W.KINGBIRD

VOL. XIV, NO. 2

MAY • 1964

FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC.

The Kingbird is o publication of The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs,
Inc., which has been organized to further the study of bird life and to disseminate
knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need of conserving natural
resources and to encourage the establishment and maintenance of sanctuaries and
protected areas. Individual member's dues are $ 3.00 annually and all individual
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 a four-year period in equal installments until
the full amount is paid", if member so desires.) For all classes of membership
contact the treasurer, Kenneth B. Niven, 61 Broadway, Monticello.

We all ague, we like POV WILD BIRO FOOD

Available at: A. & P., 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 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.

6 /KINGBIRD

PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC.

Vol. 14 No. 2

May, 1964

Pages 65 - 128

CONTENTS

President’s Page-Robert S. Arbib, Jr. 66

New York Biogeography and Bird Distribution_William L. Webb 67

James Ellsworth DeKay_Minnie B. Scotland 74

Evening Grosbeak Banding at Watertown, New York_Frank A. Clinch 77

An Oneida Lake Purple Martin Census_Margaret S. Rusk 81

Conservation News_Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. 84

Summary of Fruit Crop Fall and Winter 1963-1964

Stephen W. Eaton 86

January Waterfowl Count, 1964 _John L. Mitchell 87

Field Notes:

Chimney Swift Nest in A Hollow Tree Stump_Paul M. Kelsey 90

On the Reluctance of Bonaparte's Gulls to

Fly under Objects ___ Peter W. Post 91

Boreal Owl in Monroe County_John Foster 91

On Albino Swallows _ Roy Latham 92

Highlights of the Winter Season:

December 1-March 31_David B. Peakall 92

Regional Reports for the Winter Season, 1963-1964 - 94

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 be announced
Cover Design — Douglas L. Howland

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65

PRESIDENTS PAGE

Members and member clubs have Already received their invitations to
our 17th Annual Convention, and from advance information our first visit
to Poughkeepsie promises to be one of the best organized and most reward¬
ing in our history. The meeting, from Friday evening, May 22 to Sunday
afternoon, May 24, will bring delegates and other members from all over
New York State at a time when spring migration through the remarkable
Hudson River valley should be at its peak. Important committee meetings, the
annual business meeting, the papers session, and the annual banquet will
offer real competition to the attractions out-of-doors. And of course one of
the pleasantest features of these meetings is the seeing of old friends and
the meeting with new ones of kindred interests from many parts of the
state. The President can only add his invitation to that already sent to
you by the host club, the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club, of Poughkeepsie.
We look forward to 100% representation of our member clubs this year,
and a new high in total attendance.

One item of new business that could not wait for our 1964 Annual
Meeting was the establishment of a memorial for our late President, John
J. Elliott. The many friends of John Elliott wanted to start the project
now, while his memory is so vividly alive. Last October your President
appointed a John J. Elliott Memorial Committee of eleven members, all of
them old friends and birding companions of John’s. This winter, discus¬
sions and meetings have been held, and a memorial plan proposed.

With Cornelius J. Ward as Chairman, and Adrian Dignan as Treasurer,
the committee has decided to set up a perpetual memorial fund, whose
annual proceeds shall be used for the encouragement of the publication of
knowledge of the bird life of our state. The Elliott Memorial Prize shall
be given each year at our annual banquet, to that author of a paper published
during the preceding year, in the Kingbird, deemed most worthy by a panel
of judges. Details of the prize, eligibility, and judging will be announced
at our Poughkeepsie meeting. Meanwhile, a letter asking for contributions
in the memory of John J. Elliott has gone out to all of us. In your President’s
view, this is a worthy and appropriate memorial; one that will last over the
years, one that is in perfect keeping with John Elliott’s interest in seeing our
ornithologists, no matter how amateur, publish their findings, and one that,
(even if it were not a memorial to a fine man) will be an excellent stimulus
for the improvement of quality of the contents of The Kingbird. Your
President, he hopes, sent in the first cheque.

Although it has taken most of the winter, the many committees of our
Federation now have active and interested Chairmen, many of them newly-
appointed. There is, of course, always a vacancy on any committee you are
interested in, and there are committees concerned, with every aspect of our
Federation’s work. If you would like to lend your services, if you would
like to take a more active part in our work, and have a voice in our decisions,
don’t hesitate. Contact one of the chairmen listed in this issue of the
Kingbird. Your participation will be gratefully welcomed.

See you all at Poughkeepsie! And bring a new member with you.
Robert S. Arbib Jr., 226 Guion Drive, Mmnaroneck

66

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NEW YORK BIOGEOGRAPHY AND BIRD DISTRIBUTION
William L. Webb

New York State has few (if any) sharply delineated biological com¬
munities. Although the traveler who moves from Lake Erie to the Hudson
River, or from Pennsylvania to Canada, notices changes in the landscape
and in land use, the natural communities of living organisms do not fall
into sharp clear patterns of distribution. It might be said that the entire
State is one natural community with minor variations due to local climatic,
physiographic, and geologic conditions. No part of New York is completely
‘natural" as this huge biotic community is masked and modified by various
types and intensities of agriculture and forestry.

Yet even the casual observer in New York notices many differences
between the forested mountains of the Adirondacks and the rolling agricul¬
tural land of the lake plains, between the steep ridge and valley topography
of the southern tier counties and the equally steep but dome-like mountains
of the Catskills. An ornithologist also notices differences in kinds and
numbers of birds which live in different parts of the State. Some rare
species in the Adirondacks are abundant in the lake plains, for example, and
some common species in the Hudson valley are rare in the St. Lawrence
valley.

Drawing a map to show these differences in bird distribution is a difficult
task. Two quite different methods of approach are possible. The first is to
determine the distribution of many individual species and from these data to
draw conclusions on the presence and geographic boundaries of ecological
communities. This method, although most logical, is not easy to apply. No
two species have identical range limits so a great deal of judgment must be
used to fix boundaries of communities. At the present time not enough is
known about bird distribution to make this practical for New York.

The second method is indirect. It involves study of distribution of
environmental conditions which affect birds, and synthesizing from this study
a map which shows the areas which are relatively uniform in physical,
chemical, and biological conditions. Such a map is not a map of bird
distribution. Rather it is a rational and logical attempt to map bird habitats.
Factors which must be considered include natural vegetation, land use,
topography, soils, geology, climate, and many others. None of these com¬
ponents of the environment are simple, and all of them are interrelated in
many complex ways. In drawing the map the investigator attempts to
recognize "logical ecological types." The use of the word logical does not
imply that there are illogical ecological types (except as they exist in the
mind of man) since an ecological type must mean a community of organisms
which have mutual relations to each other and common relations to the
environment. Such a community cannot be illogical. The phrase — logical
ecological types — is used to indicate that human judgment is used to
recognize the types. The map is not the result of a precise scientific investi¬
gation, but must be considered a theory on the distribution of natural
biological communities. This theory should be critically tested and examined
to determine if it is valid.

This preliminary report is made to present such a theory of community
distribution. It is hoped that many ornithologists will test the theory to

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67

determine if it is a valid expression of bird distribution in New York State.

Three limitations have been put on the work: 1. that the biotic regions
recognized should be related to a continent-wide system of recognized stand¬
ing; 2. that the communities recognized should be evident to amateur orni-
tnoiogists and ecologists and not need a high degree of training and experi¬
ence to make them useful; and 3. that the communities should be based on
conditions as they exist under the present intensity of land use which has
so radically altered the original or natural vegetation.

No biotic community is ever entirely limited to one geographic area.
There are always examples of particular communities which are far removed
in space from the main center of distribution of that community. These
“exceptions” do not invalidate the biogeographic classification. They should
be considered merely as unique but normal situations where a small sample
of one ecologic type is set down in a larger matrix of another ecologic type.
For example, a cool sphagnum bog in the midst of a warm dry oak forest
should not be considered an invalidation of the ecological classification of the
area as an oak forest with its associated plants and animals.

In this kind of work there is a temptation to select “indicator” species; to
state that if a particular plant or animal species is present it is an indicator
of a particular biotic community. Such an attempt would be premature
for New York birds. Perhaps with further experience with the system
proposed here, it may be possible to assign indicator species to the Biotic
Provinces and Biotic Districts.

Figure 1 indicates that in New York two major divisions or Biotic Pro¬
vinces are recognized, and that these are divided into 11 subdivisions or
Biotic Districts. The two Biotic Provinces cover large geographic areas and
include one or more major ecologic associations (Dice 1943). Each Biotic
Province covers a large and continuous geographic area and may be disting¬
uished from neighboring provinces by type of vegetation, ecological climax,
flora, fauna, climate, physiography, and soil. The Biotic Districts are
continuous areas within Biotic Provinces which are recognizable ecological
units that differ in less important respects. The 11 Biotic Districts delineat¬
ed in Figure 1 are identical with the “Game Ranges” recognized by Smith
(1955). His divisions are based on differences in geology, topography,
physiography, climate, soils, water areas, vegetation, land use, and game
species found or likely to succeed therein. In a few places names of the
districts are not the same as used by Smith, but the district boundaries are
the same. This adoption of Smith s areas is an indication of the regard I
have for his work.

In the past several years I have tried to relate bird distribution to these
Biotic Provinces and Biotic Districts. Data available have been so limited
that a real test of the soundness of these divisions in relation to bird distri¬
bution has not been possible. The map and brief descriptions of the areas
are being published at this time in the hope that many ornithologists working
in all parts of the State will test this “system” to see if it is valid and to see
where modifications are needed. All suggestions from those who use this
ecological classification will be appreciated.

68

The Kingbird

Figura 1 .

CAROLINEAN BIOTIC FROVTBCE

1 Lika Plain Biotic District

2 Hudson Talley Biotic District

3 Southeastern Highlands Biotle District

4 Coastal Plain Biotle District

CANADIAN BIOTIC PROVINCE

New England Poland Biotic District
St.Lawrence Biotic District
Tug Hill Biotic District
-fiR-v Adirondack Biotic District

Hohawk Valley Biotic District
L'lfOv Appalachian Biotic District
Tatsklll Biotic District

CAROLINIAN BIOTIC PROVINCE

The "lowland” areas of the State are termed the Carolinian Biotic Pro¬
vince following the terminology of Dice (1943) and not differing signifi¬
cantly from the area Merriam (1898) teimed the Carolinian Life Zone (or
Faunal Area). Considerable other precedent exists for grouping the Long
Island, lower Hudson, and lake plains areas. The Carolinian Biotic Pro¬
vince as shown in Figure 1 corresponds quite closely with the A and B
Zones of Bray (1930) and Hotchkiss (1932); it is the Cenral Forest Region
of the Society of American Foresters (1954); the deciduous forest biome as
mapped by Pitelka (1941); and it includes both the beech-maple and the
oak-chestnut regions of Braun (1950).

The most conspicuous feature of most of the Carolinian Biotic Province
is the level to gently rolling topography. The Southeastern Highlands
Biotic District is an exception to this, and limited local areas within some of
the other districts shew sharp relief. Soils in general are of high to medium
productivity (Howe, 1933) with bedrock materials made up chiefly of lime¬
stones, shales, and slates (except in the Southeastern Highlands and on
Long Island) (Cline, 1955). The growing season averages about 160 days
or longer over most of the Province with an average mean temperature during
the growing season of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (Mordoff,
1949).

The climax vegetation of this Province is a very diversified hardwood
forest. Chestnut was originally an important constituent with several species

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69

of oaks, hickories, and some tulip poplar in many parts of the Province.
Conifers are not conspicuous in the subclimax or climax vegetation.

Land use by man has greatly modified the “landscape” today. Much of
the area has fertile soils and a great human population to utilize the agricult¬
ural production. Although the type of agriculture is variable depending
on local soil conditions, local climate, and availability of markets, most of the
Province has an intensive type of land use.

Four biotic districts are recognized in the Carolinian Biotic Province, all
of them based on Smith's (1955) Game Ranges.

Lake Plain Biotic District, (Map number 1.) This District borders
the Great Lakes and is characterized by its gently rolling topography. It
is bounded on the south by the sharp change in topography between the
lake plains and the hilly Appalachian Plateau. Much of the original hard¬
wood forest of the District has been eliminated or modified by the intensive
agriculture which has been practiced for many years. A very high percentage
of the District is intensively cultivated for a variety of cereal grains and for
truck crops, and some is used for pasture and orchards. The remaining
forests are generally on the poorly drained sites or on local areas of poor
soils. Even these forests have been greatly modified by logging, pasturing,
and fire, and few indicate their climax character at the present time.

Hudson Valley Biotic District. (Map number 2.) This District extends
from the southern end of Lake George southward along the Hudson to the
Southeastern Highlands District and along the ancient river valley to the
New Jersey border. Mountainous terrain in surrounding areas makes the
District distinct and easy to recognize. The Adirondacks and Catskills form
its western border and the Taconics, the Rensselaer Plateau, and the South¬
eastern Highlands mark the eastern border. Most of these lands have been
cleared for agriculture and urban development, and much of the District
is still intensively used for general farming, truck gardening, and for orch¬
ards. The original climax oak-chestnut forest and its associated species are
difficult to find.

Southeastern Highlands Biotic District , (Map number 3.) The rough
topography of this District sets it apart from surrounding areas. The thin,
stony, acid soils are of low productivity. Although much of the less rugged
area was at one time cultivated, now most of the area is covered by relatively
poor quality tree growth. The original forest was of oak and chestnut. Now
oak predominates in most areas. The climate is mild because of the prox¬
imity of the ocean with a growing season of around 180 days. This District
is an interesting mixture of vegetation with many southern species which
survive because of the mild climate and with some northern species which
find conditions suitable on the thin acid soils. Special study should be
made of this District to determine if the bird fauna is more like the Carolinian
or the Canadian Biotic Province. It is here called Carolinian because of the
mild climate.

Coastal Plain Biotic District. (Map number 4.) Long Island and the
southern portion of Westchester County are included in this District. The
outstanding feature of the area is the mildness and stability of the climate
due to the moderating influence of the ocean. The growing season of 180
to 195 days (Mordoff, 1949), the longest in the State, encourages growth of
species which do not survive in other parts of New York. Most of the

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70

western part of this District is covered by urban development, and intensive
land use characterizes the entire area.

CANADIAN BIOTIC PROVINCE

The highlands that dominate the rest of New York State are best termed
the Canadian Biotic Province following the terminology of Dice (1943).
This is in general agreement with the area called the Alleghanian Faunal
Area of the Transition Life Zone by Merriam (1898). With only minor
changes it is the C and D Zones of Bray (1930) and Hotchkiss (1932). It
is the Northern Forest Region of the Society of American Foresters (1954).
It is the hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood region of Braun (1950).
And it includes both the coniferous forest biome and coniferous-deciduous
forest ecotone as mapped by Pitelka (1941).

Topography, geology, and soils vary within this large region but many
fundamental similarities make it desirable to group the seven biotic districts
into one province. Most of the Province is dominated by hills, ridges, and
mountains. Glaciation has been an important force in removal of original
soil materials and depositing other materials. The soils are of medium to
low productivity (Howe, 1933) and in most cases are strongly acid in
reaction (Cline, 1955).

The climate of this Province is quite severe with long cold winters. The
growing season over most of the area is less than 150 days and in the Adiron-
dacks may be less than 100 days (Mordoff, 1949). Snow usualy accumulates
in the winter and may remain on the ground in spring even when vegetation
in the Carolinian Biotic Province has broken dormancy and is turning green.
Average temeperature in the growing season is less than 60 degrees Fahren¬
heit in the Adirondacks and is generally not over 65 degrees in the rest of the
Province.

The climax forest of the Canadian Biotic Province is a hardwood forest
in which sugar maple is usually conspicuous. Beech, yellow birch, and
basswood are abundant hardwood components of the climax, and hemlock
is usually present in mixture with the hardwoods with its abundance con¬
trolled by local edaphic and climatic conditions.

In the Adirondacks, red spruce and balsam fir dominate considerable
areas, but in most instances these coniferous stands are due to local conditions.
The spruce slope types on the mountaintops and the spruce flat stands in
the valley bottoms are only restricted examples of a northern vegetation
type set in a matrix of hardwood forest which provides the ecological charac¬
ter of the entire biotic community. Many persons have separated the Adiron¬
dacks as a separate ecological unit because of the coniferous component of
the vegetation. It seems better to distinguish the Adirondacks as a biotic
district but not give the area the rank of a province.

Land use has not modified the “landscape” of the Canadian Biotic Pro¬
vince as drastically as in the Carolinian. Although some intensive agricul¬
ture is practiced, particularly on the valley floors, the character of the Cana¬
dian is a woods with agricultural inclusions rather than a cleared area with
woody inclusions. Soil fertility is the chief factor which, has! limited jagricul-

■ . -id:

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71

tural use and the vast majority of lands, once used for crops but now aban¬
doned, occur here. The extent of agricultural use varies in the different
biotic districts of the Canadian Biotic Province.

Seven biotic districts are recognized in the Canadian Biotic Province,
following Smiths (1955) Game Ranges.

New England Upland Biotic District. (Map number 5.) Smith (1955)
calls this area the Rensselaer Plateau-Taconic Adountain Game Range. This
name is so long as to be objectionable: therefore I propose the area be called
New England Upland Biotic District following the usage of some physio¬
graphers. This District is a rugged section of several different geologic
origins. Soils are stony, acid and rather poorly drained. Much of the area
has never been cleared for agriculture, and areas once cleared have largely
reverted to forest. In many respects the forest is similar to those of the
Adirondacks with most of the same tree species predominating.

St. Lawrence Biotic District. (Map number 6.) Vegetation places this
large area with the Canadian Biotic Province even though it is not a high¬
land, as is most of the rest of the Province. Forest cover of this District is a
modification of the Adirondack hardwood forest including sugar maple,
beech, hemlock, basswood and birch plus some oaks. Although the soils are
mostly of medium productivity, some are very productive. In spite of the
rather short growing season the District is quite intensively utilized for
agriculture with considerable amounts of dairying and the growing of small
grains.

Tug Hill Biotic District. (Map Number 7.) In some respects the Tug
Hill Biotic District differs from the Adirondack District; however, in most
respects it is ecologically similar. Essentially, the Tug Hill Biotic District
is an outlier of the Adirondack District surrounded on all sides by lowland
areas. The land-use picture is much the same as for the Adirondacks, and
climate, though somewhat wetter, is not drastically different. Further investi¬
gation may lead to the combination of the Adirondack and the Tug Hill
Districts. At this time they are separated for two reasons: first because
the areas are geographically isolated from each other, and second because
too little information on faunal differences is available.

Adirondack Biotic District. (Map number 8.) The Adirondack Biotic
District is the only large District in the State which has not been subjected
to intensive clearing of land for agricultural use. Here cold winters with
deep snow accumulation, short growing season (90 to 140 days), and low
temperature in the growing season (often well under 60 degrees) combined
with low-productivity soils and remoteness from markets prevented agricul¬
ture from getting much of a start. However, the Adirondack forest is far
from a virgin stand as most of it has been logged and vast areas have been
burned. Sugar maple is a predominant species in most of the hardwood
stands with yellow birch almost equally characteristic. Coniferous types are
in important and conspicuous addition to the larger areas of hardwood
forest and are considered by many to be a subclimax type of vegetation or a
local edaphic climax.

Mohawk Valley Biotic District. (Map number 9.) This District is
intermediate geographically and ecologically between the Adirondack and
Appalachian Districts. It is limited to the narrow valley of the Mohawk

72 The Kingbird

River. Original forest cover was northern hardwood dominated by beech,
sugar maple and hemlock. A very high percentage of the land is under
cultivation because of the fertile soils and availability of transportation and
markets.

Appalachian Biotic District. (Map number 10.) Although the vast area
of the “southern tier” varies considerably from west to east, there is surprising
similarity throughout the District. The ancient plateau is deeply dissected
by streams which generally trend north and south. Soils on the slopes are
shallow, acid, and relatively poorly drained. The valley bottom soils are
more fertile and it is here that agriculture is most intense. The northerly
edge of the District is quite distinct and easy to recognize because the streams
break out of the “hills” and meander across the rolling lake plains. The
growing season averages 120 to 160 days with a mean temperature in the
growing season of from 60 to 65 degrees. The climax hardwood forests are
composed chiefly of sugar maple, beech, and basswood, with some hemlock.
Much of the forest has been cut over but species composition has not been
greatly changed by logging. A great deal of hill land has been cleared and
abandoned in this District. Such abandoned areas usually revert to woody
growth in a short time.

Catskill Biotic District. (Map number 11.) The Catskills differ geo¬
logically from the Appalachian Biotic District, but in many ecological respects
they are similar. Soils are stony, acid, and of low to medium fertility. Farms
are maintained chiefly on the narrow, somewhat more fertile valley floors.
Original forest cover was dominated by beech, sugar maple, yellow birch,
and hemlock with some spruce and fir at high elevations and some oaks in
valley bottoms. These forests have been heavily utilized.

LITERATURE CITED

Braun, E. Lucy. 1950. Deciduous forests of eastern North America. Blakis-
ton Co., Philadelphia, 596 pp.

Bray, W. I. 1930. The development of the vegetation of New York State.

N. Y. State College of Forestry, Tech. Pub. 29, second ed., 189 pp.
Cline, M. G. 1955. Soils and soil associates of New York. N. Y. State
College of Agriculture, Cornell Extension Bui. 930, 72 pp.

Dice, L. R. 1943. The biotic provinces of North America. Univ. of Michi¬
gan Press, Ann Arbor, 78 pp.

Hotchkiss, Neil. 1932. A botanical survey of the Tug Hill plateau. N. Y.
State Museum Bui. 287, 123 pp.

Howe, F. B. 1933. General soil map of New York. Cornell Univ. Agr.
Exper. Sta., map.

Merriam, C. H. 1898. Life zones and crop zones of the United States.
U. S. Dept. Agr., Bui. 10, 79 pp.

Mordoff, R. A. 1949. The climate of New York State. N. Y. State College
of Agriculture, Cornell Extension Bui. 764, 72 pp.

Pitelka, F. A. 1941. Distribution of birds in relation to major biotic com¬
munities. Amer. Midland Naturalist, 25 (1): 113-137.

Smith, R. H. 1955. Definition of game range divisions in New York.

N. Y. Fish and Game Journal, 2 (2): 127-141.

Society of American Foresters. 1954. Forest cover types of North America
(exclusive of Mexico). Soc. of Amer. Foresters, Wash., 67 pp.

State University College of Forestry at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y.

The Kingbird

73

JAMES ELLSWORTH DE KAY

On a front page of a volume entitled Zoology of New York, or the New
York Eauna, is this inscription:

TTo

WILLIAM C. BOUCK,

Governor of the State of New-York.

I submit a continuation of a Report on the Zoology of the State.

.!* And have the honor to be,

With great respect,

Your obedient servant,

JAMES E. DE KAY.

In 1836 James E. De Kay had been intrusted with the stupendous task
of covering "both botany and zoology” for a Natural History survey of New
York State. The years of research that followed resulted in the publication
of five volumes from 1842 to 1849. In these he had described more than
1,600 species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians,
fishes, molluscans, and crustaceans, introducing common names as far as
possible

The introduction written in Volume I, Part I by William H. Seward,
then Governor of New York, stated that “Altho the study of ornithology has
not been pursued with the especial object of determining the species of
birds indigenous to the State, still, in the comprehensive treatises which have
issued from the press, there is no deficiency of information on that interest¬
ing subject.” It was De Kay who organized much of this material in
Volume I, Part II in 1843. He classified the birds into six orders which he
called Accipitres, Passeres, Gallinae, Grallae, Lobipedes, and Natatores. It
must be remembered that"it was in the latter part of the nineteenth century
that most of the fundamental work took place upon which our present
knowledge of classification is based. In 1895 the A.O.U. Check-list had
sixteen orders. Several species of birds well known at the present time were
unknown to De Kay, such as the Alder (Traill’s) flycatcher, Prairie horned
lark, Rough-winged swallow, Migrant (Loggerhead) shrike, Louisiana water-
thrush, Connecticut warbler, Hudsonian (Boreal) chickadee and Gray¬
cheeked thrush. However, the 1843 Volume had one hundred and forty-
one plates showing three hundred and nine figures accompanied by descrip¬
tions. The artist, J. W. Hill, a lithographer of Endicott, N. Y., made the
illustrations, usually of live birds, though of necessity some were done from
specimens, carefully mounted by persons familiar with the habits of the
living bird.

DeKay divided the State of New York into four districts: The Northern,
The Hudson Valley, The Atlantic, and The Western. The Northern was
bounded on the west by Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, on the
eastern side by Lake Champlain and Lake George, and lying north of the
Mohawk Valley. The chief growth of trees in this district was the spruce,
pine, larch, balsam, fir and cedar. To quote the author: “It forms the south¬
ern limits ,of the migration of many arctic birds; and we accordingly meet
here with the Canada jay and Spruce grouse, the Swan, .the Raven and the
Arctic woodpecker.” The Hudson Valley district included counties watered

74

The Kingbird

by the Hudson River and its tributaries, chief of which was the Mohawk,
which after a course of about one hundred and forty miles enters the Hudson
from the west, at a distance of one hundred and sixty miles from its entrance
into the ocean. The Atlantic district comprised Long Island and again
quoting De Kay: “It is remarkable for the abundance and variety of its birds.
Here we find the extreme southern limits of the migrations of the arctic
species, and the northernmost termination of the wanderings of the birds
of the torrid zone. Thus, we find in winter in this district the Eider duck,
the Little white goose, the Great cormorant, the Auk, and many others from
the Arctic ocean. During the heats of summer, we meet with the Turkey
buzzard and Swallow-tailed kite, the Fork-tailed flycatcher from the tropical
wilds of Guiana, and numerous others from the south." The Western
district consisted of the rest of the State's area to the west of the Northern
and Hudson Valley districts. (To-day there are twelve regions of New York
State listed by Drs. E. M. Reilly and Kenneth Parkes, and an additional
one hundred and twenty species of birds.)

James Ellsworth De Kay was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1792. He was
the eldest son of George and Catherine (Colman) De Kay and a brother of
Commodore George Colman De Kay. His father was an American Sea
Captain who had lived in Lisbon for many years and had chosen a girl of
Irish parentage for a wife. When James was two years old his family came
to New York to live. He was only ten when his father died and fourteen
when he lost his mother. The young teenager grew up in and near New York
City. He attended a school in Connecticut but unfortunately its name and
location have not been recorded. He was described as “early showing
bookish proclivities and being a keen observer and student of nature." At
nineteen he was a medical student, spending at least one summer at Guil¬
ford, Connecticut in reading to “fit himself" for that profession. However,
Botany and Zoology attracted him more than medicine.

In his early twenties he became closely associated with a group of young
writers in New York. Among them were William Cullen Bryant and James
Fenimore Cooper. Throughout his life his relationships with literary men
seem to have been more intimate than those with physicians. He was a close
friend of the poets, Fitz-Greene Halleck and Joseph Rodman Drake. De Kay
was the first to read Halleck's tribute to Drake who was only twenty-five
when he died. The poem has been referred to as one of the most exquisite
epitaphs in the language, the first verse of which reads:

“Green to be the turf above thee,

Friend of my better days!

None knew thee but to love thee,

Nor named thee but to praise."

In the spring of 1818 De Kay went to Europe where he studied medicine
at the University of Edinburgh and the next year took his degree there as a
physician. He then returned to New York City and became interested in
the Lyceum of Natural History which had been recently organized. De Kay
edited the first two volumes of its transactions, acted as librarian, building up
a collection of scientific books remarkable for its day, and helped in assemb¬
ling a museum. He married Janet Eckford, daughter of Henry Eckford, an

The Kingbird

75

American naval architect and ship builder in New York. Janet was also the
sister of Drake’s widow. They had three children, a son: James and two
daughters: Marion and Janet. In order to work on his study of Natural
History Dr. De Kay left New York City and established his permanent home,
“The Locusts”, a country place at Oyster Bay, Long Island, N. Y. His work
was interrupted on the outbreak of cholera in New York City when he
hastened to give his services to the afflicted although the practice of his
profession was repugnant to him.

James E. De Kay was of a lively disposition and a great social favorite in
New York. He would travel about, collecting facts and materials, from
farmers, hunters, and fishermen, and contribute articles to the New York
press. On November 21, 1851 Dr. De Kay died in Oyster Bay, just two
months after the death of James Fenimore Cooper, his friend of many years
standing.

The following recognition of De Kay’s contribution to the knowledge of
birds in New York State was wTitten by the Director of the New York State
Museum, John M. Clarke, in 1908:

“This State published — a comprehensive and finely illus¬
trated treatise on the birds of the State prepared by the eminent
ornithologist, James E. De Kay. Ever since its date of issue
this work has been of fundamental value to all students of
birds and may justly be regarded as, in a large degree, the
primary inspiration of the present widespread interest among
the people of the State in the science of ornithology.”

Minnie B. Scotland , 42 Continental Ave. f Cohoes 12047

NOTICES

Federation stationery is available to officers, committee chairmen, region¬
al editors, etc. from our president.

Robert S. Arbib, Jr., 226 Guion Drive, Mamaroneck

HERONRY CENSUS

Mr. Walter E. Benning, R.D. #1, Clyde, N. Y. is undertaking a state¬
wide heronry census this year. He would be grateful for any information
on the location of heronries, also if possible, a count of active nests.

76

The Kingbird

EVENING GROSBEAK BANDING AT WATERTOWN, NEW YORK

Frank A* Clinch

Banding helps us to learn some facts about Birds that could hardly be
discovered in any other way. We can find out where our summer birds
spend their winters and whether or not some individuals return the follow¬
ing summer. From banding records we can learn how far birds fly per day
when they are migrating and how long they can be expected to live. Perhaps
we can find out where our winter birds breed.

It is necessary to band a large number of birds, because for small non¬
game birds very few bands are ever found and reported. Among the easiest
of our winter birds to band are the Evening Grosbeaks (Hesperiphona
vespertina). Some years they are with us from December to the middle of
May. On cold days especially they are hungry and eager for their sunflower
seeds. One bird in a trap seems to attract others rather than to scare them
away. Evening Grosbeaks are conspicuous birds and when one is found
dead or injured it is likely to be noticed and its hand number reported.

Evening Grosbeak with band. Photo by — Cecil Drake.

One of the thrills of bird banding is to hand a new species. My first
Evening Grosbeak was banded on April 8, 1955. At that time I would never
have dreamed that so many more would follow. By January 1, 1964 I had
banded a total of 5820 Evening Grosbeaks or slightly more than half of the
10,480 birds of 72 species I have banded in twelve years.

Birds to be banded can be caught in a number of types of traps. The
four-cell Potter trap works very well for Evening Grosbeaks. Each ceil can
catch a single bird and the weight of the bird in the trap closes the door.
A funnel-type trap which can take a dozen or more birds at a time can be

The Kingbird

77

used. When several birds are busy feeding some find their way inside, but
only rarely can one find its way out. The numbered aluminum bands are
supplied by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Banding does not seem to reduce the number of Evening Grosbeaks at
our feeders. Some of them return soon after being banded and a few have
been caught later the same day. Others are trapped again a few days or
weeks later. The birds seem about as numerous at our feeders as at other
places where they are not being banded.

Many persons in Watertown are interested in birds and put out
sunflower seeds for them. Several of these feeders are located within a few
blocks of our home. As a result the Evening Grosbeaks seem to shop around
and many of them visit two or three feeders during the forenoon. Usually
we have more than one flock a day. One flock can be told from another by
its size, sex, and number of birds with bands. Individual birds shift from
one flock to another frequently. One Evening Grosbeak I banded was
trapped again three hours later two miles from the place of banding.

TABLE OF RECOVERIES AND FOREIGN RECOVERIES

State or Province

Recoveries

Foreign Recoveries

Manitoba

1

0

Ontario

22

8

Quebec

32

0

New Brunswick

5

0

Maine

4

1

New Flampshire

3

1

Vermont

2

2

Massachusetts

5

6

Connecticut

0

6

New York

29

14

New Jersey

1

2

Pennsylvania

19

9

Ohio

1

0

Michigan

9

1

Wisconsin

6

2

Iowa

1

0

Maryland

0

1

Virginia

3

1

West Virginia

3

0

Tennessee

1

0

Some days I have banded more birds than could be seen in any single
flock. Several times I have banded thirty to forty birds a day. The best
day was January 16, 1960 when I banded 114. The next day 58 more were
banded.

A recovery means that a banded bird has been found and the band
number reported to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The bird may be
found dead or injured. A recovery can also mean that the bird was caught
alive and released. The Fish and Wildlife Service sends a report of the
banding and recovery to both the bander and the person making the recovery.

78

The Kingbird

A foreign retrap means that a bander has trapped a bird already banded by
another bander, but to the person who banded the bird it is a recovery.

Birds recovered the same winter they were banded have usually been
found south of the place of banding. Recoveries were made at Deposit (3),
Ithaca (2), Etna (2), Webster, Oneida, Herkimer and Candor, New York.
Three were in Pennsylvania. A few birds that I have trapped have been
banded the same winter in Ontario and one came from Vermont. Most
recoveries in May, June and July have been in Canada.

The recoveries show the number of Evening Grosbeaks banded in
Watertown and later found dead or alive in each state or province. The
foreign retraps show the number banded in the places indicated and later
trapped and released in Watertown, New York.

The Quebec recoveries include 13 birds shot during June and July on
the west branch of the Patapedia River near Lac Humqui. They were
reported by the late Monsieur Brosseau, St. Leon le Grand, Rimouski
County. He was misinformed and believed that such recoveries were
desired by the Fish and Wildlife Service. At least 270 Evening Grosbeaks
were destroyed of which 69 had been banded in New York State by 15
banders. G. H. and H. C. Parks visited this region in June 1962. In
eleven days, June 15-25, they trapped and banded 500 Evening Grosbeaks
using sunflower seed as bait. They also trapped 16 banded birds, one of
which I banded February 19, 1960.

A recovery can give some idea of how far a bird flies in a day. An
Evening Grosbeak banded at Kingston, Ontario, April 16, 1958 was taken in
one of my traps the next day. On January 13, 1956 I banded a female
which flew into a window at Candor, New York on January 16. The
distance is about 120 miles. A male I banded April 11, 1955 was re-trapped
here seven years later on April 28, 1962. On May 25, 1962 this bird was
trapped in New Brunswick, probably near Saint John. This is the longest
time between banding and recovery of any bird I have banded.

When the first Evening Grosbeaks of the winter season appear at our
feeders, they often seem to know just where to go for their favorite sunflower
seeds. They act as if they had been here before. Banding returns do not
indicate that they have ever been here before. The first birds to arrive
seldom have bands. Banded Evening Grosbeaks do return the following
winter or even two or three years later but the number is small, perhaps
not more than two percent a year.

About two-thirds of the recoveries made outside of Quebec have been
birds trapped and released by other banders. Some have been reported as
dead or injured. Causes of death include: killed by automobile, flew against
a window or other object, killed by hawk or owl and caught by a cat. Two
were shot and one was frightened by a predator and flew against a window.
In Watertown one apparently was killed by a Cooper’s Hawk and one by a
Saw-whet Owl.

An Evening Grosbeak which I trapped in Watertown December 11, 1963
had been banded in Syracuse, New York by Mr. Benjamin P; Burtt March
16, 1956. The length of time between banding, and recovery, .nearly seven

..years and nine -months-Js.the, .longest of any_bird I .have .trapped!— -This

interval is a little lohgeF’tKan for - any bird I havy banded-

The Kingbird

79

A male Evening Grosbeak banded in Watertown April 16, 1960 was
trapped in Seven Sister Falls, Manitoba, January 6, 1963. This is about
one thousand miles from the place of banding and is the greatest distance
of any recovery from the point of banding.

Banding of Evening Grosbeaks has been a very rewarding experience.
It does require a great deal of time, but it is time well spent. There are still
many things we do not know about birds and banding will help us to find
some of the answers.

REFERENCES

Bordner, Dorothy L., 1960. Evening Grosbeaks in State College, Pa.

EBBA News, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp 73-7.

Fast, Arthur Id., 1962. The Evening Grosbeaks in Northern Virginia.

Bird-Banding, Vol. XXXIII, No. 4, pp 181-91.

Parks, G. Hapgood and Hazel C., 1963. Some Notes on a Trip to an
Evening Grosbeak Nesting Area. Bird-Banding, Vol. XXXIV, No. 1,
pp 22-30.

_ 1963. Evening Grosbeaks Died to Supply Bands for this “Jewelry”.

Bird-Banding, Vo.. XXXIV, No. 2, pp 73-86.

Shaub, B. M., 1960. The Destruction of Nearly One Hundred Evening
Grosbeaks at St. Leon le Grand Quebec. Bird-Banding Vol. XXXI No.
3, pp 150-6.

173 Haley Street , Watertown

REPORTING REGIONS

For descriptions of Regions see Kingbird Vol. IV, Nos. 1 and 2

The Kingbird

80

AN ONEIDA LAKE PURPLE MARTIN CENSUS
Margaret S. Rusk

Introduction

In response to the call, issued by the Publications and Research Commit¬
tee at the Federation meeting in Jamestown last spring, for more work on
the breeding status of New York State birds, Dr. David Peakall and I,
Region 5 Kingbird editors, selected for investigation five species whose
status in our Region is such that it would be interesting and easy for coop¬
erating local observers to census them. Another consideration was to choose
species which might over the years show effects of insecticides. The prob¬
able use of other census methods than the traditional square grid was envis¬
ioned.

One of the species chosen was the Purple Martin, as it is a simple matter
to count the apartments in occupied houses. Dr. Fritz Scheider suggested a
count around Oneida Lake, an area where many people have maintained
Martin houses for years. This would be a means of obtaining an intensive
census within a general Regional survey. (A summary of Martin house
locations and occupancy reported by Dr. Sally Hoyt in the Kingbird included
several of the older and larger colonies in Region 5.) 1

Method

Fortunately for the reliability of the data, is the widespread occupancy
by the Purple Martins of the bird houses, which the summer camp owners
and permanent residents traditionally put up at their homes on Oneida
Lake. 2 Upon undertaking the lake census, I had no idea of the large amount
of material available for counting. But I soon found that, for reasons of
time, the census had to be continued on five different dates. The data
below are presented under these dates. Censusing was done at various
times of day; this did not seem to make any difference in the results.

Coverage: The census area lay within the four counties, Onondaga,
Madison, Oswego, and Oneida, which surround 26-mile-long Oneida Lake.
Roads covered included N. Y. Routes 31, 49, 13, which bound the lake but
wherever there were county, town, or camp roads which provided closer
access to the shore, the latter were taken rather than the boundary routes.
As an indication of what this means in terms of thoroughness of coverage,
the distance from Verona Beach to Bridgeport on Route 31 is about 14 miles,
but my automobile speedometer showed that I had traveled 53 miles in
censusing between these points. A total of about 17 hours was required for
the entire census.

Using a convertible car facilitated hearing Martins in the vicinity as well
as spotting the houses. I did not leave the car to hunt out houses on foot
as this would have taken much longer. I estimate that I found 90% of the
houses and this percentage did not vary significantly from one part of the
lake to another.

Evidence of occupancy: The best evidence was birds at the houses feed¬
ing young or visible through the doorways incubating. But even if no

1 Hoyt, op. cit.

2 Stoner, op. cit.

The Kingbird

81

birds were actually at a house, if it had nesting material .and/or whitewash
visible and there were Martins close by, I took this as evidence of occupancy
by Martins, and estimated how many of the holes were occupied.

Since the quarter from Verona Beach to Bridgeport was not covered
until August 17, when the Martins had started to flock, there were far fewer
immediately at the houses as evidence of occupancy. Therefore I judged
occupancy on the basis of nesting material and droppings observed, noting
that there were numerous flocks of Martins in the general area. After com¬
pleting this last part of the census/on the afternoon of August 17th I spot-
checked two places which had had many Martins at the houses on July 26
and found that there, too, the Martins were no longer in the close vicinity
but the houses still retained the look of occupancy. Therefore I think the
estimates made that day in Madison County were quite accurate.

Estimates of numbers: The estimates of numbers of pairs were arrived
at by first counting the number of holes in each house; for the houses which
looked well occupied a pair of Martins for each hole was arbitrarily tallied,
and for those which looked only partly occupied 40% (to the nearest whole
number) of the number of holes was taken as the number of pairs; for those
houses with no evidence of occupancy 0 pairs of Martins was listed. Ignor¬
ing the question of houses missed, I have calculated the maxium possible
error for each of these three categories of houses, and arrive at a minimum
of 1320 and a maximum of 2050 total pairs of Martins, with 1931 pairs (see
data) the best estimate. *'

Data

Dates no. houses no. houses with est. no. of prs. of
(1963) checked est. occupancy of: 1 Martins in houses
Sector^ occupied:

Brewerton to

Jul. 26

37

0%

1

100 %:

24

40%

12

100% 40%

500 60

Maple Bay,
Onon. Co.
Cleveland to

Jul. 27-

39

8

30

1

526

4

Big Bay,

Os. Co.

North Bay-Jewell

Aug. 4

15

. 5

10

:-d Q ^

210

0

area, Oneida

Co.

Bridgeport vcy.

Aug. 6

7'

t

3

0

4

0

17

Onon. & Madi¬
son Co.

Sylvan Beach to

Aug. 17

58

!, *V

■ ?

45

6

560

54

Bridgeport,
Oneida and
Madison Co.

Totals

'ii. ■

156

24*

109

23

1796

+ 135=

X

with a total of 242 holes

1931 prs.

82

The Kingbird

Discussion

That the 100% category is so much larger than the 40% one bears out the
well-known fact that Martins are gregarious birds.

Dividing the total number of holes by the total number of houses in
each of the three percentage categories, one finds that the unoccupied houses
average about 10 holes per house, the 40%-occupied ones about 15 holes, and
the 100%-filled ones about 17 holes; this confirms my distinct impression
while taking the census that the larger houses or groups of houses close
together had the highest rate of occupancy. It also appeared to me that
new houses were less apt to he occupied than well-weathered ones — but
possibly some houses looked unoccupied because they were so new that they
hadn’t yet accumulated the debris of nesting.

Little House Sparrow competition was noted. At Constantia a House
Sparrow was perched on the porch of a Martin house with several Martins
present. At Toad Harbor a House Sparrow was at a small (10-apartment)
Martin house, and no Martins were seen. No other House Sparrows were
noted near Martin houses on the entire census, but probably more would
have been observed if the census had been taken earlier in the summer.

The census should have been started earlier in July and been completed
before August for the sake of greater ease in estimating occupancy when the
birds are still at the houses incubating or feeding young.

Summary

The data above show an impressive rate of occupancy of houses by
Martins around Oneida Lake, an area which would appear to be excellent
Martin habitat. But, as a dedicated Central New York birdwatcher recently
observed, "One census does not a swallow’s summer make” — to obtain
definite data on the status of a species, comparisons must be made from
place to place and year to year. I have described in detail how this census
was taken so that it can be repeated in a year or so and the later census be
comparable with this one. After several censuses it will be possible to say
with some assurance whether the status of the Purple Martin in this area
is improving, worsening, or remaining fairly constant.

Other censuses, of a section of shoreline or of a river or of a smaller lake,
in other Martin-rich areas of the State, would be most worthwhile as addi¬
tional indices to the status of this valuable and well-beloved insectivorous
species.

Acknowledgments

I am most grateful to Dr. David Peakall and Dr. Fritz Scheider for their
helpful suggestions on the taking and reporting of this census.

Literature

Hoyt, Sally F. Purple Martin colonies in central New York State. 1958

Kingbird v. 7:114.

Stoner, Dayton. Ornithology of the Oneida Lake region: with reference

to the late spring and summer seasons. 1982. Roosevelt Wild Life

Annals, v.2, no. 3 & 4, p. 564-567.

805 Comstock Avenue, Syracuse 10

The Kingbird

83

CONSERVATION NEWS

Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr.

In a way the New York Worlds Fair is a bit old fashioned.

But first let me assert that you are swept up into a kind of patriotism for
man. It’s like the emotion that sometimes comes over you at a parade — you
are suddenly feeling proud to be an American. At gatherings and important
events you may suddenly be buoyed by this kind of emotion for a profession,
organization or even a hobby (bird watching included) or anything of which
you belong.

As a spectator at the World’s Fair panorama of what man has and
promises to do, you can be overwhelmed with the creativity and potential
of this species of which we are a part. It’s a funny kind of feeling to find
yourself experiencing this pride of also being of man. But you can’t help it
in the presence of a quietly dramatic sculpture or of atoms being fused with
thunderous bursts.

While walking through the Fair grounds you are stunned to see a huge
building begin to rotate. In another, moving chairs whirl you around in such
a way as to give you a reasonable facsimile of an astronaut’s view of our
global home. Then in Futurama you are looking at everyday life as it may
be only 60 years from now — men manning stations on the moon, a desert
turned into a fruitful greenry, and a weekend resort underwater with guests
propelling little submarine cycles (maybe the operators were fish watchers).
Futurama in itself is a technical marvel as you are taken through a realistic¬
ally wet-green tropical rain forest. The voice in your earphones says that this
thick, lush kind of forest had been impenetrable 'until” — at the instant your
synchronized earphones vibrate with “until” you are swung around a corner
where you are confronted with a futuristic highway stabbing through the
virgin growth.

Any “futurama” of man should include the untouched wilderness —
nature shown as the primevally intricate and marvelous mechanism that it is.
What planner can know how greatly the futuramic world may have to depend
for its resources on nature’s ecology. Who can assuredly fathom how terribly
dependent the well regulated and serviced man of the future might become
on nature for rest and spiritual health?

To dramatize something that man had not put his hands on would be
a challenge to a World’s Fair. Perhaps in another 25 years our appreciation
of this will have caught up with our technical progress. A World’s Fair
might then include a Pavilion of Conservation with shows and displays
revealing the dynamics of nature’s ecology and our dependence on it.

In this important respect the current World’s Fair does not differ from
those World’s Fairs that saw the rising of the Eiffel Tower, George Westing-
house’s electric light generator, Sally Rand’s fan dance and television. Like
the others, the 1964-65 World’s Fair perpetuates man’s triumph-over-nature
self conceit that has been engendered by generations of “successful”
conquests over nature. This is an attitude that goes back to those days when
only persons with the greatest foresight could have seen the possible annihila¬
tion of so much vast woods, waters and innumerable creatures by exciting
brand new inventions like the sputtering of a fragile nuts and bolts motor

84

The Kingbird

when a gasoline substance was spoon-fed into its rickety esophagus. This
attitude dates back to the early days when trees were adversaries against a
pioneer's stubborn muscles and axe.

It is this old attitude that today accounts for so much use of the bull¬
dozer and the dredge. What these don't obliterate, some of the other modern
and clever versions of the gasoline engine threaten to tear up. Wilderness
areas, like the Forest Preserve, which in other respects might be unmolested
are now being smashed into by four-wheel driven vehicles, specially geared
two-wheel scooters, endless-tracked sleds, and others, This is all proof that
we can lick those big, thick woods.

This also sounds like something from minds that still believe in Santa
Claus. But this is the age of the intricately knowledgeable mind. Its
miracles and promises are being celebrated by the World’s Fair. Yet here
there is also something of that initial whoop-de-la and head-on use as though
these marvels were toys under the Christmas tree. There seems to be little
concern that thoughtless use of some of these could ruin the natural living
room. Some of the toys are like none of the old Gilbert chemistry sets we
got as kids. We’ve been getting poisons — DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, etc.
Granted they looked very good for arresting some diseases and permitting
worm-free apples. But since these were poisons you would have thought
that this scientific age of men would have taken more precautions ■— even
against the unforseen possibilities. But no. We started throwing that stuff
all over the land from airplanes. In this respect Miss Rachel Carson was
sort of like the mother who at least tried to restrain the impetuous youngsters
from ruining any more of their house.

Since “Silent Spring” and since such things as fish kills in the Mississippi
and our own Lake George restraining measures are being advanced. New
York State’s legislature this year passed a bill to establish a state pesticides
control bill. This was a tip-toe in the right direction.

In April Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff of Connecticut introduced a bill
to permit Federal inspection of pesticide manufacturing plants. Repre¬
sentative John D. Dingell of Michigan has introduced a ‘pesticides coordina¬
tion” bill which would require that any government agency planning a large-
scale spraying program would have to first consult the Fish and Wildlife
Service. This is bill H. R. 2857. Meanwhile H. R. 4487 would allow the
Fish and Wildlife Service to screen new pesticides to determine effect on
wildlife.

This scientific age should certainly cause people to question many
accepted practices of the past — particularly that of predator control. In
this regard an important report has been made to the Department of the
Interior by its own advisory committee on wildlife management. This so
called “Leopold Committee” has questioned the practices of the Department's
Branch of Predator and Rodent Control. It has also criticized that of the
states. The report reflects a concern for the diminishing numbers of many
predator creatures.

The fact that we have had a Rachel Carson and a “Leopold Report”
raises hope that by the next World’s Fair there will be more general accept-

The Kingbird

85

ance of conservation. Yet, 1 cannot help hut think of an interesting exhibit
at this Fair. It is a quite realistic dinosaur exhibit. The models of these
prehistoric creatures looked real enough amid a swampy vegetation. Fort¬
unately, we cannot blame man for what happened to these creatures.

Maybe there is a possibility that a future Worlds Fair might have to
have a realistic (as though they were alive) exhibit of the extinct Bald Eagle,
Osprey, Black-Crowned Night Fleron, Cougar, Coyote, and perhaps even
the American Robin. Sounds a little inconceivable. But in man’s future
anything can happen.

333 Bedell Street, Freeport, L. I.

SUMMARY OF FRUIT CROP FALL AND WINTER 1963-1964

Ontario

Plain

Western

Allegh.

Plateau

Eastern

Allegh.

Plateau

Lower

Hudson

Regions

2

1

4, 8

9

Red Pine

F, -

White Pine

P

F, P

Pitch Pine

F, -

Hemlock

F

G, P

Red Cedar

F

G

Bayberry

G

Ironwood (Ostrya)

P

G-F, F

Blue Beech (Carpinus)

P

G-F, F

Yellow Birch

P

G-F, F

White Birch

G, F

Amer. Beech

P

P

P, P

White Oak

P

P

P, G

G

Red Oak

G

P

F-P, G

Cucumber Tree

F

Thornapple

G

F

G, F

Wild Black Cherry

P

G-P, P

Box Elder

G

F

G-F, P

G

Sugar Maple

' :

P

F, F

Grey Dogwood

G

G

G, -

Red Osier Dogwood

F

G, -

White Ash

P

G-P, P

Black-berried Elder

G

F

G, -

Sour Gum

G

Pin Oak

G

On the western Allegheny Plateau there was a general crop failure due
possibly to severe frosts in May. There only the Hemlock, Box Elder and
Cucumber Trees produced fair crops of fruits. The situation on the
Eastern Allegheny Plateau appeared to be generally better and along the
Lower Hudson and Delaware the crop was reported as good.

Stephen W. Eaton, Dept of Biology, St. Bonaventure Univ.

86

The Kingbird

JANUARY WATERFOWL COUNT, 1964
John L. Mitchell

The tenth January Waterfowl Count of the Federation of New York
State Bird Clubs, Inc. was conducted from the 18th through the 26th. All
but one of the species (Mallard x Black) normal to the State were seen.
The State total was 255,138 birds with two thirds of the count total being
within region 10.

175 Lesser Scaup (region 10) are included with the Scaup.

2325 “Scoter type” (region 10) are included with the 4918 unidentified
birds, which with the known species make up the totals.

A Short Review of the Ten Years

The ten year trends have evidenced themselves in three ways: (1) by a
steady increase or decrease in numbers; (2) by a sharp rise or fall to a new
level; (3) or by fluctuating from year to year.

The Mallards have increased while the Canvassbacks and Coots have
declined. Brants (since 1959) and Redheads (since 1958) have shown a
sharp rise, while the Pied-bill Grebe (since 1958) has fallen in numbers.
The Goldeneyes and Buffleheads showed a moderate fluctuation. The Old-
squaws, Scoters, Ruddy Ducks, and Common Mergansers showed large
fluctuations. The Canada Goose has shown large fluctuations in the State
total but has increased steadily within regions 3 and 5.

Thd first column of the Table gives the State ten year average for each
species. In addition to the birds listed in the Table, the following single
birds were seen once: ,

Within Region 10—Western Grebe (1962); Lesser White-fronted Goose
(1961); Cinnamon Teal (1957); Tufted Duck (1956). 1

Within Region 1 — Smew (1960). :

I wish to thank the following Regional leaders for their help in this
Census:

Region 1. Mr. Harold D. Mitchell

2. Mr. Walter Listman

3. Dr. Sally Hoyt

4. Mr. Leslie E. Bemont

5. Dr. David B. Peakall
345 Conrad, Drive, Rochester 16

The Kingbird 87

Region 6. Mr. Arthur W. Allen ,

8. Mr. Guy Bartlett

9. Mr. Edward D. Treacy
10. Mr. Irwin M. Alperin

The Kingbird

FEDERATION OF N. Y. S. B.

10 Year
Ave

1964

Regions

1

2

Common Loon

126.4

262

_

Red-throated Loon

31.5

35

Red-necked Grebe

4.6

3

Horned Grebe

1141.4

701

8

9

Pied-billed Grebe

62.9

22

1

—

Mute Swan

481.8

667

Whistling Swan

2.0

1

1

—

Canada Goose

1932.5

3137

—

2

Brant

13387.8

23086

—

Snow Goose

2.1

1

„

Mallard

6752.5

11804

728

109

Black Duck - -

23608.6

29974

1172

143

Mallard x Black

1.6

—

—

—

Gadwall

130.4

381

—

—

Pintail

135.6

102

2

Green-winged Teal

92.2

211

1

_

Blue-winged Teal

0.7

3

—

—

European Widgeon

1.8

1

—

—

American Widgeon_

3087.3

2923

—

1

Shoveller .

35.8

30

—

—

Wood Duck

8.0

15

1

1

Redhead

6371.5

11426

162

11

Ring-necked Duck

341.9

243

4

—

Canvasback

15528.7

9363

4333

7

Scaup

86746.5

106067

3133

940

Common Goldeneye_

16091.8

16539

3535

4358

Barrow’s Goldeneye_

1796.7

2045

141

80

Buffi eh ead

0.5

1

Oldsquaw

5805.0

10000

2308

6246

Harlequin

1.5

6

—

—

Common Eider

10.8

73

—

—

King Eider

9.5

20

5

2

White-winged Scoter_

9273.7

8210

52

212

Surf Scoter

972.7

876

—

—

Common Scoter

369.7

672

—

—

Ruddy Duck

216.6

101

—

1

Hooded Merganser_

176.4

142

7

—

Common Merganser_

10033.1

7872

3120

508

Red-breasted Merganser _

2896.3

2586

521

51

American Coot _

818.1

619

255138

19237

12681

1964 WATERFOWL COUNT

3

4

5

6

8

9

10

2

2

—

—

—

258

35

121

—

22

2

—

2

3

536

8

_

3

_

_

1

9

—

—

2

—

—

2

663

179

z

26

14

z

1

2915

—

—

—

—

23086

1385

413

524

29

32

93f

7646

1540

110

525

256

728

54C

24960

4

—

7

—

—

C

l

381

87

—

—

—

—

—

8

202

3

1

—

—

—

=

—

1

2921

30

4

11013

60

168

—

—

2

1

7

11

17

—

4

—

_

58

160

1680

28

342

6

_

10

2957

2984

1

6309

233

_

1

92466

708

76

1250

708

22

115

5767

89

i

—

93

5

—

—

1637

1

31

—

103

166

_

_

1146

6

73

12

7943

876

672

95

126

—

—

1

3

—

—

—

5

1

—

2

—

—

6

64

67

3240

239

1

325

308

10

—

21

_

_

1983

262

1

3

—

—

71

282

20311

756

12650

1673

783

20831

184964

NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATION — GROUND AND AERIAL SURVEY

Within

Region

I

I!

II, v

III

III, V

V

V, VI

VI VIL VIII VIII, IX

X

N. Y.

T otal

Flight

5-5A

6

5

6

6

6

4

4

3

2

JJ

Mute Swan

—

:—

—

.—

—

—

__

—

—

—

605

605

Canada Goose

—

1

—

—

58

60

—

2

2

—

2645

2768

Rrant

2384C

23840

Mallard

145

_

—

412

730

72

9

1

182

5879

7430

Black Duck

1305

—

118

1259

460

201

82'

346

670

27494

32681

Gadwall

■ —

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2

2

Pintail

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

15

15

Blue-w Teal

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

20

20

Am. Widgeon

—

—

—

—

2

—

—

—

—

—

1228

1230

Wood Duck

—

—

—

—

—

- —

—

—

—

—

4

4

Redhead

—

—

—

3940

550

650

—

—

—

—

1

5141

Canvasback

4625

_

—

1079

20

602

_.

—

—

35

5261

11622

Scaups

4570

_

1440

3520

435

432

800

200

1206

45

60565

73213

Com. Goldeneye_

5780

—

2995

1526

275

113

1265

3450

3075

30

8265

26774

Bufflehead

_

—

60

11

22

—

3

—

40

—

1308

1444

Oldsquaw

—

—

25

6

—

5

125

—

—

—

176

337

Scoter

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5

6874

6879

Ruddy Duck

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

50

300

350

Mergansers

1560

—

374

159

115

26

130

3019

1043

47

1052

7525

Am. Coot

—

—

—

60

30

—

—

—

—

—

—

90

Unidentified

TOTAL ..

—

—

- 3 *-

"" '

700

700

202670

FIELD NOTES

Chimney Swift Nest In A Hollow Tree Stump: It is generally "known”
that before chimneys were constructed for their convenience, Chimney
Swifts used hollow trees for their nest sites. Actual records; in the literature
of recent use of such sites are surprisingly few.

During the summers of 1961, 1962, and 1963 I observed an incubating
Chimney Swift in such a location in the Adirondacks. A few rods north of
Sargent Pond in Hamilton County is the shell of an ancient white pine. At
a point sixty feet high the top has been broken off leaving a perfect
“chimney”. The tree itself is fully three feet in diameter at breast height.
By camera range-finder, the nest was measured to be thirty feet above the
ground.

Comparison of the accompanying picture with one taken a year earlier,
in 1962, shows the nest to be in identically the same place. That picture,
taken with a shorter lens-lacks detail to determine whether the ’63 nest was
the same nest or a replacement.

In the vicinity there are several other similar large pine trunks which are
open at the top. These are no doubt used by the other swifts that are seen
in the area, but the absence of good peek holes at the base of these trees
has prevented confirmation. These large pines were unquestionably over¬
mature, or even dead, when the area was logged for pine almost a century
ago. Paul M. Kelsey, Senior Wildlife Biologist, N. Y. S. Conservation Dept.

90 The Kingbird

On the Reluctance of Bonaparte’s Gulls to Fly under Objects: Gunter
(Auk, 73:131-132, 1956) in a general note discusses some observations which
suggest that "gulls may have some mental occlusion which prevents them
from seeing through or beyond overhead structures even though there are no
physical obstructions to a clear view.”

A flock of Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) following his boat "acted
as if they could not see the boat at all and, to all intents and purposes, as if
it had vanished into a solid wall,” when the boat passed under the Copano
Causeway between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas, Texas.

In view of Gunter’s observations the following may be of interest. In the
New York City region Bonaparte’s Gulls (L. Philadelphia) are extremely
uncommon away from the immediate coast. During 1959-60, however,
this species suddenly appeared on the Hudson River, as far north as "the
city line,” in considerable numbers. For the succeeding three winters
numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls could be found in this area, but not in such
concentrations as during 1959-60. By 1963-64 numbers diminished greatly
and only a handful of these birds were in evidence.

At all times the greatest concentration of birds was in the vicinity of the
George Washington Bridge (5,000+ on December 13, 1959 is a conservative
estimate) which connects 178th Street, New York City with Fort Lee, New
Jersey. The bridge’s main span is 3,500 feet long (which equals the width
of the river at this point). Supporting this span are two steel towers (one
on each bank of the river). During the four winters, 1959-63, many flocks of
Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen crossing over the bridge, frequently at a height
exceeding that of the supporting towers (which are 593 feet above the river).
Minimum clearance over the bridge is 277 feet. On approaching the main
span and its supporting cables, a flock of gulls would rise to sufficient
altitude to clear the structure, then descend, once having reached the other
side.

Not once was even a single gull seen to cross under the bridge, even
though there is ample clearance (248 feet) and a clear view of the other
side.

Peter W. Post, 575 West 183rd Street, New York, 10033

Boreal Owl in Monroe County: On the morning of February 22, 1964 I
was birding the pines in the west end of Hamlin State Park with two of my
companions, looking for owls and winter finches. This is an area of planted
white pine trees about 30 feet tall that has in the past decade been a winter
roosting place for Long-eared Owls and various other birds of prey. While
working the south edge of the tract, I glimpsed a bird disappearing into the
pines. Expecting a Long-eared Owl, I proceeded after the bird only to
discover an owl of Screech Owl size sitting on an exposed branch about 15
feet off the ground in a small clearing. The size of the bird, its lack of ear
tufts and the white spots on its forehead convinced me I was looking at a
Boreal Owl (Aegolius funerius richardsoni). I watched the bird about three
minutes until it took flight and disappeared into the nearby pines.

After returning to get my companions Tom Tetlow and A1 Maley, we
returned to search for the owl and managed after some searching to locate
the bird concealed about 25 feet up in a grapevine-covered pine just outside
the clearing. Gentle persuasion failed to dislodge the owl from its nci'ch
and we found it necessary to pull violently on the grapevines to get the bird
to fly to a more exposed perch about 20 feet away. There we were able to
confirm the identification, noting the black rimmed facial mask, the square
head shape, large white spots on the back and a light horn colored (not yellow)
bill.

As we were leaving the area we met Dick O’Hara and Howard Miller so
we returned and located the bird for them.

The following Saturday, Feb. 29, the owl was located in the same vine-
covered tree and was seen by many people — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Atkinson,
A1 Starling, Walt Listman, Bob McKinney, Allen Kemnitzer and Steve Taylor.

The Kingbird

91

This time the bird, which kept pretty much to the upper branches, was photo¬
graphed from about five feet away from an adjacent tree.

The next day a number of people searched for the owl without success
and it was not reported subsequently.

As far as I can determine there is no previous record of the Boreal Owl
for Monroe County and only a few in the state outside the Adirondacks as
summerized by M. Rusk (Kingbird XII No 1 p. 25).

John Poster, 14 Utica Place, Rochester.

On Albino Swallows: In over 60 years of bird observations on Long
Island the writer has recorded only five albino swallows, representing two
species.

On June 20, 1928, a pure white Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) was
found in East Marion standing by the side of a highway with other Bank
Swallows. The bird was in feeble condition; perhaps it had been persecuted
by other birds. It soon succumbed and was preserved as a study skin. The
bird, an immature female, had reached the flying stage and was a mile from
the nearest nesting colony.

On July 9, 1935, another white Bank Swallow was seen all of one day
flying in a loose flock of the same species in Orient. Its association with the
other swallows during the period of observation appeared perfectly normal.

The other three white individuals recorded were Tree Swallows (Irido-
procne bicolor) observed one at a time in different years flying over a wide
marsh in a mass flight of Tree Swallows during fall migrations. These,
apparently pure white swallows, were strikingly prominent as they darted
among the other swallows. There was no indication noticed that the white
birds were molested by the other swallows.

Locally the nests of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) are invariably lined
with white feathers. It is plausible that Barn Swallows should have no
objections to albino fledglings among white feathers that they are partial
to, especially young they have been feeding since they were hatched.

The ducking in flight of adult Barn Swallows with beseeching notes is a
common habit on Long Island when humans, horses, dogs or cats are near
newly flying young.

Among the numerous other local albino records, was a pure white male
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) that mated with a normal female and
brought up five typically plumaged young to maturity in the border of a
salt marsh in Orient, proving that full albinos do mate and nest occasionally.

Roy Latham, Orient, Long Island

Ed. Note: In an analysis of 3,134 cases of albinism recorded in Britain
(Sage, Brit. Birds 56:409, 1963) found that swallows comprise 7% of the
records. In his results, which omit mallard and pheasant because of the
influence of artificial conditions, the commonest families in which albinism
was recorded were thrushes (29%), crows (11%), and swallows, starlings
and sparrows (7% each).

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WINTER SEASON
DECEMBER 1 — MARCH 31

David B. Peak all

For the state as a whole the crossbill invasion was the most spectacular
in years, perhaps of the century; although in western areas of the state the
numbers may not have been as large as the 1960/61 invasion. Much of the
material on this invasion has already been given in the fall issue. Peak
numbers were reached by late November or early December. It appears
that the increasing predominance of Red Crossbills towards the end of the
period was due largely to a decrease of White-winged. At the end of the

92

The Kingbird

period only Red Crossbills remained in most areas. The possibility of nest¬
ing, outside normal areas, after any invasion of this size should be borne in
mind.

There were moderate flights of other northern finches and in many
areas it was possible to see all the normally occurring species readily. Gold¬
finches were reported as more numerous than usual in many areas, A table
giving a rough idea of the abundance of northern finches during the winters
of the last decade is given below.

54-

55

55-

56

56-

57

57-

58

58-

59

59-

60

60-

61

61-

62

62-

63

63-

64

Evening Grosbeak

2

3

2

2

2

1

2

2

2

Purple Finch

1

1

2

3

1

Pine Grosbeak

3

1

3

1

Redpoll

1

2

2

3

1

1

Siskin

1

1

1

2

2

2

Red Crossbill

1

3

3

White-wgd Crossbill

1

2

3

In this table, following the terminology of James (Audubon Field Notes
12:256) 1, denotes a slight flight; 2, a fair flight and 3, a large flight. These
ratings have been assessed by reading the regional reports and the summary.
On occasions there is a considerable difference from region to region and the
final figure is an average. Nor does such a table reflect the changes that
occur during a winter. For instance the last two flights of Purple Finches
have been late in the winter; perhaps this reflects the greater variety of food
consumed by this species (Martin, Zim and Nelson, American Wildlife
and Plants). No obvious cyclic pattern stands out, the conditions of the
boreal forest regions are apparently too complex for a simple cycle to occur.
The cyclic pattern is fitted most closely by the tundra-living Snowy Owl. If
this holds true this time we should see an invasion by this species next winter.

The birds of prey — hawks, owls and shrikes — were all generally
scarce. The exception was good numbers of Rough-legs in the lower Flud-
son valley and on Long Island.

Following the invasion last fall unprecedented numbers of Dickcissels
were reported during the winter. Some twenty-five individuals were noted
in six regions. On Long Island there w r ere eight sightings compared to only
three or four previous winter records.

As usual a few individuals of species that normally winter well to the
south wintered or attempted to do so. Most of these were recorded at
feeders, the increasing amount of this habitat in recent years has made it
necessary to reassess the rarity of wintering individuals of many species.

In the field of rarities Long Island had its usual lead. The most out¬
standing records were Ivory Gull, Bullock’s Oriole and Varied Thrush.
Upstate a Lesser Black-backed Gull was recorded near Ithaca (second state
record away from Long Island) and a White-fronted Goose at Rochester.

The warm spell in early March gave a push to migration and large
numbers of geese and icterids occurred in many areas at this time.

Upstate Medical Center, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse

The Kingbird

93

REGION 1 — NIAGARA FRONTIER

Richard C. Rosche

December was the coldest and most stormy month of the winter. Snow
fell on all but two days ana temperatures were 3.8 degrees below the normal
at Buffalo. After an eight-inch snowfall within five hours on New Year’s
Day, January was rather mild. It averaged 10.4 degrees warmer than January
1963. February, likewise, was comparatively mild and open. It was the third
driest February on local record — 1963 being second and 1877 first. March
had its ups and downs — with wind, snow and thunderstorms. The 7.8-inch
snowfall on the 10th was one of the heaviest of the winter. Temperatures
for the four-month period were about normal; total precipitation almost three
inches below normal.

The widespread occurrence of grosbeaks, crossbills, siskins and goldfinches
at feeding stations throughout the region, was perhaps, the outstanding
feature ol an otherwise rather routine winter season. That the natural iooa
supply for these erratic visitors was exceptionally low, is evident. Half-hardy
birds, especially icterids and other fringillids, were frequently reported.
Many of these, too, regularly visited feeding stations as noted below. Hawks
and owls were generally scarce.

Beginning with this report, the area formerly referred to as the
“Wolcottsville _ Sinks” in Niagara and Genesee Counties, will be called
“Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge” in order to conform to its official
designation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Abbreviations used below are as follows: All. — Allegany; BAS —
Buffalo Audubon Society Christmas Count; Catt. — Cattaraugus; Chaut. —
Chautauqua; Co. — County; DCC — Dunkirk Christmas Count; imm. ■—
immature; INWR — Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge; JCC — Jamestown
Audubon Society Christmas Count; L. — Lake; max. — maximum; Nia. —
Niagara; OCC — Olean Christmas Count; OOGMA — Oak Orchard Game
Management Area; R. — River; SCC — Scio Christmas Count.

Contributors: RFA — Robert F. Andrle; CA — Mrs. Charles Avery;
HRA — Dr. and Mrs. Harold H. Axtell; HHA — Harold H. Axtell; AMB —
Mrs. John E. Bacon; CMB — Clarence M. Beal; TLB — Thomas L. Bourne;
RB — Richard Brownstein; GB — George Buckland; LDB — Mr. and Mrs.
Lou L. Burton : RDC — Robert D. Coggeshall; EC — Mrs. Elek Csont; FD —
Mrs. Fred Danner; AD — Adrian Dorst; RF — Richard Freitag; EH — Mrs.
Ethel Hartloff; NH — Normal Haultain; WHK — Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Klabunde; AWM — Mr. and Mrs. Willard McKale; WM — William Mealy;
RM — Richard Miga; HDM — Harold D. Mitchell; TN — Mrs. Thomas
Nelson; RO — Ruth Olson; EP — Mrs. Russell Pillsbury; OP •— Mrs. Ory
Pixley; RWR — Mrs. R. William Rochester; RCR -— Richard C. Rosche:
HDS — Mrs. Harry D. Schafer; ELS — Edward L. Seeber; EAU — Mr. and
Mrs. Edward C. Ulrich; GGW — Gertrude G. Webster.

Loons — Ducks: Pied-billed Grebe: one-two apparently wintered on
open stretches of the Genesee R. between Belmont and Wellsville (LDB et
al) ; single birds, Dec 29 at Olean (OCC) and several dates at Dunkirk Harbor
(RM et al) probably represent late stragglers or wintering individuals.
Double-crested Cormorant: one, Dec 1, Dunkirk Harbor (RM) ; one, Dec. 22
(HRA et al) and Dec 31 (NH), Upper Nia. R. Great Blue Heron: all reports,
save one, of wintering birds came from southern tier areas. While very few
wintered, this is a noticeable change from the past pattern of winter distri¬
bution, when most individuals reported occurred in the Nia. R. region. Black-
crowned Night Heron: no reports. American Bittern: one, Mar 30, Watt’s
Falts, Jamestown (WM et al) — early migrant. Whistling Swan: 51, Dec 8
(EP) and 40, Dec 11 (CMB), Chaut. L. — max. fall concentration; one, Jan
23-Feb 2, Dunkirk Harbor (RM et al) ; Mar 7 — first migrants; about
normal numbers present Mar 14-31; poor spring flight compared with 1963.
Canada Goose: two, Dec 29, Olean (OCC); 32, Jan 7, flying north over

94

The Kingbird

Belmont, All. Co. (LDB) ; three, Feb 12, York Corners, All. Co. ,(LD3) —
none of these mid-winter birds were known to remain in areas where they
were observed; Mar 4 — first migrants; 30,000, Mar 21-22, OOGMA-LNWK
area (RM et al) — max. concentration. Snow Goose: six-eight. Mar 28-31,
INWR (AWM et al) — max. count. Blue Goose: 36-37, Mar 28-29, INWR
(AWM et al) — max. count; an unusual number for this area; about 25%
of these birds possessed white breasts and other characters often said to
indicate the possibility of their being hybrids with one form of the Snow
Goose. Gadwall: two, Mar 7, Cuba Lake (RCR) ; one, Mar 8-12, Dunkirk
Harbor (RM et al) ; apparently no wintering birds on Nia. R. Pintail: good
flight Mar 7-8 with interesting counts on flooded flats in the southern tier ■—
60, Mar 7, Jamestown (WM) and 32, Mar 8, near Belfast (LDB). Green¬
winged Teal: one female wintered in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo; it
was observed throughout the period by many observers. Shoveler: one. Mar
13, Riverside Sanctuary, Kiantone (WM) — early. Wood Duck: one-three,

Dec 1-Feb 18, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo-many observers studied

these wintering birds, at least one of which was nearly always present; two,
Dec 29, Jamestown (JCC). Ring-necked Duck: more than the normal
number of wintering birds on the Nia. R. Barrow’s Goldeneye; one adult
male, Jan 12, Nia. R. opposite Buffalo (AD et al). King Eider: five, Dec
22, Nia. R. opposite Buffalo (HDM et al) — max. count. Ruddy Duck:
60, Dec 11, Chaut. L. (CMB) — max. fall concentration; one, Dec 22, Upper
Nia. R. (RFA et al) ; 24, Mar 31, Chaut. L. Outlet (WM) -— max. spring
concentration.

Hawks — Owls: There were no noteworthy hawk flights r a!long the south
shore of L. Erie reported during March this year. Sharp-shinned Hawk:
one wintered near Belmont and was observed often (LDB et al) ; other
winter reports of single birds — Jan 16, Elma (RDC), Jan 22, Springbrook
(HDS), Feb 9, Fredonia (RM). Red-shouldered Hawk: no winter reports
for the first time since prior to winter 1959-60. Rough-legged Hawk: gener¬
ally scarce throughout the period with only scattered reports of mostly single
birds. Bald Eagle: one adult, Jan 6, over Jamestown (RO) ; one-two imm.,
Jan 19-Mar 22, Nia. R. at BISP and Navy Island ( many observers); one
imm., Mar 22, INWR (RCR et al). Peregrine Falcon: one, Mar 26, Hamburg
(TLB). Killdeer: one, Dec 27, Dunkirk (CMB et al) ; Mar 2 — first migrant,
Eden (TLB). American Woodcock: one, Mar 7, Friendship, All. Co.
(RCR) — the only definite indication of an exceptionally early movement
into the southern tier counties according to old-time hunters and sportsman’s
columns. Common Snipe: one, Dec 29, Jamestown (JCC). Purple Sand¬
piper: two, Dec. 27, Dunkirk Harbor (CMB et al) ; two were last reported
here Jan 1 (RM) and one remained at a sewer outlet through the end of the
report period (RM et al). Glaucous Gull: nine, Jan 23, Lower Nia. R.
(ELS) — max. count. Iceland Gull (L.g. glaucoides): five, Dec 29, Lower
Nia. R. (EAU et al) -—max. count. Iceland Gull (L,g. kumlieni): two, Dec
29, Lower Nia. R. (EAU et al) — max. count. Great Black-backed Gull:
greatest concentrations all winter at Dunkirk Harbor — 100, Dec 8 ■— max.
count. Barn Owl: two, Jan 1, Hamburg (EH) — only report. Snowy Owl:
about four separate individuals were known to have spent all or most of the
winter in the region, one near the Nia. R. in the Tonawanda area, one around
the harbor in South Buffalo, one at the top of a ridge in the Town of Colden,
Erie Co, and another in the Town of Bolivar, All. Co. Long-eared Owl: one,
Mar 19, Hamburg (TLB) — only report. Short-eared Owl: 24, Feb 18,
Grand Island (GGW et al) — max. count; a few additional records elsewhere
in the region. Saw-whet Owl: one, Dec 14, Hamburg (TLB) — only report.

Goatsuckers — Starling: Red-bellied Woodpecker: - a marked winter
dispersal into areas where this bird usually does not occur; one, Dec 2-Jan 24,
Springbrook feeder (FD, HDS et al) ; one, Jan 1, Hamburg feeder (CA e t al) ;
one, Jan 1, Dunkirk (DCC). In addition, two visited a feeder almost daily,
Dec 3-Feb 29 at Batavia (GB) —r- a usual occurrence in that'area for years.
Red-headed Woodpecker: three, Dec 22, south end Grand Island (RF).

The Kingbird

n

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: one, Dec 22, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
(AWM et al). Tree Swallow: one. Mar 21, INWR (RM et al) — early.
Purple Martin: one, Mar 21, Jamestown (CMB) — early. Common Crow:
600, Feb 16, Springbrook (FD) — another indication of the nearby roosting
area that is yet to be deiinitely located. Boreal Chickadee: one, Mar 8,
Derby feeder (RCR et al) — reportedly present here for at least a month
previous. Tufted Titmouse: reported in normal numbers from usual locali¬
ties. Red-breasted Nuthatch: moderately reported from scattered localities,
but not common this winter. Carolina Wren: one, Feb 1, Wilson (RB).
Mockingbird: one, Jan 1, Hamburg (AMB); one, Jan 14, Batavia (OP et al).
Brown Thrasher: one, Dec 15, Falconer (CMB); two, Dec 22, Grand Island
(EAU); one, Feb 22, Angola (TLB). Eastern Bluebird: two, Feb 25, Angola
(TLB) — early; a fair late Mar flight — 38, Mar 25, Wellsville area
(LDB) — max count. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: one, Dec 22, Tonawanda
(GGW et al). Water Pipit: four and two, Mar 14 and 17, Scio, All. Co.
(LDB) — early. Northern Shrike: scarce all winter throughout region.
Starling: 1500, Mar 8 and 22, Jamestown Roost (CMB).

Vireos — Warblers: Myrtle Warbler: one, Dec 8, Belmont (LDB); two,
Jan 1, Hamburg-East Aurora area (BAS) ; one, Jan 5, East Aurora (TN);
one, Jan 19, Point Breeze .Orleans Co. (WHK); no Feb or Mar reports.

Blackbirds — Sparrows: Wintering icterids were much in evidence, many
of them regularly visiting feeding stations. The first widespread movement
of icterids occurred Mar 7. At the Jamestown Roost where martins and
other birds usually congregate in large numbers in the fall, the following
estimates of icterids were made (CMB) — Mar 8; Red-winged Blackbird •—
1250, Common Grackle — 50; Mar 22: Red-winged Blackbird — 5000,
Common Grackle — 1000, Brown-headed Cowbird — 1000. Baltimore
Oriole: one female, Dec 1-19, Hamburg (TLB et al) — daily visited a number
of feeding stations; died Dec 19; specimen now in Buffalo Museum of Science.
Rusty Blackbird: one, Dec 22-Jan 22 and two, Jan 23-24, Belmont feeder
(LDB) ; one, Dec 29, Jamestown (JCC). Dickcissel: one adult male, Feb 26-
Mar 31, Hamburg feeder (TLB et al). Evening Grosbeak: very common
throughout region. A note by Harold H. Axtell (Prothonotary, 30:1) is of
interest, “During previous Evening Grosbeak invasions there have been few
or no reports of these birds visiting feeding stations in the Niagara Frontier
area north of an east-west line through downtown Buffalo, although they
rsgularly come to dozens of feeders south of this line. In the last previous
invasion, two years ago, the Museum of Science received information for the
first time that these grosbeaks were visiting feeders in about six of these
more northern localities. Since the beginning of the current invasion,
however, the Museurh has already had word of between 12 and 15 such
northern localities . . . ” (as of early Feb. Ed.). Purple Finch: generally
scarce until a mild influx occurred in late Feb and Mar. Pine Grosbeak: four,
Mar 22, Alma, All. Co. (LDB) — only report. Common Redpoll: poor flight
with a few reported each month; 150, Jan 28, Hamburg (RWR et al) — max.
count; 43, Mar 3, migrating over Evans, Erie Co. (RB) — the usual very
early Mar movement occurred but to a much lesser extent than in many years.
Pine Siskin: widespread in generally small numbers throughout the period;
most conspicuous in Feb and Mar; a regular visitor to many feeding stations.
American Goldfinch: unusually common all winter, especially in hill areas
south of Buffalo; many regularly visiting feeding stations. Crossbills:
Prior to Jan the White-winged appeared to be more common than the Red;
however, the latter was dominant during the last three months of the period.
For the first time in the ornithological history of the region (HHA), numbers
of crossbills, especially the Red, regularly visited feeding stations. In fact,
the majority of reports came from feeders. Rufous-sided Towhee: more
reported than during the average winter until late Jan; then none reported
until Mar when early migrants began to appear. Oregon Junco: one adult
male, Dec 10-Mar 31, Belmont feeder (LDB et al). Chipping Sparrow: one
imm., Dec 11-Jan 10, Hamburg feeder (RFA). Field Sparrow: one, Jan 29-
30, Feb 7-22 and 27, Hamburg feeder (TLB et al). White-crowned Sparrow:
a number occurred regularly, mostly at feeders, at Hamburg and Belmont

96

The Kingbird

and on the L. Ontario Plain at Newfane, Wilson and Lewiston. White-
throated Sparrows: many reports mostly at feeding stations. Fox Sparrow:
one-two, Dec 14-Jan 1, Hamburg feeder (EC et al) ; one, Dec 15-18, Dunkirk
(RM) ; one, Dec 28, Friendship, All. Co. (SCC) ; one, Dec 29, Jamestown
(JAS); two, Jan 1, Hamburg-East Aurora area (BAS); no reports later than
this until migrants appeared; 35, Mar 19, Riverside Sanctuary, Kiantone and
21, Mar 31, Jamestown (WM) — noteworthy counts. Snow Bunting: fewer
reports than in recent winters.

48 Dartmouth Avenue, Buffalo 14215

REGION 2 — GENESEE
Howard S. Miller

The first month of the period was the third coldest December in Rochester
weather bureau records. However, January was comparatively mild with
temperatures well above the average. The last two months of the period
were nearly normal, with February being slightly below and March slightly
above average. The first month of the period produced the second heaviest
December snowfall of the present century. The formidable snow cover of
late December had dwindled to almost nothing a month later. Snowfall for
January and March was about normal, with light snowfall marking February.
Snowfall for the winter was about ten inches above normal. However,
precipitation for the period was about 2V 2 inches below normal due to the
low water content of much of the snowfall. The level of Lake Ontario and
all connecting bays and ponds was very low at the end of the period.

In spite of the rugged weather conditions of December, the number of
wintering species seemed at least average. The Christmas census held on
December 22 resulted in an all time high count since this census was first
started locally. The spring migration started rather early with heavy flights
of Canada Geese, Robins and the various blackbirds reported as early as the
first weekend in March. By the middle of the month, Whistling Swans, and
most of the “puddle” ducks were present. A good early hawk flight devel¬
oped on March 24. Except for the early part of the month, the migration
of land birds seemed to lag, and by the end of the period was definitely
behind average. ,

The past winter produced more noteworthy records than usual. Among
the outstanding birds reported were White-fronted Goose, European Widgeon,
Common Eider, King Eider, Red Phalarope, Boreal Owl, Black-backed Three¬
toed Woodpecker, Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee and
Hoary Redpoll.

Names of regularly reporting observers: WC — William Carlson; DC —
Dwight Chamberlain; GD — (Mrs.) Gertrude Davis; RD — Robert Dobson;
JD — James Doherty; MF — (Miss) Margaret Foley; JF — John Foster;
RG — Richard Garnham; WH — William Hartranft; BK — (Mrs.) Beatrice
Kemnitzer; AEK — Allen E. Kemnitzer; JK — Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy;
WCL — Walter C. Listman; WL — Warren Lloyd; AM — Alfred Maley;
RM — Robert McKinney; JM — Joseph McNett; TM — (Mrs.) Thelma
McNett; HSM — Howard S. Miller; DN — Donald Nelson; RTO — Richard
T. O’Hara; NR — Nestor Ross; FS — Frank Schmanke; AAS ■— Alfred A.
Starling; ES — (Mrs.) Ester Stiles; ST — Stephen Taylor; FT — Frank
Temnleton; RT — Richard Thompson; TET — Thomas E. Tetlow; RW —
Robert White; CY — C. Young; PZ — Peter Zachmann.

Names of places used regularly in the text: CL — Conesus Lake; DEP —
Durand-Eastman Park; ES — East Spit; GR — Genesee River; HSP —
Hamlin State Park; IB — Irondequoit Bay; L — Lakeshore; M — Manitou;

The Kingbird

97

OB — Oklahoma Beach; P — Parma; PB — Point Breeze; RS — Russell
Station; SP — Sodus Point; W — Webster; WL — West Lakeshore; WS —
West Spit; WW — West Webster.

Loons — Ducks: Two Red-throated Loons were along the WL Dec 2
(AEK). No other loons nor Red-necked Grebes were reported to the end of
the period. A Double-crested Cormorant at SP Dec 8 (ES) was the only
report. Five Great Blue Herons were along the GR gorge in Rochester Dec
22 (Christmas Census) and one in the same place until at least Jan 25
(WCL). The first Whistling Swan was at BB March 7 (JF et al), and the
peak count was 140 at Groveland March 28 (AM). Two Canada Geese were
at SP Jan. 19 (DS, ES). Heavy flights were reported as early as March 7
(several) ; the species appeared more common than usual. A White-fronted
Goose was carefully observed at PB March 28 (RB, AEK & RM). All three
are experienced observers and they observed the bird under very favorable
conditions. This may be the first acceptable record for our area. There
are two previous records but one may refer to an escaped bird and the writer
has been unable to trace the other. A few Snow and Blue Geese were re¬
ported but in much smaller numbers than were known to be present at Monte¬
zuma and in the Oak Orchard area. Two Gadwall were near Seneca Park
Dec 22 (TET) and the first two spring migrants were at BB March 7 (WCL
et al) ; this species was more generally reported locally than usual. Twenty
Pintail were at BB March 7 (AM et al).. Four Green-winged Teal were at
the same place March 8 (WCL). A very early Blue-winged Teal was at M
the same day (WCL). An adult male European Widgeon was at Groveland
from March 28-31 (JF et al). An American Widgeon was at DEP Jan 18
(fide JF) and three were at BB March 7 (JF et al). Shovelers, like Gadwalls,
were generally distributed, but in larger numbers.

A male Wood Duck wintered with domestic ducks at the “duck pond” at
the U. of R. (Louise Zeitler et al). An estimated 100 Ring-necked Ducks at
L Mar 28 (WCL) was the peak count for this increasingly common duck.
Sixty-two hundred Old-squaws along the L Jan 19 (Duck census) is a high
count. A female Common Eider was carefully studied at M March 22 (GOS
hike). A female King Eider was on the GR Dec 22 (HSM & RTO) ; Another
the same day on IB (WL et al). An immature male was at M Jan 11-12
(WC et al). The same or another bird in the same plumage was at HSP
Jan 19 (RT et al). A female was at Nine Mile Point March 1 (AEK) and
one was reported from Sandy Creek March 8 by the same observer. Two
Ruddy Ducks wintered on the GR (AAS et al). Six Hooded Mergansers were
on IB Dec 22 (WL et al) and 38 were on Sodus Bay March 30 (AEK).

Hawks — Owls: An immature Goshawk was at Nine Mile Point March 14
(AEK & WL) and two were at BB March 24 (AM). A few Red-tailed Hawks
were migrating at BB & DEP March 7 (WC et al). Hundreds of both this
species and Red-shouldered Hawks were reported moving along the L March
24 RD & FS). An immature Broad-winged Hawk at Flynn Road Dec 22
WCL) is the area’s first winter record for this species. It was not observed
subsequently. Nine Rough-legged Hawks were at Kent Jan. 19 (WCL). Few
were reported elsewhere. An adult Band Eagle was at Canandaigua Lake
Feb 14 (Mrs. Smith) and an adult was at Charlotte March 24 (FS).

Six Killdeer along the WL March 7 (JF et al) was the first spring report.
A Common Snipe was at Fishers Feb 22 C. Young). The only record of the
Purple Sandpiper for the year was a single bird on the WS Dec 3 (WCL),
and the last Dunlin and Sanderling for the year were seen at the same place
and time (WCL). Two Red Phalaropes were at the ES Dec 8 (WCL) ; one
on IB Dec 15 (AEK, WL & Lance Sunderlain) ; one at the WS Dec 22 (WCL)
was the last record.

A Glaucous Gull was at Summerville Dec 22 (JF et al), and another was
at IB the same day (RG, WL & RW). Occasional single birds of both this
species and the Iceland Gull were reported. Four hundred Bonaparte’s Gulls
were on IB Dec 15 (AEK & WL). This is late for such a large number.

98

The Kingbird

Eight were still present in the same place Jan 26 (AM). Three adult Little
Gulls were at Russell Station Jan. 5 (AEK) and an immature was at the same
place two days later (DN).

Mourning Doves wintered generally in some numbers, with a high count
of 65 at the McNett feeder in WW Feb 23. A Snowy Owl was at the ES
Jan 18-19 (AAS et al), and the same or another bird was there
March 28 (ST et al). One was seen between Newark and Phelps Jan l'i-^,0
(Mr. & Mrs. Fairbanks). A Long-eared Owl was in DEP Feb 29 (AM, TET)
and one was in the “owl woods” near BB March 7-14 (FS et al). A Boreal
Owl was at HSP from Feb 22-29 (JF et al) See field note section. A Saw-
whet Owl was in the “owl woods” March 7 (JF et al) and one was near Round
Pond March 28 (BB et al).

Goatsuckers — Shrikes: A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was in DEP Dec
22 (MF & ES) and probably the same bird was seen nearby Feb 22 (JK et
al). One was in Palmyra Jan. 1-Feb 29 (WH). A Black-backed Three-toed
Woodpecker was seen in the village of Sodus Feb. 22 (AEK & WCL). A
female Northern Three-toed Woodpecker was first seen near DEP Dec 22
(JF). The area was carefully watched, and the bird was seen on numerous
occasions until at least March 14 (FS). A Tree Swallow was at M March 8
(WCL). This is the area’s earliest record by three days of this species.
Comparatively few were present by the end of the month. The winter Com¬
mon Crow roost which moved to Genesee Valley Park from Mt. Hope Ceme¬
tery for a while during midwinter contained 17,481 birds Dec 22 (DC, FS).
A Boreal Chickadee was in HSP Jan. 11 (AM). At least three and possibly
as many as five birds were present during late Feb (ST et al), and the last
bird reported was on March 8 (JD, FS).

A Tufted Titmouse spent most of the winter at Palmyra (WH), two were
at Newark Dec 20 (David B. Peakall) and one was at HSP Feb 22 (RTO).
These are new stations as far as we know. The Carolina Wren was unre¬
ported. A Mockingbird was in Gates Jan 20 (Mrs. Kimpton) and one was
at Holland’s Cove Feb 17 (AEK). A Catbird spent the early part of the
winter around a feeder in Brighton (Mrs. King, ST) but disappeared during
January. A flock of about 20 Robins wintered at DEP and another flock
of about 15 wintered at HSP where they fed heavily on wild grapes. A
Hermit Thrush was in DEP Dec 22 (JF) and another was in P the same day
(WCL). Four Eastern Bluebirds were near Conesus Lake Dec 29 (WCL
et al). One was at BB March 8 (WCL) and a few were reported along the
L during the rest of the month. Three Bohemian Waxwings were in DEP
Jan 11 (WC et al), these were probably the same three birds that have been
in the area very irregularly since Nov 17. Northern Shrikes were generally
scarce but an occasional single bird was reported. A Loggerhead Shrike was
seen near Buck Pond Mar 28 (AAS et al).

Vireos — Sparrows: A small flock of Myrtle Warblers wintered at Rush
(JH). These birds have wintered here before and, while they feed somewhat
on seeds and feeder food, their principal feed appears to be house flies which
appear in all but the coldest weather.

A fabulous count of 3,000 Eastern Meadowlarks was made at BB March
15 (RD). They were moving in a southeasterly direction, crossing the park¬
way between the two spits. A flock of about 40 Red-winged Biaciv^iius
wintered in the Ellison Park-Dugway area (ST). Four hundred were migrat¬
ing at BB March 7 (TET et al), and 6,000 were at the same place March 15
(RD). A flock of 14 Rusty Blackbirds wintered in the Penfield area (GD)
and six Common Grackles wintered in the Dugway area (ST). Small num¬
bers of Brown-headed Cowbirds wintered and 2,000 were at BB March 15
(RD). All the northern finches were reported during the -uuj

were in overwhelming abundance. Evening Grosbeaks appeared in fair num¬
bers with a. high count of 50 at the McNett feeder in WW. Purple Finches
were almost completely absent, only one bird being reported. Twenty-one
Pine Grosbeaks at HSP Feb 22 (AM et al) was the only worthwhile number
reported. A Hoary Redpoll was seen in direct comparison with Common

The Kingbird

99

Redpolls in P March 14 (WCL). One hundred Common Redpolls in W March
14 (RD) was the peak count. Pine Siskins appeared generally in small to
medium sized flocks. Strangely, the American Goldfinch was the commonest
of this group; large flocks were generally reported with a maximum of 4,000
at Retsof Feb 9 (WCL). Peak counts of Red and White-winged Crossbills
were eight of the the former at DEP Jan 19 (FT) and 25 of the latter in the
same place the same day (NR).

A Rufous-sided Towhee spent most of the winter at the Golan feeder in
Irondequoit, and another appeared irregularly at the Listman feeder in Mani-
tou. A Savannah Sparrow was at Retsof Jan 12 (WCL). A Vesper Sparrow
was near CL Dec 29 (WCL et al), and another bird was present
at the Munson feeder in Penfield from Dec 29 to at least Mar 9.
It was banded Jan 5. Another was near HSP Jan 11 (JF). An
Oregon Junco was at Mendon Ponds Jan 1 (FS), one was at the McNett
feeder in WW Jan 5, one was at the Kemnitzer feeder in W from Feb 18-24.
The same or another bird appeared at the same feeder March 13 and was
present to the end of the period . One spent most of the winter at the
Kennedy feeder near DEP (JK, HSM & RTO). A Field Sparrow was at IB
Dec 22 (FT). About 15 White-crowned Sparrows wintered at the Culver
feeder near Scottsville, and a few other scattered birds were reported from
other areas. Small numbers of scattered White-throated Sparrows were
reported. The year’s first Fox Sparrow was at a. feeder in Penfield March
12 (GD) and some had appeared by the end of the month. The peak count
of Lapland Longspurs was 30 along the WL Jan 19 (WCL), and the maximum
count of Snow Buntings was an estimated 5,000 birds in the same general
area the same day (WCL).

54 Luella Street, Rochester, New York 14609

REGION 3 — FINGER LAKES
Sally F. Hoyt

Temperatures during the reporting period were fairly normal, with no
extremes, decidedly in contrast with the winter of ’62-’63. Cayuga Lake had
more open water than for several years, and Montezuma opened early —
partly on March 1, major break-up March 26. Snow covered the ground
most of the period, but at no time was the snow cover more than a foot, and
wild food was in fairly good abundance, contrary to fears after last year’s
drought. Many early migrants arrived on March 7, with south winds and
high temperatures.

Rough-legged Hawks, Short-eared and Snowy Owls and Shrikes were
almost missing, but it was a superb year for winter finches. Evening Gros¬
beaks were abundant, as were Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, and most
particularly Goldfinches and Crossbills. Both species of crossbills were pre¬
sent, but White-wings were more abundant. One flock of over 200 was
reported to me. They fed mostly on hemlock cones, but also on pine and
spruce. By early March, natural food was exhausted, and they came to
feeders for sunflower seeds and were extremely tame. Goldfinches are
rarely a feeding-station bird around Ithaca, but this year they were abun¬
dant at feeders and the phone rang constantly with descriptions of these
tiny birds.

Tree Sparrows were more abundant than in the last few years. There
were few Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, or Snow Buntings and almost no Long¬
spurs.

Four or five reports of Goshawks made it a record year for this species.
One adult and one immature made repeated visits to the Sapsucker Woods
Sanctuary, and at one time two adults were seen.

The most unusual bird for the period was a Lesser Black-backed Gull,
discovered on March 2, by Mrs. Malcolm Mcllroy at a dump a few miles
northwest of Ithaca. It was seen repeatedly in the next two weeks by
several other competent observers, but there was no success in collecting or
photographing it.

100

The Kingbird

A female Barrow’s Goldeneye turned up for the second year in the Shel¬
drake area of Cayuga Lake. It was present from early January to mid-
March.

A probable Gyrafalcon was seen by Jayson Walker on February 23 on
Powderly Road near Waterloo. Unfortunately all attempts to locate it
again, or to have it seen by a second observer were unsuccessful so it must
remain a question in our records.

Places mentioned: SWS -— Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary; MFWR •—
Montezuma Federal Wildlife Refuge; Cay L — Cayuga Lake; Sen L — Sene¬
ca Lake; PCRD — Perry City Road Dump; Fish and Wildlife — F and W; n ■—
north; s — south.

Observers: David G. Allen — DGA; Jack Brubaker — JB; Paul A.
Buckley — PAB: Waiter E. Benning ~r— WEB; Harold Cox — HC; Lewis
Cartee — LC; Lewis Cowardin — LCo; David Dunham — DD; Albert
Fudge — AF; Benjamin Gebhart — BG; Frank Gutherie — FG; William
Groesbeck — WG; Jack Holl — JH; Hope Johnson — HJ; Paul Kelsey ■—
PK; Arthur Lane — AL; Carl Mrozek — CM; Dorothy Mcllroy —DM; O. S.
Pettingill, Jr. — OSP; Jean Propst — JP; Dan Rose — DR; Betty Strath —
BS; Gustav A. Swanson — GAS; Julian Shepherd — JS; Mary Smith —
MS; Walter R. Spofford — WRS; Jayson Walker — JW; John S. Weske —
JSW; Ruth Williams — RW.

Loons — Ducks: Common Loons: almost none. Red-necked Grebes:
none. Horned Grebesi: 26, Jan 18, Cay L; 57, Jan 18, Sen L; 13, Jan 18,
Keuka L. Pied-billed Grebe (rare winterer) : one, Jan 18, Sen L; one; Jan
18, Keuka L. Great Blue Heron: one wintered, south end Cay L; first spring
arrivals, March 20, MFWR and April 4, SWS. Mute Swan: one, March 7,
Cay L (WEB). Whistling Swan: this species has been increasing in numbers
in migration each year recently. '32, MFWR and N end Cay L, March 15
(WEB and others in next week). Up to 58, March 8-25, Keuka L, (FG) ;
five, March 21, Chemung River, (MS). Canada Goose: came early (200 over
Ithaca Feb 25, (DR) ) and reached peak numbers early. There were 10,000
at the Refuge and north end of Cayuga on March 7, and a census at MFWR
on March 21 produced 46,000. One count taken as flocks flew over Cornell
campus on March 17: 10,000 in a half-hour. Snow Goose: 450 (record high
count), Mar 26 MFWR. Blue Goose: 150 (peak) March 26, MFWR. Mal¬
lards: 550-600, all winter, SWS. Blacks: 100-150, SWS. Gadwall: two,
March 7, MFWR (WEB), first arrivals. Pintail: one wintered in Seneca
River at Waterloo (JW) ; two pairs (with F. and W. and also Conserv.
Dept, bands — probably Howlands Island releases) wintered at SWS. 1,200
at MFWR, March 27. In migration, this species, usually rare at Elmira, were
sighted in numbers, up to 30 in flooded cornfields. Green-winged Teal: ar¬
rived last week of March. American Widgeon, rare winterer: one, January
3, Canoga, (LCo); two, January 22, near Canoga, (JP). Wood Ducks: four
wintered at SWS; first spring migrants, last week March. Redheads: numbers
on Jan 18 census, almost double those of last year; peak, 1,300, March 7
(WEB). Ring-necked Duck: more than usual on ponds near Elmira end of
March, with preponderance of males. Canvasbacks: still decreasing as wint¬
ering bird. Peak, 1,000 on Cay L, March 22 (WEB). Scaup: numbers in
general the same as last few years.

Common Goldeneyes: slieht increase this year over recent years. Still
abundant March 21 (JSW). Barrow’s Goldeneye: again, as in 1963, a female
was found with Common Goldeneyes in the Sheldrake (Cay L) area, and
was present from January 4 to mid-March. Buffleheads and Oldsquaws:
usual numbers wintered, increase last week March. White-winged Scoter:
only one record, Jan 3, Canoga, (LCo). Surf Scoter: one, March 1, Sen L,
north end, (CM). No Scoters on Keuka L. Red-breasted Mergansers: no
marked migration noted.

Hawks — Owls: Turkey Vulture: one (first) March 22, MFWR (JW) ;
one, March 28, Keuka L, (FG). Goshawk: usually rare in Finger Lakes, three
individual birds (2 ad, 1 imm) visited SWS regularly from late December

The Kingbird

101

until end of March, though less frequently in March; two occasionally during
same period, 15 miles nne of SWS (BG) ; one on Jan 12, near Sheldrake
(PAB). No accipiters around Elmira. Sharp-shinned Hawk: one Feb
15, Varna, (WHS), two reports at Keuka (fide FG). Cooper’s Hawk: one
seen occasionally, SWS. Red-tailed Hawk: all observers said fewer this
winter than in past years. Rough-legged Hawk: scarcest in many years.

-aborted except three at MFWR. Bald Eagle: one, ad, March
15, MFWR (RW) ; one imm., east shore Cay L, March 21 (JSW). Marsh
Jtiawk: one winter report. Peregrine Falcon: one, Jan 1, Van Duzer home,
Horseheads. Sparrow Hawks: wintered near Keuka L in good numbers; 7 or
8 in 3 hour trip (FG).

Ruffed Grouse: good numbers around Keuka. Normal numbers else¬
where. No wintering Rail reports. Killdeer; one wintered at south end of
Cay L. Woodcock: first, March 13, Ithaca, (HC) ; others reported during
the next week. Common Snipe: one wintering bird at Clyde, in December
and January (WEB). Glaucous Gull: one, March 17, s end Cay L, (DM);
later two birds. Iceland Gull: (rare in Region) one, March 2, PCRD (DM).
Great Black-backed Gulls: 17 (peak) Dec 22, s end Cay L, (DD) ; good
numbers, both Cay L and Sen L, (JW); 2 records Keuka L, where usually not
present (FG). Lesser Black-backed Gull: one, PCRD & Cay L March 2
through March 20 (DM, and other obserevrs). First record for Central New
York State. Herring Gulls: 2,500 (peak) March 1, MFWR (WEB). Bona¬
parte’s Gull: one Dec 1 (late) Sen L (JB).

Mourning Doves: wintered in scattered flocks; largest numbers reported
30-50 at feeders in Freeville and 25-30 n of Trumansburg. Barn Owl: one
only, March 8, n of Ithaca, (JH). Great Horned Owl: nest on Route 13 near
Etna, again occupied mid-February. Snowy Owl: only one, Feb 1, s of
Ithaca, (GAS).

Swifts — Shrikes: Yellow-shafed Flicker: more than usual reports of
wintering birds; three or four at Keuka; one or two near Reading; three or
four at Ithaca, including one regularly at feeders at SWS. Red-bellied Wood¬
pecker: 4-6 wintered in Ithaca area alone; this species is on increase. Black-
backed Three-toed Woodpecker: a pair wintered on Cornell campus, spending
most time along Fall Creek in vicinity of Triphammer Bridge, first seen Jan
11 (JH). Phoebe: two wintered at Keuka (most unusual), one bird blind
in one eye (FG) ; first spring arrivals: March 20, Odessa (BS) ; March 21,
Ithaca (LC). Horned Larks: small numbers all winter, increase noted in
mid-February. Most except residents left March 4, with melting of snow
and temperature rise. Tree Swallows: 14 March 25, (first), East Varick,
(WEB); after that, moved in slowly in small numbers. Blue Jays: maintain¬
ing fairly high numbers, but no marked increase this year.

Crows: While more were reported wintering at Hornell (WG) they were
almost absent from Montezuma, where the big roost is no longer in existence;
small numbers returning by mid-February. Red-breasted Nuthatch: winter¬
ed in unusual numbers — 8 or 9 at Keuka, for ex. At least a dozen at
feeders in Ithaca area. Winter Wrens: practically absent. Mockingbird:
two in Ithaca; one at Aurora (for fifth winter) ; one near Hector. Catbird:
on Feb 1 at Bardeen farm, Burdett; one at several feeders on Slaterville
Road, se of Ithaca in January and February (unusual). Robins: returned
in early March; during snow of March 11, 30 were seen feeding on sumac
on Snyder Hill, Ithaca. This is considered starvation food. Hermit Thrush:
two wintered, one, SWS; one, Cayuga Heights, Ithaca. Bluebirds: Half a
dozen reports the last week of March are encouraging, and two pairs were
apparently beginning to nest (DGA, OSP). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: rare in
winter, one, Jan 1.1-Feb 11 at Darling feeder, at Rock Stream, then found
dead. Northern Shrike: one only, w side Cay L, mid-December and again in
mid-January. Migrant Shrike (first): March 25, near Watkins Glen (BS).

Warblers — Sparrows: Myrtle Warblers: three or four wintered in
Stewart Park, Ithaca, as has been the case in last few years. House Sparrow:
some drop in numbers at feeders, widely noted. E. Meadowlark: small flocks

102

The Kingbird

noted through December, then disappeared; one flock of 12, Big Flats, Jan
18 (AF) ; large numbers migrants, March 18, (BS). Grackles and Red¬
wings: arrived in numbers March 6-8. Brown-headed Cowbirds: after
scarcity of fall, and almost no wintering birds, these returned in numbers
March 11 and 12; in two weeks, almost 100 were trapped and banded in
my yard as compared with 15-20 most years. Cardinals: as wide-spread
as usual but in smaller numbers at feeders than last few years. Dickcissel:
one, Dec 3, for three weeks, Dryden (PK). Evening Grosbeaks: Peaked in
January and February (over 600 banded in Etna), declined in March; they
were common at Keuka, where some invasions have not reached in the past.
Purple Finches: a few all winter, numbers began arriving third week Febru¬
ary, peaked first week March, but not in numbers of March ’63. Pine
Grosbeaks: Only three reports: three, Dec 13, w of Elmira (PAB) ; 20, Dec
27, Cornell campus, (DD) ; “few” Feb 5, near Caroline, (JS). Common Red¬
polls: almost none; small flock, Feb 27 Highland Road, Ithaca (HJ). Pine
Siskins;: small numbers in numerous locations, some coming to feeders.
American Goldfinch: In numbers everywhere, at feeders, increased in early
March. Crossbills: both species present, White-winged outnumbered Red
6:1 until March, when White-wings left, Reds remained, and began coming
to feeders in small numbers; only part of region where uncommon was
Geneva-Waterloo. Rufous-sided Towhee: one or two wintered. Tree Spar¬
rows: flocks of up to 150 reported, and many more at Ithaca feeders than in
some years. White-crowned Sparrow: (rare winterer) : two individuals in
December and early January. Fox Sparrow: one wintered, Elmira; five
wintered at Hornell; one (first arrival) March 7, SWS (AL). Swamp
Sparrow: two wintered, Ithaca area. Song Sparrow: usual numbers wintered;
migrants in good numbers second week in March. Lapland Longspurs: very
few records. Snow Buntings: very few and no large flocks, except at Geneva
and Waterloo where reported “abundant” (JW).

Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca

REGION 4 — SUSQUEHANNA
Leslie E. Bemont

December was generally cold, but seldom very cold, with zero or near
zero temperatures only four mornings. It never snowed very hard, but it
seemed to fall almost constantly so we entered January with 10-11 inches
on the ground. Although the 15th was the coldest day of the winter at —10
degrees January was above normal in temperature and also in snowfall, the
latter being more than twice normal with more than half of it falling the
13th. February was on the cold side with normal precipitation. The first
nine days of March were very warm. The 5th was the first day when there
was less than 1 inch of snow on the ground at Binghamton after 84 consec¬
utive days with an inch or more. The rapid melting plus considerable rain,
particularly on the 10th, caused extensive flooding from the rivers. Weather
the rest of the month was near normal, although the lowest temperature of
the month was reserved for its very last day.

Whether in spite of the weather or because of it the list of “semihardies”
reported was long, and some like Robins, Cowbirds, White-throated Sparrows
and Song Sparrows were reported frequently. Indeed, few of the land bird
“possibles” were entirely missing. The “winter finch” situation was very
similar, with just about everything reported although most of them in small
numbers. Evening Grosbeaks were here in impressive numbers, although not
quite up to the expectations of this writer, at least. White-winged Crossbills
put on a real show in December, and suffered some rather heavy casualties
from cars while after salt along the roads, but seemed to fade out of most
areas after the first of the year. Goldfinch numbers were also high. Even
with such a varied background a Bohemian Waxwing report and no less than
three Dickcissels stand out.

The waterfowl migration got off to a good start and included our first
record of a European Widgeon in the region. Possibly coincidentally, and

The Kingbird

103

possibly not, this spring starts a new era in which the water behind, the
Whitney Point Flood Control Dam is being maintained at a higher level to
provide a more desirable area for recreation and wildlife. It was already
one of the very few good areas in the region for observing waterfowl, but it
appears to have been improved.

Contributors: PB — Philip Beihl, LB — Leslie Bemont, BB — Bradford
Burgher, RB — Robert Buriand, GC — Gail Corderman, WC — Warren
Corderman, AC — A1 Christopher, M, AD — Marilyn & Anna Davis, LD —
Louise Dean, RD — Robert Dirig, AE — A. Evelein, CG — Clinton Gerould,
SG — Silena Gorton, JG — John Gustafson, MH — Mrs, Myrtie Hills, CH •—
Claude Howard, EH — Mrs. Eleanor Howe, PK — Paul Kelsey, FL —
Florence Linaberry, SL •— Stanley Lincoln, HM — Harriet Marsi, MM—
Mary Middaugh, LN — Les Newman, JO — Jack Osadchey, RP — Robert
Pantie, FQ — Fern Quick, R, JS — Robert & Jean Saunders, MS — Mary
Sheffield, AS — Anne Stratton, LS — Lois Stone, E, NW — Elizabeth
& Newell Washburn, DW — Don Weber, MW — Mildre'd White, R, SW —
Ruth & Sally White, CW — Connie Wilkins, EW —• Mrs. Evelyn Williams,
RW — Ruth Williams, SW — Stuart Wilson, HW — Herbert Wisner.

Abbreviations: BCC — Binghamton Christmas Count; OCC — Owego
Christmas Count; Br — Bridge; Co — County; n — north; s — south;
SGF — Sherburne Game Farm; Skan — Skaneateles.

Loons — Ducks: Common Loon: 2, Dec 21 (JO), the only report.
Horned Grebe: 1, Jan 21, Owego (CG); 2, Jan 29, Skan Lake (JO); no
others. Pied-billed Grebe: Dec 21, Skan Lake (JG), the only winter record;
Mar 22, Chenango Br (HM, CG), the first spring report. Great Blue Heron:
Dec 15, Oneonta (RB) ; Dec 21, Skan Lake (JG) ; 1, Dec 29 on the BCC;
Jan 18, Owego (CG); spring records start Mar 7. Whistling Swan: 14, Nov
28, Chenango, Cortland Co (JO). Canada Goose: Dec 21, Homer (JG) ; 1,
Dec 27, Binghamton (LB), probably a cripple; 340 in 5 flocks Mar 5, Ingra¬
ham Hill s of Binghamton (CH), the first migrants and the beginning of a
rather heavy, regionwide, 4 day wave; next reported Mar 14 and then reg-
uarly to the end of the month with particularly large numbers Mar 17-18
and Mar 25-26. Mallard: 300 at SGF Jan 18 (R, SW) and 115 elsewhere
in the region for the Census represents the winter population well; migrants
starting Mar 7 with numbers increasing slowly from then on. Black Duck:
75, SGF, Jan 18 (R, SW) and 45 elsewhere for Waterfowl Census but 65
on BCC; migrants from Mar 7. Gadwall: Mar 17, Chenango Bridge (HM) ;
Mar 26, Whitney Point (HM, CG, FL). Pintail: 3, Mar 8, Sherburne
(R, SW); same date, Smithboro Flats (RW). Green-winged Teal: Mar 16,
Chenango Br (HM, FL). Blue-winged Teal: Mar 22, Smithboro Flats
(RW), abnormally early. European Widgeon: 1, Mar 28, Whitney Point
(MS), red head, buff crown, pinkish front, white line on side and white in
front of tail, blue bill, through 25X scope at 300 ft.; Mar 29, same place
(MS, R, SW). American Widgeon: 2, Mar 13, Homer (JG). Wood Duck:
Mar 7, Candor (DW), no more until Mar 27. Redhead: Dec 21, Skan Lake
(JG), 60-75 there during Jan; migrants Mar 7, Candor (DW) and Mar 14,
Chenango Br (GC, WC). Ring-necked Duck: Dec 21, Skan Lake (JG) ; 2,
Mar 7, Norwich (R, SW). Canvasback: Dec 21, Skan Lake (JG), 28-90 there
during Jan; migrants Mar 26 at Whitney Point (PK et al). Scaup sp : Jan
24, Skan Lake (JG). Greater Scaup: Mar 13, Whitney Point (RW) and
Lesser Scaup: Mar 13, Whitney Point (HM) were most likely the same birds:
many other Lesser reports. Common Goldeneye: 75 on Waterfowl Census
close to total winter population; migrants Mar 19. Bufflehead: Mar 22,
Whitney Point (RW), the only report. Old Squaw: Mar 26, Whitney Point
(PK), the only report. Ruddy Duck: 3, Mar 29, Whitney Point (MS), the
only report. Hooded Merganser: Mar 8, Smithboro Flats (RW), quite a few
reports. Common Merganser: 66 on Waterfowl Census seems low for winter
population as compared to previous years; numbers increasing from Mar 13.
Red-breasted Merganser: Jan 18, Owego (MW, CG); 5, Mar 13, Skan Lake
(JO).

Hawks — Owls: Turkey Vulture: 1, Mar 14, Afton (R, SW) ; 1, Mar

104 The Kingbird

15, Hancock (RD) ; also at Cortland and Deposit. Goshawk: Feb 22, Choco-
nut Center n oi Johnson City (MS), a good look at gray back, pearly breast
and white eye line, through binoculars at about 12U loot distance. Sharp-
shinned HawK: Dec 1, Homer (JG) ; 1, Mar 21, Ingraham Hill (CH); the oniy
reports during the period. Cooper's Hawk: reported more Irequentiy. Red-
tailed Hawk: lairiy irequent reports in Dec and Mar; fewer in Jan and Feb.
Red-shouldered Hawk: Dec 29, on both OCC and BCC; Jan 26, Cortland

(AC); iviar 1, Endwell (HM). Broad-winged Hawk: Mar JO, South Owego

(CG), abnormally early and no details. Rough-legged Hawk; more reports
man usual ±rom throughout region; 8, Mar 15, between Willet and Smith-
viile Hats (R, SvV), all visible at one time. Bald Eagle: 1, IVlar 7, Whitney
Point (MS), this one made the newspapers several times during the month;
2, Mar 20, Cortland (LN); also Mar 20, Owego (EH). Marsh Hawk: Dec
14, Owego (MH); Mar 15, Whitney Point (HM, GC), best numbers in several
years. Osprey: 1, Dec 22, Oxiord (AS), no additional information; Mar 23,
Whitney Point (MW, CG), abnormally early and no additional information.
Pigeon Hawk: Mar 17, Worcester, Otsego Co (RB), no additional informa¬
tion; 1, Mar 25, Ingraham Hill (CH), a small gray falcon without the facial
marking or rusty tail and back of a Sparrow Hawk, and also a noticeably
dillerent flight pattern.

Bobwhite: reported at Candor throughout the period (AE). Turkey:

Jan 8, Candor (DW); 1 male and 3 females, Jan 10 to 22, near Unadilla

(HW). Am. Coot: 1 or 2 on Skan Lake in Jan (JG, JO). Killdeer: 1, Jan
23, .Norwich (R, SW); spring migrants Mar 5, Owego (EW) and Endwell
(LB). Am. Woodcock: Mar 14, Castle Creek (BB) ; fairly generally distrib¬
uted after Mar 20. Common Snipe: 1, Mar 14, Hancock (RD) ; at Cortland
and Chenango Br soon after. Herring Gull: all winter along rivers as usual.
Ring-billed Gull: “many” wintered at Cortland (JG); migrants Mar 4,
Endwell (HM); 120, Mar 17, Owego (SL), largest concentration so far.
Mourning Dove: 40 or more, all winter, E. Homer (Mrs. Whatley); numer¬
ous other Dec reports, few in Jan or Feb; migrants from Mar 9. Barn Owl:
Dec 21, Homer (JG). Screech Owl: not many. Horned Owl; frequent
reports. Snowy Owl: Jan 3, Cortland (LS). Saw-whet Owl: Feb 28, Hin-
mans Corners (R, JS), heard by several other observers thereafter, last time
Mar 23; 1, Mar 24, Homer (JG).

Goatsuckers *—■ Shrikes: Belted Kingfisher: the usual few wintered,
scarce in Feb. Yellow-shafted Flicker: Dec 24, Choconut Center (MS),
eating suet; several other Dec reports including both OCC and BCC; Jan.
28, Owego (AE) then no more until Mar 20, Cortland (CW). Pileated
Woodpecker: reported fairly frequently from various parts of the region:
1 was shot near Freetown in Cortland Co when it was caught tearing into a
barn; in Endwell one kept returning to a suburban back yai'd in a well
populated area to work over a large pine. Red-headed Woodpecker: Dec 29,
1 on OCC (AE) and also 1 on Binghamton Count, but no other reports
during period. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Mar 27, Owego (AE). Phoebe: 1,
Mar 22, Oneonta (RB) ; almost everywhere by Mar 25. Horned Lark: a few
all winter, as usual, at Owego and Binghamton; moderate sized flocks appear¬
ed around Cortland and Norwich in early Feb. Tree Swallow: Mar 25, Owego
(MW). Purple Martin: 2, Mar 25 and 6, Mar 27, Owego (MH), some cold
weather casulaties followed, no details of identification supplied.

Blue Jay: not as abundant as last year, but still plentiful; at Deposit 30
banded and 115 returns to Mar 1 (SW). Boreal Chickadee: 2, Feb 25,
Owego (Mrs. H. Colby), still coming to feeder at end of Mar. Black-capped
Chickadee: “uncommonly common” at Deposit where 115 were banded (SW);
29 more banded at Unadilla (HW). Tufted Titmouse: reported at several
feeders in the Deposit, Hancock and Triple Cities areas. Red-breasted Nut¬
hatch: more than usual this winter at Cortland, Deposit and in the Triple
Cities area and also reported from Owego and Norwich; at Freetown about
a half dozen were trained to feed from the hand (AC). Brown Creeper:
reported in usual small numbers all winter; Mar 1, singing at Hinman’s
Corners (MS). Mockingbird: 1 at Unadilla, seen off and on from Jan 1
to about Jan 18 and again Mar 9 to Mar 16 (HW); 1, Johnson City, until

The Kingbird 105

Jan 31 (Barrett). Brown Thrasher: 3, Dec 29, BCC; also reported on OCC
the same day. Robin: numerous winter reports, but not large numbers;
migrants appeared around Mar 4 to 7. Hermit Thrush: Dec 13, Owego
(MW); 1, Dec 29, BCC. Bluebird: 1, Dec 2, flying due north, calling (SW);
Feb 28, Owego (MW) ; Mar 2, Owego (AE) ; Mar 7, Candor (RP) ; generally
distributed after Mar 15. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1, Feb 15, Vestal (SL).
Bohemian Waxwing: 6, Mar 8, Chenango Forks (M, AD); two white wing
patches, larger, darker and grayer than Cedar Waxwing. Cedar Waxwing:
medium sized flocks throughout the period at Owego, Cortland and in the Tri¬
ple Cities area; largest flock, 200 at Scott, Cortland Co, Feb 14 (JO). North¬
ern Shrike: 2 Dec reports and 7 Mar reports from Hancock, Triple Cities and
Whitney Point. Loggerhead Shrike: 1, Mar 27, South Owego (MW, CG)
black over bill, clear or grayish underparts, slightly drooping wings and flick¬
ing tail, from 15 feet with binoculars for about 5 minutes; 1, Mar 28,
Chenango Br (SG), watched for 20 minutes, no “streaks” on breast, bill solid
black and black marking over top of bill.

Warblers — Vireos: Myrtle Warbler: 1, Dec 9, Deposit (SW) ; 1, Jan
1, Newark Valley (PB); Mar 9, Sidney (FQ) ; Mar 22, Candor (DW). Bay-
breasted Warbler: 1, Dec 1 and again Dec 5, Oxford (AS) apparently looking
for food around feeder; extremely late, no further details so far.

Blackbirds — Sparrows: Meadowlark: Dec 21, Cortland (Mrs. Lester
Barber) ; Dec 22, Deposit (SL); 1, Dec 26, Unadilla (HW); Jan 17, Endwell
(HM, FL); also at Owego during winter months; migrants from Mar 6.
Red-winged Blackbird: quite a few winter records; numerous migrants from
Mar 6; first females Mar 18. Baltimore Oriole: 1, coming to feeder with
Evening Grosbeaks all winter at Nichols (AE). Rusty Blackbird: 1, 2 and 1,
Dec 14, 15 and 16 respectively, Endwell (E, NW); 1, at feeder all winter,
Owego (MW) ; 1, on and off during winter at Newark Valley (LD) ; migrants
Mar 14, Chenango Forks (M, AD). Common Grackle: quite a few feeders
in the Triple Cities and Owego areas had occasional visits from singles during
the winter; also one Dec 29 report from Cortland; migrants Mar 8. Brown¬
headed Cowbird: 50 or more, Dec 1 and daily in erratically varying numbers
from 1 to 30 until Jan 12, Unadilla (HW); 50 or more, Dec 29, Cortland
(Mrs. Lester Barber) ; small numbers at many feeders scattered throughout
the region all winter; migrants from Mar 8 on.

Cardinal: reported regularly almost everywhere in the region now; 14
at one time, Feb 9, Chenango Forks (M, AD). Dickcissel: 1, Dec 4 to 22
several times, and again Mar 13 to 31, Chenango Br (SG) ; 1, Dec 29, Cort¬
land (CW); 1, Mar 10, Binghamton (H. Perry, W. Bartle). Evening Gros¬
beak: present everywhere in large numbers but not quite up to the numbers
of some past peak years. Purple Finch: present everywhere, but in small
numbers — a few more between Feb 9 and Mar 19 but then numbers dropped
again. Pine Grosbeak: scattered reports all period, generally of from 1 to
10 birds; 20 or so, Jan 28 and 30, Hancock (RD) ; 35, Jan 31, Norwich
(R, SW). Redpoll: scattered reports of very small numbers all period; a
little more frequent from Mar 11 to 19 at Binghamton; 30, Jan 19, Norwich
(R, SW), the only flock of any size reported all winter. Pine Siskin: scat¬
tered reports of small to moderate flocks during Dec; none from Dec 29 to
Jan 28; then regular to the end of the period but never in very large numbers.
Goldfinch: regular in some numbers all winter. Red Crossbill: quite a few
reports in Dec in moderate numbers; last reported Jan 17, South Owego
(EW). White-winged Crossbill: large numbers in much of the region
during Dec; 100 or more, Dec 8, Sherburne (R, SW) and 89 on the BCC,
Dec 29; present at Unadilla (Carpenter) and Cortland (JG) through Feb;
1, Mar 1 to 6, Deposit (SW), banded. Rufous-sided Towhee: Dec 29 and
Jan 8, Owego (DW, CG) ; Mar 30, Cortland (CW) ; 1, a regular visitor at a
feeder in E. Worcester (RB). Vesper Sparrow: 1, Dec 29, Chenango Br
(LB); Feb 5, S. Owego (CG) ; 1, early Feb, at a feeder in Homer (M. Stein¬
beck). Slate-colored Junco: the usual small numbers wintering throughout
the region, including some in the hills around Norwich where they are not so
usual in the winter (R, SW); migrants swelled numbers starting about Mar 1.

106

The Kingbird

Oregon Junco: Dec 7 and Jan 8, Oneonta (RB) ; 1, Dec 10 and 11, Afton
(Mrs. C. Kessler), brown back, darker head and pink sides from about seven
feet through a window in good light. Field Sparrow: 2, Dec 21, Cortland
(CW); 1, Dec 22 and 29 and Jan 23, Glenwood Cemetery in Binghamton
(MS, et al); 1, Feb 22, Vestal (SL) ; Mar 23 and 24, Castle Creek (BB) ;
also 1, on and off during winter, Newark Valley (CD). White-crowned
Sparrow: 1, Dec 21 and Jan 4, Hancock (RD); 1, Jan 13, Binghamton
(Mrs. Warren Jennings). White-throated Sparrow: many feeders in region
had 1 or 2 all winter. Fox Sparrow;: 1, Dec 4, Cortland (CW) ; 2, Dec 21,
Sidney (HW) ; 1, Dec 29, BCC; Jan 28 at feeder in Owego and remained for
rest of the period; migrants from Mar 7 and quite numerous. Swamp
Sparrow: Dec 21, Homer (JG) ; 1, Dec 29, Chenango Br (LB); Mar 28,
Hancock (RD). Song Sparrow: a few everywhere all winter and must have
added up to a quite considerable number; Feb 25, Homer (JG), singing:
migrants really noticeable from about Mar 15. Lapland Longspur: Mar 7,
Oneonta (RB). Snow Bunting: a few small flocks after Dec 29; 100, Feb
9, Sanitaria Springs (E, NW) and 100, Feb 14, Freetown (AC), the largest:
75, Mar 8, Ingraham Hill (CH), the last.

710 University Ave., Endwell 13763

REGION 5 — ONEIDA LAKE BASIN
David B. Peakall and Margaret S. Rusk

December was extremely cold; otherwise temperatures were around
normal except for a short warm spell in early March, which brought the
first landbird influx. Snowfall was low, except in December, and total
precipitation was 30% below normal. Most of the winter was considerably
more sunny than usual.

The outstanding feature of the season was the fine varied winter finch
flights. The invasion of White-winged Crossbill was especially noteworthy.
Waterfowl census figures were slightly higher than last year out sun iOvvci
than average. Numbers of wintering hawks were low.

Abbreviations: BBFS — Dr. Ben Burtt’s feeder survey, held the first
week of each month; figures cited are per 100 reports; CC — Christmas
Count, Syracuse's on Dec 22, Oswego Dec 29, and Oneida Jan 1; H1GMA —
Howlands Island Game Management.Area; Onon — Onondaga; RSP — Rome
Sand Plains; Skan — Skaneateles; Syr — Syracuse; WFC — Waterfowl
Count, held Jan 18-26; L — Lake; R — River; arr — arrived; max —
maximum.

Regular observers: DA — Dorothy Ackley; JB — Jon Bart; GMC —
Gerald and Marge Church; DD — Dorothy Dawley; C, EF — Charles and
Esther Farham; GG — George Gage; JH — John Haugh; JP — Jean Propst;
CS — Christian Spies; BS — Betty Starr; IS — Ina Stone.

Loons — Ducks: Common Loon: singles at Baldwinsville and Oswego
on WFC, neither wintered. Horned Grebe: 22 on WFC, back into the
normal range after last year’s low count. Pied-billed Grebe: singles wintered
at Baldwinsville, Pheonix, and Oswego. Great Blue Heron: no wintering
records; (first) Fulton, Feb 29.

Whistling Swan: four Onon L Mar 7 (JP), five Otisco Mar 24 (JP), two
HIGMA Mar 26 (GG), and two over Syracuse Mar 27 (R. Seaman).
Canada Goose: first main flight noted in several parts of the Region Mar
6-7; about 9000 in evening flight, Seneca R flats Mar 30. Snow Goose: one,
Seneca R near Baldwinsivlle Mar 8 (JP). Mallard and Black: total numbers
wintering were low due to less artificial feeding. Counts of Mallard (194)

The Kingbird

107

and Black (373) on WFC for the whole Oswego R (away from game manage¬
ment areas) were about normal. Pintail: six, Oswego R falls, WFC; at
least four wintered successfully; first migrants Mar 7 Derby Hill; max 1,100
HIGMA. Green-winged Teal: arr Seneca R flats Mar 22. Blue-winged
Teal: arr Pompey Mar 26 and Seneca R flats Mar 30. American Widgeon:
arr Onon L Mar 6. Wood Duck : arr Scott Swamp and Derby Hill Mar 6.

The regional counts, given elsewhere, of the principal species of diving
duck on WFC were generally on the low side of normal. The early January
build-up of numbers of the common wintering diving ducks is shown by
comparison of the Oswego CC (Dec 29) and WFC (Jan 18). Counts are for
the same areas (thus figures of WFC are not total). Goldeneye 66 to 851,
Scaup 1000 to 5700, Common Merganser 431 to 3162. Ring-necked Duck:
four (Baldwinsville, Oswego, Skan L) WFC; first migrants Oneida L Mar 8;
omy poor numbers to the end of the period — max 30/day. Bufflehead: 93
WFC; rise in numbers in Feb; max 165 Oswego Feb 23. King Eider: one-
four Oswego harbor Jan 18 —- late Mar. Harlequin: female or imm, Oswego
harbor Feb 8-16 (J. Foster, A. Maley, T. Tetlow), fourth record in nine
years. White-winged Scoter: 150 Oneida L Dec 3 (JP) ; one-four through
winter at Oswego. Surf Scoter: one, Oswego, Dec 29-Jan 5. Ruddy Duck:
five occurrences involving seven birds during the winter.

Hawks — Owls: The intensive study of hawk migration at Derby 11111,
Lake Ontario, was continued this year by John Haugh. Hawk counts covering
the entire migration period will be given in the spring issue. Wintering
accipiters were scarce; no records of Goshawks and few of either of the
other species. Numbers of wintering Roughlegs were low, not exceeding
two/day except for eight, Sherrill, Mar 12, which may refer to migrants.
Bald Eagle: adult, Otter L, late Feb (Whitmans) ; imm, Oswego, Mar 7 (JB,
BS).

Killdeer: departure Dec 11, Otisco L; one Jan 4, Tully; one wintered
near Eaton; arr Derby Hill Mar 4. Woodcock: arr Mar 16, Liverpool.
Snipe: arr Mar 20, Eaton. Greater Yellowlegs: arr Mar 30, Seneca R flats.

Glaucous Gull: max four, Oswego, Feb 23. Iceland Gull: high count of
about 12, Oswego, Feb 23 (F. Scheider). Great Black-backed Gull: 343
Oswego CC is lower than last year and in general numbers seemed lower.
Bonaparte’s Gull: arr Onon L Mar 27 (CS).

Snowy Owl: two Onon L Dec 23; one present there most of the winLer.
Long-eared Owl: one-two E. Syracuse, Feb. Short-eared Owl: recorded at
Shepp’s Corners, Clay, and E. Syracuse during period. Saw-whet Owl: one
H1GMA late Dec (GG).

Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Kingfisher: four on Christmas counts and two
still wintering in Jan in the southrn parts of the Region; spring return Mar
22 Derby Hill. Flicker: unusually many into Dec (nine BBFS) ; eleven on
Syr CC; high numbers through Jan and Feb (nine and eight respectively,
BBFS); spring arrival Mar 8 Onon L. Pileated Woodpecker: new locations
are Highland Forest near Fabius, Taberg (a pair Feb), and Derby Hill (reg¬
ularly present Mar). Red-bellied: new location is Camillus, a male at rhe
D. Beebes’ feeder intermittently through the winter; one at Pratt’s Falls
Jan (JB) ; almost regular now at New Haven — one present to Feb 9 (IS) ;
two reports from near Otisco L; noted at Baldwinsville, Plainville, Cato,
Lysander, and Port Byron — all in the Seneca R vicinity where the species is
commonest; up to five in a day at HIGMA. Sapsucker: one Syr CC attempt¬
ing to winter. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: a migrant male passing
Derby Hill alighted momentarily on a telephone pole, Mar 9 (JH).

Phoebe: arr Mar 17 Derby Hill, a bit early. Horned Lark: reported on
two of the four Christmas counts; max for winter 150 Oswego Feb 15 (JB) ;
otherwise no reports of over 50; several observers noted a paucity of them.
Blue Jay: BBFS showed the highest Dec count in five years; record numbers
(212) on Syr CC confirm that they were plentiful in early winter. A Jan
Crow count by Dwight Chamberlain and BS at the Onon Hill roost totaled

108

The Kingbird

about 13,000. First migrant Crows noted at Derby Hill Feb 17; the big Mar
flight there had two peaks, with an estimated 11,'300 passing on Mar 7 and
15,000 the 24th (JH).

Black-capped Chickadee: BBFS showed normal numbers after the highs
of the past two years; largest field report is 50 in a day, RSP Mar 12.
Boreal Chickadee: one in spruce plantations near Centerville Feb 23 (C, EF)
is the only report outside of the Adirondacks. Tufted Titmouse: two Sherrill
Dec BBFS; two regular in Mexico Jan (fide IS); regular at Baldwinsville
and up to five at Brewerton (BBFS) ; three Kirkville Mar (BBFS) ; one Jan 19
Fabius (JB) in the upper Limestone Creek valley, recalls a Manlius Titmouse
location of several years ago; none at North Bay this winter. Red-breasted
Nuthatch: frequent and regular in the field in all parts of the Region all
winter — up to six in a day; 11, a record high, Syr CC; singles and pairs at
feeders, in some cases for the first time.

Winter and Carolina Wrens: one each, Syr CC, the last wrens reported.
The usual scattering of winter mimids — Mockingbird : the Mexico and Fay¬
etteville individuals (see fall Kingbird report) present into early Dec; one
each Marcellus (W. Lang) and Elbridge (Dr. J. Nichols) early Jan. Catbird:
one at New Haven (See fall Kingbird report) remained to Dec 17; a pair
through Dec, Skan (Mrs, L. Miller). Brown Thrasher: two from Dec 7 at
the same New Haven feeder as the Catbird — one Thrasher stayed to Jan
18. Robin: 22 Syr CC, an all-time high, and one each on Oswego and Oneida
CCs, the latter bird present to Jan 28; Jan BBFS had 11 instead of the
usual one or two; several small flocks of seven to 17 in Jan in the field,
near Syr and to the SW of there; drop in numbers Feb; first migrant Derby
Hill Mar 1, with Mar influx the 7th to 8th. Bluebird: about six Mar reports
of birds returning to former nesting areas.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: unusual is three in early Dec (Syr, BBFS) one of
which remained to Jan 5 (DD). Cedar Waxwing: 20-30 noted flycatching
around buildings in Kenwood during the Jan 19-24 thaw which produced a
hatch of insects (DA). A shifting flock of up to 700 Cedar Waxwings spent
Feb and Mar in a berry-rich swamp near Onon Hill. One Bohemian Wax¬
wing was noted in this vicinity Feb 20 (C. Ives) ; two Bohemians were with
Cedar Waxwings Mar 24 at Fish Gulf (BS, JP) — this group of waxwings
may have been a detachment from the big flock 10 miles away. Northern
Shrike: surprisingly, none on Syr CC (nor on any of the other counts);
present during the period in all parts of the Region, but never more than
three in a day (late Feb, L, Ontario) ; singing noted in late Feb and early
Mar. Loggerhead Srike: first, Mar 20 (JH), another Mar 28 (P. Paquette)
both Derby Hill.

Warblers — Sparrows: Myrtle Warbler: one each, early Dec, Richland
(Mrs. E. Riley), Syr to Dec 17 (DD), and Baldwinsille Jan (Wilfreda Mott) ;
two Syr CC. Northern Waterthrush: one heard singing on the extremely
early date of Mar 21, Onon Hill (CF).

Meadowlark: none on Christmas counts; a few in late Dec Skan, and
two intermittently in Jan in Sherrill are the only reports before Mar, despite
the low amount of snow. Baltimore Oriole: a late lingerer 1st week of Dec
at a Sandy Creek feeder (Mrs. C. M. Carpenter). Rusty Blackbird: two, late
Dec Liverpool (CS) are the last. Grackle: BBFS showed three times normal
numbers in Dec, but only two individuals remained by Feb. Cowbird: Dec
BBFS numbers five times the normal — did the early heavy snow drive them
to feeders? Spring influx of Meadowlark, Redwing, Rusty and Grackle
Mar 7 (JH at Derby Hill, and BBFS), a few days late; Cowbirds arrived a
little later.

Cardinal: BBFS shows the population to have now leveled off; territory
gained in recent years around the SE corner of L Ontario remains occupied.
Dickcissel: one from Dec 21 to early Jan, Onon Hill (C, EF) and two in late
Mar — Marcellus (fide CS) and Sherrill (P. Wayland-Smith) all three males
with an indistinct black V — the first time for more than one report per
winter.

The Kingbird

109

Certainly the outstanding event of the winter has been the invasion of
northern finches, with eight forest species well represented and the White¬
winged Crossbill in numbers roughly ten times the previous high since the
beginning of Regional reports. Evening Grosbeak: Dec numbers were mod¬
erate, but high enough to indicate a big flight; Jan BBFS tally of 1220 was
almost as high as in the biggest previous year, 1959-60, and the Feb BBFS
figure of 1870 was the highest ever; Mar already showed a marked drop-off,
to 1270 BBFS, but many remained through the period. Purple Finch: present
through the period, though in nothing like last year’s numbers; BBFS showed
a steady increase from ten in Dec to 48 in Mar, which is usual; in the field,
birds reaapeared first (in Jan and Feb) in the southern parts of the Region,
later to the north. Pine Grosbeak: a scattered few in Dec, mostly near Syr;
the increased number of sightings in Jan was chiefly from NE of Oneida L
and the SE corner of L Ontario; by Feb they were common pan-regionally,
with the highest counts for the winter — flocks of 75 each at Big Moose Feb
2 (JB) and Eaton Feb 8 (GC), and a total of 43 birds along L Ontario Feb
22; most had disappeared by mid-Mar; in sum, about as large a flight as
Region 5 experiences one year in three, but not as massive as the 1961-2
invasion. Redpoll: only a scattered few Dec; reported more frequently
Jan — from various parts of the Region — but difficult to count accurately
as they were often in mixed flocks with Siskins and/or Goldfinches passing
overhead; BBFS numbers were highest in Jan but Redpolls were most wide¬
spread in the field in Feb and Mar, with highest flock counts 300 Feb 29,
Highland Forest (JB), 160 Mar 1 RSP (DA) with Siskins and Goldfinches,
100 Pleasant L Mar 21 (CS) and 150 Mar 22 Otisco L (BS); northbound
migrants over Derby Hill in numbers up to 100 in a day Mar 8 and still
passing after the end of the period. Siskin and Goldfinch: both present all
four months,. but Siskin numbers climbed steadily from Dec to Mar both at
feeders and in the field; maximum counts are moderate — 60 Siskins Mar
19 Fischer Bay and 50 Goldfinch Mar 29 Oneida; flocks of both Spinus
together, or of one or both with Redpolls, were more frequent than flocks
of only one species. Red Crossbill: about six reports in Dec, of flocks of up
to ten; in Jan, more frequently noted and at feeders for the first time;
widespread in Feb (no part of the Region seemed to be favored over others)
with 50 at Highland Forest Feb 1, the highest flock count of the winter;
Mar BBFS 31, highest feeder count; present through the end of the period.
White-winged Crossbill: appeared suddenly in late Nov and early Dec in a
spectacular pan-regional irruption, feeding in cedar and hemlock as well as
spruce; largest flock for the period is 400, Dec 23, Eaton (GC) but several
other flocks of over 100 were reported in Dec; numbers declined in Jan as
those of the Red increased; by Feb it was difficult to find White-winged
away from spruce groves (e.g. s Madison Co, Cicero Bog); in Mar, migrating
flocks of up to 20, especially over Derby Hill, and a few remaining at the
end of Mar.

Towhee, late and wintering: one Fulton (Dec BBFS); one Dec 15 Tully
(JP) ; one survived until Jan 1 (Oneida CC) when it succumbed to cold or
starvation; a pair Camillus (Jan BBFS); two females New Haven (IS)
one into Jan and the other to Mar 1. Junco: present in the field all winter
in numbers of up to about 20/day.

Half-hardy sparrows — Chipping: one at a feeder into early Dec Syr
(BS). Field: four Syr and six Oneida CCs is unusual. White-crowned: in
Jan and Feb, only two or three reports, of singles, at feeders. White-
throated: about a dozen reports, the majority from feeders. Fox: several late
migrants on Dec BBFS; two Oneida and one Syr CC; a sizeable mid-Mar
influx starting with four at Eaton Mar 8 (G, MC). Swamp: last in the field
were five Syr CC. Song: many more than usual at feeders (BBFS Dec 52,
Jan 60, Feb 69, Mar 55) and small numbers in the field all winter (max
10 Port Byron Jan 1) ; despite the presence of wintering birds, an influx of
migrants the first week of Mar was noted.

Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting: in contrast with the forest finches,
occurred in quite low numbers; only report of Longspurs is of up to 12 Derby
Hill Jan 26-Feb 12 (JB) in a flock of up to 500 buntings, by far the largest
flock of the latter all winter; 150 buntings Pompey Jan; no other flocks
over 40; up to 35 in a day migrating past Derby Hill in late Mar.

SUNY Upstate Medical Center, 766 Irving Ave., Syracuse 10
110 The Kingbird

REGION 6 — ST. LAWRENCE
Frank A. Clinch

The weather during December reminded us of the winter of 1962-63.
The average temperature was about five degrees below normal and there was
more than the usual amount of snow. January and February brought milder
weather with only light to moderate amounts of snow. March gave us two or
three heavy falls of snow, but each was soon followed by warmer weather
that melted the snow. The total snow was only half that of the previous
winter. The first Robins, Cowbirds. Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds
arrived early. The only unusual bird was an immature Glaucous Gull.

PRGMA is used for the Perch River Game Management Area.

Loons — Ducks: Horned Grebe: 13 at Henderson Bay Dec 4, and five at
Pt. Peninsula Dec 8. Canada Goose: Several reports during the winter.
They stayed at Perch Lake (PRGMA) at least until Dec 10. A flock of
about 100 was seen flying Dec 10. About 25 probably remained all winter
and were seen between Lake Ontario and PRGMA. Another 14 wintered in
Lake St. Lawrence. On Dec 26 a flock of about 40 was seen flying south
during a snow storm. About 75 geese in two flocks flew over Watertown
Mar 7, but seemed confused and finally turned toward the south. Perhaps
they failed to find much open water at that time. The highest count was 500
between PRGMA and Perch River Village, but there probably were many
more at PRGMA. Pintail: seen Dec 21; began returning Mar 2, but in
somewhat smaller numbers than most years. Oldsquaw: 20 at Henderson
Feb 22, and 70 Mar 21. Green-winged Teal: five near PRGMA Mar 29.
Hooded Merganser: two at Dexter Dec 2 and one at Watertown Jan 1. A
good flight in Mar; 13 at Black Lake Mar 13 and several pairs in the region
later in Mar.

Hawks — Owls: Sharp-shinned Hawk: Jan 19, near Tibbitts Pt.
Cooper's Hawk: one around Watertown most of winter. Red-tailed Hawk:
more numerous than in any recent winter, four seen Jan 8. Rough-legged
Hawk: fairly plentiful, but not as numerous as some years. High count four
to six in Dec and 8 in Mar. Bald Eagle: one flying over Watertown Dec
25; an adult at Fishers Landing about Mar 1, and one about Mar 20, perhaps
carrying nesting material. Marsh Hawk: Mar 15. Killdeer: Mar 19 at
Calcium. Glaucous Gull: immature at Sulphur Springs Mar 9 (Belknap).
Great Black-backed Gull: 1-3 in Dec-Jan. Herring Gull: around most of
winter. Ringed-billed Gull: Mar 9 at Sulphur Springs, early. Snowy Owl:
a few seen, but rather scarce compared with some years. Short-eared Owl:
Philadelphia Dec 17 and Pt. Peninsula Jan 5.

Goatsuckers — Sparrows: Horned Lark: Several on Pt. Peninsula Jan
1, and quite common after Feb 15. Tree Swallow: at PRGMA Mar 29. Blue
Jay: Several at feeders all winter. Crow: more numerous than in any recent
winter; 20-30 west of Watertown in Jan. White-breasted Nuthatch: at
feeders all winter. Red-breasted Nuthatch: Mar 1 at South Edwards. Robin:
arrived early in Mar before a snow storm. Northern Shrike: few seen.
Meadowlark: Dec 8 and Mar 14. Red-winged Blackbird: males Mar 7.
Grackle: Dec 14 and again early in Mar. Brown-headed Cowbird: six to ten
in Watertown all winter.

Cardinal: about as many as last year. Evening Grosbeak: present in
good numbers all winter, but hardly a record flight. Purple Finch: a few
reported, but almost none at feeders in Mar. Pine Grosbeak: a good year,
but seemed less common in Mar. Redpoll: common, especially in first three
weeks in Mar. Pine Siskin: small numbers Jan-Mar, rarely at feeders. Gold¬
finch: large flock at Pt. Peninsula Jan 1 and small flocks later. Red Cross¬
bill: 50 Dec 4 near Potsdam (Amstutz). They appeared at several feeders
in or near Watertown during Mar taking sunflower seeds. The high count
was 14 of which half were males. White-winged Crossbills: flocks of 50-60
around Gouverneur in Dec, and also at Theresa and Watertown. They became

The Kingbird

111

scarce later, but were seen at Henderson Feb 22, and near South Edwards
Mar 1. Song Sparrow: a few around feeders all winter. Lapland Longspur:
about 100 at Pt. Peninsula Dec 7, unusually numerous in Dec and early Jan,
not seen later. Snow Bunting: seen regularly, last a single bird at PRGMA
Mar 29.

173 Haley St., Watertown 13601

REGION 7 — ADIRONDACK - CHAMPLAIN
Harriet L. Delafield

The winter period for this region was notable for low snow depths and,
surprisingly it seems to me, a lack of birds. December temperatures were
moderate for the month. One of the coldest days (as is often the case)
being our Christmas Count day, Dec 21, which ranged from —11° to +9°.

January weather was close to normal according to the weather station at
Ray Brook though snow depths on the ground were five to ten percent below
normal because of a few heavy snowfalls. The greatest snowfall in any one
storm was only four and one half inches. The thaw, January 19-25 reduced
the snow cover from twelve inches to eight inches but small falls caused it to
grow rapidly after that.

February followed the January pattern of small snowstorms. Temper¬
atures for the month were above those for most years. March “brought the
usual amount of unusual weather”: an early thaw, high winds and uneven
temperatures. The largest snowfall of the entire winter occurred on March

11 when ten inches surprised the countryside.

Apparently the Brown-headed Cowbirds enjoyed the lack of snow and
cold as they stayed all winter in numbers. Feeders were quite active in
general but birds in the woods were extremely scarce. Often I would do my
rounds and come home with only two chickadees or one Blue Jay on my list.
Amstutz remarks of wood walks “sometimes did not even see or hear a
chickadee.”

Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Three-toed Wood¬
pecker and the Cardinal at Essex relieve the monotony of my report some¬
what. Otherwise only the small numbers of certain species, such as the
Pine Siskin, are noteworthy.

Observers and Initials: AA — Agnes Amstutz; ED — Ethel Dyer; HD —
Harriet Delafield; JD — Mrs. John Delahanty; JH — Joseph Hart; JK —
Joseph Keji; MM — Marion Mason.

Abbreviations used: L — Lake; R — River.

Loons — Ducks: American Bittern: one Mar 21 (early) Saranac R (JH).
Canada Goose: five Mar 8, 13 Mar 15 Tupper L (AA) ; five Mar 23 Saranac
R (JH) ; many if not all of these probable returns of banded birds put out
by NY State Conservation Dept spring 1963. Common Goldeneye: five Mar
8, three Mar 29 Little Tupper L (AA) ; 11 Mar 8 Tupper L (JD). Black
Duck: one or two Dec 21, Feb 21, Mar 21 Saranac R (HD). Hooded Mer¬
ganser: four Mar 29 Little Tupper L (AA) ; one Mar 21 Saranac R (JH).

Hawks — Owls: Goshawk: one Dec 21 and Jan 17; records show this
bird to be rare around Saranac L in winter (HD). Bald Eagle: one Mar 22
Tupper L (Bill Frenette). Sparrow Hawk: one Mar 15 Tupper L (JD) ; one
back at Saranac L Mar 25, same date as 1963 (HD). Spruce Grouse: one
Feb 28 Cranberry L area (JH). Ruffed Grouse: fewer tracks around woods,
Tupper L (AA) ; good numbers near doctor’s cottages at Ray Brook (JK) ;
normal around Saranac L (HD). Killdeer: one at Gabriels Mar 5 (David
Young); one on Sunmount lawn Mar 25-26 (AA); one Saranac L Mar 27
(HD). American Woodcock: just in under the wire, three along Raquette
R Mar 31 (AA). Herring Gull: three Mar 8 Tupper L (AA) ; one Saranac
R Mar 17 (HD). Mourning Dove: 12-15 on Willsboro Point Mar 25 (fide
MM) ; Sunmount lawn Mar 28 (AA) ; one Mar 28 Saranac L (ED).

Goatsucker — Shrikes: Belted Kingfisher: one at Ray Brook Jan 2 and

12 (JK). Pileated Woodpecker: one Jan 28 Ray Brook (JK) ; one Dec 21

112 The Kingbird

and Mar 3 Saranac L (JH, HD). Hairy Woodpecker: reported in normal
numbers from ail areas. Downy Woodpecker: same as Hairy. Black-backeu
Three-toed Woodpecker: one temale at Kay Brook (JK). Horned -Lark: cnree
Mar 20 Saranac L (HD); six Mar 29 Tupper L (AA). Gray Jay: one at
conifer feeder 'iupper L Jan 5-10 (AA); one Cranberry L area Feb 28 (JH).
Blue Jay: reported in good numbers from all areas. Common Crow: back
Mar 1 Tupper L (AA) ; Mar 3 Saranac L (HD); Mar 6 Ray Brook (JK).
Black-capped Chickadee: seemed down in numbers around Tupper L, (AA)
stresses “very lew in woods”; Ray Brook “common as usual” (JK) ; many
birds seemed fewer than past few winters so did chickadees around Saranac
L (HD). Boreal Chickadee: one or two reported at feeders in Tupper L
(AA), Saranac L (HD) and Ray Brook (JK) ; only one flock of four seen in
woods Dec 27 Saranac L (HD). White-breasted Nuthatch: reports normal.
Red-breasted Nuthatch: one at Tupper L in Feb (AA, JD); more common
than usual during latter part of period at Ray Brook (JK) and Saranac L
(HD). Brown Creeper: two Dec 21, one Feb 15 Saranac L (HD); one at
intervals, “decrease from last year,” Ray Brook (JK). Robin: one Ray
Brook Dec 12; first spring birds, Tupper L Mar 12 (Betty Martin) ; Saranac
L Mar 21 (HD); Ray Brook Mar 25 (JK) ; JD reports same bird with
“streaked breast” in her yard for fourth year Tupper L. Golden-crowned
Kinglet: scarce, one Dec 21 Franklin Falls (David Young). Cedar Waxwing:
two Dec 17-19 Tupper L (JD).

Starling — Sparrows: Starling: returned in some numbers Tupper L Mar
8, 60 Mar 29 (AA) ; Ray Brook Mar 3 (JK) ; Saranac L Mar 5 (HD).
Myrtle Warbler: one near Willsboro Mar 28 (fide MM). Eastern Meadow¬
lark: one Mar 18 Saranac L (HD), eight Mar 28 Tupper L (AA). Red¬
winged Blackbird: a few at feeders all winter throughout area; back in
numbers Ray Brook Mar 21 (JK); Saranac L (HD) and Tupper L Mar 22
(AA). Common Grackle: one or two reported at feeders all winter; back
Tupper L Mar 17 (AA) ; Ray Brook Mar 22 (JK). Brown-headed Cowbird:
these birds were a surprise this winter; a flock of 15 to 30 stayed at Saranac
all winter (HD) ; some were at Ray Brook all winter (JK) ; Tupper L
reports them late and early (AA) with a record 94 on Jan 5 (JD). Cardinal:
outside Essex in Jan, no exact dates given, one Mar 20 in Essex village (fide
MM). Evening Grosbeak: good numbers reported throughout period from
Tupper L (AA, JD) ; and Ray Brook (JK) ; smaller flocks than 1963 at
Saranac L (HD). Purple Finch: abnormally rare for Mar; ten Tupper L
Mar 28 (AA) ; ten Ray Brook Mar 29 (JK) ; small flock reported in late Mar
Saranac L (HD). Pine Grosbeak: the most numerous winter finch of early
part of period, flocks thru. Jan 14 Ray Brook (JK); Jan 18 Tupper L (JD);
Jan 23 Saranac L (HD) ; flock Feb 22 between Essex and Willsboro (MM) ;
Mar reports from Tupper L and Ray Brook. Common Redpoll: good number:)
throughout period at Tupper L (AA, JD) and Saranac L (HD) ; two Feb 10
“that's all” Ray Brook (JK) ; flock near Willsboro Mar 16 (fide MM). Pine
Siskin: extreme drop in numbers, 12 Tupper L Dec 17 “none therefater”
(AA) ; Ray Brook “many less than last year” (JK); Saranac L “extremely
rare to date, two off and on after Feb 27” (HD). American Goldfinch: one
Jan 13 Tupper L (JD); one banded Ellenburg Depot Feb 11 (Mrs. McGreg¬
or) ; many reports of small flocks around Saranac L after Mar 11 (HD). Red
Crossbill: 20 at Sunmount Dec 15 (AA) ; four Tupper L Dec 8 (JD); scat¬
tered reports in all months Ray Brook (JK) ; pair at feeder Feb 22 thru.
Mar 27, five Mar 18 Saranac L (HD). White-winged Crossbill: four Dec
28 Saranac L (HD); three Jan 19, one Feb 18 Ray Brook (JK). Slate-
colored Junco: scattered reports of small numbers Dec and late Mar. Tree
Sparrow: small numbers in all areas throughout period, Tupper L 15 on
Jan 22 (JD), flocks Mar 15 on (AA); common since Mar 6 Ray Brook (JK).
White-crowned Sparrow: one at feeder Saranac L until Dec 4 (E Barnet
fide HD). White-throated Sparrow: one at feeder Saranac L until Dec 21
(E Barnet). Fox Sparrow: one Mar 27 Saranac L (ED). Song Sparrow:
one singing Mar 14 Tupper L (AA); first Mar 24 Ray Brook and Saranac L
(JK, HD). Snow Bunting: Tupper L “occasional flocks, 15-20, all winter”
(AA); few scattered flocks around Saranac L, 50 Jan 4 (HD).

Trudeau Road, Saranac Lake

The Kingbird

113

REGION 8 — MOHAWK - HUDSON

Peter P. Wickham

After a very cold and snowy Dec, temperatures in Jan and Feb were
near average this past winter. Dec, with an average temperature of 18.1°
at Albany was the fourth coldest Dec on record, 8.4° below normal. Snow
accumulation by the end of the month was about a foot in most areas. Jan
and Feb, in contrast, averaged close to normal in temperature. Precipita¬
tion in Jan totaled 3.35 in, 0.88 in. above normal, alleviating the critical
shortage of water in many areas. Precipitation in Feb totalled 1.63 in, 0.64
in. less than normal, and in Mar 2.93 in, 0.21 in. above average. Mar temp¬
eratures were well above average the first ten days of the month, and below
average over the last half.

The most notable developments of the winter were the fine flight of
winter finches, marked by the widespread appearance of both species of
crossbill, and the unexpected appearance of wintering White-crowned Spar¬
rows in several areas. Birds of prey — notably hawks, owls and shrikes —
continued to be uncommon, although hawks increased in abundance in many
sections in Jan and Feb. Despite the bitter weather of Dec, which drove
virtually all the waterfowl out of the area, many rather rare winter land-
birds were reported in one or two areas in Region 8. These included Sap-
sucker, Winter Wren, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, Ruby-
crowned Kinglet, Myrtle Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, and Savannah, Chipping
and Fox Sparrows.

In late Jan and early Feb, warmer weather produced some open water
in the Hudson River south of Albany, and several species — e.g., Herring
Gull, Pintail and Common Goldeneye — appeared in the area at that time.
On Mar 5, the warmest day of the period (71° at Albany) the first major
influx of spring migration occurred, with the appearance of Redwings,
Grackles, Cowbirds, Killdeer, and many gulls and ducks. Continued warm
weather over the next ten days brought numbers of additional migrants into
the Region. Colder weather over the latter half of the month (which
averaged 3.7° lower in temperature than the first half) arrested migration
in most areas (excluding waterfowl).

Especially unusual or rare species reported during the period included
Snow Goose, Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle, Iceland Gull, Saw-whet Owl,
a hybrid Red-Yellow-shafted Flicker, Swainson’s Thrush, and Bay-breasted
Warbler.

Abbreviations used: com — common; er — crowned; L — Lake; nr —
near; NWW — Niskayuna Wide Waters; Res — Reservoir; R — River;
Sar — Saratoga; Sch — Schenectady; SCRes — Stony Creek Reservoir;
thr — throated; Tomh —- Tomhannock; WRes — Watervleit Reservoir;
w — winged; GCC — Greene County Bird Club (Catskill) Christmas Count;
SCC — Schenectady Christmas Count; TCC — Troy Christmas Count; Colu
Co — Columbia County.

Observers: ADBC — Alan Devoe Bird Club; GCBC — Greene Co Bird
Club; SBC — Schenectady Bird Club; TB, AB — Thomas & Arlene Brown;
LB — Lee Burland; JHB — James Bush; BB, DB — Barbara & Deborah Bush;
JC — Juanita Cook; HE — Hazel Eddy; DE — David Ellers; PE, GE — Paul
& Georgia Erlenbach; MWF — Mable French; JF — John Fuller; EH — Esly
Hallenbeck; JH — Jean Ilervey; MK — Marcia Kent; CK — Clarissa
Ketcham; JP, EP — John & Eloise Payne; ER — Eleanor Radke; EMR —
Dr. Edgar M. Reilly; WBS — Walton Sabin; WS — Walter Smith; RW *—
Robert Wernick; PPW — Peter Wickham; RPY — Robert Yunick; also,
B-H, Guy Bartlett & Barry Havens; B-S, Guy Bartlett & Benton Seguin;
B-S-H, Bartlett, Seguin & Havens.

Loons — Ducks: Com Loon: first Mar 15, NWW (EH, HE), only
spring report. Red-thr Loon: one, Dec 8, Tomh Res (PPW) late. Horned
Grebe: remained in numbers on Sar L to Dec 8 (B-S) ; first spring, Mar: 21,
NWW (PPW). Pied-billed Grebe: arrived in marked wave third week in

114

The Kingbird

Mar, first Mar 20, Lock 6, Sch (BUS). Canada Goose: last a flock of 48,
Tomh Res, Dec 8 (RPY, PPW) ; first arrials at Stockport and SCR Mar 8
with slow increase thereafter. Snow Goose: late fall records as follows:
two, Sar L, Dec 8 (WBS, B-S) ; one, Tomh Res, Dec 8 (RPY, PPW) ; one,
Guilderland Center, Dec 15 (B-S). Gadwall: two appeared at SCR Mar 25
(B-H), an early record. American Widgeon: first reports Mar 8, Lock 6,
Sch (BRS) and Stockport (PPW). Pintail: a female appeared on the
Hudson R above Troy Feb 15 (PPW) ; migrants appeared in a marked wave
Mar 7-8 in many areas. Green-w Teal: first Mar 8, Stockport (PPW) and in
many areas by Mar 15. Blue-w Teal: reported early at SCR Mar 14 (B-S-H)
and Coxsackie Mar 15 (JHB) but only a few in area by end of period. Wood
Duck: first Mar 16, Castleton (JC); a marked influx Mar 24-26. Redhead:
two appeared at SCR Mar 25 and remained to end of period (B-S-H) the
only report. Ring-necked Duck: remained at Sar L to Dec 8 (BS) ; first
spring migrants appeared Mar 8, Stockport (PPW, TB, AB). Canvasback:
up to 45 were at Sar L to Dec 8 (B-S); only spring reports, four, Stockport
Mar 8 (PPW) and six, Mohawk R Mar 29 (B-S-H). Scaup: up to 70 were
at Sar L to Dec. 8 (B-S) ; first spring reports Mar 14-16, with larger numbers
appearing after Mar 25. Com Goldeneye: a flock of 22 was on the Hudson
R above Troy Jan 18 (SBC) ; with the advent of warmer Feb weather, there
were 125 in that area Feb 15 (PPW) ; reported throughout region in Mar.
Bufflehead: first reported Mar 23, Emboght (JHB), with only three spring
reports in period; Last Dec 8, Sar L (B-S) and Tomh Res (PPW). Oldsquaw:
last, nine, Dec 8, Sar L (B-S) ; no spring reports in Mar. Scoters: no reports.
Ruddy Duck: last one, Dec 8, Sar L (B-S); first, SC Res, Mar 25 (B-H).
Hooded Merganser: last Dec 8, Sar L (BS) and Tomh Res (PPW); first
spring migrants Mar 13, NWW (EH) and Mar 14 in several areas. Com
Merganser: only one present this winter on the upper Hudson R (SBC).
Migrants appeared at Stockport and the Mohawk R Mar 8 (PPW, et al).
Red-br Merganser: remained at Sar L in good numbers to Dec 8 (BRS); first
Mar 14, NWW (PPW, JF).

Hawks — Owls: Turkey Vulture: a vagrant was observed Jan 5 at Chat¬
ham (EMR) — an unusual date; first migrants Mar 1-2, Greene Co (DB,
WS). Goshawk: reported Jan 5, nr Round L (B-S-H); Jan 18, nr Rexford
(SBC); Mar 1, Canaan (JP, EP) ; and Mar 14, Niskayuna (BRS). Sharp-
shinned Hawk: five reports during the period. Cooper’s Hawk: four reports
during the period. _ Red-tailed Hawk: more prevalent than last winter,
numbers increasing in the latter part of the period. Red-shouldered Hawk,:
at least seven reports during period, with no apparent influx in Mar. Broad-
w Hawk: two very early reports — one Mar 14, SCRes and one Mar 29, along
the Mohawk R (B-S-H). Rough-legged Hawk: reported regularly throughout
period to Mar 21 (SBC) ; more than in previous winter, max 7, Feb 15,
Meadowdale (BRS). Bald Eagle: an immature was at Sar L Dec 1 (BS,
EH) and was observed at close range. This was the only record of the
species in Region 8 in 1963. Marsh Hawk: probable wintering individuals
were reported at Old Chatham, Castleton, Livingston, and Albany Airport;
first migrant, Mar 14, Meadowdale (PPW, JF). Sparrow Hawk: very few
in early winter, with only nine reported in four Christmas Counts, Dee 21-
28; notable increase in Feb and Mar. Bob-white: at least six were still at
Meadowdale Mar 14 (PPW, JF) and some were still at Athens Jan 20 (JHB,
BB). Wild Turkey: reported irregularly from Greene and western Albany
Cos. Killdeer: last Tomh Res Dec 8 (PPW) ; early migrants Mar 5, Castle¬
ton (PPW) and Rotterdam Junction (RPY). Woodcock: first spring migrants
Mar 14 at Palenville (JH) and Niskayuna (EH). Com Snipe: one wintering
at Meadowdale was shot about Feb 1; first migrants appeared Mar 20, Palen¬
ville (JH) and Mar 22, Meadowdale (B-S-H). Iceland Gull: one was at
Niska Isle, Mohawk R, Mar 25 (B-H) ; this second-year individual was seen
standing on the ice and in flight. Great Black-backed Gull: first recorded
nr Castleton Mar 6, when 20 were observed (PPW) ; most observers reported
a decrease in numbers after the initial appearance of gulls in the Region,
although about 40 were seen in a large group of gulls feeding on stranded
fish at Niskayuna Mar 24 (RW). Herring Gull: none reported on area

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115

Christmas Counts. With the onset of somewhat milder weather in mid-Jan,
five were reported over Colonie Jan 23 (JF) and eleven were at Albany Feb
5-6 (PPW) when the Hudson was (briefly) open there. Colder weather
forced most of these out, although one was on the Hudson R north of Troy
Feb 15, and several remained at Castleton all month (JC).. The first wave
of migration was reported Mar 5 (PPW) with the species widespread by Mar
10. Ring-billed Gull: reported throughout the winter at Castleton (JC) but
otherwise not reported until Mar 8 (BRS, PPW). Numbers increased rapidly
the latter half of Mar. Screech Owl: very few reported. Great Horned
Owl: status about as usual. Snowy Owl: four reports in Dec, including
individuals at New Scotland (MK), Reidsville (MK), Dolgevilie (fide WBS)
and at a high school in downtown Schenectady (SBC). Only other record,
one nr Rexford Feb 1 (BRS). Barred Owl: individuals reported at Hudson
(TB, AB), Lisha Kill (BRS) and Purling (CK). Saw-whet Owl: one was at
New Concord Jan 29 (ER) for the only record of the period.

Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Belted Kingfisher: reported from Canaan,
Cohoes and Sch during the winter; first migrant Mar 22, WiCes (B-S-ii).
Flicker: reported from Red Rock, Old Chatham, Kiskatom, Sch (2) and Mel¬
rose during the winter. One of the two in Sch was found to be a hybrid
Red-Yellow-shafted Flicker when it was trapped and banded Dec 22 (RPY).
The tail feather shafts of this bird were partly dark red and partly salmon,
but in other respects the bird resembled a Yellow-shafted Flicker. Pileated
Woodpecker: regular in several areas. Yel-belled Sapsucker: one appeared
in Sch at a feeder until Jan 15 (RPY). Phoebe: first migrants Mar 17, Cat-
skill (JHB, BB) and Mar 21, New Concord (ER). Horned Lark: consider¬
ably smaller flocks than last winter. Tree Swallow: first Mar 15, Rotterdam
(B-S-H), more generally at end of period. Boreal Chickadee: one appeared
in Sch Dec 21 (SBC) and was banded Dec 22 (RPY). no other reports.
Tufted Titmouse: many reports, still increasing. Winter Wren: two reports;
one, Chatham, Dec 7 and Jan 6 (P. Mickle) and two, Durham, Dec 22
(GCBC). Mockingbird: reported from Ghent (PE, GE) and Latham (B.
Hicks) during Jan and Feb and from four areas in Colu Co during Mar
(ADBC). Catbird: one was at Spencertown to Jan 14 (F. Woodward) and
one in Troy during Jan. (fide PPW). Brown Thrasher: one Jan 18, Ghent
(PE, GE). Robin: more widespread and numerous than usual this winter,
with flocks of up to 40 reported. Hermit Thrush: one at Tomh Res Dec
28, TCC the only record. Swainson's Thrush: one at Lock 7 Jan 17 was
observed in good light and described convincingly (RW). The bird was
observed in the same location as that in which a late migrant of this species
was seen in the last period. Bluebird: six wintered at Ghent (PE, GE) ;
other winter reports were from Meadowdale, Catskill, Mariaville and Dor-
mansville. First spring report Mar 5, Luther (J. Alexander) with many
others after Mar 15. Golden-cr Kinglet: rare this winter, with only two
reports after Dec. Ruby-cr Kinglet: reported from Tomh Res Dec 8 (PPW),
Sch Dec 21 (SBC), Catskill Jan 8 (JHB, BB) and Ghent Feb 26 (PE, GE).
One was at a Niskayuna feeder Feb 15-29 (HE). Cedar Waxwing: few
reports during winter; migrants appeared Mar 14 and during the succeed¬
ing week with some areas reporting 50-100 birds. Shrikes: a Migrant Shrike
remained nr Round L throughout the winter (B-S-H). Northern Shrikes
were reported from New Concord Feb 10 (ER) and Catskill Dec 28 (GCBC).
Other shrikes (sp) were reported from Meadowdale Mar 28 (B-S-H) and
Westerlo Dec 17 (MK); they seem very scarce.

Vireos — Sparrows: Myrtle Warbler: One appeared at a Loudonville
feeder Dec 26-Jan 13 (MWF) and another was at a Catskill feeder Dec 26-
Jan 5 (E. Rusaek). Another observed at Catskill Mar 3 (CK) may have
been that at the Catskill feeder earlier in the winter. Bay-breasted Warbler:
one was seen sitting in a small tree in Schodack on the remarkable date of
Dec 14 (LB). Some chestnut on the flanks of this bird as well as wing-bars,
back-striping and the greenish color was noted. Meadowlark: reported all
winter, with migrants appearing in mid-Mar. Redwing: a few reported

116

The Kingbird

throughout winter. Returning migrants appeared Mar 5 in large flocks at
Gastleton (PPW) and Guilderland (RPY), and widely by Mar 7. Baltimore
Oriole: one was at Sch Dec 22 (SBC) at a feeder, and another was at a
Loudonville feeder in mid-Dec for a few days (Mrs. O’Meara). One was
reported from Castleton Dec 7 (JC). Rusty Blackbird: several winter
reports, but only two inMar, when flocks usually noted . Grackle: several
wintered at widely scattered location. Returning groups noted at Delmar,
Castleton and Guilderland Mar 5 (DE, RPY, PPW) and widely in the next
few days. Cowbird: many wintered; returning individuals noted after Mar 2
(JHB). Dickcissel: two were found dead in Colu Co, one Dec 15, Ghent
(PE, GE) and one Jan 14, Chatham (E. LaPointe). Evening Grosbeak:
common this winter, with high counts of 199 and 339 Dec 21 and 28, SCC
and TCC respectively. Although numbers seemed to decrease in late Feb
and early Mar, late Mar saw an influx of additional birds. In one feeding
station at Sch, 128 were banded during Dec-Apr 13 (RPY). Purple Finch:
very few reported from most areas, with no evidence of a return movement
in Mar, max 25 Feb 20 Colonie (RW). Pine Grosbeak: present in many
areas after Dec 20 through early part of winter, mainly in small groups,
max 109 Jan 15 Mariaville (BRS) ; fewer in Mar, last Mar 15 Mariaville
(B-S-H). Redpoll: reported throughout the winter in small flocks, more
common late Feb to mid-Mar, last Mar 22 (BRS). Pine Siskin: reported
regularly throughout winter. Red Crossbill: the most widespread invasion
in years, with small groups reported throughout the region, and remaining
past the end of the period, max 37 TCC Dec 28. White-w Crossbill: also
reported in several areas early in period, but disappeared in late Jan, last Feb
1 Colonie (JF), max 25 Dec 13 Westerlo (MK). Towhee: two reports, one
Jan 7 Cairo Junction (N. Bondy) and one Feb 13 Loudonville (MWF).
Savannah Sparrow: one was at Meadowdale Dec 15 (B-S) and four were
recorded Dec 28, TCC. Vesper Sparrow: one recorded occasionally during
winter at Schodack (LB) ; others reported Dec 7, Ghent (PE, GE) ; Dec 25,
Meadowdale (B-S); Jan 25, Vischer Ferry (B-S). Slate-colored Junco:
wintered in larger numbers than usual, max 268 Dec 21 SCC and 355 Dec
28 GCC. Oregon Junco: at least four well-identified birds were reported as
follows: one Dec 18-22, Sch (Guy Bartlett); one Dec 19 Scotia (EH); one
Jan 11-13 Colonie (JF) and one at Loudonville Dec 26-27, Jan 2 and 14-17
(MWF). Tree Sparrow: also wintered in high numbers, max 880 SCC Dec
21. Chipping Sparrow: one was at a feeder in Sch during Dec (SBC). Field
Sparrow: 1-6 were seen in Colonie Jan 1-Feb 22 (JF). White-cr Sparrow:
two of this species were reported in Dec — an adult at Troy (PPW et al.)
and an imm at Castleton (JC). In Jan another appeared in Colu Co (ADBC)
and still a fourth was located nr Tomh Res (RPY). These or others were
then reported throughout the period into Mar. The previous rarity of the
species in winter in Region 8 may be illustrated in that it had never pre¬
viously been recorded in either the TCC or SCC, despite the fact that the
latter has been conducted for 35 years. White-thr Sparrow: unusually
large numbers reported wintering, max 11 TCC Dec 28. Fox Sparrow:
several lingered into late Dec, and one was reported at Clarksville Jan 15
(MK). Returning individuals were noted Mar 10 and thereafter in good
numbers. Swamp Sparrow: a few individuals were reported into Jan. No
return migration noted in period. Lapland Longspur: a few reported, in
groups of 1-10, Dec 14 (B-S) — Mar 18 (LB). Snow Bunting: reported
throughout period to Mar 21 (SBC), max 500 Jan 15 Mariaville (BRS);
considered scarce by most observers.

Box 465A, RFD #4, Troy

The Kingbird

117

REGION 9 — DELAWARE - HUDSON
Edward D. Treacy

It was a close to normal winter in the Hudson-Delaware region. Temper¬
atures were mild when compared to those of recent years. This is the first
year that your reporter can remember that the lower Hudson River failed
to freeze solid, although it was often choked with floes. Snow was in fair
amount with a number of light falls, and as much as twelve inches deposited
on Jan 13. Ten inches were deposited on Feb 19. The month of March
was free of snow throughout much of the region. The first week of March
brought warm weather and the first migrants. To date the spring migration
has been largely on time with no spectacular changes.

Birding was also average, with no great changes. There was a good influx
of some northern spices, but most were to be expected. The cone and seed
crop was good to excellent for most plants.

Contributors: WBC — Waterman Bird Club, RA — Robert Arbih.
BA — Bob Augustine, ID — Iris Dean, RD — Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Deed,
BD — Betty Devels, JD — Mr. & Mrs. John Dye, EE — Eugene Eisemann,
PG — Pat Garthwaite, SG — Stanley Grierson, TH — Thelma Haight,
MH — Dr. Marjorie Hopper, FH — Fred Hough, MI — Mort Isler, AJ —
Alice Jones, JK — J. Kerner, MK — Mary Key, FK — Fran Kniep, JL —
Jack LeMaire, ML — Mabel Little, KN — Ken Niven, HP — Hugh Pemble-
ton, AP — Alma Polhemus, FS — Mr. & Mrs. Frank Steffens, WS — W.
Strauss, SU —■ Sarah Uyhelyhi, MV — Marion Van Wagner, TW •— Mr. &
Mrs. Tom Wilfred, B W— Barbara Whitcomb.

Abbreviations: Arr — Arrived; Counties — first four letters; Is —
Island; imm — immature; Jet — Junction; L — Lake; Res — reservation or
reservoir; Sanct — Sanctuary.

Loons — Ducks: Open water allowed many waterfowl species to linger
longer than usual this winter, and the early thaw allowed an early return for
most. The tenth annual waterfowl count in Jan produced the largest number
of species (seventeen), and the third highest number of individuals (2,082).
Common Loon: two reported on the Hudson; one at Poughkeepsie on Dec 29,
and another at Ft. Montgomery on Dec 28. Migrants began arriving in the
Middletown area on Mar 7, and were heard calling to the end of the period.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce North plan to keep a careful watch for nesting evidence
which becomes increasingly improbable. Red-throated Loon: This very rare
transient was found Dec 9 at Stissing L, Pine Plains (PG, AJ). Pied-billed
Grebe: A few winter records; first migrant at Basher Kill, Sull on Mar 15,
and regular thereafter. Great Blue Heron: Several winter records. Migrants
appeared in the usual places about the third week in March. Black-crowned
Night Heron: Rock had its second winter record, again on a Christmas Count,
when one bird was found below the L DeForest Dam (TW). Mute Swan: A
peak count of 68 on the Rock Lakes about Congers on Dec 1 (FS). Whistling
Swan: One imm identified on Tomahawk L Oran on Dec 1 & 2 (BW). Canada
Goose: About 40 birds wintered in West. First migrants appeared in Dutch
on Feb 27 & 29. Bulk of migrants reported from most areas about Mar 14.
Gadwall: An extremely rare bird in our area. Rock had its fifth record of
one bird at Rock L on Dec 14 (MI). Dutch had its first record in more than
20 years with a pair at Crugers Is (MK, AJ). Pintail: Also an uncommon
visitor; Dutch had two or three wintering at Pine Plains; Rock and West
reported migrants in Mar and Oran had several dozen birds in the Goshen
area from Mar thru April. Green- w Teal: Last fall birds reported from
Dutch on Dec2. Waterfowl count produced eight in Jan, and migrants were
passing north on Mar 7 in Dutch and Mar 18 in Oran. Blue-w Teal: No
winter records, first migrants Mar 24 at Crugers Is. Numbers appear to be
good at this writing. Widgeon: A hybrid of the American and European
species spent its third winter in Hawthorne, West, and was well photographed
by many observers. Shoveler: Two birds on Rock L Dec 14 made the third
record for that county (MI). This species was reported in Oran during Mar

118

The Kingbird

at Goshen, and was still present at this writing. This is the first record for
the county in modern times. Wood Duck: Very few reports during winter.
First migrants in mid-Mar. Heavy movement throughout region after that.
Redhead: Always rare; six on L DeForest Mar 15 (MH, AP). Ring-neck
Duck: Numbers down during winter, but migration numbers, up during Mar
and Apr. Canvasback: So abundantly reported in migration only a few
years ago, now seriously low on the Hudson flyway. Bufflehead: More
numerous than usual on the Rock Christmas count, with 26 in view at Pier-
mont Pier. None reported anywhere on Waterfowl Count in Jan. Usual
migrants during Mar. Oldsquaw: One at Piermont Pier Dec 28 (RD).
Hooded Merganser: Many winter reports; heavy migration in late Mar. Red-
breasted Merganser: Three Mar 14 on the Hudson in Dutch (MV, MK).

Hawks — Owls: Turkey Vulture: Most returned in mid-Mar, but single
reports were made from Dutch on Feb 29, and from West on Feb 9. As
many as 75 birds were reported at the Queensboro roost in Bear Mt. Park in
late Mar (HP). Goshawk: One reported from Rio Res, Sull, Dec 28 (JK).
Sharp-shinned Hawk: None reported. Coopers Hawk: Only two reports, one
from Dutch, and the other from Sull. Both were in Feb. Red-tailed Hawk:
Scarce all winter. Reported on the nest on Mar 15 in Dutch. Red-shouldered
Hawk: More scarce than the previous species. Only one wintering record,
several March migrants reported. Broad-winged Hawk: Very late date of
Dec 22 over Rye, West (EE), and Dec 23 over Hawthorne (BA). Probably
the same bird. Rough-legged Hawk: Although Dutch reports them as scarce,
at least three reports per month from that county seems fairly good to your
reporter. Reports of wintering birds came from each county, and in all
showed one of the best seasons for the species. Bald Eagle: Numbers better
than for the past few years, but still very low. As many immatures reported
as adults, a hopeful sign. Marsh Hawk: One over Greenville, Oran Dec 30
(ID); three birds in Dutch: one at Thompson Pond on Dec 28 (TH), one
Mar 3 (MK), and one Mar 16 at Hyde Park (AJ). Sparrow Hawk: Quite
scarce; first migrants second week of Mar, numbers up at the close of the
period. Ruffed Grouse: Numbers excellent, about the same as last year.
Bobwhite: Six birds at Mt. Airy, near Newburgh on Jan 16. A pair of birds
at a feeder throughout the winter in Stissing, Dutch, and covies of five or
six in three different locations in the northeast corner of that county. Coot:
Good wintering numbers in West, but very scarce or absent elsewhere.
Killdeer: Two wintered in Dutch near Poughkeepsie, with the first migrants
noted Mar 3. Woodcock: First reports during first week of Mar. Numbers
seem to be normal. Common Snipe: An interesting report of a bird found
in a muskrat trap and released after amputation of a leg on Dec 6. Bird
appeared well and active (KN). White-winged Gulls: A Glaucous Gull
was observed at Croton Pt. West on Jan 4 and again Mar 7 (BA, PS).
Two Iceland Gulls were also observed there on Jan 4 (BA). This latter
species was also observed at the Beacon city dump throughout most of the
month of Feb (OW). Ring-billed Gull: Absent from Dutch, during the
winter, but apparently normal elsewhere. Numbers are good along the
Hudson this spring. Mourning Dove: Normal throughout most of region, but
reported in record numbers from Rock. Barn Owl: Rock had its third record
in recent years when one turned up on the Christmas count, Dec 28 (JM).
Screech Owl: One observed in a Kestrel nest box at Tri-Loba Sanct, Katonah,
West on Feb 7; and was heard calling on Feb 29 (SG). Paul Jeheber reports
“one for the books” when on Feb 9 a work crew at West Point cut down a
tree, cut it into sections, and were preparing to burn them when they noted
a Screech Owl in a hole in one of the logs. They took him out and released
him. Great Horned Owl: Reported from most areas, no change in numbers.
Snowy Owl: One reported from Rock during the month of Feb; another
from West at New Rochelle on Dec 7; and three from Dutch: one at Vassar
College Dec 10, another at Clinton Corners Jan 18, and the third at Salt
Point on Feb 12. Barred Owl: One reported killed by a car at Cross River,
West on Feb 2. Long-eared Owl: Only reports from Dutch with a bird at
Poughkeepsie from Jan 15-17 (WBC), and three at Croton Point from Feb
2 (RA) to Mar 7 (BA). Saw-whet Owl: Only report that of a bird killed by
a car at Katonah on Feb 11.

The Kingbird

119

Goatsuckers — Shrikes: Flicker: Wintering: birds reported from most
regions; numbers were especially good in Dutch. Pileated Woodpecker: The
usual reports, numbers being maintained. Margaret Dye reports a bird
visiting suet feeders in the Cornwall area; suspects possibly more than one.
Red-headed Woodpecker: Several reported from Dutch and Oran, and one
reported from Sull. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: More winter reports than
usual. Black-backed Woodpecker: One report, that of a bird in the White
Plains area Mar 24-28. Phoebe: Dutch reported birds of this species on
Dec 29 and Feb 24 at Hopewell Jet (AJ, PG). One was at Carmel, Putn on
Feb 29 (ML). The rest arrived on schedule in mid-March, and the numbers
were good to the end of the period. Horned Lark: Scarce in Dutch, but
normal elsewhere. Rock had good numbers throughout the season. Tree
Swallow: Arr as usual in mid-Mar. Gray Jay: One from Nov 26-Dec 15 and
again in Feb at Bowman’s Farm, Clinton Corners, Dutch. May be the same
bird reported last autumn in this column although location was some 15
miles away (WBC). Blue Jay: Normal winter population. Black-capped
Chickadee: Normal. Boreal Chickadee: Good wintering reports; one arrived
at West Park, Ulst on Dec 9 and remained thru the season. Three spent the
winter in the Hawthorne area of West; and the same number were found at
Moore’s Mills, Dutch from Mar 16-21, the same area where they were found
in 1962. A single bird was reported in the Sackett L area of Sull on Dec 28.
Tufted Titmouse: Numbers increasing in the northern counties. Red-breasted
Nuthatch: An exceptional year for this species. One wintered on the grounds
of the Middletown State Hosp. Six were found on Dec 28 in Sull (JK).
Dutch turned up three in Dec, four in Jan, one in Feb and three in Mar.
Oran & West produced one bird each in Jan. Winter Wren: Numbers down;
only two reports. Carolina Wren: Numbers down, but widely scattered birds
appeared to come through the winter well. Mimids: Catbirds and Thrashers
were reported as usual to slightly better. Mockingbirds continue their
increase with several reports from the northern counties, and from 10 to 20
birds evident in Dutch. Thrushes: A little better than the usual reports of
wintering Robins, Hermits and Bluebirds. March migrants were arriving
on time. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Less than the usual population. Rock
missed them entirely on their Christmas count. Bohemian Waxwing: At
Kripplebush, Ulst on Mar 15, about a dozen working over dried-up crab
apples. Observed at very close range (FH). Cedar Waxwings: Numbers
reduced in the southern counties. None reported all season from Oran, and
missed on the Rock Christmas count. Northern Shrike: Four reports from
Dutch spanning Dec 15-Mar 11. One report from Sull on Mar 4.

Vireos — Sparrows: Myrtle Warbler: Reported five times in Dutch
from Dec 13-Feb 10. One each time. Only other report from Ulst at New
Paltz. Red-w Blackbird: First noticeable wave Mar 7 throughout region.
Abundant after Mar 13. Wintered sparingly. Baltimore Oriole: Only
winter reports from West (No details). Rusty Blackbird: Fewer reported
wintering in West than usual. Single birds reported in Dec, Jan and Feb
in Dutch, with 13 reported on Mar 5. Several Oran records, but all in Mar
at Cornwall. Rock had one Jan report, and two in Feb. Cardinal : Numbers
appear to be stabilizing in all counties but Sull where they are increasing.
More this winter at feeders than ever before. Blue Grosbeak: “A bird fitting
the description of this species (male was seen in Pleasantville Feb 9 by Mrs.
J. Duble/’ (BA), Dickcissell: Four on the Rockland Christmas Count, and
one all winter at a feeder in New City (FS). Two more wintered at Stone
Ridge Ulst at the feeder of Mrs .Howard Van Winkle (FH). Evening Gros¬
beak: Population good throughout the season with many flocks, but small
numbers in each. Continued to the end of the period. Purple Finch: Rock
reports them in good numbers, but other counties show them to be low.
House Finch: Returned to the feeding stations frequented last year, and
spread to Oran and Dutch. Pine Grosbeak: Reported from all counties, but
numbers low everywhere except Dutch whre 40-50 were found Dec 31 and
Jan 1, and five reports in Feb totaled 25 birds. Common Redpoll: Very
scarce, largest flock about 100 on Old Storm King Road, Cornwall (JD).
Pine Siskin: Most people cannot remember when we've had so many before.
The large flocks of the fall continued into the winter, but were much smaller

120

The Kingbird

toward the end of the season. Goldfinch: Numbers good in all counties. Red
Crossbill: This rare and irregular winter visitor appeared several times in the
region. Twelve were reported during Feb, and five on Mar 11 in Dutch.
Three were at Bear Mt. Rock on Jan 3, and a small flock in Nyack on Jan
8. One bird was found in Somers, West on Jan 29, and five were there on
Feb 1. White-winged Crossbill: More common than the former but still rare,
this species made a good appearance. Reported in small flocks from every
county in each month of the season. Towhee: The usual wintering reports.
Savannah Sparrow: Wintered in the Chester area from Jan 18 thru early Mar
(SU). Vesper Sparrow: Five or six wintered in the Hawthorne area of West,
and three were reported from Dutch. Two of the latter were found in Mar,
and one on the Christmas count. Oregon Junco: Three reports: one on Dec
28 at Monticello (KN) ; another male wintered again near Pine Plains (BD) ;
and the third spent the winter at Cornwall (JD). Tree Sparrow: Normal to
good winter population. Field Sparrow: One wintered at Middletown (FK).
White-crowned Sparrow: Unusual wintering reported from Dutch. Five
birds at Amenia during Jan and Feb (WS). A single bird was reported
Jan 1 at Pine Plains (TH). White-throated Sparrow: Nothing unusual. Fox
Sparrow: The usual wintering birds; a very good Mar movement. Snow
Bunting: A few winter records. One at Carmel, Putn on Jan 18 (ML) ; ten
or twenty at Dutch Co. Airport in Feb (AJ) ; and “a large flock” at Granville,
Oran on Mar 2 and 3 (ID).

Pellwood Lake, Highland Falls

REGION 10 — MARINE
Peter W. Post and Guy A. Tudor

In general the winter season was characterized by colder than average
temperatures during December, warmer than average temperatures during
January and temperatures during February that were only slightly below
normal. The major feature of these three months, however, was the excessive
amount of snow: 11.3 inches, 13.3 inches., and 8.8 inches during December,
January and February, respectively.

The combined total of the 11 Christmas Counts which were taken
wholly within Region 10, was 158 species (not including several additional
species present during the count period). Four of these counts recorded 100
or more species, the “big three” being Central Suffolk, Southern Nassau,
and Bronx-Southern Westchester, with 119, 122, and 123 species, respec¬
tively. It would be of great interest if some of these counts could be repeated
during late January or February when migration is at a standstill and most
of the “half-hardy” species have disappeared because of the severe weather,
and/or diminishing food supply. In most cases we have tried not to utilize
data from the Christmas Counts, but a certain amount of overlap is inevit¬
able. As a rule, we have included this information when it involves either
late records or unusual species, and in those certain cases where we have
tried to document the widespread distribution of a particular species.

Temperatures for March were above normal with mild weather dominating
much of the month. There were three periods of springlike conditions, irom
the 1st to the 10th with the temperature in NYC climbing to 71 degrees on
the 5th; from the 13th to the 17th; and from the 23rd to the 26th with the
temperature reaching 75 degrees on the 25th. Movements of migrants into
the region coincided with these warm periods. The first warm period brought
in numbers of Wood Ducks, Fox Sparrows and Song Sparrows. Piping Plo¬
vers and more Sparrows arrived during the second period. The last spell
produced a widespread flight of Flickers, Phoebes, Golden-crowned Kinglets
and a few Pine Warblers.

The Kingbird

121

Practically every winter produces a number of species which ordinarily
winter well to the south ol our region (several of which rarely winter in the
United States!). Some of these (Pigeon Hawk, Turnstone, Sapsucker, House
Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Chipping Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow)
have been occurring with fair regularity in recent years; others occur less
regularly (Blue-winged Teal, Sora, Knot, Jaegers, Short-billed Marsh Wren,
Orange-crowned Warbler and Yellowthroat); while still others (Glossy Ibis,
Least Bittern, Broad-winged Hawk, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, Dick-
cissel, Grasshopper, Henslow’s and Lincoln’s Sparrows) have only been
recorded a few times previously or never before in winter. All of the above
mentioned species were recorded during the current period.

The most notable finds of the season were Ivory Gull, Bullock’s Oriole
and Varied Thrush. Other rarities included Lesser Black-backed, Black¬
headed and Little Gulls, Black-backed Three-toed and Red-bellied Wood¬
peckers, Oregon Juncos, and Black Guillemots.

Abbreviations used: Max — maximum one day count during the period;
mob — many observers; AMNH — American Museum of Natural History;
LLASB — Lyman Langdon Audubon Society Bulletin; CC — Christmas
Count; JBWR — Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge; in the following locations
only the first word is used — Jones Beach, Pelham Bay Park, and Riis
Park.

Contributors frequently cited: Robert Arbib — RA; Albert Bell — AB;
Ned Boyajian — NB; Paul Buckley — PB; Irving Cantor — IC; Geoffrey
Carleton — GC; Richard Cohen — RC; Tom Davis — TD; Adrian Dignan —
AD; Frank Enders — FE; Robert Fisher — RF; Michael Gochfeld — MG;
Earl Good — EG; Richard Harris on — RH; Helen Hays — HH; Fred Heath —
FH; Otto Heck — OH; Joe Horowitz — JH; Herb Johnson — HJ; Michael
Kleinbaum — MK; Roy Latham — RL; Emanuel Levine — EL; Kevin
Malone — KM; Lee Morgan — LM; William Norse — WN; Hugh Pemble-
ton — HP; Richard Plunkett — RP; Peter Post — PP; Dennis Puleston —
DP; Daniel Rafferty — DR; Gilbert Raynor — GR; Richard Ryan — RR:
Richard Sloss — RS; Si Stepinoff — SS; Walter Terry — WT; Guy Tudor —
GT; Allen VanSant — AV; Cornelius Ward — CW; LeRoy Wilcox — LW;
Alvin Wollin — AW; John Yrizarry — JY.

Note: Unless a specific number is indicated, all records refer to single
birds.

Loons — Ducks: Red-throated Loon: max 50, Jan 26, Montauk (RS).
Red-necked Grebe: nine reports, Dec 28 to Feb 9 and Mar 28 — Montauk to
Riis. Great Cormorant: max 17, Jan 22, Pelham (WN) — high count for
this location; max 10, Jan 18, Montauk (GR); migrants — two, Mar 21,
Jones (KM); Mar 28, Tobay Beach (PB, WN). Common Egret: max 15,
Mar 28, Tobay (WN, PB). Snowy Egret: Dec 21, JBWR (FE) ; Dec 26,
East Moriches (P. Stoutenburgh fide GR) ; Dec 29, Freeport (CW, T.
Lomand) — only one previous record as late as these; Mar 14, Tobay
(TD, LM, FH) — arrival; max 40, Mar 28, Tobay (WN, PB). Least
Bittern: Jan 26, Carmen’s River (DP) — found dead in fresh condition,
second winter record. Glossy Ibis: one remained at JBWR until about
Dec 14 (HJ) — only winter record.

Whistling Swan: Nov 30-Dec 10, Tobay (mob); one to six, Jan 8-25,
Yaphank (DP, AV). Snow Goose: five, Dec 21-23, Riis (mob); wintering
singles at Millneck (LLASB) and Southhaven (mob). Gadwall: sample max
counts: 130, Jan 11, Wantaugh (GR) 52, Jan 11, Patchogue (GR) ; 44, Jan

11, Bellmont Lake (GR). Blue-winged Teal: Dec 29, Hemstead (AW, D.
Heilburn). European Widgeon: good year; Dec 22, Wantaugh (OH); Jan

12, Hook Pond (RF, RP) ; pair, Jan 28-Feb 8, Baisley Pond (mob) ; Feb 22,
Mecox (RF, RP) ; Feb 22-Mar 21, Brookville (mob) ; Mar 22, Baldwin (KM).
Canvasback: max counts: 300, Dec 7, Southhaven (GR) ; 570, Mar 1, Jerome
Reservoir (FE). Lesser Scaup: for several years large numbers of this
species have been known to winter on the Hudson River in the vicinity of

122

The Kingbird

Fort Washington Park; two counts taken during period totaled 245 and
400 on Dec 21 and r'eD 23 respectively (PP) ; max counts on Jerome Reser-
voir: 56, Jan 20 and 140, Mar 3 (FE). Common Goldeneye: Max 2210, Dec
28, Heckscher (FH). Buitlehead: max counts; 600, Dec 22, Clason Point
(MB, PP); 300, Dec 28, Shinnecock (GR); 3b0 Mar 28, JBWR (FE) —
greatly increased in past live years. Harlequin Duck: up to five birds (four
males, one female), Dec 29-Mar 6, Point Lookout (mob) — third consecutive
winter Harlequins have been lound here; three females, Jan 11-12, Shinne¬
cock (RP, RF); female, Jan 18-26, Montauk (mob). An excellent year for
Eiders. Common Eider: wintered at Montauk with max counts of 66, Jan
18 (GR) and 100, Jan 26 (RS); two, Jan 4, Orient (GR); small flocks of up
to seven were reported from five localities between Jones and Moriches
Inlets, Dec 26-29 — formerly very rare away from Montauk. King Eider:
wintered at Montauk with max count of 36, Jan 5 (RF, MG) ; Dec 2, Tobay
Beach (GT) ; 14, Dec 29, Jones Inlet , (NB, PB) ; three, Jan 4, Orient (GR).
Seven unidentified Eiders migrated past Tobey Beach, Mar 28 (WN, PB).
Scoters: ratio of White-winged to Black to Surf, 2500:650:150, Montauk,
Jan 5 (MG). Hooded Merganser: max 98, Dec 1, Quogue (HP, EG). Com¬
mon Merganser: 70, Mar 23, JBWR — only two on Mar 28 (FE).

Hawks — Owls: Accipters continue to decline; only three reports received
of Sharp-shinned ail wincer. Red-shouldered Hawk: one to two, Jan 4-Mar
28, Lawrence (RC) — one of these was feeding on a Clapper Rail on Feb
15; uncommon on south shore. Broad-winged Hawk: Dec 22, Rye (CW, EL) ;
Dec 26, Mastic (W. Nichols, D. Weld fide GR) — both adults in direct size
comparison with crows. Rough-legged Hawk; excellent year; at least 40
individuals recorded throughout the region; up to four in siguc at unee uxt.
Jan 2, Oakbeach (MK). Out of 18 birds in which the plumage was noted,
seven were in the dark phase. Bald Eagle: adult, Dec 26, Mastic (W. Nichols,
D. Weld fide GR) ; immature, Feb 5, Southhaven (GR, DP). Pigeon Hawk:
birds in female or immature plumage unless otherwise noted; Dec 1-Mar
28, Jones (mob); adult male, Dec 22, New Rochelle (IC, HH); Dec 26,
Calverton (GR) ; Jan 5, Westhampton (MG) ; Jan 26, Valley Stream (MG) ;
Feb 22, Mecox (RF, RP) — formerly considered accidental in winter. Ruffed
Grouse: “apparently at high point of cycle. Seen frequently at Manorville
and Upton; max 12 together, Dec 22, Manorville and five, Jan 6, Upton”
(GR); Dec 28, Deer Park (MG). King Rail: Dec 26, Mastic (DP); Jan 1,
Quogue (P. Puleston). Sora: Dec 29, Massapequa (JY, E. Simon). American
Coot: 92, Mar 28, JBWR (FE).

Ruddy Turnstone: three, Dec 21, Staten Island CC; Dec 22, Clason
Point (MB, PP) ; Dec 29-Mar 14, Short Beach (mob) ; Jan 18, Shinnecock
(mob). American Woodcock: max nine, Dec 26, East Moriches (GR).
Common Snipe: max 30, Jan 12, Mecox (GR) — 19 of these were feeding
in one tight flock on open mud flat. Greater Yellow-legs: Jan 25, Lawrence
(RC). Knot: Dec 29-Jan 19, Short Beach (PB, TD). Purple Sandpiper:
max 300 + , Feb 15, Short Beach (KM). Unidentified Jaegers: two, Dec 8,
Jones Inlet (AD). Glaucous Gull: seven individuals reported throughout
region, Dec 28 to end of period. Iceland Gull: many individuals reported;
impossible to give exact or even approximate numbers because the birds are
constantly moving about. As usual, peak numbers were reached in Mar

during the return flight. Lesser Black-backed Gull: _

Reservoir (GC, PB, JH) — an immature well observed: it matched perfectly
specimens in the AMNH, and was markedly different from any of the
specimens of the various Herring Gull races. Black-headed Gull: three, Dec
21, Upper and Lower N. Y. Bays (RH, E. Swayer) ; Feb 9, Riis, (TD). Laugh¬
ing Gull: exceedingly rare in winter; large numbers usually remain until the
first cold snap (about the third week in Dec) when there is a mass exodus;
one or two are usually seen on the CC’s, but not thereafter. Bonaparte’s
Gull: impressive numbers wintered in Jones Inlet, estimates running from
2000-3000 (mob) to as high as 10,000 birds on Feb 24 (AV). Little Gull:
two adults, Feb 24, Jones Inlet (AV) ; thereafter one frequently seen to end
of period (mob). Ivory Gull: Feb 13, Coney Island (RR) — an immature
well observed both standing and in flight by an observer previously familiar
with the species; first L. I. record in 30 years.

The Kingbird

123

Razorbill: good year, nine individuals reported; Jan 10, Fisher's Island
(H. Ferguson) to Feb 22, Montauk (HP, EG). Thick-billed Murre: Mar 25,
Seaford — an oiled bird found alive; for details and photograph see Newsday,
Mar 25, 1964. Dovekie: three reports from Montauk; Dec 14 (GT) to Feb
22 (HP, EG) ; Jan 5, Easthampton (RF) — found dead. Black Guillemot:
Jan 26, Montauk (RS) ; three, Mar 23, Jones Inlet (SS) — winter plumage,,
swimming in inlet 50 yards from shore. In addition, there were four reports
of unidentified large alcids. Barn Owl: Dec 26, East Moriches (P. Stouten-
burgh, et al, fide GR) ; Jan 18, Montauk (GR, DP) — hunting in daylight;
Feb 2-9, Jones Beach (mob). Snowy Owl: four to six, Dec 8-Mar 18. Jones
Beach Strip (mob) ; Dec 7-8, New Rochelle (mob); Dec 26, Fire Island (A.
Cooley, et al fide GR) ; Feb 3, Orient (RL) ; Feb 15, Shinnecock (LW) ; Feb
22-24, JBWR (mob). Long-eared and Short-eared Owls were well below
normal. Barred Owl went unrecorded, and only five reports of Saw-whets
were received.

Goatsuckers — Warblers: Red-bellied Woodpecker: Dec 21-Feb 14,
Pelham (OH, et al) ; Dec 27-Feb 8, Commack (J. Ralston, EG, HP). Red¬
headed Woodpecker: Dec 22, New Rochelle (IC, HH). Yellow-bellied Sap-
sucker: three, Dec 8, Rockville Center (RH, et al) ; Dec 2'3. Ardsley (W.
Hastings, E. Manning); Dec 29, Cold Spring Harbor (J. Murray fide AB).
Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: male, Dec 16, Tackapausha (AY).
Eastern Phoebe: Mar 8, Central Park (PP) — early. Purple Martin: male
at nesting site, Mar 10, Center Moriches (K. Helms fide GR) — early. Tufted
Titmouse: still an uncommon bird on L. I.; Nov 13-Dec 6, Sayville (WT) ;
two, late Nov-early Dee, Centereach (WT) ; Dec 21, Seaford (GR) ; two, Dec
21, Brooklyn CC; two, Dec 27, Smithtown CC. House Wren: Dec 15, Pelham
(SS). Short-billed Marsh Wren: Dec 10-26, Brookhaven (GR, DP). Varied
Thrush: Dec 17-Jan 17, Bellport (GR, DP, et al) — immature male or female
at feeder; well documented, including photographs in color (LM) ; first L. I.
record since 1905. Northern Shrike: Dec 25, Roslyn (M., D. Nathanson fide
AB); Jan 5, Montauk (MG). Loggerhead Shrike: Jan 18, Meadowbrook
Parkway (CW). Orange-crowned Warbler: Dec 7, Tackapausha (AV).
Yellow-throat: Dec 4, Bronx Park (DR).

Blackbirds — Sparrows: Baltimore Oriole: Dec 7, Mount Vernon (J.
Copeland fide M. Cornwell); Dec 8, Jones (EL); Dec 18, Jones (AW) ;
throughout Jan, Seacliff (E. Boyd fide LLASB) ; two, Jan, Easthampton
(LW) ; Jan 23-Feb 12, Eastport (GR, LW, et al) ; two, latter half of Mar,
Southhampton (LW) — all exeent Jones Beach birds were at feeders. Bul¬
lock’s Oriole: Dec 12-mid Mar, Eastport (LW, et al) — immature male at
feeders; extremely well documented, banded and photographed in the hand
(LW) ; second L. I. report. Cardinal: “Increasingly common at Orient, as
many as seven in one group” (RL) ; about 20 wintering in Manhattan north
of 155th St., 12 in one group (PP). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: male, Dec 1-21,
Bronx Park (E. Edler fide RR). Blue Grosbeak: Dec 15, Jones (L. Gar¬
land) — convincing report by an observer previously familiar with the species
both locally and in the south. The report specifically mentions the lateral
tail-flicking that is characteristic of this species. To the best of our know¬
ledge, none of the standard bird guides contains this behavioral information,
although it has been noticed many times in the field by a number of experi¬
enced observers. Dickcissel: Dec 16, Scarsdale (K. Heffron fide M. Corn-
well) ; Dec 22-23, Riverdale (PB) ; Dec 25-Jan 23, Freeport (CW) ; Dec 26-
Feb 22, Eastport (LW, GR, et al) ; Dec 28, Shinnecock Hills (GR) : Jan 1,
Plandome (O. Dunning fide AB); Jan 16, Marine Parkway (H. McCauley);
one wintered at Center Moriches (K. Helms fide GR) — all except one at
feeders; only three or four previous winter records!

Evening Grosbeak: many large flocks at feeders throughout L.I.: i.e., 160,
Feb 12, Eastport (LW) ; 150 banded, Blue Point (WT) ; 80, Dec 28, Bayard
Cutting Arboretum (MK, JH, FII). Common Redpoll: Dec 8, Rye (RA);
five reports totaling 23 individuals from Dec 27-29; 150, Dec 21, Riis (PB) ;

124

The Kingbird

three, Jan 24, Clason Point (WN) — the 150 birds at Riis is the largest
number recorded since the late Jan-late Mar flight in 1960, when as many
as 3000+ were seen at Jones on Jan 24. Goldfinches and Pine Siskins
occurred in much larger numbers than usual on L. I., throughout the period —
for example, Alperin noted 700 Goldfinches and 175 Siskins at Captree on
Dec 17, while Lanyon reported that 100 Siskins are still present at the end of
the period at Huntington. With the coming of Dec the Crossbill invasion,
which lasted throughout Nov, virtually came to a standstill; the population
stabilizing in areas where an adequate supply of cones could be found.
Generally both species were scarce or uncommon (particularly White-wings),
except along Jones Beach strip and the extreme southwestern part of the
L. I. pine barrens. This is well illustrated by the numbers of crossbills re¬
corded on the various CC's. The two counts having the greatest concentra¬
tion of birds were Southern Nassau (with 734 Reds and 50 White-wings) and
Captree (with 357 Reds and 8 White-wings), while the remaining nine counts
combined totaled only 149 Reds and 117 White-wings. Both species got
progressively scarcer after Dec, although small numbers continued to be
reported up to the end of the period.

Grasshopper Sparrow: Dec 29, Hewlett Harbor (K. Berlin, J. Glassberg,
RS, RA) — at feeder. Henslow’s Sparrow: Dec 27-Jan 1, Patchogue (WT,
DP) — at feeder, apparently first winter record. Vesper Sparrow: “good
late Dec flight. None were found after Jan 1 in the Manorville-Riverhead
area although searched for” (GR) — max 25 (in one flock), Dec 26, Cal-
verton (GR). Oregon Junco: adult males at feeders: Dec 27, Smithtown (H.
Potter); Dec 28-29, Plandome (C. Burnett). Chipping Sparrow: Dec 22,
Clason Point (NB) ; Jan 18, Eastport (TD) — at feeder. White-crowned
Sparrow: Dec 7, Cold Spring Harbor (R. Houghton fide AB) ; Dec 7, Wood-
lawn Cemetery (GT, JH) ; Dec 21, Howard Beach (TD) ; two banded, Jan
12-Mar 16, Syosset (J. Taylor) — at feeder. Lincoln's Sparrow: Dec 22,
Baychester (GT, JH) — extremely well observed; four previous winter-
records in recent years. Snow Bunting: max flock of 250 present at Short
Beach from Jan 11-Mar 1 (mob).

Addendum: The following items should have been included in the Fall
Report. Magnificent Frigatebird: Aug 20, Fisher's Island (G. Simmons fide
H. Ferguson) — observer familiar with species from Florida and the Baha¬
mas. European Teal: Nov 5, JBWR (SS, C. Young, J. Mayer). Mourning
Warbler: Oct 9, Central Park (GC) — late.

Corregendum: Corrections in Boldface. Kingbird 13(4) :230, Shoveler:
one pair also bred in 1963 at JBWR. Kingbird 13 (4) :231, American Oyster-
catcher: one pair, Moriches (GR) — three eggs laid. Kingbird 14 (1) :62,
Boreal Chickadee: two, Nov 10, Grassy Sprain (S. Friedman).

Note: Please have spring reports in by Jun 7. Post, 575 W. 183 St.,
NYC 33; Tudor, 370 Riverside Drive, NYC 25.

The Kingbird

125

ORNITHOLOGICAL LITERATURE

Naming the Birds at a Glance. By Lou Blachly & Randolph Jenks.
Alfred A. Knopf, New York: 7J x 4^ in., xvii + 331 pp., three identical
color pattern guides. $3.95.

In the book “Naming the Birds at a Glance”, a new guide to the Eastern
Land Birds of North America, the authors have presented a different
approach to bird field identification. They have not used the regular order
of the A.O.U. checklist but have placed the birds according to the features
that are most noticeable in the field.

For size comparison, they use the House Sparrow, Robin and the Com¬
mon Crow. At the illustration of each species, sizes are represented by
three horizontal bars with a vertical crossbar, to give the relative length of
the described specimen.

Another feature which sets this book apart from previous field guides,
is the grouping together of birds which have specific color marks on identical
places on the body.

The book is of pocket size and is divided into six sections, each of which
has its own particular advantage for quickly placing an identification mark on
the bird.

The first section covers the perching and other related birds and groups
them, regardless of genus, according to common conspicuous color patterns.
For quick reference the color pattern guide is placed in the front, the center
and the rear of the book. An illustration of this method is shown in the
solid chestnut or brown underparts of the Bay-breasted Warbler, Orchard
Oriole and the Eastern Bluebird or the orange color on the Golden-crowned
Kinglet, Amer, Redstart and Prothonotary Warbler.

The second section places identification marks on the woodpeckers, with
size as the chief criteria, beginning with the Downy and ending with the
Pileated.

In sections three and four, the soaring and skimming insect hunters are
given in characteristic flight pictures, again with size as the guide, as are
also the ground dwelling, chicken-like birds.

Owls have their place in the series, with or lack of ear tufts, as the identi¬
fication mark.

Section six portrays excellently the marks of identification for crows,
ravens and hawks. These are well shown with illustrations of both perched
birds and the underwing and body patterns of flying birds.

At the end of the book, the authors have set aside two and one half pages
in which the birds described are classified and arranged according to the
1957 edition of the A.O.U. checklist.

So far in this report on “Naming the Birds at a Glance”, it has been
highly recommended as a field guide for the novice and occasional bird

The Kingbird

126

observer but this writer believes the experienced observer will find in this
book many new and helpful suggestions in bird identification. — Alice E.
Ulrich.

The Royal Birds. By Lillian Grace Paca. St. Martins Press, New York.
6| x 9^ in., xi + 164 pp., 90 line drawings by the author. $7.50.

Ornithological authors have neglected the genus Cygnus and as a result
much of the life history of the swan has remained unstudied and unwritten.

In telling the story of the swan, from the fossil remains in the chalky
soil of the lower Cretaceous System up the present time, the author in her
book. “The Royal Birds”, names and describes in one volume the ten species
of swans of the world, nine true wild birds and the semitame mute which is
the familiar park swan the world over This book was not written as a scientific
textbook but was written with the purpose of giving good, reliable authorative
information about these interesting and romantic birds.

The book gives the information, that, out of the six continents, Africa
only has no native swans. South America has two, The Black-necked Swan
and the Cascoroba or goose-swan; North America has three, two of which
the Whistling and the Trumpeter are native, and, one the introduced Mute
of Europe; Australia has the Black Swan.

Aside from the semitame Mute Swan, Europe has the large Whooper,
the smaller Bewick's and the Immutable which is restricted to the Baltic
Coast; while Asia claims the Jankowski as its single swan.

In the book are narratives about each of the ten afore mentioned species,
which include status as wild birds, characteristics, habitat, homelife, voice
and range. These verbal descriptions are supplemented by penline drawings,
very well done.

One chapter is devoted to tales of swan in legend, mythology, folklore
and history, while another deals with the care and keeping of swans.

More than just furnishing authentic information about swans to the
ornithologists, this book will be just as attractive to the booklover for its
beauty in the equisite drawings in which the author-artist has expressed
every mood and pose of these Royal Birds. Every book collector will also
want his copy. Alice E. Ulrich.

The Kingbird

127

A Set of
Fuertes Postcards

from

Cornell's Laboratory
of Ornithology

Louis Agassiz Fuertes paint¬
ed BO songbird and 20 game¬
bird pictures for the small “bird
cards” that used to come in
packages of Arm and Hammer
Baking Soda, a product of
Church and Dwight Company.

Twelve of the original paint¬
ings of gamebirds were mis¬
placed or lost by Church and
Dwight Company, Fuertes
was consequently commissioned
to make a second set of the
same subjects. After a new set
was delivered and reproduced,
the lost paintings turned up.
Later Church and Dwight gave
this unused set to the Labora¬
tory. Nicely framed, the pic¬
tures have long embellished
the Fuertes corridor in the Lab¬
oratory building and have been
greatly admired by visitors.

The Laboratory now has a
set of twelve handsomely-
printed Fuertes post-cards in
full color — absolutely faithful
to the original paintings — to
sell at the remarkably low price
of fifty cents per set.

Address orders to:

CORNELL LABORATORY
OF ORNITHOLOGY

33 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, New York

Please add 10c For Postage

"SOUNDS

ur ©

NATURE"

recordings

Produced by
Dr. W. W. H. Gunn
for the

Federation of
Ontario Naturalists

Vol 1. 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

You Will Want

The Kirtland's Warbler

by Harold Mayfield $6.00
(Winner of the Brewster
Award, 1961)

The Sandhill Cranes

by Lawrence H.

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The Flight of Birds

by John H. Storer $2.50

Bird Mortality in the Dutch
Elm Disease Program

by George J. Wallace

and others $1.00

and others of our list on
birds, flowers, insects, fish,
and Indians.

Ask For A LIST

CRANBROOK INSTITUTE
OF SCIENCE

Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 48013

• 0 <

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FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC.

1964 Officers

President

Mr. Robert S. Arbib, Jr.- 226 Guion Dr., Mamaroneck

Vice-President

Dr. Allen H. Benton_State University of New York, Fredonia

Corresponding Secretary

Mrs. Dayton Stoner__ 399 State Street, Albany 10

Recording Secretary

Miss Margaret S. Rusk-- 805 Comstock Ave., Apt. 16, Syracuse 10

Treasurer

Mr. Kenneth D. Niven_61 Broadway, Monticello

Editor of THE KINGBIRD
Alice E. U lrich

193 LaSalle Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14214
Appointed Committees

Bulletin Exchange: Miss Elizabeth Manning, 1130 Fifth Avenue, New York 28
Conservation: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport
Finance: Samuel R. Madison, 55 Elk Street, Albany
Kingbird Finance: Monte Ghertler, 131 Riverside Drive, New York
Membership: Alfred A. Starling, 75 Brooklawn Drive, Rochester 18
State Book: Gordon M, Meade, National Tuberculosis Association, 1790 Broadway,
New York

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 Committee: Cornelius J. Ward, 804 South Ocean Avenue,
Freeport

Elected Committees

Auditing: Edward R. McBride, Cooper's Corner Road, Box 601, Monticello
Jerome Kerner, Box 712, Liberty

Nominating: Walton B. Sabin, Slingerlands, Ch.; Harold D. Mitchell, Buffalo;
Miss Elizabeth Feldhusen, Jamestown

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