6 /KINGBIRD VOL. XXIII, NO. 4 OCTOBER • 1973 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. THE KINGBIRD, published four times a year {January, May, July and October), is a publication of The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., which has been organized to further the study of bird life and to disseminate knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need of conserving natural resources and to encourage the establishment and main¬ tenance of sanctuaries and protected areas. Individual member's dues are $5.00 annually, of which $4.00 is for a subscription to The Kingbird. A member wishing to make an addi¬ tional contributon may become a Sustaining Member ($7.50), a Supporting Member {$10), or a Life Member ($100 — “payable over a four-year period in equal installments," if member so desires). Student membership $3.00. KINGBIRD subscription for non-members $6.00 per year on calendar year basis only. Single copies $1.50. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP should be sent to the chairman of the membership committee, Mrs. Myrna Hemmerick, P.O. Box 203, Setauket, N.Y. 1 1733. Send CHANGES OF ADDRESS to the Treasurer, Mr. Stephen B. Dempsey, 533 Chestnut St., West Hempstead, N.Y. 1 1552. Order SINGLE COPIES, BACK NUMBERS, and REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED COPIES from Dr. Frederick C. Dittrich, c/o Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850. Publication office is 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14950. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, N.Y. Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Title of publication—The KINGBIRD 2. Filed September 20, 1972 3. Frequency of issue — 4 times per year (approx, quarterly) 4. Publication offices at 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NIY. 14850 5. Business offices at 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 6. Publisher — The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. c/o Cornell Laboratory Woods Road 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 Editor — Mr. Joseph W. Taylor, 20 Parish Rd., Honeoye Falls, N.Y. 14472 Managing Editor — None (Circulation Manager—Frederick C. Dittrich, 20 Drumlins Terrace, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224) 7. Owner — The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., a non-profit organization, c/o Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders — None 9. 39 U.S.'C. 3626 provides in pertinent part: "No person who would have been entitled to mail matter under former section 4359 of this title shall mail such matter at the rates provide under this subsection unless he files annually with the Postal Service a written request for permission to mail matter at such rates." In accordance with the provisions of this statute, I hereby request permission to mail the publication named in Item 1 at the reduced postage rates presently authorized by 39 U.S.C. 3626 Frederick C. Dittrich, Circulation Manager 10. The purpose, function and non-profit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes have not changed during preceding 12 months. 11. Extent and Mature of Circulation: Ave. no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months Single issue nearest filing date A. Total number copies printed (net press run) 656 650 B. Paid circulation 1. Sales thru dealers and carrier, street venders and counter sales None none 2. Mail subscription 596 567 C. Total paid circulation 606 580 D. Free distribution (including samples) by mail. carrier or other means 1. Samples, complimentary, and other free copies 30 27 2. Copies distributed to news agents, but not sold None None E. Total distribution 636 607 F. Office use, left-over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing 20 43 G. Total (sum of E & F) 656 650 I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. (Signed) Frederick C. Dittrich, Circulation Manager ^KINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC Vol. XXIII No. 4 October, 1973 176-215 CONTENTS The Birder and Ecological Niche. Donald S. Heintzelman 176 Robert Frost and Birds . Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. 179 Recent A. O. U. Check-list Changes and The New York State Bird Book . John Bull 184 Field Notes Hairy Woodpecker Feeding Immature Downy Woodpecker . Gertrude L. Davis 189 Observations of Three-toed Woodpeckers in an Adirondack Bog with Notes on Plumages .. Ferdinand LaFrance 190 Three Bird Species Use Same Nest During One Breeding Season .Noel J. Outright 192 Unusual Method of Disposal of Fecal Sacs Removed from Nest . Sally Hoyt Spofford 192 Highlights of the Summer Season. Fritz Scheider 193 Regional Reports. 195 Book Review.Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. 214 Editor — Joseph W. Taylor Associate Editors Field Notes — Sally Hoyt Spofford Regional Reports — Fritz Scheider Assistant Editor — Douglas Kibbe Editorial Board Allen H. Benton Eugene Eisenmann Stephen W. Eaton David B. Peakall Dorothy W. McIlroy Fritz Scheider Circulation Manager — Frederick C. Dittrich Cover Design — Douglas L. Howland THE BIRDER AND ECOLOGICAL NICHE Donald S. Heintzelman Few birders think of themselves as ecologists, yet most gradually develop an awareness of some basic ecological principles. For example, the importance of learning the habitat requirements for various species is an obvious necessity if one is to locate particular species of birds effectively. Obviously, one would not search for a nesting Olive-sided Flycatcher on the marshes of New Jersey’s Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge. But an excursion to the state’s salt meadows would be appropri¬ ate to see nesting Laughing Gulls. Of course, most birders with a rea¬ sonable amount of field experience know the habitat requirements of common species. But what about ecological niche requirements? Within a given habitat, two species can live together only if they occupy different ecological niches. This, stated formally, is the principle of competitive exclusion. That is, two species living together do not carry out exactly the same activities in exactly the same habitat or direct competition would result, and one would be eliminated from that particular niche or habitat. How, then, can a knowledge of niche requirements aid a birder in deriving more enjoyment from his hobby? One way is by allowing him to understand better the workings of food chains and food webs. Let’s consider some examples, using first the foraging ranges of wood warblers (Parulidae). Not all warblers seek food in the same locations within their required breeding habitats. Some search for food close to the ground, others at medium heights and still others at the top of tall vegetation. In other words, the ecological niches of the various species are distributed in layers, or stratified, according to the various heights which vegetation attains. Examples of warblers with foraging ranges confined to the lower vegetation strata are: Canada, Kentucky, Prairie and Worm-eating. Spe¬ cies with medium foraging ranges include Black-and-white, Black- throated Blue, Golden-winged, Blue-winged and Magnolia. Some high foraging species are Blackburnian and Cerulean. However, not all warblers are rigidly restricted to specific strata in conducting their for¬ aging activities. Chestnut-sided and Hooded Warblers, for example, range from low to medium levels; but Nashville and Yellow Warblers move from medium to low ranges. And the Black-throated Green Warbler ranges from medium to high levels in its food gathering efforts. The Cape May Warbler sometimes ranges from high to medium levels. Other factors which also permit utilization of different ecological niches are differences in a species anatomy or morphology. Among herons and egrets, for example , the Great Blue Heron is able to exploit food sources in deep water because of its long legs. Common Egrets would seek food in shallower water, and Black-crowned Night Herons 176 would confine their feeding efforts to the shallowest water of all. Hence, in these examples, the physical size of the various species determines more or less where each can feed. Similarly, on the Serengeti Plain in Tanzania as many as six species of vultures may feed upon a carcass. Although there seems to be chaos rather than organization as the birds attempt to feed, each species occupies is somewhat different ecological niche in terms of its food re¬ quirements and related physical adaptations for food gathering. For example, the largest species — Lappet-faced Vultures and White-headed Vultures — break open the skin of a dead animal and feed upon skin, sinew and flesh adhering to bones. In contrast, Ruppells Griffon Vultures and White-backed Vultures have unusually long necks which enable them to reach inside a carcass to eat soft internal organs. Additional anatom¬ ical adaptations further aid them in exploiting this niche. Finally, Hooded and Egyptian Vultures are smaller birds with slender beaks. They feed upon scraps of flesh clinging to bones or scattered on the ground near a carcass after the larger vultures and other scavengers have eaten. Additionally, some individual Egyptian Vultures have learned learned to use stones as tools by lifting them in their beaks arid flinging them at Ostrich eggs After the shell is broken, the vulture eats the contents of the egg, thus exploiting still another food source not normally vulnerable to other birds. (This extraordinary stone throwing behavior of some Egyptian Vultures is an example of true tool use by an animal other than man.) The woodpeckers (Picidae) of North America have evolved into two branches, each leading to increased specialization. The unspecialized flickers ( Colaptes ) form the base from which the two woodpecker branches are derived. On one side, the Pileated Woodpecker remains relatively primitive and more or less resorts to behavior and ecological niche affinities similar to flickers. But at the apex of this branch appears the rigidly specialized Ivory-billed Woodpecker whose niche require¬ ments are so specific that the species has became nearly extinct due to loss of most of its required habitat (alternative habitats do not meet its niche requirements). The other branch of the woodpeckers’ evolutionary tree contains species such as the Hairy Woodpecker, whose niche centers upon tree trunks and large limbs, and the nearly identical but proportionally smaller Downy Woodpecker, which occupies a niche on smaller branches and twigs. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has a specialized tongue with a brush-like tip, thus enabling it to feed effectively on sap oozing from holes it drills in tree. Finally, at the top of this evolutionary branch, one finds the peculiar three-toed woodpeckers ( Picoides ). Of course, not all these woodpecker species occupy the same habitats. Some species are distributionally separated. 177 The fruit-eating behavior of tanagers in Trinidad’s mountainous North¬ ern Range offers additional examples of niche exploitation and its role in governing bird distribution within a given habitat. Of the island’s three attractive Tangara species, the Speckled Tanager is mainly a forest dwelling bird. While remaining in a perched position, it picks fruit and eats it whole. The Bay-headed Tanager also eats fruit, but it pecks pieces and sometimes while airborne in manakin-fashion, takes fruit. Finally, the Turquoise Tanager often occurs in flocks. This species also perches to pick fruit and seems prone to pick pieces out of large fruits. Turquoise Tanagers also mandibulate fruit in an apparent effort to reduce its sixe or eliminate seeds before swallowing it. Mistletoe fruit forms a larger proportion of this tanager’s diet than in other species. These examples deal only with a few aspects of the complex subject of niche requirements of birds. Many important additional factors also can be involved in determining a bird’s niche requirements. Nonetheless, even cursory observations of niche requirements offer curious birders an opportunity to derive added pleasure from their hobby. Why merely look at a bird when you can attempt to understand its ecological role? Of course, there are many instances when general birding activities will not enable you to gain insights into the fascinating world of ecological niche. But frequently cursory obsservations are adequate to hint at an animal’s niche requirements. So sharpen your observational skills, and ask yourself probing question regarding the activities of the birds you see. You may discover something new to science as well as enhance the rewards from your birding activities. REFERENCES Allen, G. M. 1962 Birds and their Attributes. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, N.Y. Griscom, L. and A. Sprunt, Jr. 1957 The Warblers of America. Devin-Adair Co., New York, N.Y. Lack, D. 1971 Ecological Isolation in Birds. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. Snow, B. K. and D. W. Snow 1971 The Feeding Ecology of Tanagers and Honeycreepers in Trinidad. Auk , 88: 291-322. New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, N.J. 08625 178 ROBERT FROST AND BIRDS Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. Poet Robert Frost, whose 100th birthday anniversary occurs March 26, 1974, is famous for poems like those about a boy swinging on “Birches” and a little horse who “must think it queer” to have its master “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” But the reader also hears the music of birds in his poetry. They sing or sound in his poems just when you would expect to hear them out- doors—in the spring, in the morning, and in the enchanting transition time of dusk. Sometimes they even break the silence of night as in the poem, “On a Bird Singing in Its Sleep.” Here “A bird half awakened in the lunar moon Sang halfway through its little inborn tune.” Caws, clucks, twangs, twitterings and even the whir of wings are heard through much of his work. For these, together with song, com¬ prise bird music. It is music that arouses feelings. With it Frost can make the reader enjoy again the delicious anticipation that come from hearing the first avian notes of spring and morning. He can bring on the sweep of poignancy that is felt from the last bird sounds of dusk and fall. It is music that outdoors or in his poetry inspires contemplation — even philosophy. Birds are “Our Singing Strength,” Frost says in a poem of that title: “In spring more mortal singers than belong To any one place cover us with song. Thrush, bluebird, blackbird, sparrow, and robin throng; Well, something for a snowstorm to have shown The country’s singing strength thus brought together, That though repressed and moody with the weather Was none the less there ready to be freed And sing the wildflowers up from root and seed.” The migrating birds in this poem had to press together in what bare spots they could find during a spring snowstorm. Late wintry weather sweeps into several of Frost’s spring poems just as storm fortune often overtakes people when their lives seem headed for brighter days. Frost is drawn by these vernal snowstorms and uncertain days as in “Two Tramps in Mud Time” when “A bluebird comes tenderly up to alight And turns to the wind to unruffle a plume 179 His song so pitched as not to excite A single flower as yet to bloom. It is snowing a flake: and he half knew Winter was only playing possum. Except in color he isn’t blue, But he wouldn’t advise a thing to blossom.” But there is exultance at the prospect of spring finally taking posses¬ sion of the earth. He shouts in “To the Thawing Wind,” “Come with rain, O loud Southwester! Bring the singer, bring the nester;” In “A Prayer for Spring,” he pleads joyfully “Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year. And make us happy in the darting bird That suddenly above the bees is heard, The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, And off a blossom in mid air stands still.” Frost is poignantly aware of the final audible signs of autumn. It is as though he is not sure another spring will come — an ancient, primitive fear of people dependent on the earth. In “The Last Word of the Bluebird,” a poem written as though to a child, a little girl named Lesley (same as that of Frost’s daughter) is sent word by her departing bluebird that “. . . perhaps in the spring He would come back and sing.” During “A Late Walk” in fall, “. . . when I come to the garden ground. The whir of sober birds Up from the tangle of withered weeds Is sadder than any words.” As if one fall was not enough, Frost is reminded of another in the vibrant call of “The Ovenbird” for which he names his poem. This warbler still tunefully calls out in the middle of summer when the other warblers have quieted. But its music recalls that the spring flowers have fallen — an omen of the final fall when the leaves will go too. 180 The ovenbird’s call is like the melancholy that briefly comes across one’s mind in the midst of a wonderful occasion as a reminder that it will eventually have to end. The bird’s music is a touch of the finale before the finale. “There is a singer everyone has heard Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird, Who makes the solid tree trunks sound again. He says that leaves are old and that for flowers Mid-Summer is to spring as one to ten He says the early petal-fall is past When pear and cherry bloom went down in showers On sunny days a moment overcast; And comes that other fall we name fall.” Frost is acutely aware of so much absence of bird music in winter. Once in a while he hears birds calling such as the chickadees after a storm in “Snow.” “They will come budding boughs from tree to tree Flirting their wings and saying Chickadee, As if not knowing what you meant by the word storm.” However, not even a faint “tsip” note is heard from the Slate-colored Junco in “The Wood-Pile.” “A small bird flew before me. He was careful To put a tree between us when he lighted, And say no word to tell who he was Who was so foolish as to think what he thought. He thought that I was after him for a feather — The white one in his tail;” The reader can sense the frozen hush that has come over the land¬ scape and the soul when the poet longingly remembers a bird he heard and saw that previous summer in “Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter.” “The west was getting out of gold. The breath of air had died of cold, When shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight. In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face; A bird with an angelic gift Was singing in it sweet and swift. No bird was singing in it now. A single leaf was on a bough, 181 And that was all there was to see In going twice around the tree.” Seasons came naturally into Frost’s poetry just as they did on his var¬ ious Vermont and New Hampshire farms. Mostly these properties were residences for a man farming at poetry. But for a decade beginning at the turn of the century and starting with 200 Wyandotte eggs which he hatched, farms at Methuen and Derry, New Hampshire, were homes for a man farming at poultry. He learned that he had to deal with the seasons like winter when he had to bed down his chicken coops with protective leaves. Morning and evening were also important to the chicken farmer as they came to be for the poet farmer. Certain chores were performed at these times like starting the fire and collecting the eggs in the morning. Certain feelings became linked to these times of day like the excitement of life getting started at dawn. In fact, an early riser is out doors even before the beginning of the dawn bird chorus in “The Valley’s Singing Day.” “The sound of the closing outside door was all. You made no sound in the grass with your footfall, As far as you went from the door, which was not far; But you had awakened under the morning star The first song-bird that awakened all the rest.” Dusk intrigues Frost. Darkening fields and edges of woods, the rising full moon and bird music in the evening draw him. He feels enchantingly alone and pensive as in “Waiting:” “What things for dream there are when specter-like, Moving along tall haycocks lightly piled, I enter alone upon the stubble field, From which the laborers’ voices late have died, And in the antiphony of afterglow And rising full moon, sit me down Upon the full moon’s side of the first haycock And lose myself amid so many alike. I dream upon the opposing lights of the hour, Preventing shadow until the moon prevail; I dream upon the nighthawks peopling heaven, Each circling each with vague unearthly cry, Or plunging headlong with fierce twang afar;” Dusk is one of the times when nature seems most inviting. The even¬ ing scene can be so enchanting. But is it too enchanting for the civilized person who is used to regular, everyday scenes that are understandable. 182 Is nature too real and beautiful to experience for more than a brief period? This compelling question is invoked in the poem “Come In” by perhaps the most mystical of all evening music — thrush music. “As I came to the edge of the woods, Thrush music — hark! Now if it was dusk outside, Inside it was dark. Too dark in the woods for a bird By sleight of wing To better its perch for the night, Though it still could sing. The last of the light of the sun That had died in the west Still lived for one song more In a thrush’s breast. Far in the pillared dark Thrush music went — Almost like a call to come in To the dark and lament. But no, I was out for stars: I would not come in. I meant not even if asked. And I hadn’t been.” It is the paradox of Robert Frost that he takes something like a star — something that does not have a song. Poetry quotations from “Complete Poems of Robert Frost, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York 1967 333 Bedell Street , Freeport , New York 11520 183 RECENT A.O.U. CHECK-LIST CHANGES AND THE NEW YORK STATE BIRD BOOK John Bull Readers of the Auk (1973, 90: 411-419) probably read the following article: “Thirty-second Supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds.” If they scrutinized the fine print following the introductory portion, they will have noticed such unfamiliar bird names as Common Flicker, Gray Catbird, Yellow- rumped Warbler, Northern Oriole, and Dark-eyed Junco. Some other less startling innovations are: Red Knot, Wood Stork, Merlin, American Kestrel, Upland Sandpiper, and Black Scoter, to name a few. With one or two exceptions these names have been used one time or another as English vernaculars in the ornithological literature. What are the reasons for these name changes? For many years hand¬ picked committees on classification and nomenclature, made up of pro¬ fessional ornithologists, have periodically published “official” check-lists sponsored by the American Ornithologists’ Union (hereinafter called the A.O.U.). Five A.O.U. Check-lists have been published within the past 85 years, as follows: 1888, 1895, 1910, 1931, and 1957. In between, various supplements have appeared in the pages of the Auk, the official organ of the A.O.U, These Checklists and supplements are the results of ornithological studies through the years on classification, systematics, and nomenclature. Advances in different zoological sciences such as taxonomy, biology, behavior, ecology, aviculture, genetics, bioacoustics, comparative anatomy, and paleontology have brought about certain changes in the classification and nomenclature of birds. Not only have scientific and vernacular names been changed, but interpretation of the relationships among the families, genera, aand species have been vastly altered because of the establishment of new concepts in ornithology. For instance, the sequence of bird groupings is very much different today than that of 1910 when the third edition of the A.O.U. Check-list appeared. Table I demonstrates the strikingly different arrangement of families then and now. To someone, like the writer, who first used the “Reed pocket field guide,” Eaton’s “Birds of New York” (1910, 1914), and Forbush’s “Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States” (1925, 1927, 1929), it was necessary to familiarize oneself with the old (1910) sequence and nomenclature, and then have to relearn an entirely new sequence and very different names that appeared in the modern field guides, based on the fourth (1931) and fifth (1957) editions of the A.O.U. Check-list. The present day birder has a comparatively easy task in learning the relatively few changes now proposed and that 184 are expected to appear in future supplements and in the forthcoming sixth edition of the Check-list. In the earlier lists the order started with the grebes (Red-necked Grebe) and ended with the thrushes (Eastern Bluebird); in the later lists, the order commenced with the loons (Common Loon) and finished with the finches (Snow Bunting). Table I indicates most, but not all, of the families occurring within New York — those illustrating the issue at hand, i.e. difference in sequence. Table I — Family Sequence A.O.U., Seconded., (1895) A.O.U., Third ed., (1910) Eaton (1910, 1914) Forbush (1925, 1927, 1929) A.O.U., Fourth ed. (1931) A.O.U., Fifth ed. (1957) Godfrey (1966) Mayr and Short (1970) Bull (1974) 1-Grebes 1-Loons and Grebes 2-Loons and Auks 2-Petrels 3-Gulls 3-Herons 4-Petrels 4-Ducks 5-Ducks 5-Hawks 6-Herons 6-Pheasants and Grouse 7-Cranes and Rails 7-Cranes and Rails 8-Shorebirds 8-Shorebirds 9-Pheasants and Grouse 9-Gulls 10-Pigeons 10-Auks 11-Hawks 11-Pigeons 12-Owls 12-Owls 13-Crows 13-Swallows 14-Blackbirds 14-Crows 15-Finches 15-Nuthatches and Titmice 16-Swallows 16-Thrushes 17-Wood Warblers 17-Wood Warblers 18-Nuthatches and Titmice 18-Blackbirds 19-Thrushes 19-Finches The greatest changes were the shifts of Auks from number 2 to 10, the Gulls from number 3 to 9, and the Hawks from number 11 to 5. The loons and auks were formerly considered related on the basis of general superficial resemblances. The same was true of herons and cranes with their long bills, necks, and legs; hawks and owls as birds of prey with their sharp bills and claws; and crows, starlings, and 185 icterids (orioles, blackbirds, etc.) with their generally black color. But in each instance the similarities were due to convergence or parallel evolution, not to close relationships. The earlier listing was based partially on an artificial classification with all of the so-called “water birds” being lumped together first, and the so-called “land birds” fol¬ lowing them. Today, sequence changes within families, and a reduction of genera based on modem findings is especially noticeable among the shorebirds. For instance, in the 1957 A.O.U. Check-list the two look-alike “peep”. Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, were separated from each other by the dowitchers, and the Semipalmated Sandpiper was separated from the somewhat similar Sanderling by the godwits and the Ruff. Now, all of the “peep” are placed together in the single genus Calidris, with the former scattered “genera”, Erolia, Ereunetes, and Crocethia considered as synonyms of Calidris and merged with it. As Delacour (Auk, 1960, 77:217-218) stated: . . . “generic terms are meant to point out relationship between species, not slight differ¬ ences. 'Time-honored’ names, which tend to obscure and confuse re¬ lationships, simply should not be honored any longer when a better knowledge of the morphology and biology of the birds indicate affin¬ ities previously unnoticed.” Now, as to the vernacular species names that have been altered be¬ cause of changed concepts in taxonomy, insofar as New York State is concerned, only seven forms are affected: (1) the Snow Goose and Blue Goose are considered to be color morphs or phases of a single species, just as are the gray and rufous morphs of the Screech Owl. Even though I realize that the Snow and Blue geese are biologically only one species, yet the excitement of observing a mixed flock is not dimin¬ ished in the slightest because they are one and not two species. (2), (3), and (4) The Eurasian (Common) Teal and Green-winged Teal, the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock’s Oriole, and the Slate-colored Junco and Oregon Junco are now known respectively as Green-winged Teal, Northern Oriole, and Dark-eyed Junco. Because numerous hybrids or intermediates have been found between each one of these three pairs, they are considered to be but three species instead of six as formerly. (5) The Ipswich Sparrow is now treated as an island representative or subspecies of the common, widespread Savannah Sparrow of the mainland. The former is merely a larger and paler counterpart of the latter. (6) Two sibling and, to our eyes, identically appearing forms, the Alder and Willow flycatchers, are now proved to occur together over much of their wide breeding range without interbreeding; that is, they are ^productively isolated, and avoid competition with each other by nesting in different haabitats, and 'recognize” each other by 186 differences in their vocalizations. They are now, as a result, considered to be two, not one species. However, during the spring and fall migrations, at which times they are usually silent, they may be identified in the field only by calling them Traill's Flycatcher, species unknown. (7) Thayer's Gull, formerly considered conspecific with the wide- ranging Herring Gull, is now thought to be a separate species because the former does not interbreed with the Herring Gull where the two forms are sympatric (occur together in the breeding season). Recent experiments with color-marked individuals on the nesting grounds in the Canadian Arctic, have demonstrated that the two are reproductively "incompatible." Therefore, we New Yorkers have "lost” five species and "gained” two. Two other name changes which affect New York birders are those of extralimital forms; that is, one member of each "pair” occurs outside of New York State or there is no bona fide (specimen) record for the state. In both instances these "pairs” involve the merger of two or more forms considered in the past to be “good” species. Where their breeding ranges overlap in the West, numerous hybrids have been found. They are: (1) Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted Flickers, now called Common Flicker; (2) Myrtle and Audubon's warblers, now called Yellow-rumped Warbler. The final category of vernacular name changes involves those species where (1) more appropriate modifiers are now used in place of mis¬ leading ones, such as the over-worked "Common”, (2) more correct taxonomic names are applicable, as in Upland Sandpiper rather than Upland “Plover”, and (3) those conforming to international usage, such as American Robin instead of merely Robin; there are other kinds of robins. Table II below gives some examples of the foregoing. The history of Geothlypis trichas, insofar as its change of vernacular names is concerned, is of considerable interest. More than any other North American species of which I am aware, the extremely numerous Yellowthroat has been burdened with no less than four different epithets. The first (1886), second (1895), and third (1910) editions of the A.O.U. Check-lists called this species Maryland Yellowthroat. During the period of giving every subspecies a vernacular name, the fourth (1931) edition called the northeasternmost race Northern Yellowthroat. The fifth (1957) edition, notwithshanding the fact that there are a number of species of yellowthroats, merely used Yellowthroat for the species trichas. And finally, the 32nd Supplement (Auk, 1973, 90. 412-419) has seen fit to suggest Common Yellowthroat. As it is the most widespread member of the genus Geothlypis, the specific epithet "Common” would appear to be an appropriate name. In all of Table II the names in the second column are decided improvements over those in the first column. In the case of the Shoveler and the four species at the bottom, one would suppose from the former 187 names that these species were the only ones in their respective families. Placing a modifier in front of the name signifies that there are other species with the same root name. Table II — Vernacular Names Former Name Current Name Common Egret Shoveler Wood Ibis Common Scoter Pigeon Hawk Sparrow Hawk Upland Plover Knot Catbird Robin Yellowthroat Great Egret Northern Shoveler Wood Stork Black Scoter Merlin American Kestrel Upland Sandpiper Red Knot Gray Catbird American Robin Common Yellowthroat A few additional name changes not mentioned in the above A.O.U. Supplement will probably be used in the next (sixth) edition of the A.O.U. Check-list and, will, in any event, appear in the New York State bird book. The species involved are listed in Table III. Table III — Vernacular Names Former Name Current Name White Pelican White-fronted Goose Black Duck Goshawk Marsh Hawk American Golden Plover Common Murre Barn Owl Hawk Owl Common Crow American White Pelican Greater White-fronted Goose American Black Duck Northern Goshawk Northern Harrier Lesser Golden Plover Thin-billed Murre Common Barn Owl Northern Hawk Owl American Crow 188 SUMMARY Advancements in the science of ornithology in recent" years have necessitated changes in taxonomy and in nomenclature just as they have in the past and will in the future, for the subject is dynamic, not static. Examples of sequence and name changes and the reasons for some of these changes are mentioned. REFERENCES American Ornithologists’ Union. 1888, 1895, 1910, 1931, 1957, Check-lists of North American Birds. Bull, J. 1974. Birds of New York State. Doubleday-Natural History Press, New York (in press). Eaton, E. H. 1910, 1914. Birds of New York. 2 vols. Univ. State of New York, Albany. Forbush, E. H. 1925, 1927, 1929. Birds of Massachusetts and other New England States. 3 vols. Mass. Dept. Agric., Boston. Godfrey, W. E. 1966. Birds of Canada. Natl. Mus. Canada Bull., 203. Mayr, E. and L. L. Short. 1970. Species taxa of North American birds. Publ. Nuttall Omith. Club, no. 9. Dept, of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York , N.Y. 10024. FIELD NOTES Hairy Woodpecker Feeding Immature Downy Woodpecker. On 17 June 1973 an adult male Hairy Woodpecker was pecking at the suet in a boxlike suet-holder fastened to a tree beside our driveway. While he was on the feeder an immature Downy Woodpecker was hitching itself around on the tree near the feeder and making begging calls. Just before he flew away the Hairy Woodpecker shoved some suet into the bill of the Downy Woodpecker. Gertrude L. Davis, 203 Collingsworth Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14625 189 Observations of Three-toed Woodpeckers in an Adirondack Bog with Notes on Plumages. In the township of Inlet, Hamilton County, there is a sphagnum bog in which I found both species of three-toed woodpeckers in October, 1969. I visited the bog in the fall of 1970 and 1971, and in the summer of 1971 and 1972, to continue my observations. The area is a fiat grassy plain of about fifty acres with a small pond at its head and a small stream (Eagle Creek) running through the center of the bog. Spruce and tamarack encircle the bog; many of these trees were dead due to high water levels caused by beaver dams. On the higher slopes above the bog were large stands of spruce, white pine, balsam and a few hemlock and some hardwood trees. The three-toed woodpeckers shared the bog area with such north¬ ern species as Gray Jays, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Boreal Chickadees, Rusty Black¬ birds and Lincoln's Sparrows. On June 3, 1972 Paul De Benedictis and I found a male Northern Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) and a nesting pair of Black-backed Three-toed Woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus). The hole of the latter was about 17 feet above the bog in a dead conifer. The adults were feeding young at this nest on June 17, and were photographed by Dorothy Crumb. Returning on July 1 and 2 with John Bull, we found five tridactylus around the bog and had an excellent view of a pair feeding a nestling that appeared nearly ready to leave the nest hole. This appears to be the first known breeding record for the species in New York State in fifteen years and the only known state nest with a definite date for nestlings, according to Bull (verbal comm). This nest hole, too, was 17 feet above the bog and was in a dead spruce. Old three-toed nest holes (indentified by the beveled lower half of the role) ranged from 4 to 30 feet above the bog. Both adult tridactylus at this nest were very black-backed birds with only a trace of white flecking on the back and might easily have been mistaken for arcticus , had we not had close observations. On previous visits to the bog I had numerous sightings of both species. Some individuals were in plumages which one does not find depicted in the field guides. I saw several tridactylus which were only partically barred on the back, others with only a few white flecks. I found a breeding pair of arcticus, one of which had two large white spots on the upper back. On July 6. 1972 Dr. W. Earl Godfrey of the National Museum of Canada per¬ mitted me to examine the skins of Picoides tridactylus bacatus taken in Quebec. This is the same subspecies as the Adirondack population. These skins and the Adirondack birds that I have observed, were very similar. Both ranged from fairly well-barred-back birds to birds with only scant flecking. Most of the skins had backs that were only partially barred or were flecked down the center of the back. While arcticus has white outer tail feathers, tridactylus usually has barred outer tail feathers. Dr. Lester Short informed me that there are variant specimens of tridactylus at the American Museum of Natural History with the white outer tail feathers. Dr. Godfrey once collected what he thought to be a first record of tridactylus for Nova Scotia, but on examining the bird in the hand he found it to be arcticus with a few white feathers on the back. The specimen is in the Ottawa museum. Upon examination, I noted that this bird had a few all-white feathers on the back, whereas tridactylus tends to have white on the feather tips only, producing the barred effect. This “spotted” arcticus was similar to the individual I saw at Inlet, New York. It appears that identification of three-toed woodpeckers is not as “cut and dried” as one might assume from the field guides as the following sketches show. One final word of caution — the outer tail feathers are best seen when the tail is spread and very often difficult to see in the field. Ferdinand LaFrance, Estey Road, R.D. #2, Manlius, New York 13104 190 Tridactylus Tridactylus Tridactylus Arcticus Tridactylus Arcticus BACKS OF THREE — TOED WOODPECKERS Three Bird Species Use Same Nest During One Breeding Season. One objective in a study assessing the effects of an aerially-applied pesticide on bird populations was to locate active bird nests and then determine the outcome of these nesting attempts. A Robin (Turdus migratorius) had built its nest on a horizontal, wooden, electric light brace at a height of 12 feet above the ground and six inches from the ceiling in an open-fronted teaching shelter. The shelter is part of the Wei-Met Camp system, 1.5 miles north of Minisink Ford in southern Sullivan County, New York. Incubation was underway when the nest was found 12 May 1972. All four eggs hatched 12 or 13 May, and four young left the nest 27 May. When I re-visited the shelter 4 June, a Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) flew from the bulding. Pellets of mud had been placed on the exterior of the used Robin’s nest, and it now was lined with feathers. The nest contained one Barn Swallow egg. The adult was incubating three eggs 13 June and two eggs 20 June. When the nest site was checked 27 June, I observed that the nest was remodeled again. Twigs of various lengths filled the distance between the top of the mud- pelleted nest and the shelter ceiling. The nest contained five House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) eggs placed on a very thin layer of hair, grass, and spider cocoons, Underneath this lining one Barn Swallow egg remained. The displaced pair of swallows were building a new nest on the neighboring light brace 15 feet away. The House Wren frequently uses old nests of other species, including the Barn Swallow. In addition, A. C. Bent (1948, Life Histories of North American Nuthatches, Wrens, Thrashers, and Their Allies, U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 195-118-119) cities an instance in which House Wrens completed in a bird house a nest which House Sparrows (Passer domesticus ) had initially started. Both species laid eggs that were incubated by the sparrow. Both the House Wren and the Barn Swallow were successful in raising young. Five wrens fledged and four swallows were raised in their newly constructed nest nearby. The one Barn Swallow egg still remained in the wren nest at the time the five young wrens left their nest. Noel J. Outright, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14850 Unusual method of disposal of fecal sacs removed from nest. In late May, 1970, I noted that Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) were feeding young in a nest in a patch of nettles in the yard of our small tenant house next to our home. While watching the adults in my attempt to discover the nest, I became interested in the method of disposition of the fecal sacs of the young. About 10-12 feet from the nest was a four-foot high welded wire fence with a mesh measuring 2" X 4". As he bird came from the nest after feeding, it flew directly to the top wire of the fence and carefully placed the small fecal sac on the wire. I observed this several times, and then noted that there were many dried sacs along its length. After the young had left the nest, I counted at least 40 sacs on a 10 foot length of wire, a few being on the second or third wire down instead of the top. I had seen one or two sacs fall and this may account for those on the lower wires. I find no mention of this type of disposal in Margaret Morse Nice’s classic work “Studies in the Life History of the Song Sparrow”, {Trans, of the Linnaean Society of New York I and II, 1937, 1943.) She simply indicates that the adults either swallow the sacs or carry them off and drop them, and a recent personal communication from Mrs. Nice confirms this. She says: “Your Song Spar¬ row parents certainly behaved in a rather unusual way . evidently (they) got started leaving the sacs in this particular place and through force of habit continued to do so.” Sally Hoyt Spofford, Aviana, Etna, N.Y. 13062 and Portal, Ariz. 85632. 192 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER SEASON Fritz Scheider June produced much rain, breeding bird censuses, and tardy warblers. July produced heat, early shorebirds, a lot of quiet molting birds and great days at the beach. August produced more beach days, sun tans, a few more shorebirds, and some few very early landbird migrants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Breeding Bird Censuses now dominate the sum¬ mer numerical data and it behooves every editor to keep serial tallies of each intra-regional census for ready future reference and comparison. The local censor should plan to xerox copies of the tally sheets and mail them to the regional editor for annual review and summary. Great Blue Herons and Green Herons appeared to have successful season (2, 3, 4, 7, 9,) and an influx of southern herons in 2 and 9 was voted. The high water of Hurricane Agnes June 1972 apparently strikingly re¬ duced breeding populations of marsh birds (Black Duck, Blue-winged Teal, rails, Black Tern, marsh wrens) across the inland marshes of up¬ state New York (3,5,8). Similarly high water along Lake Ontario inun¬ dated many marshes, virtually thru the duration of the breeding season, and local marsh birds may be now at a low ebb over most of the available habitat of upstate. However, the Mallard with its more catholic taste — it breeds in Northern Lights Traffic Circle in North Syracuse — continues to increase (3,5). Increased breeding Common Mergansers were noted in 4 and 9 but reduction in breeding numbers was noted in 7, the major in-state breeding area. Accipiters continue their disastrous decline (2,3,4,5) and Red-shoul¬ dered Hawks are now regular as breeders only in the Adirondacks (5,7) and the Mohawk River Valley (8). Broad-winged Hawk sightings in¬ creased in 7 — question of more birds or more birders? Upland Sandpiper were strikingly reduced as local breeders, perhaps secondary to the wet weather and cold of June (3,5,8); it would be inter¬ esting to know if they have also declined in the St. Lawrence Valley hayfield country where they are normally fairly common. Both cuckoos increased markedly upstate (4,5,7,8) but the previous high tallies in 9 collapsed this summer. Common Nighthawk declined further with losses noted in 2,3,5 and 8 and Ruby-throated Humming¬ bird continued to do likewise (3,4,5,9); numbers of the latter appear stable in 7 and the Adirondack sectors of 8. Virtually all species of swallows somewhere showed sharp, in some cases, major declines in breeding birds but some evidence of breeding recovery this season appears in 3 and 5. Rough-winged Swallows stand out as particularly depressed (2,3,5)—?? June 1972 flooding?? Red-breasted Nuthatches are establishing outside the standard high country areas (3,4,5), and conifer plantations planted in the Depression 193 years (1933-39) should be checked for this species and also for the advancing Golden-crowned Kinglet (q.v. 3,5). Multiple Eastern Bluebird nestbox projects (3,5,9) showed fair utilization but the species still con¬ tinues incredibly scarce and this virtually statewide. Cedar Waxwings, erratic at best, were increased in 4 and 5; no mention of their Adiron¬ dack numbers was made, however. Loggerhead Shrikes decreased in 2 and were unreported as breeders in 5. Red-eyed Vireos continue to increase upstate (3,5,7) with some parallel increase in Yellow-throated Vireo (4,5) but Warbling Vireos have dropped dramatically (2,4,5,7) — ?? reason-loss of elms, migration disaster?? Numerous late warblers attest to the tardy spring (2,3,4,5) and the overall warbler numbers except for the Yellow Warbler and Yellowthroat were average or low. Both Myrtle and Black-throated Green Warblers were described as low in numbers in the Adirondacks (7) and the Black-throated Green seemed particularly low in breeding areas peripheral to that parulid bastion. Cardinals continue to increase in 3 and to spread into unoccupied, though suitable, habitat in 5. A residue of winter finches (Evening Grosbeak — 2,5; Red Crossbill — 2,3, 5,7; Pine Siskin — 3,5,7) in June created speculation re possible extra-limital breeding but no docu¬ mentation of such was obtained. Indigo Buntings, though arriving late — some not to mid-June, exploded upstate (3,4,5) and the Rufous-sided Towhee showed modest extension into the Adirondacks (5,7) where it is very scarce. House Finches expanded in 4,5 and 9 and appeared inter¬ mittently in 2. Vesper Sparrows (also Horned Lark) continue to decrease upstate rather closely paralleling the decline in bare-ground (row crop) agriculture. Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows similarly continue to decline (4,5), yet the abandoned grassy fields they require seem to be increasing, if only transiently, upstate; large tract censuses, perhaps whole townships, for these two species might be in order as their tendency to erratic colonization makes assessment of numbers especially difficult. Rarities for the summer include Whimbrel (5,9), Marbled Godwit (2), Black-necked Stilt (2), Acadian Flycatcher (2,9), Common Raven (7), and Hooded Warbler (8). Unfortunately no summaries were avail¬ able from Regions 1,6, and 10. 417 South Main St. North Syracuse, New York 13212 194 REGION 2 —GENESEE Thomas E. Tetlow One of the most common expressions heard this past summer was, “Hasn’t this been a beautiful summer-” And that it was! Temperatures for the period averaged about 73 degrees. Rainfall in June was average, but July and the first half of August fell short of the norm by over four inches. Although the water level of Lake Ontario remained high, there was enough drop during the period to provide a few exposed areas for returniig shorebirds. Rarities Include: Little Blue Heron, Glossy Ibis, Marbled Godwit, Black¬ necked Stilt, Wilson’s Phalarope, Forster’s Tern, Barn Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, House Finch. ABBREVIATIONS: BB—Braddocks Bay; Ham—Hamilin; FPT—Fairport; WLS— West Lake Shore. OBSERVERS: J&JC—John & Joyce Connor; RD—Robert Dobson; MC—Michael Carlson; WL—Walter Listman; T&MT—Thomas & Michael Tetlow; JU—Joan Uebe- lacker; GOS—Genesee Ornithological Society. LOONS—DUCKS: Although no specific information was received as to the nest¬ ing success of Herons, I would have to surmise from the numbers of reports received, and my own observations, that they had a very successful year. LITTLE BLUE HERON: 1 June 3 BB (J&JC); this is, or I should say was, our first report of an adult in Region 2 and only the fourth bird seen since the early ’40’s; another report of LITTLE BLUE HERON was received too late for inclusion in the last issue, but, nevertheless, still noteworthy; on May 1 an adult Little Blue was observed and photographed on the Redman Road in HAM by (Frank & RD). Cattle Egret: 1-8 all June BB (J&JC et al); 4 Aug 5 BB (Jean Skelly). Black- crowned Night Heron: max 30 all June BB (WL). Least Bittern: reports were more frequent than in previous years; possibly this was brought on by the high water forcing them into more exposed areas. GLOSSY IBIS : 2 June 9 BB (MC). Mallard and Blue-winged Teal had a very successful year in our area. HAWKS—OWLS: Accipiters were unreported during the entire period. For the second year in a row, the Red-tailed Hawk nesting success seems to be on the increase. Broad-winged Hawk: 7 seen on Aug 11 BB (WL); this is a good num¬ ber for this often-missed fall migrant. Bald Eagle: 1 imm June 1 BB (MC&JU); 1 imm June 17 Kendall (RD); officially no reports were received on eagles at Hemlock Lake; unofficially, reports were received that the birds were still present and that an immature bird was seen in the vicinity of the new nesting site. Marsh Hawks were observed courting and carrying nesting material at BB, but the outcome of this activity is uncertain. Common Gallinule, like most other birds inhabiting the lakeshore marshes, experienced a minor population explosion. Solitary Sand¬ piper: 1 July 8 FPT (T&MT); max 5 July 17 same location. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 62 July 18-25 FPT (T&MT). MARBLED GODWIT: 1 June 9 BB (MC); this was our second report this spring of this rare shorebird. BLACK-NECKED STILT: 1 June 3 FPT (T&MT) — first report for Region; (Field note will appear in subsequent issue). WILSON’S PHALAROPE: 1 June 8 FPT (T&MT); 1 Aug 7 Greece (MC). Gulls and Terns were notable only because of their decreased numbers along the lakeshore. Ring-billed Gull: 1 Aug 11 BB (MC); this bird had a red and blue marker on its left leg; its age was not reported. A single FORSTER’S TERN was seen at Kendall June 9 (WL). Common Tern was re¬ ported in very low numbers and Black Tern did not seem to have had the nesting 195 success it experienced in previous years. All observers reported that both Yellow Black-billed Cuckoos were present in above average numbers. After an absence of 3 years the BARN OWL is again being reported — 1-3 adults June, July Hilton (T&MT); 1 imm July Honeoye Falls (J. Taylor). Barred Owl: 1-2 June, July Canadice (J&JC), previously unreported from this area. GOATSUCKERS—STARLINGS: Common Nighthawk: still decreasing in numbers. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; 1 June 9 WLS (MC&JU). ACADIAN FLYCATCHER : 1 June 9 WLS (M,C et al). 1 June 10 Avon (GOS). Brown Creeper and Winter Wren both successfully raised young in Irondequoit (N&L Moon); the latter being a new record for Monroe Co. A single Winter Wren was also heard singing in Penfield throughout June and July (G. Davis). Carolina Wren seems to have had a comeback in our area; by the end of the period, 8 individuals had been reported. Short-billed Marsh Wren: 1 June 27-30 BB (WL). Loggershead Shrike was only reported on 2 occasions, with no indication of nesting. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Most migrants had departed by the end of the first week in June. There were no reports of late departures. No reports were received pertaining to the abundance of local nesting birds, although a few of the more active birders in the area felt there was some decrease in the numbers of Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos. Yellow Warblers were very common, just the reverse of last year. Blackpoll Warblers: 20 June 1 Greece (MC&JU); this was a good count for this late in the season. BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: The Western Meadowlark that has frequented an area west of Rochester in past years was unrepoxted. (WL) reports that the OR¬ CHARD ORIOLE nesting on his property in Carlton successfully raised 4 young. Rusty Blackbird: 1 June 9 BB (WL); this is a late date for our area. Evening Grosbeak: 1 June 7 Webster (J&T McNett). Purple Finch was unreported as a nesting bird. HOUSE FINCH: 1 male July 3 Brighton (E Lank). Red Crossbill: still present in good numbers thru the 14th June when 8 were seen in Webster (D Spier). A late Lincoln Sparrow was observed June 1 in Greece (MC). 545 Macedon Center Road, Fairport, New York 14450 REGION 3 —FINGER LAKES W. E. Benning At Ithaca this was the warmest summer since 1959 with many warm nights. Daytime temperatures were not unusually high but many days in the 80’s and a few in the 90’s. Rainfall was normal in June but below after that. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge had its second successive summer of poor birding. In the aftermath of the flooding by "Agnes’' last year, the Main Pool was drained early this Spring and has remained dry all summer to kill the carp brought in by the flooding and to facilitate repairs to the dikes. The destruction of most of the broods of ducks and marsh nesters by the flood waters last year left few one year birds to return as breeders in 1973. The mudflats produced by the draining of the pool held some shorebirds at the Refuge as late as June 14. In all, nine species of shorebirds lingered into June. One other plus from the drainage was the pro¬ duction during the summer of an enormous quantity of rank smartweed in the Pool bed. This will supply a large amount of duck food this Fall. The “Fall” migration of shorebirds started in early July as usual. For a few days it was ex¬ cellent until the mudflats dried up or were overgrown with vegatation. When the habitat was gone, the shorebirds largely disappeared. One other plus for the season was the presence of 3 Bald Eagles at the Refuge all during the summer. 196 The results of 3 of the 25-mile Fish and Wildlife Breeding Bird Surveys are avail¬ able. The Trumansburg Survey recorded 60 species, one more than in 1972 and the highest in its eight years of existence. Species showing gains were Mourning Dove, Eastern Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo (double the previous high). Common Yellow- throat, Cardinal, Field Sparrow and Song Sparrow. All but the Mourning Dove not only increased but set new 8 year highs. Decreases were recorded for Eastern Kingbird, Barn Swallow, Northern Oriole and Chipping Sparrow. Found for the first time were Red-bellied Woodpecker, Mockingbird, Nashville Warbler and Dark¬ eyed Junco. Missed completely were Tree Swallow, Veery and Warbling Vireo. The Rushville report talked 45 species, 3 over last year. It showed increases in Ring¬ necked Pheasant, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Common Flicker ,Bank and Barn Swal¬ lows, Common Crow, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Meadowlark, Cardinal. Decreases occurred in Horned Lark, House Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird, most of which are “pest" species. The 53 species on the Branchport count were 5 above 1972. Increases occurred in Mourning Dove, Eastern Phoebe, Bam Swallow, Common Crow, and Bobolink. Homed Lark, Bank Swallow, House Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird and Indigo Bunting were lower. Major Morgan V. Jones at the Seneca Army Depot had a trail of 36 Bluebird houses. Bluebirds occupied 2 with one pair nesting twice. Four nestlings fledged from 14 eggs. Tree Swallows used 7 boxes and House Wrens 12. In addition he kept records on 14 Robin nests and an amazing 41 Eastern Phoebe and 72 Barn Swallow nests which were in the buildings at the depot. Nesting success on these was very high. At Taughanock State Park 25 boxes put up by the Trumansburg Garden Club were all occupied as follows: Bluebirds 4; House Wrens 15 of which 3 were aban¬ doned; Tree Swallows 2; Black-capped Chickadee 1. No rarities reported but noteworthy during the summer months were Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet with immatures in the flock and 3 reports of Dark-eyed Juncos one of which had young. Also worthy of note was the attempted nesting of the Long-eared Owl at Ithaca. Unless otherwise noted all MNWR records are those of the Editor. Abbreviations: BBS—Fish and Wildlife Breeding Survey (preceded by Br for Branchport, R for Rushville or T for Trumansburg); CGP—Corning Glass Works Pond; FFD—first Fall date; LSD—Last Spring date; MNWR—Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; SEAD—Seneca Army Depot; SWS—Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. Contributors and area compilers; BA—Betty Ammerman (Bath); JB— Jack Bru¬ baker (Watkins); WB—Walter Benning; FG—Frank Guthrie (Keuka); RG—Robert Gustafson (MNWR); WH—Wilifred Howard— MJ—Morgan Jones; DK—Douglas Kibbe; LOSS— Laboratory of Ornithology Summer Seminar; LP—Louise Proskine; DM—Dorothy Mcllroy; JR—Jean Rezelman; JW—Jayson Walker (Waterloo); MW— Mary Welles (Elmira). Corrigenlum: Vol. XXII. No. 3 (July, 1973), page 149, line 2 should read “s of Ithaca. Purple Martin: first Apr 16 Dryden” etc. LOONS-DUCKS: Common Loon: 1 Jun 10 MNWR. Pied-billed Grebe: 60 MNWR (RG). Great Blue Heron: normal number at MNWR; 6-8 young at Bath (JR). Green Heron; nest with 4 young near Elmira Watershed Reservoir (MW); 8 Jul 14 CGP (WH); 1 Jun 11 Waterloo (JW). Great Egret: max 3 MNWR (RG). Black-crowned Night Heron: down at MNWR. Mallard: immatures at CGP and A&P Pond, Horseheads (WH). Black Duck: downy young Jul 4 Holding Point, Elmira (MH). Wood Duck: very scarce in Elmira area (MW). Hooded Merganser: female at A&P pond, Horseheads ( WH). 197 The waterfowl population, adult and young, at MNWR is shown in the following table (RG). Canada Goose . .300 Northern Shoveler . . 125 Mallard. .750 Wood Duck . .300 Black Duck. ..... 400 Ring-necked Duck . . 35 Gadwall . .450 Ruddy Duck . . 15 Pintail . ... 25 Hooded Merganser. . 40 Green-winged Teal . .300 Blue-winged Teal . .350 American Wigeon. ..... 80 HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: the nest in the Marengo Swamp, which has been used yearly since at least 1965, was not occupied this year; vultures still seen in the area; 5 MNWR (RG). also reported at Mt. Pleasant (LOSS). Cooper’s Hawk: nested at Texas Hollow, success unknown (JB); 1 sighted at Lamoka Lake (JB); 1 Jul 10 Englewood Forest, Elmira (MW); also reported at Mt. Pleasant (LOSS). Red-tailed Hawk; good numbers thruout the Region (LOSS). Red¬ shouldered Hawk: nest reported at Ithaca Airport (LOSS). Bald Eagle: an adult and 2 immatures seen periodically at MNWR. Marsh Hawk: 1 Trumansburg (LOSS). American Kestrel: generally in good numbers. Ruffed Grouse: good numbers (LOSS). Bobwhite: seen during Jun and Jul in Keuka area (FG). Ring-necked Pheasant: equal to 5 year average in TBBS with 28 birds seen; 36 on RBBS is more than double 1972; BrBBS the same at 4; 200 MNWR (RG). Turkey: 1 nest at Mt. Pleasant (LOSS). Virginia Rail: reported good numbers (LOSS). Sora: few re¬ ports. Common Gallinule: down at MNWR but abundant at Watkins Marsh with 25-30 young (JB). American Coot; 250 MNWR low (RG). All shorebird reports are from MNWR unless otherwise noted. Semipalmated Plover: 11 Jun 8; FFD Jul 27 late. Killdeer; max 122 Jun 29; normal numbers on BBS’s. Black-bellied Plover: LSD 1 Jun 8, max 19 Jun 1. Ruddy Turnstone: LSD 8 Jun 1, Common Snipe: max 50 (RG). Upland Sandpiper: fewer in Elmira area: 7 Jul 4 Holding Point (WH); 2 Jun 11 northern Seneca County (JW). Spotted Sandpiper: max 26 Jul 6. Solitary Sandpiper: FFD 4 Jul 10; Ithaca Airport ponds (LOSS). Greater Yellowlegs: LSD 1 Jun 10 FFD 2 Jul 3. Lesser Yellowlegs: FFD 19 Jul 6, max 74 Jul 10; 1 Jul 11 Lamoka Lake (JB). Red Knot: LSD 3 Jun 1. Pectoral Sandpiper: FFD 4 Jun 10. White-rumped Sandpiper: LSD 1 Jun 1. Dunlin: LSD 3 Jun 8. Short-billjed Dowitcher: FFD 8 Jul 6. Least Sandpiper: LSD 12 June 1. FFD 8 Jul 6. mar 29 ul 10 A&P Ponds. Horseheads (MW). Stilt Sand¬ piper: FFD 2 Jul 10. Semipalmated Sandpiper: LSD 76 Jun 14. FED 62 Jul 27, max 500 June 1. Common Tern: 2-6 at MNWR. Caspian Tern: 4 MNWR (RG). Black Tern: down drastically at MNWR max 60 (RG). Mourning Dove: abundant everywhere. Cuckoos: both species continue scare but in MNWR area they were a little more plentiful. Monk Parakeet: 1 reported at Newfield in Jul (DK), Screech Owl: nested along Fall Creek, Ithaca (LOSS). Great Horned Owl: good numbers (LOSS); 16 MNWR (RG). Barred Owl: SWS pair nested again this year. LONG-EARED OWL: a nest at Ithaca was broken up and the 2 young disappeared (DM). GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Common Nighthawk: nested on Cornell Campus (LOSS); no sightings in Keuka area (FG). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: scarce thruout the region (LOSS). Belted Kingfisher: normal numbers (LOSS). Common Flicker, Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers: all found in normal numbers (LOSS). Red-bellied Woodpecker: normal in its well established range around MNWR and Waterloo; reported on the RBBS and for the first time on the TBBS. Red-headed Woodpecker: present at usual nesting sites along Clyde River (WB); 1 report near Catherine (JB). Eastern Kingbird: fewer in MNWR area; low on BBS’s; better numbers in Bath area (BA). Great Crested and Least Flycatchers: normal on 198 BBS’s. Eastern Phoebe: higher numbers on BBS’s; at SEAD 41 nests fledged 129 birds from 159 eggs (MJ). Eastern Wood Pewee: normal numbers (LOSS). Swallows: all Swallows reported low in the Keuka area (FG) but “common as usual” at Waterloo (JW). Tree Swallow: down generally (LOSS); 29 birds were fledged from 39 eggs in 7 nests at SEAD (MJ). Bank Swallow: down drastically on BrBBS; up from last ytar’s disaster at MNWR with 3000 on Jul 22. Rough-winged Swallow: scarce (LOSS). Barn Swallow: generally good (LOSS) but low on TBBS; at SEAD 72 nests fledged 262 birds from 324 eggs (MJ). Cliff Swallow: no reports. Purple Martin: recovering from crash of recent years; 85 MNWR (RG) is the best in several years; “more abundant” at Waterloo (JW). Corvids: both Blue Jay and Common Crow doing well. Black-capped Chickadee: normal numbers; pair at SEAD fledged 8 young from 9 eggs. Red-breasted Nuthatch: pair at Waterloo all summer (JW). Brown Creeper: 2 nests reported at Monkey Run and 1 at Buttermilk Creek (LOSS). House Wren: good numbers (LOSS) (BBS’s); 71 eggs in 12 nests produced 69 fledglings at SEAD (MJ). Winter Wren: singing along Six Mile Creek, Ithaca Jul 30 (Elaine Kibbe). Carolina Wren: pair built 2 nests but deserted both near Taughannock Park; remained in area all sum¬ mer (Lutz fide DM). Long-billed Marsh Wren; 1 Jul 21 CGW where it has been absent for several years (WH); common at MNWR (JW). Mockingbird: appeared on TBBS for the first time. Gray Catbird: normal numbers (BBS’s) (JW) (LOSS). Brown Thrasher: up on RBBS; otherwise about normal. Robin: abundant everywhere; 14 nests at SEAD produced 29 fledglings from 36 eggs (MJ). Wood Thrush: high numbers on all BBS’s. Hermit Thrush: 1 Jun 10 Waterloo (JW). Swainson’s Thrush: 1 killed at TV tower Elmira Aug 8 (MW); few reports; 2 Jun 10 Waterloo (JW). Bluebird: 6 BrBBS; SEAD 2 pairs produced 4 fledglings (MJ); 4 nests Taughannock Park fledged 17 young; 4 other nests in Trumansburg area (LP). GOLDEN- CROWNED KINGLET : small flock, including immatures, at Tanglewood Forest, Elmira Jul 10 4-5 birds seen, more heard (WH). Starling: still abundant though down on all BBS’s. VIREOS-WARBLERS: On the 25-mile BBS’s the following were recorded. Jun 10 TBBS Jun 23 RBBS Jun 8 BrBBS Yellow-throated Vireo. . . .. 1 0 0 Red-eyed Vireo . .... 12 0 0 Blue-winged Warbler . . ... 1 0 1 Nashville Warbler .. . . .. 1 0 0 Yellow Warbler . .... 19 7 4 Black-throated Green Warbler ... 1 0 0 Chestnut-sided Warbler . .... 0 0 2 Ovenbird ... . . . . 2 0 0 Common Yellowthroat . .... 18 6 19 Yellow-breasted Chat . .... 0 0 3 Redstart . .... 1 0 2 Warbling Vireo: generally good (JW) (WB) but none on BBS’s. Warblers: Pro- thonotary: MNWR (DK). Blue-winged: good numbers (LOSS). Brewster’s: present in Keuka area Jun and Jul (FG). Nashville: recorded on TBBS for first time. Yellow: abundant everywhere (LOSS). Black-throated Blue; Michigan Hollow (LOSS). Chestnut-sided: 1 Jun 24 Waterloo (PW). Cerulean: Taughannock Creek and MNWR (LOSS); 1 Jul 4 Waterloo (JW). Prairie: Elmira (LOSS). Louisiana Waterthrush: Michigan Hollow (LOSS). Mourning: 2 singing males Jun 30 Waterloo (JW). Common Yellowthroat: abundant in all parts of the region (LOSS). Yellow-breasted Chat: at usual location (Bardeen’s) in Burdett (JB); 3 on BrBBS; 3 at Ithaca Airport (LOSS). Wilson’s: 1 Jun 10 Waterloo (JW). American Redstart: most reports indicate decline (LOSS). 199 BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks appear to be holding their own and Red-winged Blackbirds are still abundant. Northern Oriole: “More abundant” at Waterloo (JW); down on TBBS; no reported change else¬ where. Common Grackle: abundant. Brown-headed Cowbird: fewer MNWR, Waterloo. RBBS and BrBBS. Cardinal: counts up on all BBS’s. Rose-breasted Gros¬ beak: generally down (LOSS). Indigo Bunting: “Usualy plentiful” in Keuka area (FG); down on BRBBS; also on TBBS but still in good numbers. Purple Finch: “More feeder reports and reports of young this year” in Watkins area (JB). Pine Siskin: many Jun reports up to Jun 18, in Schuyler County (JB). American Gold¬ finch: doing well in all areas. Red Crossbill: 2 males near Watkins Park Jun 9 (JB). Rufous-sided Towhee: normal counts on BBS’s. Sparrows: in general all sparrows were reported down in the northern part of the Region; in the rest of the Region the BBS’s indicate more nearly normal num¬ bers; exception is Song Sparrow which is abundant everywhere. Grasshopper: re¬ ported at Ithaca Airport (LOSS); Waterloo (JW); 3 reports from Keuka area (FG): Dark-eyed Junco: seen through the summer in Guyanoga Valley with 2 half-grown young (FG); 1 on TBBS; also reported from Michigan Hollow (LOSS). RD 2 Clyde, N.Y. 14433 REGION 4 — SUSQUEHANNA Leslie E. Bemont The early part of June, just when the impact on nesting birds would presum¬ ably be the greatest, was rather wet but the rest of the summer was on the dry side. Temperatures were generally mild but averaged a little on the warm side. Breeding Common Mergansers continue to be recorded in Delaware County, as they have been for the last 20 years, even though that is appreciably south of their recognized breeding range. Breeding Goshawks also continue to be recorded in the Region while Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned hawks remain low in numbers. Another continuing trend is the increase in House Finches, particularly in the Triple Cities area. Abbreviation: BBS—Fish and Wildlife Service Breeding Bird Survey. Observers initials: MB—Margaret Bowman; MD—Mary Dobinsky: D.ML—Dwight and Margaret Lynch; CW—Cora Wellman; R.,SW—Ruth and Sally White; KW— Kathryn Wilson. As for the past few years, a summation of the results of the BBSs available at the time this report was prepared has been included in parentheses following the name of each species recorded on at least one survey. The 2 numbers, separated by a comma, are the total number of surveys on which the species was recorded, respectively. Surveys available were: Lisle, Jun 9, Robert Pantle; Whitney Point, Jun 23. Robert Pantle; Coventryville, Jul 1, Les Bemont; McDonough, Jul 1, Claude Howard. LOON—DUCKS: Common Loon: 1 Jul 3 Goodyear Lake, near Oneonta (Irene Wright). Great Blue Heron: (1,1). Green Heron: (1,1). Great Egret: Aug 11 Milford (CW, KW, MD), very few have been reported in the Region in the last few years. Canada Goose: a pair nested on Pepacton Reservoir, near Margaretville (MB). Wood Duck: (1,1). Hooded Merganser: 1 Jul 18 Sherburne (R,SW). Com¬ mon Merganser: 20 half grown juveniles with 1 adult on Beaverkill Jul 24 and 25 (MB). 200 HAWKS—OWL: Goshawk: Jun 16, at a nest under observation for the previous 2 weeks, 1 young close to the nest and another found dead nearby (CW, KM, MD, John New). Sharp-shinned Hawk: Jun 1 Newark Valley (Louise Hover), the only report. Red-tailed Hawk: (1,1). Red-shouldered Hawk: 2 Jun reports. Osprey: 1 Aug 3 Milford Center (L. Stevens). American Kestrel: (3,2). Ruffed Grouse: (1,1). Bobwhite: 1 June 5 Oneonta (L. Stevens); Jun 30 Milford (CW, KW, MD). Ring¬ necked Pheasant: (2,2). Killdeer: (23,4). Spotted Sandpiper: (2,2). Solitary Sand¬ piper: 1 Aug 13 Norwich (R,SW). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1 Aug 11 South Otselic Fish Hatchery (R,SW). Herring Gull: 3 Jul and Aug reports, usually absent for summer. Ring-billed Gull: 12 Aug 7 Pepacton Reservoir (MB): Black Tern: Jul 22 Whitney Point (Mary Sheffield). Mourning Dove: (36.4). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: (1.1) . Black-billed Cuckoo: (3,3) Barred Owl Jun 29 Berkshire (,ML); Jul 7 Binghamton (Eugene Kirch, Gail and Warren Corderman). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: 1 Jun 12 Oneonta (KW). Chimney Swift: (12,2). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (1,1). Belted Kingfisher: (39.4) . Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 Jun 2 New Berlin (KW); Jul 8 Berkshire (D,ML); 2 Aug 10 Sherburne (R,SW). Hairy Woodpecker: (2,1). Downy Wood¬ pecker: (16,3). Eastern Kingbird: (22,4). Great Crested Flycatcher: (14,3). East¬ ern Phoebe: (26,4). Traill’s Flycatcher: (6,3). Least Flycatcher: (48,4). Eastern Wood Pewee: (8,3). Horned Lark: (1,1). Tree Swallow: (8,3). Bank Swallow: (7.2) . Barn Swallow: (33,4.) Cliff Swallow: Newark Valley in Jun^(Louise Hover, D,ML) and also East Branch in Jun (MB). Blue Jay; (48,4). Common Crow: (132.4) . Black-capped Chickadee. (30,4). White-breasted Nuthatch: (1,1). Red¬ breasted Nuthatch: 3 reports from Otsego and Delaware Counties. Brown Creeper: 5 reports from Otsego and Delaware Counties. House Wren: (38,4). Winter Wren: reported only from East Branch (MB). Carolina Wren: 1 singing at East Branch from Jul 18 to end of period (MB). Mockingbird: 1 singing 4 nights in early Jun in west side Binghamton (Elinor Whitson); 1 Jul 20 Norwich (R,SW); also re¬ ported from Endwell and Newark Valley. Gray Catbird: (44,4). Brown Thrasher: (19.4) . Robin: (243,4). Wood Thrush: (97,4). Hermit Thrush: (1,1); 5 other reports. Swainson’s Thrush: 1 Jun 10 Pharsalia, in Chenango County (R,SW). Veery: (28,4). Eastern Bluebird: (5,3). Blue-grey Gnatcatcher: (1,1), Lisle BBS. Cedar Waxwing: (30,4); “many this year” in Tioga County. Starling: (381,4); at East Branch “tremendous numbers” and eating sumac berries in absence of small fruits (MB). VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: (6,3); seemed more numerous than usual. Solitary Vireo: 7 reports, all from Otsego and Delaware Counties. Red¬ eyed Vireo: (56,4). Warbling Vireo: (4,2). Black-and-white Warbler: (3,2). Golden-winged Warbler: 1 Aug 14 East Branch (MB), the only report after Jun 23. Brewster’s Warbler: 1 Aug 14 Newark Valley (D,ML). Blue-winged Warbler: Jun 9 Berkshire (D,ML). Nashville Warbler: singing Jun 2 East Branch (MB). Yellow Warbler: (75,4). Magnolia Warbler: 4 Jun 10 Pharsalia (R,SW); 7 other reports from Otsego and Delaware Counties. Black-throated Blue Warbler: present in several areas during summer, as usual. Yellow-rumped Warbler: (1,1), Mc¬ Donough BBS; 3 at Pharsalia Jun 10 (R,SW); 5 other reports from Tioga, Otsego and Delaware Counties. Black-throated Green Warbler: (2,1). Cerulean Warbler: Jun 2 Bear Spring Mountain, Delaware County (Shirley Hartman, 12 others in party). Blackburnian Warbler: (1,1); 9 Jun 10 Pharsalia (R,SW). Chestnut-sided Warbler: (34,4). Blackpoll Warbler: spring migrants until Jun 7 at Chenango Forks (Anna and Marilyn Davis). Ovenbird: (14,4). Northern Waterthrush: (1,1). Louisiana Waterthrush; adult with 4 young out of nest Jun 26 East Branch (MB). Mourning Warbler: (2,2); at least 5 Jun 2 Bear Spring Mountain (Shirley Hart¬ man, et. al.). Common Yellowthroat: (118,4). Canada Warbler: usual small sum¬ mer numbers. American Redstart: (13,4). 201 BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: House Sparrow: (100,4). Bobolink: (55,4). Eastern Meadowlark: (67,4). Red-winged Blackbird: (556,4). Northern Oriole: (26,4). Common Grackle: (104,4). Brown-headed Cowbird: (25,4). Scarlet Tanager: (14.4) . Cardinal: (18,4). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (4,2). Indigo Bunting: (27,4). Purple Finch: (1,1). House Finch: 5 or more from Jun 2 for about 10 days Bovina Center, near Oneonta (Tom Ryder); 3 young being fed at feeder by parents Jun 5 Endwell where 8-10 brightly colored males at the same time was not unusual (Florence Linaberry); about 2 miles west in Endwell 16 banded thru Jul 21 (L. Bemont) although never more than 3 seen around feeder at a time; as many as 8, at least 4 young, at Vestal thru Jun (Gail and Warren Corderman). American Goldfinch: (63,4). Red Crossbill: 16 Jun 4 Norwich (R,SW). Rufous-sided Towhee: (28.4) . Savannah Sparrow: (33,4). Grasshopper Sparrow: (2,1). Henslow’s Sparrow: only 2 reports. Vesper Sparrow: (4,2). Chipping Sparrow: (50,4). Field Sparrow: (61.4) . White-throated Sparrow: (10,1); 11 other reports. Swamp Sparrow: (8,2). Song Sparrow: (123,4). 710 University Ave., Endwell, N.Y., 13760 REGION 5 —ONEIDA LAKE BASIN Fritz G. Scheider June was cool and wet, July warm and wet, August hot and dry. Extreme high water at Onondaga Lake and Lake Ontario precluded any tern nesting and pro¬ tracted high water at Oneida Lake undoubtedly delayed the nesting of gulls and terns there. Widespread thunderstorms in late June must have caused havoc with landbird nestings but the wet season, which somewhat retarded the hay cutting, may have helped Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Savannah Sparrow broods. The paucity of marsh birds in the larger permanent marshes may be a reflection of the extensive nest and brood destruction of the June ’72 flooding or the current mosquito spraying program (aerial in Oswego County, ground only in Onondaga County) — or both. Extensive local counting hikes and breeding surveys amassed a wealth of data; most significant is the accumulating fund of figures coming from the US Fish and Wildlife Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS hereafter), sic—Kasoag (MSR), Clinton (R&J Van Scoy), Old Forge and Oriskany Falls (CGS), Oneida (B&S Peebles, D. Ackley), North Wilmurt, Cicero Center, and Pulaski (FGS). The data from Alder Creek and McKeever BBS, though the surveys were accomplished, were not available. Positives for the summer season include 1) increased broods of Canada Geese and Mallards; 2) an early and varied fall shorebird flight, although numbers were only fair; 3) a strong influx of both species of cuckoos; 4) increased numbers of Great Crested and Willow Flycatchers and Eastern Wood Pewee; 5) good breeding succees in certain swallows, particularly Tree Swallow and Purple Martin; 6) in¬ creases in Golden-crowned Kinglet in southern highland conifer plantations; 7) in¬ creases in Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos; 8) better tallies of some warblers, most notably of Parula, Magnolia, and Black-throated Blue Warblers, Ovenbird, and Yellowthroat; 9) further spread of Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers (q.v.); and 10) a residuum of winter finches (Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, and Red Crossbill) into June. Negatives for the same period are unfortunately many—1) a marked loss of breeding Pied-billed Grebes; 2) continued scarcity of white herons and Black- crowned Night Heron; 3) reduced numbers of broods of Black Duck and Blue- 202 winged Teal; 4) the extirpation, as breeders, of Cooper’s Hawk and Marsh Hawk and the near loss of breeding Sharp-shinned and Red-shouldered Hawks; 5) a sharp drop in breeding marsh birds (both local rails, Black Tern, marsh wrens; 6) a profound drop in aerial insectivores (Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Eastern Kingbird, Least Flycatcher, Rough-winged Swallow); 7) a virtual desertion of Red-headed Woodpeckers; 8) persistent decline of Eastern Bluebird; 8) an ominous drop in breeding Black-throated Green and Cerulean Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Canada Warbler, and most notably, American Redstart; 10) a paucity of Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, perhaps secondary to the heavy rains and severe cold weather of Jun ’72. As expected, rarities for the summer were few — Great Egret. Whimbrel, Franklin’s Gull, Gray Jay (hard to find in the summer), and both hybrid warblers. Abbreviations for locations are: BM-BR—nine miles of railroad track Big Moose to Beaver River; CV—Camillus Valley; DL—Dart Lake; DM—DeWitt Marsh near East Syracuse; HF—Highland Forest near Fabius; NPT—Northern Pompey Township; PSS—Peter Scott Swamp near Phoenix; OF—Old Forge; Onon L—Onondaga Lake; OM-Otto Mills Road, THP (4.2 miles); RSP-Rome Sand Plains; SP-Sandy Pond; S Onon—South Onondaga; Syr—Syracuse; THP—Tug Hill Plateau; L—Lake; mob- multiple observers. Initialed observers are D. W. Crumb, P. A. DeBenedictis, F. LaFrance, J. W. Propst, M. S. Rusk, F. G. Scheider, G. A. Smith, C. G. Spies. My thanks to Wm. Brosseau, D. W, Crumb, F. LaFrance, and J. W. Propst for assistance in compiling this report. Corrigenda: Kingbird XXIII;2, May 1973, Region 5 report, p.97, last corrigendum should read; Kingbird XXII:4, October 1972, Region 5 report, p.179, Red-shouldered Hawk: delete “2 Jun 14 . . . unusual.” Observers: 4th name should be W. Brosseau. p.89, Black Duck: best single-location counts ... 48 Jan 2 near Eaton. Greater Scaup: 2253 WFC . . .1294 of them at Oswego hbr; ... no scaup on Oswego CC . . . Goshawk: . . . otherwise about 17 widespread singles through the winter from 20 observers reporting this time, p.99, 2100 Ring-billed Gull Feb 3 Oswego R. p.101, Myrtle Warbler: 1 Dec 9 Clay Twp. Evening Grosbeak: BBFS . . . 1918 Jan. p.102. Rufous-sided Towhee: ... 1 wintered Syr (B. Stein). LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: single in winter plumage summered Onon L Jun 2—Aug 9. Pied-billed Grebe: only breeding noted one pair Old Fly, Pompey (FL); incredibly scarce locally and surprisingly no broods at the larger marches or ponds. Great Blue Heron: in colony at Three Rivers Game Management Area 32 nests produced 92 young (MSR); small colony in Pompey located but production not known. GREAT EGRET: single at DM thru summer. Green Heron: summer max 150 Fox Ridge Aug 5 (GAS). Least Bittern: only reports are PSS, DM (Mrs. Coyle, mob), and Utica Marsh (V. Billings). Mallard: excellent local production—130 Syranuse and 85 Onon L; contrarily Black Duck did very poorly—max for summer only 10 Onon L. Pintail: arr Jul 21 5 Onon L, very early. Blue-winged Teal: local numbers very low—max 51 Jul 27 DM (MSR); most counts only 1—4/day with almost no broods reported. Sum¬ mering diving ducks include Greater Scaup and Common Golden-eye, both Jul 10, and Ruddy Duck Jul 17, all Onon L. HAWKS—OWLS: Goshawk: only reports are singles THP Jun 10 and an ad OF Jul 1 (MSR). Sharp-shinned Hawk: 8 for summer, primarily from the THP and southern highlands. Cooper’s Hawk None! Red-shouldered Hawk: 8 singles for the summer with 5 of them from northern Herkimer county. Marsh Hawk none for entire summer—extirpated as a breeder now. Osprey: singles at Herkimer Jul 11 and at various lakes in the Adirondack sector but no evidence of breeding (Bowes fide Burtt). American Kestrel: max 12 Pompey Twshp (DWC); this and Red-tailed Hawk appear to be only locally successful breeding raptores. 203 Ring-necked Pheasant: very scarce—max only 14 Cicero Center BBS; most observers had 1-4/day. Common Gallinule: the one marsh bird in any numbers—46 at DM Jul 30; most of the larger marshes, e.g. PSS and Clay Swamp, had very few, probably because of the 1972 massive flooding-out of any broods in those areas. Upland Sandpiper: very scarce with dozens of local stations deserted this year- max only 8 Frankfort Jul 8, 6 Pulaski Jun 22, 6 Bridgeport Jul 17. Least Sandpiper: 20 Jun 2 Onon L are very late for spring dep date. Semipalmated Sandpiper: max 200—Jun 2 Onon L (CGS). Semipalmated Plover: arr Jul 15 3 Onon L; max 8 Aug 12 Onon L. Killdeer: max 117 Jul 7 Onon L, Black-bellied Plover: arr Aug 10 1 Onon L; max 2 (low) Aug 11 Onon L. Ruddy Turnstone: arr Jul 25 1 Oneida L; max 4 Jul 27 Onon L. Spotted Sandpiper: max 60 Jul 11 Onon L. Solitary Sandpiper: arr Jul 7 1 Onon L; max 9 Aug 11 DM. Greater Yellowlegs: arr Jul 10 3 Onon L; max 4 (low) Jul 31 DM. Lesser Yellowlegs: arr Jul 1 3 Onon L; max 99 Aug 11 Onon L. Pectoral Sandpiper: arr Jul 1 1 Onon L; max 3 (very low) Jul 19 and Aug 11 both Onon L. Least Sandpiper: arr Jul 4 3 Onon L; max 107 Jul 21 Onon L. Short-billed Dowitcher: arr Jul 10 6 Onon L; max 16 Jul 15 Onon L. Stilt Sand¬ piper: arr Jul 11 1 Onon L; Onon L; max 9 Jul 19 and Aug 15 both Onon L. Semipalmated Sandpiper: arr Jul 9 3 Onon L; max 200 Jul 21 Onon L. Sander- ling: arr Jul 10 (early) 1 Onon L; max 22 Jul 21 Oneida L islands. WHIMBREL: 1 Jul 24 Onon L (PAD), often missed in past ten years. Great Black-backed Gull: single ad Jul 1 Oswego Harbor; none at SP, probably secondary to the extreme high water and consequent lack of beach area there. Herring Gull: summer max 33 Grass Island and 5 young Long Island both Oneida L Aug 5 (MSR). Ring-billed Gull: summer max 368 Jul 29 Onon L (GAS); 18 young from Oneida L islands Jul 21 (CGS). FRANKLIN’S GULL: 2-3 ad in breeding plumage Jun 30—Jul 1 Oswego Harbor (GAS, mob). Common Tern: none bred at Onon L and the SP colony was drastically reduced (approximately 10 pairs only!), Oneida L islands show 74 nests total Jul 21 (CGS)—should be in the hundreds. Black Tern: a disaster species—max a mere 8 Howland’s Island Game Management Area Jul 15; most colonies deserted secondary to high water both this year and last. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1-3/day with many reports thru Jun and Jul; however, none noted in Aug. Black-billed Cuckoo: many reports with max 4 each Jun 7 N Wilmurt BBS and Jun 15 Cicero Center BBS. Great Homed Owl: 6 young banded at Eaton (GL Church). GOATSUCKERS—STARLINGS: Whip-poor-will: last spring migrant Jun 19 Syr (PAD), incredibly late; max 31 Jun 7 West Vienna Twshp (MSR, DWC) and 11 RSP Jul 6 (B&S Peebles). Common Nighthawk: very scarce—usually only 1-2/day at Syr and max a mere 7 Jun 19 Utica (V Billings). Chimney Swift: max 35 Aug 12 DM (V Billings). Chimney Swift: max 35 Aug 12 DM (JW Propst), most counts low—4-12/day—with breeding max 31 Syr Jun 3 (MSR). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: scarce—most 1 2/day with best tally 9 in northern Herkimer County Jun 24. Red-headed Woodpecker: numerous local sites deserted—only a handful of re¬ ports, mostly singles, with only one successful pair noted near Wampsville (B&S Peebles). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: max 17 Jul 8 DM, THP but numbers in other areas there and in the Adirondacks seemed quite low—?? effect of hard winter of ’72-’73 in the south?? Eastern Kingbird: max 20 Jun 7 N Wilmurt area; first fall migrants Jul 10 Syr; fall max only 15 (low) Aug 1 Fish Gulf (JWP). Great Crested Flycatcher: max 18 (high) CV Jun 5. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: spring dep date Jun 4, 1, Syr (CGS) with fall arr Aug 8, 1, Pompey (JWJ). Alder Flycatcher: max only 9 N Wilmurt BBS Jun 6. Willow Flycatcher: 25 (high) Jun 15 Cicero Center 204 BBS and 15 Jul 16 DM (DWC G. Weissberg). Least Flycatcher: THP numbers very good (83 OM, THP Jun 14) but around Syr and throughout Onondaga Co incredibly scarce—1 5/day which is very low. Eastern Wood Pewee: unlike Least Flycatcher and other insectivores, good numbers prevail with 6 10/day; max 29 Jun 19 CV, S Onon. Horned Lark: max for summer only 5 Aug 15 Mexico. Tree Swallow: initial Jun counts low but breeding success, where tabulated, excellent (P. Laible, DWC). Bank Swallow: breeding colonies at Oneida (19 pair) and DeWitt (28 pair). Rough-winged Swallow: max a miserable 4 at CV Jun 9; none on any BBS. Barn Swallow: increased on half of the BBS; max 100—150 DM in last week of Jul and 200 Aug 5 SP; the former huge roost at Clay Swamp is apparently not extant. Purple Martin: colonies low in numbers with 12-18 pair/house but summer max 750 Aug 15 Mexico area (DWC). GRAY JAY: 2 ad Woods Lake Bog Jun 24 and 2 ad and 1 juvenile Jul 29 Five Ponds, both sites in northern Herkimer Co. Black-capped Chickadee: summer max of 35 Aug 5 Selkirk Shores State Park may include some early migrants. Red¬ breasted Nuthatch: 2 Jun 13 HF, 1 near Altmar Jun 16, 9 RSP Jul 7, all stations away from THP or Adirondacks; 4 Aug 10 S. Onon are probably early migrants. Brown Creeper: now a backyard bird, particularly where dying trees in numbers are present—Tully Lakes, Clay Swamp, Cicero Swamp, south shore of Oneida L. House Wren: BBS counts stable or increasing. Winter Wren: THP numbers low—3-4/day; max 18 (low) BM-BR Jun 2b Carolina Wren: 1 Jun 19 CV only report. Long-billed Marsh Wren: very scarce with 2 4/day usual; max only 12 Jun 2 Clay Swamp where 30 would be the norm. Mockingbird: 9 sightings in Syr area, 4 nestings reported (fide Burtt, W. Bros- seau), definitely increasing. Gray Catbird: up on 5 of the eight BBS. Wood Thrush: no sharp change in numbers locally; summer max 42 CV, S Onon Jun 19. Swainson’s Thrush: 11 (low) OM, THP Jun 14. Veery: very low around Syr with a miserable 2 in CV Jun 19; however, a whopping 38 in Cicero Swamp Jun 24 (MSR). Eastern Bluebird: very scarce—8 nestings known aside from 23 young banded from a Bluebird nestbox project at Eaton (GL Church). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 1 OM THP Jun 14 is way out of range locally. Golden- crowned Kinglet: 2-11,/day in spruce plantations of southern highlands; also at Pratts Falls County Park which is at a lower elevation than all the currently known occupied plantations (DWC). Cedar Waxwing: everywhere!— summer max 40 each OF Jun 11 and Marcy Aug 15. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: seems to be on upswing—8 in 4.5 miles Little John Rd THP Jun 20 plus 9 CV, S Onon Jun 19. Solitary Vireo: 3 in HF Jun 13, also 2 Shackham Rd near Fabius Jul 4, both southern highland areas where the species is scarce. Red-eyed Vireo: numbers in BBS holding or slightly increasing; max 133 BM-BR Jun 24. Warbling Vireo: scarce in southern highlands and Finger Lake Valley sectors—counts only 2-3/day with max 11 Jun 15 Cicero Center BBS which is entirely on the Ontario Lakeplain. Spring departures for warblers are Jun 2 Parula, Cape May, and Canada Warblers; Jun 4 Tennessee, Nashville, and Blackpoll Warblers; Jun 5 Wilsons Warbler; Jun 10 Bay-breasted Warbler. Golden-winged Warbler: max 12 CV area Jun 19; new locations N Volney 3, Minetto Jun 5, Williamstown Jun 10. Blue-winged Warbler: 9 known sites locally, expanding but somewhat slowly. 2 BREWSTER’S and 1 LAWRENCE’S WAR¬ BLERS reported for the period. Parula Warbler: 9 Jun 11 and 8 Jun 24 (up slightly) Town of Webb, Herkimer Co. Yellow Warbler: 48 on Cicero Center BBS, 40 on Pulaski BBS, 89 in five miles Camillus—Erie Canal Park Jun 15; first fall migrants Jul 4 N Syr; fall max 85 SP dunes Aug 5. Magnolia Warbler: max 45 (up) BM-BR Jun 24; THP numbers, however, reduced. Black-throated Blue Warbler: definitely up—4 in HF Jun 13 where scarce; 34 Jun 24 BM-BR (compared to 12 there in 1971) and 22 OM, THP Jun 14. Yellow-rumped Warbler: numbers 205 down somewhat in RSP but still present in suitable stands in the THP and abundant in the Adirondack sectors; fall arr Aug 5, 3, SP dunes—very early! Black-throated Green Warbler: counts low in THP—13 OM, THP Jun 14 and only 3 O’Hara Rd (5 miles) Jun 9 (very low); Adirondack numbers slightly better but still decreased from previous three years. Cerulean Warbler: max only 8 CV Jun 19 and 12 Camillus-Erie Canal Park Jun 15; definitely down. Chestnut-sided Warbler: in THP numbers good (25-29/day) in four + mile walks; in southern highlands, however, much more scarce with only 1-2/day re¬ corded—this species plus the Black-throated Blue and Mourning Warblers and Red¬ start will probably benefit from the current heavy pulp-cutting occurring in both the Adirondacks and the western THP. Blackpoll Warbler: 1 Woods Lake Bog Jun 24—?? late migrant, breeder, summering male?? Pine Warbler: only report is an imm Jun 19 Pompey (DWC, PAD). Ovenbird: tallies on six of eight BBS stable with a few record counts; 34 in nine miles BM-BR Jun 24 (compare to 13 there Jun 1971). Northern Waterthrush: quite scarce—max for entire period 10 Jun 24 Cicero Swamp (MSR); most counts, even in THP, only 2-8/day. Yellow- throat: the successful warbler—excellent counts with CV Jun 5, 23 near Os¬ wego Jun 6, 26 Labrador Pond Jul 17, 31 Kasoag BBS, 36 Cicero Center BBS, 48 both N Wilmurt BBS and Pulaski BBS. Canada Warbler: THP counts reduced and Kasoag BBS down; Cicero Swamp tally low—only 17 Jun 24; Adirondacks numbers fair with max 20 BM-BR Jun 24; fall arr Aug 5 one SP dunes. American Redstart: numbers dropping precipitously in Syr area—CV had only 17 Jun 19 and 30 in five miles Camilus-Erie Canal Park Jun 15; BBS show decreases in five, increases in three; THP numbers holding well—67 OM, THP Jun 14. BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: striking increases in both Madison and Oneida County areas; reduced in northern Onondaga Co and definitely down in the Ontario Lakeplain hayfields Red-winged Blackbird: abundant with counts in the hundreds on all farmland-associated BBS. Northern Oriole: all BBS reporting orioles show record highs or tie the previous maxima. Scarlet Tanager: seven of eight BBS show moderate decrease; THP figures quite low—3 OM, THP Jun 14 and 4.5 miles Littlejohn Rd Jun 20. Cardinal: 29 in CV, S Onon Jun 19; spreading in Ontario lakeshore woodlots and brush patches where it was still scarce only four or five years ago. Rose¬ breasted Grosbeak: 5-12/day in THP areas; max 15 Labrador Pond Jun 26; scarce in CV and Onondaga Creek Valley. Indigo Bunting: great increase after Jun 10- max 23 vs previous max of 8 on Cicero Center BBS Jun 15 and 27 vs previous max of 3 Pulaski BBS Jun 22. Evening Grosbeak: 2 Pompey Jun 1 Thendara Jun 30 (MSR), 2 Five Ponds Jul 29 (PAD); max 6 DL Jun 1 (B Barnum). House Finch: nested Syr University Campus (PAD); multiple sightings at Syr, some evidence of occurrence in towns peripheral to Syr. Pine Siskin: spring flight persistent into early Jun—last noted Jun 7 Labrador Pond, Jun 10 THP and Jun 11 OF; a few thru period at DL (B Barnum) but no evidence of their breeding there. American Goldfinch; like Cedar Waxwings, every¬ where—up on five of eight BBS; counts 20-40/day thru Jun; 36 nests NPT Jul 15-Aug 15. Red Crossbill: presistent thru spring into Jun—flocks of 12-20 to Jun 14 HF (PAD) with last flock on that date with some streaked juveniles amongst them, suggesting possibly local breeding. Rufous-sided Towhee: max 23 Pulaski BBS Jun 22; down in numbers, however, on four of seven BBS; 1 at OF Jun 11 is out of range locally. Savannah Sparrow: highest ever on Oriskany Falls BBS (35 vs previous 25) and Pulaski BBS (18 vs previous 12). Grasshopper Sparrow: very scarce with most local sites abandoned- max only 6 Oriskany Falls BBS Jun 16; aside from BBS, only 5 colonies (2-4/ colony) located for season. Henslow’s Sparrow: unreported from any BBS this year; total of 17 birds from seven sites—really extraordinarily scarce this year. Vesper 206 Sparrow: summer max only 15 Jun 15 northern Onondaga County; most counts 1-6/day and many observers had none for the season. Dark-eyed Junco: southern highland max 18 Labrador Pond and Shackham Rd Jui 17; noted as breeding in NPT for first time (DWC); THP max 13 Jun 14; Adirondack max 41 BM-BR and Stillwater Rd Jun 24. Field Sparrow: numbers excellent with 25 CV, S Onon Jun 19; BBS tallies, where present, 2-20/count. White-throated Sparrow: low in THP—5-20/day;n oon—THP, non-Adirondack max 20 RSP Jul 6 (D Ackley); 6 in 7.5 miles HF Jun 13-14 (DWC, PAD); fall arr Aug 5 (very early) two SP dunes. Lincoln’s Sparrow: 4 Woods Lake Bog Jun 24 and 2 singles at separate bogs near Stillwater Jun—Jul 1 (FGS, MSR). Swamp Sparrow: BBS tallies, where present, 2-7/count; most larger marshes with very low counts—only 11 Clay Swamp Jun 2 (GAS) and a mere 6 PSS Jun 15; summer max 20 DM Jul 23 (PAD) includes many young birds. 417 South Main Street North Syracuse, N.Y. 13212 REGION 7 — ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN Theodore D. Mack This past summer was about normal for the area, perhaps a bit more warm and dry than usual. There seemed to be no weather extremes. I would appreciate it if any summer people, residents and visiting birders would send their obser¬ vations to me. Birders seem to be an endangered species in the Clinton-Essex- Franklin-Hamilton County arta, especially in winter. Observers: BB—Bruce Beehler; EH—Elizabeth Hedges; MKDr. Marguerite Kings¬ bury; DMc—Dorothy Mcllroy; TM—Ted Mack; RMc—Robert McKinney; GM—Dr. Gordon Meade; RM—Ruth Meier; LM—Lon Myers; WR—William Rutherford; JT— Joseph W. Taylor. Abbreviations: ADK—Adirondack Loj; B— Blomingdale; Chubb-Chubb River Swamp, Lake Placid; Hi Pk—High Peak Region; Ind L—Indian Lake; L-Lake; LP— Lake Placid; Mad—Madawaska Pond near Paul Smiths; MooBBS—Moody to Saranac Lake Breeding Bird Survey, Dr. Marguerite Kingsbury; NewBBS—Newcomb Breeding Bird Survey, Alice Jones and Helen Manson; New—Newcomb; P—pond; PS—Paul Smiths; PL—Piseco Lake; Raq L—Raquette Lake; SL—Saranac Lake; SpecBBS—Speculator Breeding Bird Survey, Dr. Francis G. Scheider; TL—Tupper Lake; UndBBS—Underwood Breeding Bird Survey, Alice Jones and Helen Manson; VL—Vly Lake near Piseco Lakt; Wilm—Wilmington Notch. LOONS-DUCKS: Common Loon: 1 Jun 8 TL (RM); 1 Jun 26 Elk L (RMc, LM); 1 Jul 21 Raq L (EH); 1 Jul 22 Goodnow Flow near New (TM); 2 Jul 26 Mountain P (Cathy & TM). Great Blue Heron: 3 Jun 1 Bl (TM); 1 Jun 19 PS (TM); 1 Jun 25 Mad (RMc, LM); 1 Aug 15 LP (JT); 1 Aug 16 Mad (JT). Green Heron: 2 Jun 1 BI (TM); 2 Jun 25 Wilm (RMc). American Bittern: 1 Jun 25 Wilm (RMc); 1 Jun 26 TL (RMc, LM); 1 Jul 10 Jones P near PS (TM); 1 Aug TL (BB). Canada Goose: 1 Jun 22 Long L (RMc, LM); 6 (2 adults & 4 goslings) Jun 25 TL ‘MK); 6 Aug 14 TL (BB). BRANT : late report of 150 May 26 Kiwassa L near SL (GM). Wood Duck: 1 Jun 26 Long L (RMc); 1 Jun 27 UndBBS; 1 Jun 28 NewBBS. Common Goldeneye: 1 female & 8 ducklings Jul 4 Terror L (Herkimer-Hamilton Co. line) (John Belknap). Hooded Merganser: 1 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 6 Jun 25 Mad (RMc, LM). Common Merganser: several people reported that size of broods was 1/3 to 1/2 usual. HAWKS—OWLS: Goshawk: 1 trying to capture a chipmunk Aug PS (Lang 207 Elliott). Red-tailed Hawk: 2 all summer Rich L, New (TM); 1 Jun 27 UndBBS; 2 Jul 19 PL (DMc); 1 immature Aug 11 New (TM);1 Aug 12 Blackwell Stillwater near New (TM). Red-shouldered Hawk: 4 Jun 25 Mad (RMc, LM); 1 Aug 15 LP (JT). Broad-winged Hawk: far more than usual; most observers reported one or more each trip. Marsh Hawk: 1 Jun 17 Rouses Point (WR). Osprey: 2 with active nest Chateauguay L (Mrs. LaFontaine); 1 Jun 1 ADK (MK); 1 Jun 2 ADK (BB); 1 Jun 21 SL (GM); 1 Jul 10 Jones P near PS (TM); 1 Jul 14 VL (The Vinyans-Kirkland Bird Club); 1 Aug 14 PL (DMc); 2 Aug 15 LP (JT). American Kestrel: 1 Jun 1 ADK (MK); 1 Jun 23 Hi Pk (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 27 Und BBS. Spruce Grouse: 1 Aug 16 Mad (JT). Killdeer: 2 pair all summer PS (TM); 1 pair all summer Gabriels (TM); 2 Jun 6 SpecBBS; several Jun 25 Wilm (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 26 TL (RMc, LM); 5 Jun 27 UndBBS; 1 Jun 28 NewBBS; 3 Jul 24 Brandon Road near PS (WR). American Woodcock: I Jun 25 Wilm (RMc, LM); frequently seen all summer (TM); no other reports. Common Snipe: 1 Jun 1 ADK (MK); 1 Jun 19 PS (TM); 1 Jul 11 PS (TM); records indicate that snipe do not breed in the Adirondacks; however, they winnow here in the spring and they are seen at Lower St. Regis Lake all summer. Spotted Sand¬ piper: 1 Jun 19 PS (TM); 2 Jun 25 Wilm (RMc, LM); 2 Jul 15 Rich L, New (TM). Black Tern: 1 Jun 25 TL (MK); 1 Jul 30 TL (BB); probably same bird as this is a species not to be expected in the Adirondack Park. Mourning Dove: 1 Jun 22 Ind L (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 27 Jay (RMc, LM); 3 Jun 27 UndBBS; 2 Jun 28 NewBBS; not reported every year. Black-billed Cuckoo: all summer TL (RM); 5 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 1 Aug 16 LP (JT). Great Horned Owl: 1 all summer PS (TM). Barred Owl: several reports. GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: all summer TL (RM); 1 Jun 25 Wilm (RMc, LM); usually not reported. Nighthawk: 1 Jun 27 Jay (RMc, LM); 1 Jul 24 Brandon Road near PS (WR). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: widely re¬ ported: max 6 Jun 25 Mad (RMc, LM). Belted Kingfisher: unusually common. Pileated Woodpecker: 1 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 1 Jun 20 PS (Robert Lefler); 1 Aug 4 Hi Pk (RMc). Eastern Kingbird: numbers up. Great Crested Flycatcher: max 6 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Eastern Phoebe: 5 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 7 Jun 27 UndBBS. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 Jun 6 SecBBS; 3 Jun 23 Hi Pk (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 27 Chubb (RM, LM). Willow Flycatcher: 1 Jun 22 Ind L (RM, LM). Alder Flycatcher: 3 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Least Flycatcher: max 27 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Olive-sided Flycatcher: max 5 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Cliff Swallow: fairly common PS as usual. Rough-winged Swallow: 2 Jun 28 NewBBS; many Jul Raq L (EH). Purple Martin: 2 Jun 27 LP (RMc, LM). Gray Jay: 2 Jun 25 Mad (RMc, LM). Common Raven: 1 Jun 3 ADK (BB, Will Merritt); 2 Jun 26 UndBBS. Boreal Chickadee: 2 Jun 25 Mad (RMc, LM). Brown Creeper: 2 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 3 Jun 28 New BBS; several Aug 14 LP (JT). Winter Wren: max 25 June 28 NewBBS. Catbird: good numbers. Brown Thrasher: most observers saw 2 in a day, Swainson’s Thrush: scarce. East¬ ern Bluebird: 2 young raised TL (RM); I Jun 25 MooBBS; 1 Jun 27 LP (RMc, LM); 2 Jun 27 UndBBS; 3 Jun 28 NewBBS; several Aug LP & Mad (JT). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Red-eyed Vireo: max 80 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 70 Jun 25 MooBBS. Philadelphia Vii'eo: 2 Jun 3 Bobsled Run, LP (BB,MK). Warbling Vireo: 1 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 2 Jun 27 UndBBS. Black-and-white Warbler: max 10 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Nashville Warbler: max 6 Jun 28 NewBBS. Parula Warbler; 8 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 3 Jun 25 Chubb (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 28 NewBBS. Magnolia Warbler: max 19 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Black-throated Blue Warbler; max 12 Jun 6 SpecBS. Yelolw-rumped Warbler: numbers very low; max 11 Jun 28 NewBBS. Black- throated Green Warbler: very scarce; max 3 on any report. Blackburnian Warbler: max 16 Jun 6 SpecBBS; female feeding 2 young Aug 9 Raq L (EH). Chestnut¬ sided Warbler: 44 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 20 Jun 28 NewBBS. Bay-breasted Warbler: 4 Jun 28 NewBBS. Northern Waterthrush: 9 Jun 6 SpecBBs; several Jun 25 Wilm 208 (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 25 MooBBS. Mourning Warbler: 1 Jun 2 Bobsled Run, LP (MK); 4 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 1 Jun 22 Ind L (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 25 MooBBS; several Jun 25 Wilm (RMc, LM). Canada Warbler: max 17 Jun 6 SpecBBS. American Redstart: 48 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 32 Jun 28 NewBBS. BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: 8 Jun 1 Averyville, LP (BB). Rusty Blackbird: max 4 Jun 1 ADK (MK); 1 Jun 23 Hi Pk (RMc, LM); 1 Jun 28 NewBBS; 1 Jul 15 Raq L (EH); 1 Aug 18 Ind L (RMs). Brown-headed Cow- bird: numbers very high. Scarlet Tanager: max 14 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 27 Jun 6 SpecBBS; scarce in other areas. Indigo Bunting 1 pair all sum¬ mer PS (TM); 2 Jun 26 Blue Ridge RMc, LM); 1 Jun 28 UndBBS. Purple Finch: many all summer TL (RM); 12 Jun 6 SpecBBS; 8 Jul 13 PL (DMc). Pine Siskin: 3 all summer SL (MK); 15 Jun 2 PS (TM); 5 Jun 6 SpecBBS. Red Crossbill: 60 Jun 1 Schroon River (BB); flock Aug 14 LP (JT). Rufous-sided Towhee: 1 Jun 27 Jay (RMc, LM); 2 Jun 27 UndBBS. Dark-eyed Junco: numbers down. Field Sparrow: max 5 Jun 27 UndBBS. Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 banded Aug 18 Ind L (RMc). P. O. Box 125, Paul Smiths, New York 12970 REGION 8 — HUDSON-MOHAWK Richard Philion The summer has been a long one this year with hot humid weather arriving in early June and sending temperatures to a high of 92° on the 11th. Precipitation for the month was 7.4 inches or 4 inches above normal. July and August were also warm but a dry trend developed in early August. Heavy infestation of cherry trees with tent caterpillars may have been re¬ sponsible for the numerous reports of Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos in our region. The only usual species for the period was the Hooded Warbler seen at close range in Mariaville. Observers: PC-Paul Connor; B&HG—B&H Gardina; WG-William Gorman; RP— Richard Philion; BW—Beverly Waite; RPY—Robere P. Yunick. Abbreviations: ADBC—Alan Devoe Bird Club; BBC—Breeding Bird Census; JL—Jenny Lake; VFWM—Vischer Ferry Wildlife Management. LOONS—DUCKS: Cattle Egret: 7 Jun 7 Altamont (BM) mob. American Bittern: 1 Aug 4 Meadowdale (WG). Least Bittern: 1 Jul 4 Rensselaer (PG). Canada Goose: reported in Columbia County (ADBC). Green-winged Teal: 10 (9 im¬ mature) Jul 8 Rensselaer (PG). Blue-winged Teal: reported Jun and Jul Columbia Co. (ADBC). HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: Jun and Jul Columbia Co (ADBC). Red¬ tailed Hawk: several reports thru period. Red-shouldered Hawk: 1 Jun 6 & Jul 16 Cherry Plain (PC); 1 Aug 5 Rensselaer (PC). Broad-winged Hawk: several re¬ ports. Bobwhite: 1 Jun 2 Altamont (BW). 1st report in several years. Virginia Rail: max 8 including young Jul 4 Rensselaer (PC); 1 Aug 4 Meadowddale (WG). Common Gallinule: 20 Jul 4 Rensselaer, max 30 Jul 8 & 7 Aug 12 including immature Rensselaer (PC). Common Snipe: 1 Jul 8 Rensselaer (PC). Upland Sandpiper: 1 Aug 12 Schodack Center (PC). Spotted Sandpiptr: 2 Jun 3 No Easton BBC. Solitary Sandpiper: 1 Aug 4 & 12 Stony Pt (PC). Lesser Yellow- legs: 5 Aug 12 Stony Pt (PC). Greater Yellowlegs: 1 Jun 3 No Easton BBC. 209 Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 Jun 3 & 7 Schodack Center (PC); Jul 3-23 intermittent N.W. Columbia Co (R. Drowne); 1 Aug 12 Rensselaer (PC). Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 Jun 3 No Easton BBC; 1 Jun 7 & 28 Schodack Center (PC); 1 Jun 19 Ghent (B & HG); several Jul reports; 1 Aug 14 VFWM (RPY). Screech Owl: 1 Aug 2 E Greenbush (WG). Barred Owl: 2 Jun 11 Cherry Plain (PG); 1 Jun 20 Altamont (BW). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Common Nighthawk: 5 mid Jul Troy (RP) Ruby-throated Hummingbird: present at feeders in normal number Jenny Lake (RPY). Traill’s Flycatcher: 1 25 Altamont (BW); 2 Jul 8 & 1 Aug 5 & 12 Rensselaer (PC). Winter Wren: 4 Jul 7 Black Mtn (HMBC); 1 Jul 28 Cherry Plain (PC). Long-billed Marsh Wren: 5 Jul 4 & 20 Jul 8 Rensselatr (PC). Mock¬ ingbird: scattered reports. Eastern Bluebird: 2 Jun 8 & 4 Jul 6 Pine Bush (PC); 2 Jul 10 Spencertown (E. Mansell). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 2 Jul 16 Cherry Plain (PC). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Solitary Vireo: 2 Jul 28 Cherry Plain (PC). Warbling Vireo: 4 June 26 Salem BBC. Golden-winged Warbler: 1 Jun 26 Salem BBC. Nash¬ ville Warbler: 1 Jul 16 Cherry Plain (PC). Black-throated Blue Warbler: 3 banded Aug 10 JL (RPY). Blackpoll Warbler: 1 Jun 3 Schodack Center (PC). Prairie Warbler: several Jun 1 & 1 Pine Bush (PC). Northern Waterthrush: 1 banded Jul 29 JL (RPY); 1 Jul 23 Schodack Center (PC) Louisiana Water- thrush: 1 June & Jul 30 Barberville (PC). Mourning Warbler: 1 Jun 26 Salem BBC. HOODED WARBLER-. 1 male seen and heard singing mid-June Mariaville (Bob Marx); last reported in Region 8 in 1957. BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: Orchard Oriole: 1 Jul 1 & 3 Chatham (H & B Tullar). Evening Grosbeak: “none heard or seen thru period” JL (RPY). Purple Finch: “more numerous than ever at feeder” total of 490 banded thru period JL (RPY). Pine Siskin: “none seen or heard thru period” JL (RPY). Red Cross¬ bill: “totally absent at JL” (RPY); 2 Jun 3 Schodack Center (PC); 3 Jun 5 Duanesburg BBC. Savannah Sparrow: 7 June 26 Salem BBC. Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 Jun 26 Salem BBC. Vesper Sparrow: 3 Jun 26 Salem BBC. Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 Jun 2 Cobleskill BBC, an unusually late date. Edgewood Dr. Averill Park, N.Y. 12018 REGION 9 — HUDSON-DELAWARE Edward D. Treacy Summer temperatures were to be expected. June was warm but quite we6 with over 8 inches of rainfall. July was warm with slightly less than the precipitation mean of 4.71 inches. August was warm and relatively dry. As usual summer reports are quite scarce, but sufficient information was received to put together a report. The season was quite normal. Few fluctuations of nesting species were noted. There was an excellent influx of southern herons in July and August, and several species of ducks lingered into the summer far past the time when they should have left. Hawks were normal — too few. Shorebirds were excellent, probably due to better than usual coverage and the fact that a washed out dam near Millbrook, Dutch, left considerable mud flat exposed upon which they could feed. Several unusual species of tern were reported from the lower Hudson, while Passerines were generally what we have come to think of as normal over the last decade. 210 The most exciting piece of news is the return of a pair of Peregrine Falcons to the Palisades of the Lower Hudson. They were observed regularly thru May by Anthony Amos, but no nest site was found. No summer observations were re¬ ported. Received to late for the spring report were notes of extensive birding in the vicinity of Piermont Pier and Piermont Marsh by Mr. Amos. The results are of such importance that they will be related in this summer report. Observers cited: AA—Anthony Amos; EB—Enid Butler; RFD—Robert F. Deed; FG—Florence Germond; FH—Fred Hough; WH-William Howe; PJ—Paul Jeheber; AJ—Alice Jones; EK—Eric Kwiat; KM—Kevin McGuire; ABM—Al & Barbara Merritt; EP—Eleanor Pink; FAR—Forrest & Aline Romero; DS—Dan Smiley; JT—John Trip; DU—Devi Ukrain; MVM—Marion Van Wagner; DZ—Doug Zwick. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: 1 remained at Croton Pt until Jun 5 (WH). Double-crested Cormorant: 2 Jun 5 Croton Pt. Great Blue Heron: heronry at Tamarack Swamp, Dutch about normal; 14 active nests. Green Heron: excellent numbers: LITTLE BLUE HERON: 1 ad East Park June 21 (AJ); an imm at Cornwall Bay Aug 6 and 13 (PJ). Great Egret: 2 Jul 21 Hyde Park. (AJ); 1 Aug 4-5 Beaver Dam, Millbrook (FG); 3 Cornwall Bay first and second week of Aug (PJ). Snowy Egret: 4 Jul 20-31 Piermont Pier (AA); 8 Aug 12 Croton Pt (WH); I Aug 6; 2 Aug 12 at Cornwall Bay (PJ). Black-crowned Night Heron: 1 Jun II Cruger Is (EK); 1 Jun 2 and Jul 14 Croton Point (WH); several from Jul 15 thru end of period at Piermont Marsh (AA). YELLOW-CROW NED NIGHT HERONS: 1 imm May 27 and again Jun 19 at Piermont Marsh (AA). Least Bit¬ tern; numbers good at usual places; reported regularly from North Bay, Cruger Is (EK); obs Piermont May 24-27 and Jun 2 & 15, the latter date an ad with an imm, June 16, 3 ad and 5 imm and 2 others heard (AA); 4 Jul 31 Cornwall Bay (PJ); 3 Aug 12 Croton Pt (WH) American Bittern: 1 30 Briarcliff (EP). GLOSSY IBIS: Rockland had its 3rd record on Aug 2 when 1 appeared at Rock¬ land Lake North (Don Deed). Blue-winged Teal: summered at Piermont Marsh, could nest three (AA); 3 Aug 12 Croton Pt (HW). NORTHERN S HOVELER: 1 female Aug 4 Roe Park, Highlanl Falls (PJ). Canvasback: 1 female Jun 20 Cruger Is, very late (EK). Scaup: a female near Piermont Pier all season (AA). Bufflehead: 1 female Jun 1 Cruger Is (EK); a male Jun 18 near Piermont Pier (AA). Ruddy Duck: 1 Jul 22 Piermont Pier (RFD) HOODED MERGANSER: either a female or an imm at Beaver Dam, Millbrook (FG, MVW) COMMON MERGANSER: a pair of adults with 7 young in tow on the Neversink R near Oakland Valley Camp, Cuddebaekville, Oran, first recorded nesting. (JT) HAWKS—OWLS: Bald Eagle: 1 imm Jul 19 Cruger Is (KM); 1 imm over Hudson R at Nyack May 4 (AA). Osprey: seen and heard at Cruger Is thru Jun and Jul (EK,DU). PEREGRINE FALCON: see introductory notes. Ruffed Grouse; appears down in the Ulst area (FH,DS). Turkey: 1 Aug 11 near Rio Res, Sull (JT). Virginia Rail: 2 May 9 Piermont Marsh (AA); 1 Moodna Marsh thru period (PJ); another paid at Croton Pt thru summer (WH). Sora: obs Piermont Marsh Jun 13 and Jul 3 (AA); 1 pr nested at Croton Pt (MH). Common Gallinule: 2 Aug 12 Croton Ft (WH); 1 ad and imm at Piermont Marsh Jul 6 & 31 (AA). Semipalmated Plover: 2 Jul 24, 3 Jul 21, near Millbrook (MVW); 1 Piermont Pier Jul 21 (AA); 4 Jul 31 Cornwall Bay and another there on Aug 13 (ABM). Black- bellied Plover: 2 Jun 2 Croton Pt (WH); 1 Cornwall Bay Jul 31 (PJ). Ruddy Turnstone; more reports than usual, 1 Jun 2 Cruger Is was the first report for Dutch in many years (DZ); 20 May 28; Piermont Marsh 1 same place Jul 21 (AA); 1 Jul 18 & Aug 13 Cornwall Bay (PJ). WHIMBREL: 1 Aug 11 Cornwall Bay (PJ, ABM). Spotted Sandpiper: excellent numbers, 14 at Cornwall Bay Aug 3 (ABM). WILLET: 4 Piermont Marsh May 8, birds were very noisy and agitated, first time on Rockland List. (AA) Yellowlegs: both species reported in early Jun 211 in Rock; return flight noted in early July. Pectoral Sandpiped: 4 Jul 31 Millbrook (MVM); 1 Jul 18 Croton Pt (WH). Least Sandpiper: excellnet numbers in Dutch, Oran, Rock and West; max 23 Jul 19 at Piermont Pier (AA). Short-billed Dowitcher: ab 25 Jul 21 Piermont Pier (AA). Semipalmated Sandpiper: excellent numbers, 33 Jun 5 Piermont Pier; 250 Jul 21 same place (AA). Sander- ling: 2 Jul 26-30 Millbrook (FAR). Laughing Gull: a most unusual con¬ centration of 720 Aug 15 at Piermont Pier, continued that high thru Aug 19, largest number ever counted at one place on the Hudson above New York City (RFD). FORSTERS TERN: usually reported only after hurricanes; 1 Aug 13 Cornwall Bay (PJ). Common Tern: 1 Aug 12 Cornwall Bay (ABM); usual num¬ bers of 4 or 5 reported regularly off Piermont Pier. LEAST TERN: also usually found on the Hudson only after hurricanes; this year 4 Jul 20, 7 Jul 29 Piermont Pier (AA); several Jul observations in Tappan Zee by Eric Single while sailing. CASPIAN TERN: 1 Jul 31 Piermont Pier, only 6th record for Rockland. MONK PARAKEET: 3 Piermont Village Aug 16; 4 there Aug 19 (Eric Single); 1 Aug 7 Bashakill (John Tramontano). Cuckoo: almost unreported; both species obs Jun 24 Cornwall (ABM). Barn Owl: one sick young given to Alice Jones in P’kpsie later died (no date). Barred Owl: heard dur late Jul at Kripplebush (FH). GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Whip-poor-will: regularly reported in areas of Dutch thru season. Ruby-throated-Hummingbird: very scarce thru entire region; only a few reported. Pileated Woodpecker: fewer reported each year; only obser¬ vations this season from the Middletown area. Red-headed Woodpecker: 3 ad and 3 imm at Thompson Ridge Aug 16 (JT). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 Jun 15 at Clary- ville (RFD). ACADIAN FLYCATCHER: 2 pair found at Deep Hollow near Millbrook in Jun, obs thru Jul 18 by Maggie Bowman (who found them and is quite familiar with the species in the south) and sev members of the Waterman Bird Club, 1 pair built a nest and sat on it for only a few days when they un- explainably abandoned before hatching. Alder Flycatcher: obs at edge of Piermont Marsh Jun 10, 11 (AA). Least Flycatcher: numbers up in the Mohonk area (DS). Wood Pewee: also up in the Mohonk area (DS). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 Jun 15 on Slide Mt. (RFD), Swallows: not obviously abundant; Tree Swallows were moving by mid-Jul and abundant by mid Aug. Purple Martin; observed at some distance from Pleasant Valley nest site indicating a possible spread in Dutch. Red¬ breasted Nuthatch: 1 Jul 14 Pleasantville (WH), obs dur Jun and Jul at Mohonk, probably nested (DS,). Carolina Wren: continues to increase; 1 in RED backyard in S Nyack Jul 20; singing at Mohonk Aug 5 (DS), 2 thru period at Cornwall (ABM). Grey-cheeked Thrush: 1 Jun 5 Croton Pt. (WH). Veery: appears down in Ulster area (FH). Bluebird: a disappointing breeding season in Dutch, of the nest boxes obs only 11 successful broods brought off, 14 known failures, only 39 young produced: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: obs again this summer at Kripplebush; probably nested (FH). VIREOS—SPARROWS: White-eyed Vireo: 1 Jul 5 Stormville (EB). Red-eyed Vireo: reported down in many areas of Ulst where they were abundant (FH); not noted elsewhere. Warblers: FH reports them generally more scarce outside of the Catskills, not noted elsewhere. Lawrence’s Warbler: 1 in late Jun near Rhinebeck (AJ). Kentucky Warbler: 1 singing steadily on Jun 2 in Deep Hollow near Millbrook (MVW); this is the same area where one was reported in May of this year and 2 ytars ago. Hooded Warbler: not heard as regularly at Thompson Pd, Dutch this year as in the past; some suggestion that it may have moved farther up the mountain. Sparrows: nesting population normal. House Finch: many nest¬ ings reported as well as several second broods in the Middletown and Newburgh area (John Tramontano). Grasshopper Sparrow: there is strong evidence that this specjes might migrate along the river front in the lower Hudson Valley, no 212 fewer than 5 were observed on Piermont Pier on Jun 3 (AA). SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: this and the next species were breeders in the marshes along the lower Hudson before the turn of the century; since that time only a few have been reported, and no evidence of breeding exists. AA observed 1 at Piermont Marsh on May 24. SEASIDE SPARROW: only a few reports in this century, the last in 1959, 2 June 15 at Piermont Marsh (AA). Song Sparrow: A pr nesting at Kripplebush raised two broods with a Cowbird in each. Pellwood Lake, Highland Falls, N.Y. 10928 REGION 10 —MARINE Thomas H. Davis and Lee Morgan The Region 10 report for this period was inexplicably lost in the mail. It will be printed in the January, 1974, issue. With this issue Tom Davis and Lee Morgan are retiring as Region 10 editprs, Tom after 8 years and Lee after 6. We wish to thank them for their interest in and dedication to the Federation and for their always interesting, informative and innovative reports. Hugh McGuinness will succeed them as Region 10 editor, and reports should be sent to him at 22 East 8th Street, N.Y. 10011. 213 BOOK REVIEW The Continent in Our Hands. By Charlton Ogburn. William Morrow & Company, Inc., 105 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10016. 1971. 314 pages with index, bibliography, and maps. $7.95 One way of experiencing nature is to feel its ancientness. One seems to sense the presence of the past, particularly when watching andd contemplating geological formations of millions of years. In The Continent in Our Hands Charlton Ogburn explores his sensations of time while observing places like the Rocky Mountains and Grand Canyon. The book is a kind of ESP geological tour of America. The author describes the geology and his subjective feelings about the sights he sees while traveling from the Appalachians in the East to the Cascade Mountains on the Pacific Coast. He returns, commenting all the way, across terrain like the plains and the Canadian Shield to reach the Adirondacks and White Mointains in the Northeast. This book is useful simply as a geology guide for the traveler who wants to visit some of these places. Terms like Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic and Pleistocene repeatedly accent the book's time theme as Ogburn theorizes on the origins of everything from valleys, deserts and buttes to mountains. At the same time he explains what people actually see. For example, in the Rocky Mountains he says that “The hollowing out of the slopes by the Pleistocene glaciers has given the immense humps of mountains sharp crests and ridges, and their sculpture is accentuated by the snow that fills the crevasses and clings to the leeward sides.” This work by the author of “The Winter Reach” which won the 1967 John Burroughs Medal for excellent nature writing, is also a guide to some of the subjective feelings that can be experienced while viewing this scenery. This is because Ogburn reveals his own personal reactions as in the Rocky Mountains when he declares that “Everything you feel about mountains you feel here as strongly as you probably could, the sublimity and profundity of their repose, the sense of their looking beyond you to unfathomable reaches of time.” At this point you can take out notebook and pencil and write your own obser¬ vations and feelings. Your own ideas can be inspired by the author’s. If you write notes at each scenic stop, you can accumulate a notebook of meaningful descrip¬ tions and thoughts that are your own. Try this after reading Ogburn at Grand Canyon. He explains what periods the various layers you see represent. Then standing at the east rim one morning he bursts into his tape recorder that “You feel here that all time is present at once.” This leads him to an interesting feeling about birds. The canyon’s great impact of time also “makes you see the actual, living moment in which you are having your being. . . . More than any other organisms, birds seem to me vibrant upon the very point of the present. Expressing and symbolizing life in the sharpness of the moment, they have an uncommon power of recalling me to it,” The dynamic descriptions of birds that often flash into view throughout the book seem to have this effect on the reader: “A pair of California quail scuttle across the road, plump wooden toys on a blur of legs, the male with frontal plume erected like an apostrophe curving forward from his forehead.” “. . . a magpie takes off, flying in a leisurely way, hardly more than opening and closing its wings. It is a fine, consequential bird, the magpie, 214 streaming its long, graduated tail and unabashed at being the most con¬ spicuous object in the landscape in its sartorial bravura of whitest white and greenest black.” . . a Turkey vulture coasts by with a whooh of pinions. . . “Ring-billed gulls . . . are sailing across the rock face and the air resounds with their yearning, threatening, jubilant klee-ah, klee-ah! In this setting, they might be the progeny of a dawn world.” “From the top of protruding sandstone slabs, meadowlarks blurt their warbled whistles, stirred by the bright and spacious new day.” Ogburn discusses other natural phenomenon like trees and mammals. He dwells extensively on the human impact on nature. This accounts for the book’s rather rhetorical title. But always he returns to his most personal theme—the magnificience of the time he feels in nature. He verges on religious expression. He describes himself as “an acolyte of the continental mysteries and of the millions and millions of years of geologic time.” In the North Woods, Ogburn writes, “I am apt to feel aware of a Presence in Nature. ... It is one I feel an indefinable reassurance in acknowledging and have an instinct to honor and revere, and to celebrate. But whether my feeling testifies to anything outside myself, whether it is a mere reflection of an inner need, I have no way of knowing.” His question is a meaningful one to ponder around a campfire after a day’s climb of an Adirondack peak or under the ancient stars on a backpacking trip in the West. Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport, New York 11520 215 REPORTING REGIONS For descriptions of Regions see Kingbird Vol. IV Nos. 1 and 2 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. 1973 Officers Mr. Kenneth D. Niven President .P. O. Box 343, Monticello, N.Y. 12701 Vice President Mrs. Mary Ann Sunderlin. 505 Bay Rd., Webster, N.Y. 14580 Corresponding Secretary Miss Elizabeth A. Feldhusen.891 Union St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215 Mrs. Myrna Hemmerick Recording Secretary . P. O. Box 203, Setauket, N.Y. 11733 Treasurer Mr. Stephen B. Dempsey. 533 Chestnut St., West Hempstead, N.Y. 11552 Editor of THE KINGBIRD Joseph W. Taylor 20 Parish Rd., Honeoye Falls, New York 14472 Appointed Committees Bulletin Exchange: Mrs. Alice E. Ulrich, 193 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo, N.Y. 14214 Conservation: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell St., Freeport, N.Y. 11520 Finance: Mrs. Dorothy Mcllroy, 419 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 Publicity: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell St., Freeport, N.Y. 11520 Membership: Mrs. Myrna Hemmerick, P.O. Box 203, Setauket, N.Y. 11733 Publications and Research: Robert S. Arbib, Jr., 226 Guion Dr., Mamaronek, N.Y. 10543 Bibliography: Dr. Sally Hoyt Spofford, Box 428, Etna 13062 Bylaws: Richard Sloss, 1300 Seawave Drive, Hewlett Harbor 11557 Waterfowl Count: Dr. David B. Peakall, 257 Virgil Rd., R.D. #1, Dryden, N.Y. 13053 John J. Elliott Memorial Committee: Cornelius J. Ward, 804 South Ocean Avenue, Freeport 11520 Elected Committees Auditing: Ralph Cioffi, 25 Carpenter St., Glen Cove N.Y. 11542 William B. Reeves, 107 Elberta Dr., Northport, N.Y. 11768