VOL XIV, NO. 1 JANUARY • 1 NEW From the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Enjoying Birds in Upstate New York By Olin Sewall Pettingill, Jr. and Sally F. Hoyt Useful hints on finding, identi¬ fying, watching, and attracting birds in New York State exclu¬ sive of New York City and Long Island. Eighty of the more familiar spe¬ cies described and illustrated. Route directions to over 70 of the best places for birds. A bird watcher’s calendar, check¬ list, and calendar graph. Front and back covers with photographs in full color. 95 pages, 132 line drawings. Each copy $1.95 Order directly from the Labora¬ tory of Ornithology, Cornell Uni¬ versity, Ithaca, New York. Make check or money order payable to Laboratory of Ornithology. Add 15c for postage. "SOUNDS OF NATURE" recordings Produced by Dr. W. W. H. Gunn for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists Vol I. Songs of Spring Vol 2. A Day in Algonquin Park Vol 3. Birds of the Forest Vol 4. Warblers Vol 5. A Day 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 THE KINGBIRD is published four times a year (January, May, July and October) by the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. Publication office is 193 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. and Publication is sent free to all individual members of the Federation. Membership in the Federation is $3.00 per year as of Jan. 1, 1962. Single copies: $1.00. APPLICATION for membership should be sent to the chairman of the member¬ ship committee, Mrs. Donald Radke, Box 138, R. D. #1, East Chatham. CHANGE OF ADDRESS is handled by the Treasurer, Kenneth D. Niven, 61 Broadway, Monticello. EXCHANGES, BACK COPIES, and REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED COPIES by Allan S. Klonick, 901 Sibley Tower Building Rochester 4, N. Y. Controlled circulation postage paid at BUFFALO, N. Y. W.KINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC. Vol. XIV No. 1 January 1964 Pages 1 - 64 CONTENTS The Presidents Page____ Robert S. Arbib Jr. 2 The Wild Turkey in New York State_Stephen W. Eaton 4 The 17th Annual Meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. __Otis T. Waterman 12 Nest Record Card Program--David P. Peakall 13 A Bibliography of New York State Ornithology_Sally F. Hoyt 15 Piggy back Kingbirds___Arthur A. Allen 20 Arthur Augustus Allen-Stephen W. Eaton 22 Dr, Elon H. Eaton's Widow' Dies -_Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. 23 Conservation News_Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. 24 Field Notes: Bluebird Nestbox Project___ David C. Krieg 26 Hybrid Warblers in Chatham area-Hortense Barten 27 Another Albino Robin_Florence M. Bodewes 27 Another Corn Crake Record for Long Island_-— Roy Latham 28 First Inland Record for New York State for Common Puffin_Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club 28 Highlights of Fall Season: August 16 — November 30_David P. Peakall 28 Regional Reports for the Fall Season, 1963 ___30 Editor — Alice E. Ulrich Editorial Board John B. Belknap Leslie E. Bemont Allen H. Benton Stephen W. Eaton Eugene Eisenmann Sally Hoyt David B. Peakall James K. Meritt Harold D. Mitchell Edward C. Ulrich Business and Circulation Manager — to he announced Cover Design — Douglas L. FI owl and The Kingbird 1 THE PRESIDENTS PAGE It is perhaps fortunate that the winning of the Presidency of this esteemed Federation requires neither a competition nor a political campaign, for surely were either required, another President would be writing these, or similar, words today. But having elected me to this position of responsibility (total) and authority (limited) with nary a campaign promise nor a platform to hang me on, it might be deemed the better part of valor for your President to keep his counsel, and voice no promises, no programs, no goals. But being rash, we will do just the opposite. We do have some goals and a plan for the year ahead. At this moment in our history, the beginning of our 17th year, we find the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., in excellent fettle. From small beginnings we have grown to an association of 35 member clubs representing almost ever corner of our state; in total associated membership we muster more than 4500 strong. Our two most important objectives, the exchange and advancement of ornithological information, and the cause of conservation, have been well served — by The Kingbird itself, by bulletin exchanges, by cooperative field work projects such as our annual waterfowl count, by our annual meetings, and by the work of our many committees. The power of our combined voices has made itself felt in Albany and in Washington. But we have far to go. In many ways (and in actual years) our Fed¬ eration is a teen-ager still: learning, groping, still growing up, still having trouble getting organized, a little uncertain in some areas of activity, but with tremendous potential energy, creativeness, and power. Our greatest days and greatest deeds are all ahead of us! How far, and how fast, can we go in the year ahead) Here are the goals we set for ourselves: 1. We seek to continue the growth of the Federation, with the addition of at least two new clubs, hopefully in areas where we are presently unrep¬ resented. Among these are eastern Suffolk County, the Rome area, the Plattsburgh area, and the northern tier. We will make special efforts in this direction this year. We would like many more individual members to join our Federation. The number is now over 500; we set our goal for 1964 at 750. If every club will enroll just five new members, we will be well on our way. Finally, we would like to see far more participation by clubs and individuals in our affairs. We seek 100% representation at the Poughkeepsie meeting, May 22-24, for which plans are well advanced for an exciting and rewarding program. 2. We seek to continue the effective role we have played in conservation matters, locally, statewide, and nationally. In Maxwell Wheat of Free¬ port we have an outstanding chairman of a fine committee; we will depend on them in the months ahead to keep us alerted to present and future dangers, and opportunities and advise us on how to take the strongest pos¬ sible action when action is called for. Our response should be swift and forceful. 2 The Kingbird 3. We hope to see our journal, The Kingbird, become ever more profes¬ sional and valuable in its content and appearance, under the able editorship of Mrs. Alice E. Ulrich and her capable staff of editors. We urge each reader to search his notes and memory for subject matter for papers long and short, and then put his hand to them. We want to expand our rather select circle of authorship, and introduce new authors to the pride of publi¬ cation. 4. After years of discussion and planning, we hope (and pray) that 1964 will finally see the selection and sponsorship of a full-time author for our State Bird Book, and the serious work of writing this book well started. 5. In brief, we hope to find this organization, at the end of the current year, sound of body and bank balance, strong of purpose, and filled with the pride of recent accomplishment. I ask every member club and every club member to help us attain these goals. At this time it is traditional that the incoming President announce his appointments for chairmanship of our various committees. The list is at this writing incomplete. The following committee chairmen, however, have agreed to serve for the coming year: Conservation: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport. Membership: Alfred Starling, 75 Brooklawn Dr., Rochester 18. Publications and Research: Dr. Edgar M. Reilly, Jr., State Museum, Albany 1. Bibliography: Mrs. Southgate Y. Hoyt, Box 428, Etna, 13062. Waterfowl Count: John L. Mitchell, 345 Conrad Drive, Rochester 16. Chairmen for the following committees will be announced shortly: Bulletin Exchange, Finance, Kingbird Finance, State Book. Your President reminds you that every committee chairman welcomes interested, active volunteers. A purely voluntary organization such as ours only exists and functions to the extent that its members actively participate. An organization, or a committee, merely existing as names on paper signifies nothing, if the names do nothing. Let us all resolve to work to help make this organization go. At the suggestion of a number of members, your President has appointed a John J. Elliott Memorial Committee, consisting of eleven members. This committee, under the Temporary Chairmanship of Cornelius Ward, of Free¬ port, has been directed to elect a permanent chairman, determine a suitable memorial, and establish the machinery by which funds may be collected and the memorial accomplished. At this time the President wishes to pay tribute and thanks to all pre¬ vious chairmen, in particular to the dedicated, devoted work of Eleanor Radke of Chatham, long a member and most recently chairman of the Membership Committee. Mrs. Radke is moving to California; we are sorry to see her go and we wish her well. A year of progress to you all! The Kingbird Robert S. Arbib, Jr. 3 THE WILD TURKEY IN NEW YORK STATE Stephen W. Eaton Since World War II exciting new developments in the reestablishment of certain breeding birds have been taking place in New York State. Several species of Herons, have reestablished nesting status with range extensions up the Atlantic Coast, several species of ducks and even the Canada Goose now breed again in New York, but the most interesting example to those of us living in the southern tier counties is the success of the Wild Turkey. Of the 170 odd families of living birds of the world, only the Melea- gridae is considered by students of zoogeography to be typically North American in origin (Mayr 1946). The Turkey has also had an intimate part in the colonization and development of the New World. Europe appears to have learned of oud bird in about the middle of the 16th century probably through the. Spanish and Portuguese explorers of Mexico (Wright 1914-1915), but Benjamin Franklin seemed to have felt that Jesuits from Canada first took them to Europe, and Spencer Fullerton Baird postulated they first went to Europe from some extinct West Indian subspecies. Often the Turkey has entered the vernacular. We have all sat down with someone to “talk turkey” and Wright (op. cit.) cited a Lieut. Abert who contributed this saying ... “It is related that a white man and an Indian went hunting; and afterwards when they came to divide the spoils, the white man said, you may take the buzzard and I will take the Turkey or I will take the Turkey and you may take the buzzard/ The Indian replied, Abu never once said Turkey to me/ ” The more modern version of “heads I win, tails you loose.” may well have been derived from this. Wright (op. cit.) goes on to cite Jared Sparks in The Works of Benjamin franklin. Sparks tells of Franklin's objection to the Bald Eagle as the National emblem. Among various reasons Franklin said, . . . “The little Kingbird, not bigger than a sparrow, attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district . . . The Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, .and withal a true original native of America.” Accounts of great numbers of Turkeys inhabiting New York State dur¬ ing the 17th century can be found in the writings of the Dutch, French and English. The Iroquois made a kind of cloak “a fathom square” of woven Turkey feathers. Feathers of the Turkey were used in many other ways by the Indians and early .settlers — as feathers to guide arrows in flight, tied on the end of a stick to sweep the hearth, and during hot weather the wings were used as fans. Accounts of Turkeys in New York during the 18th century come from the Niagara area, Painted Post, Unadilla River to the Chemung and the Genesee River valley. In the 19th century, following the revolution and General Sullivans expedition much more traveling into the hinterlands of the State occurred and much colonization began particularly in the western parts of the State. This advance of civilization appears to have reduced Turkey populations 4 The Kingbird rapidly so that by 1844 when James E. DeKay wrote the bird part of a large series on the natural history of the State he said on page 20U . . . "1 have not met with them (Turkey) in this State, where they were once exceedingly numerous but as i am well informed, are now only found in the counties ol Sullivan, Rockland, Orange, Allegany and Cattaraugus." Shortly after this date they seem to have been completely extirpated from the State. Wild populations continued to hold out in Central Pennsylvania into the 20th century. In 1929 (Crrsty and Sutton 1929) said . . . "If any Turkeys of pure blood remain in Pennsylvania they are to be found in and near Huntingdon Co." This county is 100 miles due south of Bolivar (Alle¬ gany Co.), New York. Mosby and Handley (1943) said that by 1929 twenty-six states had attempted artificial propagation and release as a tool in restoring Wild Turkey populations. These efforts were all failures. The wild-pen-mating system established principally in Pennsylvania during the 1930's started to show some favorable results. This technique involved holding game farm wild hens in large pens adjacent to wild pop¬ ulations where wild toms flew into the pens to fertilize the hens, it was found by Gerstell and Long (1939) that poults from these matings reacted more to changes in the environment and had more physiological resistance to fasting than tame poults. Leopold (1943) in a classic paper concluded that the wilderness syndrome was associated with the central and sympathetic nervous systems and the endocrine glands. Knoder (1959) carried out further more practical studies and concluded that the hybrid turkeys used ior stocking in Ohio established a home range within -| to 5 miles of the release site. Three types of Turkey flocks emerged after dispersal (1) domestic (flock stayed close to barnyards), (2) semi-feral (dispersed to vicinity of farms and returned to barns rather regularly) and (3) feral , remained 4 to several miles from nearest dwellings. With a biological basis and greater practical experience developing in the stocking programs, more and more successful reestablishment programs devolped. By 1959 thirty-seven States supported a stock of this bird (Mosby 1959) and they were legal game in 20 States. Since 1959 New York has had a limited open season in October. It has been estimated by the Conservation Department that the hunter take in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben Counties (the only counties opened to hunting) has averaged about 300 birds a year. Sources of Our Present Populations During the mid-1940's the Wild Turkey populations of Pennsylvania started to invade the Beech-Birch-Maple-Hemlock forests of McKean and Potter Counties. This area is part of the High Plateau and is just north of the ridge and valley province of central Pennsylvania, which is predominantly forested by Oak and Hickory. The populations in McKean and Potter counties multiplied rapidly, perhaps partly as a consequence of gas rationing and lower hunting penetration of their haunts but most important, a wilder strain of bird, able to cope with the environment, had been established. About 1949 reports of feral birds started to become rather frequent from the vicinity of Wellsville (Allegany Co.) N. Y. on the east to Allegany State Park (Cattaraugus Co.) on the west. By 1952 (before State stocking) The Kingbird 5 Eaton (1953) called them uncommon (found in restricted areas in small numbers) near Olean, N. Y. In November 1952, the Bureau of Game per¬ sonnel of the New York State Conservation Department liberated 170 hand reared Wild Turkeys in Allegany State Park. These were liberated in the fall and many died before spring. Later stockings were carried out mainly in April and were more successful. During the next five years (1952- 1957) 2,575 Turkeys, all banded, were released in 13 counties of the State (Fig. I). These birds were reared at the Sherburne State Game Farm from eggs or poults supplied by the Pennsylvania State Game Commission (Brown 1957). Since the winter of 1957-58 in western New York the Conservation Department has carried on a program of trapping feral birds and transferring these to potentially good areas not frequented by Turkeys. Most trapping in recent years has been in Allegany State Park. Mr. Fred Evans, Conserva¬ tion Foreman,'has perfected a technique for capturing these birds by cannon netting. I have watched him and his crew in operation and they are certainly to be congratulated on the way in which these operations are conducted. Very few birds have been injured and great patience and skill is needed for such exacting work. During the winter of 1962-1963 fifty- three birds were trapped, banded, and moved to other areas (Evans 1963). 6 The Kingbird The stocking of hand reared birds has been discontinued since 1957 so that all birds now have either lived in a feral or semi-feral state for 5 years or have been reared in the wild. Photograph by P. E. CVSlricker Jan. 1959, France Brook Area, Allegany State Park. Cannon net visible on left ready to be fired over 9 young toms. These were banded and transferred to other areas. Project directed by Fred M. Evans, Conservation Foreman, New York State Conservation Dept. For the past 7 years detailed census work by Region 2 of the Conserva¬ tion Department has been carried out mostly under the immediate super¬ vision of Mr. Evans (op. cit.). In the spring of 1963 the results of this census work showed Steuben Co. to be inhabited by about 644 birds; Allegany Co. 829; Cattaraugus by 1265, and Chautauqua by 628. This gave a total of about 3,366 Turkeys in the western New York populations. In these counties about a thousand mare birds now exist (according to these censuses) than were originally released in the entire State, Habits and General Behavior What kind of a new resident do we have and how does he behave? The toms over a year old range between 16 and 22 pounds, the hens 8 to 10 pounds. They are relatively long legged and long necked with sipall heads. The tips of the tail feathers and tail coverts are a rich chestnut color. The toms are an iridescent, shiny black color and the hens somewhat more brownish, These birds are quite close to the untainted Meleagris gallopavo silvestris of the primeval northeastern United States, The Kingbird 7 The bird, is primarly a walker, only resorting to flight when suddenly disturbed and when flying up to roosting sites. In about 25 such sites located in Cattaraugus Co. beech trees about 10-18 inches in diameter at breast height were most commonly used. In very cold snowy weather the lower, large, dead limbs of hemlocks may be used. Once when 1 was observing three adult toms scratching on the forest floor for beechnuts about 50 yards away, they became suddenly alert and all put their long necks up and began uttering the alarm “turk, turk'7 For a few seconds 1 thought they had detected me but soon, above me on the ridge, a red fox appeared following their scent trail into the feeding area. The toms became more and more nervous as the fox approached to about 50 yards; then with a great thrashing of wings they flew into some large beech trees almost over my head. The fox ran through the area where they had been feeding and continued to my right until he caught my scent, whirled, and ran rapidly out of sight. The birds leave their roosting trees about dawn and feed for three or lour hours. Then they either fly up to roost or, if the weather is v£ry unfavorable, they may just stand ‘humped up 1 in the snow with necks pulled clown and tail depressed. But this is not the normal roosting position. In roosting the birds breast bone rests on a limb. About 8 p.m. the birds return to the ground or to actively moving and start filling up their crops. This, in an adult tom during the fall will amount to as much as a pound and a half of beechnuts, acorns or wild black cherries. When the snow melts in the early spring they return to feeding on mast until it starts sprouting and also eat rootlets and tubers. In the summer they feed mainly on sedge seeds of the genus Car ex and grass seeds. Perhaps they will resort to a field or forest opening and, if the grasshoppers there are abundant and easy to catch as on a cool, wet, summer morning they may catch a few hundred for breakfast. This fall one crop I examined contained over 1000 winged males and wingless female of Alsophila pometaria, the fall cankerworm. I am not sure whether Turkeys eat snow but they seem to require some water in their daily rounds. Spring runs are usually present in their home ranges and furnish water, grit, and small animals, and plants. From the middle of January to the middle of March the western New York populations are essentially on what I have termed a winter ration. In 1957-1958 snow piled up in the woods to great depths without a thaw to produce walkable crusts. About 12 Turkeys were brought in to Conservation officials who turned most of these over to me. These had died for various reasons. Most commonly found were immature males which succumbed after dropping in weight to around 6 pounds. The females were found when their weights had dropped to about 4 pounds. At this time of year they may fast; for a whole week, then, if the weather ameliorates, start feeding on the nearest available food. Three toms I tracked in the snow, following one of these subzero periods, ate mostly beech and hemlock buds as they moved slowly through the woods on the snow surface. When they break out into a clearing they will peck at the dock seeds protruding above the snow. They will go up to every large burdock in a clearing, often getting them stuck to their down feathers. The fertile fronds of 8 The Kingbird sensitive ferns are also eaten. Along the edges of conglomerate boulders they will eat polypody fern, and in glades where intermediate shield, fern ana Christmas fern abound they will eat these evergreens. When the snow melts they become for a while specialists in ’spring flowers. The spring beauty, Claytoma, has a large tuber which is partic¬ ularly cherished. This is often scratched up in the fall as well, particularly when beechnuts, cherries and acorns are scarce. Jack-in-the-pulpitUbulbs } : which develop in late summer, are also eaten. :, > k i? From studies of food habits I can only conclude that these Turkeys are the most adaptable in food habits of any of our northeastern . birds. Perhaps their lack of the migratory habit, their large size, and their cursorial feeding are mainly responsible for this varied diet. The Ruffed Grouse, a sedentary relative in the same area, eats a less varied diet. In: the winter, for instance, the grouse with its short legs feeds mainly on birch catkins and becomes mOre of an arborial feeder. It cannot cover as much ground as a Turkey but these short legs make it possible for him to feed at the terminal twigs of pendulous boughs — denied to the 10 to 20 pound Turkey. . ■ FIG, 2 ' ■ TURKEY BEHAVIOR THROUGH THE YEAR FOOD AO$ YG. HAREM JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY. JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT., NOV. DEC. Sociality' ’ ’ ' In figure 2 are shown important events in Turkey behavior 1 'through the year. Laying by hens may start as early as April 15. We flushed a hen from 14 eggs \;s on April 30, 1959 -about 9 miles south of the State line in Pennsylvania. Two eggs were taken, one was preserved in our egg collection to substantiate the record and another was incubated. The egg hatched on May 28 for an: incubation length of 28 days. The hen had The Kingbird 9 evidently just started to incubate on April BO. The latest bird found incu¬ bating was flushed from 12 eggs by Mrs. George Charles about 8 miles north of Allegany, N. Y. t on Aug. 27, 1959. All of these eggs were infertile. Probably the hen had been sitting for much more than the normal incuba¬ tion period. Most nests have been found in May and June with an average hatching date of approximately June 15. The hen and her poults remain together as a social unit through the summer and in the fall may join other family units to form flocks of about 25 birds. Only rarely are flocks of 40 seen and these are usually semiferal birds at the edge of a corn field. The old toms, birds in their second fall or older, form social units of 2-7 individuals. These old birds are practically indestructable. We have never found one in the woods which had died a natural death. One badly crippled from the hunting season was brought into our laboratory by Mr. Terry Moore, but never a winter killed bird. The old toms start associa¬ ting with each other in September or earlier and travel in these groups until about the middle of March. They become antagonistic to one another at this time, develop enlarged wattles on the neck, and strutting and gobbling begins. Shortly after, the old gobblers are most often seen with a small group of hens, usually referred to as harems. These harems last until about the end of April by which time the hens have all sneaked off to incubate their eggs. During May gobbling by the males seems to become more common for a period and, instead of being restricted to a period before dawn as previously, it can be heard throughout the day. It has been demonstrated in the domestic turkey that hens are fertilized in one mating and do not come back to the tom for further servicing. One mating serves to fertilize a whole clutch of eggs. This probably occurs in the Wild Turkey but to my knowledge has not been thoroughly established — an extremely difficult thing to prove in the wild. Molt We have collected flight feathers dropped by Turkeys on the forest floor for the past 9 years and have saved the wings and tails from hunting kills and winter kills. Also we have kept notes on molt in wild trapped birds. From these data a fair idea of the molt has been gathered but we are continuing this project. Molt in the adult toms begins in early July and continues on into November. Adult toms taken in November still show the base of the old follicle at the base of the new outermost primary. Molt in adult females starts a bit later and continues on into December. By early January the base of the old follicle is still present at the base of the new outer primary. Leopold (1943) showed differences in molt between domestic turkeys, hybrids, and pure Meleagris gallopavo silvesiris in a study done in Missouri. He showed that the domestic turkey has a more complete molt than the wild type in first fall birds. This molt in the western New York populations was compared with Leopolds figures and shows our birds close to the wild M.g. silvestris except in the tail where 3-5 pairs of central tail feathers are replaced in our birds as opposed to only 2 pairs in the pure wild type. 10 The Kingbird TABLE 1 Plumage characteristics of domestic, hybrid, and wild Turkeys (Leopold 1943) compared to western New York First Fall Birds. Plumage of 1st Winter Domestic Hybrid New York M.g. Silvestris Retention juv. primaries 9 and 10 0 15 9 5 Retention juv. prim. 10 only 19 17 0 0 Retention tail feathers In 1st winter molt Replace 2 central pairs 0 4 0 5 Replace 3-5 pairs 7 18 7 0 Replace 6-9 pairs 12 1 0 0 This appears to be the only plumage character still remaining which points to their hybrid origin. With more and more generations in which natural selection is allowed to operate we can expect these populations to become even closer to the original wild type, but, of course, wild populations of animals continually change to some degree. In summary, we can say that most of the 3,500 Turkeys in the western New York populations are behaving as Knoder (op. cit.) would call feral birds. They stay back away from civilization and can withstand the severe winters of the area. Plumage and other morphological characteristics also point to their similarity to the original wild Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. We can conclude, then, that these birds should be treated as wild pop¬ ulations. Well meaning but uniformed persons should be prevented from attempting to privately stock semi-feral or tame birds and, further, these flocks should not be maintained superficially by winter feeding. A hunting season should also be continued to further aid in the selection for wildness. Only wildness in these populations can insure their continued success as a noble member of our avifauna. Department of Biology , St. Bonaventure UnivSt, Bonaventure , N. Y. REFERENCES CITED , %■ Brown, C. P. 1957. Status of the wild turkey in New York—1957. Special report to accompany job completion report, Project W-81-R-5, March 31, 1958. mimeographed. Christv, B. H. and G. M. Sutton. 1929. The turkev in Pennsylvania. Cardinal 2: 109-116. DeKay, J. E. 1844. The natural history of New York. Zoology part 2. Birds. Eaton, S. W. 1953. Birds of the Olean and Salamanca quadrangles. Science Studies (St. Bonaventure Univ.) 15:1-27. Evans, F. 1963. Wild turkey investigation in Region 2 (N. Y. State Conservation Dept.) 1962-1963. Unpublished manuscript, 21 pp. The Kingbird 11 Gerstell, R. and W. H. Long. 1939. Physiological variations in wild turkeys and their significance in management. Research Bull. No. 2. Penn- - ' sylvania Game Comm., Harrisburg. 60 pp. Knoder, E. 1959. Morphological indicators of heritable wildness in turkeys CMelengm gallopavo) and their relation to survival. 116-126 pp. In Proc. First National Wild Turkey Symposium. Feb. 12, 13, 1959. Memphis, Tenn. Leopold, A. S. 1943. The molts of young wild and domestic turkeys. Condor 45: 133-145. Mayr, E. 1946. History of the North American bird fauna. Wilson Bull. 58: 3-41. Mosby,H. S. 1959. General status of the wild turkey and its management in the United States, 1958. 11 pp. In Proc. First National Wild Turkey Symposium, Feb. 12, 13, 1959, Memphis, Tenn. Mosby, H. S. and C. O. Handley. 1943. The wild turkey in Virginia: its status, life history and management. Commission of Game and Inland \ Fisheries. Richmond, xx/281 pp. Wright, A. H. 1914. Early records of the wild turkey. Auk 31: 334-358, 463-473. - 1915. Early records of the wild turkey. Auk 32: 61-81, 207-224, 348-366. SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. The, 17th Annual Meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., will convene in Poughkeepsie, May 22-24, 1964. Headquarters will be the Poughkeepsie Inn FRIDAY — May 22 Various committees meet in the evening, according to tradition. SATURDAY — May 23 Official meeting of Delegates — in the morning Paper Sessions — in the afternoon Annual Banquet — in the evening TRIPS Saturday — morning for those in attendance who are not delegates. Sunday — General field trips will be the main order of the day. Some outstanding field trips are promised in the scenic Hudson valley. A few of the rare birds to be seen are: Blackburnian and Cerulean Warblers, Traills Flycatcher, Least Bittern, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher not to mention many others. It’s not too early to start making plans to attend the meeting; to present a paper; to hear the outstanding speaker at the banquet; and to join the field trips which, weather permitting, are always the high points of any bird club meeting. Members will receive mailings about reservations etc., as the committees advance in their work. Let’s see YOU in ’64 —- at Poughkeepsie on May 22-24! Otis T. Waterman, Chairman Mary Key, Co-chairman. 12 The Kingbird NEST RECORD CARD PROGRAM — FIRST ANNUAL REPORT David B. Peakall This is the first report on the nest record card program started last spring by the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University and the Onondaga Audubon Society. The total number of cards received during the first season’s operation was 1092 of 128 species. This includes a number of records from previous years lor which accurate data is available. It should be emphasized that a card should be completed for each active nest found lor which the contents can be accurately determined. This is so even if the nest is not visited again or is destroyed the same day. One ,o:f the assumptions on which analysis are based is that all active nests found by a given observer are reported. '1'he data from this program should be of considerable significance in writing the breeding biology section of the proposed state bird book. The weakness of our knowledge in this field is shown by examination of these sections in the new Handbook of North American Birds (Palmer, 1962). For information on the type and detail of the data that can be obtained by the collection and analysis of these otherwise lost fragments of information the reader is referred to a previous article in this journal (Peakall, 1963 Vol 13 pp 85-88). A list of cards received is given by species in table 1. Table 1. Number of cards received by species. Those species for which fewer than five cards are available are given in foot-note at the end of the table. Mallard 6 Kingbird 8 Bluebird 65 Black Duck 5 Phoebe 32 Cedar Waxwing 13 Wood Duck 11 Alder Flycatcher 12 Starling 9 Goshawk 9 ‘free Swallow 38 Yellow Warbler 26 Red-shld Hawk 19 Rough-wgd Swallow 5 Redwing 204 Golden Eagle 6 Barn Swallow 36 Baltimore Oriole 17 Caracara 5 Blue Jay 6 Grackle 8 Limpkin 5 Blk-cpd Chickadee 5 Cardinal 13 Killdeer 5 House Wren 20 Goldfinch 30 Woodcock 5 Catbird 46 Towhee 6 Mourning Dove 20 Brown Thrasher 9 Chipping Sparrow 22 Yellow-bid Cuckoo 7 Robin 90 Field Sparrow 20 Ruby-thr Hummer’bird 5 Wood Thrush 19 Song Sparrow 46 Flicker 7 Pied-bld Grebe 1; Anhinga 2; Green Heron 3; Least Bittern 1; Blk- crowned Night-Heron 1; Glossy Ibis 3; Canada Goose 2; Blue-wgd Teal 1; Florida Duck 2; Turkey Vulture 3; Black Vulture 2; Swallow-tailed Kite 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3; Cooper’s Hawk 4; Red-tailed Hawk 3; Broad-wgd Hawk 1; Ferruginous Rough-leg 1; Bald Eagle 3; Marsh Hawk 4; Osprey 2; Kestrel 4; Pheasant 1; Sandhill Crane 2; Common Gallinue 2; Oyster- catcher 1; Piping Plover 1; Upland Sandpiper 2; Spotted Sandpiper 4; Willet 1; Gull-bid Tern 2; Skimmer 1; Blk-bld Cuckoo 3; Barn Owl 2; Screech Owl 3; Horned Owl 1; Barred Owl 2; Swift 1; Kingfisher 1; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 2; Red-headed Woodpecker 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Downy Woodpecker 2; Least Flycatcher 1; Bank Swallow 3; Cliff Swallow 1; Purple Martin 1; Scrub Jay 3; Raven 1; Crow 1; White-breasted Nuthatch 2; Brown-headed Nuthatch 1; Brown Creeper 1; Carolina Wren 1; Mockingbird 1; Hermit Thrush 1; Olive-backed Thrush 1; Veery 4; Blue- gray Gnatcateher 2; Loggerhead Shrike 2; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Philadelphia Vireo 1; Warbling Vireo 1; Magnolia Warbler 1; Blk-thr Blue Warbler 2; The Kingbird 13 Cerulean Warbler 1; Chestnut-sided Warbler 4; Pine Warbler 2; Ovenbird 2; Mourning Warbler 1; Yellowthroat 2; Yellow-breasted Chat 3; Hooded Warbler 2; Redstart 3; House Sparrow 3; Bobolink 1; Orchard Oriole 1; Scarlet Tanager 2; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4; Indigo Bunting 3; Purple Finch 2; Savannah Sparrow 1; Henslow’s Sparrow 1; Dusty Seaside Sparrow 3; Slate-colored Junco 1; White-thr Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 1. The Red-winged Blackbird clearly leads the field and in a short time it should be possible to make a profitable analysis of the cards of this species. It would be interesting to compare the data obtained with that presented by Case and Hewitt (Living Bird, Volume 2:pp7-20). As the list of species indicates some of the cards were received from outside the state. A batch from Florida accounts for such species as Limpkin, Caracara and Dusty Seaside Sparrow. At present we are interested in receiving cards from any area that does not have a program of its own. A list of other record card programs is to be published in Audubon Field Notes (Vol. 18 Part 1). A full list of contributors is given in table 2. Table 2 List of contributors with number of cards sent in. Ackley, Mrs. Willard D. 4 Allen, A. A. 37 Anderson, Mrs Harry 1 Austin, J. F. 1 Barnette, Stella 3 Belknap, John B. 4 Bell, Barbara 3 Benedict, Mr & Mrs R. J. 14 Benning, W. E. 7 Benton, Dr. Allen H. 2 Booth, Mrs. Robert 3 Boyles, Mrs Hubert W. 7 Brosbeau, William 9 Burns, M. E. 1 Burtt, Dr. B. 3 Bush, J. H. 3 Carter, C. 57 Corse, David 1 Davis, George 1 Dunham, D. 1 Erlenbach, G. 5 Evelian, Anna 3 Feder, June F. 18 Flanigan, Annette B. 16 Franks, Mary 1 Fults, Olive , 2 Gerould, Clinton 5 Gokay, Aden L. 18 Graham, Allan 7 Grinnell, L. I. 1 Hall, J. 10 Haller, Mrs Jean 143 Heath, Fred A. 66 Hoyt, Dr. Sally 13 Marsi, Mrs F. V. 36 Mason, David 6 Nero, B. 1 Newman, Mrs Leslie 30 Nicholson, D. J. 9 Nichols, B. 1 Palmiter, Merle 79 Pantle, R. 7 Paquette, Paul R. 2 Patterson, James 14 Peakall, D. B. 17 Phelps, S. B. 52 Post, Peter W. 15 Proskine, Louise B. 1 Quick, Fern K. 1 Ranson, Dr. & Mrs. F. 7 Raftis, Dorthy 1 Rosche, Richard C. 53 Rose, R. H. 1 Rusk, Miss M. 3 Scheider, Dr. F. 2 Sheffield, Mr & Mrs R. 15 Smith, Vance 8 Spofford, Dr. W. R. 93 Standfast, Mrs E. C. 29 Starr, Mrs Betty 6 Stephenson 1 Stevens, L. T. 7 Stocek, R. F. 13 Stone, Ina 5 Taylor, Thelma 11 Thurber, Lona C. 2 Turk, Mrs Arle 8 Turner, Sada 4 14 The Kingbird Kaine, Charles H. 1 Ketcham, Mrs H. M. 11 Knight, Mrs John 2 Kuhn, Shelia 20 Lundgren, J. 8 Walker, Jayson A. 2 Ward, Loren D. 3 Washburn, Dr & Mrs N. R, 2 Waterman, Otis T. 7 White, Mildred 3 Williams, Evelyn 12 Williams, Mrs Ruth 11 The top position goes to Mrs. Haller and her friends who completed cards on over 140 nests. While few persons could hope to equal this record it should be mentioned that two or three cards from each member of the Federation would net another thousand cards and thus double the in-take. The value of this program should increase from year to year and it is hoped that it will be widely supported. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGY — 1962 Agathon, Oshin. Observations on reverse courtship in the House Finch. Linnaean News-letter 15 (9):2-3. Allen, Arthur A. Sapsucker Woods, Cornell University’s exciting new bird sanctuary. National Geographic 121:530-551. _Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology. The Living Bird 1:7-36. Allen, Arthur W. Purple Martins vs. Tree Swallows. Kingbird 12:80-81. _A Sparrow Hawk dines on suet. Kingbird 12:81. Allen, David G. Red-tailed Hawk takes mouse from cat. Kingbird 12:22. Anonvmous. Winter waterfowl banding. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(3): 35. _Duck count. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(4): 40. _Mid-winter waterfowl survey. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5): 33. _Waterfowl patriarchs. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5): 37. _Banded waterfowl. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5): 38. _Long haul (Blue-winged Teal banded in Wayne Co., recovered in Venezuela). N. Y. Slate Conservationist 16(5):38. _Strange catch (Gull entangled in fisherman's line near Massena). N. Y. State Conservationist 17(1): 34. Backstrom, Jacqueline. Third Avenue titmouse. Linnaean News-letter 15(8): 3-4. Barben, A. H. Unusual nesting failure in a Purple Martin colony. Kingbird 12:26. Beal, Clarence M. The Jamestown bird roost. Kingbird 12:128-130. Belknap, John B. Raptors at Point Peninsula (Jefferson County). Kingbird 12:22. A _Winter bird population study, mixed hardwood-hemlock forest. Audubon Field Notes 16:368. Bemont, Leslie E. Region 4-—Susquehanna. Kingbird 12:40-42, 94-97, 150-152. Benson, Dirck. The chemistry of spring. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(4): 23-26. The Kingbird 15 _■_The goose and the gander. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5):9. _and Donald D. Foley. Hatching dates of waterfowl in New York. ¥ N. Y. Fish and Game J. 9:73-92. Benton, Allen H. Evidence of nesting of the Tufted Titmouse in Rens- salaer County, . Kingbird 12:139-140. Bond, Gorman M. A new Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) from Newfound¬ land. Proc. of the Biol. Soc. of Washington 75:205-206. Bowes, Anne LaBastille. J. Birds of the Big Moose area. Kingbird 12:137-138. Bra bee, Lee C. Letter,to editor: freak coloration of pheasant. N. Y. State , Conservationist 17(1): 44. Bulget, Mrs. John D. An occurence of the Great Gray Owl ( Strix nebulasa ,) in. central New York. (With ed. note by Dr. Walter R. Spofford.) Kingbird 12:80. Bull,. John, Further comments on field identification of the Long-billed r Dowitcher with especial reference to voice. Linnaedn News-letter 15(8): 1-3. Burland, Lee J. Winter sighting of Scarlet Tanager. Kingbird 12:24. Cant, Gilbert. The House Finch in New York State. Kingbird 12:68-72. Carleton, Geoffrey. Hudson - St. Lawrence Region. Audubon Field Notes 16:12-15, 314-316, 391-394, 461-463. Chamberlain, Dwight R. Strangest American bird. (The Common Crow) N. Y. State Conservationist 17(2): 18-19, 34. Clarke, Rosemary. The Blue Jay — buccaneer of the bird world. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5): 16. Clement, Roland C. An example of food-gathering versatility in birds. Linnaean News-letter 16(4): 3. Clinch, Frank A. Bohemian Waxwings at Watertown. Kingbird 12:24. _Region 6 — St: Lawrence. Kingbird 12:46-48, 102-103, 157-158. __A hawk, a pigeon, and two panes of glass. Kingbird 12:24-25. Cohen, Richard. Clay-colored Sparrow near Tupper Lake Village in the Adirondacks. Kingbird 12:139., Conway, William G. The weights of 11 living eagles and vultures at the New York Zoological Park. Auk 79:274-275. Davis, Thomas H., Jr. Winter bird population study, city park. Audubon Field Notes 16:376. DeGraff, Lee W. and Robert Bauer. Breeding American Widgeon in New York. Wilson Bull. 74:101. Dilger, William C. Methods and objectives of ethology. The Living Bird 1:83-92. Drury, W. Hi and J. A. Keith. Radar studies of songbird migration in coastal New England. Ibis 104:449-489. Eaton, Stephen W. Summary tree and shrub fruit crop in fall 1961. Kingbird) .12:18. _Turkey Vulture nesting in Cattaraugus County. Kingbird 12:141- 142. . 16 . The Kingbird Eisenmann, Eugene. The voices of dowitchers. L innaean News-letter 15(9): 1-2. Elkins, Frances'TV Spring Broad-winged Hawk flight at .Mexico, N, Y. Kingbird 12:79-80. Elliott, John J. Region 10 — Marine. Kingbird 12:54-56, 111-112, 164-166. __ Sharp-tailed and Seaside Sparrows on Long Island, New York. Kingbird 12:115-123. —.-Turnstones at Jones Beach. Linnaean News-letter 15(9):4. . _Highlights of the 1962 "Marine Region” waterfowl census. L innaean News-letter 16(]):l-2. -and John W. Taylor. John T. Nichols. Kingbird' 12:3-6. Enders, Frank et. ak Breeding bird census, fresh water marsh 'and'woodland swamp. Audubon Field Notes 16:535-536* Erlenbach, Mrs. C. Paul. Observations of hummingbirds nesting af Erlen Acres. Kingbird 12:142. . . ; V Fast, Arthur H. The Evening Grosbeaks in northern Virginia. Bird B anding 33:181-191, > - : I • -ViV, Ficken, Millicent S. Maintenance activities of the American Redstart. Wilson Bull. 74:153-165, vT _Agonistic behavior and territory in the American Redstart. Auk 79:607-632. -and Robert W. Ficken. The comparative ethology of the Wood Warblers: a review,. The Living Bird 1:103-122. Foley, Donald. Ducks -— as the hunter sees them. N. Y. State Conserva¬ tionist 17(2): 22-25, 34. . . Freitag, Arthur F, Nesting Red-breasted Nuthatches at Letehworth State Park. Kingbird 12:23.. ...... Gordon, David C. Woodpeckers of New York State. Kingbird 12:7-14. Gustafson, John A. Mortality among returning Purple Martins. Kingbird 12:79. Hall, Albert G. The small game seasons in 1962. N. Y/TJtafe Conserva- -tionist 17(2):27. ' • a,-.. Hamilton, William J., III. Evidence concerning the function of nocturnal call notes of migratory birds. Condor 64:390-401, ' = L . Flarrison, Richard E. A note on the Roseate Tern.' Linnaean News-letter 16(5) :2. . ™ Hartshorne, James M. Behavior of the Eastern Bluebird at thetnest. The Living Bird 1:131-149. Hastings, Watson B. Fifteenth annual meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. Kingbird 12:72-74, Hoyt, Sally F. Short-eared Owls in a surburban housing development. Kingbird 12:81. _Region 3 — Finger Lakes, Kingbird 12:36-40, 92-94, 148T50. Jacob, Albert C. The Blue Heron — comedian of the bird world. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(6): 17-20. Kahabka, Audrey. Letter to the editor: Pine Grosbeaks and Golden Eagle in Delaware Countv. N. Y. State Conservationist 17(1):47. The Kingbird 17 Keith, J. A- Radar Studies of songbird migration in coastal New England. Ibis 104(4): 449-489. Kellogg, Peter Paul. Vocalization of the Black Rail ( [Laterallus jamaicensis ) and the Yellow Rail (Cofnrnicops noveboracensis'). Auk . 79:698-701. __Bird-sound studies at Cornell. The Living Bird 1:37-48. ___Help needed on dowitcher study. Linnaean News-letter 16(5): 3. Lanyon, Wesley E. Avian bio-acoustics, 1960-61. Bio-acoustics Bull. 2:13- 20 . - A speed trap for birds. Natural History 71(7):38-43. Lesperance, Thomas A. Region 7 — Adirondack-Champlain. Kingbird 12:48-49, 103-105, 158-160. __An albino Slate-colored Junco. Kingbird 12:140. Mackey, Mrs. Perry R. A wintering Brown Thrasher (Dutchess County). Kingbird 12:82:83. Maguire, H. F. Small game harvest, 1961-62. N. Y. State Conservationist 17(1):16-17. Meritt, James K. Highlights of the winter season •— December 1, 1961- March 31, 1962. Kingbird 12:27-28. Messing, Pauline. Fall migrant — Central Park. Linnaean News-letter 16(5): 3. Miller, Howard S. Region 2 — Genesee. Kingbird 12:34-36, 90-92, 147- MS. Mitchell, Harold D. Then and now. (Breeding bird census of Oak Orch¬ ard GMA.) N. Y. State Conservationist 16(3): 37. Mitchell, John L. The January waterfowl count (1962). Kingbird 12:15- 17. Mudge, Eugene T. A collection of chats. Kingbird 12:142-143. Neri, Ettore. Letter to the editor: remarks about the Blue Jay. N. Y. State Conservationist 17(2): 42. Osterhaus, Sister M. Benitia. Adaptive modifications in the leg structure of some North American warblers. American Midland Naturalist 68:474- 486. Palmer, Ralph S. (ed.) Handbook of North American birds, vol. 1. Yale Univ. Press, 1962: (x) + 567 pp. Parkes, Kenneth C. Grackles nesting on bridge girders. Kingbird 12:26. Payne, Roger S. How the Barn Owl locates prey by hearing. The Living Bird 1:151-159. Peakall, David B. Highlights of the season (April-May 1962). Kingbird 12:85-86. —Highlights of the summer season June 1-August 15, 1962. Kingbird 12:144-145. _Thirteenth International Ornithological Congress. Kingbird 12:75- 76. -and Margaret S. Rusk. Region 5 — Oneida Lake Basin. Kingbird 12:43-46, 98-102, 153-156. 18 The Kingbird Phillips, Allan R. Notas sistematicas sobre aves mexicanas. II. Anales del Institute? de Biologia (Univ. Mex.) 33:331-372. Post, Peter. Glossy Ibis breeding in New York. Auk 79:120-121. Propst, Jean and David B. Peakall. A slight record of a Greenshank in central New York. Kingbird 12:141. Roesch, Helen. Letter to the editor: Pine Grosbeaks in Onondaga County. N. Y. State Conservationist 17(0:46-47. Rosche, Richard C. Region 1 -— Niagara Frontier. Kingbird 12:28-34, 86-90, 145-147. Rusk, Margaret S. Upstate New York field trips of the Thirteenth Inter¬ national Ornithological Congress. Kingbird 12:131-133. _Boreal Owl in Oswego County. Kingbird 12:25-26. Sabin, Walton M. Region 8 — Mohawk-Hudson. Kingbird 12:49-52, 105-108. Scheider, Fritz. Cape Mav Warbler breeding in the Adirondacks. Kingbird 12:140. Schorger, A. W. Audubon’s original notes on the habits of the wild turkey written for Lucien Bonaparte. Auk 79:444-452. Scotland, Minnie B. Nelle G. Van Vorst. Kingbird 12:2. Seitz, Jerome J. Letter to the editor: birds and mammals feeding on apple pulp. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5):42. Short, Lester L., Jr. The Blue-winged Warbler and Golden-winged Warbler in central New York. Kingbird 12:59-67. Smith, W. John. Drifting gulls. Natural History 71(1):54-59. Stein, Robert C. A comparatwe study of songs recorded from five closely related warblers. The Living Bird 1:61-71. Stickle, Mrs. Harold. Letter to the editor: Pine Grosbeaks in Allegany County. N. Y. State Conservationist 16(5): 45. Sutton, George Miksch. Is bird-art art? The Living Bird 1:73-78. Swanson, Gustav A. Ornithology at Cornell today. The Living Bird 1:49- 50. Sweeny, Alice Vee. Adventures with an oriole. Kingbird 12:43. Tinbergen, Niko. Behavioral research at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithol¬ ogy. The Living Bird 1:79-82. Treacy, Edward D. Region 9 — Delaware-Hudson. Kingbird 12:52-54, 108-110, 162-164. Waite, Beverly Stevens. Cattle Egrets. Kingbird 12:82. Wheat, Maxwell C., Jr. Owles are for the beaches. N. Y. State Conserva¬ tionist 16(5): 12-13. _Conservation news. Kingbird 12:19-20, 76-78, 135-136. Wickham, Peter P. Region 8 — Mohawk-Hudson. Kingbird 12:160-162. Woodford, James and John Lunn. Ontario-Western New York Region. Audubon Field Notes 16:25-31, 325-328, 404-408, 473-475. Zusi, Richard L. Structural adaptations of the head and neck in the Black Skimmer, Rynchops nigra Linnaeus. Publ. of the Nuttall Ornithological Club , no. 3, 1962: viii -f- 101 pp. Corrections or omissions should be called to the attention of the Biblio¬ graphy committee: Sally F. Hoyt, Chairman, John B. Belknap, Allen H. Benton and Kenneth C. Parkes. The Kingbird 19 PIGGY-BACK KINGBIRDS Arthur A. Allen Fred Ransom, a retired surgeon from Jamaica was spending the summer of 1963 in Ithaca learning all he could about birds in and around Sapsucker Woods and this morning he was in for a real surprise. So were we all. “Is it customary" he inquired after a visit to our Kingbird blind, “for both Kingbirds to sit on the eggs together?” “They may take turns sitting on the eggs” I replied "but 1 never heard of Kingbirds or any other birds sitting side by side on their eggs" “AIT — he said, “these birds were not side by side — they were definitely piggy-back". “That", 1 said "is impossible — I have to see that for myself". It was not long before I did. The blind was ready on its six foot tower, the birds bad accepted it, and all 1 had to do was to climb in with my camera and wait for the impossible, I took no chances on setting speedlights lest it might upset the routine. Within ten minutes the two birds were back at the nest — and moving in to incubate those beautiful chocolate spotted eggs. One made it ahead of the other and there was apparently a little dispute as to whose turn it was. Each one snapped its bill but the second bird was not intimidated and crowded into the nest alongside of the other which by this time had the eggs safely against its brood spot. Obviously dissatisfied with the position, the second bird crawled over the other, at first crosswise and finally full piggy-back and apparently satisfied. It even let its wings droop slightly over the under bird. In this position they stayed for some ten minutes, when both birds got uneasy at about the same time and left the nest together. In a minute one returned alone and took her place on the nest in a normal manner. She incubated for about 15 minutes, left, and in 20 The Kingbird a minute the other bird was on the nest doing its stint. This was repeated four or five times during the afternoon until they both returned together and then the whole procedure first described was repeated ending in the mild quarrel and the final piggy-back position. Never in my experience had I encountered a wild bird that could be satisfied with incubating another of its kind or being incubated by One. I had known of birds laying eggs in another bird's nest when for some reason its own nest was not available — such as a Sora rail that laid its eggs in a nearby Redwing’s nest when a flash flood covered its own eggs with water during the laying period. I had known of Pheasants laying in Mallards' nests; of Grouse and Pheasants laying in the same nest and fighting for the ownership — but never before had 1 heard of a bird sub¬ mitting to be incubated or of trying to incubate an adult bird of its own kind. I had been in the blind less than an hour, however, before, part of the mystery was cleared by the appearance of a third Kingbird that was slightly larger and apparently a male, the sultan of this small harem. He was interested in everything that went on about the nest but never offered to incubate though he did occasionally dart out at a passing crow. Of course it is quite irregular for a Kingbird to have two mates — even in separate nests — and females, during the nesting season, are normally just as intolerant of one another as are the males. My only explanation is that the second female showed up after the nest was built and the eggs laid, that she had just lost her own nest and was at the height of her incubation instinct and came to this nest when the rightful mother was off feeding. Her urge to incubate was so strong that she persisted even when attacked by the owner of the eggs and finally was accepted just as a nuisance. Of course there is the possibility that the late comer was a former mate of the male and he accepted her as he normally would not a strange female and when the owner of the eggs got no assistance from him in driving her away she just made the best of the situation. However that may be, Dr. Ranson was correct in his observation of two Kingbirds sitting piggy-back on a nest, and we have pictures to prove it. The arrangement was not very successful, however, for in the irregular exchange that took place when both birds wanted to incubate at the same time, one egg got kicked out of the nest, one got crushed so it didn't hatch, and one small youngster got lost somewhere along the line so that, only one reached maturity and left the nest successfully on July 28 when 15 days old. Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York The Kingbird 21 ARTHUR AUGUSTUS ALLEN On January 17, 1964 Arthur A. Allen died at his home in Ithaca, New York at the age of 78. But to those who knew and loved him — his family, his students, his colleagues, his friends around the world — he is not gone. As Oliver H. Hewitt said at the memorial service in Sage Chapel, a little of him lives on in each of us. Doc was a kindly man, patient, observant, hard working with a keen sense of humor. I have never known a more understanding person. He knew each nook and cranny of the Cayuga Lake Basin, he traveled widely too — to Alaska where he and his son David located the nest of the Bristle-thighed Curlew; to Mexico and Labrador, to Churchill and Arizona. He shared these trips with us in his superb photographs and recordings. His publications on New York State birds first appeared in 1910; one of his last in this issue of the Kingbird. In 1914 our oldest member club, the Linnaen Society of New York published his The Red-winged Blackbird: A study in the ecology of a cattail marsh. His life history of the Screech Owl is a favorite of mine with its fine portrayal of the bird and its environ¬ ment near Glenside. Work on the Ruffed Grouse brought him worldwide recognition as a scientist. Doc greatly esjoyed the A. O. U. meetings where he renewed old friendships and stimulated the members. As new techniques in photog¬ raphy became available he tried them out and kept a good pace ahead of the changing scene. His courage to tackle the new and the unknown made him an inspiring teacher. With Albert Brand and Paul Kellogg he was quick to open up the world of sound recording which adds so much more to our appreciation of birds. Last night I played Dawn in a Duck Blind and marveled again at his depth of understanding of duck, goose and swan talk. He loved birds and helped others understand and appreciate them. Each May the people of Ithaca enjoyed his early morning bird walks in Stewart Park; at Monday night seminars he presided as the checklist was read and bird events of the week were discussed. During the coffee hour afterwards he took on all comers at Ping-Pong and so far as I can remember he was never beaten. At the close of summer school he and Mrs, Allen were at home at Glenside with their traditional Spencer-Marsh-Water punch. The spring census', a dawn to dark coverage of the Cayuga Lake Basin was inaugurated by Dr. Allen and through the twenties and early thirties the Cornell group competed with a Potter Swamp expedition led by Elon H. Eaton of Hobart College. Doc’s team usually won, because he had the immensity of Montezuma as a generous handicap. Later the Buffalo Orni¬ thological Society competed too, with their big Oak Orchard Swamp excur¬ sion. 22 The Kingbird What a legacy he has given to us! His son, Glenn suggested some selec¬ tions to he read at the memorial service. One, from the Diary of John Woolman, seems particularly appropriate. In the fall of the year died my father. In his lifetime he manifested much care for us his children, And often endeavored to imprint in our minds The true principles of virtue And particularly to cherish in us a spirit of tenderness Not only towards people But also towards all creatures of which we had the command. Stephen W. Eaton DR. ELON H. EATON’S WIDOW DIES Mrs. Esther Woodman Eaton, 88, widow of Dr. Elon Howard Eaton, died April 5, 1963 in Geneva, N. Y. Dr. Eaton was well known for his two-volume publication, “Birds of New York.” Mrs. Eaton was one of those birding wives, themselves never caught up in the activity, but who, through their encouragement and support, make it possible for their husbands and children to enjoy birding. Her son, Dr. Stephen Woodman Eaton of St. Bonaventure University took his Ph. D. at the School of Ornithology at Cornell University. He is an officer in the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. Mrs. Eaton further supported bird watching activities through her membership in the Federation and also through financial support for many years of the Eaton Bird Club of Geneva, named in honor of her husband. Mrs. Eaton was born Nov. 28, 1874 in Hyde Park, Mass. She received a B. A. degree from Smith College, Northampton, Mass, in 1898 and took post graduate work at Radcliffe College. She came to Geneva to live with her brother, the late Prof. Willis Patten Woodman, professor of Latin at Hobart. There she met Prof. Eaton who was to make Hobart College associated in the public mind with ornithology r— an association that is still recalled whenever any teacher there offers a course in this subject. She married Prof. Eaton in 1910, the year that his famous work on New York birds was published . Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell St., Freeport, L. I. The Kingbird is o publication of The Federation of New York State Bird Pubs, 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 $3.00 annually and all indlvfdual members receive the Kingbird. A member wishing to make an additional contri¬ bution may become a Sustaining Member ($5) a Supporting Member ($10) or a Life Member ($100—"payable over o four-year period in equal installments until the full amount is paid", if member so desires.) For all classes of membership contact the treasurer, Kenneth B. Niven, 61 Broadway, Monticello. A 23 The Kingbird CONSERVATION NEWS Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. In the first wash of emotion, following President Kennedy’s death, there was a dot: of renaming of places in his memory. It was a natural response, reflecting the terrible,, need of the American people to do some¬ thing — Anything! — when all seemed so futile. There was also an under¬ standable, although self conscious kind of questioning of the idea of old and familiar sites being somewhat impetuously redesignated. This mixed feel¬ ing was true,, with, the rededication of Tobay Wildlife Sanctuary on Long Island as the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary. • Yet,,-the finest sense of the phrase “there could be no more fitting tribute’* did apply, here — in the very fact that instead of something neW arising, soriie- thing old was being kept in as near a natural state as possible. Tobay — or Kennedy Sanctuary (the new name will take some getting used to) com¬ memorates a distinctive effort of President Kennedy’s “New Frontiers” pro¬ gram arid ' that was to conserve our Old Frontiers. The preserved tract or marsh, muck arid some upland is small — 500 acres. But it encompasses great hope. Renaming it after the late President symbolizes our hope that;..his- .resparkling of the conservation movement wilLyet: increase.,i. It*would bp a living and. growing memorial to see the acres,;o£ Kennedy;;Sanctuary■ added to so that;.the whole of Long Island’s remaining south shore: wetlands were preserved, including the natural barrier beach and seashore of a; close by Fire Island National Seashore. There is good foundation for hope, or a working optimism, for the wet¬ lands r jand the, proposed national seashore, “Nothing breeds success like suqcess^and. that was the purport last fall of the third annual meeting of thq/Hempstead Town Lands Resources Council which has been leading the wetlands fight in association with the Federation, National Audubon Society and other'organizations.. Three years ago golf courses were to be developed on these wetlands. The Council caused those plans to be reversed. Ori the foundation of that success, speakers urged more support to preserve 10,000 atres of wetlands in the Town of Hempstead. That they will get that backing from birders was evident at the meeting. Thh predoihmanee of birders there' was inspiring. At first glance the gather- ftlg, in itself 'large," seemed like a special meeting of the Baldwin Bird Club, so many of its members being in the audience. Seeing so many of my fellow birders out to support this -conservation effort made me experience an emotion of pride at being one bf them;- The dilemma, if it can be called that, of the leaders for a Fire Island National Seashore was, that at this writing, their campaign was going so well — too wdQ. What was happening with the forces that two years ago practically concrete laid for' a /highway across the. length of the Lire Island, barter beach on, Tong Island? . A t '.c As of.theTirst of the year only, the tokenest of opposition was being, heard. An' advisory board of the Department;of the Interior (Advisory Board on Natiop.al. Parks, Hisfifric Sites, Buildings and’ MOrmments) had singled this project(^.ut.(for “top priority’*' over seven( other.....recommended proposals: Many key 'Congressmen ana senatorswere enthusiastic. Rep. Leo W. O’Brien of Albany-felt there was “no doubt whatever” of Congress approving a Fire Island bill. 24 The ^Kingbird Fire Island leaders were trying to heap the crest of support higher with letters to Congress to push the legislation through in this session. There might never be as good an opportunity, especially in view of the legislators’ growing restiveness to get something accomplished in a Congress that at this point had been able to achieve little. Letters urging the establishment of a Fire Island National Seashore for the good of the residents of the state and the nation should be sent to the chairmen listed below with carbons or separate letters going to local congressmen. The Honorable Alan Bible, Chairman Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands Senate Office Building Washington, D. C. The Honorable Thomas G. Morris, Chairman House Subcommittee on National Parks House Office Building Washington, D. C. Ironically, if you like to 'rough it’ deep in the wilderness, you can prob¬ ably get there the easy way — via airplane, motorboat, snowmobile, motor¬ cycle, etc. The noise from these and other gadgetry vehicles crashing through the wild is beginning to resound in the protesting voices of con¬ servationists commencing to fight this relatively new and mechanical threat to wilderness areas, particularly the Forest Preserve. Last fall Conservation Commissioner H. C. Wilm issued regulations pro¬ hibiting the use of motorized land vehicles on certain roads and trails — a highly commendable step for controling this threat. However, shortly afterwards the order was slackened to permit travel by vehicles designed exclusively for ice or snow. The orignial order did not cover airplanes and motorboats which the Department said presented more complex problems. The Board of Directors of the Scarsdale Audubon Society issued a 1000 word statement praising Commissioner Wilm for the original regulations, but urged action for planes and motorboats. The Club directors also called for a public information program. Copies of this statement are available from Mrs. Robert L. Reed, North Mountain Drive, Ardsley-on-Hudson, New York. Available at: A, & P. r Wegmans, Quality Cash, Service Stores, Grand Union, Chicago Markets, Chanatry Markets, Bohacks, Daitch Shop- well, Gristede Bros,, Waldbaum — no doubt there is one of these fine markets near your residence. Recommended by Roger Tory Peterson The Kingbird 25 FIELD NOTES Bluebird Nestbox Project: This is a preliminary report on a bluebird population study carried out during 1962 and 1963 in the Olean, (Cattaraugus Co.) area. In the fall of 1962 the Biology Students of Allegany Central School built 25 bluebird boxes under my direction which were erected in spring within a five mile radius of the school. In 1962 eight of the boxes were occupied by bluebirds. Other activities in the summer prevented acquiring more detailed information. The success of this very limited project led, in the fall of 1963, to the making of 150 more bluebird boxes by the Biology students at Allegany Central School. With the help of Dr. S. W. Eaton, Biology Professor at St. Bonaventure University, the boxes were distributed within the area used by the annual Christmas bird count. (Audubon Field Notes, April, 1951 pg. 67) Dr. Eaton and I erected 124 boxes between March 16-18, 1963 and observed nine bluebirds during the operation. Especially interesting were three bluebirds which were seen perched on a telephone wire that crossed a small stream. The birds were feeding on stonefly adults (probably Taeniop- teryx nivalis) which had recently hatched and were crawling on top of the snow. This may well be an important source of food for bluebirds in the first month of return. The break-down of the 1963 nesting season is as follows: The total number of boxes erected was 124 and of these: 40 were used by bluebirds (first and second broods combined) 2 were used by bluebirds and then House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) 4 were used by bluebirds and then Tree Swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor) (in only one case did the bluebird nest after the tree swallow) 1 was used by a bluebird and then a House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 34 were used by Tree Swallows 3 were used by House Wrens 3 were used by House Sparrows 3 were used by Black-capped Chickadees (Parus atricapillus) 1 was used by a Tree Swallow and then a House Wren 27 were empty 6 were destroyed by humans The first nesting period (April 15-May 15) produced 31 clutches of 136 eggs, averaging 4.4 eggs per clutch. Of these, 52 hatched and 34 nestlings left the nest. Of these 23 were banded. Out of the 31 clutches 20 were totally unsuccessful. Twenty-five percent of the eggs laid produced fledged blue- birds. The second nesting period (May 20-July 15) produced 28 clutches of 131 eggs, averaging 4.7 eggs per clutch. Of these, 106 hatched and 90 nest¬ lings left the nest, of which 67 were banded. Out of the 28 clutches 4 were totally unsuccessful. Sixty-eight percent of the eggs laid produced fledged bluebirds, \ Combining the first and second nesting together we see there were 59 clutches of 267 eggs, averaging 4.5 eggs per clutch, 158 hatched and 124 nestlings left the nest. Of these 90 were banded. It is -interesting to' compare this with the success of W. L. Highthouse (Kingbird, 1963, 13:24.) (Pennsylvania Game News, April 1963). It should be noted that none of the eggs were sprayed with a mild flea powder and that the floor space of all boxes used was at least 20 square inches. Other points of interest were: There was pr«e clutch of 5 white eggs which was abandoned. These were later removed fi^om the nest and examination showed they were fertilized. In two instances Tree Swallows usurped a bluebird nestbox after the blue¬ birds had begun laying. In one case one bluebird egg was found with the tree swallow eggs, in another two bluebird eggs. None of the bluebird eggs hatched. One box contained 7 eggs of which 5 hatched and 4 young left the nest. One box contained 8 eggs none of which hatched. (Two females were 26 The Kingbird observed in the area). The smallest clutch observed contained 3 eggs. Only one breeding pair of Tree Swallows was known prior to the erection of boxes in 1962, while, in 1963 thirty-four breeding pairs used the nest boxes. This population of Tree Swallows and Bluebirds will be followed for the next two years rather closely. It may well be the nestbox project in the Warren, Pennsylvania sixty-five miles west of Olean, area conducted by Mr. High- house (op. cit.) is partially responsible for this rapid invasion. This study was aided by a Research Fellowship from the National Sci¬ ence Foundation. David C. Krieg, Department of Biology, State University College, Cortland Hybrid Warblers in Chatham Area: On the morning of Sunday, July 21, 1963, a group of seven warblers identified as one Golden-winged, one Blue¬ winged, one Lawrence's, and four Brewster’s appeared in a rural area between East Chatham and Old Chatham, Columbia County. They were observed from 7:00 to 7:15 a.m., at such close range that their markings were disting¬ uishable even without the use of field glasses. It had rained during the night, but the atmosphere was now clear. When I first noticed the birds, they were close together, on a barbed wire fence that separates a flower garden from a large field used frequently as pasture for cows. I was watching from a glass enclosed room. The birds flitted about but remained near one another, always returning to the fence. One flew toward me and alighted on a rhododendron bush; for a fleeting moment it was at rest only about six feet away and was readily identified as a Golden-winged. Of the others, all observed within 20 feet and both with and without field glasses, only one had the black throat patch and the black cheek of the Golden-winged but it had distinctly yellow underparts. This was unmistakably a Lawrence's. The other five birds all had yellow underparts, and all but one had yellow wing-bars as well. The one with the white wing-bars had the typical Blue-winged plumage. The others, I surmised, were Brewster’s although the underparts seen were yellow, not white, in any of these birds. The birds continued to flit about to different parts of the fence and to a nearby lespediza clump. The Blue-winged perched on the lespediza long enough to give the characteristic buzz of the species. Then all flew across the field, which is bounded by a small stream to the west, by woods to the north, by another field to the east, and by my house and grounds to the south. I have not seen the birds again. It seemed to me that I might have seen a family group, so to check on this probability I consulted the article by Kenneth C. Parkes on “The Genetics of the Golden-winged X Blue-winged Warbler Complex,” which appeared in the Wilson Bulletin of March, 1951. According to this article, many Brewster’s have yellow underparts, especially in the first winter plumage. As for the production of a Lawrence’s although the parents usually appear typical of the two distinct species, they must both have recessive genes from both species, since the Lawrence’s has double recessive charcteristics. Sev¬ eral combinations are possible to produce from 12.5% to 60% Lawrence's among the offspring in accordance with the Mendelian Law. Different combinations account for the varying characteristics among the Brewster’s Warblers. Hortense Barten, Mariposa, Old Chatham Another Albino Robin: On September 19, 1963, a partial-albino Robin appeared in my yard. The body was all white, with some grey feathers on wings, tail and head, and the eyes were brownish. The bird remained for 19 days, usually eating the fruit of the Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) with other Robins, and being seen to bathe frequently. In general there was little conflict, although I did see a normal-plumage Robin chase the albino on one occasion. Attempts to photograph the bird by Mr. Harold Mitchell, who also observed it in the vicinity, were unsuccessful. Florence M. Bodewes, 70 Sargent Drive, Snyder 26 The Kingbird 27 Another Corn Crake Record For Long Island: On November 2, 1963, a Corn Crake, Crex crex, was shot in Orient, Long Island by a pheasant hunter. The bird was shot on the ground at close range with large shot and was badly mutilated but enougth of the bird could be preserved for an identi¬ fication record. The bird, a female, was in a field of young rye 200 yards from salt marshes. 25 Mallaphaga, all one species, were collected from the bird. These lice were determined as Rallicola ertygometrae ertygometrae by K. C. Emerson in the Department of Entomology, Washington, D. C. This apparently is the fourth record of the Corn Crake on Long Island and the fifth for New York State. It is of interest to note that this bird was re¬ corded on the same date, November 2, and that the first record was established for this species on Long Island in 1880, the year of the writer’s birth. Ed. note: Although the fifth record for the state, it is the first this century. This decrease of occurrence may be related to the decline of the species in Northern Europe due to the destruction of nests by modern agricultural methods. Roy Latham, Orient, Long Island First Inland Record for New York State for COMMON PUFFIN: A first year Common Puffin (Fratercula artica) was found in a weakened and starv¬ ing condition in the back yard of Mrs, Conrad Giersch, just north of Rhine- beck, New York, on September 27, 1963. It was picked up and turned over to Mr. William Hollister of the New York State Conservation Department in Poughkeepsie, and then given to Dr. Heinz Meng at New Paltz. Dr. Meng succeeded in keeping it alive for a day, but it was in too weakened condition to survive longer. So far as can be determined, this is a first inland record for New York State, and there are few Long Island records. Reported by Otis Waterman, of Poughkeepsie, from the records of the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club, 11 N. Jackson Rd., Poughkeepsie. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FALL SEASON AUGUST 16 - NOVEMBER 30 David B. Peak all The effect of the unusual weather experienced during the period on the bird life of the state was considerable. In broad terms the weather was similar statewide. A cold September with frost, a hot, dry October, heavy rain during November hut still warm until the last few days. The first effect of the drought was a delay of about three weeks in the opening of the hunting season and the closing of the woods. This delay apparently considerably reduced the bag of ducks and the effects of this remains to be seen. The average annual bag of ducks in New York state is about 200,000. The total bag in the Atlantic flyway is about a million; this figure includes nearly a quarter of million crippled but not retrieved, surely a disgustingly high percentage. The overall picture of the duck population for the Atlantic flyway has been one of decrease since the mid¬ fifties. The relative importance of decrease of wetlands, conditions on the breeding grounds and hunting pressure are difficult to assess. Perhaps the figures for the population of the Atlantic flyway this winter will give some indication. The decrease of wetlands in this state in recent years has been considerable. On Long Island, between 1954 and 1959, 12.5% of the total high and moderate value wetlands were destroyed. For the state as a a whole the figure was 2.1% for the same period. Even at the latter rate it will not he long before great, irreparable damage is done. 28 The Kingbird The direct on migration of the long warm speJJ was a general lack of noticeable waves of migrants since weather conditions were not favorable to the grounding of migrants. TV tower kills were much lower than last year at Buffalo. A moderately heavy kill occurred at Elmira, and it is interesting to note that ten Lincoln's Sparrows were recorded among the two hundred birds killed. An indication that this secretive bird passes in good numbers. The effect on last dates on which species were recorded was considerable, but the fine weather did not seem to delay the bulk of the migrants. As might be expected most, but by no means all, of the record late dates were for the later migrants. In the middle of the last century the Dickcissel nested and was a common species in a wide range of the eastern United States extending from the Carolinas through New York to New England. But by the end of the century it had completely disappeared. Since 1928 it has occurred regularly in the fall, especially on the New England coast, although numbers fluctu- ate considerably (Gross, Auk 73:66). As far as this state is concerned the flight this fall was unprecedented. There were an estimated fifty individuals on Long island with groups up to fourteen. Six were reported in the lower Hudson valley and there were also a few scattered upstate records. A wide variety of winter finches was recorded early this fall. The flight of Evening Grosbeaks was moderate to good throughout the state. The numbers of Goldfinches were unusually high on Long Island and the lower Hudson valley. Pine Siskins were also reported as numerous in the Hudson valley and some central portions of the state. However the most exciting feature of the winter finch movement has been the crossbill invasion. On Long Island the movement was described as the largest of the century. Both species occurred although Red Crossbills were much more common than White-winged. Upstate, even as near as the lower Hudson valley, the position was reversed and the White-winged greatly outnumbered the Red, although in most areas both species were reported. It seems that two distinct movements were involved, perhaps information from New England which will doubtless appear in Audubon Field Notes will clarify the position, { \ The flight of many species of winter finches recorded in this state must have started early. Svardson (British Birds 50:314) in his studies on invasion migration in Northern Europe, has suggested that invasion migration starts as regularly and is caused by the same proximate factors -—- day length and hormonal control — as normal migration. The difference between normal and invasion migration lies in the fact that the latter is readily retarded by movement into areas of abundant food. Thus the move¬ ment starts early and regularly but the direction is variable and movement may quickly end. Returning to the same breeding area does not occur with the same regularity as it does with normal migration. As usual there were a number of rarities, Wheatear In the Adirondacks, Corn Crake and Townsend's Warbler on Long Island, Puffin in the Hudson valley, to mention a few. Upstate Medical Center, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse The Kingbird 29 REGION 1 — NIAGARA FRONTIER Richard C. Rosche The last half — JF; Aden Gokay -— AG; Vernon Haskins — VH; Esly Hailen- beck — EH; Ralph Kent — RK; Marcia Kent — MK; Eleanor Radke •— ER; EiVlR — Dr. Edgar Reilly, Jr.; ERus — E. Rusack; vVBS — Walton Sabin; Benton Seguin — BRS; Rudolph Stone — RS; Robert Wernick — RW; Peter Wickham — PPW; Robert Yunick — RY. Loons — Ducks: Com Loon: first Oct 13, Sar L (PPW), remained in numbers through rest of period, max 10 Sar L Nov 10 (BRS). Red-thr Loon: several reports suggest this species to be a more regular late fall migrant in this area than previously thought: first Nov 9-10, Round L (ED, BRS); other reports Nov 16, 19, 25, 28, Sar L (EH, BRS), max three Sar L Nov 17 (SBC). Red-necked Grebe: reported twice, one Sar L Nov 2 (EH, GB) and three Sar L Nov 17 (SBC). Horned Grebe: first Oct 13, Lock 6 , Mohawk R (BRS) and Sar L (PPW), remaining throughout period, max 70 Sar L Nov 16 (PC, BRS). Pied-billed Grebe: several xall records, first Sept 21, two, WRes (BRS), max 20 Sar L Oct 27 (BRS) (also last report). Double-cr Cormorant: a group of five was circling Sar L on the late date of Nov 5 (GB, BRS). Great Blue Heron: Common early, max 18 Sept 7, VFG (EH), last Nov 6 , VFG (EH). Com Egret: early departure, last Aug 26, VEG (EH). Green Heron: widespread through Sept, max 10 Sept 4-7, VFG (EH), last Oct 20, WRes (RY, RS). Black-crowned Night- heron: lingered to Oct 4, VFG (BRS). Amer Bittern: unreported after Aug 26 (EH). Canada Goose: first flocks reported Sept 21, Ghent (PE, GE) and Sept 30, Vly (JHB) ; large numbers observed later in the period. Brani: five Sar L Oct 19 (BRS) and 28 were there Nov 10 (BRS). Snow Goose: an early flock of 60 flew over Nisk Oct 17 (HE), iollowed by a well- observed flight in mid-Nov, when 275 were observed in four flocks flying oyer Sar L Nov 17 (SBC) ; 60 over East Greenbush Nov 18 (MK) ; ten over Sar L Nov 28 (BRS). Blue Goose: four were observed in a flock of Snow Geese over Sar L Nov 17 (SBC). Gadwall: several reports -— two, Nov 2, Alcove Res (SBC) ; two Nov 5-9, SCR (BRS et al) ; one Nov 17, Round L (SBCL American Widgeon: Sept 21, VFG (EH, PC); Nov 10, SCR (BRS). Pintail: Sept 30, Vly (JHB); Oct 29, SCR (EH). Green-winged Teal: seen throughout period to Nov 24 (BRS). Blue-winged Teal: lingered late, last Nov 10, SCR (BRS). Shoveller: two SCR Nov 5-6 (GB, BRS). Wood Duck: lingered late, last Nov 2 Sar (BRS) and Emboght (JHB). Redhead: five at Sar L Oct 26 (BRS) the lone record. Ring-necked Duck: after early report of two, Oct 4, SCR (BRS), good numbers appeared on Sar L in Nov, max 35 Nov 24 (GB, BRS). Canvasback: one SCR, Oct 5 (SBC), with later reports of six, Round L, Nov 23 (PPW) and onfe, Sar L, Nov 28 and 30 (BRS). Greater Scaup: one early, SCR, Oct 5 (SBC); many more towards end of period. Lesser Scaup: 1-2 early, Sept 21, SCR, (EH, BRS) through end of period. Goldeneyei: first Oct 26, Sar L (BRS), through end of period, max over 500 Nov 28 at Sar L (BRS). Barrow’s Goldeneye: one drake at Sar L Nov 28 exhibiting mating behavior with a female goldeneye (BRS). 52 The Kingbird Bufflehead: Nov 2, Sar L (BRS) to end of period, max 40 Sar L Nov 24 (GB, BRS). Oldsquaw: Nov 2, Sar L (BRS) through end of period, max 16 Nov 16 at Sar L (BRS, GB, EH). White-winged Scoter: Nov 9, Sar L (BRS) through end of period, max 36, Sar L, Nov 17 (SBC). Surf Scoter: four female or immature birds at Lock 7 Oct 6 (BRS et al) and one at Sar L Oct 26 (BRS), Com Scoter: a flock of 85 was in Hudson R off Albany Oct 4 (PPW) and a flock of 24 at Lock 6 in the Mohawk R Oct 9 (BRS). Two large flocks totalling about 200 birds passed over Sar L Nov 17, but only one was observed on the lake (SBC). Ruddy Duck: numerous reports from Oct 19 (BRS) to end of period from Sar L; Hudson R (nr Coxsackie) ; Greenville; Vly and Round L; max 16 Sar L Nov 28 (BRS). Hooded Mer¬ ganser: three Old Chatham Sept 19 (EMR) ; later reports from Oct 5 (SBC) through end of period, max 20 Sar L Nov 20 (BRS). Com Mergan¬ ser: first two, Oct 5, SCR (SBC), most migrants much later, with marked influx at end of period. Red-br Merganser: first Oct 4, SCR (BRS) through end of period. Hawks — Owls: Turkey Vulture: seen in groups of as many as ten in the southern part of the region until Oct 12 (ADBC). Sharp-shinned Hawk: reported on Sept 7 and 14, VFG (EH), the only reports. Cooper’s Hawk: four reports during period. Red-tailed Hawk: a fair migration reported. Red-shouldered Hawk: many records to Nov 14 (BRS). Broad-winged Hawk: no large groups observed, last Oct 5, VE'G (BRS). Rough-legged Hawk: several reported during period, first Sept 25, Nisk (RW). Golden Eagle: an immature bird, chased by several small passerines, flew over Delmar Nov 4 (DB). Marsh Hawk: several reports concentrated in Sept and early Oct, last Oct 13, SCR (BRS). Osprey: reported occasionally to Oct 12, VFG (EH) ; an unusually late individual observed at White Birch L near Berne Nov 19 (RK). Peregrine Falcon: lone report, one Nov 2, Burnt Hills (BRS, PC). Pigeon Hawk: Sept 21, VFG (EH) and Oct 5, SCR (SBC). Bob-white: at Meadowdale, Selkirk and Athens during Aug and Sept. Virginia Rail: reported to Sept 19, Vly (JHB, BB). Sora: only record of year, one, Meadowdale, Sept 8 (R, Shedd), Black Rail: one observed Sept 19, Vly, and convincingly described (JHB, BB). Com Gallinule: no fall reports. American Coot: first Sept 26, Vly (JHB) and Sent 28, WRes (PPW) through end of period, max 50 Sar L Nov 2 (BRS, EH). Semipal- mated Plover: several were present until Oct 19, VFG (EH, BRS), max 7 Sept 21-22 (EH). Black-bellied Plover: Oct 5, SCR (BRS) Nov 10, Sar L (PPW) ; at least five were present in four different locations early in Oct. Woodcock: reported to Nov 9, Tamarack (RY) and Nov 11, Kiska- tom (JHB). Common Snipe: good numbers reported, last Nov 10 (EH, BRS). Spotted Sandpiper: some individuals lingered late, last Oct 19, Round L (BRS). Solitary Sandpiper: last Oct 8, Emboght, late (JHB). Greater Yellow-legs: lingered into Nov, last Nov 9, Tomhannock (SBC) and Nov 10, SCR (BRS). Lesser Yellow-legs: last quite late, Nov 9, VFG (GB, PC). Pectoral Sandpiper: good numbers reported, max 15 Oct 5, WRes (BRS), last Nov 10, VFG (EH, BRS). White-rumped Sandpiper: one VFG Oct 4 (BRS). Least Sandpiper: most left in Sept, last Nov 2, Emboght (JHB). Dunlin: Sept 25 : VFG (EH, PC) — Oct 29, VFG (EH). Stilt Sandpiper: one VFG Sept 29 (BRS). Semipalmated Sandpiper: good num¬ bers observed, to Oct 19, VFG (EH), max 20 WRes Sept 20 (BRS). Western Sandpiper: one or two VFG to Sept 18 (EH) and one Round L Oct 13 (BRS). Sanderling: none reported. Northern Phalarope: an indi¬ vidual in rather light gray-brown fall plumage was seen at close range on Sar L on^ the remarkable date of Nov 17 fSBC). For a while, the bird was associated, strangely enough, with a small group of Oldsquaw. Great Black- backed Gull: no reports. Herring and Ring-billed Gulls were commonly seen. No terns were reported. Yellow-biHed Cuckoo: a few lingered late, last Oct 15, Castleton (JC). Black-billed Cuckoo: reported even later, last Oct 25. Ghent (PE, GE) and Nov 1, Athene (JHB). Barn Owl: on Q was found dead in Claverack Sept 16 (fide EMR). Lon<*-e«red Owl: one Old Chatham Oct 20 (PPW). Screech, Great Horned and Barred Owls were reported occasionally. The Kingbird 53 Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Nighthawk: good numbers seen in migration, especially about Sept 1, last Sept 21, Schenectady (BRS). Chimney Swift: disappeared early, last Sept 4, Colu Co (ADBC). Ruby-thr. Hummingbird: reported to Sept 22, VFG (EH) in fair numbers. Flicker: reported until Oct 27 by several observers, after which time most migrants had presumably departed. Yellow-bell. Sapsucker: most passed through Sept 15-Oct 15, extremes Aug 19, Canaan (AG) and Nov 13, Catskill (Dr. W. Myers). Black-hacked Three-toed Woodpecker: one appeared Oct 9, Catskill (JHB) and another Oct 16 at Schenectady (I. S. Jacobs) in the locality where the species was reported last year. Eastern Kingbird: last Sept 21 (ADBC). Crested Flycatcher: last reported Sept 10, Colu Co (ADBC) and Sept 11, Catskill (JHB, BB). Phoebe: reported to Oct 20, Catskill (JHB). Empidonax, species?: two individuals of this group were at VFG Oct 5 (BRS). Wood Pewee: last Sept 17, Catskill (JHB). Olive-sided Flycatcher: a late migrant reported at WRes Oct 5 (BRS). Tree Swallow: last Sept 25, VFG (EH). Bank Swallow: last Sept 8, Emboght (JHB). Rough-winged Swallow: late date Sept 1, Emboght (JHB, BB). Barn Swallow: last Sept 28, VFG (RW). Cliff Swallow: last Sept 4, Canaan (AG). Purple Martin: unreported during period. Boreal Chickadee: one nr Sar L Nov 17 (SBC). Tufted Titmouse: noticeable increase throughout area. Red-br Nuthatch: good migration, remaining in a few areas at end of period. House Wren: last Oct 27 (ADBC). Winter Wren: reported Sept 21 (ADBC) ■— Oct 24 (MWF). Carolina Wren: no reports. Long-billed Marsh-Wren: last reported Nov 2, Emboght (JHB). Mockingbird: Sep and Oct reports at Loudonville (MWF), Scotia (SBC), Castleton (JC) and Colonie (JF). These were apparently wandering individuals. Catbird: irregularly recorded through Oct, last Oct 29, VFG (EH). Brown Thrasher: last specific date Oct 4 (BRS). Wood Thrush: late, last Oct 27, Ghent (PE, GE). Hermit Thrush: few reported, last Oct 27, Meadowdale (RY, RS). Swainson’s Thrush: good migration: Sept 9, Loudonville (MWF); Nov 5, Catskill (JHB) with a number of records in late Oct. Bluebird: most observers optimistic about numbers present, last Nov 20, Durham (VH). Golden-cr Kinglet: Sept 15, Black Mountain, where it may breed (WBS, PPW) ; first migrants Oct 3, Castleton (JC). Ruby-cr Kinglet: Sept 8, Colu Co (ADBC); Nov 6, Catskill (BB). Water Pipit: very common this year, reported from many areas, Sept 21, WRes (BRS); Nov 10, SCR (BRS). Migrant Shrike: one was seen on the rather late date of Nov 24 nr Round L (GB, BRS). No other shrikes were reported during the period. Vireos— Warblers: A fairly good fall migration was reported by most observers, with the bulk of the birds passing through Sept 8-25. Early and late dates for each species are given when available. Yellow-thr Vireo: last Sept 23 (RW). Solitary Vireo: Aug 24 (SBC) —Sept 28 (ER). Red-eyed Vireo: few reports in Sept, last Sept 28 (ADBC). Warbling Vireo: last Sept 6 (ADBC). Blaek-and-White Warbler: last Sept 16 (MWF). Bluewinged Warbler: last Sept 9 (ADBC). Tennessee: last Oct 3 (ER). Nashville: Aug 24 (SBC)—Sept 15 (PPW, JF). Parula: Sept 12 (PPW)—Oct 1 (B. Waite. Yel¬ low: last Sept 2 (EH). Magnolia: Sept 7 (MWF)—Oct 20 (JHB, BB). Cape May: Sept 17 (HE) — Oct 5 (GCBC). Black-thr Blue: Aug 30 (HE) — Sept 14 (MWF). Myrtle: good numbers, last Nov 10 (PPW). Blaek-thr Green: many reported, last Oct 4 (MWF) and 5 (PE, GE). Blackburnian: Aug 20 (ER) — Sept 14 (PPW). Chestnut-sided: last Sept 16 (MWF). Bay-breasted: good numbers, Sept 7-16 (MWF). Blackpoll: Sept 6 (MWF) — Oct 20 (JHB, BB). Pine: Sent 14 (PPW) — Sent 20 (BB). Palm: last Oct 5 (SBC). Ovenbird: last Sept 15 (MWF, PPW). Northern Water- thrush: Sept 4 (MWF) — Sept 16 (PE, GE). Connecticut Warbler: one female, Loudonville Sept 15 (MWF). Yellow-throat: last Oct 28 (PE, GE). Yellow-br Chat: one Caskill Sent 16 (ERus). Wilson’s Warbler: three reports, Sept 6 (MWF), Sent 22 (WBS) and Oct 2 (JCL Canada Warbler: Sept 5 (MWF) — Oct 4 (BRS). Redstart: last Sept 16 (RW). Blackbirds — Sparrows: Bobolink: good flocks in late Aug, early Sept, last Sept 15, Meadowdale (PPW). Redwing: no enormous flocks sighted, last Nov 21, Catskill (JHB). Orchard Oriole: three were at Castleton from 54 The Kingbird Aug 22 until Sept 19, a rather late date (JC), although none were known to breed this year. Baltimore Oriole: one was at Ghent on the late date of Oct 2; otherwise the late reports fell in the first half of Sept. Rusty Black¬ bird; good numbers reported, first Sept 10, Ghent (PE, GE) and Sept 22, Meadowdale (WBS), last Nov 24, Vischer Ferry (GB, BRS). Scarlet Tanager: good numbers of migrants reported, last Sept 30, Catskill (JHB, BB). Card¬ inal: this species has become a widespread, fairly common resident. Rose-br. Grosbeak: late birds were seen at Lock 7 Oct 4 (RW) and Ghent Oct 22 (PE, GE). Indigo Bunting: last Oct 10, Castleton (JC). Evening Gros¬ beak: appeared early in Oct in small flocks throughout region, first Sept 23, Lisha Kill (RW). By the end of the period, large numbers of the species were in the region, in contrast to last year. Purple Finch: a few were reported throughout the period. Pine Grosbeak: a report of five on West Mountain Nov 19 (RK) the only report. Redpoll: a flock of 30 nr Bryant- ville Nov 2 (RY). Pine Siskin: there was a large influx of this species in Nov, following first reports in Colu Co Oct 17 (ER, PE, GE). Flocks of 85 and 100-150 birds were among those reported. Red Crossbill: a small group of this species was seen at Bolton Landing Sept 6 (BRS). The birds had apparently been present there for at least two weeks. White-winged Cross¬ bill: a small flock was at Ghent Oct 20 (PE, GE), and a dead individual was picked up in Rensselaerville Nov 27 after hitting a window (MK). Towhee: last Oct 12, Old Chatham (PPW). Savannah Sparrow: last report Oct 25 (ADBC). Vesper Sparrow: last Oct 21, Athens (JHB, BB). Tree Sparrow: reappeared early, first Oct 12, VFG (EH). Chipping Sparrow: last Oct 26, Catskill (JHB). Field Sparrow: last noted Oct 19, VFG (EH). White-cr Sparrow: good numbers noted during migration, Sept 22 (JC) — Oct 19 (EH, HE). White-thr Sparrow: fair numbers during migration, Aug 24 (SBC) — Nov 12 (RW). Fox Sparrow: unusually high numbers noted from Oct 5 (ADBC, SBC) — Nov 18 (JHB, BB) with as many as 35 being reported in a day. Lincoln’s Sparrow: reported Oct 5-25 at Ghent (PE, GE) for the only record. Swamp Sparrow: reported to Nov 10 (RY) with a few wintering individuals remaining. Snow Bunting: first reported Oct 28 (fide MK) and widely recorded in Nov. Box 465A, RFD#4, Troy REGION 9 — DELAWARE - HUDSON Edward D. Treacy November provided only a few inches of rainfall and thereby continued the dry spell which has been with us so many months now. October did not produce any measurable rainfall. There was no snow in the region to the end of the period. Temperatures remained unusually mild till late November; well above the seasonal average. Most reporters were rather unimpressed with the movements of birds through the region, and attributed it to the mild unchanging weather. Rockland Co however, which was fortunate enough to have a number of seasoned birders in the field almost daily through the month of Sept, reported excellent waves on Aug 29, Sept 6, 11, 16 and Oct 2. All were in mid-week. The influx of northern visitors which was better than usual would indi¬ cate a possible seed failure to the north. This is certainly not the condition here. Most conifers are loaded, and the abundance of acorns, nuts, berries and other fruit may well be at its peak. Contributors: Clubs— MBC, Mearns Bird Club; RAS —^Rockland Audu¬ bon Society; SAS — Sullivan Audubon Society; WBC — Waterman Bird Club. Individuals: BA •— Bob Augustine; EB — Enid Butler: PC — Pauline Chernick; SD — Scott Dearolf; RFD — Robert F. Deed; M, JD — Margaret and John Dye; PG — Pat Garthwaite; FG — Florence Germond; SOG — Stanley O. Grierson; JG — Joseph Grossman; THa — Thelma Haight; Dr. MH — Dr. Marjorie Hopper; FH — Fred Hough; MH — Marshall Howe; TH — T. Howe; MI — Mort Isler; J, MK — Jim and Mary Key; HK — H. Killam; ML — Mabel Little; PM — Peg Moon; PJ — Paul Jeheber; AJ — The Kingbird 55 Alice Jones; RO -— Ralph Odell; JCO ■— John C. Orth; BP — Barbara Peters; EP — Eleanor Pink; AP — Alma Polhemus; JS — James Southward; FS — Frank Steffens; MV — Marian Van Wagner; OW — Otis Waterman; AW — Albert Weeks. Abbreviations: imm — immature; Is — Island.; L — Lake; max — maxi¬ mum. Loons — Ducks: Common Loon: Sparsely reported; one Oct 16 (early), in immature plumage at Mt. Kisco, West (SOG). Red-necked Grebe: Usually unreported on fall migration; one late bird on the Hudson at Croton Pt. Nov 11 (BA). Pied-billed Grebe: Described as a good year in Dutch. Present throughout region till the close of the period. Great Blue Heron; Usual numbers for most of the region. Good numbers in the vicinity of Basher Kill, Sull (MBC). Green Heron: Usually gone by mid-Nov, left Dutch by mid-Oct with the last report Oct 9. A late bird lingered at Hawthorne in West till Nov 17 (BA). Snowy Egret: Rock reported its fourth record on Aug 21 at Lake DeForest (MI) ; another bird reported at Elmsford West on Sept 1 (BA, MH). Common Egret: None reported. Black-crowned Night Heron: Only one reported from Dutch on Oct 1 at Hopewell Junction; several reports from West. Yellow-crowned Night Heron: one imm at Hawthorne, West Sept 1 (BA, MH). Least Bittern: two reports, one at Basher Kill, Sull Sept 7 (MBC) and one at Iona Is Rock Sept 13 (JCO). American Bittern: One Tri-Loba Hill Sanct. Katonah, West Oct 13 (SOG) ; observed again on the 14th. Waterfowl: Rock had about its best fall season for numbers, variety and early dates. Most other counties seem normal to below. This again might indicate the difference between daily birding and birding only on the weekends. Mute Swan: In very large numbers for Rock, nearly one hundred birds in the Congers area. Canada Goose: Migration normal, first flock Sept 30 in Dutch. Snow Goose: Better than usual reports; first in Rock Oct 4 with 130 at Blauvelt (RFD) ; fifteen over Shrub Oak Nov 3 (RO); 80 over Ft. Montgomery Nov 17 (JCO). From Nov 18 to 20, 650 birds were reported over West Point, Oran; forty Nov 30 over Chappaqua, West (TH), Mallard & Black Duck: Populations normal. Pintail: two at Todd Sanct., Katonah Sept 26 (SOG) ; nine on Swan L Sull Nov 3 (SAS). Teal: Both species made record early dates in Rock, five Green-winged on Congers L Sept 7, remained the rest of the month (MI), and six Blue-winged at Piermont Pier on Sept 2 (RFD) ; both species bettered this date by one day when they were reported on Pocantico Res Sept 1 (BA, MH). Populations and dates were normal elsewhere. American Widgeon: Three extremely early on Congers L Aug 29 (MI). Wood Duck: Many re¬ ports received. Possibly indicates a rise in population. Ring-necked Duck: New early date of Oct 5 for Rock (MI). Scaup: Only one report, that of three birds at Crugar’s Is Dutch on Oct 26 (JS). Bufflehead: Appeared Oct 30 in West with a total of 26 birds reported over two localities (SD). Hooded Merganser: A high count of 26 on two Bear Mt. lakes Nov 17 (JCO). Common Merganser. Twelve Oct 27 at Cruger’s Is. Previous early date Nov 15 for Dutch. Red-breasted Merganser: always rare, one on Swan L Sull Nov 10 (HK). Hawks — Owls: Raptors were normal to below, with no reports of waves. The tremendous movement of 16,000+ Broad-wings reported at Hawk Mt., Pa. on Sept 14, either did not materialize here, or went unnoticed. Turkey Vulture: last observed in Bear Mt. Park in mid-Oct (JG) ; peak movement on Sept 21 and 22 Dutch, with the last on Nov 5 (EP). Goshawk: One Anthony’s Nose Nov 5 (RO). Sharp-shinned Hawk: All reports from Dutch; six birds in all; dates normal. Cooper’s Hawk: Only one bird reported from Neversink, Sull Oct 11 (PC). Red-tailed Hawk: Very scarce. Red-should¬ ered Hawk: Only three reported, all from Dutch. Broad-winged Hawk: New early date for migrant in Rock, Sept 7 (MI) ; no flights reported. Rough¬ legged Hawk: One Oct 29 at Stone Ridge, Ulst, quite early (FH). Golden Eagle: On Nov 29, John Howell rounded a sharp corner in a wooded section of South Salem, West, and was startled by the sight of a bird of this species not more than ten feet away feeding on a rabbit. Bald Eagle: Very few re- 56 The Kingbird ported so far; two sure records for West and three for Sull. Marsh Hawk: uniy reports come from Dutch, where eight birds this fall are more than the pa JU two years. Usprey: f ewer than usual. Rock produced a July record or the species, the first for that county. Sparrow iiawK: Scarce tmou A nout the region lor the period. Rutted Grouse: Appear to be a peax popu.naon Liuougnout region. Pheasant: Good numbers; some reporters ieei tney may have been stocked. Clapper Kail: one walKing across the road unuer tne lappan Zee Bridge at Grand View, on Sept 4 (Dr. MH). Virginia ivau: uiuy lvvo reported, one at Basher Kill on Sept 7 (MBC) ; and one at Crugars is Get 27 (JS). Sora: One Sept 11 at Grassy Pt. Rock (Ml;; another at Crugar’s through the month of Sept. (THa) ; two birds were observeu at the latter location on Oct 27 (JS). Common Gailinule: l our at Congers L Rock Sept 4 to Sept 18, three at Grassy Pt. Rock Sept 11 (Ml), and one at Basher Kill, Sull on Sept 7 (MBC). Coot: Max of 60 at Cruger’s is Oct i yi (JS). Shorebirds: Once again with reservoirs and lakes at their lowest in years, shorelines and mudflats lured more than normal numbers to stop ano stay a while. Killdeer: Numbers better than usual. Golden Plover: loui birds, one with a great deal of summer plumage, at Brown’s Kes., iMewburgh Sept 16 (MBC) ; two birds at Lederle Laboratories, Pearl River on Sept 13 made the second record for Rock (FS). Woodcocx: Numerous reports, peak in Dutch about Oct 11; numbers persisted through first half of i\ov. Common Snipe: Max of seven birds on Oct 27 Dutch (EB). Upland Plover: Une bird observed all summer at Middletown, Oran may very well have bred (PM). Solitary Sandpiper: Reported several times, one Oct 27 (very late) Dutch (JS). Pectoral Sandpiper: Good numbers this fall; eight Dutch in Sept; six Rock from Sept 6 to Oct 5, White-rumped Sandpiper: At least three and perhaps as many as ten in a flock of peeps at Piermont Pier Sept 2 (RFD). Least Sandpiper: New late date for Rock; six at L DeForest Occ 5 (MI). Short-billed Dowitcher: Rock's fourth record with one bird in bright plumage at L DeForest on Aug 11 (MI). Great Black-backed Gull: Uncommon in Dutch, two reported there this fall, one Oct 26 at Van- derburg’s Cove, (AJ) and another Nov 6 at New Hamburgh (OW). Black Tern: Second Rock record, one Sept 14 at Grassy Pt. (Dr. MH, AP). Common Puffin: one, Rhinebeck, Sept 27 (Mrs. Conrad Gierisch) (see field notes section — this issue). Mourning Dove: Numbers appear to be down throughout the region. Owls: Normal reports of resident species. Saw-whet Owl: Only one, Storm King Mt. Oran on Nov 17 (RAS). Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Common Nighthawk: Migration poor every¬ where but West where 138 were observed over Hawthorne on Aug 26, and 185 on Sept 7 (BA). Chimney Swift: An Oct 18 record at Cornwall, Oran ties Rock’s late date (M, JD). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Twenty-five seen on Sept 8 at Cruger’s Is must be some kind of a record, (J, MK). King¬ fisher: Nothing unusual reported; appears to remain low in numbers. Pileated Woodpecker: Continues to increase, though slowly. Red-bellied Woodpecker: One, again at the home of Robert Froman, Garnerville, Rock where it appeared last Jan and Feb. Seen and heard many times since Sept 20. Red-headed Woodpecker: Single birds reported from West and Sull, and two from Dutch. No change in resident status. Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker: Most areas report a good migration. Hairy and Downy Woodpecker: No change. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: A female in Haw¬ thorne on Nov 26 (BA). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: One observed regularly from Aug 27 to Sept 2 in Hawthorne (BA). Least Flycatcher: New late date of Oct 9 in Nauraushaun, Rock (RFD). Dutch reports a heavy move¬ ment of Empidonax in general. Pewee: Heavy fall migration. Olive-sided Flycatcher: Excellent movement in West; three birds at Basher Kill on Sept 7 (MBC), and one Sept 4 near New City Rock (MI). Horned Lark: Sum¬ mered well in Oran & Dutch, though numbers were low. Migrants were in good numbers in Oran, with hundreds traveling with hundreds of pipits at Washingtonville on Oct 19 (MBC). Swallows: Migration uneventful except for a count of 300 Cliff Swallows at Bangall, Dutch (no date) (EP). Purple Martins were moving by Aug 15 when one was found in Rock (MI). Gray The Kingbird 57 Jay: First confirmed record for Dutch, one bird at a feeder in Rhinebick from Oct 15 until Nov 1 (AJ, WBC). Blue Jay: Flights modest. Fish Crow: Always rare, one Oct 19 at Pleasantville, West (BA). Boreal Chickadee: One at Hawthorne on the early date of Nov 2, increased to two by the end of the period (BA); one at Pleasantville Nov 9 (Mil). Red-breasted Nut¬ hatch: Very heavy migration, especially in Rock & Hutch. Too many re¬ ports to list. House Wren: Late dates in Oran, Oct 1; Dutch, Oct 12; and Ulst, Oct iy. Winter Wren: Only reports from Dutch, where five were found in Oct. Carolina Wren: Numoers very low, only two reports both from Cornwall Sept 13-14 and Nov 30. Mockingbird : We'll soon stop remarking about this species as it continues to become more common. Once again reports are too numerous to mention. Rock has as many as two or tnree birds in eight or nine locations, and Oran has about a half dozen established. Thrushes: Generally normal. Rock reported an early Swainson’s one Sept 5 at West Nyack (RW), and a new late date for Veery on Oct 7 at Congers (Dr. MH). Bluebird: Numbers definitely up. Good movements in Ulst and Dutch. The latter reported 50-60 birds tnis fall. Kinglets: Both species reported more scarce than usual. Water Pipit: Good movement in Dutch, and exceptionally good in Oran. Peak Oct ly-26. Bohemian Waxwing: one (first record for Dutch) with a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the vicinity of Rochdale from Nov 26 to Dec 1 (PG, MK). Cedar Waxwing: Good numbers in Oran, but no change reported elsewhere. Northern Shrike: One Oct 21 Pleasant Valley, Dutch (MV). Loggerhead Shrike: One on Haver- straw marsh Sept 5 (MI) ; and two, one adult and one imm at Pine Plains Sept 11-12 (MK etal). Vireo* — Warblers: Yellow-throated Vireo: Several early Sept, reports; one Oct 2 (late) at Cornwall (lviD). Solitary Vireo: None reported from most of the region; one Sept 7 (early) at Basher Kill (MBC). Red-eyed Vireo: Oct 14 (late) at Hawthorne (BA). Warblers: as mentioned previous¬ ly, the rather even weather conditions allowed the warblers to move through in a continuous procession without any spectacular pushes reported; more than the usual number of rarities in Rock. Brewster’s Warbler: This hybrid reported twice, Aug 18 on Low Tor, Rock (MI), and Sept 7 at Basher Kill (MBC). Lawrence’s Warbler: Aug 17 at Hawthorne (BA). Tennessee Warbler: New early date for Rock of Sept 6 (MI). Orange-crowned Warb¬ ler: two reports; one bird at a bird bath daily from Sept 15-20 in Pleasant Valley, Dutch (MV); another at Hawthorne, West Sept 23 (BA). Nash¬ ville Warbler: hive reports from Oran from Sept 7 to Oct 2 (MBC). Cape May Warbler: One very early bird on Aug 29 at New City, Rock (Ml); Peak of ten birds in Dutch on Sept 21. Myrtle Warbler: A fair movement late in the season through Putn (ML). Blackpoll Warbler: 75 (peak) on Sept 21 in Dutch. Rock tied its earliest date of Sept 6 with three birds on Haverstraw marsh (MI). Oran had a very late bird on Nov 9 at Cornwall (M, JD). Palm Warbler: New early date for Rock of Sept 18 at Grassy Pt. (MI). Northern Waterthrush: An early bird on Sept 6 in Rock (MI). Connecticut Warbler: Rare but constant fall migrant; at least four birds in West, three in Rock and one in Oran. Mourning Warbler: Very rare in fall. Three birds reported: one very early in West Aug 19 at Hawthorne (BA), one Sept 11 at Haverstraw (MI) and another Sept 29 at Pleasant Valley, Dutch (MV). Canada Warbler: One late bird on Oct 2 at Cornwall (MD). Blackbirds — Sparrows: Bobolink: Twenty-six reports for Sept in Dutch. Yellow-headed Blackbird: One unconfirmed report of a bird of this unmistak¬ able description seen by a student at St. Joseph’s Normal Institute at Barry - town, Dutch on Sept 11 and 12; and reported by Brother Robert Damian to WBC. Baltimore Oriole: A very late bird on Nov 25 at Hawthorne (BA). Rusty Balckbird: Many reports; First Sept 23 in West, and Sept 24 in Oran. Common Grackle: Moved through in the usual large numbers. Cardinal: A male and female were feeding two young in Cornwall on the very late date of Oct 30 (MD). Indigo Bunting: Last date of Oct 8 at Pleasant Valley (FG). Dickcissel: Six birds in Dutch, and one in Ulst. Evening Grosbeak: Reported from every county; flocks are generally small; arrived Oct 8 in 58 The Kingbird West, and shortly thereafter throughout the rest of the region . Purple Finch: Low in numbers compared with last spring. House Finch: This is another species for the northern counties to be on the alert for. Four were at the feeder of Dr. MH in Upper Nyack on Nov 16, and the population in West has increased several times over last year. Pine Grosbeak: Only reports from West; first arrived on Nov 12 at Pleasantville (TH); a flock of 30 at South Salem Nov 25 (AW). Pine Siskin: Many, many reports; some flocks of very great size; first reported Oct 19 in Dutch. Goldfinch: Many every¬ where. Red Crossbill: Several small flocks in Rock, West and Oran. White¬ winged Crossbill: reported from most areas; some flocks of considerable size. Grasshopper Sparrow: one Sept 18 at Hawthorne (BA) and one at Highland Mills on Oct 5 (MBC). Lark Sparrow: one at Basher Kill on Oct 14 (BP). Slate-colored Juhco: arrived early in most areas, Sept 7 in Oran and mid-Sept elsewhere. Pink-sided Junco; Oct 5 at Upper Nyack (Dr. MH). Tree Sparrow: Rock had by far the earliest date of Uct 5 when two were observed at Grassy Pt. (Dr. MH). Numbers were high as usual by the end of the period. Chipping Sparrow: Late date of Nov 26 in Pleasantville, West (MH). White-crowned Sparrow: another unusually good year; many reports; birds arrived early in Oct and were pretty well through by the 21st. White-throated Sparrow: new early date for Rock of Sept 14 (MI). Fox Sparrow: arrived early and in good numbers, and were reported as staying late in Putn (ML). Lincoln’s Sparrow: Three in West on Oct 5; six Dutch; one Ulst, In all a good season for this species. Snow Bunting: f irst arrived at Mohonk, Ulst on Nov 7; in Sull Nov 15, and in Rock, Nov 23. Peliwood Lake, Highland Falls REGION 10 — MARINE Peter W. Post and Guy A. Tudor Two words describe the weather for Aug and Sep — cold and dry. It was the coldest Sep in 75 years. In contrast Oct was warmer chan usual although the drought continued. The drought was so severe that the state’s woodlands were closed from Oct 12 until early Nov. The mild and dry weather continued during Nov (there being no cold periods during the month and temperatures remaining above freezing throughout), except that several heavy rainfalls, at the beginning and end of the month, resulted in above average precipitation (over eight inches). Observers throughout the region were unanimous about the passerine migration during Aug and Sep; “poor”, “something of a disappointment”, “less birds than last year”, etc. During the period Aug 27 to Oct 31, Terry, banding at Tiana Beach, netted only 1953 birds (in 1708 net hours) as compared with 2883 last year (in 1515 net hours). Raynor reports that there were “few nights with winds suitable for bringing migrants to eastern Long Island”. His sentiments were echoed again and again by observers in that part of our region. In the western part of the region, Post reports hearing large numbers of migrants practically every night throughout the period (and well into Dec) in northern Manhattan, suggesting that weather conditions here were not suitable for grounding migrants. On western L. I., the biggest flights from Aug to Oct occurred on Aug 25 and on Oct 1 and 5, with the passage of cold fronts, supplying high counts for several species. On Oct 1, 9'3 species of landbirds (22 warblers, 12 sparrows) were identified along the coastal strip. With Nov the situation changed completely. If this month is any indi¬ cation of what is in store, observers should be prepared for one of the most ornithologically noteworthy winters in many years. The highlight of the period was the crossbill (both species) invasion which may well be one of the most spectacular Nov migrations within historic times. Many species appeared in extraordinary numbers — Snow Goose, Water Pipit, Dicltcissel The Kingbird 59 and Goidiinch, to name but a few. There was also a good i light of Blue Jays, Lnickadees and Ked-breasted Nuthatches. Noteabie rarities included Eared Grebe, Corn Crake, Black-backed Three- toed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickades, irochonoiary, iSiack-throated uray, ana T'ownsena's vvaroiers, f eliow-heacieu Blackbird, western and bummer man¬ agers, and Black-headed Grosbeak. In addition, there w^re the usuai reports oi suet reguiar tail migrants as vVestern Kingbirds, Blue Grosoeaks, Giay- colored Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, etc. Abbreviations used: Max — Maximum one day count during the period; moo — many observers; JBWR — Jamaica Bay wi±dnie Reiuge: &Lrip — Jones Beacn and the Itockaway Peninsula (inciuumg Kiis Bark) ; In the following locations only the first word is used — r Tryon Barn, inwooa mil Bark, Jones Beach, Moriches inlet, Peiham Bay Bark, Brospect Bark, Kiis Bark, ‘liana Beach and Van Cortlanat Bark; AiVlNii ■— American Museum of Natural history. Contributors frequently cited: Irwin Alperin ■— 1A; Ken Berlin *— KB; Irving Cantor — 1c; Matthew Cashman — ivlC; Kienard Conen — KG; Thomas uavis ■— TD; Adrian Dignan — AD; trank hinders — BE; Robert Fisher — RF; Benjamin Gilbert -— BG; Michael Gochleid •— mG; Earl Good — EG; Josepn Horowitz — JH; Klaus Kailman — Kb; Michel Kiein- baum — MK; Roy .Latham — RL; Emanuel Levine — EL; Wesley Lanyon ■— WL; Edward Maguire — EM; Kevin Malone — KM; Bauline Messing — BM; Lee Morgan — L1V1; William Norse WN; Hugh Pemueiton — HB; Richard Biunkett — RP; Peter Post — Dennis Puleston — HP; Daniel Kaiierty •— DR; busan Raices — SR; Gilbert Raynor •— GR; Si Stepinoif — Sb; Walter Terry — WT; Guy Tudor— GT; Cornelius Ward — CW; LeRoy Wilcox -— lw ; Alvin Wollin — AW; Charles Young — CY; John Yrizarry — J Y. Note: Unless a specific number is indicated, all records refer to single birds. Total reports include netted birds. Loons —Ducks: Red-necked Grebe: Nov 2, JBWR (GR, DP). Eared Grebe: Oct 5 to present, JBWR (JY, et al) — one present here last year arrived Oct 14. Any statement on the pelagic migration would suffer rrom lack of data; no sea-trips were taken and observations from shore were infrequent. Movement of Cory’s Shearwaters off Fire Is on Sep la-14, including at least one Sooty, one Greater and one Wilson’s Petrel (AD, RC). Up to lbO Cory’s present off Montauk, Oct 12-Nov 5 (RF, et al). Gannet: max 800, Nov 8, Montauk (GT, MK) : Great Cormorant (migrants) : two, Oct 19, Montauk, (GT). Double-crested Cormorant (migrants): 20, Nov 5, Montauk (TD, FE). Common Egret: six, Nov SO, JBWR (JY). Snowy Egret: 32 Nov 30, JBWR (FE). Both species normally linger late, but not in such numbers. Little Blue Heron: Oct 26, JBWR (TD, GT) -— late. Glossy Ibis: three present to Nov 9, one present to Nov 30, JBWR (FE, et al) — latest record for region. Whistling Swan: two (FE) and six flying over (KB), Nov 23, JBWR -— most reports are usually of single birds; Nov 30, lobay (mob). Canada Goose flight started early and extended to end of period — earliest Aug 25, Riis (RP, RF) ; max 1000 + , Sep 12 Huntington (IA). Brant: 715, Nov 3, Ft. Tryon (PP, JH) — birds coming down the Hudson turning SE at this point. Apparently Bronx Park lies on this little-known flightline as flocks of brant have been seen here during third week in May. Many moderate-sized flocks of Snow Geese reported: max counts — 200, Nov 8-12, Tobay (IA) ; 100, Nov 16-17, Short Beach (CW); 75, Nov 18, Pelham (DR) ; Herb Johnson saw a total of 700 moving through JBWR during one week in Nov. Blue Goose: 14, Nov 10, Jones (AD) — only sizeable flock ever reported that was unaccompanied by Snow Geese; three, Nov 20, Patchogue (SS). Gadwell: max 151, Nov 28, Babylon (GR). Shoveler: max 200, Nov 17, JBWR (WN). European Widgeon: two, Nov 3, Hook Pond (HP, EG) — has greatly decreased since mid-1950’s. American Widgeon: sample max counts — 4000, Oct 27, JBWR (WN, PP) ; 450, Nov 60 The Kingbird 9, Hook Pond (GR) ; 150, Nov 28, Van Cortlandt (WN). Canvasback: max 420, Nov 30, JBWR (FE) — better than previous years here. White- winged Scoter: 175+ , Aug 28, Orient Harbor (IA) *— large number ^or this date. Ruddy Duck: max 520, Nov 15, Jerome Reservoir (FE). Hooded Merganser: max 100+ , Nov 17, JBWR (WN). Hawks — Owls: The coastal hawk movement was unimpressive (CW). Puleston’s observation that "winter birds of prey are much scarcer than usual” at Brookhaven can be applied to the region as a whole. Turkey Vulture: Sep 23, Van Gortlandt (PP) ; Nov 19, Hunitngton (EL) — rare in Region 10 especially on L.I. Goshawk: adult, Nov 24, Gilgo (CW, T. Lo- mand). Ward remarked that accipiters were very scarce along the coast. Broad-winged Hawk: seven, Aug 18, Greenwood Cemetery (J. Nielsen) — early flight. Rough-legged Hawk: seven reports, earliest Nov 3, Montauk (HP, EG). Ospreys "scarce along the beaches this fall” (CW). Peregrine Falcon: max 12, Sep 28, Fire Is (CW). Pigeon Hawk: recorded from Aug 25, Jones (MG, GT, JH) to Nov 25, Speonk (GR) ; max 40, Sen 28. Fire Is (CW). Cohen reported heavy movement of small falcons on Sep 22 (250- 300) and Sep 30 (150) at Fire Is. Ruffed Grouse: “Quite common this year at Manorville and Upton” (GR) ; “Population on L.I. appears to be un this year” (IA). Bobwhite: pair with nine newly-hatched chicks, Sep 13, Northport (E.T. Mudge) — a very late brood, but not unprecedented. King Rail: Aug 24-Sep 8. Moriches (DP) : Oct 17, Brookhaven (DP). Corn Crake: see Field Note section for details, Nov 2, Orient (RL) — first N.Y. specimen since 1888. Shorebirds were excellent this fall at JBWR; 20 species were seen on Aug 25 and 15 species on Oct 26. Oystm-catcher: breeding pair last s°en at Shinnecock on Sep 25 (LW). Golden Plover: one to five present at JBWR, Aug 18-Oct 12 (mob); eight reports from eastern L.I.: max 16, Oct 15, Orient (RL) : latest Nov 9. Eastbamoton (GR). Ruddy Turnstone - max 200, Aug 17, Moriches (RP. RF). Woodcock: max 6. Sep 22. -Tones (MG). Up¬ land Plover: Sep 14, RiL. (WN). Spotted Sandpiper: Nov 8, Central Park (PM) -— very late. Willet* max 30, Aug 17. Moriches (RP. RF) ; O^t 26, JBWR (GT, LM) — late. Knob ma- 300, Sep 8. Short Beach (MK). Purple Sandpiper: Sep 7-8, Short B-mch (MK. CW) — one here on Jul 2, 1961 and a bird of the year on Jul 31, 1961 at Gull Is indicate that an occasional individual migrates eaHv: tb-v w^re '-nn'mrting with other shornhir^c on the flats. Pectoral Pandpm-'"*’- 29. Moriches (SS) — late. Bird’s Sand¬ piper: Oct 12. JBWR (WN, ICI. Lono--biHed Dowit^her: S«n 7. JBWR (MK. J*J) : Sep 20. JBWR (WN) r 12. o,t 96. JBWR (GT). Stilt Sandpiper- may 30. Aug 18, JBWR (MK) • f>t 96 . JBWR (GT. T-M. TD) — vnry ] P + e . Buf*« hreasted Sandpiper: S pv ' 14, JBWR (MC. et aU. Marh1°d Godwit.: Pen 7. Moriches (GR) ; Sep 2 p -°<’t ?6. JBWR (mob) — rare this fall. TTn'Rfmwn Godwit: seven, Ann* 17-23 Moriches (GR)* one to two. Au ? 25-Dot 26, TRWR (mob). Northern Pb^ionone- A.ug 25 -Spp 14, JBWR (mob)- Ann* 31 . Hemstead Ros-fwvolr (FT,. CW) * 7 . Morinboc* (DP. GR). Wi 1e! nn’s Phplarone: one to two, Aug 25-Sep 14. JBWR (mob); two, Sep 7, Moriches (DP, GR). Pomarine Jaeger: three, Aug 22, Fire Is (IA). Parasitic Jaeger: Sep 14, Riis (WN). Unidentified jaegers: two, Aug 31, Fire Is (RC); two, Oct 12, Montauk (RF). Glaucous Gull: Oct 27, JBWR (J. Price, et al) — only “white-wing” gull report! Black-headed Gull: the summering bird at JBWR was last seen on Oct 19. Forster’s and Black Terns were scarce this fall. Caspian Tern: two, Sep 28, Fire Is (RC) ; seven, Oct 10, Tiana (LW), Black Skimmer: max 400 until Sep 29, 250 until Nov 10, JBWR (mob). Dovekie: Nov 30, Tones (KM) — only Alcid. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: seven reports on Strip from Oct 1-Oct 12; two, Oct 19, Montauk (GT) ; Oct 27, Little Neck (S. Yeaton) — a late coastal flight that included only one Black-billed: Oct 5, Riis (PP, GT). Barn Owl: Nov 17-18, Pelham (CY, DR). Snowy Owl: Nov 16 to present. Short Beach (mob); Nov 20, Smith Pt, Fire Is (IA). Barred Owl: Nov 17-18, Pelham (CY, DR). Long¬ eared Owl: early movement in city parks *— Sep 30, Ft Tryon (SR, BG) ; The Kingbird 61 Oct 4-5, Central Park (H. Tetrault, et al) ; Oct 5, Bronx Park (EM) — very few reports subsequently. Saw-whet Owl: Oct 5, Jones (CW) — very early; 13 sighting's in Bronx Park, Oct 26-Nov 7 — “lower than most years” (EM); only three reports elsewhere. Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Whip-poor-will: Oct 5, Jones (CW) — late and rare here. Nighthawk: max 100+ , Sep 10, Manorville (GR) . Ruby-throat¬ ed Hummingbird: max 15, Aug 31, Fire Is (RC). Belted Kingfisher: max 10, Oct 1, Jones (MG). Flicker: max 350, Oct 1, Strip (GT, MG). Red¬ headed Woodpecker: adult, Sept 23, Inwood (WN); four immatures on the coast: two, sep 20, Tiana (LW), Oct 10-14, Jones and Oct 13, Riis (mob). Yellow-bel. Sapsucker: max 37, Oct 5, Strip (PP, GT, MK). There was a good flight of Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers on the Strip — Downey: max 27, Oct 1 and 28, Oct 5; Hairy: max five, Oct 1 and seven, Oct 5 (PP, GT, MK, MG). Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: Nov 14, Ft Tryon (PP, SR); Nov 16, Scarsdale (E. Hirshberg) — both females. Western Kingbird: scare this year, especially in Sep; only seven reports: two in Sep (earliest Sep 8) ; two in Oct; three in Nov (latest Nov 10). Crested Flycatcher: Nov 11, Riis (PM) -— extremely late. Phoebe: max 60, Oct 1 and 85, Oct 5, Strip (PP, GT, MK, MG) — exceptional numbers. For the first time, due to the efforts of Wesley E. Lanyon at the AMNH-field station at Huntington, we are able to give migration dates for the Empidonax Flycatchers based on banded birds and Lanyon’s expert experience with this group. Yellow- bellied Flycatcher: 19 netted; Aug 17-Sep 14 (last day of active netting); peak Aug 25. Traill’s Flycatcher: 32 netted; Aug 15-Sep 5; peak Aug 24- Sep 1 (up to four per days). Least Flycatcher: 31 netted; Jul 23-Sep 11; peak Aug 25. Note the proportions. Olive-sided Flycatcher: seven reports on Aug 24-25 (six of them coastal). Blue Jay: sample max counts — 600, Sep 28, Bronx (JH) ; 2000 +, Oct 4, Inwood (WN); 300-500 per day, last two weeks in Sep, Central Park (PM) ; 75, Oct 1, Riis (GT); 300, Oct 13, Commack (MK). There was a good movement of Black-capped Chickadees. First report of migrants was from northern Manhattan on Sep 23. Birds appeared in numbers virtually overnight in Central Park, practically to the day they first appeared during the flight of 1957-58. They were first recorded along the coast in early Nov. This present flight is lighter than the 1957-58 flight, but both appear to be much lighter than the 1954-55 flight, which, interestingly, commenced much later. Boreal Chickadee: Nov 4, Ft Tryon (BG, SR); two, Nov 10, Grassy Sprain (S. Friedan). White-breasted Nuthatch: 14, Oct 5, Strip (mob) — good eount for coast. Red-breasted Nuthatch: flight year; earliest Aug 25, widespread arrival Sep 22; max 50, Oct 5, Strip (mob). Brown Creeper: excellent year; earliest Sep 7; max 40, Oct 1 and 60, Oct 5, Strip (PP, GT, MK, MG). Wrens were generally poor. Short-billed Marsh Wren: Oct 1, Riis (JY, GT). Mockingbird: max 15, Sep 19, Hewlett Harbor (KB). Veery: 130 netted — Jul 16-Sep 14; peak Aug 28-Sep 3 (up to 20 per day), Huntington (WL). September thrush flight poor. Gray¬ cheeked Thrush: Aug 25, Jones (GT) — very early. Bluebirds more numer¬ ous than in recent years; many observers reporting small flocks along the coast where they have been particularly scarce. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: an average of one bird daily reported in city parks during first week in Sep; two coastal reports on Aug 25. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Aug 25, Jones (GW) — early; max 140, Oct 5, Strip (PP, GT, MK, MG). Golden- crowned Kinglet: max 55, Oct 5, Strip (mob). Water Pipit: best flight in years; throughout the region flocks reported of up to 200 on days with fav¬ orable winds from early Oct on. Cedar Waxwing: good year, many flocks; max 220, Nov 3, Ft Tryon (PP, JH). Northern Shrike: adult, Nov 21, Say- ville (IA). Loggerhead Shrike: four reports from Aug 24-28; five reports from Sep 10-Nov 16 — all from coastal areas. Vieros — Warbler#: In general, Vireos were low, especially Solitary and Red-eyed. Yellow-throated Vireo: Oct 5, Jones (EL) — late. Philadelphia Vireo: 11 reports; two, Aug 31, Jones (CW, EL) to Oct 1 (two), Jones 62 The Kingbird (MG). Warbling Vireo: Sep 2, Jones (EL, CW) ; Sep 25, Tiana (LW). Warblers were also down in numbers, but there were numerous reports of late individuals. Prothonotary: Sep 8, Central Park (J. Backstrom) ; Oct 13-15, Babylon (D. Eckelberry), extremely rare in fall. Worm-eating: seven netted up to Sep 9, Huntington (WL). Tennessee: five Oct reoorts. latest Oct 10, Riis (WN, RF), late movement. Orange-crowned good flight this year; 19 reports from Sep 19. Jones (KM) to Nov 10, Babylon (IA) ; eight of these netted from Oct 1-28, Tiana (LW, WT) : max three, Oct 19, Mon- tauk (GT), Parula: nine, Oct 5, Rockaway (PP, GT), late movement. Mag¬ nolia: 10, Oct 5, Strip (mob), late movement. Black-throated Blue: Nov 9. Riis (JY), late. Black-throated Gray: adult male. Sep 21, Central Park (John Huber), observed at eye-level for 15 minutes (in pines) and all field- marks carefully noted, including yellow lore-spot. At least five reports from Northeast in past three years; the second for region 10. Townsend's Warb¬ ler: adult male, Nov 10, Hewlett Harbor (R. Sloss, B. Berliner), third record for region 10 and state, second this year, it is hoped to publish a field note on both these occurrences shortly. Chestnut-sided: 20, Sep 5, Central Park (RP), unusual fall count. Bay-breasted: Oct 5, Rockaway (PP, GT), late. Blaekpoll: max 200 +, Sep 24, Central Park (MK) ; late reports, Nov 9, Riis (JY); Nov 16, Brookhaven (WT, DP); Nov 27, Riis (JH). Palm: 10, Nov 3, Montauk (GT, MK), late movement. Louisiana Waterthrush: Aug 31, Mecox (GR), very rare on L.I. in fall. Connecticut: 11 reports (five netted), Sep 1, Babylon (IA) to Oct 1 (two), Riis (JY, MK). Mourning: nine reports (six netted), Aug 17, Huntington (WL) to Sep 2, Tiana (WT) and Oct 19, Manorville (GR), very late. Chat: six Oct reports. Wilson’s: Oct 19, Jones (KK) ; Nov 10, Jones (AW), both late. Canada: 74 netted, Aug 6-Sep 8, peak Aug 25 (24 birds), Huntington (WL). Blackbirds — Sparrows: Bobolink: Oct 27, Riis (WN), late. Yellow¬ headed Blackbird: female, Aug 18-19, Westhampton Beach (R. Harrison), at feeder with other blackbirds. Baltimore Oriole: Nov 16, JBWR (TD, MC), late. Blackbirds: Nov 3, Ft Tryon, 100,000 in 2% hours — 40% Red¬ wings, 60% Grackles (PP, JH) ; 2380 Red-wings (4 hours), Nov 9, Riis (TD); Baychester (at roost), 120,000 — Vz Starlings, Yz Grackles, Nov 10 (B. Augustine). Cowbird: max 600 (feeding in one flock), Oct 14, Jones (GT) — increasing steadily in recent years. Western Tanager: female plumage, Oct 2, Northport (Ellen McMullen) — “had good opportunity of seeing many during past summer while in the west”; fourth report this year. Summer Tanager: female, Sep 10, Central Park (PM), very rare in fall. Black-headed Grosbeak: female plumage, Oct 20, Oak Is (Heathcote Kimball), captured on 16mm film. Blue Grosbeak: Sep 19, JBWR (IC) ; Oct 1, Riis (GT); Oct 26-27, Riis (SS, WN). Indigo Bunting: many Oct repoi'ts, latest Oct 27, Riis (WN). This fall witnessed the greatest Dickcissel flight to date. Two small flocks: 14, Sep 28, Montauk (S. Yeaton, et al) ; six, Sep 29, Smith’s Pt (AD), previous high for a flock was four! Seven individuals were seen on the Strip on Oct 1 (JY, GT, MG). Careful analysis of all records reveal that a total of 45 to 52 birds were recorded from coastal areas — Aug 31, Jones (CW, EL) to Nov 3, Montauk (HP, EG) ; only report away from L.I.: male, Oct 2-7, Riverdale (Mrs. A. Rosen). Many reports of Evening Grosbeaks: birds arriving on Nov 3. Not a big flight; widespread reports only of small flocks. Purple Finches were very low. House Finch: many reports of post-breeders from areas where this species is not known to nest. Redpoll: two. Nov 3 7, Riis (WN). Good flierht of Pine Siskins along the coast but no numbers inland. The Goldfinch flight was spectacular. For example: “hundreds to thousands (including siskins) moving along the Fire Is strip throughout Oct and Nov when winds were favorable.” (IA) ; “Thousands feeding on high tide bushes, Wellington Farm. Brookhaven. Over 600 were banded on the Hire- 1 best days, Oct 13, 14 and 3 6. Several hundred birds came into the nets simultaneously on two occa¬ sions in mid-Nov. A very rough estimate indicates a total possibility in the magnitude of 10,000 goldfinches, in the Brookhaven area in Nov. A sicnifi- cant fact was that very few birds repeated in the nets, indicating that they The Kingbird 63 were passing through the area quite rapidly/* (WT, D. & P. Puleston) ; “sev¬ eral thousand”, Nov 9, Riis (TD, RP). There was an invasion of Crossbills which can only be described as the earliest, largest, and most widespread in this century. Red Crossbills in particular occurred in phenomenal numbers; the last great flight was during the winter of 1899-1900. Large numbers were moving westward along the beaches throughout Nov; no observer recording the same numbers of birds in the same place from day to day or even hour to hour. First appearing at Upton on Oct 18-22 (GR, DP), they were not reported again until Nov 3, From then on recorded daily, flocks of up to 50 being common. Sample max counts: at Riis: 200, Nov 16 (mob); 150, Nov 17 (WN) ; 210, Nov 25 (JY, TD); at Jones: “almost 1000” passing over on Nov 24 (CW); 150, Nov 28 (AW). Such large numbers were restricted to SW L.I.; max count from eastern L.I. was a flock of 35, Nov 25, Westhampton (GR); max count inland was at Bronx Park; 30, Nov 27 (DR). White-winged Crossbills first appeared on Nov 3 at the extreme eastern and western ends of the region (Ft Tryon and Montauk). From then on, small flocks of 6-17 were noted moving almost daily at such favored inland lookouts at Ft Tryon. The only significant flight occurred on Nov 25 when “hundreds” were passing over Inwood (WN) ; 100 in Prospect (0. Raymond); and 110 at Riis (TD, JY). Aside from this date, only scattered reports of individuals and small flocks (up to 30) were received from L.I. Reports from outside our region indicate that the main movement of White- wings is passing to the west of us. Ipswich Sparrow: netted at Tiana Oct 16, 23 and 25, “only three banded there in six years” (LW, WT), otherwise very few reports. Grasshopper Sparrow: good late flight; eight Oct reports; two, Nov 5, JBWR & Riis (WN, Gt); Nov 10, Prospect (JY). Henslow’s Sparrow: Oct 9, Tiana (LW, WT), “first netted in six years”. Lark Sparrow: seven different individuals from coastal areas, Aug 24, Riis (JH) to Oct 5, Fire Is (RC). Clay-colored Sparrow: Sep 7, Riis (IC) ; Sep 10, Tiana (LW, WT), netted and photo¬ graphed; Oct 5, Jones (MK) ; Oct 7, Riis (SS). White-crowned Sparrow: Sep 21, Jones (MK), early; max 40, Oct 5, Strip (mob). White-throated Spar¬ row: max 1200. Oct 5, Strip (PP, GT, MK). Lincoln’s Sparrow: excellent flight; dates from Sep 9-Oct 19 and Nov 8, Inwood (WN) ; Nov 23, Orchard Beach (SS, M. Russak), late; max 10, Oct 1, Strip (GT, CW) ; 11 netted at Tiana and Huntington (WT, LW, WL). Swamp Sparrow: max 65, Oct 5, Strip (mob). Song Sparrow: max 160, Oct 5, Strip (mob). Snow Bunting: esvlv dates — Oct 1, Tiana (LW, WT); Oct 9, Fire Is (IA); Oct 12, Riis (WN, IC). Addenum: Roseate Tprn: belated report of 1000 nairs breeding on Great Gull Is. last summer. The colony is now completedly covered with grass. This condition is more favorable for Roseates, and not one pair of Commons were found (G. Cant). Note: Please have winter reports in by Apr 7. Post, 575 W. 183 St., N.Y.C. 33; Tudor, 370 Riverside Drive, N.Y.C. 25. 64 The Kingbird o<=>oc=>oc=> o< FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. 1964 Officers President Mr. Robert S. Arbib, Jr. 226 Guion Drive, Mamaroneck Dr. Allen H. Benton Vice-President - Stote University College at Fredonia Mrs. Lillian C. Stoner Corresponding Secretary 399 State Street, Albany 10 Recording Secretary Miss Margaret S. Rusk 114 Standart St., Syracuse 10 Treasurer Mr. Kenneth D. Niven 61 Broadway, Monticello Editor of THE KINGBIRD AT TPTJ P T Tt 'RTr'TT 193 LaSalle Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14214 Appointed Committees Bulletin Exchanges: to be announced Conservation: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport Finance: to be announced Kingbird Finance: to be announced Membership: Alfred A. Starling, 75 Brooklawn Drive, Rochester 18 State Bird Book: Robert S. Arbib, Jr., 226 Guion Drive, Mamaroneck — Editor and Chairman of Editorial Board of State Bird Book Publications and Research: Dr. Edgar M. Reilly, Jr., State Museum, Albany Bibliography: Mrs. Southgate Y. Hoyt, Box 428, Etna 13062 Waterfowl Count: John L. Mitchell, 345 Conrad Drive, Rochester 16 John J. Elliott Memorial: Chairman, pro tern, Cornelius J. Ward, 804 South Ocean Avenue, Freeport Elected Committees Auditing: Mr. Edward R. McBride —* address to be announced Mr. Jerome Kerner — address to be announced Nominating: Mr. Walton B. Sabin, Slingerlands, Ch.; Mr. Harold D. Mitchell, Buffalo; and Miss Elizabeth Feldhusen, Jamestown NEW BALSCOPE ZOOM 60 Telescope gives you instant power dialing to any power from 15x to 60x! First scan the landscape at a wide 15-power field of view. Spot your target. Then zoom in as close as you wish ... 20x, 30x, 40x, 60x or anywhere in between. A roll of a finger across the control knob increases or decreases power instantly. Focus just once with the same easy one-finger dialing. Focus stays constant at all powers! You're sure of getting finest spotting performance because this variable power telescope is the result of over 100 years’ skill and experience in the manufacture of fine optical products by Bausch & Lomb. Balscope Zoom 60 is sealed against rain, moisture and dust for bril¬ liant clarity always. Sage green finish is made to take hard use without chipping or scratching. Mounts directly on any standard camera tripod without special adaption. Screw-on caps protect objective and eyepiece lenses. Two models available: with straight eyepiece, $149.50; with 45° inclined eyepiece, $159.50. Write for free iiterature on Balscope Zoom 60. Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Rochester 2 , New York. RSTISPH & T. O R W