— BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED AT RALEIGH. N. C. John H. Grey. jr.. Editor 1719 PARK DRIVE VOL. Ill JANUARY 1939 No. 1 THE BIRDS OF CAPE HATTERAS From reports prepared by Edwin L. Green, Jr., Senior Foreman (Biologist) of the Cape Hatter as State Park Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, under the joint direction of the National Park Service and the Nor th >; Carolina Department of Conservation and Development."''' From May 1935, when the State Park was first under consideration, to February 1938, this data had been gradually gathered. The writer has been on the area more than fifty percent of the time. Hatteras Island is a narrow sand bar forty-two miles long run- ning nearly due south from Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras where it attains a maximum width of 4 miles. At the Cape, it turns at an abrupt angle and runs slightly south of west to Hatteras Inlet, near which is the village of Hatteras while the village of Buxton is near the Cape itself. The State Park area of 1200 acres is situated at the southeast corner of the island, one hundred acres of it being wooded and the rest open grassland and beach. A single patch of woods is on the island, covering an area seven miles long and from one to three miles wide. The woods are composed of ridges which are separated by shallow narsh ponds, normally con- taining fresh water. In 1933, the sea broke over the beach on the Park area and filled the marshes, and again in September 1936, and in January 1937. Shifting sands had gradually encroached on the woods killing many of the trees before the property became a State Park. w Data in parentheses is from card file of North Carolina Department of Agriculture, compiled by C. S. Brimley, Assistant-Entomologist. Page 1 Page 2 THE CHAT January 1939 The marshes and ponds often become dry during prolonged droughts, Since 1933 a mosquito-control project has been carried out; ditches being cut to connect the marshes, and the water carried to a tidal valve in the sound. In 1936 the marshes of the Park area were tied in with these ditches, so that excess water could be kept off the roads after rains. In the summer of 1936 there was a dry spell in which the marshes went virtually dry, but later in September a storm filled them with salt water with the result that many trees have died. A striking change has been made in the Park area through sand- erosion control,. Formerly, ninety percent of the State Park was bar- ren, sparsely grasoed, or threatened by shifting sand, but through the building of brush and brush-panel fences much of T his shifting sand has boon caught* Grass has been planted in bunches on the dunes built by the fences, and also on much of the open sand flats * Natural dunes have also been anchored with grass. After the grass has been established for a season shrubs and trees have been planted to supple- ment- it. The final outcome will apparently be a completely- vegetated area. ’ This stabilizing of vegetation may have a direct influence on the ponds and marshes. Formerly, shifting sand closed some ponds and opened others. With the sand anchored, the ponds will remain somewhat as they are. Drainage may result In allowing the ponds to become choked by increasing the area in which cat tails and saw grass can grow. In former times the deeper ponds remained open by their very depth, but the drainage program has lowered the water level about one foot, with the result that much of the area formerly open is likely to be overgrown with cat tails and the onetime pond becomes a bog. The open water is used as a feeding and resting place by ducks. In May 1935, there was a small colony of Little Blue Herons, some Green Herons, Least Bitterns, and Black Ducks nesting in the woods and marshes of the Park. In 1936, the same species were found, but their numbers were much less. In the winter of 1935-36, a large number of ducks - including the fish-eating species - were found on the ponds, but after the drought of 1936, there were virtually no ducks using them. Very little vegetative matter and no fish could then bo found in the ponds. There was a good crop of aquatic vegetation in the winter of 1937-38 which attracted the ducks, with the exception of the mergansers, but ducks still were not as abundant as in early 1936, One great value of Hatteras Island is its variety of wild-life concentrated in a small area. In two hours it is possible to see at any time of year forty species of birds, which is a conservative esti- mate based on the average daily observations. E. L. Green, Jr., recorded observations on 171 species. Data on 6 more species has been gathered from the records in the N. C. Depart- ment of Agriculture. This makes a total of 177 species recorded from Hatteras * Page 3 THE CHAT January 1939 Common Loon Gavla i . immer . Fairly common winter visitor, October 26 to May 8, Except during rough weather they remain some distance from shore, but a few are often found resting on the beach. The greatest number waft recorded between March 10 and April 15, 1936. Waste oil from vessels destroyed large number of loons. February 11, 1936, three were found on the Park beach, twenty were found on the adjoining beaches at the same time and many more were reported further north. Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata . Common winter visitor, November 27 to March 27. This was the most abundant loon in the winter of 1935-36 and 1936-37. Like the Common Loon they come to shore more in rough weather, however they used the fresh-water ponds and the Common did not. This species was also affected by the oil from vessels. Holboell's Grebe Colymbus grisegena holboelli . Winter visitor, December 2 to March 27. Regularly one or two of these birds could be found on the fresh or salt water near the Park. Horned Grebe Colymbus auritus. Winter vis it or , Oc tober 10 to April 4. These birds appeared singly or in pairs rather than in flocks. Only on calm days could chey be found on the surf just beyond the breakers, at other times they were in the sound or ponds. According to E. H. Forbush, grebes apparently do not use their wings in swimming. However, on one occa- sion one was found in a pool 100 feet in length, 15 feet wide and 2 feet deep. There was no vegetation to obscure the view. The bird be- came frightened, dived, and swam the length of the pool and half way back before coming to the surface. In the shallow water the bird could be seen beating its wings as well as using its feet to propel itself. The wings were rapidly raised and lowered, but were not ex- tended at the elbow, the motion being made from the shoulder. Pied-bill Grebe Podilymbus p. podiceps . Resident. It may not be exactly accurate to use the term resi- dent, for although floating nests have been found in the cat-tails of the marsh not one of the birds has been seen during the summer season, Abundant in winter. Audubon's Shearwater Puff inus I . Iherminieri . A number of these birds were observed between Cape Hatteras and the Diamond Shoals Lightship on September 17, 1937. The greatest num- ber w &3 found about two miles off shore. Greater Shearwater Puff inus gravis . Irregular visitor, July 24 to August 12, 1936. During this time birds were observed feeding on Diamond Shoals. (Maynard states that on July 4, 1897, while about fifty miles off Cape Hatteras he saw a number of these birds.) Page 4 THE CHAT January 1.939 i Wilson's Petrel Oceanites oceanicus . Summer visitor, July 7 to September 17. They were found over the ocean usually in the vicinity of Diamond Shoal Lightship, more common- ly than near shore. (April 18, no year, seen at Cape Hatteras. Bull . no. 121 Nat. Museum , p. 175). Eastern Brown Pelican Pelicanus _o. occidentalis . Summer visitor. May 4 to September 28. About twenty-five of these birds used regularly near Clam Shoals northwest of the Park. Occasionally four or five would fly over the surf close to the Park beach. (H. H. Brimley found them numerous between Ocracoke and Hatter- as in the summer of 1905. T. G. Pearson says hundreds regularly sum- mer in this vicinity. C. Cottam observed forty-two at Hatteras Juno 24, 1933.) Gannet Moris bassana. Winter visitor, November 19 to May 5. These were regularly ob- served fishing in the surf near the beaches. The crew of the light- ship at Diamond Shoals say that large flocks are seen there in Novem- ber and April. (February 10, 1930, one recovered thirty miles south of Hatteras that had been banded at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, August 8, 1928.) Double-crested Cormorant Phalaoro corax a. auritus . Winter visitor, latest observed January 27. The status of cor- • morants on the N. C. coast is somewhat uncertain. It is taken for granted that the birds occurring from October to April belong to this subspecies. Cormorants are common in summer and early fall, only a few being observed in winter. (October 18, 1923, one recovered at Hatteras which had been banded at Saquenay, Michigan, July 13, 1923.) Florida Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus . ^ Summer visitor, earliest recorded J une 6 . (This subspecies has been t.aken in the State as early as April 8.) Great Blue Heron Ardea h. herodias . Resident. Two of these birds were to be found throughout the year in the Park near the ponds. Others lived in various places on the island, even being found on both beaches and sound shores. No nests observed. American Egret Casmerodius a lb us egre tta . Observed August 24, 1936, and October 30, 1937. Snowv Egret Egre tta t* thula. One observed September 19, 1937, near the sound north of the Park. (Louisiana Heron Hydranassa tricolor ruf icollls . April 20, 1898, T. Gilbert Pearson observed one flying in from the ocean at the Cape.) Page 5 THE CHAT January 1939 Little Blue Heron Florida _c. caerulea . Summer visitor, April 22" to September 26. By the second week in May about one hundred pairs were preparing to nest. Two colonies were located in 1936: one in the extreme northwest corner of the Park, the other near Buxton. The one in the Park contained twenty-five pairs of birds. The young hatched in early June, and by the fifteenth were climbing the yaupon and blue beech around their nests. A total of sixty- two were counted on June 18, 1936 at Buxton. At this time the down feathers were beginning to be replaced by the white juveniles. A group of four hundred young birds arrived soon after this date. The flock remained through August, then rapidly disappeared so that by September V nearly all were gone. Eastern Green Heron But or ides v. virescens . Summer visitor, April 10 to September 27. This heron was never abundant, four nests were discovered, three being near the colony of Little Blue Herons and the other on a hammock in the Park marshes. American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus . Resident. Except through the fall and winter of 1936-37, they were found regularly. It is probable that they were forced to feed elsewhere after the drought and storm in 1936. Nests were not located though the birds were recorded throughout the year. Eastern Least Bittern Ixobry chus e. exilis . Summer visitor, April 2'8 "to ’September 25. This small secretive bird was observed In the marshes of the area, but no data was obtained on its nesting habits. Whistling Swan Cygnus columbianus . Winter visitor, November 29" to February 20. Observed on six days, ten being the largest number seen on one day. All were seen on the sound northwest of the Park. Common Canada Goose Branta c.. canadensis . Winter visitor, October 30 to March 20; estimates of the numbers on the sound near the Park were: 1935-36, 3,500; 1936-37, 5,000; 1937-38, 6,000. These birds were attracted to that part of the sound by the eel grass. The increase in the number of birds each year is probably due to a similar increase in the crop of grass. The birds remained linger in 1937-38 than in previous years, due no doubt to the increase in food. (May 16, 1898, T. G. Pearson saw a flock at Hatter- as and was told this was a late date. Cyrus Gray estimated 5,000 at Hatteras January 21, 1938.) American Brant Branta bernicla hrota . Winter visitor, October 26 to February 27. Estimates on brant using the sound near the Park: 1935-36, 2,000; 1936-37, 3,500; 1937- 38, 4,500. Like the geese they increased with the increase in eel grass. An interesting sidelight on the brant was given by Capt. Ber- nace Ballance of the U. S. Coast Guard. He was stationed at Hatteras Inlet in 1932-33 and hundreds of brant came to the shallow water and even on shore. Those examined were apparently starved, the eel grass Page 6 THE CHAT January 1939 having practically disappeared. (T. G. Pearson found brant abundant at Hatteras In his trips about 1908, estimating them in the tens of thousands , and citing a gunner's kill of fifty in four hours as being not unusual. October 21, 1937, Blane Burrass reports them at Hatteras, but on October 28 Capt. Ballance and Cyrus Gray reported none. Novem- ber 9, 1937, Cyrus Gray said were as plentiful at Buxton as ever seen this time of year. January 21, 1938, Cyrus Gray estimated 5,000 at Hatteras . ) Greater Snow Goose Chen hyperborea atlantica. Winter visitor, November '23 to February 12. Two or three were noted with the Canada Geese, these birds had probably wandered from the large flock at Pea Island. Six records were made in three seasons. (January 1903 T. G. Pearson observed one at Hatteras.) Blue Goose Chen caerulescens . One was observed on the sound near the Park on January 14 and 18, 1938. Common Mallard Anas £. platyrhynchos . Winter visitor, October 29 to March 10. Small numbers were found iach winter, this verified the statements of local hunters as to the number usually found. (Red-legged Black Duck Anas r. rubripes . Probably winter visitor, though Green did not distinguish between the subspecies, feeling that more accurate observations were needed. The field marks of this sub-species as compared with the Common ^ Black Duck are; brighter (coral) red legs; yellow bill as compared with greenish or olive-green; paler head ((hard to tell even when two forms .are together)); and a light-colored band along the end of the wing near the back. This last is the simplest mark to go by. This band appears as a pale-gray band formed by primaries. It is the only mark that can be followed with any certainty, as color of legs and bill are relative and varying.) Common Black Duck Anas rubripes tristis . Resident, more common in winter, nests sparingly. Baldpate Mareca americana. Winter visitor, November 2 to January 31. In the winter of 1937- 38 , Baldpates were regularly observed on the ponds in the . woods. In previous years, they had been seen at a distance but no final identi- fication had been made. American Pintail Dafila acuta tzitzihoa. Winter visitor, September 21 to February 24. From the middle of October through November, this is by far the most abundant duck, then the number dwindles. Green-winged Teal Ne ttlon carolinense. Winter visitor, October 21 to February 15. This teal was not abundant, flocks containing usually eight or ten were found in the ponds and marshes. Page 7 THE CHAT January 1939 Blue-winged Teal Querquedula disc ors . .... Winter visitor, August 11 to April 21. This is the first duck to arrive in the fall, the largest numbers found appeared in early Sep- tember 1936, a flock of nearly one hundred. A small number remained through the winter each year. Their favorite feeding places were the open ponds in the protected parts of the island. Wood Duck Aix sponsa . T n „ n Wood Duck were easily found in 1903 on Hatteras Island by^N. F. Jennette, who told the writer that there was one pair nesting in the heavy woods west of the Park in 1937 . He said the birds had been scarce in the past few years. In December, 1937, he doubted whether there were more than two pair remaining. No birds had been observed near the Park in a number of years. (May 11, 1898, Pearson found two nests in the woods at the Cape, one being in the yard of a house.) Redhead iftyroca americana. __ _ Winter visitor, November 20 to March 16, A large flock visited the shoals several miles northwest of the Park, various estimates placed them from eight to ten thousand. The following observations were made by the author: 1935-36, 4,500; 1936-37, 6,000; 1937-3 , 8.000 to 8,500. Stragglers from the large flock were found near the sound shore and in the ponds. (December 22, 1937 , Capt. Ballance re- ported more at Buxton than in eight or ten years.) Canvasback Nyroca valisineria. _ ... „ „ Winter vTsTEor , November 10 to April 7. The main body of Canvas- backs used the shoals in the sound in the same locality as the Red- heads. The following estimates of the number were made: 19o5-ob, 3,500; 1936-37, 4,000; 1937-38, 4,500. Through the winters of 1935- 36 and 1937-38, a small number fed regularly on the sage pond weed in the freshwater ponds of the Park. Greater Scaup Duck Nyroca marl la . . _ _ , Winter visitor, October 20 to March 10. This species was found less abundant than its ally the Lesser Scaup. They were found on the shoals in the sound in small flocks. Scaups and Jan- on Lesser Scaup Duck Nyroca af finis . Winter visitor, November 17 to April 3. Rafts oi Lesser (Blackheads) were observed on the sound in November, December ana. August 1, 1926; in Chatham County, August 3, 1926; and at Nashville, August 3, 1926. Least Tern Sterna a. an till arum . Summer visitor, M arch 31 to November 24. Fifty pair were esti- mated to be nesting in the Park near the Cape, using the higher parts of the beach. First nests May 19, 1936 and young on June 12; by June 18 all eggs had hatched and the young were found crouched in the shal- low depression that formed the nests. These birds suffer from the cars on the beach. Royal Tern Thalasseu s m. maximus . Summer visitor, March 13 to December 1. This is the most abundant of the larger terns in summer. A colony breeds on the sandy shoals in che sound northwest of the Park. In the warmer months a group was usually seen sitting on the sand bars at the Cape. Cabotfe Tern Thalas seus sandvlcensis acuf lavidus . Summer visitor, April" 11 to November 5. Several nested on the sand shoals in the sound with the Royal Terns, and one or two were ob- served on the sand bars at the Cape. (Phillips found six birds nest- ing on Miller's Lump on June 26, 1909.) Caspian Tern Eydroprogn e ca spia imperator . Resident, but no evidence of breeding. Observed in each month, usually In winter six to a dozen would appear after several warm days. (Fourth A. 0. U. Check-list says breed in Virginia and winter north to South Carolina. This extends their winter range.) (Slack Tern Chlidonias nigra suriname ns is . Phillips observed two in Pamlico Sound June 24-28, 1909. They are reported as common transients at Pea Island.) Black Skimmer Rynchop s n. nigra . Summer visitor, "May 20 to October 26. They nested on the sand shoals near the tern colonies. Except just before leaving in the fall few were ever observed, one flock, September 20, 1937, was estimated to contain fourteen hundred birds. Razor-billed Auk January 24, 1938, a partly-destroyed bird was found on the beach Page 15 THE CHAT January 1939 at the lighthouse. Several were found at Pea Island in 1936 by a mem- ber of the Biological Survey. Local fishermen say they have found many after rough weather. Dovekie Alle alle . Winter visitor, November 25 to January 24. They have wandered south on several occasions in the past few years. Several hundred lingered near the Cape between December 3, 1936, and January 5, 1937. In the winter of 1937-38, they were found as follows; November 25, 12 at the Cape; November 26, 1 dead on the beach; November 27, 1 dead; November 28, 2 dead; November 29, 2 dead; December 27, 2 dead at Ore- gon Inlet; December 28, 2 dead near Avon; December 29, several report- ed found dead between the Cape and Oregon Inlet; January 24, a dead bird picked up in the woods of the Park. It is not known whether this migration of the Dovekies is a regular happening, though there are several records for earlier years. (Pearson found one alive, but helpless, on the beach 31 miles south of the Cape, December 31, 1902.) Eastern Mourning Dove Zenaidura macroura carolinensis . Resident. Nests in the woods of the island, and while found throughout the year is more abundant in October and November. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus a. americanus . Summer visitor, March 5 to August 21. Not abundant. Eastern Screech Owl Otus asio naevius . Resident. On several occasions specimens were observed. A nest was found May 20, 1936, the old bird caught at this nest had a wing measurement of 6.30 inches. By reason of this the species was listed as the eastern form, and is the first record for the State. Snowy Owl N. nyctea . January 27 , 1938, one seen near the lighthouse, local people said it was not an uncommon happening during the winter. Eastern Nighthawk Chordeiles m. minor . A flock of seven observed September 17, 1937, near the park. (H. H. Brimley saw six August 9, 1938. Breeds on Pea Island.) Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica . Summer visitor, April 27 to September 17. Large flocks come over the island in early September and feed on mosquitoes. Ruby- throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris. Summer visitor. May 12 to October 20. A few found around the cross vines in the woods, and probably nested, though none found. Eastern Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle a. alcyon . Resident. Usually found near the fresh water ponds. Southern Flicker Colaptes a. aura tus . Resident. This was the most abundant of the woodpeckers. On two occasions specimens were examined closely and proved to be the southern variety. Page 16 THE CHAT January 1939 Southern Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus auduboni . Resident , but not abundant. Southern Downy Woodpecker Dryobates £. pubescens . Resident, and fairly common. Eastern Kingbird T. tyrannus . Summer visitor. May 28 to September 16, fairly abundant. Northern Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus boreus . Summer visitor, April 20 to October 13. Several nests were located. Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe . Resident. Two nests were found in the buildings near the light- house. One or two birds were regularly seen throughout the winter. Northern Horned Lark Otocoris a. alpestris . Winter visitor, December 17 to February 10. Flocks were observed in the more open parts of the park, and some were so tame that they were often seen feeding in the grass in the center of the CCC camp. (February 7, 8, 1901, three taken by Bishop.) (Prairie Homed Lark Otocoris alpestris praticola . January 7, 1931, one taken out of a flock at Salvo by Thomas D. Burleigh. ) (Tree Swallow Iridoprocne bicolor . April 18, 1898, Pearson reported it common, and the same April 16, 1909.) Barn Swallow Hirundo erythrogaster . Summer visitor, April 20 to September 17. A flock was usually found near the freshwater ponds. (May 10, 1898, recorded by Pearson, breeds on Pea Island. One observed March 28, 1938, by Clarence Cottam. ) Purple Martin Progne s_. sub is . Summer visitor, March 24 to September 2. A small group used the island, being more abundant near the villages. (April 19, 1898, Pearson; eight seen by Cottam March 28, 1938.) Blue Jay Cyanocit ta £. cristat a. One seen November 10, 1937. Fish Crow Corvu.s ossifragus . Resident. A few found regularly. Little variation in number. (Nests were found by Pearson in late April and May.) (Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta £. pusilla . Pearson found nest and eggs April 18, 1898.) Brown Creeper Certhia f amiliaris americana . Winter visitor, November 26 to April 3. Usually scarce, but on February 12, 1936 - the day before a snow - a large flock was found in the wo ods . P'age 17 THE CHAT January 1939 Bewick's Wren Thryomane s b. bewlcki » October 17, 1937, two observed in woods near lighthouse. Carolina Wren Thryothorus 3. • ludovicianus . Resident, one or two seen on each trip into the denser woods. Long-billed Marsh Wren Telmatodytes £. pulustris . Winter visitor, October 9 to April 25. Although observed regul- arly in the heavy cattails, no idea of their abundance was obtained. (Bishop observed about 1901 that a few wintered on Pea and Bodie Islands . ) (Wayne's Marsh Wren Te Imatodytes pulustris waynei . Birds of North Carolina, p. 319, refers specimens of the breeding wrens to Marion's Marsh Wren, but C. S. Brimley stated this was incor- rect, and referred them to the later described Wayne's, Chat I, no. 2, p. 5. Thos. D. Burleigh found this subspecies breeding from Currituck Sound to Swanquarter in 1932, Auk 54, 457. It is probably resident. Bishop describing it as such on Pea and Bodie Islands in 1901. Pear- son found them abundant and breeding on Gull Shoal Island May 28,1898.) Short-billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus stellaris. Winter visitor, October 3 to March 30. A few seen occasionally in the edge of the woods. Mockingbird Mimus p. polyglottos. Resident. Pound regularly in the edge of woods, and no change in status noted in the three years. Catbird Dumetella carolinensis . Resident. In wahmer months they lived in the edges, of the woods, as well as the center, but in winter were found in the denser areas. Brown Thrasher Toxo stoma ruf urn . Resident, though scarcer in winter when they frequented thickets in the denser woods. Eastern Robin Turdus m. migratorius. Winter visitor, October 25 to April 21. Usually observed the latter part of November and were more numerousc in January and Febru- ary. Five recorded October 25, 1937. The largest flock was about one hundred fifty birds January 22, 3.938, which circled over the woods and roosted there that night. Eastern Hermit Thrush Hylocichla guttata f axon i . Winter visitor, November 27 to April 10. "Two or three observed on trips into their habitat. Eastern Bluebird Sialia _s. sialis . November 3, 1937, a crippled bird was obtained near the light- house. Local people said that the birds sometimes came in large flocks prior to very cold weather. Golden-crowned Kinglet Begulus _s. s atrapa . Winter visitor, December 20 to March 19. This was the more com- mon species of the kinglets, frequenting the woods where there was shelter from the high winds. Page 18 TILE GHAT January 1939 Eastern Ruby-crownecl Kinglet Oorthyllc c_. calendula . Winter visitor, January 8, to February 21. Small numbers were found in the woods between these dates. Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum . Winter visitor, March 14 to 31 were the dates for their usual visits. Between November 28 and December 9, 1936, a flock of twenty visited the Parkuwoods . Starling Stumus v. vulgaris . Winter visitor, December 20 to March 19. No all-year records were obtained, though in the villages of Buxton and Avon they were observed in winter* Yellow- throated Vireo Vlreo f lavlfrons . April 20, 1936, several seen in marshy thickets near Park. White-eyed Vireo V ireo g. griseus . Summer visitor, April 14 to August 23. Rather scarce. Red-eyed Vireo Viroo o llvaceus . Summer visitor, March 12 to September 12. Fairly abundant. Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria ci trea . Summer visitor, Xpril 9 to August 15. Fairly abundant during nesting season; nests were found bordering the low marshes. (May 5, 1898, female, nest and eggs, taken by Pearson.) Southern Parula Warbler Oompsothlypis a. ame ricana . Spring transient, March 11 to ®ay 23. Myrtle Warbler Dendroica cor onata . Winter visitor," W'ctober 10 to May 12. This was the most abundant small bird in the woods in winter. By late April most are gone. Northern Prairie Warbler Dendroica d. dis color . Summer visitor, March 11 to August 6. Numerous through the late spring and early summer, twenty-nine nests were located from May 15 to June 11, 1936. The young birds emerged between June 8 and June 15, and there were literally hundreds of these young birds at this time. (April 20, 1898, specimen taken, and nest and five eggs taken May 9, 1898 by Pearson.) Yellow- throat Geothlyp is trichas sp ? Resident. fThe breeding birds are described by Thos. D. Burleigh as Athens or typhicola , while transients and winter visitors may in- clude the Northern brachldactyl a , and the Maryland trichas . ) English Sparrow Passer d. domes tic us . Resident. When the CDC camp was established and grass planted, these birds began to gather there; in the fall and winter of 1937-38 they were always found around the camp, before this they had been res- ident in the villages of the island only. Bobolink Dollchons/x. cryslvorus . April 30, 1936, thirty- seven males were seen. Page 19 THE CPI AT January 1939 Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella m. magna » Resident. Two nests were found May 28, 1936, the eggs hatched on June 14 and 15. (It is probable that the breeding birds belong to the Southern argutula , race as a male taken near Currituck Light May 20, 193,2, by Burleigh was referred to the latter group.) Eastern Red-wing Agelaius £. phoeniceus . Resident. Large flocks were found In the latter part of the fall and in early April; at other times only a few were seen. Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus . Fall transient, October 19 to November 1. Observed in 1936 and 1937 between these dates, in flocks of fifty to one hundred birds. Boat-tailed Grackle Cassidix m exicanus . Resident. In nesting season they were usually close to the sound shore, but in October and November 1937 a flock was to be seen near the lighthous§, attracted by the sea oats seed. Purple Grackle Quiscalus £. qu iscula . A flock of twenty visited the grassy area of the Park from August 11 to 22, 1936. (The status of grackles in the State is uncertain: Burleigh ascribing coastal specimens at Kitty Hawk in 1932 to the Florida Grackle £. g. ag laeus . ) Eastern Cowbird Mol o thru s a. ater . Five observed near CCC camp October 22, 1937. Eastern Cardinal Rlchmondena _c. cardinalis . Resident. Fairly common In the thicker woods. Eastern Goldfinch Spinus _t. trist is . Five seen February 20, 1936. Ipswich -Sparrow Passeroulus princeps . Winter visitor, November 4, 1937, to January 23, 1938. This spe- cies v/as not satisfactorily identified until the first of the above dates. It used the grassy borders of the Marshes. (Burleigh found it plentiful at Oregon Inlet wL nter of 1930-31.) Eastern Savannah Sparrow Passer cuius sandwlchensis savanna . Winter visitor, October 25, 1937 , to January 12, 1938. Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammospiza _c. cauda cut a . Resident, although no nests we re found. Northern Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza m. maritima . Winter visitor, dates uncertain as probably overlaps below. Macgillivray * s Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza maritima macgillivrail . Summer visitor. Not as numerous as above, but several nests found near the open beach and also near the sound. Eastern Vesper Sparrow' Pooecetes g. gramineus . A few; noted among flocks of sparrows February 13 to March 19, 1936 Page 20 THE CHAT January 1939 Eastern Lark Sparrow Chondes tes g. grammacus . Nine observed January 20, 1938, in the open fields near Cape. Slate-colored Junco Junco h. hyemal Is , Several found in the pine woods in 1938, January 20-31. Eastern Chipping Sparrow Spizella jd, passerina . Scarce winter visitor, December 3 to February 26. Eastern Field Sparrow Snlzella _p. pusilla . Winter visitor, November 11 to February 19, a few being regularly seen with flocks of sparrows. White-Crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia 1. leucophrys. Five observed January 20, 1938, using the cover of the edges of the marshes. White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia alblcollis . Two observed in the woods near lighthouse March 25, 1936. Eastern Fox Sparrow Pas sere 11a i. . lliaca . Winter visitor, November 25 to February 19, most abundant in 1935-36. Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana . Winter visitor, N o vemb e r 2 0 to January 31. Rather rare, being more common in 1937-38. t Atlantic Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia atlantica . ^Status uncertain; breeding birds are certainly this maritime race, and it is probably resident. No specimens were taken to satisfactor- ily identify the races. The Eastern, melodia, is probably also pre- sent in winter. (Bruner and P’eild observed Song Sparrows to be not uncommon from Ocracoke to Hatteras in July 1913.) Lapland Longspur Galcariu s 1. lapponicus . December 17, 1937, to January 26, 1938, a number of these were observed with the flocks of Horned Larks. I , The Chat BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED AT RALEIGH, N. C. John H. Grey, jr.. Editor 1719 PARK DRIVE VOL. Ill FEBRUARY-MAR CH 1939 Mb'®*? 2 8c. 3 THIRD ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN RALEIGH APRIL 28 and 29 The Executive Committee has accepted the invitation of the Ral- eigh Bird Club to hold the annual meeting in Raleigh in April. The meeting will be a two-day affair, with papers, business, and discus- sion on Friday, and a field trip around Raleigh on Saturday. Head- quarters will be at the Woman's Club Building on Hillsboro Street. The meeting will begin at 2:00 p. m. Friday, the afternoon ses- sion being devoted to papers and talks on various phases of bird life. The Banquet and Presidential Address will be at 6:30 p* m. and a pub- lic meeting at 8:00 o'clock which will feature a visiting speaker and moving pictures of birds. The field trip will begin at 7:00 a. m. Saturday, leaving from the Club building, and will end with those on the trip being guests of the Raleigh Bird Club for a luncheon. Lodging can be arranged on arrival in Raleigh, either at one of the hotels, or some of the tourists homes. Those in charge of the meeting can make these arrangements for you before thjj banquet. All members who will take part in the program, either by a talk or a paper, are asked to write the Editor. All local clubs are asked to have one of their members make a report of the work done since the last annual meeting. The author’fec.of Birds of North Carolina , Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson of New York, Dr. C. S. Brimley of Raleigh, and Zoology Curator of the State Museum H. H. Brimley, have been asked to appear on the program. These three alone would make any program w orth while. Page 21 Page 22 THE CHAT February-March 1939 SILER CITY BECOMES SONG-BIRD SANCTUARY On February 23, Siler City was ^"bv^Mavor'o . B. Reitzel, at a irnt^Iti^of^eTiSrcrtylaJaen dub knd the Parent-Teacher •. Association. The movement (SfUeSerson the & 0 t^..^hM.\.o» ,oc», ; h r5 C e S^J n a Slu^ amled h ° r program in a manner similar to that of the xlend.er.cn oiu At the meeting when the city was Proclaimed . 5 Jhf ^nit T . th Slme y Or theses- sponsorin^organisatlonsjTor^hird protection and^s^dy^a^nest^of officially proclaimed a song-bird we re bird ters city . - ' , friends. One of the most inter- ;®^ t rLrs e 5oJS£ e s«ofi»». "§ zon3S ’ w Motion «h filer City in the Carolinian, or upper central zone Bird houses made by school children were also displayed pictures of bird life were shown by H. E. Kennedy. - »s".ss.r ■»■■= “ S“S-ES£»‘ Henderson became one in 1937. Ihe onat nopos the list this year. GENERAL AND MOTHER MARTIN Maya Davis Washington, North Carolina "Here, Here, Here,'.', his voice is gown from^ll °%lln£Trt & on this morning, early in Aprii, - exc^ , h t see our turned!— wonder if Mother is with him? - „f as w ! Ji r " ars past, we eagerly awaited feathered frien .. > | f tlieir "front porch" reads the evening paper. Then begin the unhappy cries the noise a ^ Q c ^ S ^ e f t^osl 10 ' tion of their unwanted tenant., tae spar ' even mo nths » absence. soss their own dear summer home durtag . he obser ving from my This same pair m the big martin dox, i e ars and they are window and when out of doors, for the past five year., both most unusual birds. Mother Martin is a big greyish, sedate, ^S^^Lmd^biras s?SnfL b a r eUUU„hi,f??. a SheYelps him oust all other birds fr their^home 3 Sddtag tSem go to the smaller house over the garage. All, Page 23 TIIE CHAT Febru ary- March 1939 except the wrens, are chased from the two lots which contain the pecan trees in which they sleep, adjacent to their home. _I watch them by the hour, while brooding, feeding, and training their young family. Father Martin sits nearby, during the first brooding, guarding and talking to her in his cooing trill of love. They are as regular as clock work in the performance of their duties. He comes at certain intervals to relieve her, for they take turns hatching their baoies. When he wishes to take her place on the nest, he stops front of the hole from which her head emerges, then quietly, she slips irom the other door and stands on his end of the porch. There he soands--- patiently waiting for the spirit to move his capable mate. He tr^es to induce her to fly away, but she will not move until after five or more minutes have elapsed (depending on the heat, for she is cooling the eggs, I suppose.) There she staunchly stands on his end and he on the other, not daring to go on the nest until she leaves. buddenly ie looks in another direction, and off she glides — noisilessly m ano - er direction, and when he turns back with another protesting cry, she is not there. He looks blankly around, until, espying her in the dis- tance, he calls lovingly after her. Then, with the dignified strut- ting swagger of a stocky specialist, when called upon to conduct a neighboring clinic, he steps into his house and caretully settles him- self upon the eggs from which his wife, with difficulty, finally suc- ceeds in removing him, as he, seemingly, wishes her to feed and exer- cise. But--during the second sitting, when she holds her head out oi the hole panting from the heat, they constantly change places for an airing. This couple is most interesting and always humorous. She stands staunchly in front of her nest, pushing her fledglings from the porch, to keep them from returning home, when the time comes for^them ,o leave the nest. This is also true when the time arrives lor the feed- ing of the second nestlings. At eating their father back to the porch, has for this second hatch, but, but firmly pushes calling, "Herel Here I shrilly as they time, the fledglings follow demanding the food which he alight, their mother gently them aside with her bill and away flies the u-eneral Here!" After him they sail to where the ^General he Ins each birdling find a worm, then leading them back to their own aerial, where they are constantly watched, he bids them be seated and behave themselves like good children until after their baby brothers and sisters have dined. They finally , after many repetitions realize, just as all other two year olds in a similar position, no longer the babies and have been supplanted, must now grow up. that they are which means that they Father Martin, or the General, as deepest purpled martin that we’ve seen we call . He is him, is the largest and independent, autocratic exclusive, and untiring, only allowing Jenny Wren to live in the atuic of his home. I have known him to even eject his own son from che sec- ond story apartment, which remains empty until they leave, at which time the sparrows again take possession, and the cardinals, and robins j ays and starlings return to their winter feeding ground. The General is so called because of his regular routine, his tireless, unending drilling of his first brood while his wife is hatching the second. The strictest, sternest, martinet, is he in training caution, feeding and flying, but gentle withal, never stopping from the hatching of the first nestling until migration. We hear his distracted cry II T. Here l THE CHAT Page 24 February-March 1939 Here I Here!" each time a cat appears £^the pce^not^only when he is forbidden v/ire or post. I even 1. . J Qn tQ fl but when he is lovingly , patiently, teachinh martina for migration. His person- drilling his young and L the sky. Par in advance, on un- ality and size are unmis taka ol ^ and^onger flights, down the tiring wing, he takes them fo- o ' the 'whole day, then on re- Pamlico River until at last the} are wit h His triumphant cry turning at sundown, ahead o ^ their circling ceremony. Over and of "Here , Here, Here!" the ^ S^ a ?and skim. Around, and around around and above the trees ton N> C., they fly until at dusk over our beautiful town ^ J ide down to their well-earned rest amid joyous cries, they nappujf in the pecan trees. Then one morning in 1 at ?, f > e s us he ara^no* "Here , Here, that evening, at duel:, n ° J°y f ' dinF them through the maneuvers of Here l" of the General f Hhv?r iota w for "hippy landings", a 5o-yous e w?nt^ fnd a’sSe reLrS in S the soring for the General, Mother Martin and family. Hew Members The Executive Committee elected the following to membership: Thurman Chatham Winston-Salem Richard T. Chatham, Jr. Jinston-Sale Miss Mariel Gary Henderson Ray Goodrich, Jr. Henderson Edwin L. Green, Jr. Washington, D. C. nfa/Hudson 1 HachOTla Bank Building, Winston-Salem Miss Virginia Pickell Raleigh T. L. Quay Raleigh YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT AT BREVARD IN DECEMBER Mark Taylor Orr, Chapel Hill While making the Christmas ^^ S b °^ n ch C which runs^own a narrow Chat in a dense thicket along ^J^fwi th a spring, and cove between two low ridges. Job bra 6 first attracted to here in summer I often go to book for Chat s^ x la ter some the bird by a series of reprimands like chut, chu^, I dld not odd whistles. Being fully aware o^tt CL t rea lly expected to think to attribute these notes to him. I^hink aside from see a Mockingbird. I made my identi t ? rom to bill end £ lS:ra^il"r e belly. This bird was rather bedraggled in appearance, and^llowed^e to was 6 alone 6 a t ^ the ^whe^I returned later with the other mem- Page 25 THE CHAT February-March 1939 bers of the census party, Delias bf hiving" the opportunity to comparl own observation, X was reassured by baTlng^n locallty , an d his size with that of a & ' A n( q strangely enough, the Cat- realizing that he was aMost as larg ^ A d ° s 3Qe them in Chapel bird was a surprise to me, ^ ^hough 1 s< om mountalns . Hill in winter, they appear infrequently m une e wo m = n win oiio-Q-ested that I should have shot the bird HI mor^definite 6 identification and proof, but that la one method of bird study which I have never practiced. (Ed. note: Chats winter outside of th^U. fowell^tahi. ^ Florida Bird Life on]y lists Florida is September 25. December, o therwise the lates ^ r ® c ° a f H a F J is [ s two birds being found Witmer Stone, Bird Studi es at 01£ a *^| a t e at Raleigh is September in New Jersey in September. Latest Chat date at * TheS e dates 14 but they are seldom seen axter the nesting so e fall> T he emphasise the fact that Chat: s ^ ° ur Coastal region, and Chapel Hill.) ROBINS FLOCK TO STATE EARLIER THIS HEAR The Raleigh News and Ob a e r . v |£ ^ a t ^ e nt on^ 6 in^D a vi d s on County, large Robin roost had Ke¥n disco v T „ 28, which is nearly ttoee^weelc^earlier' 1 than°the first one* reported in 1938, which was on February 16. in the Denton roost there were «*“*&**" .UU® ■ »* - half birds, as compared with L r , does not imply 3e ss Robins, for roosts last year. This birds ?oost in the pines the species seems to be on the inc territory to feed through at night and fly out over the terrlt. cry ^ llterally the day. ’When they return to the roost at nignu * darkened by them. John D. Chalk of the department of Conservatten^aid^ttoy^ad^ix State same protectors guarding the 10 c , meS hSTassignea several Federal men there also. GOLDEN -CROWNED KINGLET FITTING ANTS IN ITS FEATHERS Mrs. A. J. Davis, Henderson On January 14, three members of the Q^’^field trip. We Claudia Hunter, Hiss Sarnett Myers and I, set out on may have stumbled on some interesting da^a. Page 26 THE CHAT February-March 1939 voices. We looked for some time before we discovered that the faint twitterings came from a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets, little green- ish birds with a center drown spot of bright orange banded by yellow, and enclosed by a black line. They were working industriously away in search of insects or larvae in the tree limbs, sometim.es hanging up- side down in their attempts to reach the underside of twigs and bran- ches. Such busy little fellows, never still. All but one. He. sat apart from the others on a low limb just above our heads and within a few feet of us, which gave us a splendid opportunity for a "closeup". He was behaving in such a strange way that we stood and watched him for some time. He would pick for a while at the limo on which he sat, then would turn his head and work his bill in and out among the feathers of his lower back and undersides. This was. repeated again and again. Finally Miss Myers remarked, "It looks 1 ike . he is picking bugs out of his feathers and putting them on the tree limb, I do be- lieve he is." Laughing at this whimsical fancy we went on and Lft Mr. Kinglet still sitting there picking first at the tree branch and then in his feathers . Later on we recalled an article in the Chat in which Dr. T. Gil- bert Pearson described Starlings putting ants among their feathers to keep down the parasites. So Miss Myers* story of the Golden-crowned Kinglet with "ants in his pants" may go down in history as a real con- tribution to the science of ornithology. (Neither Pearson nor Miss Myers saw the ants, they only guessed at them. C . S . B. ) GULLS WITH COLORED BRACELETS Bird students have been placing colored-celuloid bands ) er 4, last seen September seen inland. Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover,! on 22; Semipalmated Sandpiper, P- September 26, latest date; September 10 and 12; Spotted Sandpiper . We ha ve also seen Common Tern, plentiful Augu dlffe rent times during the past two terns of one or more spec ie: s ^ ^ the species. Herring Gull, ±irs winters , but were unable to Jetemi reC eived at the Museum Octo- September 9. A specimen of the This owl has also been # collected ber 3, is our earliest fal - CountY February 20, and in 1 rtt County 5 on t^occaSSs L ftovLber American Pipit, ^v^ber ^ Bfll ib-en more than »° were counted. Joe Biggs, Jr. _ , ^ March 15; Black Duck, January Raleigh: Ducks: Mallard, February 3 March February 15; 17 31 February V; Gadwall, uanua y » * ^ Teal, March Baldpate , January 31 February 7, Larch 25, L ^ ^ 1Q0) on Pe bru- 1 5* Ringnecked Duck, January - February 13, March 15, one ary 12, 102 on February 15; Oanvasbach, F^br^ | uffleheaa) February 7 , *.'n * l±* tTZTn^ril7U“l March 15,-25; Rusty Blachbtrd, Page 29 THE CHAT February- March 1939 March 15, 2 ; Yellow-throated Warbler, March 25, 1 heard; Maryland Yellow- throat, March 25, several heard; Chipping Sparrow, March 10, common. Other Birds : Wilson's Snipe, March 20, 1; Red-breasted Nut- hatch, February 15, 2 seen; Pipit, February 16, March 14; Cedar Wax- wing, January 11, March 15; Blue-headed Vireo, January 19, 1, March 15, 4; Purple Finch, January 1 - March 26; Savannah Sparrow, February 19, March 3, 15, 20; Vesper Sparrow, January 31, March 15, 20; Fox Soarrow, January 11, March 20. * J. H. Grey T. L. Quay C. H. Bostian Roxie Collie C. S, Brimley FIELD GLASSES Many people have asked about glasses with which to observe birds* A binocular glass is the best type, this has prisms in addition to regular lenses. Eight power is preferred by most, though some like a 6x 'glass better. A glass with, a large field, about 30 millimeter will allow you to pick up a bird on the wing, much quicker than a glass having a small field of vision. Also you will want a light-weight glass so that it will not tire you carrying it around your neck. The best place to get glasses second-hand is from J. Alden Loring 0-W-E-G-O, N. Y. (Note : not Oswego) Loring will send glasses on ten- day free trial if you will give him a bank reference; he guarantees all his glasses unconditionally, and will refund your money if there is any defect occurring in the glasses in a reasonable time. VIRGINIA SOCIETY OF ORNITHOLOGY Many of our members should be interested in joining the bird club of Virginia. Many articles carried in their bulletin The Raven apply to bird life in our state. The Virginia Society of Ornithology was organized in December 1929 with a small group of members, and has grown steadily to the present membership of 70. Their annual meeting was held at Norfolk in February, being a two-day meeting with a field trip over the Migratory a ter fowl Refuge at Back Bay . The Editor feels that we would gain much by more of our members joining the Vir- ginia group for the Raven ranks highest of the mimeographed bulletins of state bird clubs. Membership is open to anyone Interested in birds dues are $1.50 a year and should be sent to Mr, A. 0. English, 308 ’Vestover Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia. New River ; On March 26, I made a ten mile loop and observed the fol- lowing; Lesser Scaup, about 350; Bufflehead, 6; American Scoter, 40; Ruddy Duck, 74; Canvasback, 61; Red-breasted Merganser, 100; eagle, 1, Golden (?); Golden-eye, 42; and Black Ducks, 10. These are smaller numbers than seen in previous years at the same time, probably due to the unusually warm weather that had prevailed for several days. H . H. Brimley, Raleigh BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED AT RALEIGH. N. C. VOL. Ill John H. Grey, jr.. Editor 1ZJ2.CA5KRUVC&... APRIL-MAY 1959 N0Se 4 & 5 THIRD ANNUAL MEETING The third Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Bird Club was sailed to order by President Francis H. Craighill in the Woman’s Club at Raleigh, Friday afternoon, April 28, 1939'. After a brief business session in which committees were appointed and the Treasurer’s report received and referred to the Auditing Committee, the Club began the reading and discussing of papers. As most of these papers will be printed in part in this and fol- lowing issues, we simply list them here. The first paper was by J, G, Primrose of Raleigh? "Experiences in Banding Birds". Churchill Bra- v;s. w of Winnabow then spoke of his "Notes from Orton Plantation". Miss Claudia Hunter of Henderson told of the work in making her city "A municipal Bird Sanctuary Mrs Henry Pike of Siler City had prepared on the work there, but was ' prevented from being present by paper sickness. H. H. Brimley of Raleigh years and told of "Some Fish-eating Hodel of Elkin narrated some of his C. S, Brimley of Raleigh closed the discussion of the "Past and Present of the changes in orders used in the orders as they are listed today. drew on his experience of many Birds in North Carolina". Earl M* "Experiences with Bird Pets". Mr. reading of papers with a profound Classification of Birds", telling Birds of North Carolina and the An outstanding feature of the N. C. B, C. is the number of local clubs over the State who are doing good work in bird study and protec' tion. These clubs were asked to report on their work. Mrs. N. D, Tyner of Greensboro reported on the work of the Piedmont Bird Club* The report of Miss Elizabeth Fox of the Henderson Bird Club was read, and also the report of Miss Mary K, Wintyn of the Southern Pines Bird Club. Miss Nancy Eliason told of the work of the Raleigh Club. There were no reports presented from the Statesville Audubon Society, the group at Pine Bluff, or the Chapel Hill Bird Club. The day had been rainy and windy and some who were to appear on the program" did not get to the meeting so the program was spliced with moving pictures. John Grey showed two reels made by the Biological Survey on "Our Wildlife Resources", and Churchill Bragaw showed a beautiful colored reel of movies taken at Orton Plantation. Just as the meeting, adjourned for the afternoon, Frank Williams .of Rocky- .Mount Page 31 THE CHAT April-lay 1939 and State College arrived explaining that a test made him too late to read his paper on "The European Starling in America". The Editor presided over the banquet at 6:00 p. m. which was at- tended by 50 people in spite of the driving rain. The following cit- ies were represented: Henderson, Sanford, Winnabow, Southern Pines, Oxford, Washington, Greensboro, Rocky Mount , Wilson, Charlotte ^States- ville, Elkin, Raleigh and New York. The Presidential Address w as given by the Rev. Francis H. Craighill of Rocky Mount on "The Friendly Birds", The address created a lot of interest and was published in the News and Observer . The slate of officers nominated by the nomi- nating committee we re elected and we have the following Officers for 1939 President: Miss Claudia Hunter, Henderson First Vice-President: Dr. A. D. Shaftsbury, Woman’s College, Greensboro Second Vice-President: J. J. Sigwald, Scout Executive, Wilson Third Vice-President: Mrs. D. W, Grinnell, Arden in Buncombe County Secretary-Treasurer: Dr, C, H. Bostian, State College, Raleigh Editor; The Rev. John Grey, Raleigh The evening session was attended by about 150 people to hear Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, President-Emeritus of the National Association of Audubon Societies. Dr. Pearson used colored lantern slides to illus- trate his far-flung activities in bird protection, using as his title: "The Odyssey of a Bird Lover", speaking of his work in America in gaining protection for game birds as well as egrets; in Europe to abolish the practice of netting song birds for the market; in India to abolish the blinding of song birds for use as decoys and songsters; and in Central and South America to negotiate treaties protecting the birds which migrate along our coast and winter in these southern coun- tries. Miss Nancy Eliason of Raleigh showed the movies of "The Ruby- throated Hummingbird" and John Grey showed a movie. of "The Breeding Birds of Cobb’s Island, Virginia", birds similar to those on our N. C. banks . Saturday morning was devoted to a field trip. The weather was 1 cloudy and threatened rain, but some started at 5:30 a. m. and the main party at 8:00 o'clock. About twenty-five people went by car to Lake Raleigh and Swift Creek, returning at noon for lunch together. The lunch was to have been at "The Willows", the new home of the R. W, Greens, but the threat of rain drove us inside and it was held in the West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, where we were guests of the Raleigh Bird Club. The total list of birds observed came to eighty-nine spe- cies, the most ever observed in Raleigh in one day. Birds. Observed Field Trip April 29, 1939 Great Blue Heron, Little -Blue Heron, ad. pi.. Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Sharp- shinned Hawk, Red- shouldered Hawk, Bobwhite, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sand- piper, Dove,. Barred Owl, Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Redheaded Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Kingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Phoebe, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Pewec, Page 32 THE CHAT April-May 1939 Tree Swallow, Roughwinged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Blue Jay, Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nut- hatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, .House Wren, Carolina Wren, Mockingbird, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Wood Thrush, Bluebird, Blue-gray Gnat- catcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Starling, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow- throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black and White Warbler,^ Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Parula Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black- throated Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prarie Warbler, Ovenbird, Maryland Yellowthroat , Chat, Hooded Warbler, Redstart, Eng- lish Sparrow, Bob-o-link, Meadow Lark, Redwing, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Cardinal, Goldfinch, Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, White- throated Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow. N ew Members Elected Mrs. R. D. Bullock, Box 966 Rocky Mount Mrs. Edwin Clarkson, 248 Ridgewood Avenue, Charlotte V. M. Eppes, 153 Young Avenue, Henderson P, B. Finch, Kittrell E. G. Flanagan, 215 Young Street, Henderson Dan Martin, 1821 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh Miss Sarah M. Nooe, Queens-Chicora College, Charlotte Grover C. Quinn, Jr., Buxton Mrs. R. 0. Self, 1604- Scales Street, Raleigh S, A. Walker, Manteo « Robert L. Wolff, Friendly Road, Greensboro D. L. Wray, N. C. Department of Agriculture, Raleigh (reinstated) EXPERIENCES IN BANDING BIRDS J, G. Primrose, Raleigh Scientific bird banding with numbered bands commenced in 1889, exactly forty years ago, when a Danish Schoolmaster by the name of Mortensen started the systematic banding of storks, starlings, teals and several species of birds of prey. His success immediately attracted the attention of European Orni- thologists and before long many countries were banding birds systemat- ically. At the present time banding is being actively carried on in North America as -well as in England, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Iceland, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Hun- gary, Bulgaria, India, Morocco and Japan. The possibilities of this method were not recognized by American ornithologists until 1902, and after the prosecution of several more or less individual projects, and several ambitious attempts, the Amer- ican Bird Banding Association was organized in 1909 and continued suc- cessfully until 1920, when their work was taken over by the Biological Survey. The Survey’s last report shows that in this period 2,828,100 birds have been banded, of which number 175,914 birds have returned, that is anywhere from over three months up to fifteen years after originally having been banded, a little better than 6#* Page 33 THE CHAT April-May 1939 To me It is one of the most fascinating pasttimes. After having banded a considerable number of species, naturally each additional species becomes much more difficult to add to your list and that is when you get a genuine thrill in going after others. I have enjoyed the privilege of a co operator's licence for six years, and have in that time banded several thousand birds, comprising 65 species to date, varying in size from the Hummingbird to the Bald Eagle. Slightly over 10 % of all the birds I have banded have returned for inspection. This year, or in the last twelve months, I have trapped three birds I originally banded in 1933. Of course the only practicable way to band some species is to find the nest and band the young at the proper time, but I have banded only a few in that way, the Pro thonotary Warbler, White-eyed Vireo and Blue Grosbeak being three I banded from the nest in the past twelve months. To increase your number of species banded, you have to follow the habits and whims of certain birds 0 The Henderso n Mu nicip al Bird Sanctuary Claudia Hunter The Henderson Bird Club presents this paper with reluctance be- cause it realizes how much. remains to be done before Henderson is in reality a municipal bird sanctuary. There are, however, at least two accomplishments that indicate ultimate success for the venture and make us bold enough to discuss it nore today. One of these is the fact that men, women, and children of Henderson of all walks of life are expressing so much spontaneous in- terest to the leaders of this movement by telephone and in conversa- tions everywhere that these leaders are sometimes at their wit's end for time to answer questions and listen to experiences with birds. The other fact is the accumulating statements by Henderson leaders, who are writing articles for the daily paper in a publicity campaign now going on, that the sanctuary is succeeding. To illustrate, a city al- derman writing as the Boy Scout head declares that the municipal sanc- tuary ordinance is one ordinance on the law bocks that has awakened the community. Another writer states that until the Bird Club came into existence those who wanted to have birds had to beg boys change their attitudes towards birds. The Chairman of the County Commission- ers has expressed concern about stray cats and dogs, and a lawyer say 3 that bird clubs are not "thirty years too late", that he is now con- vinced that their methods can save birds. Two years ago in May a group of Henderson people considering the formation of a bird club had the privilege of having the Raleigh ^Bird Club President and two members of the Raleigh Bird Club address them. In her talk, Mrs. Charlotte Hilton Green referred to the Mill edge villa Municipal Sanctuary. After the club was organized, its Secretary wrote to Georgia for information about the Miliodgeville Sanctuary and the Mayor and Audubon President graciously furnished it. In September j. P. Connell, President of the Henderson Bird Club, with a representa- jj-vg of the Garoen Club, che Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Schools went Page 34 THE CHAT April- May 1939 before the City Council and secured an ordinance. In November a mass meeting was arranged with an address by Mr. Alexander Sprunt of the National Audubon Society, and at that time the Mayor of Henderson publicly proclaimed the sanctuary. This is the ordinance: Now therefore, be it resolved 1, That the entire Municipality be declared a bird sanctuary. 2, That all ordinances regulating the discharge of fire arms in the city be strictly enforced. 3. That permission be granted the Henderson Bird Club to put up artistic signs on the posts designating the corporate limits. 4. That expedient measures be taken to exterminate the city of stray and unclean cats. People who inquire seem to have four questions in mind: What does it mean? Ifliy does Henderson feel the need of this official mea- sure? What are the underlying principles? How are the sponsors work- ing out the plan? These are briefly the answers to the four questionss 1. Official signs on highway entrances to the city announce that Henderson is a bird sanctuary by special ordinance. This means that the Mayor and Council have called upon the people of Henderson to pro- tect birds and that the people, men, women, and children are more or les3 trying to do it. 2. This official measure was asked because the sponsors realize that special effort must be made to preserve bird life if birds are to survive the destruction of woods, gullies, and thickets which is going on, sweeping away both food and shelter. The sanctuary is a pledge that steps will be taken and taken increasingly to re-plant berry- bearing trees and shrubs and to provide protection from stray cats, dogs, and unlawful shooting. 3. The underlying principles are four in number, and the cardinal one is supplying natural food and shelter. Another is the method of dealing with the deep-seated desire of boys to shot birds. The wise and effective way seems to be that of showing the '''small boy and the adult a more interesting way to approach birds than with a gun, at the same time publishing in the newspaper from time to time the city law against firing a gun within the city limits for any purpose and the state lav/ against shooting song birds, though making every effort to reduce the necessity for lav/ enforcement to a minimu,? v Another princi- ple involves the method of dealing with the cat problem. The sanctuary sponsors recognize that lovers of cats have as much rights to their cats as the lovers of birds have to birds, though they ask the owners of cats to keep them up at night during the nesting season. The spon- sors at the same time, keenly realize the need for stray cat and dog control throughout the county in order to check the tragic reduction of game and song birds by cats and dogs belonging to no one. And let us add here that the Vance County officials whose responsibility this is are facing it. They are appalled at the facts they are finding and will deal v/ith the problem in a wise may. They are as fine leaders as are to be found anywhere and the Henderson Bird Club 5s willing to trust its case with them. Knowing birds rather than knowing about them is the fourth principle. Page 35 THE CHAT April-May 1939 The Henderson Bird Club is working out its plan in these ways: 1* It holds a monthly meeting for a membership open to all who love birds, and once a year arranges for a rural school to provide the program- for a meeting held in its own community. The club conducts frequent field trips, which are often followed by a breakfast in a lovely garden or a steak supper in the woods; encourages Audubon So- cieties in the schools and sometimes provides field trips for Audubon members. Last year, the first year of the project, it was thought best to let the children contribute their dimes to the Henderson Bird Club treasury and thus have a part in the highway signs and in the municipal sanctuary as a whole. This year it has instead advocated membership in Audubon Societies but has done little to push them. It has, however, done some intensive work with one rural school, with about six high school and junior high school boys, and has promoted the making of bird houses for the exhibit in five schools * The Bird Club holds a yearly exhibit including scores of bird houses made by children, but it discourages prizes and promotes cooper ation rather than competition among the makers of bird houses, It conducts a column in the Henderson Daily Dispatch. It cooperates with the Vance County Game Warden, with the State Bird Club and the State Department of Conservation and Development, receiving from these state organizations for the protection of bird life the most satisfying assistance. The club's attempt at public plantings of trees and shrub which these organizations advocate has been its most signal failure. This is partly explained by the illness and death of the chairman of the city's committee on tree planting. Individuals have, however, in large numbers included trees and shrubs for birds in their own gardens and street planting. Finally the Bird Club has in mind a yearly com- munity bird festival, that is if and when the community asks for it. Whatever has been accomplished has been brought about by the co- operative work of many people. This has not been a one-man enterprise No account of the sanctuary would be complete that did not mention Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Davis and their garden sanctuary, Miss Mariel Gary's assistance all along the line, Mr. H. C, Anderson's field trips for members. Miss Garnette Myers' work this year as editor of Bird Corner, Mr, H. A. Dennis' unfailing support through his paper the Daily Dis- patch-, Ray Goodrich's ardor for birds and his growing interest in bird photography, and the support of many other women and men, though get- ting men to meetings is another story. A year ago a physician who is concerned with mental health regret ted that the Henderson Bird Club had not been organized twenty-five years ago. The writer of this paper, however, closes with a deeper emphasis involving mental health and more. Besides saving the birds is there a precious by-product of a municipal bird sanctuary, a spir- itual value? After the recent exhibit in the Davis garden sanctuary was over, people still continued to go to it. Many of them did not seem to understand that they could not rush in and find the birds which are there. Others, however, knew without being told that they must first be still in the garden and that then and only then would >:hey see and hear the birds. If the Henderson Municipal Sanctuary says to people, "Before you can see and hear the birds you must be THE CHAT April-May 1939 Page 36 quiet for a time", may it not also say "You must bring more stillness into your lives before you can find or be found by the Creator of the Birds"? Unchecked Increase of Birds (Theoretical) We often hear of the terrible possibilities of. am unchecked in- crease of birds, but let us see what an unchecked increase of birds would be. Nov; if a pair of birds raised four young in a year, and the four young survived and raised two families of four per pair, and so on for thirty years, the total offspring of that year from the descen- dants of that pair would be over a billion birds, or five hundred milli6n times as many as the original pair, whereas actually the bird population keeps about steady, although many species may raise as many as ten or more offspring per pair. Just think about it. C« S. Brimley Changes In Bird Classification The fourth edition of the A. 0. U. Check List has an entirely different classification from any of the preceding, the name of every order being altered, some of the orders split, others amalgamated, as in the accompanying list. The order of families in the shorebirds is reversed, that of the perching birds entirely altered, see table 2. -C . S. Brimley Table 1 Orders of Birds according to the Check List of the American Ornithologists Union Third Edition, 1910 1. Pygopodes 1, A. Colymbidae, Grebes (2) B. Gaviidae, Loons (1) 2. C. Alcidae, Auks (10 pt ) 2. Longipennes (10 pt) 3, Gulls, Terns, Jaegers, etc. 3. Tubinares (3) 4. Petrels, Shearwaters, etc, 4. Steganoposed (4) 5. Pelicans, Cormorants, etc. 5. Anseres, Ducks & Geese (6) G. 5. Odontoglossae , Flamingoes (5 pt ) 7. Herodiones, Hersons,etc (5 pt) 7. 8. Paludicolae, Cranes, rails, etc. (9) 9. Limicolae, Shore-birds (10 pt) 8. 10. Gallinae, Game-birds (8) 11. Columbae, Doves (11) 9. Fourth Edition, 1931 Gaviiformes, Loons (IB) Colymbif ormes , Grebes (1A) Procellar iiformes , Petrels (3) Pel e can if ormes (4) ' C icon iiformes (7x6) Anseriformos (5) Falconif ormes (12A) Gal Iiformes (10) Gruif ormes (8) Page 37 THE CHAT Apr! 1-May 1939 12 * Raptores , Birds of Prey A* Hawks and Vultures (7) B. Owls (14) 13. Psittaci, Parrots (12) 14 Coccyges A. Cuckoos (13) B. Kingfishers (17) 15. Pici, Woodpeckers (18) 16. Macrochires A. Goatsuckers (15) B. Swifts and Hummers (16) ' 17 > Pas seres, Perchers (19) 10. Charadriif ormes (9 x 2 x 1C) 11, Columbif ormes , Doves (11) 12, Psittaciformes , Parrots (13) 13. Cuculif ormes , Cuckoos (14A) 14. Striformes, Owls (12A) (16A) 15 , Capr imulgif ormes , Goatsuckei s 16, Micropodiif ormes (16B) 17. Coraciif ormes , Kingfishers , etc, (14B) 18, Pic if ormes, Woodpeckers (15) 19. Passeriformes, Perchers (17) Note: The numbers in parentheses after the name of an order or section of an order show its equivalent in the other column. Table 2 Families 1. Tyrannidae (flycatche rs ) 2 . Alaudidae (Larks ) 3. Corvidae (4) Crows 4. Sturnidae (15) Starlings) 5. Icteridae (19) (Orioles and Blackbirds) 6. Fringillidae (21 x 17) Finches 7 . Tangar idae ( 20 ) ( Tanagers ) 8. Hirundinidae (3) (Swallows) .9, Bombycil3.idae (13) (Waxwings ) 10. Laniidae (14) (Shrikes) 11. Vireonidae (16) ( Vireos ) 12. Mniotiltidae (17) (Wood Warblers ) 13. Motacillidae (12) (Wagtails and Pipits) 14. Mimidae (9) Moc ki ng Thrushe s •) 15. Troglodytidae (8) (Wrens ) 16. Certhiidae (7) (Creepers ) of Pas seres 1. Tyrannidae (Flycatchers ) 2 . A laud 3 dae (Larks ) 3. Hirundinidae (8) ( Swallows ) 4. Corvidae (3) (Crows) 5. Par idae (IS) (Titmice ) 6. Sittidae (17) (Nuthatches ) 7. Certhiidae (16) (Creepers ) 8. Troglodytidae (15) (Wrens ) 9. Mimidae (14) (Mocking Thrushes) 10. Turdidae (20) (Thrushe s ) 11. Sylviidae (19) (Old World Warblers) 12. Motacillidae (13) (Wagtails and Pipits) 13. Bombycillidae (9) (Waxwings ) 14. Laniidae (10) ( Shrikes ) 15. Sturnidae (4) (Starlings ) 16. Vireonidae (11) (Vireos ) Page 38 THE CHAT Apr i 1-May 1939 17. Sittidae (6) 17. Cornpsothlypidae (Mniotil tidae (Nuthatches ) (Wood Warblers) (12) 18. Paridae (5) 18. Ploceidae (6 pt ) ( Titmice ) (Weaver Finches) 19, Sylviidae (11) 19. Icteridae (5) (Old World Y/arblers) (Orioles and Blackbirds) 20. Turdidae (10) 20, Thraupidae (Tangaridae) (7) ( Thrushes ) ( Tanagers ) 21. Fringillid.ae (6 pt) (Finche s ) THE FRIENDLY BIRDS Rev. F. H. Craighill Rocky Mount The friendliest of all the orders of creation are our beloved birds which, we are organized to study and protect. V/e live our lives amid dangers and perils from, every other direction. Earthquakes, floods and tempests take their yearly toll of human life. The mineral kingdome contains many virulent poisons. From plants come strychnine, opium, alcohol, nicotine and other poisons; and there are many" plants which are injurious in varying degrees from the annoyance of poison ivy to the certain death of Amanita Phalloides. Lions and tigers, wolves and bears were threats to the survival of primitive man; the feeble rodents remain as expensive enemies; in the waters are the shark, the barracuda and the giant octopus; among reptiles are croco- diles and caymans and poisonous snakes. The one outstanding exception to this encircling cordon of ene- mies i3 found in the friendly and protecting order of birds. Among the feathered creatures of the earth there is not one that is a peril to mankind, and most of them are helpers and protectors. If birds are our best friends, our worst enemies are insects. If they v/e re freed from the interference of their natural enemies, insects would over- whelm us by the mere fecundity of their reproduction. The offspring of a single aphis could conceivable conquer humanity in a single sea- son. At this time of year there need not even, be a pair; for now all are females, and by a process of virgin birth, each is pouring forth, a practically continuous stream of living young. » A writer in "Field and Stream" says that if every individual should grow to maturity and produce at capacity, by late October the entire land surface of the earth would be covered ten feet deep, and all animate life, including humanity, would be smothered beneath the insect drifts. Our first line of defense is our friendly order of birds. I have seen a flock of despised English Sparrows go d-ds and these soon grew into sufficient volume to merit a beginning. During the wL nter of 1934-35 the first season in which we did systematic field work, as many as 27 species were recorded in a single day, December 24. Little was done the following winter, but in 1937- 38 a Christmas Census was taken, and for the first timo was published in BIRD LORE. A total of 51 species were recorded on that day, Decem- ber 26. The greater part of our migration records are of 1935 (Spring migration). In the fall of 1938 a good deal of time was devoted to the migrations of shore-birds. Records of nesting or breeding birds have come into our hands more or less casually as we have spent less time on this phase of bird work. Still several records of interest are given in the list, and we expect to add many others from time to bime . Throughout this work we have been given generous encouragement from Mr. C. S. Brimley, Assistant State Entomologist, and from. Dr. P. C. Lincoln and others of the U. S. Biological Survey. Joe Biggs is a migration observer for the survey. He has been reporting data for each migration season since 1935. In addition to the writers other local bird enthusiasts are Mrs. F. C. Kugler and Mrs. E. M. Brown, both Charter members of the N. C. Bird Club. The Washington Field Museum, under the directorship of Miss Shelburne, has been active in encouraging and training several young naturalists in bird study. Considering the limited time and facilities, the museum has evidently developed no small degree of en- thusiasm in elementary bird study in this community, THE REGION AS A BIRD TERRITORY; Washington is situated on the north :,ank of the Pamlico River. There are numerous creeks in the vicinity, cwo of which form natural boundaries between Pitt and Beaufort Coun- ties. Tranters Creek, on the north, and Bear Creek on the south side of the Tar, unite to form the Pamlico above Washington. Page 45 THE CHAT June 1939 Tidal marshes are not uncommon here, and some of these extend hack into the interior to unite with a typical "swamp forest" (gum- cypress swamp) on the south bank of the river. This extensive swampy area lies along Chocowinity Creek and extends from Chocowinity Bay west to Bear Creek and Pitt County. It is about two miles wide at this point. In addition to the characteristic gums and cypresses are occasional low clumps of the dwarf palmetto, interesting though uncom- mon except farther east in the county. One may still see a few Pile- ated Woodpeckers among the larger gums around "cotton-mouth swamp". Parula and Prothonotary Warblers are typical of the swamp in summer as we have found the former to nest in Spanish moss. Other summer birds include the Green Heron and White-eyed Vireo, both especially common to this habitat. Typical winter visitors of the swamp areas are Myrtle Warblers and White-throated Sparrows. These give way to the Swamp Sparrow in the bordering marshlands. Wood Duck is a resident species, Laaewise one may expect to see an occasional Pied-billed Grebe here at any season of the year. The country immediately north of town rises into a tableland. It is bordered by a range of low hills with a few good deciduous w ood- lands. These wooded areas are broken by cultivated and old fields in the region formerly known as "Washington Heights". Several stands of loblolly pine lie along the field borders, and the area in general bears some resemblance to the Piedmont region. The woods and pasture- land in the west of this range have yielded much of interest among transient birds. It is also a fine place for jays, nuthatches, chick- adees, robins, flickers, and pine warblers, all resident species. Ore typical fall transient is the redstart which is always abundant in September (it is not known to breed here). Along the borders of nea: >- by fields a few coveys of bobwhite may still be seen. In the open fields sparrow hawks, shrikes, pipits and meadowlarks are to be fount.-. The pipit, of course, is found in late winter or early spring. Flock: of rusty blackbirds are frequent in winter in the oak woods. They sometimes mix with grackles to show the many differences in form and voice. Thus three kinds of blackbirds. Including the red-wing, have been seen here in one observation. Another distinct type of bird locality is Pamlico River which at Washington is characterized by several sand-bars or "sand shoals". These have been built up as the result of a series of dredgings of the river channel. Here is a splendid field for shorebird study, and dur- ing the past fall we added some interesting records from the shoals. Gulls, both herring and ring-billed, occur here in the open water, being very common about the docks. The common tern is frequent here from early to late fall, appearing on the water in mid-August when it is often in company with the first gulls. Lesser scaup ducks occur on the open water as well as in the creeks and small ponds. The great 'Hue heron is resident, and the egret is becoming commoner as a summer bird. THE LIST: The following list contains 160 species arranged according oo the more recent lists, especially the Fourth edition check-list of the American Ornithologists' Union. Most of the species are class!- Page 46 THE CHAT June 1939 fled according to seasonal occurence as (1) residents * (2) summer visi- tors (breeders * etc.)* (3) winter visitors* (4) transients (in spring* fall* or both). Other statements refer to the relative abundance as "common", "scarce"* etc.* unless the species has not been recorded enough times to make such a statement. Wherever there is any question about the status of a bird in our fauna the date and place (as near as possible) is given. Reference is also made to the habitat in which the bird should occur, as far as we have been able to ascertain. This, we hope, may be of use in finding these birds. The earliest and lat- est dates for summer and winter visitors have been recorded vh erever we have such dates on record. This has also been done for transients. Nesting records of interest are given though we have made comparative- ly little progress in this phase of our vrork. For all species for which our records are limited these records are also given^in full date . V/e have been careful only to include those birds which we def - initely know to occur either by specimens taken or by reliable iie Id - observations . ANNOTATED LIST 1. COMMON LOON. Gavia i. immer . Transient* and occasional winter visitor, wintering mainly in the sounds* the loon lias been recorded as follows; Jan. 14* 1936; March 6, 1937; April 22, 1935. 2 . IiOLBOELL ' S GREBE . Co lvmbus grisegena holboelli . 0 c c a s i on al in winter. Noted along Pamlico River* Jan. 1, 1933. One taken on Lee. 11* 1932 (male). 3* HORNED GREBE. Colymbus auritus . Scarce. On Dec. 27* 1936* one was seen on Jack's Creek, and another bird* having no date, is pre- served as a museum specimen. 4. PIEDBILLED GREBE. Podllymbus p, podiceps . The "Hell-Diver", as this grebe is popularly called, is a year around resident. It has been observed in summer a3 well as winter though we have as yet no breeding records for this locality. Common to small creeks and swamp- waters." During the winter and spring of 1935 we frequently saw it within a stone ' s-throw of the museum. Spring, summer* fall* winter. 5. a. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Phalacroo or ax a. auritus . More or less resident as a species; uncommon except during migrations. b. FLORIDA CORMORANT. Phalacrooorax auritus floridanus . As field observations have shown no distinction between the two possible forms we may best group local records under the subspecies* floridanus . Two birds on July 24* 1934. fi. WATER TURKEY. Anhinga anhinga. One was flushed from nest along Bear Creek* a few mTl^s above town, in the spring of 1935, by Church- ill Bragaw. Sam Grist* of Washington, saw a bird of similar descrip- tion a few days prior to Bragaw; the exact date was not recorded though the place was approximately the 3 ame for both observations. Other names for this species are; "Snake-bird * because of its pecu- liarly long neck* and "American Darter". (If any nearby locality is the abode of this bird Bear Creek is ideally the one.) Page 47 THE CHAT June 1939 7. GREAT BLUE HERON. Ardea h. herodia3 . Resident, Recorded at sll seasons, usually singly though sometimes adults with immature birds and occasionally small flocks. Swamps , creeks and open river. 8. AMERICAN EGRET. Ca3merodius albus egretta . Summer visitor. Not known to breed. This species, which is now regaining its former num- bers, has become not uncommon here during recent years. The earliest date yet recorded is March 19, 1937. The latest fall date is Sept. 27, 1937. Often in small flocks of three or four. On sand bars, pilings in open water, and in local swamps. 9. LITTLE BLUE HERON. Florida caerulea . Summer visitor. Most com- mon following the breeding season when they appear oyer most of the state in the white or Immature plumage. It Is at this period that they are called "little white herons", and are distinguished from egrets by the fact that the wings are tipped with blue on the primar- ies . Full-plumage d adults are less frequent, being found principally in swamps. Typical adults were recorded as of Aug. 16, 1936, in the slaty-blue and purple plumage. 10. EASTERN GREEN HERON. Buto rl des v. vlrescens . "Shy-poke" or "Indian Hen". Summer visitor. Common. Along all bodies of water, and in swamps . 11. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Nyctanassa v. violacea. Transient. Scarce. One was taken by Churchill Bragaw 'on April 2, 1933, on Cliocowinity Creek. 12. AMERICAN BITTERN. Botaurus lentiginosus . Winter visitor. No summer records as yet. Ian. o, 19o3 (xemale) and April , j_9o 5, ore captured and released. Also one May 7, 3.939, One cakon Jan. 26, 1936, was mounted for the museum. Swamps. 13. EASTERN LEAST BITTERN. Ixo brychus o. exill3 . Summer visitor. Nc breeding records to date. Retiring. Swamps and marshlands. 14. WHISTLING SWAN . Cygnus columbianus. "Wild Swan." A fine speci- men was collected at Forth Creek to be mounted for the museum. These stately waterfowl wander in from Pamlico Sound where they regularly winter in abundance among the Hyde County bays. 15. CANADA GOOSE. Branta c. canadensis . "Wild Goose". Transient. Mainly in flocks. However, Bragaw has seen it on the river, immed- iately south of "the Castle" island in winter. Flocks in passage in November, etc,, and in March. 16. COMMON MALLARD. Anas p. platyrhynchos . Winter visitor. Has been reported also in summer. 17. COMMON BLACK DUCK. Anas rubrlpes tristis . Winter visitor. 18. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Nettion carolinense . Winter visitor. A fine male specimen was taken on the river about December 30, 1938. Page 48 THE CHAT June 1939 19. SHOVELER. Spatula clypeata . ''Spoon-bill 1 ' . Winter visitor. Has been taken along the river at North Creek in December. 20. WOOD DUCK. Aix sponsa . Also known as "Summer Duck". Resident. 21. SCAUP DTJCK. Nyroca marila . "Big Blackhead". Winter visitor. Not common, and we’ have"’ only one record, one taken December 30, 1932, by Brag aw. 22. LESSER SCAUP DUCK. Nyroca aff inis . Winter visitor. Earliest in fall Nov. 8, 1931. Flocks on open river in winter and during spring. 23. BUFFLE-HEAD Charitonetta albeola . But one record, Nov. 14, 1932, a male, taken on Jack's Creek. 24. RUDDY DUCK. Erismatura .-jamaice ns is rub Id a. Winter visitor. For- merly much more common than at present. 25. HOODED MERGANSER. Lophodytes c-ucullatus . Winter visitor. Ear- liest date; Nov. 15, 1932. ” Other specimens dated as follows; Dec. 6, 1931; Jan. 10, 1931; Jan. 29, 1933. This and the following are known as the various forms of "Sheldrakes". 26. AMERICAN MERGANSER. Mergus americanus . Winter visitor. Museum specimen dated Jan. 29, 19 53. 27. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Mergus serrator . Winter visitor. Speci- mens Jan. 4 and 6, 1933. 28. TURKEY VULTURE. Cathartes aura septentrionalts . "Turkey Buz- zard". Resident. Apparently not as common as formerly. 29. BLACK VULTURE. Cora gyps a. atratus . "South Carolina Buzzard". Resident. Common, particularly about slaughter houses; on windy days, especially in winter, it is seen in flocks of considerable size. One flock of perhaps 90 in March 1938. This vulture is known in some places as the "Carrion Crow". 30. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Acciplter v . velox . Winter visitor. P'ew records. One captured. 31 . COOPER’S HAWK. Accipiter coooerii . "Blue-darter". Resident. In view of the number of specimens placed in the museum’s hands, it would appear that the gun and trap take a much greater toll of Red- shoulder- ed^ Hawks than of this generally harmful species. Young, June 8, 1937. 32. EASTERN RED- TAILED HAWK. Buteo .jamaicensis borealis . One of the least common hawks here, according to our records. 33. NORTHERN RED- SHOULDERED HAWK. Buteo 1. lir ieatus . Resident. Com- mon. Nest with three young in April 1938. This highly beneficial species is one of the most persecuted birds of prey. Known as "Chick- en-Hawk," it feeds almost exclusively upon harmful rodents. Page 49 THE CHAT June 1939 34. SOUTHERN BALD EAGLE. Hallaetus 1. leucocephalus . Resident. May be regarded as common for a bird of its size. The museum has records for every season of the year. 35. MARSH HAWK. Circus hudsonius . At least a winter visitor. Com- mon. No summer records to date. River marshes. 3G. OSPREY. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis . "Pish Hawk" . Resident. Breeds. Nests' located at "Morris Dip’' (Camp Leach Road), in Chocowin- ity Bay, etc. Young observed in late June. At the former place these birds have been known to nest each year. 37. EASTERN PIGEON HAWK. Falco c. columbarius . Transient. Scarce. January 6, 1933, April 9, 1933; a third specimen having no date is preserved mounted in the museum. 38. EASTERN SPARROW HAWK. Falco s. sparverius . Resident. At least one record in early summer. Very common in winter. 39. EASTERN BOB-WHITE. Colinus v. virginianus . Resident. Common. 40. EASTERN TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo 3ilvestris . "Wild Turkey", Resident. Not readily met with. We understand that birds have fre- quently been taken in the Tranters Creek section in recent years. 41. KING RAIL. R allus e. elegans . Summer visitor. One captured May 11, 1933. 42. VIRGINIA RAIL. Rallus 1. limicola . A bird captured in Chocowin- ity Swamp in the Spring of 1938 was identified as a Virginia Rail. 43. AMERICAN COOT. Fulica a. american a. "Water Witch". "Blue Peter Transient during migrations, and likely in winter. Birds captured on Nov. 14, 1932, and Nov. 1938. 44. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Charadrlus semipalmatus . Transient. One seen on "sand shoals" on each of two days, September 11 and 12, 1938. 45. KILLDBER , O xyechus v. vociferus . Resident, Most common during migrations. Along river, and in open fields. 46. AMERICAN WOODCOCK. Philohela minor . Resident. Appears to be most common during the winter. In thickets in low, damp woods. 47, WILSON'S SNIPE. Cane 1 1a delicata . "Jack Snipe". Winter visitor Commonest during migrations. Low, wet meadows and fields; totally absent in most other places. 48. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Actitls macularia . Transient, and probably a summer visitor. Common. In late August and early September 19o8, young birds hardly able to fly were found on one of .the sand shoals. These presumably were recent nestlings from the vicinity. Page 50 THE GHAT June 1939 49. EASTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER. Thinga s. solitaria . Transient. Not common. A few observed in late August of 1936. 50. LEAST SANDPIPER. Pisobia minutilla . Transient. Sept. 4j Sept. 9j Sept. 22, 1938. Sand shoals. 51. SEMI-PALMA TED SANDPIPER. Ereunetes pus illus . Transient. Sever- al in flock on sand shoals. Sept. 24, 1938. Some of these were pro- bably least sandpipers. f 52. SANDeRLING. Crocethia alba . One on "sand shoal" below Norfolk- Southern Railroad Bridge, Sept. 21, 1938. Watched at close range with field glasses. The extremely light colors of the plumage together irith the contrasting black of bill and legs at once drew our close at- tention, and we watched the bird for about 10 minutes. This observa- tion was made on the day following the coastal hurricane of Sept. 20, and it is possible that the bird was driven inland at the time. 53. HERRING GULL. Larus argentatus smlthsoiiianus . "Gray Gull". Win- ter visitor. Common. Earliest in fall; Sept. 9, 1938. This most plentiful of local waterfowl increases in abundance as cool weather approaches and is most numerous toward early spring. Open water. 54. RING-BILLED GULL. Larus de lawarens is . Many of the gulls noted in April and May appear to be Ring-bills, though easily passing for Herring Gulls. In winter it occurs here along with Herring Gulls. Specimens are recorded by Bragaw. 55. COMMON TERN. Sterna h. hirundo . Common in the fall. Prom August 15, 1938, it has been observed through November. Is especially common during the month of September. Open water. 53. LEAST TERN. Sterna a. antillarium . Occasional in summer. On July 30 and 31, 1937", four birds were closely observed on the "sand shoals" , 57. MOURNING DOVE. Z enaidura macroura carollnensls . Resident. Common,. 58. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus a. americanus . "Rain Crow". Sum- mer visitor. Common. Earliest spring record; April 24, 1935, 59. BARN OWL. Tyto alba pratincol a. "Monkey-faced Owl" . Recorded in early fall, a specimen being taken from a steel trap by a Mr. Cher- ry on December 9, 1935, and Oct. 3, 1938. (We have another record; Dec. 1931 of a bird collected in the adjoining county of Hyde by E. G. 'Vest on, and one in Feb. 1938, Englehard, Hyde Caounty by Carlos Toler). 50. SOUTHERN SCREECH OWL. O tus a. asio . Resident. Both red and grey phases have been found. This is the familiar "Shivering Owl". 31. GREAT HORNED OWL. Bu bo v. vxrginianus . Resident. Not uncommon in occurance on the basis of the many specimens brought to the museum. Seldom met with except In the deeper swamps, however. An unusual thing happened here in the spring of 1938 when a captive female owl deposi- ted an egg which actually hatched into a tiny owlet. Page 51 THE CHAT June 1959 62. a. NORTHERN BARRED OWL. Strix v, varla . "Hoot Owl". Resident, common. Characteristic of all swamps and wooded areas in general. b. FLORIDA BARRED OWL. Strlx-varia alleni . A specimen of Flor- ida Barred Owl was taken three miles from Bath, Jan. 16, 1930, by Dr. Alexander Wetmore (Brimley, C. S., The Birds of Raleigh, N. C ., Journ- al Elisha M. Sci. Soc . , 1930). This record is the first for this sub- species though close attention may reveal more of these. 63. LONG-EARED OWL. Asio wilsonianus . Winter visitor. One record, that of a bird taken by Edward Williams on January 28, 1933, and turned over to the museum by him. 64. SHORT-EARED OWL. Asio fl amine us . Winter visitor. One record, Jan. 9, 1933, a male specimen taken by Owen Rodman on Rodman's farm, and later mounted for the museum. 65. CHUCK-WILL' S-WIDOW. Antrostomus carol inens is . Summer visitor. Common. This typical bird of the Lower Austral Zone is the "Whippoor- will" of this region. (Whether this is the "Whippoorwill" to which older residents refer, we do not know. But it is likely that we may find the Eastern Whippoorwill casual here. We have no records which can be called authentic as yet.) 66. EASTERN NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles m. minor . "Bull-bat". Apparently only a transient. Late August and September. On Sunday, Aug. 21,1938 we counted a flight of approximately 260 birds passing in a westerly direction over town. (At Greenville, Pitt County, a few birds wer§, however, observed in May, June and July, 1938.) 67. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Cha etura pelagica . Summer visitor. Common. March 3.1 thru October" 10, First dates appear to be passage birds. 68. RUBY- THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. Archi lochus colubrla . Summer Visitor- Common. Earliest spring date; April 11, in 1935. 69. EASTERN BELTED KINGFISHER. Megaceryle a. alcyon . Resident. Com- mon, especially so in fall. All creeks, and along river. 70. a. NORTHERN FLICKER. Cola ptes auratus lute ns. b. SOUTHERN FLICKER. Colaptes a^ auratus . "Yellow-hammer". Res- ident. Common. The Southern Flicker is regarded as the breeding form, the northern being the wintering form, and this agrees with the measurements we have made. 71. SOUTHERN PILEATSD WOODPECKER, Ceophloeus p. pileatus . "Log- cock". Resident. Scarce or absent except within the heavier wooded areas such as Chocowinity Swamp where a few may still be seen. This largest of local woodpeckers is familiarly known to older residents as the°" Good-God" . Bird brought in to museum Feb. 11, 1939. 72. RED- BELLIED WOODPECKER. Centurus carolinus . Resident. Typical of swampy areas j near water. Page 52 THE CHAT June 1939 73. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. Melanerpes erythrocephalus . Resident, Most common in summer in the larger shade (oak) trees. Nests in tele- phone poles in most cases. 74. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. S phyrapicus v. varius . Winter visitor Common. 75. SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus auduboni . Resi- dent. Shyer and not as common as the downy but noticeably larger in the field. We have noted it around the larger hardwood trees. 76. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER. Dryobates p. pubescens . Resident. Common. 77. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. Dryobates borealis . We found this v/oodpecker to be fairly common in the pine woods 'around Camp Leach in the summer of 1934. Probably resident. At present, however, we have only simmer records. Pine forests. 7Q. EASTERN KINGBIRD. Tyrannus tyrannus . Summer visitor. Common. Earliest date; April 12^ 1935 , Remains in abundance until October. 79. NORTHERN CPESTED FLYCATCHER. Mylarchus crinitus borens . Summer visitor. Common. Earliest date; April 24, 1935. Shade trees and woods in general. 30 . EASTERN PHOEBE. Sayornis phoebe . Resident; uncommon in summer. Fields, especially during late fall. 81. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. Smpldonax virescens . Summer visitor. Ear- liest date; April. This bird is usually heard before it is seen; swamps and small creeks where there is plenty of shade and an abun- dance of insects in the air, 82. EASTERN WOOD PEWEE . Myi ochanes v lrens . Summer visitor. Ear lie s date; April 24, 1935. Common in woods, on roadsides, and occasional- ly the shade trees in town. 33 . TREE SWALLOW . Iridoprocne bicolor . "Whi te -be 1 lied Swa 11 ow " . Transient; common in spring, but apparently not so common in fall. March 14 thru May 14, and in fall as early as August 9, 1935. 84. BANK SWALLOW. Ripa ria r. riparl a. Transient. In spring observ- ed commonly May 15 and 16, 1935; in fall August 8, 19oo, August 9, 1935, and August 9 and 10, 1936. Several of these swallows were also seen upon wires in company with martins Sept. 1, 1936. 35. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. Stelgidopteryx ruflcollis serripennis . Summer visitor, evidently breeds here. “Mated birds have beon seen on various occasions, and persons have reported swallows as nesting in the cliff at "Pioneer’s Bluff". 86. BARN SWALLOW. Hirundo erythrogaster . Transient. Common in spring and fall. April 11 thru June 1. August 2 thru Sept. 10. Also observed on several occasions in mid-summer (June and July). Usually around water but often in open fields during the migrations. Page 53 THE CHAT June 1939 87. PURPLE MARTIN. Progne s. subis . "Black Martin". Summer visitor Common. Numerous nesting colonies in town. March 14 thrui Sept. 22. The birds become increasingly abundant as the summer advances, and by late August these residents are augmented by others so that flocks of several hundred appear each season to gradually depart as fall approadcs. 80. BLUE JAY. Cyanocitta c. cristata . Resident. Common. 89. SOUTHERN CROW. Corvus brachyrhy n chos paulus . Resident. Common. (Some of these crows are undoubtedly '?i3h Crows, "Corvus osslfragus , though we have neither tried to separate them in the hand nor in the field as yet.) 90. CAROLINA CHICKADEE. Penthestes c. carolinensis . "Tom- tit". Resident. Common. 91. TUP' TED TITMOUSE. Baeolophus bicolo r. Resident. Common. 92. WHITE- BREASTED NUTHATCH. Sitta c. carolinensis . Resident. Fairly common. Mixed woods. 93. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. Sitta p. pusilla . Resident. Usually as- sociated with pine trees, and often near water, though sometimes in other situations. 04, BROWN CREEPER. Certh ia famillaris americana . Winter visitor. Jsually seen on trunks rf trees in mixed woods, 95. EASTERN WINTER WREN. N annus h, hiemalls . Winter visitor. Fairly common, though elusive, being found near water. It is not a bird of the open and often passes unseen. 06 . CAROLINA WREN. Thryothorus 1 . ludovicianus . Resident. Common,, This well-known bird is sometimes confused with the true House Wren which also occurs in our State and may be expected here as well. 97. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. Telm at odytes p. pa lu stris . Transient and probably winter visitant. Marshes. At least as early as Oct. le * (One of the marsh wrens was observed in mid-September 1938, in the marshes of Cliocowinity Bay.) Short- billed should also occur. 98. MOCKINGBIRD. Minus p. polygl ottos. Resident. Common. Usually around houses. 99. CATBIRD. Dumetella ca ro linens is. Summer visitor, a few being found throughout the winter months. ‘Common after March, and becoming noticeable in town as the summer birds begin to take up their resi- dence there. The few winter birds arc usually seen only in the woods. 100. BROWN THRASHER. Toxostoma rufum . Resident. Common. Thickets and hedges. 101. EASTERN ROBIN. Turdus m. mlgratorius . SOUTHERN ROBIN. Turdus m. achrusterus . Resident as a species. Common. Nests collected at various locations. Page 54 THE CHAT June 1939 102. WOOD THRUSH. Hylodlchla mustelina . Summer visitor. Common. Earliest date; April 12. 103. HERMIT THRUSH. H ylochichla guttata faxoni . Winter visitor. Usually in the swamps where it is fairly common. 104. EASTERN BLUEBIRD. Sialia s. sialis . Resident. Common. 105. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Polioptila c. caerule a. Slimmer visitor. Common. Earliest date; March 25. Likely to occur casually in win- ter, At least one nest collected. 106. EASTERN GOLDEN- CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus s. satrap a . Winter visitor. Common, largely in woodland ana in small groups. 107. EASTERN RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Corthylio c. calendula . Winter visitor. Common. Very plentiful in late fall, being quite evident in the swamps. In winter it often appears about the doorsteps of homes. This and the above are our smallest winter birds. 108. AMERICAN PIPIT. An thus spinoletta rub escens. Winter visitor. Earliest date; November 6, 1938. December ,~“Tanuary, February and March. Flocks, in fields, 109. CEDAR WAXWING. Bomby c ilia oedrorum . Largely a winter visitor, irregular, however, at cTle'c" seasons . It is very plentiful in Feb., March and April but record .-id only once in summer, August 6, 1935. To do looked for around privet bushes where berries are plentiful. HO. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. La nlus 1. ludoviclanus . "Butcher Bird". Resident. Eairly common, as* a resident species and breeder. The for . mlgrans might occur as a winter visitor. Numerous nests have been^ found here," favorite location being sycamore trees. Eggs, March 26, 1935. Young later watched from time to time. Open country. Fields.. 111. STARLING. S turnus vul gar is. Resident. Common. ] •> 2 • WHITE-EYED VIREO. Vireo g. griseus . Summer visitor. Common. Earliest date; March 25, 1935. Creek bottoms and small streams. 113* YELLOW -THROATED VIREO. Vireo flavifrons . Summer visitor. Not a 3 plentiful as Red-eyed Vireo“buu usually seen in similar places. Shade trees, also woodlands. The few wo have seen were in town. (Known by the rich yellow of underparts.) ( Blue-headed Vireo should occur in one of its forms as a transient.) 114. RED--EYED V IREO . Vireo olivaceus . "Hanger". Summer visitor. Common. The earliest date we have for arrival is April 23, however, it probably reaches us a week earlier in most cases. The cup-shaped nests are commonly found in local maple trees, and we have also ob- served the young in June. (The well-known song usually begins, see- me, here I am," etc. It is often so thin and so well mingled with the usual summer sounds that it likely escapes our attention unless we listen for it. ) Page 55 THE CHAT June 1939 115, BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. Mniotilta varla . Summer visitor. Un- common except in spring and fall. Earliest date; March 23. This is also known as the "Creeping Warbler". 116. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Protonotaria citrea . Summer visitor. Common but characteristic only of the swamps and river borders. Earli- est date; April 23. A deserted nest was located in the top of an old piling near the mouth of Runyons Creek, August 1938. 117. a. NORTHERN PAKULA WARBLER. Compsothlypis americana puslll a. h. SOUTHERN PARULA WARBLER. C ompsothlypis a. americana . Summer visitor. Common. Earliest dates; March 29, in 1935, and March 23, in 1938. In the early fall this v/arbler is common in the shade trees in town. A nest, collected here in 1935 was made of Spanish or Gray moss in which it formed a most concealing location, about six feet above water. The latter form would be the breeding birds, the former include the transients. 118. YELLOW WARBLER. Dendroica a. ae stiva . This common transient species was seen in mid- July (July 19, 1935) thereby giving it the status of an occasional summer visitor. Earliest date; April 22. 119. BLACK- THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Dendroica c. caerulescen s . Trans- ient, Earliest date; April 24. 120. MYRTLE WARBLER. D endroica coronata . "Yellow-rumped warbler". Winter visitor. Commoric 121. a. BLACK- THROATED GREEN WARBLER. Dendroica v. virens . b. WAYNE'S WARBLER. Dendroica v ir ens waynei . Our early spring date March 25.- 1935, must be referred to this latter form, and though we have no local nesting records, we know this subspecies to breed in the coastal swamps. The other will likely be found as a transient. 122. YELLOW- THROATED WARBLER. Dendro ic a d. dominica . Summer visi- tor. Common. Earliest dates; March 23, 1935, and March 20, 1937; also on March 17, 1937, at Chicod's Creek, Pitt County about 12 miles west of Washington. Pine woods and river shores. 123. BLACK-POLL WARBLER, Dendroica striata . Transient. Very com- mon in spring. May 1, thru «>une 1. In fall we have noted it as late as November 1, though in absence of song it is not nearly so noticea- ble. Shade trees and cypress trees in the bottomlands. 124. NORTHERN PINE WARBLER. Dendroica p. pinus . Resident. Common. Pine woods . 125. NORTHERN PRARIE WARBLER. Dendroica d. discolor . Summer visitor. Earliest date; April 17. 126. a. PALM WARBLER. De ndroica p. palmarum . Page 56 THE CHAT June 1939 b. YELLOW PALM WARBLER. Dendrolca palmarum hypochrysea . Winter visitor. Early December through March. Usually In flocks in burned over, or grassy fieldsj an adult specimen taken Jan. 27, 1935, had a stomach content of seeds, evidently of grasses and weeds. Some of the spring dates are possibly palmarum . 127. OVEN-BIRD. Seiurus aur ocapillus . Transient. Common. We have not determined whether It is a summer visitor or not. Earliest date; April 10. Oak woods. In the fall we have observed it to be quite common along the damp river bottoms in September, its familiar notes attracting immediate attention. 128. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus motacllla . Summer visitor. Earliest date; March 20. (Northern Water-Thrush may occur as a trans- ient along our streams as it doe3 in the Piedmont.) 129. KENTUCKY WARBLER. 0pororni3 formosus . A bird was seen and heard singing in the woods near Runyons’ Creek on May 3, 1935. 130. a. NORTHERN YELLOW- THROAT . Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla . b. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis t. trichas . Summer vis- itor. Common. Also to some extent in winter. Earliest record; Marcn 20. (The Florida Yellow- throat, another subspecies, is also likely to occur here.) 131. YELLOW -BREASTED CHAT. Icteria v. virens . Our records of this 3 pec ies are based on a bird with the distinctive whistles of a chat, which was heard in late May 1936, and of another bird seen in the sum- mer of 1937 which answered in size and coloration to no other bird that we can find. 132. HOODED WARBLER. Wilsonia cltrina . Summer visitor. Common in damp situations, especially along ditch borders and creeks. Earliest date; Aprill2 (April 2, 1938, for Pitt County.) This warbler is fre- quently seen near, or on, the ground and usually in deciduouo woods in addition to the above locations. A singularly attractive bird, the male has a black "hood". 133. AMERICAN REDSTART. Setophaga rutlcilla . Transient. Commonest in fall. A few are seen in spring, but these usually pass through quickly. In fall we have recorded It between Aug. 10 and Oct. 11. 134. ENGLISH SPARROW, Passer d. domesticus . Resident. Common. Nesting everywhere in town. 135. BOB-O-LINK. Dolichonvx oryzivorus . "Rice Bird". Transient. Spring and Fall. April 23 thru May 14 j September. 136. a. EASTERN MEADOWLARK. Sturnella m, magna . b. SOUTHERN MEADOWLARK. Sturnella magna argutula. . Resident. Fields. The breeding birds would be the latter, winter birds mainly the former form. Page 57 THE CHAT June 1939 137. EASTERN RED-TWINGED BLACKBIRD. Agelaius p. phoeniceu s . Resident Flocks in winter. A typical marsh bird in summer. Not as plentiful in winter as summer. Single birds usually appear in the marshes and near their breeding places as early as January. Here they begin singing sometime before the others appear. Eggs on June 9. 138. ORCHARD ORIOLE. Icterus spurius . Summer visitor. Earliest spring record: April 18. Common in the immature plumage. On the Tripp^farm near Core Point, a nest has been occupied by one of these birds annually for several years. 139. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Icterus galbula . Transient. Rare, A speci- men donated to the museum', and dated Feb. 3, 1933, was captured in a wounded condition on a highway near here. The specimen was later mounted. The date i 3 unusual as the bird must have been detained after being wounded. (Think the actual date wa3 later than the one given. J. D . B. ) 140. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Euphagu s carol inus . Winter visitor. Very common in the migration seasons. 141. FLORIDA GRACKLE. Quiscalus q. quiscula . BRONZED GRACKLE. Q.u lscalus quiscula aeneus . Resident. As a species, the two above forms have been found to occur, the Bronged Grackle being recorded at least three times, Jan. 16, 1933 (several being taken out of an enormous flock), Feb. 24, same year and Jan. 1939? Other specimens received, have proven to belong to the purple form which is readily distinguished in the hand. More common during migrations and in summer. (Resident breeding form shomld be the Florida Grackle . ) 142. COWBIRD Mo. othm s a. a ter , Wirt records. Two birds', one a male and the larger size were taken In January, 1939 . tion gave us some difficulty. The paras found to be due to an itch mite, apparer cattle. On November 3, 1938, a flock of company with sparrows on the Bug House g en away by a shrike. On Marsh 1, 1938, a flock of 40 to 45 birds was observed, ar visitor. At le other a female of The larger bird's itic condition of tly the result of 40 birds was seen •rounds. They were and rcr a few days mo s tly .f ema 1 e s . ast three somewhat identif loa- the feet was contac with feeding in later driv- thereaf ter P Iranga r. rubra . 143. SUMMER TANAGFR. . visitor. Common. Earliest date: April 24 "Summer Re dbird" . Summer Parti. al to pine woods. (SCARLET TANAGFR • Piranga erythromelas . Male taken near Bel- haven. May 3, 1939.) 144. EASTERN CARDINAL. Ri chmondena c. card inal^. ''Winter Re dbird". Resident. Common. Breeding bird within the city limits at Washington® Eggs, April 20. (Nest about eight feet above ground.) 145. EASTERN BLUE GROSBEAK. Guiraca c. cae _rulea. Summer . Uncommon. Has been seen on the south side of the river. (1934) It has doubtlessly escaped our notice a number of times, but does not appear to be com- mon" . to the region. Page 58 THE CHAT June 1939 146. INDIGO BUNTING. Pasaerlna cyane a. "Indigo Bird". Summer visi- tor. Common. Earliest date: April 27. Sings persistently through- out the hottest days. Low growth along ditch hanks and in cleared over timbers. 147. EASTERN PURPLE PINCH. Carpl dacus p. purpuroua Irregular in winter. Mostly confined to early spring or the months preceding it. Records: Peb. 6 , 1933, March 1, 1938 (specimens). 148, NORTHERN PINE SISKIN. Spinus p. pinus "Pine Finch". Irregular in winter. First recorded March 17, 1937, a single bird feeding upon dandelion seeds. Other birds were seen the same week. Usually in flocks . 149, EASTERN GOLDFINCH. Spinus t . tr i stis. "Wild Canary". This ^ bird may be regarded as a resident here since we have seen it througn- out the summer months. However, it is much more common in winter and in spring. In late July we have seen small flocks eating zinnia se'ed3 as well as those of sunflower. In the spring it is numerous in many of the high elms feeding upon the seeds. 150, a. RED-EYED TOWIIEE. Pipilo e. ervthrophthalmus . "Joreeper". Resident. In summer it is quite frequent in the central part of Beau- fort County. At Camp Leach we heard it singing in Mid- July and Aug- ust 1934. It is less common in the immediate vicinity of Washington in summer, but is abundan in winter. b. ALABAMA TOWHEE. Pip ilo erythrophthalmus canaster , (The winter birds would be mainly the first form, Yhe breeding birds the second. C.S.B.) 151,. EASTERN SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passorculus san dvjich^sjn^agvarma . Winter visitor. Common- Fields. (As late as May 5.) 152. EASTERN VESPER SPARROW. _ thus far include March 28, 1935 Pooecete s g. g rami neus , , and March 22, 1939. All Our in records fie Ids . 153, BACHMAN'S SPARROW. Aimophila aestivalis bachmani. In the sum- mer of 1934 a bird identified as Bachman's Sparrow was observed and heard in son- near Camp Leach. It evidently is more common tnan io appears to be. The song is very sweet and will be remembered by those who first hear it. 154. SLATE-COLORED visitor. C ommon . are quite frequent. Chipping Sparrow. JUNCO . Jun co h. hyemalis . "Snowbird . . Winter Usually occurs in small flocks, though single biros It feeds upon the open ground much a3 does the 155. EASTERN CHIPPING SPARROW. Spize lla p^_passsr Common. Least common in winter. In summer it is a in town. During the winter months the cmpping is hillsides and fields. ina . Resident. common yard bird found on the bare T- Page 59 TI1E CIIAT June 1959 156. EASTERN FIELD SPARRO w . Spizella p. pus 111 a. Resident. Common. Usually seen along the edges of woods and along hedge-rows bordering fields. 157. WHITE -THROATED SPARROW. Zonotr lc hla alblco llls . "Peabody Bird". Winter visitor. Common. This abundant species is found in large numbers among our thickets as well as deep in the swamps . 158. EASTERN FOX SPARROW. Passerella i. lliaca . Winter visitor. Common. We associate burned over fields and open woodlands , with this species . 159. SWAMP SPARROW. Melospiza georgian a. Winter visitor. Common, Marshes and swamps, 160. EASTERN SONG SPARROW. Melospiza m. melodia . Winter visitor. Common. In the winter of 1938-59 we listened to an unusual number of these songsters throughout most of the colder days. The Chat BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED AT RALEIGH. N. C. John H. Grey, jr.. Editor 1719 PARK DRIVE VOL. Ill JULY AUGUST 1959 Nos. 7 & 8 PSA ISLAND FIELD TRIP Thomas and Violet Quay, Raleigh All day Wednesday, August 16, members of the North Carolina Bird Club converged on the town of Manteo in order to participate in the first scheduled field trip ever taken by the group. By arriving a day early many members were able to witness a showing of "The Lost Colony". The appointed meeting place was S. A. Walker's residence in Man- teo. Walker, manager of the Pea Island Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, was the very able guide for the day. Promptly at eight o'clock Thurs- day morning the big C. C. C. truck, full of passengers, started on Its way. We stopped momentarily at the Whalebone Filling Station to take aboard C. H. Bostian and Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Wilson. We had not lurched our way one mile down the sandy road toward Oregon Inlet before learning very well fchat it must feel like to be a bean bag. With each sway we bounced from railing to railing, with each sudden braking of the truck Y/e slipped forward over the chairs, and with each bump we rose into the air. Had not oir hands been need- ed for the slapping of mosquitoes we might have held on fairly well. Only C. 3. Brimley and Sam Walker seemed to be unbothered. Even cop- ious sprayings of Flit did not help the rest of us. But all was not tribulation. On the wires along the road were thousands of Tree Swallows and a few Barn Swallows. Boat-tailed Grackles and Red-v/inged Blackbirds flew by, an occasional Meadowlark dropped into the grass, three different Nighthawks flushed from the ground, and even a lone Kingbird was seen. While crossing Oregon In- let on the ferry two Audubon Shearwaters were sighted, and Ospreys sailed overhead. Greater and Leaser Yellowlegs whistled from the edges of Bodic Island Pond. Pea Island is the continuation of the banks beloY/ Oregon Inlet; above the Inlet the banks are called Bodie Island. Page 60 Page 61 THE CHAT July- August 1939 On Pea Island proper the sand flats were alive with small birds. Most of them were Least and Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Seml-palmated Plovers. Plaintive "peep" notes gave away the presence of the pale Piping Plover. Before re-embarking after those observations Mr. Walker had us sit down among the dunes facing the ocean while he explained about the refuge and the work going on there. Pea Island Refuge embraces close to six- thousand acres, extending the width of the Banks from Oregon Inlet to within a few hundred yards of the town of Rodanthe . Much of the land is, or was, bare sand, bared by overgrazing and kept that way by strong winds shifting the sands. Low fences are being constructed atop the dunes and native hardy grasses planted on dunes and flats alike in order to halt the westward movement of the sands. Proof that the sands can be arrested is to be found at Kitty Hawk, where Kill Level Kill is now completely revegetated. The Bureau of Biological Survey is digging largo fresh-water ponds in which various food plants are being established for the wintering ducks and geese. The few thousand remaining Greater Snow Geese use this refuge as their wintering ground. The excavated sand is being used to build dykes around the ponds and these dykes are being planted to native hardy grasses in order to keep thorn stationary. Shortly after starting on our way again we saw that variegated plover, the Ruddy Turnstone. In a pond some distance away stood some three hundred Canada Geese which had not answered the call to the Horth last spring. In the same pond was a small flock of Black Ducks. Further on we rode right by two long-billed birds, one the straight- billed Dowitcher, the other the curved-billed. Hudsonian Curlew. We drove along the south edge of a newly dug pond to where a steam shovol was working. On the way the Editor suddenly lost his dignity and shouted for us all to look at that white heron with the yellow feet, the Snowy Egrot. One other time during the day the Edi- tor shouted, but not about a bird. This time it concerned his eye- glasses, which he declared to have lost. They were found shortly, resting serenely on this nose. Vv'e clambered, or were dragged, up the steep bank of the new dyke. Four different kinds of terns were flying about; Royal, Common, Black and Least. Out on the mud flats stood a number of white herons. The large American Egret could be identified by its yellow bill. The others could not be seen well enough to determine whether they were Snow Egrets, immature Little Blue Herons, or both. One Louisiana Heron was noted, as well as one Black-crowned Night Heron. Hero, as everywhere. Laughing Gulls and Ospreys were plentiful. All the bird men and a dozen C. C. C. Boys struggled hard to get the truck turned around and started on its way. In trying to ride around another pond we bogged down in some mud and were literally plucked out again by a steam shove. Bon Dixon MacNeill, newspaperman, rode the derrick and took snapshots of the ircident. At high noon we crossed the southern boundary of the refuge and stopped at Rodanthe for lunch. We bought out the supply of soda pop Page 62 THE CHAT July-August 1939 and made severe Inroads on the crackers and cakes. Walker and Grey each had to have a slab of cheese. Quaint old Rodanthe, with its Elizabethan English and two Christmases, is very interesting indeed. On the return trip we left the so-called road and drove along the ocean front. The beach birds were in part different from those seen behind the dunes. The terns were more in evidence. Walker pointed out a fifth kind for the day, the Gull-billed. The breaker- loving Sanderling was the commonest bird at the water's edge. Some Herring and an occasional Ring-billed Gulls were resting on the sand. But best of all was the sight of several Willetts, those big sandpipers with the long white wing-stripes, wheeling and turning in the sun. One action not ordinarily seen on bird trips must not go unre- lated. C. S. Brimley, master of all studies, alternated peering thru his telescope with swinging his bug net. A second N. 0. B. C. field trip is being planned for January or February to Lake Mattamuskeet . There we shall see not only thousands ol the beautiful white Whistling Swans, but also tens of thousands of Canada Geese, and many hundreds of each of several kinds of ducks and other water birds. WHO'S WHO OF THE TRIP; Honors went to the five who drove all ohe way from Statesville, the last hundred miles thru driving rain; Llrs . Bonner Knox, Miss Sarah Nooe, Miss Grace Anderson, Miss Ina An- derson, and Miss Rosamond Clark. Mrs. W, B. Shannon came all the way from Pine Bluff alone to join the trip. Miss Kate Urquart of Lewis- ton; Dave Suiter of Weldon; S. A. Walker, Ben Dixon MaoNeill and uri aham Rush of Manteo; Grover Quinn, Calvin Meekins, Bernie Pinery and Carl Pate of Buxton; Miss Claudia Hunter and Mrs. Annie May of Hender- son; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brimley of Winston-Salem; Miss Margaret Pitt- man of Rocky Mount; Raleigh furnished quantity with; C. sV Brimley, John drey, Mrs. RoXie Collie Simpson, Miss Pattie Pittman, G. M. Garren, C. H. Bostian, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Quay. Total 30. Additional birds observed by collecting party from N. C. State- Museum on August 16 and 18; Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Red- breasted Merganser, Bald Eagle, Clapper Rail, Wilson's Plover, Kill- deer, Black-bellied Plover, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Skimmer, Mourning Dove, Kingfisher, Hummingbird, Fish Crow, Wayne's Marsh Wren, Catbird, Starling, English Sparrow, S e aside Sparrow. Total species 51. To The Members of the North Carolina Bird Club Claudia Hunter, President Henderson Your Executive Board held its first meeting in Raleigh on May 2 and will hold its second meeting early in October. During the May meeting, and since, the following objectives were agreed upon; Page 63 THE CHAT July- August 1939 1. Assistance to the authors of the Birds of North Carolina , In gathering data to fill gaps In the records for 'the reprint of tho book. C. 3. Brimley asks our help In this issue. 2. An August and a January field trip to the North Carolina coast and a field trip during the spring migration in every section of the State. C. H. Bostian as Chairman of Field Trips organized the successful trip to Pea Island. 3. A State-wide Christmas Census. Emphasis is to be placed on more general participation in the census and on some training for participants. Joe Jones, Chairman. 4. Protection of birds. Rev. Francis Craighill, Chairman. 5. Cooperation with Scout Officials in promoting bird study. Mrs. A. J. Skaale, Girl Scout Chairman. J. J. Sigwald, Boy Scout Chairman. 6. Membership drive to of for membership in the North Carolina Bird Club to all students of ornithology and to all who wish to know birds. A. D. Shaftsbury and J. «] . Sigwald, Co-Chairmen. The departments of zoology, at State College, the University of North Carolina, the Roman’s College of the University of North Caro- lina, Meredith and Queens-Chicora, are already actively participating -n the work of the Club. A. S. Pearse, Head of the Department of Zoology at Duke and 0. C. Bradbury, Professor of Biology at Wake For- est, have expressed willingness to participate. Elmer Brown Is to be at Davidson the coming year, and this of course means that Davidson will become a strong North Carolina Bird Club center. Before the year is over the Executive Board hopes to dra?/ into the Club the zoology head in all the other colleges of tho State and those of all the high schools. Two Outstanding Efforts Being Made to Promote the North Carolina Bird Club 1. Mrs. D. W. Grinnell, Third Vice-Pres ident , is not only mak- ing up an extended list of people of her area of the State to receive membership invitations, which the Club will send out in October, but is also personally commending the North Carolina Bird Club and its organ, tne Chat, to these people. The Executive Board hopes every member will follow Mrs. Grinnell »s plan -and that each member will send his list of people to be invited to the Secretary, Dr. C. H. Bostian, Dept, of Zoology, State College. 2. In several places the North Carolina Bird Club members are planning a get-together meeting early in the fall of all individuals in the community who are committed to the protection of birds; game warden, farm demonstrator, garden club president, scout officials and others together with some elementary school teachers as well as Page 64 THE CHAT July-August 1939 any zoology and biology high school and college teachers who may be in the community. These meetings are not necessarily planned to organize a bird club in the locality, but to consider together some joint pro- ject which seems best suited to the needs of the community and which seems most desirable to the group, a club, a "bug house", a sanctuary, a school project, or maybe only field trips from time to time. The Executive Board highly commends this plan. August 28, 1939 North Carolina Bird Club Raleigh, North Carolina Dear Friends; You will, I feel sure, be interested in learning that our plans to carry our work into South America has now advanced to a very defi- nite point. I have engaged passage to sail on the SS ARGENTINA for Rio de Janeiro on September *8. I am going with a special passport, issued by the State Depart- ment, which carries with it privileges enjoyed by government agents when traveling abroad. With me I am taking letters of introduction from the State Department and from the Pan American Union, for both groups are much interested in any movement that tends to cultivate good relations between this country and the South American Republics. Also I carry letters to prominent naturalists from the National Park Service, American Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian In- stitution . The object of the trip is (1) to learn as much as possible of what is happening to our North American birds that migrate south of the equator in winterj (2) to gather information on what these coun- tries are doing in the way of establishing National Parks and wildlife reserves,” and (3) to make contacts with officials, scientists and others, with the hope of stimulating interest in plans for cooperation in preserving migratory birds. I wish to visit as many of the Republics as possible, and as the field is enormous, shall probably be away some months, the length of time depending on what I find in the way of opportunity for service and the extent of the aid provided by the Committee's limited group of financial supporters. Perhaps you may know someone in South America whom you think it worth while for me to meet, and to whom you would care to give me a letter of introduction. Any correspondence of this character sent to me at 1006 Fifth Avenue, New York, will promptly be forwarded by Miss Altieri, my secretary. Ever cordially yours, T. Gilbert Pearson, Chairman The International Committee for Bird Preservation Page 65 THE CHAT July-August 1939 GAPS IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CERTAIN NORTH CAROLINA BIRDS C. S. Brimley, Raleigh While it must be evident to any thinking person that our knowledge of North Carolina birds must have many gaps in it, yet it is no doubt not so clear that this applies to many of our commonest birds and I shall cite a few examples, remarking by the way that the gaps are apt to be greater with residents and winter birds, the latter because of the short days and bad weather of that season, the former because they are often so familiar that nobody bothers to report them. First, we need more breeding records of the House Wren, which was first noted as breeding in the State in 1922, at Salisbury, and while we have summer records from a number of places, we need more localities . We do not know the detailed status of the Mockingbird in the moun- tains at any season, nor do we know the winter status of the Brown Thrasher west of Chapel Hill. Catbirds occur now and again in winter from Chapel Hill and Raleigh east, but we do not know whether they ever occur at this season further west. The Hermit Thrush is presumably a winter visitor throughout the State, but we have no records of it between Alamance and Moore Counties and the mountains. The Cedar Waxwing is a common enough species, yet we know little or nothing as to what extent if at all it regularly breeds in North Carolina. Breeding records of shrikes except along our southern border are almost entirely lacking from the region west of the Seaboard railway, out on the other hand we are pretty well posted on its distribution in the eastern counties. Black and White Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Redstarts and Gold- finches seem to be mainly absent from our southeastern section in sum- mer, yet we have little positive data on the matter. Records of Pipits on the other hand seem to be totally lacking from the Piedmont region. We badly need breeding records of Purple Grackles; we know it breeds spottily all over the State but can cite few actual localities at present. Any records of Scarlet Tanager and any other of our scarcer birds would also be welcome, and we do wish some kind friend would murder a Tree Sparrow and send it in to us as we have only sight records of the species and sight records are not always satisfactory, particularly for sparrows. Any breeding records of Towhees outside of the mountains would be very welcome, and also summer records of Song Sparrows, as we would like to know if it breeds east of Statesville. Page 66 THE CHAT July- August 1939 And while we assume that Pox Sparrows occur everywhere in the State in winter we have no records from the Piedmont, west of Alamance County, and only a few from the mountains. Rare birds and those of unusual occurrence do not need urging to get reports of but the blanks in our knowledge of the commoner ones are often harder to fill because no one thinks them worth reporting. DESTRUCTION OP BIRDS BY ACCIDENTAL POISONING H. D. Pritchett, V. M. C, Doylestown, Pa. On March 3, 1939, a female Blue Jay was found in the yard of a local resident and brought to the office of the writer for treatment. The bird was extremely emaciated and comatose, obviously near death. . .which did occur in a few moments. There were no body injur- ies of any kindjeven the shaft and barbs of each feather appeared to be in its normal position, thereby eliminating trauma, as the natural response of the body under such conditions would have been revealed by broken and disarranged feathers, or at least separation of the barbules . Autopsy revealed acute starvation and severe inflammation of the entire gastro-intestinal tract, with extensive erosion of the mucous membranes and consequent hemorrhages; the contents were also green in color. The internal horny epithelial layer of the gizzard was greatly softened, and peeled away from the muscular wall of that organ very readily. The ease with which this structure was removed was due to an accumulation of a gelatinous exudate located beneath the submucosa. This exudate and the epithelium were both highly discolored greenish- yellow': Obviously this bird had been chronically ill, and was unable to feed itself, as no food was found in the digestive tract. While no chemical analysis was attempted, the post-mortem find- ings were strongly suggestive of arsenic poisoning. In view of the common practice of householders to incorporate poisonous substances in small particles of bread, etc., to combat the invasion of their dwellings by rats, it is not entirely impossible for birds to accidentally find this secreted poisoned food. As the writer has treated many such cases of accidental poisoning of pet dogs and cats, all due to the careless use of poisoned bait, there appears to be no reason to dispute the theory that many birds are thus needlessly destroyed annually. The use of such methods for the eradi- cation of rats by laymen not in possession of certain technical facts is definitely a dangerous procedure unless the directions for its use supplied with each container are carried out implicitly, as the fail- ure to do so very frequently results in disaster such as recorded here . Page 67 THE CHAT July-August 1939 WILL ERECT BIRD SANCTUARY SIGNS Mrs. Henry Pike, secretary-treasurer of the Siler City Garden Club and prime worker in the successful movement to make Siler City a bird sanctuary, has received a letter from L. E. Whitfield, division engineer of the State Highway Department, to the effect that bird sanctuary signs will be placed on highway sign posts on each of the State highways entering the town. Mr. Whitfieldb letter follows; "My dear Mrs. Pike; "I regret the delay in answering your letter relative to placing bird sanctuary signs on our sign posts at the city limits of our highways . "I thought it best to take this matter up with our sign director in order that such signs may be uniform throughout the State. I have instructed my sign supervisor to make and direct these markers on each of the State highways entering Siler City. "I assure you that it is a pleasure to work with your club in the advancement of such a helpful and worthy movement," THE MAMMALS OP NORTH CAROLINA The versatile C. S. Brimley has contributed another paper to our knowledge of North Carolina natural history. He has compiled a list of the mammals of the State and the localities from which they have been recorded. He lists eighty full species and ten subspecies, mak- ing ninety forms recorded from the State. A copy of the paper may be had by application to J. S. Holmes, State Pores ter. Dept, of Conser- vation and Development, Raleigh, N. C. FIELD NOTES Montreat ; August 28, 1938, A red -l etter day . Yes, I heard Robert E. Speer preach gloriously-- "The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"--and also I added to my list a rare find--for these parts . Around the house are the usual constants, such as the Carolina Wren, the Sapsucker, the Cardinal, and the newly-vocal Blue Jays. But my daughter and I took a walk this afternoon. "We wont places and saw things". Our objective was the First Level--the first gap (Con- tinental Divide). Until we got there we had seen, to identify, only two birds, the Hairy and the Pileated Woodpeckers — one each. But as we stood there in the Gap, suddenly around us were birds — A Downy Woodpecker and a Red-eyed Vireo, yes/ but listen J a number of Black Page 68 THE CHAT July-August 1939 and White Warblers; a Parula Warbler, I believe; Cairns' Warbler; Blackburnian Warbler, 2; Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 or more; Canada Warbler, 1; Redstart, 1. I climax with this: A Brewster ' s Warbler . I did not have my Field Guide, but my daughter and I carried him in memory--only a general impression of top color; but yellow crown (term not used too technically); yellow, a little, on breast of white underparts; heavy yellow wing-bars. Later on the bed of the old log road (approximately same eleva- tion as the Gap) my daughter saw at close range a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers and a pair of Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers , I saw a Black- throated Green Warbler, and we both saw a Wood Pewee, and what seemed to be an abnormally large family of Red-eyed Towhees. We must have seen or heard about six or eight right there together. Pretty good! But how many species did I miss in that troop of warblers? — Wm. B. Mcllwaine, Jr Alexandria, Virginia Henderson : I had a telephone message before breakfast on May 30, that a Crested Flycatcher was building in a Bluebird box. A new one on me. (They will build in an old rabbit -gum set on a fence.CSB.) •—-Claudia Hunter Greensboro ; I have seen a Bewick's Wren building a nest here on April 28 ■Wade Fox The Chat BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED AT RALEIGH. N. C. John H. Grey. jr.. Editor 1719 PARK DRIVE VOL. Ill SEPTEMBER- OCT OBER 1939 Nos. 9-/ <2 THE ROSSCRAGGEN WOOD, INC. Mrs. D. W. Gr inn oil, Arden A now mountain sanctuary is being created in Buncombe County.. Some eighteen acres of land is to bo purchased and held by a corporation to be known as "The Rosscraggcn Wood, Inc." Member- ship in the corporation is to be open to those wishing to purchase one or more of the 200 shares of stock at five dollars per share. Only thirty shares are yet to be sold, Rosscraggcn Wood is to be both a wild flower preserve and a bird sanctuary. The Wood has an extended frontago on Sweeten Creek Road,, and extends in an easterly direction to the top of Brown Mountain, between Royal Pines and Rathfarnham, Up the streams on each side lies Rosscraggcn, From meadow-liko flowers at the beginning of the trail you climb to where trillium and snakeroot grow under the big trees, and all along the way such a wealth of azalia that beggars description, 'A garden, full of treasures for the botanist-magnif icient ferns, many of them rare; and a bird haven from the Ruffed Croasc drumming on his log to the dainty Ruby- throated Hummingbird, hovering over a wild flow r er 0 Added to this wealth of fauna and flora is a view, matchless in beauty and extent. The corporation is to be a non-profit organization, with the expenses of maintaining trails and boundaries, and the ex- pense of taxes and improvements to be borne by the members. A lawyer and a surveyor arc to bo made life members in return for the services which may be needed from time to time. Associate member- ship in the corporation is open to those paying annual duos of $2,00, and they shall have all privileges of using the park, but shall not have the privilege of voting upon policies. It is hoped that the N. C.B. C. may make one of its spring field trips to this mountain sanctuary. Page 70 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1939 The Royal Terns of Royal Shoal H. H, Brimley Raleigh As T, Gilbert Pearson and I approached the islet of Royal Shoal on June 17, 1939, our glasses picked up a large, compact mass of white covering the highest part of the exposed surface. This, we knew, meant Royal Terns, and lots of them. Beaching the boat, we slowly approached the mass of nest- ing birds and it was not until we were within fifty yards or so that the birds began to rise in numbers. The picture of thousands of these birds in the air, each with a wingspread of about three and a half feet, with their pearly backs, white undersides, black caps and red bills, was almost unbe- lievably beautiful. Their cries carried no individual notes to my defective hearing, the air seemingly vibrating to a steady, high- pitched scream, with but little variation in either pitch or volume. Prom a count of the number of nests in 100 square feet and a fairly accurate measurement of the nesting area the colony was found to consist of about 6,000 pairs of nesting terns, or about 12,000 birds in all. Some nests contained a tiny fledgling, but most of them held a single incubated egg, A few Cabot's Terns were scattered among the Royals , The Nesting of Certain Birds at Raleigh, in 1939 D. L. Wray Raleigh C rested Flycatcher . Nest found May 20, 1939, in rabbit gum which had been set on feeding board, the nest was finished four days later on the 24th. On the 26th it contained one egg, but the second was not laid till two days later, after that an egg was laid each day till the 31st when the set of five was completed. On the 13th of June, four eggs were hatched but the other did not hatch till next day. Six days later the young had left the nest. Page 71 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 Incubation, 13-14- days, young in nest 6-7 days. Tufted Titmouse . Nest found in hollow snag in a bog near house on May 17, which contained 5 young birds apparently newly hatched. On June 2 the birds had left the next. Catbird . Nest with 4 eggs found May 29, but the eggs did not hatch till June 11, giving an incubation period of at least 13 days. Brown Thrasher . On May 11 a pair whose nest had been accidently destroyed, started building again, the 'nest took but little time to build and on the 17th one ogg was laid, it was not noted again till the 22nd, when the old bird was found to be incubating throe eggs, which hatched on the 31st. One of the three young appeared to be stunted and finally died, the other two 'left the next on June 8. Nest building 6 days, egg laying, throe, incubation 11 days, young in nest 8 days. Wood Thrush . Nest found May 10, first egg May 11, set of four complete on 15th; on the 22nd one egg had disappeared, on the 24th two eggs hatched, and one the next day. One young one had dis- appeared on the 31st, the other tw r o grew fast and wore out of the nest on June 6. Incubation period 9 or 10 days, young in nest 13 days. Summer Tanager. Soon building May 12th, in the fork of a white oak limb about 15 feet from ground. By the 22nd there were three eggs in the nest, two of which hatched on May 31st and one the next day. By June 2 something had happened to tw^o of the young as only one was loft which however grew well and loft the nest on the ninth. Incubation period at least 10 days, young in nest 10 days. / * Cardinal . May 23, nest found, in dogv/ood about 6 feet up. One egg on May 29, three eggs on the 31st. All three were destroyed by something at intervals from June 2 to 6, Another nest found in water oak about 7 feet up, had three eggs in it on June 2, and three young hatched out on the 7th. Page 72 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 Seasons Bring Parade of Birds President Statesville Audubon Club. Taking up an old familiar book, I note- that I had set down on the page’s margin, under date January 9, 1939, the birds seen in the 'garden. I recall that the day issued an invitation of balmy sun, air miraculous with peace that passes understanding, and the low chanting of birds from ’’bare ruin’d choirs.” On $age 14 : Six feet 'away, in hedge, a cardinal sings under his breath his Spring song, without stint. On page 18: Carolina Wren hallos at the top of his lungs and from the bottom of his heart, "Sweetheart 1 Sweetheart’. Sweetheart l” - I know a lovely four-year-old who does not interpret • the song thus. One day she ran in to her mother opying joyfully, ”0 mother, a little bird sang to me as I passed under the tree, "You-are-prettyl You-are-pretty: You-are-prettyl ” And no doubt he did. On page 24 a Towliee strikes a brittle sound from the dead leaves as he scratches through them, and on 39 a Robin carefully in- spects the grass for his hidden meal. An old hen’s voice from a neighbor's yard calls out the watch, "A-a-a-ll’s well-well-well-well - well-well. Tut-tut-tut I " rf * * ■ On 42, dainty sweet, fresh -as a dew-bath, the darling of them' all, the White-throated Sparrow, turned to the hymn, ”We praise thee, 0 God.” A neighbor once called -me to the telephone, "What bird is it that sings, *We praise thee, 0 God’?”, I answered that I did not know but would find out immediately and inform her. I walked through the garden. It was late winter and there were few bird songs. ’ Suddenly, cool and shining as if chipped from some icy star, plaintive as the voice of the lost Pleiad, fell distinctly the words of the hymn. It was the White-throat's song, "We praise thee, 0 God.” Now it is August. Last week I stood on Pea Island and watched waterfowl unfamiliar to my eyes. Stately Egrets and Herons stood beautiful in water reflecting the intense green of the coarse sea-grass. Ospreys quietly fished from stakes; numerous Gulls flew gracefully, suddenly striking the water for its fish. Grandly floated the grey Canada Geese, 'while overhead and on the beach, Terns Ducks, Shearwaters, Turnstones, various Sandpipers and Curlews 'with cries and pipings, searched for food. All the while, far out, the marvelous water, painted and uun-silvered, changed its white- caps into strange white Dolphins that rode the sea with beauty, I turn the leaves of the old familiar book. The Summer has drifted far away from that January day and in her wake follow the birds and flowers. This fair procession moves ceaselessly forever Page 73 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 towards Autumn and the long holiday of Winter. Towards Spring. Then Today returns. Life is the circle of a clock whose shining moments mark off time with bird song and with flowers. SOME GAPS FILLED C. S. Brimley, Raleigh In the last Chat, I had an articled entitled, "Some Gaps in our Knowledge of North Carolina Birds", This was also published in a number of North Carolina papers. Here are some of the results. ' Mrs. Grinnell reports Mockingbirds as scarce 'in Buncombe County, Thrashers as occasionally occur ing in November, Tree Sparrows seen three times in winter and each time in woods, and a Baltimore Oriole in her garden on July 23 of this year. Miss Bertha Rogers reports two Mockingbirds at Weaverville in October. 'The Rev. C. E. Gregory reports House Wrens as breeding at Morganton, as also Song Sparrows and Purple Gracklos. Mockingbirds as scarce and no Catbirds or Thrashers in winter. He also reports the Cedar Waxwing as breeding at Jonas Ridge, at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Miss Grace Anderson reports Shrikes as resident, Purple Grackles breeding all over the Statesville section, a Scarlet Tanagev nested next door in 1938, Towhees breed: Cedar Waxwings irregularly/ present in summer and have been reported as nesting on four occasions Henslow* s Sparrow as summering regularly in old fields: Fox Sparrow and Hermit Thrush present in winter but no Catbirds then. Also Rosebreasted Grosbeak at Montreat from April through' the summer. Song Sparrows in August at Statesville, Hickory, Marion, Little Switzerland, Blowing Rock and Lenoir. L. L. McAllister reports Towhees nesting in Greensboro. ' H. G. Hudson of Winston-Salem reports Towhees nesting there,’ and also of seeing a Scarlet Tanager at Lewisburg, same county, this summer. The Rev. F. II. Craighill reports two colonies of about a dozen each of Purple Grackles as nesting within the city limits of Roomy Mount: Black and White Warblers , Redstarts end American Goldfinches every summer but Yellow Warbler only a transient; Catbirds ovserved in every month but January. Gaston Pearce of Raleigh told me a little time back that some years ago he and Virgil. Kelly of Fayetteville visited a pond in upper Bladen County and found Green Herons very numerous; but Page 74 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 next year when they visited the same pond there was not a single bird of that species to be seen. I asked him why. He said he thought it might be due to the depredations of the Purple. Grackles which were breeding very commonly round the pond. Coming back to the 'question of "gaps", the gaps are largely due to the absence of observers, particularly of trained ob- servers in many parts of the State. On the Coast we are fairly well posted on the condition of things from the Virginia line to and including Beaufort, beyond Beaufort we have a fair amount of notes from New River in Onslow County, and from Orton in Brunswick but very little in between, and in particular we are lacking in detailed knowledge of the small passerine birds. Coming inland we have Toe Biggs at Washington, E. H. Craig- hill at Rocky Mount, and a select group at Raleigh as well as pretty good bird ladies in the Sandhills section. Chapel Hill has been worked up pretty well; Durham, Greensboro and Salisbury fairly well. Miss Anderson at Statesville and C.'E. Gregory at Morganton seem able to take care of the situation there, and Buncombe County has always had ornithologists from the days of John S. Cairns to Mrs. Grinnell. But for the rest of the mountain region we do not in any case have complete data, though there is considerable data from Waynesville (Miss Boggs), Andrews (Mrs. Wilson) and the Blowing Rock neighbor- hood. 'North of a line from Greensboro to Asheville we have almost nothing, and the same is true of the region south of a line from Beaufort to Raleigh to Greensboro to Asheville, the Sandhills and Fayetteville being the only places in that whole region to furnish any data to speak of. TEE SOUTHERN PINES BIRD CLUB Mary Hollar "'intyon, Southern Pines Back in' 1926; Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Read, now a practicing ' physician in York, Pa., 'but at that time a resident of the' Sandhills , along with Miss Maither, the Club's first active President, became bird conscious and formed what is now the Southern Pines Bird Club. The one object of the organisation was "to encourage the growth and prevent the destruction of wild birds in affiliation with the Audubon Society; to learn the birds and to foster their presence in our community." During the thirteen years of growth, this Club has carried out the object of that -pioneer group in spirit as well as letter and in all these years, we are proud to say has never once failed to function. We are still affiliated with the National Association of Audubon Societies. Page 75 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 The season of the Southern Pinos Bird Club starts about the middle of January through the second week in May, meeting every Tuesday morning 900, rain or shine, at the Now England House. Weather permitting a walk of an hour is taken in the Millen Bird Sanctuary, v/here members divide into small groups and go birding on the various trails named and marked for some of those early pioneers. Right here, I want to say a few words about our Sanctuary/ Mrs. H. Millen gave eight acres of beautiful woodland, to the town of Southern Pines to bo developed into a park, which the town never did, but fortunately for the Club and the birds, the Town in turn gave the Club the use of these eight acres, ideally located, just within walking distance from the center of town, for a sanctuary, and now known as the Millen Bird Sanctuary, A bird's paradise, with a rambl- ing stream, low* brush, tall trees, some swamp land, bird houses, feeding station, everything to encourage and preserve our bird life. Now going back, we return to the New England House follow- ing the hunt, for a business meeting and general bird discussion, Our program consists of the usual routine, minutes, treasurer's report, etc. Then we had some member or members report on birds this winter. Bo started out with, 'bird of interest to me', but it wasn't long' before we changes it to, 'a bird that puzzles mo*. The Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Sparrows, and Vireos were taken up and with the three new Audubon' charts purchased I feel sure \;e all benefittod from the discussions. Then wo had at several of the meetings some person to talk on bird-lore; one woman brought a collection of eggs and nests acquired over a period of 25 years; Her little personal experiences were mighty interesting. Another, gave a delightful half hour collection of bird observations and puzzling experiences from the time she ran barefotted as a child in Maine. One of our high lights was the contact we 'made with the colored school in Wu,t Southern Pinos. To start off, one of our members kindly consented to give a talk on birds before their general assembly one school morning. She was received so favorably that wo decided to follow this talk by having a Bird House Bui Id inn Contese and offer prizes. The contest closed April 1st and at the following meeting the manual training teacher brought the bird houses to be judged and of course the boys came too. Really it was surprising to see the number of houses and gratifying beyond words to see the interest and workmanship that had gone into the making. As there was five dollars voted for prizes the committee gave the five best for adaptability and workmanship, one dollar each, The boys gave their prize winning houses to the 3lub and graciously consented to put them in the Sanctuary. Then too, out from the talk and the contest developed a Junior Audubon Club of twenty-nine members, which I hope will do much for bird conservation in our colored district. Pago 76 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 Another step toward bird conservation that the Club has taken was to petition the Commissioners of Southern Pines with a proposal that Southern Pines be made a Bird Sanctuary. ¥c trust the Commissioners will look with favor upon this. The Club had only 'one all morning field trip this year and that was to Olivo’s Dairy, where flocks of Meadow Larks, Cowbirds, some Killdeers, a Pileated Woodpecker were among the thirty odd species identified. An early morning hunt and breakfast was held one morning at 6:30 at Powell’s Pond, which no doubt gave the bird world quite a shock to see eighteen females so early and to some of the females it gave them their first view of the world at that hour along with a Rough-winged Swallow, Green Heron, Prothonataty Warbler and many others. As our membership ' between thirty and forty takes in bird folk from California to Maine, some very interesting bird experiences were related during the season. The Club also makes a business of keeping in touch with those members who duo to physical or other handicap cannot bo present at the meeting or even be in the Sandhills, and our Secretary is a mighty busy person but the lovely letters received, more than repays. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION Many members of our state club should be interested in joining the official organization of bird students, The American Ornithologists Union. The Audubon Society is also interested in the study of birds but its primary emphasis is upon bird protection, whereas the purpose of the Union is increasing our knowledge of birds. The Union published THE AUK, a quarterly journal, dealing ■with ornithology in the United States. Subscription to THE AUK is included in the dues of the various types of membership. The N. C. B. C. has the following members represented in the Union: Of 'the 48 Fellows of the Union-Dr. K. C. Oberholsor, Biological Survey, Wash- ington; 'of the 125 Ilembors-H. H. Brimley, • North Carolina Museum, Raleigh, Dr. I. J. Murray, Lexington, Ya. , and Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, International Committee on Bird Preservation, New York; of 'the 1300 Associates, we have-Br. Maurice Brooks, Morgantown; W. Ya; , the Rev, Francis H. Craighill, Rocky Mount, Earle R. Greene, Fargo, 'Ga., the Rev, C. E. Gregory, Morganton, The Rev. John Grey, Raleigh, George Pago 77 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 Seth Guion, New Orleans; M. G. Lewis, Salon, Va. , Dr. S. P. Metcalf, Raleigh, Eugene P. Odum, Champaign, 111., Dr; A. D. Shaftsbury, Greensboro, Arthur Stupka, Gatlinburg, Tenn. , and Dr. James W; Vernon, Morganton. Other Associates ' in N. C. are: Miss Marion Boggs, Haynes - ville, E. T. Cone, Greensboro, Miss Ethel Finster, Biltmoro, F. J. Ruff, Pisgah Forest, and Frederick D. Sampson, Charlotte. Membership in the A. 0. U. is by nomination, and THE CHAT will be glad to nominate any member of the N.C.B.C. who is interested in becoming an Associate Member, dues for which are $3.00 a year. BIRD BOOKS FOE CHRISTMAS NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BIRDS, E. H. Forbush, revised and abridged with the addition or more than 100 species by John B. May. This is the famous BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS condensed in one volume. The most comprehensive book published on eastern birds and • illustrated with the best set of colored plates by Fucrtos, Brooks, and Peterson.' Order from Massachusetts Audubon Society, 66 Newbury St., Boston, $4-. 95. FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Roger Tory Peterson, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, $2.75. This is the best book by which to identify birds whether for the beginner or the expert. THE JUNIOR BOOK OF BIRDS, R. T. Peterson, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, $2,00; Designed to encourage school children in knowing the familiar birds, and also some they see in migration. Many illustrations and simple text fit it for any childs library. BEAUTIFUL BIRDS OF THE SOUTHERN AUDUBON SANCTUARIES , Alexander ' Aprunt , Jr. National Association of Audubon Societies, 1006 5th Avenue, New' York, 40 pp. $1,00. Includes Roseate Spoonbill, Limpkin, Hood Ibis, etc. Illustrations from water colors by Peterson and Jacques. AUDUBON REPRINTS suitable for framing 13 x 22 inches, with excellent • color work. American Craft-Print Guild, 44 Archer Drive, Bronxville, N. Y. jl.95 each. Mention the Audubon print you wish when ordering. BIRD LORE, 1006 5th Avc. N. Y. $1.50 per year, magazine of the Nat'l* Audubon Asso., issued 6 times a year. This is the best general magazine on bird work. ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN HENDERSON The Executive Committee recently accepted the cordial invitation of the Henderson Bird Club to hold the next annual meeting of the N.C.B.C. in Henderson. The date has been tentatively set for the last week end in April, at which time more birds are likely to be seen on a field trip than at any other time in the year, Pago 73 TEE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS TO GROW FOR BIRD FOOD Louise T. Busbee - Raleigh While many of us aro thinking of fall planting around our homes it may be well to remember that the birds will enjoy a natural supply of food. Shrubs which boar edible berries are just as orna- mental as other kinds, and we can increase our pleasure by watching the birds feeding on the berries during the winter season. Some which I would suggest are: red cedar, green briar, hackney, pokcwced, spice bush, wild' strawberry , wild rose, chokcberry, cockspur thorn, mountain ash, sumac; inkberry, evergreen holly, black alder; buckthorn, dogwood, sour gum, wintergreon, persimmon, purple berry, partridge berry, rod-berried elder, coralborry, arrowwood, black haw, and high-bush cranberry. For summer fruiting nothing is more valuable than the two mulberries. For a small planting of native trees and shrubs one would ' suggest : dogwood, mulberry, holly, and cedar 'of the trees; bushes, would be, plain old pokeberry, v/ild roses, sumac, and show berries. Our cooperation is asked in a study of post mortems of birds, IF YOU FIND A DEAD BIRD please wrap it up and mail to Dr. C. Brooks Worth, Dept. Animal and Plant Pathology, Princeton, N. I. BIRD LORE ADDS A CAROLINA SEASON Miss Margaret Brooks, acting-editor of BIRD LORE has asked C.S.Brimley and John Grey to write brief articles on the region og the two Carolines for the department known as "The Season." The region covered by those reports is an enormous one: coast from Currituck to below Charleston which is some 500 miles, and the inland section tapers from the north and south end of the coast line to the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina. In order to cover this section the two writers arc asking that members of the N.C.B.C. feel that this is a project for the Club and for the individual. The next report covers four months, Oct, 15- Feb.15, due to the fact that the Christmas Census takes up all space generally devoted to The Season. From the information reported below you will sec the kind of data needed. Please send any data you gather in your locality to one of the writers by February 15. In rcporting_on the coastal region information was gather- ed mainly by Samuel A. Walker at the Pea Island Refuge by Mrs. Roxio Collie Simpson at Beaufort, and E. B. Chamberlain of the Charleston Museum from the Cape Rornain Refuse just north of Charleston, . Walker ' had the first large influx of waterfowl on September 17, with Baldpate, Pintails, Black Duck, Canada Geese and Coots. Some of these had been reported before this time. Cape Rornain was 'much later with the first Canada Goose reported at Lake Murray Oct. 7, earliest ' date for S. C., though they summer in small flocks on Pea Island (NC), Shovellers Page 79 THE CHAT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1939 were first seen in S, C, (Isle of Palms, bv.pt, 3) nearly a month, later than at Pea' Island, Mrs, Simpson reports a new late date for Barn Swallow Sept, 17; and -Spotted Sandpiper October 1; also collected Sharp-tailed Sparrows for which we have little ' information. F. H. Craighill was at Nag's Head August 28~Scptcmbor 13, and reports: Willots, common; Curlews, scarce; Upland Plover, Aug, 31; Florida Gallinulos, still numerous transients; Purple Martins, September 8 at Mantco-no black males; Osprey, numerous; Yellow Rail, Henslow' s Sparrow; Ipswich Sparrow, Pea Island Sept. 11th. Inland Section: Transients were' observed August 15 at Rocky Mount (Craighill) Barn Swallow; Cowbird, Solitary. Sandpiper , . and Upland Plover; with Tree Swallow; August 17; Marsh Hawk, Wilson's Snipe, Henslow' s Sparrow, House Wren, and Pegeon Hawk on September 25, Last Bobolinks, 'September 29, Washington (Biggs); and Solitary Sandpiper October 7. Raleigh reported last Magnolia Warbler and American Bittern, September 24; Black-throated-blue Warbler and Boardwinged H .vk October 8; and Kentucky Warbler, October 10 (Quay), also Blue-winged Teal and Osprey first ' October 5th. The only Gray-cheeked Thrush seen was October 9, Statesville (Grace Anderson). Last of summer visitors: Prothonotary Warbler, August 18, Rocky Mount; Yellow Warbler, September 11, Raleigh; ' Purple Martins, August 22, Raleigh; White-eyed Virco and Wood Thrush, September 28, 'Rocky Mount; Red-eyed Vireo, September 30, Raleigh; Parala Warbler, Washing- ton and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Rocky Mount, October 5; Rocky Mount also has Little Blue Heron and Blue Grosbeak, October 9; and Prairie' Warbler, October 11. Raleigh has Catbird and Maryland Yellowttuoat , October 12. :ast Redstart, October 14, Washington. The Chat BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED AT RALEIGH. N. C. John H. Grey. jr.. Editor 1719 PARK DRIVE VOL. Ill NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1939 Nos . 11 & 12 THE CHRISTMAS CENSUS Make your plans to join the hundreds of people all over the U. S. who take a Christmas census of the birds in their community. The dates this year are December 17-25, 1939, This gives a little more time than in past years, although there is no time after Christmas. Nine communities in North Carolina had a census last year. The rules are: (1) Take it as near Christmas as possible, not before the 17th, or after the 25th. Take it in one day. Time spent in the field should be six hours, all day is better. (2) List the birds in the order of the official checklist. A, 0. U. 1931. This is "he order followed in most recent books, beginning with loons and losing with sparrows and Snow Bunting. Convenient ards showing uhis order were sent out last year, and may be ordered from Living- •ton Publishing Co., Narbeth, Penna* 2 cents each - specify "Card 3 r w ive data about any unusual birds seen, as is done in the specimen • vnsus given below. Punctuation is: Common Loon, 2: Red- throated loon, 1; etc. (3) Territory must not be more than that included ir u seven-and-one-half mile radius. The same territory covered each year gives a better basis of comparison, (4) Give time of starting, ending, weather conditions, number of observers, miles traveled by car and on foot, and names of each observer. (5) Mail one copy im- mediately to BIRD LORE, 1006 Fifth Ave « , New York - none published re- ceived after December 31. Mail us another copy. If you have any trouble with your list, mail it to the CHAT any- way and we will try to straighten it out D Sample: "Chapel Hill, N. C,, December 25. 7 a. m. to 5 p. m., f hours out in middle of day. Clear, calm, temperature 35 to 65. Lame territory covered in last four years - 6-mile radius including university Lake, Strowd's Lowgrounds, Hogan's Pond, New Hope Swamp, I niversity Campus, intermediate points. Four parties in morning on foot (total mileage, 18); observers together in afternoon in car (total mileage, 30). Pied-billed Grebe, 2; Great Blue Heron, 2; Page 80 Page 81 THE CHAT November-December 1939 Mallard, 19, Black Duck, 34; Baldpate, 5; American Merganser, 9; Pox Sparrow, 15; Swamp Sparrow, 42; Song Sparrow, 250. Total; 68 species, 2121 individuals. Larger numbers are partly estimates. Am- erican Mergansers were all females; large size, sharp contrast of color on head, throat, and back, and blue-gray underparts noted. Failure to list Robin and Killdeer without precedent in former cen- suses, Solitary Vireo is unusual in winter. Eugene Odum, Edmund Taylor, Arnold Breckenridge , Coit Coker, M. S. Breckenr idge , FIRST FALL MEETING The Executive Committee decided to bridge the gap between annual meetings with two field trips; to Pea Island in August and to Lake Mattamuskeet in January. The first field trip met with such enthusi- astic response that it was decided to attempt a fall get-together. Friday, November 10, 1939, seventy-five people gathered in the Jeffer- son Restaurant in Greensboro to pay attention to turkey stuffed with sage, and then to sages stuffed with turkey. Dr. J. T. J. Battle,, President of the Greensboro Bird Club, had made arrangements for about seventy people, and at the last minute these plans had to be expanded for the larger crowd. President Claudia Hunter, of Henderson, presided and called on Mrs, Edwin Clarkson, Charlotte, to reply to Dr. Battle's hearty wel- -ome of the N. C. B. C. to Greensboro. All were asked to stand ana ntroduce themselves. The following localities were represented; -reensboro, Winston-Salem, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Raleigh, Southern mes, Charlotte, Elkin, Davidson, Burnsville, Gastonia, Gates, Dur- ham, Henderson, Lakeview, hake Forest, Clinton, Farmville, North Ca3" 'ma; Salem and Hollins, Virginia; and Westfield, N. J. Miss Hunter -resented to the Club M. G. Lewis, Salem, Virginia, President of the - irginj a Society of Ornithology* The Editor was asked to preside over the discussions and called '•\n Dr. C. H. Bostian, Raleigh, Secretary of the N» C. B. C. to tell >f the plans for the field trips, and to show moving pictures of some «. f the bird life to be seen at Lake Mattamuskeet by those making the ..rip in January, more about this in this issue. Dr. A. D. Shaftsbury, First Vice-President, then told of new '-Tubs formed at Arden and Winston-Salem, and of the plans to increase the membership of the Club. Scout Executive J. J. Sigwald of Wilson ^poke of the possibility of getting more of the Boy Scouts in the work, and said that there were 13,000 Scouts in the had qualified for the Bird Study Merit Badge, and that all nearly 200,000 Scouts were potential nature students. His was to give a Scout a Christmas present of a membership in ’When it was proposed that membership in the Club ;o 1,000 members the Secretary hinted he might abscond. be interested U . S . wh o of the suggestion the N . C. expanded Page 82 THE CHAT November-Dee ember 1939 The Rev. Francis H. Craighill, Rocky Mount, spoke of the Christ- mas Census taken by BIRD LORE, magazine of the National Association of Audubon Societies, this being the fortieth census. More about this elsewhere. Dr. C. S. Brimley was unable to attend the meeting and had Thomas L. Quay read a paper on filling in the gaps in our knowledge of the birds throughout the State, A similar paper was published in the last issue, and more mil be given later. The speaker of the evening, II, H. Brimley, was presented by Miss Hunter who called attention to the fact that he was the only person in the State to be a member of the American Ornithologists Union, though there were many associate members. She also called our atten- tion to his years of work in making our State Museum a storehouse of natural history. His subject was ]i Odds and Ends". Some of the oddi- ties were the fact that Pea Island offered the most varied bird life from New Foundland to Key West - Canada Geese the year round. Black Ducks raising their young and the young diving with all the skill of a "didapper", though the parent rarely dives. He had seen there the Gull-billed Tern skimming the fields for insects like a swallow, and a Nighthawk sitting crosswise on a wire rather than its usual posi- tion of parallel to its perch. Among other things that puzzled him was the Red-breasted Merganser he had seen alight on a mud bank and ;lide down the bank into the water rather than walk down. Another oddity mentioned was the variation in nesting habits c" : 'irds that are closely related as species; the five flycatchers r 'hich are common in N , C, for instance. Of these the Crested Fly- . atcher prefers a hollow of some kind, and often uses a discarded snake skin as a part of the nest, while the Wood Pewee builds a nest perched, on top a limb like a Humm ngbird; the Acadian Flycatcher has a scanty nest in the fork of a limb, and the Phoebe uses mud and will rake the underside of a bridge or inside an old well, while the King- bird has a nest more typical of birds. Hawks vary in nesting habits also” the Marsh Hawk choosing the ground, the Sparrow Hawk takes a hollow., the Duck Hawk builds on a '■Tiff, while the Red-shouldered and Red- tailed Hawks use a tree. “ucks are usually thought of as nesting on the ground, but the Wood luck, the Bufflehead, and the Golden-eye choose hollows. A Solitary Sandpiper may use a last-year’s nest of a Robin or a Waxwing. LETTER FROM DR. T. GILBERT PEARSON "Pirapora, Brazil October 13, 1939 "I went aboard the S. S. ARGENTINA on September 8, at New York, and for thirteen days we rolled down the latitudes. Then one morning Page 83 THE CHAT IT ovember -Dec ember 1939 we turned In by Sugar Loaf and dropped anchor In Guanabara Bay, In other words in Rio Harbor. The only thing of note on the voyage was the appearance of a great white Albatross two days out of Rio. Its bill was yellow, the end of the tail and wings were black. The wings were so long and so amazingly narrow they looked like oars. But, man, the way that bird did wheel and soar for two hours behind the ship. It was the best thing I have seen. "I have visited the officers of the important museums and Natural Zoological Society and think soon we will have a National Committee for Bird Preservation in operation. It is near the close of the dry season and there is little water inland but I have been to half a dozen fresh-water lagoons where birds congregate. Have seen 1,000 or more American Egrets; 5 or 6 Snowys; 3 Great lues (?); flocks of Black Ibis; a native duck and 2 kinds of native geese in great num- bers; also Lapwings. By far the most common bird is the Jacana - you can count 100 in a mile as you wander along the shore of any marshy lagoon. Black Ani (Smooth-billed) is common but inland I find the so-called White Ani that the Brazilians call "Anu Branca" to be even more common. Like the Black Ani they are often in flocks. A day or two ago I watched four at work on one nest. Two brought sticks and the other two stayed in the nest and arranged the sticks as they ar- rived. "There are many kinds of hawks. One as large as a Rough-leg is almost black and has wonderful brown v/ings . I watched a pair of kite-, gray, with lighter head and brown wing primaries, hawking all around m.. catching insects on the wing. I have seen two sizes of nighthavks ’lying about of the evening. One must have some four inches more w^n ,, oread than the other and its wings are rounded at the ends. "There are great grasshoppers here. I held one in my hand abouu 7 inches long. In the brush I picked up a land snail 5-1/2 inches long and about 4 inches thick. "Pirapora, where I am now staying, is perhaps 700 miles north- west of Rio. It is at the head of navigation of the San Francisco River (because of some falls) more than 2,000 miles from the sea. With me is a man from the National Museum in Rio who speaks a little English. Otherwise I doubt if there is another man wi thin 50 miles who has any familiarity with our language. "Perhaps 100 large green parrots roost in some trees within 60 yards of our one-storied hotel. They scream ou.tragiously and wake me every morning as they fly over the house yelling. I have seen 4 kinds of parrots and a hummingbird that had a tail with long outer tail feathers the tips of which had an inward curve. This is spring here and Caracaras in twos, threes and fours ehass about the country. I have seen perhaps 600 or 800, but they do not turn summersaults in che air here as they are said to do in the North Carolina mountains . "My address until December 15 or 20 will be Vi lalonga (American Express Co.), Calle Peru 20, Buenos Aires, Argentina." Page 84 THE CHAT November-December 1939 THE NEW WINSTON-SALEM BIRD CLUB W. L. Anderson, Jr,, Secretary Early In November a meeting was called of all those Interested in the study and protection of birds. Out of this meeting grew the Winston-Salem Bird Club, James L. Stephenson, President, Meetings are to be held m the Robert E. Lee Hotel with talks on methods of getting more birds to live near our homes. An early meet- ing will feature the various kinds of feeding trays, and the foods to be placed on them for the birds. Field, studies and reports of inter- esting observations will also be made by members. At an early meet- ing there will be a display of nesting boxes, with talks on the birds that will use them, and the locations in which they should be placed. In order to stimulate interest we are issuing a mimeographed bulletin each month calling attention to the work of the Club. The November bulletin gave information about the organization of the Club the fifty-cent dues, and had two illustrations of bird trays. It also set the date for the Christmas Census for December 22, 1939. This bulletin was sent out to over one hundred prospective members, and also to city and county officials, and to the various schools. Through such means many should become interested. It is hoped that we can establish a wild-life sanctuary in the area of our city water shed. This project has met wi th the hearty approval of the District State Biologist, and he has offered his as- sistance in the work. In addition to the large bodies of water on the water shed, there are well-wooded areas in our city parks which afford good habitat for birds. BIRD CLUB FORMED AT DURHAM Mrs . Weldon Wilfling, Secretary Twenty-one persons attended the organization meeting on November 22. The group included residents of Dirham, Duke faculty members, and University students. Dr. M. W. Johnson of the Duke Zoology De- partment was chosen leader of the group. Our present plan is to have discussion meetings once a month, and field trips will be held every week, Sunday morning and Saturday afternoon alternately. The first trip to be Sunday, November 26, and the next the following Saturday. Our regular monthly meeting will be held Monday evening, Decem- ber 4, at which time bird books and pictures will be on exhibit. The members are looking forward to an interesting season and we hope this new venture will prove a great success. Page 85 THE CHAT November -Dec ember 1939 JANUARY FIELD TRIP TO LAKE MATTAMUSKEET C. H. Bostian, Raleigh The winter field trip of the North Carolina Bird Club will be a pilgrimage to Lake Mattamuskeet , January 26 and 27, 1940. Headquar- ters for the group will probably be a tourist camp near the Lake at New Holland. The camp is steam heated, with two double beds in a room. Meals can be had at the camp. Those wishing more luxurious ac- comodations can find them at the Lodge at the Lake. The dates for the trip were set for Friday and Saturday, Jan- uary 26 and 27, by vote at the recent Greensboro ne eting of the Club. It was learned that more people could come for Friday and Saturday than for the weekend. Those who have been to the Lake in winter tell us that bad weather makes little difference as the birds will be there under any conditions. More information will be sent out later as to the price of lodg- ing and meals, but it is hoped that all will plan to arrive by early bedtime on Friday night. This will allow us to view the bird life as it arouses in the early morning. Mattamuskeet is the congregating grounds for the beautiful Whist- ling Swan, the largest bird in the east. It is probable that we shall be able to see most of the 15,000 birds reported to be there. Equally as many Canada Geese can be seen there, as well as many spe- cies of ducks. MORE GAPS IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF NORTH CAROLINA BIRDS C. S, Brimley, Raleigh In recent issues I have had brief articles pointing out some of the wide gaps in our knew ledge of the common birds throughout the State. This article will deal more with our lack of observers who are willing to send in data so that the gaps may be filled. The accompanying map of the State will help make clear the reg- ions from which we need additional data. The darker portions of the map are the regions from which we have little or no information as to the bird life in that section, mainly because we have had no one to send in information. You will notice that at least two- thirds of the State is as yet uncovered by observations. The part of the map left white is the region in which we have reasonably good Information about the birds, and the numerals are the localities in which we have had observers who sent in at least a fair amount of information. The coastal region has been fairly well worked from the Virginia Line to Beaufort | below here we have little Information. Page 86 TEE CHAT Nov ember "Dec ember 1939 The following is the list of numbered places on the map, with the names of those who have made observations on birds in their re- spective regions: 1. Andrews, Cherokee Co., Mrs. Donald Wilson and R. W. Collett, 1902 to 1905. Migration data both spring and fall. 2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Arthur Stupka and others have published some notes on the birds and a complete list is in progress. 3. Highlands. Miss M. E. Huger furnished a list of the birds in 1910, and C. L. Boynton sent in migration data for 1896. It was also visited by William Brewster in 1886. 5. Haywood County. Miss Marion A. Boggs of Wayne svi lie has done extensive bird handing and conducted observations from 1906 to the present. Unfortunately her bird records were lost in the fire which consumed her house in the spring of 1939. C. S. Brimley and Franklin Sherman observed at Sunburst In springs 1912-13. 5. Buncombe County. John S. Cairns made observations at We aver- ville from 1886 to his death in 1895; Minot Davis, Thomas D, Burleigh, H. 0. Peck, William Brewster, Robert B. Wallace, and others have also contributed to the good work. Mrs. D. W. Grinnell is now the most active ornithologist in the county, at Arden. Note: William Brewster, C. F. Batchelder, Alexander Sprunt, Jr., J, J. Murray, Elmer E. Brown, Stephen C. Bruner, A. L. Feild, H. C. Page 87 THE CHAT November-December 1939 Oberholser and others have made trips through the mountains and added a great deal to our knowledge of its birds, but their work cannot be pinned down to any particular locality, 6, Morganton. Arthur T« Wayne of Charleston, S. C», spent some time here from 1910 to 1914. Rev. C, E. Gregory is the capable res- ident bird man. 7. Statesville, R, B. McLaughlin observed birds and collected eggs from 1885 to 1888, M, E. Stimson, Miss Grace Anderson and others have carried on the good work to the present day. 8, Salisbury. E. M. Hoffman, Elmer E. Brown, Prank R. Brown, and Harold McCurdy made many observations, 1922-29, and furnished a complete list. 9. Elkin, Earl M. Hodel has just furnished a list of 128 spe- cies. 10. Greensboro. T, Gilbert Pearson made observations at Guil- ford College, 1891-1910, J. H. Armfield at Greensboro from 1893 to 1899, Elmer E. Brown, 1927-1931, Earl M. Hall, Wade Pox, and others at present time. 11. Chapel Hill. Geo. P. Atkinson, T. Gilbert Pearson, G. S* MacNider, J. W. P. Smithwick, Alexander L. Feild, Elmer E, Brown, Coit Coker, Eugene Odum, Arnold Breckenridge , Edmund Taylor and Joe Jones form a procession from 1887 on. 12. Durham. Ernest A. Seeman, migration records 1902-1907, Published list in 1929. 13. Raleigh, J. L. Busbee, H. H. Brimley, C. S. Brimley, Frank- lin Sherman, S, C, Bruner, A, L, Feild, Z. P, Metcalf, L, H. Snyder, H. Grey, C. H. Bostian, J. L. Primrose, Mrs. Charlotte Green, Mrs, Roxie Collie Simpson and T. L. Quay form a partial list from 1885 to the present day. 14. Southern Pines, Pinebluff and the sandhills in general. The late Dr. J. L. Achorn organized the first bird club in 1921, and a list of the winter birds was published in 1928, Bird clubs are still active and add a number of members to the State Club, 15. Henderson, A very active bird club. Miss Claudia Hunter our president is a prominent member. 16. Rocky Mount, P. H. Craighill has the birds of his region pretty well worked up. 17. Walke, Merry Hills and Sans Souci in Bertie County, J. W. P Smithwick, T. A. Smithwick, and R, P. Smithwick. Records from about 1891 to 1902, Page 88 THE CHAT November-December 1939 18. Currituck County, Many records from R. B. Lawrence, W. L. McAtee, Ludlow Griscom, J. T. Nichols, and others, mainly northern sportsmen, from 1906 to present time, 19. Kitty Hawk, Nagshead, Manteo, Pea Island and Bodie Island, Many records from L. B, Bishop, 1901-1906, Sam ^alker, 1935 to date, and many scattering notes by others at various times. 20. Cape Hatteras. Complete list published by Edwin M. Green in the Chat for January, 1939. Pearson visited it in 1898. 21. Lake Mattamuskeet . Complete list published by Earle R, Greene in the Chat for September-October, 1937, 22. Washington, Practically complete list published by J, D, Biggs, Churchill Bragaw, and Mary Shelburn in Chat for June, 1939, 23. Beaufort, Fort Macon, Cape Lookout. Coues published a list of birds and other vertebrates in 1870. Since then observations have been made by Pearson, H. H. Brimley, S. C, Bruner, Elmer E. Brown, Mrs, R. C. Simpson, and others making it one of the best worked reg- ions in the State as far as aquatic and semi-aquatic birds are con- cerned. 24. The Craven County lakes. Visited by H. H. Brimley, 0. S, Brimley, F. Sherman, May-June, 1905-1908," by Pearson in 1898 and at intervals till 1939, Also by B. S. Bowdish and P. B. Phillipp in 1909, by Elmer E. Brown in summer, 1929, and by various others at different times. 25. New River Inlet, Marines. Many notes from T. G. Samworth, H ( II . Brimley and Harry T. Davis, from about 1925 on, 26. Wilmington, Orton, Southport, Lists from Edward Fleisher in 1920, and P, Metcalf in 1922 of the birds of the lower Cape Fear. Observations by T. G. Pearson, H. H. Brimley, Churchill Bragaw and others at Orton plantation, at various times from 1898 to date. Besides these, Virgil Kelly and Gaston Pearce have made many records of breeding birds at Fayetteville, while Elmer and Frank Brown have sent in a good many spring records from Davidson, but there are no complete or near ly complete lists from either place. Local lists other than those noted as published in the Chat for Lake Mattamuskeet, Cape Hatteras and Washington are as follows: The Birds of Chapel Hill, N. C., by E. Odum, Coit Coker, A. Breck- enridge and Edmund Taylor. Published in the Mitchell Journal, at Chapel Hill, December, 1935. Lists 195 full species. The Birds of Raleigh, N, C., by C. S. Brimley; Mitchell Journal, November, 1930, Lists 215 full species and 12 have been added since. Page 89 THE CHAT November-December 1939 The Birds of Durham County, N. C,, by E, A. Seeman. Mitchell Journal, November, 1939. Lists 143 forms. The Birds of Buncombe County, by John S. Cairns. Published after his death in booklet, dated July 16, 1891, but said to have been prin- ted in 1902 by some of his friends. Lists 204 forms, and the number has been increased somewhat since. Natural History of Fort Macon, N. C. I. Mammals, Birds and Rep- tiles, by Elliot Coues. Published in Proceeding Philadelphia Academy of Natural Science in 1871. Lists 122 species of birds but the total list from that region now exceeds 200, WITH OTHER STATS CLUBS GEORGIA Ornithological Society held their semi-annual meeting at Vogel State Park in the mountains of north Georgia the weekend of Oct- ober 14 and 15. Members were lodged in comfortable cabins and enjoyed three meals together - all covered by a registration fee. Theme of the meeting was "An educational program in Ornithology for Georgia", dealing with bird study in clubs, schools, and general field work. Dr. Edwin P. Creaser was guest speaker, and President Earle R. Greene of Lake Mattamuskeet fame presided over the meetings. Sunday morning was given over to a field trip, FLORIDA Audubon Society held their second annual campout at Homo- sassa Springs. This would be an excellent undertaking for the N. C. B. C., and one of which we wish more information, TENNESSEE: The Blue Grass Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithologi- cal Society held their fall field day near Columbia, at Osceola Farm, and invited the State club. Tennessee is also working up an endowment fund to be used in the work of conservation. Both the T. 0. S. and the Tennessee Audubon Society are co-operating in this endowment. THE WILSON BULLETIN The Wilson Ornithological Club is a nation-wide organization of students of bird life. The official journal is a quarterly magazine THE WILSON BULLETIN , published at Morningside College, Souix City, Iowa. We do not have full information as to those in North Carolina who are members of the Club, but carry this information in the hopes that many of us will Increase our knowledge of bird life over the country by joining the club. Membership is open to those interested, upon nomination. The CHAT will be glad to nominate any member of the N. C. B. C. who is interested. Dues are $1.50 a year for Associate Members. The Wilson Page SO THE CHAT November-December 1939 Ornithological Club has about one thousand members in all states of the Union and in Canada, and in many foreign countries. The Club was founded in 1888, and named for Alexander Wilson, the first American ornithologist, and called "The Father of American Ornithology." NEW MEMBERS Bill Anderson H. C. Anderson Miss Elizabeth Anderson J. E. Arm fie Id Willis G. Briggs Dr. Elmer Brown Mrs. Frank R, Brown Pegram A. Bryant R. J. Burroughs Miss Rosamond Clark Miss Rose Chapman Edwin 0. Clarkson Mrs. Don Cochran Miss Sarah Cooper J. T. Eakes • James Hutchins Mrs. C. D. Kellenberger Thomas Odum Mrs. E, M. Oettinger J. W. Partin, Jr, Mrs . Henry Pike V , C . Poe Miss Alice Pope Verne Rhoades A, I. Richardson Mrs. G. E, Rose J. T. Simpson Miss Daisy Strong Mrs. K. B. Swope Miss Lizzie Taylor Miss Margaret Y. Wall E. W, Winkler E. 0. Young, Jr. R. C. Young 623 Clover Street Woman's College Post Office 1546 Iredell Drive Davidson College 917 Walker Avenue Rt. 3 Box 269 Winston-Salem Henderson Greensboro Greensboro Rale igh Davidson Greensboro Statesville Henderson Statesville Skyland 248 Ridgewood Avenue Charlotte 181 Park Street Statesville Clemmons, S. C. 421 Goshen Street Oxford Burnsville 1020 W, Market St. Greensboro Chapel Hill 1111 Virginia Street Greensboro Henderson Siler City R. #2, Aycock School Henderson Greensboro Asheville Charlotte Henderson Americus, Georgia Greensboro Skyland Townes ville Greensboro Raleigh Middleburg Kittrell 309 Isabel Street 78 Patton Avenue Addison Apts. R. #4 109 Adams St. 6 Springdale Court R. 7 H Farm Life School Zeb Vance School