Skingbird PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS V"l. NJd. 2 July 14“i2.^ Pages 25-48 CIONTEN'T'H Vfnir Pi-c'siiit-'nt Siiys __________ 26 Sixih /Xniuial Mcciiitl; _-_-____ 27 Pliotc j^rnpli (jI Annual Muctiufj; ____ 28 ^^pport tinity Unlimitctl I’or Bircler.s _____ 30 C'-lu'ckltsts —--Robert Deed 33 Why INloL a I'ccloral I lawk Law ___ 34 Pboelio INcstin^ lU’cnrd ________Frances H. Irving 35 (.'nnsc'rvatiun News ----- 35 Whi tv - V\/jjij^oct Crtissbill Incursion oit l-ong IsiantL-Eugene Eisenmann 36 Hi >tos tHi Voice o(‘ Alder Flycatcher-Eugene Eisenmann 38 13c|Toris For Spring Migration- 40 Hdi/nr~~Arj„AN S. Klonick A.v.vot‘////c,s'—Josunii W. Taylor Euui-nb Eisenmann Cit'cithtwH Mnntrgcr—M iss Helen Foster C nia’r De.sign—IOatTCLAS L. Howland NOTICE THE KINGBIRD is published four times a yeor (April, July, October and pecernber) by tb»e FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. After October 1953 Put>lic:cjtion Office will be Biology Dept,, St. Bonaventure College, St. Bonaventure, N. V, Publication Is sent free to all individual members of the Federation, Member¬ ship in the Federation is $2.00 per year. Single copies; Sixty cents. /APPLICATION for membership should be sent to the chairman of the member¬ ship committee: Xlnea ICiivgbiird MISS AUDREY L. WREDE 3109 BEVERLY RD. BROOKLYN 26, N. Y. 25 The Kingbird decided at a later date. Invitations by member clubs for this meeting are to be sent to Mr. Eisenmann as soon as possible. The Council meeting was adjourned at 12:05 noon. The general session opened at 1:45 p. m. with Robert F. Deed, Presi¬ dent of the Rockland Auduhon Society^ the host club, giving the welcom¬ ing address. John C. Orth, Park Naturalist at Bear Mountain welcomed the Federation members to Bear Mountain Park. President Eisenmann respond¬ ed on behalf of the Federation. The session continued with the presentation of the following papers: "Remarks on the Scientific and Popular Names of Birds” by Dean Amadon of the American Museum of Natural History and The Linnaean Society. "Nocturnal Vocal Activity in Diurnal Song Birds” by Richard C. Rosche of Cornell University, Ithaca. "Some Techniques in Studying Bird Songs” by Peter Paul Kellogg of Cornell University. "Bird Pouplation of the Albany County Barrens” by Edward D. Treacy of Highland Falls. "Highways and Birdways of Schuyler County” by Mrs. Annah M. Rob¬ inson of Watkins-Montour Bird Cluh. "Opportunity Unlimited for New York Birders” by Allen FI, Benton of Schenectady Bird Cluh and Robert S. Arbib, Jr., of The Linnaean Society. "Let Us Flave a Federal ITawk Law” by Stanley O. Grierson of Katonah. "Spring and Fall Hawk Migration in New' York State” by Richard F. Meyers of Ithaca. Symposium: "Problems Involved in Establishing a Uniform System of Keeping Regional Records;” Moderator; Eugene Eisenmann. Robert S. Arbib, Jr.: "Problems in Classification and Censorsdiip”. Frazer R. Turrentine: "Territorial Coverage Problems”. Harold D. Mitchell: "LIniformity in Record-Keeping”. H. Everest Clements: "Bird-Spotter Telephone System”. The annual dinner was held at 7:00 p. m. in the Banquet Hall at Bear Mountain Inn. John M. Price served as toastmaster. The speaker of the evening was Charles E. Mohr, Director of the Audubon Center at Greenwich, Connecticut. His subject was "Why Birds Leave Home”, a story of ecological succession which w'as illuminated with color slides. About 75 members in seven parties participated in the annual field trip on Sunday, May 24. Weather was perfect, ranging from 46 degrees at 5:00 a. m. to 72 degrees maximum, and sunny all day. Parties covered roughly the same areas, but lists varied from the mid-70s to the upper 80s in number of species. Migrants were almost entirely absent. Species of particular interest included Turkey Vulture, all three Empidonax fly¬ catchers plus the Olive-sided, Caroline Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Lawrence's Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Hooded Warbler, an unusual number of Orchard Orioles, and Cardinal. The .composite list for the morning totaled 110 species; two species were added in the afternoon. Frances H. Irving, Recording Secretary The Kingbird 29 PROPOSED 1954 BUDGET OF THE FEDERATION Per Treasurer-elect IT. Everest Clements /The Kingbird- $470.00 Work of the Conservation Committee _ 125,00 Work of the Membership Committee_ 5,00 Office of the President _ 6.00 Office of the Vice President_ 3.00 Office of the Recording Secretary _ 10.00 Office of the Corresponding Secretary_ 5.00 Office of the Treasurer_ 50.00 -.Tidelity Bond on Treasurer_ 5.00 Annual Meeting Expenses_ 30.00 Publications and Research_ 25.00 Unallocated Funds _ 25.00 Total_$759.00 The following is a talk given by the writers at the convention of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, held at Bear Mountain Pork, May 23, 1953. OPPORTUNITY UNLIMITED FOR NEW YORK BIRD WATCHERS Every year, bird watchers in New York state spend hundreds of thousands of hours afield. A few of these people are professionals, with some specific aim in view. Most of them are amateurs, as we are, trying to build up a large annual list, to see birds they have never seen before, in short, enjoying the game of birding. The results of their labors may be summarized as follows: 1. They build up large lists and learn to know more birds, a source of great personal satisfaction. 2. They add to the knowledge of seasonal and geographical distribu¬ tion, though much of this knowledge is unorganized. 3. They secure a few accidental or unusual records, which are ex¬ citing, hut of little real importance. 4. They have a tremendous amount of healthful relaxation and enjoyment. Could this time afield have been spent in such a way as to have been equally enjoyable, providing equal personal satisfaction, relaxation and pleasure, but adding more to our knowledge of birds? We think so. The average amateur is in a position to add to our knowledge of birds by con¬ centrating on some small subject, rather than shot-gunning his efforts at the birds in general. All that is needed is a little thought, some small amount of direction, and such ambition as must be present for the individual to be an active birder in the first place. Now let's get down to cases. What projects can he suggested which might occupy the attention of field workers in New? York state? The first ana most important project is the state bird book, now in its planning stages. 30 The KinghiriJ Xo make this the kind of book it should be, the help of every bird watcher in the state will be needed, Some of the information needed will be: 1. Precise data on numbers of migrating birds at different dates and places, 2. Composition of migratory flocks. 3. Direction of migratory flights, spring and fall, 4. Correlation of migratory flights with weather conditions. 5. Exact composition of breeding bird populations of all types of areas throughout the state. 6. Distribution of these birds in relation to vegetation, water, light, altitude, topography, height from ground, etc, 7. Nesting data: incubation periods; size of clutch; survival of young to fledgling stage; rate of growth; food, etc. 8. Behavior of birds: courtship; nesting; incubation by male and female; how much and when by each sex; approach to the nest; reaction to observer; defense of home territory; size of territory; song perches; song season, etc. 9. Relationship of birds to other birds, mammals, etc.: predators, para¬ sites, competitors for food, food species. 10. Composition of winter bird flocks; records of hawk and owl flights; checking records' of local taxidermists to determine dates of large flights and discover rare specimens. 11. Better coverage of unstudied areas: Tug Elill; parts of the Adirondacks and Catskills; smaller areas throughout the state. Does all this sound over the head of the average birder? In the last two years, at least two books have been published which were written by amateurs and hailed by ornithologists as notable contributions to bird study. Probably none of you will write a book about your observations, but you can accumu¬ late part of the information needed for the writing of a book: our state bird book. From the viewpoint of personal satisfaction, perhaps having a jrart in the state book is not enough. What other thrill, comparable to that of building a big list, can be expected from this kind of work? Your list may fall off a little, and you have a right to expect some compensating satisfaction. The first thrill is the thrill of discovery — to be the first to learn some facts about birds. To us, this is a greater thrill than adding a new bird to the annual list. The fact may not be particularly important, but you have made yourself the leading expert in some small portion of ornithology. Secondly, if you carry on your researches, you will find it easy to have them published in an ornithological journal. The Kinghird is the normal outlet for papers of this type. If you wish to aim at a national publication, don't feel that they are above your range. Look at any issue of The Auk or The Wilson Bulletin. Here are some titles chosen at random from the The Kingbird 31 1952 issues of the Atih Any of you might have clone one of these, or a similar one. “Sex displays of the Slate-colored Junco” “Nesting of Clay-Colored Sparrow” “Observations on re-mating in the American Robin” “A warning call of the American Robin” “Notes on song cessation” Here is the opportunity and the challenge. We hope many of you will respond to it. Allen H. Benton, New York State College for Teachers, Albany, and Robert Arbib, The Linnaean Society of New York 32 The Kingbird REGIONAL CHECKLISTS Believing as I do that collating regional field notes is the least a society can do for fellow hirders and the general public, I would like to see every club in New York State publish a booklet on this subject. If your club can’t afford to print it, mimeograph it - or write it in longhand if necessary. I’ln conscious, though, of the work entailed, and of how quickly your labored listing,grows out of date. In fact, the two factors go together: Your hounding of members to produce their data about local avifauna is in itself a challenge to them, and to others, to go forth and make the dates obsolete. This is one of the values of the project; the stimulus to more active, more knowing field work. Take Rockland County’s list, compiled in printed booklet form early in 1949. The list at that time contained 233 species, including entries for historical records (though we omitted the Passenger Pigeon and the Roc). Since 1949, we’ve added three species ~ Swallow-tailed Kite, Gyrfalcon, Wild Turkey — as older records came to light. But, more important, we’ve added 15 other species directly through the heightened interest and more focused field work of our own members. The Rockland list now comprises 251 species. Not counting permanent residents whose status hasn’t changed, Rockland Audubon Society has changed all but 49 of the original entries, extending the dates for the migra¬ tion spans, adding summer and winter dates, etc. This was to be expected. The original list was put together when Rock¬ land Audubon was only two years old. It drew heavily on the notes of a few sources such as the writer and the Trailside Museum at Bear Mountain. Now the work of dozen of new birders has been superimposed on the earlier base. So I wouldn’t let it stop me if only a few field notebooks were available for a regional checklist, I would go ahead and make the best possible list, broadly annotated, and let nature take its course. You couldn’t ask for a healthier development than an upsurge of interest that would soon outdate your booklet. If I had the editing to do over again, though, there are a few things I would do: 1. I would try to break the region (Rockland County and the Palisades Interstate Park, in our case) down into general habitat and topographical areas. At least, I would keep track of separate arrival and departure dates and breeding status for the lowlands and the highlands. 2. I would try, with more data available, to give a better picture of normal migration dates and a more precise indication of rarity and abund¬ ance (just now, 1 don’t know, and I’ll be watching with interest what comes out of the Federation’s state bird book discussions). 3. I would seriously consider including some inkling of the field characters of certain birds — not to compete with the field guides but to help users of the book more readily to connect the bird with the listing. Then if the book were printed in pocket size, it would be more useful in the field. For example, a note about the call of each cuckoo might be helpful. 4. I would also consider including the scientific name of each species, both for the delectation of the more learned birders and to familiarize others with the Latin names. Robert F. Deed, Rockland Audubon Society The Kingbird 33 The following is a summary of a talk given by Stanley Oliver Grierson of Katonah, New York, full time Educational Representative for the Bedford Audubon Society, at the Convention of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, held at Pear Mountain Park, May 23, 1953. / WHY NOT A FEDERAL HAWK LAW? The battle to protect our useful hawks goes back many years, and yet couaervationists have only succeeded in reducing the practice of hawk shooting. They have by no means stopped it. It is true that many states have laws protectingg some of the hircls of prey, but most of the time the laws go unenforced. Connecticut is outstanding in having a model hawk law that protects all the birds of prey, except if one is caught in the act of destroying personal property. There are some other states that protect all hawks but the Sharp-shinned, Coopers, and Goshawk, but because these three are exempt from protection, all hawks in the state are in jeopardy. To the average layman all hawks are either “Chicken Hawks’’, "Hen Hawks”, or perhaps "Pigeon Hawks”. Having thus identified a hawk, he feels justified in killing it. , If our hawks did not fly low over the same narrow migration routes year after year, their misidentification by gunners would not be of any great importance. Facts show, however, that a vast percentage of the North American hawk population from widely scattered areas concenti-ate into relatively narrow flight lines during the spring and fall migration, Gunning along the flight lines still takes a very heavy toll of useful raptors. Hawks protected in one state are shot for bounty in another, or just to satisfy the ego of some gunner practicing for the coming hunting season. In many states ardent conservationists are trying to get protection for all hawks as a means of preventing the useful types from being killed by mistake, but these people make little headway against the organized gunning element and unsympathetic State Game Commissions. Would it not he better if we would all join forces and unite in one hig effort to have all hawks added to the Federal Migratory Bird Act, with the provision that they would come under Federal protection only during their migration period, namely from September 1st to November 30th, and March 1st to April 30th. Such a bill would require the efforts of all conservation groups all over the United States, hut it would stand a'better chance of beconiing a law than if we tried to enact such legislation on a state to state basis.': Education over a period of years will reduce the occasional violation, but only a well enforced Federal regulation will halt the mass slaughter that still goes on. Stanley Oliver Grierson, Katonah, N. Y. 34 The Kingbird record of the nesting of a pair of phoebes IN WEST NYACK, N. T. For three years (1950-51-52) the same pair of Phoehes nested on a small shelf which I nailed up about 5 inches below the ceiling in the sheltered entrance on the south side of our home. I banded this pair in 1950. The fourth year one of the pair returned, brought a few bits of wet moss to the shelf but did not build a nest. In the 1950 nesting one Cowbird egg was laid in the nest 14 days before the first Phoebe egg was laid. The Phoebe continued building and finished the nest, thereby eompletely covering up the Cowbird egg. In 1951 a Cowbird egg was deposited in the Phoebe's nest on the same clay that the first Phoebe egg was laid. (1 removed Cowbird egg and placed it in a Robin's nest which had three Robin eggs in it. Within 15 minutes there was no sign of the Cowbird egg in or nearby the Robin’s nest.) I kept detailed notes on the four nestings of the Phoebes hut shall give only the length of time for nest building, inculation, time nestlings re¬ mained in nest and the number of eggs laid. Year Began building nest Time for building nest No. of eggs laid Age of nestlings Incubation when they to hatching left nest 1950 Apr. 28 26 days 5 eggs in 5 days Eggs destroyed by Blue Jay 0 A 951 ? ? (May 7 - 9) 3 eggs in 3 days 17 doys 1 7 days 1952 Apr, 2 1 9 days 5 eggs in 5 days 1 7 days 1 8 days 2nd nesting in 1952 Repaired old nest June 2 4 eggs in 4 days 14 days 17 days Frances H. Irving, Rockland Audubon Society CONSERVATION NEWS AND NOTES Samuel R. Madison — Chairman, Conservation Committee The Ostrander constitutional amendment has passed both Mouses of the Legislature for the second time. This measure would amend Article 14, Section 2, of the State Constitution by striking out the provision that the Legislature may provide for the use of forest preserve lands for the con¬ struction of reservoirs to regulate the flow of streams. It would make it impossible to undertake a stream control project in the forest preserve, such as Panther Dam, without further amendment of the constitution. The Ostrander amendment will be voted upon at the general election next November. It will be necessary for you to give it your most enthusiastic support at that time. The strong opposition which the amendment met in the committees in both Houses of the Legislature this year indicates that it will have vigorous opposition at the polls. The Kinghird 35 As expected, no action was taken by the Legislature in regard to use of the forest preserve lands which is being studies by the Milmoe ( mittee of eighteen. It is not anticipated that the committee will be pared to render a report to the Legislature until 1954. As you know, committee is investigating the proposal to change the present constituti provision that the State forest preserve lands should be kept "forever w On the national scene there are several matters which require oui tention. It is becoming increasingly apparent that certain interests ] interpreted the results of last November’s election as an invitation to lai raids on the nation’s natural resources. At least they are seeking to advantage of the change in administration to put through measures w. are against the public interest but favorable to their selfish interests. One bill (S. 82), introduced by Senator Guy Gordon of Oregon, w( open wildlife refuge lands and national forest lands to exploration and ei under the mineral land laws. This is. pending before the Senate Commi on Interior, and Insular Affairs, of which Senator Hugh Butler is Chairn Another bill (S, 134) would permit the former owners of submargmal la which had been acquired by the federal government, to buy back the min> interests for only 25% of the consideration paid by the government for property. These submarginal lands are the kind set aside for wdld refuges. Of even greater importance is the legislation introduced on behalf western livestock interests. They have had introduced two identical b S. 1491 and H. R. 4023, under which the livestock owners would obt practically the same benefits, insofar as grazing is concerned, that tl would have under complete ownership of the land. The bills cont provisions which would grant to those presently enjoying grazing privile first preference for continued use of the privileges. In addition, the lej lation would permit them to transfer their grazing privileges, thus restr ing the grazing privileges to the present permittees and successors of tb owm choosing, and resulting in a vested right contrary to the public interc Linder other sections of these identical bills, grazing privileges would administered in most part by local boards which would determine the p centage ajid kind of livestock to be grazed, thereby weakening the powey the federal government to manage and protect timber and watershed lar in the national forests. BEHAVIOR NOTES ON WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS DURING THE 1953 INCURSION ON LONG ISLAND By Eugene Eisenmann The White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera') is an exceeding irregular and rare winter visitant in the vicinity of New York City. Eve: few years a small flock may be reported, especially from the Montauk an at the eastern tip of Long Island, but there had been no real incursion sin( 1899-1900. It seems remarkable that in the unusually mild winter i 1952-53, characterized by the presence of many species normally winterir well to the south, there should also he a great influx of these boreal finche The birds were first noted early in February 1953, but rapidly disappeare during the two weeks following their arrival, though occasional individiia were reported as late as May. 36 The Kingrbiif The first report came on Febi’uary 5, from Jones Beach State Park, where there was also noted for the first time this winter a few Common Redpolls (Acanthis Unarm) in a flock of Pine Siskin (Spmus pimis). Significantly, this winter had been characterized by an unusual number of Red Crossbills (Loxia cnrvirostra'), but these had attained maximum numbers in late No¬ vember and early December. Siskins, too, had been strikingly numerous in November, but by January had almost disappeared. On February 8 during a trip on the outer beach from Riis Park (near the tip of the Rockaway Penin- suk) to Jones Beach, almost every spot where there were planted pines back of the dunes, w/e found White-winged Crossbills. I estimate seeing between 100 and 150 birds, but I am sure there must have been many times that number on this strip. The Wbite-winged Crossbill gave the im¬ pression of being the most numerous native passerine in the area, for they seemed to be almost everywhere. Actually the Siskins were probably more numerous, but they were concentrated in several nervous flocks containing a few Red] 5 olls. The White-wunged Crossbills were distributed in scattered small groups. The largest group I personally counted bad 14, but a few flying groups may have been somewhat larger. These birds did not at all show the restlessness so characteristic of wintering Red Crossbills. In fact their behavior was different in several respects. The Red Crossbill in winter is arboreal and almost exclusively a feeder on the seeds of conifers; one seldom sees them on the ground, except momentarily or when drinking at a puddle. The White-winged Crossbills were almost in¬ variably feeding on the ground. While they took to the trees wffien startled, and generally landed on trees when flying from any distance, they almost always soon dropped to the ground. We saw a few extracting seed from pine cones, but their chief food during my observations was taken from the ground. They picked up grass-seed, dried fallen fruit of the cultivated Elaeagnus, and dropped-seed of several other ornamental shrubs. Almost always the birds fed under, or not far from, planted pine trees, though in some instances they spread over nearby grass plots. One suspects that they were draw'ii to a particular spot by the pi'esence of the pines and then found other food more abundant or attractive. Possibly most of the ripe pine cones b^id already been denuded by the Red Crossbills in November and December, ahff there may have been some pine seed on the ground. So different were they to the presence of people that as they fed on the ground one could approach within two or three feet, and the birds would at times hop even nearer. In my presence two boys each captured a bird with their caps. In fact I have never seen passerine birds that were so completely unsuspicious of man. Pough in his "Audubon Bird Guide", p. 236, says: "Our two crossbills present an interesting problem. They are closely related, similar in habits and the ecological niche they occupy, yet they apparently thrive in the same area wnthout one tending to displace the other". This is a reference to the opinion expressed by some ornithologists, notably David Lack, that two closely allied species cannot at the same time occupy the same area and the same ecological niche. The foregoing observations, unless they represent an abnormal condition, suggest that the two crossbills, in wnnter at least, may have different feeding preferences and behavior. If this holds true on the breeding ground, perhaps the tw?o species do occupy somewhat different ecological niches in the great coniferous forest. The Kingbird 37 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR IT IS WITH REGRET that this issue had to go to press without Reports from Region 5 (Adirondack) and Region 6 (Mohawk Valley). ^ 40 The Kingb REGIONAL REPORTS REGION 1 — WESTERN NEW YORK The unusually mild weather of the winter ended with the odvent of March. There was, however, a two-week period during the middle of that month in which 0 wave of warm weather brought the early migrants to western New York in un¬ usual numbers and on neor-record dates. April did its best to reverse the trend of spring by giving us warm weather at the start and cooler toward the end; this re¬ sulted in 0 strange mixture of migrants in late April. May was one of the wettest on record, and also one of the most disappointing to bird observers. It contained no real old-fashioned waves, and for the most part arrival dates were extremely poor. The record total of 196 species and subspecies achieved on the Buffalo Ornithological Society census on the 17th was due to hard work by our observers on a day in which an inch ond a half of rain fell and only a scattering of birds was in evidence. That day was almost typical of the month. loons —DUCKS; The swan flight was disappointing, but we did enjoy an extremely heavy Canada Goose migration, with a high of 25,000 estimated by the Brockners on April 19 in the Oak Orchard area. Scattered reports of such desiderata as Snow ond Blue Geese, Gadwoll, and European Widgeon come to us, and the very new pattern of brant records was continued this year by o flock of 25 of the American form at Niagara Falls on May 16 (Axtells); ten were still there at the month's end (Brockner). The two Horlequin Ducks which wintered at the Falls were not present after March 15. HAWKS — OWLS: Good flights of Broad-winged Hawks along the shore of Lake Erie south of Buffalo occurred on the 26th and 30th of April, and of Sharp-shins on May 2. Turkeys ore now quite regularly reported from Allegany State Park. Few shore birds were found on "our" side of the Niagara River; four Pectoral Sandpipers were early arrivals at Wolcottsvilie on April 2 (Webster, Wendling), and the first record of (Jpland Sandpiper came on the unbelievably late date of May 2 from Farnham (Axtells), SWIFTS — SHRIKES: Flycatchers, as a family, arrived about on time. Wrens were very late; Long¬ billed Marsh Wrens were not reported until May 7 and Short-bills seemed un¬ accountably absent from every one of their old haunts. Hermit Thrushes and both kinglets were more than usually abundant in late April. Pipits and Migrant Shrikes came early. VIREOS —WARBLERS; The five vireos averaged an unbelievable seven doys late. Warblers were more punctual insofar as our overall records show, However, it seemed that a single observer would monage to find a single bird on its due dote, after which no more would be seen for several days, It was a thin migration indeed, and there was no compensating Decoration Day wave as sometimes occurs. BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: The April and May migration of almost all of the species in these families was delayed. Numbers did not seem to be reduced as in the case of the warblers and vireos, but weather conditions caused arrivols which averaged about five days later thon usual. Grasshopper, Henslow's, and Lincoln Sparrows were particularly tardy, Fox Sparrows were much in evidence in late April when usually their numbers are thinning out. Redpolls ended their western New York convention during the first week of April and disappeared northward; Evening Grosbeaks lingered until May 10 (3 seen at Wellsville by Mrs. McMurtrey) Clark S. Beardslee 132 McKinley Ave. Kenmore, N. Y. REGION 2 —SOUTHERN TIER — PART 1 The area did not hove an outstanding spring migration as we had hoped we might, following such a mild winter. While Warblers were here in good numbers the weekend of May 17, there was nothing spectacular then or at anytime. April and May were relatively cool and very wet; early June has not been much better, 193 species were recorded on the May 17 census of the Cayuga Lake Basin by the Cornell Ornithology Seminar group. The Kingbird 41 LOONS —DUCKS: A Horned Grebe wqs reported by the Triple Cities Naturalists' Club on 4/ None seen last year. Several observers in different localities have remarked tl Great Blue Herons ore down in numbers. American Bittern 4/4, Montezuma (My & Seeber), at Binghamton 4/19, Nest found at Spencer Marsh 5/27 containing eggs. (Cornell Ornithology 9 class) European Widgeon, Blue-winged Teal, Mon zuma 4/1 1 (Cornell Conservation 103 class) B. W. Teal nest built 5/14, Montezun (W. J. Hamilton 111) Flock of 30 Whistling Swans over Endicott, 4/30 (Rising) Sn Goose reported at Euroro, 4/15 (Hewitt). HAWKS — OWLS: A Goshawk was seen over Cornell Rifle Range 5/12 (J. Layne). Broad-winc Hawk 4/19 and Osprey 4/16 by Triple Cities Nat. Club. Latter reported as nit common than usual this,year. Osprey at Ithaca 4/20 (AAA), Long and Short sav. Pigeon Hawk, Stewart Park, Ithaca 4/12, Florida Gallinule, Triple Cities 4/; Wilson's Snipe, Larch Meadows south of Ithaca 4/9 (Rosche), at Freeville ur 5/10, then gone, (Hoyt) Woodcock incubating 4/12 (Hoyt). Bonaparte's Gull 4/8, Cayuga Lake jetty (Sibley), 4/10 in Triple Cities art Black Terns, Montezuma 5/3 (Cornell Field Orn. Club), at Triple Cities 5/5, Be species of Cuckoo seem more abundant than usual this year. Long-eared Owl, Inlet Valley, 5/3 (Rosche). Heinz Meng reported that Gre Horned Owls again nested at the old Peregrine nest site at Taughannock Foils q, had two 3-week-old young on 4/8. SWIFTS —SHRIKES: Whip-poor-will, 5/2, Palmer's Woods, Ithaca (Long). One also heard most that week north of East Hill Airport and recorded on tape (P. P. Kellogg). Hea near Binghamton 5/17 (Doren, Fassenden, White). First Nighthawk of season Ithaca, 5/10 (Simon), same date Binghamton. Ruby-throated Hummingbird i 5/9 at Ithaca (Rosche) and at Binghamton (Bemont). Nest almost complete, Ett 6/2 (Hoyt). While still uncommon in area, there have been a few more reports of Re headed Woodpeckers this year than in recent years. Olive-sided Flycatcher 5/13, Ely Park, Binghamton (H. Marsi). Yellow-bellif Flycatcher 5/16, Renwick Hgts., Ithaca (Boch). 1st record of Tufted Titmou: in Triple Cities area, 4/25 (Bemont, Rising, Layman). Seen regularly at Stewo Park, Ithaca, ail spring. See note below*. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Binghan ton 5/9. An early date for House Wren is 4/12 at Binghamton. In Ithaca are first one was 4/24, Etna (Hoyt). Last record for Winter Wren, 5/3 Binghamtoi Long-billed March Wren hod young in nest 5/13, near Triple Cities. Hermit Thrush, Binghamton 4/12 (Layman). Nest with 5 eggs, McLean Bo( 5/12 (WJH 111). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was qute conspicuous the first week in May at Ithac (Stewart Park) but seemed to have disappeared later in the month. It arrived 4/3 at Binghamton (H. Marsi) and 2 nests were located there later. Shrikes again see scarce, * In the July '52 issue, I stated in regard to the Tufted Titmouse that no positive evidenc of their breeding at Stewart Park hod been found. I have since learned that Mrs. Georg VVelles of Elmira sow 3 or 4 young Titmice following adults in Stewart Park on 5/18/52, an being fed, VIREOS —WARBLERS; Yellow-throated Vireos are reported as uncommon in Triple Cities area thi spring. Very few Philadelphia at Ithaca. Among the Warblers, Tenessees were abundant at Ithaca in migration an lingered late. More Bay-breasted Worblers were seen than usually, at Ithaca, bu T. C. Nat Club reports fewer of this species this year than last. A Prothonotar Warbler was singing at Stewart Park on ^23 and seen by a dozen observers. Worm eating Warbler 5/9 at Lower Enfield south of Ithaca (Carter); at Binghamton 5/1^ (Marsi), heard singing there on 5/30 (White) no nest located to date. Golden winged Warbler, Cornell Rifle Range 5/7 (WJH 111), Blue-winged Warbler, Sopsucke Woods, Ithaca, 5/6 (Emerman). Brewster's Warbler 5/16;'Binghamton, (Layman Rising), Kentucky Warbler, Triple Cities 5/17, (Layman, Rising, Bemont). blackbirds — SPARROWS: Baltimore Orioles were late in arriving at Ithaca, the first being reported 5/i: by Barbehenn at Treman Park, Numerous reports of increase in numbers of Cardi 42 The Kingbirt nals i-hroughout the region. Good flocks of Pine Siskins reported everywhere in area; lost date at Triple Cities 5/30 (Bemont, Rising), Young Siskins out of nest 6/11 Cornell campus (R. Fischer), Several more flocks of Red Crossbills reported from Triple Cities. A late Tree Sparrow 5/22 at Beebe Lake, Ithaca (Short), White-crowned Spar¬ rows at Ithaca 5/2 to 5/17. White-throats were unusually abundant and were seen uritil 5/19 at Ithaca, A Lincoln's Sparrow was reported at Sapsucker Woods 5/3 (Rosche). Les Bemont has called it to my attention that 1 attributed several records to him in the last issue which should have gone to the Triple Cities Naturalists' Club. Mrs. Southgate Hoyt "Aviona", Etna, N. Y. REGION 2 —SOUTHERN TIER — PART 2 The spring has been consistently cool and wet, with an occosionol warm day, such os on May lO'and 1 1 when temperature was in the eighties. The worm days, though few, sent migrating birds through in o hurry, so that we did not have many waves of migration. The frequent rains have produced a luxuriant growth of gross and foliage, and hay meadows have grown rankly. Migration has been rather complete, as most species were recorded. ICONS—DUCKS; Common Loons were recorded on the Chemung river os (ate as Moy 6, and on Keuka Lake as late as May 17. A pair of Horned Grebes were on the basin at Branchport all through May until the 25th. The Chemung Valley society reports Great Blue Heron very scarce, and the same is true of the Keuka Lake area. The first American Egret appeared at Montezuma Marsh the last week in April. Both Teal were almost absent from Keuka Lake this spring, Black Ducks breed wherever there is an extensive area of swampy woods, and partially grown young were found in the Chemung area on May 30. Wood Duck are using a nest box put up by A. W. Fudge at Lowe Pond. American Mergansers were on the Chemung river as late as May 16. HAWKS — OWLS: On April 14 and 15 o Bald Eagle was seen near Catharine Creek, and one over Mrs. York's Hill ot Elmira on May 22. Morsh Hawks are scarce this year; a pair that gave evidence of nesting a couple of miles north of Branchport in May are not there this summer — whether something drove them away or they were destroyed I do not know. An Osprey was on Keuka Lake at Branchport os late as May 21. Sparrow Hawks were about their usual numbers during winter and (ate spring, but are generally scarce now. A Florida Gollinule flew into a barn near Elmira on April 20, and was brought to A. W, Fudge, who banded it. The writer's first Woodcock and Wilson Snipe were both recorded on April 5, and on May 17 in company with M. J. Lerch and C, A. Sturdevont found 3 downy young. Spotted Sandpiper scarce along Keuka Lake. Solitary Sandpiper at Elmira May 2. Caspian Tern appeared May 4, with Common and Black Terns 10 days later. Horned Owls were calling in their usual numbers during spring, but Screech Owls are not common. A Barred Owl was heard near Elmira May 6, SWIFTS— SHRIKES: First Chimney Swifts were recorded by the Elmira group on April 26, and first Hummingbird on the 6th day of May. First Elmira Nighthawk was seen on April 30. Kingfishers were seen along Keuka Lake until May 16 — none since; it is probable that fishermen destroy them. The nesting of one pair in an active gravel pit just north of Branchport was destroyed in the process of 'taking out gravel. Red-headed Woodpeckers are slightly on the increase the last couple of years; there are 5 areas in the Elmira locality where they ore found this year, and there are one or two additional points in Yates county where they are nesting. Pileated Woodpeckers seem to be gradually on the increase. An extremely early recording of the Kingbird was made on April 14 by V. Fudge of the Chemung Valley society. No Olive-sided Flycatchers were reported. Carleton A. Sturdevant of Prattsburg, who has a large colony of Cliff Swallows on his barns, reports a couple of unusual sidelights on swallow nesting: Several pairs of Cliff Swallows dispossessed Barn Swallows nesting in the hayloft, coming in under the roof ond revamping the Barn Swallow nests into their own fashion; also a pair of Tree Swallows drove Cliff Swallows from a nest under the eaves and took over. The Kingbird 43 The Elmira group reports q Red-breasted Nuthatch on May 2, I have found Thrashers established in several additional spots in Yates and northern Steuben counties. First Migrant Shrike In this area was on March 24. GHATCATCHERS — WARBLERS: Gnatcatchers appeared in the Elmira area May 1, and the middle of May o group from the Keuka Park club observed 4 of them a mile south of Branchport, Golden-crowned Kinglets were in the Keuka Lake area till May 9, which was also my last date on Ruby-crowns. Blue-headed Vireo reported on April 19 at Elmira, The Worm-eating Worbier is nesting again at Elmira, and was seen on May 10. Warblers came through on about their usual schedules, and alt species which we customarily find were reported. Pine Warblers are becoming more scarce with the continued cutting of red pinei which in this area is their natural habitat. Many Yellow-breasted Chats were reported from^tbe . Chemung River area, but they are scarce in the Keuka Lake region, Their fluctuations, however, are governed by the change in habitat; after brush and second growth reach a certain stage the Chats go elsewhere, BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS; Rusty Blackbirds were scarce this spring, only a few being reported. Meadow¬ larks arrived in the Keuko Lake area on March 13. Baltimore Orioles arrived about their usual dates, but they appear to have proceeded immediately to nesting, for young orioles were out of the nest and chattering by the 15th of June, which is almost two weeks earlier than normal. First Scarlet Tanagers were reported on May 6, both from the Elmira and Branchport areas. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks appear to be slightly on the increase over the area. A Blue Grosbeak was found on Big Island in the Chemung river on May 16, and was seen by several observers. Evening Grosbeaks were at Horseheads as late os April 28. On May 1 the writer found a flock of a dozen to 15 White-winged Crossbills in the hemlocks on his farm. Seven Pine Grosbeaks were seen on May 3 southeast of Elmira. Indigo Buntings appeared at Elmira on May 9; this species has greatly increased in the past 20 years. The Chemung Valley society had Slate- colored Junco on May 16; they occasionally spend the summer at higher altitudes in the southern tier, especially where there are swampy woods and hemlock. Vesper Sparrow was recorded at Elmira on April 4, Charles J, Spiker Branchport, N. Y. REGION 3 —LAKE ONTARIO LOONS —DUCKS: Both Red-throated Loon and Holboell's Grebe were seen in unusual numbers along lake shore throughout April, with as many as thirty-five of the Grebe being counted on April twenty-second. Double-crested Cormorant mode their appearance on the weekend of May third when a high of thirty were seen by Listman at Shore Acres. A European Teal and an American Egret were reported from Montezuma Wild Life Refuge on May 17, our spring census day, by Taylor and Klonick, A new record for Monroe County was made with the appearance of a Barnacle Goose in the flock of Canadas off Shore Acres. This Old World species was firs! seen on April fourth by Robert McKinney and a group returning from Oak Orchard, In the several days that it remained it was observed by others, including Howard Miller and Dr. Harold Axtel. hawks —OWLS: Two Goshawk and a Golden-Eagle were observed passing along our hawk migration route at the lake shore on April fourth. A Goshawk was again observed on the fifth, and a Golden-Eagle on the ninth of May. Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were observed as late as the third of May. SWIFTS —SHRIKES: Several Cliff Swallows were observed in both April and May, and two Carolina Wrens were reported both from Sodus and Skunk Hollow. Both an Acadian Fly¬ catcher and four Northern Horned Lork were recorded on the seventeenth of May, and on the sixteenth a Mockingbird made an appearance at Ling Road. VIREOS —WARBLERS: The Yellow Palm Warbler was reported as early as the eightenth of April and the Magnolia and Black-throated Green arrived on the twenty-sixth. Myrtle 44 The Kingbird V/arb!ers seemed even more abundant than usual, especially at Ling Road where tfiev could be seen wheeling in the air, like a flock of miniature blackbirds. blackbirds — SPARROWS: From the twenty-sixth of April to the seventeenth of May a Western Meadowlark v^^as reported singing at Drum Road in Webster. Six Red Crossbill were seen os late os May thirty. James H. Barlow 61 Morvilie Dr. Rochester, N. Y. REGION 4 —ST. LAWRENCE In spite of periods of cold weather, spring migrants were generally on time, and were early in a few cases, loons —DUCKS; Several pairs of Horned Grebes were seen near Potsdam, April 29. With them was a bird of the same species, still in winter plumage. Good spring flight of ducks. Wood and Ring-Necked Ducks were more numer¬ ous than usual. Two pairs of Shovelers reported in April from Jefferson Co. Rather on uncom¬ mon migrant in this area. As mony as 2000 Canada Geese seen at one time on the Perch River Flats. One Snow Goose here Morch 31 (J. E. Wilson). HAWKS — OWLS; Wilson Snipe —- First noted April 2. Common Term — First noted May 5 Black Tern — First noted May S, Caspian Tern—May 3 and 23, Sandy Pond (0. A. S.) Good flight of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, first week in May. Knot, Sanderling, and White Rumped Sandpiper seen at Sandy Pond May 23 (0. A. S.) Red Backed Sandpiper observed during May at Sandy Pond and Ellisburg. Definite evidence noted this spring that hawks were cutting off the S.E. end of Lake Ontario in their northward migration. Hawks were seen coming into the Sandy Pond area ocross the Lake from the direction of Oswego or Sodus. SWIFTS —SHRIKES: Olive-sided Flycatcher reported from Selkirk (Mrs. Evans). Both Long and Short Billed Morsh Wrens reported this spring. Brown Thrasher unusually common this spring, evidently on the increase in this area. Red-headed Woodpecker — only report this year — one near Watertown May 17 (H. Evens). VIREOS —WARBLERS: Worm-eating Warbler — May 7 Selkirk (Mrs. Evans). Prairie Warbler — May 15 Selkirk (Mrs, Evans). Hooded Warbler — May 23 Selkirk (O. A. S.). Mourning Warbler — May 23 Selkirk (0. A. S.), BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: Pine Siskin — 300 at Selkirk 1st week in May. John Belknap Gouverneur, N. Y. REGION 7 — NEW YORK AND LOWER HUDSON VALLEY April and early May were abnormally warm and wet, and the migration was early. However, the abundance of migrants up to about Moy 12 was no forerunner of Q big migration—it proved to be the bulk of the migration itself. The next two weeks were cool and clear, with no disturbances that would pile up migration waves. In other years, Rocldond Audubon Society teams had no difficulty exceeding 90 or even 100 species in the third weekend of May, This year it was hard to list 80 species at that time. The Federation convention weekend was marked by the most nearly complete absence of migrants on record for recent years. LOONS — DUCKS: A new early date for Rockland County for American Bittern, Apr. 8 (Ned and Betty Barron). Least Bittern again at Piermont Marsh (Federation trip). A strangely belated flight of Canada Geese was noted by John C. Orth at Bear The Kingbird 45 Mountain, and others, around May 20; apparently many flocks were moving time, though the April flight had been heavy. A Shoveller was reported at Playland Lake, Rye, on Apr. 18 (Ken Hart Old Squaws, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks and American Mergansers lingered i van County till Apr, 19 (McBride, Niven, Atwell). At Wanasink Lake, [ County, a Surf Scoter was seen in company with Horned Grebes on Apr. 25 ( A male Golden-Eye at Congers Lake to May 16 may have been an injured was bottom-feeding like a Mallard (Frank Steffens). HAWKS — OWLS: A Pigeon Hawk at Pollypark Woods, Harrison, on May 10 is notable (Harte Rails are showing an encouraging comeback in Rockland County, wit! reports in the past year than in all other years combined. The Piermont whether due to decreased pollution or decreased salinity, is a new haven for j ceous birds. On May 28, the first breeding record for Florida Gallinule in -~land County was made there; Dr. Marjorie R. Hopper saw an adult feeding i grown young bird. Many dates were also reported for Virginia Rail and Sc eluding good views of the latter species during a Rockland Audubon Societ trip on May 3, A Lesser Yellowiegs on May 24 (Federation field trip) is a good record, The early date for Black-billed Cuckoo in Rockland was equalled on I (R. A. S. field trip), but Yellow-billed Cuckoo far exceeded the other spet numbers this spring. Both cuckoos were reported rather scarce in West( (Harte). SWIFTS — SHRIKES: Rockland's early date for Crested Flycatcher was equalled April 30 Barron). One Yellow-bellied Flycatcher turned up on the Federation trip Me as well as several Alder Flycatchers, a probably Acadian, and an Olive-side catcher. A Wood Pewee in Scorsdole April 30 was a week early (Harte). Swallows were very early, March 16 (Frances Irving); so were Rough-winged lows, April 12 (RAS field trip). Ken Harte reports a remarkable date for t Cliff Swallow at Manursing Island, April 3, A pair of Carolina Wrens discovered in early March in Sullivan County still present on April 5 (Niven), Brown Thrasher on April 13 at Upper Nyac early (Dr. Hopper). VIREOS —WARBLERS: Warbling Vireos were unprecedentedly numerous in and around Nyack, Cc and Haverstraw. Half a dozen Rockland records for Lawrence's Warbler, o which was seen by most parties on the Federation trip. Two Lawrence's Wc remained in Pollypark Woods, Harrison, from May 8 to at least June 6 (H This pair was found first by Mrs. H, E. Dickenson, Magnolia Warblers held uj; in numbers even after the early May waves. The only report of Cope May Warbler came from Ken Harte, who found Elmsford Ridge on May 2. Block-throated. Blue Warblers were above usual nui in Rockland County. Black-throated Green Warbler on April 25 was rather (Watson B. Hastings), it was a good spring for Bay-breosted Warblers in 1 land. The first Black-poll Warbler in Rockland County was May 6; in Scar: Westchester County, May 10 (Harte). The first Yellow-breasted Chat recor the locality came on May 15 in Dobbs Ferry (Miss Maude L. Strayer). Mrs, Dickenson had a Louisiana Water-thrust on April 11, ond this sp seemed generally early. A Mourning Warbler at Blauvelt on May 29 (Deed) rather late date. A Wilson's (Black-capped) Warbler in Central Park on Ma (Hastings). Canada Warblers were very common this spring, BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: Orchord Orioles appeared in Rockland in amazing numbers; at least six at Orangeburg on the Federation trip May 24. A startling record for I breasted Grosbeak was made on April 5 when Mrs. George Roetz of Valley Co¬ saw a male and two females. White-winged Crossbill lingered at Palisades to 19 (Dr. Hopper), and Dickcissel at Upper Nyack to April 17 (Dr, Hopper). Sullivan County, a mole House Finch appeared April 16 for the second (Wilber P. Carr). An injured female or immature Red Crossbill was brought to Miss Katherin Dienemann at Wset Haverstraw on May 12. Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Steinhardt sa\ early Bobolink at Mamaroneck on March 17. One Lincoln's Sparrow report; Mi near Nyack (Deed). Robert F. Deed 50 Clinton Ave. Nyack, N. Y. 46 The King I REGION 8 —LONG ISLAND I Rainy weekends did not deter the eager observers and many bird records were I jisfed this spring. Enthusiasm ranged high from Brooklyn to the Hamptons. About I 0 dozen 'big-day' counts were sent in, the largest totaling 135 species. Practically I all of these were made by one or two observers without any grandiose efforts of a I large group. Although shorebirds continued their flight well into June, a wide distribution and large numbers of migrating land birds were evident through the first ten days of May. By May 1 6 the peak had been reached and by late May a greduol settling into breeding habitat by summering birds was noted, migrants became scarce and very few early June transients were noted. This was especially true of the late stragglers of Black-poll Warblers and Yellow-throated Flycatchers, the Mourning Warbler, generally recorded in late May was not listed after May 16. , loons—DUCKS: A few Common Loons were observed flying over inland ponds to the middle of May; Red-throated Loon left much earlier. An April 16, 300-400 Gannets were observed migrating eastward off Mecox (C. McKeever. The White Pelican is still at Mill Neck after a year's stay. Concerning pelagics, although occasionally noted other springs, there were no Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson's Petrels, Jaegers or Red Phalaropes listed to date. There were several April and May records of Little Blue Heron and a half-dozen of American Egret reports eastword to Mecox. Canada Geese and Brant were recorded to mid-May at which time a few Blue- winged Teal were listed in areas suitable for nesting. HAWKS —OWLS: There was a poor spring flight of hawks, except for resident Buteos and Osprey, Several Pigeon Hawks were reported and two Turkey Vultures were seen ot Water Mill, April 20 (C. McKeever). A Wilson's Plover was seen at Mecox, May 9-16; an Upload Plover ot Water Mill, May 4. Stilt Sandpiper was recorded at Saga- ponac, April 26, and two Black-necked Stilts (accidental here) were observed at Mecox, May 23-31 (numerous observers). Generally, Stilt Sandpiper went unlisted even in the populous Jamaica Boy area; there were, however, numerous Wdlet records through mid-May. Unusual was a spring Wilson's Phalarope at Floyd Bennet (Jamaica Bay), May 24, (Brooklyn Bird Club), seen again on May 30 (Bull, Darrow). One record of Northern Phalarope came in; Moriches, May 31 (Eisen- monn, Grant). Terns arrived late, with the Roseate less common than last yeor. Unusual, however, were 19 Caspian Terns flying over Idlewild in a flock on May 16 (Mayer), and a Black Tern was at Jones Beach, Bay 17 (Bull), A fairly good spring flight of Cuckoos appeared with hopes of a good summer population, The Snowy Owl went entirely unrecorded for winter and spring, but the first actual nesting of a Great Horned Owl was discovered by G, Roynor near Manorville. The nest, however, was unproductive, having been robbed by some predator. SWIFTS — SHRIKES: The Hummingbird was scarce in migration; the Red-headed Woodpecker was unrecorded; the Kingbird arrived about May 1. Records of Yellow-bellied and Olive- sided Flycatchers were well distributed from Woodmere to Prospect Park. There was also an Olive-sided Flycatcher on May 10 at Mastic (J. T, Nichols), The Cliff Swallow Is a rare migrant with apparently only one record for western Long Island this spring; one, May 17 at Idlewild. The Purple Martin, however, is apparently on the increase. There were severo! records of Mockingbird and one or two of Short- billed Marsh Wren. Apparent also was o good distribution of Blue-gray Gnat- catchers from April 18 to May 17 on western Long Island, The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was abundant in' late April - early May. Shrikes were almost non-existent as far as reports went this spring. VIREOS —SPARROWS: Yellow-throated Vireos were reported mostly from western Long island, the Warbling Vireo eastward to the Hamptons. A Prothonotary Warbler was seen on several occasions at Prospect Park; a Golden-winged Worbler at Far Rockaway, May 9; Brewster's Worbler, same place, May 4 and May 9 (Bui!). One Lawrence's Warbler was seen at Prospect Park, May 4, 5 (Brooklyn Bird Club). Hooded Warbler appeared very early at Seaford with two seen on April 18 (Morgan), Louisiana Water-thrust was recorded first at Woodmere, April 19 and Wilson's Warbler, May 9. Curiously, almost duplicate listings of rare birds were made at Prospect Park and Oak island May 16, Similar species were Tennessee, Cape May, The Kingbird 47 Bay-breasted, Kentucky and Mourning Warblers. Arrival dates for White-crowned and Vesper Sparrows were April 26 and April 12 respectively. The Lincoln Sparrow was seen at Oak Island, May 16 (Elliott); same date at Forest Park (Mayer, Rose) and last recorded May 24 at Far Rockaway (Bull). John J. Elliott 3994 Park Avenue Seaford, Long Island, New York REGION 9— CENTRAL NEW YORK The current report covers spring migration activity, beginning about mid-April, In.addition to a very fine and full report from the Onondaga Audubon Society, Syracuse, N, Y., I have received excellent individual reports from Mrs. Frederick May, Westernville, N. Y. and Mrs, Emiel D. Palmer, R, D. 1, Fabius, N. Y, (elevation 1450 ft,), These latter reports represent frequent records from around their homes and surrounding territories. Unfortunately, limited space in the Kingbird precludes publishing a complete list of these records; however, they ore being kept for use later in compiling the new bird list of New York. In general, spring migration records and weather conditions have been quite good, especially for land birds, LOONS — DUCKS: Common Loon — heavy flight 4/12 Oneida Lake (O. A. S.), Horned, Pied-bill Grebes present in usual numbers; D. C. Cormoirant scarce; Least Bittern in Syracuse area 5/13 (0. A. S,); no Blue Geese reported; Whistling Swan scarce; Gadwall and Blue-winged Teal nesting at Montezuma W. R.; Wood Duck about usual numbers — 6 young found on street in Geneva (Holtby and Hartzell); shore birds (except spotted sandpiper) scarce; Upland Plover and young 6/28, Waterloo, N. Y. (E, B. C.); Amer. Egrets Montezuma 5/17. hawks — OWLS: Few scattered reports of Sharp-shinned Hawk 4/12-5/3; Cooper's Hawk migrating with peak April 5-10; Rough-legged Hawk became less numerous in early April (0. A. S.). 30 Buteo's reported, Fabius, N. Y. 5/15 (Mrs. E. D. Palmer); Screech Owl infrequently reported (0. A. 1 and Eaton B, C,), SWIFTS — SHRIKES; Black and Yellow-billed Cuckoos quite common with ratio of about 1;4 5/7 and 5/9 (O A, S.); Nighthawk arrived somewhat late and in less numbers than usual; also Red-head Woodpecker scarce; few reports of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Fly¬ catchers — Alder, in lesser numbers (5/17); Least, quite common (5/17); Olive¬ sided, quite scarce. VIREOS — WARBLERS: A good migration of most species of warblers and vireos was noted. Large waves of individual species of warblers were observed, e, g., 100 Myrtle Warblers (5/8 Gambrell). Blue-headed Vireo 5/5, Red-eyed 5/10, Warbling 5/9, Yellow-throated 5/9, Philadelphia 5/9 (O. A. S. and E, B. C.). It is quite interesting to note that the dates first reported for a number of kinds of vireos and warblers by Mrs. Palmer, Fabius, N. Y. and Mrs. May, Westernville, N. Y,, ore later than those observed in the GenevQ-Syracuse areas. A compilation of such data from various sections of the state on a given species might bring out useful information on influence of elevation, migration routes, food sources, etc. Some warbler migration dotes are: Bl-fhr. blue and Myrtle 5/2; Yellow 5/5; Nashville 5/7; Black-thr. Green, Cape May, Bay-breasted 5/9, Cerulean 5/10, Blackburnian and Chestnut-sided 5/5, Black- poll 5/13, Pine 4/28, No, Yeilowthroat 5/5, Hooded 5/17, Canada 5/9, Red¬ start 5/5, Orange-crowned 5/14, Golden-winged 5/10, Mourning 5/14, Wilson's 5/17 (O. A. S. and E, B, C,), BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS; Several records of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Baltimore Oriole arrived 5/5, Cow- bird 5/3, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5/5, Indigo Bunting 5/14, Red Crossbills 4/14. Song, Vesper, Chipping, White-throat and W, crowned Sparrows common but Grass¬ hopper and Henslows less numerous, Lincoln 5/16. Foster L. Gambrell 288 Lafayette Ave. Geneva, N. Y. 48 The Kingbird HAIn H« HARRISOH Author-photographer-lectui er Hal Harrison is one o the most ividely-read wild life experts in the U, S, Hi pictures and stories have peared in Life, Saturda Evening Post, ColUe?s, Nt tional Geographic and doi ens of other welldmom magazines. His excelled ■wildlife motion pictures ii natural color, in which h does the narrating, havi been viewed hy thousand Mr. Harrison lives with hi wife and two teen-ag daughters in Tarentum, Pa where he is wildlife edito of the Pittsburgh Posl Gazette. “No other glass can do the job as well” Writes HAL HARRISON: Hn the successful photography of wildlife, 1 consider a good binocular as essential as a good camera. Much of my work must be done in poor light and under adverse conditions. Here I depend on my Bausch & Lomb binocular to 'see' my object quickly and clearly. No other glass I have ever tried can do the job as well as Bausch & Lomb. I recommend it without reservation" Write For Free Cotolog. 32 pages of useful information you should know before you buy any binocular. Tells how to select a gloss for your own use. Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., 12719 Bausch St,, Rochester 2, N. Y.