A

Volume 36 Berkeley, California, July, 1954 Number 7

M&O Serials QL 671 G84

THE

MONTHLY

MAY 16 TRIP TO LOS BANOS REFUGE

A compact group of 14 members and guests in six cars was rewarded with a beautiful day in which six kinds of bird nests were discovered. The highlight was a ring-necked pheasant nest containing newly hatched young which were still damp. Other nests were those of the mourning dove, cliff swallow, long-billed marsh wren, western meadowlark and red-winged black- bird. The rookery about 8 miles from the refuge was visited, but we were driven off by what must have been billions of the most vicious mosquitos ever encountered anywhere. American egrets outnumbered great blue herons about 10 to one at the rookery. A white-tailed kite was seen by Harold Peter- son en route. Fifty-seven species were seen by the group, as follows: Western Grebe, Great Blue Heron, American Egret, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Black- crowned Night Heron, Mallard, Gadwall, Baldpate, Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Shoveller, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Coot, Killdeer, Greater Yellow-legs, Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Forster Tern, Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Mourning Dove, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, Red-shafted Flicker, Acorn (Calif.) Woodpecker, W. Kingbird, Black Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Yellow-billed Magpie, Crow, Long-billed Marsh Wren, Mockingbird, Robin, Western Bluebird, Loggerhead Shrike, Black-capped (Pileolated) Warbler, House Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Bullock Oriole, Brewer Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Song Sparrow.

— Carlyle Sather, Leader and Historian.

NEW MEMBERS. We welcome to our membership the following: from San Francisco, the President of the California Alpine Club and Miss Sheila Moon; from Oakland, Miss Margaret K. Anderson. Norma L. Britton, Miss Claire M. Johnston, Mrs. W. J. Killen, Charles W. Pillsbury, Miss Flo- rence E. Taylor, Mrs. Grace M. Taylor and Miss Emma Von Ahnden; from Berkeley, Miss Gladys G. Gorman, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. McCarthy, Mrs. Agnes B. Neville; from Piedmont, Mrs. David E. Froelich (renewal); from Brisbane, John Gal ten; from Covelo, Russell Archerd; from Kentfield, Julian M. Edwards; from Vallejo, Dr. Donovan J. McCune; from Reno, Nev., Mrs. Margaret Fra- zier; from Tulsa, Okla., Mrs. Anna May Ewing.

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July

THE GULL

1954

MAY TRIP TO SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE

On Saturday, May 22, about 50 members and guests arrived promptly at 9 o’clock for a 3-hour trip around the lake, oak woodlands, and gardens of the 400 odd acre Saint Mary’s College campus. Nests of Nuttall Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, and Cliff Swallow were special attractions. Several observers took advantage of the bright, warm day to photograph interesting specimens. A total of 55 species was recorded, as follows: Pied-billed Grebe, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Calif. Quail, Coot, Mourning Dove, Barn Owl, White-throated Swift, Allen Hum- mingbird, Anna Hummingbird, Acorn (Calif.) Woodpecker, Hairy Wood- pecker, Downy Woodpecker, Nuttall Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Western Flycatcher, Western Wood Pewee, Cliff Swallow, Steller Jay, Scrub. (Calif.) Jay, Plain Titmouse, Bush-tit, Wren-tit, House Wren, Bewick Wren, Robin, Olive-backed (Russet-backed) Thrush, Western Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Hutton Vireo, Solitary (Cassin) Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Pileolated Warbler, Mac- gillivray Warbler, Western Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer Black- bird, Cowbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Purple Finch, House Finch, Am. Goldfinch, Lesser (Green-backed) Goldfinch, Spotted Towhee, Brown Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow.

— Arthur S. Campbell, Leader and Historian.

Members interested in the avifauna of this region may send to Dr. Camp- bell at 3011 Regent Street, Berkeley 5, Calif., a self-addressed envelope, and receive a copy of the mimeographed list of birds of the College campus.

WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERNS. The June number of the Bulletin of the Massachusetts Audubon Society contains a report of the observation of two White-winged Black Terns (Chlidonias leucoptera) at North Scituate Beach, Mass., by Dr. John B. May, confirmed by 8 other experienced bird watchers. The birds were identified by the recently published "Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe”, by Roger Tory Peterson, Guy Mountford, and P. A. P. Hollom. This shows the value of having guidebooks from other parts of the world; another example of this was the identification of the Black-headed Gull at Richmond last January by the aid of the third edition of Peterson’s eastern bird guide.

AUDUBON CAMP. The Golden Gate Audubon Society has awarded camperships for the Audubon Camp at Norden to Mrs. Charles H. Smith, Nature Consultant for the San Francisco Girl Scouts, and Mrs. Rioha Rizzio, Natural Science teacher in the Harding School of El Cerrito. There are still 4 sessions of two weeks each: July 11-24; July 25 — Aug. 7; Aug 8-21; and Aug. 22 — Sept. 4. Registration is open to anyone interested in nature and conservation, if 18 years of age or older. For reservations and information write to National Audubon Society, 693 Sutter Street — Room 201, San Francisco.

THE AUK. The January number announced that the 72nd meeting of the American Ornithologists Union will be held Sept. 8-12 at Madison, Wis. Also in this number was an article by James P. Chapin, "The Calendar of Wideawake Fair”, on the nesting of Sooty Terns on Ascension Island at 8° South Latitude. About one million birds nest on the island at average inter- vals of 9.6 months.

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July

THE GULL

1954

IN MEMORIAM

On May 28, Miss Constance A. Lovett, of Gonzales and Oakland, passed on after a long illness. Affectionately known as Connie, she had been an enthusiastic member of our society since June 1949.

Miss Ethel C. Ayer, a retired Oakland school teacher and former member of the Golden Gate Audubon Society, died in San Jose on May 10.

OBSERVATIONS

CEDAR WAXWINGS, Jewel Lake, May 30 (A. Laurence Curl); YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, Berkeley, May 24 (A. S. Campbell); HOOD- ED ORIOLES, Male and one young, El Cerrito, June 16 (ALC) ; WESTERN TANAGER, 2 at Jewel Lake, May 30 (ALC).

YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. On the morning of May 14 I noted an individual of this species in the valley oak flats about nine miles south-west of Santa Rosa. I returned to the spot with George Berry, a local birding en- thusiast, and we watched the bird together for a short while. I have not been able to locate it since. Gordon L. Bolander, Santa Rosa.

NESTING WESTERN FLYCATCHER

The welfare of a Western Flycatcher’s family is more important than a freshly painted house. Such was the decision we made on May 1 this year when a Western Flycatcher returned to her last year’s nest under our back porch eaves just as we were planning to paint our house. We refused to disturb this busy bird who was removing debris from her old nest, adding fine dog hairs, and shaping it was her breast. During May she incubated her eggs. By June 1 both parents were feeding insects to three nestlings and removing ex- crement. These nestlings became fledglings on June 12 when they flew to nearby Eucalyptus trees, where their mother continued to feed them.

The Western Flycatcher demonstrated perfect cooperation one day when we plucked a live moth from our curtains and gently released it from a window near the bird’s favorite perch. This alert flycatcher darted after our offering and consumed it without hesitation.

When we paint our house this fall we shall carefully replace the nest for our guests’ convenience next year.

— Violet Homen

*****

The May-June 1954 number of THE CONDOR has an article by Keith L. Dixon, "Some Ecological Relations of Chickadees and Titmice in Central California”, in which he discussed the immigration of the Chestnut-backed Chickadees into the East Bay area. The first nest was found by the late H. W. Carriger near Niles in 1938; they were noted nesting near Sunol in 1940, 1942 and 1946. One was seen in Redwood Park in 1943; they were found nesting near Wildcat Creek in 1945. They were first seen on the University of Cali- fornia campus in 1946, with the first nest there in 1950.

The June issue of SUNSET includes "Bird Watchers’ Route — California Highway 36”.

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THE GULL

1954

JULY MEETING

The 442nd regular meeting of the Golden Gate Audubon Society will be held in the West Auditorium of the Oakland Public Library, 14th and Oak Streets, on Thursday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m. "Birds of the Marshes” and "Birds of Inland Waterways”, from the new Film Library of the California Academy of Sciences, will be shown by J. Gale Richardson. Come and share your spring field observations with other members and friends.

— Mjrs. Budd J. Smith, Program Chairman.

JULY TRIP TO MOSS LANDING

The Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society has invited the Golden Gate Audubon Society to join them for a trip to Moss Landing on Sunday, July 11. Meet at 9 a.m. on Highway 1 at Construction Road, which is about one mile north of Moss Landing. Least and Forster terns, Snowy Plovers and Avocets nest in this area. For those who wish to go on Saturday, July 10, the State Park on Fremont Peak has the usual camping and picnic facilities, but no cabins or motels. Accomodations in nearby San Juan Bautista will be scarce that weekend because of the annual horse show, parade and fiesta. There are good motels at Salinas, only 15 miles from the Peak, also at Watsonville to the north of Moss Landing. Reservations are advised. Leader, Charles Anderson of Salinas.

JULY TRIP TO GOLDEN GATE PARK

On Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m., we will meet at 43rd and Fulton Streets, near the Chain of Lakes in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Bring binoculars, lunch if desired, and interested friends. Leader, Mrs. Albert B. Stephens.

— Frank A. Scott, Field Trip Chairman.

The Editor has recently received a copy of THE WESTERN MEADOW LARK, the publication of the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, also a pamphlet describing the Audubon Warm Creek Wildlife Refuge, which is located between San Bernardino and Colton, and which has 300 acres composed mostly of a remnant of the original forest with a flowing creek.

Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc.

Estabished January 25, 1917

President Mrs. Dorothy Dean Scott 1508 La Loma Ave., Berkeley 8, AS. 3-1253

Vice President Howard L. Cogswell 3124 Madeline St., Oakland, AN. 1-1429

V. P. & Editor A. Laurence Curl 751 Balra Drive, El Cerrito 8, LA. 6-7004

Treasurer Harold G. Peterson 3548 - 65th Ave., Oakland 5, LO. 8-7534

Rec. Secretary Mrs. Blanche Wallace 750 Pine St., San Francisco 8, GA. 1-9229

Cor. Secretary Miss Alice B. Leet 1050 Spruce St., Berkeley 7, LA. 4-2488

Director Dr. Albert Boles 854 Longridge Road, Oakland 10, GL. 1-6267

Director Edward A. Mayers 2695 Greenwich St., San Fran. 23, WE. 1-2447

Director Herbert Wong 135 -8th St„ Oakland 7, TE. 2-0779

Distribution

Chairman Miss Minnie H. Young 2726 Prince St., Berkeley 5, HU. 3-3180

Membership

Chairman L. R. Leinbach 201 Purdue Ave., Berkeley 8, LA. 6-7649

Monthly meetings second Thursday, 7:30 p. m. Joint Membership, Local and National $5.00 per year, includes Audubon Magazine, Local Membership only, $1.50 per year. Branch of NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, California Office — 693 Sutter Street,

San Francisco 2 — PR. 5-4042

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