BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB VOL VII . JANUARY, 1943 No. I PUBLISHED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB At State College Station Raleigh, N. C. The Chat Bulletin of the North Carolina Bird Club John Grey, Jr., Editor State College Station, Raleigh, N. C. “North Carolina was the first of the Southern States to take an active stand in the matter of preserving its wild bird and animal resources.” Entered as second-class matter April 8, 1841 at the post office Raleigh. North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published five times a year on the fifteenth of January, March, May, September, and November as the official organ of the North Carolina Bird Club. Articles for publication should reach the Editor by the first of the month in which the issue is published. Notifi- cation of change of address or of lost copies should also be sent to the Editor. Price of the bulletin, fifty cents per annum. Fifty cents of the annual membership dues is paid as a year’s subscription to THE CHAT. Vol. VII JANUARY, 1943 No. 1 CONTENTS Robinson Crusoe on Pea Island t Selection of a State Bird An Exhibit of Bird Nests A Unique Membership Idea Gaddy’s Wildlife Refuge The 1942 Christmas Bird Count Tryon Bird Club Organized Aids to Amateurs Questions and Answers Field Notes and News New Members Officers of N. C. Bird Club Local Clubs and their Officers PAGE 1 5 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 16 Inside back cover Inside back cover THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Headquarters in the North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh. Organized March 6, 1937, for the study and protection of our birds. Member- ship is open to those interested in this work, and is divided into four classes : Members, who pay dues of $1.00 per year; Sustaining Members, dues of $5.00 a year; Contributing Members, dues of $20.00 a year; Life Members, one lump sum of $100.00. Nominations and applications for membership should bo sent to the Treas- urer: Ralph Brimley, 1403 Madison Avenue, Greensboro. Robinson Crusoe On Pea Island James R. Sydnor, Richmond, Va. The wind cut sharply on the edges of the cabin. A glance out the window showed a wild scene. The flakes of snow, driven at high speed, cut horizontal pencil lines of white against the dull gray waters of Pamlico Sound. The grass tufts, ordinarily erect in the sunlight, were now beaten flat against the sand. Three Canada Geese, rocket-like, were hurtling in the distant sky, driven by their powerful wings and sped by the gale at their back. A nor’easter was in the making. I could stand it no longer. I had to get out and see what was happen- ing. So, closing the draft of the wood stove and pulling on my heaviest clothes, out I went. The freshwater pond several hundred yards to the east was my destination, but no sooner had I rounded the edge of the cabin than a blast of wind nearly threw me down. Sleet, like little fragments of shattered glass, lanced my face. Only by turning around and backing over to the pond could I endure it. A large dike about ten feet high had been thrown up to form the boundaries of the pond. This I laboriously mounted and, leaning against the gale, I surveyed the great expanse of water which was whipped into thousands of little whitecaps. Where were the waterfowl? Usually they fed in the middle of the pond. My eye followed the sheltered line of the north shore. There they were! Hundreds of them were swimming close to the margin. I should be able to stalk them because the grasses grew high on that shore. So down from the dike I went and along the road which ran between the north dike and the water. The presence of the storm made the waterfowl much tamer, or perhaps more oblivious to my presence, because I was able to approach closer today than in clear weather. As usual, however, they took off in a definite sequence which was governed by the wariness of the species. A pair of Red-legged Black Ducks, spying me, sprang into the air from the marsh across the “borrow pit” channel. Next, a little flock of Buffleheads and Scaup sped away. Up from the shelter of the bank spattered half a hundred Green-winged Teal and several hundred Coots began swimming to a safe distance from shore. And the little Ruddy Ducks and a lone Horned Grebe stayed dangerously near this hereditary enemy, and sometime friend, man. It was fascinating to observe the behavior of these skilled aviators in the face of such torrents of wind. A lone Gadwall or a pair of Pintails would decide to leave the salt marshes up the island and pay our pond a visit. With unbelievable rapidity they would plummet across the sky, circle widely to come into the wind, and then splash into the cold water. I had one striking illustration of the ability of these fliers to control their flight. It happened that I was standing in the road not more than twenty feet from the north dike. A flock of thirty Pintails shot over the dike, 1 THE CHAT 2 skimming its top by several feet. With less skillful wingsters I would have been bowled over, but in the batting of an eye this flock neatly parted and whistled past me. Their speed of flight, aided by the wind, was prob- ably close to a hundred miles an hour and yet the marvelous co-ordination of eye and wing had turned them aside. I also enjoyed watching the attempts of the Canadas and some Snow Geese to fly from our pond to the marshes up island. It was practically futile, because their speed of flight was nearly nullified by the pace of the wind. It was an unforgettable sight, this stationary symbol of victory out- lined against the gray sky by these magnificent birds. This hike in the storm was but one of many simple experiences which I had during a three-day stay on the Pea Island Migratory Wildfowl Refuge, December 18-20, 1942. It had been my hope for some time that finally I might have an opportunity to learn to identify ducks and other waterfowl. So, spurred by the kindred conviction expressed by Dr. Alexis Carrel in his Man the Unknown that modern cities are almost fatal to the human organism, I wrote Sam Walker, manager of the refuge, for permission to bring a friend and spend a few precious days of Christmas holiday on the wide expanses of his island. Gracious permission was given and every courtesy was extended to make the stay profitable and comfortable. When my friend was unavoidably kept from making the trip, I decided to be Robinson Crusoe for three days. Loaded with Peterson, Forbush, Birds of North Carolina, and other ornithological equipment, we set out from Walker’s wharf at Manteo for the trip down the sound to Oregon Inlet and Pea Island. The morning was brilliant, not too cold, with a mild southwest wind. The launch had hardly left the pier when birds began to appear. Some distance to the right rode the long low form of a Common Loon, and, as luck would have it, directly ahead flew another loon with its white belly quite apparent. My identifications had already started! With Peterson’s A Field Guide to the Birds open on the dashboard in front of me, I peered through the windshield and side windows. For better view, I sometimes left the cabin and stood out on deck with the spray flying in my face. Carrel was right about the cities : man was made for contact with nature. “There’s a flock of Buffleheads,” I called to Walker. “Beg pardon, but they’re Golden-eyes. You can tell them by their larger size,” he said. So I practiced differentiating these two species for the rest of the voyage. It was fun to watch the little Horned Grebes patter over the waves with their tails bumping against each whitecap. They would scurry only far enough to get out of the way of our craft. We ran into a magnificent flock of Red-breasted Mergansers. Fifteen Surf Scoters winged by us in irregular formation and a half dozen White-winged Scoters fed far off to the side. Below Oregon Inlet we saw two splendid adult Bald Eagles resting on an exposed sand bank. When our boat approached too close to them, they rose with strong wingbeats and soared majestically toward the ocean. A THE CHAT 3 little farther south we found a flock of five hundred Herring Gulls resting on the water. As we swerved aside very near them, I had a fine chance to study the various plumages of juvenile and adult birds. All these sights were thrilling to the city-dweller, but the great moment was yet to come. The Snow Geese! Walker’s keen eyes saw them first. Disturbed by a coastal patrol plane, a small flock rose from the marshes on upper Pea Island. However, in a few minutes we had our real reward, for we found the main flock in the shoals just out from the cabin near the freshwater ponds. Ten thousand Snow Geese in one flock! We taxied far to the right in a semicircle in order to have the sun back of us as we viewed them; then we eased our boat as close to them as possible. Turn- ing off the motor and climbing on top the boat, we studied them through our glasses. They were definitely on the alert and were swimming away from us. As usual we saw two or three Blue Geese in the flock, but in vain we scanned the birds for the three White-fronted Geese which Walker had recently seen on the refuge. We both clapped our hands and shouted. Then the miracle happened which never fails to take the breath of bird lovers. These magnificent snow-white birds with ebony wing tips hung a moving tapestry between us and the horizon. And their music! From ten thousand throats came that elemental call of alarm which stirred our hearts and reminded us of those long mysterious flights into the starlit skies when these creatures of the wild called to their fellow migrants in the distance. Walker started the motor again and our launch moved slowly up the channel to the dock near the cabin. Three or four pairs of Black Ducks catapulted directly into the air from the rushes beside the channel, and a half dozen Black-crowned Night Herons lazily took off from some low bushes near-by. These were probably some of the same herons which John Grey and I had counted in the heronry over by the upper marshes. At the dock we unloaded. After establishing me in the cabin, Walker and I spent two or three hours walking about the refuge, checking on the bird population and allowing me to brush up on some identifications. All too soon it was time for him to return to Manteo, so, with a very slight touch of wistfulness, “Robinson Crusoe” stood on the wharf waving good-by to the departing launch. My general procedure was to spend two or three hours roaming the sanc- tuary and then to return to the cabin to get warm and study my reference books. It seemed to me the best way to learn to know the birds. As I read how Forbush lay prone on the edge of a northern lake and watched the beautiful courtship display of the Hooded Mergansers, I decided to imitate him and stalk some ducks. My chance came the first morning I spent on the refuge. As I cautiously peered over the dike, I saw a little flock of Buffleheads resting in the deep water of the channel near the north dike. I managed to cross the crest of the dike and reach the road by the edge of the lake without being detected. Crawling on my hands and knees for a hundred yards, I neared the location of the ducks. My hands 4 THE CHAT and knees were full of sand spurs but I hardly noticed them in the excite- ment. Leaving the road ruts, I flattened out in the tall grass and dragged my body towards the edge of the pond. At last I arrived at the very water’s edge without disturbing the birds. Fifteen feet away they bobbed like corks on the little waves. Three Buffleheads, a male and two females. The male especially was magnificent with his stylish contrasting patterns of black and white. He sat on guard while his mates dove frequently for food. They stayed warily in the middle of the channel, not venturing close to either shore. A scene like this gives to bird lovers a strange sense of awareness and aliveness. We are participating in one of Nature’s inti- mate moments. These musings were interrupted by a little Pied-billed Grebe which floated past my hiding place. He was lazily arranging his feathers and stretching his wings, and he was within arm’s length. Then, to finish this experience, I sprang suddenly to my feet to see what the birds would do, especially since the two females were under water at the time. The grebe dived immediately. The male Bufflehead swam excitedly about, and when his mates surfaced, they spattered up the channel and took to wing. I know the Buffleheads now. The American Bitterns were abundant and rather tame. Three or four Great Blue Herons stalked the shallows. Fifteen Whistling Swan stayed in the middle of the pond. A pair of Old Squaw and three or four other individuals were seen during the stay. Shovellers with their beautiful chestnut sides were common. A Duck Hawk perched regularly on a post near the marsh and sallied forth to annoy the waterfowl with his darting attacks. The “tew-tew-tew’s” of the Greater Yellowlegs cut the morning air frequently. I saw my first Ipswich Sparrow running through the grasses with head, body, and tail parallel to the sandy beach. One of the high points of the stay occurred on my way back to Manteo the last day. Granberry Dowdy, Walker’s assistant, and I had driven down to New Inlet to patrol the refuge and to check the Red-backed Sand- pipers, which, incidentally, had been blown farther south by the storm. We were driving hack up the sand flats just inside the outer dune. Like a bunch of brown leaves thrown up by a whirlwind, a little flock of birds sprang into the air and flew up the beach. We stopped near them and through my glasses I saw that they were Horned Larks and, could I believe my eyes, seven Snow Buntings. Walker had said there was a possibility that they might be on the island. They looked quite brown as they hur- ried about the sand looking for grass seeds, but when they bounded through the air, goldfinch-like, they showed a great deal of white and made me realize wffly they were named Snow Buntings. It was a thrill to see these little visitors from Arctic regions visiting the outer banks of North Carolina. Only one thing bothered me during the entire trip. Every time a duck landed in that ice-cold water, a shiver ran up my spine. How could they stand it ! THE CHAT 5 Selection of A State Bird Roxie Collie Simpson, Raleigh Early in 1942, the North Carolina Bird Club started a movement to select a State Bird. Articles were published in this publication and in the North Carolina Public School Bulletin. Public school children were asked to send in their choice for a State Bird. Interest has been growing among bird students, members of Garden Clubs, and various newspapers and magazines have carried articles on the subject. The Asheville Citizen-Times undertook a survey in western North Carolina and published ballots on which subscribers were to record their choice. The resulting 758 ballots were divided among 21 different birds, with the Bob-white leading with 233 votes. Other species getting a fair vote were: Scarlet Tanager, 153; Cardinal, 94; Robin, 64; Bluebird, 48; Carolina Wren, 38; Carolina Chickadee, 26; Mourning Dove, 21. The Henderson Bird Club unanimously chose the Carolina Wren. Greensboro Garden Club voted for the Pine Warbler, while the Raleigh Woman’s Club took the Bluebird, and a group from Farmville chose the Cardinal. The matter is to come before the Legislature this year. Let Miss Grace Anderson, Statesville, know your choice — and do it today. It has been the hope of the Bird Club members that the bird selected would not be one chosen by any other state. There are two birds that have not been selected by another state ; which are year-round residents of North Carolina, are very common, and are found all over the State — the Red-headed Woodpecker and the Mourning Dove. Both of these birds are easily recognized and are economically important as insect and weed seed destroyers. In choosing a State Bird some of the points to be con- sidered are : is the bird in the State the entire year, is it found over the whole State ; is it pleasing to eye and ear. The Bluebird, Bobwhite, Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Carolina Wren, Pine Warbler, and Red- headed Woodpecker are a few examples that could more or less fill these requirements. Out of forty-eight states only two have not adopted a State Bird ; namely, Connecticut and North Carolina. The following birds have been adopted: the Western Meadowlark, by eight states; the Cardinal, by four; the Mockingbird, by four; the Robin, by three ; the Eastern Goldfinch, by three ; the Eastern Bluebird, by two ; the Mountain Bluebird, by two ; the Black-capped Chickadee, by two ; the Bobwhite, by two; the Flicker, Cactus Wren, California Quail, Lark Bunting, Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Brown Pelican, Baltimore Oriole, Purple Finch, Roadrunner, House Wren, Ruffed Grouse, Carolina Wren, Sea Gull, Hermit Thrush, Willow Goldfinch, and the Tufted Titmouse, by one state each. 6 THE CHAT Carl Goerch, in The State for January 23, 1943, writes: “We don’t want to influence the voting, but our personal preference is for the cardinal. We are very fond of quail — fried, broiled, or roasted. However, we don’t believe it would add to our enjoyment of this delectable dish if we knew that every time we were taking a bite, we were devouring a piece of our State Bird. What’s the sense of picking out a State Bird and then trying to kill it and eat it at every opportunity?” The final votes are being taken. Every member of the Bird Club who has not voted should get busy and signify his or her preference for a State Bird; to Miss Grace Anderson, 528 Walnut Street, Statesville. An Exhibit of Bird Nests Margaret Y. Wall, Greensboro Late fall and early winter are ideal times in which to collect birds’ nests. At this season the nests are no longer needed by the builders, and very few of them will be used a second time. Too, after the leaves have fallen, the nests are much easier to find. Of course no true bird lover would think of disturbing a nest during the nesting season. Nests collected and brought into a classroom offer an excellent oppor- tunity to acquaint boys and girls with the nests of different kinds of birds and to interest them in the study of birds. I believe that a child who really knows something about birds will refrain from disturbing young birds in their nests or from shooting birds with air rifles. A nest collector should be careful in taking a nest from its resting place. It is much better to cut the nest from the limb of the tree and to leave part of the limb attached. Nests of Vireos, Goldfinches, Hummingbirds, and Wood Pewees are best collected in this way. Nests made in the crotch of a tree or supported by a branch, as the Robins and Wood Thrushes, should be carefully lifted off of the resting place. There are different ways in which nests may be exhibited. Nests with attached branches may be hung on a wall. Others may be put in a box and covered with cellophane. A label should be placed on each nest with information as to the kind of tree or bush in which the nest was found, where found, height from ground and name of nest. Birds’ nests with eggs are much more exciting than those without them. Clay eggs made to scale and painted are quite attractive. Birds of America has excellent pictures of eggs with exact size and coloring. Where duplicate nests can be obtained an interesting project to be carried on with children is to have the group take a nest apart and make a list of materials found. These materials may be put into cellophane bags and placed on a chart. When a group begins to study nests, many questions will arise in identifi- cation and classification. A good nest key and bird books are helpful in THE CHAT 7 this problem. Perhaps a few suggestions as to where different kinds of birds build their nests and the kinds of material different birds use may be helpful. Some birds, as the Bluebird, Chickadee, Titmouse, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers, build their homes near human habitation. In this group is the Chimney Swift, which builds inside a chimney. The Phoebe, although usually associated with bridges, quite often builds on porches and uses lots of mud in the nest. The Phoebe sometimes builds a new nest on top of the old one. Other birds that seem to prefer a nesting site near man’s habita- tion are: the Blue Jay, the Chipping Sparrow, whose nest is lined with horsehair, the Mockingbird, whose nest is a platform of sticks in a thicket or hedge, the Cardinal, who chooses a dense evergreen and usually weaves the bark of grapevine into the nest, the Robin, with a clay cup lined with rootlets and grass, the Wood Thrush with the white paper flag, and the Catbird in a dense thicket. Some birds nest in the woods. Among these are the Vireos, Redstart, Wood Pewee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and the Hummingbird. The latter three birds cover their nests with lichens and cobwebs to look like knots on a limb rather than like nests. The Wood Pewee’s nest is the largest of these three, with the Hummingbird’s the smallest. Among the birds that nest on the ground we find the Towhee, Quail, Meadowlark and Killdeer. These nests are well camouflaged. The Maryland Yellow-throat and the Red-winged Blackbird seem to prefer a home near the swamp or marshes, while the Kingfisher builds in the banks of a near-by stream. A Unique Membership Idea The way I received the membership was unique. I saw “Trigs” with his rifle in my garden shooting birds. I went out and told him not to kill the pretty birds that sing around our yards. It was a Federal fine to kill the singing birds and I was so proud of the two Robins, which I did not see then, but had heard that morning. I told him of a beautiful Cardinal with a topknot I’d seen feeding with his mate, and how distressed I was to find the beautiful creature lying dead on the street, shot through the breast. He was very much impressed and did not know there was any harm in shooting the birds. I gave him some literature to read, and he seemed to understand right away because he wanted to become an Eagle Scout. When I told him about the North Carolina Bird Club he %vanted to become a member at once. When he handed me his dollar he said, “Gee, I’m proud of myself.” Soon he ran home and brought his pal, Johnny, with his membership fee, and so the North Carolina Bird Cluh has two new members. — Quoted from a letter from Mrs. IF. M. Burwell, Boone. 8 THE CHAT People and Geese Are Welcome At Lockhart Gaddy’s Wildlife Refuge Hazel Ross Gaddy, Ansonville When my husband, Lockhart Gaddy, bought five wild Canada Geese, little did he dream that now, December 5, 1942, sixteen years later, he would own an established wildlife refuge with around five hundred wild geese and a few ducks that have migrated from northern points. These five geese were bought to use as hunting decoys at Ansonville, Anson County. Lockhart Gaddy and his friends would catch the goose decoys — it was easy to do this as their wing feathers were clipped each year — take them down on Pee Dee River, stake them out in the grain fields and then conceal themselves in hunting blinds. The decoys under- stood perfectly well what they were supposed to do. When a flock of wild geese would be passing high in the air — before a human eye could see or ear could hear — they would send out their most enticing call, which invariably caused the flying geese to circle down and alight near the decoys. The hunters would then have fine sport. Several years ago a law was passed prohibiting the use of live decoys for hunting purposes. However, Lockhart Gaddy had become so attached to his geese that he retained them, but no longer clipped their wing feathers, for he delighted in seeing them fly — which privilege they enjoy to this day. In the summer of 1937, he built a fish pond about one mile from our home at Ansonville. It did not take the decoys long to find the pond. They immediately took possession and transformed it into Honkers’ Lake. During the fall of 1938, these geese, ever true to their former training as decoys, called nine wild geese onto the lake where we were surprised and thrilled to find them. These newcomers spent the entire winter with us, and as we fed them each day they became almost as tame as our own. When spring came they began to get restless, and on March 20, 1939, they flew away, with the decoys bidding them a reluctant farewell. The decoys were successful in calling fourteen goose visitors onto the lake during the season of 1939. These remained on until the following spring. Several of our goslings raised in 1938 took off with them and did not return. My husband’s old original mated pairs never go north, but their offspring often mate with the wild visitors and migrate. In our experience with wild geese, we find that they first begin to reach this section during October — the earliest coming October 9, 1941 — and they migrate during March, but we did have a few to remain until April 4, 1942. In 1940 around one hundred geese made themselves at home at Honkers’ Lake. In this number were several banded geese. Field glasses showed on these bands the following inscription: “Jack Miner, Kingsville, Ont. Canada,” also the year of banding and Bible verse reference. Many people hearing about these wild visitors, came from far and near to see them at THE CHAT 9 close range — and those who really knew their wild nature, marveled at the sight. Since 1938 the numbers of geese increase each year. There was an average of one hundred and fifty for the 1941 season — with still a larger group wearing bands. To date, December 5, 1942 — five hundred geese tourists have made reservation for the season, and still they come — little, big, old, young, wounded and banded geese galore are winging their way to Lockhart Gaddy’s Wildlife Refuge. Transportation is not their A-No. 1 problem — as it is with us — but their chief worry is, will the corn in Gaddy’s crib hold out another four months, especially after their many other invited relatives and friends join them. Lockhart Gaddy likes to have people, as well as wild geese, visit his refuge. He never tires of telling the things he has learned about them — their habits, peculiarities, and virtues. At times when the weather is extremely chilly — they seem to be more active then — they put on air shows and water stunts that amuse and fascinate. In fact, the more you watch and study these wild, majestic birds of the air the more interested you become. We want to extend a special invitation to all members of the North Carolina Bird Club to visit our refuge, for we know you will enjoy and sincerely appreciate this study in wild nature supreme. The 1942 Christmas Bird Count Reports from 11 localities total 121 species as compared with: 1939 with 12 reports and 128 species, 1940 — 8 and 96, 1941 — 12 and 104. Forest City and Ft. Bragg are with us for the first time. Most counts are low as to species, which may have been due to rainy weather during the count. In central North Carolina 95 species have been reported at various times in the past, and ten of these do not appear in the present counts from this area. Raleigh leads this year with 64 species and Pea Island with 12,222 individuals. The highest count on species in the past is Chapel Hill with 75 and Rocky Mount with 73. The best census this year is that of Cpl. Ben Coffey of Ft. Bragg with 53 species and 2,180 individuals. This is excellent on two counts: it e.yceeds by two species the best individual count in North Carolina, which was made by Joe Biggs at Washington, and it is made in an area which has been considered a poor one for birds. Ben has been editor of The Migrant of the Tennessee Ornithological Society and really knows his birds. Especially interesting are the reports of : Blue Geese, Least Sandpiper, Bonaparte’s Gull, Common Tern (we would have guessed it to be Fors- ter’s), Tree Swallow, Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, House Wren, Pine Siskin, and Chipping Sparrow. Good numbers are reported of : most species of waterfowl which are perhaps driven south by the cold weather, 10 THE CHAT Woodcock, Doves, Red-headed Woodpecker, Phoebe, Goldfinch, and Vesper Sparrow. Scarce species are: Wood Duck, Canvasback, Old Squaw, Wilson’s Snipe, Horned Larks, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Palm Warbler, Red-wings, Grackles, Cowbirds, and Swamp Sparrow. Notably absent are: Duck Hawk and Fish Crow from Pea Island, and Rusty Blackbirds from the interior. in THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Headquarters in the North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh. Organized March 6, 1937, for the study and protection of our birds. Member- ship is open to those interested in this work, and is divided into four classes : Members, who pay dues of $1.00 per year; Sustaining Members, dues of $3.00 a year; Contributing Members, dues of $25.00 a year; Life Members, one lump sum of $100.00. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to the Treas- urer : Ralph Brimley, 1403 Madison Avenue, Greensboro. The President's Message The Cardinal is now our North Carolina State Bird ; officially and legally designated as such by an act of the State Legislature of March 4, 1943. Many of us had other preferences but by a large plurality of the 23,244 votes received indicated a stro'ng sentiment in favor of our “Winter Redbird,” which would seem to settle the matter for some time to come. It is one of our most conspicuous birds in both town and country. One can hear his song almost to the center of the business activities of Raleigh, and its quick flight over the road when one crosses a dip in the highway that is bordered with bushes on both sides is always a welcome break in the monotony of driving through the cultivated fields. It is one of our most conspicuous birds and always pleasingly so both to the ear and to the eye. The 7 species receiving more than a thousand votes were Cardinal, 5,000 ; Dove, 3,395; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2,756; Bobwhite, 2,455; Bluebird, 2,348; Scarlet Tanager, 2,156; Robin, 1,027. Any of these would have been a good choice, particularly the Red-headed Woodpecker and the Mourning Dove (neither of which has been adopted by any State) and it was interesting to see the votes as they poured in from day to day, frequently changing the standing of some of the favorites when any large local group sent in its returns. H. H. Brimley, Raleigh. Spooky The Story of a Remarkable Ovenbird Alice Earle Hyde He came to us on the 4th of July; a bird of Liberty but considered the shyest of his kingdom — a young, full grown ovenbird. Mounting the low porch, he stepped fearlessly to the breakfast table and made his way calmly in and among seven pair of uneasy feet. That was the first day and Spooky (the name was given him by common accord) from that time on apparently never left the sixty-four foot length of porch but kept up a fearless pacing back and forth, back and forth, from daylight to dark. He surveyed with much indifference the dish of mixed foods set out for the tame chipmunks, catbirds and parrot. Incidentally, Nikko, the parrot, had the freedom of the place, as one wing had been clipped, which prevented any possibility of flight. From that first day begun the remarkable story of a strange but dearly lovable bird. Spooky was never known to eat at any time during his stay of over two months, although there was an ample supply of an acceptable diet on many of the shrubs within a few feet of the camp. Likewise, he was never seen to leave at any hour after dark for a night’s rest or at the time when other 1 17] 18 THE C H A T birds had gone righteously to bed. If he ate and slept, the family had no knowledge or evidence of the facts. His interest was all of mankind and during the promenade he often paused to peer up into our faces, awaiting the spoken word with apparent understanding. Every evening he was with us, and warm nights, when the family remained up later than usual, Spooky did likewise, and when bedtime finally arrived we bade our feathered kin “good-night” at the camp door, leaving Spooky on the outside. Our little village maid arrived early every morning and Spooky was always on the back porch to welcome her. An hour later, when the family assembled for breakfast our bird had hopped his way around and joined us at the table. Guests and ornithologists came from near and far to meet this unusual bird. There were skeptics among our friends, but they saw the truth and were forced to believe, for Spooky had welcomed them without fear and as fearlessly hopped in and about their feet. One positive rule was always adhered to — no one was ever allowed to put their hands upon him or attempt to take him in the hand. Only on three different occasions, when Spooky managed to get inside the camp, was he touched, picked up and placed outside. On all three of these occasions he evinced no alarm, only bewilderment. He did not fly against the window panes ; there was no beating of wings against the walls ; he awaited further developments, perched on the back of a chair or standing on the table. I went to him quietly and he stepped into my hand and nestled down. In time he was placed on the “boardwalk” but was not thrown into the air to fly away; in fact, it was not known if he was able to fly! Occasionally the parrot was in his cage and then a number of times Spooky attempted closer acquaintance with Nikko. Perhaps he resented the fact that any bird should be caged, he always having had his freedom. One time the flying contact was violent enough to overset the iron bars and all went down with a crash to the floor. Our green pet was much fright- ened, but not Spooky. He merely hopped a foot or two away from the disaster and watched Nikko being gentled into calm. A favorite gesture of love was that of standing directly at my feet, sometimes on them, and there he made constant conversation with little “tweets” in answer to my words of endearment. Just as long as I was willing the conversation would continue with the only sounds he was ever heard to utter. Without doubt the human voice was of delight to him. Weeks swept by and we were coming into September and with September the family planned accordingly to leave camp. But there was the question of Spooky. Would he migrate with the other birds or remain to haunt the vacated camp ? During the summer the story of Spooky had been broadcast a few times and his life history with us had been written up for the Audubon Society, so it was natural that owners of bird sanctuaries knew of him and offers to care for him during the winter came to us. It was finally arranged that THE CHAT 19 he should go to a well known bird sanctuary in Connecticut, where he would be well tended and carefully watched. September 7th was set to leave our haven of the simple life, and the day before the little maid had announced early in the morning as she arrived from the village that no Spooky had been near the kitchen door to welcome her. There was great consternation in the family’s midst; breakfast was left to grow cold and a quick search was made for our friend. And here our remarkable story ends — the telling of a short life devoted to mankind. On the step at the back of the porch lay our Spooky, his ever active body stilled. The top of the dear little inquisitive head had been cruelly bitten into and Spooky had died without a member of his family at hand to ward off the murderer. This was the recognized method of work by killer Weasel and as one young grandson said with a frank break in his voice, “Spooky always wanted to be friends with everyone and he probably hopped down to kiss that weasel!” No loved friend or kinfolk was ever more tenderly laid to rest. Into a small silk-lined box we looked and realized, for the first time of the friendship, that Spooky was motionless. Scientists have written of both animals and birds which were wholly without fear of mankind, but Spooky had more than lack of fear. He was a small bundle of active feathers possessed of great loving heart ; a heart full of love for all living, but in particular for his adopted human family. The Bald Eagle James Hutchins, Winclom The Bald Eagle, ornithological emblem of our independence and sover- eignty, has always excited the awe and admiration of people from the dim past until now. We continue to endow it with power, courage, and majesty, and acclaim it the king of birds. It or other members of the great family of Eagles are found in almost all parts of the earth. There are probably forty or more species. Two varie- ties, the Bald and the Golden, are frequently seen in the United States and Canada. The largest and one of the fiercest of the family is the Harpy of Mexico and South America, the “winged wolf,” a name given by the Indians because of its raids on colonies of monkeys. Eight separate varieties have been observed in Palestine alone. For the past six thousand years the Eagle has had more symbolic attri- butes than any other bird in the world. It was the emblem of the Sumerian City of Lagash during the third millennium before the Christian era, for it was engraved on the tablets and the seals of the leaders and was carried as a military standard by the army. Likewise, on the seal of the king of Ur was an Eagle. It was also used in douhle-headed form in Hittite art, and it adorned the coins of the Mohammedans and the flags of the Turkoman princes. 20 THE CHAT By act of the Continental Congress, June 20, 1782, the Bald Eagle was officially made our national bird emblem and it was formally launched at the time of President Washington’s first inauguration, April 30, 1789, in New York City. The choice, however, was not entirely unanimous. Benjamin Franklin, one of the dissenters, put forth the claims of the Wild Turkey, asserting that the bird chosen was a coward, often chased by the Kingbird, and that it got its living by robbing the Osprey. The image of the Bald Eagle is engraved on the coat of arms of the Great Seal of the United States; it appears on the President’s flag and on many of our coins, as well as on those of many foreign countries. Probably the life history of the Bald Eagle is as interesting and unique as that of any other bird anywhere in the wTorld. The sight of it, whether perching on a high cleft or tree, “screaming defiance at the storm, or dash- ing like a meteor” on its prey, is sure to arrest attention. In its family life, the eagle is monogamous, that is, when a pair mate they dwell in true conjugal fidelity until one dies, whereupon the one sur- viving chooses a new companion. They travel in pairs, not in flocks. In defense of their eyries they attack any foe, bird, beast or human being. Nesting time comes early in the spring. The sight chosen for the eyrie is usually a high cleft or a tall tree. The material used is sticks of con- siderable size, roots and plant fibers. As a rule, two pale white eggs are laid. The period of incubation, in wffiich both sexes share the responsi- bility, lasts about thirty days. As fish constitute the greater part of the food, the eyrie is generally located near water. Some birds and animals are also eaten. Young eagles remain in the nest about two and one-half months. They are ravenous eaters and keep both parents busy searching for food. They have four separate plumages by the time they have reached full adulthood: first, a light downy; then, a dark (when they are often called Black Eagles) ; next, a grayish (when they are called Gray Eagles) ; and lastly, the reddish or reddish-brown with the exception of the white neck, head, and tail feathers — the full dress of the mature bird. The bill and the feet of the adult are yellow. It is well to note that an eagle one year old is heavier and has a greater wingspread than one that has reached full maturity, and that the female is larger and has a greater spread of wings than the male, as is common among predators generally. One of the most remarkable characteristics of this bird is its sight. It has been known to see its prey at least two miles away. A very careful study of Bald Eagles was made at Vermilion, Ohio, by Francis H. Herrick and other ornithologists for a period of many decades. A huge nest was built in the top of a large hickory. Year after year, for a period of thirty-five years, one nest was superimposed on another until the cone-shaped structure was twelve feet high and eight and one-half feet across at the top. Finally, the tree, becoming worm-eaten, fell, a great mass of material estimated to weigh two tons. The remains gave a clue THE C H A T 21 to the food habits of this notable group of birds. On examination of the debris no bones of animals bigger than those of a rabbit or chicken were found. Tall Tales About Eagles Much local lore deals with the predatory habits of the eagle. (A. C. Bent Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey, part I, says “Stories of eagles carrying off babies or small children are probably exaggerated or imaginary,” p. 330. “But the eagle is a powerful bird and can probably lift an object of its own weight; one has been known to carry a lamb over a distance of five miles,” p. 346. H. H. Brimley’s records of eagles, pre- pared for the N. C. Museum, set the weight as 8-10 pounds. — Ed.) About a century ago it was related that a Bald Eagle seized a baby lying on a quilt in a field near Erwin, Tennessee, where a family was hoeing corn, and carried it high into a shelf of a cleft. In an attempt to rescue the child a man was let down from the top of the rock by means of a cotton rope. The Eagle flew at the man. He, striking at the big bird with an open knife, cut two of the three strands of the rope. As the account goes, the man was so scared that his hair turned white. The man was saved from his precarious position but the baby was lost. The Neiv York Times of October 24, 1937, gave a graphic account of an eagle’s attempt to carry off a colored girl. The attack was made by an eagle of enormous size on a thirteen-year-old Negro girl who was pick- ing cotton on the Ed Syper’s farm about thirty miles north of Austin, Texas. The bird seized the girl with its claws and attempted to carry her off. Hearing her screams, a picker came to her rescue and beat off the Eagle with a pair of cotton scales. It kept up the fight, however, until it was killed with a gun. Birds and The Early Cherokee Eddie W. Wilson, Cary According to the myths and superstitions of the early Cherokee, the birds of North Carolina once upon a time possessed human characteristics: bravery and timidity, modesty and vanity, generosity and greediness, strength and weakness, wisdom and cunning. There were good and evil spirits among them. With perfect equality they mingled with man ; they spoke his language. Birds were said to cause diseases by the flapping of their wings, thus “fanning” the malady into the body of an individual. Revengeful bird ghosts often entered people; bird shadows falling upon a person could cause disease; and one should never keep bird feathers about the house. How- ever, there was one exception to this last belief : a buzzard feather placed over a door would keep out witches. The buzzard was also thought to be powerful against contagious diseases. In treating wounds the medicine 22 THE CHAT was blown through a buzzard’s quill, and some of the down was laid on the spot. The eagle, the great sacred bird of the Cherokee, could be killed only by the professional eagle killer. The killing of an eagle to obtain its feath- ers for decorative and ceremonial purposes was a vastly important event. This could take place only in the winter or the late fall after the crops had been gathered lest a frost would come to destroy the corn. The eagle was of such importance that it is known to have had a part in treaties of a later day. For instance, in 1730, when in confirmation of the words of their treaty acknowledging the sovereignty of England, the English and the Cherokee exchanged gifts — five eagle tails and four scalps for a quantity of guns, ammunition, and red paint. The eagle figured prominently in cere- monial ritual, especially in all things relating to war. Owls have long been supposed to portend strange things ; and the Chero- kee said that owls were ghosts or disguised witches, their cry being consid- ered an evil omen. On the other hand, the friendly and industrious chicka- dee with its cheery notes was greatly beloved. If it sang in a tree close to the house, this was the sign that a message would soon come from a friend. Outstanding among the festivals of the early Cherokee was the Green Corn Dance, the yearly Thanksgiving celebration. One of the most inter- esting dances of this festival was the Pheasant Dance. Here the dancers beat the ground with their feet in imitation of the drumming sound made by the pheasant. The Cherokee accounts for the dance in this way: One winter the birds and animals suffered greatly from famine. Not even a nut or acorn was to be found. Finally they were on the verge of starvation when a pheasant found a holly tree loaded with red berries. He called his bird friends and they formed a circle about the tree, singing, dancing, and drumming with their wings in token of their great joy. Aids To Amateurs C. S. Brim ley, Raleigli LEARN TO RECOGNIZE A BIRD BY ITS HABITS Did you know that every species of birds has its own peculiar ways just as do humans? You can often tell which species it is merely by its methods of dying, walking, hopping, feeding, or singing fully as well as you can identify a species by its own peculiar song. Nor are any two species of birds exactly the same size, shape, or build. A vireo may often be distinguished from a warbler when hunting for insects by the fact that it proceeds more slowly and usually looks up for its prey, while a warbler looks down or straight ahead. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet flutters its wings more than a Golden-crowned and is often found singly in bushes along streams while a Golden-crowned usually roams the woods in company with many others of its own kind. THE CHAT 23 A Worm-eating Warbler will sometimes travel up or about the trunk and limbs of trees, just as does a Black and White Warbler or a nuthatch. Also it is fond of pecking at bunches of leaves webbed together, or stuck in the crotch of a limb, looking for insect larva or a spider cocoon. A Crow can often be distinguished from a hawk at a great distance by the fact that the flight of the Crow is like a man rowing a boat very rapidly. Our two vultures can easily be distinguished in (light by the gracefully bent wing tip of the Turkey and its slow wingbeat, whereas the wing of the Black is kept stiff, is rounded rather than tapered, and its wingbeat is very rapid. Questions and Answers Phillips Russell ax'd Fremont Shepherd, Jr., Chapel Hill What makes certain birds fight their reflections in window panes and mirrors t The male of the species is likely to do this as the mating and nesting season develops. It is an expression of his instinct to set aside a territory for himself and mate. He fights the reflection because it looks like an intruding male. We have seen Robins and Cardinals doing this in the spring. A Cedar Waxwing was found March 7th on the ground under a privet hedge, apparently half dead. In a few hours he was well and gone. Can you explain? Very likely it was “glutton’s misery.” In the late winter waxwings on occasions devour berries till they can hold no more. Possibly their tendency to pass berries from mouth to mouth is due to each bird being too full to hold another. On cleaning out my three wren boxes this spring I found tivo filled with twigs while only the third had been used. The boxes are probably too close together. When the occupying pair came in they tried to secure the territory by plugging up the extra boxes and thus keep other wrens out. Or, it may be that, like the Long-billed Marsh Wrens, the male had a lot of energy which he used up in making dummy nests. We thought we heard a Whip-poor-will on March 15th. Isn’t this early? Yes, the earliest date given in Birds of North Carolina is March 16 at Raleigh, and March 19 at Chapel Hill. However, the birds winter from South Carolina southward and are likely to migrate quite early. 24 THE CHAT How Many Kinds of Birds Can Be Observed In One Day? 1 here may be little scientific value in the answer to this question, but it is an interesting game to the ordinary human. The maximum numbers cannot be had on a Christmas Bird Count, for then you get only the perma- nent residents and the winter visitors. However, late in April or early in May bird life reaches a peak with a few of the winter visitors still lingering on, the migrants passing through, together with the summer visitors and the permanent residents in the midst of nesting and caring for young. Below are tabulated some of the efforts in North Carolina and neighboring states. Date Localiti/ Species Observers April 22, 1909 Raleigh 62 F. Sherman and C. S. Brimley April 25! 1916 Raleigh 63 F. Sherman and C. S. Brimley April 21, 1924 Raleigh 72 Sherman, Brimley, L. H. Snyder, etc. May 6, 1924 Raleigh 67 Sherman, Brimley, L. II. Snyder, etc. April 21, 1926 Raleigh 59 Brimley, Snyder, Z. P. Metcalf, Wilson April 21, 1926 Clemson, S. C. 72 Sherman and others. April 27, 1926 Raleigh 74 Brimley and Snyder. April .26, 1928 Athens, Ga. 72 Thos. D. Burleigh May 5, 1934 Chapel Hill 101 E. Odum, C. Coker, E. Taylor, A. Brecltenridge April 24, 1935 Washington. N. 1 C. 63 Joe Biggs and others May 2, 1935 Raleigh 79 Brimley, Metcalf, Bostian, Collie April 29, 1936 Raleigh 70 Brimley, Bostian, Collie, Grey May 6, 1936 Raleigh 71 Wray. Collie, Brimley, Bostian April 30, 1938 Lexington, Va. 6S Virginia Society Ornithology field trip April 29, 1939 Raleigh 89 N. C. B. C. field trip April 27, 1940 Henderson 75 N. C. B. C. field trip May 11, 1940 Harrisonburg, V a. 125 V. S. O. field trip May 10, 1941 Roanoke, Va. 81 V. S. O. field trip Our Two Vultures C. S. Brimley, Raleigh Only two species of vulture occur within North Carolina: the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. They belong to the family Cathartidae , which occurs only in America. Our vultures are no kin to the vultures I knew as a young boy in England, because the Old World vultures are related to the hawks and eagles of America. After coming to America I had to change my names for vultures, for the birds which I had known by that name belong to the genus Buteo, of which our two commonest species are the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. The vultures differ from other birds of prey in various points of internal anatomy, and at least in one point of external structure, namely, the per- THE CHAT 25 forated nostrils. The nostrils are broadly oval and, being perforated, one can see right through the bill from one side to the other. The Turkey Vulture is actually black, but it has so much rusty edging to its feathers that at close quarters it looks brown instead of black. The naked head and upper neck is red in adults, but dusky in immature birds. The total length from tip of bill to tail is about two feet six inches, and the spread of the wings about six feet; the birds weigh from four to five pounds. The most notable characteristic of the Turkey Vulture is its power of soaring apparently indefinitely at any height without flapping its wings. Aviators study the flight of these birds to gain ideas about flying planes, and gliders. You often see the bird circling around in great spirals, rising in height all the time, and never flapping his wings. This is done by the bird getting into a rising current of air which lifts him upward. Glider pilots are able to do some of the same thing at times, but they have difficulty in locating the rising currents, whereas the vulture can feel the movement upward of an air stream in his wing feathers. The vulture rises from the ground by merely rising up on his legs as high as possible, taking a step or two, then a flap or so of his wings, and oft he goes sailing along easily, with the wing usually bent backward at the tip or wrist joint. While sailing it is gracefulness itself, but on the ground the unwieldly wings make its movements awkward in the extreme. Its usual occupation is to sail just above the tops of trees or bushes, looking for some small piece of carrion or offal or any dead animal that may be left around. While sailing low it continually turns its head from side to side, looking for food, and the bird is continually swaying from side to side, tilting its wings a little differently all the time. In this way the bird can quarter a field in a brief time and pick out any dead snake or rabbit that may be there. Apparently the way in which large numbers of vultures are attracted to dead bodies of animals is by one bird seeing the carcass and dropping down towards it, whereupon every vulture within sight follows that one down ; other birds see these moving in toward the feast, and soon there is a converging host of birds. This species nests in a mere depression in the ground beneath some sort of slight shelter, such as: the trunk or limbs of a fallen tree, or a large boulder, a hollow stump, or the hollow base of a tree. Two nests in North Carolina have been found in deserted buildings. One of these was found by Tom Odum, of Chapel Hill, in a deserted house on May 8, 1941, and were observed by him from that date, when it contained eggs, until the young were nearly full grown on July 27th. The other one was discovered by W. H. Boyce in Anson County on May 3, 1941, on the floor of a deserted house fourteen inches above ground. This is the only one noted which was not on the ground, except one noted by my brother and me in a hollow stump, April 28, 1888. The eggs are large and handsomely marked and are usually laid in April or May right on the ground, as no nest is constructed. The eggs are said 26 THE CHAT to take a month to hatch and the young to take twice that long to leave the nest. One nesting site was occupied for three successive years — presum- ably by the same pair, and another site for two years. The young are covered with white down. In this group of birds the syringeal muscles — those that work the vocal organs — are said to be absent. The only sounds I have heard the adults make was an occasional low hiss while we were taking their eggs. How- ever, the young must have some sort of muscles for they can emit the most awful combination of noises, hisses and growls. Turning now to our second species, the Black Vulture; this is also a black bird, and it looks black, even the head and neck are black. The only parts not black are the shafts of the primary quills, which are white as are also the underside of the outer part of those feathers. Thus the bird shows a whitish tip on the underside of the wings in flight, and the feet also show whitish against the black body. It is smaller than the Turkey Vulture: the total length is around two feet, and the spread of wings around five feet. Also the wings are proportionately smaller in relation to the body, for the Black Vulture is large-bodied and weighs up to six pounds. The smaller wing area and heavy body prevent it sailing with the ease of the Turkey Vulture. Although it too can ascend with a current of air with- out flapping, yet on a straight flight it alternates sailing with several very rapid strokes of the wings. These strokes are so rapid as to easily distin- guish it at a distance from the other species. Also, the wings are always extended straight from the body, giving a stiff appearance, in contrast to the graceful bend of the wrist joint of the Turkey Vulture. The large body and smaller wings prevent the Black Vulture from sail- ing low over the bushes and looking for small bits of food, as the Turkey can do. The Black keeps well up in the air. Alexander Sprunt commented on the absence of Blacks on the Eastern Shore of Virginia a few years ago when he was conducting Audubon Tours to Cobb’s Island, and he won- dered why they should be absent. The answer is probably in their limita- tion of flight, for since they cannot sail low over the woods as do the Turkeys, they must cover more territory to find the same amount of food, and they must depend more upon large carcasses. Therefore, on the penin- sula which is Eastern Shore a Black Vulture would have to cover most of the whole area to find food for one day. The Black probably nests a little earlier than the Turkey, and eggs have been found in this State from March 27 to June 21. However, nests have been found only in three counties: Wake, Orange, and Chatham. This is not because it does not nest elsewhere, but because we have not had ob- servers interested in reporting nests in the other counties. The Turkey Vulture has been reported nesting from only nine of the one hundred counties of the State, namely: Anson, Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Orange, and Wake. We need additional data here. It seems to prefer to nest in a thicket, often under some slight shelter, as does the Turkey. Like its cousin, it makes no nest and lays only THE CHAT 27 two eggs, more lightly spotted than the Turkey. The young are covered with yellowish down rather than white, as with the Turkey. The Black Vulture seems to be gregarious at all times except when breeding, and the Turkey Vulture seems to be gregarious only when roosting. The two birds possess distinct and different odors. The 1'urkey always gives me the idea that it is just starting to go bad, while the Black has a wild but not especially unpleasant smell. In testimony of my slight author- ity on these birds, I cite the fact that I have put up twenty-five skins of vultures : eleven of these adult Blacks, and seven adults and seven nestlings of the Turkey. The fledglings ranging from small young to nearly grown specimens. I have also taken at least twenty-four sets of eggs, and there- fore I know what I am talking about when I say I had rather handle a Black Vulture than a Turkey Vulture. A Curious Habit of The Downy Woodpecker Chas. C. West, Tryon The Downy Woodpecker shows a certain puzzling habit in feeding on suet in our yard in Tryon. About twelve feet from the living room win- dow is a feeding station : an eight-foot locust post on which is a tray con- taining finely cracked corn and sunflower seed. In the post just below the tray shallow holes have been bored with a one-inch bit and short pegs have been driven into the post just below these holes and to one side. The holes are kept packed with suet and the perches are for the warblers, kinglets, chickadees, and White-throated Sparrows. Several pairs of Downies feed on the suet each day. Their habit being to tuck their suet-filled bills into their breast feathers while pecking at the suet in the holes. Subsequent to this tucking of their bills into their breast feathers, small particles of suet are sometimes noticeable on their breasts. Whether larger pellets of suet are thus hoarded by the birds for future consumption, or this tucking action is merely a method of cleaning the bill, or is an effort to dislodge some annoying parasite is undetermined. Another explanation might possibly be that the downies are attempting to make their breast feathers water repellant by thus coating them with the oil in the suet. For it is apparent from the way they huddle up under the overhang of the feeding tray or under a large limb on the leeward side of a tree when a sudden shower comes that they despise to get their breast feathers wet. Perhaps some reader has also observed this interesting trait of the Downies and has another explanation therefor. 28 THE CHAT American Egrets Nesting In March Bill Iveziail, Southport In Birds of Norfh Carolina I notice that the earliest recorded appearance of the American Egrets in this State was on April 7, 1927. Cadet Billy Bragaw of the Naval Air Corps, now at home awaiting orders to report at some advanced training field, was over at the rookery on Battery Island, March 23, 1943. He reported that there were from 75 to 100 American Egret nests. He looked into perhaps fifty of them and in every case, except two, there was the full quota of three eggs. The two exceptions each had two eggs. In addition to the egrets being present in great numbers, Billy reported many Great Blue Herons. As far as that goes, I saw both the herons and egrets as long as two weeks before, while down in the marsh catching minnows for bass fishing. Then, on Monday, March 15th, I was at Orton in company with Garland B. Porter and Ben M. Patrick of the State News Agency. At that time I noticed great numbers of the American Egrets in the old rice fields. * * * # C. S. Brimley says the April 7 date above was a stray bird at Raleigh and the information from Keziah and Bragaw is much help. Upon investiga- tion, it is probable that the March dates for eggs of American Egrets is about what we should expect. A party of us found young egrets in the nest May 2, 1939, and as the incubation period is 28 days, and also the birds were several days old, it would be evident that the eggs from which those young were hatched had been laid in late March or early April. It is to be hoped that someone will check on the arrival of the egrets around the Battery Island and also learn the earliest dates at which eggs are to be found. It would also be of help if someone in this region would give us an accu- rate report as to the earliest date of the ospreys, for the earliest date which we have is March 5 and the bird was seen at Raleigh, whereas Cape Henry, Virginia, reports ospreys this year on February 11. We also need information as to when the first Water Turkey and when the Painted Buntings arrive. Information from the region around South- port would add much to our number of bird life within the State. Nesting Notes On The Osprey and American Egret and Other Bird Notes From Southport By Roxie Collie Simpson An April 2, 1943, Billy Bragaw, Douglas Jones, Southport’s only Eagle Scout, and I set out for Orton Pond to investigate the Osprey nests. Along the road from Southport to Orton we saw Goldfinches, Blue Jays, Chipping Sparrows, White-throats, Mockingbird, Flicker, Chickadee, Osprey, Blue- birds, two Shrikes, Turkey Vulture, Tufted Tit, and Juncos. In the tops THE C H A T 29 of the trees near Orton Pond dam, Yellow-throated, Pine, Parula, and Myrtle Warblers were flitting about. We then cut across the woods to get to the boathouse. A White-breasted Nuthatch was calling; soon it came into view. Then came a call much different from any of the Wood- peckers I had ever heard. We followed the call and found the bird to be none other than a Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Four were observed; also Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. On the pond were six female Wood Ducks and eight Coots. As we approached the Osprey nests, the Ospreys began flying oft; soon they were circling overhead uttering their shrill whistling cry, which Billy thought was a rather picayunish call for a bird so imposing. On March 31, Billy and Mr. W. B. Keziah had found a nest with two eggs in it. When we looked in the nest that afternoon, it contained three eggs. There were about fifty nests distributed over the lower end of the pond, varying in height above the water from a few feet to fifteen or twenty feet. One nest was placed so low on a stump that the water came to within a foot of the top of the nest. On the way back we added Dove, a Hermit Thrush, Red-winged Blackbirds, Purple Martin, and Crow to the list. On March 22, Billy went over to Battery Island and found that the American Egrets had built their nests and had begun laying. He also saw Oyster-catchers and twenty-five or thirty Willets that day. Saturday morning, April 3, Bobby Jones, next in line for Eagle at Southport, joined us and we rowed over to the Island to look over the colony. A strong north wind was blowing, and it was cold. We climbed up to a number of the nests, finding that most of them contained two or three eggs, while three nests had one egg each and two had four eggs each. The nests, made of sticks and placed in the tops of the cedars and yaupons, were so loosely built that often the eggs could be seen from below. Thirty- six nests and one hundred and twenty-five egrets were counted. The plumes from one bird were seen hanging from a limb near the top of a cedar. Douglas Jones climbed the tree to find that the ends of the plumes, knotted and tangled together, had caught on a small branch so that when the bird flew it had to part with its adornment. The majority of the egrets were standing in three groups on the marsh. Ten Snowy Egrets and a number of Black-crowned Night Herons were among the group. There were at least twenty-five Night Herons scattered about the marsh. Two Great Blues, two Little Blues and one Louisiana were also observed. At the far end of the Island was a flock of two hun- dred or more Black Skimmers, a smaller flock of about fifty was on a shoal near the waterfront at Southport. Mr. W. B. Keziah writes that Billy Bragaw and Douglas Jones were at Battery Island on April 16. They found four Young American Egrets in one nest and two dead young in another. The Fish Crows were appar- ently at their usual destructive tactics. On the following day they went to Orton Pond. In the Osprey nests we looked into on April 2, they found four eggs. Other low nests con- tained three and four eggs. 30 THE CHAT A Hobby For Stability [From The Living Museum, Illinois State Museum, Springfield, Illinois.] Virginia S. Eifert, Editor Every day, said Mrs. Roosevelt, one should spend a little time out of doors. For one cannot worry too much over war and its effects on nations and families without soon feeling the strain in sleeplessness, nervousness, illness, and the loss of that precious possession, the sense of security. There must be a substitution for worry. Something to replace it — escape, some call it. It is not intended as an escape from responsibility and sacrifice, when such are called for, but rather to take the sting out of such trials and soften the blows before and after they fall. Today’s recreation tends toward simplicity, toward things which are of the spirit, things with the strength and charm which are found in nature. The out-door hobby is the solution to many war-weary minds. To be out under the sky, if only for an hour a day, to walk into a park or along streets and gardens, offers an invaluable balm to worry. Perhaps it is only in learning the friendly forms of trees on one’s way home from work — in hearing a cardinal sing — yet this is something strong to take the place of uncertainty and fear. Perhaps this is why the British have been able to come through sanely, with banners of courage flying. They still go out and collect butterflies, or flowers, some of them, or shells along the sea, when there isn’t a raid on. There are Britons today who, oddly enough, still find time to write books on the birds of Cornwall or Devon or the Channel Islands, and there are still a great many Britons who read such books and enjoy them. In these small, yet important things, they have found substitutes for worry. That is why this year’s annual Christmas bird census, taken by bird observers over the entire country, from Quebec to Key West, from Cape May to Alaska, was larger than ever before in its history. Three weeks after Pearl Harbor, more than 2,400 people in America went out for birds, with 48 states represented for the first time in the entire 42-year history of the census. It is true that in many places the bird observers were thought by the jittery populace to be spies and saboteurs with their binoculars, notebooks, and generally suspicious actions, but the census went on, and was a great success. These bird-watchers were finding a stabilizing satisfaction in birds which will be of good use during the days ahead. For morale is a curious thing: simple habits like watching birds and clouds and stars and hearing frogs in spring can strengthen it for our own deep good. The Museum stands ready with sympathy for all interests and help in such pursuits. Because the Museum is a cross-section of life, whether it is that of nature or of men, life as it is today is the better understood and explained through the museum’s assistance. It shows things from far away as well as things that are around us. It is an open door to developing a hobby, to a better understanding of the world — of life and the thrilling present — and it belongs to you. Use it! THE C H A T 31 Boone Becomes A Bird Sanctuary The town of Boone was proclaimed a Municipal Bird Sanctuary, April 2, 1943, by Mayor W. H. Gragg, and the City Council : Dr. G. K. Moose, Chairman, D. L. Wilcox and Kenneth Linney. The action resulted from a petition from the Boone Nature Club, pre- sented at a regular meeting, by Mrs. W. M. Burwell, Chairman, Mrs. Joe Crawford, Mrs. J. A. W. Davis, Mrs. Mack Luttrell, Mrs. Edna T. Robertson, Miss Elizabeth Lord, W. Hall Smith and Walter T. Edmin- ston, Game Warden for Watauga County. It is now a misdemeanor for any one to molest or kill a bird within the City Limits. It is also a Federal fine of one hundred dollars to kill a songbird. The Mayor appointed Mrs. W. M. Burwell and W. Hall Smith to purchase, design, and erect appropriate markers on each entrance of the main highways into the city. Boone, the ninth town in the State to become a Bird Sanctuary, is situ- ated near Grandfather Mountain, soon to become a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its elevation is 3,333 feet and its scenery is unsurpassed. The Southern representative of the National Audubon Society, Alex Sprunt, Jr., spent some time here last summer and was amazed at the various birds unknown to us found here. He said: “Boone could become a bird mecca of interest to Audubon Society people and bird clubs.” The Boone Nature Club co-operates with the Watauga Game Warden and the State Bird Club. Mrs. W. M. Burwell. Field Notes and News TENNESSEE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY : With Editor Ben Coffey in the Army, The Migrant is being edited by Dr. Albert F. Ganier, of Nashville, who has had a lot to do with making the T. O. S. a strong state organization, and their bulletin one of the best state publications. They have issued a helpful field guide of Tennessee birds on a 3 x 5 card, listing the birds in alphabetical order and leaving room for brief notes so that one can use it on a trip. The North Carolina Bird Club could well follow this. EDENTON : So far as bird study is concerned, this job is perfect (Tom is in malaria control work for the Navy). I have been a poor scientist in that I have not been keeping daily records, but there has not been a day that I have not seen a number of birds. We have some good stands of upland pine woods, and a lot of gum and cypress swamps. In the swamps some of the common birds are : Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Her- mit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Woodcock, Pileated Woodpecker. On the open fields, and you remember the whole station is on the sound, there are literally thousands of Ring-billed Gulls. Marsh Hawks and blue darters are common as well as Sparrow Hawks. T. L. Quay, March 3rd. 32 THE CHAT CHARLOTTE : Mrs. E. O. Clarkson lias observed the following warblers in her garden : Black and White, Worm-eating, Blue-winged, Panda, Yellow, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Myrtle, Blackburnian, Yellow- throated, Blackpoll, Pine, Prairie, Palm, Yellow Palm, Ovenbird, Louisiana Water Thrush, Kentucky, Maryland Yellow-throat, Chat, Hooded, Canada, Redstart — 24 kinds in all. Can anybody beat it? TRYON : The great numbers of female purple finches depriving, by their fearless and pugnacious gluttony, other species of a large share of sunflower seeds set out for his resident and transient seed-eaters, the contributor has partially solved the problem — at least for the chickadees, titmice and cardi- nals— by the following procedure: Seed for the chickadees and titmice are put in a “martin” gourd, which is then hung in a white pine. Be sure to drive a perching peg just below the opening for the titmice (the chickadees will alight directly on the edge of the hole). Fill the gourd up to the level of the hole with seed the first time and these species will soon find them, and once they do so will continue to look for them in the gourd — and feed on them to the bewilderment of the finches. . . . Seed for the cardinals are simply scattered widely on the ground under some favorite and protective bush. The finches will get their share of these, it is true, but not to the absolute exclusion of the cardinals, thrashers, and towliees. Chas. C. West. New Members Mrs. A. L. Alwran, 533 Park Place, Rocky Mount. Rev. L. C. Bumgardener, 77 Edgeworth Avenue, Concord. Mrs. Turner B. Bunn, 509 Falls Road, Rocky Mount. Miss James Correll. Sullivan Road, Statesville. Miss Bessie May Cowan, Librarian. Post Service Club No. 2, Fort Bragg. Hugh Craig, 26 Franklin Ave., Con- cord. Mrs. Joe Crawford, Boone. Mrs. W. B. Daniel, Oxford Road, Hen- derson. Miss Helen Davidson, 727 Center St., Statesville. Mrs. O. O. Efird. 300 West End Blvd., Winston-Salem. Miss Nena B. Gaither, 14 Courtlaud Place, Reidsville. Miss Rugli Gilratli, Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Raymond Kaighn, 408 S. Mendenhall Street, Greensboro. Pfc. George Kent, Post Telegraph Of- fice, Camp MacKall. Hoffman. Mrs. E. S. Ivoon, 185 Kimberly Ave., Asheville. Librarian, Post Service Club, Camp Davis. Librarian, Post Service Club, Camp Sutton. Mrs. Mack Luttrell, Box 294, Boone. Mrs. Ben H. Neville. Miss Frances Newsome, Box 141, Roa- noke Rapids. Cameron Mae Rae, N. Union St., Con- cord. Miss Grace Robson, Samarcand Manor, Eagle Springs. Miss Wilhelmina Shull, N. C. O. Hos- pital. Gastonia. Mrs. C. E. Siceloff, 539 Parkway, High Point. W. II. Smith, Box 254, Boone. Third Grade, Burton Grove School, c/o Mrs. Russell M. Seay, Leaks- ville. Third Grade, c/o Miss Bessie Craw- ford. Blowing Rock. James C. Tilghman, Box 368, Weldon. U. S. Army Hospital Library, Sey- mour Johnson Field. U. S. Army Hospital Library, Camp Butner, Durham. U. S. Army Hospital Library, Cherry Point. U. S. Army Hospital Library, Fort Bragg. Tom Zopf, 116% S. Mendenhall, Greensboro. SUPPORTING MEMBER Miss Clara Hearne, Roanoke Rapids. Officers of The North Carolina Bird Club President — H. H. Briniley, State Museum, Raleigh. Eastern Vice-President — Miss Clara Hearne, Roanoke Rapids. Central Vice-President — Mrs. O. F. Jensen, Chapel Hill. Western Vice-President — Henry Magie, Winston-Salem. Secretary — Mrs. Roxie C. Simpson, State Museum, Raleigh. Treasurer — Ralph F. W. Brimley, 1403 Madison Ave., Greensboro. Execu tive C o in wit tee men — Mrs. Edwin O. Clarkson, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. A. D. Shaftesbury, Woman’s College, U. N. C., Greensboro. Editor — John Grey, State College Station, Raleigh. Local Clubs and Their Officers Arden, Rosscraggon Wood, Inc.: P — Major V. M. Shell, Arden; V-P — Mrs. H. B. Swope, Skyland; S-T — H. B. Swope, Skyland. Blowing Rock, Blowing Rock Audubon Club. Boone, Boone Nature Club: P — Mrs. J. A. W. Davis; S-T — Mrs. Josie Hyatt Burwell; Field Director — W. H. Smitte. Chapel Hill Bird Club: No organization, but see Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Jensen; Phillips Russell; Fremont Shepherd; and Tom Odum. Charlotte, Mecklenburg Audubon Club : P — O. L. Barringer, Charlotte ; V-P — W. T. Hopkins; S — Mrs. Richard Myers; T — Charles Wal- ker, Jr. Concord, Rex Brasher Bird Club. Durham, Duke-Durham Bird Club: P — Miss Bertha Hopkins; S-T — Mrs. M. W. Johnson. Greensboro, Piedmont Bird Club: P — Robert L. Wolff; V-P — Mrs. R. D. Douglas; S — Mrs. Edith L. Settan; T — Charles Swart. Henderson Bird Club: P — Miss Marcel Gary; V-P — Mrs. IT. Leslie Perry; S-T — Miss Lillian Massenburg. Hickory Bird Club: P — Dr. H. A. Althouse; V-P — Weston Clinard ; S-T — Mrs. George E. Bisanar. Lenoir Audubon Club: P — Mrs. C. S. Warren; V-P — R. T. Greer; S-T— M iss Helen Myers. Raleigh Bird Club: P — Robert Overing; V-P — Miss Margaret Habel ; S-T — Mrs. R. C. Simpson. Salisbury Bird Club. Southern Pines Bird Club: P — Mary Keller Wintyen ; V-P & S — Miss Louise Haynes; T & Rec. Sec. — Miss Norma Shiring. Statesville Audubon Club. Trvon Bird Club: P — G. H. Holmes. Washington, Bughouse Laboratory: P — Sally Bogart; S-T — Elizabeth Shelton ; Director, Joe Biggs. Winston-Salem Bird Club: P — James Stephenson; V-P — William H. Chance: S — Bill Anderson; Asst. S — Henry Magie. A Good Work ★ Birds of North Carolina Donated to Public Libraries and Institutions. If you know of others, please let us know. Camp Butner Library Camp Butner Marine Camp Library Cherry Point Camp Davis Library Camp Davis Marine Barracks Library New River Spring Area Service Club Fort Bragg U. S. O. Library Raleigh Ocracoke High School Library Ocracoke Beaufort Public Library Beaufort University (Permanent) Carolina Room Chapel Hill Pineland Junior College Salemburg Donated by Harry T. Davis, Raleigh Post Service Club, No. 2 Fort Bragg Post Service Club Camp Davis Post Service Club Camp Sutton Library, Seymour- Johnson Field Goldsboro Donated by Statesville Audubon Club Rocky Mount Public Library Rocky Mount Donated by Mrs. Rosa D. Bulluck, Rocky Mount Farmville High School Library Farmville Donated by Mrs. Roxie Collie Simpson, Raleigh In many of these camps there are as many as six libraries. Here is your opportunity. The State Museum, Raleigh will give special rate for such gifts to libraries if the order is for four or more copies. The Chat BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB VOL VII MAY, 1943 No. 3 PUBLISHED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB At State College Station Raleigh, N. C. The Chat Bulletin of the North Carolina Bird Club JOHN GREY, JR., Editor C. S. BRIMLEY, Associate Editor State College Station N. C. Department of Agriculture Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh, N. C. “North Carolina was the first of the Southern States to take an active stand in the matter of preserving its wild bird and animal resources.” Entered as second-class matter April 8, 1941 at the post office Kaleigh, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published five times a year on the fifteenth of January, March, May, September, and November as the official organ of the North Carolina Bird Club. Articles for publication should reach the Editor by the first of the month in which the issue is published. Notifi- cation of change of address or of lost copies should also be sent to the Editor. Price of the bulletin, fifty cents per annum. Fifty cents of the annual membership dues is paid as a year’s subscription to THE CHAT. VOL. VII MAY, 1943 No. 3 CONTENTS PAGE A State Bird — The Cardinal 33 An Indian Legend of the Red Bird 35 Birds in My Garden 36 A Strange Interlude 37 Spring Notes from the Mountains 38 Crows 39 Reynolda Sanctuary 40 Birds Rebuild When Nest Is Destroyed 41 Newton Becomes a City Sanctuary 44 Field Notes and News 45 In Memoriam 48 Officers of N. C. Bird Club Inside back cover Local Clubs and Their Officers Inside back cover THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Headquarters in the North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh. Organized March 6, 1937, for the study and protection of our birds. Member- ship is open to those interested in this work, and is divided into four classes : Members, who pay dues of $1.00 per year ; Sustaining Members, dues of $5.00 a year; Contributing Members, dues of $25.00 a year; Life Members, one lump sum of $100.00. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to the Treas- urer: Ralph Brimley, 11 Springdale Court. Greensboro. At Last, A State Bird — The Cardinal Charlotte Hilton Green, Ilaleigh The children of the State have spoken, and their choice in the poll for a State bird was made. The Cardinal was elected. All in all, it is a good choice. Except for the fact that it is not exclusively our own State bird, it meets all requirements. Personally, 1 have no objection whatever to the fact that Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky also liked it well enough to name it their state bird. Why not share good things? We share the blue sky above. Does it make it any less blue — or beautiful ? We share the stars that make glorious our nights. We hold in common the flowers of the fields, the wind that whispers through the trees, the orchestration of the insects without which the nights of summer would seem strangely lonely. Yes, the Cardinal is a good choice. First, because the children of the State should come before all else, and the littlest child can soon learn to recognize a Cardinal — if only to call it the redbird. And if winged friend- ships come in late years, when new interests are needed to add zest to a jaded outlook, what more colorful, fascinating, or easy-to-know bird than the Cardinal to start off on this quest of bird-lore? Surely the Cardinal will flash the way to these new paths to be trod. He may begin it by choosing your yard for his territory, and his ashes-of-roses lady, in selecting the site for her nest may come to your rose-arbor, or your shrubbery, or your apple tree by the window, as a most desirable spot to raise her brown- ish, washed-with-rose babies. And there, convenient to watch, may be unfolded the whole drama of a cycle of bird life — territory, courting, mating, nesting, parenthood. Even more than that, for while the lady picks out another site for her second brood, you might have the further privilege of observing how very seriously the male Cardinal, who may previously have seemed quite a swash-buckling young winged dandy — takes his paternal responsibilities. No philandering for him, as there is with that feathered Lothario, the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird, who may be rollicking along some other gay-flowered way while his forgotten mate is incubating, rearing her young, protecting them, all unassisted by him. No indeed, such gross selfishness is not Papa Cardi- nal’s way of life. He is settled down now ; he has sown whatever wild oats he had to sow, and from now on he is a most respected and responsible citizen of Birddom. A Rosary of Memories Perhaps all of us who are bird-minded have precious bird pictures strung along a rosary of memory. I have several Cardinal pictures on mine. H ow thrilled we were over our first pair of Cardinals in Raleigh! They had built in the Silver Moon rose on the Torri gateway into the garden, and the male was the most devoted one I have known. He stayed unus- ually close by, singing his heart out from some high perch, or else on the [33 1 34 T H E CHAT rim of the near-by bird bath, where he seemed to be greatly taken with his own scarlet reflection. A drink and a bath close by, surely this modern home-keeping was most convenient! And always will stay with me the memory of the first time he succeeded in coaxing his three stubby-tailed babies (she was already busy with a second nesting) to the rim of the bath. I hrowing back his head he loudly whistled the “pretty! pretty! pretty!” as if to announce to his near-by brooding spouse, “See, Mama, how smart our babies are!” Even before that, there were Cardinal pictures. I remember the very first one I ever saw. Coming down from the North to Washington, we had moved out of that crowded city of the other World War, to a little cottage in northern Virginia. We had to go on that particular day, or camp in the streets. A blizzard was raging — and I had thought I was moving to the Sunny South! We did not know how to manage the cantankerous stove that smoked — and that night the water pipes froze. The next morning was clear and bright, but still cold, and my husband had to leave on the early trolley for the new job in Washington. “Go over to the village and try and find some help” was all he could offer. But there was no help. A young bride, I was cold and lonesome — and homesick. And then, suddenly, past the window flashed a brilliant red bird, and lit on a snowy branch of pine, and lifting up his throat he broke forth in the gay whistle, “What cheer! What cheer!” And at the same time a knock at the back door and a neighbor offering to help me get settled. Surely the Cardinal was a colorful prophet of friendlier days to come ! A Black Page Handsome, brave, friendly, cheerful, a gay singer. Alas, the Cardinal’s very appearance and personality was for a time against him. For there is a black page in the story of the Cardinal, or rather in man’s relation to him, back in those benighted days when caging wild birds was considered man’s right. As for the rights of the bird — well, who ever gave that a thought ? Most of us remember reading of the tulip craze that shook Holland some centuries ago, all but bankrupting those staid and usually prosaic burghers. Apparently, though we do not know much about it, in Cuba at one time there must have been a similar craze — this time for the Cardinal bird. A certain Gemelli Careri, writing as long ago as 1699, told how, during a time of great public scarcity the Spaniards of Havana bought so many Cardinals, paying for them the large sum of ten dollars per bird, and spent the huge sum of $18,000. The caged birds were shipped to foreign countries. Shrubbery a Chosen Haunt He who would be host to Cardinals should provide the type of nesting sites they like — shrubbery, rose arbors, wild tangles, brambly thickets, low- saplings, grapevines, hedges. Often the nest is placed at a height of from three to six feet from the ground, though wre have had them over twelve THE C H A T 35 feet. The nest, of weed stems, lined with straw, sometimes with fine rootlets, contains three, sometimes four eggs, of a whitish background well covered with lavendar, purple or brownish markings, and about an inch in length. Though shrubbery is the chosen haunt, for most of his concert work the Cardinal usually prefers a more spectacular perch. And, another point in his favor, he is likely to break into song in any month of the year. "I ruly he is a bird favored by nature, for he has color, looks, disposition, and a cheery voice. Strangely enough, the equally beautiful, though more deli- cately colored female is also a singer, though hers is a softer song. An Indian Legend of the Red Bird Mrs. W. E. Stone, Lake Waccamaw There is a pretty Indian tradition, quoted as coming from a tribe which included a beautiful Indian maiden, named Ulalee or Wood Thrush. From her childhood, she seemed to have a miraculous control over birds. Instead of fearing her, they tried to attract her attention and fought for the privilege of being petted by her. Especially was this true of a brown- backed, gray-breasted bird. Ulalee had many suitors but cared for none of them, although her father had contracted her to Oneluskee, a young warrior of her tribe, but mar- riage was postponed for a year. One day in her wanderings she stopped near a spring, which was the favorite resort of this wood nymph. While seated there, a young warrior named Kanandagea, appeared. She wel- comed him with a graceful curtsy. At this spring, they met day by day and she fell in love with him. Oneluskee made no allusion to having seen her with her sweetheart, but when she told him she loved Kanandagea, he would not listen to her, and plunged his knife into her heart and left her with her heart’s blood ming- ling with the water in the little spring and discoloring it. The birds, frightened by what they saw, uttered cries of alarm, all except the bird with the brown back and gray breast. He bathed and splashed in the discolored water, red with Ulalee’s blood ; while his mate put her feet and bill in it and sprinkled a little of it on her breast and tips of her wings. This is why the male Red Bird, our Cardinal, is red all over and his mate is not. An hour later, Kanandagea came by the spring for his sweetheart and found her a bleeding corpse. He took her in his arms and carried her to the village and demanded justice before the elders. Oneluskee confessed the deed and he and Kanandagea engaged in mortal combat. Kanandagea conquered and at his request was adopted into Ulalee’s tribe. Ever after, attended by the birds she loved, he lived a hermit’s life in the forest where she had roamed. There he lived, died, and was buried, and to this day, his spirit and her spirit haunt the spring and all through the woods in spring and summer, one may hear the birds calling, “Ulalee-ee.” 36 THE CHAT Birds in My Garden Elizabeth Barnwell Clarkson, Charlotte tor years I’ve fed the birds and know which are tame and which are not. The tame Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which eat out of my hand come immediately to the terrace when they return, for the feeders on the backs of the chairs. For my garden the males return from the 12th to the 16th of April, and the females from the 14th to the 18th, but this year 1 was in the garden on the 9th and a male hummingbird came to me and fluttered a few feet in front of me and lit on a twig close by. I ran in the house and got his feeder and put it on the back of a terrace chair and he hardly waited for me to get my hands off it before drinking. Then we had some very cold weather, frosty at night, and damp, chilly days, and he sat, fluffed out over my terrace for days alone. Not another male came for about six days and the continued cold kept my garden “female-less” until the 24th, the latest they have ever been. Only two pairs came to the feeders at first, but now there are about ten. The Catbirds have returned to my garden mated on the 19th of April for eight years in succession, but this year a lone male turned up on the 10th. They usually begin to build the day they arrive or the next day. This one was by himself until the 19th. He was on the window tray when I first saw him, so I ran downstairs, got the cheese and called him and he flew down on the ground beside me to pick it up. We had intermittent cold all through April and May and it played havoc with my nestlings. The first set of Carolina Wrens left the nest April 6th and we had ice that night and none survived, but the parents began rebuild- ing on the 8th in my honeysuckle vine, of all things. That is the first time I ever had them build in a vine. A friend of mine saw the first Cape May and the first Black and White Warblers on the 10th of April and the first Bluegray Gnatcatcher on the 6th. Most of my own birds came back on their expected dates. 1 have not got out and nest hunted, but when I’ve observed them building in a certain place I’ve noted it, and these are the nests in my garden that I know — four Brown Thrasher, two Wood Thrush, two Carolina Wrens, four House Wrens, one Tufted Titmouse, one Screech Owl, one Flicker, one Downy Woodpecker, two Orchard Orioles, four Cardinals, one Blue Jay, six Robins, four Catbirds, one Chipping Sparrow, one Field Sparrow, two Towhees, making a total of 37 nests of 16 different species. Besides these, there are the following pairs of birds constantly in my garden, but 1 do not know where their nests are: three pairs Mockingbirds with young, one pair Red-eyed Vireos, one pair Goldfinches, one pair Brown-headed Nuthatches, one pair Chickadees, one pair Crested Flycatchers, three pairs Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, two pairs Mourning Doves (so tame they come to my side door every day). There were five, but one found a mate. The same five have been here all winter. T H E CHAT 37 The Pine Warblers are usually in the yard all the year round and eating off my window sill, but have deserted me in the last few weeks. The last Hock of Cedar Waxwings were seen in the garden May 27th. They usually stay with me until about June first, because I have so many berries and they won’t leave till every mulberry is gone, but my crop failed this year — the late freezes got them. Eddie found a Yellow-throated Vireo nest three weeks ago, and took me to see it, in the yard of a house he was selling. A friend saw six Lesser Scaup on his little pond 12 miles from Charlotte on May 14. Besides the birds I mentioned as being constantly in my garden, the following come occasionally and evidently have nests near-by: Wood Pewee, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Starling. I do not consider my “season” this year as very successful, as something happens to the young birds after they leave the nest and few have progressed far enough to be self-supporting, with the exception of Mockingbirds, Robins, Brown Thrashers, and Carolina Wrens. I hunted for years for a Towhee’s nest because they have always been in my garden, winter and summer, but I could never find one. Then 1 watched one building in my eleven-foot evergreen hedge around the main garden, and it was building about 7 feet from the ground. Since then I have found at least two nests a year in my garden and the closest to the ground has been five feet, nine inches. The two this year were, the first six feet seven inches, the second nine feet seven inches, both measured from top rim to ground. The books all say, “on or near the ground,” but if I have never found one on or near the ground, it surely cannot be too unusual for them to build up some distance. A student of Pettingill’s is making a special study of the Towhee, and I hope he will clear up a number of things. It is a common bird, but I do not believe it has been too well studied. A Strange Interlude Nell E. Shell, Royal Pines, Arden, N. C. One day in the latter part of June, as was our usual custom at that time of year, my husband and I took our chairs into the wild-flower garden in anticipation of a long and pleasant afternoon of watching the birds splash in the bird-baths and hop about our feet for the crumbs wThich we would scatter for them. They had learned to expect us each day and their own joy in our visits seemed no less than that we ourselves experienced. How- ever, on this particular day an unexpected turn of events interrupted our confident expectations. No sooner had we arranged our chairs and settled down in happy com- fort than all the birds in the branches near-by began suddenly to flit about in great consternation, while their little mouths stretched wide in angry screeches. We were distressed and began at once to search for the cause 38 THE CHAT of the disturbance. As we searched, all the other birds of the forest seemed drawn to the area, darting and fluttering about, and adding their own vehement protests to the din. As the noise grew louder and louder we became more and more alarmed ; in fact, I must confess that we were equally as frantic as the birds themselves seemed to be. However, I hope we were not quite as noisy. At any rate, we searched in vain while their screams mounted in ever increasing crescendo, and some of the smallest darted down as if to strike at something near the chairs, while we were beginning to fear for heart failure and high blood pressure in the birds. Then I saw upon the rustic table beside my chair the carved and painted Mexican walking cane which I had thoughtlessly placed there when we entered the garden. With its crooked handle and peculiar snake-like carvings it would have been an alarming sight to any bird association. I immediately took it away, and then, as if by magic, our little feathered friends were instantly calmed. Peace reigned and an air of happy confi- dence again was restored. Hardly able to realize that a little tragic-comedy had just been enacted before our eyes, so suddenly had it begun and so quickly ended, we breathed a sigh of relief and — with the cane safely out of sight — resumed the interrupted visit with our feathered friends. Spring Notes From the Mountains Ernest Seeman, Tumbling Creek, Tenn. These notes were made at Tumbling Creek, Tennessee, just a mile and a half from the North Carolina-Tennessee State line. Tumbling Creek is two miles from Erwin, Tenn., which is at an elevation of 1,100 feet, while the former place is 1,400 feet higher; still further up is Tennessee Bald, whose summit, across which the Tennessee-North Carolina State line passes, exceeds 5,000 feet in elevation. Tumbling Creek, where 1 live, is one of those places that would delight the ecologist, for the migrations here are not only north and south, but east and west, and up and down. The wild geese, for instance, are always moving west in the fall and east in the spring when they pass over here. The up and down movement is one of the most unusual, the Mocking- bird, for example, winters at Erwin and sings very early in spring, but we never have it at Tumbling Creek nor on Tennessee Bald. The Chipping Sparrow reaches us two weeks after it has appeared at Erwin, two miles further down, but the Water Thrush (Louisiana) hastens on here, as do many of the rarer warblers and the Scarlet Tanager, as this elevation seems to be their natural wild, bushy, cascady, forest habitat in the northern hemisphere. The English Sparrow and Starling, though common at Erwin, never come to Tumbling Creek, and in spring and fall the Juncos merely move from Tumbling Creek to Tennessee Bald, migrating a distance of only a mile and a half, as we never have them here after early May, as they go on the Bald to nest in the long grass at the edge of the cliffs and THE C H A T 39 similar places. Also their habits of singing are different here. The Junco is quite a singer here at Tumbling Creek in the spring, so unlike their winter habits at Durham and Raleigh. The Water Thrush here sings from early morn to eve, as do also the Scarlet Tanager, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, etc. It is a warbler paradise and the variety of them is wonderful. I could not keep a very voluminous record of migration this spring, but the Water Thrush was earliest coming, on March 20th, before the snows were over. It was not until April 1, however, that they began to arrive in numbers. A Blue-headed Vireo was here by April 3, but the Red-eye, not common here, was several weeks later. (We have a fine variety of vireos.) We never have the cuckoos here, and the Crested Flycatcher is rare. The Scarlet Tanager and Black-throated Blue Warbler turned up on the first of May, Chats on the sixth, Catbird, Chimney Swift and Whippoorwill next day, while the Hummingbird did not reach us till the 15th. The farmers plant their corn by the Brown Thrasher, which is here called the “Old Corn Planter.” At Tumbling Creek it arrived on April 10, but much earlier a few miles lower down. [Mr. Seeman is a native of North Carolina and formerly resided in Durham, North Carolina. — Ed.] Crows By P. M., of Wilmington The writer of these few notes is only a bird observer and tells what he thinks he saw. Of all the birds, the crow seems to have the greatest rea- soning factor, and to be perfectly willing to back his judgment. The following incidents have taken place over a long stretch of time, and it is doubtful if there has been any new deal to change the habits of the birds in the interim : One afternoon, in company with a friend, we were hunting nighthawks, and skirting closely the growth of pine about 25 feet high. All at once a crow came skimming the tops of the trees over our heads. Never have I seen any living thing show such fear ; the head went back, the feet out, the wings cupped to put on all brakes, and at the same time a desperate effort to change direction, all of which we stopped by a load of shot. One day on my farm, the farm woman told me that every morning, when she got up at daylight, crows flew over the yard by one’s and two’s, and that she had counted twenty-one of them many times. They returned later in the afternoon in the same fashion. That afternoon I endeavored to shoot a few of them; they came up wide and handsome, avoiding the house more than they did in the morning. Finally 1 took a long shot, missed, and the bird deliberately lit in a tree near-by and called to all his brethren to come wide, and I did not get another shot. We all know that small birds chase crows and the crows seem to be frightened, but this is only make-believe in my opinion. And here is my 40 THE C H A T evidence: Standing on the porch of a grocery store, across the road from which there was a grove of trees, I saw a crow, hotly pursued by a number of small birds, go to a tree, light on a limb and pay no attention to his pursuers. He deliberately walked towards the nest, presumably with young birds in it. At this point, I went in the house and got a gun, and when Mr. Crow saw it he left, pursued by a dozen or so birds, and to please them he did a bit of fancy dodging and twisting. Another time I sat on the porch of an office, in front of which ran a hard road joining a street about 100 yards away. Both of these roads were full of people and automobiles going in both directions. As I sat there, a crow came and lit on a branch not 20 feet from the ground and the traffic, and robbed a bird’s nest. Once, sitting in a duck blind, I heard crows cursing an owl or hawk. I got ready for this company if it should come my way. The cursing stopped, and in a minute the hawk came by with a crow on his tail, and behind him at a distance of 50 feet was another crow, whose motto, evi- dently, was “Safety First.” His caution saved his life. There was on my farm a colored woman, Aunt Kate, 80 years or more old, who tried to raise a few chickens ; and there were a pair of crows who found they could use one brood of these chickens on their ration card to help raise their family. They found out that Aunt Kate was helpless and that all she could do was to holler and wave her apron ; but, as Grimes told me, “They paid no more attention to her than if she were another crow.” But one day he killed both of the crows when they came chicken-stealing. The next day he went out and killed the young ones, three in number, and they were in trees a quarter of a mile apart. He found them by hearing them call hungrily, advancing a few yards and waiting for them to call again. If there is any bird who has a higher regard for his epidermis, or who can reason out a situation logically and follow his conclusion, 1 have not met him. A Bird’s-Eye View of Reynolda Sanctuary Maryans Wabnken, Winston-Salem, N. (’. For our migrants returning from their “winter in the South,” the most imposing addition to the Reynolda Sanctuary would undoubtedly be two Martin houses donated to the Sanctuary by thoughtful Winston-Salem citizens. These houses have been placed beside Lake Katherine for ease in attracting the Purple Martins which find their food by skimming over the lake. Placed on 12-foot poles so as to discourage roving felines, these houses should provide comfortable skyward quarters during festival days. Already enjoying their summer home is a pair of Starlings that have set up housekeeping in a long box attached to a maple tree. Since they, are yearly residents of this particular box, it may be rightly hoped that their THE CHAT 41 “stay” this year will also be pleasant. One cannot help enjoying the amusing antics of these birds as they waddle around on the ground pecking at morsels of food, or as they sit, one on the perch on the box and the other on a near-by branch, and cackle the day’s doings to each other. Interesting it is, too, to watch them determinedly performing their evening ablutions in the bird bath, while the quiet hermit thrush sits patiently by awaiting his turn. Doubtless, by the time this article is in print, there will be other nests and box residents scattered throughout the Sanctuary, but at this writing, one will have to be content with a report on the increasing number of returning birds. For a birds’ social gathering place and an observer’s delight, I can recommend no more thickly populated center than the woods bordering the old golf course. Here grow trees — principally oak, pine, and dogwood, whose branches are “up” — and here is ground whose vegeta- tion consists of small underbrush and myriads of gay wild flowers. And it is here that the Spring observer will find Juncos, Brown Thrashers, Flickers, Cardinals, Robins, Bluebirds, Towhees, Mockingbirds, Myrtle Warblers, various Sparrows, and many other permanent and transient fowl. A morning or an afternoon (or both) spent in this charming spot is well worth any interested ornithologist’s time. A quick flight over the remaining acres of the Sanctuary will reveal fields freshly plowed for spring planting and, at the present time, furnish- ing ideal locations for the early Bobwhites and year-round Crows and Field Sparrows. “Hedge-hopping” over the creeks and streams will enable you to see — and hear — the Indigo Bunting, caroling to the sky, and perched on a sprig of thicket. If you are fortunate, you may also see the Goldfinch still attired in his green-gold coloring, but flitting jauntily in and out of the creek bushes. And lastly, if “flying” with the birds doesn’t appeal to you, try relaxing on one of the Sanctuary’s thick green carpets and watch the birds come to you. No matter whether you’ve settled for the morning or for just five minutes, you will be rewarded by the sight of birds who've come to stay, or the northbound birds who stop over for refueling before taking off for their final destinations. Birds Rebuild When Nest is Destroyed By C. S. Brimley There is a widespread idea that when a bird’s nest, with or without eggs or young, is destroyed, it is a total loss which ruins the chance of that bird raising a brood for the year. It is, however, self-evident that will not be the case if the nest is that of a species which normally raises more than a single brood in a season. However, many species normally raise only one brood in a season, and the question naturally arises as to what are the effects of the loss of a nest with eggs or young as regards these species. Now in the years from about 1888 to 1892 my brother, H. H. Brimley, 42 THE CHAT and myself collected a good many nests of certain species of small land birds that were certainly single brooded, and we found that these would all start building a new nest just as soon as the old nest was taken, and would repeat this in some cases up to the fourth consecutive nest. Of course we all know that when a storm washes away all the eggs of a colony of sea-birds, such as gulls and terns, that are nesting on a low sandy island, that the colony simply draws a long breath, so to speak, and starts all over again, simply getting a later brood of young than usual, but it is not so well known, except perhaps to egg collectors, that the same rule applies to individual pairs of the smaller land birds. Now, as noted above, we did a good deal of egg collecting in the years noted, and while he did the climbing and actual taking of the nests, that is, of those in tall trees, I did a large part of the nest finding. This was usually done by watching in the neighborhood of singing males, till one found a female collecting nesting material and watched it go to the nest, which was often quite a distance away from the place where the nesting material was found. And also, the female practically never went straight to the nest, but settled in a tree a little beyond it, and then rather dilatorily worked her way to the site of the nest. In most cases, also, we found that about two weeks elapsed from the starting of a nest till its completion and the deposition of a complete set of eggs. Of course it was only worth our while to look out for the nests of the more desirable species, which will account for the omission of our commonest forms. After we had taken one nest of a desirable species, we would watch in the vicinity of the nest, and often found the female starting a new nest the next day. Here are some cases of this repeated rebuilding: I. Four Successive Nests ( two instances) On April 5, 1890. a female of the Yellow-throated Warbler was found building a nest which was evidently only just commenced, 42 feet up on a pine limb and about 8 feet from the trunk. From this nest a set of four fresh eggs was taken on April 25. Four days later I found this pair rebuilding on the horizontal limb of a very slender pine at a height of about 47 feet, and four or five feet from the trunk. The pine was so slender that it had to be stayed with ropes when H. H. climbed up to get the eggs on May 12. Three days later they were again rebuilding, again in a tall, slim pine, which again had to be stayed with ropes when the eggs were taken on May 26, and even then it swayed fearfully. Two days later the same pair were building their fourth nest, this time in a pine of respectable and sturdy build, 44 feet up and four feet from trunk. Finally, on June 7, we, or rather H. H., took our fourth set of four eggs each from this pair and were satisfied. They may have built a fifth nest and laid a fifth set for all we know to the contrary. They had plenty of time to do so. THE CHAT 43 The eggs of this pair, too, were distinctly different from any other eggs of the species that we collected and all four sets were alike. The only other series of four nests we took was of the Blue-gray Gnat- catcher on May 4, 14 and 24, and June 3, 1889, the first three sets being of four eggs each and the last of only three. All were in sweetgum trees at a height of from 8 to 12 feet. The intervals between the nests was exactly ten days each instead of 14 as in the case of the Yellow-throated Warbler series noted above. II. Three Successive Nests ( also two instances) A nest of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was taken in early May, 1889, but the eggs were broken and the exact date not preserved. A second set of five eggs taken on May 15, thirty-five feet up in a water oak, and a third set of four fresh eggs 17 days later on June 1, twenty-feet up in a sweet- gum, which tree seems the favorite nesting tree of the species. Note that this pair built higher up and took longer between nests than the one that built four nests. The second series of three were built by a Prairie Warbler, whose first nest was taken on May 12, 1892, the second, thirteen days later on May 25, and the third on June 12, eighteen days later. Each nest contained four eggs, fresh in the first two, and partly incubated in the last, which accounts for the longer periods between it and the previous nest. The nests were all in sweetgum saplings 2j4 to 3 feet high. As usual with the species, the nests wrere composed mainly of rabbit tobacco or wild everlasting. III. Two Successive Nests ( nine instances) Five of these cases belong to the Pine Warbler, two being in 1888, on April 14 and May 4; April 16 and May 3, and in three cases in 1889, on April 12 and May 2, April 18 and May 2, April 17 and May 2, all the second sets being taken on the same day. These were all in pines on hori- zontal limbs at heights of from 40 to 60 feet, and from six to twelve feet from trunk. It may be added that of 43 nests taken of that species, 41 were found by watching the female carrying nesting material to the nest. Of the Yellow-throated Warbler we had three instances of a single rebuilding, but of course the fact that we did not find any of these three pairs building after the second nest does not imply that none of them rebuilt more than once. It was probably our bad luck not to find them doing so. These three were on April 22 and May 8, 1890, the second nest was found by watching the female go to the nest, hence we may have been mistaken as to it being the same pair, but the nest was not far from the first one and at the right period after. The second case was of a nest just started May 2, 1890, a set of four was taken on May 8, found the pair rebuild- ing on May 19, and a set of three probably incomplete was taken on May 30. These and the series of four nests of this species were all in the same set of woods where the Pine Warblers’ nests were taken and were all 44 THE CHAT about fort\: feet high or a little over. The preceding was in a small patch of mixed woods. The last case was of a nest just started in a tall pine about 50 feet up on April 14, 1890. A heavy rain came the next day and the nest was deserted. On April 29 I found the pair rebuilding in a huge pine some 90 feet up and lost interest in it. It was too high for me. The last case I have is of the Brown-headed Nuthatch. We took a set of five eggs from a hole in a dead stob, the hole being about 5 feet from the ground. This was on April 24, 1888, and on May 9, took another undoubtedly incomplete set of three fresh eggs from another stob, the hole in the latter case being about twelve feet up. The greater amount of detail on the Yellow-throated Warbler nests comes from an article bv myself on that species in the A uk, for October, 1890. Newton Becomes A City Sanctuary Newton was made a bird sanctuary by official decree on February 4, 1943, and thus becomes the eighth city within the State to be set aside as a refuge for all kinds of songbirds. Other areas are: Ahoskie, Henderson, Pinebluff, Rosscraggen Wood at Arden, Siler City, Statesville, and Tryon. There is not yet an organized bird club at Newton. Much of the credit for establishing the sanctuary goes to Mrs. Douglas Eaton, of Newton, who is Bird Chairman in the North Carolina Garden Club. THE CHAT 45 Field Notes and News CHAPEL IIILL : A bird club lias been formed which is the first official grouping for some years of those interested in birds. Fremont Shepherd is President: Phillips Russell. Vice-President; Mrs. O. F. Jensen, Secretary- Treasurer; and Wade Fox, Leader for field trips. NEW LONDON, N. C. (STANLY COUNTY) : House Wrens are nesting here this year for the first time, the species being represented by two pairs. Elue Grosbeak seem to be quite common, the first arrived on May 4. Male Orchard Orioles came in on April 26. but the females did not appear till May 5. nine days later. Bluebirds were very rare here last year, but this year, due to the English Sparrows having been largely exterminated, there are fully twice as many. Cape May Warbler in full plumage seen on May 25, and a Blackburnian Warbler noted on April 24. John Trott, Jr. TRYON : A Connecticut Warbler seen on May 14, by Ellison A. Williams, of Charleston. S. C. A. M. Law. STATESVILLE: A Rosebreasted Grosbeak and a Baltimore Oriole, both males, on May 2 : the first stayed two days and the second three days. Mag- nolia Warblers, May 4 to 20; Blackburnian Warbler, May 22. Grace Anderson. ARDEN: May 3-5 the following warblers were seen in Roscraggon Wood: Black and White. 7; Wormeating, 4; Goldenwing, 1: Parula, 3; Yellow, 2; Magnolia, 4; Cape May, 8; Myrtle, 12; Black-throated Blue. 2; Black-throated Green, 2 ; Yellow-throated, 3 ; Chestnut-sided, 3 ; Blackburnian, 2 ; Blackpoll, 3 ; Pine, 6: Prairie, 2; Ovenbird. 4: Louisiana Water Trush, 1: Kentucky, 2; Maryland Yellowthroat, 2; Hooded, 6; Redstart, 6. Also on May 3 the first Hummingbird of the season and 4 Scarlet Tanagers and 12 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Myrtle Warblers were seen as late as May 30, and White-tliroated Sparrows on May 31. Mrs. D. W. Grinnet.l. WINSTON-SALEM: May 4, Canada Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles. Song Sparrows are residents here now and their numbers seem to have increased this year. W. L. Anderson, Jr. RALEIGH : On May 8, 1943, the regular spring count of birds was taken by C. II. Bostian, John Coffey, Joe Christian, Teddy Davis, Perrin Gower, Norman McCulloch, Carl Smith, and Mrs. Simpson, from 7:00 a. in. to 7:30 p.m. Clear, some clouds in morning, afternoon hot. Lake Raleigh, Lake Johnson, Pullen Park and intervening territory. Country Club lake and woods. Swift Creek. Region near Boone’s Pond. Species noted, Great Blue Heron. Green Heron, Mallard, female and nest with 11 eggs. Lesser Scaup, a pair. Red-breasted Merganser 2, Turkey and Black Vultures, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, Bald Eagle in immature plumage, Osprey, Bob- 16 THE CHAT white, Semipalmated Plover, Spotted Solitary and Least Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chuck-will’s-widow, Whip- poorwill. Swift, Hummingbird, Kingfisher, Flicker, Red-bellied, Red-headed, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Kingbird, Crested and Acadian Flycatchers, Phoebe, Wood Pewee, Tree, Rough-winged and Barn Swallows, Purple Martin, Jay, Crow, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatches, House and Carolina Wrens, Mockingbird, Catbird, Thrasher, Robin, Wood Thrush, Bluebird, Blue-gray Gna tea teller, Cedar Wax wing, Shrike, Starling ; White-eyed, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Black and White, Blue-winged, Parula, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Myrtle, Yellow-throated, Blackpoll, Pine, Prairie and Hooded Warblers, Ovenbird, Louisiana Water Thrush, Maryland Yellowthroat, Chat, and Redstart, English Sparrow, Bobo- link, Meadow Lark, Redwing, Orchard Oriole, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo, Goldfinch, Towhee, Savannah, Bachman’s, Chipping, Field, White-throated and Swamp Sparrows, 94 species in all. Roxie Collie Simpson. SOUTHPORT : The various birds that inhabit the rookery or sanctuary of Battery Island, just off Southport, seem much more numerous than usual this year. With a scarcity of trees for nesting places, many are placing their nests in clumps of marsh grass or even on the ground. The trees and marsh area of the island become completely covered with birds in the late afternoon. Many of the species started their nesting noticeably early this year and their young are long since grown. Douglas Jones, Eagle Scout, of Southport, who is much interested in birds, usually makes a trip to the island each week, often accompanied by Bobby Jones, another scout. Jones reports that among the birds nesting on the rookery are Great Blue Heron, American Egret, Snowy Egret, Louisiana Heron, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Fish Crows and Boat-tailed Grackles, all of which normally nest in trees. In addi- tion to these are also Cabot’s Tern, Common Tern, Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Oyster-catchers, Willets, Redwings, and American Bitterns, the last two of which usually build in a tuft of marsh grass while the others nest on the bare ground. In addition, there are great numbers of sandpipers and other small beach birds, but these are almost all non-breeders. Jones states that in con- trast to the very noticeable increase in Battery Island birds, there seems to be a decrease on Bald Head Island, two miles further out. He attributes this to the presence of the mounted Coast Guard on Bald Head. Bill Keziah. T H E C H A '1' 47 WHERE TO OBTAIN COLORED SLIDES AND MOVIES OF BIRDS: The North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh, has a set of Kodachrome slides (35 mm.) taken from the colored plates in “Birds of Massachusetts,” and glass slides of North Carolina birds. The North Carolina Academy of Science lias glass slides of North Carolina birds which may be obtained by writing Dr. Bert Cunningham, Secretary, Duke University, Durham. The Charlotte Public Library owns a 16 mm. movie film, “Birds and Their Young.” All the above are lent to responsible persons to use in schools, bird clubs, etc., who are willing to stand for them and pay the shipping charges. Movies can be rented for $1.00 and $1.50 from the Visual Aid Extension Service, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The National Audubon Society and the American Museum of Natural History rents movies on birds for $3.00, plus transportation charges. The best information on films, the subject and where to rent them, is found in "1000 and One, The Blue Book of Non-Theatrical Films.” Price 75c. The Educational Screen, 64 East Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois. This catalog lists eighty-six films under the heading of “Birds,” and gives all the known distributors of each film. The Film Division of the American Museum of Natural History have listed in their catalog five sound and nine silent films that can be rented by local bird clubs and other organizations. The Bureau of Visual Instruction, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, lists five films on birds. 48 THE CHAT din Ulnnonam CAREY ELLIS GREGORY 1874-1943 A charter member of the North Carolina Bird Club and one of its enthusiastic supporters was lost on April 6, 1943, in the death of the Rev. Carey Ellis Gregory, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Morgan- ton, N. C. He was born at Warfordsburg, Pa., January 5, 1874, and was educated at Wooster College and Princeton Theological Seminary, beginning his ministry in 1901 in Brazil, Indiana. After serving in several pastorates in New York State, he came to Morganton in 1912, serving till 1919. In 1923 he again became pastor of the Morganton church and continued his service there till his death. For many years he has been keeping records of the birds seen in the Morganton area and had hoped to compile this data after his retirement. Plans are under way to have these records gathered into more permanent form so that we may know more of the distribution of birds in this vicinity, which will thus fill an important gap in our present information. Officers of The North Carolina Bird Club President — H. H. Brimley, State Museum, Raleigh. Eastern Vice-President — Miss Clara Hearne, Roanoke Rapids. Central Vice-President — Mrs. O. F. Jensen, Chapel Hill. Western Vice-President — Henry Magie, Winston-Salem. Secretary — Mrs. Roxie C. Simpson, State Museum, Raleigh. Treasurer — Ralph F. W. Brimley, 1 1 Springdale Court, Greensboro. Executive Committeemen — Mrs. Edwin O. Clarkson, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. A. D. Shaftesbury, Woman’s College, U. N. C., Greensboro. Editor — John Grey, State College Station, Raleigh. Local Clubs and Their Officers Arden, Rosscraggon Wood, Inc.: P — Major V. M. Shell, Arden; V-P — Mrs. H. B. Swope, Skyland; S-T — H. B. Swope, Skyland. Blowing Rock, Blowing Rock Audubon Club. Boone, Boone Nature Club: P — Mrs. J. A. W. Davis; S-T — Mrs. Josie Hyatt Burwell; Field Director — W. H. Smitte. Chapel Hill Bird Club: P — Fremont Shepherd; V-P — Phillips Russell; S-T — Mrs. O. F. Jensen. Charlotte, Mecklenburg Audubon Club : P — O. L. Barringer, Charlotte ; V-P — W. T. Hopkins; S — Mrs. Richard Myers; T — Charles Wal- ker, Jr. Concord, Rex Brasher Bird Club. Durham, Duke-Durham Bird Club: P — Miss Bertha Hopkins; S-T — Mrs. M. W. Johnson. Greensboro, Piedmont Bird Club: P — Robert L. Wolff; V-P — Mrs. R. D. Douglas; S — Mrs. Edith L. Settan; T — Charles Swart. Henderson Bird Club: P — Miss Marcel Gary; V-P — Mrs. H. Leslie Perry; S-T — Miss Lillian Massenburg. Hickory Bird Club: P — Dr. H. A. Althouse; V-P — Weston Clinard; S-T — Mrs. George E. Bisanar. Lenoir Audubon Club: P — Mrs. C. S. Warren; V-P — R. T. Greer; S-T — Miss Helen Myers. Raleigh Bird Club: P — Robert Overing; V-P — Miss Margaret Habel; S-T — Mrs. R. C. Simpson. Salisbury Bird Club. Southern Pines Bird Club: P — Mary Keller Wintyen ; V-P & S — Miss Louise Haynes; T & Rec. Sec. — Miss Norma Shiring. Statesville Audubon Club. Tryon Bird Club: P — G. H. Holmes. Washington, Bughouse Laboratory: P — Sally Bogart; S-T — Elizabeth Shelton; Director, Joe Biggs. Winston-Salem Bird Club: P — James Stephenson; V-P — William II. Chance; S — Bill Anderson; Asst. S — Henry Magie. A Good Work ★ Birds of North Carolina Donated to Public Libraries and Institutions. If you know of others, please let us know. Camp Butner Library Camp Butner Marine Camp Library Cherry Point Camp Davis Library Camp Davis Marine Barracks Library New River Spring Area Service Club Fort Bragg U. S. O. Library Raleigh Ocracoke High School Library Ocracoke Beaufort Public Library Beaufort University (Permanent) Carolina Room Chapel Hill Pineland Junior College Salemburg Donated by Harry T. Davis, Raleigh Post Service Club, No. 2 Fort Bragg Post Service Club Camp Davis Post Service Club Camp Sutton Library, Seymour- Johnson Field Goldsboro Donated by Statesville Audubon Club Rocky Mount Public Library Rocky Mount Donated by Mrs. Rosa D. Bulluck, Rocky Mount Farmville High School Library Farmville Donated by Mrs. Roxie Collie Simpson, Raleigh In many of these camps there are as many as six libraries. Here is your opportunity. “TAR HEELS WILL BUY BOOKS” is a statement with some truth, some comparative reservations. The North Carolina Bird Club — Book Fund — has disposed of approxi- mately 3,200 copies of “Birds of North Carolina.” This was a limited edition of 5,000 copies, which came out in August of 1942. Of this 3,200 copies some 2,700 went to residents of this State, while some 500 copies went to other States and Foreign Countries. Less encouraging is the fact that many of our schools and public libraries do not have copies of this informative work. The State Museum, Raleigh will give special rate for such gifts to libraries if the order is for four or more copies. The Chat BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB PUBLISHED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB At State College Station Raleigh, N. C. The Chat Bulletin of the North Carolina Bird Club JOHN GREY, JR., Editor C. S. BRIMLEY, Associate Editor State College Station N. C. Department of Agriculture Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh, N. C. “North Carolina was the first of the Southern States to take an active stand in the matter of preserving its wild bird and animal resources.” Entered as second-class matter April 8, 1941 at the post office Raleigh, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published five times a year on the fifteenth of January, March, May, September, and November as the official organ of the North Carolina Bird Club. Articles for publication should reach the Editor by the first of the month in which the issue is published. Notifi- cation of change of address or of lost copies should also be sent to the Editor. Price of the bulletin, fifty cents per annum. Fifty cents of the annual membership dues is paid as a year’s subscription to THE CHAT. VOL. VII SEPTEMBER, 1943 No. 4 CONTENTS PAGE Thomas Gilbert Pearson 50 Bird Essay Contest 5? Aids to Amateurs 54 List of Plants and Shrubs for Bird Food 56 News of Local Clubs 58 Field Trip of Junior Members 63 Sustaining Members, 1943 Inside Back Cover New Members Inside Back Cover THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Headquarters in the North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh. Organized March 6, 1937, for the study and protection of our birds. Member- ship is open to those interested in this work, and is divided into four classes : Members, who pay dues of $1.00 per year ; Sustaining Members, dues of $5.00 a year ; Contributing Members, dues of $25.00 a year ; Life Members, one lump sum of $100.00. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to the Treas- urer: Ralph Brimley, 11 Springdale Court, Greensboro. Thomas Gilbert Pearson 1873-1943 50 THE CHAT THOMAS GILBERT PEARSON By II. II. IJrimley Doctor Thomas Gilbert Pearson was born on November 10, 1873, in 1 uscola, Illinois, and died in New York City, September 3, 1943. Shortly after he was born his parents moved to Indiana, and on to Florida in 1882. Of Quaker ancestry and upbringing, his forebears had been pioneers since they first came to America and settled with William Penn at Phila- delphia. And this pioneer, never-say-die spirit was a noticeable character- istic of Gilbert Pearson. In the latter part of August, 1891, Gilbert moved to Guilford College, North Carolina, for enrollment in the two-year preparatory department of the college and, from that date up to his selection as Secretary of the National Association of Audubon Societies on January 30, 1905, with headquarters in New York, he was a resident of this State. Most of the readers of this presentation will have known Pearson mainly as a lecturer on birds and as a friendly and fluent conversationalist, all among social surroundings. But my most intimate associations with him have been aboard a pitching and rolling power boat on the rough waters of Pamlico Sound, wading through deep black-water swamps and sticky salt-water marshes, camping out in areas of original forest, skinning the bodies of oily shore-birds in a stuffy room through the greater part of a hot summer night, investigating the stomach-contents of slain alliga- tors in an effort to discover to what extent these interesting creatures feed on water-birds, and other similar activities connected with a search for truth among the wild denizens of our woods and waters. And it is more particularly to some incidents connected with this phase of his activities to which I desire to call attention. My first direct association with Gilbert was when we attended the long- defunct Fish, Oyster, and Game Fair that was held for several consecutive years at New Bern, in the early spring. This was in 1897, and one of the most clearly defined incidents connected with that association was my uncertainty as to the propriety of suggesting to a Quaker the idea of watching one or two of the trotting races when our business for the day was concluded. Noticeable among the “Game Birds” on exhibition at the Fair we found the following: HolboelTs and Pied-billed Grebes, Common and Red-throated Foons, Great Blue Heron, Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Herring Gull, and Royal Tern. During the month of June, 1939, Pearson and I spent eight days, mainly on the water, investigating the various colonies of sea-birds along our coast line, from New River Inlet to Manteo. The unusually large colony of Royal Terns, on Royal Shoal, was, by far the most striking of our finds. As our boat approached the island a flock of Brown Pelicans rose from the neighborhood of some bundles of T H E C H A T 51 drift seaweed, so 1 hopped over to see if the pelicans might not once more have nested in North Carolina territory. But there was nothing doing in that line, so 1 got out my camera and joined Pearson and the boatman. The sight and the sound of the cloud of terns was almost overwhelming, hut Pearson was after facts and soon had measured off a ten-foot square in which the nests had about an average degree of density. The nests in the 100 square feet were counted, 73 being the total. Measuring the main nesting area and estimating the number of the more scattered nests indi- cated a total of approximately 6,000, making a total of about 12,000 adult birds. We were doing some investigating and collecting on Shackleford's Banks, near the Mullet Pond. Becoming separated, 1 looked around for my companion and finally discovered him Hat on his stomach, slowly crawling through wet sand and seaweed, dragging his gun. He secured his specimen — I have forgotten what it was. Anyway, he thought it was of a species not to be expected in that region — and, characteristically, proved or disproved his point. We made at least six trips to Orton together, none of them for a stay of less than four days ; sometimes, a full week. During one of these visits we started up the pond at an early hour for an all-day exploration, taking our lunches along. 1 had my rifle with me as 1 was in need of the skin of a medium-sized alligator, so I took to bow seat in the skiff, Gilbert handling the stern paddle. A little before noon my trophy was secured, so we landed on a near-by island to eat and rest. I went to work on my 'gator, Gil taking charge of getting the coffeepot boiled and the lunch laid out. At his call of “Grub’s up” I washed my hands and joined him, to find, much to my surprise, that he had brought a small package of tea and an old tomato can along and had cooked up a pot of tea for my especial benefit. On the ponds that run parallel with the beach between the hardwood ridge and the ocean, west of the old Fort Caswell reservation, Pearson started to retrieve a specimen that lay on a point of marsh across about twenty-five yards of water, a Hudsonian Curlew, according to my recol- lection. He started wading, until the deep mud forced a change into some kind of combined wading-swimming-crawling action, but he got his bird. Taking the bill in his teeth, he managed to get back in safety, but covered from head to foot with a very adhesive type of black mud, only then dis- covering that he had failed to leave his watch ashore. It happened to be an expensive timepiece and later on lie informed me regarding the remarks the jeweler made on anyone who would submit a good watch to such treatment. But he made a practice of always securing his specimen, once laid low. One night we got drawn into a coon hunt in lower Onslow County. Our only trophy, however, was one very active, aggressive and odorous skunk. On the way back to camp, Gil turned to me and asked: “Brim, ever eat any skunk?” “No, and I never expect to.” “Tell you what we’ll do. 52 THE CHAT We’ll get up early in the morning before anyone else is stirring and skin the critter. Then we’ll hand it over to the cook, telling her that it’s a swamp rabbit and that we want it cooked for supper. If she suspects anything, slip her a tip, to keep her mouth shut. It will probably taste all right.” We were up early the next morning, only to find that one of the camp employees had preceded us, skinned the skunk, and thrown the body on the creek. But we both experimented with alligator steak. It so happens that the last deer I killed was taken under rather unusual conditions, my success partly due to Pearson’s presence at the time. We had accidentally met at the North State Hunting Club, in Bladen County. On a deer hunt that afternoon Pearson refused to participate in the hunt, but accompanied me on my stand. The weather being mild, we sat on a log during the time when no dogs were within hearing, chatting of this and that. But, late in the afternoon some hounds in the far distance seemed to be heading in our direction. This brought us to our feet. I was facing directly towards the sound of the yelping hounds, Pearson in a direction about at right angles to my line of vision. Suddenly he tapped me on the shoulder, saying quietly, “Brim, big buck.” I swung around, with gun ready, and there was a fine, eight-point buck, going fast and crossing within range. The mounted head of that buck hangs now on the wall of my den and is one of my most highly cherished trophies of the chase. Gilbert Pearson’s sense of humor was keen, and he knew how to take a joke on himself, although it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between fact and fancy in some of his remarks. More than once, I have heard him say that when the time for his retirement from active service arrived, he wanted to buy a small country place in North Carolina and raise chickens and gourds, the latter for supplying his own and his neighbors’ needs for bird houses. Yes, we shall miss Gilbert Pearson. Men of his stamp are not every- day creations. Pearson received his B.S. at Guilford College; B.S. and LL.D., Univer- sity of North Carolina; did ornithological work in North Carolina from 1891-1912 ; taught at Guilford College and Woman’s College of U. N. C. ; organized Audubon Society of N. C. in 1903, serving as Secretary till 1910, when left the State to go with National Association of Audubon Societies of New York City, serving as Secretary 1910-1920, and President 1920-1934, and President Emeritus 1934-1943. Organized International Committee for Bird Preservation 1922, serving as Chairman 1922-1926, and Chairman of Pan-American Section 1926-1943. U. S. delegate to Ornithological Congress in France 1938. Member of American Orni- thologists Union and Explorers Club. Co-author Birds of North Carolina 1919, second edition 1942. Author: A dventures in Bird Protection 1939, Birds of America, National Geographic Book of Birds. Was especially interested in the preservation of herons and terns from plumage hunters.. Was instrumental in establishing game laws in North Carolina. THE C II A T 53 BIRD ESSAY CONTEST The North Carolina Academy of Science offers $20.00 as lirst prize for the best essay on birds by a North Carolina high school student. Second and third prizes will be a copy of the Birds of North Carolina. First prize is offered by Mrs. Edwin O. Clarkson, of Charlotte, and the State Museum offers the other two. The student should be able to draw upon his own actual field observa- tion of birds. The contest does not include the treatment of birds from the standpoint of game. The student may treat the subject from one, or from several, of the following standpoints: 1. Interesting or unusual habits of birds. This would include any peculiar trait: for instance, Shrike impaling victim of prey on thorns; the Crested Flycatcher putting a snake in its nest; the Mockingbird singing at night; the method by which the Herons feed their young; procedures of fish-eating birds in securing their food (Osprey, Terns, Herons, Loons, etc. ) . 2. A study of the various types of nests, including method of building, materials used, time of year built, and type of eggs laid. 3. Food habits of birds. This would include methods of obtaining food, kind of food, way the young are fed. 4. Birds of particular locality. Such a paper could bring in all the birds seen in that region and the dates of nesting periods, physical characters of locality, etc. 5. How to present bird study to beginners. This would take up field identification, ways of getting the beginner interested as well as holding the interest. 6. Seasonal distribution and migration of birds. This would deal with the changing population of the various species of birds, winter and summer visitors, the spring and fall migrants, and the stragglers. 7. The ratio and relation of birds to their environment — certain areas produce food for a certain group of birds, some areas are marshy and furnish cover and food for marsh birds. 8. Idle value of bird protection and sanctuaries. The following regulations will apply: The paper must be the work of a bona fide high school student in a North Carolina high school, and so certified by the principal. The paper must not be more than 2,000 words in length, presented on 8x/2 x 11 inch paper, written (preferably typewritten ) on one side only. A bibliography listing all books, magazines or other publications used as source material must be included at the end of the essay. The list of suggested references below indicates the form in which the citations should be made. Excerpts and quotations should be limited and must be indicated. Papers must be in the hands of the High School Committee of the North Carolina Academy of Science, Murray F. Buell, Chairman, State College, Raleigh, N. C., not later than March 15. 54 THE CHAT RECOMMENDED BOOKS Allen. A rtiilr A. Book of Bird Life. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 250 Fourth Avenue, New York, 1930. Chapman, Frank M., Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America. D. Apple- ton & Company, New York, 1930. Forbush, Edward Howe and May, John Bichard, Natural History of the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. IIoughton-MifHin Company, Boston, 1939. Pearson, T. Gilbert, Brimley, C. S., and Brimley, II. H., Birds of North Carolina. N. C. State Museum. Raleigh, 1942. Pearson, T. Gilbert, and others. Birds of America. Garden City Publishing Company, Inc., Garden City. New York, 1942. Peterson, Roger Tory. Field Guide to Birds. HougliBm-Mifflin Company, Boston, 1934 and 1939. PERIODICALS The Chat, published by the North Carolina Bird Club, State College Station. Raleigh. N. C. Audubon Magazine. published by the National Association of Audubon Socie- ties. 1006 Fifth Avenue, New York. In citing an article from a periodical as a reference, the following form should he used : Sprunt. Alexander. Jr., 1942. Sight records. 'The Chat. Yol. 6. pp. 50-54. For further information address: Murray F. Buell, State College, Raleigh, N. C. Aids to Amateurs, Our Common Winter Sparrows C. S. Brimley The term “sparrow” is given to a group of small brownish birds of the finch family, which have the upper parts streaked, and the lower parts also. The beak is short and thick, pointed at the tip and broad at the base. Nine kinds occur with us in winter. Five of these have the underparts without streaking or spotting. These are : English Sparrow , the original owner of the name — although now usually placed in a different family from the others. The male may be distin- guished by its black throat, the female by the comparatively large size and T HE C H A T 55 stout build, and the absence of a stripe above the eye. Introduced into the State about 1880. Resident. PVhite-throated Sparrow. About as large as an English Sparrow but with a longer tail, a pale stripe above the eye, and a little patch of yellow at the front edge of the stripe. In adults the stripe above the eye, except in front, and a narrower stripe down the crown is white separated by broader black stripes, in immature specimens and females, the white is replaced by dirty whitish and the black by brownish. The throat is white in contrast to the ashy breast. October to May, a thicket species; also in everybody’s yards. Swamp Sparrow. A smaller species than the two preceding, and more decidedly brown above, its general get-up being something like that of an immature bird of the preceding species. Frequents the borders of ponds or may be found in marshes. Very skulking in habit and bard to get a good look at. No yellow in front of stripe above eye. October-May. Field Sparrow. A small, slim sparrow with a long tail distinctly notched at tip, sides of head pale without well defined stripe, underparts whitish, slightly tinged with buff, bill pale. Found almost everywhere, our com- monest native species. Resident. Chipping Sparrow. Much like the Field Sparrow, but with a slightly shorter tail, a black bill, a dark stripe through eye and a whitish stripe above it, and a slightly ashy tinge to the white underparts. Mostly a summer visitor but has turned up in so many places in winter that it seems best to include it. Four of our species have the underparts spotted or streaked with darker, more especially on the breast. These are: Vesper Sparrow. A rather light colored sparrow, with streaked breast, no light stripe above the eye, and the outer tail feather on each side white, which shows when the bird is flying. Open fields but not common. Size a little smaller than an English Sparrow. October-April. Savannah Sparrow. Much like the preceding, but smaller and no white on the outer tail feathers. Breast more strongly streaked and a light stripe over eye, which is yellowish in front. Open fields, but seems to prefer rather damp situations in spring. October to May. Song Sparrow. A little smaller than an English Sparrow, with a rather long tail and conspicuously spotted breast, the streaks in the center coalescing to form a single larger spot. A light stripe above eye, with no yellow in it. Thickets, everywhere, October-April. Fox Sparrow. The largest of our native species, bright reddish brown above, white beneath, the breast marked with large wedge-shaped reddish brown spots, bill pale, rather small. November-March. In lowland thickets, and in dense growth of young loblolly pines. LIST OF NATIVE PLANTS AND SHRUBS THAT CAN BE PLANTED FOR BIRD FOOD Zora S. Jensen, Chapel Hill Be|ng unilble to find a list of shrubs and other plants that grow well in North Carolina and also make good bird food, 1 ~ , a list, primarily for the State Bird Club. The fruiting season, type of soil, and locality per- Carolina. 1 hope this list will be helpful in planning a garden so plants will be grown that decided to get together such a list, primarily for the State Bird Club. The fruiting season, ^of soil, and_localhy per- tain particularly to North will produce food for the birds the entire year. _ . ... . . Especial thanks are due Dr. W. C. Coker, Professor of Botany at the University of North Carolina, for checking this list and for his many helpful suggestions. , , Where Grown Type of Soil Food finality I'mitinp Season Qomos BAYBERRY Myrica pumUa Coastal, Piedmont Damp Excellent.!7.3.85.6.0!.6^. Jun^ April BAYBERRY Myrica caroliniensis Coastal ", T BEAl'TYBERRY Callicarpa French Mulberry Cultivated Damp, ic an „ ,, a Ai, spotionf? Acid Soil, mostly low- BLUEBERR1ES (all types) Ail sections Good July -January ground Excellent (6t species) Excellent August-No vember BURNING BUSH (native but can be cultivated) Very rare CATBRIER (all Smilax) lanceolata, culti- Lowgrounds Excellent Dong Persistent vated type UamD Excellent August-October CHOHEBEKRY, PURPLE All over State DampZZ'' Excellent July-March Fair Fall CHOKE BERRY, RED All over State DEVIB’S WALKING STICK Mostly coastal, also mtns Sandy or Upland DEWBERRY, SO One or more species in all sections DOGWOOD (all types) One or more species in all sections upland, etc Upland, etc Very Good April-July Good Fall elAIZI sr ,orseneral use,'i:m::reAi H : Uim.EltRV . A„ over Slate — 1 Excellent , ... species, ... Cultivated Garden Soil Good Summer Earl> t all Cultivated Garden Soil Good Early TNK BERRY Coastal Plain Damp and Sandy Fair W inter mulberries: UEll AM- wirl.TK woods. ur,a»d Bxcellent <5, —>-■■■ ~ Early Fa„ PLUM, Red and Yellow Forms Chickasaw Lower Piedmont, Coastal Sandy -yyee(j Upland Weed Excellent (52 species) Fall Cultivated Garden Soil Good •• Winter ROSE, CHEROKEE (beautiful to naturalize) ... Coastal Plain Upland ... Fair (2a species) October BOSL, PASTURE (Common) ^ Qver state Upland and Damp Excellent (40 specieW ..^Summer ■» ' All o ver State Damp Very Good (17 speYnes) ...TJ une-March species in all sections Upland Last resort for birds M intei V v INTERBER R Y (Deciduous Holly) All over State Damp and Swampy Good July -December HONEYSUCKLE, MORROW .... HONEYSUCKLE, TARTARIAN POKBBBRRY PRIVET (European) SHADBUSH SPICEBUSII SUMAC (except poisonous) Some sj .Excellent Fall .Good July- April VIBURNUMS (all types) See Blue and Black Haw Swamp and Upland vattpont Coastal, will grow in Piedmont Any Soil 1AU1U.N t t l a n d Garden Good September-December PYIiA CANTU A (Formosa) Cultivated Upland, Gaide Ground Covers and V ines BITTERSWEET CREEPER, Japanese CREEPER, Virginia GRAPES, ALL TYPES HONEYSUCKLE, Trumpet MISTLETOE PARTRIDGE BERRY PEPPERVINE SMILAX (all types) SMILAX lanceolata for arbors, etc. SOLOMON’S SEAL SOLOMON’S SEAL, False STRAWBERRY BUSH Where Grown Type of Soil Only in mtns. in South Cultivated Rich Woods One or more species found everywhere Rich Woods Rich Woods. Coastal only Everywhere Upland Anywhere Rich Woods Any Garden Soil Any Garden Soil Any Garden Soil Any Garden Soil Any Type Swamp and Upland .Woods Good Soil .Woods Good Soil Woods Good Soil Food Quality Good Fair Excellent (36 species) Excellent (87 species) Excellent (IS species) Excellent Good (10 species). Fair (11 species) Excellent Excellent Fair Good Good Fruiting Season Sept ember- June Winter Late Fall & Winter Early Fall Early Fall Winter All Year July-November July-August July-August August-November Aug jst-November August-October Trees BEECH BIRCH BLACK HAW BLUE HAW CHERRIES DOGWOOD HACKBERRY HAWTHORN HOLLY OAKS PERSIMMON REDBUD RED CEDAR SASSAFRAS GUMS (all types) Where Found Type of Soil Food Quality Fruiting Season All easily cultivated One or more species found everywhere Good Good Good (28 species) Good Excellent (84 species) Excellent (93 species) Excellent (48 species) Excellent (39 species) Good (45 species) Excellent (62 species) Fair Fair Excellent (54 species) . Good (18 species) Swamps for most species Uplands for one Good (36 species) September-October Late Winter J une- April J une- April Summer July-December M ay-No vember Fall-Winter Fall August-November July- August, on All Year August-October .1 uly-December 58 THE C H A T News of the Local Clubs LENOIR AUDUBON CLUB: The Club was organized in June, 1942, with a membership of fifteen, and the membership has more than doubled, although no special effort has been made to increase it. Meetings are held the first Tuesday in each month and new members are always welcomed. Soon after the organization of the Club, Lenoir was made a bird sanctuary and now markers have been placed on the leading high- ways entering Lenoir for the benefit of the traveling public. Several of the Club members have taken part in the programs which have been given each month. At one meeting, Dr. Althouse, of Hickory, spoke on native birds of North Carolina. Mr. Wiley Sholar, of Lenoir, spoke to the Club on the homing pigeons and exhibited several of his prize pigeons. An interesting movie showing birds feeding their young and also an educational movie, “North Carolina Variety Vacation Land,” were shown. At one meeting the Cornell University Bird Records, which the Club purchased, were heard. During the summer months outdoor meet- ings were held and birds were observed at these meetings. Throughout the town and community a decided interest in birds has been observed. This is especially true of children, and this can be attributed probably to the bird programs which have been presented by Mrs. C. S. Warren and Miss Helen Myers. They have presented these programs before all of the high schools and grammar schools in Lenoir, including the colored schools, also various clubs, such as Kiwanis Club and the Campfire Girls. The bird records were played on some of these programs. Mrs. R. T. Greer, Se cretary. WINSTON-SALEM BIRD CLUB: Membership reduced, war, mi- grations and our ace field man, Bill Anderson, learning to fly a bomber in Texas. Jim Stephenson spends a day weekly in the field, recently with U. S. Air Safety Army men who are keen to learn the comparison of our birds with their home states, Maine to Arizona. These Army men are avid readers of our Birds of North Carolina. Our major activities are our four bird sanctuaries, all well established and widening the interest of many of our folk. Reynolda having a most successful year, the special plantings of grains for winter bird food promise a bumper crop; our Purple Martin multiple nesting boxes are being used by Starlings; colony of Herons on Lake Katherine; our May census on only 200 of the 1,100 acres showed 25 species, in our two-hour trip. Forsyth County Club Sanctuary is a delight, feeding stations well patron- ized last winter, the special plantings of shrubbery, as selected by E. V. Floyd, Senior Biologist, are in full fruit, and promise ample winter food. The Methodist Children’s Home Sanctuary developing slowly and the kiddies studying their birds. Our latest, the Forsyth Tubercular Sanato- rium Sanctuary, six miles out, fertile farming section, wooded, streams, T H E C H A T 59 400 acres well cultivated farming and is in the best of management, Dr. P. A. \ oder, Superintendent, and Mrs. Yoder being bird lovers; the)', with us, identified in an hour 10 species in the half-acre surrounding the home of the Superintendent. We hope to report later a sanctuary on our city water shed, 1,200 acres, streams, lakes, wooded, fenced, patrolled, and for years a natural sanctuary for our songbirds and a wintering haven for water fowl. The private sanctuary of six miles of the near-by Yadkin River, started seven years ago by the several owners placing bushels of grain on the shores for the migrating Canada Geese, etc., during snow and sleet resulted in steadily increasing numbers of geese and duck. The 1940 winter census showed 1,612 Canada Geese. This year, in April, these geese ate 62 acres of oats — the farmer-owner is a good sport, being one of the original food providers. Rev. John Luke, Pastor of seven Presbyterian Chapels in Ashe County, tells this, “Last May army worms attacked 44 acres of wheat, owner mad, asked AVhat must I do?’ Suddenly a flock of Starlings appeared, circled over the field, alighted, gobbled, gorged army worms, until sunset, returned next morning, systematically followed the devastating march of the army worms and ate the army, staff, divisions, brigades, troops, until all the worms were liquidated and the happy sequel, only 2 of the 44 acres of wheat were ruined.” Our newspapers are generous in printing timely notes. Our radio gave us minute plug at snowstorm warnings with, “Be sure to fill your feeding stations and don’t forget the lump of suet.” Our sanctuaries are naturally devoid of decayed trees, so we are learn- ing to clean all nesting boxes in October, replace them for wintering birds’ shelter in severe storms; my Downy Woodpecker has a lease on a Bluebird box, renewable winter after winter. “Keep ’em fed, keep ’em flying” is our motto. Henry Magie, Assistant Secretary. TRYON BIRD CLUB: Due to the geography of Tryon, it has been impossible to have regular meetings. The members are scattered over an area of about six miles in diameter, and have no gas to use except for utmost necessity. Those who can get to town are mostly working long hours in the Red Cross rooms. We call each other up to report unusual birds seen, and keep up interest to a certain extent. G. H. Holmes, President. ) CHAPEL HILL BIRD CLUB: Contributions and activities of the Chapel Hill Bird Club can best be described by the following points: (1) Utilizing people of our community who have special knowledge about birds and nature lore. Interesting people are brought together and get to know each other. (2) Several members are collecting seeds of all kinds 60 T H E C H A T in order to use this winter. Cantaloupe, watermelon, and seed heads of various wild grasses and weeds are saved. It is reported that sunflower seed will be high and scarce this winter. (3) Victory gardeners around town are being encouraged to plant a few peas or lespedeza in an odd corner of the garden to leave for winter feed and cover. (4) Efforts are made to arouse and hold the interests of young people in birds and con- servation. (5) One of our major objectives is to carry on an extensive held work in order to thoroughly explore the immediate region for occur- rence of new or scarce species. Two new records (so far as we know) were added this year in that the nesting of the Prothonotary and Parula Warblers was recorded. G. F. Shepherd, President. BOONE NATURE CLUB: The Boone Nature Club was organ- ized June 23, 1942. It meets regularly every second Tuesday night each month, and has had two guest speakers. The Hon. Robert Winston, of Chapel Hill, spoke on “The Cardinal.” Mrs. J. A. Peefry, of Appa- lachian State College, spoke on “Nature Club Observations.” On one observation trip fifty birds were identified. Through the Secretary, the Club has added many new members, also the Junior Club. Fourteen members were added to the State Club — the outgoing and incoming city officials among them. The Club has almost 100% membership in the State Club. Dr. R. C. Busteed has consented and has been acclaimed by the Club to be Field Director for the coming year, and Miss Ida Belle Ledbetter, to be leader for the Junior Club. The Club sponsored a Bird House Build- ing Contest. Through the Secretary, Boone was made a sanctuary on April 2, 1943. Sanctuary markers with the Cardinal painted on them have been put up and have received much favorable comment. Mrs. Josie Hyatt Burwell, Secretary. HICKORY BIRD CLUB: The Hickory Bird Club has been in existence less than three years, and its membership is small, but its influ- ence has spread to neighboring towns as well as having made Hickory, itself, bird minded to a very noticeable degree. Inquiries have come to the Club from several towns as to what steps should be taken to proclaim a town a bird sanctuary. Wh en the State provided signs to be placed at the city limits on all incoming highways notifying the public that the city is a bird sanctuary, the club had additional signs made to erect at conspicuous places in the city parks and in outlying city property, such as the grounds around the water works Alter plant, the municipal rose garden, which is situated near the sewage disposal plant, and other city property along the lake front. 'There was an immediate request for the signs from citizens of some of the suburban residential districts. Since the Club came into existence, it has become quite noticeable that, all over town, many additional bird baths, feeding stations, and bird THE C H A T 61 houses have been placed about many homes where they never existed previ- ous to the organization of the Club. The Club has managed to get such fine co-operation from local law enforcing authorities that immediate attention is given to the matter when a breach of the law is reported in respect to molesting birds in any part of the town. The Hickory Police Department is equipped with two-way radio communication between police headquarters and squad cars patrolling the city. By making use of this facility, the police often arrive on the scene before boys, and even men sometimes, can get away when they have been reported for shooting birds with rifles and slingshots. One of the regular features of the Club meetings is a round-table dis- cussion in which each member present is given an opportunity to relate some experience in his or her bird observation. Many interesting things have been brought to light in these talks. At a recent meeting, one mem- ber produced a list of the birds he has seen during the past spring and invited the other members to check the list for comparison of the different species they had been able to identify and to add to the list any additional ones they had seen. More than sixty species had been identified by those present without any field walks for the purpose of finding them. The Hickory Club has reported two species new to this section which have made their appearance during the current season. One is a pair of Song Sparrows found nesting in a suburban residential community. The other is a Northern House Wren seen by one of the club members in Newton, which is about ten miles southeast of Hickory. House Wrens have been seen around Statesville for a number of years, but Newton is believed to be the farthest west they have been seen in this State. Statesville is about thirty miles east of Hickory. The Carolina Wrens are numerous here. The Club was responsible largely for creating interest among the local school children in helping to choose the State Bird and to write essays on their individual choices. The Club, or rather one member of the Club, donated two prizes for the best essays found among those of the elementary school children in all of the Elickory schools, of which there are twelve. The regular program of the Club’s meetings includes a systematic study of birds by the designation of some member to give a detailed description of a chosen species at each meeting ; and a study also of noted ornithologists by the discussion of their lives from authentic biographies chapter by chapter. Members are assigned several chapters to discuss, taking time about. The books are obtained from the public library and taken out in the name of the member who has the assignment for the time being. The success of the Club’s public relations is due to a great extent to the splendid publicity which the Hickory Daily Record gives to its activities and purposes. Members of the Club, and persons who are not members, have reported that the birds about the town are more numerous and appear to be less 62 THE CHAT shy since they have been given the protection enforced by the combined efforts of the police and the Club members and their advocates. Mrs. George Bisanar, Secretary. REPORT OF THE RALEIGH BIRD CLUB: The Raleigh Bird Club has held its regular monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, exclusive of July and August. Due to the tire and gas shortage, attendance has dropped somewhat. The Club gave subscriptions of The Chat to the libraries of three U. S. Army hospitals and one U. S. Marine hospital. Field trips have been conducted for the Junior Club members and the Boy Scouts. From June through September, the Club assumed the responsibility of giving the free Museum lectures on the first Sunday afternoon of each month. These lectures, in the form of movies or illustrated lectures, were sponsored by the Natural History Club during the other eight months. [Mrs. Simpson’s modesty has restrained her in emphasizing the fact that she individually was responsible for, and acted as leader in, the field trips mentioned. These trips have resulted in the training of a number of boys and young men to the point where many of them are now, or soon will be, qualified as leaders in the line of bird observation and identification of species. — II. II. Brimley.] THE PIEDMONT BIRD CLUB : Greensboro was honored Sunday evening, July 4th, by the presence of a distinguished visitor, Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, of New York City, and formerly of Greensboro. He was stop- ping over on his way home from the National Convention of “The Out- door Writers of America,” which was held at Telaco Plains, Tenn. While Dr. Pearson was in town, Club members had the pleasure of walking and talking with him. Sunday afternoon he led a field trip, after which a picnic supper was served on the lawn of the home of Mrs. Nina D. Tyner. After supper the guest spoke to an audience of 40 eager listeners. His speech was based on the thought that one who knows birds finds friends wherever he goes, because their songs and bright colors cheer him on lands and on seas. He also spoke of habits and activities of birds that breed in North America, and migrate southward in autumn. Some of these he has per- sonally followed to the tropical jungles of Brazil; to the wide Pampas of Argentina; and to the ice-clad mountains of Tierra del Fuego. THE C H A T 63 Field Trip of the North Carolina Bird Club Junior Members Roxie Collie Simpson, Raleigh On August 10, 1943, six bird students, John Coffey, Ernest Mitchell, Norman McCulloch, of Raleigh, Jim Ivey and John Trott, of New London, and 1 boarded the Wilmington bus bound for Southport. About the middle of the afternoon an enthusiastic and excited group arrived in Southport to be the guests of Douglas Jones. Almost immediately a Yellow Warbler was seen in a live oak tree near the post office. From then on birds continued to be the main interest and a number of new birds were added to each boy’s list. The following day was spent on Orton Pond, Mr. W. B. Keziah having arranged transportation for us. Some of the Osprey nests were closely examined, Osprey being still in evidence. Turkey Vultures were flying and soaring above the trees. One Osprey persisted in diving at a Turkey Vulture, but the Vulture merely tilted its wings and sideslipped out of the way, calmly continuing to soar. Great Blue Herons, American Egrets, immature Little Blues, a Coot, a pair of Wood Duck, \ ellow-throated, Parula, and Prothonotary Warblers were seen on or near the pond. On the way back a Pileated Woodpecker flew into view. On August 16, we took a second trip to Orton, this time leaving off the pond. Towhees were singing everywhere, Pine Warblers were common. Four Pileated Woodpeckers were seen at the same time at fairly close range, one was within fifty feet. After returning from Orton late that afternoon, Douglas Jones, Bobby Davis and I went to Battery Island. The herons in groups of ten, twenty to fifty were coming in to roost — Louisiana, Little Blues, American Egrets, and Snowys. Two nests still contained young birds, one of Louis- iana, other of Snowy Egret. One immature Black-crowned Night Heron and two Great Blues were seen. Standing on the top of a cedar with Louisiana and Little Blue Herons was a bird with a curved beak. Sud- denly it flew. In a few minutes it came back, followed by eight others. Immediately Douglas said, “Those are the birds I have been seeing.” The birds were Glossy Ibises in immature plumage. They flew over the tops of the trees. We went to the other side to see if they had alighted, but could not see them. We crouched down in the grass hoping they would return. Shortly the nine birds were seen returning ; they seemed very wary; one or two alighted, but again they were off. As we were returning to the boat, I saw the entire flock on the tops of the cedars, so I motioned for Douglas and Bobby to come back. Apparently the birds did not see us this time, though we watched them for about ten minutes. The bare skin about the head was clearly visible ; some of them opened and closed their curved beaks. The sun went down before we returned 64 THE CHAT but we left the island with the feeling that the day had been well worth while. The following day we went to “Battery Lamb,” which is on the bank of the Cape Fear about six miles north of Southport. A flock of eight Hudsonian Curlews, flying down the river, was the most interesting bird record for that day. On the 19th we made a third trip to Orton. The day was pleasantly cool, so we covered more territory — working both the mansion side and the pond. The bird of the day was the Red-cockaded Woodpecker that was seen near the path leading to the pond. We visited the region around Southport in between times — Barn Swal- lows were plentiful, Clapper Rails were heard and upon three occasions, seen. Thirteen Oyster-catchers were seen on a mud flat on the 21st, and one Bittern was seen on the 12th. The time to return home came too soon, but even bird trips must have an ending, so all of us hope to return next summer. This is a list of birds seen during the entire trip: Greafi Blue Heron. Ameri- can Egret, Snowy Egret. Louisiana, Little Blue, and Black-crowned Night Herons. Bittern. Glossy Ibis, Wood Duck, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Jied-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle. Osprey. Sparrow Hawk. Bobwliite, Clapper Bail. Coot. Oyster-catcher, Piping, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, and Black-bellied Plovers. Hudsonian Curlew. Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least, Bed-hacked, and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Sanderling. Laughing Gull, Common, Least, Boyal. and Black Terns. Mourning Dove. Yellow-hilled Cuckoo, Xighthawk. Chimney Swift, Buby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Flicker, Pileated. Bed-bellied. Bed-headed. Hairy. Downy, and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Kingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Wood Pewee. Barn Swallow, Blue Jay. Crow. Fish Crow. Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatches, Carolina Wren. Long-hilled Marsh Wren, Mockingbird. Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Bluebird, Blue-gray Gnatcatclier, Shrike, Starling. White-eyed. Yellow-throated, and Bed-eyed Vireos, Black and White, Prothonotary. Panda. Yellow. Yellow-throated, Pine, and Prairie Warblers, Maryland Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler. Bedstart, English Spar- row. Bedwing. Boat-tailed Crackle. Summer Tanager, Cardinal. Blue Gros- beak. Indigo Bunting, Towliee, Seaside. Chipping, and Field Sparrows. Total, 95. Additional notes on the occurrence of the Glossy Ibis are as follows: On June 15 Douglas Jones reported seeing on Battery Island a bird with a long curved beak, reddish-brown neck, and dark body. On June 22 Teddy Davis went with Douglas to the island and they saw a bird of the same description. On July 25 Douglas saw five — they flew over the trees and would perch occasionally. He saw another specimen on August 15. Upon returning to the island late in the afternoon of September 1, Douglas saw three Glossy Ibises. SUSTAINING MEMBERS Maj. W. L. Allison, Statesville. Miss Grace Anderson (3rd yr.), States- ville. The lion. J. W. Bailey, Raleigh. C. S. Brimley (3rd yr.), Raleigh. H. H. Brimley (3rd yr.), Raleigh. William Hande Browne, Raleigh. Mrs. C. A. Cannon, Concord. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Clarkson (3rd yr.), Charlotte. Edward T. Cone (3rd yr.), Greens- boro. Mrs. Julius W. Cone (3rd yi\), Greensboro. Mrs. Barrey Crook, New London. Harry T. Davis (3rd yr.), Raleigh. Miss Clara Hearne, Roanoke Rapids. Miss Patricia Isenliour, New London. Mrs. C. Maffitt, Wilmington. Henry Rankin, Jr. (3rd yr.), Fayette- ville. A. I). Shaftesbury (3rd yr.), Greens- boro. Mrs. J. Porter Stedman, Winston- Salem. Robert L. Wolff, Goldsboro. Joseph R. Wollet, Littleton. NEW MEMBERS Mrs. R. A. Allmstead, Sanford. Capt. W. A. An g win, IJ.S.N. (Ret.), Naval Convalescent IIosp., Kenil- worth Park, Asheville. J. W. Bailey, U. S. Senate, Washing- ton, D. C. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, 111. Bill Boardman, 3919 Club Drive, At- lanta, Ga. Mrs. W. K. Boardman, Jr., 3919 Club Drive, Atlanta, Ga. F. Percy Carter, 27 Edgewood Road, Asheville. Miss Sallie Carter, 27 Edgewood Road, Asheville. Mrs. G. L. Chadbourn, Blowing Rock. Miss Kitty Constable, 1492 E. 7th St., Charlotte. Lary Crawford, 112 N. Mendenhall St., Greensboro. Mrs. Barrett Crook, New London. T. K. Culp, Jr., New London. Walter F. Edmister, Boone. Miss Jane Eliason, 255 Campbell St., Harrisonburg, Ya. (’has. Fox, Oleander Apts C-G, Wil- mington. Mrs. C. A. Furr, 93 East-Over Ave., Concord. IV. II. Gragg, Boone. Mrs. R. F. Green. Boone. E. C. Heins, Jr., 307 Gulf St., Sanford. Miss Patricia Isenliour, New London. Douglas Jones, Southport. Henry C. Lindley, 15 W. Devonshire St., Winston-Salem. Kenneth Linney, Boone. Mrs. I. T. Mi|nn, 1200 Johnson St.. Illgli Point. Dr. William M. Matheson, Boone. Fred II. May, Beall St., Lenoir. Harry W. McGalleard, Chapel Hill. Mrs. Wade Montgomery, 120 Hermit- age Road, Charlotte. G. K. Moose, Boone. Mrs. Grover C. Niemeyer, 1304 Birch- wood Ave., Roger Park, Chicago, Illinois. Humphrey Olsen, Brevard College, Brevard. Mrs. E. L. Patterson, 19 Helicopter Drive, Middle River, Md. Mrs. W. Roy Plott, Walnut St., Statesville. Miss Mary Robertson, Greenville. Wm. S. Rotliroek, 2434 Stockton St., Winston-Salem. Ray Shoaf, Lenoir. Miss Mary Ann Slaughter, 525 N. Bloodwortli St., Raleigh. Mrs. J. Porter Stedman. 2020 Buena Vista Road, Winston-Salem. L. II. Stent, Boone. Mrs. J. B. Tabor, 025 Walnut St.. Statesville. John Trott, Jr., New London. Victor Walton, 318 Kelly St., States- ville. D. L. Wilcox, Boone. Owen Wilson, Boone. Gordon H. Winkler, Boone. Joseph R. Wollet. Littleton. Mrs. J. C. Wright, 401 Stansbury Cir- cle, Boone. Mrs. P. A. Yoder, Forsyth T.B. Sana- torium, Winston-Salem. A Dozen Achievements of The North Carolina Bird Club In Its Six Years ★ ★ 1 — Established a State society of 600 members with a published bulletin issued regularly. 2 — Helped establish 16 of the 18 local clubs. 3 — Spurred the authors to revise the Birds of North Carolina. A — Aided the State Museum to publish the above and to sell 3,000 copies within a year. 5 — Placed copies of the book in libraries of many military camps in the State. 6 — Collected data on birds from nearly every county, and added many birds to the State list. 7 — Informed many thousand of our people on the value of birds through lectures and articles. 8 — Sponsored the selection of the Cardinal as State Bird. 9 — Published local lists of birds for Asheville, Beaufort, Hat- teras, and Mattamuskeet. 10 — Added a Carolina Region to the reports in Audubon Maga- zine. 1 1 — Encouraged the establishing of eight cities as bird sanctuaries and many private sanctuaries. 12 — Furnished a tremendous amount of pleasure to those who have participated in its activities. NO WONDER WE ARE PROUD OF IT VOL VII NOVEMBER, 1943 No. 5 PUBLISHED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB At State College Station Raleigh. N. C. The Chat Bulletin of the North Carolina Bird Club JOHN GREY. JR., Editor C. S. BRIMLEY, Associate Editor State College Station N. C. Department of Agriculture Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh, N. C. “North Carolina was the first of the Southern States to take an active stand in the matter of preserving its wild bird and animal resources.” Entered as second-class matter April 8, 1941 at the post office Raleigh, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published five times a year on the fifteenth of January, March, May, September, and November as the official organ of the North Carolina Bird Club. Articles for publication should reach the Editor by the first of the month in which the Issue is published. Notifi- cation of change of address or of lost copies should also be sent to the Editor. Price of the bulletin, fifty cents per annum. Fifty cents of the annual membership dues is paid as a year’s subscription to THE CHAT. Vol. VII NOVEMBER, 1943 No. 5 CONTENTS PAGE Birds as Foresters 65 Aids to Amateurs 70 Questions and Answers 71 New Treasurer of N. C. Bird Club 71 Christmas Bird Count • 72 Summary of Rules for Your Count 73 Membership Fees 74 Roanoke Rapids Becomes Ninth City Sanctuary 75 Boone Becomes a Bird Sanctuary 75 Bird Return Records 76 New Members 76 Executive Committee Action 77 Field Notes and News 77 Officers of The North Carolina Bird Club Inside Back Cover Local Clubs and Their Officers Inside Back Cover THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRD CLUB Headquarters in the North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh. Organized March 6, 1937, for the study and protection of our birds. Member- ship is open to those interested in this work, and is divided into four classes: Members, who pay dues of $1.00 per year: Sustaining Members, dues of $5.00 a year; Contributing Members, dues of $25.00 a year; Life Members, one lump sum of $100.00. Nominations and applications for membership should be sent to the Treas- urer: Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall. 0 Springdale Court, Greensboro. Birds As Foresters J. S. Holmes, Raleigh Forestry is the practice of growing timber and other forest products. Some authorities consider it an art, some a science. It is allowable then to look upon forestry as an art based upon a knowledge of the laws of nature. The practice of forestry involves a number of features working out in a cycle, beginning with the establishment of the forests. Most of our present forests have been established or re-established naturally ; that is, without the direct aid or intention of man. Even our second-growth forests, occu- pying parts of most farms in North Carolina, have been established through natural process. However, artificial reforestation, namely the establish- ment of woodlands by planting or seeding generally practiced in Europe, has been adopted in this country to an increasing extent during the present century, and was greatly assisted by the C.C.C. during the past decade. The improvement of the forests by thinning and by cutting out crooked and otherwise undesirable trees goes on throughout the life of the woods, the use of such wood for fuel usually covering the cost of such operations. This is known as “stand-improvement.” The harvesting of the timber crop is carried out periodically rather than taking all merchantable trees at one time, as has been the practice in the past. This stimulates growth, thereby increasing the annual revenue. The object in cutting is, of course, primarily to realize on the crop when it is mature, viz. : at the time when the most money can be obtained for the product, taking into consideration the future welfare of the stand. This re-establishment of the forests after cutting must influence the forester very largely in developing his plans for harvesting the crop. Throughout the life of the forest its protection is an essential activity. So far, chief emphasis has been placed on protection of the forests from fire, which is the most obvious and probably the most destructive enemy of the forest. However, it is often contended, with much justice, that insects have devastated the forests of this country even more than fire. Campaigns for the eradication of fungus diseases, some of them now going on, have cost the country vast sums without appreciable results ; heretofore practi- cally all of our efforts have been directed towards suppression of these forest enemies rather than their prevention. This has been the case even with forest fires, yet there seems no doubt that preventive methods must in the long run be the only safe and dependable program. In this paper I plan to touch only upon the aid which birds can give in the establishment of forests and in their protection from insect pests. The re-establishment of forests from which timber has been cut must depend largely upon natural agencies, such as the wind which scatters seed often very long distances. Some seed, especially of species growing in the low- grounds, also are carried by water. However, the seed of some important trees are disseminated chiefly by birds. Two outstanding examples of this 66 T H E CHAT are the Red Cedar and the American Holly. The birds eat the berries for the pulpy covering of the seed and the seeds pass through them and are thus widely distributed. Undoubtedly, many of you have noticed in the red cedar country young cedar coming up along wire fences where the birds have been in the habit of perching. 1 have also frequently noticed red cedars coming up under persimmon trees where the birds evidently take alternate meals. The partial shade made by the persimmon trees out in the old fields seems to favor the growth of the cedar. You have, perhaps, wondered at the number of small holly trees coming up in rather open woods where apparently there were no parent trees anywhere around. This is accounted for by the fact that they are spread by birds. I have a holly tree in my front yard which every year bears a good crop of berries. For the past three years the entire crop of berries has disappeared quite suddenly. Twice in February and once the latter part of January the tree was visited by a flock of fifteen to thirty Cedar Waxwings and I have watched them from my window rapidly stripping the tree of its berries. These birds did not leave the immediate neighborhood until every berry was gone, taking from two to three days. An interesting but irrelevant feature was that my neighbor’s holly tree, only fifty feet away, with even more berries on it than on mine, was not touched by the birds. On upland fields which have been seriously eroded and abandoned frequently the first trees to reappear are black locust and sassafras. The seed of the former is scattered by the wind but the sassafras berry, having a fleshy cover over the hard seed, is eaten by birds and passing through them is scattered on the mineral soil, thus starting the natural re-establish- ment of the forest cover. The tree that furnishes North Carolina with its State Flower is in like manner disseminated by birds. Mrs. Charlotte Hilton Green paints this beautiful picture: “Dogwood and bluebirds seem to go together. The birds are particularly fond of these berries and help scatter the seeds. Some thirty species of birds feed on them. Sometimes the trees are stripped bare before the berries are even ripe; at other seasons they may remain on the tree until Christmas time. Imagine a tree full of scarlet berries suddenly visited by a large flock of bluebirds! Isn’t that a winter picture?” In our high mountains where the spruce and balsam forests were cut clear and the slash left upon the ground, fires soon swept these ridges and mountain tops leaving them devoid of all growth. There were no seed trees of spruce or balsam and even if there had been the burned soil was so changed that the seed could not have germinated or grown. It was only after the soil had been restored by the growth and decay of vegetable matter that there would be any chance of the valuable trees growing. Strange to say, throughout these burned over areas the first growth which came was what is known as the fire-cherry, a rather short-lived tree which before logging grew only on occasional open areas in the spruce forests. It is generally assumed that the cherry stones had, through a period of years, been scattered throughout the spruce forests and that the acidity of the THE C H A T 67 soil, which was humus, together with the prussic acid in the seed had pre- served them and kept them from germinating. The fact that the nurse crop of cherries and blackberry briars comes in naturally is undoubtedly due to the several species of birds which feed upon them. But probably the chief value of birds to the forest is as protectors. Plans for the artificial re-establishment of forests are based upon the forest nursery where tree seedlings from one to three years old are raised and transplanted to designated areas. During the first few months the chief enemies of the seed beds are small birds and rodents, while for the rest of their stay in the nursery the white grubs are the most destructive pests. 1 recently visited our Crab Creek Nursery, where we specialize on the production of white pine seedlings, which are very susceptible to attack from both mice and small birds, chiefly sparrows of several species. On going through the hardwood forest on the ridge above the nursery I picked up a feather which someone with me said was a turkey feather. I had my doubts, and when a little later I heard the hoot of an owl near-by, I recog- nized the presence of a friend of the nursery. Our nurseryman told me that a family of Barred Owls was raised in a hollow tree above the nur- sery, so I promptly instructed him to allow no one to shoot these birds. There is no telling how many mice that family had consumed during its tenure of the hollow tree. It is rather strange that so little seems to be written of the contribution so many species of birds make to the life and well-being of our forests in this country. We have been so busy combatting the destructive agencies of forest and farm that we have to a large extent neglected the natural preventive agencies which have been placed here by an all-wise Creator. Systematic studies of the contents of stomachs of many species of birds have been made to determine their food habits, but their biotic relationship to trees and forests seems to have been seriously neglected. Although the Starling, introduced from Europe, has a very bad name in this country, almost as bad as the English Sparrow, the experts give it some excellent recommendations. An English authority states that “there are few more useful birds than the Starling at all months of the year, and especially in summer.” He strongly advocates the construction of bird boxes, especially for Starlings. Even in this country, where the Starlings are usually looked upon as very unwelcome guests, the Biological Survey (F.B. 1571) has this to say about their food: “More than 42% of the Starlings’ entire diet consists of insects, and nearly half of this insect food consists of beetles, weevils, ground beetles and plant-feeding scarabaeids predominating. Of the plant feeding scarabaeids, May beetles, parents of the destructive white grubs (which ravage our forest nurseries), predomi- nate in the food, as many as 12 being found in one stomach.” In areas where Japanese beetle has become established, the Starling has been quick to detect its presence and must be classed as one of the most effective bird enemies of that pest.” 68 THE CHAT E. P. Felt, State Entomologist of New York, says in his “Manual of Tree and Shrub Insects,” “Aside from adverse climatic conditions, probably no agents are more effective than birds as natural checks or controlling agencies of insect life. Particularly is this true in relation to forest insects.” When speaking of birds protecting trees from insects we naturally first think of woodpeckers. While all of this group feed to a large extent on insects, they are not all equally valuable in forest protection. For instance, the Flicker feeds to a very considerable extent on the ground, while the Red-headed Woodpecker seems to prefer the open spaces rather than the forest. On the other hand, Dr. Brimley says: “The Southern Downy Woodpecker subsists mainly on insects of which it must consume in the course of a year a very appreciable number of wood destroying species, and consequently should always be protected.” Unfortunately the larger species of Woodpeckers have been killed out or driven out, their size and coloring making them very conspicuous. An interesting study has been started in Southern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where the State Audubon Society and the American For- estry Association are now co-operating in an effort to build up the wood- pecker population and to determine whether this group will cut down the hordes of bark beetles which are said to be responsible, at least in part, for the spread from tree to tree of the dreaded Dutch elm disease. Wood- peckers are known to devour these bark beetles. Surveys are being made of the present woodpecker population. The boxes will be checked from year to year to see to what extent they are used. Planting of food plants favored by the woodpeckers will be undertaken, if these are found to be lacking. Further studies will then be made into the insect situation and the value of the idea of increasing the woodpecker population as a means of fighting the Dutch elm disease. The Chickadee is still doing his part to keep under control the destruc- tive tent caterpillar. One-fifth of his food is said to consist of insects, prominent among which are the eggs of the tent caterpillar moths, both the orchard and forest species. Birds of North Carolina says: “In feeding hahits the titmice and chickadees are largely insectivorous, eating adult insects and their larvae in the summer and consuming insect eggs in winter. In the stomach of one North American Chickadee, 278 eggs of the canker- worm were found.” The yellow-billed Cuckoo is also hard on the tent caterpillars; one stomach contained 250 of these insects, and in another 217 fall webworms were found. Everyone who thrills with joy at the marvel and beauty of the budding trees in spring must associate with them the large number of warblers which flit from twig to twig and from tree to tree throughout this unfold- ing period of the tree’s life. They are seeking food on their way north, though some of them will stay with us throughout the summer. Undoubt- edly, they are a great aid in keeping down the insect hordes which from time to time gain the upper hand and result in widespread destruction. The authors of the new Birds of North Carolina say: “Warblers subsist THE CHAT 69 almost entirely upon a diet of insects which they pick from the leaves or bark of bushes and trees or sometimes capture by short flights.” Let me conclude this sketch with a very brief review of the conclusions reached by G. W. St. Clair Thompson in his book The Protection of Woodlands, published fifteen years ago. This author has tackled the sub- ject of protection of forests from insects by birds and animals in a very scientific, as well as practical way. Unfortunately, foresters in this country have been so occupied with administration and education that they have had little time for research in the woods. Thompson takes up the various families and species of birds which feed in or near the woods and states their likes and dislikes for the different families of insects, and relates these to the protection of woodlands. For instance, “not excepting the wood- peckers, the Paridae (titmice and chickadees) are quite the most useful birds of the forest, individually and collectively searching the trees at all seasons. As encouragement for these birds in woods devoid of unsound timber, nesting boxes must be provided by the middle of March to induce most tits to nest.” Of the warblers, he says, “Though individually of little importance, collectively the arboreal warblers form a very valuable check on the number of small defoliatory larvae. To encourage them, an admixture of broad-leaved with coniferous trees, especially beech — is the easiest and surest encouragement, but this is useless if nesting sites are not available.” In summing up his recommendations, he says, “Maintain a sufficient resident stock of insectivorous birds in proportion to the risks of injury and loss — whatever they may happen to be. This is the only eco- nomic method of both normally controlling pests (except, of course, bark beetles and weevils) and of anticipating and effectively checking their undue spread at all times when they are induced to increase abnormally. In practice the only really economic method of wide application — that is to say cheaply, effectively and permanently — is to put up nesting-boxes in the woods, these serving not only to attract birds to breed, and to breed in the right place, and in safety, but also they are utilized as safe roosting places at night and as refuges in hard weather. In this manner only is it possible to breed birds, and also induce them to remain throughout the winter, at which time, as has been seen, it is as important, if not more important, to maintain them. There is only one other measure recom- mended for their encouragement, and that is the self-evident, and very necessary destruction of their enemies.” One evening a few weeks ago I was sitting on the lawn in front of a cottage in the mountains and my usual close attention to the conversation over the teacups was interrupted by the short flights of a White-breasted Nuthatch up and down or round and round the trunk of a near-by white oak, looking carefully and persistently for its supper. The sun was sinking in the west and from the more distant woods came the “Who! Who! Hu! Hu!” of the forest nightwatchman ; and I realized that if given a chance the birds would do their part to restore and maintain the forests, thus making an indispensable contribution to man’s happiness and welfare. 70 THE CHAT Aids to Amateurs C. S. Bhimley, Raleigh SOME IDEAS ABOUT FIELD TRIPS A pair of field glasses and Peterson’s Field, Guide to the Birds (which covers birds of eastern U. S.) are usually considered indispensable. The first is now hard to get and a good pair of eyes is by no means a poor substitute. As for the second, be sure NOT to take along by mistake the Field Guide to Western Birds, as it may cause you to see things that are not there. Most western birds occur here not at all or very, very rarely, and the number of supposed determinations of far western birds that have reached me in the last few years have made me believe that the use of this latter book without sufficient knowledge of the distribution of these birds has been the main cause of them. Two instances I will mention without giving names or places, first the Blue-throated Hummingbird, largely deter- mined on the broad triangular white patch on each side of the spread tail, undoubtedly a female Ruby-throat, which has the same patch on the tail, is larger than the male and lacks the red throat ; secondly, the Vermilion Flycatcher, which in its scarlet color with black wings and tail is much like a Scarlet Tanager, which was no doubt the bird mistaken for it. Always keep notes on the birds you see, be very cautious about the identi- fication of any unfamiliar birds. Check and re-check before you come to a definite conclusion in such cases. Don’t get up too large a crowd, three or four is about the ideal num- ber, too many cooks may not always spoil the broth, but too many observers are apt to spoil the trip. Birds do not particularly like the attention of human beings, especially in crowds. Winter is probably the best time to start bird study as there are fewer kinds to confuse the beginner, and the trees are mostly without leaves to conceal the birds. Walk slowly, do not make rapid movements, as such are likely to scare birds, which, like other wild creatures, instinctively associate quick action with danger. In winter birds do not get active till the chill of the morning wears off with the risen sun, so there is little use in starting a trip at daybreak at this season unless one wants to get to some place at a considerable distance from the starting point. Birds do not like wind and a chilly, windy day, or, for that matter, a chilly, cloudy day, are apt to be unfavorable for bird trips. We have been getting practically no response to these two features: “Aids to Amateurs” and “Questions and Answers.” You can help the authors by asking questions. Send them a card about some point which causes you trouble, for it is likely that others are bothered in the same way. — Editor. THE CHAT 71 Questions and Answers Phillips Russell and Fremont Shepard, Jk., Chapel Hill Prom Salisbury we get a query about the Black-throated Blue Warbler. It has been reported that it has been observed with young at Blowing Rock, and yet Birds of North Carolina does not substantiate this fact. Look more closely at that warbler the next time you see it. Notice that the male is probably quite dark with considerable dark coloring in the middle of the back. Most likely what you are seeing is Cairns’ Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens cairnsi). The female of this form is indistinguish- able from the female of the Black-throated Blue. The breeding range in North Carolina is in the mountains from 3,500 feet up. Further detailed accounts of the occurrence of Cairns’ Warbler may be found in Birds of North Carolina (1942 ed.), pp. 306-7. A reader at Southern Pines wants to know how she can keep squirrels away from her feeding trays — not that she objects to squirrels, but they scare smaller creatures away. We have seen trays thickly bordered with nails, points up and sharpened, that kept the squirrels oft very effectively. Tobacco leaves sometimes act as a repellant. And some desperate station owners use a rifle to teach a few lessons. We’d like to have the experiences of readers in this connection. N ow that suet and other fats are off to the war, what substitute can be used to attract birds at feeding stations f We find that common cornbread crumbled up or hung on a spike is well liked by most birds. It is also a heating food for winter weather. Cracked hickory, walnut, and pecan nuts furnish fats. Drippings can be scraped from pots and pans and molded into desirable lumps of food. Quail come into my neighbor’s yard, but not into mine. What will attract them f Food. Cracked acorns, refuse grain, chicken feed, bread crumbs and weed seed placed regularly at a certain spot will bring them. Get the habit started and they will come often. Put the food where chickens, squirrels, and other birds will not get there first. Bob-white coveys often feed among the chickens in severe weather. New Treasurer of N. C. Bird Club Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, 6 Springdale Court, Greensboro, was elected by the Executive Committee to succeed Ralph Brimley, who is now in the armed forces. The new Treasurer has been active in the Club, particularly in urging a broader educational work among school children. 72 THE CHAT Christmas Bird Count, December 19-26, 1943 WHAT BIRDS MAY WE EXPECT TO SEE IN INLAND NORTH CAROLINA? C. S. Brimley, Raleigh The following list contains about all the kinds we may expect or hope to observe at Christmas in that part of North Carolina lying east of the mountains, and west of the strictly coastal or sea-bird strip. Under each heading the birds are placed in three groups : ( 1 ) Those that are certain- ties, or nearly so; (2) those that are reasonable probabilities; (3) those that are not much more than hopes but have been observed at some time or other within the region in winter. Not all of groups (1) and (2) will always be noted. Water Birds and Waders. (1) Pied-billed Grebe, Black Duck, Ring- necked Duck, Lesser Scaup Duck, Kingfisher. (2) Mallard, Gadwall, Baldpate, Golden-eye, Buffle-head, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, American Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser. (3) Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Shoveller, Pintail, Wood Duck, Canvas-back, Red- head, Horned Grebe, with chances of a stray loon, gull or tern. (This list, however, infers the presence of a city reservoir or some similarly large body of water.) Waders. (1) Killdeer. (2) Great Blue Heron. (3) Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe, Bittern, King Rail. Birds of Prey. (1) Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Sparrow Hawk. (2) Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red- tailed Hawk, Marsh Hawk. (3) Osprey, Barred Owl, Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl. Game Birds and Pigeons. (1) Bob-white, Mourning Dove. (3) Wild T urkey. Woodpeckers. ( 1 ) Flicker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Downy Wood- pecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. (2) Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker. (3) Pileated Woodpecker if one has access to a tract of large timber. Passeres, I. Crows to Starling. (1) Blue Jay, Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Tit, YVhite-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nut- hatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Mockingbird, Hermit Thrush, Bluebird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Wax- wing, Loggerhead Shrike, Starling. (2) Phoebe, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Pipit. (3) Horned Lark, Cat- bird, Bewick’s Wren, Long-billed Marsh Wren. Passeres, II. Vireos to Finches. (l)Pine Warbler, English Sparrow, Meadowlark, Redwing, Cardinal, Goldfinch, Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Junco, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow. (2) Myrtle Warbler, Cowbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, Vesper Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow. (3) Blue-headed Vireo, Palm Warbler, THE C H A T 73 Maryland Yellow-throat, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Crackle, and Chipping Sparrow. The above list totals 101 kinds, 42 in group (1), 31 in group (2), 28 in group (3). The highest level reached by any Christmas Census was 75 at Chapel Hill on December 23, 1933. It may be noted that three of our less usual winter birds have already been observed this winter: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin, all three of them at Raleigh and at least the first also at Charlotte. SUMMARY OF RULES FOR YOUR COUNT Roxie Collie Simpson, Raleigh The Audubon Magazine for September-October explains the count in full, and is summarized here. The count must not cover more than one day, and that day between the 19th and 26th of December. The area covered must not exceed a circle 15 miles in diameter. Enlist the aid of every local bird enthusiast in this delightful game, and see that beginners go with more experienced observers. Check your report with the form given below to see that it conforms. The count should be submitted under the name of the most significant geographical locality within or adjacent to the area. It should indicate the various habitat types covered on a basis of the total time spent in each — - i.e.j cattail marsh 10%, pasture land 30%, mature deciduous woodlands 50%. W eather — A brief report on weather conditions, including temperature range, wind velocity and direction, and field conditions caused by weather. Dawn to dusk counts are preferred, and less than a minimum of 7 hours of field observation cannot be considered adequate for this State. Record carefully the total miles covered and the total hours afield. Observations made on foot while covering a prescribed route which will remain the same from year to year is preferred. Each hour afield by a lone observer counts as one hour, but, observers when working as a party, record only total hours the party was in the field. If a party breaks up into smaller groups, the observer time should be adjusted accordingly. Mileage recorded on the same basis. Don’t count time or miles spent hurriedly driving from one part of area to another or the birds seen. The count — All wild birds positively identified by sight or sound. In case of unusual rarity, substantiating details must be given in parenthesis, immediately following records, together with initials of observer vouching for its identification. Do not use subspecific names, except in few cases where subspecies can be readily identified in field and you have done so. Record accurate numerical counts of the number of individuals seen within the area, including English Sparrows and Starlings. Estimates are often 74 THE CHAT highly inaccurate and are acceptable only when single flocks run into the thousands. The report must be as brief as possible. Try to air mail report to the National Audubon Society, 1006 Fifth Avenue, New York 28, N. Y., within 24 hours of time of count. Mail another copy to The Chat. If possible, type, double spacing, using only one side of a blank sheet of paper. Birds must be listed in A. O. U. check-list order, as followed in Birds of North Carolina or Peterson’s Field Guide. Do not capitalize bird’s name unless a proper name is involved. Give names of all participants. A record on a separate sheet of paper of the names and addresses of all participants would be appreciated. Ten cents from each participant sent with the reports enrolls each as a member of the Christmas Count Club. Sample report : White Pine Bird Sanctuary (Clover Co.) III. (same area as 1927 count and subsequent counts; pine woodland 70% ; pasture land 20% ; small ponds 10%). Dec. 19. Overcast, with heavy fog until 10 a.m. and light snowfall from 3 p.m. on ; wind N., 13-18 m.p.h. ; temp. 40° to 20° F. ; ground bare, water open. Three observers together. Total hours, 10 on foot ; total miles, 12 on foot. Common loon. 1; Am. bittern, 1 ; European widgeon (a male seen at 500 yds. with 20X scope- — H.L.M. ), 3 ; Am. golden-eye, 100 (est.) ; Barrow’s golden- eye, 1 ; kingfisher, 2 ; flicker, 0 ; Carolina chickadee, 21 ; Am. pipit, 6 ; yellow- throat (seen daily since Nov.), 1; English sparrow, 27; red-wing, 2,000 (est.) ; grackle, 6; slate-colored junco, 270. Total. 29 species; approximately 2,897 individuals. (Seen in area Dec. 22: Canada goose, 17; mallard, 2; coot, 5. The unusually heavy population of grain-eating species was due to the large amount of waste grain still available as a result of a severe storm just before the fall harvest season.) — H. L. Mark, R. C. Smith, Mary Pelt. Membership Fees Payable January First The Executive Committee streamlined memberships in keeping with current ideas of cutting down the amount of work demanded of people who are busy in many things. By unanimous action they voted that: “All memberships begin January first, those joining after May to have their membership start in January following.” This action will allow the new Treasurer to send out one set of state- ments, instead of a series of statements each month. Membership will thus run concurrently with the calendar year, as it does in the American Orni- thologist Union. If you have paid your dues recently you will probably not hear from the Treasurer. THE CHAT 75 Roanoke Rapids Becomes Ninth City Sanctuary By an ordinance passed by the City Council April 6, 1943, according to a report from Miss Clara Hearne. The tenth sanctuary is given in the account about Boone. Others within the State are: Ahoskie, Henderson, Pinebluff, Rosscraggen Wood at Arden, Siler City, Statesville, and Tryon. Boone Becomes a Bird Sanctuary The markers designating this city as a bird sanctuary were erected and dedication ceremonies held at the intersection of Gragg and Water Streets June 18, 1943. Mrs. J. A. W. Davis, bird club president, acted as the mistress of ceremonies. M rs. W. Hall Smith spoke of club plans for a junior bird club in each county during the coming winter, and it was stated that the bird houses that were left after the contest will be placed within the sanctuary by the Boy Scouts. Mr. W. Hall Smith spoke briefly of the laws governing a bird sanctuary. Ex-Mayor W. H. Gragg, spoke briefly, reminding his hearers that the Heavenly Father took notice of the hairs on our heads and noted likewise the small sparrow. He said it had given him great pleasure to issue the proclamation designating the entire town as a bird sanctuary. Mayor Gordon Winkler said he was proud of the fact that Boone is now a bird sanctuary and pledged the support of himself and the councilmen in every possible way. He expressed appreciation to the club for its civic interest. Mrs. W. M. Burwell, the chairman of the bird sanctuary committee, read Longfellow’s definition of “A Bird” and concluded with Curtis’ “The Nest.” She also spoke of the experiences which aroused her desire for the city as a sanctuary. That on October 1, 1942, she had enjoyed the songs of a mockingbird, the first heard in Boone for ten years, and had been dis- tressed at finding the bird dead and a shot through its breast four days later. Wishing people to enjoy rather than destroy birds, she thought of the sanc- tuary. A picture sent to the Editor shows a part of the group gathered around one of the markers, which is shaped like a shield with a picture of a Cardi- nal, our State Bird, at the top, and beneath it the words, “Boone Bird Sanctuary. Entire City by special ordinance.” Some twenty bird boxes are being held by children and adults. Officers of the club are: President, Mrs. J. A. W. Davis; Mrs. W. M. Burwell, secretary-treasurer; and W. Hall Smith, field director. 76 THE CHAT BIRD RETURN RECORDS AT STATION OF MRS. OVE F. JENSEN, CHAPEL HILL, N. C., UP TO APRIL 15, 1943 Returns t Birds Banded n 1,2 of 1,3 of 1,3 of 191,1 191,2 191,3 Total ’1,1 birds '1,1 birds '1,2 birds Total Downy Woodpecker... 5 1 6 2 2 Blue Jay . 4 .... 4 1 1 Chickadee . 13 3 1 17 6 3 9 Tufted Titmouse . 11 2 13 f> 3 8 White-br. Nuthatch.... 5 4 9 Q O 3 6 Mockingbird . i .... 1 1 1 2 Wood Thrush . 4 4 8 4 4 Hermit Thrush 2 1 9 O *1 1 Myrtle Warbler . 10 106 71 187 2 2 11 15 Pine Warbler 2 8 5 15 2 2 1 5 Summer Tanager . 4 9 13 *1 1 Cardinal . 9 21 30 1 1 Purple Finch 86 278 .... 364 1 1 Chipping Sparrow . 16 15 4 37 5 1 6 White-thr. Sparrow... 22 11 33 3 3 Total banded up to April 15, 1943, 740; returns, 65. or about 8% per cent of the total banded, or about two returns to every 23 birds banded. The two numbers marked with a (*) are of birds banded and returns made in the same year (1942). NEW MEMBERS SUSTAINING MEMBER Mrs. Anne Bosworth Greene, South Woodstock, Vermont. MEMBERS Arthur W. Brintnall, Seven Hearths, Tryon. P. M. Jennes, 205 Oregon St., Green- ville, S. C. W. L. Legg, Mount Lookout, W. Va. John B. Lewis, Seward Forest, Trip- let, Va. Norman McCulloch, Jr.. Sussex Road. Raleigh. Ross Shumaker, Mrs. Leo Mehler, High Peak Or chards, Monroe, Va. Mrs. Charles M. Norfleet, Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem. Dr. Olga M. Perlzweig, Duke Hos- pital. Box 3711, Durham. Salem College Library, Winston- Salem. Mrs. Adria L. Sliuford, Conover. Box 5445, Raleigh. THE CHAT 77 Executive Committee Action The Executive Committee met in Raleigh, November 13, 1943, with a good representation. In addition to electing Mrs. Wall as Treasurer, and making the change of date in regard to dues, the Committee took the fol- lowing action : 1. Sponsored the sanctuary being established at Moore General Hospital, Swannanoa, by the Statesville Audubon Club and the American Red Cross. 2. Commended the publication by the State Museum of a booklet, Poisonous Snakes, which is to be distributed among our armed forces, and others who have to be afield. 3. Sponsored a series of lectures throughout the State by Alexander Sprunt, Jr., of the National Audubon Society, arrangements to be made through the Secretary of the Club, Roxie Collie Simpson, State Museum, Raleigh. 4. Decided not to have an annual meeting, due to the difficulty of travel and to the request of the National Government that we travel only when we must. However, it was pointed out that local groups should have more field trips, and even groups within a district might find it convenient to have a joint trip. Field Notes and News TRYON : There has been a scarcity of Yireos and Whippoorwills this sum- mer. Also there seems to be a great increase in Blue Jays, and they are doing great damage to the green ears of growing corn. A flock of about ten will go into a field twice a day and each time each jay will rip open an ear and this lets the water in and spoils the ear, so that ten Jays will spoil 20 ears a day. I noted a Cerulean Warbler on August 20. I do not recall having seen one here before. Mourning Doves have been more plentiful this summer than usual. G. H. Holmes. CLAYTON : The following birds were seen on or near a pond on August 31, three American Egrets, one Little Blue Heron (white), one Great Blue Heron, a great many Green Herons, a single Lesser Yellowlegs, and one Solitary Sandpiper, while a couple of Broad-winged Hawks were flying around and whistling. Perrin Gower, John Coffey, Jr., and R. L. Wolff. RALEIGH : On July 20, 1043, I found a dead oak which had three holes in it, and on examining it discovered that each hole contained a bird’s nest. About twelve feet from the ground was a large hole in which was a Flicker’s nest with four eggs, about eight fe'et higher was a considerably smaller hole, which contained three young of the Downy Woodpecker, and about fifteen feet above the Downy’s hole was a still smaller hole in which was a brood of four young Brown-headed Nuthatches. Each hole, of course, had been dug in the tree by the owners. On the 23rd the Flicker’s eggs had hatched, but the Downy Woodpeckers and Nuthatches had flown. The Flickers were still there on the 29th. Earlier in the month, on the 19th of July, I found a White-breasted Nuthatch’s nest in a hole in a dead white oak tree about 30 feet from the ground, the young were peeping out of the opening. Two days later the young had left the nest, and on the 23rd they were no longer in the vicinity of the tree. John Coffey, Jr. 78 THE CHAT CHAPEL HILL : The annual spring census was taken on May 2, 1943, by the recently reorganized Chapel Hill Bird Club. Most of the eighteen ob- servers were out from 6 :00 or 7 :00 a.m. till about noon, and a few again in the afternoon. Points covered were University Lake, Eastwood Lake, New Hope Swamp, Stroud’s Lowgrounds, Tenney’s Meadow, University Woods, campus, and part of the town area. Temperature out, 40 in early morning to about 80 at noon. A thick mist hung over for an hour after sunrise but when it lifted, no ducks were to be seen and the caretaker reported none seen for over two weeks. Some of the rare warblers were identified by G. F. Shep- herd, Jr. No effort was made to count the number of individuals, except in the case of the larger and rarer birds. Observers : Mrs. H. D. Crockford, H. G. Fanney, Wade Fox, Mrs. Ove Jensen, Richard Jente, Gene Lehman, Harry W. McGalliard, Frank Milam, Thomas Odum, Karl B. Pace, Mrs. C. H. Pogg, Phillips Russell. David Sharp, G. F. Shepherd, Jr., Adelaide Walters, Dr. Maurice Whittingill, Dr. and Mrs. John Wright. Species observed : Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, nest with five eggs, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture 2, Red-shouldered Hawk 2, Broad-winged Hawk 1, Sparrow Hawk 1. Bob- white, Wild Turkey 1, Woodcock 17, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl 1, Whippoorwill, Swift, Hummingbird. Kingfisher, Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker 2, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Kingbird, Crested Fly- catcher, Phoebe, Wood Pewee, Bank and Rough-winged Swallows. Blue Jay, Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted and Brown- headed Nuthatches, House and Carolina Wrens, Mockingbird, Catbird, Thrasher, Robin. Wood and Olive-backed Thrushes, Veery, Bluebird, Blue- gray Gnateatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Starling, Blue- headed Vireo 1, White-eyed, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Black and White Warbler, Protlionotary Warbler 5, Blue-winged Warbler 1, Brewster’s Warbler 1, Parula and Yellow Warblers, Magnolia Warbler 1, Cape May, Black-thi’oated Blue, Myrtle, Black-throated Green. Blackburnian, Yellow- throated, Chestnut-sided, Blackpoll. Pine, and Prairie Warblers, Northexm and Louisiana Water Thrushes, Kentucky Warbler, Maryland Yellowthroat, Chat, Hooded and Canada Warblers, Redstart, English Sparrow, Meadow Lark, Redwing, Baltimore Oriole, Purple Grac-kle, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Cardinal, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, Indigo Bunting, Goldfinch, Towhee, Savannah. Chipping, Field, White-throated and Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrow 1. It may be noted that 26 kinds of Warbler were observed. Additional birds seen during the following week were Orchard Oriole, Night- hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barn Swallow, and Acadian Flycatcher. Wade Fox. HIGHLANDS: While doing some work in Botany at the Highlands Bio- logical Laboratory with Dr. W. C. Coker. I had the good fortune to observe Red Crossbills from July 28 until I left Highlands on September 1. The birds were in small flocks of from three to nine individuals and frequented the dead tops of chestnut trees and the live tops of white pines. They were observed every day during this time, mostly in the trees about Fairview Inn and the town or flying overhead. One flock of three was seen at Sunset Rock, August 18. Miss Josephine Stewart, one of the others working in the Laboi’atory, first observed these birds on July 23, but she was unable to identify them because of their habit of staying in the treetops. It was not until about two weeks later that we were able to see them at close range. They had come down to a coal pile at the back of Fairview Inn to pick up something and we were able to get near enough to see their crossed mandibles. Most of the bii’ds in the flocks were dull brick-red iix color with darker wings and without wing- bars or other noticeable markings. These features and their “goldfinch-like” habits led us to the conclusion that they were Red Crossbills. Roberta Lovelace, Wingate Junior College, Wingate, N. C. THE CHAT 79 BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE IN GRANVILLE COUNTY: From November 13, 1942, to January 20, 1943, I was in the Army at Camp Butner. Although spare time for bird study was limited, I did make a few observations, the two following being the most interesting ones to me. On Sunday, November 15, while bunting birds in pine woods I was attracted by the loud chucks of a grackle. I slipped up to within twenty feet of it and was surprised to see a female Boat-tailed Grackle. The brown coloration of the bird was quite a novelty to me, for I had only been familiar with the Purple and Bronzed Grackles of West Virginia. After a while the bird dis- appeared in the woods and I never found it again. However, I’m reasonably sure I heard some more in the distance. On November 24. I received a happy surprise when a singing Black and White Warbler was heard. Later the bird was seen. W. C. Legg, Mt. Lookout, W. Va. YOUNG COWBIRDS AT GREENSBORO : On Saturday, July 31, two Scouts Larry Crawford and Tommy Zapf. who have really taken up bird study as a hobby and have worked on it seriously, called me to report, having definitely identified a Song Sparrow in a park north of the city along Buffalo Creek. I arranged to meet them at the location designated. The Song Sparrow failed to show up in person, but I am sure that we heard his song at a distance. Both boys identified the song as that of the bird they had been observing. Of course, this identification is not positive enough to be recorded, but I am hop- ing to follow up on it and make a positive identification within the next week or ten days. I was with the two Scouts long enough to be convinced that they are well past the novice stage and that they are very thorough and sincere. While we were looking for the Song Sparrow we observed a bird perched on a wire, being fed by another bird. Through our field glasses it appeared that the young bird was about twice the size of the bird doing the feeding. We approached close enough to definitely observe the adult bird as a Chipping Sparrow and to confirm our original observation as to the size of the imma- ture bird. Both birds flew down to a concrete support for a power line tower and we were able to approach to within about thirty feet and to positively identify the immature bird as a Cowbird. As a matter of fact, there were two of them. The Chipping Sparrow came back several times, but so far as we could observe was only interested in feeding one of the Cowbirds. It may be that the other one was an adult female, or could it be possible that a Chippy raised two young Cowbirds at the same time? That idea hardly seems plausible, as I don’t recall having heard of any previous instance of the Chippy being called on to adopt even a single Cowbird. The young Cowbirds were finally chased off the concrete pillow by a Spar- row, which we were unable to observe closely enough to definitely identify, but it made the same kind of darting attack which I am sure you have seen the Song Sparrow employ in chasing another bird away from a feeding station. We may have seen the Song Sparrow after all. Lacy L. McAlister. GREENSBORO: On September 6. I saw a large white heron, much larger than an American Egret, which was standing near-by, and when the bird flew I noted it had yellow legs. Another boy who was with me confirmed the description, which only applies to the Great White Heron, a specimen of which, it may be noted, was observed this summer in South Carolina. [Determination seems correct. — Ed.] Larry Crawford. SALISBURY : A Black-throated Blue Warbler was seen in October, a day later than the latest normal record date mentioned in the “Birds of North Carolina,” second edition, page 306. However, there is an abnormally late date of November 19, 1886, recorded on the same page. Clara Knox. 80 THE CHAT WOOD THRUSH AT RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, IN WINTER: Last fall, after the Hermit Thrush had come, Perrin Gower, Jr., told me that he had seen a Wood Thrush out near his house. I, of course, thought he had mistaken a Hermit for the Wood Thrush. Several times later he reported seeing it near the same place. On Saturday afternoon, January 2, 1943, he saw the bird again and called me up about it. The following day the specimen was collected in the same region, and then there was no doubt about it being a Wood Thrush. Upon skinning the bird it was found that the left wing joint, at the junction of the humerus with the radius and ulna, was enlarged, showing that at some time previous the wing had been broken. The bird was fat and in good condi- tion ; the ovary was normally developed. In examining the digestive tract, the entire oesophagus was filled with suet. The gizzard contained a large nymph cricket (Gryllus), a small nymph of camel cricket, a scarabaeid larva, a millepede and the remains of millepedes and insects. The fact the Wood Thrush was found here this winter was probably due to the wing being broken at the time of migration. However, it shows that the Wood Thrush can survive the winter here, even when the temperature occa- sionally falls as low as ten degrees. Let me add that had it not have been for the careful and enthusiastic obser- vations of Perrin Gower, Jr., a Boy Scout and member of the Raleigh Bird Club, this record would probably never have been obtained. Roxie Collie Simpson. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER PLUVIALIS DOMINICA DOMINICA (MULLER) OBSERVED AT RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: On October 31, 1943, while on a bird observation trip to Lake Johnson with John Coffey, Jr., Norman McCulloch, Jr., and Robert Gibbs, a flock of Killdeer was noticed feeding on the lake bed. (The water was very low and over two-thirds of the lake bottom was exposed, which furnished excellent feeding ground for shore- birds. ) We saw Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and carefully looked about for some other rarer species. At first only the three mentioned came under our observation, but through the glass a bird was seen that appeared different. All eyes were focused on that one bird. In size, it seemed slightly larger than the Killdeer; in color, as it faced us, it was grayish, but the forehead was white ; the build suggested some species of plover. Being quite familiar with the Black-bellied Plover, I did not think it was that. Suddenly it dawned that it might be a Golden Plover, but that could not be. We approached much closer, the bird showed no sign of fright, acting as though we were not present. After observing it for twenty or twenty-five minutes to make certain that it was not something else, John flushed it, while I kept the glasses focused on the bird. No black wing axillars showed, and the tail definitely was not white as in the Black-bellied. The tail showed golden and blackish barring in the sunlight as the bird alighted about fifty yards away. According to Peterson’s Field Guide , these were the determinative marks of the Golden Plover. How- ever, we were not altogether satisfied — maybe we just wanted to spend more time looking at that rare bird. Again, we moved up closer; again we flushed the bird to make absolutely certain our eyes had not fooled us. This time as the bird flew it uttered a call that was different from the call of the Black- bellied. After an hour’s observation there was no doubt in our minds that the bird we had seen was a Golden Plover. Later we checked our observations with the descriptions of the bird authorities and were of the same opinion still. The only other record for Raleigh was in the autumn of 1884, when W. S. Primrose collected a specimen. At Rocky Mount, the late Rev. F. II. Craighill observed eight birds daily from September 11-18, 1934, and one bird on October 8, 1935. On November 22, 1939, Sam Walker recorded one at Pea Island. Roxie Collie Simpson. Officers of The North Carolina Bird Club President — H. H. Brimley, State Museum, Raleigh. Eastern Vice-President — Miss Clara Hearne, Roanoke Rapids. Central Vice-President — Mrs. O. F. Jensen, Chapel Hill. Western Vice-President — Henry Magie, Winston-Salem. Secretary — Mrs. Roxie C. Simpson, State Museum, Raleigh. Treasurer — Mrs. Margaret Y. Wall, 6 Springdale Court, Greensboro. Executive Committeemen — Mrs. Edwin O. Clarkson, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. A. D. Shaftesbury', Woman’s College, U. N. C., Greensboro. Editor — John Grey, State College Station, Raleigh. Local Clubs and Their Officers Arden, Rosscraggon Wood, Inc.: P — Major V. M. Shell, Arden; V-P — Mrs. H. B. Swope, Skyland; S-T — H. B. Swope, Skyland. Blowing Rock, Blowing Rock Audubon Club. Boone, Boone Nature Club: P — Mrs. J. A. W. Davis; S-T — Mrs. Josie Hyatt Burwell ; Field Director — W. H. Smitte. Chapel Hill Bird Club: P — Fremont Shepherd; V-P — Phillips Russell; S-T — Mrs. O. F. Jensen. Charlotte, Mecklenburg Audubon Club: P — O. L. Barringer, Charlotte; V-P — W. T. Hopkins; S — Mrs. Richard Myers; T — Charles Wal- ker, Jr. Concord, Rex Brasher Bird Club. Durham, Duke-Durham Bird Club: P — Miss Bertha Hopkins; S-T — Mrs. M. W. Johnson. Greensboro, Piedmont Bird Club: P — Robert L. Wolff; V-P — Mrs. R. D. Douglas; S — Mrs. Edith L. Settan; T — Charles Swart. Henderson Bird Club: P — Miss Marcel Gary; V-P — Mrs. H. Leslie Perry; S-T — M iss Lillian Massenburg. Hickory Bird Club: P — Dr. H. A. Althouse ; V-P — Weston Clinard ; S-T — Mrs. George E. Bisanar. Lenoir Audubon Club: P — Miss Helen Myers; V-P — Geo. F. Harper; S — Mrs. R. T. Greer. Raleigh Bird Club: P — Robert Overing; V-P — Miss Margaret Habel ; S-T — Mrs. R. C. Simpson. Salisbury Bird Club. Southern Pines Bird Club: P — Mary Keller Wintyen ; V-P & S — Miss Louise Haynes; T & Rec. Sec. — Miss Norma Shiring. Statesville Audubon Club: P — Mrs. Bonner Knox; V-P — Mrs. G. M. Tuten, Miss Rosamond Clark; S — Mrs. Earl Davis; T — Mrs. R. E. Stett. Tryon Bird Club: P — G. H. Holmes. Washington, Bughouse Laboratory: P — Sally Bogart; S-T — Elizabeth Shelton; Director, Joe Biggs. Winston-Salem Bird Club: P — James Stephenson; V-P — William II. Chance; S — Bill Anderson; Asst. S — Henry Magie. • • ire THE CHAT Your gift will be announced by an appropriate Christmas Card, together with this issue. Roxie Collie Simpson, Secretary STATE MUSEUM Raleigh