a
Bide
Official Organ of the
SOMERSET HILLS BIRD CLUB
BERNARDSVILLE, N. J.
Aue 19 1914 ~~
OciB306888
voL. 1 AUGUST, 1914 NO. 2
CONTENTS
PAGE
TE BRIE OPP CATE TIA eee ae ee Seon Bees eet CO i
Somerset Hills Bird Club Membership.....-......-- 2
List of Officers and Members... 3
Orchard Oriole (colored plate).....---.0..-0- to face +
The Blue-Winged Warbler by Louis 8. Kohler 4
Picture, Robin’s Nest by Walter F. Chappell, Jr. 6
Some Costa Rican Ortoles by Lee S. Crandall...... i
Egret (colored plate) RRR yal ted Narita Meee on A to face 0)
Bringing Back the Plume Birds (with three photos)
by T. Gilbert Pearson......... g
ST hae. JOUCETC Bee er ee ee ccc cee eee are ek
Hints for Better Game Protection
by George D. Cross...-. .-....-- IZ
Picture, Destruction Caused by Nuthatch
by Is Derkuser ste ee 14
A June Day at Greenwood Lake, N. J.
by Louis 5. Kohler-........-....- 15
Si/ie Ovnalas Op Va\ellem 18¥0l l basetereeee-ceesceerecaceersccoces 18
WifeaS wales by, Sally Sage msec eee nce ce ern. 19
WenGow0ird oye Conmelia OAC aia) anaes ee 20
UGE Go aie Pid Na aA ce tis eee tei agitate Raat 20
CB ASTIEND. CALL 1S CICHINS pee eres eee cer or cose cee 25
Copyright 1914
By Somerset Hills Bird Club, Bernardsville, N. J.
SOMERSET HILLS BIRD CLUB
MEMBERSHIP
Active Members ($1.50 annually)..... an 41
Patrons: ($25.00 paid at one time) :.... ..2ee i
Life Members ($10.00 paid at one time)....... | 5
Contributors ($5.00) annually) .5-,-. eee ts
Subscribers to the Oriole ($1.50 annually) ...... 44
Total number; members and subscribers. 104
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE
SOMERSET HILLS BIRD CLUB.
TRUSTEES
Miss Rutu B. Buss, President
Miss Leira H. Burpen, Vice-President
Avan Harriman, Vice-President
Water F. Cuappex., Jr., Secretary
Miss Cornevia Sacer, Treasurer
Joun Dryven Kuser, Editor “The Oriole’, Member, Meetings’
Committee.
Miss Marist Buair, Associate Editor
Merepituw H. Pyne, Associate Editor
Miss Mary V. R. Losttnarp, Member, Meetings’ Committee.
Miss Mitprep Mitcuerzt, Member, Meetings’ Committee.
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Miss Eviru D. Buarr Miss Rosartize Moran
C. Merritt Cuapin, JR. PRENTICE TALMAGE
Miss Mary S. Cuapin FREDERICK CRoMWELL, III
Kinestey Kunwarpr Miss Carou MirrcHEeLu
Joun B. CrarKk Miss Marcaret LINDABURY
Miss CarRoLiINnE STEVENS Ricuarp V. Lrnpasury, dr.
Miss Tarrine BuIss Miss Freverica Buu
Miss Satrty SaGe Miss Constance CHAPPELL
Puitie GRAHAM Miss Virermnia MrrcHei
Eno CaMPpBELL Hatey Fiske, Je.
Miss Dorotuy DrypENn Ricuarp NicHoLs
Miss Heten Bury Miss Exsiz STEVENS
Switnin NicHo.ts P. R. Pyne, Je.
Francis BERGEN - Miss Evizaseta Harpin
Caehi Lian pin Miss ExizapetH ELiswortu
HONORARY VICE - PRESIDENTS
Hon. Turopvore Roostve.tT
Frank M. CHarpmMan T. GitBert PrARson
C. Wizi1amM BEEBE Wixtiiam T. Hornapay
PATRONS
Mrs. Joun F. Drypen Miss Cynruia G. Kuser
Hatery Fisker Joun Drypren Kuser
AntTuony R. Kuser Grant B. ScuHiEy
Mrs. Anruony R. KusrEr
LIFE MEMBERS
Mrs. Gzorce Butss Water GrRaEME Lapp
Mes. Watter P. Briss Dean SaGe
Mrs. Wartrer GramMe Lapp
CONTRIBUTORS
Mrs. Joun F. Drypren Miss Cynruia G. Kusrer
Mrs. Rospert D. Granam Joun Drypren Kuser
AntHony R. Kuser Mrs. Dean Sace
Mrs. Antruony R. Kuszr
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER
Helminthophila pinus
By Louis S. Kohler
On May 24th of the present year, while waiting
for a train at Little Falls, New Jersey, I strolled
south of the station platform into a copse of maples
and oaks, thinking that, perhaps, by accident, I might
happen across a nest of the Ovenbird or Redstart, the
males of which species were in full nuptial song in the
low shrubbery underneath the taller deciduous
growths. While observing the male Redstart per-
forming his gymnastic turns in a small maple sapling,
a flash of bright yellow passed overhead and dropped
into a clump of tall grass and as it alighted on an
overhanging weed, I identified it as a female Blue-
winged Warbler. This bird, having a wisp of dried
grass in its bill, quickly disappeared in the depths of
the grassy hummock and I immediately investigated
and found it to contain a nearly completed nest. On
approaching the nest, the female arose to an adjacent
sapling and uttered a sharp metallic alarm note
which brought its beautiful mate quickly to its side
and both began uttering these alarm notes and con-
tinued to do so while I was examining their future
home. This nest was placed about three inches from
the ground in the clump of grass and was composed
of dead leaves of the maple and oak forming a deep
cup-shaped container for the inner material which
consisted of fine grasses, grapevine peelings and plant
fibers delicately woven together so as to form a beau-
tiful structure, although the whole presented rather
4
ORCHARD ORIOLE
(Upper figure, adult male; middle figure, young male; lower figure, female)
Order—PASSERES Family—IcTERID#
Genus—IcTERUS Species—SPURIUS
National Association of Audubon Societies
the appearance of a much larger ground-nesting
bird. |
On visiting the nest on the 28th, found it to con-
tain one egg and on the Ist of June the set of five
were complete. These eggs were creamy white,
heavily spotted with brown, lavender and pearly grey
markings principally about the larger end where the
markings formed a wreath which encircled the egg.
These five eggs averaged .65x.55, which is slightly
larger than the usual average for the eggs of this
species.
- The incubating of the eggs was performed wholly
by the female during the eleven days immediately fol-
lowing the 1st of June, and, although the male was
very attentive to his patient little mate and brought
her many tempting morsels, always quickly left the
nest after depositing his prey on the nest rim, and
flew into the taller trees and was continually singing
its insect-like notes, which, to me, resembles the calls
of the Grasshopper Sparrow, much subdued, and the
~ Black and White Warbler.
On the morning of the 12th the young emerged
from the shells and from that time on until June 224d,
when the youngsters left the nest, both parents pro-
vided an ample supply of insectivorous food for the
nestlings, often making as many as twenty visits dur-
ing an hour. ‘The young left the nest at noon on the
22d in a condition, which to me appeared at least four
or five days ahead of an appropriate time for this pro-
cedure, but on the morning of the date of this writ-
ing were seen in company with the parents in the
adjacent copse of trees much advanced towards the
9)
maturer stages of growth, apparently having profited
by their liberty and had secured a vaster quantity of
food than their very attentive parents could gather
for them while in the nest.
While these notes were being gathered I made
daily visits to the nest during the early mornings and
thus was able to secure a few more sidelights on their
home life than is usually accorded an individual nest.
Also this is the most southerly nest of this species
which has ever come under my personal observation.
Bloomfield, N. J., June 26th, 1914.
SOME COSTA RICAN ORIOLES
By Lee S. Crandall
To the mind of the casual reader, the title of this
magazine suggests at once the familiar charmer of
roadside and orchard—the Baltimore Oriole. To
others, further advanced in knowledge of our native
birds, the Orchard Oriole, singer of wonderful songs,
may follow as an afterthought. But the fact that
our two native species are but a tithe of the members
of this beautiful and varied group would hardly occur
to one unversed in ornithology.
Of the genus Icterus, which includes the Baltimore
and the Orchard, nearly fifty different forms have
been described, covering the American continents
from Canada to Argentina, Mexico alone having
more than twenty. All of these birds, with one or
two exceptions, beside the Orchard Oriole, are bril-
liantly black and orange in color. In captivity, all
are interesting pets, and for their melodious songs
and endearing manners, are greatly prized by the
natives whose country they adorn.
Besides the true Orioles, the family Icteridae in-
cludes many other birds, of which the Bobolink and
Redwing are familiar examples. On a recent visit
to Costa Rica, the writer had an opportunity of
studying some of these species, and making many
observations concerning their life histories.
On the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica there are
but two breeding species of Icterus—the Salvin and
Lesson Orioles, although both the Baltimore and the
Orchard winter there. Both of the former are found
v
in the banana plantations, although neither is very
abundant. The Salvins were breeding at the time
of the writer’s visit, cleverly sewing their nests to
the under side of the great leaves of the banana. This
bird, known locally as chorcha, is a very fine singer,
and so valued by the natives that as much as fifty
colones (the equivalent of $23.25), are sometimes
paid for an exceptionally fine specimen.
The most abundant Icterine birds in Costa Rica are
the Giant Caciques, known to the people as Oropen-
dulas. 'There are two species, the Montezuma Giant
Cacique (Gymnostinops montezwmae) and the Wag-
ler (Zarhynchus wagleri). The former is bright
chestnut in general coloration, with brilliant yellow
tail and long red and black beak. The Wagler is
black with yellow tail and chestnut back, and is con-
siderably smaller than montezuwmae, the males of
which are nearly two feet in length. These great
birds live in colonies of from a dozen to fifty individ-
uals. Their relationship with our own Orioles is
evinced by the structure of the nests—great, pendu-
lous sacks of rootlets and Spanish moss, three to four
feet in length, but woven in exactly the same fashion
as those of the Baltimore Oriole. The trees chosen
are always of great height, invariably with smooth.
branchless trunks. As many as fifty nests are some-
times seen in a single tree, looking like clusters of
some giant fruit.
A beautiful male of montezwmae was brought to
New York, and may now be seen in the Zoological
Park, apparently as contented, and certainly as well
fed, as he was in the jungles of Costa Rica.
8
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S9}}e}00S uoqnpny jo uol}E]OOssy jeUuOHRN ¥yalaauy—AIwey SANOIGONSP—A9pio
BRINGING BACK THE
PLUME BIRDS
By T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary National
Association of Audubon Societies
One of the lines of activity in which the National
Association of Audubon Societies has been engaged
for a number of years past, is the restoration of cer-
tain species of wild water-birds which were threath-
ened with extinction owing to their slaughter by the
field-agents of the great millmery firms.
Among the species that were in most danger of
being wiped out in this country were the gulls, terns,
grebes, pelicans, eider ducks, roseate spoonbills, ibises,
and the two species of white egrets. When the As-
sociation took up its work these birds could legally
be killed in virtually every State of the Union. ‘The
first duty of the Audubon workers, therefore, was to
secure the enactment of laws making it illegal to kill
non-game birds at any season of the year.
The “Audubon Law,” for the enactment of which
the Association battled furiously for many years, has
been adopted by the legislatures of nearly all the
States. This first step having been accomplished at-
tention was turned to enforcing the law, particularly
during the season when the birds would gather in
their nesting-colonies. The Association, therefore,
has collected funds for this purpose each season for
a number of years. The Audubon wardens now
guard virtually every colony of water-birds on the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, as well
as about many lakes of the interior.
9
As a direct result of these efforts certain species
of gulls and terns, which had become exceedingly
rare over large stretches of country, have rapidly
recovered in numbers, and in a few years will doubt-
less be as abundant as they were in the old days be-
fore the big killing began.
The phase of warden work that has been fought
with the most difficulties has been the attempt to
guard the few remaining colonies of egrets in the
southern swamps. It is absolutely necessary to watch
these birds during the breeding season, for otherwise
at that time they will be shot for the purpose of get-
ting the “aigrette” plumes that adorn the birds only
in the nesting period.
Aigrettes are now worth actually twice their weight
in gold, and many men in the southern swamps will
undertake almost any risk to kill the birds. Every
season attempts are made to raid some of the colon-
ies, and the Audubon wardens almost every year have
rifle battles with these poachers. Two of our war-
dens while in the discharge of their duties have been
murdered by plume hunters.
The writer has recently returned from a trip of
inspection to egret rookeries in Florida, and feels tre-
mendously encouraged over the evident increase of
egrets in the protected regions. There are some egret
colonies we have not yet been able to guard, for lack
of means. Now, although laws have been passed
prohibiting the killing of birds of plumage, and war-
dens are stationed at the majority of rookeries, some
killing still goes on, and will doubtless continue to go
on as long as there is a demand for their feathers.
10
This has made it important for the Association to
take still another step, viz.: to stop the sale of feath-
ers; and the “second Audubon Law,” prohibiting the
sale of the plumage of American birds has been
enacted in the States of Washington, Oregon, Cali-
fornia, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, Massa-
chusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, after costly and stupendous efforts on
the part of Audubon workers.
Another great step in bird-protection was taken
last year when Congress was induced to prohibit the
importation of bird plumage.
Ii
The Association at the same time is doing its utmost
to educate the public against the wearing of wild
birds’ feathers. Educational Leaflet No. 54, describ-
ing in detail the horrors of the egret traffic, together
with colored pictures of the birds, will be sent free to
anyone upon request.
HINTS FOR BETTER GAME
PROTECTION
By George D. Cross
To one who is interested in Nature study nothing
can be more satisfactory than to see a country well
stocked with so-called game birds, and it is a great
pity that our country in the past has not done more
to protect them. Compared to densely settled parts
of Kurope, we have one bird where Europe has thou-
sands, and these thousands are due principally to the
great care which is given to protect them.
Our section of the country in the past supported
large numbers of quail and ruffed grouse, or par-
tridge, and was the breeding ground of many migra-
tory game birds, such as woodcock, snipe and upland
plover—in fact, it is very probable that at some time
or other, since white men have lived here, most of
the birds peculiar to the temperate zone of the eastern
United States could be found where we now live.
There is no reason why this condition cannot be dupli-
cated at the present time. All that is required is in-
telligent effort on the part of all land owners and
bird lovers.
12
Game birds become scarce in any locality from a
number of known causes, such as too close shooting,
the clearing off of good coverts or places of refuge,
the presence of wandering dogs and house cats, and
the starving and freezing of birds in Winter, simply
because no provision is made to feed them during the
severe weather sometimes experienced in this latitude.
Right here it might be well to point out that few
healthy birds, which have a chance to find food, are
ever frozen; it is only birds weakened by starvation
and disease which succumb.
Much has been done for game birds by the law
which prohibits shooting except during a short sea-
son, when the birds are full grown and strong.
Requiring every person who, during the shooting
season, goes off his own property with a gun in his
possession, to have a shooting license with him—which
license must be exhibited to any one on request—also
the high cost of a license to any one not a citizen of
this State, has helped reduce the number of gunners.
Every land owner should see that his property 1s
posted with “Trespass” signs forbidding shooting and
fishing without permission, and should take care that
these signs are respected.
In the days of stone walls, and post and rail fences,
land was not cultivated so close to the boundary lines
as is now the case when so many wire fences have
been put up.
The bushes and high growth of weeds and grasses
which grew along the old style fences, provided for
birds splendid nesting places, and also refuges from
13
hawks and other enemies. If you wish game birds
to live on your property, you must provide homes
and places of refuge for them. Simple shelters to
which birds learn to come for grain and gravel are
sasily built, with hardly any expense, and may be the
means of carrying many birds through a hard Win-
ter.
Stray dogs and house cats are great enemies of
game birds, particularly in the nesting season. Clear
your fields and woods of these animals, and give the
birds a chance. Dogs and cats are close hunters, and
break up many nests and destroy large numbers of
young birds.
14
Aside from the satisfaction of having game birds
in a country, few people realize their great value to
agriculture. These birds are busy all the time, search-
ing for msects and weed seeds.
The Department of Agriculture in Washington
has conducted many investigations bearing on the life
of game birds, and has found in the crop of as small
a bird as the quail, many thousand seeds of various
kinds of weeds, and in others, hundreds of insects
which destroy plant life.
Surely too much cannot be said in favor of the
closest protection of game birds, for they will always
be not only beautiful to look at and interesting to
study, but these birds are truly the farmers’ friends.
A JUNE DAY AT GREENWOOD
LAKE, N. J.
By Louis S. Kohler
On arriving at Sterling Forest, New York, on the
morning of June 20th, 1914, the first bird to greet me,
as alighting from the train, was a beautiful male
Chestnut-sided Warbler and his cheery “whee-choo”
served as an appropriate avian “Good-morning.” Not
alone was he, for a few moments’ observation in the
adjacent shrubbery brought to light his less brilliant
mate and in her company were four youngsters about
twenty days old, which she was endeavoring to pro-
vide with food and also having the time of her life to
guard against a rather thick and healthy blacksnake,
which quickly sidled off on seeing me in the adjoining
15
bushes, much to the relief of the anxious mother. She
quickly took advantage of her enemy’s retreat and
hurried her brood to another bush about fifty feet
away and renewed her search for subsistence for the
ever ready and hungry throats of her rapidly grow-
ing family.
On walking down the railroad towards the Glens a
pair of Bronzed Grackles were observed walking
about on the banks of the lake and feeding on the
small crustaceans which were there in great abund-
ance. In the eaves of the ice-houses and railroad
shanties were seven inaccessible nests of the Phoebe
and along the right of way numerous pairs of Song
Sparrows were roving about in a restless manner as I
passed the sites of their homes. Swifts, Tree and
Barn Swallows were present over the lake and great
numbers, and in the thick deciduous growth on the
left were numerous Robins, Chipping Sparrows,
Crows, House Wrens, Maryland Yellowthroats, and
Catbirds. Goldfinches were seen performing their
wavy flights on all sides and the twitter of their songs
were continual throughout the day. A White-eyed
Vireo, the only one of this species which I have had
the opportunity to observe this year, appeared in a
low birch within a dozen feet of me and displayed
little or no fear of me or my proximity, but kept on
feeding and uttering its song in a very subdued man-
ner. In the river birches two families of Baltimore
Orioles were roving about and feeding on the insect
life which was very abundant.
Near the Glens the Yellow Warblers were common
as well as the Least Flycatchers and Red-eyed
16
Viroes. A Kingbird was observed here in battle with
a solitary Crow. Ovenbirds were heard on all sides,
and two nests were found, both of which had eggs
well incubated.
On proceeding down the valley of the Wanaque
River a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos were found
nesting in a low river birch and their nest contained
two well incubated eggs. A pair of Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks were also observed here and the male’s
song often heard, but a careful search failed to re-
veal their home. Along the banks of the Wanaque
four male Louisiana Water Thrushes were observed,
the first of which species have ever come under my
personal attention. All of these four were walking
about, sandpiper-like, and singing at frequent inter-
vals. One male Scarlet Tanager was seen in com-
pany with the Grosbeaks and was also singing fre-
quently. Here another pair of Chestnut-sided
Warblers were observed with young about fifteen
days old. A Kingfisher was skillfully driving at this
time and brought two small roaches to the surface
which he quickly carried off in a northerly direction.
A nest of the Black-throated Green Warbler was
found here in a high bush huckleberry with a set of
four eggs, all of which were well incubated. Both
parent birds were about the nest and resented my
intrusion by an incessant chirping and angry darts,
which in so small a bird were rather ludicrous. <A
Whippoorwill was flushed along the banks of the
Wanaque under a small conifer and rushed off in a
very excited manner as I neared him. Indigo Birds,
Redstarts, Yellow-throated Viroes, Field Sparrows,
1
Bluebirds and Wood 'Thrushes were heard along the
Wanaque in great numbers and several nests of the
Redstart, Wood Thrush and Bluebird were located.
On nearing Hewitt, a Crested Flycatcher, a Flicker
and a Chewink were observed. Another “rara avis”
with me appeared here in the form of a Blue-headed
Viroe. Cliff Swallows were observed in great abund-
ance here and ten nests were found under the eaves of
a deserted barn. Near the Hewitt Station a copper-
head was disturbed making a meal of a nestling Song
Sparrow much to the distress of its parents. Here
the Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, Purple Grackle
and Vesper Sparrow were observed in small numbers
and at Monks Crossing a Mourning Dove, a Killdear,
a pair of Cooper Hawks and two male Yellow-
breasted Chats completed the day’s hunt.
June 26th, 1914.
THE ORIOLES
By Helen Ball
One day while I was sitting on the lawn I saw a
beautiful Baltimore Oriole fly over the house, and
looking around, I soon discovered his nest out on the
end of a branch, very near to where I was. In a
few moments he was back, bringing to the nest food
for the young and then was off again. I only saw
the female once or twice. When the male was evi-
dently tired from flying about he would sit on a
branch near the nest, half hidden by the leaves.
When the wind blew, their hanging nest would
swing so hard that it looked as though it must surely
blow from the branch. I have seen several Orchard
Orioles around but have not seen any nests of this
species.
18
THE SWALLOWS
By Sally Sage
It is a sad time when the weather becomes dark and
cold; when the autumn winds blow through the dead
leaves and one sees the Swallows leaving. It is still
sadder when they are gone. Although the Swallows
have only a harsh cry which cannot be termed pleas-
ing, yet there is so much life in the tiny bird that one
cannot help liking it. Swallows seem to be every-
where at once during the Summer months in which
they remain with us. There are many kinds of Swal-
lows, amongst which the Barn, Cliff, Tree, Bank and
Rough-winged Swallows and the Purple Martin,
which is also a Swallow, are those usually found in
this vicinity.
The Barn Swallow is the most friendly of all. Its
favorite nesting place is in old barns where loose
boards and broken windows make holes through which
it can go in and out at will. The Tree Swallows are
also frequent during the Spring and Fall. Unlike
the Barn they generally scour the air at high eleva-
tions. Like the Martins they frequently nest in bird-
boxes.
The Bank is the smallest of our Swallows. It makes
its nest in enlarged chambers at the end of short
tunnels in the sides of banks. The Rough-winged
is very much like the Bank but its throat is gray
as well as its breast. The Cliff is also called the Kave
Swallow. It plasters its nest on the outside of build-
ings, usually in the eaves. In the west a cliff com-
pletely covered with these small cup-like mud nests
is a common sight. There are fifty-five species of
Swallows in the world.
19
THE COWBIRD
By Cornelia Sage
These bold birds are often seen walking sedately
amongst the cows; hence their name. ‘The color of
the male is an irridescent black, with a brown head.
In size the Cowbird is smaller than the Robin.
What should be his song is a squeaking cluck, tse-e-e,
squeezed out with difficulty and accompanied by a
spreading of the wings and tail. ‘The female and
young are a dull gray.
Cowbirds have no nest for the very good reason
that they are much too lazy to build one. The female
sneaks about the woods and thickets seeking an op-
portunity to lay her eggs in other birds’ nests. She
persecutes the Yellow Warbler particularly. The
nest of the Warbler having been finished she watches
her chance to lay her eggs in it. Often, however,
the Warbler is a match for the sly Cowbird, weaving
o rather than hatching a
a new bottom over the egg
ee
bird which would take up all the room in the nest
and push her own young out.
EDITORIAL
The much discussed question of resident vs. visitant
and of terms for the denotation of abundance and
rarity, chiefly discussed in the various issues of the
Condor are ones which are included by my title. I
am giving what to me seems a plausible solution.
First let us consider seasonal occurrence. ‘There
are seven distinct groups which require a title. These
groups are as follows: (1) those birds of which the
20
identical individuals remain in the same locality
throughout the year, breeding and wintering in an
area indistinguishably variable, that is without a dif-
ference of approximately twenty-five miles, e. g.
Ruffed Grouse; (2) those species of which the species
is permanently resident, but the individuals migra-
tory, e. g. Song Sparrow; (3) those birds which reg-
ularly breed during the late Spring or Summer but
do not remain, except irregularly through the Winter
months, e. g. Baltimore Oriole; (4) those birds which
do not breed or remain through the Summer months
but regularly arrive in the Fall and remain through
the Winter, e. g. Junco; (5). those birds which, after,
or more rarely, just before, breeding stray north-
ward, but do not breed or remain regularly through
the Summer months, e. g. Egret; (6) those birds
which are driven South in Winter by storms or lack
of food supply and irregularly visit the specified local-
ity. At times birds of this class may be common but
they are always irregularly so, e. g. Kvening Gros-
beak; (7) those birds which remain regularly neither
during the Summer or Winter but do regularly mi-
grate through in the Spring and Fall, e. g. Yellow-
bellied Sapsucker.
Now I will attempt to name my classes. For class
1 I suggest the term individual resident. This will
undoubtedly be criticized as being uncommon, un-
known, and too long, but certainly it is at least clear
to anyone what is meant. Class 2 I should merely
term resident. I do not think this term can be com-
mented on as being out of place here. Certainly it
is perfectly correct in this case, meaning exactly what
it means as a word—resident—not migratory.
21
Now I come to the most argued part of the sub-
ject—the titles for classes 3 and 4. I am decidedly
in favor of the terms swmmer visitant and winter vis-
itant. ‘They seem to me to be far better than the
corresponding uses of the word resident. For I think
that the argument that a bird does not reside in a
locality unless it actually remains there throughout
the year is a very good one. Quoting from the edi-
torial in the May-June Condor we find: “The latest
etymological authority, Webster’s New Interna-
tional Dictionary, defines the word resident as fol-
lows: “Dwelling or having an abode in a place for
a continuous length of time. 2. Of birds, not mi-
gratory; nonmigratory. Birds are either resident
or migratory; if they migrate they cannot be resi-
dent; hence such an incongruity as winter resident is
impossible!”
I think for both groups 5 and 6 there is one word
which is uniquely appropriate. ‘This is the word un-
settled. Birds of this class are always unsettled,
though not necessarily transient. They visit not
cross over. ‘Then compounded I offer the terms wn-
settled summer visitant and unsettled winter visitant
respectively. Is this not distinguishing enough?
Can there be any confusion as to the meaning or any
perplexing similarity to terms 38 or 4?
Class 6 I think is fully and appropriately described
by the word transient. That is all that the birds of
this class are, merely those which are crossing over or
going through a certain locality.
Summed up, my terms for the various groups are:
(1) individual resident; (2) resident; (8) summer
22
visitant; (4) winter visitant; (5) unsettled summer
visitant ; (6) unsettled winter visitant; (7) transient.
Now we turn to the question of which terms shall
be standardized for the denoting of abundance or rar-
ity, for standardization and uniformity are our main
aims. Hven were the selected and standardized terms
minutely incorrect, yet were they universally desig-
nated alike and uniformly known under such desig-
nation they would certainly serve the purpose well;
but since unfortunately there is no such universal ac-
ceptance of any one set of terms and since this stand-
ard set has yet to be composed and accepted is it not
better to compose a set which is etymologically cor-
rect? I still believe that the scaled set which I sug-
gested in Science, June 14th, 1912, is as good as any
that can be had, except that I now believe that the
term uncommon can be eliminated. I do not intend
to propose it as final but as a beginning. It seems
to me that it is a question for thorough though speedy
debate and for a reasonably quick decision. The
present obscurity of meaning is lamentable and uni-
formity is its only cure.
My terms, ranging from abundance to rarity are:
(1) abundant; (2) common; (3) frequent; (4) occa-
sional; (5) rare. ‘To these definitely scaled terms
I should add one other to complete a full set, viz:
irregular, standing for exactly what it means. I
think an explanation of its meaning is unnecessary.
As avery poor but possibly useful illustration of the
use of my terms I will give examples of their appli-
cation in regard to species around New York City.
23
abundant—KEneglish Sparrow.
~common—Orchard Oriole.
frequent—Blue-winged Warbler.
occasional—Cape May Warbler.
Prothonotary Warbler.
irregular—Evening Grosbeak.
rare
Other terms may be substituted and may be better
but to me these terms represent very nearly the cor-
rect proportional division, 1. e., the same variation of
rarity is left unexpressed between the various ex-
pressed terms.
As I have already said, but what I may be par-
doned for repeating because of its importance, stand-
ardization is the goal, but while standardizing we
should attempt to be etymologically correct.
The Somerset Hills Bird Club is greatly indebted
to the National Association of Audubon Societies,
through the General Secretary, Mr. T. Gilbert Pear-
son, for the use of the colored plates of the Oriole
(cover), the Orchard Oriole and the Egret.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
CONSTITUTION.
Articte I. Name.
The name of this organization shall be the “Somerset Hills
Bird Club.”
ArticLe II. Objects.
The objects of this club shall be: To protect and study birds,
and to increase the interest thereof chiefly in the Somerset Hills.
ArTIcLE III. Amendments.
Amendments to this constitution may be made by a two-thirds
vote of the members present at any regular or called meeting of
the society, provided a notice of such change shall be mailed to
all active members five days prior to date of said meeting.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I. Membership.
There shall be five classes of members, who shall be known
as: Patrons, Life Members, Associate Members, Active Mem-
bers, and Contributors.
Any person may become a Patron upon payment of twenty-five
dollars at one time.
Any person may become a Life Member upon payment of ten
dollars at one time.
Any person may become an Associate Member upon payment
of one dollar and fifty cents annually.
Active Members shall pay one dollar and fifty cents annually
and shall have all rights of membership except that which is
given to Trustees. No person under 13 years of age shall be
elected an Active Member.
Any person may become a contributor upon payment of five
dollars annually.
Failure to pay dues within four months after they become due
shall cancel membership.
25
ArticLE II. Trustees.
A Board of Trustees shall annually be elected from the Active
Members consisting of ten members to have full power to elect
members, officers for the year, from its own body and decide all
matters concerning “The Oriole’ and meetings of the Club.
ArticLe III. Officers.
The officers of the club shall consist of a President, two Vice-
Presidents (a boy and a girl), a Secretary and a Treasurer, who
shall be elected by a majority vote of the Trustees. Their term
of office shall be one year.
Honorary Vice-Presidents not to exceed ten in number may be
appointed by the Editor of “The Oriole.”
The President shall preside at all the meetings of the club,
shall execute all agreements of every nature and shall perform
all the usual duties incidental to the office of President.
The Vice-Presidents shall act in the place of the President
in his absence.
The Treasurer shall receive all dues and fees and shall have
the custody of all moneys and books of account belonging to the
club and shall make a full financial statement of the affairs of the
club at the meetings.
The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings and pro-
ceedings of the club; shall conduct the correspondence of the
club, shall give legal notice of all meetings and shall perform
such other duties as belong to the office.
ArticteE 1V. New Members.
New Active Members may be elected by a majority vote of the
Trustees at any regular or called meeting.
ARTICLE V.
Quorum for business at a meeting of the Trustees shall be five.
The Board of Trustees may appoint committees to report on
desired subjects.
Lectures shall be given as often as is determined by the
Trustees.
26
ArticLe VI. Meetings.
The regular meetings of the Society shall be held during the
last half of June and August. The former shall be the annual
meeting.
Notice of such meetings must be sent to each member five days
in advance of the date of said meeting. Trustees meetings shall
be during the last half of June, July and August and first half
of September. Special meetings may be called upon a day’s
notice by the President, or upon request of any five Trustees.
ArticLe VII.
The club shall publish a paper, entitled “The Oriole,’
first of June and August. It shall be sent free to Patrons, Life,
Associate and Active Members, Contributors and Honorary Vice-
Presidents. The Editor of this paper shall be elected at the
same time and in the same manner as the officers of the club.
The Editor has the privilege of appointing two Associate Editors,
’
on the
annually.
No Active Members may hold more than one office at the same
time.
Two copies of “The Oriole” shall be sent free to all those
who have contributed articles to it.
Subscriber’s dues to “The Oriole” are $1.50 per year.
Articte IX. Amendments.
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those
present at any regular or called meeting of the club, provided
a notice of such change shall have been mailed to each Active
Member five days previous.
SOSENIN
SUAEN
Al
DEY Lig
27
GIBBS & VAN VLECK, INc.
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