, Frederick M. Probst, Waddell F. Robey, C. S. Farley Smith, Nelson W. Taylor,
Rufus W. Watkins, Arthur M. Wilcox.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S. C.: Charles Atherton, Peter Ballantine, Gordon Benford, Seward and
Doris Bowers, Nancy Butler, Alice Chapman, Lester Davenport, Dorothy Dorsey, Anne Dow, Maijorie
Fowler, Orion and Alicia Hack, Billie Hack, John and Mabs Hannold, David and Virginia Harrall, Alva
Hines, Isabel Hurst, Charlotte and Edith Inglesby, Jack and Betty Jordan, Bruce King, Henry and
Mildred Lawrence, Helen Loriot, Imogene Lowden, Glen McCaskey, Violet McIntosh, Caroline

26

The Chat

Newhall, Helene Parry, Keith and Berrl Pitcairn, Anne and Marie Reddy, Grant Simmons, Mary Smith,
Robert and Elizabeth Whitney.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N. C.: John Althouse, Ethel Barkley, Mary Emily Brown, Geraldine Cox,
Roger Greene, Ethel Jensen, Bobby MacKenzie, Toddy MacKenzie, James McLaurin, Mary McLaurin,
Polly Rowlett, Louise Satterthwaite, Bea Seal, Ken Seal, Mary Lee Smith, Elizabeth Sterling, Hugh
Sterling, Marvin Turnage, Mary Wilson.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N. C.: Geraldine Cox, Roger Greene, Marvin Turnage.

ROCKY MOUNT, N. C.: Joyce Bennett, Stephen Bennett Sr., Sarah A. Speight, E. Carr Speight,
Estelle Thomas, Harvey Thomas, John L. Thompson, Mrs. M. J. Warner.

SOUTHERN PINES, N. C.: Eleanor Carter, J. H. Carter III, Mrs. Laurence Davis, Edmund LeGrand,
Harry LeGrand, Frances Parnell, James F. Parnell, Mary K. Wintyen, Lura Williams, Ethel Wot ton,
John Wright.

DILLON, S. C.: Lois McCallum, Rick McCallum, John Wilson, Johnny Wilson.

COLUMBIA, S. C.: Gilbert Bristow, William Bunch, Miriam Davis, Frank Hill Jr., Helen Kendall,
Jeanette MaHoney, Robert Overing, Emma Walker.

AIKEN, S. C.: Jeannine Angerman, Jack Cooper, Helen Mary Fenninger, John Hatcher, M. Ray
Holzworth, Gerlad Knighton, Tom Rial, Dennis Villemain, Calvin Zippier.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N. C.: Maijorie Cannon, Bill Collier, Louise Hutchinson, J. Merrill Lynch, Chris
Marsh, Louise Parker.

HENDERSON, N. C.: Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Bachman, Ruth Carter, Mrs. Walter Dallas, Walter Dallas Jr.,
Mrs. S. R. Harris, Karen Spivey, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stewart.

RALEIGH, N. C.: Mike Browne, Ella Chalfant, Bill Collier, Charlotte Hilton Green, R. J. Hader,
Jeanne Halsey, Ray Halsey, Margaret Hobgood, Roberta Horton, Mabel Jones, David Knapp, Kenneth
T. Knapp, Janice Lee, Joshua A. Lee, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Chris Marsh, Marilyn
Middleton, Mrs. Ben Smith, Elizabeth Teulings, Robert Teulings, Gwenn Turbiville, Melynda
Turbiville, Gail Whitehurst, Michael Wilcox, Pamela Wilcox, Ida Lee Winkler, Ray L. Winstead.

CHAPEL HILL, N. C.: Pauline Butler, Louise Crumpacker, Alexander Hull, Elinor Irvin, J. Logan
Irvin, Edwin Lappi, Nellie Lappi, Simon Lappi, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Gertrude London,
Mrs. Paul Payne, James O. Pullman, Wilma Stuart, Elizabeth Teulings, Robert Teulings, Eleanor
Wagstaff.

GREENSBORO, N. C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Mrs. W. Locke Bell, Fred Berry,
Mrs. David Cason, Inez Coldwell, Larry Crawford, Charlotte Dawley, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fish,
Dorothy Garrett, Jean Gertz, Mrs. A1 Groves, Sidney Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lambeth, Jean
McCoy, Ethel McNairy, Ida Mitchell, Donald Nelson, Elizabeth Ogburn, Cora Parsons, Mrs. G. W.
Perrett, Etta Schiffman, Virginia Seawell, Mrs. W. F. Smyre, Thomas Street, Maqorie Tays, William
Tays, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N. C.: Fran Baldwin, William Boice, Charles Frost, Gardner Gidley, Margaret
Gidley, Thomas Gossett, Bill Hammond, Ruth Hill, Royce Hough, Wayne Irvin, Joyce Isom, Dwight
Lee, Polyanna Lee, Ann Listokin, Paul Nifong, Jackie Shelton, Dorothy Shiffert, Jerry Shiffert,
Ramona Snavely, C. Sommer, Edith Spinks, Robert Witherington.

STANLY COUNTY, N. C.: Edwin C. Clarke, Margaret Crawley, Barrett Crook, Vera Crook, Mary
Crump, Pauline Culp, Richard Culp, Nelle Dotson, Mary Jane Dyer, Nina Eudy, Joe Ferrebee, Virginia
Foglio, Naomi Goforth, Terry Hahn, Louise Hammill, Edward Harris, Lectie Harwood, Anne Hatley,
Bill Hatley, Frances Hinson, Nelle Hinson, Jean Honeycutt, Annette Isenhour, Maxine Isenhour, Mike
Isenhour, Myrtle Isenhour, Ruth Kearns, Vera Littleton, Cindy Lowder, Fisher Maner, Wilmetta
Maner, Susan Manley, Gladys Mason, Vera Mason, Doris Mauney, James Mauney, Lela McJunkins,
Annie Misenheimer, Grace Morris, Harold Morris, Anne Olsen, Spencer Plyler, Jennie Ruth Plyler,
Louise Rice, Nana Sweacker, Ethel Trantham, John Trantham, Addie Thompson, John Whitlock,
Vivian Whitlock.

March 1972

27

CHARLOTTE, N. C.: Genevieve Barber, Sue Bell, Elsie Brewer, Elizabeth B. Clarkson, Flo Cobey,
Adrain and Beth Dykema, Susan Ennett, Jack Fehon, Gwen Fenninger, Lucius Gage Jr., Jack
Hamilton, Bowman Kelly, Irene Kittinger, Brem Mayer, Elizabeth Millwee, Joe and Becky Norwood,
Mary Nowlin, Sam Parker, Shuford and Katherine Peeler, Doug Pratt, A1 Ross, Bill Sayward, Bill
Smith, Hallam Walker, Polly Weathers (Mecklenburg Audubon Society).

ELKIN-RONDA, N. C.: J. H. Beeson, Alex Biggs, T. R. Bryan, H. F. Cochrane, Sidney Fletcher, Lin
Hendren, Ola Hendren, Tom Hendren, Clara Henderson, E. M. Hodel, Fred Masten Jr., Lewis Petree,
Wendell P. Smith, Bobby Tysinger, Jerry Tysinger, Jim Uldrick.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N. C.: Wendell P. Smith.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N. C.: Nancy Alexander, Miriam Bachar, Mrs. Glen Barnes, Isabel Bernhardt,
Mrs. Murray Bruner, Mrs. Horace Craig, Iolita Ersland, Lois Gossler, Mary Greer, Mrs. Mason
Hollifield, Mrs. Ben Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Garvin Hughes, Lois Laxton, Mr. and Mrs. E. M.
Manchester, Mr. and Mrs. Fred May, Helen Myers, Thomas Parks, Mrs. Carl Prestwood, Mrs. C. S.
Warren, Joyce Whitman, Ann Wilcox, (Miss) George Wilcox, Mrs. Jim Wood.

Y ANCE Y-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N. C.: Marjorie Davis, Bill Duyck, John Hall, Joseph Hall, Joy
Hall, Joyce Hall, Mark Hall, Walter Hall, Blaine Ray, Robert Ruiz, Peter Sargent, Roland Sargent.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N. C.: T. J. Enright, John Hall, Joseph Hall, Joy Hall, Joyce Hall, Mark Hall,
Walter Hall, Walter Holland Jr., Daniel McKay, Gordon Mahy, Mrs. E. T. Merrick, Sue Merrick, Ellen
Penford, William Penford, Betty Ruiz, Robert Ruiz, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Thomas Wood,
Keith Wright.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, N. C.-TENN.: Fred J. Alsop III, James M.
Campbell, Mary F. Davidson, Dave Hassler, Robbie Hassler, Tony Koella, Betty Lewelling, Joe
Lewelling, Terri McCown, Murial Monroe, Robert Monroe, Andy Morton, Cynthia Muffley, Gary
Muffley, Chuck Nicholson, Louise Nunnally, Mrs. Sterling Ryder, A. Boyd Sharp Jr., Mary Sharp,
Johnetta Smith, Louis F. Smith Jr., Jerry Spangler, James T. Tanner, Bill Williams, Irene Williams,
Mrs. Clarence Wodtke, George R. Wood, Hedy L. Wood, Richard C. Zani.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES (Continued from page 37)

INDIGO BUNTING: Harry LeGrand noted rather late individuals at Raleigh on 27
October and at Pea Island on 30 October.

DICKCISSEL: One was present at Mrs. P. M. Hunt’s feeder in Wilmington, N. C., on 27
October, fide Dot Earle.

HOUSE FINCH: A single male was a regular visitor, usually in the company of House
Sparrows, at Susan and Bill Hammond’s backyard feeder in Winston-Salem from 17
May through 6 July. No female was seen.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: One was unusually late at Raleigh on 12 November, Harry
and Edmund LeGrand.

LARK SPARROW: One was seen by several groups of observers at Bodie Island
lighthouse on 25 September, and another was seen at the north end of Pea Island on
10 October by Robert Ake and party. Elsewhere, one was sighted at Orton Plantation
in Brunswick County, N. C., on 28 August by Jay Carter and Frances Needham.

BACHMAN’S SPARROW: A rare local occurrence was recorded at Chapel Hill, N. C.,
where a single bird was carefully studied by James Pullman at Mason Farm on 16
October.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: A specimen was found dead at Wrightsville Beach on 24
October by Jay Carter. Another fall occurrence was noted on the coast at Bodie
Island where a single bird was seen on 10 October by Robert Ake and party. Inland,
one was seen at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 12 October by Wendell Smith.

SNOW BUNTING: Jay Carter and Frances Needham sighted two at Wrightsville Beach,
N.C. on 17 November.

28

The Chat

Leach’s Petrel in North Carolina

CHARLES R. BLEM
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department of Biology, Academic Division
Richmond, Virginia 23220

DAVID W. SONNEBORN

Virginia Commonwealth University

Department of Anatomy, Health Sciences Division

Richmond, Virginia 23220 27 October 1971

Although Leach’s Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorrhoa) is irregulary observed during
migration along the eastern coast of the United States, we know of no specimens from
North Carolina. The following is therefore of interest. After a northeast storm during the
first week of November 1969, an individual of this species was found alive on the beach
at Kill Devil Hill, N.C., by Thornton Staples. The bird died, and because it came into our
possession in a partly decomposed condition, was preserved by freeze-drying. It is now
on deposit at the United States National Museum (USNM 564835). Measurements (mm)
for the bird are: wing (flat) 165, tail 85, and exposed culmen 16. The identity of the
specimen was confirmed to be O. leucorrhoa by the USNM staff and by Eugene
Eisenmann. The sex of this individual is unknown due to the method of preservation.

On the Atlantic side of North America, Leach’s Petrel breeds from Greenland south
to Massachusetts and wanders widely during the winter. It is seen irregularly since it
seldom follows ships as do other petrels. Although the present record is apparently the
first specimen of Leach’s Petrel from North Carolina, it is also one of the latest recorded
occurrences of this species in eastern North America. Therefore it probably is not
representative of the time when Leach’s Petrel usually occurs in North Carolina.

[Dept. Ed. -With the publication of this report and the deposition of the specimen in
the U.S. National Museum, Leach’s Petrel can now be added to the official North
Carolina Bird List.]

March 1972

29

Little Gull at Roanoke Rapids, N. C.

J. MERRILL LYNCH
539 Henry St.

Roanoke Rapids, N. C. 27870 September 1, 1971

On 29 August 1971 between 7:00 and 9:00 AM, I was able to study very carefully
and leisurely a Little Gull (Lams minutus) at Roanoke Rapids Lake at Roanoke Rapids,
N.C. I studied the gull with 7x50 binoculars in flight within 50 ft. of me and perched on
a stake about 200 ft. from shore. The morning was bright and clear and light conditions
were perfect with the sun at my back.

In flight, the gull’s wings appeared dark gray on both upper and lower surfaces. The
underside of its primaries were conspicuously darker than the wing lining and
secondaries. The uniform dark wings without any white markings immediately separated
it from either the Bonaparte’s or Black-Headed Gull. Its back feathers were an unbarred
brownish, a peculiar mark that I could not find pictured in any of the field guides. It was
probably a sub-adult. Its fan-shaped tail was a lighter gray than the wings.

The most conclusive evidence was the gull’s distinct head markings, seen very well in
flight at close range. There was a distinct black spot just behind the eye. Above this spot
was a black patch that extended across the back of the head behind the eye. Its black bill
was small and slender. The head was almost identical to the one pictured in Robbins et
allii’s Birds of North America. No other small gull has this head pattern. These field
marks were checked and rechecked many times as the bird flew by.

The extremely small size of this gull thoroughly convinced me of the identification. A
comparison was made when it flew directly over a Pied-billed Grebe; it appeared slightly
shorter lengthwise than the grebe. It appeared much like a very dark tern in flight.

This observation was made only two days after the passage of tropical storm Doria up
the North Carolina coast. There is good reason to believe that this gull’s appearance
could have been related to the storm since it is a well known fact that hurricanes
regularly blow pelagic species off course. Realizing this was an extremely rare sighting, I
contacted Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Teulings and Harry and Edmund LeGrand. They came
to Roanoke Rapids on the day of the sighting and we searched for the gull without
success.

I have not been able to find it since.

[Dept. Ed. — This appears to be the first record of this European gull in North
Carolina. It is a rare but regular straggler along the East Coast north of North Carolina.
On the basis of this observation, the Little Gull can be placed on the hypothetical list for
North Carolina. See 1971 Christmas count reports in The Chat for a second observation
in North Carolina and American Birds for observations in southeastern Virginia.]

Early Records for Pelagic Birds
Off the North Carolina Coast

FRANK ENDERS
Division of Research

N.C. Department of Mental Health, Raleigh, N.C. 1 August 1969

On Friday and Saturday, 26 and 27 April 1969, 1 was on the R.V. Eastward , Duke
University’s oceanographic research vessel, SE of Cape Lookout, N.C. I maintained a
continous watch for birds all day Friday and on Saturday from dawn to 07:30 with
8x40 binoculars and, whenever possible, with a 20x60 spotting scope.

Numerous Laughing Gulls and a few Herring Gulls were within 25 miles of shore. All
pelagic birds were beyond 50 miles from shore. These observations are listed below in
chronological order.

30

The Chat

Friday, 26 April 1969

16:30-1 Wilson’s Petrel. 34 degrees 03’ N, 76 degrees 05’ W, 5 1 miles offshore.

18:00-1 Audubon’s Shearwater: small black and white shearwater with rapidly beating
wings. Came to within 120 yards of ship. 34 degrees 05.7’ N, 76 degrees 00.8’ W, 51
miles offshore.

Saturday, 27 April 1969

06:30-1 Greater Shearwater and 1 unidentified shearwater. 33 degrees 51’ N, 75 degrees
46’ W, 65 miles offshore.

07:30-1 Greater Shearwater; 3 unidentified shearwaters; 8 Wilson’s Petrels. The petrels
seemed to be following a “white-tipped” shark when first seen. The petrels followed the
ship for a short while, apparently trying to feed on ham thrown overboard as bait for the
shark. All were seen within a mile of 06:30 position.

Shearwaters listed as “unidentified” were large, probably either Greater or Sooty, but
they were too far away for identification.

I am familiar with both Greater Shearwater and Wilson’s Petrel from boat trips off
Long Island and in the Bay of Fundy. Although this sighting of Audubon’s Shearwater
was my first one, the bird definitely was not a Greater Shearwater as it lacked the
whitish rump, larger size, and more leisurely wingbeat of that species. Moreoever, its
wingbeat was faster than that of the Manx Shearwater (which I have seen once in
company with more experienced observers); the process of elimination combined with
the area in which I saw the bird (Gulf Stream) makes me reasonably certain it was,
indeed, an early Audubon’s Shearwater. For a full discussion of the field identification
of “black and white shearwaters” see Peter Post’s “The Occurrence and Field
Identification of Small ‘Black and White Shearwaters’ in New York” in The Kingbird,
14:133-140, 1964.

The sighting of these birds was very early. Birds of North Carolina (Pearson, Brimley
and Brimley, 1942) gives the following early dates: Audubon’s Shearwater, 6 July;
Greater Shearwater, 22 June; and Wilson’s Petrel, 27 May.

There are, however, earlier records for the Greater Shearwater on 1 May 1965 off
Long Island, New York. (Audubon Field Notes, 19:455) and 21 April 1911 in
Massachusetts, (The Birds of Cape Cod, Mass., 1965). Palmer in The Handbook of North
American Birds (1962) states that occasional Greater Shearwaters are found in the north
Atlantic in June, and that the Wilson’s Petrel reaches 30 degrees N latitude by the third
week of April on the ocean, and only later moves inshore. There is also a record of
Wilson’s Petrel on 20 May 1967 at Ocean City, Maryland (Audubon Field Notes,
21:493).

From the above records it is clear that my observations of the Wilson’s Petrel and
Greater Shearwater are not unprecedented. Indeed, it would seem that such early
occurrence, for the petrel at least, is probably standard. In any event, these records for
all three species are the earliest known for North Carolina.

[Dept. Ed.-Records of pelagic birds off the North Carolina coast are very scarce, and
the timing of occurrences of most species is based only on fragmentary local data
coupled with somewhat better data on arrival and departure from the breeding areas.
Thus, additional records such as the above are always valuable.]

Breeding Range Extension

Of the Blue-winged Teal into Southeastern North Carolina

GILBERT S. GRANT

Route 1, Box 563, Sneads Ferry, N.C. 11 July 1970

The southernmost breeding site of the Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors orphna) along
the Atlantic coast is given as northeastern North Carolina (Pea and Bodie Islands) by the

March 1972

31

A.O.U. Check-list (1957) and by J.F. Parnell (The Populations, Breeding Biology, and
Environmental Relations of Three Species of Waterfowl at Pea and Bodie Islands, North
Carolina, Proc. Conf. Southeastern Assoc. Game and Fish Comm., 1960 p. 53-67).

However, evidence of nesting in an impoundment at West Onslow Beach, near Sneads
Ferry in Onslow County, N.C., was discovered in 1969. This location is about 150 air
miles SW of the Bodie and Pea Island colonies. I found seven adults and two young
(unable to fly) at this impoundment on 22 June 1969 (Chat, 33:106). I was unable to
search the area intensively for nests in 1969, but in 1970 I made several trips into this
impoundment. On 31 May 1970 I found 9 Blue-winged Teal nests with clutches ranging
from 3 to 12 eggs and averaging 7.67 eggs per nest. The nests were constructed of sedges
and most were located on small patches of ground a foot or two above the water level. A
few were fastened to grasses and suspended above water. I returned on 15 June 1970 to
find all but two nests had apparently hatched successfully. The eggs in one nest were still
being incubated while the remaining nest had spilled its eggs into the water. These were
full clutches as 21 to 23 days are required for incubation (Jour. Wildl. Mgm., 20
(1): 28-46) and my two visits were only 2 weeks apart. A count of 20 adult Blue-winged
Teal was recorded on 31 May 1970, which indicates practically all birds present were
nesting. A partial count on 6 July 1970 disclosed at least 40 teal in the impoundment.

This impoundment was constructed about 4 years ago and is managed by a duck
hunting club. The water level cannot be manipulated and the depth of the water varies
with the rainfall. The construction of this impoundment at West Onslow Beach has
created improved nesting and rearing habitats for the Blue-winged Teal as is the case at
the Pea and Bodie Island impoundments (Parnell, op. cit.) and thus made it favorable for
this breeding range extension.

Unusual Nesting Site for Tufted Titmouse

J.H. CARTER III

P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 10 August 1971

On 8 May 1970 a neighbor in Southern Pines, Moore County, N.C., called and
informed me that their dog had overturned the hollow base of a pottery bird bath,
revealing a nest with young birds inside. When I arrived, I found the nest on the ground
inside the base where the neighbor had replaced it. The nest contained five young Tufted
Titmice (Pams bicolor), with pin-feathers just appearing.

The nest was square, measuring 5x5 inches, and it was % inch thick. It was a typical
titmouse nest in its make-up. The base stood upright and was about 2 Yz feet tall. It was
cylindrical with a large bottom, narrower neck, and a flared out rim around the opening
in its top. Habitat was a mature stand of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), open on one side
and with a second growth of dogwood (Cornus florida)) on the other side.

I placed several cinder blocks around the base to prevent dogs from overturning it
again. Afterwards, both parent titmice were observed coming to feed the young. They
would alight on the rim of the base and drop down inside. They were easily caught by
hand while inside the base. Both wore bands that I had placed on them in my yard,
which is situated nearby.

On 19 May all five young were well feathered and appeared ready to leave the nest. It
seemed impossible for them to get out, as they would have to fly 2 Yz feet straight up or
climb the very slick walls. I therefore removed and released them nearby.

Titmice normally nest in cavities and crevices in trees, and also make frequent use of
bird houses. In Bent’s Life Histories (U. S. Nat. Mus., Bull. 171, p. 394-396) nest heights
of from 3 to 97 feet are mentioned, thus ground nesting appears very unusual.

32

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C. 275 14
(All dates 1971)

COMMON LOON: An early fall migrant was noted at Roanoke Rapids Lake near
Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 14 August by Merrill Lynch. Four were seen on Lake
Julian near Asheville, N. C., on 16 November by Robert Ruiz and Roland Sargent.

RED-THROATED LOON: One was found at Wrightsville Beach, N. C., as early as 27
August by Frances Needham.

HORNED GREBE: Charles Bennett recorded 150 at Texas Gulf Sulfur Company’s
settling pond near Aurora in Beaufort County, N. C., on 22 November.

GREATER SHEARWATER: One was sighted at Kill Devil Hills, N. C., on 25 October by
Carl Carlson.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: Three of this species were clearly identified among 10
shearwaters seen close to shore at Kill Devil Hills during the period 23 to 25 October,
Carl Carlson.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: A small shearwater believed to be an Audubon’s was
sighted over Bogue Sound near Atlantic Beach, N. C., on 3 October by John Fussell.

BROWN PELICAN: One was an unexpected visitor at Lake Wylie near Charlotte, N. C.,
on 19 June, Mrs. William Cobey.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Two on 29 August and four on 8 October were
uncommon visitors at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Merrill Lynch. Fall occurrences of at
least five cormorants were also recorded on inland lakes in the vicinity of Raleigh
during the period 2 October through 13 November by several observers.

GREAT BLUE HERON: Charles Bennett regularly found 12 or more at the Texas Gulf
Sulfur settling pond near Aurora, N. C., during September and October, with an
unusually large aggregation of 2 1 recorded there on 5 October.

LITTLE BLUE HERON: A locally uncommon flock of 10 was noted on 5 August at
McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery in Richmond County, N. C., by Jay Carter.

CATTLE EGRET: Two were seen in western North Carolina near Old Fort on 23 and
25 October by Robert Ruiz and the John Hall family

COMMON EGRET: Two were seen on 20 November and six on 25 November inland
near Halifax, N. C., by Merrill Lynch.

SNOWY EGRET: An inland wanderer was seen at Raleigh on 22 August by Harry and
Edmund LeGrand.

LOUISIANA HERON: One found on 29 August at Roanoke Rapids Lake by Harry
LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, and Merrill Lynch was the first local record.

WOOD IBIS: Eleven were seen near Calabash, in Brunswick County, N. C., on 27 July by
Sebastian C. Sommer. Inland, one was an unexpected visitor at Rembut’s Pond near
Sumter, S. C., on 23 August, Evelyn Dabbs.

GLOSSY IBIS: An individual displaced inland by hurricane Ginger was found at Lake
Wheeler near Raleigh on 2 October by Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

WHITE IBIS: An adult wanderer was found inland as far as Winston-Salem, N. C., on 5
August by Wayne Irvin, fide Ramona Snavely.

WHISTLING SWAN: Uncommon occurrences were reported from the South Carolina
coast where three individuals were seen at Huntington Beach State Park on 14
November by Frederick Probst and the arrival of a flock of 30 was noted on 9
November at Doe Hall Plantation near McClellanville by Jay Shuler.

BLUE GOOSE: An immature Blue Goose, together with an adult Snow Goose, arrived at
a pond in Forsyth County, N. C., near Winston-Salem on 8 October and remained
there for about two and a half weeks, Charles Frost, Robert Witherington and
Ramona Snavely.

PINTAIL: A flight of 35 was seen inland over the Cape Fear River in the vicinity of

March 1972

33

Raven Rock State Park, Harnett County, N. C. on 2 October by Howard Hodges.

COMMON TEAL: A drake was carefully identified in a raft of Green-winged Teal at Pea
Island Refuge on 25 November by Joseph A. Grom.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL: Two were very early at Raleigh on 13 August, Harry LeGrand.

BLUE- WINGED TEAL: A flock of 19 were swimming in a rain puddle at Finley Golf
Course, Chapel Hill, N. C., on 19 October, James Pullman.

EUROPEAN WIDGEON: A drake was present from late October through mid-November
at Pea Island, as reported by Refuge Manager N. R. Williamson.

AMERICAN WIDGEON: Two were early at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 12 September,
Merrill Lynch.

SHOVELER: One was found as early as 7 September at Bodie Island, N. C., by Dennis
L. Carter.

REDHEAD: Seven were unusual visitors at Lake Julian near Asheville, N. C., on 10
November, Roland Sargent.

SCOTERS: An estimated 9,000 to 10,000 scoters were seen off the beaches at Pea Island
on 30 October by David Hughes, Gary Williamson, and Jay Robbins. The observed
flocks were predominantly Surf Scoters, but all three species were present, including
at least 50 to 60 White-winged Scoters.

COMMON MERGANSER: A lone female was seen at Lake Benson near Raleigh on 20
November by Robert Hader.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: One was seen at Pea Island Refuge on 10 and 11 November
by N. R. Williamson. Another, in dark plumage, was observed near Bowman,
Orangeburg County, S. C., on 29 October by Dennis Forsythe.

BALD EAGLE: An adult was sighted inland near Raleigh on 19 August by Robert
Hader.

MARSH HAWK: One on 15 August near Chapel Hill was unusually early for that
locality, James Pullman.

OSPREY: During a 2-hour period on 4 October, Jay Carter observed 90 Ospreys passing
southward over Wrightsville Beach, N. C.

PEREGRINE FALCON: Sightings totaling at least 18 individuals were reported by
observers at nine coastal locations from Nags Head, N. C., to Cape Romain Refuge, S.C.,
during the period 21 September through 24 October. Inland at Raleigh, single
birds were seen on 18 September by Mike Browne and on 2 October by Harry and
Edmund LeGrand.

SPARROW HAWK: No less than 99 (an average of 5 per mile) were seen perched on
wires along the road between Oregon Inlet and Salvo, N. C., on 27 September by
David Christie and party.

VIRGINIA RAIL: A migrant was found out of normal habitat in dry woods at Umstead
State Park near Raleigh on 17 September by Edmund LeGrand.

BLACK RAIL: Two were seen at a marsh creek on Bodie Island, N. C., 25 September by
Kitty Kosh and Lou Overman, and one was flushed near the same spot the following
day by Geraldine Cox and Elizabeth Ball.

COMMON GALLINULE: Two were uncommon visitors at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh on
2 October, Jeanne and Ray Halsey.

PIPING PLOVER: On 25 September an unusually large concentration of at least 100
Piping Plovers was noted at Oregon Inlet, N. C., by Elizabeth and Robert Teulings.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: Five were carefully studied at Oregon Inlet on 10
October by Gilbert Grant, and a single bird was seen at Nags Head on 24 November
by Joseph Grom. Inland, one was a rare visitor at Raleigh on 11 September, reported
by Robert Hader.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: At least 500 were seen at Oregon Inlet on 3 October, by
Mike Browne.

WHIMBREL: Two late migrants were found at Bird Shoal off Morehead City, N. C., on
3 1 October by John Fussell.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS: A large and unusual influx of 80 was recorded at Lake

34

The Chat

Raleigh near Raleigh on 12 September by Chris Marsh. Ten, identified by call, were
found near Halifax, N. C., on the late date of 25 November by Merrill Lynch.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: A migrant was found lingering at Raleigh as late as 22
November by Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: One was seen at Greenview Pond near Raleigh 18
September by Mike Browne.

LEAST SANDPIPER: A late individual was seen at Raleigh on 16 and 22 November by
Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

DUNLIN: A single bird was recorded at Raleigh on 23 October by Robert Hader.

STILT SANDPIPER: Fall migrants were quite common in the Bodie-Pea Island area
from late August through September, with a peak count of 50 at Pea Island reported
by Robert Ake on 21 August. A late lingerer was seen at Cape Hatteras lighthouse on
20 November by Mitchell Byrd.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: Three were observed at Lake Raleigh, Wake County, N. C., on
5 and 9 September by Harry LeGrand; two were seen there on 12 September by
Chris Marsh.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: Several field parties enjoyed close-up observations of
as many as seven birds feeding in mud flats adjacent to the north pond of Pea Island
Refuge during the weekend of 25 and 26 September. An inland sighting was also
recorded at Raleigh where a single bird was seen at Greenview Farm on 2 September
by Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, and John Fussell.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: James Parnell and other observers found two at Pea Island
north pond on 25 and 26 September. Elsewhere, John Fussell saw one at Bird Shoal
off Morehead City, N. C., on 3 October and later sighted at least two there on 27
November.

AMERICAN AVOCET: On 28 August, two were seen at Bird Shoal off Morehead City,
N. C., by John Fussell; and 25 were found at Hog Island near Mt. Pleasant, S. C., on
the same date by Dennis Forsythe. An uncommonly large flock of 150 was seen by
CBC observers at the north pond of Pea Island Refuge on 25 September. On 8
November an individual was found at Carolina Beach, N. C., by James Pullman.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: A single bird in winter plumage was an unexpected visitor
at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, 2 October, in the wake of hurricane Ginger, Harry and
Edmund LeGrand.

POMARINE JAEGER: One was sighted close to shore at Kill Devil Hills, N. C., on 25
October by Carl Carlson; another was also seen by the same observer at Oregon Inlet
on that date.

PARASITIC JAEGER: One was seen in the company of five unidentified jaegers off
Coquina Beach on Bodie Island, N. C., 25 October by Harold Wierenga and party.
The same observers also saw seven jaegers, two clearly identifiable as Parasitic, off the
beach near Oregon Inlet the following day. Three individuals of this species were seen
well at Pea Island on 30 October by Sebastian Patti, Harry LeGrand, and Edmund
LeGrand.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: A late summer count of 80 was recorded at Hatteras
Inlet on 7 September by Dennis L. Carter.

HERRING GULL: On 2 October following passage of hurricane Ginger, a mixed flock of
adults and immatures was seen at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh by Harry and Edmund
LeGrand. On that day 1 1 were also seen at Roanoke Rapids Lake in northern Halifax
County, N. C., by Merrill Lynch.

LAUGHING GULL: A flock of 26 were uncommon visitors at Roanoke Rapids Lake on
10 October, Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: An immature bird was sighted just off the beach at Kill
Devil Hills, N. C., on 23 October by Carl Carlson.

FORSTER’S TERN: About 30 were observed by Harry and Edmund LeGrand at Lake
Wheeler near Raleigh on 2 October following passage of hurricane Ginger.

COMMON TERN: Simultaneous occurrences were recorded at three inland North

March 1972

35

Carolina locations, 2 October, in the wake of hurricane Ginger, with counts of 12 at
Raleigh by Jeanne and Ray Halsey, 21 at Roanoke Rapids by Merrill Lynch, and at
least 20 at Chapel Hill by James Pullman.

SOOTY TERN: One was recorded at Bogue Inlet near Morehead City, N. C., on 28
August by John Fussell.

ROYAL TERN: An individual, very likely swept inland by hurricane Ginger, was sighted
at Lake Gresham near Raleigh on 2 October by Jeanne and Ray Halsey, the first
record for Wake County. Another (or perhaps the same bird) was seen by Robert
Small the following day at Lake Johnson, as reported by Robert Hader.

SANDWICH TERN: Two late-lingering individuals were seen in the Morehead City, N.
C., area on 26 November by John Fussell.

CASPIAN TERN: Fall migrants were seen regularly in small numbers at Roanoke Rapids
Lake from late August through early October by Merrill Lynch. Peak counts there
were seven on 29 August and nine on 1 October.

BLACK SKIMMER^ At least 4,000 were gathered on the sand flats at Oregon Inlet on 3
October, as reported by M. F. Majka; at least 2,000 were seen at Bird Shoal near
Morehead City on 27 November by John Fussell.

GROUND DOVE: Two were seen north of their usual range on 25 September and 3
October at Fort Macon State Park near Atlantic Beach, N. C., by Ray Winstead, John
Fussell, and others.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: A late migrant was seen at Sneads Ferry in Onslow
County, N. C., on 7 November by Gilbert Grant.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: One was seen at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 20 September
by Wendell Smith, and one was found dead at Morehead City, N. C. on 3 October by
C. J. Spears, verified by John Fussell.

COMMON NIGHTHAWK: A flight of a dozen early migrants was seen moving southward
over the Blue Ridge Mountains near West Jefferson, N. C., on 17 August by Mildred
F. Hartmann; and a very late migrant was observed on the coast at Pea Island, N. C.,
on 30 October by Sebastian Patti, Harry LeGrand, and Edmund LeGrand.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: One was present regularly at a feeder in
Morehead City as late as 27 November, fide John Fussell.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: One was seen at Bodie Island, N. C., as early as 25
September, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: Hal Wierenga and party observed a total of eight on wires along
the Ocracoke Island, N. C., highway on 12 October. Elsewhere on the Outer Banks
fall migrants were seen with regular frequency by observers in the Bodie-Pea Island
area during the period 25 September through 20 November, including three in the
vicinity of Bodie Island lighthouse by James Pullman on 11 November. Two were
also seen on the coast at Emerald Isle, N. C., on 3 October by John Fussell, and
another at Brookgreen Gardens south of Myrtle Beach, S. C., on 6 November by
Frederick Probst. Inland, a single bird was seen near Fayetteville, N. C., on 10
November by James Parnell and Jay Carter.

SCISSOR-T AILED FLYCATCHER: An individual described as an immature was present
for two days on 5 and 6 August at Pea Island Refuge, N. R. Williamson.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: One was closely observed and clearly heard singing
on 15 September near Raleigh by Edmund LeGrand.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: One was seen just north of Devil’s Courthouse on the
Blue Ridge Parkway on 5 September by Mike Browne; Wendell Smith sighted another
at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 13 October.

SWALLOWS: Harry and Edmund LeGrand noted an unusual influx at Raleigh on 2
October, apparently related to the passage of hurricane Ginger. The tally included 2
Bank Swallows, 5 Cliff Swallows, and 750 Tree Swallows. In addition, an
exceptionally late Tree Swallow was seen there on 26 November by James Pullman.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: A transient was found at Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
on 12 October by Merrill Lynch.

36

The Chat

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: A late fall straggler was seen at Roanoke Rapids, N. C.,
on 21 November by Merrill Lynch.

CEDAR WAXWING: On 14 July, Ramona Snavely observed two adults feeding four
very young fledglings at Salem Lake near Winston-Salem, a rare local breeding record.

WARBLING VIREO: One was sighted on 15 September at North Wilkesboro, N. C., by
Wendell Smith, a very uncommon fall record for the Carolinas.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: Gilbert Grant observed single birds on the coast at Duck,
N.C., on 10 and 26 September; and one was seen at Bodie Island on 25 September by
John Wright and Harry LeGrand.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: Eight were among an early coastal movement of
passerines observed on 6 August at Duck, N. C., by Gilbert Grant.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: A specimen was found dead at a television tower near
Columbia in Tyrrell County, N.C., on 23 September by Mike Browne; and a migrant
was banded by Gilbert Grant at Duck, N.C., on 9 October.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: Two early fall transients were seen near Southern Pines,
N. C., on 15 August by Jay Carter.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: Three were seen at Umstead State Park near Raleigh
between 13 and 18 September by Edmund LeGrand, John Wright, and Harry
LeGrand; and two were seen at Fort Macon State Park near Atlantic Beach, N. C., on
2 October by John Fussell.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: Uncommon fall occurrences were recorded by observers in
the eastern area of North Carolina at Roanoke Rapids, Raleigh, Singletary Lake, and
Wilmington during the period 19 August through 24 September.

WARBLER HYBRIDS: A well-marked Brewster’s Warbler was seen near Asheville, N. C.,
on 4 May by Joseph Hall, and another was found on 27 September at Winston-Salem
by Ramona Snavely. At Raleigh, Edmund LeGrand reported seeing a possible
back-cross hybrid that looked like a Golden-winged Warbler except for a yellow
Brewster’s breast patch below the black throat. This latter sighting occurred at
Umstead State Park on 13 September.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One was an uncommon fall visitor at Umstead State
Park near Raleigh on 15 October, Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: One was banded at Hillsborough, N.C., on 9 October by
Charles Blake.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER: Jay Carter reported seeing two at Southern
Pines on 4 September, an early fall record for that locality.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: An early migrant was banded on 25 August by Charles
Blake at Hillsborough, N. C.

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH: One was seen at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., as late as 2
October, Merrill Lynch.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: Elizabeth Teulings banded a transient at Chapel Hill on 9
October. At Raleigh, individuals were found dead at a television tower on 23
September and 20 October by Mike Browne.

HOODED WARBLER: Charles Blake banded a late-lingering individual at Hillsborough,
N. C., on 29 October.

WILSON’S WARBLER: One was recorded as a scarce transient on the coast at Bodie
Island 25 September by John Fussell, Sebastian Patti, Harry LeGrand, and Edmund
LeGrand.

CANADA WARBLER: An early fall visitor was banded at Hillsborough, N. C., on 23
August by Charles Blake.

BOBOLINK: An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 were seen moving southward over Halifax, N.C.,
early on the morning of 18 September by Merrill Lynch and Bill Collier.

SCARLET TANAGER: A late individual was noted at Raleigh on 23 October by Gail
Whitehurst.

SUMMER TANAGER: On 6 August, eight were observed by Gilbert Grant among an
early movement of migrants at Duck, N. C., on Currituck Banks.

(Continued on Page 28)

March 1972

37

Carolina Bird Club is an incorporated association for the study and
conservation of wildlife, particularly birds, chiefly in the Carolinas. Founded in
1937 as the North Carolina Bird Club, it was joined in 1948 by several South
Carolina natural history clubs and the name changed to the Carolina Bird Club.

MEMBERSHIP

The Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific
organization. Dues, contributions and bequests to the club are deductible from
State and Federal income and estate taxes. Membership is open to anyone
interested in birds, natural history and conservation. The several classes of
membership are listed below. Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird
Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

Regular Membership $ 3.00

Family Membership $ 5.00

Sustaining Membership $ 10.00

Contributing Membership $ 25.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive annual installments.)

Student Membership $ 1.00

Affiliated Club $ 2.00

THE CHAT

The Chat, as the official bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is published
quarterly in March, June, September and December. All members not in arrears for
dues receive The Chat. Correspondence concerning memberships, changes of
address and back numbers should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782. Please notify Headquarters immediately of change of address.

All papers, census reports and notices for publication in The Chat should
be sent directly to the Editor. However, items intended for the General Field
Notes or other departments should be sent to the department editors.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, P.O. Box 386, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T. M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S. C.

Mrs. Edwin W. Winkler, 509 Gardner St., Raleigh, N. C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N. C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N. C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Joseph R. Norwood, Charlotte, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Robert J. Hader, Raleigh, and J.A. Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston

Immediate Past President Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C.

Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

d i ~‘f i>

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 36 June 1972 No. 2

Ml

The Chat

Vol. 36 June 1972 No. 2

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N. C.

General Field Notes James E. Parnell, Route 3, Box 303-F, Wilmington, N. C.

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor for South Carolina

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Rt. 1, Tiger, Ga.

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E. B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina
Bird Club Inc. with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P. O. Box 1220, Tryon, N. C.
28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N. C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society.

CONTENTS

The Saw-whet Owl Population of North Carolina’s

Great Balsam Mountains, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 39

The Plight of Wood Ducks in the Carolinas, Paul A. Stewart 48

Obituary: Doris Callan Hauser, Mrs. Neill A. Currie Jr 55

CBC Roundtable 56

Conservation 58

General Field Notes 60

Heronry Found Near Ehrhardt, S. C., Lawrence H. Robinson 60

A Second Ross’ Goose at Pea Island, N. C.; Verification

of Specific Purity of These Birds, Edmund K. LeGrand 61

Inland Record of a Black Skimmer at Roanoke Rapids, N. C.,

J. Merrill Lynch 62

Summer Range of the Whip-poor-will in the Savannah

River Valley, Gera Id E. Knigh ton 63

Loggerhead Shrike with Unusually Large Egg Clutch,

Wallace Mark Thompson 64

Blue Grosbeak and Painted Bunting at Southern Pines, N. C.,

in Winter, J. H. Carter III and Mary K. Wintyen 64

Briefs for the Files 65

CB@

OUR COVER— The Saw-whet Owl was photographed
by William E. Saveli, a bird bander from Linwood,
N. J. Inside you will find an important paper by
Mark Simpson listing many additional North Caro-
lina records for the elusive Saw-whet Owl.

THE SAW-WHET OWL POPULATION
OF NORTH CAROLINA’S SOUTHERN
GREAT BALSAM MOUNTAINS

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1942) regarded the Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
as a “casual winter visitor” to North Carolina, with no evidence that the bird might be
present in the state during the breeding season. Furthermore, the American Ornitho-
logists’ Union (1957) gave the breeding range of the species as “south ... to central Ohio,
West Virginia, and Maryland.” Nevertheless, Stupka’s (1946) spring and summer records
of the owl in the Great Smoky Mountains marked the beginning of a growing body of
evidence, reviewed by Simpson (1968), which documents the occurrence of the
Saw-whet Owl as a spring and summer resident in regions of suitable habitat throughout
the major mountain ranges of western North Carolina and adjacent eastern Tennessee.
Within this high mountain country, the bird has been associated with Canadian zone
forests of red spruce (Picea rubens) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri); and summer records of
the owl have been confined, therefore, to the Great Smoky, Plott Balsam, Great Balsam,
Roan, and Black Mountains. In spite of a fairly large number of individual records, there
has been no effort to study the population structure of the Saw-whet Owl in any of
these ranges; and data pertaining to absolute numbers and density are, therefore,
unavailable. In light of this situation, a summary of extensive field work from the Great
Balsam Mountains and Pisgah Ridge will provide valuable information concerning the
status of the Saw-whet Owl in the southern Appalachians.

STUDY AREA

The southern portion of the Great Balsam Mountains and adjacent Pisgah Ridge
provide an excellent location for studies of the Saw-whet Owl. These two transverse
ranges lie along the southern edge of Haywood County, N.C., with the Great Balsams
forming the boundary between Haywood and Jackson Counties and Pisgah Ridge
forming the border between Haywood and Transylvania Counties. Canadian zone forests
begin on Lone Bald, just east of Locust Gap in the Great Balsams, and extend for 13
miles southeastward, past Tanasee Bald and into the Pisgah Ridge area to their terminus
at Fork River Bald (see map, Figure 1). In spite of heavy logging operations and repeated
fires, these spruce-fir forests are fairly dense along the main ridge, although no precise
data concerning total acreage are available. The Blue Ridge Parkway provides convenient
access to the entire range; and the route follows close to the crest of the mountains,
thereby giving panoramic views of practically all regions of Canadian zone forest within
the area. By careful utilization of the Parkway and adjoining trails, it is possible in a
3-hour period to census approximately 90% of the high altitude coniferous forests in
these two ranges.

METHODS OF OBSERVATION

The majority of my field work in this region spans the period from spring of 1968
through spring of 1971, during which time I conducted 29 censuses totaling 145 hours
of field work. Initially, the censuses were conducted between the hours of 8:30 PM and
5:30 AM by stopping every 0.2 mile along the Parkway, whistling an imitation of the
owl’s calls, and listening for 3 to 5 minutes at each site. Once the locations of calling
stations became apparent, stops were usually made at these sites and in regions with
extensive spruce-fir forests. Of these 29 censuses, 4 were conducted in March, 4 in April,

June 1972

39

(

Figure 1. Saw-whet Owls have been found at 15 localities in the Great Balsam
Mountains and Pisgah Ridge. Canadian zone spruce-fir forests begin on Lone Bald
(near Site 1) and extend for 13 miles southeastward past Tanasee Bald (Site 12)
into Pisgah Ridge, terminating at Fork River Bald (Site 15).

40

The Chat

6 in May, 7 in June, 3 in July, none in August, 2 in September, 2 in October, and 1 in
November. In addition to the censuses, I have spent some 100 nights listening for
Saw -whet Owls in this area during the period from 1960 to 1971, so that a total of
approximately 400 hours of field work is represented in this study. Additional records of
the owl have been reported from the study region by Richard H. Peake (1965 and pers.
com.), Charles F. Hutchinson (pers. com.), and Don R. McLeod (pers. com.).

With the exception of a few sight records, all observations are based on the call notes
of the Saw-whet Owl. The most common “song” consists of a series of resonant, bell-like
“cooing” notes repeated at the rate of 1 or 2 per second and often lasting for several
hours without a break. Unfortunately, it is difficult and frequently impossible to hear
the calling of the species if there is any wind movement; and many nights of field work
subsequently produce no records. On the other hand, ideal weather conditions may
produce excellent results, as on the night of 31 May 1969, when seven Saw-whet Owls
were calling in the census area. On nights when the wind is calm, rapid, repeated surveys
of the range provide a very accurate figure for the total number of owls actively calling
in the area.

OBSERVATIONS

SITE 1 - SPRUCE RIDGE - Haywood County - 5,600 feet

The calling area is along the NW slope of the ridge just E of Lone Bald Overlook.
Saw -whet Owls called from this site at 9:50 PM on 7 June 1969 and at 9:40 PM on 23
May 1970.

SITE 2 - RICHLAND BALSAM - Jackson County - 5,120 feet

The calling area is on an unnamed ridge running SSW from Richland Balsam and
approximately 0.4 mile E of Lone Bald Overlook. Saw-whet Owls were heard here at
8:45 PM on 12 April 1968 (Simpson, 1968) and at 10 PM on 7 June 1969.

SITE 3 - RICHLAND BALSAM - Jackson and Haywood Counties - 6,200 feet

The calling area is on the S slope of Richland Balsam along the Nature Trail from
the Jackson-Haywood Overlook to the peak. Saw-whet Owls were reported here by
Peake (1965) on 3 May 1965, and on 10 July 1965 he observed a juvenile Saw-whet at
this spot. Peake (pers. com.) also found the species on 16 August 1965, 22 April 1966,
and 20-21 July 1968. I heard the species calling here at 8 PM on 12 April 1968
(Simpson, 1968) and at 9:55 PM on 23 May 1970. On the night of 31 May 1969 a single
bird was calling along the trail about 250 yards from the parking lot, and I was able to
watch it at close range for 10 minutes in a spotlight.

SITE 4 - CHESTNUT RIDGE - Jackson County - 5,320 feet

This calling area is located in a small stand of spruce on the S slope of Richland
Balsam below the Cowee Mountain Overlook. I heard Saw-whet Owls calling here at 1 1
PM on 11 April 1968 (Simpson, 1968), 11 PM on 31 May 1969, 8 PM on 13 June 1969,
11:30 PM on 14 May 1970, and at 10:10 PM on 23 May 1970.

SITE 5 - BIG BEARTRAIL RIDGE - Haywood County - 5,800 feet

This site is on the NE slope of Reinhart Knob about 100 feet NE of the Parkway
road cut through the ridge. I heard Saw-whet Owls here at 11 PM on 10 May 1968
(Simpson, 1968), 10:20 PM on 7 June 1969, at 10 PM on 13 June 1969, and at 1:30 AM
on 11 April 1971.

SITE 6 - BEARTRAP GAP - Jackson and Haywood Counties - 5,680 feet

The calling area is on an unnamed peak NW of the Beartrap Gap Overlook. My
only record of the owl from this site is of a single bird calling at 10:35 PM on 31 May
1969.

June 1972

41

SITE 7 - ROUGH BUTT BALD - Haywood County - 5,400 feet

The calling area is on the N slope, below the Parkway, and approximately 0.3 mile
NE of the peak. My only record is of a single bird calling at 10: 10 PM on 31 May 1969.

SITE 8 - HAYWOOD GAP - Haywood County - 5,080 feet

The calling area is near Sweetwater Spring on the N slope of Parker Knob just
below the Parkway cut at Haywood Gap. I have heard Saw-whet Owls calling here at
10:20 PM on 11 April 1968 (Simpson, 1968), at 10:05 PM on 31 May 1969, at 10:35
PM on 14 May 1970, at 10:40 PM on 23 May 1970, and at 4:50 AM on 6 June 1970.

SITE 9 - PARKER KNOB - Haywood County - 5,400 feet

This site is on the E slope of the knob just above the Parkway. I noted a single
bird calling here on 1 1 April 1968 (Simpson, 1968).

SITE 10 - MT. HARDY - Jackson County - 5,200 feet

This site is below the Parkway on the SSW slope of Mt. Hardy. I noted a single
owl calling here at 11:05 PM on 7 June 1969.

SITE 11 - HERRIN KNOB - Jackson and Haywood Counties - 5,440 feet

This site is along the Parkway in the gap between Herrin Knob and Tanasee Bald
adjacent to the headwaters of Bubbling Spring Branch. At 9:30 PM on 11 April 1968, 1
recorded on tape the calls of a single owl at this site (Simpson, 1968).

SITE 12 - TANASEE BALD - Transylvania County - 5,480 feet

This site is on the NE slope of the peak and approximately 100 yards SW of the
Tanasee Bald Overlook. I heard single owls calling here at 9:15 PM on 11 April 1968
(Simpson, 1968), at 9:45 PM on 31 May 1969, and at 1:10 AM on 11 April 1971. In
addition, Don R. McLeod (pers. com.) heard Saw-whet Owls calling here on several
occasions in June 1959 and June 1963.

SITE 13 - DEVIL’S COURTHOUSE - Transylvania County - 5,650 feet

This site is along the ridge on the N slope of the peak adjacent to the trail from
the Parkway. Don R. McLeod (pers. com.) noted Saw-whet Owls calling here in June
1959, and Charles F. Hutchinson (pers. com.) heard the species here on two occasions in
June 1965. I noted single birds calling at 10:15 PM on 12 April 1968 (Simpson, 1968),
at 9:30 PM on 31 May 1969, at 10 PM on 14 May 1970, and at 4:35 AM on 6 June
1970. On 28 May 1971 several members of the Carolina Bird Club and Georgia
Ornithological Society heard two Saw-whet Owls calling simultaneously during the
mid-afternoon; and at 11:30 PM on the same night, I heard a single owl calling here just
N of the Parkway.

SITE 14 - SILVERMINE BALD - Transylvania County - 5,800 feet

This site is 0.2 mile W of Shuck Ridge just above the Parkway on the S slope of
the bald. I heard the owls here at 8:45 PM on 11 April 1968 (Simpson, 1968) and at
9:50 PM on 7 June 1970.

SITE 15 - FORK RIVER BALD - Transylvania County - 5,480 feet

This site is below the Parkway on the SW slope of the bald. My single record here
is an owl calling at 9:30 PM on 14 May 1970.

CALLING STATIONS AND POPULATION DENSITY

An examination of the above data from the Great Balsam-Pisgah Ridge area reveals a
total of 49 records of the Saw-whet Owl at elevations ranging from 5,050 feet (Site 8) to
6,200 feet (Site 3) and averaging 5,597 feet. These records span the period from 1 1 April

42

The Chat

(1968) to 16 August (1965); but 46 of the 49 records are based on the owls’ calling,
which encompasses the period from 11 April through 13 June (1969). Of these 46
calling records, 12 are from April (26%), 20 from May (44%), and 14 from June (30%).
Since field time was not evenly distributed among the 9 months involved in the study, it
is impossible to draw statistically valid conclusions about the calling season of the owl.
However, the data do suggest rather strongly that the period of regular, active calling
extends from around the first week of April through the middle of June, with vocal
activity outside this period being erratic and unpredictable. The maximum number of
owls noted on a given night was seven on 31 May 1969, while six were calling on 11
April 1968, and four were heard on the nights of 7 June 1969 and 14 and 23 May 1970.

Savage (1965) was apparently the first to use the term “calling station” to designate
localities at which Saw-whet Owls were heard repeatedly. As defined in this paper, a
“calling station” is a specific locale where the species has been reported calling on two or
more different nights. On this basis, there are a total of nine calling stations in the Great
Balsam-Pisgah Ridge area along a 13-mile transect, thus representing a density of one
station per 1.44 miles. The validity of these designated stations is apparent in a careful
scrutiny of the records, which indicate at least one occasion for each station when owls
were simultaneously present in immediately adjacent calling areas on the same night.
Interestingly, all nine of the calling stations have been occupied for at least 2 years, a
fact suggesting that the owls return to the same site during consecutive breeding seasons.
The stations at Spruce Ridge (Site 1), Richland Balsam (Site 2), and Silvermine Bald
(Site 14) have been active for 2 years. The calling stations at Chestnut Ridge (Site 4), Big
Beartrail Ridge (Site 5), Haywood Gap (Site 8), and Tanasee Bald (Site 12) have been
active for 3 years; Richland Balsam (Site 3) has been active for 5 years; and Devil’s
Courthouse (Site 13) has been active for 6 years. Examining the data from the 4-year
period of censuses reveals that eight of the nine stations were active in both 1968 and
1969, while five stations were active in 1970 and three were active in 1971. Since the
majority of censuses were conducted in the first two years, this apparent decline in
station activity during the 4-year period reflects the amount of time spent in the field
during each season and is not indicative of a decrease in the owl population in the region.

Analysis of the above data reveals some interesting conclusions concerning the
population density of the Saw-whet Owl in the area. The maximum number of owls
noted on a given census (31 May 1969) was seven, for a value of one bird per 1.86 miles.
The maximum number of calling stations active in a given year (1968 and 1969) was
eight, for a value of one station per 1.63 miles. The total number of calling stations in
the range is nine, for a value of one station per 1.44 miles. A careful scrutiny of the
records from a comparable region in the Great Smoky Mountains reveals a remarkably
similar figure for station density. Based on the observations of Stupka (1946, 1963),
Savage (1965 and pers. com.), Simpson (1968), and James Campbell (pers. com.), there
are five calling stations along the main crest of the Smokies on the 7-mile transect along
the road from Newfound Gap to Clingman’s Dome, for a station density of one per 1.40
miles. Although no values are available from the Smokies for owls per night or active
calling stations per year, the value for station density is quite similar to that of one per
1.44 miles in the Great Balsams. This suggests that densities of the species may be
relatively uniform in areas of comparable habitat in the southern Appalachians, although
it is not known whether these stations are indicative of the locations of breeding pairs or
individual owls.

The Saw-whet Owl is clearly the most abundant owl species in the spruce-fir zone of
the southern Great Balsam Mountains. In the course of my field work I have never seen
or heard any other owls in this area, although Barred Owls (Strix varia) may be heard
calling from hardwoods about 1,000 feet lower in elevation. Stupka (1963) regards both
the Barred and the Great Homed Owl (Bubo virginianus) as uncommon permanent
residents of the Great Smoky Mountains, and he considers the fairly common Screech
Owl (Otus asio) to be very rare or absent in the spruce-fir forests. Although the Barn Owl

June 1972

43

(Tyto alba) is found occasionally in the vicinity of the Great Smokies and Great Balsams,
I am not aware of any records from the Canadian zone.

In the past, the Saw-whet Owl has been regarded as a rare to uncommon species in the
spruce-fir forests of the mountain regions. This impression has apparently been due to
the random nature of observations, the lack of systematic census work, and the necessity
for totally calm wind conditions during periods of field work. The present data,
especially the census of 31 May 1969, indicate that the owl is actually fairly common in
regions of suitable habitat, in fact the most abundant owl in the Canadian zone forests of
the southern Great Balsam Mountains. It seems likely that systematic, repeated censuses
in other ranges might yield a similar index of abundance in suitable habitat outside the
Great Balsams.

HABITAT PREFERENCE

The aerial photograph (Figure 2) of Tanasee Bald and Devil’s Courthouse is typical of
the habitat found at each of the nine calling stations in the Great Balsam Mountains and
Pisgah Ridge. It is apparent from this photograph that the spruce-fir forests are fairly
limited in extent and generally confined to scattered groves along the crest of the ridge.
In the southern Great Balsam Mountains, there are two main sites where the Canadian
zone community occurs in a vast, relatively unbroken canopy: Reinhart Knob and the
SW slope of Richland Balsam. Saw-whet Owls have never been reported from either of
these locations, in spite of intensive and repeated searches. Although the 49 records
contained in the present study are from areas where spruce-fir forests are present, a
careful examination of aerial photographs of the Great Balsam Mountains indicates that
this biome often constitutes only a portion of the habitat where the owl occurs.
Seventeen of the 49 records are from areas where hardwoods comprise over 90% of the
forest canopy, with conifers occurring only as scattered, solitary trees. Furthermore,
eight of the nine calling stations and all of the other single records are from localities
where the spruce-fir forests are either limited in extent, disrupted by fires or logging, or
extensively infiltrated with species typical of the heath or northern hardwood
communities. Nevertheless, virtually every article dealing with the Saw-whet Owl in the
southern Appalachians has left the impression that the species is strictly confined during
the breeding season to the Canadian zone biome.

Although no data are available from the southern Appalachians concerning the home
range of the owl, Thomas H. Nicholls (pers. com.) has utilized biotelemetric tracking
techniques to measure the movements of the species at the University of Minnesota’s
Cedar Creek Automatic Radio- tracking Station. Nicholls informs me that three Saw-whet
Owls were followed for 20 days each with this technique, and their average home range
was approximately 350 acres. If one assumes that the Saw-whet Owl occupies a home
range of comparable size in the Great Balsam area, then it seems apparent that the bird
must utilize a considerable acreage of hardwood forests, even though spruce-fir
associations must be present in the immediate vicinity. Accurate documentation of
habitat selection would require the use of bio telemetry in the study area, but inspection
of the aerial photographs substantiates the general impression that one gets in the field,
namely that the bird occurs predominantly in the transition zone between the spruce-fir
community and hardwood forests.

Although there appears to be no information in the literature concerning the
relationship between the calling area and the foraging area of the owl, it seems possible
that the occurrence of the species in this transitional zone, or edge community, is related
to the relative abundance of food in the area. Peter Weigel (pers. com.) has conducted
extensive studies of the mammal populations of the spruce-fir, northern hardwood, and
transitional zone communities of the Roan Mountain area, and his studies indicate a
statistically significant difference in the density of species and individuals among the
three communities. The greatest variety of species and the maximum number of
individuals occur in the edge between the spruce-fir and northern hardwood com-
munities. Thus the rodents and other small mammals that comprise one of the major

44

The Chat

Figure 2. Aerial photograph shows Saw-whet Owl calling stations at Tanasee
Bald (Site 12) and Devil’s Courthouse (Site 13). The east-west highway is the Blue
Ridge Parkway, and the one running north-south is NC 215. Note how the dark
patches of spruce-fir forest contrast with the surrounding hardwoods. This is typical
habitat for all nine calling stations.

sources of food for the Saw-whet Owl attain their maximum density in the areas where
the two communities merge. It may be hypothesized, therefore, that the presence of the
owl in these mixed communities is in part a reflection of the relative abundance of food
in the locality.

Several authors, including Hall (1966), have suggested that the recent increase in
records of the Saw-whet Owl in the southern Appalachians indicates range expansion by
the species. In a previous paper (Simpson, 1968), I suggested that these records are not
sufficient evidence to establish range expansion but rather reflect three trends in the
area: the increased accessibility of the high country due to the creation of new roads, the
growing popular interest in birds, and intentional searching for the species by
ornithologists. However, if the species does prefer edge or transitional communities, then
there may have been an increase in the numbers of the bird due to the disruption of the
forests by fires, logging, highways, and insect pests. In this regard, it is interesting that in
the Black Mountains the owl was not reported until 1949, in spite of extensive studies of
the range by Brewster (1886), Cairns (1887, 1889, 1891, 1894), and Burleigh (1941).
Nevertheless, the owl may have been overlooked in this area until modern times; and any
evidence offered either to support or refute the concept of range expansion remains
highly circumstantial.

From a geographical standpoint, the calling station at Tanasee Bald (Site 12) is of
considerable significance. Although small scattered groves of red spruce occur farther
south into the mountains of northern Georgia, Ramseur (1960), Stupka (1964), and
Simpson (1968) have pointed out that the true Canadian zone spruce-fir biome reaches
its southern limit in the eastern United States at Tanasee Bald. If the Saw-whet Owl
requires the presence of this plant community during the breeding season, then Tanasee
Bald represents the southernmost point in the eastern United States where this species
should occur during the spring and summer months. As pointed out in my previous
paper (Simpson, 1968), however, additional field work is required to determine whether
the owl is strictly limited to these spruce-fir communities.

June 1972

45

EVIDENCE OF BREEDING

One of the major controversies over the status of the Saw-whet Owl in the southern
Appalachians centers around the question of whether the extensive summer records
indicate a breeding population. In spite of repeated, systematic searches in the Great
Smokies, Great Balsams, and Black Mountains, no nests or eggs have ever been reported.
However, there are two records of juvenile owls from North Carolina which provide
strong evidence that the species does nest in the state. A review of these two reports is in
order.

On 10 July 1965 Peake (1965) reported his sighting of a single Saw-whet Owl in
juvenile plumage at Richland Balsam in the Great Balsam Mountains and suggested that
this was the first record to substantiate the breeding of the species south of West
Virginia. Subsequently, on 2 September 1965, a juvenile Saw-whet Owl was captured in
the mist nets at Mt. Mitchell State Park in the Black Mountains. This bird was banded
with USF&WS No. 544-05701 by Brad Hawkins and photographed by Connely Moffett.
Hawkins (pers. com.) felt that the record was strong evidence of breeding in the Mt.
Mitchell area. However, a number of ornithologists have contended that these two
records may represent early migrants; and the validity of using the records as breeding
evidence has been questioned on this basis.

An examination of the available data on migration patterns of the Saw-whet Owl
indicates that it is extremely unlikely that the juvenile owls found by Peake and Hawkins
were migrants. Davis (1966) reported on the extensive southward invasion of the species
into the eastern United States during the fall of 1965, and his summary indicated that
the overwhelming bulk of the population arrived between 3 October and 10 November
with the peak of movement occurring between 14 and 18 October. Furthermore, the
earliest record was from Monomoy, Massachusetts, on 8 September, and only a few
scattered individuals were noted elsewhere from that date until the last week of
September. Mueller and Berger (1967) reported on a study of Saw-whet Owl migration
at Cedar Grove Ornithological Station in Wisconsin from 1956 through 1964. They
noted that the bulk of the records centered around 23 October, with 65% of the
sightings occurring in a 2-week period centered on that date. Furthermore, Mueller (pers.
com.) informs me that the species was never recorded in the area prior to the last week
in September and that only one of the 213 captured owls had even a minute trace of the
distinctive juvenile plumage. In North Carolina, the occurrence in spruce-fir forests of
these two juvenile owls on 10 July and 2 September strongly suggests, therefore, that the
species does breed in the mountain regions of western North Carolina. Ultimate proof,
however, must rest upon the eventual discovery of a nest containing eggs or flightless
young.

WINTER STATUS AT HIGH ELEVATIONS UNKNOWN

Savage (1965) and Peake (1965) have suggested that the Saw-whet Owl undergoes a
“vertical migration” in the southern Appalachians, with the birds wintering in the valleys
and moving up the slopes to the higher elevations in late March or early April for
breeding. I have no records to substantiate or refute this concept, aside from the fact
that the bird has not been recorded in the study area except during the period of April
through August. Although Savage (1965), Peake (1965), and Simpson (1968) have
summarized the evidence to support vertical migration, the extent to which this occurs
and the extent of overwintering in the high elevations remain unknown.

SUMMARY

An 8-year study of the Saw-whet Owl in the southern Great Balsam Mountains reveals
a total of 49 records of the species, with the calling season occurring during the period of
early April through mid-June. A total of nine calling stations are present in the range

46

The Chat

along a 13-mile transect, and comparison with a comparable area in the Great Smoky
Mountains indicates that densities of the species may be quite uniform throughout
regions of suitable habitat in the southern Appalachians. The data indicate that the bird
is actually fairly common in the proper habitat, and it is clearly the most abundant owl
in the spruce-fir community. The owl shows a preference for mixed communities of
conifer and hardwood and occurs most regularly in the transition zone or edge between
the spruce-fir and hardwood forests, where the increased availability of small mammals
may account for its presence. The questions of range expansion and vertical migration
remain unsettled; but two documented occurrences of juvenile Saw-whet Owls in the
southern Appalachians, both records coming at least a month prior to the earliest known
migratory movement of the species, give strong evidence in support of a breeding
population.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am indebted to R. H. Peake, C. F. Hutchinson, D. R. McLeod, and Tom Savage for
permission to examine their records from the range; to Tom Nicholls and Peter Weigel
for permission to quote from their research; to Brad Hawkins for permission to publish
the banding record from Mt. Mitchell; and to H. C. Mueller for assistance in the
preparation of the paper.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Checklist of North American Birds.

Brewster, W. 1886. An ornithological reconnaissance in western North Carolina. Auk,
3:94-112, 173-179.

Burleigh, T. D. 1941. Bird life on Mt. Mitchell. Auk, 58:334-345.

Cairns, J. S. 1887. A list of birds of Buncombe Co., North Carolina. Orn. and Ool.,
12:3-6.

. 1889. The summer birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Om. and Ool.,

14:17-23.

1891. List of the birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Privately printed.

. 1894. List of birds taken and observed in western North Carolina. Unpublished

manuscript. Perkins Library, Duke University.

Davis, T. H. 1966. The 1965 Saw-whet Owl invasion. The Kingbird, 16 (2).

Hall, G. A. 1966. Audubon Field Notes, 20:569.

Mueller, H. C., and D. D. Berger. 1967. Observations on migrating Saw-whet Owls.
Bird-Banding, 38:120-125.

Peake, R. H. 1965. Saw-whet Owls in Jackson County, North Carolina. Chat,
23:110-111.

Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina.

Ramseur, G. S. 1960. The vascular flora of high mountain communities of the
southern Appalachians. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 76:82-112.

Savage, T. 1965. Recent observations of the Saw-whet Owl in G.S.M.N.P. Migrant,
36:15-16.

Simpson, M. B., Jr. 1968. The Saw-whet Owl: breeding distribution in North Carolina.
Chat, 32:83-89.

Stupka, A. 1946. Occurrence of the Saw-whet Owl in the Great Smoky Mountains
during the breeding season. Migrant, 17:60-62.

1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. University of

Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

1964. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

University of Tennesee Press, Knoxville.

P. O. Box 167, Statesville, N. C., 21 June 1971

June 1972

47

THE PLIGHT OF WOOD DUCKS
IN THE CAROLINAS

PAUL A. STEWART

There are few success stories in the annals of American wildlife conservation to match
that of the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). From near extinction in the early years of the
twentieth century as a result of earlier habitat destruction and unrestricted shooting, the
American population of Wood Ducks steadily increased so that a period of inviolate
protection starting in 1918 was ended by an open hunting season starting in 1941. Under
federal regulations Wood Ducks have continued to be hunted in some states within their
range each year since 1941, and they have actually become important game birds in
several states, particularly in the Carolinas.

Materialistic as we humans are, it just might be possible that Wood Ducks were
brought back from near extinction only because they held possibilities as game birds, for
most help they receive comes left-handedly from hunters. However, lest the hunters
should take an unearned bow it must be recalled that, with little or no artifical help,
Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) also returned at about the same time to
reoccupy remnants of their earlier breeding habitats deserted with the clearing of the
primeval forest. Clearly, help would have been to no avail if Wood Ducks had not been
adaptable enough to accept the help along with its accompaniments of civilization, and
the success of Wood Ducks was most importantly a result of their adaptability.

NEST BOX CONSTRUCTION AND PLACEMENT

Wood Ducks are adaptable only within certain limits, and there are some features of
their habitat requirements which they refuse to compromise. For example, they must
have elevated cavities for nesting. Tree cavities furnish their natural nesting places, but
with clearing of the forest suitable cavities became greatly reduced in numbers; thus the
need for artifical nesting facilities was developed. A wooden box 24 inches high with a
floor 10 inches square is suitable for their use. There is an entrance hole 4 inches in
diameter with its bottom about 16 inches above the floor of the box. A ladder of
hardware cloth is attached to the inside of the front of the box for use of the ducklings
in escaping from the box, and the roof is made removable to permit periodic inspections
of the contents of the box. About 4 inches of sawdust is placed on the floor of the box
for nesting material. Only down from her breast is added by the female (Figure 1).

The boxes are mounted on trees near rivers or lakes or on posts extending above the
high water level of ponds (Figure 2). When nest cavities are scarce, Wood Ducks nest at
surprisingly great distances from water, but many ducklings are then lost in their
movement to water. In Iowa, Leopold (1951) reported 61 of 189 Wood Duck ducklings
lost in moving about one city block from their nests to water. The boxes should be
firmly attached to their supports, but tree-mounted boxes should be attached in such a
way that the bolts or nails can be removed from the trees when use of the boxes is
discontinued, and the removal of the nails or bolts should be effected at that time. This
is desirable for preventing possible damage to equipment when the trees are later
harvested and processed.

Because female Wood Ducks return in successive years to cavities where they have
successfully nested and because the young females tend to return to nest at or near their
hatching places, a person once successful in attracting Wood Ducks to boxes has an
improved probability for having nesting birds in subsequent years after the first.
However, mortality is particularly high during the first year of the birds’ lives, and it is
necessary to have about 34 ducklings to leave the nests to assure that one young female
will be alive to return to the locality the next year. The probability of an adult female
returning a second year is much higher than for the newly hatched young, or about one

48

The Chat

Figure 1. A female Wood Duck incubates her eggs.

in three. The birds form pairs when on their wintering grounds, and the males follow
their mates to their hatching or earlier nesting sites; thus males do not return to their
hatching or earlier nesting sites unless they happen to pair with females from the same
nesting localities.

Wood Ducks readily nest near human dwellings, and when a dwelling is located
reasonably near the necessary water, these ducks can be induced to nest within easy view
of a window. However, Wood Ducks nesting near such dwellings provide little
entertainment to humans because the birds remain outside but near the boxes so little of
the time that they are seldom seen there. I have known of several pairs of Wood Ducks
nesting immediately beside human dwellings where the presence of the birds was
unknown until the ducklings were seen leaving their nests. However, by assiduous
watching, males can be seen near the boxes in the early morning when they accompany
their mates on cavity explorations, and the view of a wild male Wood Duck just outside
one’s window provides an experience always to be treasured.

Obviously it is most satisfying to attract Wood Ducks near our own homes, but for
various reasons many of us cannot feasibly achieve this goal; nevertheless we need not be
entirely deprived of experiences with nesting Wood Ducks, for we can find new and
satisfying experiences in observing the nesting activities of these birds merely by
mounting boxes on shores of accessible rivers. Permission to erect the boxes can
ordinarily be readily obtained from landowners having appropriate habitat on their
properties. Sections of rivers where the gradient is low are most satisfactory for later
brood rearing and hence also for erection of the boxes.

River habitats appear to offer the best possibilities for helping Wood Ducks in the
Carolinas. In Ohio, as many as two broods of ducklings per mile were found on 10-mile
sections of the Scioto River; whereas, in float trips over 25 miles of the Tar, Neuse, and
Pasquotank Rivers in North Carolina, only six broods were found, or about one brood
per 4 miles of travel. Nest boxes were used immediately after they were placed on the
Tar River, suggesting that the low number of breeding Wood Ducks on these North
Carolina rivers probably results from a shortage of suitable nesting cavities. This shortage
can be overcome by provision of nest boxes.

June 1972

49

Figure 2. A small Ohio pond favored by Wood Duck broods and
containing a properly placed nest box.

Wood Ducks normally soon use boxes properly placed for their use, as was
demonstrated by J. R. Hester at his pond near Wendell, N. C. Three nest boxes were
erected in 1954, and one box was occupied the first year. In the second year, all of the
five boxes which had been erected were used by Wood Ducks (Hester, 1955). At Hester’s
Pond in 1961, there were 27 successful nests producing 372 ducklings (Hardister, 1963).

Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) seem to have captured most of the concerns of
naturalists and bird clubs establishing nest box trails, and erection of nest boxes for
Wood Ducks has been somewhat neglected, except by state agencies and hunting groups.
True, a bit of additional equipment is needed on a Wood Duck nest box trail in the form
of a small boat and a ladder, but work on rivers with nesting Wood Ducks offers
additional attractions not available in following bluebird nest box trails on motor
highways.

The state fish and game agencies in several northern states have erected relatively large
numbers of nest boxes for Wood Ducks, particularly those in Massachusetts, Vermont,
Illinois, and Ohio. During the period from 1949 to 1953, approximately 3,500 Wood
Duck nest boxes were erected by employees of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
and Game (Grice and Rogers, 1965). The fish and game agencies in the southern states
have been somewhat less active in erecting nest boxes for Wood Ducks; however, in 1971
the South Carolina Wildlife Resources Department initiated a Wood Duck nest box
program in their state, erecting 200 boxes. In North Carolina the Wildlife Resources
Department is maintaining only about 100 boxes.

COMPETITORS AND PREDATORS

In some areas use of Wood Duck boxes by Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) presents a
formidable problem, the Starlings even building their nests over growing clutches of eggs
of Wood Ducks. The Wood Ducks lay their eggs in the early morning and leave the nest

50

The Chat

unattended during the time between daily egg layings, thus giving the Starlings
opportunities to usurp the nesting cavities even when the clutch of eggs is being laid.
Nests are abandoned by the female Wood Duck after Starlings have built their nests on
top of her eggs. However, after her clutch of eggs is complete and incubation has started,
the female Wood Duck is able to discourage entry of the box by Starlings merely by
giving a hissing sound when the Starlings alight on the box. Starlings usually present little
of a problem in competition for use of nest boxes placed on rivers remote from human
dwellings.

Other species of birds than Starlings sometimes compete with Wood Ducks for use of
nest boxes, particularly Screech Owls (Otus asio). To solve the problem of such
competition it is sometimes best to use enough boxes to meet the needs of both the
competitors and the Wood Ducks, depending on the desirability of the other birds.

Competition for use of the boxes by Raccoons (Procyon lotor) is sometimes a
problem, too, particularly when the boxes are mounted on trees. When only a few boxes
are being used, this problem can be minimized by keeping the entrances of the boxes
closed during the season when they are not being used by ducks, or from about early
July until early March.

Raccoons sometimes pose serious problems in connection with Wood Duck nest box
programs by eating the eggs or incubating ducks. In a study in Massachusetts,
McLaughlin and Grice (1952) reported that 26 of 30 nests were destroyed by Raccoons.
A decline in use of the boxes sometimes occurs with passage of time, presumably as a
result of disturbance from Raccoons. Boxes have been developed having various degrees
of effectiveness for protecting Wood Duck nests from Raccoons (see Webster and Uhler,
1964). Increase in numbers of nesting Wood Ducks can be expected with passing of time
if plenty of boxes are always available to the ducks and if predation on the incubating
ducks or their eggs does not become excessive. If predation becomes excessive it is
sometimes best to move the boxes to new locations.

Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger) also destroy many Wood Duck eggs, Bellrose (1955) in
Illinois reporting 419 of 820 clutches destroyed by Fox Squirrels. Seemingly, Gray
Squirrels (S. ciarolinensis ) do not destroy Wood Duck eggs (Stewart, 1957).

Snakes are also important predators of Wood Duck eggs in some areas. In Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana the Gray Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta) was reported to
be the chief predator of eggs in Wood Duck nests (Stewart, 1957). In Illinois, Bellrose
(1955) found that Bull Snakes (Pituophis sayi) were responsible for 10 percent of the
egg predation at Wood Duck nests. There has been little research on methods of
preventing destruction of Wood Duck eggs by snakes.

WHAT MAKES PONDS SUITABLE FOR WOOD DUCKS?

Emergent vegetation for a place to rear their broods is a second habitat requirement
which Wood Ducks refuse to compromise. There is often a shortage of brood rearing
habitat in the necessary close association with suitable nesting cavities; then some water
with emergent vegetation is desirable. Hardister (1963) reported that broods from 27
boxes on woods-surrounded Hester’s Pond left the 6-acre pond soon after hatching and
moved, presumably to Tarpley’s Millpond about 1.5 miles away. On the other hand, I
knew of a pond at the Olentangy Wildlife Experiment Station in Ohio containing 0.6 of
an acre, two-thirds of which was covered with emergent vegetation, where five broods
gathered in each of the two years, 1955 and 1956 (Figure 2). Several other ponds at the
Olentangy Station also contained brood concentrations on less than 2 acres of water. In
each case, the open water that was present was little used by the broods. In river habitats
Wood Duck broods were often found to remain in areas with little or no emergent
vegetation, but the broods then remained mostly near densely vegetated shores or
islands.

Shallow water with emergent vegetation is desirable for optimum brood rearing
habitat, but there should be a minimum of shallow water lacking emergent vegetation
and having a growth of filamentous algae. The ducklings often dive when they are

June 1972

51

surprised feeding on the surface of water away from emergent vegetation, and in the
presence of submerged filamentous algae they become entangled in the algae and drown.
I knew of one brood in central Ohio that was thus quickly reduced from 11 to 6
ducklings, and it would have been further reduced except for my rescuing 5 of the
ducklings found entangled in the algae (Stewart, 1966).

With many farm and fish ponds now scattered over the breeding range of the Wood
Duck, there may seem to be an abundance of habitat suitable for Wood Ducks, the
ponds only needing to have nest boxes added. In a publication of the U. S. Department
of Agriculture, Neely and Davison (1971) noted, “Some fishponds have suitable places
for Wood Duck nesting boxes .... The pond and its edges usually provide enough green
plants, insects, and other summer food for the broods without any special management.”
Unfortunately a properly built fishpond lacks the shallow water and emergent vegetation
so desirable for Wood Duck brood habitat. Fishermen do not want emergent vegetation
on their ponds, but Wood Duck broods need places to hide.

Multiple use of ponds is ordinarily desirable, but production of Bullfrogs (Rana
catesbeiana) is one use that should not be combined with production of Wood Ducks,
although a Wood Duck pond is also suitable for Bullfrogs. At a pond at the Olentangy
Wildlife Experiment Station in Ohio where I had just noted the mysterious dis-
appearance of one duckling from a brood of five, I quickly captured two Bullfrogs after
releasing onto the pond two ducklings with fish lines attached to their legs (Stewart,
1967). Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) probably capture and eat Wood Duck
ducklings also, but I have no information on the extent of such predation. Research is
needed on this matter.

As a combination developed by nature, Beavers (Castor canadensis) and Wood Ducks
are particulary satisfactory together, a Beaver pond providing ideal habitat for Wood
Duck broods. In Alabama, Speak (1956) found at least five broods of Wood Ducks on a
Beaver pond of 25 acres. But Beavers are not welcomed by many landowners because
they cut trees and flood land that could be otherwise used; thus this natural method of
producing Wood Duck habitat was displaced with the coming of modem materialism,
and it holds little or no prospect of a return in a meaningful manner unless perchance the
apparel styles of humans might change to demand beaver fur.

The provision of ponds suitable for Wood Ducks in rearing their broods may prove to
be a particularly stubborn problem in the Carolinas because malaria-bearing mosquitoes
also breed in shallow water with emergent vegetation. The laws of North Carolina forbid
construction of a pond as large as one-fourth acre containing emergent vegetation during
the brood season of Wood Ducks. In South Carolina the size of such a pond must be less
than one-tenth acre. I once found a brood of newly hatched Wood Ducks beside a water
hole less than a foot in diameter, but they remained there only during their first day or
two out of the nest. It is doubtful if large numbers of Wood Duck broods would remain
until their flying age on ponds of less than one-fourth acre, but research is needed on this
question. New research is sorely needed also on methods for controlling mosquito larvae
so that ponds can be built suitable for use by Wood Ducks. Certainly, no one wants to
propagate malaria-bearing mosquitoes as part of the cost of helping Wood Ducks.

To hold Wood Ducks in an area after they attain flight capability is still more difficult
than holding them until that time. Then there should be logs, treetops, or vegetation-free
islands available to the ducks over or near the water in somewhat secluded areas for
daytime loafing places (Figure 3). It is desirable but not essential for the ponds to be
near or in woodland. I knew of one brood of Wood Ducks in Ohio that remained several
weeks after attaining flight capability on a pond about 100 feet from a human dwelling
although there were only scattered trees nearby, but the pond contained an abundance
of emergent vegetation and was surrounded with undisturbed plant growth. Holding the
birds at this age depends on having the best habitat within a distance of some 8 to 10
miles. The birds normally cannot be held in an area throughout the day merely by
providing food.

52

The Chat

Figure 3. A woodland pond used as a loafing place by Wood Ducks.

ARTIFICIAL FEEDING

The ducklings eat whole shelled corn already when they are about 3 weeks of age, and
artificial feeding can be started at this time. The com can be placed on bare soil near the
shore of the pond or river or on a wooden raft floating among emergent vegetation. The
mother duck leading the brood normally does not feed with her brood but flies
elsewhere to feed in the morning and evening. Feeding stations used by the broods are
usually abandoned when the young attain flight capability and join the adults at their
feeding sites. Likewise, feeding sites used by the adults may be abandoned when
dispersal occurs about one month before southward migration starts in early November.
Attracting Wood Ducks to winter feeding stations is best accomplished as a major goal on
wildlife refuges, as the wintering ducks feed in flocks that do not readily change their
feeding places. On the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern South Carolina
I once attempted to trap some Wood Ducks by placing shelled com at their daytime
loafing place, but the ducks actually spent the day sitting on the com and left in the
evening to fly to their regular feeding place without eating any of it. Artificial winter
feeding or feeding during the hunting season is a special problem also because hunters
may find the feeding stations and be tempted to shoot the “baited” birds illegally.

MANAGEMENT

When an open hunting season prevails, hunting is undoubtedly the chief cause of
mortality of Wood Ducks after the birds have reached the flying age, and as many as 68
percent of a population may be killed and crippled by hunters in one year (Stewart,
1957). Approximately one-half million Wood Ducks may be bagged in a hunting season
in the eastern half of the United States. As many as 29,290 have been bagged in one year
in North Carolina (Donnelly, pers. com.).

Management of duck populations in the southeastern United States is aimed at
harvest rather than production (see Neely and Davison, 1971), but with most ducks
occurring in this area only during the fall and winter and with most people everywhere

June 1972

53

being more anxious to be on the receiving rather than the giving end, this emphasis on
harvest is understandable. However, a major opportunity is being lost and a
responsibility being neglected in the general failure to promote production of Wood
Ducks in the southland. With the Wood Duck being the only wild duck breeding
naturally throughout the southeastern United States, this species presents the only
available opportunity for residents of this area to work directly with production of wild
ducks.

The destiny of Wood Ducks is strongly set by hunters whose license fees furnish
operating funds for state wildlife agencies and for waterfowl habitat restoration projects.
Our agencies are doing the job they are paid to do, but wildlife protection is becoming
increasingly complex as the Carolinas attract new industries and cities grow rapidly.
Funds and personnel are needed to combat harmful pollution of wildlife habitat, to
prevent unwise drainage projects proposed by private enterprise and government agencies
such as the Soil Conservation Service and the Army Corps of Engineers, and to assist
farmers and enlightened developers in using their land in harmony with nature. There is a
growing urgency for reduction in depletive use of wildfowl and other natural resources,
and there are increasing numbers of people who can enjoy Wood Ducks without killing
them ; however, it will do no good to spare ducks from the gun if they cannot find adequate
nesting sites and unpolluted wintering grounds. Perhaps the time has come for all citizens
to support wildlife protection through general taxes thus relieving state and federal
agencies of any sense of special obligation to hunters in establishing wildlife management
policies and hunting regulations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For replying to my letters requesting certain bits of information, I gratefully
acknowledge the help received from the following persons: Jack A. Donnelly, North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; W. Brock Conrad Jr., South Carolina Wildlife
Resources Department; Joseph P. Bachant, Ohio Department of Natural Resources;
Sidney H. Usry, North Carolina State Board of Health; and Frank T. Arnold Jr., South
Carolina State Board of Health. When doing the research forming the basis for this paper,
I was supported by a fellowship from the Ohio Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit.

LITERATURE CITED

Bellrose, F. C. 1955. Housing for Wood Ducks. 111. Nat. Hist. Surv., Urbana.

Grice, D., and J. P. Rogers. 1965 The Wood Duck in Massachusetts. Mass. Div. Fish. &
Game, Boston.

Hardister, J. P., Jr. 1963. Movements of juvenile Wood Ducks as measured by web
tagging. M. Sc. Thesis, North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh.

Hester, F. E. 1955. The Wood Duck in east-central North Carolina. M. Sc. Thesis,
North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh.

Leopold, F. 1951. A study of nesting Wood Ducks in Iowa. Condor, 53:209-220.

McLaughlin, G. L., and D. Grice. 1952. The effectiveness of large-scale erection of
Wood Duck boxes as a management procedure. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Conf.,
17:242-259.

Neely, W. W., and V. E. Davison. 1971. Wild ducks on farmland in the South. USDA,
Farmers’ Bull., 2218.

Speak, D. W. 1956. Waterfowl use of creeks, beaver swamps, and small impoundments
in Lee County, Alabama. Proc. Southeastern Assoc. Game & Fish Comm. Meeting
Daytona Beach, Fla. October 2-5, 1955. p. 178-185.

Stewart, P. A. 1957. The Wood Duck, Aix sponsa (Linnaeus), and its management.
Ph.D. Thesis, Ohio State Univ., Columbus.

Stewart, P. A. 1966. Diving Wood Duck ducklings entangled in filamentous algae.
Condor, 69:531.

54

The Chat

Stewart, P. A. 1967. Wood Duck ducklings captured by Bullfrogs. Wilson Bull.,
79:237-238.

Webster, C. G., and F. M. Uhler. 1964. Improved nest structures for Wood Ducks. U.S.
Fish & Wildl. Serv., Leaflet 458.

203 Mooreland Dr., Oxford, North Carolina 27565

OBITUARY

DORIS CALLAN HAUSER

Doris Callan Hauser of Fayetteville, N. C., one of the state’s outstanding amateur
ornithologists, died 30 March 1972 at the age of 57. She was the wife of the Rev. Roscoe
C. Hauser Jr. Her enthusiasm, close observation, keen intellect, and ability to explain in
layman’s terms did much to interest others in bird study. Mrs. Hauser’s papers in Chat
and other journals brought her into communication with ornithologists throughout the
United States, in Europe, Japan, Thailand, Australia, and other countries. Her papers
published outside the Carolinas include the following articles.

The Auk

Vol. 76, July 1959, Reverse mounting in Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

Vol. 77, July 1960, A record of Pipilo erythrophthalmus articus in North Carolina.
Vol. 83, January 1966, Hummingbird survives through December in North Carolina.

The Wilson Bulletin

Vol. 69, March 1957, Some observations on sun-bathing in birds.

Vol. 71, December 1959, Notes on pairing and nest-building of mismatched vireos.

Journal of Mammology

Vol. 45, March 1964, Anting by Gray Squirrels.

At the time of her death Mrs. Hauser was preparing for publication a paper tentatively
titled “Anting in Wild Birds,” which details observations of olfactory perception by birds
dressing their plumage with a species of ant that has a pungent aroma.~MRS. NEILL A.
CURRIE JR.

June 1972

55

CBS

n^OiuuttjOub^E

Dean of Bird Watchers: WENDELL P. SMITH

GARVIN HUGHES

Every year the CBC Christmas Bird Count includes a report from North Wilkesboro
with one observer. This lone observer is Wendell P. Smith, 79, dean of bird watchers and
one of the best ornithologists in the Southeast. Last December Wendell and I drove up
the Yadkin River to look for waterfowl wintering on the Kerr Scott Reservoir. He was
making his sixty-eighth Christmas Bird Count.

“You can never tell what will be found around the lake,” Wendell said. “Once, after a
storm on the coast, we found two Red Phalaropes and a flock of Golden Plovers that had
been driven this far inland by the storm.”

Bom at Wells River, Vermont, Wendell was confined to the family farm by a
childhood illness. The self-taught naturalist has never attended school a day in his life.
He was taught in the home by his mother and at an early age began the lifetime study of
the natural history of the family farm. On his daily walks around the farm, young
Wendell began keeping records of nesting birds and of the arrival and departure dates of
migratory birds moving through the Connecticut River valley.

Although most of his life was devoted to the study of a 100-acre hill-country farm, he
became well known in scientific circles for his discoveries. He has been elected to learned
societies, contributed to leading scientific journals, and for 25 years he served as the
State Ornithologist of Vermont. In 1954 he retired from this position and moved to
North Wilkesboro near the home of his wife, the former Louise Pearson of Moravian
Falls.

Once settled in North Carolina, Wendell immediately began studying the natural
history of Wilkes County and the northwestern piedmont. Every year he searches the
surrounding countryside for nesting birds and records the passage of migratory species. A
few years ago he was invited to Washington, D. C., to be honored by the U.S. Bureau of
Sports Fisheries and Wildlife for his volunteer contributions to its Migratory Bird Study.
At that time he had reported migration data to the bureau for 57 years. When the study
was complete in 1969, Wendell’s records covered 65 continuous years.

Wendell is very active in the affairs of the Carolina Bird Club, and has served as
treasurer of the club. His amazing ability to identify a bird with a quick glance or a few
notes of its song has made him a popular figure on the club’s field trips. His presence on
a trip always attracts a large group of birders. A field trip with him is a quick course in
bird identification because Wendell is happy to share his lifetime accumulation of nature
lore. “You don’t need a guide book with Mr. Smith,” a young birder once commented.
“He knows all of the birds.”

We asked how he had adjusted to the Yadkin River Valley after a lifetime in the
Connecticut River Valley in Vermont. “There isn’t a lot of difference,” Wendell replied.

56

The Chat

Wendell P. Smith checks the Kerr Scott Reservoir for waterfowl wintering on the
lake. The 79-year-old dean of bird watchers was participating in his sixty-eighth
annual Christmas Bird Count. (Photo by Garvin Hughes.)

“Nature is much the same everywhere. We have many of the same birds passing at
migration, but I do miss the Snow Buntings in winter.”

A lifetime of patient observation has taught Wendell Smith the continuity of nature’s
show. Forever old, and yet forever new; he knows there is always something new and
exciting waiting to be discovered.

Department Editor Needed

Beginning with this issue of Chat, CBC Roundtable combines the two popular
columns that formerly appeared in the bulletin, Bird Watcher’s Roundtable and Carolina
Birds and Birders. Willie Morrison finds she is no longer able to combine editing with her
busy schedule of home, church, and community activities. Doug Pratt is in graduate
school at Louisiana State University, and Mark Simpson is attending Yale University
Medical School. The Editor appreciates the efforts of the three excellent staff members.
Replacing them will be difficult. If you are interested in editing this department, please
write Eloise Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N. C. 27597.

June 1972

57

Conservation

. . . with Marie Mellinger

What is so rare as a day in June?

“What is so rare as a day in June, then if ever come
perfect days,

When heaven tries earth if it be in tune, and over it
softly a warm ear lays,

And whether we look or whether we listen, we hear life
murmur and see it glisten,

For every clod feels a stir of might, an instinct within it
that reaches and towers,

And groping blindly about it for light, climbs to a soul in
grass and flowers.”

On a pleasant June morning, with a resounding bird chorus echoing through the trees,
it is pleasant to write about the forming of the bird watching movement in America.
After hearing the great Carl Bucheister give an account of the founding of the National
Audubon Society, women’s lib should enjoy hearing what a big part women took in
birding beginnings. When Grinnell founded the Aububon Society he named it not only
for John James, but for Lucy Audubon who was his tutor when he was a child. Men
were asked to pledge, “I will not kill any bird whose flesh I will not eat,” and women, “I
pledge I will not wear in my millinery, feathers of egrets or birds of paradise.”

Mean time some ladies had started the Massachusetts Aubdubon Society, and when
Grinnel gave up his society, Massachusetts Audubon took it over. By 1905 several
independent organizations were melded together with T. Gilbert Pearson, from Guilford
College, N. C., as first executive secretary. In 1906 the name was changed to National
Audubon Association, with a single purpose “to preserve bird life.” By 1930 this
concept was changed “to preserve soil, water, plants, and wild life.” This was the
beginning of Audubon’s ecology movement, not the study of an independent species,
but the study of the whole, all related and interdependent. “To save the heron you must
save the marsh.”

Mr. Bucheister stated, ‘Today we must be concerned with the totality of our
environment. It is a question of survival, not only of species of wild life and plants, but
of human survival.” And he concluded, “When you save natural beauty and teach others
to see and feel and cherish it, you are on the side of creation, doing something for the
human spirit.”

*****

If you have ever enjoyed the heart of a southern swamp in spring, when you feel the
mystical quality of being surrounded by bird song and smell the sweetness of the
blossoming heaths, you will be happy to know that two logging firms have cancelled
their timber cutting contracts in the Santee Swamp. Long live the wilderness!

*****

There has been some helpful publicity in South Carolina newspapers on enforcement
of the hawk and owl law. Several arrests have been made, but those arrested usually

58

The Chat

escape by pleading ignorance of the law. Birds of prey protected include all hawks, both
vultures, harriers, falcons, and eagles. Please publicize this law as much as possible!

% % * %

June and vacation time go together, but camping vactions may soon be on a
reservation only basis. Over-crowding and demand for too many camping refinements
tax nature to the utmost. Erma Bombeck wrote that man camps and then “must have his
electric blanket, his electric coffee pot, his electric martini mixer, his t.v., his high fi (but
he complained that the sound of the waterfall interfered with his high fi). Most campers
demand a swimming pool, a boat dock, a laundermat, a general store, and a half a dozen
playgrounds.” A national out door writer warned that “true camping will soon become
extinct if people don’t stop demanding more and more of the comforts they seldom have
at home.”

Plans are being made for recreation areas along the proposed Trotter Shoals flowage,
some 200 rriles of them involving 14 counties in Georgia and 8 counties in South
Carolina. This would be a national recreation (?) area with such goodies as golf courses,
motels, developed indian villages, antebellum plantations, zoos, and outdoor amusement
parks. I think the Savannah would rise and flood in protest!

Edward P. Cliff, of the U. S. Forest Service, said, “Public use is taxing National Forest
land to the danger point, and may lead to stringent restrictions on usage of wilderness
areas.”

Books We Recommend

Two new books, one written by young people, would do everyone a world of good.
The Foxfire Book-% 3.95 in paperback, available from Foxfire, Rabun Gap, Georgia
30568.

Where Have All the Flowers, Fishes, Birds, Trees, Water, and Air Gone? by Osborn
Segerberg, Jr., available from David McKay Company.

The Foxfire Book was written by the students of Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School,
under the guidance of Eliott Wigginton. In the mountains we are but shortly removed
from a time when man was still dependent on the resources of nature for his daily living.
This was a world of wood, of hunting and fishing for badly needed food. To go back to
such a world and enjoy the fabulous photographs of old timers and old time
occupations, read this book.

In Where Have etc., Mr. Segerberg gives a comprehensive but easily read summary of
our ecological problems and some possible solutions. He writes, “Much of the danger to
man is summed up in the simple phrase ‘we don’t know’. We pollute the environment
today, tomorrow the environment pollutes our children.”

New Guide to Birds of Mexico

A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico by Ernest P. Edwards contains 24 color plates
illustrating nearly 500 Mexican species. Among the several artists is CBC member
Douglas Pratt. For information about books, lithographs, note paper, and other items
available from Dr. Edwards, write him at Box AQ, Sweet Briar, Virginia 24595.

Purple Martin House Plans

Purple Martin house plans and tips on attracting these interesting birds can be
obtained by sending 25 cents and a stamped addressed envelope to Ray K. Walker, Box
711, St. Louis, Missouri 63188. Five copies for a dollar will be sent to one address in a
single 8 cent stamped addressed envelope.

June 1972

59

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N. C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S. C. 29401

NEW ASSOCIATE EDITOR

We are pleased to announce that Julian R. Harrison of the Depart-
ment of Biology at The College of Charleston has accepted the position of
Associate Editor of the General Field Notes for Chat. Notes pertaining to
bird records for South Carolina should be sent directly to Dr. Harrison, who
also serves on the CBC Records Committee. Dr. Harrison is a past presi-
dent of Charleston Natural History Society and currently is compiler for
the Charleston bird counts. He and Dr. Parnell worked together closely
during their student days at North Carolina State University, and their
new collaboration will undoubtedly prove beneficial to bird students in
the Carolinas. — EFP

Heronry Found Near Ehrhardt, S. C.

LAWRENCE H. ROBINSON
Soil Conservation Service

P. O. Box 493, Waite rboro, S. C. 29488 11 June 1971

The heronry is located about 100 yards NW of SC 64, 1.7 miles S of US 301, and 8
miles W of Ehrhardt in Bamburg County, S. C. It is about 5 acres in size and located in a
pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) bay, commonly known as a Grady pond or Carolina
Bay. A few black gums (Nyssa sylvatica) occur in the cypress dominated overstory.
Button-bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and black willow (Salix nigra) are the main
understory species. Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and duckweed (Lemna minor) are prevalent
aquatic plants along with pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), arrowhead (Sagittaria spj,
and blue flag (Iris virginica).

I first noticed the heronry in 1969, but no nest counts were made that year. James
Preacher and I counted 25 White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) nests in May 1970. Fifteen pairs
of White Ibises were nesting in the heronry 27 May 1971. On 8 June 1971 Robert Beach
and I estimated that there were 30 pairs of Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis), 20 pairs of
Little Blue Herons (Florida caerulea), 5 pairs of Common Egrets (Casmerodius albus)
and 2 pairs of Anhingas (Anhinga anhinga) nesting there. Also on 8 June 1971, 27 White
Ibises were nesting there, and a single Wood Ibis (Mycteria americana) was observed
soaring over the heronry. On 16 June 197 1 a few of the White Ibises were still incubating
eggs.

[DEPT. ED. - This heronry appears to be 25 to 30 miles from the one found by Post
in 1968 near Springfield, S. C. (Chat, 34: 31:33 .]

60

The Chat

A Second Ross' Goose at Pea Island, N. C.;

Verification of Specific Purity of These Birds

EDMUND K. LeGRAND

331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N. C. 28 January 1972

A Ross’ Goose (Chen rossii) was observed at leisure on the morning of 22 January
1972 by Harry LeGrand, Gard Otis, Sebastian Patti, and me beside the road at North
Pond, Pea Island N.W.R., N. C. The bird was about 40 feet away feeding with about 50
Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea atlantica) and was easily distinguishable by its smaller size
and perfectly white plumage. The Ross’ Goose was studied very carefully through 6 OX,
30X, and 20X scopes plus binoculars. The bill was very short and stubby compared with
the bills of the surrounding Snow Geese; and the large greenish-gray base of the pink bill,
which had absolutely no “grinning” or “smiling” patch, were all well seen. The warty
protuberances at the base of the bill were seen, but only with great difficulty. This bird
had a deformed right foot and was thus undoubtedly the same bird that was first seen by
Joshua Lee and Janice Lee on 27 and 28 December 1967 ( Audubon Field Notes,
22:429) and was later observed and photographed by Paul A. Buckley et al., (Auk,
86:551-552). This goose has been seen occasionally during past winters at Pea Island
since the first sightings, and many observers (including Harry LeGrand and author) saw
the bird on the Bodie-Pea Island Christmas Count.

At 4:00 PM on 22 January we again observed a Ross’ Goose with a flock of Snow
Geese; however, this bird was about one-half mile away from where we had seen one
earlier. The four of us immediately drove back to look for the original goose, which we
found exactly where it had been earlier in the day. We then drove back to our new Ross’
Goose to examine it closely. This new bird looked exactly like the other Ross’ Goose
except that the warty protuberances could not be noted due to the excessive distance
(about 75 feet). As soon as we left this bird we found the original goose where it had
been all day. Both birds were seen in flight: the original bird was later flushed and it flew
perfectly well, and the new Ross’ Goose once flew several feet to a safer position.

The few wintering Ross’ Geese in the Midwest (they normally winter in the Central
Valley of California) are known to hybridize with Lesser Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea
hyperborea) . The resulting intermediate geese more closely resemble Ross’ Geese than
Snow Geese, although these intermediates have a horizontal black line or “smile patch”
on the bill about 6 to 8 millimeters wide, or half the width of the “grinning patch” of
Snow Geese (Figure 1). Ross’ Geese have no such patch. There are other marks which
separate Ross’ Geese from intermediate birds such as overall size, bill size and shape,

Figure 1 .

Ross’ Goose
Snow Goose

(Specimens from North Carolina
State Museum of Natural History)

(Photo by Elizabeth Teulings)

June 1972

61

extent of the gray base of the bill, and the warty protuberances on the bill (Auk,
88:856-873), but these are difficult to observe. We studied the two geese at Pea Island
very carefully while checking for all of the marks. Because none of the characters of the
intermediates were seen and since all of the marks of the Ross’ Goose were noted, we
feel certain that these two birds were indeed pure Ross’ Geese. One of the observers,
Sebastian Patti, has seen about 15 Ross’ Geese in Kansas and Missouri, one of which he
observed under nearly perfect conditions.

To my knowledge these two birds are the only Ross’ Geese ever reported on the
Atlantic coast. Because Ross’ Geese have been extending their winter range eastward to
the Midwest (Auk, 88:856-873) and since these two geese were never seen together,
indicating that they came to Pea Island independently, it is quite possible that more
Ross’ Geese will appear on the Atlantic coast in the near future.

[DEPT. ED. — These geese have been seen by a number of other qualified birders in
addition to the careful study of the author. While it is recognized that separation of
Ross’ Goose from its hybrid with the Snow Goose is very difficult under field
conditions, these studies have been carefully made with full knowledge of the
possibilities. Thus, on the basis of this study the Ross’ Goose should be retained on the
hypothetical list for North Carolina. Because collection of one of these birds was not
possible, every effort should be made to secure good close-up photographs to further
document the record.]

Inland Record of a Black Skimmer
At Roanoke Rapids, N. C.

J. MERRILL LYNCH

539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N. C. 27870 25 January 1972

On 6 and 7 October 1971 an adult Black Skimmer (Rynchops nigra) was found at
Roanoke Rapids Lake just north of Roanoke Rapids, N. C. This location is about 95
miles inland from the Atlantic coast. The skimmer was discovered perched on a concrete
platform directly adjacent to the V.E.P.C.O. dam structure at about 6:30 PM on 6
October.

Watching it for at least 20 minutes, I clearly saw the distinctive scissor-like bill plus all
other field characteristics from about 60 feet. It was relatively tame on both days,
allowing me to approach within 30 feet before flushing. When flushed, it circled low over
the water, returning to its resting place on the platform after 2 or 3 minutes. If not
molested, the skimmer remained perched on the platform; in fact, I never saw it take
flight except when intentionally flushed. Its flights were always of short duration and
never more than 100 yards from the platform. During the two days of observations, the
skimmer was not seen to engage in feeding activities. Although flight appeared strong
and well sustained, its apparent lack of appetite led to speculation regarding the bird’s
general physical condition. Its hesitation on leaving its resting spot was also puzzling.

On 7 October Bill Collier and I returned armed with cameras to take some
photographs. Excellent light conditions prevailed, allowing us to secure several
recognizable photographs even though our equipment was quite basic and our experience
limited.

In all probability the Black Skimmer at Roanoke Rapids Lake was driven inland by
Hurricane Ginger’s passage through North Carolina a week earlier. The 1959 revision of
Birds of North Carolina cites no previous inland records for this strictly salt-water
inhabitant.

62

The Chat

Summer Range of the Whip-poor-will
In the Savannah River Valley

GERALD E. KNIGHTON

3 Linnet Loop, North Augusta, S. C. 29841 3 October 1971

The summer range of the Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferous) in the Savannah
River Valley is not clearly defined in the literature. Murphey, a resident at the fall line,
classified the Whip-poor-will in 1937 as an uncommon transient in the middle Savannah
Valley. Sprunt and Chamberlain in 1949 listed the South Carolina summer range as
“north to Greenville and Cherokee County; east to Chester County, south to Edgefield;
west to Oconee County,” but they furnish specific records only for Gaffney and
Clemson, S. C. In 1956 Denton reported summering birds at Elijah Clark State Park,
Lincoln County, Georgia. Burleigh in 1958 listed no breeding season records in the
Savannah River Valley below Toccoa, Ga. At the Atomic Energy Commission’s Savannah
River Plant, beginning along the Savannah River approximately 15 miles below the fall
line, Norris conducted extensive field studies during the late 1950s, but the 1963
publication of a summary of his records contains no records of Whip-poor-wills.

Between 14 May and 21 June 1970, Gerald E. Knighton Jr. and I made 10 night trips
in Aiken and Edgefield Counties, S. C., in an attempt to locate the eastern edge of the
Whip-poor-will range. The trips covered SC Hwy 230 and some roads connecting to this
highway for 15 miles W of the fall line. East of the fall line, we covered US 278 and
adjacent roads for a similar distance. The trips located calling Whip-poor-wills in seven
locations, six of which are in Edgefield County and range from 5 to 15 miles W of the
fall line. The seventh site, around the North Augusta Country Club, is along the
Aiken-Edgefield County line and approximately 3 miles W of the fall line. Whip-poor-will
calls were heard at the North Augusta Country Club site on six nights during May and
June 1970. No Whip-poor-wills were heard east of the fall line.

J. F. Denton (in press) reports similar results in night searches made on 15 and 17
June 1970 in Columbia County, Ga. He located no birds closer than 14 miles from
the fall line.

In 1971, I was unable to make night trips to the areas east of the fall line. Several
trips into the Edgefield County area, west of the fall line, located calling Whip-poor-wills
during April, May, June, and July 1971. The earliest record, 15 April 1971, and the
latest record, 8 July 1971, plus others between those dates were made at the North
Augusta Country Club site.

Unless future summer records are made below the fall line, it appears that the summer
and probable breeding range of the Whip-poor-will in the Savannah River Valley should
be described as extending down the Savannah River to the fall line.

LITERATURE CITED

Burleigh, T. D. 1958. Georgia birds, U. of Okla. Press, Norman, Okla.

Denton, J. F. 1956. Oriole, 21:33-34.

Murphey, E. E. 1937. Bird life of the middle Savannah Valley, 1890-1937,
Contributions from the Charleston Museum IX.

Norris, R. A. 1963. Birds of the AEC Savannah River Plant area, Contributions from
the Charleston Museum XIV.

Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain 1949. South Carolina bird life, U. of S. C. Press,
Columbia, S. C.

Correction

Latitude for the sightings of 27 April 1969 is given incorrectly in the field note
“Early Records for Pelagic Birds off the North Carolina Coast” by Frank Enders that
appeared in the March 1972 Chat (36:30-31). The correct coordinates are 34 degrees 51’
N, 75 degrees 46’ W.

June 1972

63

Loggerhead Shrike with Unusually Large Egg Clutch

WALLACE MARK THOMPSON

4950 University Drive, Wilmington, N. C. 28401 20 January 1972

The nest of a Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) was found on 24 April 1971
approximately 90 yards E of Hwy 132 on the campus of the University of North
Carolina at Wilmington. It was approximately 10 feet up in a live oak tree (Quercus
virginiana) in a scattered grove. When the nest was discovered it contained nine Shrike
eggs. According to Life Histories of N orth American Wagtails, Shrikes, Vireos, and Their
Allies (Arthur Bent, 1965), the normal clutch is four to six eggs with four to five being
found most often. No reference was located which referred to a clutch of eggs this large.

On 4 May 1971 the nest contained five young shrikes and four eggs. I visited the nest
on several subsequent occasions but could not determine the number of eggs present. On
18 May the nest contained four young that left the nest at my approach. A single egg
remained in the nest. The fate of the other three eggs is unknown.

Blue Grosbeak and Painted Bunting
At Southern Pines, N. C., in Winter

J. H. CARTER III

P. O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N. C.

MARY K. WINTYEN

280 W. New Hampshire Avenue, Southern Pines, N. C. 10 August 1971

On 22 December 1970, a Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea), was seen approximately
4.5 miles NNW of Southern Pines, Moore County, N. C. Edmund LeGrand, Harry
LeGrand, and Robert Teulings collaborated with me on the identification of the bird.
The bird was flushed from dead weeds which formed a thick cover 1.5 to 3 feet high in a
field. It was observed at length as it sat in a small tree. All field marks were noted,
including the characteristic “tail flicking” of this species. Its brown plumage indicated it
to be a female, or possibly an immature male. There are three previous winter records for
this species in North Carolina. Two were recorded on 30 December 1959 on the
Wilmington Christmas Count (Chat, 24:6-11), one was listed on the Stanley County
Christmas Count in 1966 (Chat, 31:22), and two remained at Chapel Hill during the
1969-1970 winter (Chat, 34:107).

On 24 December 1970 a Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) in green plumage appeared
at a feeder in Southern Pines. It repeated at that station on 62 days through 12 April,
and it was seen once in a yard about two blocks away. It fed mainly at a feeder filled
with millet. Though very shy, all field marks were repeatedly noted by both authors
from distances as close as 6 feet. It preferred to feed alone, but had some tolerance for
Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla) and American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis). The bird
survived some quite cold weather, including three ice and snow storms. The Bent
volumes on finches (U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 237, p. 153) state that the normal winter range
is no further north than southern Louisiana and central Florida. It is described as casual
in winter north to Fayetteville, N. C. An adult male was present at Fayetteville from 13
through 25 February 1962 (Chat, 26:76-77). This species is known to occur rarely on
the southeastern coast of North Carolina in winter (Chat, 16:16; 18:27, 57; Pearson,
Brimley, and Brimley, Birds of North Carolina, 1959 edition, p. 363). This appears to be
the second inland winter record for the Painted Bunting in North Carolina.

64

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR., Guest Compiler
331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N. C. 27609

(All dates winter 1971 - 1972 unless otherwise stated)

COMMON LOON: Six birds seen on Lake Benson near Raleigh on 19 December by Mike
Browne were a good inland count.

RED-NECKED GREBE: A single bird was studied carefully at Pea Island on 12 February
by Louise Bethea and party.

HORNED GREBE: Merrill Lynch had a peak count of 153 at Roanoke Rapids Lake, N.
C., on 28 January; and 18 birds were counted in the Winston-Salem area on 14
March, Robert Witherington, Charles Frost and Ramona Snavely. A conservative
6,000 were seen in the surf off Nags Head, N. C., on 3 February, Floy Burford and
party.

EARED GREBE: One bird was carefully studied at Oregon Inlet by Carl Carlson and
party on 9 January.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: One observed within 60 feet of the beach at Pea Island on 8
January by Carl Carlson and party is the first winter record for North Carolina.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Jay Carter estimated 1,000 birds passing Wrights-
ville Beach, N. C., in a few minutes on 14 December.

COMMON EGRET: Three were seen near Raleigh on 14 December by Ross Silcock; and
one was found on 11 December at Occoneechee Neck, Northampton Co., N. C., and
remained there through the end of the month, Merrill Lynch.

AMERICAN BITTERN: One seen at Ctconeechee Neck on 4 March was an early
migrant, Merrill Lynch.

WHITE IBIS: Up to 50 wintered in the Morehead City, N. C., area for at least the second
straight year, John Fussell.

WHISTLING SWAN: There was a widespread dispersal of swans from their usual
wintering grounds in eastern North Carolina. Birds were recorded inland near
Southern Pines, N. C., in December (Jay Carter, Mrs. Lawrence Davis), Occoneechee
Neck (Merrill Lynch et al.), and Winston-Salem (Ramona Snavely et al.) in
February; and south along the coast to Onslow Co., N. C. (Gilbert Grant), and the
Cape Romain - Charleston area of South Carolina, with a peak of 75 near
McClellanville (Jay Shuler, Ted Beckett, Dennis Forsythe).

CANADA GOOSE: Up to 1,125 birds in two flocks in the Occoneechee Neck area in
February represent a large inland count, Merrill Lynch.

BRANT: This species was found at several locations on the North Carolina coast south
of the usual winter range in the Hatteras - Ocracoke area. Twenty were counted on
17 January at Cedar Island NWR (Roger Steiner), 3 were seen on the Newport River
near Morehead City in early February (Eugene Pond), 25 were present at Wrightsville
Beach from mid-January through February (Bud Needham), and 15 were at Carolina
Beach on 24 January (Jay Carter, James Parnell, et al.).

BLUE GOOSE: One bird was at Cedar Island NWR on 9 December, Roger Steiner.

GADWALL: An enormous concentration of 15,000 to 20,000 was found at the Santee
Gun Club near Georgetown, S. C., on 20 February, Ted Beckett.

COMMON TEAL: Two males were seen at the same time on North Pond at Pea Island on
22 January by Edmund and Harry LeGrand, Gard Otis, and Sebastian Patti; another
male was seen at Bell’s Island south of Currituck, N. C., on 20 February by Robert
Ake.

SHOVELER: A good count of 70 was made on Belews Creek Lake in Forsyth Co., N. C.,
on 30 March by Robert Witherington, Charles Frost, and Ramona Snavely.

GREATER SCAUP: A flock of nine was unusual at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 28

June 1972

65

January, Merrill Lynch. Up to three males were present near Raleigh between 27
February and the end of March, Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

COMMON GOLDENEYE: Jay Carter had a peak count of five birds at Whispering Pines,
Moore Co., N. C. on 22 January.

BUFFLEHEAD: An estimated 1,500 were present at Pea Island NWR on 10 March,
George Peyton.

OLDSQUAW: Up to 15 were seen regularly in the ocean off Wrightsville Beach during
March, Bud Needham.

COMMON EIDER: A single male was seen at Rich’s Inlet north of Wrightsville Beach on
5 January by Bud Needham, fide Dot Earle.

COMMON MERGANSER: Eight birds (4 males) were observed on Roanoke Rapids Lake
on 16 January by Merrill Lynch, and again on 18 February by Harry and Edmund
LeGrand. Noteworthy also were two on 14 March at Winston-Salem by Ramona
Snavely and party; and two birds at Pawley’s Island, S. G, on 10 December,
Frederick Probst.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: One bird was observed near Orangeburg, S. C., on 14
December by S. A. Gauthreaux Jr., as reported by Dennis Forsythe.

MARSH HAWK: Merrill Lynch averaged 2.1 birds per trip at Occoneechee Neck during
February and March, with a high of six on 12 February. A concentration of nearly 50
birds seen cruising over grain fields on South Island near Charleston on 12 December
was unusual, Ted Beckett.

OSPREY: One wintered in the vicinity of Gloucester in Carteret County, N. C. (Tom
Wade), and several wintered in the Charleston area (Ted Beckett). One was early at
Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County, N. C., on 6 March (Louise Smith, fide
Wendell Smith).

PEREGRINE FALCON and PIGEON HAWK: One or two of each species were present
in the Bodie-Pea Island area throughout the winter, Gilbert Grant, Harry LeGrand, et
al.

VIRGINIA RAIL: One was found at Occoneechee Neck on 5 and 26 February by Merrill
Lynch and Bill Collier, a rare winter record for inland North Carolina.

SORA: Up to three birds were present at Occoneechee Neck between 12 and 20
February, Merrill Lynch, Robert and Elizabeth Teulings.

YELLOW RAIL: One was flushed twice near Buxton, Dare Co., N. C., on 6 February by
Jay Carter and party.

PIPING PLOVER: As many as 70 wintered near Beaufort, N. C., and at least 95 were
counted on 19 December by John Fussell.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: A single bird seen by James Parnell and Jay Carter on
8 and 9 December at Long Beach, N. C., was late as well as unusual.

RUDDY TURNSTONE: A large winter count of 34 birds was noted at Wrightsville
Beach on 8 January by Dot Earle.

COMMON SNIPE: Unusually large concentrations were found at Raleigh in late March
(up to 200 on 18 March by Robert Hader, Harry and Edmund LeGrand) and at
Occoneechee Neck (102 on 18 March by Merrill Lynch and Bill Collier).

LESSER YELLOWLEGS: One bird was very early at Occoneechee Neck on 5 February,
and up to two were present through the end of March, Merrill Lynch.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Six were seen at Occoneechee Neck on 11 December, and
five were present between 26 February and the end of March, Merrill Lynch.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: One was early on 4 March at Bodie Island, Harry LeGrand.

GLAUCOUS GULL: An immature was seen at Oregon Inlet on 15 January by Gard Otis.

HERRING GULL: Two were seen near North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 8 January by
Wendell Smith; another bird was observed near Winston-Salem on 5 February by
Robert Witherington, Charles Frost, and Ramona Snavely.

RING-BILLED GULL: The remarkable concentration at Roanoke Rapids Lake reached
a peak of 5,700 on 24 February, Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-HEADED GULL: Two birds were studied carefully in a flock of Bonaparte’s
Gulls on the Charleston waterfront on 25 March by Dick Viet and Peter Polslek. One

66

The Chat

was an adult in breeding plumage and the other an adult in changing plumage. The
dusky under-wing areas and size difference with Bonaparte’s were noted. This is the
second South Carolina record.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: An excellent inland count of 35 was made at Raleigh on 15
January by Robert Hader.

DOVEKIE: Remains of a bird were found at Oregon Inlet on 8 January by Gilbert
Grant.

SAW-WHET OWL: One bird was discovered roosting in a Raleigh high school library on
10 November 1970 by a group of students. The bird had entered through an open
window and was later released out the window by the students. Harry LeGrand
identified the bird from a photograph taken by one of the students.

WHIP-POOR-WILL: One was captured alive between Wilmington and Carolina Beach in
early February, as reported by Jay Carter (specimen to U.N.C. at Wilmington).

WESTERN KINGBIRD: One was observed at Wrightsville Beach on the rather late date
of 1 December by Jay Carter.

HORNED LARK: Unusually large numbers were present in plowed fields at Occonee-
chee Neck in February, with a peak count of 310 on 12 February by Merrill Lynch
and Bill Collier.

WOOD THRUSH: One was studied carefully near Roanoke Rapids on 16 January in
weather approximately 15 F., Merrill Lynch.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One bird was unusual at Roanoke Rapids on 23
December, Merrill Lynch.

PARULA WARBLER: One bird was found dead in suburban Raleigh on 12 January by
Chris Marsh. The bird had been dead for only a few days as judged by the good
condition of the specimen. A male was early at Pea Island on 18 March, Gilbert
Grant.

PRAIRIE WARBLER: One was very late at Greenfield Lake near Wilmington, 10
January, Kitty Kosh.

YELLOWTHROAT: Outstanding mid-winter counts for inland North Carolina were
seven at Mason Farm near Chapel Hill on 22 January by James Pullman, and nine on
12 February at Occoneechee Neck by Merrill Lynch and Bill Collier.

WESTERN TANAGER: One was seen by Jay Shuler at McClellanville, S. C., on 14
December; another was photographed on Hilton Head Island, S. C., by Mrs. Jarvis
Depkin (bird present from late January to mid-February); and one present at Charles
Lincoln’s feeder at Morehead City in mid-February was killed by a cat on 20
February (specimen to N. C. State Museum).

SCARLET TANAGER: A female came to Wendell Smith’s feeder at North Wilkesboro
on 30 January and remained in the vicinity for three days.

BLUE GROSBEAK: Unusual winter records were a bird observed at Raleigh on 7
January by Harry and Edmund LeGrand, and single birds banded at Hillsborough, N.
C., by Charles Blake on 23 and 24 February.

PAINTED BUNTING: In the Wrightsville Beach area, two birds in Polly Mebane’s yard
and one in Katherine Alexander’s yard were present all winter (reported by Dot
Earle).

HOUSE FINCH: A male at Charles Lincoln’s feeder in Morehead City on 13 February
was a first record for that area. A few birds were present at Winston-Salem between
29 October and 29 March (fide Ramona Snavely), and Dot Garrett had a peak count
of 14 at her feeder in Greensboro on 7 March.

RED CROSSBILL: A flock of 10 was seen near Durham on 6 December by Mrs. Paul S.
Payne; a flock of 7 was observed on 12 December at Winston-Salem by Charles Frost;
and a group of 6 to 10 birds was present in Carrboro, N. C., from 23 December to 11
March, Mark Simpson.

COMMON REDPOLL: A well-marked individual was seen at Winston-Salem on 20
November by Robert Witherington and J. F. Farley.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: One on 26 February at Occoneechee Neck was unusual
for that locality, Merrill Lynch.

June 1972

67

Carolina Bird Club is an incorporated association for the study and
conservation of wildlife, particularly birds, chiefly in the Carolinas. Founded in
1937 as the North Carolina Bird Club, it was joined in 1948 by several South
Carolina natural history clubs and the name changed to the Carolina Bird Club.

MEMBERSHIP

The Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific
organization. Dues, contributions and bequests to the club are deductible from
State and Federal income and estate taxes. Membership is open to anyone
interested in birds, natural history and conservation. The several classes of
membership are listed below. Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird
Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

Regular Membership $ 3.00

Family Membership $ 5.00

Sustaining Membership $ 10.00

Contributing Membership $ 25.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive annual installments.)

Student Membership $ 1.00

Affiliated Club $ 2.00

THE CHAT

The Chat, as the official bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is published
quarterly in March, June, September and December. All members not in arrears for
dues receive The Chat. Correspondence concerning memberships, changes of
address and back numbers should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782. Please notify Headquarters immediately of change of address.

All papers, census reports and notices for publication in The Chat should
be sent directly to the Editor. However, items intended for the General Field
Notes or other departments should be sent to the department editors.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, P.O. Box 386, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T. M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S. C.

Mrs. Edwin W. Winkler, 509 Gardner St., Raleigh, N. C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N. C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N. C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Joseph R. Norwood, Charlotte, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington.
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston

Immediate Past President Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C.

Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 36 September 1972

No. 3

No. 3

The Chat

Vol. 36 September 1972

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N. C.

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Route 3, Box 303-F, Wilmington, N. C.

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor for South Carolina

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Rt. 1, Tiger, Ga.

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E. B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina
Bird Club Inc. with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P. O. Box 1220, Tryon, N. C.
28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N. C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society.

CONTENTS

The Swallow-tailed Kite: A Review of Its Occurrence

in the Southern Appalachians, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 69

CBC Roundtable 73

Conservation 75

Spring Bird Count— 1972 76

General Field Notes 88

Barnacle Goose in Currituck County, N. C., Gilbert S. Grant 88

Snow Geese Seen in Wake County, N. C., Avon Privette Jr 88

First Record of Curlew Sandpiper for North Carolina,

John Fussell and Peter Graham 89

Spring Record of Saw-whet Owl from North Carolina

Piedmont, Bernard S. Martof 90

Winter Records of the Brown-headed Nuthatch in the Southern

Appalachian Mountains, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 90

Painted Buntings at Clinton, S. C.,

Frederick W. Harrison and Marion B. Harrison 91

Status of the Golden-crowned Kinglet

on the Highlands Plateau, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 92

Briefs for the Files 93

CB@

OUR COVER— The countless thousands of shore
birds that visit Carolina beaches offer birders some
difficult field problems, but the Ruddy Turnstone
wears a vest that makes it relatively easy to identify
even in winter plumage, as shown in our cover photo
by James F. Parnell.

THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE:

A REVIEW OF ITS OCCURRENCE
IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Until the latter half of the nineteenth century, the Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides
forticatus) was widely distributed as a breeding bird in the southeastern United States
and throughout much of the Mississippi River basin, ranging as far north as Minnesota
and Wisconsin. By the turn of the century, however, the inland population had declined
precipitously, leaving the coastal plain swamps of the Southeast as the last stronghold for
this graceful and elegant bird. In Minnesota, for example, Roberts (1932) spoke of the
large numbers of kites that had nested in the state until the 1880s, when the bird
inexplicably began to disappear, there being only eight records from 1900 until the last
sighting in 1923. In fact, the rapid and thorough demise of the entire Mississippi valley
population prompted Bent (1937) to comment: “The seemingly almost complete
disappearance of this beautiful and once frequent bird is difficult to understand.”

The disappearance of the Swallow-tailed Kite from the Mississippi basin coincided
with the beginnings of serious ornithological studies in North Carolina. Consequently,
few local ornithologists had the opportunity of observing the kite’s movements through
the state at a time when the species nested not only in the Southeast but widely through
the interior of the continent. Nevertheless, a review of the extant records indicates that
the status of the Swallow-tailed Kite has not been adequately defined in the
Appalachians of North Carolina, for Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1942) made no
mention of the species from the mountains of the state.

OBSERVATIONS

The earliest records of the Swallow-tailed Kite from the southern Appalachians came
before the Civil War, when Maxcy Gregg of Columbia, S. C., related his experience with
the bird in a letter to Thomas M. Brewer. Brewer (1859) quoted from Gregg:

“I may here mention, that I once in the end of July saw many of
these Hawks sailing about near the top of the Balsam Mountain, one of
the loftiest and wildest mountains in North Carolina .... I was told by
a mountaineer, who was a great hunter and very observant, that they
are seen in that vicinity every summer. The circumstance attracted my
attention, because I had never seen the Swallow-tailed Hawk in any
other part of the mountains, from South Carolina to Virginia, although
I had rambled a good deal through that region.”

Unfortunately, it is impossible to be certain of the precise location of Gregg’s records,
for the name “Balsam Mountain” has been applied to peaks in the Great Smoky, Great
Balsam, Plott Balsam, and Black Mountain ranges. Nevertheless, the observations provide
the first evidence that the kite occurred in the Appalachian region during the late
summer months.

Nearly half a century later, the writings of John Simpson Cairns revealed additional
evidence of the species’ presence in the mountains of North Carolina. In the first of three
papers on the birds of Buncombe County, Cairns (1887) listed the Swallow-tailed Kite as
merely “accidental.” As the years passed, however, he apparently became more familiar
with the species, subsequently (1889) giving its status as “seen occasionally in August.”

September 1972

69

By the time of Cairns’ final publication (1891), his increased field experience prompted
the comments:

“A few seen each season on the higher mountains. Transient, only
during the fall.”

Cairns also apparently mentioned the kite in his correspondence with Dr. J. W. P.
Smithwick to assist in compiling an annotated checklist for North Carolina. Smithwick
(1897) acknowledged these records by the comment:

“A few seen every fall in the higher mountains.”

In addition to these published records, Caims listed the species in a manuscript on the
birds of western North Carolina (1894), giving its status as:

“Transient visitor, usually in October. Rare.”

The publication of Cairn’s papers attracted the interest of William Brewster of
Harvard, and the two men began corresponding with regard to the avifauna of the
southern Appalachians. Unfortunately, none of Brewster’s letters have survived, although
most of Cairn’s replies are at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. In a letter
dated 1 August 1887, Caims inquired about Brewster’s visit to the North Carolina
mountains some two years earlier:

“Did you hear any thing about the Swallow- tailed Kite, in the
western county s [sic] . Have been told that it used to occur in numbers
in Y ancy & Mitchell. Have observed it twice on Elk Mtn. both times in
August.”

In addition to these comments, Cairns later provided evidence that he possessed a
specimen of the kite, although he gave no details concerning its origin. On 31 October
1888, Cairns inquired from Brewster:

“Can large mounted birds be taken down and turned into skins
without injury. I have a number of mounted specimens that I wish to
take down, among them are . . . Swallow-tailed Kite . . . .”

Caims’ tragic death in 1895 brought an abrupt end to field ornithology in western
North Carolina. Subsequently there have been only two sightings of the species in the
Appalachian region, both within the past 20 years. Sprunt (1954) reported W. L.
Pressley’s observation of a single kite at High Hampton, Jackson County, on 17 October
1953. More recently, Norme D Frost (pers. com.) reported the sighting of a pair of kites
by Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Smith and Mrs. Sylvia Dodge near Try on, Polk County, N. C. on
18 July 1968.

DISCUSSION

An examination of the above data suggests that the Swallow-tailed Kite may have
formerly occurred as a fairly regular and not uncommon species in the Appalachian
region of North Carolina during the late summer and early autumn months. Prior to
1860, Gregg reported seeing “many” of the birds in late July [italics mine], and he
mentioned that a local hunter had informed him of their being “seen in that vicinity
every summer.” Caims’ papers likewise indicated that the bird was of regular occurrence
in Buncombe County during the period of August through October, and he mentioned
having “been told that it used to occur in numbers in Yancy & Mitchell.” Gregg’s report
might be challenged as an isolated incident, and the second-hand reports mentioned by
Gregg and Caims certainly do not carry the weight of original observations. It is also
unfortunate that the reports do not give specific dates, numbers, elevations, localities,
and direction of movement, as such data would be invaluable in assessing the true extent
of the species’ occurrence in the Appalachians. Nevertheless, Caims’ studies during the
period 1885 to 1895 indicated that the species occurred fairly regularly every year
during the late summer and early autumn.

It is interesting to examine these records in light of the decline of the species as a
breeding bird in the interior Mississippi basin. According to Roberts (1932) this decline
became noticeable around 1880, with the species virtually disappearing by 1900. Gregg’s

70

The Chat

observations suggest that the species may have occurred in moderate numbers prior to
the 1860s, and Cairns’ correspondence with Brewster indicated that the bird used to
“occur in numbers’’ in the area in earlier times. During the decade 1885-1895, Cairns
regarded the bird as a regular fall transient but never found evidence of the larger
concentrations mentioned by his friends or by Gregg. Furthermore, his final writing on
the region (1894) lists the species as “Rare,” suggesting that the bird may have declined
noticeably during the 10-year period of his observations. Following his death, the species
was not again reported from the Appalachians until 1953, during which period the kite
was virtually absent from the Mississippi basin. Interestingly, the first modern record of
the species from the North Carolina mountains followed its recurrence in the north
central states, where Gunderson (1950) reported three individuals at different localities
in Minnesota during August and October 1950, these sightings being the first in the
region since the early 1920s. The data suggest, therefore, that the Swallow-tailed Kite’s
occurrence in the southern Appalachians has closely paralleled its population status in the
Mississippi valley, with the species being fairly regular in both localities and declining
sharply in both regions by the turn of the century.

The major question raised by these records concerns the nature of the migratory
movement involved. Two possibilities exist to explain the origin of the individuals
reported from the Appalachian region: (1) southward migration of adults, juveniles, or
birds of both age groups from breeding grounds in the interior Mississippi basin or (2)
northward postbreeding dispersal of adults, juveniles, or birds of both age groups from
the southeastern coastal population. From the outset, it should be apparent that these
two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, and both factors may be involved in the
appearance of the birds in the mountains of the state. However, the remarkable parallel
between the status of the bird in the Mississippi basin and its frequency of occurrence in
the Appalachians strongly suggests that the reports of Gregg and Cairns involved
individuals heading south across the mountains from the interior Mississippi River valley.
Furthermore, Ralph S. Palmer (pers. com.) informs me that there appears to be a fairly
extensive postbreeding dispersal to the N, NE, and W beginning in late June, with the
true southward migration extending from mid-July through late September. The
relatively late nature of the records from the Appalachians, coming primarily from
August through October, suggests that the birds seen in the region represent south-bound
individuals from the interior population of the upper Mississippi basin, rather than
individuals dispersing northward. Furthermore, the absence of the bird in the mountains
from 1895 to 1953 is difficult to explain on the basis of northward dispersal, because
the southeastern coastal population has maintained itself throughout this period, albeit
in reduced numbers. The most likely explanation, therefore, is that during the autumn
months of the 1800s, the Swallow-tailed Kite migrated southward across the southern
Appalachians from its breeding sites in the interior Mississippi River valley. In spite of
the attractiveness of this hypothesis, however, the evidence is mostly circumstantial; and
the exact nature and extent of the species’ occurrence in the mountain region may never
be determined satisfactorily.

Although only three Swallow-tailed Kites have been noted in the mountain region
during the past 20 years, these records combined with recent reports from the upper
Mississippi valley should alert bird students to the possibility of additional sightings in
the southern Appalachians. Such observations, if forthcoming, might provide useful
information concerning the migratory movement of the species in the Appalachians.

Summary

Prior to 1900 the Swallow- tailed Kite apparently occurred fairly regularly in portions
of western North Carolina during the late summer and early autumn months, although
the species has been noted on only two occasions since the turn of the century. An
apparent correlation between the species’ abundance in the upper Mississippi valley and
its occurrence in the southern Appalachians indicates the probability of a southward
migration across the mountains by individuals nesting in the north-central portion of the
United States.

September 1972

71

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am indebted to Ralph S. Palmer for migratory data on the species, to Norme D
Frost for permission to publish his records, and to the Museum of Comparative Zoology
for permission to quote from the Caims-Brewster collection.

LITERATURE CITED

BENT, A. C. 1937. Life histories of North American birds of prey. Part 1. Bull. U. S. Natl.
Mus.

BREWER, T. M. 1859. North American Oology. Smithsonian Contributions to
Knowledge, , Vol. XI, Washington, D.C.

CAIRNS, J. S. 1887. List of the birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Om. and
Ool. 12:3-6.

. 1889. The summer birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Om. and

Ool. 14:17-23.

. 1891. List of the birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Privately

printed.

_______ . 1894. List of birds taken and observed in western North Carolina.

Unpublished manuscript. Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham.

GUNDERSON, H. L. 1950. Audubon Field Notes, 4: 16.

PEARSON, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina.
ROBERTS, T. S. 1932. The birds of Minnesota. Vol. I. University of Minnesota Press,
Minneapolis.

SMITHWICK, J.W.P. 1897. Ornithology of North Carolina. N. C. Exp. Sta. Bull. 144.
SPRUNT, A., Jr. 1954. Swallow- tailed Kite in mountains. Chat, 18:25.

P. O. Box 167, Statesville, N. C, 25 September 1971

CB@

"T^.0< JUU/HobKE.

Further Comments on Birds’ Feeding at Night

Gilbert Grant reports in response to remarks in March 1972 Chat (36:12) that he saw
Sanderlings feeding at night by full moon on 4 September 1968 and in light of fishing
piers on 23 August 1969 at Topsail Island, N. C. Black Skimmers also feed at night, but
they have special “pupil” muscles. Zusi did a paper on them.

CBC History

Beginning with the June 1972 issue, Wildlife in North Carolina featured a four-part
series of articles on the history of Carolina Bird Club written by Charlotte Hilton Green,
a charter member and past president of the club. An earlier issue carried an article about
another CBC member, Elizabeth B. Clarkson of Charlotte. Wildlife almost always has
several items of particular interest to the naturalist in addition to material on hunting
and fishing. If you don’t read it regularly, you are missing a treat!

Request for Data

Recent sight records of Painted Buntings in spring from scattered localities in the
piedmont of North and South Carolina suggest that the species may be more than
accidental in this section of the Carolinas. Please report any sightings of Painted Buntings
in piedmont North or South Carolina to me for publication in Chat. Indicate dates of
sightings, sex of birds, behavior, and habitat. Address reports to Miss Jane P. Holt, Dept,
of Biology, Presbyterian College, Clinton, S. C. 29325.

1971 Christmas Bird Count:

A Correction and a Confirmation

Compiler Frances Needham reports that the 19 Glossy Ibis listed for Wilmington in
the 1971 Christmas Bird Count table {Chat, 36:14) should be White Ibis. Please correct
your copy.

Several club members have questioned the 28 Grasshopper Sparrows reported on the
Yancey -McDowell count. Although the species has previously been recorded in several
mountain localities, the large number of birds invites skepticism. Joseph Hall, leader of
the field party that found the birds, has written a detailed report that is summarized
below.

The Grasshopper Sparrows were found on 18 December 1971 in four different places.
In a field near Lake Tahoma three were flushed and observed while perched and in flight.
The flat head and light stripe on top of the head were noted. Two more were on a fence
wire near Celo, and three were in a field between Pleasant Gardens and Marion along
Hwy 80. The main group of at least 20 individuals was found in a 6-acre field of tall
weeds. We watched the birds feeding undisturbed for about 25 minutes, during which
time we were able to compare the Grasshopper Sparrows with Savannah, Field,
White-throated, and Song Sparrows. The Savannahs were in short grass along the edge of
the field, but the Grasshoppers were spread out over the entire field and didn’t seem to
associate with each other except for some groups of two or three birds. The presence of
such a large number of Grasshopper Sparrows in a relatively small area during December
is probably related to the unusually warm weather that prevailed until the night before
the count day.

September 1972

73

Institute for the Study of Bird Populations

Steve Fretwell, formerly a graduate student at N. C. State University and now an
assistant professor in the Division of Biology at Kansas State University, is in the process
of forming an Institute for bird population studies. Patterned after the British Trust for
Ornithology, the Institute will offer financial support for appropriate graduate and
post-doctoral research, analyze population data gathered by amateur bird students, and
popularize the work of professional ornithologists. Dr. Fretwell maintains that we
cannot adequately protect bird populations if we do not know what causes their
fluctuations. He holds a Ph. D. in Theoretical Ecology and Biomathematics, and the basis
for his work is being published in a monograph by the Princeton University Press.
Anyone interested in obtaining further information about the Institute (annual
membership $5 per person) should write Dr. Steve Fretwell, Division of Biology, Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Photo by

Gil and Jo Fernandez

Osprey Conference

Proceedings of the recent North American Osprey Research Conference are now in
preparation, and copies may be reserved by writing Dr. Mitchell A. Byrd, Department of
Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. Sale price is
expected to be no more than $2.00. Also available from Dr. Byrd are postcards featuring
the head of an Osprey and small stickers bearing the photograph reproduced above along
with the slogan PROTECT OSPREYS. CBC members will recall Dr. Byrd as the guest
speaker at the Nags Head meeting in the fall in 1971.

The Osprey Conference took place last February, and Dr. Byrd served as host and
chairman. Reports on the status of this endangered species came from Canada and
Mexico as well as all sections of the United States. One highlight of the meeting was a
report by Alexander Sprunt IV of the National Audubon Society, who described
sightings of Ospreys and nest locations in eastern coastal regions of Mexico, the Yucatan,
and Belize. Hitherto virtually unknown, these may comprise a resident race comparable
to the birds of southern Florida.

74

The Chat

. . . with Marie Mellinger

The Ravaging of a River

The Proposal to put the Chattooga River under the Wild and Scenic River Act met
with almost overwhelming approval at hearings held in the three states bordering the
river. Impact studies on the river have been completed, and it remains for the
Legislatures of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to approve the act. It may
take as long as two years before the final law is signed.

Meanwhile, what is happening to the river? It is being silted and polluted, the natural
resources of the river and its tributaries are fast disappearing, and nobody seems to care.
Dirt is pouring into the river from Stecoa Creek, Dick’s Creek, Cliff Creek, Overflow
Creek, Sara’s Creek and many more. Almost every tributary stream on the Georgia side
of the river is running full of mud. Dirt is pouring off Screamer Mountain, flowing from
an elite country club, a proposed shopping center, a new fried chicken joint, and
countless more. Developments creep ever closer to the main river. Logging and
clear-cutting are denuding the tributary streams. Ghosts of the Cherokees and pioneers
should rise in protest as roads are bull-dozed across old village sites, mine sites, and
historical areas. The river is being turned into a Roman Circus of movie making, raft
floats, and camp-outs. Twenty-two large bags of trash and litter were picked up at the
highway 76 bridge in one day.

And nobody seems to care. Who cares if the last of the lady slippers are offered for
sale in the market bulletin? Who cares about the Golden Eagle, shot, and carelessly
mounted, displayed in a local grocery store? Who cares if 40 herpetologists gathered for
a meeting at Highlands each collects 40 salamanders of each species? Of what use is a
salamander, anyhow? Who cares if the last vestiges of ginseng and golden seal are
destroyed by clear-cutting. Who cares if a botanist collects all the mad-dog skullcap for
his thesis? Who cares if all the water snakes arc killed off?

Think about what is happening to one of the last free flowing, unencumbered rivers in
eastern North America! A river having its beginnings in springs and small trickling rills
high in the mountains, flowing for 40 miles through gorges and over rocks, under laurel
slicks and the last lingering remnants of the once primeval white-pine hemlock forest.

Listen to the spirit of the river-

“Mine is the voice of the wailing wind,

My sigh is the softness of greening fern,

My spirit soars in the hawk’s high flight
Where the fiery colors of autumn bum.

Forever I live in a granite crag,

Or dance in abrief-lived mayfly hour,

My thunder and lightning can threaten the stars,

My touch can caress a fragile flower.

I live in each shining fungus face

That spring’s newborn from the forest sod,

I rage like a demon in waters white
Or softly whisper a prayer to God.”

Are we going to continue to ravage the Chattooga River?

September 1972

75

is:

I '*- !

*<»• ; c^j ; os «-* i i . m ;

*-« so i * s -* : i s «-< !.

-2- i

! so so ,' no ! O

lyfiOflOOSH

vO Os On 0\ 00 ',

i OS OS

I * I

i 2 I

I" I" I

I

I I

I" I

I R I S I £2" I I I

I 8 I 2§!Q I

© </•> sO I ^

I 8 I

I S3 ! I

! s I i as:

s I s* I I * I 2 | 04 | I

;g i M
:s l * l
| 00 I ^ ^
,2111

:s i • I

I- rm2;

:s l

l-l 128-

I 2 |

I ON 00 OS O'

OS 00 so

§ I

I 2

I “ I" I

" !

I I

I S I p‘ 2 |

l*|2||

I I I

i = I

00 j

I 2 i I
I " i !

'252 Mil
:£22 till

I i

I! 18 = 1

llli

i ri

I 2 i

! o — s sr
5 00 I —

i I 8 ! * M I I

52

! - I

I i r‘“'. I

5 I i SMR I

2 M I

! I

! 12"!

I i

i m so o© os oo m <

M « O

PJ 1

flit

s >, o e

&s ? 5

■s S'o a

S

jijfifl

5« Ei.i«

>S ra 2 5 ■s ~

2 8 a "53 3 2
OOuXH

| ol|

2 1 'a -s

-o 1 * 1
5 2 1 o

as H « os

© oh 00 V© i
*o <n r- i (
O Os ^ (

i|i

lls

C/3 c/1 W i

Ei= &

3 '— 3 ,

« U a.

1 1
ce u

■ I O 2 c ‘

E Eul'S

I i-s §«

TS»2|z

■“ 2 ’O Z T3

II

SO

•a I « S -8 & i
?818.8B

§ s

S*

si I I » S

2

2h
•S PH’S
B2."-g

ft I*

a *.s

•a 3 -a X

S S g-g

g 8 §

^ililfllllil!

X > o

SPRING BIRD COUNT — 1972

ELOISE F. POTTER

The 1972 Spring Bird Count in the Carolinas is another record breaker with 266
species and two additional hybrid warblers found in the 25 count areas. Last year 259
species were recorded in 23 localities. Wilmington tallied 182 species, four short of last
year’s all-time high but still well ahead of second-place Morehead City’s 163.
Winston-Salem, Raleigh, and Roanoke Rapids listed over 130 species to lead the inland
counts; and Buncombe County observers found 118, the best species total yet for their
mountain region.

Success of the present census is partly the result of having new or reorganized counts
at Bodie-Pea Island, Roanoke Rapids, Statesville, and Yancey-McDowell Counties. On
the other hand, excellent coverage is undoubtedly an important factor. With only seven
more field observers than last year, the present census had an additional 19 field parties.
At Charlotte birders were in the field from 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and they were owling
around Elkin until 10:00 PM. Weather conditions were generally favorable during the
period from the last weekend in April through the first weekend in May when 18 of the
25 counts were made. Only five localities (Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Roanoke Rapids,
Avery County, and Yancey-McDowell) had enough rain to hinder coverage, and only
Bodie-Pea Island and Avery County reported unfavorable wind conditions. Temperatures
ranged from lows in the mid -40s to highs in the mid-80s, averaging about 55 to 75
degrees F.

Although the Lawrence’s hybrid warbler at Southern Pines and the Brewster’s at
Winston-Salem were excellent finds, the most exciting and difficult to identify bird was
the Le Conte’s Sparrow at Southern Pines, apparently the first spring record for North
Carolina since C. S. Brimley collected one near Raleigh on 21 April 1894. For details
please see Compilers’ Comments.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N. C. (center: 2.4 miles SSE of Bodie Island Lighthouse,
excluding part of South Pond on Pea Island and intentionally not covering Roanoke
Island).

10 May .Northern Phalarope (EL) was a female in breeding plumage seen and heard in
flight at close range at a shallow pool on Bodie Island. Six Stilt Sandpipers at Pea Island
and five more the day before at Bodie Island were probably not unusual for the area.
White-rumped Sandpipers were scattered throughout large flocks of Semipalmated
Sandpipers on both Bodie and Pea Islands and were more easily identified by call notes
than by their white rumps. The two Yellow-crowned Night Herons were on nests in pines
at Bodie Island. Pigeon Hawk (HL) was a female well studied at Pea Island. Land bird
count was unusual. The Blue Jay at Bodie Island and another the previous day near the
U.S.C.G. Station at Pea Island are very rare in this area. No migrant warblers were found
on the count, but 15 to 20 Blackpolls were found in one hour in mature hardwoods the
next day between Kitty Hawk and Duck. Three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a
Baltimore Oriole seen the following day near Duck, coupled with those recorded on
count day, indicated a definite coastal migration for these species.-EDMUND Le-
GRAND and HARRY LeGRAND, 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N. C. 27609.

MOREHEAD CITY (center: same as Christmas count).

23 April. Purple Gallinule (JF III) was at Huntley’s Impoundment 8 and 13 May.
American Golden Plover (JF III) was at North River Marsh and was seen again on 9 May.
There are previous spring records for Upland Plovers, but these are first on a count day.
The jaeger was seen by Will Hon from Bogue Bank, too far off shore for specific
identification. Traill’s Flycatcher (JF III), a first record for the county, was singing

82

The Chat

fee-bee-o song near Walker Pond. White-crowned Sparrow (Charles Lincoln) showed up
at a feeder on count day and remained until 13 May; it is first local spring record for
species.-JOHN FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City, N. C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N. C. (center: Myrtle Grove Junction).

29 April Two Black Rails were flushed in salt marsh across from Wrightsville Beach
by Bobby Austin, Joyce Bennett, and compiler. White-mmped Sandpiper (Edmund
LeGrand) was in rice field at Orton. Two Black-necked Stilts were seen by Edmund
LeGrand and four were reported to Mrs. Appleberry by Lawrence Sprunt. The
Whip-poor-will (Jay Carter and E. LeGrand) was calling. Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Polly Mebane), Black-throated Green Warbler (Carter and E. LeGrand), and Blackpoll
Warbler (Carter, E. LeGrand) were good finds. - FRANCES NEEDHAM, P. O. Box 204,
Wrightsville Beach, N. C. 28480.

CHARLESTON, S. C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of Hwy 17).

23 April. White Pelicans (Perry Nugent, Nelson Taylor) were over marsh between
Moore’s Landing and Bull’s Island; birds were seen in same vicinity by others during
count period. Gray Kingbird (Dr. and Mrs. John K. Reed) was seen at close range at
Stratton Place near Mt. Pleasant; previous spring records exist for area. Shortage of
observers permitted coverage of only half of the areas in the total count circle. Data for
each area are on file and available to anyone interested.-JULIAN R. HARRISON,
Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, S. C. 29401.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N. C. (center: where Upper Goose Creek enters Pamlico River).

7 May. Weather caused several winter species to linger at feeders. -GERALDINE COX,
Route Box 151 A, Merritt, N. C. 28556.

PAM II. .ICO COUNTY, N. C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

30 April. Painted Buntings seen in area, but not on county day .-MARVIN
TURN AGE, Route 1, Box 25, Bayboro, N. C. 28515.

ROCKY MOUNT, N. C. (center: Battleboro, N. C.).

14 May. Rocky Mount has recently completed a 20,000-acre reservoir, and that is
where the gulls and Common Tern were seen. The Sanderlings were not at the old sand
pit where they have been found in the past but on some newly flooded land along NC
1717, the road to the new reservoir. -JOHN L. THOMPSON, 500 Evergreen Road,
Rocky Mount, N. C. 27801.

SOUTHERN PINES, N. C. (center: Niagara, 3 miles NE of Southern Pines).

30 April. Long-billed Marsh Wren was present for third year in a row. Lawrence’s
Warbler (L. M. Goodwin Jr.) was seen briefly on the ground before it flew into trees and
disappeared. Goodwin reported seeing a wide black line through the eye, black bib,
yellow crown, and yellow breast clearly; but the wing was hidden by a twig. First record
for area. [For another Moore County record of the Lawrence’s Warbler in the spring of
1972, see Brief for the Files in this issue.—EFP] The Le Conte’s Sparrow was found by
Sandy Bishop, Jay Carter, James F. Parnell, and Dana Taylor, who flushed the bird at
least 15 times at the extensive pasture and marsh complex known as Little River Farm.
It 'Showed a definite preference for wet sedges and was -easily 'distinguished from
Savannah Sparrows in- flight because of its very pale back with definite streaking. Parnell
and Carter plan to submit a note giving full details for publication hi Chat. ™J. H.
CARTER III, Box 891, Southern Pines, N. C. 28387.

FAYETTEVILLE, N. C. (center: Methodist College).

5 May .-JOHN S. BUTLER JR., P. O. Box 3512, Fayetteville, N. C. 28305.

September 1972

83

DILLON, S. C. (center: Dillon).

6 May. Swainson’s Warbler was a good find, but not exactly unexpected in view of
recent records from southeastern North Carolina (Southern Pines, Wilmington).--JOHN
H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S. C. 29536.

PIEDMONT

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N. C. (center: intersection of Seaboard Coastline tracks and
Weldon city limits).

22 April. Both Dunlin (H. LeGrand) and Short-billed Dowitcher (E. LeGrand, Lynch)
were rare spring transients at Occoneechee Neck. Turkeys (John Wright) were heard at
Roanoke River. The 14 Barred Owls are not unusual for area but interesting in
comparison with generally low numbers in other parts of state. Two Swainson’s Warblers
(Lynch, H. LeGrand, J. Wright) were heard distinctly singing in widely separated
swampy canebrakes at Occoneechee Neck and were suspected of nesting. Lynch sighted
one in May to confirm presence of species in area. Adult Purple Gallinule was at
Occoneechee on 15 April and again on 13 May, but not on count day. Also during count
period Lynch found three singing male Cerulean Warblers on 23 April in a mature
flood-plain forest along the Roanoke River at Occoneechee Neck.-J. MERRILL
LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N. C. 27870.

HENDERSON, N. C. (center: Henderson).

29 April. Cerulean Warbler was found by the Carter-Hunter party. [This sighting is
particularly interesting in view of the three singing males reported at nearby
Occoneechee Neck six days earlier.-EFP] -NEITA ALLEN, 152 Lakes View Drive,
Henderson, N. C. 27536.

RALEIGH, N. C. (center: Norfolk and Southern RR Crossing on Lake Wheeler Raod).

29 April. Philadelphia Vireo (Gail Whitehurst) was watched for some time at close
range while perched in a small dogwood tree; all field marks indicated in Peterson were
noted, including light yellow underparts.~R. J. Hader, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.
C. 27609.

CHAPEL HILL, N. C. (center: Franklin and Columbia Streets).

30 April. This spring has been characterized by consistently good conditions for
migration, producing a steady flow of migrants but no spectacular waves. Our count
reflects this, with good numbers of summer residents, a rather spotty list of transients,
and small numbers of wintering species. The fourPz>zta//s(Forrest Calhoon) were locally
unusual and our first for a spring count, as was the Snowy Egret seen during the count
period by Pullman.-JAMES O. PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N. C. (center: WBIG transmitter).

29 April. [No details on Yellow-bellied Fly catcher .-EFP] -DONALD ALLEN, 2611
David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N. C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N. C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Pkwy).

29 April. Philalelphia Vireo (Hough party) was a singing bird watched closely.
Bachman’s Sparrow (Hough party) was compared with accompanying Field Sparrows;
habitat, field marks checked. Janice Levitt saw the Brewster’s hybrid warbler well
enough to note all field marks.— C. ROYCE HOUGH, 713 Lankashire Road, Winston-
Salem, N. C. 27106.

STATESVILLE, N. C. (center: Yadkin River 10 miles N of Statesville).

30 April. Mourning Warbler was seen by Jane Mullen. [No further details were given,
but the record is not the first for that part of the state. Mark Simpson Jr. saw a
Mourning Warbler in western Cabarrus County on 8 May 1967 (Chat, 31:77) along the

84

The Chat

Rocky River, a tributary of the Yadkin-Pee Dee system.-EFP] -LOIS T. GOFORTH,
Olin, N. C. 28660.

[In a letter dated 12 July 1972 Mrs. Mullen states that she saw th eMouming Warbler
in an alder thicket along Rocky Creek at Sloan’s Mill. Concealed by the thicket, she was
able to see the grey hood and absence of eye ring and wing bars at close range. She also
saw the Tennessee Warblers along the same stream.-EFP]

STANLY COUNTY, N. C. (center: about 2 miles NW of Badin).

29 April. Nina and Malcolm Chandler studied the Dickcissels carefully in their yard;
one previous record for area. Bluebirds are increasing as more boxes are being placed.
Cliff and Barn Swallows are plentiful under river bridges. Bonaparte's Gulls (Crook et
al.) were on Badin Lake.-MRS. BARRETT CROOK, Route 2, Box 54, New London, N.
C. 28127.

CHARLOTTE, N. C. (center: South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

6 May. Canada Geese (Flo Cobey) included two goslings. Y ellowlegs was too far away
for visual identification of species; call, if any, was indistinct. Least Sandpiper (Bill
Cobey) was well seen at 20 feet.-JOE AND BECKY NORWOOD, 1329 Goodwin
Avenue, Charlotte, N. C. 28205.

GREENVILLE, S. C. (center: Hwy 291 and 29).

6 May .-ROSA LEE HART HARDIN, Cleveland, S. C. 29635.

ELKIN-RONDA, N. C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin on US 21).

6 May. Tree Sparrow was seen by Clara Henderson.-LIN HENDREN, Box 148, Elkin,
N. C. 28621.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N. C. (center: Lenoir)

29 April. One Common Grackle had white in wing and tail feathers.-HELEN MYERS,
310 Beall Street, Lenoir, N. C. 28645.

MOUNTAIN

AVERY COUNTY, N. C. (center: Grandfather Golf and Country Club entrance, Linville,
N.C.).

9 May. [No details given on Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.EFP]~MRS. RICHARD C.
PROCTOR, 381 Westview Drive SW, Winston-Salem, N. C. 27 104.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N. C. (center: 2.3 miles S of Buck Creek Gap on NC
80).

22 April. American Widgeon (Halls) was on Lake Tahoma. Red-breasted Merganser
(Halls) was a female at close range on small pond. The number of Osprey sightings was
large for the area; locations were Catawba River near Greenlee, Morgan Lake, and Lake
Tahoma. Two adult male Prothonotary Warblers were seen in good light singing at
Lake Tahoma (Halls). Rusty Blackbird (Halls) was associating with Red-winged
Blackbirds in marsh at northern end of Lake Tahoma; sighting confirmed by call.
Brewer’s Blackbird (Halls) was on a power line by NC 80.-ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300
Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N. C. 28778.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N. C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740 in
Swannanoa).

29 April. Count center moved 1.1 mile SW to take in more accessible territory.
Elevations range from 2,018 feet at the intersection of US 74 and NC 81 to 6,085 feet at
Craggy Dome on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville.

September 1972

85

Common Loon (Margaret Finch, Robert Ruiz) was on north end of North Fork Lake.
One Ruby - throated Hummingbird (Gorden Mahy, et al.) was at Craggy Gardens
(elevation 5,000 feet). Common Raven (Holt party) was at low elevation in Montreat.
Brown-headed Nuthatch has been at Mrs. Stanley Masters’ feeder since middle of April;
continued presence of two birds on 10 May suggests possibility of nesting nearby, which
would be very unusual for this area. Swainson ’s and Nashville Warblers were found by
Hall family in Fairview area. Three Tree Sparrows (Linda and Wendell Cisco) were at
Oteen, and fourth was in Mary F. Sawyer’s yard. White-crowned Sparrows were seen by
Mrs. S. M. Rauchwerger in her yard at Chunn’s Cove.-ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson
Avenue, Swannanoa, N. C. 28778.

OBSERVERS

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N. C.; Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand.

MOREHEAD CITY, N. C.: John Fussell II, John Fussell III, Will Hon, Charles Lincoln, Don
McCrimmon, C. J. Spears, Dick Williams, Doris Williams.

WILMINGTON, N. C.: Chris and Bill Alexander, Mrs. S. L. Alexander, Edna Appleberry, Bobby
Austin, Joyce Bennett, J. H. Carter III, Betty and Lloyd Davis, Dot Earle, Janet and Haskell Hart,
Frank Kosh, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer III, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Billie McEachem,
Polly Mebane, Frances Needham, Ann T. Nicholson, James F. Parnell, Mary Urich, John Waggett, Mrs.

J. M. Waggett.

CHARLESTON, S. C.: William D. Anderson Jr., David M. Cline, Margaret N. Harrison, Julian R.
Harrison, Kenneth E. Hough, Anne-Marie C. Noe, Perry Nugent, Jeanette Oldland, Dr. and Mrs. John

K. Reed, Bruce Stender, Nelson W. Taylor (Members and Guests, Charleston Natural History
Society).

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N. C.: Ethel Barkley, Geraldine Cox, Louise Gambel, Bobby McKenzie, James
McLaurin, Mary McLaurin, Polly Rowlett, Louise Satterthwaite, Mary Lee Smith, Marvin Tumage,
Mary Elizabeth Williams, Mary Wilson.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N. C.: Geraldine Cox, Marvin Tumage.

ROCKY MOUNT, N. C.: E. Carr Speight, Sarah Speight, John L. Thompson.

SOUTHERN PINES, N. C.: Sandy Bishop, Eleanor Carter, J. H. Carter III, L. M. Goodwin Jr., Frances
Parnell, James F. Parnell, Dana Taylor, Lura Williams, Mary K. Wintyen, Ethel Wotton.

FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.: John S. Bulter Jr., Mrs. Jonathan Courtney, Mrs. Neill A. Currie Jr., Claude
W. Rankin Jr., Henry A. Rankin Jr., Mrs. S. C. Rankin.

DILLON, S. C.: Mrs. R. A. Braddy, Mrs. Frank Bradfield, Lois McCallum, Marion McCallum, Mary
Sapp, John H. Wilson.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N. C.: Bill Collier, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, J. Merrill Lynch, Chris
Marsh, Louise Parker, Ross Silcock, John Wright.

HENDERSON, N. C.; Neita Allen, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Bachman, Ruth Carter, Mary Frances Chavasse,
Mrs. Walter Dallas, Mrs. Eric Flannagan Sr., Claude and May Hunter, Mrs. Russell Parham, Mr. and
Mrs. Howard Stewart, Paul A. Stewart.

RALEIGH, N. C.: John Fussell, R. J. Hader, Jeanne and Ray Halsey, J. A. Lee, Chris Marsh, Patrick
McDonald, Marrilyn Middleton, Edna Miller, T. L. Quay, Ross Silcock, Bob Small, Gail Whitehurst,
Pam and Mike Wilcox, John Wright.

CHAPEL HILL, N. C.: C. H. Blake, Martha Branscombe, Pauline Butler, Elizabeth Calhoon, Forrest
Calhoon, Carol Callaghan, C. S. George, Florine Hampton, Mary Hall, Jim Hall, Anne Hull, Alexander
Hull, E. M. Irvin, J. L. Irvin, Mrs. E. R. Lappi, Edwin Lappi, Simon Lappi, B. Lennen, Trudy London,
Margaret Lynch, Stella Lyons, Bette MacFarland, George MacFarland, Pat McConnell, Owen
McConnell, David McConnell, Jim McConnell, Johnnie Payne, James O. Pullman, Barbara Roth, Mrs.
D. Sherk, Jean Stewart, Wilma Stuart, Adelaide Walters, Pauline Wearn.

86

The Chat

GREENSBORO, N. C.: Carolyn Alien, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Fred Berry, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth
Brown, Mrs. David Cason, Inez Coidwe.il, Mrs, Hugh Craft, Larry A. Crawford Jr.,G. W. Daniels, Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Fish, Dot Garrett, Jean Gertz, Jean Groves, Sidney Holmes, Ben Lambeth, Kathryn
Lambeth, Jean McCoy, Ida Mitchell, Donald W. Nelson, Mrs. Gilbert Norcross, Elizabeth Ogbum, Cora
W, Parsons, Mrs, George W. Perretf, Etta Schiffman, Virginia Seaweli, Mrs. Archie Shaftesbury, Irene
Smyre, Thomas E. Street, Mr, and Mrs. William J. Tays, Mrs. D. G. Tipton, Edward J. von der Lippe,
Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N. C.: Fran Baldwin, William Boice, Pat Culbertson, Charles Frost, Gardner
Gidley, Margaret Gidley, Bill Hammond, Fred Hill, Greg Hill, Ruth Hill, Royce Hough, Wayne Irvin,
Ike Isenhower, Jean Isenhower, Dwight Lee, Polyana Lee, Janice Levitt, Ann Listoken, Martha
McGehee, Mary McGehee, Hewson Michie, Barbara Page, Molly Parker, Jackie Shelton, Dot Shiffert,
Jerry Shiffert, Ramona Suavely, Kate Stouse,

STATESVILLE, N. C.; Lois Goforth, Ralph Goforth, Jane Mullen, Ellie Jones, P. Flippen Jones III,
Bobby Mize, Mark Simpson.

STANLY COUNTY, N,C.: Nina Chandler, Malcolm Chandler, Margaret Crawley, Vera Crook, Claude
Hinson, Nelle Hinson, Frances Hinson, Vera Littleton, Susan Manly, Heath Morgan, Bessie Morgan,
Harold Morris, Anne Olsen, Vivian Whitlock, John Whitlock,

CHARLOTTE, N. C.: Genevieve Barber, Elsie Brewer, Godfrey and Beverly Browne, Bill and Flo
Cobey, Adrian, Beth and Susan Dykema, Herbert Hechenbleiker, Brem Mayer, Elizabeth Millwee, Joe
and Becky Norwood, A1 Ross, Bill Sayward, Bill Smith, Janice Spangler (Meckienbuig Audubon
Society).

GREENVILLE, S. C.: Ruth Gikeath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, May Puett.

ELKIN-RONDA, N. C,: John Barrow, A. G. Biggs, Chip Campbell, Mrs. David Gefsinger, David Hasse,
Lee Hasse, Raymond Henderson, Clara Henderson, Lin Hendren, Ola Hendren, Louise Hughes, Garvin
Hughes, W. P. Smith, Bobby Tysinger, Jerry Tysinger.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N. €.: Nancy Alexander, Miriam Bachar, Mrs, Glen Bames, Grace Beach,
Isabel Bernhardt, Barbara Craig, William Happer Sr., Margaret Harper, Mr. and Mrs. Garvin Hughes,
Lois Laxton, Mr. and Mrs, E. M. Manchester, Mr. and Mrs. Fred May, Ruth Martin, Helen Myers, Laura
Robbins, Mrs. C. S. Warren, (Miss) Geoige Wilcox, Mrs. Jim Wood.

AVERY COUNTY, N. C,: Mrs. Reber Boult, Mrs. Mark Griffin, Joe Lee Hartley, Mrs. James F. Martin,
Agnes MacRae Morton, Mrs. Richard C. Proctor, Sally Southerland.

YANCEY -McDOWELL COUNTIES, N. C.: Wendell Cisco, John L. Hall, Joseph Hall, Mark Hail,
Walter Hall, Easton L. Hulme, Daniel McKay, Gordon Mahy, Mrs. William Penfound, Robert Ruiz,
Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Junior Woody.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N. C.; Elsa Badger, Guy R. Bostain, Linda Cisco, Wendell Cisco, Margaret
Finch, John L. Hall Joseph HaU, Joyce E. Hall, Mark Hall, Walter Hall, Florence Heineman, Herbert
Heineman, Jim Hipps, Mrs. Ira D. Holt, Jane Holt, Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hutchins, Gertrude Jones,
G. Gordon Mahy, Mrs. Stanley Masters, Mrs. William Penfound, William Quarterman, Mrs. S. M.
Rauchwerger, Betty Ruiz, Robert Ruiz, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Mary F. Sawyer, Arthur C,
Wagner, Roy E. Wolcott, Thomas Wood, Vertice Wood.

*****

New and Timely. A beautiful book, SWAMPS, RIVER BOTTOMS, AND CANEBRAKES,
by Brooke Meanley, has just been issued by Bane Press, Bane, Massachusetts. The excellent
text is complimented by many photographs by Brooke and other naturalists, and it
describes swamps and river bottoms from Dismal Swamp to the Everglades. Of special
interest to Carolinians are the chapters on FOn Swamp, Big Swamp ontheEdisto, and the
Pinetown Pocasin. Birders win enjoy the accounts of the Bachman’s Warbler, the
Swainsotis Warbler, and the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the Tensa Bottoms. Anyone who
enjoys the watery wilderness areas of the south win want this book.

September 1972

87

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N. C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S. C. 29401

Barnacle Goose in Currituck County, N. C.

GILBERTS. GRANT

Route 1, Box 563, Sneads Ferry, N.C. 284 6 0 3 May 1972

While driving through Currituck County, N. C., on 12 February 1972, my wife, Sandy,
and I stopped to count a large flock of Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea) in a field about 1
mile N of Coinjock. We were rather surprised to find an adult Barnacle Goose (Branta
leucopsis) feeding with 1,500 Snow Geese and 2 adult Blue Geese ( Chen caerulescens) . At
first glance it looked like a small race of the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) or an
American Brant (Branta bernicla) , but closer study with a 30X scope and 7x35 binoculars
disclosed the white forehead and cheeks, black neck and upper breast, blue-gray back, and
small size which identified it as a Barnacle Goose. The feet, legs, and bill were black and the
narrow black line from the bill to the eye was visible. We studied the bird at leisure for 20 to
30 minutes as it fed among the larger Snow and Blue Geese. Mitchell Byrd(pers. command
Robert L. Ake(pers. com.), independent of each other, each found the Barnacle Goose in
the same area on 20 February 1972 and agreed with our identification. The bird was also
found earlier, on 10 January 1972, at Coinjock by Floy C. Burford (pers. com.).

These sightings are particularly interesting, considering there was a Barnacle Goose seen
in North Carolina the previous winter (6 and 13 November 1970) at Pea Island National
Wildlife Refuge (Burford, Chat, 35:52, 1971), which is only about 50 air miles SE of the
Coinjock location.

Snow Geese Seen in Wake County, N. C.

AVON PRIVETTE JR.

Zebulon, N. C. 27597 22 March 1972

On 1 December 1971 1 saw 10 Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea) on a 16-acre farm pond
near NC 39 and US 264 in eastern Wake County, N. C. The birds were discovered about
8:00 AM as they sat on the water. James R. Creech Jr. and I watched them with
binoculars, and we noted the white body with black wing tips. The geese left the pond
before noon and were not seen again.

[DEPT. ED. -- While Snow Geese are regular visitors to the North Carolina coast, inland
records are very few. Hader (Chat, 33:53-71) did not list this species as having been
recorded in Wake County.]

88

The Chat

First Record of Curlew Sandpiper for North Carolina

JOHN FUSSELL

Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557
PETER GRAHAM

Thomas More College, Covington, Kentucky 41017 22 February 1972

While conducting a shorebird census at Bird Shoal, just south of Beaufort, N. C., on 29
June 1971, Peter Graham and John Fussell discovered a Curlew Sandpiper (Erolia
ferruginea). It was seen at 12:30 PM, feeding with Short -billed Dowitchers
(Limnodromus griseus). The sandpiper was molting, but it had some rufous color on the
breast. It was this rufous color that made the bird very conspicuous, as all dowitchers
present at this time were in non-breeding plumage. The Curlew Sandpiper was also
obviously smaller than the dowitchers. Although it probed deeply, both observers had brief
glimpses of its decurved bill. After several minutes, the observers flushed the bird and saw
the white rump. The sandpiper then flew about 50 yards, landed, and began feeding
again-this time with dowitchers and Semipalmated Sandpipers (Ereunetes pusillus). It soon
became aggressive toward a Semipalmated Sandpiper, which flew away with the Curlew
Sandpiper in pursuit. Both birds were quickly lost from view.

The next day, 30 June, Fussell and Graham returned and found the Curlew Sandpiper on
the Beaufort Inlet side of Bird Shoal resting with Semipalmated Sandpipers and
Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus). Later in the afternoon, Fussell returned
to Bird Shoal with Eugene Pond of Beaufort. Pond collected the bird which has been placed
in the scientific collection of study skins at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural
History in Raleigh (NCSM No. 4100). Examination of the specimen by Micou Browne
revealed it to be an adult female with an ovary 5.5 mm by 2.5 mm. The bird was moderately
fat.

In the specific area where the Curlew Sandpiper was found, a shorebird census was
conducted weekly from 18 May to 14 June, almost daily from 14 June to 30 June, and
approximately three times a week from 30 June to late August. In addition to these
censuses, some part of the general area surrounding Bird Shoal (lower Newport River- lower
North River-Beau fort Inlet area) was being studied almost daily from late May until early
August, and notes were made on the occurrence of shorebirds. From these censuses and
other observations, it was apparent that the Curlew Sandpiper was found during the first
wave of the “fall” migration. During the last week in June, certain species were returning to
the Beaufort area after a brief absence in early and/or mid- June. It is interesting that John
Bull lists 27 June as the fall arrival date for the Curlew Sandpiper in the New York City
region {Birds of the New York City Area, p. 207).

This is the first record of the Curlew Sandpiper for the Carolinas. A survey oi Audubon
Field Notes, volumes 14-25 (1960-1971), revealed one record for Georgia and one for
Florida. However, during this same period 40 sightings of one or two individuals were
reported from New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Virginia, and Connecticut-27 from
New Jersey alone; so the Curlew Sandpiper can be considered regular, if infrequent, in
the Middle Atlantic States. Most of these published records are for May and July, with a
few scattered from August until November, by which time the birds are in winter
plumage. Although no experienced birder would overlook a Curlew Sandpiper in
breeding plumage, Carolina birders might do well to look carefully for “suspicious-look-
ing” Dunlins in fall.

The research on which this paper is based was conducted on a National Science
Foundation Award (GY-8505) for a “Summer Research Participation for College Teachers
Program” to the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, N. C. State University, H. B.
Craig, Director. T. L. Quay, Department of Zoology, was our research director.

[DEPT. ED. - With the placement of this specimen in the collection of the North
Carolina State Museum of Natural History the Curlew Sandpiper can be added to the
official North Carolina bird list. ]

September 1972

89

Spring Record of Saw-whet Owl
From North Carolina Piedmont

BERNARD S. MARTOF

Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N. C. 27607

The Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a fairly common summer resident of the
Canadian zone forests of the southern Appalachians were Simpson (Chat, 36:39- 47) has
found the species calling from 11 April through 13 June. On 7 April 1972 at 7:50 PM I
heard a Saw-whet calling for several minutes from a mixed (mainly pine) woods 2 miles NE
of Raleigh, Wake County, N. C. The wind was calm, and the air temperature was 74 F;but a
cold front was approaching, and rain was imminent. Rain showers began shortly after 8:00
PM and continued until well after the frontal passage at about 10:00 PM. The low
temperature on 8 April was 32 F and the high only 43 F. The next night the temperature
dropped to 23 F. Subsequent attempts to locate the owl were unsuccessful. While there are
several fall and winter sightings of the Saw- whet Owl in Wake County, I am not aware of any
previous spring records for the Raleigh area or of any other call-record for the eastern part
of the state.

Winter Records of the Brown-headed Nuthatch
In the Southern Appalachian Mountains

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

P. O. Box 167, Statesville, N. C. 20 December 1971

According to Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1942) the Brown-headed Np thatch
(Sitta pusilla) is limited in its distribution to the region “east of the mountains” in North
Carolina, with no records west of Burke County. In a previous paper, however, I have
noted (Simpson, 1969) that John S. Cairns observed and collected specimens of this
species near Weaverville, Buncombe County, N. C., in the late autumn and winter of
1893-1894 and obtained a nest with eggs during the summer of 1894. Following these
observations, there have been no subsequent records of the species from the Appalachian
Mountain region, in spite of extensive field work in the area by amateur and professional
ornithologists. Thomas D. Burleigh, for example, conducted full-time field work
throughout Buncombe County from 1930 to 1934; and he informs me (pers. com.) that
he never observed the species during that period.

Within the past two years, however, the bird has been noted in Buncombe County, N.
C., on a number of occasions during the winter season. The first observation came on 13
February 1970, when I found two Brown-headed Nuthatches in company with a flock of
Carolina Chickadees (Pams carotin en sis) and Tufted Titmice (Pams bicolor) in a mixed
pine-hardwood forest bordering the French Broad River near the Bent Creek Experiment
Station (elevation 2,100 feet) on NC 191 south of Asheville. Subsequently, Donald H.
Defoe (pers. com.) observed a single Brown-headed Nuthatch at a suet feeder at Candler,
N. C. (elevation 2,100 feet) on 7 and 8 March 1970. More recently, Roland L. Sargent
(pers. com.) reported an influx of the birds into the pine woods bordering Lake Julian
(elevation 2,200 feet) south of Asheville, with four birds seen on 5 November, three on
11 November, five on 21 November, and five on 29 December, all during 1971.

All of these records have been confined to the lower elevations of Buncombe County
along the extensive, broad flood plain and valley of the French Broad River and its
tributaries; and there is no evidence to suggest its occurrence in the high mountain ranges
surrounding the interior valleys.

The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a fairly common permanent resident in the piedmont
of North and South Carolina and Georgia at elevations up to approximately 1,000 feet;
but the Blue Ridge Mountains apparently serve as a very efficient barrier to the westward
or northward extention of the species into the interior river basins of the southern

90

The Chat

Appalachian Mountains. Apparently, however, individuals of the species do on occasions
cross the Blue Ridge, presumably from the piedmont population immediately to the east
and south. The present records and those by Cairns in 1893-1894 indicate that these
invasions occur during the winter months, possibly in response to population pressures
and inadequate food supply in the piedmont. Interestingly, the first record of the species
for the state of Tennessee came at Collegedale, where Basham (1969) noted the birds
present from 14 December 1969 to 4 May 1970; and it was during this same winter
season that my observation of the bird at Bent Creek marked the first record of the
species from the southern Appalachians since 1894. This coincidence of dates suggests
that sporadic winter movements of the species to the north and west may be responsible
for the occurrence of the bird in the interior river valleys of the Appalachian Mountains.
Furthermore, John Cairns’ observations in the 1890s indicated that these invading birds
lingered in the area and nested during the following breeding season. Unfortunately,
Cairns’ death in 1895 precluded any further notes on the fate of this population; but
their subsequent absence from the region suggests that ecological conditions were not
favorable to their perpetuation in the interior basins, which are over 1,000 feet higher
than the piedmont plateau to the east of the Blue Ridge escarpment. Nevertheless, the
recent winter records of the species in Buncombe County should alert local observers to
the possibility of additional sightings and subsequent nesting in the extensive pine forests
of the French Broad River valley and its tributaries.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am indebted to Donald H. DeFoe and Roland L. Sargent for permission to publish
their records.

LITERATURE CITED

Basham, B. 1969. Brown-headed Nuthatch. Migrant, 40: 11.

Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina. N. C.
Dept. Agri., Raleigh.

Simpson, M. B., Jr. 1969. Nesting of the Brown-headed Nuthatch in the southern
Appalachians. Chat, 33:103-104.

Painted Bunting at Clinton, S. C.

FREDERICK W. HARRISON

Department of Biology

Presbyterian College, Clinton, S. C. 29325

MARION B . HARRISON

106 E. Calhoun Street, Clinton, S. C. 29325 25 May 1972

During a 3-week period in the spring of 1972 a male Painted Bunting (Passerina tins)
visited a feeding station in Clinton, S. C., on at least four occasions. The observation
distance, 4 feet, allowed positive identification on all sightings, which were on 16, 25, and
26 April and 8 May. On 26 April Jane P. Holt, Biology Department, Presbyterian College,
and Mrs.IraD. Holt of Clinton verified our identification.

The presence of a Painted Bunting in piedmont South Carolina, approximately 65 miles
NW of Columbia, is unusual. Sprunt and Chamberlain (, South Carolina Bird Life, 1970)
note that the species rarely penetrates beyond the fall line. The lack of nesting activities and
the absence of a female suggest that the sightings were of a transient individual.

[The spring bird count for Stanly County, N. C., {Chat, 35: 82) records the presence of a
pair of Painted Buntings in piedmont North Carolina on 24 April 1971.- JRH]

September 1972

91

Status of the Golden-crowned Kinglet on the Highlands Plateau

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

P. O. Box 167, Statesville, N. C. 23 April 1971

The American Ornithologists’ Union (1957) lists the Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa) as breeding “southward in the mountains to eastern Tennessee and
western North Carolina,” but no specific locale is given as the most southern point of
nesting in the eastern United States. Sprunt and Chamberlain (1948) regard the bird as
only a winter resident in South Carolina, while Burleigh (1958) lists no summer records
from Georgia. Although Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1959) make no mention of the
bird from the Highlands area, a growing body of evidence suggests that this high plateau
region in southeastern Macon County, N.C., is the most southern breeding site for this
species in the eastern United States.

Curiously, the Golden-crowned Kinglet was not found at Highlands by Brewster
(1886) during his visit in May 1885, nor were any individuals noted by Torrey (1898)
although he thoroughly explored the area from 6 to 27 May 1896. Apparently the first
records of the bird during the breeding season came when A.H. Howell reported
individuals on 23 June 1930 in the great virgin tract of eastern hemlock (Tsuga
canadensis) known as the Primeval Forest. Subsequently, Henry Stevenson noted the
species in the Primeval Forest on 9 August 1937; but the species was largely extirpated
from this vast tract by the heavy cutting of timber during World War II. Individuals have
been noted in Highlands on 8 June 1944 by Lydia Sargent; on 26 March 1950 and 1953
and throughout June 1956 by Toliver Crunkleton; from 22 through 29 June 1965 by
D.T. Rogers Jr.; and on 27 August 1965 by D.W. Johnston (unpublished records from
the Highlands Biological Laboratory). I noted singing males on 15 July 1968, two pairs
on every day from 3 through 25 June 1969, and a singing male on 16 June 1970, all
records coming from the mature stands of white pine (Pinus strobus) adjacent to the
Highlands Biological Station buildings.

In spite of the frequent summer observations, there appears to be only one verified
nesting record from the region. On 11 June 1951 a Golden-crowned Kinglet nest was
discovered 15 feet up in a Norway spruce (Picea abies) on the Rebecca Harris property
next to the Highlands Biological Station (elevation 3,800 feet). Identification of the
nesting pair was confirmed by Mrs. Allan Brown, J. M. Valentine, and Toliver
Crunkleton; and Brown reported that three young birds were successfully fledge (pers.
com.).

Although this species is commonly thought of as confined to the Canadian zone
forests of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and red spruce (Picea rubens) , in the Highlands region
the bird is associated with mature stands of eastern hemlock and white pine. Johnston
(1964) suggested that the destruction of the Primeval Forest in the 1940s probably had
an adverse impact on the Golden-crowned Kinglet population of the Highlands Plateau;
but the species has apparently remained established as a summer resident in the region,
although its numbers may have been significantly reduced. Observers in the Highlands
region should remain alert to document additional breeding records of this locally
common summer resident for which Macon County, N.C., appears be the most southern
breeding site in eastern North America.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was completed while I was stationed at the Highlands Biological Station
through the assistance of NSF grant GN-2496.

92

The Chat

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Check-list of North American birds. The Lord
Baltimore Press, Baltimore.

Brewster, W. 1886. An ornithological reconnaissance in western North Carolina.
Auk, 3:94-113, 173-179.

Burleigh, T.D. 1958. Georgia birds. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

Johnston, D.W. 1964. The birds of Highlands, North Carolina, with a preliminary list
from Cashiers and nearby gorges. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 80: 179-192.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1959. Birds of North Carolina.

Sprunt, A., Jr. and E.B. Chamberlain. 1948. South Carolina Bird Life.

Torrey, B. 1898. A world of green hills. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
(All dates 1972)

COMMON LOON: Three inland migrants were noted as early as 23 March at North
Wilkesboro, N. C., by Wendell Smith. Good inland counts of 24 were recorded elsewhere
at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 8 April by Merrill Lynch and 7 at Raleigh, N. C., on 22
April by Robert Hader. Three late transients were also seen at Roanoke Rapids on 31
May, Merrill Lynch.

RED-NECKED GREBE: Two unexpected occurrences were recorded at Roanoke Rapids,
N. C., where an individual in breeding plumage was seen on 1 April and another in winter
plumage on 11 April by Merrill Lynch.

HORNED GREBE: At Raleigh, N. C., a late transient appeared on 16 May, Robert Hader.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: Migrants were observed just off shore at Bodie Island, N. C., on
27 May moving northward in a steady stream throughout the day at a rate of 5 to 18 per
minute past Coquina Beach, yielding an impressive count of some 8,000 birds, Robert
Ake and W. W. Fogelman. Elsewhere along the coast, between the dates of 13 May and 4
June, Sooties were seen singly or in small numbers by other observers off Cape Hatteras,
Cape Lookout, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Beach, and Charleston.

WILSON’S PETREL: Three were seen off Cape Lookout, N. C., on 13 May by Henry
Haberyan; and 6 to 10 were seen at Carolina Beach, N. C., on 3 1 May by Jay Carter and
James Parnell.

GANNET: Lingerers were still present in late May along the North Carolina coast where
four were seen off the Bodie-Pea Island beaches on 27 May by Robert Ake and W. W.
Fogelman, two on the same date off Atlantic Beach by Robert and Elizabeth Teulings,
and one off Carolina Beach on 31 May by James Parnell and Jay Carter.

COMMON EGRET: At Raleigh, N. C., two individuals were uncommon spring visitors on
22 April and 27 May, Robert Hader.

SNOWY EGRET: Several spring visitors were recorded inland, with single birds noted at
Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 16 April by Merrill Lynch; at Raleigh, N. C., on 22 and 23
April by Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, and Robert Hader; and at Chapel Hill, N. C.,
on 13 May by James Pullman.

AMERICAN BITTERN: Six were found by Merrill Lynch at Occoneechee Neck in
Northampton County, N. C., on 15 April.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: Locally unusual inland occurrences were recorded
at Westerly Lake on the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N. C., on 10 May by the John Hall
family and at Raleigh, N. C., on 15 May by Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

September 1972

93

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: An uncommon spring visitor was seen at Lake
Hartwell near Clemson, S. C., on 4 April by Sidney Gauthreaux,and another was found
near Chapel Hill, N.C., on 7 May by James Pullman.

BRANT: A good count of 150 was tallied on the North Carolina coast at Oregon Inlet on 15
April by Plumer Wiseman and Fenton Day.

BLUE GOOSE: Nine winter lingerers were found atPealsland Refuge, N. C., on 22 April by
Plumer Wiseman and Fenton Day.

BLACK DUCK: An individual was noted at Huntington Beach State Park, S. C., on 3 June
by Frederick Probst.

AMERICAN WIDGEON: A male was a late straggler at Huntington Beach State Park on 27
May, Frederick Probst.

LESSER SCAUP: Six were still present on 28 May at West Onslow Beach, N. C., as observed
by Gilbert Grant and Edward Hudson; and two late individuals were seen at Carolina
Beach, N. C., on 31 May by Jay Carter and James Parnell. Elsewhere, another late bird
was found at the National Fish Hatchery near Orangeburg, S. C., on 2 June by Lawrence
Robinson.

COMMON GOLDENEYE: One was an uncommon visitor at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on
13 April, Wendell Smith.

OLDSQUAW: A mixed flock of nine was seen at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Roanoke
Rapids, N. C., on 8 April and a single female was seen there the next day, Merrill Lynch.
A coastal sighting was recorded at Hilton Head Island, S. C., on 5 May where a male was
studied at close range by Alice Chapman and Caroline Newhall.

COMMON SCOTER: Several late lingerers were seen off Bogue Bank , N. C., on 28 and 29
May by John Fussell; two were seen off Huntington Beach, S. C., on 5 June by Frederick
Probst.

RUDDY DUCK: One was late at Raleigh, N. C., on 24 May, Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

HOODED MERGANSER: Late sightings were recorded at Chapel Hill, N. C., on 20 May by
James Pullman; at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 25 May by Wendell Smith; and at
Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 26 May by Merrill Lynch.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: A careful tally of 364 birds was recorded by Merrill
Lynch at Roanoke Rapids Lake, N. C., on 1 April, an exceptionally large inland count.
Elsewhere, one was an unusual visitor at Lake Julian near Skyland, N. C., on 4 April,
Robert Ruiz.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: Six were seen 30 miles W of Charleston, S. C., on the very early date of
3 March by Mike Browne.

SWALLOW -TAILED KITE: On 15 April one was unexpectedly observed soaring over Nags
Head on the North Carolina coast, well north of its usual range, Plumer Wiseman and
Fenton Day.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: One was seen at North River Marsh, Carteret County, N. C., on
27 May by John Fussell.

BALD EAGLE: An adult was seen at Sumter, S. C., on 13 May by Dick Lee; and another
was sighted at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 21 May by Merrill Lynch.

OSPREY: An unusually high local count of seven was recorded at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N. C., on 15 April by Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

PEREGRINE FALCON: One was observed feeding on a freshly killed Cattle Egret at
McClellanville, S. C., on 9 April by Stan Langston.

PIGEON HAWK: An uncommon spring occurrence was recorded at North Wilkesboro, N.
C., where an individual was seen on 24 April by Wendell Smith.

PURPLE GALLINULE: Individuals were noted at Huntley’s Impoundment near Morehead
City, N. C., on 8 and 13 May by John Fussell and atOcconeecheeNeck in Northampton
County, N. C., on 15 April and 13 May by Merrill Lynch.

COMMON GALLINULE: An uncommon local sighting was recorded near Roanoke
Rapids, N. C., on 16 April by Merrill Lynch.

AMERICAN COOT : At Raleigh, N. C., three late stragglers were seen on Lake Benson on 27
May and one on Lake Raleigh on 3 June, Robert Hader.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: J ames Pullman observed a lone transient inland at Chapel Hill
on 14 May, and Merrill Lynch found six at Occoneechee Neck, N. C., on 13 May.

94

The Chat

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: An individual in winter plumage was seen at North River
Marsh near Morehead City, N. C., as late as 9 May, John Fussell.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: One seen at Greenview Farm near Raleigh, N. C., on 6 May
by Robert Hader was the first spring record for Wake County. Elsewhere, another inland
sighting was recorded by Sidney Gauthreaux at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S. C., on 14
May.

UPLAND PLOVER: An unusually late spring transient was seen near North Wilkesboro, N.
C., on 21 May by Wendell Smith.

GREATER AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Both species were seen regularly at
Occoneechee Neck, N. C., during the spring, with peak counts of 14 Greaters and 23
Lessers recorded there on 9 April, Merrill Lynch.

KNOT : One was carefully studied at Occoneechee Neck, Northampton County, N. C., on 3
April by Bill Collier and Merrill Lynch, a rare inland sighting.

WHITE-RUMP ED SANDPIPER: At Raleigh one was seen on 7 May by Ross Silcock and up
to four were noted in that locality in late May and early June by Chris Marsh and Robert
Hader.

LEAST SANDPIPER: A very early visitor was recorded at Raleigh on 18 March by Edmund
and Harry LeGrand. Later occurrences were reported by observers at several other North
Carolina interior locations during the period 30 April through 27 May, including an
unusually high inland count of 56 at Occoneechee Neck, N. C., on 13 May by Merrill
Lynch.

DUNLIN: A rare inland spring occurrence was noted at Occoneechee Neck, N. C., where a
single bird, acquiring its breeding plumage, was seen on 22 April by Edmund LeGrand,
Harry LeGrand and Merrill Lynch.

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: One was seen and identified by call at Occoneechee
Neck, N. C., on 22 April by Edmund LeGrand and Merrill Lynch, a first local record.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: An individual was noted at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 4
May by Wendell Smith. Five were tallied on 13 May by Merrill Lynch at Occoneechee
Neck, and three were seen at Chapel Hill, the next day by James Pullman. Several were
also seen by observers in the Raleigh area between 29 April and 28 May.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: A single visitor was seen at Raleigh, N. C., on 17 April by Chris
Marsh and Harry LeGrand.

RED PHALAROPE: Dennis Forsythe sighted two birds offshore about 35 miles ESE of
Charleston, S. C., on 30 May.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: Thirty were found at Pea Island, N. C., on 27 May by Robert
Ake and W. W. Fogelman; and another individual was sighted farther south at
Huntington Beach, S. C., on the same date by Frederick and Renee Probst as storm
winds buffeted the coast.

RING-BILLED GULL: Good numbers were present at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., through the
spring period with a peak count of at least 1,300 recorded there on 1 April by Merrill
Lynch.

HERRING GULL: Six were seen inland at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N. C., on 22 April by
Robert Hader.

LAUGHING GULL: An individual on 16 May and three on 31 May were unusual local
visitors at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., Merrill Lynch.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: Spring occurrences of this species were common at Roanoke
Rapids, N. C., where apeak count of 115 was recorded by Merrill Lynch on 16 April. Up
to seven were seen on 3 and 4 April at Raleigh by Robert Hader, and an individual in full
breeding plumage was present there on 28 and 29 April as reported by John Fussell,
Harry LeGrand, and Edmund LeGrand.

FORSTER’S TERN: A sighting of four on 3 April at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., was a
rare local record, Robert Hader.

COMMON TERN: Inland occurrences were reported with unusual frequency during the
spring period. A single bird was observed closely for an hour over Lake Julian at Skyland,
N. C., on 10 May by Robert Ruiz. At least 10 were seen over Lake Hartwell near
Clemson, S. C., on 14 May by Sidney Gauthreaux. Fifteen were sighted atParPond on
the grounds of the AEC Savannah River Plant, Barnwell County, S. C., on 17 May by

September 1972

95

Lehr Brisbin. Elsewhere, at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., Merrill Lynch observed 8 migrants
on 9 May, 16 on 10 May, and 1 on 31 May.

CASPIAN TERN: Two were noted at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S. C., on 12 April by
Sidney Gauthreaux; two at Lake Benson near Raleigh, N. C., on 29 April by Robert
Hader; and two at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 21 May by Harry LeGrand et al.

BLACK TERN: Three were observed at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S. C., on 14 May by
Sidney Gauthreaux.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: Wendell Smith noted a transient at North Wilkesboro, N. C.,
on 28 April.

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: One was noted on the early date of 19 March in the
Santee Swamp, Sumter County, S. C., by Evelyn Dabbs, Elizabeth Teulings, and Robert
Teulings.

TRAIL’S FLYCATCHER: Several were heard singing near Raleigh, N. C., in late May by
Edmund and Harry LeGrand at the site where others were found during last year’s
nesting season {Chat, 35:113). Events there will be watched closely to see whether the
species is successful in establishing a breeding population in the eastern piedmont.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: One was seen and heard near Seaboard, N.C., on 21
May by Merrill Lynch.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: Individuals were noted at Umstead State Park near
Raleigh, N. C., on 17 May by Edmund and Harry LeGrand and at North Wilkesboro, N.
C., on the late date of 3 June by Wendell Smith.

TREE SWALLOW: An incident was observed 25 April near Roanoke Rapids, N. C., by
Merrill Lynch of a large flock flying SSE in advance of a cold front, an apparent example
of “reverse” migration.

BANK SWALLOW: About 50 were seen at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 25 April by Merrill
Lynch. Migrants were also conspicuous in the Raleigh area on 26 and 27 May where
several hundred were recorded by Rober Hader and other observers.

ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: One was found rather early at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on

14 March, Merrill Lynch.

CLIFF SWALLOW: An uncommon transient was recorded at Raleigh, N. C., on 8 April by
Harry and Edmund LeGrand. Another was seen at Clemson, S. C., on 9 April by Sidney
Gauthreaux; and two were also noted at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 26 April by
Wendell Smith.

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: A winter visitor remained at Chapel Hill, N. C., as late as
12 May, Elizabeth Teulings.

VEERY : One was early at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 17 April, Wendell Smith.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: Early sightings were recorded at Scotland Neck, N. C., on

15 March by Robert Teulings and at Goldsboro, N. C., on 19 March by Jay Carter.

CEDAR WAXWING: A late-lingering flock on 30 was seen at Cary, N. C., on 16 May by

Robert Teulings.

SOLITARY VIREO: An early transient was noted near Durham, N. C., on 3 April by
Mrs. Paul S. Payne.

PHILADEPHIA VIREO: A spring transient was seen at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 3
May by Wendell Smith.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: One was recorded unusually early in the Raleigh area
on 2 April by Harry LeGrand.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: Charles Blake banded a transient at Hillsborough, N. C., on
29 April.

LAWRENCE’S WARBLER: A male was carefully identified at Eagle Springs, N. C., on
12 May by Dot Griffin and party.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: One was a scarce spring transient at North Wilkesboro, N. C.
on 24 April, Wendell Smith. Another was banded at Sumter, S. C., on 12 May by
Evelyn Dabbs.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER: A late transient was heard singing along the
Eno River, Orange County, N. C., on 31 May by Robert Teulings.

CERULEAN WARBLER: Two males were seen in Richland County, S. C., near
Columbia on 16 April by Bruce Mack.

96

The Chat

BLACKPOLL WARBLER: At least 10 individuals were seen during the period 10 to 16
May on Bogue Banks, N. C., by John Fussell, and 15 to 20 were seen in the vicinity of
Kitty Hawk, N. C., on 11 May by Harry LeGrand and party, indicating a noticeable
northward movement along the coast.

OVENB1RD: One was an unexpected find on Bogue Banks, N. C., on 11 May by John
Fussell.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: A migrant seen on Bogue Banks, N. C., on 12 May by
John Fussell was locally unusual. The sighting is believed to be only the second record
for coastal Carteret County.

WILSON’S WARBLER: Occurrences at several locations gave evidence of a significant
migration through North Carolina during the last half of May. Single birds were
banded at Hillsborough on 17 and 23 May by Charles Blake. Wendell Smith recorded
a transient at North Wilkesboro on 17 May, and one was also seen the following day
at Durham by Oliver Ferguson. At Raleigh three individuals were recorded by
Edmund LeGrand during the period 15 to 24 May, and three birds were seen on 27
May at Roanoke Rapids by Merrill Lynch.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE: At least six were seen in the Bodie Island area from Oregon
Inlet northward to Duck from 9 to 11 May by Edmund and Harry LeGrand.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: Sightings of several individuals on Bogue Banks from
late April through mid-May (John Fussell) and additional observations of six or more
transients in the Bodie Island area 9 to 11 May (Edmund and Harry LeGrand) point
to a definite spring movement of this species along the North Carolina coast.

PAINTED BUNTING: One was noted as early as 12 March at Hilton Head Island, S. C.,
by Caroline Newhall. Another was seen as far westward as Clinton in Laurens County,
S. C., on 25 April by Lillian Brown.

EVENING GROSBEAK: Winter stragglers lingered in South Carolina as late as 11 May at
Sumter (Evelyn Dabbs) and 13 May at Clemson (Sidney Gauthreaux); and one was
present until 24 May at Southern Pines, N. C. (Jay Carter).

PINE SISKIN: A few lingerers were still present at the end of May at Winston Salem, N.
C., as reported by Ramona Snavely.

LARK BUNTING: A male was a visitor at Charles McRae’s feeder in Marion, S. C., from
22 April through 2 May. This record, documented with photographs by Dr. McRae,
represents the first reported spring occurrence for the state.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: One was very late at Durham, 5 June, Oliver Ferguson.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: There was a spring report of two seen at Occoneechee
Neck in Northampton County, N. C., on 23 April by Merrill Lynch. On the coast one was
present at a feeder in Morehead City, N. C., 23 April to 13 May, Charles Lincoln and
John Fussell.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: One was banded at Clemson, S. C., on 10 April by Sidney
Gauthreaux.

SWAMP SPARROW: A migrant was noted at Chapel Hill, N. C., on the late date of 20 May
by James Pullman, and another at Seaboard, N.C., on 21 May by Merrill Lynch.

******

Good News! 1 ,800 acres in Four Holes Swamp in South Carolina have been purchased
jointly by Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society. This swamp contains
what is believed to be the last large stand of virgin river bottom cypress trees on the
continent, with trees so ancient they predate the founding of America. This is part of a
3,500-acre tract, and the remaining portion will serve as a buffer zone to the sanctuary. The
swamp is exceedingly rich in plant and animal life.

September 1972

97

Incorporated 8 August 1949

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, P.O. Box 386, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T. M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S. C.

Mrs. Edwin W. Winkler, 509 Gardner St., Raleigh, N. C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N. C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N. C. 28778

M embers-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Joseph R. Norwood, Charlotte, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington.
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston

Immediate Past President Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C.

Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

57?. <2 05 75
C779
73, r'M:

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 36

December 1972

No. 4

The Chat

Vol. 36 December 1972 No. 4

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N. C.

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Route 3, Box 303-F, Wilmington, N. C.

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor for South Carolina

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Rt. 1, Tiger, Ga.

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E. B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina
Bird Club Inc. with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P. O. Box 1220, Tryon, N. C.
28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N. C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society.

CONTENTS

Notes on the Summer Birds of the South Mountains,

Marcus B. Simpson Jr 99

CBC Roundtable 102

Conservation 104

General Field Notes 106

Double-crested Cormorant in Western North Carolina,

Joseph L. Hall 106

Reddish Egret at Pea Island NWR, James F. Parnell 106

A Second Hooded Merganser Brood in South Carolina,

Lawrence H. Robinson 107

Woodcock Chicks at Butner, N. C., in March,

Owen L. McConnell 107

Nesting of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Great Craggy
and Southern Great Balsam Mountains of North

Carolina, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 108

Blue Jays Mob a Dead Common Grackle, Paul A. Stewart 109

Two Instances of Apparent Sublimation of Sex Drive

in Robins, Eloise F. Potter 109

Adjustments of Blackbirds and Starlings to Shot

Injuries, Paul A. Stewart 110

Briefs for the Files Ill

Index to The Chat — Volume 36 116

CB@

OUR COVER— A limited edition color print (18 x 23
inches) of Anne Worsham Richardson’s stunning
Pileated Woodpecker painting can be obtained by
joining National Audubon Society and a local chapter
of your choice. All-inclusive tax-deductible cost is
$35 as a contributor, $50 donor, $100 patron. Proceeds
will be used for conservation activities in South Caro-
lina. Write Audubon Print, P. O. Box 5761, Columbia,
S. C. 29250.

NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS
OF THE SOUTH MOUNTAINS

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Rising abruptly from North Carolina’s rolling western piedmont are two regions of
mountainous terrain, known collectively as the Outer Blue Ridge. These two ranges, the
South Mountains below Morganton and the Brushy Mountains north of Statesville, lie
some 15 to 30 miles SE of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and are separated from this major
range by a rolling hill country whose elevation averages slightly above 1,000 feet. With
numerous peaks rising above 2,500 feet, these ranges reveal a mixture of typical
piedmont and mountain avifauna; and for this reason they serve as valuable areas for the
study of altitudinal limitations for the breeding of a number of species.

STUDY AREA

The South Mountains begin as a series of low ridges between Hickory and Morganton,
with the bulk of the higher terrain extending in a southwesterly direction for some 25
miles through portions of Burke, Rutherford, McDowell, and Cleveland Counties. The
range generally tends to be higher in elevation than the Brushy Mountains, with at least
11 peaks in excess of 2,800 feet and the maximum elevation at 2,905 feet on High Peak
in Burke County. The Catawaba River drains the north slopes of the range, while
branches of the Broad River and First Broad River penetrate the region from the east
and south.

In contrast to the Brushy Mountains, only a very small portion of the South
Mountains has been cleared for agricultural use; and the bulk of the region is heavily
forested with second growth communities of pine, pine-oak, oak-hickory, and cove
hardwoods. Furthermore, a substantial part of the eastern half of the range is
encompassed by the South Mountains Wildlife Management Area, a situation which
promotes the maintenance of relatively undisturbed woodlands. Typical species that are
common and form a major portion of the plant cover include the following: white pine
( Pinus strobus ), shortleaf pine ( P . echinata ), Virginia pine (P. virginiana ), various
hickories {Cary a sp.), eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), river birch {Betula nigra),
American hornbeam {Carpinus caroliniana) , beech ( Fagus grandifolia) , white oak
( Quercus alba), chestnut oak ( Q . prinus), red oak {Q. rubra), scarlet oak {Q. coccinea),
blackjack oak ( Q . marilandica) , winged elm ( Ulmus americana), yellow poplar {Lirio-
dendron tulipifera), sassafras ( Sassafras albidum), sweetgum {Liquidamber styraciflua) ,
sycamore {Platanus occidentalis), black cherry {Prunus serotina), black locust ( Robinia
pseudoacacia), winged sumac {Rhus copallina ), staghorn sumac {R. typhina), American
holly {Ilex opaca), red maple {Acer rubrum), dogwood {Cornus florida), black tupelo
{Nyssa sylvatica), flame azalea {Rhododendron calendula ceum), rosebay rhododendron
{R. maximum ), mountain laurel {Kalmia latifolia), Carolina silverbell {Halesia Carolina),
and white ash {Fraxinus americana).

STUDY TECHNIQUES

In a previous paper (Simpson, Chat, 32: 1-4, 1968), I described the salient features of
the summer bird populations of the Brushy Mountains; but there appears to be no
information in the literature concerning the birds of the South Mountains. To fill this
gap, I conducted field work in the region on 18 May 1968 and on 15, 16, and 17 June
1970; and the results of this survey are contained in the present paper. Most of the field
work involved systematic exploration of existing roads and trails throughout the range,
although limitations of time precluded any search for positive breeding evidence.
Censuses were conducted on 16 and 17 June 1970 by stopping every .2 mile along the

December 1972

99

Lower C.C.C. Road and Headquarters Road and listening for 4 minutes at each site.
Total numbers of each species encountered during the surveys were used to establish
four categories of relative abundance: uncommon, fairly common, common, and very
common. Notations of habitat and elevation were made where appropriate.

SPECIES LIST

Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura): Uncommon. All elevations.

Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ): Uncommon. All elevations.

Broad-winged Hawk ( Buteo platypterus): Uncommon. All elevations.

Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa umbellus ): Although no individuals were noted during the study,
the manager of the Wildlife Management Area showed me several stuffed specimens
and a number of wings from the range; and he informed me that the bird is fairly
common in the region.

Bobwhite ( Colinus virginianus ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Mourning Dove ( Zenaidura macroura): Uncommon. All elevations.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus americanus): Uncommon. All elevations.

Chimney Swift ( Chaetura pelagica ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird {Archilochus colubris): Uncommon. All elevations.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Yellow-shafted Flicker {Colaptes auratus): Fairly common. All elevations.

Pileated Woodpecker {Dry o copus pileatus): Fairly common. All elevations.

Hairy Woodpecker {Dendrocopos villosus ): Uncommon. All elevations.

Downy Woodpecker {Dendrocopos pubescens ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Great Crested Flycatcher {Myiarchus crinitus): Fairly common. All elevations.

Eastern Phoebe {Sayornis phoebe): Fairly common. All elevations.

Acadian Flycatcher {Empidonax virescens): Common. All elevations.

Eastern Wood Pewee {Contopus virens ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Rough-winged Swallow {Stelgidopteryx ruficollis ): Uncommon. All elevations.

Barn Swallow {Hirundo rustica ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Blue Jay {Cyanocitta cristata ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Common Crow {Corvus brachyrhynchos): Common. All elevations.

Carolina Chickadee {Parus carolinensis ): Very common. All elevations.

Tufted Titmouse {Parus bicolor ): Fairly common. All elevations.

White-breasted Nuthatch {Sitta carolinensis ): Uncommon. All elevations.

Carolina Wren {Thryothorus ludovicianus ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Mockingbird {Mimus polyglottos ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Catbird {Dumetella carolinensis ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Brown Thrasher {Toxostoma rufum ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Robin {Turdus migratorius): Common. All elevations.

Wood Thrush {Hylocichla mustelina ): Common. All elevations.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher {Polioptila caerulea ): Fairly common. All elevations.

White-eyed Vireo {Vireo griseus): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Yellow-throated Vireo {Vireo flavifrons ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Solitary Vireo {Vireo solitarius ): Fairly common. Above 1,400 feet.

Red-eyed Vireo {Vireo olivaceus ): Very common. All elevations. In a large series, the
ratio of Red-eyed to Solitary Vireos is 10 to 1 through this range.

Black-and-white Warbler {Mniotilta varia ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Swainson’s Warbler {Limnothlypis swainsonii): The single record is of an adult male
singing in the rhododendron-laurel thickets of Jacob Fork, Burke County, at 1,320
feet on 16 June 1970. A tape recording of the species’ song was played; and the bird
approached at close range, permitting visual confirmation of field marks.

Parula Warbler {Parula americana ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Yellow Warbler {Dendroica petechia ): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Black-throated Green Warbler {Dendroica virens ): Very common. All elevations. This

100

The Chat

species was the most abundant warbler in the range, occurring most frequently in
hemlock ravines but in other habitats as well.

Yellow- throated Warbler ( Dendroica dominica ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Pine Warbler ( Dendroica pinus ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Prairie Warbler (. Dendroica discolor)-. Uncommon. Lower elevations in early successional
stages.

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus): Common. 1,400 to 2,800 feet.

Louisiana Waterthrush ( Seiurus motacilla ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Kentucky Warbler ( Oporornis formosus ): Uncommon. All elevations.

Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteria virens ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina ): Common. All elevations.

American Redstart ( Setophaga ruticilla ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna ): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Orchard Oriole (. Icterus spurius ): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Common Grackle ( Quiscalus quiscula ): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea ): Fairly common. All elevations.

Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Cardinal ( Richmondena cardinalis): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Pheucticus ludovicianus): The only record is of a single adult
male singing at 2,800 feet on Skull Knob in Rutherford County on 16 June 1970.
Indigo Bunting ( Passerina cyanea): Very Common. All elevations.

American Goldfinch ( Spinus tristis): Fairly common. All elevations.

Rufous-sided Towhee ( Pipilo erythrophthalmus): Common. All elevations.

Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina): Uncommon. Lower elevations.

Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla ): Fairly common. Lower elevations.

Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia): Fairly common. All elevations.

DISCUSSION

A total of 66 species are documented as summer residents of the South Mountains,
although no positive breeding evidence was noted for any of these birds. Of these 66
species, only five are generally regarded as montaine because their maximum density
occurs in the Appalachian region. These five species, the Solitary Vireo, Black-throated
Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, were also noted
as summer residents in the Brushy Mountains during a previous study (Simpson, Chat,
32:1-4, 1968). However, the Slate-colored Junco ( Junco hyemalis) and Chestnut-sided
Warbler ( Dendroica pensylvanica) were noted in the Brushies but are conspiciously
absent from the South Mountains. Considering the higher elevations in the South
Mountains, the absence of the junco is difficult to explain; but the Chestnut-sided
Warbler may not find suitable habitat in the South Mountains, due to the relatively
unbroken and mature forest canopy covering most of the range.

The occurrence of the Swainson’s Warbler in the range is of interest. This species has
not been reported in the Brushy Mountains, but it is known to occur as a summer
resident on the outer slopes of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and portions of the western
slopes of the Unaka Mountains. In these two ranges, the bird is associated with thickets
of rhododendron and mountain laurel, and the single record from the South Mountains
is from a similar habitat. Additional field work is needed to determine the status of this
species in the South Mountains.

With the extensive tracts of fairly mature, uniform woodlands, the South Mountains
provide an ideal locale for future studies of the breeding bird densities in several of the
major plant communities of the Carolina piedmont.

P.O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C., 3 November 1971

December 1972

101

CB©

RECLAMATION OF A SOOTY SHEARWATER

F. M. (PAT) PROBST

On 11 and 12 June 1969 strong easterly winds blew great windrows of sea-weed and
debris ashore along the coast of the Carolinas and Georgia. With this debris were
hundreds of dead or dying sea birds identified as Greater Shearwaters, Puffinus gravis.
Concerned people in the local area brought many of these birds to me for identification
and for possible help. All living birds that I saw appeared to be paralyzed or toxic and
died (in most instances in convulsions) within a few hours. Intermixed with the sea-weed
and debris were many globs of a sticky, tarry material believed to be “Bunker C” type
oil pumped from the bilges of ocean ships. The birds I examined did not appear to be
heavily oiled, although some had smudges of this tarry residue on their breast and belly
feathers.

Of particular interest however, was a Sooty Shearwater ( P . griseus ) brought to me by
some visitors on Pawley’s Island. This bird was more alert and did not appear to be as
toxic as the Greater Shearwaters. He was able to hold his head up and exhibited curiosity
by turning it to follow movement. At first silent and docile, he offered no resistance to
handling. Examination revealed that his left leg was useless, although there was no
evidence of injury or broken bones. Offered fresh water from a glass jar, he drank a small
amount. He was offered small chunks of fresh fish and ate two or three pieces. He spent
the night in a large cardboard box lined with newspapers, which was to be his home for
five weeks.

The next morning a ration of cut fish was eagerly accepted and several pieces were
eaten. My wife, Ren6e, who was to become Sooty’s main support and comfort while he
was with us, reasoned that chunks of fish and squid in a small jar of salted water could
be more readily — and vigorously — eaten. This then became routine for up to six times
daily as Sooty gained strength. Because of immobility, due to probable toxicity at first
and because shearwaters are ill adapted for land, the newspapers in his box had to be
changed quite frequently.

After each feeding and as his strength returned, Sooty was placed in a large laundry
tub partially filled with water. At first he got wet thru to his skin and would be cold and
shivering. While there was no apparent oil on his feathers they matted together and
allowed water to penetrate to the skin. In a few days the bird began to preen, both in the
water and after being placed in his box. He was kept in the water for only a few
moments at first, to help clean his under feathers. Soon however, he indicated preference
for longer periods in the tub and would bathe and preen while swimming around.
Gradually his left leg acquired some use, although it never regained full use. The periods
in the tub would be terminated by Sooty’s attempts to get out of the water. Hooking his
beak over the edge of the tub he would try to pull his body up and over the brim. As his
strength returned he spread his wings and often succeeded in getting out unaided. To dry
him off before returning him to his box we placed him on the gravel in our driveway or
on the grass of our lawn. Sooty remained quiet for the first few days but then began

102

The Chat

trying to move about. He would extend his neck and pull himself forward with his long
beak hooked in the gravel or the grass. He was soon able to progress for some distance in
this way and with the help of his good right leg. He soon began using his wings in a
swimming motion to help him move forward. To exercise his wings further we would
hold him aloft with one hand extended beneath his breast while he would move his
wings in a flying motion, slowly and weakly at first but more and more strongly. It soon
became necessary to place the other hand on his back to keep him from falling from our
grasp.

By the end of the third week Sooty had regained enough strength to move easily
about the yard. He would attempt to fly and could become nearly airborne from the
ground, moving quite rapidly for some distance. To prevent his escape into thick
underbrush around our yard, we would have to retrieve him. It was on one of these
attempts when he first exhibited aggressive behavior. As I bent over to pick him up he
turned toward me and squawked quite loudly. After that he frequently used his voice to
express his displeasure at being returned to his box. While he did not exhibit as much
aggression against Renee as he did against me (possibly because she fed and handled him
more), it eventually became necessary to drop a cloth over his head in order to pick him
up without being vigorously pecked. On several occasions he would peck me on the wrist
and twist his head at the same time. This resulted in a number of deep scratches caused
by the sharp hook on the point of his upper mandible. Usually he did not close his beak
as strongly on Renee as on me but would nibble on her hand and arm.

After about a month we realized that Sooty had regained enough strength to care for
himself; so on 19 July we took him to a tidal inlet at Huntington Beach State Park for
release. Placed at the edge of the water, he quickly moved into swimming depth. From
here he became airborne and was able to fly very well, in great sweeping circles.

Because of the strength of his flight we feel that he was able to resume a normal life
as a soaring ocean bird. Our hope is that he took a short-cut by way of Bermuda to catch
up with other shearwaters, for he was over a month behind on the circular route that
they take each year around the Atlantic Ocean, returning each winter to nesting
territories in the Cape Horn area.

In spite of the close confinement and his inability to move about, there was relatively
little odor about him or his box. He did have a faint but pronounced pleasant musky
odor to his feathers that would linger on our hands for quite a while after we had
handled him. He ate well, even from the first day, and was very definite in the amount
he wanted. While we removed the larger bones from the fish we left the smaller ones in
place. He was able to swallow cubes of fish up to one inch on a side, although they were
generally smaller.

Caring for common land birds presents relatively minor problems. But the care of a
bird who requires a more specialized diet and is restricted to a pelagic environment
becomes more difficult for one not equipped for this special care. However, the pleasure
gained, along with the hope that we may have saved a beautiful bird, is ample
compensation.

Welcome Back, Toncie!

After several years of traveling and involvement in various other projects, Annie
Rivers Faver is returning to the staff of Chat as editor of the CBC Roundtable. Having
edited the Backyard Birding column for a number of years, Toncie needs no intro-
duction to CBC members - just a warm welcome back! Items intended for the March
Roundtable should be sent to Mrs. Faver at Route 2, Eastover, S.C. 29044.

Associate GFN Editor for South Carolina

Julian R. Harrison, our associate editor of the General Field Notes, is a native South
Carolinian, having been born and reared in Charleston where he received a B.S. in
Biology from The College of Charleston in 1956. Dr. Harrison received his A.M. from
Duke University ( not N.C. State as indicated in a previous issue of Chat ) and his Ph.D.

(Continued on page 115)

December 1972

103

The Least of These

At holiday time almost everyone is overflowing with goodwill to man, and a little of
this goodwill laps over to the birds and animals. Many people follow the charming
custom of a Christmas tree for the birds, or give the farm animals special treats in honor
of the first Christmas. Pampered pets get holiday gifts just as if they were children. All of
this is fine, but special thanks and appreciation, however, should go to those inidividuals
and organizations who devote year-round time to working for the protection of all our
birds and animals, and for those who spend their time and money helping the least of
these, the waifs of the animal kingdom.

So this column gives special thanks to:

1. all the teen age members of the Kindness Club (called to our attention by
Celestine Sibley), of New Brunswick, Canada, whose motto is that of Joseph Wood
Crutch, “Conservation is not enough, the thing that is missing is love.” Some of their
golden rules are: “Respect and protect homes of animals, dens, nests, and food
supplies.” “Insist that wild life refuges be places where animals are safe or protected -
not shooting galleries.” “Hunt with a camera, as you would like to be hunted.”

2. Hope Sawyer Buyukmichi of the Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, who has started an
organization called The Beaver Defenders and a crusade to save the beavers. One beaver
dam forming a pond benefits trout and restores ideal living conditions for other animals
and birds. Beavers create miniature marshes and ponds suitable for wood ducks.

3. W. G. Duncan who gathers together news of wildlife, from bluebirds to bisons,
and sends out all this information at his own expense. His motto: “By saving wildlife
man may save himself.”

4. The Purple Martin Capital News, the only newspaper in America that devotes
itself exclusively to news of birds and animals and the humans who relate to them.

5. Harold Martin, whose column reflects great feeling for his furred and feathered
friends, and especially for squirrels. He reports on the people who love animals.

6. National Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, Save the Animals League,
National Catholic Society for Animal Welfare, Canadian and American Wolf Defenders,
and to all the Humane Societies who work with little money and much love to cope with
the abandoned and unwanted creatures of this world. To the veterinarians who have
formed the National Wildlife Health Foundation to provide information and health care
of wildlife during an emergency, such as an oil spill.

7. To all the turtle toters who stop to carry a turtle safely across a highway, and to
all the members of the save the snake league.

8. To the teen age Y.C.C. boy who brought in this Christina Rossetti poem for
inclusion in the Y.C. C. Green Bough.

“Hurt no living thing:

Ladybug and butterfly,

Nor moth with dusty wing,

No cricket chirping cheerily,

No grasshopper so light of leap,

Nor dancing gnat, no beetle fat
Nor harmless worms that creep.”

104

The Chat

An Appropriate Way to Celebrate?

In this year of the 100th anniversary of the celebration of the establishment of our
first national park, there is legislation before the House of Representatives that is an
ominous threat to national parks, refuges, seashores, forests, and the entire national
domain. This is H.R. 7211, sponsored by Representative Wayne Aspinal. The bill would
dilute protection of public lands and expose them to pressures to have land sold off,
push commercial use, and make possible withdrawals up to 25,000 acres. This would
leave the majority of public lands unprotected from mining and logging. Write your
Congressman in Washington and let him know what you think about this bill. Do it now!

Footnote on the Chattooga River

Visited the Chattooga River with the idea of taking some pictures of the pristine
river, on 29 October. This was where Hwy 76 crosses from Georgia to South Carolina. A
large float convoy was preparing to embark, and there were innumerable sightseers. The
river itself was almost a chocolate brown color, and the amount of filth, trash, and litter
on both banks was appalling. People don’t use the river, they abuse it!

A New Arrival

A flock of Monk Parakeets escaped from a cage at Kennedy Airport in 1969 and now
appear to be well adapted to living conditions in North America. Birds of this South
American species have been reported from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
North Dakota, Michigan, and Virginia as well as in the New York-New Jersey area.
Photographs taken in Buncombe County, N.C., and circulated by Bob Ruiz at the fall
CBC meeting in Wilmington have been tentatively identified as being pictures of nesting
Monk Parakeets. We hope to have a full report from Bob in the next issue of Chat.
Meanwhile, keep your eyes open for these new arrivals at your feeder. They are
medium-sized parakeets, greenish gray above with a lemon yellow belly. Flight feathers
are blue-gray, tail bluish green, bill rosy flesh color.

For Holiday Reading and Giving

A Lifetime with the Birds, an Ornithological Logbook.

Earle R. Greene. Edwards Brothers Inc., 2500 South State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan,

$6.00.

Memoirs of a Naturalist. Herbert L. Stoddard Sr. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman,
Oklahoma, $6.95.

Delightful reading and the perfect gift for anyone interested in birds, birding, or the
all-time great naturalists of our area, these books are fine additions to any library. Earle
Greene has over 600 birds on his life list, and his fascinating tales of quests after rare
species make good reading. At one time he was manager of the Mattamuskeet National
Wildlife Refuge, a member of the early Georgia Naturalist Club, and a founder of the
Georgia Ornithological Society. The late Herbert Stoddard Sr. was an outstanding
naturalist and wildlife expert, and his memoirs include very interesting accounts of a
lifetime spent in the out-of-doors.

TVA Drops Plan for Dams on French Broad River

In mid-November 1972 the Tennessee Valley Authority announced abandonment of
a plan that would have built 14 small dams on the upper French Broad River in western
North Carolina. The brief statement attributed the decision to a lack of local govern-
ment support, but the budget squeeze in Washington and mounting opposition from
conservationists were also factors working against the project. The earthen dams would
have created lakes ranging from 250 to 1,030 acres and would have flooded nearly 7,000
acres of bottomland, about half of it rich farmland.

December 1972

105

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N. C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S. C. 29401

Double-crested Cormorant in Western North Carolina

JOSEPH L. HALL

Route 8, Box 1136, Asheville, N.C. 28806 5 December 1971

On 24 October 1971 my family and I were scanning Lake Julian, a large man-made
lake in Buncombe County, N.C., when an unusual bird landed in the water. We watched
it for about 45 minutes at a distance of approximately 400 yards with 7 x 50 binoculars
and a 60X spotting scope. The all-black plumage and orange throat-spot clearly
identified the bird as a Double-crested Cormorant {Phalaero corax aulitus). Its behavior
was also typical of a cormorant. The bird raised its wings and flapped several times and
then held them in the air for 2 to 3 minutes.

Birds of North Carolina (1959) indicates that the only previous record for the
Double-crested Cormorant from Buncombe County is a bird seen in 1889. I do not find
any other records of the species from the mountains of North Carolina, although Stupka
(. Notes on the Birds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1963) mentions two
cormorant sightings in eastern Tennessee, one at the mouth of Abrams Creek and
another near Gatlinburg.

Reddish Egret at Pea Island NWR

JAMES F. PARNELL
Biology Department

University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

On 25 September 1971 while birding with a group of CBC members, I discovered a
Reddish Egret ( Dichnomanassa lufescens ) in the brackish marsh just north of the north
pond on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The bird
was observed in good light through both binoculars and spotting scope.

The bird was a dark phase individual clearly larger than nearby Snowy Egrets
( Leucophoyx thula). The body colors were typical of those described for this species
with the long bushy head plumes, bill with pale base and dark tip clearly visible. In
addition, it was observed feeding in the very nervous manner of this species, including a
somewhat subdued sequence of “open wing feeding” as described by Meyerriecks
(< Comparative Breeding Behavior of Four Species of North American Herons, Nutthall
Ornithological Club Publications, No. 2, 1960).

While it is recognized that there is much variation in this species and that at times
separation from Little Blue Herons ( Florida cerulea) is difficult, there seems no doubt

106

The Chat

that this was a Reddish Egret. Color photographs were secured and two have been
submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Photoduplicate File at
Patuxent, Maryland. The photographs have been given acquisition numbers 198 ITa and
198-ITb.

This appears to be the second record of this southern wader in North Carolina. The
first report was from near Charlotte on 27 July 1947 {Chat, 12:52, 1948). Two birds
found in Berkely County, S.C., on 15 January 1934, represent the only published record
of this species from South Carolina {South Carolina Bird Life, Sprunt and Chamberlain,
1970). The publication of this note and the placement of photographs in the National
Photoduplicate File allow the Reddish Egret to be added to the official bird list for
North Carolina.

A Second Hooded Merganser Brood in South Carolina

LAWRENCE H. ROBINSON
Biologist, Soil Conservation Service
P.O. Box 493, Walterboro, S.C. 29488

A brood of Hooded Mergansers {Lophodytes cucullatus ) was produced at Orangeburg
National Fish Hatchery, Orangeburg, S.C. I saw a female with three young unable to fly
on 2 June 1972. The brood was first seen in the hatchery’s main reservoir pond two
weeks earlier by Hatchery Manager Ted Dingley. At that time four young were present.
No male was ever observed. The nesting site was not found, but nine Wood Duck boxes
are located in the reservoir area. By 21 July 1972 the female had disappeared, but the
three young remained and were observed flying from one hatchery pond to another (Ted
Dingley, pers. com.).

This is the second positive instance of nesting by the Hooded Merganser in South
Carolina. The first was reported by T. A. Beckett, who observed two young at Magnolia
Gardens, Charleston County, in May 1967 {South Carolina Bird Life, 1970, p. 592). As
one of these was secured for the Charleston Museum, no attempt was made to collect the
hatchery birds, but on 2 June several recognizable photographs were made. During my
attempts to photograph them, the young dove and disappeared from view for 30
minutes. The female scooted frantically across the reservoir in an apparent attempt to
decoy me away from the brood.

Increased use of Wood Duck nesting boxes by Hooded Mergansers in states north of
South Carolina raises the possibility of imprinting as a technique in promoting future
Hooded Merganser nesting in this state.

Woodcock at Butner, N.C., in March

owen l. McConnell

2808 Butner Street, Durham, N.C. 27 March 1972

On 21 March 1972 at 11:00 I observed three American Woodcock {Philohela minor )
chicks near Butner, N.C. They were in a “freezing” defense in the middle of a paved road
near a creek bottom. I approached on foot within 20 feet before noticing the long-billed
Woodcock hen feigning injury at the edge of the woods. Before I could reach the young,
a car passed over them, the backdraft tumbling them like bits of weightless fluff. They
immediately resumed their “freezing” attitude and maintained it while I knelt beside
them, observing them closely. They were unharmed and unmistakably Woodcocks
because of their elongated bills and mottled downy plumage. They had not developed
primary wing feathers. Fearing for their safety, I placed them on the shoulder of the
road. They ran skillfully, with wings raised for balance. From growth characteristics
cited by W. G. Sheldon in The Book of the American Woodcock, 1967, 1 estimated their

December 1972

107

age at about 1 week. I withdrew about 50 feet, and the hen quickly returned to her
brood.

This sighting may be significant for two reasons: (1) the scarcity of Woodcock
breeding records for North Carolina, and (2) the early date of hatching. Critcher and
Quay {Chat, 17:62-68) found that nests or young Woodcocks had been reported in only
13 counties in North Carolina. To my knowledge no nests or juveniles have been
recorded for Granville County. Considering the age of the chicks and the incubation
period (Sheldon observed an incubation period of 21 days for one nest), egg laying in the
present case might have occurred in late February. C. S. Brimley gives egg dates for
Raleigh as 3 March to 11 April with an average of 24 March for 16 egg records. For the
Sandhills region Skinner {Chat, 17:63) says, “The eggs are laid as early in some cases as
the latter part of February, and I have seen young birds as early as the first week in
April.” Breeding, egg laying, and hatching vary with the latitude, elevation, and weather.
The present observation is consistent with data suggesting relatively early reproduction
in the North Carolina piedmont. In addition 21 March appears to be one of the earliest
dates for observed young in the northern piedmont, perhaps attributable to the mild
winter of 1971-1972.

Nesting of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Great Craggy and
Southern Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

P.O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C. 24 January 1972

Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1942) regarded the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
{Sphyrapicus varius ) as a breeding summer resident in the higher mountains of North
Carolina, but they mentioned only four specific localities where the bird had been
observed: Roan Mountain, Highlands, Joannana Bald Mountain, and Greybeard Moun-
tain. Elsewhere, the bird has been reported during summer in the Unicoi Mountains by
Ganier and Clebsch (1944), the Great Smoky Mountains by Stupka (1963), and Mt.
Mitchell by Burleigh (1941). To date, however, there appear to be no specific records
from the Great Craggy or southern Great Balsam Mountains; and the following
observations are therefore of interest.

SOUTHERN GREAT BALSAM MOUNTAINS: Based on my field work in this range
from 1963 to 1971, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is an uncommon summer resident
above 3,500 feet in deciduous forests that have been disturbed by logging or fires.
During the months of May through August, I have a total of 16 records of individual
birds at elevations from 3,600 feet to 5,800 feet. In addition to these individual
sightings, groups of two or more birds have been noted at three localities in the range. At
Wet Camp Gap (5,360 feet), Jackson County, a pair has been noted repeatedly in June
1963, 1965, and 1969, while on 15 June 1968 two adults were carrying food into a
nesting hole some 25 feet up in a large white oak {Quercus alba). The cries of the young
birds could be heard, but I was unable to climb the tree to examine the nest. In June
1963, 1965, and 1968 a pair was present at 5,540 feet on the eastern slope of Shining
Rock, where the birds were seen entering and leaving a cavity in a yellow birch {Betula
lutea ). Although no evidence of eggs or young was noted at Shining Rock, an adult with
two young was seen on 25 July 1969 just NW of Beech Gap, Haywood County at 5,400
feet.

GREAT CRAGGY MOUNTAINS: I have noted a pair at Craggy Gardens (5,300 feet)
in June 1957, 1959, 1968, and 1969. During the first week of June 1957, two adults
were carrying food into a nesting cavity 30 feet up in a white oak. I heard the cries of
the young birds, although it was impossible to climb the tree for close examination.
Elsewhere, I have noted pairs at Beetree Gap (4,900 feet) in June 1964 and 1969, at
Sprucepine Ridge (4,200 feet) in June 1970, and on Craggy Dome (5,700 feet) in June
1957 and 1970.

108

The Chat

In spite of the published records of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in western North
Carolina, a great deal remains to be learned about the distribution of the bird in the area.
Observers should be alert to document any breeding of the species in the region.

LITERATURE CITED

Burleigh, T. D. 1941. Bird life on Mt. Mitchell. Auk, 58:334-345.

Ganier, A. F. and A. Clebsch. 1944. Summer birds of the Unicoi Mountains. Migrant,
15:61-65.

Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

Blue Jays Mob a Dead Common Crackle

PAUL A. STEWART

203 Mooreland Drive, Oxford, N.C. 27565 9 March 1972

During the morning of 20 February 1972 I heard Blue Jays ( Cyanocitta cristata )
screaming wildly in the small trees on the lawn of my home, and upon looking out the
window I saw no cat where the birds were centered; thus, I watched the birds a few
minutes and determined the exact spot receiving their greatest attention. After the
mobbing behavior had stopped, I went to the spot and found a dead Common Grackle
( Quiscalus quiscula). The head and tail of the grackle were buried beneath fallen pine
leaves so that the exposed part of the dead bird gave little indication that the black
object was a dead bird.

There was little reason to doubt that the dead grackle was the object of the Blue
Jays’ attention. Inasmuch as Blue Jays normally do not mob living grackles, it is
noteworthy that these jays mobbed one that was dead and partly buried.

Two instances of Apparent Sublimation of Sex Drive in Robins

ELOISE F. POTTER

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 18 August 1972

While watching the birds in my yard near Zebulon, Wake County, N.C., for anting
and sunbathing behavior during the cool and sunny days following the heavy rainfall
associated with the passage of Hurricane Agnes, I noted an adult male Robin ( Turdus
migratorius) repeatedly mounting pine cones, waving his wings to keep his balance, and
apparently attempting copulation. The bird alternately mounted several cones in rapid
succession and sunbathed for about 30 minutes beginning at 06:30 EST. Following the
last observed mounting, he flew to a tree and began singing. Later in the day (24 June
1972) I saw birds of other species sunning, but they did not mount pine cones.

On 25 June the banded adult male Robin that held territory on the east side of our
house and had mounted pine cones the previous day attempted to mount his mate, but
she was not receptive. On 28 June she was nest building, and on 2 July she was
incubating. I saw the pair feeding young out of the nest on 1 August.

1 believe that the mounting of pine cones was a sublimation of the male’s sex drive.
The Robins had lost their nest on 22 June, and apparently the male was ready to begin
renesting activities before the female was ready for copulation.

About a dozen juvenile Robins no longer dependent upon their parents had flocked
by 11 July. Rainfall began about noon on this date and continued off and on until
clearing began about 09:30 on 13 July. By 09:50 Robins and several other species of

December 1972

109

birds had begun sunbathing, and they continued to do so frequently through the
morning of 19 July.

The morning of 15 July the yard was full of juvenile Robins that were bathing in the
pools and sunbathing. Between 08:00 and 09:00 several of these birds were chasing each
other and bumping windows the way adults do during the mating season. They would
interrupt their chases occasionally to mob other juvenile Robins sunning in the driveway.
The mobbing behavior appeared to be an extension of the pursuit flights, and there was
no attempt to injure the sunbathers. On one occasion several juveniles excitedly mobbed
a flattened pine cone in the driveway near a place particularly favored for sunning. One
of these birds, distinctive because of its bare forehead and somewhat advanced state of
postjuvenal molt, left the group that had just mobbed the flattened pine cone and
immediately attempted to mount an open cone that had not been crushed. This same
bird continued to mount one cone after another for about 20 minutes. At 10:20 I saw a
juvenile Robin, presumably the same bird, repeatedly mounting a pine cone in a distant
part of the driveway. Again the mounting of pine cones appeared to be the sublimation
of an ill-timed sex drive; however, in the latter instance this behavior, along with the
pursuit flights and mobbing activity, might be considered a form of juvenile sex play.

For the next month (20 July through 17 August) I continued to watch the juvenile
Robins closely. Although there were several periods of heavy rainfall during these 4
weeks and the birds frequently bathed at the pools, I saw no anting, only one sunning
episode, no pursuit flights, no mobbing, and no pine cone mounting by either juvenile or
adult Robins.

Adjustments of Blackbirds and Starlings to Shot Injuries

PAUL A. STEWART
Entomology Research Division

Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Oxford, N.C. 27565

At Scotland Neck, N.C., a large roosting congregation of birds was present during
each of the recent falls and winters. The congregation contained Starlings ( Sturnus
vulgaris). Red-winged Blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), and Common Grackles
(Quiscalus quiscula). Gunmen often visited the roosting site to shoot the birds, and many
birds were thus killed and crippled. When spending weekends at or near the roosting site
during the falls and winters of 1970-1972, I saw numerous birds making adjustments to
physical handicaps, at least some of the handicaps doubtless resulting from shooting.

The most striking adjustments were those made by birds deprived of their flight
capabilities. Such birds normally remained in the woods occupied by the roosting
congregation or near dense bushes at its edge. When feeding in the adjacent peanut field,
they usually remained within 10 m of such escape cover and ran into the woods or
bushes upon my approach, much too soon for me to be able to intercept them. Only
once when they had foraged out from a less dense portion of the woods was I able to
capture one Red-winged Blackbird and two Common Grackles by rushing toward them
from within the woods. When in the dense bushes the birds often climbed quickly to the
tops of the bushes where they watched their foiled pursuer. One incapacitated Common
Grackle steadily climbed up a grapevine all of the way to the top of a tree about 18 m
tall, remaining at the top of the tree during the following half hour that I quietly waited.

A short distance from the roosting site, at the barns of the Leland Kitchin Dairy
Farm, a few birds were usually present. These birds, mostly Common Grackles, used the
food wasted by the cattle and sought refuge from their would-be captors by flying into
the nearby privet hedge. Other scattered birds remained all day in the vicinity of the
roosting site, feeding on peanuts in the nearby fields or on food placed for other birds in
Scotland Neck. The behavior of most of these birds clearly indicated injuries, but the
behavior of some seemed normal, suggesting that not all were injured. Probably, though,

110

The Chat

all birds remaining throughout the day at or immediately outside the roosting site had
physical handicaps, some of which were not apparent in field observations.

Those birds remaining near the roosting site were noticeably less gregarious than
others of the same species not remaining there, particularly the Common Grackles. The
Common Grackles feeding in the peanut field beside the roosting site often fed widely
scattered over the field; whereas, those feeding at a greater distance from the roost
usually fed in much more closely organized flocks.

Most of the birds with distinctive afflictions which served to identify them survived
only short periods of time.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
(All dates 1972 except as noted)

COMMON LOON: Again this year summer stragglers were reported in the coastal waters
of the Carolinas. An individual was seen in the Cape Fear River off Southport, N. C.,
on 8 July by Richard A. Rowlett, and three were seen off Cape Lookout, N. C., by
the same observer on 9 July. Ted Beckett found two dead birds, both in breeding
plumage, washed ashore at Deveaux Bank near Charleston, S. C., on 24 June.

GREATER SHEARWATER: An individual was found dead at Morgan Island in the Cape
Lookout channel on 18 June by Henry Haberyan, and another at Oregon Inlet on 24
June by Gilbert Grant.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: A single bird was closely observed resting in the waters off
Cape Lookout lighthouse on 15 June by Gladys and George Smith and George Smith
Jr.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: One was seen at Cape Hatteras on 1 1 July by Richard A.
Rowlett.

WILSON’S PETREL: At least 100 were seen at Cape Lookout Bight on 3 June by Josiah
Bailey, as reported by John Fussell. An onshore sighting of an individual was
recorded at Rich’s Inlet near Wrightsville Beach, N. C., 20 June by Robert Soots,
James Parnell and Jay Carter. Two were also seen by Parnell and Carter at Carolina
Beach 27 June, and five were noted off Cape Point at Cape Hatteras, N. C., on 11
July by Richard Rowlett.

BROWN PELICAN: A count of 287 pelicans was recorded from the Fort Fisher ferry in
the Cape Fear River near Southport, N. C., on 8 July, Richard Rowlett.

GANNET: A sub-adult was seen off the tip of Cape Lookout on 9 July, Richard
Rowlett.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Two were uncommon visitors at Roanoke Rapids
Lake, Halifax County, N. C., 15 June, Chris Marsh and Merrill Lynch. Sixteen seen at
Morehead City, N. C., on 21 June was an unusually high summer count for that
coastal locality, John Fussell and Donald McCrimmon.

ANHINGA: Spring and early fall sightings were recorded well northward along the North
Carolina coast, with an individual seen 15 April near Point Harbor on Currituck
Sound by Plumer Wiseman and Fenton Day, and another at Pea Island on 11 August
by Betty Lancaster et al. As many as 50 breeding pairs of Anhinga were noted by
Evelyn Dabbs in May and June at a previously unreported nesting site on Lake
Marion near Lone Star Landing in Calhoun County, S. C. The birds were nesting
amidst a large and thriving Cattle Egret colony.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: One was seen flying over Doe Hall Plantation,
McClellanville, S. C., on 23 June by Jay Shuler.

December 1972

111

LITTLE BLUE HERON: An early post-breeding-season wanderer was recorded at
Raleigh, N. C., where Chris Marsh found an immature bird at Greenview Farm on 20
June. Another was found at North Wilkesboro, N. C., on 26 June by Wendell Smith.

CATTLE EGRET: Uncommon summer occurrences were noted at several inland
locations following the nesting period. A single bird was sighted in Nash County, N.
C., 5 miles NE of Bailey on 19 July by Henry Haberyan; three birds were seen near
Raleigh on 3 August by Harry LeGrand and Ross Silcock; and four were found near
Ringwood in Halifax County, N. C., on 9 August by Merrill Lynch.

COMMON EGRET: Dispersal into the piedmont after the nesting season resulted in the
locally unusual appearance of a flock of 20 at a small pond near Clemmons, N. C., on
29 July (Marie Larsen, fide Ramona Snavely). Several other individuals were sighted
in the Winston-Salem area during the period 13 through 18 July as reported by Alan
Snavely, Diana Gorin, Robert Witherington, and Charles Frost. Several summer
records were also reported from Buncombe County, N. C., where five Common
Egrets were seen 2 July in Candler (Mrs. Roy L. Wilson), one at Swannanoa 10 July
(Betty Ruiz), one near Black Mountain 15 July (Robert Ruiz), and one at the
Biltmore Estate near Asheville on 1 1 August (William Cecil). Elsewhere Merrill Lynch
noted five on 10 August at Roanoke Rapids, N. C.

LOUISIANA HERON: One was an uncommon visitor at Roanoke Rapids on 1 August,
Merrill Lynch.

WHITE IBIS: Two immature birds were seen at Wildwood Lake in Caswell County, N.
C., on 16 June by Plumer Wiseman. At other inland North Carolina locations, 40
immatures were seen flying over St. Pauls in Robeson County on 15 June by Jay
Carter, and a single individual was seen at Kerr Lake in Vance County on 22 July by
Haven and Minna Wiley.

GADWALL: An early fall migrant was observed at Raleigh on 10 August by Ross
Silcock.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Three were sighted in North River Marsh, Carteret County, N.
C., on 3 July by John Fussell.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL: Censuses of summering waterfowl at the West Onslow Beach
impoundment, Onslow County, N. C., by Gilbert Grant and Edward Hudson showed
a mated pair and a single male of this species present on 28 May and 12 June.
However, there were no definite signs of nesting.

AMERICAN WIDGEON: A male and female, apparently paired, were seen at West
Onslow Beach, N. C., on 28 May by Gilbert Grant and Edward Hudson.

RING-NECKED DUCK: One was present throughout the summer at Huntley’s
Impoundment in Carteret County, N. C., as noted by John Fussell.

LESSER SCAUP: Gilbert Grant and Edward Hudson found nine present at West Onslow
Beach Impoundment, Onslow County, N. C., on 12 June and five were still present
on 8 July. There was no evidence of nesting.

COMMON SCOTER: Three males were seen in the surf off Huntington Beach State Park
in South Carolina on 5 June by Frederick Probst.

RUDDY DUCK: A late straggler was seen at Raleigh on 24 May by Edmund and Harry
LeGrand.

BLACK VULTURE: For the third consecutive year, a pair was found nesting at Umstead
State Park near Raleigh, N. C., by Edmund and Harry LeGrand. Two young were
successfully reared.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: One was sighted well north of its normal range on 15 June in
Northampton County, N. C., near the Roanoke River just 20 miles below the Virginia
line by Merrill Lynch and Chris Marsh.

COOPER’S HAWK: Two juveniles, obviously not long out of the nest, were observed in
Edgefield County, S. C., on 16 July by Calvin Zippier and Gerald Knighton Jr.

MARSH HAWK: A late lingerer was seen near Stumpy Point in Dare County, N. C., on 4
June by Gilbert Grant.

OSPREY: Uncommon inland sightings for June were reported from Raleigh, N. C.,
where two birds were seen at Lake Benson on 10 June by Bryan Taylor and Alan

112

The Chat

Eakes, and from Roanoke Rapids, N. C., where a single bird was seen on 15 and 19
June by Chris Marsh and Merrill Lynch.

PEREGRINE FALCON: One was seen on 5 August at Julian Price Memorial Park on the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Watauga County, N. C., by Henry Haberyan.

SPARROW HAWK: Several sightings were reported during the last half of July and early
August from six localities near the fall line. The specific records were: two birds at
Roanoke Rapids on 16 July and one in the Occoneechee Neck area of Northampton
County, N. C., on 18 July (Merrill Lynch); one at Aberdeen on 26 July and two at
Lobelia on 31 July in Moore County, N. C. (Jay Carter); one at Chapel Hill on 2
August (James Pullman); and two in the vicinity of Aiken, S. C. on 27 July (Gerald
Knighton). It is noted that all of these sightings occurred after the species’ normal
nesting period, indicating that the birds may have been early fall migrants rather than
summer residents. No breeding records from the piedmont and coastal plain have
been reported recently.

AMERICAN COOT: Up to 300 were present at the freshwater impoundment at West
Onslow Beach, N. C., in mid-June, and 96 were still there on 8 July as reported by
Edward Hudson and Gilbert Grant; however, there were no definite signs of nesting.

PIPING PLOVER: Several pairs were regularly observed in the Beaufort, N. C., area from
late May through June and were believed to be nesting as evidenced by their strong
territorial behavior, John Fussell.

WILSON’S PLOVER: Over 100 were counted along the length of Shakleford Bank on 8
July by John Fussell. The same observer also counted 98 in a loose flock on Bird
Shoal off Morehead City, N. C., on 20 July.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK: Four were observed on 15 June at Fort Macon State Park
near Atlantic Beach, N. C., by John Fussell. Merrill Lynch flushed two in Hoggard
Swamp near Windsor, Bertie County, N. C., on 5 July. Summer records from the
coast and coastal plain have been quite rare.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: One was found on Shakleford Bank off Beaufort, N. C., on
17 July by John Fussell, and two were seen and photographed together on the tidal
flats of Portsmouth Island, N. C., on 3 August by Richard Rowlett.

WHIMBREL: The presence of fall migrants was noted in the Beaufort-Morehead City, N.
C. area as early as 22 June and at least 70 were counted on Shakleford Bank 8 July,
John Fussell.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER: At least 50 early migrants were present on Shakleford Bank on
8 July, John Fussell.

WILLET: Three were found inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N. C., on
12 June, by Merrill Lynch.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS: A migratory flock of 40 was found by John Fussell on
Shakleford Bank 8 July.

KNOT: Summer occurrences of a single bird on 24 June and 7 July at Bird Shoal off
Morehead City, N. C., were reported by John Fussell.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: An early fall migrant was seen at Shakleford Bank on 8 July
by John Fussell.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Four late spring migrants were found inland at Raleigh,
N. C., on 31 May and one on 3 June by Chris Marsh. A migrant or summer straggler
was seen on the coast at Pea Island, N. C., on 24 June by Gilbert Grant, and two were
present at Bird Shoal off Morehead City, N. C., 2 to 4 July as noted by John Fussell.

LEAST SANDPIPER: An individual was recorded inland at Whispering Pines, N. C., on
12 July by Jay Carter.

STILT SANDPIPER: One was seen at Raleigh, N. C., on 28 July by Ross Silcock and
Chris Marsh. Along the coast at least 10 fall migrants were seen at Morehead City by
John Fussell on 18 July, and 35 were counted at Pea Island on 14 August by Jackson
Abbott and David Abbott.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: Late spring migrants were recorded at Raleigh, with
four noted at Greenview Farms on 31 May, and one still present on 3 June, Chris
Marsh.

December 1972

113

WESTERN SANDPIPER: Four were early and unusual inland fall visitors at Raleigh, N.
C., on 24 July, Ross Silcock and Chris Marsh.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: Chris Marsh and Ross Silcock found one present at
Lake Raleigh, Raleigh, N. C., on 27 July.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: An individual was seen several times during the period 8 July
through 19 July at Shakleford Bank by John Fussell. This is believed to be the first
local record for Carteret County, N. C.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: Three were seen on mud flats at the north end of
Portsmouth Island, N. C., 10 July by Richard Rowlett.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER: A single bird in light-phase plumage was observed under good
conditions in waters off Cape Lookout, N. C., in the vicinity of WR6 buoy on 13
May by Henry Haberyan.

LAUGHING GULL: An adult was sighted inland at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 2 June
by Merrill Lynch.

FORSTER’S TERN: One in winter or immature plumage was seen at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N. C., on 10 June by Chris Marsh. Gilbert Grant again noted small numbers
of summering birds on the North Carolina coast in the Alligator Bay area, highlighted
by an observation on 8 July of three young juveniles thought to be of local origin.

SOOTY TERN: One was sighted over Shackleford Bank, Carteret County, N. C., on 17
July by John Fussell.

BLACK TERN: Sightings of early fall migrants were noted at Morehead City, N. C., on
24 June (John Fussell) and at Wrightsville Beach, N. C., on 6 July (Jay Carter). Later,
a record local count for Morehead City was recorded on 14 August when John
Fussell saw an estimated 200 birds gathering to roost on Elijah Lump.

GROUND DOVE: The first definite nesting record for New Hanover County, N. C., has
been reported by Ronald Outen, who saw an adult fly away from a nest containing
three eggs at Fort Fisher on 5 August. Another observer, Plumer W. Wiseman, has
provided information from his field notes for the past several years giving evidence of
regular nesting on Sunset Beach Island in Brunswick County, N. C. He specifically
cites the discovery of a nesting bird incubating two eggs on 20 July 1970 and states
that two nests have been found since then.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: An unusual late spring occurrence was recorded at Raleigh,
N. C., where an individual was studied closely on 12 June by Pamela Wilcox and
Chris Marsh.

TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER: On 29 May, Edmund and Harry LeGrand found a bird of
the “fee-be-o” song type singing at Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway near
Blowing Rock, N. C.

TREE SWALLOW: Jay Carter reported seeing an immature bird at Whispering Pines, N.
C., on 26 July, an early and uncommon fall occurrence for that locality.

COMMON RAVEN: Five birds were seen on 30 May at Pilot Mountain in Surry County,
N. C., by Edmund and Harry LeGrand, and three were seen at Hanging Rock, Stokes
County, N. C., on 27 June by Alan Eakes and Robert Teulings. These sightings give
rise to speculation about the local breeding status of the species at these northern
piedmont sites, but so far no nesting evidence has been found.

FISH CROW: At Raleigh, N. C., a pair was found nesting in April by Edmund LeGrand,
the first positive evidence of breeding in Wake County.

CEDAR WAXWING: Two were seen at Raleigh on 1 1 June by Chris Marsh and William
Brown Jr.

WARBLING VIREO: Several singing males were noted in Ashe County, N. C., along the
south fork of the New River in early June by Chris Marsh and William Brown Jr.
Very little is known about the current breeding status of this species in the North
Carolina mountains.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: A female was seen at Moore’s Creek Battleground in
Pender County, N. C., on 28 June by Jay Carter.

114

The Chat

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: Two definite breeding records were reported from
Forsyth County, N. C., this summer by Robert Witherington, Charles Frost, Olive
Boice and Ramona Snavely. This team of observers found two adults feeding young
in a nest at Salem Lake on 8 June. Later, along the Yadkin River near Hwy 67, they
saw another pair feeding young on 10 August.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: A male was found singing at Kitty Hawk, N. C., on 23 June
by Gilbert Grant.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: A male was seen and heard at White Oak Pocosin in
western Gates County, N. C., on 13 June by Merrill Lynch.

YELLOW WARBLER: James Pullman found a nesting pair in May at Mason Farm in
Chapel Hill, N. C„, an uncommon local breeding record.

AMERICAN REDSTART: Singing males were common along the Roanoke River in the
Occoneechee Neck area of Northampton County, N. C., in mid-June, as reported by
Merrill Lynch and Chris Marsh. A male was also seen in Hertford County along the
Meherrin River near Winton on 11 June by Merrill Lynch.

BOBOLINK: A lone male, apparently a very tardy spring transient, was seen near High
Point, N. C., on 21 June by James Mattocks.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD: A late spring straggler was observed in the company of grackles
in swamp habitat along the Roanoke River in the Occoneechee Neck area of
Northampton County, N. C., on 16 June by Merrill Lynch and Chris Marsh.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE: A rare incidence of nesting in the North Carolina piedmont was
recorded in Forsyth County where a pair was found feeding young in Tanglewood
Park near Clemmons on 4 June by Paul Spain.

WESTERN TANAGER: A female tanager with clearly distinct white wing bars was
observed for 10 minutes while perched on a power line at Black Mountain, N. C., on
19 July by Earl and Elizabeth Chandoin.

SCARLET TANAGER: On 11 June two males were seen in Gates County, N. C., in the
upper coastal plain by Merrill Lynch. Sightings were also recorded by the same
observer in Northampton County, N. C., in June and July.

BACHMAN’S SPARROW: A singing male was noted near Areola in Warren County, N.
C., on 4 June by Harry LeGrand.

SONG SPARROW: One found at Roanoke Rapids, N. C., on 22 July was an unexpected
summer record for that locality, Merrill Lynch.

CBC ROUNDTABLE

(Continued from page 103)

from the University of Notre Dame in 1964. He is presently an Associate Professor of
Biology at The College of Charleston where he teaches Introductory Biology, Vertebrate
Zoology, Ornithology, and Zoogeography. Having served as a volunteer worker at The
Charleston Museum since 1949, Dr. Harrison was recently appointed by the Museum
Board as a Research Associate in Herpetology.

In 1960 Harrison married the former Margaret N. Marquardt of Sayville, N.Y., whom
he met while studying at Duke. Margaret holds a master’s degree from Duke where her
research dealt with biochemical embryology, and she is currently Curator of Education
at The Charleston Museum. The Harrisons have two children, Charles Andrew (Andy),
age 9, and Susan Gayle, 7, both of whom are enthusiastic young naturalists.

Julian credits his own wide interests in natural history to the influence of E.
Burnham Chamberlain, former Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Museum, who
guided his early training in ornithology and herpetology, and to Miss Elizabeth Simons,
the former Curator of Education who directed the Nature Trailers club.

Although Dr. Harrison greatly enjoys bird study, his professional research interests lie
with the biology of amphibians and reptiles, their systematics, life histories, population
ecology, and evolution. He will be on sabattical leave next spring to complete a book on
the amphibians of South Carolina.

December 1972

115

INDEX TO THE CHAT — VOLUME 36

A

Aiken (County), S. C., 24,63,113
Ake, Robert, 11
Alligator Bay, N. C., 114
Anhinga , 60,111
Ashe County, N. C. , 114
also see West Jefferson
Asheville, N. C. , 33,34,37,93
Atlantic Beach, N. C., 33,36,37,93,113
Avery County, N. C., 85
Avocet, American, 35
Avon, N. C., 11

B

Bamburg County, S. C., 60
also see Ehrhardt
Barnwell County, S. C. , 95
Beaufort County, N. C., 23,33,83
Beaufort, N. C. , 66,89,113
behavior, bird, anting, 7-10
feeding at night, 12,73
freezing, 107
injured, 102,110
mobbing, 109,110
mounting pine cones, 109,110
sunbathing, 109
Bertie County, N. C., 113
bird count, Christmas, 14-28
correction, 73
spring, 76-87
bird houses, bluebird, 6
martin, 59

birds, pelagic, 30-31, 63 (correction)
care of injured, 102
Bittern, American, 65,93
Least, 22

Black Mountain, N. C., 115
Blackbird, Brewer's, 25,85
Red-winged , 25,101,110
Rusty, 85,115

Bladen County, N. C., see Singletary
Lake

Blem, Charles R., 29
Blowing Rock, N. C., 114
Bluebird, Eastern, 6 (boxes for)

Bobolink, 37,115
Bobwhite, 2,100

Bodie Island, N. C., 11,28,34,35,36,37,
66,93,97

Bodie-Pea Island, N. C., 21,35,36,66,
82,93
Books :

Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico, 59
Foxfire Book, 59
High Arctic, 13
Lifetime with the Birds, 105
Memoirs of a Naturalist, 1 05
Swamps, River Bottoms, and Cane-
brakes, 87

Where Have All the Flowers, Fishes,
Birds, Trees, Water and Air Gone?, 59
Brant, 65,94

Brookgreen Gardens, S. C., 36

Browne, M. M. (Mike), No. 1 cover photo
Brunswick County, N. C., 28,33,114
also see Long Beach, Southport
Bufflehead, 66

Buncombe County, N. C., 26,69,85,90,106,
112; also see Asheville, Black Mtn. ,
Skyland

Bunting, Indigo, 2,28,101
Lark, 97

Painted , 64 , 67 , 91 , 97
Snow, 23,28

Burke County, N. C. , 99
Butner, N. C., 107
Byrd, Mitchell A., 11,74

C

Caldwell County, N. C., 25,85
Calhoun County, S. C., 112
Cape Hatteras, 93,111
Cape Lookout, 93,111,114
Cardinal, 2,101

Carolina Beach, N. C., 35,65,93,111
Carolina Bird Club, fall meeting, 11
history, 73
Carrboro, N. C., 67
Carter, J. H. , III, 32,64
Carteret County, N. C., 66,94,97,112,
114; also see Atlantic Beach, Beau-
fort, Cape Lookout, Cedar Island NWR,
Emerald Isle, Morehead City, Ports-
mouth Island, Shackleford Bank
Cary, N. C., 96
Caswell County, N. C., 112
Catbird, 100
Cedar Island NWR, 65
Chapel Hill, N. C., 24,28,34,67,84,93,
94,95,96,97,113,115
Charleston (County), S. C., 23,65,66,
83,93,94,95,111; also see McClellan-
ville, Mt. Pleasant
Charlotte, N. C., 25,33,85
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 2,101
Chickadee, Carolina, 2,100
Clemmons, N. C. , 112,115
Clemson, S. C., 94,95,96,97
Cleveland County, N. C., 99
Clinton, S. C. , 91,97
Columbia, S. C. , 24
Conservation, 4,58,75,97,104
Coot, American, 94,113
Cormorant, Double-crested, 22,33,65,
106,111
Great, 21

corrections, 63,73
Cowbird, Brown-headed, 2,101
Crossbill, Red, 22,67
Crow, Common, 2,100
Fish, 114

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 36,96,114
Yellow-billed, 2,36,100
Curlew, Long-billed, 113
Currie, Mrs. Neill A., 55
Currituck (County), N. C., 65,88
Sound, 111

116

The Chat

D

Dare County, II. C., 34,66,113

also see Avon, Bodie Island, Duck,
Hatteras, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty
Hawk, lags Head, Oregon Inlet,

Pea Island
Davis, Betty, 12
Dickcissel, 28,85
Dillon, S. C., 24,84
Dove , Ground , 36,114
Mourning, 2,100
Dovekie, 67

Dowitcher, Long-billed, 11,21
Short-billed, 84,95
Duck, Black, 94
Ring-necked, 112
Ruddy, 94,112
Wood, 12, 48-55
Duck, N. C. , 37
Dunlin, 35,84,95

Durham (County), N, 0. , 67,96,97

E

Eagle, Bald, 22,23,25,34,94
Golden, 20,23
penalty for killing, 6
Eagle Springs, N, C., 96
Edgefield County, S. C., 63,112
Egret, Cattle, 24,33,60,112
Common, 24,33,60,65,93, 1 1 2
Reddish, 11,106-10?

Snowy, 33,93
Ehxhardt, 3. C. , 60
Eider, Common, 66
Elkin-Ronda, N. C. , 25,85
Emerald Isle, N. C., 36
Eiders, Prank, 30-31

F

Falcon, Peregrine, 11,22,34,66,94,113
Faver, Annie Rivers, 103
Fayetteville, N. C. , 36,83
Fernandez, Gil and Jo, 74 (photo by)
Finch, House, 20,23,24,25,28,67
Flicker, Yellow-shafted, 2,100
Flycatcher, Acadian, 2,100
Great Crested, 2,96,1 00
Olive-sided, 36,96
Scissor- tailed, 36
Traill's, 82,96,114
Yellow-bellied, 36,96
Forsyth County, N. C. , 65,11 5
also see Clemmons, Winston-Salem
Fretwell, Steve, 74
Frigatebird, Magnificent, 112

G

Gad wall , 65,112
Gallinule, Common, 34,94
Purple, 82,84,94
Gannet, 93,111
Gates County, N. C. , 115
Georgetown (County)., S. 0. , 65

also see Brookgreen Gardens , Hunting-
ton Beach State Park, Litchfield,
Pawley's Island

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 2,37,96,1 00
Godwit, Hudson! an , 11,35
Goldeneye, Common, 66,94
Goldfinch, American, 101
Goldsboro, H. C. , 96
Goose, Barnacle, 88
Blue, 33,65,94
Canada, 65,85
Ross', 20,21,22,61-62
Snow, 61 ,88

Grackle, Common, 101,109,110
Graham, Peter, 89
Grant, Gilbert 3., 31-32,88
Granville County, II. C. , see Butner
Great Balsam Mountains, II. C. , 39,108
Great Craggy Mountains , H. C., 108
Great Smoky II tn » Htl. Park, 26
Grebe , Eared, 65
Homed, 33,93
Red-necked, 21,65,93
Green, Charlotte Hilton, 73
Greensboro , N. C. , 24,67,84
Greenville (County), S. C. , 25,85
Grosbeak, Blue, 2,64,6?

Evening, 20,26,97
Rose-breasted , 82,97, 1 01
Grouse, Ruffed , 100
Gull, Black-headed, 66
Bonaparte's, 67,85,95
Glaucous, 66

Great Black-backed, Ho. 1 cover, 20,
21,35

Herring, 30,35,66,95
Laughing, 22,30,35,95,114
Little, 20,22,30
Ring-billed, 66,95

H

habitat relations, 1-3
Hader, Robert J. , 12
Halifax (County), N. C. , 33,37,111,
112,113? also see Roanoke Rapids,
Scotland Neck
Hall, Joseph L. , 73,106
Harnett County, N. C. , 34
Harrison, Frederick ¥. , 91
Harrison, Julian R. , 60,103
Harrison, Marion B., 91
Hatteras , Cape , 93,111
Inlet, 35

Hauser, Doris C. , 55 (obituary)
Hawk, Broad-winged, 100
Cooper's, 112
Marsh, 34,113
Pigeon, 11,22,66,82,94
Red-shouldered , 20,24
Red-tailed, 20,24,100
Rough-legged, 34,66
Sharp-shinned , 94
Sparrow, 34,113

Haywood County, N. C., 39,41 ,42,108
Henderson, II. C., 24,84
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 93
Great Blue, 33
Little Blue, 33,60,112
Louisiana , 33,1 12
Yellow-crowned Night, 21,82,94

December 1972

117

heronry, Bamburg County, S. C. , 60
Calhoun County, S. C., 112
Hertford County, N. C. 115
High Point, N. C., 115
Hillsborough, N. C., 57,67,96,97
Hilton Head Island, S. C., 5,25,67,
94,97

Hughes, Garvin, 56-57
Hummingbird, Ruby- throated, 2,56,86,
100

Hunt, James H. , 12
Huntington Beach State Park, S. C.,
55,94,95,112

I-J

Ibis, Glossy, 22, 75 (correction)
White, 55,60,65, 75 (correction),

112

Wood, 55,60

Institute for the Study of Bird Pop-
ulations, 74

Iredell County, N. C., see Statesville
Jackson County, N. C., 59,41,42,108
Jaeger, Long- tailed, 114
Parasitic, 21,55
Pomarine , 20,21,55
Jay, Blue, 2,82,100,109
Junco, Oregon, 11
Slate-colored, 101

K

Kill Devil Hills, N. C. , 29,55,55
Kingbird, Eastern, 2,22
Gray, 85

Western, 12,56,67
Kingfisher, Belted, 100
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 20,92-95
Ruby-crowned, 20
Kite, Mississippi, 94,112
Swallow- tailed, 69-72,94
Kittiwake, Black-legged, 22,55
Kitty Hawk, N. C., 97,115
Knighton, Gerald E. , 65
Knot, 95,115
Kosh, Kitty, 1 1

L

Lark, Horned, 67

Laurens County, S. C., see Clinton
LeGrand, Edmund K. , 61-62
LeGrand, Harry E. , Jr., 1-5, 11-12,

65 (Briefs, guest compiler)

Lewis, Dale, 12

Litchf ield-Pawley ' s Island, S. C., 22
Long Beach, N. C., 66
Longs pur, Lapland, 20,22
Loon, Common, 55,65,86,95,111
Red- throated, 55
Lynch, J. Merrill, 50,62

M

Macon County, II. C., 92
Marion (County), S. C., 97
Martin, Purple, 59 (houses for)

Martof, Bernard S., 90

McClellanville, S. C. , 55,65,67,94,112
McConnell, Owen L. , 107
McDowell County, N. C., 99; also see
Old Fort, Yancey-McDowell
Meadowlark, Eastern, 2,101
Merganser, Common, 25,54,66,94
Hooded, 94,107
Red-breasted, 24,85,94
Mockingbird, 100

Moore County, N. C., 66,115; also see
Eagle Springs, Southern Pines,
Whispering Pines

Morehead City, N. C., 22,54,55,56,65,
67,82,94,95,97,111,115,114
Mt. Mitchell State Park, N, C. , 46
Mt. Pleasant, S. C., 55

N

Ilags Head, N. C. , 54,65,94
Hash County, N. C., 112
also see Rocky Mount
Hew Hanover County, N. C., 114; also
see Carolina Beach, Wilmington,
Wrightsville Beach
Highthawk, Common, 56
North Wilkesboro, H. C., 25,28,56,57,
66,67,95,94,95,96,97,112
Northampton County, N, C., 112,115
also see Occoneechee Neck, Seaboard
Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 2,86,90-91
Red-breasted, 20,96
White-breasted, 100

0

Occoneechee Neck, N, C., 6 5,66,67,95,
94,95,97,115,115
Ocracoke Island, N. C., 56
Old Fort, N. C., 55
Oldsquaw, 66,94

Onslow County, N. C., 52,56,65,94,
112,115; also see Alligator Bay
Orange County, N. C., 96; also see
Carrboro , Chapel Hill, Hillsborough
Orangeburg (County)., S. C. , 54,66,94,
107

Oregon Inlet, N. C., 54,55,5 6,65,66,
67,94,111

Oriole, Baltimore, 12,15,82,97,115
Orchard, 20,25,101
Osprey, 11,25,54,66,74,85,94,115
Ovenbird, 2,25,97,101
Overman, Lou, 11
Owl, Bara, 45
Barred, 45,84
Great Homed, 45

Saw-whet, 22,25, No. 2 cover, 59-47,
67,90

Screech, 2,45,51
Short-eared, 25

P

Pamlico County, N. C., 25,85
Parnell, James F. , 11, No. 5 cover,

106

Pawley's Island, S. C. , 66,102
also see Litchf ield-Pawley ' s Is.

118

The Chat

Pea Island ,NWR, N. C., 11,20,28,34,35,
36,61,65,66,67,94,95,106,111,113
also see Bodie-Pea Island
Pelican, Brown, 21,33,111
White, 83

Pender County, N. C., 115
Petrel, Leach's, 29
Wilson's, 31,63 (correction), 93,111
Pewee, Eastern Wood, 2,100
Phalarope, Northern, 35,82,95,114
Red, 95
Wilson's, 114
Phoebe, Eastern, 2,100
Pickens County, S. C., see Clemson
Pintail, 33,84

Plover, American Golden, 34,66,82,95
Black-bellied, 34,95
Piping, 11,22,34,66,113
Semipalmated, 94
Upland, 95
Wilson's, 113
Polk County, N. C., 70
Portsmouth Island, N. C., 113,114
Potter, Eloise P. , 7,12,13,20,82,109
Potter, Patty, 9 (drawing by)

Pratt, Doug, 12,72 (drawing by)
Privette, Avon, Jr., 88-
Probst, F. M. , 12,102

R

Rail, Black, 11,34,83
Virginia, 34,66

Raleigh, N. C., 1,24,28,33,34,35,36,
37,65,66,67,84,93,94,96,111,112,

113.114

Randolph County, N. C., see High Point
Raven , Common , 86,114
Redhead, 34
Redpoll, Common, 67
Redstart, American, 2,11,101,115
Richardson, Anne W. , No. 4 cover
Richland County, 3. C., 96
also see Columbia
Richmond County, N. C., 33
Roanoke Rapids, N. C., 24,30,33,34,35,
36,37,62,65,66,67,84,93,94,95,96,97,

111.112.113.114
Robeson County, N. C., 112
Robin, 26,100,109
Robinson, Lawrence H, , 60,107
Rocky Mount, N. C., 12,23,83
Rutherford County, N. C. , 99

S

Sanderling, 21,73,83
Sandpiper, Buff-breasted, 11,35,114
Curlew, 89
Least, 35,85,95,113
Pectoral, 35,66,113
Semipalmated , 95 , 1 1 4
Spotted, 23,113
Stilt, 11,35,82,113
Western, 35,95,114
White-rumped, 35,82,83,95,113
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 36,108-109
Saveli, William E. , No. 2 cover photo
Scaup, Greater, 65
Lesser, 94,112

Scoter, Common, 34,94,112
Surf, 34

White-winged, 34
Scotland Neck, N. C., 96,110
Seaboard, N. C., 96
Shackleford Bank, N. C., 113,114
Shearwater, Audubon's, 31,33,111
Greater, 31,33,63 (correction),
102,111

Sooty, 33,65,93,102-103,111
Shoveler, 34,65
Shrike , Loggerhead , 64
Simpson, Marcus B. , Jr., 39-47, 69-72,
90-91, 92-93, 108
Singletary Lake, N. C., 37
Siskin, Pine, 97
Skimmer, Black, 36,62
Skyland , N. C., 94,95
Smith, Wendell P. , 56-57
Snipe, Common, 24,25,26,66
Sonneborn, David W. , 29
Sora, 66

South Mountains, N. C., 99-101
Southern Pines, N. C., 23,32,37,64,65,
83,97

Southport, N. C., 22,111
Sparrow, Bachman's, 2,28,84,115
Chipping, 101
Field, 2,101
Grasshopper, 2,28,73
Lark, 12,28
Le Conte's, 83
Lincoln's, 28,97
Song, 101,115
Swamp , 97
Tree, 24,85,86

White-crowned, 26,67,83,86,97
White- throated, 97
Stanly County, N. C. , 25,85
Starling, 110
Statesville, N. C., 84
Stewart, Paul A., 12,48-55,109,110
Stilt, Black-necked, 83
Stokes County, N. C., 114
Sumter (County), S. C., 33,94,96,97
Surry County, N. C., 114
Swallow, Bank, 13,36,96
Barn, 23,85,100
Cliff, 36,85,96
Rough-winged , 96 , 1 00
Tree, 36,96,114
Swan, Whistling, 22,23,33,65
Swift, Chimney, 100

T-U-V

Tanager, Scarlet, 2,37,67,101,115
Summer, 2,37,101
Western, 67,115

Teal, Blue-winged, 31-32,34,112
Common, 21,34,65
Green-winged , 34,112
Tern, Black, 96,114
Caspian, 22,36,96
Common, 35,83,95
Forster's, 35,95,114
Least, 22
Royal, 36
Sandwich, 22,36
Sooty, 36,114

December 1972

119

Teulings, Elizabeth, 61 (photo by)
Thompson, Wallace Mark, 64
Thrasher, Brown, 2,100
Thrush, Swainson's, 22
Wood, 2,3,23,67,100
Titmouse, Tufted, 2,25,32,100
Towhee, Rufous-sided, 2,101
Transylvania County, N. C., 39,42
Turkey, 26,84

Turnstone, Ruddy, 66, No. 3 cover
Tyrrell County, N. C., 37

Umstead State Park, N. C., 1-3,34,37,
96

Vance County, N. C., 112
also see Henderson
Veery, 96

Vireo, Philadelphia, 12,37,84,96
Red-eyed, 2,3,100
Solitary, 2,96,100,101
Warbling, 37,114
White-eyed, 2,100
Yellow-throated, 2,100
Vulture, Black, 24,112
Turkey, 100

W-Z

Wake County, N. C., 88,90,109,114
also see Cary, Raleigh, Umstead Park
Warbler, Audubon's, 12

Black-and-white, 23,100,115

Blackburnian, 12

Blackpoll, 20,23,82,83,97

Black- throated Blue, 37,83,96

Black- throated Green, 12,83,100,101

Blue-winged, 37

Brewster's, 37,84

Canada , 37

Cape May, 11

Cerulean, 84,96

Chestnut-sided, 37,101

Connecticut, 37

Golden-winged, 37

Hooded, 2,37,101

Kentucky, 2,101

Lawrence's, 83*96

Mourning, 84-85

Nashville, 12,37,86,96

0 range-crowned , 24,37,67
Palm, 11

Parula, 2,67,100
Pine, 2,3,101
Prairie, 2,67,101
Prothonotary, 37,85,96,115
Swainson's, 37,84,86, 96, 1 00, 1 01 ,115
Tennessee, 85
Wilson's, 12,37,97
Worm-eating, 37,115
Yellow, 100,115
Yellow- throated, 2,101
Warren County, N. C., 115
Watauga County, N. C., 113
also see Blowing Rock
Waterthrush, Louisiana, 2,37,101
Northern, 97

Waxwing, Cedar, 37,96,114
Wayne County, N. C., see Goldsboro
West Jefferson, N. C., 36
Whimbrel, 34, 113
Whip-poor-will, 2,23,63,67,83
Whispering Pines, N. C., 66,113,114
Widgeon, American, 34,85,94,112
European, 34

Wilkes County, N. C., 66
also see North Wilkesboro
Willet, 113

Wilmington, N. C., 22,28,37,64,67,

73 (correction), 83
Winston-Salem, N. C., 24,28,33,37,65,
66,67,84,97,112
Wintyen, Mary K. , 64
Woodcock, American, 107,113
Woodpecker, Downy, 2,100
Hairy, 2,100

Pileated, 100, No. 4 cover
Red-bellied, 2
Wren, Carolina, 2,100
House, 23,24
Short-billed Marsh, 36
Wrightsville Beach, N. C. , 28,33,34,65,
66,67,111,114

Yancey-McDowell Counties, N. C., 26,73,
85; also see Mt. Mitchell State Park
Yellowlegs, Greater, 34,66,95
Lesser, 66,95,113
Yellowthroat, 2,24,67,101

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, P.O. Box 386, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T. M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S. C.

Mrs. Edwin W. Winkler, 509 Gardner St., Raleigh, N. C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N. C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N. C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Joseph R. Norwood, Charlotte, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington.
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston

Immediate Past President Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S. C.

Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

/X u*-'

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 37

March 1973

No. 1

The Chat

Vol. 37 March 1973 No. 1

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Route 1, Tiger, Georgia 30576

CBC Roundtable Annie R. Faver, Route 2, Box 4, Eastover, S.C. 29044

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Long-billed Do witcher Identification, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 1

Conservation 4

CBC Roundtable 6

Christmas Bird Count — 1972 8

General Field Notes 23

A Nest of the Swallow-tailed Kite at Wambaw Creek,

Charleston County, S.C., John Emmett Cely 23

Second Bridled Tern Specimen from North Carolina,

Gilbert S. Grant 23

Traill’s Flycatchers Nesting at Raleigh, N.C.,

Edmund K. LeGrand and Harry E. LeGrand Jr 24

Olive-sided Flycatcher at Montreat, N.C., Jane P. Holt 24

Sprague’s Pipit at Raleigh, N.C., Ross Silcock,

Chris Marsh, Robert Small, and Robert Downs 25

Mountain Fall Record of Wilson’s Warbler at Montreat, N.C.,

Jane P. Holt 25

Clutch of Unusually Large Eggs Laid by Rufous-sided Towhee,

Eloise F. Potter 26

A Le Conte’s Sparrow Record for Moore County, N.C.,

J. H. Carter III and James F. Parnell 26

Notes on Wintering Lapland Longspurs

in Northampton County, N.C., /. Merrill Lynch 27

Briefs for the Files 29

CB@

OUR COVER— James F. Parnell photographed an
immature Bonaparte’s Gull in flight. This bird is
representative of more than 35,000 gulls tallied by CBC
participants in the record-breaking 1972 Christmas
Bird Count.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
IDENTIFICATION

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

The scarcity of Long-billed Dowitcher ( Limnodromus scolopaceus ) records in North
Carolina is primarily due to the difficulty in separating this species from the more
common Short-billed Dowitcher {Limnodromus griseus). Although Grant and Browne
(1970) summarized the status of both species in the state, their paper dealt with the
distribution of the two species rather than with the methods used for identifying the
two. The purpose of this paper is to discuss several techniques which are useful in
separating the Long-billed Dowitcher (hereafter designated LBD) from the Short-billed
Dowitcher (hereafter SBD), using both the data collected by Edmund LeGrand and me
and material published elsewhere by others who have studied both species in detail.

1. VISUAL FIELD MARKS-In the spring the LBD is considerably darker rusty
colored on the underparts than the SBD. At all seasons the LBD is more streaked and
barred on the breast and belly, whereas the SBD is often spotted or devoid of markings
underneath (Robbins et al., 1966; Easterla, 1970). Since the LBD is apparently rare on
the Atlantic coast in the spring and the breast and belly coloration is greatly reduced in
the fall, we have found the barred underparts the most useful plumage field mark on fall
birds. The bills of many LBD are noticeably longer than those of the SBD (hence the
common names). Although some LBD can probably be identified by bill length alone,
the fact that bill lengths of shorebirds vary considerably within species makes identifica-
tion by this character alone tricky and generally not conclusive. Our observations on bill
lengths agree with those of Small (1958) and Ogden (1964).

2. CALL NOTES-In the opinion of those ornithologists who have recently studied
LBD, the only sure way to identify the LBD is by its call. Much has been presented in
the literature (see Small, 1958; Buckley and Buckley, 1967; and Ogden, 1964) about the
validity of its call note in separating it from the SBD, and our observations compare
favorably with the literature. The LBD call is a single note, “keet” or “peep,” or a short
series of this note. Since we have on occasions seen this species in tight flocks, the calls
of the flock when flushed are very distinctive and reminiscent of young chicks or a
chorus of frogs. Ogden (1964) states:

“While griseus [SBD] very rarely calls except as they are flushed, scolopaceus
[LBD] will continue to give their ‘peep’ notes as they fly around after taking
flight. Several times I have identified LBD in the air by hearing their regularly
uttered ‘peep’ notes even before the flock was close enough to identify the bird
by sight as Dowitcher.”

On the other hand, the SBD call, as is well known, is similar to that of the Lesser
Yellowlegs {Totanus flavipes) and can be described as “too-too” or “too-too-too,”
almost always in a series of single notes. The SBD calls are the only ones we have heard
given by birds on salt-water mudflats along the North Carolina coast, whereas we have
heard both species in the fresh and brackish ponds on the Outer Banks.

3. HABITAT AND HABITS-A11 of the LBD we have ever seen were found in
fresh-water or brackish-water areas, and most of these have been on impoundments. This
preference for fresh-water has been noted by many other observers, and Buckley and
Buckley (1967) have found that in southeastern Virginia the LBD is found on fresh- or
brackish-water pools, especially after 1 October. This habitat preference is a very helpful
character in the identification of LBD. The SBD is primarily a bird of the salt-water
mudflats and sandflats. It also occurs regularly in fresh-water areas and often out-
numbers the LBD in a given impoundment where both are present, especially in the

March 1973

1

spring. The points to remember are that any dowitcher seen in a salt-water habitat is
almost certainly a SBD, but that both species can occur together in fresh or brackish
areas.

I have noticed that the LBD seems to feed in deeper water than does the SBD. At the
Bodie Island lighthouse pond the water level has been so high on one or two occasions
that only American Avocets ( Recurvirostra americana ), Greater Yellowlegs (T. mela-
noleucus), and LBD have been seen feeding there. Both species of dowitchers feed in
fairly tight groups. Mixed flocks are apparently not unusual, and in several of the flocks
of LBD we have studied there have been a few SBD, based on call notes of flushed birds.

4. PERIODS OF MIGRATION— The SBD is well known as an early fall migrant along
the Atlantic coast. The peak of its migration is in July and August, even though many
birds remain to winter on the North Carolina coast. In the spring the species is a late
migrant, often becoming abundant along the coast from late April into June. For
example, we recorded about 4,000 SBD at Bodie-Pea Islands on 16 and 17 May 1970
and about 400 there on 13 through 15 June 1971. On the other hand, several observers
have mentioned that the LBD is an early spring and a late fall migrant in the eastern
United States. Urner and Storer (1949) recorded only two LBD in the spring in their
study area on the northern and central New Jersey coast during a 10-year period, one
bird each on 18 April and 2 May 1937. In the fall they found that the principal period of
migration for the LBD was between 19 September and 27 October, with high counts on
27 September, 10 October, and 13 October. Conversely, their data showed that the
principal movements of SBD occurred between 4 May and 25 May and between 6 July
and 24 August. Buckley and Buckley (1968) consider the LBD a regular but rare spring
migrant in southeastern Virginia, with records between 20 April and 5 May. In the fall
they found it to be an uncommon migrant between the dates of 15 September and 1
November. We have not seen LBD in the spring, and the species appears to be rare along
most of the Atlantic coast during this season. However, the LBD is definitely more
common along the Atlantic coast in the fall than in the spring. My brother and I have
recorded this species on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on seven occasions in fall and
winter. Our LBD records are as follows:

15+

26 September 1971

Bodie Island

50+

3 October 1970

Bodie Island

1

11 October 1969

Bodie Island

30

30 October 1971

Pea Island

1

14 November 1970

Pea Island

40

30 December 1971

Bodie Island

12

30 January 1971

Pea Island

These sightings agree with those of other published records in that the LBD is
definitely a late fall migrant. Although the latter two observations are winter records, the
LBD is apparently not a regular winter resident on the Outer Banks or elsewhere in
North Carolina.

SUMMARY

There are several techniques which are helpful, if not necessary, for distinguishing
between the Long-billed Dowitcher (LBD) and the Short-billed Dowitcher (SBD). The
best field mark for the LBD is a single “keet” call note or a series of the same, whereas
the SBD has a rapid “too-too” or “too-too-too” call note. Other helpful points in
separating the two species are that the LBD has a slightly longer bill than the SBD,
somewhat more barred underparts in the fall, a preference for fresh- and brackish- water
areas rather than salt-water areas, and a later period of migration in the fall (after
mid-September, as compared to a migration peak in July and August for the SBD).

2

The Chat

LITERATURE CITED

Buckley, P.A. and F.G. Buckley. 1967. The current status of certain birds in the Virginia
capes area. I. Fall and winter 1966-1967 observations. Raven, 38:39-45.

Buckley, P.A. and F.G. Buckley. 1968. The current status of certain birds in the Virginia
capes area. II. April 1967-July 1968 observations. Raven, 39:27-40.

Easterla, D. 1970. Dowitcher, Long-billed and Short-billed (identification). Birding, 2:
Insert.

Grant, G.S. and M.M. Browne. 1970. Status of the dowitchers in North Carolina. Chat,
34:93-94.

Ogden, J.C. 1964. The dowitchers in Tennessee. Migrant, 35:2-6.

Robbins; C.S., B. Bruun, and H.S. Zim. 1966. Birds of North America. Golden Press,
Inc., New York.

Small, A. 1958. Southern Pacific coast region. Audubon Field Notes, 12:384-387.

Urner, C.A. and R.W. Storer. 1949. Distribution and abundance of shorebirds on the
north and central New Jersey coast, 1928-1938. Auk, 66:177-194.

March 1973

3

. . . with Marie Mellinger

YOUTH AND CONSERVATION

JAMES W. R El NIG, Guest Columnist

If one looks at today’s active “ecology” groups, one will notice that most of them
have something in common: they are usually primarily composed of and run by young
people. This is interesting when one realizes that many people consider the youth of
today to be apathetic to “old” ideas such as conservation. So why should the young
people of this nation be so concerned with ecology and conservation? By examining the
motives of various ecology groups the answer can be easily discerned.

Ecology related groups today range in interests from old-fashioned conservation to
such modern concepts as material recycling and pollution and pesticide control.
However, all of these groups have the same general purpose, that is to guard and protect
our natural heritage, even though they go about it in many different ways.

Organizations like the Nature Conservancy try to gain immediate protection of land
and wildlife by buying blocks of land and setting up nature sanctuaries. Recycling groups
have a more farsighted approach. They try to get the maximum use from a natural
material, paper or aluminum for example. Their logic is that the more paper or
aluminum one can use over, the fewer trees that will have to be cut down or the smaller
amount of land that will have to undergo the ravaging effects of mining. Some
eco-groups serve as watchdogs over polluting cities and factories. One of the largest and
most active conservation groups is made up solely of young people. The six million
members of the Boy Scouts of America are dedicated to protecting nature and
promoting conservation.

Many people are “ecologists” on their own, that is not belonging to any organization.
Most of the volunteers to clean up the effects of oil spills, for example, are just
individuals that want to lend a hand in cleaning up our environment.

The uniting idea among all these groups is always to try to protect nature from the
assaults of man. It is to fight for our natural heritage so that following generations might
have the opportunity to enjoy it also.

When one realizes the latter purpose of these groups, the answer to our question
becomes obvious. It is the young people who are going to live in this environment for the
next half century or so. They do not want to be forced to breathe polluted air and drink
dirty water in the 21st century. They want their children to have the same chance to
enjoy nature that they had.

The reason is not so cloudy after all. Young people regard ecology and conservation
as a matter of survival - their own.— 1014 Stanton Drive, North Augusta, S.C. 29841.

[James W. Reinig is an Eagle Scout and one of four young men from North Augusta,
S.C., who received Hornaday Award Medals from the Boy Scouts of America for their
outstanding contribution to conservation in working for protection of birds of prey in
South Carolina. A 1972 honor graduate of North Augusta High School, Jim is currently
a freshman at Harvard University. Jim’s paper on the nesting habits of Red-cockaded
Woodpeckers received a first place award in the biological sciences from South Carolina
Junior Academy of Sciences in 1972. As a result of his scholastic ability and

4

The Chat

achievements in conservation, Jim has received a grant from the Explorer’s Club of New
York City, which he plans to use in the summer of 1973 to study the natural history of
Nepal. We are truly proud to have young men like Jim Reinig working to make our
world a better place to live in this century and the next.— ED.]

What Happened to Arbor Day?

April has three holidays that should be celebrated in all of our schools and by all
bird, botany, and conservation groups. The first holiday was Arbor Day. The idea for a
special tree planting day originated with J. Sterling Morton, and the date of the first
Arbor Day was 10 April 1872. Arbor day became part of the spring school schedule in
Ohio, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where the children studied
trees and took part in special programs and tree planting ceremonies. Some of these
states even printed a glossy publication on nature and conservation for the use of the
schools. Birdsey Northrup of Connecticut traveled and lectured on the need for the
conservation of trees and the Arbor Day concept.

What happened to Arbor Day? Perhaps we need a modern day Northrup. Edward P.
Cliff, of the U.S. Forest Service wrote, “trees are increasingly recognized as a vital asset
in soil and water conservation and in upgrading the quality of the whole environment.
The potential benefits are many, cooling shade, better air to breathe, protection from
winds, habitat for birds and wildlife, a pleasant and serene environment, and an increase
in natural beauty.” Arbor Day was such a simple idea, perhaps we need to return to a
simple idea in our complex society.

Bird Day was an offshoot of Arbor Day, and originated in Pennsylvania in 1894. It
was sometimes celebrated on the second Friday in April, but more often combined with
Arbor Day as Arbor and Bird Day. Trees and birds definitely go together. An important
part of every Arbor Day was putting out birdhouses. This again is a simple concept that
should gain more importance today. David H. Kennemur, of Spartanburg, S.C., wrote,
“One small nestbox for bluebirds, a better world for Mankind.”

All birders everywhere should combine and lobby to make 26 April a national
holiday! Why? Because that is the birthday of John James Audubon. What better time
for a birder to be born than April, when the air is alive with bird wings, and the morning
chorus of bird song fills the air? In the Audubon opera, Minor for the Sky , Jessamyn
West wrote, “He painted himself in every picture so he would never die.” But much
greater than any of the Audubon bird paintings is the movement he started, or that
started in his name, a movement that has grown from merely looking at birds, to
preserving their habitat, to a total concept of the bird, the tree, and the environment.

Plant a tree and put up a birdhouse! A simple thing for each person to do. Multiply
this by thousands and make this a better world.

Special Note

By this time most of you have probably viewed Deliverance , or at least seen the film
clips on television. The picture was partially filmed on the Chattooga River, but the
beauty of the river is obscured by the violence of the action. The constant theme is that
of “man as a natural killer who must conquer nature.” It would be more fitting and
more in keeping with the beautiful river if man learned to live with it instead of against
it!

March 1973

5

CB@

H^o<uuttoi)fe

. . . with Annie Rivers Faver

Another Possible Explanation for Anting

I was very much interested in the article in the March 1972 issue of the Chat -
“What on Earth is Anting?”. I have observed it only one time. Last 19 August (1971) I
noticed a Catbird that was anting in my backyard and returned to get my wife to come
see it. When we returned to the yard, the bird had flown to a low branch in a holly tree,
but soon returned to the ground and continued behaving as described in the Chat. I
failed to record the time of day, but believe it was about the middle of the afternoon.

On this particular occasion, the ground was alive with swarming ants - both winged
and without wings. I do not know the name of the variety of ants, but I know from past
experience that this particular variety carries the strong, distinct odor of citronella,
which was used for years as a mosquito repellent until more effective synthetic repellents
replaced it.

I quote from the article: “The most intensive anting took place within 48 hours after
rainfall during and following prolonged wet spells in August, such as those associated
with the passing of tropical storms.” Prolonged wet spells would certainly be a good time
for mosquitos. Until it is proved or disapproved, I believe that anting is done to repel
mosquitos, which is at least as logical as the other reasons submitted. -FRED S. HILL
JR., 2750 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104, 29 May 1972.

Are There Any Records of Birds Feeding on Mushrooms?

Every morning I throw baby-chick scratch feed and sunflower seeds out of my
kitchen window, as well as supplying the two window feeders. This had been a week of
continual fogs and rain, and there were clusters of brown or light tan mushrooms on the
stump of the pecan tree and along through the grass where the roots of the tree had been
near the surface. In checking on the feeding birds, I noticed one White-throated Sparrow
scratching and feeding on the cap of one of the mushrooms. I called Kay Sisson in
Columbia and asked if she had ever heard of such a thing. She suggested that possibly
there were insects or worms in the cap. So I went outside . . . the bird had gone by
then . . . but there was no sign of insect life, although the top of the cap had been
broken by the bird’s scratching and the inside had been pecked like a bird would feed on
a slice of bread. It had been feeding vigorously, and apparently enjoying the feast.

From my book, the Golden Press issue on “Non-flowering Plants” by Shuttleworth
and Zim, I chose the picture of the “Jack-O’-Lantern” or Deceiving Clitocybe as most
closely resembling the mushrooms. Many of the mushrooms were torn up and scattered,
but I never did see anything else feeding on them. I have seen squirrels eating the
common white “button” mushrooms along the edge of the woods along the driveway.
-ANNIE RIVERS FAVER, Route 2, Box 4, Eastover, S.C. 29044.

6

The Chat

A Question About Brown Creeper Behavior

Regarding the feeding behavior of the Brown Creeper, A.C. Bent comments in his
Life Histories of North American Nuthatches, Wrens, Thrashers, and Their Allies : “We
think of the creeper as always climbing upward over the bark in a straight or spiral
course until, after reaching a fair height on the trunk, he drops to the base of another
tree to ascend it in like manner. This is his ordinary way of feeding, but he often varies
it. We may sometimes see him take a short hop backward to reinvestigate a crevice in the
bark, or take a hop sideways to broaden the field of his research, and, as we have noted
under “Nesting,” a bird may visit a slender branch and even perch on it, and he may also
hitch along the underside of a horizontal branch, his back to the ground.” Nowhere does
Bent offer an explanation for the fact that creepers sometimes spiral and sometimes do
not, nor for their apparent preference for the underside of horizontal limbs, although he
seems fascinated by this particular aspect of their feeding behavior.

Our home is located in a mixed pine and deciduous woods, and the house has vertical
fir siding with a stain finish. Nearly every winter we have a resident Brown Creeper that
feeds on insect goodies in crevices of our siding as well as in the bark of our trees. This
winter we have made a special effort to note whether the bird ever feeds in full sunlight.
We have watched our creeper move straight up the shady side of one tree after another
without ever visiting the sides in full sun. We have watched the bird move up various
planks on the house, carefully avoiding those in full sun. When feeding on the shady side
of the house, the bird will go up one plank and fly to the base of the adjacent one. We
have watched it spiral tree trunks on overcast days, and once it spiraled into dappled
sunlight on a sunny day. Sometimes the bird will zigzag up the shady side of a tree,
venturing to the very edges of the sunlight but never moving into it. Once I watched a
creeper foraging on the underside of a horizontal limb that turned sharply downward
about 10 feet from the main trunk of an oak. When the bird reached the bend and would
have had to move into full sunlight had it continued out the same branch, it returned to
the trunk and moved to the shaded underside of the limb above.

Although such factors as wind direction or the relative abundance of insect larvae on
the north side of trees might have influenced our Brown Creeper, we presently believe
that the bird avoids full sunlight because its protective coloration is more effective in
shade than in sun. The fact that creepers freeze at the approach of danger tends to
support our theory. -ELOISE F. POTTER, P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597, 25
January 1973.

CORRECTION: Spring Bird Count— 1972

J.H. Carter III has called the Editor’s attention to an unfortunate error in the
Southern Pines, N.C., column of the species table for the 1972 Spring Bird Count {Chat,
36:77). The numbers for Killdeer (3), American Woodcock (1), Spotted Sandpiper (7),
Solitary Sandpiper (5), Greater Yellowlegs (3), and Lesser Yellowlegs (1) were printed
one space too high. This results in erroneous listings for Wilson’s Plover, Ruddy
Turnstone, Upland Plover, and Willet (which were not found at Southern Pines) and for
the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (both of which were found). The original copy for the
table was correct, so the total individuals column is printed correctly. Only the Southern
Pines column should be altered in your copy of the September 1972 Chat, page 77.— ED.

March 1973

7

jaqiusoaa t£ ^jey
-uij/\f Aeolus leajc)

iaqiuaaaa gi
'3‘N '‘°0 naMOQOIAI-AsouBx

jaqmaoaa gi
‘O'N 'oJoqsa>j|!M MUON

jaqujaoaQ pz
O N 'epuoy-uj>ji3

jaqtuaoaQ Q8
'O’N ' oo Ajuejs

- Ajenuep j,
*0*N ‘ °0 !lsPSJi

jaquiaoaa 18
O’N 'IISH ladeuQ

jaqujaoaQ 82
O N 'MBisisy

Ajenuep i
‘D’N 'spfdey a>)ousoy

* I o

jaqujaoaQ pz
*3'S 'ua>|!V

jaqiuaoaQ 91
’3’S 'esquiniOQ

jaqujaoaQ iz
’O’N "°0 oojioiej

jaqiuaoaQ tS
’3’N "03 uojneag

CO © * f-

° I " i

10 8 M ! S

o

§

O I LT5 | «— to

CD CO »“ CO I

-ss I

C3) CM 0 (0 W
CO »- «-

S3 § § *■

n§rs

! ® s

sjenpsAjpuf

I

oc Q '

X <r

|a-| t 1! II I 1 1 ! 1 1 ^ *

a fe a . »> §■ d. 10 s as -8 . £ ® „ dga-s-6-g,

O 3 m o m

■5 _ o

&

€

I S k

£ o o

OSfflUMKIUIHJMUlIKOICllliOtlM''

Illliili lltfi

K!BEh^U>W>CQU<<Wa:

jaqiuaoaa t£ *>|jed

■|iej\j -ui[/\| Aeolus *eajc)

jaqiuaoaa qz
'O'N "°0 Aj3av

jaqiuaoaa qz

'O'N ''°0 IJ3AAPJB0

jaqiuaoaa 91
'O'N 'OJoqsa>||!M MiJON

jaqiuaoaa q£
OS ^IIJAuaajQ

Ajanuep [
'O'N ‘'00 JISP3JI

jaqiuaoaa LZ
•O'N 'uosjapuan

A-senuep i
'O'N 'spidey a>joueoy

jaqiuaoaa gg
'O'N 'S8u!d ujaqinos

jaqiuaoaa QC
O S 'uojsajjeqo

H jaqiuaoaa 02

< 'O'S "sl s,Aa|Med-psa!|uoin

jaqiuaoaa 91
'O'N 'uo^BusiunM

jaqiuaoaa 00
'O’N 'puejsi ead-sipog

o 00 T-

05 <D ID T-

00 CO «-

o «- r- O r^- T- in

:= ^ s s

(D f* O) O

I ® I ?!
| ID | CN

- s

O ID

O CO O)

O5cvjco^-cor^co*-r^cn

nr-ocsiCDin^'-

8 -

£ I

00

^ ■§

o o

i "8 ?

f ~ = "§ g 5

? °> o -n -a J5

§I^MI =

3 8 ||

f I S

I e § si

t3mo3(5m°wS

■c -a > c o fe «

|| s ^ ii i ! ^ S 6

co>-E!EIE>-xoiewx

w-^EEug-^’gi

! ; e e i » s f ?

h to u o it m u

i -d e 1 1 s

: -c u g g

g §

-5 »

JJJl

CD 1=

S I I 1 1 I | £ 1 3
§£.5ifi£g3.3fil5

i I i i

S ■§ 8 8

CO DC g I

jaqiuaosQ i£

1 1

1 I

3

o

j

CM

!

1

00 03

1

o

CO

Oi

CO

CM

©

o

•|1EN 'U1IAI Aeolus teajg

"

1

CM

1

i

1

1 1

'

1 1

-

1

03

‘

1

1

in

9

CO

S

CM

00

s

jSqUJ333Q 08

j |

CD

CM

CM

CO

s

1

CM CD

i

00

o

©

CM

C D

'3'N 'P-IEA3Ja

1

1

1

|

1 I

|

! 1

S

o

J

1

1

CO

CM

vr

vr

CM

CD

JSqUJ333Q 08

1 1

vr

I 1

O

CD

380

CM

J

1

in

1

s:

CO

CO

©

©

©

H

■Q'N "°D aqwooung

^ g

|

CM

1

|

!

1

!

1 9

f !

cn

1

1

8

1

CO

8

r-

©

a

5

5

J3qUi333Q gj.

n

1

CO OM

1

©

©

©

O N OD ii3MOQ0|AS-A30U8A

V{-

1

1

1

1

1

9 1

1 i

CM

CM

I

CM CD

I

r's

CM

©

t-'

Vf

J3QUJ333Q QZ

"O’N "°0 Ajsa v

*■ a

1

1

-

!

1

1

1

1

1

1

i

|

1

1

1 1
! 9

599

!

2

2

00

9

1

13

73

1

9

s

©

©

o

s

237

CO

J0QUJ333G 02

1 l

1

•a-

1

1

1 1

C*3

n.

1

1

I ^

9

m

s

©

px.

©

©

©

'3'N "°3 lia^PIV)

1 1

1

1 J

1

I

1

1

i

i i

I

1 1

o

03

1

1

| CM

9

CO

00

©

J3qUJ333Q 91

CM

'O'N '0J0qsa>||iM

1 1

I

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

!

1

1

1 I
1 1

!

9

! !

§

|

*

03

1

9

j 00

1

1

©

310

00

©

CM

J3qil9333Q PZ

103

vt

|

| |

vf

O

|

CM 03

!

s

eo

CO

©

©

'O'N 'epuoy-uijjig

1

1

1

I

1

1

1 i

1

1 1

03

1

CM

1

1

1

CD

©

J3qUJ333Q 00

‘D'S e3||SAU33i9

!

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

j

I

1

1

1

I 1
1 1

1

1

1 1
1 9

CM

!

in

CO

3

-

1

1

j -

1

1

§

967 2

©

©

o

©

J3qUU333Q 08

IO

m

I

CO

i

CM

CM

CD

I

1^ OM

I

03

03

CM

00

©

'O'N ‘suousijo

!

IM

1

1

1

!

1 1

1

1 1

$

!

03

CM

1

00

1

P**

eo

CM

5

so'

J3qiU333Q 08

’O'N "'°0 ^]UBiS

14

92

1

1

s

1

1

1

9

1

1

1

1

i i

1

1

1 1
1 1

594

m

§

439

-

1

1

1 ^

9

1

03

n*.

1

a

§

S

H

pC

5

Ajenuep i

.

00

|

1 !

S

i

|

i 03

j

CM

©

©

©

8

Q

'O'N "°3 I|8P3J|

1

CM

1

1

1

1

1 9

1

i i

CO

i

1

1

9

CO

?

K

J3qiU333Q 08

15

360

CM

03

1 9

00

CD

456

00 so

I

©

CO

©

CM

©

'O'N 'tusfes-ucnsujftA

1

1

1

1

9 9

9 1

§

eo

8

9

CO

©

CM

©

©

J3q UJ333Q 08

m

,

1 ;

783

j

109

CO

436

*3-

j

8

s

©

CM

©

r-*

'3'N 'oioqsu33J9

1

1

1

!

1 9

1

I 1

I

1

1

00

•*3-

©

CD

J0qUJ333Q l£

^ ©

in

in

I

1 |

as

o

n

1

o

CD

|

«- n-

|

in

o

©

%

183

'O'N * i i : H (sdeqo

ID

UJ

1

!

1

1 1

1 1

§

03

w

1

1

03

p^

n»"

J3qUJ333Q £Z

*=•

1 1

CM

in

vf

|

CM CD

s

©

©

©

s

194

'O'N 'M&ajey

^ £

£

in

1

j

1

1 1

1 1

15

8

s

1

r** n*

9

CM

<o

so

i3qUJ333Q IZ

1 -

,

,

3

9 9

8

j

CM

i

i •sf

9

s

<-

CM

CM

©

©

"O'N 'uosjapuan

1

1

”

1

1

1

1

1 9

1

1 1

1

00

1

1

!

s

CM

©

Aienuep \

© S

00

144

303

I

I

I

1 1

!

9 9

m

604

CD

[

133

559

m

103

1

C3

CO

©

©

©

'O’N 'spidey svc-uscy

I

1

1

1 1

1

1 9

5

|

9

©

CM’

CO

3

J3qUJ333Q PZ

"0*S 'u®>9!V

1 go
! £!

r**

03

1

!

1

1

1

1

1 1
1 1

03

1 1
1 1

1

a

s

s

CO

1

1

6

63

1

1

2

I

-

ro

a

00

J3qiU333Q 95,

‘O'S 'esq^nioo

1 &

03

e©

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 1
1 1

2

! 1
1 1

S

-

145

420

CM

1

1

o zz
00

1

1

S

1

©

©

©

8

5

z

n*

<

J3qai333a 98

1 u,

1

1

1

I

1 1

,

1 1

„

»-

03

j

|

CM 03

|

CM

©

©

ro

a.

■q's 'uQ|i«a

1

I

1

1

1

1 1

I 1

CO

CM

03

1

1

1

m

s

©

-j

r-“

<

I

J3qLU333Q 92

’0'ISJ 'ssuy iuei|inos

36

25

R

5

CD

1

1

1

1

I

1 1
1 1

1 1
1 1

307

00

§

100

K

1

9

13

33

1

1

r^.

00

©

©

©

"

©

209

J8qUJ333Q IZ

| 03

1

CM

|

|

|

i 9

in

CM

1

m 03

vr

cv

§

'O’N ''°3 oo\\wed

1

CM

in

1

1

1

1 I

1

1 j

CM

1

1

S

CM

J3qUJ333Q l£

j i"*

03

CD

I

I

I

I |

1 9

CM

03

CO

O

!

00

I

s

©

©

©

tM

CM

©

‘3'N f'°3 uo^neea

1 -

1

1

1

1

9 9

1

1 9

CO

CM

CM

1

1

8.

CM

J3qiU333Q 92

s

'3’S 'pUBjSj pB3H UOlijH

<° §

1

1

R

|

|

1

!

CM

j

190

8

03

in

03

CD

g

1

1

2

44

1

1

1

5

2

901

222

pf

J3qUJ333Q 08

*D‘S 'uojssjJBqo

i S

1

1 1

| ^

8

2

s

:.r.

m 5

1

8

"

8

fe

i3qiU339Q 08

1 3

|

©

(

f

f

( |

CM

r>. 03

03

©

©

rt

2

<

8

’3*S "S| S/0|MBd-p|9!*MOJn

1 ®

1

00

1

1

1

1

1 9

S

CD

03

1

CO CM

!

CO

*“

CM

J3qiI!933Q 9t

*3’N 'U0j6u;uij5,v\

^ ©
00

1

1

8

-

1

1

-

30

19

!

257

CM

CD

1

s

1

1

165

378

!

1

5

px.

©

00

a

©

2

125

1

s'

J3QUJ933G 18

* ©

!

oo

s

!

CD *■=

1 1

CM

O

CD

|

CO 1-

|

g

©

n

©

n

‘3‘N ‘&l\0 pBsq3JO|Ai

in

1

T“

i

1

|

9 1

CM

CM

1

«= in

1

8.

©

2

jsqiuaosQ 08
O N 'PUBjSj B3d-0[POQ

113

79

\

!

119

1

1

1

!

CO CO
vr

!

1 1

5

2

2

in

S

1

9

302

266

I

1

m

!

5

©

OJ

©

I

sjenpiAipui

^ 00

©

r>.

CM

S

CO

O

03

CM

O

m

230

©

©

8

|

©

©

lejoi

£

©

CO CO

CM

I

s

CO

§

2 8

S

©’

S

O

«-=*■

ID

jj

H

g

£

|

5

§

»-

1

CHRISTMA
BIRD COUN
1972

Pine Siskin
Am. Goldfinch

Red Crossbill

1

0

1
££

Ipswich Sparrow

0

1

1

1

1

Grasshopper Sp.

s.

1

Q

a*

Henslow's Sparrc

Sharp- tailed Sp.
Seaside Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

Lark Sparrow
Bachman's Sp.

Slate-col. Junco

Tree Sparrow

Chipping Sparroc

Field Sparrow

White-cr. Sparrov

0

1
C/3

xf

6

I

Fox Sparrow

Lincoln's Spar ro

Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow

!

0

-J

1
I

Total no. species

1

i

o

Field observers

Yard observers

Field parties

Party-hours

Party-miles

‘Seen in count area during count period but not on count day.
tFigure below includes some Black-capped Chickadees.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT— 1972

ELOISE F. POTTER

230 SPECIES! Yes, CBC birders found 230 species on count days in the Carolinas
during the 1972 Christmas Bird Count. This total is eight more than the record of 222
set in 1971.

Wilmington led with 161 species, closely followed by Hilton Head Island (160),
Bodie-Pea Island (157), and Charleston (147). Roanoke Rapids set a new piedmont
record with 103 species while Raleigh tied its previous high of 96. Yancey-McDowell
Counties set a new mountain record with 74 species despite below freezing temperatures
throughout the count day.

The total number of individuals recorded is 2,231,735, a surprisingly low figure
considering that Charlotte alone listed nearly that many birds in 1971. This year
Buncombe County was the only locality reporting a major blackbird roost and thus the
only one having more than a million birds.

Among the 30 count areas are five from the mountains, including a new one centered
near Brevard in Transylvania County, N.C. Although the total number of observers
increased from 507 to 653 and field parties increased from 159 to 180, the party-hours
remained about the same and party-miles decreased slightly. Apparently the success of
the 1972 Christmas Bird Count can be attributed at least in part to having many small
parties afield on foot and lots of competent observers really beating the bushes for the
rare and secretive species. Proof of this is the sighting of both Black and Yellow Rails at
Bodie-Pea Island and Le Conte’s, Henslow’s, and Lincoln’s Sparrows at Charleston.

Weather conditions during the count period were generally pleasant. The coldest
weather occurred on 16 December, which found birders in the Yancey-McDowell area
braving 0 to 24 F temperatures and winds up to 75 mph atop Mt. Mitchell. This was the
only place that the thermometer stayed below freezing throughout the count day, but at
North Wilkesboro the high for the day was only 34 F. Rain, ranging from a morning
drizzle at Aiken to all-day precipitation in Beaufort County, N.C., somewhat hampered
birders in various count areas on 23, 24, 30, and 31 December.

The present census adds four species to the All-time Christmas Bird Count List for
the Carolinas and offers the first count day record of the Long-eared Owl (Charleston,
heard only). The list now stands at 276 species with this year’s 230 species representing
83% of the total for 1937 through 1972. Additions are the Black Rail (Bodie-Pea Island),
American Golden Plover (Bodie-Pea Island), Ringed Turtle Dove (Winston-Salem), and
Le Conte’s Sparrow (Charleston). The Ringed Turtle Doves, according to C. Royce
Hough, are introduced birds that have bred successfully in the wild for at least 3 years.
The A.O.U. Check-list (1957) recognizes the presence of similar colonies at various sites
across the United States.

Three trends appear in a comparison of the present count with those of recent
years. 1) Gulls continue to increase as winter residents of the Carolinas. The number of
Ring-billed Gulls found this year is more than double last year’s total. Inland Roanoke
Rapids reported 5,722 while Columbia, Henderson, and Stanly County listed 210, 163,
and 145 respectively. 2) Evening Grosbeaks and Purple Finches are visiting the Carolinas
this winter in unprecedented numbers, but Pine Siskins are relatively scarce. 3) The
House Finch continues to increase as a winter resident in piedmont North Carolina. The
only new recording point is Caldwell County (four birds); however, Greensboro reported
82 House Finches, Winston-Salem 49, Raleigh 35, and Charlotte 32. In 1970 eight
counts listed a total of 60 House Finches, and just 2 years later the total is 214 from
nine areas.

Finally, the 1972 Christmas Bird Count lists a large number of lingering migrants,
some of them unusually far inland such as the Common Egret at Brevard, the Tree
Swallow at Greenville, S.C., and the American Redstart in Iredell County. Other

14

The Chat

CBC CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT STATISTICS

1972

1937-1971

Total number species . . . .

230 . .

222 (1971)

Total number individuals .

2,231,735 . .

7,636,868 (1960)

Number count areas

30..

......... 29 (1966)

Total number observers . .

653 . .

507 (1971)

Field parties

180..

159 (1971)

Party-hours

1,478.5 . .

1,465 (1971)

Party-miles

5,583..

5,623 (1971)

Highest number species:
Coast

Wilmington 164 (1961)

Coastal Plain

New Bern 95 (1966)

Piedmont

Raleigh 96 (1968)

Mountain

. . . Yancey-McDowell 74 . .

. Great Smoky Mt. 71 (1965)

Highest number

individuals

. Buncombe Co. 1,763,884 . .

. Clemson 5,504,288 (1960)

stragglers are Broad- winged Hawks (four localities including inland Chapel Hill), Wilson’s
Plover (Morehead), Whimbrel (Wilmington), Parula Warbler (Southern Pines), Summer
Tanager (Charleston), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Wilmington), Blue Grosbeak (Charlotte),
and Lark Sparrow (Hilton Head Island). Details of these and other particularly
interesting sightings appear below in the Compilers’ Comments.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

BO DIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C. (center: 2.7 miles SSE of Bodie Island Lighthouse).

30 December. White- fronted Goose and Ross’ Goose were associated with a flock of
20 Canada Geese near the highway between the North and South Ponds on the Pea
Island NWR. Both were adults, and the Ross’ Goose had a crippled right foot, indicating
it is the same individual that has been present in the area every winter since 1968. This
year the bird arrived one week prior to the count date, according to Refuge Manager
John Williamson. Common Teal (H.P. Langridge et al.) was present for the fourth
consecutive year in North Pond on Pea Island NWR. Yellow Rail (Dwight E. Peake) was
seen at 25 feet as it walked out of dense marsh vegetation on the edge of the pond at
Bodie Island Lighthouse. Black Rail (J.R. Hoverman, Elizabeth Teulings) was flushed
twice from a flooded marsh between the highway and an open pond north of the
lighthouse pond. American Golden Plover (Paul G. DuMont) was flushed with four
Black-bellied Plovers from a grassy sand flat just north of North Pond. The bird had no
white in wings or on rump and did not have black axillaries. Both Pomarine Jaegers
(Henry Armistead; Robert Anderson and Paul G. DuMont) were dark phase, and both
were over the ocean off Pea Island as also were the two Parasitic Jaegers (Anderson and
DuMont; Jay Carter, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, William Russell). One Parasitic
Jaeger was in light phase, the other dark. Common Terns were reported by five parties;
identifications were based on black mark extending from the eye around the back of the
head. Whip-poor-will (Richard Peake Jr.) called three times just before dawn while

March 1973

15

observer was calling Screech Owls at Wanchese on Roanoke Island. A Little Gull was
seen at Bodie Island Lighthouse pond several days prior to the count by David
Sonneborn.-PAUL W. SYKES JR., P.O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Florida 33444.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point in lower Newport River).

31 December. Least Bittern (Tom Wade) was flushed at close range in a small
fresh-water marsh at Fort Macon. Another Least Bittern was found elsewhere in the
count circle on 29 December by J.F. Parnell. These are first winter records for area.
Wilson’s Plover (compiler) was on Bird Shoal where it was watched for 20 minutes and
compared with Semipalmated and Piping Plovers; first local winter record for November
through February. Long-billed Dowitcher (compiler) was at Huntley’s Impoundment;
identified by voice. Swainson’s Thrush (Charles Lincoln) was well studied. Painted
Bunting was an adult male that had been present at L.J. Klein’s feeder in Beaufort since
early December. Ground Doves (Wade) appear to be resident at Fort Macon. A
Whip-poor-will was seen by compiler on Bogue Bank before light the morning of 25
December in response to tape-recorded goatsucker calls. This bird had also been called
up in November when it perched on the trunk of a tree woodpecker fashion and flicked
its tail revealing white outer rectrices. This is a record count for Morehead City. The
habitat has changed significantly since the first census was taken 10 years ago. There is
now a fresh-water impoundment, and bird feeders are more numerous than several years
ago. Eight species on the present list were found only at feeders. -JOHN O. FUSSELL
III, Box 520, Morehead City, N.C.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Myrtle Grove Junction).

16 December. Bald Eagle (Jay Carter, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings) was an adult in
flight; first local Christmas count record since 1965. Whimbrel (John Fussell) was near
Masonboro Inlet. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Kitty Kosh, Betty and Lloyd Davis) was at
Oakdale Cemetery feeding with Purple Finches in a privet hedge. Painted Bunting (Mary
Urich) was at a feeder. Grasshopper Sparrow (A.G. Massey) was at Echo Dairy Farm.
Henslow’s Sparrow (A.G. Massey) was in overgrown weed field in abandoned farm area;
bird was seen well in good light at about 20 feet for almost a full minute. -FRANCES B.
NEEDHAM, Box 204, Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEY’S ISLAND, S.C. (center: entrance to North Litchfield Beach at

US 17).

20 December. Least Bittern (Julian Harrison, Evelyn Dabbs, Jacque Salisbury, Smith
Salisbury) was studied carefully. -FREDERICK PROBST, P.O. Box 386, Pawley’s
Island, S.C. 29585.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

30 December. Long-eared Owl (Perry Nugent) was heard but not seen; call was
compared to recordings. The majority of the 578 Pine Warblers (Probsts and Wilcoxes)
were in two large flocks of about 400 and 100 birds each. The compiler has noticed an
unusual number of this species in his own field work this winter. Summer Tanager
(Robert Wilcox) was an adult male seen in good light with a binocular for about a
minute. The bird was in mixed forest, feeding with a variety of other species. There is
one previous Christmas count record from Bull’s Island by Dick and Sprunt ( South
Carolina Bird Life, 1970, p. 629). LeConte’s Sparrow (Perry Nugent) is the first
Christmas count record for the Carolinas; however, this secretive species appears to be a
fairly common winter resident around Charleston some seasons. Lincoln’s Sparrow
(Perry Nugent) was seen well in good light. Note: The section of the Charleston count
area consisting of marshes, tidal flats, and estuaries behind Caper’s and Dewee’s Islands
was not covered in the present count. -JULIAN R. HARRISON, Biology Department,
College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (center: Spanish Wells Landing, Hilton Head Island).

29 December. Unusually warm fall weather is probably the reason we found several
lingering summer resident and fall transient species. Some unusual species for our area or

16

The Chat

for the season were a light phase Rough-legged Hawk (Frank Arnold), Least Tern (Orion
Hack, Alva Cunningham), Wood Thrush (Frank Arnold, Tommy Sasser, Sally N unally),
Swainson’s Thrush (Dorothy Hitchcock), and Lark Sparrow (Helene Parry, Robert and
Elizabeth Whitney). The 30 Purple Sandpipers (Cunninghams and Rogers) were on an
oyster shell bank at north end of Hilton Head Island; rock jetties are within 3 to 4 miles
of site. The male Western Tanager returned to Jarvis Depkin’s feeder 12 December 1972.
A bird presumed to be the same individual was present from 28 January to 8 April
1972.— DAVID AND VIRGINIA HARRALL, 15 Plantation Drive, Hilton Head Island,
S.C. 29928.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: where Upper Goose Creek enters Pamlico River).

31 December. Red Crossbills (Geraldine Cox, Glenn Paul) were seen in flight and
while feeding on pine cones; full song was heard several times. -GERALDINE COX,
Route 1, Box 151A, Merritt, N.C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

21 December. -MARVIN TURNAGE, Route 1, Box 25, Bayboro, N.C. 28515.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 3 miles NE of Southern Pines at Niagara).

26 December. Spotted Sandpiper (Laurence and Roberta Davis) was again at
Whispering Pines where it has been found on three of our last four Christmas counts.
House Wren (Elizabeth and Robert Teulings) was present for third consecutive Christmas
count. Parula Warbler (Teulings) was either a female or an immature bird; first winter
record for area. Yellowthroat (three parties) appears to be becoming of increasingly
regular occurrence in early winter in this vicinity. Red Crossbills (Teulings) consisted of a
flock of 18 feeding in a pine tree plus other individuals identified by call notes.— J.H.
CARTER III, P.Q. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

DILLON, S.C. (center: Dillon).

26 December.— JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (center: 33° 57’ N, 80° 59’ W).

16 December. All parties counted some Evening Grosbeaks.— GILBERT BRISTOW,
2921 Blossom Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

AIKEN, S.C, (center Couchton).

24 December. Scaup (Jeannine Angerman, Tom Rial) is considered uncommon
because count area has no large lakes or rivers.— GERALD E. KNIGHTON, 304 Kirby
Drive, North Augusta, S.C. 29841.

PIEDMONT

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: 1.4 miles SE of Weldon).

1 January. Black-crowned Night Heron (Betty and Lloyd Davis, Joyce Bennett) was
an immature flushed twice at Stevenson’s Goose Pond near Garysburg; first winter
record for area. Most of the Canada Geese were at Stevenson’s Goose Pond where they
are protected. One Red-cockaded Woodpecker (compiler, Davises) was heard calling at
the site of a colony discovered just 4 weeks prior to count. Fish Crows (three parties)
were in Occoneechee Neck area; first winter records for Roanoke Rapids, Catbird (Jack
Potter) is also first local winter record. Black-and-white Warbler (Lloyd Davis) was well
studied. House Finches have been at Louise Hutchinson’s feeder for weeks. Red
Crossbills (two parties) were at Occoneechee Neck. Edmund LeGrand found the Lapland
Longspurs with a flock of about 600 Horned Larks in same section of Occoneechee Neck
where Lynch found them last winter. [See General Field Notes this issue for details of
previous longspur sightings near Roanoke Rapids.-EFP] -J. MERRILL LYNCH, 539
Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

March 1973

17

HENDERSON, N.C. (center: Henderson).

27 December. House Finches are present for fourth consecutive winter.— A. W.
BACHMAN, 111 Jeanette Avenue, Henderson, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk Southern RR and Lake Wheeler Road crossing).

23 December. American Bittern (Mary Smith) was at Greenview Farm on 1 January.
Two adult Whistling Swans (Bruce Bolick) were at Lake Benson 29 December. Greater
Scaup (compiler) was a male at Lake Wheeler. Male Oldsquaw (Bruce Bolick) was on
Lake Wheeler 17 December. Catbirds (Edmund LeGrand) were seen 20 December and on
count day; species was formerly more numerous in winter than in past few years.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (E. LeGrand) was in a thicket at Lake Raleigh. Black-and-white
Warbler (compiler) was a female. House Finches were counted at a roost at the Raleigh
Rose Garden where up to 40 had been seen earlier in December. Red Crossbills
(Elizabeth and Robert Teulings) were at Umstead Park. -HARRY E. LeGRAND, 331
Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: intersection of Columbia and Franklin Streets).

31 December. Charles H. Blake sighted the immature Broad-winged Hawk . Common
Gallinule (compiler, David Barnes) was found in exactly the same place as on the 1970
count. Total of 1,262 Brown-headed Cowbirds is more than 12 times our highest in 11
previous counts.- JAMES O. PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: transmitter of Radio Station WBIG).

30 December. The 82 House Finches are the largest number recorded to date at one
locality in North Carolina. -DONALD ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro,
N.C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

30 December. Ringed Turtle Doves (Ramona Snavely), descendants of penned birds,
have been feral for 6 years and have bred successfully in the wild for at least 3 years.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (compiler, Fred Hill) was studied and compared to Song, Swamp, and
Savannah Sparrows.— C. ROYCE HOUGH, 713 Lankashire Road, Winston-Salem, N.C.
27106.

NORTH IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River bridge on Chipley Ford
Road).

1 January. Yellow wing and tail patches were plainly seen on the American Redstart
(compiler). -JANE MULLEN, 408 Salisbury Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. (center: 2 miles NW of Badin).

30 December. Black-and-white Warbler (Anne Hatley) was seen well. House Finches
are present for third consecutive winter.— VIVIAN WHITLOCK, Box 219, Albemarle,
N. C. 28001.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

30 December. Common Snipe count was unusually high for this area. Bonaparte’s
Gull (Dale Arvey et al.) was a first for a local count. Number of Red-breasted Nuthatches
was surprisingly high. The most unexpected find was a female Blue Grosbeak (David
Wright), possibly a bird of the year, found in a thicket bordered by an open field on one
side and a gravel road on the other. House Finches (Elizabeth B. Clarkson, compilers)
were in two flocks at widely separated feeders; present for fourth consecutive
winter.— JOE AND BECKY NORWOOD, 1329 Goodwin Avenue, Charlotte, N.C. 28205.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: Hwy 291 and 29).

30 December. Tree Swallow was unusually late for our area. Although we had only
six Evening Grosbeaks on the count day, flocks of up to 25 birds have visited feeders
since that date.— ROSA LEE H. HARDIN, Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin on US 21).

24 December. White-fronted Goose (compiler, Jerry Tysinger, Fred Masten Jr.) was a

18

The Chat

mature bird carefully studied with a flock of 300+ Canada Geese resting beside a pond in
protected feeding area.-LIN HENDREN, Box 148, Elkin, N.C. 28621.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (center: North Wilkesboro).

16 December. Horned Grebe was seen by Linville Hendren, C. Garvin Hughes, and
compiler. -WENDELL P. SMITH, 911 E Street, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

29 December. This appears to be the westernmost record of the House Finch in North
Carolina to date.-HELEN MYERS, 310 Beall Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance to Grandfather Mountain toll road).

28 December. In 1971 this count area was reported in American Birds but not in
Chat. Common Redpolls (Walter Hall), all males, were feeding in a weedy field with
Purple Finches and American Goldfinches. Observer had seen the species earlier in the
week in northern Ohio. -MARGERY PLYMIRE, RD 2, Chestertown, Maryland 21620.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C. (center: 2.3 miles S of Buck Creek Gap on NC
80).

16 December. The immature Whistling Swan (Joyce E. Hall, Mark Hall, Walter Hall,
Daniel McKay) was seen well at close range on Morgan Lake. It was no longer present
several hours later. Shovelers and a male Blue-winged Teal were found by same field
party. -JOSEPH L. HALL, Route 8, Box 1136, Asheville, N.C. 28806.

BUNCOMBE COLTNTY, N.C. (center: intersection US 70 and SR 2740, Swannanoa,
N.C.),

30 December. Catbirds (Halls) were in Fairview area. Majority of the Starlings,
blackbirds, and grackles were in a large roost on the south side of the Swannanoa River
at the intersection of US 74 and NC 81 (Halls). Common Redpoll (Mary Frances
Sawyer) was in the western end of Beaverdam Valley. Three White-crowned Sparrows
(Sawyer) were in western Beaverdam Valley, and one in Fairview area (Halls). -ROBERT
C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 7.5 miles SE of Brevard at junction of US 276 and
Transylvania County SR 1536 at Cedar Mountain).

30 December. This new count area is centered near the Eastern Continental Divide
and has an altitude range of about 950 to 3,800 feet. Heavy fog restricted visibility at
higher elevations. Sightings of the following unexpected species may be attributed to the
lack of sustained periods of truly cold weather in the fall of 1972: Common Egret
(Joyce and Joseph Schatz), Brown Thrasher (Louise Davidson and others), Savannah
Sparrow (Harold Zimmerman). -WALTER C. HOLLAND JR., 290 Maple Street,
Brevard, N.C. 28712.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, N.C.-Tenn. (center: Bull Head of
Mt. Le Conte).

31 December.— DONALD H. DeFOE, Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738.

OBSERVERS

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C.: Robert Ake, Robert Anderson, Henry Armistead, Mike
Browne, Jay Carter, Paul G. DuMont, Philip A. Dumont, Wavell Fogleman, John
Fussell, Clay Gifford, Sam Gifford, Gilbert Grant, Robert J. Hader, J. Russel
Hoverman, David Hughes, Howard P. Langridge, Karla Lawler, Palmer Lawler,
Edmund LeGrand, Harry E. LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Holly Overton, Dwight E.

March 1973

19

Peake, Richard Peake Jr., Eloise Potter, Jack Potter, H. Douglas Pratt, David A. Pugh,
William Russell, Ross Silcock, David Sonneborn, Paul Sykes Jr., Elizabeth Teulings,
Robert P. Teulings, Vaud Travis, Robert J. Tripician, Vee Weggel, Claudia Wilds,
Gary Williamson, John Williamson, Mark Williamson.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: John Fussell Jr., John Fussell III, L.J. Klein, Charles Lincoln,
Tom Wade.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Edna Appleberry, Bobby Austin, Jay Carter, Betty and Lloyd
Davis, Dot Earle, John Fussell, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer, Polly and Dwight Lee,
Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Debbie Mann, A.G. Massey, Frances Needham,
James Parnell, Frederick Probst, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Mary Urich,
Charlotte Waggett.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEY’S ISLAND, S.C.: Fred Berry, Evelyn Dabbs, Dennis Forsythe,
Julian Harrison, Arch McCallum, David McLean, D.C. McLean, Perry Nugent,
Frederick Probst, Renee Probst, Zach Ralston, Jacque Salisbury, Smith Salisbury.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: Virginia Arnold, Ted Beckett, Alan Bills, Calvin Clyde, John Dick,
Bruce Ezell, Dennis Forsythe, Devin Garrity, Virginia Gourdin, Julian and Margaret
Harrison, Andy Harrison, Ted and Linda Holloway, David and Bobbin Huff, Stanley
Langston, Ted and Peg Metcalf, Tom Metcalf, Perry Nugent, Frederick and Renee
Probst, John and Mary Reed, Bron and Margaret Skinner, Grant Staley, Nelson
Taylor, Arthur and Robert Wilcox.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.: Frank Arnold, Gordon Benford, Dan and Ruth
Boorstin, Seward and Doris Bowers, Nancy Butler, Fritz and Alice Chapman, Betty
Craig, Ted and Alva Cunningham, Jarvis Depkin, Marj Fowler, Billie Hack, Orion and
Alicia Hack, John and Mabs Hannold, David and Virginia Harrall, Dorothy
Hitchcock, Royce and Helen Hough, Isabel Hurst, Charlotte and Edith Inglesby,
Mildred Lawrence, Helen Loriot, Imogene Lowden, Olin and Violet McIntosh, Marie
Mellinger, Caroline Newhall, Doug and Sally Nunnally, Muggs Park, Helene Parry,
H.B. and Peg Rogers, Wallace and Betty Roy, Tommy Sasser, Grant Simmons, Mary
Smith, Robert and Elizabeth Whitney, Alice Woodring.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Geraldine Cox, Billy Paul, Glenn Paul, Stanley Sawyer,
Ellis Turnage.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Geraldine Cox, Billy Paul, Glenn Paul, Dwight Turnage,
Marvin Turnage.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: Eleanor Carter, J.H. Carter III, Laurence Davis, Roberta
Davis, Dwight Lee, Pollyanna Lee, Frances Needham, Elizabeth Teulings, Robert P.
Teulings, Lura Williams, Mary K. Wintyen, Ethel Wotton.

DILLON, S.C.: Fred Wilson Jr., John H. Wilson.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Gilbert Bristow, John Cely, Miriam Davis, Annie Faver, Christine
Gravitt, Johnny Kinsey, Robert Overing, Glenn Smith, Kershaw Walsh.

AIKEN, S.C.: Jeannine Z. Angerman, Julie Angerman, Jack Cooper, Helen Mary
Fenninger, Elaine Gates, Gerald Knighton, Robert Lathrop II, Jim Reinig, Tom Rial,
Danny Ross, Newton Seebeck Jr., Dennis Villemain.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Joyce Bennett, Betty and Lloyd Davis, Mrs. Don Hall,
Louise Hutchinson, Harry and Edmund LeGrand, J. Merrill Lynch, Chris Marsh, Mrs.

20

The Chat

Sam Owen, Louise Parker, Jack and Eloise Potter, Ross Silcock, Robert and
Elizabeth Teulings.

HENDERSON, N.C.: Neita Allen, Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Bachman, Ruth Carter, Mary F.
Chavasse, Mrs. Walter Dallas, Mrs. Sam R. Harris, Mrs. Russell Parham, Mr. and Mrs.
Howard Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stewart, Mrs. J.D. Williams.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Micou Browne, Jean Donaldson, Charlotte Green, R.J. Hader, Mabel
Jones, David Knapp, Kenneth Knapp, Janice and Joshua Lee, Edmund LeGrand,
Harry LeGrand Jr., T.L. Quay, Karen Ross, Randy Rowe, Ross Silcock, Bob Smart,
Ben and Mary Smith, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Harriet Wilson.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: David Barnes, Charles Blake, Annie Broughton, Carol Callaghan,
Carol Dawson, Elinor and Logan Irvin, Paul Koepke, Ruth Kester, Edwin and Nellie
Lappi, Gertrude London, Cora, Jean and Ruth MacLean, Johnnie Payne, James
Pullman, Barbara Roth, Russell Seaman, John Wilson.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Fred Berry, Carolyn
Brown, Kenneth Brown, Kemper Callahan, Madeline Cason, Inez Coldwell, Larry
Crawford, G.W. Daniels, Charlotte Dawley, Frank Fish, Mildred Fish, Dot Garrett,
Jean Gertz, Howard Groover, Sidney Holmes, Ellen Knight, Harold LeDuc, Clarence
Mattocks, James Mattocks, Jean McCoy, Ethel McNairy, Kathryn Lambeth, Ida
Mitchell, Donald Nelson, Beryl Norcross, Elizabeth Ogburn, Cora Parsons, Emma
Leah Perrett, Etta Schiffman, George A. Smith, Irene Smyre, Thomas E. Street,
Marge Tays, William Tays, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Fran Baldwin, William Boice, Zachary Bynum, Britt Callaway,
Lee Callaway, Pat Culbertson, Charles Frost, Gardner Gidley, Margaret Gidley,
Louise Gossett, Fred Hill, Page Hill, Ruth Hill, Ben Hough, Michael Hough, C. Royce
Hough, Janice Levitt, Ann Listokin, Sue Moore, Ann Pollard, Dorothy Shiffert, Jerry
Shiffert, Ramona Snavely, Paul Spain, S.C. Sommer, Robert Witherington.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Lois Goforth, Larry Marlin, Bobby Mize, Jane Mullen, Elaine
Rine.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C.: Margaret Crawley, Vera Crook, Barrett Crook, Mary J. Dyer,
Virginia Foglio, Mattie Gereg, Terry Hahn, Anne Hatley, Bill Hatley, Claude Hinson,
Johnny Hunneycutt, Louise Johnson, Janie Kimrey, Susan Manly, Bessie Morgan,
Heath Morgan, Harold Morris, Ann Olsen, Wayne Smith, Frankie Treadaway, Vivian
Whitlock, John U. Whitlock.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Dale and Josette Arvey, Genevieve Barber, Elsie Brewer, Elizabeth
B. Clarkson, Teresa Cline, Bill and Flo Cobey, Elizabeth Cobey, Adrian and Beth
Dykema, Gina Elliott, Jack Fehon, Gwen Fenninger, Jack Hamilton, Herbert
Hechenbleikner, Bowman Kelly, Brem Mayer, Elizabeth Millwee, Joe and Beck
Norwood, Mary Nowlin, Shuford and Katherine Peeler, Dan Reed, Bill Sayward, Bill
Smith, Polly Weathers, David Wright (Mecklenburg Audubon Society).

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Wilma Abrams, Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart,
Lillie Hart, Mamie Kanaley, Martha Lawrence, William Lawrence, May Puett.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: Alex Biggs, Sidney Fletcher, Ola Hendren, Lin Hendren, Tom
Hendren, E.M. Hodel, Fred Masten Jr., L.H. Petree, Bobby Tysinger, Jerry Tysinger,
Jim Uldrick.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C.: Linville Hendren, C. Garvin Hughes, Louise P. Smith,
Wendell P. Smith.

March 1973

21

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Alexander, Mrs. Glen Barnes, Mr. and
Mrs. Clarence Beach, Isabel Bernhardt, Mrs. Murray Bruner, Barbara Craig, Mrs.
Horace Craig, Mrs. Jack S. Davis, Mrs. Mark Goforth, William Happer, Mr. and Mrs.
Garvin Hughes, Lois Laxton, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Manchester, Ruth Martin, Mr. and
Mrs. Fred May, Helen Myers, Mrs. Henry Parker, Mr. and Mrs. David Porter, Alice
Rabb, Mrs. Orrin Robbins, Mrs. Carl Thompson, Mrs. Ira Triplett, Anne Whisnant,
Joyce Whitman.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C.: Fred Behrend, Charlie Burleson, Dennis Carter, Winston
Church, Jack Crist, Dick, Joe and Pat Finucane, John, Joe, Mark and Walter Hall,
Hugh Morton, Dennis Myers, Margery Plymire, Dixie and Richard Proctor, Sally
Southerland, Neil Stewart.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C.: Robert Bruce, Dennis Carter, Timothy
Cartwright, Joseph L. Hall, Joy Hall, Joyce E. Hall, Mark Hall, Walter Hall, Daniel
McKay, Robert Ruiz.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Lennart Berg, Robert Bruce, Dennis Carter, John Hall,
Joseph Hall, Mark Hall, Walter Hall, Florence Heineman, Herbert Heineman, Robert
Ruiz, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Mary Frances Sawyer, Thomas Wood, Jerry
Young, Laura Young.

BREVARD, N.C.: Louise Davidson, Bill Fellows, Eloise Fenneberg, Ercel Francis,
George Francis, Dick Garren, Mary Gilbert, Ken Gilbert, Doris Guest, Frank Guest,
Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Haag, Helen Hardin, Lincoln Heighton, Susan Holland, Gail
Holland, Curt Holland, Walter Holland, Holly Hollinger, Neil Hollinger, Charles
Hutchinson, Grace Jackson, Bill Jeffrey, Andrew Jeffrey, Genevieve Lilly, Harry
Logan, Betty Mcllwain, Helen McKelvey, Walter McKelvey, Betty McKenzie, Bert
McKenzie, Capt. and Mrs. Gaylord Lyon, Corrinne Moak, Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt
Parsons, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Paxton, Theo Reeve, Margaret Reuter, Mary Roberts,
Kenneth Roberts, Claudia Sanders, Joyce Schatz, Joseph Schatz, Lillian Scott,
Nondus Seibert, Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Simpkin, Mrs. Richard Tish, Harold Zimmerman.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, N.C.-Tenn.: Fred Alsop III,
Winnifred Brown, James Campbell, Mary Davidson, Don DeFoe, Dave Hassler,
Robbie Hassler, Joseph Howell, Tony Koella, Betty Le welling, Joe Lewelling, Terry
McGown, Lawrence Maso, Marie Maso, Chester Massey, Muriel Monroe, Robert
Monroe, Cynthia Muffly, Gary Muffly, Louise Nunnally, J.B. Owen, Polly Ryder,
Boyd Sharp Jr., Mary Sharp, Arthur Stupka, Margaret Stupka, James Tanner, Bill
Williams, Irene Williams, George Wood, Hedy Wood, Dick Zani.

22

The Chat

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

A Nest of the Swallow-tailed Kite
at Wambaw Creek, Charleston County, S.C/

JOHN EMMETT CELY

5140 Furman Avenue, Columbia, S.C. 29206

A nest of the Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) was discovered 8 April 1972,
in an 80-foot loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ), only 15 feet from the dirt road that leads from
Elmwood campground to the Wambaw Creek bridge on Echaw Road. This locality is
situated in the Francis Marion National Forest approximately 8 air miles NNE
McClellanville, Charleston County, S.C. The nest tree was adjacent to a small field and
about 50 yards from the edge of Wambaw Creek swamp.

The nest was near the top of the tree and in an early construction stage when first
discovered. The birds could be seen carrying twigs, and later Spanish moss, in their feet
and bills. More than two birds were building this nest, as one could be seen on the nest,
while two more were bringing nest material. I often observed four kites together flying
over Wambaw Creek.

Subsequent nest trips from Columbia were made on the weekends of 15 April, 22
April, 29 April, 13 May, 3 June, and 10 June. On 29 April I showed the nest to Wadell
Robey of Charleston, who photographed it with an adult on the nest. No young birds
were ever seen in this nest, and whether it was successful or not is uncertain. The last
two trips showed no signs of the parent birds and the nest was apparently empty.

A talk with conservation officer Fred Best at Elmwood campground revealed that he
had seen kites in other parts of the National Forest carrying twigs for nests. It should be
brought to the attention of CBC members that the Swallow-tailed Kite is a common but
local summer resident in this area, and the Francis Marion National Forest may be the
northern-most limit of the breeding range of this magnificent species. As such it occupies
a unique and important role in the National Forest system. A careful eye should be kept
on this Forest to protect Swallow-tailed Kite habitat from destruction by such practices
as clear-cutting and road-paving that lead to excessive human interference.

Second Bridled Tern Specimen from North Carolina

GILBERT S. GRANT

Route 1, Box 563, Sneads Ferry, N.C. 28460 10 September 1972

On 8 January 1972 I found a badly decomposed Bridled Tern ( Sterna anaethetus
recognita ) on the shoulder of Hwy 12 at Oregon Inlet, just south of Nag’s Head, N.C.
The skull, wings, feet, and tail feathers were all that remained of the bird. I judged the
bird to have been dead for at least 2 months. It could possibly have been blown ashore

March 1973

23

by Hurricane Ginger during the first week of October 1971, as was the immature Bridled
Tern (first state specimen) found at Oregon Inlet by David Hughes and Gary Williamson
on 3 October 1971 {American Birds, 26:48, 1972). Roxie C. Laybourne kindly
identified the remains of the Bridled Tern now deposited in the National Museum of
Natural History (USNM #565914).

Traill’s Flycatchers Nesting at Raleigh, N.C.

EDMUND K. LeGRAND
HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609 12 August 1972

During the summer of 1971 we found a small population of Traill’s Flycatchers
( Empidonax trailin') near Lake Raleigh in Wake County, N.C. {Chat, 35:113). However,
no evidence of nesting was found. Traill’s Flycatchers returned to the same area in 1972,
and a careful and intensive study of these birds by several Raleigh birders resulted in the
discovery of one and possibly two nests.

In 1972 the first Traill’s Flycatcher at Lake Raleigh was seen and heard singing on 20
May, but a silent Empidonax flycatcher on 15 May in a nearby thicket was probably a
Traill’s. Chris Marsh visited this area on 29 May and observed at least three singing males
and a female. On 11 June he and Bill Brown found a nest of this species in an elderberry
{Sambucus canadensis ) about 6Vz feet from the ground. Four eggs were in the nest,
which was made primarily of fine grasses. The general habitat around the nest site was a
low, open bushy thicket with a small cattail marsh nearby.

On 18 June Edmund LeGrand found a mass of nest material about 10 feet up in a red
mulberry {Moms rubra) on the edge of the thicket about 50 yards from the first nest. He
suspected this was the beginnings of a nest because a pair of adult Traill’s Flycatchers
were nervously flitting around the bush. The same day Harry LeGrand visited the first
nest and found that pair of adults and their four eggs.

Harry LeGrand visited the area on 30 June and observed both pairs of adults. At
least two nearly-fledged young were present in the first nest. The second nest could not
be located and may have been washed away by heavy rains. Both authors visited the
thicket on 8 and 9 July, but we were unable to find the second nest again or the birds
associated with it. On these dates the first nest was empty but intact. Although no young
birds were seen out of the nest, it is believed that at least one fledged because the adults
seemed disturbed when we approached the nest and refused to leave the immediate area.

Raleigh is the second locality in North Carolina where Traill’s Flycatchers have been
found nesting, the other location being North Wilkesboro {Chat, 29:88). Thus the
breeding range of this species (“fitz-bew” form) has been extended about 100 miles to
the southeast.

Olive-sided Flycatcher at Montreal, N.C.

JANE P. HOLT
Department of Biology

Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C. 29325 28 September 1972

An Olive-sided Flycatcher {Nuttallornis borealis) was observed 19 August 1972 in
Montreat, N.C., at an altitude of 2,900 feet. This is the first published record of this
species in Buncombe County since John S. Cairns included it in his paper, “The Summer
Birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina” in Orn. and Ool. February 1889. In this
paper he noted “but a few specimens; one on Craggy Mountain and one shot half way up
the Black Mountain.” (Cairns’ observations were later included in a list of Birds of
Buncombe County by Brimley in 1940.) The altitudes of both of Cairns’ locations
exceed 3,500 feet with portions of the Craggy range exceeding 5,000 feet. The altitude

24

The Chat

of this Montreat bird at 2,900 feet was significantly lower. The only other August
observation of this bird was recorded by Wendell Smith at North Wilkesboro 17 August
1968 (Chat, 33:28).

The Olive-sided Flycatcher observed in Montreat was perched in the top of a dead
oak tree on a mountainside. It remained for 20 minutes during which time it made two
forays for food returning to the same branch each time, but facing in opposite directions
so that all sides could be clearly observed through binoculars. While it preened, the fluffy
white feathers above the flanks were exposed as large white patches on both sides above
the wing secondaries. The olive sides, separated by a white line continuous with the
white throat, were clearly visible. Photographs taken through a 600mm lens were
submitted for verification.

[Dept. Ed.— This editor concurs with the author on the identity of this bird from the
photograph submitted, which, however, is not suitable for printing.]

Sprague’s Pipit at Raleigh, N.C.

ROSS SILCOCK

216 Park Ave., Raleigh, N.C. 27605

CHRIS MARSH, ROBERT SMALL, and ROBERT DOWNS 15 September 1972

To the best of our knowledge, there is only one published record of Sprague’s Pipit
( Anthus spragueii ) for North Carolina. This was a sight record by George A. Smith at
Chapel Hill, 9 May 1959 ( Chat , 23:89). We report here a second North Carolina sight
record on 18 March 1972 at Greenview Dairy Farm in Wake County, about 8 miles S of
Raleigh.

The bird was alone, although several Savannah Sparrows ( Passerculus sandwichensis )
and Water Pipits (A. spinoletta ) are commonly seen in winter in the area where it was
found. It is noteworthy that the birds observed by Norris in South Carolina {Chat,
21:25) were also found in habitat occupied by Savannah Sparrows. The Greenview site
consists of a dairy pasture adjoining a shallow marsh at the head of a man-made pond
about 10 acres in extent. The pasture was rather damp near the marsh in early spring, and
it was in this area that the bird was first noticed. It appeared rather larger than a
Savannah Sparrow, and the walking gait along with the thin bill indicated to us that the
bird was unusual. These factors together with the white outermost tail feathers, the
lightness in color of the bill at the base, the yellowish-orange legs, and the streaked
plumage (most noticeable on the back) without any buffy or greenish-gray wash led us
to the conclusion that the bird was a Sprague’s Pipit, rather than the more common
Water Pipit. Field marks were checked at leisure from Peterson’s A Field Guide to the
Birds and Birds of North America by Robbins et al. Binoculars and a Balscope Sr.
telescope were used at a distance of about 30 yards. The day was clear with perfect light
conditions for studying the bird. During the 20-minute period of observation, the bird
did not appear afraid. Finally we flushed it, whereupon it gave a call similar to, but lower
pitched and slower than, that of the Water Pipit. It flew out of sight in a northerly
direction and was not seen again despite a search later the same day.

Mountain Fall Record of Wilson’s Warbler at Montreat, N.C.

JANE P. HOLT
Department of Biology

Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C.29325 5 October 1972

A Wilson’s Warbler ( Wilsonia pusilla ) was observed 29 August 1972 at an altitude of
3,000 feet in Montreat, N.C. The bird was a male in full breeding plumage with a distinct
nearly rectangular black cap behind a yellow forehead. Observation was made at a
distance of 15 feet as the bird appeared in a dogwood near a window-ledge bird feeder. A

March 1973

25

cold front had resulted in a low temperature of 55 F the night before this bird was seen.

This bird appears to be a rare fall migrant in the mountains of western North
Carolina. No other fall records of the Wilson’s Warbler in this area have been published
since the 22-25 September 1894 record in Brimley’s 1940 list of “The Birds of
Buncombe County” {Chat, 4:21-36). This warbler was also recorded by Bob Ruiz in
Swannanoa, N.C., 25 September 1969 in an unpublished observation. Arthur Stupka, in
Notes on the Birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1963), lists only four fall
records - 31 August 1941, 11 September 1944, 18 September 1934, and 2 October
1939. Three of these records were at the Park Headquarters in Tennessee and one at
Deep Creek.

In view of these isolated records, further field studies are needed to determine the
status of this bird in the mountain region of the Carolinas.

Clutch of Unusually Large Eggs
Laid by Rufous-sided Towhee

ELOISE F. POTTER

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 2 July 1972

On 15 June 1971 I discovered a banded female Rufous-sided Towhee ( Pipilo
erythrophthalmus ) incubating a clutch of three unusually large eggs in a ground-level
nest concealed beneath a bush beside the driveway to my home near Zebulon, Wake
County, N.C. The eggs were of normal color for the species, and two were normal in
shape though larger than average. The largest egg was somewhat constricted near the
middle much like a peanut shell with two seeds, one slightly larger than the other. At its
greatest dimensions this egg measured 35.0 x 16.0 mm. The other two eggs were 27.5 x
18.0 mm and 24.5 x 18.0 mm. Two extremely large P. p. erythrophthalmus eggs
described in Bent’s Life Histories (1968) measured 25.7 x 18.3 mm and 24.4 x 19.3 mm.
Measurements of 50 eggs averaged 23.1 x 17.0 mm.

On 21 June the smallest egg in the clutch had hatched, and the nest contained one
chick and two eggs through 25 June. The morning of 26 June I found the eggs punctured
and both eggs and chick being devoured by tiny red ants that completely covered the
contents of the nest.

A few days later I saw the banded female carrying nesting material toward a site
about 150 feet from the first nest, but I did not locate the second nest until 3 August
when it contained three well feathered chicks, which left the nest the next day.

A Le Conte’s Sparrow Record for Moore County, N.C.

J.H. CARTER III

P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387

JAMES F. PARNELL
Biology Department

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C. 28401 1 September 1972

On 30 April 1972, while conducting the annual Southern Pines Spring Bird Count,
Sandra Bishop, Dana Taylor, and the authors observed a Le Conte’s Sparrow {Passer-
herbulus caudacutus). The bird was located in a large complex of interconnecting
pastures at Little River Farm, near Whispering Pines in Moore County, N.C. Two creeks
run through the pastures, and, except in times of drought, water stands in a number of
places. In the drier areas upland grasses, especially broomsedge {Andropogon sp.), are
prevalent, and in the wetter portions a variety of sedges and rushes are dominant.

26

The Chat

We had flushed several Savannah Sparrows ( Passerculus sandwichensis) and were
searching for rails in the marshy places when we flushed a sparrow that was immediately
separable from the Savannahs by its “sharp” tail and very pale, streaked back. The bird
flew a short distance and landed. It was subsequently flushed at close range at least a
dozen times. Making it fly was very difficult, and it would generally flush several feet or
yards from where it was seen to land. It would neither perch nor respond to
“squeaking.” Carter saw it once very briefly on the ground, but all other observations
were in flight, usually at distances of between 10 and 30 feet. It showed a definite
preference for the wet sedges and rarely left them.

The bird was approximately the size of a Savannah Sparrow. It had a sharp-pointed
tail, an orangish eye-line, and a very pale, well-streaked back. Both authors noted a light
crown stripe, and Bishop observed streaking on its cream-colored sides.

After careful consideration and repeated reference to field guides, the authors
determined the bird to be a Le Conte’s Sparrow. All observed field marks, the bird’s
actions, and the habitat confirm the identification. There are four previously published
records for this species in North Carolina. C.S. Brimley collected one at Raleigh on 21
April 1894 (Birds of North Carolina , 1959, p. 376). Single birds were observed on 23
October 1963 in Wake County (Chat, 30:30), on 17 October 1968 at Franklin (Chat,
34:49-50), and on 29 November 1970 at Morehead City (Chat, 35:59). There are several
records for South Carolina, and South Carolina Bird Life (1970) considers it a “rare and
erratic winter resident between October 25 and April 27.” The 1957 edition of the
A.O.U. Checklist gives much of the southeastern United States as the normal winter
range, but terms Le Conte’s Sparrow as “casual” in North Carolina.

On 9 October 1971 Carter had observed a very similar bird at the same locality. The
bird showed the same preference for wet sedges, and was exceedingly hard to flush. It
was seen only in flight. It appeared darker on the back than did the Le Conte’s Sparrow,
and had a sharp tail and an orangish eye-line. Due to the extreme rarity of Le Conte’s
Sparrow in North Carolina, and the dark-streaked back. Carter concluded that the bird
was a Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta). At the time of this observation.
Sharp-tailed Sparrows were being found far inland in tower kills at the WECT tower near
White Lake, Bladen County, N.C. (unpub., Carter and Parnell). Carter now feels it is best
to retract the record for the Sharp-tailed Sparrow since a reasonable doubt about its
accuracy has arisen due to the recent record of the very similar Le Conte’s Sparrow at
the same locality. The Sharp-tailed Sparrow record appeared in the Chat (35:105) and in
American Birds (26:49).

Notes on Wintering Lapland Longspurs
in Northampton County, N.C.

I. MERRILL LYNCH

539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870 21 June 1972

About 15 Lapland Longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) were present at Occoneechee
Neck, Northampton County, N.C., 12 through 27 February 1972. These birds were
associated with a large flock of 250 to 310 Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris) during
their 16-day residence here and were seen by five observers. The purpose of this note is
to acquaint the reader with plumage characteristics of the longspurs and with the
behavior of the lark-1 ongspur flock.

Occoneechee Neck is an area of low, flat, and extensive farmland interspersed with
tracts of bottomland and swampy hardwoods located in the western coastal plain. It is
situated on a wide bend or “neck” of the Roanoke River about 12 miles SE of Roanoke
Rapids, N.C. Elevation varies from 40 to 65 feet above sea level.

On 12 February the Lapland Longspurs were feeding with about 310 Horned Larks
in a 275-acre plowed field almost totally devoid of vegetation. Bill Collier and I carefully

March 1973

27

studied two male longspurs in the flock. Both appeared to be in the process of obtaining
breeding plumage, possessing a conspicuous rufous-reddish nape contrasting against their
brownish streaked crown and back. This was the most outstanding feature of their
otherwise drab plumage. The underparts were whitish except for a black patch extending
across the breast and dark side streakings. Females were much more inconspicuous with
no distinctive markings. About the size of a House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus), they
appeared much like brownish, finely streaked sparrows. Differentiation between the
longspurs and larks was fairly easy; while on the ground the dark streakings on the back
and the short, sparrow-like bill separated the longspurs. In flight, longspurs were more
undulating and their short, slightly notched dark tails were apparent. Although longspurs
are slightly smaller than larks, I found this to be an unreliable field mark.

Longspurs were most easily identified by their distinctive flight call: a low, staccato,
rattling “ticky-ticky-tic,” easily separable from the high, sibilant squeaks of horned larks.
This note was heard frequently in flight and was seemingly the only vocalization.

Behavioral aspects were studied in detail with the more interesting ones discussed
here. While feeding on the ground, the longspurs freely mixed with the larks, never
remaining segregated from them. Both species flew together in tight, compact flocks but
quickly spread out after landing in a field. Observation was sometimes difficult because
of their habit of feeding in the bottom of furrows where they remained hidden for long
periods. Their brownish backs blended in quite closely with the soil, providing excellent
protective coloration. Being inhabitants by nature of large, bare, and open areas without
cover, this species must depend on its coloration for survival. Each time a soaring hawk
passed over the flock, both longspurs and larks immediately squatted low against the
ground, compressing their bodies and remaining still until the threat passed. In this
position they became virtually invisible. This curious behavior is a clear example of
survival adaptations of open-country birds. Chapman (. Handbook of Birds of Eastern
North America, 1939) quotes Seton on similar longspur behavior:

“When in the hills they have a curious habit of squatting just behind some clod,
and, as their colors are nearly matched to the soil, they are not easily observed,
nor will they move until you are within a few feet; they then run a few feet and
squat again.”

While feeding, both species were quite active, maintaining a fairly fast gait. Almost all
individuals in a flock moved in the same direction on the ground, apparently in this
manner gleaning the surface of food most efficiently. On one occasion I walked parallel
to a progressing flock for a distance of about 100 feet. One flock never remained in any
one spot more than 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold weather and high winds did not visibly affect the birds’ feeding activities (wind
chill factor to -5) although these conditions could adversely affect human observation.

During their 16-day stay here, the longspurs were seen by Harry and Edmund
LeGrand on 19 February and by Mike Browne on 22 February. Repeated observations
revealed at least six male birds plus eight or nine female and immature male longspurs
present with the larks. These individuals ranged within .7 mile of where they were first
discovered, a fairly small area considering the hundreds of acres of similar habitat in the
vicinity.

Environmental factors (such as a major food shortage) are not believed to be a factor
in the longspurs’ appearance this far south because their occurrence in North Carolina in
the winter of 1971-1972 was not widespread. It is possible that the species may be a
regular, but rare, winter visitor in the state, having been largely overlooked in previous
years. It should be looked for, especially in large Horned Lark flocks in the northern
sections of the state in winter.

Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley ( Birds of North Carolina, 1959) cite only six occasions
in which this species has been recorded in the state, most of these in the early 1900s in
coastal or mountainous localities, the latest in 1946. There is also a recent record of one
on the Bodie-Pea Island Christmas Bird Count (Chat, 36:22). It appears the Occoneechee
Neck sightings represent the largest number ever found at one time in the state and also
the first interior coastal plain record.

28

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(AO dates 1972)

COMMON LOON: Two migrants were noted at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 29 Octo-
ber by Sidney Gauthreaux. At other inland locations, single birds were seen at Lake Wheeler
near Raleigh on 22 October and 2 December by Robert Hader, and eight were found at
Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C., on 27 November by Merrill Lynch.

HORNED GREBE: Inland near Winston-Salem, N.C., Charles Frost found' 12 at Belews Creek
Lake on 16 November and a flock of 104 at Salem Lake the following day.

CORY’S SHEARWATER: Two were seen at Cape Lookout, N.C., on 18 August by Richard Row-
lett.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: Three were sighted by J.B. Kelley during an offshore cruise 15 miles
SE of Charleston, S.C., on 10 November.

WILSON’S PETREL: One was seen at Hatteras Inlet on the North Carolina Outer Banks on 22
August by Richard Rowlett. Six were seen off Charleston, S.C., on 10 November by J.B.
Kelley.

WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: An adult circled within close range of the “Captain Stacey”
cruising 70 miles off Morehead City, N.C., on 28 August, Claudia Wilds.

GANNET: An early fall sighting was recorded at Carolina Beach, N.C., where an immature was
seen on 28 September by Edmund LeGrand and Sebastian Patti.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: One made an uncommon appearance inland at Lake
Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., on 21 November, Ross Silcock.

ANHINGA: On 10 October, Joshua Lee observed an adult bird on Sunset Lake, about 3 miles
N of Fuquay-Varina, Wake County, N.C., an unusual inland record.

COMMON EGRET: An individual was present at Salem Lake near Winston-Salem, N.C., on 3
November, Charles Frost.

SNOWY EGRET: Three were noted in the western piedmont near North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 31
August by Wendell Smith.

LOUISIANA HERON: One was an uncommon inland visitor at Lake Murray, Richland County,
S.C., on 15 August, Robert Overing. Another inland wanderer was seen at Lake Raleigh in
Wake County, N.C., on 19 September by Ross Silcock.

WOOD IBIS: One was seen at Twin Lakes, Sunset Beach, N.C., on 23 September by Jay Carter,
Evelyn Dabbs, and Elizabeth Teulings.

WHITE IBIS: An immature bird was an uncommon visitor on the North Carolina Outer Banks at
Pea Island 27 to 29 August, Merrill Lynch.

AMERICAN FLAMINGO: An accidental visitor was discovered in Pamlico Sound at Pea Island
NWR on 4 November by Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, and Sebastian Patti. The bird
remained on the refuge about three weeks, last reported on 24 November by James Pullman.

WHISTLING SWAN: Two birds at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 20
October (Merrill Lynch) and three at Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County, N.C., on 30
November (Mary Blanz, fide Wendell Smith) were uncommon inland visitors.

March 1973

29

SNOW GOOSE: An adult present for 2 weeks at Johnston’s Farm in the Occoneechee Neck sec-
tion of Northampton Count)’, N.C., was an unusual fall visitor in that locality. The bird was
first seen on 29 October and remained there through 12 November, Merrill Lynch.

COMMON SHELDUCK: Two drakes were at Pea Island NW’R during the last week in Novem-
ber, reported by Tim W ilkins and several other observers. An earlier occurrence of possibly
the same pair was noted there in earl) July by W’ayne Irvin.

GREEN-W INGED TEAL: One made an unusually earl)' fall appearance at Raleigh, N.C., on 19
August, Chris Marsh and Ross Sileock.

REDHEAD: Two were uncommon visitors at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., on 28 October
and six others were found there on 2 December, Robert Hader.

GREATER SCAUP: Two were at Salem Lake near W inston-Salem, N.C., on 17 November, an
uncommon local occurrence, Charles Frost.

OLDSQUAW': Two were noted as inland visitors at Lake W heeler, near Raleigh, N.C., on 30 Octo-
ber by Bruce Bolick. A flock of 12 was found at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Roanoke Rapids,
N.C., on 12 November by Merrill Lynch.

SURF SCOTER: A rare inland occurrence was recorded at Roanoke Rapids Lake in Halifax
County, N.C., where two were seen on 30 October by Merrill Lynch. One was also found at
Lake W’heeler near Raleigh, N.C., on 13 November by Bruce Bolick and John W right.

COMMON MERGANSER: Two were seen at Lake W’heeler near Raleigh, N.C., on 17 November
by John W right and Bruce Bolick.

ROL^GH-LEGGED HAWK: One was observed at Belews Creek Lake north of W inston-Salem,
N.C., on 12 October and again on 16 November by Ramona Snavely, Ruth Hill, Robert
W’itherington and Charles Frost.

BALD EAGLE: Fall sightings were reported of single adults at Orton Plantation near Wilmington,
N.C., on 9 October (Paul DuMont) and at Topsail Beach, N.C., 4 November (Gail White-
hurst). Four adults were seen on South Island near Charleston, S.C., 22 October by Ted Beck-
ett. Two adults and an immature were seen in Francis Marion National Forest, S.C., 18
November by T. Dodd, fide Dennis Forsythe. In addition, an adult was seen 29 November
and an immature 1 December at Brookgreen Gardens near Litchfield Beach, S.C., by Gordon
Tarbox and F.M. Probst.

PEREGRINE FALCON: Two fall sightings were reported from the North Carolina Outer Banks
where single birds were seen at Pea Island on 2 October by James Pullman and on 7 October
by Mike Godfrey. Elsewhere, individuals were recorded at Fort Fisher, N.C., on 9 October by
Paul DuMont and at Brookgreen Gardens, S.C., on 13 November by F\M. Probst and party.
One was also seen at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston on 27 November by Ted Beckett.

SANDHILL CRANE: One was seen at Sullivan’s Island near Charleston, S.C., on 19 September
by Z.T. Ralston, as reported by Dennis Forsythe.

PL^RPLE GALLINULE: Three were a noteworthy find at Orton Plantation near Wdlmington,
N.C., 24 September, Edmund LeGrand et al.

AMERICAN COOT: Gilbert Grant reported an unusually large concentration of at least 10,000
at the W’est Onslow Beach, N.C., impoundment on 23 November.

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER: Two were unexpected visitors at Par Pond on the AEG Sa-
vannah River Reservation near Aiken, S.C., on 30 November, Tom Murphy, fide Gerald
Knighton.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: During field work along the North Carolina Outer Banks in late
August, Richard Rowlett found the species extremely abundant. Estimated numbers were
3,500 at Ocracoke Island on 20 August, 15,000 at Pea Island on 21 August, and 7,500 at Ports-
mouth Island on 22 August.

AM. GOLDEN PLOVER: F’ive records were reported by various observers from the Bodie-Pea
Island, N.C., area from mid- August through early October, all of single birds. Two were also
seen on 9 October at F’ort F’isher, N.G., by Paul DuMont.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW’: Two were found on tidal flats at Portsmouth Island, N.C., on 3
August by Richard Rowlett; another was seen at Oregon Inlet on 30 September by James Pull-
man.

PURPLE SANDPIPER: One was seen at W rightsville Beach, N.C., as early as 25 October by Jay
Carter.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Paul DuMont and Harvey Mudd recorded 11 in the Bodie-
Pea Island, N.C., area on 20 August, and Merrill Lynch found seven at the Bodie Island
lighthouse pond 28 August. A late migrant was noted inland at Occoneechee Neck in Northamp-
ton County, N.C., on 18 November by Merrill Lynch.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: A flock of at least 18 was found at the north pond of the Pea Island NWR
on 1 August by Richard Rowlett. There were subsequent reports of a single bird seen there on
30 September by Gard Otis and Sebastian Patti and another at Oregon Inlet on 1 October by
Paul DuMont, Robert Ake, et al.

30

The Chat

DUNLIN: An inland occurrence of an individual was noted on 29 October at Occoneechee Neck
in Northampton County, N.C., where the species has not heretofore been recorded, Merrill
Lynch. A few were also recorded as inland migrants in the Raleigh, N.C., area during the last
half of October, Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, Robert Hader and Ross Silcock.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Various observers reported finding migrants in small numbers
among the commonly seen Short-billed Dowitchers along the North Carolina Outer Banks
from August through the fall season. Typical counts ranged from 2 to 20, but as many as 40
were identified by Paul DuMont et al. in the Bodie-Pea Island area on 7 October.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: This was the most common shorebird on the flats at Portsmouth Island,
N.C., in early August, with an estimated 4,000 present on 2 August, Richard Rowlett.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: Two were seen at Ocracoke Island, N.C., on 20 August and one
at Cape Hatteras, N.C., on 21 August by Richard Rowlett.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: Several were present at Pea Island through the fall season. The earliest
sighting was 21 August (Richard Rowlett), and at least one bird was still present as late as 4
November (Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, Sebastian Patti).

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: One was seen on 18 August at Bird Shoal off Morehead City, N.C., by
John Fussell. Reports from several observers indicate that a few’ individuals were present
at the Bodie Island lighthouse pond regularly from mid-August through September.

POMARINE JAEGER: One was seen over the beach at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 4 October by
James Pullman.

PARASITIC JAEGER: Ten were identified, including one in dark-phase plumage, along the
beaches in the Bodie-Pea Island area on 7 October by Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, and
Sebastian Patti. Other observers also reported small numbers seen near shore from Nags Head
to Ocracoke during the first 2 weeks of October.

LAUGHING GULL: Four were seen at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 30 September, a
rare occurrence of the species at that inland reservoir, Sidney Gauthreaux.

LITTLE GULL: An immature was seen well at Bodie Island, N.C., on 1 October by Paul DuMont,
Harold Wierenga, and party.

FORSTER’S TERN: An individual was seen inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County,
N.C., on 20 September by Merrill Lynch and another at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C.,
on 23 September by Robert Hader. At least 20 were also seen at Lake Hartwell near
Clemson, S.C., on 30 September by Sidney Gauthreaux.

COMMON TERN: Near Wilmington, N.C., Jay Carter noted an unusually large flock of some
900 resting on a sand bar at Lockwood Folly Inlet on 23 September.

ROSEATE TERN: On the North Carolina Outer Banks at Oregon Inlet, an individual of this
species was observed by James Pullman among a flock of Common Terns on 5 October.

CASPIAN TERN: Merrill Lynch recorded up to nine as inland migrants at Roanoke Rapids Lake,
Halifax County, N.C., on 29 and 30 August and sighted another individual there on 15
November.

BLACK TERN: An impressive flight of at least 200 was seen coming in to roost at Elijah Lump
near Morehead City, N.C., on 24 August by John Fussell.

BLACK SKIMMER: An estimated 6,500 were seen in the Morehead City, N.C., vicinity on 9
October by John Fussell and Paul DuMont.

GROUND DOVE: An occurrence was recorded as far north as Bogue Banks on the North Caro-
lina coast where an individual was seen at Fort Macon State Park on 24 November, Robert
Hader.

BLACK-BILLED CL7CKOO: One was an early and uncommon migrant on the North Carolina
Outer Banks at Nags Head on 18 August, Morgan Jones. Another wras seen 9 October at
Fort Fisher, N.C., by Paul DuMont.

LONG-EARED OWL: There were fall records of one seen in the coastal area at New Bern, N.C.,
during the second week of October by Robert Holmes, and another in the western piedmont
at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 18 November by Wendell Smith.

SAW- WHET OWL: One was banded near Sumter, S.C., on 7 November by Evelyn Dabbs.

YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER: On the coast James Parnell and Jay Carter observed a heavy
southward movement at Fort Fisher, N.C., on 10 October involving hundreds of migrants.

PILEATED WOODPECKER: An observation of one on Bogue Banks, N.C., on 22 October by
John Fussell was an uncommon record for that barrier island.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: One was seen near Morehead City, N.C., on 10 September by John
Fussell. There were numerous other reports of fall migrants in the North Carolina coastal
section with the largest numbers occurring, as usual, along the Outer Banks where high counts
of 10 were recorded on Ocracoke Island on 23 October by Claudia Wilds and party, and eight
at Duck on 28 October by Gilbert Grant.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: A migrant was banded at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 4 September
by Elizabeth and Robert Teulings. Sight records were reported of individuals at Occoneechee

March 1973

31

Neck in Northampton County, N.C., on 9 September (Merrill Lynch); at Greenfield Lake,
Wilmington, N.C., on 28 September (Kitty' Kosh); at Umstead State Park near Raleigh, N.C.,
on 2 October (Harry LeGrand); and at Fort Fisher, N.C., on 9 October (Paul DuMont)

LEAST FLYCATCHER: An early transient was noted at Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 22 August
by Merrill Lynch, and one was banded on 2 September at Chapel Hill, N.C., by Elizabeth and
Robert Teulings. Among several other sightings reported, the latest was from the coastal area
where an individual was seen by Paul DuMont at Fort Fisher, N.C., on 9 October.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: A late sighting was recorded at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 26
October by W endell Smith.

BARN SW ALLOW : Late fall stragglers were still present in the Bodie-Pea Island, N.C., area on 4
and 5 November, with at least 10 recorded by Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand and
Sebastian Patti.

BANK SWALLOW: Several early migrants were seen on 25 July at Whispering Pines, N.C., by
Jay Carter.

CLIFF SW'ALLOW': One at W'hispering Pines, N.C., on 25 July was an early fall record for that
locality, Jay Carter.

FISH CROW’: A locally unusual concentration was recorded inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake,
Halifax County, N.C., where 178 were present on 18 October, Merrill Lynch.

BEWICK’S WREN: One seen on 4 November at Pea Island, N.C., by Edmund LeGrand was a
rare Outer Banks record.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: A fall migrant was found inland near Raleigh, N.C., 16
September by Robert Hader.

PHILADELPHIA \TREO: Two records were reported from Bodie Island, N.C., where individuals
were seen on 1 October by Robert Ake and Paul DuMont and on 8 October by Edmund
LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, and Ross Silcock. Elsewhere along the coast, a fall transient was
seen near Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on 23 September by Robert Teulings and another at Orton
Plantation near Wilmington on 9 October by Paul DuMont. An inland migrant was seen at
North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 18 September by Wendell Smith.

WARBLING VIREO: Individuals were noted on 22 August and 13 September at North Wilkes-
boro, N.C., by Wendell Smith.

WORM-EATiNG WARBLER: A migrant made an early appearance at Raleigh, N.C., on 20
August (Gail Whitehurst), and another was banded near Hillsborough, N.C., on 27 August
(Russ Hoverman).

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: One was banded at Sumter, S.C., on 17 August by Evelyn
Dabbs. Paul DuMont recorded a rare coastal occurrence of a fall migrant at Bodie
Island, N.C., on 20 August.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: One was noted near the coast at Wilmington, N.C., on 4
September by Kitty Kosh. In the piedmont, a total of four were recorded in the Roanoke
Rapids, N.C., area between 21 August and 9 September by Merrill Lynch.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: An unusually late migrant was recorded at Bodie Island, N.C., on
25 November by James Pullman.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: One was recorded as an uncommon transient on
the Outer Banks at Bodie Island, N.C., on 1 October by Robert Ake and Paul DuMont.

CERULEAN WARBLER: Individuals were seen in Northampton County, N.C., on 26 August
by Merrill Lynch; near Raleigh, N.C., on 13 September by Edmund and Harry LeGrand; and
at Fort Fisher, N.C., on 9 October by Paul DuMont.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: One was an unusually early fall visitor at Raleigh, N.C., on 12
August, Ross Silcock. In the coastal area, rare occurrences were recorded at Orton Planta-
tion where an individual was seen on 23 September by Jay Carter and on the Outer Banks
where two birds were seen at Bodie Island on 1 October by Paul DuMont and Robert Ake.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: One was found dead on 10 September at Emerald Isle, N.C., by
Russ Hoverman, the first well documented record for Carteret County.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: An early fall sighting was recorded at Charlotte, N.C., on 24
August by Elizabeth Clarkson, and a late record at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 7 November
by Wendell Smith. Individuals were also seen at Bodie Island, N.C., on 7 October (Paul
DuMont and party) and at Ocracoke Island, N.C., on 23 October (Claudia Wilds).

MOURNING WARBLER: Two records were reported from the coast where a transient was
seen in the vicinity of Duck, N.C., on 1 October by Paul DuMont and another at tort
Fisher, N.C., by the same observer on 9 October.

WILSON’S WARBLER: An early fall migrant was seen on 3 September at Castle Hayne in New
Hanover County, N.C., by Kitty Kosh. Other migrants were later noted in early October on
the Outer Banks and at Fort Fisher, N.C., by several observers, and one was recorded inland
at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 13 October by Wendell Smith.

32

The Chat

AMERICAN REDSTART: An early migrant was seen at Sunset Beach, N.C., on 13 August by
Plumer Wiseman.

BOBOLINK: A flock of at least 500 was seen near Morehead City, N.C., on 10 September by
John Fussell.

DICKCISSEL: One was seen on the Outer Banks near Duck, N.C., on 28 October by Gilbert
Grant, and two appeared at a feeder in Elizabeth City, N.C., on 22 November, as reported
by Frank Ay cock.

HOUSE FINCH: Early arrival of winter visitors was noted at Greensboro, N.C., where Dot
Garrett observed one at her feeder as early as 8 October. A sizable flock of 40 was counted
in the Rose Garden at Raleigh, N.C., on 21 November by Robert Hader.

HENSLOW’S SPARROW: Two were seen in the vicinity of White Lake in Bladen County,
N.C., on 19 October by Jay Carter.

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: Two were found dead at the WECT-TV tower in Bladen County,
N.C., 60 miles inland from the coast on 19 October by Jay Carter. Another inland occurrence
was recorded in Northampton County, N.C., where an individual was seen at Johnston’s Farm
in the Occoneechee Neck area on 1 October by Merrill Lynch.

SEASIDE SPARROW: Two were among casualties found at the WECT-TV tower in Bladen
County, N.C., on 19 October by Jay Carter. This locality is 60 miles from the coast.

LARK SPARROW: One appeared at F.M. Probst’s feeder at Pawley’s Island, S.C., on 10 August.
Another early fall visitor was seen at Wright Brothers Memorial at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on 22
August by Richard Rowlett.

BACHMAN’S SPARROW: Two were noted singing near Atlantic in Carteret County, N.C., on
20 August by Richard Rowlett.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Fall occurrences were recorded on the North Carolina Outer
Banks where an individual was seen at Bodie Island marina on 7 October by Gilbert Grant,
Robert Ake, et al., and two at Pea Island NWR on 8 October by Edmund LeGrand, Harry
LeGrand, and Ross Silcock.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: Three were found near Bethania in Forsyth County, N.C.,
on 26 October by Ramona Suavely, Ruth Hill, et al.; and an individual was seen at Clemson,
S.C., on 29 October by Sidney Gauthreaux. Elsewhere, seven were seen together in a small
flock at Johnston’s Farm in the Occoneechee Neck section of Northampton County, N.C., on
12 November by Merrill Lynch; and one was found near White Lake in Bladen County, N.C.
on 19 October by Jay Carter.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: In the coastal area an individual was seen at Pea Island, N.C., on 1
October by Robert Ake; one at Fort Fisher, N.C., on 9 October by Paul DuMont; and one
at Wilmington, N.C., on 29 October by Kitty Kosh. Inland, one was recorded at Columbia,
S.C., on 26 October by Bruce Mack.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: One was closely observed near Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on 25 October
by Frank Sessions, fide James Parnell.

March 1973

33

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, P.O. Box 386, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Mrs. Edwin W. Winkler, 509 Gardner St., Raleigh, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Joseph R. Norwood, Charlotte, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

C'/?

3

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 37

June 1973

No. 2

No. 2

The Chat

Voh 37 June 1973

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Route 1, Tiger, Georgia 30576

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Breeding Behavior of the Summer Tanager, Eloise F. Potter 35

Plumage Variations in the Summer Tanager, Elizabeth Teulings 40

Conservation 43

CBC Roundtable 45

General Field Notes 47

Second Specimen of Leach’s Storm Petrel

Collected in North Carolina, Donald A. McCrimmon Jr.,

Lynn Johnson, and John O. Fussell III. . 47

Leach’s Storm Petrel and Other Pelagic Birds Seen

off North Carolina Coast, Donald A. McCrimmon Jr 47

Disorientation of Migrating Shorebirds at Beaufort, N.C.,

John O. Fussell III. 48

Golden Eagle in the Unicoi Mountains, Jon E. DeVore 50

Thayer’s Gull at Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Carl W. Carlson 50

Recovery of a Banded Eastern Bluebird:

Confirmation of an Assumption, Eloise F. Potter 51

Briefs for the Files 52

Book Reviews 55

CB@

OUR COVER— Joel Arrington photographed a Great
Egret (formerly Common Egret) family at Battery Island,
N.C. (Photo courtesy of N.C. Wildlife Resources Com-
mission.)

BREEDING BEHAVIOR
OF THE SUMMER TANAGER

ELOISE F. POTTER

In the spring of 1968 the first male Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra) of the season
appeared on 2 May in the wooded yard of our home 3.5 miles N of Zebulon, Wake
County, N.C. Shortly thereafter another red-plumaged tanager arrived. The second bird
was only a slightly less brilliant shade of scarlet-orange than the normal male Summer
Tanager, apparently because of olive-green edges on feathers of the nape and back. The
easiest way to distinguish the two tanagers was by bill color because the normal male had
a predominantly yellow bill while the other bird had an olive-brown bill. Having satisfied
ourselves that the strange bird was indeed a Summer Tanager in unusual plumage rather
than some other species, my husband and I assumed it to be a young male. However, we
could not understand why the normal male tolerated a rival in his territory, and we were
puzzled by the apparent absence of a female in the yard.

On 24 June I discovered a Summer Tanager nest about 24 feet above ground level in a
white oak ( Quercus alba). The shallow cup of grasses was saddled on a horizontal limb
extending over our carport, and a piece of nesting material about a foot long dangled
beneath the nest. The incubating bird had red plumage, which surprised me because I
was under the impression that male Summer Tanagers do not incubate eggs or brood
young. While I was trying to determine which of our tanagers was on the nest, the
normal male darted toward it to aid the incubating bird in driving away an unidentified
bird. These two red-plumaged birds repeatedly engaged in courtship feeding while the
eggs were being incubated, and two apparently normal young Summer Tanagers fledged
from the nest. Although no specimen was taken, I am positive that the unusual bird was
an adult female Summer Tanager in completely red plumage (Teulings, in press).

The fact that the female Summer Tanager in our yard was red prompted me to study
the pair closely, particularly after I found that even Bent’s Life Histories (1958) offered
scant information on breeding behavior of the species and development of the young. In
1968 and 1970 I spent a total of 10 hours watching and taking notes on nesting activities
of two pairs of Summer Tanagers for periods of 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time. These
notes plus random observations from other nesting seasons indicate wide variations in
the breeding behavior of Summer Tanagers.

NEST SITE SELECTION

Bent (1958) notes the species’ propensity for locating nests on horizontal limbs
overhanging roadways, and I have never seen a Summer Tanager nest that was not
adjacent to some type of clearing in a wooded area. In 1966 tanagers built about 10 feet
above ground at the top of a small bent-over sourwood ( Oxydendrum arboreum) beside
our driveway. On 3 June 1967 I found a tanager nest overhanging a wide woodland path
just as it opened into a clearing beside Moccasin Creek in Franklin County, N.C. In the
clearing was a large stump containing a beehive. The female’s trips from the hive to the
nest gave away its location. The 1968 nest, as I mentioned earlier, was in a white oak
overhanging our carport; and the 1970 nest was in the same tree about 20 feet above
ground on the side above the driveway. In 1971 I found no Summer Tanager nest, but in
1972 a tanager again built in the white oak above the driveway.

A male Summer Tanager held territory around the white oak and sang persistently
throughout the 1969 nesting season even though the attempted nesting was not
successful. A yellow-plumaged female was present and once carried nesting material into

June 1973

35

an oak on the other side of the house where there is no sizable opening in the canopy.
She never completed the nest, and I saw no evidence that the pair produced eggs or
young. Apparently an inability to agree on a site, or perhaps the female’s choice of an
unsuitable site, prevented breeding.

NEST CONSTRUCTION

The earliest recorded date I have for the arrival of the Summer Tanager in spring is 20
April. Nests are generally completed by late May, and all I have seen were shallow and
slipshod — even to the extent of having a foot-long strand of grass waving in the breeze.
The 1966 nest was made entirely of bright yellow straw used to protect glass during
shipment. The female made frequent trips from the carport where the packing cases were
stored to the sourwood across the driveway, attracting the attention of the men building
our house. Other nests were less colorful, but the two examined in hand were made of
straw and grass. I have never seen a male Summer Tanager carrying nesting material.
Females gather building material from the immediate vicinity of the nest and work
mostly in the early morning hours.

INCUBATION

Audubon (1840) says that the “male and female sit upon [the eggs] alternately for
twelve days.” This most certainly is not the case at Zebulon. I have seen several different
females leave the nest repeatedly and return to it without being relieved by their mates.
This agrees with Mengel (1965), who reports incubation by the female only. Audubon’s
figure of 12 days for incubation is widely accepted.

The 1968 female always sat on the nest facing SW. Although the male often flew near
the nest in company with the returning female, to bring her food, or in pursuit of
intruders, I never saw him touch the nest itself until after the young had hatched. The
intervals at which the female left the nest to feed varied from about 10 minutes to nearly
an hour; but she generally sought food about every 20 minutes. The longer intervals
occurred when it had been necessary to defend the nest. Regardless of the length of time
since her last feeding, the female rarely left her eggs unattended for as much as 5
minutes. If she became inattentive, the male would drive her back to the nest, sometimes
hovering over her until she settled on the eggs.

Behavior of the 1970 female was quite different. She sat on the nest facing several
directions, never made the least effort to drive away intruders, and sometimes stayed
away from the nest so long that I thought it was abandoned.

HATCHING AND DEVELOPMENT

The first egg hatched on 7 June in the 1966 nest and between 4 and 10 June in the
1970 nest. The two young in the 1968 nest hatched on or about 2 July, a rather late
date for our area. In 1966 I found a shell fragment under the nest, and in 1968 I found
one about 1 25 feet from the nest.

The birds that hatched on 2 July 1968 were the only ones that fledged from the three
nests in our yard that contained young. Adult tanagers were first seen feeding these
chicks on 3 July, and by 6 July the nestlings could raise their heads above the rim of the
nest. They left the nest either late in the ninth day after hatching or very early the next
morning, probably as a result of the heavy rainfall the night of 11-12 July. Although the
nest appeared undisturbed, I thought surely the young must have fallen to the roof of
the carport and perished. On 14 July I heard the calls of young birds and found one
juvenile tanager in the white oak that held the nest and another in a sourwood just across
the driveway. Both young birds were in typical juvenile plumage, olive-yellow above and

36

The Chat

dull yellow streaked with olive below. Their bills were large and yellow. Attended by
both parents, they could barely flutter from one perch to another. On 15 July the young
birds were flying better and had moved farther from the nest tree, though still within
100 feet of it. One softly sang a primitive version of the male song. On 16 July no
tanagers could be found in the yard.

CARE OF NESTLINGS

Feeding. Male Summer Tanagers may or may not share responsibility for feeding
nestlings, but I suspect they do help the female in nearly all successful nestings.

in 1968 the male helped feed his offspring. The morning of 3 July the female
returned to the nest with food for the newly hatched young at 08:59 EOT. At 09:11 she
left the nest, captured an insect, and fed the young. The male approached and called to
her; she flew to his perch and fluttered her wings like a baby bird until he had fed her.
They flew together toward the nest where she fed the food the male had given her to the
young and began brooding them as the male departed. At 09:14 the male approached
the nest. The female moved aside long enough for him to feed the young, but she stayed
at the nest and immediately resumed brooding. The male had perched on the rim of the
nest facing NE for what appeared to be his first attempt to feed the nestlings, but
thereafter he perched facing SW as the female invariably did when feeding them. Actual
times between feedings ranged from less than a minute to 24 minutes, with the average
interval being about 10 minutes. The longer intervals took place when an intruder had
approached the nest, and the shorter ones when both parents fed the young in rapid
succession. The male and female usually alternated in bringing food to the chicks.

In 1970 the male refused to help feed the young although he had occasionally
brought food to the incubating female when she begged. Once she left the nest with
young in it and flew out of sight for 22 minutes, returned to feed the chicks, and
immediately departed again. During her prolonged absence the male defended the nest
from an Eastern Wood Pewee ( Contopus virens) with flagging determination, but he
made no attempt to feed or brood the baby birds.

Brooding. To the best of my knowledge only females brood the young. The 1968
female always sat on the nest facing SW while brooding, the same as she did during
incubation. The 1970 female faced several directions. Both females tended to stay away
from the nestlings longer in the middle of the day than in the cool early morning hours.

Nest sanitation. I have never seen a Summer Tanager carry a fecal sac from the nest.
On several occasions the 1968 female poked her bill into the nest before leaving to
forage for food. Once she made swallowing motions immediately after raising her head,
and I assume she was swallowing a fecal sac.

COURTSHIP FEEDING

In 1968 the male Summer Tanager was particularly attentive to the incubating female
during the early morning hours, but later in the day he spent most of his time singing
and preening. Courtship feeding most often took place when the male perched on a bare
limb beneath the nest and the female flew directly from the nest to him. If the male did
not voluntarily bring food when the female wanted it, she flew to the favorite perch and
cried like a baby bird. When the male approached, she assumed a begging posture and
fluttered her wings. Usually he brought food in response to this behavior, but sometimes
he merely drove her back to the nest. Occasionally he completely ignored the
performance, whereupon she either found food for herself or returned to the nest
without eating. Sometimes courtship feeding took place on various other perches near
the nest tree, but the one nearest the nest was definitely preferred. The male -was last
seen feeding the female the morning of 3 July, immediately before he was first seen

June 1973

37

feeding the young in the nest. On 6 July the female approached the male and begged,
but he flew to the nest and fed the young instead of feeding his mate. The 1970 pair also
engaged in courtship feeding, but not so frequently as did the 1968 pair.

SONG

Male Summer Tanagers usually sing persistently from the time they arrive on the
nesting grounds until late July whether the nesting attempt is successful or not. An
exception to this behavior appears to occur when the male loses his mate. The 1972 male
had conspicuous yellow sides that marked him as an individual. His mate’s nest in the
white oak was found disturbed on 12 June, and she had disappeared. Although the
yellow-sided male remained in the vicinity at least throughout June, I never heard more
than an occasional “pi-tuck” following the loss of his mate.

TERRITORY AND NEST DEFENSE

In 1968 and 1970 the adult Summer Tanagers ranged in search of food over about 2
acres of mixed pine and deciduous woods as well as an approximately equal area of the
adjoining fairway of the Zebulon Country Club.

The 1968 pair defended from intruders the nest tree, a peanut butter paste feeder
about 20 feet from the nest, and some favorite perches about the same distance to the
other side of the white oak. While the male usually responded promptly to his mate’s
cries of alarm, I never saw him drive away an intruder without her assistance. Blue Jays
( Cyanocitta cristata ) were chased from the nest tree or paste feeder almost daily during
the period of observation. On one occasion the female drove a Carolina Chickadee ( Parus
carolinensis ) from the nest tree, and on 3 July both parents pursued an adult male
Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardimlis ) that had been attracted by the cries of the nestlings.

The 1970 male had complete responsibility for nest defense whether the female was
on the nest or not. Once an Eastern Wood Pewee approached the nest after the female
had been off it for 6 minutes. The male chased the pewee away and called nervously
from a perch in the white oak. Eight minutes later the pewee returned, and the male
tanager, still calling nervously, allowed the intruder to share his perch. Another 8
minutes elapsed before the female returned, fed the nestlings, and immediately departed
again.

In both 1968 and 1970 the male bird frequently accompanied the female as she
returned to the nest, always flying slightly below and behind her. Having escorted her to
the branch holding the nest, he would fly away without actually alighting. In departing
he made a great show of activity while the female crept along the branch toward the
nest. This protective measure appeared to be moderately effective in diverting the eye of
the observer from the 1968 female in spite of her bright plumage. It was highly effective
when performed by the normally colored pair in 1970.

MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES

Feeding. In general the tanagers fed in accordance with the published literature (Bent,
1958). They liked the peanut butter paste offered at one feeder, and they caught many
bees on the wing or in the sourwoods. They often sought insects under the overhanging
roof. Twice in 1968 I saw a tanager, apparently the female, feeding on the wing at night
in the area illuminated by exterior lights attached to the carport.

Bill wiping. The 1968 female tanager wiped her bill on several occasions both after
feeding on paste and after receiving unidentified food from the male. The 1968 male
wiped his bill once after drinking water at the bird bath. The 1970 male wiped his bill
once after returning to the nest area from the direction of the spring.

38

The Chat

Plumage care. In 1968 both adults preened frequently during the incubation period,
with the male devoting much more time to plumage care than did the female. Neither
bird was seen preening while caring for young in the nest. Feather maintenance was
certainly greatly reduced during this period if not completely discontinued. Although
the male Summer Tanager frequently visited the bird bath to drink, I never saw him
bathe. He sunbathed for about 4 minutes the morning of 26 June.

On 12 May 1972 I saw an adult male Summer Tanager bathing at 15:00. The bird had
conspicuous yellow sides that marked him as an individual. He returned to bathe at the
same bird bath on 13 May at 14:30. The next day he had attracted a mate. I did not see
him bathe again during the rest of May or throughout the month of June even though
the attempted nesting ended unsuccessfully on 12 June.

AFTER THE NESTING SEASON

Once the young can fly well enough, the Summer Tanager family moves away from
the nesting site. I have never had an opportunity to watch a family party long enough to
determine at what age the parents stop feeding the young. Some male Summer Tanagers
continue singing until late July. After they stop singing they are inconspicuous and
rarely use prominent perches the way they commonly do in the nesting season.
Consequently I have few fall records for the species. On 9 September 1968 the red
female Summer Tanager appeared briefly at the paste feeder with the bluebirds and their
companions. Two juveniles were banded on 15 September 1970 during what appeared to
be a major migratory movement through the area. Another juvenile banded on 26
September 1970 associated regularly with the bluebirds from then until mid-October,
joining them as they feasted on poke and dogwood berries.

DISCUSSION

Of the five adult female Summer Tanagers that have attempted to nest in our wooded
yard near Zebulon, N.C., one was all red and nearly as bright as the male. Three of the
five females hatched young, but only the all-red one brought hers off the nest. Her mate
was attentive to her during incubation, helped protect the nest from intruders, and
shared in the feeding of the young but did not brood them. Another pair nested in the
same tree-2 years later. Although this male defended the nest and occasionally fed the
female when she begged, he did not help feed the young. The female did not assist him
in driving away intruders. While I do not know whether the young starved to death or
were taken by a predator, I am certain that the lack of cooperation between the parent
birds contributed directly to the unsuccessful outcome of the nesting. Frequent
courtship feeding apparently forms a strong pair bond and prepares the male for feeding
the young, thus giving the nestlings a better chance of survival than those dependent
upon the female alone for all their nourishment.

LITERATURE CITED

Audubon, J.J. 1840. The birds of America. Dover reprint.

Bent, A.C. 1958. Life histories of North American blackbirds, orioles, tanagers, and
allies. U.S. Natl. Mus., Bull. 211.

Mengel, R.M. 1965. Birds of Kentucky. Ornithological Monographs, The Allen Press,
Lawrence, Kansas.

Teulings, E. 1973. In press. Plumage variations in the Summer Tanager. Chat, Vol. 37,
No. 2.

P.O. Box 277 , Zebulon , N.C. 27597, 15 January 1972.

June 1973

39

PLUMAGE VARIATIONS
IN THE SUMMER TANAGER

ELIZABETH TEULINGS

Since 1964 I have banded 55 Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra) at my home near
Chapel Hill, N.C. Of these, 20 (16 adults and 4 juveniles) showed mixed red and yellow
plumage of great variability.

Summer Tanagers are classified as males if they show cloacal protuberance, as females
if they have an incubation patch, and as juveniles if they have unossified skulls. The
plumage is considered normal when males are red; females are olive-yellow above, yellow
below; and juveniles are as females.

Table 1 gives the plumage characteristics for 38 adult Summer Tanagers banded at
Chapel Hill, 22 normal birds and 16 in mixed plumage. Of the 17 juveniles banded
during the same period (1964-1970), four showed tinges of red in the olive-yellow
plumage.

Five banded Summer Tanagers have been retrapped at my home station one or more
times. Although the size of the sample is small, descriptions of these five returns indicate
plumage variations far more striking than any mentioned in Bent’s Life Histories of
North American Blackbirds, Orioles, Tanagers and Allies (1958).

MALE RETURNS

Band No. 105-106264: adult male banded 20 May 1966 (in breeding condition)

Body above: red except for scattered yellow spots
Body below: red breast; yellow belly and flanks

Wings: yellow primaries, secondaries and primary coverts; red tertiaries and remaining

coverts

Tail: Red

Returned: 14 May 1969 and 7 May 1970

Plumage at return: both times normal red adult male

Band No. 106-139255: adult male banded 10 May 1967 (in breeding condition)

Plumage at banding: normal red adult male
Returned: 25 May 1968 and 7 May 1970

Plumage at return: both times normal red adult male

Band No. 106-139284: adult male banded 16 May 1967 (in breeding condition)

Body above and below: red so evenly spotted with yellow that the bird seemed
polka-dotted

Wings: yellow except for red tertiaries and a few red marginal coverts
Tail: red except for number 5 rectrices that are yellow
Returned: 30 April 1969

Plumage at return: normal red adult male

FEMALE RETURNS

Band No. 107-025108: adult female banded 25 June 1968 (incubation patch)
Body above and below: yellow splotched with red and orange
Wings: yellow except for tertiaries and a few lesser coverts that are red
Tail: center red (1-3 rectrices), outer feathers yellow (4-6 rectrices)
Undertail coverts: mostly red

40

The Chat

TABLE 1.

Plumage characteristics of 38 adult Summer Tanagers
banded at Chapel Hill, N.C., 1964-1970.

Normal

Males

Normal

Females

Male

Mixed Plumage

Female Unknown

1964

2

2

1

0

1

1965

2

7

1

1

3

1966

3

1

2

0

0

1967

1

0

1

0

1

1968

1

2

1

1

0

1969

0

0

1

1

0

1970

1

0

1

0

0

Total

10

12

8

3

5

Returned: 13 May 1969

Plumage at return: mixed (generally more red)

Body above and below: yellow splotched with red

Wings: predominantly yellow. Primaries 1-6 and their coverts all yellow, remaining
primaries and coverts yellow with red edgings. Secondaries show red edgings except
for sevenths, which are both yellow. Greater secondary coverts are yellow except for
6, 7, and 9 (orange) and 8 (red). Some lesser wing coverts are red. Linings show some
red in marginals and axillars.

Tail: yellow

Undertail coverts: show generous amount of red

Band No. 107-190025: adult female banded 13 May 1969 (incubation patch)

Body above and below: yellow with a few red-orange feathers on crown, rump,
undertail coverts

Wings: predominantly yellow. Primaries 7, 8, and 9 have red edgings as do secondaries
4-9; all coverts yellow.

Tail: yellow

Returned: 10 May 1970

Plumage at return: normal yellow female

Aberrant plumage in female Summer Tanagers has previously been noted. Johnston
(1951) collected an adult female Summer Tanager in mixed plumage on 17 May 1950 in
Clarke County, Georgia. His red and yellow specimen resembled an adult male but was
generally less bright than the average red male and had patches of olive-green in the
upper parts. Under parts were a mixture of dull red and buffy yellow generally splotchy
with the brightest red around the throat.

On 24 June 1968 Eloise Potter found an all red female Summer Tanager incubating
eggs. The bird was mated to a normal red male and the young fledged from the nest were
typical olive-yellow juveniles with no noticeable traces of red or orange in their plumage.

June 1973

41

Details of this bird’s successful nesting appear in “Breeding Behavior of the Summer
Tanager” (Potter, in press).

Reports of red female tanagers bring to mind a statement by Audubon (1840): “My
friends Mr. Harris and Dr. Trudeau have procured female Summer Red-birds almost as
red as the males. They were obtained while breeding, and I am informed by these
gentlemen that such cases are not rare!” However, Audubon does not mention this
plumage variation in his detailed description of the adult female Summer Tanager or
illustrate it in his colored plates.

The birds described above certainly raise more questions than they resolve about
plumage variations in the Summer Tanager. Apparently males of mixed plumage
eventually become all red and remain so, but the age by which they don normal adult
male plumage is unknown. One female in mixed plumage banded at Chapel Hill returned
in mixed plumage the next year but another female returned in normal adult plumage
within a year. Therefore, age does not seem to be a factor in the amount of red in female
plumage. This means that the female tanagers noted by Dr. Johnston, Mrs. Potter, and
Audubon’s friends could be either young birds that would eventually turn yellow or old
birds that had been yellow or mixed in plumage.

In conclusion, I offer the comments of Austin (1961), who notes that although the
four migrant tanager species that nest in temperate North America show strong sex
differences, “gay colors the year round are a hallmark of the family (222 species), and
female tanagers are usually as brightly colored as the males.” Possibly then, the redness
in female Summer Tanager plumage is a reversion to a characteristic that dominated
when the species lived in the tropics.

LITERATURE CITED

Audubon, J.J. 1840. The birds of America. Dover reprint.

Austin, O.L. 1961. Birds of the world. Golden Press, New York, p. 291.

Bent, A.C. 1958. Life histories of North American blackbirds, orioles, tanagers, and
allies. U.S. Natl. Mus., Bull. 211.

Johnston, D.W. 1951. An aberrantly colored Summer Tanager. Wilson Bulletin,
63:116-117.

Potter, E.F. In press. Breeding behavior of the Summer Tanager. Chat, Vol. 37, No. 2.

Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514, 31 July 1972 .

42

The Chat

Conservation

. . . with Marie Mellinger

South Carolina has a new organization, called Campaign Clean Water, formed to
“reclaim and protect the waters of South Carolina. Any one interested can write
Campaign Clean Water, Post Office Box, Capital Station, Columbia, S.C. Hopefully, this
will be citizens from all over South Carolina, working to curb pollution and keep away
threatened ocean dumping, dredging, and damming.

R and E

The words “rare and endangered species” appear with increasing frequency in almost
any publication one picks up. S. Dillon Ripley of the Smithsonian Institution estimates
that a majority of our animal species will be extinct by the year 2000! The Farm Index
states that 34 million acres of rural land, much of it wildlife habitat, will disappear as
cities and highways continue to sprawl across the land.

In Georgia, three rare and endemic species of pocket gophers are now extinct. Bob
Hiilestod, chairman of the rare and endangered species committee of the Southeast
section of the Wildlife Society, blames over zealous museum collectors for reducing the
population. Since the animals stayed within a small area, a population could be wiped
out or severely reduced in one day.

In the Auk of April 1973, an article on Cattle Egret foods states, “About 1000 Cattle
Egrets were shot in late afternoons at four roosts in Alachua and Marion Counties,
Florida between 19 June and 16 July 1969 in connection with another study being made
on endoparasites.” Florida must consider the Cattle Egret on a par with the Starling!

In the same publication, for January 1973, an article on bird collections states,
“American collections contain many thousands of some widely distributed, abundant
species, but few or none of the other, rarer forms.” They go on to justify scientific
collecting, but it is all too easy to collect the “rare forms” into extinction. The so-called
ornithologist who boasted of killing 35 Ivory-billed Woodpeckers did this at a time when
the species was already well on the way to extinction.

Thirty-five tribes of American Indians, and over 220 other species of animals are now
extinct. New York’s Bronx Zoo has erected a graveyard exhibit with a headstone for
each extinct animal species (except man). Once an animal species is extinct it is dead and
buried, nothing will ever bring it back to life.

In the Anderson Independent of 5 February 1973, there was an editorial entitled
“Endangered.” In this the editor writes of efforts to save the kangaroo in Australia, and
goes on to say, “Among other instances we note that an international organization has
been formed to protect the peregrine falcon; that the government of India has been
making efforts to protect the Bengal tiger; that the Soviet Union is cracking down on
illegal hunting of sable; and that our own government has been cracking down on
hunters who have been mindlessly killing off the American golden eagle.

“Still, we can’t help reflecting that there is another endangered species on this planet
and wishing that more positive efforts were being made toward curbing its own
predatory propensities against itself. We are referring, of course, to man.”

Dr. Hugh litis wrote, “If we in our human preoccupation let all but corn and cow
slide into the abysmal finality of irreversible extinction, our species indeed will have

June 1973

43

committed ecological suicide.”

But Harold Martin, in a column about the new organizations formed to try and
protect endangered species sums it all up, by saying, “The friends of the animals know
that all of us, men and animals alike, are part of the infinitely complex and fragile fabric
that makes up the natural world around us. And when any species is destroyed, even one
so seemingly insignificant as the prairie dog, we are all the lesser for it.”

And an added note: Buy and use the new endangered species stamps put out by the
National Wildlife Federation.

New and Timely

It is already too late for one North Carolina river; Conservation News of 1 February
1973 contains an obituary for the Chowan River, ruined by chemical pollution.

***********************

North Carolina Legislature failed to pass the coastal lands management act and a state
land use planning act, both vitally needed for protection of the environment.

***********************

South Carolina has a Special Study Committee on Land Use Planning headed by Lt.
Gov. Earle E. Morris. Hopefully they will consider “land as a resource, instead of just a
commodity to be bought and sold.”

And on a cheerful note: The federal government has granted $89,000 to preserve the
85-acre Hemlock Bluffs near Raleigh, N.C. Pinckney Island in South Carolina has been
set up as a wildlife area under The Natural Land Trust, Inc., and the Federal Bureau of
Sports Fisheries and Wildlife.

44

The Chat

C8©

In Memoriam
ANNIE RIVERS FAVER

Annie Rivers Faver, 64, of Eastover, S.C., died 28 May 1973, several
days after she had suffered a heart attack. Toncie edited “Backyard Birding”
for Chat from 1951 until 1968 and recently returned to the staff as editor of
“CBC Roundtable.” She also wrote “Bird Notes” for The State and worked
tirelessly to promote interest in bird study and conservation. Appropriately,
her last article for Chat asked a question, “Are there any records of birds
feeding on mushrooms?” Her mind was always reaching out for new ideas,
always seeking a better understanding of the world around her.

CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE

Beginning with the present issue of Chat , readers will note numerous changes in
common and scientific names of birds made in accordance with the “Thirty-second
Supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds”
that appeared in the April 1973 issue of Auk , pages 411-419. Some of these changes
(lumps and splits) are for taxonomic reasons. Others will be required by the inclusion of
Middle America and the West Indies in the next edition of the A. O.U. Check-list. In the
summary given below an asterisk (*) follows the newly accepted common name. For
changes in scientific names and a statement of policy regarding English names, we refer
you to the committee report mentioned above.

LUMPS AND SPLITS

Great White Heron merged with Great Blue Heron. *

Blue Goose merged with Snow Goose.*

Green-winged Teal* merged with Common Teal.

Harlan’s Hawk merged with Red-tailed Hawk. *

Thayer’s Gull* now attains species rank. [See GFN this issue.- Ed.]

Red-shafted, Yellow-shafted, and Gilded Flickers are merged as Common Flicker.*
Empidonax traillii is split into Empidomx traillii. Willow Flycatcher* (southern-western
“fitz-bew” type), and Empidonax alnorum, Alder Flycatcher* (northern-eastern
“fee-bee-o” type). [Voice type will be required for field identification of these two
species. - Ed.]

Black-eared Bushtit merged into Bushtit.*

San Lucas Robin merged into Robin, which is now American Robin.*

Bahama Honeycreeper merged with Bananaquit. *

Socorro Warbler merged with Pitiayumi Warbler, now Tropical Parula. *

Parula Warbler becomes Northern Parula.*

Audubon’s and Myrtle Warblers merged into Yellow-rumped Warbler.*

Bullock’s and Baltimore Orioles merged into Northern Oriole.*

June 1973

45

Cassidix mexicanus split into Cassidix mexicanus , Great-tailed Grackle * (southwestern
subspecies), and Cassidix major , Boat-tailed Grackle* (eastern and northern sub-
species).

McGregor’s and Guadalupe House Finches merged into House Finch.*

Ipswich Sparrow merged into Savannah Sparrow.*

Dusky Seaside Sparrow and Cape Sable Sparrow merged into Seaside Sparrow.*
Slate-colored, White-winged, Oregon, and Guadalupe Juncoes merged into Dark-eyed
Junco.*

Mexican Junco and Baird’s Junco merged into Yellow-eyed Junco.*

FURTHER CHANGES
Fulmar becomes Northern Fulmar.*

Pale-footed Shearwater becomes Flesh-footed Shearwater.*

Slender-billed Shearwater becomes Short-tailed Shearwater.*

Leach’s Petrel becomes Leach’s Storm Petrel.*

Wilson’s Petrel becomes Wilson’s Storm Petrel.*

[Other Hydrobatidae become Storm Petrels or Storm-Petrels or Storm-petrels.
There seems to be some question as to whether the Check-list Committee
intended to hyphenate this name, and if so, whether or not to capitalize petrel.
Until there is a published correction, Chat will omit the hyphen. - Ed.]

Common Egret becomes Great Egret. *

Wood Ibis becomes Wood Stork.*

Widgeon is now spelled Wigeon.*

Shoveler becomes Northern Shoveler.*

Common Scoter becomes Black Scoter.*

Gray Sea Eagle becomes White-tailed Eagle.*

Pigeon Hawk becomes Merlin.*

Sparrow Hawk becomes American Kestrel.*

Harlequin Quail becomes Montezuma Quail.*

Upland Plover becomes Upland Sandpiper.*

Knot becomes Red Knot.*

Catbird becomes Gray Catbird.*

Yellowthroat becomes Common Yellowthroat.*

While the changes listed above will undoubtedly cause a considerable amount of
confusion and consternation among bird watchers, they do not present as many
problems as one might suppose. “Great White Heron” is still properly used to designate
the white morph of the Great Blue Heron, and “Blue Goose” refers to the dark morph of
the Snow Goose. “Eurasian Green-winged Teal” and “American Green-winged Teal” are
now used to indicate the component subspecies groups of the Green-winged Teal.
“Yellow-shafted Flicker” is the subspecies of the Common Flicker found in the
Carolinas. When circumstances do not permit specific identification of the Willow and
Alder Flycatchers, “Traill’s Flycatcher” remains available for the complex. The follow-
ing names are among those still available for their respective subspecies or subspecific
group: Myrtle Warbler, Audubon’s Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Bullock’s Oriole, Ipswich
Sparrow, Dusky Seaside Sparrow, Cape Sable Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, and Oregon
Junco. Thus only Savannah Sparrow will appear on the list of species for the next
Christmas Bird Count, but a compiler could properly note in his comments the
occurrence of a certain number of “Ipswich Sparrows.” Do not hesitate to call “Myrtle
Warblers” and “Baltimore Orioles” by their familiar names, but please remember you are
now talking about a subspecific group rather than a full species. Confused? You are not
alone. When in doubt about the correct form, please use the names in your field guide
and let the staff worry about the new names. We occasionally get items using names that
went out of style in 1957. The important thing is to keep those Postal Service people
busy delivering notes and papers to the department editors of Chat. — EF P

46

The Chat

General Field INotes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Second Specimen of Leach’s Storm Petrel
Collected in North Carolina

DONALD A. McCRIMMON JR.

Department of Zoology

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.

LYNN JOHNSON

Department of Zoology

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.

JOHN O. FUSSELL III
Department of Zoology

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. 29 September 1972

Blem and Sonneborn recently reported the first collection of a specimen of Leach’s
Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa ) in North Carolina (Chat, 36:29) in November
1969. Following the passage of Hurricane Agnes 22 June 1972, a second Leach’s Storm
Petrel was found alive at Atlantic Beach, N.C. The bird was discovered by unknown
teenagers and brought to the attention of the authors. Attempts were made to maintain
the bird, but it quickly died. The specimen was frozen immediately. Subsequent
measurements (mm) of the bird by Harry LeGrand and Elizabeth Teulings were: wing,
161; tail, 85; tarsus, 25; culmen, 17. Now on deposit at the North Carolina State
Museum of Natural History, the specimen is the first Leach’s Storm Petrel at the
museum and, as far as is known, in North Carolina.

Leach’s Storm Petrel and Other Pelagic Birds
Seen off North Carolina Coast

DONALD A. McCRIMMON JR.

Department of Zoology

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. 29 September 1972

During the period 25 to 28 June 1972, within 4 days of the passage of Hurricane
Agnes along the North Carolina coast, I was aboard the R/V Eastward, Duke University’s
oceanographic research vessel, in the general area from SE of Morehead City of NE of
Cape Hatteras. Each evening, using 7 x 50 binoculars and 20X spotting telescope, I
maintained a lookout for pelagic birds. My records are as follows:

June 1973

47

25 June 1972, 18:00 to 19:30. Moderate seas, wind 20 knots, clear. Location at
18:45 was 33°56’ N, 76°08’ W, and about 40 miles offshore.

8 Wilson’s Storm Petrels ( Oceanites oceanicus )

5 Leach’s Storm Petrels (i Oceanodroma leucorhoa )

2 Audubon’s Shearwaters ( Puffinus Iherminieri)

26 June 1972, 18:15 to 19:45. Calm seas, wind 5 knots, clear. Location at 19:00 was
34° 19’ N, 75°54.5’ W, and 25 miles offshore.

20 Wilson’s Storm Petrels

1 Greater Shearwater CP. gravis)

2 Cory’s Shearwaters ( P . diomedea )

27 June 1972, 18:30 to 19:45. Calm seas, wind 1 to 2 knots, clear. Location at 19:00
was 35°49’ N, 74°43.5’ W and 30 miles offshore.

45 Wilson’s Storm Petrels

3 Greater Shearwaters

1 Cory’s Shearwater

Of special interest in the above list was the observation of Leach’s Storm Petrels on
25 June. Some individuals were seen as close as 30 yards from my vantage point, the
boatdeck of the stern of the Eastward. The Leach’s were contrasted with the Wilson’s
Storm Petrels by the appearance of a forked tail and the absence of feet extending
beyond the tail. At some angles, when viewed from the lateral aspect, the feet of
Wilson’s extending beyond the tail may produce an illusion of a forked tail. Therefore,
only those birds were identified as Leach’s Storm Petrels which showed a forked tail
from a full dorsal or ventral view. Because of the moderate winds which caused all
petrels to fly close to the water between crests of waves, I did not find the erratic flight
of Leach’s Storm Petrel (Peterson, A Field Guide to the Birds , and Alexander, Birds of
the Ocean) to be a particularly significant distinguishing characteristic. I feel confident
of my ability to recognize the Leach’s Storm Petrel, having held and studied one in hand
only 3 days before the sighting (McCrimmon et al., see above).

In 1967 Williams and Williams {Chat, 32:45) reported the first sighting of Leach’s
Storm Petrel in North Carolina waters during late May and early June. The present
records thus provide confirmation of the occurrence of this species in June.

These observations were conducted during a period when support, in part, was
furnished to McCrimmon by a Grant from the Chapman Memorial Fund of the American
Museum of Natural History.

[Dept. Ed. - The separation of Leach’s Storm Petrel from Wilson’s Storm Petrel
under field conditions is extremely difficult. In view of the recent collections of two
Leach’s Storm Petrels from the North Carolina coast, it appears that this species may be
more common than realized. Well documented visual records thus may help to add to
our knowledge of this species. However, all such records even when well documented by
careful experienced observers are open to some question. Therefore all identifications
should be made with extreme caution, and acceptance and publication will always be
tentative with this species. ]

Disorientation of Migrating Shorebirds at Beaufort, N.C.

JOHN FUSSELL III
Department of Zoology

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. Received 5 November 1972

I have birded in the Beaufort, N.C., region for several years and am well aware that
this is not a good area to observe flocks of shorebirds that are unquestionably in
migratory flight. There are several reasons for this, including: an east-west beach that
tends to disorient southward moving shorebirds, a wide expanse of estuaries that

48

The Chat

Figure 1. Flight path of disoriented shorebirds
and normally moving Barn Swallows.

disperses flights of shorebirds, and regular local movements of shorebirds to and from
Bird Shoal in Beaufort Inlet, which are regulated by both time and tide.

On 6 August 1972, following the passage of a cold front on the previous night, I
observed migrating shorebirds apparently becoming disoriented by the local topography.
Between 08:00 and 10:00 EDT I watched as several flocks of shorebirds, primarily
Sanderlings ( Crocethia alba), plus several Barn Swallows ( Hirundo rustica ) crossed
Beaufort Inlet while moving in a W-NW to NW direction. My observation point was on
Bird Shoal just N of the inlet. From there, I could see that the birds were leaving the
north side of Shackleford Bank and had probably been flying westward and parallel to
the bank keeping it to their left (S-SW). From previous experience I knew the ocean
front and sound shore of Bogue Bank to be regular migratory pathways. Therefore, when
the birds reached a point just NE of Ft. Macon, I expected to see them turn toward the
ocean front or continue across the dredge spoil islands NW of Ft. Macon to the south
shore of Bogue Sound. Much to my surprise, the shorebirds made a slight turn to their
right and headed in a north-northwesterly direction crossing the Morehead channel and
keeping Radio Island on their left (Figure 1). When I last saw the shorebirds E of Radio
Island, they were beginning to gain altitude as if attempting to reorient themselves. This
behavior was repeated by over 50 flocks which averaged about 10 birds per flock. The
flocks were spaced widely enough that the behavior of each was independent of the
others.

It is interesting to speculate on the environmental cues the shorebirds were using
which led to their apparent “mistake,” i.e. moving directly N as well as directly away

June 1973

49

from the ocean beach and barrier islands, both of which migrating shorebirds regularly
follow. The high, immense, and largely unvegetated dredge spoil islands NW of Ft.
Macon and on Radio Island to the N of Ft. Macon would probably seem little different
from the barrier islands the birds had been following for several miles and of which the
birds had been staying to the mainland side. The Morehead channel could appear to be
just another inlet. Also, the angle negotiated by the shorebirds would have been
relatively slight (about 50°) and less than the angle of change they almost certainly made
further E on Shackleford Bank a short time earlier.

It is very interesting that at the point where the shorebirds made their change in
direction, Barn Swallows gained altitude and then turned sharply to the SW, crossing Ft.
Macon and probably moving W along the ocean front.

Golden Eagle in the Unicoi Mountains

JON E. DeVORE

Apt. A-5, 1510 Huntington Drive

Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130 14 October 1972

On 14 August 1972 my wife and I observed an adult Golden Eagle (. Aquila
chrysaetos) on the Tennessee-North Carolina state line at the junction of the Tellico
Wildlife Management Area (Tennessee) and the Nantahala National Forest (North
Carolina) in the Unicoi Mountains. When first seen the bird was gliding out of North
Carolina. After traveling a short distance it turned diagonally along the crests of the
mountains that mark the state line. Again, after flying a short distance the bird dropped
downward into Tennessee and flew directly toward our location at Whigg Meadows, a
clearing approximately 30 acres in size and located at an elevation of 4,800 feet. We did
not move and the bird made several passes over the opposite side of the meadow at a
height of approximately 50 yards before turning and gliding NE along the state line
crests and then back into North Carolina. Atmospheric conditions were good for
observations, with a partly cloudy sky and an easterly (out of North Carolina) breeze
ranging in velocity from 5 to 10 mph. This is the writer’s second sighting of this species
in the same general area during the summer months. In early August of 1968 I observed
another adult Golden Eagle approximately 10 miles W of Whigg Meadows in a small
Tennessee mountain valley.

Thayer’s Gull at Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

CARL W. CARLSON

5706 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20014 January 1972

On 26 October 1971 I was on the porch of the Cavalier Motel at Kill Devil Hills, N.C.,
scoping the ocean for seabirds when four gulls landed at the water’s edge directly in
front of me. They were about 100 feet from me and had the mid-afternoon sun directly
on them; they stood quietly, facing into the wind and resting, but with their heads out
and eyes open. As I have for several years, I checked the eye and leg color somewhat
automatically. Three were pink-legged, yellow-eyed orthodox adult Herring Gulls (Lams
argentatus). The fourth — otherwise seemingly identical - had a definitely dark eye.

Because the light was perfect and the birds quiet, I was able to use the 60X Balscope
lens and could see the dark iris plainly. The color, I would say, was a light walnut brown;
the iris looked very like brown glass and thus the color had a somewhat transparent
quality. Although the iris did not contrast strongly in color with the black pupil, I could
clearly distinguish the two parts with the 60X lens. The pupils of all four birds were
much contracted as they were standing in full sunlight, and this made all, or nearly all, of

50

The Chat

the width of the iris visible. The eye-ring was a dull reddish brown, close in tone to the
brown iris, and very different from the bright yellow eye-ring of the Herring Gulls.

The four birds stood in a line where the breaker-foam stopped, about 3 feet apart; all
four faced into the wind, but did so at a slightly different angle so that absolutely exact
comparisons were not possible. After careful comparisons, I found that the four were
more or less identical in size and mantle-color. Little of the wing-tip pattern can be seen
when a gull is resting, but I endeavored to compare that of the dark-eyed bird with the
adjacent Herring Gull and found that the amount of black on the primary tips was
distinctly more limited than that of the Herring Gull. This would agree closely with
example six in Figure 45 of Smith’s Monograph (. Evolution of Some Arctic Gulls , A.O.U.
Monograph No. 4, 1966) and therefore is quite acceptable for a Thayer’s Gull ( Larus
thayeri). Plate 32 of Godfrey’s Birds of Canada (1966) also indicates such a wing tip
pattern for Thayer’s Gull.

I had no way of collecting the bird and, after some 15 minutes of observation, had to
watch it fly off with its companions.

I can find no mention in any reference available to me of another species of gull
having 1) a brown iris, 2) medium gray mantle, 3) flesh-pink legs, and 4) a black-white
wing-tip pattern. Accordingly I submit that some years of inspecting Herring Gulls (a
dull business) has finally yielded a Thayer’s Gull.

[Dept. Ed. - Your editor is informed by personnel at the National Museum of
Natural History that the dark eye color is diagnostic of Thayer’s Gull in adult birds. No
such separation is possible between immature Thayer’s Gulls and Herring Gulls. On the
basis of this careful study and with recognition by the American Ornithologists’ Union
(Auk, 90:411-419), Thayer’s Gull can be placed on the hypothetical list for North
Carolina. This is one of those species, however, which should be collected for final
verification before being placed on the official list for North Carolina.]

Recovery of a Banded Eastern BSuehird:

Confirmation of an Assumption

ELOISE F. POTTER

P.O. Box 277,_Zebulon, N.C. 27597 9 July 1972

In a previous field note (Chat, 32:28-29) I expressed the opinion that Eastern
Bluebirds (Sialia sialis ) breeding in my wooded yard near Zebulon, Wake County, N.C.,
did not migrate in winter but merely dispersed along the roadsides. I based this
assumption on the occasional sighting of a banded bluebird in my yard during December,
January, and February, months when the species was rarely present around the nest
boxes and more abundant than usual on wires along the road to town. Confirmation of
my assumption comes from the recovery of an Eastern Bluebird banded at my station on
6 October 1970 as a hatching year male. The bird returned on 7 May 1971, and it was
apparently one of several males using my boxes that spring. On 23 January 1972 a
member of the David Pearce family found the bird dead in the yard of their home. The
Pearces live in Franklin County 0.9 of a mile from my banding station, and Mr. Pearce
reports that he leaves his tobacco burner doors open in winter to prevent loss of birds
roosting in his barns.

June 1973

51

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by Robert P. Teulings
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates winter 1972-1973)

COMMON LOON: One was sighted near Winston-Salem, N.C., on 1 February by
Ramona Snavely and party, an unusual mid-winter record for that inland locality.
Elsewhere, as many as 13 over-wintered at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County,
N.C., as reported by Merrill Lynch. An impressive concentration of over 1,000 was
observed on the coast in Cape Lookout Bight off Morehead City, N.C., on 8 March by
John Fussell.

RED-NECKED GREBE: One was a rare inland visitor at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 10
December, Merrill Lynch. Another was seen on the coast at Cape Hatteras, N.C., on
17 February by Gilbert Grant.

HORNED GREBE: A good inland count of 95 was recorded at Roanoke Rapids Lake,
N.C., on 13 February by Merrill Lynch.

EARED GREBE: One was present 27 and 28 January at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., carefully studied by Sidney Gauthreaux. This apparently is only the second
reported occurrence for the state.

WESTERN GREBE: Donald and Doris Cohrs identified an individual at Bull’s Island,
S.C., in Cape Romain N.W.R. on 9 March. The presence of this bird was also noted by
other observers during the following week, fide Burkett Neely.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: An out-of-season individual was seen at Pea Island, N.C., on 1 1
March by Jay Carter.

WHITE PELICAN: A winter occurrence was recorded at Charleston, S.C., where as many
as 25 were present in early January, Dennis Forsythe.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: A sizable wintering population of at least 2,000
roosted at Bird Shoal off Morehead City, N.C., as observed by John Fussell.

GREAT BLUE HERON: A flock of 44 migrants were counted at Roanoke Rapids Lake
near Thelma, N.C., on 24 March by Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: An estimated 800 wintered in the Morehead
City-Beaufort area according to roost censuses taken by John Fussell.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: A large roost of several hundred birds was
found on South Island near Charleston, S.C., on 31 December by Ted Beckett.

LEAST BITTERN: A late lingerer was seen on Bogue Banks near Atlantic Beach, N.C.,
on 29 December by James Parnell.

GLOSSY IBIS: One was noted in mid-winter, 26 January, at Bodie Island, N.C., by
Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, Gard Otis, and Sebastian Patti. Another was seen
4 February near Morehead City by John Fussell.

WHITE IBIS: A wintering population of about 100 was reported by John Fussell in the
Morehead City area. The number of adults was up sharply from last winter, providing
further evidence that the species is successfully extending its year- around range
northward into that locality.

CANADA GOOSE: The peak winter population at Mattamuskeet N.W.R. was only 8,000
this season, John Davis.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: One wintered at Pea Island N.W.R. (Tim Wilkins and many
other observers), and two wintered at Savannah N.W.R. (Sam Young, Pat Young et
al.).

SNOW GOOSE: Peak winter population at Pea Island N.W.R. was estimated at nearly
10,000, Tim Wilkins.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: One was collected at Esterville Plantation near Georgetown,
S.C., on 9 January by Don Marchette, fide Sidney Gauthreaux.

BLACK DUCK: A good inland count of 175 was recorded 7 January near Winston-Salem

52

The Chat

by Royce Hough.

COMMON TEAL: An adult male was seen by many observers at Pea Island N.W.R.
during the last week of December. A later sighting of possibly the same bird was
recorded there on 10 February by Scott Juelfs. The Common Teal is no longer
recognized by the American Ornithologists’ Union as a distinct species. It is now
regarded as the Eurasian race of the Green-winged Teal.

CANVASBACK: A population of 3,000 to 3,500 wintered at Mattamuskeet N.W.R. as
reported by John Davis.

GREATER SCAUP: An individual was found inland at Thurlow’s Lake near Vass, N.C.,
on 18 December by Jay Carter. Some were also noted on waterfowl censuses of lakes
in the vicinity of Raleigh, where a peak count of 17 was recorded on 7 March by
Bruce Bolick.

COMMON GOLDENEYE: A lone female was seen on the Yadkin River in Surry County,
N.C., on 16 January by James Martin. Scattered inland sightings of a few individuals
were also reported by observers at Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Roanoke Rapids.

OLDSQUAW: One was seen at Lake Benson near Raleigh, N.C., on 17 December by
Bruce Bolick.

HOODED MERGANSER: A count of 154 was recorded at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh on
9 January by Bruce Bolick, an unusual concentration for that inland locality.

COMMON MERGANSER: One was an uncommon visitor at University Lake near Chapel
Hill, N.C., on 26 December (James Pullman), and 15 were found on Roanoke Rapids
Lake, Halifax County, N.C., on 23 January (Merrill Lynch).

GOLDEN EAGLE: One adult was seen at Bull’s Island in Cape Romain N.W.R. on 18
March by Perry Nugent.

BALD EAGLE: Two birds, an adult and an immature, wintered at Mattamuskeet N.W.R.
(many observers), and three immatures were present through the season at Magnolia
Gardens near Charleston (Ted Beckett).

OSPREY: Two were winter residents at Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County, N.C.,
well north of their expected winter range, Wendell Smith.

SANDHILL CRANE: An individual was seen near Chester, S.C., on 4 March by Chip
White, fide Sidney Gauthreaux. The bird was studied at close range standing and in
flight.

PIPING PLOVER: An unusually good winter count of 70 was recorded at Bird Shoal off
Morehead City, N.C., on 4 February by John Fussell.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS: An inland winter occurrence was recorded in Northampton
County, N.C., where a single bird was present at Occoneechee Neck on 20 and 21
January, Merrill Lynch.

DUNLIN: Impressive counts of about 2,000 at Shackleford Banks on 8 March and 3,000
at Bird Shoal off Morehead City on 11 March were reported by John Fussell.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Twelve were carefully identified at the Bodie Island
lighthouse pond on 26 January by Harry LeGrand and party.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: One was found among a flock of shorebirds at Moore’s
Landing, Cape Romain N.W.R., on 25 February by Perry Nugent, a rare winter
record.

AMERICAN AVOCET: At least 200 were at South Island near Charleston on 31
December, Ted Beckett.

RING-BILLED GULL: An estimated 10,000 were present at the peak of the winter
season at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C., Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-HEADED GULL: A single bird in immature plumage was seen at South Island,
S.C., on 31 December by Ted Beckett and Stan Langston. Another was seen at
Hampton Park in Charleston on 21 January by Dennis Forsythe.

LITTLE GULL: An adult and two immatures were observed on Hatteras Island at
Buxton, N.C., on 10 March by James Parnell and Jay Carter.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: An adult, partially oiled, was observed at close range in
flight and at rest on the beach at Pea Island N.W.R. on 31 December by Edmund
LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, and Ross Silcock.

June 1973

53

LEAST TERN: A late straggler was seen at Port Royal, S.C., on 28 December by Orion
Hack.

BLACK SKIMMER: A winter lingerer was noted at Pea Island N.W.R. on 26 January by
Sebastian Patti, Gard Otis, Harry LeGrand, and Edmund LeGrand. Approximately 30
wintered in the Morehead City area, as reported by John Fussell.

GROUND DOVE: Four were seen at West Onslow Beach, N.C., on 23 December by
Gilbert Grant. Small numbers now appear to be resident in that area.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: One was present at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., as
late as 8 January, Dot Earle.

WHITE-EYED VJREO: A hardy individual was seen at Harker’s Island near Morehead
City by Royce Hough on 22 January.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: A locally rare winter visitor was noted near Durham,
N.C., on 5 February by Mrs. Paul S. Payne.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Beth Dykema observed a male feeding at her terrace
in Charlotte, N.C., on 16 January, fide Elizabeth Clarkson.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: An out-of-season lingerer was seen at Oakdale Ceme-
tery in Wilmington, N.C., on 14 January by Kitty Kosh.

BLUE GROSBEAK: One was present for several days in late January at Mrs. Richard C.
Tanner’s feeder in Eden, N.C., as reported by Ruth Noonan.

PAINTED BUNTING: At Morehead City, M.J. Nicholson noted a female at his feeder on
16 February, fide John Fussell.

DICKCISSEL: Two were noted as regular feeder visitors through the winter season at
Elizabeth City, N.C., by Frank Aycock. Elsewhere, other observers noted wintering
individuals at Albemarle, N.C., Charleston, and Dillon, S.C.

TREE SPARROW: One was seen by Perry Nugent at a feeder in Charleston on 28
February, and another was seen at Chapel Hill on 19 March by William Wagner.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: One was reported as a locally rare winter visitor at
Charleston on 14 January, Perry Nugent. Elsewhere, White-crowneds were con-
spicuously common at Johnston’s Farm in the Occoneechee Neck section of
Northampton County, N.C., where flocks of up to 40 were seen, Merrill Lynch.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: At least 15 were found among a large flock of Horned Larks at
the Johnston Farm in the Occoneechee Neck section of Northampton County, N.C.,
on 20 January by John Wright and Merrill Lynch.

SNOW BUNTING: Visitors were apparently very scarce in the Carolinas this past winter.
The only sighting reported was of a single bird at Charleston on 25 February (Perry
Nugent).

54

The Chat

BOOK REVIEWS

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MEXICO. - Ernest P. Edwards. Published by the
author, Sweet Briar, Virginia, 1972. 300 p. Ulus., 2 maps, 24 color plates. 5 3/4 x 9
inches. Heavy paper, $7.50.

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA. - L. Irby
Davis. University of Texas Press, Austin, 1972. 282 p. Ulus., 48 color plates. 5 3/4 x
8 5/8 inches. Hard cloth, $10.00; flexible binding, $6.50.

Inevitably the two guides listed above will be compared with each other and with
Birds of Mexico by Emmet R. Blake (University of Chicago Press, 1953). Absence of
colored plates makes Blake’s book somewhat unappealing to bird watchers long
accustomed to the excellent illustrations in the Peterson and Robbins guides. Both new
books on the birds of Mexico have colored plates, but neither volume appears to be the
perfect solution to the immense problem of providing a first-class guide to the large
number of species of birds found in that country. Although I am certainly not qualified
to judge these books critically, I believe Edwards’ text is superior to that provided by
Davis. The illustrations by F.P. Bennett Jr., however, would be worth the cost of Davis’
book to the bird student traveling in Mexico. Fortunately, Bennett’s plates are printed
consecutively In the center of the book where they can be located quickly for
comparison with Edwards’ text This may be a rather awkward arrangement, but it is
probably the best one can do until Peterson’s long-awaited volume on the birds of
Mexico becomes available. - EFP

BIRD WALK THROUGH THE BIBLE. - Virginia C. Holmgren. The Seabury Press, New
York, 1972. 216 p. Hard cover, $6.95.

No bird watcher can read the Bible without being impressed by the frequent
references to birds. Virginia Holmgren’s book is an adequate and thoughtfully organized
treatment of the subject, but it offers nothing of importance that is not available in
several earlier works from other publishing houses. My personal preference leans toward
Alice Parmelee’s All the Birds of the Bible (Harper & Brothers, 1959), which has a large
number of black-and-white illustrations and an index in addition to a carefully prepared
text. However, Bible scholars may prefer Holmgren’s emphasis on the Hebrew designa-
tions for birds, and those not familiar with Eurasian birds may appreciate her
descriptions of those species in relationship to similar ones found in North America.
Certainly the clergyman or layman who would like to improve his understanding of the
natural history of Bible lands couldn’t go wrong by adding one or both of these books to
his library. - EFP

WORDS FOR BIRDS: A Lexicon of North American Birds with Biographical Notes. —
Edward S. Gruson. Quadrangle Books, Inc., New York, 1972. 305 p. Indexed. Ulus. Hard
cover, $8.95.

Which bird’s name is an allusion to St. Peter’s walking on the water? Which bird is
named for someone who falsely represented himself as having been a captain in the
United States Navy? Which one is named for a man who really was a general in the
Confederate Army? We’ve heard of Lucy’s Warbler, but who was Lucy’s father and
which birds bear his name? Was Franklin’s Gull named for Benjamin Franklin or some
other Franklin?

If you have ever wondered how birds acquired their common and scientific names,
you will thoroughly enjoy this book. Indexed by common, generic, and scientific names
of birds as well as by the people for whom the birds are named, the book is a handy
reference; but the biographical sketches are so well written that it is almost impossible to
read one of them without at least scanning the book from cover to cover. — EFP

June 1973

55

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

"lev's 7 b

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 37 September 1973 No. 3

The Chat

Vol. 37 September 1973 No. 3

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Route 1, Tiger, Georgia 30576

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Derinid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Gull Populations at Charleston, S.C.,

June 1971 to June 1972, Dennis M. Forsythe 57

CBC Roundtable 63

Conservation 65

Spring Bird Count — 1973 66

General Field Notes 78

First South Carolina Record

of Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel, Jay Shuler 78

Escaped Caracara in Northeastern North Carolina,

Frank B. Ay cock Jr 78

An Instance of Purple Sandpiper Feeding Away from Rock

Jetties in North Carolina, John Fussell 79

A Black-headed Gull at Pea Island N.W.R., John S. Wright 80

Observations of the Barn Owl in the Southern Appalachian

Mountains, Marcus B. Simpson Jr. and Robert C. Ruiz 81

Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Laurens County, S.C.,

Jane P. Holt 82

Cerulean Warbler Found in North Carolina in Summer,

/. Merrill Lynch : 83

Brown-headed Cowbird Increases in North Carolina

Mountains, Jane P. Holt 84

Briefs for the Files 85

CB©

OUR COVER— The tiny and secretive Yellow Rail is
probably far more abundant as a transient and win-
ter visitor than the few published records indicate.
(Photo by James F. Parnell.)

GULL POPULATIONS
AT CHARLESTON, S. C.,
JUNE 1971 TO JUNE 1972

DENNIS M. FORSYTHE

Although gulls are the most conspicuous birds found on the Carolina coast and
Ring-billed (Lams delawarensis ) and Herring (L. argentatus) Gulls were the major species
contributing to the bird-aircraft strike hazard at Charleston Air Force Base (Wooten,
1971; Forsythe, 1972), little is known about population dynamics of gulls in the vicinity
of Charleston, S.C. The purpose of this study was to determine the seasonal fluctuations
in the species and numbers of gulls in the Charleston area.

STUDY AREA

Observations were made between 15 June 1971 and 31 May 1972 in a
500-square-mile section of coastal plain in Charleston and Dorchester Counties (Figure
1). Intensive field work was conducted in metropolitan Charleston (Figure 2). About
15% of the total area is coastal marsh and barrier island; another 40%, urban habitat; and
45% farmland, swamp, or forest. The topography is flat and almost entirely less than 30
feet above sea level.

£

CHARLESTON STUDY AREA ^

FIG. I CHARLESTON GULL ECOLOGY STUDY AREA
The rectangular area is shown in greater detail in fig. 2

September 1973

57

LADSON

□

A CHARLESTON DISPOSAL CO.

FIG. 2 METROPOLITAN CHARLESTON AREA WITHIN WHICH
MOST INTENSIVE FIELD WORK WAS CONDUCTED

58

The Chat

FIG. 3 NUMBER OF LAUGHING GULLS WITHIN THE CHARLESTON
STUDY AREA, 1971-1972

METHODS

Ground censuses were made at least twice weekly at all gull feeding and loafing sites
within metropolitan Charleston (Figure 2). Flying in a Cessna 150 Aerobat or a Cessna
172 Skyhawk, I made eight aerial censuses covering all known gull concentrations within
the 5 00- square-mile plot between 26 July 1971 and 17 May 1972. Flights averaged four-
hours and were made from mid-morning through the afternoon over the same course at
elevations of 500 to 800 feet. Clear weather with light winds and good visibility but
variable tidal conditions occurred on all censuses. In conjunction with the aerial counts,
ground observers censused all gull concentrations within the metropolitan Charleston
sector. Comparisons between the two methods showed that aerial counts underestimated
numbers by about 25%.

SPECIES PRESENT AND POPULATION SIZE

Seven species of gulls, Laughing (L. atricilla), Herring, Ring-billed, Bonaparte’s (L.
Philadelphia) , Great Black-backed (L. marinus). Black-headed (L. ridibundus) , and
Iceland (L. glaucoides) were found during the study. Of these, only the Laughing,
Herring, Ring-billed, and Bonaparte’s were common.

A summer Laughing Gull population of over 2,200 birds increased to over 3,000 in
September with the addition of migrants from the northern part of its range and
declined to a winter low of 5 to 10 individuals. Numbers increased again in spring,
resulting in a breeding population of over 3,200 birds in late May and June (Figure 3).

From a mid-summer low of under 100 birds, Ring-billed numbers increased during
October reaching a peak of over 3,600 in late November. The Ring-billed population
dropped during December and January but increased again in February and March,
declining again to under 100 in May to June (Figure 4). Noticeable migrations associated

September 1973

59

3500

3000-

2500-

> 2000-

1500

500“

17

May

FIG. 4 NUMBER OF RING-BILLED GULLS WITHIN THE CHARLESTON
STUDY AREA, 1971-1972

26

12

19

24

18

6 26

28

23

July

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Feb.

Mar.

April

1971

DATE

1972

15

June

with high winds and rain occurred during 20 to 30 October, 22 to 29 November, and 24
to 30 March.

Ring-billed Gulls were found inland more often and in larger numbers than any other
species under study. They occurred at such places as sanitary landfills, golf courses,
shopping centers, and short grass fields up to 30 miles from the ocean or rivers.

Herring Gull populations (Figure 5) followed similar trends to those found for
Ring-billed Gulls except that the winter population was lower and weather-induced
movements were less evident. Herring Gulls were more restricted to the coast and large
open dumps than were Ring-bills. Small numbers were summer residents and in the
future may breed, especially in suitable locations such as the Cape Romain National
Wildlife Refuge.

Bonaparte’s Gulls were first seen on 24 November when 15 were found following a
shrimp trawler. The peak number of about 400 occurred from late January through
February, and the species was last recorded on 26 March. This highly aquatic gull was
found on sewage lagoons, estuaries, fresh water ponds, and other bodies of water.

Since 1954, one to three Great Black-backed Gulls have been reported each winter in
the Charleston area (Sprunt and Chamberlain, 1970) and the species appears to be
increasing (Potter, 1972). Black-backs were seen from 3 January through 5 April with
the peak population of 20 in February. Individuals were seen on barrier island beaches,
Charleston Naval Base dump, and the Isle of Palms dump.

An immature Iceland Gull associated with Ring-billed Gulls and Herring Gulls was
seen near the Carolina Yacht Club in late December or early January by E. Milby

The Chat

60

NUMBER OBSERVED

1971

1972

DATE

FIG. 5 NUMBER OF HERRING GULLS WITHIN THE CHARLESTON
STUDY AREA, 1971-1972

Burton. This was only the second South Carolina record (Sprunt and Chamberlain,
1970).

Dick Viet and Peter Polslek observed two adult Black-headed Gulls, one in breeding
plumage and one in winter plumage, feeding with a flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls on the
Charleston waterfront on 25 March (Teulings, 1972; LeGrand, 1972). This was the
second South Carolina record (Probst, 1971).

SUMMARY

Gull populations were measured in the Charleston area by aerial and ground counts
from 15 June 1971 to 31 May 1972. Seven species were found but only four were
common. About 2,200 Laughing Gulls were summer residents, but over 3,000 were
present during fall migration. About 3,600 Ring-billed Gulls wintered in the area, and
slightly lower numbers of Herring Gulls were found during the same period. Bonaparte’s
Gulls were present during November through March with about 400 during February.
Great Black-backed Gulls were present from early January to early April with a peak of
20 in February.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am grateful to S.A. Coleman, K.A. Dodds, M. Hughes, and D. Reid for help in the
field. J. Hart and The Citadel Flying Club provided pilots for the aerial censuses. This
study was financed by Contract No. 14-16-0008-612 from the Department of the
Interior with funds provided by the Eco Systems Technology Section, Department of
the Air Force, and a Citadel Development Foundation advance study grant.

September 1973

61

LITERATURE CITED

Forsythe, D.M. 1972. An ecological study of the gull populations to reduce the
bird-aircraft strike hazard at Charleston Air Force Base. Final report to the
Department of the Interior. 92 p. mimeo.

LeGrand, H.E., Jr. 1972 Briefs for the file. Chat, 36:65-67.

Potter, E.F. 1972. Christmas bird count - 1971. Chat, 36:20-21.

Probst, F.M. 1971. A first record for South Carolina: Black-headed Gull photographed.
Chat, 35:109-110.

Sprunt, A., Jr., and E.B. Chamberlain. 1970. With supplement by E. Milby Burton.

South Carolina bird life. Univ. South Carolina Press, Columbia.

Teulings, R.P. 1972 South Atlantic Coast region - the winter season. Amer. Birds,
26:589-592.

Wooten, R.C., Jr., 1971. Evaluation of the bird aircraft strike-hazard at Charleston Air
Force Base, South Carolina. Consultation Report No. 1, Air Force Weapons
Laboratory, Air Force Weapons Systems Command, Kirtland Air Force Base, New
Mexico. 9 p. mimeo.

Department of Biology, The Citadel, Charleston, S. C. 29409, 4 September 1972.

SPRING BIRD COUNT OBSERVERS

(Continued from Page 77)

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Mrs. Glen Barnes, Mrs. Clarence Beach, Isabel Bernhardt,
Mrs. Murray Bruner, Barbara Craig, Mrs. Jack Davis, Margaret Harper, Mr. and Mrs.
Garvin Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Manchester, Mr. and Mrs. Fred May, Helen Myers,
Mrs. C.S. Warren, Joyce Whitman.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C.: Cecilia Burleson, Charlie Burleson, Winston Church, Judy
Clement, Nat Clement, Brett Day, Hugh Fields, Evelyn Gordon, Dot Griffin, Mary Alice
Hardin, Dixie Proctor, Betsy Randall, Frank Randall, Sally Southerland, Neil Stewart,
Kay Webb, Stewart Webb.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C.: Robert Bruce, Dennis Carter, John Hall,
Joseph L. Hall, Walter Hall, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Robert Brown, Dennis Carter, Fred Cline, Nora Cline,
Margaret Finch, Dorothy Griffin, Joseph Hall, Joy Hall, Joyce Hall, Mark Hall, Walter
Hall, Florence Heineman, Herbert Heineman, William Jervey, Loretta Kincaid, Gordon
Mahy, Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Rauchwerger, Betty Ruiz, Robert Ruiz, Chris Rustay, Gladys
Rustay, Wendy Rustay, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Mary Sawyer, Thomas Wood,
Vertice Wood.

BREVARD, N.C.: Glenna Ball, Herbert Ball, Bill Cook, Ellen Cook, Bill Cunningham,
Janet Cunningham, Louise Davidson, Eloise Fenneberg, Connie Foster, Ercel Francis,
George Francis, Dick Garren, Helen Hardin, Curt Holland, Gail Holland, Susan Holland,
Walter Holland, Bernice Hollifield, Hugh Hollifield, Grace Jackson, Sue Marcum, Walter
McKelvey, Dewitt Parsons, Helen Parsons, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Reese, Hazel Roberts,
Hervey Roberts, Kenneth Roberts, Mary Roberts, Becky Swanson, Phyllis Tish, Claude
Viens, Eleanor Viens, Doug Wauchope, Harold Zimmerman, Helen Zimmerman.

62

The Chat

CB@

New Department Editor

Last spring Louis C. Fink and his wife, Vera, moved to North Carolina to be near
their grandchildren, and Georgia’s loss became CBC’s gain. Formerly associated with
Trust Company of Georgia, Lou now devotes his time to writing, editing, and public
speaking engagements, including illustrated talks on native birds. Having been an active
member of Georgia Ornithological Society for 20 years, Lou promptly offered his
services to CBC. It is our pleasure to welcome him as the new editor of “CBC
Roundtable.” His address is Apt. 6, Building L, Tau Valley Estates, Rocky Mount, N.C.
27801.

Collectors Print Available

Richard A. Parks’ print of the Brown Thrasher and Cherokee Roses is being offered
to people who join National Audubon Society. For details, write Wm. H. Marsh Jr.,
Treasurer, Atlanta Audubon Society, 3974 Powers Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia
30342.

Mt. Mitchell Bird List

“Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park, North Carolina” by
Marcus B. Simpson Jr. appears in the Winter 1972 issue of The Journal of the Elisha
Mitchell Scientific Society. Dr. Simpson’s paper lists 91 species and contains few
surprises for those who have read his articles in Chat on the birds of the southern
Appalachian Mountains, but his comments on several species should be kept in mind by
CBC members visiting the Black Mountains. Simpson regards the Black-capped
Chickadee as apparently having been “extirpated due to habitat disruption,” the last
acceptable record being a pair seen by Burleigh at 6,000 feet on 8 May 1930. Although
the Pine Siskin has been found in the Black Mountains during every month of the year,
Simpson found no evidence of breeding. From December through June the Red Crossbill
is “highly irregular and generally rare or absent within the Park.” Simpson found no
evidence of breeding. Conspicuous by their absence are such species as the Great Horned
Owl, Least Flycatcher, and Scarlet Tanager. Their apparent absence from the Park
(elevation 5,600 to 6,684 feet)may be the result of altitudinal limitation, lack of suitable
habitat, or insufficient field work in the less accessible portions of the area covered.
Perhaps Simpson’s paper will encourage casual birders in the Black Mountains to report
sightings of transients and common mountain species whose presence above 5,600 feet
seems unusual only to those intimately familiar with high altitude bird records.

Comments on Biblical Bird Names

Mrs. Potter’s review of Holmgren’s “Bird Walk Through the Bible” raises some curious
questions. In A. Landsborough Thomson’s “A New Dictionary of Birds” (1964) Dr.
Aharon Shulov, Director of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoological Garden, gives a list of the

September 1973

63

birds of the Old Testament. He points out that in quite a few cases, we do not actually
know what birds were originally meant by the designations in the Hebrew text. The
situation is even worse for the mammals. The bird names are now given the meanings
that are used in Hebrew as spoken today in Israel. Part of the problem comes from the
fact that Hebrew was not a vernacular language for nearly 1700 years following 200 A.D.
It was simply a liturgical language persisting in more than one form and influenced to
some extent by the environments in which Jews lived. Further, there was no natural
history literature in Hebrew from the classical period. To make matters worse the
present Hebrew (Masoretic text) was not canonized until about the year 900 A.D. How
far it departs from any original Biblical text is, of course, uncertain.

The birds of the New Testament must depend largely on the meaning of Greek bird
names. Here we have a longer continuous, but perhaps not wholly unaltered, tradition.
Greek remained a vernacular. In addition, we have the zoological works of Aristotle with
some descriptions written a little earlier than 300 B.C. Anyone interested might look up
Sir D’Arcy W. Thompson’s “A Glossary of Greek Birds.” - CHARLES H. BLAKE, Box
613, Hillsborough, N. C. 27278.

Color Banding of Painted Buntings

Although we live close to the northern limit of the range of the Painted Bunting we
have banded 28 birds between 22 April and 10 August, 1973: 7 definitive males, 6 green
breeding males, 6 breeding females, and 9 hatching year birds of unknown sex. We are
undertaking a study of this delightful species because the literature is sparse and
contradictory. To that end we have color banded all but three of the banded birds, as
shown in the table, and thus are able to identify as individuals the birds that come to our
feeders and bathe and sing in the area, as well as those that repeat in the nets and traps.
We are asking southern banders to be on the lookout for the color banded birds,
especially the green males. We wonder when the males acquire definitive plumage. Of
course, we hope to get a big return next spring; but even if the birds don’t come to our
area, perhaps they will be observed elsewhere and some observers will write to tell us the
state of their plumage. We welcome information of any kind about this species. -
Samuel R. and Isabel H. Tipton, Star Route No. 2, Box 780, Southport, N.C. 28461.

PAINTED BUNTINGS BANDED 1973
(Aluminum Band Prefix 820-)

Males
07805 White

Definitive

Green

Males

07813 Red

15 Light green

16 Dark green
19 Dark blue
21 Dark pink
28 Light blue

(right leg)

Females

Hatching

Year

07809 Light Pink

07814 Yellow

07 Orange
18 Mauve
23 Black

10 Orange
17 Light blue

24 Yellow
31 Yellow

33 Yellow

34 Yellow

35 Yellow

36 Yellow

37 Yellow

38 Yellow

30 Light blue

20 Mauve
25 White

Color bands on left leg except 0728

Green birds categorized on basis of:

64

Skull ossification
Brood patch

Cloacal protuberance
Wing length

The Chat

Conservation

. . . with Marie Mellinger

An Unsporting Sport

When this- was a pioneer country, hunting and trapping were essential, for a man’s
family was often dependent on his prowess with a trap or a gun. Now the sport of
hunting has become a big business, and in many instances can hardly be called a sport.
All the odds are on the side of man, and the birds and animals seldom have even a
“sporting chance.” We find no fault with the individual who goes out into the woods,
carefully obeying all the laws, and kills his bird or animal, if kill he must. But we do have
a lot more respect for those parents who teach their children to hunt with their eyes, or
a camera, instead of a gun.

Far too much hunting has degenerated into a barnyard type of slaughter, where
almost-tame animals are driven directly to the hunters, or penned up in small areas where
they have no chance at all to escape. The description of the buffalo hunt on pages
117-120 of Bless the Beasts and Children is more truth than fiction. The same scene
occurs over and over, all too often on so called ‘'refuges” where the excuse is that “there
are too many animals for the food supply” — in itself an indictment of our vanishing
wildlife habitat. If there are too many birds or animals in one area, why can’t some be
moved, under tranquilizers if necessary, to areas already decimated of all wildlife? And
why should our refuges raise tame birds to be turned loose, all too trustful of man, to
immediately be shot?

Twenty-five years ago Aldo Leopold wrote, “Take a look at any duck marsh. A
cordon of parked cars surrounds it. Crouched on each point of its reedy margin is some
pillar of society, automatic ready, trigger finger itching to break, if need be, every law of
commonwealth or commonweal to kill a duck. That he is already overfed in no way
dampens his avidity for gathering his meat from God.” Have you seen any wildlife
today? How many of you listen to the pleas of the American Wildlife Federation?

Most appalling, eight out of ten hunters do not even eat their game. The kill is the
thing, and after deer season the garbage trucks haul away the remains. Many men, and
women, suffer from what a leading psychologist calls “trophy obsession,” getting the
largest of a species, or unfortunately the most rare.

There should also be growing concern over hunting and trapping methods. Recent
studies by Dr. Lars Karsted of Canada, have shown that “three million waterfowl are
tortured and destroyed every year by swallowing hundreds of tons of lead shot in their
shallow marsh feeding grounds.” How many hunters could eat a lead -poisoned duck?
This problem could be solved by use of lead-free shot.

After a recent article on trapping, the Atlanta Constitution was deluged with letters
protesting the use of steel traps. William Lanier wrote, “Soon there will be no playful
otters, no beavers, no foxes,- no bobcats, for our children to inherit. For every animal
reported there are probably 10 or 20 that are never recorded. As for the traps being
merciful, assuring a ‘quick drowning,’ let’s try them on the trapper.” Florida has banned
all but live cage traps. Why can’t her neighboring states follow her humane lead?

Man must be made to see the importance of the so-called animal predators to society.
Kill the fox and the rabbits overrun the land; kill the rattlesnake and the rats flourish.
Left alone, nature reaches her own balance.

(Continued on Page 84)

September 1973

65

abiai g
'O'N 'pJBAajg

Aei/\| z\
‘O'N "°0 aqwooung

l!JdV 82

oo iiaMOQOiAi-Aaoue^

IMdv 82
O N "00 Ajbav

i : to : : o : * : cm

ll-tdv 08
O N "O0 ||9AAp|B0

abiai zi
ON 'epuoy-u|>|i3

abiai g
O S 'B||!AuaaJ9

abiai s

O'N 'swo|jBqo

l|JdV 82
O'N "°0 A|UBig

CN cn : CN

abiai cl
O'N "O0 IIBPBJI

abiai 9

O N 'wa|Bs-uoisu!M

<-cn: : : : : : : : : : i^ttoro

I !Jd v 82
O N 'ojoqsuaajo

cn cm ; : i i : : : : : : : n 01

n::tr::;::::::cNto

abiai 9
•O'N ' II ! H |9dBi|0

I ! Jd v 82
O N 'q6|3|By

abiai t-
O N 'uosjapuay

abiai 9

'O'N 'spidsy a>|ouBoy

abiai l

O S 'OOIIIQ

l!Jdv 82

•O'N 'a|||AauaAB-j

IMdv 82
O N 'sauiy ujatpnos

IMdv 62
O N "°0 oojiiuBy

abiai 9

O N "00 IJOjnsag

! ! j i j I CO j | CO | 05 *1!* $ I I I I I I I I |

I I i i i iro|r_r'c^roi | i i | i j i i cn j

IMdv 62
'O'S 'UOIS9|JBI|0

IMdV C2
■O N 'uoi6u|lu|!A/\

l!JdV 82
O N 'AllO psaqaJO|A|

: co ! : cn

sienpjAjpu |

leioi

i^ooir>r^cNo>CNCooo<-coo*-coinoc>'-oco*-

t- cd cm cn

-,0.

■o -g

5 0“ «

111

£ x

01 nj

UJ c
> .2
g

■ Si* Z
Z ^

V g

, 1 §

£ S w = leg

— ro-oQ_ o

J » T) I; V : c S t

t&aiifl

S & 3 § f K

E o Z £ ra jo c S3 E

-o TJ £

■o o E

>_j<OgoSoDQ-Om<z§oc(ro

t S "6 5 E -6

3 R 3 O o <u ,

wwiiott

SIM
2 M i
SMI

MM

r M I s

■ ~ * s

'"MIS

*- I E

I .1

I i I I I
M. I I I

Mi

I I I

I I M M - i I I I I
Mi I I M 04 M I I I

I Ml MS

I M I I

MII

■1 Mil!

i I I

! I " 11 I

I I I

I S

2 M I I I I

o cn i : *- ro

I I I M I
I II M I

! i i El i

l"l S I
N * M M |
I * Mira!
i SMI: S 1

I * M I 8 I

I I I

i I

I I I

1 I :l

i 1 I

I I I I —

II I M ^

I I I I M I

I I

i i i i 1 1

MSI

- 1 I I

MSI

I I I

I *" I

1 1

I 1

I S

Mill
Mill
Mill
Mill
I I • 1

0 I

2 r0 |
^ CN |

I *

I S

MSI

S S Ml I

I I I

I I: l
I' f#
1*1

M *" I MSI I I
M ” I 18 5 I S S

I S

a n

M' i ir m00 i i ms i i i r

| Iff
° l: I
^ |

I I * M

II

1 Mil

I I Ini

I " I

I 50 1

IM
I S
i 8

I I I
I I I
I I I

MSI I I

i r

i i i

I M I I M
I M I I I |
I M ” I * I

I I S

CO I CO r-

I 1

i:,f r i.

I I I !

1 If I

MM

'“III

SS^ I I

coococnt— <— (0 ; r-

1 MM MS

I CN -

I 5 I
I S ’

MSS

cd : o ; ; co q m ^ ; co

m m s w i

rSM8

r-C00)'-0)^CM-

lo : t-

O) T- Ifi r-
CM CO r-

1.1 5 8 I

Mgg I
* 8fS"

S S 8 S

SM5

r

28§S°MS58s8SMSS£S2M'MSSc0* SM

i!

ii

I 1 At

Ijllilijli? III, ,11 iff if ill liiUJi if.im IIIIH,
liillliilSHiSillliflJliJiliiiljlllfiiillilllitllill

I s Ilfs
II! II '
’ 'i*

^ 8 ! *- I-'
^ 18^
- 8 H 2 !

! §

tJTKL I]

i i°sr is i ° i

CO T-

! ! 5

“ 2 c'° 8 12 8 5 ^ i ^ - 8

! ! ! |

!g!8S!^8‘ 51582* ! *"
I « I 2 ;i ! ^ 00 S ! 8? ^ ~ 00 ! !

!W^?S* ! ! IS"!* i* 18“! IS! i
188888^2* ^88^5 1 2 ~ 8 « " ” 5 * "
1^2228 ! * ^ * V"" ! * w g 5 * 58* *

j *- CD CO CO r~ j ; I j * — j I ! j ° j ^ | I

^ CD | j j CN CD
^ CD j C | *

CM t— j j j | CM

^ ! 2 ! | LO

CO CO j T— T— T— LO

01 r- | lo ; r- oo

8 2 ! 2 j ^ 2

2 2! j I ! ~

2 ! - 5 ! ® ! 8 8 ” !

! i ! 2 M j

5 12 2

15 2!

5825$ 1

! 8 ! 5 8 !
2 5“

~ 8

S ! 8 8 ! 8 !. 8 8
8 ” 8 2 !'5 ! S 8

! 2

’-■'-! o>

i a

i ! 2

! I 8

! 5

8 2 2 5 2

! ^ 3 ” I i

01 8 2 ! -

*- ! I 2

! 5

CO j CO r- t— r- LO

18 8 8 8 8 ! I ! I 8 05
128258* ““* 8“
! 5ScoS8^8tN“22

8 8 8
; oi r*

2 5 5*8 i 2 ! !

85 18 1882 i 2 T_

I 2

I i

8 8 ^ 8 8 18858
® 8 ! ^ 5 i 2 18 2
28* ^ ° i 8 8 S 5

r~~ «- <Cf CN

8 ^

128588
i 8 8 8 2 2
2 5 8 5 8
i 5 8 8 8 8
188288

! ! 8 8

i ” 8 5
00 8 2 5
I'M*
! “ 8 2

*- ! 8

i ! i " 8

" 1 !“5

01 CO CN CM t- cm r- ! CO
- - 8

I j 8 2 2 “ ” ^ 8

8 I 5 ^ g 2 * * 8

ld :^cd|^o^5
I ; * « g °> CO * CD

05 * 22288^8

i ; to gj CD

! 2

! 2 ” ^ 8 5 2 i

® ! ! ^ !
^ \f i
8 ! I ! !
2 ! ! " !

I 2

i j*05* jtNSI2!Min^!tD

i i j ® “ j. 5 8 ! 2 ! ^ 2 ! M 2

M

cmcocmcooicno^ ; cm o co o CD o

IS; ! 2 18 2 ! 05 ^ * 2 ! feT
! 8 i “ 2 ! o 5 ! w 8 8 5 “ I 00

5*552 I

! 8

i ! 2

i ! 8

! S2822-^wco88

! 01 CO CO ^ CO j j j | 'sT r-

18 2 2 5 8'-! 1 I ^ *

! ! !^r ! !

C ; CD CO CN I CO |

^ !^32tow
! ! 1^82*!

! ! ! 12 2^!

8 ^ ! 2 ! - 8

5 ! il£t;

5 ! !

8!^8!58!g5g8r'-*8w; ! ! 2 2 i- 5 3 8 ^ 2 * j ! -
8i82!88!2g88! !8!roi 183258288^!.! !
5 ! 22 18 8 !8882 ! CN 2 ! ! ! 18 * * 3 “ 2 * ^ I i ! !

2 ! ! " 8 5 “ 2 5

" ! 8 ” 8 2 “ ! 5

! i 2 *- 2 5 ” ! 2

O T- r~

5 8

8^88

s8S!S8|"P5SS8S0,;J^S!f8|8B!SS!?:::E!J!SB58S5|Ss:*5

ii

li

fltEllsUJIUi li Jil?lhsJ!i!s|lii|!i III!, I? ?I|I||
IIIII!sllllII!!liJ!llliIl!lI^IIIIilllI!llIlli!llIllII

abiai g

i

-

! !

^ ! !

i

!

* i

^ I *

8

! *

i

: ^ co co

1

i

20

5

31

'D'N 'pjBAajg

Abiai 3i

s

i

i

CO

00

I *

: * - *

* 8

CN

O O id

*

CO

S 2

47

2

20

CO

CD

i 10

CD

28

11

33

i

G)

^88?

"O N ' °0 aqwooung

H

IHdV 82

2

*

|

00

*

1 I.

! M ! i

26

22

" 8 8 8

a

LD

CO *

2

4

14

LD

<- o>

G)

30

2

22

1

LD

2 co i 2

ON

■03 iiaMocPiAl-AaouBA

MJdv 82

CN

I

1

! !

! -

!

! ! - "

!.

i

i j

j i ”

!

-

I 1

1 | j w

| S CN CD

O N -03 Ajbav

pjdv 08

CN

i

i i

i

fN ; t— t—

,

,

, , ,

, ,

j ^ oo, | C

CD i 2

O N "03 ||a/v\p|B3

Aeiai Zl

!

CN

1

!

1

! j

j f

-

Qi i

1

-

i

CO |

CD CO |

!'

-

CO I

-

! ^ N 1

-

|

05 8 i 05

ON -Bpuoa-u!>||3

aeiai 9

i

i

i

i i

T- CO

i

CN j O :

1

v-

I j

CN - j

j

j 1

| CM CN |

j

"282

'O S 'a||!Aua0J9

aeiai s

00

l

t

i

■ I' i

r- v-

1

«- co «- :
cn :

!

I

i 1

CO 1- LD

-

-

i N

EP

! ^ co i

10 8 i 2

O N '9UO|jbu|3

CN

MJdV 82 -

-2

CO

CN

i

i

" !

I !

-

i - 5 I

1

*

i i

: cn 00

#

n

i i

; ° cn :

|

i

CN CD CN r-

r- CN ^ CD

ON "03 A|ubjs

00

!_

aeiai cl

-

1

i

1

" !

fWM

<- 00

!

32

11

97

CN

CN

CO

<- O

32

10

9

I

-

I |

-

! O) CO co

i

-

CO S CN

o

O N "°D llaPajl

|

aeiai g

CO

CN

CN

!

" !

I * ! !

00

CN

8 8 8 *

y

*

CN

cn

00 00 CN

*

2

* -

CO

19

26

3

|

*

8 5 i S

aZ

'O'N 'uia|Bs-uojsuiAA

"

l!JdV 82

CO

!

!

1

-

•i-fl

T“ <J>

1

6

26

I

*

! M

CO O) CO

1

CO

^ i

-

irN

I

1

18

'3'N 'oJoqsuaajQ

CO T-

aeiai 9

CN

CN

!

CN

CN

- 1

MM

a ”

-

2

13

32

•1

CO

:!

G)

* *

CN CN

i

8

O O

CD

j 8 $ 2

1

CN

S 8 " 8

O N 'll!H |adEL|3

IMdv 82

O

-

-

!

to 1

43

17

-

rasr

CN

1

G)

” 88

*

8

0

CN

i S 10 8

*

*

8 2 8

O N '46!3|BH

NT

^

aeiai p

r->

rr |

mm \

1

■i |J

i -

i

CO

i f

CN

! i co co

^ 8 i 8

*D N 'uosjspuaj-i

aeiai 9

3

r^>

LO

r-

CN

-

CN !

*

14

43

CD

*

CO

i 1

10

31

43

i

CD

O CD

8

98

39

13

*

*

8 S M 8

■O N 'spidsy a>|0UB0a

aeiai l

1

LO

r-

1

I

! 1

* l

!

! ! 2 !

1

i.

i !

i * i

m

1 i

i NT | CN

i

1

15

O S 'uoiiiq

l!JdV 82

ID

CN

i

-

|

I l

i i i*8

I

#

! " 2 !

•f

NT

i If

i

i

i

! w

I

i

1

M 8 1 5

<

O'N 'aillAauaAej

q!

_i

l!Jdv 82

G)

00

-

00

-

^ I

00 CO

i

Ms!

'-I

LO

- j

1 2 M

-

-

CN ■>—

-

! CN | CO

I

-

8

64

18

<

Jr

O N 'sauid ujaqinos

52

o

I ! Jd v 62

I

1

!

t

!

i i

! i i i

" !

1

1 ! ! 1

1

CO

P§!

| CD r~

1

i

i -

i

12

4

5

■i

i

15 8^

o

‘3'N ' 03 ODIlUlBd

Abiaj 9

00

i

I

m

i i

i i ! i

J CO

i

i

00

ifil

j cd

'4

LD

i r-

i

15

16
8

I

j

i S"2

'3'N "03 uojnBag

1 !Jd v 62

-

£

-

1

1

- 1

i i ^

8”

!

2

17

52

I

-

3

I |

1

93

35

1

00

CN v

*

18 8 8

i

i

: 0 ^

! t- CN

OS 'uoisa|JBM3

CN

h-

CO

MJdv 82

-

CD

CO

!

1 !

H

S'-

1

|i S i

s

m

! K 8

E

1

K

-

! 8 i 2

i

i

2

72

2

25

O

■3’N 'uoi6uiuj|!aa

O

l!JdV 82

8

-

CN

!

! !

! ! ! !

8 i

!

! i 8 M

1

i

00

22

46

4

CN

i 'i

-

28

12

1,

i

1 2 * S

O'N 'AllO pEaqaJO|A|

a s 2

- - -gigs s s 2 § s s s S3 sf|

o =

2 C
DC <-
q- C

S|enp|Aipu |
IBJOl

5? i Vr i

105

30

13

107

23

* 8

1 2 8

j ^ 00

i a n i i ill*

22

12

27

*

i S

a

2420

a

in

CD

8

R

63

1

5

3

! 8 8 8 ! o S

! £

i CO CM

32

87

j 2 j 2 f i ! 2 ! 8

26

26

13

CM

i a

2

3733

CD

CD

8

1

8 1 * ! "

161

14

9

2

74

" a

1 10 00

i : oi

i 8 ! "1 H * i 8

! 8 8 ! 8

f-

CM t-
00

2

3402

-

O

CO

8

CD

8 1 i a 8

144

275

2

85

2

j i

! 8 8

! 8

30

174

; <n 05 i r'

1

! a

s

1

O

CO

S

a

2 * ! ! j

i

! 10

i r

1 8 £5

i a i i i i i i i i

7

28

5

45

D

cm r-

8

1267

-

CD

«

8

8

a ! ^ i !

! 8 2 M " 8 i

i 8

1 ni

1 8 “

1 2 i j ! 1 1 ! i 1

1 ” ” ! "

f

| 05

s

8

o

CO

^r

8

£

^ ! I !

j 1^ 00 CM CM in CO

t- CM

! * !

1 i 2

II i i ! I 1

! 00 * ! "

i

! "

8

s

p**

CM

CM

-

8

2 ^ ! !

245

7

2

3

113

3

o o

1 \ ^

j i a

1 5 ^ ! ! ! 1 ! ! i

3

37

2

8

f

i r

8

2130

2

-

«

8

CD

2 05 * ! 1

656

223

8

28

440

CM r-

! S -

CM

17

227

I 5 ! ! s i I ! ! 00

12 8 2 8

i

! 2

CM

6817

CD

8

00

8

8

74

7

2

3

iss^r

2 8

; r i *

i i 8

i 2 ! 05 1! i i ! i

22

10

9

1

! £

in

2325

00

CD

^r

8

8

227

4

7

2

2

263

121

29

12

287

12

M a

; co cm

’ 44
1'92

154

2

2

148

156

146

1

^ S

2

5657

8

in

CM

O

CM

314

3

1

1

1280

93

7

19

315

3

CD CM

! 8 -

^ CM

O) Q in | | 1 | | ! CD

1 8 2 ! o

i

5-

2

10879

a

co

-

in

?

s * “ N j

156

39

20

24

214

2

10

104

| n -

! 00 a

! S * i 1 ! ! * i I

36

66

6

107

t

co

CD

3755

8

o

a

a

2

356

21

4

629

33

10

41

291

2

20

43

126

5

i 8 a

188

33

9

2

54

88

1

332

8 «

2

1

8

in

2

8

8

8 ^ - ! !

151

16

4

42

2

| '*

1 W 1

1 ! w

! 8 M i i ! 1 ! i

! " " ! ^

! ^

8

1440

-

CD

£

160

48

398

85

8

43

183

2

2 5

! ^ !

1 1 1

16

110

46

3

37

52

3

125

CD *-

2

1

00

o

CO

8

2

8 " ^ ! !

130

2

52

^ CM

! ^ I,

j ! . !

! £ i 1 i. ! i 1 1 i

i ^ i *

i

1 i

8

1

-

CM

-

CM

rN ! !

90

7

3

6

59

CD

I 8 I

1 ! c

! 8 10 ! ! i ! ! i

j ^ 2 1 £

4

1 ^

8

1

CM

8

8

25

9

1

21

196

8

1

5

74

3

Is "

! 8 “>

* 82 j jj ! i ; ;

8

7

56

i

® |-

8

1709

in

CD

CO

£

8

8 M i 8 1

71

45

3

28

in *

i 1 "

i a N i i i rf-i i

j CM CM j CD

!

00

§

co

O

CM

CO

8

8 a i i !

395

45

74

22

22

! * i

i i i

! 8 1 1 I ii- ! i !

! 05 2 | 2

1 !

8

2724

o

O

8

2

178

43

1

161

81

7

2

56

223

1

14

23

CM ! CM

12^! j | “ I

! 8 ! 1 8

|

o in

CD

1

in

o

8

2

392

31

4

4

380

323

16

13

161

15

30

1 ! ^

96

19

2

26

1

6

10

114

1

T- CM

2

1

a

CM

CD

2

8

265

3

50

271

72

1

4

118

- 2

2 S w

1 * i

19

31

18

54

| on * Jco

i

N !

2

3736

2

G)

8

8

p3Ss§!|$||=£||SK- 5|S|SS-SSS-S- Sgs| a s g g

s a s

! 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t

.E ~p Jr CQ -, = O -E ^ rn CD *-

fill!,...

iilllliilMIiiili!

1 1

I

‘Seen in count area during count period but not on count day.

SPRING BIRD COUNT - 1973

ELOISE F. POTTER

Although the 1973 Spring Bird Count is no record breaker for the Carolinas in terms
of the number of species found or individuals tallied, coverage of the 24 count circles
was the best in the history of CBC. Only three counts spanned less than 12 hours from
start to finish. Morehead City had workers afield from 05:00 until midnight, and most
localities had parties out for at least 14 hours. Only two count areas had less than five
field observers, only two recorded less than 75 species, and only one listed less than 700
individual birds. A total of 495 field and yard observers identified 93,512 birds of 257
species, only nine short of the 1972 all-time high of 266 species found on the count
day.

Morehead City birders recorded the most species (168), closely followed by
Charleston (167) and Wilmington (165). Raleigh led the inland counts with 141 species,
but Winston-Salem (139) and Roanoke Rapids (137) were not far behind. Greensboro
recorded the highest number of individuals, 10,879 birds.

All but four counts were taken between 28 April and 6 May. Wilmington had the
earliest census (23 April), and three others took place in western North Carolina the
weekend of 12-13 May. Weather conditions were generally excellent with above freezing
temperatures, light to moderate winds, and no precipitation or heavily overcast skies.
Two exceptions were in the mountains where observers found below freezing tempera-
tures and high winds (60 mph or more) in Avery County and on Mount Mitchell in the
Yancey-McDowell count area. Avery County also had up to Vi inch of ice and snow
early in the day, truly unusual weather for 28 April even at Grandfather Mountain.

Among the least expected birds seen on count days were a Mississippi Kite at
Roanoke Rapids, two Ground Doves (Greensboro), Least Flycatcher (Charleston),
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Yancey-McDowell Counties), Lawrence’s Warbler hybrid (Bre-
vard), Nashville Warbler (Charleston), Connecticut Warbler (Winston-Salem), and
Wilson’s Warbler (Elkin-Ronda). Singing male Swainson’s and Cerulean Warblers were
found on territory near Roanoke Rapids, and this discovery was accompanied by a
marked increase in the observed occurrence of these two species at several places in
piedmont North Carolina. Among the more interesting inland shorebird records from the
present count period are Stilt Sandpipers (Iredell County) and Black-bellied Plovers
(Roanoke Rapids and Iredell County). For details of these and many other significant
sight records, please read the Compilers’ Comments. Their carefully prepared reports
often contain important information that cannot be recorded in the count table.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point).

28 April. Common Loon migration was very light on count day, probably because of
unfavorable weather. Long-billed Dowitchers (Micou Browne, Allen Powell, Compiler),
at North River Marsh, were late. Red-breasted Nuthatches and male Scarlet Tanager
(Compiler) were near Walker’s Mill Pond. The nuthatches are late and are thought not to
have been winter resident birds. For two additional Scarlet Tanager records see “Briefs
for the Files” in this issue. These three sightings represent an unusual concentration of
the species in this area. Two Pine Siskins at Charles Lincoln’s feeder 4 and 5 May were
unusual because the species apparently did not winter around Morehead City. - JOHN
O. FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

72

The Chat

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Myrtle Grove Junction).

23 April. One Savannah Sparrow was an “Ipswich Sparrow’’ seen by Greg Massey out
of habitat on a sandy hummock near the river and verified by Edna Appleberry. Micou
Browne heard the Grasshopper Sparrow in a rice field at Orton. Many winter species had
already left, but spring arrivals seemed to be late. - FRANCES B. NEEDHAM, P.O. Box
204, Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and Vi mile E of Hwy 17).

29 April. Our highest species total since CNHS first participated in the Spring Bird
Count in 1958. Previous highs were 164 species in 1967 and 162 in 1971. Least
Flycatcher (Perry E. Nugent and Nelson W. Taylor) was identified by field marks and
voice; Nugent is familiar with the species. Blue-winged Warbler was a male seen at close
range by Dennis M. Forsythe. Nashville Warbler (PEN, NWT) was also a male and seen
well; South Carolina has two previous records for early May, both inland ( South Carolina
Bird Life, p. 623). Previous late date for Eastern Phoebe (PEN, NWT) was 28 March
(SCBL, p. 353). Previous late date for Brown Creeper (PEN, NWT) was 14 April (SCBL,
p. 386). - JULIAN R. HARRISON, Biology Department, College of Charleston,
Charleston, S.C. 29401.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: where Upper Goose Creek enters Pamlico River).
6 May. -GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151-A, Merritt, N.C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

29 April. — GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151-A, Merritt, N.C. 28556.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: Niagara, 3 miles NE of Southern Pines).

28 April. Double-crested Cormorant (Compiler, Mrs. L.C. Davis) was seen at lakes 8V2
miles apart. The one found by Mrs. Davis remained at Whispering Pines the rest of the
day. One had also been seen in Whispering Pines area 20 and 27 April. There is a
possibility more than one bird was involved, but only one was counted. Species has been
recorded in vicinity only twice prior to 1973. Four of the seven Mallards were a mated
pair and two small young. Common Terns (James F. Parnell, Frances Needham) were at
Thagard’s Lake, Whispering Pines (second spring record for area). Cliff Swallow
(Compiler, Parnell) is rare in spring. Gray-cheeked Thrushes (Compiler) were at widely
separated sites (only two previous spring records). Golden-winged Warbler (Compiler,
Parnell) was a male (third spring record). Chestnut-sided Warbler (Compiler) is a very
uncommon spring transient here. Five Red Crossbills (Compiler) were near Southern
Pines on 13 May. - J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (center: Clark Park).

28 April. Participants in the Fayetteville bird count were shocked and saddened to
learn of the death of their compiler, John S. Butler Jr., in an automobile accident on 2
May. The report was completed and submitted for publication by Mrs. Neill A. Currie
Jr., 1104 Brook Street, Fayetteville, N.C. 28305. Regarding Mr. Butler’s leadership of
the census, Mrs. Currie commented, “John was out on the count day from dawn until
nightfall, when with lesser spirits dwindling away he was left with two companions. His
boundless enthusiasm and cheerfulness, as usual, made the day for the group.”

DILLON, S.C. (center: Dillon).

1 May. Not a single Common (“Yellow-shafted”) Flicker was seen on the count day.
- JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

September 1973

73

PIEDMONT

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: 1.4 miles SE of Weldon).

6 May. Flock of 18 Double-crested Cormorants seen flying over Roanoke Rapids
Lake (Ross Silcock, Compiler) had been present since 22 April. The Mississippi Kite
(Harry LeGrand) was an adult bird in flight over Johnston Farm, Occoneechee Neck.
Habitat is floodplain forest near the Roanoke River. On 12 May the Compiler saw the
bird at the same location, which is also the same place an immature was recorded last
June {Chat, 36:112). Turkeys (three parties) were at Occoneechee Neck. White-rumped
Sandpiper (Compiler) was at mudflats of construction site near Roanoke Rapids, and
two were there the next day (first spring record for area). Seven Swainson’s Warblers
(HL, RS) were all singing males on territory in Roanoke River canebrakes. Sixteen
Cerulean Warblers (John Wright, R. Silcock) were also on territory in floodplain forest
along the Occoneechee Neck portion of Roanoke River. Compiler found an additional
10 birds in same area 12 May for an amazing total of at least 26 Cerulean Warblers,
mostly males and probably breeding. See “Briefs for the Files” in this issue for details on
count period sightings of Glossy Ibis, Bald Eagle, and Purple Gallinule. - J. MERRILL
LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

HENDERSON, N.C. (center: Henderson).

4 May. - A.W. BACHMAN SR., Ill Jennette Avenue, Henderson, N.C. 27536.

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk and Southern R.R. crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

28 April. The outstanding find was a Swainson’s Warbler seen by Chris Marsh along
Swift Creek. The bird was seen again (and photographed) at the same spot on 29 and 30
April. Also unusual is the Laughing Gull (Ross Silcock) at Lake Wheeler on 27 April. -
R.J. HADER, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets).

6 May. Our more unusual reports were of two Semipalmated Plovers (Forrest
Calhoon), three Cerulean Warblers (Annie Leigh Broughton, Johnnie Payne, Gertrude
London, and Carol Callaghan), six White-crowned Sparrows (J.R. Harding), and count
period Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos (Angelo Capparella III). - JAMES O.
PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: transmitter of Radio Station WBIG).

28 April. Upland Plover was seen by Rose Avery, Carolyn Brown, Kenneth Brown,
and Jean McCoy. Two Ground Doves were seen by Inez Coldwell, Frank Fish, Mildred
Fish, Emma Leah Perrett, Maude William, Helen Zuk, and others. Red Crossbills were
found by Dot Garrett. - DONALD ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N.
C. 27408. [Upland Plover = Copland Sandpiper. — ED.]

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

5 May. Chuck-will’s-widow (Gardner Gidley, Margaret Gidley, Hewson Michie) was
calling with Whip-poor-will. Ringed Turtle Doves (Bob Witherington, Charles Frost) were
a mating feral pair. Connecticut Warbler (BW, CF) was well seen; individuals have been
found around Winston-Salem several times during migration this year and last. Brewer’s
Blackbird (Mary Eriksen) was at a ground feeder where it was compared with Common
Grackles. Cape May Warblers were unusually abundant during migration period. - C.
ROYCE HOUGH, 713 Lankashire Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Hwy 115 at Yadkin River).

13 May. Caspian Tern was seen by Compiler. Three Stilt Sandpipers were at a 5-acre
private lake at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Goforth near Olin. Mrs. Goforth heard
the birds calling as they circled the lake. She was able to move within 100 feet of the
birds at the water’s edge. She saw the barred breast and distinctive face pattern. The

74

The Chat

birds arrived in the late afternoon and were gone the next morning. Mrs. Goforth also
reported the Black-bellied Plover. Warbler migration was evidently at its peak. We noted
Tennessee Warblers (Flippen Jones, Larry Marlin) for the fourth consecutive year.
Cerulean Warbler was seen by Bobby Mize, Lois Goforth, and Compiler. - JANE S.
MULLEN, 408 Salisbury Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. (center: 2 miles NW of Badin).

28 April. Swainson’s Warbler (Raymond Barker, David McCarn) was seen and heard.
Compiler also heard song, compared it to recording, and concurred in the identification.
Henslow’s Sparrows (Vivian Whitlock, Compiler) were chased over a field of weeds and
rye stubble until identification could be verified. Count period Bald Eagle was reported
by Bill Calloway, a taxidermist. - VERA CROOK (Mrs. Barrett Crook), P.O. Box 219,
Albemarle, N.C. 28001; Mrs. John Whitlock, assistant.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

5 May. Yellow-crowned Night Herons (Flo Cobey) have previously nested in the area.
Wood Duck count was a female with 18 young. Least Sandpiper (FC) was found again in
York County, S.C. Black-billed Cuckoo (FC) has rarely been reported on a count. A nest
of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was located, and a late brown plumaged Purple
Finch was noteworthy. - JOE and BECKY NORWOOD, 1329 Goodwin Avenue,
Charlotte, N.C. 28205.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: Hwy 29 and 291).

5 May. - ROSA LEE HARDIN (Mrs. W.B. Hardin Sr.), Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin on US 21).

12 May. Male Wilson’s Warbler (David Hassee, Mrs. Lee Hassee) was in thickets of the
wooded floodplain of Yadkin River. - LIN HENDREN, Box 148, Elkin, N.C. 28621.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir)

30 April. - HELEN MYERS, 310 Beall Street, N.W., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (center: Grandfather Golf and Country Club).

28 April. - This is our best count to date in spite of the unusual weather conditions
with up to Vi inch of snow and ice, temperatures as low as 22 F, and winds up to 60
mph. -MRS. RICHARD C. PROCTOR, 381 Westview Drive, S.W., Winston-Salem, N.C.
27104.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C. (center: 2.3 miles S of Buck Creek Gap on NC
80).

28 April. Two Virginia Rails were about V* mile apart in a marshy area near Greenlee;
thin bill, gray cheeks, reddish-brown underparts were noted by Compiler. Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher (Walter Hall) was seen and heard at close range; yellowish underparts,
especially the throat, carefully noted. Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen at close range and
heard by Compiler. Prothonotary Warbler was seen in a large tract of swampy land near
Greenlee the week before the count (Compiler, WH). Tennessee Warblers (WH, RS) had
gray head, white line over eye, thin bill. -JOSEPH L. HALL, Route 8, Box 1136,
Asheville, N.C. 28806.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection US 70 and SR 2740, Swannanoa).

12 May. Common Loons (five observers) were flying over a lake in the North Fork
area. Osprey (Robert Brown) was over same lake. Greater Yellowlegs (Gordon Mahy)
were on Warren Wilson College grounds for second spring count record. Bewick’s Wren

September 1973

75

and Warbling Vireo (Dorothy Griffin) were in same general area as the Traill’s Flycatcher
(DG, Compiler, and others). Orange-crowned Warbler (Joseph Hall, Chris, Gladys, and
Wendy Rustay) was at Kenilworth Lake; identified by call with most field marks visible.
Philadelphia Vireo, Brewster’s Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and Tree Sparrow were
reported seen during the count period in Beaver dam Valley by Mary Sawyer. -ROBERT
C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 7.5 miles SE of Brevard at junction of US 276 and SR 1536 at
Cedar Mountain).

5 May. Mallards appeared to be wild birds. Peregrine Falcon (Claude and Eleanor
Viens) was killed when it struck a window. Bank Swallows (six observers) and Cliff
Swallows (Hazel and Hervey Roberts) are considered uncommon here. Lawrence’s
Warbler (Bernice and Hugh Hollifield) was seen in an extremely remote area of young
growth timber. Compiler found Prairie Warbler in same area the next day. -WALTER C.
HOLLAND JR., 290 Maple Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712.

OBSERVERS

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: Clint and Doris Benbow, Micou Browne, Alfred Chestnut,
John and Mary Fussell, John Fussell III, Willie Johnson, L.J. Klein, Joyce Lewis, Charles
Lincoln, Dorothy Lokey, Lynn Mosely, Doris Oakley, Allen Powell, Karen Ross, Harold
Sears, Francis Wade, Tom Wade, E.W. Wagner, Marjorie Windley.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Katherine Alexander, Edna Appleberry, Robert Brown, Micou
Browne, J.H. Carter III, Betty and Lloyd Davis, David DuMond, Dot Earle, Kitty Kosh,
Harry Latimer III, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand Jr., Debbie Mann, Greg Massey,
Ann Nicholson, James F. Parnell, Pete Roberts, N.T. Ross, Mary Urich, Charlotte
Waggett.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: William D. Anderson, E.B. Chamberlain, W. David Chamberlain,
Calvin Clyde, Eyelyn Dabbs, Dennis M. Forsythe, Julian R. Harrison, Bobbin and David
Huff, Peter B. Laurie, Perry E. Nugent, Zachary T. Ralston, John K. Reed, Grant B.
Staley, Nelson W. Taylor.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Ethel Barkley, Geraldine Cox, Louise Gamble, James
McLaurin, Mary McLaurin, Glenn Paul, Louise Satterthwaite, Mary Lee Smith, Hugh
Sterling, Mary Wilson.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Geraldine Cox, Billy Paul, Glenn Paul.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: Dana Carter, Eleanor Carter, J.H. Carter III, Mrs. L.C. Davis,
L.M. Goodwin Jr., Frances Needham, James F. Parnell, Frances Parnell, Lura Williams,
Mary K. Wintyen, Ethel Wotton.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.: Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Bergman, David Bingham, John S. Butler
Jr., Derb Carter Jr., Davis Chambers, Mrs. Jonathan E. Courtney, Mrs. David Cromartie,
Mrs. E.H. Evans Jr., Mrs. Charles T. Haigh Jr., Charles T. Haigh III, August Jakubiac,
Mrs. Volney Kyle, George Lepper, Mr. and Mrs. Lockamy, Joyce Lipe, Kevin Lipe,
Walter Moorman, Frank Moorman, Debbie Nietman, Henry A. Rankin Jr., Mrs. Sam
Rankin, Mrs. J.A. Shaw, Mrs. W.D. Sherman.

DILLON, S.C.: Mrs. Mamie Bradfield, Mrs. Mary Turbeville, John H. Wilson.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Bill Collier, John Fussell, Harry LeGrand, J. Merrill Lynch,
Louise Parker, Ross Silcock, Ray L. Winstead, John Wright.

76

The Chat

HENDERSON, N.C.: Neita Allen, Mrs. and Mrs. A.W. Bachman, Annie G. Burroughs,
Ruth Carter, Mrs. Walter Dallas, Mrs. Sam R. Harris, May Hunter, Ethel H. Kirby, Mrs.
Russell Parham, Paul Stewart, Mrs. J.D. Williams.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Dorothy and Norman Bell, Bill Brown, Jean Donaldson, Charlotte
Hilton Green, R.J. Hader, Ray and Jeanne Halsey, R. Jeraht, Mabel Jones, Ken Knapp,
Joshua and Janice Lee, Edmund and Harry LeGrand, Chris Marsh, Marilyn Middleton,
Edna Miller, T.L. Quay, Ross Silcock, Linda and Sterling Southern, Edwin Sparks, David
Stevens, Gail and David Whitehurst, Ray Winstead, John Wright.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Anne Barnett, Tom Barnett, John Batten, Annie
Leigh Broughton, Elizabeth Calhoun, Carol Callaghan, Angelo Capparella III, Ed Davis,
Mrs. George Doak, Oliver Ferguson, William Hallahan, J.R. Harding, Herman Henkle,
Russell Hoverman, Alexander Hull, Elinor Irvin, Logan Irvin, Paul Koepke, Mrs. Paul
Koepke, Gertrude London, Stella Lyons, Ted Nixon, Johnnie Payne, James Pullman,
Barbara Roth, Mrs. Daniel Sherk, Mary Stoudenmire, Elizabeth Teulings, Robert
Teulings, Bill Wagner, Margaret Wagner, Eleanor Wagstaff, Adelaide Walters.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Laurie Bolger, Carolyn
Brown, Kenneth Brown, Inez Coldwell, Madolyn Cason, G.W. Daniels, Frank Fish,
Mildred M. Fish, Dot Garrett, Jean Gertz, Howard H. Groover, Duncan Hollar, Beth
Johnson, Ellene Kirk, Benjamin S. Lambeth, Kathryn Lambeth, James Mattocks, Jean
McCoy, Ida Mitchell, Beryl Norcross, Elizabeth Ogburn, Cora W. Parsons, Emma Leah
Perrett, Bruce Pickard, Etta Schiffman, Catherine Shaftesbury, George Smith, Irene
Smyre, Thomas E. Street, Helen Surratt, Marjorie Tays, William Tays, Joan Tipton,
Michael Tove, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Fran Baldwin, Olive Boice, William Boice, Zach Bynum, Pat
Clubertson, Mary Eriksen, Charles Frost, Gardner Gidley, Margaret Gidley, Bill Ham-
mond, Fred Hill, Ruth Hill, Royce Hough, Dwight Lee, Pollyanna Lee, Janice Levitt, Ann
Listokin, Mary McGehee, Hewson Michie, Cynthia Olsen, John Olsen, Mary Olsen, Jim
Orgain, Barbara Page, Molly Parker, Betty Pitt, Jackie Shelton, Dot Shiffert, Jerry
Shiffert, Ramona Snavely, Bob Witherington.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Lois Goforth, Ralph Goforth, Flippen Jones, Larry Marlin,
Bobby Mize, Jane Mullen, Sarah Nooe, Anne Terman.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C.: Raymond Barker, R.D. Blake, Margaret Crawley, Vera Crook,
Barrett Crook, Mattie Gereg, Rudy Gereg, Virginia Foglio, Ken Hahn, Terry Hahn, Nelle
Hinson, Louise Johnson, Vera Littleton, David McCarn, Harold Morris, Anne Olsen,
Taimi Olsen, John Whitlock, Vivian Whitlock.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Elizabeth Clarkson, Bill and Flo Cobey, Helen Coley, Adrian and
Beth Dykema, Gwen Fenninger, Ruth Hannes, Susannah Kay lor, Elizabeth Millwee, Joe
and Becky Norwood, Shuford and Katherine Peeler, Ed Read (Mecklenburg Audubon
Society and guest).

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Mary Austin, Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, Lillie
Hart, Mamie Kanaley, Martha Lawrence, William Lawrence, May Puett.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: Chip Campbell, E.A. Harris, Virginia Hart, David Hassee, Mrs.
Lee Hassee, Lin Hendren, Ola Hendren, Fred Masten Jr., W.P. Smith, Bobby Tysinger,
Charlene Tysinger, Charles Tysinger, Jerry Tysinger.

(Continued on Page 62)

September 1973

77

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

First South Carolina Record
of Harcourts Storm-Petrel

JAY SHULER

Box 288, McClellan ville, S.C. 29458

Late in the afternoon of 20 June 1972, I observed a petrel on a freshwater pond at
my home 5 miles S of McClellan ville, Charleston County, S.C. The pond is separated
from salt marsh by a narrow dike. The petrel appeared to be exhausted by the winds of
tropical storm Agnes, still blowing. The bird was photographed, then picked up alive, but
died in a few hours.

At first I thought the bird to be the British Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates p elagic us ), as
the tail did not appear to be slightly forked, a characteristic of the similar Harcourt’s.
However, both Dr s.- Alexander Wetmore (U.S. National Museum) and Oliver L. Austin Jr.
(Florida State Museum) have identified the specimen as Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel
(Oceanodroma castro). This is the first record of this species for South Carolina and the
second record for the Southern Atlantic Coast Region. A single Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel
was observed at Atlantic Beach, N.C., on 22 June 1972 ( American Birds , 26:844). This
bird was also blown ashore by tropical storm Agnes.

The specimen was contributed to the Charleston Museum, and it was prepared as a
study skin (Ch.M. No. 72.37) by Dennis M. Forsythe, Citadel Biology Department. It is a
male with the following measurements (in mm): total length 176, wing 147, tail 75,
tarsus 21, and bill (from feathers) 16. Its weight was 34 grams, the stomach was empty,
and there was no fat.

Escaped Cara car a in Northeastern North Carolina

FRANK B. AYCOCK JR.

P.O. Box 427, Elizabeth City, N.C. 27909

On 31 May 1972 at Shawboro in Currituck County in northeastern North Carolina
Mrs. Aycock and I saw a Caracara ( Caracara cheriway). Evelyn Griffin reported its
presence to us on 30 May, and early on 31 May we located the bird perched on a
mailbox in a yard in Shawboro. We were able to approach to within 15 feet of the bird
and studied it from every angle in good light. All field marks including the presence of
the carmine color at the base of the bill, the black cap, and the mottled breast were
noted. The bird appeared somewhat sluggish and walked rather than hopped. Its stance
was upright. It was capable of flight.

78

The Chat

Caracara

at Shawboro, N. C.

(Photo by

T.M. Gregory)

I attempted to have photographs made, but the bird was not present when the
photographer visited the site. I discovered later that Thomas Michael Gregory photo-
graphed the bird sometime during the week of 29 May 1972. One of his photographs
has been submitted with this article.

In an attempt to find out if the bird was an escape I wrote a letter to the editor of
the Norfolk Virginian Pilot. The letter appeared on 8 September 1972, and the following
day an editorial feature appeared commenting on the presence of the bird. There has
been no response to this inquiry.

[Dept. Ed. - A discussion between Robert P. Teulings and Mitchel A. Byrd of the
Biology Department of William and Mary University at the meeting of the Wilson
Ornithological Society and the Carolina Bird Club at Chapel Hill during the spring of
1973 provided the first clue that the Shawboro Caracara might be an escaped bird. After
Dr. Teulings relayed the message to me, a further check with Dr. Byrd resulted in his
making inquiry in Norfolk. It was learned that indeed a Caracara did escape from the
Norfolk Zoo in early May of 1972. In fact a second Caracara also escaped in July of
1972. Thus the late May sighting discussed above was almost certainly the bird that left
the Norfolk Zoo early in May. This bird then does not represent a new species for the
North Carolina list.

[This detailed editorial discussion is designed to indicate how difficult it is to obtain
accurate reports from owners when exotic birds escape. Note that Mr. Aycock actually
had a letter of inquiry in a Norfolk newspaper but received no confirmation of the
escape. His experience further points out the need for extreme care in dealing with such
records on the part of both the reporter and the editor. We appreciate Mr. Aycock’s
careful reporting of the sighting and Dr. Byrd’s cooperation in ascertaining the dates of
the Caracara escapes. ]

An Instance of Purple Sandpiper Feeding
Away from Rock Jetties in North Carolina

JOHN FUSSELL

Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 13 March 1973

On 11 March 1973, while birding at Bird Shoal, opposite Beaufort, N.C., I discovered
a Purple Sandpiper ( Erolia maritima). I watched in amazement as it fed with Short-billed
Dowitchers ( Limnodromus griseus ) and Dunlins (. Erolia alpina ) on a section of the shoal
where sand flats predominate. There are no rock jetties within 1 mile of the location of
this sighting. The Purple Sandpiper fed by both probing and picking. I approached to

September 1973

79

within 20 feet of it, and I noticed that it seemed shyer than Purple Sandpipers I have
observed on rock jetties. I watched it for at least 15 minutes.

At the time of the sighting, the wind was from the SW at approximately 10 mph.
When the bird was first sighted, visibility was restricted to about 100 feet due to heavy
fog. After 15 minutes, the fog was dissipating rapidly, and visibility was over 1 mile. The
tide was falling very rapidly.

In winter, Purple Sandpipers are largely restricted to rocky seashores and rock jetties
(Peterson, A Field Guide to the Birds, 1947). In North Carolina, I know of only one
instance when this species has been seen away from a rock jetty or similar structure. On
31 December 1967, Micou Browne (pers. com.) observed a Purple Sandpiper at Oregon
Inlet.

During this winter (1972-1973), I occasionally found a Purple Sandpiper at the Ft.
Macon jetties or at the Radio Island jetty. However, it was often absent from these
localities for several days at a time. It is likely that the Purple Sandpiper found at Bird
Shoal was this same bird, and it is possible that it had been feeding on Bird Shoal
regularly during the winter. (There are no other major jetties at the inlet or on the
nearby ocean front).

The Purple Sandpiper at Ft. Macon was often seen feeding in close association with
Ruddy Turnstones ( Arenaria interpris) and/or Sanderlings ( Crocethia alba), both of
which feed and roost at Bird Shoal. It was probably the close association with these
species that led to the Purple Sandpiper’s “learning” to use Bird Shoal. It is notable that
on 28 January 1973, I saw “the” Purple Sandpiper feeding on a concrete ramp at
Radio Island (next to the rock jetty) with Ruddy Turnstones.

A Black-headed Gull at Pea Island N.W.R.

JOHN S. WRIGHT

D-25 McKimmon Village, Raleigh, N.C. 27607 24 April 1973

At approximately 10:30 on 23 April 1973 while returning to Raleigh from Hatteras,
N.C., I stopped at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge to scan some flocks of shorebirds.
The refuge manager, John Williamson, who was parked nearby, approached me and asked
my assistance in identifying a gull that was feeding alone on a nearby mudflat. He
indicated that a Black-headed Gull {Lams ridibundus ) had been reported to him earlier
in the day and he was attempting to verify the report. I studied the bird at a range of
approximately 25 yards through a 15-40X scope and noted immature plumage, with the
small black spot behind the eye. However, adult (red) coloration was noted on legs and
bill with the bill appearing entirely red except for a dark tip. I flushed the bird at close
range (15 yards) and observed the wing pattern with 7X binoculars as it flew a short
distance. The upper, wing surface and back coloration matched the description shown in
Birds of North America (Robbins et al., 1966), which was in hand. The black edging of
the primaries was a thin line, unlike the more conspicuous black edging of the
Bonaparte’s Gull. Furthermore, there was very little contrast between the front white
wing patches and the grayer area of wing and back, also unlike Bonaparte’s Gull. At this
point the identification of the bird as a Black-headed Gull was assured by the
combination of distinct wing pattern and red bill. The similar Bonaparte’s Gull has a
black bill. No Bonaparte’s Gulls had been seen in the area on the day in question or for
the two previous days.

Of further interest was the feeding behavior of this gull, which I observed and would
describe as a regular splashing with the feet in a small pool of water, followed by probing
with the bill. Upon later referring to Handbook of British Birds, (Witherby et al., 1941) I
found that “Trampling on wet mud or sand or in shallow water to bring up worms is a
regular habit” of the Black-headed Gull. This feeding behavior, which I had never seen
before, further assured the identification.

80

The Chat

The Black-headed Gull at Pea Island is apparently the second record of the species in
North Carolina, the first sighting having occurred at Fort Macon on 10 August 1967
(Cox, 1968).

LITERATURE CITED

Cox, Geraldine. 1968. Black-headed Gull at Ft. Macon, N.C. Chat, 32:28.

Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun and H.S. Zim. 1966. Birds of North America. Golden Press,
New York.

Witherby, H.F., F.C.R. Jourdan, N.F. Ticehurst and B.W. Tucker. 1941. The Handbook
of British Birds, Vol. V - Terns to Game Birds. H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd., London.

Observations of the Bam Owl

in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Department of Pathology

Yale University School of Medicine

310 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510

ROBERT C. RUIZ

300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778 7 January 1973

As pointed out by Van Tyne and Berger (1959), the Barn Owl ( Tyto alba) is one of
the most widely distributed of all birds, occurring throughout the western hemisphere,
Eurasia, Australia, and many island groups. In light of this extensive distribution, it is
interesting that the first two editions of Birds of North Carolina (Pearson et. al., 1919,
1942) list no records of the owl from the Appalachian Mountain region of western North
Carolina. Furthermore, the rather thorough field work in the region by Brewster (1886),
Cairns (1887, 1889, 1891, 1894), Oberholser (1905), and T.D. Burleigh (pers. com.)
contain no records of the owl from the area. To date, there are only three published
records of the bird from western North Carolina. Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1959)
mention a report from “Lake Summit” but give no supporting details; and Johnston
(1964) mentions a bird reported at Highlands, Macon County, N.C., in the- summer of
1962, but again no details are given. The only observation with substantiating data is
Stupka’s (1963) report of a single bird collected at Fontana Village, Graham County,
N.C., on 24 September 1947 and brought to him for identification.

In light of the paucity of records, the authors sent inquiries to a number of
ornithologists and conducted field work in much of the region in search for Barn Owls.
The following records have come to light as a result of the investigation.

In Buncombe County, N.C., John Young (pers. com.) found two dead Barn Owls in
an abandoned administration building at the old Asheville-Henderson Airport in August
and October 1971. Young also reports seeing Barn Owls on several occasions along the
French Broad River south of Asheville, but the exact dates and localities are not
available. Subsequently, Ruiz found a dead Barn Owl on 17 August 1972 along Rt. 191
approximately 100 yards S of the Haywood Road Overpass.

In Henderson County, J. Lee and Barbara Brittain (pers. com.) informed us that a
pair of Barn Owls nested for two consecutive years in an out building on the Old
Turnpike Road near Mills River, with two young being successfully fledged in June of
1971. The owls abandoned the site in October 1971 and have not been reported there
since that time.

At Highlands, Toliver Curnkleton (pers. com.) informed us that the Barn Owl is a
“summer resident and probably a permanent resident” with specific records coming
during the summers of 1965, 1966, and 1967. Thelma Howell (pers. com.) reported that

September 1973

81

the record mentioned by Johnston (1964) was based on a single Barn Owl that was heard
calling each night near Lake Ravenel at the Highlands Biological Station from 26 June
through 9 July 1962 by R.E. Gordon and William Woolcott. These records from the
Highlands Plateau represent the highest elevation at which the bird has been reported in
the southern Appalachians, with the observations coming from 3,800 feet to 4,100 feet.

A total of twelve records of the Barn Owl have been reported from the Appalachian
Mountain region of western North Carolina. These sightings have been from four
counties, Buncombe, Henderson, Macon, and Graham, all located in the southern
portion of the mountain region. A single record of successfully fledged young indicates
that the bird breeds in the area, and the highest elevation at which the species has been
reported is at 4,100 feet on the Highlands Plateau of Macon County. The extent of the
species’ occurrence in the region and its status during the winter months are unknown.
Observers should remain alert to document additional records of the Barn Owl in the
southern Appalachian Mountains.

LITERATURE CITED

Brewster, W. 1886. An ornithological reconnaissance in western North Carolina. Auk,
3:94-112,173-179.

Cairns, J.S. 1887. List of the birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Orn. and Ool.,
12:3-6.

. 1889. The summer birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Orn. and Ool.,

14:17-23.

. 1891. List of the birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Privately

printed.

. 1894. List of birds taken and observed in western North Carolina. Unpublished

manuscript. Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham.

Johnston, D.W. 1964. The birds of Highlands, North Carolina, with a preliminary list
from Cashiers and nearby gorges. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 80:29-38.

Oberholser, H.C. 1905. Notes on the mammals and summer birds of western North
Carolina. Biltmore Forest School, Asheville.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley.l919.Birds of North Carolina. Raleigh.
. 1942. Birds of North Carolina. Raleigh.

. 1959. Birds of North Carolina. Revised by D.L. Wray and H.T. Davis. Raleigh.

Stupka, A. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. University of
Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

Van Tyne, J., and A.J. Berger. Fundamentals of ornithology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
New York.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Laurens County, S.C.

JANE P. HOLT

Department of Biology, Presbyterian College

Clinton, S.C. 29325 22 February 1973

On 11 May 1972, through the cooperation of District Ranger Junius O. Baker Jr., I
visited a colony of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers ( Dendrocopus borealis ) in the Enoree
Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest. While this colony has previously been
surveyed by Melvin L. Hopkins, Wildlife Assistant, USDA, Forest Service, it has not been
reported in The Chat.

The colony is located just off SC Hwy 72, 12 miles E of Clinton, Laurens County,
S.C. South Carolina Bird Life (1970, p. 339 and 611) records the Red-cockaded
Woodpecker inland along the western edge of the coastal plain to Aiken, Richland, Lee,
and Chesterfield Counties. The Laurens County site extends the range of the species
approximately 50 miles into the South Carolina piedmont. Newly discovered piedmont

82

The Chat

breeding colonies have also been reported recently in North Carolina (Chat, 35:54;
37:17) and Virginia (American Birds, 26:843).

Five adult Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were noted on the initial trip with one nesting
hole found occupied. Several subsequent visits revealed adults carrying food to the nest
cavity on 15 May and young birds calling within the tree 18 May. The nest hole was 12
feet 8 inches from the ground on the west side of a 40-foot loblolly pine (Pinus taeda ).
The immediate area was relatively open with a young pine understory 4 to 5 feet high.
Old fire scars on many tree trunks indicate that fire was responsible for the present
forest condition.

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers continued to be sighted in Sumter National Forest
through December, indicating the existence of a permanent colony in Laurens County.

Cerulean Warbler Found
in North Carolina in Summer

J. MERRILL LYNCH

539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 29 January 1973

According to Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (Birds of North Carolina, 1959), the
Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea ) breeds sparingly in North Carolina. Breeding
records from three western piedmont and mountain localities are cited, all of these dated
between 1909 and 1930. I am not aware of any additional published breeding records
for the state. Observations in Northampton County during the summer of 1972 indicate
that the breeding range of the Cerulean Warbler in the state may be considerably more
extensive than previously reported.

On 16 June 1972 Chris Marsh and I discovered a small colony of three to four singing
males along the Roanoke River in Northampton County about a mile downstream from
Halifax. These birds were in a mature river-bottom hardwood forest. The site is on the
western edge of the coastal plain at an elevation of about 40 feet. The birds were first
seen here in late April and May (Lynch, American Birds, 26:750) and were thought to be
spring migrants. On 16 June at least one of the males was paired, and the female was
watched repeatedly carrying grubs and insects to the top of a hackberry (Celtis
occidental is) 70 to 80 feet tall. Each time she approached the tree with food we heard
high, chippering notes coming from the spot where she entered. These were unmis-
takably begging calls from the nestlings. Because of the height and the dense foliage we
were unable to see either the nest or young. Subsequent trips during the summer yielded
no further evidence of nesting although males were still singing continuously at least
until 19 July.

On the afternoon of 24 June, Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, and I discovered a
group of at least five singing male Cerulean Warblers while driving along US 21 about 11
miles N-NW of Elkin in extreme NE Wilkes County, N.C. We stopped and saw two males
along the roadside. These birds were in steep, rocky deciduous woods on a mountainside
at an elevation of about 2,100 feet. They were far from any creek or water source. Lack
of time and the steep terrain prevented a thorough search for positive evidence of
nesting.

To the best of my knowledge these observations are the first summer records for the
Cerulean Warbler in North Carolina in 42 years. This apparent absence of recent records
is evidently attributable to the lack of extensive summer field work in the state,
especially in the northwestern section. The most interesting aspect of the 1972 sightings
is the totally different habitat and geographical location of the two colonies. The Halifax
colony was in the low coastal plain in river-bottom forest, while the Wilkes County birds
were in mountainous terrain far from a major water source. These apparently isolated
breeding populations follow quite closely the same distribution pattern exhibited by two

September 1973

83

other warblers, the Black-throated Green Warbler and Swainson’s Warbler, both of which
have isolated coastal plain and mountain breeding populations. This idea of two separate
populations is speculation until more field work can be done, but there is some
supporting evidence. F.R. Scott (Raven, 29:118) found a singing male in Chickahominy
Swamp in SW New Kent County, Virginia, on 12 June 1948. In the summer of 1958 he
again found several males in the same swamp and vicinity, but no positive nesting
evidence was secured. This area is only about 80 miles NE of the Halifax colony and
seems to relate both geographically and ecologically to the Halifax site. Also, in parts of
the Virginia and West Virginia mountains, especially on steep, deciduous hillsides, the
Cerulean Warbler is locally common in several breeding bird census plots (American
Birds, Vol. 20-26, December issues 1966-1972). The Wilkes County birds seem to relate
to this segment of the population. The exact status and distribution of the Cerulean
Warbler in North Carolina should be determined by future summer field work.

Addendum: Extensive field work by the author in June 1973 revealed that at least
25 pairs of summering Cerulean Warblers were present and apparently nesting at the
Halifax colony. — JML

Brown-headed Cowbird Increases
in North Carolina Mountains

JANE P. HOLT

Department of Biology

Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C. 29325

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) appears to be on the increase in the
North Carolina mountains. Eugene P. Odum found no cowbirds during a survey of
breeding birds of the Highlands plateau in 1946-1947 (Ecology, 31:587 -605). In a similar
breeding bird census in Highlands in 1959, 1960, and 1971, 1 found the cowbird absent.
In the spring of 1972, however, the cowbird appeared in the area around the Highlands
Biological Station and in an overgrown field 6 miles E of Highlands. Both adults and
young have been noted during late May and early June of 1972. They appear to be
common. David W. Johnston, in reporting the birds of the Highlands area in 1964,
classified the cowbird as uncommon with only one observation during the breeding
season (Jour. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 80:30-38). Their recent increase has been noted
in other areas of the North Carolina mountains as well as in the Highlands area. Because
the presence of these birds affects the population density of other birds, variations in the
Brown-headed Cowbird population should be carefully noted.

CONSERVATION

(Continued from Page 65)

New Book

A long awaited book has just emerged that will prove invaluable to anyone who
grows wild flowers. Growing Wild flowers , by Marie Sperka (Harper & Row, Publishers,
Inc., 10 East 53rd St., N.Y. 10022, $8.95), fullfills a need for a practical guide to soil
requirements, site preparation, and the specialized needs of each individual species. Marie
Sperka, a long time personal friend, has many years experience in growing wild flowers
and runs a nursery at Crivitz, Wisconsin. She is a dedicated conservationist and one of
the very few nursery operators who raises all of her stock, collecting from the wild only
where roads or development threaten natural habitat. Marie has successfully grown bog
plants in sphagnum moss on an aluminum foil base, and she has succeeded with many
rare beauties extremely difficult to propogate.

84

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1973)

COMMON LOON: An unusually high inland count of 33 was recorded at Roanoke
Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C., on 8 April by Merrill Lynch, and 21 were
noted at Thagard’s Lake near Whispering Pines, N.C., on the same date by Jay
Carter. A lingering migrant was seen on the late date of 29 May at Lake Wheeler
near Raleigh, N.C., by Ross Silcock.

RED-THROATED LOON: Over 1,000 were seen in Pamlico Sound from the Cedar
Island-Ocracoke, N.C., ferry on 18 April by P. William Smith.

SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS: On 26 May a cruise was taken by charter boat to the
Gulf Stream 30 to 60 miles off Morehead City by Harry LeGrand, Edmund
LeGrand, Richard Rowlett, and Harold Wierenga. On 3 June a cruise in the same
waters was taken by Robert Ridgely and a party of students. Recorded were:

Cory’s Shearwater 1 by LeGrand party, 26 May

9 by Ridgely party, 3 June

Greater Shearwater 2 by LeGrand party, 26 May

34 by Ridgely party, 3 June

Sooty Shearwater 12 by LeGrand party, 26 May

2 by Ridgely party, 3 June

Audubon’s Shearwater 6 by LeGrand party, 26 May

Wilson’s Storm Petrel 150 by LeGrand party, 26 May

llOby Ridgely party, 3 June

Four Wilson’s Storm Petrels were observed off the Fort Macon jetty at Beaufort
Inlet near Atlantic Beach, N.C., on 27 May by Robert Hader.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Sidney Gauthreaux observed a single bird at Lake
Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 31 March. Previous records indicate that
wanderers of this species have only occasionally been reported in the western
piedmont. Locally rare occurrences were also noted at Raleigh where an
individual was seen at Lake Wheeler on 15 April by Ross Silcock, and at
Whispering Pines, N.C., where another individual was found on 20 April by Jay
Carter. The bird at the latter location lingered in the vicinity for more than a
month.

GREAT BLUE HERON: Merrill Lynch observed a flock of 43 gathered on a mudflat at
Roanoke Rapids Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 2 April.

CATTLE EGRET: Two were briefly seen at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 24 April by
Merrill Lynch. Elsewhere, two transients were found in Gaston County, N.C., on
1 April by Scott Juelfs. Single spring visitors were recorded in the Raleigh, N.C.,
area on 10 April by Robert Hader, 3 May by Harry LeGrand, and 3 June by Chris
Marsh.

GREAT EGRET: Two were uncommon inland visitors at Salem Lake near Winston-
Salem, N.C., on 1 April, Charles Frost, Robert Witherington, et al. Four were also
found inland near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 29 May (Merrill Lynch).

GLOSSY IBIS: One was seen in flight over Gaston, N.C., near the Roanoke River on 29
May by Merrill Lynch. No previous spring records are known to the observer for
that inland locality.

September 1973

85

WHITE IBIS: Three were seen at Pea Island N.W.R., well north of their usual range, on
11 May by David Johnston and N.F. Williamson.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Two tardy spring transients were sighted near Bethania in
Forsyth County, N.C., on 12 May by Ramona Snavely.

BUFFLEHEAD: Four late lingerers were still present at Pea Island N.W.R. on 26 May,
Plumer Wiseman.

LESSER SCAUP: A good local count of 139 was recorded at Roanoke Rapids Lake on
10 April by Merrill Lynch.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: Merrill Lynch reported a spring peak of 155 at
Roanoke Rapids Lake on 1 April; six birds lingered there as late as 13 May.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: An individual was observed on 30 March by Paul Buckley at
Buxton Woods on the Outer Banks near the village of Buxton. Gilbert Grant later
sighted two birds in the same vicinity on 12 May. One was also seen at Fort
Fisher, N.C., on 23 April by Harry and Edmund LeGrand.

BALD EAGLE: Known nesting sites in South Carolina in the Charleston, Huger, and
Georgetown areas were occupied by three pairs with young in mid-March, Ted
Beckett. However, aerial reconnaissance in January and February by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service failed to turn up any evidence of current nesting activity in
the coastal region of North Carolina, as reported by Don Harke. Single sightings
were reported of an immature Bald Eagle at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 16 May by
N.F. Williamson and an adult in Northampton County, N.C., near the Roanoke
River on 26 May by Robert Ake, Paul DuMont, and party.

MERLIN: One was seen on 4 April at North Wilkesboro, N.C., by Wendell Smith; one on
6 April at Oregon Inlet by Jack and Eloise Potter; and one on 6 May in Caswell
County, N.C., by Fenton Day.

PURPLE GALLINULE: An uncommon visitor was seen on Bogue Banks near Atlantic
Beach, N.C., on 14 April by John Fussell. Several individuals were also recorded
this spring at Pea Island N.W.R. by N.F. Williamson. Merrill Lynch reported a first
record for Northampton County, N.C., where a single bird was seen on the
Johnston Farm in the Occoneechee Neck area on 12 May.

AMERICAN COOT: A late-straggling migrant was seen inland on 26 May in Caswell
County, N.C., by Gordon Woody and another at Chapel Hill on 28 May by James
Pullman.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: One on 30 April, two on 20 May and one on 24 May were
uncommon inland migrants at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., observed by
S.A. Gauthreaux and R.C. Beason. Several sightings totalling six birds were also
recorded during the same period in the Roanoke Rapids, N.C., area by Merrill
Lynch.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: One was found inland near Gaston, N.C., on the Roanoke
River on 26 May by Merrill Lynch.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: A rather late migrant was present at the Downtown Airport in
Greenville, S.C., on 14 May, S.A. Gauthreaux.

WHIMBREL: At least 100 were seen on the beaches at Cape Lookout, N.C., on 18 May
by John Fussell.

WILLET: Noteworthy inland occurrences were recorded at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., where 10 birds were seen on 5 May by J.J. Hebrard and at Roanoke Rapids
Lake where four birds were seen near Vultare, N.C., on 22 May by Merrill Lynch.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Migrants were found in the western piedmont section where
two birds were found at Kerr Scott Reservoir near North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 25
April by Wendell Smith and 10 at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 2 May by
Sidney Gauthreaux.

RED KNOT: An individual in spring plumage was found at Roanoke Rapids Lake near
Vultare, N.C., on 22 May by Merrill Lynch.

PURPLE SANDPIPER: A late lingerer in spring plumage was still present at Fort Macon
near Atlantic Beach, N.C., on 26 and 27 May, Robert Hader.

86

The Chat

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: An inland migrant was found near Raleigh on 20 March by
Ross Silcock. Others were noted at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 20 April by Merrill
Lynch, at Lake Hartwell on 2 May by Sidney Gauthreaux, and at Kerr Scott
Reservoir on 20 May by Wendell Smith.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Near Clemson, S.C., single birds were seen at Lake
Hartwell on 20 and 24 May by S.A. Gauthreaux and R.C. Beason, and one was
seen on 28 and 29 May at Greenview Farm near Raleigh by Chris Marsh and Ross
Silcock.

LEAST SANDPIPER: Spring migrants were regular visitors at Roanoke Rapids Lake
from 30 April through 27 May where a high count of 73 was recorded on 1 May,
Merrill Lynch. Ten were recorded at Lake Hartwell near Clemson on 30 April by
Sidney Gauthreaux with subsequent sightings there through 20 May. Two were
also seen in Wilkes County, N.C., by Wendell Smith on 7 May.

DUNLIN: Two transients in full spring plumage were found at Roanoke Rapids Lake on
22 May, the second local record, Merrill Lynch.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: A count of 45 on 20 May highlighted a series of
sightings by S.A. Gauthreaux and R.C. Beason at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C. Spring migrants were also noted by other observers near North Wilkesboro,
Raleigh, and Roanoke Rapids, N.C. The reported dates spanned the period from
30 April to 1 June.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: Five were noted inland near Raleigh, N.C., at Greenview
Farms on 3 May by Chris Marsh.

BLACK-NECKED STILT: Two were early at Pea Island N.W.R. on 15 April, Steve West.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: John Fussell observed a male at North River Marsh near
Morehead City, N.C., on 21 May, which is believed to be the first spring record
for Carteret County.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: Thirty were seen in waters off Morehead City, N.C., during
a pelagic cruise to the Gulf Stream on 26 May by Harry LeGrand, Edmund
LeGrand, Richard Rowlett, and Harold Wierenga.

POMARINE JAEGER: Two were seen in waters off Morehead City, N.C., during a
pelagic cruise to the Gulf Stream on 26 May by Harry LeGrand, Edmund
LeGrand, Richard Rowlett, and Harold Wierenga.

PARASITIC JAEGER: An adult in light-phase plumage was sighted in waters off
Morehead City, N.C., by Robert Ridgely and party on 3 June.

HERRING GULL: Significant numbers of inland migrants were seen in the Roanoke
Rapids, N.C., area where a peak count of 90 was recorded on 30 April, Merrill
Lynch. A locally rare occurrence of 15 was noted at Whispering Pines on 8 April
by Jay Carter.

RING-BILLED GULL: Late lingerers were noted by Merrill Lynch at Roanoke Rapids
Lake near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., where 33 were still present on 27 May and two
on 4 June.

LAUGHING GULT.: An uncommon inland visitor was sighted in Wake County, N.C., at
Lake Wheeler on 26 April by Ross Silcock. Several were also seen in Halifax
County, N.C., at Roanoke Rapids Lake by Merrill Lynch during the period 6 to
15 May.

GULL-BILLED TERN: One was early at Cape Romain N.W.R. in South Carolina on 18
March, Perry Nugent.

COMMON TERN: Inland appearances were noted at Roanoke Rapids Lake where a
single bird was seen on 30 April and six on 21 May by Merrill Lynch.

BRIDLED TERN: Eight were observed during a cruise to the Gulf Stream off Morehead
City, N.C., on 26 May by Harry and Edmund LeGrand, Richard Rowlett, and
Harold Wierenga.

BLACK TERN: A sighting of two at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 21 May provides the first
local spring record for the Roanoke Rapids, N.C., area, Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: A very late individual was closely observed at Lake Raleigh

September 1973

87

in Wake Co., N.C., on 24 June by David Whitehurst and Chris Marsh.

SAW-WHET OWL: One was seen near Hollister in Halifax County, N.C., on 6 April by
Merrill Lynch.

CHUCK- WILL’S -WIDOW: A locally rare spring visitor was heard calling several miles east
of Hillsborough in Orange County, N.C., on 10 May by J.R. Hoverman.

GRAY KINGBIRD: One was carefully identified at Sullivan’s Island near Charleston,
S.C., on 17 April by Steve West, fide Dennis Forsythe.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: An out-of-range wanderer was seen by Fred Hack at
Hilton Head Island, S.C., on 12 May.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: A migrant of this species was sighted 30 miles at
sea off Morehead City, N.C., by Harry LeGrand, Edmund LeGrand, Richard
Rowlett, and Harold Wierenga during a pelagic curise on 26 May. The bird circled
the boat at close range permitting visual identification.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: One was found at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 25 May
by Wendell Smith.

TREE SWALLOW: A locally early transient was seen at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 17 March
by James Pullman. At Roanoke Rapids, N.C., an early arriving flock of over 200
was observed 18 March by Merrill Lynch.

BANK SWALLOW: One was noted as early as 5 April at Raleigh, N.C., by Robert Hader.
Late migrants were seen along the coast at Oregon Inlet on 21 May by Gilbert
Grant and off Morehead City on 26 May by Harry LeGrand and party.

CLIFF SWALLOW: Two early migrants were seen at Umstead State Park near Raleigh,
N.C., on 6 April by Robert Ridgely.

PURPLE MARTIN: One was seen at Morehead City, N.C., as early as 27 February, Bob
Simpson.

COMMON RAVEN: At Clemson, S.C., an unexpected sighting of two birds was recorded
on 15 April by Sidney Gauthreaux. The current residence status of the species in
NW South Carolina needs to be investigated.

FISH CROW: One was seen and heard calling at Clemson, S.C., on 5 May by Sidney
Gauthreaux, a rare and apparently first record for that western piedmont locality.

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: A late straggler was seen in northern Wake County,
N.C., on 18 May by Robert Ridgely.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: Spring migrants were recorded in the western
piedmont at Clemson, S.C., where three were found singing on 1 May by Sidney
Gauthreaux. Transients were also noted in the Raleigh, N.C., area where
individuals were seen on 3 May by Harry LeGrand and 17 May by Ross Silcock.

BROWN CREEPER: A very late straggler was seen in Caswell County, N.C., on 20 May
by Gordon Woody.

AMERICAN PIPIT: A late-lingering winter visitor was seen on 23 May at the
Raleigh-Durham airport in Wake County, N.C., by Harry LeGrand and Ross
Silcock.

SOLITARY VIREO: A pair was found building a nest in Duke Forest near Durham,
N.C., on 14 May by Ray Winstead and Elizabeth Teulings. This species is not
known to breed regularly in the Durham area.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One was seen at Southern Pines, N.C., on 15 April, a
first local spring record there, Jay Carter.

CERULEAN WARBLER: One was late and uncommon at Raleigh on 21 May, Harry and
Edmund LeGrand.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: Two observed on 12 May in Northampton County,
N.C., by Merrill Lynch were rare spring visitors in that locality.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: One was a late and locally uncommon transient at
Southern Pines, N.C., on 26 May, Jay Carter.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER: Late migrants were seen at Durham, N.C., on 23 May by
Robert Ridgely and at Raleigh, N.C., on 26 May by Chris Marsh and Ken Knapp.

MOURNING WARBLER: One was banded on 26 May at Hillsborough, N.C., by Charles
Blake.

88

The Chat

WILSON’S WARBLER: Spring migrants were noted by various observers over a wide
area of the central and eastern North Carolina piedmont with dates spanning the
period from 20 April to 22 May. Sightings were reported from Caswell, Orange,
Wake, and Northampton Counties.

CANADA WARBLER: The first known spring record for Northampton County, N.C.,
was recorded by Merrill Lynch at Occoneechee Neck where a lone migrant was
seen on 12 May.

BOBOLINK: On 20 May a flock of over 500 late migrants was seen near Wilmington,
N.C., by Kitty Kosh, and 200 were seen on that same date in the Roanoke Rapids
area by Merrill Lynch. Migration of this species was evidently still in progress
through the end of the month as indicated by reports of late sightings at Chapel
Hill, N.C., by James Pullman and at Georgetown, S.C., by Robert Ridgely on 27
May.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE: A late transient was seen on the coast near Verona in Onlsow
County, N.C., on 26 May by Gilbert Grant.

SCARLET TANAGER: Two were recorded as rare spring migrants in the coastal area on
21 April at Morehead City, N.C., by Clint and Doris Benbow. Another was seen in
the same general. locality at Gloucester on 29 April by J.A. Meadows.

DICKCISSEL: A transient was seen near Durham, N.C., on 18 April by Robert Ridgely.
Elsewhere, an immature male was found singing in a rural area near Winston-
Salem, N.C., on 10 May by Fran Baldwin and Ramona Snavely. The bird was seen
there again on 24 May, but there was no indication of nesting.

EVENING GROSBEAK: Most winter visitors departed in late April and early May,
although some lingered through mid-May including three individuals that were
present at Charles Lincoln’s feeder in Morehead City, N.C., as late as 18 May.

PURPLE FINCH: A late straggler was seen at J.R. Hoverman’s feeder near Durham,
N.C., on 27 May.

HOUSE FINCH: Winter occurrences were noted at Hickory, N.C., and Sumter, S.C., in
addition to the nine cities listed in the 1972 Christmas Count Summary (see
March 1973 Chat). At Hickory up to 30 visitors were counted at Garvin Hughes’
feeder during a peak period in late December. At Sumter, Evelyn Dabbs observed
a lone visitor at her- feeder on 28 February.

RED CROSSBILL: An extraordinary series of late sightings were recorded in North
Carolina in the wake of last winter’s wide-spread invasion. Those records are:

26 May

Fayetteville

David Bingham

3 June

Warren County

Harry LeGrand

3 June

Raleigh

Gail Whitehurst

7 June

Southern Pines

Jay Carter

’ 7 June

Roanoke Rapids

Merrill Lynch

13 July

Clayton

Chris Marsh and
David Whitehurst

SAVANNAH SPARROW: A late lingerer was noted at Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 26 May
by Merrill Lynch.

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: One was a surprising find near Winston-Salem, N.C., on 24
May, far inland for the species. The bird was carefully identified by Charles Frost,
Ruth Hill, and Ramona Snavely.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: A well-marked individual was seen and heard singing at
Clemson, S.C., on 29 and 30 April by S.A. Gauthreaux and J.J. Hebrard.
LINCOLN’S SPARROW: One was seen on 11 May at Clemson, S.C., by J.J. Hebrard.

September 1973

89

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat , a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

.20573
Z5/ t~e/s

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 37

December 1973

No. 4

The Chat

Vol. 37 December 1973 No. 4

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Route 1, Tiger, Georgia 30576

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Comparison of Anting Records from Two Localities

in North Carolina, Doris C. Hauser 91

CBC Roundtable 103

General Field Notes 105

Mississippi Kites in Northeastern North Carolina,

Harry E. LeGrand Jr. and J. Merrill Lynch 105

Third Sight Record of the Goshawk

for North Carolina, Helmut C. Mueller 106

A Pileated Woodpecker at Bodie Island, N.C., John S. Wright 106

Brown Thrasher Encounter with Snake, M. Ralph Browning 107

Briefs for the Files 108

Index to The Chat — Volume 37 Ill

CB®

OUR COVER — A Greater Shearwater swims in the
Atlantic Ocean off Morehead City, N.C. The bird was
photographed by Robert Ridgely of Duke University
on 3 June 1973.

COMPARISON OF ANTING RECORDS
FROM TWO LOCALITIES
IN NORTH CAROLINA

DORIS C. HAUSER1

Between March 1964 and September 1968 Eloise F. Potter (1970) recorded 25
episodes of anting by 45 wild birds of 9 species at Zebulon, Wake County, N.C. Between
June 1958 and June 1966 I saw 48 episodes of anting by 59 wild birds of 13 species at
Fayetteville, Cumberland County, N.C. While Fayetteville and Zebulon are only 65 air
miles apart, they are in distinctly different geographic zones. Zebulon is at the eastern
edge of the piedmont plateau, and its sandy-loamy soil supports upland mixed
pine-hardwood forest. Snowfall can be expected several times each winter, but extended
periods of subfreezing weather are rare. Fayetteville lies in the coastal plain slightly
southeastward from Southern Pines and Pinehurst, sharing the sandy soil and mild
temperatures that made these North Carolina resorts famous. The Sandhills region
generally has not more than one good snowfall each winter. Dominant tree species are
the long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris), loblolly pine (P. taeda), turkey oak (Quercus laevis),
and blackjack oak (Q. marilandica).

METHODS

All but three of the anting episodes described in this paper took place in the yard of
my home at Fayetteville, where ground-level and elevated feeders have been maintained
since 1956. A windowed bay gives a full view of the sloping backyard, and I am usually
able to keep watch there from 08:00 to 1800. Unusual activities are verified by use of a
7 x 35 binocular.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The definitions given by Potter (1970) are used in this paper. “Active anting” refers
to a bird’s picking up live ants with its bill and inserting them among the feathers. In
“passive anting” the bird remains, often with body flattened against the ground in a
sunbathing posture, where ants can crawl among the feathers and subsequently removes
the ants with typical anting motions. “Typical anting motions” are the peculiar twisting
of wings and tail accompanying the insertions of ants among the feathers in active anting
or their removal in passive anting. A “treatment” in active anting is the capture of an ant
(or ants) and the subsequent insertion of the bill among the feathers. In passive anting a
treatment includes each period of waiting for the ants to crawl upon the bird and their
subsequent removal from the plumage. An “episode” refers to one or more treatments
by one or more individuals without any significant interruption. (Two birds anting
simultaneously or one immediately after the other are participants in a single episode.)

In addition to the terms used by Potter, I classify anting according to intensity.
“High intensity anting” includes those episodes in which birds appear to be in a state of
ecstasy, tumble over, or continue the activity for more than 5 minutes without
significant interruption. In “medium intensity anting,” birds exhibit some of the above

1 Deceased 30 March 1972.

December 1973

91

behavior characteristics, but the episode as a whole is more like “low intensity anting,”
which is brief, casual, or half-hearted, possible consisting of only one treatment.

RESULTS

During six consecutive years (June 1958 through November 1963) and in June 1966,
I saw altogether 48 episodes of active anting by 59 wild birds of 13 species (Table 1),
namely: Mourning Dove 3, Red-bellied Woodpecker 6, Red-headed Woodpecker 1,
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1, Blue Jay 14, Brown Thrasher 1, American Robin 5, Starling
7, House Sparrow 2, Common Grackle 3, Cardinal 11, Rufous-sided Towhee 4, and
White-throated Sparrow 1. Records are listed in Table 1 and in the descriptions below
according to calendar months to facilitate discussion of the seasonal aspects of anting
behavior.

March. -On 22 March 1961 I saw House Sparrows feeding and pressing their breasts
into the soil where an ant bed had been located in 1959 and 1960. A few tiny ants could
be seen carrying food, apparently corn meal from the feeder. Occasionally an individual
among the flock of 6 to 10 sparrows would ant its wings, breast, and back.

April. -\ have no record of anting in April although my notes contain many records
of sunbathing for this month.

May.- On 31 May 1960 an adult Blue Jay anted briefly at 11:10, picking ants off its
legs and treating primaries.

On 31 May 1961 three Starlings and two adult Common Grackles were foraging on
the front lawn at 09:20. One grackle anted the under side of its primaries while walking
about on the ground. Grackles were among seven species of birds that sunbathed the
previous day.

On 14 May 1962 at 14:20 an adult Mourning Dove that was walking slowly in the
shade began anting with jabs into breast, belly, tail, and rump. Mourning Doves, Blue
Jays, and Cardinals had been sunbathing off and on since 12:20.

On 15 May 1962 at 12:10 an adult Mourning Dove anted at the squirrel sprawl. The
bird ate with steady pecks, then snatched two or three times and dug into breast, belly,
and back plumage. Birds of five species had been sunbathing off and on since 09:45.
Sunning behavior occurred frequently on 16 and 18 May, occasionally on 19 and 20
May, and frequently 21, 22, and 23 May.

At 15:30 on 23 May 1962 an adult female Red-bellied Woodpecker flew to the pine
tree at the porch and began to peck under the bark plates and especially from a scar
which later investigation showed to be plugged with hard sand. After each peck the bird
would dress its plumage. A male Red-bellied Woodpecker had sunbathed at 13:15.

June.- On 5 June 1958 at 13:40 an adult female Red-bellied Woodpecker anted while
clinging to the outside of the entrance to the nest cavity where she and her mate were
taking turns incubating eggs. She would peck some unseen object from the rim or
interior of the hole and use it to dress her wings and body plumage. There was no
ecstasy, just a methodical pulling of her feathers through her bill after each peck. She
was in full sun on a cloudy day.

On 28 June 1958 at 13:55 several Starlings were sunning on the lawn. Two others
were walking with bills wide open, picking ants from the ground, and running bills down
the inner side of the primaries with typical anting motions. The wide open bill position
of these two birds suggests that they were experiencing more body heat than the other
birds present in the yard that afternoon. Sunbathing on this date was mostly confined to
minor fluffing of feathers.

On 13 June 1960 a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker anted with something pecked
from the bark of a dead crotched branch in the ailanthus (Ailanthus altissimaj, popularly
called tree-of-heaven.

On 21 June 1960 a male Red-bellied Woodpecker pecked into the dead perch limb

92

The Chat

above the nest hole in a stumpy dead branch high in a living pine tree. The bird
repeatedly dug into the wood and preened in the manner of anting.

On 5 June 1963 at 17:30 an adult female Common Grackle anted, treating one wing
two or three times, then the other. A young grackle fed at the same ant bed but did not
dress its plumage. At 17:40 the female returned and made one treatment.

Mrs. John Stewman reported having observed anting in her yard at Fayetteville for a
period of several days during the early morning hours. On 18 June 1963 I visited her
home. Cardinals had anted wildly at 08:15, prior to my arrival. Mrs. Stewman said one
had tumbled downhill from the spot where winged ants were emerging from a rotting
stump. At 09:20 an adult American Robin in molt ate ants and anted. Another robin
(with white of under-tail feathers thrust upward through tail) anted its shoulders and
back. Two female Cardinals anted excitedly, mostly treating primaries and bend of wing.
One of the previously mentioned robins anted for 5 minutes without pause except to
change position. The bird then ate ants for a long time. Ants remaining on the robin’s
body and feet occasionally incited an anting gesture. I never saw any of these birds
discard an ant after a treatment.

Around noon on 24 June 1966 I saw a Red-headed Woodpecker anting on the ground
in bright sunlight. Repeatedly the bird would pick up a tiny ant and zip down the wing.
The woodpecker was low to the ground with wings outspread and plumage not fluffed.

July.- At 14:05 on 4 July 1959 House Sparrows were dusting lengthily in full sun at
the ant bed. Large reddish ants were very active, perhaps repairing nests after rains of 2
and 3 July. One sparrow hopped into the midst of the ants, jumped and pecked wildly
at its legs, then flew about 6 feet away and continued removing ants from legs and belly,
eating some and rubbing some through plumage. The bird jumped violently at times,
apparently having been stung by ants still on its body. House Sparrows and seven other
species sunbathed during the remainder of the afternoon, but I saw no further anting
activity.

On 19 July 1960 at 09:30 an adult Common Grackle, after feeding, flew to an ant
bed, snatched ants, wiped primaries with swift strokes three times, and walked away.

On 27 July 1960 at 08:45 I discovered a molting juvenile American Robin anting
with high intensity, picking up ants and running them through plumage, sitting on its
tail, and falling over. Anting continued for 3 minutes after I arrived at the window. No
other robins were in sight.

On 16 July 1961 at 16:00 a Mourning Dove was walking in the yard and anting with
quick gestures.

On 17 July 1961 at 12:15 an adult Starling anted using large red ants and stripping
through primaries with lightning fast movements. The bird moved from sun to shade,
walking fast and remaining in constant motion. It treated primaries of both wings with
the same bill contents, added more ants, and again stripped through primaries of both
wings. The partly closed bill was shaggy with protruding ants. Every now and then the
bird paused to eat all the accumulated ants, collected another bill full, and resumed the
treatments. It never treated the body plumage or any area other than the wings.

On 19 July 1961 at 12:15 a molting juvenile Blue Jay anted its primaries, belly, and
under-tail coverts. In treating the crissum the jay would snatch an ant, hop back to sit on
its tail, thrust with bill, and up again to snatch another ant. After about 2 minutes the
bird flew into a tree, but it returned in a minute and anted actively for 3 minutes. While
on the ant bed the jay moved about constantly, snatching ants from its feet and legs to
use for dressing plumage. The bird was obviously aware of being stung by the ants.

Much sunbathing took place on 7, 8, and 9 July 1962 even though skies were
overcast all three days. At 09:30 on 9 July a molting juvenile American Robin was
feeding at an ant bed. Twice it anted primaries.

On 27 July 1962 at 14:35 I saw anting by an adult Starling in almost complete
winter plumage. Many species of birds had sunbathed in the hour prior to the anting
episode.

December 1973

93

TABLE 1. Anting by 59 birds of 13 species at Fayetteville, N.C., 1958-1966.

Date/Time

Species of Bird

Weather Conditions

Species of Ant

22 March 1961
No time given

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

Torrents of cold rain previous day
and night

Pheidole morrisi

31 May 1960
11:10

Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata

Thin sun through clouds

Pogonomyrmex badius

31 May 1961
09:20

Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula

14 May 1962
14:20

Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura

Clear, warm

15 May 1962
12:10

Mourning Dove

Clear, hot

23 May 1962
15:30

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Centurus ■
carolinus

Overcast, hot

5 June 1958
13:40

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Cloudy

28 June 1958
13:55

Starling, Sturnus vulgaris (2)

Clear, hot

13 June 1960
No time given

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Clear, hot

21 June 1960
No time given

Red-bellied Woodpecker

5 June 1963
17:30

Common Grackle

Overcast, hot

P. badius

18 June 1963
08:15

Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis (2)

*Cool and overcast following rain

Lasius umbratus

18 June 1963
09:20

American Robin, Turdus migratorius
(2), Cardinal (2)

*Cool and overcast following rain

L. umbratus

24 June 1966
12:00

Red-headed Woodpecker,

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Bright sun

4 July 1959
14:05

House Sparrow

*Heavy rain during night of 2-3 July;
clearing during episode

P. badius

19 July 1960
09:30

Common Grackle

Overcast, mild

P. badius

27 July 1960
08:45

American Robin

*Clear and warm

P. badius

16 July 1961
16:00

Mourning Dove

Hot

17 July 1961
12:15

Starling

*No data

19 July 1961
12:15

Blue Jay

*Overcast, sultry

P. badius

9 July 1962
09:30

American Robin

Overcast

P. badius

27 July 1962
14:35

Starling

Clear, cool

1 Aug. 1960
08:25

Blue Jay

*Overcast

P. badius

28 Aug. 1960
16:55

Rufous-sided Towhee,

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

*No data

30 Aug. 1960
08:40

Rufous-sided Towhee

Clear, hot

Iridomyrmex pruinosus

14 Aug. 1961
11:30

American Robin

Overcast, cool

94

The Chat

Date/Time

Species of Bird

Weather Conditions

Species of Ant

22 Aug. 1961
13:30

Blue lay

*Torrential rain through morning;
overcast; soil wet

P. badius

2 Sept. 1960
13:20

Cardinal

Overcast, misty ram

5 Sept. 1960
09:05

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Sunny

15 Sept. 1960
08:15

Rufous-sided Towhee

28 Sept. 1960
10:17

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Cloudy but bright, coolish

5 Sept. 1961
10:05

Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufrum

Hot, sunny

P. badius

13 Sept. 1961
13:30

Blue Jay (2)

Cloudy, hot

Crematogaster ashmeadi

18 Sept. 1961
17:45

Rufous-sided Towhee

Overcast, mild

9 Sept. 1962
15:30

Starling

Heavy rain at 13:30; hot and sultry

10 Sept. 1962
08:10

Blue Jay (2)

*Overcast, humid after rain of
9 Sept.

P. badius

27 Sept. 1962
16:55

Starling

*Nc data

1 Oct. 1959
18:00

Blue Jay

*No data

4 Oct. 1961
17:15

Cardinal

Mild

6 Oct. 1961
09:30

Starling

Cool, sunny

Camponotus socius

9 Oct. 1961
17:15

Cardinal

Very warm

L. niger neomiger

3 Oct. 1962
16:05 & 17:20

Cardinal (2)
Cardinal (2)

*Rain at 12:00, showers
through afternoon

26 Oct. 1963
16:50

Blue Jay

*Following overnight rain

C. socius

13 Nov. 1959
15:15

Blue Jay (2)

Sunny, warm

25 Nov. 1961
16:40

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Saphvrapicus varius

Clear, sunny, very cool

5 Nov. 1963
17:10

White-throated Sparrow,
Zonotrichia albicollis

*Cool, misty rain

Acanthomyops claviger

17 Dec. 1959
12:30

Blue Jay (2)

*Overcast, mild

*High intensity anting during episode(s).

December 1973

95

August. -On 1 August 1960 at 08:25 a juvenile Blue Jay anted with full sweeps
through the primaries into the belly, sitting on its tail and falling over.

On 28 August 1960 a molting juvenile male Rufous-sided Towhee anted for fully 5
minutes beginning at 16:55. The bird would snatch an ant and thrust its bill through the
partly black primaries or make a sharp dab at the vent while sitting on its tail. After
anting, the towhee sunbathed in Level III (Hauser, 1957).

On 30 August 1960 the same young male Rufous-sided Towhee, marked by black
primaries and secondaries broadly banded with white, anted again but with only medium
intensity.

On 14 August 1961 at 11:30 a molting juvenile American Robin anted its primaries
briefly while foraging in the yard.

On 22 August 1961 at 13:30 a juvenile Blue Jay anted with high intensity.

September.- On 2 September 1960 an adult female Cardinal, in molt, anted briefly at
13:20. The bird treated the primaries with three series of three treatments each, moving
to a new area for each series.

On 5 September 1960 at 09:05 a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker, still with no red
on its head, perched on a cone at the top of the tall dead pine in the front yard. The bird
probed into the cone and treated its plumage with the substance removed from it,
digging into the breast and flanks. Suddenly the bird fluffed its belly and fanned its
wings and tail for a brief sunbath in Level III (Hauser, 1957). It made one more anting
treatment and flew away to feed.

On 15 September 1960 at 08:15 a juvenile male Rufous-sided Towhee, possibly the
same individual that anted on 28 and 30 August of this year, anted by the feeder until a
Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos ) chased it away.

On 28 September 1960 at 10:17 an adult male Red-bellied Woodpecker anted at
dead crotched limbs in the ailanthus where I saw a juvenile of the same species anting on
13 June 1960. After each peck into the bark the bird carefully and slowly preened first
the bend of the wing, then the breast, shoulders, and primaries. While the bird was anting
the sun broke through what had been solidly overcast skies. After carefully dressing the
neck and shoulders, the woodpecker leaned back to expose these areas to the sunlight.
The bird moved to two other dead limbs and continued pecking and preening with
deliberate strokes until 10:30.

On 5 September 1961 at 10:05 a Brown Thrasher anted with several quick thrusts
through the primaries, then resumed feeding.

On 13 September 1961 at 13:30 two young Blue Jays anted at low intensity while
feeding. One jay chased the other away at intervals.

On 18 September 1961 at 17:45 a molting juvenile Rufous-sided Towhee anted while
feeding on the lawn. Only about four or five treatments were made. The anting motion
included a swish of the tail to left or right side of the body and a collapse of lower belly
plumage to the ground just as the bill, with ant, ran through primaries on the side toward
the tail. Potter (pers. com.) has noted that a collapse of belly plumage regularly precedes
the anting stroke made by American Robins.

On 9 September 1962 a juvenile Starling anted its primaries at 15:30.

At 08:10 the next day, 10 September 1962, two Blue Jays anted at the ant bed. One
bird was especially active, treating only primaries but tumbling over in its enthusiasm.
The other bird made a few treatments of low intensity. A Starling and a Mockingbird
watched the activity but did not ant.

On 27 September 1962 a Starling, apparently an adult bird, anted on lawn near
feeder for about 5 minutes beginning at 16:55. The bird assumed the typical anting
posture for each treatment. Appearing to use its wings for support, the bird directed the
beak full of ants toward the anal area with forceful sweeps.

October.- On 1 October 1959 at 18:00 one Blue Jay from a flock of eight anted with
high intensity and remained in the yard after others left. The bird treated primaries,
breast, belly, and crissum, bringing the tail forward inverted beneath the body and using

96

The Chat

wings for support while treating belly and crissum. Crown feathers were fully raised, but
body plumage was not fluffed.

On 4 October 1961 at 17:15 a female Cardinal anted primaries briefly while feeding
on the lawn.

On 6 October 1961 at 09:30 a Starling anted while perched alternately on the ground
and on a tree trunk, clinging to the bark about 14 inches above ground.

On 9 October 1961 at 17:15 a female Cardinal anted deliberately, treating primaries
of one wing four to six times and then treating the other wing. The tail was tucked under
body to bird’s left throughout the episode.

On 3 October 1962 at 16:05 a male and a female Cardinal, both adults, anted
vigorously while sitting on their inverted tails. The male definitely was treating his
primaries, but often the thrust of the bill appeared to reach the anal area, which was the
location of the wing tip during the episode. While the male exhibited high intensity
anting, the female was less vigorous in her treatments, which were mostly confined to
the primaries. The treatments continued for 15 minutes. Some ants were eaten, either
after a treatment or instead of it; but others were tossed aside after use.

Later the same afternoon (17:20) a male Cardinal anted primaries in a standing
position. He was replaced by another male at 17:25. The second male anted vigorously
until displaced by a Common (“Yellow-shafted”) Flicker (colaptes auratus).

On 26 October 1963 a Blue Jay anted its primaries continuously and excitedly for 8
minutes beginning at 16:50. Cardinals approached within 10 inches and ate some ants. A
female flicker edged to within 3 inches of the anting bird, but she left without anting or
feeding.

November.— On 13 November 1959 at 15:15 two Blue Jays anted actively until
squirrels approached. Both birds flew, but one returned to ant some more. It made one
to three jabs at the under side of its primaries with each ant picked up, flicking the wing
back to an extra tight position at its side following each treatment. After six to eight
treatments the bird moved from the location near the wall to an exposed oak tree root
and anted for about 3 minutes.

On 25 November 1961 at 16:40 a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker anointed its breast and
wings with a substance removed from the rotting wood of a tall dead pine stump at the
shore of Forest Lake.

On 5 November 1963 at 17:10 Derb Carter Jr. called my attention to the behavior of
a White-throated Sparrow that had just been chased into the yard by a neighbor’s
Mockingbird. As. soon as the mocker departed, the sparrow dropped to the lawn and
immediately began to ant its primaries with quick gestures and a continuous switching of
the tail from one side to the other. The bird anted for 5 minutes without pause. When
we went to collect specimens, Carter commented on the strong pungent odor of the air
around the ant nest.

December.- On 17 December 1959 two Blue Jays anted their primaries with high
intensity for 5 to 7 minutes, usually making 3 to 10 treatments of one wing before
switching to the other. Although all applications were to the primaries alone, birds still
settled back each time with the tail twisted to the side and under the body. Thrusts were
directed toward the base of the primaries with the sweep of the bill going only part of
the length of the feathers. The bill often held tiny wisps of dried weed or leaf picked up
while grasping an ant. Some ants were taken from the top of a plant stalk 3 inches high.
The jays ate each ant before picking up the next one. To the best of my knowledge this
episode is the only account of anting by wild birds in December in temperate North
America.

DISCUSSION

Anting appears to be a widespread and stereotyped form of avian feather mainte-
nance behavior that surely must be advantageous to birds in some manner, although its
purpose has not yet been determined. Potter (1970) found no evidence to support once

December 1973

97

generally accepted hypotheses that birds ant either to control ectoparasites or for the
pleasure of self-stimulation. She did find that birds are more likely to ant when they are
molting than at any other season of the year. The significance of this seasonal peak of
anting activity is unquestionably strengthened by data from Fayetteville.

Species of birds anting. -Potter (1970) listed 21 species of birds known to have anted
in the wild in temperate North America. The present paper adds to this list the Mourning
Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and
White-throated Sparrow. The White-throated Sparrow has long been known to ant in
captivity (Ivor, 1943), but I am not aware of any published anting records for wild birds
of this species.

Anting by doves and woodpeckers may be more common than the literature suggests.
These short-legged heavy-bodied birds do not ant in the classic postures that make the
behavior almost unmistakable in passerines. To further complicate matters, woodpeckers
have long bills and extremly extensible tongues that make it very difficult to tell what
they have picked up and which feathers they are treating, even when the bird is viewed
at close range. If woodpeckers ant while perched at the top of a dead tree, their
movements may be adequately observed even though collecting the ants or other
substance they may have used is completely out of the question. For woodpeckers,
under all but the most favorable conditions, the alternate pecking and preening should
be accepted as evidence of active anting behavior. Passive anting presents a more difficult
field problem because it may be confused with sunbathing. Only exceptionally well
documented accounts of passive anting in doves and woodpeckers should be accepted for
publication.

Species of ants used. -Table 1 lists the species of ants used in anting episodes at
Fayetteville when positive identification could be obtained. Pheidole morrisi, Pogono-
myrmex badius, and Crematogaster ashmeadi represent significant additions to the list
compiled by Whitaker (1957). All three of these Myrmicinae possess a functional sting,
and Mrs. Whitaker’s captive oriole found ants of this subfamily unacceptable for anting.
At Fayetteville, however, the Florida harvester ant (P. badius) was used by anting birds
more frequently than any other identified species. In addition to its sting, this species
gives off a pungent odor that may cause birds to select it for anting in spite of the risk of
being stung.

Iridomyrmex pruinosus has a vestigial sting and exudes a repugnatorial liquid as do
the several Formicinae on my list ( Camponotus sp., Lasius sp., and Acanthomyops sp.).

According to Brimley (1938), the Florida harvester ant reaches the northern limit of
its range in southeastern North Carolina. This species, along with several others in Table
1, probably has not been mentioned in the literature on anting previously because anting
observers have taken very few specimens of ants from the southeastern United States.

Feathers treated.- Weisbrod (1971) states that his captive Blue Jays did not ant the
tail or vent region directly. He suggests that published reports of this activity are
attributable to observer error. I concede that anting treatments are most often directed
toward the wings and that rapid movements make field observations difficult. However, I
do not believe there was any observer error in the following episodes: 19 July 1961,
molting juvenile Blue Jay, under-tail coverts; 1 August 1960, juvenile Blue Jay, belly; 28
August 1960, molting juvenile Rufous-sided Towhee, vent; 27 September 1962, Starling,
anal area; and 1 October 1959, Blue Jay, belly and crissum.

Sometimes anting birds sit on their inverted tails with the wing tip touching the
crissum so that the full sweep of the bill along the under side of the primaries ends at or
near the vent. In these cases one cannot determine whether the treatment is intended for
the wing, the vent, or both. For an account of this type of anting, see the description of
Cardinals anting on 3 October 1962 in the present paper. At other times the bill does not
touch the wing at all, and the thrust is made directly toward the crissum. Potter (1970
and pers. com.) reports having seen several birds bring the tail forward between the legs
and thrust the bill, without touching the wings or breast, into the crissum with such
vigor that they tumbled over backwards.

98

The Chat

High intensity

Low intensity

MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

FIGURE 1. Monthly distribution of high and low intensity anting
by 104 wild birds at Fayetteville and Zebulon, N.C., 1958-1968.

While there may be a few inaccurate sight records in the literature, anting treatments
directed toward the anal and caudal feather tracts have been described by too many
reliable observers to be dismissed for want of motion pictures.

Anting and weather conditions. -Potter (1970) reports a correlation between heavy
or prolonged rainfall and high intensity anting behavior. Weather data in Table 1 also
suggest a relationship between anting and rainfall. Of the 39 episodes for which I
recorded weather data, 25 (64%) took place within 24 hours after rainfall, during misty
rain, or under cloudy skies. I have weather data for 13 of the 17 high intensity anting
episodes. Eight of the 13 (62%) took place within 24 hours following heavy rainfall, one
during misty rain, three when skies were overcast, and only one under clear skies. Thus
92% of the high intensity anting episodes for which I can supply weather data took place
during periods of high humidity. While low humidity does not preclude either anting

December 1973

99

(Potter, 1970) or sunbathing (Hauser, 1957), high humidity does appear to increase
significantly the frequency and intensity of both activities in wild birds.

Diurnal peak. -The 45 anting records for which I noted the time of day are
distributed as follows: hour beginning at 08:00, 6 episodes (4 of these high intensity);
09:00, 6 (1); 10:00, 2; 11:00, 2; 12:00, 5 (3); 13:00, 5 (1); 14:00, 3 (1); 15:00, 3;
16:00, 6 (4); 17:00, 6 (1); and 18:00, 1 (1). Potter (1970) found birds more likely to
ant in the early morning hours before 10:00 than at any other time of day. She noted
lesser peaks of anting activity in late afternoon and at midday. My hours of observation
(08:00 to 18:00) greatly reduced the probability of my seeing early morning anting, but
my data still indicate the same three diurnal peaks of anting activity. The lull between
10:00 and 12:00 is particularly noticeable, this being a 2-hour period when I saw only
four episodes and no high intensity anting at all.

Seasonal peak. -Potter (1970) noted an “abrupt onset of major anting activity at
mid-May, continuing through June and July to a peak in August, declining slowly in
September, and virtually stopping the first week in October.” Records from Fayetteville
(Table 1) generally support this description of the anting season. I saw anting only once
earlier than 14 May, and I noted only five episodes later than 9 October. One of these
was extremely late and appears to be the only published record of anting by wild birds
during the month of December in temperate North America. It extends the known dates
of anting in North Carolina from 3 March (Potter, 1970) to 17 December.

One major discrepancy exists between my data from Fayetteville and those from
Zebulon (Potter, 1970). I found more anting in June, July, September, and October than
in August. A comparison of the species recorded anting at the two localities offers a
plausible explanation. One-fourth of the birds anting at Fayetteville were Blue Jays, but
only 5 of the 45 anting at Zebulon were of this species. American Robins constituted
over one-third of all the birds Potter saw anting, while only 5 of the 59 anting at
Fayetteville were of this species, two of these having been seen at the Stewman
residence. My yard does not attract the flocks of molting juvenile robins that Potter
found prone to ant following heavy rainfall in August.

Of the 59 birds that anted at Fayetteville, 49 (83%) did so between 14 May and 9
October. Of the 45 birds anting at Zebulon (Potter, 1970), 37 (82%) did so between the
same dates. Thus the mid-May to early October anting season appears to be valid for
both localities, although the peak may vary according to seasonal weather conditions,
local habitat, and the species of wild birds most frequently present in the study area.
Fayetteville and Zebulon data combined (Figure 1) indicate a peak in late summer
(August and September), with a greater proportion of high intensity anting in August
than in September.

Anting and the cycle of molt.— All Fayetteville anting records were accumulated
before I learned that Potter (1970) had detected a relationship between the peak of
anting activity and the peak of postnuptial and postjuvenal molts in wild birds. Even
though I made no consistent effort to note plumage conditions in anting birds, I can
offer some additional evidence in support of the theory that birds ant to soothe skin
irritated by new feather growth (Southern, 1963; Potter, 1970).

The species seen anting most frequently at Fayetteville is the Blue Jay. My 10
episodes of anting by jays are distributed as follows: 31 May, 19 July (molting juvenile),
1 August (juvenile, high intensity), 22 August (juvenile, high intensity), 10 September (2
unaged birds, high intensity), 13 September (2 juveniles), 1 October, 26 October (unaged
bird, high intensity), 13 November (2 unaged birds), and 17 December (2 unaged birds,
high intensity). Bent (1946) states that a partial postjuvenal molt takes place “when the
bird is between 50 and 90 days out of the nest.” According to the same source, adult
Blue Jays have a complete postnuptial molt between June and September. Although I
detected postjuvenal molt in only one of the young birds anting at Fayetteville,
individual jays probably can be found in various stages of molt from mid-July through
late autumn, the species being double-brooded in our region (Sprunt and Chamberlain,

100

The Chat

1949). Potter (pers. com.) has banded one adult and one young of the year that were
just beginning to molt in early October. Thus late October to mid-December anting by
Blue Jays is not inconsistent with a probable relationship between anting and molting.

I have seen Rufous-sided Towhees anting on four occasions: 28 and 30 August 1960
(juvenile, same bird both dates), 15 September 1960 (juvenile, possibly same bird that
anted in August), and 18 September 1961 (juvenile). In all four instances the birds were
obviously undergoing the postjuvenal molt.

Cardinals anted at Fayetteville on 18 June (2 episodes, high intensity), 2 September,
3 October (2 episodes), 4 October, and 9 October. Potter (pers. com.) reports adult
Cardinals molting at Zebulon as early as mid-May and juveniles molting from August
through October. Elizabeth Teulings (pers. com.) says that some Cardinals are still
molting in early December.

Anting and sunbathing. -In a previous paper (Hauser, 1957) I described voluntary
sunbathing (deliberately undertaken by the individual bird) and compulsory sunbathing
(unpremeditated and irresistible to the bird). Voluntary sunning is used in conjunction
with other normal feather maintenance activities, but the compuslory response to
sunlight under extreme conditions of heat and humidity is usually followed by
immediate flight to shade. Four levels of response to sunlight were noted, ranging from
Level I (contour feathers erected, wings drooped, tail spread) to Level IV (exaggerated
sun position with bird apparently near collapse).

During 6 years of regular watching for anting at Fayetteville, I continued to note
birds’ sunbathing activites. Some winter residents sunbathe in late fall and from
February until migration in April or May. Permanent resident species may sun from
March to October, but they do so most frequently in June and July.

I have recorded sunbathing for the Red-bellied Woodpecker at Fayetteville from 2
May (1961) through 28 September (1960) and anting from 23 May (1962) through 28
September (1960). A young Red-belly both anted and sunned on 5 September 1960, and
an adult engaged in both activities on 28 September 1960. A molting juvenile
Rufous-sided Towhee that anted with high intensity on 28 August 1960 also sunbathed.
I have recorded no other instances when an anting bird also sunned.

While both anting and sunbathing frequently occur following heavy precipitation and
the two activities are obviously not mutually exclusive, a sharp increase in one does not
presage a similar increase in the other. I have recorded both anting and sunning on the
same days only 1 1 times, three of these being represented by the two woodpeckers and
one towhee that combined the two activities. Six of the other eight times the sunbathing
was intensive, involving many individuals of several species on a single day or occurring
frequently on several successive days. These six dates were 31 May 1961, 14, 15, and 23
May 1962, and 9 and 27 July 1962. On all six occasions the accompanying anting was of
low intensity.

Although there are not yet enough data to make a positive statement regarding the
relationship of anting to sunbathing in birds, my records indicate that permanent
resident species prefer sunbathing to anting from April through July and that more
individuals of more different species sun in June and July than in any other months of
the year. The August-September peak of anting coincides with a period of declining
frequency of sunbathing, though the latter activity certainly is not unusual in late
summer.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

In the course of 6 years of regular watching for anting and during subsequent random
observations, I witnessed 48 episodes of anting by 59 wild birds of 13 species at
Fayetteville, N.C. These 13 species include five not previously reported as anting in the
wild. Among the ants used were three species from the subfamily Myrmicinae that
possess functional stings and were previously thought to be unacceptable for anting
purposes.

December 1973

101

Anting data from Fayetteville correspond very closely to data from Zebulon, N.C.
Both Potter (1970) and I found major anting activity to begin at mid-May and to end in
early October with the peak in August and September, although occasional episodes
occur as early as 3 March (Zebulon) and as late as 17 December (Fayetteville). Records
from Fayetteville offer additional evidence that birds are more likely to ant while
molting than at other times of the year.

Although on occasions birds may sunbathe in conjunction with anting, I find that
sunning occurs most frequently among permanent resident species during the two
months immediately preceding the August-September peak of anting. Additional records
of both anting and sunning with adequate details on plumage and weather conditions
are required before the significance of the seasonal fluctuations in relative frequency of
these two behavior patterns can be understood. Future students of either anting or
sunbathing in birds should carefully consider the relationship of these two activities to
each other and to the cycle of molt.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am indebted to M.R. Smith, U.S. Department of Agriculture, William G. Carter,
Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, and Robert E. Gregg, University of
Colorado, for species identification of ants; and to Lovie Whitaker for her interest and
comments about early anting incidents in my yard. -DORIS C. HAUSER, 6 July 1964.

Barbara Hauser Bryan, though only a casual bird watcher, recognized the value of her
mother’s ornithological data and took the initiative in arranging for the posthumous
publication of the anting paper. Brian Potter prepared the graph, and Elizabeth Teulings
supplied banding records of birds in molt. To all these people I am sincerely
grateful.— ELOISE F. POTTER, 15 July 1972.

LITERATURE CITED

Bent, A.C. 1946. Life histories of North American jays, crows, and titmice, part 1. U.S.
Natl. Mus., Bull. 191.

Bent, A.C. 1968. Life histories of North American cardinals, grosbeaks, buntings,
towhees, finches, sparrows, and allies. U.S. Natl. Mus., Bull. 237.

Brimley, C.S. 1938. Insects of North Carolina. N.C. Dept, of Agriculture, Raleigh, N.C.

Hauser, D.C. 1957. Some observations on sun-bathing in birds. Wilson Bull., 69:78-90.

Ivor, H.R. 1943. Further studies of anting by birds. Auk, 60:51-55.

Potter, E.F. 1970. Anting in wild birds, its frequency and probable purpose. Auk,
87:692-713.

Southern, W.E. 1963. Three species observed anting on a wet lawn. Wilson Bull.,
75:275-276.

Sprunt, A., and E.B. Chamberlain. 1947. South Carolina bird life. Univ. of South
Carolina Press, Columbia, S.C.

Weisbrod, A.R. 1971. Grooming behaviors of the Blue Jay. The living bird. Cornell
Univ., Ithaca, N.Y., p. 271-284.

Whitaker, L.M. 1957. Anting in birds. Wilsons Bull., 69:195-262.

102

The Chat

CB©

with Louis C. Fink

The National Park Service-conscious of the pressure on our National Parks-has
published a list of “lesser known areas of the National Park System,” obviously inviting
their use. For North Carolina, the Service recommends Guilford Court House National
Military Park in Greensboro and parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, embracing several
large recreational areas. No Parks are suggested for South Carolina.

Data on Red-cockaded Woodpeckers Needed

A survey is being conducted on the range and abundance of the Red-cockaded
Woodpecker (Dendrocopos borealis) in North Carolina. Information on the exact
location of nesting colonies is needed by 1 May 1974; information on abandoned
colonies and sight records will also be appreciated. Send data to J.H. Carter III, Zoology
Department, N.C. State University, Raleigh, N.C. 27607.

Chickadee Acrobatics

Mary L. Lee, P.O. Box 202, Townsend, Tennessee 37882, asks our readers to
compare notes or explain the acrobatics of a chickadee at her feeder in 196 7 -which she
has never seen before or since. The temperature was well below zero. The chickadee
landed on a loose wire above a bird feeder, made a somersault, landed upside down on
the edge of the roof of the feeder, took another somersault, and landed on a rod at the
base of the feeder. He repeated this feat a dozen times.

Chickadees thrive in cold weather, and it may be guessed that this bird was after
food. Edward Howe Forbush noted in “Birds of America” (Garden City Publishing Co.,
Inc., N.Y., 1936) that the Chestnut-backed Chickadee often turns “an occasional
half-somersault in air when pursuing some winged insect.”

Recent Publications by CBC Members

Several CBC members have recently published papers in journals other than Chat. The
April 1973 Auk includes “Estimating Numbers in a Roosting Congregation of Blackbirds
and Starlings” by Paul A. Stewart of Oxford, N.C., and “Growth and Development of
Long-billed Curlew Chicks” by Dennis M. Forsythe of Charleston, S.C. Dr. Stewart’s
paper is based on studies made at the infamous blackbird roost near Scotland Neck,
Halifax County, N.C. By comparing the amount of feces dropped overnight by individual
birds caught as they approached the roost and held in cages to feces samples caught ort
the ground at measured locations over the site, he estimated the roost to contain 2,294,-
713 birds. The July 1973 Auk carries “The Daily Rhythm of Hawk Migration at Cedar
Grove, Wisconsin” by Helmut C. Mueller of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Daniel D. Berger.

Dr. Mueller published “Zone-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vulture: Mimicry or
Aerodynamics?” in the Summer 1972 Condor. This same issue contains Dr. Stewart’s
paper “Change of Winter Feeding Sites by Individual Brown-headed Cowbirds.”
“Mortality of Purple Martins from Adverse Weather” by Dr. Stewart appears in the

December 1973

103

Winter 1972 Condor. Relatively large amounts of unused food in the gizzards of the
dead martins suggests that exposure to low temperature was the cause of death rather
than starvation.

Bird-finding in the Carolinas

A newcomer to the Carolinas (like this contributor) or a visitor has trouble finding
the choice spots for bird-study. Most experienced birders are too busy to give directions
by mail and direct the inquirer to Occoneechee Neck or Wilmington or Southern Pines or
Lake Raleigh. These are big areas and the newcomer does not know where to begin.

In the hope that some good spots may be pinpointed, readers are asked to submit
brief directions for bird- watching in and around their cities. The program was started
some time ago, but not continued.

If you are generous enough to provide directions in your area, please assume that the
reader has a car and a city map. Avoid private places where visitors are not welcome.
Avoid spots which might be dangerous to a man alone. (A woman is never encouraged to
go in the field alone!)

Here’s a sample:

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - City Park on Sunset Avenue has a lake with a resident Canada
Goose and Whistling Swan. At least two pairs of House Wrens nested in broken lamp
posts. Brown-headed Nuthatches in mature pines. Across Sunset Avenue is Sunset Park,
with a colony of Barn Swallows; at the northeast end of the Park is a patch of woods and
a trail along the Tar River. Follow the “Hospital” signs to Nash General Hospital. Stop
to investigate Stony Creek on the way; a trail by the bridge leads into the woods with a
good population of summer residents. Behind the doctors’ office building at the hospital
are three ponds, with kingfishers, breeding Green Herons, and an occasional glimpse of a
Sharp-shinned or Red-tailed Hawk.

On Falls Road at the Rocky Mount Mills is a parking space; the trail here goes along
the river for half a mile: thrushes, chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, flycatchers,
Rusty Blackbirds, and another summer colony of Bam Swallows.

The new reservoir is reached by driving west on Route 97 past the airport. Three
access roads to the dam and reservoir are marked with large signs. Yellow-billed Cuckoos
appear and at least an occasional late-summer egret.

Seven Bridges is a swamp area east of Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County. Drive east
on Route 97 to Holloman’s Store, and turn left of Route 1400. (The sign points to
Gethsemane.) Turn right on Route 1404; a paved road includes a series of bridges. You
can stop at each bridge and look into the cypress and other trees for migrating warblers*
On the way, open fields produce meadowlarks, phoebes, Horned Larks, and pipits in
season.

Swallow-tailed Kite Records Requested

John Emmett Cely, 5140 Furman Avenue, Columbia, S.C. 29206, is trying to
determine the breeding range, abundance, and distribution of the Swallow-tailed Kite in
the Carolinas and Georgia. He would appreciate receiving full details of any records you
may have, particularly breeding records.

104

The Chat

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Mississippi Kites in Northeastern North Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609

J. MERRILL LYNCH

539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870 26 July 1973

Between May and July of 1973, Mississippi Kites (Ictinia misisippiensis ) were found
at two sites in the coastal plain of northeastern North Carolina. Because of the species’
rarity in the state, the authors feel documentation of these records is warranted.

On 6 May LeGrand was birding in the Johnston Farm section of Occoneechee Neck
in SW Northampton County, N-.C., as a participant in the Roanoke Rapids spring count.
At approximately 14:00 he saw a single Mississippi Kite flying and soaring over a pasture
pond and adjacent riverbottom hardwoods for a total of 2 minutes. The bird was first
seen flying about 200 to 250 feet overhead and it then circled four or five times at a
height of approximately 200 feet from the ground. Although the hazy sky and white
background of the clouds made observations of the bird’s coloration difficult, LeGrand
was close enough to study most field marks and the distinctive kite silhouette. The tail
was black, the undersurface of the wings dark, the underparts gray without any bars or
streaks, indicating adult plumage.

On 12 May Lynch saw a kite, apparently the same bird, soaring and gliding with a
soaring “column” of Black and Turkey Vultures at the same location described above.
From a distance of 500 to 1,000 feet he watchedthe comparably much smaller kite spiral
upwards with the vultures and then glide downward on a straight course almost to tree
level, then angle sharply upward once more, flapping its wings only occasionally. He
observed the long, slender, pointed wings which were reminiscent of a falcon, and the
long, black tail which it fanned out occasionally. The kite appeared to be about the size
of a crow and its overall slender proportions were distinctive. It was studied for about 4
minutes before it disappeared beneath the forest canopy.

The kite was last seen on 2 June, almost a month after LeGrand’s initial sighting.

On 4 July 1973 Lynch sighted a second individual at Cutawhiskie Creek, a
channelized stream about 8 miles W of Ahoskie in SW Hertford County, N.C. This bird
was seen at about 17:15 under ideal viewing conditions, gliding overhead no more than
250 feet from the ground. All field marks were checked, including the distinctive kite
shape and manner of flight, along with the grayish underparts. This bird was nearly
identical to the Occoneechee Neck individual except for a barred tail, a mark indicative
of a subadult. Interestingly, this location is only about 21 miles E of the previous
sighting.

Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley {Birds of North Carolina , revised by Wray and Davis,
1959) list only three records for the state: one killed in Cherokee County on 26 May
1893, another shot in the area soon afterward, and one at Southern Pines on 20 October

December 1973

105

1949. A fourth record is a bird sighted on 15 June 1972 by Lynch and Chris Marsh, also
at Occoneechee Neck and not more than lA mile from the 1973 sightings {Chat, 36:112).
The presence of two Mississippi Kites in adjacent counties in North Carolina suggests
that this species is not so rare as the paucity of recent records would seem to indicate.
The species apparently is undergoing a significant range expansion and population
increase in the Mississippi Valley region {American Birds, 25:824; 26:830), and this
could be a factor in dispersal into peripheral regions.

Third Sight Record of the Goshawk
for North Carolina

HELMUT C. MUELLER

Department of Zoology, University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514 11 April 1973

On 24 December 1972 at approximately 13:30, 1 was eating lunch in my home about
4 miles W of Chapel Hill, N.C. About 15 Evening Grosbeaks and a number of other birds
were at the feeder outside my window some 6 feet away. The birds suddenly flew away
in apparent panic. I immediately moved to the window and looked for a hawk. After
about 30 seconds I saw a large, grayish Accipiter fly for about 150 feet to another perch.
Its size and manner of flight led me to believe that it was a Goshawk. I quickly found my
10 x 50 binocular and carefully went out on our patio. I was able to view the bird for a
few seconds at a distance of 150 feet, noting the gray striations on the breast and the
long tail before it flew to another perch about 250 feet away. I was unable to obtain a
good look at the head of the bird and thus did not note the stripe over the eye. The
relatively small size of the bird leads me to suspect it was a male, and the plumage was
clearly adult. (See Mueller and Berger, Auk, 84:183-191, 1967; and. Auk 85:431-486,
1968.)

I have seen several hundred Goshawks previously, most of them in Wisconsin, and
have live-trapped and banded about 100 individuals. In my 20 years of observing hawk
migration at Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, I have become about as proficient in identifying
Accipiters as any ornithologist I have known. I am confident that the Chapel Hill bird
was a Goshawk.

Personal communications with D.D. Berger and other hawk watchers and banders
indicate that the 1972-73 flight may well be one of the greatest southward invasions of
Goshawks in recorded history. Unusual numbers of Goshawks were seen in the Great
Lakes region, the Pennsylvania mountains, and even at Cape May, New Jersey. Adults
were considerably more common than juveniles at all observation points. Thus, the
appearance of an adult Goshawk in the piedmont of North Carolina in this winter is
perhaps not surprising.

There are two previous sight records of this species in North Carolina, both from the
mountains in the southwestern corner of the state (Enloe, Chat, 34:79-80, 1970; Pratt,
Chat, 35:1-4, 1971).

[Dept. Ed.-With the recording of the third occurrence of this northern hawk, it can
be placed on the official North Carolina list.]

A Pileated Woodpecker at Rodie Island, N.C.

JOHN S. WRIGHT

D-25 McKimmon Village, Raleigh, N.C. 27607 24 April 1973

At approximately 09:30 on 21 April 1973 while birding near the Bodie Island
lighthouse I heard what sounded like the call of a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus
pileatus ). Within a few seconds the woodpecker flew from a nearby stand of pines and

106

The Chat

came within 40 yards of me as it flew away. A quick look through 7X binoculars
confirmed all field marks of the Pileated Woodpecker. This sighting appears to be the
first for this species from the heavily birded Bodie Island-Pea Island section of the North
Carolina coast. It is noteworthy because the surrounding area is apparently almost
completely unsuitable for the Pileated, consisting only of dune vegetation, marshes, and
maritime shrub thickets. The Pileated flew from an acre-sized plot of small to
medium-sized planted pines which is surrounded by younger planted pines and shrubs.

The Pileated Woodpecker has been reported previously from Wanchese, N.C., on
Roanoke Island, approximately 4 miles away across Roanoke Sound and also at Kitty
Hawk, 18 miles to the north. Both of these sites have better habitat for this woodpecker.

Brown Thrasher Encounter with Snake

M. RALPH BROWNING

Bird and Mammal Laboratories, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife

National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. 20560 24 July 1973

The Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) eats primarily insects and larva but has been
reported to eat lizards, salamanders, and tree frogs (Beal, McAtee, and Kalmbach, 1916,
in Bent, USNM Bull. 195, p. 364, 1948). On 19 May 1973 I observed an adult Brown
Thrasher striking a small snake on the Chapel Hill campus of the Univeristy of North
Carolina. The bird was standing on the ground where the snake had been discovered in
the leaf litter. I found that the snake had been decapitated and was wriggling vigorously.
The body was approximately 8 inches in length and Vz inch at its largest diameter. The
head could not be found. While I was examining the snake, an immature Brown Snake
(Storeria dekayi), the thrasher flew off about 15 feet and made throaty chuck sounds,
the only vocalization heard during this observation.

After 30 seconds I moved 20 feet away, and the thrasher returned to the snake. The
bird immediately began striking the snake. The bill was maintained at 90 degrees to its
body axis, and its head was raised about 2 inches above the snake before delivery of each
blow. The body pivoted at the acetabulum; otherwise, there was no movement. After
about a minute of jabbing, during which time the snake ceased movement, the thrasher
flew about 40 feet with the snake in its bill. For another minute the thrasher pecked at
the snake and on three occasions threw the body about 6 inches above the ground. The
thrasher spent about a quarter of this time peering at the snake. Pecking, throwing, and
peering were accomplished using primarily the neck with little body movement. During
the next 3 minutes the thrasher attempted to swallow the prey. Wing flashing was not
observed (see Potter, Chat, 32:103, 1968).

I was unable to confirm whether the thrasher succeeded in swallowing the snake,
because a car stopped nearby and the bird flew out of sight. However, as the thrasher
flew, I could not see the snake, and a thorough search for the snake was negative. I
remained in the vicinity for another 3 minutes watching apparently the same bird forage
in the forest litter.

The thrasher and Storeria dekayi frequent the same habitat. This report indicates that
the opportunistic feeding habits of the Brown Thrasher allow it to include small snakes
in its diet.

December 1973

107

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1973 unless otherwise stated)

COMMON LOON: A late spring straggler was present at Roanoke Rapids Lake near
Roanoke Rapids, N.C., 3 June through 8 June, Merrill Lynch.

CORY’S SHEARWATER: Summer visitors were fairly common in coastal waters off the
Carolinas in late June and July. Peter Laurie tallied from 5 to 20 birds of this species
on five pelagic cruises to the Gulf Stream off Charleston, S.C., between 20 June and
25 July. On 28 July, D.M. Forsythe, T.A. Beckett and S.A. Gauthreaux, cruising 7 to
9 miles off Charleston, saw two Cory’s Shearwaters, one of which was collected.
Cruise parties led by Paul DuMont recorded 69 in waters up to 50 miles off Morehead
City, N.C., on 28 July and 20 the following day off Hatteras, N.C.

GREATER SHEARWATER: Several observers reported finding some dead or dying
birds washed ashore in the Morehead City, Wilmington, and Charleston areas during
June, but no major die-off was indicated.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: Paul DuMont and party recorded 40 during an offshore
cruise up to 90 miles out of Hatteras, N.C., on 29 July. According to other reports,
good numbers were also present in waters off Morehead City, Wrightsville Beach and
Charleston during July.

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL: This species was common offshore in late July as
indicated by counts of at least 75 off Hatteras on 25 July by P.W. Smith, 63 off
Morehead City on 28 July by P.G. DuMont et al., and 25 off Charleston on 28 July
by D.M. Forsythe and party,

BROWN PELICAN: On Charleston’s Deveaux Bank, Brown Pelicans enjoyed their most
successful nesting season in recent years with an estimated 1,150 young produced,
Ted Beckett.

GANNET: An immature was sighted on 24 June at Hatteras Island, N.C., by Paul
Buckley. The observer reported the bird was seen so well as to rule out any thought
that it might have been a booby.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: One was seen at Edisto Beach, S.C., on 12 June by
Norman Chamberlain; one near Southport, N.C., on 21 June by Robert Hader and
Robert Soots; and one at Atlantic Beach, N.C., on 2 August by Jack Potter.

LOUISIANA HERON: One was a locally unusual summer visitor at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N.C., on 28 July, Chris Marsh and David Whitehurst.

LEAST BITTERN: Capture of a still-flightless juvenile near Gaston, N.C., on 25 July by
Merrill Lynch provides the first reported evidence of nesting along the Roanoke River
in Northampton County.

MUTE SWAN: A visitor was found unexpectedly at Lake Julian near Skyland, N.C., on
14 April by Robert Ruiz, Wendell Cisco, and Roland Sargent.

RING-NECKED DUCK: A 24 July occurrence was noted at Raleigh, N.C., where a single
bird was seen at Lake Raleigh by Robert Hader.

KING EIDER: Bruce A. Mack has reported a previously unpublished sighting of a female
King Eider off the Kitty Hawk, N.C., fishing pier on 4 January 1970, a close and
detailed observation.

RUDDY DUCK: A late lingerer was seen at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., on 25 June
by David Whitehurst and Chris Marsh.

HOODED MERGANSER: Two juveniles were seen in a wooded swamp near North
Wilkesboro, N.C., on 7 May by Wendell Smith, strongly indicating a rare local
breeding record.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: One was seen well north of the species’ known summer
range near Rock Ridge in Wilson County, N.C., on 17 June by Henry Haberyan.

108

The Chat

COMMON GALLINULE: An adult was found at a beaver-pond near Weldon, Halifax
Co., N.C., on 24 July by Bill Collier and Merrill Lynch, but no positive evidence of
local breeding was reported.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: One was well seen at Asheboro, N.C., on 9 July by Harry
LeGrand, an unexpected inland summer record.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: One was observed on tidal flats at Ocracoke on the North
Carolina Outer Banks 30 July by Robert Ake and Richard Rowlett.

WHIMBREL: Several were present at Cape Romain N.W.R. on the South Carolina coast
on 15 July, Ted Beckett. Two were seen at Charleston on 28 July by Dennis
Forsythe.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: Robert Hader observed three early inland transients at Lake
Raleigh in Wake County, N.C., on 24 July.

MARBLED GODWIT: Uncommon late-June occurrences were noted on the North
Carolina coast where two birds were found at Rich’s Inlet on 22 June by Robert
Hader and Robert Soots, and three at Portsmouth Island on 23 June by P.A.
Buckley, F.G. Buckley, and J.S. Weske.

AMERICAN AVOCET: Six were seen 19 July at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C., by
Dennis Forsythe; and one was found at Carolina Beach, N.C., on 21 July by Ricky
Davis.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: A rare inland visitor was present at Raleigh, N.C., 28 and 29
July. The bird was discovered at Lake Raleigh by Chris Marsh and David Whitehurst
and also seen by Harry LeGrand and Robert Hader.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: An individual in winter plumage was well seen on 10 March near
Greenlee in McDowell County, N.C., by Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Hutcheson and Joseph
Hall. This is an early date for a spring migrant to be seen in the mountain region. An
unusual summer occurrence was recorded at Atlantic Beach, N.C., where a single bird
was seen on three occasions between 10 and 21 July by John Fussell.

SOOTY TERN: An adult was observed resting on the beach at Hatteras Inlet on the
North Carolina Outer Banks on 24 June by Paul Buckley and party.

BRIDLED TERN: This tropical species was seen in significant numbers offshore in late
July by several parties. At least three were observed 25 miles SE of Hatteras on 25
July by P.W. Smith. Peter Laurie reported seeing one within 50 feet of his boat 55
miles SE of Charleston on 25 July. Counts of 5 and 12, respectively, were recorded in
the area of the Gulf Stream on 28 July off More'head City and on 29 July off Cape
Hatteras by Robert Ake, Paul DuMont, Richard Rowlett, et al.

BLACK TERN: An early migrant was seen on 22 June at Rich’s Inlet near New Topsail
Beach, N.C., by Robert Soots and Robert Hader. On 26 June another was seen at
Bird Shoal near Morehead City, N.C., by John Fussell.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: One was seen on 17 June near Raleigh by David Whitehurst
and Chris Marsh.

GRAY KINGBIRD: One was well observed at the Buxton Woods Nature Trail, Cape
Hatteras, N.C., on 18 May by Richard Rowlett, William Blakeslee, and Harold
Wierenga.

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: One pair nested this summer near Lake Raleigh in Wake
County, N.C., where a nest with two young was found by Chris Marsh on 8 July.
Raleigh is the second locality in North Carolina where this species has been found
breeding, the other location being North Wilkesboro.

CLIFF SWALLOW: Two were seen among an early fall flight of Tree Swallows and Bank
Swallow at Knotts Island, Currituck County, N.C., on 29 July by Gilbert Grant.

BEWICK’S WREN: One was present and singing on Long Hope Creek in Ashe County,
N.C., on 26 July, Robert Teulings.

VEERY: A 3 August sighting of an individual at Valhalla Fish Hatchery, Oconee
County, S.C., was a notably early fall record, Dennis Forsythe.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: An uncommon local summer occurrence was re-
corded in Wake County, N.C., where a male was seen and heard in the northern
sector on 4 July, and again on 21 July at the same location by Harry LeGrand.

December 1973

109

Merrill Lynch reported probable nesting in Hoggard Swamp near Windsor in Bertie
County, N.C., where a male was found singing on territory in mid-July.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: Four singing males were noted in Kitty Hawk Woods, Kitty
Hawk, N.C., on 3 June by Gilbert Grant. Another was also found near Grandy, N.C.,
by the same observer on that date. Elsewhere, an individual was heard singing on
Deep Creek west of Aberdeen, N.C., 4 June by Jay Carter. One was also heard near
Raemon in Robeson County, N.C., by Carter on 16 June; and one was seen and heard
on the latter date on Swift Creek near Raleigh by Harry LeGrand.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: A singing male was found by Merrill Lynch at White Oak
Pocosin in western Gates County, N.C., on 14 June at the same site one was seen a
year ago (see Chat. 36:115).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER: An early fall migrant was closely observed at Raleigh on 29
July by David Whitehurst.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: An early transient was seen on 3 August at Valhalla
Fish Hatchery in Oconee County, S.C., by Dennis Forsythe.

AMERICAN REDSTART: Five males and two females were seen in Carteret County,
N.C., south of Lake Ellis on 22 May by John Fussell. Their territorial behavior
strongly indicated the likelihood of nesting, but a well-documented breeding record
for the county has not yet been established.

WESTERN TANAGER: A fall, 1972, record not previously noted was the presence. of a
single bird in female plumage at Rocky Mount, N.C., 30 November through 8
December. Beverlie and Beryl Joyner submitted photographs of the bird at their
feeder.

SCARLET TANAGER: The following observations of summer residents were reported
by Merrill Lynch from the northeastern North Carolina coastal plain: a male in White
Oak Pocosin in western Gates County 14 June; another male near Tillery in Halifax
County 24 June; two males along Cutawhiskie Creek in southwestern Hertford
County 4 July; and a male and female in Hoggard Swamp near Windsor, Bertie
County, on 11 July.

PAINTED BUNTING: A male was seen and another was heard singing at Tarboro in
Egdecombe County, N.C., on 9 May by Louis Fink.

HOUSE FINCH: Single males were seen as late as 2 June at Winston-Salem (Robert
Witherington, Ramona Snavely) and Greensboro (Rose Avery), and another at
Greensboro 5 July (Dot Garrett). No evidence of nesting has been indicated.

PINE SISKIN: Two lingered at Winston-Salem until 24 June, Royce Hough.

PINE GROSBEAK: Harold Gwinner of Franklin, N.C., reported seeing two males and
three females at his feeder on 4 January. The birds were under close observation for
several hours, permitting careful identification with reference to Peterson’s Field
Guide. A pair were seen again at the feeder on 5 March.

COMMON REDPOLL: Two were present at Harold Gwinner’s feeder at Franklin, N.C.,
on 5 March. Mr. Gwinner observed the birds at 20-foot range for an hour as they fed.
A third individual of paler coloring, possibly a Hoary Redpoll, was seen with the
others.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: One was a daily visitor 20 June through 26 June at
Betty Davis’ feeder in Rocky Mount, N.C. The bird did not seem to be sick or
injured.

SONG SPARROW: A pair with nest and eggs was found at Crystal Lake near Durham,
N.C., on 18 May by Robert Ridgely, and a singing male was noted in downtown
Durham on 27 July by James Pullman. At Raleigh, two were seen and heard in a
downtown commercial area on 19 June by Robert Teulings. The species also appears
to be becoming established as a summer resident at Roanoke Rapids, N.C., where
singing birds were present in two residential areas in July, Merrill Lynch.

Correction: Due to a clerical error by the Department Editor, the dates for a late
occurrence of a Purple Sandpiper at Fort Macon, N.C. (Chat, 37:86) were incorrectly
reported as 26-27 May. The bird was found on 17 May by Robert Hader.

110

The Chat

INDEX TO THE CHAT— VOLUME 37

A

Aberdeen, N.C., 110
Aiken (County), S.C., 17,30
Albemarle, N.C., 54
Anhinga, 29

Arrington, Joel, No. 2 cover photo
Ashe County, N.C., 109
Asheboro, N.C., 109

Atlantic Beach, N.C., 47,52,85,86,108,
109,110 (correction)

Avery County, N.C., 19,75
Avocet, American, 53,109
Aycock, Frank B. , Jr. , 78

B

Beaufort County, N.C., 17,73
Beaufort County, S.C., see Hilton Head
Island, Port Royal
Beaufort, N.C., 48,79
behavior, acrobatics, 103 (chickadee)
anting, 6,91-102

breeding, 35-39 (Summer Tanager)
disorientation during migration, 48
dusting, 93
feeding, 6,7

sunbathing, 92,93,96,101 ,102
Berkeley County, S.C., see Huger
Bertie County, N.C., 110
bird count, Christmas, 8-22
spring 1972, 7 (correction)
spring 1973, 66-77
bird finding, 104 (Rocky Mount)

Bittern, American, 18
Least, 16,52,108
Blackbird, Brewer's, 74
Yellowheaded, 54
Bladen County, N.C., 27,33
Blake, Charles H. , 63-64
Bluebird, Eastern, 51
Bobolink, 33,89

Bodie-Pea Island, N.C., 15,30,31,32,33,
52,53,106-107
Bogue Banks, N.C., 31,49
book reviews^ 55,84
Brevard, N.C., 19,76
Browning, Ralph M. , 107
Brunswick County, N.C., see Orton,
Southport, Sunset Beach
Bufflehead, 86
Bulls Island, S.C., 52,53
Buncombe County, N.C., 19,24,75,81-82
also see Montreat, Skyland
Bunting, Painted, 16,54,64,110
Snow, 54

Buxton, N.C., 53,86

C

Caldwell County, N.C., 19,75
Canvasback, 53

Cape Hatteras, N.C., 31,52,109

Cape Lookout, N.C., 29,86

Cape Romain N.W.R. , S.C., 52,53,87,109

Caracara, 78

Cardinal, 92,93,96,97

Carlson, Carl W. , 50

Carolina Beach, N.C., 29,109
Carter, J.H. , III, 26,103
Carteret County, N.C., 32,33,87,110

also see Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Bogue
Banks, Fort Macon State Park, More-
head City, Portsmouth Island
Caswell County, N.C., 86,88,89
Catawba County, N.C., see Hickory
Catbird, Gray, 6,17,18,19,46
Cely, John Emmett, 23,104
Chapel Hill, N.C., 18,31,32,40-42,53,54,
74,86,88,89,106,107

Charleston (County), S.C., 16,23,29,30,52,
53,54,57-62,73,78,86,88,108,109; also see
Bulls Island, Cape Romain, Edisto Beach
Charlotte, N.C., 18 (listed as Greensboro
by error), 32.54,75
Chester (County), S.C., 53
Chuck-will' s-widow, 74,88
Clayton, N.C., 89

Clemson, S.C., 29,31,33,52,85,86,87,88,89
Columbia, S.C., 17,33
conservation, 4-5,43-44,65
Coot, American, 30,86

Cormorant, Double-crested, 29,52,73,74,85
corrections, 7,110
Cowbird, Brown-headed, 18,84
Crane, Sandhill, 30,53
Creeper, Brown, 7,73,88
Crossbill, Red, 17,18,73,74,89
Crow, Fish, 17,32,88
Quckoo, Black-billed, 31,75,87,109
Cumberland County, N.C., 91
also see Fayetteville
Curlew, Long-billed, 30,109
Currituck County, N.C., 78,109
also see Grandy

D

Dare County, N.C., see Bodie-Pea Island,
Buxton, Cape Hatteras, Duck, Hatteras
Inlet, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk,

Nags Head, Oregon Inlet, Pea Island
DeVore, Jon E. , 50

Dick, John Henry, 29,54 (drawings by)
Dickcissel, 33,54,89
Dillon, 'S.C., 17,54,73
Dove, Ground, 16,31,54,74
Mourning, 92,93
Ringed Turtle, 18,74
Dowitcher, Long-billed, 1-3,16,31,53,72
Short-billed, 1-3,79
Downs, Robert, 25
Duck, Black, 52
Fulvous Tree, 52
Ring-necked, 108
Ruddy, 108
Duck, N.C., 31,32,33
Dunlin, 30,53,79,87
Durham (County), N.C. , 54,88,89,1 10

E

Eagle, Bald, 16,30,53,75,86
Golden, 50,53

December 1973

111

Eden, N.C., 54
Edgecombe County, N.C., 110
also see Rocky Mount
Edisto Beach, S.C., 108
Egret, Cattle, 85
Common, 19,29,46

also see Great Egret
Great Egret, Mo. 2 cover photo, 46,85
Snowy, 29
Eider, King, 108
Elizabeth City, N.C., 33,54
Elkin-Ronda, M.C., 18,75

E

Falcon, Peregrine, 30,76
Faver, Annie Rivers, 6, 45 (in Memoriam)
Fayetteville, M.C., 73,89, 91-102
Finch, House, 17,18,19,33,46,89,110
Purple, 89
Fink, Louis C., 63
Flamingo, American, 29
Flicker, Common ("Yellow-shafted"), 31,
45-46,73,97

Flycatcher, Alder, 45-46
Least, 32,73

Olive-sided, 24,32,75,88
Scissor- tailed, 88
Traill’s, 24,46
Willow, 45-46,109
Yellow-bellied, 31,75,88
Forsyth County, N.C., 33,86
also see Winston-Salem
Forsythe, Dennis M. , 57-62
Fort Fisher, N.C., 30,31,32,33,86
Fort Macon State Park, N.C., 31,49,86,
110 (correction)

Franklin, M.C., 110
Frigatebird, Magnificent, 108
Fussell, John 0., Ill, 47,48,79

G

Gallinule, Common, 18,109
Purple, 30,86
Gannet, 29,108
Gaston County, N.C., 85
Gaston, M.C., 85,86,108
Gates County, N.C.. 110
Georgetown (County), S.C., 52,89
also see Litchfield-Pawleys Island
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 18
Godwit, Hudsonian, 31,53
Marbled, 109
Goldeneye, Common, 53
Goose, Blue, 45-46

Canada, 17, 29 (drawing of), 52
Ross', 15
Snow, 30,45-46,52
White-fronted, 15,18,52
Goshawk, 106

Grackle, Boat-tailed, 46
Common, 92,93

Graham County, N.C., 81-82

Grandy, N.C. , 110

Grant, Gilbert S., 23

Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park, 19

Grebe, Eared, 52
Horned, 19,29,52
Red-necked, 52
Western, 52

Greensboro, N.C., 18,33,74,110
Greenville, S.C., 18,75,86
Gregory, T.M. , 79 (photo by)

Grosbeak, Blue, 18,54
Evening, 89
Pine, 110

Rose-breasted , 16,54
Grouse, Ruffed, 54 (drawing of)

Gull, Black-headed, 53,59,61,80

Bonaparte's, No. 1 cover, 18,59-61,109

Great Black-backed, 59-61

Herring, 50,57-61,87

Iceland, 59,60

Laughing, 31,59,61,74,87

Little, 16,31 ,53

Ring-billed, 53,57-61,87

Thayer's, 45,50

H

Halifax County, N.C., 29,31,32,52,53,85,

87,88,109,110

Hatteras Inlet, N.C., 29,108,109
Hauser, Doris C., 91-102
Hawk, Broad-winged, 18

Pigeon, 46; also see Merlin
Red- tailed, 45
Rough-legged, 17,30
Sparrow, 46 (American Kestrel)
Henderson County, N.C., 81-82
Henderson, N.C., 18,74
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 17,52
Great Blue, 45-46,52,85
Great White, 45-46
Green, 104
Louisiana, 29,108
Yellow-crowned Night, 52,75
Hertford County, N.C., 105,110
Hickory, N.C., 89
Highlands, N.C., 81-82,84
Hill, Fred S., 6
Hillsborough, N.C., 32,88
Hilton Head Island, S.C., 16,88
Holt, Jane P. , 24,25,82,84
Huger, S.C., 86

Hummingbird, Ruby- throated, 54,75
Hyde County, N.C., see Mattamuskeet,
Ocracoke

I-J-K

Ibis, Glossy, 52,85
White, 29,52,86

Wood, 29,46; also see Wood Stork
Iredell County, N.C., 18,74
Jaeger, Parasitic, 15,31,87
Pomarine, 15,31,87
Jay, Blue, 92,93,96,97
Johnson, Lynn, 47

Johnston County, N.C., see Clayton
Junco, Dark-eyed, 46
Slate-colored, 46
Oregon, 46

Kestrel, American, 46
Kill Devil Hills, N.C., 50
Kingbird, Gray, 88,109
Western, 31

112

The Chat

Kite, Mississippi, 74,105-106
Swallow- tailed, 23,86,104,108
Kittiwake, Black-legged, 53
Kitty Hawk, N.C. , 33,110
Knot, Red, 46,86

L

Lark, Horned, 27
Laurens County, S.C., 82
Le Grand, Edmund K. , 24
LeGrand, Harry E. , Jr., 1-3,24,105-106
Litchfield-Pawley' s Island, S.C., 16,30
Longspur, Lapland, 17,27,33,54
Loon, Common, 29,52,75,85,108
Red- throated, 85

Lynch, J. Merrill, 27,83,105-106

M

Macon County, N.C., 81-82

also see Franklin, Highlands
Mallard, 73,76
Karsh, Chris, 25
Martin, Purple, 88
Mattamuskeet N.W.R., N.C., 52,53
McCrimmon, Donald A., Jr., 47
McDowell County, N.C., 109

also see Yancey-McDowell Counties
Merganser, Common, 30,53
Hooded, 53,108
Red-breasted, 86

Merlin, 46,86; also see Pigeon Hawk
migration, disorientation during, 48
Mockingbird, 96
Montreat, N.C., 24,25
Moore County, N.C., 26; also see Aber-
deen, Southern Pines, Vass, Whisper-
ing Pines

Morehead City, N.C., 16,29,31,33,52,53,
54,72,85,87,88,89,108,109
Mueller, Helmut C., 106

N

Nags Head, N.C., 31

New Bern, N.C. , 31

New Hanover County, N.C., 32

also see Wilmington, Wrightsville B.

New Topsail, Beach, N.C., 109
nomenclature, changes in, 45-46
North Wilkesboro, N.C., 19,29,31,32,86,
87,88,108

Northampton County, N.C., 27,30,31,32,33,
53,54,83,86,88,89,105,108
also see Gaston, Vultare
Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 104
Red-breasted, 18,72,88

0

Oconee County, S.C., 109,110
Ocracoke, N.C., 30,31,32,85,109
Oldsquaw, 18,30,53
Onslow County, N.C., 89
also see West Onslow Beach
Orange County, N.C., 88,89

also see Chapel Hill, Hillsborough
Oregon Inlet, N.C., 23,30,31,86,88

Oriole, Baltimore, 45-46,89
Northern ("Baltimore"), 45-46
Orton Plantation, 32
Osprey, 53,75
Owl, Barn, 81

Long-eared , 16,31
Saw-whet, 31 ,88
Oystercatcher , American, 30

P

Pamlico County, N.C., 17,73
Parnell, James F. , No. 1 cover photo,

26, No. 3 cover photo
Parula, Northern, 45

also see Parula Warbler
Pawley's Island, S.C., 16,33
Pea Island N.W.R., N.C., 29,30,32,33,52,
53,54,80,86,87
Pelican, Brown, 108
White, 52

Pender County, N.C., see New Topsail
Beach, Topsail Beach
Petrel, Wilson's, see Wilson's Storm-
Petrel

Phalarope, Northern, 87
Wilson's, 31,87,109
Phoebe, Eastern, 73
Pipit, Sprague's, 25
Water (American), 88
Plover, American Golden, 15,30
Black-bellied, 75,86,109
Piping, 53

Semipalmated, 30,74,86

Upland, 46; also see Upland Sandpiper

Wilson's, 16

plumage, variations in, 40-42 ( Slimmer
Tanager )

Port Royal, S.C., 54

Portsmouth Island, N.C., 30,31,109

Potter, Eloise F. , 7,14,26,35-39,51,55,72

R

Rail, Black, 15
Virginia, 75
Yellow, 15, No. 3 cover
Raleigh, N.C., 18,24,25,29,30,31,32,33,

53.74.85.87.88.89.108.109.110
Randolph County, N.C., 109

also see Asheboro
Raven, Common, 88
Redhead, 30

Redpoll, Common, 19,110
Redstart, American, 18,33,110
Reinig, James W. , 4-5
Richland County, S.C., 29
also see Columbia
Ridgely, Robert, No. 4 cover photo
Roanoke Rapids, N.C., 17,29,30,32,52,53,

74.85.86.87.88.89.108.110
Robeson County, N.C., 110
Robin, American, 45,93,96
Rockingham County, N.C., see Eden

Rocky Mount, N.C., 104 (bird finding in),
110

Ruiz, Robert C., 81

December 1973

113

s

Sanderling, 49,80
Sandpiper, Baird's, 30
Buff-breasted, 31
Least, 75,87
Pectoral, 87

Purple, 17,30,79,86,110 (correction)
Semipalmated, 87
Spotted, 17
Stilt, 74
Upland, 46,74,86
Western, 31,87,109
White-rumped, 30,74,87
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 97
Savannah N.W.R., S.C., 52
Scaup, Greater, 18,30,53
Lesser, 86
Scoter, Black, 46
Surf, 30

Shearwater, Audubon's, 48,85,108
Cory's, 29,48,85,108
Greater, 48,85, No. 4 cover, 108
Sooty, 52,85
Shelduck, Common, 30
Shoveler, Northern, 19,46
Shuler, Jay, 78
Silcock, Ross, 25
Simpson, Marcus B. , Jr., 81
Siskin, Pine, 72,110
Skimmer, Black, 31,54
Skyland, N.C., 108
Small, Robert, 25
Snipe, Common, 18
Southern Pines, N.C., 17,73,88,89
Southport, N.C., 108
Sparrow, Bachman's, 33
Clay-colored, 33,89
Grasshopper , 16,73
Henslow's, 16,33,75
House, 92,93
Ipswich, 46,73
Lark, 17,33
Le Conte's, 16,26
Lincoln's, 16,18,33,89
Savannah, 19,27,46,89; also see
Ipswich Sparrow
Seaside, 33,46
Sharp-tailed, 27,33,89
Song, 110
Tree, 54

White-crowned, 19,33,54,74
White- throated , 97,110
Stanly County, N.C., 18,75
also see Albemarle
Starling, 92,93,96,97
Stilt, Black-necked, 87
Stork, Wood, 46

Storm-Petrel, Harcourt's, 78,85
Leach's, 46,47,48
Wilson's, 29-46,48,108
Sumter (County), S.C., 32,89
Sunset Beach, N.C., 29,33
Surry County, N.C., 53
Swallow, Bank, 32,88,109
Barn, 32,49,104
Cliff, 32,73,88,109
Tree, 18,88,109

Swan, Mute, 108

Whistling, 18,19,29

T

Tanager, Scarlet, 72,89,110
Summer, 16,35-39,40-42
Western, 17,110
Teal, Blue-winged, 19,86
Common, 15,45-46,53
Green-winged, 30,45-46,53
Tern, Black, 31,87,109
Bridled, 23,87,109
Caspian, 31 ,74
Common, 15,31,73,87
Forster's, 31
Gull-billed, 87
Least, 17,54
Roseate, 31
Sooty, 10 9

Teulings, Elizabeth, 40-42
Thrasher, Brown, 19,96,107
Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 73
Swainson's, 16,17
Wood, 17

Topsail Beach, N.C., 30
Towhee, Rufous-sided, 26,96
Transylvania County, N.C., see Brevard
Tropicbird, White- tailed, 29
Turkey, 74

Turnstone, Ruddy, 80
U-V

Unicoi Mountains, N.C., 50
Vass, N.C., 53
Veery, 109

Vireo, Philadelphia, 32
Solitary, 88
Warbling, 32,76
White-eyed, 54
Vultare, N.C., 85,86

W

Wake County, N.C., 29,35-39,87,88,89,91,109
also see Raleigh, Zebulon
Warbler, Bay-breasted, 32

Black-and-white, 17,18,109-110
Blackburnian, 32,88
Black- throated Green, 32
Blue-winged , 32,73
Canada, 89
Cape May, 74

Cerulean, 32,74,75,83,88

Chestnut-sided, 73,88

Connecticut, 32,74

Golden-winged, 32,73

Lawrence's, 76

Magnolia, 88,110

Mourning, 32,88

Myrtle, 45-46

Nashville, 32,73

Orange-crowned, 54,76,88

Parula, 17,45; also see Northern Parula

Pine , 1 6

Prothonotary, 75
Swainson's, 74,75,110
Tennessee, 75

114

The Chat

Wilson's, 25,32,75,89
Worm-eating, 32,110
Yellow-rumped, 45-46
Warren County, N.C., 89
Waterthrush, Northern, 110
West Onslow Beach, N.C., 30,54
Whimbrel, 16,86,109
Whip-poor-will, 15,16
Whispering Pines, N.C., 32,85,87
Wilkes County, N.C., 29,53,83,87,88
also see North Wilkesboro
Willet, 86

Wilmington, N.C., 16,30,31,32,33,54,73,

89,108

Wilson County, N.C., 108
Winston-Salem, N.C., 18,29,30,52,53,74,
85,89,110

Woodpecker , Pileated, 31,106-107
Red-bellied, 92,96
Red-cockaded, 17,82,103
Red-headed, 93
Wren, Bewick's, 32,75,109
House, 104

Short-billed Harsh, 32,88
Wright, John S., 80,106-107
Wrightsville Beach, N.C., 30,32,33,54,108

Y-Z

Yancey-McDowell Counties, N.C., 19,75
Yellowlegs, Greater, 52,75
Lesser, 86

Yellowthroat, Common, 17,46
Zebulon, N.C., 26,35-39,91

■iati

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION

(Act of August 12, 1970: Section 3685. Title 39. [/nited States Code )

SEE INSTRUCTIONS
ON PAGE 2 (REVERSE)

TNC CHAT

2. DATE OF FILING

October l. 1973

3. FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

Quarterly

4. LOCATION OF KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION (Street, city, county, state. ZIP code) (Not printers)

P.Q. Box 1220, Tryon. N, C 20782

5. LOCATION OF tHE HEADQUARTERS OR GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICES OF THE PUBLISHERS (Not printers )

P. 0. Box 1220. Trvoii. W. C. 28782

6. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHED, EDITOR, AND MANAGING EDITOR

Carolina Bird Club. Inc. P. O. Boa 1220. Tryon. N. C. P87K2

Mra » Jhub t . Potter. P. O. B§k 277. Zahtilon. W. C.

7. OWNER (If owned by a corporation, Its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of
stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the
indiridual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address, as well as that of each
individual must be given.)

NAME

ADDRESS

None

8. KNOWN BONDHOLDERS, MORTGAGEES, AND OTHER S
TOTAL AMOUNT OF BONDS. MORTGAGES OR OTHER SECU

ECURITY HOLDERS OWNING OR HOLDING 1 PERCENT OR MORE OF
RITIES (If there are none, so state)

NAME

ADDRESS

None

9. FOR OPTIONAL COMPLETION BY PUBLISHERS MAILING
permission to mail matter at such rates."

10. FOR COMPLETION

The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this yyHave not <
organization and the exempt status for Federal ^^luring pre

AT THE REGULAR RATES (Section 132.121, Postal Service Manual)

>uld have been entitled to mail matter under former section 4359 of this title

(Check one)

: hanged p. Have changed during (If changed, publisher must

ceding *— 1 preceding 1 2 months submit explanation of change

11. EXTENT AND NATURE OF CIRCULATION

AVERAGE NO. COPIES
EACH ISSUE DURING
PRECEDING 12 MONTHS

ACTUAL NUMBER OF COPIES OF
SINGLE ISSUE PUBLISHED NEAR-
EST TO FILING DATE

A. TOTAL NO. COPIES PRINTED (Net Press Run)

1,600

1.600

B. PAID CIRCULATION

1. SALES THROUGH DEALERS AND CARRIERS. STREET
VENDORS AND COUNTER SALES

0

0

2. MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS

1,414

1.420

C. TOTAL PAID CIRCULATION

1.414

1.420

D. FREE DISTRIBUTION BY MAIL, CARRIER OR OTHER MEANS
1. SAMPLES, COMPLIMENTARY, AND OTHER FREE COPIES

86

80

2. COPIES DISTRIBUTED TO NEWS AGENTS, BUT NOT SOLD

0

0

E. TOTAL DISTRIBUTION (Sum of C and D)

1,500

1.500

F. OFFICE USE. LEFT-OVER, UNACCOUNTED, SPOILED AFTER
PRINTING

too

100

G. TOTAL (Sum of E & F-should equal net press run shown in A)

1,600

1,600

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete, jj

^jSgnatuiJ of edito/ ffubmhj^^s^^pKuauager, or owner )

(IJTmMU U. PaUraon (Mra,a.O»)

»w. «Nf » * Kqw, any

December 1973

115

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat , a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter , which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club9 Inc.

Vo!. 38

March 1974

No. 1

No. 1

The Chat

Vol. 38 March 1974

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Route 1, Tiger, Georgia 30576

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Plenry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Summer Bird Records from Ashe and Alleghany Counties,

North Carolina, Chris Marsh, Harry LeGrand Jr., and William Brown Jr 1

CBC Roundtable 4

Christmas Bird Count — 1973 6

Book Reviews 20

General Field Notes 21

Eared Grebe Collected at Wrightsville Beach, N.C.,

James F. Parnell, Robert F. Soots, and Joseph H. Carter III 21

Horned Grebes in Mutual Display

During Northward Migration, James M. Potter Jr 22

Third Sight Record of Great Cormorant from North Carolina,

Jack Potter and Eloise F. Potter 22

Specimen of Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel

Found in North Carolina, John Fussell 23

Forster’s Tern Nest Found near Cape Lookout, N.C., John Fussell 24

Aspergillosis in a Royal Tern from Cape Romain National Wildlife

Refuge, S.C., Louis N. Locke, Lawrence } . Bins, and Eugene Cromaiiie ... 24
Briefs for the Files 25

CB@

OUR COVER — A male Rufous-sided Towhee poses for
photographer James F. Parnell.

SUMMER BIRD RECORDS
FROM ASHE AND ALLEGHANY COUNTIES,
NORTH CAROLINA

CHRIS MARSH, HARRY LeGRAND JR., AND WILLIAM BROWN JR.

Ashe County lies in the northwest corner of the state with Alleghany County due
east of it. A majority of the records given here are from the Chestnut Hill Community,
which is 4 miles S of the North Carolina-Virginia border. The region lies on a plateau of
rolling hills having an average elevation between 2,000 and 2,700 feet. The North and
South Forks of the New River join just north of this area, then flow into Virginia, and
eventually into the Ohio River. The elevation of the riverbeds is about 2,500 feet. The
New River watershed includes nearly all of Ashe County, and due to a proposed dam site
downstream that would submerge the Chestnut Hill area, much of the habitat is
abandoned farmland. Scattered stands of white pine ( Pinus strobus ) remain on hilltops,
while mainly mature sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis ) and balm of Gilead ( Populus
gileadensis ) line the riverbanks. All dates mentioned in this article are 1972 unless
otherwise stated.

PEREGRINE FALCON: (Falco peregrinus ): On the morning of 1 July while driving
along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Alleghany County near milepost 232 (elevation 3,500
feet), Ross Silcock and Chris Marsh spotted two large falcons flying across the road. The
first bird caught an updraft and then dipped below the treeline pursued by the second
bird. Silcock observed the upperparts of the second bird to be metallic blue-gray. From
the large size, falcon shape, and the confirming blue-gray back, both birds were
identified as Peregrine Falcons. This section of the Parkway has precipitous areas,
suggesting that the pair may have been breeding. Apparently the only breeding record in
North Carolina is for Looking Glass Rock on the Pisgah Preserve (Malcolm Edwards, fide
Chamberlain, 1954).

WILLOW FLYCATCHER ( Empidonax trailli ): Brown and Marsh discovered a pair of
the “fitz-bew” species of Traill’s Flycatcher on 7 June. The birds appeared to have a nest
located along the bank of the North Fork of the New River. The pair made repeated
trips to and from an alder bush bordering the opposite bank of the river. On 25 June
Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, and Merrill Lynch found a singing male (fitz-bew
variety) a few miles west of West Jefferson. The species is considered locally fairly
common in summer just northwest of Ashe County in the vicinity of Abingdon, Virginia
(Scott, 1966). These and other recently published sightings indicate that the Willow
Flycatcher is extending its nesting range in the Appalachians, with the southernmost
report to date being from Rabun County, Georgia (Mellinger, 1971).

LEAST FLYCATCHER (. Empidonax minimus)-. In the Chestnut Hill area the Least
Flycatcher is a fairly common summer resident, preferring the woodland strips bordering
rivers and fields. While exploring both Forks of the New River on 7 June, Brown and
Marsh heard eight birds calling. On 24 and 25 June Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand,
and Merrill Lynch recorded nine birds along the New River system in Ashe County.
Except for the Highlands-Cashiers region of southwest North Carolina, the Least
Flycatcher appears to be more numerous along the New River system than elsewhere in
the state during the nesting season.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER ( Nuttallornis borealis ): On the morning of 29 May
Brown observed an Olive-sided Flycatcher near Weaver’s Ford, Ashe County. The white
tufts behind the wings and the “vest pattern” on the breast were carefully noted as the
bird perched on a dead pine tree. On one occasion the call notes “pip-pip-pip ” were

March 1974

1

heard. Near milepost marker 247 in Alleghany County (elevation 3,200 feet), Ross
Silcock discovered an Olive-sided Flycatcher on 24 June. The bird was feeding over a
stream in a ravine bordered on one side by white pine and on the other by a mixed
pine-hardwood forest with a thick understory of mountain laurel ( Kalmia latifolia). All
field marks were carefully observed. The bird was not singing, and it could not be found
the next day or following weekend; therefore, it is presumed to have been a wandering,
non-breeding bird.

Although the bird seen on 29 May was perhaps a late migrant, the bird observed on
24 June is one of the few recent summer records of Olive-sided Flycatcher in North
Carolina outside of the Great Smoky Mountains. The low altitudes at which these birds
were recorded are unusual, as most breeding season observations are made above 5,000
feet in spruce-fir forests.

WARBLING VIREO ( Vireo gilvus ): A moderate-sized breeding population of this
species occurs along the New River system in northeastern Ashe County. On 22 May
1971 Brown found four singing males along the North and South Forks of the New
River near the Chestnut Hill community. On 20 June 1971 he found a nest of this
species along the North Fork. The following year Warbling Vireos were observed by a
number of birders in the same vicinity. Three singing birds were noted by Brown on 29
May 1972, and three were again found on 7 June by Brown and Marsh. On 24 June
Lynch and both LeGrands saw and heard five singing males and a probable juvenile
following a male. All of these records were made in open deciduous groves adjacent to
the two rivers, within 3 miles of the confluence of them.

The nesting status of the Warbling Vireo in North Carolina has never been well
understood. Pearson, Brimley. and Brimley (1959) mentions that this species nested in
Buncombe County in the 1890s and 1900s according to the records of Cairns, Davis, and
Oberholser. This book gives no other nesting data for the state, and it is thus probable
that Thomas Burleigh did not record the species at Asheville during his stay there in the
early 1930s. However, Russell (1948) had a possible record of a Warbling Vireo and its
nest at Chapel Hill on 30 May 1947. In addition to these records, others which suggest
nesting in North Carolina are a bird seen scolding at North Wilkesboro on 8 July 1964 by
Wendell P. Smith (Chamberlain, 1964) and a bird seen and heard along the Dan River
near Madison in late May 1970 on a Breeding Bird Survey route by William Noonan
(pers. com.).

The Ashe County records and the Madison record are not unexpected, because
Warbling Vireos have been found nesting in nearby Virginia localities. Scott (1966) and
others found the vireos to be fairly common in the lowlands of Washington County (just
northeast of Ashe County) in June 1966 below 2,100 feet. Eggleston and Lyle (1952)
listed the species as an uncommon summer resident in the Danville area just over the
North Carolina line, 30 miles NE of Madison. The Warbling Vireo is essentially limited to
the open woods along the larger rivers, and special search should be made for it along
such rivers as the Dan, New, and French Broad.

NORTHERN ORIOLE ( Icterus galbula ): Along the New River water-system where
mature deciduous trees border the river or a large stream, the Northern (“Baltimore”)
Oriole is a common summer resident. During the breeding season while the males are
singing, the species’ abundance is easily noted. On 22 May 1971, nine singing males were
heard by Brown along the North Fork of the New River. During 6 hours of field work 20
singing males were noted on 7 June 1972 on the two forks and the tributaries of the
New River by Brown and Marsh. Brown has found five nests in the past two breeding
seasons (1971, 1972) in this area and has noted each time that they seem to prefer the
balm-of-Gilead trees as nesting sites.

Even though Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1959) describe the Baltimore Oriole’s
nesting status as “not an uncommon summer resident west of the Blue Ridge,” the
scarcity of recent reports from the mountains suggests that it is now less numerous than
stated above; therefore, the sizable population of Baltimore Orioles in the New River
watershed is noteworthy.

2

The Chat

DISCUSSION

The unusual abundance of the Least Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Baltimore
Oriole in Ashe County is undoubtedly due to the large amount of suitable habitat
supplied by the New River system. The rows of mature hardwoods along the roads and
riverbanks bordering pastures and weedy fields offer the proper open country habitat
frequented by these species.

The occurrence of the above three species in the same locale is most unusual for the
North Carolina mountains because the vireo is usually found nesting in the southern
Appalachians below 2,500 feet and the flycatcher generally above this elevation. The
presence of these species together suggests that Ashe County is an intermediate zone
between the true mountains of North Carolina (where Least Flycatchers and Baltimore
Orioles nest) and the valleys of western Virginia (where the orioles and Warbling Vireos
nest).

Recent summer records of Peregrine Falcons and Olive-sided Flycatchers in North
Carolina are scarce and are primarily limited to the high altitude areas in the Great
Smoky Mountains. Thus, the early summer records of these two species in Alleghany
County are most unusual. Unfortunately no evidence of nesting could be found.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to Edmund LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, and W. Ross Silcock for
contributing bird sight records pertinent to this paper.

LITERATURE CITED

Chamberlain, B.R. 1954. Southern Atlantic coast region. Audubon Field Notes,
8:305-307.

Chamberlain, B.R. 1964. Briefs for the files. Chat. 28:143.

Eggleston, R.B., and R. Lyle Jr. 1952. The birds of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Raven,
23:36-54.

Mellinger, E.O. 1971. Traill’s Flycatcher nesting in northeast Georgia. Oriole, 36:38-39.
Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1959. Birds of North Carolina, revised by
Wray and Davis.

Russell, P. 1948. A few nests in May. Chat, 12:18.

Scott, F.R. 1966. Results of Abingdon foray, June 1966. Raven, 37:71-76.

1213 Duplin Road. Raleigh, N.C. 27607; 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N.C.; and 415
Charles Court, Cary, N.C. 27511.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

(Continued from page 29)

LAPLAND LONGSPL1R: An unusually early occurrence was recorded 5 October on
the North Carolina Outer Banks where a single bird was seen near Ocracoke
Village by Paul DuMont and Paul Sykes. Seven were subsequently seen by
Edmund LeGrand and Harry LeGrand at the southern tip of Hatteras Island on
23 November. The latter observers also found two at Pea Island on 24 November.

SNOW BUNTING: One was seen at Cedar Island, N.C., on 10 November by John
Fussell. Other sightings were reported of one at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on 15
November, Frances Needham, Ramona Snavely, et al.; two at Hatteras Island on
18 November, Don and Doris Cohrs; and two at Pea Island on 22 November,
James Pullman.

March 1974

3

CB©

. . with Louis C. Fink

Chickadees— Can You Recognize a Hybrid?

On 6 October 1973 I was birding on Richland Balsam, which lies on the border of
Haywood and Jackson Counties in North Carolina. At an elevation of about 6,200 feet I
heard a small flock of chickadees. Hoping them to be Black-capped Chickadees (. Parus
atricapillus) , I began squeaking, swishing, and imitating the Saw-whet Owl’s call. My
vocalizations were quite effective. Good numbers of both species of kinglets, Red-
breasted Nuthatches, and Solitary Vireos immediately flocked in the firs over me.
Astonishingly, the chickadees did not respond to my noises, and I began to suspect these
were no “ordinary” chickadees. After much time and effort I was able to get brief looks
at two of the birds.

The birds appeared larger than Carolina Chickadees ( P . carolinensis), perhaps the
same size as the Black-capped (with which I am familiar in West Virginia, northern
Virginia, and the Great Smokies). However, there seemed to be a clear separation
between the black bib and the white breast and very little white in the wing, both field
marks of the Carolina. The birds seemed too shy and restless to be Black-capped
Chickadees, much like the Carolina in behavior. The song was the two-note one of the
Black-capped, but the calls resembled those of the Carolina in tempo and tonal quality.
Certainly the habitat was that of the Black-capped in the southern Appalachians
(spruce-fir). Their strangest characteristic was their absence of curiosity. I can’t recall
ever having squeaked for 15 minutes with chickadees of either species in the vicinity
without attracting them to me.

A paper by Tanner (Auk, 69:407-424) appears to shed some light on the chickadee
problem. The Black-capped Chickadees collected in the Plott Balsams, just to the
northwest of Richland Balsam, had a lower tail to wing length ratio than Black-cappeds
collected in the Great Smokies. Tanner suggested that since this species is rare outside of
the Smokies, some of the birds may have been forced to mate with Carolina Chickadees,
which are common on the lower elevations of the mountains and have a very low tail to
wing length ratio. Offspring of this mating would likely have wing and tail measurements
between those of the two parent species. Although Tanner found no positive evidence of
hybridization in the southern Appalachians, he indicates that it is possible in areas where
Black-capped populations are very low, such as in the Plott Balsams.

In my opinion the birds I saw on Richland Balsam were hybrids, or better called
“intergrades.” I certainly don’t want to sound like an expert on the subject, because I
studied only two or three birds and did not collect them. However, I would like to stress
the point that an observer should not automatically call any chickadee he sees in
spruce-fir forests a Black-capped, especially at sites outside the Smokies, Although I
doubt that “pure” Carolina Chickadees occur in spruce-fir forests, I suspect that
chickadees on some of North Carolina’s higher mountains are intergrades of the two
species. I will greatly appreciate comments on my opinions from those who have done
much field work on chickadees in the southern Appalachians. -HARRY E. LeGRAND
JR., 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

NOTE-A search through my library reveals two references to the interesting
situation which Mr. LeGrand raises. Audubon Bird Guide Eastern Land Birds (Richard

4

The Chat

H. Pough, 1949) says, “Despite the remarkable similarities between the Carolina
Chickadee and the Black-capped Chickadee, the boundary between their ranges is
sharply defined, and apparent hybrids are uncommon.”

A Field Guide to the Birds (Roger Tory Peterson, 1947) says, “The two are best
identified by the localities where found and by voice. The slight differences in the wings
are not reliable because of season, wear, angle of light, etc. Moreover the two intergrade
where their ranges meet.”-L.C.F.

The 600 Club

Earl R. Greene, down on St. Simon’s Island in Georgia, is recordkeeper for the 600
Club, that elite group of about 100 men and women who have identified 600 species or
more in North America north of the Rio Grande. The only Carolinian I find listed is
Edwin L. Stearns of South Carolina with 634 species. Joseph W. Taylor of New York
leaves me slack-jawed by topping the list with 710! (I’ll have 410 if somebody will show
me those Lapland Longspurs at Roanoke Rapids.)

Editorial Comment

The Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle wrote, “. . .the objective of the Christmas Bird
Count is to identify as many bird species as possible in a given area.”

I don’t believe that Dr. Fred Denton -who showed me my first Pileated Woodpecker
in Augusta 30 years ago when the bird was elusive— would agree with that statement. The
editors of the 73rd Christmas Bird Count have pointed out the “increase in the use of
the Count for deriving scientific conclusions.” If observers are chasing randomly around
the country adding species to the day’s list, a scientifically valid survey of the bird-life of
the area will not result.

Yet we all hear exultant cries of “We logged more species than last year!” Cities
vie-not for accurate counts of bird populations— but for dubious records of “high
counts.” Invitations to participate are couched in words like, “We need your help to beat
last year’s record.”

In Atlanta (where a valuable record of changing bird-life has been compiled for more
than 30 years), the area was abandoned in favor of a new location which would be
“more fun.” In many places, there are reports of competent observers leaving their home
bases in favor of a Count area where they may add a bird to their life-lists.

The Count editors say “things will be much tougher” in the future. Uncorroborated
sight records will be thrown out, rarities will have to be documented. Let’s hope the
emphasis will return to a scientific sampling of the bird life, maintained from year to
year.

This is not to say the Christmas Bird Count should not be a pleasure, nor that adding
Horned Larks to the Raleigh list should not be counted among life’s little satisfactions.
Let’s just make sure we don’t overlook the purpose of this “premier exercise in mass
masochism and cooperative science.”

Bird-finding in North Carolina

Many members of CBC have promised to send in directions to their favorite places.
We’ll publish them as they come in.

UPPER COASTAL PLAIN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION - Less than 10
miles from Rocky Mount. Drive north on Route 43, taking SR 1224 to the left when
you reach a “Y” in the road.

Headquarters on the right; ask permission to park; look for birds.

The fields have Water Pipits and Eastern Bluebirds; the lake has at least six Common
Snipe and an occasional Whistling Swan in winter. Buteos are overhead.

Walk across the road and inspect a smaller pond for woodpeckers, sparrows, Hermit
Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, and more. Several patches of bamboo
provide a roost for at least 1,000 House Sparrows, a remarkable sight.

March 1974

5

jaqiuaoaa OE

I : j

. • , .

1 CO j \ r- <J) \ !

1 . , 1

! i - f' o i

■d'N'WS'D

Jaqiuaoaa 62

i - i

! i

| i » i

! <- ! j T- CN 5 |

! ! «- CN :

i j j j

j ; ; |

! ! CO

2

O N 'pjBAajg

<

jaquiaoaQ qi

i S i

! ■

! i ! i

! 1 J i S j *- S

! i | i

! T- CN CD CN !

'O N "oo aqiuooung

O

§

jaqiuaoaa LZ
‘O'N #*oo Ajoav

i ! i

! !

i i i I

j j ; r- r- co ; |

1 ! ! 1

i ! 1 ^ to 1

! i ! i

I ! ! i

! i -

jaqiuaoaa 82

i i i

i i

i « i - - | i |

j i j j

S 1 cn i d- |

i j j |

i j | ;

O'N ' oo naAApieo

jaqiuaoaa g2

i ! i

i j

iii!

i 1 ! ! i ! i !

i j j :

i S i ! I i ;

i i i i

! i ! 1

j ; :

'O'N 'oJoqsa3|i!/\A qiJO|\|

jaqiuaoaa 93

j ; ;

O'N 'epuoy-U!>)i3

jaqiuaoaa 62
O'S '3|l!AuaaJ9

i M

i ; co !

1 ! CN

jaqiuaoaa 62

- ID !

i ■ i

! j !

| t- j ! ! O CD j

i } CN |

! 5 CD 1 ID j !

j ! ! ;

1 ! <- j

1 j ID

■O'N '9UO|jeqo

11 ‘ ^ ’ 1

iii!

: ! o

jaqiuaoaa 62

....

S CO ID ! *— ^ l r-

; ; j

J j CN |

| ; ^ j

h-

•O'N "oo A|ueis

, . . I

.

{ ! ! ! !

! . i

! ! CO i

2

O

jaqiuaoaa OE

j CN 0) | r O r- !

cn i co :

| J ID ! CO j |

| j { (

Q

■O'N "00 liepsJI

'

1 ’ 1 *

CN

UJ

a.

jaqiuaoaa 62

| * *

i : i

: : : s

j ID * CN CO CO * !

j ! ! 1

! 1 CO 1 CO | 1

! s :

1 I t- j

j|0)!

•O’N 'iua|es-uojsu!/\A

jaqiuaoaa 62
O NI 'OJoqsuaajQ

" i -

i I i

! « | j

j CO ! CO CN CD ^ j

1 i ! i

1 i ra I 8 ! !

i i !

s ; i —

(IS!

jaqiuaoaa OE

O)

^ ! i

! * !

i ! 00

! G)

2 j j

: •

J

2

i j

j

CN !

"O'N "ll!H |9deqo

, 1 !

1

’ -

CN !

jaqiuaoaa 91

i ! i !

| j

j 1

j

I

j

j

CD

T- | !

S S "

5 CN

i |

2

: >

,

j

CN J

O'N 'lueqjna

CN !

jaqiuaoaa 22

1 r- r- !

,

J 00

O)

, ,

,

CN

*

CD

CN I r-

, . ,

j O)

1 o

! ! i

i ,

,

j

,

o) ;

•O N 'M^!9lBd

1 CO !

! CN
CN

! CN

CD !

co !

jaqiuaoaa 9L

iii!

i

S 1

-

i j

-

Sf

|

1

CO

i i !

I ^ |

I 1 CO

! 8

j ; j

1

CD J

O S 'ua>|!V

—1

jaqiuaoaa 62

CD

CD

•

^ S i

i ^ !

; | cd

! O

i i i

• |

j

P? i

j

j

CN J

CO

O S 'e|qiun|oo

'

CN

■

'

-J

jaqiuaoaa LZ

lit!

I {

1

j j

|

j {

CD

j

!

i

i j

1

j

2 j

<

O N 'uosjapuay

jaqiuaoaa LZ

j ° ! !

CN

O

CN

CO

CN I !

j |

i i ^

) CO

, , ,

, .

0) J

O'N 'spidey a>)oueoy

1 1 (N

CD !

z

jaqiuaoaa tE

-

j

*-

|

i 1 i

| CN 1

l l ^

! O !

i

j |

i

j

- !

<

'O S 'uoina

jaqiuaoaa 12

! r— i ;

|

J

1 «

D

1 i

*

00

«— i i

! CN !

i i °

j O !

i :

r-

2

00 !

i

oo ;

<

■O'N 'saujd ujaijinos

r>»

. , --

1

H

CO

<

O

o

jaqiuaoaa OE

O N "00 uojneag

i i ! i

j

j

; cn

i ^

s

CO

! ! !

: :

! : co

s ^ s

! i

s i

!

167

!

00 1
CN !

jaqiuaoaa 81

t- t- CN !

O

ID

i ^

co

co

i 00

S

CN

0)

CO

;

CO

CN

CN ! t-

| CO CN

3

73

! oo i

CO

id :

CD

co

ID

l^»

CD

75

57

O'S "S| peaH uo;hh

jaqiuaoaa OE

: CD ! •

O

CN

CD

i ^r

o

CD

CO

D T- J

! ^ !

; *- oo

CD «-

iD

CN

O CD

CO

CN CN

i 0) i S

O

O

i o

r**

! 0)

! cn i

00

CD

o o

CD

O'S ‘uojsa|jeqo

CD

r”

CD CN

(—

jaqiuaoaa 82

CN ^ t- !

ID

O

i «

co

j

in

n

CO

-

ID

! : co

; oo :

I i

- j

ID

54

9

0)

CO

r-

CN

! G)
S D

CD OS
<

"s| sAaiAABj-pia^qoin

o

o

jaqiuaoaa Si.

| 5 ! j

;

j

co :

D !

CN

i §

-

CN

1^

-

W

« j |

1 1 00

i O !

2 CN

61

13

*

in

0)

CN

CO

0)
co r*

O'N 'uoi6u!iu|!M

CN

CN t-

CN

jaqiuaoaa E2

^ D * *

-

CO

! ID

n

i S3

*

CD

CD

♦ | j

i w i

{ *- co
S co

i n !

s

CO

*

-

CN 00

0)

o

CN

r- o

'O'N 'AllO peaqaJOK\|

>

T-

ON

jaquuaoaa i£

"s\ ead-ajpog

00 CM LO CN CD

in co o in <j)

cd r- r- oo

o i : co ; cn s

o : : r-

CN

cn

5 §

0 0 0)0(0
^ CN id r*^

| cd r* j co o

oo co

CO

o

CN

CD CD CO Gi

cocNr-cor*ocoo

CN T- G) r- ID CO

1 1 g § 8i

• I I w “ fe

fc -S E t g s

3 ^ O 3 f o

OQ O O W 00 w

4! ^ ji 3

2 c § >

5 I s

^ g XI x x

T- D D>

E 5

OoQ»3^£O0)(u2

1 t

i -r ra X c

■§> ^ € 2 5,

3 2 " Q. £

O ra ® » te

« 3!

* o

go S

■=■8 1

a > h- >

E ^ -9

1 U o i

- 1 § 3 »

™ oo j ; ?

K <= c g £ O

.2 o 3 > -J5 a. »-

c E ‘C O a o» ®

? 2 E 2 c E -i =

s|enp|A|pu|

iBioi

jaquiaoaQ 0£
'd'N'IAI'S'O

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N 'pje/vajg

jaqiuaoao g i
'3'N "°3 aqiuooung

jaqaiaoaQ LZ
'3'N '°3 Ajbav

jaqiuaoaa 82
"3'N ''°3 ||3AAp|eo

jaqoiaoaa 82
3'N ‘OJoqsa>||!/\A quoN

jaqaiaoaQ gz
'3'N 'epuoy-u!>(i3

jaqiuaoaa 62
3‘S '3|l!AuaaJ9

jaqiuaoaa 62
'3'N '3UO|jeqo

jaqiuaoaa 62
'3'N "03 A|ue;s

jaqiuaoaa OE
'3'N "03 liapaJl

jaqiuaoaa 62
3'N 'iua|es-uo;su!ft/\

jaqiuaoaa 62

O N 'ojoqsuaajQ

jaqiuaoaa OE
3'N "IMH |adeqo

jaqiuaoaa 91
O N 'oieqjna

IO O ! T~

<- CD
O CN

jaqiuaoaa ZZ
’ON 'M6!9|Ba

jaqiuaoaa 91
3S'ua>|!V

jaqiuaoaa 62
•O S 'eiqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O' N 'uosjapuay

jaqiuaoaa LZ

O N 'spidea a>|OUBoy

cm co

00 ID

jaqiuaoaa l£
3'S 'uoina

jaqiuaoaa L2
’O N 'saujy ujaqinog

jaqiuaoaa OE

'O'N ' °3 IJOjnBag

jaqiuaoaa 81
'3'S ' S| peaH uojmh

jaqiuaoaa OE
'3'S 'uoisa|JBito

jaqiuaoaa 82

iAaiAABd-piaqqoin

jaqiuaoaa S l
•O'N 'uoj6u!Ui|!M

jaqiuaoaa E2
'3'N 'Aj|3 psaqajoiAi

jaqiuaoaa L£
'3'N "sl eag-ajpog

cd >- id : co co ro

o at oo <- «-

CO CM CD ID

ID CD O CN

O ID ^ ^

^ CN ! rv

o co co

ID r- (N o

CD O CD O)
- CO CO (N
CM (7)

cn o cd <3-

CN ^ CD <-

S|8npjAjpU|

lejoi

< ^

s ~

W o 05

> I 2 D *

3 5 I E a

TD c E '“ o

3 E o ^ Q.

DC < CJ ^ CD

II

C T3

| o ^ .S- 't 'I

° 9 -2 3 ? |

2 1 a » w a £

= ■■= -9 W r- T3 ■—

I" !•" ID ID r~ CD

^ Q

c —

< O

2 ^ "

= 3 8 -a &

S <5 U DC (f

.t: Q. a3 -2 ai -c

D D xi CU J “ t 05 05

o i « « E ESw ® .£ 3
aoo52«<e>e>i<r_i

v o
2 E
2 E

§ £ o « _ ^

! H 1 | ° 1 O ° O

“ S 2 I 1 o | ,

8 f S 3 I | £ 5 S

coca:20mwOm

jaqoiaoaa OE
'd'N'IATS'D

jaquiaoaa 63
w 'O’N 'pJBAajg

< jaquuaoaagi

z "O'N ''°D aquuoaung

D
O
2

jaqoiaoaa LZ
'O N "°0 Ajbav

jaqoiaoaa 83
O'N "oo liaAApieo

jaqoiaoaa 8Z
O N 'oJoqsa>||!M quo|\j

jaqoiaoaa 9Z
"O'N 'epuoy-u^ig

jaqoiaoaa 6Z
0‘S '3||!AuaaJ9

jaqoiaoaa 63
'O'N '3UO|jeqo

z

o

2

Q

LLI

51

jaqoiaoaa 63
■O N ' OO A|uejs

jaqoiaoaa OS

■O’N "00 II3P3JI

jaqoiaoaa 63
'O'N 'oia|es-uojsu!/v\

jaqoiaoaa 63
"O N 'ojoqsoaajQ

jaqoiaoaa OS
'O N 'll!H |3deqo

jaqoiaoaa 91
O' N 'oieqjna

jaqoiaoaa 33
'O'N 'q^aiey

jaqoiaoaa 9L
O'S 'U3>I!V

jaqoiaoaa 63

O'S 'eiqoinioo

jaqoiaoaa LZ
'O'N 'uosjapoay

jaqoiaoaa LZ
*0" N 'spjdey a>)OUBOy

jaqoiaoaa LS

os'doina

jaqoiaoaa IZ
O'N ‘ssuid ujaqjnos

jaqoiaoaa OE
'O'N ”'°0 uojneag

jaqoiaoaa 81
O'S "sl P63H U°H!H

jaqoiaoaa OE
"O'S 'ooisapaqo

jaqoiaoaa 83
w O'S "S| sAaiAABd-pia^qojn
<
o

q jaqoiaoaa g l

'O'N 'uoi6o!Oi|!M

jaqoiaoaa S3
O'N 'A}|0 pesqsJOiA)

jaqoiaoaa L£
O'N '-s| Bad-aipog

sienpiAjpu |
lejoi

r- i m oo : ! t- ! : i : i id ! i : : ; \ \ o cm

cm : o : : : : ; : : ::::::: co

o : cn i o (n r* i : i ; i : : : : : : : : oo <d

cd s oo : o s : ; : : i : o o

t-

CD ! O) r^* ! ! ! CM ! { I ! I CD ! * i * !!IOOO

: ID ! i ! 00 ! ! ! ! ! CN i ! : ! ! CO CD

ID CN

o'

o

CD

i i ^ ^ i i i co I ! i i i i i i i i i i i id

CN t-

! : co : o i i i i cn

r- J ! ! ID !!!!!!!!!!!!! CO LD

CO ; ^ CD ! O) CN Q ! ! ! I ! CN ! I ! ! ! I I LD CO

CN ! ! t— LD ! ! ! i ! ! ! ! ! ! J ! LD CN

O : ! ! j CO 00 ! ! : I ! ! ! I I ! ; ! I ID CD

ld i S S ^ o n 5 i ! ! ! ir^i°°i i ! ^ i ld 2

r- ov cn co

CN

i cj) cn ! co ld : ! i : i cn : cn : : s i i ld p*

id : p* i t- cn id : : : : \ cn : : : i \ ; p*

ID r

co ! id ^ ! ro co co ! : : i ! o i : : ! : : ld ld

oo s co s cn t- cd : : : ! : t- i ! s : : : co <d

CN

00 LD ! CD CD

O CO ! *- O

rococo*-

CN CN CN
T- CN T-

LD : 00 CN ID CN CN O

00 CD ! CN LD CD ! I ! ! J (D !

CN O) ! r- CN ! ! ! ! !LD!t—

> co oo id co o ! : ; : ; o ; id

CO <- CN ID 00 ! ! ! ! 1 <- j

CO
CN

CO LD > O Is CN ! I | I J st | o

co co cn co t— oo ! : : : ! cd ! cn

id'

o t— t— oo o) t— jr-r- i i cn : cd

CO CN g ! i ! T— !

ID OJ I'* 'J <- ! 5 : 1 i CO : CD

CN ^ CM (N O ! ! ! I ! CO : T-

LD CO O)
CO T— O
CD 00 CN

O ID o

CO ID
o CO

<— ID (D
O ID

«- CO

P* ! 00 CN

O CN | LD CN

LD 00 O) CN CO

00 CO CO CD I CO
CO O) t— O ! CN

^ CD CN

! O) LD ^

l o rj co

o ld i r-

t- ^ i LD CD

t — ! OO ! CO

ID ! CO CN CN

t- CN CO

T- ; CN LD

CD D 00 CD ! 0 <- O)

CO CD t— I CD CN

00 CO ! 00 CO

r- ID CN CN

co cd : r-

oo : : oo cd co cd

CD ^ LD : CN o *

O CD ! CO CO

LD (D * O P> ! CN !

CD O CO LD

; o : co !

CN T— CN : r-

cn ; ld

CN I CD O

^ LD P*» T-

r^ooT-r-cDT-
LD T- O) r- CD

CN LD CO t—

p* id o cq
co' oo' ld'

LD CO
CD T-

LD O O 00 LD

CD CD O LD <—

r- p> co o q

t-' t-' CN CN

§ §

d y - x g
£ S £ S ■£

> §|
1 > I

» s b w i g I

E S » 1 | 3 > °

E £ -e I i -s c h

is llsgi

; I J5°

— J3

u §
- O

o

o ■?, -C

m = S -c ^ 2

’1^2^ sl^l| s 1 = = c eI *2^

ODra505£oiS>-i2oja)££'5oo‘i)0 ,<u_

150CSOJm§W(I1O“' ' - * * ....v ^ ~

E I .£ -9 o £ « Jj » a

jaquuaoaa oc

o

CO

<3-

r*

o

CO

D

LD

LD

co

ID

O

'd'N'I/M'S'D

CM

CM

T_

T"

CM

CO

z

J0qLU9D0Q QZ

m

-

j

O

1

2

CD

CO

LD

D

LD

s

CD

CD

'sf

i

o

o

0'N 'pjBAajg

ID

co

<

1-

j0qiU0D0Q g i

CM

CN

1

CM

1

CD

CM

CO

00

CO

,sf

G)

LO

D

p2

CO

LD

o

r^

CD

CO

z

D

‘0‘N "OO aquuooung

^r

CO

CM

<0

O

CD

2

cm"

jaquuaoaa LZ

CD

o

j

-

CD

CD

|

j

CD

CD

LD

!

-

O

CO

;

CD

J

r*»

-

00

co

s

O'N 'OQ Ajbav

CO

CO

cm"

jaquuaoaa 83

i

S

i

1

CD

!

LD

CM

j

£

CO

CD

o

CD

CM

o

LD

‘O N "03 ||a/wp|B3

jaquuaoaa 83

1

ID

j

j

!

!

j

j

CO

-

D

CO

CO

CO

CM

O

O’N 'OJoqsa>)i!M quo|\|

CM

jaquuaoaa 93

!

CD

CO

!

1

!

CD

CD

i

00

CO

D

«

CD

i

o

CO

CM

o

r^*

CO

§

LD

’O'N 'epuoa-u!>)i3

,mT

cm"

jaquuaoaa 63

CD

j

1

I

J

CO

;

-

!

CO

5

Gi

CM

CO

o

ID

O S 'ailjAuaajQ

LD

jaquuaoaa 63

!

UD

-

-

00

ID

LD

l

<D

00

r^

00

CD

0,

CO

O

CD

-

o

CD

o

CD

■O’N 'auo|jeqo

00

CM

CO

<3-

CM

o'

jaquuaoaa 63

CD

CM

j

«,

CM

r*

CD

350

LD

CM

o

CD

^r

CO

CD

CO

CO

O N ' 00 A|ubjs

T-

CD

CD

f-

id"

o

jaquuaoaa OC

o

CD

j

ID

LD

ID

CM

*

Gi

§

Gi

ID

CD

O

CD

00

O N "O0 IlspaJI

CM

00

T—

o

-

jaquuaoaa 63

*

CN

*-

s

*

CD

00

CD

o

*

CM

O

CO

s

r«*

CD

CO

CD

00

00

CM

O N 'uua|es-uoisu!/v\

CM

5

LD

CD

CO

co"

o

jaquuaoaa 63

CD

G)

i

j

1

CO

LD

CD

O

CO

CM

CM

CM

O

i

CO

00

l

O

-

JN

00

CD

‘O'N 'ojoqsu00j0

CD

CD

CD

co

5

cm"

jaquuaoaa OC
O’N 'll!H isdeqo

“J

CD

CD

CM

j

i

!

827

CM

CD

(D

819

CD

O

CD

00

o

rS

Gi

Gi

r^>

s

CO

ID

LD

r**

Gi

LD

co"

j0quj0D0a 9|,

ID

CM

j

i

!

CO

*

O

CD

00

|

CM

I

|

CD

CD

CM

CD

o

co

a!

O N 'uueqjnQ

CD

CD

00

co"

jaquuaoaa 33
'O'N '4B!9|ea

CD

189

CD

CO

j

|

CO

O

o

CO

LD

CD

O

313

O

r^

00

Gi

s

o

O

O

00

196

r

CD

jaquuaoaa 91

1

s

O

CM

1

1

j

o

LD

CO

ID

00

CM

00

|

O

CO

Gi

*"

CO

co

00

O S 'ua>| i v

T"

r_

o'

H

jaquuaoaa 63

<?!■

ID

CO

j

1

O

LD

co

00

LD

CD

CO

CM

ID

CM

i

co

r^

00

J

o

LD

co

OJ

m

O S 'B|quun|O0

ID

o

LD

CM

-j

jaquuaoaa LZ

CD

.

j

i

-

!

ID

5

-

|

CM

CO

!

CD

CD

Gi

CO

CO

LO

<

•O'N 'uosjapuan

CM

O

u.

r“

jaquuaoaa LZ

-

CD

00

260

1

1

CM

O

CO

CN

ID

LD

CM

St

ID

s

CO

Gi

ID

00

CM

*

00

CO

?r

0‘N 'spidea a>|Oueoa

T—

CM

CM

LD

CD

z

<

jaquuaoaa 18
os 'u°ii!a

CD

CO

CD

CD

5-

CD

o

Gi

CD

o

O

T"

9.5

LD

CL

jaquuaoaa IZ

o

O

CM

CM

ID

CM

CD

r>»

LD

CM

CO

CD

<3.

CD

00

<

■O'N 'sauid ujaqinos

CM

CM

!

10

LD

2

r-

CM

CD

CM

CM

r-'

<

jaquuaoaa OC

CD

1

CO

CO

G)

CD

CM

[S^

LD

Gi

LD

CO

CO

o

o

O N ' °0 JJO^neag

CM

CM

Gi

ID

CM

LD

cj

jaquuaoaa 8 L

ID

00

CO

j

CD

CM

CD

CM

LD

ID

CD

CD

CO

ID

CO

T“

SJ

CD

Gi

O

'O'S "s| peeH uojiih

s— __

CO

cd"

jaquuaoaa OC

00

CM

CD

CM

LD

CM

LD

ID

00

<D

O

CM

CM

o

o

CO

CD

CD

^r

ID

CM

ID

CO

CD

CO

^r

1^

CO

O'S 'uotsa|jeqo

CM

CM

cm"

jaquuaoaa 82

CO

r**

CO

;

j

CM

-

CM

CM

CO

o

CO

O

CD

*

CM

CM

5

co

CM

o

CD

r**

co

ID

CO

<

O

’O'S "s| sAaiMBd-piaqqojn

CD

co"

cj

jaquuaoaa 91

00

s

s

CM

"3-

00

CD

s

ID

CD

CM

CO

(D

ID

CD

CD

CO

o

ID

00

S?

o

CD

CM

Gi

CO

'O'N 'uoi6ujUJ|!M

T—

CM

«

CD

jaquuaoaa C3

CD

8

!

1

-

r-

CD

ID

ID

n

CD

ID

CO

CM

Gi

CO

*

CD

CM

Gi

o

ID

Gi

^r

ID

'O'N 'AllO peaqaJO|A|

CO

s—

s—

cm"

jaquuaoaa LC

CM

ID

CM

CD

CM

LD

CO

<D

LD

r-

|

00

CO

LD

O

CM

o

CD

o

CM

'O'N "si ead-aipog

CM

CD

CM

5

S|Bnp!Aipu|

ID

a

CD

CD

O

LD

CO

ID

CO

CD

CM

CM

r_

CO

G)

CD

t

ID

CD

CM

ID

CO

LO

CD

CD

CD

o

r-

T—

LO

CD

ID

co

T—

CD

CO

CM

Gi

LD

|B10_L

c>

CD

CD

LD

cm"

T_

CO

CM

CD

CM

LD"

LD

O

ID

LD

CO

cd"

w 1-
J Z

g

$

2

o

1

2

£

3

RISTM/
D COU
1973

1

SZ

S

O

"D

o

a

CO

d

CO

a

CO

a

d

CO

*U

2

o

O

Q.

a

CO

O

c

D

~o

2

o

o

Cl

CO

O

o

Q.

CO

o

CO

o

o

Q.

CO

o

o

a

O)

c

o

c

c

species

-g

■6

c

I

8

cn

w

I DC

O CO

O

(J

~a

■g

D

SZ

c

Cl

o

SI

o

CJ

12

o

c

SI

CO

■g

a

0)

"c

E

sz

(U

>

a

CO

O)

c

a

a

'sz

Q

CO

2

V

CD

d

Z

o

"c

o

c

CO

a

|

1

a

CO

c

TJ

c

D

QQ

O

c

o

c

o

6

c

o

-Q

O

5

JD

O

~o

a

2

O

sz

>

£

>

OC

OC

CO

(5

I

>

c£

Q

CJ

LL

1

1

CO

CO

LL

>

LL

CL

Q_

* Seen in count area during count period but not on count day.
t Figure below includes some Black-capped Chickadees.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT— 1973

ELOISE F. POTTER

Despite inclement weather Charleston Christmas bird counters set the pace for
Carolina Bird Club in 1973 with 162 species, only two short of Wilmington’s 1961
record of 164. Although the Charleston list has a few interesting stragglers (Wood
Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak), it includes nothing really rare
for the locality. This outstanding census appears to be the result of thorough coverage,
and all 44 observers should be commended for their fine effort.

The Charleston tally is representative of the 215 species found throughout the
Carolinas during the present bird count-short on rare visitors from the north and long
on lingering summer residents and fall migrants. Bodie-Pea Island (154 species) adds four
names to the all-time Christmas Bird Count list: Glaucous Gull, Black-throated Blue
Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The two warblers are
thought to represent first winter records for North Carolina. Hilton Head Island (139
species) adds the Acadian Flycatcher to the all-time list. These five additions minus four
species (Blue Goose, Common Teal, Ipswich Sparrow, and Oregon Junco) recently
lumped by A.O.U. bring the total to 277 species.

The 1973-1974 invasion of northern finches appears to be only moderate, but Pine
Siskins (2,058) are relatively abundant. The number of House Finches (300) is the
highest yet recorded in the Carolinas with one or more reported from 1 1 of the 29 count
areas. The center of the population is in the North Carolina piedmont, primarily
Winston-Salem (111), Greensboro (61), and Raleigh (40). Sightings of Rough-legged
Hawks, Saw-whet Owls, Tree Sparrows, and Lincoln’s Sparrows, though few in number,
suggest the presence of more individuals than usual in the Carolinas this winter.

Although participants in those censuses taken during the first week of the count
period (15 through 22 December) experienced some adverse field conditions, the
weather was generally mild for December and decidedly pleasant for most of the counts
made after Christmas. The gasoline shortage probably reduced the number of observers
in a few places, but it apparently encouraged extensive coverage by foot, thus
contributing to the overall excellence of the 1973 Christmas Bird Count in the Carolinas.

Please note the new arrangement of localities in the count table. Several sites that are
on or near the fall line have been grouped under the heading “Fall Belt.” Henderson,
which has a count circle entirely within the piedmont, has been included in this new
classification because of its proximity to Roanoke Rapids in the Roanoke River basin.
The Editor welcomes your comments on this change and your suggestions for further
modifications that might enhance the usefulness of the count table.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C. (center: 2.7 miles SSE of Bodie Island Lighthouse).

31 December. Great Cormorant (Dwight Peake, Richard Peake) was an immature bird
flying north from Oregon Inlet; recorded in same vicinity on three of last four Christmas
counts. Cattle Egret (Paul Sykes, John Williamson) and immature White Ibis (Claudia
Wilds) are first Christmas count records for area. Red Knots (John Fussell, Wesley
Messinger) were on flats at Oregon Inlet. The Glaucous Gull (Gilbert Grant, Lynn
Messinger, Norman Messinger) was in second winter plumage and was studied in direct
comparison with Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls on the beach at the northern tip
of Pea Island. Although there are several previous winter records for the Oregon Inlet
area, this is the first Glaucous Gull found on a Christmas count in the Carolinas. The

12

The Chat

CBC CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT STATISTICS

1973 1937-1972

Total number species 215 230 (1972)

Total number individuals 6,315,366 7,636,868 (1960)

Number count areas 29 30 (1972)

Total number observers 657 653 (1972)

Field parties 193 180 (1972)

Party-hours 1,508.5 1,478.5 (1972)

Party-miles 5,554 5,623 (1971)

Highest number species:

Coast Charleston, 162 Wilmington, 164 (1961)

Coastal Plain Southern Pines, 92 New Bern, 95 (1966)

Fall Belt Roanoke Rapids, 98 Roanoke Rapids, 103 (1972)

Piedmont Raleigh, 98 Raleigh, 96 (1968)

Mountains Buncombe Co., 73 Yancey-McDowell, 74 (1972)

Most individuals Buncombe Co., 2,766,626 Clemson, 5,504,288 (1960)

1,250 Great Black-backed Gulls probably represent the largest number of this species
ever found in North Carolina at one time. The 500 Laughing Gulls are a high count for
the season (previous high, 36). The Ake party saw one adult and 34 immature
Black-legged Kittiwakes from the boat, and eight additional immatures were found by
land parties for a count record total of 43. The Common Tern (Robert Anderson),
Caspian Terns (two parties), Great Crested Flycatcher (Harry LeGrand), adult male
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Grace Russell, John Terborgh), adult male Connecticut
Warbler (Dwight Peake), and female Yellow-headed Blackbird (Robert Anderson) were
all seen well under favorable field conditions; all but Common Tern are first records for
this count. One Savannah Sparrow was an “Ipswich” Sparrow. Fifteen of the Snow
Geese were dark morphs.-PAUL W. SYKES JR., P.O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Florida
33444.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point).

23 December. The number of Loggerhead Shrikes (10) is high for this area. Two
female or immature Common Eiders were at Fort Macon on 24 December, one of them
remaining in vicinity until at least 2 January (John Fussell III and others). Fussell found
a Saw-whet Owl freshly killed on the highway 1 mile E of Atlantic Beach on 18
December for the first county record of the species. In addition, a “very tame little owl
sitting on the parking lot” was described in Fussell’s presence by an unidentified person.
An unidentified goatsucker, probably a Whip-poor-will, was at Fort Macon 13, 26, and
28 December. On 20 December John O. Fussell II saw a hummingbird at close range in
his own yard, but he could not be positive of the species. Four Snow Buntings (J.F. Ill)
were at the south end of Radio Island on 27 December. They were feeding next to
Ruddy Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers on a large concrete boat landing. -JOHN O.
FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Monkey Junction).

15 December. Great Cormorant (James F. Parnell) was in Cape Fear River. Whimbrel
(John Fussell) was on Masonboro Island. Spotted Sandpiper and Common Tern were
seen by compiler. Laughing Gulls are unusually abundant for season, but waterfowl are
scarce. -FRANCES B. NEEDHAM, Box 81, Wilmington, N.C. 28401.

March 1974

13

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (center: entrance to North Litchfield Beach on
US 17).

28 December. Common Merganser was seen by Julian Harrison, Margaret Harrison,
and Philip Stoddard. -FREDERICK PROBST, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawleys Island, S.C.
29585.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

30 December. An excellent count despite the inclement weather! Snow Geese were
dark morphs. Wood Thrush (Perry Nugent, Kenneth Hough), Swainson’s Thrush
(Nugent, Alan Bills), and male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Nugent and others) are
interesting stragglers even though previous winter records exist for all three species,
Nugent saw the immature White-crowned Sparrow at close range in good light. The bird
was in company with a variety of other sparrows, including White-throated Sparrows.
-JULIAN R. HARRISON, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston,
S.C. 29401.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (center: 32°12’N, 80°45’W, Spanish Wells Landing).

18 December. Nini Chapin saw the Rough-legged Hawk daily during the count
period. Acadian Flycatcher was seen in good light by Frank Arnold and Tommy
Sasser.— DAVID AND VIRGINIA HARRALL, 15 Plantation Drive, Hilton Head Island,
S.C. 29928.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: where Upper Goose Creek enters Pamlico River).

30 December. -GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151A, Merritt, N.C. 28556.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 1 mile NW of Skyline). The count circle was moved
this year to encompass the new Lake Surf development, which will soon contain a
1,300-acre lake. The change has caused almost no loss of habitat normally covered on
previous local counts.

21 December. Sora (John Fussell) was flushed at close range from a small cattail
marsh; first winter record for area. Five Lapland Longspurs (Chris Marsh, John Fussell)
were with 35 Horned Larks on a mudflat at Lake Surf, which is now filling. Longspurs
have been found here previously this winter, constituting a new species for the
county. -J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

DILLON, S.C. (center: Dillon).

31 December. -JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

FALL BELT

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: 1.4 miles SE of Weldon).

27 December. Two immature Whistling Swans (Merrill Lynch, Cindy Johnson, Bill
Collier) were at a large beaver pond near Weldon; third winter record for count circle
area. The Snow Goose (Harry LeGrand) was an immature seen in flight with a dozen
Canada Geese over the Johnston Farm ponds. Common Mergansers were in flight over
Roanoke Rapids Lake where several had been found by the compiler during the previous
2 weeks. Gray Catbirds (5) and Palm Warblers (15) are unusually abundant for area.
White-crowned Sparrows (17) seem to be regular winter residents in suitable habitat in
the Occoneechee Neck region. The Lapland Longspur (Harry LeGrand) was in flight
with five Horned Larks near the place they have been found the past two winters. -J.
MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

HENDERSON, N.C. (center: Henderson).

27 December. -A.W. BACHMAN, 111 Jennette Avenue, Henderson, N.C. 27536.

14

The Chat

COLUMBIA, S.C. (center: intersection Gill’s Creek and Bluff Road, same as last 7 years).
29 December. -GILBERT BRISTOW, 2921 Blossom Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

AIKEN, S.C. (center: Couchton).

16 December. Solitary Vireo and Black-and-white Warbler were seen by compiler.
Heavy overcast and poor light conditions caused count to be discontinued before
sunset. -GERALD E. KNIGHTON SR., 304 Kirby Drive, North Augusta, S.C. 29841.

PIEDMONT

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk and Southern RR crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

22 December. The 98 species is a new record for a Raleigh Christmas Count.
Noteworty species were a dark phase Rough-legged Hawk (Harry LeGrand) at Lake
Raleigh, a Merlin (Harry LeGrand) on Dix Hospital grounds, an Old squaw (Chris Marsh,
David Whitehurst) at Lake Wheeler, and a Northern Shoveler (Marsh) at Lake Wheeler.
The House Finches roost in a large fir tree in the Raleigh Rose Garden. Early morning ice
on small ponds may have forced Mallards and Black Ducks into open areas of the larger
lakes thus accounting for unusually good numbers of these species. -R.J. HADER, 3313
Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

DURHAM, N.C. (center: 1 mile N and 1 mile E of junction of Eno River and US 501).

16 December. Green Heron (Norman Budnitz) flushed from the edge of a pond. The
female or immature Brewer’s Blackbird was found by Robert Ridgely, who is familiar
with the species from field work in the western United States and Canada. The bird was
surrounded by flocks of Starlings, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds,
but it did not associate with any of them. Two female or immature Blue Grosbeaks
(Ridgely) were brown with good tan wing bars, gave “spink” call, and constantly flicked
tail to side in an abrupt manner. The habitat was a soybean field. The birds could not be
found 2 days later following 5 inches of snow and subfreezing temperatures. The 10
immature White-crowned Sparrows were in a single flock. -NORMAN BUDNITZ,
Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, N.C. 27706.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets).

30 December. Among our more unusual sightings were 5 Palm Warblers (four
parties), a Common Yellowthroat for the third consecutive year, a Tree Sparrow
(compiler), a high count of 9 White-crowned Sparrows (three parties), and an almost
incredible report of 6 Linclon’s Sparrows by Edwin Lappi. Our 453 Mourning Doves
were 50% over our record in 13 counts. The number of Common Grackles is 40 times
our previous high, which probably is not significant for an erratic blackbird species. Wide
variations in our recent counts of Water Pipits and Savannah Sparrows are attributed to
minor changes in the portions of the count circle covered from year to year. -JAMES O.
PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: Radio Station WBIG transmitter).

29 December. Count area included a multi-acre roost estimated by seven observers to
contain 2 million birds. A mixed population of Starlings, Rusty Blackbirds, Brown-
headed Cowbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles attracted a Red-tailed
Hawk. The Oldsquaw was present for several days on a small pond along with a single
Mallard. -DONALD ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

29 December. Blue-winged Teal was found by Romona Snavely, Ruth Hill, and party.
Water Pipits have been present in unusually large numbers all fall. Starlings and grackles
were in two large roosts within count area. This is the largest number of House Finches
yet reported in area. Tree Sparrow (Sue Moore, Ann Pollard) and Lincoln’s Sparrow

March 1974

15

(Ramona Snavely) are unusual, but both have been found previously on local Christmas
counts. -C. ROYCE HOUGH 713 Lankashire Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River bridge on 115 W).

30 December. Gray Catbird (Jane Mullen) was present for second consecutive winter.
Red Crossbill (Larry Marlin, Dwayne Hayes) is second sighting for Iredell County.
Bonaparte’s Gull (five observers including compiler) is second county record. Pine
Siskins are first reported sighting in county. The local increase in Eastern Bluebirds is
notable. -JANE S. MULLEN, 728 E. Broad Street, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. (center: 2 miles NW of Badin).

29 December. Common Loon (Barrett Crook, Harold Morris) is second record for
count. Bald Eagle (Raymond Barker, David McCarn) was near Badin Dam. Bonaparte’s
Gull (Vivian Whitlock, Bessie Morgan, Mattie Gereg) was on Badin Lake; first count
record. [No details on Saw-whet Owl. -ED.] The Sharp-tailed and Bachman’s Sparrows
(Vera Crook, Margaret Crawley) were on the Smith farm, the same place where
Henslow’s Sparrows were found last year. Eastern Bluebirds and House Finches are more
abundant than in previous years. -MRS. BARRETT CROOK, Route 1, New London,
N.C., and MRS. JOHN WHITLOCK, Box 219, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

29 December. The number of Wood Ducks was high for the season and area.
Common Yellowthroat (Doug Pratt) appeared for the first time on a winter count.
Brewer’s Blackbird (David and Jeff Wright) showed up for the second time inthree years.
The find of the day was a late or over- wintering Grasshopper Sparrow (Lee Jones)
flushed from a plowed field about a mile SE of Wither ’s Bridge on Catawba River
bordering York County, S.C. The total number of species (83) is the highest ever
recorded on a Charlotte Christmas Bird Count. -JOE AND BECKY NORWOOD, 1329
Goodwin Avenue, Charlotte, N.C. 28205.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: intersection of Hwy 29 and 291).

29 December. -ROSA LEE HART HARDIN (Mrs. W.B. Hardin Sr.), Cleveland, S.C.
29635.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin on US 21).

26 December. This is the first appearance of the House Finch and Tree Sparrow on
the count day, but both have occurred during the count period in prior years.— LIN
HENDREN, P.O. Box 148, Elkin N.C. 28621.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (center: North Wilkesboro).

28 December. -WENDELL P. SMITH, 911 E Street, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

28 December. -MISS HELEN MYERS, 310 Beall Street NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. ('center: entrance to Grandfather Mountain toll road).

15 December. CORRECTION: In the table for the 1972 Christmas Bird Count {Chat,
37:9) Avery County should be listed as reporting 16 Ruffed Grouse and no Sparrow
Hawks. Total individuals for these species should be changed to 331 Sparrow Hawks and
36 Ruffed Grouse.-MRS. JAMES PLYMIRE, Box 306, Linville, N.C. 28646, or R.D.2,
Chestertown, Maryland 21620.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740, Swannanoa.)
15 December. Snow Goose (Hall family) was with a flock of Canada Geese in the

16

The Chat

1

Fairview area, and its solid white body with black wing-tips made it conspicuous. The
pink legs and bill could be seen as it flew low over Echo Lake. Three male Northern
Shovelers (Halls) were on a small farm pond. Merlin (Halls) was seen both perched and in
flight. Saw-whet Owl (Halls) was heard along Blue Ridge Parkway at 06:40. House
Wrens are unusually abundant for this season, perhaps due to unseasonably warm
weather. Gray Catbird (Halls) was in a multiflora rose hedge. Tree Sparrows (Halls) were
in two flocks about 4 miles apart in the Fairview area. Common Snipe was fould near
Chunns Cove by Plumer Wiseman of Danville, Virginia. Rusty Blackbirds (Halls)
remained near the roost after other species had left; identified by call. -ROBERT C.
RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 7 air miles SE of Brevard, 0.5 mile N of intersection of US
276 and SR 1584).

29 December. Count day saw arrival of strong, wet weather front and receding waters
from major flooding of French Broad River. Mallards (Susan Holland, Doris Guest) were
feeding in flooded pastures. Rusty Blackbirds, Brewer’s Blackbirds, Common Grackle,
and Brown-headed Cowbird (Eloise Fenneberg, Mrs. R. Tish) were seen during passage of
major weather fronts. Swainson’s Thrush (Bill and Ellen Cook) was sighted regularly at a
feeder from 8 November through 28 December. -WALTER HOLLAND JR., 290 Maple
Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, N.C.-Tenn. (Bull Head of Mt. Le
Conte).

30 December. -DONALD H. DeFOE, Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738.

FIELD OBSERVERS

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C.: Robert Ake, Robert Anderson, Keith Fielder, John Fussell,
Gilbert Grant, Harry LeGrand Jr., Paul McQuarry, Lynn Messinger, Norman Messinger,
Wesley Messinger, Dwight Peake, Richard Peake, Grace Russell, Ross Silcock, Paul Sykes
Jr., John Terborgh, Claudia Wilds, Gary Williamson, John Williamson, Mark Williamson.
Boat courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Inlet. (Cape Henry Audubon Society and
guests).

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: Clint and Doris Benbow, Judy Eubanks, John O. Fussell II,
John Fussell III, Donna Goodwin, L.J. Klein, Joyce Lewis, Charles Lincoln, Chris Marsh,
Darryl Moffett, David Morris, Mary Nicholson, Rebecca Norris, Bob and Mary Simpson,
Clay Smith, Daniel Vaughn, E.W. Warner.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Mrs. Cecil Appleberry, Bobby Austin, Robert Brown, J.H. Carter
III, Mrs. Sam Earle, John Fussell, Haskell Hart, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer III, Harry
LeGrand, A.G. Massey, Mrs. W.C. Mebane, Frances Needham, James F. Parnell, James
Poteat, Charlotte Waggett, Pete Roberts.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C.: Jeannine Angerman, Calvin Clyde, Evelyn
Dabbs, Betsy Eaddy, Dennis Forsythe, Jean Forsythe, Julian Harrison, Margaret
Harrison, Pete Laurie, David C. McLean, David McLean Jr., Joe McLean, Mary Lou
McLean, Stephen Meyers, Perry Nugent, Frederick Probst, Renee Probst, John Reed,
Mary Reed, Smith Salisbury, John Schenk, Rebecca Schenk, Philip Stoddard.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: Bill Anderson, Jeannine Angerman, Ted Beckett, Alan Bills, E.B.
Chamberlain, David Chamberlain, Norman Chamberlain, Calvin Clyde, John Dick, Dielle
Fleischmann, Melanie Fleischmann, Sallie Fleischmann, Dennis Forsythe, Harry Free-
man, Jim and Patty Fulcher, Devin Garrity, Tommy Graham, Betsy and Hilda Griffin,

March 1974

17

Margaret and Julian Harrison, T.F. Hassell, Kenneth Hough, Katherine Huger, Bobbin
and David Huff, Stanley Langston, Peter Laurie, John Manzi, Isaac and John Metcalf,
Perry Nugent, Robert and William O’Dell, Frederick and Renee Probst, John and Mary
Reed, Jay Shuler, Arthur and Gayle Smith, Grant and LeAnn Staley.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.: Frank Arnold, Gordon Benford, Doris and Seward
Bowers, Nancy Butler, Nini Chapin, Marj Fowler, Billie Hack, John Hannold, David and
Virginia Harrall, Dorothy Hitchcock, Helen and Royce Hough, Isabel Hurst, Charlotte
and Edith Inglesby, Donald and Louise Lacoss, Mildred Lawrence, Helen Loriot,
Imogene Lowden, Olin and Violet McIntosh, Caroline Newhall, Muggs Park, Helene
Parry, Thomasia Phillips, Beryl and Kieth Pitcairn, Lois Pitcairn, Betty and Wallace Roy,
Tommy Sasser, Mary Smith, Elizabeth and Robert Whitney.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Geraldine Cox, James McLaurin, Mary McLaurin, David
Morris, Louise Satterthwaite, Mary Wilson.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: Bobby Austin, Dana Carter, J.H. Carter III, Vera Chase,
Laurence Davis, Roberta Davis, John Fussell, Harry LeGrand, Chris Marsh, Frances
Needham, Lura Williams, Mary Wintyen, Ethel Wotton.

DILLON, S.C.: John H. Wilson.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Bill Collier, Betty Davis, Louis Fink, Louise Hutchinson,
Cindy Johnson, Harry LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Louise Parker, Gus VanVliet, John
Wright.

HENDERSON, N.C.: Neita Allen, Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Bachman, Annie G. Burroughs,
Mrs. Russell Parham, Mrs. Howard Stewart, Paul Stewart.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Gilbert Bristow, John Hughes Cooper, Mary Desportes, Russell
Green, Mrs. Blanding Guignard, Frank Hill, Johnny Kinsey, Jeanette Mahoney, Nina
Reid, Eddie Rowland, Kay Sisson, Glenn Smith, Meta Smith, Emma Walker.

AIKEN, S.C.: Jeanne Angerman, Charles Braun, Jack Cooper, Fred Denton, Gerald
Knighton, Vivian Poindexter, Tom Rial.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Betty and Lloyd Davis, Mrs. T.M. Donaldson, Louis Fink, John
Fussell, Charlotte Hilton Green, R.J. Hader, Jeanne and Ray Halsey, Roberta Horton,
Mabel Jones, Kenneth and David Knapp, William Lassiter, Joshua Lee, Harry and
Edmund LeGrand, Chris Marsh, Edna Miller, T.L. Quay, Bob Smart, Mary Smith, Pat
Sprunt, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, David Whitehurst, Gail Whitehurst, Mrs. T.M.
Wilson, Ray Winstead, John Wright.

DURHAM, N.C.: Jo Booser, Norman Budnitz, Caroline Carter, Robin Carter, Chip
Chandler, Gil Ewing, Alexander Hull, Reed Kelley, Robert Klein, David Morris, Ted
Nixon, Julie Ridgely, Robert Ridgely.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Charles Blake, Annie Broughton, Elizabeth

Calhoon, Forrest Calhoon, Angello Caparella, Caroline Carter, Robin Carter, Louise
Crumpacker, Eric Garner, Lois Garner, Steve Hoverman, Isabelle Hoverman, Russell
Hoverman, Paul Koepke, R. Koster, Edwin Lappi, Gertrude London, Johnnie Payne,
James Pullman, Barbara Roth, Elizabeth Teulings, Kelsey Wager, Eleanor Wagstaff,
Albert Walker, Ed Welch.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Virginia Bell, Helen
Black, Edwin Blitch III, Carolyn Brown, Kenneth Brown, Madeline Cason, Eve Craft,

18

The Chat

1

Larry A. Crawford Jr., Charlotte Dawley, Frank L. Fish, Mildred Fish, Dot Garrett, Jean
Gertz, Rebecca Greaves, Howard Groover, Ellene Kirk, Ellen Knight, Ben Lambeth,
Kathryn Lambeth, Robert L. Lasley, James Mattocks, Jean McCoy, Ethel McNairy, Ida
Mitchell, Beryl Norcross, Elizabeth Ogburn, Emma Leah Perrett, Etta Schiffman,
Virginia Seawell, George Smith, Irene Smyre, Thomas E. Street, Marjorie Tays, William
Tays, James Weigand, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Fran Baldwin, Olive Boice, William Boice, Zach Bynum,
Charles Frost, Gardner Gidley, Margaret Gidley, Louise Gossett, Fred Hill, George Hill,
Ruth Hill, Kevin Hintsa, Royce Hough, Jean Isenhower, Ike Isenhower, Hank Kudlinski,
Kay Kudlinski, Janice Levitt, Ann Listokin, Mary McGehee, Sue Moore, Jim Orgain,
Barbara Page, Ann Pollard, Susan Provost, Jackie Shelton, Mark Shelton, Dorothy
Shiffert, Jerry Shiffert, Margaret Shirling, Ramona Snavely, S.C. Sommer, Paul Spain,
Royce Weatherly, Bob Witherington.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Lois Goforth, Dwayne Hayes, Flippen Jones, Larry Marlin,
Bobby Mize, Jane Mullen.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C.: Raymond Barker, Margaret Crawley, Barrett and Vera Crook,
Virginia Foglia, Mattie Gereg, Terry Hahn, Vera Littleton, David McCarn, Bessie Morgan,
Harold Morris, Ann Olsen, Taimi Olsen, Vivian Whitlock.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Dale and Josette Arvey, Elizabeth Clarkson, Teresa Cline, Bill and
Flo Cobey, Adrian and Beth Dykema, Gina Elliott, Susan Ennett, Gwen Fenninger,
David Freeh, Jack Hamilton, Herbert and Martha Hechenbleikner, Lee Jones, Bobby
Kluttz, Joe and Becky Norwood, Shuford and Katherine Peeler, Doug Pratt, Ed Read, A1
Ross, Donald Rousar, David and Jeff Wright (Mecklenburg Audubon Society).

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Wilma Abrams, Mary Austin, Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin,
Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart, Martha Lawrence, William Lawrence, May Puett.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: Alex Biggs, Tim Bontecou, Tom Bryan, Gary Burchette, Herbert
Cochran, C.C. Dudley, Gordon Getsinger, Elizabeth Harris, Virginia Hart, Lin Hendren,
Ola Hendren, Tom Hendren, David Hasse, Lee Hasse, E.M. Hodel, Lewis Petree, Mike
Randleman, William Roth, W.P. Smith, Jerry Tysinger.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C.: Louise Smith, Wendell Smith.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Mrs. Glen Barnes, Mrs. Clarence Beach, Isabel Bernhardt,
Mrs. Murray Bruner, Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Manchester, Mr. and
Mrs. Fred May, Helen Myers, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Parker, Mrs. C.S. Warren, Mrs. Dickson
Whisnant, Joyce Bruner Whitman.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C.: Cecilia and Charles Burleson, Winston Church, Rip Collins,
Hall family (John, Joy, Joyce, Mark, and Walter), Agnes Mayer, Hugh Morton, Dennis
Myers, Margaret Plymire, Margery Plymire, Dick and Dixie Proctor, Sallie Southerland.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Betty Ball, Robert Bruce, Dennis Carter, Wendell Cisco,
Ken Durant, Margaret Finch, Joy Hall, Joyce Hall, Walter Hall, Easton Hulme, Lewis
Kort, Meryle Kort, Gordon Mahy, Vauda Rauchwerger, Betty Ruiz, Robert Ruiz, Chris
Rustay, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Mary Sawyer, Joan Steeves, Plumer Wiseman,
Thomas Wood, Vertice Wood.

BREVARD, N.C.: Eleanor Ashworth, Glenna Ball, Herbert Ball, Lydia Barrett, Paul
Barrett, Len Berg, George Blaha, Mildred Blaha, Patrick Bohan, Rick Bohan, Lucille
Cain, Bill Cook, Ellen Cook, Nell Cuthell, Louise Davidson, Owens Davidson, Eloise

March 1974

19

Fenneberg, Connie Foster, Ercel Francis, George Francis, Dick Garren, Doris Guest,
Frank Guest, Charles Haag, Velma Haag, Tom Hallowell, Byrniece Hansbrough, Ed
Hansbrough, Curt Holland, Gail Holland, Susan Holland, Walter Holland Jr., Olive
Hutchenson, Genevieve Lilly, Estle Lyon, Gaylord Lyon, Betty Mcllwain, Walter
McKelvey, Josephine Palmer, Dewitt Parsons, Helen Parsons, Wilson Peek, Elizabeth
Provence, Donald Reese, Gladys Reese, Hazel Roberts, Hervey Roberts, Joe Schatz,
Joyce Schatz, Lilian Scott, Glenn Snyder, Marge Snyder, Annette Sprott, Mrs. R. Tish,
Claude Viens, Eleanor Viens, Doug Wauchope, Arthur Wood.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, N.C.-Tenn.: Winnifred Brown,
James Campbell, Glenn Cardwell, Nancy Clark, Mary Francis Davidson, Don DeFoe, Jay
DeFoe, Lori DeFoe, Shirley DeFoe, James Dingwall, Mildren Garrison, David Hassler,
Robbie Hassler, J.C. Howell, Lucinda Ogle, Chester Massey, Debbie Massey, Eleanor
Massey, Morton Massey, Terry McGown, Cynthia Muffly, Gary Muffly, Muriel Monroe,
Louise Nunnally, J.B. Owen, Paul Pardue, Pauline Ryder, Boyd Sharp Jr., Mary Sharp,
Nape Shelton, Johneta Smith, Louis Smith, Arthur Stupka, Margaret Stupka, George
Wood, Hedy Wood, Bill Williams, Irene Williams, Dick Zani.

BOOK REVIEWS

KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL. - Stephen R. Wylie and Stewart S.
Furlong. Illustrated by Jack R. Schroeder. Livingston Publishing Company, 18 Hamp-
stead Circle, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 19096, 1972. 32 p. $3.95.

Printed on opaque plastic instead of paper, this sturdy waterproof booklet provides
even the novice hunter with a means of identifying waterfowl before he shoots. In
addition to color illustrations of the hen and drake at rest in winter plumage, it offers
black-and-white flight drawings and silhouettes of the birds taking off from water. Text
consists of size, weight, conspicuous color markings, flight patterns, food preferences,
and habitat preferences. Color-coded symbols indicate relative abundance of each species
in each flyway. While this book is of limited interest to the experienced bird watcher, it
should be very helpful to hunters and more convenient to carry than the standard field
guides. - EFP

LANDSCAPING FOR BIRDS. - Shirley A. Briggs, editor. Audubon Naturalist Society
of the Central Atlantic States, Inc., 8940 Jones Mill Road, Washington, D.C. 20015,
1973. 62 p. Illus. Paperback, $1.75 ($2.00, postpaid mail orders; 40% discount for 10 or
more copies).

This collection of seven informative articles that originally appeared in Atlantic
Naturalist contains many practical suggestions for making city and suburban yards more
attractive for birds by landscaping with plants that provide excellent cover, nesting sites,
or natural food sources. Although the text does not use scientific names for plants, the
index does, thus resolving any problems that may arise from regional variations in use of
common names. After reading this booklet I added several new plants (barberry,
bittersweet, and fragrant sumac) to my yard and began to view some established trees
and shrub with new respect. If the mark of a good book is its making the reader take
positive action, I must give this one my wholehearted endorsement. - EFP

20

The Chat

u

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Eared Grebe Collected at Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

JAMES F. PARNELL
Biology Department

University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

ROBERT F. SOOTS
Biology Department
Campbell College
Buies Creek, N.C.

JOSEPH H. CARTER III

Zoology Department

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, N.C. 1 November 1973

The first recorded observation of an Eared Grebe (. Podiceps caspicus ) in North
Carolina was at Wrightsville Beach on 13 December 1964 (Chat, 30:25-26). This bird was
photographed but not collected. A bird seen by Micou Brown and Philip Warren on 31
December 1967 at Pea Island on the North Carolina “outer banks” (Chat, 32:45) was
the second North Carolina record. On 25 April 1971 an Eared Grebe was seen by J.F.
Parnell and others while conducting a spring bird count near Southport (Chat,
35:74-81). These three observations of single birds are the only published records for
North Carolina prior to 4 March 1972. On this date Parnell and Soots discovered an
Eared Grebe in the Inland Waterway adjacent to Wrightsville Beach. On 7 March 1972
the bird was collected. The skin is now number B282 in the collection of the Biology
Department of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The bird was a male in
the process of molting to the breeding plumage. The neck was essentially dark and the
long tawny feathers that form the “ear” were obvious but not well developed. This is the
expected plumage, as Palmer (Handbook of North American Birds, 1962, p.80) indicates
that the molt begins in February and is completed in March or early April. On 28 March
1972 Carter discovered two Eared Grebes in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach about
1 mile from the site where the grebe was collected. On 29 March three Eared Grebes
were seen there by Frances Needham (pers. com.), and on 30 March four were located
there by Kitty Kosh and Dot Earle (pers. com.). A single bird was present until 10 April
1972 (pers. com., Frances Needham). The Eared Grebes were generally in the company
of Horned Grebes (P. auritus ) and Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus senator ) and were
quite easy to approach. Photographs of three of the grebes were secured by Parnell. All
were in the process of molting to the breeding plumage and were easily separable from
the nearby Horned Grebes.

This western grebe has been increasing in the eastern United States for several years.
In 1966 Paul Buckley (Audubon Field Notes, 22:536-542) reviewed the status of the

March 1974

21

Eared Grebe in the eastern Great Lakes and along the Atlantic Coast. He found about 30
pre-1957 sight records and about 130 records between 1957 and 1966. Since 1966
scattered records in the regional reports of Audubon Field Notes (now American Birds)
indicate that this trend of increased numbers of Eared Grebes along the Atlantic Coast in
winter and early spring has continued. The recent North Carolina observations fit into
this pattern and suggest that this species may be expected along our coast more regularly
in future winters.

Horned Grebes in Mutual Display
During Northward Migration

JAMES M. POTTER JR.

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 14 June 1973

The morning of 7 April 1973 the ocean off Kill Devil Hills, N.C., was perfectly calm.
There were no breakers, and the surface was so flat and smooth that it reflected the sky.
I scanned the water with a 3 OX Balscope, and as far as I could see up and down the shore
and eastward toward the horizon the ocean was dotted with Horned Grebes (Podiceps
auritus), mostly single birds in some stage of acquiring the nuptial tufts at the sides of
the crown. Although the birds dived, bathed, preened, and rested, they were moving
northward in an unhurried procession. As the birds that were at first directly in front of
my position atop a sand dune moved out of sight to the north, more grebes steadily
moved into view from the south. The birds generally ignored each other and remained
spaced well apart, but two Horned Grebes were seen standing upright on the water face
to face. Apparently in complete breeding plumage, they maintained this posture for a
least a full minute, giving my wife ample opportunity to see the display. Neither Palmer
(. Handbook of North American Birds, Vol. 1, 1962) nor Bent {Life Histories of North
American Diving Birds, 1919) mentions the occurrence of mutual displays among
Horned Grebes during spring migration. Palmer (. Handbook of North American Birds,
Vol. 1, 1962, p. 76-77) says there is a slight suggestion from a few birds collected in
Ontario that the male arrives on the breeding ground in advance of the female. My
observation suggests that some birds seek mates during northward migration.

Third Sight Record

of Great Cormorant from North Carolina

JACK POTTER and ELOISE F. POTTER

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 10 April 1973

While driving eastward on the bridge across Croatan Sound between Manns Harbor,
N.C., and Roanoke Island on the afternoon of 6 April 1973, we saw 100 or more
Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacro corax auritus) flying, fishing, and resting near the
bridge. Two cormorants that seemed larger than the others approached from the north in
flight, and Jack Potter noted a white belly on one of the birds. As the pair flew over the
bridge directly in front of the car, Eloise Potter was able to see the light throat,
cinnamon breast, and white belly of an immature Great Cormorant (P. carbo). We
stopped at the end of the bridge, consulted our field guides (primarily Birds of North
America by Robbins et al.), and agreed that we had seen an immature Great Cormorant
well enough to be confident of its identity. The accompanying cormorant had dark
underparts and is presumed to have been a Double-crested because we saw no white on
the chin, belly, or thighs; however, the other bird may have been a subadult Great

22

The Chat

1

Cormorant in second winter plumage (Basic II, Palmer’s Handbook of North American
Birds, p. 318).

According to Palmer’s Handbook, the Great Cormorant winters regularly on the
Atlantic coast of North America as far south as Long Island and casually southward to
Florida, the longer migratory movements being made primarily by subadult individuals.
There are two previous sight records of the species for North Carolina, both from the
vicinity of Oregon Inlet. While participating in the Bodie-Pea Island Christmas Bird
Count on 30 December 1970, H. Douglas Pratt saw an immature Great Cormorant flying
over Oregon Inlet toward the ocean in the morning, and in the early afternoon Robert J.
Hader and David L. Hughes saw what is presumed to have been the same bird in flight
over the ocean a few miles south of the inlet (Chat, 35:22). Exactly one year later
Richard H. Peake saw an immature Great Cormorant in flight along the shore of Bodie
Island (Chat, 36:21). The bird seen at Croatan Sound constitutes the third independent
sight record of the species for North Carolina and the first known spring occurrence in
the state.

[Dept. Ed. -With the publication of this record this species can be placed on the
official North Carolina list.]

Specimen of Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel
Found in North Carolina

JOHN FUSSELL

North Carolina State University

Department of Zoology, Raleigh, N.C. 27607 4 October 1973

On 22 June 1972, following the passage of tropical storm Agnes the previous day, I
examined the flotsam along the drift line between Atlantic Beach and Beaufort Inlet in
search of dead pelagic birds. Three Greater Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) and one
Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro) were found.

The storm-petrel was later examined at the United States National Museum by Roxie
Laybourne, who identified it as being the Atlantic subspecies, Oceanodroma castro
castro. It was a female, ovary 3 mm x 2mm, and it has been placed in the study
collection at the National Museum (USNM NO. 566873).

This is the first record of the Harcourt’s Storm Petrel for North Carolina. The first
record for South Carolina was made 2 days earlier, 20 June, when Jay Shuler captured a
live specimen near McClellanville (Chat, 27:78).

Both the North and South Carolina birds were probably brought ashore by the strong
easterly (onshore) winds that blew across the Carolinas from 19 to 22 June. These winds
were the result of tropical storm Agnes which was located to the south of the Carolinas.
The accepted range of the Harcourt’s Storm-Petrel in the North Atlantic is the general
area stretching from the Cape Verde Islands to the Azores and Canaries (Palmer,
Handbook of North American Birds, 1962, p. 237-238). It is unlikely that Agnes
influenced the weather east of Bermuda (see Weatherwise, 25:178-179). Thus, it is
possible that the Carolina birds originated far west of their normally accepted range,
perhaps only 300 to 400 miles or less off the coast.

[Dept. Ed. -With the deposition of this specimen in the National Museum, Harcourt’s
Storm-Petrel can be placed on the official North Carolina list.]

March 1974

23

Forster’s Tern Nest

Found near Cape Lookout, N.C.

JOHN FUSSELL

North Carolina State University

Department of Zoology, Raleigh, N.C. 27607 4 October 1973

On 18 May 1973 I found a Forster’s Tern ( Sterna forsteri ) nest near Cape Lookout,
North Carolina. It was on a small island (approximately 150 feet by 150 feet) 1/3 mile W
of Morgan Island, which lies immediately W of the Cape Lookout Channel about 2 miles
S of Harkers Island. The island was covered entirely by Spartina alterniflora and would
be almost completely flooded by high tides.

I was attracted to the island by two adult Forster’s Terns in full breeding plumage
that were sitting on a windrow of dry eel-grass (Zostera marina). They flew up as I
approached and began circling overhead, constantly uttering the diagnostic “zrurr” call. I
found the nest on the mat of eel-grass from which the birds had flown. It consisted of a
few dry pieces of Spartia alterniflora culms loosely arranged around a single egg. The egg
was essentially identical to those of the Common Tern (S. hirundo). It was 46 mm in
length, was dark olive*, and had numerous brown blotches of various shades.

This is the first positive nesting record of the Forster’s Tern in Carteret County,
although the species almost certainly nested at North River Marsh in 1971 ( American
Birds, 25:845), and possibly nested there as early as 1963 (personal observation).

Aspergillosis in a Royal Tern

from Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, S.C.

LOUIS N. LOCKE, LAWRENCE J. BLUS, and EUGENE CROM ARTIE

Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of the Interior

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland 20810 19 October 1973

Large numbers of Royal Terns ( Thalasseus maximus ) and Sandwich Terns ( Thalasseus
sandvicensis ) nest on Marsh Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, in the
company of Brown Pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis) , Laughing Gulls ( Larus atricilla),
Willets ( Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) , Clapper Rails ( Rallus longirostris ), Snowy
Egrets ( Leucophoyx thula), and Louisiana Herons ( Hydranassa tricolor ). Royal Terns
comprise about 90% of the breeding tern population, which has been doing very well.
Reproductive success seems excellent, and there has been, as yet, no indication of
eggshell thinning. By contrast, the local Brown Pelican population has undergone marked
decreases, and the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is currently investigating the cause
of this decline.

During field studies on 13 May 1972, a dead Royal Tern was picked up on Marsh
Island and was later submitted for necropsy (examination) and chemical analysis. The
bird was an emaciated adult male, weighing 317 grams, with a prominent sternal keel.
Moderate amounts of subcutaneous and abdominal fat were still present. All air sacs
were thickened and contained several variously sized yellowish mycotic plaques (fungal
growths); one plaque in the right thoracic air sac (10 x 8 x 3 mm) was greyish.
Microscopically, it was a typical aspergillosis lesion and contained typical condiophores
(asexual fruiting bodies) of Aspergillus sp. Sections of the lung contained similar, but
much smaller, Aspergillus lesions. Although no attempt was made to identify the
Aspergillus culturally, it is likely that the infection was caused by Aspergillus fumigatus,
the most common cause of aspergillosis among birds.

Chemical analysis revealed only 0.20 ppm DDE in the brain. PCB brain levels were
less than 0.5 ppm. The carcass contained 0.68 ppm DDE and 1.3 ppm PCB. No dieldrin,
DDT, heptachlor, mirex, or chlordane derivatives were found in either the brain or the

24

The Chat

carcass. These values of DDE and PCB are all regarded as being far below the lethal
concentrations for either chemical; in fact, this Royal Tern was surprisingly clean of
pesticide residues.

Although aspergillosis is widely recognized as a cause of avian mortality, the disease
does not appear to have been reported among terns. Chute et al. ( A Bibliography of
Avian Mycosis, Maine Agri. Exp. Station, Miscell. Publication 655, 1962) gave no
references to aspergillosis among terns. The disease as seen in this Royal Tern is similar
to the disease as it occurs in domestic poultry, waterfowl, and gulls.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1973 except as otherwise indicated)

COMMON LOON: An early fall migrant was noted on 22 August at Roanoke Rapids,
N.C., by Merrill Lynch. In western North Carolina, an individual was found dead
on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Craggy Gardens in Buncombe
County on 6 November by David Horton, as reported by Leon Carter who ex-
amined the specimen.

PIED-BILLED GREBE: An early fall visitor was sighted at Lake Hartwell near Clem-
son, S.C., 5 August by Sidney Gauthreaux.

SHEARWATERS AND STORM-PETRELS: Increasing interest in the species to be
found offshore resulted in a series of six pelagic cruises to the Gulf Stream off the
North Carolina coast during late summer and early fall of 1973.

18 August off Morehead City (Ake-DuMont party)

19 August off Hatteras (Ake-DuMont party)

20 August off Morehead City (Mattocks party)

2 September off Hatteras (Ake-Buckley-DuMont party)

16 September off Hatteras (Sonneborn party)

21 October off Morehead City (DuMont Sykes party)

The party tallies are given below, listed in chronological order for each species:

Cory’s Shearwater

33

294

54

82

45

18

Greater Shearwater

1

120

17

29

3

1

Audubon’s Shearwater

0

42

14

2

1

1

Shearwater sp

3

0

50

100

20

9

Leach’s Storm-Petrel

0

0

0

0

2

0

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

26

59

45

92

100

0

Trip Leaders: Robert Ake, Paul Buckley, Paul DuMont, James Mattocks, David
Sonneborn, Paul Sykes.

GREAT BLUE HERON: Merrill Lynch observed a flock of 48 at Roanoke Rapids
Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 23 September.

GREAT EGRET: Summer and fall visitors were noted in several areas distant from
known nesting localities. An individual summered at Umstead State Park near
Raleigh, N.C., where it was seen regularly by park naturalist Nelson Chadwick
between 1 July and 22 September. Nine were observed in a flock at Lake Hart-
well near Clemson, S.C., on 5 August by Sidney Gauthreaux, an unusual count at
that western piedmont reservoir. At least one was still present at the latter location
as late as 9 October, reported by Harry LeGrand. Elsewhere, three were seen at
Wildwood Lake, Caswell County, N.C., on 12 October by Fenton Day.

LOUISIANA HERON: One appeared at Umstead State Park near Raleigh in mid-July,
lingering there until 5 September (Nelson Chadwick) and several were seen in late

March 1974

25

summer, 5 August through 16 September, in the Clemson area (Sidney Gauthreaux,
Gene Hayes, Harry LeGrand).

GLOSSY IBIS: The second local record for Roanoke Rapids, N.C., was recorded on 1
August when eight were seen by Merrill Lynch, and another was found well in-
land on the Santee River near Rimini, S.C., on 29 September by Jeannine Anger-
man, Jay Carter, and Tom Rial. On 29 March 1972, a single bird was seen and
photographed inland near Eden in Rockingham County, N.C., by Edward Bur-
roughs.

WHITE IBIS: Fall wanderers were noted at two inland locations. Individuals were
seen on 6 September at Lake Hartwell near Anderson, S.C., by Harry LeGrand,
and at Wildwood Lake, Caswell County, N.C., on 9 September by Fenton Day.

BLUE GOOSE: An immature Snow Goose of the dark form was seen at Lake Benson
in W ake County, N.C., on 16 November by Bruce Bolick, Jay Carter, Robert
Hader, Edmund LeGrand, and Ray Winstead, the first local record. An adult and
two immatures of this form were subsequently seen there on 28 October by John
Fussell, Merrill Lynch, and Ray Winstead.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A very early fall migrant was seen at Raleigh on 11 August
by Chris Marsh.

EUROPEAN WIGEON: A single male was seen at Pea Island N.W.R. on 23 Septem-
ber by James Pullman and again on 27 September by Jack Hagan.

CANVASBACK: A good count of at least 1,500 was recorded at Pea Island N.W.R.
on 24 November by Edmund and Harry LeGrand.

OLDSQUAW: Eleven were locally uncommon visitors at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh,
N.C., 1 December, observed by Robert Hader.

BROAD-WTNGED HAWK: An immature male was found dead in the Lake Mat-
tamuskeet area near Fairfield in Hyde County, N.C. , on 11 August by Stanley
Alford and Angelo Capparella (specimen examined by Elizabeth and Robert
Teulings). Two uncommon fall occurrences were also recorded along the immediate
coast where individuals were seen at Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells
Inlet, S.C., on 30 August by F.M. Probst and on Bodie Island, N.C., 10 November,
by Gilbert Grant.

GOLDEN EAGLE: An adult was seen in the Charleston, S.C., area at Magnolia
Gardens on 25 October by Ted Beckett. Perry Nugent also reported seeing a
mature bird in the vicinity of the U.S. Agricultural Experiment Station near Charles-
ton several times during October.

BALD EAGLE: One was seen near Columbia, S.C., on 7 August by Mary DesPortes,
the first record for that locality since 1962 (fide Kay Sisson). Other individuals were
noted at Raven Rock State Park on the Cape Fear River near Lillington, N. C.,
on 24 September (Howard Hodges) and at Kerr Scott Reservoir near North Wilkes-
boro, N.C., on 28 November (Louise Smith). Three additional fall sightings were
also reported from coastal locations. All birds seen were adults.

PEREGRINE FALCON: Single birds were observed at three inland North Carolina
locations during the fall season:

Pilot Mountain 4 October Charles Frost, Ruth Hill,

Ramona Snavely, Robert Witherington
Raleigh 7 October Ken Knapp, Chris Marsh

Fort Bragg 1 December Tim Vogel

Along the coast four sightings were reported from the Outer Banks and one from
the Charleston area.

MERLIN: An early coastal sighting was recorded on 22 August at Huntington Beach
State Park, S.C., by F. M. Probst.

BLACK RAIL: One was found dead at the WECT-TV tower near White Lake in
Bladen County, N.C., on 3 October by Jay Carter.

26

The Chat

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: Various observers noted small numbers along
the North Carolina Outer Banks from late August through early October with a
peak count of five recorded at Pea Island on 6 October by Edmund LeGrand and
Sebastian Patti. An inland migrant was noted at Clemson, S.C., on 14 September
by Harry LeGrand.

RUDDY TURNSTONE: A rare inland occurrence was noted in Northampton County,
N.C., where an adult in almost complete breeding plumage was seen on 2 August
at a Gaston construction site by Merrill Lynch.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: One was found on 25 August at Ocracoke Inlet on the
North Carolina Outer Banks by Gilbert Grant. Another sighting of possibly the
same bird was subsequently recorded 3 September at Ocracoke Island by Harold
Wierenga.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: Two coastal migrants were seen at Sullivan’s Island, S.C.,
on 24 August by Z.T. Ralston and G. Staley; three at the Wilmington, N.C., airport
on 3 September by Kitty Kosh; four at the Salvo campground on Hatteras Island,
N.C., on 4 September by Harold Wierenga; and three at the Wright Memorial,
Kill Devil dills, N.C., on 1 September by the latter observer.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: A single bird of this scarce species was closely observed by
Gilbert Grant on the North Carolina Outer Banks at Ocracoke Inlet on 25 August.

DUNLIN: Uncommon occurrences were noted at several inland sites during the fall
season. In the Raleigh area, Robert Hader noted five on mud flats at Lake Benson
on 3 November. At least four were present at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C.,
4 through 11 November, observed by Sidney Gauthreaux, Gene Hayes, and
Harry LeGrand. A first record for Orange County, N.C., was established on 9
November when a single bird was found at a small farm pond near Chapel Hill
by Stanley Alford and Angelo Capparella, confirmed by James Pullman.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Over 100 were counted at Pea Island on the North
Carolina Outer Banks 5 September by Paul Buckley.

BLTFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: An early fall migrant was present at Huntington
Beach State Park on the South Carolina coast 19 through 24 August, reported by
F.M. Probst. Another was found inland at Gaston in Northampton County, N.C.,
on 23 August by Merrill Lynch. Others were seen in the Bodie-Pea Island, N.C.,
area through September with a high count of 16 recorded at the Wright Memorial
on 2 September by Jay Carter.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: Reports indicated small numbers were present in the Bodie-
Pea Island area from early September through mid-October. The peak number
seen was five recorded by Paul Buckley and other observers at the Bodie Island
lighthouse pond on 2 September.

AMERICAN AVOCET: A rare inland occurrence was recorded at Raleigh, N.C.,
where an individual was found at Lake Raleigh on 3 August by Chris Marsh.

RED PHALAROPE: Three were seen during a pelagic cruise off Cape Hatteras on 16
September by David Sonneborn.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: Several fall sightings were reported from the North Caro-
lina Outer Banks where two migrants were seen at Pea Island on 2 September by
Gilbert Grant, two in the same locality 23 September by James Pullman, and one
at Ocracoke Island on 8 October by Paul DuMont and Paul Sykes.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: Four were seen in the Gulf Stream area off Cape
Hatteras by Paul DuMont and party on 2 September, and 15 were seen in the
same waters by David Sonneborn during an offshore cruise on 16 September.

POMARINE JAEGER: One was seen along the beach at Nags Head, N.C., 15 Septem-
ber by David Sonneborn. Other sightings of single birds were recorded offshore
from Oregon Inlet on 2 September by Paul DuMont and party and on 16 Septem-
ber by David Sonneborn. Another was seen off Morehead City, N.C., on 21
October by Paul DuMont, Paul Sykes, and party.

March 1974

27

PARASITIC JAEGER: One was seen in waters off Oregon Inlet on 16 September
by David Sonneborn. Another was seen at Rird Shoal near Morehead City, N.C.,
on 22 September by John Fussell. Three were observed at Buxton, N.C., on 3
November by James Parnell and Jay Carter.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: Two were found and photographed at Ocracoke
Island on the North Carolina Outer Banks on 6 October by Richard Rowlett.

LAUGHING GULL: An inland wanderer was sighted at Lake Benson, Wake County,
N.C., on 26 October by T.L. Quay.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: A bird in immature plumage was seen on the North
Carolina Outer Banks at Hatteras Inlet on 4 October by P.A. and F.G. Buckley.

BRIDLED TERN: The following offshore sightings were reported along the North
Carolina coast during late summer and early fall:

4 18 August off Morehead City Paul DuMont et al.

11 2 September off Hatteras Paul DuMont and party

8 5 September at Diamond Shoals light P.A. and F.G. Buckley

7 16 September off Hatteras David Sonneborn

FORSTER’S TERN: Approximately 1,000 were counted at Bird Shoal, Morehead
City, N.C., on 22 September by John Fussell.

COMMON TERN: An estimated 9,000 were present at Bird Shoal, Morehead City,
on 22 September, observed by John Fussell. Three were seen inland at Roanoke
Rapids Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 23 September by Merrill Lynch.

CASPIAN TERN: An inland count of five was recorded at Roanoke Rapids Lake
near Vultare, N.C., on 23 September by Merrill Lynch.

BLACK TERN: A large flock of at least 1,000 was seen at Folly Beach, S.C., on 23
September by Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand.

BLACK SKIMMER: John Fussell observed a large aggregation of some 2,000 birds
at Bird Shoal off Morehead City, N.C., on 26 November.

EASTERN KINGBIRD: A flock of 132 migrants was counted at Buxton, N.C., on the
Outer Banks on 4 September by Harold Wierenga; 78 were recorded at Morehead
City, N.C., 7 September by John Fussell.

GRAY KINGBIRD: A fall visitor was closely observed at Pea Island N.W.R. on 3
September by Harold Wierenga and several other observers.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: Two individuals were seen in the Bodie-Pea Island, N.C.,
area on 1 September by Ricky Davis. Later sightings of single birds were recorded
in that locality on 13 October by Gilbert Grant, on 20 October by Paul DuMont,
and on 10 November by Gilbert Grant. Elsewhere along the coast, two were
found in the Morehead City, N.C., area on 2 November by John Fussell, and one
was seen at the Belle Baruch Plantation, Georgetown, S.C., on 18 November by
H. Freeman.

BANK SWALLOW: Fall migrants were noted 4 August at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh,
N.C., by Chris Marsh and 9 August in Richland County near Columbia, S.C., by
John Cely.

COMMON RAVEN: One was seen in the South Carolina foothills near Salem in Pick-
ens County on 28 October by Sidney Gauthreaux. The continued presence of the
species at Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County, N.C., is confirmed by the
sighting of two birds there on 4 October by Ramona Snavely, Robert Withering-
ton, et al.

BROWN CREEPER: One recorded on 7 September in Caswell County, N.C., by
Plumer Wiseman was an unusually early fall occurrence.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: An early fall visitor was seen at Wilmington, N.C.,
on 19 August by Kitty Kosh.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: One was seen at Pea Island, N.C., on 2 September by Mer-

28

The Chat

rill Lynch, Ross Silcock, and Chris Marsh. Elsewhere two migrants were observed
at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 11 October by Fred Hill.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: Fall observations of single birds were recorded on
11 September at Clemson, S.C., by Harry LeGrand; 17 September at Winston-
Salem, N.C., by Fred Hill; 23 September at Poinsett State Park in Sumter County,
S.C., by Robert Teulings; and 23 September at Folly Beach, S.C., by Sidney
Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: An early and uncommon fall migrant was seen on 18
August in Moore County, N.C., near Pinebluff by Jay Carter and Elizabeth Teul-
ings. A coastal transient was recorded at Pea Island, N.C., 19 September by David
Sonneborn.

TENNESSEE WARBLER: Fall migrants were recorded at Clemson, S.C., as late as
2 November by Harry LeGrand.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: An unusually late visitor was recorded at Raleigh, N.C., on
27 November by Gail Whitehurst.

BLACKBLIRNIAN WARBLER: An early transient was seen near Southern Pines, N.C.,
on 18 August by Jay Carter.

BLACKPOLL WARBLER: Two very late migrants were seen on 1 December at
Winston-Salem, N.C., by Charles Frost and Barbara Page.

HOODED WARBLER: A 30 October sighting was recorded at Umstead State Park
near Raleigh, N.C., by Nelson Chadwick.

KENTUCKY WARBLER: A 27 October sighting was recorded at Carolina Beach, N.C.,
by Ricky Davis.

CANADA WARBLER: One was found very late at Sumter, S.C., on 24 November by
Evelyn Dabbs.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: Reported fall sightings were of an individual observed
on 20 September at Winston-Salem by Ramona Snavely and another at North
Wilkesboro, N.C., on 25 October by WendellSmith.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: One was present among a mixed flock of grackles
and cowbirds at John Beeler’s feeder at Guilford College, N.C., on 2 October, fide
Charlotte Dawley.

SAVANNAH (IPSWICH) SPARROW: One was seen at Carolina Beach, N.C., on 27
October by Ricky Davis.

HENSLOW’S SPARROW: Several were discovered on 17 November and observed on
subsequent dates through winter at a reservoir site near Rocky Mount, N.C., by
Betty Davis, Lloyd Davis, and Louis Fink.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: An individual in immature plumage was seen by Paul
Sykes and Paul DuMont on the North Carolina Outer Banks at Pea Island on 7
October. Another was observed in the same area on 13 October by Gilbert Grant.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: A fall visitor was seen at Raleigh as early as 7
October by Chris Marsh. Occurrences were also reported by other observers
during the fall period from seven additional inland and coastal locations:

Carolina Beach, N.C.
Clemson, S.C.
Huntington Beach, S.C.
Morehead City, N.C.

North WilkesborQ, N.C.
Northampton County, N.C.

(Occoneechee N eck area)
Pea Island, N.C.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: One was seen well on 18 November near Townville, S.C.,
by Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand.

(Continued on page 3)

March 1974

29

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor- or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

ciTfr 30S"73

C*f?

25/ rJs

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 38

June 1974

No. 2

The Chat

Vol. 38 June 1974 No. 2

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Conservation Marie B. Mellinger, Route 1, Tiger, Georgia 30576

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Relative Contributions of Male and Female

Purple Martins to Feeding of Young, Joshua A. Lee 31

Roosting Behavior of Starlings

in North Carolina, Paul A. Stewart 34

CBC Roundtable 37

General Field Notes 39

Osprey Migration at Wrightsville Beach, N.C.,

J.H. Carter III 39

Sandhill Cranes in Onslow County, N.C., Grady L. Barnes 39

Spring Shorebirds at a Drained Farm Pond

Near Chapel Hill, N.C., James O. Pullman 39

Little Gulls at Cape Hatteras, N.C.,

J.H. Carter III and James F. Parnell 40

Discovery of a Burrowing Owl Near Morehead City, N.C.,

John Fussell and Don McCrimmon 41

Additional Information on the Red Crossbill

Breeding in the Lower Piedmont of North Carolina

in 1967, Paul W. Sykes Jr 42

Fledgling Red Crossbills at Newfound Gap, Maxie Swindell 43

Red Crossbill Observations in Western North Carolina,

Marcus B. Simpson Jr 44

Briefs for the Files 46

Book Reviews 49

OUR COVER — Fred L. Johns photographed a Bur-
rowing Owl collected on the Outer Banks of North
Carolina in February 1967. For a report of a second
Burrowing Owl in North Carolina, see page 41 in this
issue. John Henry Dick contributed the drawing of a
Yellow-crowned Night Heron that appears on page
46.

RELATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS
OF MALE AND FEMALE PURPLE MARTINS
TO FEEDING OF YOUNG

JOSHUA A. LEE

Widmann (1922), quoted by Allen and Nice (1952), found that in a colony of 16
pairs of Purple Martins, females delivered 55.5% of the food items over a period of 16
hours of continuous observation. I could find no evidence that Widmann’s data were ever
subjected to statistical analysis, so there is no way of knowing the role played by
experimental error in determining the outcome. However, the contribution of females
seems sufficiently robust to lead one to believe that the difference between feeding rates
of the sexes was, indeed, significant. Moreover, there is some question as to whether the
males worked at a normal rate, since most of Widmann’s broods consisted of two or
three young, well below average for martins.

Casual observations at my colony in Raleigh, N.C., have led me to believe that male
and female martins contribute equally to feeding of young, particularly if broods are
large. I have recorded brood sizes ranging from one to eight, with a modal number of six.
However, in the larger broods it is rare for more than four to survive until old enough to
leave the nest. Earlier I showed that adult birds, those 2 years old or older, reared an
average of 3.4 young per nesting attempt over a multi-year span (Lee, 1967).

Broods in the spring of 1973 were larger than usual, and nesting among pairs
synchronous to a higher degree than in the past 3 years. Thus it seemed an excellent
opportunity to study in more depth the role of the sexes in supplying food to young.

PROCEDURES

- Four pairs, each with broods of six, were selected for study. The broods ranged in age
from 4 to 7 days at the beginning of the observations. All parents were believed to be
adult birds, since the males were black, and the females in question arrived along with
their mates in March and early April. Sub-adult birds commonly arrive 3 to 4 weeks after
adults have settled (Allen and Nice, 1952; Lee, 1967). These martins were housed in
gourds about 8 inches in diameter suspended about 15 feet above the ground.

No efforts were made to mark the parents for purposes of identification. However, at
least one member of each pair was naturally marked in some way, such as broken flight
feather, gap in tail, or differences in breast color of females. None of the naturally
marked birds were observed to engage in promiscuous feeding, so there was reason to
believe that this source of potential bias was not present.

Total time of observation was 5 hours. This was broken into 10 periods of 30
minutes scattered through the diurnal span, from 23 May through 31 May. Half the time
blocks were after 17:00 hours, but there was one before 09:00, and one during the noon
hour.

Data were taken on the number of food deliveries by each parental bird during the
5-hour span. All young survived to the end of the experiment, but a few were noticeably
retarded in growth, suggesting that they would probably succumb, eventually, to
competition.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The unprocessed data are given in Table 1. A total of 352 prey items were delivered
during the 20 pair-hours of observation. Thus each brood received food, on the average,
every 3.4 minutes. The highest rate of feeding was recorded between 12:30 and 13:00
on 31 May when 54 total prey items were delivered. This time block also saw the highest

June 1974

31

TABLE 1. Food deliveries by pairs over blocks of time.

Pair number

1 male
female . . .

2 male
female . . .

3 male
female . . .

4 male
female . . .

Block Number Total items by

1 23456789 10 sex, within pairs

3

3

7

5

5

4

7

7

3

3

2

4

4

5

4

6

7

5

3

2

3

5

5

5

3

2

2

3

4

3

7

4

4

2

7

3

3
1

4
7

2

7

2

2

3

5

5

5

5 4 10 2 43

4 3 5 2 36

5 3 7 4 42

4 5 5 3 36

6 3 7 2 40

8 3 6 9 49

5 4 8 3 52

4 4 6 6 54

Total items per block 41 31 35 28 31 31 41 29 54 31 352

rate of delivery by an individual when Male 1 brought in 10 dragonflies. The lowest rate
was recorded between 08:00 and 08:30 on 25 May when only 28 items were procured.
The lowest yield per bird, per time block, was by Female 3 between 17:30 and 18:00 on
25 May, when she delivered 1 butterfly ( Vanessa sp.)

If the contribution of pairs over all time blocks is taken as the primary observation,
and the contribution of sexes within the various pairs as a secondary observation, the
data can be analyzed as the contribution from a split plot experiment with 10
replications (time blocks). The detailed statistical anaylisis is given in Table 2.

Under effects deriving from the primary observation, differences between pairs was
not significant at the 5% level, but approached significance. This result may be
interpreted to mean that pairs of martins with broods of six, over the age range of 4 to
15 days, work with equal, or nearly equal, effort to keep their broods fed.

The difference between deliveries per block was significant. This is not suprising since
martins are likely to capture prey in relation to its abundance, and insect activity is apt
to vary over the diurnal span. For example, two periods were at dusk when large
numbers of a big mayflies were brought in. Each of these blocks yielded 41 items. The
noon-hour of 31 May was the most productive of all with 54 items, 48 of which were
dragonflies, indicating a time of high activity for this favored prey. It is, of course,
possible that martins are more active at certain times of the day for reasons not related
to available food supply.

Evidently the age of young did not relate directly to rate of food procurement. The
time block data were recorded in Table 1 in the precise order taken, and the
procurement rate is not linear over the 5-hour span.

Under effects deriving from secondary observations, the performance of pairs was not
significantly different with males procuring 177 items to 175 for females.

As for interaction of primary and secondary effects, comparison of the relative
productivities of sexes within each of the pairs led to no detectable difference. Thus it
may be that some pairs work harder than others, but within a given pair male and female
seemed to work with equal effort over the 5-hour span.

Did males and females work with equal effort within each of the time blocks? Perhaps
not, since the sexes by period interaction approached significance at the 5% level. My
observations suggest that parents do not coordinate their activities to any great extent
when feeding young. At times both are very active, at other times neither is, and
occasionally one or the other is busily bringing in food. Examination of the data in Table
1 will reveal the evidence for this conclusion. Perhaps a given parent feeds the young

32

The Chat

TABLE 2. Analysis of the feeding data.

Sources of variation

Sums of
squares

Degrees of
freedom

Mean

Squares

F ratio Significance
level

Pairs

25.30

3

8.43

2.91

0.10 - 0.05

Periods

72.70

9

8.08

2.78

0.05 - 0.01

Pairs by period (Error 1)

78.20

27

2.90

Sexes

0.05

1

0.05

0.00

NS

Sexes by pair

8.45

3

2.82

1.41

NS

Sexes by period

38.45

9

4.27

2.12

0.10 - 0.05

Sexes by pair by period (Error 2)

54.05

27

2.01

until it becomes hungry, thirsty, or tired. After refreshment it commences feeding the
young once more.

The only evidence of coordinated activity was noted when both parents approached
the nest with food. In every case the male deferred to the female, allowing her to enter
the nest first. In fact the male would defer to his mate when she was 10 to 15 feet from
the nest and he was closer. While I don’t comprehend the significance of this behavior, it
does suggest that a given male can recognize his mate from a distance.

In summary, four pairs of martins with broods of six each, ranging in age from 4 to 7
days at the beginning of the experiment, were observed for a total time of 5 hours,
broken into 10 time intervals of 30 minutes each, scattered through the diurnal span.
During this time males and females supplied virtually equal numbers of prey items. While
food gathering activities were not equal in all time blocks, the sexes performed equally
well, though some pairs may have gathered more food than others. These martins
delivered food at what I consider a high rate, at 3.4-minute intervals, and males and
females apparently performed with equal vigor.

LITERATURE CITED

Allen, J., and M. Nice. 1952. A study of the breeding biology of the Purple Martin
( Progne subis ). Am. Midi. Nat., 47:546-605.

Lee, J.A. 1967. Relative reproductive efficiency of adult and sub-adult Purple Martins.
Chat, 31:1-2.

Widmann, O. 1922. Extracts from the diary of Otto Widmann. Trans. Acad. Sci., St.
Louis, 23:1-77

5104 Newcastle Road, Raleigh, N.C., 17 October 1973,

June 1974

33

ROOSTING BEHAVIOR OF STARLINGS
IN NORTH CAROLINA

PAUL A. STEWART

During the period 1965-1973 I made observations on the roosting behavior of
Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris) in northcentral North Carolina, particularly in Henderson and
Oxford and in the surrounding farm areas. Some of these observations contribute
toward improvement in understanding the roosting behavior of these birds and are
herewith reported. This report involves Starlings roosting in association with Rock Doves
( Columba livia) and House Sparrows (. Passer domesticus). The roosting behavior of
Starlings in association with congregations of American Robins ( Turdus migratorius),
Red-winged Blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), Common Grackles ( Quiscalus quiscula),
and Brown-headed Cowbirds (. Molothrus ater) will be considered in a separate paper.

METHODS

This paper is based chiefly on observations obtained simply by watching and
following the birds at appropriate times. A Gossen Panlux Foot-candle Meter was used in
determining light intensities for correlation with times of entering and leaving roosts.
Light meter readings were made with the sensitive probe aimed directly toward the
zenith.

DEGREES OF GREGARIOUSNESS

Large roosting congregations of Starlings are so prevalent, so conspicuous, and so
much publicized that it is easy to suppose that these birds roost only in large
congregations. However, I found Starlings roosting individually and in small groups even
when others roosted nearby in small groups or in large congregations, respectively. For
example, several Starlings roosted individually in separate crevices of old buildings in
Oxford during September 1972 when a small group of 15 to 20 Starlings roosted on the
water tower less than 200 yards away. At the same time a mixed group of blackbirds and
Starlings roosted less than a mile from the group on the water tower. Another group of 5
to 10 Starlings roosted in a dense tree with a group of 20 to 25 House Sparrows less than
a half mile from the mixed congregation. Still another two Starlings roosted at the same
time in association with 15 to 20 House Sparrows in a tree at a farmstead 6 miles from
Oxford and the roosting congregation. Starlings rarely roosted individually, except in
cavities or crevices. However, late in the evening of 21 September 1973 a Starling left
other birds on the Oxford tower and went to an exposed perch on a church steeple
about 600 yards from the tower, and it remained for the night on the steeple. Davis
(1970) noted that Starlings in Illinois roosted during the winter in small groups in
natural cavities and in buildings.

The birds sometimes went to two roosting sites the same night, usually but not
always remaining with the larger number of birds. Thus, during the late summers of 1972
and 1973 when 5,000 to 10,000 Starlings roosted at Henderson with a mixed
congregation of blackbirds, many more Starlings regularly came to the Oxford tower
than remained there. The birds leaving the tower usually flew in the direction of
Henderson, 12 miles away. At least a small group of Starlings remained throughout the
year to roost on the Oxford tower. The visiting of two roosting sites the same evening
suggests that nightly selections of roosting sites were made by at least some birds. This is
in marked contrast with observations made by Kalmbach (1932), indicating that even
the same perches were used by Starlings on successive nights.

34

The Chat

ROOSTING ASSOCIATES

Except when roosting alone, usually in crevices of buildings, I always found Starlings
roosting during the late summer, fall, and winter in association with other species of
birds. At two sites already mentioned, Starlings roosted in association with House
Sparrows. Rock Doves were roosting associates in three groups, including the small group
regularly using the Oxford tower. Two other Rock Dove-Starling congregations roosted
in old buildings, one in an unused tobacco curing shed at the edge of Oxford and one in
an unused factory building in Henderson. The Oxford site was used during the spring and
summer by as many as several hundred Starlings; the Henderson site was used during the
winter by about 5,000 Starlings. I found no species other than Starlings roosting in
association with Rock Doves.

In roosting congregations of mixed species, Starlings always appeared to be followers,
with birds of another species leaders. The leader species normally could be recognized by
its being first in spring and summer evenings to enter roosting sites or by its more
consistent use of sites throughout the year. Two roosting sites used in association with
Rock Doves were used much more consistently by Rock Doves than by Starlings; hence,
Rock Doves were responsible for perpetuating use of the sites and thus for initiation of
seasonal congregations of Starlings. In one case where a tree was used by Starlings in
association with a small group of House Sparrows, the sparrows used the tree for
roosting before being joined by the Starlings.

Although Starlings always seemed to be followers in use of roosting sites, they
sometimes greatly outnumbered the species acting as leader. During the winter of
1965-1966 the 5,000 Starlings roosting in the old factory building in Henderson were led
by about 125 Rock Doves. In that Starlings follow Rock Doves in use of roosting sites,
there is presumably some attraction to the Starlings in the presence of the Rock Doves.
However, on the Oxford water tower the Starlings roosted separately, the Rock Doves
roosting exposed on side rails above a ledge around the bottom of the tower and the
Starlings roosting somewhat concealed on the metal posts supporting the tank. Some
Starlings thus roosted 5 or more yards from the Rock Doves. Thus, the Starlings were
attracted by the presence of the pigeons but forced to find appropriate roosting perches
apart from the Rock Doves.

ENTRANCE INTO ROOST

With small groups of Starlings, going to roost was an extremely casual event, early
entrance into the roost not being strongly separable from other movements. In eight
evenings during the late summer of 1973, Starlings first went to the Oxford tower and
entered their roosting places 95 to 138 (mean 119.5) minutes before sunset. Other
scattered individuals and groups of several birds soon followed after entrance of the first
bird. Often the first birds to go to their roosting perches did not remain there but later
flew to the ground where they fed or to nearby perches where they merely waited.
However, some birds usually remained on the tower after arrival of the first bird. Thus,
at these roosts that ultimately came to contain only a few birds, actual entrance into the
roost normally started about 2 hours before sunset. During six evenings the birds largely
discontinued going to the tower 40 to 21 (mean 32.4) minutes before sunset; thereafter,
they moved about on the tower seeking roosting perches or left the tower, flying toward
the Henderson roost.

ENTRANCE INTO ROOST RELATIVE TO LIGHT INTENSITY

With Starlings’ entrance into the roost spread over more than an hour, during part of
which time the light intensity was steadily declining, it is difficult to comprehend how
this activity can be correlated with light intensity. Also, light measurements showed that
some birds entered their roosts at light intensities from 3,200 to 20 foot-candles, with
most entering between 3,200 and 340 foot-candles. Nice (1935) and lumber (1956)

June 1974

35

reported close correlation with light intensity and entrance into their roosts by Starlings,
but these authors worked with large congregations in which individuals had their
behavior influenced by roost associates. In such congregations entrance into the r oost is
greatly delayed by pre-roost gatherings outside the roost, with entrance into the roost
finally somewhat forced by impending nightfall. Starlings being of diurnal habits
normally enter their roosts before nightfall, giving added correlation of entrance into the
roost and light intensity.

VOCALIZATION AT ROOST

Even with only 10 to 20 Starlings in a roosting group, some vocalizations were given
both in the morning and evening. The vocalizations involved only single birds at any one
time, given mostly in the evening after the birds had settled on their roosting perches.
Vocalization of roosting Starlings thus is not confined to birds in large congregations.
However, because of the large numbers of voices involved in large congregations,
vocalization with them is a very conspicuous feature.

DEPARTURE FROM ROOST

On six days the first Starling left its roosting place on the Oxford tower 2 to 17
(mean 8.5) minutes before sunrise. Although only a few birds were involved, departure
of all birds extended over a relatively long period. On 21 September 1973, the first bird
left the Oxford tower at 06:45 (DST), and the last bird left at 07:08, with 23 minutes
required for departure of only 11 birds. Ten to 16 Starlings spent 14 to 29 (mean 20.4)
minutes in full evacuation of the roost.

The first Starlings left their roosting perches on the Oxford tower at light intensities
from 9.5 to 16.0 (mean 13.7) foot-candles. By the time the last bird had left, the light
intensity had increased to 88 to 124 (mean 109.5) foot-candles. Thus, the light intensity
varied from 9.5 to 124.0 foot-candles during the time birds were leaving their roosts. As
with the entrance into the roosts in the evening, morning departure of Starlings showed
no close correlation with light intensity.

SUMMARY

Throughout the year Starlings were found roosting individually and in small groups
apart from large congregations of blackbirds. The birds often went first to sites used by
only a few birds but left before nightfall to join large congregations. However, some birds
normally remained to form small groups. Except when they roosted alone, Starlings
always roosted as followers in association with another species as a leader. Rock Doves
and House Sparrows were leaders at some sites. Rock Doves as leaders were sometimes
greatly outnumbered by Starlings as followers. Entrance into the roost started about 2
hours before sunset, birds at first doing much going to and from their roosting perches or
cavities. Entrance into the roost was largely completed about 30 minutes before sunset.
Even with only about a dozen birds in a roosting group, departure of all birds extended
over about 20 minutes. During entrance into the roost, incident light intensity declined
from 3,200 to 20 foot-candles, with most birds entering the roost at light intensities
above 340 foot-candles. During departure from the roost light intensity increased from
9.5 to 124.0 foot-candles. With entrance into and departure from the roost proceeding
through a wide range of light intensities, lack of correlation with roosting movements
and light intensity was strongly indicated. Limited vocalization took place even at roosts
containing fewer than a dozen birds.

LITERATURE CITED

Davis, G.J. 1970. Seasonal changes in flocking behavior of Starlings as correlated with

gonadal development. Wilson Bull., 82:391-399.

36

The Chat

lumber, J.F. 1956. Roosting behavior of the Starling in central Pennsylvania. Auk,
73:411-426.

Kalmbach, E.R. 1932. Winter Starling roosts in Washington. Wilson Bull. 44:65-75.

Nice, M.M. 1935. Some observations on the behavior of Starlings and grackles in relation
to light. Auk, 52:91-92.

203 Moreland Drive, Oxford, N.C. 27565, 24 September 1973.

CB@

with Louis C. Fink

Doomsday for the Bald Eagle?

I visited Lake Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge to film the Bald Eagle, and the trip
proved futile. John Davis, Refuge Manager, explained that there was not a pair of Bald
Eagles nesting in the current year. There were two eagles nesting in 1971, but only one
bird returned to the Refuge in 1972. An authority at the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge
reports no nests in Dare County for several years.

Apparently, Bald Eagles are either transient visitors to eastern North Carolina, or
they nest on private land. The danger of this is revealed by the report of eagles
discovered by a logging crew. Tracked down, the crew foreman said that he had cut
down the tree containing the nest.

The Backbay Wildlife Refuge in Virginia reports that the eagles are losing their
foothold there.

It has been suggested that DDT is the largest factor in the reduction of the Bald Eagle
population. Surely, destruction of its natural habitat is second in line. —JAMES F.
HOLLINGSWORTH JR., Goldsboro, N.C.

No Bald Eagle Nests Here?

The annual survey by the Fish and Wildlife Service indicates 627 active nests of the
Bald Eagle producing 500 young in 1973. No active nests were found in North Carolina;
two in South Carolina produced one young bird. The survey covered the 48 States
(eliminating Alaska); allowing for nests not found, there may be 1,000 active nests in the
territory.

Additions to Wilderness Areas

Hearings have been held on the desirability of including in the National Wilderness
Preservation System: 660 acres within the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge; 9,000
acres within Swanquarter Refuge; 180 acres within Cedar Island; and 180 acres within
Pea Island. Wilderness does not alter an area’s status as a Wildlife Refuge.

June 1974

37

Information, Please!

The crows in the Rocky Mount area are evident enough, but remarkably silent. When
I do hear one, it seems to give the call of a Fish Crow, but all my reference works say
this is a bird of tidewater. Rocky Mount is close to the Fall Line, but the Tar River is
hardly affected by tides. Does any reader have information on the range of the Fish
Crow away from the coast in North Carolina?

Bird-finding

PUNGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, N.C.-This is 12,000 acres of marsh,
timber, and farms, including the 2,800 acres of Pungo Lake. It was established in 1963
to provide winter habitat for Canada Geese, puddle ducks, and swans. Wood Ducks nest
here, and wading birds are common. Deer, black bear, and other mammals are to be
found.

At last reports, development of the Refuge for visitors had been delayed, but the last
time I was there a good dirt road enabled cars to travel completely around the lake. It
should be a good observation point for spring and fall migrations.

From Plymouth on U.S. Route 64, drive south on State Route 32 for five miles, then
State 99 for 12 miles. You’ll come to a road which leads to the Refuge.

Chickadee Acrobatics

City Lake, Rocky Mount, N.C., 6 March 1974. -Last summer, House Wrens nested in
a broken lamp post. Today, two Carolina Chickadees flew in and out of the cavity,
removing nesting material. The lamp is covered on top with a shield, about the size and
shape of an inverted dinner plate. One of the chickadees grasped the edge of this metal
shield with its feet, its body facing away from the cavity. Hanging upside down, the bird
looked back over its shoulder to watch the work of the other chickadee. It was a
performance worthy of Ringling Brothers.

38

The Chat

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Osprey Migration at Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

J.H. CARTER III

P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387 20 November 1973

On 4 October 1971, while conducting a shorebird census at the south end of
Wrightsville Beach, N.C., I observed a heavy migratory movement of Ospreys ( Pandion
haliaetus). In 2 hours and 10 minutes (16:00 to 18:10), I counted 90 Ospreys moving
southward. Most were in small flocks and were soaring very high. The wind was from the
north, and the sky was mostly overcast. On 1 October, Hurricane Ginger had moved past
Wrightsville Beach and made landfall near Morehead City. The first day with northerly
winds following the storm was 4 October, the day the Ospreys were seen.

Robert Needham (pers. com.) reported seeing several Ospreys over the Cape Fear
River near Smith Island on the morning of 4 October, and it is possible that the Ospreys
were moving south in large numbers throughout the day.

Sandhill Cranes in Onslow County, N.C.

GRADY L. BARNES

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Raleigh, N.C. 20 August 1973

On 25 November 1970, three Sandhill Cranes ( Grus canadensis ) were seen in a
harvested Soybean field neal Stella in Onslow County, N.C. The three cranes were
feeding in a field owned by Percy Morton and located about 200 to 300 yards from the
White Oak River Waterfowl Impoundment. Two of the cranes remained in the vicinity
for about 2 weeks while the third disappeared earlier.

[This appears to be the second record of Sandhill Cranes in North Carolina, the first
being a record of two birds taken in Robeson County in 1957 {Chat, 22:45, 1958). -
Dept, Ed.]

Spring Shorebirds at a Drained Farm Pond
Near Chapel Hill, N.C.

JAMES O. PULLMAN

Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514 30 August 1971

Several small farm ponds near my home, just SE of Chapel Hill, N.C., customarily
attact a few Spotted Sandpipers during the spring migration, but no other transient

June 1974

39

shorebirds have been noted on these ponds in 6 years of study although Solitary
Sandpipers are fairly common in the vicinity.

In late April 1971, one of these ponds, roughly an oval measuring 100 by 300 feet
was partially drained for cleaning and restocking. Within a week, it was clear that
something unusual was happening. My observations are summarized in the following

table:

Species

Extreme Date

Maximum No.

Spotted Sandpiper

20 April - 1 June

Individuals

7

Solitary Sandpiper

23 April - 23 May

13

Greater Yellowlegs

21 April - 5 May

2

Lesser Yellowlegs

23 April - 7 May

9

Least Sandpiper

26 April - 1 6 May

5

Other records included several visits by an Osprey, and a rather late Blue-winged Teal
on 10 May.

None of these species is truly rare in this area, but it is interesting to compare the
above figures with the maximum total individuals which have been recorded during the
14 previous Chapel Hill Spring Bird Counts (averages in parentheses): Spotted Sandpiper
26 (8), Solitary Sandpiper 8 (4), Greater Yellowlegs 1 (0), Lesser Yellowlegs 0, and Least
Sandpiper 0.

Shorebird habitat is scarce around Chapel Hill, especially in spring when ponds and
lakes are well filled. It is significant that these birds so quickly availed themselves of a
fortuitous occurrence, and a student of inland shorebirds would do well to search for
similar circumstances.

[The irregular but sometimes spectacular occurrence of shorebirds at inland sites is
most interesting and certainly indicates a more general passage than usually recognized.
See reports of similar occurrences by Carter (Chat, 32:102) and Mattocks (Chat,
33:24-25). -Dept. Ed.]

Little Gulls at Cape Hatteras, N.C.

J. H. CARTER III

Zoology Department, North Carolina State University
Raleigh, N.C. 27607

JAMES F. PARNELL

Biology Department, UNC-Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C. 28401 5 January 1974

On 10 March 1973, the authors observed three Little Gulls (Larus minutus ) at the tip
of Cape Hatteras, near Buxton, N.C. The birds were feeding over the ocean with a large
flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls (Larus Philadelphia). The Little Gulls appeared slightly
smaller than the Bonaparte’s Gulls in flight. Two of the Little Gulls were immatures, and
the third was an adult in winter plumage. The distinctive field marks of the immatures
(dark crown patch, tail band, and dark wing-stripe) were repeatedly noted at close range
by both authors. The adult was easily distinguished in flight by the very dark underwing.
Although the weather was foggy, Parnell obtained recognizable photographs of an
immature Little Gull.

This rare European gull has been recorded regularly at several locations in the
northeastern states for several years, and it is becoming increasingly regular along the
mid-Atlantic cost in winter. There are four previously published records for North
Carolina. Single individuals were seen at Roanoke Rapids on 29 August 1971 (Chat,
36:30), offshore of Pea Island on 30 December 1971 (Chat, 36:22), at Bodie Island on 1
October 1972 (Chat, 37:31), and again at Bodie Island in December 1972 (Chat, 37:16).

40

The Chat

Discovery of a Burrowing Owl
Near Morehead City, N.C.

JOHN FUSSELL and DON McCRIMMON
Zoology Department, North Carolina State University

Raleigh, N.C. 27607 22 January 1974

On 13 June 1972, while conducting a tern and skimmer nesting census on a large
dredge spoil island (Brant Island) 1 mile NW of Ft. Macon, the writers saw what they
believed to be a Burrowing Owl ( Speotyto cunicularia) . However, it was seen only briefly
and in poor light, so they decided not to report the sighting.

After three trips to the island during the next 2 months, Fussell again found the bird
in question on 26 August 1972. It was flushed at very close range and then watched
through 10 x 50 binoculars for several minutes at a distance of about 100 feet. All field
marks were noted as the owl bobbed up and down while scolding the observer. At the
point where the owl flushed, there was a horizontal section of abandoned dredge pipe
which lay beneath a small dune so that both ends of the pipe were exposed. Around the
pipe ends were many footprints, so it appeared that the dredge pipe was the owl’s
burrow.

Fussell found the owl again on 2 September 1972, and it was shown to Harry and
Edmund LeGrand on the following day. It has not been seen on subsequent visits.

These observations represent the second record of the Burrowing Owl in North
Carolina. The first record was made at Salvo on the Outer Banks where an individual was
present from about 14 November 1966 until 14 February 1967 when it was collected by
Paul Sykes (in press, Auk, 91). That bird was found to be Speotyto cunicularia
floridiana, the race resident in Florida. Because the Ft. Macon bird was not collected or
captured, its subspecies remains unknown.

The Burrowing Owl collected by Sykes near Salvo in February 1967 was flushed
from the hole shown above. The burrow appeared to be an enlarged ghost crab
excavation. (Photo by Fred L. Johns)

June 1974

41

Additional Information on the Red Crossbill

Breeding in the Lower Piedmont of North Carolina in 1967

PAUL W. SYKES JR.

Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

P.O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Florida 33444 15 January 1974

The erratic wanderings of the Red Crossbill (. Loxia curvirostra) are well documented
(Griscom, 1937; Bent, 1968). Griscom emphasized the difficulty in determining racial
identity of some individuals because of the complicated taxonomy; birds in the southern
Appalachians posed a particular problem. Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1942) list two
subspecies for North Calolina, L. c. pusilla and L. c. bendirei, the former considered to
be the breeding bird in the Smoky Mountains, while the A.O.U. Check-list (1957) gives
L. c. minor as the breeding race in this area.

From one to eight Red Crossbills were present in the vicinity of Raleigh, Wake
County, N.C., from 12 March (Jones, Browne, and Lewis, 1967) to 6 May 1967 (Hader,
1969). On this latter date I collected three crossbills on the north shore of Lake
Johnson on the southwest side of the city as they fed on cones of loblolly pine ( Pinus
taeda) at an estimated height of 21 m. The first published account of these birds that I
collected was by Hader (Ibid.) in his annotated list of birds of Wake County. The
specimens are now in the collection at the U.S. National Museum. The three birds were
an adult male and female and a juvenile female. The gonads of the male were almost
destroyed by shot pellets. The adult female was in breeding condition. Examination of
the ovary after it had been preserved in 70% alcohol showed one ruptured follicle, and
the three largest ova were 9.0, 4.7, and 2.6 mm. The juvenile showed practically no
ossification in the parietals and frontals and the tips of the mandibles were barely
crossed. The juvenile bird was probably still being fed by the parents, although this was
not witnessed in the field. Harrison B. Tordoff examined the juvenile and estimated it to
be about 5 weeks old. In view of the degree of bill development and age of the bird, it is
believed to have hatched in the general vicinity of Lake Johnson, for it probably was too
young to have moved in from a more distant location.

Measurements for the three specimens are given in Table 1. Allan R. Phillips
examined the three specimens and identified them as L. c. benti. This form is currently
the race recognized as breeding in the Rocky Mountains and western edge of the Great
Plains (A O. U. Check-list, 1957).

Although no nest was found, the breeding condition of the female and the presence
of a juvenile with an uncrossed bill and skull not yet ossified constitute evidence of
breeding in the general vicinity of Raleigh. This area, with elevations ranging from 98 to
15-2 m above mean sea level, is in the lower piedmont. The costal plain lies 48 km (30
miles) E and 16 km (10 miles) S„ The nearest known breeding crossbills are in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park (Stupka, 1938), 402 km (250 miles) W. Johnston
(1963) and others watched a female, accompanied by a male, carrying nesting materials
on two occasions near Highlands, Macon County, on 27 July 1963, but did not locate
the nest. More recently, LeGrand (1971) noted birds in northern Wake County on 23
and 30 May 1970 and at William B. Umstead State Park 3.7 km NW of Raleigh as late as
17 June in 1970. He suspected but found no actual evidence of breeding in that area.
Also in 1970, Carter (1971) had crossbills in the central Carolina Sandhills in the upper
coastal plain as late as 2 June, but no breeding activity was noted.

This report is the third record strongly indicating the breeding of Red Crossbills in
North Carolina, although through the years there have been numerous sightings
throughout the spring, summer, and early fall. An actual nest of this species has not yet

42

The Chat

TABLE 1. Measurements of three specimens of the Red Crossbill collected
near Raleigh, N.C., in 1967 (weigh in g, other measurements in mm).

Specimen

Weight

Wing

Tail

Tarsus

Length

Bill

Depth

*Width

Adult male
USNM 565199

36.1

93.5

57.0

16.3

17.9

10.2

U 8.2
L 10.9

Adult female
USNM 565197

38.1

89.5

51.5

16.0

17.3

9.9

U 8.0
L 10.0

Juvenile female
USNM 565198

36.1

87.0

51.0

15.2

12.8

8.5

U 7.7
L 7.3

^Measurements taken at base of bill. U = upper mandible, L = lower mandible.

been found in the state. Breeding in central Wake County probably represents an isolated
case of breeding displacement rather than a range extension.

I thank Roxie C. Laybourne for measurements of the specimen meterial and helpful
suggestions on the manuscript, Harrison B. Tordoff for aging the juvenile bird, and Allan
R. Phillips for subspecific identity of the specimens.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union, 1957. Check-list of North American birds, fifth ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Baltimore.

Bent, A.C. 1968. Life histories of North American cardinals, grosbeaks, buntings,
towhees, finches, sparrows, and allies. Oliver L. Austin, Jr., ed. U.S. Natl. Mus., Bull.
237, part 1.

Carter, J.H., III. 1971. Birds of the Central Sandhills of North Carolina. Chat,
35:91-105.

Griscom, L. 1937. A monographic study of the Red Crossbill. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat.
Hist., vol. 41, No. 5.

Hader, R.J. 1969. Species list of birds of Wake County, North Carolina. Chat, 33:53-71.
Johnston, D.W. 1963. Further evidence of Red Crossbills breeding in North Carolina.
Chat, 27:81-82.

Jones, L., M. Browne, and D. Lewis. 1967. Red Crossbill, in “Briefs for the Files.” Chat,
31:51.

LeGrand, H.E., Jr. 1971. 1970 bird nesting study at William B. Umstead State Park,
Wake County, N.C. Chat, 35:67-70.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina. Raleigh.
Stupka, A. 1938. Red Crossbill breeding in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Auk,
55:675.

Fledgling Red Crossbills at Newfound Gap

MAXIE SWINDELL
Route 1, Box 216

Roan Mountain, Tennessee 36787 4 December 1973

On Monday, 14 June 1965, Beth Lacy, 3129 McClure Lane, Knoxville, Tennessee
37920, and I spent the day in the vicinity of Ciingmun’s Dome, Indian Gap, and

June 1974

43

Newfound Gap. It was early afternoon when we sat down on the stone wall at the
Newfound Gap parking area (on the old road across the mountain) at the North
Carolina end of the wall. We had been there only a few minutes when we saw a Red
Crossbill alight on the bank (a road-cut) across the road from us. It collected food and
flew into the evergreen tree almost over our heads. On a limb sat two fledgling birds, side
by side. On another limb in the same tree, but at some distance, was another fledgling.
All three fledglings were fed by the parents, and at no time while we watched, did the
young ones fly. The mandibles of the young were not crossed. We reluctantly left the
area after searching for the nest and observing the birds for about half an hour.

Red Crossbill Observations
in Western North Carolina

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Department of Pathology,

Yale University School of Medicine

310 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 15 December 1973

The Red Crossbill ( Loxia curvirostra ) is an uncommon to rare erratic resident
through much of the southern Appalachian mountains. The majority of records have
come from the Great Smoky Mountains (Stupka, 1963), and observations from other
locales are infrequent. The paucity of breeding evidence and the infrequency of large
concentrations make the following records significant.

SHINING ROCK LEDGE (Haywood County, N.C.)

On 13 June 1970, I spent 2 hours watching a pair of Red Crossbills as they
constructed a nest in a 30-foot red spruce ( Picea rubens) at Shining Spring (elevation
5,740 feet) just S of Shining Rock Gap. During most of the period, the male perched
near the top of the spruce and uttered various call notes and songs, while the female carried
small twigs to the loosely formed nest, which was located 12 feet from the ground in the
mid-canopy of the tree. Whenever I approached the nest, both birds quickly became
agitated and gave alarm notes repeatedly. The nest was apparently still in the
construction stage, and no eggs or young were found. After leaving the site, I saw flocks
of 15 to 20 crossbills at Ivestor Gap (5,700 feet) and at Shining Rock (6,000 feet). Much
to my regret, I was unable to return to this isolated locale at a later date to determine
whether the breeding had continued.

Stupka (1963) and Johnston (1963) have reported evidence for breeding by the Red
Crossbill in the southern Appalachians. Stupka’s records were of adult birds feeding
young with uncrossed mandibles, while Johnston’s observations were of adults carrying
nesting material. In neither instance, however, was a nest actually found. Although no
eggs or young were present in the nest which I found under construction at Shining
Rock, the record does give additional evidence that the Red Crossbill breeds in the
southern Appalachian mountains.

BLACK MOUNTAINS (Buncombe and Yancey Counties, N.C.)

Outside the Great Smoky Mountains, Red Crossbills have been reported most
frequently in the Black Mountains, although the species is rather erratic and published
records are few (Simpson, 1972). During the autumn of 1969, however, large flocks were
present at five widely separated locales through the range, where the birds were found in
forests of red spruce and Fraser fir (Abies fra sen). In most cases, the flocks were mixed,
consisting of adult males, adult females, and heavily streaked juveniles.

The first records were on 7 September at Blackstock Knob (5,600 feet) along the
Blue Ridge Parkway, where I saw a small flock of five birds. My subsequent records at
this spot included 50 crossbills on 13 September, 10 on 18 October, and 25 on 28
November. At Mt. Hallback (6,200 feet) 12 crossbills were present on 18 October. At

44

The Chat

the observation tower on Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) I saw 20 on 18 October; and a flock
of over 75 was present on 28 November. The largest concentration, however, was at
Steepes Gap (6,100 feet) near the Mt. Mitchell State Park Office building, where I
counted over 100 crossbills on 18 October. John R. Wilson (pers. com.) informed me
that this flock, often numbering over 150 birds, was seen daily at Steepes Gap from early
October until the first heavy snow in early December 1969. Wilson subsequently
informed me that flocks of 50 to 75 crossbills appeared in September 1970 and again
remained until a heavy snow near the end of November 1970. Wilson reported that the
flocks seen in 1969 and 1970 were unusually large, although the pattern of occurrence
was typical of other years, with the birds first appearing between July and September
and steadily increasing in numbers until the first heavy snows around late November or
early December, when the flocks rapidly disappeared.

Stupka’s (1963) summary of crossbill records from the Great Smokies indicates that
flocks in excess of 100 birds are most ususual, with the majority of reports consisting of
no more than 60 birds. The flock of 100 to 150 crossbills at Steepes Gap in the Black
Mountains represents an exceptionally large concentration of the birds, which were seen
daily for a period of some 6 weeks. The relatively mild weather and large seed crops in
1969 may have contributed to the size of these flocks.

PISGAH RIDGE MOUNTAINS (Transylvania, Haywood, and Henderson Counties, N.C.)

To my knowledge, there are no published records of Red Crossbills from this range,
despite the presence of apparently suitable habitat. Don R. McLeod (pers. com.)
reported a pair of adult crossbills at Devil’s Courthouse (5,700 feet) in June 1959,
although he was unable to find any evidence of nesting. On 14 February 1970, I saw a
flock of 25 in flight at nearby Silvermine Bald (5,800 feet); while on 15 May 1970, 5
were at Fork Mountain Tunnel (4,900 feet), 30 were at Little Pisgah Ridge Tunnel
(4,800 feet), and 25 were at Mt. Pisgah (5,200 feet). On 6 June 1970, a pair of adults
was seen at the Pisgah Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway (4,900 feet); but I
could find no evidence of nesting.

In the Great Smokies, Stupka (1963) reports that Red Crossbills are at their lowest
numbers during the month of May, making these Pisgah Ridge sightings unusual with
respect to the time of year.

On subsequent visits to Shining Rock Ledge, the Black Mountains, and Pisgah Ridge
during 1971 and 1972, I saw no Red Crossbills in any of these locales, a fact which
reinforces the statement that this species should be designated as an erratic resident
through most of the southern Appalachian mountains.

LITERATURE CITED

Johnston, D.W. 1963. Further evidence of Red Crossbills breeding in North Carolina.

Chat, 27:81-82.

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1972. Annotated checklist of the birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park,

North Carolina. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 88:244-251.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

June 1974

45

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates winter 1973-1974)

COMMON LOON: Up to four were present through the winter on Lake Hartwell in
the vicinity of Clemson, as reported by Harry LeGrand. Winter occurrences also
were noted inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C., where 18 were
counted on 1 December by Merrill Lynch, and at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh where
individual sightings were recorded on 24 Lebruary and 3 March by Ken Knapp.

EARED GREBE: Two were studied at close range off the Coast Guard Station at Ore-
gon Inlet, N.C., on 24 February by Robert Ridgely.

GREAT CORMORANT: An immature was well observed at Pea Island N.W.R. on
1 December by Gilbert Grant.

CATTLE EGRET: At least five were resident through the winter at Pine Knoll Shores
golf course on Bogue Bank near Atlantic Beach, N.C., observed by John Fussell.
Others apparently wintered in Currituck County, N.C., where 45 were seen in
the Grandy-Jarvisburg area on 31 December by Gary Williamson and Gilbert
Grant and at least four were still present on 2 February.

GREAT EGRET: One was seen inland near Raleigh on 17 March by Ken Knapp.

GLOSSY IBIS: Sightings of two wintering birds were recorded through the season at
North River marsh near Morehead City, N.C., by John Fussell. Three also were
seen at Fort Macon by the same observer on 26 January.

WHISTLING SWAN: A locally rare winter occurrence was noted in the Raleigh area
where a single bird was seen at Umstead State Park on 13 February by Nelson
Chadwick. Merrill Lynch reported three present during February at Roanoke
Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C.; and five were found near Clemson, S.C., on
14 February by Sue Broadbent and Ann McLauchlin. Uncommon local sightings
also were reported from Moore County, N.C., where three birds were seen near
Aberdeen on 13 December and one at Lake Surf near Vass on 14 March by Jay
Carter.

BRANT: Thirty- five were seen at Hatteras Inlet and 14 in Pamlico Sound at Ocracoke,
N.C., on 17 February by Richard Rowlett and Berit Edsburg.

46

The Chat

SNOW GOOSE: Peak winter population at Pea Island N.W.R. was estimated at nearly
12,000, Jack Hagan. Well inland, an individual of the blue form was seen on Lake
Hartwell near Townville, S.C., on 11 January by Gene Hayes.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: A major winter invasion brought flocks of up to 80 into the
Beaufort, S.C., area (Cornelia and Charles Chapin), 60 to Santee N.W.R. (Chas.
Strickland, fide John Cely), and 50 to Magnolia Gardens at Charleston (Ted
Beckett). A number of sightings also were reported from coastal North Carolina in-
cluding flocks of up to 22 at Davis (Fred Barkalow and Thad Cherry, 10 February),
10 at Cape Hatteras (Clay Gifford), and 4 at Pea Island N.W.R. (Jack Hagan,
9 February).

PINTAIL: A small wintering flock was present through late February on Lake Hartwell
at Townville, S.C., where a peak count of 20 was recorded on 18 January by Gene
Hayes.

REDHEAD: Small numbers were noted as uncommon winter visitors at several inland
locations. Six were seen on Lake Hartwell near Townville, S.C., on 27 January by
Gene Hayes; eight were seen on Salem Lake near Winston-Salem, N.C., on 21
March by Fran Baldwin, Charles Frost, Ramona Snavely, and party; and two were
seen on the Dan River in Caswell County, N.C., on 1 March by Plumer Wiseman.

CANVASBACK: Twenty were a locally unusual find near Winston-Salm on 21 March
by Ramona Snavely and party. A good inland count was also recorded at Lake
Surf near Vass, N.C., where seven were seen on 14 and 16 March by Jay Carter,
Chris Marsh, et al.

COMMON EIDER: Either a female or immature male was present at Sullivan’s Island,
S.C., during early January, as reported by Dennis Forsythe and Perry Nugent.

COMMON MERGANSER: Three were seen at Lake Gaston, Warren County, N.C.,
on 3 January by Henry Haberyan. Elsewhere, two were seen in South Carolina at
Cape Romain N.W.R. on 16 March by Perry Nugent, and another near Winston-
Salem, N.C., on 20 March by Charles Frost.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: An unexpected winter-period occurrence was reported by Perry
Nugent, who saw a single bird near Charleston, S.C., on 24 February.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK: One was early at Clemson, S.C., on 31 March, Sidney
Gauthreaux.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: A light-phase individual was seen 9 December near Eden,
N.C., by Carol and Edward Burroughs, and a dark-phase bird was observed at
Umstead State Park near Raleigh on 9 March by David Whitehurst.

BALD EAGLE: December sightings of single adults were recorded at Roanoke Rapids
Lake, Halifax County, N.C., by Merrill Lynch and at Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde
County, N.C., by Michael Tove. In South Carolina two adults wintered in the Sa-
vannah River Atomic Reservation near North Augusta, reported by Tom Murphy;
and another adult was present in early March at Lake Keowee in Oconee County,
observed by C.R. Dillon.

OSPREY: A winter sighting was recorded inland at Clemson, S.C., 19 January by
Harry LeGrand.

PIPING PLOVER: Over 100 were counted at Bird Shoal off Morehead City, N.C., on
20 December by John Fussell.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: Five were at Pea Island N.W.R., 12 January, ob-
served closely by Henry Haberyan.

RED KNOT: A tally of 236 at Ocracoke Island, N.C., on 24 February was seasonally
noteworthy, Gilbert Grant.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: One was seen at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C., on 2 December
by Jay Carter.

RED PHALAROPE: An estimated 200 were seen on 6 December in waters five miles off
Charleston, S.C., by Peter Laurie.

June 1974

47

PARASITIC JAEGER: An onshore sighting of a single bird in light-phase plumage was
recorded at Edisto Reach, S.C., on 19 January by Dennis Forsythe.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: An uncommon winter visitor in the Charleston area
was seen at South Island on 6 January by Ted Beckett.

LALTGHING GULL: A mid-winter sighting of a single bird was recorded 24 January at
Hammocks Beach near Swansboro, N.C., by Robert Teulings and five were seen in
the Atlantic Beach, N.C., area on 9 February by John Fussell.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: Good numbers were present during January at Lake Gaston,
W arren County, N.C., where a peak count of 59 was noted on 14 January by Henry
Haberyan. Thirty were counted at Lake Hartwell in the Clemson, S.C., area on 2
December and some were seen there sporadically through the winter, as reported
by Harry LeGrand.

LITTLE GULL: Two birds, both in adult winter plumage, were seen at Pea Island,
N.C., on 24 February by Robert Ridgely.

BLACK SKIMMER: A flock of 30 was seen at Cape Hatteras, N.C., 18 February by
Richard Rowlett and Berit Edsburg, an unusual winter season occurrence for the
northern coastal area.

LONG-EARED OWL: An individual was again noted this season at North Wilkesboro,
N.C., where it was heard calling on 8 March by Wendell Smith.

PURPLE MARTIN: One was found unusually early at Morehead City, N.C., on 17
February by John Fussell, and another early individual was seen at East Lake,
N.C., on 23 February by Robert Ridgely.

BEWICK’S WREN: One was an unexpected visitor at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C., on 2
December, Jay Carter.

SWAINSON’S THRL^SH: A rare winter occurrence was recorded at Charleston, S.C.,
where an individual was seen on 20 January by Perry Nugent.

WHITE-EYED VIREO: One was seen 20 January at Pendleton, S.C., by Harry
LeGrand, an unusual winter record for the western piedmont.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: A well-marked male appeared at Mrs. E.M. Thompson’s
feeder in Raleigh, N.C., on 27 February and was seen there regularly through 12
March, fide Robert and Elizabeth Teulings.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: A female was carefully identified among a flock of Red-
winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles at Magnolia Gardens near Charles-
ton, S.C., on 5 January by Dennis Forsythe.

WESTERN TANAGER: An individual in female plumage was present during the first
week of January at Jo Clark’s feeder in New Bern, N.C.

INDIGO BUNTING: A very early male, molting into breeding plumage, turned up at a
feeder at Hilton Head, S.C., on 1 March, Louise Lacoss.

PAINTED BUNTING: An adult male was noted by G.E. McGrew at his feeder in Cam-
den, S.C., 12-13 January, and a pair were present through most of January and Feb-
ruary at Kay Zippler’s feeder in North Augusta, S.C. Single males were seen at two
different locations in the Beaufort-Morehead City, N.C., area in December, one
bird remaining through the winter, fide John Fussell.

COMMON REDPOLL: Three were seen at the Bodie Island, N.C., lighthouse on 9
February by Ken Knapp. A later sighting of two was noted at the same location on
26 March by Bill Williams.

DICKCISSEL: A feeder visitor was noted by Ethel Wooton at Southern Pines, N.C.,
where it was regularly present from 5 February through early March. Another was
seen at Charleston, S.C., by Chris and Perry Nugent at their home on 28 March.
Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand twice observed an individual in the Pen-
dleton, S.C., area, 3 February and 17 February.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: Two were seen near Eden, N.C., on 27 December by

48

The Chat

Ross Silcock. Single birds were seen near Townville, S.C., on 26 January and 10
March by Harry LeGrand.

HENSLOW’S SPARROW: Several were found in open pinewoods near Bolton in
Brunswick County, N.C., on 15 through 17 December by Jay Carter, John Fussell,
and Harry LeGrand. Two also were found at Bulls Island, S.C., by Perry Nugent
on 16 March.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: Reports of this species wintering in good numbers in
the Carolinas were highlighted by counts of 40 in Anderson County, S.C., on 2
December by Harry LeGrand and 25 in Wake County, N.C., in the Lake Raleigh
area on 24 February by Ken Knapp.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: One was observed near Bolton in Brunswick County, N. C.,
on 15 December by Harry LeGrand.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: Five reported on the Southern Pines Christmas Count at
Lake Surf (Chat, 38:14) were still present 16 March, observed by Chris Marsh and
party. On the North Carolina coast, three were seen at Cape Hatteras on 2 Decem-
ber by Gilbert Grant, and a later sighting of five was noted in that locality on 18
February by Richard Rowlett and Berit Edsburg.

BOOK REVIEWS

The World of the Wood Duck

F. Eugene Hester and Jack Dermid. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia and New
York, 1973. $5.95 160 p. index. Ulus.

The latest is the series of Living World Books edited by John K. Terres, The World of
the Wood Duck was written and illustrated with a generous number of photographs by
two North Carolinians who need no introduction to CBC members. Aside from the
expected life history facts arranged according to the four seasons, the book contains
many highly readable stories about the relationship of these beautiful birds to people,
including an account of breeding Wood Ducks at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin O.
Clarkson in Charlotte. Material on the protection and propagation of the Wood Duck
includes instructions for making and placing nest boxes. This is an attractive and
informative book that will appeal to hunters and bird watchers alike. Unfortunately the
modest price did not permit the publisher the luxury of a full-color reproduction of one
of Jack Dermid’s stunning Wood Duck portraits. -EFP

The Dictionary of American Bird Names

Ernest A. Choate. Gambit, Boston, 1973. $6.95. 261 p.

This dictionary at first glance seems to duplicate the recently released Words for
Birds by Edward S. Gruson, but the two books are radically different in arrangement of
material and general point of view. The Gruson book presents the species in A.O.U.
Check-list order, and its strong point is the lively biographical sketches of the men and
women for whom birds have been named. The Choate book has an alphabetical listing of
common (and some colloquial) names, an alphabetical listing of scientific names by
genus, an appendix of biographical data, a bibliography, and an English/Latin glossary.
Serious bird students probably will find the latter treatment more to their taste even
though categories above the level of genus are not included. -EFP

June 1974

49

Adventures in Birding— Confessions of a Lister

Jean Piatt. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, 1973. $7.95. 265 p. Chapter headpieces
by Matthew Kalmenoff.

I wrote this book 10 years ago. Unfortunately, I didn’t have Dr. Piatt’s (his research
field is embryology) life list of 666 North American birds, his puckish sense of humor,
his skill with pointed literary references, his precise vocabulary (“uxoriousness” of
phalaropes, the “crepuscular” auklets, the “hubris” of arrogant man, the “only voyager
in the Ark educated beyond his intelligence”), and his absorbing way with a story of
bird-finding in Alaska, the Tortugas, or his own backyard.

Only two chapters of my book were ever published. You read all 265 spicy pages of
Dr. Piatt and wish for a sequel.

Everybody who has kept his own life list will want to quote this book to his friends:
On the A.O.U. Check List: “hiss the ‘lumpers’ and applaud the ‘splitters,’ as all good
listers do.”

On species: “A species is anything the taxonomists say it is.”

On coyotes: “If every town had more coyotes and less people, the world would be a
a much safer place in which to live.”

On “music” in national parks: “Among the several million idiocies perpetrated by the
human animal, amplified, cacophonous noise deluging the countryside is one of the
least forgiveable. Aural pollution is as serious as air or water pollution.”

On people who profess not to keep a life list: “A man who does not know how many
dollars he has in the bank is either extremely wealthy or a liar.”

On the cost of joining the 600 Club: “Marybelle (Mrs. Piatt) and I shall spend our
declining years in some home for the indigent.”

From one end of the country to the other - through 49 States - Dr. and Mrs. Piatt
saw 666 species of North American birds, not far behind Joseph Taylor’s record of 702.
There is not a cliche or a banal phrase in the book; no tedious lists — just high adventures
on the part of two sophisticated people who went after 600 birds for fun, and had fun
every step of the way. -LOUIS C. FINK

The View from Hawk Mountain

Michael Harwood. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1973. $6.95. 191 p. Line
drawings by Fred Wetzel.

Maurice Broun, the first curator at this famous observation post in Pennsylvania, told
its story in Hawks Aloft - and Mr. Harwood brings the report up to date. He tells how
more and more people climbed Blue Mountain near Drehersville to see at close range the
hundreds or thousands of Broad-winged Hawks that might pass in a day, or to spot an
Osprey, or Bald Eagle, or even a Golden Eagle. Finally, the visitors taxed its capacity,
and Maurice Broun wondered if Hawk Mountain had become too successful.

The author also notes how the meticulous record-keeping was distorted. Proponents
of DDT cited the high counts of Ospreys at Hawk Mountain to disprove what Rachel
Carson said about pesticides. But Alex Nagy (who followed Maurice Broun as curator)
points out that he now has many more people counting birds, and that new observation
perches on the mountain are being used. In short, there is danger in counting wild birds
for a day, or a week, and believing you have a true picture of the population.

To anyone who has been to Hawk Mountain, this book is pure nostalgia. You’ll
remember the fairly steep climb to one of the lookouts, and then the fantastic panorama
or farms and forests below you. You’ll remember how hard those rocks became after
you sat a few hours, and how you forgot everything when the Red-tails, or Cooper’s, or
Goshawks, or eagles, or (most plentiful of all) Broad-wings came in view - sometimes

50

The Chat

almost close enough to touch; frequently below you, so you could study hawks from
above.

Mr. Harwood fleshes out this book with a great deal of information about birds of
prey taken from standard reference books, and he has put it all together in a highly
readable fashion. -LOUIS C. FINK

The Dell Encyclopedia of Birds

Bertel Bruun. Dell Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1974. $2.45. 240 p. Illustrated in
color by Paul Singer.

With 625 entries and about 400 illustrations, this pocket-sized book gives the
beginning bird student easy access to a basic ornithological vocabulary. On the whole the
subjects are well chosen, but I cannot understand the inclusion of pecten (a structure of
unknown function within the eyeball) and the exclusion of pigeon’s milk. The large
number of typographical errors is distressing, and the cutlines are often inaccurate even
when the text is correct (J.F. Audubon instead of J.J. Audubon, redwing instead of
Red-winged Blackbird, confusion regarding use of hyphens in names of goatsuckers). The
above shortcomings can be forgiven, but the confusing, incomplete, and downright
inaccurate labeling of the Blue Jay accompanying the discussion of topography is
absolutely inexcusable. The basic concept of the book is good, the definitions are
generally neither too simple nor too technical, and often the illustrations clarify the
definitions. There are enough good features in this book so the publisher should be
willing to undertake major revisions (notably pages 214 and 215) before the book goes
into another printing. -EFP

Birding from a Tractor Seat

Charles T. Flugum. No publisher indicated, 1973. $8.95. 435 p. Illustrations by
Walter J. Breckenridge.

This is a series of monthly columns written for The Community Magazine of Albert
Lea, Minnesota, from 1952 to 1964. Mr. Flugum ran a farm, and he writes of the hawks,
plovers, larks, bluebirds and scores of other birds he watched from his tractor seat. He
went on field trips with bird clubs and describes some of the good birding spots in
Minnesota. As chairman of the local Audubon Wildlife Films Committee, he met some of
the country’s well-known naturalists. —LOUIS C. FINK

Autumn of the Eagle

George Laycock. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1973. $6.95. 180 p. Photo-
graphs and maps.

Mr. Laycock, a field editor for Audubon Magazine, has gathered a wealth of
information about the Bald Eagle.

As an indication of the contents, consider:

-Benjamin Franklin said the eagle was a coward and “often very lousy.”

-An eagle’s nest at Vermilion, Ohio, was 12 feet deep, 8V2 feet across, and weighed 2
tons.

—After retiring from banking, Charles Broley banded 1,200 eagles.

-There are between 750 and 1,000 eagle nests in continental United States, but 4,000
breeding pairs in Alaska and 8,000 in the world.

There is a great deal of basic information about the Bald Eagle in this book, and the
illustrations add interest. The proof-reading is careless: the name of the President
Emeritus of the National Audubon Society is misspelled three times. -LOUIS C. FINK

June 1974

51

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Reeion I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

' A

-ZOS73
25 /Vi ck

Vol. 38

No. 3

The Chat

September 1974
Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631

Editorial Board Thomas L. Quay, Charles H. Blake, E.B. Chamberlain

Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

New Policies Concerning the Spring and Christmas

Bird Counts, Harry E. LeGrand Jr. and Eloise F. Potter 53

Spring Bird Count— 1974 56

CBC Roundtable 69

General Field Notes 70

Policy Statement on Exotic Waterfowl Records 70

Mandarin Duck in Eastern North Carolina, Robert P. Holmes 70

Golden Eagle in Eastern North Carolina,

William Brown Jr. and Joshua A. Lee 71

Red Phalarope in Wake County, N.C.,

Chris Marsh and Robert J. Hader 71

Least Terns in a Cantaloupe Patch, Perry Nugent 72

Possible Summer Resident Nighthawks at Brevard, N.C.,

Walter C. Holland Jr 72

A New Species for South Carolina: Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Photographed on Bull’s Island, John Henry Dick 73

Nesting Ravens on Pilot Mountain, Ramona R. Snavely 75

Sprague’s Pipit in Northern South Carolina,

William G. Cobey and Flo Cobey 75

Sharp-tailed Sparrows in Northwestern South Carolina,

Harry E. LeGrand Jr 76

Subspecific Identification of Song Sparrows Collected
at Raleigh, N.C., in Summer of 1967,

Paul W. Sykes Jr. and Roxie C. Laybourne 77

Bird Observations After Heavy Snowfall

at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., J.H. Carter III 77

Briefs for the Files 78

09®

OUR COVER — The Connecticut Warbler was drawn
by Chris Marsh of Raleigh, N.C., who is a student at
North Carolina State University. This species is espe-
cially appropriate for the present issue because warblers,
including the rare Connecticut, were unusually abun-
dant on the 1974 Spring Bird Count in the Carolinas.

NEW POLICIES CONCERNING
THE SPRING AND CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR. and ELOISE F. POTTER

Beginning with the 1974 Christmas Bird Count, a number of new rules and instructions
will be in operation concerning the reporting of counts and their publication in Chat. The
major reason for these changes is to improve the quality of the counts, both by insisting on full
details for unusual species and by encouraging thorough coverage of the various habitats
within each count circle. Also, a revised count form has been designed for use starting with the
upcoming Christmas Count. It is imperative that all persons who participate on bird counts in
the Carolinas read and understand these new instructions, particularly those concerning the
reporting of details for unusual species. Compilers of counts should be especially aware of
these instructions, as many statements pertain strictly to them. Harry LeGrand is now the
editor of the Spring and Christmas Counts, but compilers still should send the completed
count forms to Eloise Potter, who will continue to prepare the count table.

1. FULL DETAILS FOR UNUSUAL SPECIES: No longer will just the name of the
observer(s) be acceptable to document a rare or unusual species. When anyone reports a
species on a count that is rare for the area at that season, he must submit to his compiler full
and convincing details for that species, so that the compiler can include these details with the
count form and submit both to Chat. Full details are required by American Birds on unusual
species reported on Christmas counts published in that journal, and the write-up of details
now requested by Chat should follow exactly those required by American Birds. The details
must convince the editor that the species was correctly identified. State briefly, in about three
sentences or phrases, how the species was identified, including field marks observed, calls or
songs if heard, habitat and general location of the sighting, observation conditions (light,
distance, and observation time), and the observer’s name and address. As an example, the
following would be considered sufficient and convincing details for a rare species on the
Raleigh Christmas Count:

Bewick’s Wren — (Harry LeGrand, 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N. C.

27609) — one seen in a brushpile near Lake Raleigh; seen in good light
for 30 seconds at 50 feet; white eye stripe and underparts, long tail
with white spots in the comers.

The editors will be less lenient in judging the validity of unusual records (both rare species
and extremely late or early individuals), particularly those with no details reported. For a very
rare species without details (e.g., a Least Tern in the piedmont), the editors will completely
remove the record from the count without mention. For a rare species without details (e.g., a
Common Tern in the piedmont on a Spring Count), the editors will remove it from the table
and list it in the Compiler’s Comments section of the count, in brackets, as being reported but
without details. This latter procedure has been established because the editors believe such a
record may well be valid, but without details the record cannot be fully accepted and included
in the count table. The purpose of this insistence on reporting details is to insure that every
record of a rare species appearing on the count table is valid.

The compiler should include the details for unusual species in the Compiler’s Comments
section of the count form. If there is not enough space on the form to complete the listing of
details, the compiler should finish the report on the back of the first page of the count form or
attach additional sheets of paper. Because of space limitations, the details of unusual species
cannot be published in full in Chat; but a brief summary will be published, including the
names of observers for noteworthy species. The Compiler’s Comments section is also to be
used for information on unusual abundance of species, long-term population trends, influ-
ence of weather on bird activity, or anything else the compiler believes other birders
would be interested in knowing about his count.

September 1974

53

2. PUBLICATION OF COUNTS: Chat can print a maximum of 29 counts on a count
table, due to the limited size of the pages in the journal. Anticipating the time when 30 or more
count reports might be received, the editors have adopted some new policies concerning the
establishment of new counts and the publication of all counts. We encourage new, well-
organized counts; however, we discourage the continuance of counts with only a handful of
observers who do not get out before dawn, spend half their time in cars, and tally only half as
many species as neighboring counts. These latter counts do not contribute enough to our
knowledge of bird life to justify the cost of publication. Beginning with the upcoming (1974)
Christmas Count, Chat will print a maximum of 29 counts on the table. If more than 29 counts
are received, 29 will be printed on the table, but the remaining will be published in paragraph
form (as in American Birds) in the same issue of Chat as the count table. Those which will be
omitted from the table are ones which the editors feel are weak and contribute the least
information of scientific value. Counts reporting less than the following numbers of species
are considered weak and are in jeopardy of being omitted from the table: Spring Count — 100
for the immediate coast, 70 for the coastal plain, 80 for the piedmont, and 60 for the
mountains; Christmas Count — 100 for the immediate coast, 60 for the coastal plain and most
of the piedmont, and 40 for the upper piedmont and mountains. Those counts that
consistently record fewer species than the figures listed should be either discontinued or
upgraded in the future by increasing the number and field ability of observers and the number
of hours in the field. Compilers of new counts also should be aware of the minimum figures
listed above. These new policies are designed to make the counts printed on the table more
nearly comparable as to the number of species and individuals, and to make possible the
acceptance of new and well-organized counts in areas of the Carolinas not presently being
censused.

3. BIG DAY REPORT: In order to encourage field work in areas not presently having
counts, the editors will accept Big Day Reports during the Spring Count and Christmas Count
periods. The Big Day must be a count made by only one party during a single day and must
total at least 8 hours for a Christmas report and 1 0 hours for a spring report. This count has no
territory limitations, other than that it must not cover any territory within an already existing
count circle (for the same season) and that it must be completely within the Carolinas. Thus, if
there is no Spring Count in the chosen area, a carload of birders from Raleigh can have a
Spring Big Day beginning at Bodie Island, N.C., and ending at Hatteras Inlet, providing all
observers remain within speaking distance of each other, this being our definition of a Big Day
party. The compiler of a Big Day Report will submit to Chat a list of all species and individuals
recorded on the count and full details for all unusual species, as outlined above. Also to be
reported are the date and duration of the count, the territory covered, weather data, names of
the participants, and hours and miles by foot and car. Chat cannot publish the full lists for
these Big Day Reports, but it will publish some of the noteworthy records, as well as the total
number of species and individuals and the basic information listed in the previous sentence.
We hope the Big Day Report will become a popular activity among Carolina birders,
especially the younger and more competitive ones, and that these reports will provide a wealth
of distributional data from counties where there are not enough bird watchers to man a
full-scale Spring or Christmas Count. Perhaps Chat could publish Big Day Reports made
during the summer and fall seasons, as well, in the near future.

4. COUNT DATES AND COUNT PERIODS: Chat has never set strict, permanent
dates within which Spring and Christmas counts are to be conducted. The journal has usually
accepted the same dates established by American Birds within which Christmas counts are to
be made. Christmas Count dates for Chat will still be those listed by American Birds in its
April issue, and these dates will be published in Chat in the June or September issue. “Count
period” for the Christmas Count will continue to be the complete spread of dates within which
a count may be taken. The editors are hereby establishing the dates of 1 6 April and 1 5 May as
the inclusive dates within which a Spring Count can be taken and published. “Count period”
for bird counts will now be the 3 days before and the 3 days after a given count. Thus, for a
count on 17 April, the count period will be from 14 April through 20 April, and any species

54

The Chat

reported within that count circle on or between those dates (but not reported on count day) is
to be listed on the count form with an asterisk. Likewise, a count on 1 5 May will have a count
period of 12 May through 18 May.

5. FIELD-HOURS AND FIELD-MILES: Throughout the years Chat has always
required compilers to list the field parties, the party-hours, and the party-miles for their
count; yet Chat has never strictly defined the terms “party,” “party-hours,” and “party-
miles.” Compilers usually have considered a party as a group of observers who cover a spec-
ified section of the count circle, without regard as to whether the observers split into sub-
groups or remain together throughout the day. Chat now defines a “count party” as an in-
dividual or a group responsible for covering a specified section of the count circle — the group
may split up into subgroups or individuals — but which must turn in to the compiler a single
list of species and individuals. Thus, the number of parties reported by a compiler on the
count form should be the number of field lists he received.

Chat is abolishing the term “party-hour” and originating the more meaningful term
“field-hour.” Field-hours are the time (in hours) that an individual, a subparty, or a party is
counting birds in the field separate from all other such groups. If all members of a subparty or
party remain within speaking distance of each other while counting birds for 10 hours, then
the group totaled 10 field-hours. However, if a two-man group spent 4 hours birding together
(within speaking distance) and 6 hours birding separately, they totaled 4 + 6 + 6= 16 field-
hours. One large party can have over 40 field-hours, perhaps by having four separate
individuals working 11 hours each or by having three two-man subparties each totaling 15
field-hours. The concept of field-hours is designed to indicate the total time that observers
spent counting birds within the count circle, which the usage of party-hours does not do. Chat
will not require compilers and observers to break down field-hours into foot-hours or car-
hours.

As an example of the field-hour calculations, the following hypothetical case should be
beneficial. A five-man party is covering the Carolina Beach section of the Wilmington
Christmas Count. One member birds by himself for 10 hours (10 field-hours), one two-man
subparty birds for 10 hours but only 2 hours together (18 field-hours), and the other two-man
subparty birds for 12 hours but only 6 hours together (18 field-hours). At the compilation of
the count, they combine their three separate lists into one list (one count party), and they total
46 field-hours. The five observers instead may wish to report three separate lists of birds (thus
becoming three parties), but their grand total of 46 field-hours does not change (10 by party I,
18 by party II, and 18 by party III).

“Party-miles” now become “field-miles,” and both foot and car miles are to be calculated.
Field-miles by foot should be calculated exactly as are the field-hours. If two observers spent
the whole day on foot and birded together for 2 miles and each walked 5 miles when separated,
they totaled 12 field-miles by foot. Car miles should be the total mileage of all cars used by
observers on count day within the count circle during daylight hours. Car mileage at night is
not to be counted, because birds seldom are seen while driving at night, whereas large numbers
and many species of birds can be identified during daylight driving. Mileage from other
vehicles should be included with the car miles, as long as birds can be counted from the vehicle.

The editors request that all Spring Count forms and Spring Big Day Reports be returned
to Eloise Potter by 1 June, and that all Christmas Count forms and Big Day Reports for that
season be returned by 15 January. Because the compiling and editing of the count tables and
the writing of summary paragraphs about the counts are time-consuming procedures, we must
insist that all compilers comply with the above deadlines. Late reports will be accepted only at
the convenience of the editors.

September 1974

55

AeiAi 81

CM

CM

i N

j

•

O N 'pjeA9J8

1

z

Aei/\j p

CN

*

CO

*

i «-

O N ' °0 aqwooung

l!JdV LZ

CM

CM

*

i

o

; *

*

CD

DN

oq ||a/v\oaoi/\|-AaDUBx

KJdv 9Z

-

-

O N ' oq na/wpiBO

Ae|/\| g

-

O N 'epuoy-u|>ng

AB^t;

-

*

CO

CO

-

.

-

CM

*

-r

: o
: cm

O S 'uostuaio

Abiai p

-

-

o s 'aiMAuaajo

Abia) p

-

CM

-

in

: in

i ^

O N 'auopBqo

l!JdV LZ

-

-

00

in

CO

i -

CO

I-

O N ' oq A|ubis

z

o

AeiAi u

*

CM

in

*

m

Q

'O N ' O0 ||apaJ|

UJ

Q.

Ab|/\| p

*

co

CO

*■

r-

CO

in

CD

CO

CM CO

*-

O N 'Lua|BS-uojsu!/v\

abiai t?

CM

-

c*

-

o

CO

CM

i 00

O N 'ojoqsuaajo

abiai g

O'N 'll!H ladBqo

NJdV 83

-

o

-

*

i 05

’O N 'LueqjnQ

MJdV LZ

CO

*

*

CM

CO

CM

: G)

‘O N 'M^aiey

! CO

Abiaj p

'O'N ‘uosjapuay

abiai f

CO

*

CM

co

LO

-

*

-

-

CT>

CO

CM

: cm
! O

*

*

:0'N 'sp|dBy a>|OUBoy

z

HJdv 83

-

CN

CO

CO

-

CO

-

CM

CM

: cd

<

O N 'saujd ujaipnos

o.

_i

abiai l

*

CM

;

T“

i

<

i—

os 'uoma

w

<

IMdv 83

in

CM

in

CM

in

1 CM

CJ

o

•O'N ' OQ OOllLUBd

abiai s

o

-

CM

CM

00

CD

i ^

CM

O N ' °0 uojneag

IMdv LZ

CO

CM

CM

r**.

CM

in

<-

o

O

r^

CD

00

CM

CM

CD

<-

CM

CM

cm in

-

O S 'uoisa|jBqo

CM

-

CO

n

CN

2

2

CO

CM

H

00

<

IMdv LZ

CM

in

o

in

CM

M

o

CM

CO

CO

o

CM

o

CD

CO

CO

O

! CO

T-

O

O'N 'uoj6u|lu|!A/\

CO

CM

CM

£!

CO

: ^

o

IMdV LZ

CM

r-

CO

CM

CO

CO

CD

o

s

CO

CO

CO

CO

O)

O

i ^

in

in

o

CM

O N 'M|0 peaqaJO|A|

CM

CM

CO

-

s|enp;Aipu|

CO

CO

in

CO

in

<3-

CO

00

CO

CM

<d

CM

r_

in

cd

CD

CO

o

00

CO

CM

CD

in

r_

*

in

in

O

CM

in

CM

CO

CM

CM

CO

CO

cd

CO

CM

CO

CO

CM

r—

*—

CD

CD

CM

CO

T—

o

|B101

CM

in

CM

CM

CO

CO

CM

CO

c

c

o

SPRING
BIRD COUNT
1974

c

o

o

_J

c

o

E

E

o

ed-throated Loon

ornfid Grebe

ied-billed Grebe

rown Pelican

Q)

c

c

CD

ouble-cr. Cormorar

CD

03

c

1c

c

reat Blue Heron

reen Heron

ittle 'Blue Heron

03

LU

03

03

03

LU

03

QJ

iowy Egret

ouisiana Heron

lack-cr. Night Hero

03

I

£

03

z

o

£

o

"53

east Bittern

merican Bittern

5

o

5

0)

£

anada Goose

Si

o
o
( D

2

o

ulvous T ree Duck

■o

_CD

u

D

Q

JD

CD

c

reen-winged Teal

lue-winged Teal

merican Wigeon
food Duck

ing-necked Duck

esser Scaup

d

a

D

CD

ommon Goldeneye

■O

CD

a>

-C

□

fhite-winged Scoter

aj
O
o
c n

3

lack Scoter

uddy Duck

looded Merganser

CJ

cc

I

Q_

GO

o

Q

<

O

a

o

o

00

CD

>

_J

<

O

cn

LL

i

00

CL

o

GO

< 5

tc

-I

c n

O

GO

C/3

CO

Cl

X

I00 i

LO j

I® i

Tr

1 1 1

i " !

r- ir> : cn

f Ifl «- ID

Mi i
MM

MM

*- 00 CN CO

i * i
05 s i

i MM i
i i i 8 I
MM
Mi" I
Mil i

i *

M

■s *

s *

cn : t-

i i
! i
§ "

! i

I *

MM

MM

NMM

MM

MM

Mi-

nis

i i
1 *
i i

TT

i

i

I i

i i

i i

s £

L I i s

8 S

8 *

CO CO CN ! 00 CO O I

8 ^ " j * M I

r* ^ | ”r‘ i

i s !
i s i

! 5 I

i 8

* i s g s g y * § M

" S

N! I

*282 i

2 5? ; m ° ° -

Mi i°""“
MMii^,§

'-ggOCDlOCN^CO* m CO * r"0r^CNa)T”a>CNa)SSr)0>^0^’§CV)5cNLOO)*

$ 3 § g £ ^ S ‘ gSjSgSS®^'-

I

Ae|/\| 81
ON 'pjeAajg

Aey\| t-

O N '03 aqujoaung

ON

IMdV LZ
•03 ua/woaoi/M-Aaoue/,

(O Mfl m n

cm co o co ■sr n io ; co

IMdV SZ
'D'N ‘ 03 I|awpie3

oo in n

co : <- co

AeiAl S
3'N 'epuog ui>(i3

Ael/\i b
3 S 'uosujai3

no io in co r» to

AeiAl f
3 S 'aiMAuaajc)

Ae|/\| *
3 N 'anojjeq3

cm «- cm

IMdV LZ
'D'N ‘ OD A|ue»s

r- r- CO

cn <£> O) in rv

Ae|/\i It
D'N "op ||0paj|

^ o f n

Ifi r- r* r- (O O

Aei/\j ^

O N 'tua|es-uoisu!/\/\

n cn n r-

Abjai *
’D'N 'ojoqsuaaiO

CD CO
<3- C"
i- CO

o «- <j) cn

AeiAl g

O N !I!H |a<iei|0

* co to o) ro o

l!J(*V 8Z
'3'N 'UJBqjnQ

(O O M» rv

IMdV LZ
'D'N 'MBiaieu

Abiai tr
3 N uosjapuan

Ab|/\) t?

3 N spidBy a^ouBoy

co cm r* :r^0'-oo>-cf)<j)0'?co

co to «- CM

l!Jdv 82

3 N 'sauig ujaqjnos

Abia) i
os 'uoma

l CM CT) : ■- (D <j o CM

IMdV 8Z
D'N ' 03 03l|LUBd

: to if> co co

Ab|/\|S
D'N ' 00 JJojnBag

in <- CD CD

IMdV LZ
OS 'uoisaiJBM3

IMdV LZ
3 N 'uoi6u|lu|!/v\

CD — cd

IMdV LZ
D'N 'Al!3 peaqajoiAi

<- «- 1 cm : in

O CD ID O r-

siBnpjAipui

|B101

CN'»^o)tocM(NinO'-0'tmo)ffi'-cM(ocfoco

<-00 00'-00'-O’r^CM"-iD

Ol

|3£

' q2
oc

85

3 —
= 03
3 -q a
a «; oc

C t

w Q

is

C t

Q 6

O) Q

E

£ E

„ £
£ E

£1

§ 13

I c J mo

o 3 O O 0) o

t »

0 m

iE c: I o >■

— o

■o ^
g; r
*

m cn

1 1
= E

O -C 3 0) O

U § O O DC

1 s

C C > I

a
~o
a> O
o

o ^ "o
£ § 1
-O ■? -o

§ -§ S’

M*

| 3 §
| -o a

O 0) (D
Q DC UJ

•S 5

■5 «
0 a
8 IS

w O

A

' — ’ — Lf)

in oo (n

P** CD CO : 00 CO CN

CN <—

CN LO ,f—

co co p*- co : :cnocn

O O O CO CD
n »- cn in

CD 00 CD <- CD

o t- «- ■ r-

O CN CD O

cn cn : <-

; CD O ID CO CO O Q
: *- CN o CD «- CD

• r- CN CN

CO CN CN o O

p*« co <3-

r“ CN 00 : CN CD

00 (N r- (J) ! CD

CO CO <D CO

in CN ^ (D

ID CO

p* ^ in to »-

CN O ^ CN P

: cd : cd : cn in

Tt CN in CN

CN CO P r- r-

(N CO CN

! CO

r- co ^ ^ ; o

CO <- CN O O CD CO

^ CO CN T-

! CN

CN CN ! : CN

cd ; cn in : co

in D p i id

; O O ! ID

CN CD CO CO

P CO CO CO

r- o C30 CN CN
^ CD CN o

ID ! CO

r-(D»-PlDPJlDCO

r-OJ’-PPCNCDDOCDPT-COCOOOODCDCDDOPDCOO)

LD^t cd m co m m cNr-pmcococococNOT-oocopcN

ID O CO CO O *“ *- LD CO <- ID ID r-

cd co p 't in

£ 8

uC *

C U-
.2 §
T3 O

< 1

o u-

O T>

§ .2

o &

s ? I
w £ w

(0 O 5 ■ -

1 1

DC O

Si 2

■g

? Z

i 5

- r 5 T3 •> Q. £ S ^ ^ -n

.c E </> nj-o^cgiw -QU
go^S £S£S!j5§]3<S,:5

E E E 2 - I i = C ? 2 C O | 5

3 .2 o O .2 <o 3 £ mSSo^iuioO^Oto

q-cdoou-OI-s ccaifflismojwSu

,E cn
* E

T3 ^

2 <= 1 ! f
i— £ £ >- & l
e^.s K
§ | ! I » > fc

5: E o a) § ii d

<S < $ I U] O >

3 o g

T3 c -O

g

> *- 5 O

§ | s

u 1 § f

g s

# -2
^ 03

2 §

S I > 3 5 ?

£>■0 0.

^ > 03

— -n

LLilJ.Eii!5!lj“D 7

t: "o o* - = —

OD'SalolS^Doci’r^-

OQC§OJcd§>cdcccl§cd

Ae|/\|8t

O N 'pjeAajg

Ae|A| p

O N ' OQ aquuooung

INdV LZ

O N ' oo ||a/woaoi/\|-A9DueA

co : co in

to co 'S- «- «-

oo co cn n

llJdy 32
O N "oo liawpieo

AeiN g
O N 'Bpuoy-u!>)|g

Abin p

O S 'uosaiaio

Ae|A| p
O S 'ainAuaajg

Abin p

O N 'aiiopeqo

IMdV LZ
O N ' oo Aiueis

Ab|/\| U
O N ' oo ||apaj|

Aej/\| p

O N 'uia|es-uoisu!/v\

AeiAj p

O N 'ojoqsuaajQ

AeiN 3
O N 'H!H ladetjo

--CNc^r^oocoouo

: lo : lo

O) (N 0 (N

O <- CN LO CO CD

r- 00 CN CO

cn lo co

CN CO CM

CO CJ ^ r- 0

<- o in o

CN f” CM

00 ’sf O CO 00 CD LO

CD <- CO CN CN r-

CO T- CN CO

l!Jdv 8 Z

O N 'uueqjnQ

HJdv LZ
O N 'M^aiey

Aei/\j p

O N 'uosjapuan

^ CN CO LO LO CO

O t M r.

CD CD CO CM

CN CD ^ CN

CN 00 O CO

CD CM CN CD

CN CD CD CD

O CD CN O CO CD
CN CO ^ LO O CO

LO CD r- CO

AejAJ p

O N 'spidey a>|Oueoy

IMdV 82
0‘N 'sauig inaqinos

cn : in

t in :

: <3- in oo

cn oo n r* «- m

agin i

os'uoma

l!Jd V 8Z
O N ' °0 oajlLueg

Ae|/\j g
O N ' oo uojneag

CN CN : *3-

l!JdV LZ
O S 'uoisa|JBqo

MJdV LZ
O N 'uoi6u!LU|!/v\

l!-*dv LZ
O N 'Ai!0peaqaJ0i/\|

CN r- co CD CD CD

S|enp;Ajpu|

\no±

CN^T-^-cDT-cococOr-cDLnocNCD^CNr^r^r^LDcDCNr^r^cDLDCDcoo^r^
^-CNCNLDLD^-OCOCOLD(D*^CDOOLOOOCOCOOOI^ CO LD CN r- CO CD CD
00 CN r— t— CO t— LO CO CN r^CNCO CO O CD

a 3

z o *
?

® ■= £ 5

|£il

-2 to - -

§ “g §

^ X3

.E .E a) ™

*•* > U) a>
(0 > C o

¥ c ’> c
c 0) > to

E p £ |
0 0 = 1
§ a m _I

§ I

§ _
-a ®

S -£

§ 5

O S

4) — n 1- XI " .

3 -2 "S ® ro -O <U

- 15 5 § E § SZ .

s ™ -a 5 s ,s>

JD B 5

I? I

3>

-C- V r c
§

2 §

= 0)3.0 =

0) <5 la S 0)

> 2 o m >

o =
00 o

■£ £ .£ -S > °

„ - 3 ™ -e

J§l^3s|.2“S§g|c-S

«i.(5-.E2i>oo'Doo®o^"'

>omdiiiiQ.OZjyou>ls

2 C
O tn

~ CD

™ I

c_> <

| 1<5 °
^ ! f i £

3 S ? 5 5
•§ JS ■§ E |
m uj it O Z

O CO ID GO 00 CO

rvNO)conf^r-v-fN

r- r-

CN CN

! CN r- J r-

CO CN (N

o co

CO o CO

Lfi O S CO

LD CM O

o t- cn r**

CNCNCN^-lDP^CO^^-CN^fCOCOCSJ

t- CM CN

CO LD

* £

E

~ CO C c

T, ,E <D aj

0

a

■g

DC c

1 i

E (A

E $

I §

II

O 2

1 I

<3 <5

E <f> OT

I si?

a o § tS

» g I e

<35 ” w P

& V V

©©.EE'S

XOQ-<0CQCcDOCD00>CQQh-OU.§§

c ^

-D 2

*Seen in count area during count period but not on count day-
tPlus one hybrid warbler.

SPRING BIRD COUNT— 1974

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR., Bird Count Editor
Department of Zoology, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631

The success of an individual bird count or the count for the Carolinas as a whole should
not be judged solely by the number of species recorded. Too often the species total is regarded
as the only criterion of success. Even though the 1974 Spring Bird Count’s 256 species were
one less than the 1973 total and 10 fewer than the all-time high of 266 species in 1972, many of
these 256 species were recorded in all-time high numbers. For example, of the 36 species of
warblers reported this spring, 27 were more numerous (total individuals) than in both the 2
previous years. Since the numbers of observers and field-hours have remained rather constant
over the last 3 years, the increase in numbers of most species probably was due to the beautiful
and mild weather on most counts and to the observers’ increasing familiarity with the good
birding spots in their count circles. The increases might represent actual increases in the
populations of birds, though this seems unlikely for most species.

The three coastal counts had excellent results, with Wilmington leading all counts with
172 species. Morehead City (166) and Charleston (165) were not far behind. Raleigh led all
inland counts in species with 155, but Winston-Salem (143), Buncombe County (140),
Roanoke Rapids (136), and Clemson (136) also did exceptionally well. Only the three counts
held on 5 May were plagued with bad weather, an all-day rain. Otherwise, most of the counts
enjoyed clear, mild, and rather windless weather. The Clemson and Durham counts are new
and welcome additions to the count table.

Because of the successful nature of the counts, a large number of noteworthy species were
reported. The outstanding find was two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Iredell County. Also
seldom reported on the Spring Count were seven Fulvous Tree Ducks at Wilmington, an
amazing 35 White-winged Scoters at Morehead City (a species surprisingly missed on the 1973
Christmas Count), and a count period Common Redpoll at a feeder in Buncombe County.
Noteworthy totals were the 232 Brown Pelicans at Charleston; 102 Wood Ducks, 27 Barred
Owls, and 29 Cerulean Warblers at Roanoke Rapids; and grand totals (for all counts) of 126
Ospreys, 14 Tennessee Warblers, and 42 Bay-breasted Warblers. This was apparently the best
spring ever for warblers, particularly the less common ones: the Nashville was reported on
four counts, the Connecticut on three, and the Wilson’s on seven! Surprisingly low grand
totals were an astonishing 94 Herring Gulls and only one Bachman’s Sparrow, a species that
nests over much of the Carolinas. Many other noteworthy records were reported, and the
reader should check the Compilers’ Comments for further details.

On the negative side, the Spring Count doesn’t seem to be growing in popularity, as only
24 counts were taken in the Carolinas. We currently have only three coastal counts. Someone
should be able to stir up enough interest to initiate much-needed counts at Hilton Head and
Bodie-Pea Island. Our coastal plain counts and observers are slowly falling by the
wayside — only five counts were received from this region, and two of those are practically in
the piedmont. Another dismal note is South Carolina’s poor showing on the Spring Bird
Count (not a new situation). Only four counts were taken in the Palmetto State, yet only two
recorded more than 75 species! Chat definitely needs new counts from areas outside the North
Carolina piedmont, but even new counts from this region would be greatly appreciated.

The reader will note that I have now assumed responsibility of editing the Spring and
Christmas Bird Counts for CBC, having taking over from Eloise Potter, who will continue to
prepare the count tables and provide guidance in this difficult job. I intend to be more strict in
regard to questioning and deleting dubious reports on the counts. In fact, I have deleted
several records of very rare or very late species reported on the counts without mention by the
compilers. The following records were deleted: a Philadelphia Vireo from a location to the
east of the piedmont (extremely rare); a Rough-legged Hawk and a Tree Sparrow from
piedmont counts in May (extremely late); Traill’s Flycatchers at two locations with no
mention of the new species type (based on song); and incredibly late reports (by at least three
weeks) of Hermit Thrushes, Brown Creepers, and Golden-crowned Kinglets. I accepted two
reports of Fox Sparrows that I perhaps should have deleted, because this species should have

62

The Chat

left the Carolinas by late April. If a compiler or observer notices that a sighting of his has been
deleted from the count table and he is convinced that his record is valid, he should send me full
details of his sighting so that it can be published in Chat, probably in the Briefs for the Files
section.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point in Newport River).

27 April. The 35 White-winged Scoters (Darryl Moffett) were migrating with Surf and
Black Scoters along Bogue Bank. Purple Gallinules (Moffett, John Fussell Jr., Compiler,
David Whitehurst, Ray Winstead) were at ponds at the Beaufort town dump and Pine Knoll
Shores golf course. Four Ground Doves (Moffett) were at Fort Macon. This is the highest
count ever for the species in the area. Cape May Warbler (Moffett), at Pine Knoll Shores, is a
rare migrant in this area. — JOHN FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Monkey Junction).

27 April. Large numbers of Anhingas were in a swamp which has been a nesting area for
several years (Bud Needham, Billy Alexander). A few were also at Orton. Canada Geese
(Katherine Alexander, Mary Urich, Charlotte Waggett), Snow Goose (white phase — Bobby
Austin), and Mallards (Austin) are wild birds. The Snow Goose has been seen since January.
Purple Gallinules (James Parnell, Robert Soots) were at Orton. Fulvous Tree Ducks
apparently have been more plentiful this winter; four were at Orton and three at Snow’s Cut
(Parnell, Soots).— FRANCES NEEDHAM, Box 204, Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

27 April. Some areas were inadequately covered. The Nashville Warbler (Perry Nugent,
Tom Reeves) was observed for several minutes in excellent light. The bird was a male and all
field marks were noted. The Black-and-white, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, and Orange-crowned
Warblers were identified by their songs by Nugent and the Compiler through comparison with
recordings. We are reasonably certain of these identifications. I have, however, eliminated
from our count a possible Chestnut-sided Warbler. The bird was also identified by its song,
but we are not absolutely convinced of the identification. [Identification of rare or out-of-
range species by song only is risky, especially of some of the warblers. To be on the safe side, it
might have been better also to have eliminated the Orange-crowned and Blackburnian
Warblers from the count, though I have accepted both on the count table. — HL] Other (the
same?) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have appeared at feeders at a locality adjacent to the count
area during the week of the count. [I seriously doubt the validity of all eight Cooper’s Hawks,
with no Sharp-shinned Hawks reported. — HL] — J.R. HARRISON, Biology Department,
College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: where Upper Goose Creek enters Pamlico River).

5 May.— GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151A, Merritt, N.C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

28 April. — GERALDINE COX, address as above.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (center: Dillon).

1 May.— JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 1 mile NW of Skyline).

28 April. The two Horned Grebes, three Double-crested Cormorants, Semipalmated
Plover, Willet, two Herring Gulls, and Caspian Tern were all observed by Edmund LeGrand

September 1974

63

and Merrill Lynch at the newly-created Lake Surf. The Willet was the first record for the area,
with all field marks and the call being noted; the Caspian Tern was the second record for the
area. The three Cattle Egrets (Dana Carter, Compiler, Frances Needham, James Parnell),
Least Bittern (Compiler, Parnell), and Chestnut-sided Warbler (Compiler, Needham) were
also noteworthy. — J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: Weldon).

4 May. The count of 102 Wood Ducks included at least five broods totaling 48 duck-
lings. The two Black-bellied Plovers and the three Dunlins were seen by the Compiler on a
mud flat at a Gaston construction site. The single Cliff Swallow was seen at a bridge across
the Roanoke River at Roanoke Rapids. This was one of a pair that is attempting to nest
there for the first time (Compiler). The Wilson's Warbler (Compiler) was a singing male
observed near the Roanoke River in Weldon; all field marks, including the black cap, were
noted. Cerulean and Swainson’s Warblers were present again in substantial numbers this
summer in Occoneechee Neck. — J. MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke
Rapids, N.C. 27870.

PIEDMONT

HENDERSON, N.C. (center: Henderson).

4 May. — A.W. BACHMAN, 111 Jennette Avenue, Henderson, N.C. 27536.

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk Southern R. R. crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

27 April. The Raleigh count was preceded by 4 or 5 days of cool northerly winds which
apparently retarded migration to some extent. Our total number of species (155) tops the
previous high by two; however, for many of the transient species only one or two individuals
were found. [Although Chat listed 153 species for the 1967 Raleigh Spring Count, the actual
count was a still-standing record of 157 species, as four species I personally saw — Horned
Grebe, Least and American Bitterns, and Little Blue Heron — were omitted from the
list. — HL] Many of the winter residents, particularly waterfowl, had departed somewhat
earlier than usual. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, however, were considerably more abundant than
on previous spring counts. The Swainson’s Warbler (Chris Marsh) was found along Swift
Creek in exactly the same area where it was present into June last year. [Though the Snowy
Egret and Dunlin were accepted, details on these species should have been mentioned.—
HL]— R.J. HADER, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

DURHAM, N.C. (center: 1 mile N and 1 mile E of the intersection of US 501 and the Eno
River).

28 April. The Little Blue Heron (Jim Dykes) was an unusual local spring find. Unusual
shore birds included a count period Semipalmated Plover and count period Short-billed
Dowitcher (Sebastian Patti) and two Lesser Yellowlegs (Stanley Alford, Angelo Capparella
III, Chris Indorf), all at the Durham Northside sewer beds. A count period Upland Sandpiper
was observed by Carlie Carter and the Compiler. The Chuck-will’ s-widow (Patti) was heard
calling in the Duke Forest. The Least Flycatcher (Joe Roller) was seen and heard along the
Eno River. The Short-billed Marsh Wren was carefully identified by Russell Hoverman. The
Golden-winged Warbler (Roller) was heard calling along the Eno River. — ROBIN M.
CARTER, 1605-H Sedgefield Street, Durham, N.C. 27705.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: Franklin and Columbia Streets).

5 May. Our totals were near average despite rain and cold (our low temperature came at
midday!). The Tennessee Warbler (Stanley Alford) was one of a number of local records this
spring. The Common Gallinule (Carlie Carter, Robin Carter) was at Hogan’s Pond where
there have been repeated winter records. It was a first for our spring counts, as were a Least
Flycatcher (Johnnie Payne) and a singing male Wilson’s Warbler (Compiler). — JAMES O.
PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: transmitter of Radio Station WBIG).

4 May. The nine Red-breasted Mergansers (George Smith) are the most reported for this

64 The Chat

area at this time of year. The Wilson’s Warbler (Compiler, Jim Weigand) has been reported on
only three previous spring counts. [The Philadelphia Vireo was accepted reluctantly; it should
have been mentioned as unusual by the Compiler. — HL] — DONALD F. ALLEN, 2611
David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

4 May. The adult Little Blue Heron was photographed by Jerry Shiffert, and the Cattle
Egret (Fran Baldwin, Wayne Irvin) was in breeding plumage. The Least Bittern (Baldwin,
Paul Spain, Ramona Snavely) was seen on several days. The Common Merganser was seen by
Hank and Kay Kudlinski. Mary Ericson watched the singing Nashville Warbler , one of
several seen this spring. The Connecticut Warbler (Jerry Shiffert), watched closely, is a rare
but regular migrant in spring over the last several years. The Ringed Turtle Doves (Bob
Witherington, Charles Frost) are a feral colony. The shore birds were seen at a sewage
treatment plant. The warbler migration was excellent. — C. ROYCE HOUGH, 713
Lankashire Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River bridge on Chipley Ford Road).

1 1 May. The Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were observed by Jane Mullen. [No further
details were received. — HL] Lois Goforth saw the Cattle Egrets and Sam Cathey saw the
Wilson’s Warbler. The Tennessee Warbler was seen by five people, and all eight field observers
saw the Black-billed Cuckoo and Canada Warbler. An unusually large number of tanagers
and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were seen this spring, especially during the First week in
May.— JANE S. MULLEN, 908 W. Front Street, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. (center: 2 miles NW of Badin).

27 April. The Saw-whet Owl was seen by Naomi Goforth at a Girl Scout camp. Also
unusual were a Common Loon (Compiler, Barrett Crook) and a Worm-eating Warbler (Vera
Littleton, Virginia Foglio). The 1 1 Ospreys are encouraging, and Eastern Bluebirds are still
increasing in rural areas. Many winter visitors were still at feeders. [Their presence indicates
that the count was held too early in the spring; early May for the piedmont of North Carolina
would better hit the peak of the spring migration. — HL] — MRS. BARRETT CROOK, Route
2, Box 54, New London, N.C. 28127.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

4 May. The Wood Duck count was represented by nine adults and 16 young. The Canada
Goose count included four adults and seven young. Cliff Swallows were nesting under
Wither’s Bridge on the Catawba River. The Least Sandpiper was recorded for the third year in
a row in York County, S.C. (Flo Cobey). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Pine Siskins were
late for the area. — ED READ, 1101 Rosewood Circle, Charlotte, N;C. 28211.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: intersection of highways 29 and 291).

4 May.— ROSA LEE HARDIN, Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

CLEMSON, S.C. (center: 3.5 miles SW of the intersection of US 76 and SC 93).

4 May. Little Blue Heron and Yellow-crowned Night Heron (both adults), nearly all of
the shore birds, and all of the marsh birds were seen by the Compiler at Lake Hartwell marshes
on Eighteenmile Creek and Little Beaverdam Creek. Sidney Gauthreaux recorded the singing
Least Flycatcher and the Lincoln’s Sparrow (seen well at 1 5 feet). James Hebrard observed the
Nashville Warbler, noting the eye-ring, gray head, and yellow throat. Blackburnian Warblers
were unusually numerous. A full-plumaged Laughing Gull was seen on two occasions the
week before the count, and approximately 12 Forster’s Terns were over the lake the day
following the count. — HARRY E. LeGRAND JR., Department of Zoology, Clemson
University, Clemson, S.C. 29631.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin on US 21).

5 May. The all-day rain severely hurt the count. — LIN HENDREN, P.O. Box 148,
Elkin, N.C. 28621.

September 1974

65

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

25 April. The Orin Whiteners reported a pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches nesting in
their yard in Lenoir this spring, a first for this area. — HELEN E. MYERS, 310 Beall Street
NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C. (center: 2.3 miles S. of Buck Creek Gap on NC
80).

27 April. One Greater Yellowlegs (Compiler) was in a marshy area near Greenlee and two
were at Morgan Lake; they were identified by the call and size. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
and two Olive-sided Flycatchers were seen and heard by the Compiler on Mt. Mitchell. Least
Flycatchers (Hall party) were unusually numerous; all were identified by the che-bek call. The
Prothonotary Warbler (Hall party), seen and heard along the Catawba River in the Greenlee
area, seems to be an uncommon but regular migrant here. The Connecticut Warbler
(Compiler) was seen as close as 5 feet in an underbrush of small conifers; the gray hood and
solid white eye-ring were seen. — WALTER HALL, Route 8, Box 1136, Asheville, N.C. 28806.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740 in Swannanoa).

4 May. One of the Green Herons (Linda Durham) was on a nest in a small grove of pines
approximately 30 feet from a newly constructed home near Fairview; later three young were
found in the nest. A Mallard (Compiler, Roland Sargent) was flushed from a nest containing
10 eggs near a reservoir in a wild area in North Fork. The Osprey (Compiler, Sargent) was
circling over North Fork Reservoir. A Peregrine Falcon (Chris Rustay) was seen in
Kenilworth Forest on 2 May. The Willow Flycatcher , Water Pipit , Lawrence’s Warbler
(hybrid), and Lincoln’s Sparrow were all observed by Mark and Walter Hall in the Fairview
area; all field marks were visible on the Lawrence’s Warbler. The Cerulean Warbler (Dennis
Carter) was a male at Mile Post 386.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Common Redpoll
(Mary Respess) was a regular feeder visitor in Oteen for several days before the count day, and
two Tree Sparrows (Lewis and Meryle Kort) were found near Fairview. [I am skeptical of Tree
Sparrows reported on spring counts, and this record is accepted only because it was
mentioned as unusual. I reluctantly accepted the seven Fox Sparrows without details; in the
future observers and compilers should submit details when this species is reported on a Spring
Count. — HL] — ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 7 miles SE of Brevard at junction of US 276 and SR 1584).

18 May. A number of late departures were apparent: Marsh Hawk (Patrick and Rick
Bohan) in the piedmont south of Caesar’s Head in South Carolina, an Evening Grosbeak (Mr.
and Mrs. Hugh Hollifield) and a Purple Finch (Lydia and Paul Barrett) at feeders, and a Fox
Sparrow (Louise Davidson) seen in a yard. [I am suspicious of Fox Sparrows on spring
counts, and this extremely late record is accepted only because it was mentioned as unusually
late.— HL]— WALTER C. HOLLAND JR., 290 Maple Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712.

FIELD OBSERVERS

[Compilers are requested to save space by omitting titles (Miss, Ms., Mrs., Mr., Dr., Rev.,
Col.) if possible. — HL]

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: Clint and Doris Benbow, Dennis Chadwick, Alfred and Janet Chestnut, Judy Eubanks, Billy
Freeman, John Fussell Jr., John Fussell III, Bill Laughinghouse, Joyce Lewis, Charles Lincoln, Don McCrimmon, Darryl
Moffett, Doris Oakley, Bob and Mary Simpson, Mrs. Daniel Vaughn, E.N. Warner, David Whitehurst, Ray Winstead.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Billy Alexander, Katherine Alexander, Edna Appleberry, Roxana Atwood, Bobby Austin, Bobbie
Boney, Alice Brown, Robert Brown, Dana Carter, J.H. Carter III, David DuMond, Dot Earle, William Greene, Maudeland
Pat Hunt, Kitty Kosh, Greg Massey, Polly Mebane, Bud Needham, Frances Needham, Ann Nicholson, James Parnell,
Marge Senninger, Robert Soots, Charlotte Waggett.

66

The Chat

CHARLESTON, S.C.: Ted Beckett, E.B. Chamberlain, David Chamberlain, Calvin Clyde, Cindy Floyd, Dennis Forsythe,
Emily GrimbaM, Andy Harrison, Julian Harrison, David and Bobbin Huff, Evan Hyde, Pete Laurie, David Lourie, Bill
McIntosh, Perry Nugent, Frederick Probst, Zackand Francis Ralston, John and Mary Reed, Tom Reeves, Arthur and Gayle
Smith, Grant and Lee Ann Staley.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Ethel Barkley, Edwin Brinson, Geraldine Cox, James McLaurin, Mary McLaurin, Glenn
Paul, Louise Satterthwaite.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Edwin Brinson, Geraldine Cox, Billy Holton, Glenn Paul.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C.: Mrs. Mamie Bradfield, Mrs. Lois McCallum, Marion McCallum, Mrs. Mary Turbeville, John H.
Wilson.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: Bobby Austin, Dana Carter, Eleanor Carter, J.H. Carter III, Laurence Davis, Roberta Davis,
L.M. Goodwin Jr., Edmund LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Frances Needham, James F. Parnell, Lura Williams, Mary K.
Wintyen, Ethel Wotton.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Joyce Bennett, Betty and Lloyd Davis, Tom Howard, David Knapp, Ken Knapp, J. Merrill
Lynch, Louise Parker, David Whitehurst, John Wright.

HENDERSON, N.C.: Mrs. William Adcock, Neita Allen, Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Bachman, Annie Gray Burroughs, Ruth
Carter, Mrs. Sam Harris, Mrs. Russell Parham, Mrs. Howard Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stewart, Mrs. J.D. Williams.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Betty Anderson, Joyce Bennett, Bill Brown, Isabelle Cannon, Betty and Lloyd Davis, Ricky Davis, John
C. Edwards, Charlotte H. Green, R.J. Hader, Jeanne and Ray Halsey, Larry Halsey, Derric Hamrick, Tom Howard, Bobby
Kluttz, Ken and David Knapp, Connie and Arnold Krochmal, Mrs. William Lassiter, Janice and Joshua Lee, Edmund
LeGrand, Linda Lentjes, Bill Lisowsky, Merrill Lynch, Corinneand Joe Marlin, Chris Marsh, Lisa Marsh, Edna Miller, Jim
Mulholland, Sebastian Patti, Eloise and Jack Potter, James Pullman, T.L. Quay, Terry Sharpe, Mary and Ben Smith,
Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Gwen Turbiville, Gail Whitehurst, Harriet Wilson, John Wright.

DURHAM, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Norman Budnitz, Mrs. J.C. Callaghan, Angelo Capparella III, Carlie Carter, Robin
Carter, Jim Dykes, Eric Garner, Jasper Gamer, Lois Garner, Russell Hoverman, Alexander Hull, Chris Indorf, Rusty Latta,
Gertrude London, David McConnell, Jimmy McConnell, Owen McConnell, Pat McConnell, David Morris, Sebastian Patti,
Mrs. Paul S. Payne, James Pullman, Joe Roller, Mike Schultz, Wilma Stuart, Elizabeth Teulings, Robert Teulings, Dennis
Wingel.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Charles Blake, Geraldine Bodie, Annie Leigh Broughton, Carol Callaghan, Angelo
Capparella III, Carlie Carter, Robin Carter, Eric Garner, Jay Garner, Lois Garner, Paul Koepke, Wilhelmina Lemen,
Gertrude London, Johnnie Payne, James Pullman, Elizabeth Teulings, Robert Teulings, Bill Wagner, Margaret Wagner,
Eleanor Wagstaff.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn and Don Allen, Rose Avery, Virginia Bell, Fred Berry, Edwin Blitch, Inez Coldwell,
Charlotte Dawley, Frank and Mildred Fish, Dot Garrett, Isabel Gillespie, Nancy Hannah, Ellen Knight, Ben and Kathryn
Lambeth, Bob Lashley, Jean McCoy, Ida Mitchell, Beryl Norcross, Emma Leah Perrett, Etta Schiffman, Virginia Seawell,
Catherine Shaftesbury, George Smith, Tom Street, Marjorie and William Tays, Joan Tipton, Jim Weigand, Daphne
Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Fran Baldwin, Bill Boice, Olive Boice, Jim Culbertson, Patti Culbertson, Mary Ericson, Charles
Frost, Gardner Gidley, Margaret Gidley, Fred Hill, Ruth Hill, Kevin Hintsa, Jean Hobson, Michael Hough, Royce Hough,
Wayne Irvin, Lacy James, Mike Kalet, Charlene Knertz, Hank Kudlinski, Kay Kudlinski, Dwight Lee, Polly Lee, Janice
Levitt, Connie Lincke, Ann Listokin, Hewson Michie, Sue Moore, Cynthia Olsen, Mary Olsen, Jim Orgain, George Morgan,
Margaret Morgan, Ogigico Ottonian, Molly Parker, Ann Pollard, Jackie Shelton, Dot Shiffert, Jerry Shiffert, Ramona
Snavely, S.C. Sommer, Paul Spain, Edie Spinks, Anita Surbah, Royce Weatherly Jr., Royce Weatherly Sr., Bob
Witherington.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Millicent Benbow, Sam Cathey, Lois Goforth, Dwayne Hayes, Flippen Jones, Mrs. Joe Kezlan,
Gene Lederer, Larry Marlin, Bobby Mize, Jane Mullen.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C.: Raymond Barker, Margaret Crawley, Barrett Crook, Vera Crook, Virginia Foglio, Terry Hahn,
Anne Hatley, Bill Hatley, Nolle Hinson, Grover Kimrey, Janie Kimrey, Vera Littleton, David McCarn, Ruth Moose, Harold
Morris, Ann Olsen, Frankie Treadaway, John Whitlock, Vivian Whitlock.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Gen Barber, Jerry Borror, Elizabeth Clarkson, Elizabeth Cobey, Flo Cobey, Adrian Dykema,
Beth Dykema, Gwen Fenninger, Ron Gestwicki, Ted Moore, Becky Norwood, Joe Norwood, Ed Read (Mecklenburg
Audubon Society and guests).

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart, Martha Lawrence, W.B. Lawrence, May
Puett.

CLEMSON, S.C.: Sidney Gauthreaux, Harry LeGrand.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: David Basse, Lee Basse, Lin Hendren, Ola Hendren, Bobby Tysinger, Charles Tysinger, Jerry
Tysinger.

September 1974

67

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Mrs. W.A. Alexander, Mrs. Austin Allen, Mrs. Clarence Beach, Isabel Bernhardt, Mrs.
John Bost, Mrs. Clayton Fisher, William Happer, Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Fred May, Helen Myers, Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Parker, Mrs. David Porter, Mrs. George Robbins, Mrs. Jim Walton, Mrs. C.S. Warren, Mr. and Mrs.
Dickson Whisnant, Mrs. Orin Whitener, Mrs. Ainsley Whitman, Mrs. Jim Wood.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C.: Joy Hall, Joyce Hall, Mark Hall, Walter Hall, Robert Ruiz, Doris Sargent,
Roland Sargent.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Mrs. William Adams, Robert Bruce, Dennis Carter, E. Chandler, Frank Chandler, Nora
Cline, Linda Durham, Mark Hall, Walter Hall, Carol Jones, Lewis Kort, Meryle Kort, Gordon Mahy, Mary Respess, Betty
Ruiz, Robert Ruiz, Chris Rustay, Holly Rustay, Wendy Rustay, Roland Sargent, Mary Sawyer, Alec Southard, Thomas
Wood, Vertice Wood.

BREVARD, N.C.: Glenna Ball, Herb Ball, Lydia Barrett, Paul Barrett, Mrs. George Blaha, Patrick Bohan, Rick Bohan,
Mabel Boulet, Harry Boulet, Ellen Cook, Louise Davidson, Connie Foster, Ercel Francis, George Francis, Doris Guest,
Frank Guest, Frances Hall, Bymiece Hansbrough, Ed Hansbrough, Helen Hardin, Rosa Lee Hardin, Curt Holland, Susan
Holland, Walter Holland, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hollifield, Sue Hux, Earle Kersh, Judy Kersh, Ann Lyon, Gaylord Lyon,
DeWitt Parsons, Helen Parsons, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paxton, Gladys Reese, Hazel Roberts, Hervey Roberts, Mary
Roberts, Claudia Sanders, Annette Sprott, Claude Viens, Eleanor Viens, Art Wood, Marie Wood.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Dates:

14 through 31 December 1974

Local compilers please note:

• If you did not have a count in 1973, request 1974
form from Eloise F. Potter, P.O. Box 277, Zebulon,
N.C. 27597.

• Return completed form to above address by 15
January 1975.

• Read article beginning on page 53 in this issue
of Chat for further information on conducting
and reporting Christmas and Spring Bird Counts.

68

The Chat

CB@

(HJuuMsJb^e-

with Louis C. Fink

Recommended Purchase

The U.S. Department of the Interior has published “Fifty Birds of Town and City,” 50
pages approximately 6x9 inches, containing full-color bird paintings by Bob Hines and
edited by Peter A. Anastasi. All 50 of the birds described are common in the Carolinas, and
the text will help a beginner to identify them. If anything, the colors are exaggerated, but this
makes the book especially attractive to beginners and children. It makes an excellent gift. For
sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402. Price $4 cloth; $1.05 paper. Stock Number 2410-0332.

Bird Finding in the Carolinas

Drive east on US 64 to Creswell, N.C. and follow the signs about 9 miles to Pettigrew
State Park, which is adjacent to Somerset Place State Historic Site and includes Lake Phelps.
The swamp land was developed in the 1780s as a rice plantation, later becoming the
plantation home of Josiah Collins. Shaded paths around the lake provide an abundance of
land birds (woodpeckers, warblers, thrushes), while the lake produces ducks, loons, grebes,
and egrets. The manor house is open to public inspection and gives a good view of Colonial
living.

*****

Through the courtesy of Dr. Josh Lee, here is a list of Research Stations in North
Carolina. Many of these offer interesting areas for bird study and permission to enter the
grounds usually may be obtained by calling in advance.

Border Belt Tobacco Research Station, Whiteville (Wallace A. Dickens, 648-4703).
Central Crops Research Station, Clayton (W.C. Allsbrook, 553-6468).

Harbour House Marine Science Center, Wrightsville Beach (Durwood Baggett, 256-3736).
Hatteras Marine Research Station, Hatteras (W.W. Hassler, 995-5146).

Horticultural Crops Research Station, Castle Hayne (Fred Cumbo, 675-2314).
Horticultural Crops Research Station, Clinton (B.N. Ayscue, 592-7839).

IES Eastern Area Office, New Bern (Walter Erwin).

Marine Sciences Project, New Bern (Norman Angel, 637-6272).

Lower Coastal Plains Tobacco Station, Kinston (S.T. Barnes, 527-3579).

Pamlico Marine Laboratory, Aurora (J.E. Hobbie, 332-5542).

Peanut Belt Research Station, Lewiston (W.R. Baker Jr., 397-2213).

Tidewater Research Station, Plymouth (John W. Smith, 793-2049).

Upper Coastal Plains Research Station, Rocky Mount (J.W. Sumner, 442-7326).

September 1974

69

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

POLICY STATEMENT
ON EXOTIC WATERFOWL RECORDS

Reports of exotic waterfowl present a special problem. Water-
fowl possess a great ability to traverse most geographic barriers, and
wanderers do find their way far beyond their normal ranges. This is
complicated, however, by the fact that exotic waterfowl are raised in
this state by many aviculturalists, and escapes do occur. While most
people pinion their birds to prevent flight, some do not; therefore, it
is often impossible to determine whether a rare duck or goose is a
wanderer from some far place or an escaped bird from some much
closer collection of exotic waterfowl. Plumage and health conditions,
while sometimes proving a bird to be an escape, can never prove one
to be wild.

It is the practice of this editor to accept well documented records,
such as the one below, but only after some delay to allow an effort to
be made to determine whether or not the bird was an escape. It often
takes some time for such information to surface. The publication of
such a record does not mean that the bird has been accepted as a
documented state record. It does make the information available to
all. At times the publication of such a record in Chat may bring forth
information that will help to determine the origin of the bird. In other
cases subsequent observations may help to establish a trend that
lends strength to the original record.

Such conditional acceptance in no way reflects unfavorably upon
an individual who has made an observation and who has presented
all of the facts at his disposal.— DEPT. ED.

Mandarin Duck in Eastern North Carolina

ROBERT P. HOLMES

5003 Trentwoods Drive, New Bern, N.C. 28560

On 25 May 1972, I was shown a drake Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) shot that
day by Janies Boyd and B.H. Oates Jr. of New Bern, N.C. The identification of this
species is so obvious that there is no need to belabor its description. I am not aware of a
previous North Carolina record for this species. This individual was taken on a small
woods pond off the Trent River in Craven County, N.C.

One consideration might be that this duck had escaped from some collection of pen-
raised ducks. I do not believe this to be the case. The bird was reported to have flown

70

The Chat

strongly. It was in its natural habitat, a wooded pond, and was associated with its North
American relative, the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). I carefully examined the specimen and
found its plumage to be full, brilliant, and immaculate — in contrast to the usually dull and
frayed appearence of pen-raised birds.

The Mandarin Duck has been naturalized in Western Europe for a number of years
(A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, Peterson et. al., 1966). It is my sugges-
tion that this individual, like the Eurasian Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) and European
Wigeon (Anas penelope) strayed from there. The skin is now preserved as a mounted spec-
imen in the collection of Ralph Morris.

[See “Policy Statement on Exotic Waterfowl Records” published elsewhere in this issue
of Chat. — DEPT. ED.]

Golden Eagle in Eastern North Carolina

WILLIAM BROWN JR.

415 Charles Court, Cary, N.C. 27511

JOSHUA A. LEE

5104 Newcastle Road, Raleigh, N.C.

At 14:00 on 23 October 1973, we observed a mature Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
at the Upper Coastal Plains Research Station about 10 miles SE of Tarboro, N.C. When
first seen the eagle was flapping and gliding over a cleared area on the edge of the station
property. A Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) was circling nearby, and the contrast in
wingspan, angle of wings, and mode of flapping allowed us to identify the bird as a eagle
immediately.

As the eagle sailed overhead at about 100 feet altitude, we noted that it was deep
brown in color with the base of the tail feathers white. The wings were proportionally
broader in relation to their length than in the Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus). The
secondaries shortened abruptly next to the body. All of the above features are helpful in
separating the Golden Eagle from the Bald Eagle.

After gaining an altitude of about 300 feet the eagle glided about 2 miles on set wings
to the vicinity of a small swamp south of the station. We followed the bird and again ob-
served it from about 100 feet as it glided over a small pasture. William Brown at this time
noted small white wing patches as the bird wheeled to fly over the swamp. In the Golden
Eagle, white shoulder patches occur in birds from Scotland and eastern Canada (Amadon
and Brown, Hawks, Eagles and Vultures of the World). We concluded that the bird was
a mature Golden Eagle, and probably a female as we estimated the wingspread at over 7
feet.

Red Phalarope in Wake County, N.C.

CHRIS MARSH

1213 Duplin Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27607
ROBERT J. HADER

3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609 1 February 1974

On 27 October 1973 Robert J. Hader spotted a phalarope while scanning Lake Ben-
son for waterfowl; however, he was unable to see it well enough for satisfactory specific
identification. On the following day Chris Marsh and David Whitehurst found the bird,
and Marsh was able to wade to within 30 feet of where it was feeding on an island mud-
flat. From the black eye patch, uniform gray back, white forehead, wing pattern, and thick
bill, it was identified as a Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius). The solid black bill was

September 1974

71

puzzling until we learned that immatures may lack the yellow base, which is character-
istic of adults. The bird remained in the vicinity until 31 October and was seen at close
range by several other observers. Marsh obtained several photographs.

A search through The Chat showed six previous inland records of the Red
Phalarope in North Carolina. Perhaps the most interesting record was that of one kept
alive from 21 to 24 March 1888 at Wake Forest by W.L. Poteat {Chat, 26:55). This record
was overlooked by the authors of Birds of North Carolina and by Hader in his “Species
List of Birds of Wake County, N.C.” {Chat, 33:53-71). The other inland records are from
Rocky Mount on 16 November 1939 (Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley, Birds of North
Carolina, 1942, revised Wray and Davis, 1959); Lenoir on 1 January 1947 {Chat, 11:50);
Fontana Lake on 2 October 1949 {Chat, 13:72); North Wilkesboro on 16 October {Chat,
24:24-25), and Fayetteville on 5 December 1960 {Chat, 25:16).

Least Terns in a Cantaloupe Patch

PERRY NUGENT

2260 Dallerton Circle, Charleston S.C. 29407 12 June 1974

On 17 May 1971, while walking into a large cantaloupe field at the U.S. Vegetable
Breeding Laboratory located about 7 miles S of Charleston, S.C., I was met by a group
of dive-bombing Least Terns (Sterna albifrons). The air was full of them, dive-bombing,
screaming, and beak-clicking at my head. This behavior suggested nests, which were soon
discovered.

Although eight pairs of adult terns were present in the area, only seven nests, each
with one or two mottled eggs, were found. The nests were placed in depressions on barrier
paper-mulched, 80-inch wide, cantaloupe beds. During the next 3 weeks, two clutches were
eaten by a fox, one was destroyed in a weeding operation, two were abandoned when can-
taloupe vines overgrew them, and two apparently hatched, although no young were seen.
Adult terns carried small fish to the area of the last two nests, evidently feeding young, but
vine growth made it impossible to see them.

In mid-April 1972, while three fields near the site of the 1971 nests were being planted,
four Least Terns landed in the middle one. Over the next three days they were there regu-
larly. As we approached the area during a planting operation on the third day, I noticed
one tern spinning a depression in the paper. Thinking this bird might be established a nest,
I carefully noted the row number for future observation. Later in the day I attempted to
locate the nest, but without success. Our activities probably discouraged the terns, for they
flew away and did not return.

Least Terns are seen occasionally over the irrigation ponds along the tidal creek that
borders the laboratory property, and sometimes in recently plowed fields in company with
Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls; however, nests were unknown in our fields prior to 1971.

Why would Least Terns choose a paper-mulched cantaloupe field in preference to
the usual sandy beach nesting sites several miles away? Perhaps there was some resem-
blance between these fields and sandy beaches. The question is difficult to answer, for color
appears to be the only common factor in both sites. The cantaloupe plants were very small
when the birds initially chose the field site, and the color of the fields was tan with small
green patches.

Possible Summer Resident Nighthawks at Brevard, N.C.

WALTER C. HOLLAND JR.

290 Maple Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712 20 January 1973

The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) has been observed during the sum-
mer of 1972 in the mountain town of Brevard, N.C., elevation 2,250 feet. Although com-

72

The Chat

mon at lower altitudes, nighthawks are rare in the mountains except during the fall migra-
tion. The following, therefore, is of interest.

At approximately 18:40 EDT on 24 May, a lone bird was sighted from our back yard,
which is located in a wooded, residential section approximately % mile S of the center of
town. The nighthawk approached from the south, flew almost directly overhead (at which
time the white wing patches were clearly visible in a bright sky), and continued the unusual
arrow-like path due north toward the center of Brevard. As a result of this sighting, partic-
ular attention was paid to the sky during June bicycle-birding trips along the fields and
streams bordering the southern edge of Brevard. No nighthawks could be found in these
semirural areas. July field trips also failed to turn up any nighthawks in these areas.

On an unusual bicycle trip through the center of town on 6 August, a nighthawk’s call
was heard at approximately 20:20. One bird finally was located over one of the downtown
buildings. Due to the darkness of the sky (heavy clouds as well as lateness), wing patches
could not be discerned; however, calls, wing shape, and characteristic erratic feeding flight
provided positive identification of this species, which I have observed many times
during its fall migration through here and during summer business trips to Midwestern
cities where it is a common breeder. The following evening, 10 x 50 binoculars were
carried along. No nighthawks could be found over the fields, but at approximately 20:05
one was seen in the same downtown location. Wing patches were distinct. Feeding seemed
limited to a two-block area.

No nighthawks were found over the fields on 13 or 15 August. The downtown area was
not checked on the 13th, but on the 15th, five nighthawks were observed. One or two were
calling. Seven nighthawks were seen briefly over the fields on 19 August; one was there
on 27 August; four were present 28 August. The fall migration began in earnest on 29 Au-
gust and continued through 27 September.

The downtown sightings of 6 and 7 August are not proof of residence, as the area had
not been canvassed at any previous time during the summer. The additional birds observed
downtown on 15 August may or may not have been juveniles raised here.

Although further field work will be required to determine whether or not this species
may be breeding here, its very presence in late May and early August is noteworthy. In
Notes on the Birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Stupka, University of Ten-
nessee Press, 1963) all references to nighthawks are at altitudes below 1,900 feet and on
dates prior to 24 June or after 12 August. It is stated that no young or eggs have been
found in the Park. Charles D. Hutchinson’s mimeographed “Birds of Western North
Carolina Check List,” 1967, lists nighthawks as occurring in August as migrants. During
the 1970, 1971, and 1972 Spring Bird Counts (late April and early May) in the mountain
counties of Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, McDowell, and Yancey, as compiled in The Chat, no
nighthawks were found.

ADDENDUM: During the summers of 1973 and 1974 I observed a single pair of
Common Nighthawks flying over the same area. I have been unable to gain access to
the tops of buildings to search for eggs. — W.C. HOLLAND JR.

A New Species for South Carolina:

Fork-tailed Flycatcher Photographed on Bull’s Island

JOHN HENRY DICK

Dixie Plantation, Meggett, S.C. 29406

On 1 November 1973 a Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora tyrannus) was observed
for half an hour by me and three other persons on Bull’s Island, South Carolina. As luck
would have it, I had brought my 275 mm lens along (attached to a Pentax camera), and I
was able to photograph the bird with ease (Figure 1).

Although this is the first record of the species for South Carolina, it has been sighted
on at least two other occasions in the southeastern United States. Sprunt ( Florida Bird

September 1974

73

Life, 1954, p. 500) places an apparently reliable Florida record on the hypothetical list
for that state. Bent ( Life Histories of North American Flycatchers, Larks, Swallows, and
their Allies, 1942, p. 82) lists records for Mississippi as well as California, Kentucky,
Maine, Massachussets, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. One of the New Jersey
records and those for California and Michigan are indefinite; specimens said to have been
taken are either lost or destroyed. Danzenbaker ( Cassinia , 54:32) describes several recent
records of the species for New Jersey. It may be of interest to point out that a specimen
collected by Audubon near Camden, New Jersey, in June 1832, served as the model for one
of the most beautiful plates in his magnificent Elephant Folio.

On the date of the record reported here, Gardner D. Stout (President, American
Museum of Natural History) and I were spending the day on Bull’s Island. Burkett
S. Neely (Superintendent, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge) provided red carpet
treatment and drove us about the island in his jeep. As this was the first week of the
refuge’s annual bow and arrow hunt, he kept in touch with his staff by walkie-talkie. One
of the hunters passed the word around that he had seen a flycatcher-like bird with an
extremely long tail sitting on a telephone wire near Summerhouse Pond on the island’s
south end. We drove immediately to the area and spotted the bird on the wire. Thinking
it to be a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (rare but seen at irregular intervals in the area), I
busied myself with putting the camera together and stalking the bird for a shot. Then, in
a loud clear voice, Gardner Stout identified it as a Fork-tailed.

The bird was an adult in fine plumage with streaming tail feathers almost a foot long.
Several times it left the wire hawking after insects, and each time it returned to land, the
tail was opened completely like great shears, then closed to nearly a single streamer. Twice
it landed at eye level on a Cassina bush, which gave me the chance hoped for with the
camera.

Figure 1. A Fork-tailed Flycatcher was photographed on Bull’s Island in the Cape
Romain National Wildlife Refuge on 1 November 1973, providing the first positive
record of this tropical species for South Carolina. (Photo by John Henry Dick)

74

The Chat

L. Irby Davis ( A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Central America, 1972,
p. 129), who refers to the species as the “Swallow-tailed Flycatcher,” gives the normal
range as Mexico to Argentina. It is possible that tropical storm Gilda, which moved up the
East Coast several weeks prior to the date of our observation, carried the flycatcher to this
area. Several people attempted to relocate the bird the weekend of 3 November 1973, but
without success.

[For those unfamiliar with the Fork-tailed, it is a large, kingbird-sized flycatcher
with pure white underparts, a gray back, black crown, and a long black scissor-like tail.
Both sexes have a concealed yellow crown patch, smaller in the female. The species is
figured on plate 28 of L. Irby Davis’ book and plate 29 of Peterson’s new Field Guide to
the Birds of Mexico. — JRH]

Nesting Ravens on Pilot Mountain

RAMONA R. SNAVELY

115 Plymouth Avenue, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 10 April 1974

On 22 March 1974 a team comprised of Fran Baldwin, Ruth Hill, Jerry Shiffert,
Ramona Snavely, Paul Spain, and Park Ranger Jonathan Wild confirmed the nesting of
Common Ravens ( Corvus corax ) on the pinnacle of Pilot Mountain (elevation, 2,440 feet)
in Surry County, N.C. The nest was located on the east side of the pinnacle on a rock
ledge with a larger rock ledge diagonally overhanging the nest on the left side. It is quite
inaccessable and very difficult to reach.

The nest was a large bulky structure about 16 to 20 inches outside diameter and
about 10 to 12 inches inside diameter consisting of large twigs A to Vi inch in diameter.
The young could not be seen in the nest because observation had to be made from below
rather than above. Two and possibly three young were heard calling each time the
adults approached the nest. The adults were seen carrying food but fed the young only
once while we were present. Numerous photographs were taken of the nest, the surround-
ing habitat, and the adult birds.

A second visit was made on 7 April 1974 by Wayne Irvin and Jonathan Wild. On this
occasion two young and possibly a third' one were seen peering above the nest. The adults
fed the young, and photographs were taken.

Sprague’s Pipit in Northern South Carolina

WILLIAM G. COBEY and FLO COBEY
1620 Meadowood Lane, Charlotte, N.C. 28211

About 15:00 on 25 January 1973, we visited Creech’s Pond in northeastern York
County, S.C., approximately 1/4 mile from the North Carolina state line. The area consists
of large pastures with grazing cattle and two ponds, one about 4 acres in size, the other
1 acre. The smaller pond has a marshy area, and both have mud flats which attract
migratory shore birds. Overwintering ducks and geese are usually present, but on this date
only a Pied-billed Grebe, female Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck were on the larger pond.

While scouring the fields for Horned Larks, William Cobey noticed what appeared to
be a small dark sparrow about 50 feet away. It walked without tail-wagging, and we
observed the white outer tail feathers and thin bill of a pipit. With our 30X Balscope Sr.
the striped back and yellowish legs of Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) could easily be
seen. A second bird soon appeared from behind a grass clump, then a third popped up even
closer. We watched them through the scope for 15 minutes before they flew away without

September 1974

75

calling. In spite of the overcast day, even the whitish breasts with faint streaking were
visible.

The similarity between Creech’s Pond and the habitat in North Carolina reported by
Silcock {Chat, 37:25) is striking. At Creech’s Pond the pipits were seen near the dam in a
dry area regularly frequented by Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris). Savannah Sparrows
(Passerculus sandwichensis) usually are seen nearby.

Sprague’s Pipit was added to the South Carolina State List by A.T. Wayne, who
collected a specimen near Mt. Pleasant in Charleston County, 24 November 1893 ( South
Carolina Bird Life, 1970, p. 421). Another was taken in the same area 17 November 1900,
and a third was seen 1 November 1904. It was not until 46 years later in 1950 that the
species was again seen in South Carolina in the Columbia area {ibid, p. 620). During the
winters of 1956 and 1957, R.A. Norris collected one specimen and observed several
others in the AEC Savannah River Plant area near Aiken. The species is repoted by
Shuler {South Carolina Birds of the Foothills, 1966, p. 50) as rare in the piedmont.
There are but two published records for North Carolina {Chat, 23:89; 37:25). The record
reported here and those of recent years may indicate that Sprague’s Pipit is not as rare
in the Carolinas as formerly supposed.

Sharp-tailed Sparrows in Northwestern South Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology, Clemson University

Clemson, S.C. 29631 12 June 1974

On 19 May 1974 I observed two Sharp-tailed Sparrows (Ammospiza caudacuta nel-
soni) in Anderson County in northwestern South Carolina. The birds were of the Nelson’s
race, which nests from northwestern Minnesota to southern Northwest Territories and
winters along the coast from South Carolina to Texas (Bent, Life Histories of North
American Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings, Towhees, Finches, Sparrows, and Allies, 1968,
p. 819).

I was walking along the damp edge of a marsh about 2 miles S of Townville when
a sparrow flushed from foot-high grass in front of me. I identified the bird as a Sharp-
tailed Sparrow the second time it flushed from the grass, but not until it was flushed for
the fourth time did it alight in a small bush. I approached the bird to within 18 feet
and studied it in excellent light for 2 minutes. The bright ochre-orange color of the breast
and face was easily noticed, as were the white stripes on the back, the solid dark crown,
and the almost total lack of streaking on the breast and sides. A minute later and 50 yards
from the first bird, I flushed a second bird from short grass along the marsh edge and into
a small bush. This individual was even brighter-colored on the breast, face, and back than
the first bird. Unlike the dark ear patches characteristic of the Eastern race (A. c. cauda-
cuta), these birds had pale brown auriculars.

South Carolina Bird Life (Sprunt and Chamberlain, 1970) contains no inland records
for the Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and a search through issues of the Chat and American Birds
for the past several years failed to reveal any inland records; thus, this is apparently the
first record for inland South Carolina. Sidney A. Gauthreaux and I reviewed regional bird
books and American Birds to determine the spring status of this species in the south-
eastern United States, concentrating especially on inland records. The species appears to be
a very rare, though a perhaps regular, migrant in the inland portions of the Southeast. It
has a remarkably late migration period for a sparrow, as nearly all of the inland records
fall between 15 and 25 May. Since the species regularly remains on its wintering grounds
along the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts until about 10 May, according to regional bird
books, its occurrence in the inland portions of the Southeast during the latter half of May
is not unexpected. Presumably the birds I saw had wintered on the southern Atlantic
coast and were migrating to the northwest when they were discovered in Anderson County.

76

The Chat

Subspecific Identification of Song Sparrows
Collected at Raleigh, N.C., in Summer of 1967

PAUL W. SYKES JR.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Florida 33444

ROXIE C. LAYBOURNE
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bird and Mammal Laboratories, Washington, D.C. 20560 18 December 1973

On 19 July 1967, three Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) were collected along
the edge of a small creek on the west side of the North Carolina State University campus
in Raleigh. Gilbert S. Grant kindly prepared the skins which were then sent to the U.S.
National Museum where they now bear U.S.N.M. numbers 531131, 531132, and 531133.
We examined the specimens and identified them as M. m. euphonia. This is the race
which, according to Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley ( Birds of North Carolina, Wray and
Davis 1959 Revision) and the A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds ( 1^957, fifth edi-
tion), is the breeding form in the mountains of the State. Sykes reported the Song
Sparrow breeding in the Raleigh area in 1965 {Chat, 30:39-42) and postulated at that time
that the subspecies most likely was euphonia.

The three identified specimens were males in worn plumage. Their testes measured
7 x 5, 7 x 6, and 8x6 mm. Because of the late date in the nesting season when the birds
were collected and the size of the testes, evidence is not conclusive enough to determine
if these individuals actually bred in the Raleigh area or were postbreeding wanderers.
Additional field work is needed to clarify the breeding range expansion of the Song Spar-
row into the piedmont of North Carolina.

Bird Observations After Heavy Snowfall
at Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

J.H. CARTER III

Zoology Department, North Carolina State University

Raleigh, N.C. 27607 12 February 1974

On 9 and 10 February 1973 an intense winter storm struck the southeastern coast of
the United States. Record and near-record snowfalls were recorded over much of south-
eastern North Carolina, eastern South Carolina, and northeastern Georgia. The tempera-
ture dropped steadily throughout 9 February at Wilmington, N.C. Snow began about
14:30, and the ground was quickly covered. The snowfall was very heavy and was being
blown by strong, gusty winds. At nearby Wrightsville Beach visibility over water dur-
ing the late afternoon was less than 50 yards. The snow continued through much of the
night. On 10 February sleet and snow showers occurred throughout the day and into the
night. The highest temperature was around freezing. The wind was blowing at a substained
velocity of 20 to 30 mph and gusting to about 50 mph from the north to northwest.
Offshore, gusts of approximately 80 mph were recorded at Frying Pan Light Tower. By
mid-afternoon on 10 February, the snow depth reached 11.7 inches in Wilmington.
Considerable drifting had occurred. The snow was covered by at least an inch of sleet,
forming a very hard crust. Temperatures remained very cold through 13 February. On the
night of 12-13 February, the temperature dropped to 15 F.

Considerable debris was deposited on the beach by high tides associated with the
storm. Finding their normal food sources covered by sleet and snow, many birds began to
search the beach debris for food. On 10 February I observed several small passerines
(mostly single individuals) flying over the ocean. They would turn and struggle against
the wind, trying to reach shore. I saw none of these birds reach shore. Once a medium-
sized gull chased a small bird over the ocean, but it escaped. Shortly afterwards, I saw a

September 1974

77

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) eat a small passerine on the beach. The gull may
have found the bird dead, as it was dead and wet when I first saw the gull with it. Savan-
nah Sparrows (Passer cuius sandwichensis) feeding on the beach were almost oblivious to
people walking around them. They moved sluggishly and flew with great reluctance. They
were unable to fly into the wind for more than a few feet.

On 11 February I saw the following birds along the southern beach at Wrightsville
Beach: American Robin (Turdus migratorius) — 1, Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) — 15,
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) — 2 or 3, Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius
phoeniceus) — 2, Savannah Sparrow — 50 to 60, Ipswich Sparrow (Passer cuius sand-
wichensis princeps) — 2, Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) — 2, and Fox Sparrow (Pass-
erella iliaca) — 2. Most of these birds were feeding in debris along the beach. Some fol-
lowed the waves like shore birds. Numbers gradually dissipated as the snow melted. A
peak of three Ipswich Sparrows was found on 12 February by the author and James F.
Parnell (photographs were secured).

Judging from other published reports, it is apparent that the storm triggered a heavy
southward movement of birds along the coast of the Carolinas and Georgia, and that mor-
tality was very heavy. At Wrightsville Beach, Frances Needham saw a Blue Jay (Cyanocit-
ta cristata) struggle with a Yellow-rumped Warbler and fly off with it in its beak. Ted
Beckett noted heavy mortality of small land birds in the Charleston area. He also observed
White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) feeding on dead members of their own
species ( American Birds, 27:601-603). Based on my observations at Wrightsville Beach, it
is evident that many small land birds moving southward along the beach were displaced
by the strong northwesterly winds and found themselves over the ocean. It 'is very likely
that most of these birds perished.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1974)

COMMON LOON: A late inland sighting was recorded near Seneca, S.C., on 18 May
by Sidney Gauthreaux.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: A flight of nearly 50 was seen moving northward close to
shore off Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C., on the evening of 21 May by Joseph
Hudick.

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL: Two were seen during a cruise 25 miles off Morehead
City on 8 March by Don McCrimmon, a very early sighting for North Carolina
waters.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Uncommon inland visitors were seen at Lake
Julian near Asheville, N.C., on 13 April by Roland Sargent, and at Lake Hartwell
near Clemson, S.C., on 1 1 May by Harry LeGrand. One was also found at
Whispering Pines, N.C., 15 and 16 April, and another at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C.,
on 5 May, both observed by Jay Carter.

EUROPEAN WIGEON: A male was seen at Pea Island N.W.R. on 14 April by Ricky
Davis.

COMMON EIDER: An individual in female plumage was seen in the surf off Caro-
lina Beach, N.C., on 15 April by Ricky Davis.

HOODED MERGANSER: A rare nesting attempt was recorded in Granville County,

78

The Chat

N.C., where a pair was flushed from a Wood Duck box on 3 April by Paul A.
Stewart. On a later check, 20 April, the box containing a nest with eight eggs was
found abandoned.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: Two were observed 11 May in the Mills River Valley
near Hendersonville, N.C., by Scott Hall (CBC field trip). Elsewhere the presence
of this species was again noted in the Buxton-Frisco-Pea Island area on the N.C.
Outer Banks where several sightings were recorded from 18 May through 3 June
by Paul Buckley, Edward Burroughs, and Joseph Hudick.

MARSH HAWK: One was seen near the Fort Macon Coast Guard Station, Bogue
Banks, N.C., on 26 May by Robert Hader, an unusual record for late May.

BLACK RAIL: A roadside census through Cedar Island N.W.R., Carteret County, N.C.,
on the night of 23-24 May yielded a count of 74 calling birds, John Fussell and Don
McCrimmon.

COMMON GALLINULE: Locally rare spring occurrences were noted inland at Ra-
leigh, N.C., where an individual was found by Gail Whitehurst during the first week
of May, and at Bethania, N.C., near Winston-Salem where one was seen on 6 May
by Paul Spain.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: A noteworthy non-coastal sighting of six was recorded
at Gaston, N.C., on 8 May by Merrill Lynch. The birds were found at mudflats
created by construction work at the Albemarle Paper Company’s water treatment
plant.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: A flock of 55, an unusually high inland count for spring
migration, was seen by Merrill Lynch at the above-mentioned Albemarle mudflats,
Gaston, N.C., on 29 April.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: A small flock of four were uncommon spring visitors at
Raleigh, N.C., 16-23 April, initially seen by Thomas Quay’s ornithology class. Else-
where one was also seen at Durham, N.C., on 23 April by Carlie and Robin Carter,
and another at Havelock, N.C., on 10 May, fide John Fussell.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Two were seen 9 May at Gaston, N.C., by
Merrill Lynch and one on 18 May near Raleigh, N.C., by Ken Knapp et al. Another
was seen in the Winston-Salem area in early May, fide Ramona Snavely.

STILT SANDPIPER: Five were found near Durham, N.C., on 3 April by Robin Carter,
a rare local spring occurrence.

LEAST SANDPIPER: A large flock of over 200 was seen 9 May at Gaston, N.C., by
Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-NECKED STILT: A good count of 38 was recorded on the Outer Banks at Pea
Island N.W.R. on 14 April by Gilbert Grant.

PARASITIC JAEGER: One was seen at Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C., on 19 May
by Joseph Hudick.

LAUGHING GULL: An inland visitor was sighted at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., on 28 April by Harry LeGrand and another there on 2 May by Sidney Gauth-
reaux, rare first spring records for that western piedmont reservoir.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: Migrants were conspicuous at several inland locations this
spring, highlighted by reports of about 150 at Lake Julian on 30 March (Scott Hall)
and 50 to 75 on the French Broad River 5 April (Robert Ruiz) in the Asheville, N.C.,
area. Up to 40 were seen at Raleigh, N.C., by David Whitehurst on 2 April. Smaller
numbers were seen at Lake Hartwell, Clemson, S.C., where 15 were recorded on
26 March by Sidney Gauthreaux and 2 on 12 May by Harry LeGrand.

FORSTER’S TERN: Twelve were seen at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 5
May by Harry LeGrand and Sidney Gauthreaux.

COMMON TERN: Thomas Quay observed an inland visitor at Raleigh, N.C., on 18
April, and two were seen at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C., on 5 May by Jay Carter.

September 1974

79

CASPIAN TERN: Uncommon inland sightings were recorded at several locations dur-
ing April and early May:

Number

Seen

Date

Location

Observers

1

13 April

Lake Hartwell near
Clemson, S.C.

Harry LeGrand and
Sidney Gauthreaux

2

19 April

Lake Surf near
Vass, N.C.

Jay Carter

1

28 April

Lake Surf

Merrill Lynch and
Edmund LeGrand

1

29 April

Gaston, N.C.

Merrill Lynch

5

9 May

Gaston, N.C.

Merrill Lynch

CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW: Two transient visitors were briefly present in the Durham,
N.C., area in late April and early May west of the species’ usual range, Robin Carter
and Russell Hoverman.

WHIP-POOR-WILL: One was very early in Raleigh, N.C., heard calling on 2 March by
Jean Halsey.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: A rather late winter straggler was seen near
Morehead City, N.C., on 8 May by Judy Eubanks, fide John Fussell.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: A transient was seen and heard 24 May near
Eden, N.C., by Carol and Edward Burroughs, and another 25 May along the Neuse
River in northern Wake County, N.C., by John Wright.

ALDER FLYCATCHER: Single transients were noted 15 May at North Wilkesboro,
N.C., by Wendell Smith and 22 May at Raleigh by Chris Marsh. Both birds were
identified by their distinctive “fee-be-o” song.

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: One was closely observed and heard singing on 21 May
near Marietta in northern Greenville County, S.C., by Harry LeGrand. The bird
appeared to be on territory but no direct evidence of nesting was found.

BANK SWALLOW: Over 100 migrants were seen feeding over Lake Surf near Vass,
N.C., on 5 May by Jay Carter.

BARN SWALLOW: Six were early arrivals at Clemson, S.C., on 22 March, observed by
Sidney Gauthreaux.

WATER PIPIT: A few winter lingerers were still present as late as 3 May at Charleston,
S.C. (Perry Nugent) and 5 May in the Southern Pines, N.C., vicinity (Jay Carter).

FISH CROW: Two were observed and heard calling 16 May at Clemson, S.C., by
Harry LeGrand, further confirming the presence of a small population at that
western piedmont location following last year’s first record there (Chat, 37:88).

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: One was found inland at Raleigh, N.C., 17 April
by David Whitehurst.

SWAINSON’S THRUSH: On the coast a locally rare spring transient was seen 10 May
near Atlantic Beach, N.C., by John Fussell.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: A locally rare occurrence for the mountain area was
recorded 28 April at Lake Julian near Asheville, N.C., where a male was seen and
photographed by Thomas Enright, fide Robert Ruiz.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: A sighting east of this species’ normal spring migration
route was recorded at Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde County, N.C., where an individu-
al was seen 14 April by Ricky Davis.

80

The Chat

TENNESSEE WARBLER: Migrants were recorded east of the mountains with unusual
frequency this spring. Several were seen in the Winston-Salem area in late April and
early May (fide Ramona Snavely), and seven sightings were reported in the Chapel
Hill, N.C., vicinity (fide James Pullman) where only a few spring occurrences have
been recorded in the past 10 years. One was also seen at Raleigh, 20 April (Ken
Knapp), and there was a coastal sighting at Charleston, 28 April (Perry Nugent).

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One was noted as an uncommon spring transient
at Raleigh, N.C., 2 March by James Mulholland, fide Robert Hader. Individuals
were seen elsewhere in the piedmont at Townville, S.C., 13 April by Sidney Gauth-
reaux, and at Zebulon, N.C., on 13 May by Ricky Davis.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: A 6 May sighting was recorded in Caswell County, N.C.,
by Fenton Day and Plumer Wiseman.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: A coastal migrant was seen at Fort Macon near Atlantic
Beach, N.C., on 18 May by Robert Hader, an uncommon spring record for that
locality.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER: One was a rare coastal spring visitor on
Bogue Banks at Salter Path, N.C., 13 April, observed by William Lisowski, fide
John Fussell.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: Locally uncommon spring sightings were recorded
at Raleigh, N.C., where single birds were observed on 21 April by David White-
hurst and 23 May by Gail Whitehurst.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: Coastal occurrences were noted on Bogue Banks,
N.C., where individuals were seen in the Pine Knoll Shores vicinity on 21 April and
16 May by John Fussell.

CANADA WARBLER: A late transient was found at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 27 May by
James Pullman and Robert Teulings.

BOBOLINK: A late spring migrant was seen on the coast near Atlantic Beach, N.C., 31
May by John Fussell and Robert Teulings.

NORTHERN (BALTIMORE) ORIOLE: A nesting pair was found 11 May at Winston-
Salem by Barbara Page. The nest was photographed, documenting the second local
breeding record since 1972 (see Chat, 36:1 15).

DICKCISSEL: Single birds were visitors at feeders at Pawley’s Island, S.C., 27 April
(F.M. Probst) and at Raleigh, N.C., 29 April (fide T.L. Quay).

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: Two late stragglers were seen at Umstead State
Park near Raleigh, N.C., on 27 May by Nelson Chadwick.

September 1974

81

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, P.O. Box 396, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Harry C. Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Secretary Mrs. Tommy Dabbs, 2 Dabbs St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J. H. Carter III, Wrightsville Beach, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Gilbert J. Bristow, Columbia, and William McIntosh Jr., Charleston
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

SIS. 20513

CHI

"Birds

K-

The Chat

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 38 December 1974 No. 4

No. 4

The Chat

VoL 38 December 1974

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N. C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C, Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Late Spring Along the Southern Blue Ridge

Parkway — 1973, James Tate Jr. and Charles R. Smith 83

CBC Roundtable 88

General Field Notes 91

Bird Observations at Lake Surf, Moore County, N.C.,

J.H. Carter III 91

Sandhill Crane at Charleston, S.C., E. Burnham Chamberlain 93

Saw-whet Owls Found in Carteret County, N.C., John Fussell 93

Recent Observations of Saw-whet Owls in the Southern
Great Balsam and Black Mountains of North Carolina,

Marcus B. Simpson Jr 94

Hermit Thrush Practices Foot-patting Feeding Behavior,

Eloise F. Potter and Ricky Davis 95

Dickcissel Colony in Anderson County, S.C., in Summer,

Harry E. LeGrand Jr 95

White-winged Crossbills at Durham, N.C., Robin M. Carter 95

Briefs for the Files 96

Index to The Chat — Volume 38 99

CB©

OUR COVER — Two young Black Vultures were
photographed by Paul A. Stewart, whose paper on
the nesting habits of this species appears in the July
1974 Auk. The Barn Owl drawing by John Henry
Dick (page 90) is reprinted by popular request. It
was cropped slightly when it appeared on our cover
in September 1970.

LATE SPRING ALONG THE SOUTHERN
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY— 1973

JAMES TATE JR. and CHARLES R. SMITH

The authors, in company with D. Jean Tate, Brant Tate, Georgina Furlong and Saba
von Sturzbach, conducted field studies in parts of western North Carolina from 21
through 25 May 1973. Our observations were made primarily along the Blue Ridge Park-
way as it passes through the counties of Swain, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Hender-
son, Buncombe, and Yancey between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(GSMNP) and Mount Mitchell State Park. We spent 25 May on Roan Mountain in
Mitchell County. For details of the geographic features of this area, the reader might refer
to “Topographic Map, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina (South Section),”
prepared by the United States Department of the Interior.

In the present paper, the names of birds are those found in the A. O. U. Check-list (1957)
and its Thirty-second Supplement (1973). Botanical names follow Radford, Ahles, and Bell
(1968).

At this season (late May) there were prominent altitudinal differences in the stages of
development of many plant species. As altitude increased and exposure worsened, most
deciduous species showed retarded foliage development. At 3,000 feet the lowland pine-oak
association became less common, being replaced with a mostly deciduous hardwood asso-
ciation of maples, oaks, beech, and some yellow birch (Be tula lutea). Localities visited at
these lower altitudes were seasonally well advanced. American Robins, Eastern Phoebes,
and Red-eyed Vireos had nests with eggs. Foliage was well developed, and in many cases
flowering had passed.

Rhododendrons and tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) continued up the slope with
rhododendron extending to the tops of some of the highest peaks visited. At about 4,500
feet the hardwood association incorporated eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) in the
wet coves. At these elevations the hemlocks were dropping pollen. By 5,000 feet a distinct
break in the vegetation was found. Foliage development had progressed little above this
point. There was limited flowering among the understory shrubs (serviceberry — Amelan-
chier arborea var. laevis, blueberries — Vaccinium sp., and mountain winterberry — Ilex
ambigua var. montana). Larger shrubs (redbud — Cercis canadensis, fire cherry — Prunus
pensylvanica) were flowering in abundance from 4,500 feet to 5,000 but did not show
swelling buds above 5,000 feet. The association of hardwoods was composed of well-devel-
oped large trees between 4,500 feet and 5,000 feet. They contained much dead wood and
held avifaunas consisting of winter residents, permanent residents, and a few hardy new
arrivals.

Abruptly the plant life above 5,000 feet changed to high altitude forest with stunted
yellow birches and beeches, a few northern conifers, and vegetated balds. These areas
were still in the grip of late winter. There were only a few herbs showing signs of vegetation
or bloom, shrubs were not showing bud swelling, and trees were dormant. The avifauna
was composed of winter and permanent residents with a few of the early migrants. Ice
and snow were not gone, but just being forgotten.

BIRD CHECKLIST

The following is a briefly annotated list of 53 species observed during the course of
our work in western North Carolina.

Turkey Vulture (Carthartes aura) — One bird seen near Parkway Mile 462 (4,500 feet),

Swain County, 22 May.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) — One bird seen on the Parkway 2.7 miles S from

the Mt. Pisgah Campground, Transylvania County, 22 May.

December 1974

83

American Woodcock (Philohela minor) — Flight-songs of this species were heard at Mt.
Pisgah Campground (4,900 feet), Haywood County, on 22 May and on Roan Moun-
tain at Carver’s Gap (5,512 feet), Mitchell County, on 25 May. Simpson (1968, 1971)
summarized the occurrence of this species in western North Carolina and reported it
from both of those areas. Final evidence to prove the regular nesting of this species
at these altitudes must await the discovery of eggs or young (see Simpson, 1968:38).
The further observation of this bird in 1973, 10 years after Stupka’s report (1963) and
5 years after Simpson’s first report (1968), reduces the likelihood that the population
represents any longer a recent influx of males due to habitat changes as suggested by
Simpson (1968:38). All of our observations of singing males were in habitat other than
the highway right-of-way Simpson regarded as responsible for their presence.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) — One bird flew across the Parkway approximately
1 mile S of Craggy Gardens, Buncombe County, at 18:00 EOT on 23 May.

Barred Owl (Strix varia) — One bird heard calling from near Parkway Mile 455, Swain
County, at 13:00 EDT on 22 May.

Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) — Five at Waterrock Knob (6,000 feet), Jackson County,
21 May and Craggy Gardens (5,300 feet), Buncombe County, 23 May.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) — One bird observed feeding from a
dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) at junction of spur road to Heintooga Overlook and
Blue Ridge Parkway (4,800 feet), Jackson County, on 21 May.

Common Flicker (Colaptes auratus) — Seen or heard at several locations along the Parkway,
but never above 4,900 feet.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) — Collected a breeding pair at Parkway Mile
455 (4,800 feet), Jackson County, on 21 May. Breeding status was determined by the
presence of a shell-covered egg in the oviduct of the female. The habitat occupied by
the birds was deciduous broadleaf forest with Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
on the wetter sites (Figure 1). Cairns (1889) reported this species as “common
amongst the heavy timber” of Buncombe County and as a breeding bird in April in
that county. Simpson (1972) reported the nesting of this species in several places in the
mountains of western North Carolina. Curiously, none of the sites along the Parkway
reported by Simpson was occupied by sapsuckers in late May. All of Simpson’s local-
ities are at higher elevations which were not occupied by summer residents at the dates
of our list.

Downy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos pubescens) — Seen and heard at several locations along
the Parkway. Because there was the call of a Downy Woodpecker superimposed on the
prerecorded tape we used to find sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers were seen at every
locality that we searched for sapsuckers, including at 5,800 feet at Craggy Gardens.

Hairy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos villosus) — Seen or heard at several locations along the
Parkway. We listed five of these birds on a walk from Craggy Gardens to the Beetree
Gap Picnic Area and back via the Parkway, Buncombe County, on 23 May.

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) — Only at the south end of Tanbark Tunnel
(3,500 feet), 10.1 miles S of Craggy Gardens, Buncombe County, 24 May.

Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens) — One bird at Parkway Mile 460 (4,700 feet),
Jackson County, 22 May.

Tree Swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor) — Two birds at Craggy Gardens (5,300 feet). Bun-
combe County, 24 May. C.S. Brimley (in Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley, 1942) lists
a late spring departure date of 30 May 1886, for this species at Raleigh, and Stupka
(1963) lists no spring dates after 30 April for the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. This species is absent from the Mt. Mitchell list of Simpson (1972).

Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) — Three at Waterrock Knob (6,000 feet),
Jackson County, 21 May and Craggy Gardens (5,300 feet), Buncombe County, 23
May.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) — Several at Roan Mountain (6,000 feet), Mitchell County,
25 May.

84

The Chat

Figure 1. Nesting habitat of a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at the upper edge of the
newly leafed-out broadleaf forest looking NNW at Parkway Mile 455, Jackson County,
N.C., 21 May 1973.

Blue Jay ( Cyanocitta cristata) — Seen or heard at several locations along the Parkway, never
above 5,000 feet.

Common Raven (Corvus corax) — Three at Craggy Gardens (5,300 feet), Buncombe County,
23 May and one on Roan Mountain (6,000 feet), Mitchell County, 25 May.

Carolina Chickadee (Pams carolinensis) — Seen or heard at several locations along the
Parkway, but not above 3,400 feet. No Black-capped Chickadees were found during
this trip.

Tufted Titmouse (Parus bicolor) — Seen or heard at several locations along the Parkway,
but never above 3,500 feet.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) — Parkway Mile 450, Jackson County (5,300
feet), 21 May and Roan Mountain (6,00 feet), Mitchell County, 25 May.

Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris) — Seen and heard at Parkway Mile 450 (5,300 feet),
Jackson County, 21 May.

Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) — Two heard at Craggy Gardens (5,300 feet),
Buncombe County, 23 May.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) — Several heard at Mingus Mill, GSMNP (2,500
feet), Swain County, 22 May and Big Cove (2,000 feet), Haywood County, 21 May.

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) — Seen or heard at several locations along the
Parkway, including the highest elevations visited.

Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum ) — Mt. Pisgah Campground (4,900 feet), Hay-
wood County, 23 May.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) — Very numerous along most of the Parkway; nest
with four eggs 10 feet up in a shadbush (Amelanchier arborea var. laevis) near Park-
way Mile 462 (4,500 feet), Swain County, 22 May and nest with one day-old young

December 1974

85

and two eggs 12 feet up in a red spruce (Picea rubens) at Mt. Pisgah Campground
(4,900 feet), Haywood County, 23 May.

Veery (Catharus fuscescens) — Seen and heard at several locations along the Parkway,
including sites as low as 3,300 feet.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) — One heard near Parkway Mile 454 (4,600
feet), Jackson County, 21 May.

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) — Seen and heard at higher elevations along
the Parkway and on Roan Mountain, Mitchell County.

Starling (Stumus vulgaris) — Several seen at Oconaluftee Visitors’ Center (2,000 feet),
GSMNP, Swain County, 21 May and Balsam Gap (3,370 feet), Jackson County, 22
May.

Solitary Vireo (Vireo solitarius) — Seen and heard at several locations along the Parkway.
We listed eight singing birds on a walk from Craggy Gardens to the Beetree Gap Pic-
nic Area and back via the Parkway, Buncombe County, on 23 May.

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) — Seen and heard at several locations along the Parkway,
up to as high as 5,100 feet. It is interesting to note that Simpson (1972) reports this
species only as a rare fall transient from the Mt. Mitchell area.

Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) — Seen and heard at several locations along the
Parkway, but not above 5,100 feet.

Northern Parula (Parula americana) — One only at Smokemont Campground (2,300 feet),
GSMNP, Swain County, 22 May.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) — Seen and heard at several locations
along the Parkway. We listed six singing males of this species on a walk from Craggy
Gardens to the Beetree Gap Picnic Area and back via the Parkway, Buncombe County,
23 May.

Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) — Seen and heard at several locations
along the Parkway, but not above 5,200 feet.

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) — Seen and heard at several locations
along the Parkway. Nest under construction in a blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans) at
Mt. Pisgah Campground (4,900 feet), Haywood County, 23 May.

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) — Seen and heard at several locations along the Parkway,
up to as high as 6,000 feet at Waterrock Knob.

Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) — One only at Mingus Mill (2,500 feet),
GSMNP, Swain County, 22 May.

Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) — Two pairs of birds seen apparently on territory
and searching for nesting sites about 1 mile S of Craggy Gardens along the Parkway
(5,000 feet), Buncombe County, 23 May.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) — Several seen, only at Oconaluftee Visitors’ Center
(2,000 feet), GSMNP, Swain County, 21 May.

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) — Seen or heard at several locations along the Park-
way.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) — Seen or heard at several locations
along the Parkway. On 22 May, we watched a male feeding on buds of the silverbell
(Halesia Carolina).

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) — Only at Mingus Mill (2,500 feet), GSMNP, Swain
County, 22 May.

Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) — A single bird was seen and heard on two occasions on 25
May at 6,000 feet on Roan Mountain, Mitchell County.

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) — Several flocks of as many as 50 birds of both sexes
were seen along parts of the Parkway, often at elevations of 5,000 feet or more.

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) — Two birds were seen and heard on two occasions at
5,800 feet on Roan Mountain, Mitchell County, on 25 May.

86

The Chat

Rufous-sided Towhee (Pipilo erythropthalmus) — Seen and heard at several locations
along the Parkway, but not above 5,000 feet.

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) — This species and the American Robin were easily the
most abundant birds along the Parkway. We found a nest with four eggs on a road-
side bank beneath trailing arbutus (Epigea repens) near Parkway Mile 462 (4,500 feet),
Swain County, 22 May. On a walk from Craggy Gardens to the Beetree Gap Picnic
Area and back via the Parkway, Buncombe County, we estimated 40 to 50 of this
species were seen or heard on 23 May.

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina ) — One heard only near Parkway Mile 455, Jackson
County, 21 May.

Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) — Two birds heard only at Balsam Gap (3,370 feet) on the
Parkway, Jackson County, 22 May.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) — Two birds heard at Waterrock Knob (6,000 feet),
Jackson County, 21 May.

We were interested to note the great abundance of American Robins, both the breed-
ing birds at the middle elevations and the flocks of migrants at the higher elevations. It also
struck us as unusual that once we were above 4,000 feet, we did not see any Icteridae —
neither a blackbird, meadowlark, oriole, grackle, nor cowbird. Simpson (1972) notes only
the Eastern Meadowlark among the Icteridae from Mt. Mitchell. Also, unrecorded and
worthy of note were ducks and geese. Broad-winged Hawk, falcons, Ruffed Grouse, Bob-
white, Mourning Dove, caprimulgids (nightjars), Common Crow, waxwings, and shrikes.
The early dates of our visit might account for some of these omissions.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American birds, 5th ed. Port
City Press, Baltimore.

. 1973. Thirty-second supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union
Checklist of North American birds. Auk, 90:411-419.

Cairns, J.S. 1889. The summer birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Ornitholo-
gist and Oologist, 14:17-23.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina. Raleigh.

Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the vascular flora of the Caro-
linas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

Simpson, M.B. 1968. High altitude occurrences of the American Woodcock in western
North Carolina. Chat, 32:35-39.

. 1971. High altitude records of the American Woodcock in the Great

Balsam Mountains and Pisgah Ridge of North Carolina. Chat, 35:61-63.

. 1972. Annotated checklist of the birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park, North

Carolina, J. of the Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 88:244-251.

. 1972. Nesting of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Great Craggy and

southern Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina. Chat, 36:108-109.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Uni-
versity of Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

Department of Natural Resources, Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14850; New York Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Fernow Hall, Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York 14850. (Dr. Tate’s present address is P.O. Box 2043, Denver, Colorado
80101.)

December 1974

87

CB©

*T ^ouA/uHjoJb^

. . with Louis C. Fink

Bird Behavior

During the summer, we keep our feeder filled with stale bread. The birds like the “plastic”
breads rather than home-made or good Pepperidge Farms bread, and will not touch rye
bread. We have the impression that males of the Red-bellied Woodpecker take over the entire
responsibility for feeding the young when the young are first able to leave the nest. Ours is
feeding three young, two males and one female, who can fly to the feeder and feed themselves if
the parent male is occupied with one of the others. The female is around, but we do not observe
her caring for the young.

Another observation which interests us is the Common Grackle which prefers to dip his
bread in the water bath before eating it. Once — when we had taken a large chunk — he
carefully waded to the center of the bath and deposited the bread there. Then he took small
pieces to the edge, ate them, and returned for seconds. Any other bird who tries to interrupt
this delicate dining is summarily chased off.

Do we have uniquely behaving birds, or are these two patterns normal? — MRS. BRUCE
NICKLAS, 3101 Camelot Court, Durham, N.C. 27705.

Note: Arthur A. Allen wrote in The Book of Birds (National Geographic Society,
Washington, D.C., 1932), speaking of grackles, “Each March, however, we were glad to have
the ‘blackbirds’ come back and we watched them carry dry crusts to the water and soak them
before trying to eat them.”

“The Specimen Was Collected”

C.E. Pinckard, a member of the Carolina Bird Club, calls our attention to The Pan-
American Society for the Protection of Birds, P.O. Box 3681, Baltimore, Md. 21214. “If you
are angered by the above phrase,” he says, “you will be interested in the recently formed
Society.”

The Society was formed to protect birds from the dangers caused by man. “The Society is
aware that many people are concerned about the many abuses perpetrated by the bird-
collectors, particularly where birds are killed solely for the purpose of documenting the record
of an extralimital vagrant.”

This column will be interested in comments from our members with collecting licenses.

Bird-finding in the Carolinas

Medoc Mountain. — This acreage has been bought for a North Carolina State Park, and
has not been “developed.” I made my visit on 10 September, and I cannot recommend it for its
abundance of bird life. Mockingbirds, Blue Jays, and Carolina Wrens were all I found in an
hour’s walk — but the walk itself was sheer delight . . . along a grown-over auto track, down hill
to a stream, a steep climb back up through a second-growth stand of mixed hardwoods and a
few pines. No sound of truck or plane disturbed the silence, and the only evidence of man was
the trash. (The Great Swamp Refuge in New Jersey deliberately left trash along its trails,
pointing out that “man is the only animal whose waste is a permanent blot on the landscape.”)

88

The Chat

To reach Medoc Mountain drive north on US 301 and 1-95 from Rocky Mount to NC 48
and North on 48 to Gold Rock and Ringwood. Three miles past Ringwood, turn left on 1002,
a paved road. One mile to the west is a fire tower. Turn in (right) and go 3/4 of a mile on a
gravel road. (Or walk in and enjoy it.) The approach ride produced an abundance of
Bobwhite, Eastern Meadowlarks, Mourning Doves, Sparrow Hawks, Eastern Bluebirds, and
five Turkey Vultures over Medoc itself.

Lake Erie Birding

In late September, I had the good fortune to be in Cleveland and to look for birds with
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Newhous (CBC members who send regards to friends in the Wilmington
area). It became a joke that we could not find a Downy Woodpecker or Tufted Titmouse, but
we counted eight Red-breasted Nuthatches, 50 Common Flickers, and untold warblers. My
count for the weekend was 77 species.

Hawk Migration Association

The Hawk Migration Association of North America has been established to increase
communication among hawk watchers, to standardize the data on hawks, and to improve
coverage of hawk migrations. What happens after the birds leave such spots as Hawk
Mountain? Carolina bird students are asked to establish lookouts on hills, along rivers, or on
the coast.

Individual dues are $5 a year. Send to Dorothy Crumb, 3983 Gates Road North,
Jamesville, N.Y. 13078. Regional editor is Robert Kennedy, Museum of Zoology, Louisiana
State University, Baton Rouge, La. 70803. Write him for details.

Our Writers

We know many bird students who disdain to keep notes, and others who dislike to join
clubs and share their knowledge with friends. Fortunately, the Carolinas have produced a
number of careful observers who are willing to set down their findings, so that others may
benefit.

For years, Robert P. Teulings has prepared the exhaustive report on the Southern
Atlantic Coast Region for American Birds, a monumental source of information and yes,
diversion.

In the August 1974 issue of American Birds, a most interesting section called “The
Changing Seasons” was prepared by Sidney A. Gauthreaux Jr. and Harry E. LeGrand Jr. of
the Department of Zoology, Clemson University.

Probably the most prestigious of all is The Auk, journal of the American Ornithologists’
Union. In the issue of July 1974, there appears a brilliantly detailed technical article,
“Relationship of Anting and Sunbathing to Molting in Wild Birds.” It was prepared by Eloise
F. Potter and the late Doris C. Hauser.

I am not competent to review this work critically. The magazines have exacting
standards, and you’ll be rewarded by reading all of the material mentioned.

Eastern Wilderness

Nineteen wilderness areas have been approved by the U.S. Senate, but need endorsement
in the House of Representatives from specific Congressmen. Of interest to CBC is Pocosin,
N.C., 17,000 acres, in the district represented by Congressman W.B. Jones.

New Address

Eloise F. Potter has a new mailing address: Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C.
27597. The location of her home and her telephone number remain the same.

December 1974

89

Bird Count Compilers Please Note:

Correction in Definition of Count Period

Last minute revisions in the “New Policies Concerning the Spring and Christmas Bird
Counts” ( Chat , 38:53-55) resulted in an unfortunate error in the definition of “count period.”
Carolina Bird Club will continue to use the Christmas Bird Count dates adopted by American
Birds. The period during which species may be reported with an asterisk as having been seen in
the count circle during the count period but not on the count day will be the 3 days before and
the 3 days after the actual count day. Carolina Bird Club dates for Spring Bird Counts will be
16 April through 15 May, and the local count period will be the 7 days before and the 7 days
after the actual count day. Thus a Christmas Bird Count taken on 30 December would have a
count period of 27 December through 2 January. A Spring Bird Count taken on 20 April
would have a count period of 13 April through 27 April. The Editor regrets any confusion that
may be caused by her carelessness and apologizes to Harry E. LeGrand Jr., who was in no way
responsible for the erroneous statements. — ED.

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Bird Observations at Lake Surf, Moore County, N.C.

J.H. CARTER III

P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 12 April 1974

Lake Surf is a new development in east-central Moore County, N.C. It is centered
around a 1,130-acre lake, near the small rural community of Lobelia. The lake was con-
structed in a natural basin containing Crain’s Creek. The lake basin was ready to begin
filling in September 1973, but a drought during the fall allowed little filling to take place.
The lake did not fill completely until early in 1974.

Two large dikes extend toward the center of the lake, and part of a golf course has
been constructed at the rear of the lake. The fairways and greens are virtually surround-
ed by water contained in channels and coves. During the fall of 1973, the lake bed and
channels contained extensive mudflats, pools, and brush thickets as well as large areas
covered with grasses and sedges. The golf course area was open except for some small
cultivated trees and shrubs.

In late August 1973, my father played golf at Lake Surf, and reported seeing a large
number of shorebirds. I visited the area on 30 August, and found six species of shore-
birds. I continued to check the area regularly through December. Several other observers
also visited Lake Surf, and some of their records will be cited below. The very large
expanse of mud and water made accurate counts of some species difficult or impossible to
obtain. It should be noted that the shorebird migration begins in this area in mid-July,
so the early migrants were missed.

Following is a list of the shorebirds and unusual land birds found at Lake Surf
during the fall and early winter of 1973. Records are those of the author (JHC) unless
otherwise indicated. Other observers were Dana Carter (DC), John Fussell (JF), Robert
Hader (RH), Edmund LeGrand (EL), Harry LeGrand (HL), Merrill Lynch (ML), Chris
Marsh (CM), Darryl Moffett (DM), Ted Nixon (TN), Barbara Roth (BR), Elizabeth
Teulings (ET), Robert Teulings (RT), and John Wright (JW). Several noteworthy
records obtained at Lake Surf on the Southern Pines Christmas Count (SPCC) on 21
December are included in the list.

American Bittern ( Botaurus lentiginosus): One was recorded on 17 and 21 Novem-
ber, and 21 December (JF, CM; SPCC). This species is rare in the Sandhills in fall,
and the December record is the first winter record for the area (Carter, 1971).

Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis ): Four were seen on 2 December, and 14 were seen
on 21 December (JF; SPCC). This species is rare in the Sandhills area in winter
(Ibid.).

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors ): One was recorded on 21 December (CM; SPCC). This
is the only winter record I know of since Skinner (1928) stated that this species is
found in the Sandhills all winter.

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata ): One was recorded on 21 December (CM; SPCC).

This species is considered a rare winter visitor in this area (Carter, 1971).

Sora (Porzana Carolina)'. One was flushed at close range on 21 December (JF; SPCC).
First winter record for area.

December 1974

91

Semipalmated Plover ( Charadrius semipalmatus ): Present 30 August (3 individuals)
through 15 September (1 individual). Peak number: 3 on 30 August. This species
is a very uncommon fall transient in this area (Ibid.).

Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferus ): Present 30 August (approx. 27) through 23 December
(3). Peak number: approx. 27 on 30 August.

American Golden Plover ( Pluvialis dominica ): Three were seen on 30 September (TN,
BR), 6 on 3 October, and 7 on 10 October. These birds usually were found on the
golf course. First fall records for area.

Black-bellied Plover ( Squatarola squatarola ): Present 15 September (1) through 24
October (2). Peak number: 2 on 17 and 24 October. This species also frequented the
golf course. First records for area.

Common Snipe ( Capella gallinago ): Present 11 September (1) through 2 December (1-2)
and probably later. Peak number: 4 on 14 September. This species was much scarcer
than expected, but probably was overlooked.

Spotted Sandpiper ( Actitis macularia ): Present 9 September (2) through 24 September
(1, HL). Peak number: 4-5 on 22 September. This species was also surprisingly
scarce, but since it does not travel in large flocks, it was probably overlooked.

Solitary Sandpiper ( Tringa solitaria ): Present 9 September (1) through 22 September (1).
Peak number: 3 on 11 and 15 September. See comment under preceding species.

Greater Yellowlegs ( Totanus melanoleucus ): One was recorded on 30 August, 10 October,
and 24 October.

Lesser Yellowlegs ( Totanus flavipes ): Present 30 August (1) through 3 October (1). Peak
number: 2 on 14 and 15 September.

Pectoral Sandpiper ( Calidris melanotos ): Present 30 August (3) through 2 December (1).
Peak number: approx. 65 on 19 September. The December record is very late. The
high numbers present from mid- to late September (30 to 65 individuals) are unprece-
dented in this area in fall (Ibid.). These birds usually were found feeding on the golf
course.

Baird’s Sandpiper ( Calidris bairdii ): Present 9 September (2) through 19 September
(3). Peak number: 3 on 11, 14, 15, and 19 September (DC, JHC, JF, RH, ML,
CM). First records for area. This species is very rare in North Carolina, and there
is only one published record from the inland portion of the state. One was collected
at Swannanoa on 1 September 1930 (Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley, 1959).

Least Sandpiper ( Calidris minutilla)-. Present 30 August (1) through 21 November (2, HL).
Peak number: 10+ on 11 September. The two birds on 21 November were quite late.

Semipalmated Sandpiper ( Calidris pusillus ): One was recorded on 9 and 10 September
and 10 October, and 2 were seen on 1 1 September.

Stilt Sandpiper ( Micropalama himantopus ): One was recorded on 9, 10, and 15 Septem-
ber, and 2 were seen on 1 1 September. Only previous record for area is one at Thur-
low’s Lake on 9 October 1961 (Carter, 1971).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper ( Tryngites subruficollis ): Present 10 September (6) through 24
September (4, HL). Peak number: 11 on 14 and 15 September. This species was
formerly considered very rare in North Carolina, but in recent years it has been found
regularly along the Outer Banks in fall ( American Birds and Chat). Inland records
are still very rare, and numbers as high as those listed above are unprecedented in
inland North Carolina. These birds represent the first records for this area. They
usually were found feeding on the golf course.

Flicker hybrid ( Colaptes a. auratus x a. cafer)\ One was recorded on 21 November (EL,
CM, JW). It had reddish wing linings and the head markings of a Yellow-shafted
Flicker.

Horned Lark ( Eremophila alpestris ): A high count of 32 was recorded on 21 December
(JF, CM; SPCC).

Bewick’s Wren ( Thryomanes bewickii): One was seen on 21 September and 2 December.
This species is rare in this area (Carter, 1971).

Sage Thrasher ( Oreoscoptes montanus ): One was collected in the golf course area on 19
September (DC, JHC). First specimen taken in state (details to be published else-

92

The Chat

where). One previous, but unpublished, sight record for North Carolina.

Water Pipit ( Anthus spinoletta): A high count of 125 was recorded on 21 December (JF,
CM; SPCC).

Bachman’s Sparrow ( Aimophila aestivalis)-. One was flushed from a weed patch along the
golf course on 21 September. This species is very uncommon in the Sandhills area.
(Carter, 1971)

Lapland Longspur ( Calcarius lapponicus ): One was seen on 17 November (JHC, JF,
CM, DM), and 5 were seen on 21 December (JF, CM; SPCC). First records for
area.

LITERATURE CITED

Carter III, J.H. 1971. Birds of the Central Sandhills of North Carolina. Chat, 35:91-105.
Pearson, T.G., C.H. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1959. Birds of North Carolina.
Raleigh.

Skinner, M.P., and J.W. Achorn. 1928. A guide to the winter birds of the North
Carolina Sandhills. Albany.

Sandhill Crane at Charleston, S.C.

E. BURNHAM CHAMBERLAIN

P.O. Box 3039, St. Andrew’s Parish Branch

Charleston, S.C. 29407 16 May 1974

On the morning of 2 February 1974, while standing on the lawn of 8 Huguenot Avenue,
St. Andrew’s Parish, Charleston, S.C., I watched a single Sandhill Crane ( Grus canadensis)
for about 30 seconds as it flew in a southwesterly direction over Huguenot Avenue, disap-
pearing over a stand of pines beyond the intersection of Huguenot Avenue and Farmfield
Road. When first noted, the bird was passing over the western end of Farmfield Pond, a diked
saltmarsh area of about 2 acres. Now brackish, this pond contains good stands of cattail
and Juncus. At the time of observation (09:15), the sky was overcast and the temperature
64 F. When first seen, the crane appeared to be at a height of about 100 feet, and a distance
of approximately 250 feet. It showed the extended neck and characteristic crane flight, but
did not soar or call when within sight.

[Several records of this unmistakable bird are summarized by Sprunt and Chamberlain
{South Carolina Bird Life , 1970, p. 191-192 and 595-596). More recently, one adult was ob-
served 4 March 1973 near Chester {Chat, 37:53) and another 19 September 1973 on Sulli-
van’s Island {Chat, 37:30). The present sighting is the only one known from South Caro-
lina in early February. — JRH]

Saw-whet Owls Found in Carteret County, N.C.

JOHN FUSSELL
Box 520

Morehead City, N.C. 28557 7 February 1974

On 18 December 1973, 1 found a dead Saw-whet Owl {Aegolius acadicus) on Ft. Macon
Road, 1 mile E of Atlantic Beach, N.C. The bird, although badly mutilated, appeared to have
been killed recently, possibly the night before. On 6 January 1974, before dawn, I observed a
Saw- whet Owl at a distance of about 10 feet with the aid of a 6-volt flashlight. This sighting
also occurred on Bogue Banks east of Atlantic Beach at a location about 1/4 mile from the
road kill. The bird was not calling, and it may have been attracted by a Screech Owl tape
recording that was being played. These are the first records of the Saw-whet Owl from
Carteret County.

[It is likely that this small owl is more common in eastern North Carolina in winter than is
realized. Observers should be on the lookout for this bird throughout the eastern part of the

December 1974

93

state. See the related article by Simpson in this issue for recent information on the status of the
Saw-whet Owl in western North Carolina. — DEPT. ED.]

Recent Observations of Saw-whet Owls in the Southern
Great Balsam and Black Mountains of North Carolina

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Department of Pathology

Yale University School of Medicine

310 Cedar Street, New Haven, Conn. 06510 22 May 1974

In previous articles (Simpson, 1968, 1972a, 1972b), I have reviewed records of the
Saw-whet Owl ( Aegolius acadicus) from the southern Great Balsam and Black
Mountains of western North Carolina. The following observations have been obtained
subsequently.

BLACK MOUNTAINS (Yancey County)

Clyde Hopson (pers. com.) reported regular calling by Saw-whet Owls along the
north slope of Mt. Hallback (elevation 6,200 feet) in Mt. Mitchell State Park during May,
June, and July of 1971, 1972, and 1973. Individual owls were observed with flashlights
near the restaurant parking lot on 10 and 13 August 1971 and again on several occasions
in June 1972 and 1973. Hopson reported that a single owl had been calling near the
restaurant each night after sunset during the period of 20 April to 10 May 1974; and on
several occasions, Hopson was able to observe the owl at close range by use of a flash-
light. These records combined with previous sightings reviewed by Simpson (1968, 1972b)
indicate that the species is a regular although uncommon summer and spring resident in
forests of red spruce ( Picea rubens ) and Fraser fir {Abies fraseri ) in the Mt. Mitchell area.

SOUTHERN GREAT BALSAM MOUNTAINS (Haywood, Jackson, and Transylvania
Counties)

On 14 May 1974, I conducted a spot check of known calling areas along the Blue
Ridge Parkway from Locust Gap to Silvermine Bald. A total of five Saw-whet Owls
were calling in the range, and three of the five records were from locales where the
species has not been previously encountered.

At 21:15 a single owl was calling from the peak of Lone Bald (elevation 5,400 feet)
just above the Parkway. A second owl was heard at 22:30 in Sugar Cove (elevation 5,000
feet) on the N slope of Reinhart Knob. At 23:00 two owls were calling loudly just west of
Tanasee Bald Overlook. Subsequent investigation revealed that one of the owls was near
the summit of Herrin Knob (elevation 5,700 feet), while the other was calling from the
crest of Fork Ridge (elevation 5,800 feet) approximately 1,000 feet N of Mt. Hardy. Later
the same night, I returned to the overlook with a group of Carolina Bird Club mem-
bers, including Ted Beckett, Walter Holland, Ramona Snavely, and Ida Winkler, and
we found the two owls still actively calling. At 23:30 our group located a single owl
calling from the north slope of Devil’s Courthouse (elevation 5,600 feet).

Previous one night surveys along this range have yielded totals of four to seven owls,
with five being about average. Each of the five records from the present survey was from
the typical habitat of spruce-fir forest with moderate to extensive infiltration with species
found in secondary successional, northern hardwood, or heath bald communities.

LITERATURE CITED

Simpson, Marcus B., Jr. 1968. The Saw-whet Owl: breeding distribution in North Caro-
lina. Chat, 32:83-89.

1972a. The Saw- whet Owl population of North Carolina’s southern Great

Balsam Mountains. Chat, 36:39-47.

1972b. Annotated checklist of the birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park, North

Carolina. J. of the Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 88:244-251.

94

The Chat

Hermit Thrush Practices
Foot-patting Feeding Behavior

ELOISE F. POTTER and RICKY DAVIS

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 20 April 1974

About 09:00 the morning of 18 April 1974, we watched a Hermit Thrush ( Catharus
guttatus ) walking on leaf litter covering the mud at the edge of a swamp near Zebulon, Wake
County, N.C. The bird repeatedly patted the leaves with rapid foot motions, patting several
times at one place before moving a few steps to another spot. The bird seemed to use the right
foot or the left indiscriminately. As the foot was raised, the unfanned tail was lowered; and as
the foot touched the leaves, the tail was raised. At first glance the bird appeared to be
scratching its breast, but close study revealed that the toes touched only the leaves. Some of
the foot-patting episodes were followed immediately by short runs that apparently ended in
the capture of prey. During the approximately 5 minutes that the bird was in sight, we did not
see it forage by scratching in the leaves with its feet, by flipping leaves with its beak, or by
probing in the mud. While tending her yard in early April, Potter noted an unusually large
number of torpid wasps, moths, and beetles beneath oak leaves used as mulch. The Hermit
Thrush’s foot-patting foraging technique seems well adapted to disturbing such creatures so
they could be captured easily during short, sluggish flights. Foot-trembling or foot-patting
feeding behavior has been reported in various shorebirds including the Piping Plover {Chat,
28:30), but to the best of our knowledge it has not been noted previously in the Hermit Thrush.
Indeed, never before have we seen any passerine foraging in this manner.

Dickcissel Colony in Anderson County, S.C., in Summer

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology, Clemson University

Clemson, S.C. 29631 15 October 1974

During July 1974 a colony of Dickcissels ( Spiza americana) was present in a large field
about 2 miles S of Townville, Anderson County, S.C. On 1 1 July I found six singing males and
one female in the field, which had mixed grass-forb vegetation averaging approximately 3 feet
in height. The males were obviously on territory and apparently had arrived only recently, as I
did not detect the species in this field in May and June. I found four singing birds on 15 July
and two on 20 July. On 28 July I found only one female, and she seemed disturbed when I
approached her, acting as if there were a nest in the area. I did not see or hear any Dickcissels
on a visit to the field on 10 August. I found no evidence of nesting by the colony, and I doubt
that the birds actually did nest during their brief stay near Townville.

White-winged Crossbills at Durham, N.C.

ROBIN M. CARTER
1605 Sedgefield Street, Apt. H

Durham N.C. 27705 10 March 1974

At about 10:00 on 28 February 1974, I was looking for crossbills in a stand of mature
pines on the north edge of the Hillandale Golf Course, along Indian Trail Drive in Durham,
N.C. In the top of a pine perhaps 20 yards above me, I saw quite clearly in excellent light,
through 7 x 50 binoculars, a male White-winged Crossbill ( Loxia leucoptera). The bird had
two wingbars, and some of the wing feathers were tipped with white. Its body color was pinker
than that of the Red Crossbills ( L . curvirostra) I have seen. The bird made no call. I did not
find the bird on subsequent searches.

[This appears to be the first record of the White-winged Crossbill in the North Carolina
piedmont since the winter of 1963-1964 when the species was found at Greensboro and near
Statesville {Chat, 28:21 and 74).— DEPT. ED.]

December 1974

95

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1974)

CORY’S SHEARWATER: Pelagic cruise parties found this species fairly common in Gulf Stream
waters off the North Carolina coast in late June and July, highlighted by a tally of 92 off Cape
Hatteras on 17 July by Bill Williams. Greater and Audubon’s Shearwaters were seen also, but
only in small numbers.

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL: Five were seen off Hilton Head Island, S.C., during a cruise on 22
June by Royce Hough.

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL: Forty were seen off Hilton Head Island, S.C., on 22 June by Royce
Hough, 121 were sighted in the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, N.C. on 17 July by Bill Williams.

GANNET: One was seen at Ocracoke Inlet on the North Carolina Outer Banks on the late date of 3
June by Paul Buckley.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: An immature bird was a locally uncommon summer visitor at
Roanoke Rapids Lake, sighted near Vultare, N.C., on 14 July by Merrill Lynch.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: One was seen over the sound at Topsail Island, N.C,, on 9 June
by Gail and David Whitehurst.

LITTLE BLUE HERON: A visiting flock of a dozen was present at the Rocky Mount, N.C., Reser-
voir on 24 and 25 July, observed by Betty Davis, Lloyd Davis, and Louis Fink. Other sightings of
inland wanderers, all immatures, were noted during the post-breeding period in late June and
July at Southern Pines, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.

LOUISIANA HERON: An immature was found at Reynolda Lake near Winston-Salem on 23 July by
Fran Baldwin, the first known local record for Forsyth County, N.C.

LEAST BITTERN: Three individuals were found by Merrill Lynch on 4 June in a large cattail and
sedge marsh at the site of Albemarle Paper Company’s wastewater treatment ponds near Gaston
in Northampton County, N.C. This is the same site where a flightless juvenile was captured last
summer (see Chat, 37:108). Elsewhere inland, two were seen by Harry LeGrand at Lake Hartwell
near Clemson, S.C., on 18 June and the species is presumed to be breeding there.

WOOD STORK: Summering birds were unusually conspicuous in the Charleston, S.C., area where
flocks of 20 or more were seen during the season by a number of observers, fide Perry Nugent.
One was seen as far north as More head City, N.C., on 12 June by Don McCrimmon, and nine
were seen in Brunswick County, N.C., across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington on 2 June
by James Parnell and Robert Soots.

WHITE IBIS: An immature turned up as a post-breeding wanderer at Big Lake in Umstead State Park
near Raleigh, N.C., on 22 June, observed by Charles Balducci, Nelson Chadwick, and Cheryl
Horne. Single immatures were seen also in Chatham County, N.C., 10 miles SE of Chapel
Hill, on 24 June by Robin Carter and at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 1 1 July by Fran Baldwin.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL: An individual in adult plumage was seen at North River Marsh near
Morehead City, N.C., in mid-July by Alan Powell, fide John Fussell. The bird was present at least
2 days, 12 and 13 July.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: Two late lingerers were still present on 26 June on the North Carolina
Outer Banks at Pea Island Refuge following last winter’s influx into the Carolinas (see Chat, 38:47).

REDHEAD: A late straggler was seen near Davis in Carteret County, N.C., on 15 June by John Fus-
sell and Tom Wade.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: Evidence of successful breeding in the Charleston, S.C., area was
reported by Ted Beckett. A nesting pair raised five young on Bohicket Creek.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: Frequent sightings were recorded along the Great Pee Dee River in the Bennetts-
ville-Society Hill, S.C., area this summer by Robert Campbell. On 13 July up to seven birds
were seen, including at least one immature. Local breeding is indicated.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: One was seen in NE Warren County, N.C., on 4 June by Harry
LeGrand, and two (a pair?) were seen near Apex in Wake County, N.C., on 23 July by John
Wright. Another was sighted in northern Pickens County, S.C., on 16 June by Robert Beason,
Sidney Gauthreaux, and Harry LeGrand. All nesting season sightings of Accipiters are worth
reporting in view of the scarcity of information of their summer resident status in the region.

MARSH HAWK: A single bird was seen on 13 June near Manteo, N.C., by James Parnell. Else-
where in the coastal area two late spring and early summer sightings were recorded at Cedar Island
Refuge, Carteret County, N.C., where individuals were observed on 10 June by James Parnell and
on 4 July by John Fussell.

OSPREY: A locally uncommon summer visitor was sighted at Lake Benson in Wake County, N.C., on

96 The Chat

21 July by Chris Marsh and John Wright. At Lake Tillery near Albemarle, N.C., another was
seen on 27 July by Jay Carter. No nesting records have been reported from these inland piedmont
lakes.

KING RAIL: One was seen 28 July near Townville, S.C., by Harry LeGrand. The species’ local nesting
status there is unknown.

AMERICAN COOT: Two were seen at Lake Benson, Wake County, N.C., on 21 July by Chris
Marsh and John Wright.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: One was early and unusual at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 25 July,
observed by Ramona Snavely, Charles Frost, and Fran Baldwin.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: A late spring transient was found inland at Albemarle Paper Com-
pany’s wastewater treatment ponds near Gaston, N.C., on 4 June by Merrill Lynch.

WHIMBREL: Thirty-nine were counted on the Outer Banks at Frisco on 27 July by Jim Weigand.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: Summer occurrences were reported from the Outer Banks where single birds
were seen at Cape Point on Hatteras Island, N.C., on 24 June by Joe Hudick and at Wright
Memorial, Kitty Hawk, N.C., on 14 July by Paul DuMont.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS: An early fall migrant was noted inland near Chapel Hill, N.C., on 21
July by Stanley Alford, Angelo Capparella, and Robin Carter. Another was seen at Winston-
Salem on 25 July by Fran Baldwin, Charles Frost, and Ramona Snavely.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS: An inland transient was observed at Raleigh, N.C., on 22 July by Chris
Marsh.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: A flock of 30 was seen at Winston-Salem on 25 July by Fran Baldwin,
Charles Frost, and Ramona Snavely. One was seen as early as 19 July at Raleigh by Chris Marsh,
and eight were noted there on 23 July by the same observer.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: June occurrences were noted on the Outer Banks where 11 were
found at Cape Point on Hatteras Island, N.C., on 3 June by Paul Buckley and at least 20 were
present at Oregon Inlet on 26 June, observed by John Wright.

LEAST SANDPIPER: An early inland fall transient was found at Raleigh, N.C., 17 July by Chris
Marsh, and 10 were recorded at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 25 July by Charles Frost, Fran Baldwin,
and Ramona Snavely.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: A flock of 21 fall migrants was counted at Raleigh on 21 July by Chris
Marsh, and three were seen at Winston-Salem on 25 July by Ramona Snavely, Fran Baldwin, and
Charles Frost.

MARBLED GODWIT: June sightings were recorded on the North Carolina Outer Banks where three
birds were seen at Ocracoke Inlet on 3 June by Paul Buckley and another at Oregon Inlet on
26 June by John Wright.

SANDERLING: Two inland transients were seen at Winston-Salem on 25 July by Fran Baldwin,
Charles Frost, and Ramona Snavely.

CASPIAN TERN: Two were seen inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 13 July
by Merrill Lynch.

ROSEATE TERN: One was seen at Hatteras Island, N.C., on 3 June by Paul Buckley.

BLACK TERN: A fall migrant was seen at Huntington Beach State Park near Murrell’s Inlet, S.C.,
as early as 22 July by F.M. Probst.

MONK PARAKEET: In the Charleston, S.C., area an adult bird was observed at Fort Johnson on
James Island on 2 June by Julian Harrison. On 17 July another individual was seen at the USDA
Vegetable Breeding Laboratory near Charleston by Perry Nugent. Since a feral population became
established on Long Island, N.Y., in 1967, this South American exotic has been found in 27 states.
All sightings of Monk Parakeets should be reported so that the species’ status can be monitored.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: On 25 July one was heard calling, and presumed to be on territory,
along the Blue Ridge Parkway within the Cherokee Indian Reservation, Jackson County, N.C.
The observer was Harry LeGrand.

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: Wendell Smith reports the destruction of the small wooded bog at
North Wilkesboro, N.C., which has been a breeding site for Willow Flycatchers for many years.
This site, on which a note was first published in 1957 (see Chat , 21:3), was a casualty of urban de-
velopment. At Raleigh, N.C., where a small colony has attempted nesting the past several years,
no positive evidence of success was noted this season, as reported by Chris Marsh and Robert
Hader. No other established nesting locations for Willow Flycatchers are presently known in the
Carolinas.

GRAY KINGBIRD: One was seen on Sullivan’s Island near Charleston, S.C., on 21 May by Kent
Nelson.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: An individual was sighted near the south end of Oregon Inlet
bridge on the North Carolina Outer Banks on 15 June by Joe Hudick.

BANK SWALLOW: A late migrant was seen at Rowland, N.C., on 16 June by Jay Carter.

CLIFF SWALLOW: An active nest was found at Clemson, S.C., in July by Sidney Gauthreaux and

December 1974

97

Orl Helms, and another during the same period under the 1-85 bridge over Lake Hartwell on
the South Carolina-Georgia border by Carl Helms. Cliff Swallows were first found nesting at
Hartwell Dam in 1965 {Chat, 29:95).

COMMON RAVEN: Two were seen at about 2,800 feet elevation near the Walhalla Fish Hatchery
in Oconee County, S.C., on 9 June by Robert Reason, Sidney Gauthreaux, and Harry LeGrand.
Ravens are not known to be breeding in that locality.

FISH CROW: Summer records were reported from Clemson, S.C., where five birds were found on 23
June and two on 8 July by Harry LeGrand.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: Several singing males were found on territory in June and July
by Merrill Lynch along Hoggard Mill Creek near Windsor, Bertie County, N.C. This species
evidently is breeding at least sparingly in the coastal plain section of North Carolina.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: Eight were noted on 16 June in Pickens County, S.C., along US 178
between Rocky Bottom and the North Carolina state line by Sidney Gauthreaux, Harry LeGrand,
and Robert Beason, indicating a good summer population in that locality. A rare summer record
for Wake County, N.C., was recorded at Swift Creek near Raleigh where an individual was seen
on 14 July by Chris Marsh. Nesting was not definitely verified.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: A singing male, on territory, was seen 7 and 13 July at Occoneechee
Mountain on the Eno River near Hillsborough, N.C., by James Pullman, Elizabeth Teulings, and
Robert Teulings, a rare summer record for the piedmont.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: An individual, presumed to be an early migrant, was an
unexpected find in a residential area near downtown Greensboro, N.C., on 13 July, observed by
Jim Weigand.

CERULEAN WARBLER: The presence of an apparent nesting population has been reported by Chris
Marsh from SW Polk County, N.C., where five singing males were noted in a localized area at an
elevation of 1 ,400 feet, in late May and early June.

BOBOLINK: A late spring migrant was seen at Oregon Inlet on the North Carolina Outer Banks on 3
June by Paul Buckley.

SCARLET TANAGER: A summer record from the Rocky Mount, N.C., area in the upper coastal
plain was reported by Louis Fink, who observed a male on the grounds of Nash Memorial Hos-
pital on 2 July. The bird’s calls were answered by a second tanager, indicating the presence of a
pair.

HOUSE FINCH: A male and female lingered at Winston-Salem, N.C., as late as 19 June, fide
Ramona Snavely. At Charlotte, N.C., Elizabeth Clarkson reported a pair still present at her feeder
on 8 July. There was no evidence of nesting.

PINE SISKIN: A late straggler was seen at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 16 June, Ramona Snavely.

VESPER SPARROW: The presence of a singing male was noted 5 miles NW of Cashiers in Jackson
County, N.C., on 10 June by Harry LeGrand, well south of the species’ known breeding range.

LARK SPARROW: An individual in sub-adult or molting adult plumage was seen at the Wright
Memorial, Kitty Hawk, N.C., on 14 July by Paul DuMont.

BACHMAN’S SPARROW: Eight singing males were noted in the vicinity of Newport, N.C., Carteret
County, on 5 July by John Fussell and Chris Marsh. In the North Carolina Sandhills, a nesting
pair was found in Fort Bragg Reservation in western Hoke County on 8 June by Jay Carter, and
two other individuals were seen in the Camp MacKall Military Reservation, Scotland County,
on 1 1 June by the same observer. Elsewhere, a pair was found during June near Clemson, S.C., by
Harry LeGrand. Extensive searching turned up no additional summering birds in the Clemson
area.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: A late winter straggler was seen at Mason Farm near Chapel Hill,
N.C., on 9 June by Robin Carter.

INDEX TO THE CHAT— VOLUME 38

Aiken (County), S.C., 15
also see North Augusta
Albemarle, N.C., 97
Alleghany County. N.C., 1-3
Anderson (County), S.C., 26,49,76,95
also see Pendleton, Tcwnville
Anhinga, 63

Ashe County, N.C. , 1-3
Asheville, N.C. , 78,79,80
Atlantic Beach, N.C., 23,46,48,80,81
Avery County, N.C., 16
Avocet, American, 2 7

B

Barnes, Grady L. , 39
Beaufort County, N.C., 14,63
Beaufort (County), S.C., 47
also see Hilton Head Island
behavior, bird, breeding (Least^Tern) , 72
feeding of young (Purple Martin), 31-33
foot-patting (Hermit Thrush), 95
mutual display (Horned Grebe), 22
roosting (Starling), 34-36
Bennettsville, S.C. , 96
Bertie County, N.C., 98
Bethania, N.C., 79
Bird Count, Christmas, 5,6-20

New Policies for, 53-55, 90 (correction)
Spring, 56-68
bird finding, 5,38,69,88
Birds, Pan-American Society for the Pro-
tection of, 88
Bittern, American, 64,91
Least, 64,65,96

Blackbird, Brewer's, 15,16,17,48
Red-winged, 78
Rusty, 17

Yellow-headed, 12,13,29
Bladen County, N.C., 26
Bluebird, Eastern, 16,65
Blus , Lawrence J. , 24
Bobolink, 81 ,98

Bodie-Pea Island, N.C., 12,27,28,48
Bogue Banks, N.C., 79,81
book reviews, 20,49-51 ,69
Brant, 46

Brevard, N.C., 17,66,72
Brown, William, Jr., 1-3,71
Brunswick County, N.C., 49,96
Bufflehead, 75
Bulls Island, S.C., 49,73
Buncombe County, N.C. , 16,25,44,66,83-87
also see Asheville
Bunting, Indigo, 48,86
Painted, 48
Snow, 3,13
Buxton, N.C., 28

C

Caldwell County, N.C., 16,66

Camden , S.C., 48

Canvasback, 26,47

Cape Lookout, N.C., 24

Cape Remain N.W.R., S.C., 24,47

Carolina Beach, N.C., 29,78

Carter, Joseph H. , III, 21,39,40,77,91-93

Carter, Robin, 95

Carteret County, N.C., 24,93,96,98

also see Atlantic Beach, Bogue Banks, Cape
Lookout, Cedar Island, Davis, Morehead
Caswell County, N.C., 25,26,28,47,81
Catbird, Gray, 14,16,17,85
Cedar Island N.W.R., N.C., 3,79,96
Chamberlain, E. Burnham, 93
Chapel Hill, N.C., 15,39-40,64,81,96,97,98
Charleston (County), S.C., 14,26,47,48,63,
72,78,80,81 ,93,96,97; also see Bulls Is.,
Cape Remain, Edisto Beach, Folly Beach,
Sullivan's Island
Charlotte, N.C., 16,65,98
Chatham County, N.C., 96
Chickadee, Black-capped, 4,85
Carolina, 4,38,85
Chuck-will ' s-widow, 64,80
Clemson, S.C., 25,26,27,29,46,47,48,65,78,
79,80,96,97,98
Cobey, Flo, 75
Cobey, William G. , 75
Columbia, S.C., 15,26
Coot, American, 97
Cormorant, Double-crested, 63,78,96
Great, 12,13,22,46
correction, 16,90
Cowbird, Brown-headed, 1 7
Crane, Sandhill, 39,93
Craven County, N.C., 70

also see Havelock, New Bern
Creeper, Brown, 28,85
Cromartie, Eugene, 24
Crossbill, Red, 16,42-43,43-44,44-45,86
White-winged, 95
Crow, Fish, 38,80,98
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 65,97
Curlew, Long-billed, 27
Currituck County, N.C., 46

D

Dare County, N.C., see Bodie Island, Buxton,
East Lake, Frisco, Hatteras, Kill Devil
Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, Pea
Island, Ocracoke Oregon Inlet, Roanoke
Island, Salvo
Davis, N.C., 47
Davis, Ricky, 95

Dick, John Henry, 46 (drawing) ,. 73-75 , 90
(drawing)

Dickcissel, 48,81,95
Dillon, (County), S.C., 14,63
Dove, Ground, 63
Ringed Turtle, 65
Rock, 34-36

Dowitcher, Long-billed, 27
Short-billed, 64
Duck, Fulvous Tree, 47,63,96

December 1974

99

Duck, continued
Mandarin, 70-71
Ruddy, 75
Wood, 16,64,65
Dunlin, 27,64

Durham (County), N.C., 15,64,79,80,95

E

Eagle, Bald, 16,26,37,47
Golden, 26,71
East Lake, N.C., 48
Eden, N.C., 47,48,80
Edgecombe County, N.C., see Tarboro
Edisto Beach, S.C., 48
Egret, Cattle, 12,46,64,65
Great, 25,46
Snowy, 24,64
Eider, Common, 13,47,78
Elkin-Ronda, N.C., 16,65

F

Falcon, Peregrine, 1 ,3,26,66
Finch, House, 12,15,16,98
Purple, 66

Fink, Louis C., 50,51
Flicker, Common, 84,92 (hybrid)
Flycatcher, Acadian, 12,14,84
Alder. 80

Fork-tailed, 73-75 (illus.)

Great Crested, 13
Least, 1,3*64,65,66
Olive-sided, 1 ,3,66
Scissor-tailed, 65,97
Willow, 1,66,80,97
Yellow-bellied, 66,80
Folly Beach, S.C., 28,29
Forsyth County, N.C., see Bethania,
Winston-Salem
Fort Bragg, N.C., 26,98
Frigatebird, Magnificent, 96
Frisco, N.C., 97
Fussell, John, 23,24,41,93

G

Gallinule, Common, 64,79
Purple, 63
Gannet, 96

Gaston, N.C., 79,80,97
Gauthreaux, Sidney A., Jr., 89
Georgetown (County), S.C., 28; also see
Litchfield Beach, Pawley's Island, Hunt-
ington Beach State Park
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 86
Godwit, Hudsonian, 27
Marbled, 97

Goldfinch, American, 86
Goose, Canada, 63,65,91

Snow, 14,16,26 (Blue), 47, 63
Grackle, Common, 17,88
Granville County, N.C., 78
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 17
Grebe, Eared, 21 ,46
Horned, 21,22,63,64
Pied-billed, 25,75

Greensboro, N.C., 15,64,96,98
Greenville (County), S.C., 16,65,80
Grosbeak, Blue, 15
Evening, 66

Rose-breasted, 14,63,65,86
Grouse, Ruffed, 16 (correction)
Guilford College, N.C., 29
Guilford County, N.C., see Greensboro,
Guilford College
Gull, Bonaparte's, 16,40,48,79
Glaucous, 12

Great Black-backed, 13,48
Herring, 63

Laughing, 13,24,28,48,65,79
Lesser Black-backed, 28
Little, 40,48
Ring-billed, 78

H

Hader, Robert J. , 71
Halifax (County), N.C., 46,47

also see Medoc Mtn. , Roanoke Rapids
Harnett County, N.C., see Lillington
Hatteras (Cape, Island), N.C., 3,27,28,40,47,

48.49.78.79.96.97
Havelock, N.C., 79
Hawk, Broad-winged, 26,47

Cooper's, 63
Marsh, 66,79,96

Migration Assn, of North America, 89
Red- tailed, 83
Rough-legged, 14,15,47
Sharp-shinned, 96
Sparrow, 16 (correction)

Haywood County, N.C., 44,45,83-87,94
Henderson County, N.C., 45,83-87
also see Hendersonville
Henderson, N.C., 14,64
Hendersonville, N.C., 79
Heron, Great Blue, 25
Green, 15,66
Little Blue, 64,65,96
Louisiana, 24,25,96
Yellow-crowned Night, 65
Hillsborough, N.C., 98
Hilton Head Island, S.C., 14,48,96
Hoke County, N.C., 98
Holland, Walter C., Jr., 72
Holmes, Robert P. , 70
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 84
Huntington Beach State Park, S.C., 26,27,

29.97

Hyde County, N.C., 47,80
also see Ocracoke

I-J-K

Ibis, Glossy, 26,46
>/hi te, 12,26,96
Iredell County, N.C., 16,65
Jackson County, N.C., 83-87,94,97,98
Jaeger, Parasitic, 28,48,79
Pomarine , 27
Jay, Blue, 78,85

Johns, Fred L. , No. 2 cover photo, 41 (photo)

Junco, Dark-eyed, 78,87

Kershaw Comity, S.C., see Camden

100

The Chat

0

Kestrel, American, see Sparrow Hawk
Kill Devil Hills, N.C. , 22,27
Killdeer, 92
Kingbird, Eastern, 28
Gray, 28,97
Western, 28

Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 86
Ruby-crowned , 28,64
Kite, Mississippi, 47,96
Swallow-tailed, 79
Kittiwake, Black-legged, 13,28
Kitty Hawk, N.C., 97,98
Knot, Red, 12,47

L

Lake Surf, N.C., 91-93
Lark, Horned, 92
Laybourne, Roxie C., 77
Lee, Joshua A., 31-33,71
LeGrand, Harry E. , Jr., 1-3,53-55,62,76,
89,95

Lillington, N.C., 26
Litchfield Beach, S.C., 14
Locke, Louis N. , 24
Longspur, Lapland, 3.14,49,93
Loon, Common, 16,25,46,65,78

M

Mallard, 17,63,66
Manteo, N.C., 96

Marlboro County, S.C., see Bennettsville
Marsh, Chris, 1-3, No. 3 cover drawing, 71
Martin, Purple, 31-33,48
Medoc Mountain, N.C., 88
McCrimmon, Don, 41
McDowell County, N.C., 66
Mecklenburg County, N.C., see Charlotte
Merganser, Common, 14,47,65
Hooded, 78

Red-breasted, 21 ,64,96
Merlin, 15,17,26
Mitchell County, N.C., 83-87
Moore County, N.C., 29 ,46,91 —93 ; also see
Southern Pines, Vass, Whispering Pines
Morehead City, N.C., 13,27,28,29,41,46,47,
48,63,78,80,96

N

Nags Head, N.C., 2 7
New Bern, N.C., 48

New Hanover County, N.C., see Carolina
Beach, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach
Newfound Gap, N.C., 43-44
Nicklas, Mrs. Bruce, 88
Nighthawk, Common, 72-73
North Augusta, S.C., 47,48
North Wilkesboro, N.C., 16,26,29,80,97
Northampton County, N.C., 27,96
also see Gaston, Vultare
Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 66
Red-breasted, 85

Oconee County, S.C., 47,98
also see Seneca

Ocracoke, N.C., 3,27,28,46,47,96,97
Oldsquaw, 15,26

Onslow County, N.C., 39; also see Swansboro
Orange County, N.C., 27

also see Chapel Hill, Hillsboro
Oregon Inlet, N.C., 27,28,46,97,98
Oriole, Northern, 2,3,81
Osprey, 39,40,47,65,66,96
Ovenbird, 86

Owl, Barn, drawing of, 90
Barred , 84

Burrowing, No. 2 cover, 41
Great Horned, 84
Long-eared, 48
Saw-whet, 13,17,65,93,94

P

Pamlico County, N.C., 63
Parakeet, Monk, 97

Parnell, James P. , No. 1 cover photo, 21,40
Parula, Northern, 86
Pawley's Island, S.C., 14,81
Pea Island, N.C., 3,26,27,28,29,46,47,48,78,
79,96; also see Bodie-Pea Island
Pelican, Brown, 24

Pender County, N.C., see Topsail Island
Pendleton, S.C., 48
Pettigrew State Park, N.C., 69
Pewee, Eastern Wood, 84
Phalarope, Northern, 27
Red, 27,47,71
Wilson's, 27

Pickens County, S.C., 28,96,98
also see Clemson
Pilot Mountain, N.C., 26,75
Pintail, 47

Pipit, Sprague's, 75-76
Water, 15,66,78,80,93
Plover, American Golden, 27,47,92
Black-bellied, 64,79,92,97
Piping, 47

Semipalmated, 63,64,92,97
Polk County, N.C., 98
Potter, Eloise P. , 12,20,22,49,53,89,95
Potter James M. , Jr. , 22
Pullman, James 0., 39-40

R

Rail, Black, 26,79
Clapper, 24
King, 97

Raleigh, N.C., 15,25,26,27,28,29,31,46,47,
48,64,77,79,80,81,96,97
Raven, Common, 28,75,85,98
Redhead, 47,96
Redpoll, Common, 48,66

Richland County, S.C., 28; also see Columbia

Rimini , S . C . , 26

Roanoke Island, N.C., 22

Roanoke Rapids, N.C., 14,25,26,64

Robeson County, N.C., see Rowland

Robin, American, 78,85,87

Rockingham County, N.C., 26; also see Eden

Rocky Mount, N.C., 5,29,38,96,98

December 1974

101

Ronda, N.C., see Elkin-Ronda
Rowland, N.C., 97

S

Salvo, N.C., 41
Sanderling, 97
Sandpiper, Baird’s, 27,92
Buff-breasted, 27,92
Least, 40,65,79,92,97
Pectoral, 47,79,92,97
Semipalmated, 92
Solitary, 40,92
Spotted, 13,40,92
Stilt, -79,92
Upland, 27,64,79,97
Western, 97
White-rumped, 79,97
Santee N.W.R., S.C., 47
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 65,80,84,85
Scoter, Black, 63
Surf, 63

White-winged, 63
Scotland, County, N.C., 98
Seneca, S.C., 78
Shearwater, Audubon's, 25,96
Cory's, 25,96
Greater, 23,25,96
Sooty, 78

Shoveler, Northern, 15,17,91
Shrike , Loggerhead , 1 3
Simpson, Marcus B. , Jr., 44-45,94
Siskin, Pine, 12,16,65,86,98
Skimmer, Black, 28,48
Smith, Charles R. , 83-87
Snavely, Ramona R. , 75
Snipe, Common, 17,92
Soots, Robert F. , 21
Sora, 14,91

Southern Pines, N.C., 14,29,48,49,63,80,96
Sparrow, Bachman's, 16,93,98
Chipping, 87
Clay-colored, 29
Field, 87
Fox, 66,78
Grasshopper, 16,48
Henslow's, 29,49
House, 34-36, 86
Lark, 98

Lincoln's, 15,29,49,65

Savannah, 13 (Ipswich), 29 (Ipswich), 78

Sharp-tailed, 16,76

Song, 77,87

Tree, 15,16,17,66

Vesper, 98

White-crowned, 14,15,29,49
White- throated, 78,81 ,98
Spoonbill, Roseate, 96
Stanly County, N.C., 16,65
also see Albemarle
Starling, 34-36,86

Stewart, Paul A., 34-37, No. 4 cover photo
Stilt, Black-necked, 79
Stork, Wood, 96
Storm-Petrel, Harcourt's, 23
Leach's, 25,96
Wilson's, 25,78,96
Sullivan's Island, S.C., 27,47
Sumter (County), S.C., 29
Surry County, N.C., 28,75

also see Pilot Mountain
Swain County, N.C., 83-87
also see Newfound Gap
Swallow, Bank, 28,80,97
Barn, 80,84
Cliff, 64,65,97
Tree, 84

Rough-winged, 84
Swan, Whistling, 14,46
Swansboro, N.C., 48
Swift, Chimney, 84
Swindell, Kaxie, 43-44
Sykes, Paul W. , Jr., 42-43,77

T

Tanager, Scarlet, 86,98
Western, 48
Tarboro, 71

Tate, James, Jr., 83-87
Teal, Blue-winged, 15,40,91
Green-winged, 26
Tern, Black, 28,97
Bridled, 28

Caspian, 13,28,63,64,80,97
Common, 13,28,79
Forster's, 24,28,65,79
Least, 72
Roseate, 97

Royal, 24 (aspergillosis in)

Sandwich, 24
Teulings, Robert P. , 89
Thrasher, Brora, 85
Sage, 92

Thrush, Hermit, 95

Swainson's, 14,17,48,80
Wood, 14

Titmouse, Tufted, 85
Topsail Island, N.C., 96

Towhee, Rufous-sided, No. 1 cover photo, 87
Toraville, S.C., 29,47,49,81,97
Transylvania County, N.O., 45,83-87,94
also see Brevard
Turnstone, Ruddy, 27

U-V

Vance County, N.C., see Henderson
Vass, N.C., 47,48,78,79,80
Veery, 86

Vireo, Philadelphia, 28,65
Red-eyed, 86
Solitary, 86
Warbling, 2,3
White-eyed, 48
Vultare, N.C., 25,28,96,97
Vulture, Black, No. 4 cover photo
Turkey, 71,83

W

Wake County, N.C., 26,28,42-43,49,71,80,96,
97,98; also see Raleigh, Zebulon
Warbler, Black-and-white, 63,86,98
Blackburnian, 29,63,65,81
Blackpoll, 29

Black- throated Blue, 12,13,81,86
Black- throated Green, 86,98
Blue-winged, 29,80

102

The Chat

Canada, 29,65,81 ,86
Cape Kay, 48,63,81
Cerulean, 64,66,98
Chestnut-sided, 63,64,86
Warbler, continued

Connecticut, 12,13,29, No. 3 cover, 65,66
Golden-winged, 29,64
Hooded, 29
Kentucky, 29
Lawrence's (hybrid), 66
Nashville, 29,63,65,81
Orange-crowned, 63,81
Palm, 14,15
Prothonotary, 66,80
Swainson's, 64,98
Tennessee, 29,64,65,81
Wilson's, 64,65
Worm-eating, 65,98
Yellow-rumped, 78
'Warren County, N.C, , 47,48,96
waterfowl, policy statement on publication
of records of exotic species, 70
Waterthrush, Louisiana, 86
Northern, 81
Whimbrel , 97
Whip-poor-will , 80
Whispering Pines, N . C . , 78

Wigeon, European, 26,78

Wilkes County, N.C., see North Wilkesboro
Willet , 24,63,64
Wilmington, N.C. , 13,27,28,63
Winston-Salem, N.C., 15,29,47,65,79,81,96,
97,98

Woodcock, American, 84
Woodpecker, Downy, 84
Hairy, 84
Red-bellied, 88
Wren, Bewick's, 48,92
Carolina, 85
House, 17,38

Short-billed Marsh, 64,80
Winter, 85

Wrightsville Beach, N.C., 3,21 ,39,77-78

X-Y-Z

Yadkin County, N.C., see Elkin
Yancey County, N. C . , 44,66,94
Yellowlegs, Greater, 40, 66, 92., 97
Lesser, 40,64,92,97
Yellowthroat, Common, 15,16
York County, S.C., 75
Zebulon, N.C. , 81 ,95

December 1974

103

NqtnuS^cty,

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Robin Carter, 1605 Sedgefield Street, Durham, N.C. 27705

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II— Eastern North Carolina

J.H. Carter III, Southern Pines, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Patterson (Mrs. R.G.)

51 %,Zo5 73

Cff

Sj vrctsJ

Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 39

March 1975

No. 1

The Chat

Vol. 39 March 1975 No. 1

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.,
with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid
at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

CBC Roundtable 1

Christmas Bird Count — 1974 2

General Field Notes 17

A Record of the Great White Heron from Inland
South Carolina, J.H. Carter III, Tom Rial, and

Jeannine Angerman 17

A Rare Occurrence of the Swallow- tailed Kite

in Western North Carolina, Walter S. Hall 17

Goshawks in Avery County, N.C., Robert J. Hader 18

Sandhill Cranes in Western North Carolina,

W. David Chamberlain 19

An Avocet in the South Carolina Piedmont,

Paul B. Hamel and Adair M. Tedards 19

First Record of the Roseate Tern Nesting in North

Carolina, Robert F. Soots and James F. Parnell 20

Unusual Numbers of Tennessee Warblers at Chapel

Hill, N.C., in Spring of 1974, James O. Pullman 21

Briefs for the Files 22

CB©

OUR COVER — A Black-and-white Warbler perches
beside a quiet pool in the photograph by John Trott
of McLean, Virginia.

. . . with Louis C. Fink

Ornithogolfing

That’s what Roger Peterson calls it — the game enjoyed by so many of us who
study birds. You can keep a life list of all the birds you’ve seen in North America — or
in the world, if you’ve had a chance to travel. (For example, I claim 408 species in
North America, and 32 more in Europe.) There are Christmas counts, and Spring
counts, and Big Day counts in May.

The American Birding Association publishes records for each State: the game
here is to identify as many as possible of the available birds in your own State, or
someone else’s. The “possible” total for South Carolina is given as 370 species; for North
Carolina, 400. Dennis Forsythe reports seeing 91% of the birds in South Carolina; Fred-
erick Probst and Harry LeGrand 64%; Bruce Mack from Florida, 62%; Renee Probst
61%. All those who claim over 50% are published in Birding, the A.B.A. magazine.

Harry LeGrand tops the observers in North Carolina, with 320 species, or 80%
of the available birds. Edmund LeGrand has 78%; Gilbert Grant 76%; J.H. Carter 75%;
Eloise Potter 73%; Merrill Lynch 71%.

I added up my own total just for fun. It’s about 50% of the available North Caro-
lina birds. I’ve seen another 30%, but not in North Carolina — and that’s what counts.

Hunting the Hunters

Mankind? is^ a new book by Cleveland Amory (Harper and Row, New York,
$9.95) which takes off without mercy against people who hunt for “fun, money, or
revenue.” He is critical of Lyndon Johnson, Teddy Roosevelt, Joe Namath, and a hun-
dred other personalities who have spoken of the delights of killing. He writes sarcas-
tically of men who go forth to wage battle, armed with automobiles, protective cloth-
ing, and guns — “against a mourning dove.” The book begins with an account of the
killing of rabbits with sticks, stones, and human feet — in Harmony, North Carolina.
The book may make you angry.

Recently Published

Rare <Lr Endangered Birds of the Southern National Forests is a survey prepared
for the Southern Region of the Forest Service by E. Burnham Chamberlain, Curator
Emeritus of The Charleston Museum, Charleston, S.C. For each of the 22 species dis-
cussed, the author gives the general distribution and status, life history and habitat
requirements, and relationship to National Forests. Chamberlain offers considerable
hope for the preservation of such species as the Osprey and Red-cockaded Wood-
pecker, but he is not at all optimistic regarding the future of the Ivory-billed Wood-
pecker, the decline of which can be attributed to the loss of sufficiently large tracts of
suitable habitat. The possibility of restoring adequate habitat through practical forest
management is “very doubtful.”

March 1975

1

jaqiuaoaa 62
d'N'lAl'S'O

iaqaiaoea 82

O N 'pjBASjg

jaqiuaoaa vi
O N ‘ oo aqiuooung

jaqiusoaa oe
O N ‘uoAji

J9qiU909Q OS

O N "°0 IIOmpibo

J9qiU909Q 92

O N ‘Bpuoy-u^ig

J9qUJ909Q VI
O S ‘U0SUJ9I0

J9qill909Q 82
o s ‘0IMAU99J9

J9quj909a 82

O N ‘9UO|JBqo

j9qai909Q 62

O N "oo nepej)

J9qiU909Q 82
O N ‘lu9|BS-uo;su!M

J9qai909a 82
O N '0J0qSU99JQ

J9qiU909Q gi

O N "00 Lueq6u|>)ooa

J9qai909Q zz
O N ‘IMH IsdBqo

■CD : CM : CO : CO <N (

: co : CD

J9qUJ909a SL
O N ‘Lueqjna

J9qUJ909Q iz

O N 'M6!9|Ba

J9qai909a ZZ

O S ‘U9>(!V

J9qUJ909a VI

O S 'Biqainioo

J9quu909a 8L
O N ‘spidBU 9>|0UB0y

J9qiU909Q 91.

O N ‘S9U|d ujaqjnos

J9qiU9D9Q (.8

o s 'noma

J9qiU909a 92
O N "oo ooiiLUBd

jgqiuaoaa 62
O N "oo IJOjnBag

I i- : CO

: CC : CO

: CM 1- c\j co : y- c

j9qai909Q 82
O S "si PB9H uoiiih

J9qiU909Q 62

O S ‘UOlS9|JBMO

J9qiu909a 82 "O S "S|
sA9|/v\Bd-p|9!|qoin

J9qiU909a VI
O N ‘uojBuiiumm

J9qiU9D9Q 22
O N ‘A}|0 PB9q9J0iA|

J9qUJ909Q 08

O N ‘PUB|S| B9d-9|pog

CD C\i CO O : O h- T- ^ C
r- ^ : CD CO O)

: CD CO CO : f in : i-

: r- : o> : CO r-

T- :rt O) :t— UOOOCOOCDOI

: CO CO CO ^ C

LO ^ : O) : i- : 05 <

li-N :CVICOO)i

: CD : Csj CO O : i- riDCOi

: y— : O’ CO O O c

j ID CO LO CO C\J C\J OJ : O tT : f'- ID

y- r- t- <0

) o t- in co : co i- <

: CO O

icvjoor^-r^.0000^00 : O CO CO CD CT) : T-

S|Bnp|A!pu|

jBJOl

> O T- O C\J h- Oi CNJ
ID ID CO CD CNJ r-

lDO)CNJCOi-iDa)'t^’-CDO)NNT-C0O0NO,1-O)O5iDCD^(

II

cr Q

I 0C
OS

ais - cj

I •*- m k_ -r-i

CJ

q> T3 —
c <0 -o

I 5 x

“> 2 ® g £ OT(0

J3 CJ> Q)ll1 cf

is-

r c D.

° 5 c ? fe c m ® ? 5'“ £

m CDO — 03 > - o O

§ 0
$ o
CO o

CJ) ^
n cq
= -O

-1°

"OtjQ 15

« S 5"

|«^E2i§|^Sg8gEgg-5 85ggg*||g||||8®5S§^6.|
O(ririi3Q.inOD<(So5o5cn°ffi>“<C35§owSiiiOQ.O0D<z§iriro

jaqiuaoaa 62
d'N'W'S'9

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘pjBAajg

jaqiuaoaa vi
O N ‘ oo aquiooung

jaqiuaoaa 08
O N 'uoAji

jaqiuaoaa QC
O N ' oo I|9WP|B0

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N 'Bpuoy-m^g

jaqiuaoaa H
O S 'uosiuaio

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S '3||!AuaaJ0

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘b»0|jbmo

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N "oo liapo-M

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘iua|BS-uojsu|M

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N 'ojoqsuaajQ

jaqiuaoaa SI
O N ' oo iuBq6u!>|0oy

jaqiuaoaa 22
O N ' 1 1 ! H |9dBM0

jaqiuaoaa SI
O N lUBqjna

jaqiuaoaa 12
O N M6!a|Bu

: t— i — CO : (O

O) : CM

: : <0 O

jaqiuaoaa 22
O S U0>1!V

jaqiuaoaa H
O S Bjqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa 81
O N spidBy a>|OUBoy

jaqiuaoaa 91.
O N 'sauid ujaqjnos

jaqiuaoaa 18
o s 'uoina

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N "°0 ooniuBd

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N "oo po*nBag

: in : i- c

no : co i

: cn : i-

jaqiuaoaa 82

O S "S| PB3H uojiih

jaqiuaoaa 62
O S uojsaiJBqo

jaqiuaoaa 82 "O S "S|
sAa|MBd-P|3!ii|0in

jaqiuaoaa VI
O N 'uoi6u|iu|i/v\

jaqiuaoaa 22
O N 'Ajio pBaqajo^

jaqiuaoaa 08
O N puB|S| sad-aipog

■ cd m 05 o i

• co I- c\i t— co o : in r-~ co co co

: CO : CM N : CO t

i y- : co : CO in : CO

O : r- (OincOCNICOO : t- 05 : CO CO : CO

i •»- cm co m o co

IT- o CM 05 C

CM : O in CO O- CD : O- 05 O O I

CO : t— t— CM :t- : t- CO CM O ’

S|Bnp|AlpU|

IB101

i=o;s:

c/) O a>

CC Q

I a:
05

jMnmo)^o^<
tj- co in t— or; rr ^

x 3 5

lull

; s-d-o

j n S)D)>

5 s => = .E 1 -o ^ c cns

^r1^! ‘

: ^ -O -O ^

pS8 -5^ §Sf|E.|H88

5; >•“ | 9 a* ac E c 0 1 S o >-5 E

u900iDD®£0(D(ui:o2^<ij^E3o.Eo.E™.hooEEcD.9--_oEo
rorr T n rr u mmnrrfrmrr5nn >(i'frmfrLvnsfAnrfW/nn vmrr n

w _ - 0: CC

S S-f

= 0-^-0

! Re

i-DW
J o c

jaqiuaoaa 62
'd'N'W'S'O

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘pjBASjg

jaqiuaoaa h
O N ' OO aqujooung

jaqiuaoaa OC
O N ‘uoAji

jaqiuaoaa OC
O N ‘ oo l|9«P|B0

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N ‘Bpuoy-u^ig

jaqiuaoaa n
O S ‘uosiuaio

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S ‘3||!AuaaJ0

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘3UO|JBl|0

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N ‘ oo II9P9JI

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘waies-uojsuiM

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘ojoqsuaajo

jaqiuaoaa SI-
ON ' oo iueq6u!>joog

jaqiuaoaa 22
O N ll!H |9deqo

jaqiuaoaa SI
O N ‘Lueqjna

jaqiuaoaa 12
O N 'q6!a|eg

:.§ IS

jaqiuaoaa 22
O S 'U9>|! v

jaqiuaoaa VI
O S ‘eiqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa 81
O N ‘spideg a^oueog

jaqiuaoaa 91
O N 'sauid ujaqjnos

jaqiuaoaa 1C
O S ‘uonia

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N ‘ oo ooniuBd

jaqujaoaa 62

O N ‘ oo JJOjnBag

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S ‘ S| PB3H U01MH

jaqiuaoaa 62
O S ‘uoisa|JBi)0

jaqiuaoaa 82 O S "s|

sAa|MBd-P|9!mo»n

jaqiuaoaa H
O N 'uoi6u!iu|!M

jaqiuaoaa 22

O N 'A)!0 PBaqajoy\|

jaqiuaoaa OC

O N 'PUB|S| Bad-aipog

lO O CD : CO O '

:g£

OCDOr- : t- c

) O LO : CO : .t-cooOOt-

I O CM 05 : : 05 CM O r

: CO ^ t- O

S|enp!A|pu|

\e\o±

I i

CE Q

i <r
05

■inownn

l i- o

O t-

|a5« >a>

IS

0) (n %-
Q.WJ Q)

n - o a.

fit

/■n -3 ro

- c n

-C 0

ii ora) Q.

> > . 9- q.

Q Q C CD <

- ^ fe § co CD

E 13 '-E 2 ~ §

§ g’B

o

,= TJ 3 =

^ 5

O ~ 0 C E

C E

U CJ

W. Q qjQ

<d <d 3

= ~ O)

w ^ Q) - ^

cr cl _j Q c/3

3°6-^!-«cH5|sa6rg-0 3

^ w O 0 CD CD 0 M C ^5 o-- Q 0 "i ^

|| II 8 ^ £ s 1 13 s 5 e ^ ! 1 2 2 1 1 ? ! I ° 8

■°'Ofl)(B3CDLniO)i57;j.(nc!D^Q-M^*;nO)3 1 C 0

r- c P -r1 V

“■■=S^og'3i^-!5™5m'!cn?co=«E>.£5ro

oO0-9TOcdEcD — ^(D-ErjO-3. oOOfflffliSOwy.-1-
jQco^Sco<CLOOi(rjcDcrie5Lj_OQ[coOcDQ[^2crO

> -F o .E 2

- co co

jaqiuaoaa 62
d NWS'O

jaqiuaoaa

O N ‘pJBAajg

jaqiuaoaa t-i
O N ' oo aqiuooung

jaqiuaoaa OS
O N ‘uoAji

jaqiuaoaa 00
O N “00 ll9MPIB0

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N ‘Bpuoy-ui^g

jaqiuaoaa Pi
O S ‘uosiuaio

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S ‘aiMAuaajo

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘8»0|JBl)0

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N “oo liapsJI

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N ‘iua|es-uo;suiM

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N 'ojoqsuaajQ

jaqiuaoaa Si-
O N “00 iuBq6u!>joog

jaqiuaoaa 22
'O N ‘II! H |3dBi)0

jaqiuaoaa SI.
O N ‘LUBqjna

jaqiuaoaa iZ
O N ‘qBjaiBg

O 05 CD : r- T- T-

LO CO 00 ■*- CM T- ^ (

■ CD : CD 1- CM IT) O

t- CO CD r- l

CO ID O C7> O

CM O CO CM -r- : r- : : O * i- (

t- t- lO

: CD T- T- "

■ CD CD O T- o

: CO O O ID O i-

> 05 D- : LO

:C^O :CM

J 05 OJ CO lO CO (O CD

: o : t- -i

T- ID

jaqiuaoaa 22
O S 'ua>l!V

jaqiuaoaa Pi
O S ‘Biqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa 81

O N ‘sp|dBg a>|ouBog

jaqiuaoaa 91
O N 'sauid ujaqjnos

jaqiuaoaa 10
O S ‘uoina

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N “°0 ooiiiuBd

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N “oo UojnBag

: h- 05 CD CD CM 05 i

CD cm cm : in : m

it- : i- rf CM O)

: 1- : 05 cm cm in : t-

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S “si PB8H uojiih

jaqiuaoaa 62
O S 'U0}S3|JBl|0

jaqiuaoaa 82 “O S “S|

SA8|MBd-p|3!W3l!l

jaqiuaoaa Pi
O N ‘uo}6u|iu|!M

jaqiuaoaa 22
O N ‘-Cl!0 pBaqajoiAl

jaqiuaoaa 00

O N puB|S| Bad-0|pog

: CO CD : g CD t- t- O CO CD ■■

: CO ^ CO t— CD 05

^ LO : CM CO ID O ^ CO CM
T- CM : LO I- CD CM O

CO CO : CO C

t- t- : 05

i cd cd cd co o

: CD CD •*- CD : CM CM ’

I CM : O CO ID O CO : -r- <

CD lO t- CD

s|enpiAjpu|

|B}01

Id

OC Q

I tr
Om

■CDCDN’-OOCD-t-CMlOr-T— C0(DN05CMCD(D00OC0C0'J’(
CM ^ LO ^ G> 2 CO ° ^ 40 05 05 CD ■>— 05 ^ O CO CO

CO* Tf CM" CM" i-" t-‘

- I 1

IO^±rC0-o-o_-->'Oa5(DW>OTbrm
3 D ^ CD O “ CD “ ' ~ 03

© £

© CO

S silSp

J= -C

C c S2 t

iff

' “ .E -9 -V S O c .9 t •■=

U U E S =

E EG i =

!ii?1 USSlIil

jaqiuaoaa 62
'd'N'WS'9

jaqiuaoaa 82

O N ‘pjBAajg

jaqiuaoaa n
O N oo aqwooung

jaquuaoaa o£
O N ‘uoAji

jaqiuaoaa 08
O N ' oo ll9«Pieo

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N 'Bpuot|-u!>||3

jaqujaoaa n
O S 'uosuiaio

jaqujaoaa 82
O S ‘ailjAuaajo

jaqujaoaa 82
O N 'a»0|jeqo

jaqujaoaa 62
O N ‘ oo liapaJI

jaqujaoaa 82
O N 'uja|BS-ucnsu!M

jaqujaoaa 82
O N ojoqsuaajo

jaqiuaoaa SI
O N “00 uiBq6u!>toog

jaqiuaoaa 22
O N ll!H ladBMO

jaqiuaoaa SI-
ON ‘ujeqjna

jaqiuaoaa 12
O N ‘m6!0|BU

(OO) : C\J CO

: h- : CO *

: t- : CD : t- O

. O '.CM

: CO 00 CD CD O OO

8

o a> co

: CD O O : CD

CM CT> : h- : 00 CO

;S888!

: CD CO 00 r- O : r- i- : co ^ T- : CO O : O O

:r^^T0O COO : CD CD CO CD CO 1- :r-m

CM 05 in 00 CO T- CM t—

^ CM

IT)

lO

; i ;83

CM CM CO t- OO^ CM CM 1-

cm"

) 1- : CO CO I — O CM : CO CO : CO CM CO O CM :IOCO

jaqiuaoaa 22
O S ‘ua>|!V

jaqiuaoaa H
O S ‘Biqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa 81
O N ‘spidey a>(Oueoy

jaqiuaoaa 91
O N ‘soutd ujaq^nos

jaqiuaoaa l£
O S ‘uoma

jaqiuaoaa 92
O N ‘ °0 ooniuBd

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N ‘ OQ pojnEag

t- : CM O : O t- CD
CO : CO O : O t-

oo : to O) in '

T- O CD 00

00 : N T- lO CD CM r-

O : 05 O :

: t- : in : CD : CD CO

■ CM 1- : CM

t- t- in cm : m •

: in : oo r-

: t- CM r- CD

CONO)T-r- : in

: CD : r- : in

: O) : O N O : i-

: CM Tf in :

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S “S| PB3H uoimh

jaqujaoaa 62
O S ‘uoisaiJBqo

jaqiuaoaa 82 “O S “S|

s/(a|MBd-P|B!JiP)n

: CO CJ> CD <

T- T- T- : CD CO CO :h-in
: in CO : CM T-

T- T- co : 00 CD T- o

T- T- T- : CM CM 1- T-

CO Tt O) : i- 00

;T-T-°si3

: 1- O : O) '

: r- : CO CO

j0qiu0O0Q pi
O N ‘uoi6u!iu|!M

jaqiuaoaa 22
O N ‘^!0 pBaqajoiAj

jaqujaoaa 08

O N ‘PUB|S| B8d-9!Pog

o co M1 7- m ’

0)7-SC0inNOM-r-(
7- CM ■'fr CM 7— CO

:§ 18

: CO : O : Oi

I O) CM CD CO : f- C

CO CM 00

CM t-

s|enp|A|pu|

ie;oi

c/)!=

l?

hOJ

WOro

a. a

I DC

Om

! § § 5$ 8

(O O r- O .

in in r**-" co" in cm" o" t-
T” £ CO T_

°>-C

.E co

. ? "D

n a) -o

•E 5 d-o

« ;OD§«D§)i25oi522o0(D.E2coOQ)5O .CD

]Ooc^O-ico^cocDa.OZ>>-Q.Q-CLO>-^iiiJa:

-| |?
E 5

co in o =: O r>

c « a)11- U. « o O ,3 <S o

c c O a> 10(30 « c

T1 C D 5 m 1 CO

5 ? >.S rfc£a> = =i2SM00<»c«

So3®oo2®iD>:0,EE(i):ffli.

0CZCrmCDOCD^OUJQ.XCL<CC0CC/3O

jaqtuaoaa 62

64

253

3

179

5

o

CM

cv

s

?

s

d N WS 9

co"

c/1

z

jaqtuaoaa 82

; j

: in CM CO m CD 05 :

: CO CO g5 co

in

CM

5

^ :

o

m

05

O

O N 'pjeAajg

' LO

CO

7

D

o

jaqiuaoaQ pi

CNJ

58

2

107

2

CM

CD

o

05

CD

>1.5

5

O N "oo aqtuoDung

: O : t- : r- o

in

CO

jaqcuaoao OE

: co

: CO : CD CO

in

CD

CO

CM

O N 'uoAji

CD

jaqtuaoaa 0£

: 05

co

CD

TT

in

o

O N "OO II9MPIB0

: : O) : : y-

*

5

jaqtuaoaa o,z

: CO

: CM 05 : CO

CD

O N 'Bpuoy-u!>|i3

m

£

CO

CM

jaqiuaoaQ pi

: T- CO CD CM CM Tj- co :

00

CO

O

CM

CD

o s ‘uosLuaio

• : : CO :

: £

:t-nont-^c\j :

05

in

T_

tJ-

o

jaqtuaoaa 82

CO

o

Tf

m

o

O S 'siMAuaajo

' co

: :CO :

in

CD

O

CO

jaqtuaoaa 82

: : : C\J :

: LO

: CO r- : r- t- CM O :

£

CO

05

-

CD

in

o

5,

O N '9»0|JBt|0

CO

^ CM T"

CD

CM

jaqtuaoaa 62

: CO : CM CM CD

CD

CM

O

O N "oo l|op9J|

: : O Tf

CM

CD

05

T_

co

o

co"

:>

jaqtuaoaa 82

O

LU

O N ‘tuaiBS-uotsuiM

CO

2

173

10

395

4

16

318

CO

O

co

co

CO

CD

in

Q_

jaqtuaoaa 82

: CD ^ 05 CO ^ r-

m

co"

CO

5

o

CO

05

05

m

O N ‘ojoqsuaajo

s

Tj-

: in CO T— CM 05

i- CO CM

CO

co

CM

8

o

jaqtuaoaa SI

CM CO O : 05 : « CM :

in

o

CM

CO

05

00

O N "00 tuet|6u!>(ooa

CO

CO

in : CO 05

CM

CD

CM

CM

CM

in

CM

jaqtuaoaa 22

: O

: CD in ^ o in CM T- :

o

co

05

CO

O N ‘ll!H |9det|0

T- T- o CM in CO :

t- in i-

o

o

CM

CD

^fr

o

CM

05'

s

jaqiuaoaQ gt

: O
: O

: 00 : O CO O 05 ;

in : CM CM CO

-

CD

CM

CO

CM

CM

CO

CO

§

O N ‘tueqjna

CD

CO

jaqtuaoaa 12
O N 'q6|a|Bg

: f-
(71
05

: ^ CO CM 05 CD CM CD
: in ^ CO CO CM CM :

y- in y— CO

o

1

8

-

t}-

8

o

h-

CO

m

T-'

CO"

jaqtuaoaa 22

CM

O S ‘ua>(!V

: i/5

: CM OJ t- CO r- CD

CO

CM

52

jaqtuaoaa t’f

: tt in : 05 Tf in i—

CO

4,062 :

CM

CD

o

O S 'Biqtunioo

: CD

CD

co

CM

z

jaqtuaoaa 81

: <*>

: r- •*- r- t- t- t- co
: in co in r- cm

o>

E5

«

8

£

o

<

O N ‘spjdBg a>|OUBog

s

CM CO CO 05

_i

CO

co"

CL

CM

—I

jaqtuaoaa 91

: CO

: in CO : O CO 05 Is- :

CM

05

in

h-

05

05

<

1—

O N 'sauid ujatunos

: £

: CO in : t- n

CO

CD

CM

CD

co

o"

<

O

jaqtuaoaa l£

ed

: t- tj- : 05 in in r-

s

co

CM

in

CO

o

'o s ‘uoina

: CO

CO : CD T- y-

CD

m

jaqtuaoaa 92

: CD

40

64

34

64

r-

CO

in

m

o

o

O N "oo oo||UJEd

: in

05

co"

**

CO

jaqtuaoaa 62

|g

: CD in : : GO

o

h*.

05

co

o

8

05

O N "00 JJO*nBag

jaqtuaoaa 82

: t- CD CO :

:co

: 00 CO 00 CM S

s

CO

CD

CO

$2

O S "si PB3H uo}||H

CO

co"

jaqtuaoaa 62

: r- CM CO

: in

: 05 t- : ^ r- CO CO

o

o

o

CO

8

O S 'uojsaiJBMO

: ^r

: y~ CO : J CO ^ CO

in

C5

05"

jaqtuaoaa 82 "O S "S|

CM

. co tj-

: 05

: h- O : in y- 00 h-

CM

CM

o

o

05

05

CD

in

1—

sAa|AABd-P|9!tqoin

: ^

CO

: tj- in : y- CM CD
y-

£

CD

CM

CO

CM

05

co

o"

<

T“

o

o

jaqtuaoaa frl
O N 'uoj6u|tu|!M

177

330

7

5

38

451

7

168

275

in

in

a>

05

05

CM

o

o

05

65.5

O

CM

jaqtuaoaa 22

: y— CD : r-

: CO : CO CO h- in

o

CM

00

in

CO

CO

CO

8

O N Ai!Q pBaqajoy\|

: r-

o

: CO N* : CO i- CM

CNJ CM CM

52

CM

r"

CM

co"

jaqtuaoaa 0£

CM

81

17

1

: h-

75

66

3

483

246

s

-

CD

CO

o

o

o

CD

05

CM

O N ‘puB|S| Bad-aipog

05

o

S|Bnp|A|pu|

*

r- 05 ID O T-
h- CO CO

2

298

,005

279

,764

239

,084

,783

6

-

5

8

co

M-

CM

CO

CD

CD

CM

CD

CD

lejoi

CM CO

in

y—

CM

CD

05

co"

Tf

co t

o

o

CHRISTMA
BIRD COUN
1974

e Conte's Sparrow

enslow’s Sparrow
harp-tailed Sp.
easide Sparrow
esper Sparrow
ark Sparrow

achman’s Sparrow
ark-eyed Junco

ree Sparrow
hipping Sparrow
ield Sparrow
/hite-cr. Sparrow
/hite-th. Sparrow
ox Sparrow
wamp Sparrow
ong Sparrow
apland Longspur
i/hite-th. Sp. x June

otal no. species

■g

■6

c

d

c

o

ield observers

ard observers

ield parties

ield-hours

ield-miles by toot

jD

CD

n

0)

I

■6

0)

I CD (0 > —1

CD O

1 — O LL. > > U_ CD CO 1

>

'Seen in count area during count period but not on count day.
"Included in Blackbird (sp. ?.).

tFigure below includes some Black-capped Chickadees.
ttDoes not include counts published in paragraph form.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT— 1974

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Birders in the Carolinas tallied 221 species on the 1974 Christmas Bird Count,
well below the record 230 species in 1972 (before the lumping of several species)
but an improvement over the 215 species reported last year. A notable improvement
this year was that 31 counts were submitted to The Chat, a record high for the Caro-
lina Bird Club Christmas Count. New or renewed counts were taken at Rockingham
County and Tryon in North Carolina and Clemson in South Carolina.

Five of the six coastal counts broke 150 species this year, with Wilmington leading
all counts with 155. However, the plaudits of the 1974 count must go to the observers
on the Raleigh and Clemson counts. Raleigh, with 101 species, became the first count
wholly west of the Fall Line to record at least 100 species, despite considerable fog
and intermittent rain in the morning. Clemson took its first Christmas count since 1961
and tallied a remarkable 98 species. Surprisingly, only three other inland counts were
able to break 80 species.

A total of 1,518,000+ birds were reported on the 1974 count, the lowest number
of individuals on a Christmas count since 1970. As usual, most of these birds were
Starlings and blackbirds; and because these species winter in large flocks that often
shift roosts from one location to another between winters, the rather “low” total num-
ber of individuals probably was due to the shifting of major roosts to the outside of
count circles where they were present in previous winters. Chapel Hill and Winston-
Salem were locations of major roosts, and each count tallied in the vicinity of 550,000
birds.

Temperatures during the count period were somewhat above normal, as most
counts had highs reading in the 50s and 60s. On the other hand, a majority of the counts
(especially those in the piedmont) were plagued by intermittent rain, drizzle, and/or
fog. Most of the counts held from 27 through 29 December were hampered by
inclement weather.

Many rarities were sighted on the 31 counts this year. Although no first state
records were reported, the Eared Grebe at Raleigh (first inland record for North
Carolina), White-rumped Sandpiper at Litchfield-Pawleys Island, Wilsons Warbler at
Charleston, two Le Conte’s Sparrows at Bodie-Pea Island, and White-winged Dove
and Prothonotary Warbler at Hilton Head Island were exceptionally noteworthy. The
White-rumped Sandpiper and White-winged Dove are additions to the All-time Christ-
mas Bird Count List, bringing the total to 279 species found on count days. Other ex-
citing records were single Long-billed Curlews at Bodie-Pea Island and Morehead
City, a Glaucous Gull at Litchfield-Pawleys Island, a Ruffed Grouse and two Yellow-
billed Cuckoos at Rockingham County, two Short-eared Owls at Roanoke Rapids,
an Eastern Kingbird at Beaufort County, and a Lark Sparrow at Morehead City. Please
see the Compilers’ Comments section for further information on these and other sight-
ings.

Two major trends are evident on this count. First, nearly all of the rarities were
late-lingering summer resident or transient species. Far northern visitors, such as
several species of gulls, alcids, owls, and winter finches, were scarce on the count.
Second, the irregularly-occurring winter finches ( Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, and
Red Crossbill) all had off-years in the South this winter, as did the Red-breasted Nut-
hatch. In the previous few winters, at least one of these four species had a major in-
vasion during a given winter. Fortunately, Purple Finches were common as usual at
most localities.

SPECIAL NOTICES TO COMPILERS AND OBSERVERS

1. A question about the identification of Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers
on Christmas counts was brought up by Allan R. Phillips in Birding, Vol. 6, p. 172-173.

8

The Chat

He states that he knows of no valid record (specimen) of the Semipalmated Sandpiper
north of Florida between 10 December and 1 March, and that all of the specimens
labeled Semipalmated Sandpipers are actually Westerns. Also, a specimen taken from
a small flock of birds originally called Semis on this year’s Bodie-Pea Island count
was later identified as a Western, according to Paul Sykes. Despite these facts, coastal
Christmas counts north of Florida consistently report Semis, often in much greater
numbers than Westerns. Based on such information and my own field experience, I
am certain that Semis do winter regularly north of Florida but are apparently out-
numbered by the Westerns. I do not intend to throw out all records of Semis on Caro-
lina Christmas counts; rather, the purpose of this notice is to make observers and com-
pilers take a closer and longer look at small “peep” sandpipers recorded on their
counts. In the future, observers should no longer assume that some of the birds in a
flock of “peep” must be Semis. Try to see the short, straight, and fairly thick bill, and
the absence of rusty on the scapulars of the Semi. Also, listen for a krip call note (an
“i” or “e” sound, as opposed to the “ee” sound of the Western’s call) before you mark
the Semi on your Christmas count list.

2. Most compilers and observers correctly followed the new count policies printed
in the September 1974 Chat , and it was encouraging to see compilers sending one to
three pages of details with their count forms. However, as expected, a few problems
did arise. Some observers and compilers did not send full and convincing details on
rare species. Even though a number of details for a single observation were over one-
half page long, some of these did not even mention field marks, by far the major cri-
terion for judging the validity of a sighting. I reluctantly accepted a number of
records of birds with less than convincing details. All of these had details of some kind,
but the field marks (if mentioned) were too brief to thoroughly convince me of the
record’s validity. Only two records were rejected, due to a total lack of details — a
Y ellow-billed Cuckoo at one location and 5 Common Terns at another. A second reason
for my insistence upon full details is to reduce my having to send out postcards to ob-
servers and compilers requesting further details, a process that delays the publication
of the count by at least 3 weeks.

3. I would like to thank the observers and especially the compilers for their efforts
on the 1974 Christmas count. As mentioned earlier, a record 31 counts were received,
with 29 published in the table and the North Wilkesboro and Avery County counts
printed under the Compilers’ Comments. Being a compiler must be one of the most
thankless and unappreciated jobs anyone could ever undertake. Perhaps to many
people, all a compiler does is add up the species totals and submit them for publica-
tion in a journal. Actually, compiling the list is the easy part — organizing the count be-
forehand and requesting and typing details afterwards are the difficult jobs, not to
mention the collection of participation fees and listing of observers’ addresses re-
quired by American Birds. Also, the compiler usually is the person a count editor em-
barrasses or irritates by questioning a sighting. For these reasons and more, I praise
the efforts of the compilers for putting so much of their time, energy, and money into
making this count a success.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C. (center: 2.7 miles SSE of Bodie Island Lighthouse).

30 December. The three Brown Pelicans were in the Oregon Inlet area, and the
Green Heron was near the Bodie Island Lighthouse pond. The adult and immature
White Ibis, along with the 25 Glossy Ibis, were observed by Wayne Irvin, Paul Spain,
and the Compiler near South Pond on Pea Island. The brown-plumaged Common
Eider (Compiler and party) was seen in the surf on Pea Island. Light phase Bough-
legged Hawk (Robert Kennedy, Robert Tripican) was seen well on Pea Island. The

March 1975

9

large size and long decurved bill of the Long-billed Curlew (Richard Rowlett, Bonnie
Bowen, Kennedy, Tripican) were noted; bird was on flats just north of North Pond on
Pea Island. The same four observers also found the Marbled Godwits. The Parasitic
Jaeger (Wavell Fogleman) was chasing gulls 200 yards off Bodie Island; the pointed
rectrices were seen. The adult and seven immature Black-legged Kittiwakes (Robert
Ake) were seen well offshore. Two parties observed the four Common Terns, noting
the black band extending completely around the back of the head. Red Crossbill
(Richard Peake) was seen and heard in flight near Bodie Island Lighthouse. The two
Le Conte’s Sparrows (Ray Chandler, Paul McQuarry) were studied carefully in a
grassy sedge marsh with scattered waxmyrtle north of the Bodie Island Lighthouse;
white median crown stripe, purplish color of the nape, orange face wash, and fine
streaks on the sides of the breast were seen. Interestingly, the Common Eider, Rough-
legged Hawk, Long-billed Curlew, and Le Conte’s Sparrow had been seen several
weeks earlier in the area. Outstanding species counts were 2100 Gannets, 13,600 Red-
breasted Mergansers, 62 Ring-necked Pheasants, 39 Piping Plovers, 101 American
Avocets, 248 Short-billed Marsh Wrens, and 17,000 Y ellow-rumped Warblers. — PAUL
W. SYKES JR., P.O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Florida 33444.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 miles NW of Crab Point).

22 December. A female Common Merganser (Compiler) was seen on a small
pond on 19 December. The Long-billed Curlew (Compiler, Edmund LeGrand) was
on flats in Beaufort Inlet and compared with nearby Marbled Godwits. Whip-poor-will
(LeGrand, Chris Marsh, Lisa Marsh, David Whitehurst) was attracted to a taped call
just before dawn at Pine Knoll Shores; a number of records for this area over the past
few winters indicates that the species may winter regularly in Carteret County. Both
the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Ray Winstead) and the White-eyed Vireo (Compiler) were
seen at very close range. The Lark Sparrow (John Wright, Tom Howard), seen near
Newport, was identified by the white tail edging, chestnut crown, black face mark-
ings, and breast spot. The seven unidentified scoters were either Surfs or Blacks and
were counted in the species total. — JOHN FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City,
N.C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Monkey Junction).

14 December. Rough-legged Hawk (Edna Appleberry, Harry Latimer, Greg
Massey) was a light phase bird studied carefully near the New Cape Fear Bridge.
The same observers found the Spotted Sandpiper. One Sandwich Tern was seen by the
Compiler and Doug Nunnally, and two were seen by James Parnell. The Northern
Parula ( C . Willard Greene) was at Orton with a mixed flock of songbirds; all field
marks were seen. The large numbers of Seaside and Sharp-tailed Sparrows were partly
due to greater marsh coverage by observers and partly to high tides on Masonboro Is-
land, where 325 birds were found. — FRANCES B. NEEDHAM, Box 81, Wilmington,
N.C. 28401.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (center: entrance to North Litchfield Beach
on US 17).

28 December. The White-rumped Sandpiper (Compiler, Evelyn Dabbs, David
McLean Jr.) was excellently described in detail; white rump, dark legs, mottled
breast, whitish stripe over eye, size about that of a Sanderling. Glaucous Gull
(Arch McCallum, Wenda McCallum) was seen in the surf with other gulls and was
identified by size (as large as or slightly larger than Great Black-backed Gulls), large
and dark-tipped bill, and overall dusky-white appearance. The Whip-poor-will (Arch
McCallum) was flushed from an oak-pine scrub. Pete Laurie observed the Prairie
Warbler and the two Le Conte’s Sparrows. — FREDERICK PROBST, Route 2, Box
80-C2, Pawleys Island, S.C. 29585.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

29 December. Weather conditions and visibility were poor. Three boat parties
provided better coverage of the upper Wando River and tidal creeks, tidal marshes,

10

The Chat

and mudflats. Such coverage was partly responsible for the high counts of scaup,
oyster catchers, dowitchers, godwits, and wigeons. More kinglets were found on the
mainland than usual. Rare species were a Gull-hilled Tern (Arthur Wilcox, Peter Mani-
gault, and party), a Yellow-breasted Chat (Manigault), and a Wilsons Warbler (Perry
Nugent, Arch McCallum). The Wilsons was observed for about 5 minutes at close
range and was reported in full detail; major marks noted were the olive back, bright
yellow underparts, absence of tail spots, pale olive cheek patch, yellow eye ring and
stripe over the eye, a blackish-olive crown, and size of Common Yellowthroat. The
remarkable 29 Prairie Warblers were seen and well documented by Perry Nugent and
party. The birds were in large flocks of Yellow-rumped, Pine, and Yellow-throated
Warblers, mainly in small to medium loblolly pines with some underbrush. The black
and yellow stripes around the eye, dark side streaks, and wagging tail were noted. —
JULIAN R. HARRISON, Biology Department, College of Charleston, Charleston,
S.C. 29401.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (center: Spanish Wells Landing).

28 December. The Red-necked Grebes (Seward Bowers) were seen in Baynard
Cove at 75 feet. The White-winged Dove (Caroline Newhall, Frank Arnold) was
seen perching and in flight; six were seen during the count period. The two observers
also found the Great Crested Flycatcher; rufous tail was seen. Mildred Lawrence saw
the Eastern Wood Pewee in a wooded yard, perched in a tree and noted the wing bars,
light bill, and lack of tail wagging. The orange-yellow head and breast, plain bluish
wings, and white belly of the Prothonotary Warbler were well seen by Helen Loriot
and Kip Berhorst.— W. WALLACE ROY and BETTY ROY, Dogwood Lane, Hilton
Head Island, S.C. 29928.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance of Upper Goose Creek into Pamlico
River).

29 December. The Common Gallinule (Compiler, Anne and Bruce Reynolds)
was in a dredged marsh channel on the south shore of the Pamlico River and was ap-
parently a first winter record for Beaufort County. — DAVID MORRIS, Camp Don-
Lee, Arapahoe, N.C. 28510.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

26 December. The count day was quite windy. The Eastern Kingbird (Margaret
Conderman) was on a roadside wire, and all field marks, including the distinct white
end of the tail, were noted. The flock of Boat-tailed Grackles (Compiler) was in a
corn field near Whortonsville. — DAVID MORRIS, address as above.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (center: Dillon).

31 December.— JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 1 mile NE of Skyline).

16 December. The Common Loon (Chris Marsh) was seen at close range on Lake
Surf. Herring Gulls (Marsh, John Wright, Edmund LeGrand) were a mixed flock of
adults and immatures at Lake Surf. John Fussell observed all field marks of the Solitary
Vireo. — J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: 1.4 miles SE of Weldon).

18 December. The American Bittern (Chris Marsh, Rhodes Robinson) was flushed
from the marshy edge of a beaver pond. An adult Snow (Blue) Goose was observed by
the Compiler in a large flock of Canada Geese on Stevenson’s Goose Pond. The two
Short-eared Owls were discovered by Marsh and Robinson in a wet cattle pasture at
Occoneechee Neck. The birds were observed at close range in flight and resting on

March 1975

11

the ground by all count observers; the excellent details included all field marks. White-
crowned Sparrows continue to increase in numbers on the Christmas counts. Lapland
Longspurs have been seen for four consecutive winters in a limited area of Occoneechee
Neck, and the species is now considered a regular winter resident in this locality. — J.
MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (center: intersection of Gills Creek and Bluff Road).

14 December. The American Bittern (Kay Sisson, Miriam Davis, Ebba Van,
Emma Walker) was approached within 10 feet; black neck mark was seen. The two
Wood Thrushes (Glenn Smith) had a reddish head and nape and duller back and tail.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Compiler, Nina and Mary Reid) was studied at close
range in excellent light. Most of the Bed-headed Woodpeckers were seen in a few
acres of river swamp, and over half were immatures. — GILBERT BRISTOW, 2921
Blossom Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

AIKEN, S.C. (center: Couchton).

22 December.— JEANNINE ANGERMAN, 1326 Evans Road, Aiken, S.C. 29801.

PIEDMONT

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk Southern RR crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

21 December. The outstanding find was an Eared Grebe on Lake Benson, first
seen by the Compiler and party and subsequently seen by many other observers; all
field marks were noted and described in detail. The female Northern Shoveler (Chris
Marsh) was on Lake Wheeler, and the male Common Goldeneye (Ken Knapp, Betty
and Lloyd Davis) was on Lake Benson. Fifteen Red-breasted Mergansers on Lake
Wheeler and 39 on Lake Benson were an exceptional number for the winter season.
Harry LeGrand found the Virginia Rails and the Sora in a cattail marsh near Lake
Raleigh. The adult and immature Herring Gulls (Marsh) were with a Ring-billed Gull
on Lake Wheeler. Singing Solitary Vireos were found by two parties. The Yellow-
breasted Chat (Marsh and party) was well studied and all field marks were noted. An
immature Black-crowned Night Heron during count period was unusual. — R.J.
HADER, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

DURHAM, N.C. (center: 1 mile N and 1 mile E of junction of Eno River and US
501).

15 December. The Compiler and Robert Ridgely observed a hybrid Dark-eyed
Junco x White-throated Sparrow that had regularly visited a feeder for two weeks
prior to the count. It had the gray head, pink bill, white belly, and white outer tail
feathers of a junco combined with the brown back and wing, dark head striping, and
white throat of the White-throated Sparrow. Since the markings were quite distinct,
they believe the bird probably was an adult. — NORMAN BUDNITZ, Dept, of Zo-
ology, Duke University, Durham, N.C. 27706.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets).

22 December. With no lingerers and a lackluster performance by winter finches,
the count was just typical, but with a good list of the expected winter species. For
waterfowl-poor Chapel Hill, the six C anvasbacks were quite unusual, and the Buffle-
head was the first for count day (both by Barbara Roth, later by other observers). The
half-million-plus total of blackbirds was a useful addition to the count, even though
most were unidentified as to species. — JAMES O. PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149,
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (center: Rockingham County Community College
Student Center in Wentworth).

15 December. The Ruffed Grouse was seen by Donna Cook, who saw the large
size and broad banded tail. In fact, she has seen grouse in the same area for many

12

The Chat

years, including a hen with chicks a few years ago. [Cook should write a field note
for Chat on her Ruffed Grouse observations in Rockingham County, for these records
are well to the east of the normal range of the species. — HL] Donna Cook also observed
the two Y ellow-billed Cuckoos as they were feeding on caterpillars that were trapped
under burlap wrapped around the trunks of apple trees in her yard. The large spots on
the underside of the tail were easily seen at 40 feet. — EDWARD BURROUGHS, 921
Seymour Court, Eden, N.C. 27288.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: transmitter of Radio Station WBIG).

28 December. The Palm Warbler was seen by Edwin Blitch III. — DONALD
ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

28 December. There is a notable scarcity of waterfowl in the area. Black
and Turkey Vultures were seen in a common roost near Lewisville. The Long-billed
Marsh Wren (James Orgain) was found in a marsh at the Nature Science Park; it had
been seen by other birders in the area for several weeks. — C. ROYCE HOUGH, 713
Lankashire Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River Bridge on Chipley Ford
Road).

29 December. The Broad-winged Hawk was seen by Lois Goforth on her farm.
She has observed the species there all year, as has the Compiler, who has also seen this
species in winter near a museum on the northern edge of Statesville. The singing
Short-billed Marsh Wren was heard by Mrs. Goforth, who is familiar with the song
of this species. An unusually large number of kinglets were recorded on the count.
Rain, heavy at times, continued most of the day and probably was responsible for the
lack of numbers and species of hawks usually seen on the count. — JANE S. MULLEN,
908 West Front Street, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn
Road).

28 December. The 31 Red-tailed Hawks were a noteworthy number for this
area. The Merlin (David Wright) seen in the count week was the second reported
for Mecklenburg County. Other than the six House Finches at a feeder on count day,
none have beerr reported this year. The Vesper Sparrow (Doug Pratt) was a note-
worth) sighting, as it is seldom seen in winter.— BECKY and JOE NORWOOD, 1329
Goodwin Avenue, Charlotte, N.C. 28205.

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (center: intersection of highways 29 and 291).

28 December. — ROSA LEE HARDIN, Star Route, Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

CLEMSON, S.C. (center: 3 miles W of intersection of US 76 and SC 28 in Pendleton).

14 December. American Bittern (Compiler) was heard calling from a marsh near
Pendleton. Adair Tedards and Vivian Smith observed the dark phase Rough-legged
Hatvk and the Osprey. The large expanses of mudflats around Lake Hartwell were
responsible for the lingering Spotted Sandpiper (Charlie Gage, Gaston Gage), Least
Sandpipers (Bill Alexander, Frank Moore), and Dunlins (Edwin Stearns). The two
Bewick’s Wrens (Sidney Gauthreaux, Alan Peltz) were in brush piles near old barns in
the Townville area; all field marks seen as close as 10 feet. Catbirds (two parties) were
probably late stragglers rather than winter residents. The three male and two female
House Finches (Tedards, Smith) were in rural country on telephone wires near Sandy
Springs, at the same location where the Compiler found them in late November.
Gauthreaux observed the Grasshopper Sparrow at very close range in a roadside
brush)' thicket. — HARRY E. LeGRAND JR., Department of Zoology, Clemson Uni-
versity, Clemson, S.C. 29631.

March 1975

13

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin at intersection of US 21 and US
21 Bypass).

26 December. Two Rusty Blackbirds were unusual on the count, though the
species should not be as rare here as our observations indicate. — LIN HENDREN,
P.O. Box 148, Elkin, N.C. 28621.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (center: North Wilkesboro).

1 January. Ring-necked Duck 4, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Ring-billed Gull 4,
Mourning Dove 4, Great Homed Owl 1, Common Flicker 1, Pileated Woodpecker 1,
Blue Jay 11, Common Crow 36, Tufted Titmouse 9, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Win-
ter Wren 1, Carolina Wren 7, American Robin 1, Hermit Thrush 3, Starling 59, House
Sparrow 14, Rusty Blackbird 1, Cardinal 2, House Finch 2, Rufous-sided Towhee 2,
Savannah Sparrow 1, Dark-eyed Junco 8, Song Sparrow 6. 24 species; 174 individuals;
2 field observers in 1 party; 9 field-hours; 12 miles by foot; 30 miles by car. Louise P.
Smith, Wendell P. Smith. [This count badly needs additional observers. Surely some-
one can give the Smiths a helping hand! — HL] — WENDELL P. SMITH, 911 E Street,
North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

30 December.— HELEN MYERS, 310 Beall Street NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

TRYON, N.C. (center: Tryon).

30 December. A large blackbird roost was present along Howard Gap Road
near Tryon. Neil and Margaret Skelton censused the roost on the afternoon of 5 Jan-
uary. The count of 60,650 included Starlings , Red-winged Blackbirds, Rusty Black-
birds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. — BETTY FROST, Box 271,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance to Grandfather Mountain toll road).

27 December. Mallard 1, Ruffed Grouse 3, Belted Kingfisher 2, Pileated Wood-
pecker 2, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 10,
Eastern Phoebe 1, Blue Jay 23, Common Raven 5, Common Crow 32, Carolina Chick-
adee 47, Tufted Titmouse 33, White-breasted Nuthatch 13, Red-breasted Nuthatch
12, Brown Creeper 1, Carolina Wren 10, American Robin 2, Eastern Bluebird 6,
Golden-crowned Kinglet 17, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4, House Sparrow 16, Cardinal
23, Evening Grosbeak 33, Purple Finch 5, Pine Siskin 3, American Goldfinch 23,
Rufous-sided Towhee 6, Dark-eyed Junco 151, Field Sparrow 3, White-throated Spar-
row 36, Song Sparrow 11. 32 species; 538 individuals; 7 field observers in 3 parties,
plus 2 yard observers; 22.5 field-hours; 5 miles by foot; 70.5 miles by car. Nat
Clement, Frank Mendoza, Hugh Morton, Margery Plymire, Russell Pratt, Sally South-
erland, Louise Winstead. — MARGERY PLYMIRE, R.D. 2, Chestertown, Maryland
21620.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740 in Swan-
nanoa).

14 December. The male Canvasback (Richard Price, Compiler, Roland Sargent,
Plumer Wiseman) was with Ring-necked Ducks on Burnett Reservoir. Barn Owl
(Gordon Mahy) was in a silo on the Warren Wilson College grounds in Swannanoa;
birds have nested here for 2 years and have raised nine young. Orange-crowned
Warbler (Mary Sawyer) was seen as close as 10 feet in the observer’s yard. The Rusty
Blackbirds (Margaret Finch, Eddie Stearns) were seen in the Haw Creek area. White-
crowned Sparrows (Vertice Wood) were in the observer’s yard at Lakey Gap, south of
Black Mountain. — ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

14

The Chat

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 7 miles SE of Brevard at Rich Mountain Lookout Tower).

28 December. The addition of a highly successful 16-mile canoe trip yielded
Brevard’s first Horned Grebe (Walter and Gail Holland, Harold Sims). Other new
species for the count were Marsh Hawk (Susan and Curt Holland, Walter McKelvey)
and Canada Goose and Red-ivinged Blackbird (both by Ercel and George Francis,
Genevieve Lilly). Notably absent were Killdeer, Evening Grosbeak , and Pine Siskin. —
WALTER C. HOLLAND JR., 290 Maple Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Tenn.-N.C. (center: Bull Head
of Mt. Le Conte).

29 December. — DONALD H. DeFOE, Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738.

FIELD OBSERVERS

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C.: Robert Ake, Robert Anderson, Bonnie Bowen, Ray Chandler, John
and Thelma Dalmas, Keith Fielder, Wavell Fogleman, Charles Gibson, Clay and Samuel Gifford,
Joseph Hudick, David Hughes, Kent Ihrman, Wayne Irvin, Robert Kennedy, Ken Knapp, Edmund
and Harry LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Norman and Lynn Messinger, Paul McQuarry, Dwight and
Richard Peake, William Portlock, Douglas Pratt, Robert and Peter Pyle, Richard Rowlett, Paul
Spain, Paul Sykes Jr., Robert Tripican, John and Mark Williamson, Townley Wolfe.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: Jay Carter, John Fussell II, John Fussell III, Tom Howard, Edmund
LeGrand, Chris Marsh, Lisa Marsh, J.A. and Sue Meadows, David Morris, Anne and Bruce Rey-
nolds, David Whitehurst, Ray Winstead, John Wright.

W ILMINGTON, N.C.: Edna Appleberry, Alice Brown, Robert S. Brown, Jay and Dana Carter,
Dot Earle, Wavell and Kim Fogleman, John Fussell, C. Willard Greene, John Hardwick, Haskell
Hart, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer, A. Greg Massey, Richard McGough, Polly Mebane, Bud Need-
ham, Frances Needham, Doug and Sally Nunnally, James F. Parnell, Frederick Probst, Bruce and
Anne Reynolds, Barry Thomas, Charlotte Waggett, John Waggett, Jim Weigand.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C.: Jeannine Angerman, Bobby Austin, Robert Brown,
Calvin Clyde, Evelyn Dabbs, Betsy Eaddy, Lindy Floyd, Julian Harrison, David Huff, Pete Laurie,
Arch McCallum, Wenda McCallum, David McLean Jr., Joe McLean, Mary Lou McLean, J.A. Mea-
dows, Sue Meadows, Perry Nugent, Frederick Probst, Renee Probst.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: Bill Anderson, S.A. Barber, Ted Beckett, Alan Bills, David Chamberlain,
E.B. Chamberlain, Calvin Clyde, Evelyn Dabbs, W.P. Davis, Harry Freeman, John Gaskins, Andy
Harrison, Julian Harrison, T.F. Hassell, Casey Herbert, John and Peter Horlbeck, Kenneth Hough,
Bobbin and David Huff, George Kuzma, Peter Laurie, Curt Laffin, Peter Manigault, Arch and
W enda McCallum, Frank McKinney, Peg and Ted Metcalf, Perry Nugent, Robert O’Dell, Frederick
and Renee Probst, Olgerts Puravs, Tom Reeves, Susan Roche, Ralph Tiner, Arthur and Robert Wil-
cox, Wdlliam Wingfield.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.: John Allen, Frank Arnold, Gordon Benford, Kip Berhorst, Seward
Bowers, Nancy and George Cathcart, Nini Chapin, Alice Chapman, Billie Hack, Orion and Alicia
Hack, John Hannold, Dave and Virginia Harrall, Royce and Helen Hough, Isabel Hurst, Charlotte
and Edith Inglesby, Bruce King, Donald and Louise Lacoss, Helen Loriot, Imogene Lowden, Olin
and Violet McIntosh, Marie Mellinger, Beany Newhall, Muggs Park, Helene Parry, Keith and Beryl
Pitcairn, Lois Pitcairn, Wallace and Betty Roy, Stewart and Mary Smith, Elizabeth and Robert Whit-
ney, Bill Wiley.

BEALTORT COUNTY, N.C.: Lily Grimes, James McLaurin, Mary McLaurin, David Morris, Anne
Reynolds, Bruce Reynolds, Louise Satterthwaite, Mary Wilson.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Bill Baxter, Ken Baxter, Marguerite Baxter, Nat Baxter, Margaret
Conderman, John Fussell II, John Fussell III, Ecky Meadows, Sue Meadows, David Morris, Anne
Reynolds, Bruce Reynolds, Clay Smith.

March 1975

15

DILLON COUNTY, S.C.: Arch McCallum, Marion McCallum, Wenda McCallum, John H.
Wilson.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: J.H. Carter III, John Fussell, Edmund LeGrand, Chris Marsh, James
Parnell, John Vanderlaan, Jim Weigand, Mary Wintyen, John Wright.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Tom Howard, J. Merrill Lynch, Chris Marsh, Rhodes Robinson, John
Wright.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Gilbert Bristow, Miriam Davis, Bobby Despartes, Marcy Despartes, Russell
Green, Nina Reed, Mary Reid, Glenn Smith, Kay Sisson, Ebba Van, Emma Walker.

AIKEN, S.C.: Jeannine Angerman, Jack Cooper, Gene Howard, Gerald Knighton, Robert Lathrop,
James Reinig, Thomas Rial.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Bill Blades, Nelson Chadwick, Betty and Lloyd Davis, Jean Donaldson, Louis
Fink, John Fussell, Charlotte Hilton Green, R.J. Hader, Jeanne and Ray Halsey, Tom Howard,
Wayne Irvin, Ken Knapp, Joshua Lee, Edmund and Harry LeGrand, Sanford Leuba, Joe Marlin,
Chris Marsh, Jim Mulholland, James Pullman, Tom Quay, Rhodes and Sarah Robinson, Elizabeth
and Robert Teulings, David Whitehurst, Gail Whitehurst, Ed and Ida Lee Winkler, Ray Winstead,
John Wright.

DURHAM, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Joe and Ruth Blum, Pat Boyd, Douglas Brame, Norman Budnitz,
Angelo Capparella III, Carlie and Robin Carter, Oliver Ferguson, Joyce and Page Fisher, Eric and
Lois Garner, Julia Grout, Bridget and Stephen Holdship, John Horn, Mark Huff, Alexander Hull,
Paul Lancaster, Frank and Nancy Lerner, Kenneth Lind, Lyn Loveless, David, Jim, and Owen
McConnell, David Morris, Sebastian Patti, Lance Peacock, Laura Reinertsen, Julie and Robert
Ridgely, Barbara and Paul Saunders, Tim Wilder.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Charles and Helen Blake, Annie Leigh Broughton, Norm
Budnitz, Angelo Capparella III, Carlie and Robin Carter, Eric, Jay and Lois Garner, Gertrude Lon-
don, Deane McGinnis, Monica Nees, Johnnie Payne, Jim Pullman, Barbara Roth, Lois and Michael
Schultz, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Bill and Marg Wagner, Eleanor Wagstaff.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C.: Carolyn and Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Carol Sue and Ed-
ward Burroughs, Charlotte Dawley, Bob Futrell, Clarence McCollum, Jean McCoy, Ida Mitchell,
Edna Motley, Ruth and William Noonan, Ann, Nathan and Olivia Rich, Marie Robertson, Lucy
Smith, Helen Spencer, Larry and Pete Yount, Helen Zuk.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Virginia Bell, Edwin Blitch III,
Inez Coldwell, Larry Crawford Jr., Charlotte Dawley, Frank Fish, Mildred Fish, Dot Garrett, Fred
Garrett, Howard Groover, Ellene Kirk, Ellen Knight, Clarence Mattocks, James Mattocks, Jean Mc-
Coy, Ida Mitchell, Elizabeth Ogbum, Emma Leah Perrett, Virginia Sewell, George Smith, Irene
Smyre, Thomas Street, Marjorie Tays, William Tays, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen
Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Fran Baldwin, Zack Bynum, Mary Cage, Jim and Pat Culbertson,
Charles Frost, Gardner and Margaret Gidley, Louise and Tom Gossett, John Green, Bill Hammond,
Abbye Harris, Fred Hill, George and Ruth Hill, Kevin Hintsa, Bert Hollifield, Ben Hough, Royce
Hough, Wayne Irvin, Janice Levitt, Ann Listokin, Sue Moore, George and Margaret Morgan, Jim
Orgain, Ann Pollard, Jackie Shelton, Ramona Snavely, Paul Spain, C. Sommer, Bob Witherington.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Ronald Alexander, Sam Cathey, Rosie Flynt, Tina Flynt, Gary Gille-
land, Lois Goforth, Dwayne Hayes, Larry Marlin, Bobby Mize, Dick Mize, Jane Mullen, David
Perry.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Marge Blackett, Elizabeth and Flo Cobey, Susan Ennett, Gwen Fenninger,
Lucius Gage, Ronald Gestwicki, Jack Hamilton, David Hawkins, Bobby Kluttz, Norwood Mid-
dleton, Peggy Moore, Ted Moore, Becky and Joe Norwood, Katherine and Shuford Peeler, Doug
Pratt, David Wright (Mecklenburg Audubon Society).

(Continued on Page 29)

16

The Chat

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

A Record of the Great White Heron
from Inland South Carolina

J.H. CARTER III

Zoology Department, N.C. State University
Raleigh, N.C. 27607

TOM RIAL

791 Boardman Road, Dumbarton Oaks
Aiken, S.C. 29801

JEANNINE ANGERMAN

1326 Evans Road, Aiken, S.C. 29801 12 February 1974

On 29 September 1973, several members of the Carolina Bird Club found a Great
White Heron ( Ardea herodias occidentalis) on upper Lake Marion in extreme southern
Sumter County, S.C. The bird was in an open marsh near Pack’s Landing. Its large size
was apparent at a great distance. Carter observed the bright yellow legs of the all
white bird at a distance of approximately 150 yards with nine -power binoculars. Short-
ly afterwards, Rial and Angerman saw a Great Blue Heron ( A.h . herodias) land near
the white bird. They felt that the Great White Heron was as large as, or larger than, the
Great Blue. They also noted the yellow legs of the Great White Heron. All of these ob-
servations were made under excellent light conditions.

There are only two published records for this subspecies in South Carolina, both
for coastal localities. Single individuals were seen at Yemassee on 24 May 1943 ( South
Carolina Bird Life, Sprunt and Chamberlain, 1949, p. 78) and at Hilton Head Island
on 19 September 1961 ( South Carolina Bird Life, revised 1970, p. 581). This new record
appears to be the first for inland South Carolina.

A Rare Occurrence of the Swallow-tailed Kite
in Western North Carolina

WALTER S. HALL

Route 8, Box 1136, Asheville, N.C. 28806 19 June 1974

On 12 May 1974, while returning home from the Carolina Bird Club spring meet-
ing in Hendersonville, N.C., I was driving along NC 191 in the area where the French
Broad and Mill’s River valleys meet. I was about 3 miles N of the Buncombe-Hender-
son County line when I saw two large birds I believed to be Swallow-tailed Kites
( Elanoides forficatus), so I stopped my car.

The birds were sailing along on wind currents in a southwesterly direction at an
elevation of approximately 150 to 200 feet. The solid white underbelly and head as

March 1975

17

well as black on the outer primaries of the wings and black forked tail could be seen
easily as the birds passed over me. I used 7x35 and 10x50 binoculars in my observation.
I am familiar with the species, having seen Swallow-tailed Kites on several occasions
in Florida.

The area in which the birds were seen is a wide expanse of open farmland, inter-
spersed with tracts of woodland, on either side of the French Broad and Mill’s River.
Many streams flow through the area into the rivers.

The Swallow-tailed Kite was reported from Buncombe County, N.C., during the
years of 1887 to 1894 by John S. Cairns, who found it during the fall and primarily in
the month of October. This is the first spring record for the species in the area and the
first record for the county since 1894 (Simpson, Chat, 36:69-72, 1972.)

Goshawks in Avery County, N.C.

ROBERT J. HADER

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. 27607 17 June 1974

This note is a brief summary of an exchange of correspondence between William
Hamnett of the North Caolina Museum of Natural History and Dartha Frank of Cran-
berry (Avery County), N.C. The correspondence indicates sightings of several Gos-
hawks present in Avery County during the summer of 1971. Though Miss Frank is not
an experienced observer in the usual sense, her descriptions are most convincing and,
it seems to me, worth including in the published record.

In early June of 1971 Mr. Hamnett received a letter from Miss Frank in which
she described several huge “silver eagles.” “One flew down off the mountain in back
of this old company mining store and caught two blackbirds in the air and then
another day we watched one fly around for about ten minutes and caught some pi-
geons.”

Mr. Hamnett wrote back suggesting that the “silver eagles” might be Goshawks.
In a second letter, apparently before mid-June, Miss Frank related that while she was
hoeing in her garden “right over my head out of the mountains here came one large
four foot bird (incredible speed) with two smaller ones a little under it. The smaller
(about as a hawk) ones are lighter and almost white underneath. The large mature bird
has a white streak right above its sharp yellowish eyes . . . caught two pigeons in mid-
air without lighting at all, one in each fast, swift claw.” In the same letter she included
an excellent pencil sketch with detailed description of the plumage. The sketch and de-
scription is unquestionably that of a Goshawk.

Following her second letter, Mr. Hamnett sent a circular with color pictures of
the hawks of Eastern North America. Miss Frank showed the circular to some 30
people who had seen the birds and all identified them as Goshawks. “The area covered
was from Cranberry to Crossnore to Banner Elk to Roan Mt., Tenn., and then to Erwin.
Tenn., and back to Spruce Pine, N.C.” She had again seen an adult and one young bird
hunting pigeons. “The mature bird caught one instantly, the young one caught one on
the second try. They don’t dive, they have speed enough without.”

Finally in mid- August Miss Frank reported that “there are now six of them in the
area. They extend as far as Knoxville, Tenn., Bakersville, N.C., Mt. Airy, N.C. and as
far again as Bristol, Tenn.”

In June of 1972, I visited Cranberry and talked with Miss Frank for about an hour.
She confirmed the details of her letters and reported that the birds had not been seen
in 1972. I came away fully convinced that her report of Goshawk sightings the pre-
vious summer was genuine. Her account carried the suggestion of possible breeding in
the area though, of course, is certainly not conclusive in this respect.

Of the three previous published records of Goshawks in North Carolina, one was
seen in December 1972 near Chapel Hill (Chat, 37:106); one in March 1970 at Franklin
(Chat, 34:79); and one or more in June 1970 in the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park (Chat, 35:1-4).

18

The Chat

[While reports such as this always leave room for question, it is an excellent ac-
count of how, with patience and persistence, records from people who are not active
“birders” may be verified. This report should stimulate further field work in Avery
County. — DEPT. ED.]

Sandhill Cranes in Western North Carolina

W. DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

214 Nantahala Building, Franklin, N.C. 28743 1 April 1974

On 22 March 1974 John Lively, of the North Carolina Department of Forestry,
and I were checking timber for stand reforestation on Nantahala Park Property. About
12:45 we were driving through Tuni Gap in Clay County when four large birds appeared
over a nearby ridge (elevation 4,000 feet). We stopped the car and observed the birds
for 20 to 30 seconds with 7 x 35 binoculars at a distance of about 400 feet. It was
immediately obvious that the birds were Sandhill Cranes ( Grus canadensis). They
flew in typical crane fashion with neck and legs extended as a “flying cross”. The
weather was clear, with a temperature reading of about 60 degrees. The birds
continued through the gap in a northward direction.

[This is the third record of this species from North Carolina and the first from the
western part of the state. The first record was from Robeson County in 1957 ( Chat ,
22:45, 1958) and the second was from Onslow County in 1970 (Chat, 38:39, 1974). —
DEPT. ED.]

An Avocet in the South Carolina Piedmont

PAUL B. HAMEL

Department of Recreation and Park Administration
Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631

ADAIR M. TEDARDS

Route 4, Box 157, Easley, S.C. 29640

The first American Avocet ( Recurvirostra americana) recorded in the South Caro-
lina piedmont stayed at the Greenglow Farm operated by Don and Richard Quattle-
baum, 1.5 mile NE of Pendleton, Anderson County, from 20 to 29 September 1974.
The bird was observed by Clarissa Smith, Vivian Smith, Sidney Gauthreaux, Mr. and

American Avocet
Anderson County, S.C.
27 September 1974
Photo by

Gordon E. Howard

March 1975

19

Mrs. Gaston Gage, the authors, and others. It was photographed on at least two oc-
casions.

The bird spent its time at a newly constructed farm pond which contained less
than 2 feet of water and abundant invertebrate life. It was very tame, feeding calm-
ly at the approach of farm animals to within 30 feet, and allowing observers to walk
to within 75 feet. The avocet fed with Blue- winged Teal ( Anas discors) and Killdeer
( Charadrius vociferus), walked across the pond in water up to its breast, and tipped-up
repeatedly in the deeper water (cf. Bent’s Life Histories of North American Shore-
birds , Part I, Dover reprint, 1962). After the avocet had left the pond, the Killdeer were
joined by a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers ( Erolia melanotos) . Sprunt and Chamberlain
( South Carolina Bird Life, 1970) record 21 September as the previous early date for
the avocet in South Carolina.

First Record of the Roseate Tern
Nesting in North Carolina

ROBERT F. SOOTS

Biology Department, Campbell College, Buies Creek, N.C.

JAMES F. PARNELL
Biology Department

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C. 25 January 1974

On 2 June 1972, while conducting a survey of the breeding colonies of gulls and
terns in eastern North Carolina, the authors discovered a Roseate Tern ( Sterna dougallii)
in a colony of several hundred Common Terns ( Sterna hirundo), scattered Gull-billed
Terns ( Gelochelidon nilotica), and Black Skimmers ( Rynchops nigra) in Lighthouse
Bay in Carteret County, N.C. On a second trip to this island on 19 July 1972, a Roseate
Tern was still present. Although the Roseate Tern remained with the flocks of Common
Terns, either on the island’s beach or overhead, no evidence of its nesting was obtained
on either visit; and, in fact, its behavior was not that of a bird with nest or young. A
year later, on 23 May 1973, we returned to this island and found two Roseate Terns
in the Common Tern breeding colony. This time both were very disturbed by our
presence and joined the Common Terns in protest as we approached the nesting colony.
We then moved offshore and watched as one of the Roseate Terns settled on a nest
at the edge of the colony. Subsequent inspection of the nest revealed two eggs which
were very similar to, but slightly smaller than, those of the Common Terns. The nest
and nest site were similar to those of the nearby Common Terns. Photographs were
secured of the adults overhead and of the nest and eggs.

The occurrence of Roseate Terns in North Carolina is considered unusual at any
season. There are but 11 previous records. One was collected at Pea Island on 22 Au-
gust 1904, one was found at Cape Hatteras on 20 January 1937, and undetermined
numbers were seen at Pea Island on 4 and 7 July, 26 August, and 8 September in 1938
( Birds of North Carolina, Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley, 1949, p. 188). Individuals
were found at Oregon Inlet on 17 and 18 August 1939, and the species also was listed
as fairly common at Pea Island between 28 August and 8 September 1939 (Gray, Chat,
4:3-4, 1940). Two individuals were seen at Town Shoal near Beaufort, North Carolina
on 19 September 1939 (Simpson, Chat, 4:75, 1940). There were no further records
until 23 May 1958 when one was seen near Southport by J. Irvine and M. Barnhill
(Audubon Field Notes, 12:343). No observations of this tern in North Carolina have
been published between 1958 and the present paper.

All of the above records appear to represent fall transients except the bird seen
near Southport on 23 May 1958 and the individual seen on 20 January 1937 at Cape
Hatteras.

The breeding range of this bird is very irregular. According to the American Orni-

20

The Chat

thologists’ Union’s Check-list of North American Birds (1957), the Roseate Tern breeds
locally in the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to the West Indies. There appear
to be no records between Cobbs Island, Virginia, and the Dry Tortugas. This observa-
tion from Carteret County, N.C., adds a new nesting site approximately 225 miles S
of Cobbs Island and represents the addition of a new species to the nesting bird fauna
of North Carolina.

Bruce Mack (Chat, 33:85-87, 1969) summarized the status of the Roseate Tern in
the Carolinas. He commented that, while bill color was recognized as quite variable,
spring migrants should have entirely black bills and that fall migrants should have vary-
ing amounts of red present in the bill. Breeding birds should also have partially red
bills [This was based on Donaldson’s paper on bill color changes in adult Roseate Terns
(Auk, 85:662-668, 1968).] and that these implications needed to be tested in the Caro-
linas. It is of interest that the birds seen at the Carteret nesting site had bills that were
entirely black; thus, bill color, apparently, is not always diagnostic of the breeding
condition.

These observations were made while conducting research on community suc-
cession on dredge islands supported by the NO A A Office of Sea Grant, Department
of Commerce, Grants Nos. 2-35178 and 04-3-158-40.

Unusual Numbers of Tennessee Warblers
at Chapel Hill, N.C., in Spring of 1974

JAMES O. PULLMAN

Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514 3 July 1974

On 15 April 1974, I found a Tennessee Warbler at Mason Farm near Chapel Hill,
N.C. The song, given frequently, was compared with the F.O.N. “Warblers” recording,
confirming the close and leisurely visual study. The species is a scarce transient in our
area, quite unusual in spring; and the episode was recorded as an interesting, but iso-
lated, rarity. On 30 April, however, Stanley Alford called me with a good description
of a Tennessee Warbler, seen several miles to the south. On the same day, Annie Leigh
Broughton, with Johnnie Payne and Esther Krigbaum, saw two birds at Duke Forest,
and also later compared the song with a recording. Broughton again heard the song
near her Chapel Hill home 1 May. On 4 May William H. and Margaret Wagner found
yet another Tennessee Warbler by New Hope Creek, and at Mason Farm the writer
located one by song, soon confirmed visually by Robert and Elizabeth Teulings.
Finally, on 5 May Alford made a detailed visual study of a Tennessee Warbler at Uni-
versity Lake.

These seven records were from six different locations on all sides of Chapel Hill,
the two Mason Farm sightings being 3 weeks apart. Further, in few cases were any of
the observers aware of the others’ sightings. It seems clear that, apparently without
precedent, the Tennessee Warbler was of fairly common occurrence in the vicinity of
Chapel Hill in late April and early May of 1974.

March 1975

21

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

(All dates 1974 except as otherwise indicated)

COMMON LOON: An early fall sighting was recorded at Pea Island, N.C., on 15
August by Tom Howard and John Wright, and an individual in full breeding plum-
age was seen there on 23 August by Richard Peake, Dwight Peake, and Paul
Sykes.

RED-THROATED LOON: At least 500 were seen in Pamlico Sound from the Ocra-
coke-Cedar Island, N.C., ferry on 30 November by John Fussell, Wayne Irvin,
and Ray Winstead. Inland, two were uncommon visitors at Roanoke Rapids Lake,
Halifax County, N.C., on that same date, observed by Merrill Lynch.

RED-NECKED GREBE: One was closely observed at Moore’s Landing, Cape Ro-
main N.W.R., S.C., on 23 March by Scott Connop and Robert Tymstra.

HORNED GREBE: Noteworthy inland counts of nine were recorded at University
Lake near Chapel Hill, N.C., on 26 October by James Pullman and Elizabeth Teul-
ings; 33 at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., on 20 November by James Mulhol-
land; and 74 at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 28 Novem-
ber by Merrill Lynch.

SHEARWATERS AND STORM-PETRELS: Pelagic cruises by various observers to
Gulf Stream waters off the North Carolina coast during August and September
yielded the following tallies:

Cory’s Shearwater

9

4

56

11

9

49

Greater Shearwater

0

0

2

0

3

0

Sooty Shearwater

0

0

0

0

0

2

Audubon’s Shearwater

21

3

5

5

4

82

Shearwater sp

9

0

0

0

0

10

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

26

33

99

18

75

76

The counts are listed chronologically for each species, corresponding to the dates

and locations listed below.

3 August off Hatteras (Robert Ake and party)

4 August off Hatteras (Paul DuMont and party)

9 August off Hatteras (Bill Williams)

18 August off Morehead City (Paul Sykes and party)

1 September off Hatteras (Robert Ake and party)

13 September off Morehead City (James Mattocks and party)

14 September off Wrightsville Beach (Robin Carter and party)

BROWN PELICAN: A flock of 250 was present at Ocracoke Inlet on the North Caro-
lina Outer Banks on 15 September, Joseph Hudick.

GANNET: Nearly 200 were observed feeding off Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C.,
on 28 October by Richard Rowlett and Will McDowell. It was noted that only a
single adult was seen among this large aggregation.

GREAT CORMORANT: One was found near Southport, N.C., on 15 November by
Frances and Bud Needham, and another was seen at Pea Island, N.C., on 29 No-
vember by Ed Burroughs, Ray Chandler, and Paul McQuarry.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: An impressive flight of an estimated 14,000
migrants was seen moving southward off Ocracoke Island, N.C., early on the
morning of 27 October by Will McDowell and Richard Rowlett.

22

The Chat

CATTLE EGRET: Eleven were seen feeding in a pasture near Hendersonville, N.C.,
on 24 September by Joyce and Joe Schatz. Occurrences of this species have only
rarely been reported from the western piedmont and mountain sections.

GREAT EGRET: A locally uncommon occurrence was recorded at Zebulon, N.C.,
where a flock of six was seen on 14 August by Ricky Davis. Elsewhere, single
birds were seen as inland wanderers on 5 September near Creedmoor, N.C., by
Robin Carter; on 16 October at Townville, S.C., by Harry LeGrand; and on 19
October in Chatham County, N.C., 20 miles west of Raleigh, by Stanley Alford and
Angelo Capparella.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: One was seen inland near Winston-Salem,
N.C., on 27 August by Royce Hough.

WHISTLING SWAN: Five were uncommon inland visitors at Lake Wheeler near Ra-
leigh, N.C., on 20 November, observed by James Mulholland.

BRANT: One was seen at North Island, Georgetown County, S.C., on 9 November by
John Cely.

SNOW GOOSE: Several sightings of migrants of the blue form were recorded during
the fall season at inland locations. An individual was seen at Lake Hartwell near
Clemson, S.C., on 2 November by Harry LeGrand and again on 9 November by
Sidney Gauthreaux et al. Harry LeGrand also noted three at Pendleton, S.C., on 12
November. Elsewhere, three were present among a large flock of Canada Geese at
Garysburg, N.C., 10 to 16 November, observed by Merrill Lynch.

CANADA GOOSE: A flock of 120 arrived early at Winston-Salem, N.C., 16 August,
observed by Charles Frost et al.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: Thirty-five were seen in a single flock at Huntington Beach
State Park near Murrells Inlet, S.C., on 27 October by F.M. Probst.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL: An early fall transient was seen at Clemson, S.C., on 15 July
by Harry LeGrand. On the North Carolina coast at Pea Island N.W.R., 15 were
present on 2 August (Robert Ake et al.), 300 by 23 August (Paul Sykes et al.),
and 3,500 by 1 September (Jack Hagan).

EUROPEAN WIGEON: One was present at Suttons Pond, the cooling water lake
for Carolina Power & Light Company’s nuclear power plant near Southport, N.C.,
on 15 November, observed by Frances and Bud Needham.

REDHEAD: A good count of 2,570 was recorded at Pea Island N.W.R. on the North
Carolina Outer Banks on 30 November by Jack Hagan. Inland, a flock of 22 were
locally uncommon visitors at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C., seen
on that same date by Merrill Lynch.

COMMON EIDER: On the South Carolina coast, one was seen 26 October at Cape
Romain N.W.R. by S.A. Barber, and two were found there on 31 October by Peter
Laurie. One was seen later at Pea Island N.W.R. on the North Carolina Outer
Banks 29 November by Ray Chandler and Paul McQuarry.

KING EIDER: Two in female plumage were observed closely on 28 October

at Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C., by Richard Rowlett. Photographs were taken
to corroborate the identification.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: Two were seen off Huntington Beach State Park, S.C.,
on 16 October by Dennis Forsythe and party. Elsewhere, an individual was seen
off Fort Macon near Morehead City, N.C., on 1 November by Robert Hader.

BLACK SCOTER: A very early migrant was seen off Buxton, N.C., on 2 September
by Joe Hudick. Unusual inland records for this species were reported from Raleigh,
N.C., where an individual was found at Lake Benson on 25 October by Thomas
Quay, and from Clemson, S.C., where one was seen on Lake Hartwell on 9 No-
vember by Sidney Gauthreaux, Bill Alexander, and Frank Moore.

March 1975

23

COMMON MERGANSER: A male and three females were seen at Roanoke Rapids
Lake near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 30 November by Merrill Lynch.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: Bruce and Steve Whitcomb observed 31 soaring in a loose flock
above Interstate Highway 95 at the Lynches River in Sumter County, S.C., on 11
August.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK: A rather late individual was seen 12 November at North
Wilkesboro, N.C., by Wendell Smith.

MARSH HAWK: An unusually early fall visitor was seen at Townville S.C., on 10
August by Harry LeGrand.

GOLDEN EAGLE: Two adults were seen near Bearpen Gap, Haywood County,
N.C., along the Blue Ridge Parkway on 7 July by Harriet Hughes. Another adult
was seen over Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 23 August by Sidney Gauth-
reaux.

BALD EAGLE: An adult was seen 13 May at Chapel Hill, N.C., by Deane McGinnis.
During the fall period, at least 11 individuals were seen at five coastal and three
inland locations in the Carolinas. All sightings were of adult birds except for an
immature seen at the Baruch Plantation near Georgetown, S.C., on 17 September
by F.M. Probst.

PEREGRINE FALCON: Coastal sightings of at least 16 individuals were reported from
seven locations from Pea Island, N.C., to Charleston, S.C., between 21 September
and the end of November. An inland migrant was seen near Clemson, S.C., on 23
September by Harry LeGrand, and another was seen along the Blue Ridge Park-
way over the Graveyard Fields area, Haywood County, N.C., on 29 September
by Robert Ruiz.

AMERICAN KESTREL: Early coastal sightings of fall migrants were recorded 25
July at Johns Island near Charleston, S.C., by David Chamberlain and 15 August
at Avon, N.C., by Tom Howard and John Wright.

SANDHILL CRANE: A flight of nine migrants was seen near Pendleton, S.C., on 17
November by Harry LeGrand. A 1973 sighting, not previously reported, was of a
single bird seen near Fairlawn, S.C., on 23 December by Jere and Robert Eggles-
ton, fide Kay Sisson.

SORA: A fall transient found dead on the Guilford College campus near Greensboro,
N.C., on 2 September was a rare record for Guilford County, Michael Tovey.

PURPLE GALLINULE: A small breeding population was found present during the
summer of 1974 at White Oak Marsh impoundment, Onslow County, N.C., by
Edmund Weaver Jr. The birds were noted first on 22 May and later were deter-
mined to be nesting. This represents the only recently reported North Carolina
breeding record for the species north of Orton Plantation in Brunswick County.

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER: An impressive count of 136 was recorded at Fort
Fisher, N.C., on 29 November by James Pullman.

PIPING PLOVER: A flock of 55 early arrivals was noted 10 September at Bird Shoal
near Morehead City, N.C., by John Fussell.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: Transients were typically scarce this fall with only
two coastal and three inland sightings reported, all of single birds. The inland oc-
currences were noted at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C., on 1 September by Robin
Carter et al., and at Lake Hartwell near Townville, S.C., on 20 September and 1
November by Harry LeGrand.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: An uncommon inland record was reported from Win-
ston-Salem, N.C., where a lone migrant was present 23 through 26 September at
the city landfill, observed by George Smith and others.

24

The Chat

AMERICAN WOODCOCK: An adult with four downy young was seen along Salu-
da Dam Road in the Georges Creek Valley, Pickens County, S.C., on 1 April by
William C. Grimm, a rare local breeding record.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: One was seen on the North Carolina Outer Banks at
Pea Island N.W.R. as early as 2 August by Robert Ake et al., and two were
present there on 31 August, observed by Richard Rowlett. Another was seen at
Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet, S.C., on 13 September by F.M.
Probst.

UPLAND PLOVER: Individuals were seen 15 and 21 September at Cape Point, Hat-
teras Island, N.C., by Joe Hudick. Fall migrants also were noted at two inland
locations where a single bird was seen near Goldsboro, N.C., on 3 August by Harry
LeGrand and another at the Winston-Salem, N.C., city landfill on 4 September by
Dwight Lee.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Five were locally unusual fall visitors at University Lake
near Chapel Hill, N.C., on 22 October, observed by Stanley Alford.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: Two occurrences of this rare fall transient were recorded
on the North Carolina Outer Banks where a single bird was seen at Oregon Inlet
by John Wright, Tom Howard, and other observers during the weekend of
15-17 August, and two were seen later at Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C., by
Richard Rowlett on 3 September. Inland, one was present 1-5 September at the
Winston-Salem, N.C., landfill, observed by Charles Frost and Paul Spain.

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: One was seen 16-17 August at Clemson, S.C., by
Harry LeGrand, a first area record.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: One was found 15 August at the Winston-Salem,
N.C., city landfill by Ramona Snavely et al., a first record for Forsyth County.

STILT SANDPIPER: An exceptionally high count of 1,000 was recorded in the Bodie-
Pea Island, N.C., area on 23 August by Richard Peake, Dwight Peake, and Paul
Sykes.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: Along the North Carolina Outer Banks a single
bird was seen at Pea Island N.W.R. on 31 August and another at Ocracoke
Island on 2 September by Richard Rowlett. Uncommon inland occurrences were
noted at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C., where an individual was seen on 1 Septem-
ber by Robin and Carlie Carter et al., and at Clemson, S.C., where two were
observed by Sidney Gauthreaux on 8 September. One was also seen at Winston-
Salem, N.C., at the city landfill on 31 August by Royce Hough and other obser-
vers, and two were present there as late as 26 September.

MARBLED GOD WIT: Good numbers were noted at several coastal North Carolina
locations the second week of October, highlighted by counts of 50 at Oregon In-
let on 11 October by James Pullman, 21 at Bird Shoal near Morehead City on 12
October by John Fussell, and 60 at Fort Fisher on 12 October by John Hardwick.
A flock of 75 was present at Bulls Island, S.C., on 22 November, observed by
Caroline Newhall et al.

HUDSONIAN GOD WIT: Two Outer Banks occurrences were recorded during the
fall season. A single bird was seen on 6 October at Pea Island N.W.R. by Robin
and Carlie Carter et al., and up to four were seen at the Bodie Island lighthouse
pond on 26 October by William McDowell and Richard Rowlett.

SANDERLING: An unusually large concentration of an estimated 2,000 birds was re-
corded at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 23 August by Richard Peake, Dwight Peake, and
Paul Sykes.

AMERICAN AVOCET: A high count of 100 was recorded on the Outer Banks at Pea
Island N.W.R. on 24 September by James Pullman. Ten were seen on the South

March 1975

25

Carolina coast at Huntington Beach State Park on 17 August by F.M. Probst, and 54
were found at Bulls Island in Cape Romain N.W.R. on 10 November by Ted Beck-
ett.

RED PHALAROPE: Three flocks totalling an estimated 125 birds were seen 40 to 50
miles offshore NE of Charleston, S.C., during an ocean cruise on 14 November
by Don Kunkle.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: Several scattered sightings of single birds were recorded
by observers along the North Carolina Outer Banks during August and early Sep-
tember; Richard Rowlett reported four present at Pea Island N.W.R. 31 August
to 3 September.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: One was seen at Ocracoke Island, N.C., on 4 August
by Bruce and Steve Whitcomb. A rare inland occurrence was reported from
Transylvania County, N.C., where a lone migrant was closely studied at Betty Kay
Lake in the Sherwood Forest community near Cedar Mountain on 9 September
by Hervey Roberts et al.

POMARINE JAEGER: Four were seen at Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C., on 28
October by Richard Rowlett and Will McDowell.

PARASITIC JAEGER: On was seen during a pelagic cruise off Cape Hatteras, N.C.,
on 3 August by Robert Ake and party, and six were seen in waters off Morehead
City, N.C., on 13 September by James Mattocks et al. On the Outer Banks, two
were observed along the beach at Ocracoke Island on 2 September by Richard
Rowlett, and the same observer sighted another at Cape Point on Hatteras Island
the following day.

GULL-BILLED TERN: Five late lingerers were seen 16 November at North Litch-
field Beach, S.C., by Julian Harrison, Peter Laurie, and Perry Nugent.

COMMON TERN: In the Morehead City, N.C., area a large concentration of over
5,000 was found at Bird Shoal on 25 September by John Fussell, and an unusually
late lingerer was seen at nearby Fort Macon on 28 November by Robert Hader.
An inland sighting was recorded at Rocky Mount, N.C., where four birds were
seen on 18 August by Betty Davis and Louis Fink. Inland visitors were also noted
in the Winston-Salem, N.C., area where seven were seen on 1 September by Paul
Spain and one on 20 September by Fred Hill.

SOOTY TERN: One was a rare and unexpected summer visitor at Kiawah Island
near Charleston, S.C., where it was present at least a month. The bird was first
observed on 27 July by David Chamberlain and was last seen 27 August.

CASPIAN TERN: An uncommon inland occurrence was recorded at Lake Hartwell
near Clemson, S.C., where two fall visitors were recorded on 5 September by
Harry LeGrand.

BLACK TERN: An estimated 1,350 migrants were seen from the Ocracoke-Cedar
Island, N.C., ferry on 2 September by Richard Rowlett. Uncommon inland fall
sightings were recorded at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., where more than
100 were seen during the first week of August by Carl Helms and at Eden, N.C.,
where three transients were seen on 4 August by Carol and Edward Burroughs.
Five were seen at Lake Gaston in Warren County, N.C., on 19 August by Merrill
Lynch.

BLACK SKIMMER: An estimated 3,000 were at Bird Shoal near Morehead City, N.C.,
13 October, observed by John Fussell.

MONK PARAKEET: Two were seen 1 June at Leicester, N.C., near Asheville by
Betty and Bob Ruiz.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: A late nesting record was reported from Southern
Pines, N.C., by Jay Carter, who found an adult incubating eggs on 15 September.

26

The Chat

LONG-EARED OWL: A Long-eared Owl was heard calling 15 October at North
Wilkesboro, N.C., by Wendell Smith in an area which has apparently become an
established wintering ground.

SHORT-EARED OWL: Three were flushed from dunes at Huntington Reach State
Park near Murrells Inlet, S.C., on 16 November by F.M. Probst and party.

WHIP-POOR-WILL: Three were heard calling on the late date of 24 November at
Cedar Island, N.C., by John Fussell. Another was heard by the same observer on
Bogue Bank near Salter Path, N.C., on 29 November.

COMMON NIGHTHAWK: Observers at several mountain and piedmont locations
reported seeing large migrating flocks in late August and early September with a
massive flight of over 1,000 noted at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 2 September by
Kevin Hunter.

RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER: An individual was seen at Bunn’s Lake 2 miles
E of Zebulon in Wake County, N.C., on 24 November by Ricky Davis. This sight-
ing, along with an earlier report by the same observer from the Zebulon area (Am.
Birds, 28:29), indicates the possibility of the species being resident in the county
outside the only locally known colony found north of Raleigh several years ago (see
Chat 35:54).

GRAY KINGBIRD: One was seen at North River Marsh near Morehead City, N.C.,
on 28 September by Tom Quay and John Fussell.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: Two fall sightings were reported from the Outer Banks
where a single bird was seen at Pea Island N.W.R. on 6 October by Stanley Al-
ford and Angelo Capparella and another at Ocracoke Island on 27 October by
Richard Rowlett. One was found inland at Raleigh, N.C., on 30 September by
David Whitehurst.

SCISSOR-T AILED FLYCATCHER: One was present for several days, 3 to 5 No-
vember, at Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells
Inlet, S.C., observed by Charlotte Dawley, Fred Fricker, and F.M. Probst.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: One was an early and rare fall transient at Ra-
leigh, N.C., observed on 11 August by James Mulholland.

BEWICK’S WREN: One was a good find at Zebulon, N.C., on 20 October by Ricky
Davis.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: An uncommon inland occurrence was noted at
Raleigh, N.C., where an individual was seen on 22 October by Gail Whitehurst.

EASTERN BLUEBIRD: Three were noted at Pea Island N.W.R. 29-30 November
by Edward Burroughs. The species is very uncommon on the Outer Banks.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: A late individual was seen at Roanoke Rapids, N.C.,
on 24 November by Merrill Lynch.

SOLITARY VIREO: One was seen at Raleigh, N.C., as late as 26 November by Gail
Whitehurst.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: A rare fall visitor was recorded at Raleigh, N.C., on 4 Oc-
tober by Gail Whitehurst, and another at Clemson, S.C., on 14 October by Harry
LeGrand.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: A late individual was seen at Raleigh, N.C., by Gail
Whitehurst on 6 November.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: An early fall transient was seen on the coast at Brook-
green Gardens near Murrells Inlet, S.C., on 10 August by F.M. Probst.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: Individuals were seen along the coast at Pea Island, N.C.,
on 23 September by James Pullman, and at McClellanville, S.C., on 25 September

March 1975

27

by Jay Shuler. Elsewhere, one was seen at Clemson, S.C., on 9 October by
Harry LeGrand.

PARULA WARBLER: A late transient was seen at Fort Macon, N.C., on 6 November
by John Fussell.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: Rare appearances were recorded on the Outer Banks
where a single fall transient was noted at Cape Hatteras, N.C., lighthouse on 23
September by Joe Hudick, and another at Pea Island, N.C., on 25 September by
James Pullman.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: A very late migrant was seen at Bodie Island, N.C.,
on 29 November by Ray Chandler.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: One was seen on 30 May in SW Polk County, N.C.,
near the Green River by Chris Marsh and Merrill Lynch. A fall transient was seen
at North Litchfield Beach, S.C., on 30 September by F.M.Probst, and another
there by the same observer on 15 October. Elsewhere, one was banded at Hills-
borough, N.C., on 20 October by Charles Blake.

WILSON’S WARBLER: One was an early and rare fall visitor on 5 September at
North Litchfield Beach, S.C., observed by F.M. Probst. At least four were seen
by observers in the Blowing Rock, N.C., area during the CBC fall meeting week-
end of 21-22 September. One was seen later at Clemson, S.C., on 9 October by
Harry LeGrand.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: At Raleigh, N.C., a single male was seen by Gail White-
hurst feeding in her yard on 16 November, a positive local record for this species
which has only occasionally been recorded in North Carolina.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: One was observed at Fort Macon, N.C., on
2 November by Robert Hader.

WESTERN TANAGER: An adult male was seen in the Sandhills Game Land, Rich-
mond County, N.C., on 10 August by Jay Carter.

INDIGO BUNTING: One was seen as late as 11 November at Carolina Beach,
N.C., by Ricky Davis.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: An individual, appearing to be an adult female,
was observed at Bodie Island, N.C., on 30 September by James Pullman.

DICKCISSEL: One was present at a feeder in the Wilmington, N.C., area, 12 and
13 September, reported by Frances Needham. Another was seen at Ocracoke Is-
land, N.C., on 27 October by Richard Rowlett.

LE CONTE’S SPARROW: Two were seen at Bodie Island, N.C., on 29 November
by Paul McQuarry.

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: A rare occurrence for the piedmont was recorded in
Wake County, N.C., where two birds were found in early October at Greenview
Farm by Chris Marsh, Merrill Lynch et al. One of those birds was collected and
sent to the State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh.

LARK SPARROW: One was seen on the coast at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 26 October
by Will McDowell and Richard Rowlett.

BACHMAN’S SPARROW: An individual was seen on 3 October in Orange County,
N.C., west of Durham by Mrs. Paul S. Payne, a rare local record.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: Individuals were recorded at Hillsborough, N.C., on 8 Oc-
tober by Charles Blake and Clemson, S.C., on 22 October by Harry LeGrand.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: A small flock of seven was seen on Hatteras Island, N.C.,
at Cape Point on 28 October by Richard Rowlett and Will McDowell. Two were
also seen elsewhere on the Outer Banks at Ocracoke Island on 26 October by the

28

The Chat

same observers, and one was found on 30 November at Oregon Inlet by Paul
McQuarry.

SNOW BUNTING: A flock of 30 was seen at Ocracoke Inlet on the North Carolina
Outer Banks on 30 November by John Fussell, Wayne Irvin, and Ray Winstead.
An individual was also present for 2 weeks at Doe Hall Plantation near McClellan-
ville, S.C., in late October and early November, reported by Jay Shuler. A rare in-
land record was noted on 23 October near Chapel Hill, N.C., where a single bird
was seen feeding in a barnyard by Stanley Alford and Angelo Capparella.

WANTED: Adventures in Bird Protection

Carlyle Blakeney, who represents National Audubon Society in the Southeast, is
looking for a copy of T. Gilbert Pearson’s Adventures in Bird Protection. If any reader
knows of a copy for sale or donation, please write Louis C. Fink, CBC Roundtable
Editor, Apartment 6, Building L, Tau Valley Estates, Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801.

Christmas Bird Count — 1974

(Continued from Page 16)

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Wilma Abrams, Mary Austin, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart,
Mary Jenkinson, Martha Lawrence, W.B. Lawrence, Bing Somers, Garry Worthington.

CLEMSON, S.C.: Bill Alexander, Bob Beason, Charlie Gage, Gaston Gage, Sidney Gauthreaux,
Harry LeGrand, Frank Moore, Alan Peltz, Vivian Smith, Edwin Stearns, Adair Tedards.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: Sidney Fletcher, David Hasse, Lin Hendren, William Roth, Jerry Tysin-
ger.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Nancy Alexander, Isabel Bernhardt, Margaret Harper, Anita
Huffman, Mr. and Mrs. Garvin Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Manchester, Mr. and Mrs. Fred May,
Helen Myers.

TRYON, N.C.: Madeleine Cutler, Betty and Norme Frost, Robert Gibbs, Carrol Grenell, Dorothy
McSwain, Joseph Schatz, Kay Sisson, Neil and Margaret Skelton, Jane Walker.

BLtNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Betty Ball, Robert Bruce, Dennis Carter, Margaret Finch, Easton
Hulme, Lewis Kort, Gordon Mahy, Richard Price, Robert Ruiz, Chris Rustay, Roland Sargent,
Eddie Stearns, Plumer Wiseman.

BREVARD, N.C.: Lydia and Paul Barrett, John Bohan, Pat Bohan, Rick Bohan, Gordon Brown,
Kay and Ray Brown, Amy Collins, John and Merle Collins, Molly Collins, Owens and Louise Da-
vidson, Preston Davies, Bill Fellows, Ercel and George Francis, Dick Garren, Mary Gilbert, Geneva
Hagen, Tom Hallowell, Bymiece Hansbrough, Helen Hardin, W.L. Highton, Curt Holland, Gail
Holland, Susan and Walter Holland, Genevieve Lilly, Harry Logan, Ann Lyon, Gaylord Lyon,
Betty Mcllwain, Walter McKelvey, DeWitt and Helen Parsons, Ralph Raymond, Hervey Roberts,
Joseph Schatz, Harold Sims, John Sterk, Arthur Wood.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Tenn.-N.C.: Winnifred Brown, James
Campbell, Glenn Cardwell, Don DeFoe, Lori DeFoe, Elizabeth French, James Graves, Maurice
Grigsby, Joseph Howell, Bruk McDonald, Kam McDonald, Terry McGown, Louise Nunnally,
J.B. Owen, Boyd Sharp Jr., Johneta Smith, Louis Smith, Arthur Stupka, James Tanner, Joe Wat-
son, Clara Mae Wodtke, Bill Williams, Irene Williams.

March 1975

29

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat , a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President Ida Lee Winkler (Mrs. E.W.), 509 Gardner Street, Raleigh, N.C.

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Robin Carter, 1605 Sedgefield Street, Durham, N.C. 27705

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

J.H. Carter III, Southern Pines, and Frances B. Needham, Wilmington
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Patterson (Mrs. R.G.)

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 39

SPRING 1975

No. 2

No. 2

The Chat

Vol. 39 Issued June 1975

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Editorials 31

Breeding Localities of Common Grackles

Wintering in the Carolinas, Paul A. Stewart 32

CBC Roundtable 35

General Field Notes 39

Summer Record of a Common Loon Inland

in North Carolina, Robert C. Kull Jr 39

Great Cormorant Photographed at Pea Island National

Wildlife Refuge, N.C., Gilbert S. Grant and Sandra S. Grant 39

An Ash-throated Flycatcher at Raleigh, N.C., with Some Notes
on the Occurrence of This Species in the Eastern United

States, W. Ross Silcock 40

Book Reviews 43

CB@

OUR COVER — A young Louisiana Heron clutches the
bare limb of a tree on Battery Island in a photograph
by Jack Dermid. Note wisps of natal down streaming
from the feathers of the crown and the sheaths still
encasing the wing feathers. (Photo courtesy N.C. Wild-
life Resources Commission.)

A TIME FOR CHANGE

The present issue of The Chat is unusually small because we are in the process of
changing our schedule of publication. For many years the bulletin has been dated March,
June, September, and December; but copies rarely have reached the readers less than a
month late. The U.S. Postal Service has strict rules about the mailing of magazines, and the
Postmaster at Try on has advised us to change the wording of our statement of entry in
order to avoid revocation of our second-class mailing permit. Beginning with this issue,
Chat will be mailed quarterly with no months specified. For the convenience of our
readers, the bulletins will be dated according to the season of publication — Winter, Spring,
Summer, and Fall. The staff will attempt to have issues in the mail regularly in January,
April, July, and October. In the future, the Christmas Bird Count will appear in the Spring
bulletin and the Spring Bird Count in the Fall, thus giving Harry LeGrand much needed
additional time to prepare his copy. (Deadlines for local compilers remain the same.) Bob
Teulings indicates that the new schedule will make it easier for him to continue handling
editorial duties for both Chat and American Birds. Publishing the fourth number of each
volume in October certainly will make life easier for the Editor, who finds it very difficult
to compile the annual index during the rush of family activities between Thanksgiving and
Christmas. We sincerely hope the new publication dates will enable all the staff members
to do a better job for CBC.— EFP

A GLANCE AT THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

This is the forty-eighth issue of Chat to go to press with my name on the masthead.
Looking back, I can see many things I would have done differently if I had known then
what I know now; but mostly I see the names and faces of the hundreds of people who
have devoted their time and talents to CBC during the past 12 years. I sincerely appreciate
cooperation of all the staff members, club officers, authors, photographers, artists, and
bird count compilers who have done their best to make Chat a useful and attractive
journal.

Looking ahead, I can see a bright future for Carolina Bird Club and its publications,
growth in membership, increased financial support for club projects, and larger attend-
ance at meetings. And here I offer a word of caution. Let us take care that as the club grows
we do not neglect extending a true spirit of friendship to our new members. The best thing
about CBC meetings is the way our outstanding field observers take time to show inexperi-
enced birders as many interesting species as possible and to offer tips on bird study. Mem-
bers fortunate enough to own telescopes patiently share the view with all who want to
look. Field trip leaders who can recognize most birds at a glance sometimes squeak until
their jaws ache so a beginner can add a common species to his life list. Having benefited
from such kindness myself, I hope that CBC’s best birders will continue to be good
teachers. The gentleman who let me look through his Balscope at Myrtle Beach in January
of 1959 had no way of knowing he was befriending a potential editor of Chat. (A 28-year-
old housewife, expecting my fourth child, and a college dropout, I was indeed a most
unlikely candidate!)

Among today’s beginning bird students are future bird club presidents, conserva-
tionists, zoology professors, editors of ornithological journals, authors and illustrators of
nature books, and a new generation of dues paying members without whom there can be
no CBC. New members are VIPs! — EFP

Spring 1975

31

BREEDING LOCALITIES OF COMMON GRACKLES
WINTERING IN THE CAROLINAS

PAUL A. STEWART

Banding and recovery records of Common Grackles ( Quiscalus quiscula) in North
and South Carolina were obtained from the Bird Banding Laboratory, Migratory Bird
Populations Station, Laurel, Maryland. These reports were used to determine breeding
localities of Common Grackles wintering in the Carolinas and wintering localities of
Common Grackles breeding in the Carolinas. There were 135 usable records of birds
recovered in the Carolinas after being banded in these states or elsewhere and 106 of
those banded in South Carolina and later recovered in South Carolina or elsewhere.

METHODS

Banding and recovery records were selected to represent breeding and wintering
areas, with the season during which the birds are on their breeding grounds being de-
fined as the period April through October and winter as the period December through
February. Records of birds banded or recovered during November and March were
eliminated from the analysis on the assumption that the birds may have been in migra-
tion when recorded.

RESULTS

Figure 1 shows the distribution of the 106 Common Grackles recovered during
April through October after being banded in South Carolina during December through
February. The largest number went to Virginia, with 34.0% of the sample recovered in
that state. A relatively large proportion, 20.8%, also went to West Virginia. With an
additional 8.5% of the sample going to Tennessee, 5.7% to North Carolina, 0.9% to
Georgia, and 7.5% remaining in South Carolina throughout the year, 77.4% of the birds
remained south of Maryland after wintering in South Carolina.

Of the birds going farther north than the southern boundary of Maryland after
being banded in South Carolina during the winter, the largest proportion went to
Ontario (6.6%), with only slightly fewer going to Pennsylvania (5.7%) and New York
(4.7%). It is notable that none of the 106 Common Grackles were recovered in states
east of New York after being banded during the winter in South Carolina. Westerly,
single birds went as far as Minnesota and Indiana.

Figure 2 shows the percentages of the 135 Common Grackles banded in various
regions during the breeding season and later recovered in the Carolinas during the
winter months. Of the 135 birds only 15 were recovered in South Carolina, with 120
recovered in North Carolina. Few recoveries are available from birds banded south
of Maryland, already shown to be the principal breeding region of Common Grackles
wintering in South Carolina. Thus, of the 120 recoveries taken in North Carolina,
nearly all were from the more northern region. These recoveries indicate that birds from
the more northern states, including the New England states, winter in North Carolina
instead of moving farther into South Carolina.

Of the 15 wintering Common Grackles recovered in South Carolina, only two
came from the region north of Virginia, or from New York. Further, of the 15 recover-
ies, eight were birds also in South Carolina during the breeding season. Thus, this
small sample of 15 birds suggests that more than half of the Common Grackles winter-
ing in South Carolina are birds also present there during the breeding season. However,
the sample of 135 is biased by its lacking data from birds banded in Virginia and West
Virginia, the more southern regions where most of the birds wintering in South Caro-
lina breed (Figure 1).

Whereas, some Common Grackles remain for the winter after spending the breed-
ing season in South Carolina, all available data indicate that the birds move farther

32

The Chat

Spring 1975

33

various states and provinces during breeding season after ous states and provinces during the breeding season and
being banded in South Carolina during winter. recovered in the Carolinas during the winter months.

south after spending the breeding season in North Carolina. Thus, of 30 recoveries
of birds banded and recovered in North Carolina, none was taken in both wintering
and breeding seasons. Nine of the 106 birds banded in South Carolina were recovered
in Tennessee during the breeding season and six in North Carolina. Of the 120 banded
birds recovered in North Carolina in winter, none came from Tennessee. Data from
Tennessee and North Carolina agree in showing that birds move southward after
breeding at the latitude of these two states.

DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY

It is unfortunate that I was unable to obtain data on the total numbers of Common
Grackles banded in each of the states and provinces from which birds came to winter
in the Carolinas. Without these data, there is no indication whether a specified number
of recoveries includes all of those birds banded or only one of thousands. Thus, the
proportions coming from the regions represented by the various states and Canadian
provinces is incompletely shown. Data from birds banded in South Carolina and re-
covered elsewhere have the advantage that information on the total number banded to
yield the recoveries is unimportant.

Common Grackles wintering in South Carolina breed largely in the area south of
Maryland. Those wintering in North Carolina come from more northern regions, in-
cluding the New England states. Birds breeding in North Carolina move southward
for the winter, but some Common Grackles breeding in South Carolina remain there
throughout the year. One Common Grackle traveled as far west as Minnesota after
spending the winter in South Carolina; however, no South Carolina winter residents
have as yet been recovered in New England.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I appreciate the help of Jay M. Sheppard, who made the data on Common
Grackles banded or recovered in the Carolinas available for my use in this paper.

203 Mooreland Dr., Oxford, North Carolina 27565, 30 November 1973.

34

The Chat

CB©

l^fywuAtiJok

with Louis C. Fink

Downy Wookpecker with Bizarre Bill

On 13 February 1974, a mature male Downy Woodpecker with a bill 1/2 inches long
came to my feeder. The upper mandible stuck upward, was useless, and probably inter-
fered with forward vision. The bird was of normal size and coloring.

One must wonder about the frustration of the mother in feeding the bird. Obviously,
she accomplished the task and the bird grew to maturity — and remained in the area until 6
March.

It could not peck, nor pick up bits of food without considerable effort because its
tongue could not reach more than half the length of its elongated bill. I placed grated beef
kidney suet in a shallow dish on my window sill; the bird came frequently and we could
observe it from 10 inches away. The only way it could pick up a bit of suet was to turn its
head sideways and pick up the bit about the middle of its bill. This took several attempts,
as one might with chopsticks. F ood that accumulated on the tip of the bill had to be shaken
or scraped off.

A few days before it left, the woodpecker clung to one of my wire-screen suet feeders,
with its wings “shivering” and its head dropped to one side. I easily caught the bird in my
hand. I carried it to the dish of suet and offered the bird food at the side of its bill, and it ate
readily. I removed my hand and it continued to eat.

While holding the bird, I clipped away the apparently dead and dried mandible
which stuck up in front of its eyes. I was tempted to clip away about half of the 1% inch bill,
as it seemed to be dead and transparent, but decided to let nature take its course. I also
decided not to collect the woodpecker as a specimen.

The mandibles were not straight enough to close properly, and they flared outward
slightly at the tips, eliminating a point for pecking.

Other Downy Woodpeckers seemed not to like this bird and frequently chased it from
the feeders. With darkness, other birds went to their roosts, and my little fellow would
come to the dish and eat in peace. 1 wondered how it found its roost in the dark. A few days
after I caught it, the bird flew away and never came back. It was a conversation piece and
put on a heart-breaking show. — NORME D FROST, Box 271, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

Possible Eskimo Curlew on Pea Island

[Note: One of the purposes of this column is to alert bird students of the possibility of
rare finds. The following observation by Dr. Sonneborn is just such an alert, referring to a
bird nearly extinct and rarely recorded along the Atlantic Coast south of New England.]

On 28 April 1973, 1 was walking on the large sandflats at the extreme northern end of
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (the area bounded by Oregon Inlet and the north dike
of the North Impoundment). When I was about in the middle of the area, I saw three cur-
lews through my 30X telescope. They took off and they were clearly Whimbrels, a species
with which I am thoroughly familiar.

But there was a fourth bird, about two-thirds the size of the other three, generally
buffy brown with no obvious rump or wing markings, and a shorter but clearly down-

Spring 1975

35

curved beak. As it flew, I had the impression of buffy under-wing coverts. All the birds
flew toward the ocean and seemed to land, but I could not find them again.

There are several unsatisfying things about this record in addition to the great distance
involved: the failure to see leg color and the lack of leisurely study. However, the descrip-
tion of this bird may kindle interest in looking for this species, and perhaps give the reader
some idea of the feeling I had when seeing a small curlew in North America. — DAVID
SONNEBORN, Medical College of Virginia, MCV Station, Richmond, Virginia 23928.

Laughing Gulls in Flight

At 15:45 on 19 October 1973, at Whalebone, N.C., I observed several first-year
Laughing Gulls which were lacking three or four inches from the tip of one or the other
wing. Both wings were intact in most cases, but in one case, both tips were missing.

The flight of the gulls did not seem to be affected, but doubtless they were affected.
The missing tips appeared to have been cut, and not due to molt. I wonder if the wings
could have been clipped by fish (possibly large Bluefish) as the gulls hovered over the
schools chasing bait fish.

About 16:30 on 20 October 1973, a sizable flock of Laughing Gulls (almost entirely
after hatch year) gathered over the stern of my fishing boat to catch scraps tossed in the air.
I noticed that often a gull would have one or both feet tucked completely out of sight under
the feathers of the belly and lower tail coverts. LIsually the feet remained hidden even
while the gulls maneuvered for position, but occasionally they would re-appear. No effort
was apparent on the part of the gull as the feet gradually became buried under the feathers.
The ability to bury the feet serves to streamline the bird in flight. — FRED S. HILL JR.,
2750 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104.

[Note: James F. Parnell believes it possible that the missing wing tips represent molt,
but agrees that the Bluefish might well sever a wing if the gull dipped it. “The hidden foot
trick is more common and occurs regularly in gulls.”]

A Reasoned Comment on Collecting

The purpose of the Pan-American Society for the Protection of Birds doubtless will
merit the endorsement of most CBC members. However, I question the statement
attributed to Pan-American: “ many people are concerned about the many abuses (italics
mine) perpetrated by the bird collectors.”

As a long-time holder of a Federal permit, I believe collecting and specimen pres-
ervation important and defensible. Without earlier collecting, where would we be in our
knowledge of birds, their description, distribution, anatomy, relationships, etc.?

Consider the collecting and research of Wilson, Audubon, Bachman, and many
others, not forgetting the Brimleys, Wayne et al. Expand this thought to include the study
of birdlife world-wide. Remember also that application of the facts proves vital in the
management of sanctuaries and refuges.

I emphasize my belief that wide-spread need for collecting no longer exists, at least in
many countries. In many cases, recognizable photographs are acceptable in lieu of
specimens. In passing, consider the predicament of the editor or reviewer who — without
concrete evidence — is called on to judge the ability and credibility of any given observer.

Finally, I think building of personal collections of birdskins should be prohibited.
Those now existing might be turned over to a museum as gifts or long-term loans, for
future preservation and greater availability. — E. BURNHAM CHAMBERLAIN, 8
Huguenot Avenue, Charleston, S.C. 29407.

Earle Greene Is Lost to the 600 Club

On 12 March, Earle R. Greene of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, died after a short illness.
A professional wildlife biologist, Earle was the author of A Lifetime With the Birds and
founder of the 600 Club. His records of the Club were turned over to Terry Moore of
Atlanta, who plans to carry on the work. A memorial to Earle is being planned, and we shall
try to carry news of it.

36

The Chat

Bird Finding in the Carolinas

ROANOKE RAPIDS LAKE, Halifax and Northampton Counties, N.C.: Roanoke
Rapids Lake is a 9-mile-long hydroelectric reservoir situated on the Roanoke River just
NW of Roanoke Rapids. It is noted for its large inland wintering population of Ring-billed
Gulls, its variety of wintering waterfowl, and its attraction for many unusual inland
migrating long-legged waders, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. F our main access points enable
the bird watcher to view almost the entire surface area of the lake. Directions to these four
vantage points are detailed below.

1. Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam (south shore): Drive west on W. Fifth Street in
Roanoke Rapids to intersection with Oakwood Avenue. Turn right on Oakwood and
continue until deadend at the dam. Park in the parking lot overlook and scan over the dam
and the headwaters of the lake for gulls and diving ducks. Permission can be obtained from
dam personnel to drive through the gates down to the lake shore. (Use telephone at gate
entrance to request permission.)

2. Pete’s Marina (south shore) : Drive west on US 158 approximately 8.2 miles from its
intersection with NC 48 at Roanoke Rapids. Turn right on SR 1400 and drive about
1.5 miles to SR 1422, which turns off to the left. Continue on this road about a mile to the
deadend at the lake. Scan the lake here for loons, grebes, diving and puddle ducks,
assorted gulls, and for occasional cormorants on exposed stumps on the right a low water
level.

3. Mid-lake overlook (north shore): From the intersection of NC 46 and NC 48 at
Gaston, drive west on NC 46 for 5.6 miles to SR 1220, which is unpaved and turns off to
the left. Drive to deadend of 1220 and walk through the woods to a suitable vantage point.
This is a good area for all waterfowl and gulls.

4. Vultare (north shore): On NC 46 drive west 2 miles fromSR 1220 turnoff (see mid-
lake overlook directions above) to intersection of NC 46 and SR 1213 at Vultare Cross-
roads. Turn left onto SR 1213 and continue to Wildlife landing and parking lot at lake. For
variety of birds this may be the best vantage point available. A good section of the upper
end of the lake can be scanned for puddle ducks, waders, and gulls. Within fairly easy
walking distance to the right (west) is an extensive cattail-juncus marsh in the extreme
upper end of the lake. The marsh attracts large numbers of puddle ducks in winter and
herons, egrets, rails, and bitterns in spring and fall. During water drawdown (spring and
late summer) , the entire upper end becomes one massive mudflat. Be ready for any species
of shorebird! Willets, Red Knots, Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings — these and many
others have been seen. Bald Eagles are a possibility.

The best seasoh to bird at Roanoke Rapids Lake is open to some question. Large
numbers of waterfowl generally move through from early November to mid-December
and again from early F ebruary to early April. Most herons and egrets appear from late July
to September and in spring (April and May). Ring-billed Gulls are most common in mid-
winter, large flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls move through in mid- April, and Laughing Gulls
and terns appear from mid-April through May and again from late August to October.

During the past 4 years, 31 species of waterfowl (including loons and grebes), 9
species of herons and allies, 19 shorebird species, and 10 species of gulls and terns have
been recorded on the lake. Undoubtedly Roanoke Rapids Lake will furnish many new sur-
prises in the future. — J. MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
27870.

Little Gulls Breeding in North America

In a letter dated 15 August 1974, Charles H. Blake of Hillsborough, N.C., commented
in connection with a General Field Note by J.H. Carter III and James F. Parnell (Little
Gulls at Cape Hatteras, N.C., Chat , 38:40) that the Little Gull is now known to breed near
Toronto, in the Niagara area, and at Lake St. Clair. “The curious point,” Dr. Blake added,
“is that the much more abundant Black-headed Gull is apparently not known to breed in
the New World.” For more information on the nesting of Little Gulls in Ontario, see
American Birds , 25:853. — EFP

Spring 1975

37

Purple Martin News

Over the years a number of people have inquired about subscribing to Purple Martin
Netvs. Published monthly by the Griggsville Wild Bird Society, “North America’s back-
yard journal” is a lively newspaper catering to nature lovers and gardeners. Memberships
in the Society are $5.00 per year in the United States. The address is Purple Martin Junc-
tion, Griggsville, Illinois 62340. — EFP

Our Writers

CBC Roundtable would like to acknowledge the achievements of all club members
who have papers and notes about birds published in journals other than Chat. The
Department Editor does not know the names of all CBC members and does not have
access to all the ornithological journals, so please do not be too modest to send a reprint or a
post card giving the appropriate literature citation.

“Factors Influencing Prey Selection in the American Kestrel” by Helmut C. Mueller of
Chapel Hill, N.C., appeared in Auk, 91:705-721. Dr. Mueller found that the conspicuous-
ness of the prey was relatively unimportant. His five tamed birds were offered a choice of
varying ratios of gray and white mice on white or gray backgrounds. Individual birds
showed a tendency to select the same type of prey over and over. The author also noted a
tendency for the birds to select the odd animal, the one that differed in color from the
majority of those offered in the experiment. “This latter tendency,” he concluded, “could
contribute to the selection of unfit prey and have important implications for the ecology
and evolution of both prey and predator.”

“Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls Nesting in North Carolina” by James F.
Parnell and Robert P. Soots appeared in Auk, 92:154-157. In the course of their study of
nesting birds on man-made dredge islands in North Carolina’s estuaries, the authors found
a sizable colony of Herring Gulls near Oregon Inlet in Dare County, N.C., and a scattering
of breeding birds as far south as the lower Cape Fear River. One or two pairs of Great
Black-backed Gulls nested at Oregon Inlet in 1972 and 1973.

38

The Chat

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Summer Record of a Common Loon Inland in North Carolina

ROBERT C. KULL JR.

Department of Biology

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, N.C. 28223 4 November 1974

On 1 July 1974 a Common Loon ( Gavia immer) in nonbreeding plumage appeared on
a small pond in Charlotte, N.C., about 240 km inland from the coast. Based on a literature
review and contacts with local ornithologists, there appear to be no inland records of this
species in summer.

The bird remained on the pond through 20 July, and was found dead on the shore 21
July. On at least four occasions during the preceding period the loon had tried to fly with-
out success. An examination of the carcass yielded the following: (1) the bird was not
molting, (2) the digestive tract was empty, (3) fat reserves were absent, and (4) although
no living parasites were found, over 200 old parasitic lesions were present in the lining of
the lower abdominal cavity. Decomposition made the sex indeterminable.

Based on the above, it appears that the pond (approximately 50 m long) was too short
for the loon to become airborne. Presumably the trapped bird then died of starvation. The
skin of this bird is now in the Collection of the Biology Department at UNCC.

Great Cormorant Photographed

at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, N.C.

GILBERT S. GRANT and SANDRA S. GRANT
Department of Biology, University of California

Los Angeles, California 90024 10 October 1974

On 1 December 1973, we discovered an immature Great Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax
carbo) in a pond just north of North Pond, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, N.C. The
bird was feeding actively at the time, and we momentarily passed it off as a Double-
crested Cormorant ( P . auritus). However, its strikingly different diving behavior
prompted a closer study. On each dive, it leaped upward and forward, exposing some of
the white on its ventral surface. This same manner of diving also has been noted by the
authors in Red-necked Grebes ( Podiceps grisigenus). This diving behavior in the Great
Cormorant, which is described by Bent (1964), is probably adapted to its feeding
preference. Great Cormorants feed primarily on bottom fish (Lack, 1945) while the
Double-crested Cormorant feeds mainly on free-swimming forms (Bent, 1964) at inter-
mediate depths.

The bird flew on several occasions, circled the pond and returned to the water allow-
ing excellent views of its dark neck contrasting with the white underparts. Additionally, its
large size, yellow lower mandible, yellowish naked skin of the throat, and whitish throat
area identified it as a Great Cormorant. This finding represents the fourth documented

Spring 1975

39

record for North Carolina. Several color slides were secured and deposited in the National
Photoduplicate File (Accession No. 119-lTa, 119-lTb). Unfortunately, the trans-
parencies were not of suitable quality for publishing in The Chat.

Great Cormorants have been sighted with increasing frequency in North Carolina
since first discovered there in 1970. The first sighting was of an immature bird studied by
H.D. Pratt as it flew overhead at Oregon Inlet on 30 December 1970. This, or perhaps
another, immature Great Cormorant was observed about 6 hours later on that same day by
R.J. Hader andD.L. Hughes about 6 miles S of Oregon Inlet (Teulings, 1971). An immature
bird was sighted one year later by R.H. Peake on Bodie Island, just north of Oregon Inlet,
on 30 December 1971 (Teulings, 1972) and the third sighting was in Croatan Sound on 6
April 1973 by J. Potter and E. Potter (1974). Two Great Cormorants were recorded on the
1973 Christmas Bird Counts in North Carolina. One was recorded by D. Peake and R.H.
Peake on the Bodie-Pea Island count on 31 December 1973 and one was found by J.F.
Parnell on the Wilmington CBC on 15 December 1973 (Potter, 1974).

LITERATURE CITED

Bent, A.C. 1964. Life histories of North American petrels and pelicans and their allies.
Dover Publications, Inc. New York.

Lack, D. 1945. The ecology of closely related species with special reference to Cormorant
(Phalacro corax carbo) and Shag (P. aristotelis) . J. Anim. Ecol., 14:12-16.

Potter, E.F. 1974. Christmas Bird Count — 1973. Chat, 38:12-20.

Potter, J. and E.F. Potter. 1974. Third sight record of Great Cormorant from North
Carolina. Chat, 38:22-23.

Teulings, R.P. 1971. Southern Atlantic Coast Region. Am. Birds, 25:562-567.

. 1972. Ibid., 26:589-592.

[The authors’ home address is 3916 Sawtelle Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
90066.]

An Ash-throated Flycatcher at Raleigh, N.C.,
with Some Notes on the Occurrence
of This Species in the Eastern United States

W. ROSS SILCOCK

Route 3, Box 37, Edenton, N.C.

On 16 May 1973 at about 10:00, I was walking along a railroad line which passes
through the North Carolina State University campus. At a point where the line passes
behind Pullen Park, I noticed a bird perched on an exposed branch of a small tree —
perhaps 6 feet from the ground. The day was sunny with the sun directly behind me
and shining onto the back of the bird. At first glance I took it to be an Eastern Wood
Pewee ( Contopus virens ) (one had been singing in the vicinity) because of the gray-
black back with poorly marked wingbars and white edging on the primaries, as well
as the absence of tail-flicking. It appeared larger, however, and when I examined it
with 8x40 binoculars, I noted rufus in the primaries and tail feathers, the latter appear-
ing brighter than the primaries. As the bird turned its head to watch me, I saw that it
had whitish underparts. The bill was rather stout and appeared to be completely black.
I made these observations at a distance of about 30 feet, but could not get a better look
at the underparts of the bird as the tree it was in was on the edge of a railroad embank-
ment. Fortunately, it did call twice, both calls being a single rather squeaky upward-
slurred note, best described as similar to one of the calls of the Great Crested Flycatch-
er ( Myiarchus crinitus). The bird then flew away.

Mu inclination at this point was the bird was indeed an Ash-throated Flycatcher
( Myiarchus cinerascens) , and I hurried over to the campus to check some references.

40

The Chat

The possibility of a melanistic or partly melanistic Great Crested Flycatcher entered my
mind, but I have never read of one, and the whitish underparts would make such a
possibility unlikely.

Generally the plumage description I have given fits that of the Ash-throated Fly-
catcher very well. The bird I saw looked very much like the illustration in Peterson’s
Field Guide to Western Birds (1961), except that the rufus in the wings and tail was
more pronounced, possibly because of the good light. My general impression did not
agree with that of Peterson in his Eastern field guide (1937), i.e. “Like a small Great
Crested Flycatcher”; but his statement “yellow of underparts paler, back gray” brings
his impression more in line with what I saw, except that I was not able to see any yel-
lowish coloration at all on the underparts. I also could not discern any olive coloration
in the plumage of the bird, and it did not appear as slim as most Great Crested Fly-
catchers do to me. The bird I saw was more like the illustration in Peterson’s Western
field guide (1961) than in Birds of North America by Robbins, Bruun, and Zim (1966).
On 14 July 1973 I made a trip with Sebastian Patti of Kansas City to the Black Mesa
area of extreme northwestern Oklahoma, where the Ash-throated Flycatcher was
rather common. The birds I saw there were identical to the bird I saw at Raleigh, ex-
cept that the blackish-gray of the back was replaced by a paler shade. This apparent
discrepancy may be explained by an observation made by Bent (1942): “Practically
all the June and July adults that I have seen are in much worn plumage Bent sug-
gested that the birds molt in August and are in fresh plumage in the spring. Sutton
(1967) also has written “Of nine Oklahoma specimens at hand, five males and three
females (May 19 - July 5) are in worn, much-faded breeding feather. A male taken
August 30 is in the midst of the postnuptial molt.”

Robbins et al. (1966) state: “The call of short sharp notes has the quality of the
Western Kingbird’s ( Tyrannus verticnis) .” I have heard the latter many times in Kansas.
While the quality of the calls I heard given by the Raleigh bird fits that description, the
bird I saw did not call in a series. The birds seen in Oklahoma gave many and variable
calls, some of which resembled the note I heard twice from the Raleigh bird. In this
context a comment by Florence A. Merrian Bailey, cited by Bent (1942), is pertinent:
“[The calls of the Ash-throated Flycatcher] closely resemble those of the eastern Great-
crest, (M. crinitus).”

I cannot find any spring records for the Ash-throated Flycatcher in the eastern

United States. The following are the published fall and early

winter records:

Maine

17-20 Sept. 1971

Isle of Shoals

Finch, 1972

Massachusetts

25 Nov. - 3 Dec. 1972

Gloucester9

Finch, 1973

Rhode Island

15 Sept. 1960

Block Island99

Bagg & Emery, 1961

New York

22-24 Nov. 1970

Larchmont9

Boyajian, 1971

Maryland

25 Nov. 1911

Beltsville"

Simon, 1958

22-26 Nov. 1957

Monkton"

Simon, 1958

4 Dec. 1962

Emmitsburg

Scott & Cutler, 1963

Virginia

26 Dec. 1957

Little Creek

Richardson, 1958

Florida

21 Oct. 1956

Pensacola

Simon, 1958

24 Dec. 1944

Pensacola"

Weston, 1946

Alabama

3 Nov. 1958

Dauphin Island"

Newman, 1959

9 Photographed

99 Specimen taken

The reasons for western birds straying to the eastern United States are at best ob-
scure, but the literature indicates two areas of possible clarification: (a) normal disper-
sal and (b) abnormal migratory movement, i.e. disorientation. Johnston (1961) has sum-
marized and defined dispersal as “Movement from site of birth to site of breeding”
and noted that dispersal may carry an individual “beyond the area of established dis-
tribution of a species.” Furthermore, Johnston noted that “The genetic heritage of some
of the individuals probably casts them in the role of dispersers to long distances.” That

Spring 1975

41

some species have a tendency to disperse farther than others, and that such widely-
dispersing species tend to be those with fewer subspecies is suggested by Berndt and
Sternberg (1968), who stated, “An examination of recoveries of female Pied Fly-
catchers ( Ficedula hypoleuca) shows that many first breed a considerable distance
from their birthplace, in contrast to the situation of the Blue Tit ( Parus caeruleus) and
Nuthatch ( Pusilla europaea). The degree of such dispersion in these species, and pre-
sumably therefore the gene flow, is inversely correlated with the number of geograph-
ical races they contain.” The Ash-throated Flycatcher, as listed in the A.O.U. Check-
list (1957), consists of two races, nominate cinerascens, which is “migratory throughout
most, if not all, of its range” (Lanyon, 1961), and pertinax , which is resident in Baja
California. These facts indicate, taking into account the conclusions of Berndt and
Sternberg (1968), that M. c. cinerascens would tend to be a widely-dispersing taxon.
Indeed, of the specimens taken and identified in the eastern United States, all have
been of this race (Simon, 1958; Weston, 1946; Newman, 1959).

The second possible explanation for the straying of western birds to the east is
rather speculative but has been convincingly stated by Able with reference to eastern
birds straying to the Pacific coast (Able, 1972): “If, as Guy McCaskie suggests, most of
the eastern birds found on the Pacific coast are lost and have faulty orientation mech-
anisms, something alarming is happening in populations of insectivorous birds. The
matter merits investigation because who, for example, knows what effect persistent
pesticides (which accumulate in birds’ brains) might have on their ability to orient
properly?” It is well known that several western species of flycatchers have been re-
ported in the east in recent years.

Of course, the above discussion refers to fall movements of mostly young-of-the-
year (Johnston, 1961). That the Raleigh bird described above represents the first spring
record for the east presents a problem. It may be that a fall disperser which over-win-
ters (and perhaps is disoriented also) may find itself in spring far removed from its
“area of established distribution” (Johnston, 1961), and for many reasons (most notably
lack of a mate) fails to establish a new breeding population. In other words, such an
occurrence may be regarded as an extreme case of the normal phenomenon of disper-
sal (Johnston, 1961).

LITERATURE CITED

Able, K.W. 1972. The changing seasons. American Birds, 26:28.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Checklist of North American Birds. 5th Ed.,
Baltimore, Maryland.

Bagg, Aaron M., and Ruth P. Emery. 1961. Northeastern maritime region. Audubon
Field Notes, 15:11.

Bent, A.C. 1942. Life histories of North American flycatchers, larks, swallows, and
their allies. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. No. 179.

Berndt, R., and H. Sternberg. 1968. Terns, studies, and experiments on the problems
of bird dispersion. Ibis, 110:256.

Boyajian, N.R. 1971. Hudson-St. Lawrence region. American Birds, 25:556.

Finch, D.W. 1972. Northeastern maritime region. American Birds, 26:35.

Finch, D.W. 1973. Northeastern maritime region. American Birds, 27:28.

Johnston, R.F. 1961. Population movements of birds. Condor, 63:386.

Lanyon, W.E. 1961. Specific limits and distribution of Ash-throated and Nutting Fly-
catchers. Condor, 63:421.

Newman, R.J. 1959. Central southern region. Audubon Field Notes, 13:38.

Peterson, R.T. 1937. A field guide to the birds. Haughton Mifflin Co., Boston.

Peterson, Roger Tory. 1961. A field guide to western birds. 2nd Ed., Haughton Mifflin
Co., Boston.

Potter, J.K., and F.R. Scott. 1958. Middle Atlantic coast region. Audubon Field Notes,
12:268.

Richardson, F.C. 1958. Rare flycatchers in Virginia. Raven, 29:29.

Robbins, C.S., B. Brunn, and H.S. Zim. 1966. Birds of North America. Golden Press,

42 The Chat

New York.

Scott, F.R., and D.A. Cutler. 1963. Middle Atlantic coast region. Audubon Field
Notes, 17:20.

Simon, S.W. 1958. An Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens )
in Maryland. Auk, 75:469.

Sutton, G.M. 1967. Oklahoma birds. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

Weston, F.M. 1946. Additions to the Florida list. Auk, 63:451.

BOOK REVIEWS

The Birds of Britain and Europe
with North Africa and the Middle East

Herman Heinzel, Richard Fitter, and John Parslow. J.B. Lippincott Company,
Philadelphia and New York, 1972. Fully illustrated in color. Range maps. List of ac-
cidentals. Indexed separately by common and scientific names. 336 p. 7%" x 4%" . $7.50.

Whether or not you plan to visit one of the countries covered by this field guide, you
will enjoy owning it. All the birds mentioned in the Bible and European literature are now
at your finger tips — in color and with habitat sketches. If you happen to meet a straggler
from Europe right here in the Carolinas, so much the better.

The format of this field guide is quite similar to that of the popular Birds of North
America by Robbins, Braun, Zim, and Singer. Over 1,000 birds are shown on color plates
with the text for each species conveniently located on the facing page. Occasional double-
page spreads illustrate many similar species for easy comparison (e.g. female ducks in
flight, immature gulls). A drawing of an immature Great Black-backed Gull is incorrectly
labeled “adult winter” and some of the illustrations of North American species (e.g. Parula
Warbler) are less than satisfactory; but the book as a whole strikes me as being very well
done. The hard-cover binding obviously is designed for durability in the field. The intro-
ductory material on identifying birds will be helpful to beginning bird students on any con-
tinent. The text includes a great deal of information on behavior and habitat preference
that should be extremely helpful to the tourist bird watcher. Many juveniles and well-
marked races are shown in small-scale drawings, and marginal sketches emphasize such
fine points as differences in relative length of primaries between two very similar species.
Measurements are given in both inches and centimeters. The range maps spare the
foreigner the task of coping with unfamiliar names of geographical features and political
boundaries.

This extremely well organized field guide is bound to be one of the best buys in book
stores today. — EFP

Owls

Tony Angell. University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington 98195, 1974. 63
drawings by author. Bibliography. 80 p. 8/U x 11%". $12.95.

The author’s drawings are reproduced by duotone offset lithography, which gives
exactly the right muted effect appropriate for owls. In the introduction the author shows
his understanding of owls as predators beautifully adapted to their way of life in the wild.
The species accounts are at their best when Angell tells about his personal experiences with
owls. The numerous drawings, Optima type face, spacious layouts, large page size, and at-
tractive binding combine to make this slim book an appropriate gift for the discriminating
nature lover.

Spring 1975

43

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Try on, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at- large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

3 y y . /o

C??

2? V rds

1

The Chat

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
Vol. 39 SUMMER 1975 No. 3

m 1 1 ®75

LltSKArtlt>

No. 3

The Chat

Vol. 39 Summer 1975

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Distribution and Abundance of the Wood Warblers in North Carolina

During the Spring, Nesting, and Fall Seasons, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 45

Book Review 55

General Field Notes 56

An Inland South Carolina Record for the White-winged Scoter,

Harmon P. Weeks Jr 56

Peregrine Falcon Harasses Red-tailed Hawk, Roger L. Boyer 57

Sandhill Crane and Albino Owl in Charleston County, S.C.,

Jere Duncan Eggleston 57

The Nesting Season Status of the Blue-winged Warbler

in the Carolinas, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 58

A Jllue-winged Warbler Seen in Summer

Near Fontana Village, N.C., Eloise F. Potter 59

Comments on the Field Identification

of Sharp-tailed Sparrows, E. Burnham Chamberlain 59

Briefs for the Files 60

CBC Roundtable 64

Issued July 1975

OUR COVER — The Worm-eating Warbler was photo-
graphed by David Lee, who recently joined the staff of
the North Carolina Museum of Natural History. For
more information on warblers, see the major paper by
Harry E. LeGrand Jr. To learn more about Dave Lee,
read CBC Roundtable. This issue also features two new
drawings by John Henry Dick and a photo by Edward
Burroughs.

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE
OF THE WOOD WARBLERS IN NORTH CAROLINA
DURING THE SPRING, NESTING, AND FALL SEASONS

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

The amount of published records on warblers ( Parulidae ) in North Carolina is fairly
large, but a great portion of these records are rare sightings or unusual arrival and
departure dates. Abundance data, even for the common species, are incomplete for all
seasons, especially for the spring and fall migrations. Even though three editions of the
state book, Birds of North Carolina, have been published (Pearson et al., 1919, 1942,
1959), very little quantitative data on warblers are found in these books. Because of
this scarcity of data and the relative obsoleteness of the 1959 edition, I conducted a
study on the distribution and abundance of warblers in the state during the spring and
fall seasons. Nesting abundance data also were recorded for this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data for this project were collected by two methods: (1) questionnaires to selected
observers who have done considerable field work in North Carolina, and (2) published
records in journals, state and regional bird books, and local and regional checklists.
The approximate locations of ornithological field work in North Carolina, especially
as related to studies of warblers, are shown in Figure 1.

Most of the published records for North Carolina were taken from three sources:
The Chat, Audubon Field Notes (now American Birds), and Birds of North Carolina.
The bulk of the data in The Chat was taken from spring count tables, “Briefs for the
Files,” and county and regional annotated lists. Most North Carolina data in Audubon
Field Notes were found in the “Southern Atlantic Coast Region” section.

STUDY AREA

North Carolina, the study area, contains three major physiographic regions: (1)
mountains, (2) piedmont, and (3) coastal plain (Radford et al., 1968). These regions
lie in narrow belts in the eastern United States running in northeast-southwest direc-
tions. In addition to the above regions, another section of the state is of major impor-
tance ornithologically. The immediate coastline, consisting almost exclusively of narrow
barrier islands and estuaries paralleling the mainland, and an adjacent strip of main-
land of a few miles in width, have been considered a fourth region in this study — the
coast (see Figure 1 for locations of these regions).

RESULTS

Figure 2 shows the abundances and distributions of the spring migrant, nesting,
and fall migrant populations of the 37 regularly-occurring species of warblers in North
Carolina. Several species and hybrids that have been recorded in the state are not in-
cluded on this figure because they occur only casually or accidentally. These birds are
the Bachman’s Warbler ( Vermivora bachmanii). Black-throated Gray Warbler ( Den -
droica nigrescens) , Kirtland’s Warbler ( Dendroica kirtlandii), and the Brewster’s and
Lawrence’s hybrids.

The abundance levels presented in this figure are based on (1) the number of birds
of a given species an observer would expect to record on a 3-hour morning trip through
its primary habitat, and on (2) the number of records the observer would expect to
gather over a single season. The criteria for the abundance levels are: abundant — over
100 birds of the species recorded during the 3 hours in its primary habitat; very com-

Summer 1975

45

Mountains ✓ Piedmont / Coastal Plain I Coast

-l o

46

The Chat

Fig. 1. Primary locations of ornithological field work in North Carolina (1880-1972). Solid dots are the centers of field work (the larger
the dot, the more intensive the work). Dashed lines surrounding dots are approximate or estimated limits of associated field work.
Abbreviations of key localities are: GSM— Great Smoky Mountains National Park, A— Asheville, NW— North Wilkesboro, WS— Wins-
ton-Salem, G— Greensboro, C— Charlotte, CH— Chapel Hill, R— Raleigh, RR— Roanoke Rapids, SP— Southern Pines, Wa— Washing-
ton, Wi— Wilmington. Boundaries of the piedmont based on Radford et al. (1968).

mon — 21 to 100 birds; common — 6 to 20 birds; fairly common — 2 to 5 birds; un-
common— no more than two in a morning (except in unusual and irregular cases),
generally one to several records per season each year if the observer actively birded;
rare — seldom more than one record per season each year, one to five records over a
period of 5 years; very rare — only one to several records expected over a 20-year
period: casual — expected to occur only once to several times within a century; absent
— applying primarily to breeding statuses, no records expected for the species at the
locality (if a record does occur, it would be considered “accidental”). Abundances
shown with two successive levels (e.g., FC-C) indicate that the abundance over the
area is generally on the borderline between the two individual levels.

The status of a number of species of migrants is poorly known in the coastal plain
and coast regions, especially in the spring, because of the scarcity of observers in those
areas. Also, the migrant statuses of species that nest in North Carolina are poorly under-
stood because of the difficulty in distinguishing between the migrants and the breeders.
In both cases question marks have been added to Figure 2 to indicate that the abun-
dance statuses of such species are not well known or understood.

The shape of North Carolina has been converted in Figure 2 to a single east-west
band covering the four regions. The widths of the mountain, piedmont, and coastal
plain regions on the figure are approximately in the same proportions as their true
widths; however, the width of the coast region has been increased on the figure in
order to allow space for the printing of abundance statuses within its borders. The
natural northeast-southwest orientation of the regions in the state has been converted
to vertical lines in the figure, and since the figure represents an east-west line (no
north-south dimensions), points or towns which are on the same northeast-southwest
line in North Carolina occur at the same point on the figure. Note that Charlotte and
Greensboro are located nearly side-by-side. The figure has been set up as such because
the warbler migrations in North Carolina are primarily in northeast-southwest di-
rections and, therefore, are similar at points on a northeast-southwest line (such as
Charlotte and Greensboro).

DISCUSSION

One problem which occurred in this study was the bias in abundance figures for
the three seasons -concerned. Warblers are more vocal and easily detected in summer
than spring and in spring than fall, and since the abundance data in F igure 2 are based
on number of birds recorded in the field, there is a tendency to underestimate (fail to
detect) numbers of birds in the spring and fall, especially in the latter season. There-
fore, for example, at a given location the actual numbers of a fairly common fall migrant
are greater than those of a fairly common spring migrant and much greater than those
of a fairly common summer resident, even though the same numbers of each are
recorded in the proper season in a single morning.

Another problem pertained to the relation of TV tower kill and airport ceilometer
kill data to diurnal field data (with which this paper is concerned). Although the kill
data are presumably unbiased in that they represent nearly the true proportion of
warbler species and individuals that are migrating overhead, they are not necessarily
the true proportion of species and individuals that are present at that location during
the following day. For example, at two television towers in the coastal plain,' Jay
Carter (pers. com.) has found small numbers of several species of warblers that were
considered rare or very rare by diurnal observers in the coastal plain. However, he
has also found numbers of Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and Sharp-tailed
Sparrows (Ammospiza caudacuta), coastal species which are only casually recorded
inland by observers. His data indicate that many or most of these species are flying
toward the coast with no intention of landing in the coastal plain. On the other hand,
kill data of small passerines in the piedmont and mountains agree reasonably well with
diurnal data in species abundances. The result of these disparities was that I incorporated

Summer 1975

47

-6 £ £ E I t - i

§ 2^1 f >«§E

O ® D !0
~ Q Z I 0 I 0 0
to cd .E C/5 ®O^G

O 5 5 s § £ | E
r: ^ ^ g- £ «
*.E<£o>E~V .

sSSgEg

o £-< j§ • ?

£ ” I < ^S

o o < | ° ^

0

0 — |
§ to
> 0 <
0 =3
05=3 -*
C

o

0

_, o 0
J=! O Q_
0 ~ —
O 0

c
o

C 0
0 CL

»- 0 Z

TD
0

? S = tr f

0 . C

_c u

05 -Q

8is|

C 0 <

o

CD — ’ '

5 §

05 CO
0

.2 S

1 «

.1?
C 3
O -Q

CO _£- 0 — W

^oc:0<0Oo0

SrB0 l£ c

.E o "o

°!| i

0 •— o q;
~ i2 ^ -
o q5 ^

0 >; w 0 C

0 | £ 3 .2

CD > 0 CO 0

^CJ§

C-2 £ ® ®

o-o of

£8a>g-®.2>®«
5 1 ® ^ £ s I Me
252V^£SE-§

Q.

- . i_ — . Q.

5s CO 0 0

^ Sws 31 cCC O 0)

" 0

coo I °I>I

• I I si

0

0 0

-° “53 ££ 51 s

0

+= w o

0

n c <2 DC

SO S «

2 I

” vj _

^ C ^

O

6 c
0

0

C O > O

to
c -E
o-2 g
E o ^
E % 0

~ c-2

D -c

0 O

5 52 o c © «

^ O O'-
'S 0 0 n -Q ^ ^

|q-«E-qo 3 r

0^E<0D°O
0 o -c; 9? . o

O c
C co
0 "O

"O c

c 3

2 -°
-Q 0
cn

c c

gcpSS

» I

c rn — ^
O U F

OD x

I w

C/5 w

0

§5
-i

™ -o * E | "f ° ‘E

£ 0

? eI

«-2< o d~ | 5 c

to ®to^.E'“

0 F y i -c
c I- ° A -
_ . - w 0
O) w ^ *5
c ^ 0 _7 ° o

III 2 A SO , -
°’£|I5§AM§

w 2 2 S W C - c "0
-* 2 3 E 3

0

0 ®

o

0
0
s

° JL -Q

i z 0

- c

is

05 05

_Q O

0

CL> F E »- c
0 > Q- < E 0 3=

data from the piedmont into the material in Figure 2 but mostly ignored the coastal
plain kill data because of its misleading character.

The large number of question marks which appear on Figure 2 and the scarcity or
lack of field work in many areas of North Carolina as shown on Figure 1 indicate that
much is still to be learned about warbler distributions in the state. Relatively little field
work has been conducted in the coastal plain region, both because of the scarcity of
observers and the poverty of migrants in this region. Our knowledge of birds (of all
species) north of a line from Rocky Mount to Lake Mattamuskeet and south of a line
from Charlotte to New Bern (excepting the Wilmington area) is nearly lacking. Other
areas of the state needing intensive field work in the near future include the north-
ern border counties west of Henderson and the counties lying between Asheville and
Charlotte. Intensive birding in counties in the corners of the state is also needed and
could yield new or important breeding records.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This paper could not have been written without the valuable data submitted by a
large number of contributors, and those who submitted a substantial amount of data
are marked below by asterisks. I wish to thank Edna Appleberry*, Jeannette S. Bach-
man*. Elizabeth Ball, Charles H. Blake*, J. H. Carter III*, Geraldine Cox*, Vera Crook,
Dot Earle, Mary Enloe, Oliver W. Ferguson, Charles M. Frost, John O. Fussell III*,
Gaston Gage, Gilbert S. Grant, Jeanne Halsey, Fred S. Hill, Robert P. Holmes*, J.
Merrill Lynch*, James R. Mattocks*, James L. and Mary McLaurin, William A. Noonan,
Mrs. Paul S. Payne*, Richard A. Peake Jr.*, Eloise F. Potter*, James O. Pullman*,
Robert C. Ruiz, Marcus B. Simpson Jr.*, Wendell P. Smith*, Ramona R. Snavely*,
Thomas E. Street*, Robert P. and Elizabeth P. Teulings*, Plumer W. Wiseman, and
Robert H. Witherington. I express my greatest appreciation to these people for the
valuable time they spent researching and compiling their warbler records and for their
sincere interest in my study.

This paper is based on part of a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the re-
quirements for the Master of Science degree in Zoology at North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, N.C., 1973. My Graduate Advisory Committee members were: T.L.
Quay (chairman), K.E. Muse, and S.D. Koch.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American birds. Fifth edition.
American Ornithologists’ Union, Baltimore, Md.

. 1973. Thirty-second supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union

check-list of North American birds. Auk, 90:411-419.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1919. Birds of North Carolina. Ed-
wards and Broughton Printing Co., Raleigh, N.C.

1942. Birds of North Carolina. Bynum Printing Co., Raleigh, N.C.

— - . 1959. Revised by D.L. Wray and H.T. Davis. Birds of North Carolina.

Bynum Printing Co., Raleigh, N.C.

Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the vascular flora of the Caro-
linas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609, 23 March 1974. [Present address: Department of
Zoology, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631.]

ADDENDA

Figure 2 was compiled during the spring of 1973. Since that time, a number of
changes in warbler distributions have been recorded in North Carolina, due both to

Summer 1975

53

actual changes in warbler populations and to ornithological field work in poorly-

covered areas.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: Recent summer records from Swift Creek just south of
Raleigh in Wake County, and records from Polk County over many years indicate
that the species breeds or may breed sparingly along the eastern and western
borders of the piedmont. The current breeding status in the coastal plain perhaps
should be listed as “uncommon” rather than “uncommon to rare.”

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: Recent breeding season records for Cherokee and Gra-
ham Counties indicate that the species is not a rare bird in the southwestern tip of
the state; nevertheless, elsewhere in the mountains it is a very rare to absent breed-
ing species. The Blue-winged seems to have increased somewhat as a migrant,
throughout the state, within the last few years.

TENNESSEE WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, and BAY-BREASTED WAR-
BLER: These three species have increased considerably in numbers as migrants
through North Carolina in the last several years, especially in the mountain and
piedmont sections. The migrant abundance statuses listed on the table for these
species should be increased one level (change “U” to “FC,” “FC” to “C,” etc.) in the
mountains and piedmont.

CERULEAN WARBLER: Field studies in key areas of the state have revealed sizable
breeding populations in several localities. Small colonies have been found along the
Blue Ridge in northeastern Wilkes County and in western Polk County, and a large
population exists in the western coastal plain along the Roanoke River in the Hali-
fax area, with smaller numbers downstream to Williamston (Merrill Lynch, pers.
com.). Information on the breeding distribution of this species in the state is quite
incomplete.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: Either this species has declined considerably as
a breeder, especially west of the fall line, or the data I accumulated were incor-
rect. This warbler now appears to be only uncommon to fairly common as a breed-
ing species in most localities west of the fall line. The spring status of the species
should be listed as “fairly common” in the eastern half of the piedmont, and prob-
ably also in the coastal plain.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: Change the nesting status in the mountains from
“common” to “very common.”

KENTUCKY WARBLER and AMERICAN REDSTART: The abundance and distribu-
tion of these (and many) warblers in the coastal plain in summer are not well
known. Large numbers of these two species along the Roanoke River in the Hali-
fax area suggest they may well be more numerous than previously suspected in
the western section of the coastal plain, at least north of the Tar River. The Ken-
tucky Warbler is scarce to absent in the eastern coastal plain in summer, north of
the Neuse River, but south of this river it may be a regular but uncommon to rare
breeding bird.

54

The Chat

BOOK REVIEW

Ocean Wanderers: The Migratory Sea Birds of the World

R.M. Lockley. Published in Great Britain and Canada by David & Charles Limited
and in the United States by Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa. 1974. Drawings by Robert
Gillmor, 8 color plates, 28 black-and-white photographs, 20 distribution maps. Bibliog-
raphy. Index. 168 p. 8" x lOJU. $15.00.

The recent increase in the number of bird watchers making boat trips off the Carolina
coast has stimulated interest in pelagic species among CBC members, many of whom may
find Ocean Wanderers enjoyable and informative. Lockley introduces the layman to the
physiology, life histories, and migratory movements of the birds of the oceans all over the
world. The 13 chapter headings are Origin and evolution; Adaptations to ocean-going;
Behavior; Ocean feeding grounds; Expert navigators; Man and sea birds; Penguins; Alba-
trosses; Fulmars, shearwaters and other petrels; Tropic and frigate birds, gannets and
boobies; Skuas, gulls and terns; Auks; and Phalaropes. The author’s command of his sub-
ject matter is impressive, and he writes with ease and enthusiasm even when the ideas be-
come a bit complex. This is a book for the advanced bird student who is willing to dig for
the facts. Assuming his readers are intelligent people who are trying to learn something
meaningful about sea birds, Lockley never writes down to them. Because most readers
probably will have seen only a few of the many species he mentions, I wish the author had
been able to include more photographs, drawings, and range maps without making the
book prohibitively expensive. An appendix that could serve as a guide to the birds of the
oceans would be most welcome. The reader who knows his own limitations might do well
to acquire W.B. Alexander’s Birds of the Oceans (Putnam, 1963) along with Ocean
Wanderers. — EFP

Summer 1975

55

General

Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

An Inland South Carolina Record
for the White-winged Scoter

HARMON P. WEEKS JR.

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Lafayette, Indiana 47907

On 12 November 1967, James Sweeney, John Sweeney, and I went to the dam of Par
Pond on the AEC Savannah River Plant, Barnwell County, S.C., to census wintering ducks.
Soon after arriving we noticed a strange duck feeding near a small group of Ruddy
( Oxyura jamaicensis) and Lesser Scaup ( Aytha af finis) Ducks in deep water near, the
spillway. As we moved closer, the whole group began to drift slowly away from the dam.
Upon observing the unusual duck at 15X with a spotting scope, we identified it as a female
White- winged Scoter ( Melanitta deglandi ) . The white wing patch was clearly visible while
she rested on the water. We visited the spot again the next day and periodically for the next
2 months and always found the bird feeding or loafing near the dam, either alone or in the
company of a small number of other divers. Because she always moved away by swim-
ming, we thought at first that she may have been injured. However, on 12 December, when
we rapidly approached the spot on the dam opposite her position in the water, she flushed
and, after striding clear of the water, flew strongly for several hundred yards before
alighting. No others of the species ever were observed, and she had disappeared by
F ebruary .

Sprunt and Chamberlain ( South Carolina Bird Life, 1970, p. 590) classified the White-
winged Scoter as a rare winter visitor on the coast and gave only two inland records, both
in the piedmont. Burleigh ( Georgia Birds, 1958, p. 698) gave a record of a male on the

56

The Chat

Savannah River near Augusta in January 1954, and Quay et al, (Chat, 33:27) reported one
inland at Raleigh, N.C., in November 1968. No record of a bird wintering inland in any of
these three states could be found. Norris ( Birds of the AEC Savannah River Area, 1963)
listed no scoters at SRP, so these observations constitute a new record for the area.

[There are at least three additional inland records of this species for North Carolina.
Joyner (Chat, 21:70) reported a female at Rocky Mount in January 1957; Hader (Chat,
33:57) listed the record of Quay et al, plus another for the Raleigh area in November 1947;
and Carter (Chat, 35:94) mentions one seen at Lakeview in the central sandhills area in
October 1960. Although there are no definite records of White- winged Scoters wintering
inland in the Carolinas or Georgia, one of the piedmont records (Shuler, Chat, 18:96) is that
of an individual that appeared on Union Bleachery Reservoir in Greenville, S.C., on 12
March 1950, and stayed in the area for 12 days. — JRH]

Peregrine Falcon Harasses Red-tailed Hawk

ROGER L. BOYER

Landplan Systems, Commonwealth Associates Inc.

209 E. Washington Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201

During field reconnaissance in Fairfield County, S.C., near the eastern edge of the
Sumter National Forest, on 11 September 1974, 1 observed two raptors soaring over open
fields at about 0.4 km from me. As I watched, the smaller bird, which I identified as a
Peregrine Falcon (Faleo peregrinus), dove from its higher position at a Red- tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis) . The Red-tail set its wings and veered upward and slightly sideways as
the Peregrine passed within what appeared to be around 30 cm, with its talons out-
stretched.

After completing the dive, the Peregrine flew up to nearly its original height, above
the Red-tail. Seconds later the entire performance was repeated, and then again and again
for a total of five harassments. However, after each dive, the Peregrine never regained the
same height above the Red-tail.

At the Peregrine’s sixth dive, the Red-tail turned and met the harasser by rising slightly
in the air and then dove with outstretched talons at the Peregrine as it flew by. This was the
last harassment I saw, as both birds had flown a greater distance away during the activ-
ities, until they were no longer easily visible.

Sandhill Crane and Albino Owl
in Charleston County, S.C.

JERE DUNCAN EGGLESTON

400 Saluda Avenue, Columbia, S.C. 29205

On 23 December 1973, my son Robert and I were hunting ducks in Mayrant’s Reserve
on Fairlawn Plantation, Charleston County, S.C., and for several hours had the oppor-
tunity to observe a Sandhill Crane that would occasionally circle around and over the
reserve for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Its loud call was easily distinguished from that of the
Great Blue Heron, one of which was in the area at the same time. The weather, as I recall,
was very cold with ice on the water most of the morning. That afternoon we returned and
once again saw what we assumed to be the same bird. I have hunted Mayrant’s Reserve
every weekend of the duck season since about 1960, and to my knowledge this is the first
and only observation of a Sandhill Crane.

On a completely different note, my wife and I were on Edisto Island, Charleston
County, the weekend of 15-16 March 1975, and while walking through a stand of planted
pine trees, flushed a white owl which I would identify as an albino Barred Owl. We both
got a good look at the bird as it flew over our heads in an attempt to get over the tops of the
closely planted pines. I very distinctly noted the round earless head and white back. My

Summer 197S

57

wife noted brown spots on its breast. My impression was that the bird was small for a
Barred Owl, a species with which I am very familiar. It was not large enough to consider
the possibility of a Snowy Owl. Almost every night during the summer we heard Barred
Owls hooting from this same patch of woods.

[The smaller size of this owl, together with the brown spots on its breast, make it likely
that it was an albino Barn Owl rather than a Barred. — JRH, JFP]

The Nesting Season Status

of the Blue-winged Warbler in the Carolinas

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology, Clemson University

Clemson, S.C. 29631 12 July 1974

NORTH CAROLINA — The only published evidence that the Blue-winged Warbler
(V ermivora pinus) nests or nested in North Carolina was a vague statement in Birds of
North Carolina (Pearson, Brimley, andBrimley, 1942) thatCoues reported it as breeding in
Buncombe County, presumably in the 1880s and 1890s. Birds of North Carolina (1959
edition) listed a June record for Mt. Mitchell in Yancey County but, of course, supplied no
details. Despite fairly extensive field work in the mountains during this century, nothing
has been published concerning the occurrence of the Blue-winged Warbler during the
breeding season. However, on 14 June 1968 Mary Enloe recorded a Blue- winged Warbler
on a Breeding Bird Survey route in northwestern Graham County (data courtesy of the
Migratory Bird Populations Station in Laurel, Maryland). Also, Eloise Potter observed a
non-singing Blue-winged on 11 July 1964 (see article below) near Fontana Village in north-
ern Graham County. She believed the bird was on territory. Since the three counties in the
southwestern corner of the state (Graham, Cherokee, and Clay) generally have been
neglected by ornithologists and the species occurs sparingly in northern Georgia (Georgia
Birds , 1958), I believed that the Blue-winged might be widespread in this part of North
Carolina, yet occur nowhere else in the state in the summer.

On 20 June 1974 1 surveyed roadside habitats from southwestern Clay County to west-
ern Cherokee County, looking and listening strictly for Blue- winged Warblers. Beginning
at Warne in Clay County at 06: 15, 1 proceeded into Cherokee County and through Ranger,
Suit, Hiwassee Dam, Unaka, and ending at Murphy at 11:00. 1 recorded five Blue-wings, all
singing, at four places in Cherokee County, but none in Clay County. One bird was a mile
SE of Suit and two were 3 miles N of Suit. Another was 2 miles W of Unaka, and the last was
1 mile W of Unaka. Three of the males were seen by using a tape recording of the song to
bring the birds within 30 feet of me.

Practically the whole route censused lies between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, and the five
birds were found between 1,650 and 1,800 feet. All birds were in basically the same habi-
tat— overgrown fields with scattered deciduous saplings from 3 to 15 feet high on fairly
level to gently sloping ground. None were found where the saplings formed a thicket. In
general, the birds sang from trees on the edge of the field, 10 to 25 feet up in the trees, and
only occasionally sang from the saplings in the field.

I saw no evidence of nesting, but the males were obviously on territory and presumed
to be nesting. Thus, at the present time, the Blue- winged Warbler can be called a summer
resident in the western halves of Graham and Cherokee counties, even though actual evi-
dence of nesting is lacking.

SOUTH CAROLINA — On 12 J une 1974 1 found a singing Blue- winged W arbler along
Eighteenmile Creek approximately 3 miles ESE of Central, S.C., in extreme southern
Pickens County (elevation, 750 feet). I heard the song twice before I got a 3-second glance
at the bird about 40 feet high in a deciduous tree at the edge of a powerline clearing. About
30 seconds after I saw the bird, it flew across the clearing (a low and shrubby thicket) and

58

The Chat

emitted an unusual jumble of notes and buzzes while it was in midair! The warbler landed
in trees on the other side of the clearing and was lost from view.

On 13 June I returned to the area and heard the bird singing about 10 times from trees
along the edge of the clearing; however, I was unable to locate the bird. On 15 J une the bird
was heard singing about four times but could not be seen. I made several other trips to the
area later in June but neither saw nor heard the warbler.

This is the first breeding season record for the Blue-winged Warbler in South Caro-
lina. Even though the bird was on territory, the record should not be considered a breed-
ing range extension because it most likely was an unmated male at least 50 miles to the east
and southeast of the normal nesting range.

A Blue-winged Warbler Seen in Summer
Near Fontana Village, N.C.

ELOISE F. POTTER

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 17 June 1974

The following report is submitted for publication at the suggestion of Harry E.
LeGrand Jr., who recently completed an intensive study of wood warbler distribution in
North Carolina. From 10 through 12 July 1964, 1 birded in the vicinity of Fontana Village,
Graham County, N.C., while waiting for my husband to hike a section of the Appalachian
Trail which passes across F ontana Dam. During these three days I hiked trails near the vil-
lage (2,000 feet) and the dam (1,700 feet) and made one field trip the morning of 11 July
without benefit of a trail. From a point on NC 28 about halfway between the village and
the dam, I descended the gorge below the dam as far as seemed safe for me to proceed
alone. Near the highway at the edge of a brushy clearing beneath power lines, I noted a
male Blue-winged Warbler (V ermivora pinus) and a male Black-throated Green Warbler
(Dendroica virens ). About the time I decided to retrace my route, I saw an Ovenbird
( Seiurus aurocapillus) foraging beneath some laurels and rhododendrons growing near,
but not immediately beside, a small stream. When I squeaked in an attempt to lure the
Ovenbird closer to me, two brown birds emerged from a dense thicket to peer at me. One I
readily identified as a Worm-eating Warbler ( Helmitheros vermivorus); and the other,
after due consultation with my Peterson field guide, I determined to be a Swainson’s
W arbler ( Limnothlypis swainsonii) . The birds were very tame, seeming to be more curious
than afraid. Although the Swainson’s and Worm-eating Warblers soon slipped again into
the depths of the impenetrable thicket bordering the stream, the Ovenbird continued to
forage without seeming to be aware of my presence. When I returned to the roadside, the
Blue-winged and Black-throated Green Warblers were exactly where I had seen them
earlier in the morning. My impression was that all these birds were on territory. Other
wood warblers seen on my rambles around Fontana included the Black-and-white,
Northern Parula, Yellow, Kentucky, and Hooded Warblers and the American Redstart.

Comments on the Field Identification
of Sharp-tailed Sparrows

E. BURNHAM CHAMBERLAIN
Curator Emeritus, Vertebrate Zoology

The Charleston Museum, Charleston, S.C. 29401 31 December 1974

LeGrand (Chat, 38:76) recently reported the occurrence of Nelson’s Sharp-tailed
Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta nelsoni) in Anderson County, S.C. The subspecies identi-
fication was based upon field observations of two birds seen near Townville, 19 May 1974.

The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds (1957, 5th edition) lists the following
races of the Sharp-tailed Sparrow: Eastern ( Ammospiza caudacuta caudacuta ), Acadian

Summer 1975

59

(. A.c . subvirgata), Southern (A.c. diversa), James Bay ( A.c . altera), and Nelson’s (A.c.
nelsoni) . The occurrence of all five races in South Carolina is documented by specimens in
the Charleston Museum. To say that field identification of two or three of the races is
questionable, is an understatement.

Among writers commenting on this difficult group, Peterson (1947, A Field Guide to
the Birds, p. 272) notes the similarity of the Nelson’s and James Bay races, and says that
“Most of the migrants that were once called nelsoni in N.Y. and N.E. are probably of this
race [James Bay]. Sight records cannot be accepted.” Hill (in Bent, Life Histories of North
American Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings, Towhees, Finches, Sparrows, and Allies, 1968)
states that “. . . without the specimen in hand, and without adequate skins for comparison,
it is my opinion that diversa vs caudacuta are inseparable, as are subvirgata vs altera, altera
vs nelsoni, and perhaps nelsoni vs caudacuta.’’ Further, that “In the field, altera cannot be
separated from subvirgata on one hand, or from nelsoni on the other; even with the
specimen in hand the diagnosis is difficult and sometimes impossible.”

During the preparation of the first edition of South Carolina Birdlife (1949), the late
H.C. Oberholser examined critically the Charleston Museum’s specimens of Sharp-tailed
Sparrows, in addition to those of many other species. His opinions concerning the
identification of Sharp-tailed Sparrow races are reflected in the paragraph above.

In view of the uncertainties involved, compilers and researchers cannot be expected
to accept sight record identifications of Sharp-tailed Sparrow subspecies.

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

(Winter season, 1974-1975)

COMMON LOON: Inland, 22 were tallied at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County,
N.C., on 4 January by Merrill Lynch.

RED-NECKED GREBE: One was a rare visitor on the South Carolina coast sighted in
Charleston harbor on 9 March by Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand.

HORNED GREBE: An impressive inland count of 196 was recorded by Merrill Lynch at
Roanoke Rapids Lake, N.C., on 2 January.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Four were uncommon inland visitors at Lake
Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., observed on 30 March by James Mulholland.

LITTLE BLUE HERON: Three were noted on 24 March at Townville, S.C., by Harry
LeGrand, a seasonally early occurrence for the species in that western piedmont
locality.

CATTLE EGRET: Nine late lingerers were observed near Grandy in coastal Currituck

60

The Chat

County, N.C., on 14 December by Robert Tripician. Elsewhere three were reported
by John Fussell to have overwintered on Bogue Bank in the vicinity of Atlantic Beach,
N.C. Another was seen near McClellanville, S.C., on 24 January by Dennis Forsythe.

WHITE IBIS: A winter occurrence of an individual was recorded as far north as Buxton on
the North Carolina Outer Banks on 18 February by Fred Pongrace, fide Joe Hudick.

GLOSSY IBIS: Seven were seen at Pea Island N.W.R. on 8 February by Robert Tripician,
and small numbers lingered in the Charleston, S.C., area through the winter, as
reported by Dennis Forsythe.

WHISTLING SWAN: Mattamuskeet N.W.R. in Hyde County, N.C., continued to attract a
high wintering population of swans with a peak count of 18,000 recorded there in early
December, fide Don Harke. Up to 200 also wintered at Pea Island N.W.R. according
to census data furnished by J ack Hagan. A few wandered as far south as Cape Romain
N.W.R. and Charleston along the South Carolina coast. Inland, scattered and
uncommon piedmont occurrences were noted during the winter at Reidsville,
Roanoke Rapids, Seaforth, and Whispering Pines, N.C.

SNOW GOOSE: Jack Hagan reported a peak winter concentration of 7,200 at Pea Island,
N.W.R., including 25 birds of the blue form. At Garysburg, N.C., two of the latter
form were seen on 5 January by Merrill Lynch and eight were noted on 19 January at
South Island near Georgetown, S.C., by Ted Beckett.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: One was seen at Santee N.W.R. on 18 February by
Dennis Forsythe.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: Nine were seen in a small flock at Magnolia Gardens near
Charleston, S.C., on 8 February by Ted Beckett. In addition, three were recorded
farther north at Bells Island, Currituck County, N.C., on 5 April by F rank Aycock, and
17 were seen at Cape Hatteras, N.C., on 7 April by Clay Gifford.

NORTHERN SHOVELER: Four were uncommon inland visitors at Raleigh, N.C.,
observed at Inwood Pond on 8 February by James Mulhoiland. Two were also seen
inland at Clemson, S.C., on 24 March by Harry LeGrand.

GREATER SCAUP: Locally uncommon occurrences were recorded at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N.C., where 18 were seen on 10 March by James Mulhoiland and four at
Pendleton, S.C., on 29 March by Harry LeGrand.

QLDSQUAW: One was present inland at Clemson, S.C., 22-24 January, fide Harry
LeGrand.

COMMON GOLDENEYE: Two were seen on the coast at'Mt. Pleasant, S.C., on 21
January by Dennis Forsythe. Inland, one was found at Roanoke Rapids Lake in
Halifax County, N.C. , on 3 January by Merrill Lynch, and another was seen at Lake
Surf near Vass, N.C., on 14 March by Jay Carter.

COMMON EIDER: A lone winter visitor was observed at Pea Island N.W.R. on the North
Carolina Outer Banks on 27 December by John Williamson. At Charleston, S.C., one
was seen at F ort Sumter on 9 March by Dennis F orsythe et a!., and another sighting of
the same or another individual was noted by Julian Harrison at Fort Moultrie on 20
March.

COMMON MERGANSER: One was seen near Morehead City, N.C., on 19 December by
John Fussell. Elsewhere, three were found inland at Kerr Scott Reservoir near North
Wilkesboro, N.C., by Wendell Smith on 3 January, and four were seen on the same
date at Roanoke Rapids Lake in Halifax County, N.C., by Merrill Lynch.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: One was observed by Stanley Alford and Angelo Capparella
at Seaforth in Chatham County, N.C., on 8 March; later seen by many observers.

BALD EAGLE: An inland sighting of an immature bird was recorded at Townville, S.C.,
on 8 December by Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand, and one was reported to
have wintered at Davis Impoundment near Beaufort, N.C., by Robert Hader and
Eugene Pond. On 19 January, Ted Beckett found a pair of nesting adults with
young at South Island near Georgetown, S.C.

Summer 1975

61

PEREGRINE FALCON: Reports by several observers indicated the presence of at least
two individuals in the Georgetown-Cape Romain, S.C., area during early January.
Also, an individual was seen inland in Warren County, N.C., on31 January by Michael
Schultz.

MERLIN: One was sighted in Edgecombe County, N.C., near Rocky Mount on 14
December by Louis Fink, and two were seen at Davis Impoundment near Beaufort,
N.C., on 11 March by Robert Hader.

SANDHILL CRANE: One was seen flying over the Clemson University campus at
Clemson, S.C., on 2 December by Sidney Gauthreaux, Harry LeGrand, and Frank
Moore. Four were noted later in the Georgetown area at South Island on 19 January
by Ted Beckett.

BLACK RAIL: One was a good find at Kiawah Island near Charleston, S.C., on 26 January
by David Chamberlain.

COMMON SNIPE: An estimated 300 were seen at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston,
S.C., on 13 February by Ted Beckett. Elsewhere, at Raleigh, N.C., at least 100 were
present at Greenview Farm on 28 March, observed by Robert Hader.

PURPLE SANDPIPER: A good count of 20 was recorded on the north jetties of Winyah
Bay at Georgetown, S.C., on 8 December by John E. Cely.

DUNLIN: Two were late lingerers at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., through early
January, fide Harry LeGrand.

RED PHALAROPE: A flock of 28 were well seen near shore from a fishing pier at Wrights-
ville Beach, N.C., on 26 January by Jim Weigand. This unusual midwinter sighting
followed a coastal storm.

POMARINE JAEGER: An individual in light-phase plumage was seen 2 miles off the
Charleston, S.C., jetties on 9 March by Dennis Forsythe et al.

RING-BILLED GULL: Up to 4,200 wintered inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake in Halifax
County, N.C., as reported by Merrill Lynch.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: Two inland transients were noted at Lake Surf near Vass, N.C.,
on 9 December by Jay Carter. On 22 March four were seen at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N.C., by Robert Hader.

FORSTER’S TERN: An uncommon inland sighting was recorded at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N.C., where a single bird was seen on 29 March by James Mulholland.

RAZORBILL: A fresh specimen was found dead by John E. Cely at Pawley’s Island, S.C.,
on 22 February, marking the only reported alcid record for the winter season.

WHIP-POOR-WILL: A late lingerer was recorded near West End in Moore County, N.C.,
on 7 December by Jay Carter.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: One was observed at North Island, Georgetown County, S.C.,
on 8 December by John E. Cely.

BEWICK’S WREN: One wintered at Townville, S.C., where it was last seen on 6 March by
Harry LeGrand.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: Mr. and Mrs. Claude Dunn observed a hardy individ-
ual at Zebulon, N.C., on 22 January, fide Eloise Potter.

WHITE-EYED VIREO: One was an unusual winter-season find at Raleigh, N.C.,
observed on 2 February by James Mulholland.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: A very early singing male was heard at Fairlawn Planta-
tion near Charleston, S.C., on 23 February by Ted Beckett.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: A very early spring transient was recorded in Forsyth
County, N.C., by Charles Frost on 23 March.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: One was found in the company of Yellow-
rumped Warblers at Wilmington, N.C., on 29 December by Kitty Kosh.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: An early and unexpected visitor was present for 3 days in F.M.
Probst’s yard at Pawley’s Island, S.C., 25-27 March.

62

The Chat

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, Reidsville, N.C. (Photo by Edward Burroughs)

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: One was seen on? January at Garysburg in Northampton
County, N.C., by Merrill Lynch. Another individual was a regular feeder visitor
during February and March in Winston-Salem, N.C., observed by Dixie and Richard
Proctor.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: Ted Beckett reported seeing numerous blackbirds of this
species flocking at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston, S.C., on 11 January. Else-
where, Merrill Lynch observed a single male at Tillery in Halifax County, N.C., on 9
January, and two males were seen on 31 March at Rock Hill, S.C., by Michael Boat-
wright. It appears that increasing numbers of this species may be extending their
winter range into the Carolinas.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: A well-marked male was present at the feeder of Pete
Yount in Reidsville, N.C., from 19 January through early May, photographed by
Edward Burroughs (see above).

LE CONTE’S SPARROW: An adult was well seen at Santee N.W.R. on 18 January by
Dennis Forsythe.

TREE SPARROW: One was seen in Forsyth County, N.C., on 16 December by Fran
Baldwin and Ramona Snavely.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 98 individuals were counted along a half-mile
hedgerow at the Caledonia Prison Farm near Tillery, Halifax County, N.C., on 9
January by Keith Fielder and Merrill Lynch.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: An individual wintered at Charleston, S.C., where it was seen
regularly at Perry Nugent’s feeder from 9 December through the end of April.
Another was seen 7 January near Townville, S.C., by Harry LeGrand.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: A flock of 15 to 20 again wintered at the Johnston Farm in the
Occoneechee Neck section of Northampton County, N.C., where some have been
found to be regular winter visitors the last several years. In addition to the population
at this site, Merrill Lynch reported seeing two longspurs feeding with Homed Larks at

Summer 1975

63

the Caledonia Prison Farm in neighboring Halifax County on 9 January. Elsewhere, a
single bird was seen on the coast at Cape Point on Hatteras Island, N.C., on 5 March by
Clay Gifford and Joe Hudick.

SNOW BUNTING: One was an unusual visitor at a feeder in Gastonia, N.C., 10-11
December, observed by Ruth Rice and reported by Alan Stout. Coastal sightings
were rare with single birds recorded on 27 December by J oe Hudick and 18 F ebruary
by Fred Pongrace at Cape Hatteras, N.C., and one at Bird Shoal near Morehead City,
N.C., on 27 January by Tom Quay and John Fussell.

CB©

. . . with Louis C. Fink

An Invitation

CBC members are cordially invited to attend the fall meeting of Georgia Orni-
thological Society to be held at Jekyll Island 17-19 October 1975. Guest speaker for the
Saturday night banquet will be Chandler Robbins. Ted Holloway will give a program
on shore birds Friday evening. Field trips will range from the Altamaha estuary south-
ward to the Florida line, and two pelagic trips also are in the planning stage. Further
information and reservation forms can be obtained from late August through September
by writing Wallace D. Dreyfoos, President, Georgia Ornithological Society, 4627 Tall
Pines Drive, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30327.

New Curator

David S. Lee is the new Curator of the Bird and Mammal Collections at the North
Carolina State Museum of Natural History. He is a graduate of Florida Southern Col-
lege, where he studied under Museum Director John Funderburg, and holds a Masters
degree from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to coming to North Carolina, the Mary-
land native taught elective high school biology courses, served as Curator of the Bird
and Mammal Collections of the Natural History Society of Maryland, and was on the
staff of the Florida State Museum. The author of some 80 scientific and popular articles,
Lee presently is working on a book on the fresh water fishes of Maryland and Delaware.
Although he is interested in nearly every field of natural history, Dave and his wife
Barbara particularly enjoy bird study. They recently visited the mountains of North
Carolina to record the songs of our confusing chickadees. One of Dave’s fine bird photo-
graphs appears on the cover of this issue.

64

The Chat

Breeding Bird Survey

Since the 1966 nesting season volunteers have cooperated with the Bureau of Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife to census breeding bird populations in the Carolinas. In a news-
letter dated 25 April 1975, Danny Bystrak, of the Migratory Bird and Habitat Research
Laboratory, offered some comments on population trends detected through computer
analysis of the Breeding Bird Survey data. “Statistically significant changes at the conti-
nental level from 1973 to 1974,” he wrote, “included increases in the Ruby-crowned King-
let and Purple Martin, and decreases in the Great Crested Flycatcher, Tufted Titmouse,
Brown Thrasher, Evening Grosbeak, Dickcissel, and Field Sparrow. Most of these
changes were between 10 and 25 percent. In the Eastern Region (east of the Mississippi
River), the House Wren registered an increase, and the Common Grackle and Slate-
colored Junco a decrease. . . . The Purple Martin increase was noticed especially in the
East, as populations began to recover from the effects of Hurricane Agnes of June 1972.
. . . The most striking changes have been increases in the Cattle Egret in the East
(average increase of 12 percent per year from 1966 to 1974), the House Finch in the
East (22 percent per year), the Starling in the West (16 percent per year from 1968 to
1974), and a decrease in the Black Tern in the East and Central Regions (15 percent per
year). The Yellow-shafted Flicker and Red-headed Woodpecker show a slow but steady
annual decline of 3 percent per year in the East.

“The Audubon Breeding Bird Censuses conducted in New Jersey, Maryland, and
other eastern States had shown a marked decline in populations of three common decid-
uous forest species, the Red-eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, and American Redstart, during the
early 1960’s. The BBS has shown an average annual increase in these species of between
8 and 11 percent from 1966 through 1974 on their nesting grounds in the Maritime
Provinces. This increase is especially interesting in view of the fact that Dr. David
Johnston ( Science 186:841-842) found a highly significant decrease in DDT derivatives
in body fat of ten species of migrating songbirds (including these same species) killed
at a Florida television tower during the period 1964 through 1973.

“Among the rarer species, there has been an upward trend in Upland Sandpipers
since 1969 and in the Mississippi Kite since 1967.”

Dr. Johnston, incidentally, is a former Editor of The Chat and now serves on the
faculty of the University of Florida at Gainesville.

Blue Goose Flyer

Conservation-minded CBC members may be interested in receiving the Blue Goose
Flyer, a newsletter dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of the National Wild-
life Refuge System. For further information write National Wildlife Refuge Association,
6211 Logan Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55423.

Summer 1975

65

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES; .

“'V v.

Begular Membership

Family Membership . . ,,y

Sustaining Membership ,y. '4.%'. . . .*■;

Contributing Membership ..;... ..... .y

Life Membership

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.): %.

Student Membership ; . .... ... ... ... .". . . . .

Library Subscription .....;

Affiliated Club

$ 5.00
$ 7.50
$ 12.50
$ 50.00
$100.00

$ 2.00
$ 5.00
$ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents , T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

M embers-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

S^S'^C37^>
C W

& SS-i/s-

The Chat

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
Vol. 39 FALL 1975 No. 4

No. 4

The Chat

Vol. 39 Fall 1975

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes Janies F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices. Subscription price $5.00 per year.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Changing Status of the Fish Crow Inland, Louis C. Fink 67

Corrections 71

CBC Roundtable 72

Spring Bird Count — 1975 76

General Field Notes 90

Spring Record of Eared Grebe in Northwestern

South Carolina, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 90

Cinnamon Teal at Wilmington, N.C., Kitty Kosh and Patrick M. Hunt 91

A Summer Sighting of Cooper’s Hawks Near Chapel Hill, N.C.,

Robert P. Teulings, Elizabeth P. Teulings, and James O. Pullman 91

Franklin’s Gull in South Carolina, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 92

Bell’s Vireo Seen in Wake County, N.C., Eloise F. Potter 92

The Advent of the Song Sparrow as a Breeding Species
in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountain Province,

Marcus B. Simpson Jr 93

Briefs for the Files 95

Index to Volume 39 99

CB@

OUR COVER — The wild Turkey gobbler strutting on
our cover is the work of John Henry Dick, who also con-
tributed the Whistling Swans in flight on page 90.

CHANGING STATUS OF THE FISH CROW INLAND

LOUIS C. FINK

Bird students are hereby asked to be alert to the status of the Fish Crow ( Corvus
ossifragus) in the Carolinas. The big black bird flapping past no longer can be dis-
missed as a Common Crow ( Corvus brachyrhynchos); it may well be a Fish Crow,
which certainly is extending its range. Telling the two apart is a nice exercise in
identification. Finally, we need to know a lot more about the food habits of the Fish
Crow.

Consider how easy it used to be to list Fish Crow on your field card. Birds of North
Carolina (Pearson et al., 1942) says flatly that the range in North Carolina is confined
to a strip of undetermined width along the coast. In A Field Guide to the Birds (Peter-
son, 1947), the Master said, “Listen for this small crow along tidewater ... it is sel-
dom far from tidewater.” It is the same story in Georgia (Burleigh, 1958), where the
Fish Crow is termed a common resident on the coast and of local occurrence in the
interior of the state near the larger streams and bodies of water. “The Fish Crow is so
called because of its preference for the vicinity of water, where as a scavenger, it un-
doubtedly includes dead fish as a part of its diet.”

Frank Chapman (Chapman, 1940) said, “The Fish Crow, while not confined to the
coast or even the vicinity of water, is not found far inland.” A later sage (Wetmore,
1964) finds the Fish Crow “from the inland edge of tidewater country to the sea along
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.”

Reading books published in the last 30 or 40 years, you get the feeling that ob-
servers were sensing a change in the affinity of Fish Crows for salt water. Gilbert
Grosvenor (1937) said, “You may find them inland, especially in the southern states.”
Gilbert Pearson (1936): “Far more common along the coast and about rivers and lakes
than in the fields and wooded uplands. Not restricted to the immediate coast but ex-
tending back to the base of the Blue Ridge mountains, at least in summer.”

Other voices were heard. Richard Pough (1949): “A bird of low coastal country,
but it also frequents rivers, swamps and lakes for some distance inland.” Verne Davison
(1967): “A common year-long resident along stream and bay shores of the Gulf and
Atlantic coasts and large southern rivers.”

Back in 1937, Dr. Murphey (1937) said the Fish Crow was uncommon around Au-
gusta, Georgia, and sharply limited to the river bottoms of the Savannah and its larger
tributaries.

At the northern end of its range, the Fish Crow was found to be an uncommon
summer resident in New York City, frequenting woodlands near water (Arbib et al.,
1966).

For a long time, it seemed to be conceded that this was a salt-water bird which
might move inland if large bodies of water were available. But Harold Peters (1957)
said that the bird was a common, breeding permanent resident in Georgia, to be found
in open woods or parks, cultivated fields of cropland, roadsides on fence posts and
telephone wires.

The Fish Crow is not known in Atlanta where I lived for 20 years. So when I moved
to Rocky Mount, N.C., in 1973, I assumed that all the crows I saw in town, over shop-
ping centers and on the farms, were Common Crows — until I heard them call. At first,
I supposed that a few of the birds were Fish Crows; the two species are said to feed
together (Robbins et al., 1966). A year has gone by and I have yet to hear a Common
Crow in Rocky Mount; they all appear to be Fish Crows. We do have the Tar River
here, but it is hardly the large river which seemed a requisite; our large body of water
is the new Tar River Reservoir, and I find no evidence at all that Fish Crows feed near
the reservoir.

Let’s look farther inland — to Raleigh. Hader (1969) says wisely “that the residence
status of the Fish Crow needs clarification. It was first recorded 24 March 1962, and

Fall 1975

67

TABLE 1. Spring Bird Count totals for Fish Crow and
Common Grackle at Raleigh, N.C., 1956 through 1974.

Year

Common Grackle

Fish Crow

1956

0

0

1957

1

0

1958

No report

No report

1959

2

0

1960

15

0

1961

6

0

1962

10

0

1963

10

0

1964

38

1

1965

60

19

1966

67

5

1967

807

12

1968

275

5

1969

535

5

1970

308

24

1971

166

13

1972

618

9

1973

629

20

1974

669

16

has been listed on all Spring counts since 1964. No breeding records. Was present
through fall of 1968 with 47 recorded on Christmas Count.”

Spring Bird Count totals for the Fish Crow and Common Grackle at Raleigh, N.C.,
are given in Table 1. The figures demonstrate the fairly recent arrival of the Common
Grackle as a breeding bird at Raleigh, followed within a few years by the Fish Crow.
The Fish Crow has appeared at Raleigh each spring since 1964, and Edmund LeGrand
found a nest in Raleigh in 1972.

The Fish Crow is here to stay in North Carolina. But does it stay near water? Harry
LeGrand (pers. com.) writes, “I have never seen a Fish Crow feeding around any of
Raleigh’s lakes, and only occasionally do I see them in the vicinity of lakes. Instead,
they are usually seen in pinewoods, and surprisingly, mainly in residential areas.”

This is not an exhaustive study, but we have some other inland records. The 1973
Christmas Count (Arbib, 1973) recorded 35 Fish Crows at Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and
two at Thomasville, Ga., which is 150 miles from the coast. At Clemson, S.C., a Fish
Crow was found on 5 May 1973, possibly the first for that section of the state (Teulings,
1973). On 18 October 1972, there were 178 at Roanoke Rapids, and on 28 October 1972
there were 65 at Columbus, Ga. In 1974, Harry LeGrand found 5 on 23 June and 2 on
8 July, both at Clemson.

Denton (pers. com.) says the “Fish Crow does seem to have followed the larger
river valleys into the interior. As to when it moved in, we don’t know. It was present
at Augusta by 1900 and at Macon in 1929. As to whether it is increasing I can’t say;
there are more recent and frequent records, but this may reflect more and better
birders. The bird is not confined to the vicinity of water but spreads out into the pines
to nest. It was seldom recorded north of Augusta until Clark Hill reservoir was built,
but now is frequently seen around the lower end of it. The Fish Crow is normally
absent from Augusta in December, January and February, but last winter many re-
mained here and 94 were recorded for the first time on the [1973] Christmas Count.”
Let me cite two other examples of the Fish Crow’s changing range. Finch (1973)
reports the first proven breeding record in Massachusetts at West Roxbury. The dump
in that city previously had attracted fair numbers of the birds in winter.

St. Louis, Missouri, also records the Fish Crow. According to J. Earl Comfort (pers.
com.), “There has been a Fish Crow around Creve Couer Lake for many years. The

68

The Chat

other local habitat is the levee area below Jefferson Barracks Bridge in St. Louis
County. The levee crows are seen in any season, usually one or two. They associate
with Common Crows so we can see the difference in size, but we don’t rely on this
for identification.” The A.O.U. Check-list (1957) records the Fish Crow as far up the
Mississippi Biver as Fort Smith, Arkansas, but nowhere near as far as St. Louis.

IDENTIFICATION

If we admit that the Fish Crow is moving inland and does not always show a pref-
erence for large bodies of water, we can be alert for it. Identification can be just as
difficult as defining its distribution. Consider three standard field guides (Peterson,
1947; Pough, 1949; Robbins et al., 1966): they give the length of the Fish Crow as 16-20
inches, 17 inches, and 15 inches. The same three guides describe the Common Crow’s
length as 17-21 inches, 19 inches, and 17 inches, respectively. So the Fish Crow is
smaller, but the difference is not apparent unless the birds are side-by-side; even then,
there are differences in individuals. The Fish Crow is described in the books as being
“slimmer,” “thinner-billed,” and “with more pointed wings.” Pough adds that the Fish
Crow sails almost as much as a raven and often hovers in one place as it looks for
food on the surface of the water.

The best identification seems to be voice. The Common Crow gives an honest-to-
goodness caw which all school boys know. The Fish Crow gives a short nasal car or
ca; sometimes a two-syllabled ca-ha (Peterson, 1947). There is also a description given
as cuh-cuh (Robbins, 1966). A third version (Pough, 1949) gives the Fish Crow’s
voice as “a short, hoarse kock, closer to a Black-crowned Night Heron’s quowk than
to a Common Crow’s caw. A two-note oh-oh is frequent.”

In summer, the voice is difficult because a young Common Crow sounds like a
Fish Crow.

FOOD

The Fish Crow has a record of eating eggs of water birds: two dozen eggs of the
Clapper Rail (Pearson, 1937); every egg of 20 pairs of Little Blue Herons at Big Lake,
N.C. (Pearson, 1936); “Always found in evidence around nesting colonies of southern
water birds, as it is very fond of eggs” (Pough, 1949); “Prey heavily on nests of herons,
terns, rails and other water birds. Steal pigeon eggs in urban Washington, D.C.” (Wet-
more, 1964); “They plunder heron and cormorant rookeries” (Pearson et al., 1959); “The
devastation wrought by these piratical birds among nests of other species is a serious
menace in many places along the Atlantic coast” (Grosvenor, 1937).

Of course, the Fish Crow does not live on eggs alone. He scavenges for dead fish.
“Inland he feeds with Common Crows” (Robbins et al., 1966). “They skim water and
seize minnows. They dive-bomb gulls and terns, forcing these birds to drop their
catches. They forage far inland along the larger rivers, eating a variety of fruits, ber-
ries and seeds” (Wetmore, 1964).

In his exhaustive work, Verne Davison (1967) says the Fish Crow consumes plant
food 75% in fall and winter; 30-60% in summer.

Denton writes in a letter dated 11 June 1974 that the “Fish Crow is an omnivorous
feeder like the Common Crow, feeding on grain, fruits, etc. as well as on animal
matter. They do like eggs and I have seen them frequently raiding pigeon nests on top
of Talmadge Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, as well as on the higher buildings down-
town. Last week I watched one light in a tall pine tree where Blue Jays were nesting.
It was mobbed by jays, Mockingbirds, grackles and robins so it didn’t get the eggs
but it might have if it had a chance.”

In July of 1974, I watched two Mockingbirds attacking a Fish Crow in a tall pine
in Rocky Mount. The big bird stood it for 10 minutes and finally flew off, with the
Mockingbirds after him.

The West Roxbury report observed that the town dump had attracted Fish Crows
in winter, but not until 1973 did the birds breed. My own observation is that Fish
Crows are abundant near shopping centers, which usually have trash and garbage

Fall 1975

69

behind the stores. But like so many others, I have never seen a Fish Crow eating.
LeGrand postulates that they may feed several miles from their nests.

Having seen Fish Crows raid Common Grackle nests in her yard near Zebulon,
N.C., Eloise Potter (pers. com.) suggests that Fish Crows might substitute eggs of the
colonial nesting Common Grackle for those of colonial water birds when it moves
inland. Grackles apparently began breeding in Wake County, N.C., during the 1950s,
and Fish Crows first appeared at Raleigh in 1962. Raleigh Spring Bird Count data
for these two species (Table 1) indicate that the breeding range extension of the Com-
mon Grackle might have influenced the distribution of the Fish Crow.

Harry LeGrand (pers. com.) notes that both species nest in tall pines, often in
residential areas. Grackles become abundant in Raleigh in late February, and Fish
Crows arrive in early to mid-March, leaving in November.

NESTS

Nests are found in American holly; black, live, and pin oak; loblolly, pitch, and
slash pine; and red cedar (Davison, 1967). “Nests may be high in deciduous trees in
swamp woodlands, or lower in clumps of hollies, cedars or pines near the coast”
(Pough, 1949). In Georgia (Burleigh, 1958), the nest frequently is built near the coast
in a live oak 10 or 12 feet from the ground, but nests in Augusta and Thomson were
in the tops of loblolly pines, fully 50 feet from the ground. Edmund LeGrand found a
nest in a medium-height pine grove in residential Raleigh.

It is evident that more information is needed about the Fish Crow in North and
South Carolina: complete details on nests and any possible information about food.
Such reports should be sent to the editor of The Chat.

Because there is so much to learn about the Fish Crow, this report will close with
one piece of information which seems to be definite: the bird’s name. From the re-
markable Words for Birds (Gruson, 1972), we learn that the Fish Crow’s Latin name is
Corvus ossifragus: Corvus, from the Latin for raven, according to Pliny, deriving from
the Greek krazo, meaning “to croak”; ossifragus, or bone-breaker, from its habit of
feeding. So, our friend is a bone-breaking croaker, or a croaking bone-breaker. Take
your choice; just be sure it’s a Fish Crow.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author is grateful to Harry LeGrand and J. Fred Denton, each of whom sup-
plied data and made helpful comments after reading the manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists Union, 1957. Check-list of North American birds.

Arbib, R.S., O.S. Pettingill Jr., S.H. Spofford. Enjoying birds around New York City.
1966. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

Arbib, R.S., L.H. Heilbrun, et al. 1973. The 73rd Christmas bird count. American Birds,
27:284-295.

Burleigh, T.D. 1958. Georgia birds. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Okla-
homa.

Chapman, F.M., 1940. Handbook of birds of eastern North America. D. Appleton-
Century Company, New York.

Davison, V.E. 1967. Attracting birds from the Prairies to the Atlantic. Thomas Y. Crow-
ell Company, New York.

Finch, D.W. 1973. The nesting season June 1-July 31, 1973. American Birds, 27:1023.

Grosvenor, G. 1937. The book of birds, Volume II. National Geographic Society, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Gruson, E.S. 1972. Words for birds. Quadrangle Books Inc., New York.

70

The Chat

Hader, R.J. 1969. Species list of birds of Wake County, North Carolina. Chat, 33:64.

Murphey, E.E. 1937. Observations on the bird life of the Middle Savannah Valley,
1890-1937. The Charleston Museum, Charleston, S.C.

Pearson, T.G. 1936. Birds of America. Garden City Publishing Company, Garden
City, New York.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1959. Revised by D.L. Wray and H.T.
Davis. Birds of North Carolina.

Peters, H.S. 1957. Birds seen most commonly in Georgia. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice, Atlanta.

Peterson, R.T. 1947. A field guide to the birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

Pough, R.H. 1949. Audubon bird guide, small land birds. Doubleday and Co., Inc.,
Garden City.

Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun, H.S. Zim. 1966. Birds of North America. Golden Press, New
York.

Teulings, R.P. 1973. Southern Atlantic coast region, American Birds, 27:43 and 759.

Wetmore, A. 1964. Song and garden birds of North America. National Geographic
Society, Washington, D.C.

Apartment 6, Building L, Tau Valley Estates, Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801.

CORRECTIONS

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker seen at Bunn’s Lake by Ricky Davis on 24 No-
vember 1974 (Chat, 39:27, March 1975) was in Franklin County rather than Wake.
The lake is formed by a dam on Moccasin Creek, the course of which is the Wake-
Franklin county line for a considerable distance. The line runs approximately down
the middle of the lake with the eastern shore being in Franklin County and the west-
ern in Wake. The county markers were moved during road construction, thus causing
Davis to become confused about the location of the site. Incidentally, the newly opened
four-lane US 64 cuts across the northern end of Bunn’s Lake.

Because of an error in the paste-up of camera-ready copy, the birds are not listed in
A.O.U. Check-list order in the table for “Distribution and Abundance of the Wood
Warblers in North Carolina During the Spring, Nesting, and Fall Seasons” (LeGrand,
Chat, 39:45-54). The last 10 species (Yellow- throated Warbler through LouisianaWater-
thrush) should have been placed between the Blackburnian and Kentucky Warblers.
The Editor regrets this unfortunate error and apologizes to the author, who had no
opportunity to read proof on this portion of his paper. — EFP

Fall 1975

71

CB@

'1^04JUU/tfoJb(!&

. . with Louis C. Fink

Bird Finding in the Carolinas

MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA — People wishing to look for birds in the
higher elevations of North Carolina in the summer may find that well-known locations
such as Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Mitchell, and Grandfather Mountain are flooded with
tourists. Birding along the Blue Ridge Parkway can be frustrating as cars whiz by. Two
paved roads offering the best combination of good birding and little noise are the road
to Heintooga Overlook in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a new U.S.
Forest Service road in western Macon County.

For information on the Heintooga road, at the southeastern corner of the park, see
the article by H. Douglas Pratt (Chat, 35:10-11). This road generally ranges between
4,500 and 5,500 feet in elevation, and is the easiest and best place I have found for
Black-capped Chickadees. Most of the birds of the northern hardwood and spruce-fir
forest zones can be found here.

An apparently new Forest Service road runs from approximately 2 miles W of the
Wayah Bald road junction on SR 1310 to the Kyle community, a distance of 15 miles.
The road runs through deciduous and mixed deciduous-hemlock forests at an elevation
of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. The road is different from most mountain roads, however, as
there are wide open strips of grass and saplings between the road and the forest.
This “opening up” of the forest is a boon to the birder, because it provides habitat for
birds frequenting woodland margins and bushy areas. I birded along this road in late
June and early July 1975, often parking on the road and saw fewer than 10 cars in 6
hours. Because of the absence of traffic, I saw a Woodchuck, a Gray Fox, and a
Ruffed Grouse standing on the road on the afternoon of 27 June. A 4-hour trip on 1 July
showed that Veeries, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Indigo Buntings were very common and
could be heard at practically every stop. Probably the most interesting species along
this road is the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, which I found to be common along the
southernmost end. Their “Morse Code tapping” could be heard at great distances on the
mountainside (Nantahala Range). Other species that are fairly common or common are
Carolina Chickadee (no Black-capped), White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Wood
Thrush, Solitary' Vireo, Golden-winged, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Chestnut-
sided, and Canada Warblers, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-
breasted Grosbeak.

I have two words of caution about this road: first, gates are present at each end,
meaning that the road may be closed in winter and at other times; and second, the
terminus near Kyle is on an insignificant dirt road just off the main highway (SR 1310)
and may be difficult to find. Nevertheless, this is a fine spot for birding, and I highly
recommend this road for people who want to see plenty of birds with a minimum of
disturbance.— HARRY E. LeGRAND JR., Department of Zoology, Clemson University,
Clemson, S.C. 29631.

72

The Chat

FOUR BRIDGES, Franklin County, N.C. — On NC 39 approximately 4 miles S of
Louisburg and 5 miles N of Bunn lies a large swamp formed by the junction of Cedar
and Big Branch Creeks in their course to the Tar River, which flows more or less paral-
lel to the highway some 2 miles to the east. Although only two bridges (0.1 mile
apart) now span Cedar Creek on Hwy 39, the location still is known locally as Four
Bridges. Several wide places on the east shoulder of the road afford safe parking, and
a mile-long stretch of the swamp can be studied quite easily from the roadside. Leading
to the edge of the water are short paths kept open by fishermen. My most exciting finds
at Four Bridges thus far have been an active Red-shouldered Hawk nest and a family
party of Pileated Woodpeckers, but the large variety of birds I have seen here in just
a few visits indicates that unusual species will be found sooner or later. Four Bridges
is a convenient side trip for travelers on US 401. SR 1110 connects US 401 with NC 39
about 2 miles N of Cedar Creek, which saves driving all the way to the junction of the
two major highways in Louisburg.

Incidentally, I am working on a list of the birds of Franklin County. I would like to
correspond with anyone who has records for the area. My own field work is particular-
ly weak in respect to waterfowl, shorebirds, and feeder visitors. — ELOISE F. POTTER,
Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597.

From the Photo File

From time to time the editors of Chat receive drawings and photographs that for
one reason or another remain in our files an embarrassingly long time without finding
an appropriate place in the bulletin. Many of these photographs are too wide in propor-
tion to their height to fit the allotted space on our cover. In some cases the species of
bird just happens to be one seldom mentioned in our papers and notes. A few of these
file photos are reproduced below and on the next two pages. Others will appear in this
department whenever space is available.

White Ibis Colony, Blackbeard Island, S.C.--E.O. Mellinger

Fall 1975

73

Red Phalarope, Lake Benson, N.C., 27-31 October 1973
(Chat, 38:71 )— Chris Marsh

Wood Stork, Rockingham County, N.C., 31 May 1974
(American Birds, 28:788)— Ed Burroughs

74

The Chat

Gull in Flight— Tom Owen

Fall 1975

75

Abiai £

O N ‘pJBAajg

Ae|a| £

O N ' oo aquiooung

Abiai OL

O N "°0 HSMoaoiAI-AaouBA

Abiai 5

O N "00 ||3MP|B0

l!JdV 92
O N 'Bpuog-U|>||3

Abiai g
O S 'uosuuaio

Abiai e

O S ‘sillAuaaJO

Abiai e
o n ‘3H0|JBl|0

Abiai

O N oo IlspaJI

Abiai £

O N 'lu3|BS-uo;su|aa

abiai e
o n 'OJoqsu00JO

Abiai p
O N IMH |0dBqo

MJdv 6L
O N ‘LUBqjnQ

Abiai £
O N 'q6|0|Bg

MJdv 92
O N 'uosjapuaH

Abiai p

O N 'spidBg 3>|Ouboh

IMdv 62
O N 'sauid ujaqinos

liJdv 92
O S 'Biqiunioo

Abiai i
OS 'U0IMQ

MJdV gg

O N "00 00||lUBd

Abiai e

O N "00 |JO)nE0g

iudv n

o s "s| PB0H UOIIIH

IMdv Z2
O S ‘uojS0|J6qo

IMdv LZ
O N 'uo|6u!LU|!M

MJdv 92
O N 'Apo PBaqaJOiAl

CD t-

J- W O) o o

t- CD • CD y—

r* CD r^- CO CD

OWOONO)0)OC\ICT)t-
— — CO CVJ OCDCNJt-

2? A
O £

^ ,q> a

S ro $

oSSSslsSjf !!s«!

O DC DC I UJ EJD 0 Q < 0 (3 '3 o ©

•) — s

’ ? £ 3 -Jf <n Off

■ £ r: c £ !q - O I-

5 . in o10 “

s!l??sse

o

o

0

■§ g

3 .E

Q

i 'j -j J f c n

JSraE“l?E°a>^'2
co 0 /.a. 0 co < 3 cc be 0

s

Aey\| 9
O N ' °0 l|9«P|B0

^ 5

S3 £
8 E

8a

;a : S S3 ^ 8

Ab^i p
O N "00 liapsj|

abiai e

O N 'LU9IBS-U0JSUIM

Ab^| c
O N 'ojoqsuaajo

Abim p

O N ‘ll!H ladsqo

IMdy 61
O N 'WBqjnQ

l!Jdv 92
O N 'uosjapuaH

S3 8 w 8 ^ ” S

: : g — $

a E

» E

S3 S3

-8

: s t

^ ^ E : ®

$3 ^8“ *3
S 3 ^5
:^S5^S

- :«2 :£in£8£3

: : ” ^ • * : 3 S3 ^ S3

SE

l!Jdv 62
ujaqinos

MJdv 92
O S ‘eiqwnioo

Abiai 1.
O S 'UOIMQ

: t 8
888

- ;8S

: ;8E

: :«s

: : *- E

T3- CO CD CO O)

8 ^ 00 8

*- CO ^ y- CO 0°

*- ” 5 n ” a

MJdv n

o s "S| peaH uojhh

°ll

88S

O N 'Mo I

10 ;88^g

S

j i !sfl

— — :j5ww85f

:®J5 :S

E82 :8S?-8 =S3
888 :|^®*|8S
8 “ 8 8 8

8 3

— §gg

5 * “ E

16

9

24

5

9

22

1

24

73

115

1

1 1 1

75

102

21

5

: 5 :

- -S'” - ? :•

15

14

2

30

6

24

9

:

19

58

101

5

” £ ;

:ssssr'°^rNs ;s

3

3

2

13

:!2 :

:£2 : = 8 :

49

6

26

3

3

7

: ® :

10

8

23

7

15

2

8

3

2

15

5

:

23

32

60

27

33

38

7

1

21

:® :

COCO ;t-CVJ ;t- • t- r-

:

: - : ® : 5 £ |

8 : : : *■ :

;s ;

5
11

6
36

6

6

7

2

10

2 5

8 43

1 2

1 3

1 16

9 29

5 29

4 15

21

• CD

3

5

3

9 19

5 101

8 25

3 114

3 34

2 34

6 35

2 1

2 26

; s •

• £ £ 8 s 8 • r%s :*-•

11

4

10

6

4

:

:? :®52 :?fS? :

22 1

15 1

20

10

7

:

52 1

19

10 1

78 8

22 1

5

2

9

3

13

4

14

2

7

2

7

18

42

23

17

- Si :

35

8

14

60

37

99

60

28

45

2

1

8

;8 ;

: £ 8 S5 52 5? ! « g ™ S? S ^ ~ ; CO

54

2

2

10

34

31

15

12

• * :

"E8SS ; 8 s ;

8

104

2

94

167

80

580

141

3

61

2

48

140

16

8

307

3

58

9

1

6

27

16

23

13

10

CT>

3

30

15

122

138

179

77

85

71

16

13

19

;8 ;

164

63

53

379

109

2

21 ■

M 20
15
3
10

103

10

80

6

15

48

46

20

49

56

:« :

26

16

74

11

189

94

139

113

25

18

8

: 2 •

^£$238 : ? : 8 ® I

2

43

2

29

16

8

; CM i— O <D ; t- C\J

40

60

77

6

15
1 1

:a ;

78

34

268

27

14

19

118

88

1

152

® £ * £ $ j 8 : g

: 8 :

35

14

101

78

191

84

15

134

114

5

2

18

: g ^

123

140

66

223

228

12

2

29

25

118

18

1

148

: 10 :

: ~ - 8 :

CD ; ID CO ; *- i- CM

:«S :

51

17

44

108

10

1

6

:£ : 2

;® ;

4

158

4

16
1 1 1

9

48

£££2” :“> :« :

: g ™

3

17

8

2

8

3

31

14

6

5

23

12

54

25

48

CO CO O 00 CM t— CT) CM

: —

31

26

13

47

17

3

2

27

12

9

3

2

7

6

9

7

15

10

:« :

10

9

77

48

25

16

5

3

:

49

7

16

7

5

5

3

5

6

11

2

31

6

7

2

35

37

CM ^ CD * ; CO

;? ;

51

6

15

51

^ ° * : 8 : S ; : ™

:

124

13

86

137

31

9

13

14
26

2

: Si 10

^OCDOO^ ; ; ;C«» ; ; ; jg

7
19
34

8

5
50

61

3

6

: s ;

544

15

156

376

68

55 £ 8 8 * ; £ ;

: g :

;2££2S ;• ; ;8” ;

14

42

2

2

7

31

21

2

: " •

355

2

3

5

63

: g 10

2

164

7

24

10

2

29

16

17

46

21

64

4

6

16

3

15

151

22

; 00 :

143

28

177

30

21

48

58

107

110

58

148

9

6

9

17

10

12

205

4

19

17

31

25

3

12

3

21

52

7

:

276

25

141

53

114

2 2 2 £ ; :!f :w :

: £ 05

^ 3 : ” : 5g

7

7

5

15

85

8

:

13

136

137
38

52 £8 Si : : S : " :

: ? £

83

13

19

3

2

5

5

25

1

118

192

738

133

14
90

377

15
529

727

232

317

3

301

1

51

1831

54

392

1746

1363

2119

1238

419

1171

1267

180

13

308

5

177

9

2

1582

97

29
1592

883

752

2759

1090

30
177

17

73

538

1043

14

232

33

1352

Abiai g

O N 'pJBAajg

Abiai e

O N "oo aqwooung

Abiai oi

' OQ jiaMOQOi^-AaouBA

8 £

O O ■ T- o

C\J in CO * O CD r-

1- O 1- N CO 05 1

r rCM05^0

r-CO OJ T~ T~ 05 C\J r~

Abiai S

O N "O0 ||9/V\p|BQ

|udy 92
O N 'epuoy-u!>jig

ABIAI 9
O S 'U0SUJ3I0

abiai e
O S 'aiiiAuaaJO

abiai e
O N 'apopEMO

Abiai p

O N "oo ||apsj|

Abiai e

O N 'ujaiBS-uojsuiM

Abiai C

O N 'o.ioqsu88j0

Abiai p

O N 'll!H |3dBi|0

a -

05 05 t- rlfl Or

£ £

- a

co in T- 1- • T- T-

“"SSIS

|udv 61
O N LUBqjna

Ab|A| £

O N 'p6!8|By

IMdy 92

O N ‘U0SJ8PU8H

: ign-o™"'-

Abiai p

O N 'spjdBy 8>|OUBoy

l!Jdv 62

O N 'S8U|d ujsqinos

MJdv 92

O S ‘Bjqujnioo

Abiai i

o s 'uonja

ipdv 92
O N "OO 00!|LUBd

abim e
O N "°0 UojnBsg

8 10 - : t

i- i- CM i- tD

o r~ i- CD

05 T • O

ipdy n

o s "S| PB8H UOIIIH

IjJdv Z2

O S 'uojsapBqo

|udv LZ

O N 'U0|6U!U1|!M

MJdv 92

O N 'AllO pBaqajoiAl

r OO CD r

O 05 CO r-

0 O

> o

O £ £

£ 0 §

I > o - S

55 £

>

« > . JD -O 0 jq

>CTD!T-i5SfflmXJ

|L£>-gfa.l|iS*|,iv.c|
,= a o If 1 1 1 J I E I l l 1 1 “ s

5s

i|?'DS55®'S5i a
5'mE05~S«s55feS
rS^55!»5

Ills

^ m — - •=^-£=1r-Cca3-V:30O0>->^0^-^o^-9T3wm

i O c C ® ? ® OJ>J ^ 2 2 ^ - 5 .2 ^ ^ ffl > 3 ? ^

lfl|ijl§s!lftlfl?ffl jjitlf3*ililsf §

CDlW^O(DhOZZ>50CQ>CDaCQ>OCDCDQ.Q.Q.OZJ^OO>-I>0

SPRING BIRD COUNT— 1975

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Participants on the 1975 Spring Bird Count in the Carolinas recorded 262 species,
only four species shy of the 266 species found in 1972. Twenty-five counts were
taken this spring, an improvement of one over 1974, and the addition of Hilton Head
Island, S.C., after a several-year layoff in spring, was most beneficial to the Spring
Bird Count. Again the Outer Banks of North Carolina had no count; a census in this
rich waterbird region might have sent the 1975 species total past the 1972 record.

Morehead City’s all-time best (176 species), achieved with only six field parties,
led all counts in total species. Wilmington also did quite well, as their 174 species
attest, and Charleston followed with 166 species. Raleigh (156 species) and Winston-
Salem (151) dominated the inland counts, but several other counts in central North
Carolina had record-breaking species totals. Over 118,000 individual birds were tallied
on the 1975 Count; Morehead City led with 14,000+ individuals.

A list compiled by Eloise Potter shows that through 1974, 304 species have been
seen on count days on the Spring Counts, plus two hybrids and four species seen only
during count periods. This spring’s counts brought the species total to 307, as Long-
billed Curlew (Morehead City), Roseate Tern (Hilton Head), and House Finch (Char-
lotte) were newcomers to the list. The two most exciting birds were seen at Clemson —
a count period Franklins Gull (first record for South Carolina) and a count day
Eared Grebe (third state record, but surprisingly not new to the Spring Count list).
Other outstanding finds were an unprecedented 11 Fulvous Tree Ducks at Raleigh,
a rare and late Red-necked Grebe at Charleston, five Glossy Ibis at Clemson during
count period, a Gray Kingbird at Morehead City, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at
Wilmington, and three Black Rails at Morehead City and two during count period at
Clemson. Noteworthy count totals were 1,155 Whimbrels at Charleston and 1,425
Least Terns at Morehead City. Also noteworthy were the 28 Swainsons Warblers
reported on nine counts and the 59 Blue-winged Warblers on the counts, with an
astonishing 21 at Chapel Hill! Raleigh had a number of impressive species totals, and
the counts of several of the breeding warblers there were mind-boggling. Two low
counts of note were the alarming 66 Loggerhead Shrikes (only Charleston reported
them in double figures) and the five Pine Siskins, as compared to the 1,067 reported
on all counts in the spring of 1974. Readers should see the Compilers’ Comments for
further details on unusual species.

The weather during the count period generally was favorable for conducting a
good count. Unfortunately, a heavy day-long rain drenched the western half of the
Carolinas on 3 May, and those counts from Charlotte westward on that date were
severely hampered. In fact, Clemson postponed its count by three days when rain
began at 07:30. Because most of the counts from Charlotte westward were already
short of active and experienced observers, species totals from these counts fell far
below those of the high-powered counts in central North Carolina. Readers should
not be deceived into thinking that practically all species of songbirds are more com-
mon in the eastern piedmont than in the western piedmont and mountains, for cer-
tainly this is not the case in most species. Hopefully, with good weather next spring
and more thorough coverage, these counts (and all counts with less than 100 species)
will be less embarrassed by the coastal counts and those in central North Carolina.

The most difficult part of the count summary to write is that concerned with the
compiling of the counts and the reporting of unusual species without details. As usual,
compilation of the counts ranged from excellent to poor. As a general rule, the more
thorough the coverage and the greater the number of species on a given count, the
better the documentation of rare and unusual species for the count. Special commenda-
tions to compilers on the 1975 Spring Count go to John Fussell III (two pages of
details for unusual species on the Morehead City count), Mark Huff and John Horn
(three pages of details for the Durham count), Merrill Lynch (three pages of details

82

The Chat

for the Roanoke Rapids count), and especially to Ramona Snavely and Fran Baldwin
(six pages of details for the Winston-Salem count, in addition to a page giving the ad-
dresses of observers of unusual species). It might be of interest to readers, count par-
ticipants, and compilers that the details for the above cited counts were handwritten.
It is obvious that people are better able to document a rare sighting thoroughly and
convincingly by writing out the pertinent information rather than by typing the details.

Because no details were submitted for several unusual species reported on various
counts, I deleted the following from counts where they are rare if not casual: a Com-
mon Merganser, six Long-billed Dowitchers, an almost certainly incorrect 39 Ringed
Turtle Doves, a Warbling Vireo, and a Fox Sparrow. I also reversed the Bank and
Rough-winged Swallow totals for one count, as a number of Banks and no Rough-
wings were reported, the reversal of what one would expect at almost all localities
in the Carolinas. A number of other species were accepted with marginally convincing
details. Observers and compilers are reminded not to submit details for rare sightings
in the form that they are published in Compilers’ Comments — these comments are my
summaries of the hopefully full and convincing details reported by the compilers. The
compilers should double check the lists they submit to make sure that every rare species
has accompanying details that will leave no doubt in my mind that the species was cor-
rectly identified.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (Center: 0.7 miles NW of Crab Point in Newport River).

26 April. The three Black Rails (Compiler) were giving the kik-kik-kurr call at two
locations north of the North River bridge at approximately 04:30. The Long-billed Cur-
lew at Bird Shoal was almost certainly the same bird seen there on the Christmas count,
as it was seen on two occasions in mid- April and was found on count day by T.L.
Quay, Wayne Irvin, Don McCrimmon, Mai Whitsett, and John Wright. Gray Kingbird
(John Fussell II) was seen just north of Morehead City on a telephone wire only 3 feet
from an Eastern Kingbird; all field marks of the former were described, especially the
very noticeably longer and heavier bill of the Gray Kingbird. Redhead (Allyn Powell,
David Whitehurst) was a male at North River. The early White-rumped Sandpiper, re-
markably high count of 52 Long-billed Dowitchers (identified by voice), nine Stilt
Sandpipers, and the two Black-necked Stilts were seen by the Compiler et al. at the
North River Marsh. Two more Stilt Sandpipers (R.J. Hader) were at Bird Shoal. Most
of the Least Terns were seen feeding over Beaufort Inlet at sunset (Quay). Hader
heard the Whip-poor-will at Fort Macon. Black-throated Blue Warbler (Ray Winstead)
is a rare spring migrant in this area. Noteworthy high counts were the 60 White Ibis
(continues to increase), 12 Killdeers, 10 American Woodcocks, and 767 Least Sand-
pipers. The 28 species of shorebirds are probably the most ever for a bird count in the
Carolinas.— JOHN FUSSELL III, Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Monkey Junction).

26 April. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Greg Massey) was in a deciduous swamp; voice
and color were compared with Acadian Flycatchers. The yellowish wash on the sides
and especially the chu-wee call were distinctive. Jay Carter saw the Black-billed
Cuckoo and Blue-winged Warbler at Orton Plantation; both birds were described in
detail. — FRANCES NEEDHAM, Box 8207, Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

27 April. The Red-necked Grebe was well studied for about 10 minutes near the
boat landing at Bull’s Island; observers were Frederick Probst, Sertorius Barber, E.B.
Chamberlain, Calvin Clyde, T.F. Hassell, and Jay Shuler. Perry Nugent and Joe Hall
heard the three Chestnut-sided and two Nashville Warblers in Ton Swamp. The birds
responded to taped recordings of their respective songs but could not be seen; the

Fall 1975

83

observers are quite familiar with both species. The Wilsons Warbler (David Lourie,
Mary Reed) was a male; black cap, bright yellow underparts, and absence of wing-
bars were seen. — JULIAN R. HARRISON, Biology Department, College of Charles-
ton, Charleston, S.C. 29401.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (center: [not described; Spanish Wells Landing? — HL]).

17 April. The two Roseate Terns were closely observed by Stuart Roesler, James
Baldwin, and the Compiler. The terns were feeding on mudflats in Calibogue Sound;
black bill and deeply forked tail were seen, and the darker primaries of a Common
Tern with them were also noted. — CORNELIA S. CHAPIN, 31 Baynard Park Road,
Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance of Upper Goose Creek into Pamlico
River).

3 May. The Swainsons Thrush (Elizabeth Ball, Ethel Barkley) seen closely on 4 May
was a first record for the area. Swainson s Warbler (Compiler, Bill Baxter, Sue and
Ecky Meadows) was heard singing. — GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151A, Merritt,
N.C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

26 April. Purple Gallinules (Margaret Conderman, Ecky Meadows) were with
Common Gallinules. Swainsons Warblers were in two locations and were heard by
both parties; two birds were seen by the Meadows-Conderman party. — GERALDINE
COX, address as above.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (center: Dillon).

1 May. The Scarlet Tanager (Compiler) was noteworthy for the area. — JOHN H.
WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (center: intersection of Gill’s Creek and Bluff Road).

26 April. James Fowles and the Compiler observed the Connecticut Warbler in a
deciduous river swamp; the gray hood and eye ring were seen. Blue-winged Warbler
(Glen Smith, Russell Green) was well seen along a hedgerow. Bobolink was new to the
count, though the species is seen most every spring. — GILBERT BRISTOW, 2921
Blossom Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 1 mile NE of Skyline).

29 April. Four Double-crested Cormorants (all field observers) were at Lake Surf,
and one was at Thagard’s Lake. All field observers also saw the immature Herring
Gulls and the Great Egret seen in flight at Thagard’s Lake. Dana Carter carefully ob-
served the Y ellow-crowned Night Heron, a first record for the area. The Compiler
recorded the full-plumaged male Cape May Warbler and the two Bachmans Spar-
rows; the latter were in open pine woods at Fort Bragg, where the species is locally
fairly common. — J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: Weldon).

4 May. Compiler saw the Double-crested Cormorants, Red-breasted Mergansers,
Bonaparte’s Gulls, Common Tern, and Caspian Tern at Roanoke Rapids Lake. The
dark primaries of the Common Tern were seen well. The Little Blue Heron (Ken and
Mike Knapp) and the American Bittern (Compiler) were at Occoneechee Neck.
Compiler noted the red frontal plate and white stripe on the flank of the Common
Gallinule at Mush Island Beaverpond. Barn Owl (Keith Fielder, Ray Chandler) flew
across the road in front of the observers’ car just before dawn; this is the first record
for the count circle area. Two pairs of Cliff Swallows were seen by the Compiler at
the NC 48 bridge over the Roanoke River, where a pair nested for the first time last

84

The Chat

year. All field marks were seen on the singing Tennessee Warbler (Fielder, Chandler)
along the Roanoke River at Rurgwynn Farm. Only one Swainson s Warbler could be
found in Occoneechee Neck, but noteworthy high counts were 25 Cerulean Warblers,
46 Kentucky Warblers, 369 Bobolinks, and 11 White-crowned Sparrows. — J. MER-
RILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

PIEDMONT

HENDERSON, N.C. (center: [not described — HL]).

26 April. [The count form was only partly completed. I hope future counts will be
better organized and conducted. — HL] — A.W. BACHMAN, 111 Jennette Ave., Hen-
derson, N.C. 27536.

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk Southern RR crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

3 May. This year’s count probably was the most successful we have ever held. The
11 Fulvous Tree Ducks were present in a pasture at Greenview Farm from 1 to 8
May and were seen at close range by almost all observers on the count. Greater
Scaup (Ken Knapp), seen at approximately 20 feet, apparently was unable to fly. The
Black-billed Cuckoo (Ann Brice, Gary McAlister) was studied well at the Dorothea
Dix farm. Josh Lee observed the Warbling Vireo at eye level at about 20 feet; vireo
bill, white eye stripe, and otherwise grayish plumage were noted. Black legs and
chunky bill of the Semipalmated Sandpipers (Lee) were seen; birds were at the N.C.
State University Dairy Pond. — R.J. HADER, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C.
27609.

DURHAM, N.C. (center: 1 mile N and 1 mile E of junction of Eno River and US 501).

19 April. Durham held a very early count this year in order to census early migrants,
which are usually ignored by most count periods. Single Upland Sandpipers were
found by Robert Ridgely and Norman Budnitz; both sightings were well documented.
Ridgely also saw the Greater Yellowlegs, Bank Swallow, Short-billed Marsh Wren,
Water Pipit, and several other early arrivals in a rather newly-discovered “hot spot”
at the Flat River bottoms. [Ridgely provided two pages of excellent and convincing
details for his many noteworthy sightings. — HL] Budnitz observed the Cattle Egrets,
and John Horn saw the adult Little Blue Heron. Blue-winged Warbler (Pat Boyd),
Marsh Hawk (Mark Huff), and Northern Waterthrush (Ridgely, Budnitz) were
among a number of other noteworthy species seen and well described on the count.
[This was an interesting “early” count, held 2 weeks earlier than neighboring counts,
and readers should keep this fact in mind when comparing species totals between
Durham and other counts. — HL] — MARK HUFF, School of Forestry, and JOHN
HORN, Botany Department, both of Duke University, Durham, N.C. 27706.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets).

4 May. The main passage of transients seemed to occur a week before our count
date, and so the record-breaking species count (134) and number of individuals, nearly
double our typical counts, apparently represents good coverage by alert field ob-
servers.— JAMES O. PULLMAN, Route 6, Box 149, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: transmitter tower of Radio Station WBIG).

3 May. The wet and cool weather resulted in a low count on vultures and hawks.
Probably as a result of the same influences, however, the warbler count was high this
year. Charlotte Dawley observed the Common Merganser. [The freshwater location
of the sighting was listed as one of the criteria for identification; but the Red-breasted
Merganser is the more common of the two large species of mergansers on inland lakes
in the Carolinas, and thus the freshwater habitat cannot be used as an aid in identifica-
tion.— HL] Five parties reported White-crowned Sparrows, indicating that they may
be somewhat less local than in the past. — DONALD ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell
Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27408.

Fall 1975

85

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

3 May. Immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron was studied in marshes at Rey-
nolda where it had been seen daily since 19 April (Compilers, Royce Hough). Com-
pilers also reported the Least Bittern on several occasions during count period at a pond
in Bethania. Fifteen Osprey sightings in the area during count period was an unusually
large number. Although rare for the area, Common Gallinules were seen on count day
at three locations (Fran Baldwin, Gardner Gidley, Paul Spain). Large numbers of
shorebirds were at a sewage treatment plant during count period, noteworthy peak
counts being 37 Solitary Sandpipers, 10 Pectoral Sandpipers, 50 Least Sandpipers, 35
Greater Yellowlegs, 15 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 2 Western
Sandpipers, and an amazing 12 Dunlins. Bonaparte’s Gull (Royce Weatherly, Gary
Adams) was in winter plumage at Salem Lake. Yellow-bellied and Least Flycatchers
were each reported on two dates before the count; songs of both species were heard
to confirm identification. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown
Creeper, Winter Wren, and Hermit Thrush were late-lingering winter residents. Long-
billed Marsh Wrens (Wayne Irvin, Jim Orgain) were at the location where one was
found on the Christmas count. Charles Frost observed all field marks on the Philadel-
phia Vireo on 30 April. Male Golden-winged Warbler and the Tennessee Warbler
were seen well by many birders at Reynolda. Nashville Warblers were recorded on six
occasions during the count period, an unusually high number. Male Brewers Blackbird
was studied carefully by the Compilers on 22 and 29 April, and compared with grackles,
Rusty Blackbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds. The three Dark-eyed Juncos (Cynthia
Olsen, Gardner and Margaret Gidley) were seen in Clemmons. [The exceptionally
thorough details submitted by the Compilers included notes on 37 species that were
late or rare on the count day or during count period. — HL] — RAMONA R. SNAVELY,
115 Plymouth Avenue, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 and FRAN M. BALDWIN, 1030
Englewood Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River Bridge on NC 115).

4 May. The count was held a week earlier than usual. As a result, kinglets, White-
throated Sparrows, and other winter residents were still present, but we were too
early for the peak of the warbler migration. Broad-winged Hawks, Indigo Buntings,
and Blue Grosbeaks were unusually numerous this spring. The Pintails and Sora were
seen by Kenny and Ronald Alexander; the latter observer found the Least Flycatcher.
The Compiler saw the Canada Warbler. — JANE S. MULLEN, 908 West Front Street,
Statesville, N.C. 28677.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

3 May. Total numbers of species and individuals were low for the spring count, as
rain throughout most of the day prevented adequate coverage of most areas. Most of
the waterfowl and shorebirds were seen at Creech’s Pond and on the Catawba River.
Red-breasted Mergansers (Compiler), Tree Swallows (Flo Cobey), and White-
crowned Sparrows (Jack Hamilton) are seldom reported in this area. The Pileated
Woodpecker (Robert Schmitt), rare in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, was seen
leaving a nest cavity located within the city limits. House Finches (Elizabeth Clarkson),
regular winter visitors at feeders in recent years, were still present on count day. One
pair stayed in Elizabeth Clarkson’s yard during the summer of 1974. — DANIEL E.
READ JR., 1101 Rosewood Circle, Charlotte, N.C. 28211.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: intersection of 29 and 291).

3 May. —ROSA LEE HARDIN, Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

CLEMSON, S.C. (center: 3.5 miles SW of intersection of US 76 and SC 93 in Clemson).

6 May. A heavy northbound migration on the evening of 5 May removed a large
percentage of the migrants from the area; thus, even with much better coverage of the
count circle this spring over last spring, we recorded eight fewer species. Eared
Grebe, in breeding plumage on a sewage pond at Pendleton, was originally identified

86

The Chat

as a Horned Grebe until the correct identity was determined on 10 May by the Com-
piler. The Compiler also saw the breeding-plumaged Franklin s Gull on 8 May near
Townville. Black Rails were recorded on two occasions during the count period. The
Compiler has submitted full details for these three species as field notes in Chat. Con-
necticut Warbler was a non-singing male seen at close range by Sid Gauthreaux in his
yard; slate-colored hood and complete, white eye ring were conspicuous. Dickcissel
(Compiler) was a singing male on territory (seen at same location twice later in May)
near Pendleton. The five Glossy Ibis were seen by Gaston Gage, the Compiler, and
Gauthreaux on several occasions before count day. Philadelphia Vireo (Adair Tedards
and party) on 3 May was detected by song and confirmed by its yellowish underparts.
A number of other rare sightings were made by the Compiler during count period;
information on these records has been submitted for publication in Chat as “Briefs
for the Files.” — HARRY E. LeGRAND JR., Department of Zoology, Clemson Uni-
versity, Clemson, S.C. 29631.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: 3 miles N of Elkin at intersection of US 21 and US 21
Business).

26 April. Short-billed Marsh Wren (Jerry and Bobby Tysinger) was seen at 25 feet
for about 5 minutes; absence of eye stripe, presence of stripes on the crown and back
were noted. — LIN HENDREN, P. O. Box 148, Elkin, N.C. 28621.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

5 May.— HELEN MYERS, 310 Beall Street NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C. (center: Buck Creek Gap).

10 May.— JOYCE E. HALL, Route 8, Box 1136, Asheville, N.C. 28806.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740 in Swan-
nanoa).

3 May. Lesser Scaup (Chris Rustay), apparently injured or unable to fly, was feed-
ing with several domestic ducks on Kenilworth Lake. Two Ospreys and four Common
Loons were seen by many observers, including the Compiler, at Burnett Reservoir.
Common Gallinule (Rustay) was seen at close range at the headwaters of Kenilworth
Lake. The four adult Ring-billed Gulls were seen by many birders in a plowed field
on the Warren Wilson College grounds; a first spring count record. Rustay observed
the Connecticut Warblers and the Wilsons Warblers. — ROBERT C. RUIZ, 300 Wilson
Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 5 miles SE of Brevard at Rich Mountain Lookout Tower).

3 May. Hardly worse weather could be envisioned (heavy fog and rain much of the
day), yet this was by far the best of our three counts, partly because of increased
levels of experience of our counters. Lydia and Paul Barrett heard the Olive-sided
Flycatcher on many dates in April and May, and observed the bird on two occasions
this spring. [Is this species breeding in the Sherwood Forest area? If so, it would be
quite noteworthy, in view of the scarcity of present-day summer records in the North
Carolina mountains and the fairly low elevation of the observation. — HL] Ospreys
were seen a number of times in different places during the week before the count
(Compiler, Susan Holland), and the late Marsh Hawk was seen by Genevieve Lilly
and Bill Simpkin. Robert Starr reported the Black-billed Cuckoo and Cerulean Warb-
ler. Cape May Warblers were “everywhere” throughout the count period. Count
period Fox Sparrow (Helen Pearch) was first noted by its loud scratching and then
seen well. Tennessee Warblers were observed separately by the Compiler and Helen
Pearch. The Mallards are nesting in Sherwood Forest (Kenneth Roberts). The late
Bufflehead was reported by Gaylord Lyon. Rusty Blackbirds (Hervey Roberts) were

Fall 1975

87

found in two locations. — WALTER C. HOLLAND JR., 290 Maple Street, Brevard,
N.C. 28712.

FIELD OBSERVERS

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: John Fussell II, John Fussell III, R.J. Hader, Wayne Irvin, Chuck and
Genevieve Manooch, Don McCrimmon, Allyn and Joanne Powell, T.L. Quay, David Whitehurst,
Mai Whitsett, Ray Winstead, John Wright.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Katherine Alexander, Bobby Austin, Robert S. Brown, Jay Carter, Frank
Chapman, Dot Earle, John Hardwick, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer, Greg Massey, Polly Mebane,
Ann Nicholson, James Parnell, Marty Pridgen, Pete Roberts, Marge Senninger, Roger Stone, Barry
Thomas, Mary Urich, Charlotte Waggett.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: Sertorius Barber, Ted Beckett, Dan Brooks, Robert Brown, Ernie Bustos,
E. Burnham Chamberlain, David Chamberlain, Norman Chamberlain, Calvin Clyde, Robert Dun-
lap, Judy Enenstein, Dennis Forsythe, Joseph Hall, Andy and Julian Harrison, T. Fleetwood Has-
sell, Bobbin and David Huff, Mike Hull, Carol Kravitz, Curt Laffin, S.C. Langston, Pete Laurie,
David Lourie, Holland and Caroline Mills, Teddy Muckenfuss, Perry Nugent, Frederick Probst,
Olgerts Puravs, John and Mary Reed, Tom Reeves, Jerry and Susan Roche, Jay Shuler, Ralph
Tiner.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.: James Baldwin, Cornelia Chapin, Alice Chapman, Alva Cun-
ningham, Aden and Margaret Gokay, David and Virginia Harrall, Dorothy Hitchcock, Don and
Louise LaCosse, Caroline Newhall, Jeanette Nordham, Helene Parry, Lois Pitcairn, Stuart Roesler,
Robert and Elizabeth Whitney.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Jeanette Bachman, Elizabeth Ball, Ethel Barkley, Bill Baxter,
Marguerite Baxter, Nat Baxter, Margaret Conderman, Geraldine Cox, James McLaurin, Mary
McLaurin, Ecky Meadows, Sue Meadows, Louise Satterthwaite.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Elizabeth Ball, Margaret Conderman, Geraldine Cox, Ecky Mead-
ows, Sue Meadows.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C.: Marion McCallum, John H. Wilson.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Gilbert Bristow, Mr. and Mrs. James Fowles, Mrs. Renard Gravitt, Russell
Green, Andrew Groat, Isabell Quattlebaum, Kay Sisson, Glen Smith, Lou and Jack Stewart, Isabell
Williamson.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: J. H. Carter III, John Hardwick, James Parnell, Roger Stone.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Ray Chandler, Ricky Davis, Keith Fielder, Ken and Mike Knapp, J.
Merrill Lynch, Paul McQuarry, Eloise Potter, John and Paula Wright.

HENDERSON, N.C.: Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Bachman, Mrs. Sam Harris, Mrs. Eliza Parham, Dr. and
Mrs. Paul Stewart, Mrs. J.W. Williams.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Jill Berninger, Ann Brice, Mike Browne, Nelson Chadwick, Ricky Davis, Jean
Donaldson, R.J. Hader, Jeanne, Larry, and Ray Halsey, Margaret Hobgood, Tom Howard, Bobby
Kluttz, David, Ken, and Mike Knapp, Josh Lee, Bill Lisowsky, Merrill Lynch, Joe Marlin, Chris
Marsh, Jim Mulholland, Eloise Potter, Barbara Pugh, Dick Repasky, David Whitehurst, Gail White-
hurst, Ray Winstead, John and Paula Wright.

DURHAM, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Pat Boyd, David Brane, Norman Budnitz, Angelo Capparella III,
Caroline Carter, Robin Carter, Louise Crumpacker, Oliver Ferguson, Bridget Holdship, Stephen
Holdship, John Horn, Mark Huff, Alexander Hull, Ken Lind, Judy Loveless, Lyn Loveless, Thomas
Martin, David Morris, Lance Peacock, Robert Ridgely, Deborah Woodcock.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Charles Blake, Annie-Leigh and Robert Broughton, Angelo
Capparella III, Caroline Carter, Derb Carter, James Devereux, Charles and Oliver Ferguson,
Francis Fuller, Eric, Jasper, and Lois Garner, Kitty and Ralph Harding, Paul Lancaster, Rusty
Latta, Trudy London, David, Jim, Owen, and Pat McConnell, Deane McGinnis, Monica Neese,

88

The Chat

Charles and Ella Newell, Johnnie Payne, Lance Peacock, James Pullman, Barbara Roth, Margaret
and Robert Shape, Paul Stewart, Wilma Stuart, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Bill and Margaret
Wagner, Adelaide Walters.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Virginia Bell, Helen Black,
Edwin Blitch III, Nancy Blount, Inez Coldwell, Charlotte Dawley, Frank Fish, Mildred Fish, Dot
Garrett, Fred Garrett, Ellen Knight, Ben Lambeth, James Mattocks, Jean McCoy, Ethel McNairy,
Ida Mitchell, Jean Murdick, Elizabeth Ogburn, Eleanor Patterson, Emma Leah Perrett, Etta Schiff-
man, George Smith, Irene Smyre, Thomas Street, Marjorie Tays, William Tays, Maude Williams,
Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Gary Adams, Fran Baldwin, Kay Bergey, Bill Boice, Zack Bynum,
John Carter, Peggy Cochrane, Jim and Pat Culbertson, Charles Frost, Gardner and Margaret
Gidley, Bill Hammond, Fred Hill, Ruth Hill, Kevin Hintsa, Bert Hollifield, Jeane Hopson, Royce
Hough, Wayne Irvin, Hank and Kay Kudlinski, Dave and Judy Kurtz, Janice Levitt, Connie Lincke,
Ann Listokin, Mary McGehee, A. Hewson Michie, Linda Moore, Sue Moore, George and Mar-
garet Morgan, Joe Neely, Bob Odear, Cynthia and Mary Olsen, Jim Orgain, Ogegeco Ottoman,
Barbara Page, Ann Pollard, Anita Shabah, Jackie Shelton, Dot and Jerry Shiffert, David Shuford,
Ramona Snavely, Paul Spain, Edie Spinks, Pete Tate, Royce Weatherly, Bob Witherington.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Kenny and Ronald Alexander, Sam and Sandra Cathey, Lois Goforth,
Dwayne Hayes, Larry and Sandra Marlin, Bob and Dick Mize, Jane Mullen.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Janice Clark, Flo Cobey, Helen Coley, Catherine Cornwell, Greg Cornwell,
Lucius Gage, Jack Hamilton, David Hawkins, Gail Kerr, Becky Norwood, Joe Norwood, Katherine
Peeler, Shuford Peeler, Daniel Read, Don Roussar, Ruth Rowe, Robert Schmitt, Tom Stone, Ellen
Wilkerson.

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart, Ellanore McAdoo,
May Puett, Gary Worthington.

CLEMSON, S.C.: Bill Alexander, J.P. Crouch, Sid Gauthreaux, Paul Hamel, Clay Hodges, Harry
LeGrand, Frank Moore, Kerry Reese. Charlie Gage, Gaston Gage, Joan Geiger, Roland Geiger,
Larry Luckett, Vivian Smith, and Adair Tedards participated on a rain-postponed count on 3 May,
but were unable to help on the rescheduled count.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: Lin Hendren, Tom Hendren, Lewis Petree, Bill Roth, Cissie Roth, W.P.
Smith, Bobby Tysinger, Jerry Tysinger.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Margaret Harper, Clara Manchester, E.M. Manchester, Helen
Myers, Sarah Parker, Ann Whisnant.

YANCEY-McDOWELL COUNTIES, N.C.: John Hall, Joyce Hall, Mark Hall, Robert Ruiz.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Robert Bruce, William Bruce, Frank Chapman, Bill Duyck, Jean
Gertz, Joyce Hall, Mark Hall, Gordon Mahy, Chip Nixon, Pam Porter, Gregg Ruiz, Robert Ruiz,
Chris Rustay, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Joe Schatz, Betty White.

BREVARD, N.C.: Glenna and Herb Ball, Lydia and Paul Barrett, Patrick Bohan, Kay and Ray
Brown, Edythe Bull, Owens Davidson, Margaret Davis, Dick Garren, Joe Harris, Julia Harris, Curt
Holland, Gail Holland, Susan and Walter Holland, Berneice and Hugh Hollifield, Karl Muhling-
haus, DeWitt and Helen Parsons, Gladys Reese, Theo Reeve, Hazel and Hervey Roberts, Robert
Starr, Beth Wheeler.

Fall 1975

89

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Spring Record of Eared Grebe
in Northwestern South Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology, Clemson University

Clemson, S.C. 29631 27 May 1975

During the first 10 days of May 1975, one to two Horned Grebes ( Podiceps auritus )
in breeding plumage were reported on a small sewage pond at Pendleton, S.C. On
10 May I received word that a male Greater Scaup ( Aythya marila) was on this pond;
so I decided to take a look at the scaup and a grebe that were present there earlier in
the day, because 10 May was a very late date for these species in South Carolina. The>
scaup was indeed a Greater, but the grebe was not a Horned but an Eared Grebe
( Podiceps caspicus). I observed the grebe for approximately 10 minutes in excellent
light with a 20X scope at 75 yards. It was constantly diving during this time and never
remained on the surface for more than 5 seconds at a time, yet I obtained excellent
views of it. The thin, blackish neck immediately separated the bird from the Horned,
which has a thicker, chestnut colored neck. Also, the head was more rounded than the
head of the Horned, and the ochre face patch covered all the cheek region, directly
behind the eye. In the Horned Grebe, the ochre face patch is behind but primarily
above the eye, forming a crest. The black crest of the Eared was also visible.

The Eared Grebe was seen later in the afternoon of 10 May by Sidney Gauthreaux,

90

The Chat

Frank Moore, and Kerry Reese; all concurred with my identification. I last saw the
bird on the pond on 15 May.

The identity of the second grebe is unknown. The birders who saw two grebes on
6 May (Clemson Spring Count day) had only binoculars and assumed both birds were
Horneds, because the Eared is extremely rare in the southeastern United States. The
observers told me that the two birds looked identical, indicating that the second may
also have been an Eared. Having found no evidence that Horned Grebes ever were
present on the pond this spring, I have tallied one Eared Grebe and no count-day
Horned Grebe on the Clemson Spring Count. Because of the rarity of the Eared
Grebe in the Southeast, I have decided not to count the second grebe also as an Eared.

Surprisingly, this is not the first record of the Eared Grebe for northwestern South
Carolina, as Sidney Gauthreaux observed one on Lake Hartwell at Clemson on 27-28
January 1973 (Chat, 37:52). The only other record for the state is a bird seen by Walter
Dawn and collected by E. Milby Burton at Charleston on 14 January 1959 (Auk, 76:521).

Cinnamon Teal at Wilmington, N.C.

KITTY KOSH

188 Lake F orest Parkway

Wilmington, N.C. 28401

PATRICK M. HUNT
2015 Barnett Avenue

Wilmington, N.C. 28401 5 February 1975

On 29 December 1974 we flushed a drake Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) ac-
companied by three hens out of the weeds at the edge of Greenfield Lake. The teal
swam into open water where the drake raised his body and spread his wings. This en-
abled us to see all field marks clearly with 7 X 35 binoculars at a distance of approxi-
mately 50 feet. The drake’s head was cinnamon red and lacked facial markings. He
was red on the breast and belly and down the back between the wings. He had a blue
patch in the upper edge of the wing and a green speculum. The three hens bore all
the markings of Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors).

Edna Applebury joined us, and we observed the Cinnamon Teal drake and three
questionable hens swimming and feeding for about 20 minutes. The four teal were still
on the lake when we departed, but were not located on subsequent days.

[This appears to be the fourth sight record of this Western species in North Caro-
lina.—DEPT. ED.]

A Summer Sighting of Cooper’s Hawks
Near Chapel Hill, N.C.

ROBERT P. TEULINGS
ELIZABETH P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.

JAMES O. PULLMAN

Chapel Hill, N.C. 30 August 1974

On 29 June 1974, while hiking along New Hope Creek in the Korstian Division of the
Duke Forest, Orange County, N.C., a relatively undisturbed area between Durham and
Chapel Hill, we saw three large accipiters soaring and diving above us. Their calls were
heard as the birds drifted slowly eastward, remaining in view for about 1 minute. Sev-
eral visual marks including the size, tail shape, and profile of the head-shoulder area

Fall 1975

91

suggested that the birds were Cooper’s Hawks ( Accipiter cooperii). Subsequent com-
parison of the calls with recordings confirmed the identification.

Local summer records for the Cooper’s Hawk are extremely rare, as is generally the
case for the North Carolina piedmont. A recently compiled annotated checklist for the
Chapel Hill area (Charles H. Blake, unpub.) cites a 1935 breeding record. No recent
summer sightings have been reported.

Franklin’s Gull in South Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology, Clemson University

Clemson, S.C. 29631 16 May 1975

On the morning of 8 May 1975, I was scanning a large plowed field about 1 mile
SE of Townville, Anderson County, S.C., when I spotted a gull following a tractor that
was replowing the field. With the aid of 7 X 50 binoculars, I immediately identified
the bird as a Franklin’s Gull (Larus pipixcan) in full breeding plumage. I watched the
gull for approximately 5 minutes as close as 100 yards, and during this time it was
either circling over the field or following the tractor, hawking for insects. The dark
hood, slate-colored mantle, conspicuous white rear border of the wings, and char-
acteristic white stripe near the wing tip were easily seen in flight. Even though the
undersides of the wings were white, the white stripe near the tip was easily visible from
below as a “window.” The black tips to the primaries were visible from above, but
they were more reduced in this bird than in those pictured in field guides, which show
a narrow white stripe and a broader black tip.

About 20 minutes after the above observation, I returned to the field. The tractor
had stopped running, and the bird was sitting in the field, occasionally feeding and oc-
casionally circling in the air for a few seconds before returning to the ground. I was
able to examine the resting bird closely through a 20X scope at approximately 100
yards. The legs were blackish, the bill was deep red, and a white eye ring (broken
behind the eye and incomplete in front) was conspicuous. The tips of the folded wings
were mostly white.

After watching the gull for several minutes, I returned to Clemson University and
brought Frank Moore and Sidney Gauthreaux, who had a camera mounted on his
Questar scope, to the field 3 hours later to obtain photographic documentation. Despite
extensive searching, we were unable to locate the gull in the field, in surrounding fields,
or on nearby Lake Hartwell.

Only one other record of the Franklin’s Gull is known for the Carolinas. An im-
mature was “wounded by gun shot at the Catawba River, within 12 miles of Charlotte,
N.C.,” on 13 October 1952 (Chat, 17:23-24). Although South Carolina Bird Life (Sprunt
and Chamberlain, 1970) carries this record, it also states that the bird actually was
found in North Carolina. Even though the 1952 bird probably visited South Carolina
(there is no way of knowing for certain), the Franklin’s Gull I observed near Town-
ville is the first definitely within the state, and one of the relatively few spring records
for the Atlantic Coast states.

Bell’s Vireo Seen in Wake County, N.C.

ELOISE F. POTTER

Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 10 August 1974

About 18:00 on 10 August 1974, my husband and I heard an unfamiliar finch-like
song in the yard of our home 3.5 miles N of Zebulon, Wake County, N.C. The myster-
ious finch flew away before we could identify it; so Jack went into the house, leaving

92

The Chat

me in the yard with a 7 X 50 binocular in hand. The resident chickadees and titmice
still were calling excitedly and chasing about the trees near the edge of the golf
course. The object of their attention seemed to be a small bird hovering at the tip of a
branch. The small size, generally greenish color, white around the eye, and hovering
flight reminded me of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet; therefore, I followed the bird when
it flew to a nearby oak. Here, in good light at a distance of no more than 30 feet, I
saw a vireo completely new to me. The crown, cheek, and back were uniform light
olive-green. The tail and wings were dark greenish, and wing bars were not at all
distinct. The throat and breast were white; the under tail coverts and belly were yel-
low; and the sides appeared to be white. White spectacles outlined the dark eye. I
watched the bird for several minutes as it crept about the branches, hovered at their
tips, and twice remained motionless in full side view. At no time did I see any field
mark that suggests the bird was anything other than a Bell’s Vireo ( Vireo bellii).

Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Yellow- throated Vireos nest in or near my yard, so I
am accustomed to seeing juveniles of these species. I am aware that young White-eyed
Vireos have dark eyes; but the white spectacles immediately eliminate this possibility
just as effectively as the vireo’s heavy bill removed the kinglet from consideration.

Although there is no published record of this Western and Midwestern species from
the Carolinas, the Bell’s Vireo is known to occur east of the Appalachian Mountains.
The first collected specimen for the New York City area was taken on 25 September
1970 by Paul Buckley and party ( American Birds, 25:35). In Florida the species is
known as a fall transient and winter visitor. Four Bell’s Vireos were seen at Key
Biscayne on 14 September 1968, and one was banded at Homestead on 5 November
1968 ( American Birds, 23:39). One Bell’s Vireo was reported from Fort Lauderdale on
26 December 1966, where one had been found twice previously in winter ( American
Birds, 21:411).

[The acceptance by the records committee of this carefully documented observa-
tion and its publication in The Chat will allow Bell’s Vireo to be placed on the Hypo-
thetical List for North Carolina. This species, very difficult to identify unless the
observer is thoroughly familiar with the species, will require further documentation
before being placed on the official North Carolina list. Observers are urged to obtain
photographs or if possible to arrange for the legal collection of such birds for positive
verification. — DEPT. ED.]

The Advent of the Song Sparrow as a Breeding Species
in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountain Province

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Department of Laboratory Medicine
Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Broadway

Baltimore, Maryland 21205 10 March 1975

The Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia) has extended its breeding range into the
southern Blue Ridge Mountain Province and adjacent piedmont within recent historical
times. Formerly, the bird occurred only as a winter resident in the region, arriving in
early October and departing by late April (J.S. Cairns, unpublished records). In the
early 1900s, however, the species. became established as a summer resident down the
main crest of the southern Appalachian mountains and then began extending its range
onto the piedmont plateau (Pearson et. al., 1919; Burleigh, 1958; Sykes, 1966). Previous
analyses of this influx, however, have overlooked several early records.

In an unpublished manuscript, J.S. Cairns (1894) made the following observation
regarding the Song Sparrow in Buncombe County:

“An abundant winter visitor and a rare summer bird. Found on
Craggy Mtn May 20th & June 1st 1892 & 93.”

Cairns’ previous publications (1887, 1889, 1891) had listed the species as a winter

Fall 1975

93

resident only. Subsequently, Cairns mentioned the bird in a letter to William Brewster,
dated 11 March 1895:

“Have found Song Sparrows . . . several times on Craggy in the
month of June.”

Cairns’ death in June 1895 precluded any further observations from Buncombe
County until Pearson found the species breeding there in 1902.

Farther south, Bradford Torrey (1898) discovered the species singing in “a dense
swampy thicket” on the Highlands Plateau, Macon County, N.C., on 25 May 1896.
Recognizing the significance of the record, Torrey remarked:

“So far as I am aware, no bird of this kind has ever before been re-
ported in summer from a point so far south.”

Except for a single report by Laurents at Cranberry in 1892, these observations
are the only known summer records of the species from western North Carolina prior
to 1902. Although only single birds were reported, the records by Laurents, Cairns,
and Torrey suggest the rapid establishment of the Song Sparrow as a summer resident
in widely scattered locales through the southern Blue Ridge in the 4-year period of
1892-1896. In contrast, the subsequent spread onto the piedmont appears to have been
a much slower process, occurring after a sizeable breeding population had become
established in the Blue Ridge.

LITERATURE CITED

Burleigh, T.D. 1958. Georgia birds. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

Cairns, J.S. 1887. A list of birds of Buncombe Co., North Carolina. The Ornithologist
and Oologist, 12:3-6.

1889. The summer birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. The Orni-
thologist and Oologist, 14:17-23.

. 1891. List of the birds of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Privately

printed.

1894. List of birds taken and observed in western North Carolina. Unpub-
lished manuscript. Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1919. Birds of North Carolina.

Sykes, P.W. 1966. Evidence of the eastward expansion of the breeding range of the
Song Sparrow into the eastern piedmont of North Carolina. Chat, 30:39-42.

Torrey, B. 1898. A world of green hills. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

94

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

(All dates 1975)

COMMON LOON: Over 100 were seen in flight off the beach at Fort Macon State
Park near Atlantic Beach, N.C., during a 90-minute period of observation on 12
April by Robert Hader. Late inland sightings of single migrants were noted on 16
May at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C., by Merrill Lynch and at
Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on the same date by Harry LeGrand.

HORNED GREBE: A lingering individual was present at Pivers Island near Morehead
City, N.C., as late as 2 June, John Fussell.

EARED GREBE: An inland transient was seen at McFayden Lake in Cumberland
County, N.C., on 1 May by Henry Rankin Jr. and P.J. Crutchfield.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Over 2,500 were seen massed at Oregon Inlet
on the North Carolina coast on 22 April by Robert Anderson. Elsewhere, a note-
worthy inland sighting was recorded on 18 April at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., where a single bird was observed by Harry LeGrand. At other inland reser-
voirs, four were seen on 30 March at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., by James
Mulholland, and four on 13 April at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Halifax County, N.C.,
by Merrill Lynch.

GREAT BLUE HERON: A sizeable inland flock of 16 was noted on 8 April near
Winston-Salem, N.C., by Hank and Kay Kludinsky.

CATTLE EGRET: Four inland transients were seen at Pendleton, S.C., on 18 April
by Harry LeGrand, and a flock of 18 was found near Fayetteville, N.C., on 22
April by P.J. Crutchfield, Henry Rankin Jr., and Brad Thomason. Elsewhere,
two spring visitors were seen near Raleigh, N.C., on 24 April by Robert Hader,
and one at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 12 May by James Pullman. Another inland mi-
grant was late and unusual at Southern Pines, N.C., on 30 May, observed by Jay
Carter.

GREAT EGRET: An inland visitor was noted at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C.,
on 22 March by Robert Hader.

SNOWY EGRET: One was seen in Cumberland County, N.C., near Fayetteville on
29 April by Henry Rankin Jr., Brad Thomason, and P.J. Crutchfield.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: An adult and immature were observed in a
wooded swamp on the Johnston Farm in the Occoneechee Neck section of North-
r upton County, N.C., on 5 April by Merrill Lynch, a rare local spring occurrence.
i\oteworthy also were two adults seen inland at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., on 9 April by Sidney Gauthreaux, and one near Swannanoa in Buncombe
County, N.C., on 14 May by Robert Ruiz.

LEAST BITTERN: One was found near Townville, Anderson County, S.C., on 20
May by Harry LeGrand.

WHITE IBIS: An adult and two immatures were present on 4 April at Pea Island,
N.W.R. on the North Carolina Outer Banks. This location is north of the species’
known breeding range. The observers were J. Akers and C. Wonderly.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: A flock of 11 was present at Greenview Farm in Wake
County, N.C., near Raleigh 1 May through 8 May, first reported by James Mulhol-
land and later seen by other observers.

PINTAIL: Seven males and five females were seen at Lake Julian in Buncombe County,
N.C., on 8 February by Bill Duyck and Bob Ruiz, a rare occurrence for western
North Carolina.

Fall 1975

95

BLUE-WINGED TEAL: A late spring straggler was seen near Pendleton, S.C., on 13
May by Harry LeGrand.

REDHEAD: An inland transient was seen on the Dan River in Caswell County, N.C.,
on 6 May by Fenton Day.

GREATER SCALJP: A male was present on a sewage pond near Pendleton, S.C., on
10-12 May, a late and rare visitor for that inland locality. The bird was observed
by Harry LeGrand, Sidney Gauthreaux, and Kerry Reese.

COMMON GOLDENEYE: A single male was seen on Burnett Reservoir in Buncombe
County, N.C., on 22 February by Walter Holland Jr. and family, a noteworthy
local record.

OLDSQUAW: A male was observed by Roland Sargent, Glenn Coven, and Margaret
Finch on Lake Tahoma, McDowell County, N.C., on 8 March.

BLACK SCOTER: Three late migrants were seen by Robert Hader off the beach at
Fort Macon State Park near Atlantic Beach, N.C., on 25 May.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: One was seen on 12 May off North Litchfield
Beach, S.C., by F.M. Probst.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: One was seen north of the species’ usual range on 1 May
at Emerald Isle, N.C., by John Fussell, and another at Pea Island, N.W.R. on 24
May by Alan Gallagher.

COOPER’S HAWK: A 24 May sighting of a single bird was recorded at Clemson, S.C.,
by Harry LeGrand. Whether this bird was a late migrant or a summer resident is
not known.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: One was seen on 12 March at Carolina Sandhills N.W.R. ,
Chesterfield County, S.C., by Paul McKenzie.

MARSH HAWK: A rather late spring sighting of an individual was recorded at Caro-
lina Sandhills N.W.R., Chesterfield County, S.C., on 10 May by Paul McKenzie.

BALD EAGLE: An immature was seen on 20 April at Santee N.W.R., S.C., by Sidney
Gauthreaux, and another at Cedar Island N.W.R. in Carteret County, N.C., by
Ted Best.

AMERICAN KESTREL: A male was seen twice, on 13 and 18 May, near Pendleton,
S.C., by Harry LeGrand. Elsewhere, Jay Carter observed one (possibly two birds)
at Carolina Sandhills N.W.R. in Chesterfield County, S.C., on 28 May. Another
individual, described as a fledgling, was found in an airport hangar at Walterboro,
S.C., in late May by W.B. Cheney. The bird was examined and photographed on
1 June by Gerald Knighton.

VIRGINIA RAIL: A first record for Caldwell County, N.C., has been reported by
Helen Myers who identified an injured bird found at Lenoir on 17 April. Else-
where in the western piedmont, single birds were noted near Townville, S.C., on
8 April and 9 May by Harry LeGrand. One was also seen in northwestern
Caswell County, N.C., on 5 May by Fenton Day.

BLACK RAIL: At least six were heard calling on 29 May at North River Marsh near
Morehead City, N.C., by John Fussell.

LONG-BILLED DO WITCHER: Three were seen on 20 April at Huntington Beach
State Park near Murrells Inlet, S.C., by Larry Copenhaver and Paul McKenzie.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: Seven birds were seen at the Braswell Farm east of Rocky
Mount in Nash County, N.C., on 25 April by Louis Fink. A flock of nine was later
seen there by the same observer on 9 May.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: One was seen at Deveaux Bank near Charleston, S.C., on 1
June by John H. Dick.

BLACK-HEADED GULL: An immature was seen near Murrells Inlet, S.C., at Hunt-
ington Beach State Park on 19 April by Paul McKenzie.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: Inland visitors were numerous this spring at Lake Hartwell

96

The Chat

near Clemson, S.C., where peak counts of 101 were recorded on 8 April and 102
on 17 April by Harry LeGrand. At Gaston Lake in Warren County, N.C., and adja-
cent Roanoke Rapids Lake in Halifax County, at least 150 were counted on 13
April by Merrill Lynch and Keith Fielder.

COMMON TERN: Seven were sighted as far inland as Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., on 4 May by Harry LeGrand.

CASPIAN TERN: Five were uncommon inland visitors at Roanoke Rapids Lake,
sighted near Vultare, N.C., on 13 April by Merrill Lynch. At Lake Hartwell near
Clemson, S.C., four were seen on 15 April and two on 3 May by Harry LeGrand.

FORSTER’S TERN: Twelve were seen on 9 May and one on 12 May at Lake Hart-
well near Clemson, S.C., by Harry LeGrand.

BLACK TERN: Three migrants were seen at Cape Lookout, N.C., on 26 May by
Robert Hader, and one at Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet, S.C.,
on 31 May by F.M. Probst.

WHIP-POOR-WILL: One was heard calling near Beaufort, N.C., on 29 May by John
Fussell and Vince Guida, the latest spring date the species has been recorded in
that coastal locality. Chuck-will’s-widow generally replaces the Whip-poor-will
as the summer breeding resident east of the fall line.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: Two were noted as uncommon spring transients in the
Charleston, S.C., area on 5 May by Perry Nugent.

BARN OWL: One was seen on Bogue Bank on 28 March by Robert Hader and two at
Cedar Island, N.C., on 27 May by John Fussell, noteworthy local occurrences
for Carteret County.

SAW-WHET OWL: Three were heard along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Devils
Courthouse in Haywood County, N.C., on the night of 24-25 May by Larry Copen-
haver and Paul McKenzie.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: One was present as early as 22 March at
Whispering Pines, N.C., observed by Roberta Davis.

GRAY KINGBIRD: A single bird was closely studied at McClellanville, S.C., by Wil-
liam and Wilma Meteer on 20 May.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: One was found on 28 April at Huntington Beach State Park,
Georgetown County, S.C., by F.M. Probst. This is apparently the first spring
record for South Carolina.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: Two sightings were recorded on the South Caro-
lina coast during the spring period. An individual was seen at Huntington Beach
State Park on 16 April by F.M. Probst, and another at Isle of Palms near Charles-
ton on 19 April by S.A. Gauthreaux.

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: At least five birds were seen and identified by song along
Johnson Creek near Waynesville, N.C., in Haywood County on 25 May by Paul
McKenzie and Larry Copenhaver. At Raleigh, N.C., one was heard singing on 14
May at Lake Raleigh by Robert Hader. One was also noted at North Wilkesboro,
N.C., on 5 June by Wendell Smith.

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: A late-lingering individual was seen on 18 May in
Forsyth County, N.C., near Winston-Salem by Jim and Pat Culberson.

SWAINSON’S THRUSH: An early migrant was seen near Durham, N.C., on 15 March
by Patrick Boyd.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: One was a good find near Townville, S.C., on 3 May care-
fully observed by Adair Tedards. Elsewhere, two were seen near Bethune, S.C.,
on 5 May by Paul McKenzie.

WARBLING VIREO: One was a rare piedmont transient at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 3
May, observed by James Pullman and Elizabeth Teulings. In the western section,
a singing male, possibly a local breeder, was noted along Johnson Creek near
Waynesville, N.C., on 25 May by Larry Copenhaver and Paul McKenzie.

Fall 1975

97

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: Twelve were heard singing along the Big and Little
Lynches Rivers in the vicinity of Bethune, S.C., on 5 May by Paul McKenzie. In
the western piedmont, individuals were found present in bottomland habitat near
Central, S.C., on 11 May and 27 May by Harry LeGrand, indicating the possibility
of nesting in that locality.

BREWSTER’S WARBLER: An individual of this hybrid form was seen on 8 May at
Mason Farm near Chapel Hill, N.C., by Harold Frazier.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Single transients were seen on 18 March at Santee
N.W.R. by Paul McKenzie; 7 April at Greer, S.C., by Gary Worthington; and 2 May
at Chapel Hill, N.C., by William and Margaret Wagner.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: One seen in Francis Marion National Forest, S.C., on
27 April by Paul McKenzie was a rare coastal plain transient well east of the
species’ normal spring migration route.

CERLJLEAN WARBLER: Single transients were reported seen in Francis Marion Na-
tional Forest, Clemson, and the Bethune, S.C., area as well as Caswell County,
N.C., during the period 22-27 April. Three probable summer residents were found
in the vicinity of Reynolds Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Buncombe
County, N. C., on 25 May by Paul McKenzie and Larry Copenhaver.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: Late spring occurrences were recorded on 25 May
at Williamston, N.C., by Merrill Lynch and on the same date at Chapel Hill,
N.C., by James Pullman, Robert Teulings, and Elizabeth Teulings.

WILSON’S WARBLER: Individuals were noted as uncommon to rare spring transients
on 1 May at Southern Pines, N.C., by Jay Carter; 2 May at Chapel Hill, N.C., by
Owen McConnell et al.; 3 May in the Asheville, N.C., vicinity by Chris Rustay;
and 5 May at Raleigh, N.C., by Gail Whitehurst. One was also seen on 19 May
at Clemson, S.C., by Harry LeGrand.

EVENING GROSBEAK: A late lingerer was seen at Reidsville, N.C., on 20 May by
Ruth Noonan.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: Winter visitors remained well into May at several
North Carolina locations. The latest reported sightings were by James Pullman at
Chapel Hill and Cynthia and Mary Olsen at Winston-Salem on 17 May.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: One was seen near Clemson, S.C., on 9 May by Harry
LeGrand.

The Chat

INDEX TO VOLUME 39

A

Aiken (County), S.C., 12
albino, 57 (owl)

Anderson (County), S.C., 19,92,95
also see Pendleton, Townville
Angerman, Jeannine, 17
Asheville, N.C., 46,48,98
Atlantic Beach, N.C., 61,95,96
Avery County, N.C., 14,18
Avocet, American, 10,19 (illus.), 25
Avon, N.C., 24

B

Barnwell County, S.C., 56
Beaufort County, N.C., 11,84
also see Washington

Beaufort County, S.C., see Hilton Head Is.
Beaufort, N.C., 61,62,97
Bethune, S.C., 97,98
Bird Count, Christmas, 2-16,29
Spring, 76-89
bird finding:

Franklin County, N.C., 73
Mountains of North Carolina, 72
Roanoke Rapids Lake, N.C., 37
Bittern, American, 11,12,13,84
Least, 86,95

Blackbird, Brewer's, 28,63,86
Red-winged, 14,15
Rusty, 14,87
Yellow-headed, 28
Blake, Charles H. , 37
Blowing Rock, N.C., 28
Bluebird, Eastern, 27
Bobolink, 84,85

Bodie-Pea Island, N.CV, 9,25,28
book reviews, 1 ,43*55
Brant, 23

Breeding Bird Survey, 65
Brevard, N.C., 15,87
Brunswick County, N.C., see Southport
Bufflehead, 12,87
Bulls Island, S.C., 25,26
Buncombe County, N.C., 14,17,87,95,96,98
also see Asheville, Leicester
Bunting, Indigo, 28,72,86
Snow, 29,64

Burroughs, Edward, 63 and 74 (photos by)
Buxton, N.C., 23,61

C

Caldwell County, N.C., 14,87,96

Canvasback, 12,14

Cape Lookout, N.C., 97

Cape Remain N.W.R., S.C., 22,26,61,62

Carolina Beach, N.C., 28

CBC Roundtable, 1,35,64,72

Carter, J.H., III, 17

Carteret County, N.C. , 20,96,97

also see Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Cape
Lookout, Cedar Island, Emerald Isle, Fort
Macon, Morehead City, Salter Path
Caswell County, N.C., 96,98

Catbird, Gray, 13

Cedar Island, N.C., 27,96

Central, S.C., 98

Chamberlain, E. Burnham, 36,59

Chamberlain, W. David, 19

Chapel Hill, fl.C., 12,21,22,24,25,29,46,48

85.91.95.97.98

Charleston (County), S.C., 10,24,26,57,60,
61,62,63,83,96,97; also see Bulls Island
Cape Romain N.W.R., Fairlawn Plantation,
McClellanville, Mt. Pleasant
Charlotte, N.C., 13,39,46,48,86
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 11,12,51,63
Chatham County, N.C., 23,61
also see Seaforth
Cherokee County, N.C., 58
Chesterfield County, S.C., 96
Chickadee, Black-capped, 72
Carolina, 72

Clarendon County, S.C., see Santee N.W.R.

Clay County, N.C., 19,58

Clemson, S.C., 13,23,24,25,26,27,28,61,62,

86.95.96.97.98

collecting of birds, comments on, 36
Colleton County, S.C., see Walterboro
Columbia, S.C., 12,84
Cormorant, Double-crested, 22,60,84,95
Great, 22,39

Cowbird, Brown-headed, 14
Crane, Sandhill, 19,24,57,62
Creedmoor, N.C., 23
Creeper, Brown, 86
Crossbill, Red, 10
Crow, Common, 67
Fish, 67-71

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 83,85,87,97
Yellow-billed, 8,13,26
Cumberland County, N.C., 95
also see Fayetteville
Curlew, Eskimo, 35

Long-billed, 8,10,25,82,83
Currituck County, N.C., 60,61

D

Dare County, N.C., see Avon, Bodie-Pea Is.

Buxton, Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Pea Is.
Dermid, Jack, No. 2 cover photo
Dick, J.H., 56,60, No. 4 cover, and 90
(drawings by)

Dickcissel, 28.87
Dillon (County), S.C., 11,84
Dove, White-winged, 8,11
Dowitcher, Long-billed, 25,83,96
Short-billed, 25

Duck, Fulvous Tree, 23,61 ,82,85,95
Ring-necked, 14
Ruddy, 56
Dunlin, 13,62,86
Durham (County), N.C., 12,85,97

E

Eagle, Bald, 24,61 ,96
Golden, 24
Eden, N.C., 26

Fall 1975

99

Edgecombe County, N.C., 62
also see Rocky Mount
editorials, 31
Eggleston, Jere Duncan, 57
Egret, Cattle, 23,60,85,95
Great, 23,84,95
Snowy, 95

Eider, Common, 9,10,61
King, 23

Elkin-Ronda, N.C., 14,87
Emerald Isle, N.C., 96

F

Fairfield County, S.C., 57
Fairlawn (Plantation), S.C., 24,57
Falcon, Peregrine, 24,57,62
Fayetteville, N.C., 95
Finch, House, 13,14,82,86
Fink, Louis C., 67—7 1
Flycatcher, Ash- throated, 40-43
Great Crested, 1 1
Least, 86

Olive-sided, 27,87
Scissor- tailed, 27,97
Willow, 97

Yellow-bellied, 82,83,86
Forsyth County, N.C., 62,97
also see Winston-Salem
Fort Fisher, N.C., 24,25
Fort Macon, N.C., 26,28,95
Francis Marion National Forest, S.C., 98
Franklin County, N.C., 71
Frost, Norme D, 35

G

Gallinule, Common, 11,84,86,87
Purple, 24,84
Gannet, 10,22
Garysburg, N.C., 23,61,63
Gastonia, Gaston County, N.C., 64
Georgetown (County), S.C., 23,24,61,62,97
also see Huntington Beach State Park,
Litchfield-Pawleys Island, Murrells
Inlet, North Litchfield Beach
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 10,12,27,62
Godwit, Hudsonian, 25
Marbled, 10,25
Goldeneye, Common, 12,61,96
Goldsboro, N.C., 25
Goose, Canada, 11,15,23
Snow, 11 (Blue), 23,61
White-fronted, 61
Goshawk, 18

Grackle, Boat-tailed, 11
Common, 14,32-34,68,70
Graham County, N.C., 58,59
Grant, Gilbert S., 39
Grant, Sandra S., 39
Granville County, N.C., see Creedmoor
Great Smoky Mtn. Nat'l Park, 15,46,48
Grebe, Eared, 8,12,82,86,90,95
Horned, 15,22,60,95
Red-necked, 11,22,60,82,83
Greensboro, N.C., 13,24,46,48,85
Greenville (County), S.C., 13,86
also see Greer
Greer, S.C., 98

Grosbeak, Black-headed, 28,63 (illus.)

Blue, 86
Evening, 98
Rose-breasted, 72
Grouse, Ruffed, 8,12,72
Guilford County, N.C., 24
also 3ee Greensboro
Gull, Black-headed, 96
Bonaparte's, 62,84,86,96
Franklin's, 82,87,92
Glaucous, 8,10
Herring, 11,12,84
Laughing, 36
Little, 37

Ring-billed, 12,62,87
H

Hader, Robert J. , 18

Halifax County, N.C., 22,23,37,60,61,62,63,
64,95,96; also see Roanoke Rapids
Hall, Walter S. , 17
Hamel, Paul B., 19

Hatteras (Cape, Island), N.C., 22,23,25,26,
28,61 ,64

Hawk, Broad-winged, 13,24,86
Cooper's , 91 ,96
Marsh, 15,24,85,87,96
Red-tailed, 13,57
Rough-legged, 9,10,13,61,96
Haywood County, N.C., 24,97
Henderson County, N.C., see Hendersonville
Henderson, N.C., 85
Hendersonville, N.C., 23
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 12,95
Great Blue, 17,95
Great White, 17
Green, 9

Little Blue, 60,84,85
Louisiana, No. 2 cover
Yellow-crowned Night, 23,84,86
Hill, Fred S., Jr., 36
Hillsborough, N.C., 28
Hilton Head Island, S.C., 11,84
Howard, Gordon E. , 19 (photo by)
Hummingbird, Ruby- throated, 97
Hunt, Patrick M. , 91

Huntington Beach State Park, S.C., 23,25,
26,27,96,97

hybrid, 12 (junco x sparrow)

Hyde County, N.C., 61; also see Ocracoke

I-J-K

Ibis, Glossy, 9,61,82,87
White, 9,61,73 (photo), 83,95
Iredell County, N.C., 13,86
Jaeger, Parasitic, 10,26
Pomarine, 26,62

Junco, Dark-eyed, 12 (hybrid), 72,86
Kershaw County, S.C., see Bethune
Kestrel, American, 24,96
Killdeer, 20,83
Kingbird, Eastern, 8,11
Gray, 27,82,83,97
Western, 27,62,97
Kite, Mississippi, 24
Swallow-tailed, 17,96
Kittiwake, Black-legged, 10

100

The Chat

Kosh, Kitty, 91

Kull, Robert C. , Jr., 39

P

L

Lee, David, No. 3 cover photo, 64
LeGrand, Harry E. , Jr., 8,45-54,58,72,82,
90,92

Leicester, N.C., 26
Litchf ield-Pawleys Island, S.C., 10
Longs pur, Lapland, 12,28,63
Loon , Common , 1 1 , 22 , 39 » 60 , 87 , 95
Red-throated, 22

M

Macon County, N.C., 72
Mallard, 87

Marsh, Chris, 74 (photo by)

Martin County, N.C., 98
also see Williamston
McClellanville, S.C., 27,29,61,97
McDowell County, N.C., 87,96
Mecklenburg County, N.C., 13
also see Charlotte
Mellinger, E.O., 73 (photo by)

Merganser, Common, 10,24,61,85
Red-breasted, 10,12,84,86,96
Merlin, 13,62

Moore County, N.C., 62; also see Southern
Pines, Vass, Whispering Pines
Morehead City, N.C., 10,23,24,25,26,27,61,
64,83,95,96

Mt. Pleasant, S.C., 61
Mueller, Helmut C., 38
Murrells Inlet, S.C., 27

N

Nash County, N.C., 96
New Hanover County, N;C., see Carolina
Beach, Fort Fisher, Wilmington, and
Wrightsville Beach
Nighthawk, Common, 27
North Litchfield Beach, S.C., 26,28,96
North Wilkesboro, N.C., 14,24,27,46,48,61,
97

Northampton County, N.C., 37,63,95
also see Garysburg
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 86,97
White-breasted, 72

0

Ocracoke (island), N.C., 22,25,26,27,28,29

Oldsquaw, 61 ,96

Onslow County, N.C., 24

Orange County, N.C., 28,91

also see Chapel Hill, Hillsborough
Oregon Inlet, N.C., 25,28,29,95
Osprey, 13,86,87
Ovenbird, 52,59,72
Owen, Tom, 75 (photo by)
owl, albino, 57
Owl, Barn, 14,84,97
Long-eared, 27
Saw-whet, 97
Short-eared, 8,11,27
Oystercatcher, American, 24

Pamlico County, N.C., 11,84
Parakeet, Monk, 26
Parnell, James F. , 20,38
Parula, Northern, 10,28,49,59,72
Pawleys Island, S.C., 62
Pea Island N.W.R., N.C., 22,23,24,25,26,27,
28,39,61 ,95,96
Pelican, Brown, 9,22
Pendleton, S.C., 23,24,61,90,96
Pewee, Eastern Wood, 11
Phalarope, Northern, 26
Red, 26,62,74 (photo of)

Wilson's, 26,96
Pheasant, Ring-necked, 10
Pickens County, S.C., 25,58
also see Central, Clemson
Pintail, 86,95
Pipit, Water, 85
Plover, American Golden, 24
Black-bellied, 24
Piping, 10,24

Polk County, N.C., 28; also see Tryon
Potter, Eloise F. , 31,43,55,59,73,92
Pullman, James 0., 21,91
Purple Martin News, 38

R

Rail, Black, 62,82,83,87,96
Virginia, 12,96

Raleigh, N.C., 12,22,23,27,28,40,46,48,60,
61 ,62,68,85,95,97,98
Razorbill, 62
Redhead, 23,83,96
Redstart, American, 51 ,54,59
Reidsville, N.C., 61,63,98
Rial, Tom, 17

Richland County, S.C., see Columbia
Richmond County, N.C., 28
Roanoke Rapids, N.C., 11,22,24,27,46,48,
60,61 ,84

Rock Hill, S.C., 63
Rockingham County, N.C., 12,74
also see Eden, Reidsville
Rocky Mount, N.C., 26,67

S

Salter Path, N.C., 27
Sanderling, 25
Sandpiper, Baird's, 25
Buff-breasted, 25
Least, 13,83,86
Pectoral, 86
Purple, 62
Semipalmated, 85,86
Solitary, 86
Spotted, 10,13
Stilt, 83
Upland, 25,85
Western, 86,96
White-rumped, 8,10,83
Santee N.W.R., S.C., 61,63,96,98
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 72,86
Scaup, Greater, 61,85,90,96
Lesser, 56,87

Fall 1975

101

Scoter, Black, 23,96
White-winged, 23,56
Seaforth, N.C., 61
Shearwater, Audubon's, 22
Cory's, 22
Greater, 22
Sooty, 22

Shoveler, Northern, 12,61
Shrike , Loggerhead , 82
Silcock, W. Ross, 40
Simpson, Marcus B. , Jr., 95
Siskin, Pine, 82
Skimmer, Black, 20,26
Snipe, Common, 62
Sonneborn, David, 35
Soots, Robert P. , 20,38
Sora, 12,24,86

Southern Pines, N.C., 11,26,46,48,84,95,98
Southport, N.C., 22,23
Sparrow, Bachman's, 28,84
Fox, 87

Grasshopper, 13
Lark, 8,10,28
Le Conte's, 8,10,28,63
Lincoln's, 28,63,98
Seaside, 10

Sharp-tailed, 10,28,59
Song, 95
Tree, 63
Vesper, 13

White-crowned, 12,14,63,85.86,98
White-throated, 12 (hybrid)

Starling, 14
Stewart, Paul A., 32
Stilt, Black-necked, 83
Stork, Wood, 74 (photo of)

Storm-Petrel, , Wilson's, 22
Sumter County, S.C., 17,24
Swallow, Bank, 85
Cliff, 84
Tree, 86

Swan, Whistling, 23,61
T

Tanager, Scarlet, 72,84
Western, 28

Teal, Blue-winged, 20,23,95
Cinnamon, 91
Tedards, Adair M. , 19
Tern, Black, 26,97
Caspian, 26,84,97
Common, 10,20,26,84,97
Forster's, 62,97
Gull-billed, 11,20,26
Least, 82,83
Roseate, 20,82,84
Sandwich, 10
Sooty, 26

Teulings, Elizabeth P. , 91
Teulings, Robert P. , 91
Thrush, Hermit, 86
Swainson's, 84,97
Wood, 12,72

Townville, S.C., 23,24,60,61,62,63,96,97
Transylvania County, N.C., 26
also see Brevard
Trott, John, No. 1 cover photo
Tryon, N.C., 14
Turkey, No. 4 cover drawing

V

Vance County, N.C., see Henderson
Vass, N.C. , 24,25,61 ,62
Veery, 72
Vireo, Bell's, 92

Philadelphia, 27,86,87,97
Solitary, 11,12,27,72
Warbling, 85,97
White-eyed, 10,62
Vulture, Black, 13
Turkey, 13

W

Wake County, N.C., 28,71 (correction), 74,
92,95; also see Raleigh, Zebulon
Walterboro, S.C., 96
Warbler, Bachman's, 45
Bay-breasted, 28,52,54,98
Black-and-white, No. 1 cover photo, 48,59
Blackburnian, 28,50,72
Blackpoll, 52

Black-throated Blue, 50,72,83

Black- throated Gray, 45

Black- throated Green, 50,59,62

Blue-winged , 49,54,58,59,82,83,84,85

Brewster's, 45,98

Canada, 51 ,72,86

Cape May, 49,54,62,84,87

Cerulean, 50,54,85,87,98

Chestnut-sided, 51,54,72,83

Connecticut, 28,50,84,87

Golden-winged, 48,72,86

Hooded, 51,59

Kentucky, 50,54,59,85

Kirtland's, 45

Lawrence's, 45

Magnolia, 49

Mourning, 50

Nashville, 27,49,83,86

Orange-crowned, 14,49,98

Palm, 13,52

Parula, see Northern Parula
Pine, 11,52
Prairie, 10,11,52
Prothonotary, 8,11,27,48,62
Swainson's, 48,54,59,82,84,85,98
Tennessee, 21,49,54,85,86,87
Wilson's, 8,11,28,51,84,87,98
Worm-eating, 27, No. 3 cover photo, 48,
59,62

Yellow, 49,59
Yellow-rumped, 10,11,50
Yellow- throated, 11,51,54
warblers, distribution and abundance of,
45-54, 71 (correction)

Warren County, N.C. , -26,62,97
Washington, N.C., 46,48
Watauga County, N.C. , see Blowing Rock
Water thrush, Louisiana, 52
Northern, 52,85,98
Wayne County, N.C., see Goldsboro
Weeks, Harmon P. , Jr., 56 .

Whimbrel , 82

Whip-poor-will, 10,27,62,83,97
Whispering Pines, N.C., 61,97
Wigeon, European, 23

Wilkes County, N.C., see North Wilkesboro
Williamston, N.C., 98

102

The Chat

Wilmington, N.C., 10,28,46,48,62,83,91
Winston-Salem, N.C., 1 3> 23,24,25,26,27
48,63,86,95,98
Woodcock, American, 25,83
Woodpecker, Downy, 35 (bizarre bill)
Pileated, 86

Red-cockaded, 27,71 (correction)
Red-headed , 1 2
Wren, Bewick's, 13,27,62
Long-billed Marsh, 13,86
Short-billed Marsh, 10,13,27,85,87

Winter, 72,86

46, Wrightsville Beach, N.C., 22,62
Y-Z

Yancey County, N.C., 87
Yellowlegs, Greater, 25,85,86
Lesser, 86

Yellowthroat, Common, 11,51
York County, S.C., see Rock Hill
Zebulon, N.C., 23,27,62,92

U. S. POSTAL SERVICE

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION

(Act of August 12, 1970: Section 3685. Title 39. United States Code

1. TITLE OF PUBLICATION

THE CHAT

2. DATE OF FILING

Sept* l%ic*75

3. FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

OlLiRT£RLY

3A ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE

4. LOCATION OF KNOWN OFF ICE OF PUBLICATION (Street, city, county, state and ZIP code) (Not printers)

PmOm Box 1220 Try on, 28782

5. LOCATION OF THE HEADQUARTERS 0R GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICE^ OF THE PUBLISHERS (Not printers )

6. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHER, EDITOR, AND MANAGING EDITOR

PUBLISHER (Name and address )

Carolina Bird Club, Inc* P.O* Box 1220 Tryon, N#C. 28782

EDITOR (Name and address)

Mrs, Eloise Potter Kt. 3. Box 114-AA Eelmlon. N. C. 27597

MANAGING EDITOR (Name and address)

7. OWNER (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of
stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the
individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address, as well as that of each
individual must be given.)

NAME

ADDRESS

.Mono

8. KNOWN BONDHOLDERS, MORTGAGEES, AND OTHER SECURITY HOLDERS OWNING OR HOLDING 1 PERCENT OR MORE OF
TOTAL AMOUNT OF BONDS, MORTGAGES OR OTHER SECURITIES (If there are none, so state)

NAME

ADDRESS

~ None

9. FOR OPTIONAL COMPLETION BY PUBLISHERS MAILING AT THE REGULAR RATES (Section 132.121, Postal Service Manual)

shall mail such matter at the rates provided under this subsection unless he files annually with the Postal Service a written request for
permission to mail matter at such rates.”

in accordance with the provisions of this statute, 1 hereby request permission to mail the publication named in Item 1 at the reduced postage
rates presently authorized by 39 U. S. C. 3626.

(Signature and tiU^offeditorj publisHei\buairi<esstiuu tdfjffi n^"l"gi

■)

not chi

10. FOR C O M P iJMi K Iw
Manual) (Check one)

The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this v Have
organization and the exempt status for Federal X*U during
income tax purposes 12 m<

1 b A E S (Section 132.122 Postal Service

jnged Have changed during (If changed, publisher must

ding O preceding 12 months submit explanation of change

with this statement)

11. EXTENT AND NATURE OF CIRCULATION

AVERAGE NO. COPIES
EACH ISSUE DURING
PRECEDING 12 MONTHS

ACTUAL NUMBER OF COPIES OF
SINGLE ISSUE PUBLISHED NEAR-
EST TO FILING DATE

A. TOTAL NO. COPIES PRINTED (Net Press Run)

1,600

i#6ao

B. PAID CIRCULATION

1. SALES THROUGH DEALERS AND CARRIERS, STREET
VENDORS AND COUNTER SALES

00

no

2. MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS

1,399

1,254

C. TOTAL PAID CIRCULATION

>,399

1*254

D. FREE DISTRIBUTION BY MAIL, CARRIER OR OTHER MEANS
SAMPLES, COMPLIMENTARY, AND OTHER FREE COPIES

7fl

89

E. TOTAL DISTRIBUTION (Sum of C and D)

1-477

1*343

F. COPIES NOT DISTRIBUTED

1. OFFICE USE, LEFT-OVER. UNACCOUNTED, SPOILED
AFTER PRINTING

123

257

2. RETURNS FROM NEWS AGENTS

00

oo

G. TOTAL (Sum of E & F— should equal net press run shown in A)

1.600

1.600

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct
and complete.

►

SIGNATURE. OF EDITOR, PyBtTSTpfc BUSI NESS MANAGER,

L-Pat«ir»on>Has,MQf ,Hq,S«c,

Fall 1975

103

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat , a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the N ewsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

M embers-at- large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

j> 9o< *<ct> /5

C **

&,*oS

Vol. 40

WINTER 1976

No. 1

No. 1

The Chat

Vol. 40 Winter 1976

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices. Subscription price $5.00 per year.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

TV Tower Kills in Eastern North Carolina,

Joseph H. Carter III and James F. Parnell 1

CBC Roundtable 10

General Field Notes 12

The Black-legged Kittiwake in the Carolinas,

Gilbert S. Grant, Micou M. Browne, and James F. Parnell 12

Saw- whet Owl Records From the Southern Great Balsam

Mountains of North Carolina, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 14

Caspian Tern Nesting in North Carolina,

James F. Parnell and Robert F. Soots 14

Notes and Comments on the Blue- winged and Golden- winged
Warblers in Southwestern North Carolina in Summer,

Harry E. LeGrand Jr 15

Briefs for the Files 17

CB©

OUR COVER— Chris Marsh drew the light-phase
Pomarine Jaeger, a species that occurs mostly in
winter off the Carolina coast. During spring migra-
tion, jaegers sometimes can be found amid the flocks
of northbound pelagic birds that swing close inshore
as they round Cape Point on the Outer Banks. The
owl on page 21 was contributed by Chris and his
fiancee, Barbara Pugh.

TV Tower Kills in Eastern North Carolina

JOSEPH H. CARTER III and JAMES F. PARNELL

Discovery of a large bird kill at the WECT TV tower in Bladen County, N.C., in the
fall of 1970 led us to study TV tower mortality in southeastern North Carolina during the
fall migrations of 197 1 and 1972. Autumn passages of birds across the coastal plain of N orth
Carolina are little known, and TV tower mortality offers a significantly large sample of
nocturnal migrants. Our results add to the knowledge of bird migration in southeastern
North Carolina and to the information accumulating on mortality of nocturnal migrants at
tall man-made structures throughout the United States.

STUDY AREAS

The WECT tower is located off NC 53, 5 miles SE of White Lake in Bladen County,
N.C., and about 42 miles inland from the Atlantic coast. The WWAY tower is located off
NC 87, 3 miles N of Boiling Spring Lakes in Brunswick County, N.C., and about 10 miles
from the coast. We were unable to check the towers each day, but did visit them after the
passage of each cold front and after most cloudy nights regardless of frontal activity. In
1971 the towers were first visited on 23 September. The presence of badly decomposed
birds along with freshly killed birds indicated that we missed at least one early kill. In 1972
visits began in early August, and no kills were missed. Visits continued until mid-
November both years.

The WECT tower stands 1994 feet above the ground. It is the tallest TV tower in the
eastern United States. The 27 guy wires are attached at nine levels. Nine wires extend S,
nine WNW, and nine NE. The longest guy wires are 2700 feet and reach the ground 1400
feet from the tower base.

The WWAY tower stands 1188 feet above ground. Its 27 guy wires are attached at
seven levels. Nine extend S, nine NE, and nine NW. The longest guy wires are 1550 feet and
reach the ground 800 feet from the tower base.

Both towers are lighted according to FCC regulations with a combination of flashing
and nonflashing red lights. A small control building is located about 25 feet from the base
of each tower, and a small dirt parking lot is in front of each control building. Most of the
area around the towers is open weed-covered sand. All guy wire lanes are approximately
20 feet wide, and were vegetated with grass and low weeds at the time of the study.
Beyond the open ground immediately surrounding the towers were young pine planta-
tions and shrub bogs.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The WECT tower was completed in January 1969, and employees indicated that a
sizable number of birds were killed during the fall of 1969. The WWAY tower was com-
pleted in October 1964. We were unable to obtain any information on bird mortality at this
tower prior to the initiation of the study. Our results and comments from tower employees
indicate that large kills occur annually during September and October at the WECT tower
under certain weather conditions. Large kills appear to occur much less frequently at the
W WAY tower.

Our study of tower mortality was begun after we found an estimated 1000 birds at
W ECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1). Apparently, the birds were killed on several dif-
ferent dates. The towers were not checked further in 1970, but we conducted a regular pro-
gram in the fall of 1971 and again in the fall of 1972. During these 2 years birds were found
on 42 occasions. We recorded a total of 3070 individuals of 84 species. The 1970 kill
included four birds not found in 1971 or 1972, bringing the total to 88 species.

During the fall of 1971, large kills were typically associated with low ceilings and
northerly winds. These conditions existed during and after the passage of cold fronts. Low
ceilings associated with cold fronts were present during all major kills in the fall of 1971
except the one on 3-4 and 4-5 October at WWAY. According to TV station employees the
bulk of this kill occurred the night of 3-4 October, 3 days after the passage of Hurricane

Winter 1976

1

Ginger. Prior to passage of the storm, the Wilmington area had experienced strong
northerly winds for several days. Apparently these winds concentrated migrant land birds
along the coast. After the storm passed, a large flight of these birds moved south along the
coast before low ceilings associated with the storm had dissipated. These birds moved on
the first night after the winds had shifted back to the northerly quadrant. It was under these
conditions that a major kill occurred at WWAY on 3-4 and 4-5 October. Nearly 1000
birds were picked up on the morning of 5 October. Oh the same date we found 111
birds at WECT, all very fresh.

In the fall of 1972, cold fronts usually passed quickly through our vicinity, resulting in
generally unsuitable conditions for major kills. Only two kills (both at WECT) numbered
over 50 birds. The difference in these 2 years is reflected best by the 387 individuals found
during the fall of 1972, compared to 2683 found the previous fall.

Major problems were the loss of individuals in dense vegetation or to predators. No
attempts were made to document predation, but numerous piles of feathers and disjointed
wings and legs pointed to heavy predation at both towers, particularly WECT. Ants were
the main problem in warm weather. As cooler weather began to decrease ant activity,
losses to other predators became more apparent. Crows (Coruussp.),GreatHornedOwls
( Bubo virginianus). House Cats ( Felis domesticus ), and Gray Foxes ( Urocyron cinereo-
argenteus) were seen at or near WECT. Evidence indicated that most of the vertebrate
predation was caused by these species. Only crows were seen at WWAY.

Loss of birds in dense vegetation was very heavy at both towers. Birds that did not fall
directly below the guy wires or in the immediate vicinity of the tower bases were not
found. Even those falling in the open areas often were overlooked in the patches of weeds.
The great height of WECT and its many long guy wires undoubtedly resulted in birds fall-
ing over a wide area during some kills. It is impossible to estimate how many were lost, but
the figure was undoubtedly substantial.

Typically the heaviest warbler mortality, excluding the Yellow-rumped Warbler,
occurred in late September and early October. Heavy Yellow-rumped Warbler and
sparrow mortality occurred in mid to late October. This relates well to the known migra-
tory patterns for these two groups. The Common Yellowthroat (588) was the most
numerous and frequent bird represented in the kills. The Black-throated Blue Warbler
(289), Ovenbird (268), Yellow-rumped Warbler (218), Gray Catbird (164), Red-eyed
Vireo (149), American Redstart (141), and Black-and-white Warbler (115) had the next
highest 2-year individual counts. All these species, except the Yellow-rumped Warbler,
were represented in large numbers in the kill at WWAY on 3-4 and 4-5 October 1971. The
Black-throated Blue Warbler was considered to be an uncommon fall transient in this area.
The large numbers of these other species were to be expected.

Most unexpected was the discovery of Seaside Sparrows at WECT. We found 4 in
1970, 11 in 1971, and 2 in 1972. These occurrences indicate that Seaside Sparrows migrate
regularly over inland portions of southeastern North Carolina.

Most species were found within the normal period for expected migratory passage in
this area. Unusually early or late occurrences are discussed in the species accounts.

ANNOTATED CHECKLIST

F ollowing is an annotated checklist of all avian species found during this study. Dates
are those of pick-up. Generally, the birds were killed 12 to 36 hours before recovery. A
notable exception was the large kill of 367 birds found at WECT on 29 October 1971,
apparently the product of several nights’ accumulation between 24 and 29 October. When
four or fewer records for a species are given, the date(s) of recovery are listed, followed in
parenthesis by the location and number of birds found. Where there are more than four
records for a species, the records have been summarized. Each month was divided into
approximately three equal periods (from the first to the tenth, from the eleventh to the
twentieth, and from the twenty-first to the end of the month). Total individuals for each
species found during each of these periods are entered in order in parenthesis after each
month of occurrence. This is followed by the total number of individuals of a species
found during the 1971 and 1972 fall periods, and the fall totals for each tower in paren-

2

The Chat

TABLE 1. Birds recovered on 30 October 1970 at WECT TV tower* .

Species Number Species Number

Common Flicker (Yellow-shafted)

2

Northern Waterthrush

1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

3

Common Yellowthroat

30

Brown Creeper

2

Yellow-breasted Chat

5

House Wren

5

American Redstart

10

Winter Wren

5

Eastern Meadowlark

5

Long-billed Marsh Wren

4

Red-winged Blackbird

2

Gray Catbird

9

Rusty Blackbird

1

Brown Thrasher

1

Blue Grosbeak

2

American Robin

1

Indigo Bunting

1

Hermit Thrush

6

Rufous-sided Towhee

8

Golden-crowned Kinglet

6

Savannah Sparrow

26

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

3

Grasshopper Sparrow

3

Yellow-throated Vireo

1

Henslow’s Sparrow

4

Red-eyed Vireo

1

Seaside Sparrow

4

Black-and-white Warbler

1

Chipping Sparrow

1

Northern Parula

1

Field Sparrow

4

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

68

White-throated Sparrow

9

Pine Warbler

1

Swamp Sparrow

33

Palm Warbler

3

Song Sparrow

15

Ovenbird

3

“’An estimated 1000 birds were killed. Due to inclement weather only the above were
identified and counted. Birds were killed on several dates prior to discovery.

thesis. Spring records and data from Table 1 (30 October 1970) are not included in the
totals, but references to these are given for several species. Annotations are made where
warranted.

All occurrences were compared with the extensive 11 -year study conducted by H.L.
Stoddard and R.A. Norris in Leon County, Florida, between 1955 and 1966; the 8-year con-
tinuation of that study (1966-1973) by R.L. Crawford; and with the unpublished bibliog-
raphy of nocturnal mortality compiled in 1967 by William Buskirk. Individual reference to
these two reports will not be cited, unless specific comparisons are made. Very little
information has been published on the land birds of the southeastern coastal plain. Com-
• ments on abundance in this area are based on the authors’ experience.

PIED-BILLED GREBE: 6 September 1972 (WWAY-1) and 17 October 1971 (WECT-1).
GREAT BLUE HERON: 19 October 1971 (WECT-1). No other instance of a Great Blue
Heron hitting a tower was found in the literature.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: 20 October 1971 (WECT-1) . No other instance of
a Black-crowned Night Heron hitting a tower was found. Records for this species are
uncommon away from the immediate coast.

CLAPPER RAIL: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1). This species is generally considered to
be confined to salt and brackish marshes in coastal areas. Its occurrence approxi-
mately 42 miles inland was not expected. A Clapper Rail found at a Raleigh, North
Carolina TV tower on 28 September 1965 (Browne and Post 1972) and one found on
11 September 1969 at a tower in Orange County, Florida (Taylor and Anderson 1973)
were the only other tower kill records located.

VIRGINIA RAIL: 24 September 1971 (WECT-1). Records for this species inland in North
Carolina are scarce.

SORA: 6 September 1972 (WECT-1), 23 September 1971 (WECT-3), 24 September 1971
(WECT-2), 2 October 1971 (WECT-1).

Winter 1976

3

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1).

COMMON FLICKER: 5 October 1971 (WWAY-1), 17 October 1971 (WWAY-1), 19
October 1972 (WECT-1). This species has been of infrequent occurrence in tower
kills elsewhere in the southeastern United States.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: October (2-9-3). Total 14 (WECT-13, WWAY-1).

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 24 September 1971 (WECT-1). This species has
rarely been found in autumn tower kills.

EASTERN PHOEBE: 19 October 1971 (WECT-1). This species has rarely been found in
tower kills.

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER: 5 October 1971 (WWAY-2). A well decomposed bird was
picked up on 29 October 1971 at WECT. A tentative identification placed the bird in
this species.

TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1). There are apparently no
previous fall records of this species complex from southeastern North Carolina.

TREE SWALLOW: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1). This individual was well decom-
posed. This diurnal migrant has seldom been reported in tower kills.

BROWN CREEPER: Two on 30 October 1970 at WECT (Table 1) . Brown Creepers have
been of infrequent occurrence in tower kills in the southeastern United States.

HOUSE WREN: September (0-0-3), October (11-24-7), November (1-0-0). Total 46
(WECT-36, WW AY-10).

WINTER WREN: October (0-6-3). Total 9 (WECT).

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN: September (0-0-13), October (5-11-0). Total 29
(WECT-22, WWAY-7). The fall migration of this species is generally along the coast.
Occurrences inland are less frequent. Single birds found on 14 April and 22 May 1972
at WECT were the only spring records.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: 5 October 1971 (WWAY-5) and 19 October 1972
(WECT-1, WWAY-1). See comment on preceding species concerning migratory
routes.

GRAY CATBIRD: September (0-0-18), October (57-84-5). Total 164 (WECT-122,
WWAY-42). A single well decomposed bird was found on 5 March 1972 at WECT.

BROWN THRASHER: September (0-0-5), October (1-0-1). Total 7 (WECT).

AMERICAN ROBIN: 29 October 1971 (WECT-1) and 8 December 1972 (WECT-1). Also
one at WECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1).

WOOD THRUSH: September (0-0-3), October (11-2-0). Total 16 (WECT-15, WWAY-1).

HERMIT THRUSH: October (0-15-28). Total 43 (WECT-42, WWAY-1).

SWAINSON’S THRUSH: September (0-0-2), October (12-6-1). Total 21 (WECT-17,
W W A Y -4 ) . A single bird found on 29 October 197 1 at W ECT was late for this species .

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH: September (0-0-2), October (12-5-2). Total 21 (WECT-13,
WWAY-8). Generally this species is considered to be less common than the Swain-
son’s Thrush in North Carolina. Thus, the occurrence of identical numbers of these
two species was surprising. The two birds found at WECT on 29 October 1971 were
late.

VEERY: September (4-0-33), October (6-0-0). Total 43 (WECT-37, WWAY-6). The
majority of these birds (31) was found on 23 September 1971 at WECT.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: October (0-29-53), November (1-0-0). Total 83
(WECT) . Ruby -crowned Kinglets are generally considered to be more abundant than
Golden-crowned Kinglets in eastern North Carolina. Therefore, the larger numbers of
this species were surprising.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: October (3-12-52), November (5-0-0). Total 72 (WECT-

4

The Chat

68, W WAY-4). See account of preceding species. A single well decomposed bird was
found on 5 March 1972 at WECT.

KINGLET SP.: October (0-4-13), November (0-1-0). Total 18 (WECT). These birds were
partially eaten and/ or decomposed to the point that species identification was impos-
sible.

WHITE-EYED VIREO: September (0-0-2), October (3-2-0). Total 7 (WECT-6, WWAY-
1). Numbers of this species were lower than expected. In a study in northwestern
Florida, 469 were found over an 18-year period (Stoddard and Norris 1967, Crawford
1974). A single bird was found on 14 April 1972 at WECT.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: One bird at WECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1). This
individual was well decomposed when found.

SOLITARY VIREO: 19 October 1972 (WECT-1), 26 October 1972 (WECT-3), 29 October
1971 (WECT-1).

RED-EYED VIREO: September (0-0-48), October (74-26-1). Total 149 (WECT-78,
WWAY-71). Seventy were found at WWAY on 5 October 1971. A single bird found on
29 October 1971 at WECT was late.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: September (0-0-32), October (71-9-3). Total 115
(WECT-52, WWAY-63). All 63 of the birds found at WWAY were picked up on 5
October 1971.

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: 19 October 1971 (WWAY-1). This bird was quite late. The
latest date in a similar study in northwestern Florida was 20 October (Crawford
1974).

WORM-EATING WARBLER: 6 September 1972 (WECT-1), 24 September 1971
(WECT-2), 2 October 1971 (WECT-1), 5 October 1971 (W WAY-2). Occurrence of
this species in eastern North Carolina in the fall is poorly documented.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1). This species has rarely
been found in eastern North Carolina during fall migration.

BLLJE-WINGED WARBLER: 24 September 1971 (WECT-1). This species is also a rare
transient in eastern North Carolina.

TENNESSEE WARBLER: 5 October 1971 (WWAY-1). Fall records for this species in
southeastern North Carolina are rare.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: 24 September 1971 (WECT-1). This transient is also con-
sidered to be rare in southeastern North Carolina during fall migration.

NORTHERN PARULA: September (0-0-10), October (4-8-6), December (0-1-0). Total 29
(WECT-26), WWAY -3). Numbers of this species, which is a common summer resi-
dent and transient in eastern North Carolina, were lower than expected. A single well
decomposed bird picked up on 20 December 1971 at WECT probably was killed in
late November or early December, quite late for the species.

YELLOW WARBLER: 23 September 1971 (WECT-3), 5 October 1971 (WWAY-5).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER: September (0-0-4), October (15-3-0). Total 22 (WECT-9,
WW AY-13). The 13 birds found at WWAY were picked up on 5 October 1971.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: September (0-0-8), October (26-6-13). Total 53 (WECT-29,
WW AY-24). This transient species is found occasionally along the coast of south-
eastern North Carolina during the fall migration. The 13 birds found in late October
[26 October 1972 (WECT-2), 29 October 1971 (WECT-10), 30 October 1971
(WECT-1)] indicate that the migration of this species continues later into the fall than
expected.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER: September (0-0-24), October (216-38-11).
Total 289 (WECT-85, WWAY-204). This species is generally considered to be an
uncommon fall transient along the southeastern coast of North Carolina, thus the 203
birds found in Brunswick County at the WWAY tower on 5 October 1971 represent an

Winter 1976

5

unusual record. The 11 birds killed in late October [26 October 1972 (WECT-2),
29 October 1971 (WECT-7), 30 October 1971 (WECT-2)] indicate that this species
may occur regularly later in the fall than generally realized. Both subspecies
( Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens and D.c. cairnsi) were found in the kills.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER: October (0-57-155), November (0-1-1), December (1-
3-0). Total 218 (WECT-210, WWAY-8). We found 125 at WECT on 29 October 1971.
The only band recovery during the study was made by a tower employee at the
WECT tower in late October 1970. He found a stunned Yellow-rumped Warbler that
had been banded on 11 October 1970 near Elton, New York. The bird recovered and
was released. The exact date of recovery could not be recalled.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: 19 October 1972 (WECT-1), 29 October
1971 (WECT-1). The bird found on 29 October 1971 was late.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: 5 October 1971 (WECT-1, WWAY-3). This species is
very uncommon along the coast of southeastern North Carolina during fall migra-
tion.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1). Most individuals of
this early migrating species probably had passed southward before our study began.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: 24 September 1971 (WECT-1) and 5 October 1971
(WWAY-3). This species is uncommon along the coast during fall migration.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: 24 September 1971 (WECT-1) and 17 October 1971
(WECT-1). Few records of this species exist from southeastern North Carolina.

BLACKPOLL WARBLER: September (0-0-3), October (3-3-15). Total 24 (WECT-21,
WWAY-3). Buskirk (1967) in his summary lists no fall kills from North Carolina. Stod-
dard and Norris (1967) and Crawford (1974) in their 18-year study had only two birds
killed in fall in northwestern Florida, and Taylor (1973) found 10 individuals in a 4-
year study in central Florida.

PINE WARBLER: October (2-5-4). Total 11. (WECT-9, WWAY-2).

PRAIRIE WARBLER: 6 August 1972 (WECT-1), 24 September 1971 (WECT-2), 5
October 1971 (WWAY-3). We were surprised to find so few individuals of a species
that is a common transient and summer resident throughout eastern North Carolina.

PALM WARBLER: October (73-10-4) . Total 87. ( WECT-16, WWAY-71) . We picked up 68
at WWAY on 5 October 1971.

OVENBIRD: September (0-0-54), October (192-16-6). Total 268 (WECT-109, WW AY-
159). This species is a relatively common fall transient in eastern North Carolina. Of
the 268 individuals killed, 159 were picked up on 5 October 1971 at WWAY. Six birds
at WECT on 29 October 1971 were late. It was very surprising to find only one bird
during the fall of 1972.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: 23 September 1971 (WECT-10), 24 September 1971
(WECT-2), 5 October 1971 (WWAY-7). This species begins its migration early, and
the bulk of its numbers probably had passed prior to the onset of field work.

KENTUCKY WARBLER: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1) and 5 October 1971 (WWAY-1).
This secretive species is seldom found along the southeastern coast of North Carolina
during fall migration.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: 5 October 1971 (WWAY-1). This species is rare in south-
eastern North Carolina during fall migration.

COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: September (0-0-203), October (188-142-24), November
(1-0-0). Total 558 (WECT-386, WW AY-172). This was the most abundant and regular
species in the tower kills, comprising 18.2% of the specimens.

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 23 September 1971 (WECT-2), 24 September 1971
(WECT-3), 5 October 1971 (WWAY-4). Five were found at WECT on 30 October
1970 (Table 1).

6

The Chat

HOODED WARBLER: August (1-0-0), September (0-0-2), October (2-2-0). A freshly
killed bird found on 17 October 1971 at WECT was late. Considering that this is a
common transient and summer resident in eastern North Carolina, few birds were
killed. A single spring record was one bird found on 14 April 1972 at WECT.

AMERICAN REDSTART: September (2-0-58), October (71-9-1). Total 141 (WECT-84,
WWAY-57). The bird found on 31 October 1971 at WECT was quite late. We picked
up 56 at WWAY on 5 October 1971.

BOBOLINK: September (1-0-21), October (3-0-0). Total 25 (WECT-23, WWAY-2).

EASTERN MEADOWLARK: 18 October 1971 (WECT-1), 19 October 1972 (WECT-1),
29 October 1971 (WECT-1). Five were found at WECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1).

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 17 October 1971 (WECT-2), 18 October 1971 (WECT-3),
29 October 197 1 (WECT -2) . T wo were found at WECT on 30 October 1970 (T able 1 ) .

NORTHERN ORIOLE: 21 September 1972 (WECT-1), 23 September 1971 (WECT-1),
24 September 1971 (WECT-3), 5 October 1971 (WWAY-1).

RUSTY BLACKBIRD: One was found at WECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1).

SCARLET TANAGER: 5 October 1971 (WWAY-2). This species is rarely seen along the
southeastern coast of North Carolina during fall migration.

SLIMMER TANAGER: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1) . This species is a common summer
resident and transient in eastern North Carolina. Its early migration may have resulted
in most birds passing prior to the onset of field work. The single bird found was well
decomposed.

CARDINAL: 19 October 1971 (WECT-1). The Cardinal is an abundant resident species
throughout eastern North Carolina. The magnitude of its fall migration is generally
unknown.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1), 5 October 1971
(WECT-1) . This species is generally considered an uncommon fall transient in eastern
North Carolina.

BLUE GROSBEAK: Two were found at WECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1). This
species is a relatively common summer resident in the farmlands of eastern North
Carolina. Although the birds found on 30 October probably were killed several days
earlier, the record is still somewhat late.

INDIGO BUNTING: September (0-0-1), October (4-12-2). Total 19 (WECT-15, WW AY-
41. Two birds found on 29 October 1971 at WECT were late.

DICKCISSEL: 23 September 1971 (WECT-1) and 5 October 1971 (WWAY-1). Records of
this western species in eastern North Carolina are sporadic, usually occurring in spring
or winter.

RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE: October (0-7-3). Total 10 (WECT-9, WWAY-1).

SAVANNAH SPARROW: September (0-0-2), October (1-22-13), November (0-1-0),
December (1-1-0). Total 41 (WECT-40, WWAY-1).

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: September (0-0-1), October (1-3-2). Total 7 (WECT-6,
WWAY-1). The status of this sparrow in southeastern North Carolina is generally
unknown. It appears to be very uncommon during fall migration. Three additional
Grasshopper Sparrows were found on 30 October 1970 at WECT (Table 1).

HENSLOW’S SPARROW: 28 November 1971 (WECT-1). Four were found dead at
W ECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1). In addition to the dead birds, two live and
apparently uninjured Henslow’s Sparrows were seen at WECT on 19 October 1972.
The status of this species in southeastern North Carolina is poorly understood, but
it is generally considered a very uncommon and localized winter resident.

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: October (1-5-2). Total 8 (WECT-7, WWAY-1). Since this
species is very rare in inland North Carolina, it was surprising to find it in our

Winter 1976

7

study. Stoddard and Norris (1967) and Crawford (1974), in an 18-year study of a
tower in northwestern Florida, listed 9 fall fatalities, all in early to mid-October.
SEASIDE SPARROW: October (0-13-2). Total 15 (WECT-12, WWAY-3). Four were
found dead at WECT on 30 October 1970 (Table 1). A single individual with slightly
impaired flight was seen at WECT on 19 October 197 1 . The only published record of a
Seaside Sparrow hitting an obstruction at night is one found dead at a Raleigh, N.C.,
TV tower on 5 November 1968 (Post and Browne 1971). This also represents the only
known inland occurrence for North Carolina. The presence of the Seaside Sparrow
for three consecutive years at WECT strongly suggests an inland migratory pathway.

DARK-EYED JUNCO: 8 December 1972 (WECT-1). This species has been infrequent in
tower kills in the southeastern United States.

CHIPPING SPARROW: 29 October 1971 (WECT-1). One was found at WECT on 30
October 1970 (Table 1).

FIELD SPARROW: 29 October 1971 (WECT-2). Also four were found at WECT on 30
October 1970 (Table 1).

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: October (0-6-3). Total 9 (WECT).

FOX SPARROW: 20 December 1971 (WECT-1). This bird was well decomposed when
found. This is a late fall migrant in southeastern North Carolina, which accounts for its
scarcity in the kills.

SW AMP SPARROW7: October (0-49-32) . Total 81 (WECT-80, WWAY-1) . This is one of the
most common sparrows in southeastern North Carolina during the winter and migra-
tions and was the most common sparrow in the kills.

SONG SPARROW: October (0-10-9). Total 19 (WECT).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The management and employees of the W ECT and WWAY television stations were
very helpful throughout the study. Cecil Phelps of W ECT provided information on pre-
vious kills at that tower and on the only band recovery during the study. The Biology
Department at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington provided laboratory space.
During the fall and winter of 1972, The Foundation of the University of North Carolina at
Wilmington provided travel expenses for the senior author. The Multiple Abilities
Program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington provided financial support for
the senior author from the fall of 1972 through the spring 1973.

SUMMARY

Discovery of a major kill in October 1970 led to regular checks of two TV towers in
southeastern North Carolina during the fall migrations of 1971 and 1972. The WECT TV
tower is near White Lake in Bladen County and the WWAY TV tower is near Boiling
Spring Lakes in Brunswick County. Several large kills occurred in 1971, and 2,683 individ-
uals of 83 species were found. Only 387 individuals of 45 species were found during the fall
of 1972. Weather conditions favorable for large kills were prevalent during the fall of 1971,
but were infrequent during the fall of 1972.

Several unusual species for southeastern North Carolina were found. The 203 Black-
throated Blue Warblers found at WAV AY on 5 October 1971 were very surprising. Of
special interest was the occurrence of small numbers of Seaside Sparrows 42 miles inland
at WECT during three consecutive fall migrations ( 1970-1972) . A Clapper Rail and several
Sharp-tailed Sparrows also were found at WECT.

8

The Chat

LITERATURE CITED

Browne, M.M., and W. Post. 1972. Black Rails hit a television tower at Raleigh, North Caro-
lina. Wilson Bulletin 84:491-492.

Buskirk, W. 1967. A preliminary bibliography on mortality of nocturnal migrants. Unpub.
Crawford, R.L. 1974. Bird casualties at a Leon County, Florida TV tower: October 1966-
September 1973. Tall Timbers Research Station Bulletin No. 18.

Post, W., and M.M. Browne. 1971. Seaside Sparrow hits a TV tower near Raleigh, North
Carolina. Wilson Bulletin 83:102-103.

Stoddard, ILL., and R. A. Norris. 1967. Bird casualties at a Leon County, Florida TV tower:
an eleven-year study. Tall Timbers Research Station Bulletin No. 8.

Taylor, W.K., and B.H. Anderson. 1973. Nocturnal migrants killed at a central Florida TV
tower; autumns 1969-1971. Wilson Bulletin 85:42-51.

Taylor, W.K. 1973. Black-throated Blue and Cape May Warblers killed in central Florida.
Bird-Banding 44:258-266.

Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, N.C.
28401. (Present address of senior author: P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387)

Winter 1976

9

CB©

‘T^ovuuMfiJblk

. . with Louis C. Fink

New Policy for Use of Scientific Names in Chat

Beginning with the present issue of Chat, scientific names of birds no longer will be
used in major papers involving a long list of species presented in A.O.U. Check-list order
and conforming to the common names appearing in the current edition of the Check-list
(1957) and its published supplement ( Auk 90:411-419) with corrections ( Auk 90:887). The
editors believe this policy will offer substantial savings on the cost of printing useful
regional bird lists without significantly changing the over-all quality of the journal.

Authors should continue to supply scientific names for plants and animals (1) in
formal habitat descriptions, (2) in General Field Notes or major papers involving only a
few avian species, (3) in all discussions of forms below the species level, and (4) in any
context where the common name might be inadequate for insuring accurate identifica-
tion.

A Birder’s Guide to Georgia

This 32-page, 6" x 9" book has been published by the Georgia Ornithological Society.
The price is not quoted, but the book may be ordered from G.O.S., P.O. Box 362, Atlanta,
Ga. 30301. Daniel W. Hans edited the work, which includes contributions from good
birders all over the State. Each area meets the criteria of being open to the public and
accessible to persons of average physical ability. Directions include the downtown parks
of Atlanta, the Federal Wildlife Refuges, choice spots in the mountains, Okefenokee, and
many more. A feature is a list of special birds like the Limpkin, Budgerigar, Bachman’s
Sparrow, and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, with directions for finding them.

Unusual Wood Duck Nesting Location

On 6 May 1975 Mrs. M.D. Rakes observed six young Wood Ducks leaving their nest
from a black oak tree. The nest hole was in a rotted portion of the tree trunk where a limb
had been removed. The height of the hole was approximately 20 feet from the ground.

The tree is in the Rakes’ front yard in a densely populated residential district of Eden,
N.C. (Rockingham County). The nearest source of water is the Dan River, which is 1 1/2
miles (straight line distance) from the nest site. If the straight line path was used by the
ducks, they would have had to cross eight city streets, two main highways, and a railroad
track.

Why a Wood Duck hen would choose this location is open to speculation. The best
guess is that there is probably a serious shortage of suitable nest sites in this area. — ED-
WARD E. BURROUGHS, 921 Seymour Court, Eden, N.C. 27288.

[Ed.’s Note: This is an interesting trait of Wood Ducks and suggests that householders
might erect nesting boxes even if water is not near. Herbert K. Job observed the trait 40
years ago. Writing in Birds of America (Garden City Publishing Co., 1936), Mr. Job said,

10

The Chat

“The regular nesting site is in a hollow tree, preferably in the woods, and it is often quite a
distance back from water.” Apparently, the young have no trouble flopping out of the nest
and following Mother to the nearest stream.]

Request for Information: Carolina Junco

Colored plastic bands have been used on Dark-eyed (Carolina) Juncos in the Grand-
father Mountain area of Avery County, N.C., during the summer of 1975. The birds have
been banded near State Route 105, north of Linville.

Eight colors have been used, including Red, White, Royal Blue, Sky Blue, Yellow,
Dark Green, Lime Green, and Black.

If any of these birds are seen, the observer is asked to record:

(1) Date

(2) Place

(3) Any notable behavior of the bird in relation to others it may be with, and whether
with banded birds.

(4) Combination of color bands, reading top to bottom, and left to right as the bird
faces the observer: i.e. Right leg, Red over (Silver) F & W band. Left leg, Royal
blue over yellow.

Details should be sent to: Margery Plymire, Box 306, Linville, N.C. 28646.

Camping Programs for Adults

Two organizations long noted for outstanding summer camping programs for young
people now offer activities for families and groups of adults. Educational and recreational
opportunities range from tennis, horseback riding, and the study of birds, wild flowers, or
nature photography to whitewater canoeing and year-round backpacking trips. For free
brochures write Frank T. Schell, Director, Mondamin Wilderness Adventures, P.O. Box 8,
Tuxedo, N.C. 28784, and John Trott, Director, Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies, 3700
Burgundy Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22303.

600 Club

600 Club direction has been assumed by Terry S. Moore, Apt. 10-F, 1185 Collier Road
N.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30318. The annual voluntary contribution is five dollars for one person,
seven dollars for husband and wife. The first Earle R. Greene Memorial Plaque was
awarded to Mrs. Harriett DiGioia of Dalton, Ga.

Edwin I. Stearns (with 657 species) appears to be the only representative from the
Carolinas to make the 600 list.

Our Inadequate Language

This reporter has made his living for years by using words, but I now find the language
insufficient to describe my latest field trip, and my companion, Herman. You see,
“companion” is an inadequate word: Herman brought enthusiasm to the walk; he raced
abroad to scare up difficult sparrows; he ran ahead and then came back every few minutes
to see if I was all right. Herman is a dog (but so much more than the word expresses) of
uncertain ancestry. “Uncertain,” perhaps; mixed certainly and Herman couldn’t care less.

He said nothing for the 5 hours we were in the field, but his grin told how much he
enjoyed bird-watching. “Grin” is not the right word for the expression of joy on Herman’s
face. His whole body radiated pleasure, and I can’t think of a term for that.

Herman was brought along by a man you would like to call his master, but that was not
the relationship. It was more of a partnership, and I can’t say who gave the orders or who
had the most fun. The man drove the car, but Herman was smarter: he jumped in the trunk
each time we moved, and slept until the next stop. Because Herman covered so much more
territory as he ran, I’m pretty sure he had a longer list for the day than the two of us. We
used our eyes and our ears to identify birds; Herman also used his nose and smelled all sorts

(Continued on page 16)

Winter 1976

11

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

The Black-legged Kittiwake in the Carolinas

GILBERT S. GRANT

Department of Biology, University of California
Los Angeles, California 90024

MICOU M. BROWNE

2728 Cambridge Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27607

JAMES F. PARNELL

Department of Biology, UNC-Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C. 28401 12 October 1974

Very little is known about the distribution of the Black-legged Kittiwake ( Rissa
tridactyla) along the coast of the Carolinas. The winter range of the species according to
the American Ornithologists’ LTnion (1957) is “ . . . south to southern New Jersey (Atlantic
City), and the Bermudas, rarely to eastern Florida (Jupiter).” Watson (1966) states that the
kittiwake is a migrant past Bermuda from November to March, is a vagrant along the east
coast of Florida from January to March, and migrates south to the Tropic of Cancer. A
study of recent records indicates, however, that this bird may occur along the coast of the
Carolinas in fair numbers.

While there are no published records for South Carolina, there have been 17 sightings
in North Carolina since 1940. The first sighting by R.H. Pough (1940) on 5 February 1940
off Cape Hatteras was erroneously recorded as a specimen by Pearson, et al. (1959). The
species was not recorded again until 27 December 1952 when P.B. Street (1953) saw two or
probably three about 35 miles off Kitty Hawk and again on 3 J anuary 1953 when Street saw
four more kittiwakes 21 miles E of Cape Hatteras. The 12-year lull in sightings between
1940 and 1952 probably represents a paucity of observers rather than kittiwakes as noted
by Jones (1967) with the Razorbill ( Alca torda ) during this same period of time. F our years
later F.C. Richardson (1957) and others saw a single immature kittiwake on 2 February
1957 at Oregon Inlet. On 1 February 1959 three birds (two immatures, one adult) were seen
on the beach at Cape Hatteras by J.E. Ames (1959) and five others. These birds were oiled
but able to fly. F our immature kittiwakes were observed on 14 F ebruary 1959 on the beach
at Cape Hatteras by P.W. Sykes (1959), and on 29 March 1959 two immatures were found
on the south shore of Cape Hatteras by T.L. Quay, P.W. Sykes, and J.F. Parnell. Again the
next day, 30 March 1959, a single immature bird was seen (T.L. Quay, pers. com.).

The species was not recorded again until 1967 but has been seen almost annually since
then. On 19 December 1967 an immature Black-legged Kittiwake was collected about 30
miles off the mouth of the Cape Fear River and turned over to J.F. Parnell. The bird was
placed in the collection of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural History (NCSM-
4018) and constitutes the first specimen taken in North Carolina. On 10 November 1968, at
least five immature kittiwakes were observed from a charter fishing boat off Wrights ville
Beach. The first two were sighted 6 miles offshore, one was 8 miles off, one was 10 miles
off, and the fartherest one was 13 to 14 miles offshore. Two were observed on the return
trip. The birds were studied at close range by M.M. Browne, G.S. Grant, R.J. Hader, W.

12

The Chat

Post Jr., and eight others (Parnell 1969a). The winds were from the northeast at 20 to 30
knots. Following a continuation of the northeast winds on 12 November 1968, J.F. Parnell
(1969a) observed single kittiwakes at five different points between 10 to 15 miles off Smith
Island and the mouth of the Cape Fear River. On 13 March 1969 E. Pond (Parnell 1969b)
found a Black-legged Kittiwake dead on the beach at Cape Lookout. A total of 31 were
recorded by many observers on the Bodie-Pea Island Christmas Bird Count on 30 Decem-
ber 1971 and 2 were found on the Wilmington Christmas Bird Count on 18 December 1971
(Teulings 1972). Two kittiwakes were found by R.L. Ake, D. Sonneborn, and H. LeGrand
on the Bodie-Pea Island Christmas Bird Count on 30 December 1972 (Sykes 1973) and 43 (1
adult, 42 immatures) were recorded there by many observers on the 31 December 1973
count (Potter 1974). A phenomenal 85 Black-legged Kittiwakes were seen resting in the
surf off Coquina Beach, Dare County, on 16 February 1974 by R.A. Rowlett and B.
Edsburg (Teulings 1974).

The recent Bodie-Pea Island sightings were enhanced by more thorough ocean cover-
age facilitated by access to a U.S. Coast Guard vessel on count day. Adequate winter
pelagic coverage probably would reveal that the Black-legged Kittiwake is much more
common immediately offshore than suspected. Recently, R.A. Rowlett (1973) has found
the Black-legged Kittiwake to be the most abundant gull a few miles off the Maryland
coast. His observations are the result of a series of winter pelagic trips aboard cod fishing
headboats. Rowlett recorded over 200 on 3 February 1972, and about 500 were found off
Maryland on 2 and 3 February 1974 (Scott and Cutler 1974). Unfortunately, cod fishing is
not economically feasible south of Maryland and boats for hire in winter are somewhat
scarce and unpredictable due to inclement weather, low demand, and preventive main-
tenance scheduling. The recent North Carolina sightings indicate that kittiwakes are there,
and efforts should be directed toward more winter pelagic birding trips in order to gain a
better understanding of our coastal avifauna. Efforts to add the Black-legged Kittiwake to
the South Carolina state bird list should be initiated as it undoubtedly occurs offshore there
during winter.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologist’s Union. 1957. Check-list of North American birds. 5th ed.
Ames, J.E. 1959. Common Eider, Kittiwakes, Razorbill at Hatteras. Chat 23:34.

Jones, H.L. 1967. Status of the Razorbill in the Carolinas. Chat 31:55-57.

Parnell, J. F. 1969a. Southern Atlantic coast region. Audubon Field Notes 23:32-35.
Parnell, J.F. 1969b. Southern Atlantic coast region. Audubon Field Notes 23:579-581.
Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina, Revised
1959. D.L. Wray and H.T. Davis. Raleigh, N.C.

Potter, E.F. 1974. Christmas bird count — 1973. Chat 38:12-20.

Pough, R.H. 1940. Chat 4:49.

Richardson, F.C. 1957. Kittiwake seen at Oregon Inlet, N.C. Chat 21:44-45.

Rowlett, R.A. 1973. Sea birds wintering off Maryland shores, 1972-73. Maryland Bird-
life. 29:88-102.

Scott, F.R., and D.A. Cutler. 1974. Middle Atlantic coast region. American Birds 28:621-
625.

Street, P.B. 1953. Jaeger and Kittiwakes off the coast. Chat 17:43.

Sykes, P.W. 1959. Common Eider, Kittiwake, Razorbill (Editorial comment appended
by field notes editor). Chat 23:34.

Sykes, P.W. 1973. Bodie-Pea Island, N.C. American Birds 27:279.

Teulings, R.P. 1972. Southern Atlantic coast region. American Birds 26:589-592.
Teulings, R.P. 1974. Southern Atlantic coast region. American Birds 28:626-628.

Watson, G.E. 1966. Seabirds of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Smithsonian Press, Wash-
ington, D.C.

[Dept. Ed. — A second North Carolina Black-legged Kittiwake was collected by
James F. Parnell and Frank Chapman on 12 December 1975 about 2 miles E of Wrights-
ville Beach. The adult bird was taken from a flock of about 12 adults and is now in the
collection of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.]

Winter 1976

13

Saw-whet Owl Records From the Southern
Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

Department of Laboratory Medicine

The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21205

ROBERT C. RUIZ

300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778 18 June 1975

Peake (Chat 23:110-111, 1965) and Simpson (Chat 32:83-89, 1968;36:39-47, 1972; 38:94,
1974) have reported the Saw-whet Owl ( Aegolius acadicus) as a spring and summer resi-
dent in the higher elevations of the southern Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina.
The following observations were made during surveys of the range in May 1975.

At 21:25 on 27 May 1975, Simpson listened for 10 minutes to the calling of a single owl
at Spruce Ridge (1700 m). At Beartrail Ridge (1800 m) on the NE slope of Reinhart Knob,
Simpson heard two owls calling loudly at 21:45 on 27 May; and on 30 May, Ruiz and
Simpson noted a single owl calling from the same site at 21:40 At Sweetwater Spring
(1550 m) just N of Haywood Gap, a single owl was heard by Simpson at 22:00 on 27 May
and again by Ruiz and Simpson on 30 May. A single owl was heard by Simpson at Devil’s
Courthouse (1720 m) at 22:20 on 27 May, while Ruiz and Simpson located a faintly calling
owl along Fork Ridge (1480 m) just N of Mt. Hardy at 22:45 on 30 May.

The active calling sites found during this survey have been described previously by
Simpson (Chat 36:39-47, 1972; 38:94, 1974). These records provide additional data indicat-
ing the spring resident status of the Saw-whet Owl in the Great Balsams, and a comparison
with previous surveys suggests a fairly stable population density over the past decade. Evi-
dence supporting breeding has been presented by Peake (Chat 23:110-111, 1965) and by
Simpson and Range ( Wilson Bulletin 86:173-174, 1974), although no nests have yet been
found.

Caspian Tern Nesting in North Carolina

JAMES F. PARNELL

Biology Department, UNC-Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C. 28401

ROBERT F. SOOTS

Biology Department, Campbell College

Buies Creek, N.C. 27560 1 August 1975

On 25 June 1972 we discovered two Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) nests at
Oregon Inlet on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. These appear to be the first nests of this tern
reported from North Carolina, although the species has been reported nesting both to the
north at Cobb’s Island, Virginia (A.O.U. Check-list, 1957) and to the south at Cape
Romain, S.C. (McDaniel and Beckett, Chat 35:39-41, 1971).

Oregon Inlet was surveyed again in 1973 and a single nest was located. In 1974, four
nests were present at Oregon Inlet, and one nest was found 50 miles to the south at Hatteras
Inlet. See Table 1 for details.

All nests were placed on the bare or nearly bare sandy domes of dredge spoil islands.
Nests were scrapes lined with small shell fragments, and were thus easily separable from
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus ) nests which never had shell linings.

The Caspian Tern nests were associated with colonies of Black Skimmers (Rynchops
niger ), Common Terns (Sterna hirundo ), or Royal Terns. They were usually on the fringes
of other colonies and were never found completely isolated from other colonial ground
nesting birds. In both 1974 and 1975 there were clusters of three nests at Oregon Inlet
indicating the beginnings of small colonies. In both cases large colonies of Royal Terns
were nearby.

These findings indicate that the Caspian Tern is establishing itself as a breeding

14 The Chat

TABLE 1. North Carolina Caspian Tern Nesting Data.

Year

Date

Nests

Nest Contents

Location

1972

27 June

2

1 egg, 2 eggs

Oregon Inlet

1973

1 June

1

1 egg

Oregon Inlet

1974

12 June

1

1 chick

Hatteras Inlet

13 June

4

1 chick, 2 chicks,
1 egg, 1 egg

Oregon Inlet

1975

5 June

4

1 chick, 1 chick,

2 eggs, 2 eggs

Oregon Inlet

species in coastal North Carolina. While this species is not abundant as a nester on the East
Coast and appears to be erratic in its breeding distribution, it may become a regular com-
ponent of our nesting bird fauna.

These observations were made while conducting research on community succession
on dredge islands supported by the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Com-
merce, Grants No. 2-35178 and 04-3-158-40.

Notes and Comments on the Blue-winged and Golden-winged
Warblers in Southwestern North Carolina in Summer

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631 11 July 1975

On 20 June 1974 1 found five singing Blue-winged Warblers (V ermivora pinus) in the
western half of Cherokee County, N.C., in the extreme southwestern corner of the state
( Chat 39:58). In 1975 1 made three more trips to Cherokee and Clay Counties to study the
avifauna of this region and to search for additional Blue-wingeds. I was unable to find any
Blue-winged Warblers east of Murphy despite considerable search; however, on 23 June I
found the species at three locations west of that town, two of these near Suit and one near
Unaka. Surprisingly, the song period of the species had ended, as I detected the birds only
by their constant calls, which I render as a buzzy hzee. At each location I saw about three
birds, with one adult male and two adult female or immature-plumaged birds present. I
drew the birds into view with my imitation of the h-e-e-e b-z-z-z song, and the birds were
very excited upon hearing the song. Although I am not positive I saw any juveniles, breed-
ing is strongly indicated by the fact that I observed two female-plumaged birds at each
location and saw one such bird carrying food into grasses on the ground.

In addition to the Blue- winged Warblers, I found Golden-winged Warblers (V.
chrysoptera) at several localities in the two counties. On 13 June single singing birds were 2
miles N of Hayesville, 1 mile E of Marble, 3 miles SE of Andrews, and 6 miles SE of
Andrews. On 23 June a singing mgle was found along NC 294 about 2 miles E of the
T ennessee state line. All five birds were first noted by song, and three were singing an alter-
nate to the usual song, a variation consisting of about seven rapid buzzes followed by a
higher terminal note.

A discussion of the Blue- winged and Golden-winged Warblers in the same area must
mention the possibility of hybridization between these two closely related species. I am
not aware of any published records of hybrids (Brewster’s and Lawrence’s) or mixed
matings in North Carolina during the summer, nor have I seen any evidence of hybridiza-
tion between the two species in the mountains of the state. My summer observations total
about 12 Blue-winged Warblers, all in Cherokee County, and over 30 Golden-wingeds,
from Watauga County southwest to Cherokee County and especially in Jackson and
Macon Counties. My observations also indicate that although the two species might breed

Winter 1976

15

in the same locality in the state, there are fairly definite differences in elevation and habitat
for breeding. I have found the Blue-winged only between 1650 and 1800 feet. Although my
Golden-winged records for Cherokee and Clay Counties have been between 1650 and
3000 feet, over most of North Carolina the species is scarce below 2000 feet, reaching peak
abundance above 3000 feet. The Blue- winged prefers somewhat earlier stages of brushy
field habitat than does the Golden- winged, and the latter species is usually found on much
steeper slopes than those where I’ve seen the Blue-winged. The Blue-winged prefers over-
grown fields with shrubs and saplings in the 5 to 12 foot high range, whereas the Golden-
winged likes fields grown up with saplings in the 8 to 30 foot range, especially where the
saplings are black locust ( Robinia pseudo-acacia).

In summary, my observations and published records show no evidence of hybridiza-
tion between the Blue-winged and Golden- winged Warblers in the North Carolina moun-
tains in summer, unlike the interbreeding populations from West Virginia and Maryland
northward. Birders should try to observe singing warblers of these species to determine
whether the birds are purebreeds, hybrids, or in some intermediate plumage. Any records
of hybrids and birds in intermediate plumages should be published, especially if they are
of nesting season birds.

CBC ROUNDTABLE

(Continued from page 11)

of things which we missed. We picked up a few bones and tried to identify the bird;
Herman took one bite and was satisfied.

Herman ought to be a member of the Carolina Bird Club, but again the word fails.
Herman isn’t a “member” of anything; he’s complete unto himself. It was great to know
you, Herman.

Birds Can Be Fun in Australia

Friends in Sydney have shared with me a nature column by Vincent Serventy; read-
ing makes me want to go “down under.” In the South Perth Zoo, wild wagtails were intro-
duced into a cage of captive wagtails. Confrontation took place, with the birds expanding
their white “eyebrows” as a threat gesture. People in Auckland picked up a great petrel
(wing spread over 6 feet) which had apparently flown from the Falkland Islands off South
America and was exhausted. The pied currawong rolls on its back and plays with a ball like
a juggler. The rock warbler is not found far from Sydney, but nests commonly around
homes, or even in them; it is a ground-feeder. There is a nightjar (nighthawk) which looks
like a small owl; yes, it’s called the owlet-nightjar.

Well, I’ll never add these to my list, but it’s fun to read about them. The friend who
sends the newspaper clippings says that large parrots are eating all the seed in their feeders.
Pity.

Peregrine Falcons to be Checked

John Horn (of the Department of Botany at Duke) has sent a report about Peregrine
Falcons bred in captivity by Professor Tom Cade at Cornell University. Sixteen have been
released and several have been seen on their way south. Each bird has a blue band on one
leg, and some have six-inch wire radio antennaes trailing from their tails. If you see one,
notify Dr. Tom Cade at 607-256-5056.

16

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

(All Dates 1975)

COMMON LOON: A late lingerer was found at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Roanoke
Rapids, N.C., on 23 June by Merrill Lynch, and another at Oregon Inlet on the
North Carolina Outer Banks on 15 July by Morgan Jones.

RED-THROATED LOON: A summer straggler was seen off the ferry dock at Hatteras
Island, N.C., on 28 June by Mike Browne.

HORNED GREBE: One was observed as late as 18 June at Beaufort Inlet near More-
head City, N.C., by T.L. Quay et al.

CORY’S SHEARWATER: Two were seen in South Carolina coastal waters off Myrtle
Beach on 18 July by Royce Hough.

GREATER SHEARWATER: At least 12 were seen off the harbor jetties at Charleston,
S.C., on 3 July by Bill Elliott and Perry Nugent.

SOOTY SHEARWATER: An individual, obviously sick or exhausted, was found on the
beach at Cape Lookout, N.C., on 21 June by Robert Hader. Offshore, up to 10
were sighted outside Charleston Harbor on 24 July by P.J. Crutchfield and party.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: One was observed at Surf City, Pender County, N.C.,
on 4 July by Merrill Lynch.

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL: Sixty were seen in Gulf Stream waters off Cape Hat-
teras, N.C., on 5 July by Richard Rowlett. Inshore sightings of single birds were
noted at Beaufort Inlet near Morehead City, N.C., on 1 July by David Lee and 15
July by John Fussell, and another at Surf City, N.C., on 4 July by Merrill Lynch.

WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: One was sighted at sea about 40 miles SE of Charles-
ton, S.C., on 14 June by T.A. Beckett IV and party; and another was seen some 45
miles SE of Morehead City, N.C., on 18 July, observed by Allyn Powell and
reported by John Fussell.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: One was observed near shore off Pawleys Island,
S.C., on 4 July by R.A. DesPortes. Along the coast farther north at Kitty Hawk,
N.C., another was seen on 14 July by Morgan Jones.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Single summer vagrants were found on 29 June
at Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet, S.C., by F.M. Probst, and
inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake, Northampton County, N.C., on 27 July by Merrill
Lynch.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: An immature was seen at Townville, S.C., on
12 July by Harry LeGrand and Sidney Gauthreaux, a first summer record for that
inland area.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: Locally rare inland summer occurrences
were reported from Townville, S.C., where an immature bird was seen on 12 July
by Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand, and from Winston-Salem, N.C., where
two immatures were present at Reynolda Park in late July and early August, ob-
served by Fran Baldwin, Charles Frost, and Ramona Snavely.

WOOD STORK: Small flocks were present in the coastal area of the Carolinas this sum-
mer with the northernmost occurrence noted at Sunset Beach, N.C., where twelve
were seen on 15 July by Royce Hough. Inland, one was seen in Kershaw County,
S.C., near Boykin on 21 June by Sidney Gauthreaux.

Winter 1976

17

WHITE IBIS: In late June and July wandering immatures turned up at several inland
locations. One was observed at Clemson, S.C., on 30 June by Larry Luckett;
another near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 13 July by Merrill Lynch; and six at South-
ern Pines, N.C., on 14 July by Jay Carter. The latter two sightings were first local
records.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: One was seen at the USDA Vegetable Research Farm near
Charleston, S.C., on 11 July by Perry Nugent.

BLACK DLICK: Ten were surprisingly early fall visitors at Greenview Farm near
Raleigh, N.C., on 19 July, observed by Mike Browne. Elsewhere 25 were seen at
Roanoke Rapids Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 27 July by Merrill Lynch.

GADWALL: A small flock of four females, presumably early transients, were seen on a
farm pond in Nash County, N.C., on 27 July by Louis Fink.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL: In the Raleigh, N.C., area one was seen at Lake Raleigh on
7 July by Clyde Smith and four at Greenview Farm on 19 July by Mike Browne.

RUDDY DUCK: Two were observed at New River Inlet near Topsail Beach, N.C., on
23 July by Steve Plantania and Will Thompson.

BLACK SCOTER: Eight were reported by Louise Lacoss to have lingered through
June at Hilton Head Island, S.C. Other summer stragglers were seen in the Cape
Fear River near Wilmington, N.C., in mid-July by T.L. Quay and James Parnell;
and at least five were still present in the Morehead City, N.C., area on 29 July,
fide John Fussell.

SWALLOW-T AILED KITE: One was sighted at Pea Island N.W.R. on North Carolina’s
Outer Banks on 24 May by Alan Gallagher.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: One was seen in North Carolina on the Pee Dee River in Anson
County on 12 July by Stanley Alford and Robin Carter. Twenty-one were seen
soaring above Interstate 20 east of Columbia, S.C., on 4 August by Vernon Pond
and Paul McKenzie.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: Individuals were recorded on 22 June at Lake Brandt near
Greensboro, N.C., by Robin Carter and 29 July near Nelson in Durham County,
N.C., by Robert Teulings. No reports of nesting were received.

COOPER’S HAWK: A pair was reported by Ted Beckett to have successfully fledged
two young at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston, S.C., this summer. This was the
only nesting record noted.

BALD EAGLE: Ted Beckett reported three active nest sites in the vicinity of Charles-
ton, S.C., during the 1975 breeding season. No other eagle nestings were re-
ported from the Carolinas, although immature birds were seen during the summer
period at North Litchfield Beach, Wilmington, and Morehead City by various
observers. An inland sighting of an immature was recorded at Lake Hartwell near
Clemson, S.C., on 14 July by Gene Hayes; and single adults were seen at Carolina
Sandhills N.W.R. in Chesterfield County, S.C., on 10 June by Paul McKenzie
and at Tuckertown Lake in Davidson County, N.C., on 3 July by Michael Massey.

MARSH HAWK: A summer sighting of a single bird was noted at Pea Island N.W.R.
on 30 July by N.F. Williamson.

OSPREY: Two were seen at Belews Creek Lake NW of Winston-Salem on 8 June by
Jerry Shiffert. Another was seen at Roanoke Rapids Lake on 27 July by Merrill
Lynch, and a pair was reported by Wendell Smith to have summered at Kerr Scott
Reservoir near North Wilkesboro, N.C. No definite indications of nesting have so
far been observed at these large piedmont reservoirs.

AMERICAN KESTREL: Individuals were observed in mid-June near Pendleton,
S.C., by Harry LeGrand and in early July in the Fort Bragg Military Reservation
and at Pinebluff, N.C., by Jay Carter. Elsewhere, one was seen on 27 July in Hali-
fax County, N.C., near Aurelian Springs by Merrill Lynch.

18

The Chat

BLACK RAIL: One was seen at Johns Island, Charleston, S.C., on 23 July by Chris and
Perry Nugent.

PURPLE GALLINULE: One wandered as far northward as Bells Island, Currituck
County, N.C., where it was seen on 31 May by Gisella Grimm and Floy Burford.

COMMON GALLINULE: One was seen at a sewage pond near Pendleton, S.C., on 10
May by Harry LeGrand, Sidney Gauthreaux et al, and another was seen near
Townville, S.C., on 6 July by Harry LeGrand. Both are unusual records for that
interior location.

SEMIPALM ATED PLOVER: An inland visitor was seen at Greenview Farm near
Raleigh, N.C., on 4 May by Ken and David Knapp; and another was seen at Win-
ston-Salem on 30 July, reported by Ramona Snavely.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: Two were found inland at Wildwood Lake, Caswell
County, N.C., on 15 May by Plumer Wiseman.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK: An adult with young was seen on 16 May in Orange
County, N.C., near Chapel Hill by Margaret Wagner.

COMMON SNIPE: At least 60 were counted at Greenview Farm near Raleigh, N.C.,
on 6 April by Robert Hader.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: Two early fall migrants were seen in the Charleston, S.C.,
area on 21 July by Dennis Forsythe and party. Another was seen on 9 August at
Bird Shoal near Morehead City, N.C., by John Fussell.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: One was seen at Clemson, S.C., on 18 and 19 April and another
there on 28 April by Harry LeGrand. Two were also found at Townville, S.C., on
8 May by Sidney Gauthreaux and Frank Moore.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS: One was an unusual find in the Asheville, N.C., area at
Kenilworth Lake on 10 May by Chris Rustay. An inland visitor was also present
at the Winston-Salem, N.C., city sewage treatment ponds 6-8 June, fide Ramona
Snavely.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS: One was seen on 16 and 17 July and two on 26 July at the
Winston-Salem, N.C., sewage treatment ponds, reported by Ramona Snavely.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: A good inland count of 30 was recorded at Winston-Salem,
N.C., on 3 April by Charles Frost and up to 12 were present there 26-30 July, ob-
served by Ramona Snavely et al. Elsewhere in the piedmont, one was seen near
Pendleton, S.C., on 12 July by Harry LeGrand.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: One was an unusual spring visitor on 15 May at
Clemson, S.C., seen by Harry LeGrand, Sidney Gauthreaux, and Frank Moore.
At the Winston-Salem, N.C., sewage treatment ponds, five were found on 21 May
and six on 22 May by Fran Baldwin, Charles Frost, James Orgain, and Ramona
Snavely. Four more were seen there on 16 June as well as a single bird on 7 July by
the same observers.

LEAST SANDPIPER: A good inland count of 25 was recorded at Wildwood Lake in
Caswell County, N.C., on 18 May by Plumer Wiseman, and one was seen near
Townville, S.C., on 6 July by Harry LeGrand. At Winston-Salem, N.C., up to 12
were seen at the city’s sewage treatment ponds during July as reported by Ramona
Snavely.

DUNLIN: Twelve were recorded inland at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 9 May by Fran
Baldwin et al, and another at Raleigh, N.C., on 10 May by Clyde Smith and Chris
Marsh.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: Two were seen on 6 June and one on 30 July at the
Winston-Salem, N.C., sewage treatment ponds, fide Ramona Snavely.

SANDERLING: Three were present, along with three Western Sandpipers, at the
Winston-Salem, N.C., sewage treatment ponds on 16 July, Ramona Snavely.

Winter 1976

19

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: One was seen at the Hatteras Island, N.C., ferry
dock on 28 June by Mike Browne.

RING-BILLED GULL: Three birds, all immatures, were seen on 18 May near Ashe-
ville, N.C., by Robert Ruiz, an uncommon sighting at that inland location.

BONAPARTE’S GL1LL: Very unusual summer occurrences were recorded at Morehead
City, N.C., where individuals were seen on 21 and 29 June by John Fussell.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: One was seen at Pea Island N.W.R. on the North
Carolina Outer Banks on 17 May by N.F. Williamson.

GULL-BILLED TERN: An individual was seen on 15 and 16 July at Salem Lake near
Winston-Salem, N.C., by Fran Baldwin, Charles Frost and Ramona Snavely, an
unexpected inland occurrence and the first for Forsyth County.

COMMON TERN: Three were seen inland at Lake Gaston, Warren County, N.C., on
3 June by Harry LeGrand.

LEAST TERN: One was found well inland at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on
3 June by Sidney Gauthreaux and Gene Hayes.

BLACK TERN: Two were seen near Bennettsville, S.C., on 12 July by Robin Carter
and Stanley Alford, and one was seen at Salem Lake near Winston-Salem, N.C., on
16 July by Wayne Irvin.

GROUND DOVE: Nesting was reported during the 1975 summer season at Topsail
Beach, N.C., by Mrs. Emma Thomson, fide David Lee. The species is said to have
been breeding there for the past three years.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: Eleven were seen and heard in the vicinity of
Wayah Bald in western Macon County, N.C., on 1 July by Harry LeGrand. This
tall>' is noteworthy because sapsuckers are generally thought to be rather uncom-
mon as breeders in the southern Appalachians.

GRAY KINGBIRD: One was seen on 13 June at Topsail Beach, N.C., by Gail White-
hurst.

W ILLOW FLYCATCHER: Three individuals were heard singing in Jackson County,
N.C., in the vicinity of Cullowhee on 8 June by Harry LeGrand.

HORNED LARK: An individual was seen on 4 June at Carolina Sandhills N.W.R.,
Chesterfield County, S.C., by Paul McKenzie. Elsewhere, one was seen at Sea-
forth Lake, Chatham County, N.C., on 26 June by Robin Carter. No evidence
of nesting was indicated at either location.

BANK SWALLOW: Two early fall transients were seen at Clemson, S.C., on 12 July by
Harry LeGrand.

BARN SWALLOW : This species us continuing to increase as a summer resident in
eastern North Carolina. It is reported to be breeding commonly in Nash County
by Louis Fink, and field work this summer by Merrill Lynch established nesting
records for Bertie, Hertford, Gates, Perquimans, Washington, Tyrrell, and Dare
Counties.

CEDAR WAXWING: A few apparently summered in the Winston-Salem, N.C., area as
evidenced by eight sightings of individuals during the period mid- June through
mid-July, reported by Kevin Hintsa and Ramona Snavely.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: A pair was seen feeding young near Morehead City, N.C.,
in late May by John Fussell, a rare nesting record for that coastal locality.

RED-EYED VIREO: One was found in spruce-fir forest above the 6600-foot elevation
near the summit of Mount Mitchell in Yancey County, N.C., on 17 July by David
Lee.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: A rare spring record for the Asheville, N.C., area is
represented by a specimen found dead after hitting a window there on 21 April,

20

The Chat

fide Robert Ruiz (specimen to Warren Wilson College).

SWAINSON’S WARBLER: Singing males were found to be very common along US
178 near Rocky Bottom in Pickens County, S.C., where 16 were counted on 5 June
by Sidney Gauthreaux, Paul Hamel, and Harry LeGrand. Elsewhere, a new summer
record for the piedmont was noted at Stone Mountain in Wilkes County, N.C.,
where a singing male was found on 16 July by David Lee.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: Two males were heard singing near East Lake in Dare
County, N.C., on 11 June by Merrill Lynch. Elsewhere in the coastal plain, a sing-
ing male was found near Merrimon in Carteret County, N.C., on 19 June by John
Fussell.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: One was seen and heard at Moore’s Knob
in Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, N.C., on 7 June by Robert Teulings.

BOBOLINK: An unusual late-June occurrence was recorded at Seaforth Lake in Cha-
tham County, N.C., where a male was seen on 26 June by Robin Carter.

NORTHERN ORIOLE: An uncommon piedmont nesting was recorded at Winston-
Salem, N.C., where a pair was seen feeding young on 5 June by Ramona Snavely.

DICKCISSEL: A nesting attempt was reported at Pendleton, S.C., by Harry LeGrand,
who found a male on territory there in May and later observed a female carrying
nesting material on 27 May. Subsequent observations indicated, however, that the
attempt failed and the site was abandoned; no birds were seen after 14 June.

RED CROSSBILL: One was found in the western area of Fort Bragg Military Reserva-
tion, Hoke County, N.C., on 8 July by Jay Carter.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: An individual in adult plumage was seen on 26 July
at Braswell’s Farm near Rocky Mount, N.C., by Louis Fink.

Winter 1976

21

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership _ $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

i

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

C'H-'?

The Chat

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Vol. 40

SPRING 1976

No. 2

No. 2

The Chat

Vol. 40 Spring 1976

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices. Subscription price $5.00 per year.

Affiliated with National Audubon Society

CONTENTS

Breeding Season Habitat and Distribution of the Red-breasted

Nuthatch in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountain

Province, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 23

Book Review 25

CBC Roundtable 26

Christmas Bird Count — 1975 28

General Field Notes 44

An Eared Grebe Collected in North Carolina,

Micou M. Browne 44

Broad-winged Hawks at Pea Island N.W.R., Ricky Davis 44

Apparent Nesting of Red-breasted Nuthatches

in Rockingham County, N.C., Edward Burroughs 45

Briefs for the Files 46

CB@

OUR COVER — Jack Dermid photographed a female
Prothonotary Warbler tending her nest in an old pump at
Camp Bryan, Lake Ellis, N.C. (photo courtesy N.C. Wild-
life Resources Commission). Three drawings by John
Henry Dick appear in the Spring Chat: Hooded Warbler,
page 27; Osprey, page 44; and Bald Eagle, page 46.

BREEDING SEASON HABITAT AND
DISTRIBUTION OF THE RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH IN THE SOUTHERN
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

According to the A.O.U. Check-list (1957) the Red-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta
canadensis) nests widely through Canada, the northern United States, and down the
Appalachian highlands to its southern breeding limit in eastern Tennessee and western
North Carolina. Pearson et al. (1959) state that the species breeds on “some of the higher
mountains” but give no details of habitat selection. Despite evidence to the contrary,
it is commonly believed that the bird is strictly confined during the breeding season to
forests of red spruce ( Picea rubens) and Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri) in the mountain re-
gion. This paper reviews data indicating that the Red-breasted Nuthatch utilizes at
least three distinct forest types in the southern Blue Ridge Province during the spring
and summer months.

HABITAT TYPES

1. Spruce-fir Forests. The so-called Canadian zone or boreal forests of red
spruce and Fraser fir are the major habitat used by the Red-breasted Nuthatch in the
southern Appalachians, and the bird has been reported during the breeding season
from every known stand of this community-type in the region. Briefly, the nuthatch
has been thoroughly documented as a common summer resident in spruce-fir forests
of the Great Smoky Mountains (Stupka 1963); northern Great Balsam Mountains, Plott
Balsam Mountains, southern Great Balsam Mountains, Pisgah Ridge, Shining Rock
Ledge, Blue Ridge Mountains, Nantahala Mountains, and Long Hope Creek in Watauga
County (Simpson, present study); Black Mountains (Brewster 1886, Cairns 1889,
Simpson 1972); Grandfather Mountain (Alexander 1973; Simpson, present study); Roan
Mountain (Ganier 1936; Fred Behrend, pers. com.); and the Mt. Rogers- Whitetop area
of Virginia (J.J. Murray 1952; Simpson, present study). Breeding densities have been
reported from the Smokies by Alsop (1970) and the Black Mountains by Adams (1959),
while documented nestings have been described in the Smokies (Stupka 1963), Black
Mountains (Burleigh 1941, Cairns 1889), and Roan Mountain (Ganier 1936).

2. Hemlock Forests. The eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis) is a fairly common
forest tree through most of the southern Appalachians, where it may occur locally in
fairly dense stands as a major canopy dominant. There are four known localities in the
southern Blue Ridge where Red-breasted Nuthatches have been seen in this forest
type during the breeding season. At Highlands, Macon County, N.C., the bird has been
observed in hemlock forests since Brewster (1886) first noted a pair in an “extensive
‘laurel swamp’ shaded by giant hemlocks” at an elevation of 1220 m (4000 feet) in
late May 1885. There are many subsequent records of the species from the Highlands
Plateau, particularly in the vast hemlock stand known as the Primeval Forest or
Ravenel’s Woods. The observations have been summarized by Stevenson (1941) and
Johnston (1964), while additional records are found in the biota files of the Highlands
Biological Station. These sightings have been at elevations from 1130 m (3700 feet) to
1220 m (4000 feet). In the Unicoi Mountains along the state line between North Caro-
lina and Tennessee, Ganier and Clebsch (1946) found two Red-breasted Nuthatches in
a grove of virgin hemlock at 1341 m (4400 feet) in Graham County, N.C. during their
exploration of the range in June 1944. In the Great Craggy Mountains, Buncombe
County, N.C., I have found three to five pairs of Red-breasted Nuthatches during June
1970 and 1971 in the magnificent hemlock stand at Craggy Mountain Scenic Area in
the headwaters of Carter Creek at an elevation of 1220 m (4000 feet). Finally, I have

Spring 1976

23

seen one to three pairs of the nuthatch on numerous occasions during the summer
months in the hemlock woods bordering Sim’s Creek at 1097 m (3600 feet) along the
Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County, N.C. Although hemlock occurs at all eleva-
tions in the mountains, the nuthatch has been reported only from sites between 1097
m (3600 feet) and 1341 m (4400 feet). I am not aware of any nesting records or popula-
tion density studies from this habitat type.

3. White Pine Forests. The white pine ( Pinus strobus) is a common forest tree in
western North Carolina, and in some locales it may form almost solid stands, a notable
example occurring near the Highlands Biological Station, Macon County, N.C. At this
site, Red-breasted Nuthatches have been seen on many occasions during June and July
by Henry Stevenson, Thelma Howell, J. Cheek, and Toliver Crunkleton (pers. com.;
biota cards, Highlands Biological Station). I noted a pair of these nuthatches in the
white pines at the Biological Station throughout the month of June 1969, although no
evidence of nesting was found. The elevation of this site is 1170 m (3840 feet).

SUMMARY

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a permanent resident in the southern Blue Ridge
Mountains where it occurs during the breeding season in three distinct types of conif-
erous woodlands. The majority of the birds utilize the high elevation forests of spruce
and fir above 1372 m (4500 feet), but the species also inhabits hemlock stands between
1097 m (3600 feet) and 1341 m (4400 feet) in at least four widely separated locales. At
Highlands the nuthatch has been reported in white pine stands at 1170 m (3840 feet).

Bent (1948) mentions nesting in spruce, fir, hemlock, pine, and a variety of hard-
wood forests; so the occurrence of the species in these forest types in the southern
Appalachians is consistent with its selections elsewhere.

The southern breeding limit of the bird in the eastern United States is on the
Highlands Plateau, Macon County, N.C. Observers should be alert to document addi-
tional sites where this bird occurs as a summer resident so that its breeding range can
be completely mapped out in western North Carolina.

LITERATURE CITED

Adams, D.A. 1959. Breeding bird survey: Fraser’s fir forest. Audubon Field Notes
13:464.

Alexander, W.C. 1973. Abundance and habitat preferences of birds on the slopes of
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, April-November. J. of the Elisha Mitchell
Sci. Soc. 89:92-100.

Alsop, F.J., III. 1970. A census of a breeding bird population in a virgin spruce fir forest
on Mt. Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Migrant 41:49-55.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American birds. Lord Balit-
more Press, Baltimore.

Bent, A.C. 1948. Life histories of North American nuthatches, wrens, thrashers, and
their allies. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 195. U.S. Gov. Printing Office, Wash., D.C.
Brewster, W. 1886. An ornithological reconnaissance in western North Carolina. Auk
3:94-112, 173-179.

Burleigh, T.D. 1941. Bird life on Mt. Mitchell. Auk 58:334-345.

Cairns, J.S. 1889. The summer birds of Buncombe Co., North Carolina. Orn. and Ool.
14:17-23.

Ganier, A.F. 1936. Summer birds of Roan Mountain. Migrant 7:83-86.

Ganier, A.F. and A. Clebsch. 1946. Breeding birds of the Unicoi Mountains. Migrant
17:53-59.

Johnston, D.W. 1964. The birds of Highlands, North Carolina, with a preliminary list
from Cashiers and nearby gorges. J. of the Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 80:29-38.
Murray, J.J. 1952. Check-list of the birds of Virginia. Va. Soc. of Orn.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. Birds of North Carolina.

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1972. Annotated check-list of the birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park,
North Carolina. J. of the Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 88:244-251.

24

The Chat

Stevenson, H.M., Jr. 1941. Summer residents of the Highlands, North Carolina, region.
Oriole 6:41-48.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Univ. of
Tenn. Press, Knoxville.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
21205, 15 February 1976. [ Present address: P. O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C. 28677.]

BOOK REVIEW

AUTUMN HAWK FLIGHTS. Donald S. Heintzelman, Rutgers University Press,
30 College Avenue, New Brunswick, N.J. 08903, 1975. 399 p. Ulus. Index. $30.00.

Hawks, unlike most birds, migrate during the day; consequently their sometimes
spectacular flights south in the fall are witnessed and enjoyed by thousands of en-
thusiastic birdwatchers. An interest in migration, and a general fascination with birds
of prey, have for many years brought uncounted numbers of people to key points in
the eastern United States where the southern passage of hawks can be observed and
their numbers counted.

Much has been learned about the timing of these flights, the navigational princi-
ples involved, and the weather systems that influence them. In fact, more is known
about the migratory patterns of North American hawks than about those of most birds.
This knowledge spawns more questions, and the answers to some of them could have
far reaching merit. Perhaps I am just trying to justify the hours which many of us have
squandered watching hawks, but somehow the data gathered should provide informa-
tion on hawk population trends. Then, because of the hawks’ role as a top predator
in complex food webs, this information could be used to help assess the status of
entire communities.

If you are interested in any of these problems, or are simply captivated by soar-
ing hawks, you will find Autumn Hawk Flights an interesting reference. The author
has assembled a great deal of information, much of which comes from reports and
other sources which could otherwise be difficult to obtain. The text has six parts: (1)
an introduction describing methods of observation and identification; (2) a survey of
the known eastern hawk lookouts; (3) “Raptor Morphology, Anatomy, and Flight”;
(4) and (5) discussions of migration and weather and of migration routes; and (6)
on the evolution of the Broad-winged Hawk. The book contains 40 figures, 60 tables,
48 maps, 88 black-and-white photographs, and an extensive bibliography.

Despite containing a wealth of useful information, many of the 18 chapters do
not live up to their ambitious titles. (Part 6 is particularly weak.) The tables, figures,
and maps vary considerably in value. Most of the pictures are good shots of hawks
in flight, and much can be learned from them. Others, mostly of various lookouts and
people peering through binoculars, contribute little, except possibly to the cost of
the book. This already is unnecessarily high and could have been held down by more
judicious editing. Much of the material in the book stems from Heintzelman’s own
observations on Bake Oven Knob in Pennsylvania, and most of the rest is from a
relatively confined area of the central Atlantic states. Some of the author’s opinions
and speculations do not seem justified in view of scant data.

Hopefully, future editions will show improvement, for in all fairness the book is
a useful one that, judging from the crowds at Hawk Mountain, should have a large
audience. Perhaps CBC members will be inspired by the lack of data on hawk move-
ments in the Carolinas and will not be influenced by Heintzelman’s belief that only
those observations from places receiving large volumes of hawk traffic are significant.
— DAVID LEE, 1 September 1975.

Spring 1976

25

CB©

^V^tywuAiJoJi)K£-

. . with Louis C. Fink

Museum Announces New Journal

The North Carolina State Museum of Natural History announces a new journal,
BRIMLEYANA, the Bulletin of the N.C. State Museum. Contents will emphasize the
zoology and general ecology of the southeastern United States, especially North Caro-
lina and adjacent areas. Consecutively numbered issues will appear at irregular inter-
vals. Information for potential contributors to BRIMLEYANA may be obtained from
the Editor (Dr. John E. Cooper, Director of Research and Collections), and purchase
and exchange information from the Managing Editor (Mrs. Sarah S. Robinson, Direc-
tor of Publications) at: N.C. State Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 27647, Raleigh,
N.C. 27611. Dr. John B. Funderburg, Director of the Museum, is Editor-in-Chief.

Summer Decline of Mockingbirds in South Carolina

Paul A. Stewart, 203 Mooreland Drive, Oxford, N.C. 27565, has published a report
in The Journal of Wildlife Management relating to the absence of Mockingbirds
( Mimus polyglottos) from agricultural areas in South Carolina during the late summer.
Using a method outlined in his article, Dr. Stewart verified that the birds were reason-
ably abundant in urban and suburban areas in the same vicinity, and also abundant
in agricultural areas in North Carolina. He postulates that the high loss of Mocking-
birds may be due to the high acreage devoted to cotton and the insecticides sprayed
from airplanes: Azodrin and Monocrotophos. Stewart admits that more study is
needed and invites readers of Chat to make personal observations.

Colonial Bird Register

National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology have
organized the Colonial Bird Register to establish a computerized data base for the
collection and dissemination of information concerning birds that nest in colonies.
CBC members who have an opportunity to study colonial breeders are invited to be-
come cooperators in the program. For further information, write Donald A. McCrim-
mon, Director, Colonial Bird Register, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159
Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14853. Many CBC members will recall
having met Dr. McCrimmon during his graduate student days at North Carolina State
University in Raleigh.

Former CBC Officer Dies

Mecklenburg Audubon Society members were saddened to learn that Beatrice
Brown Potter, widow of George C. Potter, died at Woodland Hills, California, on
17 March 1976. She was 81 years old. Bea Potter lived in Charlotte from 1942 until

26

The Chat

1970, during which time she served as secretary of Carolina Bird Club for 5 years and
held various offices in Mecklenburg Audubon Society, including the presidency.

County Bird Lists Needed for North Carolina Checklist

Your help is needed in preparing an annotated checklist of the birds of North
Carolina. The Carolina Bird Club Research and Records Committees are compiling
a booklet summarizing our present knowledge of the status and distribution of those
bird species that have been recorded in the state. The publication, which will be
available to all naturalists in the area, will consist of two parts: (1) an annotated list of
the birds with descriptions of their geographical distribution, seasonal occurrence, and
relative abundance, and (2) a set of county outline maps showing the status of each
species in those counties where the bird is known to have been seen.

Committee members need your help to determine the status of the various avian
species in the places where you have gone birding. Despite the fact that people have
been observing birds in North Carolina for over a century, there are many areas from
which no bird records have ever been obtained. Checklists have been published from
only about a dozen of our 100 counties. As a result, there is a dismaying lack of detailed
information regarding the exact distribution of even our common birds.

Worksheets and instructions for completing them are available from Dr. Marcus
B. Simpson, Jr., P.O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C. 28677. By filling out a worksheet for
your home county or favorite vacation spot, you can provide records that will make
the distribution maps far more reliable than they otherwise would be. Without your
help, there may be conspicuous “holes” in the known distribution of many species. The
worksheets have been designed so you can provide valuable information without
spending a lot of time and effort typing a lengthy bird list or writing notes in long-
hand.

The contribution of each participant will be acknowledged, and the worksheets
will be filed at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural History in Raleigh for use
at a later time in preparing a new edition of Birds of North Carolina. — MARK SIMP-
SON, P.O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

Spring 1976

27

J0qiu8oea LZ
O N "OQ ©qiuooung

Ajenuep £
O N “OQ Aj9a\/

jaqiuaoaQ lz
O N ‘pJBA0jg

j0qiu8O8a 62
O N 'uoAjj

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N "°0 l|9^P|B0

jaquiaoaa lz
O S ‘ailjAuaajo

jaqiuaoaa lz
O N '3J10|jeqo

AjBnuBf p
O N "00 II9PSJI

jaqiuaoaa 02
O N ‘Ajunoo A|UBJS

AjBnuBf £
O N ‘LuaiBS-uojsuiM

AjBnuBp £
O N ‘OJOqsuaaao

jaqiuaoaa \z
O N "00 u)Bq6u|>(0oy

AjBnuBp p
O N ll!H |9dBM0

jaqiuaoaa 12
O N ‘UJBqjna

jaquiaoaa OZ
O N 'q6!a|By

AjBnuer p
O N 'sp|dBy a>|ouBoy

jaqiuaoaa 82

O S 'ua>|!V

jaqiuaoaa 02
O S eiqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O S "oo aouajou

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N 'sauid ujaqinos

AjBnuBp p
O N ‘aiMAanaABj

jaqiuaoaa YZ
O N "°0 ooiiiuBd

jaquiaoaa 82

O N "00 UOjnBag

O T- CO CO (D ^ 10 COCO <S) T-

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S 'uo)sa|jBqo

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O S ‘a||!AUB||a|00|AI

AjBnuBf p— O S

S| sAa|MBd-pia!jqo)!"|

jaquiaoaa LZ
O N 'uo»6u!iu|!M

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O N ‘AliO peaqajo^i

jaquiaoaa 08

O N "S| Bad-eipog

CO CO • T- CO

O CM -1-

S :s :§§££

CO CO CD CO T-

-8

O CD CD iDlDOCOlDOCDT-TtcO

t- CD • t-

sjenpjAipU!

IBJOl

C/5 O

O 0)0(0

CD O CD CO CO O

Oh- ^COWCD 0)NC0O

CO h o

^s5.Si

ij.a.&ffg

I? Ss rl

= ~ 0) o

<D U) ■- c -

^ in co

C JD

o s « o I e « la c S 2 | il c o 5 i S

0trtEiQ.mCDCD0<00_i0C3w_icD>_i<C3550

O -a Q m _

5 .E

= k ?

s fc £ 1 8 f 8 i I

C5 iiOod<z5[eo:OC3

3

3 : : : S

00

:

:

CD

CO CM CD

- ■

36

7

2

1

13

3

1

CD

■' S

• in

'CM

• h-

;? - : :

:

• O)

: ® :

o

- :

4

1

2

2

14

: :»

: 8 :

O?

57

3

32

■ CO CO

—

• •»— • 't o m

:

: 8 :

: : : : : :8 : :

: 8 : : ^ :

: R : : - £ - ■ ■

:

:§ ;

:

CM CO

3 26

1 45

7 7

1 1

? 30

5 2

:

|8 ;*

O)

: ff ; : " :

Nr- N ■

: ? :

- 05 :

26

57

224

123

1

4

3

46

1

- :

: : 5

: 3 : *

2

697

130

7

22

: ^ 8

■■

1 36

i 6

5

! 20

l 6

o

: : 8

:g ;

: :S :

: 8 ; : - 8 :

• CO

: 8 :

: " : : ' :

4

20

2

• m

CO

:a :

: :J3 :

:

: ^ ^ ^ :

: ^ :

: ;s

:S :

1 2275

: 2 : ; - :

101

106

: 8 :

a ■ ■

: “ : : “ :

• • o • ■

3

8 12

4 1

:

CM

05

: S

• ■ • t- CM

1 14

i

3 16

3 : : 00 :

■ 5 ■

:r

CM

• co • • t- in

Tt

00

1069

:?3 :

1461

7

119

2

426

315

85

: °

98

62

4

6

36

17

-R :

:

:

49

3

2

33

461

429

119

6

33

185

158

5

4

co co

15

100

2

8

150

: 8 8

: “

64

20

6

35

4

^ !G :

-

:

1

15

1

50

1000

150

: ^ 5 £ - Si :

i

42

25

* • -a- m

CM

• ■ t- m

: ^ °

: ~

• r- in • co in •

• CD r-

- -S3

5

28

589

12

5

~ 12 8 8 ; * :

: - 3 :

• CO t- t-

m

CO CM

8 J 3

:8

23

4

6

2

17

2

: :

■ CM t-
m

|3 :

:®?s“®8naS|JS" :

i

128

24

20

73

:

S " 3

: ~

5

5

12

6

o>

: ^ 5

: 5 :

1

219

32

515

26

113

44

642

87

:§

: £ ^ w ~

: 5 :

10

48

• o r-

2

8

9

2

910

10

347

2

2

52

: ;s

M’S5"

80

2256

704

1640

377

174

74

31

364

80

3

3

“S*

3

15

643

716

17

11

117

35

13

127

7930

778

213

«S5i*ar

"-IS

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O N "OQ aqiuooung

Ajenuep e
O N "°0 ^J3AV

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O N 'pjeAajg

jaqiuaoaa 62
O N 'uoAji

jaqujaoaa 62
O N "°0 IISmpibo

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O S 'aiiiAuaajQ

jaqujaoaa LZ
O N ‘9UO|jeqo

Ajenuep p
O N "oo iiapaj|

jaqiuaoaa 02
O N 'A»unoo A|ubjs

AjBnuBp e
O N 'uia|BS-uojsu!/v\

AjBnuBp £
O N 'ojoqsuaajo

jaqiuaoaa VZ
O N "oo iuBq6u!>poy

Ajeoubp p
O N 'll! H IsdBqo

jaqiuaoaa 1.2
O N 'uJBqjna

jaqiuaoaa 02
O N ‘MBiaiBg

AjBnuBp p

O N ‘spidBg a>|0UB6u

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S '03NIV

jaqiuaoaa 02
O S 'Bjqujnioo

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O S "00 80U3JOIJ

jaqiuaoaa 82
O N 'sauid ujaqjnos

AjBnuep p
O N 'siliAaijaABd

jaqiuaoaa 12
O N "°0 ooqiuBd

jaqujaoaa 82

O N "°0 IJOjnBag

jaqiuaoaa 82
O S 'uojsaiJBqo

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O S '3||!AUB||a|00|A|

AjBnuep p — O S

■S| sAa|AABd-piaqqoin

jaqujaoaa LZ
O N 'uoiBujuiiiM

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O N '^l!0 PBaqajou\|

jaqujaoaa 08

O N "S| Bad-aipog

S|Bnp|A|pu!

|B)01

p O jo
(0 O O)
tr d
I tr
O m

o o o o co • o r-

o o O t- CO ■i-i-

O t— CO CO ■ CO CM r-

O O <J>

t- ■ « o CM i-

ID 00 O CO

I 1 Cl

® ? £

W CD

C -O

! £ ^

o

a> _
: —

>3°

3 CD Z

? 5 I

I 3 a
CD

E E

Q T-

3 ®

£ w

-

<Si5ooO.EEmolcra
O tnQcr5a:(Dtiic/)CDco

3 S _

O o 3

■o TO O

§ 5

jaqujaoaQ iz
O N "OQ aqiuooung

Ajenuep 8
O N "oo Ajqav

j0qiu0O0a LZ
O N ‘P-iBA0jg

j0qiu0O0Q 62
O N ‘uoAjj

O) O C\J CO O)

O CO

CsJ O

co ■ co co ay

jaqiuaoaa ez

O N ‘ °0 IIOmpibo

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O S '9|l!Auaajo

jaqujaoaa LZ
O N '9liO|jeqo

XjenuBr p

O N “oo II9P9JI

jaqiuaoaa OZ
O N 'Ajunoo A|ub)s

AjBnuBp £
O N 'iua|Bs-uo;su!/v\

AjEnuep £
O N 'ojoqsuaajQ

jaqiuaoaa IZ
O N “00 iuBq6u!>(ooy

AjBnuBf p

O N ‘I I! H |9dEM0

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O N 'lUBqjna

jaqiuaoaa OZ
O N 'PBiaiBy

CD O O O

JV. c\j CO CD

^ 8

O CD CD

o o o o

CD in CO o

T- CM O O)

O T-
8

AjBnuBp p

O N ‘spjdBy a>|OUBoy

jaqiuaoaa 8Z
OS 'U9>(!V

jaqiuaoaa OZ
O S 'Eiqiunioo

jaqiuaoaa LZ
•O S “00 90U3JOIJ

jaqiuaoaa 8Z
O N ‘saujd ujaqinos

AjBnuBf p

O N '9IMA9119ABJ

jaqiuaoaa LZ
O N “00 ooiiiuBd

jaqiuaoaa 8Z
O N “00 IJOjnEag

o • • o

O O • r-

O O
O O

o’ o'

o cn cd

5 S

j0qiU0O0Q 82
O S ‘uoiS0|jeqQ

j0quj0O0a iz
O S ‘9|I!aub||0|OOIaj

Ajenuep o s

S| sA0|MBcl-P|9UM9in

j0qiu0O0a LZ
O N 'ucn6u!UJ|!M

J0qiu030a iz
O N ‘MlO PB0q0Joy\j

j0qiu0O0a oe

O N "S| B0d-9!Pog

S|enp(A!pu!

|BJ01

i- O
co O .
cr Q
i cr

O rn

O) in • co o n in

o ■ t- r-

co o o m • in co

co o cm m s o ’J ^ ■ * r-

oo cd co n co m a> m

co co

CT) C\j O CO CO -T- ^ 05 co

s 5 " 8 * :

o • in o co

CL O *

$

o

fc O

$ $
o o

OC c £

« I

Q. ~ CO

a o a d. $ «

'S) t (0 CO o Q_

05 5 ^ ^ £ co

r c: o

, O

„

« s ^ E ^ .E j S » » E w O q i i a5 » E « in a"1 i i

^^-■2"-ip5o-orc=aS5cQ, !z~ g » £ «il£jc « htjSS

2oo5oo2««i?30o.EE^^!^5«!if^

ui(rza:cDOcocQOcLajiiiOcL<cc$a:y)Oww>iriQi-OiL5>

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT — 1975

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

The 1975 Christmas Bird Count for the Carolinas was a most unusual one. Thirty-
one counts were received, 27 of which were conducted in 1974. Of these 27, 19 sur-
passed their 1974 species totals, and most of these 19 set all-time species highs. With
so many record-breaking counts in 1975, I had reason to believe that the Count as a
whole would surpass the record 227 species in 1972. (Three species reported in 1972
have since been lumped by the American Ornithologists’ Union to drop the 230 total
down to 227.) To my astonishment the 1975 grand total for species was only 212 (plus
three others seen only during count period), the lowest total in many winters.

Undoubtedly the major reason for the somewhat low species count was the un-
usually cold weather which enveloped the Carolinas from mid-December until late
in January. Thus, the record-breaking locality counts were due mostly to the observers’
ability to find the uncommon and secretive but regularly occurring species, rather than
to finding the outstanding rarities that often linger in the Carolinas during mild De-
cembers. Even though there were fewer straggling summer resident and transient
species this winter than during the past several Christmas Bird Counts, a fair number
of such stragglers were sighted. The cold weather, however, was at least partly
responsible for the best invasion of northern species in many years. The most exciting
of these northern species were two Harlequin Ducks at McClellanville; a King Eider,
Iceland Gull, and two Dovekies at Bodie-Pea Island; a Great Cormorant at Wilming-
ton; three Common Redpolls at Avery County; and a count period White-winged
Crossbill at Raleigh! Also, all of the more common winter finches ( Evening Grosbeak,
Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and Red Crossbill) made a good showing on the 1975 Count,
as did Red-breasted Nuthatches. Highlighting the straggling species were five Stilt
Sandpipers at Bodie-Pea Island, a Worm-eating Warbler at Fayetteville, a Long-billed
Curlew again at Morehead City, two Y ellow-throated Warblers at Chapel Hill, and an
Orange-crowned Warbler and a Prairie Warbler at Raleigh. In a category all by itself
was a Great White Heron at Bodie-Pea; unfortunately it is now considered only a
color phase of the Great Blue Heron, but nonetheless it is a truly remarkable record.
The King Eider, Stilt Sandpiper, Iceland Gull, and Worm-eating Warbler are first
reports for the Christmas Count, bringing the cumulative total to 283 species sighted
on count days. Readers should see the Compilers’ Comments for details on these and
other noteworthy records.

Wilmington’s 165 species, tying its all-time high set way back in 1961, led all
localities in species. Bodie-Pea was next with a record 160 species, followed by Charles-
ton (157), Morehead City (a record 155), and a commendable 151 for McClellanville’s
first Christmas count effort. Outstanding inland counts were Roanoke Rapids’ 108
species and Raleigh’s 104, both also all-time records. Fayetteville and Florence County
were welcome additions to the count table, especially since the coastal plain section
of the Count has had inadequate coverage in recent years as compared to the other
three regions of the Carolinas. Hilton Head Island and Clemson did not conduct
counts this winter, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park count was not pub-
lished because its circle has been moved slightly to the west and is essentially wholly
within Tennessee. Because of space limitations on the count table, the Dillon and
North Wilkesboro counts are located in the Compilers’ Comments section.

Slightly over two million birds were reported on the 1975 Count; three-fourths
of these were Starlings and blackbirds in roosts at Greensboro and Durham. Hawks
were reported in good variety and numbers, such as four Raid Eagles at McClellanville,
a remarkable seven Ospreys at Stanly County, and national record ten Merlins at
Bodie-Pea. Other notable high counts were 2040 Western Sandpipers and 1340 Laugh-
ing Gulls at Morehead City, an almost unbelievable 102 Caspian Terns at Charleston,
an encouraging 602 White-breasted Nuthatches on all counts (with over 80 at both
Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem), 4684 White-throated Sparrows at Roanoke Rapids,

34

The Chat

and 1850 Tree Swallows and national record 19,582 Y ellow-rumped Warblers at
Bodie-Pea! The Loggerhead Shrike continues its long-term decline, with only 167
recorded on the 29 counts on the table.

Even though the compilation of the counts continues to improve, a number of rare
species, as usual, were reported with unsatisfactory details or no details at all. I re-
jected about a dozen records, including five species that were reported on no other
count. Those without details I did not accept were: Blue- winged Teal, Broad-winged
Hawk, and Semipalmated Plover all inland; Black-capped Chickadees away from the
higher mountains; and a count period Swainsons Thrush. Species with unconvincing
or simply incomplete details that I deleted were: an Eastern Wood Pewee, a Gray-
cheeked Thrush, a Bewick’s Wren, and four Yellow Warblers. I also deleted Semi-
palmated Sandpipers from a coastal location and Black-capped Chickadees from a
high-mountain area. Although both reports might be correct, the Semipalmated Sand-
pipers and Black-capped Chickadees were not reported with details (see Compilers’
Comments for more on these two species). I also accepted a handful of questionable
sightings without details, especially when the record was not significantly different
from previously published ones.

The late Allan Cruickshank, who single-handedly edited the Christmas Bird Count
for many years for Audubon Field Notes and American Birds, was annually given
problems by observers and compilers who insisted on reporting Swainson s Hawks
from western states and Broad-winged Hawks and spotted thrushes (that aren’t
Hermit Thrushes) from throughout the country. In nearly every case those reports
were made by inexperienced observers, and few active and experienced birders have
ever seen these species in winter away from their regular wintering grounds, much
less on Christmas counts. The same situation seems to be true for Carolina reports of
Broad-winged Hawks, Swainsons Thrushes, Gray-cheeked Thrushes, and perhaps
also Wood Thrushes and Veeries. I accepted three reports of Broad-winged Hawks,
and even though they are reported from time to time in winter in the Carolinas, all
sight records should be reported with full details, as immature Red-tailed Hawks and
Red-shouldered Hawks of all ages can be confused with this species. I also believe
that Hermit Thrushes are being turned into other thrushes by inexperienced observers
on Christmas counts, and birders reporting such thrushes on winter counts need to
supply me with lengthy details (especially call note if heard) before I can be convinced
of their sightings. Despite my deletion of a handful of sightings and my concern over
the reporting of several species, I am pleased with the reporting of details of unusual
records on most counts.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C. (center: 2.7 miles SSE of Bodie Island Lighthouse).

30 December. The Great Blue Heron (white form) was seen by the Compiler and
John Williamson at Pea Island; large size, large yellowish bill, light colored legs, and
all-white plumage noted at close range. The Norman Messinger party found the Cattle
Egret and three White Ibis at Pea Island, the latter birds having been present since
late November. Least Bittern (Compiler, John Williamson) was flushed from vegata-
tion along the edge of an impoundment on Pea Island. The Compiler also saw the
female King Eider in flight over the surf; large all-brown body, stubby bill, and heavy
neck seen well. The two light phase Rough-legged Hawks (Jim Warner) were seen
together on Pea Island. The five Stilt Sandpipers were examined closely by Edmund
LeGrand and Dwight Peake at the Bodie Island Lighthouse pond and compared with
nearby Dunlins, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Long- billed Dowitchers. The long and slightly
decurved bill, eye stripe, yellowish legs, and white rump with finely spotted tail were
seen clearly. Joseph Hudick and Kenneth John saw the Parasitic Jaegers and one
Dovekie from a boat offshore, and they found another Dovekie alive and in good con-

Sprsng 1976

35

dition on the beach at Pea Island. These two observers also saw the Iceland Gull on the
north side of Oregon Inlet. The bird was in second year plumage and was slightly
smaller than Herring Gulls, had a very light coloration, smallish head, and slender all-
dark bill. Caspian Tern and Lapland Longspur were found by Richard Peake. Female
Northern Oriole (Cpmpiler) was perched at the tip of a cedar on Pea Island. The
Snow Goose total includes 14 blue phase birds, and one Savannah ( Ipswich ) Sparrow
was reported. [Very neat report with full details for all unusual observations. — HL]
—PAUL W. SYKES JR., P.O. Box 2077, Delray Beach, Fla. 33444.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point).

21 December. Most of the 3717 Double-crested Cormorants were at a roost
on Bird Shoal. Edmund LeGrand flushed the Least Bittern at close range on Bird
Shoal. Whimbrel (Harry LeGrand) was with a flock of Willets on the beach at Atlantic
Beach. Long-billed Curlew (Edmund LeGrand) was at Bird Shoal where it has been
present since December 1974 (except absent from May-July 1975). Merrill Lynch saw
the Spotted Sandpiper at Huntley’s Impoundment. Lynch also reported two Semi-
palmated Sandpipers in a remarkably large flock of 2000 Western Sandpipers at Hunt-
ley’s Impoundment; he noted the short and stocky bills and heard the “krip-krip” calls
of the Semipalmated. [Even though no specimen of the Semipalmated Sandpiper exists
for the winter season along the Atlantic coast north of Everglades National Park,
Florida (Phillips, American Birds, 1975, p. 799-806), I have accepted the sight record
as valid. Specimens, however, are greatly desired to prove beyond doubt that Semi-
palmated Sandpipers are present in winter on the Carolina coast. — HL] Ray Winstead
and the Compiler had an excellent view of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, perhaps the
same bird found on last year’s count. White-eyed Vireos (Compiler, Kevin Hintsa)
were seen at close range; one of them was heard singing the previous week. A third
bird was seen a week before the count, and a fourth was found 5 miles W of the count
circle on 10 January 1976. Female House Finch had been seen by the Compiler since
6 December at his feeder and was found on count day by John Fussell II. Hintsa ob-
served the Grasshopper Sparrow at close range, and the bird was also seen on 11
January 1976 by the Compiler. The 10 Snow Buntings (Harry and Edmund LeGrand)
were in dunes at Radio Island. Noteworthy high totals were 219 Willets, 8 Lesser
Yellowlegs, 2040 Western Sandpipers, 1340 Laughing Gulls, and 98 Short-billed Marsh
Wrens. [Excellent details for all unusual sightings. — HL] — JOHN FUSSELL III, P.O.
Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Monkey Junction in Myrtle Grove).

27 December. The immature Great Cormorant (James Parnell) was sitting on a
channel marker in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach. The white belly was seen
clearly, and the observer is familiar with the species. The Spotted Sandpiper (Edna
Appleberry, Greg Massey, Harry Latimer) was feeding at the edge of a freshwater
marsh. Parnell saw the Parasitic Jaeger. White-eyed Vireo (Willard Greene, Maurice
Barnhill) and Yellow-throated Warbler (Barnhill) were seen at Orton Plantation. Black-
and-white Warbler (Massey) and Yellow-breasted Chat (Appleberry) were studied
carefully along River Road. Barnhill and John Irvine obtained the high count of Pine
Warblers by playing a Screech Owl tape in pine barrens. A large roost of Common
Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds was present near the battleship U.S.S. North
Carolina. Jay Carter identified a Savannah ( Ipswich ) Sparrow at Carolina Beach.
[Excellent, thorough details for all noteworthy records. — HL] — FRANCES NEED-
HAM, Box 81, Wilmington, N.C. 28401.

LITCHFIELD-PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (center: entrance to North Litchfield Beach
on US 17).

4 January. The Cattle Egrets were seen by six observers. Andy, Julian, and Mar-
garet Harrison saw the Osprey; Peregrine Falcon was observed by Dennis Forsythe,
Robert Brown, and Tom Reeves. Mary Reed saw the Prairie Warbler. All four
species are somewhat scarce in the area in winter, but have been seen in previous

36

The Chat

winters and are not really unusual. Several observers, including the Compiler, thought
that there was a scarcity of all birds in the area. — FREDERICK M. PROBST, Route
2, Box 80-C2, Pawleys Island, S.C. 29585.

McCLELLANVILLE, S.C. (center: 3.5 miles NE of McClellanville and 0.5 mile NW
of Intracoastal Waterway).

21 December. The two Harlequin Ducks were seen from a shrimpboat on the
ocean just off Sandy Point, about a mile offshore. The Compiler saw a male, noting
the white stripes on the neck, white spots on the head, small size, dark plumage, and
small bill. Dennis Forsythe saw a small dark duck in the same vicinity, with white spots
on the face but no neck stripes, indicating a female bird. A total of 330 blue phase
Snow Geese were seen, as compared to only 20 white phase birds. — JAY SHULER,
P.O. Box 288, McClellanville, S.C. 29458.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

28 December. Count day was generally uneventful, with few sightings of rarities
or the more uncommon species, even though viewing conditions were better than last
year. All of the less common sparrows were missed. Species showing significant in-
creases over last year were Canvasbacks, Dunlins , bluebirds, and goldfinches. Species
down markedly from last year included American Wigeons, oystercatchers, dowitchers,
Marbled Godwits, Royal Terns, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Song Sparrows. The
Rough-legged Hawk was seen by I.S.H. and Thomas Metcalf and T.F. Hassell on
Bull’s Island; the buteo shape and white at the base of the tail were noted. [I have
included this count’s 93 Semipalmated Sandpipers in the Western Sandpiper total,
based on recent evidence by Phillips ( American Birds, 1975, p. 799-806). From now on,
thorough details must be supplied by all observers reporting Semipalmated Sandpipers
on Christmas counts, and the call note must be heard and described. — HL] — JLILIAN
R. HARRISON, Biology Department, College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance of Upper Goose Creek into Pamlico
River).

28 December. The two Red-necked Grebes (Compiler, Lauris Joyner, David
Morris) were studied at close range from a boat. The dark neck, white throat, large
and heavy straw-colored bill were seen on the birds at rest; also seen well in flight.
The immature Black-crowned Night Heron (Hugh Sterling) was one of at least three
birds seen in the area since October. — GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151 A,
Merritt, N.C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of SR 1324 and 1329 at Florence).

21 December. Green Heron (David Morris) was seen at close range in a roadside
ditch. The Osprey was heard and seen, sitting and in flight, during the week before
the count. — GERALDINE COX, address as above.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (center: Market Square in Fayetteville).

4 January. As a result of the cold and windy weather, the counts were considered
somewhat low. Worm-eating Warbler was seen by the Compiler in a bottomland wood-
lot in good light at 50 feet for 30 seconds; a brown-olivaceous warbler without wing-
bars and a dark split crown. Five Northern Shovelers (Compiler) were seen on Forest
Lake on 6 January. Derb Carter saw a Ring-billed Gull and White-crowned Sparrow
near Vander on 3 January. Carter and the Compiler saw the House Wren in a hedge-
row and noted all field marks. Dot Wyatt and Barbara Stiles found the Solitary Vireo.
[Good details for notable sightings, and a very good turnout of observers for an area
that has been without a count for many years. — HL] — PHILIP CRUTCHFIELD, 901
Montclair Road, Fayetteville, N.C. 28304.

Spring 1976

37

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 1 mile NE of Skyline).

28 December. The Common Loons (John Fussell) were at Lake Surf. The pair of
Greater Scaups (Compiler, Frances Needham, J.F. Parnell) were at a large lake in
Whispering Pines with Redheads and Canvasbacks; round head, large nail on bill, and
white wing stripe extending into the primaries were noted. The species is no longer
considered rare in the area. House Wrens were found by two parties, and a Solitary
Vireo was seen in longleaf pine woods near Southern Pines by the Compiler on 30
December. [Good details for the above records. — HL] — J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box
891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (center: Dillon).

30 December. Pied-billed Grebe 6, Great Blue Heron 2, Mallard 2, Wood Duck
10, Bufflehead 1, Hooded Merganser 12, Red-tailed Hawk 11, Red-shouldered Hawk
1, Marsh Hawk 3, American Kestrel 13, Bob white 9, American Coot 21, Killdeer 25,
Common Snipe 1, Rock Dove 6, Mourning Dove 169, Belted Kingfisher 1, Common
Flicker 17, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Red-bellied Woodpecker 4, Hairy Woodpecker 1,
Downy Woodpecker 1, Eastern Phoebe 2, Blue Jay 21, Carolina Chickadee 7, Tufted
Titmouse 3, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren 5, Mockingbird 22, Brown
Thrasher 1, American Robin 18, Hermit Thrush 1, Eastern Bluebird 9, Golden-crowned
Kinglet 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4, Water Pipit 15, Cedar Waxwing 38, Loggerhead
Shrike 3, Starling 184, Solitary Vireo 2, Yellow-rumped Warbler 10, Pine Warbler 1,
House Sparrow 38, Eastern Meadowlark 163, Red-winged Blackbird 702, Cardinal 39,
Rufous-sided Towhee 7, Savannah Sparrow 17, Vesper Sparrow 24, Dark-eyed Junco
56, Field Sparrow 3, White-throated Sparrow 174, Song Sparrow 8. Count period
species: Ruddy Duck, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, White-eyed
Vireo , Palm Warbler, Northern Oriole, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch,
Swamp Sparrow. White-eyed Vireo (Compiler) was studied in great detail on 1 Janu-
ary 1976. 53 species; 1898 individuals; 3 field observers in 2 parties, plus 2 yard
observers; 12 field-hours; 1 mile by foot; 73 miles by car. Lois McCallum, Marion
McCallum, JOHN H. WILSON (Compiler), Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (center: WOLS Radio Tower).

21 December. — E.C. CLYDE, Effingham, S.C. 29541.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (center: intersection of Gills Creek and Bluff Road).

20 December. Water Pipits were in greater numbers than usual, and practically
all sparrows listed were in much greater numbers than last year. — GILBERT BRIS-
TOW, 2921 Blossom Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

AIKEN, S.C. (center: Couchton, on Highway 215).

28 December. The very cold morning caused birding to be slow, individual num-
bers seemed to be down, and small field birds were hard to find. High usage of
herbicides and pesticides on farmlands could be a contributing cause to low numbers
of seed-eaters.-JEANNINE ANGERMAN, 1326 Evans Road, Aiken, S.C. 29801.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: 1.4 miles SE of Weldon).

4 January. Double-crested Cormorant (Chris Marsh, Barbara Pugh, Louise Parker)
was an adult seen in flight and resting on Roanoke Rapids Lake. These observers also
found the male Greater Scaup at Rochelle Pond; all field marks were checked in com-
parison with 13 Lesser Scaups. John Fussell saw the adult Snow (Blue) Goose in a
large flock of Canada Geese at the Johnston Farm on Occoneechee Neck. Northern
Shovelers were seen by two parties. Female Common Merganser was on Stevenson’s
Goose Pond and was observed by all count participants, and the female Red-breasted
Merganser (Compiler) was seen on Roanoke Rapids Lake. Paul McQuarry flushed the
Sora from a cattail marsh at Burgwynn Farm. The Spotted Sandpiper (Harry LeGrand)
was studied in great detail both in flight and feeding at the Johnston Farm. LeGrand
also saw the flock of 17 Red Crossbills in scattered pines at a pasture at the Johnston

38

The Chat

Farm. A Red-throated Loon was discovered on Roanoke Rapids Lake the week before
the count and was seen on the day prior to the count, but it could not be located on
count day. Lapland Longspurs were found for the fifth consecutive winter at Occonee-
chee Neck. Neither the longspurs nor the total of 4684 White-throated Sparrows is
considered unusual. [Thorough and indisputable details supplied for all unusual
records.— HL]— J. MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

PIEDMONT

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk and Southern RR crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

20 December. Raleigh tallied over 100 species for the second consecutive year,
this year’s total being three more than the 101 in 1974. Bluebird numbers were high
relative to previous years while American Robins were noticeably scarce. The Green
Heron was next to the causeway at Lake Wheeler and was observed by Margaret
Hobgood, Jill Berninger, Kevin Hintsa, and Chris Marsh. Marsh and his party also
found the American Bittern, Northern Shoveler, and Least Sandpipers in the Lake
Wheeler area. The Compiler flushed one Virginia Rail and heard another in response
to a taped call at Lake Benson; two birds (perhaps the same birds as on the count) were
found there 2 weeks before the count. The Long-billed Marsh Wren was seen in a
cattail-shrub marsh near Yates’ Pond by John Fussell, Harry LeGrand, and Merrill
Lynch; the call note was heard and the streaked back and white eye-stripe were seen
well. Solitary Vireo (Will Post) was at Yates’ Pond among a group of small birds that
responded to an imitation of Screech Owl calls. The Orange-crowned Warbler was at
Ann Bent’s feeder in Raleigh for several weeks prior to the count, and it was seen on
and after count day by many birders. All field marks and creeping habit of the Black-
and-white Warbler were noted by George Hervey. Fussell found the Prairie Warbler
in young pines along the edge of Lake Wheeler; he saw the tail-wagging, side streak-
ing, typical face pattern, and light belly and breast. Four Bonaparte’s Gulls (Harry
and Edmund LeGrand, Ray Winstead) were at Lake Wheeler on the day before the
count, and three Turkeys were seen by Nelson Chadwick at Umstead State Park the
day after the count. By far the most unusual sighting was the White-winged Cross-
bill (probably a female) seen by Mike Browne at his parents’ feeder on 17 December.
It was with several Purple Finches, and the crossed mandibles and white wing bars
were noted at close range. This is the second record for the species in Wake County,
the first having occurred in 1907. [Good details for the many noteworthy species
seen on the count. — HL] — R.J. HADER, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

DURHAM, N.C. (center: 1 mile N and 1 mile E of junction of Eno River and US 501).

21 December. The Solitary Vireo (Mark Huff, John Horn) was seen at 10 meters
and also was seen 2 days before the count. Black-and-white Warbler (John and
Nancy Spahr) was creeping on trees along the Eno River. The Compiler had the Dark-
eyed Junco X White-throated Sparrow hybrid at his feeder with a large flock of
White-throated Sparrows. This is almost undoubtedly the same bird that frequented
his feeder last winter. [Neat report with excellent details. — HL] — NORMAN BUD-
NITZ, Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, N.C. 27706.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: intersection of Columbia and Franklin Streets in
Chapel Hill).

4 January. The Chapel Hill area seems to be attracting more waterfowl in recent
years, especially at Eastwood Lake, a residential lake in town. Probable reasons for
the increase are the cleaning up of this once polluted lake and the feeding of grain to
domestic Canada Geese and domestic ducks that attract other waterfowl. Horned
Grebe was on Eastwood Lake, first found several days before the count by Angelo
Capparella and Stanley Alford. The American Wigeon (Compiler, Ida Lee Winkler)
was also on Eastwood Lake. The adult Black-crowned Night Heron (Deane McGinnis)
was seen in a marsh along NC 54 about 1.5 miles E of Chapel Hill at 07:30. The black
crown, solid white underparts, and short legs were seen clearly. All 45 Black Vultures

Spring 1976

39

were at one roost. The two Yellow-throated Warblers had been at Ruth McLean’s
feeder all winter and were confirmed by Bill Wagner. Interestingly, the Compiler had
seen an individual of this species at a neighbor’s feeder on 9 February 1975, and it was
seen both before and after that date during the winter. Also, Robin Carter saw a
Yellow-throated Warbler in the vicinity in December 1975. [Good details for the above
species. — HL] — BARBARA ROTH, 7 Lone Pine Road, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (center: Rockingham Community College Student
Center).

21 December. Red Crossbills were reported by two parties. The absence of
Eastern Phoebes on the count was surprising. [The Compiler submitted statistics from
the count showing the value of using tape recordings of Screech Owl calls to attract
songbirds. The interesting results from his study would make a good field note for
Chat.— HL]— EDWARD BURROUGHS, 921 Seymour Court, Eden, N.C. 27288.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: Radio Station WBIG transmitter tower).

3 January. The weather (overcast with moderate rain in the morning) kept many
birds and birders under cover through much of the day. There would not have been
a high count on individual birds if it had not been for the large blackbird roost in the
count area.— DONALD ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

3 January. The 91 species surpasses the previous high of 88 in 1973. The Common
Mergansers (Fran Baldwin, Quincey Stoker) were females seen at close range on
Salem Lake. Single Green Herons were found at two locations on count day: at Mal-
lard Lake in Tanglewood Park Paul Spain saw one that had been seen since 20
December, and the other was at Conrad Lake (Louise Gossett, Sue Moore, Ann
Pollard). There were two separate sightings of Gray Catbirds (Kevin Hintsa, Ramona
Snavely). An unusually high number of Water Pipits were at the Sewage Treatment
Plant. White-crowned Sparrows continue to increase in numbers in the Winston-Salem
area. [Excellent details for unusual sightings. — HL] — RAMONA SNAVELY, 115
Plymouth Avenue, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104, and FRAN M. BALDWIN, 1030
Englewood Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River bridge on Chipley Ford
Road).

4 January. Although the count day was very cold and windy, the results were
fairly good. Rufous-sided Towhees seemed to be scarce, but more than the normal
numbers of hawks, vultures, and woodpeckers were counted. The Broad-winged
Hawk was seen by Frank Sherrill near the Statesville Arts and Science Museum, where
it is seen year-round. The Compiler saw the bird at this location during the count
period but not on count day. Lois Goforth reported the House Wren. — JANE S.
MULLEN, 4125 Camelot Drive, Apt. A-3, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. (center: 2 miles W of Badin at main crossroad in Pales-
tine).

20 December. Barrett Crook and Harold Morris saw the two Red-throated Loons
at close range on Badin Lake; the upturned bill and gray back were visible on the
birds. They also saw the 23 Horned Grebes and remarkable seven Ospreys at Badin
Lake. Saw-whet Owl was heard by Naomi Goforth at the Girl Scout camp, where
the species has been seen and heard consistently by experienced birders on Christmas
and Spring counts for several years. The Red Crossbills (Vera Crook) were observed
at close range on top of Morrow Mountain. — DAVID BURNEY, Route 2, Box 211,
Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).
27 December. The Horned Grebe (Flo Cobey and party) was seen at Creech’s

40

The Chat

Pond in northeastern York County, S.C. For the second consecutive year the Hermit
Thrush was missed. Refuse disposal by landfills and ever increasing urbanization
seem to have all but eliminated the vultures in the area. The northern finch invasion
here has been almost nil in spite of predictions for a favorable year. — BECKY and
JOE NORWOOD, 1329 Goodwin Avenue, Charlotte, N.C. 28205.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: intersection of highways 291 and 29).

27 December.— ROSA LEE HARDIN, Star Route, Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

NORTH WILKESRORO, N.C. (center: North Wilkesboro).

1 January. [Because only 21 species and 118 individual birds were reported, it
would be of no value to list each species and the respective totals. Noteworthy species
were a Long-eared Old and a House Finch. — HL]. 2 field observers in 1 party; 9
field-hours; 10 miles by foot; 16 miles by car. Louise and Wendell Smith. — WENDELL
P. SMITH, 911 E Street, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

29 December.— HELEN E. MYERS, 310 Beall Street NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

TRYON, N.C. (center: Tryon RR Station).

29 December. On 2 January 1976 several observers censused a blackbird roost at
Route 108 and Howard Gap Road. Approximately 450,000 birds were seen, includ-
ing Common Crackles, Starlings, Rusty Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and
probably a few Red-winged Blackbirds. [Why wasn’t the roost censused on count
day?— HL]— MARGARET P. SKELTON, Forest Avenue, Route 2, Landrum, S.C.
29356.

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 5 miles SE of Brevard at Rich Mountain Lookout Tower).

27 December. The Great Blue Heron and Bufflehead (Ercel and George Francis)
were found at Reasonover Lake, at 3000 feet elevation. Wood Duck was on one of the
large lakes at nearby Sherwood Forest. Pied-billed Grebes were found in the open
portion of a large lake at Camp Carolina, in the valley within Brevard. The two
Tree Sparrows were seen by Lynn Hiller and Lydia Barrett in a brushy area near a
stream; field marks noted were rusty cap and clear breast with one dark spot. The 54
Killdeers were high, but in low numbers were American Robin , both kinglets, and
Pine Siskin; Cedar Waxwings and Common Grackles were totally missed. The total
number of all birds was the lowest ever. [The Compiler submitted a very informative
summary of the four-year count totals. — HL] — WALTER C. HOLLAND JR., 290
Maple Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740 in Swan-
nanoa).

3 January. — ROBERT RUIZ, 300 Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance to Grandfather Mountain toll road).

3 January. Roland Sargent identified the three Common Redpolls in flight by
small finch size and call note. [The 29 Black-capped Chickadees counted on Beech
Mountain, where 16 Carolina Chickadees also were counted, have been deleted be-
cause no details were reported. I do not rule out the possibility that the Black-capped
may winter in the higher mountains in ranges away from the breeding grounds, as the
species is partially migratory to the north of North Carolina; but without strongly
supporting details, records from such areas cannot be accepted. — HL] — MARGERY
PLYMIRE, Box 306, Linville, N.C. 28646.

Spring 1976

41

FIELD OBSERVERS

BODIE-PEA ISLAND, N.C.: Robert Anderson, Mike Boatwright, Ray Chandler, Charles Cremeans, Keith Fielder,
Charles Gibson, Clay Gifford, Sam Gifford, Tom Gwynn, Robert Hader, Joseph Hudick, Kent Ihrman, Wayne
Irvin, Kenneth John, Ken Knapp, Karla and Palmer Lawler, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand, Paul McQuarry,
Lynn Messinger, Norman Messinger, Jack and Virginia Overman, Dwight Peake, Richard Peake Jr., Bill Portlock,
Doug Pratt, Don Schwab, Paul Spain, Paul Sykes Jr., Robert Teulings, Mike Tove, Robert Tripican, David Warner,
Jim Warner, Bill Williams, Gary Williamson, John Williamson, Townley Wolfe.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: John Fussell II, John Fussell III, Kevin Hintsa, Edmund LeGrand, Harry LeGrand,
Charles Lincoln, Merrill Lynch, Chris Marsh, Lisa Marsh, Barbara Pugh, Anne and Bruce Reynolds, McDuff
W ade, Ray Winstead.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Don Aldridge, Edna Appleberry, Bobby Austin, Maurice Barnhill, Robert Brown, Jay
Carter, Dot Earle, Steve Everhart, John Fussell, Willard Greene, John Hardwick, Everhard and Jeane Heide, Mr.
and Mrs. Roy Hippie, Maudel and Pat Hunt, Jed Irvine, John Irvine, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer, Greg Massey,
Frances Needham, Doug and Sally Nunnally, James Parnell, Anne and Bruce Reynolds, Barry Thomas.

LITCHFIELD-PAW'LEYS ISLAND, S.C.: Jeannine Angerman, Bobby Austin, Robert Brown, Calvin Clyde,
Evelyn Dabbs, Lindy Floyd, Dennis Forsythe, Andy Harrison, Julian and Margaret Harrison, Bobbin and David
Huff, Pete Laurie, Gerald and Teddy Muckenfuss, Frederick Probst, John and Mary Reed, Tom Reeves, Bill
Thompson.

McCLELLANVILLE, S.C.: Sot Barber, Mickey Beland, Evelyn Dabbs, Dick Dominick, Jean Edwards, Dennis
Forsythe, Robert Fraser, Jim and Patty Fulcher, Beau Gee, Aletha Graham, Sara and Tommy Graham, Andy Harri-
son, Julian Harrison, Michael Hull, Pete Laurie, Holland Mills, Donald Mudge, Perry Nugent, Chris and Paul
Opler, Rob Payne, F.M. Probst, Tom Reeves, Jay Shuler, Karen Shuler, Martha Shuler, Eddie Stroman.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: S.A. Barber, Ted Beckett, David Beswick, Ernie Bustos, David Chamberlain, Norman
Chamberlain, Calvin Clyde, J.H. Dick, Robert Dunlap, Neal Edgerton, Judy Enenstein, Dennis Forsythe, Devin
Garrity, Bogan Gee, Andy Harrison, Julian Harrison, T.F. Hassell, Casey Herbert, Bette and Lawrence Hester,
Frances Hester, John and Peter Horlbeck, Kenneth Hough, David Huff, Charles Janson, Curt Laffin, Pete Laurie,
William Little, David Lourie, I.S.H. and Thomas Metcalf, Gerald and Teddy Muckenfuss, Perry Nugent, Carol
O’Dell, Robert O’Dell, Pat Probst, John and Mary Reed, Tom Reeves, Richard Roach, Jerry and Susan Roche,
John Simmons, Don Stieger, Bill Thompson, Jo Thompson, Arthur and Robert Wilcox, William Wingfield, David
Yount.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Ethel Barkley, Faye Bennett, Geraldine Cox, Lauris Joyner, James McLaurin,
Mary McLaurin, David Morris, Anne Reynolds, Bruce Reynolds.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Elizabeth Ball, Geraldine Cox, David Morris.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.: Ann Carter, Derb Carter Jr., Joan Courtney, P.J. Crutchfield, Della Fowler, Vance
Fowler, Mary Ann Guier, Larry Guier, Richard Guier, Richard J. Guier, Charles T. Haigh, Molly Haigh, Frances
Rankin, Henry Rankin Jr., Barbara Stiles, Herb S. Stiles, Melie Summerell, Brad Thomason, Brian Wingate, Margie
Wingate, Paul W ingate, Dorothy Wyatt, John Wyatt, David Zimmerman.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: Bobby Austin, J.H. Carter III, Laurence Davis, Roberta Davis, Steve Everhart, John
Fussell, John Hardwick, Marion Jones, Frances Needham, Frances Parnell, J.F. Parnell, Robert Teulings, Barry
Thomas.

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C.: E.C. Clyde, Betsy Eaddy, Joe Hanna, Henry Jellers, David McLean, David McLean
Jr., Joe McLean, Donald McLean, Mary Lou McLean, Pat Wilmoth.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Gilbert Bristow, Doris Fern, James Fowles, Margaret Gramling, Frank Hill, Kay Sisson, Glenn
Smith, Alice Steinke, Phillip Wagget, Kathy Wagget, Emma Walker.

AIKEN, S.C.: Jeannine Angerman, Jack Cooper, J. Fred Denton, Will Post, Jim Reinig, Tom Rial, Walter Scott.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Ricky Davis, Fenton Day, Keith Fielder, John Fussell, Robert Hader, Tom Howard,
David and Ken Knapp, Harry LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Chris Marsh, Paul McQuarry, Louise Parker, Eloise Potter,
Barbara Pugh, Katherine Rice.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Jimmy Barbee, Jill Berninger, Bill Blades, Mike Browne, Bob and Jan Davis, Ricky Davis, Jean
Donaldson, John Fussell, Donna Goodwin, Charlotte Green, R.J. Hader, Jeanne and Ray Halsey, Larry Halsey,
George Hervey, Kevin Hintsa, Margaret Hobgood, Tom Howard, David Knapp, Ken Knapp, Mike Knapp, Barbara
and Dave Lee, Josh and Janice Lee, Edmund and Harry LeGrand, Mary and Sanford Leuba, Merrill Lynch, Joe
Marlin, Chris Marsh, Darryl Moffett, Jim Mulholland, Jane Mullen, Will Post, Tom and Vi Quay, Ben and Mary
Smith, Mike Tove, Ed and Ida Winkler, Gail Whitehurst, Ray Winstead.

DURHAM, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Norman Budnitz, Angelo Capparella, Charles and Oliver Ferguson, Jay Garner,
Lois Garner, Eric Garner, Julia Grout, Bridget and Stephen Holdship, John Horn, Mark Huff, Alexander Hull,

42

The Chat

David Hull, Mimi Koehl, Paul Lancaster, Rusty Latta, David McConnell, Jim McConnell, Owen McConneE, Pat
McConnell, Sally McIntyre, Hal Minis, Lance Peacock, Nancy Rubenstein, John and Nancy Spahr, Deborah
Woodcock.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: Stanley Alford, Terry Anderson, Charles Blake, Annie Leigh Broughton, Carol Callaghan,
Angelo Capparella, J.H. Coman, A! Dawson, Charles Ferguson, Oliver Ferguson, Joyce and Page Fisher, Frances
Fuller, Eric Gamer, Jay Gamer, Lois Garner, Maurice Graves, Steven Graves, Pat and Pete Hobson, Bridget and
Stephen Holdship, Fran Hollister, John Horn, Sally Hudson, Mark Huff, Gertrude London, Deane McGinnis, Hel-
mut Mueller, Johnnie Payne, Lance Peacock, Barbara Roth, Leonard Smock, Elizabeth and Robert Teulings, Bill
and Margaret Wagner, Eleanor Wagstaff, John E. Wilson, Ed and Ida Lee Winkler.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C.: Carolyn and Donald Allen, Carol Sue and Edward Burroughs, Mr. and Mrs.
James Green, Brad and Lance Gunn, Mrs. L.J. Gunn, J.B. McCarthy Jr., Bill and Ruth Noonan, Ann Rich, Floyd
Rich, Nathan Rich, Olivia Rich, Terry Sharpe, Tim Talley, Louise Whealton, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Yount.

GREENSBORO, N.C.: John Alderman, Carolyn and Donald Allen, Virginia Beil, Edwin Blitch III, David and Lida
Burney, Inez Coldwell, Cynthia and Larry Crawford, Charlotte Dawley, Bill and Catherine Faver, Frank and
Mildred Fish, Dot Garrett, Fred Garrett, Clarence and James Mattocks, Ida Mitchell, Jean Murdick, Beryl Nor-
cross, Eleanor Patterson, Emma Leah Perrett, Pete and Sharon Robinson, Irene Smyre, Thomas Street, Marjorie
and William Tays, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Patsy Bagnal, Fran Baldwin, Olive Boice, John Brantley, Carolyn Buckland, Zach
Bynum, Louise Coley, Jim and Pat Culbertson, Charles Frost, Glenys Gallaher, Gardner and Margaret Gidley,
Louise and Tom Gossett, Bill and John Hammond, Fred Hill, Ruth Hill, Kevin Hintsa, Bert Hollifield, Ben Hough,
Mark Hough, Royce Hough, Wayne Irvin, Dave and Judy Kurtz, Connie Larkin, Jan Levitt, Ann Listokin, Bob
Markowski, Hewson Michie, Linda Moore, Sue Moore, Joe and Joyce Neely, Bob Odear, Jim Orgain, Barbara
Page, Ann Pollard, Penn Sandridge, Jackie Shelton, Dot and Jerry Shiffert, Ramona Snavely, Sebastian Sommer,
Paul Spain, Pete Tate, Royce Weatherly, Art and Becky Weber, Ronnie Williams, Bob Williard, Bob Witherington.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C.: Raymond Barker, David Burney, Lida Burney, Barrett Crook, Vera Crook, Virginia
Foglia, Joe Franklin, Vera Littleton, David McCarn, Harold Morris, Susan Rice, Robert Teulings, John Whitlock,
Vivian Whitlock.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Ronald Alexander, Sam Cathey, Sandra Cathey, Lois Goforth, Dwayne Hayes, Gene
Lederer, Larry Marlin, Sandra Marlin, Bobby Mize, Dick Mize, Jane Mullen.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Paul Atwell, Patrick Baines, Elizabeth and Flo Cobey, Helen Coley, Adrian and Beth
Dykema, Bobby Kluttz, Walter Mayer, Ted Moore, Becky and Joe Norwood, Mary Nowlin, Katherine and Shuford
Peeler, Doug Pratt, George Prehmus, Gayle Shields, Ray Wilson, David Wright.

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Wilma Abrams, Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart, Martha Law-
rence, May Puett, Gary Worthington.

CALDWELL COUNTY, NjC.: Nancy Alexander, Isabel Bernhardt, Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Hughes, Lois Laxton, Mr.
and Mrs. E.M. Manchester, Mr. and Mrs. Fred May, Helen Myers, Sarah Parker, Mrs. C.S. Warren, Ann Whisnant.

TRYON, N.C.: Mrs. Allen Boas, Mr. and Mrs. Norme Frost, Robert Gibbs, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Skelton, Mrs. Robert
Walker.

BREVARD, N.C.: Pat Bohan, Rick Bohan, Lydia Barrett, Paul Barrett, Bill Cook, Daisy Duncan, Ercel Francis,
George Francis, Ed Gift, Doris Guest, Ann Hallowell, Tom Hallowell, Byrniece Hansbrough, Ed Hansbrough, Lynn
Hiller, Curt Holland, Gail Holland, Susan Holland, Waiter Holland, Claire Janeway, Evangeline Kenoyer, Joe
Kenoyer, George Letchworth, Mary-Elizabeth Letchworth, Genevieve Lilly, Barbara McCord, Kenneth McCord,
Mr. and Mrs. George Oldham, Gladys Reese, Theo Reeve, Ben Rist, Hazel Roberts, Hervey Roberts, Joe Schatz,
Joyce Schatz, Gladys Tietgen.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Bill Bruce, Bob Bruce, Margaret Finch, Jean Gertz, Joe Hall, Scott Hall, Lewis
Kort, Meryle Kort, Richard Price, Gregg Ruiz, Robert Ruiz, Chris Rustay, Peter Sargent, Roland Sargent, Eddie
Stearns, Joan Steeves, Dave Warner, Jim Warner.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C.: Mike Clark, Jean Girtz, Kakii Handley, Ginny Johns, Norma Massey, Dennis Myers,
Dwight and Cecil Perley, Jim and Sally Plaice, Jim Plymire, Margery Plymire, Doris and Roland Sargent, Sally
Southerland, Bill Stewart, Mike Stewart, Neil Stewart, Sam Thompson, Tim Thompson, James Warner, David
Warner, Tom Webb.

Spring 1976

43

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston , S.C. 29401

An Eared Grebe Collected in North Carolina

MICOU M. BROWNE

North Carolina State Museum of Natural History

Box 27647, Raleigh, N.C. 27611 4 August 1975

On 30 December 1971, I picked up a female Eared Grebe ( Podiceps nigricollis)
on the beach at Oregon Inlet, Dare County, N.C. It had been dead for a number of
days, and apparently had been shot. The specimen was deposited in the bird collec-
tions at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural History (No. 4431), and its identi-
fication has been confirmed by Roxie C. Layborne of the U.S. National Museum of
Natural History.

Broad-winged Hawks at Pea Island N.W.R.

RICKY DAVIS

P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 June 1975

While birding at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North
Carolina on 24 May 1975, I saw 13 Broad- winged Hawks ( Buteo platypterus) . I
watched the Broad-wings for 10 to 15 minutes from the southern observation platform

44

The Chat

overlooking North Pond. The birds were soaring southward in slow circles at different
heights. I studied the birds with 7X binoculars and 30X scope and carefully noted the
determining field marks of a broadly barred tail and small and stubby shape.

I can find no evidence of Broad-winged Hawks on the North Carolina Outer
Banks either from the Pea Island list maintained by the Refuge personnel or from The
Chat.

Apparent Nesting of Red-breasted Nuthatches
in Rockingham County, N.C.

EDWABD BUBROUGHS
921 Seymour Court

Eden, N.C. 27288 28 July 1975

I began keeping notes on the presence of a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches
(S itta canadensis) on 9 March 1975 to establish departure dates for that species in
Rockingham County, N.C. The locality was a wooded residential section in the city
limits of Eden. The trees are predominately mature Virginia pine ( Pinus virginiana) .

My note of 9 March reads, “Pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches inspecting bird
houses in back yard.” Notes from 17 March through 4 June indicate sightings of single
birds. During this period sunflower seeds were the only food taken from my feeders,
and there was very little interest shown in them; generally a few seeds would be taken
late in the afternoon. On 23 and 24 May I noticed a great deal of feeder activity. A
Red-breasted Nuthatch would come to the feeder, take a sunflower seed, then hide it
in either a cone or the bark of a pine tree. I saw about 20 of these feeding forays in a
period of about 30 minutes. The preferred food during all of my observations was
pine seeds. The cone crop had been heavy and obviously met the needs of the birds.

On 5 June I saw two individuals. On this day I constructed three log type bird
houses and placed them in my yard. The next day a pair came to my feeder again.
They fed sparingly and left. I made a point of staying outside whenever I had the
chance, for I was now hopeful that I would see them select one of my bird houses
and nest here. The following day, 7 June, two of the birds came to a pine adjacent
to the feeder. One of the birds took a seed from the feeder, flew to the limb where the
other bird was perched, cracked the seed open, and fed the other bird. I watched
through 9X binoculars from a distance of about 25 feet. The bird being fed had a
definite downy appearance. It fluttered its wings and assumed a position low on the
limb to receive a portion of the seed from the other bird. It was obviously an im-
mature bird. This activity was observed every day until 13 June. On that day there
was no activity at my feeder. I heard calls of a Red-breasted Nuthatch from my front
yard and went there to investigate. I saw three individuals on one limb of a tree, and
heard another calling from the top of another tree.

From 14 June through 1 July I recorded only intermittent sightings, generally of a
single bird. A search of all available references gives no indication of any previous
nesting record for North Carolina outside the mountain regions. Birds of North
Carolina (1959 revision) gives the range of this species as “Whole state irregularly in
winter, resident on some of the higher mountains where it breeds.”

Although I was unable to locate the nest hole of these Red-breasted Nuthatches,
the period covered by my observations (9 March through 1 July) plus the sighting of
an immature bird from 7 June through 1 July, leads me to believe that a pair of Red-
breasted Nuthatches had a successful nesting in Rockingham County in 1975.

Spring 1976

45

^ .u.O'tk.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1975)

COMMON LOON: An impressive flight of 110 was seen moving past Mercer’s Pier
at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on the morning of 18 November by Robert Hader.
An early sighting of an individual in breeding plumage was noted on 8 August at
Manns Harbor, N.C., by John Souther.

HORNED GREBE: One was very early at Charleston, S.C., on 3 August, observed by
Ted Beckett.

RED-NECKED GREBE: One was seen in the company of Horned Grebes in Pam-
lico Sound near the Ocracoke Island, N.C., Coast Guard Station on 30 Novem-
ber by Richard Rowlett.

CORY’S SHEARWATER: Several cruise parties found this species common in Gulf
Stream waters off the North Carolina coast during September and October with
a high count of 138 recorded off Cape Hatteras on 26 October by Paul DuMont.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: A good count of 48 was recorded during a pelagic
cruise to the edge of the continental shelf 50 miles SE of Cape Lookout, N.C.,
on 7 September by James Mattocks and party. On 26 October several were seen
off Cape Hatteras, N.C., by Paul DuMont.

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL: One was seen during an offshore cruise 23 miles SSE
of Hatteras Inlet, N.C., on 26 October by Paul DuMont.

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL: An estimated 350 were observed by Bill Williams in
Gulf Stream waters off Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 7 September.

WHITE PELICAN: One was an unexpected find at Beaufort, N.C., on 2 August by
Eugene Pond.

GANNET: An estimated 1500 were seen feeding near shore along the beaches of
Bodie Island and Pea Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks on 29 November by
Adrian Dignan.

46

The Chat

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: A massive flight of over 20,000 migrating
cormorants was seen moving past Ocracoke Island, N.C., during the early day-
light hours of 30 November by Richard Rowlett. Thousands were present also in
the Charleston, S.C., area on the same date as reported by Perry Nugent.

GREAT EGRET: Locally uncommon inland sightings of one to five individuals were
recorded in the vicinity of Louisburg, N.C., during the first 2 weeks of August by
Eloise Potter. These occurrences highlighted reports of post-breeding dispersal
into the North Carolina piedmont as far westward as Winston-Salem.

LOUISIANA HERON: One was seen at Moore’s Pond in Franklin County, N.C., on
1 September by Eloise Potter, a first record for the county. Several were noted
in the Raleigh, N.C., area during August and early September by various ob-
servers, and three were found at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 3
August by Merrill Lynch.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: An adult and immature were locally uncom-
mon fall visitors at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., sighted on 3 November and
9 November, respectively, by James Mulholland.

LEAST BITTERN: Piedmont occurrences were noted at Townville, S.C., where an
individual was flushed on 9 August by Harry LeGrand, and at Winston-Salem,
N.C., where a single bird was seen at the city sewage treatment plant on 12 and
13 September by Fran Baldwin and Ramona Snavely.

WOOD STORK: Fifty were observed at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston, S.C.,
on 15 August by Ted Beckett.

GLOSSY IBIS: An estimated 200 were seen in a single flock at Pea Island N.W.R.
on 22 September by James Pullman. Inland, an individual was seen on 11 Sep-
tember at Goose Creek State Park near Washington, N.C., by David Burney and
Robert Teulings; and a lingering flock of 7 to 9 birds was present at Sumter,
S.C., during the month of September, reported by Evelyn Dabbs.

BRANT: A flock of 800 was seen in Pamlico Sound between Ocracoke and Ports-
mouth Islands, N.C., on 30 November by Richard Rowlett.

EUROPEAN WIGEON: One was noted at Pea Island N.W.R. on 10 October by
James Pullman and was later reported by other observers.

REDHEAD: A peak fall census of 7000 was recorded during the last week of No-
vember at Pea Island N.W.R. by Jack Hagan, assistant refuge manager.

CANVASBACK: Observers noted good numbers in the North Carolina coastal
area during the fall season, with an estimated 7000 present at Pea Island N.W.R.
in late November, reported by Jack Hagan.

BLJFFLEHEAD: A very early fall sighting of two was recorded on 3 August at
Charleston, S.C., by Ted Beckett.

COMMON EIDER: A subadult male and two birds in female plumage were found
at Cape Point on Hatteras Island, N.C., 27 October by Paul DuMont. Bill features
were closely observed.

COMMON MERGANSER: Two were seen at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 30 November
by Robin Carter et al. Inland, three were found at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh,
N.C., on 23 November by Ken Knapp.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: Twenty-three were counted along the Pee Dee River in Anson
County, N.C., and Chesterfield County, S.C., on 3 August by Robin Carter and
party.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: Coastal observers noted several strong flights at Fort
Macon, N.C., and along the Outer Banks during the period 3-25 October. A con-
spicuous flight of over 150 migrants was seen passing over Interstate 95 in south-
ern South Carolina in the vicinity of Ridgeland by John Wall on 12 October.

COOPER’S HAWK: A flight of 134 was recorded during a one hour period at
Ocracoke Island, N.C., on 6 October by Elizabeth Ball.

Spring 1976

47

BROAD-WINGED HAWK: Good numbers were seen in the Clemson, S.C., area
during fall migration with major flights noted on 14 September by Harry LeGrand
and 4 October by Sidney Gauthreaux.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: Two individuals, both in dark-phase plumage, were
seen at Braswell’s Farm near Rocky Mount, N.C., on 28 November by Louis Fink.

BALD EAGLE: An immature was seen at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 2
August and another sighting of perhaps the same bird was recorded there on 30
September (LeGrand and Gauthreaux). Elsewhere, another immature was seen
at Roanoke Rapids Lake in the vicinity of Vultare, N.C., on 3 August; and it
lingered there through November (Lynch). Other observers noted an adult near
Winston-Salem, N.C., on 12 September (Baldwin and Snavely); and another Bald
Eagle was seen at Durham, N.C., on 12 October (Norman Budnitz). There were
also reports of individuals seen in the coastal area at Lake Mattamuskeet, More-
head City, McClellanville, and Charleston during the fall season.

OSPREY: Twenty-one migrants were tallied during a two-hour period at Sullivan’s
Island, S.C., on 28 September by Sidney Gauthreaux and Palmer Krantz.

PEREGRINE FALCON: Sightings of at least 34 individuals were recorded along
the coast of the Carolinas from late September through November. Inland, a
Peregrine was seen near Raleigh, N.C., on 1 November by David Lee.

MERLIN: Reports indicated an unusually strong fall flight of this species with more
than 40 observations reported from a dozen coastal and inland locations.

KING RAIL: One was seen out of its normal habitat on a busy downtown street in
Winston-Salem on 6 September by Sebastian Sommer.

CLAPPER RAIL: One was taken by a hunter at Townville, S.C., on 13 September,
far inland from its normal coastal locale. The specimen was examined and identi-
fied by Sidney Gauthreaux, confirming an apparent first record for the piedmont
section of South Carolina.

SORA: One was an early find inland at Townville, S.C., on 2 August by Harry
LeGrand.

BLACK RAIL: Single birds, responding to tape recorded calls, were heard on 3 Sep-
tember and 12 October at Cedar Island N.W.R., Carteret County, N.C., by John
Fussell.

COMMON GALLINULE: One was a late and unusual inland fall visitor at Salem Lake
near Winston-Salem, N.C., on 11 November, observed by Fran Baldwin and
Ramona Snavely.

AMERICAN COOT: Over 3000 were seen at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh, N.C., on
12 November by Merrill Lynch.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: One was a lingering fall visitor from late October
through November at Cape Point on Hatteras Island, N.C., seen by Joe Hudick
and others.

RUDDY TURNSTONE: A rare inland occurrence of a single bird was noted at
Lake Surf near Vass, N.C., in Moore County on 31 August by Jay Carter and Jill
Berninger.

LONG-BILLED CLJRLEW: A fall visitor was present at Bird Shoal near Morehead
City, N.C., from early August through mid-October, fide John Fussell. Another
was present at Oregon Inlet on the North Carolina Outer Banks from 29 August
through 11 October, seen by many observers.

WHIMBREL: A late lingerer was seen 25 November on the Outer Banks at Frisco,
N.C., by Joe Hudick.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: Three were found on 30 August at the Beaufort, N.C., air-
port by John Fussell.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER: A late sighting was recorded near Raleigh, N.C., where
a single bird was seen at Greenview Farm on 14 November by James Mulholland.

48

The Ghat

WILLET: Two were seen inland at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Vultare, N.C., on 3
August by Merrill Lynch.

RED KNOT: Good counts of an estimated 300 were noted on the Outer Banks at
Frisco, N.C., on 23 November by Joe Hudick and 950 at the southern end of
Ocracoke Island on 30 November by Richard Rowlett.

PURPLE SANDPIPER: Flocks of 150 to 200 were present on the Charleston Harbor
jetties on 9 and 16 November, observed by Ted Beckett, Stan Langston, and Susan
Roche. These are record counts for the species in the Carolinas.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: A late inland transient was seen at Greenview Farm near
Raleigh, N.C., on 18 November by James Mulholland.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: Scattered sightings, mostly of single birds, were
recorded along the Outer Banks by various observers from late August through
September. Elsewhere along the coast, five were seen on Shackleford Bank near
Beaufort, N.C., on 27 August by Henry Rankin and two on 31 August at Hunting-
ton Beach, S.C., by John Cely. Individuals were also found inland at Raleigh,
N.C., on 31 August by Chris Marsh; at Clemson, S.C., on 25 September by Harry
LeGrand; and near Florence, S.C., on 12 October by John Wall.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: Four were seen at Winston-Salem, N.C., at the city’s sewage
treatment plant on 8 September as reported by Ramona Snavely. Individuals
were found also on the Outer Banks at Pea Island N.W.R. and Cape Point on
27 October by Paul DuMont.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: An estimated 160 were seen in a flock at Bodie
Island, N.C., on 25 October by Paul DuMont.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: One was an uncommon inland visitor at the
Winston-Salem sewage treatment plant on 25 August, observed by Fran Baldwin,
Wayne Irvin, and Ramona Snavely.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: On the Outer Banks up to six were seen in North Pond at
Pea Island N.W.R. in early October by various observers, and eleven were seen
later at Bodie Island on 25 October by Paul DuMont.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: Sightings were noted by several cruise parties off
Cape Hatteras, N.C., during the fall season, highlighted by a count of 70 on 12
October reported by Richard Rowlett.

RED PHALAROPE: A few were seen by observers in waters off Cape Hatteras,
N.C., during September and October, and an injured bird was found at Ocra-
coke Island, N.C., on 29 November by Richard Rowlett (specimen to U.S.
National Museum).

WILSON’S PHALAROPE: An early fall migrant was seen in North River Marsh
near Morehead City, N.C., on 13 August by John Fussell. Inland, one was found
at Raleigh, N.C., on 6 September by Ricky Davis and Chris Marsh.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: One was seen near Bunn, N.C., in Franklin County
on 30 October by Eloise Potter, an unusual inland record.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: One was seen at Cape Point on Hatteras Island,
N.C., on 27 October by Paul DuMont.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: An individual in adult plumage was seen on 17
November at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., by Robert Hader. An immature was
seen at Cape Point, Hatteras Island, N.C., on 28 November by Richard Rowlett.

FORSTER’S TERN: Over 3000 were massed at Cape Point on Hatteras Island, N.C.,
on 29 November, observed by Richard Rowlett.

COMMON TERN: Uncommon inland sightings of 20 were noted at High Rock Lake
in Davidson County, N.C., on 13 September by Jerry Shiffert; nine at Salem Lake
near Winston-Salem, N.C., on 24 September by Charles Frost and James Orgain;
and seven at Lake Hartwell near Clemson, S.C., on 27 September by Harry
LeGrand. Another inland transient was recorded at Raleigh, N.C., on 26 Septem-

Spring 1976

49

ber by James Mulholland.

SOOTY TERN: Two were seen offshore 50 miles SE of Cape Lookout, N.C., on 7
September by James Mattocks and party.

BRIDLED TERN: An unprecedented 57 were seen during a pelagic cruise to Gulf
Stream waters off Cape Hatteras, N.C., on 31 August by Robert Ake and party.

SANDWICH TERN: A late occurrence of 15 was noted at Cape Point, Hatteras
Island, N.C., on 28 November by Joe Hudick.

CASPIAN TERN: An early appearance of two was noted at Charleston, S.C., on 3
August by Ted Beckett. Two inland transients were seen at Roanoke Rapids
Lake near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on 21 August by Merrill Lynch; and one was
found at Seaforth Lake in Chatham County, N.C., on 8 September by Robin
Carter.

BLACK TERN: A flock of over 1000 was seen at Bird Shoal near Morehead City,
N.C., on 17 August by John Fussell; and a very late sighting of three was re-
corded at Hatteras Island, N.C., on 27 October by Paul DuMont.

RAZORBILL: One was seen at Hatteras Inlet on the North Carolina Outer Banks
on 16 November by Joe Hudick.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: Seven transients were seen along the Outer Banks by
various observers between late September and late October. Single birds were
found inland at Southern Pines, N.C., on 3 October by Jay Carter, and at
Raleigh, N.C., on 13 October by James Mulholland.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: One was observed and photographed at Ocra-
coke Island, N.C., on 23 October by Richard Rowlett.

EASTERN WOOD PEWEE: One was banded on the late date of 9 November at
Raleigh, N.C., by Mike Browne.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: One was an uncommon fall transient on 29 August
at Southern Pines, N.C., observed by Jay Carter. Other individuals were seen
in the Chapel Hill, N.C., area on 13 September by Mrs. Paul S. Payne and on
8 October by Robin Carter.

BANK SWALLOW': An estimated 250 were noted on wires at Townville, S.C., on
7 September by Harry LeGrand.

COMMON RAVEN: Two were seen at Table Rock Mountain, Pickens County,
S.C., on 25 October by John Cely.

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: Robert Beason and Harry LeGrand noted this
species along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Richland Balsam and Beech Gap
in the North Carolina mountains on 16 August. Fourteen individuals were tallied
by call and song.

RED-BREASTED NLTTHATCH: One was seen at Raleigh, N.C., on 25 August by
Gail Whitehurst, an unusually early fall appearance in the piedmont.

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN: A late inland transient was noted at Clemson, S.C.,
on 17 November by Harry LeGrand.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: One was late and unusual at Clemson, S.C., on
10 November, observed by Harry LeGrand.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH: A late migrant was noted at North Wilkesboro, N.C,
on 17 November by Wendell Smith.

WATER PIPIT: An unusually early individual was found at Seaforth Lake in Cha-
tham County, N.C., on 31 August by Robin Carter et al.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: Fall sightings of single migrants were recorded on 15
September near Hillsborough, N.C., by Robin Carter; on 27 September at Lake
Surf near Vass, N.C., by Jay Carter; on 4 October near Clemson, S.C., by Sidney
Gauthreaux and Frank Moore; on 6 October at Raleigh, N.C., by Jim Mulholland;
and on 13 October at Reidsville, N.C., by Pete Yount.

50

The Chat

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: As many as six were seen on 20 September and two on
21 September at Hanging Rock Mountain in Watauga County, N.C., by Phil
Crutchfield.

TENNESSEE WARBLER: A late individual was noted on 8 November at Clemson,
S.C., by Harry LeGrand.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One was banded at Raleigh, N.C., on 29 No-
vember by Mike Browne.

NORTHERN PARULA: A 9 November sighting was recorded at Clemson, S.C., by
Harry LeGrand.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: Two were late fall visitors at Raleigh, N.C., on 21 Novem-
ber, observed by Kevin Hintsa.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER: A late transient was found at Winston-
Salem, N.C., on 11 November by Ruth Hill.

OVENBIRD: A late lingerer was seen on 15 November at Carolina Sandhills N.W.R.
in Chesterfield County, S.C., by Robin Carter.

KENTUCKY WARBLER: One was late at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 3 November,
observed by Wendell Smith.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: A single transient was seen near Little Switzerland
in McDowell County, N.C., on 11 September by Elizabeth Ball, and another on
the coast at Pea Island N.W.R. on 8 October by James Pullman and Elizabeth
Teulings.

MOLJRNING WARBLER: Single birds were noted as rare fall transients at Chapel
Hill, N.C., on 20 September by Robert Teulings, and at Clemson, S.C., on 4
October by Harry LeGrand.

WILSON’S WARBLER: One was a late and uncommon fall visitor at Raleigh, N.C.,
observed on 2 November by James Mulholland.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: A female was seen on 12 September at Ocean
Isle Beach, N.C., by Norwood Middleton, and a male near Louisburg, N.C., on
1 November by Eloise Potter.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: One was seen in the Charleston, S.C., area at Magnolia
Gardens on 15 November by Ted Beckett. Elsewhere, a flock of 15 was seen
near Townville, S.C., on 27 November by Harry LeGrand.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: An adult male was seen well near Duck, N.C., on
25 October by Paul DuMont.

HOUSE FINCH: Three were identified at Swannanoa in Buncombe County, N.C.,
on 25 October by Robert Ruiz, a first record for that western locality. Elsewhere,
winter visitors were present at Winston-Salem, N.C., as early as 6 October,
reported by Ramona Snavely.

RED CROSSBILL: A small flock was seen at Southern Pines, N.C., on 29 October
by Jay Carter.

LARK SPARROW: One was a feeder visitor at Pawleys Island, S.C., from mid-Sep-
tember through early October (F.M. Probst); and another was seen at Ocracoke
Island, N.C., on 15 October by Richard Rowlett.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: Two coastal sightings were reported from the Outer Banks
where an individual was found near the Hatteras Lighthouse on 11 October by
David Lee and two birds were seen at Ocracoke Island on 25 October by Richard
Rowlett.

Spring 1976

51

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Elizabeth Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I— Western North Carolina

Robert Witherington, Winston-Salem, and Marcus B. Simpson Jr., Statesville
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

C ¥9

The Chat

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
Vol. 40 SUMMER 1976 No. 3

S/S I H 0 IV ij4

y

No. 3

The Chat

Vol. 40 Summer 1976

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices. Subscription price $5.00 per year.

CONTENTS

Birds of the Plott Balsam Mountains of North Carolina,

Marcus B. Simpson Jr 53

General Field Notes 63

Goshawk in Chesterfield County, S.C., George H. Haas 63

Black Rail and Virginia Rail in Summer in Northwestern

South Carolina, Harry E. LeGrand Jr 63

Some Noteworthy Fall Migration Records from Franklin
County, N.C., Including an Inland Sighting

of a Wilson’s Plover, Eloise F. Potter 65

Razorbill at Huntington Beach State Park and Pawleys

Island, S.C., Frederick M. Probst 66

Black Guillemot on South Carolina Coast in Spring:

A Second Sight Record for the State,

Frederick M. Probst 67

Monk Parakeets in South Carolina, Frederick M. Probst 68

Two Records of the Clay-colored Sparrow

from the Eastern Piedmont of North Carolina in Fall,

Robert P. Teulings, Elizabeth P. Teulings, and Eloise F. Potter 69

Briefs for the Files 71

cee

OUR COVER — Fred L. Johns photographed the
downy Least Tern chick in the “freezing” position at
a colony near Salter Path, N.C. The Black-throated
Green Warbler on page 62 is reprinted from the March
1968 Chat cover drawing by Doug Pratt, whose recent
accomplishments include art work for the new edition
of Louisiana Birds.

BIRDS OF THE PLOTT BALSAM
MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

The lofty Plott Balsam Mountains of western North Carolina are one of the most
rugged, wild, and scenic mountain ranges in the southern Appalachians. Although
largely unexplored ornithologically until recent years, the range is covered by a wide
variety of plant communities inhabited by a rich and diversified avifauna. This paper
provides an annotated checklist of bird species and brief ecological and vegetational
data as a baseline for future studies in the region.

GEOMORPHOLOGY

Transecting the Great Balsam Mountains at right angles, the Plott Balsams rise
abruptly from the valleys of the Tuckasegee and Pigeon Rivers of western Jackson and
Haywood Counties, N.C., at 35° 28' N and 83° 8' W (Waterrock Knob, Fig. 1). Begin-
ning approximately 9 km E of the confluence of the Tuckasegee and Oconaluftee
Rivers, the range extends in an ENE direction for 28 km to its terminus just NW of
Waynesville. For almost half its length, the main crest lies above 1500 m°, with major
peaks including Bald Mountain (1646 m), Blackrock Mountain (1771 m), Yellow Face
(1839 m), Waterrock Knob (1918 m), Lickstone (1700 m), Jones Knob (1902 m), Old
Field Top (1768 m), Plott Balsam (1956 m), and Eaglenest Mountain (1506 m). Scott
Creek, Richland Creek, the Tuckasegee River, and Balsam Gap form the southern
boundary, while Soco Gap, Soco Creek, and Jonathan’s Creek separate the range
from the northern Great Balsams. The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses the main crest from
Balsam Gap (1024 m), to Waterrock Knob and on to Soco Gap (1324 m), providing the
only convenient access to the higher elevations. The coves and valleys below 1000 m
are extensively settled and accessible by a network of major and secondary highways.

CLIMATE

Although no climate data are available for the higher elevations, conditions prob-
ably resemble those at Mt. Mitchell (see Simpson 1972) with cool temperatures, mod-
erate to heavy rainfall, and frequent fog during the summer, while freezing temperatures,
heavy snowfall and ice, and high winds prevail during the winter.

VEGETATION

During the past 100 years, the vegetation of the Plott Balsam Mountains has been
altered markedly by fires, logging, agriculture, and human settlement — resulting in a
complex mosaic of successional, climax, and disclimax communities. Although no studies
have dealt exclusively with the vegetation of the range, the data of Ramseur (1960)
and Stupka (1964), Whittaker’s (1956) detailed study from the adjacent Great Smoky
Mountains, and my notes from the present study provide the following descriptive
classification of major plant community-types in the Plott Balsam Mountains. Extensive
botanical work remains to be done in analyzing and classifying the vegetation of the
range.

Spruce-fir Forests

Once covering much of the terrain above 1400 m, forests dominated by red spruce
( Picea rubens) and Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri) have been reduced by fires and logging.
Other canopy trees include mountain ash ( Sorbus americana), fire cherry ( Prunus
pensylvanica) , mountain maple ( Acer spicatum), striped maple (A. pensylvanicum) , and

*For rough conversion of meters to feet, multiply elevations by 3 (1500 m x 3 = about
4500 feet). For accurate conversion, multiply by 3.048 (1500 m x 3.048 = 4572 feet).

Summer 1976

53

yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis) . Understory shrubs include Canada blackberry
( Rubus canadensis ), red-berried elder ( Sambucus pubens ), mountain cranberry ( Vac -
cinium erythrocarpum) , hobblebush ( Viburnum alnifolium ), and the seedlings of
canopy species.

Northern Hardivood Forests

Forests dominated by beech ( Fagus grandifolia) , and yellow birch occur at eleva-
tions above 1350 m, often along the lower border of the spruce-fir community. Other
canopy trees include the sugar maple (A. saccharum) , red maple (A. rubrum), yellow
buckeye ( Aesculus octandra), striped maple, mountain maple, fire cherry, and service-
berry ( Amelanchier laevis), while the shrub layer includes canopy species seedlings,
rosebay rhododendron ( Rhododendron maximum), Catawba rhododendron (R.
catawbiense) , dog-hobble ( Leucothoe fontanesiana) , hydrangea ( Hydrangea arbores-
cens), and hobblebush.

Grass Balds

On some peaks and exposed slopes above 1500 m, forest and shrub communities
are absent and the terrain is covered by open expanses of grass bald dominated usually
by mountain oat grass ( Danothoria compressa). Often the margins of the balds are
infiltrated by blueberries ( V accinium sp.), rhododendrons, serviceberry, blackberry,
azaleas, fire cherry, or the seedlings of forest canopy species.

Heath Balds

Dominated by ericaceous shrubs, the heath balds or “slicks” often form a virtually
impenetrable tangle covering many of the steep, exposed slopes and ridges above
1200 m. Principal species include mountain laurel ( Kalmia latifolia), rosebay rhododen-
dron, piedmont rhododendron (R. minus), Catawba rhododendron, pepper-bush
( Clethra acuminata), fetterbush ( Pieris floribunda), blueberries, deerberry (V. stami-
neum) and mountain winterberry ( Ilex montana).

Oak Forests

Most of the slopes and ridges below 1350 m are covered by forests dominated by
various oaks ( Quercus sp.). Locally these forests may extend up to 1650 m, where the
growth becomes open and attenuated forming the “oak orchard” pattern. Common
canopy species include white oak ( Quercus alba), scarlet oak (Q. coccinea), chestnut
oak ( Q . prinus), black oak (Q. velutina), northern red oak (Q. rubra), red maple,
sourwood ( Oxydendrum arbor eum), table mountain pine ( Pinus pungens), pitch pine
(P. rigida), white pine (P. strobus), silverbell ( Halesia Carolina), tulip poplar ( Lirioden -
dron tulipifera), sweet birch (B. lenta), and black gum ( Nyssa sylvatica). Prominent
shrubs forming the understory include mountain laurel, flame azalea (R. calendu-
laceum), blueberries ( Vaccinium sp.), flowering dogwood ( Cornus florida), pepper-
bush, hydrangea, sweet shrub ( Calycanthus floridus), and blackberry.

Pine Forests

On exposed, steep, dry, south and southwestern facing slopes and ridges below
1200 m, forests dominated by pines often replace the more mesic oak forests. Major
species, depending largely on elevation and slope, are Virginia pine (P. virginiana),
pitch pine, and table mountain pine, while scarlet oak, chestnut oak, black oak, white
oak, chestnut ( Castanea dentata), white pine, black gum, and red maple may be com-
mon. Usually the understory is dominated by mountain laurel and Vaccinium species.

Cove Hardwood Forests

In moist coves and sheltered ravines up to 1250 m, a forest dominated by sugar
maple, yellow buckeye, yellow birch, beech, silverbell, tulip poplar, northern red oak,
eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis), red maple, white oak, basswood ( Tilia hetero-
phylla), and white ash ( Fraxinus americana) occurs. The understory is sparse, and

54

The Chat

Fig. 1. View of Water rock Knob (1918 m) showing vegetation typical of high eleva-
tions in the Plott Balsam Mountains. Spruce and fir forests are surrounded by
northern hardwoods, heath balds, grass balds, and secondary successional com-
munities. (Photo by the author).

plant species include rhododendrons, mountain laurel, hobblebush, dogwood, hydran-
gea, and sweet shrub. Ferns and wild flowers are abundant.

Secondary Successional Communities

Human activities and various natural phenomena have caused extensive disruption
of the original vegetation at all elevations, and most of the range is covered by suc-
cessional communities. The species composition, structure, and evolution of these
successional communities depend in large part on elevation, exposure, slope, severity
of soil damage, original vegetation, and adjacent undisturbed communities. Succes-
sional communities apparently are more likely to progress toward the original or very
similar types of forests at low and medium elevations, when slope and exposure are
not severe, and when soil damage is minimal.

Disclimax Communities

Where continued human activity prevents the development of successional com-
munities, a variety of disclimax or artificially stable communities occur. Farmlands,
orchards, recreation areas, roadways, campgrounds, and urban-suburban development
are common at elevations below 1000 m, often resulting in the occurrence of bird
species which otherwise would be absent.

ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPLORATION

During the 1880s, William Brewster (1886), Charles F. Batchelder (1886), and
W.A. Jeffries and J.A. Jeffries (1889) very briefly visited the Plott Balsams and reported
their observations. Some 60 years later, J.T. Tanner’s (1952) study of the Black-capped
Chickadee ( Pams atricapillus) in the southern Appalachians was based in part on field
work conducted in the range. Stupka’s (1963) book on the Great Smokies and two of
my previous papers (Simpson 1968a, 1968b) contain observations from the Plott Bal-

Summer 1976

55

sams, while additional data have been provided by R.H. Peake (pers. com.) and the
files of the Blue Ridge Parkway Offices in Balsam and Oteen, N.C. My studies were
conducted during the period 1956-1972, mostly during May, June, and July, and prin-
cipally in the higher elevations, although the range was visited on numerous occasions
during all months of the year. Extensive additional field work is needed, particularly
in settled or disturbed areas and in the lower elevations, where waterfowl and shore-
birds probably have been overlooked. Future studies should center on habitat selec-
tion, dates of occurrence, altitudinal distribution, density and population, and
nesting data. This paper provides a baseline for future studies in the range.

TERMINOLOGY

The relative abundance and seasonal status terminology used in the checklist are
based on that of Mengel (1965) and Stewart and Robbins (1958). Scientific names of
birds are omitted in accordance with the policy published in Chat 40:10.

ANNOTATED BIRD SPECIES LIST

1. Common Loon: One record, a single bird found dead along the Parkway on
6 May 1961 by Stark and Atchison at 1707 m near Waterrock Knob (Stupka
1963).

2. Turkey Vulture: Permanent resident; uncommon at all elevations, March through
October; usually absent above 1200 m November through late February.

3. Black Vulture: Summer resident, rare and erratic April through October, mainly
at elevations below 1000 m.

4. Sharp-shinned Hawk: Probably a rare permanent resident, but my records are
from April through October, with peak numbers in September and October.
Mature forests at all elevations.

5. Cooper’s Hawk: Probably a permanent resident. The only records are 27 March
1965 at 1460 m on Waterrock Knob and 18 October 1969 at 1270 m on Jones Knob.

6. Red-tailed Hawk: Permanent resident, all elevations. Increasingly scarce at
higher elevations. Uncommon May through October; uncommon to rare, No-
vember through April.

7. Red-shouldered Hawk: Winter resident, mainly below 1100 m. Rare, November
through February.

8. Broad-winged Hawk: Summer resident, all elevations. Uncommon, April
through October.

9. Golden Eagle: One record, a single bird soaring over Jones Knob on 18 October
1969.

10. Marsh Hawk: Winter resident; open areas at all elevations. Scarce above 1200 m.
Uncommon to rare, late September through early April.

11. American Kestrel: Permanent resident; uncommon to rare; open areas, mainly
below 1200 m.

12. Ruffed Grouse: Fairly common permanent resident, mature forests at all eleva-
tions.

13. Bob white: Uncommon permanent resident below 1000 m; occurs at all elevations
from May through August in mature woodlands and fields.

14. Turkey: J.L. Fleetwood (pers. com.) reports this species as a rare permanent
resident in forests below 1350 m.

15. Sora: One record, a single bird seen by author at 1430 m along the Parkway on
Waterrock Knob on 4 October 1969.

16. Killdeer: Permanent resident; open areas, mainly below 1200 m. Uncommon and
erratic.

17. American Woodcock: Uncommon resident from March through November in
grass balds, early successional and disclimax communities at all elevations.

18. Mourning Dove: Permament resident; fairly common in fields and disturbed
areas, generally below 900 m.

19. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: Uncommon summer resident May through October in

The Chat

56

mature forests up to 1200 m.

20. Black-billed Cuckoo: Uncommon to rare summer resident, May through
October, in mature forests up to 1650 m.

21. Screech Owl: Uncommon to rare permanent resident in mature forests up to
1200 m.

22. Great Horned Owl: Uncommon to rare permanent resident in mature forests up
to 1500 m.

23. Barred Owl: Fairly common to uncommon permanent resident in mature forests
at all elevations.

24. Saw-whet Owl: Although probably a permanent resident, the only records are of
single birds calling from the spruce-fir forests of Waterrock Knob at 1760 m on
12 April and 10 May 1968 (Simpson 1968b).

25. Whip-poor-will: Fairly common summer resident below 1000 m, April through
October.

26. Common Night hawk: Spring and fall transient; rare in May and fairly common
July through September at all elevations.

27. Chimney Swift: Common summer resident at all elevations from early April
through early October.

28. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Fairly common summer resident at all elevations
from late April through October.

29. Belted Kingfisher: Permanent resident along streams up to 1000 m; fairly common
April through October; uncommon November through March.

30. Common Flicker: Fairly common permanent resident in forests at all elevations.
Often abandons elevations above 1200 m during late fall and winter.

31. Pileated Woodpecker: Uncommon permanent resident in mature deciduous
forests at all elevations, although scarce above 1400 m.

32. Red-bellied Woodpecker: Fairly common permanent resident in deciduous
forests below 1250 m.

33. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Uncommon to rare permanent resident; mature de-
ciduous forests above 1200 m, April through October; all elevations October
through March, but scarce above 1300 m.

34. Hairy Woodpecker: Uncommon permanent resident in forests at all elevations.

35. Downy Woodpecker: Fairly common permanent resident in forests at all eleva-
tions; scarce above 1500 m.

36. Eastern Kingbird: Fairly common summer resident in open fields and farmlands
below 900 m from late April through mid-September.

37. Great Crested Flycatcher: Fairly common summer resident, late April through
mid-August, in deciduous forests below 1250 m.

38. Eastern Phoebe: Fairly common permanent resident up to 1300 m.

39. Acadian Flycatcher: Fairly common summer resident late April through mid-
September in cove hardwoods and mesic oak forests up to 1150 m.

40. Least Flycatcher: Uncommon and local summer resident in open forests bor-
dering clearings from late April through mid-September at elevations up to
1350 m.

41. Eastern Wood Pewee: Common summer resident in forests up to 1400 m from
late April through mid-October.

42. Homed Lark: Two records: one at 1760 m on Waterrock Knob in June 1956 and
one at 1030 m at Balsam Gap on 5 October 1969.

43. Tree Swallow: Uncommon and erratic transient, mainly below 1200 m; April
and September.

44. Rough- winged Swallow: Fairly common summer resident below 1350 m, early
April to mid- August; often at all elevations after mid- July.

45. Barn Swallow: Uncommon to fairly common summer resident in farmlands up
to 1000 m from mid-April through mid-September.

46. Purple Martin: Uncommon to rare local summer resident, April through August;
below 950 m except after late July, when individuals wander to all elevations.

Summer 1976

57

47. Blue Jay: Common permanent resident in forests at all elevations; less common
above 1550 m.

48. Common Raven: Uncommon permanent resident in forests above 1250 m.

49. Common Crow: Common permanent resident. All elevations from April through
late October; usually avoids elevations above 1450 m from November through
March.

50. Black-capped Chickadee: Uncommon permanent resident in spruce-fir and
northern hardwood forests; wanders to elevations below 1400 m in October
through April. First reported here by Batchelder (1886), who collected a series
of specimens, this species reaches its presently established southern breeding
limit for the eastern United States in the Plott Balsams (Tanner 1952).

51. Carolina Chickadee: Common permanent resident in forests up to 1300 m.

52. Tufted Titmouse: Common permanent resident in forests up to 1600 m.

53. White-breasted Nuthatch: Fairly common permanent resident in deciduous
forests up to 1600 m. Usually abandons area above 1250 m from November
through March.

54. Red-breasted Nuthatch: Erratic resident, rare to common. Spruce-fir forests
above 1300 m April to October; all elevations from November through March.

55. Brown Creeper: Uncommon permanent resident. Spruce-fir forests above
1300 m from April through October; forests at all elevations from November
through March.

56. House Wren: Uncommon summer resident, April through October, mainly
around human settlement below 1000 m.

57. Winter Wren: Fairly common permanent resident. All elevations from October
through mid-April, although scarce above 1500 m; understory of forests and
heath balds above 1100 m from late April through September.

58. Bewick’s Wren: Erratic, uncommon to rare summer resident in deciduous forests
below 1350 m; April through September.

59. Carolina Wren: Fairly common permanent resident up to 1100 m; wanders to
all elevations July to November.

60. Mockingbird: Permanent resident in fields and disclimax communities below
900 m. Uncommon, April through November; rare and erratic, December
through March.

61. Gray Catbird: Common summer resident in understory, scrubby secondary
growth, and heath balds at all elevations from April through early October.

62. Brown Thrasher: Fairly common summer resident, April through October in
heath balds, shrub understory, and secondary successional communities up to
1500 m.

63. American Robin: Permanent resident in forests at all elevations. Common, March
through November; uncommon, especially above 1350 m, December through
February.

64. Wood Thrush: Common summer resident in mature deciduous forests up to
1450 m from mid-April through mid-October.

65. Hermit Thrush: Fairly common to uncommon winter resident, late October to
mid- April, in forests below 1100 m. All elevations during migration in April
and October.

66. Swainson’s Thrush: Transient at all elevations; rare in May; fairly common in
September and October.

67. Gray-cheeked Thrush: Rare transient, September and October, at all elevations.

68. Veery: Common summer resident in forests, heath balds, and secondary succes-
sional communities at elevations above 1100 m from May through mid-Septem-
ber. Transient at all elevations in May and September.

69. Eastern Bluebird: Uncommon permanent resident in open areas and disclimax
communities up to 1350 m; rare above 950 m from November through March.

70. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Fairly common summer resident in deciduous forests
up to 950 m from April through early October.

58

The Chat

71. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Fairly common permanent resident. All elevations,
late October through mid-April. Spruce-fir forests above 1350 m from April
through September.

72. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Fairly common winter resident, mainly below 1450 m,
from October through April.

73. Water Pipit: Rare and erratic winter resident in fields and clearings below 1450 m;
October through April.

74. Cedar Waxwing: Erratic resident; all elevations May through September; usually
below 1350 m from late October through April.

75. Loggerhead Shrike: Uncommon to rare winter resident in open areas below
900 m; August through March.

76. Starling: Fairly common permanent resident around farms and human settlement
up to 1000 m.

77. White-eyed Vireo: Fairly common summer resident in shrub understory from
mid-April through September up to 950 m.

78. Yellow-throated Vireo: Fairly common summer resident, mid- April through
September; mainly in pine forests up to 950 m.

79. Solitary Vireo: Fairly common summer resident, late March through October at
elevations above 850 m; transient at all elevations March- April and October.

80. Red-eyed Vireo: Common summer resident, late April through early October,
in mature forests up to 1550 m.

81. Black-and-white Warbler: Fairly common summer resident, April through early
October, in mature forests up to 1550 m.

82. Worm-eating Warbler: Uncommon summer resident, late April through Septem-
ber, in mature oak forests up to 1250 m.

83. Golden-winged Warbler: Uncommon summer resident, mid-April through Sep-
tember, in disturbed woodlands up to 1650 m.

84. Tennessee Warbler: Transient at all elevations; uncommon to rare, late April to
mid-May; fairly common September and October.

85. Northern Parula: Fairly common summer resident, April through September, in
forests up to 1500 m.

86. Yellow Warbler: Fairly common summer resident, mid- April through August, in
deciduous forests up to 975 m.

87. Magnolia Warbler: Transient; uncommon, May; fairly common, September and
October; all elevations.

88. Cape May Warbler: Transient at all elevations; fairly common, late April to early
May and late September through October.

89. Black-throated Blue Warbler: Common summer resident; late April through late
October; in forest understory, heath balds, and secondary successional com-
munities above 850 m. Transient at all elevations, April-May and September-
October.

90. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Winter resident; fairly common in forests up to 1350 m
from October through early May; transient at all elevations, October and April.

91. Black-throated Green Warbler: Fairly common summer resident, April through
mid-October; in mature forests, especially coniferous, at all elevations.

92. Cerulean Warbler: Transient, rare to uncommon, April and May, below 1350 m.

93. Blackburnian Warbler: Uncommon summer resident above 1000 m, mid-April
through early October; mainly in spruce-fir and northern hardwoods. Transient
at all elevations, April-May and September-October.

94. Yellow-throated Warbler: Fairly common summer resident, April through Sep-
tember, especially in pine forests, up to 850 m.

95. Chestnut-sided Warbler: Common summer resident, mid- April through early
October, in disturbed forests, heath balds, and secondary successional com-
munities at all elevations above 975 m. Fairly common transient at all elevations,
April and September.

96. Bay-breasted Warbler: Transient at all elevations. Uncommon to rare, May; un-

Summer 1976

59

common to fairly common, September and October.

97. Blackpoll Warbler: Transient, mainly below 1650 m. Common in May; rare,
October.

98. Pine Warbler: Uncommon summer resident in pine forests below 800 m from
March through October. Postbreeding wanderer to all elevations from July
through October.

99. Prairie Warbler: Uncommon summer resident, April through September, in
second growth and disturbed areas up to 850 m. Postbreeding wanderer to all
elevations after early August.

100. Palm Warbler: Uncommon to rare transient; all elevations, April-May and Sep-
tember-October.

101. Ovenbird: Common summer resident, mid- April to early October in forests up
to 1400 m. Fall transient at all elevations from September through mid-October.

102. Louisiana Waterthrush: Fairly comrpon summer resident, late March through
mid-September; wooded streams up to 1150 m.

103. Kentucky Warbler: Fairly common summer resident late April to mid-September
in deciduous forests up to 1050 m.

104. Common Yellowthroat: Fairly common summer resident in disturbed areas, heath
balds, and secondary successional communities at all elevations; late April to
mid-October.

105. Yellow-breasted Chat: Fairly common summer resident in shrub growth up to
1100 m; late April to mid-September.

106. Hooded Warbler: Fairly common summer resident, mid- April to mid-October,
in deciduous forests up to 1200 m. Postbreeding wanderer to all elevations after
late July.

107. Canada Warbler: Common summer resident, late April to mid-September, in
forest understory, heath balds, and secondary successional communities above
1150 m. Transient at all elevations, April-May and August-September.

108. American Redstart: Fairly common summer resident, late April to mid-October,
in forests up to 800 m. Postbreeding wanderer to all elevations after early Au-
gust.

109. House Sparrow: Uncommon permanent resident around farms and human
settlement up to 1050 m.

110. Eastern Meadowlark: Fairly common transient in open areas at all elevations,
February through May and October through November. Uncommon summer
resident and rare winter resident in farmlands up to 1050 m.

111. Red- winged Blackbird: Erratic transient in open areas up to 1500 m, late Feb-
ruary through April and October-November. Uncommon permanent resident
in farmland and open areas below 1000 m.

112. Rusty Blackbird: Uncommon to rare transient up to 1550 m, March- April and
November.

113. Common Grackle: Fairly common summer resident in farmlands and open forests
up to 900 m, March through November. Erratic and rare transient up to 1500 m,
March-April and November.

114. Brown-headed Cowbird: Uncommon summer resident in farmlands up to 1050 m,
March through November. Transient up to 1500 m; uncommon, March-April;
rare, October-November.

115. Scarlet Tanager: Uncommon summer resident, mid-April to early October, in
mature deciduous forests up to 1500 m.

116. Summer Tanager: Uncommon to rare summer resident, late April through early
October, in deciduous forests up to 850 m.

117. Cardinal: Fairly common permanent resident up to 1100 m.

118. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Fairly common summer resident, late April to mid-
October, in deciduous and spruce-fir forests above 1000 m. Transient, all eleva-
tions, April-May and August-October.

119. Indigo Bunting: Fairly common summer resident, late April through mid-October,

60

The Chat

in disclimax and secondary successional communities up to 1700 m.

120. Evening Grosbeak: Erratic winter resident, late November through early April,
at elevations up to 1350 m.

121. Purple Finch: Fairly common winter resident, late October through mid-April,
in forests at all elevations.

122. Pine Siskin: Erratic, possibly permanent resident. Flocks of 25 to 100 birds noted
in spruce-fir and deciduous forests above 1450 m in June 1957, July through
November 1968, September 1969, and February 1970.

123. American Goldfinch: Permanent resident in successional and disclimax com-
munities at all elevations. Fairly common, April through October; uncommon,
November through March, especially above 1350 m.

124. Red Crossbill: Erratic, probably resident. Most records are of flocks of 5 to 20
birds from June through December.

125. Rufous-sided Towhee: Permanent resident in heath balds, forest shrub layer,
and successional communities. Common at all elevations, April through October;
uncommon to rare above 1550 m from November to March.

126. Savannah Sparrow: Uncommon spring and fall transient, April-May and late
October to November, in fields and open areas up to 1450 m.

127. Vesper Sparrow: Uncommon spring and fall transient, all elevations, open areas,
March-April and October- November. Uncommon to rare winter resident below
1200 m.

128. Dark-eyed Junco: Permanent resident. Common to abundant at all elevations,
October through April; above 950 m, May through September.

129. Chipping Sparrow: Fairly common summer resident, March to early November;
open woodlands up to 1400 m.

130. Field Sparrow: Fairly common permanent resident in fields and farmlands below
1000 m. Rare summer resident in borders of grass and heath balds and succes-
sional communities up to 1750 m from April through October.

131. White-crowned Sparrow: Three birds just west of Balsam Gap at 1120 m on
14 February 1970.

132. White-throated Sparrow: Common winter resident, October through early May,
up to 1100 m. Transient at all elevations; fairly common to very common, Novem-
ber and March.

133. Fox Sparrow: Uncommon winter resident in forest understory below 900 m,
November through March. Uncommon transient at all elevations in November
and March.

134. Swamp Sparrow: Rare to uncommon winter resident in wet fields and meadows
below 900 m; late October through April. Uncommon to rare transient at all
elevations, October-November and April.

135. Song Sparrow: Permanent resident in heath balds, successional communities,
and disturbed areas. Common at all elevations, March through October; often
abandons areas above 1250 m from November through February.

LITERATURE CITED

Brewster, W. 1886. An ornithological reconnaissance in western North Carolina. Auk
3:94-112, 173-179.

Jeffries, W.A., and J.A. Jeffries. 1889. Notes on western North Carolina birds. Auk
6:119-122.

Mengel, R.M. 1965. The birds of Kentucky. Lawrence, Kansas, The Allen Press.
Ramseur, G.S. 1960. The vascular flora of high mountain communities of the southern
Appalachians. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 76:82-112.

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1968a. High altitude occurrences of the American Woodcock in
western North Carolina. Chat 32:35-39.

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1968b. The Saw-whet Owl: breeding distribution in North Carolina.
Chat 32:83-89.

Summer 1976

61

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1972. Annotated checklist of the birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park,
North Carolina. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 88:244-251.

Stewart, R.E., and C.S. Robbins. 1958. Birds of Maryland and the District of Colum-
bia. Washington, U.S. Gov. Printing Office.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knox-
ville, Univ. of Tennessee Press.

Stupka, A. 1964. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. Knoxville, Univ. of Tennessee Press.

Tanner, J.T. 1952. Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees in the southern Appala-
chians. Auk 69:407-424.

Whittaker, R.H. 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecol. Monog. 26:1-80.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland,
20 June 1975. [Present address: P. O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C. 28677.]

62

The Chat

General Field Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Goshawk in Chesterfield County, S.C.

GEORGE H. HAAS
1822 Brook Drive
Camden, S.C. 29020

During 1973, I observed two adult Goshawks ( Accipiter gentilis) on the Carolina
Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge approximately 9 miles N of McBee, Chesterfield
County, S.C. The first individual was observed for about 3 minutes on 19 November
1973, as it hunted in a scrub oak area adjacent to a large field. Later, another and
possibly the same individual was observed for approximately 1 minute on 21 Novem-
ber 1973, as it hunted the edge between a pine stand and a large field. Despite in-
creased effort, I did not see the bird subsequent to 21 November 1973. I am familiar
with the Goshawk in northern Minnesota, where I observed it in connection with
research on grouse.

[Associate Editors Note: The Goshawk is presently on the South Carolina Hypo-
thetical List. The original record is based upon a dubious and unconfirmed observa-
tion made near Bull’s Bay, Charleston County, S.C., in 1905 ( South Carolina Bird Life,
1970, p. 556). Two additional valid sightings are required to place this species on the
official South Carolina list. There are five published records of the Goshawk in North
Carolina ( Chat 39:18). — JRH]

Black Rail and Virginia Rail

in Summer in Northwestern South Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Department of Zoology, Clemson University

Clemson, S.C. 29631 31 July 1975

During the spring and summer of 1975, I was surprised to discover the presence
of the Black Rail ( Laterallus jamaicensis) and the Virginia Rail ( Rallus limicola ) in
Anderson County, S.C.

Late in the afternoon of 13 May 1975 I was birding in a marsh about 2 miles S of
Townville when I heard a kee-kee-kurr call nearby. Although I had never seen nor
heard a Black Rail before, I immediately recognized the call from having heard it
several years ago on the Field Guide to Western Bird Songs record. During the next
hour 1 heard the call about 30 times, occasionally as close as 20 feet, but despite con-
siderable search I was unable to obtain even a glimpse of the bird. Because it called
often and at many points in the marsh, appearing to mark a territory, I hoped the bird
was nesting there. The marsh was fairly extensive, lying next to Little Beaverdam Creek

Summer 1976

63

near its junction with Lake Hartwell. The vegetation ranged from 2-3 feet in height
and was quite variable in composition, though juncus (J uncus effusus) was the domi-
nant plant where the rail was heard.

On the following evening, Sidney Gauthreaux and Frank Moore accompanied
me to the marsh. We immediately heard the rail calling, and Gauthreaux was able to
get a good recording of the call on a tape recorder. We played the taped call back to
the rail with only fair success. Despite attracting it to within 8 feet of us, we were
never able to see it. We returned the next evening (15 May), armed with the tape re-
corder and new techniques designed to allow us to see a Black Rail. We heard the
bird calling, and for over an hour we failed to get a glimpse of it. Finally, as we were
walking toward the call, the bird flushed from beneath Moore’s feet and flew about
50 yards before dropping into the marsh. Not only did we all record a life bird, but
we had visually confirmed a Black Rail in the marsh.

In an attempt to find evidence of breeding, I returned to the marsh on a number
of dates following the above sighting. On 20 May I heard the rail on many occasions
but never saw it. On 7, 10, and 22 June I neither saw nor heard the rail, and I assumed
that it must have finished its calling period, migrated out of the marsh, or have been
killed.

Because of the disappointments in June, I was totally unprepared for what was to
happen on the morning of 6 July. I was stunned when I flushed an adult Virginia Rail
from 1.5-foot high grass-sedge in the marsh. The long, slender bill and dark plum-
age with considerable rusty-color in the wings were easily seen, and the 8-9-inch
length ruled out the possibility of a juvenile King Rail ( Rallus elegans). I searched the
grass in the area where the bird flushed, hoping to uncover a nest. About a minute
later and perhaps 25 feet from where the Virginia Rail flushed, an adult Black Rail
flushed in front of me and flew about 30 yards before dropping into the marsh. I had
an excellent look at it; and I observed the small (but not tiny) size, blackish plumage
with white flecks in the wings, short bill, and especially the chestnut patch on the
upper back. I did not see or hear any more rails in an extensive search of the marsh.
Several other trips to the marsh in July after the above sightings were unsuccessful.

This appears to be the first summer record of the Virginia Rail in South Caro-
lina. It breeds or has been recorded in summer at several locations in eastern North
Carolina (Dare and Hyde Counties), according to Birds of North Carolina. Two
records that perhaps relate to the Townville sighting are a pair of this species and
two downy young seen on 14 June 1970 along the Chattahoochee River near Atlanta,
Georgia ( Audubon Field Notes 24:672), and an adult with chicks in the same area on
30 May 1971 ( American Birds 25:844). Since I never heard Virginia Rails call at
Townville, I am inclined to believe that the bird was not breeding; however, the 6 July
date seems much too early for the bird to have been a southbound migrant.

The Townville records are the first indication of breeding of Black Rails in north-
western South Carolina, and apparently only one previous record exists for the area.
On 2 May 1975 Kerry Reese and Larry Luckett found an injured Black Rail in a Screech
Owl ( Otus asio) nest in a Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) box near Clemson. Gauthreaux and
I examined the bird, an adult, before it was collected later in the day. The Black Rail
has been found breeding or recorded in summer at several localities in inland North
and South Carolina (see Birds of North Carolina and South Carolina Bird Life), and
once near Athens, Georgia ( Georgia Birds). However, most or all of these records
are over 25 years old, and it seems that the species is less numerous as a breeder in the
inland parts of the Southeast than it was at the beginning of this century.

ADDENDUM

During the summer of 1976 I made weekly trips to the marsh described above. An
adult Virginia Rail was flushed on 27 June, and a different bird, perhaps a juvenile
(dark in color without rusty coloration in wings), was flushed on 1 July. No calls of
the Virginia Rail were heard, nor did I find any evidence of Black Rails in the marsh

64

The Chat

in 1976. These two sightings, plus the record of July 1975, suggest that the Virginia
Rail is nesting in this marsh.

Some Noteworthy Fall Migration Records
from Franklin County, N.C., Including
an Inland Sighting of a Wilson’s Plover

ELOISE F. POTTER

Route 3, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 18 September 1975

In May of 1975, I began a study of the birds of Franklin County, N.C., using a
modified version of the roadside census method and concentrating on the Tar River
basin, which cuts across the central part of the county. A preliminary survey of the
region revealed no major natural or man-make lakes. Privately owned Lake Sagamore
(310 acres) offers the only sizable expanse of open water in the county. All other ponds
built for recreational or agricultural purposes appear to be less than 100 acres in area.
During the summer of 1975, Moore’s Pond (65 acres), located on Little River near the
Wake County line, was partially drained for repairs on the dam. A fairly good grassy
flat developed here, but throughout the rest of Franklin County fall migrant shorebirds
were dependent primarily upon narrow margins of farm ponds, particularly those used
for crop irrigation and the watering of cattle. Although scattered sightings of one to
six shorebirds, mostly Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferus), Solitary Sandpipers ( Tringa
solitaria), and Spotted Sandpipers ( Actitis macularia), were fairly common, no large
flocks were found. Therefore, the occurrence of several noteworthy species during
August and September of 1975 was quite surprising.

On 26 August I flushed three Upland Sandpipers ( Bartramia longicauda) from a
dry roadside pasture on the Mort Harris farm located on SR 1001 at Margaret, about
7 miles E of Louisburg. The brownish birds had yellow legs, but their rumps were not
white. This immediately eliminated from consideration the several medium-sized
yellow-legged shorebirds with which the Upland Sandpiper might be confused. In
flight the birds uttered a melodius call consisting of four or five whistled notes. One
individual perched briefly on a fence, displaying the typical Upland Sandpiper sil-
houette. Although the birds flew out of sight before I could study them through the
telescope, I am familiar with the species and confident of the identification.

Elsewhere on the Harris farm, I found three American Golden Plovers ( Pluvialis
dominica) on 14 September. The birds were feeding with Killdeer at the edge of a
pond and in the adjacent pasture. When the six Killdeer took flight, I noted among
them three slightly larger brownish shorebirds having no distinctive field mark such
as a wing stripe, white rump, or black axillars. After the birds settled to the ground,
I was able to study one of the American Golden Plovers at leisure in bright midday
sunlight through a 30X Balscope at a distance of perhaps 100 yards. The bird had a
pale golden-brown breast that faded to creamy white at the throat and chin. A creamy
stripe separated the black bill and eye from the dark golden-brown crown. I have
seen this species once previously in fall on the Outer Banks.

On 30 August I found a Wilson’s Plover (C. wilsonia) feeding with three Killdeer
on a mud bar extending into an irrigation pond on the Wall farm, which is located
directly across SR 1106 from Moore’s Pond. The site is about 120 miles NW of the
nearest beachfront. Field guide in hand and with the late afternoon sun behind me,
I was able to study the bird at a distance of about 150 feet through a 30X Balscope.
In general appearance the plover was slender, long-legged, and long-billed — not at all
like the plump, short-legged, and stubby-billed Semipalmated Plover (C. semipalma-
tus). Slightly smaller than the Killdeer, the plover was about the size of a Spotted
Sandpiper, which is what I thought it was at the first distant glance. The plover’s
mud-brown mantle was a shade lighter than that of the Killdeer. The length and thick-

Summer 1976

65

ness of the black bill were approximately the same as in the Killdeer. Legs, like those
of the Killdeer, were a grayish flesh color rather than yellow. Across its breast the
bird had a single wide sepia stripe just a little lighter shade of brown than the mantle.
The breast stripe narrowed in the middle, suggesting that the bird was a hatching year
Wilson’s Plover rather than an adult female.

The Upland Sandpipers and Wilson’s Plover were seen during a period of almost
daily afternoon thundershowers, while the American Golden Plovers appeared the
day after the passage of a cold front.

The Harris farm lies along the crest of a ridge between Tar River and one of its
major tributaries, Cypress Creek, both of which flow in a southeasterly direction
through eastern Franklin County. One pasture contains a water hole and a pond
while the other has three ponds. This large expanse of grassland (approximately 2
square miles) seems to attract a wide variety of fall migrants that favor open country.
Two immature Black Terns ( Chlidonias niger) were present on 16 August and four on
26 August. Two Caspian Terns ( Hydroprogne caspia) circled one of the ponds brief-
ly on 24 August. An American Kestrel ( Falco sparverius) was present on 11 August
both here and at a farm on the other side of Cypress Creek. A Merlin (F. columbarius)
was an early migrant at the Harris farm on 24 August. The brown-plumaged falcon,
either a female or a hatching year bird, was on the ground where it appeared to be
consuming prey. It flew first to a powerline, then to a fence, and finally into the
woods. Light conditions were not good, and the Merlin never remained in one place
long enough to permit careful study; but the dark brown mantle, indistinct facial
pattern, heavily streaked underparts, and barred tail lacking rusty coloration clearly
separated it from the smaller American Kestrel and the larger Peregrine Falcon (F.
peregrinus) .

Of the sightings mentioned above, that of the Wilson’s Plover is the most note-
worthy because this species rarely strays from the immediate coastal region. E.
Milby Burton (South Carolina Bird Life 1970, p. 597) was surprised to find one feed-
ing in a rice field several miles from the sea on 10 May 1952. This appears to be the
only published inland record from South Carolina. Robert P. Holmes III ( Chat 10:17)
lists three Wilson’s Plovers seen on 18 September 1945 among various shorebirds,
including the Semipalmated Plover, recorded during an unspecified period of time
at Mount Olive, Wayne County, N.C. Mount Olive lies about 120 miles W of Ocracoke
Island and 60-65 miles NW of the nearest beachfront. Holmes is an excellent field
observer who is thoroughly familiar with the shorebirds normally found in the Caro-
linas. I consider his record acceptable despite the unfortunate absence of details in
the published account. The Wilson’s Plover is not mentioned in R.J. Hader’s “Species
List of Birds of Wake County, North Carolina” ( Chat 33:53-71), and the author in-
forms me that he is not aware of any local sighting since publication of the county list
in 1969. Thus, to the best of my knowledge, the Wilson’s Plover seen in Franklin
County on 30 August 1975 is the first record from piedmont North Carolina and the
first inland sighting for the state to be reported with full details of field marks and
viewing conditions.

Razorbill at Huntington Beach State Park
and Pawleys Island, S.C.

FREDERICK M. PROBST
Route 2, Box 80-C2
Pawleys Island, S.C. 29585

On 9 January 1976, Mark Bara and I surveyed the ocean beaches at Huntington
Beach State Park and Garden City, S.C., for oil-soaked loons and other species.
Bara, a biologist with the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department,

66

The Chat

had been requested by the Department to seek evidence of afflicted birds.

At the State Park near the north parking lot, a single dead Common Loon ( Gavia
immer) was spotted on the beach above the high tide mark. Simultaneously, we noted
lying nearby a smaller bird which proved to be a fairly well-preserved Razorbill
(Alca tor da). This bird was heavily oiled, its wing tips, tail, and feet being so oil-soaked
that they were matted together. Bara took photographs of the bird at the spot where
we found it, and I later took a number of additional photographs of the specimen at
my home.

Another Razorbill was found on the beach at Pawleys Island, about 0.4 mile S of
the South Causeway. It was found and reported to me on 1 May 1976 by Bobby
DesPortes of Route 2, Hopkins, S.C. This bird also had been heavily oiled, and its
body was badly decayed and dessicated. Apparently it had been in the same oil
slick that destroyed the Huntington Beach bird. The Pawleys Island specimen will be
given to the Charleston Museum.

Three of the five previous records of the Razorbill in South Carolina sum-
marized by Sprunt and Chamberlain ( South Carolina Bird Life, 1970, p. 284 and 609)
are based on oil-soaked birds. One found 12 January 1948, on the beach at Pawleys
Island is now a specimen in the collection of the Charleston Museum. Another found
9 March 1958, on the beach at Sullivans Island { Audubon Field Notes 12:270) was
examined but not retained. A third was found 15 February 1963, on Bulls Island ( Chat
28:51). Of the remaining records, a single bird was observed 12 March 1964, about 30
nautical miles off Charleston ( Chat 30:26), and a flock of 12 was observed 19 Decem-
ber 1964, 7 miles E of Tybee Island, Georgia ( Oriole 33:1). One additional, unpublished
record of an oil-soaked bird is available, a specimen found at Edisto Beach by Roger
Lambert on 17 January 1970 ( Lesser Squawk, Charleston Natural History Society
Newsletter, Vol. 21, No. 2). Burton (Supplement, South Carolina Bird Life, 1970,
p. 609) states that Razor-billed Auks venture close to shore only if oil-soaked or ill.

Most field guides and other standard sources give Long Island, N.Y. as the south-
ern limit of the Razorbill’s winter range. A few give North Carolina as the southern
limit. That this species frequently winters offshore in South Carolina waters is evi-
denced clearly by the records summarized in this report.

Black Guillemot on South Carolina Coast in Spring:

A Second Sight Record for the State

FREDERICK M. PROBST
Route 2, Box 80-C2
Pawleys Island, S.C. 29585

While birding on the north beach at Huntington Beach State Park, Georgetown
County, S.C., on 17 April 1975, five observers saw what can only be described as a
Black Guillemot ( Cepphus grylle). Evelyn Dabbs, Charlotte Waggett, John Waggett,
Phillip Waggett, and I noticed a bird, at first thought to be a Common Loon ( Gavia
immer), swimming about 500-600 feet offshore parallel to the beach. Soon realizing
that the bird definitely was not a loon or a scoter, we studied it carefully with bin-
oculars and with a zoom Balscope adjusted to the best power (40X). The ocean was
relatively calm, yet there is always wave action some distance from the beach. The
bird, swimming leisurely from right to left of the observers, alternately rose on the
crest of the swells and disappeared in the trough of the waves. We watched the bird
from about 1400 to 1430, during which time we moved from the beach to a dune
to get a better view. The day was clear, and light conditions were excellent with the
sun shining brightly behind us.

Being generally familiar with loons, scoters, and other oceanic birds that sit upon
the water in the manner of the bird before us, we gave the unusual individual the closest

Summer 1976

67

scrutiny, carefully checking our observations against the diagnostic characters noted
in the field guides. Each birder was impressed with the relative smallness of the bird,
which was smaller than a loon or scoter. The bill was pointed and without any bulge
or bluntness as in that of a scoter. In coloration the bird was over-all dark gray to
black with no white showing except in the wing. At one time the bird rose in the water
and shook both wings, thus revealing not only the grayish color of the entire upper
wing surface but also the almost pure white wing patches on the fore part of the wings.
We agreed without question that the bird was a Black Guillemot. Unfortunately, the
bird was too far offshore to permit documenting the record with a recognizable
photograph.

The appearance of the Black Guillemot at Huntington Beach corresponds with the
normal mid-April northward movement of birds wintering off the Massachusetts coast
(Bent, Life Histories of North American Diving Birds, 1919, p. 161). A severe storm
system that occurred in the New England states shortly before the date of the local
sighting may have displaced a migrant southward.

A Black Guillemot has been recorded once previously in South Carolina. The
sighting took place on 21 September 1958 and was reported by Alexander Sprunt Jr.
in a letter that appeared in J. Douglas Donehue’s “Woods and Waters” column in the
Charleston News and Courier dated 24 September 1958. Sprunt’s letter reads in part:
“Mr. Alex Mikell, while walking the beach on Morris Island saw, on the jetties which
intrude upon the sands there, a bird unknown to him. He approached to such close
quarters that he actually touched it, after studying it for several minutes. His very clear
description leaves no room for any doubt that it was a Black Guillemot. It was de-
scribed as about a foot long; black, with some white edging on some feathers; large
white shoulder patches and brilliant red feet. It sat quietly on one of the rocks and
seemed somewhat weak but, when touched by Mr. Mikell it took off and flew sea-
ward. As far as the writer knows, this is the first time the species has ever been
observed in the state.” The Black Guillemot is included in the 1970 Revised Edition of
South Carolina Bird Life (Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949), appearing in E. Milby Bur-
ton’s Hypothetical List (p. 641) on the basis of the newspaper article quoted above.

Monk Parakeets in South Carolina

FREDERICK M. PROBST
Route 2, Box 80-C2
Pawleys Island, S.C. 29585

On 10 April 1976, I was informed by Gurdon Tarbox, Director of Brookgreen
Gardens, Georgetown County, S.C., that Monk Parakeets ( Myiopsitta monachus)
had been seen by Preston Pearson on Sandy Island Road (SR 362) west of the Gardens
area. Mr. Tarbox also saw the birds the evening of 9 April 1976, in about the same
location.

I visited the site (300-400 yards NW of US 17; 33° 30' N, 79° 07' W) at about
0930 on 10 April 1976 and saw seven Monk Parakeets fly from the roadside into a
stand of small willows bordering the road. After some milling around, all of the birds
landed in the same tree. Some promptly went to sleep, while the others preened. One
of several color photographs (slides) shows three of the birds asleep on a branch.

I was unable to locate the birds on 11 April 1976, but on 12 April 1976, my wife
Renee and I saw them at a site not far from the original location. I have not seen
them since, although some of the boys in the “village” report seeing about five each
day. Four or five birds were seen on 19 April by Mr. and Mrs. Tromater of Richmond,
Virginia, on US 17 about 2 miles N of the original site. The birds apparently roam
over a wide area which encompasses both the road and the village. How long the
birds have been in the area is uncertain. One man reported that they were first seen
about the middle of March, while others reported seeing them about 2 weeks later.

68

The Chat

There is no doubt concerning the identification of the birds as Monk Parakeets.
The color slides show clearly the distinguishing green back, long tail, blue-green
wings, and the gray “cowl” or “hood” on the face and breast. I have also examined a
dead bird that was found on a road and brought to me. This specimen, apparently a
“road-kill”, will be donated to the Charleston Museum for preparation as a study skin.

These sightings constitute the third record of the Monk Parakeet in South Caro-
lina. A single adult bird was observed by Julian Harrison at Fort Johnson on James
Island near Charleston, S.C., on 2 June 1974; several weeks later Perry Nugent saw
another at the USDA Vegetable Breeding Laboratory near Charleston, S.C., on 17
July 1974 ( Chat 38:97).

Two Records of the Clay-colored Sparrow

from the Eastern Piedmont of North Carolina in Fail

ROBERT P. TELLINGS
ELIZABETH P. TELLINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

ELOISE F. POTTER

Route 3, Zebulon, N.C. 27597 2 November 1975

The Clay-colored Sparrow ( Spizella pallida) was first recorded in North Carolina
on 19 September 1983 when Elizabeth D. Peacock ( Chat 28:98) banded one near
Duck in coastal Dare County. Paul W. Sykes Jr. (unpublished Master’s thesis, N.C.
State Lniversity, 1967) found the species to be an uncommon transient during his
study of fall land bird migration in the Bodie-Pea Island section of Dare County. He
saw nine Clay-colored Sparrows between 5 October and 14 November 1965. Lee
Jones ( Audubon Field Notes 22:25) found two at Cedar Island, Carteret County, on
30 September 1967. Subsequent records ( Chat 35:34, 37:33, and 38:29) have established
the regularity of this sparrow of the Great Plains as a fall transient in the northern part
of coastal North Carolina between mid-September and mid-November. South of Cape
Hatteras and inland, however, records are too scarce for the species to be considered
anything more than accidental.

Robert and Elizabeth Teulings ( Audubon Field Notes 22:25) netted a Clay-
colored Sparrow on 14 October 1967 at the Mason Farm, which is located adjacent to
Finley Golf Course just SE of Chapel Hill, Orange County, N.C. The Teulings were
conducting a banding demonstration for a group of Carolina Bird Club members
attending the fall meeting at Chapel Hill. The Clay-colored Sparrow was caught in
a mist net set along one of the multiflora rose hedges dividing the corn fields on the
farm. The bird had a thin white median line on the crown (Figure 1) and a distinctly
buff-colored rump. In addition, the Teulings noted the grayish nape, or “collar,” a
characteristic of the species. The immature bird had an incompletely ossified skull
and a wing chord of 58 mm. Ida Suttman photographed the bird (Figure 1).

The second inland fall record of the Clay-colored Sparrow for the state occurred
on 23 October 1975 about 10 miles S of Louisburg in Franklin County. About 16:30
EDT, Eloise Potter stopped just E of LS 401 to examine a flock of blackbirds in a
soybean field on SR 1101. Some of the blackbirds flew into pines at the edge of a
pasture across the road, displacing a small bird. Through a 7 X 50 binocular at a dis-
tance of about 20 feet, Potter saw in profile only the head of a sparrow that had such
a wide buffy-yellow superciliary stripe, rich mahogany-brown auriculars, and dis-
tinct malar line that it appeared to be a Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus). When
the bird flew to a nearby tree, it revealed no breast spot or white in the tail, thus
eliminating that species from consideration. The bird perched in another pine with
only one wing, part of the back, and all of the tail visible. The wings were folded over
the rump, hiding most of it. The brown wing had two distinct wing bars, the light-

Summer 1976

69

brown back was neatly streaked with dark brown and no gray could be seen where
the rump met the back. The bird moved to a higher limb, perched facing the bright
afternoon sun, and began preening. Potter was able to study the head and breast of
the sparrow for about 5 minutes through a 30X Balscope at a distance of no more
than 30 feet. The unstreaked and unspotted white breast had a slight dingy gray
wash at each side. The black, or blackish-brown, whisker widened at the end toward
the breast. The center of the ear patch was lighter than the edges but still a darker and
more reddish brown than shown in illustrations of the Clay-colored Sparrow in field
guides. Eye ring and eye stripe were buffy. The nape never was seen satisfactorily.
Bill was a pinkish horn color, considerably less pink than that of the Field Sparrow
(S. pusilla). The crown was a rich mahogany brown finely streaked with black and
buffy gray. When the bird lowered its head to preen the breast, a distinct buffy gray
median line extended the full length of the crown. The bird appeared to be an adult
in winter plumage. The richness of the brown in the ear patch and crown as well as
the strong yellow tinge to the eye stripe may have been a result of the warm glow of
the afternoon sun. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to study the bird in differ-
ent light. About 10 minutes after the original sighting, the bird suddenly took flight,
joining a passing flock of sparrows flying directly into the sun. These birds definitely
were not Chipping Sparrows (S. passerina). They sounded like Savannah Sparrows
( Fasser cuius sandwichensis) , which reportedly have flocking calls very much like
the faint tisp of the Clay-colored.

Although the Clay-colored Sparrow was found at Columbia, S.C., on 20 and 21
April 1968 ( Chat 32:78) and at Clemson, S.C., on 29 and 30 April 1973 ( Chat 37:89),
no entirely satisfactory spring record is known from North Carolina. Harry E. LeGrand
Jr. ( American Birds 25:723) reported one at Raleigh on 9 May 1971. LeGrand (pers.
com.) says the bird was feeding with Field Sparrows in a patch of weeds, and the
flock perched in a fence for about 3 seconds. In spite of LeGrand’s excellent reputa-
tion as a field observer, the brief viewing time does not seem adequate for the first

Fig. 1. Shown above is the immature Clay-colored Sparrow banded at Chapel Hill,
N.C., on 14 October 1967 by Robert and Elizabeth Teulings. (Photo by Ida Suttman)

70

The Chat

spring record of the species for the state. It should be noted, however, that spring
Clay-colored Sparrows are far less difficult to identify than the fall immatures, which
can be reliably separated from immature Chippies only by rump color, gray in the
Chipping Sparrow and brown in the Clay-colored.

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(Winter Season, 1975-1976)

RED-NECKED GREBE: A sighting of an individual was recorded in South Carolina
waters 10 miles outside Charleston harbor on 31 January during an offshore cruise
sponsored by the Carolina Bird Club (Sidney Gauthreaux et ah).

HORNED GREBE: Winter visitors were unusually abundant at several of the larger
inland reservoirs, topped by counts of 168 at Roanoke Rapids Lake and 116 at
Lake Gaston in Halifax and Warren Counties, N.C., noted by Merrill Lynch on
27 December.

EARED GREBE: One was present in mid-December at Lake Wheeler near Raleigh,
N.C., observed by Chris Marsh and James Mulholland; and another was seen at
Salvo on the North Carolina Outer Banks on 25 January by Robert Anderson.

GREAT CORMORANT: An adult and immature were seen at the Charleston ship-
yards on 3 January by Jim Berry; and one adult was seen at Hatteras Inlet, N.C.,
on 12 March by Eloise Potter.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: An estimated 10,000 were seen massed in
Pamlico Sound near Hatteras Inlet on the North Carolina coast on 10 January by
Joe Hudick. Inland, four were noted on 31 March at Salem Lake near Winston-
Salem, N.C., by Fran Baldwin, Pat Culberson, and Ramona Snavely, a second
local record.

CATTLE EGRET: Three winter stragglers were seen in Currituck County, N.C.,
near Powell Point on 25 January by Dorothy Lapeyre; and several remained
through the season in the Morehead City, N.C., area of Carteret County (fide
John Fussell). Inland, a late individual was seen at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 6 De-
cember by Bill Wagner and another at Raleigh, N.C., on 9 January by Donna
Goodwin and Darryl Moffett.

BRANT: Three were seen in Hatteras Inlet off Ocracoke Island, N.C., on 10 January
by Joe Hudick.

SNOW GEESE: Census data reported by Jack Hagan showed a peak of 16,000
present at Pea Island N.W.R. in late December.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL: A very early inland migrant was seen at Townville, S.C., on
15 February by Harry LeGrand, and another was sighted on 7 March near Reids-
ville, N.C., by Barry Kinzie.

CANVASBACK: An unusually high local count of 150 was recorded inland at Lake
Anne near Raleigh, N.C., on 4 February by Carl Leibrandt.

GREATER SCAUP: At Sullivans Island, S.C., a flock of 2000 was present in Breach
Inlet 7 February, observed by Edmund Farrar.

BUFFLEHEAD: Over 500 were seen in Charleston harbor on 7 December by Ted
Beckett.

Summer 1976

71

BLACK VULTURE: A roosting flock of nearly 200 was found along the Roanoke
River in northwestern Bertie County, N.C., on 11 March by Merrill Lynch.

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK: A good count of 23 was recorded during a 35-mile
float trip down the Roanoke River from US 258 in the vicinity of Scotland Neck,
N.C., by Merrill Lynch on 11 and 12 March.

RED-TAILED HAWK: A close sighting of an individual believed to be of the Krider’s
race was recorded near New Bern, N.C., on 22 December by Edmund LeGrand
and Merrill Lynch.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: One was seen near Wilmington, N.C., on 27 December
by Joshua Lee. Another was observed at Mt. Pleasant, S.C., on 1 February by
Jay Carter.

VIRGINIA RAIL: At Townville, S.C., individuals were seen on 5 December and 21
February by Harry LeGrand. December and March occurrences also were noted
at Raleigh, N.C., by Robert Hader, indicating that this species is a possible inland
winter resident.

YELLOW RAIL: One was observed in the Wrightsville Beach, N.C., area on 20 Janu-
ary by John Hardwick.

BLACK RAIL: One was flushed at House Pond, Bulls Island, S.C., on 30 December
by Ed Farrar.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: One was seen at Dewees Island near Charleston, S.C.,
on 27 March by Perry Nugent.

PURPLE SANDPIPER: At least 100 were seen on the Charleston, S.C., harbor jetties
on 7 December by Ted Beckett.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: Two were observed at Mt. Pleasant, S.C., on 29 March by
Perry Nugent.

LEAST SANDPIPER: Four were reported by Robert Hader to have overwintered
at Raleigh, N.C., at Greenview Farm. A wintering individual was present also at
Clemson, S.C., fide Harry LeGrand.

DUNLIN: A lingerer remained at Clemson as late as 14 December, observed by
Harry LeGrand.

AMERICAN AVOCET: A large flock of at least 100 was seen at Morris Island near
Charleston, S.C., on 2 December by Curt Laffin.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: One was found at Salem Lake near Winston-
Salem, N.C., on 17 January by Charles Frost, a rare inland record.

BLACK-HEADED GULL: An individual in first-year plumage was present through
most of February at Hurdles Cut ferry landing on the Pamlico River in Beaufort
County, N.C. The bird was seen first by Anne and Bruce Reynolds.

LEAST TERN: One was seen at Shackleford Banks off Morehead City, N.C., on the
early date of 28 March by John Fussell.

SANDWICH TERN: An early-arriving flock was noted on 21 March at Cape Point,
Hatteras Island, N.C., by Joe Hudick.

BLACK SKIMMER: At least 600 were still present as late as 13 December at More-
head City, N.C., fide John Fussell.

BURROWING OWL: One was observed closely on 30 December on the grounds of
the USD A Vegetable Research Laboratory near Charleston by Perry Nugent, the
third sight record for South Carolina.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: A late-lingering individual was seen on 19
January at Mt. Pleasant, S.C., by Grayson Hanahan.

PILEATED WOODPECKER: Forty-six were tallied 11-13 March along the Roanoke
River during a 35-mile float trip downstream from US 258 in the vicinity of
Scotland Neck, N.C., by Merrill Lynch.

72

The Chat

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: One was a noteworthy find on 16 December at
Sullivans Island, S.C., near Charleston, observed by Dennis Forsythe.

BEWICK’S WREN: One was reported by Harry LeGrand to have overwintered at
Townville, S.C., and another was seen on 30 March near Chapel Hill, N.C., by
Bill and Margaret Wagner.

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN: LInusual inland winter sightings of a single bird
were noted on 11 January and 21 February near Townville, S.C., by Harry
LeGrand.

SPRAGUE’S PIPIT: One was a rare winter visitor at South Carolina’s Santee
N.W.R., observed by Perry Nugent and party on 21 February.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: A good count of 20 was recorded on 14 March
at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston, S.C., by Edmund Farrar.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: Individuals were seen in Durham, N.C., area on 13 January
by Wilson Brame and 20 January by Robin Carter and Stanley Alford.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: One was seen at Raleigh, N.C., on 26 December by
James Mulholland, an uncommon winter record for that locality.

INDIGO BUNTING: A late-lingering individual was present 6-12 January at Long
Beach, N.C., observed by Samuel Tipton.

DICKCISSEL: One was seen on 2 January at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., by Charlotte
and Phil Waggett.

PINE GROSBEAK: A flock of 24 was seen on 27 March at Clemmons in Forsyth
County, N.C., by Gardner and Margaret Gidley et al.

COMMON REDPOLL: One was a daily visitor at Pat and Jim Culberson’s feeder in
Winston-Salem, N.C., 13-26 February.

SAVANNAH (IPSWICH) SPARROW: A very unusual inland occurrence for an
individual of this coastal race was recorded in Forsyth County, N.C., on 5 Feb-
ruary by Fran Baldwin and Ramona Snavely. The bird was found at Belews
Creek Lake in the company of Savannah Sparrows and Snow Buntings.

TREE SPARROW: One was recorded as a rare winter visitor at Winston-Salem,
N.C., where it was observed several times at Reynolda Park 9-13 February by
Charles Frost and Ramona Snavely.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: For the third consecutive winter, an individual was a
regular visitor to Perry and Cris Nugent’s feeder at Charleston, S.C. Another was
seen in the Charleston vicinity at Magnolia Gardens on 14 February by Edmund
Farrar.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATES

Saturday, 18 December 1976 through Sunday, 2 January 1977

Summer 1976

73

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
28782.

OFFICERS

President F.M. (Pat) Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585

Vice-presidents T.M. Rial, 791 Boardman Rd., Dumbarton Oaks, Aiken, S.C.

Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.
John Fussell III, P.O. Box 520, Morehead City, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Fran Baldwin, Winston-Salem, and Walter Holland Jr., Brevard
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

CV9 0/nsfs

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

VgL 40

FALL 1976

No. 4

No. 4

The Chat

Vol. 40 Fall 1976

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor Eloise F. Potter, Route 3, Box 114 AA, Zebulon, N.C. 27597

General Field Notes James F. Parnell, Department Editor

Julian R. Harrison, Associate Editor

Briefs for the Files Robert P. Teulings, Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514

CBC Roundtable Louis C. Fink, Apt. 6, Bldg. L, Tau Valley Estates,

Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801

Bird Count Editor Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Department of Zoology,

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631
Art and Photography John Henry Dick and Jack Dermid

THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at Shuford Memorial Sanc-
tuary, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C. 28782. Second class postage paid at Tryon, N.C. 28782 and at additional mailing
offices. Subscription price $5.00 per year.

CONTENTS

Breeding Season Habitats of the Golden-crowned Kinglet

in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, Marcus B. Simpson Jr 75

CBC Roundtable 77

Spring Bird Count — 1976, Harry E. LeGrand 78

General Field Notes 93

Aerial Diving by Great Egrets, Kitty Kosh 93

Bald Eagle Seen in Forsyth County, N.C., Ramona R. Snavely 94

Limpkin Observed at Lake Waccamaw, N.C.,

R. Haven Wiley and Minna S. Wiley 94

A Bridled Tern From North Carolina,

Micou M. Browne, David L. Hughes, and Gary M. Williamson 95

Spring Shorebirds at a Partially Drained Lake

Near Fayetteville, N.C., P.J. Crutchfield 96

Some Observations of the Common Raven as a Predator,

Ben A. Sanders 96

A Case of Suspected Double-broodedness in the Carolina

Chickadee, Eloise F. Potter 97

Worm-eating Warblers in the South Carolina Coastal Plain in June,

Paul B. Hamel and Michael R. Lennartz 98

Probable Breeding of the Red Crossbill

in the North Carolina Sandhills, J.H. Carter III 100

Briefs for the Files 101

Book Review 105

Index to Volume 40 106

CB@

OUR COVER — An adult Bald Eagle was photographed in
Forsyth County, N.C., by Allie Brown, staff photographer
for the Winston-Salem Sentinel. John Henry Dick contrib-
uted the drawing of a Least Sandpiper on page 93.

BREEDING SEASON HABITATS
OF THE GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
IN THE SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR.

The Golden-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus satrapa) occurs through much of Canada,
the northern United States, and down the Appalachian highlands to the southern limit
of its breeding range in the mountains of western North Carolina (A.O.U. 1957). Pear-
son et al. (1959) state that the bird breeds on “some of the higher mountains” but they
give no details of habitat selection. In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, the species
occurs during the summer months in three distinct types of coniferous forests.

1. Spruce-fir forests. The majority of kinglets inhabit the forests of red spruce
( Picea rubens) and Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri) at elevations above 1372 m (4500 feet).
The species is well documented as a common summer resident in the Great Smoky
Mountains (Stupka 1963); northern Great Balsam Mountains, Plott Balsam Mountains,
southern Great Balsam Mountains, Shining Rock Ledge, Blue Ridge Mountains, and
Nantahala Mountains (Simpson, present study); Black Mountains (Simpson 1972a);
Grandfather Mountain (Pearson et al. 1959, Alexander 1973); Roan Mountain (Fred
Behrend, pers. com.; Simpson, present study); the Mt. Rogers-Whitetop area of Vir-
ginia (Murray 1952; Simpson, present study); and apparently at Cone Lake, Watauga
County, N.C. (Murray 1946). Breeding reports have been obtained in the Smokies
(Stupka 1963), Black Mountains (Burleigh 1941), and Grandfather Mountain (Pearson
et al. 1959); while breeding season densities have been reported by Adams (1959)
and Alsop (1970).

2. Hemlock forests. The eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) is a common forest
tree throughout the southern Blue Ridge, where it often occurs as a major dominant
in sheltered ravines and moist slopes. Golden-crowned Kinglets have been reported as
fairly common summer residents in this forest type at 1220 m (4000 feet) on the High-
lands Plateau, Macon County, N.C. (Stevenson 1941; Johnston 1964; Simpson, present
study). I have noted one to two pairs at 1097 m (3600 feet) in the hemlock stand along
Sim’s Creek near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County, N.C., on numerous
occasions during the months of June and July. In late June 1970, I noted a pair of king-
lets in the hemlock woods at 1220 m (4000 feet) in the Craggy Mountain Scenic Area,
Carter Creek, Great Craggy Mountains, Buncombe County, N.C. I am unaware of any
breeding density studies or nesting evidence from this type of habitat.

3. White pine forests. The white pine ( Pinus strobus) is widely distributed in the
southern Blue Ridge, where it may form solid stands in some locales. At Highlands,
Macon County, N.C., Golden-crowned Kinglets have been observed throughout the
summer months by Toliver Crunkleton, David Johnston, Thelma Howell (pers. com.),
and Simpson (present study) in the mature grove of white pines at 1170 m (3840 feet)
near the Highlands Biological Station. A pair successfully fledged three young from a
nest in a Norway spruce located within this area in June 1951 (see Simpson 1972b),
and this spot marks the presently known southern limit of the species in the eastern
United States during the breeding season.

SUMMARY

The Golden-crowned Kinglet inhabits three types of coniferous forests during the
breeding season in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The majority of the birds occur
in spruce-fir forests above 1372 m (4500 feet) while the species also inhabits hemlock
stands between 1097 m (3600 feet) and 1220 m (4000 feet) . At the Highlands Biological

Fall 1976

75

Station, the bird has also been reported from white pine stands, and this locality is the

southern breeding limit of the species in the eastern United States. Observers should

be alert to document and report any additional breeding season records of the

Golden-crowned Kinglet from western North Carolina.

LITERATURE CITED

Adams, D.A. 1959. Breeding bird survey: Fraser’s fir forest. Audubon Field Notes
13:464.

Alexander, W.C. 1973. Abundance and habitat preferences of birds on the slopes of
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, April-November. Jour, of the Elisha
Mitchell Sci. Soc. 89:92-100.

Alsop, F.J., III. 1970. A census of a breeding bird population in a virgin spruce fir
forest on Mt. Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Migrant 41:49-55.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Checklist of North American birds. Baltimore,
The Lord Baltimore Press.

Burleigh, T.D. 1941. Bird life on Mt. Mitchell. Auk 58:334-345.

Johnston, D.W. 1964. The Birds of Highlands, North Carolina, with a preliminary list
from Cashiers and nearby gorges. Jour, of the Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 80:29-38.

Murray, J.J. 1946. Some North Carolina bird notes. Chat 10:32-34.

1952. Checklist of the birds of Virginia. Virginia Soc. of Om.

Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1959. Birds of North Carolina. Ra-
leigh, Bynum Printing Co.

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1972a. Annotated checklist of the birds of Mt. Mitchell State Park,
North Carolina. Jour, of the Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 88:244-251.

. 1972b. Status of the Golden-crowned Kinglet on the Highlands Plateau.

Chat 36:92-93.

Stevenson, H.M., Jr. 1941. Summer residents of the Highlands, North Carolina, region.
Oriole 6:41-48.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knox-
ville, University of Tennessee Press.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md. 21205,
16 February 1976. [Present address: 9706 Basket Ring Road, Columbia, Md. 21045.]

76

The Chat

CB©

. . . with Louis C. Fink

When Do Birds Starve?

I spoke to the Rocky Mount Garden Club recently, and fielded the usual ques-
tions. Normally, I can anticipate the questions. But this time I was stuck. “How long
can a wild bird live without food?” Assuming a hard freeze, with no insects available
and plants covered with ice, how long will a bird survive? Does any reader know of
any study on that point?

The 600 Club

Terry Moore now handles the affairs of the 600 Club. If you want to receive the
Newsletter, send $5 ($7 for husband and wife) to Terry at 2699 Twiggs Circle, Mari-
etta, Ga. 30067.

New Natural Area

On 11 August 1976 Trent Ragland, president of Martin Marietta Aggregates, pre-
sented to the State of North Carolina the deed to a 68-acre tract of land that has be-
come the third protected natural area to be administered by the State Parks system.
Known locally as Mitchell’s Mill, the site includes a granite outcropping on which
grow several rare plants unique to that particular habitat. In addition, many coastal
plain plants reach their western limit at Mitchell’s Mill while many mountain and pied-
mont species are at or near their eastern limit. The Mitchell’s Mill Natural Area, located
on NC 96 about a mile east of US 401, affords excellent birding, particularly during
spring migration. Long used as a trash dump, the site is being cleaned by volunteers
organized by Bob Teulings and assisted by other State Parks employees, some of whom
are working on Saturdays without pay. Customary trash removal methods cannot be
used on the granite outcropping without destroying the fragile plants beneath the
debris. Numerous broken bottles, rusty cans, and other potentially dangerous objects
must be lifted one at a time by hand, work that truly tests the volunteers’ devotion to
conservation.

Land Preservation Needed on Roan Mountain

According to an article in the May 1976 issue of Audubon, Roan Mountain on the
North Carolina-Tennessee border is in danger of being overdeveloped as a vacation
and retirement center. Funds are urgently needed to preserve the spectacular stands of
rhododendron, flame azalea, and various wild flowers including the rare Gray’s lily.
Stanley A. Murray, president of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy with
offices in Kingsport, Tennessee, points out that $500 will save an acre, $25 a rhododen-
ron. Gifts for the Roan Mountain project also may be sent to the Nature Conservancy’s
headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. To bird students Roan Mountain is known as one
of the few places in the Southeast where the Snow Bunting can be considered a regular

winter resident. , ^

(Continued on Page 92)

Fall 1976

77

Abum zz
O N ' OQ Ajsav

Aeifti i.

O N ‘ oo aqiuooung

Abiai i
O N 'pJBAajg

IMdy 82
O N ' 00 l|9«P|B0

Abiai l
O N 'Bpuog-u!>)i3

Abiai p
O S 'uosiuaio

Abiai 8

O S 'amAuaaJO

AbiaJ St
O N ‘euo|JBL|0

Abi^j g
O N ' oo napaJi

ABifti sl
O N “oo A|ubjs

Abiai i

O N ‘uja|BS-uoisu!M

Abvm l
O N ‘ojoqsuaajQ

Abiai z
O N ‘ll!H ladsqo

ludv PZ

O N 'LUBqjna

Abiaj z

O N 'p6!3|By

C\J LO • T-

O r- CD CO CD

Ab|/m 8

O N ‘spidBy a>|OUBoy

IMdv PZ
O S 'Biquunioo

IMdy LZ
O N 'sauy ujaq;nos

Ab^\| 6
O N 'aiimajjaABy

IMdv LZ

O S “00 uonia

Abiai z

O N “00 ooi|WBd

Abiaj 6

O N “oo pojnEag

CO ■ CO CO • ■ CNJ

i- in ■ o cd in • o

cnj m in

o • in co

cd - to

Abjai z

o s ‘uojsaiJBMO

IMdv PZ

O N ‘uoi6u!tU|!M

IMdv PZ

O N 'AllO PBaqaJOiAi

CM ^ Tj- T- CD in

cDinmr^ooo^cMOJco
T- co ■»— CM t— CD in

CO T- CNJ ^ in CD T- r

CNJ t- Tt CO ' CO O)

CM • • ' r~ CO

£ o

CO o

sienpjAjpu;

\*\0±

mCMt-N^cONCONT-COO)OCOOCN|r-Nin0^OCOCMT-
CNJ r-C\iO)CN](OCOinCM0CDO)COCOCOT-COCNJCM^OCMSCNI
r- r- CO t- CM CO r- CO t- t-

t- cnj co in cd m

co t- m r* o)

I O

0 a>

E £ ® ?
E -a E -o
o ® o

Q DC X CL

ro S c t- x „ c

E | c | ~§i,fc!

o.s.S.ff&fljgiici

w ^ .2 ^ o w 1 8 ®

-Qc»-*-.trcD‘-co— <DO)CO —

u

-? 3 "O

* 55 m iu

4- C <D
CO <D 0) —

— — — !D fl) v t vww

«3X3cv_‘-^-ca»-c
0Q<0(5 jO(5(0

2 5 .2 O

■o O T5 -

re 5 “

"O >
<D >

2> c

- S

5 >Q «

■= 2 -o ® 9 § §-

ra.E-2E .o®.E«o

OQ-mczSccccow

2 d>

CM CD ' CM

i- • Osi CD

10 co in

O t- CM CO

y— CD • Csi

CO • CVI CO

o eg in

eg ■ r-'- o in r-

m in cm in

in <d t- i-

r- eg co

y— y— CO ■ y-

CM O

o) co • m co w m o

in r CO r

eg ■ cm co r-

r CM r r ■ D- CO

rSO)COCM(OCOOO
t- co co O) t- oo in

£ §

T- O) CM T- CO • T-

t- egcomsegs^co

O N CO
00 CO

in • eg ^ co o eg

cm o in oo O) O) * coNinD^scoscMin^inojco^coin^co^coNr-ococMcocgco^NCM ocMcomcM^toocoo
t- g- m co eg eg cd co y- cocoor-T-cMg-cocoegcoo) o o ^ m d- oo co c\j in n cm r- eg

T— T- CD CM CO CD CM in t- m CM CO y— ~

co m co i-

c %
5 I

= -2 E-Q-V
5 « ra o -o
5 — -c O ®

(dliooir

mCO-S

If Ills

® Q. C

-£ ? S- o> 2

3 .E — .b o

1- * O > c/>

— ® o

a> c _ ■§ 0-

_ = CO

£ ® o
® E

o e- e

JO 3 o
CD 0. O

t ?!

W CL 5

= 7 .2 2 £ 5 P

P O. CL

E c — o

. > O (/) - D

in . c . w v

U r C ^ 4- 0) W
^ er 2 r= C O — = ®

dEo^oQ-Owt*-

ce<q5_icdcd§0

a> *

<8 "S

n S fi ts =

£ > . i- Q.

Haiti

i i ! I “ =

r- A, | w .9- ®
§ ^ E »

© ^ -c o o

Q 55 CD §

c L_
m co
CD 0-

m cm

Abiai ZZ
O N "oo Ajsav

Abiai l

O N "00 aqwooung

Abiai l
O N ‘pJBASjg

co ■ m i- cm

co tt i- in o

IMdy 82

O N "00 IIB^PIBO

Abiai l
O N BpuoH-ui>)|3

Abiai p
o s 'U0SLU8I0

Abiai s

O S '8|l!Aua0JO

Abiai si
O N ‘a»0|JBqo

Abiaj 8

O N "oo liapaJI

abiai si.

o n "00 Aiubis

Abiai i

O N ‘uiaiBS-uojsuiM

abiai i
O N 'ojoqsu00j0

Abiai Z
O N 'll!H ladBqo

in co co o

CNJ CO CO O)

CM CD CM

t- cm t- o r- m

CM CD • CM

T- CM CM IfirOOinifiOCO^

CO T- CM

CO - CO

CO N CO ■ T-

l!Jd v VZ
O N ‘wBipna

Aew Z

O N ‘MBjaiey

m in •** t-

CO CM N O T— in

COCOCO OCMOgCOin^CMCDO)

in in

abiai 8

O N ‘spidBU 0>|OUBoy

IMdv PZ
O S ‘Bjqiunioo

IMdv LZ
O N 'sauid ujaqjnos

Abiai 6
O N '0||!A0»0ABd

|udv LZ
O S "00 U0||!Q

Abiai z
o n "00 ooHUJBd

abiai 6
O N "00 pojriBag

CM CO -CMNCMCOCOin^t-^r-
h- t- t- CM CO

in ■ CM Tf T- CD cm T-in CM

l/)T-COCM^CDCMN^ T- n cm co

co t- cd cocomocDincMcom* in

CM CM CM

CM CM

cm - in

CM CM rO^N^COOin

Abiai z

o s 'uojsaiJBqo

IMdv PZ
O N 'uoi6u!LU||M

IMdv PZ
O N ‘Apo pB0q0JO|A|

O CO CM ' h- CM o m o

CM CO CO • T” CM in 00

co tj- m rj- cd

in O) co ■ o co co co CD co ' r-

m Tf CM ■ cm t— ■ i-

O 00 CM CM

o^cMinscMcoT-cMin a

f- ^ cm ^ CM

COCO* O CO CM O) in CM CM CM
•sf ^ r- CM T- CM

S|Bnp|Aipul

IB^Ol

Oi-lDCMO)T-t^NO)0)T-(OOT-r-CO^COCO^’-NCMincO(OCDON^NCMi-COi-^incO
CO CO CD CO CD CD CD r- CO N 05 1- CO CM N CONCDiOt-SNCOOJCO ~

~ ‘ ^ CO O h- CM CM T- CO CM r- N r- CO r-

CM 00 r- O ^ t“ CM

OC ^
0- O
if) o

_ CD =J lZ

D "O ^ ~m -o

O ® C7) <d

CD .E CO — _

C -9 -c CL -Q CD E

O) O) 2 - w E ^

o

CD Q
O 0) <D
,0%0
\ CD P o
I ! T3 -O

. t o 5
i 2 ? o

DO __ "O

°o * ®

"O _

CD X3

I*

t s

52

I ?

5

E 't 5 ®

2 §

A E
% E

■o E

£ E

2 a) 0 Qj 5 >,

~ -9 -C £, C

2> X> -D -L - ?

(3iccjDH3ii.OjD:m

oocnOcDcnO§OOa:moa.(rQC

• r- in

CM

CD

CM

CD

o

• in

CM

CM

CO CO

CD

CD

CO

• CM

:

CO

__ . m

O

CD CO

in

• CO CD

CD

CD t-

O

00

in r-~

• CD

O

m

CO

o

. .

r- CM

• • CM

O T-

• h-

• -O" Tf

CM

-'3-

CM

CO

o

^3-

in

3

CM CM

CM

• CD ^

CM

m

CO

m f"-

; oo

O

CD

co

CO

• ■ r-

CO

h- CD

CM

CM

CD

CM

"

CM

co in

■ t- - CM

CD

in ■ co cd

in

• o

CD

°

CM

CM

104

CD

in

CM ■ CM CD

• CM •

t- CM

• CM

CD

CO

• co

CM

00 o co

00

in

°

CD

CO

■ CM

m

CD

CM

CM

■ 00 CM

• CM

CM

co

8 ?

• r- r- CO t- CD

O

• in

CD

CO

CD

CO

• CM

• CM

tj- in

CO

in

^ S CO

2

-

CD

CO

CM

CO co

; cm ; ▼-

CM

32

14

43

CO

O 00

CO

: -

:

47

12

26

117

m

o

: -

SB

155

-

CM

15

4

j Is- CO CD

CM ^ CM g>

• CD

cm

• in

• O

: s ^

CO

co •

CO

CD

CO

CM

CD

CM

CM

CO CM

00 • O CM CM

CM

CM CO CM m

63

in 2

CM

CD

• ^

■ « ■

S CM

CD

^ ‘

T_

h- T-

2

2

CO O

CO

CM

T-

CM

CM

Jo

• • in

T~

Si

CM

CO

‘ CO ^ CM

CM

N in M- M-

2) ^

CM CO

CD

• in

£

S co

o

o

2

in

’^3-

r-

m

IO

CM

o

CM

CM O *

N t— CD CM t—

CD

166

129

142

• r-

oo h-

CD

O'

* 0 r-

CO

cd r-

CD

y- CD

CM

00

* co

in r-

CO

• - h-

co

CM CO

• CD -

CO t-

CM

■ CM

CM

• 5

o

CD

00

00

cm

CM

m

CO 00

■ h- CO CM

-'3-

in

cm o m

CD

O CD

<D

00

■ 00

• CO t-

un

CD

i- CM

Tf

CD

• CM

co

CM

CO

2

• CO

t- CM

co

^ CO CD

•

O CD

CD

CD ^

m

LO-

CO

• CO

C\i

^3-

co in

• f"- CO CO

in

^ CD CO

CO

cd in

00

• h-

205

100

00

^r

206

• CO

CO

CD

• CD

CM CD

00

CO

CO *

o

CD

cm in

• cd • *- in

CM

CO ’ y~ CD
t- CM

• CM •

m

CM

CM

• CM

O

• CO •

00

CM

CO

• CM

CD

CO

CD

CM

CO

CM

CO

co tj-

• in co

CM

CM • CM O

■ Tf *

co h-

co

CO

O

• O

■ in

• CD T-

co

io •

co

_

■ CM

CD

CM

CD

CO

CD

cm • in co

• m

r- in

CM

!

■ o •

• r- cm

CM

CM

CD

CM

CD

• in

• CD

in

CM

o

!

38

30

62

15

175

CM

3

138

66

260

• co h-

• ^ CM

176

144

-

-

CD

34

197

4

209

171

§

§

s ^

23

-5

53

182

• h-

co o

CM CD

CD

645

107

38

CO

246

105

CD

o m in

CO • CVJ

m m

i- t- co (D co O) co tj- r- co t- co c\j
*- cm in • • cd i— r— co - m co

t- • m oo

CO T- CD CO CD

o co in

in m -in ^ m oo co tj- cm co cd
c\j m

CO CO N ■'J C\J

CD CO N O) CM W

CM * ' C\J CO O) S O)

in ■ o m

co o ■ r- m

m • cm n o CM CM

y- -in T- co r-

CM CD CO CM CO r- CD

CD CM CM

CM CM CM ' CD ' t— CD

co cm m

co m cm

co ■ O) oo in co

^ in m in ■ cm co

CM

: °

CD • 1-

cm o m

• CD CO

00 1-

CD

00 CM

' CD r-

■

CD h-

CO

• t- o

CO CD 00

CM

r N CM N

■ CM i-

CD

■ CD

CM ^

in

CO to

CO

CD

■ CM

CM

CM • •

t- CD

CO CD

■<3-

42

;

78

■ CD CO
• t- O

77

94

24

45

3

32

2

: 3 : ^

69

5

2

130

21

57

70

in

i

46

3

75

3

387

in in i- o
co co •

• m oo

in t-

CO CM

8

59

28

62

■ oj S

44

CM

■ ' CM

63

2

^ ?

17

1

o 00

• • CO CO

• • CO

60

2

39

20

29

• 10 §

2 co

g ^ ®

3 £ 8 3 ?
3 £

S.1

H- 2

5 =

® S

S 2

tr o

I s IS

i "o to 3
~ ic (0 w
0) O <D ca
> < _l LU

5 ? s 35

^ -C OT y} 0)

6 E

5 £ Z

§ 5

Z "O /r ^ ^ — -O £

^ .C O ;> > CO = = CD CO

I i I

-C

.c E

W.C Eh

r i r f f T)

“> E E O = -g

® F F i- ° ■£ _

5 X CD

g E

o ^
C -D

*c $
9 -c

"P "o m

-E 0)

^ TJ

CD O

; > 2

I — o o W CO

CD O O u. O

O — (0

x 5 o

o -c

_J CD

° E (3 £ ? ■£ g>
k_ CD ' k- ^ g; E

CD "O ^ cd i5 CD — ♦-
T" -O T) mb - r z T5

<D

| > 1 1 1

"5 Q- o) c O

O 3 2 E O i J S J g1” f i o ®

^Om<§xcD(!5>iucDOoc§o_icD >>(D(r

CT3 -Q

§ CD £

Abiai ZZ
O N ' oo Ajoav

Aey\| i

O N "00 aqujooung

Abv\| V
O N ‘pJBAajg

m ■ n in

i-ir> ■ id in o • cmt-

ffl t- O ftl

m oo m t-

cn in ^ to ■ cm
in cm <o - - i-

IMdv 82
O N "00 IIOMpieo

Aeifti i.

O N 'Bpuou-u!>||3

Abiai p

O S ‘U0SLU8I0

Abin 8
'O S ‘0||!Aua8J0

Ab^j SL
O N 'auoiJBqo

Ae^ g
O N "00 IIOPOJI

Abi/\j gi
O N "00 A|ubjs

Abv\| i

O N 'lu8|bs-uojsu!M

Abiai i
O N 'Oioqsuaajo

ten Z
O N ll!H isdeqo

CM ■ T- CM

CO O i- t-

co in

CO 1-1 D

co cm co co m in * r~

CM CO ■ in CM

co in co co

m r- cm t—

(D CM CM 0 r- in

* co in co o O) co cm

co co co

o co cm ■ m m o m co co ^

CM T— cm • CM r- in in

t- h* ■ co co in

o> cm ■ in cm co - ^ ^ cm in o>m

co t- T-

s o co co r— co * * inococoo>incMT-

co m m cm h- co cm co cm

(Oin0NO)O)O)r
r- o t- in O) r- T-

T— CM r- T- 1-

IMdv PZ
O N 'UJBMJnQ

Aew z
O N ‘MBjaiea

in r ■ CO

CO CO CO

* ^ t™ co co co in • co ^ o cm ■ co r- in cm cm co

CO CM in CM co ■ CM CO r- coco

CO O) CM %?• • CM CM in

T- • T- O O) CO

® ° n ■ o S S id n ? ^

I- T- M O I- Oil

Ab^i 8

O N ‘spidBy 8>(0UB0y

l!Jdv t-2

O S 'Biqiunioo

IMdv LZ
O N 'ssuiy ujaqjnos

AB1AI 6
O N '8IMA8H8ABJ

MJdv LZ
O S "00 uoina

Abi^i z

O N "00 OOMiUBd

Ab^j 6

O N "00 MojnBag

O CO • CM

in T- T- CM CM

CO O O CM O ▼—
CM r- in ^ O T-

O r- CM CO

in • • o o

o co ^ co

CM CM CM

co §

cc co oo <M

Ab^i Z
O S ‘U01S8|JBL|0

IMdv fr2

O N ‘uoi6u!IU|!M

IMdv f2
O N ‘Alio pBsqejo^i

r- cm in m

1- ■ r- m

CM O) 00 CM

CM © N N CM

CO ' CO CO ■ 05 0) CM 05

CM • ^ CM

sjenpiAipui

\e\o±

O CO N O r- « COOCMCO0^O)SCOininOinincONO)0^COr-CO^O)T-rCM0T-0OO)®O
m t- T- O^i-^O)CMO)CMT-SO)i-NS0CMCOfflffl0 ^ 05 CO ^{JHOrOOrS^

h-T- r- t- "3- 05 in cm o cm co eo r- 05 co co

OWNS i-

5 S o>
O O) ro
0 2 5

O) C

= !or
I m O .£

a e £ -? O

“ ^ -r-1 m

o ra fc

IM

5 = I ^ .
£ 1 •= w S

? o 1 1 1

£ £ p s 5 8 2

w t o
V 2 !s

D ro 5

3 3 5

2 2 2 3

X' •— ^ c r~

Ofl).E©®(0(5Q« cw
u,ci)25crn~''' 1 03 ^

o 3 T3

ot!o5'5o2‘0'co>5o.£E5D StfjpjSsijrrcjgjB
OHM«)OlIIIIilUlJlI(l.<I[(rfflOl0S)>IIiOOiL?SJ0]«Q.l0

tiowcn cl^-oq.

(ucn2^^«w™cK-

q. ^ ~ g m ^q-E

c5j=©^:^.E^o©S

P T3 T3 TJ T3 T3 Q

“Seen in count area during count period but not on count day.

SPRING BIRD COUNT— 1976

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

Inclement weather on weekends in May and only mediocre results from the coastal
counts were the principal factors in producing a lackluster 1976 Spring Bird Count,
with a rather low grand total of 254 species (eight below the 1975 total). There were
no truly outstanding sightings of rarities, and 14 of the 22 localities having counts in
both 1975 and 1976 declined in species as compared with 1975. Moreover, nine of these
14 dropped at least eight species, and two counts tallied at least 20 fewer species than
in 1975. As a general rule, the number and quality of coastal counts on the Spring Count
contribute far more to the success or failure of the Count (in terms of species) than any
other factor. Thus, with only three coastal localities represented (all well below their
1975 totals), the Count was not able to attain the quality of those for the past five or so
years.

Morehead City (167 species) edged out Wilmington (166) for first place, with
Charleston third at 161. Raleigh (148) and Winston-Salem (148) led the inland counts,
though both broke 150 last year. Other successful inland counts, all with record-break-
ing species totals, were Roanoke Rapids (144), Clemson (143), Chapel Hill (136), and
Fayetteville (123). Fayetteville, Stanly County, and Avery County return to the Spring
Count table after absences of several years. This year, as in 1975, 25 counts were sub-
mitted, but unfortunately the important Hilton Head, S.C., area was not represented in
1976.

Rain fell on 10 of the 25 counts; most of these were piedmont and mountain counts
held on 1, 2, 8, or 15 May. A few areas even postponed their counts because of actual
or predicted rainfall. Several compilers mentioned that the severe April drought had a
negative effect on their counts, and other counts were hurt by a late spring migration
that peaked after the count days.

Even though there were no “accidentals” reported on the 1976 Count and no true
additions to the cumulative Spring Count species list ( Parasitic Jaeger removes “jaeger
sp.” from the list), a number of noteworthy sightings were made. The most exciting
were single Mississippi Kites sighted far north of their range at Durham and Roanoke
Rapids, and inland records of species seldom seen away from the coast: American
Oystercatcher and Painted Bunting at Fayetteville, and 2 Stilt Sandpipers at Clemson.
Other highlights were the 2 Parasitic Jaegers and Long-billed Curlew again at More-
head City, a Black Rail at Clemson, and a pair of Merlins at Raleigh. Notably high
grand totals were made of three species of buteos, Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers,
Barn Owls, most swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds (numbers continue to increase in the
Carolinas). Very high individual counts were the 10 Least Bitterns and 11 American
Bitterns at Raleigh; 11 Swallow-tailed Kites, 227 Spotted Sandpipers, and 425 Pine
Warblers at Charleston; 22 Barred Owls at Chapel Hill; 19 Worm-eating Warblers and
268 Prairie Warblers at Morehead City; and 239 Evening Grosbeaks at Wilmington.
Disappointingly low grand totals were 44 Glossy Ibis, no Bald Eagles or Black-necked
Stilts, a surprising scarcity of most rails, low shorebird numbers on the coastal counts
(especially “peeps”), only 48 Greater Yellowlegs, just 2 Bonaparte’s Gulls, low counts
of both marsh wrens, and 68 Kentucky Warblers (found on only 12 counts). Rail totals
were also quite low on the 1975 Christmas Bird Count; perhaps rail populations are
actually declining, or are birders no longer walking in marshes or listening for the calls
of these birds?

Several comments about the Spring Count seem necessary. Even though each pres-
ently established count group becomes more experienced in birding ability and more
familiar with its count circle with each passing year, there is still little growth in the
Count in terms of new count localities. We still need more coastal plain counts, and
only three counts along the immediate coast is disappointing. There are several factors
relating to the stagnancy of this Count: most counts have to be restricted to weekends.

84

The Chat

making it difficult for an individual birder to assist on more than two counts (some
counts depend heavily on birders recruited from other towns); the Carolina Bird Club’s
Spring Meeting often falls on the last weekend of April or the first weekend of May, and
thus often interferes with some counts; and many colleges hold examinations during
late April and early May, causing some observers to give up birds for the books. Per-
haps the lack of national publicity (spring counts are not published in American Birds )
is another reason that birders are reluctant to start a new count. Another subject of
concern is the timing of a town’s count date with the peak of the spring migration. I
feel that many inland counts hold their counts from several days to more than a week
too early. These counts barely hit the beginning of the passerine migration, especially
the warbler migration. Some counts are held so early that such common summer resi-
dent species as Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting, as well as a few common transients (such as the
Blackpoll Warbler), are completely missed on count day! Other counts are held so
early or are so weak that they can’t find 10 species of warblers, or even 25 individual
warblers! Admittedly the peak number of species present in an area seems to be high-
est in the last few days of April or the first few days of May, partly due to late depart-
ing winter residents, yet the peak migration of passerines is usually 3-10 May in most
inland areas.

Compilation of the counts continues to improve. Editing the Count was fairly easy
this spring, partly because few truly rare sightings occurred on the counts. I did reject
the following questionable records, with my reasons for doing so: a nearly unbelievable
13 Y ellow-bellied Sapsuckers on a mid-May count (too many for a mid-May count), a
Y ellow-bellied Flycatcher (very rare), 2 Least Flycatchers from a coastal plain count
(too far east), and 55 Rusty Blackbirds (too many for a spring count; these and prob-
ably many others of this species reported on spring counts are likely to be juvenile
or perhaps even adult Common Grackles).

I would like to thank all observers and compilers who participated on this Count.
I particularly admire those birders who are in the field well before sunrise and well
after sunset. Durham had birders owling from midnight to midnight, and Winston-Salem
also had people in the field beginning at midnight. We hope that the 1977 Count will be
blessed with beautiful weather, an abundance of rare sightings, many record-breaking
individual counts, and an increase in observer and locality participation.

COMPILERS’ COMMENTS

COAST

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (center: 0.7 mile NW of Crab Point in Newport River).

24 April. Count day was warm, dry, and windy. Winter birds left early this spring,
but summer birds were not early. One Anhinga was at Huntley’s Impoundment (David
Whitehurst) and two were soaring near Walker’s Mill Pond (Compiler, Kevin Hintsa);
this is a new species to the count. Single Broad-winged Hawks, rare migrants in this
area, were seen near Core Creek bridge (Donna Goodwin) and at Harlowe (Com-
piler, Goodwin, Hintsa, Darryl Moffett). Black Rail (Compiler) responded to a tape
recording in North River Marsh at 0300. Several other Black Rails were heard in these
marshes this spring. Several observers saw the same Long-billed Curlew on Bird Shoal
that had been present on last year’s spring count and the past two Christmas counts.
The Black Tern, in breeding plumage, was seen by many birders; it was the earliest
record for the area (other spring records only in May and June). R.J. Hader saw
the Parasitic Jaegers flying E about 100 yards from the beach at Fort Macon; char-
acteristic jaeger shape and flight noted, and the birds were approximately the size of
Laughing Gulls. Hintsa saw the Black-billed Cuckoo at close range at Mill Pond, noting
the reddish eye-ring and black upper and lower mandibles. White-rumped Sandpiper,
Long-billed Dowitcher, and S tilt Sandpiper are apparently regular in spring at North

Fall 1976

85

River. The remarkably high 19 Worm-eating Warblers were observed at several loca-
tions by the Compiler, Hintsa, and Moffett. One Ground Dove (Hader) was near Fort
Macon on 25 April. [Excellent details for all unusual observations. — HL] — JOHN
FUSSELL III, P.O. Box 520, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (center: Monkey Junction).

24 April. — FRANCES B. NEEDHAM, Box 81, Wilmington, N.C. 28401.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (center: 14 miles NE of Mt. Pleasant and 0.5 mile E of US 17).

2 May. The area from Copahee Sound to Bull’s Bay (estuaries, tidal flats, marsh,
etc.) received less extensive coverage than last year. The majority (about 200) of the
unusually high number of Spotted Sandpipers were distributed throughout this area
and on Caper’s Island. Purple Gallinules are appearing on the mainland in increasing
numbers, perhaps in response to the greater availability of suitable habitat. The 2
Black-billed Cuckoos were both seen and heard by a half dozen observers. Chestnut-
sided Warbler (Perry Nugent) and the Cape May Warbler (E.C. Clyde) were seen at
close range. The Compiler heard the Worm-eating Warbler. — JULIAN HARRISON,
Biology Department, College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401.

COASTAL PLAIN

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (center: entrance of Upper Goose Creek into Pamlico
River).

9 May. The Bank Swallow (Compiler, Elizabeth Ball) was seen on a wire with
Tree and Barn Swallows. — GERALDINE COX, Route 1, Box 151A, Merritt, N.C. 28556.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (center: in Florence at intersection of 1324 and 1329).

2 May. Marvin Turnage and Theresa Lafond saw the 3 Brown Creepers clearly.
The faint song was heard; spiral climbing behavior, pointed tail, and curved bill seen
well. — GERALDINE COX, address as above.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (center: Dillon).

27 April. Abundance of sandpipers due to mudflats present at most ponds caused
by the lack of rain in April. — JOHN H. WILSON, Box 535, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (center: Fayetteville Market Square).

9 May. The 123 species was quite good for Cumberland County and was pos-
sible only because of the time and effort devoted by our group. The American Oyster-
catcher (Philip J. Crutchfield, Jim Crutchfield) was seen for an hour on a sand bar in
a pond at Becker Sand and Gravel Company on the evening of 7 May. The bird was
crow-sized, black above and white below, with a reddish bill. The female or immature
Painted Bunting (Henry A. Rankin Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William D. Sherman) was seen at
a yard feeder; it was a small, olivaceous, thick-billed bird, seen with the similar-sized
Indigo Bunting. Other rather rare species seen on the count were Double-crested
Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Bank Swallow, and Blackburnian Warbler. — JACK WIN-
GATE, 3616 Crampton Road, Hope Mills, N.C. 28348.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (center: 1 mile NE of Skyline).

27 April. The count was taken during an extended drought. Very few birds, even
permanent resident and summer resident species, were singing. [Scarcity of Yellow-
breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting, in addition to the low total of 112
species, indicates that 27 April was too early for a good count this spring. — HL] Note-
worthy species were Common Loon and Red Crossbill (Compiler, James F. Parnell);
the Compiler saw the Double-crested Cormorants, Cattle Egret, and Cliff Swallows.
— J.H. CARTER III, P.O. Box 891, Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.

86

The Chat

COLUMBIA, S.C. (center: intersection of Gill’s Creek and Bluff Road).

24 April. Although Annie Faver reported nests of the Painted Bunting in lower
Richland County in 1952, this is the nearest approach to Columbia (within 2 miles of
the center of the count area) . [This count can produce at least 40 more species than the
67 reported. Two Cliff Swallows were reported, yet no Barn Swallows or House
Sparrows were seen on the count? — HL] — GILBERT BRISTOW, 2921 Blossom
Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (center: 1.4 miles SE of Weldon).

8 May. The Double-crested Cormorants, male Hooded Merganser, 20 Red-
breasted Mergansers, and adult Laughing Gull were seen by the Compiler next to the
dam on Roanoke Rapids Lake. The two pairs of Ring-necked Ducks were seen on
Mush Island Beaverpond near Weldon. Kevin Hintsa identified the immature Missis-
sippi Kite at Occoneechee Neck, where the species has been seen on several recent
occasions. He noted the brownish, speckled coloration and long, narrow wings and
tail, as the bird soared with both species of vultures. King Rail (Compiler) was clearly
seen at Occoneechee Neck. The Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpiper
(David Knapp, Ken Knapp, Mike Knapp) were at Johnston’s Farm on Occoneechee
Neck. Warbling Vireo was attracted to a Screech Owl call by Mike Tove at Johnston’s
Farm. He observed all field marks, including the dingy grayish or brownish-gray
upperparts, whitish breast with a slight yellowish tinge along the flanks, an in-
distinct eye-line, and lack of wingbars. [Good details for all unusual species. — HL]
— J. MERRILL LYNCH, 539 Henry Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

PIEDMONT

RALEIGH, N.C. (center: Norfolk and Southern RR crossing on Lake Wheeler Road).

2 May. The count had to be postponed one day because of rain. Unfortunately,
we then lost a number of participants and got substantially reduced coverage of usually
productive areas, such as Umstead State Park. Ken, David, and Michael Knapp found
a Common Gallinule and several waterfowl stragglers at Lake Benson headwaters
with the use of a canoe. Singing House Finch (Kevin Hintsa) was at the Rose Garden
where about 40 spent the winter. Two days later he found a female with the male at
the same location. Chris Marsh found two singing Swainsons Warblers and Ray Win-
stead found a third, all along Swift Creek. A pair of Merlins was seen by Darryl Mof-
fett at close range on 3 May from the roof of the Museum of Natural History. The
Lincolns Sparrow (Clark Olson) was carefully studied near Lake Raleigh on 8 May.
He observed the finely streaked buffy breast, and he is familiar with the species. —
R.J. HADER, 3313 Cheswick Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

DURHAM, N.C. (center: 1 mile N and 1 mile E of junction of Eno River and US 501).

24 April. The outstanding sighting was an adult Mississippi Kite seen along the
Eno River east of Roxboro by Mike Schultz. He observed the small to medium size;
long, slender, pointed wings; long, square, black, unbarred tail; and characteristic
kite shape and flight. This is the first piedmont record of the Mississippi Kite for North
Carolina. The five Red Crossbills (many observers) were observed on several occasions
behind the Duke University Physics Building. Lance Peacock, Douglas Brame, and Bob
Dyle found both species of yellowlegs and a pair of Blue-winged Teals at Needham’s
Farm. Owen and Jim McConnell sighted the Cattle Egret; Least Sandpiper (Angelo
Capparella, Eric Gamer, Jay Gamer, Lois Gamer) was near the sewerbeds. [I re-
ceived full details for 17 species, all written directly by the observers on separate sheets
of paper and submitted intact by the compilers. Though I had some trouble keeping
track of eight pages of details, and such compiling may cost 10 or 20 cents extra post-
age, this is the best and easiest way for the compiler of a count to send me complete

Fall 1976

87

details of rarities. — HL] — MARK HUFF, School of Forestry and Environmental Stud-
ies, and JOHN HORN, Department of Botany, both of Duke University, Durham,
N.C. 27706.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (center: Columbia and Franklin Streets in Chapel Hill).

2 May. This year’s count topped our record species total (134 last year) by two.
Of greater interest was the greatly increased number of individual birds counted
(1.58 times our previous high of last year). This is reflected almost equally throughout
the list, rather than just with a few species. The greater number of field parties (24
versus 14 last year) as well as a higher total of party hours, coupled with the fact that
we had more experienced birders this time and perfect weather, may provide major
clues. Increased bird populations would certainly not seem indicated. The Pectoral
Sandpiper (Robin Carter, Carlie Eastman) was the first for the count since 1950.
Angelo Capparella and James Coman found 2 American Bitterns at University Lake;
another was seen by Charles and Ella Newell at Hogan’s Farm. The Semipalmated
Plover and 2 Water Pipits were seen by James Pullman and Elizabeth Teulings. A late
Red-breasted Nuthatch was clearly seen by Capparella and Coman. Warbling Vireo
(Hal and Debbie Frazier) was first detected by song and then carefully studied; all
field marks were seen. A Philadelphia Vireo was seen on 3 May by Annie Leigh
Broughton; the bird had pale yellow underside from the throat to the legs, a stripe
through the eye and light stripe above the eye, and no wing bars. Five Red Crossbills
(Steve Graves) were carefully studied on 5 May. [This is the best organized spring
count in the Carolinas, with 24 field parties divided into specific sectors, and even a
printed, species-by-species count form showing the number of years each species has
been seen on the last 17 spring counts! Very good details, most of which were sub-
mitted as described under the Durham count. — HL] — BARBARA ROTH, 7 Lone Pine
Road, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (center: transmitter tower of Radio Station WBIG).

1 May. The number of species was down this year because of rain. The 2 Sander-
lings (Compiler) were on the beach of a small suburban lake which had been all but
drained. The buffy-red coloring on the back and breast, the relatively large size of the
birds, the black legs, and rather heavy black bill were seen well. — DONALD
ALLEN, 2611 David Caldwell Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27408.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-40 and Silas Creek Parkway).

1 May. The adult Little Blue Heron (Joe Neely) was a rare spring sighting, but
the adult Black-crowned Night Heron (Charles Frost) on 27 April, seen on a dead
tree limb over a pond, was the first record for Forsyth County. The immature Yellow-
crowned Night Heron, seen by Pat Culbertson, was a streaked grayish bird, and the
tarsus extending beyond the tail was seen as the bird was flying from a marshy area
to a lake at Reynolda. American Bittern, seen by many observers on 5 May, was only
the second county record. Ring-necked Duck (Bill and Susan Hammond) and Marsh
Hawk (Gardner and Margaret Gidley) were late sightings on count day. Common
Gallinule (Muriel Dennett and the Gidleys) was at a small reedy pond in the western
part of the county. Semipalmated Plover was seen by many observers at the sewage
treatment plant; however, because of the drought sandpipers were in much smaller
numbers and species at this site, where shorebirds are usually numerous at the over-
flow basin. An unusually large number of Solitary Sandpipers seemed to be distributed
throughout the county. Only one Ringed Turtle Dove was seen this spring; the species
has steadily declined in the last 2 years although fledgling birds were found last year.
Glenys Gallaher saw 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers in a pine tree on 2 May. The uni-
form yellow of the throat, breast, and belly was clearly seen, as were the yellow eye
ring and yellowish wingbars. Late species included a Winter Wren (Fran Baldwin)
on 30 April, a Golden-crowned Kinglet (Frost) on 27 April, and count day Red-breasted
Nuthatch (Ruth Hill, Barbara Page, Peggy Cochrane) and Hermit Thrush (Com-

88

The Chat

pilers). The singing Long-billed Marsh Wren (Bob Witherington, Bert Hollifield) was
at the place where two were seen last spring. Three Warbling Vireos were seen during
the count period or on count day by the Compilers, Glenys Gallaher, and Charles
Frost; all were first heard singing and then observed. [Thank goodness the vireos were
singing! I am skeptical of some sight records of non-singing Warbling Vireos in the
Carolinas — HL] Rare warblers seen on the count or during count period [all con-
vincingly described — HL] were Golden- winged, Blue-winged, Tennessee, Nash-
ville, Cerulean, Connecticut (Barbara Page, Peggy Cochrane), and Wilsons. Swain-
sons Warbler (Zach Bynum) was seen on 30 April and 2 May along Salem Creek. [Are
the Swainson’s that have been seen on this count for the past several years all migrants,
or is there a mid-piedmont breeding population here? — HL] The pair of Brewer s
Blackbirds (Mary Eriksen) was seen on count day and again on 7 May at a yard
feeder; female was grayish-brown with a dark eye, and male showed a green sheen
with bluish-purple on the head. The warbler migration was very poor this spring, with
no large waves or peak days. Also, the warblers arrived later than usual, as evidenced
by the lack of Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers on count day. [Excellent details
for the many rare sightings, and the large number of count period birds shows that
there are many observers who do not confine their birding activity to just two days a
year.— HL] — FRAN M. BALDWIN, 1030 Englewood Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C.
27106 and RAMONA R. SNAVELY, 115 Plymouth Avenue, Winston-Salem, N.C.
27104.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. (center: 2 miles NW of Badin).

15 May. Heavy precipitation made birding impossible during the afternoon. Nine
Cattle Egrets (Vera Crook) were late for this area. The Compilers found a Common
Gallinule at Lake Tillery on 16 May, clearly seeing the dark gray color and the red
frontal shield. They also found an adult Y ellow- crowned Night Heron, 3 Sanderlings,
and 2 Least Sandpipers at the lake on 17 May. Sanderlings were twice the size of the
Leasts, with the white wing stripe, stout bill, and characteristic call note detected.
The Saw-whet Owls were seen by Naomi Goforth at the Scout Camp, where they have
been seen and heard on several previous occasions. [I hope other birders can check
out these owls there, especially since 15 May is very late for this species to be linger-
ing in the piedmont. — HL] Cliff Swallows (Barrett Crook, Harold Morris, Johnny
Hahn) were observed nesting under the Yadkin River Bridge near High Rock Dam.
-DAVID and LIDA BURNEY, Route 2, Box 211, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: South Yadkin River Bridge on Chipley Ford

Road).

8 May. Weather was unseasonably cold (40-56°F), cloudy, and windy, and these
factors hampered the count. Warblers, except for the unusually large number of North-
ern Parulas, were not as numerous as in past years. Robins, Indigo Buntings, Eastern
Bluebirds, and Mourning Doves were abundant. Common Grackles were nearly twice
as numerous as Starlings. The Cliff Swallows were seen by Bobby and Dick Mize. —
JANE S. MULLEN, 4125 Camelot Drive, Apt. A-3, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (center: intersection of South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road).

15 May. For the second consecutive year rain throughout most of the day pre-
vented adequate coverage of the count area. Ironically, the rain predicted for the
selected count day in early May failed to materialize, but the expected precipitation
did cause us to postpone the count until a mid-May “rain date” on which we had an
unwelcome deluge. The rain and the lateness of the count resulted in a very low species
total for this area. [Only nine observers on a count near a city with the population
of Charlotte is very disappointing, as is the total of 71 species. If the weather is good
next spring;, I hope to see dozens of observers on this count and well over 110 species.
— HL] Screech Owls (Robert Schmitt) were represented by a single family group
consisting of a red phase male, a gray phase female, and a red and a gray young. —
DANIEL E. READ JR., 1101 Rosewood Circle, Charlotte, N.C. 28211.

Fall 1976

89

GREENVILLE, S.C. (center: intersection of Highways 291 and 29).
8 May.— ROSA LEE HARDIN, Cleveland, S.C. 29635.

CLEMSON, S.C. (center: 3.5 miles SW of intersection of US 76 and SC 93 in Clemson).

4 May. The 143 species (exceeding the 1974 total by 7) was a truly remarkable
count, considering that only five observers were in the field. Also, the spring migra-
tion here was nearly a week late; thus, we had not reached the peak of the warbler
migration. Nearly all of the shorebirds were at farm ponds to the east of Pendleton,
as Lake Hartwell was one-half foot above normal level. The Compiler and Kerry
Reese heard a Black Rail calling from a marsh at Eighteenmile Creek at daybreak;
kee-kee-kurr call was heard about a dozen times, but the bird could not be flushed.
An adult was taken from a Screech Owl’s nest in a Wood Duck box near this marsh
in May 1975; thus, the possibility of breeding in the marsh is present. The 2 Stilt
Sandpipers were found on farm ponds a mile apart near Pendleton by the Compiler
and Bill Alexander. The rusty cheek and crown were very obvious, as were the barred
underparts, bill with decurved tip, white rump, pale yellowish legs, and size slightly
smaller than Lesser Yellowlegs. Forsters Terns (Sid Gauthreaux) were carefully
studied at rest and in flight at Lake Hartwell; white primaries and white outer tail
feathers were clearly seen. Compiler saw the Least Flycatcher and heard it giving the
whit call in an overgrown field. Late sightings were a Red-breasted Nuthatch (Gauth-
reaux), a Winter Wren (Reese), and 10 Purple Finches (Reese). Reese also found a
remarkably high 8 Tennessee Warblers . The swallow migration at Lake Hartwell,
unpredictable from day to day, was in full swing on count day; noteworthy were the
190 Bank, 225 Barn, and 30 Cliff Swallows (all migrants). — HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.,
Department of Zoology, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C. (center: intersection of 1-77 bypass and US 21, 3 miles N of

Elkin).

1 May. The 2 Northern Shovelers were seen by Jerry Tysinger on a settlement
pond approximately 200 yards from the Yadkin River. The rufous-red sides, white
breast, and characteristic profile were clearly seen. — LIN HENDREN, P.O. Box 148,
Elkin, N.C. 28621.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (center: Lenoir).

28 April. [Why so early?— HL]— HELEN E. MYERS, 320 Beall Street NW, Le-
noir, N.C. 28645.

MOUNTAINS

BREVARD, N.C. (center: 5 miles SE of Brevard at Rich Mountain Lookout Tower).

1 May. This year’s count was scheduled earlier than in any prior year, accounting
for absences of species such as Common Nighthawk, Eastern Kingbird, Acadian Fly-
catcher, and Eastern Wood Pewee. Red-shouldered Hawk (Gaylord Lyon), only a
migrant in this area, was a good find. Another rare migrant was the Chuck- will’ s-
widow, heard by Norman Ellis. Purple Martins were finally reported on the count;
this species migrates through every spring, goes in and out of bird houses for about a
week, and then disappears. Other noteworthy species were Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Art Wood), Loggerhead Shrike (the Hollands), Prothonotary Warbler (Doris Guest),
and Northern Waterthrush (Betty Mcllwain). — WALTER C. HOLLAND JR., 290
Maple Street, Brevard, N.C. 28712.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (center: intersection of US 70 and SR 2740 in Swan-
nanoa).

1 May. Prothonotary Warbler (Mary Sawyer) was seen within 15 feet of the ob-
server’s dining room window; habitat was a mountain woodland, with a small stream
and swamp about 700 feet away. The brilliant golden head, blue-gray wings, and white

90

The Chat

under the tail were seen. The 2 male Summer Tanagers (Susan Rozelle) were on oppo-
site sides of the lake at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. — ROBERT RUIZ, 300 Wilson
Avenue, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (center: [not specified; apparently in the Grandfather Golf
and Country Club vicinity. — HL]).

22 May. [This date falls a week later than the last date specified for conducting a
CBC Spring Count. The count was accepted only because it censused a high moun-
tain area.— HL] Three Pied-billed Grebes (Compiler, Kevin Wentworth) at Grandfather
Lake were rather late. Pair of Wood Ducks (Compiler, Russell Pratt) was on the GGCC
lake. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Compiler, Wentworth) was seen from the Grandfather
Mountain toll road. A Bobwhite, somewhat unusual in the area, was heard calling in
the campground area on Grandfather Mountain. A pair of Brown Creepers was build-
ing a nest at the GGCC clubhouse. Cape May Warblers were scarce this spring. Least
Flycatcher, unusual in the region, was heard calling at the side of a fairway at the
GGCC.— MARGERY PLYMIRE, Box 306, Linville, N.C. 28646.

FIELD OBSERVERS

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.: John Fussell II, John Fussell III, Donna Goodwin, R.J. Hader, Kevin Hintsa, Don Hoss,
Darryl Moffett, Eloise Potter, Allyn and Joanne Powell, McDuff Wade, David Whitehurst.

WILMINGTON, N.C.: Katherine Alexander, Edna Appleberry, Bobby Austin, Robert S. Brown, J.H. Carter, Dot
Earle, Steve Everhart, Willard Greene, John Hardwick, Kitty Kosh, Harry Latimer, Greg Massey, Polly Mebane, Ann
Nicholson, Frances Needham, James Parnell, Marty Pridgen, Mary Urich, Charlotte Waggett, Jeffrey Williams.

CHARLESTON, S.C.: Alston Badger, Ted Beckett, David Chamberlain, E.B. Chamberlain, Lynn Childers, E.C.
Clyde, Teague Coleman, Robert Dunlap, Edmund Farrar, Julian Harrison, Bobbin and David Huff, Michael Hull,
Curt Laffin, Pete Laurie, David Lourie, Gerald and Teddy Muckenfuss, Perry Nugent, Olgerts Puravs, Tom
Reeves, Richard Roach, Susan Roche, Sarah Taylor.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C.: Allen Alligood, Elizabeth Ball, Ethel Barkley, Faye Bennett, Geraldine Cox, Lauris
Joyner, James McLaurin, Hugh Sterling, Elizabeth Sterling.

PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C.: Elizabeth Ball, Geraldine Cox, Robin Harding, Shirley Harding, Theresa Lafond,
Ecky Meadows, Glenn Paul, Marvin Turnage.

DILLON COUNTY, S.C.. Marion McCallum, John H. Wilson.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.: Derb Carter Jr., Jay Carter, Jo Ann Courtney, Philip J. Crutchfield, Frances Rankin, Henry
Rankin Jr., Neal Sellers, Tim Sweeney, Brad Thomason, Brian Wingate, Jack Wingate, Margie Wingate.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.: J.H, Carter III, L.M. Goodwin Jr., Marion Jones, James F. Parnell.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Gilbert Bristow, Nina Reid, Kay Sisson, Alice Steinke, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stewart, Emma
Walker, Andy Witt.

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: Bill Collier, Ricky Davis, Kevin Hintsa, David Knapp, Ken Knapp, Mike Knapp, Mer-
rill Lynch, Eloise Potter, Mike Tove.

RALEIGH, N.C.: Ricky Davis, Charlotte Green, R.J. Hader, George Hervey, Kevin Hintsa, Roberta Horton, Tom
Howard, Ron and Eric Johnson, David Knapp, Ken Knapp, Michael Knapp, Josh Lee, Merrill Lynch, Chris Marsh,
Jim Mulholland, Jane Mullen, Laura Nichols, Eloise Potter, Tom Quay, Mike Tove, Gail Whitehurst, Ray Winstead.

DL7RHAM, N.C.: Douglas Brame, Norm Budnitz, Angelo Capparella III, Robin Carter, John Cheeseman, Audrey
Coggins, Bob Dyle, Caroline Eastman, Dianne Fahselt, Oliver Ferguson, Eric Gamer, Jay Garner, Lois Garner, Julia
Grout, Stephen Holdship, John Horn, Mark Huff, Alex and David Hull, Thomas Martin, Owen and Jim McConnell,
Lance Peacock, Dick Pratt, Richard Primack, Nancy Rubenstein, Mike and Lois Schultz, John Spahr, Ann Stone-
burner, Joe Travis, Debbie Woodcock, Robert Wyatt.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: C.H. Blake, S. Brackett, A.L. Broughton, A. Capparella, R. Carter, J.H. Coman III, E. Cun-
ningham, C. Eastman, O. Ferguson, D. Frazier, H. Frazier, E.L. Gamer, L. Gamer, G. Graves, M. Graves, S. Graves,
H. Hughes, B. Kaplan, D. Kaplan, E. Kaplan, R. Kaplan, M. Kuns, K.T. Lind, G. London, S. Lyons, D. McGinnis,
M. Nees, C. Newell, E. Newell, D. Owens, S. Owens, G. Paddison, J. Payne, L. Peacock, R. Pratt, J.O. Pullman,
C. Roe, B. Roth, L. Smock, J. Spahr, N. Spahr, W. Stuart, E. Teulings, R. Teulings, M. Wagner, W. Wagner, E. Wag-
staff, A. Walters.

Fall 1976

91

GREENSBORO, N.C.: Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Rose Avery, Virginia Bell, Edwin Blitch III, Inez Coldwell,
Ruth Cornell, Charlotte Dawley, Frank Fish, Mildred Fish, Dot Garrett, Fred Garrett, Sally Howell, Jean McCoy,
Florence Melvin, Ida Mitchell, Beryl Norcross, Emma Leah Perrett, Etta Schiffman, Catherine Shaftesbury, George
Smith, Irene Smyre, Thomas Street, Marjorie Tays, William Tays, Daphne Weisner, Maude Williams, Helen Zuk.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: Fran Baldwin, Don and Kay Bergey, Zach Bynum, John Carter, Peggy Cochrane, Jim
and Pat Culbertson, Muriel Dennett, Charles Frost, Gardner and Margaret Gidley, Gary Gidley, Bill and Susan
Hammond, Ruth Hill, Bert Hollifield, Jean Hopson, Royce Hough, Wayne Irvin, Hank and Kay Kudlinski, Janice
Levitt, Norma Lofland, Hewson Michie, George and Margaret Morgan, Joe Neely, Cynthia and Mary Olsen, Bar-
bara Page, Jackie Shelton, Dot and Jerry Shiffert, Ramona Snavely, Royce Weatherly, Bob Witherington.

STANLY COUNTY, N.C.: R.D. Blake, David Burney, Lida Burney, Barrett Crook, Vera Crook, Virginia Foglia,
Henry Goforth, Naomi Goforth, Johnny Hahn, Louise Hammill, Billy Hatley, Nelle Hinson, Grover Kimrey, Janie
Kimrey, Barbara Lee, Dave Lekson, Mrs. Kemp Littleton, Harold Morris, Spencer Plyler, John Whitlock, Vivian
Whitlock.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C.: Ronald Alexander, Sam Cathey, Sandra Cathey, Lois Goforth, Dwayne Hayes, Katy
Krider, Larry Marlin, Bobby Mize, Dick Mize, Jane Mullen.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Flo Cobey, Michael Geake, Jack Hamilton, David Knight, Ted Moore, Becky and Joe Nor-
wood, Daniel Read, Susan Shearouse.

GREENVILLE, S.C.: Wilma Abrams, Ruth Gilreath, Rosa Lee Hardin, Gladys Hart, Lillie Hart, May Puett, Gary
Worthington.

CLEMSON, S.C.: Bill Alexander, Bob Beason, Sid Gauthreaux, Harry LeGrand, Kerry Reese.

ELKIN-RONDA, N.C.: Lin Hendren, Bobby Tysinger, Jerry Tysinger, Wendell P. Smith.

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C.: Isabel Bernhardt, Hal Hartley, Lois Laxton, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Manchester, Helen
Myers, Sarah Parker, Beulah Pennell, Mrs. C.S. Warren, Ann Whisnant.

BREVARD, N.C.: Patrick Bohan, Gene Clapper, Mary Elizabeth Clapper, Ercel Francis, George Francis, Dick
Garren, Gail Holland, Susan Holland, Walter Holland, Gaylord Lyon, Gladys Reese, Hazel Roberts, Hervey Roberts,
Donna Spanbauer.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C.: Alma Allison, Charles Brandi, Robert Bruce, William Bruce, Wendell Cisco, Vickie
Culp, Mrs. James Day, Joan Faw, Margaret Finch, James Foster, Jean Gertz, Marsha Gilpin, Duncan Grosboll,
Katherine Groseclose, John Hall, Mark Hall, Emily Hard, Scott Harrison, Sandra Haywood, Mary Henderson,
Joanna Janes, Lewis Kort, Meryle Kort, Gordon Mahy, Richard Mibey, Susan Rozelle, Robert Ruiz, Chris Rustay,
Tom Sanders, Doris Sargent, Roland Sargent, Mary Sawyer, Cindy Schneider, William Snypes, Joan Steeves,
Takashi Ueda, Dick Weaver, John Woods.

AVERY COUNTY, N.C.: Tom Davis, Alvera Henley, Norma Massey, Margery Plymire, Russell Pratt, Sally Souther-
land, Juanita Sullivan, Kevin Wentworth.

CBC Roundtable

(Continued from Page 77)

Death Claims Two Club Members

T.M. Rial of Aiken, S.C., died 1 November 1976. Tom was an enthusiastic birder
and dedicated conservationist who devoted much time and energy to CBC, Georgia
Ornithological Society, and several other organizations with similar goals. “Big Bird”
rarely missed a CBC meeting, and he resigned from his post on the Executive Com-
mittee only when forced to do so by failing health.

Mrs. Jack Willis of Ocracoke, N.C., also died recently. Fonnie was a gracious
hostess to many visiting birders. Her final contribution to ornithology was an extensive
revision of the Hyde County bird list incorporating many of her unpublished records.

New CBC President

Mrs. Tommy Dabbs of Sumter, S.C., has been confirmed by the Executive Com-
mittee as the new president of Carolina Bird Club. Evelyn succeeds F.M. (Pat) Probst,
who will continue to edit the CBC N ewsletter. According to Evelyn, the winter CBC
meeting will be at Wilmington with headquarters on the UNC-W campus. Winston-
Salem bird club members plan to host the spring meeting. Watch your Newsletter for
full details.

92

The Chat

08©

ANNUAL DUES FOR 1977
ARE PAYABLE
NOW

Please renew by 1 January 1977 to keep the
expense of maintaining the mailing list to a
minimum.

Please send gift memberships in CBC to:

Name

Address

Class

Name

Address

Class

Name

Address

Class

My name

My address

Amount enclosed

for gift memberships $

I am donating $

to the CBC Endowment Fund in memory of

Signed

□ Please renew my membership in CBC for 1977.

□ Please enroll me as a new member of CBC.

Name _
Address

Class

Amount enclosed $

Mail to: CBC Headquarters
P.0. Box 1220
Tryon, N.C. 28782

CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

CB©

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

CB@

Needs Your Time and Talents

Please use the space below to suggest ways that CBC can do a better job of pro-
moting bird study and conservation.

General Field

Notes

JAMES F. PARNELL, Department Editor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401

JULIAN R. HARRISON, Associate Editor

Department of Biology, The College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. 29401

Aerial Diving by Great Egrets

KITTY KOSH

188 Lake Forest Parkway

Wilmington, N.C. 28401 15 November 1975

On 4 November 1975 my two sons, John and Michael, told me that for several
days they had been seeing some egrets acting peculiar at Greenfield Lake, Wilming-
ton, N.C.

Schools of small fish were breaking the surface of the deep water in the center of
the lake. The Great Egrets ( Casmerodius albus) would fly from perches in cypress
trees and hover about 4 to 6 feet above the water with necks and legs extended in a
straight line. They would suddenly shift the legs downward and dive. The body and
head hit the water at the same time. The wings were slightly raised and bent at the
elbow so that the whole body did not submerge. When one rose with or without a fish,
it would fly back to a tree and perch. Occasionally one would stay on the surface of
the water and float for a minute or so, looking like a skinny swan. There were five
egrets fishing.

Edna Appleberry and I watched four egrets diving on 5 November. On 6 Novem-
ber one egret was active. I counted 14 dives with five fish caught. On 10 November
I saw two egrets diving.

Fall 1976

93

By my observations the diving was obviously limited to the activity of the schools
of fish. When the fish were inactive, the egrets stalked the shallow edges in a normal
egret fashion.

[Dept. Ed. — This type of feeding behavior has been recorded for several species
of long-legged waders. It appears, however, to be seldom used. I know of no previous
reports of this behavior in North Carolina waders.]

Bald Eagle Seen in Forsyth County, N.C.

RAMONA R. SNAVELY
115 Plymouth Avenue

Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 10 November 1975

On 12 September 1975 a Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) in full adult
plumage was sighted in the southern part of Forsyth County. The magnificent bird
was first seen at 0600 by Wayne E. Nifong, owner of a dairy farm. Mr. Nifong ob-
served the eagle from approximately 100 yards. The bird was feeding on a dead carp
beside a very muddy /2-acre “catch-basin” pond. When the bird became aware of
Mr. Nifong’ s presence, it flew immediately to a large pine tree. The eagle returned
several times to feed on the carp, always selecting a pine tree for perching between
feedings.

Mr. Nifong notified the local newspaper, the Winston-Salem Sentinel, of the oc-
currence. The Sentinel sent a reporter, Dee Wilson, and a photographer, Allie Brown,
to investigate the report. They, in turn, saw and photographed the eagle and then
called the local Audubon Society for confirmation. Fran M. Baldwin and I drove
immediately to the farm, arriving just as a violent thunderstorm broke. After waiting
30 minutes for the lightning to subside, we made a thorough investigation of the
area in a heavy rainfall, but we were unable to locate the bird. Examination of the
photographer’s film negatives, however, left no doubt about the sighting.

We returned to the Nifong farm at daybreak the next day to recheck the area and
to examine the remains of the carp. This investigation and visits on several subsequent
days yielded no additional sighting or information.

This is the first confirmed sighting of a Bald Eagle in Forsyth County. One of the
photographs submitted to document the occurrence appears on the cover of this issue
of The Chat.

Limpkin Observed at Lake Waccamaw, N.C.

R. HAVEN WILEY
MINNA S. WILEY
Department of Zoology
University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514 9 September 1975

About 1730 on 7 September 1975, we watched a Limpkin ( Aramus guarauna ) for
several minutes at the head of the Waccamaw River in Columbus County, N.C. The
bird emerged from the shrubs at the edge of the swamp just below the small dam at
the outlet of Lake Waccamaw. Although we did not have our binoculars with us,
we could see the bird clearly about 30 yards away. It stalked erratically along the
edge of the water, jabbed at the ground, and once picked up a dark object, perhaps a
snail. As it walked, it periodically jerked its dark tail downward. When one of us
approached within 20 yards, it flew to seclusion in the shrubs nearer shore. In flight,

94

The Chat

it held its neck stretched forward and down at an angle; its legs trailed behind; and its
wings flapped stiffly above its back.

Its long, slender neck and long legs somewhat suggested a heron’s shape, but its
neck lacked the herons’ double bend, and its beak, though not notably long or curved,
did not taper strongly to a point like a heron’s. Its size was near that of a Little Blue
Heron ( Florida caerulea). Its plumage was dark brown throughout, closely streaked
with white on head, neck, and foreparts of the body. Its legs were blackish, its beak
dark, paler toward the base. The white streaks in the plumage were distinctly visible
at a distance of 20 yards. No other marks or white patches appeared on the under
surface, rump, or flight feathers. Immature night herons, the only other brown waders
of comparable size with white streaking, would have much different profiles and
behavior, as well as spotted wings and paler legs. The jerking tail is particularly
distinctive of Limpkins (A. Sprunt Jr. and E.B. Chamberlain, 1949, South Carolina
Bird Life, Univ. South Carolina Press, Columbia).

Outside Florida in the southeastern states, the Limpkin occurs in small numbers
in extreme southeastern Georgia (T.D. Burleigh, 1958, Georgia Birds, Univ. Oklahoma
Press, Norman) and on rare occasions in coastal South Carolina (Sprunt and Chamber-
lain, op. cit.). Audubon Field Notes and American Birds report only three occurrences
of this species since 1948 north of the Altamaha River, Georgia: one each in Tennessee
( Aud . Field Notes, 15: 474), Maryland, and Virginia ( Amer . Birds, 25: 717, 841),
all in late spring.

At the time of our observation, we were aware that Limpkins would not be ex-
pected in North Carolina. Our account of the bird’s behavior and appearance is
summarized from our field notebook. Because we know the species well from several
seasons in South America, we feel confident in our identification, although the absence
of objective substantiation makes this record hypothetical.

[Dept. Ed. — This is the first report of a Limpkin occurring in North Carolina.
With the publication of this record, this species can be placed on the hypothetical list
for North Carolina.]

A Bridled Tern From North Carolina

MICOU M. BROWNE

NCSM Box 27647, Raleigh, N.C. 27611

DAVID L. HUGHES

4729 Camellia Drive, Suffolk, Va. 23435

GARY M. WILLIAMSON

5716 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, Va. 23703 Received

2 October 1975

On 3 October 1971, after Hurricane Ginger, David Hughes and Gary Williamson
found a Bridled Tern ( Sterna anaethetus recognita) dead on the bridge at Oregon
Inlet, Dare County, N.C. The bird, a female (ovaries 4x8 mm) weighing 90.6 g, was
very emaciated, and the skull was crushed. It is in the bird collections at the North
Carolina State Museum of Natural History (No. 4066). The identification was verified
by Roxie C. Laybome of the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. Although this
tropical species has been found offshore with some regularity in summer, this appears
to be the first specimen actually obtained for the state. A second specimen, possibly
blown ashore by the same storm, was found by Gilbert Grant, identified by Mrs.
Laybourne, deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, and reported in
Chat (37:23-24).

Fall 1976

95

Spring Shorebirds at a Partially Drained Lake
Near Fayetteville, N.C.

P.J. CRUTCHFIELD
901 Montclaire Road

Fayetteville, N.C. 28304 11 August 1975

The note by Pullman (Chat 38:39-40) suggests that similar data collected at Fay-
etteville, N.C., during April and May of 1975 might be useful.

McFayden Lake is an impoundment which is located about 1 mile NW of the city
of Fayetteville in Cumberland County, N.C. Normally, the lake covers about 115 acres.
It has been partially drained for two seasons. The lake presently covers approximately
20 acres with large areas of exposed sand and mud flats.

The period of observation for this report was from 22 April to 13 May 1975. All
of the trips were made during the late afternoon or evening except the trip of 1 May
which occurred during the morning. Observations were made with the aid of a pair
of 7x50 binoculars. I was accompanied on 1 May by Henry Rankin Jr. and 6 May by
Mr. Rankin and his daughter, Douglas Rankin, both of whom are experienced bird-
watchers.

The shorebird observations are summarized in the following table:

SPECIES

22 April

29 April

DATES
1 May

6 May

13 May

Killdeer

0

2-4

2-4

2-4

2

Spotted Sandpiper

0

0

0

3-6

2-4

Solitary Sandpiper

1

3-6

2-4

2

0

Greater Yellowlegs

0

2-4

2

0

0

Least Sandpiper

0

25-30

5-6

0

0

The numbers given are approximate. The nature of the terrain made exact counts
difficult. Two other impoundments were surveyed during this same period. One im-
poundment, Lake Rim, is located in Cumberland County off the Raeford Road. No
shorebirds were seen. Forest Lake which is located in the city of Fayetteville off Rae-
ford Road was also surveyed on each trip. Only one Solitary Sandpiper was found.

Although these species of shorebirds are not necessarily strangers to this area, their
occurrence at a drained pond may be noteworthy from the point of view of concen-
tration of numbers and species at inland sites.

Some Observations of the Common Raven as a Predator

BEN A. SANDERS

U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 2750

Asheville, N.C. 28802 3 November 1975

There are few published reports of the food habits of the Common Raven ( Corvus
corax ) population which exists in the southern Appalachians (Harlow et. al. 1975,
Murray 1949). These studies, as well as studies in other sections of the United States,
have concluded that ravens are primarily scavengers; but others have suggested that
the raven may also be a predator (Craighead and Craighead 1956, White and Cade
1971, and Dorn 1972).

In late May 1974, I observed a lone raven capture a live snake on Tennent Moun-
tain in the Balsam Range of Pisgah National Forest. My attention was first directed to
the raven by its croaking calls, but its unusual behavior caused me to observe its
activities closely through binoculars.

The raven repeatedly dropped to the ground and then flapped in a tight circle
around a small, rocky area of the mountain. It was obvious that the raven was attempt-

96

The Chat

ing to capture an animal of some kind, but the animal was not immediately in view.
After six or seven passes, the raven flew away with a snake in its grasp. As the raven
departed, the reflexive movements of the snake were clearly visible through binoculars
indicating a live capture by the raven.

On 4 May 1975 I received a report from Shawn Knickerbocker, who at the time
was completing a series of raven observations for the U.S. Forest Service. Knicker-
bocker reported seeing a raven dive into brush and capture a small mammal. His
sighting was also on Tennent Mountain.

On other occasions in 1974 and 1975, I observed ravens flying low on the perim-
eter of areas that were being prescribed burned. My inclination was to interpret this
behavior as a hunting activity, but it may have indicated curiosity or coincidence.
F or example, during the controlled burn on Graveyard Ridge in April 1975, 1 observed
from one to three ravens flying low through or along the perimeter of the bum on three
occasions, but no capture attempts were observed.

During the fall burn near Sam Knob on 5 November 1975, I observed 28 ravens
near the burn, but none passed close enough to cause suspicion of hunting.

The large size of the raven certainly would enable it to function as a predator in
situations where its beak could replace talons as a primary attack weapon. Small
mammals and snakes are well within the size limits which it could dispatch.

LITERATURE CITED

Craighead, J.J., and F.C. Craighead. 1956. Hawks, owls, and wildlife. The Stackpole
Company.

Dorn, J.L. 1972. The Common Raven in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Unpublished M.S.
Thesis, Laramie, University Wyoming.

Harlow, R.F., R.G. Hooper, D.R. Chamberlain, and H.S. Crawford. 1975. Some
winter and nesting season foods of the Common Raven in Virginia. Auk 92:298-306.
Murray, J.J. 1949. Nesting habits of the Raven in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Raven
20:40-43.

A Case of Suspected Double-broodedrtess
in the Carolina Chickadee

ELOISE F. POTTER
Route 3, Box 114 AA

Zebulon, N.C. 27597 27 October 1975

The Carolina Chickadee ( Parus carolinensis ) is generally considered to be single-
brooded. The species account in Bent’s Life Histories of North American Jays, Crows
and Titmice (U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 191, 1946, p. 344-352) makes no positive statement
on the subject, but one brood per year is implied by the use of the expression “bred
annually” on page 347. South Carolina Bird Life (1970, p. 375) quotes Wayne as saying
that the species is single-brooded and reports full sets of eggs from “as early as” 23
March until “late April or even early May” in “backward seasons.” Birds of North
Carolina (1959, p. 258) states that April is the usual month for nesting and that eggs
have been found at Raleigh, Wake County, N.C., from 3 April to 11 May.

In view of the above information, the nesting behavior of Carolina Chickadees
in my yard near Zebulon, Wake County, N.C., during the 1975 breeding season
seems worth reporting. On 15 February 1975, Jack Finch of Bailey, N.C., installed two
of his excellent bluebird nest boxes on predator-proof metal poles at the edge of my
yard adjoining the golf course. On 21 February a pair of Carolina Chickadees investi-
gated one of the boxes. In March they drove Eastern Bluebirds ( Sialia sialis) from the
site. At mid-April the box contained a nest with six eggs, which hatched on 22 or 23
April. Young left the nest on 10 or 11 May. I removed the 3-inch-thick pad of nesting

Fall 1976

97

material on 11 May. It was made of green moss and well lined with white dog hair and
tiny feathers. On 22 May I saw chickadees carrying material into the same box. On
3 July the adults were feeding several well- developed young birds. This brood ap-
parently left the box while I was away from home on 5 July. After the box was no
longer in use, I removed the nesting material. The pad of green moss was only 1/2 inches
thick, and it appeared to be unlined. A few bits of fur and feathers mixed in the moss
probably were the remains of a thin lining trampled into the pad by the nestlings.

Although there is no absolute proof that the events described above represent
two successive nestings by the same pair of birds, the permanent resident status of the
Carolina Chickadee and the late date the nestlings were in the box strongly suggest
the rearing of a second brood. Allowing 11 days for incubation and 17 days for young
to remain in the nest places the time of laying about the first week in June, which
would be extremely late for a replacement clutch by a species that normally lays its
eggs in April. Certainly this unusually late nesting by the Carolina Chickadee demon-
strates once again that we cannot assume everything is known about a species just
because it nests in our own yard year after year.

ADDENDUM

During the 1976 breeding season two broods of Carolina Chickadees were reared
in the same nest box described above. Building began at mid-March, and the nest was
well lined when the male mounted the female on 28 March. This brood left the nest on
or before 4 May. Construction of the second nest was first noted on 17 May. Young
were out of the nest on 23 June but returned to the box for the night and left for good
on 24 June. Both 1976 pads of nesting material were about 2 inches thick and con-
tained a fairly good amount of lining material in addition to the moss.

Worm-eating Warblers in the South Carolina
Coastal Plain in June

PAUL B. HAMEL

Department of Zoology

Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631

MICHAEL R. LENNARTZ

USDA Forest Service, S.E. Forest Experiment Station
Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631

Although breeding season records of Worm-eating Warblers ( Helmitheros
vermivorus ) exist from the southern coastal plain in several states (A.O.U. 1957, Gris-
com and Sprunt 1957, Oberholser 1974, Lowery 1974, Imhof 1962, Pearson et al. 1959,
Scott and Cutler 1963), a very few are from the lower coastal plain, within approxi-
mately 100 miles of the coast. Typical breeding habitat is described as forested hillsides
and ravines with moderately dense understory (Griscom and Sprunt 1957, Bent 1953).
One lower coastal plain locality where the bird breeds regularly, St. Francisville,
Louisiana, (Kennedy 1974) is typical hilly habitat (S.A. Gauthreaux Jr., pers. comm.).
An increasing number of recent records in atypical habitat indicates that the status of
the species in the southern coastal plain, especially in the Carolinas, needs reevalua-
tion (Gauthreaux 1971). LeGrand (1975) gives the breeding status in the North Caro-
lina coastal plain as very rare in the north to absent in the south, based on data complete
through 1973. Two 1975 reports have since been added to the list of coastal plain
records for that state (Lynch 1976, Fussell 1976).

Burton (in Supplement, Sprunt and Chamberlain, 1970, p. 621) lists the bird as a
rare transient along the coast of South Carolina, 7 April-5 May. Sprunt and Chamber-
lain (1970, p. 437) mention two of A.T. Wayne’s records as possible indications of

The Chat

breeding in the coastal plain, but concur with Burton that the species is a transient in
spring, April-May, and fall, July-October. We here present evidence that this species
is a probable breeder in the South Carolina coastal plain.

On 8 June 1976, in Berkeley County, S.C., Hamel observed a singing male H.
vermivorus at 0845 for more than 60 seconds with 8x30 binoculars at a distance of 30
feet. All field marks were clearly visible. The location is 2.5 miles S of Shuler and
1800 feet NW of the point where Halfway Creek crosses county road 98, Halfway
Creek Road, in the Francis Marion National Forest. On 22 June 1976 Lennartz ob-
served a non-singing individual for 20 seconds with 10x50 glasses at 25 to 30 feet
approximately 1200 feet WNW of the first sighting.

The habitat is a relatively dry forest intersected by a small drain (Halfway Creek)
about 5 feet wide. The forest has a mature overstory of scattered loblolly pine ( Pinus
taeda); a maturing midstory of sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua) , black gum ( Nyssa
sylvatica), and water oak ( Quercus nigra), which reaches the height of the loblolly
crowns; and an understory of red maple ( Acer rubrum ), sweetgum, cane ( Arundinaria
gigantea), Lyon{a lucida, pepperbush ( Clethra alnifolia), wax myrtle ( Myrica cerifera),
and grape vines (Vitis sp.). On 8 June the bird sang and foraged from perches between
2 to 8 feet in a moderately dense thicket of water oak saplings, wax myrtle shrubs and
grape vines. It could be heard singing from National Forest Road 161 before 0800. The
bird continued singing until at least 0900 when the observer had to leave the area to
engage in other work. On 22 June Lennartz noted a bird after having found a singing
male Swainson’s Warbler ( Limnothlypis swainsonii). This H. vermivorus was leaf-
gleaning about 5 feet up in an understory shrub. It moved out to the end of a branch
where it hung upside down foraging, its striped head plainly visible, before it moved
out of sight. These are the first June records of this warbler in the South Carolina
coastal plain of which we are aware.

While these and the other recent records of the Worm-eating Warbler from the
Gulf coastal plain and the Atlantic coastal plain south of the Dismal Swamp may indi-
cate an increase in the intensity of fieldwork in these areas, they also suggest the
possibility that this species may be expanding its breeding range to include southern
coastal plain habitats as well as more northern ones.

This fieldwork was supported by grants from the U.S. Forest Service, the Charles-
ton, S.C., Natural History Society, and the National Audubon Society to Hamel. Harry
LeGrand and Sidney Gauthreaux made helpful suggestions on the manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

Amer. Orn. Union. 1957. Checklist of North American birds, 5th ed., Baltimore.

Bent, A.C. 1953. Life histories of North American wood warblers, part 1. Dover re-
print.

Fussell, J. 1976. Note in “Briefs for the Files.” Chat 40:21.

Gauthreaux, S.A., Jr. 1971. Changing seasons: the nesting season 1971. Amer. Birds,
25:821-829.

Griscom, L., and A. Sprunt Jr. 1957. The warblers of America. New York, Devin-
Adair.

Imhof, T.A., 1962. Alabama birds. Birmingham, Univ. Alabama Press.

Kennedy, R.S. 1974. The nesting season 1974 — central southern region. Amer. Birds
28:911-915.

LeGrand, H.E., Jr. 1975. Distribution and abundance of the wood warblers in North
Carolina during the spring, nesting, and fall seasons. Chat 39:45-54.

Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1974. Louisiana birds, 3rd ed. Baton Rouge, La. State Univ. Press.
Lynch, M. 1976. Note in “Briefs for the Files.” Chat 40:21.

Oberholser, H.C. 1974. The bird life of Texas, vol. 2, Austin, Univ. Texas Press.
Pearson, T.G., C.S. Brimley, and H.H. Brimley. 1959. Birds of North Carolina, rev. ed.
Raleigh, N.C. Dept. Agr.

Fall 1976

99

Scott, F.R. and D.A. Cutler. 1963. The nesting season 1963 — middle Atlantic coast re-
gion. Aud. Field Notes 17:452-454.

Sprunt, A., Jr., and E.B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life, rev. ed. Colum-
bia, Univ. S.C. Press.

Probable Breeding of the Red Crossbill
in the North Carolina Sandhills

J.H. CARTER III
P.O. Box 891

Southern Pines, N.C. 6 August 1975

The Red Crossbill ( Loxia curviostra) is an erratic wanderer, and evidence of its
breeding in North Carolina is mostly restricted to higher elevations in the mountains
(Johnston 1963, Stupka 1963, Simpson 1974). Sykes (1974) reported probable breeding
in Wake County in the spring of 1967.

On 1 September 1974, I saw an adult female and a juvenile Red Crossbill near
Southern Pines, Moore County, N.C. The birds were watched for several minutes in a
large loblolly pine {Finns taeda) bordering a small lake in a residential area. The fe-
male was observed feeding the juvenile on several occasions. The juvenile was heavily
streaked with dark brown and had brown wings. Its bill was not noticeably crossed.
It was capable of sustained flight. The young bird spent most of its time loudly beg-
ging for food from the female; however, it was seen trying to obtain seeds from cones
by itself on at least one occasion.

Red Crossbills were first recorded in the North Carolina Sandhills on 15 Novem-
ber 1969, and lingered until 2 June 1970 (Carter 1971). They were also present from 18
December 1972 to 7 June 1973 and from 13 November 1973 to 19 May 1974. None
were recorded from June through August 1974. Following the 1 September 1974
sighting, a single Red Crossbill in green plumage was seen in the same area on 9 Sep-
tember 1974 and 6 and 7 January 1975. At least one Red Crossbill was heard on 8 July
1975 in the nearby F ort Bragg Military Reservation (2 miles NE of the juvenile’s location) .

The Red Crossbill is now a visitor throughout the year in the North Carolina
Sandhills, and most are seen from November through May. During the summer of
1974, it is highly probable that Red Crossbills bred in the Sandhills region.

LITERATURE CITED

Carter, J.H., III. 1971. Birds of the central Sandhills of North Carolina. Chat 35:91-105.
Johnston, D.W. 1963. Further evidence of Red Crossbills breeding in North Carolina.
Chat 27:81-82.

Simpson, M.B., Jr. 1974. Red Crossbill observations in western North Carolina. Chat
38:44-45.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knox-
ville, Univ. of Tenn. Press.

Sykes, P.W., Jr. 1974. Additional information on the Red Crossbill breeding in the
lower piedmont of North Carolina in 1967. Chat 38:42-43.

[For additional evidence of breeding by Red Crossbills in North Carolina outside
the mountains, see Briefs for the Files, page 105 in this issue of The Chat. — ED.]

100

The Chat

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

Compiled by ROBERT P. TEULINGS
Route 2, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(All dates 1976)

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL: Three were noted off Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 5 May
by Joe Hudick.

WHITE PELICAN: One was present 25-26 May at Pea Island N.W.R. on the North
Carolina Outer Banks, reported by Larry Lewis (fide N.R. Williamson).

GREAT CORMORANT: An adult was seen at Cape Lookout, N.C., on 25 March by
Joel Clark.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Inland occurrences of single birds were noted
at Raleigh’s Lake Johnson on 1 May by Joshua Lee and at City Lake, Rocky
Mount, N.C., on 25 May by Steve Howell.

LITTLE BLUE HERON: Individuals were noted as locally rare spring visitors at
Southern Pines, N.C., on 29 April by Jay Carter and at Pendleton, S.C., on 22 May
by Harry LeGrand.

GREAT EGRET: Two were found inland near Eden, N.C., on 11 April by Edward
Burroughs.

LOUISIANA HERON: One was observed on 16 May at Pendleton, S.C., by Sidney
Gauthreaux, an apparent first spring record for that western piedmont locality.
Another was seen inland near Raleigh, N.C., on 20 May by David Whitehurst.

WHITE IBIS: A flock of 15 was seen on the Roanoke River SE of Scotland Neck in
Halifax County, N.C., on 29 May by Merrill Lynch.

GLOSSY IBIS: An unexpected piedmont record was reported from Winston-Salem,
N.C., where two birds were seen on 5 May by Robert Odear (fide Ramona
Snavely).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL: An immature was observed and photographed at Baruch
Plantation, Georgetown County, S.C., on 7 April by Stu Ballard. Another individ-
ual, or quite possibly the same bird, was seen later at Huntington Beach State Park
on 3 June, fide F.M. Probst.

FULVOUS TREE DUCK: One was seen at Bulls Island, S.C., on 15 April by F.M.
Probst.

LESSER SCAUP: A late straggler was seen at Brookgreen Gardens near Murrells
Inlet, S.C., on 2 June by F.M. Probst.

RING-NECKED DUCK: A late occurrence of two pairs was noted near Weldon,
N.C., on 28 May by Merrill Lynch.

HOODED MERGANSER: A single female was seen near Pendleton, S.C., on 11 May
by Sidney Gauthreaux and Harry LeGrand.

SURF SCOTER: Three were seen at Long Beach, N.C., on 30 May by Mike Tove.

BLACK SCOTER: A late lingerer was noted near Davis, N.C., on 1 June by John
Fussell.

SWALLOW-T AILED KITE: A good count of 12 was recorded at Fairlawn Planta-
tion, Charleston County, S.C., on 17 April by Sidney Gauthreaux.

COOPER’S HAWK: A nesting pair brooding eggs was found at Magnolia Gardens
near Charleston, S.C., on 1 March by Ted Beckett. Individuals thought to be
possible breeding residents were seen at Clemson, S.C., on 12 May and Pendle-
ton, S.C., on 15 May by Harry LeGrand.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK: Two were seen in I’on Swamp, Francis Marion National
Forest, S.C., on 4 April by Perry Nugent. Another uncommon coastal plain oc-

Fall 1976

101

currence was noted near Clarkton, N.C., where an individual was seen on 6 May
by David Lee.

GOLDEN EAGLE: One was observed in Uwharrie National Forest, Montgomery
Co., N.C., on 25 March by Barbara Lee, and another in the Shining Rock Wilder-
ness Area, Haywood Co., N.C., on 2 April by Mike Tove. On the coast, an adult
was present at Topsail Island, N.C., during the first week of June, observed by
Will Thomson (fide David Lee).

BALD EAGLE: An adult and immature were seen on 25 April in the Santee Coastal
Reserve near McClellanville, S.C., by Perry Nugent. Elsewhere an immature was
sighted near Raleigh, N.C., on 18 April by James Mulholland and another at
Morehead City, N.C., on 25 May by John Fussell.

PEREGRINE FALCON: One was present as late as 9 May at Oregon Inlet on the
North Carolina Outer Banks, observed by Robin Carter et al.

SORA: A late transient was seen at Clemson, S.C., on 17 May by Harry LeGrand.
At Asheville, N.C., observers were surprised to find an individual out of its
normal habitat in a residential neighborhood on 10 April, fide Royce Hough.

PURPLE GALLINULE: One was an uncommon visitor found at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N.C., on 13 May by Robert Hader.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: An estimated 400 were seen among a large, concentra-
tion of shorebirds at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 18 May by Richard Rowlett and
Robert Ake. At inland locations in North Carolina, spring migrants were ob-
served at Eden, Fayetteville, North Wilkesboro, Raleigh, Southern Pines, and
Winston-Salem.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: Nine were seen on 25 May at a drained pond site near
Eden, N.C., by Ed Burroughs. Another inland visitor was found on 8 May at Ra-
leigh, N.C., by Clark Olson.

RUDDY TURNSTONE: An estimated 1200 were seen at Oregon Inlet on the North
Carolina Outer Banks on 18 May by Richard Rowlett and Robert Ake.

WHIMBREL: A rare inland occurrence of 20 was noted at Hibernia Point, Kerr Lake,
Vance County, N.C., on 24 May by Ron Johnson, Howard Stewart, and Steve
Henson.

WILLET: An uncommon inland sighting of a single bird was recorded on 7 May
near Eatons Ferry bridge at Lake Gaston in Warren County, N.C., by Merrill
Lynch, Kevin Hintsa and Mike Tove.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: An early spring migrant was found on the Clemson Uni-
versity campus, Clemson, S.C., on 8 April by Harry LeGrand. At Raleigh, N.C.,
one was seen on 10 April by Ken Knapp and later several were seen there on 17
May by Clark Olson.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: Three were seen near Eden, N.C., on 22 May by Edward
and Carol Sue Burroughs, a first local record. Other inland sightings were noted
at Chapel Hill, N.C., and Pendleton, S.C., with 10 recorded at the latter location
on 16 May by Sidney Gauthreaux.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Fifteen were unusual inland visitors at Pendle-
ton, S.C., on 16 May and a lingerer was still present there on 29 May, reported
by Sidney Gauthreaux.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: Two were seen at Mt. Pleasant, S.C., on 29 March by John
Lynnes (fide Perry Nugent).

LEAST SANDPIPER: A count of 2000 was recorded at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 18
May by Richard Rowlett and Robert Ake. Eight inland migrants were noted on
29 April at Seaforth marsh, Chatham County, N.C., by Robin Carter and Stanley
Alford, and other inland sightings were reported from North Wilkesboro, N.C.,
and Pendleton, S.C., during the spring period.

102

The Chat

CURLEW SANDPIPER: An individual in nearly full breeding plumage was ob-
served and photographed at Oregon Inlet, N.C., on 18 May by Richard Rowlett.

DUNLIN: Over 8500 were among massive numbers of shorebirds found at Oregon
Inlet, N.C., on 18 May by Robert Ake and Richard Rowlett.

SEMIPALM ATED SANDPIPER: Large flocks totalling an estimated 17,500 mi-
grants were seen on the North Carolina Outer Ranks at Oregon Inlet on 18 May
by Richard Rowlett and Robert Ake.

SANDERLING: The above-mentioned concentration of shorebirds at Oregon Inlet,
N.C., on 18 May included at least 3500 Sanderlings as reported by Robert Ake and
Richard Rowlett.

BLACK-NECKED STILT: One was found at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston,
S.C., as early as 3 April by Michael Hull and Edmund Farrar.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE: Four were seen feeding at the Oregon Inlet, N.C.,
sandflats on 18 May by Richard Rowlett and Robert Ake.

PARASITIC JAEGER: One was seen off Atlantic Beach, N.C., on 4 April by Robert
Holmes.

BONAPARTE’S GULL: Up to 15 inland migrants were seen at Lake Benson near
Raleigh, N.C., on 3 April and at least 30 at Clemson, S.C., on 9 April by Sidney
Gauthreaux.

LAUGHING GULL: An individual was sighted at Lake Hartwell near Clemson,
S.C., on 13 May by Harry LeGrand, a rare inland spring record for that locality.

CASPIAN TERN: Two were seen inland on 17 April and one on 27 April by Harry
LeGrand at Clemson, S.C. Several sightings were recorded in the Raleigh, N.C.,
area during the spring season highlighted by a count of 14 on 28 March by David
Whitehurst.

COMMON TERN: A flock of 35 was seen at Roanoke Rapids Lake near Vultare,
N.C., on 7 May by Kevin Hintsa, Merrill Lynch, and Mike Tove. Another inland
visitor was observed at Clemson, S.C., on 1 May by Harry LeGrand.

SANDWICH TERN: Early arrival of 12 was noted on 9 April at Cape Hatteras, N.C.,
by Joe Hudick.

MOURNING DOVE: A full albino was seen on 12 April at Bethania in Forsyth
County, N.C., by Charles Frost et al.

GROUND DOVE: Nesting has been reported at Topsail Island, N.C., by Will Thom-
son (fide David Lee). The species may be breeding as far north as Bogue Banks
along the North Carolina coast where an individual was seen at Fort Macon State
Park on 25 April by Robert Hader.

BUDGERIGAR: According to a local newspaper report, four were present at the
coastal community of Atlantic in Carteret County, N.C., during May (fide John
Fussell). At North Litchfield Beach, S.C., a flock of nine was seen on 14 May by
F.M. Probst.

SHORT-EARED OWL: One was observed at close range, perched and in flight, at
North Wilkesboro, N.C., on 29 April by Wendell Smith. Although this species is a
regular winter resident along the coast, inland occurrences are rare.

EASTERN KINGBIRD: First spring arrivals were noted as early as 10 April at Rocky
Mount, N.C., by Louis Fink and on 11 April at Southern Pines, N.C., by Jay Carter.

ALDER FLYCATCHER: A singing male was found by a CBC field trip party (Josh-
ua Lee, Walter Holland et al.) on 22 May in Haywood County, N.C., adjacent to
the Shining Rock Wilderness Area off the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 420.
The characteristic “fee-bee-o” song was heard. It could not be determined
whether the bird was on an established territory.

LEAST FLYCATCHER: Two migrants were found at Reynolda Park in Winston-
Salem, N.C., on 6 May by Fran Baldwin and Ramona Snavely.

Fall 1976

103

BANK SWALLOW: Two late transients were seen on 25 May at Lake Wheeler near
Raleigh, N.C., by Chris Marsh and Mike Tove.

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: Inland observations of spring migrants were
reported from North Wilkesboro, N.C., where an individual was seen on 17 April
by Wendell Smith and from Clemson, S.C., where three were found in early May
by Harry LeGrand.

WOOD THRUSH: One was noted as early as 29 March at Clemson, S.C., by Sid-
ney Gauthreaux and Kenneth Able.

SWAINSON’S THRUSH: At Winston-Salem, N.C., a late transient was observed on
30 May by Fran Baldwin, Wayne Irvin, and Kevin Hintsa.

WATER PIPIT: A late-lingering flock of five winter visitors was seen at Charleston,
S.C., on 2 May by Perry Nugent.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: One was recorded as a rare spring transient at Chapel
Hill, N.C., on 3 May by Annie Leigh Broughton, and another at North Wilkes-
boro, N.C., on 20 May by Wendell Smith.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: An early individual was present on 5 April in
Uwharrie National Forest, Montgomery County, N.C., observed by Barbara
Lee.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: An early migrant was recorded on 5 April in Uwharrie
National Forest, Montgomery County, N.C., by Barbara Lee. Four were seen on
17 April in South Carolina’s Four Holes Swamp by Peter Laurie and Perry Nugent.

TENNESSEE WARBLER: An early transient was seen at Raleigh, N.C., on 7 April
by Gail Whitehurst.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Two early and uncommon spring visitors were
recorded at Clemson, S.C., on 7 April by Sidney Gauthreaux, and another was
seen there by the same observer on 19 April.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: Single migrants were noted at Winston-Salem, N.C., on
3 May by Royce Hough and at Raleigh, N.C., on 4 May by Mike Tove and Kevin
Hintsa.

NORTHERN PARULA: An unusually early 24 March sighting was recorded at Ra-
leigh, N.C., by Kevin Hintsa.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER: One was seen as late as 30 May at Winston-Salem, N.C., by
Fran Baldwin, Kevin Hintsa, and Wayne Irvin.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: Late individuals were seen on 23 May at Morehead City,
N.C., by John Fussell and on 1 June at North Litchfield Beach, S.C., by Renee
Probst.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: One was recorded as early as 31 March
at Raleigh, N.C., by Kevin Hintsa.

CERULEAN WARBLER: Single migrants were observed at Clemson, S.C., on 16
April and 20 April by Harry LeGrand; two at Chapel Hill, N.C., on 26 April by
Robin Carter; one at Winston-Salem, N.C., on 3 May by Fran Baldwin and party;
and one at Huntington Beach, S.C., on 22 May by Jim and David McConnell.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: A late transient was seen on 30 May at Winston-Salem
N.C., by Fran Baldwin et al.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: A late migrant was recorded at Raleigh, N.C., on
23 May by Jan Heard.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: One was found as late as 30 May at Winston-
Salem, N.C., by Fran Baldwin, Wayne Irvin, and Kevin Hintsa.

KENTUCKY WARBLER: An early individual was present on 5 April in Uwharrie
National Forest, Montgomery County, N.C., observed by Barbara Lee.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: One was seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway near

104

The Chat

Oteen, N.C., on 8 May by Jim McConnell. Other individuals were observed at
Seneca, S.C., on 12 May by Paul Hamel and at Clemson, S.C., on 13 May by
Harry LeGrand.

BOBOLINK: A late migrant was seen on 30 May in Halifix County, N.C., by Merrill
Lynch.

DICKCISSEL: Two singing males were found at Pendleton, S.C., on 16 May by Sid-
ney Gauthreaux. Another individual was observed near Clemson, S.C., on 21
May by Harry LeGrand.

PURPLE FINCH: Two late-lingering males were seen at a feeder in Winston-Salem,
N.C., on 27 May by Barbara Page.

RED CROSSBILL: At Raleigh, N.C., Gail Whitehurst observed a pair of adults
feeding three fledged young on 20 April, and another pair with a fledgling was

(Continued on Page 110)

BOOK REVIEW

Bird Sounds

Gerhard A. Thielcke. 1976. Ann Arbor Science Series. University of Michigan
Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 190 p., ill. $6.96, paperback $2.95.

This is a concise, well organized, modestly priced book with little duplication of
other recent books on avian vocalization. Most of the information presented is based
on studies of European birds (over a third of the references cited are German), and
perhaps its main value is to acquaint the reader with research efforts being con-
ducted on the other side of the Atlantic. Much of this derives from Thielcke’s own
studies, and as an active researcher he is able to provide insight into the interpre-
tation of bioacoustical research and provide excellent examples of the concepts
discussed. A fair number of these appear to be from Thielcke’s unpublished
observations, and his enthusiasm for interpreting bird sounds is apparent even to
the most casual reader.

The opening chapters provide a good summary of the present methods and
goals of the study of avian sounds, but are somewhat marred by jargon. The chapter
on calls is excellent. Most researchers have focused their attention on species-
specific songs of male passerines, and consequently most books on bird sounds
contain very limited discussions of the ethological role of calls. Subjects which
have been treated in detail by other authors have been wisely limited to a few para-
graphs, and the reader is referred directly to their works.

This book was first published in 1970 (Vogelstimmen, Springer- Verlag, Berlin-
Heidelberg-New York) and a lot of pertinent ornithological research has taken place
in the 6 years between publication and the appearance of this translation. Con-
sequently, the book is not as current as its publication date would imply. Some
minor problems appear to be artifacts of translation. I found the consistent use of
words like “born” for “hatched” to be annoying. Apparently no attempt was made
to match many of the German terms with their English counterparts, and I fear this
will only perpetuate a major problem faced by the young science of bioacoustics
— a general lack of standardization of terminology.

Finally, those of us who grew up thinking that buzzard is synonymous with
vulture, that blackbirds are Icterids, and that yellow hammers are large wood-
peckers, had best keep a field guide to European birds handy while reading this
book. — DAVID S. LEE, North Carolina State Museum of Natural History

Fall 1976

105

INDEX TO VOLUME 40

A

Aiken (County), S.C., 38
albino, 103 (Mourning Dove)

Anderson (County), S.C., 63
also see Pendleton, Townville
Anhinga, 85

Anson County, N.C., 18,47
Asheville, N.C., 19,20,102
Atlantic Beach, N.C., 103
Avery County, N.C. , 41,91
Avocet, American, 12

B

Beaufort County, N.C., 37,72,86
also see Washington

Beaufort County, S.C., see Hilton Head Is.
Beaufort, N.C., 46,48,49
Bennettsville, S.C., 20
Berkeley County, S.C., 99
Bertie County, N.C., 20,72
Bird Count, Christmas, 28
Spring, 78

bird kills, TV tower, 1-9
bird names, scientific, 10
Bittern, American, 39,84,88
Least, 35,36,47,84
Blackbird, Brewer's, 51,73,89
Red-winged, 3,7,36,60
Rusty, 3,7,60
Yellow-headed, 51
Bladen County, N.C., 1
also see Clarkton
Bluebird, Eastern, 37,39,58,84,89
Bobolink, 7,21,105
Bobwhite, 56,91

Bodie-Pea Island, N.C., 13,35,46,49
book reviews, 10,25,105
Brant, 47,71
Brevard, N.C., 41,90
Brimleyana, 26

Brown, Allie, No. 4 cover photo
Browne, Micou M. , 12,44,95
Brunswick County, N.C., 1

also see Long Beach, Ocean Isle Beach,
Sunset Beach
Budgerigar, 103
Bufflehead, 41,47,71
Bulls Island, S.C., 72,101
Buncombe County, N.C., 23,41,51,75,90
also see Asheville, Oteen
Bunting, Indigo, 3,7,60,73,89
Painted, 84,86,87
Snow, 36

Burroughs, Edward E. , 10,45
C

Caldwell County, N.C., 41,90
Canvasback, 37,47,71
Cape Lookout, N.C., 17,46,50,101
Cardinal, 7,60

Carter, Joseph H. , III, 1,100
Carteret County, N.C., 21,48,71,103

also see Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Davis,

Port Macon, Morehead City, Cape Lookout
Caswell County, N.C., 19
Catbird, Gray, 2,3,4,40,58
Chapel Hill, N.C., 39,50,51,71,88,102,104
Charleston (County), S.C., 17,18,19,37,46,
47,48,49,50,51 ,71 ,72,86,101 ,103,104
also see Bulls Island, I 'on Swamp, Mc-
Clellanville, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivans Is
Charlotte, N.C., 40, 89
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 3,6,36,60
Chatham County, N.C., 20,21,50,102
Cherokee County, N.C., 15
Chesterfield County, S.C., 18,20,47,51,63
also see Bennettsville
Chickadee, Black-capped, 41 ,50,58
Carolina, 58,97
Chuck-will ' s-widow , 90
Clarkton, N.C., 102
Clay County, N.C., 15

Clemson, S.C., 18,19,20,48,49,50,51,72,90,
101 ,102,103,104,105,110
Columbia, S.C., 18,38,87
Columbus County, N.C., 94
also see Lake Waccamaw
Coot, American, 48

Cormorant, Double-crested, 17,36,38,47,71,
86,87,101

Great, 34,36,71 ,101
Cowbird, Brown-headed, 60
Craven County, N.C., see New Bern
Creeper, Brown, 3,4,58,86,91
Crossbill, Red, 21,34,38,40,51,61,86,87,88
100,105

White-winged, 34,39
Crow, Common, 58
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 57,85,86
Yellow-billed, 4,56
Cumberland County, N.C., 96
also see Fayetteville
Curlew, Long-billed, 19,34,36,48,72,84,85
Currituck County, N.C., 19,71

D

Dare County, N.C., 13,20,21,44,95

also see Bodie-Pea Island, Duck, Frisco,
Hatteras, Kitty Hawk, Manns Harbor,
Oregon Inlet, Pea Island, Salvo
Davidson County, N.C., 18,49
Davis, N.C. , 101
Davis, Ricky, 44
Dermid, Jack, No. 2 cover photo
Dick, John Henry, drawings by, 27,44,46,93
Dickcissel, 7,21,73,105
Dillon (County), S.C., 38,86
Dove, Ground, 20,86,103
Mourning, 56,89,103 (albino)

Ringed Turtle, 88
Dovekie, 34,35

Dowitcher, Long-billed, 49,85
species unknown, 37
Duck, Black, 18

Fulvous Tree, 18,101
Harlequin, 34,37
Ring-necked, 87,88,101
Ruddy, 18

106

The Chat

Duck, cont. ,

Wood, 10,41,91
Duck, N.C., 51
Dunlin, 19,37,72,103
Durham (County), N.C., 18,39,48, 87

E

Eagle, Bald, 18,34,46 (drawing), 48,

No. 4 cover, 94,102
Golden, 56,102
Eden, N.C., 101 ,102
Egret, Cattle, 35,36,71,86,87,89
Great, 47,93,101
Eider, Common, 47
King, 34,35
Elkin-Ronda, N.C., 90

F

Falcon, Peregrine, 16,36,48,102
Fayetteville, N.C., 37,86,96,102
Finch, House, 36,41,51,87
Purple, 34,61,90,105
Flicker, Common, 3,4,57
Florence (County), S.C., 38,49
Flycatcher, Acadian, 4,57,90
Alder, 103
Great Crested, 4,57
Least, 57,90,91,103
Olive-sided, 50
Scissor-tailed, 50,73
Traill's, 4
Willow, 20
Yellow-bellied, 88
Forsyth County, N.C., 20,94,103
also see Winston-Salem
Fort Macon State Park, N.C., 47,103
Four Holes Swamp, S.C., 104
Franklin County, N.C., 47,49,65,69
also see Louisburg
Frigatebird, Magnificent, 17
Frisco, N.C., 48,49

G

Gadwall, 18

Gallinule, Common, 19,48,87,88,89
Purple, 19,86,102
Gannet, 46

Gates County, N.C., 20
Georgetown (County), S.C., 67,68,101
also see Huntington Beach State Park,
Litchfield-Pawleys Is., Murrells Inlet,
North Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 36,58
Godwit, Hudsonian, 49
Marbled, 37

Goldfinch, American, 37,61
Goose, Snow, 36,37,38 (Blue), 71
Goshawk, 63

Grackle, Common, 36,41 ,60,89
Graham County, N.C., 23
Grant, Gilbert S., 12
Grebe, Eared, 44,71
Horned, 17,39,40,46,71
Pied-billed, 3,41,91
Red-necked, 37,46,71
Greensboro, N.C., 18,40,88

Greenville (County), S.C., 41,90
Grosbeak, Black-headed, 51
Blue, 3,7
Evening, 34,61 ,84
Pine, 73

Rose-breasted, 7,60
Grouse, Ruffed, 56

Guilford County, N.C., see Greensboro
Guillemot, Black, 67
Gull, Black-headed, 72
Bonaparte's, 20,39,84,103
Great Black-backed, 20,49,72
Iceland, 34,36
Laughing, 34,36,87,103
Lesser Black-backed, 49
Ring-billed, 20,37

H

Haas , George , 63

Halifax County, N.C., 18,71,101,105

also see Roanoke Rapids, Scotland Neck,
Weldon

Hatteras (Cape, Inlet, and Island), 12,17,
20,46,47,48,49,50,51,71,72,103
Hawk, Broad-winged, 40,44,48,56,85,101
Cooper's, 18,47,56,101
Marsti, 18,56,88
Red-shouldered, 56,72,90
Red-tailed, 56,72 (Krider's)

Rough-legged, 35,37,48,72
Sharp-shinned, 18,47,56,91
Haywood County, N.C., 53,102,103
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 3,17,37,39,47,
88

Great Blue, 3, 34 and 35 (white form), 41
Green, 37,39,40
Little Blue, 88,101
Louisiana, 47,101
Yellow-crowned Night, 17,88,89
Hertford County, N.C., 20
Hillsborough, N.C., 50
Hilton Head Island, S.C., 18
Hoke County, N.C., 21
Horry County, S.C., see Myrtle Beach
Hughes, David L. , 95
Hummingbird, Ruby- throated, 57,72
Huntington Beach State Park, S.C., 17,49,
66,67,101 ,104

hybrid, 39 (Dark-eyed Junco x White-th.
Sparrow)

Hyde County, N.C., see Lake Mattamuskeet,
Ocracoke

I

Ibis, Glossy, 47,84,101
White, 18,35,101

information, requests for, 11,26,27
I 'on Swamp, S.C., 101
Iredell County, N.C., 40,89

J

Jackson County, N.C., 15,20,53
Jaeger, Parasitic, 35,36,84,85,103
Pomarine, No. 1 cover drawing
Jay, Blue, 58

Johns, Fred L. , No. 3 cover photo

Fall 1976

107

Junco, Carolina, 11
Dark-eyed, 8,61

K

Kershaw County, S.C., 17
Kestrel, American, 18,56,66
Killdeer , 41 ,56,96
Kingbird, Eastern, 57,90,103
Gray, 20
Western, 50
Kingfisher, Belted, 57
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 3,4,37,41,59,75,
88

Ruby-crowned, 3,4,41 ,59
Kite, Mississippi, 18,47,84,87
Swallow-tailed, 18,84,101
Kittiwake, Black-legged, 12,20,49
Kitty Hawk, N.C. , 17
Knot, Red, 49
Kosh, Kitty, 93

L

Lake Mattamuskeet, N.C., 48

Lake Waccamaw, N.C., 94

Lark, Horned, 20,57

Lee, David, 25,105

LeGrand, Harry E. , Jr., 15,34,63,84

Limpkin, 94

Litchfield-Pawleys Island, S.C., 36
Long Beach, N.C., 101
Longspur, Lapland, 36,39,51
Loon, Common, 17,38,46,56,67,86
Red-throated, 17,39,40
Louisburg, N.C., 47,51

M

Macon County, N.C., 15,20,23,24,75
Manns Harbor, N.C., 46
Marsh, Chris, No. 1 cover drawing, 21
Martin, Purple, 57,90
McClellanville , S.C., 37,48,102
McDowell County, N.C., 51
Meadowlark, Eastern, 3,7,60
Mecklenburg County, N.C., see Charlotte
Merganser, Common, 38,40,47
Hooded, 87,101
Red-breasted, 38,87
Merlin, 34,48,66,84,87
Mitchell's Mill Natural Area, N.C., 77
Mockingbird, 26,58
Montgomery County, N.C., 102,104
Moore County, N.C., 48,100; also see
Pinebluff, Southern Pines, Vass
Morehead City, N.C., 17,18,19,20,36,48,49,
50,71 ,72,85,102,104
Mt. Pleasant, S.C., 72,102
Mountains, Blue Ridge, 23,75
Great Balsam, 14
Plott Balsam, 53-62
Murrells Inlet, S.C., 101
Myrtle Beach, S.C., 17

N

Nash County, N.C., 18,20
New Bern, N.C. , 72

New Hanover County, N.C., see Wilmington,
Wrightsville Beach
Nighthawk, Common, 57,90
North Litchfield Beach, S.C., 18,103,104
North Wilkesboro, N.C., 18,41,50,51,102,
103,104

Northampton County, N.C., 17
also see Vultare

Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 23,34,45,50,58,88,
90

White-breasted, 34,58
0

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., 51
Oconee County, S.C., see Seneca
Ocracoke Island, N.C., 46,47,49,50,51,71
Orange County, N.C., 19,69

also see Chapel Hill, Hillsborough
Oregon Inlet, N.C., 14,17,46,47,48,101,
102,103

Oriole, Northern, 7,21,36
Osprey, 18,34,36,37,40,44 (drawing), 48
Oteen, N.C., 105
Ovenbird, 2,3,6,51 ,60
Owl, Barn, 84
Barred, 57,84
Burrowing, 72
Great Horned, 57
Long-eared, 41
Saw-whet, 14,40,89
Screech, 57,89
Short-eared, 103

Oystercatcher, American, 37,84,86
P

Pamlico County, N.C., 37,86

Parakeet, Monk, 68

Parnell, James F. , 1,12,14

Parula, Northern, 3,5,51,59,89,104

Pawleys Island, S.C., 17,51,66

Pea Island (N.W.R.), N.C., 18,20,44,47,49,

51 ,71 ,101

Pelican, White, 46,101

Pender County, N.C., 17; also see Surf City,
Topsail Beach, Topsail Island
Pendleton, S.C., 18,19,21,101,102,105,110
Perquimans County, N.C., 20
Pewee, Eastern Wood, 50,57,90
Phalarope, Northern, 49,103
Red, 49
Wilson's, 49

Phoebe, Eastern, 4,40,57
Pickens County, S.C., 21,50
also see Clemson
Pinebluff, N.C., 18
Pipit, Sprague's, 73

Water, 38,40,50,59,88,104
Plover, American Golden, 48,65
Black-bellied, 19,102
Semipalmated, 19,87,88,102
Wilson's, 65

Polk County, N.C., see Tryon
Potter, Beatrice Brown, 26
Potter, Eloise F. , 65,69,97
Pratt, Doug, 62 (drawing by)

Probst, Frederick M. , 66,67,68
Pugh, Barbara, 21 (art work by)

108

The Chat

R

Rail, Black, 19,48,63,84,85,90
Clapper, 3,8,48
King, 48,87
Virginia, 3,39,63,72
Yellow, 72

Raleigh, N.C., 18,19,39,47,48,49,50,51,71,

72.87.101 .102.103.104.105.110
Raven, Common, 50,58,96
Razorbill, 50,66

Redhead, 47

Redpoll, Common, 34,41,73
Redstart, American, 2,3,7,60
Reidsville, N.C., 50
Richland County, S.C., see Columbia
Ridgeland, Jasper County, S.C., 47
River, Cape Pear, 12,13
Roan Mountain, 77

Roanoke Rapids, N.C., 17,18,38,50,87
Robin, American, 3,4,39,41 ,58,89
Rockingham County, N.C., 10,40,45
also see Eden, Reidsville
Rocky Mount, N.C., 21,48,101,103
Ruiz, Robert C., 14

S

Salvo, N.C., 71
Sanderling, 19,88,89,103
Sanders, Ben A., 96
Sandpiper, Baird's, 49,72,102
Buff-breasted, 49
Curlew, 103

Least, 19,39,72,87,89,93 (drawing), 102
Pectoral, 19,49,88,102
Purple, 49,72

Semipalmated, 19,36,37,87,103
Solitary, 84,88,96
Spotted, 36,38,48,84,86,96
Stilt, 34,35,84,85,90
Upland, 19,48,65
Western, 34,36
White-rumped, 19,49,85,102
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 3,4,20
Scaup, Greater, 38,71
Lesser, 101
Scoter, Black, 18,101
Surf, 101

Scotland Neck, N.C., 72
Seneca, S . C . , 105
Shearwater, Audubon's, 17,46
Cory's, 17,46
Greater, 17
Sooty, 17

Shoveler, Northern, 37,38,39,90
Shrike, Loggerhead, 20,35,59,90
Simpson, Marcus B. , Jr., 14,23,27,53
Siskin, Pine, 34,41 ,61
Skimmer, Black, 14,72
Snavely, Ramona, 94
Snipe, Common, 19
Soots, Robert P. , 14
Sora, 3,38,48,56,102

Southern Pines, N.C., 18,38,50,51,86,101,

102.103.110

Sparrow, Chipping, 3,8,61
Clay-colored, 69
Field, 3,8,61

Fox, 8,61

Grasshopper, 3,7,36
Henslow's, 3,7,110
House, 60
Lark, 51

Lincoln's, 73,87,110

Savannah, 3,7,36 (Ipswich), 61,73 (ips.)

Seaside, 2,3,8

Sharp-tailed, 7,8,110

Song, 3,8,37,61

Swamp, 3,8,61

Tree, 41 ,73

Vesper, 61

White-crowned, 21 ,37,40,61
White-throated, 3,8,34,61
Spoonbill, Roseate, 101
Stanly County, N.C., 40,89
Starling, 59
Stewart, Paul A., 26
Stilt, Black-necked, 103
Stokes County, N.C., 21
Stork, Wood, 17, 47
Storm-Petrel, Leach's, 46
Wilson's, 17,46,101
Sullivans Island, S.C., 48,71
Sumter (County), S.C., 47
Sunset Beach, N.C., 17
Surf City, N.C., 17
Suttman, Ida, 70 (photo by)

Swallow, Bank, 20,50,86,90,104
Barn, 20,57,90
Cliff, 86,89,90
Rough-winged , 57
Tree, 4,35,57
Swift, Chimney, 57

T

Tanager, Scarlet, 7,60
Summer, 7,60,91
Teal, Blue-winged, 71,87
Green-winged, 18
Tern, Black, 20,50,66,85
Bridled, 50,95
Caspian, 14,34,36,66,86,103
Common, 14,20,49,103
Forster's, 49,90
Gull-billed, 20
Least, 20, No. 3 cover, 72
Royal, 14,37
Sandwich, 50,72,103
Sooty, 50

Teulings, Elizabeth P. , 69
Teulings, Robert P. , 69
Thrasher, Brown, 3,4,58
Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 4,50,58,90
Hermit, 3,4,41,58,88
Swainson's, 4,58,104
Wood, 4,58,104
Titmouse, Tufted, 58
Topsail Beach, N.C., 18,20
Island, N.C., 102,103
Towhee, Rufous-sided, 3,7,40,61
Townville, S.C., 17,19,47,48,50,51,71,72
Transylvania County, N.C., see Brevard
Tropicbird, White-tailed, 17
Tryon, N.C., 41
Turkey, 39

Turnstone, Ruddy, 48,102
Tyrrell County, N.C., 20

Fall 1976

109

V

Vance County, N.C., 102
Vass, N.C., 48,50
Veery, 4,58

Vireo, Philadelphia, 50,88,104
Red-eyed, 2,3,5,20,59
Solitary, 5,37,38,39,59
Warbling, 87,88,89
White-eyed, 5,36,38,59
Yellow- throated, 3,5,59
Vultare, N.C., 18,47,48,49,103
Vulture, Black, 39,56,72
Turkey, 56

W

Wake County, N.C., 97

also see Mitchell's Mill, Raleigh
Warbler, Bay-breasted, 6,59,89
Black-and-white, 2,3,5,36,39,59
Blackburnian, 6,59,86,104
Blackpoll , 6,60,89
Black-throated Blue, 2,5,8,51,59
Black-throated Green, 6,21 ,59,62 (draw-
ing), 104

Blue-winged, 5,15,51,89
Canada , 60

Cape May, 5,51,59,73,86,91,104
Cerulean, 59,89,104
Chestnut-sided, 6,59,86,104
Connecticut, 6,51,89,104
Golden-winged, 5,15,59,89
Hooded, 7,27 (drawing), 60
Kentucky, 6,51,60,84,104
Magnolia, 5,59,104
Mourning, 51
Nashville, 5,89,104
Orange-crowned , 34 , 39 , 5 1 , 73 , 1 04
Palm, 3,6,60
Pine, 3,6,36,60,84
Prairie, 6,34,36,39,60,84
Prothonotary , 20, No. 2 cover, 90,104
Swainson's, 5,21,87,89
Tennessee, 5,51,59,89,90,104

Wilson's, 51,89

Worm-eating, 5,21 ,34,37,59,84,86,98,104
Yellow, 5,59

Yellow-rumped (Myrtle), 2,3,6,35,59
Yellow- throated, 6,34,36,40,59
Warren County, N.C., 20,71,102
Washington (County), N.C., 20,47
also see Beaufort

Watauga County, N.C., 15,23,24,51,75
Waterthrush, Louisiana, 60
Northern, 3,6,90,104
Waxwing, Cedar, 20,41,59
Weldon, N.C., 101
Whimbrel, 36,48,102
Whip-poor-will , 57
Wigeon, American, 37,39
European, 47
Wiley, Minna S., 94
Wiley, R. Haven, 94
Wilkes County, N.C., 21
also see North Wilkesboro
Willet , 36,49,102
Williamson, Gary M. , 95
Wilmington, N.C., 18,36,72,86,93
Winston-Salem, N.C., 17,18,19,20,21,40,47,
48,49,51 ,71 ,72,88,101 ,102,103,104,105
Woodcock, American, 19,56,102
Woodpecker, Downy, 57
Hairy, 57
Pileated, 57,72
Red-bellied, 57
Wren, Bewick's, 58,73
Carolina, 58
House, 3,4,37,38,40,58
Long-billed Marsh, 3,4,39,50,73,84,89
Short-billed Marsh, 4,36,50,84,104
Winter, 3,4,58,88,90
Wrightsville Beach, N.C., 12,13,46,49,72

Y

Yancey County, N.C., 20
Yellowlegs, Greater, 19,84,87,96
Lesser, 19,56,87,96
Yellowthroat, Common, 2,3,6,60

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

(Continued From Page 105)

seen by Ron Johnson at his Raleigh feeder on 24 May. Evidence of early spring
breeding was also reported from Southern Pines, N.C., where three juveniles
were seen in the company of two adults at Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve
on 15 May by Jay Carter.

HENSLOW’S SPARROW: One was a good find at Clemson, S.C., on 10 April by
Harry LeGrand.

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: Rare inland occurrences were recorded in piedmont
South Carolina by Harry LeGrand who observed an individual near Pendleton
on 17 May and two birds at Clemson on 21 May.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: An individual was seen in the Clemson, S.C., area in early
April by Harry LeGrand and another at Raleigh, N.C., on 8 May by Clark Olson.

110

The Chat

Fall 1976

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association
founded in March 1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation
of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the club are
deductible from State and Federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made
payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220,
Tryon, N.C. 28782.

DUES

Regular Membership $ 5.00

Family Membership $ 7.50

Sustaining Membership $ 12.50

Contributing Membership $ 50.00

Life Membership $100.00

(Payable in four consecutive $25 installments.)

Student Membership $ 2.00

Library Subscription $ 5.00

Affiliated Club $ 5.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal
devoted to bird study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries
information about meetings, field trips, and club projects. Articles intended for
publication in Chat may be sent to the Editor or to the appropriate department editor
listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its
Editor, F.M. Probst, Route 2, Box 80-C2, Pawley’s Island, S.C. 29585. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either
publication should be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 1220, Tryon, N.C.
,28782.

OFFICERS

President Evelyn Dabbs, 2 Dabbs Street, Sumter, S.C. 29150

Vice-presidents Bill Faver, P.O. Box 5551, High Point, N.C.

John Fussell III, P.O. Box 520, Morehead City, N.C.

Secretary Ramona Snavely, 115 Plymouth Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Treasurer Robert C. Ruiz, 300 Wilson Ave., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Members-at-large:

Region I — Western North Carolina

Fran Baldwin, Winston-Salem, and Walter Holland Jr., Brevard
Region II — Eastern North Carolina

Jim Parnell, Wilmington, and Sue Meadows, New Bern
Region III — South Carolina

Dennis Forsythe, Charleston, and Betsy Eaddy, Florence
Headquarters Secretary Elizabeth M. Paterson (Mrs. R.G.)

NOIXOXIXSNllVlNOSHXIWS S3 I ava Sll^llBRARI ES2 SMITHSONIAN-" INSTITUTE

“ V z r* 2 I-

'dsTir^v ~~ \- O r-^ ^ ^ ^

LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlinXIXSNI NVINOSHXIWS S3iavaa

’■* S LL ^ _ 2 v co 2 co

^ 2 ^ C, ^-rr-r^ ^

2 > 2 X^yosv^^ >

U0UnxiXSNl_NVIN0SHXIINS^S3 I aVaan^LIBRAR I ES^SMITHSONIAN JNSTITUTIC

^ 3 V | I I ^Pk i ira

^ - 'sCsa2£S' 5 “ ^ 5

^ -J 2 _j ^ —

LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIXOXIXSNI NVINOSHXIWS S3 IBVaS

S !Z ? r- ... . z

<sxu>tjy z ••£

NOIXOXIXSNI NVINOSHXIWS S3 I aVB a n ~L I B R A R I E S^SMITHSON I AN~ INSTITUTE

Z — C/? 21 -y . C/) 2

O

> «sr~ ^ v ^ >

LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIlfUllSNI NVINOSHIIWS^S 3 I B Vd i

CO ~ CO — GO

z:

O l>v>^ _ x^oxu^x O

MOIlfUllSNI^NVINOSHJLlWS S3 I d VU 8 1 1 “* L I B RAR I ES^ SMITHSONIAN^ INSTITUTl

*" v Z r~ 2 r~

m W z Xjva^ m S2 ' m

CO — CO 5 CO

-I B RAR I ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIXOXIXSNI NVINOSHXIWS S3iava8

* ^ ^ Z \ CO 2 CO

S < \v S <

> xass^ | I'" 7

JoixnxusNi_NviNosHxiwswS3 1 a va a n*~n b rar i es^smithsonian^institutl

— ’ «« - CO —

I . I

•z c.

£nilJ.SNl1wiN0SHllWS*'S3 I H VU a IT LIBRAR I Es"- SMITHSONIAN-’ INSTITUTION “

z <- z <- 2

Y/i ’ 33

— v Y' s * ' ■—

, m \i\osvA^/ ^ m

W — tn (f\

RAR I ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIJ.fUIJ.SNI NVIN0SH1IWS S3iyvyan"

1 — Z > CO Z CO 2

lEOlllSNI __ NVINOSHXIIAIS S 3 I d V d 3 II LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

I - *7 X " ,n —

3 RAR I ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOUfUllSNl NVINOSHJLIWS S3iyvaan

70
>

70

” \C>

m ” x^jjus^/ m ^ n

C/3 _ (/) A. 2- fj

kmiiSNi nvinoshxiws S3 lavaan libraries Smithsonian "institution

CO

£/

5 ", |

BRARIES SMITHSONIAN __ INSTITUTION NOIlfUliSNI NVlNOSHXIlNS^Sa I d Vd 8 II
y; ^ ^ ^ ~ co

o

.IlSNI NVIN0SHillNS^S3 I H VB a IT “"l I B R AR I ES^SMITHSONIAN^INSTITUTION

03
70
>

rr. <g ~ w- m XtgSsSS

| RAR I ES ^SMITHSON IAN INSTITUTION^NOlifUUSNI ~ N VI NOSHJ.I WS^ S 3 I BVBa IT

XnillSNi^J^u^J^||AIS^S3 I d Vd a 1 1 L I b RAR I es^smithsonian^jnstitution

l 1 ^ A- 1 ^