VOLUMI IV. H>. a _JULY » 1W4 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS ^KINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS VoL 4 No. 2 July 1954 Pages 3B-60 CONTENTS Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Oliver H. Hewitt 34 Harriss Sparrow in New York Winston W. Brockner 38 Sanctuaries on Institution Grounds Erma J. Fisk 38 Your President Says 39 Ernest G. Tabor, Naturalist 40 Federation News 42 Regional Reports - - 43 Editor— Stephen W. Eaton Associates— Allan S. Klonick Eugene Eisenmann Fredrick G. Meyer Circulation Manager—Miss Helen Foster Cover Design- Douglas L. Howland NOTICE THE KINGBIRD is published four times a year (May, July, October and January) by the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. Publication office is Biology Dept., St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, N. Y. Publication is sent free to all individual members of the Federation. Membership 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. Miss Audrey Louise Wrede, 3109 Beverley Road, Brooklyn 26, N. Y. CHANGE OF ADDRESS, EXCHANGES AND BACK COPIES are handled by the Treasurer, H. Everest Clements, 1116 Sibley Tower Bldg., Rochester 4, N. Y. The Kingbird 33 3A The Kingbird THE MONTEZUMA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Oliver H. Hewitt Only a century ago, one of the finest wildlife areas in the northeast was a part of New Yorks heritage. Vast fresh-water marshes stretched north¬ ward from the foot of Cayuga Lake, fed by the Seneca and Clyde Rivers and their tributaries. The Indians called the marshes ‘'Squagonna”, which, loosely translated, means “Flome of the Big Mosquito”. White men re¬ christened them ‘'Montezuma” for no apparent reason. The name of the Aztec king seems out of place in the land of the Cayugas. The great marshes were rich in waterfowl and sport fishes. Hunters came from as far as Boston and New York City to shoot ducks and shore- birds. Early fish stories recommend the bass and pike of Montezuma ponds. It is unfortunate that we have little knowledge of the enormous numbers of birds and beasts which lived in the marshes as the Indians knew them. But such great marshes were thought to be obstacles in the path of progress and development. The history of Montezuma is similar to that of other great marshes such as the Horicon in Wisconsin and the Klamath in Oregon: early drainage and, later, partial restoration. The Montezuma marshes lay in the way of travel between Albany and Buffalo. The possi¬ bility of putting the fertile muck soils under the plow encouraged several early, unsuccessful attempts to drain the marshes. In 1852, a committee of the State Legislature reported that ‘‘The immense body of land is in the heart of the most fertile, beautiful and prosperous part of the state, and is capable of being made itself of the most productive and most valuable quality, instead of being, as it now is, not only utterly unprofitable and totally useless to its owners, but an unsightly blemish upon the fairest portion of our State, a colossal nuisance, and a source of continued and wide spread¬ ing pestilence to the surrounding country.” It was not until completion of the N, Y. State Barge Canal changed the course of the Seneca River, about 1911, that the major part of the Monte¬ zuma Marshes were drained. By the mid-twenties, even that part which is now the National Wildlife Refuge was dry. In a Cornell thesis written in 1929, Claude W. Leister says “Today, the Seneca River, at the south end of the marsh, is some eight or ten feet below its former level and the old back-waters running into the marsh are dry. Black Lake, the largest body of open water, is almost dry. Onions are being raised on much of the former marsh land and it seems to be only a matter of time until that prosaic vegetable will replace the flowing cat-tail.” Thanks to S. C. Vanderbilt of Clyde, a portion of the western arm of the Montezuma Marshes, called the “Sink Hole Marsh” has been preserved with few changes. His marsh provides an economic return from muskrats, cat-tail and waterfowl hunting. It remains today a haven for many forms of marsh wildlife, where the student can still observe the network of creeks, ponds and “islands” as they existed years ago. The Kingbird 35 Development of the Refuge The area immediately north of Cayuga Lake was never successfully farmed, because of shallow muck and a stubbornly high water table. Yet its value to waterfowl, to marsh birds and to other wildlife had been lost. In 1937, the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey (now the Fish and Wildlife Service) purchased some of this area, and established the Montezuma Na¬ tional Wildlife Refuge. During the following four years, more land was acquired until the Refuge area totalled 5819 acres. About eight miles of earthen dikes were built, with deep channels alongside. West of Highway 414, a storage pool of 1200 acres was created, into which Black Brook and White Brook flow. Water levels are controlled by two concrete spillways. When needed, water from the storage pool can be directed into the main pool east of Route 414. Filling of the storage pool drowned a large area of elm and maple woodlands and recharged Tyre Marsh, creating a very pro¬ ductive habitat for wood duck. In the drowned timber also nest other birds which might well be absent, such as Bald Eagles, Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, and occasionally Hooded Mergansers. It is in this area, between the dike and the Clyde River that one finds nesting Prothonotary Warblers. The main pool comprises 1500 acres of excellent habitat, with wide open expanses of shallow water, great areas of cat-tail and bulrush, and lowland timber. Near the main entrance on the south side are the headquarters, in¬ cluding the familiar observation tower, 115 feet high, offices, shops and the home of the Refuge Manager, Lawrence S. Smith. Over the reflooded marshlands many species of aquatic plants soon flourished to provide food and cover for wildlife. In addition to the wide¬ spread cat-tail and bulrush are bur-reeds, rice cut-grass, smartweeds, pond- weeds, coon tail, and great quantities of duckweeds. Natural vegetation is occasionally supplemented with plantings of sago, wild celery, wild rice, and millet. Surrounding uplands are plowed and planted to grains for the thousands of ducks and geese that flock to the refuge during migration. Management Management of the refuge is directed toward its main objective—the maintenance of the best habitat for breeding and migrating waterfowl. Water level control by an adequate system of dikes and spillways is of prime importance. Contrary to popular belief, the N. Y. State Thruway, which was built across the northwest corner of the main pool in 1953, will improve the possibilities for water level manipulation. While the Thruway may be somewhat of a nuisance to visiting naturalists, there is no reason to believe that it will reduce the wildlife values of the refuge. Muskrat populations must be maintained at a stage which will allow an interspersion of cat-tail and open water. To accomplish this, muskrats are harvested each spring in pre-determined numbers. Private trappers do the job on a share-crop basis. Raccon, fox, mink and opossum are taken in season in order to reduce predation. Refuge products such as logs, firewood, poles and some crops are sold in quantities consistent with the primary refuge 36 The Kingbird objectives. Cat-tails are cut for chair bottoms and cooperage where growth is too heavy for ideal waterfowl habitat. Grazing and agricultural lands may be rented to private individuals under Special Use Permits. Twenty-five per cent of net income from such sources are returned to Wayne, Seneca and Cayuga Counties, in which the refuge is located. Carp, which destroy aquatic vegetation and roil the water, have been con¬ trolled whenever practicable. In 1952, carp were eliminated from the storage pool by rotenpne poisoning. The results were gratifying. A marked increase in the use of this area by breeding waterfowl occurred the following year. Unfortunately carp control is expensive and difficult. Wildlife Jesuit missionaries who were the first white men to see the Montezuma Marshes, expressed great wonder at the abundance of wildlife. Their records state that ^hhe sunlight over the marshes was actually cut off by the clouds of millions of ducks and geese and the woods abounded with deer. Fish were plentiful.” Into the early part of the present century, waterfo\yl and shorebirds were killed by the boatload for city markets. Our knowledge of wildlife on the original Montezuma would be almost nil, were it not for the late Foster Parker. Born and brought up near Cayuga, on the edge of the marsh, Mr. Parker was a keen and reliable ornithologist. He knew the marsh better than anyone else. Many of his observations and specimens, as recorded in Eaton’s “Birds of New York”, constitute the only information we have on certain species occuring as summer residents in New York. Ornithological records show that no less than 247 species of birds have been recorded as breeding there. The possibility of seeing some rare or acci¬ dental visitor has always excited bird watchers at Montezuma. Over the years, such species as Eared Grebe, White Pelican, Glossy Ibis, European Teal, Avocet, Parasitic Jaeger and Little Gull have been spotted; some of them more than once. During the last four or five years several species of ducks, rare as breeders in New York, have returned to raise broods in the improved habitat of the refuge. These include Gadwall, Shoveler, Redhead, Ruddy Duck and Hooded Merganser. The flight of ducks, herons and egrets between 'he storage pool and main pool of an August evening is a thrilling sight. And there is always the opportunity to see nesting, such uncommon small birds as Prothonotary, Cerulean, Golden-winged and Mourning Warb¬ lers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Brown Creepers. The abundant wildlife will provide hours of delight. With a little patience, one can observe intimately the family life of Black Ducks, Wood Ducks and Blue-winged Teal; Coots, Gallinules and Pied-billed Grebes; Common Terns and Black Terns and, of course, the Bald Eagles. Often one may watch deer, raccoons, and muskrats with their young. Fortunate are we in New York that this great section of Wildlife paradise has been restored as the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. It will always be one of the finest natural areas in the country. Department of Conservation, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. The Kingbird 37 HARRISES SPARROW IN NEW YORK STATE Winston W. Brockner The Harris's Sparrow (Xonotrichia querula') is a large sparrow which breeds from Churchill, Manitoba porthwest to Great Bear Lake, in an area of stunted spruce at the edge of the tundra (F. C. Lincoln, 1950 Migration of Birds, Circular 16, U. S. Dept. Interior, P. 43). This species winters from southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri across eastern Kansas and Oklahoma and through a narrow section of central Texas. Its normal migra- tion route is then almost due south. In the east, migrants are noted with fair regularity to the western shore of Lake Michigan. Further east they are accidental or sporadic in occurrence. In a review of Audubon Field Notes from 1948 to 1954 six recent sporadic occurrences from the northeast are documented. (Vol. 3, No. 1, 14, Toronto, Ontario Oct. 1 and 3, 1948; Vol. 3, No. 4, 203, Burlington, Vt., Jan. 1948 to May 1949; Vol. 6, No. 1, 9, Glastonbury, Conn., immature, Oct. 10, 1951; Vol. 6, No. 4, 245, Kirkland Lake, Ont., May 23, 1952; Vol. 7, No. 4, 272, St. Thomas, Ontario, Jan. 1, 1953 and Pt. Pelee, Ontario, May 23, 1953.) A seventh recent record from the northeast appears to constitute the first New York State record (Prothonotary, Vol. 17, No. 12, Dec. 1951). Mrs. Charles W. Avery of Hamburg, Erie Co., first discovered an immature bird at her feeding station on November 8, 1951. Several other observers, in¬ cluding myself, observed the bird there until its departure on Nov. 11. These records show three birds first appeared in October, one in Novem¬ ber, two in January and two in May. The bird at Burlington, Vt., wintered and left again in mid-May. Perhaps our winter feeders in the northeast may lure more birds away from their recently parched southern wintering areas. Buffalo Ornithological Society, Inc., Buffalo, N. Y. SANCTUARIES ON INSTITUTION GROUNDS Erma J. Fisk Setting up a sanctuary on the grounds of a private institution is so simple that I do not see why every town that boasts a Federation member could not have one on the grounds of a school, church or hospital. All that is needed, actually, is a shrubby area—on land already owned— a birdbath or pool, a feeder and birdboxes, and the initial interest of one or two individuals. From there the project is almost self-maintaining. It may remain a small one, designed to bring peace, as in a church close or hospital garden. Or it may grow to almost any size with the varying interests and abilities of the participants in various years. The financial outlay is small, the educational values high. They are needed to complement the growth of of our urban areas. My institutional sanctuary is at the Park School in Buffalo. We are fortunately situated on an old farm which in the past few years has been surrounded by housing and industrial expansion. Its grounds offer an excel¬ lent informal outdoor laboratory for nature-minded members of the faculty, 38 The Kinsrbtr days of May, was not observed this year; instead, only small and sporadic counts could be tabulated. Despite the low counts, good variety was present and widely so. LOONS — DUCKS: Common Loon — first date on 4/11, peak on 4/1 8-when 73 (singles and small groups) were seen flying northwest over Lake Ontario. Red¬ necked Grebe — 1 at Oneida Lake on 4/12 (E. Evans, F. Schneider). Horned Grebes hit their peak (36) on 4/25, while Pied-billed Grebes reached their (20) on 4/15. Great Blue Herons — 4 nests in a flooded swamp just south of Labrador Pond on 5/26. Whistling Swan — high count of 1 6 on 4/4 on Oneida Lake; last date was 2 on 4/8, also at Oneida Lake. Canada Goose — one of the best flights of any bird this spring; high count of 4000 on 4/15 at Mud Lake just west of Baldwinsville; 6 still present there at end of period. Brant — 17 on 5/16 at Sandy Pond (W. Minor, M. Wrangell, M. Rush); still present there on 5/30 (E. Evans, F. Scheider). Snow Goose — 5 on 4/4 at Brewerton, Oneida Lake (E. Evans); present for about 3 days. Green-winged Teal — 28 on 4/13 at Three Rivers Game Management Area is the high count for this spring. Shoveller — although common just to the west of us, this bird is a rare spring transient here — 8 on 4/17 at Cross Lake. Ring-necked Duck — last date, 1 on 5/23 at Oneida Lake. Canvasback — high count of 775 on 4/12 at Muskrat Bay, Oneida Lake. Greater Scaup, Golden Eye, American and Red-breasted Merganser — as usual all lingered in small numbers The Kingbird 52 REPORTINQ REQIONS through May on Lakes Oneida and Ontario. White-winged Scoter — 1 dead male at Sandy Pond on 4/25. Ruddy Duck — 2 spring records of this uncommon transcient — 3 males, 1 female on 5/2 at Oneida Lake; 2 males on 5/16 on Mud Lake. HAWKS — OWLS: Turkey Vulture reports increasing, particularly northwest of Syracuse. Sharp-shinned Hawk — flight passed through 4/9 - 4/30 with peak on 4/18. Red-tailed Hawk —- 18 young banded by Dr. B. P. Burtt of Syracuse, who also banded 2 Red-shouldered Hawks and 10 Sparrow Hawks this spring. Rough¬ legged Hawk — last date was a light phase bird on 5/2 at Bridgeport (E. Evans, M. Wrangell). Duck Hawk — 1 adult on 4/12 at Hitchcock Point, Oneida Lake, (E. Evans, F. Scheider). Pigeon Hawk — 1 female on 4/25 at Sandy Pond (W. Minor, H. F. Flamm); 1 on some date at Oneida (fide P, R, Pacquette). Virginia Rail — not reported until early May, which is about 10 days late. Sora — first date is 1 on 4/17 at Syracuse. Semipalmated Plover — first date, 2 on 5/9 at Sandy Pond; not reported again until 5/30 at the same place. Piping Plover — 1 on 4/25 at Sandy Pond (Minor, Flamm, Scheider); have looked for it there unsuccessfully several times since that date. Killdeer had young out by 5/13. Ruddy Turnstone — peak of 50 on 5/30 at Sandy Pond. Black Bellied Plover — 29 on 5/30 at Selkirk. Snipe were late by three weeks and considerably reduced in numbers as compared to previous springs. Upland Plover — first date on 4/23 along N. Y. Thruway; peak of numbers was 4/25 -5/5. Pectoral Sandpiper — 1 on 4/13 at Oneida Lake; scarce through the remainder of the spring. Least and Semipalmated Sand¬ pipers and Sanderlings normal in dates, but reduced in total numbers. Glaucous Gull The Kingbird 63 — last reported on 4/18 — I second-year bird at Oswego, where a first-year Iceland was also seen on the same date; these birds may have stayed later, but could not be checked on. Great Black-backed Gi,jlls — 6 immatures still present at Sandy Pond Inlet at end of period. Caspian Tern — high count of 1 2 on 5/30 at Sandy Pond Inlet. Yellow-billed Cuckoo -— first date, 5/12; Black-billed Cuckoo — first date 5/7; both cuckoos were down in numbers as compared to last year. Snowy Owl — last date, 1 on 4/20 at Baldwinsville (C. Farnham). Short-eared Owl — though its fall and winter pattern paralleled the Rough-legged Hawk, it left considerably earlier — last date, 1 on 4/7 at Oneida Lake. SWIFTS — SHRIKES; Nighthawks were over a week late (probably because of the cool and wet May). Red-headed Woodpeckers — first date on 5/2 at Colosse (V. P. Mathises), with a scattering of records (Syracuse, Oswego) in the second week of May as the only indication of a peak. Crested Flycatcher — 1 on 4/28 at Fayetteville, first date; peak numbers did not come through until the third week in May. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher —- 3 reports this spring, 1 on 5/23 at Selkirk as the earliest. Alder Flycatcher — 2 birds on 5/2 at Clark's Reservation; this re¬ markably early date Is probably the result of the hot spell at the end of April; the next record is 2 weeks later — 1 on 5/16. Bank and Rough-winged Swallows both at nest holes in the wind-carved dunes at Sandy Pond on 5/30. Cliff Swallow — 2 colonies reported — 1 on 5/26 just south of Labrador Pond; 1 on 5/30 at Sandy Pond Corners. Red-breasted Nuthatch — very sparse flight this spring; first date on 4/19,(1) with peak in first week of May; 1 still at Labrador Pond on 5/23. Brown Creeper — peak date was 20 on 4/12 at Oneida Lake. Winter Wren — 14 on 4/25 at Sandy Pond is our highest spring count in several years. Carolina Wren — 1 on 5/2 at Clark's Reservation; 1 on 5/9 at Camillas Valley; 1 on 5/16 at Three Rivers Game Management Area; later in May, 2 birds were intermittently seen in Clark's Reservation. Three reports of this southern bird in one season is indicative of the recent invasion of northern areas by Southern species. Mocking¬ bird — 1 on 5/30 at Oneida (fide Pacquette). Wood Thrush — peak dates at Syracuse, 5/5-5/15. Hermit Thrush — migration was quite late and prolonged with the spring high count at Syracuse on 5/1. Olive-backed Thrush — first date, 2 on 5/3 at Syracuse, but not common until the last week of May. Gray-cheeked Thrush — 1 on 5/27 at Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse (F. Scheider). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (more of the southern element) 3 reports this spring with 2 on 4/22 at Ookwood Cemetery, Syracuse the earliest. Golden-crowned Kinglet — tremendous wave through Syracuse on 4/9-10; last date 4/25 at Syracuse; 1 was seen on 5/16 (a very late date) in the Forestry Experiment Station at Syracuse. Ruby-crowned Kinglet — high counts (as many as 50 in 1 hour's walk), primarily in the first week of May; last dote, 2 on 5/24 at Syracuse. Pipit — late date, 2 on 5/2 at Selkirk (E. Evans). Northern Shrike — last date, 1 adult on 4/4 at Oneida Lake. Loggerhead Shrike — 2 spring records, both in mid-April from western Oswego County. VIREOS — FRINGILLIDS: Blue-headed Vireo — unaccountably scarce this spring, but W. R. Spofford reports them as common on 5/1 at Big Moose. Red¬ eyed Vireo — peak of flight did not come until the last week in May, surprisingly late. Philadelphia Vireo — first date, 1 on 5/12 at Westernville (Mrs. F. W. May); present (1 each day) 5/18, 24, 27 at Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse (F. Scheider). Warbling Vireo — first date, 1 on 4/28 at Clark's Reservation; birds widely present by 5/9. Warblers: Prothonotary — first date, 5 on 5/13 at Short Point Bay, Oneida Lake (E. Evans); nest (with 3 eggs) in a low, water-surrounded tree stub on 5/22 at same place. Worm-eating — 1 on 5/22 at Selkirk (E. Evans). Golden-winged — as the range of coverage grows, the reports also rise — 5 more probablq breeding sites were found this spring, mostly in southern Oswego County. Blue-winged — 1 on 5/9 at Camillas Valley (M, Wrangell, F. Scheider); bird was continuously present until last date of checking (5/23). Tennessee — first report, 1 on 5/13 at Syracuse; peak 5/16-22. Orange-crowned — 1 on 5/27, Syracuse (Scheider); 1 on same date of Selkirk (E. Evans). Nashville — good flight but no noticeable flocks. Yellow — first date, 4/22 at Fayetteville; extremely common 5/1-4. Cape May — normal dates, but very poor numbers; highest count was only 20 on 5/16 at Oak- wood Cemetery, Syracuse. Myrtle — first date, 4/9, 2 at Syracuse; very poor 54 The King^bird numbers through Syracuse area, but good counts from along Lake Ontario. Cerulean — 5 on 5/9 at Comillus Valley; by 5/23 the number there was up to 15. Black¬ burnian — peak came very early, 35 on 5/2 at Clarkes Reservation. Yellow- throated — 1 singing bird was studied for 25 minutes on 4/30 at Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse; observer (F, Scheider) close enough (10') to note that eye-line was all white, hence probably "albiloro". Bay-breasted and Black-poll — normal first dates (5/9 and 5/17, respectively), but numbers sharply reduced. Pine — 1 on 4/9 at Syracuse constitutes an earliest recorded date. Palm — small wave of these on 5/6 at Syracuse. Louisiana Waterthrush — very sporadic in this area as far as locations go; Comillus Valley and Green Lakes State Park are the only two areas which regularly produced them this spring. Connecticut — 1 singing male on 5/16 along the Salmon River, east of Pulaski (E. Evans). Yellow-throat — first reported on 4/22 at Syracuse. Chat — 1 on 5/30 at Oneida is our first report in several years. Hooded — singing males at three different localities (Green Lakes, Selkirk, Camillas Valley) in late May. Wilson's — peak date seemed to be 3 on 5/27, Syracuse. Red-winged Blackbird — big flight of females through the area in second week of April. Rusty Blackbird — first date for migrants, 3 on 3/4 at Westernville; still present on 5/16 at Scott Swamp, Phoenix. Indigo Bunting — 2 (1 had highly pied plumage of gray, brown, and blue) on 5/5 at Syracuse. Purple Finch — poor spring flight with high counts falling between 4/15-5/7. Pine Siskin — 1 on 4/17 at Cleveland; 2 on 5/16 at Three Rivers G. M. A. White-winged Crossbill — 2 females on 4/22 at Labrador Pond (W. R. Spofford). Vesper and Savannah Sparrows — first arrivals in first week of April, but peak 4/12-20. Slatecolored Junco — last date was 1 on 5/23 at Oneida (P. R. Pocquette). Tree Sparrow — sharp drop off in second week of April with last date, 1 on 4/22 at Westernville. Chipping Sparrow — great numbers passing through in the first week in May; high count, 85 in 1 hour in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, on 5/3, White-crowned Sparrows passed through rapidly (5/2-5/14) and in only moderate numbers (25 peak day). White- throated Sparrows — 6 locality records on 4/20 indicate the first wave; main flight was 4/20- 5/10; 1 still present on 5/31. Fox Sparrow — very poor flight; low in numbers and short in duration. Lincoln's Sparrow — 1 on 5/16, Sandy Pond (Minor, Flamm, et al.); 1 each on 5/27, 28 at Syracuse. Lapland Longspur — 4 in spring plumage on 4/3 at Toad Harbor, North Shore, Oneida Lake. Fritz Scheider, 151 Seventh North St., Syracuse 8, N. Y. REGION 6—ST. LAWRENCE LOONS — DUCKS: About 60 Common Loons ot Henderson Harbor April 15; Redhead and Canvasback Ducks at Point Peninsula April 8; Shoveller April 9 and Baldpate April 4. HAWKS— OWLS: Sora Rail May 14; Wilson's Snipe one on April 18; Osprey May 25; Upland Plover, several reports indicating they are holding their own (J. Wilson) and perhaps increasing in some areas (Kelknop); Black-billed Cuckoo May 29; Snowy Owl seen May 18 and 30; Nighthawk May 14. SWIFTS — SHRIKES: Red-headed Woodpecker first seen May 23, about as many reports as usual; Crested Flycatcher May 2; Olive-sided Flycatcher May 31; Barn Swallow and male Purple Martin May 2; Brown Thrasher April 25, appeared more numerous than a few years ago at Lowville (Bowen). VIREOS — WARBLERS: Warbling Vireo May 2 at Lowville (Bowen); Myrtle Warbler April 25 at Lowville (Bowen); Canada and Black-throated Green Warblers May 29; Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers May 31. BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: Rusty Blackbird more numerous than a few years ago at Lowville (Bowen); Field Sparrow more numerous than a few years ago at Lowville (Bowen), April 25; Indigo Bunting May 20. Frank A. Clinch, 183 Park Avenue, Watertown, N. Y. The Kingbird 55 REGrON 7 —ADIRONDACK Both April and May were cold and wet in the Adirondack region. The snow¬ storm which struck the central Adirondacks on March 30th continued through April 3rd and established the extraordinary temperatures of 11, 15 and 10 degrees below zero on April 3, 4 and 5 at Saranac Lake. Over in the Champlain valley, only some 40 miles east but more than 1000 feet lower, low temperature of the month was 28 degrees. This weather caused great hardship for many species. Road shoulders were crowded with Robins, Song Sparrow, Goldfinches, etc.; many were killed by cars, seemingly too weak to get out of the way. On April 3 Killdeers were seeking food on the main road through Trudeau Sanatorium amid traffi^ and within 20 feet of main buildings. However, the ice went out of the lakes about April 18th. In late April and early May the water run-off was heavy and streams and lakes became unusually high. Lake Champlain water line about 10 feet higher than usual. May was one of the coldest and rainiest for many years. The average minimum daily temperature at Saranac Lake was only 30.2 degrees. A phenomenon of note is the extremely heavy hatch of tent caterpillars throughout the Adirondacks this year with very extensive defoliation in many areas. So far there have not been reports of any unusual numbers of cuckoos. LOONS — DUCKS: Loons appeared (April 14) at Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake almost simultaneously with the break-up of ice in the lakes (April 18). An unusual record was a Horned Grebe in Racquette River near Tupper Lake, April 15 to 20. Canada Geese moved through the Champlain Valley to as late as MOy 24 (Leo Provost). (A belated report has been received of the successful nesting of Canada Geese with three goslings at Cedar Lake, Hamilton County in 1953 (G. T. C.). Another report of Bronf in Lake Piseco near the end of May (G. T. Chase). Dr. Kingsbury supplies an interesting record of Green-winged Teal at Tupper Lake April 12 to May 1. This is an uncommon duck in Adirondacks. The Ring-neck Duck appears to again be starting off for a good nest year in central Adirondacks. HAWKS — OWLS: Goshawk has been reported nesting near De Bar Mt. (G. T. C.), Racquette Lake and Big Moose Lake (W. Spofford). The cold, damp spring gives concern for the success of Ruffed Grouse nestings. Eaton (1909) did not list the Virginia Rail for Franklin or Hamilton counties and doubted if it bred in the Adirondack region. Either it has extended its range or previously was overlooked tor each year I now receive reports of this species in marshy areas (e. g., in flooded beaver meadows) around Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. (G. T. C. at Two Bridge Brook and Cold Brook, Essex County). Neither did Eaton (1909) list the Florida Gallinule for Essex Co. but said it was a "neglected species" in the Hudson-Champlain valley and undoubtedly nested in all large marshes in the state. This is probably true, certainly along Lake Champlain, and a definite record is a bird found dead near Essex May 6 (Marion Mason). The number of singing Woodcock "on territory' in Saranac Lake-Lake Placid region is normal (G. T. C.). Wilson's Snipe also "on terri¬ tory" at Wilmington (G, T. C.) and Tupper Lake (M. K.) from mid April on. Three Yellow-legs (? sp.) seen April 28 at Tupper Lake (M. K.) is a rather uncommon record. No Cuckoos yet reported despite the heavy tent caterpillar infestation. SWIFTS — SHRIKES: The birder in the Adirondacks can readily find all the resident flycatchers of our state except the Acadian. Wood-Pewee and Olive-sided Flycotcher,^ arriving this year May 28-30 in all areas, signalled the end of migration. Carolina Wren was seen by M. C. Mason in 1 952. The same species appeared again at her feeder at Essex on April 24. Brown Thrasher appeared April 23 at Keeseville (T. Lesperance) and later at Essex but records for interior valleys are lacking. Cedar Waxwings were late in arriving in numbers. May 29 - June 1 at Tupper Lake (Agnes Amstutz) and Saranac Lake. VIREOS — WARBLERS: Philadelphia Vireo seen May 30 at Tupper Lake (A. A.). We need careful observing to determine if this species remains to breed in the Adirondacks. The first heavy warbler wave came May 2-3, another May 18-19. Lesperance at Keeseville says he has never seen as heavy a flight of warblers as occurred this May along Lake Champlain. Two reports of Yellow¬ breasted Chat came from Wilmington (G. T. C.) and Crown Point (Lucien Lambert). These are exceptional records and it will be interesting to see if the species is establishing itself this far north. BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: It is the impression of Meade (Saranac Lake) and Lambert (Crown Point) that Baltimore Oriole is definitely present in greater numbers this spring. One can speculate that this may be correlated With the 56 The Kingbird caterpillar plague. Evening Grosbeoks have remained again in Saranac Lake-Tupper Lake area through May and probably are breeding as in the past several years. A not frequent record for the northern New York area is that of a Towhee near Keeseville on April 29 (T. L.). Several observers have commented on the smaller numbers of White-throated Sparrows in Adirondacks this spring. Gordon M. Meade, Trudeau, N. Y. REGION 8 —MOHAWK-HUDSON The spring of 1954 was in general cool and wet. Beginning with a snowstorm in early April, the season continued generally slow through May. Large waves of migrants were almost completely lacking, and by far the greater proportion of the birds arrived late, although a few individuals of most species arrived at nearly the normal date. Several flocks of Brant were seen on May 8, indicating an unusual flight. Otherwise, there were few unusual records, and migration was dispersed over a long period. Nesting too appeared to be slow, with many resident pairs arriving late. LOONS — DUCKS: Numbers of loons and grebes were poor, with only one record of Horned Grebe, none of Loons or Holboell's Grebe. Two American Egrets seen on May 27 at Hudson (Madison) indicate continued northward movement of this species. Waterfowl, however, were present in good numbers, with the Brant, noted above, representing the most interesting occurrence. Flocks were observed on the same day at three widely separated points, indicating a general movement into the area on that day. Fourteen Whistling Swans appeared at Vischer's Ponds on April 14 (Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Foote). Canada Geese were seen in good numbers, and large flocks of Mallards, Blacks, Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup and Goldeneye were reported through March and early April. HAWKS — OWLS: A Turkey Vulture was seen at Karner on May 30 (SBC trip). This species is now seen almost every year. Madison recorded a Bald Eagle at Selkirk (Albany Co.) on May 27. Pigeon Hawks were seen on several occasions in early April. No reports were received of Broad-winged Hawks. A White-rumped Sandpiper was seen at Vischer's Ponds on May 31 (Hallenbeck). Turrentine and Stone saw four Bonaparte's Gulls and nine Common Terns on the Mohawk River on April 17. SWIFTS — SHRIKES: Pileated Woodpeckers are becoming more common, with records from several counties, including some seen in villages. Least Flycatchers seem unusually common. Wood Pewees arrived rather late, the earliest record at hand being May 23. Swallows are present in usual numbers. The local colonies of Cliff Swallows and Purple Martins are again occupied. A Tufted Titmouse at Cohoes in early April indicated continued northward invasion of this species. Thrushes were generally late and scanty in numbers. Olive-backed and Gray¬ cheeked were reported May 16 and 25 respectively. Two spring records of the Pipit March 7 (SBC trip) and May 23 (French) are unusual occurrences. WARBLERS — SPARROWS: Warblers continued to migrate well into June. Indeed, the first movements of appreciable numbers of Blackpolls and Tennessees did not occur until nearly June 1. The Worm-eating Warbler is again present at Indian Ladder. Both Pine and Prairie Warblers were present in the pine barrens into mid-June, evidently breeding, with the latter being by far the more common. Nothing of special interest was noted with regard to blackbirds and sparrows. Purple Finches, abundant during the winter, have continued in some numbers into the spring season, and are evidently nesting in several localities. Evening Grosbeaks were last seen in early April. Allen H. Benton, New York State College for Teachers, Albany, N. Y, REGION 9— HUDSON - DELAWARE April was warmer and drier than usual; May, chillier and wetter. Marked waves of migrants reached the area in the latter part of April, a week to ten days ahead of time. Birding in the noronal range of the peak migration in May was correspondingly poor. LOONS — DUCKS: In Rockland County, the usually common herons were all scarce this spring. However, other sections report no notable change, and the Rockland situation may be local. The Kingbird 57 A Horned Grebe remained rather late at Congers Lake, Rockland County, to Apr. 25 (Deed). The Snow Goose was recorded for the first time in Rockland County, a flock of eight flying over New City on Apr. 1 8 (Mrs. John M. Price). A Brant stopped at Piermont Pier on May 15 for the third Rockland record (Thomas Dow, David Hill). A late dote for American Widgeon at Congers Lake, Apr, 24 (Deed). The great find — or great mystery — of the spring in the Rockland-Orange area was a supposed Barrow's Golden-eye at Lake Tiorati, Bear Mountain Park, on a Rockland Audubon Society field trip Apr. 25. On that date, and other days through Apr. 29, the bird was studied at close range through binoculars and telescope, and was observed in flight, too. John C. Orth, Palisades Interstate Park naturalist, studied skins and consulted with staff at the American Museum of Natural History. Everyone who saw the bird was satisfied that it was an immature drake changing belatedly into breeding plumage — yet the place and date are fantastic. Of course, the fantastic occurs oftener these days. HAWKS — OWLS; No outstanding hawk flight was reported. On Apr. 28, a male Sharp-shinned Hawk carrying an English Sparrow flew into the side of a building in Bedford Hills (Mrs. William Grierson), and on May 18 an adult male Cooper's Hawk was killed when it hit a picture window in Mt. Kisco, also in West¬ chester County (John Trainer), Rails continued their strong comeback. A Virginia Rail, seldom reported in Ulster County, was seen on May 2 near Lomontville by Mrs. Henry Dunbar. The Sora appeared again at Tollman Mountain, Piermont, in Rockland County on May 2. In Ulster County, the Black-billed Cuckoo arrived on May 6 at Kripplebush (Fred N. Hough), but the Yellow-billed Cuckoo was not recorded until May 22 at Kingston (Mrs. Dunbar) and May 23 at New Paltz (Dr. Robert Pyle). A Whip- poor-will arrived early, Apr. 19, at Kripplebush (Hough) ond at Mohonk Apr. 21 (Daniel Smiley). SWIFTS — SHRIKES: The Red-headed Woodpecker continues to make a stand in Orange County. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond of the Sullivan County Audubon Society watched one at Cuddebackville, in Orange, on May 15. This species is re¬ garded as uncommon in Ulster County, but birds were seen on May 9 at Whiteport (Dr. Arthur Cragin, Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, Hough) and on May 1 1 near Mohonk (Dr. Pyle). An early date for the Least Flycatcher in Rockland County was Apr. 20 (Homer S. Kelsey). The Cliff Swallow was early at Ashokan Reservoir on Apr. 24 (Hough) and Purple Martin at Hurley, Ulster County, on May 1. A Rough-winged swallow was found shot in Bedford Hills, Westchester, on Apr. 1 1 by Don Reynolds. The Tufted Titmouse is now recorded regularly in the New Paltz area of Ulster, and another record for the west side of the Shawangunk ric^e was listed by Fred Hough at Kripplebush on Apr. 26. Red-breasted Nuthatches are reported on Apr. 20 at Katonah, Westchester (Stanley 0. Grierson) and May 13 at Lake Kitchawan, in the same region (Helen and Arthur Weeks). Spring records for the Carolina Wren in Ulster County are reported. A Mockingbird turned up in Monticello, Sullivan County, on May 16 (Edward McBride). The Mockingbird in New City, Rockland, left the Frank Steffens home on Apr. 14. All spring, a Catbird in partial albino state attracted attention at the feed¬ ing station of Mrs. Anne Comas in South Somers, near Bedford. It had white head and tail, white mottling on wings and back, pink feet, red-brown eyes. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet lingered in the Whiteport area of Ulster County until May 9 (Dunbar, Hough). Cedar Waxwings were very scarce in Ulster this spring, but two Migrant Shrikes were seen near Stone Ridge on Apr. 2 (Hough). Rockland County enjoyed its second occurrence on record of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, May 17 near New City (Mrs. Frank Steffens). It turned out that there was a pair of birds with a nest practically completed on that date, and incubation under way a week later. VIREOS — WARBLERS: Many early dates were recorded in Rockland County: Yellow-throated Vireo, two weeks early on Apr. 21 (Kelsey); Blue-headed Vireo, equalling the early date of Apr. 18 (Mrs. Steffens); Lawrence's Warbler, May 1 (Dr. Marjorie R. Hopper); Yellow Warbler, Apr. 21 (Mrs. Steffens); Black-throated Green Warbler, ten days early on Apr. 18 (Mr. and Mrs. Steffens); Prairie Warbler, May 1 (Deed); Ovenbird, two weeks early on Apr. 10, Rockland Audubon Society field trip; Yellow-breasted Chat, May 2 (RAS trip); Hooded Warbler, May 2 (RAS trip). 58 The Kinsrbird Rare finds in Rockland included the second and third records of the Prothonotary Warbler, Apr. 19 to Apr. 22 at Congers Lake (Mrs. Steffens) and May 3 at the Lamont Sanctuary (Eugene R. Brown), and the third and fourth records of the Cerulean Warbler, Apr. 27 at New City (Mrs. Steffens) and Apr. 29 at the Lamont Sanctuary (Mrs. William G. Irving). Lawrence's Warblers were seen several times, and a Brewster's on May 5 at Valley Cottage (Dr, Hopper). In Westchester, the Louisiana Water-thrush arrived Apr. 10 at Katonah (William Russell) and Apr. 1 1 at Pound Ridge (Stanley Grierson). In Ulster, the Nashville Warbler was rather early, Apr. 26, at Kripplebush (Hough); the Parula Warbler was more numerous than usual; the Blackburnian Warbler was early, Apr. 23, at Mohonk (Smiley); and the Louisiana Water-thrush was very early, Apr. 7, at Lomontville (Henry Dunbar). BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: Orchard Oriole reached Stone Ridge, Ulster, on May 12 (Hough). The Cardinal is apparently expanding its breeding range to the Kripplebush area this season (Hough). Purple Finches were scarce in Ulster this season. A very early date for Indigo Buntin gis Apr. 30 near Nyack (Dow, Hill). The Dickcissel at Katonah, Westchester, reported in the April Kingbird, was last seen on Apr. 15 (Mrs. William Grierson), a full adult male by that time. And the Black-headed Grosbeak that had arrived at the Grierson feeding station on Feb. 26 left the feeding station on Apr. 24. it was seen once later, nearby, on May 15. The Vesper Sparrow arrived Apr. 15 in Ulster at New Paltz (Dr. Pyle) and Apr. 19 in Westchester at Katonah (Stanley Grierson). Henslow's Sparrow was recorded Apr. 19 at New Paltz (Dr. Pyle) and Apr. 21 at Kripplebush (Hough). The last Tree Sparrow at Mohonk was on Apr. 14 (Smiley). White-crowned Sparrows were seen in Ulster from May 3 to May 25 (Hough). Robert F. Deed, 50 Clinton Ave., Nyack, N. Y. REGION TO —LONG ISLAND Spring-like weather in mid-February brought early flocks of Red-wings and Grackles. No severe freezing weather came later to deter migration. April species arrived on time, with some few individuals appearing early. The land bird migration proved excellent in the aggregate although it took numerous observers to present the entire picture. For example, John Bull, Jr. of Far Rockaway, remarks that there were practically no Kinglets or early Warblers in this usually fertile flyway, although excellent flights were recorded late in May. This proves the attracting value of the magnificent chestnut oaks in his area, after they had burst into leaf. An infiltration in early May and several fairly good waves in the latter half of the month made up a large part of the warbler migration. Robert S. Arbib, Jr., of Freeport, reported a flight of several hundred small migrants in Woodmere woods. May 2, mostly Myrtle and Parula Warblers. A large flight of Bay-breasted Warblers, with a maximum of about 50, was reported by John Mayer and George Rose on May 22. More than usual numbers of this species were also reported from other areas on the same day, along with fair numbers of Wilson's Warblers. Among water-birds, there was no spectacular flight of loons or grebes. Gannets passed northward off Long Island in mid-April. Differing from last year there were few early rarities reported among shore birds such as phalaropes and godwits. Terns and skimmers appeared in goodly numbers on their nesting grounds at Short Beach. Red-backed Sandpipers lingered into mid-May in breeding plumage. There was a large flight of Black-bellied Plovers and Knots coming through on western Long Island on June 1, but by June 12 migration was about over. LOONS — DUCKS: Few reports on lingering Grebes and Loons; one Red-throated Loon, Oyster Bay, April 21. There were eight Sooty Shearwaters off Moriches Inlet, May 29. A White Pelican, first discovered at Brookhaven and later at Moriches, may have been the same bird that stayed at Mill Neck for over a year, leaving there last winter. Three European Cormorants at Jones Beach (with white flanks noted) in flock of Double-crested Cormorants. First Snowy Egret, Broad Channel, April 17; a Cattle Egret appeared at East Moriches, May 17 and remained 10 days (Mrs. J. Lukert, R. Wilcox). Up to 300 Brant remained through May, with one albino seen at Merrick, May 15. Canada Geese came through around April 1, with 300 flying over East Williston. Six Snow Geese were seen on the short side of the V-formation of 50 Canada Geese near the lead bird over Jones Beach pond, March 26 (J. Elliott). There were several European Teal spring records; Jones Beach, Patchogue, Bald- The Kingbird 59 win. The Blue-winged Teal showed up in mid-March, with an increase into April. Practically all species of ducks left on time, or a little early. Perhaps, because of the greatly disturbed ocean bottom in last November's storm, the hundreds of thousands of Scoters, present in April for the last few years off the South Shore, were lacking. The Ring-necked Duck was present in goodly numbers on many fresh water ponds. HAWKS — OWLS: The Turkey Vulture was seen on several occasions; and a Black Vulture was identified at Water Mill, May 16 (G. Raynor). The first Osprey was seen at Nassau Point, March 20, according to incoming records, and very few Duck and Pigeon Hawks were reported. There were several reports of King Rail, with two at Mill Neck, May 1 (Lyman Langdon Audubon Society). A Black Rail was flushed from a Jones Beach marsh, April 10 (Mayer, Rose); Florida Gallinule is back in the Lawrence nriarsh, probably breeding. No Oyster-catcher reports. Piping Plover arrived at Shinnecock, March 1 1, two (1. Alperin); .12 at Jones Beach, March 20 (Baldwin Bird Club). An Upland Plover was recorded at Syosset, May 8 and two at Westbury in late May. Eight Willets were reported off Amityville, May 9 (H. Darrow). Pectoral Sandpiper showed up at Jones Beach, April 10 and Curlew Sandpiper was back again on Jamaica Bay, May 15. The Red-backed Sandpiper flock at Jones Inlet, May 15, contained 15(3 in breeding plumage. On May 30 from Hewlett Bay to Oceanside 6,000 Black-bellied Plovers and 800 Knot were reported. There were several Bonaparte Gull records in mid-May, two or three Roseate Terns and three Black Terns were seen at Short Beach in latter May. Both Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoo reports were rather meager. Several Barn Owl records came from western Long Island; the Snowy Owl left early, and there are no recent reports of Long-eared or Great Horned Owls which are resident species. SWIFTS — WARBLERS: Chimney Swifts were quite numerous from their arrival in April; first Whip-poor-will, Prospect Park, April 8. Red-headed Woodpecker was seen in Forest Park, May 22; and Sapsucker was noted at Manorville, April 4. Five Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were seen in Far Rockaway in late May (Bull). First Rough-winged Swollow, Jones Beach, April 10; three Barn Swallows, Garden City, April 9. The Cliff Swallow was rare, four at Mill Neck, May 15 (Raynor). Gnatcatchers were regularly reported from first arrival at Prospect Park, April 8 to May 22. There were practically no records of Carolina Wren on western Long island. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet put in an appearance around April 9, and one or two Migrant Shrikes were seen on eastern Long Island in April. At least four Prothonotary Warblers were observed, three in April: Glen Cove, Babylon and Mill Neck, and one in Brooklyn, May 2. The first Worm-eating Warbler was observed at Quoque, April 17; Yellow-throated Warbler appeared at Mill Neck, April 24 and one at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, April 25. Louisiana Water-Thrush arrived at Pros¬ pect Park, April 7, and one at .Mill Neck, April 10. A Lawrence's Warbler was seen at Woodmere, May 22 and practically all the scarcer warblers — including Golden-winged, Tennessee, Cape May, Bay-breasted and Hooded — were recorded in western Long Island, Central Park and Van Cortlandt Park; and in several instances both Cape. May and Bay-breasted Warblers were numerous. BLACKBIRDS — SPARROWS: Red-wings were unusually common from early spring when at Wantagh, March 6, 400 flew in to roost in the Phragmites along Wantagh Causeway. The Orchard Oriole was reported at Far Rockaway, May 15, and May 31 at Seaford. A Black-headed Grosbeak, wintering at Idlewild, and changing into spring plumage, was identified as this western species on March 28. A maximum of Indigo Buntings was reported May 8 and 9. The American Goldfinch was abundant this spring at Seaford and Williston Park, with an estimated 1,000 at the latter April 25. A sparrow flight of Chipping, Field and Fox came through March 27 and 28; and a fair spring flight of Ipswich Sparrows in late March, early April, but the Vesper Sparrow's coastal flight was meager. There was only one spring record for Siskin ,this at Jones Beach; and the Golden-crowned Sparrow (eft in April from its location near the Jones Beach East Bathhouse where wintering from January. The White-crowned Sparrows arrived in Riis Park, May 8 and there were several records of later arrivals elsewhere. The White-throated Sparrow was scarce in May, especially in the city parks. John J. Elliott, 3994 Park Avenue, Seaford, Long Island, New York. 60 The Kingbird THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS 1954 Officers President: Harold D. Mitchell, 378 Crescent Ave., Buffalo 14, N. Y. Vice-Pres.: Guy Bortlett, 1053 Parkwood Boulevard, Schenectady 8, N. Y. Cor. Sec.: Miss Elizabeth S. Manning, 1130 Fifth Ave., New York 28, N. Y. Rec. Sec.: Mrs. William Gary Irving, Van Houten Fields, West Nyack, N. Y. Treasurer; H. Everest Clements, 1116 Sibley Tower Bldg., Rochester 4, N. Y. Editor of THE KINGBIRD Stephen W. Eaton, Biology Dept., St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, N. Y. Standing Committee Chairmen Conservation: Stanley O. Grierson, Todd Road, R. F. D. #1, Katonah, N. Y. Membership; Miss Audrey Louise Wrede, 3109 Beverley Rd., Brooklyn 26, N. Y. Publications and Research: Fred T. Hall, Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo, N. Y. Program: Dr. Peter Paul Kellogg, Dept, of Conservation^ Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N. Y. Finance: Harold D. Mitchell, ex officio Elected Committees Nominating: Winston W. Brockner, 63 Ardmore Place, Buffalo 13, N. Y. Allan S. Klonick, 828 Grosvenor Road, Rochester 18, N. Y. Miss Audrey Louise Wrede, 3119 Beverly Rd., Brooklyn 26, N. Y. Auditing: Samuel R. Madison, 18 Oakwood Place, Delmar, N. Y. Kenneth D. Niven, 61 Broadway, Monticello, N. Y. NOTICE THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS ANNUAL MEETING Ithac 0 , N. Y. August 28 - 29 Those intending to read papers please write Dr. P. P. Kellogg, Committee Chairman, at Dept, of Conservation, Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. DR. ARTHUR A. ALLEN wos the first Professpr of Ornithology in a North Amer¬ ican Un^ersity, and Cornell is justly proud of his achievements. 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