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Lovell ★ Volumes 21-24 1945-1948 Published by the KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Bowling Green, Kentucky Selby E. Smith, Printer ii THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 24 TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 21, 1945 Distinguishing Characteristics of the Immature Black-Poll and Bay- Breasted Warblers, James B. Young 1 1945 Christmas Bird Count 8 Some Suggestions About Bird Sanctuaries .\ 13 Short Notes 14 The Song-Production Mechanism of Birds, Arch E. Cole 17 Short Notes 29 Data on the Nesting Habits of the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, L. C. Brecher 33 Annual Spring List 42 Identifying Some Northern Kentucky Sparrows, Frank Quigley 51 The W'oodpecker Family in Kentucky, Thomas Keith 52 Short Notes 1 56 Membership List of the K. O. S 56 VOLUME 22, 1946 Nesting of the Prothonotary Warbler, W. H. Shackleton 1 Notes on the Brown Creeper, Leonard C. Brecher 3 Mid-Winter Bird Count, 1945-46 4 Field Notes 9 Fall Meeting at Mammoth Cave, Helen Browning 10 A Winter Roost, H. B. Lovell and C. M. Kirkpatrick 17 Sociable Ruffed Grouse Eats Baneberry Fruits, O. A. Stevens 20 Episodes in the Lives of Robins, J. W. Clotfelter 20 Birds of the Berea Region— Breeding Species, J. A. Patten 29 Migration Bird Count, Spring of 1946 ..34 Nesting Study at Mammoth Cave, Helen Browning 41 Field Notes 42 Nest of Cedar Waxwings at Louisville, B. L. Monroe 45 Notes on the Nesting of the Scarlet Tanager, L. C. Brecher 46 A Mourning Dove gives a Lesson in Ornithology, Virginia Winstandley 51 Field Notes 54 K. O. S. Fall Meeting, Helen Browning 57 VOLUME 23, 1947 Anting by the Indigo Bunting, Walter and Elizabeth Shackelton 1 Field Notes 4 Mid-Winter Bird Count, 1946-47 8 Kentucky’s National Wild Life Refuge, G. F. Baker and Walter Sylvester ....17 Breeding Habits of the Prairie Horned Lark, H. B. Lovell 21 Field Notes 29 A List of Birds from Big Black Mountain, G. H. Breiding 37 A Small Nest of the Carolina Wren, L. C. Brecher 40 Winter Observations on the Behavior of Mockingbirds, Josiah Church 41 Field Notes 44 Migration Bird Count, Spring of 1947 48 Hooded Merganser at Louisville in Summer, B. L. Monroe 57 Some Restricted Habitats in Southern Kentucky, Gordon Wilson 61 Field Notes 64 K. O. S. Fall Meeting, Helen Browning 67 VOLUME 24, 1948 Three Cases of Parasitism by Cowbirds, Walter Shackelton 1 Unusual Bird Records from a Calloway County Farm, Grace Wyatt 3 The Nest of a Prairie Warbler at Madisonville, James W. Hancock 5 Bronzed Grackles Feeding on Beechnuts, L. C. Brecher 7 Mid-Winter Bird Count, 1947 9 Field Notes 14 The Northern Shrike in Kentucky, J. B. Young 21 Goose Management at Kentucky Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge, Earl L. Atwood 23 Field Notes - 28 The Pine Warbler in Kentucky, H. B. Lovell 33 A Heron Rookery in Hickman County, John S. Morse 39 Field Notes 40 Some Records of Importance to Kentucky Ornithology, Robert Mengel 49 Field Notes .... 54 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Meeting, Mary Clyde Nuckols 60 Vol. 21 No. 1 3K?ntiukg “To sift the sparkling from the dull , awd the true W a r bi tt from the falsey is the aim of every Ornithologist.” Vol. XXI WINTER, 1945 No. 1 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IMMATURE BLACK-POLL AND BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS By James B. Young, Louisville The ease with which some field observers identify Black-poll (Dendroica striata) and Bay-breasted (Dendroiea casianed) War- blers in fall plumage has been a constant source of wonder to me. In this I am not alone. Roberts (1936:237) says that Black-poll young of the year so closely resemble the young of the Bay-breasted Warbler that they cannot be distinguished with certainty in the field. In his KEY TO WARBLERS (1936:676) he attempts to describe the difference and then adds, “Sometimes even these differences fail.” When I started banding in the fall of 1936 and began taking immature Bay-breasted Warblers in my water-drip traps, I real zed that I would need something in addition to mere written description if I wished to identify with absolute certainty any bird that I might take. So I purchased, under Federal Permit, a series of fall warbler skins. Included in this group were three immature Bay-breasted and three immature Black-poll skins, all so nearly alike that the only difference I could detect was in the color of the underparts. No buff or brownish stain appeared on the flanks of the three Bay- breasted skins. Instead, the entire underparts, including the tail- coverts, were a buffy color; the underparts of the Black-polls were of a greenish-yellow cast and the under tail-coverts were white. In addition to these skins, I had fortified myself with an article by Bur- leigh (1934:146) in which he states, ”... there is a remarkable similarity in the plumage of the two at this time of year (fall), but with good binoculars they can be readily recognized. The average Bay-breasted Warbler then seen reveals its identity by the trace of chestnut on its flanks, and by its buff rather than yellow underparts. The buff under tail-coverts, in contrast to the white of the Black- poll Warbler, likewise aid in separating these two species, but unfortu- nately there is more or less variation in this respect. The best field mark to bear in mind, however, is without doubt the color of the legs. In the Bay-breasted Warbler they are dark brown, in some cases almost black, while in the Black-poll they are light colored, almost yellowish.” Dr. Alexander Wetmore, in correspondence, had indicated the same general distinction regarding the color of the legs and has added that this characteristic is lost in the drying of skins and that it should be applied only to the living bird. 2 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Thus armed, I felt sure that I could identify any Bay-breasted or Black-poll Warbler that I might Catch. No difficulty was encountered until the fall of 1944, when I took a bird that completely baffled me. I placed the bird in a small gath- ering cage and took it inside. I brought out my study skins and attempted to identify it. I found no trace, of buff on the underparts; the bast was yellowish -green. The under tail-coverts were white, yet two or three small feathers were distinctly yellow. The legs were lead-colored and the soles of the feet were yellow. Thus I had a bird which possessed the identification points of both species, for lead-colored tarsi certainly could not be classed “light-colored, almost yellowish,” nor could the under tail-covert with three yellow feathers be called white. In addition to these factors, which seemed to indicate a Bay-breasted Warbler, there was the further fact that the conclusion reached in Burleigh’s article (1934:142) was that the Black-poll Warbler, common in northward migration in this area, had a tendency to head for the coast from its breeding grounds in its southward migration and was, therefore, somewhat of a straggler here. Some time after I released the bird, I re-examined my skins and found, to my amazement, that the white under tail-coverts of one of my Black-poll skins had several small yellow feathers exactly as I had found them on the living specimen. Fortunately, I was able to take these skins to Dr. Josselyn Van Tyne, at the University of Michigan Museum, for a complete check. In my presence a comparable series of immature birds of each species was taken from the Museum collection, and my skins were then fitted into each group. They were found to be properly identi- fied, and as Dr. Van Tyne worked, I recorded some of his observa- tions. With his permission, I quote them here: 1. The underparts of the Black-poll have a yellowish cast. The underparts of the Bay-breasted are brownish in color. 2. There is a more definite streaking on the breast and flanks of the Black-poll. 3. The under tail-coverts of the Bay-breasted are always buffy rather than white, whereas those of the Black-poll are normally white, but may have a little tipping of the yellow that appears on the belly. 4. In general, there is a rather whitish throat in comparison with the buffy breast of the Bay-breasted. In the Black-poll the throat and breast are usually of the same color. 5. In regard to the back, there is none of the extreme streaking on the back of the Bay-breasted as appears on the back of the Black- poll, although there may be some definite streaking on the back of the Bay-breasted. 6. More work should be done on the color of the legs and feet. Ridgway says that the two species “may be at once distinguished by the color of the feet, the Black-poll having pale yellowish brown feet and the Bay-breasted feet are dusky.” Yet there are two skins in the University of Michigan Museum collection taken by Dr. George M. Sutton which show no such clear-cut distinction. Skin No. 106518 of a Bay-breasted Warbler, taken September 7, 1940, bears the notation “Feet brownish horn color.” The Black-poll skin, No. 106570, taken September 5, 1940, says “Tarsus brown, toes yellowish.” To further complicate matters, there is one skin of an adult male THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 3 in the Museum collection of a hybrid between the two species, and as Mr. Joseph J. Hickey, who was working in the same room, remarked, “If the birds themselves refuse to recognize the difference, not too much should be expected of the ornithologist.” As can be seen, there is still room for more definite data. Of course, the average specimen represents little difficulty. If the bird is a Bay-breasted, there will be a visible amount of the buff-colored flanks. If a Black-poll, the yellowish color and heavy streaking of the breast, together with the white under tail-coverts, are diagnostic. It is the border-line cases that cause so much trouble, and banders, in particular, can furnish valuable data on the color of the legs and feet of easily identifiable specimens that will be of great value. At the present time I am not so sure that leg and foot color are valid distinctions, and it has been shown here that the under tail-coverts of the Black-poll may be tipped with yellow. Therefore, in the case of my own banded bird, I am relying on the general cast of the underparts as a determinative factor. In this case it was yellowish-green, and I am reporting the banding of an immature Black-poll, which, so far as I know, is one of the few records for this region in the fall. BIBLIOGRAPHY Roberts, Thomas D. 1936. THE BIRDS OF MINNESOTA, Volume II. Burleigh, Thomas D. 1934. “A Critical Study of the Distribution and Abundance of Dendroica castanea and Dendroica striata in the South- eastern States during the Spring and Fall Migrations.” WILSON BULLETIN, XLVI, 142-146. * $ WINTER SYMPHONY What was that aria of soft and jingling Notes where foxtail grass and noxious weeds Looked dead and dried, but set my nerves to tingling With joy, and sent me crashing through the reeds? Was it a muted symphony I heard? Could frosted crystals turn to music, tinkling Like cymbals and harmonies in the third? What started every blade of grass to twinkling? On stalks of weeds protruding from the snow Flocks of Tree Sparrows — who could estimate . Their numbers in the winter afterglow? — Devoured weed seeds and twuttered while they ate : Dried amaranth turned to a paradise Of crystal tumblers tinkling with cracked ice! — Sue Wyatt Semple, Providence. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 4 DR. T. ATCHISON FRAZER BECOMES A LIFE MEMBER OF K. O. S* Our “grand old man,” as some of our younger members call him. Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, of Marion, has become one of our first six life members. No more enthusiastic or persistent bird student has ever lived in Kentucky. In a very busy life as a physician he has kept up his ornithological observations throughout the years in a way that would challenge most of the youngsters of our society. He has worked over and over again the fascinating territory in which he has lived for nearly three quarters of a century, Hopkins and Crittenden Counties. From the earliest days of our society he has been one of our most dependable members and has served in nearly every official capacity. He was our president from 1929 to 1933. Few other outdoor people can approach him in his ability to imitate ani- mals and birds. More than his knowledge of the out-of-doors is his feeling for nature, his nature philosophy. His faith in the aims and purposes of the K. O. S. has been shown in a handsome way by his becoming a life member; may all of us be worthy of this faith. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 5 JUNIOR ACADEMY BIRD COUNTS Several Junior Academy bird counts came in, but since none of them were taken on a single day, as were the other censuses, they could not be printed in the tabulated lists. They show excellent interest and enthusiasm on the part of the young people who took them. Be sure to take a single day next year and try to find all the birds possible. And also be sure to send in your reports early, by or before January 10. Prank Quigley, Maysville, found 27 species and 328 individuals on two days of counting. Bill Long, Harrodsburg, found 12 species and 531 individuals, on three days during the holidays. Four mem- bers of the Cane Run, Jefferson County, group — Eugene Swope, Monte Briston, Christine Powell, and Donald Spears — identified positively 7 species, partially identified 4 others, and found 565 indi- viduals, using four days for their count. Millie Cornelison and Walter Gibson Norris, from Waco High School, Madison County, on two days positively identified 7 species, partially identified 7 others, and found 269 individuals. ^ ^ ^ ORNITHOLOGICAL NEWS The final lecture in the Audubon Wildlife Screen Tours was given at Louisville Male High School at 8:00 P. M., February 3, 1945. Dr. Olin Sewall Pettingill, one of the most active bird students in America, gave many films made in his 20,000-mile journeys over numerous parts of the New World. The January lecturer was Mr. ALEXANDER SPRUNT, JR. Alexander Sprunt, who discussed “Wonders of the Southern Wilder- ness.” Over six hundred people attended his lecture. His pictures featured the larger birds of the Audubon Sanctuaries in the South. We now have six Life Members: Mr. Ralph Ellis, Jr., 2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California; Dr. Harvey B. Lovell, 3011 Meade Avenue, Louisville; Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, 2207 Alta Avenue, Louisville; 6 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Mrs. S. Charles Thacher, 2918 Brownsboro Road, Louisville; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion, and Major Victor K. Dodge, 137 Bell Court, West, Lexington. This is the biggest piece of news our society has had to offer for years and years. It is the plan to publish a picture and a sketch of each of these excellent people. Incidentally , how about adding your name to the list? The North Carolina State Museum has recently issued an attrac- tive and valuable booklet called Poisonous Snakes of the Eastern United States, With First Aid Guide. It is the work of Messrs. Davis and Brimley and is profusely illustrated with pictures in color and in black and white. The chapter on first aid is scientific and thoroughly up-to-date. The bulletin sells for ten cents, the money going to the North Carolina Bird Club. Write North Carolina Bird Club Book Fund, Box 2281, Raleigh, North Carolina. In the AUK, LXI (1944), 648-650, appeared “Breeding Records of the Prairie Horned Lark in Kentucky,” by Dr. Harvey B. Lovell, our retiring president. It describes the nest found and studied by Dr. Lovell on the Seneca Park Golf Links and mentions one found by Burt L. Monroe and another by Tommy Smith, both in Jefferson County. Dr. Lovell is eager to know of other nesting records of the species and suggests that all of us try to find a nest this year in late March or early April. He thinks the nests can be found quite easily, since the birds are so noisy at that time and leave their nests fre- quently. Who will be the first to accept Dr. Lovell’s challenge? Mr. Howard Rollin, Weldona. Colorado, whose paintings of birds were recently exhibited at Louisville and Nashville, has pre- sented to the K. O. S. a beautiful painting of a pair of Cardinals. This talented young cowboy-painter formerly worked with the late Mr. J. D. Figgins. The painting will be framed and kept at the University of Louisville Library, where is located all the other prop- erty of our society’s library. The Beckham Bird Club celebrated its tenth anniversary on January 9, 1945. A series of poems, composed by Esther Mason, were used as clues to personalities in the club. Mrs. S. Charles Thacher won first prize by identifying fourteen out of fifteen. Mr. Thacher won the prize on a bird count of Black and White Warbler and Blue- bird cards distributed over the room. The third contest, the identifi- cation of 60 colored bird cards, was a tie between Floyd S. Carpenter and Esther Mason, each with a perfect score. A birthday cake and other refreshments completed the very delightful evening. How well our members read the Warbler! That is all that saves the editor from great embarrassment after his slip in the item about the mysterious warbler from Glasgow. It was the Orange-crowned, but the item in being copied for the printer was changed, and the very necessary name was left out. Thanks for the many letters and cards that have come, asking what the strange bird was or whether I was running a guessing contest in disguise. Our current exchanges are as follows: Audubon Magazine, Na- tional Audubon Society; Indiana Audubon Society Yearbook; Jack Pine Warbler, Michigan Audubon Society ; The Migrant, Tennessee Ornithological Society; Wilson Bulletin, Wilson Ornithological Club; Canadian Nature; Ruffed Grouse, Audubon Society of Western THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 7 Pennsylvania; Passenger Pigeon, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology; Nebraska Bird Review, Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union. All these magazines are kept as a part of our K. O. S. Library. Congratulations to our sister organization, the Tennessee Ornithological Society, many of whose members are also active in the Kentucky Ornithological Society, on being in the “big news.” Man has not bitten dog, but the Chimney Swift has been found in winter! Late last year the Department of State passed on to the Fish and Wildlife Service at Washington the news that the American Embassy at Lima, Peru, had received thirteen bands from Chimney Swifts, killed in December, 1943, on the Yanayaco River. Five of these birds bore bands placed on them by Ben B. Coffey, Jr., of Memphis; two had been banded by John B. Calhoun and one by Mrs. Amelia R. Laskey, both of Nashville. Another bore the band from the station of Raymond J. Fleetwood, of Macon, Georgia, formerly of Paducah, Kentucky, and an officer of the K. O. S. The September, 1944, issue of The Migrant was devoted almost entirely to the great news, with articles reviewing the find and telling of the banding operations of Tennessee banders, as well as many interest- ing facts about the bird and its habits. * * * * * * DO YOU KNOW ME? (Several popular radio programs conduct guessing games, sup- plying certain clues, gradually going from the harder ones to the easier. Some of our members have suggested a similar game for our magazine. Here is the first one to appear, submitted by Mrs. Sue Wyatt Semple, of Providence. Send us some more of these guessing games, all you members of the K. O. S.) First clue — I don’t even claim to be a handsome creature, nor do I pretend to be a great singer. As a fisher-policeman I patrol the lakes and streams. Stupid people call me a rattle-headed gossip because I chatter to myself up and down my beat. WHO AM I? Second clue — I was once classed with the cuckoos, but I am no softie. My eyes are sharp, my bill is long, but my tail is short and square, with broken bars of white. My body is chunky, fully a foot long, with blue-gray upper parts; and my wings are strong. WHO AM I? Third clue — Like an Indian chief’s feathered head-dress, my crested top gives me distinction, as does the heavy bluish band across my white breast. My oily plumage is waterproof; I wear a suit of downy underclothing. In mythology I am known as Halcyon and reputedly build my nest on the water at the winter solstice. WHO AM I? Fourth clue — I dig a long way into the bank of a river and arrange an apartment, perhaps ten or fifteen feet from the main entrance. At the end of the hallway I make a spacious nursery and carpet the floor with fish bones. WHO AM I? Fifth clue — Since I am known as the lone fisherman, I choose my mate early in the spring. While my “queen” broods, I bring her the best of my catch. Happy the day when I give a rattling call, and my eight hungry youngsters rush forward to the mouth of the tunnel. I warn them to beware of rats, minks, and water snakes. WHO AM I? ANSWER: po^pa otLL 8 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 1945 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT Providence Marion Uniontown Bowling Green Louisville Otter Creek Lexington 1. Double-crested Cormorant 1 1 2. Great Blue Heron * 2 * 1 3. Canada Goose 38 4. Mallard 4000 8600 214 5. Black Duck 750 320 * 20 6. Blue- winged Teal .... .... * .... 7. Canvas-back 14 8. Greater Scaup Duck ? 150 9. Lesser Scaup Duck 150 8 6 10. American Golden-eye 7 .... .... 11. Hooded Merganser .... "2 .... 12. Red-breasted Merganser .... 3 13. Turkey Vulture 6 14. Black Vulture 2 .... 15. Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 "* 16. Cooper’s Hawk "i i * "i 17. Red- tailed Hawk 1 | 1 * "i 2 18. Red-shouldered Hawk 2 1 "4 "i 1 19. Rough-legged Hawk 3 .... 20. Golden Eagle * 21. Bald Eagle "l 22. Marsh Hawk 2 "3 * 2 23. Sparrow Hawk 3 15 6 5 6 5 24. Bob-white 2 12 12 1 10 25. Killdeer 2 2 26. Wilson’s Snipe 7 27. Herring Gull 1000 T 53 28. Ring-billed Gull 6 29. Rock Dove 6 50 id 25 30. Mourning Dove * 14 "5 160 10 31. Screech Owl 1 32. Great Horned Owl " i 33. Bared Owl "i i "i "l 34. Belted Kingfisher 2 1 * 2 35. Flicker 3 1 33 7 36 3 6 36. Pileated Woodpecker 3 4 11 1 37. Red-bellied Woodpecker 12 15 15 "3 3 38. Red-headed Woodpecker "7 2 1 1 39. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker * 1 3 40. Hairy Woodpecker 2 8 "4 9 i 41. Downy Woodpecker 42. Phoebe 7 75 24 31 * 16 6 .... 43. Horned Lark 31 211 184 49 ii 44. Blue Jay 25 41 15 48 41 ii 2 45. Crow 3 500 600 5000 96 60 1000 46. Carolina Chickadee 15 260 78 78 7 45 3 47. Tufted Titmouse 7 250 10 62 50 40 2 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 9 1945 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT !• Providence Marion Uniontown Bowling Green Louisville Otter Creek Lexington 48. White-breasted Nuthatch 1 .... ! 7 2 2 5 49. Brown Creeper 50. Winter Wren .... 1 2 4 1 51. Bewick’s Wren 1 i * 2 52. Carolina Wren 3 15 3 36 "6 5 53. Mockingbird 9 15 8 16 18 3 6 54. Robin 1 3 2 55. Hermit Thrush 8 56. Bluebird 7 26 15 28 1 ii 25 57. Golden-crowned Kinglet 13 5 2 6 58. Cedar Waxwing 15 59. Migrant Shrike 2 1 i 60. Starling 76 400 105 280 6000 1 35 61. Myrtle Warbler 6 11 12 62. English Sparrow 215 150 66 65 200 5 63. Meadowlark 12 27 10 13 23 64. Rusty Blackbird 1 65. Bronzed Grackle 1 66. Cowbird . 32 67. Cardinal 23 90 80 116 265 71 6 68. Purple Finch 1 10 69. Goldfinch 16 18 ”9 60 10 25 70. Towhee 3 60 4 43 40 15 71. Savannah Sparrow 5 4 72. Vesper Sparrow 25 73. Slate-colored Junco 150 125 30 190 320 110 14 74. Tree Sparrow 55 14 48 7 28 36 75. Chipping Sparrow .. 3 76. Field Sparrow 10 20 35 10 ”4 1 77. White-crowned Sparrow 23 3 26 109 4 78. White-throated Sparrow 3 ! 8 6 89 3 15 79. Fox Sparrow f 2 * 2 25 80. Lincoln Sparrow .... 4 81. Swamp Sparrow .... 6 ”4 82. Song Sparrow 5 | 25 I 20 28 34 8 1 (The asterisk (*) means that the species was seen within a few days of the count but not on the count itself.) SH :j! $ tji tfc SjS Providence (one mile west of Providence, one-half mile south, and two miles east) . Dec. 24. Six hours in the field on foot. The Vesper Sparrows were feeding on an old gullied hillside with Slate- colored Juncos. Total, 32 species, 728 individuals. - — Sue Wyatt Semple. 10 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Marion (from Marion to the Ohio River) . Dec. 25. Eight hours in the field. Wind brisk; raining; temp. 40. Most of the list was picked up on the Ohio River by C. F. The large numbers are esti- mates, but are conservative. Total, 56 species, 8472 individuals. — Dr. T. Atchison Frazer and Chastain Frazer, Morganfield (Morganfield to Hardin’s Station to Morton’s Lake to Uniontown; up the Ohio River on the Kentucky side to Slim’s Island, about four miles up the river from Uniontown). Dec. 28; ten hours in the field; ground frozen and covered with a sheet of ice; fight north wind; dark overcast most of day; temp. 25-28. Observers together; six miles on foot; thirty-six miles in car. The numbers of the ducks are estimates but were obtained by group counting for several hours. Total, 42 species, 10,398 individuals. — Robert L. Witt, Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Ten- nessee, and Billy Styles, Morganfield. Bowling Green (Chaney, McElroy, Albert Covington Farms; along Gasper and Barren Rivers; wooded stream banks 30%, open woods 30%, pastures and cultivated fields 40%). Dec. 24. Cloudy all day, with light mist until late in afternoon, rain last hour; no wind; ground bare except for a few snowbanks; still places in streams frozen over. Five observers in two parties. Total hours, 17, on foot; total miles, 14. Total, 46 species, 7,043 individuals. — B. C. Cole, L. Y. Lancaster, Charles L. Taylor, J. R. Whitmer, and Gordon Wilson. Louisville (same territory as on previous years; deciduous woodland 35%, city parks and residential areas 20%, open farm lands 30%, Ohio River 15%). Dec. 31; dawn to dusk. Dark, misty; continuous rain, visibility often very poor; temp. 36-35; wind 2 to 6 miles per hour; creeks frozen, Ohio River open. Fourteen observers in five parties. Total hours, 29 (23 on foot, 6 in car) ; total miles, 39 (20 on foot, 19 by car). Total, 46 species, 7,377 individuals. Esther Mason identified the Chipping and the Lincoln Sparrows. She has 7x35mm. glasses. - — Leonard Brecher, Floyd Carpenter, Warren Dennis, Mrs. Eugene Doelckner, Caldwell Dugan, Thelma Gentry, Harvey Lovell, Esther Mason, Louis Pieper, Marie Pieper, Evelyn Schneider, Fred Stamm, Anne Stamm, S. Charles Thacher, Mrs. S, Charles Thacker (Beckham Chapter, K. O. S.) Otter Creek (from the office across the fields to Tall Trees, down the road to Otter Creek and the Ohio River, and then back up the cliffs to Piomingo Camp). Jan. 21. Misty early and in late afternoon; wind 2 to 6 miles per hour. Five observers mostly together. Total hours, 7, on foot; total miles, 10, on foot. The eagle was an immature Bald and was seen to rise out of some trees and gradually soar higher and higher in circles over our heads. Its tremendously long wings with the prominent primary feathers sepa- rating at the end, its dark under side, and slightly lighter head were the main characters. From what I have read since I saw it, I would THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 11 say it was a second-year bird, as it was beginning to have some light feathers on its head (H.L.) . Total, 30 species, 562 individuals. — Harvey Lovell, Fred Stamm, Anne Stamm, Caldwell Dugan, Esther Mason. Lexington (by auto twelve miles to Elkhorn Creek; thickets and cliffs and weed fields, about 1300 acres) . Dec. 24. No wind; temp. 38 to 40; ground bare except for remnants of snowdrifts. Total, 18 species, 1,121 individuals. — Charles K. Morrel and Victor K. Dodge. ****** A BRIEF GREETING FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT Because the Kentucky Education Association meetings have been cancelled for this year, we cannot have our annual spring programs. More than ever we will have to rely on THE KENTUCKY WARBLER as a means of keeping together. By all means let us hold the present membership and even grow during these troubled years. With our membership dues, interest from our small endowment, and sale of back issues we have done rather well financially. For each of you and for the society as a whole I wish a very successful and interesting 1945. — Victor K. Dodge. * * * * * * CENSUSES ELSEWHERE We are always glad to get censuses taken by our members out- side Kentucky. We are printing two studies below to show a near neighbor and one far to the north. Practically every bird on the first list might have been found at some place in Kentucky during Christmas week; those on the second list seem like distant memories to some of us who have studied birds in far-away Northern Michigan, Nashville, Tenn. — (Overton Hills Forest, Radnor Lake, Glendale, Lealand, Hobbs to Tyne roads, Percy Warner Park, Bellemeade, Hill- wood, Bosley Spring, Nine-mile Hill, and Cumberland River bottoms at the tip of Bell’s Bend) . Open farm lands 28%, town suburbs 5%, wooded pastures 25%, wooded hills 25%, river bank 5%, lake and shore 12% of time consumed. Dec. 24. Visibility poor; foggy in morning, drizzling rain in afternoon; little or no wind; temp. 23-47; ground bare and very wet. Birds fairly active following snow. Thir- teen observers in five parties. Total party-hours, 37 y2, man-hours, 87 y2. Great Blue Heron, 2; Common Mallard, 45; Black Duck, 15; Gadwall, 5; Ring-necked Duck, 1; Lesser Scaup, 5; Baldpate, 1; Ducks unidentified, 18; Black Vulture, 35; Turkey Vulture, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 5; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 14; Bob-white, 27 (at 6 places) ; Coot, 2; Killdeer, 23; Wilson’s Snipe, 1; Mourning Dove, 16; Screech Owl, 2; Great Horned Owl, 2; Barred Owl, 4; Belted Kingfisher, 2; Flicker, 19; Pileated Wood- pecker, 10; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 25; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 10; Hairy Woodpecker, 7; Downy Woodpecker, 46; Blue Jay, 22; Horned Lark, 180 (at 7 places) ; Crow, 53; Carolina Chickadee, 110: Tufted Titmouse, 73; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Brown Creeper, 5; Bewick’s Wren, 4; Carolina Wren, 49; Mockingbird, 47; Robin, 5; Hermit Thrush, 4; Bluebird, 95; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 10; Ruby- crowned Kinglet, 1 (Forbes) ; Cedar Waxwing, 4: Migrant Shrike, 3: 12 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Starling, 1690 (1500 in one flock) ; Myrtle Warbler, 29; English Spar- row, 130; Meadowlark, 23; Red-winged Blackbird, 1 (Simpson) ; Rusty Blackbird, 2 (Ganier) ;'Cowbird, 23; Cardinal, 212; Goldfinch, 40; Red-eyed Towhee, 65; Slate-colored Junco, 190; Chipping Spar- row (Hawkins) ; Field Sparrow, 92; White-crowned Sparrow, 29; White-throated Sparrow, 54; Swamp Sparrow, 6; Song Sparrow, 108. Total, 63 species, approximately 3744 individuals. — (On Dec. 26, gulls came up the river, almost certainly the American Herring Gulls) . — B. H. Abernathy, Sgt. John B. Forbes, Albert F. Ganier (Compiler), Robert M. Hawkins, Robert Hickerson, Amelia R. Laskey, G. R. Mayfield, Donald Maynard, J. A. Robins, William Simpson, W. R. Spofford, Luttrell Thomas, and H. S. Vaughn (Nashville Chapter, Tennessee Ornithological Society) . McMillan, Michigan. — Since my father was ill, I did not get to take an actual Christmas Bird Count this year, 1944. The month of December was somewhat stormy, with snow falling on twenty-two days and the others overcast. The temperature ranged from as low as 8 to as high as 38. McCormick Lake has been frozen over since November 25; the ground has been covered with snow since November 29 and averages fourteen inches today, December 27. Had I gone on a trip, I may have found a Ruffed Grouse or so and almost certainly the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. I am doubtful whether I would have found the Northern Pileated Woodpecker, as I have not observed it for more than two months. On November 1 I saw an Arctic Three- toed Woodpecker, the first one of this species I have seen for over a year. It is doubtful whether it is still around here. Blue Jays and Black-capped Chickadees are here, as their favorite food is plentiful this year. The White -breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches are generally fairly common in winters when there is a good supply of beechnuts. For some reason the Red-breasted seems very scarce this winter, though there is a good crop of beechnuts. The Northern Shrike is fairly common. Since December 18 the Starlings have been absent, probably because the weather has been too cold for them. The English Sparrow remains regardless of weather. The fairly good crop of cones on birches and most evergreens attracts this winter as usually the Evening Grosbeak, the Purple Finch, the Red Crossbill, the White-winged Crossbill, the Pine Siskin, the Goldfinch, and the Redpoll. Some of these may not still be around since the severe weather has come on. Some winters I find the Lapland Longspur in my territory. I found one with a flock of Snow Buntings on Decem- ber 27. Sometimes I find the Snow Bunting by the hundreds. On December 24 I found a flock of at least 400 and on December 25 I found at least 200 in a small patch of weeds about 40 rods east of my banding station. — Oscar McKinley Bryens, McMillan, Michigan. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 13 SOME SUGGESTIONS ABOUT BIRD SANCTUARIES By KENTUCKY AUDUBON SOCIETY, Lexington Open water, preferably a large lake or pond and a spring branch, is a great attraction. Certain seed and fruit trees add much to the availability of the location: mulberry, red choke-cherry, native wild cherry, Washington thorn, Standish honeysuckle, Tartarian honey- suckle, shining sumac, American holly, red cedar, blue juniper, white pine, Scotch pine, chinquapin oak, black haw, pin oak, black walnut, Russian olive, elm, hackberry. In addition to these, poke and elder afford much food for thrushes. Evergreens make good roosting sites. A few acres of old forest trees with dead trunks and dead branches undisturbed are highly desirable. Briar thickets and brush piles also furnish shelter. Osage orange hedges make good nesting sites and shelters. Miscellaneous thickets are needed for “Cities of Refuge.” Some open or even plowed land adds much to the sanctuary. Among the garden fruits which birds like are cherries and straw- berries. They are extremely fond of sunflower seed when the stalk is left standing after it matures. They are also fond of hemp and wheat seeds and weed seeds. Probably ragweeds and the common fall aster furnish the best combination cover and feed. The common red cedar is abundant in many parts of Kentucky, and where it is found, fruiting, there will be Mockingbirds, Bluebirds, Juncos, and other birds akin to these. Cedars make desirable nesting sites for many species. Among our native forest trees one of the best from the stand- point of the birds is the common hackberry, for the simple reason that it holds its fruit through the entire winter and sustains birds which sometimes come in too early from the South and are caught in a spring blizzard. No tree or shrub equals our native mulberry for attracting birds. A very large number of species of birds will be attracted to a sanctuary, especially if there is a pond or lake in it. Many of the swimming birds and even more of the waders will seek out the pond or the stream. Bob-whites require dense cover for protection and weed seeds for food. Mourning Doves like orchards and evergreens. Hawks will come to old fields where meadow mice are abundant. Owls must have for habitats old barns and hollow tree trunks. Wood- peckers require old, dead limbs and trees, things that tree surgeons have slighted. Chimney Swifts prefer old chimneys that are not lined with smooth tile. Grackles are easy to satisfy, but prefer large evergreens and good bathing places. The sparrows are attracted by weeds and old sweet clover fields. Purple Martins require boxes on poles set in open places, never close to tall trees. Most of the warblers, numbering some forty species, are migratory and take what they can get in passing. Mockingbirds, Brown Thrashers, and Cat- birds like an Osage orange hedge, thorns, and rose bushes. Wrens must have tiny boxes, preferably under a porch roof and in similarly sheltered places. Bluebirds like dead apple trees, decaying fence posts, and decayed tree trunks about the outer edge of thickets. Robins follow mankind and accept what is offered. When men aban- don an area, to turn it back to its former wild state, such, for instance as the Mammoth Cave National Park, the Robins and Starlings also abandon it. The reason is obvious: these species feed on the fruits and insects which abound in cultivated areas. 14 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER WARNING It is lawful to kill game birds in season and the following six species of birds at any time in Kentucky: Crow, English Sparrow, Starling, Great Horned Owl, Cooper’s Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. There is a fine of from $15.00 to $100.00 for killing any other birds at any time or for having them in your possession. * * * * * * SHORT NOTES AN UNUSUAL NESTING SITE.— In a recent issue of the KEN- TUCKY WARBLER (XX, 20) Dr. Harvey Lovell discussed the breed- ing of the Mourning Dove in Kentucky and mentioned a nest on the ledge of a rock quarry. The writer found an unusual nest location in 1941 on Pilot Rock. Since I made no notes at the time and have been unable to secure an authoritative statistical description of the place, I have been somewhat hesitant in reporting the nest. Pilot Rock is a sandstone cap on a high hill about twelve miles northeast of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on what is known as the Pilot Rock Road. This rock is estimated to cover one to one and a quarter acres at the base and to have a surface on top of a half to three quarters of an acre. It rises 140 to 160 feet above the ground. Three sides are per- pendicular, or nearly so, while there is enough slope to the south to permit an agile person to climb to the top. Access to the top is through three deep crevasses appropriately filled by nature with an accumulation of dirt and leaves. My wife and I were on the top looking for a place to take some pictures of some of the surrounding country. We were near the north edge of the rock when a Mourning Dove, simulating injury, flew from a ledge on our right and fluttered to a group of dwarfed oaks near the center of the area. The bird came from the east wall of the north-south crevasse, which at that point was ten to twelve feet wide and perhaps twenty to twenty-five feet deep. The only possible nesting site was the lichen-covered ledge four or five inches wide and approximately eight feet from the top of the rock. One careful look was all that was necessary to find the single egg partly concealed by the leaves of a small plant, but there were no sticks, leaves, twigs, or other nesting material present. We commented on the possibility of the egg’s rolling off the shelf if it were disturbed. The ground, from the Dove’s point of view, was only twelve or fifteen feet below, but if the nest had been five feet to the north, the distance would then have been one hundred and fifty feet from the ground, straight down. Distances mentioned in this note are my own estimates from memory of the surroundings and from an examination of the picture of the nest. I hope to revisit the place and make a more detailed study of the location of the nest. — William M. Walker, Jr., Knoxville, Tennessee. THE SONG OF THE TREE SPARROW.— On my Christmas Bird Count I had many thrills, but the greatest one came while I was watching a flock of Slate-colored Juncos. All of a sudden I heard soft, jingling notes that sounded for the world like a million crystal tumblers tinkling with cracked ice. In my haste to discover the source of the music, I crashed through a dump heap, where it seemed a ton of tin cans had been deposited; I also ran over the carcass of a white chicken; but nothing deterred me. And then I was repaid for my trouble. Fifty-five Tree Sparrows were feeding on the weed seeds THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 15 with a huge flock of Juncos and Mattering as they ate. Before this I was always happy when I could identify one Tree Sparrow at a time, and all of a sudden I got to hear a Tree Sparrow symphony, free! When I came home, I could not eat or sleep until I got it out of my system— another sonnet, of course. Here it is, and I hope that all of our K. O. S. members who have never heard a Tree Spar- row flock in full song may have that very experience this winter. (See p. 3) * —Sue Wyatt Semple, Providence. ' * ., :iiIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CUCKOOS (1895) this statement by Major Bendire; “I am aware that this species has been accused" of destroying the eggs and even the young of smaller birds.” —Mrs. S. Charles Thacker, Louisville, RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS STAGE’ A COMEBACK.— Bird students in various parts of the country have reported in recent years that the Red-headed Woodpecker is far less numerous than formerly, especially in winter. Since the fall of 1944 I have had many opportu- nities to observe that the Red-head is decidedly increasing in the area where I hunt or spend my leisure time. Around my cabins, at the mouth of Gasper River, I have found many of these birds in beech woods, even in the midst of the severest winter weather. Also in Metcalfe County, where I have hunted, they are also in numbers quite up to those of twenty-five years ago. In nearly every instance I have found the birds in beech woods. — L. Y. Lancaster, Bonding Green. HOW TO CATCH A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.— My grand-daughter had an unusual experience with a bird on March 31, 1943. The six-year-old child walked into her home carrying a Golden-crowned Kinglet, which she said she had picked out of a bush. The bird hopped to her shoulder in a possessive manner as if to imply that he had adopted the girl. It was a perfectly marked male and seemed to be in good health and otherwise normal. Later it was placed in a box and brought to Dr. Harvey Lovell. When the box was opened, the beautiful bird flew unconcernedly around the room. It investigated both the furniture and the people present with equal interest. It alighted on our shoulders and walked up and down our arms, entirely without fear. We were able to reach down and pick it up at any time. It then remained contented in our hands until something in the room stimulated its attention. When presented with a pan of water, it flew immediately to the edge of the pan and drank. It then jumped in and took a bath and spent con- siderable time smoothing its feathers. It also ate some millet seeds. After banding it with No. 42-14,859. we again placed it unprotesting in its box, and I brought it home. The next day it was firmly de- posited out of doors in my yard and apparently continued northward on its spring migration. —Mrs. Alice Moore, Louisville. 16 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER SOME 1944 RECORDS— On the night of May 17, 1944, I heard the Chuck- will’s- widow at Boston, Kentucky, sometimes two at a time. But at no time did I hear the Whip-poor-will. This record of the species beyond Muldraugh’s Hill is one of the very few, according to Miss Evelyn Schneider’s recent study, “The Summer Range of the Chuck- will’s- widow in Kentucky,” KENTUCKY WARBLER, XX (1944), 13-19. While I was spending nine days at Sulphur Well, Metcalfe County, August 19-27, I saw and heard almost every day and several times in a day the Baltimore Oriole. Some of the places where I recorded it were so far apart that there must have been several in- dividuals. Its notes were as rich as they are in early spring. For some strange reason I see fewer and fewer Baltimore Orioles each year in my regular territory. On July 29, 1944, as I was rowing one of Dr. Lancaster’s boats at the Mouth of Gasper River, I flushed two white herons. I pursued them for a mile or more and finally got within a few yards of them, close enough to see their markings, especially their yellow feet. Though I have seen many Snowy Egrets in Florida, these were the first for my regular area of study. You will recall the interesting articles in the Autumn, 1943, WARBLER by Ranger Binnewies about the nesting of a Prothono- tary Warbler on the ferry-boat at Mammoth Cave. Mr. Bennewies told me in the late summer of 1944 that a Prothonotary had nested that season in an old iron pipe on a barge in Green River opposite the Old Ferry. At the Chaney Marsh on November 12, 1944, I saw several Crows practicing dive-bombing at a Red-tailed Hawk, which sat unperturbed on its perch until I approached quite near. Many times the Crows were a dozen yards from the hawk but pretended that they were at- tacking him, I suppose. How late do Mourning Doves nest? Dr. Lovell has asked that question and given several answers from his and others’ experiences. On September 18, 1944, I found on the campus at Western three doves so small that two of them could fly only with difficulty, the other being unable to fly at all. In May, 1944, I added to my list several places in the state where the Song Sparrow was to be found in nesting time. On May 10 it was plentiful at Shepherdsville along Salt River. On the same day and the day before I recorded it several times around Elizabethtown. On May 18 I saw it and heard its song several times at Boston, Nel- son County. The next day I went to Campbellsville, where it was common along the little stream that runs through the town. On May 19 and 20 I found it at three places in Cumberland County: Marrowbone, Waterview, and Mud Camp. Mr. W. M. Walker, Jr., reported some years ago finding it at Waterview. On May 26 I found it common singing by the roadsides in Oldham and Carroll counties. I am still living in hopes of finding it near Bowling Green in summer; my nearest record is just north of Munfordville. Besides finding the House Wren in my regular territory in the 1944 spring migration I also added the following places to my records: Beaver Creek, near Glasgow, April 29; near Salt River at Shepherds- ville, May 10; inside the city of Campbellsville, May 19; Warsaw, Gallatin County, May 27. GORDON WILSON, Bowling Green. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded — 1923 by B. C. Bacon, Dr. L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. Purpose — To encourage the study of birds and to sponsor measures for their protection. Organ — THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly magazine of ornithology. Meetings — Spring, in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year. This includes membership in local chapters of the society. 1945 Officers — President, Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Vice-President — Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer— Miss Helen Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville. Councillors — West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Central: Mr. S. Charles Thacher, Louisville; East: Mrs. J. Kidwell Grannis, Flemingsburg. Retiring President — Dr. Harvey Lovell, Louisville. Librarian and Custodian of K. O. S. Endowment — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, Louisville. Advisory Committee — Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; Dr. G. B. Pennebaker, More- head; Dr. Anna Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. Gladys Smith- wick, Lexington; Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiana; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. L. G. Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Sue Wyatt Sem- ple, Providence; Mr. F. Everett Frei, Horse Cave; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. L. H. Stiles, Hazard; Miss Lucy Furman, Frankfort; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville. Send dues (ONE DOLLAR) to the Secretary-Treasurer. Send notes and articles for publication to Dr. Gordon Wilson, Editor of THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, Bowling Green. ? . . . W a r bl tr from the false , is the aiyi of every Ornithologist ” Volume XXI SPRING, 1945 Number 2 THE SONG-PRODUCTION MECHANISM OF BIRDS By ARCH E. COLE, Department of Anatomy, University of Louisville School of Medicine (A paper read before the Beckham Bird Club, December 14, 1943). One of the more remarkable characteristics of Mother Nature is her frugality. She never throws away anything for which there may be a use; and if there is no immediate use, she keeps it anyway. Her attic 'is full of old junk, as is evidenced by our appendix, our ear muscles, and the remnants of five or six pairs of caudal muscles to move a tail that was discarded a million or so years ago. But if she decides to change the furnace so that it can utilize a different fuel supply or to pat in a new air-conditioning system, she never has to go out after new materials, but using the old, she ingeniously fashions the new structure. And so clever is her workmanship that it takes extremely careful observation to detect the origin of the second-hand materials that she has used. When animals migrated from water to land, a new type of respira- tory system was necessary. The gills that operated in a water medium were inadequate for air respiration. This new system was produced merely by pushing out the ventral wall of the pharynx to form a tube, dividing it, and enlarging the ends into a pair of sac- like lungs. No new materials were required. To give support to the tubes leading to the lungs — they needed support to keep them open so that air could have free access to the vascular lungs where the waste carbon dioxide was to be exchanged for new oxygen — ,she used the old supporting structure of the gills, the bronchial arches, from which she formed the cartilages of the larynx — thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid — , and the cartilaginous rings of the trachea and bronchi. From the old muscles of the larynx which formerly had moved the gills she fashioned the new musculature of the larynx, which could raise or lower it and which could open or close the en- trance into the pharynx. This rather simple breathing apparatus was about all she gave to the Amphibians, and to the Reptiles which developed from them. Back in the Jurassic Period Mother Nature got very ambitious and began experimenting with her newly-formed reptiles. Making changes here and there, discarding many unsatisfactory and imprac- tical patterns, she finally emerged with tWo new models of land- living, air-breathing vertebrates, the one the Mammals, the other the Birds. Krnturkij “TV) sift the sparkling from the dull, and the true 18 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER While the respiratory systems of these two new groups were essentially the same as that of their progenitors, the Reptiles, Na- ture improved each, making them more elaborate and more efficient, for both the Birds and the Mammals were warm-blooded and so needed greater amounts of oxygen. Then, too, she gave to each a rather elaborate sound-making apparatus, cleverly building the voice- box into the respiratory system so that the currents of incoming oi outgoing air could be utilized as the motive power. And again she did not go out after new Materials, but using those at hand, she accomplished her purpose. The two voice-boxes, that of the Birds and that of the Mammals, are entirely different, built on different principles and located in different parts of the respiratory tract. One is not the outgrowth or modification of the other. The only things they have in common are that both produce sound and both are specializations of the respira- tory tract. This is one of the many differences between birds and mammals which have led students to conclude that, from an evolu- tionary standpoint, there is no linear relationship between the two groups, but that each is the result of parallel development from s common ancestor, the early Reptile. Birds and mammals are, then cousins one to the other, both being progeny of Old Grandfather Reptile. To understand the avian voice-box, called the syrinx, and to appreciate the way it operates to produce the melodious song of its possessor, it might be well to review briefly the structure and functioning of our own voice-producing apparatus. Our voice-box, as is that of all mammals, is located in the larynx at the upper end of the respiratory tube. The larynx is a rather roomy compartrnent, supported by the thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages and lined with a ciliated mucoepithelium. The cartilages are provided with a series of intrinsic muscles (five or six pairs) which run from one cartilage to another and which, by their c:n- traction, can change the shape of the larynx. Additional extrinsic muscles connect the larynx to the surrounding hard parts and thus are capable of changing its position by raising or depressing it. Stretched across the larynx from front to back are a pair of thin folds, the vocal cords. These folds, being attached to movable cartilages of the larynx, may be abducted, that is, separated, to allow an uninterrupted passageway for incoming or outgoing air; or they may be adducted, or brought together, in the path of the air current, in which position they may be set in vibration. The cords may be tightened or tensed by a set of muscles, which is comparable to tun- ing a violin; the greater the tension, the higher the pitch. In ad- dition, the attached margins of the cords are provided with a very complicated muscle which is capable of damping out varying amounts of the vibrating edge of the cord, which of course changes the length of the vibrating element and so changes the pitch. This is compar- able to fretting the strings of a violin. Thus we see the mammalian larynx supplied with muscles which are capable of (1) swinging the cords in or out of position, (2) in- creasing or decreasing the tension' of the whole %ord, and (3) in- creasing or decreasing the length of the vibrating portion of the cord. Volume depends upon the intensity of the blast of air forced out of the lungs and past the cords, by the contraction of the muscles of expiration. Tonal qualities are produced by accessory mechanisms such as che lips, the teeth, and the tongue; by changing the shape THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 19 of the pharyngeal and oral cavities; and by the use of all the spaces connected with the pharynx, the mouth, and the nasal cavities as resonating chambers. The voice-box of the bird is built on an entirely different prin- ciple. It is called the syrinx, which means “a pipe.” Huxley called it the “Pipe of Pan.” It is located, not in the upper end of the Figure I. TRACHEAL VARIATIONS. A— the tracheal balloon of a duck (Peposaca) ; B — the tympanic labyrinth of a male mer- ganser; C — the tracheal diverticulum of a female Emu; D — the elongated trachea of a Whooping Crane coiled in a cavity in the sternum; E — the coiled trachea of the Heath Hen. (Redrawn after Stresemann, 1937). trachea as is the lar^mx b”t at the lower end, where the trachea divides into two bronchial tubes. The larynx of birds is very simple. The cartilages are much reduced: thev are not nrovided with muscles to move them: there are no vocal folds. It has nothing to do with sound production ex- cept acting as a part of the passageway to the outside. In fact, a rooster, with its trachea cut below the larynx and led through the wound to the outside, can crow just as well as he did before the operation. The only difference in his vocal accomplishments is one of quality, due to the loss of the resonating function of the upper part of the respiratory tract. From the larynx, the trachea extends along the neck to a point under protection of the shoulder girdle, where it bifurcates into the bronchial tubes. In its course it usually lies to the right side of 20 THE KENTUCKY WABBLER the vertebral column. Being in front of the esophagus, the crop pushes it to one side. The trachea, of course, must be as long as the distended neck of the bird. In some instances it is much longer; thus in the Heath Hen it is coiled upon itself in the neck region (Fig. IE) ; in the Guinea Fowl it is coiled in a cup-shaped depression in the head of the clavicle in some of the geese and in the Bird of Paradise it invades a pouch between the skin and the breast muscle, or be- tween the breast muscle and the sternum; in the Whooping Crane several coils of the trachea extend into a cavity within the body of the sternum (Fig. ID). The trachea is circular in cross section, and to keep it in this shape its wall is provided with a series of rings, usually bony but sometimes cartilaginous. Unlike those of mammals, the rings are complete; they are beveled on their edges so that they may slip over one another (Fig. 4A). The bronchi are usually quite short and extend backward more or less parallel to one another; in some instances they are actually fused together. Like the trachea they are supplied with bony rings. As they enter the lung, they divide into smaller bronchi. The lungs are not lobed as in the mammals. They lie in the dorsal part of the body cavity and are bound closely to the dorsal body wall. Only their ventral surfaces are covered with pleura and are free to expand. There is no diaphragm. Not all the bronchi terminate in the lung. Some of the smaller ones pass right through the lung and end in thin-walled sacs which permeate all regions of the body except the head. These air sacs are unique in birds. They invade the body cavity and surround the viscera; they send prolongations out into the larger bones; the in- terclavicular sac extends into the neck region and completely sur- rounds the trachea and bronchi. These sacs, of course, lighten the body; they help hold the wings in an extended position; they are a reservoir for air, greatly increasing the ventilating capacity of the body and allowing for an uninterrupted exchange of gases during flight. They are absolutely necessary for sound production by the syrinx. At the bifurcation of the trachea into the bronchi the bony rings are greatly modified. This is the region of the syrinx. The lower tracheal rings are broader than others and are partially fused to- gether, forming a more or less rigid cavity, the tympanum (Fig. 2). The lowermost tracheal ring, or in some birds extra syringeal rings below the tympanum, fuse ventrally to form a heavy bar, the pessalus, which projects backward in the middle of the trachea, dividing it into right and left halves. The pessalus thus form 3 the medial boundaries of the upper ends of both bronchi. The upper bronchial rings, one to four, are really only half rings, being incom- plete on their medial side. The other bronchial rings are complete. The space between the pessalus above, the first complete bronchial ring below, and the inner ends of the half rings is filled in with a thin membrane, the internal tympaniform membrane, which is one of the vibrating elements of the syrinx (Fig# 3). Laterally, between the first bronchial ring and the lowest tracheal ring (or more frequently in singing birds between the first and second, or second and third bronchial rings) there is a wider space than usual. This space is covered with a second vibrating element of the syrinx, the external tympaniform membrane. Between the bony rings the walls of the trachea and bronchi are THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 21 formed by a dense connective tissue membrane which is lined on its inner surface with a ciliated mucoepithelium. But the specialized tympaniform membranes are thin, translucent, non-ciliated, and have very little connective tissue fibers in them. They are lined internally with a squamous epithelium and are covered externally by the epthelium of the air sac which surrounds the syrinx. In singing birds BONY FRAANEWORK OF THE SYRINX Figure 2. THE BONY FRAME-WORK OF THE SYRINX OF THE DOMESTIC CHICKEN. B. R., bronchial rings; P., pessalus; T. R., tracheal rings; TYMP., tympanum. (Modified after Myers 1917). there is a thickened pad of tissue, called the labium, which lies opposite each tympaniform membrane (Fig. 3). These pads or cushions are on the lateral border of the pessalus opposite the exter- nal tympaniform membranes, and on the outer wall of each bronchus opposite the internal membranes. They serve to constrict the air passage at the level of the vibrating membranes and so convert each bronchus into a narrow slit. These tympaniform membranes are the elements which are set 22 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER in vibration by a blast of air expelled from the lungs. However, blowing through a syrinx which has been removed from a dead bird will produce no sound. The reason is that the membranes instead of vibrating are merely ballooned out by the increased internal pres- sure. But if the syrinx be surrounded by a chamber which can be inflated at the same time that air is blown through the syrinx, then a sound will be produced. This is the part that is played by the air sacs in sound production. Connected as they are with the lungs, as air is forced out of the lungs, it not only passes out through the syrinx but at the same time it is forced into the air sacs, thus in- creasing their internal pressure. The interclavicular air sac com- pletely surrounds the syrinx; thus the pressures on the two sides of the vibrating membranes are approximately equal. As the current of air rushes through the slit of the syrinx, it has a tendency to push the membranes outward, but they are pushed back again by the pressure in the air sac and so they are set in vibration. These, then, are the essential qualifications of the syrinx as a voice-box: (1) a membrane located in a constricted part of the air passage which is capable of vibrating and (2) a mechanism which will maintain pressure on the outside of the membrane while a blast of air passes through the passage. The membrane is thus put in vibration, and a sound is produced. With the addition of a mech- anism which will change the shape and tension of the vibrating mem- brane, changes in pitch are brought about. I know of no musical instrument which is built on this principle. The syrinx which has just been described is of the tracheo- bronchial type and is a sort of composite affair; but it is more or less characteristic of the Oscine or singing birds. There are so many variations of the apparatus in the thousands of species of birds that it would be impossible to describe each type; in fact, the anatomical details are known for only a few. Certain birds have their vibrating membranes wholly in the trachea, as is the case in Thamnophilus, a neo-tropical ant shrike. This is the tracheal type of syrinx. Others, like Crotcphaga, the anis, and Steatornis, a South American goatsucker, have a wholly bronchial syrinx. The vibrating membranes are on the lateral side of the bronchi just before they enter the lungs. In the parrot the internal tympaniform membranes are ossified, and the pessalus is absent. In the swan the bronchi are fused to- gether, and the internal tympaniform membranes are absent. In these cases the external tympaniform membranes assume the whole function of sound production. In the Ostrich and in the American vulture there is no syrinx at all. Most of the variations of the syrinx, just cited, are found in the non-singing birds. However, the mere presence of a syrinx with well- developed tympaniform membranes does not make a good songster. The chicken has a fine syrinx, but it does not rate very highly as a song bird. The trouble with the chicken is that its syrinx lacks in- trinsic muscles which could change the general contour and the ten- sion of the vibrating membranes. Consequently, its song, or whatever you choose to call it, is devoid of pitch variation; it is monotonous, all in the same tone. The variations which you hear in the “cock-a- doodle-doo’ are confined almost entirely to changes in quality and volume. Of the muscles which act on the respiratory tract of birds, the THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 23 most obvious are the tracheosternalis and the mylohoid. The for- mer pulls the trachea forward; the latter backward. They are thus antagonistic in their action. They are concerned mainly with anchor- ing the trachea and / or changing its length. This latter function may be instrumental in producing tonal changes, but it has little to do with song. There are also tracheal muscles which extend from FRONTAL SECTION THROUGH THE SYRINX Figure 3. FRONTAL SECTION THROUGH THE SYRINX OF A MALE BLACKBIRD. B. R. 1., first bronchial ring; B. R. 5., fifth bronchial ring; E. T. M., external tympaniform membrane; I. T. M., internal tympaniform membrane; L. superior labium, inferior labium; P., pessalus; T. M., tracheal muscles, T. R., tracheal rings. (Modified after Hacker, 1898). one bony ring to another, having no skeletal attachments. These also serve to change the length of the trachea. But the really important musculature are the groups of muscles associated with the syrinx. These muscles attach the various bony rings of the syringeal region and extend from part to part, some straight, others obliquely. They are thus capable of placing the 24 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER vibrating membranes in all degrees of tension, and in varying rela- tionships to their elastic cushions, by separating, or pulling together, or rotating the rings to which the membranes are attached. Space does not allow a detailed description of these muscles. Suffice it to say that in the singing birds the following paired muscles have been described: the dorsalis longus, the dorsalis brevis, the dorsalis obliquus, and the dorsalis ventralis, all of which are tracheobronchial and are thus located externally to a deeper group, the syringeus dorsalis, the syringeus ventralis, and the syringeus ventrolateralis (Fig. 4B) . With all this muscular array to change the vibrating membranes, it is little wonder that its possessor is such a songster. However, even here the proverbial Ethiopian lurks, for not all birds with such imposing mechanical equipment are good singers. The intricacy of the song is in the muscular control of the syrinx. The cousin of the Crow, the European Rook, which Thompson called “that corvine croaker,’’ has never learned how to manipulate his high-powered syrinx. He is as I am with a saxophone: I just make a noise. He is like many of us: the mere possession of a larynx with perfectly good vocal cords and muscles to move and adjust them does not make us accomplished singers. There is no correlation between the complexity of the syringeal mechanism and the intricacy of the song. The good singers, besides having a good mechanism, have in- herited a definite pattern in their nervous systems whch enables them to play instinctively on their “Pipes of Pan.’’ The tremendous number of variations of the other parts of the avian respiratory tract which have their effect on changing the tonal qualities of the notes produced almost beggar description. Just a few can be mentioned here. The tracheal length varies greatly, as does also the ability to change the length by using the extrinsic muscles attached to it. Thus, other things being equal, the longer the trachea, the lower the pitch. The eagle can change its tracheal length between 142mm. and 241mm. Birds with long necks, and thus long tracheae, generally have lower-pitched notes. The fact that the trachea is coiled in some birds has little or no influence on the pitch; it is the same as if it were straight. There are many variations in the diameter and the rigidity of the trachea (Figs. 1A, IB, 1C). Besides the tympanum, which has already been mentioned and which acts as a rigid resonating cham- ber as well as a rigid attachment for syringeal muscles, there is the tympanic labyrinth, found in certain of the ducks, especially the males. This is a large, irregular, bony outpocketing in the syringeal region (usually on the left side), through which the sound must pass; sharp, angular turns in the pathway in the labyrinth gives rise to sudden changes in the quality of the tones, thus producing noise, which is so characteristic of the male duck calls. In many species of duck the middle section of the trachea is ballooned out to form a resonating chamber (Fig. 1A). In certain male ducks some of the tracheal rings are incomplete dorsally, and a tracheal sac is formed. In the Emu a similar sac appears on the ventral side of the trachea of the female during the mating season (Fig. 1C), which makes her call louder by increasing the resonance. In the penguins the trachea is divided into two compartments by a cranial extension of the pessalus. In the Pinnated Grouse the THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 25 expanded air sacs in the neck act as resonating chambers which modify the sound produced. One might think that because the syrinx of singing birds is double, one in each bronchus, two tones could be produced at the same time. This is apparently impossible. The two elements work together just as do our two vocal cords. 5YRINGEM MUSCULATURE ROOK PARROT Figure 4. A. TRACHEAL RINGS, CONTRACTED AND EX- EXPANDED. (From Coues, 1927, after Macgillivray) . B. THE SYRINGE AL MUSCULATURE OF THE ROOK; the syringeal muscles are intact, the more external tracheobronchial muscles have been cut. (Redrawn from Stresemann, 1937, after Hacker). C. DIAGRAMMATIC FRONTAL SECTION OF ONE SIDE OF THE SYRINX OF A PARROT, showing the attachment of the unique syringeal muscles. B. R. 1., first bronchial ring; E. T. M., external tympaniform membrane; S. C., semilunar cartilage; T. R., tracheal rings. Sexual dimorphism in the voice mechanism is not found in all birds. Some observers have thought that the syringeal musculature 23 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER was better developed in the male, but this is questionable. Certainly it is not true in such birds as the Cardinals, the grosbeaks, the Purple T inches, and the wrens, where the females are singers equally as good as the males. In a number of species where the syringeal musculature is not very specialized, sex differences in the calls may be due to differences in the length of the trachea or to the presence of a bony labyrinth such as is found in certain male ducks. In those birds where nesting care is transferred to the male, the female may show a sex difference, as is seen in the trachal sac of the Emu. In most birds where nest- ing duties are equally shared, such as the gulls and the cranes, there is no demonstrable sexual dimorphism. The song of immature birds is usually quite different from that of the adult. In some cases the transition to adult song is not gradual but rather sudden and is often accompanied by a breaking of the voice. This corresponds with the time when the trachea and bronchi have attained their full length and when the tracheal, bron- chial, and syringeal rings have become completely ossified. In most species adult song is not acquired until the second year. This is not true for canaries, for many a young canary has been known to have mastered the adult song. In the Crested Grebe the call produced during the first year comes from the vibration of the internal tympaniform membranes. Later this membrane gradually ossifies, and its duties are taken over by a more caudally placed interbronchial ring membrane. The vocal accomplishments of the parrot are quite unusual. Its syrinx, tco, is unique. To begin with, there is no tracheosternalis muscle. Neither is there a pessalus. The internal tympaniform membrane is incapable of vibrating. The external tympaniform membrane is located at the level of the bifurcation of the trachea. It is attached caudally to the first bronchial ring, and cranially to a semilunar cartilage which is free and capable of independent move- ment. Three pairs of specialized muscles (Fig. 4C) act on this apparatus. One muscle extends the whole length of the trachea to the hyoid bone; thus it is capable of varying the length of the trachea. A second bulges the external tympaniform membrane into the air passage. A third tenses the external tympaniform mem- brane itself. Thus its syrinx is quite different from that of other birds. But what makes it talk? Apparently most of its ability is cn the mental side. Its voice range approximates that of the human voice. If, however, you will agree that an inherited pattern in the nervous system of the Mockingbird permits it to imitate the song of birds in its voice range, could not a similarly inherited pattern in the nervous system of the parrot allow it to imitate the voice of man ? BIBLIOGRAPHY ALLEN, A. A. 1930. The Book of Bird Life. D. Van Nostrand Co., New York. BRADLEY, O. C. 1915. The Structure of the Fowl. A. & C. Black, Ltd., London. COUES, ELLIOTT. 1927. Key to North American Birds. The Page Co., Boston. HACKER, V. 1898. Ueber den unteren Kehlkopf der Singvogel. ANAT. ANZ, XIV, 521-532. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 27 MYERS, J. W. 1917. Studies on the Syrinx of Gallus domesticus. J. MORPH., XXIX, 165-215. SHUFELDT, R. W. 1909. Osteology of Birds. New York State Museum, Bulletin 130. STRESEMANN, E. 1937. Vergleichende Anatomie, Vol. Ill, Der Syrinx, pp. 867-882. THOMPSON, J. A. 1923. The Biology of Birds. The Macmillan Co., New York. WARDER, C. J., JENKINS, T. N., and WARNER, L. H. 1936. Comparative Psychology. The Ronald Press Company, New York. 0 TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF BECKHAM BIRD CLUB, JANUARY 9, 1945 Reported by THELMA GENTRY In spite of bad weather, with streets and sidewalks as slippery as polished floors, the Beckham Bird Club celebrated its tenth birth- day on January 9, 1945, with an interesting program and party in the Woman’s Building cn the University of Louisville campus. Forty- two members were present. Miss Louise Isfort reviewed several articles in the September, 1944, number of THE MIGRANT, which told of the discovery of the Chimney Swift’s winter home. Miss Evelyn Schneider, our historian, then surveyed “Our Interesting Past.” Because Burt Monroe thought there was sufficient interest in ornithology here to start a Louisville chapter of the Kentucky Orni- thological Society, a meeting was called on January 11, 1915, in the University of Louisville Library. There were thirty-two present. Colonel Lucien Beckner delivered an excellent talk, on that occasion. Officers elected at that meeting were the following: President — Burt Monroe; Vice-President — Evelyn Schneider; Secretary — Mrs. Dorothy Hobson; Directors — Floyd Carpenter, Emilie Yunker, Harvey Lovell; Members of Committees — Colonel Beckner, P. A. Davies, Tom Wal- lace, and Mrs. Anne Stamm. Two purposes in organizing, as expressed at that first meeting, were to stimulate interest in the study and conservation of birds and to strengthen the K. O. S. These we have kept in mind throughout the years, as a review of our activities by Miss Schneider showed. We have enlarged the membership by scheduling field trips and lectures to study birds, we have given talks before interested groups, and we have presented important bird lecturers to the public from time to time. To the K. O. S. we have contributed funds, articles for the WARBLER, and helped increase its membership. We have a small library built around Mr. C. W. Beckham’s bird books, a col- lection of bird song recordings, a set of colored slides of all the com- mon Kentucky birds, and — rather important — several government bonds. For a number of years we have participated as a group in the nation-wide Christmas Bird Count conducted by the National Audubon Society. We have attended K. O. S. meetings at Mammoth Cave, 28 THE KENTUCKY WARBLEK Franklin, Henderson, Paducah, Lexington, Natural Bridge, Sulphur Well, and Berea. Our members have brought us reports of birds seen on their travels — Colorado, Canada, Cornell University, Florida, Mt. Ranier, Maine, Auaubon Natural Camps, T. O. S. Field Weeks, Dr. Wilson s famous week-ends at Bowling Green or Mammoth Cave, Wilson Club meetings, and A. O. U. meetings. In 1939 the Beckham Bird Club was host to tne Wilson Club when it met in Louisville. \ve have participated for several years in the annual Kentucky Natural History and Wildlife Conference and in the Natural History Institute. We haven’t been entirely serious, either. The annual Cuckoo Party began as far back as 1937. In 1940, in celebrating our fifth anniversary, Mrs. Eugene Doelckner brought to the meeting a huge birthday cake beautifully iced with “Happy Birthday Beckham Bird Club” across it. In the spring of 1938 we set up a Bluebird Housing Project. One evening we formed a production line and completed twenty-nine bird houses. On April 1, 1938, we had Dr. A. A. Allen, of Cornell Uni- versity, for a lecture. This venture was such a success that we again invited Dr. Allen in 1943. In the winter of 1944-45 we have had a series of lectures with colored moving pictures presented by the National Audubon Society. The presidents who have guided the Beckham Bird Club’s activi- ties through these years are 1. Burt Monroe, 2. Floyd Carpenter, 3. Mabel Slack, 4. Evelyn Schneider, 5. Floyd Carpenter, 6. Harvey Lovell, 7. William Clay, 8. Anne Stamm, 9. Esther Mason, and 10, Audrey Wright. After Miss Schneider’s talk, briefly summarized above, the com- mittees under Miss Thelma Gentry and Mrs. Eugene Doelckner pro- vided us with interesting bird games and delicious cookies and Rus- sian tea. The two large birthday cakes were made by Mrs. Doelck- ner. The hero of the party was Mr. Otto Dietrich, who unasked and unnoticed, went to the kitchen and washed all the dishes. All even- ing remarks were overheard in which members told each other how glad they were that they had joined the Beckham Bird Club and shared in its activities. _____ 0 TO A WOOD THRUSH By SUE WYATT SEMPLE Somewhat of a recluse, and sweetly shy, This rich-brown songster has a white eye ring; Heart-shapes of darker brown identify His throat, his breast, and sides below each wing. He likes dense woodlands frilled with scented ferns, Those deep, cool forest solitudes of rest Where not a ray of noonday sunlight burns, To lift his heavenly voice and Ir'de his nest. His bell-like notes are penetrative, pure, Vibrating keenly just before it rains; His peals so exquisite prove his mate’s lure, For love alone inspires his finest strains. He brings nostalgic memories to one’s mind Of grape-vine swings where youth was left behind. THE KENTUCKY WARBLEH 29 SOME MORE 1944 NOTES — On April 13, 1944, I studied at close range for half an hour a Pigeon Hawk, on the Hoover harm, south of Rowling Green. It was positively tame as compared with any Ocher hawK I have been around. My only other Kentucky records for the species are as follows: November 19, 1938, at the McElroy h arm and October 3, 1942, on the Boadley Davenport h arm. I saw the skin that Virgil King had of a bird killed in Henderson Count y in 1937. Records of this species are very rare in the state. While I was camping alone at Mammoth Cave in the late sum- mer of 1944, a Wood Pewee often serenaded me late in the after- noon. On September 5 one introduced into his song an extended phrase, “Pee-a-wee-a-wee.” He would not always give this note but would add it about every third time. Otherwise his song was natural, the little four-lined stanza that he does so many times but always so meticulously. On April 2, 1944, in the little holly-shaded gorge between Potato Hill, just outside the Mammoth Cave National Parx, and Indian Hill, just inside, I saw and heard the two water-thrushes, the first oppor- tunity I have ever had to compare their songs. The Northern Water- thrush is very rare here in migrations, but the Louisiana nests along our small streams. It was a cold, raw day when I heard them, but they sang wildly, their notes blending with the sound of many little waterfalls. Even trained ears had better be wary about bird songs. On July 1, 1944, I distinctly heard the “Kili, kili” notes of the Sparrow Hawk. I was unable to locate the bird but did see a Yellow-breasted Chat in the tree where the sound came from. By close watching I discovered that the Chat was imitating the hawk. The hawk note came at the same place in the elaborate series of squawks and whistles; I heard it thirty or more times while I was within hearing distance. Several times in the late summer of 1944 I heard the note of the Upland Plover, a sound that a bird student is not likely to forget, once he has learned it. It seemed strange to be hearing this bird over the town, for I associate it with alfalfa fields in spring and late summer. At our August commencement at Western I heard the plover again, right in the midst of the invocation. I opened my eyes and dis- covered a Starling in the very act of imitating this rather rare water bird. Where could it have heard the original, at least enough to give such a remarkable imitation? I was nearly as much sur- prised as I was when I heard a Starling imitate a Nighthawk when snow was on the ground. Moral: Do not be too sure about a bird note as long as Starlings and Chats — not to mention Mockingbirds, Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers — are around! On December 28, 1944, Mr. Ottis Willoughby, our Warren Counts taxidermist who prepared the skins for the Kentucky Building at Western, brought to town a dead Golden Eagle, which had been killed by a farm boy out near Jackson’s Bridge across Gasper River. Professor L. Y. Lancaster and I examined it for the feathers that extended to the toes, as well as for other markings. Mv only pre- vious records for the species in this county are April, 1919, when one was kept in a cage during a Red Cross drive; and October 14, 1932, when one was killed near the mouth of Barren River. In 1943 I rejoiced at finding almost dailv a Hairy Woodpecker on our camp'JM. In mid- April, 1944, after being absent for some 30 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER weeks, it appeared again and was seen nearly every time I walked to or from my classrooms. It did not go away to the woods in the winter of 1944-45 but was seen and heard just as it was in the sum- mer. This species has been so rare throughout my years of bird study that 1 have sometimes gone whole months without finding one, even in my most extended walks and camps. GORDON WILSON, Bowling Green. o — A BIG SPRING LIST, A CHALLENGE The editor wishes to challenge all of you to a big spring list, not that any one will get a prize in cash but that all of us may strain ourselves, if need be, to run up a large list, one that will remain as a landmark in our spring bird study. Naturally, this list will come in late April or early May. Send in your largest list to the editor as soon as the migration season is over. All such lists will be pub- lished in our summer issue, in tabulated form, just like our Christmas Bird Count, Confine it to one day or a week-end in which you re- mained out in the bird territory all the time. This challenge ought to cause several of you to get out for a week-end camp to take the place of our annual spring meeting. o ORNITHOLOGICAL NEWS Mr. and Mrs. F. Everett Frei, after being out of the state for many months working in an airplane plant in Evansville, Indiana, have come back to Kentucky, and are making their home at Horse Cave. Mrs. Frei has already won her spurs there by speaking before the Horse Cave Woman’s Club, on birds, of course. Recently a committee has been appointed to prepare a volume dealing with the resources of Kentucky. This project is being spon- sored jointly by Mr. Harold A. Browning, Commissioner of Conserva- tion of the state, and Mr. John Fred Williams, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. A large volume will be prepared and also a reading book adapted to sixth or seventh grade, so that everybDdy, child or adult, can have an opportunity to become acquainted with the state and its resources. On the important central committee the following K. O. S. members are serving: Mrs. J. Kidwell Grannis, Mr. Tom Wallace, and Dr. G. D. Pennebaker. On sub-committees are Dr. Gordon Wilson, Dr. Harvey B. Lovell, Miss Lucy Furman, Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Mrs. Alice Moore, and Miss Beulah Marsh. Dr. Harvey B. Lovell has recently been appointed by our presi- dent, Major Victor K. Dodge, as a member of the Committee on Affiliated Societies of the Wilson Ornithological Club. The K. O. S. has recently issued, through the efforts of Mr. Leonard Brecher and Dr. Lovell, a record card, “Field List of Ken- tucky Birds,” which can be obtained from our secretary-treasurer, at the following prices: 100 for $1.25; 50 for 75 cents; 25 for 40 cents. No orders can be filled for less than 25, though members who can contact our secretary can obtain smaller numbers at two cents a THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 31 card. This card is an excellent and compact method of keeping com- plete field notes and should be used extensively by our members. So many new members have come in and so many requests for back numbers that with this issue, we are printing 300 copies of the WARBLER. Even after having 250 printed for the last issue it was necessary for us to have 20 more run off to take care of the growing sale of extras. The way we have been able to grow in membership right through the war deserves a compliment frcm somebody; the editor takes this duty upon himself gladly, for a lot of people have been busy keeping up our society membership and morale. — — t — O 1, : ; FRANKLIN’S GULL ON OHIO RIVER AT LOUISVILLE On November 11, 1943, we observed a flock of strange gulls between the Pennsylvania Railroad and Municipal Bridges on the Ohio River above the hydro-electric dam. With 8x4 mm. field glasses we were able to see clearly that their wing tips were black, tipped with white, which, according to Peterson’s GUIDE, is diag- nostic for Franklin’s Gull (Lams pipixcan), whereas Bonaparte’s Gull has the tips of the wings all black. As the birds circled low over our heads, at the end of Fourth Street, we were able also to observe the black spot around the eye and the greyish half-hood over the back of the head. All three of the main plumages were represented: immature birds in their first fall plumage with a subterminal black band across the tail, adults in winter plumage v/ithout the black band and with the greyish band on the back of the head, and ht least two individuals still in breeding plumage with a black head. The presence of the last-named marking is surprising, since winter plumage is supposed to be acquired in October. There were at least twelve Franklin’s Gulls in the flock and probablv twenty. On November 14 we saw a single adult Franklin’s Gull with the black head swimming near the wharf. On November 19 several o^ the birds were again seen, but they were feeding near the middle of the river. On November 21 they cou’d not be found. The only published record for Franklin’s Gull in Kentucky is that of Pindar for Fulton County, down below the mouth of the Ohio River; [AUK, VI (1889), and WILSON BULLETIN, XXXVII (1925)]. This gull is a bird of the interior, particularly the prairie regions, breed- ing from southern Minnesota westward to Utah and wintering from Louisiana and Texas southward to Patagonia and Chile. It has been reported as an accidental visitor in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Massachusetts. Since its regular route of migration is just west of Kentucky, it seems probable that wandering flecks visit western Kentucky and may occassionally wander up the Ohio River valley, as in the present case. - — Harvey B. Lovell and Floyd S. Carpenter, Louisville. ";Wi ' ft"- % • .•■■■■ - -.;ii O — - . KENTUCKY ACADEMY OF SCIENCE NOT TO MEET IN 1945 ( ft ■ ■ V ;• ' ■ - :: ' " ;v ^\Vr. . :.r,T The Kentucky Academy of Science was to have been held in Louisville on April 27 and 28 this year, and plans had been made for a good program. The War Committee on Conventions of the O. D. T. has denied permission to hold the sessions because of transportation difficulties. This will be a great disappointment to many of our members who are also members of the Academy. 33 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE STUDY EFFECTS OF DDT The organic chemical DDT has been used extensively by the Armed Forces to control insects. The chemical has been so suc- cessful that interest has arisen in its possible use for the control of other insects besides those causing sickness or discomfort among our service men. Up until now no definite knowledge exists as to possible effects on birds, for instance, should DDT be used on a large scale. This spring DDT will be applied experimentally by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the Department of Agriculture to several forest areas, chiefly in the Northeast. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will conduct detailed investigations on these sprayed areas during the spring in cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. Thus far preliminary studies seem to indicate that few, if any, birds and animals are likely to be killed by DDT itself, though indirect harm may come through reduction in insect-food supplies, especially when applica- tions are made shortly before or during the nesting season. Many experiments are in progress on the effect of the poison when taken internally by Bobwhites, Mallards, various small rodents, mice, rabbits, fish, and other animals. The results of these experiments will indicate whether DDT for the control of pest insects is hazardous to wildlife. —Abstract of article distributed by Ira N. Gabrielson, Director of Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of Interior. — o — — ECHO FROM MISS SCHNEIDER’S CHUCK- WILL’S-WIDOW STUDY Here is a letter from Dr. Alexander Wetmore, Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., that shows how our articles are read and appreciated: Washington, D. C., August 30, 1944 Miss Evelyn Schneider 2207 Alta Avenue Louisville, Kentucky My Dear Miss Schneider: I have greatly enjoyed reading your account of the Chuck- will’ s- widow in the recent separate that has just come to me in the mail This is a fine bird and one that has always interested me. The facts that you bring out on northward extension of range are highly interesting and coincide with some observations that I have made during the last fifteen or twenty years here near Washington. Years ago the species was practically unknown, but now I find it fairly common in a considerable area in southern Maryland. I have even heard it fairly well north along Chesapeake Bay. Back in the days when we were able to travel around in automobiles in field work I could always find them along the roads at night in the summer months. You have assembled a fine lot of records for your state. Sincerely yours, Alexander Wetmore, Acting Secretary. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded — 1923 by B. C. Bacon, Dr. L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. Purpose — To encourage the study of birds and to sponsor measures for their protection. Organ — THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly magazine of ornithology. Meetings — Spring, in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year. This includes membership in local chapters of the society. 1945 Officers — President, Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Vice-President — Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Helen Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville. Councillors — West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Central: Mr. S. Charles Thacher, Louisville; East: Mrs. J. Kidwell Grannis, Flemingsburg. Retiring President — Dr. Harvey Lovell, Louisville. Librarian and Custodian of K. O. S. Endowment — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, Louisville. Advisory Committee— Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; Dr. G. B. Pennebaker, More- head; Dr. Anna Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. Gladys Smith- wick, Lexington; Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiana; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. L. G. Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Sue Wyatt Sem- ple, Providence; Mr. F. Everett Frei, Horse Cave; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. L. H. Stiles, Hazard; Miss Lucy Furman, Frankfort; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville. Send dues (ONE DOLLAR) to the Secretary-Treasurer. Send notes and articles for publication to Dr. Gordon Wilson, Editor of THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, Bowling Green. ' / '/ ; * - C*V : '• •- • .. \^. V'"V ' : " ' '•-/•■ ' -.-i £NTUCK^^S;aH L ■ • • . v’-'?! v. 'i 4 ■3 * ’■% .■* V Vol. 21 No. 3 JCfttturkg “To sift the sparkling from the dull , and the true W a r fal ft from the false, is the aim of every Ornithologist” Volume XXI SUMMER, 1945 Number 3 DATA ON THE NESTING HABITS OF THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO By LEONARD C. BRECHER, Louisville On Sunday afternoon, August 20, 1944, I had an opportunity to stroll along the banks of South Fork, a branch of Harrod’s Creek, just over the Jefferson County line in Oldham County, Kentucky. The stream at this location is about twenty feet wide and very slug- gish, since only one quarter of a mile downstream it is dammed, to form the Sleepy Hollow Lake at Black Bridge. A hill, openly wooded with deciduous trees, rises rather steeply from the creek bank. The shore line itself is closely grown with various shrubs and saplings. I had been examining the overhanging branches for nests when I ob- served a flat collection of twigs in a young elm (Ulmus americana), about ten feet overhead and about six feet out from the bank. To my surprise I noticed the tail of a bird projecting over the edge of the nest. Shortly thereafter a Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) flew off the nest and disappeared on the opposite side of the creek. The nest was loosely built of twigs, so loosely that light could be seen through it. The tree was too slender to climb, and since any attempt to investigate the nest further would have precipitated the contents (if any) or me into the water, I abandoned the idea. I walked on down stream to watch a group of Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) and returned to the spot approximately a half hour later. The cuckoo or its mate was again on the nest. This time I used more ingenuity. Climbing about ten feet up the hillside, I found an oak tree large enough to hold my weight. I climbed the tree and from this vantage point, with the aid of binoculars, had an excellent view of the nest and the bird. The yellow lower mandible was clearly seen, as well as the black feathers of the tail, broadly tipped with white. The bird eyed me for several minutes and then left the nest, exposing two greenish blue eggs. There seemed to be no lining materials in the nest, it being built entirely of small twigs interwoven so loosely that I wondered how it stayed together. There was no definite cupping, but only a slight depression toward the center. It is possible that there may have originally been more eggs, since some could easily have been lost had they remained un- covered during a heavy wind. There had been a severe wind and rain storm only several days previously, and the nest must have swayed considerably. However Spenceri cites a case of a Black- billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus cry throphthalmus ) that brooded her young continuously for an hour preceding a storm, through an hour of 34 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER storm, and for three quarters of an hour following the storm. Like- wise Herrick2 observed a Black-billed Cuckoo brood nestlings during an hour and a half of storm; so it is likely in the present case that the eggs were covered for the duration of the wind and the rain. Un- fortunately, because of the shortage of gasoline and the lack of time, I was unable to visit the site of this nest again to determine when the eggs hatched or whether the young were reared success- fully. Believing this nest to be a late record for Kentucky, I checked through my reference books, only to find that few specific dates for either early or late nesting were mentioned. A number of the general works, such as BIRDS OF AMERICA (Pearson) and BIRDS OF MINNESOTA (Roberts), gave only the average nesting periods and shed no light on unusual instances. Further, since I was unable to locate any definite printed Kentucky records for the nesting of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, I decided to investigate the literature on the subject. After searching through the WILSON BULLETIN for unusual records, I was surprised to find that from March, 1945, back to De- cember, 1917, only two notes were found giving normal nesting occurrences. Because of the paucity of notes I was able to obtain regarding the nesting of this bird, I then decided to list all of the references I could find in the AUK. The references cited from this journal represent the complete nesting records (with the expection of a few giving normal expected dates) from 1877 through the spring of 1945. This covers a period of sixty-eight years and includes the predecessor of the AUK, the BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNI- THOLOGISTS’ CLUB. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a common summer resident of the Louisville area. It is one of the later arrivals in the spring of the year and is also one of the later departures in the fall. Burt Monroe has records covering many years, showing that the earliest arrival in the Louisville area is May 2, and the latest departure is October 9. He has one nest containing two eggs which he secured on June 5. He records a nest with eggs on July 10 and another with young on July 30. Dr. Harvey Lovell has also recorded a nest in Louisville on June 29 with one egg and one young, and, for the sake of the record, I cite a nest with four eggs which he found in Warren County, Ken- tucky, on June 5. From the published records concerning the state of Kentucky, Dr. L. Otley Pindars, in 1889, first lists Coccyzus americanus as a common summer resident. Ben J. Blincoe4, gives the earliest arrival dates at Bardstown as April 29, the latest departure date as October 6, with incubation occurring on July 7. Gordon Wilson reports the earliest arrival date for Bowling Green as April 24 and the latest departure date as October 6. In his “Breeding Birds of Kentucky”5 he also shows that this cuckoo breeds uniformly over the state. Bent6 gives Kentucky spring dates as April 22 and April 24 and lists a fall date October 10, but no definite locations are given. Egg dates are given for seven states, but I am eliminating from considera- tion the records of Arizona and California, since I am of the opinion that these refer to the western subspecies, the California Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Ridgway), which is slightly larger than the eastern Yellow-billed. Ecological differences due to the geographic location may have some bearing on the habits of the sub- species. At least, thinking of the bird in terms of the territory from THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 35 the Atlantic coast to the edge of the Mississippi valley gives it a range of which Kentucky is approximately the center. Bent gives the folowing information: No. of Earliest State Records Date Florida 19 April 12 Ilinois 39 May 20 New York 23 May 24 Pennsylvania 13 June 6 Texas 34 March 22 Latest Date August 25 July 19 August 19 July 29 June 30 Most Ferquent Date April 16- May 16 June 4-June 26 June 4-June 11 May 6- June 5 From this table it will be noted that the cuckoo nests earlier in the southern states than it does in the northern states. This is to be expected, and the late Florida dates may be taken as dates of second nestings, according to the belief of various authors. This species has the habit of incubating its eggs starting with the laying of the first egg, which results in its young hatching at successive intervals. Audubon7 does not give specific nesting dates, but he does describe the habits of this cuckoo in a very interesting manner. He cites an instance where there seemed to be an interval of three weeks between the ages of the nestlings in the same nest. He further states that in another nest eleven cuckoos had been hatched in succession by the same pair of birds, the time extending over many weeks. In running down references, I came across a letter which Audubon wrote from Edinburgh on July 1, 1838, to his son John, in which he mentions “I procured the small and large cuckoos in the same nest.” However, this letter is much more significant because of the following statement: “We begin printing tomorrow, 2nd of July, 1838!! Remember that, Mesdames et Messieurs! and I intend to proceed with all possible dispatch and care. All of the birds in rum will be inspected as far as internal or digestive organs, trachea, etc., are concerned, and as I am constantly present in the dissecting room, I think I shall know something about the matter soon.” This refers to his work with MacGillivray in preparing the fourth and fifth volumes of his ORNITHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY. The entire letter is extremely interesting, and I recommend it to all. It was originally published by Shufeldt8 in AUK, but now can be found in both Maria R. Audubon’s9 and Francis H. Herrick’sh) biographies of Audubon. Alexander Wilsonii gives approximate dates and an account similar to that of many other authors. However, because of his pre- eminence I quote: “This species arrives in Pennsylvania, from the south, about the twenty-second of April, and spreads over the country, as far at least as Lake Ontario, is numerous in the Chickasaw Choctaw nations, and also breeds in the upper portions of Georgia, preferring in all these places the borders of solitary swamps and apple orchards. It leaves us, on its return southward, about the middle of September. . . . Early in May, they begin to pair, when obstinate battles take place among the males. About the tenth of that month they com- mence building.” 36 THE KENTUCKY WAKBLER Nuttall,i2 in his ORNITHOLOGY, emphasizes another habit: “But their worst propensity is the parasitic habit of sucking the eggs of other birds, thus spreading ruin and dis- may wherever they approach. They hatch several broods in a season, and I have seen a nest with eggs in it as late as the twenty-eighth of August! though they usually take their departure in some part of the month of September. Con- sidering the time they are engaged in breeding, they raise but few young, appearing to be improvident nurses, and bad nest-makers, so that a considerable part of their progeny are either never hatched, or perish soon after, a fortunate balance to check the increase of their numbers, and circum- scribe the otherwise evil of their existence.” Quite different in the style of description is the observation of Elliott Coues,i3 an army surgeon: “Although not parasites, like the European species, de- void of parental instinct, they have their bad traits, being even worse enemies of various small, gentle birds; for they are abandoned thieves, as wicked as Jays in this respect, continually robbing birds of their eggs, and even, it is said, devouring the helpless nestlings. “The nidification is not remarkably peculiar, the nest being like that of a Crow in miniature, composed artlessly of many small sticks and some grass, rather loosely interlaced, and forming a flattish unsubstantial structure, usually sad- dled on a large horizontal branch. The eggs are pale greenish, rather broadly oval, measuring about 1 1-3 inches long by 7-8 inches in breadth. But the oviposition is very unusual. The fact is that the bird begins to set as soon as the first egg is laid, and succesively deposits the rest at such intervals that a nest may be found with a fresh egg in it, another partially incubated, a newly hatched bird, and one or more young more advanced.” Confirmation of Coues’s indictment of this cuckoo as a devourer of nestlings is cited in a note by Mrs. S. Charles Thacheri4, who states: “One morning we were horrified to see the parent bird (Yel- low-billed Cuckoo) take a nude baby Robin from a nest in a near-by apple tree and feed it to her own baby.” Bendirei5, another army officer, and the first authority to write a book on the life history of birds, corroborates the statements made above as follows: “In the southern portion of their range, including Florida and the Gulf states, nidification begins occasional- ly early in April, and fresh eggs may be found sometimes in the last two weeks of this month; but the majority of these birds rarely commence laying here before the second week in May. In the District of Columbia a few pairs nest in the latter part of this month, but the greater portion do not before June, and occasionally not before July, while instances of fresh eggs, possibly second layings, have been found in the latter part of August, and even in the beginning of September. In the northern portions of its range the breeding season is at its height during the latter part of June and the first week of July, and here only one brood is raised, while in the south they sometimes raise two.” THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 37 In his description of the breeding habits of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barrowsi6, in 1922, states: “Single cuckoo eggs are not infrequently found in the nests of other birds here in Michigan, but not more often perhaps than we find eggs of Robins, Blackbirds, and some sparrows. In this connection it should be noted that com- paratively fresh eggs and newly hatched young are some- times found in the same nest, although as a general rule the set is completed before incubation begins. It is difficult to believe that only one brood is reared in Michigan each season, since eggs are common in June and all through July and August, even a few sets being found in September. It is pos- sible that these are merely second layings by birds which have been unfortunate with their nests, but it seems more likely that many individuals rear two broods.” But Forbushi7, writing at a much later date, in Massachusetts, does not commit himself so definitely, as he merely says: “Eggs sometimes laid in April in southern states. May 20 to June 30 in Massachusetts, usually one brood in the north, but sometimes double-brooded in the south. Incubation fourteen days.” Corroborating Barrows's statement given above, EdwardsiB, says he found a Yellow-billed Cuckoo’s egg in a Robin’s nest at Granby, Connecticut, on July 2, 1902. The nest also contained two of the Robin’s eggs, but the Robins deserted the nest. Alleni9 likewise writes: “The laying of our American Cuckoos in the nests of other birds is doubtless not so rare an occurrence as has been supposed. Two instances have been observed recently in this immediate vicinity, and I have heard of others. Mr. A. M. Frazer, of Watertown, Massachusetts, informs me of one instance where the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) deposited an egg in a. Robin’s nest, and an- other case of the laying of the same species in the nest of a Wood Thrush.” Much farther south, near San Antonio, Texas, Attwater20, tells of finding a Dickcissel’s nest containing five eggs and one Yellow- billed Cuckoo’s egg. The following year some boys brought him three Black-throated Sparrow’s eggs and one Yellow-billed Cuckoo’s egg, which they said they had found all together in one nest. However, Bendirei5, also in speaking of the birds which have been imposed on by the cuckoo’s habit of laying eggs in their nests, says: “Such instances appear to be much rarer, however, than those in which they interlay with each other, and the ma- jority of these may well be due to accident, their own nest having possibly been capsized, and necessity compelled the bird to deposit its eggs elsewhere. Such instances do occur at times with species that cannot possibly be charged with parasitic tendencies.” Todd2i, in his BIRDS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, pub- lished in 1940, also notes that this species occasionally reverts to the parasitic habit of its European cousin and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. He also recognizes the fact that no positive answer is yet forthcoming as to the cause of late nesting occurrences, saying: “It is not unusual to find a nest containing newly hatch- 33 THE KENTUCKY WARBLES ed young, an incubated egg and one egg nearly fresh. There is also a wide discrepancy in the time of nesting. In our region nests with eggs have been found as early as May 20 (Atkinson) and as late as August 26 (Burleigh). June, how- ever, is the most favored month. This may mean that two broods are sometimes reared, or that the later nestings are delayed ones .... Three eggs are the average set, but some- times only two are laid; four and even five have been found, however.” Burleigh22, speaking of the area around Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, and partially quoted by Todd, above, says: “A common summer resident, my dates for arrival in the spring are May 17, 1913, and May 17, 1914, and for departure in the fall, October 16, 1912, and October 1, 1913. My earliest breeding record is May 30, 1909, three slightly incubated eggs, and my latest record August 26, 1910, two fresh eggs. The latter nest is, by over two months, the latest I have ever known this bird to have fresh eggs, for a nest found June 20, 1917, with four incubated eggs, is my next latest record.” Harlow23, in writing of the area embracing Pennsylvania and New Jersey, lists this species as “a common breeding bird in the lower ground of both states, becoming less plentiful toward the moun- tains. I have not found it in the boreal parts of Pennsylvania. Data on 24 nests give: average set 3(2-5); average date June 15; earliest date May 24; latest date August 15.” Dawson24, in his BIRDS OF OHIO, expresses the opinion that “nesting may be undertaken as early as the last week in May, but I once found a nest with fresh eggs at this latitude on the 16th of August — the latter perhaps a second set.” The latest nestings that I found recorded were those given by Trautman25 in THE BIRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO. Con- sidering the latitude of the region, these records are late indeed. He states : “The earliest nest with eggs (4) was found in June 27, 1930. The species apparently nested very late. On Septem- ber 4, 1926, Robert B. Gordon recorded young birds in the nest, and on September 20, 1929, a farmer found a nest with three eggs! On September 25, 1929, I visited this nest and found three small young. These remained in the nest until October 3.” Hess26? in speaking of the breeding birds of central Illinois says: “The bird is a late breeder and inhabits woods, fields and towns alike, arrives from May 7 to May 20. Earliest nesting, 3 eggs June 15, 1899. A remarkably late nest was located in a box elder of my residence yard in the village, (Campaign County) September 5, 1898. It was discovered when the leaves began to thin. The bird was sitting on four incubated eggs, but deserted them when the limbs became bare.” In the same latitude, but moving over west of the Mississippi, Holland27, has recorded a late occurrence of young, noting that “On September 11, two fairly grown Yellow-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus americanus) were observed in a nest in Des Moines County, Iowa.” THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 39 A little farther south, Linsdale28, records “July 15, one was seen carrying nesting material along the river at Coolidge, Kansas.” This would indicate another brood of young for September, if the brooding were successful. Southeast of the above area, Adams29, writes from Missouri: “At Columbia, Missouri, on September 9, 1932, Mr. Adrain Hatton and the writer discovered a Yellow-billed Cuckoo sitting on its nest in an elm tree, about thirty feet from the ground. The nest was found to contain two half- grown young birds. The observation was confirmed later in the day by Professor Rudolph Bennitt, of the Department of Zoology, University of Missouri. “Not only does it appear unusual for the bird to build its nest so far from the ground, but the latest nesting date given in any available references to birds of Missouri and surround- ing states is July 6 (Nice, BIRDS OF OKLAHOMA, 1931, p. 102.”) In the same latitude as Kentucky, Bayliss30 tells of the develop- ment of a brood in Virginia as follows: “On July 24, 1916, I found a Yellow- billed Cuckoo’s nest, with the bird incubating, ten feet from the ground on the horizontal branch of a small elm .... The nest contained three green eggs .... July 29, at 6:30 P. M. the eggs were there . . . and the nest was not visited until the forenoon of August 1, when there were three young birds in it, all as black as ink.” Examination of the accounts for the states south of Kentucky reveals two late records in Tennessee. Dr. George Mayfield, in the MIGRANT, writes: “On the morning of August 29, my attention was called to a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos in a small clump of low cedar trees. On looking more closely, I noticed a nest with one or more young in the nest After feeding one of the young, the female flew away accompanied by the male. That afternoon the nest was deserted. On the morning of August 30, another nest was discovered, within two hundred yards of the first nest, and by a roadside about 10 feet up. Ex- amination showed four eggs, apparently not so far incubated. It was apparent that these young birds would still be in the nest as late as mid-September.” This cuckoo is given a rather extended breeding season in THE BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA32, but no definite records are cited, only the concise statement: “This bird is a summer resident in North Carolina, its breeding season being from May to August.” In THE BIRDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, by Wayne33, more definite information is given as follows: “Full complements of eggs of the first brood, which are almost always three, are laid by May 15. My earliest record is May 2, 1908, when I took four eggs. A second set is laid in August, and I have seen young just hatched, and three eggs in different stages of incubation, all in the nest at the same time.” Howell34, in his BIRDS OF ALABAMA, writes: “Nesting begins 40 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER in May and continues until August, indicating that two or more broods are raised. Eggs have been found at Leighton on May 18, and August 10 (McCormick) .... at Booth, August 11 (Golsan35).” Holt36, writing of late breeding records in Alabama, says of this cuckoo that two eggs were found in a nest at Barachias on August 14, 1923. A Georgia nest is noted by Erichsen37, speaking of Liberty County, located on the Atlantic coast. He states that this bird is moderately common and that he found a nest containing three young on May 17. This is a normal, expected occurrence. In FLORIDA BIRD LIFE, Howell38 states that “nesting begins early in May (St. Marks, May 2, 1919) and may continue until August (Leon County, August 11, 1900).” This latter reference was taken from Williams39, who reported the Yellow-bill as “a common summer resident, nesting in diverse situations. It is fond of trees, along public highways, for nesting sites. Fresh eggs have been taken on August 11, 1900. I have a set of six eggs.” This set of six eggs is the largest number definitely reported as occurring at one time. Larger broods, consisting of eggs and young, because of the bird’s habit of brooding the eggs during their deposition, have been mentioned above, although CarrolBO, in his notes on the birds of Refugio County, Texas, says that sets of five eggs are not uncommon. Two eggs seem to be the number most frequently mentioned. Nicholson4i, speaks of finding two well-incubated eggs on July 31, 1926, twelve feet up in a man- grove tree near the salt marshes along the Halifax River, Florida. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo occurs in the islands off the coast of Florida and down through the West Indies. Scott42, in his OBSERVA- TIONS ON THE BIRDS OF JAMAICA, WEST INDIES, says: “The Yellow-billed Cuckoo, as stated above, frequents the woods and man- grove thickets at Port Henderson, where we met it daily. Of the few well-authenticated eggs obtained, four now in my possession, taken as late as August 1, were fresh.” SUMMARY An evaluation and condensation of the notes and opinions of the various authors quoted above seem to justify the following conclu- sions : 1. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is one of the later arrivals in the spring migration, and therefore its optimum nesting period starts later than that of a great number of other species. 2. It has an extended nesting season due, in part, to (a) its habit of deposition of eggs at intervals after incubating has com- menced, thus prolonging the time the young are in the nest: and (bl its attempt to rear two and even three broods, possibly necessitated by failure of the first or second broods, caused by poorly constructed nests which do not conceal but merely hold the eggs insecurely. 3. The number of eggs deposited varies from one to eleven, though two to four eggs comprise the average set. 4. The American cuckoos quite often lay their eggs in each other’s nests, and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo occasionally deposits an egg in the nest of another species. However, this does not occur frequently enough to be classed as a parasitic habit, and a closer in- vestigation of this habit as it relates to other birds may disclose the fact that this trail of the Yellow-billed is of no more frequent occur- rence than that of any other species. 5. There is a noticeable lack of definite information published THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 41 on the nesting of this species. There is a definite need for close observation and accurate recording of the facts concerning the life history not only of this species but many others as well. Here is a field of opportunity open to all observers to keep their eyes open and send in their notes. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Spencer, Ruth O., “Nesting Habits of the Black-billed Cuckoo,’" WILSON BULLETIN, LV (1943), 11-22. 2. Herrick, Francis Hobart, “Life and Behavior of the Cuckoo,” JOURNAL EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY, IX (1910), 169-233. 3. Pindar, L. Otley, “List of the Birds of Fulton County, Kentucky,” AUK, VI (1889), 313. 4. Blincoe, Benedict J., “Birds of Bardstown, Nelson County, Ken- tucky,” AUK, XLII (1925), 404-420. 5. Wilson, Gordon, “Breeding Birds of Kentucky — A Composite List,” KENTUCKY WARBLER, XVIII (1942), 18-25. 6. Bent, Arthur Cleveland, LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMER- ICAN CUCKOOS, GOATSUCKERS, HUMMINGBIRDS AND THEIR ALLIES, U. S. National Bulletin 176 (1940), p. 66. 7. Audubon, John James, BIRDS OF AMERICA, Volume IV, p. 293 (8-volume 8vo. Edition; New York, Lockwood, 1870). S. Shufeldt, R. W., and Audubon, M. R., “The Last Portrait of Audubon together with a Letter to his Son,” AUK, XI (1894), 309-313 9. Audubon, Maria R., AUDUBON AND HIS JOURNALS, New York, 1898. 10. Herrick, Francis Hobart, AUDUBON THE NATURALIST, New York, D. Appleton Company, 1917, Volume II. 11. Wilson, Alexander, AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, Philadelphia, 1811, IV, 13. 12. Nuttall, Thomas, A MANUAL OF THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, 1832, pp. 551-6. 13. Coues, Elliott, BIRDS OF THE NORTHWEST, U. G. Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Publication No. 3, p. 277, Washington, D. C., 1874. 14. Thacher, Mrs. S. Charles, “Yellow-billed Cuckoo Eats Young Robin,” KENTUCKY WARBLER, XXI (1945), 15. 15. Bendire, Charles, LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, Washington, D. C., 1895, p. 22. 16. Barrows, Walter B., MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE, Michigan Agri- cultural College, 1912, p. 338. 17. Forbush, Edward Howe, BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND OTHER NEW ENGLAND STATES, Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1929, II. 241. 18. Edwards, Stanley W.. “Yellow-billed Cuckoo’s Egg in a Robin’s Nest,” AUK, XX (1903), 68. 19. Allen, T. A., “General Notes,” BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB, II (1877), 110. 20. Attwater, H. P., “List of Birds Observed in the Vicinity of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas,” AUK, IX (1892), 234. 21. Todd, W. E. Clyde, BIRDS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, University of Pittsburgh Press, 1940. 22. Burleigh, Thomas D., “Notes on the Bird Life of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,” WILSON BULLETIN, XXXV (1923), 86. 42 THE, KENTUCKY WAKBLER 23. Harlow, Richard C., “Notes on the Breeding Birds of Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey," AUK, XXXV (1918), 26. 24. Dawson, William Leon, THE BIRDS OF OHIO, Columbus, Ohio, Wheaton Publishing Company, 1903, p. 365. 25. Trautman, Milton THE BiRDS OF BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO, Ann Arbor, Michigan, University of Michigan Press, 1940, p. 273. 26. Hess, Isaac Elnore, ‘TOO Breeding Birds in Illinois in A Ten-Mile Radius," AUK, XXVII (1910), 23. 27. Holland, Harold M., “Notes on Late Nestings,” WILSON BUL- LETIN, XLV (1933), 30. 28. Linsdale, Jean, “Summer Birds of Southwestern Kansas," AUK, XLIV, 54. 29. Adams, I. C., Jr., “Late Nesting of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Missouri,” AUK, L (1933), 107. 30. Bayliss, Clara Kern, “A Study of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo," AUK, XXXV (1918), 161. 31. Mayfield, George, “Late Nesting of the Yellow-billed Cuckco," MIGRANT, XIV (1943), 43. 32. Pearson, Brimley and Brimley, BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, Raleigh, State Museum, 1942. 33. Wayne, Arthur T., BIRDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Charleston, Charleston Museum, 1910. 34. Howell, Arthur H., BIRDS OF ALABAMA, Montgomery, Ala- bama, Brown Printing Company, 1924. 35. Golsan, Lewis S., and Holt, Ernest G., “Birds of Autauga and Montgomery Counties, Alabama," AUK, XXXI (1914), 223. 36. Holt, Ernest G., “Early Shooting and Some Lake Breeding Records from Alabama," AUK, XLII (1925), 147. 37. Erichsen, W. J., “Birds of Liberty County, Georgia," AUK, XXXVI (1919), 386. 38. Howell, Arthur H., FLORIDA BIRD LIFE, Tallahassee, Florida, Department of Fresh Water Fish, 1932, p. 289. 39. Williams, R. W., Jr., “A Preliminary List of the Birds of Leon County, Florida," AUK, XXI (1904), 455. 40. Carroll, James J., “Notes on the Birds of Refugio County, Texas," AUK, XVII (1900), 344. 41. Nicholson, Donald J., “Late Nesting of Wayne’s Clapper Rail,” AUK, XLIV (1927), 98. 42. Scott, W. E. D., “Observations on the Birds of Jamaica, West Indies," AUK, IX (1892), 372. •}» THE WARBLER’S FIRST ANNUAL BIG SPRING LIST For years many of our members have made an effort at least once each spring to get as big a list of birds as possible, either on one day or on a favorable weekend. The editor decided to make a feature of this annual effort to see all the birds and thus give an incentive to all of us to beat our own records. The response this first year has been rather good, though we do miss some sections of the state that should be represented. For instance, we need twro or three reports from the mountain counties. Though it is perfectly possible that there are errors in the lists published, it is only by comparing notes and making careful checkings that any of us can become scientifically accurate. By 1946 it will be possible to send each prospective participant a checklist arranged in proper order, so that the putting together of the records will not be such a task as it became this year. Begin right now to plan your Christmas Census and then, immediately after that, the Big Spring List for 1946. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 43 Murray Providence Marion Bowling Green Mammoth Cave Otter Creek Louisville Anchorage Lexington 1. Holboell’s Grebe c 1 i 2. Pied-billed Grege X X c C 1 C 3. Double-crested Cormorant .... C I 4. Great Blue Heron C c c X X 1 c 5. Green Heron c c c C c X c c 1 c 6. Black-crowned Night Heron.. C c— c 1 7. Yellow-crowned Night Heron.. X 1 8. Bittern c X 1 c 9. Glossy Ibis c 10. Canada Goose x 11. Mallard c c c X 12. Black Duck 1 x c x 13. Gadwall c 14. Baldpate c X 15. Pintail c 16. Green-winged Teal c X 17. Blue-winged Teal c X c c 18. Shoveller c X 19. Wood Duck c c X c c 20. Ring-necked Duck c x 21. Greater Scaup Duck c X 22. Lesser Scaup Duck x c x 23. Ruddy Duck x 24. Turkey Vulture c X c! c c c c c 25. Black -Vulture c X c 26. Sharp-shinned Hawk X X c c 27. Cooper’s Hawk X X c c c c c c 28. Red-tailed Hawk c c c c c 29. Red-shouldered Hawk c X X x c c c 30. Broad-winged Hawk c c 3L Rough-legged Hawk X 32. Marsh Hawk | c c 33. Osprey c c c c 34. Sparrow Hawk c c c X c c c c c 35. Bob-white c c cl c c c c c 1 t J 36. Texas Bob-white 1 c 37. Sora 1 X 1 38. Coot X c c X c ! c 39. Semipalmated Plover X c c j 40. Killdeer c c c 1 c X c c . c 1 c 41. Golden Plover 1 c 1 42. Black-bellied Plover I ; ! x 43. Wilson’s Snipe 1 I c c c X 44. Upland Plover 1 r c 45. Spotted Sandpiper 1 c 1 c X c 46. Solitary Sandpiper 1 X 1 c c 1 c X 1 c c 47. Greater Yellow-legs ! x ! 1 c X 1 1 c 48. Lesser Yellow-legs I 1 c 1 c X 1 1 I 44 THE: KENTUCKY WAKBLER » i Murray i Providence Marion Bowling Green Mammo'.h Cave Otter Creek — Louisville Anchorage Lexington 49. Pectoral Sandpiper C 50. Least Sandpiper c 51. Dowitcher c 52. Common Tern X c X c 53. Black Tern c X 1 54. Mourning Dove C C c c c c c c c 55. Yellow-billed Cuckoo c X c c c 1 56. Black-billed Cuckoo X c 57. Bam Owl I c 58. Screech Owl X c 1 c 59. Great Horned Owl x 60. Barred Owl Q X 0 ! 61. Chuck-will's-widow Q x c 62. Whip-poor-will c c c c 1 c 63. Nighthawk c X c c X c c 1 G 64. Chimney Swift c c c c c c c c c 65. Ruby-throated Hummingbird X c X c c c i c 66. Belted Kingfisher Q c c X X c 1 c 67. Flicker C c c c c c c ! c c 68. Pileated Woodpecker X c c c c | 69. Red-bellied Woodpecker G c c c c c i c c 70. Red-headed Woodpecker C c 1 c c c c 1 c c 71. Hairy Woodpecker X c 1 c c c c 1 72. Downy Woodpecker G xl c c c c c c c 73. Kingbird X c c c c c- c c c 74. Crested Flycatcher G xl c c c c c c 75. Phoebe c c c c c c c 76. Acadian Flycatcher 1 X c c c 77. Alder Flycatcher X xl 78. Least Flycatcher xl c c 79. Wood Pewee c xl c c c c cl c 80. Olive-sided Flycatcher xl 1 81. Horned Lark c c X X 1 c 82. Tree Swallow xl 83. Bank Swallow xl c 84. Rough- winged Swallow c 1 c cl cl c 1 c 85. Bam Swallow c cl c cl cl c cl c 86. Cliff Swallow xl 1 1 87. Purple Martin G cl c cl cl 1 c cl c 88. Blue Jay C cl c cl dl c! c cl c 89. Crow 1 C cl c cl cl cl c cl c 90. Carolina Chickadee | C cl c cl cl cl c >cl • c 91. Tufted Titmouse j cl cl c cl cl cl c cl c 92. White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 x! cl cl 1 c cl 93. House Wren 1 xl cl cl 1 1 c cl c 94. Winter Wren I 1 ! 1 xl 1 1 1 95. Bewick's Wren ! O' oi ol cl c! cl c cl THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 45 Murray Providence Marion Bowling Green Mammoth Cave Otter Creek Louisville Anchorage Lexington 96. Carolina Wren c c c c c c c c 1 97. Long-billed Marsh Wren X c 98. Mockingbird C c C C c c c c 99. Catbird C c C C c c c c c 100. Brown Thrasher C c C C c c c c c 101. Robin C c C 1 c c c c c I c 102. Wood Thrush c c c ! c c c c c c 103. Hermit Thrush 1 X c 104. Olive-backed Thrush c c 1 X c c c c 105. Gray-cheeked Thrush X 1 X c X c c i 106. Veery j i c 1 c 1 107. Bluebird | ' c c c 1 c c c c c 1 c 108. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X 1 X c 1 c c c c c 109. Golden-crowned Kinglet X 1 110. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 c c c 111. Pipit X 1 c 1 X 112. Cedar Waxwing c 1 c X c 113. Migrant Shrike X 1 X c c 114. Starling c c c 1 c c c c c c 115. White-eyed Vireo c c c 1 c c c c c 116. Yellow- throated Vireo c c 1 c c c c 117. Blue-headed Vireo X 1 c 118. Red-eyed Vireo c 1 c c c c c c 119. Philadelphia Vireo X 1 1 c 120. Warbling Vireo x! cl 1 c c- c c 121. Black and White Warbler c c 1 X c c c 122. Prothonotary Warbler c xl 1 c c c c c 123. Worm-eating Warbler ! 1 X c 124. Blue-winged Warbler c xl c X c 125. Tennessee Warbler X xl c X c c c c 126. Nashville Warbler C 1 X 1 X 1 127. Parula Warbler 1 1 x c 1 1 i 1 128. Yellow Warbler c cl cl c c 1 c 1 c 1 c c 129. Magnolia Warbler xl cl ! X 1 [ 1 c 1 c 130. Cape May Warbler xl 1 1 1 ’ 1 c 1 131. Black- throated Blue Warbler 1 ■ 1 1 1 1 x 1 132. Myrtle Warbler c cl ci c c c 1 c 1 c 133. Black-throated Green Warbler X ! 1 c c 1 X 1 X 1 134. Cerulean Warbler I 1 1 X c 1 c 1 c c 135. Blackburnian Warbler x! 1 I c 1 X11 1 c 1 136. Sycamore Warbler c I 1 c c 1 c 1 1 137. Chestnut-sided Warbler xl 1 ! c 1 I xl 1 c 1 c 138. Bay-breasted Warbler 1 1 c n 1 139. Black-poll Warbler 0 xl [ x 1 x1 1 V* 1 c 1 140. Prairie Warbler 0 1 1 1 X c 1 -A. 1 0 1 K* 1 • 1 141. Palm Warbler c xl 1 c c 1 1 X 1 c 142. Oven-bird 1 1 1 c ! 1 c 1 46 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Murray Providence Marion Bowling Green Mammoth Cave Otter Creek Louisville Anchorage Lexington 143. Water-thrush X c 144. Louisiana Water- thrush c c c c c 145. KentucKy Warbler C C c c c c c 146. Connecticut Warbler X 1 147. Yellow-throat C G c C c c c c G 148. Yellow-breasted Chat C C c X c c c c 1 c 149. Hooded Warbler c c Q c 150. Wilson’s Warbler x x 1 151. Canada Warbler x x 152. Redstart X X X c c c 153. English Sparrow G G G c c c c c 1 c 154. Bobolink X X c- X c 1 G 155. Meadowlark c C c c c c c G 1 C 156. Red-wing c C c c c c c c i c 157. Orchard Oriole c c c c c c c c G 158. Baltimore Oriole X X c X c c 159. Rusty Blackbird c 160. Purple Crackle c c 161. Bronzed Grackle c c c c c c- c c c 162. Cowbird c c c c c c c c c 163. Scarlet Tanager X X c c c c 164. Summer Tanager c c G c c c c c 165. Cardinal c c c c c c c c c 166. Rose-breasted Grosbeak c c c X c c 167. Indigo Bunting c X c c c c c c c 168. Dickcissel c X c- c c c 169. Goldfinch c c c c c c c c c 170. Towhee c c c c c c c c c 171. Savannah Sparrow c c X X c 172. Grasshopper Sparrow c c c X c- X c 173. Sharp-tailed Sparrow ? X 174. Vesper Sparrow c c 175. Lark Sparrow X 176. Bachman’s Sparrow X X 177. Slate-colored Junco X 178. Chipping Sparrow c c c c c c c c c 179. Field Sparrow c c c c c c c c c 180. White-crowned Sparrow c c c c c c 181. White-throated Sparrow c c c c X c c 182. Fox Sparrow c 183. Lincoln’s Sparrow X X 184. Swamp Sparrow j X c c 185. Song Sparrow c cl c X c c c G (c indicates that the species was recorded on the day devoted to the count; c- means that the species was seen on the census day hut not in the area listed in the count; x means that the species was recorded within a week of the count). 47 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER MURRAY. April 29, 8:00 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. Ten miles east of Murray on Wildcat Creek and Blood River. Temp. 55; wind northwest. Observers: A. M. Wolfson and Grace Wyatt. Supple- mentary field trips on April 21-22 and May 5-6. Supplementary ob- servers: Kathleen Key. Total species on census, 76; for period studied, 97. * * * * * * PROVIDENCE. April 26; ten hours in the field. Providence to John Norwood Farm and back, going and coming by different routes; residential areas; east to Lake View Cemetery and Shamrock Lake; southwest to Gus Brown Farm. Temp. 50-60; brisk north wind; overcast most of the day. Observers: Dr. Susie Holman Gilchrist, Trudie Sigler Corbin, Thomas A. Semple, and Sue Wyatt Semple, (compiler). Supplementary field trips in the Providence area just before and just after the census. Total species, on census, 59; for period studied, 105. Sfc * * * * * MARION. May 13. Around Marion and to Maple Sinks. Temp. 70; wind southwest; fair overhead. Observers: Chastain Frazer. Total species, on census, 88. BOWLING GREEN. April 21, 6:30 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. Along Drake’s Creek and across Airport in morning; Chaney and McElroy Farms in afternoon. Temp. 56-75; wind southwest; rain in morning, clear in afternoon. Observer: Gordon Wilson. Supplementary field trips on April 14 and April 28-29 in Warren County. Total species, for census, 100; for period studied, 136. * * * * * * MAMMOTH CAVE. May 5-6; overnight camp. Temp. 50-70; very strong west wind; sky clear. Observer: Gordon Wilson. Sup- plementary trip made on May 4 in nearby areas in Barren County. Total species, on census, 95; for period studied, 124. ****** OTTER CREEK. May 20; 9:30 A. M. to 7:00 P. M. Otter Creek Recreational Area and along the road to West Point. Weather warm and clear; no wind. Observers: Harvey Lovell, Burt Monroe, Jr., Esther Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brecher, Amy Deane, Helen Peil, and Dorothy Peil. Supplementary trip on prceding week-end b^ Misses Amy Deane and Helen Peil. Total species, on census, 77; for period studied, 89. * * * * * * LOUISVILLE. May 13; all day. Iroquois Park, Indian Hills, Ohio River, Cave Hill Cemetery, Cherokee Park, Sleepy Hollow, and Anchorage. No wind; fair. Observers: Harvey Lovell, Evelyn Schneider, Floyd Carpenter, Esther Mason, Burt Monroe, Jr., Walter S. Shackleton, Ann Stamm, Leonard Brecher. Total species, on census, 102; for period studied, 117. * Hs * * * * ANCHORAGE. May 11, 12, and 13. Observers: Esther Mason and Burt Monroe, Jr. Total species, for census, 71; for period studied, 72. LEXINGTON. May 6. In Lexington area, supplemented on April 26 on Lake Ellerslie and on April 29 on farms in Woodford County. Observer: Victor K. Dodge. Total species, for period studied, 74. 48 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER NOTES ON THE BIG SPRING LIST Hosts of Barn Swallows — In one barn in Woodford County there are 59 complete nests of the Barn Swallow and many more in various stages of construction. The barn is close to a wet-weather lake of greater depth but of less duration that Mr. Wilson’s lakes south of Bowling Green. — Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. H5 * * * * * Bird No. 100 — On April 21, as I was on my way back to my car after spending all day trying to make my Big Spring List, I waded through deep grass and sometimes deeper mud to the source springs of the McElroy Lake. I had found 99 species and was eager to find just one more. Suddenly from the small pool at the source rose a large dark-colored bird. My first impulse was to think it a Double- crested Cormorant because of its outstretched neck, but the bill was too long and was definitely, almost comically, decurved. The next guess was the Little Blue Heron, but this was no heron’s bill. Fortunately for me the bird circled overhead in the bright sunlight three times, never being more than a few yards from me. Besides, it gave its un-heron-like croak. Its chestnut-colored neck and fore- parts, the long decurved bill, the extended neck, and the croak identified it as the Glossy Ibis, the first one I have ever observed in my territory, though I have seen it in zoos. — Gordon Wlson, Bowling Green. $ $ $ $ H: ^ Some Louisville Notes — I saw 8 Pipits on May 12 with some Horned Darks and then found two Canada Geese in a plowed field near by. Black and Common Terns were on the river for several days at the end of Fourth Street, but no one was down there on the census day. The Least Flycatcher recorded was singing in my yard when I went out to my traps at seven o’clock in the morning. Mr. Shackleton has a pair of Rosebreasted Grosbeaks at a feeding tray at Sleepy Hollow. I recently found an injured Gray-cheeked Thrush, which died next day and is now a study skin. — Harvey Lovell, Louisville. * * * * * * Some Providence Census Notes — I encountered my first Wilson’s Snipes, five of them, and some Solitary Sandpipers, feeding together in a mud flat. I got close enough to hear the screams or cries of the snipes. To me the finding of a nest is always a big experience; on the census I found nests of the following: Meadowlark, Carolina Chickadee, Brown Thrasher, Catbird, Killdeer, and Mockingbird. I believe that the most thrilling experience was this: in a shallow, sedgy marsh there stood a Great Blue Heron, motionless as if he had been painted on a screen, his long neck stretched straight out and up at a slanting angle, full length, ready for flight. For a split second, I thought he was a painted card board, advertising something. Then I saw him move, spread his massive wings, and fly away majestically. — Sue Wyatt Semple, Providence. * * * * * # Some Murray Reactions — Because of lack of gas and bird en- thusiasts, I am sure the count is not what it should be for this sec- tion, but I have done my best with the time available and the feet. I am hoping to do some definite bird study this fall on the new Ken- tucky Lake. —Grace Wyatt, Murray. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded — 1923 by B. C. Bacon, Dr. L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. Purpose — To encourage the study of birds and to sponsor measures for their protection. Organ — THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly magazine of ornithology. Meetings — Spring, in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year. This includes membership in local chapters of the society. 1945 Officers— President, Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Vice-President — Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Helen Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville. Councillors — West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Central: Mr. S. Charles Thacher, Louisville; East: Mrs. J. Kidwell Grannis, Flemingsburg. Retiring President — Dr. Harvey Lovell, Louisville. Librarian and Custodian of K. O. S. Endowment — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, Louisville. Advisory Committee — Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; Dr. G. B. Pennebaker, More- head; Dr. Anna Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. Gladys Smith- wick, Lexington; Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiana; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. L. G. Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Sue Wyatt Sem- ple, Providence; Mr. F. Everett Frei, Horse Cave; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. L. H. Stiles, Hazard; Miss Lucy Furman, Frankfort; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville. Send dues (ONE DOLLAR) to the Secretary-Treasurer. Send notes and articles for publication to Dr. Gordon Wilson, Editor of THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, Bowling Green. Autumn fl / / x «Pv ^-1 IJl ,r \ ' ^rr V . . . . • * f }■ • ^$$0$ va; ■ - ) * > S . 'y-i v .' yy-sy : " ■? i'A >4 v3K »\ ),-' ' ■ : ■ '.. =' . : i % \ if «ti . ' i ’ • /•'. AA ® . ‘ i ;. >■> . i ? <■ i'vvvf fr- ' ; ry> .jh^rnym . . \ v C ■ A. t V °'V’f ■*V, ■if'. ^A- ■■* ,' •’ ;: ^ f f v ,■'. f\, y\ry0AAiA\ ., ■■■ . -. f n :> f ‘ hm f , if; ff f f-f f f8M| 1 « >j;C’ P®; v:»gflfe»graaS ¥ f < ?■ ;./ >. Apt* " ^ ‘ * 1 feipPfi v ' ■' i -.' , ■' ■■ -'f - . - «.;• T-- • :.. .■ t ^ :' \ 1 * i m >’ m', <.. . . ; .if ■•*'-. S ■ f ': - -A- ’’ a... *v v’V- v / < v ■ • **•'■■& ■ '. . v- ■.•% "• ;■/-'■■ ';'.C' . .. r. . f -‘/.fl .\j' •'*«.• 1> tit Hr kg “ To sift the sparkling from the dull , and the true Mar bln* from the false , is the aim of every Ornithologist” Volume XXI FA IX, 1945 Number 4 IMPORTANT NOTICE THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY WILL MEET, FOR THE FIRST TIME. SINCE THE WAR, AT MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK, NOV- EMBER 2-4, 1945. O'UR HEADQUARTERS WILL BE THE MAMMOTH CAVE HOTEL. AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM IS BEING PREPARED. THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS FIELD TRIPS ON SATURDAY AND SUN- DAY, WITH INDOOR PROGRAMS IN THE EVEN- INGS. PLAN RIGHT NOW TO BE WITH US;. WE NEED YOUR INSPIRATION AND PRESENCE ; YOU NEED THE CONTACT WITH THE CLUB. AN INTERESTING YEAR FOR THE BECKHAM BIRD CLUB Ey MARIE E. PIEPER, Secretary The members of the Beckham Bird Club have enjoyed a very eventful and interesting year. Two particular things have made it so: first, acting as co-sponsor with the Natural History Club for the Audubon V/ildlife Series of lectures, and second, celebrating the club’s tenth anniversary. The Wildlife Series of lectures began on October 12, 1944, with “Haunts for the Hunted” and ended on February 3, 1945, with “Wildlife in Action.” There were five lectures in all; each was at- tended by about six hundred people. The lectures were illustrated with outstandingly beautiful colored motion pictures and were most interestingly and entertainingly given. The members are working hard to be able to serve the public again with a series, of lectures for the coming year. In spite of a very bitter cold evening with streets covered With ice and snow, making driving extremely difficult, forty-one members and friends attended the lovely tenth-year birthday celebration of the 50 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Beckham Bird Club on Belknap Campus, Jan. 9, 1945. Miss Evelyn Schneider prepared a very full history of the club and presented it for our files. Mrs. Stamm, in charge of decorations, beautifully car- ried out the colors of red and white. Miss Thelma Gentry and Miss Esther Mason were in charge of games and kept everyone on hi 3 feet or busy with pencil and paper working hard for the prizes that were offered to the winners. Mrs. Doelckner baked the two marble cakes, which were decorated with five candles each. Miss Audrey Wright, our president, made the delightful Russian tea. It was an important event. The programs for the year were educational as well as enter- taining. The general theme was to give a life history of a bird and in addition to have a book review or a talk on some subject interest- ing to bird lovers. Many of the programs were illustrated with col- ored slides, or there were stuffed birds, or nests, or bird call records. The field trips were also a very important part of the club p o- gram. Trips were planned for almost every weekend. Companion- ship in the out-of-doors, the picnic supper in the woods and par.-ts, and the singing around the bonfire will all be long remembered. On June 12, 1945, the year was closed with the Cuckoo Party on top of Iroquois Hill, with seventy-two members and friends present. A delightful lunch was prepared under the direction of Mrs. Eugene Doelckner and was served under the trees. The weather was pleas- ant, and it was quite dark before the members could be persuaded to go indoors for the entertaining games, which were led by Miss Audrey Wright, Miss Esther Mason, and Mrs. Harvey Lovell. # $ * % $ % BECKHAM BIRD CLUB’S ANNUAL SPRING FIELD DAY By AUDREY A. WRIGHT The annual Spring Field Day of the Beckham Bird Club was held on Sunday, April 29, 1945, at the Pieper home, on the Upper River Road. In spite of the cold, cloudy morning, the small but enthusiastic group that gathered shortly after eight o’clock had already made some finds and was eager to start out. We went to the swamps in Indian Hills, where one of the day’s finds was made. Swimming among the partially submerged willows were some Coots; with them was a Florida Gallinule, whose bright bill showed up conspicuously. While we watched, a female Wood Duck swam by with five young in her wake, and a Great Blue Heron flew over-head. Red-wings went in and out of the cattails, and a female Cardinal fed her two nestlings in a nearby bush. West of the ponds in some mud flats we found a Shoveller, some Blue- winged Teal, and a Hooded Merganser. Because of the early spring, foliage was so well advanced that it was rather difficult to locate the birds we heard singing in the trees and bushes. We missed the abundance of wild flowers we found last year in this same territory. Upon our return to the Pieper home we found a large group had assembled, since the weather had cleared and the wind had stopped. After lunch we divided into three groups, one going up the River Road in search of water birds, another through open fields along a creek, and a third through a wooded area. Nests found and reported were as follows: two Cardinal nests with young, a Bluebird’s nest in a tree stump, and a Blue-gray Gna,tcatcher’s nest about thirty feet above ground near a creek. As we climbed over a barbed wire fence, a Carolina Chickadee flew out THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 51 from a fence post. Investigation showed there were some eggs in the hollow. We saw a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers change places on their nest in an elm tree. Nearly a bushel of trash in which there were young English Sparrows fell when we moved a lawn chair from the rafter in the Piepers’ pagoda. When we compiled the list of species, we found that 97 had been seen: Red-wing, Bluebird, Bob-white, Indigo Bunting, Cardinal, Cat- bird, Carolina Chickadee, Coot, Cowbird, Crow, Mourning Dove, Rock Dove, Baldpate, Hooded Merganser, Shoveller, Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Goldfinch, Crested Flycatcher, Kingbird, Wood Pewee, Florida Gallinule, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Bronzed Grackle, Pied- billed Grebe, Herring Gull, Cooper’s Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Black- cfowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Belted Kingfisher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Meadowlark, Mockingbird, White- breasted Nuthatch, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Robin, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Chipping Sparrow, English Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Whiter crowned Sparrow, White- throated Sparrow, Starling, Rough-winged Swallow, Purple Martin, Chimney Swift, Scarlet Tanager, Summer' Tanager, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Brown Thrasher, Olive-backed Thrush, Wood Thrush, Veery, Tufted Titmouse, Towhee, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow- throated Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Black-poll Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Myrtle Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Sycamore Warb- ler, Tennessee Warbler, jP^lm Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Palm Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Louisiana Water-: thrush, Yellow- throat, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Red- bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Carolina Wren, and House Wren. The following members participated: Leonard Brecher, Mary Louise Brecher, Mary Browder, Helen Browning, Otto Dietrich, Katherine. Dietrich, Alice Horneman, Karl Kerbel, Frieda Lips, Harvey Lovell, Esther Mason, Burt Monroe, Jr., Louis Pieper, Marie Pieper, Evelyn Schneider, Ann Slack, Mabel Slack, F. W. Stamm, Anne Stamm, Anne Thaeher, S. Charles Thacher, Ollie May Williams, Audrey Wright, and Henry Zimmer and family. % SjC SjS 5jC S& JUNIOR ACADEMY AWARDS FOR 1945 The Kentucky Ornithological Society made its usual annual award to the member of the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science writing the best paper on birds. The award, five dollars, was donat- ed this year by our president, Major Victor K. Dodge, of Lexington. The committee selected to make the award divided it between Frank Quigley and Thomas Keith, both of Maysville. Each boy also re- ceives the KENTUCKY WARBLER for a year free. The winning essays follow. IDENTIFYING SOME NORTHERN KENTUCKY SPARROWS By Frank Quigley, Maysville Of all the birds in northern Kentucky among the most beneficial and certainly among the most difficult to identify are the sparrows. For the amateurish observer, finding a group of small brown birds 52 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER flitting about in low brush or grass presents a very perplexing and often unsolvable problem. In early spring the first of the summer sparrows arrive with the coming of the Field Sparrow and a little later the Chipping Sparrow.. Ordinarily the Field can be easily identified by its reddish, cap, clear breast, white eye ring, and pink bill, if you can see it; however, the easiest way of identifying this bird is by its clear, dis- tinctive call, which, once heard, is never forgotten. One has no difficulty differentiating between this bird and the; Chipping Sparrow. Although both have red caps, the Field lacks the White eye line of the Chipping; however, the young birds in summer are quite different, being finely striped on the breast and crown but otherwise resembling their parents. Fortunately the bird which is most similar to the Chipping does, not pass through until after the Chipping has departed for the win- ter, the birds rarely being here simultaneously. This bird is, of course, the Tree Sparrow, which possesses in addition to all the marks of the Chipping a fairly pronounced black dot in the center of the breast. Presumably the young are similar in the two species; how- ever, since the Tree does not nest here, I have never seen its young. One of the most beautiful of all sparrows in my opinion is the Song Sparrow. It combines a beautifully arranged pattern of brown and white with a sweet and lovely song. The heavily-streaked breast converging on a heavy central spot and streaked sides identify this bird. Sometimes in migration one may be fortunate enough to see and identify the Savannah Sparrow. This bird looks appallingly like a Song Sparrow, and telling them apart at a distance is for me quite impossible. If, however, one is thoroughly acquainted with the ap- pearance of the Song, the shortness of the tail of the Savannah by comparison can be noted. Also, a thing more important, the tail of the Savannah is forked, not rounded like that of the Song. In a good light at close range the yellow on the cheek is evident and still more rarely the pinkish legs. The loveliest of all the winter sparrows is the White-throat. Theoretically, this bird is easily identified by the “very evident” yel- low dot beneath the eye, but identification is best made by the black and white striped crown and pronounced white throat. The White- crowned has a gray throat. The yellow spot conclusively proves identification but can rarely be seen. A few other sparrows I have seen in Mason County are the fol- lowing: the Vesper Sparrow, one Lark Sparrow, the White-crowned, the Fox, and of course, that sparrow which isn’t a sparrow, the Eng- lish. THE WOODPECKER FAMILY IN KENTUCKY Thomas Keith, Maysville Among all the varied families of birds residing in the United States the woodpecker family is perhaps the one which is the sub- ject of more disputes between laymen and scientists than any other These essentially tree birds have also been the victims of man’s ut- ter ruthlessness. Of the approximately 700 species and sub-species of woodpeckers recognized in the world, 64 (22 species) occur in North America. Their physical structure offers the most logical explanation for their habits: With the exception of one genus inhabiting northern United States and southern Canada all members of the family have two THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 53 "toes in front and two behind to assure their perfect balance in climb- ing upright surfaces; the pointed, stiff tail feathers also assists the woodpecker in maintaing equilibrium. A keen sense of bearing or “feel- ing” the presence of grubs enables these tree surgeons to consume an astounding menu of insects and larvae each day; their spear-like bills and barbed-tongues, together with unobviously strong neck -muscles, complete the tools of these skillful carpenters. Many who have not closely studied the peculiar habits of the fam- ily condemn certain of its members for the alleged destruction of ap- parently healthy trees. BIRDS OF AMERICA states that “The woodpeckers, except a few species, rarely disfigure a healthy tree. But when they find a tree infested with wood-boring larvae, they locate the insects accurately, and draw them out, and devour them.” The destruction of so many healthy trees has been prevented by hungry members of the woodpecker family that we should be slow to CQndemn them for causing a negligible number to rot. Since the existence of the wood-peckers is dependent on the abundance of tree-inhabiting insects, the nests of these birds are almost without exception found in holes in trees or posts, usually high enough to be out of reach of any natural foes. Their white eggs are laid by most species in April or May, but I discovered a nest of young Flickers in March of 1944. In Kentucky there are several fairly prevalent species and two that do not occur frequently. Perhaps the most common is the vivacious Downy (Dryobates pubescens), which remains throughout the year in the same locality, perhaps never moving more than fifty miles from its birthplace. Its love for suet is exhibited during the winter months, when it frequently partakes of this delicacy, which has been tied to a post or strapped to the floor of a window box. The male’s familiar tapping turns in April from that of the hungry little black and white tree surgeon he has been all winter into that of the amorous seeker of a quiet home life and several little hungry Downys to feed. His big cousin, the Hairy (Dryobates villosus) is seen chiefly in winter and inhabits, as a rule, thick woods; whereas the Downy is seen more frequently in open woodlands. Chapman, however, states that the smaller Southern Hairy Woodpecker (Dry- obates villosus auduboni), which is found from southeastern Miss- ouri, Illinois, and Viginia to southeastern Texas and southern Florida, “resembles the northern forms in habit but is much more common, being nearly as numerous as the Downy Woodpecker.” My observa- tions of the Hairy in this locality have been limited to those of winter and early spring; the Downy, of course, I have observed the year round in considerable numbers. Second in abundance to the Downy is the Flicker (Colaptes au- ratus), possessor of the most poignant voice of the local members of the woodpecker family. Its song, if one wishes to stretch a term, lias been compared with a number of things, among them a rusty saw or a rusty gate hinge; not denying its ear-piercing quality, the familiar sound of the big woodpecker's lusty song is in a way pleas- ant and makes one desire to seek out the “Yellow Hammer” and, no matter how many times he has previously observed the bird, to see why he pours forth such boisterous, almost boasting song. Unlike -his relatives, the Flicker, in response to his craving for ants, fre- quently searches in the ground for his food and may be flushed from the low grass and soft mud as he flies in his methodically undulated planner, his white rump flashing and his raspy voice cackling as if an amusement at the earth-bound observer. His diet classes him as V olke, Fred J., 107 Esplanade, Louisville 8. Wright, Audrey A., 1312 Hepburn Avenue, Louisville 4. Wyatt, Grace, State Teachers College, Murray. Wyman, Mary May, 1040 Mary, Louisville 4. Yancey, Jessie G., 216 East Fourth, Lexington 43. Young, James B., 514 Dover Road, Louisville 6. Zimmer, Henry, Route 6, Box 474, Hikes Lane, Louisville. Zimmer, Mrs. Henry, Route 6, Box 474, Hikes Lane, Louisville. S-s * % * * EXCHANGES— AUK, Care John T. Zimmer, Editor, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park, New York, New York. Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Care Hal H. Harrison, President, 1102 Highland Street, Tarentum, Penn. BIRD BANDING, Care Dr. Donald S. Farner, Associate Editor, 4826 Cass Street; Omaha, Neb. Indiana Audubon Society, Care Margaret R. Knox, 300 Bankers Building, Indianapolis, Ind. JACK PINE WARBLER, Kingman Memorial Museum, Battle Creek, Michigan. Library of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. fc. National Audubon Society, 1006 Fifth Avenue, Care Marie E. Beales, New York 28, New York. NEBRASKA BIRD REVIEW, Care F. W. Haecker, Editor,’ 506 South 52nd Street, Omaha, Neb. WILSON BULLETIN, Care J. Van Tyne, Editor, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Care N. R. Barger, 4333 Hillcrest Drive, Madison, Wis. LIBRARIES— Eastern State Teachers College, Richmond. Georgia Ornithological Society, Care Dr. Eugene P. Odum, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. Fish and Wildlife Service, Room 225S-A, South Interior Building, Washington, D. C. Library, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge 38, Mass. Library, Extension Division, Department of Library and Archives, Frankfort. Library, Murray State Teachers College, Murray. Library, University of Kentucky, Lexington. University of Louisville, Biology Department, Louisville. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY i i ' Founded — 1023 by B. C. Bacon, Dr. L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. ' : \ i { r K , :y.\\! ■ ' V • ’ fc®? Purpose— To encourage ilie study oi' birds and to sponsor measures for their protection, \Yy-n , - r . ' Organ— THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly magazine of ornithology. Meetings — Spring, in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year. This includes membership in local chapters of the society. 1945 Officers — • President, Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Vice-President — Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer— Miss Helen Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville. . / Councillors — West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Central: Mr. S. Charles Thaclier, Louisville ; East: Mrs. J. Kidwell Grannis, Flemingsburg. Retiring President — Dr. Harvey Lovell, Louisville. Librarian and Custodian of K. O. S. Endowment — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, Louisville, Advisory Committee- v Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; Dr. G. B. Pennebaker, More- head; Dr, Anna Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. Gladys Smith- wick, Lexington; Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiaha; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. L. G. Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Sue WTyatt Sem- ple, Providence; Mr. F. Everett Frei, Horse Cave; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. L. H. Stiles, Hazard; Miss Lucy Furman, Frankfort; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville. { , ■ ’ \ " \ > : ■ ' • . i J v Send dues (ONE DOLLAR) to the Secretary-Treasurer. . Send notes and articles for publication to Dr. Gordon Wilson, . Editor of THE KENTUCKY WARBLER. Bowling Green'. . . . . Warbler from the false, is the aim every Ornithologist ” Vol. XXII WINTER, 1946 No. 1 NESTING OF THE PROTHONOTARY WARBLER Walter H. Shackleton, Prospect A pair of brilliant yellow birds entered a bole in the trellis by the side of our home at Sleepy Hollow in Oldham County on April 26, 1944. The birds proved to be Prothonotary Warblers (Proto- notaria citrea), a species which one usually associates with wooded creeks or the edges of swamps and sloughs, where the beautiful birds nest in rotten stumps standing in or near the water. At Sleepy Hol- low there is an artificial lake only about 100 yards behind our house; so it was not too surprising that the Prothonotary Warblers while searching for suitable nesting sites should inspect the vicinity of our house. It did seem to us remarkable that such shy birds should have liked what they found so well that they built a nest and raised two broods of young, the first leaving about June 26 and the second leav- ing on July 30. In 1945 we were on the watch for our birds and were pleased to observe them on April 16, an early date for the species in this vicinity, entering the same hole in the trellis. They were not ready to start nesting, however, although the male was frequently heard proclaiming his territory from song perches behind the house. We have for several years been keeping a log of natural history, and the following excerpts are taken from it. April 28. At six A. M. male and female Prothonotaries are again inspecting the nesting hole in trellis, both sexes going in and out of all possible holes, apparently just looking. May 9. There is a well-formed nest in the hole in the trellis. May 14. A set of eggs has been laid, and the female is now in- cubating. May 20. Female Prothonotary is on nest almost constantly. Male sings in nearby tree; challenges any bird going near trellis. He feeds the female with suet from our feeding station. She stuck her bill out to receive it. May 23. Female incubating still and male continuing to be at- tentive to her needs. May 29. Young were noted for the first time in the nest, prob- ably several days old. Both parents were very active bringing in worms from nearby trees. May 30. A clear, sunny day made photography possible. From the side window of the house we were able to set up a camera and focus on the birds from a distance of about 6 feet. They continued Kenturkg “To sift the sparkling from the dull, and the true 2 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER to feed the young, paying very little attention to us at the open window. Although the male did not assist in the incubating or brood- ing he did assist materially in the feeding of the young. At intervals the female would brood the three young, in which case the male re- layed the food to her. She, of course, nearly always passed it on to the offspring. Figure 1. Prothonotary Warbler Carrying Food. Late in the afternoon as she came out of the nesting hole, the female was trapped and banded. She struggled very violently and was apparently slightly injured, probably on the wing, for she ran under the house when released and did not return to the nest The male continued to feed the young, although at somewhat irregular intervals, during the next three days, but did not brood even in this emergency. The young birds were still there on June 3, but on June 4, the nest was empty, absolutely clean and in good shape. The male was still singing nearby. It is probable that some predator removed the nestlings during the night, as they were not yet sufficiently fledged to have left under their own power. On June 11 we saw the banded female Prothonotary again in the red-bud tree. Her left wing drooped a little, and she hopped about THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 3 more than she flew. The male flew back and forth between the tree and a small bird house, finally leading her to investigate it as well as several possible nesting holes nearby. He then flew to the old nesting site in the trellis and was still trying to coax her in when we had to leave. The banded female, now flying quite well, was again seen later in the month going into the hole in the trellis, but she did not renest there or elsewhere as far as we know, probably because the nesting period for the species was over for the season. Walkinshaw (1941) has recently described the use of nesting boxes by Prothonotaries at Reelfoot Lake in Western Tennessee. In 30 boxes placed along a narrow waterway he found 24 nests in 1939. The date of laying of the first egg in 1939 was April 6, and the last young would have left a nest August 10, 1939. Binnewies (1943) has described a nest in a wheel guard on the ferry boat on Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park. Although this ferry was in constant use, the Prothonotary Warblers successfully reared their brood. Wilson (1941) has reported two cases of this species nesting in mail boxes in southern Kentucky, and a third pair which used a milk can on a porch. From the above data it can be concluded that the habits of the Prothonotary Warbler are such that it can adapt itself to human surroundings. Its habit of using nesting holes is probably responsi- ble for this, and we venture to predict that in the next hundred years where there are ponds or streams this attractive bird will be a fairly regular inhabitant of bird boxes in surburban locations. Binnewies, Fred W., 1943. Ferry Boat Attracts Prothonotary Warb- lers. Ky. Warbler, Vol. 19, p. 53. Walkinshaw, L. H., 1941. The Prothonotary Warbler, a Comparison of Nesting Conditions in Tennessee and Michigan. Wil. Bui., Vol. 53, pp. 1-21. Wilson, Gordon, 1941. Prothonotary Warblers Nesting in Mailboxes. Ky. Warbler, Vol. 17, p. 39. * * * * * * NOTE ON THE BROWN CREEPER Leonard G. Brecher, Louisville, Kentucky Now that the winter season is here, one of the interesting birds to be found throughout Kentucky wherever there are large trees is the Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris). It arrives around Louisville in the middle of October and leaves us for its northern home about the middle of April. Many persons overlook this forager because of its inconspicuous brownish coloration and its lack of song while in our midst. However, if one learns its call note, which is an un- obtrusive tseep, it is suprising how often it may be found. It feeds on larvae and insects as it ascends the trunks of fair-sized trees in a creeping manner. It then drops down to the base of a neighbor- ing tree, where it again hunches itself upward woodpecker-fashion in its untiring search for food. Sometimes it ascends directly up the same side of the trunk, but more often it hitches itself upward in a spiral around the tree; so if the bird disappears behind the trunk, watch for its reappearance about ten feet farther up. As I write this (Dec. 2) I have just finished watching one of these creepers in my back yard. I saw it flash down to the base of a walnut tree and work its way up in a slightly zigzag fashion till it reached a height of about thirty feet, when it dropped back again to where it had started and then repeated its ascent over the same 4 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER course. I watched it probe quite a number of times on its climb. It must have found hunting good here, for it repeated this perform- ance five times, each time going up the same sicte of this walnut un- til it reached the point where the trunk branched. While its food is for the most part of insects, yet it has been found to contain parts of lichens, mosses, and fungi. Alexander Wilson (1831, p. 196) states that he frequently has iound seeds of the pine tree in their stomachs. The bill of the creeper is slender and is curved downward, and it has no power to chisel off bark or bore holes. So this bird must content itself with probing under loose bark or prying into crevices, which it does with ease, for its progress scarcely halts. Dr. Elliott Coues, who was an army sur- geon, says (1878, p. 174) “the mandibles may be likened to an ex- tremely delicate pair of forceps, which may be insinuated into the narrowest crevices of the bark to pick out the most minute objects — and a very efficient tcol it proves, as used by its skillful and inde- fatigable owner.” In the light of the foregoing statements, the following incident may be of interest. I was driving in heavy traffic on March 19 in an industrial section of Louisville. Very few trees were in the area, an occasional red mulberry or a silver maple interspersed between a series of five or six telephone poles. As I moved slowly along, X saw a bird fly from the top of a pole to the base of the next pole ahead of me. I recognized it as a Brown Creeper, and I watched it zigzag up, peering now into a season check, and now into a hole left by a lineman’s spur. I was unable to drop out of the traffic and so was unable to note whether the creeper flew on to the next pole. Had these been old poles, I would have thought nothing of the inci- dent, for, after all such would not be much different from dead trees. But these poles had all been recently placed and were heavily creosot- ed. The tarry substance gleamed in the feeble sunlight, and, had the weather been hot, the pole would have been very sticky. Presumably it was firm, yet the bird was able to maintain its hold on the com- paratively smooth surface and did not seem to be bothered either by the odor of the creosote or by the stream of moving vehicles scarcely ten feet away. Evidently enough larvae were to be found to keep it entirely preoccupied with its serious business of living. Coues, Elliott, 1878. Birds of the Colorado Valley, Misc. Pub. No. 11, U. S. Geol. Survey. Wilson, Alexander, and Charles Lucian Bonaparte, 1831. American Ornithology, Vol. II, Edinburgh. # * # # * % MID- WINTER BIRD COUNT, 1945-6 MURRAY (Roger’s Lake; area of two miles around the college campus, keeping to low places because of high winds). Jan. 5, 1946: 8 to 10:30 A. M.; 12:30 to 4:30 P. M. Sky overcast; rain started at 9 and continued to 12:30; wind 35 to 40 miles an hour, southeast; temp. 60; sky clear or nearly so after 12:30. We did not attempt to visit Kentucky Lake because of the very high wind. Total, 45 species, 1343 individuals. —RUBY FLOWERS, WILLIAM E, HARROD AND GRACE WYATT MARION (In and around Marion; river bottoms below Cave-in- Rock Landing). Dec. 30; all day (T. A. F. in the town, C. L. F. in the bottoms). The number of species is about what we expected, but the number of individuals is small because of our trying to cover so much territory. Temp. 35. Total, 50 species, 824 individuals. —DR. T. ATCHISON FRAZER AND CHASTAIN L. FRAZER 5 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER UNIONTOWN (Along Ohio River past Poker’s Point, thence to -Lake Des Islets and Morton’s Lake in Camp Breckinridge reserva- tion, thence to Harding Station). Dec. 26; 9:30 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. Clear; cold west wind, 20 to 30 m. p. h.; temp. 30-42. Observer alone; 49 miles by car, 4 miles on foot. I heard a Bewick’s Wren in town on December 27 and saw some Bronzed Grackles on Decem- ber 28. Total, 42 species, 1070 individuals. — ROBERT L. WITT, Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Tenn. PROVIDENCE (To Jim Corbin’s Farm, 5V2 miles southwest, in car; meadows, open fields, open woods, river banks, country lanes, stable lots where stock were fed, gullied hillsides, and pastures; Highway 41 northeast mostly in car; inland two miles on foot to Shamrock Lake and Lakeview Cemetery). Dec. 23; 8 A. M. to noon; 2-4 P. M. Light north wind; ground covered with snow; river and lake frozen over; overcast all day, becoming very disagreeable after noon, with a freezing drizzle; temp. 20-24. Five observers in two parties. The Brown Thrasher was the big surprise; it was feeding near a stable lot with Cardinals, Towhees, and all kinds of sparrows. Three days before the official count we saw hundreds of Crows fly- ing over Providence. Other species recorded in the holiday season were Sparrow Hawk, Bewick’s Wren, and Robin. Total, 35 species, 1015 individuals. — J. D. PALMER, SUSIE HOLMAN GILCHRIST, TRUDY SIGLER CORBIN, DORA WYATT, AND SUE WYATT SEMPLE, Compiler. MADISON VILLE (Loch Mary, Spring Lake, Atkinson Lake, woods, streets, and open country). Dec. 31; 8 y2 hours in the field. Cloudy; light northwest wind; frequent snow flurries; temp. 26-28. The Cedar Waxwing and the Myrtle Warbler were observed a few •days before the census. Most of the birds seemed inactive. Of local interest were the Red-winged Blackbirds, which were found on At- kinson Lake, associating with two male Towhees. Total, 35 species, 792 individuals. —JAMES WILLIAM HANCOCK HOPKINSVILLE (Five miles east on U. S. 68 in the vicinity of Overby’s Store; open woodland, thickets, fence rows, and pasture land in approximately equal parts). Dec. 26; 8 A. M. to noon. Fair; ground bare; temp. 26-40. Observer alone; 3 miles on foot. Total, 39 species, 3266 individuals. — W. M. WALKER, JR., Nashville, Tennessee HOPKINSVILLE Dec. 30; 11 A. M. to 4 P. M. Wind brisk; weather cold and cloudy. Total, 39 species, 983 individuals. —DR. CYNTHIA C. COUNCE AND TWO COMPANIONS BOWLING GREEN (Chaney, McElroy, and Albert Covington farms; open farmland 25%, woodlots 50%, marsh 25%). Dec. 23; 6:45 A. M. to 3:00 P. M. Heavy overcast all day, sleet and freezing rain from 1 P. M. on; wind northeast, 19-24 m. p. h.; temp. 24-30; snowbanks in shaded places; ponds frozen over. Two observers to- gether. Total hours, 8% on foot; total miles, 8. Seen in the same area in the time of the count, December 23-30: Red-tailed Ha*wk, Sparrow Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Phoebe, White-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, and Migrant Shrike. Goldfinches and Cedar Waxwings were more numer- ous than on any previous census; Carolina Chickadees were the least numerous in twenty-eight years. Total, 41 species, 3678 individuals. —CHARLES L. TAYLOR AND GORDON WILSON THEi KENTUCKY WARBLEE a a> o o rH o 2? 2? e MID-WINTER BIRD *> > > o 5h 0) iS > o $4 Ph S3 o m 'd oj § jH 3 s^ o ffi m 3 Ph o ffi hjo .2 1 o ffl o Si 0) 4-J hJ o 1 m ‘ $ o i-5 Willard Number of Species Number of Individuals Number of Observers 45| 1343 3 50j 824 2 421 10701 1| 35 1015 5 35( 39 79213266 11 1 39| 983| 3 41 3678 2 35| 649| 5I 611 10756] 17| Great Blue Heron 1 | | Canada Goose ( 12 I i ! *i i Common Mallard 80 78 39 81 533| Black Buck 4 2 1676J Pintail 6 Ring-necked Duck 1 4 Canvas-back 11 6 * Lesser Scaup Duck 15 52 American Golden-eye 1 50 7 Hooded Merganser *1 American Merganser 4 1 113 Red-breasted Merganser 2 Turkey Vulture 4 4 1 3 14 1 Black Vulture 3 6 Sharp- shinned Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 1 2 3 Red-tailel Hawk 1 1 1 * 3 Red-shouldered Hawk lj 1 1 | 6 Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 1 1 Bald Eagle I 1 Marsh Hawk 2 1| 2 1 1 11 Pigeon Hawk 2 Sparrow Hawk 2 2 3 * 1 O 17 * 12 Bob-white 1 11 2 24 8 11 11 American Coot 1 i Killdeer 20 i! Herring- Gull 3 75 112 7 18 343 1 Ring-billed Gull j 91 Rock Dove 12 66 j * 1 102 Mourning Dove 1 14 12 3 74 3 96 7 Screech Owl 1 1 2 1 Great Horned Owl 1 Barred Owl 1 1 3| Short-eared Owl I 3j Belted Kingfisher 1 1 1 * 1 i n| Flicker 1 4 4 6 5 8 9 4 ! 25] Pileated Woodpecker 1 2 | 4 1 1 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 2 1 2 3 6 2 2 4 j 22i Red-headed Woodpecker 1 2 2 1 *1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 1 5 1 3 4 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 7 Downy Woodpecker 17 6 10 3 6 7 5 8 13 48] Phoebe ! * ' Horned Lark 4 33 36 352 141| Blue Jay 16 14 1 I 27 15 9 12 22 3 I 71 1 rH CO THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 7 MID-WINTER BIRD COUNT, 1945-0 Murray j Marion 1 1 Uniontown Providence Madisonville Hopkinsville Hopkinsville Bowling Green Otter Creek Louisville Willard Crow 47 78 67 10 1 2i 1 80 150 507 83 629 7 Carolina Chickadee 14 16 17 5 1 9| 15 6 16 17 76 16 Tufted Titmouse 9 12 2 3 12 5 15 20 15 90 9 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 2 4 4 * 10 16 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 3 1 3 2 10 Winter Wren * 1 Bewick’s Wren 1 2 ❖ ❖ . * * 1 Carolina Wren 3 4 2 3 10 8 4 12 8 16 6 Mockingbird 7 4 4 11 6 7 11 10 28 Brown Thrasher 1 Robin 50 8 10 ❖ 2 85 50 48 170 13 Hermit Thrush 1 1 1 1 4 5 2 Bluebird 10 26 2 3 4 6 9 83 2 32 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 * 4 Cedar Waxwing 25 6 * 27 360 10 16 Migrant Shrike 1 1 2 1 13 * 5 Starling 200 250 63 132 8 2500 500 925 1 4625 4 Myrtle Warbler 25 1 15 2 English Sparrow 50 100 85 293 197 35 ❖ 405 6 458 Meadow-lark 2 13 31 15 67 25 2 36 Red-winged Blackbird 4 1 Rusty Blackbird 9 4 Bronzed Grackle * 1 1 Cowbird 3 48 2 Cardinal 33 35 40 74 46 11 16 126 46 422 11 Purple Finch 25 1 6 2 18 5 19 22 Goldfinch 25 18 16 19 47 17 184 30 29 7 Towhee 15 2 6 15 21 8 4 28 8 67 6 Vesper Sparrow 1 2 Slate-colored Junco 140 14 42 200 188 75 35 162 76 495 45 Tree Sparrow 8 4 307 34 60 9 3 35 146 Chipping Sparrow 1 Field Sparrow 8 14 3 8 40 1 26 5 9 White-crowned Sparrow 6 7 9 46 8 5 20 28 47 White-throated Sparrow 25 9 7 34 30 16 109 34 Fox Sparrow 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 Swamp Sparrow 2 4 4 6 9 Song Sparrow 2 12 25 6 44 2 4 10 16 113 19 * The asterisk indicates that the species was recorded in the time of the count, but not on the count itself. * * * * * * OTTER CREEK NATIONAL PARK (From Big Bend to Rock Haven, along the railroad to Otter Creek, along the creek to Blue Hole, up to Tall Trees, and back through Piomingo). Dec. 30; 8 hours; 5 observers, mostly together; 10 miles. Cloudy, misty, with sev- 8 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER eral showers; wind 3-10 m. p. h.; temp. 40-45. The Bald Eagle was an? adult, with white head and tail. Purple Finches were seen in four- places and were singing; Fox Sparrows were singing; the numerous Sapsuckers were a surprise; the Robins were mostlv flying over in flocks. The area covered included deciduous woods 60%, Ohio River Bank 10%, brushy fields and new growth 30%. Total, 35 species, 649 individuals, —HARVEY B. LOVELL, ESTHER MASON, EVELYN SCHNEIDER, FLOYD CARPENTER, AND DAVID McCLURE, LOUISVILLE (Same territory as in previous years: bank of Ohio River 20%, fields and farm lands 20%, brushy fields and new growth 35%, deciduous woodlands 25%). Dec. 23; dawn to dusk. Sunny in morning, overcast and dark in afternoon; temp. 19-28; wind 2-10 m. p. h.; 3 inches of snow; creeks frozen over, Ohio River filled with floating ice. Seventeen observers in seven parties. Total hours, 41; total miles, 35. The Rusty Blackbirds and Short-eared Owls were seen by Burt L. Monroe, Sr., and the Red-breasted Nuthatch by Harvey Lovell, the Red-breasted Mergansers and the Ring- necked Ducks by Floyd Carpenter. Canada Geese were seen on Dec. 28, Canvas-backs on Dec. 24, Hooded Merganser and Screech Owl (dead) on Dec. 29, Red-headed Woodpecker on Dec. 18. Total, 61 species, 10,756 individuals. —LEONARD BRECHER, WOOD BOUSMAN, FLOYD CAR- PENTER, SUE EARNEST, HARVEY B. LOVELL, DAVID McCLURE, BURT L. MONROE, SR., BURT L. MONROE, JR., LOUIS PIEPER, EVELYN SCHNIED- ER, WALTER SHACKLETON, MABEL SLACK, ANNE STAMM, FRED W. STAMM, S. CHARLES THACHER, MRS. S. CHARLES THACHER, AUDREY WRIGHT. WILLARD Dec. 24; 9 A. M. to 2 P. M. Cloudy, with 4 inches of snow on ground; temp. 35. About four miles on foot through fields and woodland areas. Total, 17 species, 159 individuals. — ERCEL KOZEE THE WILSON ORNITHHOLOGICAL CLUB The K. O. S. has been affiliated with the Wilson Ornithological Club since 1924. Many K. O.S. members also belong to the W. O. C. The Wilson Bulletin is a very interesting quarterly magazine of 260 pages. In addition to articles on life histories and other topics, it contains numerous field notes, comments on conservation problems, a list of current ornithological publications, and extensive reviews of the more important bird books and pamphlets. This year Burt Monroe is the Treasurer of the W. O. C. Let us all support the new treasurer as well as increase our libraries by sending the annual dues of $2.00 to him at Ridge Road, Anchorage, Kentucky. Every active ornithologist needs and will enjoy the attractive Wilson Bulletin. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 9 FIELD NOTES SUMMER RECORDS OF THE LARK SPARROW In my files are several records of summer Lark Sparrows, but I had begun to doubt their accuracy until June 16, 1945, when a male Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) came within ten yards of me near the junction of the Gasper with Barren River, and sang while I studied it a long time with my glasses. On August 5, 1945, I found the young of this species on the same farm, some two hund- red yards from where I had found the adult. — GORDON WILSON, Bowling Green. KINGLETS AT MARION On October 24, 1945, while sitting on my porch I saw in a sugar maple a constant stream of birds working on the leaves. I went out to see what I had discovered and found hundreds of kinglets. They were feeding on larvae on the undersides of the leaves. They al- lowed me to approach within ten feet of many of them. Just across the street there were other maples, and they too were as full of kinglets as those in my own yard. The next morning there were still quite a few of the same birds, but that was the last that I saw of them. They were mostly Golden-crowned Kinglets (Regulus sat- rapa) but there were a few Ruby-crowned (Regulus calendula). These are the only kinglets that I have ever seen right here in town. —DR. T. ATCHISON FRAZEN, Marion. CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT FROM MICHIGAN Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Michigan, Dec. 27, 1945. Weath- er, partly cloudy in A. M., mostly clear in P. M.; temp. 25 to 30; ground covered with 6 inches of snow, St. Joseph River partly frozen. Common Canada Goose, 17; Mallard Duck, 19; Scaup Duck, 2; American Golden-eye, 207; Barrow’s Golden-eye, 1 (male, with a few American Golden-eyes on river where the difference in white mark- ing before the eye was easily noted through 7x Mirakel glass) ; Her- ring Gull, 1; Rock Dove, 4; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Starling, 16; English Sparrow, 57; Cardinal, 1; Purple Finch 1. Total, 16 species, 337 individuals. Other species observed this month are Red-tailed Hawk, Dec. 6; on Dec. 28, Lesser Loon, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Tree Sparrow, 4; and in Centreville Cooper’s Hawk, Dec. 22; Marsh Hawk, Dec. 18, Hairy Woodpecker, Dec. 11; Horned Lark, Dec. 8; Goldfinch, Dec. 8; Slate-colored Junco, Dec. 18. —OSCAR McKINLEY BYRENS, Three Rivers, Michigan. ON THE FOOD OF GRACKLES On the afternoon of September 28, 1945, I was walking with a friend around the base of the hill in Iroquois Park. We were at the back of the hill, nearly two miles from the Southern Parkway en- trance, when we heard somewhere ahead of us the chatter of a large flock of birds. At first I thought they were probably starlings, but as we came nearer, it was possible to distinguish the sound as the creaking of Grackles (Quiscalus versicolor). The birds moved from branch to branch, feeding on the beech nuts which seemed to be un- 10 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER usually plentiful at that time. It was impossible to make any ac- curate count of the flock, but there were over two hundred in sight at my point of observation. Judging from the sounds to be heard, and from the known size of the beech woods, I estimate there were over six hundred in those beech trees. All those that I heard and all those I saw eating were grackles. As this species is usually known for its propensity to feed on grain and seeds, it seems worth while to call attention to its ability to feed upon such tough nuts as those produced by the beech. —ESTHER E. MASON, Louisville. THE UPLAND PLOVER HOVERING At the far side of the Chaney Farm on April 14, 1945, I heard the Upland Plover (Rartramia iongieauda) many times in the deep alfalfa. Suddenly two appeared directly overhead, flapping their wings in their distinctive nervous fashion. One of them hovered like a Sparrow Hawk, meanwhile uttering its appealing notes. Though I have known the plover since 1929 and have often seen many of them in alfalfa and clover fields, this was the first time I ever sav/ one hovering. —GORDON WILSON, Bowling Green. GREATER SCAUPS ON CHANEY LAKE On April 1, 1939, when forty-six bird students from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee were at McElroy Lake, some of them saw a Greater Scaup and studied it for a long time with a 24x telescope. At the time I was on the opposite side of the pond and did not get to see this strange visitor. On April 14, 1945, on the Chaney Lake I saw five Greater Scaups at close range by working my way quietly through some bushes at the edge of the overflowed cornfield. The same five or others were seen again on April 21 and two on May 12 on the same lake, which meanwhile had dwindled considerably. Two of the rarest warblers in my territory are the Connecticut and the Mourning, both of which I saw in the 1945 migration. On May 15 the Connecticut came into my yard and was very melodious in its song as it fed in a Box Elder tree. I got several good looks at it. On May 19 I found another one and heard its song in a wooded area near Lost River. On the opposite side of the same wood I found a Mourning Warbler and thus had an opportunity to compare the markings and the songs of the two. I have old records for the two species, which I had begun to doubt; these experiences have made me a little more tolerant of some of my earlier finds, when I was a warbler “fiend” and had two eyes that were very much better and younger than they now are. — Gordon Wilson, Bowling Green. OUR FALL MEETING AT MAMMOTH CAVE By Helen G. Browning The Kentucky Ornithological Society met for the first time since 1942 at Mammoth Cave Hotel, Kentucky, November 2-4, 1945. This was the nineteenth fall meeting of the society. A goodly number of members arrived Friday in spite of the rain. There was no formal program arranged for Friday night. But since it had been so long since K. O. S. friends and acquaintances had been able to get together, a group assembled in the Blue Room for a most enjoyable session. Our president, Major Victor K. Dodge, had placed on exhibit several beautiful bird paintings by Mr. Howard mm KENTUCKY WARBLER 11 Rollin of Colorado. Various announcements were made, and greetings from those who could not be present were conveyed. Saturday morning brought clear skies, sunshine, and a crisp atmosphere that put every one in a splendid mood for the field trips. After breakfast we assembled in two groups, one to be led by Gordon Wilson, who announced that he would take the less difficult trip, Which would follow the roads and would take us near the Superin- tendent’s home. The other group was led by Evelyn Schneider, who went along Green River over more difficult terrain. Many of us with Dr. Wilson were delighted by the appearance of a Hermit Thrush which sang briefly, but most beautifully. After lunch we went in cars to the beaver pond. Evidences were all about us of the activities of these interesting and valuable animals. Large tree trunks had been eaten through in many places. There we saw a flock of Mallards flying overhead, which included also a Pintail and a Shoveller. A Coot was very cleverly hidden in the rushes, and so excellently did he blend with the background that it was most difficult to see him even at close range. At this pond we also saw a Rusty Blackbird. Later in the afternoon we drove to the ferry which crosses Green River, enjoyed a free ride and a brisk walk some distance beyond. It had been a grand afternoon, and dusk was upon us when we realized that we must rush in order to be present at the opening of the business session at five o’clock. The annual business meeting was held in the Blue Room, Mam- moth Cave Hotel, at five P. M., Saturday, November 3, Major Victor K. Dodge, President, presiding. The financial report of the Secre- tary-Treasurer was read by Helen Browning. The report of the Nominating Committee, composed of Leonard Brecher, Chairman, Esther Mason, and Mrs. Nelson Nuckols, was read by the Chairman. There being no nominations from the floor, the following slate was elected unanimously: President — Dr. Gordon Wilson, Vice-President — Miss Mabel Slack, Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Helen Browning. Major Dodge then turned over the chair to Dr. Wilson. The matter of a curator and an editor was discussed. It was decided that Burt Monroe be curator of K. O. S. and that Harvey Lovell be the editor of the Warbler. Three councillors were then nominated by Mr. Brecher and elected without opposition. They are: Mr. Gerald Baker— West; Mrs. Anne Stamm — Central, and Mrs. J. Kidwell Grannis — East. The subject of life memberships was then discussed. The group requested that amendments be made to the constitution and by-laws to authorize such memberships and that these amendments be voted upon at the next meeting of the Society. (The proposed amendments appear elsewhere in this issue of the Warbler). It was stated that the annual spring meeting would be held on the authorized dates and at the place of the Kentucky Education Association meetings. Dr. Wilson, the new President, closed the meeting with remarks of appreciation for the splendid loyalty of K. O. S. members during the war years, even though no meetings could be held. During the past year the membership was the largest since the Society was founded. The highlight of the Saturday night dinner was the delicious fried gailus and roast anas. These two species, by the way, were much dressed up for us— each bearing a pretty pink “ruffled leg.” The Saturday night meeting was one to be long remembered. It 12 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER was held in the Blue Room at 8:00 P. M., the new president presiding. Dr. Wilson told us in his particularly delightful manner about the highlights of his bird study during the war years. It was indeed an inspiration to the less accomplished and energetic ones of us to strive for more frequent trips, more accurate observations, and more care in making field notes. Dr. Wilson’s arduous work has yielded excellent results, from which we shall all soon be able to benefit, since his check list of the birds of the Mammoth Cave region is to be published very soon. Mr. A. F. Ganier, of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, spoke to us on flycatchers. He illustrated his excellent talk with beautiful bird skins and also distributed a chart giving in outline form much de- tailed information regarding the various flycatchers to be found in our part of the country. Dr. Harvey Lovell showed his very excellent kodachrome slides dealing with bird nests. He compared the nest building ability of our local species, calling attention to many details having to do with both the nests and the eggs, which would not usually be noticed by a casual observer. At 8:30 Sunday morning our members drove in cars to a point somewhat beyond the Green River ferry. We then divided into two groups, one of which was led by Harvey Lovell and the other by Burt Monroe. Mr. Monroe’s territory consisted of the open fields, which had some years back been cultivated land and had been allowed to grow new cover since the park authorities had controlled it. Dr. Lovell’s route was along an old road and into open fields of much the same type as those just mentioned. At 10:30 A. M. we returned to our cars and drove to the former site of the C. C. C. camp. There a few of the more daring ones climbed to the top of a decrepit fire tower to observe the landscape. Several White-Crowned Sparrows Were found at this location. Later we drove to a higher tower, which was much easier to climb, and many more of us viewed the countryside from the top. Sunday dinner was the last item on our program, and when we had finished our “turkey and trimmings,’’ we began dreading the packing and regretted that we had to leave so soon, because we all agreed that this meeting at Mammoth Cave had been a most en- joyable and successful one in every respect. The following members and guests were present. — Louisville: Esther Mason, Evelyn Schneider, Ann Slack, Mabel Slack, Audrey Wright, Helen Browing, Mrs. J. D. Baldez, Mrs. Marne Boulware, Mrs. Sue Earnest, Mrs. T. C. Mapother, Sr., Floyd Carpenter, Carl Kerbel, Carl Schott, S. Charles Thacher, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brecher, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Dietrich, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Lovell, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Stamm, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Strull, Mr. and Mrs. I. Leo Wolkow; Anchorage: Mr. and Mrs. Burt Monroe, Sr., Burt Monroe, Jr.; Lexing- ton: Amy Bergman, Dr. Louise B. Healy, Major Victor K. Dodge; Bowling Green: Gordon Wilson, D. Y. Lancaster; Glasgow: Mrs. Nelson Nuckols; Horse Cave: Mr. and Mrs. F. Everett Frei; Hopkins- ville: Dr. Cynthia C. Counce; Princeton: Mrs. Paul Cunningham: Nashville, Tennessee: Mary Franc Holloway, Helen Howell, Albert F. Ganier, Edwin D. Schreiber, Robert C. Hickerson. Robert E. Sollman, Donald Maynard, Jr.; Chicago: Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Donham; Athens, West Virginia: Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Bibbee. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 13 FINANCIAL REPORT RECEIPTS: Balance on hand date of last report (Oct. 7, 1944) $149.90 78 Memberships (S $1.00 78.00 139 Memberships @ .75 104.25 Junior Academy of Science Affiliation dues — 28 clubs (g) .50 14.00 Endowment : Dividends, Jefferson Federal Savings & Loan Assn, on 4 shares of stock ! 9.50 5 life memberships @ $25.00 125.00 Sales of back issues of Warbler 22.79 Sale of field check lists . 13.65 Donation of prize for best paper on birds in Junior Academy Bulletin 5.00 Total $522.09 DISBURSEMENTS: Printing 4 issues of W7arbler (incl. covers) $175.55 Stamps * - — - 19.00 Postcards 5.40 Postage for mailing back numbers of Warbler .27 Cut for winter number of Warbler (incl. postage) 3.53 4 zinc etchings for spring number of Warbler 8.07 3000 folding card field check lists 33.00 Membership in Ky. Conservation Council 2.00 Donation to Junior Academy of Science 5.00 Award for best bird paper published in Junior Academy Bulletin 5.00 1 share of stock in Jefferson Federal Savings & Loan Assn 100.00 Tax on balance in bank July 1, 1945 .17 Total $356.99 Balance on hand November 3, 1945 $165.10 * * * * * * FALL LIST OF BIRDS AT MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK The following list was compiled at the K. O. S. Fall Meeting, November 2, 3, and 4, 1945. For a list of members cooperating see Miss Browning’s report. Mallard, 12; Pintail, 1; Shoveller, 1; Turkey Vulture, fc; Black Vulture, 4; Red- tailed Hawk, 2; Rough-legged Hawk, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1; Coot, 1; Bob-white, 1 covey; Mourning Dove, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Flicker, fc; Pileated Woodpecker, 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2; Downy Wood- pecker, fc; Phoebe, 1 (a late date); Prairie Horned Lark, fc; Blue Jay, c; Crow, c; Carolina Chickadee, fc; Tufted Titmouse, fc; White- breasted Nuthatch, 2; Brown Creeper, 1; Carolina Wren, fc; Mock- ingbird, 2; Robin, c; Hermit Thrush, 5 (one singing) ; Bluebird, e; Golden-crowned Kinglet, fc; Cedar Waxwing, c; Starling, fc; Myrtle Warbler, c; English Sparrow, fc; Rusty Blackbird, 1; Bronzed Grackle, 10; Cardinal, fc; Purple Finch, fc; Goldfinch, c; Towhee, fc; Junco, c; Chipping Sparrow, 15; Field Sparrow, c; White-crowned Sparrow, 8; White-throated Sparrow, c; Fox Sparrow, 3; Swamp Sparrow, c; Song Sparrow, c. Total, 49 species. — Compiled by HELEN BROWNING AND GORDON WILSON 14 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER NEWS AND VIEWS TO A MOCKINGBIRD Sue Wyatt Semple If I could summon words that would describe. Your borrowed, re-created melodies, Into my banal thoughts I would imbibe The sweetest lyrics, rhymes, and eulogies. Though yours be but the power of imitation, O star performer of the summer night, The moonlight-hour is hushed with adoration As you pour forth your music with delight! Your love song is entrancing; when you sing In wild abandon, why am I inclined To dream of days gone by? On restless wing You leave a wake of rippling notes behind. My heart can guess the feelings you express Of love and cheer, and fear and tenderness! # * * # # * ARTICLES ON KENTUCKY BIRDS APPEARING IN OTHER JOURNALS. An Owl ,Friend of Mine by James B. Young of Louisville, Sept.- Oct. Audobon Magazine, 1945. An account of a young Barred Owl, Deacon, which was dispossessed when his sycamore tree home was cut to clear a rifle range. The young owl was kept three weeks. Banded Song Sparrow Nestlings Removed by Parent by H. B. Lovell, Bird-banding, Vol. 16, October, 1945. An adult Song Sparrow was observed to remove a banded nestling from its nest twice but allowed it to remain when the band was removed. Reaction of American Mergansers to Herring Gull Depredations, by H. B. Lovell, Wilson Bulletin, Vol. 57, 1945. Although Herring Gulls were able to steal fish from the mergansers at first, the mer- gansers soon were able to dodge the gulls by diving with the fish in their mouths. Birds of Kentucky by J. D. Figgins, University of Kentucky Press, Lexington, 1945. This book has been published posthumously. A committee headed by A. F. Ganier will review this book thoroughly in the next issue. Although this book has recently been reviewed unfavorably in the Wilson Bulletin, we urge all active ornithologists in Kentucky to obtain a copy. Mrs. Laurel Reynolds of Piedmont, California, gave the second lecture of the Audubon Screen Tours at Louisville on December 1. Her attractive personality and beautiful Kodachrome moving pictures were thoroughly enjoyed by both young and old. The third lecture by Alexander Sprunt, Southern representative of the National Audubon Society, was presented on January 22. In addition to the THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 15 outstanding shots of the large water birds of Texas, he featured scenes from the national parks of the west. The Tennessee Ornithological Society celebrated its thirtieth anniversary with a dinner on October 20 and a field day on October 21. Sixty people attended the dinner, at which Gordon Wil- son was the out-of-state speaker. The T. O. S. is the father of ths K. O. S., and the two clubs have many members in common. Con- gratulations to our sister state on having so live and useful an organi- zation! Congratulations to the members of the Junior Academy of Science on the variety and excellence of their Christmas bird counts. Lists have been received from Anchorage, from Evelyn and Albert Har- burg, Jean Sidebottom, Joyce Cockran, and Burt Monroe, Jr; Barbour- ville, from Flem R. Patterson; Central High, Madison County, from. Greta Sanders and Nadine Million; Harrodsburg, from Proctor Riggins and Billy Willham; Kingston, from Bonnie Johnson, Mary Lane, Mary Lee Coffee, Marie Combs, Berta Morgan; Morehead, from Kenneth and Hugh Howell; Owensboro, from J. W. Benton; Owingsville, from Mary and Eliza Dawson; Paint Lick, from Betty J. Calico, Jewell Bell, and Cwenolyn Broaddus. The two best lists were made by Burt Monroe, Jr., and from Maysville High School by Chad Christine, James Kirwin, and William Wallingford. $ $ i|; j; ^ $ PRROPOSEB AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE III. — Members — Sec. 1 — Add the word life after the word active. (The sentence will then read, “Membership in this Society shall be open to all persons interested in any phase of bird life and shall consist of sustaining, active, life, and student members”.) ARTICLE III, Sec. 4: “Life membership shall consist of those persons living within or without the State of Kentucky who pay the life membership fee. Life members shall be accorded the privileges and duties of active members.” Change ARTICLE III, Sec. 4, to read ARTICLE HI, Sec. 5. To BY— LAWS— Article II— DUES, Sec. 1— Add, “The fee for life membership shall be $25.00. Life membership dues shall become part of the regular endowment of the K. O. S.” * ;K * * * ^ Burt L. Monroe, who was a captain in the Air Corps, returned to civilian life in October, 1945, and is back at his home in Anchorage. He was recently appointed Curator of our society. Members should send him their migration data as well as data on birds’ nests, eggs, etc. He is eager to obtain records of mounted birds in private collec- tions, as well as in colleges, schools, and museums. Anyone living not too far from Anchorage should telephone him whenever any un- usual dead or injured bird is found. It might turn out to be a valu- able addition to our knowledge of Kentucky birds. 16 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Robert Mengel has returned after two years overseas in Arabia and North Africa. The many interesting birds he saw on his travels are to be described at the February meeting of the Beckham Bird Club. He does not plan to return to Cornell University until next September. Meanwhile he hopes to discover additional species of Kentucky birds. Most of his specimens are deposited with Burt Monroe. Carlyle Chamberlain has also returned after more than two years in North Africa. He was a sergeant in the M. P.’s but was on special assignments which gave him an unusual opportunity to travel. He has many interesting stories to tell of the birds of the Old World. Edward M. Ray, formerly a captain in the Air Corps, is now a regional director of the Kentucky Division of Fish and Game. He has headquarters at Benton, not far from the great new Kentucky Lake. His reports on the state of the waterfowl have been frequently quoted in the Louisville papers. “Birds of the Mammoth Cave National Park,” a booklet approved by the National Park Service, is now in print and will be on sale at the Mammoth Cave Hotel and also at Bowling Green at the College Heights Bookstore. The author is Gordon Wilson, our president. The census editor regrets that Dr. John Bangson’s bird count from Berea arrived too late to be included in the tabulation. DUES FOR 1946 Miss Helen Browning, 206 West Oak Street, Louisville, urges all members to send in their 1946 dues promptly in order not to miss any of the issues of the KENTUCKY WARBLER. Please make the work of the treasurer easier by mailing her a check in the next post. A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT The K. O. S. is an almost entirely new organization since I was president before from 1925 to 1929. We have grown from a very tiny little group of persistent bird students to a state society that is able and enthusiastic. In spite of unsettled conditions that are fol- lowing the end of the war, I see no reason why we cannot continue to grow. The very fact that our membership is larger now than it was before Pearl Harbor is sufficient proof that we are thriving. Let Us keep up this condition by remaining in the society and by asking others to join. How about several new Life Memberships? That would greatly help our stability and would give us a source of income that we badly need. I am personally eager to see our society bring out a state bird book that will be a credit to Kentucky and to our society. That very thing is now being worked out by Burt Monroe, Bob Mengel, the editor, and others. We need to know everything that has ever been learned about Kentucky ornithology and will wel- come any clues to stuffed specimens, collecting expeditions, and ac- curate records. Our fall meeting at Mammoth Cave made all of us feel like old pre-war days, and we hope for greater outings in the future. Plan to attend any and all meetings of the K. O. S. and be sure to send to our new editor, Dr. Harvey Lovell, all sorts of news, articles, and notes. If you have bird books or bird magazines that you do not need, these will be valuable additions to our K. O. S. Lib- rary, in charge of Miss Evelyn Schneider. In every way we should keep our excellent society growing. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGIGAL SOCIETY Founded — In 1923 by B. C. Bacon, L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. Purpose — To encourage the study of birds and to sponsor meas- ures for their protection. Organ — THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly journal of ornithology. Meetings— Spring: in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year; this includes membership in local chapters. 1946 Officers — President — Dr. Gordon Wilson, Bowling Green. Vice-President— Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Helen G. Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville 3. Retiring President— Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Councillors— West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Cen- tral: Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; East: Mrs. J. Kid- well Grannis, Flemingsburg. Curator — Mr. Burt L. Monroe, Ridge Road, Anchorage. Please send specimens, data concerning migration, nest- ing records, etc., to him. Librarian and Custodian of Endowment Fund — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, University of Louisville Library, Louis- ville. Please send her books, reprints, pamphlets, and ornithological magazines. Advisory Committee (official representatives of the society in their sections of the state) : Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mrs. Sue Wyatt Semple, Providence; James William Hancock, Madisonville; Dr. Cynthia C. Counce, Hopkinsville; Mrs. Nelson Nuckols, Glasgow; Mrs, F. Everett Frei, Horse Cave; Dr. Gladys Smithwick, Lexington; Dr. Anna A. Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiana; Mr. C. Alex. Van Arsdall, Harrodsburg; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs, Dorothy Madden Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana. Editor-in-chief — Dr. Harvey B. Lovell, 3011 Meade Avenue, Louisville 4. Send news items, notes, and articles for publication to him or to Mr. Leonard C. Brecher, Field Notes Editor, 1900 Spring Drive, Louisville 5; or to Dr. Gordon Wilson, Census Editor, Teachers College, Bowling Green. Spring Vol. 22 1946 No. 2 Ktnintk^ “To sift the sparkling from the dull, and the true Mar bier from the false, is the aim of every Ornithologist ” Vol. XXII SPUING 1940 - No. 2 A WINTER ROOST By Harvey B. Lovell and C. M. Kirkpatrick Several pieces of evidence contributed to our discovery of a large winter bird roost within the' Fort Knox Reservation. While taking a Christmas bird count at Otter Creek National Recreational Area on December 30, 1945, the senior author observed in the late afternoon numerous flocks of Robins flying southwestward in the direction of Fort Knox. About the same time the junior author noted a large number of Robins (a thousand or more) flying southwestward over the dormitories at the Fort. Finally Eugene Stuart, secretary of the Louisville Automobile Club, reported to us that he had seen a strange cloud south of the Fort which he had at first thought to be either a storm or a military contrivance but which turned out upon closer in- spection to be a vast flock of birds. With the above information to guide us we (with S. Charles Thacher) decided on January 6, 1946, to search the area for a pos- sible roost. We first drove up and down the main highway from Fort Knox to Elizabethtown from 2 to 3 P. M. without observing any unusal bird movements, and we inquired in vain concerning a bird roost of all the filling station operators along the way. At 3 P. M. we took a much-used tank road within Fort Knox west from the main highway along the upper reaches of Otter Creek. As the sun neared the horizon at 3:45, we were about to return discouraged when we began to notice small flocks of Robins (Turdus migratorius) flying eastward. As we hastened to our car, the first flock of Starlings, about 10,000, appeared moving rapidly above the road in front of us. This flock flew to a temporary roost in some tall oaks on a hill top, where it was soon joined by several larger flocks of Starlings, (Stermis ridgaris), some of which moved on to another oak grove on the next ridge. Meanwhile Robins continued to arrive in larger and larger numbers, stopping to perch in convenient trees. Then, suddenly, the whole western sky from horizon to horizon was filled with a vast horde of Starlings: the main flock had arrived. Their beating wings sounded like surf upon the shore, but they were otherwise silent in flight. Whether the flock contained 50,000 Starlings or ten times that number we could only surmise. The flock twisted and turned in a coordinated manner, so that whatever maneuver was attempted, the flock remained well bound together. However, the flock sometimes split in two and sometimes seemed to form a funnel-shaped mass re- m 10 *46 IS THE KENTUCKY WARBLER sembling a tornado. Many of the birds now left the oaks and entered a grove of low cedars, which proved to be the real site of the roost. We stationed ourselves along the road (4:30 P. M.) and attempt- ed to count the Robins crossing per second along a stretch of one- quarter mile. During the height of the flight there were from 23 to 50 crossing per second. The Starlings had all moved from the oaks to the cedars by 4:45 P. M., but the Robins continued to arrive in the fading light until 5:05 P. M., by which time it was quite dark. The Robins had been coming in from the north for an hour and twenty minutes. If their average rate was ten per second, that would mean 60,000 arrived from that direction alone. We then crossed the muddy field and approached the outlying cedars of the roost. Small flocks of Robins flew out of these smaller trees into the larger ones deeper in the grove. The Starlings roosted in the larger trees near the center of the roost. Most of the birds were perched from six to eighteen feet up. They were all quite wary, and as we progressed through the roost, hundreds of birds would flap noisily out of the trees nearest to us. The area was surveyed in the daytime on January 10th by Kirk- patrick, who also collected samples of material beneath the trees. The roost was located in a grove of red cedars (Juniperus virginiana) on a north slope in a shallow valley through which ran a small stream. The area of the roost was approximately three acres, but the main roost as shown by the accumulation of droppings on the ground cover- ed only about one-tenth of this. Scattered cedars were not used to any great extent, but those growing in clumps and offering more shelter were favored. Beneath the trees most used, the ground was covered to a depth of one inch or more with manure, fine twigs which had ap- parently been broken off by the weight of the birds, and cedar scales, Great quantities of hard seeds, which had passed through the digestive tract of the birds, were present, which had been washed clean by the rains. Easily identified were large numbers of seeds (or stones) of the flowering: dogwood (Corrras florida), hackberry (Celtis), sumac (Rhus spp.), and several other kinds not readily identified. Evidence of mortality to the birds in the roost was rare, even though the area was throughly searched. Three piles of old, wet feathers on the ground indicated only that a death had taken place, with no further deductions possible. Scavengers may consume car- casses of birds which fall at night, if any do so. TWo cases of preda- tion on Starlings were found, which were not more than twenty-four hours old. Beak marks on the plucked feather shafts indicated the work of either an owl or a hawk. Two Cooper’s Hawks were noted in the vicinity, but were not observed to attack the returning birds. In a few places some small mammal had collected considerable piles of the dogwood pits, perhaps a pint in each case, and had gnaw- ed a neat hole in one end to get at the kernel. Thus the fleshy parts of the fruits of Cornus supply first food for birds and later the seeds supply food for rodents, an interesting example of the inter-relation- ship of all forms of wild life. The return of the birds to the roost was again observed. The first Starling flock was recorded from the west at 3:30 P. M. Grackles and Cowbirds were also noted among the birds. At 4:25 only a sprink- ling of birds had entered the main roost, although as many as 100,000 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 19 had arrived in the vicinity. The sun was shining low in the west, and a number of Robins were singing. Cowbirds arrived in loose flocks with none of the flock unity in maneuvering displayed by the Starl- ings. The Robins were even less integrated, flying in flocks of from ten to one hundred and single birds having a tendency to stop on trees along the route. Grackles came in loose flocks or even individ- ually. The senior author visited the roost again on February 23 in com- pany with Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Thacher, Evelyn Schneider, and Esther Mason. We arrived at 5:00 P. M. and at first saw almost no birds. Then a few scattered flocks drifted by. Nearly all the Robins had left, but the number of Starlings seemed about the same as before.' Redwings were added to the list resorting to the roost. It had been a warm day, and most of the birds did not arrive until it was so dark that specific identification was very difficult. At 6:00 P. M. it had become nearly dark as we entered the edge of the grove. Several large flocks (unidentified) flew in from lower down in the valley with a peculiar whistling sound to their wings. The lower branches of the cedars were badly denuded, and the birds were perching higher than on our former visit. A final visit was made on the afternoon of March 24th by both of us. The roost was deserted and had apparently been so at least since before the last rains. The cedars were denuded of green scales to heights of ten or fifteen feet and in some cases were almost entire- ly bare. Many assorted seeds were conspicuous on the ground, as were the abdomens of some hard bodied beetles and the shells of soma snails both of which appeared to have been included in the diets of the inhabitants of the roost. Winter roosts in northern Kentucky do not appear to be common. Beckham (1885) described a great roost in Fredericksburg, nine miles from Bardstown, where as many as 8000 Robins were killed in a single night and sold for food at ten cents per dozen. John B. Loefer and John A. Patten (1941) have described a blackbird roost contain- ing a preponderance of Starlings along the Kentucky river, fifteen miles southeast of Lexington. In March, 1941, the roost contained Grackles and Cowbirds in addition to Starlings. McAtee (1926) has published a map showing the distribution of blackbird roosts in eastern United States which shows two roosts in Central Kentucky, eight in Ohio, eight in Indiana, seven in Illinois, and only one in Tennessee. Most Kentuckians are familiar with the winter Starling roost in the business section along Fourth Street in Louisville (Lovell, 1941). Only Starlings roost in the city (along with a few English Sparrows and pigeons), but temporary roosts including blackbirds occur in oaks along Eastern Parkway near Preston Street every fall. LITERATURE CITED Beckham, C. W. 1885. Birds of Nelson County, Kentucky. Kentucky Geological Survey. Sept. pp. 1-58. Loefer, John B., and John A. Patten. 1941. Starlings at a Blackbird Roost. Auk, Vol. 58, pp 584-586. Lovell, Harvey B. 1941. A Successful Method of Preventing Starl- ing Roosts. Wilson Bui., Vol. 55, pp 237-238. McAtee, W. L. 1926. Blackbird Roosts. Auk, Vol. 43, pp 373-4. 20 THE KENTUCKY WARBLEE SOCIABLE HUFFED GROUSE EATS BANEBERRY FRUITS By O. A. Stevens, North Dakota Agricultural College During the summer of 1943 Professor A. E. Minard, Dean of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences, North Dakota Agricultural College, began telling me of the unusual habits of a Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) at his cottage on Big Pine Lake, near Perham, Minnesota. The bird, he said, seemed to desire human company, was repeatedly about his cottage, and often would peck at a person’s heels, fly upon his shoulders, on a table or other object near by. The matter was new to me, but on looking up literature I found the account of Mr. C. D. Howe (1904) of similar behavior of a grouse. This interested Professor Minard very much because of the similarity of the two instances. The bird continued under observation during the summer. A grouse, presumably the same bird, had been noted at two neighboring places, during the three previous years. It was not fed or otherwise encouraged, for it was somewhat of a nuisance through its persistance. In late June, 1944, the bird was again about the place. In early July it was at the master’s elbow while he was cutting some grass and weeds around the cottage. Hearing a fluttering behind him, he looked around and saw the bird dead. It showed no signs of material injury and was brought in for examination at the Department of Veterinary Science. It was a male bird in good flesh. The intestines showed distinct inflammation; otherwise no abnormality was observ- ed. The crop contained 43 fruits of red baneberry (Aciaea rubra), mostly matured, and the gizzard a number of seeds of the same plant. Since these have been reported poisonous, it was thought that they might have been the cause of the death of the grouse. About 100 fruits were secured and fed to a three-months-old chicken without effect. The plant is not among those quoted by Bent (p. 152, 1932) in food eaten by the grouse. Mr. A. C. Martin of the Fish and Wild Life Service wrote (letter dated August 15, 1944) that their files con- tained only one record of baneberry fruits eaten by Ruffed Grouse, in which case 86 fruits identified as Actaea alba were found in a bird shot in Ontario. The incident was somewhat disturbing to me because I had been growing the plant for years as an ornamental. The foliage and bright red berries are attractive. The fruits are occasionally pulled off by children, but it seemed unlikely that they would be eaten, yet cases of poisoning of children by them have been reported. LITERATURE CITED. Bent, A. C. 1932. United States National Museum, Bui. 162. Howe, C. D. 1904. Bird-Lore, 6: 81-85. SOME EPISODES IN THE LIVES OF ROBINS By J. W. Clotfelter, Paris Robins are certainly one of the most common of our native birds of town and farm. They have prospered in close proximity to man under conditions which have frightened away less hardy and adapt- able species, and rare is the yard which does not have at least one THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 21 nesting pair, A Robin can raise its young often in extremely open situations in the face of the depredations of hordes of house cats. It feeds on the lawn and in the garden, trustingly following the mower or the plow. During the last few years I have had an op- portunity to witness several episodes in the lives of Robins which have given me a little insight into the ways of these birds. Episode 1. In the very early season of 1941, a pair of Robins nested in a tree in my back yard at Paris, Kentucky, the nest being about twenty-two feet from the ground. Incubation having been successful, they set about feeding the young. Several days iater 1 found the female dead at the bird bath. I naturally wondered whether the male would be able to raise the two nestlings. Not the least disturbed, he took over the double duty all by himself. On Sunday morning, a few days later, that Robin had his offspring out in the shrubbery, and I was almost late getting into church, watching his solicitude for their welfare. Here, then, is one brood successfully rear- ed under difficulties. Episode 2. I spent two weeks at Berea, Kentucky, in August, 1942. A pair of Robins were nesting in a small tree at the edge of the pavement in front of Boone Tavern. One afternoon a very threatening storm cloud arose. Heavy gusts of wind and sheets of rain caused the top of the small tree to twist in every direction. It did not seem possible that the nest could have survived, and I felt sure that I should find young Robins scattered all over the pavement. But, in a lull, I 'discovered that the nest was still there in the fork of that tree, about sixteen feet above the pavement. From a vacant room on the second floor of the tavern, I was able to look down on the nest, and the brooding Robin. The wild swaying of the branches turned the nest with its living cargo in every conceivable position, and at times it seemed that both the bird and the contents would be hurled to their destruction. But not so; she rode out the entire period of the storm, about an hour and a half and held the nestlings warm and dry. Equally important, she kept the inside of the nest dry and prevented the mud from dissolving. When calm was restored, the male appeared for his turn at brooding. The female climbed out, gave herself a good shake, and flew away, as he took over. Another brood survived a dangerous ordeal. Episode 3. In the spring of 1944, I hung a wren house on the front corner of my garage, up near the eves. Soon thereafter, I noticed a pile of grass and miscellaneous materials on top of it. This seemed a strange way for a wren to behave, but it was not until a couple of days later that I discovered a Robin was very busy in that bunch of grass, fashioning a nest. The Robins raised two broods during that season on top of my wren box. They returned in 1945 and repeated the performance by again turning out two more sets of youngsters. In an endeavor to salvage the wren house for wrens, I moved it over to the upper side of the other corner. In its place, I put a Robin shelf and set the old Robin nest on the shelf. I went up to my home about an hour ago (March 27), and there were the Robins repairing that old nest on the new shelf. A Robin can always find a nesting site. Episode 4. While our furnace at the Presbyterian Church at Paris is operating all the time in bad weather, we have a gas grate in the office to serve in better weather. Yesterday (March 26) I heard a bird fluttering behind the grate. Since the fire had been on 22 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER for a long while and since the fluttering ceased almost immediately, I felt sure that the bird (which I assumed was a Chimney Swift) was dead. I lighted my grate early this morning. Very soon thereafter, the fluttering behind the grate began. I at once turned off the gas, got some tools, and took the grate apart. Out came a female Rojin. She had been subjected to a great deal of heat, and her breast was badly scorched. I let her fly about the office until I was sure that her tail and wing feathers were in shape; then I threw open the window. When she discovered the open window, she hopped to the sill and sat there a moment. Then uttering one beautiful call from her parched throat, she flew back to her natural abode. And so I come to the end of my episodes with Robins, every one a success story. And I no longer marvel that a species so faithful, so brave, so intelligent, and so hardy should continue to thrive and prosper in spite of the changes wrought by civilzation. FIELD NOTES THE GREAT BLUE HERON IN WINTER While walking near Otter Creek in the -Fort Knox Reservation in Hardin County on January 6, 1946, with Hairvey Lovell and S. Charles Thacher, we saw a large bird flying over. Its long neck and long legs were clearly seen as it flew rather close above our heads, indi- cating that it was a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). It had evi- dently been feeding in or near the creek. Monroe and Mengel state that this bird has been recorded in the Louisville area in every month except December, January, and February (Ky. Warbler, 15, 1939). However, an examination of the Christmas Census records for Ken- tucky during the last ten years reveals 11 occurrences in late Decem- ber as follows: Paducah, 1936; Anchorage, 1939, 1940; Bowling Green, 1941, 1942, 1943; Marion, 1942, 1944, 1945; and, Louisville, 1944. The present record appears to be the first one for January in northern Kentucky. — C. M. KIRKPATRICK, Fort Knox. WOOD THRUSH PARASITIZED BY COWBIRD On May 26, 1945, on a field trip with the Beckham Bird Club near Caperton’s Swamp in Indian Hills, east of Louisville, we dis- covered a WTood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) on a nest in a high bush near the abandoned car tracks. Upon examining the nest we saw that it contained only one blue egg of her own and four white spotted eggs of the Cowbird (Molothrus ater). Believing this to be too much of a burden for the thrush, we removed the Cowbird’s eggs. We regret that we did not have an opportunity to return later to find out whether the Wood Thrush deserted her nest. We have been unable to find anyone who has ever seen as many as four Cowbird' s eggs in a Wood Thrush’s nest before. MRS. S. CHARLES THACHER, Louisville. WINTER NOTES FROM BERNHEIM RESERVATION On February 26 I spent from 9:30 A. M. to 2:00 P. M. in the Bernheim Reservation in Bullitt County. As usual the area around THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 23 the three artificial lakes prove to be a favorite wintering ground for birds. The large number of red cedar (Juni perns virginiana) aids in attracting birds. A large flock of over a hundred Cedar Waxwings were feeding on the berries of the red cedar, as were numerous Myrtle Warblers. A flock of fifteen to twenty Purple Finches, many of them males in full plumage, were feeding on the buds of several trees. A familiar song was identified as that of the Bewick’s Wren, and a pair were discovered near the barn. This is a very early date for Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes Bewickii) in this vicinity, although it winters regularly in the southern part of Kentucky (Lovell and Clay, Kentucky Warbler, Vol. 18, 1942). A single female Golden-eye was the only water bird on the lakes. On the way back two birds were discovered on the ground in a pasture across from the reservation. They ran rather than hopped, wagged their tails continually, and displayed white tail feathers in flight. They were Pipits (Anthus spinoletta), erratic transients in this area and not before reported in February. —HARVEY LOVELL, Louisville. EARLY NESTING OF THE MOURNING DOVE While working in my yard on March 1, 1946, I heard a Mourn- ing Dove (Zenaidura macroura) fly from a nest in an apple tree. I had been working for some time in the yard without frightening the bird, and it was not until I hit the tree with the branches of a bush I was moving that she flushed. The nest, which was about ten feet up in the tree, contained two eggs. The nest must have been built in February and one or propably both eggs laid during the last few days of February. Gordon Wilson also noted a dove incubating eggs on the campus at Western State Teachers’ College on March 4. This makes the Dove have a nesting season of over seven months in Ken- tucky, from March 1st to early October, the longest of any species in this region. — L. Y. LANCASTER, Western State Teachers’ College, Bowling Green. CHIMNEY SWIFTS GATHERING NESTING MATERIAL On the late afternoon of June 20, 1945, I was sitting in my back yard after supper when I noticed several Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) swoop down among the smaller twigs of an American elm that had died the preceding summer during the drought. By care- fully watching I discovered that each time one would fly by, he would momentarily lose his momentum of flight and would break off a small twig and fly away with it. This continued as long as day- light lasted and was renewed every day for nearly a month, until all the topmost limbs were denuded of small twigs. —GORDON WILSON, Bowling Green. GOSHAWK VISITS LOUISVILLE It was my good fortune to see a Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) on December 19, 1943. Although this find was reported in the Christ- mas bird count for 1943 in both the Kentucky Warbler and Audubon Magazine, because of its rarity in this state, I have been urged to describe the circumstances more fully. This hawk was seen in the section west of the bridge (near the dam) in Seneca Park. This area is wooded and interspersed with underbrush and tall dry grass. My 24 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER husband and I saw this hawk on three different occasions. First it was seen while flying before us. Our second study was while the hawk “watched'’ from a near by tree to which the bird had flown, and our third and final view, when it flew to another tree along the road leading to Big Rock, where we observed it at not more than forty feet distance. The latter afforded us an excellent opportuntiy to watch and study all its markings. The whitish-grey breast, the bluish back, darker crown, with a white band above the eye passing across the nape all were clearly visible. The hawk did not seem to object to our presence as we watched it over a long period of time. I understand many are shy, but others coming from places where they rarely see a human being are quite tame. I have found few records of the Goshawk’s appearance in Ken- tucky, and none of these from Louisville. Audubon states “when residing in Kentucky I shot a great number of these hawks, particular- ly one cold winter near Henderson, when I killed a dozen or more on the ice in Canoe Creek.” Pindar mentions an occasional stray in winter in Fulton County (Auk, Vol. 6. 1889), and Blincoe (Wilson Bulletin, Vol. 32, 1920) reports shooting one in 1917 in Nelson County. Gordon Wilson in his Birds of Bowling Green, Kentucky (Auk, Vol. 39, 1922) reports, “one seen at close range on Normal Heights, February 2, 1918. Apparently brought here by the rigorous winter”. —ANNE L. STAMM, Louisville. EARLY RECORDS FOR THE WHIP-POOR-WILL While spending the week end at Otter Creek Recreational Demon- stration Area, we were suprised to hear the call of the Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) on the night of March 29, 1945. Gordon Wilson reported that many migrants were ahead of schedule last year at Bowling Green and he adds that the Whip-poor-will was no exception, being found there on March 23, 1945. This year the season is unusually early, and we heard this bird calling on the evening of April 5th. Lovell reports that his earliest record for Louisville is April 14, 1945, and Monroe has a record of April 12 from near Anchorage. There appear to be few published records on the time of the arrival of the Whip-poor-will. However, Alexander Wilson (1812) says “In the State of Kentucky, I first heard this bird on the Fourteenth of April, near the town of Danville”, and Gordon Wilson (Auk, 1922, Vol. 39) gives the arrival date as April 5th for Bowling Green. —AMY DEANE and HELEN PEIL, Louisville. ANOTHER FEBRUARY RECORD FOR THE BROWN THRASHER On February 26th a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) ap- peared at my feeding station at Sleppy Hollow. It returned fre- quently on February 27th and 28th and was seen on the later date by several observers. Harvey Lovell (Ky. Warbler, Vol. 15. 1939) has reported a Brown Thrasher at Louisville on Feb. 5th, 1939, and mentions several late December records in various parts of Eastern and Southern Kentucky. There have been two additional reports of the Brown Thrasher on Christmas counts since then: Bowling Green, 1940, and Providence, 1945. There still appear to be no published records for the Thrasher in January, although Figgins (1945 Birds of Kentucky) states that Thrashers wintered at Lexington in 1942-43, but does not mention any exact dates. —WALTER SHACKLETON, Prospect. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 25 NEWS AND VIEWS TO THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES Sue Wyatt- Semple A flash of fire, a feathered meteor Of brilliant orange-red and glossy black Floats through the air, a living metaphor, Nor does he any burning beauty lack! When orchards are in blossom he arrives And seems to search for human company; The oriole cheers little children’s lives, And youngsters welcome his society. He moves about among the tops of trees; No foliage is dense enough to hide Him, swaying to and fro with every breeze And warbling medleys to his royal bride. A graceful hanging nest swung from an elm Comprises Lady Baltimore’s bird-realm. ARTICLES ON KENTUCKY BIRDS APPEARING IN OTHER JOURNALS Monroe, Burt L. Discussion of the Status of the Purple Grackle in Kentucky. Junior Science Bulletin, Vol. II, March, 1946. He points out that the apparent records for the Purple Grackle in Kentucky are probably all referable to the Bronzed Grackle. No authentic specimen of the Purple Grackle from Kentucky can be found, Lovell, Harvey B. Bird-Banding Projects of the Kentucky Or- nithological Society. Kentucky School Journal, Vol. 24, Jan., 1946, pp. 21-24. A description of results obtained through bird-banding and a plea to students and teachers to watch for banded birds and to turn in any bands to the Fish and Wild Life Service in Washington. Wallace, Earl. “The Noiseless Beat of a Thousand Feathered Wings.” Happy Hunting Ground, Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb., 1946. A descrip- tion of the Wild Goose with comments upon its unusual intelligence and craftiness. Wilson, Gordon. Birds of the Mammoth Cave National Park of Kentucky. Bowling Green, Kentucky, March 1, 1946, 24 pages, 9 illustrations. Fifty cents. (Reviewed by Evelyn Schneider, Louisville). Probably no other ornithologist knows Mammoth Cave National Park as Gordon Wilson does; his many years of camping and hiking there have taken him to every part of the area many times. Most visitors no doubt think of the underground caverns as the only at- traction, but those of us who have attended K. O. S. meetings there with Dr. Wilson are aware of the extent of the 52,000 acres with its varieties of terrain and bird life. In the introduction of the pamphlet are given brief descriptions of various areas of the park with comments on the kinds of birds to be found there. The reader will be eager to follow Wet Buffalo Creek, see the towering sandstone cliffs along First Creek with their 26 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER heavily wooded hills, visit the beaver dam at Sloan’s Crossing, or explore the Big Woods at the northeastern end of the park. A map on the inside of the front cover prepared by Dr.Wilson locates these points of interest. Under the heading “Some Distinctive Birds” the author discusses briefly the more characteristic species. The numbers of species to be found at different seasons of the year set a goal for the experienc- ed bird student. The changes in the bird life in the park within the period of his study and the probable changes within the next decade are outlined. The “Index” to the birds of the park list species in alphabetical order under the divisions: Permanent Residents, Summer Residents, Winter Residents, and Transients. The larger portion of the booklet is devoted to a checklist, in which the 163 species are arranged in A. O. U. order. The common name is followed by the scientific name and a short statement indicating seasonal abundance. Since no description of the bird nor of its habits is given, it will be necessary for the student to use a good field guide in connection with the list. A “Supplementary List” of 77 species found in the surrounding country, chiefly at Bowling Green, is ap- pended because these species probably migrate across the park and may eventually be added to the park list. Eight photographs of birds or their nests enhance the makeup of the pamphlet. A brief biblio- graphy is appended. This booklet may be purchased through the K. O. S. secretary. Every active bird student will want to own a copy. AUDUBON SCREEN TOURS The Audubon Screen Tour Lectures closed in Louisville with lec- tures by Karl Maslowski on February 21 and Burt Harwell on March 21. “Our Heritage in the Rockies,” by Maslowski, featured big game in Yellowstone, including moose, elk, antelope, and beavers. This beautiful film was widely acclaimed as one of the best integrated wild-life films yet presented here. Harwell is one of the best entertain- ers on the Audubon circuit. His imitations of bird songs, from the gut- tural squack of the heron to the extremely high-whistled “phoebe- note” of the Black-capped Chickadee, were accompanied by corres- ponding notes on the paino. LEONARD BRECHER, OUR SEVENTH LIFE MEMBER Leonard Brecher is one of the most active of the Louisville group of Ornithologists. A graduate of the University of Louisville with an M. A. in Chemistry, Leonard has been engaged in business with his father making mantels. His interest in birds and natural history dates back to his grade school days. He can always be counted upon to work up a talk for the Beckham Club or for papers in the Warbler. His recent article “The Relation of Vegetational Life-forms to the Distribution of Breeding birds” was reviewed by the Fish and Wild Life Service with the result that requests for copies of it poured in from all over the country. Leonard has been chairman of the committee in charge of the Audubon Screen Tours for the last two years, vice- president of the Beckham Bird Club, and Field Notes Editor of the Warbler. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 21 THE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Since we did not get to have a spring program, I hope as many of you as possible can come to Mammoth Cave National Park on the weekend of May 31, June 2nd to help in a nesting-bird study in the park. At that time the warblers are just about at their best, and we should find nests or young of all the sixteen species nesting there. Be sure to send the president a copy of your Big Spring List, so that our next issue can carry the tabulations, just as the summer issue did last year. We should make this an annual affair; many state organizations conduct just such an annual spring census. Be thinking about a suitable place for our fall meeting. It will be held in the eastern part of the state this year. We shall decide on a place early enough for the summer issue to carry the news to all our members, so they can begin making plans for being on hand. It was fortunate that the ornithologists came down to see my Woodburn lakes on March 9-10, for the water did not last well this year. The McElroy Lake was dry on April 27 except for a few puddles, whereas in 1945 the last day of my season out there was May 31. The total number of water species seen in 1946 at the two lakes has been small in comparison with almost any other year of my study there. This issue will reach you in the last days of the spring migration period. I hope that you have been highly successful in finding all your old friends and in adding one or two new ones. Nothing thrills a bird student quite like a new species now and then. BECKHAM BIRD CLUB NOTES By Virginia Winstandley, Secretary, Louisville The varied activities carried on during the year by the Beckham Bird Club were highlighted by unusually good programs, by the series of field trips and by the Audubon Screen Tour lectures. Programs for the regular monthly meetings included talks by members returned from the armed services. At the October meeting Sergeant C. J. Kirkpatrick of the Department of Forestry, Purdue University, and stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., reported on his detailed study, “Some Foods of Young Blue Herons.” Mr. Robert Mengel, who had spent nine months in Sharjah, Arabia, described at the Feb- ruary meeting some of the fifty-five species of birds found there and discussed the importance of the desert as a barrier to the equatorial and Neo-arctic forms of animal life found south and north of Arabia, respectively. As a part of the January program Mr. Walter Shackle- ton read a letter sent him by Tommy Smith, who wrote from Europe in December describing his experiences with falcons and other birds in Holland. Plans are being made to have other returned veterans speak on future programs. A guest speaker on Dec. 11th was Mr. Clif Sipe, Area Wildlife Supervisor, who talked on the problems of wildlife protection. At other meetings informative discussions were presented by Mr. Floyd Carpenter, Mr. Leonard Brecher, and Mrs. F. W. Stamm on hawks, ducks, and warblers, respectively. The series of field trips conducted throughout the year have been attended by an unusually large number of new and regular members. With the resumption of the use of cars, it has been possible to visit areas farther away from the city, and therefore to have more variety in the type of territory covered. In addition to cooperating in the Audubon Screen Tour project, the Club was one of the sponsors of the Natural History Institute! a series of three programs held at Cherokee Park, and of the Ky! 28 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Natural History Conference at South Park in the Fall. Members were well represented at the dinner given on December 18th in Louis- ville by the Ky. Society for Natural History, with Dr. Gordon Wilson as the speaker. The year will end with the usual Cuckoo Party on June 11th in the Lodge on Iroquois Park Hill. This is the meeting when formality is forgotten, and everyone has fun. Should out-of-town K. O. S. members be in Louisville on that date, the Beckham Bird Club will be delighted to have them join the party. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR John B. Lewis writes from Seward Forest, Triplett, Virginia, “I always enjoy reading the Kentucky Warbler, both for the information on birds that it contains and also from the fact that the early part of my life was spent in Eubank, Pulaski County. “In the last issue I read the account of the Upland Plover at Bowling Green. It may be of interest that I saw one of these birds near Eubank between 1883 and 1885. There was only one bird, and it was in a little-used country road. Long life and good luck to the Kentucky Warbler.” • Robert Troupe, stationed at Fort Knox, writes of some interest- ing observations which he made along Salt River. “I saw a rather interesting thing about 7:45 P. M. Night hawks were flying over the valley, and once in a while they would power dive about 150 feet at a sharp angle. About the time they would puli out of it, you could hear a fairly loud hissing sound of the wind whistling through their wings. One could hear this plainly even one-fourth to one-half mile away. I had read of this but never heard it before.” ORNITHOLOGICAL NEWS. Dr. Gordon Meade, Chairman of the Committee on Affiliated Societies, urges members of the K. O. S. to make more use of the Wilson Ornithological Club’s library. The large collection of books and journals are now housed in the library at the University of Mich- igan. Any member of the W. O. C. or an affiliated society may borrow these free of charge, and the library will pay the cost of postage one way, the borrower being asked merely to prepay return postage. A list of these books appeared in the Wilson Bulletin re- cently. Orders should be sent to Frank R. Harrell, Museum Libraries, Ann Arbor, Michigan. John R. Patten is back from the service and is studying again at the University of Kentucky. He had just completed his Master’s Thesis on The Birds of the Berea Region when the war came. This thesis is one of the best studies ever made on Kentucky birds and has already been quoted several times. His address is Box 2126, Univer- sity Station. Lt. William Randall of 4240 Washington St., Roslindale, Mass., was commander of a tank battalion during the last two months of the drive into Germany and had many narrow escapes, including three tanks destroyed under him. He attended many activities of the Beck- ham Club while stationed at Fort Knox and has recently stopped off at Louisville for several days on his way to a separation center. He plans to go into wildlife work as a profession. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGIGAL SOCIETY Founded — In 1923 by B. C. Bacon, L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. Purpose — To encourage the study of birds and to sponsor meas- ures for their protection. Organ— THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly journal of ornithology. Meetings — Spring: in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year; this includes membership in local chapters. 1946 Officers — President— Dr. Gordon Wilson, Bowling Green. Vice-President— Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Helen G. Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville 3. Retiring President— Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Councillors— West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Cen- tral: Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; East: Mrs. J. Kid- well Grannis, Flemingsburg. Curator — Mr. Burt L. Monroe, Ridge Road, Anchorage. Please send specimens, data concerning migration, nest- ing records, etc., to him. Librarian and Custodian of Endowment Fund — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, University of Louisville Library, Louis- ville. Please send her books, reprints, pamphlets, and ornithological magazines. Advisory Committee (official representatives of the society in their sections of the state) : Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mrs. Sue Wyatt Semple, Providence; James William Hancock, Madisonville; Dr. Cynthia C. Counce, Hopkinsville; Mrs. Nelson Nuckols, Glasgow; Mrs. F. Everett Frei, Horse Cave; Dr. Gladys Smithwick, Lexington; Dr. Anna A. Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiana; Mr. C. Alex. Van Arsdall, Harrodsburg; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. Dorothy Madden Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana. Editor-in-chief — Dr. Harvey B. Lovell, 3011 Meade Avenue, Louisville 4. Send news items, notes, and articles for publication to him or to Mr. Leonard C. Brecher, Field Notes Editor, 1900 Spring Drive, Louisville 5; or to Dr. Gordon Wilson, Census Editor, Teachers College, Bowling Green. Summer 1946 VoL 22 No. 3 £ NTUCK^SM Kpnturfeg ‘To sift the sparkling from the dull , and the true lUr bier from the false, is the aim of every Ornithologist” Vol. XXII SUMMER 1946 No. 3 BIRDS OF THE BEREA REGION— BREEDING SPECIES By John A. Patten, University of Kentucky * The Eastern Knobs Section of Kentucky, geologically speaking, is the connecting terrain between the Eastern Mountain and the Blue- grass Sections of the state. The town of Berea, Madison County, in the Eastern Knobs, was chosen as a base for a study of the birds of that region. It was felt that research in the ornithology of this area would be of importance in establishing resident species, migrant species, and ecological influences upon the distribution of species be- tween the Mountains and the Bluegrass. To the east and southeast the Knobs blend with the Mountains, while to the west and northwest they become more isolated indi- vidually and break sharply away into the Bluegrass. The Knobs and the Mountains are for the most part well forested. Pine and mixed growth cover the bases of many of the knobs, while hardwoods such as oak, maple, hickory and beech dominate the rest of the slopes. The lowland areas surrounding the knobs are largely under cultiva- tion and in pasturage, although there are occasional fields lying fallow in which the natural succession of plants is beginning to establish it- self. In order to study better the breeding species of the region, a camp was set up in Cowbell Hollow, approximately five miles south- east of Berea in one of the most heavily wooded areas of the section. Here the month of June, 1941, was spent, and daily excursions were made on foot, covering distances from five to fifteen miles. Breeding data were collected, and a table of the relative abundance of breeding species, based upon the daily records, was compiled and is here in- cluded. The marked scarcity of aquatic and semi-aquatic species is ex- plained by the almost complete absence of lakes, ponds, and streams of large size. The enclosed table (Table I) shows the number of times each species was observed during the month of June, the total number seen, and the average number seen per day based on the number of days it was recorded. Some rather unexpected results in regard to abund- ance of supposedly rare birds emerged from the study. The Red-eyed Vireo proved to be the most abundant species, with 566 recorded for an average of 19.51. The Yellow- throated Vireo also stood high in the * Extracts from a Master’s thesis, Zoology Department, University of Kentucky. AUG SO '46 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER NEST OF RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD— Photo by N. I. Crabb list, with 121 recorded for 26 days. The two most common warblers turned out to be the Hooded Warbler (284 recorded) and the Ken- tucky Warbler (235 recorded), both of which are usually regarded as rare or uncommon in local lists. Another common species was the Cerulean, with 190 listed. The Ovenbird. Worm-eating, Black and White, and American Redstart all stand high on the list of summer residents. The most common Flycatcher in this study is the Acadian, with 171 seen on 24 different days. The Wood Pewee, the Crested Flv- catcher, and the Phoebe were also common. Although not as com- mon as the Summer Tanager, the Scarlet Tanager was observe! on 26 days (total 105). which indicates that it is a rather common sum- mer resident, a fact suprising in view of the large number of local lists which record it as a rare transient. Two other rare birds which were observed on numerous occasions were the Pileated Woodpecker on 24 days and the Bachman’s Sparrow on nine days. Among the northern species which appear in the Berea Region as possible southwestern extensions of their mountain ranges may be noted the Pine Warbler, recorded on 18 different days, and the Black throated Green Warbler, recorded on 15 days. A bird which was near the northern end of its range was the Chuck- will's- widow, four being recorded all on the same day. Finally, there were two other rather rare Kentucky species: the Song Sparrow, recorded on 16 days (total 47) ; and the House Wren (Eastern?), seen on only two days (total 3). In the course of this study specimens of as many species as pos- sible were collected and made into study skins. In addition data on the nesting activities were many, as a large number of the resident species were secured, together with photographs of the nests, two of THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 31 NEST OF RED-EYED VIREO— Photo by N. I. Crabb which are included here. In the second article of this series it is planned to summarize these breeding data in a thorough fashion. TABLE 1 COMPARATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BREEDING SPECIES DURING JUNE, 1941 Species Total No. Days Seen Total No. Individuals Average No. Individuals* 1. Red-eyed Vireo 29 566 19.51 2. Wood Thrush 25 440 17.60 3. Chimney Swift 26 319 12.27 4. Hooded Warbler 30 284 9.47 5. Turkey Vulture 28 259 9.25 6. Field Sparrow 26 235 9.04 7. Kentucky Warbler 28 235 8.39 8. Goldfinch 29 234 8.07 9. Indigo Bunting 26 231 8.88 10. Yellow-breasted Chat 30 231 7.70 11. Meadowlark 21 209 9.95 12. Starling 18 200 11.11 13. Cerulean Warbler 28 190 6.79 14. Purple Martin 20 174 8.70 15. Acadian Flycatcher 24 171 7.13 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 32 Table 1 Continued COMPARATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BREEDING SPECIES DURING JUNE, 1941 Total No. Total No. Average No. Species Days Seen Individuals Individuals* 16. Chipping Sparrow 17. Ovenbird 18. Summer Tanager 19. Whip-poor-will 20. Chickadee Carolina 21. Cardinal 22. Tufted Titmouse 23. Wood Pewee 24. English Sparrow 25. Worm-eating Warbler 26. Yellowthroat 27. Bluejay 28. Bronzed Grackle 29. Towhee 30. Yellow- throated Vireo 31. Crow 32. Black and White Warbler 33. Catbird 34. Scarlet Tanager 35. Robin 36. Carolina Wren 37. Barn Swallow 38. American Redstart 39. Louisiana Water-thrush 40. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 41. Flicker 42. Bewick’s Wren 43. Mourning Dove 44. Downy Woodpecker 45. Brown Thrasher 46. Bluebird 47. White-eyed Vireo 48. Ruby-thro’d Hummingbird 49. Cowbird 50. Pine Warbler 51. Pileated Woodpecker 52. Crested Flycatcher 53. Yelow- billed Cuckoo 54. Phoebe 55. Song Sparrow 56. Hairy Woodpecker 57. Redwing 58. Bobwhite 59. Prairie Warbler 60. Orchard Oriole 61. Mockingbird 62. Green Heron 63. Bachman’s Sparrow 64. Yellow Warbler 65. White-breasted Nuthatch 25 170 6.80 26 166 6.38 29 163 5.62 25 160 6.40 30 159 530 27 155 5.74 30 153 5.10 27 149 5.52 8 146 18.25 25 145 5 89 29 134 4.62 28 133 4.75 14 122 8.71 25 121 4 84 26 121 4.65 26 120 4.62 27 114 4.22 25 107 4.28 26 105 4.04 17 103 6.06 29 98 3 38 12 90 7.50 17 88 5.18 27 86 3.19 29 84 2.90 18 80 4.44 18 79 4.39 22 79 3.59 27 75 2.78 18 70 3.89 20 69 3.45 23 69 3.00 24 69 2.88 15 57 3.80 18 57 3.17 24 57 2.38 22 53 2.41 23 49 2.13 21 48 2.29 16 47 2.94 22 44 2.00 9 42 4.67 14 39 2.79 12 37 3.08 16 37 2.31 11 35 3.18 8 31 3.88 9 29 3.22 13 28 2.15 16 28 1.75 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 33 Table 1 Continued COMPARATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BREEDING SPECIES DURING JUNE, 1941 Total No. Species Days Seen Total No. Individuals Average No. Individuals* 66. Black-thro’d Green Warbler 15 26 1.73 67. Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 24 2.67 68. Grasshopper Sparrow 5 23 4.60 69. Nighthawk 11 23 2.09 70. Red-headed Woodpecker 11 20 1.82 71. Sparrow Hawk 9 14 1.56 72. Killdeer 9 14 1.56 73. Cooper’s Hawk 3 11 3.67 74. Lark Sparrow 2 10 5.00 75. Barred Owl 8 10 1.25 76. Rough-winged Swallow 3 9 3.00 77. Kingbird 7 9 1.29 78. Prairie Horned Lark 2 6 3.00 79. Red-shouldered Hawk 4 6 1.50 80. Blue- winged Warbler 4 6 1.50 81. Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 6 1.00 82. Chuck-will’s-widow 1 4 4.00 83. Black Vulture 4 4 1.00 84. Warbling Vireo 1 3 3.00 85. Ruffed Grouse 1 3 3 00 86. Red-tailed Hawk 2 3 1.50 87. House Wren 2 3 1.50 88. Kingfisher 2 2 1.00 * Average per day, based on number of days species was seen. ORNITHOLOGICAL NEWS Mrs. Sue Wyatt-Semple recently won a cash prize in the Bird- Poem Contest sponsored by the Robert Sparks Walker Audubon Society of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her winning poem, “Carolina Wren”, will be published in the Society’s forthcoming anthology of bird poems. There were 2900 poems submitted for the contest and sixty cash awards given the winners. The Providence group of bird watchers is expanding rapidly both in numbers and interest. In the recent spring bird census, for ex- ample, Lt. J. D. Palmer identified a Common Loon; Dr. Susie Holman Gilchrist observed some Chimney Swifts clinging to the inner walls of an old cistern near an abandoned farm house; Truda Sigler Corbin found a pair of Scarlet and Summer Tanagers in her grape arbor, and English Sparrow with a third wing growing between its neck and shoulder, and a greedy Blue Jay burying some surplus food which was promptly dug up by a Flicker; Thomas A. Semple was surprised to see a female English Sparrow helping a pair of Robins feed a young Robin; Dr. James Ross Gilchrist was first to report the spring arrival of the Nighthawk; Dora Wyatt took a census of more than 40 species from her back lawn in pine, cedar and weeping willow trees. Plans are maturing for another state- wide Wild Life and Natural History Conference this fall at Otter Creek Park on the last week end in September. Plan to make the trip now. Cabins are only 25 cents per night, and meals will be very reasonable. 34 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER MIGRATION BIRD COUNT SPRING OF 1946 Edited by Gordon Wilson, Bowling Green, Ky. & 3 3 O o 3 Pk bo C — on count; c- —on count bfl X X g +■> 3 >> but not in the area indicated ; o > X o 3 +-> S 1 3 3 o X 3 O 3 2 1 53 3 | 1 O 3 0 1 0 ■3 m xn 3 K 3 s Pk S w a *3 Pi 1. Common Loon 2. Holboell’s Grebe 3. Pied-billed Grebe 4. Double-crested Cormorant 5. Great Blue Heron 6. American Egret 7. Green Heron 8. Black-crowned Night Heron 9. American Bittern 10. Canada Goose 11. Mallard 12. Baldpate 13. Green-winged Teal 14. Blue-winged Teal 15. Wood Duck 16. Canvas-back 17. Greater Scaup Duck 18. Lesser Scaup Duck 19. Red-breasted Merganser 20. Turkey Vulture 21. Black Vulture 22. Sharp-shinned Hawk 23. Cooper’s Hawk 24. Red-tailed Hawk 25. Red-shouldered Hawk 26. Broad-winged Hawk 27. Marsh Hawk 28. Osprey 29. Pigeon Hawk 30. Sparrow Hawk 31. Bob- white 32. Coot 33. Semipalmated Plover THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 85 Woodlands, Trigg County Kentucky Lake Murray Marion Providence Madisonville Bowling Green Mam. Cave Nat. Park Louisville Russell County Pulaski County 34. Killdeer C C c c c c c C X c 35. Golden Plover c 36. Wilson’s Snipe c c c c 37. Spotted Sandpiper c c c c c c 38. Solitary Sandpiper C C c c c c c c X 39. Greater Yellow-legs C c c c c 40. Lesser Yellow-legs C c c c c j 0 41. Pectoral Sandpiper c 42. Least Sandpiper c X c 43. Semipalmated Sandpiper c c 44. Herring Gull C 45. Mourning Dove C c c c c c c c c c c 46. Yellow- billed Cuckoo c c c c c c c 47. Bam Owl c 48. Screech Owl c c 49. Great Horned Owl C c c X c 50. Barred Owl c c 51. Chuck- will’s- widow c c X X 52. Whip-poor-will c c c c X c 53. Nighthawk c c c X c c c X X 54. Chimney Swift C c ! c c c c c c c c c 55. Ruby-throated Hummingbird c c c X c c c c 56. Belted Kingfisher C c c c c c c 57. Flicker C c c c c c c c c c 58. Pileated Woodpecker C c c c c c c c c 59. Red-bellied Woodpecker C c c c c c c c c c c 60. Red-headed Woodpecker c c c c c c c c c X 61. Hairy Woodpecker c c c c c \C c c 62. Downy Woodpecker c c c c c c c c 63. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X 64. Kingbird c c c c c .c c c c c 65. Creasted Flycatcher c c c X c c c c c c 66. Phoebe c c c c c c c c c c c 67. Acadian Flycatcher c c c c 68. Least Flycatcher c c 69. Wood Pewee c c c c c l_£_ X c c c 36 THE KENTUCKY WARBLEK Woodlands, Trigg Countyl i Kentucky Lake Murray Marion Providence Madisonville Bowling Green Mam. Cave Nat. Park Louisville Russell County Pulaski County 70. Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 cl 71. Horned Lark | C c c c cl c c c 72. Tree Swallow 1 1 c c 73. Bank Swallow 1 c c 74. Rough-winged Swallow c c c c c > c c c c c 75. Barn Swallow cl c c c c c c c c X c 76. Purple Martin cj c c c c c c c c X c 77. Blue Jay c c c c j c c c c c c c 78. Crow c c c c c c c c c c c 79. Carolina Chickadee c c c c c c c c c c 80. Tufted Titmouse c c c c c c c c c c 81. White-breasted Nuthatch c c c c c c c c 82, Red- breasted Nuthatch c 83. Brown Creeper c 84. House Wren c c c c 85. Bewick’s Wren c c G c c c c c c c 86. Carolina Wren c c c c c c c c c c c 87. Long- billed Marsh Wren X c 88. Short-billed Marsh Wren X 89. Mockingbird c c c c c c c c c G c 90. Catbird c c c c c c c c c c 91. Brown Thrasher c c c c c c c c c c c 92. Robin c c c c c c c c c c c 93. Wood Thrush 1 c c G c c c c c c c c 94. Hermit Thrush c 1 1 c 95. Olive-backed Thrush c c c c c 96. Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 c c c c c 97. Veery 1 c c c 98. Bluebird c c c c c c c c c c c 99. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 c c c 1 c c c c c c c 100. Ruby-crowned Kinglet c 1 c X c c 101. Cedar Waxwing c c c 102. Migrant Shrike c c 1 c c c 103. Starling c 1 c c c 1 c c c G c c c 104. White-eyed Vireo c ! c c c 1 c c c c c c c 105. Yellow-throated Vireo I c ! c c c G c c c THE KENTUCKY WARBLER S7 >» 106. Blue-headed Vireo c 107. Red-eyed Vireo C c c X c c c c c c 108. Philadelphia Vireo c c c 109. Warbling Vireo C c c c c c c c 110. Black and White Warbler c X c c c c c c c 111. Prothonotary Warbler C c c c c c c c c c 112. Worm-eating Warbler c X c c 113. Blue- winged Warbler X c c ! c c 114. Tennessee Warbler c c c c c c c c c 115. Nashville Warbler 1 c X 116. Parula Warbler 1 c c c 117. Yellow Warbler c c G X c c c c c c 118. Magnolia Warbler G c c 119. Cape May Warbler c c c 120. Myrtle Warbler C c c c c c c c c c G 121. Black-throated Green W. c X c c c c c 122. Cerulean Warbler c G c c G c G G 123. Blackburnian Warbler c G c 124. Sycamore Warbler c c c c c 125. Chestnut-sided Warbler c c c G 126. Bay- breasted Warbler X X 127. Black-poll W arbler c c c c G c 128. Pine Warbler c c c 129. Prairie Warbler c c c c c c c 130. Palm Warbler c c c c c c c c 131. Oven-bird c c c c 132. N. Water- thrush X c 133. Louisiana Water-thrush | c c c c c c c c 134. Kentucky Warbler ! c c c c c c c c 135. Mourning Warbler 1 X 136. Northern Yellow- throat ! G c c c c c c c c c 137. Yellow-breasted Chat i c c c X c c c c c c 138. Hooded Warbler 1 c c c G c 139. Redstart X X c c c c 140. English Sparrow 1 c c c c c c c c c c c 141. Bobolink 1 G c c c c X 38 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Woodlands, Trigg County Kentucky Lake Murray Marion Providence Madisonville Bowling Green Mam. Cave Nat. Park Louisville Russell County 142. Meadowlark C C c C c c C C c c 143. Red-winged Blackbird C C c C c c c c c c 144. Orchard Oriole c c C c c c c c 145. Baltimore Oriole c c c c 146. Rusty Blackbird c 147. Bronzed Grackle c c c C c c c c c c 148. Cowbird c c G c c c c c c c 149. Scarlet Tanager C c c c c c 150. Summer Tanager X 151. Cardinal c c C c c c c c c c 152. Rose-breasted Grosbeak c c c c c 153. Indigo Bunting c C c c c c c C c 154. Dickcissel C c c X 155. Purple Finch c 156. Goldfinch c c c c c c c c c c 157. Towhee c c c c c c c c c c 158. Savannah Sparrow c c c X c c 159. Grasshopper Sparrow c c c c c c c 160. Nelson’s Sparrow c? 161. Vesper Sparrow G c c 162. Lark Sparrow c 163. Bachman’s Sparrow G G c X c c 164. Slate-colored Junco X 165. Chipping Sparrow c c c c c c c c c c 166. Field Sparrow c c| c c c c c c c c 167. White-crowned Sparrow C| c c c X c c 168. Gambel’s Sparrow 1 X? 169. White-throated Sparrow c c c c c c c c c 170. Lincoln’s Sparrow X 171. Swamp Sparrow c X X 172. Song Sparrow c c c c c W OODLANDS — April 20; 7:00 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. Entered the Reservation on east side; visited two lakes — Hematite and Honker; crossed the Reservation and left at west entrance; approximate dist- ance of 20 miles covered in the Reservation. Weather, fair; no wind; temp. 65 to 90. Total species, 64. Members of party: Louise Allen, Pulaski County THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 39 C P Anderson, Jr., Catherine Belt, Edward Donaho, Eupal Erwin, Joe Faughn, John Fetterman, Jary E. Furgerson, William Harrod, M. H. Hodges, T. E. Martin, Mary B. McAllister, Paula McClain, Sue Underwood, Ray Waggoner, Nelle Walker, Laura Wheeler, Todd Yates, Grace Wyatt (compiler). KENTUCKY LAKE— April 27; 4:00 A. M. to 9:00 P. M. Murray State College campus, Egner’s Ferry Bridge, Higgins Boat Landing, Panther Creek, and Pottertown. Distance covered: 30 miles. Weather, fair; wind, S. to S. E., light: temp. 63 to 82. Total species, 91. Members of party: same as for Woodlands. MURRAY - -May 4 and 5; 8-10 A. M., 2-5 P. M., May 4; 6-9:30 A. M., 2-6 P. M., May 5. College campus and immediate vicinity and Kentucky Lake near Hamlin, May 4; College campus and Wildcat Creek at Pottertown, May 5. Weather: overcast and disagreeable, temp. 50-64, May 4; 75, May 5. Members f party: same as for Wood- lands except afternoon of May 4 and May 5; Grace Wyatt alone thin. Total species, 94. MARION — May 11-12; around Marion and at Maple Sinks. Total species, 97. —DR. T. ATCHISON FRAZER AND CHASTAIN FRAZER. PROVIDENCE — April 21, 22, 23. North on U. S. Highway 41 to Audubon Park, Henderson; Audubon Park, lake, and along Ohio River; west to Bellville Bridge, spanning Tradewater River from Webster to Caldwell County; east to Shamrock Lake and Lakeview Cemetery; U. S. 41 to Madisonville Municipal Park and Low Moisture Mine area and lake; south on Ky. 109 to Dora Wyatt’s farm, Hopkins County; Weir’s Creek, sloughs, Clear Creek, and adjoining farms of John Norwood, Everett Arnold, and Gus Brown; supplementary field trips on preceding week and following week. Total species for census 101; for period studied, 124. The Clay-colored Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Brown Creeper, and Purple Finch were seen a few days previous to the period studied; during the week immediately following these species were observed: Cedar Waxwing, Cape May Warbler, Olive- backed Thrush, Pine Warbler, and Bell’s Vireo ( ? ) . Observers: Dr. Susie Holdman Gilchrist, Truda Sigler Corbin, Lt. J. D. Palmer, Dora Wyatt, Dr. James Ross Gilchrist, Thomas A. Semple, and Sue Wyatt- Semple (compiler). MADISONVILLE — May 6; fifteen hours in the field. Loch Mary, Clear Creek, Atkinson Lake, Spring Lake, streets, open country, and cattail marsh. Weather: partly cloudy; wind southwest, light; temp. 48-65. Total species for census, 95; for period studied, 107. —Observer: JAMES WILLIAM HANCOCK. BOWLING GREEN— April 27; 4:30 A. M. to 9:30 A. M., April 28; 1:30 P. M. to 5:00 P. M. Mouth of Gasper and McElroy Farm on April 27; Mammoth Cave National Park on April 28. Weather: cloudy, cool. Total species, 96; for period studied, 101. —Observer: GORDON WILSON MAMMOTH CAVE — Glasgow to Mammoth Cave National Park; trails, Mammoth Cave Ridge, Beaver Pond at Sloan’s Crossing. 6:30 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. Weather: cloudy and very windy, turning cold. Total species, 92; —Observer: GORDON WILSON. LOUISVILLE — April 28 — Upper River Road and near Pieper home. All day. Total species, 102. Observers: J. M. Baines, T. D. Boers, A. C. Boers, Leonard Brecher, Helen G. Browning, Mary Browder, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Dietrich, Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Goodman, Karl Kerbel, Frieda Lips, Harvey B, Lovell, David McClure, Burt 40 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Monroe, Sr., Burt Monroe, Jr., Bob Petrie, Harry Phinney, Louis Pieper, Marie Pieper, Mrs. C. E. Schindler, Evelyn Schneider, Mabel Slack, Ann Slack, Ann Stamm, Mr. and Mrs. S. Charles Thacher, Lily Fay Thomas, Audrey A. Wright (compiler). Margaret Zurfluh (Beckham Bird Club). RUSSELL COUNTY— May 3: 6:30 A. M. to dark. Jamestown, south to Rowena, Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Springs. Weather : warm, rainy all day, no wind. Total species, 84. —Observer: GORDON WILSON. PULASKI COUNTY— May 5; 6:30 A. M. to 12:00 noon. Somer- set and Science Hill; woodlands and open fields. Weather: light wind, fair, temp. 60. Total species for count, 71; for period, 77. —Observers: JOHN PATTEN AND DAN WESLEY. NOTES OF THE BIG SPRING LIST MURRAY — As you will see, I worked this spring bird count in with my course in Field Biology, and the majority of the students got a real kick out of the count. A later trip, to Reelfoot Lake, was not planned as a count, but we found many Snowy Egrets, American Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and Water-turkeys. I have never heard such a medley of noises. —GRACE WYATT. LOUISVILLE — We made our headquarters at the Pieper home, on the Upper River Road. Miss Mabel Slack, chairman of arrange- ments, divided the party into groups and assigned territory to be cov- ered. The list of warblers was disappointingly small, because our count was made so early in the migration season. One group report- ed that Rough- winged Swallows were using a Kingfisher’s hole m a clay bank above a quarry. Another group watched a Palm Warbler for about twenty minutes as it attacked a female Bluebird carrying food to its nest in a fence post. Each time the Bluebird approached the nest, the warbler, perched on the wire fence, five to ten feet from the hole, would dart out. A Phoebe’s nest was found under a bridge, and a Red-winged Blackbird’s nest with three young was found in a shrub in a pond. Two Cardinal nests, one with three eggs and another with one egg and one young, were found. A Robin’s nest with four young and an incomplete one were discovered, as well as an empty Brown Thrasher’s nest. —AUDREY A. WRIGHT. MADISONVILLE — As may be seen, I did not reach 100 species, but, because of a concentration of migrating and resident warblers in one particular low, wet woods and also because of my visiting a cat-tail marsh (240x480 feet in size! recently discovered and again visited, I did record 95 species. —JAMES W. HANCOCK. PROVIDENCE — Mrs. Corbin, Mrs. Gilchrist, and I shared some very pleasant moments studying the Savannah and Grasshopper Spar- rows in a meadow. Later, in a boggy marsh, near a slough and Weir’s Creek, I ran (or, rather, waded) into several Nelson’s Spar- rows. These sparrows seemed very shy and evasive, and I spent at least an hour chasing them before I was satisfied with my identi- fication. —MRS. SUE WYATT-SEMPLE. RUSSELL COUNTY — I was in Russell County on May 3 be- tween two commencement dates and used my leisure by visiting the mountain-like hills along Cumberland River at Rowena and, lower THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 41 down the river, at the site of the Wolf Creek Dam. It was a very rainy day, but the warblers, especially, were right by the roadside in the woods. Though I made a relatively small list as big spring lists go, I was glad to add this new territory to our spring counts. — GARDON WILSON. NESTING STUDY AT MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK By Helen Browning, Louisville Forty members and friends of the Kentucky Ornithological Socie- ty met for a nesting study with Gordon Wilson, Piesident, on June 1-2, 1946, at Mammoth Cave National Park. The weather was rainy, but that did not hinder five groups from setting forth on Saturday morning to hunt nests and to make other notes on the breeding hab- its of various species of birds which inhabit the area. The group lead- ers were A. F. Ganier, Mabel Slack, Evelyn Schneider, Leonard Brecher, and S. Charles Thacher. Saturday evening Dr. Wilson asked everyone to assemble in the Blue Room to discuss our annual fall meeting place. It was decided that the K. O. S. have its fall meeting at Cumberland Falls, October 4, 5, and 6. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Cumberland Falls hotel regarding reservations. Each one present introduced himself, and then several persons reported on their most interesting bird experiences of the year. Af- ter arrangements for trips the next day had been announced, the meeting adjourned. Sunday the weather cleared up, and the Beaver Pond trip was especially successful. We found nests of the Prairie Warbler, Yellow- throat, Chat, Red-wing and several others. We failed to find the nests of any of our rarer water birds, although the Green Heron and the Wood Duck were seen at the pond. H. Harold Davis took several color pictures of parents feeding the young of the White-eyed Vireo The party broke up soon after dinner on Sunday. All agreed that this week-end nesting study had been a most profitable and en- joyable experience and that we were deeply indebted to our president for asking us to participate in his wild life studies at Mammoth Cave Park. The following members and guests were present: Louisville — ■ Misses Marie E. Pieper, Evelyn J. Schneider, Audrey A. Wright, Ann Slack, Mabel Slack, M. Kays, Helen Browning, Mrs. Marne M. Boul- ware, Mrs. J. T. Caldwell, Mrs. Shively, Mrs. T. C. Map other, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. S. Charles Thacher, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Cornett, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard C. Brecher, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey B. Lovell and John Lovell, Mr. and Mrs. Otto K. Dietrich, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Conlee, Mr. and Mrs. H. Harold Davis, Messrs. Mathias Bruhn, Carl F. Ker- bel, Wood Bousman; Murray — Misses Grace Wyatt, Marjorie Palm- quist; Glasgow — Mrs. Nelson Nuckols; Bowling Green — Dr. Gordon Wilson; Cave City — Ann Young; Nashville, Tenn. — Bob Sollman, A. F. Ganier; Hamburg, la. — Miss Leta Schneider; Atlanta, Ga. — Jane C. Wyatt; Jackson, N. C. — Etta Beale Grant; Simrall, Miss. — Mrs. R. O. Stringer. A total of 76 species were seen during the week-end, but since there were no new or rare finds for the park, we think it will be of more interest just to list those for which we found evidence of breed- ing. Red-wing, 3 nests at Beaver Pond; Bluebird, feeding young and 4 nests; Cardinal, 1 nest; Catbird, 5 nests; Carolina Chickadee, feeding young; Mourning Dove, 1 nest; Phoebe, 2 nests; White-breasted Nut- 42 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER hatch, feeding young; Robin, 5 nests; Chipping Sparrow, feeding young and 1 nest; Field Sparrow, 8 nests; Rough- winged Swallow, 2 nests; Purple Martin, feeding young; Scarlet Tanager,! nest (Leonard Brech- er will describe this nest more fully later); Brown Thrasher, 1 nest; Red-eyed Towhee, 2 nests (Carl Cornett found a nest in a cedar) ; Red-eyed Vireo, 1 nest; White-eyed Vireo (Mabel Slack found nest in an apple tree only 2 feet from ground) ; Kentucky Warbler, 1 nest with five young near mouth of River Styx (H. B. Lovell); Prairie Warbler, 2 nests, one in persimmon with 3 eggs 8 feet high and one in a sassafras with 3 eggs 7 feet up, close to the road; Yellow-breast- ed Chat, 4 nests (Cornett found nest with 4 eggs, 3 feet up in dense briers near Beaver Pond). Total 21 species feeding young or nests containing young or eggs. It is to be regretted that more data were not collected in regard to the number of eggs, height of nest from ground, habitat, species of tree or bush in which nest was placed, and other notes on the care of young. Remarkably little material has been published about the breeding habits of Kentucky birds. Here is a wide open field for members of the K. O. S. to make some real contributions to knowledge. FIELD NOTES PHOEBE RAISES BROOD UNDER DIFFICULTIES While visiting Otter Creek Reservation in Meade County this spring, Harvey Lovell and I made some interesting observations on the habits of a family of Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe). They had built their mud nest with the usual lichen-moss decorations in a soap dish in the shower room at Big Bend Camp. On Sunday, April 22, 1946, Lovell observed the eggs in the process of hatching. A week earlier, on April 14 and 15, campers had occupied the unit and apparently went away leaving the shower running over the Phoebes’ nest, form- ing a wall of spray between the nest and the doorway. When Amy Deane and Helen Peil returned five days later, it was still running with such force that the water had run out the doorway and down the hill in front of the building. That the eggs hatched showed that the Phoebes had either flown through the sheet of water or possibly circled around it to reach the nest. Only a species accustomed to nesting near or under waterfalls would have had the fortitude to con- tinue her incubation under such trying circumstances. On May 4 after dark we banded the 5 nestlings, which were well fledged and flew actively around the shower room when disturbed. We returned them to the nest, turned off the light, and held our hands over them until they quieted dawn. They remained motionless in the nest as we departed. The next morning, however, they had departed when we passed by early in the morning. This was' exactly two weeks from the time of hatching. —DAVID McCLURE, Louisville. THE ROOSTING OF A CARDINAL About five years ago we noticed that a male Cardinal (Rich- mondena cardinally) was roosting during the late winter months high up on the electric wires on our back porch; access to this perch could be had only by coming in at the bottom of the lattice work, an opening of six inches off the floor. A male Cardinal, believed to THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 43 be the same one, has nested within the radius of our home and two neighbors’ yards every year, and in that time, we believe that he has had only two mates, having had this last one the past three year s. Every year he holds a competitive bout with any males which would seem to challenge his right to this particular domain. Although we do not have the bird banded, because we are so very familiar with his appearance and because of his unique way of finding a place to roost, we feel confident that it is the same bird. In the wint:r, after “Red” has got well settled on his perch, we can turn on the light and go in and out about our household tasks while he peers down in a very interested pose. —SUSAN L. HOWARD, Paris. A RATE RECORD FOR CEDAR WAXWINGS The writer has long felt that late arrivals or departures of mi- gratory birds probably are as significant in records of bird migration as the more frequently sought early dates. From this point of view the following record may be worth noting. On May 30, 1946, I ob- served a flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cediorum) in South Louisville. There were about 19 in the branches of a dead tree. A few others, apparently about six, were in the foliage of adjacent trees. A precise count was impossible owing to interchange of in- dividuals between the two areas as the birds constantly sallied forth after passing insects in the manner customary to the species and seldom troubled to return to the same spot. —WILLIAM M. CLAY, Louisville. NEWS AND VIEWS TO A PAIR OF GOLDFINCES By Sue Wyatt- Semple Blossoming forth in gold and black, he sings A soft and tender song, canary-like, To his beloved sweetheart, while she clings To dandelions or a mullein spike. Then bounding through the blue, now rising — falling In aerial waves, he calls a twittering note — A sweet per-chic-o-ree, which is enthralling To his drab mate as through the air they float. Their cup-like nest is lined with thistle-fluff — - A cozy, compact structure made of moss, Fine grass and fibers, placed up high enough In prickly plants to help protect its boss. I envy her his dear, dear dearie song He trills in his love-making all day long. GORDON WILSON, OUR EIGHTH LIFE MEMBER Our president has joined the rapidly increasing number of life members in the K. O. S. We now have added $200.00 to our endow- ment funds with the purchase of a second share of Building and Loan Stock. Dr. Wilson’s long interest in birds began in the spring 44 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER. of 1914 when he kept his first list, only 84 for the season. His first publication was the 1918 Christmas Census, which appeared in Bird- Lore. This brought him an invitation to join the W. O. C. and the aquaintance of Mr. Ganier. His early studies culminated in the pub- lication of the “Birds of Bowling Green, Kentucky” in Auk for 1922. He was also elected secretary of the Wilson Ornithological Club that year. Two years later he was largely instrumental in forming the Kentucky Ornithological Society, for which he has ever since been the chief sponsor and hardest worker. In recent years Wilson’s chief interests have been the aquatic species which appear whenever the farm lands flood around Bowling Green and the birds of the Mam- moth Cave National Park. When Dr. Wilson decided to complete work on his doctorate in English at University of Indiana, he select- ed the Life of Alexander Wilson, the father of American Ornithology, as his subject, thus combining his hobby with his profession. Yes, his real profession is professor and head of the English Department at Western. To appreciate how widely used and well-known are his writings on birds, one needs only to go through a series of mono- graphs on American birds to find that in nearly every case the status of that bird for Kentucky is largely established by quoting the English professor from Bowling Green. WHO WILL BE OUR NINTH LIFE MEMBER? Life membership is only $25.00, and at the present low rate of interest it is an excellent investment. Contributions to the K. O. S. are deductible from income tax returns. Life members receive the Kentucky Warbler for life and are in every way fully paid-up active members. With the present deflated value of money, organizations all over the country are finding a great increase in life memberships. In addition life members are regarded as benefactors of the K. O. S. Plan to give your husband, wife, son, daughter, a Christmas present of a life membership. THE JEFFERSON COUNTY FOREST Plans to establish a county forest in Jefferson County are now well on their way. The former state forester of Indiana, Major Paul Yost, has been employed to direct the activities. He is anxious to have members of our society help him to make a study of abundance of birds (and other wild life) in the area before protection and man- agement begin in order to compare it with the abundance after the area has been in the reservation for five or more years. ARTICLES ON KENTUCKY BIRDS IN OTHER JOURNALS Wilson, Gordon. “Mammoth Cave National Park Is Wild Bird Sanctuary”, Illustrated by six photographs, mostly by Mabel Slack. In Kentucky, Spring, 1946, pp. 20, 21, and 38, 39. Miss Slack’s beauti- ful pictures are reproduced in excellent fashion and Dr. Wilson tells of many birds to be found there. Wallace, Earl. “Predators.” Kentucky, Happy Hunting Ground, Vol. I, No. 3, May, 1948, p. 6. An excellent discussion of the balance of nature and the desirability of protecting hawks, owls, foxes, skunks, and other beasts of prey. Also in same journal, page 13, “Great Blue Heron is Silent Harbinger of Worm Fishing to Willow Pole Youth”. A discussion of the habits of this great bird, especially in reference to its fish-eating propensities. On “a very small per- centage of its catch are of the kinds useful to man”. THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded — In 1923 by B. C. Bacon, L. Otley Pindar, and Gordon Wilson. Purpose — To encourage the study of birds and to sponsor meas- ures for their protection. Organ — THE KENTUCKY WARBLER, a quarterly journal of ornithology. Meetings — Spring: in Louisville, at the time of the Kentucky Education Association; Fall, in some place of interest out in the state. Dues — One dollar a year; this includes membership in local chapters. 1946 Officers — President — Dr. Gordon Wilson, Bowling Green. Vice-President— Miss Mabel Slack, Louisville. Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Helen G. Browning, 206 West Oak, Louisville 3. Retiring President— Major Victor K. Dodge, Lexington. Councillors — West: Mr. Gerald F. Baker, Golden Pond; Cen- tral: Mrs. Anne Stamm, Louisville; East: Mrs. J. Kid- well Grannis, Flemingsburg. Curator — Mr. Burt L. Monroe, Ridge Road, Anchorage. Please send specimens, data concerning migration, nest- ing records, etc., to him. Librarian and Custodian of Endowment Fund — Miss Evelyn J. Schneider, University of Louisville Library, Louis- ville. Please send her books, reprints, pamphlets, and ornithological magazines. Advisory Committee (official representatives of the society in their sections of the state) : Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray; Dr. T. Atchison Frazer, Marion; Mrs. Sue Wyatt Semple, Providence; James William Hancock, Madisonville; Dr. Cynthia C. Counce, Hopkinsville; Mrs. Nelson Nuckols, Glasgow; Mrs. F. Everett Frei, Plorse Cave; Dr. Gladys Smithwick, Lexington; Dr. Anna A. Schnieb, Richmond; Dr. John Bangson, Berea; Mrs. John H. Mayer, Cynthiana; Mr. C. Alex. Van Arsdall, Harrodsburg; Mrs. Z. C. Layson, Maysville; Mr. A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. Dorothy Madden Hobson, Indianapolis, Indiana. Editor-in-chief — Dr. Harvey B. Lovell, 3011 Meade Avenue, Louisville 4. Send news items, notes, and articles for publication to him or to Mr. Leonard C. Brecher, Field Notes Editor, 1900 Spring Drive, Louisville 5; or to Dr. Gordon Wilson, Census Editor, Teachers College, Bowling Green. Division of Birds /^Nx jKmturkg U ‘To sparkling from the dull , amZ /row false, is the aim of every Ornithologist” X Vol. XXII FALL, 1946 No. 4 NEST OF CEDAR WAXWING AT LOUISVILLE By Burt L. Monroe, State Ornithologist, Anchorage An article appearing in the Louisville Times for July 19, 1946, regarding the locating of a nest of the Cedar Waxwing (Bomby cilia cedrorum) in Jefferson County, Kentucky, by Mr, and Mrs. Henry Zimmer prompts me to record a nest of this species found twelve years ago at Louisville in the same county. The nest was found on August 19, 1934, in a yard in the subur- ban residential section of Crescent Hill, a well-populated area. Al- though the yard in which the nest was found contained fruit trees, such as cherry, pear, and peach trees, and although there were fruit trees of the same varieties as well as apple trees in the yards on both sides, the Waxwing had chosen the horizontal limb of a syca- more tree for its nest. It was saddled on the limb about 20 feet up from the ground, in a very inaccessible position. Oliver Davie (1898, p. 414), one of the early authorities on nest- ing habits of birds, states that “the usual position of the nest of these species is in a cedar bush or orchard tree, and it is often placed in a sycamore, the distance varying from four to eighteen feet from the ground.” A sizable cedar bush was within fifty feet of the nest- ing site, but, as with the fruit trees, the bird .chose to ignore it in favor of the sycamore location. Discovery of the nest, a rather bulky affair composed of leaves, roots, bark, twigs, and weeds but with no signs of either twine or rags in its construction, was made when an adult made two trips at very short intervals into the tree. It was seen to feed young birds in the nest, the exact number of which could not be determined but seemed to be three. They were well fledged but had not left the nest two days later. At that time, the writer left the city for a period of two weeks, and when I returned, the nest, which of course was empty long before that time, had been practically demolished by falling branches of the tree occasioned by a violent windstorm. In the “Breeding Bird Census for Kentucky” (Wilson, 1942, Edi- tor) I listed the Cedar Waxwing as a rare breeding bird in Jefferson County on the basis of this early 1934 record. In the same article, Welter and Barbour recorded it as a rare breeding bird in Rowan County, and it would be of general interest if exact breeding data for this area could be published. Suspected breeding of the bird in other areas of the state have been recorded such as the one by Wetmore (1940) on Black Mountain, 46 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Harlan County; by Barbour (1941), who says “I found it abundant after August 5”; and by Gordon Wilson (1942) at Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave. In the adjoining state of Ohio, Karl Maslowski and Christian Goetz found two nests of this species at Cincinnati, just across the Ohio River from Kentucky, on June 20, 1931 (Good- paster, 1941). Further investigations of the summer status of the Cedar Wax- wing will doubtless reveal that this bird nests more commonly throughout much of the state, especially in the eastern and northern sections, than heretofore suspected. LITERATURE CITED BARBOUR, ROGER W. 1941. A Preliminary List of the Summer Birds of the Summit of Big Black Mountain. KENTUCKY WARBLER, 17: 46-47. BLINCOE, BENEDICT J. 1925. Birds of Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. AUK, 42: 404-420. DAVIE, OLIVER 1898. Nests and Eggs of North American Birds. Fifth Edition LANDON PRESS, Columbus. GOODPASTER, WOODROW 1941. Birds of Southwestern Ohio. JOURN. CIN. SOC. NAT. HIST., 22: 26. WETMORE, ALEXANDER 1940. Notes on the Birds of Kentucky. PROC. U. S. NAT. MUS., 88: 529-574. WILSON, GORDON (Editor) 1942. Breeding Birds of Kentucky — a Composite List. KEN- TUCKY WARBLER, 18: 17-25. ****** NOTES ON THE NESTING OF THE SCARLET TANAGER By Leonard C. Brecher, Louisville On June 1, 1946, in Mammoth Cave National Park, in an area located in Edmonson County at approximately 370 11’ North Latitude and 860 6’ West Longitude, a group of K. O. S. members were looking for nesting birds. In company with Wood Bousman, the writer was proceeding down a woodland trail when the song of a Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)* was heard. We stopped to find the singer, and shortly after finding the male, a little to the left of our path, we saw a bird fly into a tree some twenty feet in front of us. This proved to be a female Scarlet Tanager, and she had a small butter- fly in her bill. Her presence indicated that we were in the vicinity of a nest; so we kept the glasses trained on her to see whether she would fly to her young. At this juncture Dr. Gordon Wilson appeared along the trail from the opposite direction and stopped to note the song of a Hooded Warbler in the distance. We called his attention to the pair of tana- gers, and the birds remained within easy sight, shifting slightly to * Changed from Piranga erythromelas by the 19th supplement to the fourth ed. of the A. O. U. check-list. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 47 our right as we looked at the trees overhead in search of the nest. I perceived a nest approximately 27 feet above the ground and some 5 feet out from the trunk of a young tulip poplar tree. This nest was made of dark-looking materials, and from our position we could see nothing but an opaque mass, with no indication that it was the nest we sought. Yet by this time the female tanager was uttering an alarm note that gave us a fairly good idea that this was her nest. It was also from this location that we first heard the male sing. After about five minutes of waiting, Dr. Wilson went on to find others of his party, but we decided to wait until the bird showed us the nest. The male made no sound at all, but the female constantly repeated her alarmed call of three syllables — chip chirre; the first syllable staccato, and the last slurred over from the second. During all this time the female kept the butterfly in her bill, but, after 5 more minutes of calling, we noted that the insect was missing. During the next half hour the female moved in a semicircle around our right in about a thirty-foot radius. Not once, however, did she cross the trail to the side on which the poplar stood. The male would disappear at intervals, but he always returned to perch close to the female. Yet he, too, never went near the nest in question. It had been drizzling all morning, and, although everything was soaking wet, we crouched on the trail, where we could observe the suspected nest and still watch the female. The open second-growth woods were composed mostly of hickory, oak, dogwood, maple, and poplar trees. The foliage of the treetops closed out most of the sunlight, causing many of the lower branches of the trees to die and discouraging the undergrowth at the same time. Thus it was easy to follow the movements of the tanagers, which continued to perch about 20 feet from the ground. A short distance beyond the poplar tree containing the nest, the woods thinned out into a clearing which was growing up with sassafras and sumac. About this time the female crossed the trail, although she was still thirty feet from the nest. The male then disappeared to a point somewhere near and above the nest and burst into song for about a minute's duration, as if to encourage his mate. This effort produc- ed no visible reaction from the female, as she still continued her alarm note and did not change her position. Then the male sud- denly appeared on a young hickory almost under the nest, and ap- proximately five feet off the ground. He seemed to be feeding, and shortly thereafter he perched alongside the female. After a short time he flew down again to a point about three feet from the ground and, evidently finding an insect there, without further ado went straight to the suspected nest. He remained there only a short time, then flew off to the clearing. In two minutes he was back again at the nest. This visit either reassured his mate or aroused such cur- iosity or feeling of responsibility in her that she, too, now flew directly to the nest, still uttering her chip chirre continuously. Af- ter a careful inspection of the nest she flew away, and the male re- turned with food. In a few minutes the female visited the nest again, and since the preceding events proved that this was their nest, we thought we had better move on and let the pair feed their young in peace, as we had delayed them for nearly an hour. As a further indication of the type of territory in which this nest was located, during this period we saw only one other bird, a Red-eyed Vireo, and heard the calls of two Wood Thrushes, one Blue Jay, one Oven-bird, one White-breasted Nuthatch, and an Indigo Bunting, which sang in the clearing. 48 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER About three o’clock the following afternoon, the writer took Harvey Lovell to the site, but the nest was deserted, and no sound of the tanagers was heard. Light could now be seen through the interstices of the loosely constructed nest, whereas the day before the nest had appeared as a dark, solid mass. Lovell was able to climb the tree and could observe that the nest was securely cradled in a wild grape vine, entwined about the small horizontal branch of the poplar tree. The interior of the nest seemed to be lined with grasses or rootlets with a deeper brown color than the coarser gray- ish grasses making up the body of the nest. The nest itself was about four inches in diameter and was comparatively flat, not being deeply cupped. Nuttall (1832, p. 467) in his description says, “ . . . and the whole of the substances is so thinly platted as readily to admit the light through their interstices, thus forming a very clean and airy bed for the brood, well suited for the mildness and warmth of the season in which they are produced. The eggs, 3 or 4, are a dull blue, spotted with two or three shades of brown or purple, most numerous towards the larger end.” It is interesting to note that the first breeding record for the Scarlet Tanager in Kentucky came from this park. Hibbard (1935) states that in the summer of 1934 “two pairs were observed nesting in the park area, one in Floating Mill Hollow and the other along Ugly Creek.” He does not state that the actual nests were dis- covered, as he does in regard to a House Wren in the same article. Audubon (1870, p. 227) in describing the nesting of the Scarlet Tanager, says in part: “In Louisiana the eggs are deposited by the first of May, about a month later in our central districts, but in the state of Maine frequently not until the middle of June. It never raises more than one brood in the season, and . . . they are plentiful in the Jerseys, where they usually arrive about the middle of May, in Kentucky, and along the Missouri; and, in short, are generally dispersed over the Union.” In his composite list of the breeding birds of Kentucky, Gordon Wilson (1942) shows it to be fairly well distributed over the state, although Pindar (1925, p. 164) says, iri speaking of the birds of Ful- ton County in 1889, that it is “very rare. I have seen three males, one in June, 1884, one on August 17, 1887, and one on August 13, 1888. I killed a female on October 2, 1888.” In 1925 he further com- ments that “two males were observed in the spring of 1890. In 1893 the species was slightly more numerous during the migrations, and at least one pair remained through the summer, although no nest was found.” Again, Wilson (1923) in his notes on the birds of Calloway County, which is located in the Purchase on the Tennessee line, and just about forty miles east of Fulton County, lists the Scarlet Tanager as a “Rare Migrant,” while Blincoe in 1925 (in his revision of Beck- ham’s list of 1885) lists it only as a migrant in Nelson County; yet several Louisville observers have recorded it during the breeding season in the Bernheim Forest in Bullitt County, which is contiguous to Nelson County. It has also been recorded in June by this group at Otter Creek Recreational Area, located 25 miles southwest of Louisville, in Meade County; in the hills in the southern part of Jefferson County; and 15 miles to the northeast of Louisville in Old- ham County. Burt Monroe has two skins in his collection taken in the higher elevations 10 miles south of Louisville. These specimens have brood patches, which is definite evidence that the birds were nesting there. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 49 There seems to be no question but that this tanager breeds throughout eastern Kentucky. However, while its presence has been noted in many areas in the breeding season, no definite instances have been cited except possibly that of Hibbard, as noted above. Nor has any description of a Kentucky nest appeared in the literature. Near- ly every statement regarding its occurance is general, such as that by Figgins (1945, p. 306) : “The Scarlet Tanager breeds in Kentucky, chiefly in the mountainous areas but nowhere so abundantly as the next described species” (the Summer Tanager). This statement is corroborated by data secured by Patten (1946), who made a check of the birds present during the month of June in a hilly, wooded area located five miles southeast of Berea. He observed a total of 105 Scarlet Tanagers covering 26 different days or an average of 4.04 per day. A total of 88 different species were found in the area, and the Scarlet Tanager was 34th in relative abundance, whereas the Summer Tanager stood 18th in relative abundance. However, the presence of the Scarlet Tanager seems to be spot- ty, for while Ganier and Clebsch (1940) report finding thirty-one of this species during a stay of eight days, in June, 1940, in Fall Creek State Park in Southeastern Tennessee, yet Ijams (1940) speaking of a wooded area bordered by a high bluff and a river in the Knoxville area, says, “the nesting of the Scarlet Tanager in 1924 I consider as accidental, as it is the only record in the twenty-five years I have been living here”. I checked back through all the volumes of the Auk and found only two references pertaining to the details of this bird’s nesting. In the later reference, Burleigh (1927), speaking of the Scarlet Tan- ager in northeastern Georgia, says, “this is a common breeding bird through the mountains in the northern tier of counties, but there are few actual records of the nest being found. With the lit- tle time at my disposal I succeeded in locating but one nest which, on June 22, 1923, held three eggs possibly half incubated. It was forty-five feet from the ground at the outer end of a limb of a tall slender black gum in open woods, halfway up the mountainside, and was compactly built of weed stems and rootlets, lined with fine weed stems”. In the earlier reference Hales (1896) describes in detail a nest of the Scarlet Tanager which was built in the branches of a Norway Spruce and capable of being watched from a house window. This pair of tanagers was very secretive, the male rarely putting in an appearance, the nest being built, the eggs incubated, and the young fed entirely by the female. He stated that “these youngsters were perfectly quiet, never clamoring for food like so many other nest- lings.” This observation agrees with mine regarding the nest I have described, since we did not hear the nestlings when the parents brought food to them. The misty rain and cool weather may or may not have been a factor in keeping them quiet, but I have found no other comments on this point. Hales continues that the next year a pair of Scarlet Tanagers built in the identical spot, but this time the male was conspicuous by his presence and constantly brought food to the young. Hales believes that this contrast in behavior between the two pairs was due to a different male the second year. Burns (1915) has stated that “incubation is performed solely by the female”. The behavior of the pair of tanagers as I observed it varied somewhat from the description given by Alexander Wilson (1810), who says in part: “When you approach the nest, the male keeps 50 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER cautiously at a distance, as if fearful of being seen, while the female hovers around in the greatest agitation a,nd distress. When the young leave the nest, the male parent is then altogether indifferent of concealment." In conclusion, while it has been taken for granted that the Scar- let Tanager breeds throughout Kentucky wherever its habitat of open woods is found, and which occurs more logically and abundantly in eastern Kentucky, yet this tanager is not a too common species, and definite descriptions of its nesting are lacking in the literature. In view of these facts, I have cited in detail the circumstances con- cerning the nest, for the sake of the record. AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES 1870. BIRDS OF AMERICA, Vol. Ill, George R. Lockwood, New York. BLINCOE, BEN 1925. Birds of Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. AUK, 42: 404-420. BURLEIGH, THOMAS D. 1927. Breeding Birds of Northeastern Georgia, AUK, 44. BURNS, FRANK L. 1915. Comparative Periods of Deposition and Incubation of Some North American Birds. WIL. BUL., 27. FIGGINS, J. D. 1945. BIRDS OF KENTUCKY. U. of K. Press, Lexington. GANIER, ALBERT F. and CLEBSCH, ALFRED 1940. Summer Birds of Fall Creek State Park. MIGRANT, 11: 59. HALES, HENRY 1896. Peculiar Traits of Some Scarlet Tanagers. AUK, 13: 261. HIBBARD, CLAUDE W. 1935. Notes from Mammoth Cave National Park (Proposed,) Kentucky. AUK, 52: 465. IJAMS, H. P. 1940. Bird Nesting Census. MIGRANT, 11: 73-74. NUTTALL, THOMAS 1832. A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada. PATTEN, JOHN A. 1946. Birds of the Berea Region — Breeding Species. KEN- TUCKY WARBLER, 22: 29-33. PINDAR, L. OTLEY 1925. Birds of Fulton County, Kentucky. WILSON BUL., 37: 163-169. WILSON, ALEXANDER 1810. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, Vol. II. Bradsford and Inskeep, Philadelphia. WILSON, GORDON 1923. Birds of Calloway County Kentucky. WILSON BUL., 35: 129-136. 1942. Breeding Birds of Kentucky — a Composite List. KEN- TUCKY WARBLER, 18: 17-25. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 51 A MOURNING DOVE GIVES A LESSON IN ORNITHOLOGY Virginia Winstandley, Assistant Librarian, University of Louisville The ambitious bird parents inadvertently furthered the education of both faculty and students when they chose a window ledge on the third floor of the University of Louisville’s Administration Building as a site for their nest, with only a windowpane between it and the Library’s Periodical Stack Room! There, high above the budding trees and about thirty feet from the green lawn below, two Mourning Doves were seen building during the second week in March. They could not have known that this was the one window which had not been opened for years, and that the new leaves of the thick ivy vines grown along the ledge and twined across the glass would soon form a perfect canopy of protection. An “L” window about seventeen feet away provided a good vantage point for views of the incubating birds the following week, after one was discovered March 22 sitting on the nest. The bird sat in a horizontal position along the ledge, at one time facing the east, and at another the west. A much closer glimpse from the other side of the nest could be had through the window, although it was necessary for the viewer to move cautiously to see the dove’s rounded head, smooth body, and long pointed tail showing above the three-inch-high window frame. How well the delicate coloring could be observed — the soft rose and gold spots on the side of the throat showing a velvety sheen, and the fawn-brown of the feathers and dark spots on the wings being easily detected among the then tiny ivy leaflets. So near the dove was, and yet how far from reach, for the pane, only a few inches away from its body, served as a barrier supreme; anyone could see at a glance that the least movement of the window would certainly hurl this avian home to its destruction. The nest was observed on the following day, when one of the ADULT DOVE INCUBATING 52 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER birds departed, to reveal, just visible below the window frame, two clear, white eggs lying in the loosely woven twigs. Thereafter, the mother or father was seen almost constantly incubating, very con- scious of an audience, no matter how quietly the observer stepped inside the room. A Mourning Dove’s traditional calmness was evident in the parent’s quiet mien as several pairs of human eyes gazed at every opportunity during the succeeding days. However, the eyelid blink- ing over a wary eye at more or less regular intervals, and the oc- casional turnings of the head toward the room showed signs of inner trepidation. Only a few times was it possible to discover the nest vacant, but on March 23 a bird was seen to leave about 11:00 a. m. and noticed again on the nest by 12:00. Did the parents ever exchange places directly, or did one always come back after the other had departed? At least once our question was partially answered while a moving picture was being taken on March 28. The second bird suddenly flew toward the ledge where the mate was sitting, was startled before landing, and flew as suddenly away, the white bands on the tail especially conspicuous. Evidently, if no one had been near, the exchange would have taken place on or near the nest. It was possible the same day, about 3:00 p. m., when the first bird un- expectedly flew, to hurry to the 17-foot distant window, and to be present with the movie camera when one of the two returned a short time later, alighting first on the left side of the ledge, then below the nest, and finally easing itself upon the eggs. Although the window had a northern exposure with no March sunshine reaching its shadows, by April 1 the ivy’s new leaves had grown large enough to cover almost completely the hiding place. No longer could it even be seen from a distance, and from inside the room numerous leaves and stems obstructed the view of the incu- bating bird. By April 9 mother and father had been seen to change positions more often. During the next few days each appeared to move around to some extent while on the nest, but every time someone looked, a now familiar parent covered the spot completely. On several oc- casions we tapped on the windowpane with our hands, expecting to frighten the dove away. Instead, she pecked back at us, striking the pane a clear, resounding blow and refusing to vacate. Thus were missed the exciting moments when Baby emerged into the world. Lo and behold — when the site was glimpsed on the after- noon of April 13, a round bunch of dark-feathered life was seen there, with the second egg unhatched. Dovey Coed, already several days old, had made an entrance on the University campus! The fuzzy, white- tipped feathers on the head gave a whitish appearance, but those on the body blended perfectly with the dark twigs of the nest. The black eye that faced the window, large and limpid like the parents’, looked occasionally through the pane, while a distinct cheeping note could be heard when we approached the glass. Those twittering sounds did not go unnoticed, for all at once the bunch of feathers reared up, swept its wings outward, and in a flash a parent bird was upon the sill, letting Dovey receive regurgitated pigeon milk from its bill. A flutter of wings, and the parent was away, not to return while anyone was looking. After two more days, Dovey’s contour feathers began to unsheath and changed from black to a brownish tinge, dark spots showed on THE KENTUCKY WAKBLER 53 her head, while the gummy black bill curved slightly downward. The parents grew bolder as they flew back and forth, alighting on the nest regardless of an audience on the other side of the pane. On one of the feeding trips, about 9:30 a. m., April 15, a dove landed on the second-floor window, that of the Librarian’s office itself, gazed into the room, then flew away to the higher window directly above. No wonder their fledgling was so important! Hadn’t she been ac- cepted as a University studient — being photographed in color by the Head Librarian, from every angle possible through the windowpane ? Other members of the faculty had conferred with her, also, — one a biology professor who examined her closely on several occasions, NESTLING DOVE and another, the Dean of the College, who officially welcomed her to the campus. An ex-president of the local bird club also made a special visit to her “room”, and some students, having their first opportunity to see a young bird at close range, were given the chance of a special laboratory experiment in ornithology. Soon came the inevitable exam. time. We deemed ourselves un- usually fortunate to be present behind the window when both parents lit by the nest and proceeded to give baby an important lesson in how to fly! How they fluttered and lifted their wings, cooing and encouraging as Dovey followed suit! Since the day was chilly and rainy, it was a relief to find that more practice might take place be- fore the flight, for 5:00 o’clock again found Mother brooding, and though more erect than when incubating, still completely hiding her fledgling from view and from the increasing rain-drops. On April 16 Dovey was noticed to be alone more often, her feed- ing time apparently coming at longer intervals. All day the distinct cooing notes of the parents were heard, coming from the roof top above the ivy-covered window, first loud and then subsiding as a dove would dart past the nest to the trees below. Did their pupil follow? Not yet, for several days again passed, while the baby be- came more and more active, pecking at the leaves brushing her body, 54 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER turning to the outdoors and open spaces, and on April 20 walking several steps along the ledge outside of the nest. Then, finally the important moment arrived when, unseen bv those who had been hoping to view the departure, Dovey ventured forth. For on April 22, just about a month after the eggs were de- posited, the high home was found empty of its occupant only the unhatched egg left to mark the spot. The campus fledgling must have learned her lessons well, for at some time between Saturday noon and Monday morning, while both faculty and students were all away, she had made her commencement into the springtime world. ****** FIELD NOTES SOME TOWN RECORDS FOR WOODLAND BIRDS Nearly every year I find in migration some of the wildest birds right in my yard. In 1943 a Veery was often seen in our driveway and serenaded us from the bushes behind my lot for many days at the end of the spring migration season. In 1944 an Ovenbird appear- ed in my yard on May 14 and seemed as wild as those that I have found in the wildest woods. Once some years back a Parula Warbler fed in the ash trees in my front yard the better part of a July day. On August 30, 1941, a Red-breasted Nuthatch called and fed in the yard. Twice in recent years a Whip-poor-will has called on the campus of Western State Teachers College, just across the street from my house. On May 14, 1945, a Prairie Warbler appeared just behind my yard, though I had been unable to find it on a whole day’s trip to the country. The next day I found the Worm-eating and the Connecticut Warblers feeding in the box elders in my side yard, either one of which is a find in the most remote woods. — GORDON WILSON, Western State Teachers’ College, Bowling Green. * * # * * * THE FOOD OF A BARN OWL On his way to Louisville on October 29, 1945, Howard Cleaves, the first Audubon Screen Tour Lecturer, picked up a dead Barn Owl (Tyto alba pratincola) on 31-E, about 35 miles north of Louisville in Southern Indiana. In the process of making it up into a study skin we removed 3 rodents from its stomach. These were species of small mice, partly decomposed, but easily identified as rodents by their long front incisors. This agrees with the frequently published re- ports on the habits of the Barn Owl, that it is a very beneficial species, feeding largely on mice and other obnoxious small mammals. Since it feeds chiefly at night, it rarely catches birds. In spite of continued persecution by man, the Bam Owl is probab- ly more common than generally supposed in this area. Chapman says (Birds of Eastern North America, p. 334) : “The Barn Owl con- ceals itself so well during the day that, in my experience, it is a difficult bird to observe, even in localities where it is common. For this reason the capture of one of these odd-visaged birds is frequent- ly the cause of much excitement over the supposed discovery of an animal entirely new to science, and which, by the local press, is gen- erally considered half bird, half monkey.” Anyone observing a nest of the Bam Owl in Kentucky should report it to the editor with full details as to location, number of young, etc. — HARVEY B. LOVELL, University of Louisville, Louisville. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 55 THE HOUSE WREN AT 'LEXINGTON It would be too strong a statement to insist that the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) was totally absent from the Lexington area prior to any certain date. However, during my first eight years as a resident of Lexington this bird was so uncommon that I, for one, never saw nor heard a single individual, about town or afield. Then in 1930 one or two House Wrens colonized at and about Maxwell Place. The number has increased, though perhaps not re- markably, from year to year. It has not been wanting from the bird-lists during any subsequent year for sixteen years. Meanwhile the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludoviciamis) has been the exact opposite. Where I first knew the bird on the north- western fringe of its range, it gave the impression of a shy, retiring nature. On coming to Lexington in 1922, I found the Carolina Wren oc- cupying this territory as a confident, assured, old settler. Here it is a bird of the town as well as the country, with a fondness for bushy alleys throughout the year, nesting on and about arbors, porches, etc. One pair has been observed nesting inside a commercial greenhouse. These are habits which belong to the House Wren farther north rather than to the Carolina Wren. — W. R. ALLEN, Dept, of Zoology, University of Kentucky. ****** NASHVILLE WARBLER AT OTTER CREEK AREA During a hike of the Seventh Kentucky Wildlife and Natural History Conference at Otter Creek Recreation Area in Meade County, I picked up a small warbler along the railroad tracks where they circle the bank of the Ohio River. It proved to be a male Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) in good plumage. The gray head contrasting with the olive-green of the back, the bright yellow under- parts, and the concealed brownish cap made identification easy in the hand. No evidence of the cause of death was immediately discern - able. Death must have occured very recently, however, since the specimen was still fresh in spite of the warm weather. The bird was preserved as a skin by H. B. Lovell, who reports that the chest region showed evidence of a heavy blow such as might occur from fly- ing into the train, perhaps at night. The only other record of this Warbler at Otter Creek is a sight record for September 21 or 22, 1940, made at the First Wildlife and Natural History Conference. — ROBERT PETREE, Louisville. ****** NEST OF THE RUFFED GROUSE IN WOLFE COUNTY There appear to be few published records of the discovery of the nest of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) in Kentucky. It has been suggested, therefore, that the following may be of interest. On April 20, 1946, I discovered a nest of this species in Wolfe County in eastern Kentucky. The location was on Swift Creek, about a mile above its junction with the Red River. The nest contained eight whitish or cream-colored eggs, and the material of the nest consisted of grass, bits of bark, etc. It was hidden under the drooping limbs of a large spruce. The nest was discovered when the hen flushed as I approached. — HAROLD E. ALEXANDER, Coordinator Federal Aid Division, Frankfort. 56 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER A FALL LIST FROM CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE PARK The following species were seen by the various field trips taken by K. O. S. members at the fall meeting at Cumberland Falls State Park on October 5 and 6; birds were unusually scarce, as was to be expected for the time of year and the restricted range of habitat covered: Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle, Ruffed Grouse, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher,, Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Wood- pecker, Phoebe, Wood Pewee, Blue Jay, Crow, Carolina Chickadee,, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Mocking- bird, Olive-backed Thrush, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Golden- winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Black- throated Blue Warbler, Black- throated Green Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Sycamore Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black Poll Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Ameri- can Redstart, Cardinal, Goldfinch, White-throated Sparrow. — Compiled by GORDON WILSON AND HELEN BROWNING. * * % * * # BITTERN OFF THE BEATEN PATH About five-thirty P. M. on April 30, 1946, Dr. R. M. Kendall called me to identify a bird which was perched in a neighbor’s pear tree thirty-five feet above the ground. It had been there for nearly thirty hours and had attracted considerable atttention because of its unusual guttural tones. When we arrived, it was sitting in full view, its body erect, its bill pointing skyward, and its yellow eyes meeting us with a steady gaze. Here in a thickly populated neighborhood in a small yard on Barret Avenue was an American Bittern stranded in a strange place. Since Bitterns are marsh birds and rather of the recluse type, I was somewhat surprised to find it in these surroundings. However, Roberts in his Birds of Minnesota and Todd in Birds of Western Pennsylvania state that the Bittern: “Will occasionally alight in the night during migration season in city yards and streets. . . . Not by choice but by accident apparently because of storms, fatigue or mis- taken territory.” At ten o’clock of the same evening Dr. Kendall called to say the bird was gone — so it must have rested at least thirty-four hours. It was the first time I had even seen one outside of its natural habitat. —MRS. ANNE STAMM, Louisville * * * * * FREAKS IN FEATHERS I kept seeing flashes of white among a flock of English Spar- rows that fed in a corner of our back lot. It couldn’t be Juncos, I thought. Maybe some Vesper Sparrows, or, more exciting still, the beautiful Lark Sparrow. With the aid of binoculars, I plainly discerned not just one, but a pair of English Sparrows with white outer tail feathers ! To verify this oddity I called my neighbor, Truda Sigler Corbin, as a witness. For almost one whole morning, we chased that wary pair of English Sparrows all over this part of town; but what a thrill each time we glimpsed the white outer tail feathers! Later, I discovered the pair building under the eaves of what was once a corn crib. Will the offspring also be fashioned with white outer tail feathers? We hope to answer that question. Another unusual observation during the spring census was a fe- THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 51 male Cardinal with white and red plumage instead of red and gray. For a split second I hoped I had found a new crested bird; then I saw the Cardinal’s mate join her, dressed up in his normal brilliant spring attire. — SUE WYATT-SEMPLE, Providence. * * * * # * K. 0* S, FALL MEETING By Helen Browning, Secretary-Treasurer The annual fall meeting of the Kentucky Ornithological Society was held at Cumberland Falls State Park with headquarters at Cumberland Falls Hotel, October 4, 5, and 6, 1946. Fifty-six mem- bers and guests were present. Two program meetings, two business meetings, and two series of field trips made up the program. October 4, Friday, 8:15 P. M. Birdship Forum* An informal showing of slides and moving pictures. 1. Kent Previette presented beautiful color slides of bird habitats in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Hr. P. A. Davies’ superior slides of Cumberland Falls were then shown although Dr. Davies was not present. 2. Walter Shackleton showed excellent kodachrome movies of the Prothonotary Warblers which nest in his yard and about which he wrote the article which appeared in the Warbler. His flying- squirrel movie was quite unusual, since the tiny mammals were photo- graphed under flood lights as they fed at night. 3. A moving picture from the Department of Fish and Game showing warblers completed the program. October 5, Saturday, 8:30 P. M. Program meeting. 1. Burt Monroe, State Ornithologist, gave an illustrated talk on the “Birds of the Falls of the Ohio.” Maps and charts of the falls area both before and after Audubon’s time and recent aerial views were used as a background for the talk. The account of the remark- able number of new state records which Monroe has obtained on the Falls as well as the verification of many other records made this a report of great importance. All the rarer specimens were illustrated by Monroe’s fine collection of study skins, which included the Willet, the Knot, Dowitcher, White-rumped Sandpiper, Buff- breasted Sandpiper, Stilt, Western Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Piping, Black-bellied, and Golden Plovers, Least, Black, Caspian, Common, and Forster’s Terns, Bonaparte’s, Herring, and Ring-billed Gulls, and several others. This program was presented in Monroe’s usual clear, concise way interspersed with bits of sparkling humor. 2. Ed Ray, Wild Life Supervisor of the Western Division, pre- sented Wild Life in Western Kentucky. Ray told the K. O. S. about his work as Wild Life Supervisor in the First District, which includes the new and fabulous Kentucky Lake, which has over 2000 miles of shore line. His description of the flights of Snow and Blue Geese and the other large birds which frequent the lake made the area seem most attractive, especially when he offered our society its facilities for our spring meeting. He also presented two moving pictures, one on the conservation of natural resources and the other on protective coloration. 58 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER BUSINESS MEETINGS October 5, 5:00 P. M. Dr. Wilson, president, presiding. The financial report was read by Miss Browning. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as published in the winter issue of the Kentucky Warbler. The amendments to the constitution, which pro- vide for the creation of a life membership for twenty-five dollars and for the addition of this money to the endowment found, were adopted. Oct. 6, 8:30 A. M. The nominating committee presented the following slate of officers, which was unanimously elected: Dr. Gordon Wilson, President Mrs. Mary Lou Frei, Vice-president Helen G. Browning, Secretary-treasurer Councillors: East, Dr. John S. Bangson, Berea College; Central, Leonard Brecher, Louisville; West, Miss Grace Wyatt, Murray State Teachers College. It was decided that the executive committee would select the time and place of the spring meeting as soon after January 1, as possible. FIELD TRIPS October 5, Saturday, 8:45 A. M. Field trips led by Gordon Wil- son, Evelyn Schneider, and Burt Monroe. A Ruffed Grouse and numerous Pine Warblers and Red-breasted Nuthatches featured these trips. October 6, Sunday, 9:30 A. M. Field trips led by Audrey Wright, Leonard C. Brecher, and Harvey Lovell. For the list of birds see the Field Notes section. ATTENDANCE Anchorage: Mr. and Mrs. Burt Monroe, Burt Monroe, Jr., Miss Etta Kays; Benham: Mrs. J. L. Hartgroves; Benton: Ed Ray, Misses Barbara and Emilie Ray; Berea: Dr. and Mrs. John S. Bangson, Miss Ellen M. Frederickson; Bowling Green: Dr. Gordon Wilson; Glasgow: Mrs. Mary Clyde Nuckols; Hopkinsville: Dr. Cynthia C. Cornice, Robert Mitchell; Horse Cave: Mrs. Mary Lou Frei; Jefferson town: Miss Laura T. Cardwell; Louisville: Misses Hazel Kinslow, Louise Madison, Esther Mason, Edith Pearson, Evelyn Schneider, Ann Slack, Mabel Slack, Virginia Winstandley, Audrey Wright, Helen Browning, Messrs Mathias Bruhn, Rodney Kays, Carl Kerbel, Robert Petree, Kent Previette, Arthur Unglaub, Jr., Mrs. Marne Bouleware, Mrs. Baylor Hickman, Mrs. Churchill Humphrey, Mrs. Arthur Unglaub, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brecher, Mr. and Mrs. Carl C. Cornett, Mr. and Mrs. Otto K. Dietrich, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Lovell, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mitchell,, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Shackleton, Mr. and Mrs. S. Charles Thacher; Madisonville : Miss Thelma Gentry; Sonora: E. B. Mason; Macon, Ga.: Mrs. Brooks Geoghegan; Yellow Springs, Ohio: Mr. and Mrs. Virgil King; Total, 56. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 59 FINANCIAL REPORT RECEIPTS: Balance on hand, date of last report (Nov. 3, 1945) $165.10 2 Memberships @ $1.50 , 3.00 4 Memberships @ 1.25 — 5.00 64 Memberships