TENTH ANNIVERSARY ^KINGBIRD VOLUME X. No. 4 DECEMBER « 1940 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. Presidents Gordon M. Meade, M. D._Elected temporary President, Oct. 25, 1947 .Gordon M. Meade, M. D. _1948 and 1949 Winston W. Brockner___ 1950 “ 1951 Eugene Eisenmann _ 1952 1953 Harold D. Mitchell_1954 “ 1955 Peter Paul Kellogg-1956 Albert W. Fudge III_1957 Allan S. Klonick_1958 " 1959 Mrs. William G. Irving_—1960 " 1961 Annual Meetings (Exploratory Meeting — Dec. 7, 1946 — Rochester) (Organization Meeting — Oct. 25, 1947 — Amsterdam) 1st Annual Meeting — Nov. 13, 14, 1948 — Rochester 2nd Annual Meeting — May 28, 29, 1949 — New York City 3rd Annual Meeting — Apr. 29, 30, 1950 — Watkins Glen 4th Annual Meeting — Apr. 7, 8, 1951 — Buffalo 5th Annual Meeting — May 24, 25, 1952 — Schenectady 6th Annual Meeting — May 22-24, 1953 — Bear Mountain 7th Annual Meeting — Aug. 27-29, 1954 — Ithaca 8th Annual Meeting — May 27-29, 1955 — Elmira 9th Annual Meeting — May 11-13, 1956 — Pleasantville 10th Annual Meeting — May 24-26, 1957 — Schenectady 11th Annual Meeting — May 2-4, 1958 — Rochester 12th Annual Meeting — June 5-7, 1959 — Watertown 13th Annual Meeting — May 20-22, 1960 — Buffalo 14th Annual Meeting — Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 1961 — New York City The Kingbird is a publication of The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., which has been organized to further the study of bird life and to disseminate knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need of conserving natural resources, and to encourage the establishment and maintenance of sanctuaries and protected areas. Individual member's dues are $2,50 annually, and all individual members receive the Kingbird. A member wishing to make an additional contribution may become a Sustaining Member ($5), a Supporting Member ($10), or a Life Member ($100—"payable over a four-year period in equal installments until the full amount is paid", if member so desires.) For all classes of membership contact the treasurer, Mrs. Dayton Stoner, 399 State Street, Albany 10, New York. WKINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC, Vol. 10 No. 4 December, 1960 Pages 121-216 CONTENTS The Editor's Page_ The Origins Of Our Federation_Gordon M. Meade, M. D. Activities Of Member Clubs_Francis H. Irving Hudson-Mohawb Common Egrets, 1937-1960 --Lillian C. Stoner Southern Warblers In Central New York: A Historical Review_.Alien H. Benton The Forest Preserve Is Not For Carving_Maxwell C, Wheat, Jr. George N. Lawrence__John B. Belknap Bird Banding In The Mohawk Valley_Beatrice Sullivan The White-headed Eagle In New York State_Walter R. Spofford The Future Of Long Island Wildlife_Dennis Puleston Falcon Flights On L^ng Island-John J. Elliott Hawk Migrations At Jones Beach_Cornelius Ward 1960 Fall Shorebird Migration In Central New York--Fritz Scheider Population Pressure And The Forest Preserve-Joseph A. Blake, Jr. Field Notes; Barrow's Goldeneyes in Jefferson County-- Scissor-toiled Flycatcher on Long Island- A Ground Nesting of Mourning Doves-- Born Owls In Onondaga County- Move to Protect Golden Eagle_ Observations on Diet M Goldfinches_ Experiences With a Nighthowk_ Nocturnal Songsters_ Jamaica Bay Sanctuary Ducks- Block Vulture in Columbia County___ Ruffed Grouse Eating o, Snake_ An Albony Airport Ceilometer Disaster in 1956 _ Highlights of the Fall Season: Au^st 16- November 30_James K. Meritt Regional Reports for the Fall, 1960 _;_ Memhership Directory_ Member Clubs-^_ .122 123 127 130 137 142 145 146 148 153 155 157 159 164 166 166 166 167 168 168 168 169 169 169 170 170 172 174 206 213 Editor — Minnie B, Scotland Editorial Board John B. Belknap Lesob E. Bbmont Allen H. Benton Stephen W. Eaton Eugene Eisbnmann John J. Elliott Sally Hoyt James K. Meriit Fritz Scheider Business and Circulation Manager — Allan S. Klonick Cover Design — Douglas L. Howland The Editor^s Page In the first number of The Kingbird there was a page entitled, The Editor's Page, which disappeared somewhere down through the years. Now, on the tenth birthday of our Federation's publication it seems appropriate to include again such a page. A birthday, especially the tenth, deserves a celebratioh and this is the reason for a Special Anniversary issue. We hope that you will enjoy reading it. There was a good beginning made in November-December, 1950 when the young Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, then only eighteen clubs, published its magazine with these Salute, "To the birders of New York State, The Kingbird bids welcome." Great hope accompanied this venture. Perhaps this is the time to take stock, to assess which has been achieved and what may be ahead. What were the goals? One was to have a magazine devoted exclusively to bird life in New York State. This has been accomplished through many Articles, through the Field Notes and Regional Reports. These contributions have been written by Federation members, for the most part, and printed by the same patient and helpful printer over the years. Special commendation should go to the Regional Editor, a staff member who edits the Regional Reports, and to those reporters who send him their records, one of whom has been serving throughout the ten years. The Kingbird has had continued support by avid birders in all parts of the State, as evidenced by the fact that six of the first contributors have written for this special number. Another goal, reached during the decode, was to provide a journal that would acquaint the Member Clubs, now twenty-nine, and individual members with birding activities carried on throughout New York State. Among these have been the establishment of sanctuaries, migration studies, breeding bird censuses, waterfowl counts in January, tree and shrub crop summaries, educational programs, and annual bibliographies. Conservation news has been an important feature. There have appeared ecological, historical, and biographical accounts. Reports of Annual Meetings of the Federation have been included regularly and the announcement of the new by-laws and new name. Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, )nc., was printed in the October, 1956 issue of The Kingbird. The latter stated that as of August 20, 1956 the Federation "ceased being a nebulous association and became q distinct being in the eyes of the law". . ; (A Ten Year Cumulative Index of The Kingbird will appear as a separate sup¬ plement in,the Spring of 1961.) With this record behind it, what can be hoped for the future of the Kingbird? The answer rests upon the loyalty and assistance of the present membership and the building of a greatly increased roster of birders in New York State as well as those beyond our borders. In 1950 it was hoped that the new publication would grow. I quote from the President's remarks in the first Kingbird, "It will become what you, the readers, make and want it. It will depend upon the cooperation of each and every person in the State who reads this publication. . . . How we grow and what we can do depends upon you. We need hundreds of individual members. . . . There is still room for additional clubs". How applicable these words are today. With the best of wishes for a Happy Birthday in 1970 to The Kingbird and its sponsors, your editor closes The Editor's Page of this Tenth Anniversary number. M. B. S. THE KINGBIRD is published four times a year (May, July, October and December) by the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. Publication office is 42 Continental Ave., Cohoes, New York. Publication is sent free to all individual members of the Federation. Membership in the Federation is $2.50 per year. Single copies: Seventy-five cents. Subscr||jtipn: j^ is $2.50 per year. Special Tenth Anniversary Copy;- One dollar. , v ' APPLICATION for membership should be sent to the chqirrpan of the member¬ ship committee, Albert W. Fudge, Larchmont Road, Elmira!' . ! CHANGE OF ADDRESS ic handled by the Treasurer, AArs. DdVton Stonier, 399 State Street, Albany 10; EXCHANGES, BACK COPIES, and REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED COPIES by Allan S. Klonick, 901 Sibley Tower Building, Rochester 4, N. Y. Acceptea as controlled circulation publication qt COHOES, NEW YORK. 122 The Kingbird THE ORIGINS OF OUR FEDERATION Gordon M. Meade, M, D. Prior to World War II, there were relatively few bird clubs in New York state. Contacts and communications between them were sporadic, casual and almost entirely confirmed to club members from adjacent com¬ munities who inevitably met each other on their independent field trips. From these fortuitous meetings and acquaintances came the first thoughts of a federation. But, nothing came of these until after the close Of the War. It would be possible to ascribe the idea and concept of the Federation as the brain child of several specific persons but actually this would be a narrow view of its genesis. The time and conditions were right for spon¬ taneous generation of the idea. Interest in bird watching and ornithology was mushrooming and new bird clubs were burgeoning due to release from the tensions of w'ar and the increase in leisure. New highways, made distant travel to birding areas far afield possible in a day or over a week-end. The pressure of industrial and population increases brought enlarging threats to natural areas and wildlife with resulting need for constant and more con¬ certed conservation vigilance and action. It became inescapably self-evident that some mechanism was needed whereby the birders of the state could get to know each other, to share their ideas and experiences, to jointly promote research hnd education in the field of ornithology, and to secure a common and stronger'voice in con¬ servation matters. In the contacts on field trips, at each others and national meetings, the thought of a state-wide ornithological organization was sug¬ gested and discussed by many. Finally members of the Genesee Ornithological Society (Rochester) and the Buffalo Ornithological Society decided the time was opportune. A list of all the known bird clubs of the state was prepared. Invitations were issued to all known clubs to attend a meeting to discuss the desirability and feasibility of forming a state organiaztion. Its exact character was un¬ decided at that point. Twenty-one delegates representing twelve bird clubs attended this dis¬ cussion meeting held Dec. 7, 1946 at the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences. Several other clubs had expressed interest but, were unable to send delegates. The societies represented at this exploratory gathering were Buffalo Audubon Society, Buffalo Ornithological Society, Burroughs- Audubon Nature Club (Rochester), Cayuga Bird Club (Ithaca), Eaton Bird Club (Geneva), Elmira Garden Club (Bird Section), Genesee Ornithologi¬ cal Society (Rochester), Keuka Park Conservation Club, Sassafras Bird Club (Amsterdam), Watertown Bird Club, and Watkins Glen Bird Club. It was clear that there was unanimous interest in a state organization. Suggestions as to its functions and objectives were freely offered and varied. Among those proposed were assisting birders to get acquainted, exchange of ideas for club activities, unification of state conservation interests, regional and state wide census and habitat studies, service to young people, studies The Kingbird 123 of New York state flyways and migrations, combined field censuses,, en¬ couragement of ornithological research, publishing a journal and gathering material for a new state bird book. Consideration was given to what forms state organizations had taken in other states, how they operated, and their success. The half-day session ended on an enthusiastic note and Dr. Gordon Meade and Mr. Winston Brockner were empowered to appoint an Organi¬ zation Committee to meet in 1947 to draw up a Constitution and By-Laws. Thus on Oct. 25, 1947 an organization meeting was held in Amsterdam with twenty-one delegates representing 13 clubs. The principal business was to prepare a Constitution and By-Laws. A draft had been made in advance and was discussed carefully point by point. The final draft was approved by the delegates for presentation to the charter member clubs for individual adoption. Temporary officers were elected to hold office until the Constitution and By-Laws were adopted and regular elections held. They were — President, Gordon M. Meade, M. D.; Vice-President, Winston Brockner; Corresponding Secretary, Peter Paul Kellogg; Recording Secre¬ tary, Fred M. Hall; and Treasurer, Guy Bartlett. From this point on the reality of a federation was certain. Out of these preliminary meetings had come widening acquaintances and friendships among birders throughout the state, mutual stimulation for personal and club projects, and a growing enthusiasm for the prospects of what could come from a unification of efforts. Two years from the date of the original exploratory meeting, the first organized annual meeting was held in Roch¬ ester on Nov. 13 and 14, 1948 at the Roehester Museum of Arts and Sciences with the Genesee Ornithological Society as the host This meeting set a guidepost for the form, ealiber and content of future meetings. For the enjoyment of those attending, there was a display of elephant folio Audubon prints, and of skins of unusual species taken locally such as the Sage Thrasher, Hudsonian Godwit, Franklin's Gull, and Western Meadowlark. There were commercial exhibits by Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., Eastman Kodak and Ward's Natural Science Establishment. As a matter of record, it is worth noting the papers presented at that first program since they have not been permanently recorded elsewhere. ^‘Status of the Little Gull on the Niagara Frontier" —Harold D. Mitchell ^'Bird Activities on the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge" —F. L. Gambrell ^'Observations on Birds of the Adirondacks"—Harold Axtell "How Birds Find Their Way"—Peter Paul Kellogg "The Snowy Owl Incursion of 1945-46 in New York State"—Gordon M. Meade "Northward Extension of the Range of Certain Species into the Hudson Valley"—Robert F. Deed "Changing Distribution and Abundance of Certain Passerine Birds in Western New York in Recent Years"-—W. E. Vaughan 124 The Kingbird “Observations of Common Tern Colonies in Oneida Lake"—Hazel R. Ellis “Birds Can Be Missionaries"—Walter Elwood At the first annual dinner, the speaker was Dr. Arthur A. Allen who spoke of “The Quest of the Bristle-thighed Curlew" and the finding of the nesting site of this elusive species. On the field trip on Sunday morning, the host society convinced the delegates either that the Rochester area was one of the country s finest birding areas for rare species, or that they had carefully “planted" rarities in strategic spots just ahead of the field party because successively there was a Red Phalarope which unconcernedly allowed the entire party to approach within fifty feet; a small flock of Purple Sand¬ pipers feeding on a grassy shore; the first recorded Eared Grebe for the area which swam by within 100 feet; and a November 14th American Egret. Some of the New York City birders went away muttering to themselves •— “How can we ever compete with this next year?"; It even impressed the Rochesterians. It was at this meeting that the Conservation Conimittee under Mr. Walter Elwood was organized, given its charge and its functions outlined, and that serious thought was first given to development by the Federation of a new New York State bird book. It had been mentioned even at the first dis¬ cussion meeting in Rochester in 1946. There were now 16 member clubs of which 15 were represented at this meeting by 101 delegates, members and guests. An invitation to hold the second annual meeting in New York was accepted? The temporary officers were elected officially except for the replacement/of Mr. Fred Hall, who was leaving the state, by Mr. Jack Wolff as Recording Secretary. Because of the desire to have spring field trips in which all delegates could participate, the next meeting was held May |,8 and 29, 1959 in New York City. The host society was The Linnaean Society of New York, and the meeting place the American Museum of Natural History. Thus a special feature of the meeting was a tour of the splendid newly completed bird halls of the museum conducted by Dean Amadon and C. K. Nichols. The papers presented a this meeting were — “Auditory Receptors of the Barn Owl"—Irving Kassoy “Bird Associations at a Balsam-Hemlock Bog"—E. L. Seeber “The September Migration Tragedy"—Arthur Aronoff “Homemaking for Cliff Swallows"—Carleton Sturdevant “Status of the Purple Sandpiper on the Great Lakes" ■—Gordon M. Meade “Breeding Gadwalls of Jones Beach"—Walter Sedwitz “Origin and Status of the Flouse Finch in the East" •—Robert S. Arbib “past: and Present Status of the European Goldfinch" —John J. plliott The Kingbird 125 The annual dinner was held at the Mens Faculty Club of Columbia University with Richard H. Pough, Curator of Conservation of the American Museum of Natural History, speaking on “The Federation's Role in New York State Conservation." A guest of honor was Carl Buchheister, Vice- President of National Audubon Society. On Sunday, a field trip to Long Island yielded life birds for many — White-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, European Goldfinch, Gadwall, Piping Plover and Black Skimmer. Fifteen of the seventeen member clubs were represented by delegates. In all, 99 dUegates, members and guests attended the meeting. ■ The major business of this meeting was to further define the functions and operation of the Conservation Committee; to further plan for a journal; to authorize appointment of a state book committee; and to appoint a con¬ stitution revision committee. Now the Federation was out of its infancy, growing healthily, and looking to a solid future. What the years since have brought is known to most and recorded in the Kingbird. Many of the aspirations and plans of the beginnings have been realized, some have not. Perhaps the time has come for a re-assessment. What does the Federation need, and want to accomplish from here on? 3115-34th Street, N. W. Washington 8, D. C. ■ 126 The Kingbird ACTIVITIES OF MEMBER CLUBS Frances H. Irving Each club in the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs was asked to list the club’s accomplishments during the last ten years. The response was prompt with all except four clubs replying. We are grateful to these 25 clubs for their excellent cooperation. ' This article very appropriately begins with a quotation from the ques¬ tionnaire returned by Reginald W. Hartwell, president of the Burroughs- Audubon Nature Club. “The Burroughs-Audubon Nature Club is 47 years old as it salutes and congratulates THE KINGBIRD on 10 years of valuable contributions to New York State ornithology. This venerable group, moreover, lays claim to the title of grandfather of THE KINGBIRD’ since Allan Klonick, THE KINGBIRD’S first editor, underwent much of his first natural history indoctrination as a Burroughs Audubon Junior member.” Since certain activities are common to most of the clubs — monthly or semi-monthly evening programs; field trips; participation in Christmas count, Big Day, Waterfowl count; keeping bird records and contributing to the Regional Reports in THE KINGBIRD; publishing a club bulletin and calendar of events — this article will deal with activities other than these. Sanctuaries Twelve clubs have acquired ownership or management of a sanctuary or wild-life refuge during the last ten years. They are: Alan Devoe Bird Club (only 3 years old), Buffalo Audubon Society (2 refuges), Burroughs- Audubon Nature Club, Genesee Ornithological Society (now working toward a second sanctuary), Keuka Park Conservation Club, Lyman Langdon Audubon Society, Naturalist Club of the Triple Cities, Rockland Audubon Society, Saw Mill River Audubon Society and Scarsdale Audubon Society. The Greene County Bird Club organized last year by Elizabeth Feldheusen, a past Recording Secretary of our Federation, is working to save an ex¬ cellent marsh as a sanctuary. Conservation Buffalo Audubon Society, through membership in Federation of Erie Sportsmens’ Club and Conservation Forum of New York State, keeps posted and takes action to help save our Forest Preserve, hawks and owls. The Ralph T. Waterman group supports Nature Conservancy programs in their county. Presenting books on conservation to the public library is an annual project of the Sassafras Bird Club. This club also gives support to State and National conservation organizations. The Brooklyn Bird Club con¬ ducted special conservation projects. In the Education Field The Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club and four Audubon Societies, Lyman- Langdon, Rockland, Saw Mill River and Scarsdale reported they provide nature education programs in the schools. Lyman-Langdon believes its greatest service to the cohimunity has been the children’s, education program-. The Kingbird 127 Through field trips to a wide variety of habitats, boys and girls between ages 6 and 12 gain first hand knowledge of natural history and conservation. To keep leadership in proper balance with the ever-increasing number of participating children, scholarships to nature study workshops have been offered each year to adults interested in assisting with this program. Saw Mill Rivers education committee organized many Junior Audubon Clubs in schools and Scarsdale carries on an extensive school program. Rockland’s education committee reached directly 850 children and 400 adults this past year in addition to providing nature exhibits in schools, libraries and banks, and conducting nature contests for school children. The Sullivan County Audubon Society sent four boys to conservation camps. The Sassafras Bird Club and the Onondaga, Rockland, Saw Mill River (4 to 6 each year) and Scarsdale (3 yearly) Audubon Societies pro¬ vide annual scholarships to Audubon camps. These are awarded to teachers, leaders of youth groups and camp counselors. The Naturalist Club of the Triple Cities offers bird identification classes for beginners each Saturday during migration season. Scarsdale and Sulli¬ van County Audubon Societies teach Adult Education courses in bird identification. The Cayuga Bird Club in cooperation with the Laboratory of Ornithology holds Saturday morning field trips for the general public each May and their evening Seminars throughout the school year are open to the public. A weekly radio program '‘Know Your Birds” is broadcast. The Keuka Park Conservation Club presents, free of charge to the public, outstanding programs on all phases of conservation and wildlife. Another means of disseminating nature and conservation information to the public is through a column in the local newspaper. The Onondaga Audubon, Society publishes nature news in a Sunday column and the Rockland Audubon Society has a weekly "Woods and Fields” newspaper column. Clubs that reported bringing the educational Audubon Screen Tours to their community are: Naturalist Club of the Triple Cities, North Country Bird Club, Schenectady Bird Club, and the Jamestown, Onondaga and Rockland Audubon Societies. The Onondaga report states "Our increas¬ ingly financially successful sponsorship of Audubon Screen Tours has helped to interest more people in birds and conservation, and has been the means of providing funds for several scholarships to Audubon Camps for elementary school teachers. Puhlications Four clubs^ issued publications during the last ten years. Brooklyn Bird Club published "Birds of Prospect Park (Kings County, N. Y. 1950); “Partial List of Vascular Plants of Jamaica Bay”; assisted with the Carleton revision of "Birds of Central and Prospect Parks” 1958; and have three more booklets being readied for the printer. The John Burroughs Natural History Club published a check list of "The Birds of Ulster County” and a check list of trees is in the hands of the printer. The North Country Bird Club published a check list of birds for the region. In 1959 the Rockland Audu- 128 The Kingbird bon Society published a revision of its 1949 ‘‘Birds of Rockland County and the Hudson Highlands/' A complimentary copy of this booklet was sent to each member club in the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. Other Activities One of our newest clubs, Tioga Birdwatchers Club, embarked on a pro¬ gram to increase the bluebird population. This group reported the successful nesting in new localities and rearing of young of five pairs of bluebirds. The Sullivan County Audubon Society erected wood duck houses, had the village board pass an ordinance rnaking Monticello a bird sanctuary, intro¬ duced in the schools a program of bird feeding, operated an Audubon booth at the local fair, had numerous window displays, and had the prize winning float (with a conservation theme) in the Hallowe'en parade. The Rock¬ land group maintains for members a rental library of natural history books. Van Houten Fields, West Nyack The Kingbird 129 HUDSON-MOHAWK COMMON EGRETS, 1.937-1960 Lillian C. Stoner 'Where are the large white birdsL’ “Why don't we see them along the Hudson or Mohawk Rivers?" These two questions have been asked by amateur and professional ornithologists in 1960, while in 1937, my late husband, Dr. Dayton Stoner, State Zoologist at the New York State Museum, had inquirers who asked him to name this member of the Heron family which was more than common in the Capital City district during that late summer. The Common (formerly called American) Egrets (^Casmerodms alhus egretta) have usually been seen along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers in early or mid-July and throughout the summer to the first frosty night or to the first hunting season date in October. However a few earlier and later dates have been recorded in some years. Although we had observed some Egrets'^' before 1937, it was not until August 15, 1937 that Dr. Stoner and the writer began to make counts and to increase the number of our trips along these two rivers in the Capital City area. Our purpose was to try to find the extent to which this Egret appeared here each year and also whether these birds were becoming more numerous in this area in their post¬ breeding wanderings. Eaton, in Birds of New York (New York State Museum Memoirs 12, Vol. 1, 1910) calls this Egret “an occasional visitant" in recording 26 records in the entire State 1856-1905. In the New York State Museum files, some 20 records were recorded for the State in the next 30 years. Of this number, one each in 1921, 1923, and 1925 were in the Capital City area and four were in Dutchess County and the balance was seen in other parts of the State. Then, in 1937, our counts as well as some others in Eastern New York began to show greater numbers of individual birds. It was near 1900, when these beautiful large white birds became notice¬ ably reduced in numbers in their southern breeding grounds, as countless individuals of both this and the Snowy Egret had been killed by plume hunters. Their activity was motivated by the millinery trade, as milliners bought the long aigrette plumes, as w'ell as some other feathers and even some entire birds for hat decorations. Since these long feathers of the Herons are present and at their best during the breeding and nesting seasons, the hunters had to kill the adult birds to secure the plumes. This loss of avian life in the nesting areas meant not only the parent birds but also their young which were left to starve and die in the nests. Both Egrets, the Common and Snowy, were saved from extinction in North America mainly through the efforts of the National Audubon Society (formerly called National Association of Audubon Societies). This organi- ation in 1902 appointed game wardens for southern rookeries. Then, the sale of most wild-bird feathers was prohibited in New York State, when the Audubon Plumage bill was signed in 1910 in our State. Following this, and again through the work of the Audubon Society, importation of plumes *The Common Egret termed Egret for brevity in this article. 130 The Kingbird was prohibited when the Federal Tariff Act was signed in 1913. All these measures did much to stop the slaughter of these Herons. The results of rigid law enforcement began to show up years later as Egrets were noticed in slowly increasing numbers in different localities. In their post-breeding wanderings, the Egrets which come up the Atlantic fly way have usually nested in southern areas. Their breeding range in more recent years has extended north from Southern Florida through the Carolinas, Maryland, and Southwestern New Jersey. In Region 8, Long Island report in Kingbird Vol. Ill, No. 3, Oct. 1953, pg. 77, John J. Elliott says, “The American Egret nested for the first time in the Long Island area this summer (Fishers Island).’’ There are a few recently published records of Egrets nesting in Ontario, far north of Hudson-Mohawk area and there may be other nesting records along the Hudson River flyway which is part of the Atlantic flyway since our study began in 1937. We suspected the nesting of these birds along the Hudson River, 40 to 50 miles south of Albany, as the numbers increased and as earlier arrival dates were noted,, but we recorded no direct evidence of nesting. Our records from 1937 to 1940 were mainly taken on auto trips. Most of these were south of Albany, for 25 miles along the east side of the Fludson River to Stockport Railroad Station, which was located at the dead end of a side road, one mile from the main highway and seven miles north of Hudson, N. Y. This New York Central depot was later razed so that now there is a large parking area where bird observers (and hunters) get an excellent view of part of the River at high and low tides. Then other observation trips by auto were northwest of Albany, along the Mohawk River for a distance of about three miles East of Niskayuna. From 1940 to 1948, to the auto field bird study we added day trips on the Hudson River Day Boat. The down trip (south) left Albany at 9:20 a. m. and arrived at Kingston Point at 1:20 p. m., a distance of 48 miles. After a short stopover at a small park, where other birds occasionally were seen, the return trip (north) was made on the up-coming passenger steamer from New York City which took from 2:20 p. m. to 6:20 p. m. This made a total of ten hours for bird observation for the day. From the upper deck of these huge boats, which maintained a speed of about 12 miles per hour, Egrets could be seen along the shore line or at a short distance from it or in the adjoining wooded lands. When the tide was high, these large white birds were generally perched in the trees, occasionally in a small group or sometimes as many as 30 would be roosting in one tree with a few others in adjoining tree tops. This habitat was in the highly concentrated Hudson-Catskill district which is near the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. In this same area this picturesque scene was quite changed when the tide was going out or low as then the extensive muddy, reedy flats were exposed. Here, the Egrets were visible as they stood in shallow water which covered quite a wide area. At intervals they would probe down in the mud or quickly wade or fly a short distance in their search for food. Apparently, they were not especially disturbed by the passing steamer. The Kingbird 131 On 13 auto trips that we took between inclusive dates of August 1 and October 8, 1937, we saw 102 Egrets, with the greatest counts on August 15, 20, and October 3. On the first mentioned wate, ^ mile north of Stock- port R. R. Station, in a marsh 50 yards by 1600 feet and which was sep¬ arated by railroad tracks from the Hudson River, 18 Egrets were seen. For the entire three hour south of Albany round trip of 50 miles we noted a total of 25 individuals. Then, five days later 18 Egrets were observed in the three miles distance along the Mohawk River; this Niskayuna locality is about 35 miles northwest of the preceding area. On October 3 we had a total of 17 of these large^ white birds from both localities. In published reports of records of ours and adjoining territory observers, Dr. Stoner concluded that not only were the Egrets here, in the Hudson Paver Valley in greater numbers in 1937, but that in the last several years, the species had become increasingly common. Of course, our counts could not include the many birds that may have been concealed in high, grassy marsh habitats, so our observations covered probably only a small portion of the birds that could be making their northern or southern journey. A few more Hudson River birds were listed on 13 auto trips taken in each of the next two years as we saw 51 between August 10 and October 14, 1938. Then, our count numbered 58 between July 10 and September 16, 1939, 21 of which were observed on a two hour low tide period on August 7. A greater number of 189 (most of these on Hudson River trips) was seen next year between July 19 and October 9, 1940. Ninety-three of these we listed on the August 27 north-bound steamer trip with mid-to-low tide. Our total was only 45 on south-bound trip, as water was slowly going down from high tide. This illustrates the advantage of observations from the River Steamer. Of interest in this year was our early July 19 count of 10 and a late big count of 35 birds on September 14. We credited reliable observers who reported seeing a dozen Egrets on early date of June 14, 1941. Our earliest record for this year was 10 birds on July 14. In 1942, on August 6 and September 6, on two round trips by boat to Kingston Point, we had counts respectively of 49 and 18 on high tide south-bound trips and 69 and 93 on mid-low to low water northern journey. Not much field work was done in 1943 and 1944 due to Dr. Stoner’s illness and passing. Records of numbers of Egrets were kept by the writer on continued boat trips through 1948. A count of 29 Egrets was made on May 26, 1945, which was the first down trip of the Day Boat season. With the tide going out 16 individuals were standing in shallow water and 13 were roosting in one tree. But on the hot (as the weather had turned very warm) return trip, a total of only 12 birds could be seen all resting in the trees. No Egrets were noted on May 31 trip, but 25 were counted on down trip on June 9, 1945. These represent our largest early numbers of indi¬ vidual birds during this study. The numbers of these birds observed re¬ mained fairly good as illustrated by a list of 108 on September 10, 1946 and 101 on August 12, 1947. 132 The Kingbird It was reported that the Day Boat Excursions, which had usually started near Decoration Day and ended on Labor Day, were to be discontinued after the 1948 season. So during this summer, the writer took seven boat trips, two of which were to New York City. This meant two days of obser¬ vation as the Hudson River steamer takes a day each way for the 150 mile voyage to and from Albany. However, unfavorable foggy weather de¬ veloped so counts of birds were unsatisfactory on these longer trips. There were very few Egrets noted on first three one day trips, as none was seen on May 27 and a total of only four on July 26 and 30. On the New York City trips of August 11 and 12 and August 23 and 24, 135 and 160 were counted respectively on the two all day down {south) trips and 162 and 219 on the return journeys. Only a small percentage of this number was found south of the Hudson-Gatskili region. On August 30, 120 Egrets were observed as far as Kingston Point and 144 orr northern trip, main concentration as usual in Hudson-Catskill district. ConmoD E^retA - Watervliet Rescirvoii*, Septemter 1948. Photo by Minnie B. Scotland The Kingbird 133 The Schenectady Bird Cluh members and their guests, the Hoffman Bird Club members, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, took the last steamer round trip Albany to Kingston Point on September 12, 1948 and listed 239 Egrets. The 63 participants bear witness to this largest Egret count in our study. The Hudson River Egret counts were continued in the subsequent years with the writer as leader of this annual field trip of the Schenectady Bird Club known as The Stoner Bird Trip in honor of Dr. Dayton Stoner. Transportation was by bus in 1950 and by private cars in other years. This 80 mile round trip route was south on the east side of the River, and after crossing the Rip VanWinkle Bridge near Castleton, N. Y., returning north on the west side of the Hudson. No great counts could again be made as the River and exposed grassy flat areas were visable in relatively few places from the highways as the numbers given in the following tabulation will illustrate: September 17, September 16, September 14, September 13, September 25, September 17, September 16, September 7, September 13, September 12, September 10, 1950 — 57 Egrets 1951 — 13 Egrets (2 weeks earlier, 30 Egrets seen) 1952 — 52 Egrets 1953 — 48 Egrets 1954 — 31 Egrets 1955 — 10 Egrets 1956 — No trip, due to bad weather. 1957 — 1 Egret (6 reported by a resident) 1958— 15 Egrets 1959— 7 Egrets 1960— 13 Egrets In our study, 1948 stands out as the year the greatest number of Egrets was counted in the Hudson-Mohawk River area. It is also evident that the number of individuals that could be observed declined sharply from that year to the present time. This conclusion was also shown in records kept by Schenectady Bird Club during 1937-1960 period. They have an annota¬ tion for 1949 of “numbers well below 1948') and another in 1950 of “numbers well below 1948". Then, south of our study area, there were other New York State district records of lesser numbers of Egrets in 1950 and 1951. These appeared in the Kingbird regional reports of R. F. Deed and J. J. Elliott respectively of Lower Hudson and Long Island areas. Data kept by Schenectady Bird Club for the same years as our study show earlier and later dates for some of these years. Only their early April, May, and June, or late September, or other fall months records are tabu¬ lated on the next page: 134 The Kingbird Early Late — 1937, Nov, 14 1939, June 17 — — 1944, Sept. 17 1945, June 30 1945, Sept. 30 — 1946, Nov. 14 .— 1948, Nov. 28 1949, May 6 1949, Oct. 8 1950, June 4 1950, Oct. 10 — 1951, Oct. 19 1952, June 21 1952, Sept. 14 1953, May 9 1953, Oct. 11 1954, May 27 1954, Sept. 25 - Nov. 29 1955, May 14 1955, Sept. 18 — 1956, Sept. 16 — 1957, Sept. 21 — 1958, Sept. 25 1959, June 14 — 1960, April 7-10 1959, Oct. 9 As above records show, there were few birds seen each year after 1948. In 1960, our earliest area record was of one bird which was seen by several club members on April 7-10 on a small pond on Route #20, which is about 10 miles west from the Hudson River. In 1960, very few Egrets were reported in this district by members of either Schenectady Bird Club or Alan Devoe Bird Club. In fact, none or just a few individual birds could be found on any of the regular field trips. Some ornithologists saw none all summer. Our greatest report was 13 birds on September 10, 1960. Between 1937-1960 several of us have made Egret counts on train trips to New York City. The New York Central Railroad tracks are often near small ponds or inlets which run into the Hudson River or near its shore. A number of these exposed marshes of bodies of water which are inaccessible to us in any other way, provide excellent feeding and retreat habitats for Herons, especially when the tide is low. Some times different individual birds near the track would fly up and immediately settle nearby in shallow water or low shrubbery as we watched them from the fast moving train. On several of our train trips groups of five or six were seen resting precariously in frail bushes where their weight bent the branches almost down to the water. The hest count on a one-way trip was made by Samuel Madison of 104 Egrets on September 13, 1948. This again emphasizes our year of greatest numbers of Egrets in our region. Of interest, since small numbers of these Herons were observed here this year, were the counts of eight Egrets made on train trips by Mr. and Mrs. Byron T. Hippie, Jr., respectively on July 11 and August 7, 1960. The Kingbird 135 At no time in our studies did Dr. Stoner or the writer note any inter¬ mingling of these large white birds with significant numbers of other birds of the Heron family, although occasionally one or two of the other large birds of this group were seen in the same locality. As a general rule, our arrival dates of Egrets were later than those further south in the state. The picture of Egrets in the sky over New York City area in April 15, 1960 New York Times, with comments of Gilbert S. Raynor, supports this statement. Other early southern New York records could be cited. Then, even though Long Island numbers of Egrets are greater than those in our area, this southern region, too, reported decreased numbers of individuals in 1959 and 1960 seasons, which are our small count years. Of interest is J. J. Elliott’s Regional Report in Kingbird Vol. X, No. 3, October, 1960 issue of 25 pairs of Common Egrets nesting on July 16, 1960 at Jamaica Bay. Also noteworthy for a state record was the single Egret listed on December 26, 1959 Christmas Bird Count of Central Suffolk County, L. I., N. Y. in Audubon Field Notes, Vol. 14, No. 2, April, 1960. These records are given to show that areas not too distant from our Hudson-Mohawk study region had not only quite a few of these birds, but they had increasing numbers of nesting records of them. Will this mean greater post-breeding wanderings of these beautiful large white birds up Hudson River Section of Atlantic flyway for visitors and ornithologists to note in our scenic Hudson River Valley? This is a question that will be answered in future years. Summary Numbers of Common Egrets increased every year in Hudson-Mohawk area in the inclusive years 1937-1948. Then the numbers of birds observed in this district decreased until the smallest counts were reported in 1960. The earliest and latest regional dates are April 7, 1960 and November 29, 1948, respectively. The greatest and smallest counts of individual birds are respectively, 239 on September 12, 1948 and 7 on September 12, 1959. This 1937-1960 study was made on trips taken by cars, bus, steamers, and trains along or near the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, to say nothing of distances covered by foot in this 24 year period. 399 State St., Albany 136 The Kingbird SOUTHERN WARBLERS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK: A HISTORICAL REVIEW Allen H. Benton In a recent paper, Dr. Fritz Scheider (1959) has discussed tKe dis¬ tribution of certain southern warblers in a portion of central New York. Scheider’s data are mostly recent, and mostly concerned with areas covered regularly by Syracuse birders. The present paper is an attempt to gather and interpret data from many older sources which will supplement and explain the present distribution to some degree, and which will at any rate give a more detailed picture of the distribution and abundance of these birds. Figure 1 -The thaded area represents Central New York aa used by Scheider (19S8) and adopted for this paper. The Kingbird 137 The term, ‘‘central New York”, as Scheider pointed out, is meaningless unless defined. For the purposes of this paper, we will adopt the boundaries indicated by Scheider (see Fig. 1), although it will be necessary to go out¬ side of this area for data which will give historical background and perspective. Data for this paper were drawn largely from the papers listed below, many of which are difficult to secure and unfamiliar to most present-day ornithologists. Additional records were taken from the field notes of Ernest G. Tabor of Meridian and Verdi Burtch of Branchport. I am grateful to Dr. Edgar M. Reilly and the New York State Museum and Science Service for permitting the use of Mr. Burtch s notes, and to Eugene Eisenmann and Alexander Wetmore for supplying me with data from the paper bv Willard (1877). Fortunately for the student of bird distribution, central New York has long been a favorite study area for ornithologists, both professional and amateur. Early observations were made by Audubon, John Bartram, and Governor DeWitt Clinton, and the pioneer work of James DeKay sum¬ marized what was known about New York birds up to 1840. The first serious and comprehensive lists of birds from Central New York began to appear in the I870’s. Local lists of this period appeared in the old “Forest and Stream’) in small pamphlets, in obscure journals like “The Ornithologist and Oologist”, and even in local newspapers. This was the heyday of the collector, particularly of the egg collector, and as a result these early workers knew the breeding birds of their area thoroughly and were always on the alert for rarities. Many of them were skilled field ornithologists when Coues’ Key was the only available bird guide. Since their records were based for the most part on specimens and on nests which they collected, their statements as to the presence of a particular species are quite trust¬ worthy. Negative statements are less acceptable, because the observers were few and scattered, but the zeal of these collectors and their interest in the unusual lend credence to their reports. When E. H. Eaton wrote his monumental “Birds of New York”, in 1909-1914, it was to these observers that he went for information. In the counties with which we are concerned he had 25 informants (Eaton, 1909): 7 from Gayuga county, 4 from Onondaga county, 9 from Oneida county, 5 from Oswego county; and the thoroughness of Eaton’s coverage is a tribute to the work of these early workers. The following species accounts make use of the work, published and unpublished, of these men, as well as my own observations over a period of 20 years in northern Cayuga county. Though they may not explain why these species occur where they do, they will do a good deal to elucidate where they occur, and will also indicate to some extent when they appeared and how they have spread. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER; Although the earliest students did not report this species in Central New York, it was present in western New York (Bergtold, 1899, Eaton, 1901), probably as a rare breeding bird. The first Central New York nest was taken in the Montezuma swamp in 1948 (Parkes, 1952) although there are several earlier sight records from several areas. Had it occurred in this area earlier, it seems likely that such skilled and energetic observers as Foster Parker and E. G. Tabor would have found it. Evidence thus indicates that it entered our area as a breeding bird 138 The Kingbird during the 1940’s, and during the 1950’s has been extending its range eastward and increasing in numbers. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: As with the Prothonotary, this species was rarely recorded by early observers, and then usually as a migrant. Eaton (1914) records it as breeding in Niagara county, but in our area it was certainly absent. In a lifetime of birding, Tabor (unpublished manu¬ script) reported that he had seen only one bird of this species in northern Cayuga county, and most local lists do not list it at all. Recent occurrences listed by Scheider seem to indicate that it is now becoming established in Central New York, but this is a very recent development. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: Scheider indicates that this species was rare in Central New York until quite recently, and that there has been an explosive spread within the past ten years. That their range has been extended in this period seems certain, but there has been an equally ex¬ plosive growth of bird-watchers in this area. The history of the Golden- wing in the area is not hard to trace. It was evidently very rare prior to 1900. Both Short (1896) and Langille (1884) listed it as a breeding bird in western New York, but Rathbun (1879) had no records except two from Yates county. Barnum (1886) had collected one specimen at Onondaga Valley in 1879, but considered it accidental. Embody (1901) did not list it from Madison county, and Ralph and Bagg (1886) likewise had not recorded it in Oneida county. The earliest records from northern Cayuga county are given by Reed and Wright (1909) for the years 1883 and 1898, Tabor collected its nest in the township of Ira, Cayuga county, in 1902, and regularly recorded it thereafter. My own observations of the species began in 1940, and I have found it common throughout northern Cayuga county. Its abundance compares with that of the Indigo Bunting, with which it is ecologically associated. I know of at least a dozen localities for the species in the town of Ira, and many more in surrounding townships. Quite probably its recent discovery to the east of this area, as reported by Scheider, does represent a real increase in range or abundance, or both. But in the northern parts of Cayuga county, and in the extreme southwestern part of Oswego county and northwestern Onondaga county, it has been common for many years. CERLILEAN WARBLER: This species appears to have been present from the earliest recorded times. Willard (1877) found it local and not common, while Rathbun (1879) thought it was not uncommon. This is probably a case of using different words with the same meaning. It may be locally common, as Scheider indicated, but in the area as a whole it is not common. Rathbun also stated that this species was rarely seen prior to 1876, and it may be that an eastern movement occurred in the latter part of the last century. This possibility is strengthened by the fact that Ralph and Bagg (1886) did not report it from Oneida county, while Eaton (1909) listed it as a local summer resident in that county. It seems likely that there has been a southerly as well as an easterly movement in recent years, Reed and Wright (1909) did not list it except at the extreme north end of the Cayuga Lake basin. It now occurs as far north as Sherwood, in Cayuga county, and along both sides of Owasco Lake near the north end. The Kingbird 139 Fij-uire 2 — Cct-tjl«a:D. WftFblei- dm neit. Jiint 1 Fhoro Vifirdi B'ufIcL - CdurlcjJf af S>. Mui^uin feltJ SciMDC* HOODED VVARBLERj The Hooded Warbler h^s b*en common in ihe lake-shore are^s q£ Cayuga and Wayne toundes from the earliest reports to the prescjlt. To the ea^t and south, it seems to have fallen off shaiply until recent rimes. Eaton (1^*05} called it common Ln Cayuga couniy> occasional in Onondaga and Oswego counnes^ rare in Oneida county, and^ SOrprisingly% locally common m Madison county It nqw occurs as far south as CKvascO in Cayuga county, and se\'eral pairs may be found in almosi any sizeable woodlot in Ira, Cato, V^ictors' and Conquest in northern Cayuga county, Jn this area there has been no marked change in abundance, bur it appears that it is now becoming more common in suitable areas to the eastr YEI.LOVV-BRE.'^STED CHAT: The ch.ai has always been a rare and local sj^ies in Central Yotk, although there seems to have been a dramatic increase in soutfi'Central Nctv York in the early 19(X)'s. It fs now A re^lar summer lesidenl, and indeed locally common, at the south end of die Cayuga Lake basin, but seeing s chat at the north end of the basin is a 140 TKe Kingbird iate event. The species has apparently heen unable to establish a stable breeding population in this region despite the thousands of acres of aban¬ doned farmland which appear to provide desirable habitat. Literature Cited Barnum, Morgan K. 1886. List of the birds of Onondaga county. Bulletin of the Biol. Lab. of Syracuse Univ. 1;34 pp. Bergtold, W. H, 1889. A list of the birds of Buffalo and vicinity. Bulletin of Buffalo Nat. Field Club:21 pp. Eaton, E. H. 1901. Birds of Western New York. Proc. Roch. Acad. Sci. IV: 1-64. Eaton, E. H. 1909, 1914. Birds of New York. Vol. 1, Water and Game Birds: 1-501, 1909; Vol. 2, Land Birds: 1-719, 1914. New York State Museum Memoir 12. Embody, George C. 1901. Birds of Madison county. New York. Bulletin of the Dept, of Geol. and Nat. Hist., Colgate Univ.: 36 pp. Langille, J. Hibbert. 1884. Our birds in their haunts. S. E. Cassino and Co., Boston: 624 pp. Parkes, Kenneth C. - 1952. Notes on some birds of the Cayuga Lake Basin. Kingbird 11:56-59. Ralph, William L., and Egbert Bagg. 1886. Annotated list of the birds of Oneida county, N. Y., and its immediate vicinity. Trans. Oneida Hist. Soc. 111:101-148. Rathbun, Frank. 1879. A revised list of birds of Central New York. Daily Advertiser and Weekly Journal Book and Job Printing House, Auburn, N. Y. Reed, Hugh D., and Albert H. Wright. 1909. The vertebrates of the Cayuga Lake basin, N. Y. Proc. Amer. Philosophical Soc. XLVIII: 370-459. Scheider, Fritz. 1959. Warblers in Southern"^ New York. I. Southern Warblers. Kingbird IX: 13-19. Short, Ernest H. 1896. Birds of Western New York with Notes. 2nd Ed. Ftank H. Lattin, Publisher, Albion, New York, 21 pp. Willard, S. L. 1877. A Directory of the Ornithologists of the United States, comprising a list of the collectors and students of Ornithology, with the valuation of their collections; number of species represent; &c., &c.; supplemented by statistics of value and information concerning public and private collections; average value of publie and private collections; topics of interest to amateurs; &c., &c. Utica, N. Y., Office of the Oologist. Biology Department, State University of New York College of Educa¬ tion at Albany * This is an obvious typographical error, since the paper is entirely concerned with central New York, and southern New York is not mentioned in the paper. However, the title as printed must be used in referring to the paper. The Kingbird 141 THE FOREST PRESERVE IS NOT FOR CARVING Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. The 75th anniversary of New York States Forest Preserve, 2,485,170 acres in the Adirondacks and Catskills being kept forever wild, was cele¬ brated in June with a banquet at Saranac Lake. However, it developed it was the Preserve that was on the platter and the oratory was directed towards the better means of carving. “Speaker after speaker,^’ the Adirondack Enterprise reported, “spoke of the need for broader use of the Preserve.’’ This “fresh look at the situation” was made palatable with that old seasoning, “multiple use.” Assemblyman Leo A. Lawrence, chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Revision of the Conservation Law, declared “The Forest Preserve must he put to intelligent multiple use.’’ Former state Conservation Commissioner Perry B. Duryea sharpened the utensils with a rezoning plan that would leave part of the Preserve wild, utilize a part for recreation, and set aside another “where forestry can he practiced.” The rezoning concept was supported in general by Mr. Duryea’s predecessor in office, Lithgow Osborne. However, a few days later Mr. Osborne issued a qualifying statement describing Mr. Duryea’s plan as “too far reaching and above all pre-mature” and called for two safeguards; 1. that a survey be made to determine the most desirable uses for the Pre¬ serve lands; 2. that land be acquired for the Preserve to more than com¬ pensate for the land diverted to other purposes. Then there are those who would oppose the plan totally — who, according to the editorial in the Adirondack Enterprise supporting the pro¬ posal, “would again try to block what many consider to be essential progress.” It is interesting to note that those who fought — and successfully so — in 1894 for constitutional protection of the Preserve lands were called “The Forest Bigots.” They were motivated by the “loopholing” engaged in by the state’s attorneys who were having titles under the Act of 1885 (es¬ tablishing the Preserve and which was the basis for this year’s “com¬ memoration”) questioned and eventually turned over to private indulgence to the toll of 100,000 acres. When one thinks of all the attacks and encroachments to which the Preserve has been subjected, and the fact that it remains — singed, but standing — one is led to consider this a miracle. It is probably true, how¬ ever, to say that it reflects the enduring need for some refuge untouched in the “hurlyburly” of society — “a cool refuge for man from the heat of the paved and bricked-up cities, and the home of the wild species of which they are the habitat,” declared The Association for the Protection of the Adiron¬ dacks in 1903. Probably the fate of few conservationist trusts — if any — has been given to the responsibility of the voters as many times as the Forest Preserve. One would have thought this would have led to early oblivion. It must be said that the voting record is not consistent. In 1913 the elec- The Kingbird 142 torate approved a constitutional amendment allowing use of up to three percent of the Preserve for municipal water supply, canals and stream regulation. But ten years later they overwhelmingly refused permission to power companies for construction of transmission lines within the three percent limitation. Then in 1953 the voters, through approval of the Ostrander amendment, reserved to themselves final consideration of any proposed reservoir or related project in the Preserve. Two years later they repudiated the proposed Panther Mountain Dam which would have been operated commercially by private interests. The public has approved roads — as early as 1918. This was a road from Saranac Lake to Old Forge. In 1927 the people allowed construction of a road to the top of Whiteface Mountain, now used for skiing. Approval was given in 1933 for a roadway from Indian Lake to Speculator. Of course, there is the Northway for which permission was granted in 1959. However, since construction on this federal highway from Albany to Canada had not started as of earlier this year, and the state was under no legal obligation to allow it, groups such as the Citizens’ Northway Com¬ mittee were working to eventually have the alternate Champlain Valley route utilized. However, the voters’ approval had made proponents of multiple use of the Forest Preserve heady. This was evident in the Adirondack Enter¬ prise editorial, which one can assume to be the feeling of a good many influential individuals since the editor and publisher, Roger W. Tubby, was formerly press secretary to President Truman. The editorial, initialed ‘'R. W. T.”, inveighing against a Forest Preserve policy '‘fixed and firm and untouchable” said "the days of abject quaking in Albany and elsewhere when the extreme conservationists intone are over . . . we must confess we are not as deeply concerned as we were on the North way fight. After all that fight was won.” Part of the Saranac Lake gathering (which was also attended by Gov¬ ernor Nelson Rockefeller, Conservation Commissioner Harold G. Wilm and several legislators) was devoted to discussion of activities to commem¬ orate the anniversary. Mr. Tubby suggested a speakers’ bureau “to get the story of the Forest Preserve before service clubs and other groups around the state.” Ronald Peterson, Deputy Commerce Commissioner, pledged his department’s aid in arranging free radio and television time. Dr. Albert Corey, State Historian, recommended programs for school children and suggested library and college exhibits. Thomas Carroll, in charge of public relations for the commemorative program, said the Conservation Department was contemplating a traveling display. Certainly a large battery of official communications was available and judging from the tenor of the evening’s speeches, one could wonder about the content of the material —or indeed, how long such educational efforts could be extended if needed. Th rezoning proposals, requiring constitutional amendment, would have to be passed by two consecutively elected legislatures. Conceivably a bill could be introduced this January, again in 1963 and presented to the voters in the fall of that year. In any case, at least two items immediately pertaining to the Preserve, The Kingbird 143 are pretty definitely on the schedule for the 1961 session. One involves the recodification passed last year of the Water Resources Act. This act includes authorization for flooding Forest Preserve lands for stream regulation and conflicts with the Ostrander amendment giving the voters the right to pass on such proposed projects. The conflict had been brought to the attention of the late Speaker Oswald D. Heck as far back as 1956. An aid bad given assurances that the conflict would be resolved. But the recodifica¬ tion has continued it without change. Assemblyman Lawrence has been urged to introduce legislation correcting this situation. Up for its second legislative approval before going to the electorate in the fall of 1961 will be the Brady-Bush bill providing for the leasing of Preserve land on Hunter Mountain for ski slopes. This only compounds the precedent established with the ski facilities at Whiteface Mountain. These are state operated. But the Flunter Mountain operation would be for private gain. 333 Bedell St., Freeport, L. 1. 144 The Kingbird GEORGE N. LAWRENCE John B. Belknap George Newbold Lawrence (1806-1895), one of the most eminent ornithologists in the nineteenth century, was born in New York City. His parents were John Burling and Hannah (Newbold) Lawrence. During his youth Lawrence lived at ‘Lorest HilV) then in a rural setting some eight miles north of City Hall. He began collecting at the age of fourteen and his eventual accumulation of 8000 bird skins went to the American Museum of Natural History. Lawrence was engaged in the wholesale drug business in New York City, retiring in 1862. His ornithological publications began before this date, and he embarked on a study of the birds of neotropical America in the 1850s. He was one of the Founders of the American Ornithologists Union and was made an Honorary Member. Following his death a memorial was prepared by D. G. Elliott which will be found in the January 1896 issue of the “Auk”. Of particular interest to us is Lawrence’s “Catalogue of Birds observed on New York, Long and Staten Islands, and the adjacent parts of New Jersey.” This was published in the “Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York”, April 1866. New York Island is, of course, Man¬ hattan. A few places in New Jersey, such as Barnegat, Fort Lee and Ho¬ boken are mentioned, but it appears that most of the birds listed were seen or collected in New York State. The “Catalogue” has a total of 327 species, thirty-two of which are annotated. With the great majority only the common and scientific names are given. Eight species are designated as being rare. Some of the common names used by Lawrence are quite different from those now in vogue. For example: Mottled Owl, now Screech Owl Yellow Rump, now Myrtle Warbler Red-breasted Snipe, now Dowitcher Black Woodcock, now Pileated Woodpecker Green Black-capped Flycatcher, now Wilson’s Warbler The European Woodcock is discussed at some length, three specimens being referred to; one from Rhode Island and two from New Jersey. Com¬ menting on one of these, Lawrence says, “it probably came by way of Iceland and Greenland, a route by which other European species occasionally visit us.” Shortly before the report was written the House Sparrow had been successfully introduced into this country, and Lawrence’s remarks, after the passage of nearly one hundred years, show how wide of the mark were those responsible for its introduction. “That pest of our shade trees and the horror of pedestrians, the caterpillars or larvae, familiarly known as meas¬ uring worms, from a single one of which a sensitive lady shrinks in disgust, are said to form part of the diet of this species. In Philadelphia, where these worms abound to a greater degree than in New York, the introduction of this bird would confer a boon on the inhabitants they could not fail to appreciate.” Eaton, “Birds of New York”, Volume I (1909), in commenting on this report insofar as our State is concerned, reduces the 327 species to 315 on the basis that for eight no New York State specimen existed, and four others, Hutchins Gull, Green-backed Mallard, Cooper's Sandpiper, and Wood Wren are not considered valid species. 92 Clinton St., Gouverneur, N. Y. BIRD BANDING IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY Beatrice Sullivan On the sixth day of March 1950 Mrs. Gerald Fitzgerald handed her first bird. It was a tree sparrow. In the ten years following she has banded more than thirteen thousand birds at her home, Bird Haven, a private sanctuary on the shore of the Mohawk River in Amsterdam. Here she has banded one hundred twenty-one in a day, and during May 1958 the total included eight hundred forty Evening Grosbeaks. All these birds have beeii reported to Fish and Wildlife Service for Mrs. Fitzgerald is one of their authorized banders. For them she has tagged forty-six species. Foreign retraps and recoveries have come from other near-by banders. Many Evening Grosbeaks had been banded by Mr. Steve Fordham at the Delmar Game Farm (incidentally, it was Mr. Fordham who taught banding to Mrs. Fitzgerald.) An Evening Grosbeak wearing the hand of Air. Walter Sabin at Slingerlands dated March twenty-ninth 1958 did not arrive at Bird Haven, some thirty miles away, until the fourth of May. From farther away came two Evening Grosbeaks banded by Mr. Maurice Broun of Hawk Mountain, Pa. One of these arrived in ten days, May ninth 1958, May 19. The other was trapped and released May ninth, but had been banded February fourteenth. Birds trapped at Bird Haven represent many states: Connecticut, Indiana, Alaine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, as well as from the Provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. One Tree Sparrow has returned for five years, and the most interesting bird to visit Bird Haven was a female Orchard Oriole (a new record) banded May twenty-fourth 1956. Dickcissels have been banded here also, as well as Lincoln’s Sparrows. The Fish and Wildlift reports to Mrs. Fitzgerald of the fate of birds bearing her bands have been interesting. One of her male Evening Gros¬ beaks, banded December twenty-second 1951, was recaptured by Mrs. Irma Werner of Cumberland Mills, Maine, April thirtieth 1960, nearly nine years after being banded. Another recovery, a Catbird, banded September twenty- first 1956, was found dead in a garden at Ensign, Kansas, October twenty-fourth 1956. This bird had crossed seven states. A white-throated Sparrow, banded April twenty-ninth 1955 was killed by a car in Leesville, South Carolina, November eleventh 1955, seven months after leaving Bird Haven. A Purple Finch, wearing a Bird Haven band of April first, 1954, was shot in Omaha, Texas, February twentieth 1955. Another, banded March eleventh 1954, perished in a snowstorm at Grand Rapids, Minnesota (not Michigan) just two months later to the day. There were other reports of Purple Finches found dead in Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee. In the following table the year 1959-1960 shows a great drop in the banding activities of Mrs. Fitzgerald. This is due to the fact that a new express highway has completely destroyed this lovely sanctuary and natural 146 The Kingbird habitat. The wooded area which gave coverage, the many feeding stations and even Mrs. Fitzgerald’s home have all been sacrificed to progress. A fresh start is now being made in a twenty-acre woodland across the road with a new home and a new sanctuary. It is good to be able to say that the birds are slowly finding their new Bird Haven where they will be welcomed by Mrs. Fitzgerald who is happy to report the arrival of fifteen Evening Grosbeaks on November fifth 1960. Year Total Number Banded All Species Banded Evening Grosbeak Purple Finch 1950 882 22 140 38 1951 1258 17 500 292 1952 1285 30 881 11 1953 2098 20 863 355 1954 2613 21 178 559 1955 1141 14 549 108 1956 1906 28 1212 208 d957 920 19 110 632 1958 1540 17 1352 66 d959 33 7 None Banded None Banded Mrs. Fitzgerald away Mrs. Fitzgerald moving Species Banded American Bittern Yellow-throated Warbler Wood Duck Canada Warbler Red-tailed Hawk Red-wing Ruffed Grouse Baltimore Oriole Killdeer Rusty Blackbird Mourning Dove Scarlet Tanager Belted Kingfisher Cardinal Flicker Rose-breasted Grosbeak Hairy Woodpecker Indigo Bunting Blue Jay Dickcissel Black-capped Chickadee Evening Grosbeak White-breasted Nuthatch Eastern Purple Finch House Wren Pine Siskin Carolina Wren Common Goldfinch Catbird Slate-colored Junco Robin Tree Sparrow Wood Thrush Chipping Sparrow Veery White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Bluebird White-throated Sparrow Cedar Waxwing Fox Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Northern Shrike Black-throated Blue Warbler Swamp Sparrow Oven-bird 67 Snowden Ave., Schenectady 4 Song Sparrow The, Kingbird 147 THE WHITE-HEADED EAGLE IN NEW YORK STATE Walter R. Spofford The spectacular decline in the breeding success of the White-headed Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus') on the west coast of Florida, so abundantly documented by the late Charles Broley, and other accounts of low breeding success coupled with evidence of a diminishing eagle population, have led to widespread concern for the preservation of this great bird. The National Audubon Society has just announced a five year study of the continuing status of this eagle on a continent-wide basis. It seems worth while to gather together here some information about the eagle in New York State.' Al¬ though the exact status of nesting sites is yet to be studied, enough informa¬ tion is at hand to give a skeletal outline of the breeding population, and a more detailed account of two nesting sites watched more intimately during the last ten years. As for their distribution in New York, a few pairs of eagles nest in the plains south of Lakes Erie and Ontario, notably near Chautauqua Lake, the Genesee River, Montezuma Refuge, Selkirk Shores State Park, and probably between Sandy Pond and Watertown, Two more sites are reported along the St. Lawrence River, and one each on Lake Champlain and Lake George. Other nests are located in the more mountainous northern counties, each of which has one or more reported nesting sites (Chase). The nesting population in this state would appear to be at least 12 and perhaps 24 pairs. It must be kept in mind that Florida eagles summer here in the north, and various eagles reported from southern and central New York lakes are most likely in this category. Eagles formerly bred for decades on the north side of Oneida Lake, and a nest was reported on Frenchman’s Island in the early 1940s (Ernst). The eagles seen here each summer are now believed to be summering eagles from Florida. The nesting success of the New York eagles is little known, but there are occasional reports of breeding success, such as three young flying with two adults at Piseco Lake in 1951 (Mcllroy), two adults and two flying young at Raquette Lake in 1957 (Ernst), and a nest with young near Chateaugay Lake in 1959 (Chase). The spectacular cliff nest at Blue Ledge on the upper Hudson River which was occupied for most of a century (W, Randall) was partially damaged by a rock fall in 1927, but young were raised there in the late 1940s. A nest some miles away in current use may be the 'Hescendent” of this site. In April 1951 I noticed a nest which I had not previously seen in the dead woods of the storage pool on the north side of the Montezuma Na¬ tional Wildlife Refuge, and this is probably the best known nesting site ■in New York today. Since 1955 I have also watched a nest near Selkirk Shores State Park, and in the following paragraphs I will outline some of the finding at these two nests, partly from my own observations and partly from both published and unpublished observations of others. Although the nest in the Montezuma Refuge, in a slanting dead tree in a precarious site hardly 20 feet above the water, was a new nest when I first saw it in early April, Mr. Jayson Walker said that the old nest at the west side near the thruway dated back into the 1940s, This has not been used in the 1950s and I have no record of its occupancy. On 17 April 1951 two adults and an immature were seen near the new nest by Walker. 148 The Kingbird In early May one young was observed in the nest, and on the occasion of the Cornell spring bird census in mid-May, two downy young eaglets were seen by Prof. Mcllroy. I have no further record of this nesting except that on 24 July Walker saw one eagle in immature plumage being followed by three Turkey Vultures several miles west of the refuge. In 1952, Walker saw two adults at the nest on 30 March, and Farnham watched an adult carrying a long branch with green leaves into the nest in late April. Although records indicate the presence of the eagles near the nest during May, I have not statements of actual nesting. But in late May the nest, already insecure, was greatly tilted, and if young were present they must have spilled into the water. During the summer the eagles built a new nest (Wiley). This suggests that the old nest was in use at the time of the accident. The new nest was in a more substantial situation in an up¬ right dead tree several hundred yards west of the former nest. The nest has since been attended every year except in 1957. On 29 March 1953, I saw the white head of an adult eagle just showing above the brim of the nest, and similar observations were made throughout April. In May, however, the nest appeared to be empty, and on 20 May the adults were seen in coition (Hileman), a further indication of nesting failure. The adults were recorded several times after that, but no young were raised that year. The eagles were seen at the nest in late February, 1954, and on 24 April an eagle was observed apparently incubating, only its head showing (Paquette). In late May the nest was found to be abandoned, and while adults were seen subsequently on various occasions, no young were raised that year. On 24 October a bird in the immature plumage was seen, but whether this was a not yet mature eagle from a previous nesting in this area, or whether merely a vagrant eagle, is unknown. In 1955 the adults were seen in February, and regularly in late March and April. On 15 May Walker reported a young eaglet in the nest, and later observations indicate a successful nesting. An immature was seen on 24 July, and two were seen in August. It seems probable that at least one and perhaps two young were raised that year. Two adults were at the nest on 3 March 1960, and on 25 March one appeared to be incubating, and through April. On 30 May Walker re¬ ported a partly feathered eaglet in the nest. I have no further records of the eaglet, but the adults were frequently seen throughout the year, and it may be assumed that this was a successful nesting. During the late winter of 1957 the eagles built a new nest on the north side, and which could not be seen from the dyke, but which Was visible from the Tyre road. I saw an adult apparently incubating on 23 March and both were at the nest on 21 April, the larger bird feeding, late in the afternoon. On 27 April I saw the male fly up under an Osprey which circled up, yelping, then dropped his fish. The eagle dove after it, picked it up, and carried it toward its nest, but in late May the nest was seen to be abandoned. The 1958 season was similar, but this time they came back to the regular nest. Both were on the nest on 15 March, one appearing to be incubating. An adult was similarly seen throughout April. On 12 April I saw the male fly to the nest, on which I had not seen a bird, whereupon the whole center of the nest seemed to lift up ... as the incubating bird got slowly to her feet. The Kingbird 149 If the old eagle does not have her head up, the nest may appear empty. On this occasion she soon flew off, and the male then slowly settled down upon the nest. Late in the afternoon of 4 May I watched the male fly to the nest with a fish. After some moments the female could be seen slowly rising from the center of the nest. Slowly she stepped to the edge, and flew off with the fish, and the male then settled back on the nest. On 17 May the nest was found to be abandoned, and although eagles w'^ere seen on sub¬ sequent occasions, no young were raised. On 22 November both eagles were perched upon the nest. The heavy snows and cold weather of the following winter kept the eagles away most of the time, but on 14 March both eagles were on the nest. Each was standing upon the nest edge, facing the center, leaning forward with their heads out of sight, in mutual ceremony. On 26 March both eagles appeared and flew onto the nest, and on 5 April the female was working at sticks in the nest. The male arrived, and coition took place on the nest. On 7 April an adult was lying flat on the nest, with head up, and appeared to be incubating. She was so observed on 17 April (Seaman) and on 26 April. One was perched on the nest edge and another flat on the nest (Scheider) on 17 May, but on 22 May and 30 May the nest appeared to be empty. On 31 May the two old eagles were seen on the nest edge, again facing in with heads lowered out of sight in the nest center (Seaman), and no eagles were seen at the nest after that. I have seen a Golden Eagle bow her head into the nest beside a hatching eaglet, but in the present case it was soon apparent that the nest was abandoned. Again in 1960 no eagles were raised. The birds were in attendance in April, apparently incubating on 9 and 28 April, but in mid May the nest was no longer in use. In summary, during ten years of attempted nesting, they have been suc¬ cessful in only three, raising a total of 3 to 5 eaglets. It is clear that early nesting goes on with seeming success, but if eggs are present (and we know that Peregrines and Buzzards may sit on an empty nest) there is no evidence that they hatched. This nest is quite isolated, all observations being made by balscope from half a mile away, and being in a wide lake in a refuge, there is no trespass. I know of no other disturbing influence, such as low- flying aircraft. The following observations were made at a nest discovered in mid-March 1955 by D. Moors, in a giant elm tree near Selkirk Shores State Park. Situated in a small clump of trees in an open pasture, it can be closely observed from over half a mile away by balscope. The farmer on whose land the nest is located said it had been built in 1953, that the nest had not been disturbed and the birds did not cause anyone concern. On 26 March I visited this nest, saw the eagle fly off as I approached, and then return immediately as I retreated. This nest was later visited or observed by a number of interested people, and while it was approached closely enough on at least two occasions to cause the eagle to fly off, she came back onto the nest at once. On 14 May she was still on the nest, but in June the nest was seen to be abandoned. Because of the possibility that human dis- 150 The Kingbird turbance had been a cause in the nesting failure, it was decided to avoid any disturbance in the following year. On 18 March, 1956, Scheider saw the male carrying a Common Mer- ganzer to the nest, and on 1 April he observed an adult eagle apparently turning the egg(s). On 14 April Mr. Broley and others visited the nest and it was still in use. But when Dr. Burtt climbed to the nest in June the nest was abandoned and no signs of recent occupancy. However, a. first year eagle was seen on 9 August in that vicinity, and it is possible that another nest is in that region. On 16 March, 1957 I watched the pair in coition, perched upon a horizontal limb near the nest. On 15 April one adult appeared to be in¬ cubating, and similar observations were made on several occasions during April, but on 19 May the nest was found to be abandoned, and no trace of occupancy was seen on two subsequent trips in late May and mid-June. The 1958 season was much the same, two birds being present on 2 March, one sitting upon the nest on 15 March, still sitting on 18 May, but the nest abandoned by June. In 1959, two adults were perched upon the nest on 28 February, an unusually warm day with a good hawk-flight. On 15 March the two eagles were perched in a tall dead tree near the shore a mile from the nest. Then the female carried a long stick to the nest, and the male followed to perch close by. On 20 March the nest was considerably built up, and one bird was standing upon the edge. On 5 April one was flat on the nest, and the other flew into a nearby tree. Both were perched near the nest on 7 April. But on 16 April the birds were still actively nest building, flying to the ground and bringing in sticks and bark. Since eagles often work on the nest at odd times, this is not an indication as to whether or not they had eggs at this time. One eagle appeared to be incubating on 26 April,, and on 17 May also. On 7 June there was no sign of the eagles, although several fresh down feathers were nearby and clinging to weeds in the pasture. But further visits showed the nest to be abandoned. In 1960 no attempt was made to nest here, but a bird was seen nearby on several occasions. In the fall of 1960 the nest tree was cut down and the future history of this pair of birds is uncertain, but an attempt will be made to locate a possible new nesting site. In summary, this pair of eagles attempted to nest in five out of six years of observation at this site, and they appear to have incubated each year, but have apparently never hatched an egg. I do not know that they do lay eggs, but I am inclined to believe that they do. I have seen coition several times, and the eagles seem attentive at the nest. Why there is no nesting success is unknown. I do not have comparable nesting information at other eagle sites, but from scattered reports I do not believe the pair in the Genesee Valley is much more successful. The nesting success of the eagles reported here seems rather comparable to that of the Ohio eagles reported in Audubon Field Notes, and here I have presented some of the detail which suggests that at least the eagles are really trying! Of course we have no base line on The Kingbird 151 wliicti to measure the nesting success of these eagles. The apparent regular nesting of Mr. Broley’s eagles along the west coast of Florida in the 1940s may be somewhat illusory ... as with a dense population of eagles it is not really certain which individual eagles are doing the breeding from year to year, as birds do move from nest to nest. Eagles in various parts of the world and of various species including both sea-eagles (as is our White- headed Eagle) and true eagles, often have very low nesting success, es¬ pecially African eagles of various species (Brown, ’52, ’60.). In the present case, however, we are presented not with irregular success but with regular non-success. It is clear that this is much too small a sample on which to generalize, and I hope that the publication of these notes will stimulate others to making more regular observations upon eagles in their regions. Brown, L., 1952, Ibis, 94: 577-620; 95: 74-114, ‘'On the biology of the large birds of prey of the Embu District.’’ Brown, L., 1960, Ibis, 102:285-297. “The African Fish Eagle Haliaetus vocifer especially in the Kavirondo Gulf.” 766 Irving Ave., Syracuse 10, N. Y. 152 The Kingbird THE FUTURE OF LONG ISLAND WILDLIFE Dennis Puleston To borrow a phrase popular in international politics, Long Island s naturalists are currently suffering through a period of “agonizing reappraisaF’. We have always prided ourselves upon living in one of the finest and most varied birding areas in the Northeast, but now we question how much longer we can do so. Not that the changes wrought by an expanding human population are uniquely ours; they are all too sadly familiar in many parts of the country. But here, they are taking place with such rapidity it seems that at best we can hope that other threatened areas can learn a lesson, in time to stave off their own similar fates. We read that the combined population of Nassau and Suffolk Counties has just passed the two million mark, and that Suffolk is the fastest growing county in the entire nation. Our woods and meadows are fast disappearing; business, fattening on the rising population curves, is engulfing us in a rushing tide of concrete and neon. Even the outer beaches, once the ultimate refuge of the solitude-seeker, are being overrun with private clubs and summer homes, and rutted with the tracks of the beach-buggies, while the waters of once quiet hays and harbors are churned continuously by roaring outboards. We wonder what will hecome of our wildlife. Can nothing be done to save at least a few choice areas for us, our children, and further generations? Will Long Islanders, fifty, twenty, even ten years hence, read with nos¬ talgia the field notes of the 1950’s, when black skimmers colonized the sandbars of Great South Bay, when a few red-tailed hawks and horned owls still bred in the quieter woodlots, when over twenty species of warbler could be counted in a single orchard on a May morning, when clapper rails clamored constantly from Mount Sinai’s salt marshes? Without ques¬ tion, changes must come. We are too close to the great metropolis to escape altogether from becoming both a suburb and a playground for the masses. But what kind of a playground it is that does not provide some wild areas, where a man can refresh his soul with the wonders of untouched nature? We must now bow submissively to the self-interests of the developers and merchants, and watch in silent dismay as all our wealth of natural resources goes by default. It is to be hoped that there are enough sensitive citizens, willing to object actively to the onslaughts of the bulldozer, the spray-plane, the hunter, the boy with the air-rifle, and a legion of other enemies. What can, and must be done, while there is yet something to be saved? The average amateur naturalist, by the very nature of his interests, is not an aggressive soul; he wishes only to be undisturbed in his unsophisti¬ cated joys. Yet he must share the blame, if he surrenders without a struggle for all he holds dear. I submit that he must act now, for the common good. With a missionary’s zeal, he must educate. By this, I do not refer to educa¬ tion in the formal, classroom sense, though this can help also. I am thinking of the kind of education that can be given only in the field, the fostering of perceptiveness in human minds that have never before sensed a thirst for the beauties and pleasures of nature. The Kingbird 153 Surprisingly, the naturalist will find, in taking almost any child on a field trip, that he has a potential fellow nature-lover at his side. The presence of this universal but latent interest has manifested itself to me many times during the past few years, when a local high school science teacher and I have organized weekend outings for groups of girls and boys. They start out with no apparent attraction, no knowledge, and no eyes or ears for the wildlife with which they unwittingly share this earth. Yet very soon their senses and interests are whetted, they are planning their own expeditions, and saving from their allowances to buy their own binoculars and field guides. I can recommend this as a most rewarding task for those who would wish to see the next generation wiser in conservation than the present one. Another mission we naturalists can undertake is in the field of public speaking. Here, the great American fetish for club meetings is a promising opportunity for us. We can seek, through our lectures, slides, and films, to convince our audiences that our cause is also their cause. Thus, we can strive to generate pressure on our local governments for the enforcement of wiser building and land development codes, more stringent hunting laws, curbs on the pollution of our bays and streams, greater protection for hawks, owls, and other persecuted species, and the preservation of selected areas for the benefit of all. With this type of positive action we can hope to do much. Although Nassau and Queens Counties have already become essentially suburbs of New York, we still have a few examples, even there, of what can be done by dedicated people to save important wildlife areas. The sanctuaries at Jamaica Bay, Jones Beach, and Takapausha (Seaford), although hemmed in by massed human activities, are rich in bird variety. Scarcely a day goes by when the enthusiasts who haunt the Jamaica Bay Sanctuary are not stimulated by a rarity: European redwing, avocet, little gull, curlew sand¬ piper, blue goose, the three phalaropes, European widgeon, Louisiana heron — to cite only a few. Where else on the Island can one find such a concen¬ tration of brooding ruddy duck, blue-winged teal, gadwall, shoveler, and coot) All this, right alongside the Cross Bay Boulevard, with its endless streams of traffic, its hot-dog stands, amusement parks, and ranks of dowdy boarding houses. Perhaps this kind of managed sanctuary, with its strict injunctions to keep to the footpaths, is the best we can aim for in the eastern part of the Island, but at least these would save for us a few of the rarer bird species most vulnerable to civilization en masse. Among the areas I wish to see preserved at all costs, for their birds as well as other precious natural assets, I nominate the following: The Sunken Forest — unique holly woods, The Riverhead cedar swamp — rare bog plant-life, Moriches and Shinnecock sandbars — migrant shortbirds, breeding terns, Mount Sinai Harbor — shorebirds, herons, nesting rails. Hook Pond (Easthampton) and Sagaponack — wintering waterfowl, Montauk Point — pelagics, sea ducks, northern gulls. Lower Carmans River — oakwoods and salt marsh, waterfowl, herons, Mecox Bay — migrant shorebirds, terns, wintering waterfowl, Napeague •—terns, waterfowl, ospreys, Jessup’s Neck — waterfowl, ospreys, horned owls. 154 The Kingbird Naturally, there are more, and many naturalists would question my omission of their own favored areas. I am merely suggesting the nucleus of a list to which I hope others will add those areas they consider the most important to be preserved, and for which they would be prepared to work selflessly. On Long Island, man has been the dominant species for a long time. He has not used his dominance with thrift or wisdom; he can never bring back those priceless natural assets he has already squandered by greed and carelessness. We can only hope that these past attitudes will change and that, with a greater and more universal awareness for the beauty and com¬ plexity of undisturbed nature, some small oases can be saved. It must be the inspired mission of the amateur naturalist to convert more to his ranks, before the Island has become a tragie monument of concrete, steel, brick and billboards to a natural paradise that has gone forever. Upton, L. L FALCON FLIGHTS ON LONG ISLAND John J. Elliott For thousands of years the tumbled sand-dunes along the ocean on the South Shore of Long Island and the sandy cliffs along eastern Long Island Sound lay wild and unoccupied except for some roving Indians who made little impression on the terrain. Also, with the coming of white settlers, little change came over these remote outer tracts, for with sparse population and attention directed inland, building, if any, was spotty. Sixty years ago many of the barrier beaches were approachable only by boat and the old naphtha launch and sailboat were not conducive to expansive building. So it is within the lifetime of the present average adult, in fact within the past 20-30 years, that great transitional changes have taken place, and now eastern Long Island's residential building on the dunes is keeping apace with that inland. Also, the very destructive 1938 hurricane and more recent ones have apparently acted as little or no deterrent to the construction, an example of which is the almost continuously occupied ocean front from Westhampton to Shinnecock Inlet, and on western Long Island from Point Lookout to Brooklyn. Likewise, presumably for thousands of years during late summer and fall migrating hawks, especially Falcons, have used the dune-lines, generally beating their way along these on days of northwest winds. So it is the privilege of the present generation, unique in history, to study the changes in migration routes due to human occupancy of the coastline. Some of this has already been accomplished, much remains to be done, or at least to be accumulated into written material. Roy Latham, of Orient, for many years studying hawk migration along the Sound on the eastern end of the north fork has given some thought to this subject. He states that the route along the Long Island Sound shore is the best one in Orient and the sandy beaches along the bay a poor second and that very few hawks come west in between. With the Sound shore starting to build up with fishing station and summer homes, he has not yet determined if this has made drastic changes in the hawk flights, but believes The Kingbird 155 that they would go by offshore past occupied tracts and later swing in over the land. Regarding this he writes: “In the past most of these have fol¬ lowed the bank inshore of the surf”. Unlike the Long Island Sound shore on eastern Long Island, Falcon flights are progressively poorer down the western Sound shore with most birds proceeding along the Atlantic Coast dune tracts. It is suggested here that further investigation and studies be made where the cross-over points are and how proportionately most of the birds reach the dune areas: whether by way of Block Island and Montauk; from the eastern Connecticut shore to Fischers Island and Orient, then across Peconic Bays to the South Shore; or down the Connecticut River Valley and across the Sound to the South Shore. We know that the flight is good at Mecox and along the dunes at Shinnecock, Moriches, and on Fire Island to Democrat Point, south of Fire Island Inlet. Although there are some Falcon reports from the major flyways in the interior. Long Island’s South Shore flight is considered by far the greatest one, and the main route is down the outer strip between ocean and bay. As with Latham we usually find these birds strictly following the unoccupied dunes inshore of the surf when migrating, although spreading out into favorable hunting grounds, or bypassing occupied areas. A few decades ago when hawks were unprotected, small Falcons might be found dead on eastern Long Island’s dunes or on the roadside where shot by gunners. A. D. Cruickshank, 1942, in “Birds Around New York City,” remarks that Dr. Helmuth of East Hampton wrote to him and stated that 27 Pigeon Hawks were killed and thrown into the road at Mecox, September 13, 1933. Hawk protection and residential construction on the ocean front have caused a general discontinuance of this. Apparently the Falcon migration continues westward from Fire Island Inlet down the Jones Beach strip except for the Peregrine. Harry Darrow, of Bronxville, New York, who has records based on 12 years experience at Democrat Point, finds that from 70 to 80 percent of the Peregrines which followed the Fire Island beach front westward alter this direction by some 30 to 45 degrees once they come to the jutting Democrat Point and fly out over the ocean. He explains that the bearings used were between 228 and 236 dgrees which compares favorably with the shore birds whose average was 232 degrees. This spread of 8 degrees at Democrat Point means con¬ siderable miles of beach front in New Jersey — approximately a point south of Sea Girt (236 degrees) to about Beach Haven (228 degrees). Darrow remarks: “those holding a course any more southerly than 228 degrees could well miss New Jersey completely and hit it on the Delaware coast or Del- marva peninsula. As to other hawks, with the exception of an occasional Osprey, they all leave Democrat Point and cross over to Jones Beach.” Regarding flight days and wind velocity, perhaps the all-time high for the Sparrow Hawk was on October 1, 1960, when, with very strong north¬ west winds Darrow counted 644 at Democrat Point between 9:00 a. m. and 3:30 p, m. with birds still coming through at 5:00 p. m. South of Brook- haven, the same day, Dennis Puleston of Brookhaven counted two Peregrines, 15 Pigeon Hawks and 200 Sparrow Hawks (time of observations not men¬ tioned). 156 The Kingbird In the fall of 1955, under Chandler S. Robbins’ Fish and Wildlife Service hawk count, several surveys were made on eastern Long Island. Roy Latham of Orient on September 17, from 7:00 a. m. to 7:00 p. m. counted 15 hawks of eight species with an easterly wind of from five to seven miles an hour. There were nine Falcons; three Sparrow Hawks and six Pigeon Hawks. Except for a small flight of Pigeon Hawks flying low westward, all others appeared to be tarrying or feeding locally. The same day was very poor on the South Shore, with Mrs. Wilfred Walter of East Quoque observing one Pigeon Hawk and two Sparrow Hawks from 8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m., Quogue to Mecox; and Roy Wilcox of Speonk counting one Pigeon Hawk and eight Sparrow Hawks, between Westhampton and Bridge- hampton, in the morning of that day. Later in the season, on September 21, with a 15 mile-per-hour northwest wind, Wilcox counted 10 Sparrow Hawks and 35 Pigeon Hawks between Westhampton and Shinnecock in one hour, from 11:15 a. m. to 12:15 p. m. This is perhaps an all-time high for Pigeon Hawks in one hour’s time. On September 22, Westhampton to Moriches, with a light five mile-perhour north wind, he totaled 19 Sparrow Hawks and 11 Pigeon Hawks in two hours — 9:45 to 11:45 a. m. From Westhampton to Mecox 1:50 p. m. to 4:50 p. m. same day, he observed one Duck Hawk, 16 Sparrow Hawks and five Pigeon Hawks. Easterly winds, fairly strong, around 15 miles per hour or more, may occasionally be productive, as on September 24, 1960, at Jones Beach, when in one-half hour’s time, beginning at 11:00 a. m., a dozen small Falcons and a Peregrine were seen very high above Jones Beach (Baldwin Bird Club). These birds were practically out of sight; and such observations indicate that some Falcon movements may pass through entirely unobserved unless a careful scanning of the upper skies is made. Westward of Jones Beach, John Mayer and George Rose have made Falcon counts at Broad Channel, and John Bull at Far Rockaway on dif¬ ferent occasions, with some success. Bull is of the opinion that, as with the Peregrine at Fire Island Inlet, other Falcons, including the smaller Sparrow and Pigeon Hawk, head out over the ocean from Rockaway Point (on a much shorter tangent than from Fire Island) toward the New Jersey shore. 3994 Park Avenue, Seaford, L. L, N. Y. HAWK MIGRATIONS AT JONES BEACH Cornelius Ward Approximately 17 days of hawk watching along Jones Beach produced a total of 614 hawks in the fall of 1958. Of this total 75 percent were seen on six “hawk days”; days during which the winds were northwesterly, a prerequesite for good flights. Sparrow Hawks made up the largest number among the migrants, fol¬ lowed by Pigeon Hawks. The latter outnumbered the Sparrow Hawks in late October and early November. Marsh Hawks and Ospreys were next in numbers followed by the Accipiters and Peregrine Falcons. Of the 12 Perigrines seen, half of them showed up on “off days”. On one day of The Kingbird 157 southwest winds when all that could be accounted for were two Ospreys, a Sparrow Hawk and a Pigeon Hawk, three Peregrines were observed. Two of the Peregrines included in this survey were seen in Queens; one over Flushing Bay, the other cruising over Long Island City. In order to get a good idea of the flights I tried to be at the beaches early in the morning on days which seemed most propitious. Two days, one in September and one in October, still remain clear in my mind. One for the hawks it did produce and the other for what it might have produced! On September 28 the winds were strong from the northwest, weather clear and comfortably cool. I stationed myself on one of the dunes at Parking Field One and watched. The first hawk to be seen was, as usual, a Sparrow Hawk. Then Sparrow Hawks began to appear, several at a time. Some of them would stop and hover over the dunes, drop to the sand to pick up a grasshopper, then rise several feet, tack into the wind, and devour their meal on the wing. Soon another falcon appeared in the distance, its fast, low flight following the contours of the dunes. Before I realized it this Pigeon Hawk, only slightly larger than a Sparrow Hawk, but half again as heavy was so close to me I had to re-focus my glasses to see the heavy streaking of its underparts. A few second after this blue-backed falcon had passed another Pigeon Hawk appeared out of nowhere, this one was a female or immature, dark brown in color. Weaving in and out among the Japanese Pines, it made a wide arc over my head and dashed into the trees again, rushing in and out, low and high, probably to panic some small bird into flight where it wopld have little chance of escape. Unsuccessful in the hunt it sped on. Looking up, I saw an Osprey passing over carrying a flounder. A small bird with broader wings, leisurely flapping and sailing came into view. It seemed to be flying sideways into the wind examining all of the trees along the way. It was a Sharp-shinned and came within several feet of me before realizing I wasn’t a normal part of the landscape. Within 30 minutes I had seen 30 Sparrow Hawks, a half-dozen Pigeon Flawks, an Osprey, Marsh Hawk and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The total seen in six and one-half hours, the extent of my stay that day, was 195 hawks. On October 13th I got out to the beaches late, about 11 a. m. The largest concentrations are to be seen in the early morning hours, from about 8 a. m. to noon. With this in mind, and the weather very cloudy with a light northwest wind, I had little prospects for good hawking. I decided to pass my usual lookout, beach Parking Field One, and go right to the fishing station, northwest of Parking Field Four. As I passed 1 saw a Sparrow Hawk sitting on a light pole, one on another pole, one in a tree, two in another tree and before I realized it I had counted 15, either sitting, or hovering in the air. Leaving my car at the fishing station I was amazed at the number of hawks in the air. They were everywhere, at all altitudes, some so high as to appear like swallows, mostly Sparrow Hawks, many were on light poles. They were widely spread between the ocean and the bay. More than a dozen could be seen in the air at any tirne. A second good look showed me that there were Sharp-shinned Hawks in the air also. They could have been easily overlooked because of the height at which they were flying. Once an Accipiter made a pass at a Sparrow ,Hawk, it was a Coopers Hawk, easily identified since it was. twice the size'of the falcon. 158 The Kingbird Unfortunately it began to rain and the flight ceased. How many hawks had passed before I reached the beaches^ how many would have passed had it not rained, I will never know. It was, however, a vivid reminder of Cape May at its best. What apparently caused this great concentration of birds were strong west to northwest winds of the two previous days. These winds carried the birds to the coast, and the ocean acting as a barrier, concentrated the birds along the coast. The breakdown on numbers of the 17 days of ‘Tawking” is as follows: Sparrow Hawk_405 Pigeon Hawk_ 78 Duck Hawk_ 12 Osprey___ 37 Marsh Hawk_40 Sharp-shinned_21 Cooper’s Hawk_ 1 Unidentified_:_ 20 (two of which were Accipiters) 614 Though not nearly so spectacular as the flights at Cape May or Hawk Mountain, Jones Beach does offer interesting ‘‘hawking’. In particular an observer has more opportunity to become familiar with such migrants as the Pigeon Hawks and Marsh Hawks. Here you can actually study the bird, observing their methods of hunting, flying, and in the case of the Pigeon Hawk you can expect fascinating and fancy flying. Buteos are infrequently seen along these beaches in migration, or at any other time for that matter. In three years I have seen only one Red-tailed Hawk in the area! In 1959, on October 10, again at Jones Beach, I counted no less than 18 Peregrine Falcons between 7:30 a. m. and 1:30 p. m., and my total from October 2 to October 12 was 33! 71 East Centennial Avenue, Roosevelt, L. L, N. Y. 1960 FALL SHOREBIRD MIGRATION IN CENTRAL NEW YORK Fritz Scheider “Tu-tu-tu” “Chu-wee” “Flere comes a flock of Pectorals”. “Kwit, kwit” “There’re four phalaropes down here.” “Whee-ur-ee” “My word, a Buff- breast!” “Krick, krick” “Chur-eep” “Check that flight pattern.” Such a welter of shorebird and shorebird-watchers’ calls accompanied many a central New York field trip this past season (Jul - Nov 1960). A combination of excellent shorebird conditions, careful, enthusiastic birders, and a grapevine system of information that would have done justice to the Maquis of occupied France produced a wealth of shorebird data (compiled and com¬ pared with previous years’ information below). By late July the plethora of shorebird flats — and shorebirds — gave clues to a coming tide of plovers and sandpipers. Local observers agreed to keep close tabs on the many shore- birds, and they soon amassed impressive quantitative data. The Kingbird 169 Just as birds are attracted by a good food supply, birdwatchers are attracted to good birding areas. Shorebird habitat areas unfortunately (fortunately for compilation) are limited in central New York (50-mile radius from Syracuse); actually only seven major areas exist today. Without question the most exciting and most persistently productive area is the eastern end of Lake Ontario extending from Selkirk Shores State Park on the south to the mouth of Stony Creek on the north. The Sandy Pond flats and inlet are located approximately halfway between the two extremes of this strip. The extreme northern portion, known as El Dorado Beach in Region 6, is a rocky sheet of jumbled pools and boulders backed by a fragrant cow pasture and is usually undisturbed until hunting season. This area, if Lake Ontario is low, holds good numbers of mud shorebirds (Snipe, both Yellowlegs, Pectoral and Least Sandpipers) but tends to have less variety than the Sandy Pond inlet area. That area offers mainly sandflats and a few mudflats to passing migrant shorebirds. This year a late June - early July mooneye kill created windrows of shorebird food — and an im¬ pressive odor which kept the human bathing population down nicely. What few grass areas are present become high and dry usually by late August or mid-September. Selkirk Shores State Park and the Salmon River area possess a wealth of mudflats, usually most widely exposed in late September after the height of the shorebird migration. The second major area is a similar sand strip at the eastern end of Oneida Lake — Verona, Sylvan, and Oakland Beaches from south to north. This area suffers — and that's the right verb — from abundant human infestation and produces the most nervous of the local shorebirds. Thirdly Onondaga Lake has a varying set of mud and marl flats along the west shore. This year they were superb with abundant shorebirds, an unforgettable odor, and, most important, easy proximity because the new Alternate Rte. 48 highway passes within a few hundred yards of them. Thus the flats are available in minutes (eleven from Syracuse Memorial Hospital to be exaet) from the center of town. The combination of mud and marl along with a few grassy pools attracted a wide variety (26) and good numbers of shorebirds. The fourth sector, Howland's Island Game Management Area (HIGMA), northwest of Port Byron, has some fourteen ponds available for waterfowl. At least one and usually two per year are drained to encourage growth of duck food for local and migrant waterfowl. Drainage along with natural drawdown usually occurs in late August or early September; thus this sector rarely has much in the way of shorebirds until September 15 or later. The mudflats pro¬ duced attract primarily the Yellowlegs — Pectoral and Least Sandpipers — Snipe group but other varieties — Stilt, Bairds, and Red-backed Sandpipers — do occur. Fifth, the King Alarsh, north of North Syracuse, like HIGMA, attracts primarily mud and marsh sandpipers. This year the marsh dried out before August 20 and was singularly unproductive thereafter. The sixth area, Delta Lake, stands as almost a sub-Adirondack outpost for shorebirds, attracting primarily mud sandpipers. Water levels here vary tremendously from year to year and, as this year, the area was dried out before the shore- bird migration was in full swing. The seventh area, rather areas, consists of a conglomerate of farm ponds, wildlife marshes, and N. Y. S. Conservation Department marshes scattered thru Oswego, Onondaga, and northern Cayuga Counties. Two outstanding ones are Stevens Pond north of Euclid and a small pasture pond near Routes 104B and 3, north of Mexico; the 160 The Kingbird latter, owned by Mr. F. Pond and known (with apology to the English language for redundancy) as Pond's Pond, attracts shorebirds which reach the southeast corner of Lake Ontario and are soon destined to head over¬ land to the Atlantic coast. Correspondingly this pond of shorebirds attracts small falcons and Harriers using the lakeshore dunes as a flight lane and who are similarly headed overland. Parenthetically we advise always asking permission to visit this area as Mr, Pond is quite concerned about trespassers. With the onset of hunting season (Oct 14-Dec 2 this year) the Lake Ontario beaches and the Oneida and Onondaga Lake flats are essentially lost as good resting and feeding areas for shorebirds and some decrease in numbers can be correlated with this. A careful match of weather patterns and shorebird movements was at¬ tempted but aside from a precipitous drop in the majority of early migrants after Hurrican Donna, no outstanding correlation was forthcoming. Also of note is the complete lack of the double-hump in numbers of Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral and Stilt Sandpipers which presented such an enigma last year (see Kingbird Dec 1959). The usual cold-weather attrition in numbers occurred thru October but twelve species were recorded during early and mid-November. The following species summary will give the arrival dates, arrival dates of immatures where known, peak date and place, and departure date; where any data are at variance with the expected or normal situation, normal values are indicated. Semifalmated Plover: arrival date Jul 24, immatures Aug 6; maxima 94 on Aug 14, combination count at El Dorado, Sandy Pond, and Onondaga Lake; 22-55 were noted Aug 23 to Sep 17 at Onondaga Lake; numbers ranged from 15-65 thru the remainder of Sep with a sharp drop after the first cold nights of early Oct; late date Nov 19, one Sandy Pond (quite late). Killdeer: peak count 257 on Sep 3; present by the hundreds thru Aug at King Marsh and thru Sep at Onondaga Lake; last date Dec 4, five at Sylvan Beach. Golden Plover: first adult noted Aug 24 at Onondaga Lake; first immatures Aug 29, Onondaga Lake; maximum of 25, Sep 16, Onondaga Lake but reported in two — 15 from Sandy Pond, Oneida farmlands, and El Dorado, Last date Oct 6, Onondaga Lake, which is an early departure date as an early to mid-Oct flight of Goldens is more often present than not and birds have been recorded as late as Nov 16. Black-bellied Plover: arrival date Aug 7, Onondaga Lake; immatures Aug 17, Onondaga Lake; maxima 55 on Sep 10 and 41 on Sep 17; Oct numbers two — 13/day with last date Nov 19, one El Dorado. Ruddy Turnstone: arrival date jul 24; maximum 35 (combination count) on Sep 10, El Dorado, Sandy Pond, and Onondaga Lake; a sharp fall in numbers in the latter half of Sep with the last two on Oct 9, Sylvan Beach, Common Snipe: arrival date difficult to determine; however a small group noted at King Marsh July 10; Sep numbers two — six/day (quite low) with maximum ten on Oct 23; last date Nov 6 at HIGMA. Whimbrel (JTudsonian, Curlew^: first noted Jul 24 at El Dorado; singles seen there Aug 27 thru Sep 3 probably represent the same bird; none thereafter; usually at least one is reported in mid-Sep. Spotted Sandpiper: 15 - 63/day noted thru Jul; maximum of 70 on Aug The Kingbird 161 14; Sep maximum 20 on Sep 3; a sharp drop to one-four/day thereafter, with last date Sep 30, Onondaga Lake (early departure date). Solitary Sandfifer-. fall arrival date July 10 (somewhat late); living up to its name it was observed widely but only in one - four/day to late Sep; de- parture date of Oct 16, Tully Lakes, is late. Willett: one Aug 25 at Onondaga Lake is the second local record in 19 years. Greater Yellowlegs: first fall birds seen July 19; scarce (one - ten/day) thru Aug and Sep, but a fine late Oct rise with 55 on Oct 23 and 29 at HIGMA; last date Nov 13, three, HIGMA. Lesser Yellorvlegs: arrival date this season Jul 1 (early); one-16/day thru Jul; maximum of 105 on Aug 23, Onondaga Lake; six - 30/day thru Sep with up to 12/day present in late Oct at HIGMA; last date Nov 6, four, HIGMA. Knot: one with traces of spring plumage noted on Aug 6 at Sandy Pond; maximum of six, Sep 17 at Sylvan Beach with last date Sep 18, two, at the same place; this species must now be considered a regular transient at Sylvan and Verona Beaches, but it is very rare elsewhere, being one of the few species of shorebirds not recorded at Onondaga Lake. Purple Sandpiper: one observed with a flock of Dunlins (Red-backed Sandpipers) Nov 13 at El Dorado, the fourth record in seven years; thus far date range is Oct 31 - Nov 13; careful checking will probably show this species a rare but regular, i. e. annual, visitant to the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Pectoral Sandpiper: first noted Jul 18, Onondaga Lake; Aug maximum of 25, Aug 14; Sep maxima 45 on the 10th and 40 the 16th; a slow steady decline set in about Sep 20 with last date Nov 14 at El Dorado, quite in contrast to the double hump in numbers in the fall of 1959. White-rumped Sandpiper: first arrivals five on July 31, El Dorado and Sandy Pond; strangely scarce thru the remainder of the fall with high counts of five, Sep 3 and four, Oct 9 which is the last date. Usually White-rumped are seen in numbers (ten-15) in late Sep and a few remain to late Oct, occasionally into early Nov. Baird’s Sandpiper: first noted on Aug 13 at Verona Beach; first imma- tures Aug 27, Onondaga Lake; peak tallies of 17 on Sep 3 and 16 on Sep 10, both combination counts from Sandy Pond, Onondaga Lake, and El Dorado; one observer saw some 88 of this species Aug 13 - Oct 6, another saw 40 between Aug 17 and Sep 19 indicating an especially good flight thru this sector; departure date is Oct 6, one, Onondaga Lake, rather early. Least Sandpiper: arrival date of July 7, King Marsh; immatures arrived July 24, El Dorado; counts of 25 - 80/day thru Jul with maxima 98 on Aug 14, total count at Onondaga Lake, Sandy Pond, and El Dorado; a marked drop in all areas after Sep 15, with last date Oct 23, one, Onondaga Lake. Dunlin (^Red-hacked Sandpiper'): first noted Sep 10, two at El Dorado; seen widely with counts five - 45/day thru late Sep and Oct; largest flock count is 55, Oct 9 at HIGMA; last date Nov 20, one, Sandy Pond Inlet. Short-hilled Dowitcher: first arrivals are Jul 24, El Dorado (quite late); peak of 70 Aug 27, combination count at Onondaga Lake and El Dorado; a sharp drop after Hurricane Donna Sep 11-12 with departure date Oct 15, five at Pond s Pond. Long-hilled Dowitcher: one in good plumage noted Aug 27, Onondaga Lake; one - two seen intermittently there to Sep 10; last reported Oct 29, one, at HIGMA, a first record for the Cayuga Lake Basin; all records sup¬ ported with detailed observations including call notes. Stilt Sandfifer: first adults noted Jul 18, nine, Onondaga Lake; first immatures Aug 13 at Verona Beach; one - 11/day seen at Onondaga Lake thru Aug to mid-Sep; like the Least Sandpiper, a sharp drop in numbers in mid-Sep; last observed Oct 15, one, Pond's Pond. Semipalmated Sandpiper: the most abundant migrant shorebird of the area; arrived Jul 18; peak tallies of 500, Jul 24; 375, Jul 31; 465, Aug 14; 235, Sep 3; 350, Sep 10; a very rapid fall (from hundreds to dozens in four days) in mid-Sep with departure date Oct 9 (early), three, Sandy Pond. Western Sandpiper: first noted Aug 6 at El Dorado; other than single- tons, local records include four on Sep 10, Sandy Pond and El Dorado, seven on Oct 9, Onondaga Lake, and five noted Nov 13, Sylvan Beach, the last a record late date, but the observation is well substantiated and Dunlins were available for comparison. Buff-hreasted Sandpiper: four observations this fall, whereas 19 previous years of birding logged only three for the entire area; singles noted Aug 23, Onondaga Lake; Aug 27, Sandy Pond Inlet; Sep 1, Onondaga Lake; Sep 10, Sandy Pond Inlet; observational details seem to indicate that all were immature birds. Hudsonian Godwit: one extremely tame — or exhausted — immature seen Oct 2 (Rusk et al) and Oct 9 at Sandy Pond Inlet, the third record for the area in eight years. Ruff: one sighted and carefully studied (Estoff, Propst, Rusk, Scheider) for one half hour Sep 15 at Onondaga Lake is a Regional first; this bird spent most of the time preening badly rumpled feathers and the observers suspect the bird may have been a hurricane-fleeing coastal waif. Sanderling: first spotted on July 18; a very slow Aug buildup with 51/day maximum for that month; other counts include 230 on Sep 3, 450 on Sep 10, and 120 on Oct 9, primarily Sandy Pond and El Dorado; last noted Nov 20, one, Sandy Pond Inlet. Red Phalarope: three Nov records, all singles; Nov 6, Sandy Pond Inlet; Nov 12, Lakeview; Nov 14, El Dorado; frequent late Oct and early Nov checking will undoubtedly prove this bird to be a rare but regular fall visitant to the eastern end of Lake Ontario, and it will probably be seen in the same frequency and under the same weather conditions that bring us those few Purple Sandpipers. Wilson’s Phalarope: first sighted Aug 23, one, at Onondaga Lake; a second bird sighted Aug 27, also Onondaga Lake; these two were seen inter¬ mittently (eight times) from that date to Sep 10; two, perhaps three, dif¬ ferent birds were involved as judged by plumage details seen by a single observer; heretofore onq/fall was considered extremely good. Northern Phalarope: first fall arrival noted at Onondaga Lake on Aug 16; peak counts of four there Sep 15 and two on Sep 18; last noted Oct 21 at Sandy Pond Inlet. A single phalarope (sp) — probably Northern) seen Oct 9 at HIGMA. The author wishes to thank the following for the use of their notes in the compilation and creation of this article — Mrs. K. Propst, Mrs. E. Estoff, Miss M. Rusk, Dr. W. R. Spofford, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Paquette, Airs. D. Ackley, Mrs. E. Evans, Misses Ruth and Sally White, Mrs. R. Felle, and Miss R. Seaman. 151 Seventh North St., Syracuse 8 POPULATION PRESSURE AND THE FOREST PRESERVE Joseph. A. Blake, Jr. During the past decade, the pressure of a rapidly growing population has become more and more difficult to deal with. In the field of conservation this is only too apparent. Indeed, it is evident that, until this pressure is relieved, conservationists are strategically on the defensive. It is true that at times we are able to carry out successful offensive operations. Such offensives are, however, almost always local in nature. They are tactical and not strategical. The best we can hope for, in the long run, is to gain time — to hold the line until con¬ ditions become more favorable. To do this with a reasonable degree of success is often difficult. As a matter of fact we cannot expect to win in every operation. The taking of Forest Preserve lands for the Northway is an example of defeat for the forces of conservation. As an example of success may be mentioned defeat of the effort to remove the Great Horned Owl from the protected list. This maintained unimpaired New York State s excellent law, protecting all Hawks and Owls. Incidentally, the fact that this law was enacted, is a notable victory for the cause of conservation in New York State. At the present time, our chief objective is, without doubt, to keep the Forest Preserve, in so far as this is possible, forever wild. The New York State Forest Preserve is in many respects unique, both in respect to its size and the constitutional provision for its protection. I know of no similar tract within the bounds of any other State. In 1895 a constitutional amend¬ ment was adopted for the purpose of permanently protecting the wild char¬ acter of the Preserve. The amendment is familiar to practically every mem¬ ber of the Federation. It is quoted here, in part, simply for the convenience of those who may wish to refer to it. ‘‘The lands of the State. , . . constituting the forest preserve . . . , shall be kept forever as wild forest land. They shall not be leased, sold or ex¬ changed, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed.” The Forest Preserve, both because of its size and because it is almost unpopulated, in so far as lands now owned by the State are concerned, is and has been, peculiarly vulnerable to the pressure of a rapidly growing population. In this connection it should be remembered that New York State has, as a whole, a high density of population and a total population greater than any other State. Legislatures, whose members have, for the most part, little knowledge of ecology and who, quite naturally, yield to the demands of the uninstructed portion of the electorate for a place to play, have been responsible for a large part of the existing damage to the Preserve. In spite of the protests of conservationists, constitutional amendments have been passed, authorizing the construction of ski facilities by the State within the limits of the State Forest. Roads have been constructed, osten¬ sibly to facilitate fire protection, but which have opened up wild land to hunters and others. Roads have been improved, so that where traffic was formerly sparse it is now heavy. Permits have been granted for the building of camps. These camps in many instances were temporary in theory, but 164 The Kingbird virtually permanent in practice. They have been the cause, in many cases, of the destruction of wild land. The most serious threat to the Forest Preserve at the present time, seems to be the proposal to lease State land, within the Preserve to private enter¬ prise for the purpose of enlarging and improving ski facilities. These facili¬ ties already exist on private land, which borders the Forest Preserve. The area desired is Hunter Mountain, located near the village of Hunter in Greene county. It involves the construction of a cableway to the summit and the cutting of approximately twenty miles of trails, one hundred feet wide, along the slopes. Hunter Mountain, which is one of the highest peaks in the Catskills, would be completely ruined as a wild area. This lease to private enterprise, requires a constitutional amendment to be legal. The proposal was passed by the old legislature, as quietly as possible. It must now be passed a second time by the newly elected legis¬ lature and then presented to the electorate in a referendum. It is to be hoped that the second passage of this amendment will be more difficult than the first. This proposal serves as an illustration of the constant threat to the integrity of Forest Preserve presented by uncontrolled population growth. If this proposal should become law, by the passing of the amendment in question, it is evident that a host of similar proposals will be made speedily by other organizations, who wish to lease space in the Preserve for assorted enterprises. A precedent will have been established for the lease of portions of the Forest Preserve to private interests. It was hoped by many conservationists that the recent approval by the electorate of $75,000,000 to be used by the State, mainly for the purchase of recreational areas, would remove the growing pressure on the Forest Preserve, at least in part. Evidently this is not the case. Already there is a movement on foot to divide the Preserve into two parts. Two-thirds of it are to be used principally for the development of recreational facilities by the State — public camp sites and the like. Apparently the “forever wild’' provision in the constitution of the State is to be ignored or abolished in the case of most the Forest Preserve. By way of pacifying the advocates of conservation and those who prefer wildness to public camp sites, ski runs, etc., about one-third of the Preserve is to be maintained as wilderness. How long it will be maintained in this condition is questionable. So long as un¬ controlled growth of our population continues, demands for the violation of the Forest Preserve will also continue. Such demands will become more pressing as our population increases. I am enough of an optimist to believe that this condition will not last indefinitely. Sooner or later, it will be realized by the majority that uncontrolled population growth is a menace to human welfare. It is to be hoped that the realization of this menace does not come too late. In the meantime everything possible should be done to guard the Forest Preserve from harm. 140 Ten Eyck St., Watertown The Kingbird 165 FIELD NOTES Borrow's GoSdeneyes in Jefferson County: On November 27, 1960, three Barrow's Goldeneyes were shot at Stony Point on Lake Ontario. One was a male, and this was taken by Elmer Wagner of the Watertown office of the New York State Con¬ servation Department to Case Junior High School, Watertown, where it was mounted and added to the collection of birds. The day was cloudy with a temperature of 50 degrees and no wind, which is hardly ideal for hunting ducks. About two o'clock four ducks approached the decoys. They came easily and seemed unafraid. In fact they were described as "rather foolish." Their behavior was much like that of the Common Goldeneye, several of which (both male and female) were also taken. The fourth Barrow's Goldeneye, which was not collected, was a male. The identity of the specimens was established by comparison. For other records of Barrow's Goldeneye in New York State as published in the Kingbird see: Parkes, Kenneth C., "The Barrow's Goldeneye in New york," (Vol, 1, No. 3, p. 54) and Lesperance, Thomas A., "Barrow's Goldeneye at Ausable Point, Lake Champlain" (Vol. 5, No. 2 p. 39). There have also been several reports of this bird in recent winters from the Hudson River near Albany. — Frank A, Clinch, 173 Haley Street, Watertown. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on Long The appearance of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Atlantic Beach on October 29, 1960, brought numerous observers into the area, and most of them had excellent views of this spectacular bird. This rarity was discovered by Paul Buckley of the Bronx. The bird was in excellent plumage, its long scissor-like tail guiding it accurately as it flew from perch to perch and occasionally as it flew in spectacular swoops after some insects. The bird was seen to hop a foot or two from its perch and grab passing insects, at other times to swing out after them, and.it was observed to supplement its insect diet with the ripening berries of the Russian olive, large bushes of which were spread around in clumps at the rear of the Atlantic Beach swimming clubs. The bird remained in this area for about eight days; it was last seen on November 6. The Scissor-tail prove itself to be a dominant bird in the area. It arose grace¬ fully to prominent perches such os high wires or television aerials, but at other times when feeding on berries it would naturally be found within the leafy structure of the bushes. Long Island's only other record for this species is one seen on November 23, 1940, by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Austin at the Coast Guard StatiO'n at Gilgo. This record is in Allan D. Cruickshank's "Bird Around New York City," published in 1942 (Ed — The Scissor-tail is one of several v/estern flycatchers that have appeared along the Atlantic seaboard from time to time during the latter part of the fall migration. This particular occurrence of the Scissor-tail marks at least the third New York State record in the last twenty years. John Elliot cites the 1940 record above. The intervening record was an inland one, at Tomhannock Reservoir near Troy, on November 4, 1956; an account of this record is given in the May, 1957, issue of the Kingbird (Vol. 7, No. 1, p. 14). — John J. Elliott, 3994 Park Avenue, Seaford Long Island. A Ground Nesting of Mourni:ig Doves: .As I was engaged in bird-banding activities in late June, 1957, at the village of Peru, I located a Mourning Dove's nest on a hummock of saw grass in a small swamp. The swamp was the result of the impoundment of the waters of the Little Ausable River just above the Mason saw mill. The body of water extends upstream about one-half mile and comprises about twenty acres. As silt and debris gradually accumulated, an extensive bog began to grow on the northwest portion of the upper pond. In time the bog became covered with grasses, and eventually alders, pines, larch or tamarack, and several other species of trees became established. At the time of discovery of the nest, the average height of the trees was about fifteen to eighteen feet. Inasmuch as Mourning Doves had many times in the past used these tree branches, especially those of the larch, as nesting sites, it was with some surprise that I came across the ground nesting. Only a few yards away stood an adequate 166 The Kingbird larch with an old nest amid its upper branches. My first thought was that perhaps the young had been blown from the nest to the ground and hod been established there by the parents, but, and this does not preclude that the above did not happen, there was quite evidently an attempt at construction of a rudimentary nest of coarse twigs, such as is typical of the species. The nest contained two downy young, about three weeks old as judged by the development of the wing and breast feathers. Pictures were taken to authenticate the occasion. The parents were in evidence while 1 was at the nest site, but they would not come to feed the young while I was in the vicinity. I constructed a blind and hoped to obtain feeding pictures in this manner, but the parent birds were wary of the disturbance in their natural surroundings. A Black Duck's nest was located about ten yards away. The alertness of the old mother duck made it impossible to proceed to the Mourning Dove's nest without the parent bird taking flight, even in inclement weather. I banded and weighed the young. The larger of the two weighed four ounces, the smaller three ounces; three days later both weighed four and a half ounces. As I kept watch on the nest in the several days following, I chose a different approach path each time in order to not attract predators. The hummock on which the nest was situated was surrounded by water about a foot deep; the hummock itself was some five feet across by three feet in length. A few black alder grew upon the same hummock, to a height of about five feet. These provided some canopy and protection from the sun. When I viewed the nest at the end of the second week in July, I found it to be empty. In looking about the area I noted two adults and one young bird perched on transmission wires about a quarter mile from the nesting site. The band on the leg of the young was plainly discernible through the binoculars; it was then justifi¬ ably assumed to be one of the two mentioned above inasmuch as there were no other banders in the immediate area. The trio was seen several times at later dates, sometimes in company with others. I did not see the second young bird after it had left the nest. In June, 1958 I went again to the area to see whether the old pair would re¬ turn to the same site. A pair of adults was seen on the wires nearby, and although I combed the area for evidence of a nest, either on the ground or in the trees, none was found. None was found in either 1959 or 1960 although adults were seen regularly. The banded bird was not seen again, and there has been no return information from the Fish and Wildlife Service indicating that a recovery has been made. A ground nesting of the Mourning Dove is a matter of some interest; the great majority of nests, of course, are in trees. In further connection with the Mourning Dove the Fish and Wildlife Service is especially interested in tracing its migratory movements and determining its status as a resident in areas where it is found. Although numbers in this area vary by season and year, the species can be found here the year around. In winter such localities as wind-swept knolls, plowed dirt roads, and bare stream banks are attrac¬ tive to these birds, as are in fact any areas where seeds might have blown and small gravel is available. The gravel is of Importance in the assimilation of food con¬ sumed, much as it is with the gallinaceous birds. The Mourning Dove is a protected species in the North, and it would seem that, the species should be accorded the some protection in southern areas where it is now hunted. As evidenced by literature sent to banders by the Fish and Wildlife Service, this in a declining species. Its status merits the attention of Federation members in seeking nationwide protection of it as a species. — Thomas A. Lesperance, Keeseville. Born Owls in Onondaga County: The Barn Owl is a rare bird in Onondaga County. The most recent nesting was discovered in an abandoned coal silo near Brewerton. When the four birds were found on October 5, 1960, the youngest was estimated to be about three and a half weeks old (its feathers were just poking out of the quills). The primary feathers of the oldest bird, estimated to be about five weeks of age, were well advanced and the down was rubbing off. Assuming a three week incubation period, the egg dates would be approximately August 9 to August 21. The Kingbird 167 There have been only a few Barn Owl records from Onondaga County In recent years. There was a nest with four young in a silo at Warners in 1955, with the egg dates estimated to be June 1 to June 7. On April 18, 1956, on adult Barn Owl was inadvertently caught in a tower at a Syracuse lumber yard. Another nesting with four young was reported at Warners in 1956, with the approximate egg date July 1. In the. summer of 1958 a family of Barn Owls was seen near a deserted brick home near Syracuse. In the winter of 1957-1958 an adult was found dead in a barn near Syracuse; the bird had become squeezed between some bags of grain and was unable to extricate itself. During that same winter a Barn Owl be¬ came covered with oil in downtown Syracuse, was captured, cleaned up, and released (Kingbird, Vol 8, No. 1, p. 22) — Benjamin P. Burtt, 109 Haffenden Road, Syracuse 1 0. Move to Protect Golden Eagle: The Golden Eagle, efficiently decimated by aerial gunning in the southwestern states and to some extent in California, may be coming in for legislative attention in the forthcoming Congress. Whether anything is finally done depends, of course, upon the manifestation of public demand. At any rate, four to five senators are expected to jointly sponsor a bill designed to halt in particular the hunting of these birds from airplanes. There is even a move under¬ way to obtain action by the Canadian government, since it appears quite probable that many of the wintering birds killed in our South come from Canada. A phenomenon of the past fifteen years is that clubs have been organized exclusively around the airplane hunting of eagles. One hunter has become known for his marksmanship, having been credited with 8,000 of these birds. The air¬ plane hunting accounts for 90% of the destruction of these birds, according to John A. Alderman, former member of the Texas Ornithological Society's conserva¬ tion committee and now a New York City businessman (Ed -— see also "Texans Shoot Golden Eagles from Airplanes," National Wildlonds News, July, 1960). Active in mustering support for protection, Mr. Alderman may be reached ot 220 Church Street, Mail Station 144, New York City 13. For those interested, the Federal Government has published an interesting booklet; "The Golden Eagle, Its Economic Status." It is Bulletin No. 27 of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Depart¬ ment of the Interior, Washington, D. C. — Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport, Long Island. Observofions on Diet of Goldfinches: Four reoorts of Goldfinches feeding on beet leaves came to my attention this past summer. While this habit has been observed before, it has by no means been widely publicized. One of the women who made the report to me indicated that she had been planting beets for several years especially for Goldfinches. There were two other reports of Goldfinches feeding on the leaves of Swiss chard. The birds apparently bite small portions from the edges of the leaves. It has been suggested by several, including Sally Hoyt of the Cornell University Labor¬ atory of Ornithology, that the Goldfinches may be satisfying some craving for a salt or other chemical in the leaves. Both beet and Swiss chard leaves are high in calcium, but then too so are many other plants which are apparently untouched. If others have observed this phenomenon or know of any studies that have been made on the subject, I would be happy to hear from them — Benjamin P. Burtt, 109 Haffenden Road, Syracuse 10. Experiences with A Nighthawk: Last September 18 a Common Nighthawk was brought to me by a neighbor, Lou Brown. Mr. Brown, a railroad brakeman, had found the bird sitting on the front of the engine. The Nighthawk did not appear to be injured, but its flight indicated that it was apparently a young bird. Quite a few injured birds are brought to me from time to time (I hold the required licenses for this), but this was the first Nighthawk I had cared for. I immediately called Mrs. Harold Alsdorf, who has had considerable experience in looking after and feeding many species of birds. Looking through her files she came up with a proper diet for the Nighthawk; this had been given to her in turn by a Mrs. Schoonmaker of Washington State. The diet was most interesting, I thought, and the bird looks forward eagerly to each feeding. It includes a jar of strained beef heart, two tablespoons mashed potato, a tablespoon mashed carrot, two teaspoons butter, and four drops Vi Penta vitamins. 168 The Kingbird As oi this writing (November 4) \ still have the Nighthawk. Because of the lateness in the season when the bird was able to fly, I decided to take no chance of its being unable to find sufficient food. — Martha Earl, Farmingdale Road, Blooming Grove. Nocturnal Songsters: Nocturnal singing of birds has been well known and recognized for centuries. I have always been very much interested in this activity and find myself attracted to any such sounds with avid interest. On April 14, 1960, I was spending a night at a motel close by the New York State Thruway at Utica. The spring evening was warm and a gentle rain was falling. While working in my room, I had the window open. Just before retiring for the night at 11:40 P. M., ! was pleased to hear the sweet song of the Song Sparrow coming from a pine tree a short distance from the window. The rain had stopped, and so I stepped outside to better hear this delightful songster. The surrounding grounds of the motel were very well illuminated with brilliant floodlamps which seemed to bathe the area in daylight. Upon investigating further, I was delighted to observe the Sparrow singing atop a pine. From across the grounds another Song Sparrow commenced a competitive lay. I noted that the nearer bird flew about with utter ease and was just as active as if it were broad daylight. On strolling around the rim of the swimming pool, I heard a Robin scolding nearby. Modern, bright floodlighting may become an important factor in bird life in this twentieth century. Poultry farmers have known tor some time that chickens can be forced into greater productivity by the use of controlled electric lighting in the coops. One wonders what the long-range effect can and will be on modern day wild birds that choose to nest in proximity to man. We already know only too well that TV towers, radar installations, and airport ceilometers reap their tool. Might not increased activity of individuals increase the number and success of broods and allow a higher ratio of young per year? Winston W. Brockner, 63 Ardmore Place, Buffalo 13. Jamaica Bay Sanctuary Ducks: In early August, 1960, forty-eight young Red¬ heads, five weeks old, were released at Jamaica Bay Sanctuary as part of a large- scale attempt to propogate this species which is down so in numbers. The ducklings were released in the west pond, all having survived the trip down- state, and they jauntily swam off, glad to be restored to their natural element. The birds were brought to the sanctuary on the theory that they will return the follow¬ ing year to the place where they learned to fly. It is hoped that they will come back in the spring to nest. At any rate they are assured of a good food supply. The four prolific crops available are; widgeon grass, three-square, musk grass, and duck weed. To prove the value of a good available food supply together with shelter and protection, ducks nesting at Jamaica Bay Sonctuary this past summer included the Gadwell, Blue-winged Teal, Shoveller, and Ruddy. Common Gallinules and Coots also bred. Nesting Redheads would make an attractive addition. While on the subject of ducks, I might mention an observation among Black Ducks of their taking in cold weather a food item not usually associated with their diet. Along the west pond's sandy upper stretches grow a fair number of sturdy rose bushes. These are abundantly loaded, late in the season, with large seed pods (or hips). Occasionally the Black Ducks would climb the slopes, reach up and fed upon the lower hips until their crops were full. I have seen no other species of duck do this. — Herbert Johnson (as told to John J. Elliott), Jamaica Bay Bird Sanctuary, Park Department, No. Channel Bridge, Broad Channel, Queens. Black Vulture in Columbia County: On October 8, 1960, while turning from Route 9 onto Route 82, my attention was attracted to Bell's Pond which is cupped in the North-east bend of this intersection, about 500 feet from the road. On its surface was a flock of 25 Canada Geese. While watching them I happened to notice a vulture flying to the south, which, because it was not soaring in usual vulture fashion, held my attention. Binoculars gave a beautiful view of a Black Vulture, head and short tail being doubly confirmed by its flight pattern, so entirely different from that of the Turkey Vulture. The bird was in sight for about fifteen minutes, then sailed and flapped in the direction of Lake Taghkanic (Ed. note — E. H. Eaton in Birds in New York speaks of the Black Vulture as a "rare and irregular visitor to the State The Kingbird 169 of New Vork.'' Kenivelh Po^kes New Yofk ?itQte nrtd Thtir in surmmoriiinig inHorrti&rien ort diSfr'ibufiQn OCQuir-ed Sirce EatOn's b*ak wOi published, fouoid J-hia sl-otemc-nl to be ^iill IruC-, with only a few gi^hr rec-orda since rnose listed by Eafon. A few specisfriems takcm irt th^ sfafe ore in museum collections, P'orkes S-Cnstes Ihal ''ofaservers In She worimef fjDi'Is oi the State should be on ihe aJerr fof this species " The loir preceding record wos opparet^tly that cif □ popr in Dofthcss County OP Moy 2, 3 9*60 IKpogbird, Julyj 1960, p. 77). Dne wonders whether ihe present record wOs One of tbose two bifdi). — Mrs. Men^ Thurs-ton, Csnwerack. Rtitf^d Orriuie f'Offns a Scioka; In Oclcber', 1959j. o Ruffed Gro«se was shoE ot Dry HilJ rreor Wot^rEown.. If had eolen o DeKoy's sitoka fStoreria dskayi] ohoui nine' inches long The heod and potf of the body of Iht Snoke were lii the giiciord of I he -grouse, and digfisfian had |uit slorfed. The foil of the snoke w-os in Eht crop of the bird The gizzard yros cut Open lo Show -Hha snake inside, and the snake Gizzhird- af iiuSeei cDtit&inang- Etip.ke. Plioto (jy Cecil Hakni ond giiziord have been preserved in The Science Oeporrment of Cose Junior HJ^h School in Watertown Whfle there are other published records of 0 Grouse having eaten a snoke, fh\s seems ungsuot enough OS 0 food item for Ibis st^ecies to bo wor(h recording again — Frcpnk A. Clinch, 173 Haley Street, Wotertown, An Aibany Airport CeiJofnetei Disaster in V9a4: "Birds ond oirporis don't olwoys mi>c. There hove been more than lust a few coses In ■which smoll land bprds, migfaring -of nigM, hawe been lured tn mosse to Ibsir dejIrucNon by okport ceiSarTTGEBrs. The exact cause of such disostefs is perhaps still o matter cf spGdu- lotioA. Such an occurFenc-e took ploce at the Albany Airport during ri'ie foil mi^fo- tion of 1956, Qj>d olEbough on ■occovnP of thi-s porticulor ep<4oda has been pubU^h-ed eisewbefej mOriy readers mOy rkOt hov* here I of Ore bteri awdre of it. 170 Tb^ KinftbfrtT Haze and clouds developed over the area late on the afternoon of September 15, and there was sporadic misty rain which became increasingly heavy as the night wore on. The cloud ceiling was non-existent or very low at best. The sound of low flying transients over his home in Schenectady attracted Guy Bartlett's attention about 1:30 in the morning. Since migrants had appeared at the Albany Airport in similar weather in the past, he put through a call to the U, S. Weather Bureau there and was informed that birds were indeed present in the ceilometer beam. Guy arrived about an hour later, making one stop en route to pick up some flashlight batteries at an all-night service station. For the next four hours Guy Barlett was a witness to the ceilometer phenomenon. He made an estimate of approximately 500 birds, apparently mainly warblers, passing through the ceilometer beam. Very few were over a hundred feet off the ground. There were birds in low flight also near the terminol building, runways, and parking areas. Quite a few small birds were perched on window sills, guard rails, or low bushes. These birds were apparently uninjured but were unwilling to fly. Well over 200 dead birds were counted in theimmediate vicinity of the ceilometer. In this area there were, in addition, quite a few injured birds that could be readily picked up. Guy collected many of the dead birds (including a dormant Redstart that later recovered) and placed them on newspapers to dry in the trunk of the automobile. About 6:30, a half hour or so after it had become light, the flight of birds had tapered off entirely, although the chips of injured birds were still to be heard near the ceilometer, A thoroughly weary and rain-soaked observer headed homeward, taking with him some 150 dead birds. Upon his return Guy called me up at my home in Scotia to tell me of the airport flight. I drove out a bit later in the morning and picked up about 30 additional dead birds. Much to the delight of my children I olso picked up three injured birds, a Yellow-throated Vireo, a Red-eyed Vireo, and a Tennessee Warbler. The two vtreos died within a day or so, but the Tennessee Warbler survived and prospered and appeared as good as new when finally released. I collected Guy Bartlett's five cardboard trays of dead birds on my way home from the airport, and a day or two later Dr. Allan Benton of the New York State Teachers College at Albany came over to my home to assist in the identification and tabulation of the dead birds which were then turned over to him for his professional use. The following summary lists the dead birds collected or live birds handled: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 2. Swainson's Thrush 15, Gray-cheeked Thrush 1, Yellow- throated Vireo 1, Red-eyed Vireo 17, Black and White Warbler 4, Tennessee Warbler 22, Parula Warbler 1, Magnolia Warbler 34, Cape May Warbler 1, Black-throated Blue Warbler 6, Myrtle Warbler 1, Black-throated Green Warbler 8, Blackburnian Warbler 21., Chestnut-sided Warbler 5, Bay-breasted Warbler 73, Blackpoll Warbler 1, Ovenbird 20, Northern Waterthrush 1, Yellowthroat 21, Wilson's Warbler 4, Canada Warbler 6, Redstart 7, Scarlet Tanager 2, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2. There were, in addition, two unidentified empidonax flycatchers and 34 warblers that were too badly mangled or soaked to be identified with certainty. This total includes 313 individuals of at least 25 species. Guy Bartlett informs me that, to his knowledge, no mass mortalities such as described above have occurred at the Albany Airport since September, 1956. It is of interest that four years earlier, in 1952, Guy Barlett had noticed a somewhat similar phenomenon at the Albany Airport. On several dates during the fall migration of that year migrating birds had been "held captive" by the ceilo¬ meter, but there were no apparent fatalities on those occasions — James K. Meritt, 68 Westerly Road, Princeton, New Jersey. The Kingbird 171 highlights of the fall season AUGUST 16 - NOVEMBER 30 James K. Meritt As a reading of the regional summaries which follow will indicate, the fall season of 1960 was one of the most interesting in recent years. By and large the weather was mild, comfortable, and dry, ideal weather in which to be afield. However, there were sufficient breaks in this trend to provide some good landbird flights. The big weather news, of course, was Hurricane Donna. Donna arrived on September 12, lashing Long Island and eastern New York with heavy rains and winds (and some un¬ usual birds). Although the actual eye of the storm passed some miles east of Montauk Point, it was probably difficult to convince Long Island resi¬ dents of that fact. At late October snowfall hit northern areas of the state, and on the last two days of November the northwestern region was hit by a severe pre-season snowstorm. The flight of Ganada Geese could be classified only as poor to average, although good numbers were encountered in the lower Hudson Valley; Snow Geese and Blue Geese were infrequently seen. In this respect this year’s migration was definitely below last year’s standards. The migration of other waterfowl was again discouraging and this year elicited considerable comment on the parts of the several regional editors. The decline in num¬ bers applied particularly to the diving ducks. There were precious few reports of Redheads and Ganvasbacks, both of which were on the protected list this season, and mergansers too were generally scarce. We await with great interest the results of January’s Federation Waterfowl Gount. Of especial note among the individual waterfowl records were several Barrow’s Goldeneyes in Region 6 (see field notes section), a European Widgeon, in Region 5 constituting a first record for that inland area, a Harlequin Duck in Region 2, Gommon Eiders in Regions 1 and 5, and King Eiders in Regions 1, 2, and 5, During the fall migration shorebirds seem to provide more than their quota of interest, and this fall was no exception. The excellent flight observed in Region 5 has been summarized separately by Fritz Scheider, and his report is included elsewhere in this issue. A Ruff seen there on September 15 was a first record for the region, and local observers speculated whether Donna was responsible for the bird’s presence inland. Baird’s Sandpipers were observed in several areas, and the Purple Sandpiper was seen in Regions 2, 5, and 7. The Hudsonian Godwit, one of our more spectacular shorebirds and one of our rarest even though it seems to be in¬ creasing somewhat in numbers, was reported from Region 5 and 9 as well as on Long Island. The Long-billed Dowitcher, now accorded separate species status by the AOU, was found in Regions 2 and 5. No less than six Red Phalaropes were noted in Region 2, and others were seen in Region 1 and 5. The Northern Phalarope was reported from five of the ten re¬ porting regions, the Wilson’s from two. Most areas mentioned several good warbler flights, something sadly lacking in the 1959 southbound migration. The peak flight appeared to be the one of September 18-19. The relatively mild weather that prevailed during the latter part of the period possibly accounted for several late records. 172 The Kingbird notably a Yellow-throated Warbler seen in November at a feeder in Region 3, a Parula Warbler seen on November 25 in Region 2, and, perhaps most amazing of all, a Blue-winged Warbler picked up dead in Region 1 on November 30. Also among the late landbirds was a Ruby-throated Hum¬ mingbird at Rochester on October 26, The late September and October sparrow flights appeared to be very good. It was quite evident by November 30 that a big Snowy Owl year was on. These birds were observed in all reporting areas except Region 4 and 9, and most areas had at least several birds. An estimated 19 individuals were present in Region 5. Another northerner which is infrequently recorded in flight numbers is the Red Crossbill, but the widespread reports listed in the regional summaries indicate a big winter for these birds too. There were few White-winged Crossbill reports. Evening Grosbeaks, which had been so common the past few winters, were few and far between, and Common Redpolls, certainly the dominant bird of last year's northern finch flight, were virtually unrecorded, as were Pine Grosbeaks. Red-breasted Nut¬ hatches were scarce in most areas. There were indications that Northern Shrikes might be quite generally disturbed during the winter. Pine Siskins put in a very good showing, again a contrast to the fall of 1959. Snow Buntings were recorded in good numbers, as they were in 1959, and the number of Rough-legged Hawk reports in northern and central counties indicated another good year for those birds. Black-backed Three-toed Wood¬ peckers were observed in four regions, in some cases quite early, and this could possibly indicate a good winter flight. While it would appear doubtful that we would have one approaching the heavy influx of 1956-57, it could happen. All in all, a most interesting winter appears to be in store. There were no reports of Boreal Chickadees during the fall. And now to Hurricane Donna. Of the twelve varieties of terns ever reported on Long Island, ten were observed with the passing of the big storm. Those with an exclusive southern flavor included Sooty, Royal, Gull-billed, Caspian, and Sandwich; all five were recorded in unprecedented numbers. The Noddy Tern, which has yet to be recorded in New York State, didn't quite make it. There were two sight records for this bird in New Jersey immediately after Donna, an apparent first record for that state. A. Magnificent Frigate-Bird was seen at Babylon on Long Island's south shore, and the presence of a Gray Kingbird at Westhampton Beach on Sep¬ tember 18 could also certainly be attributed to Donna. John Elliott's Region 10 summary gives a fine account of some memorable days for Long Island birders. Among our western wanderers was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Novem¬ ber on Long Island (see field notes section). While the Western Kingbird is quite regularly seen in fall along the coast, inland records from Regions 1 and 3 are of more than passing interest. The Dickcissel was reported as a November feeder visitor in Region 2 and 5, and there were other reports from Regions 8, 9, and on Long Island. Several Lark Sparrows and a Clay- colored Sparrow were also seen on Long Island. Other individual records of interest include an unprecedented three Eared Grebes in the Buffalo area, the Little Gull in Regions 1 and 2, the Franklin’s Gull in Region 1, the Sabine’s Gull in Regions 1 and 10, and the Kittiwake in Region 2, A Gannet was observed in Region 9 in early The Kingbird 173 October. Southerners reported included a Summer Tanager and several Blue Grosbeaks on Long Island and a Black Vulture in Region 8, all in October. There were no fall observations of Cattle Egrets away from Long Island. REGION 1—NIAGARA FRONTIER Richard C. Rosche Generally mild and pleasant conditions dominated the weather picture during the period. Average temperatures were slightly above normal and precipitation, except for the early part of the period, was below. The most noteworthy weather event. Hurricane Donna, had no appreciable effect on western New York. The first general snowfall occurred on October 24, with a fall of several inches being reported in some southern tier areas. November was very mild until the lost two days of the month. It was then that the winter season began. Snow accumulations of over two feet were reported in areas to the north of Buffalo; lesser amounts occurred in the southern tier. Passerine movements were generally good, particularly during September, when frequent cold fronts caused favorable conditions for landbirds to move into the area in "waves". However, as in the past few years, the numbers of many, perhaps most, species appeared to be lower than formerly. The most notable influx of small passerines occurred September 17-18. The latter day, with its fog and drizzle, was especially good in most areas but particularly so near or at the tops of the higher ridges in the northern Allegheny Plateau section. September 27-28 were also notable dates, reports of a definite influx of thrushes and first reports of typical early October migrants coming from many areas. In examining the records below, another period, October 21-22, appears parti¬ cularly outstanding. The most severe cold of the season up to that time and the first killing frost in many localities occurred. Coinciding with this, was the first noticeable influx of diving ducks and scoters, and the first reports of many winter resident species, i.e. Rough-legged Hawk, Pine Siskin, crossbills, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting. Extreme drought conditions prevailed in many localities. Several observers noted more than the usual number of small landbirds coming to watering trays and lawn sprinklers. Concentrations of landbirds near small inland ponds and lakes appeared greater than usual. Water levels at many of these same ponds, lakes and resevoirs were extremely low, thus resulting in a greater number of shorebird reports than in most years from areas away from the Great Lakes. However, for the same reason many usual resting places for migrant waterfowl during October and November were rendered unsuitable, perhaps the reason for the apparent scarcity of surface feeding ducks and some divers. Observations of greatest interest include: Eared Grebe, Common Eider, Golden Eagle, Willet, Red Phalarope, Sabine's Gull, Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo and an extremely late Blue-winged Warbler. Loons — Ducks: Common Loons were well distributed throughout the area during October and November, probably indicating a good flight. A maximum of 70 was counted on Lake Ontario between Shadigee and Fort Niagara Nov 27 (Axtells). Three Red-throated Loons Nov 20 near Shadigee was the only report (Axtells). A single Red-necked Grebe observed Oct 16 on the Niagara River at Buffalo was the only report (Schaffner). During mid October, Horned Grebes were seen on Lake Erie in unusually large numbers for so early in the autumn. In suitable inland locations they reached normal maximums during the first two weeks of No¬ vember. The number of Eared Grebe reports was unprecedented. Normally one bird during a season is considered unusual. One was observed well Oct 21 on Lake Erie at Hamburg Town Park (Bourne); another occurred Nov 5 on the west branch of the Niagara River (Thompson et al),and one was studied carefully Nov 20 on Lake Ontario at Shadigee (Axtells). The only Double-crested Cormorants reported were two birds on Lake Ontario near Kuckville Oct 21 (Clark). Common Egrets continued to be scarce during late summer, the latest record being for Sep 5 near Mayville 174 The Kingbird (Rew). One Black-crowned Night Heron in Buffalo Oct 1 was the only report (Wendlings et al). A male Mute Swan, one of a group of about six which occurred during April at Paradise Lake neor Chaffee, remained there until at least Nov 24. All available evidence indicates that this was a feral bird (Rosche et al). Observers at Chautauqua Lake counted 16 Whistling Swans Nov 19 (Bohall et al) and 34 Nov 20 (Rew et al). The only other report was of one immature ot Paradise Lake Nov 24 (Rosche et al). The goose flight was disappointing to many observers, espeially after those of a year ago. Early Canada Geese were reported Sep 1 9 near Hamburg (Bourne). Many observers reported flocks flying over Sep 30 - Oct 1. Reports during the remainder of October and November were spotty. Maximum count at Oak Orchard Refuge was 800-1000 Oct 12 (Heilborns). A flock of 20 Brant flying eastward over Lake Ontario at Point Breeze Oct 16 was the only report (Axtells). Blue or Snow Geese were not reported. Dabbling ducks, in general, appeared to be somewhat less abundant than in most years. This was especially true with Pintail, Blue-winged Teal and American Widgeon. However, Black and Wood Ducks were more numerous than usual, perhaps a reflection of a successful nesting season. At a small beaver pond near North Java, 181 Wood Duck were counted as they flew in to roost Sep 1. There were about 150 birds there Sep 25 (Rosche et al). Four were last observed Nov 5 on Grand Island, a rather early date for a mild November (Klabundes). A single Gadwell was observed Nov 3-5 at Grand Island (Klabundes et al). This was the only report. The Shoveler was not reported. Toward the end of the period there was a large concentration of dabblers, especially Pintail and American Widgeon, at Burntship Creek near the North Grand Island Bridge. The first Ring-necked Ducks appeared Oct 6 at Grand Island (Brownstein). Small numbers were present on certain inland ponds during October. Noteworthy was a group of 45 at Chautauqua Lake Nov 20 (Rew et al). Other diving ducks appeared in good numbers beginning Oct 21-22. Redheads and Canvasbacks seemed to be rather scarce, but comparisons with former years cannot be made until the hunting season is over and the birds move into more accessible observation areas from the Great Lakes. One King Eider was recorded Nov 27 on Lake Ontario near Lakeside Park (Axtells). Outstanding was an immature female Common Eider present in the gorge at Niagara Falls Sep 25-29 (Axtells et al). The bird was collected and is now in the Buffalo Museum of Science. The scoter flight beginning about Oct 21-22 was good, although not as extensive as those of a year ago. Ruddy Ducks were definitely more scarce than normally. For the first time in 15 years, none were recorded on the annual October Bird Count conducted by the Buffalo Ornithological Society. The only reports came from Attica Resevoir where one to nine were observed periodically Sep 29 — Nov 12 (Rosche et al) and from the mouth of the Niagara River where one was noted Nov 28 (Brownstein). Howks — Owls: The Turkey Vulture was last noted Nov 12 near Batavia (Buckland). One Goshawk was observed under excellent conditions Oct 8 at Chestnut Ridge Park (Bourne). A notable concentration of 14 Red-tailed Hawks was counted Nov 26 on Grand Island (Axtells). The Red-shouldered Hawk appeared to be less abundant than in most years. The only Broad-winged Hawk reported occurred Sep 20 near Cassadoga (Knott et al). Beginning about Oct 21- 22 with the first notable movement of diving ducks,. Rough-legged Hawks appeared in good numbers, especially on the Lake Ontario plain. On Nov 24, 17 were counted between Bosom and Youngstown (Schaffner et al). Seven were observed Nov 26 on Grand Island (Axtells). Like last winter, a number were reported from the higher hill areas of the Allegheny Plateau. The Bald Eagle continues to be a difficult bird to find in this region. Only one, an inimature, was observed near New Oregon Sep 26 (Bourne). An immature Golden Eagle was satisfactorily studied Sep 17 near Langford (Bourne). Many observers noted □ marked increase in Marsh Hawks during the period. Most birds observed were either females or immotures. Perhaps, with a successful nesting season this year, this bird is staging a comeback from its low population ebb of the past two years. On the other hand. Ospreys appeared to be less abundant than usual, there being only four reports of single birds for the region. Single Pigeon Hawks were observed Sep 18 at Chautauqua Lake (Anderson et al), Oct. 1 at Buffalo (Wendlings et al) and Oct 1 at Attica Resevoir (Rosche et al). On the B.O.S. Count Oct 16, the highest number of Ruffed Grouse in 26 years was reported. A turkey near Farmersviile Station Oct 13 represents a new station for this species previously The Kingbird 175 unknown to local field observers (McShane rep. Bourne). The three day open season in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties this year accounted for a lower kill than in 1959 although the hunting pressure was obout equal both years. Rail reports were few. Large numbers of immoture Common Gallinules in many marshes during September and early October, indicated a very successful nesting season. This is another bird greatly benefited by wildlife marsh and farm pond construction. The American Coot was generally scarce, like last year, except for sev¬ eral notable concentrations at Chautauqua Lake. On Oct. 16, 157 were seen there (Jamestown Audubon Society), Oct 20, 2000 (Mitchell et al), and Nov 20, 1800 (Rew et al). Semipalmated Plovers were regularly noted at Chautauqua Lake as well as from several other inland areas. The last occurred Sep 27 at Hamburg Town Parke (Bourne). The Killdeer continued to be more scarce than usual. The lowest number since 1955 was counted Oct 16 (B.O.S. Count). They re¬ mained in suitable inland areas much later than usual, the last being reported Nov 27 at Wethersfield Springs (Rosche et al). For the second consecutive year there was little or no available habitat on Grand island to attract numbers of Golden Plover. Other than the north shore of Lake Erie where they have been more numerous in the past two years than formerly, the only reports came from Bird Island, Buffalo where 15 were observed Sep 23 (Clark) and Squaw Island, Buffalo where one occurred Oct 8 (Filer). The earliest Black-bellied Plover occurred Aug 19 at Prendergast Point (Kibler et al). Six at Mayville Oct 22 constituted the maximum count and latest record for the region (Mitchell et oi). Latest dates for resident shorebirds: American Woodcock, Oct 23; Common Snipe, Nov 27; Upland Plover, Sep 1; Spotted Sandpiper, Sep 27. Records of most interest and extreme dates for migrant shorebirds follow. Whimbrel: not reported. Solitary Sandpiper; latest Sep 26. Willet; one at Bird Island, Buffalo Aug 30 and Sep 3 (Clark). Greater Yellowlegs: latest Nov 15. Lesser Yellowlegs; latest Nov 2 near Langford (Bourne). Knot: single birds Aug 22 at Sheldonhall (Lenna et al), Sep 18 at Dunkirk (Knott) and Oct 4 at Hamburg Town Park (Bourne). Pectoral Sandpiper: latest Oct 29. White-rumped Sandpiper: one Oct 28 near Langford (Bourne). Baird's Sandpiper: one to three Aug 22-Sep 5 at Prendergast Point (Lenna et ai), and two at Bird Island, Buffalo Aug 26 (Schaffner). Least Sand¬ piper: latest Oct 2. Dunlin: earliest Sep 19, latest Nov 26. Short-billed Dowitcher: two Aug 25 at Bemus Point (Lenna et al). Stilt Sandpiper: one Sep 17-18 at Bemus Point (Anderson) and one Oct 1 near East Eden (Bourne). Semi¬ palmated Sandpiper; latest Sep. 15. Western Sandpiper: one Aug 22-24 at Prendergast Point (Lenna) and two Aug 26 at Bird Island, Buffalo (Schaffner). Sanderling: eight to ten Sep 10-18 at Chautauqua Lake (Pillsbury et al); latest Nov 10. One Red Phalarope was observed carefully at Athol Springs Nov 12 (Bourne). Gull populations on the Niogara River during November did not reach the extremes which occurred there a year ago. Actually counting gulls when¬ ever possible Nov 20, about the peak of the flight. Dr. Harold Axtell reported the following for the entire Niagara River: Herring Gull, 6000; Ring-billed Gull, 120; Bonapart's Gull, 6500. On Oct 16 the Ring-billed Gull count was the lowest since 1954 and the Herring Gull count the lowest since 1942 (B.O.S. Count). The Glaucous Gull was first reported Nov 20 at Niagara Falls (Axtells). Iceland Gulls were not reported. The Franklin's Gull was first reported from the Niagara River at Buffalo Aug 26 (Schaffner). From one to three immatures were seen there through mid September. One was present in the gorge at Niagara Falls Sep 20 — Nov 13. Records of this species from the south shore of Lake Erie are few, hence one observed Oct 16 near Angola is noteworthy (Bourne). Most interesting was a Sabine's Gull observed excellently under satisfactory conditions Nov 14 in Buffalo's South Harbor (Bourne), A single Little Gull was observed on the Niagara River at Buffalo Sep 12-27 (Mitchell et al). None were reported during October. One to two were noted during November on the Lower Niagara River by several observers and one was noted Nov 3, 5 and 10 on Lake Erie near Hamburg (Bourne). Noteworthy were two Forster's Terns which were regularly seen at Delaware Park Lake, Buffalo Sep 3-7 (Schaffner et al). Two others were last reported Oct 26 from the Niagara River at Buffalo (Clark). One Common Tern was still present on the Niagara River Nov 20 (Mitchell et al). Maximum count of Black Terns on the Niagara River in the vicinity of the Peace Bridge was 3000 on Aug 20 (Schaffner et al). Mourning Doves appeared to be down in numbers. A nest containing two young Sep 20 in suburban Buffalo is an interest- 176 The Kingbird ing late nesting date (Christensen). One flock, estimated at 140 birds, wds noted Oct 1 at Grand Island (Seeber et al). Two Barn Owls were still present at the Brocton nesting site Sep 16 (Brownstein et qI). Five young were successfully reared and banded at a nest near Hamburg (Bourne et al). Single individuals were noted Nov 20 at Youngstown Cemetery (Mitchell et al) and Nov 26 at Wilson (Brownstein). The number of Snowy Owls reported gives some indication thot this may be a peak year. First appearing during the lost few days of October, there were several still present in the immediate vicinity of Buffalo at the end of the period. Four Short-eared Owls were observed Nov 27 at Grand Island (Axtells et al) and a single Saw-Whet Owl was found Nov 18 at Alden (Brownstein et al). Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Whip-poor-will reports were few. Notable move¬ ments of Common Nighthawks occurred over suburban Buffalo Aug 27 when 67 were counted and Sep 24 when 94 passed over (Brownstein). On Sep 23, about 500 Chimney Swifts were noted in the air at the Jamestown Bird Roost (Beal). One was lost reported Oct 6 at Buffalo (Clark). One Red-bellied Woodpecker was re¬ ported Sep 24 and Oct 16 near Batavia (Buckland). Red-headed Woodpeckers appeared to have fared rather well during the i960 nesting season, there being an encouraging number of reports of migrant individuals during early September. Several observers stated that they had seen more of these birds this September than they hod in the same month for the past four or five years. Outstanding was the finding of a Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker Oct 9 on Grand Island (Mitchell et al). This is the earliest known foil date for the region. The Eastern Kingbird flight was excellent during late August and early September. A maxi¬ mum count of 94 was reported Aug 21 in the Oak Orchard Refuge area (Brock- ner). A rather late individual was noted Sep 24 near Warsaw (Rosche et al). One Western Kingbird, the first record for this region, was studied carefully and all field marks noted Sep 9 near Chaffee (Rosche et al). Many observers commented again on the general scarcity of Eastern Phoebes. Fewer were re¬ ported on the Oct 16 Count than in any other year since 1949. A late Yellow- bellied Flycatcher was noted Sep 27 at Buffalo (Brownstein). Olive-sided Fly¬ catchers seemed to be more scarce than in most years, there being only three reports for the migration. Horned Larks were less numerous than usual. Two Horned Larks (E. a. olpestris) observed Nov 6 near Bliss was the only report (Rosche et al). A roost in the city of Jamestown used primarily by Purple Martins since 1956 attracted much attention from field observers, near and far, this year. The following are estimates of martin populations at the roost: Aug 29 — 100,000; Aug 30 — 50,000; Sep 2 — 75,000; Sep 9 — 30,000; Sep 14 — 15,000; Sep 18 •— 5,000; Sep 23 — 200; Sep 30 - 1 (Beal). The Tufted Titmouse did not appeor to expand its range in the region during the period from the reports on hand. Red-breasted Nuthatches were widely scattered throughout the region in moderate numbers, the first migrant appearing Sep 5 at Niagara Falls (Heilborn). A single Carolina Wren Nov 26 and Nov 28 at Wilson represents the only locality from which this species has not been regularly reported in the past. One Short-billed Marsh Wren was observed Oct 16 near Angola (Bourne). The first Mockingbird reported since June was discovered Nov 3 in a residential area in suburban Buffalo. It was observed periodically through the end of the period (Dietrich). Another was noted Nov 19 at Wethersfield Springs (Rosche). In general, the thrush migration was excellent. Unusually late dates were reported for three species. A single Wood Thrush was observed Oct 16 in the Batavia area (B. O. S, Count). Two Swainson's Thrushes were reported Oct 20 from Grand Island (Freitcg) and another was reported Oct 29 (Brockner). A late Veery was studied carefully Sep 26 at Lewiston (Klabunde). Peak numbers of Swainson's and Graycheeked Thrushes occurred Sep 17-18 and Sep 27-30. Many observers continued to express concern over the Eastern Bluebird, while others had the impression that migrant flocks during September and October were larger and more frequent than in the past two years. Many flocks contained o high percentage of juveniles. Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Water Pipits appeared to be down in numbers compared with most years. On the other hand. Cedar Wax- wings, were more numerous, there being many flocks present through the end of the period. Northern Shrikes were generally scarce after the first one was noted Oct 30 at Oak Orchard (North). There were only four reports for November. A Loggerhead Shrike was noted Aug 21 near Albion (Brockner). The Kingbird 177 Vjreos — Warblers: Most interesting wos on excellent observation of a White-eyed Vireo Sep 18 at Youngstown (Klabundes). Several Yellow-throated Vireos occurred during September, the last being for Sep 23 at Hamburg (Bourne). The Solitary Vireo continued to be very scarce. Several of the more active field observers in the region had difficulty in finding even one this year. Philadelphia Vireos seemed to be more common than usual during September, especially in inland areas where they were considered rather rare in past years. A late Warbling Vireo was observed Sep 23 near Attica Center (Rosche). A total of 30 species of warblers were reported during the period. With few exceptions, arrival dates were later and departure dates were earlier than the average dates for the region. Except for good numbers of birds on 'flight days' previously mentioned, the following are the only records of possible interest. A Blue-winged Warbler, rare any time after late August, was picked up dead from a snowbank in Hamburg Nov. 30. The specimen, in excellent condition, is now in the Buffalo Museum of Science (Lillie rep. Bacon and Axtell). Noteworthy was the move¬ ment of Parula Warblers between Sep 12 and 23, the most noticeable influx in the past few years. Late Yellow Warblers were reported Sep 18 from Chestnut Ridge Park (Freitag) and Frewsburg (Anderson et al). A Cerulean Warbler was studied under good conditions Sep 13 at Chestnut Ridge Park (Bourne). There are a few September dates for this species. The same observer studied a Pine Warbler Sep 22 in the same locality. A Louisiana Waterthrush occurred Aug 25 at Mayville (Lenna). Single Connecticut Warblers were observed Sep 17 at Buffalo (Mitchell et al) and Sep 23 at Hamburg (Bourne). Blackbirds—Sparrows: Except for the Red-winged Blackbird, most Icterids appeared to continue their upward trend as noted in past reports. There was a good flight of Bobolinks, maximum number occurring about Aug 2G-25. At the Jamestown roost Oct 1, 100 Rusty Blackbirds were counted as well as about 7000 Red-winged Blackbirds and 600 Brown-headed Cowbirds. Good numbers of meadowlarks. Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds were reported through the end of the period — the mild November undoubtedly the reason. The late October — November flight of winter finches was outstanding. Pine Siskins took the limelight, good numbers being observed throughout the region. Maximum counts occurred Oct 21 when 650 were observed on the Lake Ontario Plain between Wilson and Youngstown and Nov 26 when about 350 were estimated to be in this same area (Brownstein et al). Red Crossbills came next in frequency and abundance. While most were noted on the Lake Ontario Plain, a number of reports came from scattered inland localities. Maximum count occurred Nov 26 when 36 were observed between Wilson and Youngstown (Brownstein et al). < White-winged Crossbills were less numerous. Three were reported Oct 21 at Point Breeze, Orleans County (Brownstein et a!), four Oct 27 on the Lake Ontario Plain (Wendlings et al) and nine on Nov '7 at Chestnut Ridge Park (Bourne). Common Redpolls were scarce with four near New Oregon Nov 2 (Bourne) and nine near (Orangeville Nov 27 (Rosche et al) being the only reports. Purple Finches were somewhat more common and widespread also. Fifteen on Grand Island Oct 13 (Clark) and seven in the same area Nov 26 (Axtells) were the most noteworthy reports. There were no Pine or Evening Grosbeaks reported through the end of the period. The number of late Grasshopper Sparrows was noteworthy. One was observed well Sep 18 near Bennington Center (Rosche et al) and one to two were studied Sep 24, 26 and 29 at Elmo (Coggeshall). The Sharp-tailed Sparrow was not reported this year. A late Chipping Sparrow was observed Nov 1 1 at Buffalo (Nathan et al). White-crowned Sparrows appeared to be more common than usual during mid October. One observed Nov 5 at Orangeville was the latest record (Rosche et al). Fox Sparrow was less common than usual. An early Lincoln's Sparrow was observed Sep 1 1 at Lewiston (Klabundes). In northwestern Wyoming County, unprecedented numbers of this species were observed Sep 18 - Oct 1 (Rosche). On the Lake Ontario Plain between Point Breeze and Kuckville, 54 Lapland Longspurs were counted Oct 21 (Brownstein et al). Two birds in this same area Nov 13 were the only others reported (Axtells). The flight of Snow Buntings was less impressive that that of last year, but nevertheless somewhat better than average. Ten were first observed Oct 21 at Point Breeze, Orleans County (Brownstein). Flocks of up to 350 individuals were reported from widely scattered localities through November. 48 Dartmouth Avenue, Buffalo 15 178 The Kingbird REGION 2 —GENESEE Howard S. Miller Temperatures were about normal during the last half of August. Early Septem¬ ber brought the year's two hottest days, with readings of 95° and 92° on Sep¬ tember 8 and 9 respectively. The rest of the month and the first three weeks of October were about normal, but the last week of October brought below normal temperatures and snow. November was mild with several readings in the sixties scattered through the month. The whole period was drier than usual, with Septem¬ ber and November both being extremely dry. An early snowfall of one and a half inches was recorded at Rochester on October 24-25 with up to six inches being recorded in higher areas to the south. November brought less than three inches total snowfall to the Rochester area, although the extreme western part of the region received heavy snow during the last week of the period. Outstanding birds for the period included the Harlequin Duck, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Little Gull, and Black-legged Kittiwake. The Brant flight was fair in the Rochester area and apparently heavier near Sodus Bay. Canada Geese went through in good numbers but did not remain on Lake Ontario in large numbers as in some previous years. The shorebird flight was about normal except that Knots and White-rumped Sandpipers were rather scarce. The Whimbrel was unrecorded for the whole year. Six Red Phalaropes on November 13 was un¬ precedented. Forster's Terns were rather scarce. Snowy Owls, Northern Shrikes, and Red Crossbills were generally distributed. Pine Siskins were common. Evening Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, and White-winged Crossbills were scarce, and Pine Grosbeaks were unreported. Loons—-Ducks: Two hundred fifty Common Loons at Webster Park Nov 19 (Lloyd et al) and 200 Red-throated Loons at Hamlin Park Nov 1 1 (Kemnitzer et al) were the high counts for these species. Three Red-necked Grebes seen Oct 8 on Lake Ontario (G. O. S. boat trip) were the only ones recorded. A Double- crested Cormorant was noted west of Hamlin Beach on Oct 20 (Listman); this was the only period report for this species. A Green Heron near Silver Lake Oct 13 (Rosche) and one at Durand-Eastman Park on Oct 30 (Foley et al) represent late dates. A Black-crowned Night Heron was seen at Braddock's up to Oct 31 (Listman), and an American Bittern was seen in the same area on Nov 10 (Listman). No Whistling Swans, Snow Geese, or Blue Geese were observed. Five hundred Brant seen along the west lakeshore on Oct 20 (Listman) was the high count for the Rochester area although hunters reported "thousands" in the Sodus Bay area in late October and early November. Numbers were shot. Twenty-five were seen off Durand-Eastman Park Nov 20 (G.O.S. hike). Eight Gadwall were seen in Perry on Nov 5 (Rosche), and two were still present Nov 27. Some 1000 Pintail were seen along the west lakeshore Oct 20 (Listman), and three were in Perry Nov 19 (Rosche). Fifty Green-winged Teal were observed at Hamlin Beach Park Oct 29 (O'Hara, Miller), and three American Widgeon were seen near Perry Center on Nov 27 (Rosche). Two hundred Wood Ducks were at Mendon Ponds on Sep 10 (Planonsky, Starling), and 29 were at Perry on Oct 29 (Rosche). The only report for the Redhead for the period was a single bird seen near Silver Lake Sep 10 (Rosche); the early date raises the question as to whether this was a released bird. Ring-necked Ducks were unreported in the Rochester area, but they were reported from the Castile area. Silver Lake, and Lake LaGrange on dates from Oct 1 to Nov 12 with a maximum of 22 near Castile Nov 5 (Rosche). The only report of Canvasbacks was of two birds at Manitou on Oct 29 (Carlson, Tetlow). One thousand Greater Scaup were seen along the east lakeshore Nov 19 (Lloyd et al), and 300 Bufflehead were seen migrating past Hamlin Beach Nov 27 (Dobson). A Harlequin Duck was observed at Webster Park Nov 6 (Kemnitzer). Two King Eiders were there on Nov 13 (Kemnitzer, Lloyd), and one bird was seen frequently east of Sea Breeze during the rest of the month. Seventy White-winged Scoters were noted Oct 8 on Lake Ontario (G.O.S. boat trip), 200 were seen Oct 22 at Hamlin Beach Park (Dobson et al), and smaller numbers were seen the remainder of the period along the lake. There was a Surf Scoter at Hamlin Beach Park on Oct 22 (G.O.S. boat trip). Four others were seen near Sea Breeze Nov 20 (McNetts, Sunderlin), and two were observed along the .east lakeshore The Kingbird 179 Nov ^5 (Foster, Tetlow). Ten Common Scoters were noted west of Durond-Eost- man Park Nov 6 (Foley et ol). The Ruddy Duck was seen at Silver Lake from Oct 13 to Nov 27 with a maximum of seven on Nov 5 (Rosche). An early Hooded Merganser was at Perry on Aug 28. This species was at Castile from Oct 13 to Nov 27 with a maximum of 70 there on Nov 19 (Rosche). Ten thousand Red-breasted Mergansers seen along the west lakeshore Nov 5 (Listman) is a high count even for this species. Hawks — Owls: A Turkey Vulture was seen Oct 18 west of Hamlin, where it does not breed (Listman). No Goshawks were reported. Occasional single- shinned and Cooper's Hawks ware noted throughout the area. Five Red-tailed Hawks were seen near Mendon Ponds on Nov 13 (Foster et al). This species was scarce along the lakeshore this fall. Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks were scarce or unreported. The first fall Rough-legged Hawk was noted near Webster Oct 16 (Lloyd), and four were seen along the west lakeshore Nov 11 (Kemnitzer et al). Inland they were more common, with eleven being reported at Letchworth Park in a day (J. Brown). No Bald Eagles or Peregrine Falcons were observed. Last year the latter species was seen several times; this year there was but one report in May. A very late Pigeon Hawk seen Nov 6 in Webster harrying a large flock of Mourning Doves (Kemnitzer) was only the second report this year of this species. There were two Ruffed Grouse at Chimney Bluffs on Nov 25 (Foster, Tetlow), and a Bobwhite was seen near the north end of Silver Lake Aug 21 (Rosche). A Common Gallinule was present at Irondequoit Bay from Nov 19-30 (Kemnitzer). An adult American Coot with three young was observed at Broddock's Bay Aug 21 (Foster et al), and 100 were seen at Conesus Lake Nov 27 (Listman). Seven Golden Plover were seen in Penfield Sep 4-5; 17 were noted west of Manitou on Sep 17 (B. Brown et ql), and 60 were at Manitou on Oct 1 (Starling et al). They decreased rapidly after this, but seven were noted at Shore Acres Oct 15 (Peters, Listman). Black-bellied Plover records included 30 west of Manitou Sep 17 (Starling et qI), 40 at Manitou Oct 1 (Listman et al), 30 along the west lakeshore Oct 8 (Lloyd), and one at Sea Breeze on Nov 19 (Kemnitzer). Twelve Upland Plover were seen west of Manitou Aug 20 (Starling et al). Late single Solitary Sandpipers were at Shore Acres on Oct 2 (G.O.S. hike) and in Pen- field on Oct 13 (Munson). The 30 Greater Yellowlegs noted along the west lakeshore Sep 23 (Foster et al) was the high fall count for this species. Two late birds were seen at Salmon Creek Nov 26 (Starling et al). Forty Lesser Yellow- legs at Manitou on Aug 20 (Miller et al) was the season's high count on this species. Two Knots were observed Sep 3 at Manitou (Starling et al); the few other records for this species were all sing'e birds. A lone Purple Sandpiper was seen at Manitou on Nov 6 (Foley et al), Nov 11 (Kemnitzer et al), and Nov 15 (Listman). Single White-rumped Sandpipers were seen around Broddock's Bay from Oct 4 (Listman) to Nov 12 (O'Hara et al). Three Baird's Sandpipers observed Sep 3 at Manitou (Starling et ai) was the season's high count for this species as was the 300 Dunlin noted Oct 30 at Shore Acres (Listman). The 175 Short-billed Dowitchers at Manitou Aug 20 (Starling et al) was an unprecedented count for this area. Three Long-billed Dowitchers seen the same day at Broddock's (Listman et al) were carefully identified by appearance and call notes. There were three Stilt Sandpipers at Manitou on Aug 20 (Listman et al). A few well marked Western Sandpipers as well as many more rather questionable specimens were seen around Manitou during late August and early September. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper seen in Webster Sep 4 and 5 (A. and B. Kemnitzer) was our only record for the species this year. This bird is always rare in this area. Six Red Phalaropes were seen Nov 13 on the east lakeshore (Kemnitzer); four were still there the following day, and one was still present at the end of the month. While there are several previous records of this species in our area, these records are all of one bird only. The Northern Phalarope was reported but once this fall, at Manitou on Aug 25 (B. Brown, O'Hara). No white-winged gulls were reported. Three hundred Bonaparte's Gulls were seen at Sea Breeze Nov 20 (Me Nett and Sunderlin). Two Little Gulls were observed at Manitou on Oct 4, and another was seen there Nov 8 (Listman). An adult and an immature Black-legged Kittiwake were seen during a gull flight on Nov 5 at Hamlin Beach Park (Listman). This species was regarded as an "occasional" migrant years ago ini our area, but the present record is only one 180 The Kingbird third in the last twenty years. Listmon has had experience with this bird in its usual oceanic range. Single Forster's Terns were seen around Braddock's Bay from Aug 24 (L. Moon, Sunderlin) to Sep 24 (B. Brown et al). In recent years up to six have been recorded in a day, and they usually remained at least until late October. Forty Common Terns were at Manitou on Sep 17 (Listman); this species was rather uncommon in our area this year. Eleven Caspian Terns were still at Braddock's Sep 21; this species has been more common than usual in our area this year. Some 75 Mourning Doves were seen near Powder Mills Park Nov 13 (Foley et al). The immature Barn Owl which had been hatched in the top of a silo west of Manitou and which had fallen to the bottom when quite young was apparently successfully raised by its parents, as it disappeared when fully fledged shortly after Sep 5. There was no evidence that it had met an untimely end. It was the only bird hatched from the clutch of eggs. A single bird hatched in a cable housing on a canal bridge just south of Rochester was also apparently successfully reared. Two Snowy Owls were seen Nov 1 1 west of Manitou (Listman). From one to two birds were frequently seen along the lakeshore during the rest of the month. Two birds were found injured or wounded near Hamlin Beach State Park and were turhed over to the Seneca Park Zoo. At least three birds were reported perched on downtown buildings, all of which evaded capture. A Short-eared Owl was seen in Greece on Oct 24, and three others were observed Nov 28 in Parma (Listman). cSoaf-suckers—Shrikes: A very late Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen in Rochester on Oct 26 feeding on late garden flowers (O. Shaefer). Seventy-five Yellow-shafted Flickers were noted in Durand-Eastman Park on Oct 1 (Foley). There was a Red-bellied Woodpecker in Perry on Oct 1 (Rosche), and another was seen in Webster on Nov 27 (Lloyd). This location is the only one olong the lake in our area where this bird is found regularly and breeds, although inland it is not uncommon locally. Three Red-headed Woodpeckers were observed near Hilton Sep 3 (Kemnitzer), and one was seen during the last three weeks in November in Walworth (Spencer). Horned Larks were scarce during the last half of the period; frequent trips into suitable areas both along the lake and inland failed to turn up any birds. One hundred Tree Swallows were seen west of Manitou Oct 2 (G.O.S. hike), and two very late individuals were at Salmon Creek on Nov 1 1 (Listman et al). Seven Rough-winged Swallows were at Silver Lake Aug 21 (Rosche), and one was seen at Braddock's Bay Sep 21 (Listman). A very late Barn Swallow was seen at Shore Acres Oct 15 (Listman). Cliff Swallows were scarce in the region, compared to last fall when the peak count was 75. Four were seen at Warsaw Aug 28 (Rosche), and two were at Braddock's Boy Sep 24 (Starling et al) A pair of Tufted Titmice brought young birds to a feeder east of Sea Breeze (McNett, Sunderlin). Five Red-breasted Nuthotches were seen in Letchworth State Park Aug 21, and three were still present Nov 13 (Rosche). Three were observed in Durand-Eastman Park Nov 12 (O'Hara et al). Two Carolina Wrens were seen at the Sunderlin feeder east of Sea Breeze on Nov 19. ■ However, this species is still relatively scarce since the heavy snows of the lost two winters. A Long-billed Marsh Wren was noted at Braddock's Bay Nov 22 (Listman). A Mockingbird was seen just eost of Irondequoit Boy Nov 19( McNett, Sunderlin), and 25 Robins were seen in Durand-Eastman Park on Nov 20 (G.O.S. hike). Four Bluebirds were present Oct 21 along the Monroe-Orleans County Road (Listman); four were seen in Perry Oct 22 (Rosche), and five were noted in Powder Mill Park on Oct 25 (Starling). A pair raised two broods this past season in Webster (McNett). Six Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were observed Aug 23 in Ellison Park (Petsos). Four or five Golden-crowned Kinglets were observed in Letchworth Park Aug 21-27 (Rosche), which probably indicates successful nesting. Thirty- two Water Pipits were seen in Perry on Oct 22 (Rosche), but around Rochester only scattered birds were seen. A Bohemian Waxwing was seen in Durand-Eastman Park in company with about 150 Cedar Waxwings Nov 25-26 (Meade, Lloyd). The first Northern Shrike of the season at Manitou was noted Nov 13 (Listman). Single birds were frequently seen after this, and an immature bird remained in Durand from Oct 29 until Nov. 26. The Kingbird 181 Vireas — Warblers: Single Philadelphia Vireos were seen Sep 10 near Portage- ville (Rosche), Sep 15 on the Pinnacle Hill (Lank), and Oct 2 at Island Cottage (Lloyd). Two Blue-winged Warblers were at Portageville Aug 21 (Rosche), end one was there Aug 27. The Orange-crowned Warbler was not observed in the area this year. A very late Parula Warbler was seen Nov 25 in Webster (Kemnit- zer). Strangely, there are two other late November records for this species. Seven Black-throated Blue Warblers were seen in Durand-Eastman Park Sep 28 (Schmonke), and a late Black-throated Green Warbler was noted Oct 16 at Island Cottage (Lloyd). Pine Warblers and Connecticut Warblers were unreported, but three Hooded Warblers were seen Sep 10 in Letchworth Park (Rosche). Blackbirds'—Sparrows: Two hundred fifty Rusty Blackbirds and 400 Brown¬ headed Cowbirds were seen at Flynn Road Nov 20 (Listman). An Indigo Bunting was seen feeding with Pine Siskins and Goldfinches in a back yard in Irondaquoit Nov 2 (Moon, Sunderlin). A Dickcissel was observed at a feeder in Penfield (Munson). Mrs. Munson had also had one of these birds at her feeder late last fall. Six Evening Grosbeaks seen at Hamlin Beach Park Nov 27 (Dobson) was the only report for the period; this scarcity is in marked contrast to last year. Forty Purple Finches were seen at Island Cottage Oct 31 (Schmanke), and 80 were seen at Webster Park'Nov 13 (Kemnitzer, Listman). Six Common Redpolls were present in Perry Nov 12, ten were seen the following day in Letchworth Park, and 25 were seen in Perry on Nov 19 (Rosche). These constitute the only records for the period. Some 75 Pine Siskins were seen at Hamlin Beach Park Oct 22 (G.O.S. hike), and 750 were seen along the west lakeshore Nov 1 1 (Listman et al). Flocks of up to 100 were common throughout the area. A Red Crossbill was observed Oct 29 in Durand-Eastman Park (Foley). Thirty were seen along the west lakeshore Nov 1 1 (Kemnitzer et al), and small flocks were seen quite generally in the area the remainder of the month. A White-winged Crossbill was noted Oct 30 in Durand-Eastman Park (Foley, Foster, Tetlow), and two were seen there Nov 20 (Lloyd). Five Savannah Sparrows were noted Oct 13 in Perry (Rosche). A Sharp-tailed Sparrow was seen Sep 29 on the east spit of Braddock's Bay (Listman); this was our only record for this elusive sparrow this year. Two Chipping Sparrows were seen at Silver Lake Oct 13 (Rosche). Twenty-five White-crowned and 100 White-throated Sparrows seen Oct 1 along the lakeshore (Miller, Starling) were the high counts for these two species. Five White-throats were seen in Durand-Eastman Park on Nov 26 (O'Hara et al), and five Fox Sparrows were there on Oct 30 (Foley et al). A Lincoln's Sparrow observed at Manitou Sep 26 (Listman) was the only record for the period. Three Lapland Longspurs were seen at Lake Ontario Oct 8 (G.O.S. boat trip), and a very few were seen subsequently along the lakeshore. Seventy-five Snow Buntings were noted Oct 23 at Braddock's Bay (Foster et al). Flocks of 100-300 were frequently seen along the lakeshore during November, and 300 were seen in Perry Nov 19 (Rosche). 54 Luella Street, Rochester 9 REGION 3 — FINGER LAKES Sally F. Hoyt The fall season was excessively dry. In the Ithaca area there was no precipitation to amount to anything except for a total of three inches in mid-September, the fringe of Donna. Farther west there was less. And sadly enough, this didn't bring the expected bonus; there were no shorebirds on the exposed mudflats. As of November 30 there were only two light snows. Temperatures remained moderate during the period, with winds predominately from the south. The fruit crop seemed better than was Indicated earlier, and Cedar Waxwings were everywhere. The outstanding features of the period were the Broad-winged flight at Ithaca September 18-20, the drop in waterfowl numbers, and the early arrival, in numbers, of Rough¬ legged Hawks, Northern Shrikes, Pine Siskins, and Snow Buntings. Indications also pointed to a Snowy Owl and Red Crossbill year. Other highlights included the Mockingbird at Horseheads and a Yellow-throated Warbler in November at Penn Yan. Warbler flights were noted September 19 and 25 at Ithaca and September 19 and 20 at Elmira. Ten days of superb weather from October 5 to 15 grounded 182 The Kingbird migrating sparrows; the fields were full of Song Sparrows, White-throats, White- crowns, and individuals of ether species. Loons — Ducks: Common Loons appeared in the region early — two on Cayuga Lake on Aug 30 (K. Fudge). They were reported regularly and in good numbers all fall (one flock of 200 seen in flight). There were no Red-throated Loons or Red¬ necked Grebes. Horned Grebes seemed unusually common this year, especially at the south end of Cayuga where 10-30 might be seen almost any day in November. The maximum count of Pied-billed Grebes at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge was 71 on Aug 20; this is in contrast with 137 a year ago. There was only one report of the Double-crested Cormorant, a single on Nov 30 (D, G. Allen), Great Blue Herons dropped from 73 in 1 959 to 57 this year. The species seemed to pull out early — the four or five that were seen daily from August through October at Sapsucker Woods pond left in early November, while water was still open. Not more than ten Common Egrets were counted at Montezuma this year — a drop from 41 of last year and 100 a few years ago. We wonder why. The last date was Oct 5. The Black-crowned Night Heron had increased from five to nine this year at Montezuma. Two rather late individuals of this species were seen on Nov 13 at a pond near Sagetewn, Chemung County, at dusk (W. Brown). There were no Whistling Swan reports during the fall. At Montezuma Canada Geese were down to 500 from a count of 1280 last year. However, this year's number is probably more normal, and it was felt that (Sanada Geese went through the region slowly but steadily and over a longer period of time, with no unusual weather conditions to halt them, as was the case last year. Goose hunters found the season very frustrating, as no great rafts or large flocks in fields were spotted. The first date was Sep 30. Geese were abundant around Hornell the first two weeks of October (Groesback). A Brant that came in with a flock of 25 Canada Geese on Oct 23 remained a week at the south end of Seneca, and one that came in with a similar flock on Cayugo on Oct 24 was still present on Nov 30 with 28 Canadas at Stewart Park, Ithaca. There was one immature Brant on the Chemung River at Elmira on Nov 2 ond 3'(K. Fudge). A flock of 19 remained at Montezuma the last week in October. A single Snow Goose spent a week at Montezuma in November, and a flock of 25-30 flew over South Hill, Ithaca, on Nov 28 (Gravelding). This year there were five Blue Geese (four adults and one immature) at Montezuma; there were no other reports. The duck picture was dejecting. I quote the report from John Morse, re Montezuma, to give the picture: “Our peak number of ducks dropped from 26,450 in 1959 to 10,095 this year. All major species were affected. Peak numbers of Mallards dropped from 5,470 to 1,545, Blacks from 2,300 to 500, American Widgeon from 18,945 to 8,000, and Pintail from 6,630 to 510. 1 feel that the decline can only be attributed to a scarcity of birds. Food conditions were similar to a year ago, and water levels on the refuge were more favorable. The same observers conducted our weekly census both years." A few diving ducks were appearing the end of November, and Ward did report 500 Canvasbacks on Cayuga on Nov 5. Morse felt thot the destruction of aquatic plants at Montezuma by carp may have reduced the Connie and Redhead counts there. There was only one scoter report: White-wings on Cayuga on Oct 22 (Sandburg). Sapsucker Woods Pond had its normal count of over 200 Mallards and Blacks all fall and a peak of 100 Wood Ducks. Hawks-—Owls; Turkey Vulture reports have had an amazing upsurge. Marge- son reported the species present all summer near jasper (Steubon County), with a count of ten at once. An immature was shot at Hornell Oct 26 (fide Groesbeck). One was seen north of the Thruway along Preemption Road on Sep 25 (Walker), perhaps one of the Montezuma birds. Another was seen over Havana Glen, near Odessa (Strath). The reported increase in the eostern part of the state thus seems to be spreading westward. There was a Turkey Vulture near Caroline on Nov 28 (Paul Kelsey), A Goshawk was seen over Italy Hills (near Keuka) on Oct 23 by Al Fudge. Cooper's Hawks were uncommon — none were seen all fall near Keuka. One heckled the ducks at Sapsucker Woods quite regularly, and a Sharp- shinned was present there too for q short period. After years of not having hawk flights, and reading with envy of those else¬ where in the state, Ithaca birders happily watched buteos pour across the sky this fail. This may explain why Hornell had none, where they usually do see some, and why Keuka had only one Broad-wing. We don't know where these Broad- The Kingbird 183 wings usually fly/or where they were coming from, but on Sep 18 to 20 almost 1500 were counted over Cayuga Lake and a few miles east of Ithaca. On the 18th the flight of 300-500 was from NE to SW, in about half an hour. On the 19th it was NW to SE, and on the 20th, south. Doug Futuyma counted 615 in a short period over Cayuga Lake on the 20th. Red-shouldered Hawks were migrating just north of Horseheads late on the afternoon of Sep 10 (H. Samson), 15 Redtails went over the Cornell campus on Oct 29 (Sandburg), and 15 Rough- legs were counted on Nov 7 (DGA). Roughlegs hove been present throughout the area since Oct 19 —- it should be a good year for them. The Bald Eagles were over Montezuma all fall ond were observed sitting on the old nest in late Noyem ber. An Osprey at Avoca on Sep 20 was a new fall record for that area (M. Carter). A Peregrine Falcon was seen by several observers along Hickory Grove Road (first found by Van Duzer), and one, possibly the same bird (was seen on Harris Hill on Nov 12 (M. Welles). There was one Pigeon Hawk report, Oct 15 near Ithaca (R, Ficken). Bobwhite (third or fourth generation descendants of northern stock) have been released around Ithaca in some numbers and were being reported at feeders. Spiker saw a dozen near Branchport on Sep 26, but their history is not known. Pheasants were scarce everywhere. Turkeys were reported all fall near Jasper (Margeson). Common Gallinules dropped from a peak of 219 in 1959 to 65 at Montezumo; they were last seen on Oct 1 2. Coot were abundant on Cayuga the end of October, and Ward saw 1000 at the north end on Nov 5. It was an extremely disappointing shorebird season, especially in view of the glowing accounts of these birds to the north of us. In spite of mud flats, a sandpiper or plover was a rare character. Indicative of this was the complete lack of reports of Dunlin at the south end of Cayuga or at Sapsucker Woods pond, where the water level had been purposely lowered this year. Only a few peeps. Pectorals, Yellowlegs, and Snipe used these flats. There were 12 Black-bellied Plover at Montezuma on Oct 26 and again on Nov 2 (Morse). A White-rumped was seen at Horseheads on Aug 24, and there was one at the Hog Hole, Ithaca, on Sep 3 (Gebhart). A Baird's was seen at Horseheads on Aug 24, ond one was noted at the Hog Hole on Sep 9 (Thorp). These two species ore not often recorded. Ten Dunlin stayed at the Penn Yan Marsh through Nov 24 (Guthrie). There were 30 Dowitchers at Montezuma on Oct 5 and four on Oct 19. Two reports of Stilt Sandpiper (also rarely recorded here): one on Aug 24 at Horseheads (C.V.A.S.) and one at Sapsucker Woods Pond on Aug 26. One phalarope report: a Northern swimming merrily in the middle of Coyuga Lake on Sep 2 (PPK). One Jaeger (probably Parasitic) was spotted, on Sep 20 by D. Futuyma. Great Black-backed Gulls reached a rare high of 27 off Stewart Park (Cayuga Lake) by the end of November. The first one came in on Sep 14 (D. Mcliroy). An unusually large flock of Mourning Doves was seen near Reynoldsville in October (Bardeen). There were two reports of Snowy Owls in the Ithaca area by Nov 30. Other reports included one on Oct 25 near Dundee (tide Guthrie), one near Jasper (Margeson), one on Nov 23 on Hall Road, Geneva (Brown), and one Nov 25 near Phelps (Trail). Goatsuckers'—Shrikes: Thirty-four Nighthawks circled for 20 minutes on Aug 28 at the Groesbeck residence in Hornell. The lost Hummingbird reports were Sep 22 at Ithaca (C. Turk) and Sep 26 at Watkins (L. Beardsley). There was no noticeable flight of Flickers this year, although more than usual were seen at Keuka. The pair of Pileated Woodpeckers which nested in Stewart Park, Ithaca, this year (a new location) continued to be seen regularly, and one of this species spent much of the two months in the village of Avoca (Carter). Yellow- bellied Sapsuckers migrated through Ithaca the first week in October. There was one apparently good but unverified report of the Black-backed Three-toed Wood¬ pecker on Connecticut Hill, southwest of Ithaca, in early November (fide Cameron). The observer gave an accurate description of a male Three-toed, and picked it out in Peterson's plate. A Western Kingbird, first seen by Mary Smith and later by many observers, was with a flock of Eastern Kingbirds just east of Horseheads on Rt. 17 from Aug 25-29. A possible earlier report at nearby Breesport a week earlier may have been of the some bird. There was a single report of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 184 The Kingbird Oct 4 in Sapsucker Woods (Hoyt). The Oiive-sided Flycatcher was seen only near Elmira, one by Dillon on Aug 28 and one by Brimmer at Breesport on Sep 20. What appeared to be a chickadee migration was nated Nov 13 at Mt. Zoar (W. Howard), with large flocks moving. Tufted Titmice are increasing in the Geneva area. They are well established at Keuka and were at new locations at Ithaca. There were two reports of Red-breasted Nuthatches at Ithaca on Nov 27 (Hough). Brown Creepers seemed common in migration, and some were present at the end of the period and will probably winter. Carolina Wrens picked up consider¬ ably this summer and fall after their “crash" of the lost two years. Bemont banded one at Interlaken on Oct 16 and heard another. This was a new station for them. The Branchport Mockingbird was not seen after mid-August. One was found on Hickory Grove Road, Horseheads, on Nov 21 (O. York, K. Fudge) and seen there by others later. There were two reports of late-lingering Catbirds, one on Nov 21 in Jacksonville (Leighton) and one ot Interlaken on Nov 27 (Bemont) in a tangle of wild grapes and nightshade. Most Robins pulled out the last week of September (Walker), but one large flock was seen the end of October at Coyuta- ville (Strath). Bemont banded two Hermit Thrushes at Interlaken on Oct 15. Walker reported more Golden-crowned Kinglets than usual around Waterloo. There were only scattered reports of Pipits throughout October — and none after Nov 1. All observers commented on the abundance of Cedar Waxwings this fall. Groesbeck watched a flock of 150 from his window in Hornell, in Mt. Ash and Mulberry. He even noted them on the ground, feeding on Mt. Ash fruits. Northern Shrikes appeared by the end of October. They have been reported weekly around Ithaca. There has been one record at Montour Falls, one at Keuka. Vireos—Warblers: Warblers were in good numbers around Ithaca on Sep 19, following a foggy night. On Sep 25 Sapsucker Woods teemed with warblers, chiefly Myrtles, Black-throated Greens, and Bay-breasteds. The vireo flight was not marked. One report of Philadelphia: D. Futuyma saw it near Cayuga Lake on Sep 24, A remarkably late and seemingly healthy Red-eyed Vireo spent Nov 1-5 in my yard at Etna. There were no reports of Orange-crowned Warblers. There were more Magnolias than usual at Keuka, but fewer Bay-breasts and Blackpolls. A flight of Black- throated Greens was observed in Stewart Park on Sep 28 by Royce Hough, who counted 45-50. Myrtles remained through Nov 24 at Branchport, and there were still 15 or 20 of them at Stewart Park, Ithaca, on Nov 27. The Yellow-throated Warbler, reported in the last two summaries from Stewart Park, was seen again, in the same spot, on Sep 24 (D. Futuyma), This was the last report. Even stranger was the appearance of a Yellow-throated Warbler (Sycamore variety) at the Orcutt feeder in Penn Yon Nov 3 to 11, where one of the same species appeared in 1958, from Nov 6 to 11! Return visit?? M. Lerch banded a Connecticut Warbler near Penn Yan this fall. Blackbirds — Sparrows: Again the Geneva-Montezuma reported enormous flocks of blackbirds, and sizeable numbers of Cowbirds, Grackles, and Redwings were still seen at Canoga on Nov 27. A flock of 100 Meadowlarks was seen at Cayutaville the end of October by B. Strath. Rusty Blackbirds came in the first of October, and one bird was still present the end of November at the Sapsucker Woods feeder. A flock of 15-20 Cowbirds appeared to be preparing to winter in jasper (Margeson), but elsewhere they were unreported at feeders. Several observers commented to me on late Cardinal broods. Typical was the report of Cardinals feeding young on Oct 20 at Branchport (V. Whitaker). In contrast with last fall, Evening Grosbeaks have not arrived at this date, except for four seen in Etna in mid-November and one at a feeder in Jacksonville on Nov 30. There were few Purple Finch reports and only one Pine Grosbeak report, that from Ringwood Rood in early November (R. Ficken). Pine Siskins reached the Finger Lakes area Nov 1 and were commonly seen thereafter. A Goldfinch nest with five eggs was found on Sep 10 by W, Heasley at the Community Corners, Ithaca, when the bird was flushed. This is a late date. As predicted. Crossbills appeared early — Red ones. A flock has been seen off and on since early November at the east end of Beebe Lake and other small groups have been noted elsewhere. No White-winged Crossbills hove been noted os yet. The Kingbird 185 A second report for the year of Sharp-tailed Sparrow — one wos seen on the Sopsucker Woods dike on Oct 8 (D. Futuyma). There were no great numbers of White-crowned Sparrows or White-throated Sparrows anywhere this fall except at Jasper. The first White-crown appeared at the Sopsucker Woods feeder on Oct 2. A late one was seen at Interlaken on Nov 27 (Bemont). Fox Sparrows were scarce and late in coming. Gebhart saw eight on Nov 5 near Ithaca. There was one report of the Lincoln's Sparrow, at the Sapsucker Woods feeder on Oct 2. Snow Buntings came in early and in good numbers. The first ones were seen at Montezuma on Oct 23 (Morse), and flocks were seen on Nov 7 by Dave Allen. Corrigendum: In the October, 1960, issue (p. 103), I stated that this year's record of Hooded Mergansers breeding at Montezuma was the first for the region. John Morse tells me that broods have been seen at Montezuma each summer since 1956, with the exception of 1959, and they may have bred that year too. This had not been reported to me previously. Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca REGION 4^SUSQUEHANNA Leslie E. Bemont It was a very pleasant fall. The only period of excessive rain was September 11 and 12 and there was never much more than a trace of snow. Temperatures were mild, averaging above normal, particularly in November. The first wide¬ spread hard frost didn't come until the almost unbelieveably late date of November 6. In general the fruit and seed crop seemed quite good although there was considerable variation from locality to locality with regard to o few of the main food species such as white pine and thornapple. White ash and box elder were both heavily loaded with seeds wherever mentioned. The mild weather and generally plentiful food supply did nothing to hurry the migrants along so there were a number of rather late dates recorded. Especially among warblers the more leisurely migration kept observers from being swamped with identification problems so they were able to report more species than usual. A somewhat facetious explanation, perhaps, but not wholly without truth. So far winter finches have been rather disappointing which hardly seems inconsistent with food and weather conditions. Shore birds were also generally disappointing, ap¬ parently because of high water at some of the key spots, but we did record our first Golden Plover in the eight years a regional list has been kept. A Brant was also new to the list. Loons — Ducks: There were more than the usual number of Great Blue Herons reported, the last one Oct 21 at Norwich (R. & S. White). A Green Heron at Sherburne Oct 2 (R. &. S. White) was a little later than normal. A little Blue Heron was reported at Masonville, in northeastern Delaware County, Sep 25 (R. Burland) but no details were provided. At Owego two Common Egrets were seen Sep 12 (R. Williams, M. White, C. Gerould) and one Sep 14 (W, Reeves). The only Black-crowned Night Heron reported was at Oneonta Sep 16 (R. Burland). Again, few American Bitterns were reported, the last one at Sherburne Sep 3 (R. & S. White). The first migrating flock of Canada Geese reported was at Oneonta Sep 25 (R. Burland) and the last over Binghamton Nov 5 (H. Morsi, V. Misner, A. Topping). There were two peak periods in between, Oct 7-11 and Oct 21-24, when most of them were reported. On Oct 29 it was found that the injured Canada Goose that spent the summer at Owego had been joined by a perfectly healthy Brant (S. Lincoln). Seen by several observers until Nov 5, it was the first Brant reported in the region in at least eight years. As is usual in the fall there were few reports of migrating ducks but this year there were fewer than normal. There are few places in the region where ducks gather and one of the best of them, behind the Whitney Point Flood Control Dam, is drained in the fall. The usual small flock of Mallards and Black Ducks, 25 to 50 of each species, has been reported in the Triple Cities area and is apparently based on Chenango Valley State Park. If the pattern of other years is followed the Blacks will winter but most, if not all, of the Mallards will move on. Five Buffleheads were at Norwich Nov 4 (R. & S. White) and six Old Squaw were at Highland Lake, in nearby Pennsylvania, Oct 10 (Austins). Four Common Mergansers at Norwich Nov 1 are the only ones re¬ ported so far. 186 The Kingbird Hawks-—Owls: A Turkey Vulture was at Sidney Center, near Unadilla, Oct 7 (H. Wisner). A Goshawk was reported at Oneonta Nov 21 (R. Borland). Red¬ tailed Hawks were reported surprisingly frequently during the period, but there were seldom .more than one or two reported at a time. Red-shouldered Hawks were not reported after Sep 28 when one was at Cranberry Lake in nearby Pennsylvania (E. & N. Washburn). There was no indication of a Broad-winged Hawk flight. Two Rough-legged Hawks at Norwich Oct 22 (R. & S. White) seemed quite early. There were several others reported throughout November. A large dark bird with a dark band on the white tail, identified as a Golden Eagle by the observer, was at Bainbridge Aug 20 (J. Beaver). A Bald Eagle was at Downsville Reservoir Sep 25 and another was at Oneonta Nov 24 (R. Burland). A large white headed bird was found shot to death at Ouaquaga, in eastern Broome County, early in the period. It was thought by the finder, an inexperienced person, to be a Bald Eagle but may, of course, have been an Osprey. Game wardens were notified but the culprit was never found. Our first and last migrant Ospreys were both at Sidney, Sep 22 and Oct 16 (H. Wisner). Ruffed Grouse were reported to be fairly numerous by hunters around Bing¬ hamton and Cortland but at Oneonta they were scarce. Around Binghamton three instances of their "autumn madness" were reported. Two killed themselves flying into picture windows within a week and a block of each other in a highly developed suburban area of Endwell (L. Bemont) and one was seen perched on a sign in downtown Binghamton (M. Sheffield). Two Coot, a scarce species in the region in recent years, were at Binghamton Nov 4 (J. Beaver). Six Black-bellied Plover were at Owego Sep 12 (R. Williams, M. White, C. Gerould) and on Sep 25 one Black-bellied and three Golden Plover were at the same place (H. Marsi, F. Linaberry). On Aug 16 and again Aug 21 seven or more Upland Plover were seen at the Broome County Airport (R. & M. Sheffield). Our last reported Spotted Sandpipers were two at Oneonta Sep 5 and a Solitary Sandpiper at the same place the same day was likewise our last (R. Burland). Greater Yellowlegs were last seen Oct 29 at Owego (S. Lincoln). Two Lesser Yellowlegs were at Goodyear Lake, near Oneonta, Aug 1 7 (R. Borland) and one was at Owego Sep 25 with five Pectoral Sandpipers (F. Linaberry, H. Marsi). The first Herring Gulls of the season in the Triple Cities were seen Sep 28 (F. Linaberry, Gerard, H. Marsi). Yellow-billed Cuckoos were reported as late as Sep 22 at Endwell (M. Fisher) and Black-billed Cuckoos as late as Sep 18 at Owego (R. Wiliams). Barred Owls were heard at Ludlow (A. Stratton), Unadilla (H. Wisner) and Oneonta (R. Burland). Goatsuckers — Shrikes; A late Nighthawk was at Endwell Sep 16 (L. Bemont) and no more Ruby Ruby-throated Humingbirds were reported after one at Bing¬ hamton Sep 28 (Vaclavic). Yellow-shafted Flickers were almost all gone after Oct 5, but one was still at Endwell Nov 13 (F. Linaberry). On Sep 1 an immature Red-headed Woodpecker killed itself bumping into a picture window in Endwell (Mrs, J. Caulfield). The late date makes it very poor evidence of breeding in the area, but the fact that adults were seen several times in the same locality during the breeding season is at least suggestive. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen from Sep 18 to Oct 1 but there were only a few reported. Two Kingbirds Aug 24 and a Crested Flycatcher Sep 5, both at Oneonta (R, Burland) were the last of their species. Phoebes were still scarce at Oneonta but reports from the region as a whole indicate some improvement in numbers over last year. They were practically all gone after Oct 8 but one was at Norwich Oct 26 (R. & S. White). Four Wood Pewees at Oneonta Sep 20 (R. Burland) and an Olive-sided Flycatcher at Choconut Center Sep 18 (L. Bemont) were our last. Fifteen Barn Swallows were still at Oneonta Sep 15 (R. Burland). Blue Jays seem especially common again this year. A Tufted Titmouse was seen at Homer Sep 1 9 and for a few days thereafter (Mrs. W. Webster), apparently Q new locality for the species. The return to normal of Red-breosted Nuthatch numbers was somewhat disappointing after so many last year. Four were at Oneonta Sep 5 (R. Burland) but it wasn't until Oct 23 when one was' heard near Endwell (M. Fisher) that they appeared in theTriple Cities area. They were reported several times in the following week and then no more. Brown Creepers seemed more common than normal. The last House Wren reported was at Choconut Center Oct 2 (M. Sheffield, L. Bemont). Winter Wrens at Oneonta (R. Burland) and Owego (R. Williams) Sep 26 were our first. They were reported much more frequently The Kingbird 187 than in other years. No Carolina Wrens were reported. Catbirds remained common until Oct 2 and our last Brown Thrasher was seen Oct 5 near Binghamton (H. Marsi). Robins were still being seen fairly frequently at the end of the period. Our last Wood and Hermit Thrushes were both at Owego Sep 26 (R. Williams, M. White). A small number of Swainson's Thrushes were seen in the Triple Cities area from Sep 18 to 23 and there was one Gray-cheeked Thrush report from Owego Sep 16 (R. Williams, M. White), Two Veeries at Oneonta Sep 5 (R. Borland) were our last. Bluebirds, as many as ten or more at a time, were at Choconut Center until Oct 30 (R. & M. Shetifeld) and as many as 15 were near Oxford in late September (A. Stratton). In other areas they were very scarce or absent. Golden-crowned Kinglets were first reported Oct 2 and later became quite common. Approximately 100 were seen at Oneonta Nov 20 (R. Borland). Ruby-crowned Kinglets also seemed quite common after arriving Sep 21. No more were reported after Nov 6. Six water Pipits at Choconut Center Oct 6 (M. Sheffield) were the only ones reported. Cedar Waxwings were quite common most of the period. A Northern Shrike that appeared at Oxford Nov 10 and stayed in the vicinity the rest of the month (A. Stratton) is the only one to be reported so far. Vireos — Warblers: A pure white Starling was seen at Owego during November (R, Williams, T. Taylor). Our last Yellow-throated Vireo was at Noirwich Sep 19 (R. & S. White). A Solitary Vireo was found near Binghamton Oct 15 (H. Marsi) and Red-eyed Vireos were reported until Oct 7. Reports indicate the warbler migration to have been the heaviest in years, but it is likely that the particularly good conditions for the observers were at least as responsible for the larger numbers recorded as any actual increase in the numbers passing through. Very few were noted before the middle of September but between the 15th and 18th a decided wove went through. They were present in some variety until about Oct 10 but from then on it was almost all Myrtles . A Connecticut Warbler at Choconut Center Oct 2 (R. & M. Sheffield, L. Bamont) was the only rarity. It was caught and banded. By species: Black and White Warbler — last ones Sep 18 at Unadilla (H. Wisner). Nashville — from Sep 16 to Oct 2 at Binghamton (H. Marsi), good num¬ bers. Parula ■— one record, Sep 21 at Owego (R. Williams). Yellow — not many, last one at Choconut Center Sep 18 (L. Bemont). Magnolia — Sep 18 to Oct 1 at Binghamton (H. Marsi), good numbers. Cape May — four at Oneonta Sep 16 (R. Burland) to Sep 28 at Owego (R. Williams) with several reports between. Black-throated Blue — Sep 16 to 22. Myrtle — Sep 18 to Oct 30 and a couple of November records, best numbers in years, an estimate of over 200 in one day at Choconut Center Oct 17 (M. Sheffield). Black-throated Green — Sep 14 to 30. Blackburnian -— Sep 14 to 21. Chestnut-sided — last ones Sep 18. Bay¬ breasted — Sep 14 to Oct 5. Blackpoll — Sep 18 to Oct 9. Pine — one record, Owego Sep 16 (R. Williams). Palm — Sep 20 to 28, "a number"' near Oxford (A. Stratton). Ovenbird — last ones Sep 23 at Binghamton (H. Marsi, V. Misner), not many. Northern Waterthrush — Sep 1 8 at Unadilla (H. Wisner) and Sep 21 at Owego (R. Williams), usually missed in the fall. Yellowthroat — last ones were ten at Oneonta Oct 18 (R. Burland). Yellow-breasted Chat —f one record at Owego Sep 16 (R. Williams). Wilson's — three or more at Norwich Aug 28 (R. & S. White), two at Choconut Center Sep 18 (M. Sheffield, L. Bemont) and at Owego Sep 20 (R. Williams, M. White). Canada — last dated records Sep 18, but at Coventry, in eastern Broome County, 29 were counted on an unspecified day (H. Nodecker). Redstart ■— last ones Sep 21. Blackbirds — Sparrows: No more Bobolinks were reported after Aug 28. Large migrating flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds numbering in the hundreds or even thousands were seen up until Oct 15, when the last large flocks were at Oxford (A. Stratton). After that only smaller flocks, from 10 to 30 birds, were reported but they were still being seen at the end of November. Baltimore Orioles con¬ tinued to be quite common until the end of August, but very few were reported in September. The last one was at Owego Sep 28 (R. Williams). Oct 16, when "thousands" were at Oneonta (R. Burlqnd), was the end of the flocks of Common Crackles but there were several reports of single individuals throughout the rest of the period. The flocks of Cowbirds disappeared at about the same time but in their case there were no reports of stragglers. There were several September reports of Scarlet Tanagers, the last on Sep 30 at Owego (R. Williams, M. White). Cardinals continue to be common in those parts of the region where they 188 The Kingbird have gained a foothold. At Endwell a pair was still feeding young Oct 10 (E. & N. Washburn). There were several late September Rose-breasted Grosbeaks reported, the last Sep 29 at Owego along with our last Indigo Bunting (R. Williams). There were six Evening Grosbeaks at Oneonta Nov 4 and eight at the same place Nov 20 (R. Borland). On the latter date a single male was at Endwell (F. Lina- berry) but that's all that have been reported so far. A few Purple Finches, six Pine Grosbeaks, four at Gilbert Lake Nov 20 and two at Oneonta Nov 21 (R. Burlond) and no Redpolls have been reported. The only winter finch to make a strong showing so far has been the Pine Siskin. Twenty five or more at Norwich Oct 21 (R. & 5. White) were our first and there have been a number of flocks reported since, the largest approximately 150 at Cranberry Lake, in nearby Pennsylvania, Nov 19. Goldfinches were still being reported at the end of the period. Rufous-sided Towhees were especially common until almost the end of October. One was still at Choconut Center Nov 27 (R. & M. Sheffield). Vesper Sparrows were reported fairly often in October and one was still at Oxford Nov 12 (A. Stratton). Slate-colored Juncos were seen quite regularly after Sep 29 but not very many at □ time, except Oct 2 when an estimated 300 were seen at Oneonta (R. Burlond). Tree Sparrows were reported at Choco¬ nut Center Oct 28 (M. Sheffield). White-crowned Sparrows were seen at Bing¬ hamton from Oct 7 (L. Bemont) to Oct 23 (R. & M. Sheffield). They did not appear to be very common anywhere in the region. Six White-throated Sparrows were at Arnold Lake, between Oneonta and Cooperstown, Sep 5 (R. Borland) but it was two weeks later, Sep 18, when the species was seen again at East Sidney (H. Wisner) and Oneonta. They were seen regularly, and sometimes in considerable numbers, until Oct 18. There were a few stragglers after that, the last one so far at Owego Nov 28 (R. Williams). Fox Sparrows arrived at Choconut Center Oct 30 (L, Bemont, M. Sheffield) and the last one reported, quite a late one, was in Prospect Valley, near Candor, Nov 24 (P. Kelsey). Nov 6 they were quite common at Chenango Valley State Park. Two Lincoln's Sparrows were seen at Choconut Center, one Sep 18 (M. Sheffield) and one Oct 2 (L. Bemont). The latter one was banded. A flock of thirty Snow Buntings was at Broome County Airport Oct 30 (H. Thomas) and a single one was at Unadilla Nov 21 (H. Wisner) but no more. Addenda (received late): A Goshawk was seen in northern Chenango County Nov 21 six to eight miles from an area where they are known to breed (P. Kelsey). Mr. Bartlett of Greene reports seeing three of them in one day. A Bold Eagle was reported to have spent a lot of time op a farm near Harpursville in the late summer or early fall. Perhaps the casualty reported obove? A Caspian Tern was at Meade Pond, north of Norwich, Sep 12 (P. Kelsey). Evening Grosbeaks were also seen in northern Chenango County Nov 4 and Red Crossbills were there Nov 21. Red Crossbills and Pine Siskins were especially common there where the habitat is suitable (P. Kelsey). 710 University Ace., Endwell REGION 5 — ONEIDA LAKE BASIN Eritz Scheiber August was dry, sunny, windless, and cool with only the 29th exceeding 90°. Migration concomitantly was desultory without waves. September, similarly cool and dry except for o 1.5 inch rainfall on the 9th, had few major weather disturbances, the outstanding one being para-hurricane rains and winds on the 11th and 12th. Following this disturbance, a marked drop in shorebirds and a tide, rather then a sharp wave, of warblers ensued. Mrs. Evans commented that on September 15 "the birches dripped with warblers" at Selkirk Shores State Park; on September 17 creekside woods at Manlius "were alive with warblers, mostly Black-throated Blues and Greens and Magnolias." Moderate waves of migrants were reported on September 19, 24, and 28-30. October was distinctly cooler than average (2.4° below normal) with normal rainfall and sunshine. A few chill nights in the early part of the month pushed most shorebirds and the few remnants of warblers south but engendered the expected rise in migrant dabbling ducks and sparrows. A two-inch snowfall on October 24-25 plus freezing The Kingbird 189 temperatuers initiated the dabbler blackbird-sparrow exodus (early this year). November seemed pleasant and mild with daily temperatures averaging 2.9° above normal and sunshine 38% above normal. A 2.6 inch snowfall on Novem¬ ber 5-6 was discouraging and pushed southward many lingering Icterids and sparrows, but the snow — and the discouragement — quickly melted. The con¬ tinuous mild weather from November ]4 on plus an abundant berry and seed crop with many insects still about probably explains the late November records of Virginia Rail, House Wren, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, and Towhee. Natural and controlled drawdown plus controlled reflooding at HIGMA and TRGMA produced a wealth of waterfowl food on corresponding concentrations of ducks (8000-9000 Nov 1-25). The cone crop from local spruces and pines seemed fair to good. Mice were plentiful, which probably accounts for the numerous Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Sparrow Hawks, ond Short-eared Owls. The positive features other than the good warbler flights include 1) a superb protracted shorebird flight, 2) a good early sparrow-goldfinch flight, capped by a modest November winter finch flight, 3) many early northerners (Rusty Black¬ bird — Sep 6; Short-eared Owl — Oct 5; . Brant, Oldsquaw, Rough-legged Hawk, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting — Oct 9), and 4) the appearance of cyclic or irruptive species (Goshawk, Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, Red Crossbill — q.v.). Negatively the continued decline of diving ducks, most marked in the Aythya genus but olso obvious in Buffleheads and mergansers, aroused the most comment. Other negatives which dimmed an otherwise stellar season were 1) a poor swallow migration, 2) reduced numbers of gulls, 3) a mediocre Canada Goose flight, and 4) a Junco-Tree Sparrow migration well below par. A shower of rarities rained on the region this fall and included such diverse desiderata as European Widgeon, King Eider, Common Eider, Willet, Purple Sand¬ piper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Hudsonian Godwit, Ruff, all three phalaropes. Black-backed Woodpecker, Mockingbird, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and Dickcissel. In this summary the following areas will be initialed: Howland's Islond Game Management Area near Port Byron — HIGMA; Three Rivers Game Management Area near Baldwinsville — TRGMA; Selkirk Shores State Park near Pulaski — SSSP; Sandy Pond ond Sandy Pond Inlet — SP and SPI. Loon — Ducks: Common Loon: first noted Sep 18, Slyvan Beach; a meagre flight with a maximum of 40 on Oct 30; frankly scarce at Oneida Lake where three-seven/day only were noted. Red-throated Loon: scarce with peak of five on Oct 30 at Sandy Pond (Hoyt et al); none noted away from Lake Ontario. Horned Grebe: first noted Oct 9 (late) along Lake Ontario; high count is 200 on Oct 30 but Oneida Lake counts in the ten - 30/day ronge only; is this species suffering from breeding ground losses like the Redheads and Canvasbacks? Pied-billed Grebe: present throughout period. Double-crested Cormorant: one on Aug 30 at Onondaga Lake is early (Estoff, Propst); two reported Oct 9, SP (Hoyt et al); last noted Oct 22, Sylvan Beach (Bagg). Great Blue Heron: seemed somewhat more abundant at Sandy Pond (25, Sep 10), Onondaga Lake (20, Sep 16), and HIGMA (20, Oct 2); present to the end of the period. Common Egret; maximum of 17 Sep 10 at HIGMA; lesser num¬ bers (12-14) present thru Sep ond Oct to last date Oct 23, two, also HIGMA. Departure dates for Green Heron (Oct 12), Black-crowned Night Heron (Oct 15), and American Bittern (Oct 15) are all early. Whistling Swan; six in late Nov at Shackleton Point, Oneida Lake (Liable) and one shot (? by whom) at Otisco Lake in mid-Nov are rare fall migrants here. Mute Swan; one summering oft Cleveland on the north shore of Oneida Lake was found dead shortly after the beginning of the duck hunting season. Canada Goose: first fall arrivals Sep 16 at TRGMA; early Oct saw a light flight (flock maximum of 85 on Oct 8 — Nodecker) and the fall peak was 400, Oct 29, Beaver Lake and HIGMA; up to 200 remained at HIGMA as of Nov 30. Brant; 17 on Oct 9 at SPI were prelude to 3000 there Oct 28-29; another 3000 were reported Nov 8 on Oneida Lake (fide Taormina), Snow Goose: only fall report is 60, Nov 28, flying south over HIGMA (tide Bauer), Mallard and Black Duck: a good fall flight with 1000-1500/day thru Oct; maximum of 3200 and 3000 respectively not reached until Nov 13, HIGMA, pointing up the lateness and mildness of the season. Gadwall; one Sep 10-11, SP; otherwise unreported away from HIGMA but numbers there were quite good (45 on Oct 8; 60 on Oct 23). Pintail and American Widgeon: records indicate 190 The Kingbird Q poor to fair flight only — counts of both only fair at SP, Stevens Pond, Clay Swamp, and Bridgeport; maximum of 400 on Nov 13 [late for the peak date) and 1200 Oct 29 respectively, both from HIGMA. Green-winged Teal: a fine autumn movement with some 300 at SP Sep 16 and an all-time high of 900, Nov 13 at HIGMA. European Widgeon: an cdult male Oct 15 at HIGMA (Rusk) is a regional first and a fall rarity anywhere in central New York. Shoveler: three noted Sep 2-10 at Onondaga Lake ore unusual there; 15-40 regularly present at HIGMA and small numbers (one-six) were noted near Mexico, at SP, Beaver Lake, and Clay Swamp; present to Nov 30 at HIGMA. Wood Duck: 700 on Sep 21 and 800 Oct 15, Clay Swamp, give some indication of Wood Duck numbers this fall; the mild weather and abundant waterfowl food induced many to linger end this species was hard-hit — and frequently — in the first ten days of the hunting season. The presence of Wood Duck, Shoveler, and Green-winged Teal in numbers (15, 35, and 60 respectively) to Nov 30 gives testimony to the mild weather of November. Redhead and Canvasback: the dismal picture of the last two falls has not brightened with the passing of this latest season: arrival dates are Oct 2 at Beaver Loke ond Oct 9 at TRGMA respectively; maxima this fall are 85, Oct 29, Beaver Lake and HIGMA (this undoubtedly represents some locally reared birds) and 500, Nov 29, Shackfeton Point, Oneida Lake, respectively. Greater and Lesser Scaup: arrival dates are Sep 10 and 18 respectively; Scaup provided the bulk of the October diving duck shooting on Oneida Lake and rafts of 30-200 were reported from Oct 10 on; the larger flocks of 1000+ were not seen there until the latter half of November (Liable, Estoff Propst). Common Goldeneye; first noted Sep 25, Derby Hill near Texas; 300-400/day noted thru Nov at SP, SSSP, and Oneida Lake; the hunting toll of this species appeared to be particularly heavy. Bufflehead: amazingly scarce this fall; first noted Sep 1 1 at SPI (? summering bird); not seen again until Oct 30 and the maximum/day for the entire area is ten, Nov 19. Oldsquaw: first noted Oct 9, three at Tully Lakes and one at Lake Ontario; counts of 35-120/day thru .Nov with a peak of 135 on Nov 19 just north of SP. The scoter flight was poor with low counts and infrequent reports, but all three species were noted. Common Eider: a female of this species, carefully studied with 30X BAL scope for one half hour, was seen at the rock jetty at SSSP by W. Minor; this is a first record for this area and, I believe, the second for Lake Ontario. King Eider; an immature Oct 22 (notably early) at Sylvan Beach (Bagg) was herald to two, a female and an immature male, Nov 13 and 14 (Rusk et al) just north of SP and four including two adult males Nov 22 at SPI (Evans); this is the second successive fall that King Eiders have been reported in the region. Ruddy Duck: first noted Oct 2, Beaver Lake; maximum of 20, Beaver Lake, Oct 29 points to the severe drop this species has taken locally; a single male was present thru end of period at Shackleton Point, Oneida Lake (Paquette, Rusk). Counts on all mergansers were markedly decreased with maxima of 75 Hooded on Nov 13 at HIGMA, 25 Common on Oct 29 and Nov 13 at HIGMA, and 1000 + Red-beasted on Oct 29 at SSSP; the mild weather may account for the late date on the peak figures. The Red-breasted Merganser suffered severely from promis¬ cuous shooting at SP; it was not unusual to see a dozen shot and left to rot along a mile of beach there in late October. Will the day of the "target-artist" ever go? Hawks'—Owls: Hawk flights were scarce in September and October. Most outstanding — and abnormal — was a flight of four Shar-shinned Hawks, one Red shouldered, six Broad-winged, two Marsh, one Osprey, four Pigeon Hawks, and 47 Sparrow Hawks on Sep 24 along the Sandy Pond dunes on a 20-mph south¬ east wind; all previous flights have been associated with west or northwest winds. Accipiters seemed quite scarce throughout the fall, with about six Cooper's and even fewer Sharp-shins reported for November. Goshawk; single adults seen Oct 18 at SSSP (Evans) and Nov 13 near Bridgeport (Scheider) might presage a Dec- Jan influx. Red-tailed Hawk: fairly common (five - 17/day) thru late Oct and Nov but not up to last year's numbers. Rough-legged Hawk: first noted Oct 9, a magnificent dark-phase bird, SPI (Hoyt et al); seen in small numbers through October; a sharp rise occurred after Nov 15 with a max. of 17 in one day around Bridgeport and Cicero in the last week of the month (Cade). Bald Eagle; extremely scarce along Lake Ontario; the tree bearing the single active nest known for the entire region has been felled to expand an adjacent pasture. Peregrine Falcon; The Kingbird 191 just two reported, on adult mole on Oct 2 an SPI (Seaman) and an immature on Oct. 31 at SSSP (Evans). Pigeon Hawk: ten noted between Sep 10 and Oct 9 along the Sandy Pond dunes and flats with maximum of four on Sep 24. Ruffed Grouse: distinctly on the upswing; some eight reports of grouse crashing into odd places in Syracuse in September and early October; after an absence of two years they have returned to the dune woods at Sandy Pond. For a review of the shorebird migration, see article in the main body of this issue. Jaeger: one (Sp ?) seen Sep 10 at SPI (Kemnitzer, Scheider); no others reported. No white-winged gulls were observed during the period. Gull counts on the three large larids remain low with maxima of 50 Great Black-backed on Nov 19, 2500 Herring on Nov 19, and 2000 Ring-billed on Sep 3. Continued low counts thru October of the first two species are particularly outstanding. Bonaparte's Gull: 0 poor Sep and Oct flight, but a brisk rise in early Nov; 104 were seen Nov 24 at Oneida Lake. Forster's Tern: none reported for the first time in seven years. Common Tern: max of 470, Aug 28, SP and 358, Sep 4, Sylvan and Verona Beaches: a rapid decline in the middle two weeks of Sep; last dote Nov 20, one, north of SPI is a record departure date. Both species of cuckoos seemed very scarce thru late August and September. Barn Owl: four were removed from a dismantled coal tower at Brewerton Oct 5 (Burtt); a head-swaying, bill-popping eight-week-old one was found on the Medical School lawn Oct 22 (Spofford), and a dead one was found at the base of Crouse College tower, Syracuse University, about the same time. Snowy Owl: first reported at Sandy Pond Nov 6; since that date 24 reports have been received, and at least 19 birds appear to be present; reported from SP X 3 (Rusk), at Oswego (Charlton), Meridian (Gilliord), Brewerton (Baldwin, Estoff, Propst), Sylvan Beach (Ackley), Shackleton Point, Oneida Lake — two birds (Loible), and Grass island in Oneida Lake •— two birds (fide Taormina); four seen at one time Nov 19 on the west shore of Onondaga Lake (Dr. Thurber); two found their way to Dr. Burtt's home vio the Syracuse SPCA. Short-eared Owl: since arrival date of Oct 5, two - four/day have been seen at SP (Hoyt et al), Bridgeport (Scheider), and Onondaga Lake (Estoff, Propst). Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Ruby-throated Hummingbird; last migrant Oct 9 at Sandy Pond was quite late and certainly not in keeping with that day's tempera¬ tures. Yellow-shafted Flicker: a heavy SP flight (65-75/day) in the third week of Sep; there were a few late Nov birds at HIGMA and Fayetteville. A Flicker with pinkish-red tail linings was noted Oct 2 at Oneida (Felle). Red-bellied Wood¬ pecker; noted regularly at HIGMA but unreported away from that sector, quite unlike lost fall's scatter of reports. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: a female Nov 3 in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, was forerunner to a small gaggle of these birds in the last week of Nov; at least three males and two females have been seen on the diseased elms in that cemetery and on similar elms just to the east of there (reported by Rusk, Estoff, Propst; enjoyed by many); unreported else¬ where in the region. No flight of Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees, or White-breasted Nuthatches was detected in either the Oct or early Nov records from Sandy Pond or the general fund of regional data available this fall. Aside from a wealth of silent Empidonaces and a weak eorly Oct Phoebe wave, the flycatcher migration was dull. Last dates include Eastern Kingbird Sep 25, Great Crested Flycatcher Sep 20 (early), Phoebe Oct 8 (very early). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Oct 2, and Wood Pewee Oct 8. Swallow migrations in late August were low in numbers and unobtrusive in character. Maxima are Barn Swallow 350+ Aug 27, Bank Swallow 200+ Sep 10, and Tree Swallow 4500 Sep 24 and 1000+ Sep 25 at the Sandy Pond marshes and inlet. Departure dates are Barn and Cliff Swallows Sep 18, Bank Swallow and Purple Martin Sep 19, Rough-winged Swallow Oct 9, and Tree Swallow Oct 23. Tufted Titmouse; two-four reported at feeders in Baldwinsville from mid-Oct thru Nov (Kammerer, Tillotson fide Burtt); also several Nov 6-22 at Fulton (Parker). Red-breasted Nuthatch: no flight this fall; none observed in the Sandy Pond dune woods and not one bird reported in Dr. Burtt's Oct 30-Nov 6 feeder survey. Brown Creeper: quite the reverse of 'the Red-breasted Nuthatch; five on Sep 15, eight on Sep 24, 12 on Oct 9 in the SP and SSSP woods; every report 192 The Kingbird mentions the presence Creepers. House Wren; one at Syracuse from Nov l5 thru end of period (Rusk, Estoff, Propst) is very late and will certainly disappear with the first severe cold weather. Winter Wren: like the Creeper, a protracted (Aug 15 — Nov 20) flight with a number of notable counts (seven, Sep 15; 11, Oct 2; 14, Oct 9; all SP and SSSP); singletons in the last week of November are most likely wintering birds. Mockingbird: one, Nov 21, Syracuse (Mrs. Dawley) is the only report this season. Robin: a widespread, heavy flight (250-300/day) this season, particularly in the first three weeks of Oct; small scattered flocks remained thru Nov, appar¬ ently held by the mild weother and the abundant berry crop. Hermit Thrush; a moderate fall movement with up to seven on Oct 9; a few lingered into mid- November. Bluebird: fall migration first indicated by five, Sep 21, TRGMA; four on Oct 18 at Oneida; last’noted Nov 19 (late), a male, Oneida (Felle). Golden- crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arrival dates are Sep 11 and 15 respectively, a reversal of the usual sequence as the Ruby-crowned is regularly reported before the Golden-crowned in the fall; max. of 100 Oct 22, Syracuse and Fayetteville, and 45 Oct 2, HIGMA and TR(jMA respectively. Cedar Waxwing trips failed to find these birds this season; noted often and in numbers (12-60/day with peak 125, Oct 2, TRGMA and HIGMA) but no pattern of movement is outstanding. Northern Shrike: arrival date of Nov 12, an immature along Onondaga Lake, Is late; total of six birds reported as of Nov 30. Vireos — Warblers: Solitary Vireo: a fine fall flight with first arrivals Sep 11; max. of six, Sep 24, SSSP; last seen Oct 22, two, Syracuse. Red-eyed Vireo: 20-30/day thru Sep; last noted in the first week of Nov at a feeder (fide Burtt). Warbling Vireo: one, Sep 29, Oneida (Nodecker) is late. Warbler migration was a sequence of tides rather than waves. Numbers appeared better than average, variety was excellent, but early departure was the rule this fall as it was last year. No TV tower kills were recorded thru September or October, which is as expected in view of the lack of those specific weather patterns inducing tower kills. Especially abundant this fall were Black-and-White (12, Aug 22), Black- throated Blue (25, Sep 17), Parula (seven, Sep 28), Myrtle (150, Sep 24; 70 Oct 1; 40, Oct 9), Magnolia (25, Aug 27; 28, Sep 3; 30, Sep 15), Black-throated Green (60, Sep 15), Wilson's (20, Sep 3, Sandy Pond dunes), and Redstart (22, Aug 27). Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll Warblers were reported frequently but counts in any one day never exceeded 20. Notably scarce this fall were Tennessee (peak count of 12 —- very low —■ Sep 24, SP dunes), Nashville (seven, Sep 16, SSSP), Ovenbird (never more than two in a day), and Canada (max. of six, Aug 27, SSSP). Departure dates include Golden-winged ■— Aug 27, Tennessee — Oct 2, Nashville — Oct 8, Parula — Oct 1, Yellow — Sep 16, Magnolia — Oct 2, Black-throated Blue — Sep 30 (very early). Myrtle — Nov 18, Black-throated Green — Oct 8, Blackburnian — Sep 28, Chestnut-sided — Sep 24, Bay-breasted Sep 30, Blackpoll — Oct 15, Palm ■— Oct 8, Ovenbird — Sep 29, Yellowthroat ■—■ Oct 26, Wilson's — Sep 27, Canada — Sep 24, and Redstart — Sep 29. The early departure date trend stands out prominently in the above tabulation. Rare fall migrant warblers include single Orange-crowned Warblers Sep 12, SSSP (Evans) and Oct 15, Mapleview (Paquette, Scheider) and Pine Warblers Sep 19 near Pulaski (Rusk) and Sep 6 and 10 near Oneida (Felle). Blockbirds — Sparrows: Bobolink; three noted Sep 23 near Mexico are late. The Icterid roost at Clay Swamp mounted steadily thru Aug and Sep to a black, swirling torrent of 300,000 Red-winged Blackbirds, 100,000 Crackles, 70,000 Cowbirds, and 300,000 Starlings on Oct 12; a sharp decline noted with the snow¬ falls of Oct 24-25 and Nov 5-6 but hundreds of Cowbirds and Redwings and dozen of Rusties lingered thru November. Cardinal: reported on the Sandy Pond dunes in Oct and Nov; 72 (low) noted on the Nov feeder survey. Dickcissel: a male Nov 17 at a Fayetteville feeder (Mrs. Maxwell) is the fourth reported in eight years. Winter finches were unreported until Oct 9 when Evening Grosbeak (one). Pine Siskin (25), Lapland Longspur (three), and Snow Bunting (two) were all reported along the Sandy Pond dunes. Evening Grosbeaks were scarce thereafter (four - 20/day) and none were recorded in the Oneida-Rqme area, usually a stronghold for them. Pine Siskin: the Oct and Nov counterpart of last winter's many Redpolls; flocks of 25 - 150 The Kingbird 193 were reported often with a peak of 250 Nov 14 at SSSP; lesser numbers (15-60) present to Nov 30. Red Crossbill: small (four - six/day) scattered groups seen at Syracuse, HIGMA and Beaver Lake after Nov 12; 20, two-thirds of which were adult males, Nov 27 south of Brookfield (the Whites) is the peak figure. A superb early (Sep 20 - Oct 20) sparrow flight flooded the local fields and brushlots; however, the later species, particularly Junco and Tree Sparrow, came thru in reduced numbers, and Nodecker at Oneida and Burtt on his feeder survey noted decreases in these species. Savannah Sparrow: peak count is 35, Oct 5, Stevens Pond near Phoenix; last reported Oct 23 (early), two, Onondaga Lake. Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows: departure dates are (Oct 15, one near Mapleview, and Oct 9, one at SSSP, respectively; mid-Oct dates are most likely normal departure times for these species although the greater proportion of local birds leave by mid-September. Sharp-tailed Sparrow: a single bird, Aug 29, in the wet grass edge of a wildlife marsh near Texas (Evans) is early; the species is very seldom observed in this region. Slate-colored Junco; arrival date of Sep 19 (late), two at SSSP; 40 — 75/day thru the last week of Oct (very low, especially in comparison with last year's counts). Tree Sparrow: first noted Oct 22 at Oneida; late Oct counts 100 - 150/day and the max. Nov count is 120 (low) Nov 20 at TRGMA. Chipping and Field Sparrows: prominent species in the early sparrow flight; high counts respectively are 75 Oct 15, Dry Bridge Road near Mapleview and 120, Oct 8, TRGMA and Beaver Lake; Chippings were last noted on Nov 16 (late), two at Oneida, and Fields on Oct 30 (early), one near Mapleview. White-crowned Sparrow: two on Sep 30 at Oneida are the first fall arrivals; a massive flight in the first ten days of Oct with 450 Oct 8 at TRGMA and Beaver Lake (Ackley, Paquette); a rapid fall in the last week of Oct with no Nov records. White- throated Sparrow: first noted at Syracuse Sep 14 (late); a very heavy Oct flight (400 on Oct 8) in the western third of the region but sorely deficient at Oneida, Rome, and Sylvan and Verona Beaches (Nodecker, Ackley, Paquette), Fox Sparrow: one on Sep 28 at SSSP was early; noted in small numbers (three-four/day) to departure date of Nov 6 (very early). Lincoln's Sparrow: between Sep 16 (arrival date) and the departure date of Oct 8 at least a dozen were seen amongst the many sparrow flocks in the brush patches at TRGMA, Beaver Lake, and Oneida. Swamp and Song Sparrow; peak counts of 105 and 400 respectively Oct 8 at TRGMA, Beaver Lake, and HIGMA give some indication of both the magnitude of the sparrow flight and the earliness with which the majority of these species populations moved thru the area; correspondingly, Nov counts for both species were notably lower than last year's despite the milder weather. Snow Bunting; first noted Oct 9 (early) near SP (Dr. Thurber); peak count 175, Oct 30 (early for this number) with Nov counts in 25-60/day range; one —■ six Lap- land Longspurs intermittently noted with the Nov flocks of Snow Buntings. 151 Seventh North Street, Syracuse 8 REGION 6 —ST. LAWRENCE Frank A. Clinch Temperatures for the latter half of August and September were below normal. October and November were cool, but there was no really cold weather until the last day of November when real winter weather arrived and covered much of this region with snow. Rainfall was light in September and October. However, this was after the growing season for most vegetation. The leaves on many trees were brilliantly colored, and they remained on the trees until very late. In fact, the first snow came with many leaves still on the trees, but this snow melted in a short time and many branches were broken by the weight of the wet snow. As the trees became bare, the heavy crop of seeds on the box elders was very noticeable. There seemed to be plenty of food for most birds, and with no snow on the ground they did not seem to be interested in coming to feeders. The bare ground made it easier to see Snowy Owls on posts or near the ground. The most unusual record, however, was that of the three Barrows Goldeneyes which were shot at Stony Point on November 27 (Ed — readers are referred to Frank Clinch's field note in this issue concerning the Barrow's Goldeneyes at 194 The Kingbird Stony Point. His fiefd note also mokes reference to certain other published state records for this erratic and rare winter visitor). Loon — Ducks: Two or three Great Blue Herons could usually be seen near the dike at the Perch River Game Management Area (PRGMA), but Allen counted 18 there Sep 21. There was a good fight of Shovefers at the Wilson Hill GMA the first week of November. Hunters reported a poor duck season. Some saw large numbers but didn't beg many. There were few Redheads or Cavasbacks. As noted above a male and two female Barrow's Goldeneyes were shot at Stony Point in the eastern part of Lake Ontario on Nov 27. J. Bloke noted a scarcity of mer¬ gansers. He saw four Common Mergansers and only a few Red-breasted Mer¬ gansers. Hawks —Owls: Gordon saw an immature Red-tailed Hawk near Adams Cove on Nov 21. Several Rough-legged Hawks were reported in October and November, but probably there were more in this area a year ago. One Bald Eagle was seen. Marsh Hawks were apparently last seen on Nov 19 at Point Peninsula. Most of the reports of shorebirds were birds seen at El Dorado. Some of the dates were: Semipalrpated Plover Aug 16 and Sep 29, Black-bellied Plover Aug 16-18, Ruddy Turnstone Aug 16 and Sep 29, Common Snipe and Spotted Sand¬ piper Aug 16, Greater Yellowlegs Aug 16 and Sep 18, Knot Sep 1, Pectoral Sandpiper Aug 16 and Sep 29, White-rumped Sandpiper Aug 18, Dunlin Aug 18, Least Sandpiper Aug 18 and Sep 29, Short-billed Dowitcher Aug 16 and Sep 29, Stilt Sandpiper Sep 1, Semipalmated Sandpiper Aug 16, Sanderling Aug 16 and Sep 29, and Northern Phalarope about the middle of August. Gordon saw five Woodcock near Natural Bridge in Lewis County on Oct 15. Two Great Black-backed Gulls were at Adams Cove Nov 19, and many Cas¬ pian Terns were at El Dorado Aug 18. One Mourning Dove was at Point Pen¬ insula Nov 19, and another stayed in this area until the end of the month. At least four persons saw Snowy Owl, and the number of birds must have been six or eight. Gordon found two Short-eared Owls at Point Peninsula on Nov 19. Goatsuckers—Warblers: Hummingbirds stayed late. Two or three were here about Sep 20, and Allen saw another Sep 28. Black-capped Chickadees were less interested in coming to feeders than a year ago. A few Woter Pipits ap¬ peared at PRGMA and were seen where work on the dike had left the ground bare. Belknap saw a large flock of Cedar Waxwings at Alexandria Bay Nov 23 and a Northern Shrike near Champion Nov 18. Allen noted waves of warblers near Edwards Sep 3-4 and identified Black- burian. Black and White, Nashville, Magnolia, Myrtle, Black-throated Green, Pine, Ovenbird, Yellowthroat, and Redstart. Many Myrtle Warblers were in the Water- town area Oct 5-10, and the last date for them was Oct 22 near Barnes Corners. Blackbirds — S$sorrov;s: Several Red-winged Blackbirds remained until Nov 21 and a few until the end of the month. An early date for Rusty’ Blackbirds was Sep 17 when there were three near Sulphur Springs. A lone Common Grackle was at a feeder near Postdam on Nov 28. A Cardinal was seen in Watertown, and two were near there the last week of November. Around Potsdam the Eve¬ ning Grosbeaks were present throughout November, but they seldom bothered with the sunflower seeds put out for them. None was around Watertown. The first Pine Siskins were seen near Watertown Nov 12. A late date for a Rufous-sided Towhee in the Tug Hill section was Oct 1 near Diamond. Gordon found Savannah Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, and Field Sparrows near Diamond Oct 1. Tree Sparrows were noted in several places Oct 29 — Nov 1. There did not seem to be as many White-crowned Sparrows this fall. The only record for Fox Sparrows was Oct 22 near Barnes Corners. Gordon saw about 50 Snow Buntings at Point Peninsula Nov 5, and Allen saw the same number at Dry Hill on Nov 13. 173 Haley Street, Watertown REGION 7 —ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN Thomas A. Lesperance A normal course of events preceded our true fall season. Defoliation was complete by October 10 due in part to torrential rains and some very unseasonable cold, and to strong westerly winds at that period. A gradual warming trend The Kingbird 195 followed, and above average temperatures were generally maintained for the balance of the reporting period. This caused what few ducks we did have to stay over. There were early departing species from this area, and this emphasizes the trend in the weather. At VVhiteface Mountain there was twelve inches of snow by October 15, and there were comparable depths of snow on other high elevations. In the lowlands, however, the mild conditions were conducive to a heavy take of bear by the big game hunters, and the of the woods by the heavy rains kept the forest preserve open without danger of fire. The unseasonable warmth did nothing to hold over the passerines, however. Peak flights were recorded early, especially among the thrushes and sparrows. More than a few of the boreal species made an early appearance on our local scene, some in heavy numbers. Perhaps conditions to the north of our area caused the early movement. I should like to take a few lines here to mention the status of waterfowl in our area. Although the Lake Champlain flyway was never a strong route for numbers of migrating ducks and geese, this season produced the lowest numbers of these species in the twelve years I have observed and recorded them. In former years the total number of ducks (puddlers) that could be expected at the AuSable Point marshes would probably be from 1000 to 1500 and at Wickham's Marsh (five miles south) about 200 to 300. To date this fall the total of the two marshes has not exceeded 200 birds. The number of species represented has also shown a decline. The lament goes up among the waterfowlers that duck shooting here is a thing of the past, but the more astute among them ask "what can we do to help?" It is hoped that this condition will forcibly bring to their attention the need for stringent rules in waterfowling, better legislation on the Federal level tor more nesting sites, and on the state level the abandonment of the proposed recreation area at AuSable Point in favor of a marsh improvoment program with an eye towards building up duck population on the local level. When are our legislators going to stop quibbling about whether the area is "in the Department of Lands and Forests or the Department of Fish and Game" and realize that a serious situation is becoming worse, and then do something about it? We are in danger of loosing one of the best marshes in the north country to a commercial venture while the Departments both dedicated to the outdoors, and all it aspires to, bicker back and forth. The Department of Lands and Forests and the Department of Fish and Game should be concerned equally with the present situation. I have referred to this problem before, and I have since obtained facts and figures which I will submit to the proper committee. Loons — Ducks: The Common Loon was observed at Lake Clear on Sep 26 (Delahanty). The Horned Grebe and a migrating flock of Common Loons were noted at Lake Champlain on Oct 22 (Amstutz), and that same day the Horned Grebe and Pied-billed Grebe were at Saranac Lake (Delafield). Delafield reported Canada Geese, Mallards, Blacks, Ring-necks, Ruddy Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, and Hooded and Common Mergansers in the Saranac area. Delahanty noted flocks of Canada Geese at Tupper Lake with over 50 on Oct 21. Amstutz also remarked on the large flocks of Canada Geese at Tupper Lake from Oct 7 to 30. Several Bufflehead and three Oldsquaw were at Whey Pond on Oct 23 (Amstutz). A large flock of Ruddy Ducks and many flights of Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal were at Raquette Pond on Nov 1 1 (Amstutz). The major portion of the flights must have been inland because at the old standby, Au¬ Sable Point, only the Mallard, Black, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, and Bufflehead were noted (Lesperance), and these were all low in numbers. Hawks — Owls: At Saranac Lake, Delafield observed the Red-tailed, Rough- legged, Broad-winged, Marsh Hawk, and Osprey during the reporting period. Just south of Keeseville on Oct 23 a Rough-legged Hawk was struck by a car, and State Police brought the bird to me for identification. Miss Amstutz has forwarded to me the location of a nest of the Bald Eagle, which for protective purposes will not be recorded here, but interested persons of good; intent may contact her if they wish. She states that the nest has been in use for some time and that it was used again this year. The Black Rail and the Virginia Rail were at AuSable Point marsh on Oct 14. At Saranac Lake on Sep 19 Delafield observed the Black-bellied Plover "in a field near road which crosses Twobridge Brook near Lake Clear." This species was at Saranac Airport on Sep 25. Killdeer were seen in the same areas on the same 196 The Kingbird dates. Amstutz recorded the Greater Yellowlegs and possibly the Lesser Yellowlegs at Tapper Lake and at Raquette Pond. At AuSable Point the Purple Sandpiper was again seen; this marks the third late August record in the last five years. In 1958 a bird was trapped and banded at Four Brothers Island by Norman St. Jacques. In 1959 a specimen was collected at AuSable Point and placed in the collection of the State University College of Education of Plattsburgh. (The Purple Sandpiper has also been reported from Vermont, and I have prepored a specimen for the Vermont Conservation Department's portable natural history collection; this collection is carried around to the various schools, and ornithology is taught first hand to the students). Herring and Ring-billed Gulls were common in all areos where found. A small flock of Common Terns was at Rouses Point until Oct 25 (Lesperance). Amstutz reported a Snowy Owl at Raquette Pond on Nov 1 1 and again on Nov 12. This caused considerable local interest and many people went out to see the visitor From the land of ice and snow. Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Pileated Woodpecker numbers seemed up, while all other woodpeckers were about normal in the areas observed. A Phoebe was at Keieseville on Octl7 (Lesperance), and there wos a good late record of the Great Crested Flycatcher at Tupper Lake on Oct 27 (Delahanty). Small flocks (8-10) of Rough-winged and Bank Swallows were at AuSable Point on Oct 31. Delafield reported the Horned Lark on Oct 27. Many winter Wrens were at Tupper Lake on Oct 9. A flock of nine Bluebirds was there on Oct 19, and Robins were noted until Oct 28 (Delahanty). Amstutz reported a large volume of Robins in the area she covered. At Keeseville a soli¬ tary male Bluebird was observed catching a late hatch of moths on Nov 6, and hundreds of migrating Robins covered lawns and open fields that same date (Lesperance). Delafield reported the Hermit Thrush and Brown Thrasher but gave no dates. There were several reoorts of Golden-crowned Kinglets, and the Water Pipit was observed at Keene on Oct 8 (Amstutz). A Northern Shrike was seen at Port Douglas on Nov 1 1 (Lesperance). Vireos Sparrows: Amstutz reported a very large and varied warbler migration Aug 21 to Sep 1 and a fate Blackburnian Warbler on Oct 1. Delafield's observa¬ tions showed that Black-throated Green Warblers were very numerous and went through her area, Tupper Lake, in waves until Sep 23. At Keeseville only a few lonely Black and White Warblers were seen, and they had gone by Oct 14. Seven Rusty Blackbirds were noted near Clayburg on Oct 23 (Delahanty). Even¬ ing Grosbeaks were at Gabriels on Oct24 (Amstutz), and on Nov 8 they were at Tupper Lake (Delahanty) and Keeseville (Lesperance). Red Crossbills were at Whitehouse on Aug 1 6 and at Pisico Lake on Sep 7. White- winged Crossbills were also seen at Whitehouse (Mcliroy). Crossbills were later reported at Port Douglas and Tupper Lake’, Pine Siskins were noted on Nov 15 (Delahanty), and this species was also seen at Tupper Lake (Amstutz). There were several Purple Finch reports. Many Fox Sparrows were noted on migration at Whey Pond on Oct 23, and Chipping Sparrows were numerous from Aug 21 to Sep 1 at Tupper Lake. Large flocks of Tree Sparrows were noted there from Sep 17 to Nov 5 (Amstutz). Tree Sparrows wera common at Keeseville by Oct 25 (Lesperance). The White-crowned Sparrow was seen on Oct 25 (Delahanty). Delafield reported the Snow Bunting on Oct 23, and large flocks of these birds were seen on the outer extremity of AuSable Point on Oct 14. A good record of interest was the Lapland Longspur recorded by Delofield on Oct 27. The latter species was quite abundant during the fall and winter of 1955, and several speci¬ mens were taken at that time by me for the Biology Department of the State Uni¬ versity Teachers College of Plattsburgh. Keeseville REGION 8 —MOHAWK-HUDSON Walton B. Sabin Weather in the Mohawk-Hudson region averaged warmer and drier than normal except for a very wet September brought about partly by the passage of The Kingbird 197 Hurricane Donna just to the east of the region. The most unusual records of the period were of Black Vulture (see field notes section) and of several Dickcissels, one of which was found dead and turned over to the Schenectady Museum. Loons — Ducks: Common Loons first appeared on Oct 15 at Stony Creek Reservoir and were last reported on Nov 26 at Saratoga Lake (Hollenbeck). The species went through in good numbers, whereas no Red-throated Loons were re¬ ported at all. The only report of Red-necked Grebes was of four seen on Nov 5 at Saratoga Lake (Hollenbeck), HornedGrebes were very numerous during their November passage. Saratoga Lake was particularly favored by this species with the following numbers reported: 50 on Nov 5; 90 on Nov 12; 70 on Nov 20; and 50 on Nov 26. Pied-billed Grebes were last reported on Oct 23. Great Blue Herons were present throughout the period, but Common Egrets were not reported after Sep 10 when 13 were seen on the Lower Hudson field trip (Schenectady Bird Club). No Little Blue Herons were seen during the period. Green Herons were not seen after Sep 25, at Vischer Ferry (Hallenbeck) and Bitterns after Oct 5 at Middle Grove (Bartlett). The Canada Goose flight was about normal with the peak between Oct 8 and 18. Pintails were first seen on Sep 18 at Tuttle's .Marsh (SBC-ADBC field trip) and last reported on Oct 9 at Stony Creek Reservoir (SBC field trip). Green-winged Teal were reported from Sep 25 at Stony Creek Reservoir (Hallenbeck) to Oct 9 at the same place (SBC field trip). Blue-winged Teal were reported as Icte as Oct 9 on the SBC field trip to Stony Creek Reservoir. The Shoveler was reported only once, on Sep 18 when four were seen at Tuttle's Marsh on the joint SBC- ADBC field trip. Wood Ducks were not reported after Oct 20 from Collins Lake. Among the regular diving ducks the Redhead, Canvasback, and Greater Scaup went unreported. The only Ring-necked Duck reported wcs seen Nov 12 at Mer- win's Pond (ADBC record). Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Oldsqaw, White¬ winged Scoter, Common Scoter, and Red-breasted Merganser were all first seen on Nov 6 at Tomhannock Reservoir (SBC field trip). Bufflehead were seen Nov 5 and 12 only, at Saranac Lake (Hallenbeck), and Ruddy Ducks at Tomhannock Reservoir on Oct 26 (Brother Austin) and Nov 6 (SBC field trip). Hooded Mergan¬ sers were last seen Nov 12 at Kinderhook (ADBC record). Hawks — Owls: A late Turkey Vulture was seen at Ghent on Nov 22 (Erlen- bach). At Bell's Pond (SW Columbia County) on Oct 8 a Black Vulture was seen by an observer thoroughly familiar with the species in the South (Thurston). No Sharp-shinnedHawks were reported during the period, and Cooper's Hawk only once. Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks were widely reported whereas the Broad-winged Hawk and Bald Eagle were not reported at all. Rough-legged Hawks were commonly reported (for this species, that is) after Oct 23 when three were seen on the Hudson Highlands SBC field trip. Marsh Hawks were still present at the end of the period but the Osprey was last reported on Oct 13 at Jenny Lake (Bartlett). A lone Peregrine Falcon was reported on Oct 1 Crystrl Lake (fide Sabin). No Pigeon Hawks were seen, but Sparrow Hawks continued present throughout the period. Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite (chiefly in Columbia County) and Ring-necked Pheasants were regularly seen. There were no reports of rails. The Common Gallinule was seen as late as Sep 25 at Vischer Ferry, and the Coot was observed at Stony Creek Reservoir on Oct 15 (Hallenbeck). Killdeer were widely reported. Several good Woodcock flights were reported, with from 8 to 12 birds reported in one day on several occasions. The last of this species was seen on Nov 20 at Ghent (Erle-nbach). Two Common Snipe were observed on the late date of Nov 16 at Meadowdale (Hallenbeck). Other shore- were very scarce to absent, mainly because of high water levels in their usual haunts Spotted Sandpipers left after Sep 25 when they were seen at Stony Creek Reservoir (Hallenbi^ck). On Sep 24 at Meadowdale a Pectoral Sandpiper and a Dunlin were observed (Eddy, Hallenbeck). A Semipalmated Sandpiper was seen Sep 10 at Tomhannock Reservoir (Austin). Herring and Ring-billed were the only gulls observed. Several Black Terns were seen along the Hudson River below Hudson in the first week of September (Reilly). Mourning Doves were still present at the close of the period. The last cuckoos were as follows: Yellow-billed on Oct 8 at two places in Columbia County (ADBC records); Black-billed on Nov 5 at Ghent (Erlenbach). Great Horned, Screech, and Barred Owls were reported throughout the period, but there were no observations 198 The Kingbird of Barn OwlS/ Long-eared Owls, or Short-eared Owls, were reported from several areas in and around Albany and Schenectady, with the first report being of one seen at Saratoga Lake on Nov 6 (fide Hollenbeck). Two Saw-whet Owls were re¬ ported, one of a road-kill in Niskayuiia on Nov 8 (Kaskan), and another seen on Nov 18 at Melrose (Yunick). Goatsucker — Shrikes: Whip-poor-wills were present through the first week in September at Charlton (Halverson), and Nighthawks were at Scotia as late as Sep 27 (Hollenbeck). Chimney Swifts lingered to Sep 14 at Castelton (Cook) and Hummingbirds to Oct 13 in Ghent (Erlenboch). Kingfishers were present to the end of the period. No Yellow-shafted Flickers were reported after Oct 30 at Westerlo (fide Sabin). Pileated, Hairy, and Downy Woodpeckers were commonly reported: there were no observations of Red-headed Woodpeckers. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers migrated through from Sep 17 at Loudonville (French) to Oct 1 1 at Nassau (Shine- man). The last Eastern Kingbirds were seen on the Lower Hudson SBC field trip on Sep 10. The last date for TrailPs Flycatcher was Aug 28 at Meadowdale (Austin). Phoebes were reported until Oct 9 when one was seen at Stony Creek Reservoir (SBC field trip). Wood Pewees were present until Sep 20 at Loudonville (French). An extremely late Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen at Ghent on Oct 12 and 13 (Erlen- bach). Horned Larks were reported throughout the period. Tree Swallows were seen until Sep 18 on the joint SBC-ADBC field trip in Columbia County and Barn Swal¬ lows until Sep 10 on the Lower Hudson SBC field trip. Other swallows were unreported. Red-breasted Nuthatches were observed, but there was no invasion of these birds in the region such as occurred last year. Tufted Titmice were reported in the vicinity of Albany as follows: Oct 22 on Fuller Road, Albany (Thomos); on Hilton Road, Slingerlands, on Oct 27; and several times" on Kenwood Avenue, Slingerlands, during November with two birds banded (Sabin). In Columbia this species was also widely but sparingly reported (Alan Devoe Bird Club). Brown Creepers were reported from Sep 20 at Loudonville (French) until Nov 20 at Sara¬ toga Lake (SBC field trip). The last House Wren was seen at Loudonville on Oct 4 (French). Migrant Winter Wrens were first reported on Sep 10 at Ghent (Erlenbach) and were not reported after Oct 26 at Loudonville (French). Carolina Wrens were observed on Sep 27 and 28 at Slingerlands (Grace) and Oct 19 at Scotia (Hollenbeck). The last Long-billed Marsh Wren was seen on Oct 9 at Stockport Station (Brown). A Catbird was present until Oct 4 at Loudonville (French). A Mockingbird was present in Hudson from Nov 17-30 where it was first noticed fighting its reflection in the win¬ dow of a house (Brown). On Highland Avenue in Albany a Mockingbird was seen by numerous observers on Election Day. Further checking in the area seemed to indicate that the bird had been present for almost two months prior to Election Day. A report came in for Nov 29 that there were definitely two Mockingbirds present (Linch). This leads one to speculate whether or not the species might not have nested in the area surrounding Highland Avenue. A late report bears mention¬ ing here of another Mockingbird seen at Clifton Park Center on Jul 26 (Halverson). Further checking at this last place proved fruitless. Wood Thrushes were present at Slingerlands until Oct 29 (Grace). Hermit Thrushes were reported from Sep 30 at Nassau (Turner) to Nov 2 at Chatham (Radke), and Swainson's Thrushes were observed from Sep 17 at Loudonville (French) until Oct 27 at Schenectady (Eddy). No Gray-cheeked Thrushes or Veeries were reported. Occasional Bluebirds were seen in various parts of the region. The first Golden-crowned Kinglet was at New Concord on Sep 30 (Radke). Ruby-crowned Kinglets were first seen at Ghent on Aug 20 (Erlenbach) and as late as Nov 23 at New Concord (Radke). Water Pipits were seen throughout the area beginning on Sep 21 at Thacher Park (Austin) and continuing to Nov 2 at Ghent (Erlenbach). The only shrike reported was a Northern Shrike seen at Ghent on Nov 1 (Erlenbach). Vireos — Warblers: Yellow-throated Vireos were last seen in Schenectady on Sep 30 (Eddy), and Solitary Vireos were there until Oct 7 (also Eddy), The latest Red-eyed Vireo was reported from Castleton on Oct 1 (Cook) and Warbling Vireo on Sep 23 in Schenectady (Eddy). The elusive Philadelphia Vireo was seen on Sep 30 in Schenectady (Eddy). The following warblers were last reported on the dates and from the localities indicated: 2 Black and White, Oct 7 at Nassau (Shineman); Nashville, Oct 9 at The Kingbird 199 Stony Creek Reservoir (SBC field trip); Porulo, Sep 24 at Loudonville [French); Mag¬ nolia, Oct 19 at Niskayuna (Kaskan); Black-throated Green, Oct 1 at Loudonville (French); Black-throated Blue, Oct 7 at Loudonville (French); Blackburnian, Sep 29 at Scotia (Hollenbeck); Chestnut-sided, Oct 2 in Columbia County (ADBC record); Bay-breasted, Oct 13 in Columbia County (ADBC record); Blackpoll Oct 7 at Loudon¬ ville (French); Pine, Oct 11 at Nassau (Shineman); Prairie, Sep 18 in Columbia County (SBC-ADBC joint field trip); Palm( Oct 27 at Castelton (Cook); Ovenb'd, Sep 24 at Loudonville (French); Northern Waterthrush, Sep 13 at Loudonville (French); Connecticut, Oct 3 at Ghent (Erlenbach); Mourning, Sep 28 at Scotia (Hollenbeck); Yellowthroat, Oct 4 at Loudonville (French); Yellow-breasted Chat, Sep 29 at Slingerlands (Grace); Wilson's Sep 14 at Loudonville (French); Canada Sep 14 at Schenectady (Eddy); and Redstart, Oct 5 at Loudonville (French). Blackbirds: — Sparrows: Meadowlarks, Redwings, Grackles, and Cowbirds were present throughout the period. A Baltimore Oriole was seen at late as Nov 7 in Loudonville (French), while Rustv Blockbirds went through between Oct 9 (SBC field trip to Stony Creek Reservoir) and Oct 16 (at Meadowdole, Hollenbeck). Scarlet Tanagers were last seen on Oct 18 at Castleton (Cook), and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks on Oct 4 at Ghent (Erlenbach). A late Indigo Bunting was seen on Oct 10 and 12 at Castleton (Cook). There was a slight influx of Dickcissels into the region this fall. One showed up first at Hilton Road, Slingerlands, on Oct 22 (Grace). This bird remained in the vicinity until at least Oct 27 by which time a great many observers had opportunities to see it. A second bird showed up in Burnt Hills, also on Oct 27. This bird met with some accident since it was picked up dead on a front lawn (Foote). It was turned over to the Schenectady Museum, as mentioned earlier. Evening Grosbeaks were unusually scarce this fall. The first report was of three birds which showed up very briefly at Hilton Road, Slingerlands, on Oct 13 (Grace). None were reported after that for three weeks. They were reported from Nov 5 on at New Concord (Radke), on Nov 6 near Tomhannock Reservoir (SBC field trip), and Nov 16 at Meadowdole (Hollenbeck). Purple Finch reports were few, beginning with a bid on .Sep 24 at Loudonville (French) and concluding with four birds on Nov 19 at Grafton (Yunick). No Pine Grosbeaks were reported. Apparently Redpolls were not up to their num¬ bers of a year ago; the only report was of approximately 50 birds at Taberton on Nov 5 (Yunick). Pine Siskins were reported more so than usual beginning with a bird on Oct 27 at Niskayuna (Kaskan) and continuing through the end of the period. Goldfinches were reported in their usual numbers. The only crossbill report for the period was a flock of 24 Red Crossbills seen on Nov 6 at Tomhannock (SBC field trip). The last Towhee was seen at Loudonville on Oct 4 (French). Savannah Sparrows were reported throughout the period. Grasshopper Sparrows not at all. The elusive Henslow's Sparrow was seen on Sep 17 at Loudonville (French). Vesper Sparrows were widely reported until Oct 25, in Columbia County (ADBC record). Juncos were later migrants this year by several weeks with the first one reported Sep 29 at Scotia (Hallenbeck). The first Tree Sparrows were seen on Oct 23, in Columbia County (ADBC record), while the latest Chipping Sparrow was noted Nov 1 at Scotia (Hallenbeck). The first migrant White-throated Sparrows were noted Sep 10 on the Lower Hudson SBC field trip; the species continued to be reported until the end of the period. White-crowned Sparrows moved through the region the last part of September with one remaining until Nov 16 at Nassau (Shineman). Fox Sparrows v^^ere seen between Oct 21, in Colum¬ bia County (ADBC record), and Nov 6, when ten birds were noted near Tomhan¬ nock Reservoir (SBC field trip). Lincoln's Sparrows were reported from Sep 10 at Tomhannock Reservoir (Austin) to Oct 5 ot New Concord (Radke). The latest Swamp Sparrow was seen on Nov 16 at Meadowdole (Hallenbeck). Song Sparrows were present throughout the period. Snow Buntings were seen first at Lake Taghkanic on Nov 13 (Brown) and then on Nov 18 when a flock estimated at 100 birds was in Burnt Hills (Foote). No Lapland Longspurs were reported up to the end of the period. 652 Kenwood Avenue, Slingerlands 200 The Kingbird REGION 9 — DELAWARE - HUDSON Ered N. Hough Frequent summer rains were practically terminated following the treacherous event of Hurricane Donna on September 12. The subsequent period of September as well as October and November remained about as tranquil as we could ever expect for that time of year. It became quite dry, and the cooling process was a gradual one. Pleasant sunny days seemed to be the rule. November was outstanding, with the long slanting rays of the sun enticing the remnants of summer to linger on. Many insects were able to exist beyond their normal limits, and even the Song Sparrow, destined to winter, was drawn up out of his weedy tangle to the bush top to do a bit of singing in the warm morning sunshine. The migration intensities early in the period were considered good for most of this region, but the mid-fall occurrence of the winter visitors from the north was for the most part meager and spotty. Birders continued to watch their feeders expectantly. Loons — Ducks: While on a field trip Oct 2 the Rockland Audubon Society added the Gannet to the list of birds seen about the South Nyack area of Rockland making the second record for the county. Again the southward flight of Canada Geese Was good in the Hudson Valley. Most reports indicated high numbers passing over on Oct 8. In General, the move¬ ment of ducks down the valley was also good. The Ralph Waterman Bird Club found them more abundant on the inland ponds of Dutchess County than in most years. The Oldsquaw, for instance. Was reported for the first time in a number of years. Scoters, too, were reported by RWBC observers. Brother Michael saw two White-winged Scoters on Oct 2 on the Hudson River, and the day before L. Pal- matier and A & B. Klink found a sizeable flock of Common Scoters on Stissing Lake, in Dutchess County. The White-winged was also seen in Orange County (Oct 22) by members of the Edgar A. Mearns Bird Club. Hawks ^ Owls: As usual the Broad-winged Hawk took the high numerical count with some exceptional flights noted in the Dutchess County area on Sep 17 (RWBC). Many were also seen passing through Westchester County on the same day (Stan Grierson et al). On a hawk watch at Tower Black Rock near Cornwall, Orange County, on Oct 22 the E. A. Mearns Bird Club was thrilled by the appear¬ ance of an early Rough-legged Hawk flying southwest to northeast, opposite the typical fall migration pattern. We wonder whether this bird went on over to Dutchess County for one was seen there the following day by I. & T. Haight. On Sep 15 a Peregrine Falcon appeared in the Tri-loba Hill Sanctuary, Katonah, Westchester County, and was seen by Ruth & Stanley Grierson. This same species was also observed near Barrytown, Dutchess County, on Sep 29 (Brother Michael). The Ruffed Grouse population seemed to be up this fall. Most shorebirds went through without attracting too much attention. Robert' Pyle had a Semipalmated Plover under observation on Sep 25 in a mud puddle near New Paltz, Ulster County, and down at Piermcnt Pier in Rockland County Mr. and Mrs. Bob Deed observed a Least Sandpiper on Sep 5. Such species as these are often overlooked. The most interesting shorebird find of the season was made by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Steffens who spotted a Hudsonian Godwit near Haverstraw, Rockland County, on Sep 18. It was thoroughly "gone over"for about an hour, and the record is another first for Rockland. The Great Horned GwI seemed to be very vociferous this fall, especially in some areas of Ulster County. Other owls were usual. Goatsuckers — Shrikes: The Whip-poor-will was last heard in Kripplebush, Ulster County, on Sep 18, and a late Nighthaw'k was there on Sep 24 (F. Hough). The latter bird was first noted about 4:00 P. M. flying a wide circle of about a half mile diameter over open country, and the incessant circling was kept up for well over two hours! The last Chimney Swift reported in the region was seen at Barrytown, Dutchess County, on Oct 1 1 (Brother Michael). Again this fall the Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker was found in parts of the Hudson VaMey. The first report of it came from Barrytown on Oct 16 where it was observed closely by Brother Michael. This was a first record for Dutchess. A second record made on Nov 6 at Croton Point, Westchester County, by Thomas Appel, Gorton Carruth, and Lester Walsh further indicates its casual occurrence in this region. The Kingbird 201 Flycatcher movements appeared normal. The Cliff Swallow left the Ashokan Reservoir area in Ulster County on Aug 22 (Al Feldman). The swallow flight as a whole was good. The Blue Jay movement was moderate. Crows were moving in Ulster County between Oct 18 and Nov 1 1 (F. Hough). Observations were scant on the Red-breasted Nuthatch. The House Wren was last seen at Lomontville, Ulster County, on Oct 4 (Henry Dunbar). Fall reports of Mockingbirds came from Dutchess (R. Wood) and Westchester (Paul Wolf) Counties. Elsewhere they probably escaped attention. A Swainson's Thrush was seen in Rockland County on Sep 3 (Homer Kelsey) and may have been an early migrant. Happily, the southward flight of Bluebirds was not alarmingly low. They were scarce in some sections, to be sure, but in others their numbers were encouraging. Flights seemed to be better down the east side of the Hudson River. Observers in Dutchess County noted more numbers this fall than last, and in Putnam County below Dutchess, Mabel Little had the same experience. The Golden-crowned Kinglet was more abundant this fall, and many will probably be around for the winter. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was first seen in Dutchess County on Sep 1 (RWBC) and about the same time in the Catskills (F. H., D. S.). They were common during the period, and one was heard singing on Nov 4 near Kripplebush (F. H.). A Loggerhead Shrike was found near Suffern, Rock¬ land County) on Nov 5 by John LeMaire. This is a late date for the Rockland records. Vireos — Worblers: The flight of vireos and warblers was considered quite good, and according to some it was better than the spring migration in May. The Edgar Mearns Bird Club of Orange County had high counts on Sep 5 and 17. Dutchess County observers were impressed with the number of warblers they en¬ countered. The Tennessee was last rported in Dutchess on Oct 12 and the Yellowthroat on Oct 24. Myrtle Warblers were common throughout most of the region. During the fall migration they are prone to take their fly-catching habits almost anywhere and are consequently found in some unusual places where Dip¬ terous insects are found. Palm Warblers were reported more often than usual. A Mourning Warbler was reported at Highland Falls, Rockland County, on Sep 18 (Robert Conner). Blackbirds — Sparrows: Margaret Dye, who lives at Cornwall-on-Hudson, Orange County, reported seeing a pair of Cardinals in her yard still feeding rather immature young on the unusually late date of Oct 7! The Dickcissell was again reported in Rockland (Steffens). Apparently the Evening Grosbeaks made a spotty entrance into this region. A few came very early — near Fort Montgomery and Bear Mountain, Rockland County, on the last days of September (Mr. and Mrs. John Orth). They were also reported in Dutchess County in September, and a male appeared at the feeder of Leslie Pearl in Ammawalk. Purple Finches were about in normal numbers. There were no Pine Grosbak reports. Pine Siskins were generally scarce in most areas, but some sizeable flocks were seen in Dutchess County during the latter part of October (Brother Michael). Crossbills were scarce. The first Tree Sparrow of the fall was reported by Henry Dunbar of Lomont¬ ville, Ulster County, on Oct 21. White-crowned Sparrows were noted in Dutchess County between Sep 22 and Oct 23 (RWBC). Mrs. Henry Dunbar banded a Lincoln's Sparrow at Lomontville on Sep 15, the only fall report. Snow Buntings were reported in Ulster County on Oct 26 (Al Feldman), in Dutchess County on Oct 30 (E. Pink), and in Putnam County Nov 3 (Mabel Little). This indicates their general arrival about that time. Correction to Previous Report: The flight of Canada Geese on May 24 mentioned on p. 77 of the July, 1960, issue (Vol, 10, No. 2) is incorrect. The birds were Brant. Accord 1 202 The Kingbird REGION 10 —MARINE John J. Elliott The highJight of the fall season was Hurricane Donna, September 12, which swept up the coast bringing many southern rarities and blowing in^ offshore species. Spectacular were the great numbers of Common Terns and Black" Skimmers, Royal and Caspian Terns estimated into the hundreds, some 28 Gull-billed Terns, a few Sandwich (formerly Cabot's) Terns, Oystercatchers (seen by many observers), and one hasty look at a Magnificent Frigate-bird at Bablyon (I. Alperin), As an example of the incursion, several eastern Long Island observers noted on September 13 and 14, from Mecox to Moriches, the following: two Louisana Herons, three Glossy Ibises, five Oystercatchers, 12 Willets, 70 Knots, three Marbled and five Hudsonian Godwits, six Northern Phalaropes, 150 Laughing Gulls, three Gull-billed Terns, seven Royal Terns, seven Caspian Terns, one Sandwich Tern, and two Sooty Terns. Equally good or better listings came from Jones Beach and westward with more numerous counts of Royal, Caspian, Sooty, and Gull-billed Terns. Of the total of some dozen Sooty Terns listed, about one-half were found dead or exhausted; one was blown inland as far as Levittown (E. Morgan), and there was one north of the bay at Great River (R. Wilcox). Wilcox also found a dead immature Sooty Tern at Shinnecock, September 14, which had been banded at Dry Tortugas, Rorida, on July 14. A few hurricane species were in evidence for a week or two after the storm. The rest of the fall was warm and rather pleasant with a fair migration' of some warblers and good numbers of sparrows and Dickcissels. Purple Finches and Gold¬ finches were common, but other finches were rare or absent. Spectacular was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Atlantic Beach from October 30 to November 6 (Ed — see field notes section, this issue) and a Gray Kingbird at Westhampton Beach on September 18. Remarkable was the banding at Shinnecock of 4,153 birds from September 3 to October 31 (H. Terry, R. Wilcox). Good numbers of certain species, including Wilson's Petrels and Northern Phalaropes, wete observed cn an offshore fishing trip on September 7 (Elliott). Loons — Ducks; There was on incursion of Red-throated Loons, with 34 at Riis Park on Oct 29 (J. Mayer, G. Rose). A Leach's Petrel was banded and released at East Moriches; two were found dead at Quogue (Wilcox), and there were several others reported about mid-September. The maximum count on Wilson's Petrel was 150 on Sep 7 at Ambrose Channel (Elliott). There were great numbers of white herons in late summer — an estimated 200 to 300 Common Egrets and 300 to 400 Snowy Egrets from Meadowbrook Causeway to Cedar Beach. Maximum East Moriches roosting numbers: 37 Common Egrets and 103 smaller white herons (Snowies or Little Blues), these on Aug 7 (G. Raynor). There was a maximum of eight Louisiana Herons in mid-Sep on the south shore; they roosted at Cedar and Jones Beaches, where several were seen in September and early October. The Little Blue Heron, formerly more common than the Snowy Egret, is now greatly reduced in numbers on Long Island; five or six were seen at Jones Beach in mid- Aug (Elliott, C. Ward). There were five or six Long Island records of the Cattle Egret, including one at Riverhead on Sep 13 (H. Evans) and two at East Moriches on Sep 21 (Raynor). Glossy Ibis were rather scarce until mid-Sep; the maximum was three at Shinnecock on Sep 13 (Raynor, Wilcox). There was one Whistling Swan report at Jamaica Bay. Some 575 Canado Geese flew over Dix Hills from Oct 3 to Oct 18 (Plembleton; Good). A Goose first seen by Wilcox on Oct 2 at Islip, and subsequently seen by others, was identified by Puleston as anser erythropus, the Lesser White-fronted Goose, a European species. It remained until early November and perhaps to the end of the period. A bird resembling this was seen at Babylon in early September (R. Snyder); its tameness suggested an escape. Five Snow Geese were at a pond near Jones Beach on Oct 16 (J. Bull, D. Amadon), and the maximum Gadwall count was 30 there that same day. Both teal were very scarce, but there were fair numbers of Shovelers and Scoters. Wood Duck were present at several locations; four were at Baldwin on Oct 9 (Mrs. Benedict). Hawks — Owls: Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks were principally on the south shore. Buteos were scarce on Long Island, and there were few or no Rough- The Kingbird 203 legged Hawks to the end the period. A -few Peregrine Falcons, eight to ten Pigeon Hawks, and large numbers of Sparrow Hawks were the average on good flight days at Jones Beach and eastward around the end of September. There was a big flight of falcons on the outer beach, Brookhaven, Oct 1, with two Pere¬ grines, 15 Pigeon Hawks, and 200 Sparrow Hawks (Puleston); 644 Sparrow Hawks were counted from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM that same day at Fire Island Inlet (H. Darrow). A King Rail was reported at Jamaica Bay on Oct 15, and a Sora was there on Sep 14 (Norse). The Common Gallinule was recorded at Jamica Bay and Brook- haven. An estimated 12 American Oystercatchers were reported after Hurricane Donna, with a maximum of five at Moriches on Sep 14 (Puleston). Golden Plovers were reported around mid-September, and there was a fairly good flight of Black- bellied Plovers. There were one or two records of the Baird's Sandpiper. The maximum Willet count was 25 at Moriches on Sep 14 (Puleston). Five Stilt Sandpipers were at Mecox Aug 21 (Puleson), and ten were seen at Sagaponack on Sep 9 (Raynor). Three Marbled Godwits were observed at Moriches on Sep 14 (Puleston), and there were also three at Spring Creek on Sep 18 (Mayer, Rose). The maximum Hudsonian Godwit count was five at Moriches on Sep 14 (Puleston). A Wilson's Phalarope was at Baxter's Creek, on Sep 25 (Buckley Norse). Northern Phalaropes were reported along the south shore after Hurricane Donna (numerous observers), and 21 were seen in Ambrose Channel on Sep 7 (Elliott). Laughing Gulls were numerous in mid-September, and Bonaparte's Gulls were reported from mid-September to the end of the period. Unusual was the Sabine's Gull observed at Jones Beach on Sep 12 (Buckley, Fisher). Fairly large numbers of Roseate Terns, and fewer of Black Terns, were present on the south shore, and ten species of terns were counted with Donna's departure. All-time highs came in for Royal, Caspian, Sandwich, Sooty, and Gull-billed Terns; there were an estimated 28 of the latter, phenomonal for this species hereabo^uts. Hundreds of Black Skimmers were present after the hurricane; there were 300 at Jamaica Bay on Oct 2. Reported at Manorville were two Screech Owls on Sep 23 and a Great Horned Owl on Oct 29 (Raynor). Single Snowy Owls at Baldwin around mid-November and at Shinnecock on Nov 15, plus two at Riis Park on Nov 13, comprised an early advance of this species in an apparent flight year. The Long-eared Owl was seen at Jones Beach. A half dozen Short-eared Owls were at Jamaica Bay in early November, and a Saw-whet Owl was seen at Jones Beach on Nov 13 (Linnaean Society). Goatsuckers — Shrikes: There was a poor flight of Nighthawks ot Brook- haven, with a maximum of ten on Aug 31 (Puleston); 16 were at Monorville on Sep 1 (Raynor). A large flight of Flickers was noted in September, and Sapsuckers were fairly common in mid-October. A Red-headed Woodpecker was seen at Jones Beach on Sep 13 (Buckley, Elliott), and one was also reported Nov 6 (Ward). A Gray Kingbird was seen on a field trip at Westhampton Beach on Sep 1 8 (Lyman Langdon Audubon Society); the bird was seen again the following day (Wilcox). A Western Kingbird was observed at Riis Park on Oct 29 (Mayer, Rose), and there was also a Nov 6 report (Norse, Cantor). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was at Atlantic Beach form Oct 30 to Nov 6 (Buckley and numerous other observers). The Olive¬ sided Flycatcher was found at Quogue on Sep 9 and 10 (Wilcox). Tree Swallows were found in large flocks at Jones Beach Sep 20-30 and were still present to Nov 15. A tufted Titouse was observed at Manhasset on Oct 27 (Mrs. Closs). There was a poor flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches. The peak of the Brown Creeper flight at Shinnecock was from Oct 4 to 6 (Wilcox). Wrens were compara¬ tively scarce, and Bluebirds extremely so, on Long Island. There were two November records of Short-billed Marsh Wren at Brookhaven (Puleston). Four Mockingbirds were seen together in Freeport on Nov 6 (M. Wheat). An estimated 100 Water Pipits were noted at Jones Beach on Nov 13 (Linnaean Society trip). Loggerhead Shrikes were at Jones Beach on Nov 14 (Norse) and at Shinnecock on Sep 5 (Wilcox). Vireos — Warblers: Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos, scarce as breeders on Long Island, were also scarce in the fall migration. Several records of Phila¬ delphia Vireos, Worm-eating Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, and two of 204 The Kingbird Prothonotary Warblers, came in — the latter at Jones Beach and Gilgo, Sep 22 (Levine, Wollin). Fair numbers of Cape May, Black-throated Blue and Black- throated Green Warblers, BJackpoll Warblers, Northern Waterthrushes, Yellow- throats, Chats, and Redstarts were noted. Wilcox and Terry banded 76 Palm Warblers, the first on Sep 9 and a peak of ten on Sep 27. The commonest warbler banded was the Myrtle (1,525), with a peak of 214 on Oct 10. There was a fair flight of warblers on western Long Island on Oct 22, including Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Connecticut. A Wilson's Warbler was seen at Jones Beach on Oct 7 (Elliott, Ward). Blackbirds—Sparrows; Some 40 Bobolinks were seen at Moriches on Sep 13 (Raynor); the last one was at Jones Beach on Nov 6 (Ward). The Baltimore Oriole was present at Jones Beach to the end of the period. The Scarlet Tanager was common at Jones Beach to late October, and a female Summer Tanager was at Speonk on Oct 22 (Wilcox), On dates ranging between Oct 15 and 22 single Blue Grosbeaks were noted at Gilgo, Riis Park, and South Ozone Park, and two were in Prospect Park. Indigo Buntings were fairly common, as were Dickcissels; there were obout a dozen records of the latter to the end of the period. The maximum Purple Finch count was 50 in Dix Hills in September (Pembleton, Good). The first Pine Siskins were observed Oct 22 in Shinnecock (Wilcox). Several Ipswich Sparrows put in an appearance at Jamaica Bay at the end of the period (A. Dignan). The last Grasshopper Sparrows were at Atlantic Beach on Nov 5 and Riis Park Nov 6. Vespers Sparrows were particularly numerous at Jones Beach, and six were banded at Shinnecock on Oct 18. The first Tree Sparrow was seen on Oct 27 (V/ilcox). Several Lark Sparrows were noted Sep 1 1 to Oct 7, and a Clay-colored Sparrow was reported at Riis Park on Oct 1. Lincoln's Sparrows came through at Shinnecock Sep 14 to Oct 10. The Lapland Longspur first showed up at Shinnecock on Oct 4, and the first Snow Bunting was there on Oct 8 (Wilcox). Snow Buntings were seen in small flocks subsequently. Birds banded at Shinnecock included 724 Slate-colored Juncos (132 on peok day, Oct 18), 216 White-throated Sparrows (31 peak, Oct 8) and 406 Song Sparrows (51 peak, Oct 18). Corrigendum: In the previous issue, Vol 10, No. 3, p. 120, change "The Louisiana Waterthrush nested at Manorville for the second time as many years" to read "The Louisiana Waterthrush was found for the second time at Manorville." 3994 Park Avenue, Seaford, Long Island The Kingbird 205 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC.’ MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY t—Charter Member ***—Life Member **—Supporting Member *—Sustaining Member Others—-Annual Members Ackley, David M., 49 Crosley Terrace, Hillsdale, New Jersey___1956 Ackley, Mrs. Willard D., Mansion House, Kenwood Station Oneida_1953 * Adelson, Richard H., Remsen Lane, RFD 1, Oyster Bay, L. 1._1951 Ahrens, Ruth, 18 Barker St., Jamestown_1960 Alger, Mrs. James R., RD 1, Jasper_1950 * Allen, Dr. Arthur A., Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca-1959 Allen, Arthur W., 561 Eastern Blvd., Watertown_1957 Allison, W. H., 1 Norman Ave,, Auburn_1961 Alperin, Irwin M., 187 Cedar Lane, Babylon__1950 Alsever, Dr. William D., 219 Hurlburt Rd., Syracuse 3_1953 Amstutz, Miss Agnes A., Box No. 63, V. A. Hospital, Sunmount_1951 Annabal, Mrs. Russell C., East Rd., Pavilion-1952 Arbib, Robert S., Jr., 226 Gruion Drive, Mamaroneck_;_1955 Arthur, Mrs. William, 98 Fenimore St., Lynbrook, L.l_1960 Ashley, James Willis, 22 Lynacres, Fayetteville_1955 Aspinwall, Mrs. Breck, 1411 North Madison St., Rome_1953 Austin, Lucy F., P.O. Box No. 125, Rush_1951 * Axtell, Dr. Harold H., Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo_1951 Axtell, Mrs.'Harold H., 405 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo 22_1959 * Bacon, Mrs. John Edward, 74 Crescent Ave., Hamburg _1950 Badger, Lester R., Box 528C Route No. 1, Excelsior, Minnesota_1959 Baehr, Mrs. Charles V., "RockCliff", R. D. 1, Rensselaer_I960 Baker, Pauline E., 226 Central Ave., Albany 6_1952 Ball, Robert E., 5037 Meadow Lane N.W., Canton 3, Ohio-1951 Barten, Hortense, Mariposa, Old Chatham __1960 t** Bartlett, Guy, 1053 Parkwood Blvd., Schenectady 8_1948 Becker, Rebecca K., 1378 E. 8th St., Brooklyn 30 --1961 Bejian, Mrs. Henry L., 932 Meadow Lane, Schenectady 9_1959 t* Belknap, John B., 92 Clinton St., Gouverneur___1948 Below, Mrs. T. H., Box 554, Naples, Florida_ 1959 Bemont, Leslie E., 710 University Ave., Endwell _ 1952 Benton, Dr. Allen H., State University College of Education, Albany 3_1950 Betts, Mrs. Charles E., 1065 Madison Ave., Albany 8 _1960 Bill, Ima I., 196 North St., Buffalo 1 _ ____1951 Bitz, Maude E., 303 Catherine St., Syracuse 3 _1955 ' Corrected to December 5, 1960 Black, Alene E., 118 Ferris Place, Ithaca _1953 Blake, Joseph A., Jr., 140 Ten Eyck St., Watertown-1959 Blake, Mrs. Joseph A., Jr., 140 Ten Eyck St., Watertown-1959 Bloomer, Wilson C., 1201 Summit Drive, Newark, New York_1958 Booth, Mrs. Robert, 1085 Bank St., Painesville, Ohio- 1960 * Brand, Mrs. Albert R., 700 Stewart Ave., Ithaca -1955 Brandebury, Mrs. Carl V., 130 Home St., Malverne, L.l. --_1960 Brandes, Mr. Kenneth W., 51 Stevens St., Wellsville-1958 Brauberns, James E., Derby - 1951 Brech, Martin, Archer Road, Mahopac- 1955 Brettle, Mrs. Arthur C., El Rancho Mobile Village, Bradenton, Florida--1954 f** Brockner, Winston William, 63 Ardmore Place, Buffalo 13_1948 Brown, Bruce, 945 Harvard St., Rochester -1961 Brown, Mrs. Harold S., 220 Cobb St., Ithaca --1961 Brown, J. Warner, Scottsville--1951 Brown, Llewellyn E, 71 Lee Rd., Rochester 6_1961 Brown, Mrs. V. A., Randolph - 1960 Brundage, Edward F., Etna -.--1959 Bryant, Leslie E., 13 Second Ave., Auburn _1960 Buckland, George, R. D. 1, Box 343, Batavia_1951 206 The Kingbird Bull, John L., 1148 Virginia St., Far Rockaway 91 _1951 Burland, Robert, 16 Reynolds Ave., Oneonta-1960 Bursewicz, John, 14 Chapin St., Jamestown_1957 Burn, Dr. Benjamin P., 109 Haftenden Rd., Syracuse 10_1958 Busch, Mrs. Benjamin, 956 East 18th St., Brooklyn 30_1951 * Byron, Richard, 2292 Emery Rd., South Wales _1951 Campbell, Mrs. Eugene S., 17 Jersey St., Caledonia_1961 Campbell, Mrs. J. Fanning, 908 West First St., Elmira_-_1957 Carter, Mrs. G. J., 20 Alexander St., Avoca-1952 Catrow, Robert F., Box 25, Erin_.-1955 Cerwonka, Robert H., State University College of Education, Potsdam __1961 * Chamberlaine, J. Lee, 145 Dorwin Ave., Syracuse 5 _1954 Claire, Walter W. Sr., 161 North Clinton St., Poughkeepsie_1961 Claire, Walter W. Jr., Red Oaks Mill Rd., Poughkeepsie_1961 Clinch, Frank A., 173 Haley St., Watertown___1955 *** Clements, H. Everest, 64 Merriman St., Rochester 7_1950 Coleman, Glenno M., 607 West Henley St., Clean_1955 Collins, Henry H., Jr., 1200 Post Rd., Scarsdale _1957 Comar, Mrs. Cyril, 8 Highland Park, Ithaca__1960 Common, Dr. J. Robert, Andover_1958 Conner, Paul F., RD 364-A, Wakeman Rd., Hampton Bays_1960 Cook, I la. Star Route, Branchport _1954 * Coombs, Mrs. Robert D., 375 Paramus Rd., Paramus, New Jersey_1951 Cord, Mrs. Don 0., Hedgecote, Southhampton _1961 Creighton, Mrs. James A., 78 Union St., Homburg---1951 Crone, Mrs. Lincoln E., 838 Union Rd., Buffalo 24__1960 Curtis, Natalie H., Kamfield Farms, R. D. No. 2, Hillsdale_1960 Cypher, Velma I., 16 Mohegan Rd., Ossining _I960 Dater, Mrs. John Y., 259 Grove St., Ramsey, New Jersey_1950 * Davis, James M., 203 Collingsworth Drive, Rochester 10 _1950 Deed, Robert F., 50 Clinton Ave., Nyack _1951 Delafield, Harriet L., 8 Old Military Rd., Saranac Lake-1961 ** Desmond, Hon. Thomas C., 94 Broadway, Newburgh-1951 DeNeef, Walter, 25 Lake Road, Ext., Dryden__1960 Devlen, George B., 144 Cayuga St., Groton_1957 Dietrich, Mrs. Martin W., 216 Fayette Ave., Kenmore 23 -1955 Diffendall, Warren E., U.S. Game Management Agent, RD #1, Walden __1958 Dignan, Adrian J., 98 Hillside Ave., Freeport, L. I.- 1959 Dineen, Mrs. Francis, 41 St. John's Park, Rochester 12 -1950 Douglas, Damon G., Jr., 1120 Ellis Hollow Rd., R.D.#2, Ithaca-1960 Dove, Mrs. William C., 12 Guilford Rd., Port Washington, L.l.-1960 Drayton, Jean, 42 Elm Place Amityville-1959 * Dryer, Leora M., Highacres Farm, Snell Rd., Geneva -1951 Dunbar, Henry, R.D. No, 3, Box 194, Kingston_____1955 Dunham, David W., 96 West Main St., Dryden-1953 Dunning, Orville, M., 22 Longridge Rd., Plandome, L.l.-1960 Dye, Mrs. John, 7 Carol Terrace, Cornwall-on-Hudson-1960 Earl, Mrs. Robert D,, Farmingdale Rd., Blooming Grove-1951 Eaton, Mrs. Elon H., 808 South Main St., Geneva-1954 Eaton, Stephen W., Biology Dept,, St. Bonaventure University St. Bonaventure--'---1953 Eddy, Mrs. Gilbert M., 2201 Stone Ridge Rd., Schenectady 9-1959 * Edge, Mrs. C. N., 767 Lexington Ave., New York 21 -1953 * Edwards, Oliver M., Grassy Lone Farm, Cazenovia- 1952 Eisenmann, Eugene, 110 West 86th St., New York 24-.-1950 Elitharp, Marie, 221 Ten Eyck St., Watertown -1959 Elliott, John J., 3994 Park Ave., Seaford, L.l.-1959 English, Mrs. Lowrence, Frenchs' Mill Rd., Altamont-1959 English, Mrs. William J., 35 V 2 Lincoln Ave., Amsterdam-1951 Erlenbach, Mrs. Paul, Erlen Acres, Ghent - 1958 Ernst, Christine C., 399 State St., Albany 10-:-1960 Estoff, Mrs. W. D., 838 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse 10 -1957 The Kingbird 207 Evans, Mrs. Orry R., 403 Marshall St., Syracuse 10 _1955 Flacklam, Rose W., Cattaraugus ___:_1951 * Feldhusen, Elizabeth A., 115 William St., Catskill _1950 Felle, Mrs. Henry, 650 Fitch St., R.D. #1, Oneida_1959 Fisk, Mrs. Bradley, 3227 Reservoir Rd., N.W., Washington 7, D. C. __1952 Fitchen, Margaret, 713 Madison Ave., New York 21 __1955 Fitzgerald, Mrs. Gerald, P.O. Box 267, Amsterdam _1951 Fleisher, Dr. Edward, 20 Plaza St., Brooklyn 38_1952 Fletcher, A. K., 27 Lake Rd., Ext., Dryden_1960 Foote, Foster F., R.F.D. #1, Conesus :_1955 Foster, John, 14 Utica Place, Rochester 8 _1961 Fox, Ruth, 323 Summit Ave., Schenectady 7_ 1961 Frick, Mrs. George, Eight Note Rd., R.D. #3, Fulton_1959 Fudge, Albert W. Ill, 326 Larchmont Rd., Elmira--1951 Fudge, Mrs. Clinton, 257 Brand St., Elmira__1955 Gamble, Edwin F., 148 Germonds Rd., West Nyack_1960 Gambrell, Dr. Foster L., 288 LaFayette Ave., Geneva_-1952 Garland, Leonard J., 260-73rd Ave., Floral Park, L.l,_1951 Garrity, Devin A., 682 Forest Ave., Rye-1951 Gebbart, Benjamin, 304 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca _1959 Gehmon, Erwin Richard, 61 Ozone Ave., Venice, California -1960 Germond, Mrs. Homer, Shunpike, Clinton Corners _1961 Gibson, Mrs. Wm W., 222 Lancaster St., Albany 10_1961 Gifford, F. P., Aurora-on-Cayuga _1959 Gleason, C. Herbert, Orchard Knoll, R.D. #2, Horseheads_:-1959 Goebel, Herman 78-52 80th St., Brooklyn 27 ___1951 Goff, Dr. Milton R., 95 Landing Road North, Rochester 10-.__1950 Gokey, Aden L., Canaan_^_ 1960 Goldman, Dr. Sanford G., 1070 Park Ave., New York 28_1960 Good, Earl M., Seaman Neck Rd., Huntington, L.l. _1960 Goodnough, Jay L., 82 Park Ave., Binghamton-1960 Goodwin, Mrs. Edward S., Pheasant Lane, Menands Rd., Albany 4_1961 Goodwin, Clive E., 11 Watertown Rd., Weston, Ontario, Canada_1961 Gordon, David C.^ 1347 Sherman St., Watertown _1958 Gordon, Harry E., 307 Laburnum Crescent, Rochester 20 -1954 Gould, Mrs. Ruth, 110 Pleasant St., Manlius --1956 f Grace, Mrs. Charles J., Hilton Rd., Slingerlands_1948 Graham, Dr. John C., 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn 17_1952 Grant, Lucile, 267 Ward St., Watertown _1950 Grant, Robert H., 19 Marden Rd., Metucen, New Jersey-1957 * Greenman, Nancie, 136 Princeton Ave., Buffalo 26_1958 Greenwood, Mrs. Sarah, 2838 E. Cheery Lynn Rd., Phoenix, Arizona-1960 Grierson, Stanley Oliver, Todd Rd., R.D. #1, Katonah_1954 Griffin, Mrs. R. Gardner, 47 Chuckanut Dr., Oakland, New Jersey_1951 Grinnell, Dr. Lawrence I., 710 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca_1957 Groesbeck, W. M., 376 Seneca Rd., Hornell _1955 Guller, Dr. Erastus I., 253 Alexander St, Rochester 7_1951 Gustafson, Dr. John A., R.D. #1, Homer_1960 Guthrie, Prof. Frank K., P.O. Box 94, Keuko Park_1954 Hagadorn, Mrs. Rosalie, 397 Ballston Rd., Scotia_1961 Hall, Fred T., Buffalo Museum of Science, Humboldt Park, Buffalo 1 1 __1952 ** Haller, Jean, 83 East Main Street, Avon_1956 Hollenbeck, Esiy, 14 Washington Rd., Scotia 2___1951 Hartell, Siguard N., Box 515, East Moriches, L.l_1960 Hartwell, Reginald W., 121 Fitzhugh St., North Rochester 14_1950 * Hastings, Watson B., 18 Appleton Place, Dobbs Ferry_1951 Hayes, Samuel D., P.O. Box #16, RFD #1, Greene_1960 Hayes, Mrs. Samuel D., P.O. Box #16, RFD#1, Greene___1952 Heath, Fred A., 11-15 F.D.R. Drive, New York 9 __ 1960 Heilborn, Axel, 1020 Creekside Drive, Niagara Falls_ __]951 t Heifer, Louise, 111 Ninth St,, Watkins Glen_1948 208 The Kingbird Hevey, Lena A., 102 Oak St,. Binghamton______^1^5$ Hibbard, Mrs. Durwood, Prattsburg, Steuben County _1959 Hicks, Betty, 15 Schuyfer Ave., Latham_1961 Hill, Clara M., 48 Linda Drive, Buffalo 25_1951 Hiller, Annabelle B., 52 Charles St., Jamestown_____1951 Hiscock, L. Harris, 44 West Lake St,, Skaneateles_1955 Hoffman, Mrs. John C., 952 S. Lincoln Rd., East Rochester_1961 Hoffman, Norwin, Cherry Valley Rd., Skaneateles _1960 Holmes, Alice, 837 DeCamp Ave., Schenectady 9_1960 Hopper, Dr. Marjorie R., 278 North Midland Ave., Nyack_1951 Hotchkiss, Neil, 5704 41st Ave., Hyattsville, Maryland _1959 Hough, Fred, Accord 1 ---•___1954 Houghton, Gertrude H., 605 Washington St,, Watertown _1959 * Hoyt, Dr. Sally F. (Mrs. Southgate Y.), Box 54, “Aviana", Etna __1950 Hoyt, Mrs. William, 267 South Main St., Warsaw_1960 Ingersoll, Mrs. R. V., Box 30, Northport_1951 Irving, William Gary, Van Houten Fields, West Nyack_1960 Irving, Mrs. William Gary, Van Houten Fields, West Nyack_1951 Isleib, Peter M., R.D. #2, Marlborough, Connecticut_1959 Joel, Helene, 537 Third St., Albany 5 _1952 Johnston, Mary, Box #263, R. D. #2, Altamont_1957 Jordon, Joseph A., 14 Sherbrooke Rd., Scarsdale_1952 Kapler, Margaret T., 7 Frost Lane, Hewlett, L.l._ 1959 Kaskan, Walter E., 2120 Plaza, Schenectady 9_1958 Keenan, Louise, 14 Forest Ave., Glen Cove_1954 Kellogg, Dr. Peter Paul, 115 Dearborn Place, Ithaca_1952 Kelsey, Paul, R.D.#1, Dryden _1960 Kemnitzer, Allen E., 969 Five Mile Line Road, Webster__„1951 Kibler, Lewis F., 50 Stewart Ave., Jamestown__1960 Killip, Dr. Thomas 111, New York Hospital, 525 E. 68th St., New York 21 __ 1953 King, Mrs. John Jr., Salt Point Rd., Pleasant Valley_1961 Kingsbury, Dr. Marguerite, Sunmount V. A. Hospital, Tupper Lake_1959 Klabunde, Walter, 395 Creek Road Ext., Lewiston__1951 ** Klonick, Allan S., Ill Rowland Parkway, Rochester 10_1950 Kopp, A. E., Reading Center-1954 Krupas, Elizabeth, 515 Hector St., Ithaca--1960 Kuhn, Donald R., 54 Murray St., Mt. Morris__ 1961 * Lane, Arthur C., 26 Sapsucker Wood Rd., Ithaca_1960 Latham, Roy, Orient, L. I. -1958 Leighton, Mrs. Henry, Box 55, Jacksonville_-_1957 Lerch, Malcolm J., R.D. #5, Penn Yan-1950 Lesperance, Thomas, A., Keeseville _1951 * Levine, Emanuel, 585 Mead Terrace, South Hempstead-1958 Leubner, Dr. Gerhard W., 151 Upland Drive, Rochester 17_1951 Liebich, Mrs. Warner P., 16 N. Helderberg Parkway, Slingerlands_1960 Linch, Mary, Box 263, R.D. #2, Altamont- 1957 Lippert, George E. L., 256 Caroline St., Albion_._1956 Listman, Walter C., 68 Ontario Blvd., R.D. #2, Hilton_1960 Little, Dr. Ethel E., 217 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca-1954 Little, Randolph S., Ill Crest Lane, Ithaca--1957 Lobdell, Audrey, 88 Willett St., Albany 10 _1959 t Loomis, Mrs. Lester R., Route 2, Hammond, Louisiano_1948 Lovelace, Mrs. Meredith M., 193 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo 14___1952 Lowerree, E. O., 334 Third St., Albany 6_1961 Maciejewski, Stanley J., 84 Cochrane St., Buffalo 6_1951 MacKnight, Mrs. A. A., 109 Berkeley Drive, Syracuse 10_1954 Madden, Mrs. J. Hayward, South Livonia Rd., Livonia_:_1956 Maddren, Mrs. Florence T., 467 North Main St., Wellesville_1951 t Madison, Samuel R., 14 McGuffey Lane, Delmar---1948 Malone, Joseph A., Jr., 290 Manville Rd., Pleasantville___1959 Margeson, Mrs. Osmer, Jasper---1959 Marsi, Mrs. Frederick V., 49 Moore Ave., Binghamton-----^1958 Matera, Mrs. Michoel J., 21 Fairview Ave., Port Washington, L.L __^1960 The Kingbird 209 May, Mrs. Frederic W., Locust Acres, Westernville _i_1953 c ‘McCarthy, Eugene E-, 55 Lakeview Park, Rochester 13__1951 ; ^ -M S., 207 Winthrop Rd., (Solvay) Syracuse 9-1958 ■ 'McFadden, Alice, 60 .Granger St.,' Canandaigua_ 1959 McGregor, Mrs. Bruce C., Ellenburg Depot_ _1954 Mcliroy, Mrs. Malcolm S.; 419. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca---:_1960 McKinney, Robert G., 198 Parkview Drive, Rochester 10 _______ -:1951 McLaughlin, Vincent P., Jr., 287 Poland Center Rd., Poland 14, Ohio-1960 t** Meade, Dr. Gordon M., 31 15 34th St., N.W., Washington, D. C.-1948 Melville, Mrs. Ward, 25 W. 43rd St., New York 36_1961 Meritt, Prof. Benjamin, The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey-1959 Meritt, James K., 68 Westerly Rd., Princeton, New Jersey-1955 Meyer, Frederick G., 609 Bishop St., Olean-1954 Meyer, Jane, Apt. 6 - G, 100 Parkway Rd., Bronxville 8_1961 f Meyer, Helen, Brick House, Spencer ---1961 Meyerricks, Andrew J., Box 155, South Lincoln, Massachusetts-1950 Mickle, Mary D., 48 Centre St., Chatham-_1958 Miller, Howard S., 54 Luella St., Rochester 9-1957 Mills, Dudley H., 19 Pound Hollow Rd., Glen Head, L.l._^1961 Minor, William F., 324 Homewood Drive, Fayetteville __1952 Mitchell, Charles W., Quaker Street Village-:-1960 t * * *Mitchell, Harold D., 238 West Royal Parkway, WiMiamsville_1948 Mitchell, Mrs. Harold D., 238 West Royal Parkway, Williamsville_1953 Moon, Dr. Neil S., 25 Edgewater Lane, Rochester 17 __1950 Morton, Dr. John J., 1913 Westfall Rd., Rochester 18 —_1950 ' Mudge, Eugene Tenbroeck, R.F.D. #1, Box 316, Northport_1956 Nash, Mrs. George, 178 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie __1961 Nelms, George C., 522 Grant Bldg., Pittsburgh 19, Pennsylvania_1954 Nelson, Dr. Theodora, 315 East 68th St., New York 21 _ __1951 Ness, Robert David, 17 Five Points Rd., Rush_1950 Niles, Dorothy G., P.O. Box 238, Tribes Hill-1950 Niven, Kenneth D., 61 Broadway, Monticello_1951 Nodecker, H. P., Kenwood Station, Oneida -1954 O'Hara, Richard T., 265 Carling Rd., Rochester_1951 t Orbison, Agnes M., 311 Irvine Place, Elmira _1948 Oresman, Stephen B., 105 Wilshire Rd., Rochester 18 _1959 Ormandy, Mrs. Arthur E., 11 S. Lyon Ave., Menands _1961 Orth, John C., Trailside Museums, Bear Mountain_1951 Palmer, Dr. Ralph S., New York State Museum, State Education Building, Albany 1 __1951 ** Palmer, Wayne N., 1030 Miller St„ Apt. #314, Utica 3_1951 Paquette, Paul R., 173 Skinner Rd., Kenwood, Oneida_1953 Patten, Paul, 301 Eost Tompkins St., Ithaca___1959 Parkes, Kenneth C., Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh 13, Pennsylvania_1951 Pearsall, Linda Jean, Baker Hill Rd., R.D. #2, Freeville_1960 *** Peck, Mabel L, 331 Webb St., Clayton_1950 Pembleton, Hugh F., RFD #4, Huntington, L.l._ 1959 Penberthy, Alan H., 105 Graywood Court, West Islip,_1958 Perron, Mrs. Bernadette, Box #127, Surmount ---1959 Pierce, Mrs. Edward, 402 South Albany St., Ithoca___1960 Pierce, Gladys, 16 Murray St., Augusta, Maine_;_____1960 Pink, Mrs. Andrew, Main St., Pleasant Valley----1961 , Pixley, Mrs. 0. L., 245 East Ave., Batavia---- ,„_1951 Plitt, George, Box 68, Spring Valley---:—....-1954 Post,^ Robert L., RD #1, Marietta -- _V___---:---_1961 Post, William, Jr., Box #582, Aiken, South Carolina-- _1957 ' Powell, Mrs. W. B., 81 Stewart St., Amsterdam_:-__.^^__1950 i . Praemassing, Eugenia, 87 Linden Ave., Buffalo 14--- —._1951 ■ Price, Dr. John M. Jr., 8 East 75th St., New York 21--- __1960 " PuLeston, Dennis, Brookhaven, L. I. -,-- ^1957 Radke, .Mrs. Donald F., Box 138, R.D. #1, East Chatham --- 1 955 .... Rathbun,^Mrs. Daisy, R.D. #1, Burdett--1960 210 The Kingbird Raynor, Gilbert S., Manorvilie .__________^1959 Reed, Mrs. D, Paul, 16 East 92nd St., New Vork 28 ____1951 Reilly, Dr. Edgar, Jr., Old Ghathom ________1958 Rich, Eva, 147 - 79th St., New York 24 ____1____1952 Richter, Donald, 8 Revere St., Rockville Center, L. !. __ !1960 Ricks, John T.,. East Gate Rd;, R.D. #3, Huntington, L.l. __1951 Rimsky-Korsekoff, y. N., 220 Middle Rd., Sayville, L.l.______1952 Rising, Gerald R., Board of Education Office, 105 Main St., Norwalk, Conn. 1951 Robins, Erford E., 604 Falls Blyd., North Tonawahda__1951 Robinson, Mrs. Annah M., 108 Monroe Street, Watkins Glen____1953 Robinson, R. W., P. 0. Box 69, Ithacd ___1952 Rockwell, Mrs. Fred G., 25 Linden St., Rochester 20___1950 Rogerson, Wheeler M., 4016 Cliff St., Niagara Falls_:_1951 Rosche, Richard C., 48 Dartmouth Ave./ Buffalo 15 __ 1954 Rose, Ralph H., Rosemary Farm, South Kortright_1954 Rubin, Mrs. Aniya H., 328 Archer St., Freeport, L.l.--1960 Rubinstein, Mrs. Ruth, 1 35 Ashhnd Place, Brooklyn 1__-1958 Rusk, Margaret S;, 1 H Stcindart St., Syracuse 10 ----1955 Sabin, Walton B., 652*.kenwood'Ave., Slingerlands__:___1958 Samuels Mrs. Mark J., 94A Delaware Ave., Buffalo 9___^__1958 Sawyer, Dorothy M., 419 Euclid Ave., Syracuse 10 --1 955 Schaffner, Art, 170 Laurel St., Buffalo 8___^1951 Scheider, Dr. Fritz, 151 Seventh North St., Syracuse 8_-_...___1954 Scotland, Dr. Minnie B., 42 Continental Ave., Cohoes__:_1948 Scott, Lawrence H., P.O. Box 3,04, Ithaca --;_:_:-1960 Seaman, Roberta W., 10 Onondaga St. Skaneateles_:______1958 Seeber, Edward L., 493 Norwood Ave., Buffalo 22 __1951 Sharp, Mrs. Elmer, 135 Fishers Rd., R.D.,, Fishers___-1959 Sheffield, Robert, R D. #5, Binghamton----__-1954 Sheffield, Mrs. Robert, R. D. #5, Binghamton --__1955 Shepherd, Mrs. G. F., 101 Valley Rd., Ithaca ----_1960 Sherman, Mrs. E., P.O. Box 222; Skyland,- North Carolina--- 1 960 Shields, Walter K., 275 Caroline St., Rochester 20 ----^_1951 Shineman, Mrs. Ralph E., Kinder Knoll, Nassau----_1958 Short, Henry W., Shortsville _•----_1958 Shoumatoff, Nicholas, Old Post Rd., Bedford---__1959 Simon, Edward, 591 Campus Place, Baldwin, L,I.---.__1960 Skillen, Lucille J,, 15 Bloomingdale Ave, Akron__:-___1950 Slingerland, Mrs. Elmer, Kneeskern Rd., R.D. #1, Kirkville_-^1961 Slocombe, Mrs. William, 169 Spruce St., West Hempstead, L.l.-^1960 Slocum, Mrs. J. Fred, 29 Park St., Buffalo 1 -------.__1950 Slocum, Mariam Frances, 1 Merrill Place, Geneva--1960 Sloss, Richard A., 1300 Seawane Drive, Hewlett/Harbor, L.l.-,-^1951 Sloss, Mrs. Richard A., 1300 Seqwane Drive, Hewlett Harbor L.l. --1955 Smilow, Mrs. Fred, R.D., East Chatham --.I960 Smith, Edgar J., R.D. #3, Bainbridge-- ______ -1954 Smith, Joseph A.,, R.D. #2, Wilawana Rd., Elmira --:----1958 Snyder, Robert, 8 Campus Place, Baldwin, L.l,-_1----1960 Spencer, Leon R., 36 South Main St., Walworth ---1960 Spofford, Dr. Walter R., 76,6. Irvin Ave,, Syraouse 1 0- __-1951 Sprenkle, Robert L., 690 Penfield Rd., Rochester 10-1953 Starling, Alfred, 34 Pinnacle Rd., Rochester 20 -- 1954 Steffins, Frank R., 9 Oak Street, Rockland County, New City---1951 Stone, Rudolph H., 173 Cabot Street, Holyoke, Massachusetts--- -__1950 *Stoner, Mrs. Dayton, 399 State St., Albany 10---1948 Strath, Mrs. Betty J., Odessa----^-1957 Statton, Mrs. Lewis H., R.D. #2, Oxford ----1958 Stuart, Lyman K., Sr., 501 West Maple Ave., Newark--1955 Stuart, Mrs. Lyman K., Sr., 501 West Maple Ave., Newark-1955 Sturdevant, Corleton A., R.D. #1, Prattsburg-1951 Sundell, Robert, A., 94 Main St., Frewsburg-1953 ' Taylor, Joseph W., 590 Allen's Creek Rd., Rochester 18- 1951 Tanghe, Dr. Leo J., 852 Stone Rd., Rochester 16-1951 The Kingbird 211 Terry, Mrs. Earl D., P.O. Box 6601, Lantana, Florida_1952 Temple, Mrs. T. R., 30 Leonard St., Gansevoort_1951 Tetlow, Thomas E., 11 Gregory St, Rochester 20_1960 Thorne, Catharine, 492 Main St, Catskill_1961 Thorp, Katherine, 1019 Danby Rd., Ithaca__1953 Thorpe, Heather G., 3435 Edgewood, Ann Arbor, Michigan_1951 * Thurber, Dr. Walter A., State University College of Education, Cortland-_ 1956 Toppings, Anna, 412^/^ Jackson Ave., Endicott__1954 Treacy, Edward, 35 Roe Park, Highland Falls___1956 Turner, Lena, 210 Delaware Ave., Buffalo 2___1952 *** Ulrich, Edward C., 193 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo 14__1950 *** Ulrich, Mrs. Edward C., 193 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo 14_1950 Van Demark, Milford, R.F.D. #1, Stone Ridge__1958 t Van Vorst, Nelle G., 67 Snowden Ave., Schenectady 4_1948 Van Wagner, Mrs. Orlando, Gleason Blvd., Pleasant Valley_1961 t Vaughan, William C., Brick House Farm, Church St, Youngstown_1948 von Arnin, Henning B., P.Q. Box ,37, West Clarksville_1959 Von Glahn, John H., 82-35 Grenffll St., Kew Gardens 15_1952 Voorhees, Mildred A., 222 Delawcjre St., Syracuse 4_1957 Wachenfeld, Mrs. William A., 787 E. Clarke Place, Orange, New Jersey__1953 Walker, Mrs. Elroy P., Rorr)uius _1956 Walker, Jason A., 89 Church St^ Waterloo __1950 Ward, Cornelius J., 71 East Centennial Ave., Roosevelt, L.l._1959 Ward, Loren D., 29 Maple St, Geneva_1950 Warren, Thurman, 16 Marshall Lcjine, Chappaqua____1960 Washburn, Mrs. Newell R.; 2204 East Main St, Endicott_1955 Watson, Dr. James M., V. A. Hospital, Syracuse 10_ 1958 Wayland-Smith, R., 137 Kenwopd Ave,, Oneida -1954 Webster, Gertrude G., 198 Marjorie Drive, Buffalo 23_1950 Welch, Dr. D. S., 427 Warren Rd., Ithaca_ 1960 Weld, Dr. Paul W., 42 Pinetree Lqne, Rochester 17_1960 Wendling, Marie A., 87 Garrison Rd., Williamsville 21 _1951 Wertman, Mrs. Howard, .Morner Rd., Rensselaer _1960 Wheat, Maxwell C. Jr., 333 Bedfll St., Freeport, L.l.-1954 Whelen, Edward J., 971 East 34th St., Brooklyn 10-1952 White, Dr. G. B., 239 Sugarloaf St, Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada_1951 White, Ruth E., R.D. #1, Norwich_1955 White, Sally G., R.D. # 1, Norwich --1960 Whitman, J. Douglas, R.F.D. #1, Jordan-1956 Wilcox, LeRoy, Speonk, L.l. __1959 Wilder, Mrs. Arthur H., 3 Sunset Drive, Painted Post --1960 Williams, Mrs. Ruth, R,D. #2, Box 364, Owego_1961 Wilson, E. Rosonnah, 37 North Main St., Geneva_1952 Wilson, Stuart S. Jr., Koo Koose Farm, Deposit_1954 * Wisner, Herbert, Unadilla -1956 Woldman, Irvin, 712 Colvin Ave., Kenmore -,1950 Wolf, Mrs. Raymond J., Krums Corners, R.D. #3, Ithaca_1953 Wolff, Rev. John L., Grace Church, 7 Main St, Mohawk__1953 Wollin, Alvin, 4 Meadow Lane, Rockville Center, L.l._1960 * Wood, Rawson L., 5 Bonnie Heights Rd., Monhasset-1953 Wrede, Audrey Louise, 3109 Beverly Rd., Brooklyn 26_1951 Wright, A.J., Bache & Co., Elliott Square Bldg., Buffalo 3-,___1952 Yeaton, SamueL C., Jr., 36-14 203rd St., Flushing 61 ._1951 Young, Ethel M., 51 Robinson St., Schenectady 4_ 1961 Zimmer, Byron L., 34 Goodman St South, Rochester 7- 1951 212 The Kingbird THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. 1960 MEMBER CLUBS* Alan Devoe Bird Club--East Chatham Baldwin Bird Club - Seaford-Freeport Brooklyn Bird Club -Brooklyn Buffalo Audubon Society- Buffalo Buffalo Ornithological Society- Buffalo Burroughs Audubon Nature Club_-_Rochester Cayuga Bird Club- Ithaca Chemung Valley Audubon Society_Elmira Genesee Ornithological Society__Rochester Greene County Bird Club- Catskill Jamestown Audubon Society_ Jamestown John Burroughs Natural History Society__Kingston Keuka Park Conservation Club---Penn Yan Linnaean Society of New York__New York City Lyman Langdon Audubon Society_Port Washington Natural History Section of the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences_Staten Island Naturalists' Club of the Triple Cities ___Binghamton North Country Bird Club_^_Watertown Onondaga Audubon Society_ Syracuse Queens County Bird Club_;_Bronx Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club_ l _Poughkeepsie Rockland Audubon Society_^_Nyack Sassafras Bird Club-Amsterdam Saw Mill River Audubon Society_Pleasantville Scarsdale Audubon Society---i.- Scarsdale Schenectady Bird Club____Schenectady-Albany Sullivan County Audubon Society--- Monticello Tioga Bird Watchers Club_Owego Watkins-Montour Bird Club_Watkins Glen area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area area * Dates indicate year clubs joined Federation. If any corrections necessary, please notify Mrs. Dayton Stoner, Treasurer. 1957 1948 1948 1948 1948 1948 1953 1950 1948 1960 1958 1953 1948 1948 1953 1952 1952 1948 1952 1948 1959 1948 1948 1953 1948 1948 1952 1960 1948 The Kingbird 213 The best birders rove about . . . /'SOUNDS OF NATURE” recordings. Produced by Dr. W. W, H. Gunn for the Federation of Ontorio Naturalists Vol 1. Songs of Spring Vor 2. A Day in Algonquin Pork Vol 3. Birds of the Forest Vol 4. Wqrblers Vol 5. A Doy at Flores Morades Vol 6. Finches Each at $5.95 post free. Shipped from Connecticut Write for brochure: FEDERATION OF ONTARIO NATURALISTS EDWARDS GARDENS Don Mills, Ontario 1961 ANNUAL MEETIN6 New YorK City’ September 29, 30 # October! THE 1961 ANNUAL MEETING The first annual meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs was held in October. Since then the annual meetings have been held in the spring, with the exception of the Ithaca meeting which was held in August. A number of members have suggested that we again hold a fall meeting. In order to determine the preference of member clubs a ques¬ tionnaire was sent to each club with the result that the 1961 annual meeting will be held in the fall. Mr. Richard E. Harrison, President of The Linnaean Society of New York which is the host club for the 1961 annual meeting, has announced that the dates for the meeting are September 29 and 30 and October 1. 214 The- King'bird REPORTING REGIONS For descrtpHons oF Regtons s«« Kingbird Vol. IV, Not. 1 ond 2 ATTENTION! Advertising Helps to Defray Printing Costs For the Kingbird RATES; $48.00 —Full Page $20.00 — 1/8 Poge $36.00 —Half Page $15.00 — 1/16 Page $25.00 — Quarter Page $10.00—1/32 Page Classified: 40c a Word — Minimum 10 Words Contact the Editor, Dr. Minnie B. Scotland or Winston W. Brockner 63 Ardmore Place, Buffalo 13 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. 1$60 Offices President Mrs. William G. Irving._Van Houten Fields, West Nyock Vice-Rresfdent Mr. John J. Elliott ___ 3994 Park Aveniie, Seaford, L. t. Corresponding SecrMory Mrs. Southgate Y. Hoyt __;-:___Etna Recording Secretary Mrs. Dbnold Rodke-:—:-;---East Chathom Treosunr Mrs. Dayton Stoner-i- .l -_399 State Street, Atbony 10 Editor of THE KINGBIRD Minnie B. Scotland 42 Continental Ave., Colibes, New York Appo^ted Committees Bulletin Exchange: Kenneth D. Niven, 61 Broadway, Monticello Conservotlor: Joseph A. Blake, Jr., 140 Ten Eyck St., Watertown Finonce: Alien S. Kionick, 901 Sibley Towter Bldg,, Rochester 4 Kingbird Finance Committee: Winston W. Brockner, 63 Ardmore Place, Buffolo Membership; Albert W. Fudgd, 326 Larchmont Road, Etmiro Publications & Research: Harold D. Mitchell, 238 West Royal Parkway, Wllliamsville Editorial Board of State Book: Robert S, Arbib, Jr., 128 Lawn Terr., Mamaroneck —Editor Bibliography: Stephen W. Eaton, St. Bonoventure Univ., St. Bon a venture State Bird Book; Joseph Wm. Taylor, 590 Allen's Creek Rd., Rochester 78 Waterfowl Census: Dr. Leo J. Tanghe, 852 Stone Rd., Rochester 16 Publicity & Public Relotions: Mrs. Alice Ulrich, 193 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo 14 Elected Committees Auditing: Guy Bartlett, Sam Madison Nominating: Allan S. Kionick, 901 Sibley Tower Building, Rochester 4, Joseph Blake, Jr., and Dr. Walter Spofford