a

Bide

Official Organ of the

SOMERSET HILLS BIRD CLUB

BERNARDSVILLE, N. J.

Aue 19 1914 ~~

OciB306888 voL. 1 AUGUST, 1914 NO. 2 CONTENTS

PAGE TE BRIE OPP CATE TIA eee ae ee Seon Bees eet CO i Somerset Hills Bird Club Membership.....-......-- 2 List of Officers and Members... 3 Orchard Oriole (colored plate).....---.0..-0- to face +

The Blue-Winged Warbler by Louis 8. Kohler 4 Picture, Robin’s Nest by Walter F. Chappell, Jr. 6 Some Costa Rican Ortoles by Lee S. Crandall...... i

Egret (colored plate) RRR yal ted Narita Meee on A to face 0)

Bringing Back the Plume Birds (with three photos)

by T. Gilbert Pearson......... g ST hae. JOUCETC Bee er ee ee ccc cee eee are ek Hints for Better Game Protection

by George D. Cross...-. .-....-- IZ Picture, Destruction Caused by Nuthatch

by Is Derkuser ste ee 14 A June Day at Greenwood Lake, N. J.

by Louis 5. Kohler-........-....- 15 Si/ie Ovnalas Op Va\ellem 18¥0l l basetereeee-ceesceerecaceersccoces 18 WifeaS wales by, Sally Sage msec eee nce ce ern. 19 WenGow0ird oye Conmelia OAC aia) anaes ee 20 UGE Go aie Pid Na aA ce tis eee tei agitate Raat 20 CB ASTIEND. CALL 1S CICHINS pee eres eee cer or cose cee 25

Copyright 1914 By Somerset Hills Bird Club, Bernardsville, N. J.

SOMERSET HILLS BIRD CLUB

MEMBERSHIP Active Members ($1.50 annually)..... an 41 Patrons: ($25.00 paid at one time) :.... ..2ee i Life Members ($10.00 paid at one time)....... | 5 Contributors ($5.00) annually) .5-,-. eee ts Subscribers to the Oriole ($1.50 annually) ...... 44

Total number; members and subscribers. 104

OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SOMERSET HILLS BIRD CLUB.

TRUSTEES

Miss Rutu B. Buss, President

Miss Leira H. Burpen, Vice-President

Avan Harriman, Vice-President

Water F. Cuappex., Jr., Secretary

Miss Cornevia Sacer, Treasurer

Joun Dryven Kuser, Editor “The Oriole’, Member, Meetings’ Committee.

Miss Marist Buair, Associate Editor

Merepituw H. Pyne, Associate Editor

Miss Mary V. R. Losttnarp, Member, Meetings’ Committee.

Miss Mitprep Mitcuerzt, Member, Meetings’ Committee.

ACTIVE MEMBERS

Miss Eviru D. Buarr Miss Rosartize Moran

C. Merritt Cuapin, JR. PRENTICE TALMAGE

Miss Mary S. Cuapin FREDERICK CRoMWELL, III Kinestey Kunwarpr Miss Carou MirrcHEeLu Joun B. CrarKk Miss Marcaret LINDABURY Miss CarRoLiINnE STEVENS Ricuarp V. Lrnpasury, dr. Miss Tarrine BuIss Miss Freverica Buu

Miss Satrty SaGe Miss Constance CHAPPELL Puitie GRAHAM Miss Virermnia MrrcHei Eno CaMPpBELL Hatey Fiske, Je.

Miss Dorotuy DrypENn Ricuarp NicHoLs

Miss Heten Bury Miss Exsiz STEVENS Switnin NicHo.ts P. R. Pyne, Je.

Francis BERGEN - Miss Evizaseta Harpin Caehi Lian pin Miss ExizapetH ELiswortu

HONORARY VICE - PRESIDENTS

Hon. Turopvore Roostve.tT

Frank M. CHarpmMan T. GitBert PrARson

C. Wizi1amM BEEBE Wixtiiam T. Hornapay PATRONS

Mrs. Joun F. Drypen Miss Cynruia G. Kuser

Hatery Fisker Joun Drypren Kuser

AntTuony R. Kuser Grant B. ScuHiEy

Mrs. Anruony R. KusrEr

LIFE MEMBERS

Mrs. Gzorce Butss Water GrRaEME Lapp Mes. Watter P. Briss Dean SaGe Mrs. Wartrer GramMe Lapp

CONTRIBUTORS

Mrs. Joun F. Drypren Miss Cynruia G. Kusrer Mrs. Rospert D. Granam Joun Drypren Kuser AntHony R. Kuser Mrs. Dean Sace

Mrs. Antruony R. Kuszr

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER Helminthophila pinus

By Louis S. Kohler

On May 24th of the present year, while waiting for a train at Little Falls, New Jersey, I strolled south of the station platform into a copse of maples and oaks, thinking that, perhaps, by accident, I might happen across a nest of the Ovenbird or Redstart, the males of which species were in full nuptial song in the low shrubbery underneath the taller deciduous growths. While observing the male Redstart per- forming his gymnastic turns in a small maple sapling, a flash of bright yellow passed overhead and dropped into a clump of tall grass and as it alighted on an overhanging weed, I identified it as a female Blue- winged Warbler. This bird, having a wisp of dried grass in its bill, quickly disappeared in the depths of the grassy hummock and I immediately investigated and found it to contain a nearly completed nest. On approaching the nest, the female arose to an adjacent sapling and uttered a sharp metallic alarm note which brought its beautiful mate quickly to its side and both began uttering these alarm notes and con- tinued to do so while I was examining their future home. This nest was placed about three inches from the ground in the clump of grass and was composed of dead leaves of the maple and oak forming a deep cup-shaped container for the inner material which consisted of fine grasses, grapevine peelings and plant fibers delicately woven together so as to form a beau- tiful structure, although the whole presented rather

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ORCHARD ORIOLE (Upper figure, adult male; middle figure, young male; lower figure, female)

Order—PASSERES Family—IcTERID# Genus—IcTERUS Species—SPURIUS

National Association of Audubon Societies

the appearance of a much larger ground-nesting bird. |

On visiting the nest on the 28th, found it to con- tain one egg and on the Ist of June the set of five were complete. These eggs were creamy white, heavily spotted with brown, lavender and pearly grey markings principally about the larger end where the markings formed a wreath which encircled the egg. These five eggs averaged .65x.55, which is slightly larger than the usual average for the eggs of this species. - The incubating of the eggs was performed wholly by the female during the eleven days immediately fol- lowing the 1st of June, and, although the male was very attentive to his patient little mate and brought her many tempting morsels, always quickly left the nest after depositing his prey on the nest rim, and flew into the taller trees and was continually singing its insect-like notes, which, to me, resembles the calls of the Grasshopper Sparrow, much subdued, and the ~ Black and White Warbler.

On the morning of the 12th the young emerged from the shells and from that time on until June 224d, when the youngsters left the nest, both parents pro- vided an ample supply of insectivorous food for the nestlings, often making as many as twenty visits dur- ing an hour. ‘The young left the nest at noon on the 22d in a condition, which to me appeared at least four or five days ahead of an appropriate time for this pro- cedure, but on the morning of the date of this writ- ing were seen in company with the parents in the adjacent copse of trees much advanced towards the

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maturer stages of growth, apparently having profited by their liberty and had secured a vaster quantity of food than their very attentive parents could gather for them while in the nest.

While these notes were being gathered I made daily visits to the nest during the early mornings and thus was able to secure a few more sidelights on their home life than is usually accorded an individual nest. Also this is the most southerly nest of this species which has ever come under my personal observation.

Bloomfield, N. J., June 26th, 1914.

SOME COSTA RICAN ORIOLES By Lee S. Crandall

To the mind of the casual reader, the title of this magazine suggests at once the familiar charmer of roadside and orchard—the Baltimore Oriole. To others, further advanced in knowledge of our native birds, the Orchard Oriole, singer of wonderful songs, may follow as an afterthought. But the fact that our two native species are but a tithe of the members of this beautiful and varied group would hardly occur to one unversed in ornithology.

Of the genus Icterus, which includes the Baltimore and the Orchard, nearly fifty different forms have been described, covering the American continents from Canada to Argentina, Mexico alone having more than twenty. All of these birds, with one or two exceptions, beside the Orchard Oriole, are bril- liantly black and orange in color. In captivity, all are interesting pets, and for their melodious songs and endearing manners, are greatly prized by the natives whose country they adorn.

Besides the true Orioles, the family Icteridae in- cludes many other birds, of which the Bobolink and Redwing are familiar examples. On a recent visit to Costa Rica, the writer had an opportunity of studying some of these species, and making many observations concerning their life histories.

On the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica there are but two breeding species of Icterus—the Salvin and Lesson Orioles, although both the Baltimore and the Orchard winter there. Both of the former are found

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in the banana plantations, although neither is very abundant. The Salvins were breeding at the time of the writer’s visit, cleverly sewing their nests to the under side of the great leaves of the banana. This bird, known locally as chorcha, is a very fine singer, and so valued by the natives that as much as fifty colones (the equivalent of $23.25), are sometimes paid for an exceptionally fine specimen.

The most abundant Icterine birds in Costa Rica are the Giant Caciques, known to the people as Oropen- dulas. 'There are two species, the Montezuma Giant Cacique (Gymnostinops montezwmae) and the Wag- ler (Zarhynchus wagleri). The former is bright chestnut in general coloration, with brilliant yellow tail and long red and black beak. The Wagler is black with yellow tail and chestnut back, and is con- siderably smaller than montezuwmae, the males of which are nearly two feet in length. These great birds live in colonies of from a dozen to fifty individ- uals. Their relationship with our own Orioles is evinced by the structure of the nests—great, pendu- lous sacks of rootlets and Spanish moss, three to four feet in length, but woven in exactly the same fashion as those of the Baltimore Oriole. The trees chosen are always of great height, invariably with smooth. branchless trunks. As many as fifty nests are some- times seen in a single tree, looking like clusters of some giant fruit.

A beautiful male of montezwmae was brought to New York, and may now be seen in the Zoological Park, apparently as contented, and certainly as well fed, as he was in the jungles of Costa Rica.

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BRINGING BACK THE PLUME BIRDS

By T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary National Association of Audubon Societies

One of the lines of activity in which the National Association of Audubon Societies has been engaged for a number of years past, is the restoration of cer- tain species of wild water-birds which were threath- ened with extinction owing to their slaughter by the field-agents of the great millmery firms.

Among the species that were in most danger of being wiped out in this country were the gulls, terns, grebes, pelicans, eider ducks, roseate spoonbills, ibises, and the two species of white egrets. When the As- sociation took up its work these birds could legally be killed in virtually every State of the Union. ‘The first duty of the Audubon workers, therefore, was to secure the enactment of laws making it illegal to kill non-game birds at any season of the year.

The “Audubon Law,” for the enactment of which the Association battled furiously for many years, has been adopted by the legislatures of nearly all the States. This first step having been accomplished at- tention was turned to enforcing the law, particularly during the season when the birds would gather in their nesting-colonies. The Association, therefore, has collected funds for this purpose each season for a number of years. The Audubon wardens now guard virtually every colony of water-birds on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, as well as about many lakes of the interior.

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As a direct result of these efforts certain species of gulls and terns, which had become exceedingly rare over large stretches of country, have rapidly recovered in numbers, and in a few years will doubt- less be as abundant as they were in the old days be- fore the big killing began.

The phase of warden work that has been fought with the most difficulties has been the attempt to guard the few remaining colonies of egrets in the southern swamps. It is absolutely necessary to watch these birds during the breeding season, for otherwise at that time they will be shot for the purpose of get- ting the “aigrette” plumes that adorn the birds only in the nesting period.

Aigrettes are now worth actually twice their weight in gold, and many men in the southern swamps will undertake almost any risk to kill the birds. Every season attempts are made to raid some of the colon- ies, and the Audubon wardens almost every year have rifle battles with these poachers. Two of our war- dens while in the discharge of their duties have been murdered by plume hunters.

The writer has recently returned from a trip of inspection to egret rookeries in Florida, and feels tre- mendously encouraged over the evident increase of egrets in the protected regions. There are some egret colonies we have not yet been able to guard, for lack of means. Now, although laws have been passed prohibiting the killing of birds of plumage, and war- dens are stationed at the majority of rookeries, some killing still goes on, and will doubtless continue to go on as long as there is a demand for their feathers.

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This has made it important for the Association to take still another step, viz.: to stop the sale of feath- ers; and the “second Audubon Law,” prohibiting the sale of the plumage of American birds has been

enacted in the States of Washington, Oregon, Cali- fornia, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, Massa- chusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, after costly and stupendous efforts on the part of Audubon workers.

Another great step in bird-protection was taken last year when Congress was induced to prohibit the importation of bird plumage.

Ii

The Association at the same time is doing its utmost to educate the public against the wearing of wild birds’ feathers. Educational Leaflet No. 54, describ- ing in detail the horrors of the egret traffic, together with colored pictures of the birds, will be sent free to anyone upon request.

HINTS FOR BETTER GAME PROTECTION

By George D. Cross

To one who is interested in Nature study nothing can be more satisfactory than to see a country well stocked with so-called game birds, and it is a great pity that our country in the past has not done more to protect them. Compared to densely settled parts of Kurope, we have one bird where Europe has thou- sands, and these thousands are due principally to the great care which is given to protect them.

Our section of the country in the past supported large numbers of quail and ruffed grouse, or par- tridge, and was the breeding ground of many migra- tory game birds, such as woodcock, snipe and upland plover—in fact, it is very probable that at some time or other, since white men have lived here, most of the birds peculiar to the temperate zone of the eastern United States could be found where we now live. There is no reason why this condition cannot be dupli- cated at the present time. All that is required is in- telligent effort on the part of all land owners and bird lovers.

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Game birds become scarce in any locality from a number of known causes, such as too close shooting, the clearing off of good coverts or places of refuge, the presence of wandering dogs and house cats, and the starving and freezing of birds in Winter, simply because no provision is made to feed them during the severe weather sometimes experienced in this latitude. Right here it might be well to point out that few healthy birds, which have a chance to find food, are ever frozen; it is only birds weakened by starvation and disease which succumb.

Much has been done for game birds by the law which prohibits shooting except during a short sea- son, when the birds are full grown and strong.

Requiring every person who, during the shooting season, goes off his own property with a gun in his possession, to have a shooting license with him—which license must be exhibited to any one on request—also the high cost of a license to any one not a citizen of this State, has helped reduce the number of gunners. Every land owner should see that his property 1s posted with “Trespass” signs forbidding shooting and fishing without permission, and should take care that these signs are respected.

In the days of stone walls, and post and rail fences, land was not cultivated so close to the boundary lines as is now the case when so many wire fences have been put up.

The bushes and high growth of weeds and grasses which grew along the old style fences, provided for birds splendid nesting places, and also refuges from

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hawks and other enemies. If you wish game birds to live on your property, you must provide homes and places of refuge for them. Simple shelters to which birds learn to come for grain and gravel are sasily built, with hardly any expense, and may be the means of carrying many birds through a hard Win-

ter.

Stray dogs and house cats are great enemies of game birds, particularly in the nesting season. Clear your fields and woods of these animals, and give the birds a chance. Dogs and cats are close hunters, and break up many nests and destroy large numbers of

young birds.

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Aside from the satisfaction of having game birds in a country, few people realize their great value to agriculture. These birds are busy all the time, search- ing for msects and weed seeds.

The Department of Agriculture in Washington has conducted many investigations bearing on the life of game birds, and has found in the crop of as small a bird as the quail, many thousand seeds of various kinds of weeds, and in others, hundreds of insects which destroy plant life.

Surely too much cannot be said in favor of the closest protection of game birds, for they will always be not only beautiful to look at and interesting to study, but these birds are truly the farmers’ friends.

A JUNE DAY AT GREENWOOD LAKE, N. J. By Louis S. Kohler

On arriving at Sterling Forest, New York, on the morning of June 20th, 1914, the first bird to greet me, as alighting from the train, was a beautiful male Chestnut-sided Warbler and his cheery “whee-choo” served as an appropriate avian “Good-morning.” Not alone was he, for a few moments’ observation in the adjacent shrubbery brought to light his less brilliant mate and in her company were four youngsters about twenty days old, which she was endeavoring to pro- vide with food and also having the time of her life to guard against a rather thick and healthy blacksnake, which quickly sidled off on seeing me in the adjoining

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bushes, much to the relief of the anxious mother. She quickly took advantage of her enemy’s retreat and hurried her brood to another bush about fifty feet away and renewed her search for subsistence for the ever ready and hungry throats of her rapidly grow- ing family.

On walking down the railroad towards the Glens a pair of Bronzed Grackles were observed walking about on the banks of the lake and feeding on the small crustaceans which were there in great abund- ance. In the eaves of the ice-houses and railroad shanties were seven inaccessible nests of the Phoebe and along the right of way numerous pairs of Song Sparrows were roving about in a restless manner as I passed the sites of their homes. Swifts, Tree and Barn Swallows were present over the lake and great numbers, and in the thick deciduous growth on the left were numerous Robins, Chipping Sparrows, Crows, House Wrens, Maryland Yellowthroats, and Catbirds. Goldfinches were seen performing their wavy flights on all sides and the twitter of their songs were continual throughout the day. A White-eyed Vireo, the only one of this species which I have had the opportunity to observe this year, appeared in a low birch within a dozen feet of me and displayed little or no fear of me or my proximity, but kept on feeding and uttering its song in a very subdued man- ner. In the river birches two families of Baltimore Orioles were roving about and feeding on the insect life which was very abundant.

Near the Glens the Yellow Warblers were common as well as the Least Flycatchers and Red-eyed

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Viroes. A Kingbird was observed here in battle with a solitary Crow. Ovenbirds were heard on all sides, and two nests were found, both of which had eggs well incubated.

On proceeding down the valley of the Wanaque River a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos were found nesting in a low river birch and their nest contained two well incubated eggs. A pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were also observed here and the male’s song often heard, but a careful search failed to re- veal their home. Along the banks of the Wanaque four male Louisiana Water Thrushes were observed, the first of which species have ever come under my personal attention. All of these four were walking about, sandpiper-like, and singing at frequent inter- vals. One male Scarlet Tanager was seen in com- pany with the Grosbeaks and was also singing fre- quently. Here another pair of Chestnut-sided Warblers were observed with young about fifteen days old. A Kingfisher was skillfully driving at this time and brought two small roaches to the surface which he quickly carried off in a northerly direction. A nest of the Black-throated Green Warbler was found here in a high bush huckleberry with a set of four eggs, all of which were well incubated. Both parent birds were about the nest and resented my intrusion by an incessant chirping and angry darts, which in so small a bird were rather ludicrous. <A Whippoorwill was flushed along the banks of the Wanaque under a small conifer and rushed off in a very excited manner as I neared him. Indigo Birds, Redstarts, Yellow-throated Viroes, Field Sparrows,

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Bluebirds and Wood 'Thrushes were heard along the Wanaque in great numbers and several nests of the Redstart, Wood Thrush and Bluebird were located. On nearing Hewitt, a Crested Flycatcher, a Flicker and a Chewink were observed. Another “rara avis” with me appeared here in the form of a Blue-headed Viroe. Cliff Swallows were observed in great abund- ance here and ten nests were found under the eaves of a deserted barn. Near the Hewitt Station a copper- head was disturbed making a meal of a nestling Song Sparrow much to the distress of its parents. Here the Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, Purple Grackle and Vesper Sparrow were observed in small numbers and at Monks Crossing a Mourning Dove, a Killdear, a pair of Cooper Hawks and two male Yellow- breasted Chats completed the day’s hunt.

June 26th, 1914.

THE ORIOLES By Helen Ball

One day while I was sitting on the lawn I saw a beautiful Baltimore Oriole fly over the house, and looking around, I soon discovered his nest out on the end of a branch, very near to where I was. In a few moments he was back, bringing to the nest food for the young and then was off again. I only saw the female once or twice. When the male was evi- dently tired from flying about he would sit on a branch near the nest, half hidden by the leaves.

When the wind blew, their hanging nest would swing so hard that it looked as though it must surely blow from the branch. I have seen several Orchard Orioles around but have not seen any nests of this species.

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THE SWALLOWS By Sally Sage

It is a sad time when the weather becomes dark and cold; when the autumn winds blow through the dead leaves and one sees the Swallows leaving. It is still sadder when they are gone. Although the Swallows have only a harsh cry which cannot be termed pleas- ing, yet there is so much life in the tiny bird that one cannot help liking it. Swallows seem to be every- where at once during the Summer months in which they remain with us. There are many kinds of Swal- lows, amongst which the Barn, Cliff, Tree, Bank and Rough-winged Swallows and the Purple Martin, which is also a Swallow, are those usually found in this vicinity.

The Barn Swallow is the most friendly of all. Its favorite nesting place is in old barns where loose boards and broken windows make holes through which it can go in and out at will. The Tree Swallows are also frequent during the Spring and Fall. Unlike the Barn they generally scour the air at high eleva- tions. Like the Martins they frequently nest in bird- boxes.

The Bank is the smallest of our Swallows. It makes its nest in enlarged chambers at the end of short tunnels in the sides of banks. The Rough-winged is very much like the Bank but its throat is gray as well as its breast. The Cliff is also called the Kave Swallow. It plasters its nest on the outside of build- ings, usually in the eaves. In the west a cliff com- pletely covered with these small cup-like mud nests is a common sight. There are fifty-five species of Swallows in the world.

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THE COWBIRD

By Cornelia Sage

These bold birds are often seen walking sedately amongst the cows; hence their name. ‘The color of the male is an irridescent black, with a brown head. In size the Cowbird is smaller than the Robin. What should be his song is a squeaking cluck, tse-e-e, squeezed out with difficulty and accompanied by a spreading of the wings and tail. ‘The female and young are a dull gray.

Cowbirds have no nest for the very good reason that they are much too lazy to build one. The female sneaks about the woods and thickets seeking an op- portunity to lay her eggs in other birds’ nests. She persecutes the Yellow Warbler particularly. The nest of the Warbler having been finished she watches her chance to lay her eggs in it. Often, however, the Warbler is a match for the sly Cowbird, weaving

o rather than hatching a

a new bottom over the egg ee

bird which would take up all the room in the nest and push her own young out.

EDITORIAL

The much discussed question of resident vs. visitant and of terms for the denotation of abundance and rarity, chiefly discussed in the various issues of the Condor are ones which are included by my title. I am giving what to me seems a plausible solution.

First let us consider seasonal occurrence. ‘There are seven distinct groups which require a title. These groups are as follows: (1) those birds of which the

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identical individuals remain in the same locality throughout the year, breeding and wintering in an area indistinguishably variable, that is without a dif- ference of approximately twenty-five miles, e. g. Ruffed Grouse; (2) those species of which the species is permanently resident, but the individuals migra- tory, e. g. Song Sparrow; (3) those birds which reg- ularly breed during the late Spring or Summer but do not remain, except irregularly through the Winter months, e. g. Baltimore Oriole; (4) those birds which do not breed or remain through the Summer months but regularly arrive in the Fall and remain through the Winter, e. g. Junco; (5). those birds which, after, or more rarely, just before, breeding stray north- ward, but do not breed or remain regularly through the Summer months, e. g. Egret; (6) those birds which are driven South in Winter by storms or lack of food supply and irregularly visit the specified local- ity. At times birds of this class may be common but they are always irregularly so, e. g. Kvening Gros- beak; (7) those birds which remain regularly neither during the Summer or Winter but do regularly mi- grate through in the Spring and Fall, e. g. Yellow- bellied Sapsucker.

Now I will attempt to name my classes. For class 1 I suggest the term individual resident. This will undoubtedly be criticized as being uncommon, un- known, and too long, but certainly it is at least clear to anyone what is meant. Class 2 I should merely term resident. I do not think this term can be com- mented on as being out of place here. Certainly it is perfectly correct in this case, meaning exactly what it means as a word—resident—not migratory.

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Now I come to the most argued part of the sub- ject—the titles for classes 3 and 4. I am decidedly in favor of the terms swmmer visitant and winter vis- itant. ‘They seem to me to be far better than the corresponding uses of the word resident. For I think that the argument that a bird does not reside in a locality unless it actually remains there throughout the year is a very good one. Quoting from the edi- torial in the May-June Condor we find: “The latest etymological authority, Webster’s New Interna- tional Dictionary, defines the word resident as fol- lows: “Dwelling or having an abode in a place for a continuous length of time. 2. Of birds, not mi- gratory; nonmigratory. Birds are either resident or migratory; if they migrate they cannot be resi- dent; hence such an incongruity as winter resident is impossible!”

I think for both groups 5 and 6 there is one word which is uniquely appropriate. ‘This is the word un- settled. Birds of this class are always unsettled, though not necessarily transient. They visit not cross over. ‘Then compounded I offer the terms wn- settled summer visitant and unsettled winter visitant respectively. Is this not distinguishing enough? Can there be any confusion as to the meaning or any perplexing similarity to terms 38 or 4?

Class 6 I think is fully and appropriately described by the word transient. That is all that the birds of this class are, merely those which are crossing over or going through a certain locality.

Summed up, my terms for the various groups are: (1) individual resident; (2) resident; (8) summer

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visitant; (4) winter visitant; (5) unsettled summer visitant ; (6) unsettled winter visitant; (7) transient.

Now we turn to the question of which terms shall be standardized for the denoting of abundance or rar- ity, for standardization and uniformity are our main aims. Hven were the selected and standardized terms minutely incorrect, yet were they universally desig- nated alike and uniformly known under such desig- nation they would certainly serve the purpose well; but since unfortunately there is no such universal ac- ceptance of any one set of terms and since this stand- ard set has yet to be composed and accepted is it not better to compose a set which is etymologically cor- rect? I still believe that the scaled set which I sug- gested in Science, June 14th, 1912, is as good as any that can be had, except that I now believe that the term uncommon can be eliminated. I do not intend to propose it as final but as a beginning. It seems to me that it is a question for thorough though speedy debate and for a reasonably quick decision. The present obscurity of meaning is lamentable and uni- formity is its only cure.

My terms, ranging from abundance to rarity are: (1) abundant; (2) common; (3) frequent; (4) occa- sional; (5) rare. ‘To these definitely scaled terms I should add one other to complete a full set, viz: irregular, standing for exactly what it means. I think an explanation of its meaning is unnecessary. As avery poor but possibly useful illustration of the use of my terms I will give examples of their appli- cation in regard to species around New York City.

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abundant—KEneglish Sparrow. ~common—Orchard Oriole.

frequent—Blue-winged Warbler.

occasional—Cape May Warbler. Prothonotary Warbler.

irregular—Evening Grosbeak.

rare

Other terms may be substituted and may be better but to me these terms represent very nearly the cor- rect proportional division, 1. e., the same variation of rarity is left unexpressed between the various ex- pressed terms.

As I have already said, but what I may be par- doned for repeating because of its importance, stand- ardization is the goal, but while standardizing we should attempt to be etymologically correct.

The Somerset Hills Bird Club is greatly indebted to the National Association of Audubon Societies, through the General Secretary, Mr. T. Gilbert Pear- son, for the use of the colored plates of the Oriole (cover), the Orchard Oriole and the Egret.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

CONSTITUTION.

Articte I. Name.

The name of this organization shall be the “Somerset Hills

Bird Club.”

ArticLe II. Objects.

The objects of this club shall be: To protect and study birds, and to increase the interest thereof chiefly in the Somerset Hills.

ArTIcLE III. Amendments.

Amendments to this constitution may be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or called meeting of the society, provided a notice of such change shall be mailed to all active members five days prior to date of said meeting.

BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE I. Membership.

There shall be five classes of members, who shall be known as: Patrons, Life Members, Associate Members, Active Mem- bers, and Contributors.

Any person may become a Patron upon payment of twenty-five dollars at one time.

Any person may become a Life Member upon payment of ten dollars at one time.

Any person may become an Associate Member upon payment of one dollar and fifty cents annually.

Active Members shall pay one dollar and fifty cents annually and shall have all rights of membership except that which is given to Trustees. No person under 13 years of age shall be elected an Active Member.

Any person may become a contributor upon payment of five dollars annually.

Failure to pay dues within four months after they become due shall cancel membership.

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ArticLE II. Trustees.

A Board of Trustees shall annually be elected from the Active Members consisting of ten members to have full power to elect members, officers for the year, from its own body and decide all

matters concerning “The Oriole’ and meetings of the Club. ArticLe III. Officers.

The officers of the club shall consist of a President, two Vice- Presidents (a boy and a girl), a Secretary and a Treasurer, who shall be elected by a majority vote of the Trustees. Their term of office shall be one year.

Honorary Vice-Presidents not to exceed ten in number may be appointed by the Editor of “The Oriole.”

The President shall preside at all the meetings of the club, shall execute all agreements of every nature and shall perform all the usual duties incidental to the office of President.

The Vice-Presidents shall act in the place of the President in his absence.

The Treasurer shall receive all dues and fees and shall have the custody of all moneys and books of account belonging to the club and shall make a full financial statement of the affairs of the club at the meetings.

The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings and pro- ceedings of the club; shall conduct the correspondence of the club, shall give legal notice of all meetings and shall perform

such other duties as belong to the office. ArticteE 1V. New Members. New Active Members may be elected by a majority vote of the Trustees at any regular or called meeting.

ARTICLE V.

Quorum for business at a meeting of the Trustees shall be five.

The Board of Trustees may appoint committees to report on

desired subjects.

Lectures shall be given as often as is determined by the Trustees.

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ArticLe VI. Meetings.

The regular meetings of the Society shall be held during the last half of June and August. The former shall be the annual meeting.

Notice of such meetings must be sent to each member five days in advance of the date of said meeting. Trustees meetings shall be during the last half of June, July and August and first half of September. Special meetings may be called upon a day’s notice by the President, or upon request of any five Trustees.

ArticLe VII.

The club shall publish a paper, entitled “The Oriole,’ first of June and August. It shall be sent free to Patrons, Life, Associate and Active Members, Contributors and Honorary Vice- Presidents. The Editor of this paper shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner as the officers of the club. The Editor has the privilege of appointing two Associate Editors,

’

on the

annually.

No Active Members may hold more than one office at the same time.

Two copies of “The Oriole” shall be sent free to all those who have contributed articles to it.

Subscriber’s dues to “The Oriole” are $1.50 per year. Articte IX. Amendments.

These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular or called meeting of the club, provided a notice of such change shall have been mailed to each Active Member five days previous.

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