FORTHE PEOPLE
FOK EDVCATION
FOR. SCIENCE
LIBRARY
OF
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM
OF
NATURAL HISTORY
Volume II.
FEBRUARY, 1918
Number 1.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-office at Boston pending.)
BULLETI
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
This issue contains a Report of the Activities of the Society during
1917. The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society; from month lo
month, will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of
rare species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legisla-
tion and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
Membership
The present report has been sent not only to the Life, Sustaining
and Associate Members, but also to many non-members who, it is
hoped, will join the Society. If you are already a member, will you
not try to obtain another name to put on the slip? If you are not
yet a member, will you not join at once?
This Society has far too few members and contributors; we
need $50,000 at least in order to increase our working fund and
activities. Will you help expand our usefulness?
You are invited to join the Society.
It is understood that persons joining the Society are in sym-
pathy with its principles and agree not to wear the feathers of wild
birds. The plumes of the ostrich and the feathers of domesticated
birds are allowable.
The classes of membership are:
Life Members: paying not less than twenty-five dollars at one
one time.
Sustaining Members: paying one dollar annually.
Associate Members: paying twenty-five cents annually.
Junior Members: under sixteen years, paying ten cents.
Local Secretaries may join the Society on the twenty-five cent,
membership fee, and have the advantages of Sustaining Members.
Further information relating to the Society will be given on
application to the Secretary, to whom also requests should be made
for the various pamphlets and circulars prepared for free distribu-
tion, for the use of the free lectures and libraries, and also for the
purchase of the Audubon calendars, charts, and bird plates pub-
lished by the Society. All donations and subscription fees for the
Society should be sent to the Secretary-Treasurer,
WiNTHROP Packard,
66 Newbury Street, Boston, Mass.
Monthly Bulletin
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
The Directors of the Massachusetts Audubon Society submit the fol-
lowing report of the activities of the Society during 1917. The increase in
membership for the year has been as follows: Life Members, thirty-eight;
Sustaining Members, five hundred and nine. In the Annual Report issued
in February last year a detailed account was given of what might be called
the general activities of the Society. These have all been continued, in
many cases extended, but can be only very briefly touched upon here. The
calls on the office for advice and assistance come not only from Massachu-
setts, but from every portion of the country. These have been invariably
responded to. While no record has been kept of the munber of visitors
to the office, it is believed that these have steadily increased. On Saturdays
and school holidays there is often a considerable attendance of school
children, either with or without their parents or teachers. The encourage-
ment to bird study and bird protection has been extended through the
traveling lectures, four of which have been in constant use by teachers and
students throughout the State. In the same way the four libraries of bird
books have had free circulation in the schools and libraries through the
Women's Education Association. Application for the free use of the lec-
tures should be made at the office; for the traveling libraries to Miss Alice
G. Chandler, Lancaster, Mass,
Bird During the year the educational work of the Society's three Bird
Charts. Charts has been widely extended throughout the country. One
thousand nine hundred and seventy-eight have been sold. These
Charts have the highest recommendations from ornithologists and educa-
tors and their steadily increased use in schools and libraries is very grati-
fying. Not only do the Charts themselves perform an educational service,
but the income from their sale, applied to the general fund of the Society,
is used very largely for educational purposes.
Audubon In the same way the Audubon Calendar has been received with
Calendar, marked appreciation and the sale both at the office and through
the mail has been successful.
Bird The exhibition and sale of leaflets, of the best bird books, of bird
Protection houses and other bird protection appliances have been greater
Material, than ever before. The cloth posters for posting land against
hunting and trespassing, both in English and Italian have had
wide distribution, some two thousand in all having been put up in the
State.
Legislation. In legislation it is good to record that the better sportsmen
and sportsmen's associations have more than ever before
appreciated the need of protecting all forms of wild life and have often
joined with the Audubon Society in working for better laws and prevent-
ing the passing of bad bills. This co-operation has been effective in the
State and has helped materially in national legislation. During the year
the migratory bird treaty at Washington was advanced by the passing of
the Enabling Act through the Senate. Because of war conditions the bill
4 Massachusetts Audubon Society
did not pass the House, but friends were made for it both in Congress and
out. Bird protectionists throughout the country worked for the passage of
this bill and we feel that our own Society did its full share. Fifteen hun-
dred dollars was judiciously expended in that way.
Annual The Society's Annual Course of lectures at Tremont Temple was
Lecture a great success from both an educational and financial standpoint.
Course. The average attendance was about fifteen hundred. The lecturers
were Clinton G. Abbott, of Rhinebeck, New York; Dr. Arthur A.
Allen, of Ithaca, New York; T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary of the National
Association of Audubon Societies, and William L. Finley, of Portland,
Oregon. At each of these Mr, Charles C. Gorst gave whistling imitations
of bird music. The Annual Mass Meeting of the Society was held in
April also at Tremont Temple. The audience taxed the capacity of the
hall, more than twenty-five hundred people being present. Mr. Ernest
Harold Baynes lectured with stereopticon and Mr. Gorst whistled.
Free Bird lectures have been deservedly popular throughout the
Lectures. State, the demand being greater than the Secretary alone was
able to keep supplied. In this work he was assisted by Mr.
Charles B. Floyd, of Auburndale, President of the Brookline Bird Club;
Mrs. F. B. Goode, Local Secretary for Sharon, and Miss Ruth E. Rouillard,
of the office staff. In addition to this the Society was able to secure the
services of the Rev. Henry Sartorio, Assistant Pastor of Christ Church at
the North End, who gave five lectures in Italian on forbidden hunting and
the need of bird protection in the various Italian centres of Greater Boston.
Mr. Sartario is a forceful speaker and is very popular with his countrymen,
and it is believed that much good for the cause resulted.
Bird Work at the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary has been carried for-
Sanctuary. ward by Warden Alden Keyes, Jr., who has patrolled the
place, has put up large numbers of birdhouses and during the
winter has paid especial attention to feeding the birds.
Local It is good to report increased activities on the part of the
Secretaries. Local Secretaries, of whom there are one hundred and twenty-
five in various parts of the State. All have been centres of
activity and interest in bird protection, giving bird lectures, leading bird
walks, feeding birds, putting up birdhouses and giving much time and
energy to it all. A reception and luncheon was given to the Local Secre-
taries in November, which was very well attended and which was most
gratifying to the Directors in the interest shown and the results attained.
A full report of this was published in the Bulletin for December.
Bulletins. The Bulletin of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, publication
of which was begun with the Annual Report in February, 1917,
has been universally well received by members of the Society and has ex-
cited an interest in bird-lovers outside of the State which has directly re-
sulted in increased membership. It forms a valuable means of binding
closer the relationship between the Society and its members, keeping all
in closer touch with the work at headquarters. It is finding increasing
value through the exchange of ideas and the dissemination of knowledge
regarding bird movements and stories of personal experiences with birds.
Report of the Directors 5
Drinking Cups An interesting experiment for the furthering of a knowl-
for Boy Scouts, edge of bird work amongst the young was the free dis-
tribution of packages of drinking-cups among the Boy
Scouts of Greater Boston; ten thousand of these were sent out through
the Boy Scout headquarters each bearing a simple appeal to the boys to
study birds and be kind to them.
Feeding As in past years, the Audubon Society joined with the National
Winter Association in a request sent broadcast throughout New Eng-
Birds. land for the feeding of the winter birds. The need has been
great during the past winter and the universal response has been
very helpful.
Public During the year the Society has made exhibits of bird pro-
Exhibitions. tection work and bird protection material at the annual meet-
ing of the State Board of Agriculture held at Springfield, a
three days' exhibit which was very largely attended. It exhibited also at
the State Bird Day at Amherst Agricultural College, joining with the State
Grange and the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture. Lectures on birds were
given and there was a large attendance both at lectures and at the exhibit.
In addition to this the Society's traveling exhibits have been furnished to
libraries, schools and clubs throughout the State.
It is not possible to give a list of all who have made donations to the
Society in 1917. Hearty thanks are due to very many for their generosity.
A legacy from the estate of Miss Polly Hollingsworth was most welcome.
It was immediately placed in the Reserve Fund, being invested in Liberty
Bonds, thus helping at once in the cause of bird protection and in war
needs. The Society's total investment in Liberty Bonds is now $6,000.00.
LEGACIES.
Sums donated by will to the Society will be immediately placed in the
Reserve Fund of the Society, a use of the money which has peculiar value
because of its permanence.
The altruistic work of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, carried on
for many years with increasing success, suggests the desirability of remem-
bering it in this fashion. All the funds of the Society are handled carefully
and conservatively, but the Reserve Fund, in the exclusive control of the
Board of Directors, is especially worthy of the consideration of testators
who wish to make legacies of lasting usefulness.
There will always be need of organized work for bird protection, a form
of conservation of the grealest importance to the general welfare. The
Reserve Fund of the Society, when of sufficient size, will insure this. Can
you not help in this way?
FORM OF BEQUEST.
I give and bequeath to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Incorporated,
the sum of Dollars for its Reserve Fund.
Massachusetts Audubon Society
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Receipts — January 1, 1917, to December 31, 1917
General Reserve
Fund Fund
Fees from Life Members $950.00
Fees from Sustaining Members $509.00
Dues from Sustaining Members 1,362.62
Other Members 10.60
Donations 617.98
Sale of Charts 2,684.40
Sale of Publications 631.63
Sale of Birdhouses 235.69
Sale of Calendars 635.25
Lectures 2,116.00
Part Expenses of National Association of
Audubon Societies 688.98
Legacy from Polly HoUingsworth Estate 2,247.72
Interest 77.92 192.42
Miscellaneous 55.21
Total Receipts $9,675.28 $3,390.14
Balance January 1, 1917 5,591.02 6,103.54
$15,266.30 $9,493.68
Expenditures 12,782.70 6,000.00
Balance January 1, 1918 $2,483.60 $3,493.68
Investment :
U. S. Liberty Bonds— First Issue $3,000.00
U. S. Liberty Bonds— Second Issue 3,000.00
$6,000.00
Report of the Treasurer
Expenditures — January 1, 1917, to December 31, 1917
General Reserve
Fund Fund
Salaries . $2,811.00
Printing and Stationery 1,703.88
Postage 2,220.98
Rent 250.00
Telephone 89.94
Transportation 75.00
Publications 415.78
Supplies 281.20
Birdhouses 262.71
Charts Manufactured 620.98
Calendars Manufactured 1,309.49
Electricity 43.56
National Association of Audubon Societies —
Contribution to Enabling Act 1,000.00
Extra Lecturers 73.18
Alden Keyes — for Services on Sharon Estate. . 125.00
Folding Circulars 17.13
Luncheon and Expenses of Local Secretary
Meeting 66.45
Lecture Salaries and Expenses 707.00
Purchase of Lantern 47.75
Rental of Hall for Annual Meeting 192.00
E. H. Baynes for Lecture at Annual Meeting. . . . 75.00
C. C. Gorst for Lecture at Annual Meeting 35.00
Auditing Books 50.00
Expenses at Bird Day 35.00
Drinking Cups for Boys Scouts 26.63
Treasurer's Bond 12.50
Purchase of Lantern Slides 11.00
Lists for Addressing 39.66
Miscellaneous 184.88
U. S. Liberty Bonds— First Issues 3,000.00
U. S. Liberty Bonds— Second Issue 3,000.00
Total Expenditures $12,782.70 $6,000.00
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
A list of members of the Society to date was published in the Annual
Report in the Bulletin of February, 1917. From time to time since then
additions to the list have been printed, the kbt having been in the Bulletin
for January. Since that time the following members have been added:
LIFE MEMBERS
Bird, Mrs. Charles S., East Walpole, Mass.
Dean, Miss Bertha, 26 Dean Street, Taunton, Mass.
Fisher, Herbert, Taunton, Mass.
Fox, Mrs. Ida L., 205 Mill Street, Haverhill, Mass.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Adams, Miss Elizabeth L., Greenfield, Mass.
Barbour, Philip W., 66 Martin Street, Cambridge, Mass.
Bee, Mrs. Charlotte S,, 12 Baker Street, Lynn, Mass.
Bee, Miss M. Elizabeth, 12 Baker Street, Lynn, Mass.
Bemis, Henry S., 35 Elliott Street, Springfield, Mass.
Bevington, Mrs. Thos., 124 Butler Street, Lawrence, Mass.
Bliss, Helen S. T., 62 High Street, Newburyport, Mass.
Bowen, Mrs. J. A., 187 Rock Street, Fall River, Mass.
Bowler, Mrs. Alexander, 57 Cedar Street, Worcester, Mass.
Brown, Martin M. (M. D.), North Adams, Mass.
Burrows, Mrs. Marion C, 90 Ocean Street, Lynn, Mass.
Carter, Mrs. D. W., 61 Moore Avenue, Worcester, Mass.
Coolidge, Mrs. A., Heath Hill, Brookline, Mass.
Coolidge, Thornton L., Heath Hill, Brookline, Mass.
Crocker, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah, Fitchburg, Mass.
Davis, Walter A., Fitchburg, Mass.
Dobbins, Stanwood, 38 Columbia Park, Haverhill, Mass.
Dodd, Mrs. L. H., 20 Sagamore Road, Worcester, Mass.
Dumas, Mrs. Ernest G., 376 Andover Street, Lowell, Mass.
Ernst, Mrs. H. C, 8 Greenough Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Esleeck, Mrs. A. W., 58 Highland Avenue, Greenfield, Mass.
Hastings, C. H., Item Office, Lynn, Mass.
Hersey, Mary H., Maplewood Terrace, Haverhill, Mass.
Hilton, Charles W., 16 Henry Avenue, Lynn, Mass.
Hudner, Mrs. M. T., 674 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass.
Huntley, Mrs. Gertrude F., 29 Allston Street, Fitchburg, Mass.
Hutchinson, Mrs. S. C, 15 Den Cove, Lynn, Mass.
Johnson, Mr. N. C, 300 Main Street, Haverhill, Mass.
Kellogg, Mrs. S. L., 148 Westminster Street, Springfield, Mass.
McConnell, Miss Lillian B., 20 Sacremento Street, Cambridge, Mass.
Mitchell, Mr. F. J., 118 Chestnut Street, Haverhill, Mass.
Mortimer, Mrs. H. C, Barnstable, Mass.
Monson, Mrs. J. H., 44 Brimmer Street, Boston, Mass.
Morrow, Mrs. J. E., 88 Glenwood Avenue, Brockton, Mass.
Page, Fred E., Newburyport, Mass.
Parker, Mrs. Walter L., 270 Wilder Street, Lowell, Mass.
Perry, Walter I., Newburyport, Mass.
Russell, Mrs. W. D., 353 West 85th Street, New York.
St. John, Edward P., Sharon, Mass.
Stetson, Thomas M., 2nd., 81 Cottage Street, New Bedford, Mass.
Tobie, Mrs. Lena D., Norton, Mass.
Topliff, Miss A. E., 186 Main Street, Easthampton, Mass.
Tucker, Mrs. D. G., Brookfield, Mass.
Monthly Bulletin 9
WINTER BIRDS
Higher and higher, day by day, swings the returning sun. The north-
ward movement of the wildfowl has begun. Wild geese which have been
driven to the far south by snow and ice are reported early this month flying
north from the lagoons of Florida. Leagues upon leagues of ice crowding
out of Long Island Sound with out-going winds and tides have driven hordes
of white-winged scoters in advance of the floes until it seems as if the entire
species were concentrated on these coasts.
The winter has been one of the severest ever known. A flight of glaucous
gulls or burgomasters passed down the coast as far south at least as Phila-
delphia and the Iceland gull has appeared on the coast of New England
and Long Island. Both species may be confidently looked for now, on
their return. Among the herring gulls now on Long Island are some ring-
billed gulls and a single Bonaparte's gull was reported from Block Island
in February.
Probably the winter has made some new records in the south. The
usual feeding-grounds of the canvas-backs have been blocked with ice,
and they have been recorded in South Carolina and Georgia, even the
hardy harlequin duck has been noted in South Carolina. Loons, murres,
little auks, golden-eye ducks and red-breasted mergansers have wintered
off the Massachusetts coast, the latter in smaller numbers than usual. Com-
paratively few black ducks and geese have wintered here, except in fav-
ored spots, but Barrows', golden-eyes and buffleheads have been reported
from time to time. Snow geese have been seen recently in southern Con-
necticut, and four have been taken. A few mallards and lesser scaups are
wintering in New England. Many of the hardy scoters have gone far south.
Blue-winged teal are reported from Block Island. Some snipe have win-
tered near open springs in southern New England. Purple sandpipers are
on our coasts and a few night herons still remain in Massachusetts and
Connecticut.
A few bald eagles were seen or taken in December and January, but
none reported since. Many birds of prey have wintered here; goshawks
have been most common, with occasional pigeon, cooper's and red-tailed
hawks in southern New England. Marsh hawks are reported from Cape
Cod and Long Island, and a few sharp-shinned and many sparrow hawks
from the three southern New England States and Long Island, N. Y. Snowy
owls increased in January but were only scattering on the coast and rare
in the interior. Great horned owls increased in southern Connecticut, where
one gamekeeper is reported to have trapped and shot 225 hawks, mostly
goshawks, and 76 owls, mostly great horned. At least three Arctic horned
owls have been taken in New England and this species should be looked
for. A few long-eared owls have been seen and taken in this region.
Barred owls, screech owls and Acadian owls have wintered generally in
New England. A great gray owl was taken in Worcester County, Massa-
10 Massachusetts Audubon Society
chusetts. Foxes are universally reported numerous and here and there a
gray lynx or wildcat is noted south to Connecticut and Cape Cod.
The host of predatory mammals and large birds of prey, together
with the inclemency of the weather is fast reducing the number of grouse
and bob-whites. In most of New England these birds were scarce in the
hunting season, though there were spots where they were common. There
will be few left in the spring for breeding stock.
Shrikes, or butcher birds, seemed to grow more numerous as the winter
advanced. A few migrant shrikes were noted this month in northern
Connecticut, and one on Nantucket. Mice are mostly concealed by snow,
small birds generally are scarce, and shrikes are concentrating in villages
and cities, where they feed largely on English sparrows. Blue jays have
been fairly common. Canada jays have been reported, two from Bristol
County and two from Worcester County, Massachusetts. Crows have gravi-
tated mainly toward the coast to large roosts. A few kingfishers have been
wintering near open water in Maine, New Hampshire, Masssachusetts,
Rhod6 Island and Connecticut. Flickers and meadowlarks are trying to
pass the winter in New England, but if the larks last through the winter
it will be because of food put out for them. There are still some song,
swamp and tree sparrows along the coast from northern Massachusetts to
Long Island.
The crow blackbirds and rusty blackbirds reported in southern New
England in January have dwindled during the winter, but these and cow-
birds are still noted on Long Island. The catbirds on Cape Cod disap-
peared late in December and have not been noted since. A single towhee
and a brown thrasher have been reported in Massachusetts, and apparently
mockingbirds are wintering in all the New England States. There is a
notable and general scarcity of juncoes, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers,
tree sparrows, myrtle warblers and winter birds generally. Pine grosbeaks,
siskins, cedar waxwings and redpolls are few and local. Purple finches re-
main in small flocks from Maine to Connecticut, where sunflower seeds
are fed.
Only two Acadian chickadees, two red-breasted nuthatches and one
flock of white-winged crossbills have been reported from New England
this winter, and people as far south as Pennsylvania note a similar though
lesser scarcity of common and northern winter birds. The sea islands,
with a somewhat milder climate, may be excepted from this statement; on
long Island, meadowlarks, starlings, snow buntings, field sparrows, song
sparrows and tree sparrows are reported common or abundant. Robins
are still noted in every New England State. Bluebirds seem to have dis-
appeared although a few usually winter in southern New England. One
only has been reported since the cold weather of December. No Bohemian
waxwings or evening grosbeaks have been noted since late in December.
Birds reported as dead or dying of cold and starvation are: Briinnich's
murre, little auk, bob-white, black duck, screech owl, Acadian owl, star-
ling, robin, mockingbird and English sparrow.
The comparatively large number of dead starlings and Acadian owls
reported indicates that other species remaining here must have died as
starlings and owls are hardy, resourceful birds. Dead starlings and small
owls are more likely to be discovered than birds of the woods and fields,
as they seek the shelter of buildings and thick trees about houses in in-
Monthly Bulletin 11
clement weather, and are found dead often either in the buildings or just
outside on the snow, where the size and dark color make them conspic-
uous.
Information about the destruction of birds by the elements or their
natural enemies will be gratefully received.
Edward Howe Forbush,
136 State House, State Ornithologist.
Boston, Massachusetts,
February 14, 1918.
WHAT A CRACKLE DID.
Looking from the fifth story window, 69 Newbury Street, I saw a flock
of English sparrows on the wing attacking a bronzed grackle which was
flying with something large and light-colored in its mouth. It was over
the green grass plot midway between the back part of the Natural History
and the Tech buildings. When a few feet from the ground, the grackle
dropped the object which, by its fluttering, I saw was a live bird. He fol-
lowed immediately after and squatted over it with bill elevated toward the
threatening sparrows. These gave up the fight, however, and lighted in a
nearby tree. In a moment, the grackle began to peck at his pray, scattering
the feathers this way and that, when the bird gave another fluttering strug-
gle. I hastened down to within a few feet before the grackle gave a flying
jump and walked over near the corner of the Audubon rooms about fifteen
feet away. There he stood, and steadily watched me, and his light yellow
eyes were very conspicuous.
I picked the bird up and it was dead, — a young, but full-fledged Eng-
lish sparrow. The right eye had been pecked at, and the right breast
muscles torn away. After moralizing a bit as to the grackle's right to the
sparrow, I dropped it and stepped to the sidewalk about ten feet away.
In a moment, the grackle, constantly watching me, paced in a half circle
to within two or three feet of the dead bird, when instantly (it seemed, from
the human standpoint, surreptitiously) he made a sudden side jump, caught
the dead bird in his bill, flew to the tree between the buildings, and began
to tear it vigorously. At this distance I could not see how he held it.
The instant the grackle flew to the tree, the sparrows followed, and I thought
from their impetuosity, that they were about to attack him. They did not
do this, however, but alighted in the same tree and watched. I returned to
my office, and, with a number of others, watched the performance for about
ten minutes, when the grackle dropped what was left of the carcass and
leisurely flew toward the Public Carden. The sparrows did not follow
this time, but after quickly inspecting the remains of the bird, flew away.
Two alighted for a moment on the ground; others just skimmed the sur-
face, while some flew directly away from the tree.
I examined the remains of the bird later, and found its eyes had been
pulled out, most of the pectoral muscles torn away on one side, but only
partially on the other, the body ripped open, and most of the entrails re-
moved and probably devoured. I wonder the grackle, seemingly so ra-
pacious, had not eaten more of the bird. I talked with Dr. Brainard about
this and he explained it by saying, "I suppose he knew where he could get
more." John W. Dewis.
For Students and Bird Lovers
What can be better for students and bird-lovers than
a set of the beautiful colored charts of
birds, life size, known as
THE AUDUBON BIRD CHARTS
There are three of these charts and they show in all 72 birds
beginning with those most common. The birds are shown life size
and in color and are scientifically accurate in form and markings. Each
is numbered and on the chart is given, with the niunber, the common
and scientific name.
The Audubon Bird Charts are invaluable for school and family
use. There is no better way to familiarize children with the appearance
of our common birds than by the means of these charts. Hung on the
wall, where they are never out of sight, they attract attention by their
beauty and are a constant invitation to examination and study. They
show the birds in life size and in characteristic attitudes and natural
colors ; and are a practical help in nature study and drawing. They are
both useful and decorative for schoolrooms, nurseries, and public and
private libraries. Lithographed and mounted on cloth, size, 27 x 42
inches. These charts should be hung in every schoolroom and Public
Library. Price of each Chart, $1.50.
BIRDS OF NEW YORK. This is a portfolio, neatly boxed,
containing a series of 106 plates, reprints from those used in the work
entitled "Birds of New York", the books by E. H. Eaton, issued in
two volumes by the New York State Museum. These plates carry the
names of the birds represented and include all of the birds known to
breed within or visit the State of New York. The pictures in colors
are very lifelike, having been drawn by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. With
some unimportant exceptions this set does very well for a set of the
Birds of Massachusetts. They may be bought of the Society and will
be sent postpaid to any address on receipt of Si. 50.
THE AUDUBON- CALENDAR FOR 1918. This Calendar
shows six beautiful colored plates with descriptive text: Red-eyed
Vireo, Ipswich Sparrow, Nighthawk, Sparrow Hawk, Brown Thrasher,
Purple Finch, reproduced from the original drawings. In general
appearance this Calendar is uniform with previous calendars, although
slightly larger in size. The retail price of this Calendar is $1.50, but
on and after February 15th they may be had by applying to this office
at $1.00 each, postpaid. The Calendars make desirable gifts to Bird
Students, and the collection of bird pictures in colors thus obtained
from year to year is unique and valuable. The supply is limited.
Send all orders to
THE MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
Volume II. MARCH, 1918 Number 2.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-office at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest aljout birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
ANNUAL MASS MEETING.
The Directors of the Massachusetts Audubon Society beg to express to
you their sincere appreciation of your interest in bird protection and the
work of the Society, and invite you to attend the Annual Mass Meeting of
the Society at Tremont Temple on Saturday, April 6, 1918, at 2 P. M. The
programme Avill be as follows:
Brief Report on the Work of the Society. Winthrop Packard, Secretary -
Treasurer.
How Birds will help to Win the War, with Stereopticon Illustrations.
Edward Howe Forbush, President.
Friendly Visits among the Birds, with stereopticon illustrations. Manley
B. Townsend, Secretary, New Hampshire Audubon Society.
Bird Music — Whistling Imitations. Charles E. Moulton.
Bird Movies — Three Reels:
No. 1 — Attracting Wild Birds.
No. 2 — Bird Study for Live Boys.
No. 3 — Home Birds for Everyone.
With steadily increasing membership and larger opportunities for use-
fulness, the Massachusetts Audubon Society is eager to help all to a better
knowledge of birds and the best methods of attracting and protecting them.
Its office at 66 Newbury Street is headquarters for information on such
matters, and you are invited to use it freely.
UNIQUE BIRD LECTURES.
Mr. Horace Taylor, of the Brookline Bird Club, well known for his
ability to interest young and old in our common birds, will deliver two
lectures in Brattle Hall, Harvard Square, Cambridge. The first will be on
"The Mystery of Bird Evolution," on Thursday, March 28, at 3 P. M. ; the
second will be on "The Life and Song of Native Birds," Thursday, April 4,
at 3 P. M. These lectures will be illustrated with over 200 colored slides,
with rapid chalk-talk drawing in colors and with bird calls. There will
also be prize contests in bird naming at each of the lectures, both for young
and for old. Mr. Taylor's ability to entertain as well as instruct, as well
as the low price of admission, should insure him a large audience.
FROM YOUNGEST READERS.
Dear Mr. Winthrop Packard: East Walpole, March 9, 1918.
One cold morning when I was getting up two pheasants flew in at the
window, and when I went down stairs to get my breakfast they followed me,
so I fed them, and after they had their breakfast they went towards the door.
Then I let them out and they went into the woods which was near my house
and after that they came every morning and flew in at the window, and
every morning I fed them all through the cold weather, but since the warm
Monthly Bulletin 3
weather came they have not been coming so often. The last time I saw
them was last Sunday morning. I hope they will come again next winter.
Yours truly, Cecilia McSwain.
Haverhill, March 12, 1918.
iMass. Audubon Society.
Dear Sirs: — Here is a little notice I wish you would put in the
Bulletin. A robin has been heard here in Haverhill, Mass.
One of your members, Stanwood Dobbins.
NEW MEMBERS.
The following new Life Members were received during the month of
January:
Gunn, Miss Alice G 687 Boylston St., Boston.
Moore, Mrs. J. L 6 Buckingham Place, Cambridge.
Sustaining Members Received During February.
Bailey, Mrs. George 567 South St., Quincy.
Brooks, John Graham 8 Frances Avenue, Cambridge.
Clark, Mrs. E. L 41 Whitefield St., Dorchester Centre.
Feudner, Ami! 21 E. Amdt. St., Fond Du Lac, Wis.
French, Miss Martha E Box 167, Rockland.
Harlow, Winslow 59 Mill St., Quincy.
Hartwell, Miss Annie E 11 Queensbury St., Boston.
Holly, William L 126 Crawford St., Roxbury.
King, T 270 Adams St., Quincy.
Lane, Mrs. F. D Ashburnham.
Mitchell, Mrs. F. W 41 Symmes St., Roslindale.
Mixter, Mrs. Jason W Plymouth.
Rand, Fred D 25 Conway St., Roslindale.
Sawyer, Mrs. C. A 237 West Newton St., Boston.
Seikel, Hugo B Clark Lane, Waltham.
Shattuck, Albert R 11 Broadway, New York.
Shepherd, Miss F 59 Mill St., Quincy.
Simpson, Mrs. G. F 80 Quincy St., North Adams.
Stevens, Miss Fannie H North Andover.
Stone, Mrs. G. W Hotel Vendome, Boston.
Turner, Mrs. Myron B 25 Thompson St., Quincy.
Webster, Lemuel J 342 Washington St., Wellesley Hills.
Williams, Mrs. John G 48 Somerset Ave., Taunton.
Wolfenden, Oscar 173 County St., Attleboro.
4 Massachusetts Audubon Society
BIRD MUSIC.
The Bobolink Again.
The "Jonathan Gillet" phrasing of the robin's song mentioned in a
previous Bulletin has, it seems, been adapted also to the bobolink's melody,
according to a reader, who gives it as follows:
"Bob-o-link, Bob Gillet,
Scour the skillet,
Scour it white,
Scour it bright.
Scour it clean."
Another very charming wording of the bobolink's song will be found
in the following letter:
Editor of Monthly Bulletin:
Dear Sir: — My grandmother, born in New England in 1812 — used
to gurgle the following words in such a way that they sounded more
like the bobolink song than any other attempt at imitation which I
have heard. "Bob-o-link, Bob-o-link,
Go see Cicely, Cicely,
So sweet, so sweet,
Chee, chee." Emily B. Adams.
The Song-Sparrow.
In the January Bulletin of the Massachusetts Audubon Society is an
article on the "Folk Lore of Bird Songs." This reminded me of actual
Bird Songs, two of which have been a source of pleasure and interest to me
for several years. In a shrubbery near my house a song-sparrow has
warbled year after year the same refrain, and so individual that, although
it cannot be proved, I feel strongly that it has always been the same song-
ster; and as each spring came round, my husband and I would joyfully
proclaim that our little friend had returned.
Song No. 1:
P
L^ J^J J '^ i-h-<^-^p!id^r-^
At last we noticed a change in the song — it became weaker and shorter,
and finally was reduced to the first bar only, and very feeble, but still quite
distinct and recognizable. After that year — silence — but a new song started
up in the same shrubbery — clear and strong — as follows:
g ^^ J J J Ji I] J. / Ji. j1 J
Can it be a descendant of our old friend? We are hoping that he will
favor us again this year when the right time comes.
Mary B. Hunnewell.
P. S. — I fear my music conforms to no rules !
M o nthly B ull etin 5
Robin Redbreast.
A beautiful incident was called to my mind recently. My physician, a
member of the Audubon Society and a great lover of birds, and I were
discussing the differences between the American and the English robin.
The robin found in England is smaller and more graceful than those in
this country, and far prettier. He is the real "Robin Redbreast."
Our conversation, leading from one thing to another, awoke memories
of a Christmas which I spent in England eleven years ago. I, with other
members of my family, was attending morning worship in the old Episcopal
Church in the village of Them, Oxen. The vicar had announced the hymn,
and, as the organ pealed forth, a little robin, from no one knows where,
alighted above the canopy and, without any preliminaries, threw up his head
and poured forth his song as though his throat would burst. He seemed
to join with the rest of us in the praises of Him whom we had come to
worship. As the last tones of the organ died away, his silvery notes still
echoed as he took flight through a half-open window.
Mrs. Agnes Arnold.
57 Bartlett Crescent, Brookline, Mass.
BIRDS OF EARLY MARCH.
Looking back now on the winter that is past, we find that the hard,
bitter cold and deep snow have taken their toll of bird life. Many birds
have died in the North, but no report of such casualties has come from the
South. Since February came in some of the birds that survived most of the
winter here and others that returned too soon have perished of cold or
starvation. The little auk, Holboell's grebe, herring gull, black duck,
mourning dove, ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, bob-white, barred owl,
screech owl, flicker, meadowlark, blue jay, starling, white-breasted nuthatch,
English sparrow, chickadee, mockingbird, robin and bluebird are among
those found dead. Many starlings and meadowlarks were picked up frozen,
some evidently starved, others plump and well fed, some with food in their
stomachs. This is similar to the unusual experiences of the hard winter of
1903-04, when a few well-nourished birds were found frozen.
The woodpeckers have had a hard time except where people fed them,
as the trees were frozen so hard that they could pierce the wood with diffi-
culty, and they have sought insect food in old timbers in the interiors of
sheds and in other sheltered places. Dead woodpeckers and flickers have
been reported from New Hampshire. In Northern and Western Massa-
chusetts and in Maine and New Hampshire the great northern pileated
woodpecker has hammered and torn the dead trees of the forest in search
of food.
The disappearance of many birds during the severe weather in Decern-
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
ber was not caused so much by death as by migration. Lapland longspurs
were reported south to Pennsylvania. All along the Atlantic seaboard winter
birds drifted into the sheltered river valleys in late December on toward the
coast and then southward. Birds took advantage of shelter everywhere.
A screech owl roosted in a hooded chimney top. A red-shouldered hawk
and a mockingbird showed sooty underparts, and must have sought some
similar roosting place. A blue jay often sat on a warm manure heap, but
froze at last. Along the coast from Cape Cod to South Carolina small birds
flocked in sheltered localities where they could find food. Many that re-
mained in the north found shelter from storms and cold, and protection
from hawks and shrikes, in barns, sheds and stacks. English sparrows and
starlings apparently suffered most from the attacks of shrikes and sparrow
hawks. Ruffed grouse and bob-whites were the prey of cats and foxes.
Many people report remains of grouse killed by foxes, and here and there
one slain by some hawk or owl. Grouse and pheasants were attacked by
ravenous crows, and a few grouse were reported to have been killed by
diving into the snow from on wing and striking dense crust.
As the ice along the coasts began to go out in January, five king eiders
were reported from Block Island, R. I., and later one from Nahant, Mass.
Still later a male harlequin duck was observed in the harbor of Vineyard
Haven, Mass. Although many of the fresh-water wild fowl went far south
during the great frost, their northward movement started early. The sea
ducks were pushed to sea by the ice again in February and hard pressed
for food. Vast flights of scoters skirted the ice on the south of New Eng-
land. Bald eagles hung about Newburyport, Mass., and Bar Harbor, Maine.
At least one great blue heron has been reported from Cape Cod in every
winter month.
February saw the Canada geese breasting the ice in their northward
trend, and on March 5 a flock passed over Nashua, N. H. A few lesser scaup
and pintails were reported that month from the Cape Cod district and near
Boston. Wilson's snipe, which have wintered near a spring in Lynn, Massa-
chusetts, for many years, disappeared in December and did not return until
the last week in February.
There have been few reports on bird life from the northern woods, as
much of the time the snow has been too deep and soft for good snowshoeing.
Deer are said to have been killed and eaten by dogs, foxes and lynxes. The
only report of great numbers of northern winter birds came from Coos
County, New Hampshire, in February, where many red crossbills, white-
winged crossbills, pine grosbeaks and pine siskins were seen feeding on
cone seeds. Three white-winged crossbills were seen near Bennington, Vt.,
February 17. Reports seem to agree that the snow bunting has been the
only small bird from the north that has been generally numerous all winter
M o nthly B ull etin 7
in New England. A few mourning doves wintered on the Massachusetts
coast, but their numbers grew steadily less, thinned by frost and foes, until
they disappeared. Some rough-legged hawks and red-shouldered hawks have
wintered in Southern New England. Two Hoyt's horned larks were re-
ported from Gloucester, Mass., early in February. A belated letter records
22 Bohemian waxwings near Providence, R. I., in January — the second
record of this species for the winter. In addition to the report of a brown
thrasher wintering in Worcester County, Mass., two more are noted, one in
Rhode Island, the other in Connecticut. One catbird is reported from Cape
Cod in February, and a single fox sparrow wintered near Boston. A short-
eared owl was reported near Squantum, Mass., March 9, and a Canada jay
was noted in Worcester County in February.
A cardinal grosbeak began singing near Washington, D. C, on Feb-
ruary 11, and on the 15th the bluebird, chickadee and tufted titmouse gave
their spring song. The return of the smaller winter birds northward began
about the last week in February. During February the tree sparrows and
juncos increased locally in southern New England, and white-breasted nut-
hatches arrived in places where they had not been noted before since No-
vember or December. A flock of cowbirds in full song was seen on Long
Island, N. Y., February 18, and one was recorded at Mattapoisett, Mass..
bn the 24th. A killdeer was seen at Block Island, R. I., February 22;
prairie horned larks were singing their spring songs there February 28.
and their flight songs in Massachusetts March 5. Tree sparrows sang in
Massachusetts February 20, and in Maine February 23. A female red-
winged blackbird was noted on Long Island, N. Y., February 24. Purple
finches were in full song on Cape Cod March 5. Song sparrows, swamp
sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, grackles and bluebirds all reached Massa-
chusetts in small numbers before March 1. Crows have returned from the
coast and river valleys to the higher lands in central Massachusetts. Fox
sparrows may be looked for next.
All the wild fowl are now on their northward way. A single Kumlien's
gull was reported from Gloucester, Mass., in February. Iceland, glaucous,
ring-billed and black-backed gulls are moving up the coast. Goshawks,
that extended their winter movements as far south at least as Pennsylvania,
great horned owls and all the rapacious birds driven south by food scarcity
in the frozen north soon will be moving back, taking their toll of animal
life as they go. Six very pale owls taken in northern New England seem
to include in their numbers both Arctic and western horned owls. Barn
owls are reported on Cape Cod and in southwestern Connecticut. The
movement of birds from South America, Central America and the Antilles
has begun, and soon the flood-tide of bird life will be flowing up the Atlantic
seaboard toward New England. E. H. Forbush, State Ornithologist.
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
WINTER BIRDS OF SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The following very interesting notes of the winter bird life of southern
New Hampshire are from the Rev. Manley B. Townsend, who is to lecture
at the Annual Mass Meeting at Tremont Temple on April 6. They include
only the early part of the winter, being dated January 15th, but were un-
fortunately crowded out of the February Bulletin by the Annual Report of
the work of the Society.
1. Snowflakes unusually abundant. Several large flocks reported in
Nashua. I have seen many more than usual.
2. Kingfisher wintering at the U. S. Fish Hatchery, living on small
fingerling trout in an open brook. As this brook is not a part of the
hatchery, and the breeding trout are safe under the ice, Mr. Hubbard does
not molest the bird.
3. Snowy owl reported near Nashua.
4. Three goshawks reported.
5. Saw one saw-whet owl, and two others reported. One died, pre-
sumably of starvation.
6. Robin wintering in Nashua. Saw him January 11.
7. Starlings wintering in old church steeple on Main Street. Counted
297 go in from 4 to 4.40 P. M. December 22. They scatter over the country
during the day, returning at night for shelter. This will be their third year
in Nashua. Increasing rapidly.
8. Bald eagle seen in Nashua in December. Probably same bird shot
next day in Maynard, Mass, as it was devouring a pig he had killed.
9. Herring gulls, crows and American Mergansers common on the
Merrimack, about the open places created by the rapids.
10. Ruffed grouse remarkably scarce. Foxes unusually abundant.
But pheasants also numerous. Their tracks everywhere in the woods.
Query: Why the scarcity of grouse and the abundance of pheasants? Do
pheasants break up nests of grouse, as sometimes charged? Some hunters
report grouse in unusual places, and maintain they are as numerous as ever,
but have changed their location. But I find, and all reports agree, that the
grouse are very scarce in their usual haunts.
11. No redpolls, siskins or goldfinches. I attribute this to the fact
that the gray birches did not seed this year, and the above birds feed largely
on the seeds of the gray birch. Ordinarily, the snow is covered with the
bird-like seed-scales of this tree. Not a seed this year. Tree sparrows are
quite abundant, and a few j uncos are about, as they are weed-seed eaters.
Chickadees, blue jays, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, white-
breasted nuthatches (no red-breasted reported yet), brown creepers and
golden crowned kinglets about as usual. No evening grosbeaks reported yet.
12. A chestnut grove in Merrimack is completely riddled by pileated
woodpeckers. Every tree has great holes drilled to the heart. As this
grove will be cut down soon, I am going to examine the timber. I suspect
that the chestnut blight has been at work, that the hearts of the trees are
decayed (the trees appear sound externally), and that the woodpeckers
drilled for the wood-borers in the unsound hearts.
Volume II.
APRIL, 1918
Number 3.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-oflSce at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
2 Mo nthly Bulletin
FIELD DAY AT SHARON
The Audubon Society will hold a field day at the Sanctuary, Dr. George
W. Field's farm at Moose Hill, Sharon, on Saturday, May 18th. As plans
now stand, this will be an all-day outing, to which all members of the
Society are hereby cordially invited. There will be no formal exercises,
but well-known authorities on birds will be present to conduct short bird
walks in the neighborhood. The time chosen is at the height of the spring
migration, and as Moose Hill is a landmark and the region about it diversi-
fied with woodland, pasture, swamp and streams, most of the common
migrants, as well as the local birds of the season, may be expected. From
the summit of Moose Hill, and particularly from the fire watchtower, a
wonderful view may be obtained of the surrounding country. Mr. Alden
Keyes, Jr., the Society's warden, together with Mrs. Keyes, will be ready
to assist in any way, and their house will be headquarters.
Those planning to spend the day should bring a basket luncheon. Ar-
rangements will be made to have hot coffee served at luncheon time at a
low price. Possibly other refreshments may be thus obtained, but at present
this cannot be counted upon. The whole afi'air is intended to be a strictly
informal gathering of bird lovers and bird students at a time and place
where abundant birds may reasonably be expected. The sanctuary is a
mile or so west of Sharon station. Trains from Boston leave the South
Station at 6.25, 7.39, 10.59, 12.30, etc., returning at 1.21, 3.16, 5.01, 6.12,
7.10, 8.54, 11.26. There is an excellent automobile road to within a short
distance of the house, the last half-mile being not so good, but perfectly
passable. For the guidance of those who walk, or drive, from the station,
signs will be placed at the intersecting roads. Birds may be expected at
any point after leaving the train.
ANNUAL MASS MEETING
The annual mass meeting of the Society, held at Tremont Temple on
the afternoon of Saturday, April 6, was a success, between seven and eight
hundred people attending. That the audience was not more than three
times as great is due to the fact that the great Liberty Loan parade was
under way that afternoon, from one o'clock until long after dark, and com-
pletely surrounded the place. The announcement of the parade was made
after the meeting was announced, and hall and speakers had been engaged
and the meeting advertised. It was found impossible to postpone the meet-
ing. Hundreds of people who would have attended were in the parade
either as participants or spectators. Hundreds of others were caught in the
crowd, baffled by the marching columns, and either did not get to the hall
at all or reached it late, after a long struggle. An attempt was made to
reach as many as possible with the information that the lines of march could
Monthly Bulletin 3
be circumvented by coming by way of the subway and getting off at Park
Street, and several of the Boston papers very kindly published notices to
that effect. That so many were there was a surprise and a source of much
pleasure, and the lecture committee wishes to tliank all who made special
effort to come.
LIFE MEMBERS
The following new Life Members were received during the month of
March:—
Brown, Miss Alice 11 Pinckney St., Boston.
Foot, N. Chandler, M. D Readville.
Sustaining Members Received During March.
Adams, Charles F 21 Myrtle St., Jamaica Plain.
Alden, Mrs. John 6 Punchard Ave., Andover.
Allen, Mrs. Frederick W 91 Rowland St., Grove Hall.
Allen, Mrs. Thomas 12 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Babson, Helen S 9 Keswick St., Boston.
Balch, Miss A. L 130 Prince St., Jamaica Plain.
Baldwin, Mrs. J. A 233 Fisher Ave., Brookline.
Barrows, Miss Cecilia A 32 Burroughs St., Jamaica Plain.
Beebe, Charles G 6 Beals St., Brookline.
Beebe, Roderick 7 Shady Hill Square, Cambridge.
Bent, Nathalie Canton.
Betton, Mrs. C. G 282 Berkeley St., Boston.
Blakely, David N 53 Monmouth St., Brookline.
Bottomley, Dr. John T 165 Beacon St., Boston.
Bowditch, Mrs. Margaret M Framingham Centre.
Bowers, Mrs. Charles H 52 Cummings Road, Brookline.
Bradford, Elizabeth 220 Beacon St., Boston.
Bradford, Mrs. E. H 220 Beacon St., Boston.
Bradlee, Miss Gertrude Chestnut Hill.
Bragg, H. W 29 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Broadbridge, Dr. Harry N 179 Brighton Ave., Allston.
Brown, Miss Eliza Otis The Warren, Roxbury.
Brown, George H 431 Tremont BIdg., Boston.
Cogswell, Willard G 83 Winona Ave., Haverhill.
Dodge, Mrs. Joseph A Grafton.
Excelsior Class, Grace Baptist Ch. . . Cross St., Somerville.
Gray, Emily Felton Hall, Cambridge.
Hammond, Sarah T Warren St., Roxbury.
Hittinger, Mrs. Jacob Belmont.
McLeod, Mrs. A. B 482 Norfolk St., Mattapan.
McLeod, Mr. A. B 482 Norfolk St., Mattapan.
Mandell, Alice 1 4 Auburn Court, Brookline.
Murdock, Marion 90 Marion Road, Watertown.
Nevin, Bessie T South Weymouth.
Richards, Master Thayer 15 Follen St., Cambridge.
Robinson, Miss M. F 6 Punchard Ave., Andover.
Watson, Mrs. C. L 140 N. Main St., Attleboro.
4 Mo nth ly Bulletin
IN DEFENSE OF THE PELICAN.
All who know the Florida coast in winter will gratefully recall the
quaint and interesting pelicans which nest in colonies at various points along
shore. Their chief nesting-place is Pelican Island, in the Indian River,
where the Audubon Societies support a warden who guards the rookery.
This winter the fishermen of Florida, aided by other doubtless well-meaning
but ill-advised agencies, notably one Florida newspaper, have made a de-
termined attempt to get legal sanction for the destruction of the pelicans.
The claim is made, and the United States Food Commission at Washington
seems to have so little knowledge of birds that it has given the claim con-
sideration, that the pelicans are to blame for the great lack of food fishes
in Florida waters, where once they swarmed.
The facts in the case are simple. The fishermen themselves are en-
tirely to blame for the lack of fish. They seine the shallow waters of the
Indian River and other bays and estuaries with shrimp seines and other
seines of so small a mesh that they sweep up millions of fish, which are
often killed in the net before it is brought to the surface. The fish caught
in this way have no market value, and are left behind to rot.
The fish as a rule caught by the pelicans are not market fish. In the
nesting season the birds fly far to sea and catch and feed their young almost
entirely on small menhaden, which are not a food fish. At all times they
feed on surface fish, which, with the exception of the mullet, are not food
fishes. Such mullet as they catch represent the only loss, and these are
comparatively few.
A generation ago, when there was no fishing done in Florida waters,
or, at any rate, no seineing for market, the Indian River and the shallow
waters of the whole Florida coast everywhere swarmed with fish of all sorts,
as any one who knew Florida at that time can testify. The pelicans and
other water-birds were then ten times as nmnerous as now.
As a matter of fact, the fish-eating birds are a help rather than a hin-
drance to the depth-inhabiting fishes. Attacking the schools of shrimp, sar-
dines, minnows and other small surface swimmers, they drive them down
where the larger can readily reach them. It is a well-established biological
fact which should be widely known that in the balance of nature the surface-
feeding fish-eating birds are a help to the food fishes rather than a hindrance.
To exterminate the former would be to do harm to the latter. Massachusetts
people can have only an aesthetic or altruistic interest in the Florida pelicans.
Yet thousands of our people visit Florida every winter. It might not be a
bad idea for such to write to their Florida friends, explain the matter from
their point of view, and ask them to save the pelicans for them. They are
worth more to Florida as an attraction for winter visitors than, perhaps, the
Florida friends realize.
Mo nthly Bulletin 5
SUMMER SCHOOL OF ORNITHOLOGY.
The National Association of Audubon Societies now invites bird-lovers
to attend its summer school of applied ornithology at Amston, Connecticut.
The school will be in charge of Mr. Herbert K. Job, the well-known or-
nithologist, author and lecturer on birds. The Amston Experiment and
Demonstration Station is beautifully situated and well equipped for this
work.
There is a fenced pond and swamp containing fifteen kinds of wild
ducks or other species for study and breeding experiments. Pheasants, bob-
whites and other quails are raised to demonstrate estate and game-farm
methods. In a woodland wire enclosure are breeding-stocks of the common
mourning dove and of the band-tailed pigeon of the West, the latter a species
quite similar to the lamented passenger pigeon. Nesting-boxes are occupied
by numbers of bluebirds, wrens, tree swallows and other birds, and bird-life
is varied and abundant. Wild ducks and herons frequent the lake, even in
svmuner, and grebes, loons, wild geese and others stop during migration.
Amston Lake is a picturesque body of water, over a mile long, with bold
shores mostly wooded, and affords excellent boating, bathing and fishing.
The headquarters of the Association, known as the "Audubon House," with
Mr. Job and assistant in attendance, will be open from the first week of
June till into the autumn. There are collections of bird specimens and a
small working ornithological library for use of visitors and students. At
Amston Inn, nearby, meals and accommodations can be secured.
The purpose, in part, is to secure from the experimental work data for
publication to interest people everywhere in practical conservation of wild
bird-life. Likewise it is to teach these methods by actual demonstration to
those who may come to observe. Further, it is desired to make this beautiful
property a meeting-place afield for lovers of wild birds. The Association
has its business headquarters in New York City, but here it would establish
a social field rendezvous, amid birds and wild game and beautiful surround-
ings, where its friends and those in sympathy with its aims may drop in,
whether for the day or for more prolonged stay, and forget that they are
but two hours' journey from cities. Protected from uncongenial intrusion
by the fact that it is a private estate, and also that it has been made a "State
Game Preserve" and Sanctuary, under protection of the State, it should make
a congenial haven.
This season, 1918, the first Summer School session will be opened,
lasting three weeks. Rally Day is Friday, July 5. Saturday, July 6, will
be Field Day, with excursions over the preserve, to learn the locations and
inspect the bird-work. On Monday, July 8, the classes will begin. There
will be evening lectures by well-known specialists. The formal session will
close Friday, July 26. Mr. Job will conduct most of the class work, with
practical talks by others, such as T. Gilbert Pearson, Edward Howe Forbush,
and Donald McVicar, one of the best-known game-keepers in America, for-
merly head game-keeper of the Duke of Leinster. Richard Edes Harrison,
6 Mo nthly Bulletin
son of Prof. Ross G. Harrison of Yale University, a most competent young
field ornithologist, will assist in field work. The following courses will be
given : —
1. Bird-Study and Field Ornithology, as given by Mr. Job at
Chautauqua Institution (N. Y.) Summer School.
2. Applied Ornithology, attracting wild birds and propagation of
game-birds and wild water-fowl.
3. Nature Photography, both place and motion picture, with field
demonstrations.
These courses are designed to be of an interesting and popular nature,
and of practical value to bird-lovers, teachers, land-holders, and amateur
photographers of wild life.
Tuition for the Summer School term will be $15, with option of taking
any or all of the courses and of attending lectures. The price is put thub
low for the initial season to induce bird-lovers to become acquainted with
Amston, and merely to cover expenses. Room and board at Amston Inn
are at the uniform rate of $2 per day, and $14 per week, and single meals
75 cents, these prices being as low as is feasible in these times. Should any
students desire to camp, sites at the lake-shore will be assigned at nominal
cost. Students or observers of birds who visit Amston other than as Summer
School students will be shown everything informally and will be assisted in
every possible way. It is suggested that parties or organizations come here
for field days or vacation outings.
Amston is a station on the Air Line Division of the New York, New
Haven & Hartford Railroad, between New Haven and Willimantic, 44 miles
from the former and 10 miles from the latter. Amston Inn is three minutes'
walk from the railway station, the Audubon House just beyond, and the lake
and all bird-work within easy walking distance.
THE COMING OF THE BIRDS.
BULLETIN OF INFORMATION— IV.
As March went out the birds came in. In my last bulletin, issued
March 15, it was asserted that fox sparrows might be expected next. In fact,
they had arrived already in small nmnbers in Southern Connecticut March 5,
and in Eastern Massachusetts March 10. There were very early movements
of small birds along the coast, but the first great state-wide bird wave of
the spring reached its climax in Massachusetts on March 19, when consider-
able numbers of red-winged blackbirds, robins, bluebirds, fox sparrows,
song sparrows and meadowlarks and quantities of bronzed grackles were
observed locally from the coast to the New York line. During this wave
there were noted some early records. A yellow-bellied sapsucker was seen
March 19 in the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, and a brown thrasher
in Worcester County March 18. A nighthawk was seen at Demarest, N. J.,
March 20. Two barn swallows were reported from East Marion, Long
Mo nthly Bulletin 7
Island, on March 22, and one from Athol, Mass., on the 29th. Single chip-
ping sparrows were noted at Lansdowne, Pa., March 9, and at Woods Hole
and Hudson, Mass.. respectively, on March 28 and 29. This bird wave
evidently reached Lewiston, Me., March 20 to 22, and Auburn, Me., March
23. Fox sparrows appeared at Bar Harbor on March 20, and a single
grackle was reported from McDonald College, Quebec, Canada, March 22.
A pair of yellow-bellied sapsuckers were seen at Limenburg, Vt., March 25.
The last snow bunting was reported from Ellsworth, Me., on March 31. The
first phcebes were seen at Southbridge, Mass., on March 20, and at Buckland,
Mass., March 22. First arrivals of this species appeared in different locali-
ties in Massachusetts until April 1, and it had reached Bangor, Me., on
April 3.
Another bird wave entered Massachusetts April 2, bringing niunbers of
vesper sparrows, field sparrows, a few Savannah sparrows, and in Worcester
County, Mass., and the Connecticut Valley a few white-throated sparrows.
Pine warblers appeared from the 1st to the 4th. A few kingfishers were
seen moving north in Massachusetts. It is interesting to note that the first
one reported was seen at Huntington, in Berkshire County, on April 2, and
the next two at Woods Hole and Lynn April 3; also that vesper sparrows
reached Worcester County, Mass., April 2, but did not appear on Block
Island, R. I., until April 4. During the week a wave of juncos, fox spar-
rows, robins, song sparrows and bluebirds was reported from points in
Maine, with most of the birds in full song.
All this time homed larks, which wintered on the Atlantic slope, were
moving north, and prairie horned larks, which breed here, were coming in.
On February 14 the latter had reached Worcester County, Mass. On March
12 they were at Bangor, Me., and on April 5 their actions on Block Island
indicated that they were nesting, though no nests were found. These very
early breeders should be looked for now in open upland fields and pasture-
throughout New England. Probably they are less rare than the common
belief would indicate. The males are now singing their flight songs. Many
bluebirds, robins and song sparrows are mated. On April 9 the first Caro-
lina wren was reported from the shores of Buzzards Bay.
A few rather remarkable occurrences have been noted in regard to
migration. On February 4 two tree sparrows came aboard the steamship
City of Rome off the Virginia coast, some fifty miles from land. On Feb-
ruary 5 a flicker and a myrtle warbler alighted on the ship about forty miles
east of Wilmington, N. C. Apparently all were blown out to sea by the
strong northwest gale that prevailed during those two days.
Birds often are driven off shore during their migrations, and probably
sometimes, when caught in a cyclonic storm, are carried to sea and landed
on shore again far to the northward, having been carried by the wind round
a segment of the revolving storm. Possibly some such wind movement may
have been responsible for the following recent occurrences: A bird, believed
to be a yellow-billed cuckoo, was reported from Chelmsford, Mass.. March
25. It was perched upon a treetop giving its usual call. A freshly-killed
scarlet tanager was brought in by a cat at Athol, Mass., April 4. The
stomach contained remains of decayed apples and barberries, and skins of
berries believed to be those of the deadly nightshade. Several reports of
the occurrence of this species in April have been received in past years, but
not recorded, as no specimen was actually taken. A warbling vireo is re-
8 Mo nthly Bulletin
ported to have spent most of April 9 in a yard in Concord, N. H. The bird
appeared to be a male, as it sang frequently. The first hermit thrush was
reported from Hampshire County April 12.
Two American three-toed woodpeckers have been seen in Hampshire
County from February until quite recently. It is early yet to determine
whether the severe winter has destroyed most of the mockingbirds wintering
here, but thus far only five have beer| reported alive and in their usual
haunts. Some may have gone South for the winter. One appeared at Lans-
downe, Pa., in November, where the species has not been noted before, and
was still there April 11. Two mourning doves came through the winter
safely on Cape Cod, and the first arrival on Nantucket was seen March 10.
Holboell's grebes and horned grebes began to leave the coasts of South-
ern New England early in the month, and are now passing north. The first
pied-billed grebe was seen at Block Island, R. I., April 5. Glaucous gulls
remained in numbers about Barnstable, Mass., in March, and a single Iceland
gull was still at Block Island April 5. Gannets and sea ducks have been
locally scarce along the coast. One each of the wood duck and the green-
winged teal were noted in Massachusetts early in April. Large numbers of
ducks are reported in the streams of New Jersey. Canada geese have been
flying north over New England for more than a month, and early in April
brant began to appear in their northward flight. Two greater snow geese
were reported from Long Island March 27. Eleven swans were seen near
Fryeburg, Me., on April 1, and a small flock near Portland on the 2nd.
Hudsonian curlews have arrived in dense flocks on the coast of South Caro-
lina. A single ring-necked, or semipalmated, plover seen at Nantucket
March 8 heralded the advance of the shore-birds. Woodcock were reported
in Massachusetts March 24, and at Ellsworth, Me., March 28. Already they
are breeding in New Jersey, while flights of Wilson's snipe are passing north.
Breeding snipe should be looked for in Massachusetts. Unusually large
numbers of great blue herons were seen on Long Island in small flocks from
April 1 to 10, but only one bird has been reported in Massachusetts up to
date (April 15). A few should be here now.
The storm that began in Boston April 12 has destroyed some birds,
particularly in Virginia, where the snow was deep. It may delay the migra-
tion somewhat, but the hardy marsh birds will press on, and herons, bitterns,
rails, coots and gallinules will soon be here. Most of the summer hawks
and owls have come. Great horned owls now have well-grown young, and
red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks are nesting.
All along the Atlantic seaboard south of New England flights of small
birds, urged by the reproductive instinct, are coming on. In Maryland
pipits are unusually abundant, and should be here soon. Hermit thrushes,
brown thrashers, ruby-crowned kinglets, blue-headed vireos, winter wrens,
myrtle, yellow palm and black and white warblers, with all the swallows
and most of the sparrews, will be with us before we realize it, and later will
appear that flood of bird life that always comes when the leaves begin to
open in the warm days of May. He who wishes to see them all should be
afield before the rising sun or should anticipate, day by day, the twilight
hour.
E. H. FORBUSH,
State Ornithologist.
Volume II. MAY, 1918 Number 4.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, InCi
(AppUcation for entry as second-class matter at the post-office at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
IN AUDUBON'S LABRADOR.
The Audubon Society will mail you an autographed, first edition copy
of Dr. Charles Wendell Townsend's new book, "In Audubon's Labrador,"
if you will fill out the enclosed slip and mail it with the price of the
book, S2.50. There are only a limited number of these copies and they
are offered in this way to Audubon Society members through the generos-
ity of the author and the publishers. The margin of profit on the trans-
action goes to the Audubon Society to help on the work of bird protection.
Dr. Townsend, eminent as an ornithologist as well as a physician, is
well known for several other books on Labrador as well as for his classic
"Sand Dunes and Salt Marshes," an intimate study of the Ipswich region.
Like these other books the present volume is written for the general reader
rather than the specialist. Virile and containing much valuable informa-
tion, it has the charm of a lucid style and is replete with human interest.
In 1833 Audubon made his famous expedition to Labrador in order
to study northern birds, especially sea-birds, for his great work "The
Birds of America." Dr. Townsend, in 1915, carefully followed in a
small schooner on the track of the great naturalist. He used Audubon's
Labrador Journal as a guide and was greatly helped in his work by a
pilot who knew the coast intimately and was able to take the author to
the homes of the descendants of the same people that Audubon visited.
In the first chapter Dr. Townsend gives a brief account of Audubon's
expedition with portraits of the five young men who accompanied Audu-
bon, including that of Tom Lincoln, after whom the Lincoln's Sparrow
was named. In the succeeding chapters he recounts the incidents of his
own voyage and gives not only many interesting studies of the bird pop-
ulation but also of the human, both white and Indian. In conclusion
he has a valuable chapter on conservation in Labrador, one especially on
the eider, and an appendix containing letters from George C. Shattuck,
who accompanied Audubon, and also letters from Audubon himself. The
book is thoroughly illustrated.
BIRDS ON THE CHARLES.
As we look out the window a beautiful flicker is seen examining a
No. 3 Berlepsch box. Along come three more flickers and there is a
noisy discussion over something. As the flickers rush away a young
screech owl glances out of a No. 4 box, sees me in the window and grace-
fully climbs back in the box, showing an aloofness which the parents do
not have.
Then a couple of male purple finches pick up seeds from the ridge
that is thirty-five feet high; and below, on the side of the over-flowing
Charles, a big blue heron.
Some action.
M onthly B ulletin 3
A curious thing happened yesterday. Some of my bird boxes in
pine trees seemed too deeply shaded so I had half a dozen taken down.
They were placed on the piazza. Two hours afterwards I looked inside
of them and found in a No. 4 Berlepsch box four eggs and a screech owl.
I though she was dead, as she lay on her side and showed no signs of
life when I touched her. But I suspected her, and hung the box again.
This morning she was gone. She acted every bit like an opossum and
showed no fear, as she was being rolled about in moving the box.
We fortunately have two other boxes occupied by a pair of screech
owls, which have apparently mated.
G. F. Brown, NeedJuun.
GOOD WORK FOR BIRDS.
The following very interesting tale of one bird's experience in the
bird hospital of Miss Mary E. Coburn, a Springfield school teacher, is
taken from the Records of Walks and Talks with Nature, conducted by
the eminent field naturalist, Mr. C. J. Maynard, of West Newton, Mass.
Last September we found a nestling red-eyed vireo in the street. His
leg was broken at the ankle joint and he was so tiny. We set the leg and
the little fellow was very tenacious and cheerful. From the first he was
a great favorite and kept us all busy catching crickets and hoppers for
his appetite was a long one. We fed him blueberries, rum cherries, pears,
and grapes, together with insects. All insect food was taken in his foot
and held and eaten from there while he sang his little whee ee. He visited
each child several times daily generally chatting a little. We never caged
him and he never flew away, although there were many chances to do so,
with 40 children passing in and out. We canned elder berries, rum cher-
ries, blueberries, and pears for our birds and dug earth worms which
we kept in the cellar and fed milk and coffee grounds.
On their Christmas tree the children put some beef steak for vireo,
this he liked slightly broiled.
The friendship between this mite and the children was beautiful to
see. If we had not let him attend school each day he would have died of
homesickness. He pined during our vacation and seemed so happy to see
them when school began once more. Some children dried crickets and
soaked them in warm water for red-eye. He liked them much. I car-
ried him home to the Reed place every night. He wanted to come to the
table every time Miss Ingraham and I ate. We let him sit in a fern and
if nothing seemed to be coming his way he would throw dirt in my plate
until I fed him. If visitors came to the school he generally flew to meet
them. Fire Chief Daggett came to lecture on his department and red-
eye picked his brass buttons and even tried to get gold from the chief's
teeth.
Several times he has been nearly under foot as he would run on the
floor under the seats in play. Last Monday on one of his jolly little
trips he was stepped on and was gone in an instant. Since then we have kept
a good grip on ourselves, but each child feels the loss keenly. Vireo did
4 Massachusetts Audubon Society
more good in five montlis than people often do in as many years. We
shall try harder than ever to help the birds on their return.
Many of the children have feeding tables for the birds now here.
Quite a number of birds were frozen to death during the severe cold.
Last summer we raised over fifty injured and orphaned birds and still
have two robins. We gave our summer vacation to the birds. I would
like nothing better than to work with them all the time.
We write this about our vireo that you may see how social and lovable
a bird he was. He was the most intelligent bird that we have lived with.
PRIZE ESSAY.
Selected from several excellent prize-winners in a Melrose School compe-
tition. The writer is a sixth grade pupil.
One warm night in May, Mother, Daddy and I had just returned
from a wajk and were in front of our house, when we heard a feeble
chirp coming from the direction of the tree in front of the house.
We hastened to the tree and found a small bird hopping helplessly
around.
Daddy feared a prowling cat might catch the bird, so he went to-
ward the bird with the intention of restoring it to the nest in the tree,
for we believed the young bird had fallen from the nest.
As Daddy approached the bird a shrill call rang out in the air, and
two large birds swooped down, and would not, for the life of them let
Dad touch the young one.
They circled round and round the little one, uttering cries and
screeches all the while.
At last we concluded that the two larger birds were teaching their
young one to fly, so we entered the house.
One spring I fashioned a box into a rude bird house and set it on a
fork of the tree in our "park."
Our "park" is a place Dad cut free of bushes under a small oak tree.
I also set a board across the limb of a tree, and nailed it there. This
was for me to put crumbs and tiny bits of meat on, together with small
pieces of suet hanging from the branches by means of a piece of string.
I hoped some birds might soon inhabit the place.
Not long afterward we were overjoyed when a family of robins
established themselves in the bird house.
They were "newlyweds," I guess, for they were aAtvays together,
blithely chirping back and forth to one another.
At last what we had always wanted came. The baby robins!
We had been away when the eggs were laid so that the morning after
we came home we were a good deal surprised when the birds seemed to
pop right out, "all of a sudden," as the saying goes.
I watched them very much and occasionally brought a worm to them.
Taking the worm, I would dangle it over their heads laughing in my
sleeve at the way they would open their beaks and stretch their thin necks
to get the worm.
Monthly Bulletin 5
I would drop the worm in their midst and after a little quarreling
each of the three would get a hig bite.
While I was giving them the worm the mother bird looked on and
scolded very hard, but after I had done this a few times she was very
quiet although she was wrathy at first.
The funniest thing of all was watching them learn to fly.
They would perch on the edge of the nest, rather wobbly in the legs
and shift undecidedly from one foot to the other.
Then, with a little encouraging from the bigger birds, they would
half fly and half jump from one limb to the other.
As I was called from this scene of their progress to go on an errand
and then help weed the garden, I did not see how they learned to fly from
that point on, but needless to say, they learned to fly.
My father declared they would be lazy because a piece of suet was
always hanging over their nest and all they had to do was to stretch their
necks to get some, when they were my tenants.
And those birds weren't one bit grateful, either, for as soon as they
were strong enough they flew away without a word of thanks and never
came back !
NESTING BIRDS AT KATAMA BEACH.
Edgartown, Mass., May 11, 1918.
Commissioners on Fisheries and Game,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen: — I have to report for week ending May 11th: There are
24 pairs of piping plover, 25 pairs of laughing gulls, 12 pairs Wilson
tern, and 15 pairs least tern at Katama Beach. This is an estimate, but
is approximately correct. I have found two piping plover nests with eggs.
The season has been backward but is now warming up fast, and I expect
more birds this week. Respectfully,
S. E. Morton, Deputy.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OBSERVERS.
During the early summer very few notes on migrations can be made,
but there are interesting movements of birds in July and August, after the
breeding season, and some species begin the fall migration in July. Ob-
servers in western Massachusetts should be on the lookout for the Ken-
tucky warbler and the blue grosbeak. The Kentucky warbler has been
reported from west of the Connecticut River, and the blue grosbeak from
the Connecticut valley. We are anxious to learn also how generally the
brown thrasher and the house wren are distributed in Massachusetts west
of the Connecticut Valley. There are many opportunities during fthe
breeding season of birds to study their habits, and we shall be glad to
have any notes on the breeding habits of any species. All such should be
sent to E. H. Forbush, State Ornithologist,
136 State House,
Boston, Massachusetts.
May 15, 1918.
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
BIRDS OF THE MONTH.
The starting of vegetation in Massachusetts was delayed in some sec-
tions by peculiar conditions. The snow came early in the winter and the
cold was very severe but there was great variation in the depth of the
snow. In some sections there was little snow and the ground froze deep-
ly. In others there was more, and the ground froze little, and in still
others the snow was so very deep and came so early that the ground did
not freeze at all. Therefore we have wild flowers reported early in some
sections and much later in others. In some localities the trees leafed
earlier than elsewhere, but all these variations in the condition of vege-
tation appeared to make no difference in the arrival of the birds.
The spring migration is now in full swing. Practically all the species
are here, although some are represented as yet by very few individuals.
The number of individuals of the different species coming during the
last week of April was small, and the smaller migrants have not reached
anything like the numbers of individuals that were present last year. This
probably is due partly to the fact that many of them died during the
inclement weather of May, 1917, and others perished in the storms of
this year.
Since the last Bulletin was written more details have been received of
the destruction of birds in an April snowstorm lasting about three days
from April 12 to 15 in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Sno\\^ prevailed
generally, or locally, in many sections of the Atlantic seaboard, and over
wide areas between April 12 and 17. Probably no one ever will know
how destructive these unseasonable snowstorms were to birds. Large and
hardy birds like flickers were killed in numbers. Full details, however,
have not been received.
During the latter part of April there appeared no pronounced gen-
eral bird wave, although there were some localities where birds were
numerous. On May 1 a definite bird wave was reported near Philadel-
phia, and a few of the species reported there appeared in small niunbers
here at the same time, but the height of the wave reached Massachusetts
on May 7. The number of arrivals gradually increased from May 4 to 7,
when the arrival of 26 species was reported. On the 8th, 9th and 10th
lesser numbers of species arriving were reported, but in many localities
the number of individuals gradually increased.
A few early arrivals of warblers are noted. On April 12 the parula
warbler and the blue-winged warbler were seen at Woods Hole, Mass.
A single black and white warbler was reported in Worcester County on
April 24, and one was seen at Woods Hole on the 26th. From then until
May 6 they were reported almost daily, but few in number. On April 24
the yellow warbler was noted at Woods Hole. At this date there seemed
to be a local movement of birds along the coast of Massachusetts. The
Monthly Bulletin 7
yellow palm warbler was seen at several points along this coast from
April 15 until early May.
With the exception of the myrtle warbler and the yellow palm warb-
ler, the first flights of warblers in numbers were noted on May 6. The
arrival of the yellow warbler was State-wide on May 6 and 7, but one was
reported from Newburyport on May 4 The Maryland yellow-throat was
first noted on May 5 and appeared over the greater part of the State on
May 7. The magnolia warbler was first seen on May 2, but had not ap-
peared generally on May 12. The chestnut-sided warbler was first re-
ported from Worcester County on April 30, and again on May 6; it be-
came common in southern Connecticut on May 9, and is more generally
reported in Massachusetts on May 11. The black-throated green warbler
was first noted in Berkshire County May 4, and quite generally reported
in Massachusetts on the 6th, 7th and 8th. The black-throated blue warbler
is reported on May 6 from Newburyport, and from Phillipston, Mass.,
and on the 7th and oth it became general. It had reached Ellsworth, Me.,
on the 12th.
The parula warbler was common in southern Connecticut on May
6th, reported from northern Connecticut on the 8th and from Worcester
County, Massachusetts, on the 10th. The Wilson warbler is noted in Massa-
chusetts May 8 and at Lewiston, Me., May 12. The Tennessee, Nashville,
golden-winged. Cape May, Canadian, blackpoll and Blackburnian warblers
all came aiong with this wave. The hooded warbler has appeared as usual
in Connecticut but has not been reported in Massachusetts.
The first redstart was reported at Woods Hole, Mass., April 26 and
not again in Massachusetts until May 7. The first ovenbird was seen at
Woods Hole April 15 but most of the arrivals were from May 6 to 9. The
Louisiana water thrush was common in southern Connecticut on April 28.
No notes on the indigo bunting have been received from Massachu-
setts but it is noted on May 7 in southern Connecticut, The grasshopper
sparrow is reported from Worcester on May 10. The white-crowned spar-
row is noted quite generally from May 2 to May 9. Two rare members
of this family — the lark sparrow and the blue grosbeak — have been re-
ported, the former from northern Worcester County and the latter from
the Connecticut Valley. All the swallows and flycatchers have been noted
except the yellow-bellied flycatcher. A correspondent in Plymouth County,
Massachusetts, sends the description of a scissor-tailed flycatcher as that
of a bird seen May 10. All the vireos are here, coming in mainly from
May 2 to May 12. The first arrival of the blue-headed vireo was much
earlier— at Oxford Mass, April 19.
The first scarlet tanager was noted at Newburyport on May 7. The
Baltimore oriole was reported throughout the length of Massachusetts from
May 5 to 10 and had reached Lewiston, Me., May 12. The arrival of the
house wren was from May 1 to May 11. The long-billed marsh wren was
noted near Hartford, Conn., on May 10. Towhees and brown thrashers
were late in arriving. The thrasher was common in southern Connecticut
on April 26 and appeared in Massachusetts from May 1 to May 7. The
hermit thrush had arrived in some numbers by April 12 in western Massa-
chusetts. The olive-backed thrush and the veery are noted in Massachusetts
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
May 7. The wood thrush is reported from Woods Hole on April 20 and
elsewhere in Massachusetts from May 6 to May 12.
The kingbird and the catbird are noted from May 6 to May 10. The
first whippoorwill was reported from Long Island on April 25, and Gro-
ton, Mass., on April 26; after that there are none reported until May 3.
It was common in Connecticut on the 4th and 5th, had reached Block Island
on May 7, and was well distributed in Massachusetts on May 9. A single
nighthawk was reported from northern Worcester County on April 25, but
the species had not been heard from elsewhere except on Block Island,
where it arrived May 10. The rose-breasted grosbeak arrived from the 7th
to the 11th, and the bobolink from the 1st to the 12th. Hummingbirds were
noted on the 8th, 10th and 12th. Only one migration of hawks has been re-
ported. Hawks fly so high that few people note their migrations.
Shore birds have been generally scarce, but since April 15th yellow-
legs have been locally common. The white-rumped sandpiper was noted
on Block Island April 30 and on Martha's Vineyard May 6. A sanderling
was seen at the latter place May 5, the ruddy turnstone May 6, the semi-
palmated and the least sandpiper May 8. The spotted sandpiper has been
reported generally from May 2 to 12. The solitary sandpiper was noted at
Hartford, Conn., on May 8, and at Rockport, Mass., May 11.
The upland plover was reported from Connecticut on April 28 and
from Worcester County, Massachusetts, May 2; a Hudsonian curlew at
Martha's Vineyard May 7; a sora rail in Connecticut May 1, and a Virginia
rail April 19 in Massachusetts. Bitterns were reported from Block Island
April 23, from Worcester County, Massachusetts, April 26, and elsewhere
in Massachusetts from May 3 to May 10. In the last Bulletin, dated April
15, it was stated that great blue herons should be in Massachusetts at that
time. A few were actually reported on that date, but one was seen in
Worcester County April 7 and on April 22 the species had reached Bangor,
Me. Green herons were reported in Massachusetts from May 4 to 8.
Migrations of the wild fowl go on about as usual. By May 1 most
of the migrant black ducks had disappeared. Native black ducks are breed-
ing. Many scoters, oldsquaws, mergansers, geese and brant have been
noted. April 27 there was a flight by night of brant at Barnstable; April
25, a large flight at Block Island. One whistling swan was reported flying
over Fresh Pond, Cambridge, on March 31. Five were reported not far
away in Arlington, Mass., the first week in April. Evidently these birds
were swans, but the identification was not positive. Northern gulls remained
quite late. There were more black-backed gulls seen at Woods Hole on
April 16 than had been seen there all winter. On April 27 glaucous gulls
were seen in the same harbor, and on April 30 an Iceland gull was reported
from Block Island. Laughing gulls arrived April 15 on Martha's Vineyard,
and on the 16th at Woods Hole. They appeared at Block Island April 30.
Common terns were reported from Martha's Vineyard on May 4, and the
least tern on the 6th. A black tern in full plumage was seen on the Con-
necticut River near South Windsor, Conn., on May 6, and for several suc-
ceeding days. Loons are migrating up the coast in numbers. The migra-
tion of the gannets is late. They were recorded about Martha's Vineyard
on May 4, and they were still at Block Island on May 9. The migration is
now at its height and not all the movements can be recorded here. Now
is the time to be afield. E. H. Forbush,
May 15, 1918. State Ornithologist.
Volume II.
JUNE, 1918
Number 5.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-ofSce at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of raie
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
THE ENABLING ACT.
The Enabling Act, giving force to the Migratory Bird Treaty with
Great Britain, was passed at 5 o'clock, Thursday, June 6th, by the Con-
gress at Washington, D. C. The final vote was overwhelmingly in favor
of the Act, something like six to one of those voting on a roll call. New
England deserves great credit for the successful outcome of this long
struggle. In January the Secretary went to Washington and made a care-
ful poll of the New England Congressmen, who were nearly unanimous
in favor of the bill. There was at the time little hope that the bill would
be got before the House in the overwhelming rush of war legislation.
Some weeks ago Mr. Forbush returned from Washington and reported
that there was a chance if vigorous work were once again undertaken, and
by the advice of Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, a general request was sent out
from this office to all New England Bird Protection Associations that they
communicate to Hon. Edward Pou, Chairman of the Rules Committee,
their desire that the bill be considered. Telegrams and letters pouring
in from all New England had their effect, and on Sunday, June 2nd, the
Secretary received word from Washington that the bill would be con-
sidered on the following Tuesday. He immediately went to Washington
and took charge of rounding up the New England delegation in favor of
the bill. In this he was successful and the opposition was entirely con-
fined to certain portions of the West and Southwest. This opposition was
vigorous and prolonged for two days on the floor of the House. The bill
was slightly amended and in this amendment the Senate has since failed
to concur. This takes it to a conference of the Senate and House, the
outcome of which is expected to be favorable to the bill.
CHECK LISTS.
Check lists received and number of birds noted are as follows: Ed-
win H. Merrill, Winchendon, 54; Bessie M. Graves, Southampton, 107;
Lyman E. Nivling, Newton, 102; Robert L. Coffin, Amherst, 99; Annie W.
Cobb, Arlington, 190; Eleanor E. Barry, Melrose, 125.
Miss Cobb, easily the leader, is a very keen student of birds and an
enthusiastically persistent observer. Among other rarities she notes Bar-
row's golden-eye, seen at Nahant; the seaside sparrow at Martha's Vine-
yard; Brewster's warbler, at Marlboro; the Hudsonian chickadee, at the
Arboretum.
Edwin H. Merrill, of Winchendon, though his list is smallest, per-
haps deserves greatest credit, for he is an invalid, scarcely able to move
from the house, and the birds must come to him to be recognized. Even
so, he has heard the clear joy of the white-throat's song and the mystery of
Monthly Bulletin 3
the veery's, has noted the wondrous beauty of the plumage of the tiny
Blackburnian warblers and the redstarts, and has heard them sing. Bird
study is helpful to the people who pursue it as well as to the birds.
LIFE MEMBERS— APRIL.
Batcheller, Mrs. Margaret T 267 Walnut St., Brookline,
Blanchard, Henry Lawton 106 Main St., Brockton.
Bowen, Miss Alice M 437 Central St., Springfield.
Boyd, Miss Caroline B 22 Pleasant St., Marlborough.
Brayton, Mrs. H. A Fall River.
Brooks, Mrs. Lawton S Hotel Kimball, Springfield.
Bullard, Miss Katherine E 39 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Burgess, John K Dedham.
Callender, Miss Caroline S 677 Dudley St., Boston.
Carroll, Miss Ellen S 25 Wyman St., West Medford.
Clarke, Miss Lillian F 5 Brimmer St., Boston.
Cole, Miss Ella M Southbridge.
Cousens, Mrs. John A 207 Suffolk Rd., Chestnut Hill.
Crocker, C. T Fitchburg.
Cushing, Mrs. Livingston 282 Berkeley St., Boston.
Daland, Mrs. Tucker 117 Fisher Ave., Brookline.
Dresel, Miss Louisa L 328 Beacon St., Boston.
Edmands, Miss Anne P 12 Corey Rd., Brookline.
Fearing, Mrs. Mary P 333 Beacon St., Boston.
Flint, Elizabeth H 290 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Foss, Mrs. Eugene N 11 Revere St., Jamaica Plain.
Fries, Miss Anna M 2 Carlisle St., Roxbury.
Gilbert, J. H. Grenville Ware.
Grew, Mrs. Joseph C 2241 Wyoming Ave., Washington, D. C.
Guild, Miss Sarah L 26 Mt. Vernon St., Boston.
Harvard Bird Club Harvard.
Haskell, Allen 25A Walnut Park, Roxbury.
Haskell, Miss Mary P 25A Walnut Park, Roxbury.
Haskell, Miss Sarah A 25A Walnut Park, Roxbury.
Hedge, Miss C. A 440 Boylston St., Brookline.
Hewett, Miss M. Elizabetli 4810 Chicago St., Omaha, Neb.
Hockley, Mrs. Thomas Hotel Vendome, Boston.
Holbrook, Mrs. Frederick The Tudor, Beacon Hill, Boston.
Irwin, CD 50 Willard Rd., Brookline.
Lawrence, Mrs. Wm 122 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Leonard, Miss Mary F 5 Chestnut St., Boston.
4» Massachusetts Audubon Society
Lindsley, Mrs. M. A 1 West Hill PL, Boston.
Loud, Mrs. Alice E 67 Munroe St., Roxbury.
Mather, Mr. E. H 87 Milk St., Boston.
Mayer, Richard 200 Summer St., Boston.
Morse, Rev. Glenn Tilley All Saints Rectory, W. Roxbury.
Morss, Charles A 201 Devonshire St., Boston.
Murdock, Miss Maria 64 Church St., Winchester.
Nazro, Mrs. Frederick H Riverbank Court, Cambridge.
Nowell, Mrs. George M 122 N. Serrano Ave., Los Angeles, Cal.
Osborn, Mrs. J. B 17 Keswick St., Boston.
Page, Charles E., M.D 120 Tremont St., Boston.
Page, Dudley L 636 Rogers St., Lowell.
Parker, Mrs. William L 312 Dartmouth St., Boston.
Poole, Miss Grace L 22 School St., Rockland.
Proctor, Mrs. Henry H 282 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Rand, Miss Margaret A 49 Kirkland St., Cambridge
Rogers, Mrs. Robert K Dover.
Sayles, Mrs. R. W 263 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill.
Shaw, Mrs. George R Concord.
Shepard, Miss Emily B 124 Rawson Rd., Brookline.
Simpson, Miss Helen Hotel Vendome, Boston.
Stewart, Mrs. Cecil 451 Beacon St., Boston.
Stone, Mrs. F. H South Dartmouth.
Storrow, Mrs. J. J 417 Beacon St., Boston.
Taber, Miss Gertrude S Hotel Puritan, Boston.
Thacher, Miss Mary De W 69 Alleghany St., Roxbury.
Thorndike, Richard K Millis.
Thornton, Miss Mary Calef Magnolia.
Tucker, Mrs. Fred H 206 Church St., Newton.
Whitman, Loring Simsbury, Conn.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS—APRIL.
Achorn, Ralf C 25 Huntington Ave., Boston.
Barney, Miss Margaret D 80 Marlboro St., Boston.
Barrett, Marion 239 Moody St., Waltham.
Blair, Miss M. P 15 Ellery St., Cambridge.
Bliss, Miss H. M 50 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Brockton Woman's Club Mrs. Warren Tirrell, 401 Moraine
St., Brockton.
Brown, Mrs. Eleanor A 47 Glen Rd., Jamaica Plain.
Carstens, Carol C 523 Washington St., Brookline.
Monthly Bulletin 5
Carter, Mrs. R. H. A 4 Circuit Rd., Chestnut Hill.
Caskey, Paul D 983 Charles River Rd., Cambridge.
Cate, Mrs. Myrtle E 199 St. Paul St., Brookline.
Chamberlin, Abby H 10 Keswick St., Boston.
Chamberlain, Mr. and Mrs. S. H... 114 Fenway, Boston.
Chapman, Mrs. Edwin Ashby. .:
Clapp, Mrs. Lowell T 59 Evans Rd., Brookline.
Child, Mrs. George S 11 Hazelwood St., Roxbury.
Clark, Eugene W 20 St. John St., Jamaica Plain.
Close, Lucile N 1 Fayerweather St., Cambridge.
Cochrane, Miss S. C 219 Newbury St., Boston.
CoUingwood, Mrs. Sarah J 603 Beech St., Holyoke.
Grainmer, Mrs. C. L 131 Newbury St., Boston.
Graton, Mrs. L. C 10 Buckingham PL, Cambridge.
Hill, Donald M 60 Federal St., Boston.
Hobart, Dr. Mary F Dodona, Needham Heights.
Keller, Mrs. C. T 22 Euston St., Brookline.
King, Mrs. Bertha C 55 Trowbridge St., Cambridge.
Robinson, Mrs. J. M 74 Appleton St., Maiden.
Shipman, Julia M 401 Beacon St., Boston.
Shirley, Margaret I Quincy St., Quincy.
Taylor, Bessie C West Peabody.
Whitcomb, Janet 40 Westland Terrace, Haverhill.
Wilde, Mrs. G. H 3 Concord Ave., Cambridge.
Young, Rev, Clarence A 25 Waumbeck St., Roxbury.
LIFE MEMBERS— MAY.
Bradlee, F. J 222 Boylston St., Boston.
Harding, Mrs. Benjamin F 124 Canton Ave., Milton.
Hersey, Miss Mary L 6 Madison Hall, Trinity Ct., Boston.
Stengel, Mrs. Peter 22 Bradlee St., Dorchester Centre.
Torrey, Mrs. Belle M 52 Elm St., Worcester.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS— MAY.
Adams, Master Edward P Ware Hall, Harvard St., C'mb'dge.
Baright, Mrs. E. K Salt Point, N. Y.
Codman, Mrs. Ernest Amory 227 Beacon St., Boston.
Colby, Mrs. Mary B 464 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Cole, William Morse 55 Brewster St., Cambridge.
Comey, Arthur C 56 Fayerweather St., Cambridge.
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
Comfort Carrier's Club Miss Edith L. Jones, Treas., Bui-
finch Place Church, Boston.
Conant, Mrs. J. F 1064 Beacon St., Brookline.
Coolidge, Miss Helen 14 Coolidge Hill Rd., Cambridge.
Cooper, Mrs. Burton H 127 Summer Rd., Brookline.
Cowan, Fred H 25 Aldworth St., Jamaica Plain.
Crosby, A. Morris 51 Middlesex Rd., Chestnut Hill.
Crosby, W. 0 9 Park Lane, Jamaica Plain.
Cunningham, Rev. Henry C 22 Blagden St., Boston.
Currier, Mrs. Warren T 1806 Beacon St., Brookline.
Curtis, Mrs. Annie F 44 Marsh Ave., Haverhill.
(^iurtis, Joseph D 44 Marsh Ave., Haverhill.
Curtis, Ensign Lawrence 464 Beacon St., Boston.
Cushing, Mrs. H. W 70 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Dean, Mrs. Josiah S 19 Lanark Rd., Brookline.
Dehon, Miss Theodora 535 Beacon St., Boston.
Denton, Miss S. E 250 Ashmont St., Dorchester.
de Wolfe, Miss Margaret H 9 Newbury St., Boston.
Dixon, Frederick 1101 Beacon St., Brookline.
Dodge, Hayward C 22 Bradlee St., Dorchester Centre.
Drew, Miss Mary S 336 Washington St., Brookline.
Emery, Miss Octavia B 20 Hubbard Park, Cambridge.
Eveleth, Wm. Hartwell 18 Martin St., Cambridge.
Finney, Mrs. Esther S St. Davids, Pa.
Ingraham, J. C 187 Gardner Road, Brookline.
McGill, Mrs. Frederick Fisher Ave., Newton Highlands.
Munro, Mrs. J. G 90 The Fenway, Boston.
Parker, Mrs. W. F 65 Columbus Ave., Northampton.
Tucker, Miss Ruth A West Paris, Me.
SOME CONCORD BIRDS.
Dear Mr. Forbush: —
Yesterday afternoon, at about 5 o'clock, I saw, in the Frog Pond on
Boston Common, a pair of black ducks — a duck and a drake — which ap-
peared to be quite unafraid although there was the usual large number
of people about the pond. A boy threw some pieces of bread into the
water and the ducks ate it.
Last evening, at 7.25, a night-hawk flew by our house, on the easterly
side. It was just before the wind changed and the air was very muggy
and full of mosquitoes. Probably the bird was having a fine feed from
them.
Bluebirds and white-bellied swallows are scarce; I have seen, about
our place at Concord, but two bluebirds and four white-bellied swallows
Monthly Bulletin 7
— I should say one-third as many as in former years. We have seen no
purple martins this year, nor have we heard of any being seen.
Apparently there are more robins than even in former years; the
usual number of orioles and of song sparrows and chipping sparrows.
Partridge woodpeckers appear to be nesting in the Berlepsch box on the
tree in the meadow east of our house, where they have been nesting for
several years. I have heard that there are rose-breasted grosbeaks about
Concord and we think we have heard some but have seen none about our
place. I have noticed a few warblers.
I have seen fewer meadowlarks than usual; have not seen or heard
any quail or ruffed grouse. This morning, I think I saw, in the meadow,
at a considerable distance, one or two bobolinks, the first ones of this
season.
We have been hearing, as in the past two or three years, the boom
of the bittern in the meadow east of our house and have frequently seen
one — in fact, it is getting to be quite an object of interest to people. I
have seen automobiles stop so that the occupants could view the bittern,
which appears to be getting quite used to seeing people, as he, or she,
comes, at times, quite close to the Causeway. One afternoon, I saw what
I supposed were two of these birds, except that one, who stood up erect,
appeared to have a black or dark back, with white bands across his
shoulders. Yesterday afternoon, I saw what I presume was the same
bird, standing in the meadow, only that his general color seemed to be
brown instead of black. He had the white bands across his shoulders.
He appeared to be booming. The wind was blowing away from me so
I could not say positively that I heard the sound, although I thought I
did and he was going through the usual contortions that bittern go through
when booming. When I first saw this bird, there was another bird near
him which I am confident was a bittern; it was brown, the usual color.
I was puzzled by the appearance of the one that looked black and had the
white bands. Could it have been a bittern?
Yours very truly, Edward L. Parker.
The bird showing black and white was undoubtedly a bittern. The
bittern has "a glossy black streak on each side of the upper neck," and
during courtship it has the habit of displaying white nuptial plumes which
are attached near the shoulders and which, though ordinarily concealed,
can be spread out in the form of a conspicuous ruff. See the paper on
the subject by Mr. William Brewster, in the Club, for January, 1911.
— F. H. A.
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
BIRDS OF THE MOOSE HILL SANCTUARY.
By Harry G. Higbee, Bird Warden.
To spend a few hours among the birds in any locality is always a
pleasure. To spend a whole day among those of the Moose Hill Bird
Sanctuary at Sharon was the special delight of many bird enthusiasts on
the occasion of the Audubon Society "Bird Day," Saturday, May 18th.
My own "day" on this occasion might be said to have started "the
night before," as my companion and I arrived at the old farmhouse about
11 P. M. on Friday. Supper being over shortly after midnight, we strolled
out upon the ledge which overlooks the broad expanse of valley and hills
to the south and east. It was a beautiful night, and occasionally the
chirping of passing migrants overhead came drifting down to our ears.
Whip-poor-wills called vociferously, and now and then an oven-bird burst
forth in an ecstasy of song, as if disturbed in some sweet dream. On
nine different occasions within an hour, coming from various parts of
the woods, did we hear this burst of melody commonly known as the
"flight song" of the oven-bird. On none of these occasions, however, did
the performer mount into the air, as it so often does when this song is
given just after sunset in the dusk of a summer's evening.
Shortly before four o'clock on Saturday morning we were again out
on the ledge, this time ensconced in our blankets to listen for the waking
birds and to watch the coming of the dawn. Venus shone resplendent in
the southeast; overhead the stars were brilliant, and there was every
promise of a good day. Our thermometer registered sixty degrees, and
there was a light westerly breeze.
Aside from the whip-poor-wills, the tree swallows were the first
birds to be heard. They were twittering and flying about at four o'clock —
an hour and a half before sunrise. A towhee called at 4.10, and a field
sparrow came next at 4.15. Five minutes later we could distinguish
faint streaks of approaching dawn over the eastern hills. Soon we heard
an oven-bird, and, at half past four, a brown thrasher and a Maryland
yellowthroat. Two minutes later a rose-breasted grosbeak sang, and at
4.35 the robin chorus started. Then came the songs of the wood thrush,
scarlet tanager and hermit thrush. At 4.45 the hills across the valley
were becoming visible and it was just light enough to see to write. A
prairie warbler and a chestnut-sided warbler were heard at this time,
followed closely by the redstart, catbird, Nashville warbler and black
and white warbler. The last whip-poor-will call was heard at 4.50 —
forty minutes before sunrise. The phoebe, pheasant, crow, indigo bunt-
ing and Baltimore oriole were next noted in the order given. Then came,
within a few minutes, the least flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, red-eyed
Monthly Bulletin 9
vireo, barn swallow, cowbird, black-throated green warbler and downy
woodpecker.
It was just five-thirty as the great orange-red sun appeared above
the horizon and rose majestically behind the spires of Sharon village.
This seemed to be a signal for the birds, and with one accord they seemed
to join their songs in a mighty anthem to greet the giver of light.
From our place upon the ledge we had identified thirty species of
birds before sunrise. Thirteen more were added to this list before break-
fast, by a short walk about the farm buildings and on the hillside just
below. These were the blue jay, bluebird, chipping sparrow, song spar-
row, rufifed grouse, golden-winged warbler, parula warbler, chimney swift,
black-billed cuckoo, purple finch, vesper sparrow, Blackburnian warbler
and house wren.
Parties soon began to arrive for the day, and little groups strolled
about in dififerent parts of the sanctuary watching for the birds. During
the forenoon about the farmhouse, the kingbird, goldfinch, ruby-throated
hmnmingbird and red-shouldered hawk, were added to this list, and later
in the day, the blue-headed vireo, red- winged blackbird, nighthawk and
veery.
The foregoing list of fifty-one species of birds represents simply my
own observations, made either alone or in company with Rev. Mr. Towns-
end, of Nashua, N. H., who spent the night with me here at the old farm.
These were all identified in a walk of less than two miles for the day,
as I spent most of the time in the vicinity of the farmhouse and in show-
ing others about the place. At, the same time a dozen difi^erent kinds of
ferns were noted; seventy-six species of trees, shrubs, and vines were ob-
served, and eighty-one different flowers and flowering plants were identi-
fied— most of these on our little walk before breakfast. I mention these
simply to show the wonderful variety and profusion of wild life in this
spot, which seems in every way so admirably fitted for a bird sanctuary.
Many more species might be added to these lists by a little investigation,
as several parts of the sanctuary were not visited at all; and some of
these, like the swale, the open marsh and pond, the thick woods, and the
little streams, each have their own peculiar attractions and seem to gather
about them certain forms of life not found in other parts.
An interesting observation made here, which touches upon the value
of birds about a place, was the fact that every tent caterpillar nest which
I examined on this day had been either torn open or punctured with
holes and the caterpillars eaten. Every web was empty, although a few
days previous some of these had been filled with caterpillars of con-
siderable size nearly an inch in length. These larger nests (which
were torn open) were probably cleaned out by the cuckoos, which appear
to be quite plentiful about these grounds.
10 Massachusetts Audubon Society
During the day there were observed nesting here eighteen pairs of birds,
representing the following eleven species: robin, Baltimore oriole, house
wren, least flycatcher, phoebe, tree swallow, barn swallow, catbird, flicker,
downy woodpecker and solitary vireo. Several interesting things were ob-
served in regard to these. In the afternoon it was noted that a robin's nest in
a low cedar by the steps of Dr. Field's residence had been robbed of its
two eggs. From a little distance these birds were seen excitedly flying
about and calling, and although no intruder was seen disturbing the nest,
the miscreant was probably either a snake or a blue jay — the circum-
stances seeming to point more to the former than to the latter.
A robin's nest in a low spruce tree near the farmhouse contained
four eggs (two of these being hatched when later inspected, on the
20th). In the same tree are four old nests, showing in all probability
that this tree has been used as a nesting site by the same pair of robins
for five seasons. In a cedar but a few yards away was another robin's
nest containing two young, apparently several days old.
The house wren was found nesting in an isolated bird-box ten feet up
on a pole, near the little pond by the road. This box (a Lee bluebird
house) has an inch-and-a-half entrance-hole and is seven inches deep.
It was said to have been occupied by tree swallows during the past sea-
son. It was filled to the opening with small twigs and other nesting ma-
terial, in the top of which was a nice little hollow lined with strips of
grapevine bark, horsehair and hen feathers. (When examined on the
20th this nest contained two eggs.) There were several other unoccupied
boxes about, seemingly more fitted as to size for the nesting of the house
wren than the one chosen by this bird.
Within a few yards of the wren's nest a least flycatcher was observed
building her little home twenty feet up in the crotch of a small elm tree,
and not fifty yards away was another nest of the same species on a maple
branch overhanging the street, and about the same height.
Two orioles' nests were noted in elm trees along the roadside, about
thirty yards apart, in both instances the birds being at work upon them.
Three bird-boxes were found occupied by the white-bellied or "tree,"
swallows. Each of these was selected from a tier of three boxes of diff^er-
ing types nailed to a twelve-foot pole, and in each instance the same type
of box was chosen — a square box, 4x4x7, with an inch-and-a-half
entrance hole, (Ware bluebird house.) In one case the box chosen was
the middle one, and in the other two instances, the lower on in the tier
of three. (When inspected on the 20th, one of these nests contained
six eggs, the female being on the nest; another contained five eggs, and
the last one, two.) These nests were all typical, being of dried grass,
lined with hen feathers, the birds seeming to prefer white feathers for
this purpose.
M onthly B ulletin 11
The phoebe, which had its nest under the large barn, seemed to be
rather late in breeding. This nest, when I examined it toward evening,
contained four eggs and one young bird apparently but a few hours old.
(On the 19th there was still but the one egg hatched, and on the 20th I
found two young and three eggs in this nest.)
A pair of barn swallows were nesting in the big barn, and another
pair was noted flying in and out of the old barn adjoining the farmhouse.
Two catbirds' nests were found. One of these, which was in a thick
clump of barberry back of the old barn, was a splendidly built nest. I
found it started on the 12th, and apparently completed except the lining
on the 18th — the day of which we are writing. On the 19th I found it
nicely lined with fine rootlets, and on the 20th it contained one egg — an
unusually small one.
Both the flicker and downy woodpecker nests were found in stubs on
the hillside below the old barn, near the little stream.
A rather unusual robin's nest was noted in a cedar tree near the
lane, just beyond the windmill. This nest is large and bulky, and ap-
pears upon close examination to have been remodelled and used either
two or three seasons. I have never observed such an instance as this
before.
Probably the best "find" for the day was the nest of a solitary, or
"blue-headed," vireo, on the thickly wooded hill south of the reservoir.
This beautiful basket nest, which was first located by Mr. Cheney, was
hung in the forked branch of a white oak sapling, about five feet from the
ground. After a group of people had studied from a little distance
the bird upon her nest, I made a closer investigation, wishing to see how
near I could approach without the vireo taking alarm, and also to ascer-
tain the contents of the nest. By moving very slowly, I succeeded in
putting my hand within a few inches of the bird's head before she flew.
A peep into the nest then disclosed her four creamy-white eggs, faintly
spotted with brown. On top of these were two cowbird's eggs, about
fifty per cent, larger than her own and showing off conspicuously with
their thickly-blotched, dark markings against a background of gray.
These intruders were removed, as otherwise her own offspring would have
had little chance for successful development. Those who had such an un-
usual opportunity to study this bird in its solitary home agreed that this
experience alone was well worth the effort of the day's outing.
The fifty or more enthusiasts who visited the sanctuary on this day
certainly seemed to enjoy themselves, and all combined in good fellow-
ship to make the outing a remarkably successful one. Many of the birds
seemed especially accommodating in posing for their admirers or in dem-
onstrating their vocal abilities. A ruby-throated hummingbird returned
12 Massachusetts Audubon Society
a dozen times to his perch upon the top of a small ash tree, close by the
farm house, where all could admire him: the house wren sang melodiously
throughout the greater part of the day: grosbeaks seemed unusually
abundant; and both the yellow-billed and black-billed cuckoos called at
intervals, and showed themselves, that they might be distinguished by
those who so easily confuse the two species. A Blackburnian warbler
gave us a beautiful exhibition in the early morning, and several
other warblers gave abundant opportunity for the observers to study and
distinguish their songs.
After the last of our guests had departed I went alone out on to the
ledge, to sum up the day's proceedings and to absorb some of the peace
and quiet which comes with the end of the day in such a place as this.
Just before sunset there were many songs and calls, but with the soften-
ing of the shadows these seemed to soften also, blending in perfect har-
mony with the tinting of the skies and the gradual dimming of the land-
scape. A solitary blackbird winged its way across the valley toward the
marshes; the sad, sweet song of the field sparrow now seemed doubly sweet,
as, unmingled with other voices, it rose from below among the sprout-
lands; chewinks and Maryland yellow-throats called occasionally — ^the
latter giving its less frequently heard call resembling the rattling notes of
the kingfisher. From somewhere up in the sky came the sharp, weird
cry of a nighthawk; then, as all became calm and serene, there came
drifting across the valley from the pines beyond, that wonderful song
of the hermit thrush — its clear, pure strains mounting up and up, until
they seemed to float between earth and heaven. Soon an ovenbird, mount-
ing on fluttering wings high over the tree-tops, gave its last ecstatic flight-
song before settling for the night; then — as if it were the very spirit of
the swamp incarnate — from somewhere out of the depths I heard the
silvery, tranquil strains of the veery. Responding in clear, flute-like notes
came the ringing song of the wood thrush, and ere the last of these
sweet tones had died away, the voice of the night seemed to speak in the
lonely call of the whip-poor-will.
Moonlight was now fast flooding the valley and spreading its magic
veil over the hills. Having finished the little souvenir which I had been
whittling, I reluctantly rose to go, realizing that my day with the birds
had come to a close, and that the friendly night, with its mysteries and its
charms, had settled down once more over Moose Hill Sanctuary.
\Mlome II. OCTOBER, 1918 Number 6.
Issued Monthly by the Massarhusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-office at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the aflfairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and I 'fe Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
BIRD WORK IS WAR WORK
In the midst of our mightiest efforts to win the war we ought in no
wise to relax our efforts in the cause of bird protection. Emphasis is laid
on this fact by Food Administrator Hoover, who says: "I hope the people
of the United States realize how closely related to the whole question of
food saving is the question of the protection of our insectivorous and
migratory birds."
Through the passage of the enabling act of the migratory bird treaty
the Federal Government itself now takes charge of all migratory birds,
thanks to the untiring efforts of all bird protectionists, backed by a strong
public opinion, during many anxious years. That public opinion should
be so strongly behind this movement is due in a large measure to the per-
sistent educational work of the Audubon Societies, a work which now
extends throughout the world. This work must go on. It is the broad
foundation on which stands the whole structure of bird laws and bird pro-
tection. Its opportunities grow with its successes. It is needed to help the
enforcement of the Federal Laws throughout the country. The local, non-
migratory birds need it in the forwarding of the sanctuary movement which
is their salvation. Most of all our young people need it. To them it
points a pleasant, open road to nature study and an understanding of the
deep things of life which are the foundation of character. You are in-
vited to visit the office at 66 Newbury Street or the sanctuary at Moose
Hill, Sharon, and become more closely acquainted with our work.
MRS. ERNESTINE M. KETTLE
In the death of Mrs. Ernestine M. Kettle, of Weston, the Massachu-
setts Audubon Society loses a life member of long standing, a valued
friend to all our work as indeed to all good work. In all the years of her
membership no call for assistance was allowed to pass unheeded, and a
substantial remembrance in her will, which will be added in due time to
our reserve fund, makes that support permanent and readily available for
all time. In the good will of such friends the good work of the world
goes securely on.
WALT F. McMAHON
Walt F. McMahon gave his life for his country on the battlefront in
France last August. In his death the cause of bird protection loses a staunch
friend, an able champion, and a man whom everyone loved for his genial
nature, his nobility of character and his enthusiasm for his chosen work
in which he showed marked ability. He was for some time assistant to
Mr. Forbush, State Ornithologist, at the State House. He lectured and
took charge of exhibitions of bird protection methods for the Massachu-
setts Audubon Society and later was called to New York, where he was in
the office of the National Association when drafted last spring. He went
to the new work with the same quiet courage, manliness and determina-
tion to do his best which he had always shown. He was shot by a sniper
while on extra hazardous scout duty for which he had volunteered.
Monthly Bulletin 3
THE LIBERTY LOAN
The Massachusetts Audubon Society has joined to the uttermost ex-
tent of its ability in the Fourth Liberty Loan, just completed, as it has in
the three which preceded it. The funds thus invested are those of its
reserve, made up of the fees of Life Members, and of such legacies as it
has received. All such sums are carefully held in reserve, even the interest
turned back into the fund, in the hope that in time the amount will be
sufficient to make the work secure financially.
All funds of the Massachusetts Audubon Society are handled care-
fully and conservatively, but the Reserve Fund, in the exclusive control
of the Board of Directors, is especially worthy of the consideration of
testators who wish to make legacies of lasting usefulness.
There will always be need of organized work for bird protection, a
form of conservation of the greatest importance to the general welfare.
The Reserve Fund of the Society when of sufficient size will insure this.
Can you not help in this way?
FORM OF BEQUEST
I give and bequeath to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Incorpor-
ated, the sum of Dollars for its Reserve
Fund.
THE AUDUBON CALENDAR, 1919
By courtesy of the National Association of Audubon Societies the
Audubon calendar for this year, now ready, reproduces the following birds
in color: Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Robin, Meadowlark, Rose-
breasted Grosbeak, Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Cedar Waxwing, Chewink,
White-throated Sparrow, Blue Jay, Cardinal. These, from paintings by
Fuertes, Horsfall and Sawyer, are very faithful reproductions with ex-
quisite backgrounds by these well-known painters of bird life. There are
twelve calendar pages, one for each month, and the pictures are accom-
panied by accounts of the various birds, written by Forbush, Pearson,
Dutcher and Ingersoll, size 11^/2 x 7, neatly tied with red cord for hang-
ing. Price, Si. 00 each, supply limited; shall we book your order now?
MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY
66 Newbury Street, Boston
Please send Calendar to
Name
Address
4 Massachusetts Audubon Society
LIFE MEMBERS— JUNE
Finney, Mrs. Esther S.
Freeman, Mrs. James G.
Gray, Mrs. John Chipman
Harris, Mrs. Anna C.
Hosmer, Phoebe L.
Underwood, H. 0.
St. David's, Pa.
Weston.
176 Beacon St., Boston.
P. 0. Box 2897, Boston.
264 W. Main St., Orange.
Belmont.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS— JUNE
Adams, Mrs. Eugene T.
Chamberlain, Miss Dorothy D.
Brown, Mrs. Leroy S.
Foster, Miss Fanny
Foster, Miss Olive Tennyson
Foster, Walter H.
Fraser, Mrs. Duncan
Freybe, Mr. and Mrs. Carl E.
Gendrot, Mrs. Almira B. Fenno
Gilbert, Miss Grace
Gray, Miss Harriet
Gray, Mrs. Wm. R.
Gutterson, John Harris
Hartmann, Arnold
Haskell, Miss Mary E.
Merrill, Miss Ada F.
Robertson, Mrs. James E.
1415 Beacon St., Brookline.
28 Professors' Row, Tufts College,
Mass.
Lexington.
LeRoy Ave., Newport, R. I.
369 Beacon St., Boston.
40 Court St., Boston.
206 Buckminster Road, Brookline.
124 Babcock St., Brookline.
1 Buena Vista St., Roxbury.
10 Blake Road, Brookline.
178 Beacon St., Boston.
373 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
1080 Beacon St., Brookline.
483 Dedham St., Newton Centre.
Cambridge School, Cambridge.
5 Hopestill St., Dorchester Centre.
Guilford Center, Vermont.
LIFE MEMBERS— JULY
Goodwin, Mrs. Charles C.
Hinckley. Mrs. D. F.
16 Merriam St., Lexington.
5 Auburn Court, Brookline.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS— JULY
Dow, David C, Jr.
Dow, Miss Margaret
Drake, Miss Beatrice E.
Ellison, Miss Laura B.
Farnsworth, Miss Marion
Felch, Lewis P., M.D.
Gray, Miss Elizabeth
Hatch, Fred A.
Hinkley, Mrs. Holmes
Holway, A. M.
Howard, Miss Bessie Willis
Howes, Mrs. Ernest
Huegle, Mrs. Leo Wm.
Hunt, Miss Rosamond
6 Hilliard St., Cambridge.
6 Hilliard St., Cambridge.
North Middleborough.
Duxbury.
33 Concord Ave., Cambridge.
1069 Boylston St., Boston.
25 Kingsbury Road, Chestnut Hill.
321 Summer St., Boston.
1 Berkeley Place, Cambridge.
1863 Beacon St., Brookline.
24 Linnaean St., Cambridge.
North Cohasset.
590 Weld St., West Roxbury.
30 Warren St., Brookline.
Monthly Bulletin 5
Hyams, Miss Sarah A. 26 Wales St., Dorchester.
Morgan, Miss Alice M. 6 Mercer Circle, Cambridge.
Walcott, Robert 910 Barristers Hall, Boston.
LIFE MEMBERS— AUGUST
Parker, Mrs. Edward L. Concord.
LIFE MEMBERS— SEPTEMBER
Chapin, Mrs. Rufus 1328 Northampton St., Holyoke.
Kellner, Waldo Willard 7 Mason St., Cambridge.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS— SEPTEMBER
Adams, John M. 408 N. Main St., N. Natick.
Cobb, Mrs. John C. 340 Adams St., Milton.
King, Harvey 11 Merlin St., Dorchester.
Jordan, Augustus C. 137 Mt. Vernon St., West Roxbury.
Tinkham, H. L. Care W. L. Douglas Shoe Co., Brock-
ton.
THE MOOSE HILL BIRD SANCTUARY
Shortly after our annual "Bird Day" on the Dr. Field estate at Sharon,
an account of which appeared in the June Monthly Bulletin, arrangements
were completed for the use of this property to be developed and maintained
as a permanent protected area for wild birds, where studies, investigations
and experiments pertaining to general bird welfare might be carried on
in the interests of the Audubon Society, and for the benefit of the state
at large.
Mr. Harry G. Higbee, of Hyde Park, was engaged to take charge of
this work, and assumed his duties on the first of June, taking up his resi-
dence in the old farmhouse on Moose Hill Street, near the northern bound-
ary of the property.
This tract of land, which has been designated as the Moose Hill Bird
Sanctuary, covers an area of approximately 235 acres among the hills
in the western part of Sharon, and rises from an elevation of 240 feet
at its lowest point to over 400 feet at its western boundary. It is greatly
diversified in character and seems most admirably adapted for the work
which we have vmdertaken. Several small streams run through the property;
there are an artificial pond for water fowl, and a small natural pond in
the woods. Meadowland, swamps, many orchards and varied sorts of
woodland afford ample shelter, food and nesting-sites for the various species
of birds.
About a mile and a half southeast of the property lies the well-known
Lake Massapoag, and two miles southwest is Foxboro Pond, the head-
waters of the Neponset River. Along the western boundary is a chain of
hills, culminating not far away in Moose Hill, which rises to an elevation
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
of 536 feet. The value of this area as a bird sanctuary is further en-
hanced by the fact that several square miles of adjoining territory have
already been set apart by the state as a protected area for the birds. An-
other advantage is that the sanctuary may be easily reached from Boston —
Sharon being but a little over eighteen miles south, on the Providence
Division of the New Haven Railroad.
A preliminary survey of this tract has been made, and the land posted
with suitable signs, forbidding the disturbing of birds or nests, or the
gathering of fruits, flowers or shrubs within the sanctuary.
Systematic records of birds and their nesting are being kept on special
cards which we have designed and had printed for this purpose. An office
has been established in the farmhouse, and several of the rooms arranged
for museum and exhibition purposes, where students and visitors may find
much to interest them relating to bird study. Several collections of general
interest are also on exhibition here; including a collection of butterflies,
moths and other insects, numbering about 400 specimens; two cases of
minerals, and several exhibits of educational value pertaining to the eco-
nomic importance of birds.
Weekly reports have been rendered, showing progress of the work
here, and general conditions regarding the movements and habits of the
birds of this vicinity.
About fifty species of birds are known to have nested within the sanc-
tuary grounds this season, and about thirty more kinds were observed here
during the migrations.
Several interesting and unusual notes have been obtained in connec-
tion with nest observations, and a number of useful photographs have been
secured.
In connection with the bird study and experimental work to be carried
on here, insect, plant and animal life are also being observed, and it may
be of interest to record here that about 175 species of wild flowers and
flowering plants; 80 or more kinds of trees, shrubs and vines, and twenty
different ferns have already been identified within the sanctuary grounds.
Plans are being laid for experimental work in feeding devices for at-
tracting and holding birds throughout the winter months; also for the
construction of a pool and bird-bath in the dooryard at the farm. Methods
of increasing useful birds are being studied, and every effort is being made
as far as circumstances will permit, to make the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary
attractive and of permanent value, both to birds and to bird students.
ALLEGED REDISCOVERY OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON
Statement by John M. Clarke, Director New York State Museum
October 7, 1918.
The enclosed letter from Mr. M. Rasmussen of Amsterdam, N. Y.,
is in reply to an inquiry from me regarding a statement of his discovery
which Mr. Rasmussen had left with one of my associates at the State Museum.
I have had a personal interview with Mr. Rasmussen since the date
of the enclosed letter, in which he tells me that he has been a student and
M o n t h I y B u I I e t i n 7
observer of birds for twenty -five years; that he had with him on this date,
October 1, Mr. C. 0. Wilson and Mr. William Sanders, of Amsterdam,
both bird students, and that they were together for a bird study trip through
the country in the vicinity of West Galway and Charlton, N. Y.
56 Glen Ave., Amsterdam, N. Y.,
Dr. John M. Clarke, October 5th, 1918.
Director State Museum, Albany, N. Y.
Dear Sir: —
Answering your letter of yesterday: Yes, I am absolutely sure that
the birds were Passenger Pigeons and not the Mourning Dove. I could not
have made this positive observation by seeing the flock, because we did
not get close enough to make sure, but some were in a buckwheat field on
the opposite side of the road from the field where we raised the flock, and
because we knew, by seeing the flock and by the whistling sound of their
wings, that we had seen wild pigeons we took precaution to get as close
to them as possible. Two of us were fortunate enough to have a bird
light on a low limb of a tree only a few feet in front of us, as we were
standing still under cover in the edge of the woodlot, while my dog was
raising the birds in the field. We were so close that we could see the
orange-red skin about the eyes, and the bluish color of the back and the
head with no black spot near the ear region; also the large size of the
bird convinced us that we had a Passenger Pigeon before us, and that we
had seen a small flock of them a few minutes before.
The Mourning Dove is not so rare a bird to me. I have seen small
flocks of them from time to time during the 25 years I have lived in
this state.
I never but once before saw Wild Passenger Pigeons and that was
near Ithaca, about twenty years ago. Very truly yours,
(Signed) M. Rasmussen.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER AT SHARON
On May 28th I saw a bird on our own grounds, which I identified
as a prothonotary warbler. The head was of a flaming orange, softening
into a warm yellow on breast and underpart; as it flew it showed the
white in the wings. I had ample time to observe as it remained on the
wire for ten minutes or more and obligingly turned around several times.
Is it not unusual for this warbler to be found in Massachusetts? Prairie
warblers are abundant this season, also wren and cuckoos. I have ob-
served redstarts, chestnut-sided warblers, Maryland yellow-throats, all
eating gypsy moth caterpillars; also grosbeak and scarlet tanager.
Sincerely,
Harriet A. Goode.
The prothonotary warbler is a very rare straggler to Massachusetts,
and any observer who sees one here is to be congratulated. The white
which Mrs. Goode observed as the bird flew was probably in the tail
rather than in the wings. — Editor.
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
THE BIRDS OF MY CITY GARDEN
Ever since I came to live — and it is a whole generation now — in the
old-fashioned house with a garden in front of it on the top of Beacon
Hill, the first week in April a pair of robbins has come to the garden and
about two weeks later a pair of shy, quiet hermit thrushes has arrived.
It is an interesting question whether in each case these are the same pair.
How long are birds supposed to live? I should be glad of light on this
point.
On the morning of April 19th of the present year, on looking out
from the dining room window into the yard, I noticed under the big
linden tree a small brown bird huddled together as if from fear, and
as if trying to hide under the low brick wall. I thought at first that the
bird was a sparrow, and wondered why he was thus alone, when the
linden tree was full of his noisy mates, but looking more closely I recog-
nized our old friend, the hermit thrush. Then presently I observed a
black and white cat, who has the unwelcome habit of visiting our yard.
I waved my newspaper and shouted to the cat, who moved a little, and
in a moment the thrush had the courage to fly up into the linden tree. I
went out into the garden and drove the cat away and the thrush was saved
— for the time. He had evidently been hypnotized by the cat.
For several winters a big owl used to come to the trees in our garden
and he frightened away all the sparrows. I wish he would come again,
but alas! I believe some boys, throwing stones at him, hurt him and he
afterwards died.
On April 16th a junco visited the garden and was picking up grass
seed with the sparrows; a purple grackle also came, but he kept a little
apart and looked lonely.
On April 18th — a cold wet day — I saw a downy woodpecker knock-
ing with his bill against the trunk of an old elm tree just below the gar-
den; the day following he was in the linden tree close to my window, so
that I had a fine view of his brilliant red head.
In my notebook for April 20th I have: crows calling in the early
morning hours; 22nd, gray day, robin sings all the morning.
In the spring of 1917 and again in 1918 — oh, wonder of wonders,
in a city yard! — for several morning;s and evenings, the hermit thrush
was heard to sing! Annie L. Sears.
EGRET AT TYNGSBORO.
There is a large mill pond in our town and through July and August
when the water is low there are extensive mud flats exposed. There, partly
concealed in my boat, I have spent many pleasant hours. On Tuesday,
Sept. 3, I had a very interesting trip to these same mud flats. Black-
crowned night herons, green herons (saw great blue heron many times,
but not this trip) ; greater yellowlegs, semipalmated, solitary, spotted and
least sandpipers, and, finest and rarest of all, an American egret. Hav-
ing a fieldglass, I watched him at my leisure, the bird sometimes standing
for half an hour or more in water 6 to 8 inches or more deep, and again
taking short flights to a mud flat; his immaculate plumage contrasting very
noticeably, where he preemed his feathers undisturbed. Later, after talk-
ing about him with other observers, I concluded that the bird stayed there-
abouts a week or more. William Blanchard.
Volume II. NOVEMBER, 1918 Number 7.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class mai.er at the post-oflSce at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining anc Life Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
FEED THE BIRDS
The wonderful southward movement of the migrating birds is nearing
its end. It has been characterized this year by greater numbers of many
species than have ever before been noted. Mingling with the last of these
come the winter wanderers and visitants from the far north. With the first
fall of snow these will be about our doors, vieing with the permanent resi-
dents in their interest in the insect life remaining in the shrubbery and
orchards and in such food as we now put out for them. Their work in
our gardens and on our farms has helped us win the war, it will help us
to feed the starving millions of the war-stricken countries in the year to
come. Let us help them through the bitter weather by feeding them sys-
tematically. It is at once a joy and a patriotic duty and it gives a zest to
the home life. The Audubon Society will gladly furnish full information
as to the best method of feeding the wild birds.
CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS
You can do some of your Christmas shopping early by placing an
order now with the Audubon Society for charts or calendars, which we will
mail postpaid to any address in time to arrive with the Christmas mail. We
will see that your card is enclosed if you send it with the order.
The colored charts of the Audubon Society are decorative and enter-
taining and have high instructive value for old and young. Their use in
public and private schools, libraries and homes now extends to every state
in the Union and is rapidly increasing. The money received from their
sale goes into the educational work of the Society, of which the charts them-
selves are an effective part. The price is $1.50 each, $4.50 for the set of
three.
The Audubon Calendar has twelve full-page colored plates of birds, one
for each month, by distinguished artists. It is entirely new and more popu-
lar than any of its predecessors. The edition is limited; it is going rapidly,
and orders should be placed early if copies are to be secured. The price
is $1.00 each.
Can you not do a part of your Christmas giving in this way?
The Audubon Society would appreciate the Christmas gift of a new
member. Have you not some friend interested in birds who would appre-
ciate the gift of membership? Membership in the Audubon Society includes
subscription to the monthly Bulletin, the use of the Moose Hill Bird Sanc-
tuary for study or recreation, opportunities to attend entertaining and
instructive bird and nature lectures, advice and instruction from headquar-
ters in all matters pertaining to bird life, and many other desirable privi
ileges. The price is $1.00 per year. Twenty-five dollars purchases a Life
Monthly Bulletin 3
Membership. Life Members have all the rights and privileges of Sustaining
Members without further payment. The money received from Life Member-
ships goes into tlie Reserve Fund of the Society, making a gift of Life
Membership of peculiar value because of its permanency.
QUAINT ITEMS OF BIRD-LORE
Quaint tales in which bird-lore and folk-lore meet are always of inter-
est to the editor. Among those received lately are two more wordings of
the bobolink's song, as follows:
"Bobolink, bobolink,
He hawl a hairbrand,
Pewee steel smart,
Ain't I very light?
Oh h, yes.
Whew! — dingle, dingle, dingle."
"Go to milk; go to milk;
Oh Miss Phillisy,
Dear Miss Phillisy,
What will Willie say
If you don't go to milk?
No butter, no cheese,
No cheese, no cheese;
No butter nor cheese
If you don't go to milk."
The following has also been given as the wording of the blackbird's
song. Possibly the English blackbird's song might have a phrasing that
would fit this, which does not seem to belong to either grackle or redwing.
It would seem to go better with the bobolink. One can but wonder how
many of these folk-lore items concerning bird-life have been brought over
from old England to New England in early colonial days and, having been
fitted more or less loosely to our birds, have come down in local tradition.
It runs thus:
"Little Joe, little Joe,
Kissing Judy, kissing Judy;
Old leather apron.
Calico breeches."
Apropos of this is a paragraph in an account of a trip to Martha's
Vineyard Island by Judge Charles F. Jenney, published in the "Records of
Walks and Talks with Nature" conducted by C. J. Maynard.
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Upland Plover, 1. Chappaquiddick Island, Oct. 4, a very late
date. Mrs. James B. Worden of Edgartown has informed me that
the Indians formerly residing on this island called this bird
"Squatter Williams." She received this information from her
mother, who was a descendant from one of the old families of
the locality. As the name is not of Indian derivation, it may be
corrupted from some word of that origin.
CAN WE SAVE THE GROUSE?
That the ruffed grouse is in danger of extinction, so alarming is the
shortage in the numbers of this splendid bird in all our Northern States
is admitted by all who know the woods, sportsmen as well as bird-lovers.
At the opening of the hunting-season this year the Massachusetts Commis-
sioners on Fisheries and Game sent out a request to sportsmen to refrain
from shooting these birds. That alert and well-informed sportsmen have
heeded this request is not to be doubted. Unfortunately there are many men
with guns and shooting licenses in the woods who have either not heard
this request or are too selfish to heed it, for the few remaining partridges
are being shot just the same. If we are to save the birds, vigorous action
must be taken and taken at once. New Brunswick has just passed a law
making a three-years close season on grouse. Game Commissioners of both
New York and Pennsylvania, after careful and impartial investigation, pro-
pose a close season for a term of years as the only possible remedy. This
has been tried out for two years now in one Pennsylvania county with
excellent results. There is no better partridge country in the world than
Massachusetts, but if we want the birds to exist here we must stop shooting
them. A five-years close season would probably, even now, bring them
back in good numbers, provided it were rigidly enforced, but we must have
it and have it soon. Ruffed grouse are resident birds. They cannot be
propagated in any numbers artificially. The seed stock once reduced below
the limit of safe recovery, — and we are dangerously near that point now if
we have not already passed it in many sections, — the birds will be gone.
PROTECT THE LAUREL
Are we not willing to forego some decoration for the sake of preserving
for the enjoyment of future generations the beauty of our woods, swamps
and pastures where the laurel now grows?
The mountain laurel is one of our most beautiful native shrubs, and
is a typical feature of our New England woods and pastures. Not occurring
in other countries, it is an essentially American plant, and it should be our
pleasure and duty to protect it from destruction, but its very beauty and
charm induce cutting to an alarming extent. In winter, especially, the
inroads upon this beautiful shrub are extensive and dangerous, for it is then
used for festoons, wreaths, etc., in Christmas decorations. As it is then
cold weather, the foliage keeps well and bears transportation to a distance,
so that the quantity collected is only limited by the demand and the avail-
able material. The flowers are borne only upon the shoot of the previous
year's growth, so that, if these are cut, a year's flowering is lost; and when
Monthly Bulletin 5
one looks at long festoons of laurel leaves, it is saddening to think of the
great quantity of bloom that has been destroyed for the next summer in
this truly extravagant winter decoration. Care for the future often involves
sacrifice in the present.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS— OCTOBER
Hathaway, E. S., D.D.S. 18 Centre St., Middleboro
Heyer, John C. Federal Trust Co., Boston
Innes, Constance 197 Bay State Road, Boston
Jewett, Mrs. Freeland 1223 Beacon St., Brookline
Jones, Mrs. Arthur M. 137 Bay State Road, Boston
Jones, Mrs. Clarence W. 101 St. Mary's St., Brookline
Kitchin, Mrs. Evelyn S. 115 William St., Woodfords, Me.
Knight, Mrs. F. D. 145 Sumner Ave., Springfield
Rowan, Paul Draper Road, Wayland
Troup, Charles A. S. 36 Bellevue Ave., Winthrop
FEEDING HUMMING BIRDS
By Grace Sherwood
Two years ago last June we read of feeding hummings birds from
bottles. Privately I thought it a cheerful lie to fill space. As I had been
ill for months and could not walk, I was willing to try anything for amuse-
ment.
We followed instructions. Mother hunted up tiny bottles, and red
and yellow crepe paper. I tied the paper around the bottles, bringing the
ends up around the neck, and trimming it to a crude imitation of the trum-
pet flower. Mother made a weak syrup of granulated sugar, filled five bot-
tles, and hung them on the porch.
My faith was weak, and the first day's result justified it. Nothing
doing. Toward night of the second day 1 heard the vibration of a hum-
ming bird's wings, and the contents of the bottle was sampled. Since then
it has been a continuous performance throughout the season.
That year they left September 10th. 'Ihey are scheduled to return
the 15th of May in this latitude. I saw a male bird on that date, and the
next day the females came. We had not put out the bottles, as I wanted
to make a test.
One bird flew directly to the porch and to all five places where the
bottles had been the preceding year. 1 went in and got the feed ready,
asking no further proof that at least one bird had been here before. For
a few days they ate ravenously and fought vigorously, then they settled
down to everyday eating and fighting.
By midsummer they were so fat I feared I might have to give them
an obesity cure. They left the 6th of September and were very ill-tempered
the last days.
This spring I was not at home in May, and as there were a good
many flowers in the yard, mother thought she wouldn't put out the bottles.
She had to change her mind. The birds annoyed her by flying into the
porch and against the windows, until she put out the feeders May 30th.
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
During the three seasons we have learned much about humming
birds. The most outstanding thing is their ill-temper. They spend so
much time in fighting it interferes with their eating. As a rule they will
not allow another bird to come within fifteen feet.
They show their anger by sharp little squeaks, spreading their tail
feathers, and striking each other in the air. They fly at each other, full
speed ahead, and the impact is terrific. The first time I saw the aerial
battle when the collision came I rushed out to gather up the remains, and
give them Christian burial. No corpse. Then I looked for the desperately
wounded. Still nothing doing. Now I know they don't mind a little thing
like that.
Between feedings they perch a great deal. There are three favorite
places within a radius of twenty feet from the porch — small bare twigs
where they sit and stretch their wings, clean their bills and scratch their
necks. A perching humming bird is a serious looking object. When they
are perfectly quiet they look as though "Hark, from the tombs a doleful
sound" was the most cheerful hymn they knew.
I have read that the males never feed from bottles — they seldom do,
but I have stood within eighteen inches of a ruby-throat eating as though
that syrup was pie.
Usually they feed at bottles the same as at flowers — poised in the air —
but often they sit down, fold their wings, and devote themselves to eating
with the single mindedness of the small boy. When quiet at the feeders
they fold their wings closer than when perching, and for size, they remind
me of a big grasshopper.
The first season I learned to distinguish three birds. After much
thought, regardless of sex, and widi due respect to the gentleman in ques-
tion, I named them Bathhouse John, Hinky Dink and Fingy Connors.
Female hummingbirds are not perfect ladies. The males are better
mannered.
As to feeders, we found the imitation of flowers unnecessary. The
food is all they care for. We find little holders made of raffia, so the
bottles can be slipped out for cleaning, the most convenient.
We put two teaspoonfuls of sugar into a long-necked bottle, using a
small funnel, then pour in one-fourth of a pint of hot water. As soon as
dissolved it is ready for use. We pour from the large bottles into the
feeders, and our winged family average eating the bottle full a day.
How many there are I could not say, as I never have been able to
count over five birds at a time, and five make the air so full you could
vow there were fifty, if you cut loose from cold mathematics.
BIRDS OF THE SEASON
The State Ornithologist issues a monthly bulletin of seasonal informa-
tion on birds, gleaned from correspondents all over New England, adjacent
states and points in eastern Canada. This bulletin is of such length that
it is impossible to include it all in a publication of limited space but copious
extracts are printed herewith. Bird students interested in receiving the full
text direct should address Mr. Edward Howe Forbush, 136 State House,
Boston, Mass.
Monthly Bulletin 7
The autumn has been remarkable. Although there were many rains in
September, most of the storms were warm and the season has been so mild
and open that not only have fall flowers escaped the frost, but spring flowers
and fruits have developed. Wild strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
were ripening late in October. Many lawns, mowing fields and pastures
still retain their green verdure. From the Berkshire Hills to the Atlantic
Coast the trailing arbutus bloomed locally late in October, and the common
dandelion blossomed again in many localities, beside the fall species, and
in some cases it seeded for the second time this year. Both spring and fall
dandelions were blooming the first week in November. Willow catkins are
now (Nov. 15) open in eastern Massachusetts, and a few flowers still bloom
in some gardens.
The eff"ect produced upon the birds by such springlike weather was
what might have been expected. Not only did many of them sing in the
usual subdued tones, but some apparently gave their full spring songs. Even
the flight songs of several species have been reported, and the singing of
robins, song sparrows and some other species continued well into November.
The mild weather seemed to delay the departure of some individuals of
several species, and to bring about dilatory movements of the waterfowl.
Many herring gulls and numbers of ring-billed gulls are now moving
along shore. Bonaparte's gulls were reported from Cape Cod October 19,
and from Woods Hole Oct. 17. Three were still at Toronto, Canada, Nov, 6.
Kittiwake gulls were seen on Cape Cod Oct. 20, and at Block Island Oct. 25.
Kumlien's gull is reported from Cape Cod Nov, 2.
A considerable movement of black ducks took place during October,
and now some small flocks of mallards are seen. Some baldpates have been
taken. Scaup, or bluebills, and redheads are perhaps not quite as common
as usual at this season. Golden-eyes, or whistlers, and old-squaws are here
in small numbers. All the scoters have come along as usual,
Canada geese have passed intermittently during the last four weeks.
The first of the annual flight of brant was reported from New Brunswick
on the first two weeks of October, or about three weeks earlier than usual.
They were all old birds. Probably severe weather in the Arctic Ocean de-
stroyed their unfledged young and drove them to a less inclement climate.
Brant were reported as thin and poor and few young geese were seen. No
great flight of brant has been reported from New England,
Again an autumnal flight of swans has been reported, but these reports
are few and vague. One observer on Cape Cod on October 16, a fine, clear
moonlight evening, heard calls which seemed to fill the air, which he ascribed
to swans. It was a great flight of birds going south and the sound of the
beating of their wings seemed so loud and close at hand that he almost
expected to be fanned by them. Scores of birds were calling and stragglers
followed for at least two minutes after the main flight had passed.
No general flight of hawks has been reported this month. On October
14 there was a flight of red-tailed hawks north of Lake Ontario lasting all
day, but these were headed west, and probably were making for the Mis-
sissippi Valley, In western Hampshire County, Mass., an observer reported
on October 22 the greatest niunber of migrating hawks ever seen by him.
They passed between 7 and 8 A. M. and were so numerous that no count
or estimate of their numbers was possible. This flight was a great procession
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
reaching from horizon to horizon, passing rapidly in groups, also many single
birds. The observer had no glass with him, and could not identify the birds,
but they were all large hawks. Some appeared quite dark in color, while
on the underparts of others the sunflight flashed with a glint like silver,
an inspiring sight! They were all headed a few degrees west of south.
Observers in that region are few and far between, and no one else has
reported this flight. Since that day many goshawks have been reported
in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, but their unmbers are not
yet nearly so great in this territory as they were in 1916 or 1917. The
first rough-legged hawks were reported at St. Lamberts, P. Q., Oct. 30. Since
then the species has reached southern New England in rather small numbers.
Single hawks now are seen mainly in this region. The flight of ospreys con-
tinued through October.
October 21 one snowy owl appeared at St. Lamberts, and a few days later
several were reported in Massachusetts. There has been a slight movement
of horned owls, but nothing yet to compare with that of the autumn of 1917.
Barred owls have appeared in southern New England in some numbers within
the past two or three weeks, and a few short-eared owls have been reported.
These may be looked for now on lowery days towards night in meadows and
marshes, where they fly rather low.
Early in November pine grosbeaks had become fairly common in
Toronto. They were reported in small numbers from Essex County, Mass.,
Nov. 9. From Worcester and Franklin counties Nov. 10. An evening gros-
beak was reported from Guelph, Ontario, Canada Oct. 16, and another occur-
rence at Sarbia Nov. 11. The record of evening grosbeaks in Massachusetts
given in the last Bulletin is now corroborated by two more instances of
the occurrences of this species in Worcester County, since November came
in, and a pair was seen on Block Island Nov. 11. Many more may appear
this winter.
Snow buntings usually reach the northernmost coasts of Massachusetts
about the last of October, and a few appear along the Connecticut Valley
in Connecticut a little later. This year they were seen on the beach in Ply-
mouth County, Mass., Oct. 25. They arrived at Block Island Oct. 31. Large
flocks were received from our coasts. A few were seen in the interior. In
eastern Franklin County one was seen Nov. 1 in the black and white plumage
of summer. Two were noted in the Connecticut Valley in Connecticut
Nov. 3.
About twenty longspurs were observed on Cape Cod Oct. 28. Lapland
longspurs should be looked for now, particularly along the coast. Some-
times they feed with snow buntings or horned larks. They are more com-
mon in fall and early winter than late winter and spring.
A veery was noted in the Connecticut River valley in Franklin County
Oct. 22 and five were seen Nov. 1 in Essex County. These are late records.
Olive-backed thrushes and hermits were more or less common in Massachu-
setts during October, and some were seen Nov. 1 and 2. Nov. 3 a large
number moved south. This movement was also noted in Rhode Island.
There were still a few hermit thrushes in the State at least as late as Nov. 7.
Three wood thrushes were seen in Essex County Oct. 16. There was a large
flight of robins on Nov. 3. Some were still at St. Lamberts Oct. 27.
A great flight of bluebirds continued through October and into Novem-
ber. A few are still here.
Volume II. DECEMBER, 1918 Number 8.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-office at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
NEW DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Audubon Society has ac-
cepted with great regret the resignations of two members of the Board
who have been active in the work of the Society for many years. One is
Mrs. Frank Bolles, who is prevented by absence in the South from con-
tinuing her work on the Board; the other is Dr. George W. Field, who also
resigns on account of absence, his important position on the United States
Biological Survey, with headquarters at Washington, keeping him away
from Massachusetts most of the time. At the regular December meeting
of the Directors, Judge Charles F. Jenney and Dr. Glover M. Allen were
elected to fill the vacancies. Judge Jenney, besides bringing to the delib-
erations of the Board the judicial qualities of a justice of the Superior
Court of Massachusetts, is also an excellent field ornithologist with a large
ornithological library and a permanent interest in birds and their pro-
tection. Dr. Allen is Secretary and Librarian of the Boston Society of
Natural History, a professional ornithologist and mammalogist who has
an intimate acquaintance with New England birds. The Society is very
fortunate in securing the services of these gentlemen as Directors.
SANCTUARY NOTES.
The crisp winter weather invites our hardier bird-lovers to seek the
winter birds in the rarified air of the Moose Hill Sanctuary. Sharon has
been for decades noted for its ozonic atmosphere, and the Sanctuary, ly-
ing upon the sunny southeastern slopes of its highest hill, gets the fullest
value of this health-giving quality. The view from the top of the hill
sweeps the country for scores of miles in all directions, while the air from
the Arctic regions arrives in unbroken consignments of stimulating vigor.
The whole region is unexcelled for a tramp over the frozen fields or a
snowshoe trip among the white drifts. It is a place attractive to birds,
summer or winter, and the rarer winter visitants may be looked for there
now. Sanctuary for man as well as birds may be found at the farmhouse
headquarters where Warden Highbee is conducting experiments in winter
bird-feeding and is making daily notes of the bird life of the place. If
one plans a visit to the Sanctuary, it is well to make arrangements with
him. This can be done by telephoning Sharon 117-3, preferably between
11 and 12 A. M.
Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks
To the winter bird enthusiast probably London, Ontario, is the most
favored region yet reported. There they have lately not only the evening
and pine grosbeaks, but the cardinal as well. Massachusetts is so far not
quite so fortunate, as the cardinals are not to be found here. We have
Monthly Bulletin 3
pine grosbeaks in considerable abundance on all the high lands of the
northern and western parts of the State, while scattered flocks are seeking
the seeds of conifers far to the south and east. With these, or by them-
selves, are the rare and most prized evening grosbeaks.
The largest flock of evening grosbeaks so "far seen was at Easton dur-
ing the second week in December, and at the time this is written, during
the third week, they are still there, fifty or sixty in all. They have been
reported at Princeton, Pittsfield, Lynn, Topsfield, Lancaster and Worces-
ter, also in remoter places varying from Prince Edward's Island to north-
ern Connecticut.
Pine grosbeaks are reported from the Arnold Arboretum as the near-
est point to the State House; also at Point Shirley in Winthrop, in Sharon,
Canton, Plymouth, Medford, at Newburyport, where they are said to be
"all over town," and at Weston, where "the town is red with them." Very
many other places also report these beautiful and interesting birds. They
are feeding not only on the seeds of conifers but also on those of the ash
and maple, the buds of the latter and berries of the mountain ash and
sumac, frozen apples and crab apples.
The evening grosbeaks are found to be peculiarly attracted by the
seed of the box elder, and as that is planted in many places in Massachu-
setts, it is well to keep an eye on it when watching for these birds. Large
numbers of the rarer and more interesting northern birds are reported to
be on their way south f,nd common in the northern New England States.
They may be looked for here at any time.
Christmas Thanks
The thanks of the Society are due very many members and loyal
friends who took to heart the suggestion in the last Bulletin that Charts,
Calendars, and memberships make admirable Christmas gifts. Our edition
of a thousand of the beautiful 1919 bird Calendar was sold out early in
December, and, to fill the orders which continued to pour in, several hun-
dred more were with some difficulty obtained and made up by vigorous
work of the office force. This second edition bids fair to be completely
exhausted. Fortunately the Bird Charts — three in number, representing
in all seventy-two birds — are in large supply as these orders continue to
come in from schools and libraries as well as from individuals all over
the country. The list of December members will be published in the Janu-
ary Bulletin.
Bohemian Waxwings
Watchers in the winter woods may at any time now find a new joy of
outdoor life in the — for this region — rare Bohemian waxwings. These
birds, wanderers from the far Northwest, like the evening grosbeaks, are
4 Massachusetts Audubon Society
frequent winter visitants to the upper Mississippi Valley region, though
even there they can hardly be depended on. Their appearance in Massa-
chusetts has occasionally been reported, but there are no authenticated
records of them here for recent years. They are larger birds than our
cedar waxwings, being nearly an inch longer. They have white markings
on the wing, and the under tail-coverts are chestnut-rufous instead of white
as in the cedar waxwing. In habits and general appearance the Bo-
hemians are said to resemble the cedar waxwings. They should be watched
for.
MEMBERS ENROLLED DURING NOVEMBER
Life Member .
Lothrop, Mrs. Thornton K. 27 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Sustaining Members
Hay, Mrs. H. C. 26 Coolidge St., Brookline
Killam, Miss Mary W. 51 Avon Hill St., Cambridge
Koenig, G. W. 35 South St., Brighton
Learned, Erwin H. 11 Larchmont St., Dorchester Center
Lee, Mrs. Leslie A. 25 Chauncy St., Cambridge
Lee, Miss Sylvia 25 Chauncy St., Cambridge
Lehon, Charles P. 1805 Beacon St., Brookline
Leland, Leslie F. 21 Wabon St., Roxbury
Lewis, Mrs. E. W. 32 Harvard Ave., Brookline
Lindsay, Mrs. Edwin P. 983 Charles River Road, Cambridge
Loring, Mrs. C. G. Pinehurst, N. C.
Lovell, Miss Cornelia L. 10 Blake Road, Brookline
Luce, Miss Alice H. A. 10 Wellington Road, Brookline
Lyman, Mrs. Arthur Waltham
McCracken, W. D. Fenway Station, P. 0. Box 32, Boston
McQueen, Mrs. E. L. 84 Fenway, Boston
Nealley, H. A. 16 Garden Road, Newton
Porter, Charles H. Waban
Vickery, George A. 49 Ocean Ave., Salem
CONSERVATION IN CANADA
A review of the Conservation of Wild Life in Canada in 1917, written
by Dr. Gordon Hewitt and published by the Commission of Conservation,
Ottawa, states that in spite of the pressing demands upon Parliament made
by the war, the year was the most notable in the history of wild life con-
servation in that country. Not only were two most important acts passed
(Migratory Birds Convention Act and Northwest Game Act), but an inter-
departmental Advisory Board on Wild Life Protection has been created.
Monthly Bulletin 5
With regard especially to birds, this Board has taken steps to add to the
wild life reserves a sanctuary at Point Pelee, the most southerly point of
Canada, and one of the concentration points in the journeys north and south
of migratory birds, as well as an ideal area for the encouragement of wild
fowl. The Bonaventure Island cliffs, where thousands of sea-birds breed,
and extensive areas in Alberta and Saskatchewan, withheld from settle-
ment as not suitable for agriculture, are also being recommended as bird-
reserves.
The governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have estab-
lished an absolute close season for prairie chickens (pinnated grouse and
prairie sharp-tailed grouse) , owing to the extraordinary decrease in their
numbers, and the fact that almost complete extermination has befallen those
of the western States.
BIRD LECTURES
The annual course of bird lectures at Tremont Temple will be held
this year on four Saturday afternoons, February 8th and 15th, March 1st
and 8th. These will be illustrated by colored lantern slides and moving
pictures of bird and animal life and will be as entertaining and instructive
as in the past. Dallas Lore Sharp, Clinton G. Abbott, Norman McClintock
and William L. Finley are to be the lecturers. The lectures will be en-
tirely new in material and much matter, especially in the movies of birds
and animals will be of surpassing interest. The tickets will be issued dur-
ing January, and it is believed that the audiences will fill Tremont Temple
this season as in tlie past. Do not forget to reserve these dates.
THE IPSWICH SPARROW
Fifty years ago this month — on December 4th, to be exact — the Ipswich
sparrow was first taken by the well-known field naturalist Charles J. May-
nard, at Ipswich, whence the name. This bird was for some time supposed
to be a specimen of Baird's sparrow, a Western bird which, says Jonathan
Dwight, Jr., it resembles very little. "Since then," says Maynard, "it has
grown gradually more and more common until it has become a fairly
abundant species. Such being the facts regarding the history of this fine
sparrow, I do not hesitate to affirm that I am thoroughly convinced that it
offers a practical example of the evolution of a species almost, if not
quite, within our time, its ancestors being the common Savannah sparrow,
some form of which (and this species appears to be quite plastic) wandered
to Sable Island, became, through adaptation to changed environment, grad-
ually transformed with successive generations to the present Ipswich spar-
row."
The Ipswich sparrow breeds only on Sable Island and may be seen
in winters along sandy stretches of the coast as far south as Georgia.
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
BIRDS OF THE MONTH
Items from the December Bulletin of the State Ornithologist.
The autimin has been peculiar in that Southern birds that rarely are
seen here even in summer have been noted here in autumn, and native
birds in a few cases have remained here much later than usual. It may be
that the warm southerly gales carried some migratory birds back to our
coast.
Ducks and Geese
The flight of ducks and geese in New England has been rather dis-
appointing to the gunners. The early flight of black ducks that bred in
or near New England was about normal, but since then wild fowl for the
most part have been less in numbers than usual. This may be because the
autumn has been mild and therefore many of the birds have remained
in the north or in the interior. The fact that brant, geese and some species
of gulls have few young indicates that there has been a poor breeding
season in the far north, and this may have seriously affected the numbers of
some returning wild ducks from that region. The greatest wave of wild
fowl reported passed through Massachusetts during the latter part of No-
vember and the first week in December. It consisted mainly of mergansers,
buffleheads, small numbers of mallards, red-legged black ducks, golden-
eyes, oldsquaws and Canada geese, with a few hooded mergansers.
Geese have been flying intermittently all the month, but on Dec. 4
immense flocks were seen in Maine. The great flight of geese of the month
passed Block Island, R. I., Dec. 5, 6 and 7. There was a large flight on
Cape Cod Dec. 6, and some on the 7th. The same week 72 geese were
reported as killed at one pond on the Cape. Many flocks passed down
the Connecticut Valley in November, and large flocks were resting on
Long Island Sound. Seven snow geese were seen near Boston Dec. 1. A
tremendous flight of brant was noted on Cape Cod near the middle of the
month, with "thousands" of birds in some flocks. Probably a part of the
same flight is that reported from Sandwich, Mass., as the "largest flock
ever seen" on Nov. 16. A flight was noted at Martha's Vineyard on the
same day. On Dec. 9 practically all the ducks and geese were said to
have left Prince Edward Island for the south. No doubt there will be
later movements of eiders, golden-eyes and other hardy sea fowl on our
coast.
Since the above was written the following report has come in about
the flight of Nov. 16: "Thousands of brant and oldsquaws, quite a few
scoters, a few razor-billed auks, some Holboell's grebes, gannets and loose
flocks of both species of loons" passed East Sandwich, Mass.
Swans
The following report on swans from Maine was received too late for
the last bulletin: "On October 29 six large white birds were seen on a
pond at Fryeburg, where whistling swans were seen last year." The ob-
server was positive that they were of the same species.
Herons and Bitterns
Five great blue herons went south at dusk at Toronto, Canada, Nov.
16. On Nov. 21 a large flight of great blue herons passed over Block
Island between 2 and 5.30 A. M. The observer was awakened twice be-
Monthly Bu II e tin '
tween these hours by the calls of a "host" of these birds. Sometimes they
were so near that it seemed as if they must come in at the open window. At
daylight a few stragglers were left behind on various parts of the island.
The last bird recorded there was on Dec. 2.
This flight appears not to have been noted anywhere except at Block
Island and at Toronto, Canada. It probably denotes a great movement of
herons from some of the farthest points of their northern breeding range.
Great blue herons breed in the northern parts of Ontario, probably in the
province of Quebec, and possibly even in Ungava. There is a regular
movement over Block Island at this season every year. It usually occurs
about the middle of November and commonly in the night. It seems prob-
able that the Toronto herons were headed for the Ohio valley, while those
farther east came down the coast. Apparently they must have been birds
from the far north, as our well-known flight of great blue herons comes
much earlier. One blue heron was seen on Martha's Vineyard Nov. 29,
and one on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 near the coast in Essex County, Mass. These
may have been stragglers from the great flight.
Egrets
Reports were received in September, October and November of white
herons of some kind, but in no case were they identified.
Ibises
A white ibis was shot on Martha's Vineyard Nov. 26. What was this
southern bird doing here at that late date?
Woodcock
The statement was made in the last bulletin that if any large flight of
woodcock had then passed, it had not been reported. No large flight of
woodcock has yet been reported from eastern Massachusetts, but 3. Rhode
Island hunters shot 17 on Nov. 9, which some one remarked was "pretty
good for a small State." One of the greatest flights in years is reported
from Berkshire County, Mass., from about October 20 to 26. The largest
flight the observer has noted for twenty years in the southern Connecticut
Valley passed from Oct. 20 to Nov. 6, and reached its height Oct. 31.
After Oct. 31 the flight consisted largely of male birds. In southwestern
Connecticut a considerable flight was noted about Nov. 14 to 16.
Eagles
A few bald eagles have been reported along the coasts of Massachu-
setts.
Hawks
The main autumnal flight of hawks had passed before November 15.
Since then only single birds have been reported, among them 14 goshawks.
The flight of goshawks was much smaller than that of last year, and many
have passed on, but a few are still here. Grouse are now so scarce that
these voracious hawks have taken to catching starlings, English sparrows
and rats. The goshawks are also destroying many fowl, including guinea
hens. All hawks that can catch a starling are now after them. For this
they can be easily forgiven. Sparrow hawks, red-tails and red-shoulders,
and rough-legs are here. One marsh hawk was reported from Connecti-
cut Dec. 7, and one Cooper's near Boston Nov. 29. A late osprey was
seen at Martha's Vineyard Nov. 27.
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
Owxs
The outstanding fact regarding owls during the past month is the preva-
lence of barred owls over all the New England States. Taxidermists have
received numbers. They are believed to have killed a few ruffed grouse
that escaped the gunners. Only nine snowy owls have been reported to
this office from New England during the month. Horned owls have moved
slowly down from the north in small numbers until they have reached
Rhode Island, and the shores of Connecticut, but no such flight as that
of last year has appeared as yet. Both light and dark phases have been
taken. Long-eared owls have been reported only from Canada. A few
screech owls have been noted since Nov. 15.
Grosbeaks
Pine grosbeaks arrived in large numbers in northern Vermont Nov. 4,
and more have arrived each week. They have been increasing in numbers
from Maine to Massachusetts since Nov. 15, in small groups and little
flocks, but since Dec. 1 they have become scattered over much of New-
England, and flocks of at least 40 or 50 birds have been seen. They
appeared first in the higher lands of the western and northern counties,
and now have been reported from every county except Bristol, Dukes and
Nantucket. Possibly they may become much more numerous in January,
and they should be looked for throughout New England. They vary con-
siderably in both size and color. Numbers of red males have come already
in two or three shades of plumage. They appear to be very tame and con-
fiding. A few occurrences of the evening grosbeak were recorded last
month in Massachusetts, and it was remarked tentatively that many more
might aopear this winter. Many more already have appeared, and if they
find sufficient food here, it is probable that their numbers may increase
still more later in the winter and toward spring. These birds have begun
to come in more rapidly since Dec. 1, a flock seen at Bangor, Maine, con-
tained over 50 birds, but thev are not yet as numerous or as widely scat-
tered in New England as is the pine grosbeak. At London, Ontario, pine,
evening and cardinal grosbeaks are noted.
Redpolls
Prince Edward Island reports large flocks of redpolls. They are now
numerous and in large flocks in many parts of Maine, where they have been
abundant since early in November. Large flocks of lesser redpolls were
seen in northern Vermont Dec. 4. No considerable flight has yet reached
Massachusetts, but since about the middle of November they have begun
to move in on our higher lands. A few more have been reported since
December came in, including a flock of about 75 at Worcester Dec. 8.
If severe weather comes on in the north we may yet have a large flight, as
they will find food here in the numerous birch and alder catkins now hang-
ing on the trees. g^^^ Buntings and Longspurs
Since the first flight of snow buntings, which reached its maximum on
the coast about Nov. 13, only a few flocks have been reported from Massa-
chusetts. The early birds probably came from the southern part of the
breeding range. Large flocks are now reported from Maine, and we may
have many here in January if deep snow comes. Longspurs have been re-
ported but once this month on the coast in Pljmiouth County, near the head
of Buzzards Bay, Dec. 1.
Volume II. JANUARY, 1919 Number 9.
Issued Monthly by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
(Application for entry as second-class matter at the post-office at Boston pending.)
BULLETIN
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS
AUDUBON SOCIETY
FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
66 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
The Bulletin will chronicle the affairs of the Society from month to month,
will report items of interest concerning birds, such as the appearance of rare
species locally, will keep its readers informed as to State or Federal legislation
and briefly note items of interest about birds throughout the world.
Subscription price, one dollar per annum, included
in all Sustaining and Life Membership fees.
2 Massachusetts Audubon Society
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
January 15, 1918. The Annual Business Meeting of the Massachusetts
Audubon Society, Inc., will be held at the Society's Office, 66 Newbury
Street, on Saturday, January 25th, 1919, at 3 p. m.
This is the Corporation meeting and should not be confused with the
Annual Mass Meeting, which will be held in the spring. Plans are on foot
for making this Annual Mass Meeting an outdoor one at the Moose Hill
Bird Sanctuary, Sharon, Mass. Notice of this latter meeting will be sent
out later. Winthrop Packard, Secretary-Treasurer.
BIRD LECTURES
Definite dates have now been assigned for the Bird Lectures at Tremont
Temple as follows:
February 8th, Norman McClintock.
February 15th, Prof. Dallas Lore Sharp.
March 1st, William L. Finley.
March 8th, Clinton G. Abbott.
These men are leaders in the lecture field and will come to us this year
with entirely new material. Audubon Society members will be given first
opportunity to purchase these tickets, which will be issued shortly if they
have not already appeared by the time this is printed.
The bird lectures have in previous years taxed the capacity of Tremont
Temple to the utmost. In addition to the moving and still pictures to be
shown by the respective lecturers, other films of extraordinary scenes in bird-
life will be shown. Mr. Edward Avis, well known for his violin and whist-
ling imitations of bird music, will appear at one or more of these lectures.
Negotiations are in progress with other whistling imitators of bird music, and
it is believed that, all in all, the lecture course will surpass anything that
has previously been done by the Society. Do not forget to reserve these
dates.
SANCTUARY PARAGRAPHS
Joe Jefferson's 10,000-acre Louisiana island — happily called Bob Acres
— will be, as a bird refuge, a better monument than marble makes.
The Middlesex Sportsman's Association has posted the little island in
Spy Pond, Arlington, owned by the Boston & Maine railroad, the use of
which has been given the association for a bird sanctuary, and steps will be
taken to prosecute all who go on to the place to interfere with the birds.
A bird sanctuary has been established at Fulton Park, Waterbury,
Conn., the gift of William E. Fulton to the city. The Waterbury Bird
Club has acted jointly with the park superintendent in the establishment of
the bird sanctuary. The Waterbury Bird Club, Inc., has a membership
of 175.
The articles of association contain as the purposes for which it was
formed the following:
Massachusetts Audubon Society 3
"To encourage and stimulate interest in the birds in our city and the
surrounding country; to prevent as far as possible the destruction of our
birds; to make and keep accurate records of all birds visiting us; to grad-
ually establish bird sanctuaries and act in an advisory capacity with any
municipality or other interest having the development and maintainance
of bird sanctuaries within their jurisdiction; to accept donations, contribu-
tions, trust funds, gifts, devises and bequests from any person or corporation
and to administer the same for the purposes of the association."
Mr. Francis A. Foster of Edgartown, Mass., has established his 400-acre
Manaquayak Farm as a bird reservation. Martha's Vineyard is an ideal re-
gion for the breeding of many species of song and insectivorous birds. The
State has a large tract there now in the Heath Hen reservation and it is grati-
fying to learn that private land-owners appreciate as well the need and value
of further protection. It would be well for the State if the whole island
could be made a bird sanctuary.
A movement is on foot to add the Ipswich sand-dunes and certain
neighboring properties to the list of bird reservations established in the
State under Chapter 410, Acts of 1911. The Ipswich sand-dunes, which
have been made famous by Dr. Charles W. Townsend in his classic, "Sand
Dunes and Salt Marshes," are a Mecca to birdlife throughout the year. The
famous Ipswich Sparrow is sought here by observers, and very many birds
of marsh, sea and thicket may be found here in season. While the present
owners of the property discourage trespass upon the regions by undesirable
parties, people of good repute may visit the dunes for nature study by ap-
plying for permission at the Lodge, Castle Hill Farm. This region has
been for many years a favorite resort to people who love the wild and pic-
turesque in out-of-door life. The sand-dunes have been enjoyed and studied
by these in all their aspects summer and winter alike. It is believed that
making the region a State Reservation would be welcomed by all concerned.
LIFE MEMBERS ENROLLED DURING DECEMBER
Miller, Dr. R. M The Peabody, Dorchester Centre
SUSTAINING MEMBERS ENROLLED DURING DECEMBER
Adams, J. S 98 Washington St., Dorchester
Allen, Dr. Glover M 234 Berkeley St., Boston
Barlow, Miss Laura 18 Brown St., Brookline
Beetle, W. R 78 Lincoln St., Needham
Bowdoin, Miss Edith G 39 Park Ave., New York
Brooks, Mrs. E. A 51 WiUow St., Dedham
Cowles, Miss Florence L Norton
Cubley, Graydon Sharon, Conn.
Davis, Mrs. T. J 424 W. 114th St., New York
Derrick, G. W 1339 Chapel St., New Haven, Conn.
Linder, Miss Mary F York St., Canton
Little, Walter S 15 Plymouth St., Bridgewater
Longfellow, A. W 1124 Tremont Bldg., Boston
Lyon, Mrs. W. H 37 Warren St., Brookline
McAllister, H. L 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
MacPherson, Mrs. W 403 Strathcona Hall, Cambridge
4 Massachusetts Audubon Society
Manning, E. L 76 Marshal St., Brookline
Mason, C. R 87 Raymond St., Cambridge
Mead, Albert W 60 Windsor Road, Brookline
Mears, Mrs. David 0 9 Concord Ave., Cambridge
Merrill, Mrs. L. M 62 Green St., Brookline
Merritt, Robert 1 Dudley St., Reading
Miller, Mrs. James ^6 Charles River Square, Boston
Minot, Mrs. G. W Pride's Crossing
Morse, Constance 157 Walnut St., Brookline
Morse, Frank E 162 Boylston St., Boston
Noble, Miss Eleanor G 66 Sparks St., Cambridge
Owen, Miss Qara M 58 Highland Ave., Newtonville
Parker, Arthur J 27 Glen St., South Natick
Rotch, Mrs. William 157 Bay State Road, Boston
Sauser, David A Hanover
Temple, Miss M. L 26 Salem St., Reading
Woodbury, H. 0 Beverly
BOOK REVIEWS
The books reviewed in this column may be seen at the office of the
Audubon Society and may be purchased there at the list price, or they may
be mailed at your request, postage extra.
OUR WINTER BIRDS, By Frank M. Chapman
Mr. Chapman's reputation amongst ornithologists is a guarantee that
any book which he writes will be scientifically accurate and worthy of the
attention of bird lovers. This book treats briefly of the well-known methods
for feeding and sheltering winter birds. It also describes and notes the
habits of each permanent winter visitant which is likely to be seen during the
winter months. There are tiny colored pictures drawn to scale of all these
birds and nineteen line drawings. The book is an excellent little reference
book for winter use. It costs 60 cents and is published by D. Appleton & Co.
THE WHY-SO STORIES, By Edwin Gile Rich
This is a handsome volume, primarily of interest to children, but also
worthy of the attention of all grown-ups interested in the folk-lore of bird
and animal life. Most of the material is drawn from the folk tales of the
American Indians, although Greek mythology and other European sources
are drawn upon. The tales are entertaining as well as instructive. In them
you learn why the tale-bearers became magpies, chattering still, how the
pelican came to be and why he has his pouch, you read of the great ball
game in which the bat got his leather wing, and you learn of the shameful
mendacity and astonishing devotion of the chicken hawk which resulted in
his having such meatless shins. There are sixty-six stories in all, ten illus-
trations in line and color are charmingly done by Charles Copeland. The
price of the book is $1.25 and it is published by Small, Maynard & Co.
FIVE EXCELLENT FIELD BOOKS
It is a pleasure to note such compact and comprehensive field books
of nature as are five of those published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. Three of
Massachusetts Audubon Society 5
them are by F. Schuyler Mathews, long known to the nature-loving public
as a most accurate, as well as entertaining writer on birds, trees and flowers.
The titles are "Field Book of Wild Birds and Their Music," "Field
Book of American Trees and Shrubs," and "Field Book of American Wild
Flowers." Two others of the set are "Field Book of Insects," by Frank E.
Lutz, and "Western Wild Flowers," by Margaret Armstrong. All these are
uniform in size and binding, profusely illustrated in color and line drawings,
and are authoritative companions for a woodland walk and equally congenial
for fireside study. They contain a vast amount of accurate information and
yet are small enough to be carried in the side pocket of one's coat. They
sell at $2.50 each.
BIRDS OF A COHASSET ISLAND
By H. V. Long
A pair of greatcrested flycatchers arrived early in the morning of May
22d, 1914. I first noticed them building on the 27th. They were more
than busy building in five different holes in a large martin-house that
stands on Whale Meadow, 150 feet from the woods and 100 feet from the
ocean. (By the way, a tree swallow was setting in one of the holes.) The
male flycatcher would follow the female from the woods, and finally lead
her, fly to the top of the house with crest standing upright, shrieking at the
top of his lungs; then she would slowly arrive with so much grass, pine
needles, feathers, etc., she found it difficult at times to get into the holes.
After working continuously for four days, they suddenly discovered on the
31st of May, the stump of an old white oak tree with three deserted pigeon
woodpeckers' holes that seemed good to them. They chose the middle hole
and the old man with his usual dash told everyone where he was going to
settle for the summer. The stump stood twenty yards from my garage, ten
yards from my dog-house, a brood of chickens under the tree, a guinea-hen
setting within ten feet of the tree, a cock guinea making a fearlul racket
if anything unusual happened. The crows kept taking the guinea's eggs.
We stopped that by having a bright tin cover swinging and hitting the
limb just over the nest, and a scarecrow within five yards so natural that it
was taken for the owner of the place and spoken to several times. While the
flycatchers were building, they did not mind a half a dozen of us standing
near watching them. May 31st, June 1st, 2d and 3d, they filled the nest with
pine needles, dried grass and leaves; June 4th, packing in fine white feath-
ers; June 6th, at 8:30 A. M., the female arrived with a large white feather,
the male flying about her flirting with her. She showed up again at 9:30
with another white feather and stayed in the nest ten minutes. The male
came along at 10:30, watched out till the mate arrived at 10:45 with what
looked like glue to paste the feathers down with, stayed in the nest ten min-
utes. She came again at 11:30 with feathers, went into the nest, then out
again, and flew off with the same feathers. In the P. M. she flew away; the
male fluttered over the hole and away after her. June 7th at 9 A. M., fe-
male very quiet; she stayed in the nest a half an hour and seemed to have
a little glue stuff in her mouth. Male stayed by watching fifteen minutes
without moving. Did not see much of them until the 10th. She arrived
at 6 A. M. and again at 8:30, each time with white feathers. She passed
6 Massachusetts Audubon Society
almost all day looking out of the nest. He came along twice. Once during
the day I stood within ten yards of the tree and shot an English sparrow with
my 12-guage. The sparrows have been bothering our tree swallows. Fly-
catcher was looking out of the hole at the time I shot. She merely dropped
into the hole and immediately poked her head out again; seemed not to
mind the noise at all.
June 11th the female arrived at 5:45 A. M. with the usual white
feather. He whistled, circled about her, then kept perfectly still while she
was at work. When she flew out, he followed after. She passed most of
the day looking out. Once she flew out, picked up a large brown hen
feather and flew off with it. On the 11th she set for two hours.
On the 12th a kingbird which had built a short way off made a dive at
the flycatcher. They had a knock-down fight; I was afraid they would both
get hurt. The kingbird finally flew off. On the 12th she flew out at 5 A. M.
and back at 6 A. M. and settled on the nest.
On the 14th, most of the day on the nest; male very seldom seen.
On the 15th, male brought a fine worm and fed it to Mrs. At dusk they
flew off together.
18th, setting — off occasionally — on most of the time.
On the 20th. She pokes her head out just so often. Setting, no doubt.
When she flies off, she floats up and down very slowly. House wren build-
ing in a box in garage. Every time the wren appears, the male flycatcher
makes a dive at her full speed, clicking his beak; wren dashes on to the
ground under the bushes. The wren finally gave it up in despair and built
in another box on the other side of the garage and raised four young ones.
The 27th, the flycatchers feeding their young every few minutes.
The 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st, the same.
July 1st, again feeding them on mourning cloak butterflies. Rain or
shine, they would both arrive with one of those butterflies. They kept that
up until the young flew. On the 5th I heard the young chirping in the nest.
July 7th, in the afternoon male and femae took food to the hole and
back to the tree opposite, kept doing that several times; finally encouraged
one young one to fly to the tree; then another and the next morning, one
more. Have not seen or heard them since.
P. S. No snakeskin.
Foundation of nest mostly pine needles, dried brown leaves, grass dried,
white hen and pigeon feathers.
This year, 1918, I hung three snakeskins near the box. Flycatcher used
them all for her nest.
I am sending you also a few notes I have taken from time to time of
some of the birds that have visited us in the last year or two.
Massachusetts Audubon Society 7
We raised two broods of chickadees in the same box; I think the same
parents; the first brood, four young ones, the second brood, four. We
combed the hair out of our brown poodle. The nest both times was made
of cedar bark for foundation and the rest of poodle hair. I cleaned the
box out after the first brood left. We raised four young house wrens in
a box on the garage; nest made of sticks, pine needles, lined with small
white pigeon feathers.
We raised five broods of tree swallows, six broods of catbirds, eight
families of robins that I knew about, and at least fifteen families of song
sparrows, one covy of eleven quail, fourteen eggs; one brown thrasher; one
chewink; and one purple finch.
November 1st, 1914.
Over one hundred robins in the pine grove, half a dozen at a time bath-
ing in the bird-baths. There is a line of savins that runs along the shore
for several miles. There are at least three hundred robins that stay through
the winter traveling up and down that line.
November 14th, this year, saw on my beach thirty-one snow buntings.
They were there off and on all last winter.
In front of my house on White Head Island, ten feet from my piazza, I
have two shallow bird-baths.
August 4th, 1913, between 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning most of the
birds in the neighborhood seemed to gather about those baths planning to
migrate. They were feeding on hollyhock, asters, goldenrod, etc., and bath-
ing in bunches in the baths. The robins, sparrows, blackbirds, flycatchers,
etc., were taking turns. Every time one of them would take a dip, one of our
pet catbirds would follow suit and splash around.
I counted:
5 Cedar-birds,
3 Pigeon woodpeckers,
3 Great crested flycatchers,
1 Cuckoo,
2 Orioles,
11 Yellow warblers,
9 Robins,
1 Hummingbird,
3 Catbirds,
1 Red-winged blackbird and his yoimg ones in the pine grove,
2 Purple finches,
2 Chipping sparrows,
17 Song sparrows,
6 Kingbirds, old and young,
2 Downy woodpeckers,
10 Goldfinches,
1 Phoebe flycatcher.
Innumerable tree swallows circling about within a few yards
of the hou?e, also one beetle-head and one summer yellow-legs
on the beach,
4 Kingfishers, young and old, on the rocks, later in the day,
quite a flock of shore-birds.
8 Massachusetts Audubon Society
My island seems to be in the direct line of flight of almost all the birds;
all the species of small birds seem to take a look in, coming in the spring
and going in the fall; all kinds of flycatchers, etc., shore-birds, geese, brant
and coot fly directly over the house.
Thursday, November 19th, 1914, heavy northeast and southeast gale with
continuous rain; the largest flight of brant for years went by, literally thous-
ands all day, also a few hundred geese. There were 75 geese bedded in the
shelter of White Head.
The tree swallows and young entirely disappeared by the 5th of August,
but in October, from the 1st to the 20th, they would arrive in the morning in
a cloud and hover around my bird-boxes, literally hundreds of them.
AS ENGLAND SEES IT
The plume trade dies hard. It is harassed and curtailed by the forces
of conservation and decency, yet eternal vigilance is still the price c/f
liberty from it. It masks itself in many ways, and still works on. Bird
Notes and News, the quarterly of the Royal Society for the Protection of
Birds, which has a wide outlook upon the bird-protection methods the
world over, says:
"Pennsylvania has stepped into the lead among all the States in the
protection of birds. A recent change of the laws, says the National Humane
Review, now makes it a crime to sell feathers of any wild birds whatso-
ever, without the permission of the President of the Board of Game Com-
missioners of Pennsylvania. Such permission will not be granted except
in instances where the State itself will be benefited, as in sales to public
museums or for educational purposes.
"Under the former law, the President of the Board of Game Commis-
sioners had the right to permit taxidermists to sell mounted specimens of
birds, whether legally or accidentally killed in that State. There was also
no law against the sale of feathers of foreign birds unless belonging to the
same family as birds protected in the State.
"There was a time," adds Bird Lore, "when Pennsylvania was a hotbed
for the wholesale millinery interests of the country that had been driven
out of New York State by the Audubon law." Speaking of conditions at
home, it adds:
"Whether the Board of Trade and D. 0. R. A. have or have not suc-
cessfully stayed the importation of plumage, efforts to push the sale have
not ceased, and there is no doubt that after the war every means will be
tried to revive the trade, on the pretext of assisting either French workers
or Colonial interests or poverty-stricken natives by a harmless provision
of moulted plumes from swamps in Darkest South America or of clipped
feathers from Egret 'farms' in Darkest India. It behooves every bird-lover,
and especially every Hon. Secretary and member of the R. S. P. B. to
remember and to remind others, that the plume trade is essentially alien-
born and Hun-inspired; that the 'Osprey' is essentially a Boche produc-
tion, obtained by the killing of parent birds and young; and that the char-
acter of English trade and of English women will not be clean until the
whole business of trading in the feathers and skins of wild birds slaughtered
to serve foolish fashions is swept from the British market."
^^^^
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