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FOR THE PEOPLE
FOR EDVCATION
FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

NATURAL HISTORY

1933-1934

Nos. 45, 46

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Two Years Ending
March, 1934

Date of Issue, April 15, 1935
Price : Seventy-five Cents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Remarks on the Origins of the Ratites and Penguins. By William K.
Gregory, with discussion by Robert Cushman Murphy i

How Many Birds Are Known? By Ernst Mayr 19

Bernard Altum and the Territory Theory. By Ernst Mayr .... 24

A Preliminary List of the Birds of Jones Beach, Long Island, N. Y.

By William Vogt 39

Some Mid-Nineteenth Century Records from Westbury, Long Island.

By John F. Matuszewski, Jr. 59

The Ornithological Year 1932 in the New York City Region. By
William Vogt 62

The Ornithological Year 1933 in the New York City Region. Com-
piled by Ernst Mayr; Supplemented and Edited by John F. and Richard
Kuerzi 74

Observations from Field and Study loi

Female Tanager Eating Her Eggs. By William Gibson.

Occurrence of Lesser Black-backed Gull (Lotus fuscus graellsi) in
Bronx County, New York City. By John and Richard Kuerzi.

Notes from Beaverkill, Sullivan County, N. Y. By Ernst Mayr.
Two Rare Sight Records from Orient, Long Island. By Roy Jjitham.

Report of the Secretary for 1932-1933

Report of the Secretary for i933-i934

Officers and Members of the Linnaean Society of New York ... no

Index

Breeding Bird Data Wanted up

[The name of the regular publication of the Linnaean Society of New York
beginning with this issue (Nos. 45 and 46) has been changed from "Abstract of
the Proceedings . . .” to “Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New York.]

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

1933-1934

APRIL. 1935

Xos. 45, 46

Remarks on the Origins of the Ratites and Penguins’

Hv William K. Gregory
I. The Ratites: Primitive or Degenerate?

According to what may be termed orthodox ornithology, as set
forth in Newton’s Dictionary of Birds (i893-’96), the ratite birds
are the, in some respects, degenerate in others specialized descendants
of proto-carinate ancestors, which at different times and in different
places, while acquiring improved running powers, have at the same
time suffered more or less degenerative changes in the organs of flight.
Here would be included the damage to the barbicels of the flight
leathers, the reduction of the great muscles of the wings, the reduc-
tion and loss of the keel on the sternum, and the reduction in size of
the wing as a whole.

Dr. Percy Roycroft Lowe, as a result of his many-sided and in-
tensive studies on the embryolog}^ pterylography, myology, osteology
and taxonomy of the ratite birds, summarized his work in a paper in
the Proceedings of the Zoological Society (1928), in which he chal-
lenged this orthodox interpretation and came to the conclusion that
the cumulative mass of evidence “. . . points overwhelmingly not to
the fact of retrogression or degeneration [on the part of the ancestors
of the ratites] but to a primitive arrest of development, which can only
be explained on the hypothesis that as a group or phylum, they [the
ancestral ‘Struthiones’] failed at the very outset to attain to the full
fruition of avian development. Thus it hardly matters to what struc-
ture or organ we turn but we are met with a condition of morphological

'Read before the Society on May 8, 1934.

evolution which can only be described as either having proceeded not
much beyond an embryonic or early stage in avian evolution or as
being frankly reptilian.”

“To use a somewhat hackneyed expression,” he continues (p.
190), “we seem to be confronted with a series of ‘living fossils’ which
present us with a picture of at least one phase of early avian life not
far removed from the very earliest or dinosaurian.”

A careful consideration of Dr. Lowe’s papers, in the light of
my own studies of the skeletons of fossil and recent vertebrates of
all classes, has however led me to the conclusion that, as regards the
origins of the ratites, the older ornithologists were essentially right
and that Dr. Lowe’s chief conclusions are largely erroneous.

According to Marsh (1880, p. 60) “the sternum in Hesperornis
somewhat resembles in general form the corresponding bone in the
genus Uria but in other respects is more like that in the Ratitce. It
is thin and weak, and entirely without a keel.” Alarsh’s plates VII and
VIII indicate that there was good evidence for the lack of a keel.
Hesperornis has even been referred to in the literature of ornithology
as “essentially an aquatic ostrich” and was once restored as if covered
with emu-like feathers. But according to Heilmann (1927, p. 40)
Hesperornis in the construction of its skull, pelvis, limbs and feet, is
rather closely’ allied with some of the existing carinate birds, especially
the loons. That Hesperornis has been derived from flying birds is sug-
gested also by the fact that its keelless sternum is associated with an
obviously enfeebled condition of the humerus and an enormous hyper-
trophy and high specialization of the swimming hind limbs. If ever
the marks of degeneration can be clearly read anywhere, it is in the
case of the sliver-like humerus and nearly flat sternum of Hesperornis.

Nature, which has nearly wiped out the hind limbs of whales and
all the limbs of typical snakes, assuredly would not find it difficult to
reduce the keel on the sternum, if such a keel were present, in the
ancestors of the ratites. Thus the absence of a keel on the sternum
of adult ratites is in itself only negative evidence that they never
had one.

But there is the positive evidence of embryology, upon which
Dr. Lowe (1928, p. 236) leans heavily. The embryonic sternum of

‘But see also: Stolpe. Max. 1935. Jour, of Ornith., 83. p. 115-128.

ratites so far as known does not possess a keel. Here Dr. Lowe still
seems to believe that during development every individual “climbs its
own ancestral tree” as the phrase goes. But most modern students
of embryology will thoroughly agree with De Beer ( 1930) that it is
precisely in the embryonic stages that new directions of evolution are
frequently initiated, and that wdiether or not the embryo repeats its
ancestral history must be discovered in each case without reference
to assumed law’s that are of doubtful applicability to the case in hand.
Even in adult stages the presence or absence of a muscular crest on
a bone is usually correlated with the strength and position of the
muscles on either side of it. The absence of a sternal crest in the
embryo ratite proves no more than that at present there are not suf-
ficient stimuli for the crest to grow up. Nor does the fact that certain
flightless carinates still retain a keel on the sternum prove anything
about the absence of the keel in the ratites.

The sternal crest in carinate birds is formed from a separate
bony center named the lophosteon, which according to Low’e (1928,
pp. 236, 237) is characteristic of typical flying birds but does not exist
in the struthiones. The sternum of the struthious birds is formed
from a single pair of centers on either side of the midline and there
are no traces in the embryo either of the lophosteon or of other ac-
cessor}’ centers, named metosteon, urosteon and coracosteon. He com-
pares the paired sternal plates of ratites with those inferred to have
been present as cartilages in Archaeornis and concludes that “the
struthious sternum represents at least one stage further in advance
of the reptilian sternum, and its acquisition of only one pair of ossify-
ing centers w^ould have had the effect of rendering the breast-plate
permanently, concrete as a fulcrum for the attachment of the pectoral
muscles. Yet its development apparently failed to go further and was
only partially available for the full function of flight, the consequence
being that with other contributory causes, such as the failure of the
flight feathers to develop beyond a down-like phase, the group in ques-
tion was condemned to a cursorial existence, in which their wings
represented but a secondary adjunct to speed.”

This reasoning appears to me to be a partly concealed petitio prin-
cipii, since it is by no means proved either that the modern struthiones
have been derived directly from running pro-aves wdth the flight

feathers arrested in a down-like stage of development, or that the
ancestral birds lacked a median center of ossification in the sternum.
For, as to the latter, Heilmann (1927) has adduced considerable evi-
dence tending to show that this median crest and its center of ossifica-
tion represent the primitive reptilian episternum or interclavicle. And
Dr. Lowe has neglected to offer any evidence against this identification
of the “lophosteon.” It is strange, moreover, that he does not specific-
ally face the question of the absence of the clavicles in ratites and
their retention in Archaeornis as well as in typical flying birds. For
the clavicles and interclavicles are present in all primitive reptiles and
their absence in ratites unquestionably implies degenerative specializa-
tions in this region. The absence of the metasterna in Aepyornis
instead of proving that this bird is primitive may be regarded as an
incident in the extreme widening and shortening of the sternum in
these excessively thick-legged, broad-chested birds. Even in Stnitliio
the length of the sternum in an adult specimen recently dissected by
my colleague, IMr. H. C. Raven, was only twenty-one per cent of the
length of the body cavity, whereas in the accipitrine Thrassa'etus the
sternal length was sixty-three per cent of that of the body cavity.

In Newton’s Dictionary of Birds (i893-’96, p. 356) it was said,
]>robably by Gadow, that the pre-coracoidal process of the coracoid
of typical birds is “the remnant of an originally independent element,
the Praecoracoid — a bone which is almost typically complete, although
soon fused at either end with the Coracoid, in the Ostrich alone of
Birds.’’

Fortunately Dr. Lowe has avoided this confusing attempt of earlier
writers to identify the so-called precoracoid of the ostrich with the
precoracoid of reptiles. He accepts Broom’s evidence that this struc-
ture arises in the ten-day embryo as a downwardly directed process
from the anterior border of the scapula. He, however, interprets the
general morphology of the pectoral girdle of the ten-day embryo ostrich
a« a direct heritage from primitive reptiles, such as the pseudosuchians.
This interpretation implies that when embryonic conditions happen to
appear primitive they may be assumed to be so. But can the pectoral
girdle of the ten-day ostrich embryo be truly primitive in the complete
absence of paired clavicles and interclavicle, in the presence of the
above described descending process of the scapula, in the replacement

of a true coracoid foramen by a large notch and in the sharp backward
turning of the scapula across the ribs? These characters, on the other
hand, are about what one might expect to find in the embryo of an
ostrich, if earlier developmental stages are chiefly concerned with fore-
shadowing later ontogenetic stages rather than repeating phylogeny.
The anterior expansion of the sternum in the ostrich may increase its
usefulness as shield for the heart and other viscera. The vertical short-
ness of the coracoid in the ten-day ostrich embryo, regarded by Lowe
as a point of special resemblance to primitive reptiles, may rather be
due to the failure, at this stage, of the coracoid center to grow rapidly
in the vertical direction. The long coracoid of the cursorial Mesites,
cited by Lowe (p. 227) as proving that short coracoids are not the
necessary result of running habits, seems to me to prove little or noth-
ing as to the origin of the short coracoids in the ten-day ostrich embryo,
since Mesites belongs to a widely different order, admittedly of carinate
origin, in which the coracoids have either not yet become short, or
may be long for quite different reasons.

If, on the contrary, the ratite birds are in essentials only degener-
ate long-limbed carinates, then the opening out of the coraco-scapular
angle in ratites becomes intelligible as the result of several factors:
including the shortening of the coracoids, the loss of the keel and the
dwindling of the pectoralis secundus muscle. The end-to-end relations
of the scapula and coracoid noted by Dr. Lowe as a point of resem-
blance to primitive reptilian conditions may thus be a mere conver-
gence, like the formation of the false “precoracoid.” Even in the
Eocene Diatryma, whose skull offers decisive evidences against struth-
ious affinities, the wings are vestigial and the tiny scapulo-coracoid has
assumed a struthious appearance.

To me as a student of vertebrate skeletons it is difficult to con-
ceive that Rhea can be anything else than what it has long been taken
to be, namely, a bird which has inherited the “basic patents” of typical
bird wings, but which cannot fly because of defective wing feathers
and reduced pectoral muscles. But Dr. Lowe apparently asks us to
believe that the very small pectoralis secundus muscle figured by him
in the wing of the foetal Rhea is in a primitive, not reduced, condition.

Dr. Lowe’s assumption that the ostrich and other ratites may have
been derived from non-flying primitive birds rests partly on analogies

with the running dinosaurs and seems to leave out of account the fact
that the most bird-like of all known dinosaurs, Strut liioniimus, was
much later in geologic time than the true birds Archaeopteryx and
Archaeornis, and that Struthiomhnus was terrestrial and cursorial
while the far older birds were skimming or gliding types. Striithi-
omimiis was in fact even younger than Hesperornis, Ichthyornis and
their contemporaries, which proves that long before the close of the
Cretaceous period true rhipiduran carinate birds had been produced
and had had time to give rise on one hand to the excessively aquatic
Hesperornis with its keelless sternum and vestigial humerus, and on
the other hand to the strong flying, well-keeled Ichthyornis.

When we examine the enlarged manus of Struthiominius and its
allies we find that although wing-like in some respects the fingers were
still distinct and there is no evidence of the fusion of parts of digits
II and III, which complete fusion in the ostrich and other ratites is
another mute evidence of derivation from a normal well-winged an-
cestor. Nor do we find in the running dinosaurs any evidence of the
insertion of enlarged flight feathers on the back of the hand and arm,
such as are definitely present in all birds from Archceopteryx onward.

The later long-tailed running dinosaurs with their potentially wing-
like arms may even aflford misleading suggestions as to early stages
of the origin of flight, and it should not be forgotten that they were
not closely related to Archceopteryx, a truly flying ancestral bird, which
had presumably been derived from far older reptiles of Triassic age.
The ratites, on the other hand, by all the reliable marks of the skeleton,
were derivatives of true rhipiduran birds of a later stock than the
early long-tailed Ornithurae and thus only convergently resembled the
running dinosaurs.

There is one region of the skeleton of the ostrich, however, which
at first sight appears to afford strong support for Dr. Lowe’s claim
that the ratites have been evolved from a very ancient avian stock, and
that is the supposedly primitive characters of the palate, to which the
name “Palaeognathae” alludes. It is commonly assumed that the con-
ditions of the palate in the Palaeognathie, in which the pterygoids con-
tinue forward to meet the palatines without forming a “secondary”
contact with the rostrum of the basisphenoid, is truly primitive. But
in the lack of certain knowledge of the palates of Archceopteryx and

the Cretaceous birds such an assumption is by no means beyond doubt.
It is even conceivable that the palxognathous condition in the ratites
may have arisen through the loss of an arrangement called schizognath-
i<m which is found in primitive carinate birds, and that the palaeognath-
ous arrangement may in some way be correlated with the prevailing
herbivorous habits of the stnithious birds, whereas the possibly more
primitive schizognathos condition may be associated with more general
feeding habits. In any case the presence of a so-called palaeognathous
palate does not in itself prove that the ratites are not derived from
flying birds. The tinamous. which according to Beddard have a palteo-
gnathous palate, may also represent the first step in the evolution of
ground-living stnithious birds. .-\t least it is certain that the palaeo-
gnathous palate is already far removed from that of primitive reptiles,
in the peculiarly short pterygoids which are widely separated from
the midline.

The presence of a pygostyle in the ostrich, although it is in a some-
what degenerate condition, is good evidence of derivation from
rhipiduran birds, in which the spreading tail acts as a break just before
landing from a flight. It is also another indication of the derivation
of the ostrich from birds that stood well above the grade of the poorly
flying Archaeopteryx, in which the tail retained the primitive many-
jointed condition of its reptilian ancestors.

2. The Penguins: Post-Reptili.\xs or Aquatic C.arinwtes?

The absence of a carina on the sternum in ratites is used by Dr.
Lowe as a strong point against their derivation from carinate birds ;
but the presence of a carina in penguins, according to the same
authority, is no evidence of carinate relationship. While this paradox
might conceivably be true, the evidence that it is true seems defective
at certain points.

Dr. Lowe bases his objection to the derivation of the penguins
from birds with normal wings chiefly upon six classes of evidence :
palaeontological, embryological, pteiA’lographical, osteological, myologi-
cal, and geographic. On the palaeontological side he has no difficulty
in proving conclusively that the fossil penguins from the Miocene
and even from the Eocene epochs were already true penguins with
wings and feet differing only in minor details from those of existing
forms. He concludes, therefore, that the penguins are birds of vast

antiquity. But here he strangely forgets the abundant evidence that
many other existing orders of birds were already established by early
Tertiary times, that the oldest known true birds from the Jurassic
were probably more than one hundred million years older than the
Tertiary penguins, and that there are vast lost intervals in the known
history of the birds throughout the Upper Jurassic and through all
the tens of millions of years of the Lower and Middle Cretaceous ;
that after a brief glimpse of the already diversified orders of the Upper
Cretaceous, there is another huge gap of tens of millions of years to
the time of the oldest well known penguins, those of the IMiocene of
the antarctic islands. Surely it is equivalent to an anachronism to treat
Miocene penguins as birds of vast antiquity. In the human sense, well
enough, but in comparison with both the well winged and the special-
ized aquatic birds of Upper Cretaceous times the Miocene penguins
are mere parvenus, which have had scores of millions of years in which
to become highly specialized for aquatic life.

It may be a lack of appreciation of the inconceivable vastness of
geologic time that has so often led embryologists to expect the embryos
of recent vertebrates to climb their own ancestral tree with the most
obliging thoroughness. Dr. Lowe exhibits some beautiful preparations
of the wings of embryo penguins, showing that they are nothing but
embryo penguin wings and concludes that they never were anything
else. Throughout his papers on ratites and penguins we see a touching
faith that embryonic characters are primitive characters that hark back
at least to the dawn of avian life. Thus the arrangement of the feathers
on the wings of penguins may probably be derived, he shows, from
the peculiar arrangement of the Anlagen of feathers in the early
embryos of carinate birds; therefore, he implies, the penguin condition
harks back to the dawn of avian life, as does that of the embryos of
carinate birds. But to those who accept the modern viewpoint that
many embryonic conditions are merely preparatory for adult conditions,
that many later adult characters were initiated in embryonic changes,
that many other adult characters have been reached through the reten-
tion and emphasis of embryonic conditions, with progressive delay in
development of the old adult characters, — to such modernists the fact
that adult penguin wings retain certain conditions found only in the
embryos of carinate birds may be only an added item of evidence that
penguins are to some extent infantilized or larvalized carinates.

Dr. Lowe’s pterylographical evidence lies outside the proper prov-
ince of a palaeontologist, but I can not forbear the following remarks:
first, that the presence of innumerable small scale-like feathers on the
wings of penguins looks to me like a fairly clear example of a phen-
omenon that I have elsewhere called secondary polyisomerism, or hy-
perpolyisomerism, involving reduction of size differences or de-differ-
entiation, together with great multiplication of the de-dift'erentiated
units. Second, the presence of what I should regard as much less
specialized down feathers on the hacks of the penguins is another point
of resemblance to, and possible derivation from, the larval or nestling
conditions of non-aquatic carinate birds.

As to the more significant osteological peculiarities of the penguins,
Lowe stresses the supposed resemblance of the very short, almost sep-
arate metapodials of the penguins to the corresponding elements in
the feet of the running dinosaur Ceratosaurus. But the enormous dif-
ferences between penguins and carnivorous dinosaurs in the construc-
tion of the skull and backbone, and even in many features of the pec-
toral and pelvic limbs, together with the inconceivably great gap in
time between the Upper Jurassic and the Lower Miocene, collectiv^ely
indicate that whatever special resemblance there may be in respect to
the relative length of the three metatarsals in the dinosaur and penguin
is either fortuitous or convergent or both at once. When, however, we
compare the short metatarsals of Ceratosaurus with the short meta-
tarsals of penguins, we see that in the former the three metatarsals
though closely appressed are still separate, while in the latter they
are fused together at the top with mere foramina between them, ex-
cept at the lower end where they diverge to form the base of the some-
what spreading digits. The main basis of the resemblances between
the feet of Ceratosaurus and of the penguins lies in the fact that both
are descendants, at very unequal distances from the starting-point, of
primitive thecodont or aetosaurian reptiles with a running tarsus of
three appressed metatarsals (II, III, IV). In the earlier birds, how-
ever, as in ArchcEOpteryx, these metatarsals became fused together to
form a compressed running foot. In spite of the spreading character
of the metatarsals in penguins, the three metatarsals still retain evi-
dence of derivation from the fused metatarsals of normal birds.

The shortness and subequality of the metatarsals in penguins is
evidently a habitus character associated, first, with their peculiar planti-

grade manner of sitting; second, with their great prowess in walking,
hopping and pushing themselves along on their bellies. Hence I do
not admit in the short metatarsals any evidence of separate derivation
from primitive reptiles. The short metatarsals of Ceratosauriis and
Tyrannosaurus, on the other hand, are associated with the great weight
of these animals.

It is strange that the construction of the bony wing of a penguin
is not at once apparent to Dr. Lowe as a paddle-like modification of
a true complete wing. Surely it shows the fusion of the digits and
other general characters of the wings of well-flying birds, whereas in
the pectoral appendages even of the most bird-like dinosaurs the digits
remain separate, as they did even in the primitive winged bird Archce-
opteryx. But for all its essentially bird-like heritage, the bony wing
of the penguins is disguised by a paddle-like habitus which is conver-
gent toward that of other aquatic vertebrates, especially in its general
flatness and in the convexity of its preaxial border.

It is in the entire pectoral girdle, however, that the penguins re-
tain the most convincing evidence of derivation from completely flying
carinate birds. Here are essentially the same outstandingly avian char-
acters of the sabre-like scapula, the well developed furcula, the elongate
coracoids, the foramen triosseum, the well developed carina and the
enormous sternum. With all this the penguins merely fly under water
instead of in the air.

It is true, that, as Dr. Lowe states, the dorsal sutures separating
the backbone from the opposite ilia remain open; but is this surprising
in a thoroughly aquatic vertebrate?

The relations between the sacral region and the vertebrae, as shown
by Professor J., E. von Boas, are not widely different from those seen
in carinate birds. Assuredly the backbone as a whole is thoroughly
bird-like in all its bewildering com])lexities and gives no hint of the
derivation of penguins from near the base of the avian tree.

Finally, the penguins, like other rhipiduran birds, possess a true
plough-share bone, a mute evidence of descent from birds with a nor-
mal bird-like tail.

When we turn to the architecture of the skull I find no special
evidences of descent from the post-reptilian founders. The palate, as
in many carinates, is of the schizognathous type.

On the side of geographic distribution, the penguins as a whole
center around the Antarctic and the fact that a few of them, finding
themselves in sub-tropical conditions, have managed to muddle through
to the present time says little about the ability of their remote fore-
bears to adapt themselves to the severity of antarctic conditions. Nor
does the fact that the auks are not as specialized as the penguins tell
us much, except possibly that the auks are younger.

It is also strange that in all his discussion of the penguins Dr.
Lowe never mentions the numerous obvious analogies with cetaceans.
There is the most convincing and extensive evidence that cetaceans
were derived from normal hairy land mammals with well developed
legs; but degeneration and specialization have played such havoc with
both the embryonic and adult anatomy that whales are now heavily
disguised in a thoroughly aquatic habitus and can no more walk on
land than penguins can fly in the air. No doubt whales also have been
distinct from all other mammals at least since the early Eocene but,
for all that, they remain placental mammals just as the penguins re-
main rhipiduran carinate birds.

DISCUSSION

Following the presentation of Professor Gregory’s critique, Mr.

John H. Baker, President of the Linnaean Society, called upon
Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy to discuss, from the special aspect
of feather-structure. Dr. Lowe’s theses regarding the Ratites
and the Penguins. Dr. Murphy spoke as follows :

Dr. Lowe uses the feathers and the feather tracts of both ostrich-
like birds and penguins to bolster up the same reasoning to which, as
we have learned from Professor Gregory, he marshals the characters
he finds in the skeleton, muscles and viscera of adult and embryonic
birds.

For the objective matter presented by Dr. Lowe I have nothing
but admiration. He has, indeed, made us all his debtors in digging
out and recording a large number of significant details, of which his
discovery regarding the relationships of the feathers on the post-axial
border of the penguin wing is only one of several illuminating ex-
amples. With Dr. Lowe’s interpretation of a number of his facts, how-
ever, I heartily disagree. It seems to me, indeed, that many of his

findings concerning feathers, their structure and development, point
to a quite different conclusion from the one he draws, and that the
feathers of both penguins and ostrich-like birds testify to the hypothesis
of evolutionary origin that Professor Gregory has outlined upon the
basis of deeper morphological details.

The Ratites

In the first place. Dr. Lowe excludes the tinamous from the struth-
ious birds and notes that among all he would call the latter, such as
ostriches, moas, cassowaries, rheas, rocs, and Apteryx, the feathers
are evenly spaced over the body of the bird, without showing the
apteria which are so characteristic of most carinates. Furthermore,
lie shows that the barbs of the struthious feathers do not have effective
barbicels, leaving the vanes in consequence loose and incapable of of-
fering resistance to the air. Dr. Lowe regards both of these char-
acteristics as ancestral and primitive. He believes that, in the case of
the ostrich-like birds, feather evolution has not proceeded much be-
yond an embryonic or “early avian” stage. He devotes many pages
of text and a beautiful series of figures to establishing his point that
there is no evidence of degeneration in the feathers of the ostrich-like
birds, although he admits a considerable variation among the several
members of the group. He holds, in brief, that it is inconceivable that
such a simple arrangement of feather parts, involving the absence of
typical pennaceous structure, could have been derived in any way
from the highly specialized feathers of true flying birds. The plumage
of ostrich-like birds, according to Lowe, is marked by complete ab-
sence of the teleoptylic or final phase in feather evolution.

Now all of this is entirely acceptable, save for Dr. Lowe’s inter-
pretation. He fondly believes that what is simple is necessarily primi-
tive, whereas examples are not lacking in nature of organs of thorough-
ly simple structure occurring at the latter or top end of long phylo-
genetic series, of which earlier stages exhibit greater complexity. It
is not necessary to assume that the simple struthious feathers have
resulted from a degenerative process involving a reversal, so to speak,
of the phylogenetic sequence. The result may rather have been attained
through the actual dropping out or cutting off of the final stage of
feather development somewhere along the line of the ostrich’s phylo-
geny. As Professor Gregory has inferred, evolutionary change per-

tains to embryonic organisms no less than to adults, \outhful animals,
as in the case of the emperor and king penguins, are sometimes far
more dissimilar than the same creatures will be after they have grown
up. Distinctly new trends in evolution are, moreover, more likely to
be constructed upon the basis of a larval or primitive character than
upon that of a mature or final character. This princijde is what de
Beer has called “pushing the adult stage off the end of the ontogeny.”

In view of what we know about the genetics of feathers, and
especially in the light of mutant domestic strains of birds, such as the
“silky fowl,” it seems to me that the derivation of ostrich plumage from
a once more consolidated and advanced type of feather should cause
us no difficulty whatsoever. Through direct and unpredictable changes
in the germ plasm, a chicken of the silky type, the feathers of which
show similar peculiarities to those of the ostrich-like birds, may arise
over night, as it were, in a single generation. The silky fowl is a
mutant of considerable antiquity. Marco Polo saw it in Asia in the
13th century. In this strain of poultry all the contour feathers are
down feathers, with delicate shafts and long barbs. The barbules,
moreover, arise irregularly, a matter of which Dr. Lowe makes much
in discussing the plumage of the ostrich. Furthermore, the barbules
are either not provided with barbicels or else these are in very reduced
number, in consequence of which the barbs do not cling together to
form a vane, and the entire feather is fluffy.

Tegetmeier in 1867 described the silky strain under the name of
“emu fowl.” The science of genetics has of course seen almost all its
development since his day, but he correctly spoke of the condition as
an accidental variation of plumage which occasionally occurs and which
may be perpetuated. He figured a typical feather and stated that the
barbs, instead of being held together by hooked barbules so as to con-
stitute a plane surface, are independent and distinct.

Certain other breeds of poultry, such as the Cochins and Brahmas,
show cognate similarities. Their feathers sometimes exhibit two dis-
tinct kinds of barbules, namely, short hooked ones and long ones with-
out hooks. There thus seems to be a complete discontinuity between
the two sorts of barbules, which harmonizes with the theory that the
long barbule is a mutational form of the more typical short barbule.
In any event, the silky mutation has arisen many times in poultry of

sundry breeds. Its sporadic appearance is probably due to the necessity
for chance mating of birds carrying the silky factor in heterozygous
condition. Even if the mutation occurred anew, it could not become
visible until two individuals carrying it should cross.

Among ratite birds, the rhea has remiges possessing numerous
though small cilia, some of them ending in hook-like nodules which
very closely resemble similar structures in the silky fowl. It is not
without reason that various geneticists, including Davenport ( 1906,
p. 55) have, by inference at least, recognized all struthious feathers,
such as those of the ostrich, rhea, emu, cassowary, etc., as mutant
forms of ordinary plumage, and this seems to me far more reasonable
than Dr. Lowe's contention.

Under such circumstances, is it not curious that Dr. Lowe is will-
ing to believe in the profound evolution of the struthious birds towards
a strictly cursorial habit of life, and yet is unwilling to accept the to-
be-expected mutational correlations, including degenerative modifica-
tion of an originally “flying type” of fore limb, pectoral girdle, and
feathers

The Penguins

Turning now to the penguins. Dr. Lowe finds again a uniform
feather-coat, as in the ratites. He remarks that this same pterylo-
graphic arrangement is also common to the crested screamer, and
notes that the latter, alone among the birds he would regard as car-
inate, shows in this respect the same primitive plan as do those he
'Calls the primarily aquatic penguins, and the primarily terrestrial
■ostrich-like birds. The inference would seem to be that the screamer
(Palamedea) represents the primarily volant ancestral type in a con-
veniently tripartite class of vertebrates.

Dr. Lowe goes on to say that he sees through his study of the
penguin feather the outcome, not of a ])rocess of degeneration, but one
of failure to develop. The barbules at the distal ends of the barbs of
penguin contour feathers are, he holds, sjiecialized pcnnal-down bar-
bules. The arrangement of the wing feathers in the penguins may be
said to be larval in character, with specialties superimposed.

^Seo also: Stresemann. E., T..a Structure dea Remljfea chez quelquea Rales physl-
■oloerlcement apteres. Alauda TV (1932).

In the last conclusion Dr. Lowe and I meet on common ground,
except that I would apply here the same general reasoning already
given for the ostriches. Many penguin characters, including those of
feathers, are doubtless to a certain extent larval, but this by no means
precludes the likelihood that in earlier stages this same feather struc-
ture may have been succeeded by others which have since dropped
away. I can not agree that penguin feathers are evidence that the birds
have specialized directly from a primitive, non-flying, generalized
ancestor.

Dr. Lowe has given us many interesting details regarding the
peculiarities of penguin pterylosis. He finds for example that there are
300 feathers in a 25mm. square on the back of Pygoselis papiia. There
are 100 or more putative remiges on the border of the emperor pen-
guin’s wing; no other bird has more than 42. There are no less than
38 successive rows of scale-like feathers between the pre- and post-
axial borders of the emperor penguin’s wing, which means something
like 3,800 feathers on the dorsal surface of the forearm alone in this
species. But Dr. Lowe speaks of all these numbers as the “primitive
quantum,’’ for which I believe we have not the slightest iota of evi-
dence, while all the correlated probabilities are against it. Dr. Gregory
has already spoken of the familiar phenomenon of multiplication of
segments and parts, and it seems to me that in the numbers of penguin
feathers we have a capital example of this genetic process. The pecu-
liarity of the penguin’s molt, and the length and nature of the horny
sheath in which the feather grows, would likewise appear to have no
suggestion of a primitive condition but rather to be correlated with
the thickness of the insulating coat of blubber with which penguins
are invested.

Dr. Lowe has discovered an extraordinarily interesting fact in
the relationships of certain feathers on the upper and under surface
of the penguin’s wing, and one in which there is an important dis-
crepancy between penguins and all typical flying birds. This relates
to the positions of the hitherto unrecognized coverts and “quills” of
penguins. It was pointed out long ago by Sundevall that the major
and median under wing coverts in normal flying birds have their con-
cave surfaces facing downwards, instead of upwards or against the
quills, as do the rows of coverts anterior to them, ty'ray subsequently

explained this anomaly by demonstrating that in embryonic develop-
ment the first two rows of under coverts arise on the outer side of the
wing, and later, with the hypertrophied growth of the remiges, become
shifted around to the inner or ventral side.

Now Dr. Lowe shows that the early embryonic condition persists
in the adult penguin. In Aptenodytes, for example, there are four rows
of marginal white feathers. Two of these rows are implanted above
the actual edge of the wing and face downwards ; the two immediately
below the edge of the wing face upwards. The homologies permit
Dr. Lowe to point out the first row of blue feathers on the dorsal
surface as the hitherto unrecognized remiges. The feather arrange-
ment along the hind edge of the penguin’s wing is therefore persistently
embryonic, but it does not follow that it is phylogenetically primitive.
On the contrary, the condition is the one that would almost necessarily
be restored with the reduction of large flight-quills to the size of un-
differentiated coverts.

I am ready to hold with Dr. Lowe that the described feather rela-
tionship is larval or embryonic, and even that it may simulate the ulti-
mate ancestral condition. Rather than representing a truly primi-
tive stage, however, I should say that the position of the penguin's
coverts merely indicates that a phylogenetically later stage once existed,
and has since dropped out. If one knew penguins onl)^ by their wings,
such a conclusion might not be justifiable, but it appears to be the only
logical inference when taken in conjunction with the mass of other
evidence.

It is, of course, entirely possible that the ancestors of penguins
may have more or less lost the art of flight long before they took to
pelagic life. Their center of dispersal was probably in an area corre-
sponding with what we now call the Antarctic Continent, and this
region has apparently been the most isolated portion of the earth’s
surface during a very great period of geologic time. It is likely, in-
deed, that it has been so long and so widely separated from the north-
ern continents by water that it was never reached by terrestrial animals
of any sort. Flying birds, however, could not be barred out. We may
note, furthermore, that among birds reaching remote and safe insular
areas, loss of flight is apt to occur. Therefore, without being far-
fetched, we may picture the ancestral penguin as a bird that had given'

up the air and had taken to the ground, or to littoral waters, acquiring
during this phase something of the pedestrian and graviportal ability
that still characterizes the group. It is worth noting here that
Ameghino called the fossil Cladoruis a “dry-land penguin.” Now with
the approach of periods of glaciation, such as have marked many dif-
ferent geological epochs and which, indeed, grip contemporary Ant-
arctica, some of these flightless birds would have been forced to the
sea for survival, producing the ancestors of the penguin order as we
know it to-day. The beginnings of this trend were undoubtedly a long
time ago, far longer than Dr. Lowe conceives, I judge, since he calls
even mid-Tertiary birds “ancient.” We can readily accept the mor-
phological truths, which he points out with great thoroughness, correct-
ing Wiman’s error and proving that the fossil Miocene penguins were
extremely closely related to the genera still in the world.

To conclude, I see in the penguin not a bird one stage removed
from reptilian ancestry, and aquatic from the beginning of things, but
rather, as advertised in its feathers and in all other parts of its make-
up, a bird carrying the stigmata of three successive ancestral stages —
first the flying, second the flightless, and third the supremely aquatic.

LITERATURE CITED

Beddard, Frank E. 1898. The Structure and Classification of Birds. London.
vii-l-548 pp., 252 figs.

Boas, J. E. V. 1933. Kreuzhein, Becken und Plexus LumlKisacralis der Vogel.
Mem. d. I’Acad. Roy. d. Sci. et d. Lettres d. Danemark, Copenhague, Sect,
d. Sci., (9), V, No. I, 74 pp., 15 pis., 33 figs. (D. Kgl. Danske Vidensk.
Selsk. Skrifter, Naturv. og. Math. Afd., 9 Raekke, V. i).

Broom, Robert. 1906. On the Early Development of the Appendicular Skeleton of
the Ostrich, with Remarks on the Origin of Birds. Trans. South African
Philos. Soc., XVI, 1905-1907, pp. 355-368, pi. IX.

1913. On the South-African Pseudosuchian Euparkeria and Allied Genera.
Proc. Zool. Soc., London, September, 1913, pp. 619-633, pis. LXXV-
LXXIX.

Davenport, C. B. 1906. Inheritance in Poultry. Publ. Carnegie Inst., Washington,
No. 51, 136 pp., 17 pis.

Heilman, Gerhard. 1927. The Origin of Birds. New York. Appleton and Co.
vi-l-2io pp., 2 pis., 140 figs.

Lambrecht, Kalman. 1933. Handbuch der Palaeornithologie. xix-f-1024 pp., 209
figs. Berlin.

Lowe, Percy Roycroft. 1928. Studies and Observations Bearing on the Phylogeny
of the Ostrich and Its Allies. Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1928, Part I, pp.
185-247, pi. I, figs. 1-22.

1933- On the Primitive Characters of the Penguins and Their Bearing on the
Phylogeny of Birds. Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1933, Part 2, pp. 483-538,
pis. I-VI, figs. 1-16.

Marsh, O. C. 1880. Odontornithes : A Monograph on the Extinct Toothed Birds
of North America. U. S. Geol. Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel. Wash-
ington, xv-f 201 pp., 34 pis., 40 figs.

Matthew, W. D., and Granger, Walter. 1917. The Skeleton of Diatryma, a Gigan-
tic Bird from the Lower Eocene of Wyoming. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat.
Hist., XXXVII, Art. n, pp. 307-326, pis. XX-XXXIII, i fig.

Newton, Alfred (with Hans Gadow). 1893-1896. A Dictionary of Birds. London.
xii-|-io88 pp.

Osborn, Henry Fairfield. 1917. Skeletal Adaptations of Ornitholesles, Struth-
iomimus, Tyrannosaurus. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXV, Art. 43,
pp. 733-771, pis. XXIV-XXVH, 23 figs.

Pycraft, W. P. 1899. Contributions to the Osteology of Birds. Part IV. Pygo-
podes. Proc. Zool. Sec., London, 1899, PP- 1018-1046, pi. LXXII.

1910. A History of Birds. London. 8 vo. xvii-f458 pp. Illustrated.

1900. On the Morphology and Phylogeny of the Palaeognathae (Ratitae and
Crypturi) and Neognathae (Carinatae). Trans. Zool. Soc., London, XV,
No. 6, Part II, pp. 149-290, pis. XLH-XLV, figs. i-io.

Stresemann, Erwin. 1927-1934. Aves. 899 pp. in: Kiikenthal, Handbuch der
Zoologie, VII, 2. (See pp. 736-738.)

How Many Birds Are Known?

1?Y Kknst Mavr

In the year 1735, just exactly 200 years ago, a work was pub-
lished which was the starting point of modern zoological classification,
namely the first edition of Linne's Systema Naturae. Binary nomen-
clature had not yet quite matured in this edition, and the 117 species,
which Linne lists in his first attempt of a classification of birds, corre-
spond rather to the genera of modern taxonomy than to the species.
In the lOth edition of the “Systema Naturae” (1758), in which the
binomial principle is cmi)loyed consistently for the first time, Linne
enumerates 554 species of birds (in 63 genera) as known to him at
that time.

The subseciuent 130 years were a period of intensive exploration
and of keen interest in descriptive natural history. Great numbers of
new species of birds were described every year. The end of this period
of ornithological history is marked by the publication of Sharpe’s
“Handlist”* (1899-1909), a complete catalogue of all birds known at
that time. The number of genera and species admitted by Sharpe in
1909 was 2,810 genera and 18,939 species. These figures were really
more a guess than an actual count, since Sharpe did not always at-
tempt to ascertain the validity of the counted species.

Sharpe was a faithful disciple of the principle of binomial nomen-
clature. He did not deny the facts of geographical variation and of
intergradation between “species,” he also admitted many advantages
of the trinomial system. However he refused to adopt it for purely
practical reasons. He thought it was too clumsy and once said in an
argument with Dr. Hartert : “I cannot write three names on one label !”
The general acceptance of the theory of evolution and the ever in-
creasing number of descriptions of new kinds of birds made it more
and more obvious that binomial nomenclature was no longer sufficient
to express the relationships between geographical representatives and
closely related forms. A boom for modern taxonomic work followed
the acceptance of the trinomials, and during the past 30 years nearly
all the genera of birds were revised with the help of the subspecies
concept. The road was thus cleared for a modern list of birds. The
monumental task of writing this list is being undertaken by James L.

•Handlist of the Genera and Species of Birds. Vol. I-V. London 1899-1909.

Peters, Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology in
Cambridge (Mass.). The first volume of this “Check-list of Birds of
the World” was published in 1931, the second volume in 1934, with
about 10 volumes to be published in the future. It is a work which
deserves the highest praise for its thoroughness and reliability, and
which has become the indispensable tool of every bird taxonomist.

A comparison between Sharpe’s Handlist and Peters’ Check-list
reveals not only how many new birds have been discovered and de-
scribed during the past 30 years, but also how much the new species
concept has changed the arrangement of the known forms. A com-
parative table of the number of genera, species and subspecies ad-
mitted by Sharpe and by Peters will help to illustrate this point.

Increase in the Number of Known Birds in Several Orders

Sharpe

(1899)

Sharpe

(1909)1

Peters (1931.

1934)

Name of Order

genera

species

genera

species genera

species

subsp.

Struthioni formes - - -

r I

Rheiformes . - — .

Casuariformes - - - -

. 21

109

Apterygiformes - - -

Tinamiformes - - - -

118

Sphenisciformes - - -

17.

Gaviiformes

Colymbi forms - - - -

Procellariiformes - - -

- 25

120

133

107

186

Pelecaniformes - - -

122

126

Ciconii formes - - - -

- 74

169

229

123

244

Anseriformes - - - -

- 73

210

280

170

231

Falconi formes - - - -

- 92

516

100

610

288

700

Galliformes -----

- 95

476

102

616

277

830

Gruiformes - . - .

- 85

302

359

205

481

Charadriiformes - - -

- 138

41 1

158

509

124

315

602

618

2,429

704

3,115

577

1,638

3,639

*Count In the introduction to Vol. V of the Handlist; includes fossil birds.

Even a casual glance at these figures reveals two significant facts.
One is, that the changes are very uneven ; they are very small in some
groups (mostly those with negligible geographical variation), while
in other groups the number of known forms has almost doubled. The
other outstanding fact is the general trend of development (within
the taxonomic units). The number of genera has somewhat decreased,

the number of species has been reduced by more than a third, while
the total number of forms has increased very substantially.

The two questions which we would like to answer in turn for the
three taxonomic units, genus, species, and subspecies, are : How many
are known to-day?, and : What will be their total number after all
birds have been discovered and described?

Gener.\. — Shar})e lists in 190c) (Handlist, vol. V, p. XXII) a
total of 2,810 genera of birds. This number includes many genera of
fossil birds, which I am leaving out of consideration in the present
discussion. In the 16 orders of birds covered by the two first volumes
of the “Check-list” Sharpe recognizes 704 genera, Peters only 577, a
reduction of 127 (= 18.1%). This brings out very clearly the differ-
ence between the point of view of an old-fashioned genus-splitter and
that of a modern taxonomist. In the non-passerine birds not yet treat-
ed by Peters (578 of Sharpe’s genera) and in the Passerine birds
(1,496 of Sharpe's genera) the reduction will be less. In fact, there
will be quite an increase in the number of genera in some of the fami-
lies, as for example in the Tyrannidae (32% according to Hellmayr)
and in the Meliphagidae. Taking all the facts into consideration, I
arrive at 2,600 as the total number of valid genera of recent birds
known at the present time.

We can be reasonably sure that this figure will not be changed
much by future discovery of new genera. According to Meise (Pro-
ceed. \HIIth Intern. Ornith. Congress) there have been described about
500 genera during the 14-year period from 1920 to 1933, but only 75 of
these can be considered as valid according to the progressive taxonomic
views. The majority of these newly recognized genera was not based
on the discovery of strikingly new species, but rather on the removal
of aberrant species from the genera in which they had been included
in the past. Practically all families of birds have been revised in this
manner, which makes me believe that the number of genera of birds
will not materially be altered in the future ; it will stay at about 2,600,
the figure mentioned by me in the preceding paragraph.

Species. — It has become increasingly clear during the past 30
years, that the definition and the extent of a species is very much a
matter of personal opinion. Peters has more or less followed a middle
course between two extremes. The one of these extremes demands

perfect intergradation between subspecies of a species (Ridgway,
etc.), and the other merely geographical representation (Kleinschmidt).
In the orders treated in the first two volumes of his “Check-list” Peters
reduces the number of species from 3,115 (Sharpe, 1909) to 1,638,
a reduction of 47.4%. An ardent follower of Kleinschmidt might slice
off another 5-10% by combining some of Peters’ species in the orders:
Galliformes, Falconiformes, Ciconiiformes and Charadriiformes. How-
ever this seems inadvisable and not in the trend of our future species
concept. The majority of the species in the orders already treated by
Peters do not show a high degree of geographical variation. It can be
predicted that the reduction in the number of species in many genera
of Oscines (as compared with the figures in Sharpe, 1909) will by far
surpass 50%. The total number of good species of birds will be slightly
below 50% of the figure given by Sharpe in 1909 (18.939) namely
8,500. The stability of this figure will depend more on the future de-
velopment of our species concept, than on the discovery of new species.
The period of discoveries is definitely a matter of the past.

Meise (l.c.) has counted that about 140 (between 133 and 167)
good species have been described during the past fourteen years, an
average of 10 per year. I believe that less than this number remains
undescribed and my reasons for this belief are the following; The
majority of the species that were discovered in recent years were found
on isolated islands and unexplored mountain ranges. Such areas are
now rapidly disappearing. Not a single new species of bird has been
found in North America during the past 40 years, and 7 expeditions
in the last 10 years to New Guinea, supposedly one of the least known
regions of the world, have found only 5 good new species. I there-
fore believe that the number of still undescribed species of birds is
below 100.

Subspecies. — The total number of species (our species and sub-
.species) known to Sharpe in 1909 was 18,939. "This figure includes
the species of fossil birds and the names of the species which were
described after the publication of the first four volumes of the ‘‘Hand-
list.” In the orders treated in the first two v^olumes of Peters’ “Check-
list,” Sharpe (1909) lists 3,115 forms, Peters, 3,639, an increase of 524
or only i6.S%. In the Passerine families the increase has undoubtedly
been larger, but only in a few cases are modern revisions of whole
families available which could be compared with Sharpe’s figures.

In the Tyramiidac, Sharj)e (1909) recognizes 87 genera and 617
species, while Hellmayr {1924) admits 115 genera (-1-38.6^), 362
species ( — 41.4%) and 757 subspecies, an increase of 22.7% in the
total number of forms. Of the genus Cisticola, Sharpe, in 1903, lists
48 species, while Lynes in his recent monograph records 154 species
and subspecies, an increase of 221^. Sharpe (1909) lists of non-
Aethiopian Zosteropidae about 125, Stresemann in a recent review
(1931) 205, an increase of 54%. Taking all groups into consideration
I arrive for the now known number of forms at an average increase
of 40-45^ above Sharpe's figure of 1909. 45% of 19,000 = 8,540. I
therefore estimate the total number of sfecies and subspecies of birds
knozi'u at the present time at 27,000.

Another way to arrive at the number of known birds, is to trj’ to
count how many valid forms were described since the publication of
Sharpe’s Handlist.

Meise in his report at the Oxford congress reported that about

4.500 subspecies had been described in the years from 1920 to 1933
of which he considered about 3,000 as valid. My estimate is that about

2.500 were described in the years 1909 to I9i9> which have to be
added about 2,500 forms which were already known at Sharpe’s times
but were not recognized before our modern times of fine subspecies
distinctions. Altogether we would also arrive at a figure of about
27,000 known birds.

But how many more subspecies remain to be discovered or to be
described? One can unhesitatingly say that it depends entirely on the
future development of the taxonomic viewpoint. There will be prac-
tically no limit to the number of subspecies, if such names are ad-
mitted as have been given by Oberholser, some Californian authors,
and others to minutely differing populations. If, however, those sub-
species are considered invalid that cannot be identified in at least 7S%
of the specimens, then a prediction is possible, on the basis of the ac-
tivity of the past 14 years. During that period an average of 225 valid
forms were described per year. There is no reason not to believe that
an average of 200 valid new forms will be described during the coming
25 years, which would bring the number of known birds up to 32,000
in the year i960. From then on the progress will be slower and I do
not believe that the number of valid and recognizable species and sub-
species of birds will ever reach 40,000.

Bernard Altum and the Territory Theory

By Ernst Mayr

In 1920 Eliot Howard published a book, “Territory in Bird-life,”
which caused more discussions among ornithologists than any other
recent publication. It has also been responsible in a high degree for
the rapid spreading of a new method of bird-study : the life history
of individual birds. For ten years or more it was generally believed
among the English speaking ornithologists that Howard’s theory was
something entirely novel, but recently it has been shown that he had
several forerunners (Mousley‘, Moffaf, and others) who had made
similar observations, but had not developed a detailed theory. It was
Meise (1930, p. 52) who called attention to the fact that in Germany
the essentials of Howard’s theory were common knowledge of the field
ornithologists. Bernard Altum had developed, as early as 1868, in
great detail a territory concejJt which in some ways was even superior
to that of Howard by largely avoiding generalizations concerning the
occurrence of territory among birds. These ideas were published in a
book called: “Der Vogel und sein Leben” (The Bird and his Life),
which had a remarkable success in Germany, where seven editions
were printed between 1868 and 1903.

Since this book is now out of print, it was suggested to me by
several British ornithologists at the International Ornithological Con-
gress at Oxford that I jniblish a translation. The idea was much en-
couraged by some of my American friends, and I finally undertook
the work. Mrs. Margaret M. Nice and Mr. William Vogt were so
kind as to check my translation, and I owe to them, as well as to Dr.
Austin Rand, many hel])ful suggestions which I want to acknowledge
with my sincere appreciation.

As an introduction, it may be opportune to say a few words about
the author.

Johann Bernard Theodor Altum was born in Munster (West-
falia) on December 31, 1824. His father, a small artisan, instilled in
his son a love for nature and gave him his first instructions in the col-
lecting and study of birds. Altum entered a Catholic college in 1845
and four years later he became a ])ricst in one of the Miinster churches.

’Auk, 1919. p. 3.19; and Auk. 1921, p. 321.
■*'1903, Irish Naturalist, XII, p. 152.

His great love for science, however, influenced him to continue his
studies at the university, and in 1853 he went to Berlin to complete
his work in zoology and philolog>'. In 1855 he received his doctor's
degree, and after having held an assistantship under Lichtenstein at
the Zoological Museum, he returned to Minister where he obtained a
teaching position.

In 1859 he became associate professor at the Munster university
after giving a lecture on climatical varieties of animals. The subse-
■quent ten years comprised his most active period of field ornithology,
at the end of which he published his well-known book: “Der \’ogel
und sein Leben" (1868). The following year Ahum was appointed
professor of zoolog}- at the forestry college at Eberswalde. In this
position he became the father of economic ornithology. The results
of his research on the interrelation between birds and in.sects are em-
bodied in his three volume work “Forstzoologie."* the “classic" of
this field.

In the course of these investigations he came to the conclusion
that it was futile to classify birds into beneficial and harmful species.
He was, perhaps, the first conservationist to proclaim the protection
of birds primarily on the basis of their aesthetic value (1881. etc.),
a point of view which he defended vigorously at legislative meetings
and scientific congresses against opponents who proclaimed the pro-
tection of birds merely on the basis of their economic importance.

Since this is not the place to list the many-sided activities of this
gifted man, I will only mention that he was president of the German
Ornithological Societ\- for many years and his writings were popular
all over Germany. !More detailed information can be found in his
obituaries’. Altum died February i, 1900, at the age of 76 years.

The first edition of “Birds and their Life’’ (Der \*ogel und sein
I^eben) was published in 1868. originally more or less as an answer to
A. Brehm’s book with the same name (Das Leben der \’ogel. 1861 L
Brehm had given a very sentimental and anthropomorphic picture of
the bird's life, surmising that birds felt and thought very much like
humans. Altum’s principle, however, was, “animal non agit. agitur’."

’Forstzoologie. 3 vol., 2nd ed.. Berlin 1880.

*Ornith. Monatsber. 1900. p. 49-54; Schalow, Beitr. Vogelfauna Brandenburg. 1919.
p. 555-569.

^Translated: An animal does not act. but is being acted upon, or more freely: An
animal does not act by its own volition, but reacts to stimuli (drives).

a remarkably modem point of view. To support this theory he gathered
one piece of evidence after another, and he also developed his territory
theory in this connection.

The following translation is based on the sixth edition (1898) of
Altum’s work of which more copies are available than of any of the
earlier editions. It is, however, a practically unaltered reprint of the
first edition (1868) in those chapters in which we are particularly in-
terested. The only real difference is the insertion on page loi of a
statement relating to the birds of prey. I have tried to follow the
original as closely as possible which will account for some of the
foreign sounding phrases.

Altum treats territory in his chapter on “Song,” explaining that
song not only coincides seasonally with the reproductive activities, but
that it is a neces.sary and integral part of them. It serves to bring
together the pairs and to fix the territory borders :

'VQZV The Fixing of the Territory Borders.

“It is impossible among a great many species of birds, for numer-
ous pairs to nest close together, but individual pairs must settle at
precisely fixed distances from each other. The reason for this necessity
is the amount and kind of food they have to gather for themselves
and their young, together with the methods by which they secure it.
All the species of birds which have specialized diets and which, in
searching for food — mostly animal matter — for themselves and their
young, limit their wanderings to small areas, can not and ought not
to settle close to other pairs because of the danger of starvation. They
need a territory (Brutrevier) of a definite size, which varies according
to the productivity of any given locality.

“In order to determine the daily food consumption of my caged
P.lue-throat (Cyanosylvia) , I once counted the ‘ant-eggs’ I fed it. and
discovered that it devoured during an average day about 1,200 of
them in addition to eight meal-worms. Now let us suppose that even
a smaller quantity, perhaps 1,000 insects of the same size, would have
been sufficient, /p. 98/ and let us assume that the daily food of five
young in the nest equals that of the two adults ; such a pair of Blue-
throats, with their young, would need under natural conditions about
4,000 insects of ‘ant-egg’ size each day. Other investigators have ar-

'Figures refer to the pagination of the sixth edition.

rived at similar figures. All Warblers, Redstarts, the Xightingale,
the Robin, the Hedge-sparrow, the Titmice, in short, all such birds,,
require a more or less similar ([uantity ; and even most of the Finches
and Ihmtings, though they are primarily seed-eaters, feed their young
mostly with insects. They search for this almost incredible quantity
of food, not at a distance, but in the immediate vicinity of the nest.
IMany insects, such as large and hard beetles, hairy caterpillars, and
others, are, however, not fit for food, and it is only because numbers
of insects are emerging every day that it is possible for the adult binls
to satisfy themselves and their oflfspring. It is self-evident that a half
dozen pairs of such similar species of birds cannot settle in the same
immediate vicinity, for each pair must have its own territory if it is
to avoid starvation or, at best, a very miserable e.xistence.

“If a locality produces a great deal of food, the result of favor-
able soil, vegetation, and climatic conditions, the size of territories
may be reduced to some extent. We call such localities excellent Warb-
ler, Nightingale, etc., terrain, but even here territorial boundaries can-
not be absent. It is not at all remarkable that for each species of bird
the size of these necessary territories is adjusted to its exact ecological
requirements and its specific food. \\’hile, for example, the Sea-eagle
has a territory an hour’s walk in diameter, a small wood lot is sufficient
for the Woodpecker, and a single acre of brush for the Warbler. All
this is well-balanced and well-contrived. Anyone who spends a bright
morning during the breeding season in a country rich with birds can
easily learn the size of the territories from the distances between the
singing males ; and it gives no little pleasure to be able to determine, in
this manner, the number and approximate position of the nests of so-
many species and pairs of birds. One acquires, in this way, a clear
insight into the economy and purposeful distribution of the whole.

“/p. 99/ Birds of different species, however, can establish their
nests close together without the danger of a considerable scarcity of
food, because they rarely compete with each other. Even though all
of them, with their young, live on insects, the manner of securing them
usually differs as well as the kind of insects on which they feed. While
one species of birds catches flying imagos, another searches for animals
crawling along the ground, a third gathers them from twigs and buds,,
a fourth and fifth get them from the cracks in the bark or even hack

open the wood, others combine several methods of capture or live
chiefly on the insects peculiar to certain plants. Such species of birds
either do not compete with one another or do so only to a slight
degree. I observed several years ago a most remarkable instance of
four different pairs of birds — a Redstart, a Wagtail, a Wren and a
Blue-tit, all having their nests and eggs at the same time in the same
beehive. Pairs of different species frequently nest close together. Sev-
eral pairs of the same species, however, which live on the same kind
of food and employ the same manner of securing it, cannot nest to-
gether ; they must necessarily be separated by established boundaries.

“What separates them? It is, of course, natural that the most
suitable localities will be the most sought by the species preferring
them. Large numbers will gather in such places, overcrowding them,
while other available territories would be empty if pairs were not kept
apart by force. This force is used by a male as soon as another gets
too close during the breeding season. The interloper is immediately
attacked in the most violent manner, and driven to a distance that is
determined by the size of the required territory. I shall discuss below,
in more detail, this fighting between the males and therefore will not
describe its purpose now.

“But many of my readers will ask what is the connection of song,
the main subject of this chapter, with the question of territory? A
bird must be able to perceive another bird in order to know of his
presence. The majority of the above-mentioned birds, however, for
example, all of our Sylviae, Phylloscopi, Reed-warblers, Larks, King-
lets, Titmice, etc., live in dense scrubs or thick luxurious vegetation
/p. too/. Since birds cannot detect each other by their olfactory
sense, as mammals do, they must make themselves conspicuous in
some other manner, i.e., by their mating call, their song. If birds were
more or less mute, a too close aiiproach would rarely be noticed by
them, and even if it were noticed and the intruder driven the proper
distance away, he could soon come hack silently and unnoticed. As it
is, however, since all birds sing jealously, this is not possible, for every
time a bird approaches too closely, it is at once attacked again. They
sing day after day, in the morning and the evening continuously, and
by this song the boundaries of the territory are fixed. In fact, the
real fight, the mutual attack of the males, is frequently begun while

they sing, and the song continues during tlie battle." [Discussion of
this pp. 100,101, concluding in this sentence:] “The song, or mating
call, is thus the necessary means for the required separation of the
territories.

“Some species of birds, however, have no definite territories. On
a single tower a hundred pairs of Jackdaws may nest, one Martin
nest may be built on the side of another, and under the roof of a large
house we can find dozens of nests of House Sparrows and Swifts.
I'he arctic sea birds. Auks, Murres, Puffins, Gulls, and Terns, and also
the Cormorants, Herons, Rooks, Starlings, and others nest more or
less colonially, some of these in groups of many thousands.

“Birds of prey’ of the same species usually nest far apart. But
our charming Kestrel may have lo or even 20 nests close to each other
in the woods which adjoin his hunting ground, the wide open fields.’
On the Werbellin Lake (near Berlin) 12 pairs of Ospreys had built
their nests on a few old oaks, one of the trees holding even two oc-
cupied nests. The hunting territory included the above mentioned lake
and a few smaller waters. A mutual restriction of the hunting terri-
tory and of the prey of the individual pairs was in this case impossible.

“/p. 102/ The above mentioned species differ in their way of
living from those which maintain a strict territory by not searching
for their food in the immediate vicinity of the nest, but rather in the
wide sea or on a wide, open field. Or these species are omnivorous,
as the House Sparrow, and will never be lacking in food for their
young. These species, even those which belong anatomically to the
Oscines, do not have a regular song, . . . but all of them have a specific
mating call, so that the males are made aware of each other and may
fight for the nesting place [the location of the nest], but definite larger
distances are not necessary for them.”

“/p. 128/ The Fight of the Males.

“We have learned in the important previous chapter [pp. 97-102
that the song and mating call of the male birds has among other thing^
not only the purpose of indicating from the distance to the females,
(which react only to the voice of the males of their own species),
their often rather hidden station, but it also serves in many species

*The 1st edition does not contain the following 8 lines. — E.M.
*See also Jourdain, 1927, Brit. Birds XXI. p. 71, 100-103. — E.M.

as a mutual signal, to fix the distance of the nests and thus the re-
quired size of the territories /p. 129/, since males which happen to
get too close to each other fight until one of the combatants has re-
treated to the required distance.

“This statement, however, does not hold good for all species of
birds. As mentioned, those are not required to maintain a strict terri-
tory that fly far for their food (as Swallow, Swifts, Jackdaws, etc.,)
or are omnivorous (as the House Sparrow), but nest sociably; yet
among the individual males there is a great deal of fighting at the be-
ginning of the breeding season. We also find these frequently furious
fights in those species which move around with their young immedi-
ately after hatching, not being tied down to a restricted nesting place,
t(' a territory which. would exclusively support them (as, for example,
many gallinaceous, marsh, and water birds). It is therefore clear that
there must be a further necessity for these fights, in addition to the
reason already given [competition for food supply].”

This ends the statements that refer directly to territory. Ahum
then adds, on pp. 129-132, some remarks on sexual selection, summariz-
ing his opinion in the sentence ;

/p. 132/ “In short even the expression ‘fighting of the males over
females’ is false: The males fight to fix the size of the territory, little
as they may realize the vital necessity of this, and also to select the
healthiest individuals for reproduction, but for nothing else'.”

The Definition of Territory. — Ahum does not give a clear
■definition of Brutrcvicr (territory), but his descriptions make it
quite clear what he had in mind. Howard, on the contrary, is rather
vague, as has been pointed out by IMessrs. Lack and others. He, also,
not only neglects to define “territory,” but he extends this term to
all phenomena of spatial occupancy (“landed proprietorship”) in birds.
He says (1920, p. 55) “the process of territorial behaviour has been
adjusted to meet the requirements of different species; the size of the
territory, the period of its daily occupation, the purpose which it
serves— these all depend upon manifold relationships and do not affect
the principle.” This quotation reveals, in my opinion, the fundamental
.mistake in Howard’s entire concept. He combines under one term
“territory” entirely independent and widely differing phenomena in
Iiird life. Their oidy common factor is the occupation of space by

an individual bird. It is something entirely different if a Ruff, a
Prairie Chicken, or a Bird of Paradise, always displays on the same
spot, or if a guillemot, a tern, a cormorant, or some other colonial
sea-bird defends its nest against trespassers, or if a Song Sparrow, a
Reed Bunting, or some warbler actually establishes a territory. Be-
cause, as Mrs. Nice has pointed out:

“If the concept of ‘territory’ is to he significant, we must use the
word with a definite meaning, . . . ‘Territory’ has been far too widely
and loosely used and here even Howard has erred through over-
enthusiasm. Territory cannot mean just the nest spot when the adults
feed in common; this may he ‘nest territory,’ hut is a very different
matter from a territory in its strict sense to which the parents confine
themselves during the breeding season. Again, the very essence of ter-
ritory lies in its exclusiveness; if a bird’s range is not defended, it is
not a territory" (Nice, 1933. P-9o). Mrs. Nice then continues to de-
scribe the essential characteristics of true territory. That Howard was
too sweeping, and that he included phenomena in his territory concept,
which really had little to do with it, was realized very soon after the
publication of his “Territory in Bird Life.” Jourdain points this out
as early as 1921 in a review of Howard’s book (Ibis, 1921, p. 324) :

“We think a truer idea of Territory in Bird Life would be gained
by eliminating the actual nesting site, which is, of course, a necessity
in every case, and restricting the use of the word to the area embraced
by the activities of the j)arents. We shall then find that in some groups
all other individuals of the same species are rigidly driven off the
whole territor)-, in others the idea is only present in a rudimentary
form, and in a third class the association is of the closest kind and in-
dividual territory is unknown.”

Much as there has been written on territory and many detailed
descriptions as have been given, so far as I know, there has been no
attempt to give a strict definition of the term. It is, however, very
much needed in order to prevent generalizations on the subject. After
much consideration, I propose the following formulation: “Territory
is an area occupied by one male of a species zvhich it defends against
intrusions of other males of the same species and in zvhich it makes
itself conspicuous.”

An examination of this definition at once reveals a number of
significant facts. First of all, I have omitted from the definition any

reference to the “purpose” of territory. The question whether the ter-
ritory serves to guarantee the food supply for the young, as Altum
thought, or whether it is merely the mating station, comparable to that
of a Ruff or Bird of Paradise, is still undecided and of no importance
for a descriptive definition. Secondly, I have not mentioned the female
at all. This will appear wrong to many who recall cases of intolerance
and spatial occupancy in the females of woodpeckers, shrikes, English
robins, and other species. It seems to me, however, that the occupied
space in these cases lacks the biological significance of true territory.
Females which are intolerant between breeding seasons apparently be-
long always to species of highly unsocial character and fighting dis-
position. An individual that is always seen in the same place is not
necessarily territorial. Birds hate to change routines just as much as
humans (see Nice, 1933, p. 91). This also rules out those “winter-
territories” in which the individuals show no intolerance. Nothing is
said about season either, since there is still too little known about sea-
sonal occupancy of territory. The evidence so far gathered points,
however, to the probability that territory is in most species of birds
connected with the breeding season. The means by which the male
makes itself conspicuous are varying, and should not be included in
the definition; they are song in the majority of the cases, but they
may also be “instrumental music” (woodpeckers. Ruffed Grouse, etc.),
displays, or simply sitting on a conspicuous branch.

The definition given above is purely tentative; it may prove useful,
but it may also prove too general or, on the contrary, too e.xclusive.
However, any term that is being used in a technical sense, as the term
“territory” has been used during the last 15 years, should be accom-
panied by a strict definition.

Occurrence of Territory in Birds. — Howard speaks about the
occurrence of territory in very general terms. He never states definitely
whether or not he considered territory a phenomenon occurring in all
species of birds. In most cases he says simply, “males” do this or that
to secure a territory (“each male,” p. 73) ; on one occasion, however
(1920, p. 21), he says, “in the case of many species the male inherits
a disposition to secure a territory,” thus definitely restricting the oc-
currence of territory to a limited number of species. He never states
what species are not territorial. On the contrary, he tries to show

that a number of species are territorial, that would be considered as
not strictly territorial by most ornithologists (Guillemot, p. 15; Martin,
p. 20; Duck Hawk, p. 48; Ruff, p. 54; colonial birds, p. 200). Howard
is more guarded in the statements he makes in a more recent publica-
tion (1929), and I understand that he has still more recently revised
many of his original ideas. It has, of course, in the meantime been
pointed out by other authors that true territory does not occur in all
species of birds (Nicholson, Nice, and others), but it is interesting t,o
see from the passages translated above how much Ahum was aware
of this fact.

Space Occupied bv Individual Birds. — Although true territory
is apparently restricted to a relatively small number of species, individ-
ual birds of other species may defend certain areas and show signs
of territorial behavior. Such areas have been called territory by some
authors, and have been entirely neglected by other authors. It might
prove advantageous to undertake a classification of all types of such
“territories” according to their biological significance. Three classify-
ing principles suggest themselves at once : the significance of the oc-
cupied space in relation to mating, to food-supply (particularly for the
bringing up of the young), and to the nest. I arrive at the following
tentative classification.

Occupied space is :

I. Mating station and feeding ground for young (Bunt-
ings, some warblers). — True territory.

II. Elating station, but not feeding ground.

(a) . Connected with nest (some swallows, Ploceus

philippinus’, Zarhynchus’, Leach’s Petrel, etc.).

(b) . Not connected with nest (Ruff, many Tetra-

onidae, Paradisaeidae).

III. Not mating station, but feeding ground (Males and
females of certain species between breeding seasons).

IV. Restricted to nest, no significance in regard to mating
or feeding of young.

(a) . Colonial species (sea birds, some swallows).

(b) . SolitaiA' species (House Sparrow, some finches).

^Ali» 1931, Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, 34, p. 1061.
*Chapman, 1928, Bull. Amer. Mus. N. T., 58, p. 123-166.

The Significance of Territory. — The most debated aspect of
territory in bird-life is its biological significance or “purpose.” There
was no doubt about this question in Altum’s mind, as the above trans-
lated sections of his book show. According to him, territory exists
only in order to safeguard the food supply for the successful rearing
of the young. The opposite opinion, which has been pleaded particu-
larly well by D. and L. Lack, maintains that the territory is simply
the mating station of the male. “In fact, territory seems to be nothing
more than an affair of the male bird, and its real significance seems
to be that it provides him with a more or less prominent isolated head-
quarters, where he can sing or otherwise display” (Lack, 1933, p.
192). Mrs. Nice (1934, p. 290) has pointed out that matters are not
quite as simple as that, and it may be worth while to give a short
review of the arguments for and against the food theory of territory.

If the attraction of the female were the only purpose of territory,
then we would expect the discontinuance of territorial behavior in the
male as soon as mating has been accomplished successfully. This,
however, does not seem to be the case, for there is no significant let-
down in his pugnacity. A second fact which may be presented in de-
fense of the food theory of territory is the fact that, at least in many
species, the female joins with the male in territory fights. Why do
they, if the territory is only a mating station?

Further evidence can be obtained by an ecological apjiroach to the
question.'. One of the aims of the ecologist is the analysis and defini-
tion of the typical habitat of a given species of animal. This is called
m technical language usually the “biotope” of the species (see Hesse,
1924, Tiergeographie, p. 141). I pointed out in 1926 (Journ. f. Ornith.,
LXXIV, p. 620) that birds rarely have a homogeneous bioto]ic, but
rather a “feeding bioto])e,” “nesting biotope,” etc. This is jiarticularly
obvious in sea birds, which feed at sea and nest on cliffs or a sandbar,
or in hawks, which nest in a ])iece of woodland and hunt in the adjoin-
ing fields. It surely is more than a coincidence that wc have a strictly
developed territory only in those species of birds in which the “feeding
biotope” coincides with the “nesting biotope.” The fact that the food
for parents and young is being gathered from the area immediately
around the nest is undoubtedly to some extent responsible for the force-
fnlness of territorial behavior in these species.

^See alab Meiae. 1930, p. 59. etc.

More direct than the preceding argnments is another one: There
is an actual shortage of insect food in years of particularly adverse
weather. A catastrophe would be unavoidable in such years, if pairs
of those species should settle too close to others that forage in the
immediate nest vicinity. This argument has been set forth in detail
by Mrs. Nice (1934. p. -290).

The points that were brought up against the food theory of terri-
torv. however, seem to carry more conviction. Notwithstanding
Altum's assertion, there is quite a gootl deal of comjietition between
insect-eating birds that live close together. I once found in a pasture
a Field Sparrow (Sf'iscUa a Blue-winged Warbler (f crmirora

/'inns) and a Xortheni Yellow-throat {Gcothlyf'is triclms briiclii-
dactyhi ) nest within a few feet of each other in the same cluster
of bushes. There was no apparent enmity, but still all three species
probably fed their young the same kind of insects. .\s Mrs. Nice
(1933. p. 97') has pointed out already, insect-eating birds rarely or
never specialize to the extent that they would not comi>ete with each
other.

The intolerance of the male should be constantly increasing dur-
ing the course of the breeding season, since the amount of food that
i-s being needed is growing with the growth of its family. Experience,
however, shows that the male of many territorial species becomes less
conspicuous after the arrival of the female, and that the song intensity
greatly diminishes after mating has taken place.

In some species (grebes, and other species with precocial youngl
the territory is even given up entirely after the hatching of the young.
It is fought for and carefully defended at the beginning of the breed-
ing season, but when the time comes at which it should be most
needed, according to the food theory, the birds move away and feed
in complete hannony with other families.

M.\tixg Without Territory. — Some recent authors have stated
that the segregation of the males and the securing of a territory was
an essential factor in the reproductive cycle and necessary for the
bringing together of the pairs. This is. however, an incorrect general-
ization. There are. as stated above, a great many non-territorial species,
in which the pairing is accomplished successfully without the compli-
cated mechanism of territorial occupancy. Nicholson (1929, p. 23 1

has shown that the mating among hawfinches (Coccothraustes) takes
place in the flocks. The same seems to be true for the House Sparrow
{Passer domesticns) and, according to my observation, for the Cedar
Waxwing {Bomhycilla ccdrorum) . Many auks {Pratercula, see Lock-
ley, Brit. Birds, XXVII, p. 214, 218), ducks, and other sea birds arrive
paired at their nesting sites. I have been watching House Sparrows
and Cedar Waxwings during the critical period but I was never able
to determine exactly how the mating (the bringing together of the
partners) takes place. It is not yet known what factors are function-
ing in these species in the place of territory. This group of birds needs
more work under the modern principles (study of marked individuals).

Jealousy and Territorialism. — Altum (p. 132) denies that the
males fight “for the possession of the females,” and most modern
authors are equally emphatic about this point. Nice (1933, p. 97) says,
with reference to the Song Sparrow, “the males do not fight over the
females ; they fight for territory.” This is apparently true for that
specieSj but it should not be generalized. There is a good deal of evi-
dence that (at least in some species of birds) acts of intolerance or
even fights are equally or more induced by sexual jealousy than by
the desire for territory. A similar opinion has been expressed by
Nicholson (1929, p. 57) :

“In all these instances we are also in the debatable land between
performances incited by ownership of territory and those inspired by
sexual emotion. My own experience does not enable me even to sug-
gest how a line can be drawn between them. The possession of the
female is so often fought out simultaneously with the possession
of the territory that confusion is extremely difficult to avoid.”

This reminds me of an observation made here at the American
Museum of Natural History. The window ledges and roofs of the
building are frequented by domestic pigeons, of which there are sev-
eral pairs and a few single birds. Most of them are grayish and there-
fore difficult to distinguish, but in one pair the female is snow white
and the male red-brown. 1 noticed that whenever the female was
away feeding or looking for nesting sites (they ai>])arently never did
actually nest), the male freely associated with other birds and did not
bother them, wherever he happened to be. The situation was, however,
an entirely different one as .soon as the female returned, for then he

fouglit and forced away from the ledge where lie was every bird that
approached him and his mate. This, 1 think, is a clear case of sexual
jealousy, since the ledges on which these fights took place were neither
the feeding ground of the birds nor their nesting site.

Evolution of Territorv. — The wide occurrence of sexual jeal-
ousy among birds leads me to the belief that this is one of the funda-
mental motives in the behavior of birds. Territory has become in some
species a means to assist the pairing and to facilitate the task of the
male of guarding the female. In time, territory obtained in some
species an added significance as a feeding station. The solution of the
argument concerning the significance of territory is probably the fol-
lowing: Territory jcos originally developed only in connection until the
mating, but it has acquired in certain passerine species a secondary
significance as the food proz'iding area.

It is Altum’s merit to have been the first to point out the occur-
rence of territory among birds, and Howard’s, to have revived the
territory concept among the present generation and to have initiated a
new school of life-history study, the study of bird individuals. What
is now left to be done is a wide-spread study of territorial phenomena
in all species of birds, and their ultimate classification and interjire-
tation.

MOST IMPORT.\NT LITERATURE ON THE SUBJECT OF
TERRITORY, CONTAINING REFERENCES TO
MANY OTHER PAPERS

Altum, Bernard, 1868, Der Vogel iind sein Leben (ist eel.), 168 pp.
id., i8g8, (6th ed.), 300 pp.

Howard, H. Eliot, 1920, Territory in Bird Life, 308 pp.

id., 1929, An Introduction to the Study of Bird Behaviour, 136 pp.

Lack, D., and L. Lack, 1933, Territory Reviewed, Brit. Birds XXVH, pp. 179-199.
Nice, Margaret M., The Theory of Territorialism and its Development, Fifty
Years’ Progress of American . Ornithology, pp. 89-100.

Nicholson, E. M., 1929, How Birds Live (2nd ed.), 150 pp.

ADDITIONAL P.^PERS THAT SHOULD BE STUDIED BY THOSE
WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT

1. Brock, S. E., 1910, The Willow Wrens of a Lothian Wood, Zoologist, XIV,

pp. 410-417.

2. Friedmann, Herbert, 1933. The size and measurement of territory in birds,
Bird“-Banding, IV, pp. 41-45.

3. Harrison, T. H., and John N. S. Buchan, 1934, A Field Study of the St.
Kilda Wren, with especial Reference to its Nuniliers, Territory and Food
Habits, Journ. Animal Ecology, HI, pp. 133-145.

4. Howard, Eliot, 1935, Territory and Food, Brit. Birds, XXVHI, pp. 285-287.

5. JouRDAiN, F. C. R., 1921,“ Territory in Bird Life” (review), The Ibis,
pp. 322-324.

6. Laskey, Mrs. F. C, 1933, A Territory and Mating Study of Mockingbirds,
The Migrant, IV, pp. 29-35.

7. Meise, W., 1930, Revierbesitz im Vogelleben, eine Umschau, Mitt. Ver. sachs.
Ornith., HI, pp. 49-68.

8. NethErsole-Thompson, D., 1934, .Some Aspects of the Territory Theory,
Oologists Record, XIV, pp. 15-23 (and continuations).

9. Nice, Margaret M., 1934, Les Oiseaux et le “Cantonnement,” Alauda, ser. Ill,
Vol. VI, pp. 275-297.

10. Ryves, Lt.-Col., and Mrs. B. H., 1934, The Breeding-Habits of the Corn-
Bunting as observed in North Cornwall, Brit. Birds, XXVHI, pp. 2-26.

11. Venables, L. S. V., 1934, Notes on Territory in the Dartford Warbler, Brit.
Birds, XXVHI, pp. 58-63.

12. Venables, L. S. V., and D. Lack, 1934, Territory in the Great Crested Grebe,

Brit. Birds, XXVHI, pp. 191-198. ''

A Preliminary List of the Birds of Jones Beach,

Long Island, N. Y.

By William Vogt

This list is published in response to so many recpiests that further
delay seems inadvisable. Were it not that numerous visitors to Jones
Beach had asked for it, the very obvious gaps in the information it
contains would make the writer reluctant to present it until further
field work had been possible. It is, however, in respect to the birds
most characteristic of the area under consideration, that the list most
nearly approaches definitiveness. Kamilies such as the Wood Warblers
and Sparrows are the ones concerning which data are lacking, and it is
probable that less caiii be learned of their migrations, at Jones Beach,
than elsewhere. Fresh water ducks, marsh birds, shore-birds, and
marine birds of the littoral, are most thoroughly discussed, and it is
these that attract the majority of bird students to Jones Beach.

The area covered by the records is the entire island, from Jones
Inlet to Fire Island Inlet, and from the Atlantic Ocean to South
Oyster and Great South Bays ; this “strip,” as it is known locally, is
seventeen miles long and, at its widest point, three-quarters of a mile
broad. Its total area is about 5,200 acres. The Jones Beach State Bird
Sanctuary, from which comes the preponderance of the records, in-
cludes some 400 acres. Birds known to have occurred at the Sanctuary
comprise 258 forms ; the total list from the strip is 270 species and sub-
species and one hybrid.

“Average” arrival and departure dates could not be determined in
the mere three years of the writer’s residence and it has been necessary,
for this reason, to give extreme dates.

Mr. Ludlow Griscom, whose influence in increasing knowledge
of the local region can scarcely be over-emphasized, has read the list
and supplied many additional data. Before construction, in 1927, of
the causeway from ^^’antagh, Jones Beach — like most other parts of
the. New York City region — was better known to him than to anyone
else. He has, thus, been able to give a much appreciated perspective
to the field observ^ations of present-day students ; his comments on the
Charadriiformes have been especially illuminating. Concerning the
“good old days” he writes, in part ;

“When I first started to Jones Beach in 1910, I hired a rowboat at Amityville
and rowed across the baj-, steering by compass for the Gilgo Flats, where we
would wade ashore. It was not until some years later that I was able to make
arrangements with the Coast Guard station to put up there over night, and it
was not until some years after that that telephone connections were sufficiently
advanced, so that I could phone the Coast Guard station from New York and
have them send a boat to Amityville to meet me. This accounts for the small
number of trips per annum to the beach, and is also the reason why I and a few
friends were the only members of the Linnaean Society who ever went there . . .
Prior to the Great War the marshes were unditched and undrained, the swampy
area between the Sanctuary pond and the Coast Guard station was twice as wide
and deep as it is now, there was far more fresh water swamp, and there were
real groves of pitch pine trees on the back side of this fresh water swamp, which
have now completely disappeared. The cottage colony at Gilgo did not exist and
the beach was a far lonelier, more remote, and more fascinating place than it now
seems to me to be . . . In November and December I can still remember the great
flocks of Scaup, Brant, Geese, and other water fowl that got up as we crossed
the bay, and as we splashed ashore over the Gilgo Flats not a house, not a person
was ever in sight . . .

“I hope you will manage to keep the Sanctuary going, as I don’t know of a
better place for one on the northeast Atlantic Coast.”

Those who sit in comfort at the Sanctuary, and with the 24X
glasses provided count twelve or fifteen species of waterfowl on the
pond at a time, will be interested in another letter from Mr. Griscom,
in which he says, in part :

“Since 1915 there has been a very great and marked increase in the rarer
fresh water ducks in the whole of the northeastern Atlantic States . . . The
active members of the Linnaean Society in those days saw the Green-winged Teal
about once every five years [there were 400 at the Sanctuary in one flock in the
fall of 1934] : they saw a Hooded Merganser, a Canvasback, or a Redhead about
once every ten years, and even as late as 1921 no active member of the Linnaean
Society had ever seen a Shoveller alive in the New York City region since 1900.
Beginning with 1922 there was a marked and rapid increase of the rarer fresh-
water ducks on Long Island, and each year on Jones Beach and the . . . Pond we
began to see larger and larger numbers and a greater variety of species . . .”

The most assiduous visitors to Jones Beach of the present day
are Messrs. Leo Breslau and Walter Sedwitz of New York; the latter
has kindly read the list in manuscript and emended it with material
from his extensive notes. Messrs. Warren F. Eaton and Joseph Hickey
have also supplied data from their records, as has Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin.
I should like to express my appreciation to them and to Mr. Fred

Holman whose accurate and thorough search for published records
was of invaluable assistance.

Records ascribed to “Chichester" and the Dutcher and Braislin
collections, were received from Mr. Griscom. “In the days when
William Dutcher and Dr. William C. Braislin were studying the ornith-
ology of Long Island,” he writes, “. . . there was a well-known and
intelligent bayman and professional game hunter by the name of An-
drew Chichester, who knew the local game and water birds exceedingly
well, and who sent the two gentlemen named all specimens of interest
in the way of rare and unusual birds for their collections. He also
forwarded to Dutcher his migration dates and records for the water
birds in general. Both Dutcher and Braislin . . . regarded his observa-
tion and knowledge of these groups as entirely satisfactory. These
records are all listed as ‘Amityville,’ as Chichester lived at Amityville,
but his hunting and his observations were all done on Jones Beach
from the point opposite Fire Island to and including the pond and
the marshes which are now the center of the Sanctuary . . . Robert L.
Peavey . . . formerR a member of the Linnaean Society often used to
go out collecting with Chichester from Amityville, and he confirms in
personal conversation to me the territory actually worked by Chi-
chester.”

A careful perusal of the list will suggest interesting problems to
the philosophically inclined bird student. The annual appearance, often
in numbers, of the ^Mockingbird and Arkansas Kingbird, and the
regular occurrence of the Lark Sparrow, indicate that a revision of
the current ideas of their movements may be necessary. The marked
increase in numbers and species of fresh water ducks that are, undeni-
ably, scarcer in the country as a whole, is probably not without signifi-
cance. The writer feels, however, that to labor these points without
considerably more data, is scarcely justifiable. They may, more proper-
1}^. be reserved for thorough treatment in separate papers, or for in-
clusion in a more complete list at some future time.

In the matter of abbreviations. Dr. Chapman’s handbook has been
followed. P. R.=permanent resident ; S. R.=summer resident ; T. V.=
transient visitant ; W. V.=winter visitant. Birds marked with an
asterisk are the ones that have not been definitely recorded on the
Sanctuary proper.

Common Loon. Gavia burner immer. — Abundant T. V., common W. V., rare
S. V. August 3, 1932 (Vogt), to June 24, 1923 (Griscom).

Red-throated Loon. Gazna sfellata. — Uncommon T. V. and W. V. October
16, 1932 (Breslau, Sedwitz, and Lind), to May 30, 1925 (Griscom).

Holboell’s Grebe. Colymhus grisegena holboelli. — Uncommon W. V. Decem-
ber 28, 1913 (Griscom), to May 2, 1932 (Vogt).

Horned Grebe. Colymbus auritus. — Abundant T. V., common \V. V. September
18, 1932 (Vogt), to May 26, 1923 (Crosby and Griscom).

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps podiceps. — Abundant T. V., rare
W. V. July 24, 1927 (Griscom), to April 15, 1934 (Vogt).

Sooty Shearwater. Puffi7ius griscus. — Regular S. V. Maj' 22, 1927 (Cleaves
and Friedman), to October 16, 1932 (Breslau and Sedwitz).

Greater Shearwater. Pu-ffinus gravis. — Regular S. V. May 26, 1934 (Breslau
and Sedwitz), to October 20, 1932 (Vogt).

Cory’s Shearwater. Piiffinns dio7uedea borealis. — Irregular S. V. July, 1924
(Boulton), to August 28, 1924 (Griscom).

Wilson’s Petrel. Ocea7iites ocea7iicus. — Rare S. V. July 23, 1933 (Sedwitz),
to August 24, 1933 (Vogt). Common off shore.

Eiastern Brown Pelican.* Pelecanus occidc7italis occide7italis. — May 26, 1912
(Johnson and Griscom, Auk, XXIX, p. 389).

Gannet. Moris bassaim.—T. V., common off shore. April 8, 1932 (Vogt), to
May 30, 1926 (Eaton and Friedman) ; October 1, 1933 (Local Bird Oub), to
December 13, 1931 (Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz).

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax atcritus auritus. — Common T. V.,
rare S. V., casual W. V. April 8, 1932 (Vogt) to June 23, 1923 (Griscom) ;
September 7, 1932 (Vogt), to December i, 1931 (Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz) ;
February 23, 1931, 100 flying east (Janvrin, Bird-Lore, XXXIII, p. 193).

European Cormorant. Phalacrocora.r carbo carto.— Rare visitant. May 27,
1923 (Crosby, Griscom, Janvrin and J. M. Johnson, Bird-Lore, XX\’, p. 257) ;
May 29, 1926 (Griscom) ; September 18, 1932 (Vogt, Bird-Lore, XXXIV, p.
396).

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias herodias. — Uncommon T. V. and S. V.,
and rare W. V.

-American Egret. Cas777eroditts albus egretta. — Uncommon but regular S. V.
April 25, 1934 (Vogt), to October 13, 1933 (Vogt, Bird-Lore, XXXV, p. 326).

Snowy Egret. Egretta thula thula. — Rare S. V. August 3, 1930 (Watson,
Grossman and Most, Bird-Lore XXXII, p. 357), to September 9, 1933 (Vogt).

Louisiana Heron.* IIydra77assa tricolor nificollis. — Casual S. V. August 20,
1930 (W’atson, et al., Bird-Lore, XXXII, p. 430).

Little Blue Heron. Florida caerulea caerulca. — T. V. and S. V., rare in
spring, at times common in late summer. April 18, 1932 (Vogt), to May 27,

1923 (Crosby, Griscom, etc., Bird-Lore, XX\", p. 257) ; July 17, 1933 (Vogt),
to Septeml>er 30, 1934 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Wolfram).

Eastern Green Heron. Butorides inrescem z-iresceiis. — Common S. R. -April
II, 1931 (Heron, ’32). to December 12, 19.34 (Herholdt). The latter bird was
seen almost daily, to this date, by various observers.

Black-crowned Xight Heron. Xycticorax nycticorax Iwactli. — Common T. V.,
uncommon S. V. and W. A'. ; may be found throughout the entire year.

Yellow-crowned Xight Heron. Xyctatmssa znolacea zdolacea. — Rare T. V.
March 19, 1933 (Harrower), to March 31, 1932 (Vogt); July 10, 1932 (Vogt,
Bird-Lore, XXXIV, p. 338), to September ii, 1933 (Woodmere .Academy Bird
Club).

.American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus. — Abundant T. V., rare W. V.; has
bred. March 17, 1933 (Vogt), to June 14, 1914 (R. L. Peavey, Griscom, ’23) ;
July 12, 1933 (Vogt), to December 10, 1933 (Vogt); January 14, 1934 (Vogt).
X'est, and five joung. May 27, 1922 (Griscom).

Eastern Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis exilis. — Rare T. V. May have bred.
May 15, 1932 (Vogt), to May 28, 1922 (Janvrin, Griscom, Crosb>- and J. M.
Johnson).

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis canadensis. — Common W. V. Feral birds
breed. October 12, 1934 (Vogt), to March 13. 1932 (Vogt).

American Brant. Branta bernicla hrota. — Common AV. V., casual S. A'. Nov-
ember I, 1932 (A'ogt), to May 29, 1926 (Griscom) ; August i, 1933 (Hickey and
Thomas, Bird-Lore, XXXA', p. 271).

Snow Goose. Chen hyperborea sttbsp. — Three records : November 4, 1934
(Matuszewski) ; November 15, 1896 (Chichester) ; November 18, 1934 (A’ogt).
It is probable that this bird is a regular T. A’., though it is seldom recorded.

Blue Goose.* Chen caerulescens. — One record: one female collected, Novem-
ber 22, 1893 (Chichester), in Dutcher collection.

Common Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos plaiyrliynchos. — Common P. R. Breeds
commonly and it may be that nesting birds are feral ; there is, however, a marked
increase in numbers in the winter, and Mallards banded at the Sanctuary have
been recovered as far away as Ontario and Minnesota.

Black Duck. Anas rtebripes. — Abundant AA’. A^. ; breeds regularly in small
numbers. Both races occur but because of the difficulty in separating them in the
field it is impossible to give exact dates. Red-legged Black Ducks have been
banded from August 3, 1933, to Alarch 29, 1934.

Gadwall. Chaulelastntts streperus. — Rare AA^ A'^. August 25, 1923 (Boulton,
Carter, Griscom and Urner), to February 12, 1932 (A^'ogt).

European AVidgeon. Mareca penelope. — Rare but regular T. V. October 7,
1934 (Vogt), to November 25, 1934 (A’ogt) ; March 23, 1934 (Vogt), to April
29, 1934 (A'ogt).

Baldpate. Mareca americana. — Common T. V. September 4, 1926 (Griscom),
to December 10, 1933 (Vogt) ; January i, 1934 (Vogt), to June 17, 1933 (Vogt,
Bird-Lore XXXV, p. 271).

American Pintail. Dafila acuta taitsdhoa. — Abundant T. V. and rare V.
August 26, 1923 (Griscom), to April 20, 1932 (Vogt).

European Teal. Nettion crecca. — Accidental visitant. April g, 1933 (J. and

R. Kuerzi, Vogt, Auk, L, p. 445) ; April 3, 1934 (Vogt).

Green-winged Teal. Nettion carolinense. — Common T. V. August 20, 1933
(Breslau and Sedwitz), to December 27, 1932 (Vogt) ; January 3, 1933 (Vogt),
to May 13, 1934 (Vogt).

Blue-winged Teal. Querquedula discors. — Tolerably common T. V., rare

S. V. July 4, 1932 (Vogt), to October 26, 1930 (Heron, ’30) ; March 24
(Chichester), to June 26, 1934 (Vogt).

Shoveller. Spatula clypeata. — Rare T. V. October 25 (Chichester), to Nov-
ember 19, 1899 (Chichester) — specimens in Braislin collection; March 2, 1932
(Vogt).

Wood Duck. Ai.v sponsa. — Rare T. V. September 4, 1926 (Griscom, Abstract
Proceedings Linnaean Society, Nos. 39-40, p. 15), to November 19, 1932 (Vogt).

Redhead. Nyroca americana. — Rare T. V. October 7, 1934 (Vogt), to
November 26, 1933 (Vogt) ; February 10, 1932 (Vogt), to April 27, 1934 (Vogt).

Ring-necked Duck. Nyroca collaris. — Rare T. V. November 3, 1898 (Braislin
collection) to December 12, 1932 (Vogt) ; January 24, 1934 (Vogt), to April 8,
1934 (Vogt).

Canvas-back. Nyroca valisineria. — Rare T. V. October 21, 1933 (Vogt), to
December 26, 1930 (Vogt) ; February ii (Chichester), to March 17, 1933 (Vogt).

Greater Scaup Duck. Nyroca marila. — Abundant T. V., common W. V., rare
S. V. September 4, 1926 (Griscom, Abstract Proceedings Linnaean Society, Nos.
39-40, p. 15), to June 23, 1933 (Vogt).

Lesser Scaup Duck. Nyroca affinis. — Common T. V., uncommon W. V. Sep-
tember 18, 1932 (Vogt), to June 8, 1932 (Vogt, Bird-Lore, XXXR'', p. 271).

American Golden-eye. Glaucionetta clangula americana. — Rare W. V. Nov-
ember 12, 1911 (Griscom), to March 25, 1932 (Vogt).

Buffle-head. Charitonetta albeola. — Rare W. V. November 8, 1934 (\'ogt),
to February 19, 1932 (Vogt).

Old-squaw. Clangula hyemalis. — Uncommon W. V. November 15, 1931
(Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz), to April 29, 1933 (Vogt).

Eastern Harlceiuin Duck. Ilistrionicus histrionicus liistrionicus. — One record:
February 25, 1934 (Vogt). This bird, a female, observed at leisure within 100
yards.

King Eider.* Somateria spectabilis. — One record: November 13, 1899 (Brais-
lin collection).

W hite-winged Scoter. Melanitta deglandi. — Common W’. V., rare in summer.
August 2, 1925 (Eaton), to May 29, 1921 (Griscom).

Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata. — Common W'. September 4, 1926
(Griscom), to May 31, 1925 (E^on and Griscom).

American Scoter. Oidemia americana. — Uncommon W'. \’. September i,
1923 (Griscom), to May 31, 1925 (Griscom and Eaton).

Ruddy Duck. Erismatura jainaicensis rubida. — Regular but uncommon T. V.,
casual S. October 7, 1934 (\'ogt), to December 31, 1930 (Heron, — '30) :
February 8, 1932 (Vogt), to May 2;, 1934 (\'ogt). pair present throughout
summer of 1923 (Griscom).

Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatiis. — Uncommon but regular T. V.
July 29. 1934 (Vogt and Sedwitz), to November 26, 1933 (\’ogt) ; March 23,
1934 (Vogt), to April 22, 1933 (Vogt).

.American Merganser. Mergus mergatiser anwricanus. — Uncommon W’. V.
September 10, 1933 (Vogt) ; November 8, 1910 (Griscom), to April 24, 1933
(Vogt).

Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator. — Common T. \’., uncommon W'.

September 16, 1933 (Vogt), to June 5, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Goshawk. Astur atricapilliLs atricapillus. — One record; December 16,
1933 (Vogt).

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter z'elox tv/o.r. — Tolerably common T. V. April
18, 1932 (Vogt), to May 12, 1933 (Herholdt) ; August 27, 1933 (Vogt), to
September 30, 1932 (A'ogt).

Cooper’s Hawk. Accipiter cooperi. — Tolerably common T. V., rare W. V.
March 28, 1934 (Vogt), to April 29, 1934 (Vogt); September ii, 1933 (Wood-
mere Academy Bird Club), to November 17, 1934 (Vogt) ; January 3 and Feb-
ruary 16, 1933 (Vogt).

Eastern Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo borealis borealis. — One record: October 9,
1932 (Vogt).

American Rough-legged Hawk. Buteo lagopus sancti-joharuiis. — Common W.
V. October 12, 1934 (Vogt), to April 29, 1934 (Vogt).

Southern Bald Eagle. Haliacetus leucocephalus leucocephalus. — Four records:
May 19, 1934 (Vogt) ; .August 27, 1924 (Griscom) ; October 30, 1934 (Herholdt) ;
December 9, 1934 (Cruickshank and Murdock).

Marsh Hawk. Cirais hudsonius. — Common permanent resident. Breeds.

Osprey. Pandion haliaetus carol inensis. — Common T. V. March 23, 1933
(Vogt), to May 28, 1922 (Griscom) ; .August 4, 1933 (A'^ogt), to November i,
1931 (Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz).

Black Gyrfalcon. Fako rusticoltis obsoletus. — Casual visitant. October 13, 1934
(Vogt), to October 20, 1934 (Lane, Bird-Lore, Vol. XXXVI, p. 364). This
bird was clearly seen by the above observers, and by Walter Sedwitz on October
14; there seems little doubt that the species was correctly identified.

Duck Hawk. Falco peregrinus anatum. — Common T. V., more numerous in
the fall. April 29, 1934 (Vogt) to May 28, 1922 (Crosby, Griscom, Janvrin and
J. M. Johnson, ’23) ; September 2, 1934 (Vogt), to December 8, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Pigeon Hawk. Falco columbarius columbarius. — Common T. V., more
numerous in the fall, rare W. V. July 27, 1924 (Griscom), to October 22, 1932
(Vogt) ; April 29, 1933 (Vogt), to May 21, 1933 (Vogt) ; February 2, 1930
(Heron, 1930); January 15, 1933 (Vogt).

Eastern Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparverius sparverim. — Common T. V., un-
common W. V. March 4, 1934 (Vogt), to April 24, 1933 (Vogt) ; July 30, 1933
(Vogt), to December 27, 1932 (Vogt). Many winter dates.

Eastern Bob-white. Colinus virginiamvs virginianus. — This species, introduced
at the Sanctuary in the autumn of 1932, did not survive.

Pheasant. Fhasianus colchicus. — This species, introduced in the fall of 1932,
has flourished and is now widely distributed over the “strip.”

Northern Clapper Rail. Rallus longirostris crepitans. — Common S. R. April
9, 1933 (Vogt), to September 5, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds. Before the marshes were
drained to eradicate mosquitoes, far more abundant.

Virginia Rail. Rallus limicola Hmicola. — Common S. R. May 2, 1933 (Vogt),
to September 7, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds.

Sora. Porsaiia Carolina. — Uncommon T. May 5, 1933 (Vogt) to May 27,
1923 (Griscom) ; August 26, 1923 (Griscom), to October 7, 1932 (\’ogt).

Yellow Rail.* Coturnicops noveborac-ensis. — One record: A bird killed at the
Jones Beach water tower, September 10, 1932, and turned over to the American
Museum of Natural History (Auk, L, p. 446).

Black Rail. Crecisais jainoicensis sfoddardi. — Exact status unkown. May 3,
1933 (Vogt, Bird-Lore, XXXV, p. 2n), to May 28, 1922 (Janvrin, Griscom,
Crosby and J. M. Johnson) ; August 10, 1924 (Griscom), to September 29, 1934
(Matuszewski). Several spring records suggest that the bird may breed.

Purple Gallinule. lonorms martinica. — One record: June 21, 1934 (Vogt, .Auk,
LI, p. 518).

American Coot. Fulica americana americana. — Common T. V. March 9, 1933
<Vogt), to May 30, 1926 (Eaton and Friedman) ; August 3, 1930 (Watson, Gross-
man and Most), to December 10, 1933 (Vogt).

Piping Plover. Charadrius melodus. — Common S. R. March 31, 1932 (Vogt),
to September 9, 1933 (Vogt). Breeds.

Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus. — Abundant T. V. April 29,
1932 (Vogt), to June 27, 1930 (Thayer, Bird-Lore, XXXII, p. 357) ; July g,
1932 (Vogt), to November 18, 1934 (Sedwitz).

Killdeer. Oxyechus voeijerus voeijerns. — Abundant T. V., and rare S. R.
March 13, 1932 (Vogt), to November 17, 1934 (Vogt). Breeds.

Golden Plover. Plui'ialts doniinica doniinica. — Not uncommon fall migrant.
August 5, 1934 (Breslau and Sedwitz), to November 25, 1934 (Cruickshank) .
Black-bellied Plover. Sqiialarola sqiiatarola. — Common T. \'. March 21,

1933 (Vogt), to July 1. 1934 (\’ogt) ; July 12, 1933 (\ ogt). to December 2,

1934 (Sedwitz, Breslau and Carleton). Uncommon prior to 1914 (Griscom).

Ruddy Turnstone, .drciiaria inter fres nwrinella. — Tolerably common T. V.
May 9, 1933 (Vogt), to June 21, 1930 (Thayer, Bird-Lore, XXXII, p. 357) ; July
23, 1932 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Lind), to October 12, 1931 (Sedwitz). Rare
transient prior to 1919 (Griscom).

Wilson’s Snipe. Capclla delicata. — Common T. \'. March 31, 1932 (\’ogt),
to May II, 1932 (\’ogt) : September 7, 1933 (\'ogt), to December 28, 1913
(Griscom).

Long-billed Curlew.* Numenius anu’ricaniis americanus. — One record : August
6, 1931 (Heron, ’32).

Whimbrel.* Phaeof'us phacof<us phacopus. — One record; September 4, 1912
(Miller, Auk, XXXII, p. 226).

Hudsonian Curlew. Phaeopus hiidsonicus. — Rare spring, common fall, tran-
sient. May 26, 1923 (Crosby and Griscom), to June 24, 1923 (Griscom, Boulton
and Urner, Bird-Lore, XXV, p. 323) ; July 16, 1932 (Vogt), to October 10, 1929
(Kuerzi, Bird-Lore, XXXI, p. 408). Much less common twenty years ago
(Griscom).

Upland Plover. Bariramiat longicattda. — One record: August 26, 1934 (J.
Kuerzi, Sedwitz, et al).

Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis niactdaria. — Common S. R. April 25, 1933 (Vogt),
to September 22, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds.

Eastern Solitary' Sandpiper. Tringa solitaria solitaria. — Lmcommon T. V.
May 21, ip32 (Vogt) ; July 24, 1927 (Griscom), to September 4, 1932 (Vogt).

Willet. Catoptrophorus scinipalmatiis. Rare spring, common fall, transient.
May 30, 1925 (Griscom and Eaton) : July 20, 1934 (Vogt), to September 9, 1934
(Cruickshank). No records for many years prior to 1925 (Griscom).

Greater Yellow-legs. Totanus vtelanoleucus. — Common T. V. March 29, 1934
(Vogt), to November 26, 1933 (Vogt). This bird is recorded daily throughout
June and July and for this reason it is impossible to give specific migration dates
indicating when the northward migration gives way to the southward.

Lesser Yellow-legs. Totanus flaznpes. — T. V., rare in spring, common in
fall. April 20, 1932 (Vogt), to May 23, 1933 (Vogt); June 18, 1933 (Sedwitz,
Bird-Lore, XXX\’, p. 271), to October 26, 1930 (Heron, 1930).

American Knot. Calidris canutus rufus. — Not uncommon T. V. May 6, 1934
(Vogt), to June 17, 1934 (Vogt) ; July 26, 1933 (Vogt), to September 23, 1933
fVogt). Exceedingly rare prior to 1919 (Griscom).

Purple Sandpiper.* Arquatella maritima. — Two records: November 18, 1934
“(Sedwitz, Carleton and Breslau) ; November 23, 1899 (Braislin collection).

Pectoral Sandpiper. Pisobia melanotos. — Common T. V. May 6, 1932 (Vogt),,
to June 14, 1931 (Sedwitz and Wolfram) ; July 14, 1932 (Vogt), to November
25, 1934 (Vogt).

White-rumped Sandpiper. Pisobia juscicollis. — Tolerably common T. V. May
I3> 1932 (Vogt), to June 26, 1934 (Vogt) ; July 24, 1927 (Griscom and Watson),,
to October 28, 1934 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Carleton). Unknown in spring prior
to 1915 (Griscom).

Baird’s Sandpiper. Pisobia bairdi. — Rare T. V. June 3, 1934 (Vogt), to
June 14, 1931 (Sedwitz and Wolfram) ; August 25, 1923 (Griscom), to October
21, 1934 (Breslau, Alatuszewski and Sedwitz).

Least Sandpiper. Pisobia, minutilla. — Common T. V. May i, 1933 (Vogt),
to June 3, 1934 (Vogt) ; June 5, 1932 (Vogt), to November 18, 1934 (Sedwitz). •
Curlew Sandpiper. Erolia testacea. — One record: August 7, 1932 (Herbert,
Jaques, Vogt, Auk, L., p. 446).

Red-backed Sandpiper. Pclidna all^iaa sakhalina. — Tolerably common T. V.
April 22, 1933 (J. Vogt), to July 2, 1934 (Moore); August 20, 1933 (Sedwitz),
to December 2, 1934 (Vogt). Very rare spring, uncommon fall, migrant, prior
to 1919 — an event to see one (Griscom).

Eastern Dowitcher. Limnodronius griseiis griseus. — Common T. V. May 9,.
1933 (Vogt), to June 10, 1934 (Vogt) ; June 26, 1934 (Vogt), to September 13,
1932 (Vogt) ; June 18, 1933 (Sedwitz, Bird-Lore, XXXV, p. 271). Rare prior
to 1922 (Griscom). •

Long-billed Dowitcher. Limiwdrom'us grisens scolopaceus. — Rare T. V. July
I, 1934 (Vogt), to September 9, 1932 (Vogt).

Stilt Sandpiper. Micropalama Tolerably common T. V. in fall.

July 8, 1934 (Vogt), to September 13, 1932 (Vogt).

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Ereunetes pusillus. — Abundant T. V. May 3, 1933
(Vogt), to June 28, 1932 (Vogt); July 8, 1934 (Vogt), to November 18, 1934
(Breslau, Sedwitz and Carleton).

Western Sandpiper. Ereunetes mauri. — An increasingly common T. May
15) 1932 (Breslau, Sedwitz, and Lind), to June 18, 1933 (Sedwitz, Bird-Lore,
XXXV, p. 271); July 23, 1932 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Lind), to November i.
1932 (Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz, Bird-Lore XXXIV, p. 10).

Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa.— Rare T. V. August i, 1932 (J. and R.
Kuerzi, Vogt, Bird-Lore, XXXIV, p. 339), to September 22, 1934 (Breslau,.
Sedwitz, et al.).

Hudsonian Godwit. Limosa haemastica. — Rarer T. V. May 22, 1932 (Vogt,.
Bird-Lore, XXXIV, p. 271) ; October 28, 1934 (Sedwitz, Carleton and Breslau).

Sanderling. Crocethia alba. — Common T. V. April 22, 1933 (J- Vogt), to
June 24, 1923 (Griscom, Boulton and Urner, Bird-Lore, XXV, p. 323) ; July 9,.
1932 (Vogt), to November 26, 1933 (Vogt).

Red Phalarope. Phalarofus fuUcarius. — Three records: May j8. 1934 (V’’ogt) ;
May JO, 19J5 (Eaton, Griscom and Johnson) ; 1 shot, Novemlier jS, tSSS (Dutcher
collection).

W ilson's Phalarope. Stega»ofnts tricohyr. — Rare T. V. July J9, 1934 (Sed-
witz), to Septenrber 9, 1934 (Breslau and Sedwitz).

Northern Phalarope. Lobipes lobatus. — Rare T. V. May 12, 1932 (J. Vogt),
to May 30, 1925 (Griscom and Eaton) ; September 16, 1934 (Herbert and Vogt).

Pomarine Jaeger.* Stercararius pomanmis. — Two records: July, 1924 (Boul-
ton) ; a specimen in the Dutcher collection, shot in 1S85.

Parasitic Jaeger. Stercorarius parasiticus. — Rare T. V. off shore, .\ugust
4. 1933 (^ '-■^t), to Noveml>er 9 (specimen in the Braislin collection).

Long-tailed Jaeger.* Stercorarius longicaudus. — One record: June 8, 19,^
(Matuszewski, Bird-Lore, XXXVI, p. 242).

Glaucous Gull. Litnts hyperboreus. — Uncommon, formerly accidental, W. V. ;
stragglers remained all summer after flight years (Griscom) ; July 24, 1927 (Gris-
com), to May 30, 1926 (Eaton).

Iceland Gull. Larus leucoptcrus. — L’ncommon, formerly accidental, W. V.
January- 3. 1933 (Vogt), to May 28. 1922 (Crosby, Griscom, Janvrin and John-
son. ’23).

Kumlien’s Gull. Larus Icucopterus .r Lants argetttatus tfiayeri. — One record :
December 16, 1934 (Peterson and \'ogt). This bird studied on the ice and in
flight, with 6x, 8x and 24X binoculars, within 500 feet.

Great Black-backed Gull. Larus inarinus. — Common W*. V. .August 14, 1932
(Vogt), to June 24. 1923 (Boulton. Griscom and Umer).

Herring Gull. Larus argentatus sinithsoniattus. — Common permanent resident,
though not abundant in summer.

Ring-billed Gull. Larus delauxirensis. — Common T. V., uncommon W'. V.,
rare S. V.

Laughing Gull. Lants atricUla. — Uncommon T. V. May 4, 1932 (J. Vogt),
to June 28, 1932 (Vogt) ; July 12, 1933 (\'ogt), to November 18, I934 (Sedwitz).
Practically unknown years ago, disappearing in late 8o’s or early 90’s (Griscom).

Bonaparte’s Gull. Lants Philadelphia. — L’ncommon T. V. April 15, 1932
(Vogt), to June 3, 1934 (Vogt); September 11, 1930 (Breslau, Sedwitz and
Grossman), to December 17, 1933 (Vogt).

.Atlantic Kittiwake.* Rissa tridactyla tridactyla. — Rare W. V. December 27,
1913 (Griscom).

Gull-billed Tern.* Gelochelidon nilotica aranea. — One record: September 9.
1934 (Matuszewski, et al.).

Forster’s Tern. Sterna jorsteri. — Rare fall T. V. July 10, 1932 (Vogt), to
X’ovember 17, 1933 (A. O. U. Field Trip).

Common Tern. Sterna Itinnido hirundo. — Common S. R. May 14, 1933
(Vogt), to October 26, 1930 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Grossman). Breeds. Rare
spring, uncommon fall, migrant from early 90’s to 1919 (Griscom).

Arctic Tern. Sterna paradisaea. — Rare or casual S. V. July 19, 1933 (Vogt,
Bird-Lore, XXXV, p. 271), to August 28, 1924 (Griscom).

Roseate Tern. Sterna dougalli dougalli. — ^Uncommon S. V. May breed. May
27, 1934 (Vogt), to September 2, 1923 (Carter and Griscom). Unknown from
the late 8o’s to 1920 (Griscom).

Least Tern. Sterna antillarum antillarum. — Common S. R. May 2, 1933
(Vogt), to September 9, 1934 (Vogt). Breeds. May 23, 1920, first record in many
j-ears; bred in 1924 but not in 1925 (Griscom).

Black Tern. Chlidonias nigra Irregular T. V., rare in spring,

frequently common in fall. May 29, 1921 (Griscom and Johnson, Abstract Pro-
ceedings Linnaean Society, Xos. 33-36, p. 24) ; July 20, 1934 (Moore), to Septem-
ber 25, 1932 (Vogt).

American Caspian Tern. Hydroprogne caspia imperator. — Uncommon T. V.,
rare in spring. May ii, 1898 (Braislin collection) ; May 30, 1925 (Griscom, John-
son and Eaton, Auk, XLV, p. 497) ; August 15, 1926 (Friedman, Auk, XLV, p.
497). to October 12, 1934 (Sedwitz and Vogt).

Black Skimmer. Rynchops nigra nigra. — Uncommon S. V., rare S. R.
May 6, 1893 (Butcher collection) to October 2, 1932 (Vogt, Auk, L. p. 446).
August 18, 1934 (downy young in Gilgo State Park, Auk, LI, p. 521).

Brurmich’s Murre.* Uria lomzna lomz’ia. — Three records: November 22, 1901 ;
December 30, 1901; March 2, 1902 (specimens in Braislin collection).

Dovekie. Alle alle. — Casual W. V. November 17, 1932 (Vogt), to January
12, 1934 (Vogt).

Eastern ^lourning Dove. Zenaidura niacroura carolinensis. — Common T. V.
March 17, i933 (Vogt), to April 15, 1934 (Vogt); August 5. 193-2 (Vogt), to
November 19, 1932 (Vogt).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus.americanus americanus. — Rare T. V. August
26, 1934 (Vogt), to September 17, 1933 (Vogt).

Black-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus erythropthalmus. — Rare T. V. June 4. 193.?
(Vogt), to July 9, 1932 (Vogt) ; July 24, 1927 (Griscom), to September ii, 1933
(W'oodmere Academy Bird Club).

Eastern Screech Owl. Otus asio naeidi^s. — Rarer T. V. May 12, 1934 (Vogt),
to May 27, 1934 (Vogt).

Snowy Owl. Nyctea nyetea. — Rare \\'. V. November 25, 1934 (Cruickshank),
to March 25, 1935 (Vogt).

Long-eared Chvl. Asio u-ilsonianits. — Rare \V. V. December 27, 1913 (Gris-
com), to February 4, 1934 (Vogt).

Short-eared Owl. Asio flaiinMus flamvieus. — Tolerably common T. V., rare
permanent resident.

Eastern Nighthawk. Chordciles winor minor, — Fairly common fall transient.
August 20, 1932 (Vogt), to September 23, 1933 (Herholdt).

Chimney Swift. Chaetura l>elagica. — Tolerably common T. V. May 9, 1934
(Vogt), to June 23, 1924 (Griscom) ; August 25, 1923 (Griscom), to September
iS, 1932 (Vogt).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. ArchilocJms colubris. — Uncommon T. V., rare
in spring. May 15, 1932 (Vogt), to May 27, 1923 (J. M. Johnson) ; August 4,
1933 (Vogt), to September 23, 1934 (Vogt).

Eastern Belted Kingfisher. Mcgaccryle alcyoii alcyon. — Common T. V. March
2, 1932 (Vogt), to May 27, 1933 (Vogt); July 26, 1933 (Vogt), to October 29,
1933 (Vogt).

Xorthern Flicker. Colaptcs auratus lutcus. — .-Xbundant T. \., rare W. V.
July 30, 1933 (Vogt), to May 8. 1932 (Vogt).

Red-headed Woodpecker. Mclanerpgs erythrocephalus. — A rare spring and
common to rare fall transient. May 26, 1923 (Crosby and Griscom) ; .-\ugust 27,
1933 (Vogt), to October 15, 1932 (Vogt).

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Sphyrapicits variiis varius. — Two records: Septem-
ber 24, 1932 (\'ogt) ; October i6, 1932 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Lind).

Eastern Hairj' Woodpecker. Dryobates znllosus villosus. — One record based
on one wing found October 16, 1932 (\’ogt).

Xorthern Downy Woodpecker. Dryobates pubesceiis medianus.- — One bird
heard May 13, i933 (Vogt).

Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus. — Common T. V., uncommon S. R. May 5>
1932 (Vogt), to October 7, 1933 (Vogt). Breeds.

Arkansas Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis. — Rare but regular fall transient.
August 19, 1932 (Vogt, Auk, L, p. 446), to October 8, 1933 (Vogt, Bird-Lore,
XXXV, p. 327).

Northern Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus ertnitus boreus. — Rare T. V. May
13, 1933 (Vogt).

Eastern Phoebe. Sayornis phoebe. — Common T. V. March 19, 1933 (Har-
rower), to Alay 6, 1934 (Vogt) ; September 22, 1932 (Vogt), to October 13, 1932
(Vogt).

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.* Empidonax flaviventris. — One record : August 29,

1932 (Heron, ’32).

Alder Flycatcher. Empidonax trailli trailli. — Uncommon (?) T. V. May 13,

1933 (Vogt) ; September 10, 1932 (Vogt), to September 22, 1933 (Vogt).
Empidonax flycatchers are not uncommon on migration, but are here omitted,
for the most part, because of the difficulty of identifying them in the field.

Least Flycatcher. Empidonax minimus. — Rare ( ?) T. V. May 6, 1932 (J.
Vogt), to May 13, 1933 (Vogt); August 23, 1933 (Vogt).

Eastern Wood Peewee. Mviochanes virens. — Uncommon T. V. May 12, 1933
(Vogt), to May 31, 1925 (Griscom and Eaton) ; August 27, 1933 (Herbert), to
September 7, 1932 (Vogt).

Olive-sided Flycatcher. N uttallornis mcsoleucus. — Rare fall transient. August
14, 1934 (Vogt and Matuszewski), to September ii, 1934 (Vogt).

Northern Horned Lark. Oiocoris alpestris alpestris. — Abundant W. V. Octo-
ber 26, 1930 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Grossman), to March 18, 1934 (Vogt).

Prairie Horned Lark. Otocoris alpestris praticola. — One record : December
9, 1934 (Sedwitz, Carleton and Breslau).

Tree Swallow. Iridoprocne bicolor. — Abundant T. V., bred in 1932. March
14, 1933 (Vogt), to May 27, 1933 (Vogt) ; August i, 1933 (Vogt), to November
26, 1933 (Vogt).

Bank Swallow. Ripaxia riparia riparia. — Abundant T. V., common S. R.
April 29, 1932 (Vogt), to September 17, 1933 (Vogt). Breeds in dunes.

Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripennis. — Rare T. V.
May 6, 1932 (Vogt), to May 15, 1932 (Vogt) ; August i, 1932 (Vogt).

Barn Swallow. Hirundo erythrogaster. — ^Abundant T. V., common S. R.
April 23, 1932 (Vogt), to November 26, 1933 (Vogt). Breeds.

Northern Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon albijrons albifrons. — Rare T. V. May
6, 1934 (Vogt), to May 13, 1932 (Vogt) ; August 28, 1932 (Vogt), to September
23, 1933 (Vogt).

Purple Martin. Progne subis subis. — Tolerably common T. V. May 23, 1920
(Griscom), to May 30, 1925 (Griscom) ; August 4, 1932 (Watson), to Sep-
tember II, 1932 (Vogt).

Northern Blue Jay. Cyanocitfa cristata cristata. — Rare T. V. May 7, 1932
(Rich), to May 27, 1934 (Vogt).

Eastern Crow. Corvtts brachyrhynchos brachyrhyiichos. — Permanent resident,
common in winter and rare in summer. Breeds.

Fish Crow. Corzms ossifragus. — Exact status unknown ; tolerably common in
spring when it may be identified by voice. January 3, 1932 (Breslau, Lind and
Sedwitz), to May 30, 1925 (Eaton).

Black-capped Chickadee. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. — LIncommon T.
V., rare W. V. September 7, 1932 (Vogt), to June 4, 1932 (Peterson).

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis carolinetusis. — Rare fall transient.
September 9, 1933 (Vogt), to October 15, 1933 (Vogt).

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis. — Uncommon T. V. May 6, 1934
(Vogt), to May ii, 1932 (Vogt) ; August 27, 1933 (Vogt), to November 5, 1933
(Vogt).

Brown Creeper. Ccrthia familiafis anuTii-aMo. — Common T. V. .\pril 3. igs^
(Vogt), to May 6. 1934 (Vogt); Septeml<r 13. 1932 (Vogt>, to October 16.
I9J-’ (Vogt).

Easteni House Wren. TroglodyUs ludon jcJoh. — Rare T. V. May 6, I9i4
(Vogt) ; August 2J. 193J (Vogt"* to October i^t. 1032 (Vogt).

Eastern Winter Wren. .Vowumj hicmalis hUnialis. — Uncommon T. \'. Sep-
tember II. I9,t4 (Vogt) to I'tecember 28. 1913 (Griscom. G. W. Hubbell and N. F.
LensseiG : April 22. 1932 (Vogt) to .\pril 24. 1932 (VogtV

Carolina Wren. Thry\>ih<>rus ludcfZ'icMHHs — Uncommon T. V.

April 20. io.t4 (Vogt) ; July 30. 1933 (Vogt) to October 29. 1933 (Terr>-).

Long-billed Marsh Wren. Telmatodytfs f'oJistris {‘olustris. — UiKommon T. V.
and S. R. .\pril 24, 19.U (Vogt) to September 24. 1933 (\\>gt). Se\-eral breeding
colonics 25 years ago (Griscom).

Short-billed Marsh Wren. Cistotkorus st^Uaris. — Rare T. \ . March 31. I93^
(Vogt and Peterson. Bird-Lore. XXXIV, p. 205) to .\pril 4. 1932 (Heron. 32) ;
July 23. 1033 (Sedwitr) to Deceml>er j8. 1913 (Griscom. .\lv;traa Proceedings
Linnaean Society, Xos. 26-27. p. 15.)

Eastern Mockingbird, ilimus (•olyglottos polyglottos. — Rare but regular T. \ .
.April 29, 1934 (Vogt) ; .August 20, 1933 (Chapman and Vogt) to October 15.

1932 (Vogt). Many immature birds ha\-e been observed in the fall.

Catbird. DuiMtflla carolimitsis. — .Abundant S. R.. rare W. A*. May 4.
(Vogt) to December 27. 1932 (W'gt) ; Februar\- 7. 1932 throughout winter
(Vogt). Breeds. .A rare straggler up to 1022 (Griscom).

Brown Thrasher. Toxostotiu.1 rutHm. — .Abundant S. R. March 29. 1934 (Her-
holdt) to October 15. 1932 (A'ogt). Breeds.

Eastern Robin. Turd us tnigraioritts migmionus. — .Abundant T. \’.. rare W. V.
July 19, 1933 (A'ogt) to May 13. I93d (A'»>gt).

Wood Thrush. Hylocichh uMStrliiM. Uncommon T. A'. May 6. 1934 (A'ogt)
to May 13. 1933 (A*ogt) ; July 26, 1933 (A\igt) to September 5. 1931 (Breslau
and Sedwitz).

Eastern Hermit Thrush. Hyiocichla gutiota faxoni. — Common T. A'. .April 2.

1933 (A'ogt) to May 7. 1032 (A'ogt) ; September 30, 1932 (A'ogt) to X'ovember
19. 1932 (A'ogt).

Olive-backed Thrush. Hylocuhia usiuUitj sny^iusoni. — Uncommon T. A’. May
6. 1932 (A'ogt) to May 26. 1023 (Crosby and Griscom) ; September 24. 1033
(A'ogt) to October 22. 1932 (A'ogt).

Gray -cheeked Thrush. Hytocichio minima aliciae. — One record; .A bird “beau-
tifully seen". May 30, 1925 (Eaton, Griscom and J. M. Johnson).

A'eerj*. HyiocU'Ma fuscrsci'tis fusicscnis. — Uncommon T. A', May 8. 1932
(A'ogt) to May 14, 1933 (A'ogt) ; .August 29. 1932 (Breslau) to October 15, 1932
(A'ogt).

Eastern Bluebird. Sialia sialis sialis. — Rare T. V. March 17, 1932 (Vogt)
to May 29, 1921 (Griscom and J. M.. Johnson) ; November 3, 1934 (Mayr and
Vogt)

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Polioptila caerulea caerulea. — Rare T. V. September
5, 1931 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Weil, Bird-Lore, XXXIII, p. 406) to September
9. 1934 (Cruickshank).

Eastern Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa satrapa. — Common T. V.
March 31, 1932 (Vogt) to April 21, 1932 (Vogt) ; September 25, 1932 (Vogt) to
November 8, 1934 (Vogt).

Eastern Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Corthylio calendula calendula. — Tolerably
common T. V. March 19, 1933 (\’ogt) to May 21, 1932 (Vogt) ; October 14, 1934
(Breslau, Sedwitz, et al.)

American Pipit. Anthiis spinoletta rubescens. — Uncommon W. V. October 12,

1931 (Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz) to January 21, 1934 (Breslau and Sedwitz).
Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum. — Rare to common fall transient. Au-
gust 13, 1932 (Vogt) to October 9, 1932 (Vogt).

Northern Shrike. Lanins borealis borealis. — Uncommon W. V. October 29,
1933 (Raymond) to January 2, 1931 (Heron, ’30).

Migrant Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus migrans. — Uncommon T. V. August 20,
1930 (Watson, Bird-Lore, XXXII, p. 430) to September 21, 1931 (Heron, ’32).
Starling. Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris. — Common T. and W. July 10,

1932 (Vogt) to June 19, 1932 (Vogt). Would have bred if nests had not been
destroyed.

White-eyed Vireo. Vireo griseus griseus. — Two dates: May 7, 1932 (Vogt)
and June 3, I934 (Vogt).

Blue-headed Vireo. Vireo solitarius solitarius. — One date: May 13, 1933
(Vogt).

Red-eyed Vireo. Vireo oHz-aceus. — Common T. V. May 12, 1933 (Vogt) to
May 29, 1932 (Vogt) ; September 9, 1934 (Vogt) to October 8, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Warbling Vireo. Vireo gikus gih’us. — Two records: June 3, 1934
(Vogt) ; September ii, 1933 (Woodmere Academy Bird Club).

Black and White Warbler. Mniotilta zaria. — Common T. .\pril 20, 1934
(J. Vogt) to May 19, 1934 (Vogt) ; August 5, 1934 (Moore) to September 22,

1933 (Vogt).

Prothonotary W'arbler. Protonotaria citrea. — One record: May 9, 1934 (J.
Vogt).

W^orm-eating Warbler. Helmitheros vernttvorus. — Rare T. V. .April 20, 1934
(Vogt) to May 14, 1933 (Vogt).

Blue-winged Warbler. Vermivora pinus. — Uncommon T. V. May 5, 1932
(Vogt) to May 13, 1933 (Vogt) ; August 27, 1933 (Vogt) to September 13, 1932
(Vogt).

Tennessee Warbler. Vermivora pcregrina. — One record: May 13, 1933 (Vogt).
Orange-crowned Warbler. Vcrmirora cclata cclala. — One record; April 21,
193- (Vogt and Prendergast).

Xashville Warbler. Vermivora ruficapilla ruficapilla. — One record : Septem-
ber 24, 1933 (Vogt).

Northern Parula \\ arbler. Compsollilypis amerieana pusilla. — Common T. V.
May 5, 1932 (J. \'ogt) to May 26, 1923 (Griscom) ; September 30, 1932 (Vogt)
to October 8, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Yellow Warbler. Deiidroica acstiva aestlva. — .Abundant S. R. .April
30. 1933 (^ ogt) to September 24, 1933 (Vogt). Breeds.

Magnolia Warbler. Dendroica magnolia. — Common T. V. May 12, 1933 (Vogt)
to June 3, 1934 (Vogt) ; September 25, 1932 (Vogt) to October 15, 1933 (Vogt).

Cape May Warbler. Dendroica tigrina. — Rare T. \’. May 18, 1934 (Vogt) ;
September 10, 1932 (A'ogt) to October 8, 1932 (Vogt).

Black-throated Blue \\ arbler. Dendroica caernlesccns eacndescens. — Common
T. V. May 7, 1932 (Vogt) to May 14, 1933 (Vogt) ; September 7, 1932 (Vogt)
to October 8, 1932 (\’ogt).

Myrtle Warbler. Dendroica coroiuUa. — .Abundant T. V., common W. V.
.August 25, 1932 (Vogt) to May 30, 1926 (Friedman).

Black-throated Green Warbler. Dendroica X'irens virens. — Common T. V.
May 4, 1932 (A'ogt) to May 15, 1932 (A'ogt) ; September 11, 1933 (AA'oodmere
Academy Bird Club) to October 8, 1932 (A'ogt).

Blackburnian AA'arbler. Dendroica jnsca. — Two records: May 19, 1933
(Vogt); September 24, 1933 (Vogt).

Chestnut-sided AA'arbler. Dendroica pensylz'anica. — Common T. V. in spring.
May 7, 1932 (Vogt) to May 26, 1923 (Griscom) ; September 9, 1934 (Cruick-
shank) .

Bay-breasted AA'arbler. Dendroica castanea. — One record : September 9, 1934
(Cruickshank).

Black-poll AA'arbler. Dendroica striata. — Common T. A'. May 18, 1934 (Vogt)
to June 5, 1932 (Vogt) ; October 7, 1932 (A'ogt) to October 8, 1932 (A^ogt).

Northern Pine AA'arbler. Dendroica pimes piniis. — Tolerably common T. V.
April 8, 1934 (Vogt) to May 12, 1933 (A'ogt) ; September 17, 1933 (Vogt) to
September 22, 1933 (A^ogt).

Prairie AA'arbler. Dendroica discolor discolor. — Common T. A'^. May 5, 1932
(J. Vogt) to May 24, 1914 (Griscom) ; September 5, 1932 (Vogt) to September
30, 1934 (Breslau, Sedwitz and AA'olfram).

AA’estern Palm AA'^arbler. Dendroica palmarum pahnanim. — Uncommon T. V.
in fall. September ii, 1932 (Vogt) to October i, 1933 (A'ogt).

Yellow Palm AA'arbler. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea. — ^Common T. V.
April 15, 1933 (A'ogt) to May 8, 1932 (A’ogt) ; September 22, 1933 (Vogt) to
November 13, 1932 (A'ogt).

Oven-bird. Seiurus atirocapillus. — Rare T. V. Recorded only in fall. Sep-,
ember lo, 1932 (Vogt) to October 7, 1932 (Vogt).

Northern Water-Thrush. Seiurus noveboracensis noveboraceusis. — Common T.
V^. May 5, 1932 (J. Vogt) to May 21, 1934 (Vogt) ; July 30, 1932 (Vogt) to
September 22, 1933 (Vogt).

Louisiana Water-Thrush. Seiurus motacilla. — One record : Bird heard May
8, 1932 (Vogt).

Connecticut Warbler.* Oporornis agihs. — Probably a tolerably common fall
transient. September 10, 1932 (Vogt) to October 7, 1932 (Vogt, Auk, L, p. 446).

Northern Yellow-throat. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla. — Abundant S. R.
Apiil 29, 1932 (Vogt) to December 8, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds.

Yellow-breasted Chat. Icteria virens vireiis. — Two records: May 26, 1923
(Crosby and Griscom) ; September 19, 1933 (Vogt).

Wilson’s Warbler. WUsonia pusilla pusilla. — Uncommon T. V. May 13, 1933
(Vogt); September i, 1933 (Griscom) to September 30, 1932 (Vogt).

Canada Warbler. WUsonia canadensis. — Uncommon T. V. May 13, 1933
(Vogt) to May 30, 1925 (Griscom) ; August 26, 1932 (Vogt) to September 10,
1932 (Vogt).

American Redstart. Setophaga ruiicilla. — Common T. V. May 4, 1932 (Vogt)
to May 30, 1925 (Griscom) ; August 5, 1932 (Vogt) to October 8, 1932 (Vogt).

House Sparrow. Passer doniesticus domesticus. — Common V. Septem-

ber 2, 1933 (Vogt) to May 12, 1934 (Vogt). This bird has never attempted to
nest on the Sanctuary except in Tree Swallow houses; when these nests were
destroyed the birds disappeared.

Bobolink. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. — An abundant transient, less common in
the spring. May 12, 1933 (Vogt) to May 13, 1934 (Vogt) ; August 12, 1933
(Vogt) to September 17, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Meadowlark. Sturnella inagna magna. — Permanent resident ; uncom-
mon in winter. Breeds.

Yellow-headed Blackbird. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. — One record : Sep-
tember I, 1932 (Helene Lunt, Auk, L, p. 446).

Eastern Red-wing. Agelaius pboeniceus phoeniceus. — Abundant S. R. and
casual W. V. February 23, 1933 (Vogt) to August 29, 1933 (Vogt) ; December
27> 1932 (Vogt). Breeds.

Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius. — One record: August 31, 1932 (Vogt).

Baltimore Oriole. Icterus galbula. — Common T. V. May 5, 1932 (J. Vogt)
to May 20, 1934 (Vogt) ; September 7, 1932 (Vogt) to September 13, 1932 (Vogt).

Rusty Blackbird. Euphagus carolinus. — Uncommon T. V. .April 2, 1933
(Vogt) to May 4, 1933 (Vogt) ; September 29, 1932 (Vogt) to November 18
1934 (Vogt).

Purple Crackle. Qttiscalus quiscula qutscula. — Rare T. \'. May 12, 1934
(Vogt) to May 27, 1934 (Vogt), probably the same individual throughout this
period.

Bronzed Crackle. Quiscalus quiscula acticus. — Two records: December 27,
1932 (Vogt) and March 9, 1933 (Vogt).

Eastern Cowbird. Moloihrus ater ater. — Tolerably common S. R. February
t/i >934 (Vogt) to September 22, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds.

Scarlet Tanager. Piranqa erythromelas. — Rare spring transient. May 12, 1933
(Vogt) to May 14, 1933 (Vogt).

Rose-breasted Crosbeak. Hedymeles ludozdcianiis. — Uncommon T. V. May
12, 1934 (Vogt) to May 24, 1914 (Criscom) ; July 29, 1934 (Moore) to Sep-
tember 6, 1933 (Terry).

Indigo Bunting. Passerina cyauea. — Rare T. May 30, 1926 (Eaton and
Friedman) ; October 8, 1932 (\’ogt) to October 16, 1932 (Breslau, Sedwitz and
Lind).

Eastern Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus purpureas. — Uncommon fall
transient. .August 27, 1933 (Vogt) to November 3, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Coldfinch. Spinus tristis tristis. — Common \V. V. .August 19, 1933
(Vogt) to June 14, 1933 (Vogt).

Red-eyed Towhee. Pipilo erytlirophthahnus crythrophthaUnus. — Common T.
V., uncommon S. R. .April 22, 1932 (Vogt) to October 22, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds.

Ipswich Sparrow. Passerculus princeps. — Uncommon W'. \’. October 13, 1932
(Vogt) to March 29, 1932 (Heron, ’32). Formerly a common transient and reg-
ular \\ . A’. — 9 seen December 28, 1913 (Criscom).

Eastern Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandudchensis saz’amia. — Common
T. V., uncommon to rare permanent resident. Breeds.

Eastern Henslow’s Sparrow. Passerherbulus henslozvi susurrans. — One rec-
ord: May 7, 1932 (Vogt).

Acadian Sparrow. Ammospiza caudacuta subzdrgata. — Uncommon T. V. May
26, 1923 (Crosby and Criscom) to May 29, 1926 (Criscom) ; September 24, 1933
(Vogt) to December 26, 1933 (Vogt, Bird-Lore, XXXV, p. 20). It is almost
certain that systematic collecting would show this bird to be more common.

Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Ammospiza caudacuta caudacuta. — Not uncommon S.

R. April 22, 1934 (Cobb) to November 8, 1910 (Criscom, La Dow and Wieg-
mann). Breeds. Formerly a very common S. R. (Criscom).

Northern Seaside Sparrow. Ammospiza maritima maritima. — Uncommon

S. R., casual W. V. March 29, 1932 (Peterson) to November 8, 1910 (Criscom) ;
throughout February, 1932 (Vogt). Breeds. Formerly a very common S. R.
(Criscom).

Eastern Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus gramitieiis. — Uncommon T.
V. .April 15, 1932 (A'ogt) ; .August 21, 1932 (Vogt) to November 26, 1933
(Vogt).

Eastern Lark Sparrow. Cliondestes graiinnacus grammaciis. — Three records :
August 5, 1934 (Sedwitz, Hickey, \'ogt, ct al.) ; August 21, 1932 (Vogt, Bird-
Lore, XXXR', p. 397) ; August 23, 1933 (Vogt).

Slate-colored Junco. Jinico byeiiialis hyemalis. — Common T. V., less com-
mon W. y. September 23, 1933 (^ ogt) to April 26, 1932 (\^ogt).

Eastern Tree Sparrow. Spizella arborea arborea. — Common \\’. V. October
12, 1934 (Cobb) to April 27, 1932 (Vogt).

Eastern Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passer ina passerina. — Tolerably commoa
T. V. April S, 1934 (Vogt) to May 26, 1933 (Crosby and Griscom) ; August 26,.
1923 (Griscom) to November 18, 1934 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Carleton).

Clay-colored Sparrow. Spi;;ella pallida.^One record : September 30, 1934.
(Breslau, Sedwitz, et al.).

Eastern Field Sparrow. Spizella pusilla pitsilla. — Common T. V. March 28,.
1932 (Vogt) to May 28, 1932 (Vogt) ; September 24, 1933 (Vogt) to November
5. 1933 (Vogt).

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys. — Tolerably com-
mon T. \C May 7, 1932 (Vogt) to May 27, 1933 (Vogt) ; October 7, 1934 (Vogt)
to November 5, 1934 (Vogt).

White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia albicollis. — Abundant T. V., uncom-
mon W. V. September 18, 1932 (Vogt) to ^lay 18, 1933 (\'ogt).

Eastern Fox Sparrow. Passerelta iliaca iliaca. — Common T. V., uncommoa
W. November 13, 1932 (Vogt) to April 26, 1932 (\'ogt).

Lincoln’s Sparrow. Melospiza lincolni lincolni. — One record : May 7, 8, 1932
(Vogt).

Swamp Sparrow. Melospiza georgiana. — Uncommon T. V. March 3, 1932^
(Vogt) to June 21, 1931 (Breslau and Sedwitz) ; September 29, 1932 (\'ogt) to-
December 28, 1913 (Griscom). Formerly bred commonly (Griscom).

Eastern Song Sparrow. Melospiza tjielodia melodia. — .-\bundant P. R., though-
few of the breeding birds winter.

Lapland Longspur. Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus. — Irregular W. V. Oc-
tober 21, 1934 (Breslau, Sedwitz) to February 19, 1933 (Breslau, Sedwitz and
Lind).

Eastern Snow Bunting. Plectropheno.r nivalis nivalis. — Common W'. V. N^o-
vember i, 1931 (Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz) to March 31, 1932 (V'^ogt).

Some Mid-Nineteenth Century Records from
Westbury, Long Island
Bv John F. Matuszkwski, Jr.

Through the courtesy of Mrs. J. L. Bertie of Old Westbury, I
have e.xamined and studied the bird specimens in the calnnet of her
father, tlie late John D. Hicks, whose records, 1 believe, have never
been published.

The collection was assembled during the period from 1860-84 and
at the present time consists of seventy-three specimens, representing
si.xty-two species. According to Mrs. Bertie, her father collected one
bird of each kind found near their home, and male and female, in
some cases, where the sexes differed in plumage.

It is interesting to place the birds in this collection in the groups
used by Griscom in his “Birds of the Xew York City Region”. I
found: Permanent Residents 10, Summer Residents 34, Winter Visi-
tants 5, Irregular Winter \’isitants 4, Regular Transients 7, Acci-
dental \'isitants i. Extinct Species i — Total 62.

Permanent Residents

Sparrow Hawk

Field Sparrow

Flicker

/•

Swamp Sparrow

Blue Jay

Carolina Wren

Meadowlark

White-breasted Xuthatch

5. Goldfinch
Summer Residents

10.

Chickadee

Kingfisher

13-

Cliff Swallow

Whip-poor-will

14-

Barn Swallow

Xighthawk

15-

Sharp-tailed Sparrow

Chimney Swift

16.

Seaside Sparrow

Phoebe

17-

Chipping Sparrow

Bobolink

18.

Towhee

Cowbird

19.

Red-eyed Mreo

Red-wing

20.

Yellow-throated \’ireo

Orchard Oriole

21.

Black and White Warbler

10.

Purple Grackle

22.

Parula Warbler

II.

\"esper Sparrow

23-

Chestnut-sided Y'arbler

12.

Scarlet Tanager

24-

Black-throated Green Warbler

25. Prairie Warbler
2b. Ovenbird

27. N. Yellow-throat

28. Redstart

29. Catbird

IV inter V isitants

1. Horned Lark

2. Tree Sparrow

3. Junco

Irregular Winter Visitants

1. Red Crossbill

2. White-winged Crossbill

Regular Transients

1. Purple Finch

2. Fox Sparrow

3. Savannah Sparrow

4. Black-throated Blue Warbler

Accidental Visitants
I. Yellow-headed Blackbird
Extinct

I . Passenger Pigeon

I was quite surprised to find that in about seventy-five years, the
bird life of Westbury has undergone little change, viz., the disap-
pearance of the Cliff Swallow and Yellow-throated Vireo as probable
breeders, and the introduction of Starling, Pheasant, and British
( joldfinch.

Here follows a list of those birds in the collection which I con-
sider uncommon in the Westbury locality inasmuch as I have recorded
only one of them in six years’ residence :

Passenger Pigeon. — Common migrant sixty years ago. I was quite
thrilled to find a well-preserved mounted si)ecimen of this extinct
species.

Cliff S wall ozv. — Very probably a summer resident. Griscom says:
■“Not known to have nested since 1904”, and Giraud, in “Birds of Long

30. Brown Thrasher

31. House Wren
32 Wood Thrush

33. Robin

34. Bluebird

4. Myrtle Warbler

5. Golden-crowned Kinglet

3. Redpoll

4. Northern Shrike

5. Blackburnian Warbler

6. Black-poll Warbler

7. Hermit Thrush

Island ; “On Long Island I am not aware that the Cliff Swallow has
been known to breed.”

Carolina IVrcn. — Uncommon summer resident. Mr. Henry Hicks
of W’estbury tells of collecting one near the barn about 1886, because
it sang louder and was larger than the other wrens.

Yelloxv-throatcd Vireo. — Summer resident about 1860-84. Griscom
in “Birds of New York City Region” says: “Formerly a common
summer resident, now rapidly decreasing”, and Giraud in his “Birds
of Long Island” : “With us the Vireo is tolerably common but not so
plentiful as the White-eyed Vireo.”

Yellozv-headcd Blackbird. — Accidental visitant. Although not
mentioned by Griscom in his book, I have arbitrarily put this bird in
the accidental list inasmuch as it has been reported from Jones Beach
Bird Sanctuary (Abstract of the Linnaean Society, 1931-32; Bird-
Lore, September-October 1934).

Redpoll. — Irregular winter visitant. I have never seen this species
in six years’ bird watching at Westbury.

Red Crossbill. — Irregular winter visitant. Although this species is
in the irregular winter visitant group, it has been recorded by me and
others at Westbury every year for the last four years.

White-zvinged Crossbill. — Irregular winter visitant. Griscom says
in his “Birds of New York City Region”: “Very rare and irregular
winter visitant”. He gives the dates of two Long Island invasions, 1899-
1900, October, 1908, to February 28, 1909. The presence of this bird
in the collection would seem to indicate that there was a White-winged
Crossbill invasion on Long Island some time between i860 to 1884.

It was a rare privilege for me to examine and study the birds in
this well-mounted collection, and it was quite exciting to measure the
various birds such as the Seaside, Savannah and Red Crossbill, in
the hope that they might be the rarer subspecies.

The Ornithological Year 1932 in the
New York City Region

By William Vogt

Nineteen thirty-two will long be remembered among bird students
of the Atlantic coast as the year of the great Dovekie flight. From
Canada to Cuba these diminutive Alcids were driven ashore, in incal-
culable numbers. The New York City region received its share and
it is doubtful if any ornithological phenomenon of the past century
has made as strong an impression on the general public as this ; an ex-
tended account of the visitation has already been published (Murphy
and Vogt, Auk, L, pp. 325-349) and nothing would be gained by re-
peating the story here.

Next to the Dovekie invasion in memorableness was one of the
greatest shore-bird flights in many years. This will be considered in
greater detail below.

January was the warmest on record, and the mean temperature
of February was 4.7° above normal. With this mild weather may,
undoubtedly, be correlated the presence of numerous ducks in such
concentration places as Hempstead Lake, Jones Beach, Brookhaven,
Croton Point and Tod’s Neck. Pied-billed Grebes, Coots, Florida Gal-
linules, Catbirds, and Sharp-tailed and Seaside Sparrows “wintered
over” with apparent success. At the January 26 meeting Mr. Urner
reported that, following several days of mild weather, there had been
indications that Black-crowned Night Herons, Canada Geese, Killdeer,
Kingfishers, Grackles and Robins were migrating.

March and April reversed the meteorological tables with sub-
normal temperatures. In mid-April Mr. J. T. Nichols reported; “con-
ditions have been about normal . . . The various half-hardy birds seem
to have lasted through to spring.” (Bird-Lore, XXXIV, p. 204.) The
most notable bird of the period was a Yellow-headed Blackbird at
Flushing {op. cit., p. 270).

May might with some justice be described as having had an
ornithological explosion on the 6th, 7th and 8th. The great bulk of the
month’s migrants seemed to go through at that time and pursuers of
the large list were heard to coinjilain, on their other week-ends afield,
that birds were not plentiful although there was another Warbler

wave on the i5tli. Mr. Rich reports from Central Park, “an immense
wave on the "th. There were Warblers of many species both in the
Ramble and the noth Street section. The weather was dull and fairly
warm after a night of rain that stopped before 5 A. M.” The outer
beaches, normally poor places to see these birds, had the most exten-
sive Warbler flight in the writer’s experience. There was a substantial
flight of shore-birds, with “unusually large numbers of Lesser Yellow-
legs” (LTner).

June, as is unfortunately aj)t to be the case, saw a diminution
of field activity on the part of the Society’s members, and there was
little in the way of breeding data reported. Mr. Baker reported that
the Mourning M'arbler had, apparently, deserted his farm in Dutchess
County, but that to offset the loss of this species he had added, to
his list of breeding birds, the Marsh Hawk. The Bronx County Bird
Club made two excursions to the Catskills where, on Slide Mountain,
they noted Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green,
Blackburnian, Myrtle, Magnolia, Blackpoll and Canada Warblers;
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Red-breasted Nuthatch; Winter Wren;
Brown Creeper; Slate-colored Junco; White-throated Sparrow;
Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos ; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; and
Bicknell’s, Olive-backed and Hermit Thrushes. On the iQth, Mr.
Edwards recorded, at Troy ^Meadows, American Egrets, and the Little
Blue, and Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

July and August failed to fulfill the promise of these birds,
when the southern Heron flight fell far below what New Yorkers had
come to expect. Their absence from the marshes was more than off-
set, however, by the large numbers of shore-birds referred to above.
At the August 16 meeting, Mr. Urner reported “the largest flight of
Dowitchers in his experience ; that Knots had reached a new high this
year; that Stilt Sandpipers had been numerous; that there appeared
to be a decrease in the numbers of Pectoral Sandpipers ; and that the
Curlew flight had been good.’’ In a letter, he subsequently wrote; “It
surely has been a great shore-bird year. I counted up the 1932 shore-
bird species that I know of as recorded from Long Island and New
Jersey; there are 37, including the Eskimo Curlew (IMurphy, Auk, L,
p. loi). I do not count January Purple Sandpiper records. We lack
only Long-billed Curlew and Oyster Catcher among the reasonable sea-

sonal probabilities . . . The New Jersey list is 34, of which I have
seen 33 on the southward migration. There is a good record from
south Jersey . . . of two Wilson’s Plover.” During this southward
movement, 28 species were seen at Jones Beach State Bird Sanctuary.
More specific comment on some of the birds will be found in the list,
below. One of the most remarkable shore-birds of the migration was
the Ruff (Urner, Auk, L, p. loi).

September was hot and dry, as was October until the middle of
the month, when a deficiency of precipitation was relieved by five days
of rain. The heat and drought may have been partially responsible
for the retarded movement of waterfowl into the region. Black
Skimmers were recorded several times (see below, and Bird-Lore,
XXXIV, p. 396) and unusual numbers of ^Mockingbirds were seen
on southern Long Island.

November had a cold wave (37° fall in 24 hours) on the 26th-
27th, but aside from that did not have markedly low temperatures;
December was 4° above normal. It is undoubtedly partly because of
this that the numbers of aquatic birds seen throughout the period
were considerable. Clement weather does not explain, however, the
presence, in sizeable flocks, of Shovellers, Ring-necks, and the allegedly
diminishing Ruddy ; nor does it explain the appearance of such west-
erners as Gadwall and, earlier in the fall, Arkansas Kingbirds and
Lark Sparrows (Bird-Lore, XXXIV, pp. 396, 397)- It is the
writer’s belief that the repeated recording of these birds can not
be entirely attributed to increased ornithological activity. Their
appearance in the northeast has paralleled the years of drought in the
middle-west, and it does not seem unlikely that, with the destruction
of their wonted haunts, they are seeking new ranges — at least migra-
tory ranges.

The writer has made no attemi)t, in assembling the appended list,
to compile all previously published data. Were this paper of more
than local interest, it might seem advisable to repeat the records from
Bird-Lore, the Auk, The Heron, etc. Since, however, it concerns the
birds of a locality where these publications will remain as accessible
as this Society’s Abstracts, to repeat such printed records seems an
unnecessary duplication. A word of appreciation should be inserted
here of Mr. Urner’s contribution of shore-bird data; and of Dr. R. C.

<'•5

Murphy’s August notes from Fire Island, a locality that is rarely visited
by local students.

Gaz'ia immer imtiter. Common Loon. — Long Beach, L. L, June 15 (Janvrin) ;
Jones Beach, Aug. 3 (Vogt).

Colymbus aurilus. Horned Grebe. — 5, Oakwood Beach, May 21 (E. and M.
Rich).

Podilymbus podiceps podiceps. Pied-l>illed Grebe. — Kensico, Jan. 10 (Farley,
J. Kuerzi, etc.) ; Brookhaven, Jan. 17 (Matuszewski).

Puffiims griseus. Sooty Shearwater. — 2, Jones Beach, Oct. 2, and 10 other
Shearwaters whose species could not be definitely ascertained (Williams and \’ogt).

Puffinus graz'is. Greater Shearwater. — Jones Beach, Oct. 16, and Montauk,
Xov. 6 (Local Bird Club).

I Moris bassana. Gannet. — i, Pt. Pleasant, Jan. 31 (Breslau, Sedwitz and|

; Lind) ; 10, Montauk, Feb. i (J. and K. Kuerzi) ; i. Fire Island, .Aug. 21 (Mur-

I phy) ; 30, Montauk, Xov. 30 (J. and R. Kuerzi, etc.).

Phalacrocorax carbo carbo. European Cormorant. — Eastern Long Island, May
22-28 (Helmuth).

Phalacrocorax aiiritus auritits. Double-crested Cormorant. — Fire Island, nu-
merous dates from Aug. 20 to Aug. 29 (Murphy) ; 35, Tuckerton, Sept. 3 (Urner).

Casmerodius albus egretta. American Egret. — 2, Eastern Long Island, May
7, 8 (Helmuth); 4, Troy Meadows, June 19 (Edwards). The summer flight
lighter than during the preceding year.

I Florida caerulea caerulea. Little Blue Heron. — An adult, closely observed,

Jones Beach State Bird Sanctuary, .Apr. 18 (J. and W. Vogt). The summer
numbers of these birds were, like those of the above species, lower than during
the preceding year.

Nycticorax uycticorax hoactli. Black -crowned Xight Heron. — .A flock, mov-
ing northward, Barnegat, Jan. 16 (Oscar Eayre).

Nyciattassa violacea violacea. Yellow-crowned Xight Heron. — Ozone, May 3
(Local Bird Club) ; Troy Meadows, June 19 (Edwards) ; Jones Beach, Aug. 10
(A^ogt).

Botaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern. — Jones Beach, Apr. 8 (Vogt),
j Ixobrychtis exilis exilis. Eastern Least Bittern. — A'an Cortlandt Park, May 9

I (Cruickshank).

I Plegadis jalcinellus falctnellns. Eastern Glossy Ibis. — Barnegat, May i — closely

I observed (Edward and Urner, Auk, XLIX, p. 459).

■ Cygnus columbianus. Whistling Swan. — 3, Croton Point, and i. Tod’s Neck,

i Mar. II (Kessler, J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Long Island, March 29 (Kuerzi) ; Barne-
I gat, Apr. 10 and May i (Urner).

I Branta canadetisis canadensis. Common Canada Goose. — 2, Van Cortlandt

Park, Apr. 19 (L. N. Nichols).

Branta berntcla hrota. American Brant. — 21, Riverdale, Jan. 4 (Cruickshank).

Chaulelasmus strepenis. Gadwall. — Drake, Tod’s Neck, Jan. 30 (J. and R.
Kuerzi) ; 6, Brookhaven, Feb. i (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; pair. Tod’s Neck, Apr. i
(Kuerzi) ; Brookhaven, Nov. 20 (J. and R. Kuerzi, Breslau, Lind and Sedwitz).

Mareca pettelope. European 'V^’idgeon. — One bird, that maj^ have been feral,
at the Bronx Botanical Gardens, most of March (Cruickshank) ; Tod’s Neck, Apr.
I (Kuerzi) ; Hempstead Reservoir, Nov. 13 (Breslau, etc.) ; Brookhaven, Nov.
20 (Kuerzi, Breslau, etc.) - Hempstead, Dec. 27 (Matuszewski) .

Mareca americana. Baldpate. — Oakwood, May 21 (Rich).

Dafila acuta tzitziboa. American Pintail. — i, Tuckerton, Sept. 3 (Urner).

Netfion crecca. European Teal. — Troy Meadows, Apr. 3 (Edwards) ; same
place. May 5 (Urner). Mr. Edwards reported the absence of the white crescent
in front of the wing and the presence of the white stripe on the back ; Hemp-
stead Reservoir, Dec. 30 (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Nettion carolmense. Green-winged Teal. — 15, Hempstead Reservoir, Jan. 9
(Matuszewski).

Querqiiedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. — 2, Van Cortlandt Park. Mar. 19
(Cruickshank) ; Troy Meadows, May 8 — “acting as though nesting, or about to” —
(Urner) ; Jones Beach, July 4 and Aug. 14 (Vogt) ; 3, Tuckerton, Sept. 3
(Urner).

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — Hempstead Reservoir, Jan. 16 (Matuszewski) ;
9, Brookhaven, Feb. i (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; 3, Georgica Pond. Mar. 29 (Peter-
son, Wilcox, J. and R. Kuerzi) ; 2, Brookhaven, Nov. 6 (Local Bird Club) : same
place and observers, Nov. 20.

Aix sponsa. W'ood Duck. — Barnegat, Jan. 17 (Edwards, etc.) ; ii pair,
Bronx Park, Feb. 28, and 16 birds. Van Cortlandt Park, Mar. 19 (Cruickshank).

Nyroca coUaris. Ring-necked Duck. — Candlewood Lake, Conn., Jan. 14 (Far-
ley) ; 18, Brookhaven, Feb. i (Kuerzi) ; Thompson Pond, Pine Plains, May 15
(Baker) ; Southampton, Nov. 20 (Kuerzi, etc.).

Nyroca valismeria. Canvas-back. — More than 300 at Croton Point, Decem-
ber through January; seen by numerous observers, including the Bronx County
Bird Club.

Nyroca affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. — Throughout spring and summer, at
Jones Beach, until July 24 (Vogt).

Glauciouetta claugula americana. -American Golden-eye. — 2, Montauk, Apr. 30
(janvrin) ; Oakwood, May 21 (Rich).

Clangula hyemalls. Old-squaw. — 2, Oakwood Beach, May 30 and July 3
(Rich).

Melanitta dcglandi. W'hite-winged Scoter. — i on bay, Fire Island, Aug. 15
(Murphy).

Erismatura jamaiceusis rubida. Ruddy Duck. — Van Cortlandt Park, Jan. 26
(Cruickshank) ; Montauk, Feb. i (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; 8. Southampton, Mar. 29

(Kxierzi, etc.) ; 75, Brookhaven, Nov. 6 (Local Bird Club) ; 130, Southampton,
Nov. 20 (Kuerzi, etc.).

Lophodytcs cucullatiu. Hooded Merganser. — 8, Montauk, Jan. 3 (Walsh) ;
Barnegat, Jan. 17 (Urner) ; 8, Brookhaven, Feb. i (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Cathartes aura seplentriomlis. Turkey Vulture. — Prospect Park, Oct. 2
(Cruickshank).

Astur atncaffiUus alricaf^illus. Eastern Goshawk. — W'estbury, Jan. 3 (Matus-
zewski).

Bntco platyptcnis plalyptcrus. Broad-winged Hawk. — Bear Mt., Apr. 24
(Bronx County Bird Club).

Falco pcrcgrintks auatum. Duck Hawk. — Inwood, Jan. ii (Cruickshank).

Falco columbarius columharius. Eastern Pigeon Hawk. — Bear Mt., Apr. 24
(Bronx County Bird Club) ; Central Park, Apr. 27 (Rich) ; Fire Island, Aug.
13, and 29 (Murphy).

Bonasa uinhelliis umhcllus. Eastern Ruffed Grouse. — Slide Mt., June 12 (Far-
ley, Kassoy and Herbert).

Colinus idryiniaiius znrgmianus. Eastern Bob-white. — \ few on Fire Island,
Aug. 30 (Murphy).

Lophortyx califoriiica z'alltcola. \'alley Quail. — Garden City, March 25 (J.
T. Nichols). It was reported that this bird had been stocked on Long Island,
but this has not been substantiated.

Rallus eleganis elegaiis. King Rail. — Van Cortlandt Park, Apr. 20 (Cruick-
shank).

RaUus longirostris crepitans. Northern Clapper Rail. — Fresh tracks, Barne-
gat, Jan. 17 (Edwards, Kassoy, R. Kuerzi).

Porzana Carolina. Sora. — Van Cortlandt Park, May 9 (Cruickshank).

Gallinula chloropus cacliinnans. Florida Gallinule. — Montauk, Jan. 3 (Walsh) ;
Brookhaven, Jan. 17 (Matuszewski) ; Brookhaven, Mar. 29 (Kuerzi, etc.).

Fulica americana americana. American Coot. — 5, Croton Pt., Jan. 10, 31,
Feb. I (Bronx County Bird Club and numerous other observers).

Charadrius melodus. Piping Plover. — Jones Beach, Mar. 31 (Vogt).

Charadrius semipalmatus. Semipalmated Plover. — Carnarsie, Nov. 13 (Cruick-
shank).

Pluz'ialis dominica dominica. American Golden Plover. — Mr. Urner reports
as follows: There were record numbers on the Newark Marshes, a few in late
August; 5, Sept. 5; 125, Sept. 8; 225, Sept. 10; 250, Sept. 13; 300 Sept. 15; 300,
Sept. 17. There were more birds of the year in late flocks, and more records than
usual of scattered birds in southern New Jersey.

Squatarola squatarola. Black-bellied Plover. — Oakwood, May 4 (Janvrin) ;
Newark, May 6 (Edwards).

Arenaria inter pres morinella. Ruddy Turnstone. — Beach Haven, May 8
(Urner) ; 2, Montauk, Nov. 20 (Kuerzi, etc.).

Philohela minor. American Woodcock. — 2 birds singing, Manahawkin Swamp,
Barnegat, Jan. 17 (Eaton, J. and R. Kuerzi, Eayre).

Bartramia longicauda. Upland Plover. — Lamington, May 5 (Urner).
Cafoptrophorus semipalmatiis. Willet. — Eastern Long Island, May 15 (Hel-
muth) ; Jones Beach, Aug. 6, 7, 14, 15 (Vogt) ; “principal movement in early
September” (Urner).

Totanus melanoleueus. Greater Yellow-legs. — “The August-September flight
below normal” (Urner).

Totanus flavipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. — Jones Beach, Apr. 20 (Vogt) ; the
spring flight reported by Mr. Urner to be unusually heavy, with a “very heavy”
September flight.

ArqUiatella mariiima. Purple Sandpiper. — Long Beach, Jan. 19 (Breslau, Lind
and Sedwitz).

Pisobia melanotos. Pectoral Sandpiper. — “The flight on Newark Meadows
larger than usual” (Urner).

Pisobia bairdi. Baird’s Sandpiper. — Jones Beach, Sept. 7, 9, 16 (Vogt) ; Sept.
10 (Eaton) ; Sept. 10-15 (Urner).

Erolia testacea. Curlew Sandpiper. — Jones Beach State Bird Sanctuary, Aug.

7 (Herbert, Farley, Kassoy, etc., Auk, L, p. 446). This bird, in full breeding
plumage, was studied at leisure, within 200 feet.

Pelidmi alpina sakhaUna. Red-backed Sandpiper. — Beach Haven, May 8
(Urner) ; the first of the season at Beach Haven, Sept, ii (Urner).

Limnodromiis griseus scolopaceus.- Long-billed Dowitcher. — Brigantine, Aug.
20 (Urner). The color on the belly, barring under tail, very long bill, large size
and dark body color were noted.

Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — Present at Jones Beach almost
daily from July 14 to Sept. 13, with a maximum of 40 birds on Aug. 15 (Vogt) ;
“constantly present up to Sept. 18, mostly at Newark and Tuckerton,” last Oct.
12 (Urner).

Tryngites subruficollis. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. — Newark Meadows, Sept.

8 (Urner), 18 (Edwards, etc.), 19 (Kuerzis) ; Brigantine, Sept, ii (Collins):
Oakwood Beach, Sept. 27 (Uavis, Shoemaker, Wiegmann).

Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. — Jones Beach, Aug. i (J. and R. Kuerzi,
Vogt) ; Brigantine, Aug. 20, 27, Sept. 3; Barnegat Inlet, Sept. 4 (Urner).
Philomachus pngmx. Ruff. — Tuckerton, Oct. 2 (Urner, Auk, L, p. loi).
Recurvirostra americana. Avocet. — 2 adults and i immature, Newark Mea-
dows, Sept. 15-Oct. 4 (Urner and many others. Probably remnant of a flock
of 12 first seen Sept. 4 and mostly killed (anonymous letter to Urner).

Phalaropus fidicarius. Red Phalaropc. — 300, Tuckerton to Beach Haven. May
12 (Edwards and Urner).

f>9

Steganot>us tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope. — 2, Tuckerton, Sept. 3 (Urner) ;
Brigantine, Sept. 3 (Eaton) ; Newark Meadows, to Oct. 8 (Urner, etc.).

Stcrcorarins f>omarinus. Pomarine Jaeger. — X. Y. Harbor, Oct. 23 (Breslau,
Sedwitz).

Larus hyperboreus. Glaucous Gull. — Jones Beach, Mar. 29 (Peterson and
Vogt) ; Eastern Long Island, May 22 (Helmuth) ; “summered at Oakwood Beach”
(Wiegmann).

Larus leucoptcrus. Iceland Gull. — Eastern Long Island, Mar. 29 (Kuerzi, etc.).

Larus marhius. Great Black-backed Gull. — Fire Island, Aug. 26 (Murphy).

Kissa tridactyla tridactyla. .Atlantic Kittiwake. — Hudson River, May 4 (Ur-
ner) ; Montauk, Nov. 20 (Kuerzis, etc.).

Sterna forsteri. Forster’s Tern. — 3, Newark Meadows, Sept. 18 (Urner).

Sterna hirinulo hirimdo. Common Tern. — 6, Lower New York Bay, Apr. 19
(Rich) : same place, .Apr. 24 (Chapin) ; “a hundred pair, apparently breeding,”
Long Beach, June 2 (L. N. Nichols, Crowell). Dr. R. C. Murphy recorded “few”
from Fire Island, and “many” on only three days, during .August ; in view of the
subsequent rapid increase on South Oyster and Great South Bays, these small num-
bers seem of interest.

Sterna antillarum antillannn. Least Tern. — “Apparently breeding,” Long
Beach, June 2 (L. N. Nichols, Crowell) ; Sheepshead, Oct. 9 (Cruickshank).

Hydroprogne caspia imperator. Caspian Tern. — Barnegat, May i (Urner) ;
Eastern Long Island, May 6-13 (Helmuth).

Rynchops nigra nigra. Black Skimmer. — Jones Beach, May 14 (Vogt), June
S (Vogt and Peterson), Sept. 7 (Peterson), Oct. 2 (Vogt). This last specimen
was an immature bird that had been banded the previous spring at .Avalon, N. J.

Aka torda. Razor-billed Auk. — 80, Montauk, Jan. 3, and 50, Jan. 10 (Walsh) ;
18, Montauk, Feb. i (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Montauk, Mar. 29 (Kuerzi, etc.) ; Jones
Beach, i dead. May 8 (Rich and Vogt).

Uria loniz’ia lonnna. Briinnich’s Murre. — Feb. i (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Speonk,
Dec. 8 (Wilcox) ; E. Moriches, Dec. 10 (Breslau) ; Jones Beach, i brought in
dead, by a hunter, Dec. 30 (Vogt).

Alle alle. Dovekie. — An enormous flight of these birds in late November.
For an extended account, see Auk, L, p. 325.

Cepphus grylle grylle. Black Guillemot. — Manursing Island, Jan. 30 (J. and R.
Kuerzi). Both of these observers were familiar with the bird in life.

Coccysus erythropthahnus. Black-billed Cuckoo. — Fire Island, 2, .Aug. 13;
I, Aug. 16; 4, Aug. 29 (Murphy).

Tyto alba pratincola. Barn Owl. — Theodore Roosevelt H. S., Bronx, identi-
fied by George Hastings and reported by Cruickshank, and American Museum of
Natural History (Nichols), both Mar. 31.

Otus asio naevius. Eastern Screech Owl. — Central Park, Apr. 30 (Cruick-
shank and Rich).

Bubo virginianus virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — 2, Troy Meadows, May
8 (Urner).

Asia wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl. — Phelps Estate, Mar. i (L. N. Nichols).

Cryptoglaux acadica acadica. Saw-whet Owl. — At the Feb. 9 meeting the
presence of this bird, from the third week in December at Tod’s Neck, and at
Pelham from January i, was reported. They had been seen by numerous ob-
servers.

Antrostomus vociferus vociferus. Eastern Whip-poor-will. — Central Park,
Apr. 29, May 6 (Rich).

Chordeiles minor minor. Eastern Nighthawk. — Central Park, Apr. 26 (Rich),
May 6 (Cruickshank).

Chaetitra pelagica. Chimney Swift. — Bronx, Apr. 23 (Kuerzis, etc.).

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — Central Park, May
6 (Rich).

Sphyrapricws varius varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Riverdale, Jan. 4
(Cruickshank) ; Slide Mt., June 12 (Farley, Kassoy and Herbert) ; 4, Scars-
dale, Oct. ii (Mrs. Fry).

Dryobates villosus villosus. Eastern Hairy Woodpecker. — Fire Island, Aug.
30 (Murphy).

Tyrannus tyrannus. Eastern Kingbird. — Bronx, Apr. 27 (Mr. and Mrs. Pem-
ber), reported by Hickey.

Myiarclius crinitus boreus. Northern Crested Flycatcher. — Bronx, Apr. 26
(Gibson) ; north end of Manhattan, compared with a Phoebe, Oct. 25 (L. N.
Nichols) ; Fire Island, 6, Aug. 6; 2, Aug. 18; “few” on most other days in August
(Murphy).

Empidomax ftaviventris. Yellow-jbellied Flycatcher. — Slide Mt., June i. 2.
(Hickey, Kuerzis and Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Empidonax trailli trailli. Alder Flycatcher. — Fire Island, Aug. 13 (Murphy).

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — Bronx, May 4 (Hickey).

Myiochanos virens. Eastern Wood Peewee. — Bronx, May 9 (Gibson, Hickev.
Meyers); Fire Island, Aug. 13 (Murphy).

Nuttallornis mesoleucus. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Central Park, May 9 CMrs.
Gutlohn) ; Fire Island, Aug. 13 (Murphy).

Iridop-rocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Brookhaven, Jan. 17 (Matuszewski. Bres-
lau, etc.) ; Oradell, Feb. 13 (Bowdish) ; Canarsie, Nov. 13 (Cruickshank).

Stelgidopteryx rudcollis serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow.— Van Cort-
landt Park, Apr. 8 (Cruickshank).

Ilirundo erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. — Troy Meadows, Apr. 4 (Edwards).

Progne subis subis. Purple Martin. — Central Park, Apr. 12 (Cruickshank),
Aug. 7 (Mrs. Edge).

Cyanocltta cristala cristata. Northern Blue Jay. — Fire Island, Aug. 13 (Mur-
phy).

Conns corax f>rinci/'alis. Northern Raven. — 2, Barnegat, Jan. 17 (Eaton,
Cook, J. Kuerzi, Urner).

Conns ossifraffus. Fish Crow. — Central Park, Mar. 2 (Cruickshank).

Bacolof'hns bicolor. Tufteel Titmouse. — Bronx Botanical Gardens, Feb. 14
(Hickey) ; Bronx Park, Mar. 5 (Cruickshank).

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Farley, Kas-
soy, Herbert).

Certhia familiaris amcricana. Brown Creeper. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Hickey,
Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Xannus hientalis hieinalis. Eastern Winter Wren. — Slide Mt., June i, 2
(Hickey, Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herl>ert) ; Peach Lake, N. Y.,
June 19 (Coolidge, Farley, Kassoy).

Thryothonis hidovicianus ludovicianus. Carolina Wren. — Kings Park, Feb. 7
(Local Bird Club) ; Central Park, .\pr. 25 (Holgate) ; eastern Long Island, May
8 (Helmuth) ; Elmhurst, .Aug. 7, 8 (Mrs. Beals) ; almost daily throughout August,
Fire Island (Murphy).

Tehnatodytes palustris pahistris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. — Fire Island, Aug.
6 (Murphy).

Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. — Jones Beach, Mar. 31 (Peter-
son, Vogt).

Mimus polyglottos polyglottos. Eastern Mockingbird. — Verona, Apr. 10 (D.
C. Reed, reported by Eaton) ; Beach Haven, May 8 (Urner) ; several, some
singing, Jones Beach, Sept. 7-Oct. 15 (Vogt).

Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. — Bronx, Apr. 30 (Meyers).

Toxostoma rufiim. Brown Thrasher. — Bronx, Mar. 5 (Cruickshank), Apr.
30 (Hickey).

Hylocichla niustelina. Wood Thrush. — A bird banded as a fledgling at Hunt-
ington, June 17, 1926, trapped May 7, 1932, by Mrs. Beals, at Elmhurst.

Hylocichla guttata faxotii. Eastern Hermit Thrush. — Slide Mt., June i, 2
(Hickey, J. and K. Kuerzi, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Hylocichla ustulata sumnsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. — Slide Mt., June i, 2
(Hickey, J. and R. Kuerzi, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Hylocichla mhUma minima. Bicknell’s Thrush. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Hickey,
Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Polioptila caerulea caentlca. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Central Park, May ^
(Rich and Holgate).

Lanins borealis borealis. Northern Shrike. — Ozone Park, Oct. 16 (Local
Bird Club.)

Lanius ludozneianus migrans. Migrant Shrike. — Van Cortlandt Park, Jan. 7!
(Cruickshank) ; Central Park, Apr. 6 — “closely observed and field marks noted” —

(Carleton) ; Fire Island, Aug. 13 (Murphy) ; Barnegat, Aug. 27 (Edwards and
Urner).

Vireo solitarius solitarius. Blue-headed Vireo. — Slide Mt., June 1, 2 (Hickey,
Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Vireo oUvaceius. Red-eyed Vireo. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Hickey, Kuerzis,
Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler. — Bronx, May 7 (Hickey).

Helmitheros vermivorus. Worm-eating M'arbler. — Bronx, May i (Grafit).

Vermivora chrysopfera. Golden-winged Warbler. — First seen in Central Park,
May 6 (Rich).

Vermivora pinus. Blue-winged Warbler. — Bronx, x\pr. 30 (Meyers) ; nest-
ing, Peach Lake, N. Y., June 19 (Coolidge, Farley, Kassoy).

Vermivora celata celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — !Mill Neck, Jan. 24
(Breslau, Lind, Sedwitz) ; Jones Beach, Apr. 21 (Vogt) ; Central Park, May &
(Mayr and Watson) ; Prospect Park, Oct. 30 (Cruickshank).

Vermivora ruficapUla rtificapilla. Nashville Warbler. — Bronx, May 4 (Kess-
ler) ; Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Kuerzis, Hickey, Herbert) 12 (Farley, Kassoy,
Herbert).

Dendroica magnolia. Magnolia Warbler. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Kuerzis,
Hickey, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Dendroica tigrina. Cape Alay Warbler. — Bronx, May 7 (Kuerzis).

Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler. — Slide
Mt., June I, 2 (Kuerzis, Hickey, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Kuerzis, Her-
bert, Hickey), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Dendroica virens virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — Slide Mt., June 1, 2
(Kuerzis, Hickey, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Dendroica cerulea. Cerulean Warbler. — ii pairs in the grounds of the Leake
and Watts School, Tivoli, N. Y. (Hickey, at July 16 meeting).

Dendroica fusca. Blackburnian Warbler. — First seen in Central Park, May 6
(Rich) ; Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Kuerzis, Hickey, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy,
Herbert).

Dendroica pcnsylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler. — Sheepshead, Oct. 9
(Cruickshank).

Dendroica striata. Black-poll Warbler. — Bronx, May 7 (Hickey) ; Slide Mt ,
June I, 2 (Hickey, Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Seiurus noveboraceitsis noveboracensis. Northern Water-Thrush. — Bronx
Park, Oct. 30 (Cruickshank).

Oporornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — 2, Jones Beach, Oct. 7 (Vogt).

Oporomis philadelpim. Mourning Warbler. — Central Park, May 19 (Rich).

Icteria virens znrejts. Yellow-breasted Chat. — Bronx, May 8 (Farley, Her-
bert, Hickey) ; Elmhurst, Aug. ii (Mrs. Beals).

in/sonia cifriiia. Hooded Warbler. — Bronx, May i (Bronx County Bird
Club) ; Central Park, May 6 and 7 (Rich).

IVilsonia canadensis. Canada Warbler. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Kuerzis, Hickey,
Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Ictents galbiUa. Baltimore Oriole. — 2. Fire Island, .\ug. 13 (Murphy).

QuiscaJus quiscula quiscula. Purple Crackle. — Fire Island, .-\ug. 7, 16
(Murphy).

Richnwndena cardinalis cardinalls. Eastern Cardinal. — Pair, Inwood Park,
Nov. 5 (Helene Lunt) ; female, Dyckman St., Nov. 8 (Rich).

Carduelis carduelis. European Goldfinch. — Central Park, Sept. 24 (Holgate),
Sept. 30 (Miss Lunt).

A cant his linaria linaria. Common Redpoll. — 2 males, singing. New Canaan,
Apr. 24 (Mrs. Naumburg, Mayr).

Lojcia cunnrostra. Crossbill. — Westbury, Jan. 2 ( Matuszewski) ; 3, Tod’s
Neck, Jan. 31 (Farley, Herbert, Kassoy) ; 3, same place, .^pr. i (Kuerzis) ; eastern
Long Island, Apr. 30, May 8 (Helmuth).

Pipilo erythrophihalmus erythrophthaUnus. Red-eyed Towhee. — Bronx Park,
Mar. 5 (Cruickshank).

Passerculus princeps. Ipswich Sparrow. — Jones Beach, Mar. 29 (Peterson) ;
Canarsie, Nov. 6 (Cruickshank).

Ammodramus saz’onnantm aicstralis. Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow. — Cen-
tral Park, May 2, 6 (Rich) ; Bronx, May 8 (Bronx County Bird Club).

Passerherbulus henslou-i susurrans. Eastern Henslow’s Sparrow. — Jones
Beach, May 7 (Rich, Vogt).

Amnwspisa caicdacuta caudacuta. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — Pelham, Feb. 4
(Cruickshank).

Chondestes grammacus graminacus. Eastern Lark Sparrow. — Jones Beach,
Aug. 21 (Vogt).

Junco hyemalis hyetnalis. Slate-colored Junco. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Hickey,
Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Spisella passerina passerina. Eastern Chipping Sparrow. — Central Park, Mar.
17 (Cruickshank).

Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. — Beach Haven, May 8 (Urner, Ed-
wards).

Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Inwood, Jan.
II (Cruickshank).

Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. — Slide Mt., June i, 2 (Hickey,
Kuerzis, Herbert), 12 (Farley, Kassoy, Herbert).

Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Lincoln’s Sparrow. — Bronx, May 8 (Bronx Coun-
ty Bird Gub) and Jones Beach, same day (Rich, Vogt) ; Scarsdale, Oct. ii (Mrs.
Fry).

Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis. Eastern Snow Bunting. — 175, Jones Beach, Mar.
29 (Kuerzis, Matuszewski); Piermont, Oct. 27 (Janvrin).

The Ornithological Year 1933 in the
New York City Region

Compiled by Ernst Mayr

Supplemented and Edited by John F. and Richard G. Kuerzi

Any attempt to reconstruct an ornithological year is bound to be
colored by the personal field experience of the compiler which, in turn,
is influenced by chance. The chief value of this compilation of field-
notes is not, however, to be found in the editorial comments and write-
up but rather in the notations under each species. These represent a
careful selection and sifting of the data submitted to the Society and
recorded elsewhere. Here the field notes of the meetings are brought
into the open and all local bird observations reported elsewhere are
gathered together. With the Ornithological Years already published,
the current knowledge of local birds is brought up to date. Your
editors have mulled over this mass of records and attempted to gen-
eralize some of the material and to call attention to some interesting
comparisons, contrasts, facts and inferences. It cannot be too strongly
urged upon others who are interested to go through the list of species
and draw their own conclusions. It is here that the ultimate facts are
to be found.

Those who have been clamoring for a more up-to-date local avi-
tauna than is presently available have only to turn to the comments
under a given species in each Ornithological Year since 1926, bring
them together and add them to, or subtract them from what has already
been written in the standard handbooks, local lists, etc. This new mat-
ter in conjunction with the old will necessarily comprise all the data
that are at present available.

While some are of the belief that we are in a position to write
finis on the type of field work we have been following and that we
have pretty nearly exhausted the possibility of the “census by motor,”
itill this attitude represents more a personal reaction rather than the
probable fact. It is certain and demonstrable that each year brings
fresh thrills and surprises even to the inveterate field-workers.

But be all this as it may, it is the feeling of your editors that as
our knowledge of local ornithology becomes more perfect, the Ornitho-
logical Year should tend to be more complete and detailed rather than

to fray out. Xor are they impressed with the .sameness of years or the
“even tenor of ornithological ways.” Superficially one year may re-
semble another but there are always dififerences — interesting departures
— which can be found if one will but look or if necessar}- shift his
angle of vision. Ornithology to many is a fascinating science but to
a great many others it will ever remain the sport of kings.

The first weeks of the year were remarkably mild and open. Dur-
ing January the mean temperature of 40.2° was 9.3° above normal.
In February several snows and some cold days gave a “feeling of
winter” but temperature averages were still above normal. Fresh water
remained open or nearly so and on places like Brookhaven where the
I birds are fed and cared for right through the year, fresh-water-fowl
I were present in great variety and abundance. A Pied-billed Grebe re-
mained at least until January 8, and Coot were about in numbers well
into winter. A Florida Gallinule at Mill Xeck, Januar\- 8, is note-
worthy. Over 40 Ruddy Ducks spent the entire winter at Southampton.
Both American and European Widgeon — the former outnumbering the
latter about 100 to i — and Pintails wintered in large flocks. Xumbers
of Gadwalls and as many as fifteen Shovellers stayed on at Brook-
haven well into January. A Blue-winged Teal that remained at
Bamegat until Februar}- 26, is perhaps the most noteworthy of all.
Large flocks of Green-winged Teal and among them several Europeans
wintered on Hempstead Reservoir and as both could be seen to great
, advantage, they were quite a drawing card. In absence of severe
weather, bay ducks were below par until fairly late in winter though
2,000 Golden-eyes at ^Montauk, Januar}- i, and 6,000 ofif Atlantic High-
' lands, Januar)' 2, are notable. Scaup and other bay fowl were not about
I in numbers until late in winter.

In spite of the great southward invasion of Dovekies the preceding
> fall (see Auk, Vol. L, Xo. 3. July 1933, p. 325) there were less of
them at Montauk during the winter than usual. Razor-bills were plenti-
' ful, as many as 50 being seen there on January 8.

Half-hardy landbirds were perhaps a more conspicuous part of
the picture in January and February, and it is probable that because of
mild weather, many of them sur\dved. Blackbirds wintered in large
numbers at Kissena and elsewhere. Owing to the presence of wintering
flocks of Robins and Bluebirds, this was one of those years when it

was hard to allocate birds to their respective categories as “migrant”
or “wintering.” For example, 50 Robins at Mastic, January i to Feb-
ruary 2, “bridge the gap between departure and arrival,” and 9 Kill-
deer at Fort Totten, January 21, is another in-between date, most
likely representing a successful wintering flock. Among many other
half-hardy species, perhaps the most exotic touch is supplied by a well
authenticated report of a wintering Yellow-breasted Chat which came
to a feeding station in Forest Hills. A Great Horned Owl nesting on
a ledge of rock on the Palisades is an interesting and somewhat un-
seasonable note. Two newly-hatched young were discovered on Feb-
ruary 22, so that it seems reasonable to suppose that eggs were laid
on or about the abnormally early date of January 22.

As early as February 5, a definite migration was observed on
western Long Island, and on February 7, with a rising thermometer,
250 Robins appeared at Milltown, 6 were observed in Central Park,
February 19, but none was seen at Orient until February 21, illustrat-
ing the amount of spread between two localities at or near the extremi-
ties of our region. One hundred and fifty Pintail, Jones Peach, Feb-
ruary 16, were possibly arrivals. First Red-wings appeared at Speonk
February 22, and Crackles arrived with their usual precision on the
same date in several localities where they did not winter, but they were
not evenly distributed until weeks later.

During March, temperatures ran only .3° above normal. There
was a fair amount of cold and some snow. This was reflected in the
birding, which was generally dull and uneventful. However, Ring-
necked Ducks, which have lately been increasing in the East, appeared
in unprecedented numbers in March and early April. They were ob-
served in large flocks in New Jersey and Westchester and even larger
numbers were reported from Brookhaven, L. I., where Ring-necks
were formerly believed to be especially rare. At the extreme eastern
end of Long Island this species is still a generally rare bird but in
places like Brookhaven, on which we have no observations, except for
very recent years, the birds occur regularly in numbers and occasionally,
as this year, are positively abundant.

The flight of Fox Sparrows — often fast moving and only partly
observed — was this year heavy and well marked. A few arrived in
Central Park as early as February 26; a month later (March 25) 700

tc 800 were reported from Franklin Lake, X. J., and on Marcli 31,
there were over 100 in Central Park. Perhaps correlated with their
abundance in early spring, they remained about in numbers unusually
late. For instance, there was a “small visitation” of them, Ai)ril 25
(Central Park and the Battery) and on April 28, “there are still a
few left in our area” ( Auk, \’ol. L, No. 3, July, IQ33. P- Turkey

Vultures, March 18, at Poundridge, April 8, and 10, in northeastern
W estchester seemed to have been in regular migration.

Migration of land-birds generally lagged during the month owing
perhaps to unseasonable cold weather on the iith, i9th-20th and a fall
of snow and sleet on the 25th. Three days later a Hermit Thrush was
heard singing in northeastern Westchester. “He sang twice with an
interval of about 15 minutes between songs” (Halle), remarkable
enough but all the more so in view of the fact that on the nesting
grounds in Connecticut, there is no really dependable song until late
in May.

April while a mere .7° above normal, had prevailing southeast
winds. Precipitation was above normal. Winter faded off into an
unusually wet, early spring. The last killing frost occurred on .April
23. Key species like the Barn Swallow and Yellow Palm Warbler
arrived April 4, and 6, respectively but were not common for some
days later.

April 2, was quite a red letter day in the annals of local ornitho-
log}'. One hundred Snow Geese were seen flying high over Troy
Meadows, not the first record of this species at or near this locality and
perhaps indicating its normal course of flight which seemingly is not
coastwise in spring. Laughing Gulls arrived at Pelham, April i, and
Newark, April 2, Oakwood Beach, -April 13, their early arrival perhaps
connected with weather conditions. On the other hand, the species is
consistently increasing and as consistently remaining later in fall. -As a
migratory species increases numerically in a given locality, it tends to
arrive earlier and remain later possibly for the reason that in a large
aggregation of birds there are just that many more apt to be hardy, en-
terprising, rugged individualists. On April 2 the Sora was found on the
N^ewark Marshes and Purple Martins arrived at Alanursing Island,
breaking all records. Aligrant Shrikes were recorded at Garden City
and on the following day at Poundridge and Mastic.

A Whip-poor-will heard in the Barnegat Region, April 8, is per-
haps a mere casual but it affords interesting possibilities for speculation
since that is a species that is more often heard than seen and that
might conceivably arrive earlier in spring than records indicate.

Late in the afternoon of April 9, 20 Canvas-backs and 1,000 Scaup
were flying over the Palisades in a northwesterly direction — not up-
stream as one might expect. The European Teal was last heard of
on Long Island on April 9, and Mr. J. T. Nichols calls attention to
its appearance in Ohio on April 26, perhaps an indication of the direc-
tion of its flight.

Egrets and Little Blue Herons^ — both of which are beginning to be
regular spring transients in small numbers- — and 2 Louisiana Herons
were found at Barnegat, April 16, and a Red-eyed Vireo in the Bronx
on April 18, is extremely early. Weather charts afford no explanation
of the occurrence of these species but they are presumably to be simi-
larly explained.

“On April 21, two European Goldflnches were observed at Garden
City, L. L, one in full song and one also carrying nesting material
into a large, thick-foliaged Pine Tree. After two days, however, they
were not seen again about this tree, though two were seen not far
away on April 30, and May 5, and three birds on May ii (J. T.
Nichols). Reports indicate that several individuals were present in
Garden City in April — whence they came and where and whether they
nested remaining a mystery.” (Bird-Lore, “Season.”)

Two Bald Eagles, Lake Waccabuc, April 25 ; i, April 27; 2, April
28; I, April 29; and i, April 30, were seemingly not repeats since all
were flying in a northeasterly direction. The Pludson River wintering
birds usually leave in Eebruary or March and the Waccabuc birds are
perhaps those that came south early with hawk flights and were
returning from more southerly latitudes than New York.

May was warm and wet ; the mean temperature ran 62.8° which is
2.2° above normal and rainfall exceeded the average by 2.69 inches.
As Mr. Gri.scom and others have shown in great detail all the possible
variations of the May migration and as day to day data are largely
unavailable, we will treat the May migration in more general terms,
perhaps, than is customary. May birds were at first relatively scarce
owing to a capricious thermometer which sank to 45° as late as May 8.

The big flight occurred May ii to 15, perhaps reaching its peak on
May 13, after which there was a comparatively rapid falling away.
Si.x Black Terns in Xew York Harbor, May 14, and 2 or 3, May 15 are
noteworthy. Egrets appeared May 17, at Jones Beach and May 27,
at Easthampton.

While ornithologists continued to differ as to where it could
possibly be coming from, the European Little Gull arrived in Xew
\'ork Harbor with distressing precision on May 7. When they (2,
Oakwood Beach, August 5) left, the ornithologists were still dead-
locked.

In June, temperatures soared; there was a heat wave from June
3, to 12, and rainfall began to dwindle. A Junco on June 5, in north-
eastern Westchester “under the apple trees by my house’’ (Halle ), was
a timely reminder that not all early June Juncos are necessarily nesting.

There are two noteworthy breeding records for an outlying point
in our area. The Herring Gull, which has been increasing and extend-
ing its range, was found nesting at Fisher’s Island and Red-breasted
^Mergansers were reported in the same locality with young. The last
may be just a casual but it is not the first breeding report and birds
of this species are not infrequently met with in summer near X"ew
York. This very summer there are quite a number of records. The
species “breeds very rarely on the coast of Massachusetts” (Forbush).

The ^Mockingbird — a species which “defies classification” but which
is probably a rare resident on Long Island — was closely watched for
days in June at M’estbury but did not seem to nest. The fact that
there are more observations of ^Mockers, occasionally in numbers, in
fall and winter on Long Island may be merely the coincidence of more
observers in the field at those seasons. A Yellow-throated W'arbler
was discovered in full song in some tall spruces at Sag Harbor, July 4,
to 15. Xo evidence of nesting could be obtained and the bird was
collected. A House Wren was watched feeding young in an abandoned
Kingfisher’s nest at iMilltown^ — a double barreled breeding record.
Pileated Woodpeckers were found nesting in Fahnestock Memorial
Park in Putnam County which is perhaps the source of supply for
areas even nearer Xew York, such as Lake Waccabuc.

The first part of July was comparatively cool but there were some
“scorchers’’ later in the month, when the mercury soared to 100° and

for once, summer drought was not nearly so severe. A Hooded Mer-
ganser was present at Mon tank July 9, to 24, on a fresh pond but seem-
ingly a non-breeder. Ruffed Grouse were reported as increasing mark-
edly in northeastern \\'estchester. Twenty-one Upland Plover seen
near Floral Park, July 4, were presumably migrants. By the third
week of July, Short-billed Marsh Wrens in full song were turning
up in several localities in Westchester County and on Jones Beach
where they certainly did not nest. The stop, look and listen type of
breeding bird census is fortunately enough concluded by the end of
June.

The early flight of Curlew and Dowitchers was light but that of
Stilt Sandpipers was heavy — 30, Jones Beach, July 23; 75, August i.
Toward the latter part of the month and during August, the ranks of
the ^^’hite Herons steadily grew. There were large flights of both
Little Blue Herons and Egrets and with them more Snowy Herons
than heretofore. Both the Egret and Little Blue remained well into
C'ctober (Oct. 7, and 13, respectively), perhaps owing to mild weather
but possibly as in the Laughing Gull, an incident of their increase. At
any rate, this is the first time we have begun to better the old departure
dates for this region. On the Newark marshes both herons and shore-
birds were especially plentiful and in that rich and varied atmosphere
both birds and bird enthusiasts waxed fat and lusty.

The August temperature averages were practically normal but
rainfall was 4.88 above average. A tropical storm on .August 23, whicli
battered the coast and deluged the City for days primed the pump
and to its none too gentle ministrations and those of another in mid-
September may be traced practically all the rare birds seen in late
summer around New York. The first storm spattered petrels far
inland. The majority of them were Leach’s or probably so but there
are one or two well authenticated reports of the Wilson's, such as
from along the Housatonic at Kent, Connecticut. Northern and Wil-
son's Phalaropes blew into the Newark meadows and incidentally the
latter species was by no means rare there during September, 5 to 6
occasionally being in sight at once. When it is considered that this
species is one that has increased — or apparently increased — within the
experience of the present generation of field-workers, one cannot so
conscientiously attribute it to more intense field activity. On the otlier

hand, this increase seems to parallel the presence of severe western
drought.

The flight of Golden Plovers was light and their arrival at Newark
and Easthampton coincided with the August storm ; that of Black-bellies
was heavy. There was a “good” flight of Greater Yellow-legs and a
“large” flight of Lessers. Knots were relatively scarce in New Jersey
but more than usually plentiful on Long Island. A heavy movement
of Pectorals took place in mid-September both on Long Island and
in New Jersey. As many as 175 White-rumps were noted at Newark,
September i6, and a few days before. Westerns were present “in hun-
dreds.” These birds though not collected were certainly correctly iden-
tified by plumage characters, habits and voice. Is this increase actual
or merely apparent? Running south from Cape Cod toward the Caro-
linas, the Western increases in regular progression ; this year it was
apparently a commoner bird in New Jersey than on Long Island. Near
Charleston, it becomes common to abundant. It is probable that the
species has always been less rare around New York than records indi-
cate but it may well be that this year witnessed an unusually heavy
flight. As many as 18 Baird’s Sandpipers were noted at Easthampton,
September 16.

Marbled Godwits were found at Brigantine August 23 (storm)
and on September 2, or 3, 3 birds were seen to drop from a flock of
30 big shorebirds and were definitely identified as Marbled Godwits —
the rest probably were. Hudsonian Godwits appeared on Long Island
and in New Jersey in response to September storm warnings. The
latter while generally considered one of our rarest shorebirds, is not-
withstanding recorded almost annually near New York and occasion-
ally, as this fall, in small numbers. It was not until October 29 — when
a Red Phalarope arrived on an arm of Kensico and thereby gave many
a mere land-lubber the chance of a life-time to see all three phalaropes
on land inside of a few weeks — that we were satisfied to regard the
fall flight of shorebirds as largely a thing of the past. Caspian Terns
were evidently more plentiful than is usual during this period.

Meanwhile (September 2, to October 8) Arkansas Kingbirds were
continually turning up out at Jones Beach. They were thought to
comprise at least 6 individuals though never more than i was seen
at a time. Is it mere coincidence that Arkansas Kingbirds, Wilson’s

Fhalaropes and other western shorebirds were unusually numerous in
the East during the same autumn? Hooded ^Merganser, Jones Beach,
September i6, 17, and Holboell’s Grebe, Montauk, September 22, are
notably early and it should here be recalled that the first species was
present in July on iMontauk Point.

The first part of October was mild and no heavy frost occurred
until October 14, except in outlying areas. Small bird migration was
as usual uneventful. A large flight of 400 Blue Jays was reported in
Westchester, September 23, and on the following day 175 were seen
in Central Park. Red'breasted Nuthatches literally swarmed in late
September and early October. They were found along Riverside Drive
and practically invaded the City Hall ; 22 were counted in one hour
at Easthampton, September 30. Quite a few, conveniently enough,
remained about until the Christmas Census.

Spotted Sandpipers were noted at Baxter Inlet, Bronx, October
16, and Rye, October 19. A very late Chat is reported from Bronx
Park, October 26. Tree Sparrows were about in numbers as early
as October 14, and 16; and 50 White-crowned Sparrows from East-
hampton to Montauk, October 14. A few Shrikes appeared in late
October and November.

During November there were unseasonably cold periods as be-
tween the iith and i6th. The early part of the month was uneventful.
During A. O. U. week it turned cold and there was some snow. At
10.30 A. M., November 13, a flock of 200 to 250 Snow Geese passed
over Elushing and half an hour later, 50 were seen at Ear Rockaway.
At I P. M., 125 were over Old Greenwich and there were reports of
large flocks at Idlewild, Speonk, Peconic, Moriches Bay and Orient
Point, that were evidently part of this heavy and spectacular drive.
The birds were presumably Greater Snow Geese and their appearance
over New York reputedly coincides with their departure from the
St. Lawrence at about that time. Five Whistling Swans were seen to
alight on Westchester Creek in New York City late in the afternoon
of November 20 — the first New York City record for many a day.

Lapland Longspurs were unusually plentiful during this period.
First observed October 29, 12 were seen at Jones Beach, December 3,
25 at Montauk, December 17, and 35 on Newark Meadows, same date.

«3

More snow and unseasonable cold in December, and by this time
many northern birds, of which there liad been vague rumors from
down East, began to appear. Purple Sand[)ipers were far less rare
than usual. King Eiders were seen in numbers up to 20 at Montauk.
The Snowy Owl was recorded at Montauk, December 24, and White-
winged Gulls were accumulating on a large City dump in the Bronx
until on December 31, there were 5 Icclands and 2 Glaucous among
the many hundreds of Herring Gulls. Evening Grosbeaks were noted
November 4. and December 18, and Wbite-winged Crossbills were
present sporadically from November 30, to December 27. The first
Pine Grosbeaks — a flock of 9 — very obligingly arrived on December 24.

With northern birds on the way and half-hardy birds bravely with-
standing the onslaughts of a Spartan Winter, the Christmas censuses
around New York were the most exciting in years. Cape May with
96 tied its old rival the Bronx Region which was hampered by fog, but
Barnegat was a close runner-up. More remarkable still, by combining
all the species seen by all the census takers in the New York area, one
reaches the impressive total of 154, apparently an all time high for
winter — winter by the calendar if not by tbe birds.

Gaz'ia imtner immer. Common Loon. — 2, Franklin Lake, Mar. 25 (Fry and
Griffin) ; 300, Long Beach, April 11 (J. Mayer).

Gavia stellata. Red-throated Loon. — 16, Tod’s Neck, Nov. 3 (Cruickshank).

Colymbus grisegena holbocIH. Holboell’s Grebe. — 35, Bayside, Feb. 5 (Breslau,
Sedwitz) ; 35, Bayville, Mar. 5 (same observers) ; 2, Montauk, Sept. 22 (same
observers).

Colymbus auritus. Horned Grebe. — 2, Westport, Conn., Aug. 22 (Janvrin) ;
I, Rye, Sept. 6 (Cruickshank).

Podilymbus podiceps podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — i, Harbor Island, Jan. i
(Cruickshank) ; i, Brookhaven, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey, J. and R. Kuerzi, Mayr) ;
5, Pompton Lake, Mar. 25 (Fry and Griffin) ; pair bred, Mecox Bay (Helmuth) ;
presumably breeding. Mill Neck, May 22 (Breslau and Sedwitz).

Puffinus grisens. Sooty Shearwater.— 3, Jones Beach, May 30 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; I, Jones Beach, June 13 (Vogt).

Puffinus gravis. Greater Shearwater. — 2, Jones Beach, Oct. i (Breslau, Sed-
witz).

Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa. Leach’s Petrel. — Crystal Lake, Sullivan
County, Aug. 25 (R. Scott) ; 2, Seaside Park, Aug. 25 (Rogers) ; 2, Shark River,
Sept. 3 (P. B. Philipp). See also next species.

Oceanites oceanicus. Wilson’s Petrel. — i, Jones Beach, July 23 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; I, Hudson River near Irvington-Piermont Ferry, Aug. 27 (A. Thomas) ;

1, Hudson near Dyckman Street Ferry, Aug. 27 (C. Staloff) ; Kent, Conn., Aug.
27 (R. Kuerzi). Some of these may refer to preceding species.

Moris bassana. Gannet. — 40, Montauk, Jan. i; i, Sept. 22; 15, Dec. 24 (Bres-
lau and Sedwitz) ; 1, Long Beach, Dec. 31 (Janvrin).

Phalacrocorax carbo carbo. European Cormorant. — Oakwood Beach, Oct. 6
(McGee, Walker, Wiegmann) ; i, Montauk, Nov. 12 (Local Bird Club and
Cruickshank) . Helmuth reports that Cormorants are numerous in fall about Mon-
tauk peninsula, as many as 150 observable in mid-October ; some of them belong-
ing to this species.

Phalacrocorax auritus emeritus. Double-crested Cormorant. — i, Newark Bay,
Sept. 2 (J. Kuerzi, Mayr).

Ardea wurdemamii. Wiirdemann’s Heron. — “Mr. Urner commented on his
observation of an unusual heron on the Tuckerton Marshes. There were six
points that made him certain that the bird was a Wiirdemann’s Heron and not
an albinistic specimen of the Great Blue: (i) The slightly larger size and dif-
ferent posture, (2) the entire head white, (3) the dirty white neck, (4) the light-
colored mantle, (5) the large, very bright bill and (6) the tawny, not dark, color
of the legs.”

Casmerodius albus egretta. American Egret. — i, Barnegat, April 16 (Urner) ;

2, Jones Beach, May 17, 27, and i, June 25 (Vogt and others) ; Delaware Water
Gap, July 20 (Hickey) ; 5, Washington, N. J., Aug. 15 (Ethel Handlon) ; 18,
Jones Beach, Aug. 12, and 27 (Woodmere Academy Bird Club, Vogt) ; 3, Mastic,
Aug. 12 (J. T. Nichols) ; i. Grassy Sprain, Aug. 17, to 29 (A. Thomas) ; 2,
Bridgeport Air Field, Aug. 27 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; 6 birds daily up to Sept. 24,
I on Sept. 28, I on Oct. 6, 2 on Oct. 7, i on Oct. 9, 2 on Oct. 13, at Jones Beach
(Vogt).

Egretta thula thula. Snowy Egret. — i, Jones Beach, Aug. 4 and 12 (Vogt) ;
2, same locality, Aug. 20 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 12, same locality. Sept. 16 (Matus-
zewski) ; I, Easthampton, Aug. 25 (Helmuth) ; i, Sagaponack, L. L, Sept. 23
(Breslau, Sedwitz); 10, Newark, Sept. 6; 12, Sept. 9; 9, Sept. 18 (Urner and
others).

Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis. Louisiana Heron. — 2, Barnegat, April 16
(Urner) ; i, Easthampton, May 28 (Helmuth).

Florida caerulea caerulea. Little Blue Heron. — 2, Barnegat, April 16 (Urner) ;
I, Jones Beach, April 19 (Vogt) ; i, Easthampton, May 27, and 28 (Helmuth) ; i,
Easthampton, July 15 (Helmuth) ; 3, Oakwood Beach, July 29 (Wiegmann) ; i,
Montauk, Aug. 6 (L. N. Nichols) ; 56, Troy Meadows, Aug. 9 (Fry) ; i, East-
hampton, Sept. 20; I, Kensico Lake, Oct. 7 (Brand and P. P. Kellogg).

Butorides virescens virescens. Eastern Green Heron. — Central Park, April 19
(Rich); Idlewild, Jamaica, Oct. 10 (J. Mayer); Bronx Region, Oct. ii (P.
Malley).

Nyctaiiassa violacea I'iolacea. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. — Mattituck, this
summer (Latham) ; Troy Meadows, Aug. 6 (Watson and others) ; i, Jamaica
Bay, Sept. 30 (Cruickshank).

Boiaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern. — 2, Shinnecock, Mar. 12 (Overton) ;
3, Staten Island, April 2 (Chapin) ; i, Jones Beach, Dec. i (Scott).

Ixobrychus exilis exilis. Eastern Least Bittern. — i, \'an Cortlandt, April 24
(Cruickshank) ; 5, Kissena Park, June 8 (A. L. Walker) ; breeds at Mill Neck
(Breslau, Sedwitz).

Cygnus coltimbianits. Whistling Swan. — 5 (2 adults and 3 cygnets) well ob-
served, Baxter Inlet, Bronx County, Nov. 20 (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Branta canadensis canad’Cnsis. Canada Goose. — Idlewild, Jamaica Bay, Sept.
19 (J. Mayer).

Branta bernicia hrota. American Brant. — Gilgo, Aug. i (Hickey, Thomas) ;
Shinnecock Bay, Sept. 16 (Helmuth) ; 500, same locality, Nov. 12 (Cruickshank) ;
300, Long Beach, Dec. 31 (Janvrin).

Branta Icucopsis. Barnacle Goose. — i, probably feral, collected at Little Neck
Creek, L. L, March 19 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Chen hyperborea atlantica. Greater Snow Goose. — About 100 flying high over
Troy Meadows, April 2 (Lind, C. K. Nichols; See Auk, L, No. 3, July 1933, page
52) ; I with Canada Geese flying over Freeport, April 18 (J. Terry) ; 200-250
flying over Hollywood Avenue, Flushing, at 10.30 a. m., Nov. 13 (Mrs. Stand-
fast) ; 50, Far Rockaway Beach, ii .\. m., Nov. 13 (G. M. Cook and W. E. Saun-
ders) ; 125 flying over Old Greenwich, i P. M., Nov. 13 (Margaret Brooks) ; 150,
Idlewild Beach, Ozone, L. L, Nov. 14 (J. Mayer) ; 25, Peconic Bay, about Nov.
14 (Wilcox) ; 25, Speonk, about Nov. 15 (Wilcox) ; 250, in Moriches Bay at
East Moriches, about Nov. 20 (Wilcox) ; large flight of Snow Geese at Orient
Point this November, flocks of 150 to 700. Latham assumed these were Lesser
Snow Geese though one collected proved to be a Greater, the form that is
more common in New England according to Kennard (1927, Proc. New England
Z06I. Club) and the majority of observers.

Anas rubripes tristis. Common Black Duck. — Nest with eggs. Meadow Island,
Fresh Kills, S. I., May (W. T. Davis) ; 4700, Troy Meadows, Oct. 28 (C.
Brown) ; 2930, same locality, Nov. 7 (C. Brown).

Chaulelasmus streperus. Gadwall. — 8, Brookhaven, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey,
J. and R. Kuerzi, Mayr) ; Newark Bay, April 2 (Haulenbeek) ; 4, Brookhaven,
Nov. 12 (Local Bird Club and Cruickshank).

Mareca penelope. European Widgeon. — i, Brookhaven, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey,
J. and R. Kuerzi, Mayr) ; i, Hempstead, April 9 (J. Mayer) ; i drake, 3 possible
ducks, Mecox, Sept. 21, 22 and 23 (Helmuth) ; drake and 2 ducks, Idlewild,
Jamaica Bay, Oct. 5 (J. Mayer) ; i drake, Brookhaven, Nov. 19 (A. McBride) ;
I, Hempstead Reserv'oir, Nov. 26 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; 5, Brookhaven, Dec. 25
(Breslau, Sedwitz).

Mareca sp. Hybrid Widgeon. — Avon, N. J., March 25 (Carter, Janvrin,
Urner). “The forehead of this bird was cream colored as in the European
Widgeon; the head a rich, rusty brown or tan, darker than the head of the Euro-
pean. Throat and breast as in drake American ; back intermediate, darker than
European; one side of bird typical American, the other in markings, shading and
color typical of the European. Seen eventually at close range. From the dis-
tance, as first observed, in light which did not show the head color, it had a
disconcerting way, as it wheeled about while feeding, of translating itself suddenly
from one to the other Widgeon as judged by body markings” (Urner).

Mareca americana. Baldpate. — i pair, Jones Beach, June 17 (Vogt).

Dafila acuta tzitzihoa. American Pintail. — 150, Jones Beach, Feb. 16 (Vogt).

Nettion crecca. European Teal. — Drake, Hempstead Reservoir, first seen Dec.
30, 1932 (J. and R. Kuerzi, see Auk, Vol. L, No. 4, p. 429) ; i, same locality,
Jan. I (Matuszewski) ; 2, same locality, Jan. 21 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 2, same
locality, Jan. 22, and repeatedly thereafter until Mar. (Hickey, Matuszewski) ;
I, Jones Beach, April 9 (J. and R. Kuerzi, Vogt), invariably associating with
Green-winged Teal, which wintered at Hempstead in numbers.

Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — See closing comments under pre-
ceding species.

Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. — i, Barnegat, up to Feb. 26 (Urner
and others) ; i, Jones Beach, Aug. 2 (J. Mayer) ; 2 pairs. Cross Pond, West-
chester, Oct. 22 (Halle) ; Prospect Park, Oct. 26 (Cruickshank) ; i, \'an Cort-
landt Park, Dec. 7 (Cruickshank).

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — 15, Brookhaven, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey, J. and
P. Kuerzi, Mayr) ; i pair. Mill Neck, March 19 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i shot,
Peconic Bay, Nov. 16; another shot, Moriches Bay, Nov. 28 (V\'ilcox).

Nyroca americana. Redhead. — 2, Mecox Bay, Sept. 18 (Helmuth) ; i, Hemp-
stead Reservoir, Nov. 18 (Matuszewski).

Nyroca collaris. Ring-necked Duck. — 25, Brookhaven, Feb. 26, and 100, same
locality, March 12 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; a flock of 55 to 60 resident on Cross Pond,
Westchester, from March 10, 21 remaining on April 21 (Halle) ; another flock
of 21 appeared on Titicus Reservoir, March 15, 10 of these departed on April 7 and
the remaining ii on April 20 (Ogburn) ; 45, Rye Lake, March 25 (Cook, J.,
and R. Kuerzi) ; 30, Rye Lake, April 2 (J. and R. Kuerzi and others) ; 16, Frank-
lin Lake, April 2 (C. K. Nichols) ; 2, Jones Beach, April 15 (Vogt) ; several.
Orange Reservoir, April 23 (Eaton) ; “most of 200”, Boonton Reservoir, Nov. ii
(Edwards).

Nyroca valisineria. Canvas-back. — 50, Flushing Bay, Jan. 2 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; 20 flying west by northwest over the Palisades with 1000 Scaup, 5.44 P. M.
to dark, April 9 (Cruickshank, Herbert, Hickey) ; 650, Hunts Point, Dec. 31
(Herbert, J. and R. Kuerzi).

Nyroca inarila. Greater Scaup Duck. — Sec preceding species.

«7

Claiu'ioiictta clangitla aiiicricaiia. American Golden-eye. — 2000, Montauk,
Jan. 1 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Pelham Bay, June 7 (Malley) ; 3, Kye Beach, Oct. 15
(Cruickshank).

Clangula hyciiiaJis. Old-squaw. — 2, Parsippany Lake, Oct. 29 (Edwards).

Soniatcria s[<ectabilis. King Eider. — i, Montauk, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey, J.
and K. Kuerzi, Mayr) ; immature male. Oyster Pond, Montauk, Sept. 30, and
Oct. I (Helmuth) : 21, Montauk Point, Dec. 24 (Breslau and Sedwitz).

Melanitta pcrst'icillata. Surf Scoter. — 10, Eaton's Point. L. I., Sept. 24
(Janvrin).

Erisinatura jainaiceiisis ruhida. Ruddy Duck. — 40 to 50, Southampton, Jan. 8
(Carter, Hickey, J. and K. Kuerzi, Mayr) ; 45, Southampton, March 12 (Bres-
lau, Sedwitz) ; Boonton Reservoir, March 18 (Haulenbeek) ; 75, Southampton,
Xov. 12 (J. and R. Kuerzi and others) ; 180, Southampton, Dec. i (Wilcox) ; i,
Piermont, Dec. 24 (Kessler, J. Kuerzi).

Lophodytes cucidlatus. Hooded Merganser. — Poundridge, Westchester, irreg-
ularly present during the winter until March 30, no more than 3 birds seen at
one time (Halle) ; North Salem, Westchester, regular during the winter after each
thaw on the smaller lakes and ponds, fairly common in the middle two weeks of
March, with a maximum of 5 seen at once, last seen March 31 (Ogburn) ; Jones
Beach, April 8 (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; i female, on pond near the Ocean front, Mon-
tauk, July 9 to 24 (Cynthia Church) ; i, Jones Beach, Sept. 16 and 17 (Vogt) ;
I, Prospect Park, Oct. 28 (Cruickshank) ; at least 20 on western Long Island,
Xov. 26 (Sedwitz).

Mergus merganser americaiius. American Merganser. — too, Franklin Lake,
March 25 (Fry and Griffin).

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Pair seen with small j'oung,
evidently nesting, Fishers Island (H. S. Ferguson) ; 7, Great South Bay, June 9
(Murphy, Vogt) ; 2, Long Beach, Aug. 31 (Janvrin) ; 2, Rye Beach, Sept. 7
(Cruickshank).

Cathartes aura septentrionaiis. Turkey \’ulture. — 4, Poundridge, March 18
(Cook) ; 2, Dutchess County, April 8 (Cruickshank) ; 3, northeastern West-
chester, April 8, I, same locality, April 10, all 4 seemed to be migrating; i flying
southeast over Kensico, April 13; 3, northeastern Westchester, April 22 (Halle) ;
1, Montauk, June 10 (Helmuth) ; i, Montauk, Xov. 12 (Breslau, Cruickshank,
Sedwitz).

Accipiter cooperi. Cooper’s Hawk. — Breeding pair, Staten Island, apparently
the first record for the Island (Chapin, Cleaves). Discovered about mid-April,
the birds have been under intermittent observation since and on June 18, there
were two downy, white young with wing quills showing, standing in the nest and
exercising their wings. A parent hawk, probably the female, was standing on
the rim of the nest evidently feeding the young. The nest was described as being
about 40 feet from the ground in a tulip tree difficult to climb.

Buteo lineatus lincafus. Northern Red-shouldered Hawk. — i, Greenwood Cem-
etery, May 14 (Hix).

Buteo platypterus platypterus. Broad-winged Hawk. — 4, Central Park, Sept.
22 (Sedwitz) ; i badly crippled. Van Cortlandt swamp, Dec. 7, 10, 17, and 24,
carefully observed and reported in detail (Cruickshank) .

Buteo lagopus s. johannis. American Rough-legged Hawk. — Jones Beach,
April 2, and 9 (Vogt).

Haliaeetus leucocephalus su'bsp. Bald Eagle. The following birds were ob-
served flying over Lake Waccabuc in an easterly direction; 2, April 25; i, April
27; 2, April 28; I, April 29; i, April 30 (Ogburn) ; Montauk, Aug. 6 (L. N.
Nichols) ; i immature, Montclair, Oct. 21, migrating south with Red-tailed and
Red-shouldered Hawks (C. Brown).

Pandion haUaetus carolinensis. Osprey. — Poundridge, March 27 (Halle) ; i,
Southampton, Nov. 12 (Wilcox and many others).

Falco columbariu'S columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. — Prospect Park, April 18
(Cruickshank) ; Orient, Aug. 25 (Latham) ; 27 killed and thrown into the road,
Mecox, Sept. 13 (Helmuth).

Bonasa umbellus umbellus. Eastern Ruffed Grouse. — Has increased mark-
edly in northeastern Westchester in the past years. A short morning’s stroll
will now generally result in flushing four or five and the cocks are heard drum-
ming very frequently, which was not the case formerly. Might almost be said to
be abundant in the extensive woodland of the Port of Missing Men grounds
(Ogburn).

Rallus elegans elegans. King Rail. — i dead, Troy Meadows, Jan. 2 (Eaton) ;
I heard, Kissena, L. L, May 21 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i, Van Cortlandt, Dec. 24
(Cruickshank) ; i, Baxter Inlet, Bronx, same date (R. Kuerzi and Matuszewski).

Rallus longirostris crepitans. Northern Clapper Rail. — Uncommon east of the
Hudson, arrived Jamaica Bay, April 5 (J. Mayer) ; Pelham, April 29 (Cruick-
shank) ; Baxter Inlet, Bronx, August 30 (Malley) ; 5, Rye, Oct. 14 (Cruick-
shank) ; 4, Baxter Inlet, Bronx, Nov. i (Malley).

Rallus limicola limicola. Virginia Rail. — i, Shinnecock Bay, Nov. 12 (Bronx
County Bird Club and Wilcox) ; i, Piermont, Nov. 26 (R. Kuerzi).

Porzana Carolina. Sora. — i. Port Newark, April 2 (Haulenbeek).

Cotumicops novehoracensis. Yellow Rail. — Mecox Bay, Sept. 13. “.A small
bird like a stub-tailed Song Sparrow fluttered up from the grass . . . and bumped
headlong into the stems of some boneset and fell to the ground but it scuttled off
into the cat-tails before I could close my hand upon it” (Helmuth).

Creciscus jamaicensis stoddardi. Black Rail. — i, Jones Beach, May 3 (Vogt).

Gallinula chloropus cachinnans. Florida Gallimile. — i, Mill Neck, Jan. 8 (Bres-
lau, Sedwitz) ; heard, Speonk, April 29 (Wilcox) ; i, Jamaica Bay Reservation,
May 30 (Lind) ; 3, Fort Salonga, June 9 (Fry).

hulica americana americana. American Coot. — 26, Brookhaven, Jan. 8 (Car-
ter, Hickey, J. and R. Kuerzi, Mayr).

Charadrius semit'almatus. Semipalmated Plover. — 2, Baxter Inlet, Bronx, Xov.
7 (Drescher, Kessler) ; i. Beach Haven, Dec. 24 (C. K. Nichols).

Oxyechus vociferus vodfcnts. Killdeer. — 9, Fort Totten, Jan. 21 (A. L.
Walker) ; first nesting record, Speonk, June 25 (W'ilcox).

Pluz’ialis dominica dominica. Golden Plover.^ — 2 flocks. Brigantine, .A.ug. 20
(Eaton) ; Newark, Aug. 23 to Oct. 22, maximum 20, Sept. 20 (Urner) ; 2, East-
hampton, Aug. 13 (Helmuth) : Idlewild, Jamaica Bay, Aug. 21 (J. Mayer) ; 16,
Easthampton, Aug. 24, and 15, Aug. 25 (Helmuth) ; i, Idlewild, Jamaica, Sept. 14,
and 2, Sept. 16 (J. Mayer); i, Easthampton, Sept. 16 (Helmuth).

Squatarola sqttatarola. Black-hellied Plover. — Sheepshead Bay, Jan. 7 (Cruick-
shank) ; heavy flight, 350, Brigantine, Sept. 17 (Urner) ; 4, Rye, Nov. 25
(Cruickshank) .

Arenaria interf>res morinella. Ruddy Turnstone. — 6, Rye Beach, Oct. 14
(Cruickshank) ; i, Montauk Point, Nov. 12 (Bronx County Bird Club and W'il-
cox) ; I, Barnegat, Nov. 18 (Urner).

Capella delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. — i. Green Pond, N. J., July 30 (L. N.
Nichols) ; 14, Easthampton, Sept. 16 (Helmuth).

Phaeopus hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew.— Several flocks, Jamaica Bay, Sept.
22 (Cruickshank) ; Baxter Creek, Sept. 26 (Malley) ; 2, Easthampton, Oct. 15
(Helmuth) ; Barnegat, July 2 to Sept. 17, maximum 250 on July 30 (Urner).

Phaeopus borealis. Eskimo Curlew. — “A friend of mine, an elderly man and
former Supt. of Highways of Southampton town, called on me a few days ago
and looked over my skins. He said that a neighbor of his at W'ickapougue (be-
tween Mecox Bay and Southampton) heard an Eskimo Curlew on his lots on
August 14 and 15. Mr. Downs said he also heard one there four or five years
ago. His neighbor, Mr. Sayre, is 78 years old and has lived there on his farm all
his life. Both Mr. Downs and Mr. Sayre used to hunt Fute or Dough birds
many years ago, killing hundreds of them. Mr. Downs has seen as many as
1,000 in one flock. Mr. Sayre’s farm is located at Flying Point, about one quarter
mile west of Mecox Bay and was the best spot in that vicinity for these birds,
no doubt one of the best on the Island. They always fed on these pasture lots
with great numbers of Golden Plover, alw’ays choosing those lots wdth short
grass where the cows were pastured. Downs said they seldom arrived before
September i. Flying Point is a very appropriate name for this rather narrow
stretch of land as it was a regularly travelled highway for the migrating birds.
Only last winter, on this same farm, one hunter killed two hundred geese.

“I was so enthused over the remote possibility of seeing and hearing one of
these birds that I went down there on the 19th and Mr. Downs kindly showed
me the lay of the land. Of course, conditions have changed in recent years. In-
stead of cow pastures, the land is now cultivated. The birds would only alight now
on newly plowed ground or fields with the grain just sprouting out of the ground.

There was one held there with the grain just coming up and there were a few
Golden Plover on it on the 19th. It was a little foggy with poor visibility so
that we were unable to see a Hudsonian Curlew flying over but could hear it
calling until it finally went into the west out of hearing. Downs immediately
pronounced it a Jack Curlew which gave me a firmer belief that he really did
know the difference between the call notes of the Fute and Jack Curlew. Downs
said the Jack Curlew never alighted up on the fields and that the Fute never
stayed down on the shore of the bay” (Extract from letter from LeRoy Wilcox
to J. T. Xichols).

Bartramia longicauda. Upland Plover. — 21, Floral Park, L. I., July 4, to
18 (Lind) ; 7, same locality, July 30 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Water Mill, Aug. 20
(Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Idlewild^ July 28 to Aug. 30 (J. Mayer) ; maximum, 25,
Newark Meadows, Aug. 9 (Urner).

Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Easthampton, Oct. 15 (Helmuth) ;
Baxter Inlet, Bronx, Oct. 16 (Drescher, Kessler) ; Rye, Oct. 19 (Cruickshank) .

Tringa solitaria solitaria. Eastern Solitary Sandpiper. — i, Hempstead Reser-
voir, Oct. 22 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Catoptrophorus semipaUnatus subsp. Willet. — Oakwood Beach, July 15 to
Aug. 14 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; Barnegat, July 30 to Sept. 17, maximum 30 on Aug.
15 (Urner).

Totanus melanoleuciis. Greater Yellow-legs. — i, Newark, Mar. 31 (Urner) ;
2, Overpeck Creek, April 9 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; 62, Pelham, April 29 (Cruick-
shank).

Totanus flavipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. — 6, Bronx, in direct comparison with
the preceding species, Nov. i (Malley).

Calidris canutus rufus. American Knot. — Relatively scarce south-bound in
New Jersey but more than usually numerous on Long Island ; the following data
are supplied by Mr. Helmuth for Easthampton; 36, Aug. 19; 50, Aug. 29; 22,
Sept. 16; 48, Sept. 22; 21, Sept. 23; 4, Oct. 14; i, Saugatuck Shores, Conn., Oct. 29
(Farley, Herbert, Hickey, Thomas) ; maximum on New Jersey shore 40 on Aug.
6 (Urner).

Arquatella mariihna. Purple Sandpiper. — 4, Long Beach, Jan. 4, to 6 (B. C.
Berliner) ; 2, Long Beach, Jan. 22 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 6, Montauk, Nov. 12
(Breslau, Sedwitz) ; I, Montauk, Nov. 17 (R. Lind) ; 2, Barnegat, Nov. 18
(Cruickshank and others), and 2, Dec. 24 (Vogt) ; 9, Long Beach, Nov. 26
(Cruickshank and Local Bird Club).

Pisobia melanotos. Pectoral Sandpiper. — Heavy flight, “hundreds,” Newark
Sept. 17 (Herbert, J. and R. Kuerzi) and Sept. 18 (Urner) ; 100, Idlewild,
Jamaica, Sept. 17 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 5, Jones Beach, Oct. 22 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Pisobia fuscicollis. White-rumped Sandpiper. — 3, Gilgo Beach, June 18 (Bres-
lau, Sedwitz) ; large flight, Newark Meadows and New Jersey coast, Aug. 25
to Sept. 7, extreme dates July 2 to Nov. ii (Urner) ; Rye, Nov. 4 (Cruiekshank) ;
1. Baxter Creek, Bronx, Nov. 7 (Drescher, Kessler).

Fisobia bairdi. Baird’s Sandpiper. — i, Easthampton, .-\ug. 23 (Helmuth) ; 7
records, Newark, Aug. 30 to Oct. 7 (Urner and others) ; 18, Easthampton, Sept.
16 (Helmuth) ; i. Ozone, L. I., Sept. 17 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i, Montauk,
Sept. 22 (Breslau and Wolfram) ; i, Jones Beach, Sept. 24 (\’ugt).

Felidna alfina sakhalim. Red-backed Sandpiper. — 1, July 9, Brigantine
(Urner) ; first of this fall. Brigantine, Aug. 18 (Loetscher) ; New Inlet, L. I.,
Aug. 20 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 4, Rye, Nov. 25 (Cruickshank) ; 50, Bronx, Oct. 25
to Nov. 8, and i, Xov. 29 (Malley) ; many wintered on New Jersey coast (Urner).

Limnodromns griscus yriseus. Eastern Uowitcher. — Gilgo Beach, June 18
(Breslau, Sedwitz) ; early fall flight as observed smaller in New Jersey than in
recent years (Urner).

Linmodromus griseus scolopaceiis. Long-billed Dowitcher. — 3, Jones Beach,
Aug. 26 (\’ogt) ; I, Brigantine, Aug. 27 (Edwards, Urner) ; i, Newark, Sept.
9 and 30 (Urner) ; all are considered satisfactory, though sight records.

Micropalania himaiitopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — 75, Jones Beach, Aug. i (Vogt,
Hickey, Thomas) ; heavy flight in .August, continuing into September and a few
October on Newark marshes, maximum 60 (Urner).

Ereunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. — 2, Baxter Inlet, Bronx, Nov. 21
(Drescher, Kessler) ; i, Barnegat, Dec. 24 (C. K. Nichols).

Ereimctes iiiaurii. Western Sandpiper. — Gilgo Beach, June 18 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; 200, Easthampton, .Aug. 29 (Helmuth) ; heavy flight during first two weeks
of September, Newark — 30 to 50, Sept. 2; 150, Sept. 9 (Edwards, Urner and
others), and 500, Sept. 10 (Herbert, Hickey, Thomas).

Tryngites subruficollis. Bufl-breasted Sandpiper. — Montauk, Aug. 7 (Hel-
muth) ; I, Mecox Bay, Oct. 15 (Helmuth).

Limosa fedoa. Alarbled Godwit. — i, Shinnecock Bay, July 30 (Helmuth) ; i.
Brigantine, Aug. 23 (Walsh) ; i. Brigantine, .Aug. 27 (Edwards, Urner) ; prob-
ably 30, but at least 3, Brigantine, Sept. 2 or 3 (Tatum).

Limosa haemastica. Hudsonian Godwit. — i. Ozone, L. I., .Aug. 20 (Bres-
lau, Sedwitz) ; Brigantine, .Aug. 23 (Walsh) ; Idlewild, Jamaica, Aug. 26
(Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i. Brigantine, Sept. 3 (Potter) and Sept. lo (Tatum) ;
3, Mecox, Sept. 16 (Helmuth) ; 2, Newark, Sept. 17 (Herbert, J. and R. Kuerzi) ;

1, Sept. 18-30 (Urner and many others) ; i, Sagaponack, L. I., Sept. 23 (Breslau,
Sedwitz).

Crocethia alba. Sanderling. — i. Long Beach, Jan. 22 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 63,
Barnegat, Dec. 24 (C. K. Nichols and others).

Phalaropus fulicarins. Red Phalarope. — 1, off Barnegat, January (Oscar
Eayre) ; i, in half summer plumage, Gardiner’s Bay, April 18, and i (collected)
in full winter plumage, April 21 (Latham) ; 7, Long Beach, N. J., May 7 (Tatum) ;

2, Beach Haven to Brigantine, May 7 (Urner) ; i, Kensico Reservoir just south
of Armonk, Oct. 29, 30 and 31 (Farley, Herbert, Hickey, Thomas, J. and R.
Kuerzi).

Steganopus tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope. — i, Brigantine, Aug. i8 (Loetscher) ;
1 to 6, Newark, Sept. 4 to 18 (Edwards, Urner and others).

Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope.— 12, Beach Haven and Brigantine,
May 7 (Urner) ; 12, Long Beach, N. J., May 2 (Tatum) ; i, Newark, Aug. 23
(Urner) ; i. Brigantine, Aug. 25 (Urner) ; 15, Montauk, Sept. 2 and 3 (Breslau,
Sedwitz) ; I, Newark, Sept. 10 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 9, Easthampton, Sept. 15
(Helmuth) ; 5, Easthampton, Sept. 16 (Helmuth).

Stercorarius pornarinus. Pomarine Jaeger. — 6, Montauk, Oct. 14 (Helmuth).

Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. — Long Island Sound off Port Jef-
ferson, Aug. 31 (A. L. Walker).

Larus hyperboreus. Glaucous Gull.— i, Harmon, May 9 (Thurston) ; i,
Easthampton, May 28 (Helmuth); City Dump, Havemeyer Avenue, Bronx: i,
Dec. 16; 2, Dec. 31 ; i, Harlem River at 155th Street, Dec. 30 (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Larus leucopterus. Iceland Gull. — I, Jones Beach, Jan. 2 (Hickey, Vogt) ;
I, same locality, Jan. 15 (Vogt) ; i, Barnegat, Feb. 26 (Urner) ; i, Jones Beach,
Mar. 19 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i, Barnegat, Mar. 26 (Carter, Janvrin, Urner) ; i,
Shinnecock Bay, Apr. 2 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; City Dump, Havemeyer Avenue,
Bronx: i, Dec. 3; 3, Dec. 6; i, Dec. 16; 5, Dec. 31 (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull. — 100, Long Beach, Jan. 22 (Breslau,
Sedwitz).

Larus argcntatus smithsonianus. Herring Gull. — Found nesting at Fisher’s
Island in 1933 (Wilcox).

Larus kumlieni. Kumlien’s Gull. — Immature nearing adult observed at close
range in the air and on the ground, resembling Herring Gull in size, shape, stature
and flight but pattern of tail and wings that of second year Iceland, wings with
ashy gray primaries. In flight the bird appears to be a white-winged gull, bill and
•color of feet similar to that of Herring Gull’s, City Dump, Havemeyer Avenue,
Dec. 16 (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull. — Pelham Bay, April 1 (Malley) ; i, Newark
Bay, April 2 (Haulenbeek) ; 2, Oak wood Beach, April 13 (A. L. Walker, Dr.
Wiegmann) ; i. Central Park, May 17 (Carleton, Malley, Rich) ; 104 non-nesting
birds in varied plumage, Piermont, June 25 (Farley, Herbert, Hickey, Phillips).

Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull. — 350, Montauk, Jan. i (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; abundant, Montauk, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey, J. and R. Kuerzi, Mayr) ;
225, Lower New York Bay, April 3 (Rich) ; 105, Fort Totten, Dec. 9 (Scott).

Larus minutus. Little Gull. — i full adult, breeding plumage, Upper New York
Bay, near Governor’s Island, May 7 (Chapin) and May 8 (Rich) ; the following
are the Staten Island records: Crooke’s Point, July 27 (Chapin): 2, Oakwood,
July 31 (Wiegmann) to Aug. 12 (Chapin) and i, same locality, Aug. 27 (Chapin).

Rissa tridactyla tridactyla. Atlantic Kittiwake. — 3, Montauk Point. Dec. 24
(Sedwitz, Breslau) ; i. Coney Island, Dec. 29 (Cruickshank).

Sterna forsteri. Forster’s Tern. — 2, Idlewild, Jamaica, .Aug. 26 (Breslau,
Sedwitz) ; 3, Jones Beach, Aug. 27 (Breslau) ; i, Jones Beach, Oct. 22 (same
observer).

Sterna hirundo hirundo. Common Tern. — Colony, Great South Bay, with a
few complete clutches, June 9 (Murphy and \’ogt).

Sterna paradisaea. Arctic Tern. — i, Jones Beach, May 3 (Vogt) ; “what seems
to be a satisfactory observation of two -Arctic Terns at Jones Beach, July 19"
(Vogt).

Hydroprogne caspia iinperator. .American Caspian Tern. — 2, Mecox Bay, May
5 (Helmuth) ; 5, May 7; i, Easthampton, May 28 (Helmuth) ; i. Brigantine,
Aug. 23 (Walsh) ; 6, Sept. 10 (Tatum) ; 5, Sept. 17 (same observer) ; 5, Mecox,
Sept. 15; 2, Mecox, Sept. 16 (Helmuth) ; i, Shinnecock, Sept. 22 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; I, Easthampton, Sept. 18 to Oct. i (Helmuth).

ChHdonias nigra surinainensis. Black Tern. — I, Boonton Reservoir, April 22
(Edwards) ; 6, Staten Island, May 14 (Chapin) ; i adult, i immature. Long
Beach, July 2, and 9 (Janvrin) ; 1, Lido Beach, July 13 (Mrs. Beals) ; 300, New
Inlet, Sept. 2 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Rynchops nigra nigra. Black Skimmer. — 5, Easthampton, Aug. 3 (Helmuth) ;
1, Moriches Inlet, .Aug. 26 (Wilcox) ; i, Idlewild, Jamaica, -Aug. 26 (Breslau,
Sedwitz) ; i. New Inlet, .Aug. 27 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Alca tarda. Razor-billed .Auk. — 6, Montauk, Jan. i (Breslau, Sedwitz) ;
45, Montauk, Jan. 8 (Carter, Hickey, J. and R. Kuerzi, Mayr) ; i, Montauk,
Nov. 12 (Local Bird Club and Cruickshank).

Uria lamvia lomz-ia. Brunnich’s Murre. — i, Oakwood Beach, Jan. 22 (Rich).

Alle alle. Dovekie. — i, Montauk Point, Dec. 24 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 80, off
Barnegat, January (Oscar Eayre).

Fratercula arctica arctica. .Atlantic Puffin. — i, off Barnegat, January (Oscar
Eayre).

Coccysus americanus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — i. Central Park,
May 7 (Holgate) ; i, Easthampton, Oct. 15 (Helmuth).

Tyto alba pratincola.. Barn Owl. — Pair discovered nesting in the Bronx
(Cruickshank, Kassoy) ; i, Manursing Island, .April 2 (Bronx County Bird Club) ;
I, Westhampton, Dec. 18 (Wilcox).

Bubo virginianus virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Found nesting on ledge
of Palisades, 2 newly hatched young, Feb. 22, eggs must have been laid about
Jan. 22, young flew, April 9 (Cruickshank, Herbert) ; i resident at Trinity Lake,
northeastern Westchester all spring (Halle, Ogburn).

Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Owl. — i, Montauk Point, Dec. 24 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Asia wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl. — i. Garden City, Jan. 21 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; I, Central Park, Dec. 31 (Miss M. L. Johnson).

Asia flatnmeuj flanwieus. Short-eared Owl. — i, Troy Meadows, Oct. 8 (Stal-
off).

Cryptoglaux acadtca acadica. Saw-whet Owl. — i found dead outside American
Museum, Oct. 21 (Carter) ; i, Jamaica, Nov. 7 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i, Alley
Pond Bird Sanctuary, Nov. 17 to 26 (Scott) ; i, Ozone, L. I., Nov. 26 (R. Lind).

Antrostomus vociferus vociferus. Eastern Whip-poor-will. — 1, Barnegat, April
8 (Urner).

Chordeiles minor minor. Eastern Nighthawk. — Strong migration, 150 to 300
birds, Tivoli-on-Hudson, Aug. 20 (Hickey).

Ceophloens pileatus abieticola. Northern Pileated Woodpecker. — Breeding,
Fahnestock Memorial Park, Putnam County, May-June (Farley). Observed late
May, Waccabuc Lake, Westchester County (Ogburn, Mayr).

Melanerpes erythrocephahis. Red-headed Woodpecker. — i, University
Heights, Bronx, Jan. 13 (Hickey) ; 3, Troy, N. J., Nov. 26 (C. Brown) ; 2,
Caldwell, N. J., Dec. 24 (same observer).

Sphyrapicus varius varitis. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — i pair, Hollis Woods,
L. L, Mar. 4 (McBride) ; i, Atlantic Highlands, Mar. 25 (Fred Allen) ; i. Chest-
nut Ridge, Dutchess County, May 14 (Baker) ; i. Central Park, May 16 (Rich) ;
1, Greenwood Cemetery, May 20 (Hix) ; i. Rye, Sept. 7 (Cruickshank).

Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird. — i, Greenwood Cemetery, April 22 (Cruick-
shank, Walker).

Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird. — Apparently at least 6 individuals
at Jones Beach, Sept. 2, 22, 23, 29, 30, Oct. 6, 7, 8 (Vogt) ; Barnegat Light, Sept. 9
(PafT) ; I, Idlewild, Jamaica, Sept. 14 (J. Mayer) and Sept. 17 (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; I, Montauk, Sept. 20 (Helmuth).

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — 2 pairs, east of Northport, L. I.,
June 25 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 2 calling, Lloyd’s Neck, L. L, June 26 (same
observers).

Nuttallorms mosoleucus. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — i, Jones Beach, Aug. 26
(Vogt) ; Woodmere, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Montauk, Sept.
22 (Breslau, Wolfram).

Otocoris alpestris praticola. Prairie Horned Lark. — 3, Van Cortlandt Park,
Nov. 7 (J. and R. Kuerzi).

Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — 8 pairs nesting, Milltown, N. J., May
30 (P. L. Collins) ; 2, Central Park, Nov. 23 (Cruickshank) ; 5, Piermont marshes,
Dec. 24 (J. Kuerzi).

Stelgidopteryx ruficoUis serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. — Mill Neck,
April 16 (Sedwitz) ; 4 pairs breeding. Fire Place, L. L, June 3 (Wilcox).

Progne subis subis. Purple Martin. — i, Rye, April 2 (Oboiko and Bronx
County Bird Club) ; Newton, N. J., April 9 (C. K. Nichols) ; 6, Manhattan
Beach, Sept. 17 (Cruickshank).

Cyanocitta cristafa cristate. Northern Blue Jay. — Large migration, more than
400 birds. White Plains, Sept. 22 (Cruickshank) ; 75, Central Park, Sept. 24
.(Sedwitz).

Bacolof'luis bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — 2, Pelham Bay Park, Dec. 10, 17 and
24 (Hickey) ; locally plentiful, permanent resident at Sparkill, Rockland County
(Kessler, J. Kuerzi).

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — \'ery marked flight, late September
to early October; observed near City Hall, Sept. 19 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 22 in one
hour at Easthampton, Sept. 30 (Helmuth) ; Riverside Drive, Oct. 4 (Mayr).

Troglodytes acdon aedon. Eastern House Wren. — P. L. Collins reports a
House Wren feeding young in an abandoned Kingfisher’s nest in a sand-bank at
Milltown, N. J.

Thryothorus ludoz-tcianus ludozdcianus. Carolina Wren. — 2, Lake Waccabuc,
.April and May (Ogburn) ; Fort Salonga, L. I., June 9 (Mrs. Fry) ; i. Fire
Island, June 9 (Murphy, Vogt) ; i. Orient Point, October to December (Latham).

Tehnatodytes f'olustris pahtstris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. — i. Baychester
Marshes, Jan. 15 (Hickey) ; 1, Prospect Park, Oct. 27 (Cruickshank) ; 5, Pier-
mont Marshes, Dec. 24 (Kessler, J. Kuerzi).

Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. — i in song. Jones Beach, July
23 (Sedwitz); i, Piermont Marshes, Nov. 26 (Bronx County Bird Club), and
Dec. 24 (Kessler, J. Kuerzi).

Mitntis polyglottos polyglottos. Eastern Mockingbird. — i, Montauk, Jan. i
(Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i immature, Jones Beach, Aug. 20 (F. M. Chapman, Vogt) ;
3, Aug. 26; I singing. Sept. 2; also Sept. 12 and 13; i. Sept. 22 and 23; and 2,

1 singing. Sept. 24, Jones Beach (Vogt) ; i, Montauk, Aug. 27, and Sept. 2
(Breslau) ; i, Montauk, Nov. 26 (Lind) ; and Dec. 24 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; West-
bury, June ii (Woodmere Academy Bird Club and Matuszewski) ; i, Easthamp-
ton, Aug. 5, and i, Montauk, same date (Helmuth) ; Verona, N. J., i wintering;
3 or 4 present April 15 — these were near where pair attempted to nest in 1932
(C. Hegemann).

Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. — i, Jackson Heights, Jan. 22 (A. L. Walker) ;
I, Hudson shore near Dyckman Street, April 9, possibly wintered (Cruickshank,
Herbert, Hickey) ; i, Westbury, April 19 (Matuszewski) ; i Rye, Dec. 18 (Cruick-
shank).

Toxostoma rufum. Brown Thrasher. — i in banding trap, Jones Beach, April
5 (Vogt) ; I, Bronx Park, Dec. 2, to 24 (Cruickshank) ; i with disabled wing,
Oradell, N. J., Dec. 14, to 30 (Bowdish).

Turdus migratorius migratorius. Eastern Robin. — 50, Mastic, Jan. i, to Feb.

2 (W. F. Nichols) ; 10 or 12 resident at Poundridge after Jan. i, and a flock of
50 almost every day in a orchard at North Salem after Jan. 5 (Ogburn) ; 250,
Milltown, N. J., Feb. 7, despite cold weather (P. L. Collins) ; 6, Central Park,
Feb. 19 (Malley) ; first arrival, several. Orient, Feb. 21 (Latham).

Hylocichla guttata faxoni. Eastern Hermit Thrush. — Bronx Park, Feb. 17
(A. L. Walker) ; i “sang twice with an interval of about 15 minutes between
songs,’’ March 28, northeastern Westchester (Halle) ; Elmhurst, May 23 (Beals) ;
I, Pelham Bay, Dec. 3 (Bronx Countj- Bird Oub).

Hylocichla ustiilata swamsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. — i, Elmhurst, June i,
to 3, and June ii (Mrs. Beals).

Hylocichla minima minima. Bicknell’s Thrush. — i, identification based on size
and song, not collected, Elizabeth, May 17 (Urner).

Sialia sialis sialis. Eastern Bluebird. — Common throughout northeastern
Westchester, during the winter (Ogburn) ; i. Half Hollow Hills, L. I., Feb. 2
tMatuszewski) .

Polioptila caerulea caerulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — i, Westbury, May 25
(Matuszewski) ; i, Unionport, Bronx, Sept. 13 (Malley) ; i, Easthampton, Sept.
23 (Helmuth).

Corthylio calendula calendula. Eastern Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — i, Alpine,
N. J., May 30 (Bowdish) ; i, Brookhaven, Nov. 12 (Bronx County Bird Club
and Wilcox) ; 3, Grassy Sprain, Dec. 24 (Farley, Mellinger, Mayr) ; 2, Bernards-
ville, Dec. 26 (Cynthia Herbst).

Anthus spinoletta rubescens. American Pipit. — 50, Van Cortlandt Park, Mar.
18 (Cruickshank).

Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — Orient, nest begun Aug. 12, com-
plete set 5 eggs, Aug. 19; young in another nest about Sept. 2 (Latham); i,
Riverdale, Dec. 24 (Cruickshank).

Lanins borealis borealis. Northern Shrike. — i. Orient, Oct. 31 (Latham) ;
I, Kent, Conn., Nov. 4 (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; 2, Jamaica, Nov. 12 (Cruickshank
and Local Bird Club) ; i, Westbury, Dec. 31 (Matuszewski).

Lanius ludovicianiis migratis. Migrant Shrike. — i. Garden City, April 2 (J. T.
and D. G. Nichols) ; i, Mastic, April 3 (J. T. Nichols) ; i, carefully observed,
Poundridge, April 3 (Halle) ; i, singing, Jones Beach, Aug. 26 (Vogt) ; 2, Mon-
tauk, Aug. 27 (Sedwitz) ; i, Bellmore, Oct. 29 (Local Bird Club, Cruickshank) ;
I, Hicksville, Dec. 3 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Vireo solitarius solitarius. Blue-headed Vireo. — i, Poundridge, April 14
(Mayr) ; i, Rye, Sept. 8 (Cruickshank).

Vireo olivaceics. Red-eyed Vireo. — i, Bronx Park, April 18 (Drescher, Gib-
son, Kessler) ; i, Westwood, N. J., April 30 (L. N. Nichols) ; i singing, Bayside,
Oct. 27 (Kritzler).

Vireo philadelphicus. Philadelphia Vireo. — i. Central Park, Sept. 21 (Sed-
witz) ; I, Elmhurst, Sept. 23, trapped and banded (Mrs. Beals).

Vireo gilvus gilvus. Eastern Warbling Vireo. — i in song. Mill Neck, June
12 (Sedwitz).

Mniotilta varia. Black and White Warbler. — i, Rye, Nov. 4 (Cruickshank).

Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler. — A male, very richly orange and
other markings easily observed, Bronx Park, May 8 (Mrs. Hegemann, DeWitt
C. Reid) ; i, Bayside, Sept. 22 (McBride).

Hclmitheros vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. — i, Easthampton, Sept. 22;
I, Mecox Bay, Sept. 22 (Helmuth).

Fcniiii-ora chrysof'tcra. Golden-vviiiged Warbler. — i, Troy Meadows, April
30 (Lind) ; i, Elmhurst, May 19 (Mrs. Beals).

I'eniiiz’ora peregrina. Tennessee W'arbler. — i, Easthampton, Sept. 30 (Hel-
nuith).

Vennh'ora celala celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — i, Bronx Park, May 6
(Gibson, Kessler) ; i. Central Park, Sept. 21, and 24 (Sedwitz) ; i, Montauk,
Oct. 14 (Helmuth).

Dendroica tigriiia. Cape May Warbler. — i male. North Salem, Westchester,
May 2 (Ogburn) ; i, Kissena Park, L. I., May 14 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 5, Central
Park, Sept. 21 (Sedwitz).

Deiidroica virens z-irens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — i, Poundridge, April
25 (Halle).

Deiidroica cerulea. (Terulean Warbler. — 4, .Annandale-on-Hudson, Dutchess
County, June 15; 1 singing, same locality. Sept. 6 (Mrs. Fry).

Deiidroica doiiiiiiica doiitiitica. Yellow-throated W'arbler. — i, carefully ob-
served, Grassy Sprain, May 28 (Sedwitz) ; i singing male. Sag Harbor, July 4,
and collected July 15. “It was associating with a Parula Warbler and seemed to
keep well up in the tops of the tall spruces.” There was no evidence of nesting
(Wilcox).

Deiidroica peiisyhwiica. Chestnut-sided Warbler. — 2 pairs. Mill Neck, June
12 (Sedwitz).

Deiidroica castaiiea. Bay -breasted Warbler. — i, Elmhurst, Aug. 26 (Mrs.
Beals).

Deiidroica piiius piitiis. Northern Pine Warbler. — i, Montauk, April 2 (Sed-
witz) ; May 13, “found nest of Pine Warbler at Great Pond, only partly built.
The female was carrying building material while the male kept up its singing and
did not attempt to help in the building ... I also found another Pine W'arbler
nest on May ii, at Speonk, in process of construction. It too was being built
entirely by the female while the male followed the female in her search for
material and kept up its singing but did not help in the building” (W'ilcox) ;
Prospect Park, Oct. 27 (Cruickshank).

Deiidroica discolor discolor. Northern Prairie W'arbler. — i singing male. Great
Notch, N. J., June ii (Eaton) ; 5 in song, probably breeding birds, Milltown,
N. J. (P. L. Collins).

Deiidroica paliiiarum paliitaritm. Western Palm Warbler. — i, W'estwood, N.
J., April 30 (L. N. Nichols).

Deiidroica paliiiarum hypoclirysea. Yellow Palm W'arbler. — i, Kissena Park,
L. I., May 14 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Oporornis foriiiosiis. Kentucky Warbler. — i singing male, Greenport woods,
late May. “I am quite certain that the species breeds in the Greenport woods,
west of that village” (Latham).

Oporornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — i, Annandale-on-Hudson, Sept.
(Mrs. Delafield) ; i, Central Park, Sept. 21 (Sedwitz) ; i, Bronx Park, Oct.
(Cruickshank).

Oporornis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. — i. Van Cortlandt Park, May 14
(Carleton) ; i. Grassy Sprain Ridge, May 28 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla. Northern Yellow-throat. — i, Piermont
Marshes, Dec. 24 (Kessler, J. Kuerzi).

Icteria virens virens. Yellow-breasted Chat. — “A wintering Yellow-breasted
Chat had been coming to the feeding station of William Sheehan at Forest Hills,
L. I., for bread crumbs and suet since November (1932). It was identified by
McBride on February 28, identification corroborated by W. Sedwitz and Leo Bres-
lau of the Local Bird Club on March 5, and was also observed by A. L. Walker
and A. L. Walker, Jr., on March 9” (Bird-Lore, “Season”) ; i. Bronx Park, Oct.
26 (Malley).

Wilsonia citrina. Hooded Warbler. — i, Woodmere, May 7 (Sedwitz) ; i.
Greenwood Cemetery, May 6 (Hix) ; Elmhurst, May 13 (Mrs. Beals) ; i. Wood-
mere Woods, May 21 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; i, Elmhurst, Sept. 22 (Mrs. Beals).

Wilsonia catiadensis. Canada Warbler. — i, Elmhurst, June 3 (Mrs. Beals) :
I singing male. Great Notch, N. J., June ii (Eaton).

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. — Breeding colony, Wantagh ; another on
Jones Beach (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Agelaius phocniceus phoenicens. Eastern Red-wing. — 300, Kissena Park swamp
during the entire winter (McBride) ; 7, first arrival. Orient, Feb. 22 (Latham).

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — i, Westwood, N. J., April 28 (reported
to Rich) ; i adult with 2 young. Van Cortlandt Park, July 18 (L. N. Nichols).

Euphagus carolimis. Rusty Blackbird. — 12, Kissena Park, Feb. 5 (Breslau,
Sedwitz).

Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Purple Grackle. — First arrival, Jamaica, Feb.
22 (J. Mayer) ; nest building. Van Cortlandt Park, Mar. 25 (Cruickshank).

Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. — ^Central Park, Jan. 15 (Carle-
ton) .

Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis. Eastern Cardinal. — 10 males, 2 females,
Atlantic Highlands, March 25. “These birds were seen alongside of Jersey Cen-
tral Railroad tracks ; extent of area about Lt in Highlands, Waterwitch,

toward Atlantic Highlands. No birds were present on March 23rd or 24th, only
I male on the 26th and 27th. This is of interest in view of the apparent non-
migratory habits of the Cardinal” (Fred Allen) ; i, Bryant Park, April 25, and
28 (Mathews, L. N. Nichols) ; 1, Yonkers, May 2 (Mathews) ; possibly breeding,
Fiaton’s Neck, May 30, to June 28 (Woodmere Academy Bird Club and Matuszew-
ski) : I, Creedwood, L. L, Oct. 28 (Kritzler) ; i. Mill Neck, Nov. 21 (Lind-
StaloT).

in vO

Passerina cyanea. Indigo Bunting. — i pair, Mill Neck, June n (Sedwitz) ;
I, Central Park, Sept. 22 (Sedwitz).

Hespenphona vespcrtim z'espertina. Eastern Evening Grosbeak. — i male,
Arden, N. Y., Nov. 4 (Kritzler) ; 2 males, i female. Fort Washington Ave.,
Manhattan, Dec. 18 (Haddock).

Carpodacus purpuretis purpurcus. Eastern Purple Finch. — 50, Matinecock,
L. I., Feb. 5 (Breslau, Sedwitz): “Two small flocks (family groups?) seen at
Easthampton from Aug. 13, onward” (Helmuth).

Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine Grosl>eak. — 9, Alpine, N. J., Dec. 24 (Kess-
ler, J. Kuerzi) ; 7, Bernardsville, Dec. 15 (Cynthia Herbst).

Carduelis cardueUs. European (joldfinch. — i, Bayside, March 18 (H. Bohn) ;
“On -\pril 21, two European Goldfinches were observed at Garden City, L. I.,
one in full song and one also carrying nesting material into a large, thick-
foliaged pine tree. After two days, however, they were not seen again about this
tree, though two were seen not far away on April 30, and May 5, and three birds
on May ii (J. T. Nichols). Reports indicate that several individuals were present
in Garden City in April — whence they came, and where and whether they nested
remaining a myster)” (Bird-Lore, “Season).

Acanthis linaria linaria. Common Redpoll. — i singing. Port Washington, Dec.

(Mrs. Fry).

Spimts tristis tristis. Eastern Goldfinch. — “Found nest with young, July 25,
Milltown, N. J., earliest record. Have a record of eggs on same date but never
young birds” (P. L. Collins).

Loxia leiuoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — 20, Bayside, sporadically after
Nov. 30 (Kritzler) ; 3, Riverdale, Dec. 24 (Cruickshank).

Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus. Red-eyed Towhee. — i. Wood-
mere, Jan. 5 (Woodmere Academy Bird Club) ; i banded. Flushing, Dec. 7, by
McBride, was transferred to Alley Pond Bird Sanctuary and observed there to
Tan. 2, 1934: I, Oradell, N. J., Dec. 15, to 30 (Bowdish).

Passeradus priticeps. Ipswich Sparrow. — i, Stamford, Conn., Dec. 22 (Cruick-
shank).

Passerculus saudwicitensis sai'anna. Eastern Savannah Sparrow. — ^4 young,
Jamaica Bay, May 30 (Lind).

Passer herb ulus henslcmn susttrraus. Eastern Henslow’s Sparrow. — 2, Mastic,
April 5 (Sedwitz) ; i, Jamaica Bay, Oct. 4 (Cruickshank).

Ammospiza caudacuta subz'irgata. Acadian Sparrow. — 2, Jones Beach, Oct.
15; 15, Oct. 16; I, Oct. 22 (Breslau, Sedwitz).

Ammospiza caudacuta caudacuta. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — i, Jones Beach,
Jan. 2 (Hickey) ; i, Piermont, Nov. 26 (Bronx County Bird Gub) ; 3, Baxter
Inlet, Bronx, Dec. 3 (Bronx County Bird Club) ; i, Baychester Marshes, Dec.
2f (Hickey, Thomas) ; i, Baxter Inlet, Bronx, Dec. 24 (R. Kuerzi, Matuszewski).

lOO

Pooecetes gramineus gramineus. Eastern \'esper Sparrow. — i, Franklin Lake,
Mar. 25 (Fry and Griffin) ; i, Van Cortlandt Park, Dec. 24 (Cruickshank) .

Chondestes gramimcus grammacus. Eastern Lark Sparrow. — i, Jones Beach,
Aug. 23 (Vogt).

Jmuo hyemalis hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. — An individual bird was ob-
served in northeastern Westchester “under the apple trees by my house,” June 5
(Halle).

Spizella arborea arborea. Eastern Tree Sparrow. — 3, Lake W'accabuc, April
26 (Ogburn) ; Ozone Park, L. L, Oct. 14 (J. Mayer) ; \Vhite Plains, Oct. 16
(Brand).

Spizella passerim passerina. Eastern Chipping Sparrow. — i, W’esthury, Mar.
30 (Matuszewski) ; i. Van Cortlandt Park, Dec. 10, to 24 (Cruickshank).

Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. — “Two sparrows, neither collected,
were seen on a lawn at Southampton, beside the privet hedge, on Oct. 14, and
identified as Clay-colored Sparrows. They had dark crowns with a pale central
stripe, a wedge shaped facial blotch, and thin streaking from the angle of the
bill ; were Spizelline in habitus, decidedly not Chippies. I am quite familiar with
S- pallida, having seen it in numbers in southern Texas, in early May” (Helmuth).

Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Elmsford, June
14 (Mrs. Fry) ; 50, Easthampton to Montauk, Oct. 14 (Helmuth).

Passerella iliaca iliaca. Fox Sparrow. — First observed, Central Park, Feb. 26;
100 on Mar. 31, followed by gradual decline, but on April 25, another small visita-
tion ; 6, Battery Park, April 25 ; April 28, “there are still a few left in our area”
(Rich) ; 20, Van Cortlandt Park, Mar. 18 (Cruickshank) ; 700-800, Franklin
Lake, Mar. 25 (Fry and Griffin).

Melospiza lincolni lincohn. Lincoln’s Sparrow. — i, Bronx Park, Sept, ii
(Malley) ; i, Montauk, Sept. 22 (Breslau, Wolfram).

Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus. Lapland Longspur. — 3, Saugatuck Shores,
Conn., Oct. 29 (Farley, Hickey, Herbert, Thomas) ; Orient, Nov. 5 (Latham) ;
Van Cortlandt Park, Nov. 7 (J. and R. Kuerzi) ; 3, Mecox Bay, Nov. 12 (Bronx
County Bird Club and Wilcox) ; 3, Montauk Point, Nov. 12 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ;
I, Bayville, Nov. 19 (Cruickshank and Local Bird Club) ; 6, Idlewild Beach,
L. L, Nov. 26 (same observers) ; i, Montauk, Nov. 26 (R. Lind) ; 1, Westbury,
Nov. 26 (Matuszewski) ; 9 to 12, Jones Beach, Dec. 3 (Local Bird Club) ; 35,
Newark Marshes, Dec. 17 (Urner) ; i, Baychester Marshes, Dec. 24 (Hickey,
Thomas).

Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis. Eastern Snow Bunting. — 50, Troy, N. J., Mar.
10 (C. Brown).

lOI

Observations From Field and Study

Female Tanager Eating Her Eggs — In 1932 a female Scarlet Tanager
(Piranya crythroiiiclas) selected a site for her nest on a branch nine or ten feet
from the ground and overhanging one of the main paths in the Xew York
Botanical Gardens. The nest completed, she laid three eggs and sat on them
about a week when, on the morning of June 13 as the writer approached, she
was standing on the edge of the nest, pecking at something. As I reached the
spot under the nest she flew to the ground carrying an egg in her bill. Following
her quickly I could see she was eating it greedily and 1 was able to get within
two or three feet of her, when she made a grab to carry it away. Since it was
partly incubated, she flew away with the contents, leaving the shell on the ground
about 75% intact. There were no more eggs in the nest and what happened to the
other two I failed to discover. The pair of birds remained in the locality for
several days and then left. — William Gibson.

Occurrence of Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsi) in
Bronx County, New York City — On December 9, 1934, while visiting a
very favorable locality for gulls, at the mouth of Westchester Creek in the east
Bronx, we noticed a strange gull resting on a mud-flat with several hundred
Herring Gulls. It was in this area during the previous winter that white-winged
gulls occurred regularly in numbers.

At first glance, the bird appeared to be a black-backed gull but on closer
observation, we realized that it was slightly smaller than the average Herring
Gull, the back was a very deep slate gray, not black as in L. marimis and the legs
and feet were a decided yellow color. The bird was a full adult as was evidenced
by the color of the bill, a straw yellow with a conspicuous vermillion red mark
about the terminal half of the lower mandible. When the gulls took flight, our
bird followed them to the nearby ash dump to feed upon the garbage and refuse.
Incidentally, the Greater Black -backed Gull has never been observed on the dump;
it apparently does not feed upon garbage as do the Herring, Iceland and Glaucous
Gulls.

We found, after a thorough examination of skins and literature at the Ameri-
can Museum that there are two species of gulls which fit the description of our
bird. The Lesser Black-backed Gull of Europe (Lancs fuscus graellsi) and the
Southern Yellow-footed form of the Western Gull (Larus accidentalis Ik'ens).
There is apparently ao field mark by which these two birds can be distinguished.

However, as the Southern Yellow-footed Gull inhabits the Gulf of California,
we feel that the time of year during which we saw our bird would exclude the
possibility of this form. Furthermore, we are giv'en to understand that land —
in this case an entire continent — is a more formidable barrier to sea birds than
water or even oceans. The Little Gull, for instance, has turned up quite a few
times around New York in recent years.

We, therefore, feel justified in calling this gull Larus fuscus graellsi. We
give it the name graellsi, for our bird had a deep slate-gray hack rather than the

102

slaty back of the northern or Scandinavian race of the European Lesser Black-
back (Larus fuscus). — John and Richard Kuerzi, New York City.

Notes from Beaverkill, Sullivan Co., N. Y. — ^Since there seems to be
little or nothing known about the birds of the western foothills of the Catskill
Mountains, it might be of value to record some of the observations made there
during the spring of 1934. Although I stayed in Beaverkill (Trout Valley Farm)
from May 15 to May 30, I observed practically no bird migration. Except for i
Red-headed Woodpecker (May 19), i pair of White-crowned Sparrows (May
27), and I Black-poll Warbler (May 22 ), all species observed were apparent
breeders. In the woods around Clear Lake I found the Blue-headed Vireo (F.
solitarius) in at least two pairs, the Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Blue
Warbler (common), Canada Warbler (common), Blackburnian Warbler (sev-
eral), Black-capped Chickadee (i pair). Magnolia Warbler (frequent), and
Barred Owl. Around the farm I found 2 pairs of Purple Finches, several pairs
of Cliff Swallows, Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo, Cedar Waxwing, and
Savannah Sparrow, in addition to many common species. Grouse were fairly
common in the woods, a nest with ii eggs was found on May 24. Whether or
not the Great Blue Eleron (observed May 22) and Osprey (May 22) were nest-
ing in the vicinity could not be ascertained. On an island in Beaverkill Creek 4
nests of Spotted Sandpipers were found in close proximity, also a small colony
of Red-wings (8 pairs), which had placed all their nests in low pine trees, i nest
of the Meadowlark, and 4 nests of Song Sparrows. Some species were curiously
absent, as, for example, the Brown Thrasher (in the valley) and the Hermit
Thrush (on Clear Lake). Altogether the nests of 22 species were found. —
Ernst Mayr.

Two Rare Sight Records from Orient, Long Island — Ivory Gull
(Pagophila alba). — This bird was observed on February 21, 1934, flying over the
tide flats of Gardiner’s Bay on the south shore of Long Beach — now Orient Beach
I’ark. Numerous Herring Gulls, several Great Black-backed Gulls, and two Ring-
billed Gulls were feeding and resting on the flats at the time. There is no ques-
tion as to the identity of the species : the Ivory Gull was at times within thirty
yards, and there was ample time to study it carefully. The individual was clear
white, slightly larger than the Laughing Gull, and much smaller than the Ice-
land Gull, which has been observed and studied on various occasions in the
Orient region.

The recently established state park prevented collecting this rare visitant and
the gyrfalcon mentioned below. Both could have been secured with ordinary
shooting ability. I regret that these unusual records can not be substantiated by
actual specimens.

Black Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolns ohsoletus). — This straggler was seen on
February 15, 1934, at the western extremity of the beach where the Ivory Gull
was recorded, known as Long Beach Bar, east of the lighthouse. 1 was in a pit on
the higher part of the beach, where the tern colony nests. It was about nine A.M.
Heavy ice was on the bay on the north and along the shore on the south. The

103

rip at the end of the bar out to the lighthouse and beyond was open water where
numbers of Golden-eyes, Old-squaws, Buffle-heads, Red-breasted Mergansers,
White-winged and Surf Scoters were feeding. A lone Brant — a species rarely
recorded in Orient — was standing on the point of the spit, apparently feeding
on the rockweed, Fuciks, exposed by the tide. I was watching flights of
White-winged Scoters passing from the south, circling far out over the ice to
the north, and returning to open water of Gardiner’s Bay. It was while I had
these scoters under observation that I saw two hawks approaching from the east.
I recognized a stranger in the larger bird, which was flying low, about fifty feet
above the beach. It apparently came in from Gardiner’s Island, over Gardiner’s
Bay, as, probably, did the Duck Hawk, which evidently was accompanying it.
(Most of the hawk and owl visitants to Orient in winter are from Gardiner’s
Island.) The large hawk came directly toward me descending to about six feet
above the ground and passed forty feet north of me close to the ice, perhaps
three feet below my level. It continued west past the lighthouse and on over the
forested area of Shelter Island. A remarkable view was had of the bird from
front, side, and rear, for the morning sun was clear. The Falcon was flying
leisurely and apparently undisturbed by my presence. The Duck Hawk curved
off, passing a hundred yards north, but continued with the stranger out of sight.
After studying the size, shape, and markings in comparison with the Duck Hawk
and from my knowledge of hawks of this region, I at once placed this bird as a
gj-rfalcon whose dark plumage would characterize it the form recorded above. —
Roy L.^tham, Orient, L. I.

104

Report of the Secretary for 1932-1933

The Linnaean Society of New York has held, during the past
year, i6 regular, and 4 informal summer, meetings. The average at-
tendance at regular meetings has been : members, 32, guests, 54 ; sum-
mer meetings, members, 17, guests, 3.

The Annual Dinner of the Society was held at Schrafft's Restau-
rant, 2131 Broadway. The Annual Meeting, held as usual at the
American Museum, was addressed by Dr. A. A. Allen on “The Ruffed
Grouse.” This meeting, with 180 present, was exceeded in popularity
only by I\Ir. Howard Cleaves’ lecture on the Pinchot trip, when more
than 200 attended.

During the year the Society has been so unfortunate as to lose,
by death, three members : Mr. Frank Edgar Johnson, Dr. Charles A.
Leale, and Mr. John I. D. Bristol.

Several members have resigned, or been dropped for non-payment
of dues, and the membership now stands : Honorary ^Members, i ;
Fellows, 9; Non-Resident Members, 7; Resident Members, 137.
Total, 154.

Since the chief interest of the Society continues to be ornithology,
papers on this subject have preponderated. There were included one
meeting on mammals, and several whose topic of discussion could
best be described as a travelogue.

The speakers, and their subjects, were as follows:

March 8: The Ruffed Grouse, by Dr. A. A. Allen.

March 22: Field Observations of Gorillas and Chimpanzees, by
Mr. Harry C. Raven.

April 12: The Study and Preparation of Skeletons, by Mr. S.
Harmsted Chubb.

April 26: Symposium on Hawks and Owls, led by Mr. Warren
I'. Eaton.

May 10: Two XVHIth Century Bird Lists, by Mr. L. N. Nichols.

May 24: Field Notes by Members.

October 1 1 : Field Notes by Members.

October 25: Mountain and Seacoast in Ecuador, by Dr. Robert
Cushman Murphy.

105

Xovember 8: Motion Pictures of Xew Jersey P«irds, by Mr.
Beecher S. Bowdisli.

Xovember 22; Throughout the Length and Breadtii of Indo-
China, by Mr. T. Donald Carter.

December 13: Observations on the Xestingof Rare Eastern Warb-
lers, by Mr. P. P>. Philipp.

December 27: Discussions of Christmas Censuses by Members,
and Bird Songs, by Mr. Albert R. Brand.

January 10: The Bird Life of Dutchess County, from the Records
of ^launsell S. Crosby, by Ludlow Griscom.

January 24: Our Sandhill Crane, Spoonbill, Eared Grebe, and
Trumpeter Swan, by Dr. Frank R. Oastler.

February 14; Progress Report Covering the First Three Years of
the Ruffed Grouse Investigation, by Dr. Gardiner Bump.

February 28: With Pinchot to the South Seas, by Mr. Howard
Cleaves.

This past year, as in the preceding one, field reports deposited
with the Secretary have been woefully disproportionate to the amount
of field work done. So little material has been turned in, that the
Society’s minutes give but little idea of the local ornithological situa-
tion. In this connection, the Secretary wishes to express to Mrs. Beals,
and to Messrs. Hickey, Mayr and Rich, his gratitude for the complete
and helpful migration data turned in by them.

The Society has continued its active interest in matters of con-
servation. Subscribing to the functions and purposes of the Hawk
and Owl Society, it affiliated itself with that organization as a sustain-
ing member. A resolution of opposition to rest days during the open
season on waterfowl, was sent to the Biological Survey. Last year’s
action on the Alaskan Brown Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island was
reaffirmed and an endorsing resolution sent to all members of Con-
gress, the Senate, and the Biological Survey. Cooperating with those
in charge of the Alley Pond Bird Sanctuary, Queens, the Society has
encouraged the building of bird houses by the school children of
Queens through the contribution of one of the prizes for a bird house
contest; the houses to be placed in the Sanctuary.

io6

Publication of Numbers 43-45 of the Abstract of Proceedings has
been undertaken, and is being advanced as expeditiously as the com-
bined efforts of President Eaton and those preparing the material can
achieve.

Perhaps the most noteworthy event in the year’s historj' of the
Society was the establishment, under the leadership of Dr. Ernst Mayr,
of a monthly seminar for the abstracting and discussion of current
papers concerned with field ornitholog}'. The formation of the seminar
evoked a gratifying reception from the Society’s members and it offers
an obviously welcome opportunity for more technical discussions than
are desirable or feasible in the regular meetings.

In closing, the Secretary wishes to express to many members of
the Society — notably Messrs. Eaton, J. F. Kuerzi and Urner — his
thanks for their unfailing cooperation during a year when demands
upon his time have been unusually stringent, and to include in this
report an appreciation of the thoughtful assistance of Miss Helen
Gunz, of the American Museum staff, in handling often troublesome
details in connection with securing speakers, and apprising the mem-
bership of the Society’s activities.

WiLLi.AM Vogt, Secretary.

107

Report of the Secretary for 1933-1934

Tlie Linnsean Society of Xew York has held, during the past
year, i6 regular and 4 informal summer meetings, and 7 ornithological
seminars. The average attendance at regular meetings has been ; 35
members and 35 guests ; at the summer meetings 22 members and 5
guests.

The Annual Dinner of the Society was held in the Flying Bird Hall
of the Museum, and the Annual Meeting as usual immediately follow-
ing in the Duplex Hall. The speaker of the evening was Dr. Herbert
Friedmann from the U. S. National Museum in Washington, on Social
Parasitism in Birds.

The following new officers were elected: President, Mr. John H.
Baker; Vice-President, Mr. Charles A. Urner; Secretary, Dr. Ernst
Mayr, and Treasurer, Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin.

During the year the Society has been so unfortunate as to lose by
death, Mr. Harold Herrick, a Eellow and Founder of the Society, and
three other members, Mr. E. Francis Hyde, Mr. C. A. Rundall, and
Mr. X. C. \’an Duyne.

Several members have resigned, or been dropped for non-payment
of dues; 13 new members were elected, and Dr. Frank M. Chapman
was elected a Fellow of the Society. The membership now stands:
Honorar)' Member, i; Fellows, 9; Xon-Resident Members, ii; Resi-
dent Members, 134. Total, 155; about the same as last year.

^lost of the papers read before the Society related to ornithology,
since this is the field in which the majority of the members is particu-
larly interested. There have been fewer travellogues than usual.

The speakers, and their subjects were as follows:

March 14, 1933, Social Parasitism in Birds, by Dr. Herbert
Friedmann.

March 28, 1933, Winter Crow Roosts in Connecticut, by Mr.
Robert P. Allen.

April II, 1933, The Journey to the Home of the Cock-of-the
Rock, by Mr. Ernest G. Holt.

April 25, 1933, Spring in England, by Dr. Robert Cushman
Murphy.

io8

May 9, 1933, Trails of a Naturalist in Santo Domingo, by Mr.
M'illiam G. Hassler.

]\Iay 23, 1933, Field-notes by Members.

October 10, 1933, Bird Names and Their Curious History, by Mr.
Ernest Ingersoll.

October 24, 1933, A Duck Replaced for Every Duck Killed, by
Mr. Newbold L. Herrick.

November 28, 1933, Photographing Our Native Birds, by Dr.
Claude W. Leister.

December 12, 1933, New York’s Wild Life Resources, by Mr.
Lithgow Osborne.

January 2, 1934, Symposium on the Christmas Census, 1933.

January 9, 1934, Bird Life in the West Indies, by Mr. James Bond.

January 23, 1934, The Distribution and Migrations of Certain
Whales, by Dr. Charles H. Townsend.

February 13, 1934, Reflections on the Long Island Bird Fauna,
by IMr. John T. Nichols.

February 27, 1934, The History of North America and its Faunas
during Tertiary Times, by Mr. Edwin H. Colbert.

March 13, 1934, The Derivation of the Present North American
Bird Fauna, by iMr. Ludlow Griscom.

The year 1933-34 has been notable in the history of the Society
for several reasons. The Society was one of the hosts at the 50th
anniversary of the A. O. U., and members of the Society acted as
guides on the various field-trips.

Thanks to the interest of the President, the Society took a very
active part in conservation matters. Two meetings were devoted to
these questions, and a special meeting was held in conjunction with
the National Association of Audubon Societies and the Hawk and
Owl Society. It was a matter of particular satisfaction to the mem-
bers of the Linnjean Society that during the past year the Presideni]
of the Society was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of tin
National Association of Audubon Societies. The new affiliation re
suited in closer cooperation between the organizations in various mat

lOQ

ters, and in the appointment of various members of the Society ta
special committees of the National Association.

Conservation problems that were of special interest during the
past year were the following; Regulations to stop the rapid decrease
of ducks; the interference of the mosquito control work with con-
servation ; the restoration of natural conditions in the parks of the
New York City area; and others.

No Abstracts appeared during the past year, since some of the
former Secretary's reports are not yet available, but \'olume III of
the Transactions was published by the Society, containing Ludlow Gris-
com’s “Birds of Dutchess County,” based on the notes on the late
Maunsell S. Crosby.

An Ornithological Seminar for the review of recent ornithological
literature and for informal discussions, was made an institution of the
Society and met with unexpected success. There were 6 meetings with
an average attendance of 22.

In conclusion it may be said that the steadily growing interest in
the life-history and ecology of birds which makes itself felt throughout
the world, has not failed to express itself in the activities of the mem-
bers of the Society. One great hope for the coming year lies in this
field.

The Secretary wishes to express to many members of the Society
his thanks for their cooperation during the past year, and to express
also his gratitude to iMiss Helen Gunz and other members of the
Museum staff for their assistance in handling troublesome details of
the business of the Society.

Ernst Mayr, Secretary.

Officers and Members of the Linnaean Society of New York

President - - - -

Vice-President - ■
Secretary - - - .

Recording Secretary
Treasurer - - - .

Editor - - - - -

OFFICERS 1934-1935

John H. Baker
Charles A. Urner

- Dr. Ernst Mayr

- Joseph J. Hickey
Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin

- Dr. Ernst Mayr

President - - - -

Vice-President - ■
Secretary - - - .

Recording Secretary
Treasurer - - - .

Editor - - - - -

OFFICERS 1935-1936

----- William Vogt

- - - -- -- -- -- - Joseph J. Hickey
---------- - Charles K. Nichols

Allan D. Cruickshank

- - - . Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb

----------- - Dr. Ernst Mayr

MEMBERSHIP LIST, MARCH i, i93S
Honorary Member

Stone, WitmER, Sc.D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fellows

Benner, Franklin, 322 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.

Chapman, Fr.ank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., The Plymouth, Washington, D. C.

Granger, Dr. Walter, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Griscom, Ludlow, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
Ingersoll, Ernest, 417 West 114th St., New York City.

Merriam, C. Hart, 1919 i6th St., N.W., Washington, D. C.

Nichols, John T., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Osborn, William C., % Osborn, Fleming & Whittlesey, 20 Exchange Place,
New York City.

XJrnEr, Charles A., 173 Chambers St., New York City.

Resident Members

Abbot, Mrs. Laura W., R. D. 2, Bristol, Pa.

Allen, Fred, 4202 Layton St., Jackson Heights, Long Island.

Allen, Robert P., Nat. Ass. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York City.
Archbold, Richard, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
-^STLE, William O., 43-.34 Burling Ave., Flushing, L. L, N. Y.

1 1 1

Baker, John H., 1165 Fifth Ave., New York City.

Baldwin, Roger N., ioo Fifth .-^ve.. New York City.

Beals, Mrs. A. T. (Marie 38-33 85th St., Elmhurst, Long Island.

Bishop, Louis B., 450 Bradford St., Pasadena, Cal.

BliemEyER, Miss Rose, 2 Horatio St., New York City.

Boehrer, Charles A., 500 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Boulton, W. R., Jr., Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111.

Boulton, Mrs. W. R., Raymond Place, Westport, Conn.

Bowdish, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J.

Bowen, Leon D., 77 Evergreen .-\ve., Bloomfield, N. J.

Brand, Albert R., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Brandreth, Courtenay, Ossining, N. Y.

BrEder, Charles M., Jr., New York Aquarium, New York City.

Brennan, Bernard, 554 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Breslau, Leo, % Laurel Printing Co., 100 W'arren St., New York City.

Brooks, Miss Margaret, Shore Road, Old Greenwich, Conn.

Brown, Clarence D., 222 Valley Road, Montclair, N. J.

Butler, Mrs. Ellis Parker, 144-41 35th St., Flushing, Long Island, N. Y.

Cairns, Dr. Alexander, 209 Ampere Parkway, Bloomfield, N. J.

Carleton, Geoffrey, 52 West 94th St., New York City.

Carr, William H., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Carter, T. Donald, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Chalif, Edward L., Short Hills, N. J.

Chapin, James P., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Chubb, Samuel H., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Church, Miss Cynthia, Kings Point, Great Neck, L. I.

Cleaves, Howard H., 8 Maretzek Court, Princess Bay, Staten Island.

Cobb, Dr. Clement B. P., 1261 Madison Ave., New York City.

Cook, William B., 65 Wesley Ave., Port Chester, N. Y.

CooLiDGE, Oliver, Broad Brook Road, Bedford Hills, N. Y.

Crandall, Lee S., New York Zoological Park, New York City.

Crowell, Noyes A., 216 West 105th St., New York City.

Cruickshank, Allan D., 379 Parkside Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Curtiss, Roy, Box 4231, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.

Davis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, Staten Island.

Denton, Myron P., M.D., 146 East 37th St., New York City.

Desmond, Thomas C., 56 Second St., Newburgh, N. Y.

Eaton, Warren F., 63 Normal Ave., Upper Montclair, N. J.

Edge, Mrs. C. N., 136 East 67th St., New York City.

Edwards, James L., 27 Stanford Place, Montclair, N. J.

Eliot, Ellsworth, Jr., M.D., 34 East 67th St., New York City.

Farley, Colvin, 4 Martine Ave., White Plains, N. Y.

Ferguson, Henry L., 250 Park Ave., New York City.

II2

Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Fleisher, Edward (Prof.), Brooklyn College, Pearl and Willoughby Sts.,
Brooklyn, N. Y.

Friedman, Ralph, i66 Second Ave., Penthouse D, New York City.

Frost, Allen, 27 Holmes St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Fry, Mrs. Gladys Gordon, 66 Eagle Rock Way, Montclair, N. J.

Garvan, Mrs. Francis P., 22 East 47th St., New York City.

Gotthold, Arthur F., .S2 William St, New York City.

Grinnell, Lawrence L., in East 8oth St., New York City.

Guernsey, Raymond G., Eden Terrace, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Gutlohn, Mrs. W'alter, 215 West goth St., New York City.

Hagood, Major Lee, 15 West 51st St., New York City.

Harriot, Samuel C., Nat. Ass. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York City.
Hasbrouck, Henry C., 61 Broadway, New York City.

Heck, Edson B., M.D., 117 West nth St., New York City.

Helme, Arthur H., 223 Bayview Terrace, Port Jefferson, Long Island.
Helmuth, Dr. W. T., HI, 667 Madison Ave., New York City.

Herbert, Richard, 961 Fox St., New York City.

Herbst, Mrs. Cynthia Kuser, Bernardsville, N. J.

Hickey, Joseph, 2952 Marion Ave., New York City.

Hix, George E., % Equitable Life Insurance Co., 393 Seventh Ave., New York
City.

Holgate, W. D., 155 West 82nd St., New York City.

Howland, R. H., 1270 Sixth Ave., New York City.

Hunter, Roland Jackson, 68 Broad St., Fr^hold, N. J.

Hyde, Erederick William, 340 43rd St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Ingersoll, Mrs. Raymond V., 380 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Ingraham, Edward A., 16 Court St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Janvrin, E. R. P., M.D., 38 East 85th St., New York City.

Jaques, E. L., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Johnson, Julius M., Haaren High School, 120 West 46th St., New York City.

Kassoy, Irving, 859 Hunts Point Ave., New York City.

Kieran, John F., 500 West 239th St., New York City.

Knoblauch, GEO. W., 27 West 44th St., New York City.

Kuerzi, John F., 978 Woodycrest Ave., New York City.

Kuerzi, Richard, 978 Woodycrest Ave., New York City.

Kuser, John Dryden, Bernardsville, N. J.

LaDow, Stanley Vaughan, 56 West 12th St., New York City.

Lang, Edward B., 31 Ilford Ave., North Arlington, N. J.

Lang, Herbert, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.

Litchfield, Miss Gertrude, 183rd St. and Pinehurst Ave., Hudson View Gardens,
N. Y.

Lunt, Miss Helene, 114 Nagle Ave., New York City.

Mathews, Wm. H., 27 St. Andrews Place, Yonkers, N. Y.

Mayr, Ernst, Ph.D., .American Museum of Natural Historj', New York City.
McAuliffe, George B., M.D., 26 West 87th St., New York City.

McBride, Arthur, 43-42 Murray St., Flushing, Long Island, N. Y.

Mills, Dudley H., Glen Cove, L. I.

Murdock, James, 3202 Hull Ave., New York City.

Naumburg, Mrs. Elsie M. B., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

Nelson, Miss Theodora, 2695 Heath Ave., New York City.

Nichols, Charles K., 31 Ethelbert Place, Ridgewood, N. J.

Nichols, Mrs. C. K., 31 Ethelbert Place, Ridgewood, N. J.

Nichols, Edward G., Rev., % L. N. Nichols, 315 East 68th St., New York City.
Nichols, L. Nelson, 315 East 68th St., New York City.

Oastler, Frank R., M.D., 45 East 85th St., New York City.

Osborn, Prof. Henry Fairfield, .American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

Peterson, Roger T., Nat. Ass. .Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York City.
Philhower, Charles A., Westfield, N. J.

Philipp, P. Bernard, 220 Broadway, New York City.

Plant, Miss Caroline, 61 West 55th St^ New York City.

Quattlebaum, W. D., 1925 Paloma St., Pasadena, Calif.

Rich, M. C., 92 Morningside Ave., New York City.

Rich, Mrs. M. C., 92 Morningside Ave., New York City.

Riker, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.

Rockefeller, J. Sterling, 791 Park Ave., New York City.

Rogers, Charles H., Princeton Museum of Zoology, Princeton, N. J.

Rose, George C., 202 Linden Road, Mineola, Long Island, N. Y.

Runyon, Mrs. Clarkson, Jr., 1175 Park Ave., New York City.

Rusling, Whliam j., 335 Central Ave., West Caldwell, N. J.

Scott, F. Clement, 1035 Hillside Ave., Plainfield, N. J.

Sedwitz, Walter, 124 West 79th St., New York City.

Smith, Mrs. H. W., Box 461, Islip, N. Y.

Staloff, Charles, 75 Fort AA'ashington Ave., New York City.

Stevens, Charles W., M.D., i West 68th St., New York City.

Stevens, Mrs. Charles W., i West 68th St., New York City.

Stewart, Miss E. Grace, 457 West 123rd St., New York City.

Stoddard, Mrs. Ralph, 535 Oak Ave., Flushing, Long Island, N. Y.

Streeter, Daniel D., 217 Havemeyer St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Stryker, Carol, Staten Island Museum, New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y.

Taylor, Irving K., % W. A. Taylor & Co., 12-16 Vestry St., New York City.
Thomas, Allen M., Graham School, Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y.

Thomas, Mrs. Margaret L., 316 West 93rd St., New York City.

Thornton, A. P., 27 West 44th St., New York City.

Tucker, Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

Tucker, Mrs. Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

VAN DEuzEn,. Hobart, 406 Parker St., Newark, N. J.

Vogt, William, Jones Beach Bird Sanctuary, Wantagh, L. I.

Walsh, Lester L., 532 Spring Ave., Ridgewood, N. J.

Walters, Frank, 512 Grand Central Palace, New York City.

Weber, J. A., 151 Grand Ave., Leonia, N. J.

Webster, Mrs. J. E. B., 16 Davis Place, East Orange, N. J.

Whitman, Roger, 540 East 89th St., New York City.

Wilcox, LeRoy, Speonk, L. I.

Wilson, David, 48 Warren St., Bloomfield, N. J.

WooDELTON, Mrs. Helen S., 454 Seventh St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Yates, Leicester B., 801 Riverside Drive, New York, N. Y.

Non-Resident Members

Ayer, Mrs. Nathan Edward, 1300 Hillcrest Drive, Pomona, Cal.

Baasch, K. W., 86 Harrison Ave., Baldwin, Long Island.

Holt, Ernest G., Box 667, La Crosse, Wis.

Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ingersoll, a. M., 908 F St., San Diego, Cal.

Kritzler, Henry, 36-27 216th St., Bayside, Long Island, N. Y.

MatuszEwski, John F., “Evonymus,” Hicks Lane, Westbury, Long Island.
Morris, Robert T., M.D., Box 554, Stamford, Conn.

OberholsEr, Harry C., Ph.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Riggenbach, H. E., % A. Sarasin & Co., Basle, Switzerland.

Scott, Robert, 39-21 214th Place, Bayside, Long Island, N. Y.

SETon, Ernest Thompson, College of Indian Wisdom, Santa Fe, N. M.
Williams, Laidlaw, Box 453, Carmel, Cal.

Please notify Secretary of any change of address.

Also inform Secretary if you fail to receive regularly the “Bulletin of the
New York Academy of Sciences.”

^Acanthis liiiaria Unaria 6i, 73, 99

-iccif'iter coopcri 45, 87

■iccipitcr vclox velox 45

Actitis macularia 47, 90

Aepyornis 4

Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus.56, 98, 102

Aix sponsa 44, 66

4lca torda 69, 93

Alle alle 50, 69, 93

Ammodramus savannarum australis.. 73

.■hninospiaa c. caudacuta 57, 73, 99

.Ammospiza caudacuta subvirgata . .^7, 99

Annnospiza inaritiina maritima 57

Anas platyrhynchus platyrhynchus. . . 43

.Alias rubripes 43

Anas rubripes tristis 85

Anthus spinoletta rubescens 54, 96

Antrostomus vocijerus vociferus. . .70, 94

•Aptenodytes 16

.Archacornis 3- 10

.Archaeopteryx 6, 7

Archilochus colubris 51

Ardea herodias herodias 42

Ardea wurdemanni 84

Arenaria interpres nwrinella . .47, 68, 89

Arquatella maritima 47, 68, 90

Asia flammeus flammeus 51, 93

fAsio unlsonianus 50, 70, 93

Astuir atricapillus atricapillus J5, 67

I Baeolophus bicolor 71, 95

I Bartramia longicauda 47, 68, go

Bonasa umbeUus umbellus 67, 88

Bombycilla cedrorum 36, 54, 96

Botaurus lentiginosics 43, 65, 85

Branta bernicla hrota . . 43. 66, 85

Branta canadensis canadensis . .4^, 65, 85

Branta leucopsis 85

Bubo virginianus virginianus 70, 93

Buteo borealis borealis 45

Buteo lagopus sancti-johannis . . . .45, 88

Buteo lineatus lineatus 88

Buteo platypterus platypterus 67, 88

Butorides virescens virescens 43, 84

Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus. . .$8, 100

Calidris canutus rufus 47, 90

Capella delicata 47, 89

Carduelis carduelis 73, 99

Carpodacus purpureus purpureus . .^7, 90

Casmerodius albus egret ta 42, 65, 84

Cat hart es aura septentrionalis 67, 87

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. .47, 68, 90

Ceophloeus pileatus abieticola 94

Cepphus grylle grylle 69

Certhia familiaris antericana 53, 71

Chactura pelagica 51, 70

Charadrius melodus 46, 67

Charadrius semipalmatus 46, 67, 89

Charitonetta albeola 44

Chaulelasmus streperus 43, 66, 85

Chen cacrulescens 43

Chen hyperborea subsp 43, 85

Chlidonias nigra surinamensis 50, 93

Chondestes grammacus grammacus.^8, 99

Chordeiles minor minor 51, 70, 94

Cistothorus stellaris 53, 71, 95

Circus hudsomus 45

Cladornis 17

Clangula hyemalis 44, 66, 87

Coccothraustes 36

Coccyzus ainericanus americanus . .^o, 93

Coccyzus erythropthalmus 50, 69

Colaptes auratiis lutcus 51

Colinus z'irginianus virginianus .... 46, 67

Colymbrus auritus 42, 65, 83

Colymbus grisegena holboelli 42, 83

Compsothlypis americana pusilla 55

Corthylio calendula calendula 54, 96

Corz’us b. brachyrhynchos 52

Corinis corax principalis 71

Corvus ossifragus 52, 71

Coturnicops noveboracensis 46, 88

Creciscus jamaicensis stoddardi 46, 88

Crocethia alba 48, 91

Cryptoglaux acadica acadica 70, 94

Cyanocitta cristata cristata. . . .52, 71, 94
Cygnus columbianus 65, 85

ii6

Dafila acuta tzitzihoa 44, 66, 86

Dendroica aestiva aesth'a 55

Dendroica caerulea 72, 97

Dendroica c. caerulescens 55, 72

Dendroica coronata 55, 72

Dendroica castanea 55, 97

Dendroica discolor discolor 55, 97

Dendroica dominica dominica 97

Dendroica fttsca 55, 72, 102

Dendroica magnolia 55, 72, 102

Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea.^s, 97

Dendroica palmarum palmarum 55, 97

Dendroica petisylvanica 55, 72, 97

Dendroica pinus pinus 55, 97

Dendroica striata 55, 72

Dendroica tigrina 55, 72, 97

Dendroica virens virens 55, 72, 97

Diatryma 5

Dolichonyx oryzivorus 56, 98

Dryobates pubescens me dianus 51

Dryobates villosus villosus 51, 70

Dumetella carolinensis 53, 71, 95

Ectapistes migratorius 60

Egretta thula thula 42, 84

Empidonax flaanventris 51, 70

Empidonax minimus 52, 70, 94

Empidonax trailli trailli 51, 70

Ereunetes materii 48, 91

Ereunetes pusillus 48, 91

Erismatura jamdcensus rubida.^s, 66, 87

Erolia testacea 48, 68

Euphagus carolinus 56, 98

Falco columbarius columbarius.46, 67, 88

Falco peregrinus anatum 46, 67

Falco rusticolus obsoletus 45, 102

Falco sparverius span^erius 46

Florida caerulea caerulea 42, 65, 84

Fratercula 36

Fratercula arctica arctica 93

Fulica americana americana. . .46, 67, 89

Gallinula chloropus cachinnans 67, 88

Gavia immer immer 42, 65, 83

Gavia stellata 42, 83

Gelochelidon nilotica aranea 49

Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla.^S, 56, 98
Glaucionetta clangtda americana.44, 66, 87

Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus 45

Haliaeetus leucocephalus subsp 88

Hedymeles ludovicianus 57

Helmitheros vermivorus 54, 72, 96

Hesperiphona %'espertiita vespertina . . 99

Hesperornis 2

Hirundo erythrogaster 52, 70

Histrionicus histrionicus histrionicus . . 44

Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis 42, 84

Hydro progne caspia imperator..^o, 69, 93

Hylociclila fuscescens fuscescens 53

Hylocichla guttata faxoni 53, 71, 95

Hylociclila minima aliciae 53

Hylocichla minima minima 71, 96

Hylocichla mustelina 53, 71

Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni . . S3, 71, 96

Icteria virens virens 56, 72, 98

Icterus galbula 56, 73

Icterus spurius 56, 98

lonornis martinica 46

Iridoprocne bicolor 52, 70, 94

Ixobrychus exilis exilis 43, 65, 85

Junco hyemalis hyemalis 58, 73, 99

Lanins borealis borealis 54, 71, 96

Lanius ludozncianus migrans . . . $4, 71, 96

Larus argentatus smithsonianus 49, 92

Larus atricilla 49, 92

Larus delawarensis 49

Larus fuscus graellsi loi

Larus hyperboreus 49, 69, 92

Larus kumlicni 49, 92

Larus leucopterus 49, 69, 92

Larus leucopterus x Larus argentatus

thayeri 49, 92

Larus marinus 49, 69, 92

Larus minutus 92

Larus Philadelphia 49, 92

Limnodromus f^riseus griseus 48. 91

Linmodromus g. scolopaceus. .48, 68,91
Limosa fedoa 48, 68, 91

117

Limosa haeiiiastica 48, 91

Lobipes lobatus 49, 92

Lophodytes auuUatus 45, 67, 87

Lophortyx calif arnica z'allicola 67

Loxia curvirostra 6r, 73

Loxia leucoplera 61, 99

Mareca americana 44, 66, 86

Mareca penclope 43, 66, 85

Megaceryle alcyon alcyon 51

Melanerpes erythrocephalus.$i,70,g4, 102

Melanitia deglandi 45, 66

Melanitta perspicillata 45, 87

Melospiza georgiana 58

Melospiza lincolni lincolni 58, 73, 100

Melospiza melodia melodia 58

Mergus merganser americanus 45, 87

Mergus serrator 45, 87

Mesites 5

Micropalama himantopus 48, 68, 91

Mimus polyglottos polyglottos .53, 71, 95

Mniotilta varia 54, 96

Molothrus ater ater 57

Moris bassana 42, 65, 84

Myiarchus crinitus boreus 51, 70

Myiochanes virens 52, 70

Nannus hiemalis hiemalis 53, 71

Nettion carolinense 44, 66, 86

Nettion crecca 44, 66, 86

Numenius americanus americanus.... 47

NitttaUornis mesoleucus 52, 70, 94

Nyctanassa violacea violacea. . .42,, 65, 85

Nyctea nyctea 50, 93

Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli 43, 65

Nyroca affinis 44, 66

Nyroca americana 44, 86

Nyroca collaris 44, 66, 86

Nyroca marila 44, 86

Nyroca valisineria 44, 66, 86

Oceanites oceanicus 42, 84

Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa.33, 83

Oidemia americaw 45

Oporornis agilis 56, 72, 98

Oporornis formosus 97

Oporornis Philadelphia 72, 98

Otocoris alpestris alpestris 52, 94

Otocoris alpestris praticola 52

Otus asio naeinus 50, 69

Oxyechus vociferus vociferus 46, 89

Pagolla wilsonia unlsonia 64

Pagophila alba 102

Palamedea 14

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis 45, 88

Passer domesticus domesticus 36, 56

Passerculus princeps 57, 73, 99

Passerculus sandzinchensis 57, 99

Passerella iliaca iliaca 58, 100

Passerherbulus h. susurrans 57, 73, 99

Passerina cyanea 57, 99

Pelecanus occidcntalis occidentalis . . . 42

Pelidna alpina sakhalina 48, 68, 91

Penguins 7-n, 14-17

Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus 52

Petrochelidon a. albifrons 52, 60, 102

Phaeopus borealis 89

Phaeopus hudsonicus 47

Phaeopus phaeopus phaeopus 47, 89

Phalacrocorax auritus auritus. 42, 65. 84

Phalacrocorax carbo carbo 42, 65, 84

Phalaropus fulicarius 49, 68, 91

Phasianus colchicus 46

Philohela minor 68

Philomachus pugnax 64, 68

Pinicola enucleator leitcura 99

Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus 57, 73, 99

Piranga erythromelas 57, loi

Pisobia bairdi 48, 68, 91

Pisobia fuscicollis 48, 90

Pisobia melanotos 48, 68, 90

Pisobia minutilla 48

Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis .. 73, 100

Plegadis fakinellus fcdcinellus 65

Ploceus philippinus 33

Pluvialis dominica dominica. . . .47, 67, 89
Podilymbtis podiceps podiceps.42, 65, 83
Polioptila caerulea caerulea . . . .$4, 71, 96

Pooecefes g. gramineus 57, 73, 100

Porzana Carolina 46, 67, 88

Pitffinus diomedea borealis 42

ii8

Puffinus gravis 42, 65,

Puffinus griseus 42, 65,

Progne subis subis 52, 70,

Philomachus pugnax
Pygoscelis papua . . .

Querquedula discors 44, 66,

Quiscalus quiscalus aeneus 57,

Quiscalus quiscalus quiscalus. . -S7, 73,

Rallus elegans elegans 67,

Rallus limicola limicola 46,

Rallus longirostris crepitans. . .46, 67,

Ratitae 2,

Recurvirostra americana

Regulitts satrapa salrapa

Rhea

Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis.73,

Riparia riparia riparia

Rissa tridactyla tridactyla 49, 69,

Rynchops nigra nigra 50, 69,

Sayornis phoebe . . .
Seiurus aurocapillus
Seiurus rnotacilla . .

Seiurus n. noveboracensis 56,

Setophaga ruHcilla

Sialia sialis sialis 54,

Sitta canadensis 52, 71,

Sitta carolinensis carolincnsis

Somateria spectabilis 44,

Spatula clypeata 44, 66,

Sphyrapicus varius varius 51, 70,

Spinus tristis tristis

Spizella arborea arborea 58,

Spizella pallida 58, 73,

.Spizella passerina passerina. .58, 73,

Spizella pusilla pusilla 35,

Squatarola squatarola 47, 67,

Steganopus tricolor 49, 69,

Stelgidopteryx r. serripennis . . .52, 70,

Stercorarius longicaudus

Stercorarius parasiticus 49,

Stercorarius pomarinus 49, 69,

Sterna antillarum antillarum 50,

Sterna dougalli dougalli

Sterna forsteri 49, 69, 93

Sterna hirundo hirundo 50, 69, 93

Sterna paradisaea 50, 93

Sturnella magna magna 56

Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris 54

Struthio 4

Struthiominms 6

Telmatodytes p. palustris 53, 71, 95

Thryothorus 1. ludovicianus.^3, 61, 71, 9?

Totanus flavipes 47, 68, 90

Totanus melanoleucus 47, 68, 90

Toxostoma rufum 53, 71, 95

Turdus migratorius migratorius . . .S3< 95

Tringa solitaria solitaria 47, 9®

Troglodytes aedon aedon 53, 95

Tryngites subruficollis 68, 91

Tyrannus tyrannus 51, 70, 94

Tyrannus verticalis 51. 94

Tyto alba pratincola 69, 93

Uria lomvia lomvia 50, 69, 93

V ermivora celata celata 55, 72, 97

Vermivora chrysoptera 72, 97

Vermivora peregrina 55. 97

Vermivora pinus 35, 54, 7^

Vermivora r. ruficapilla 55. 72

Vireo flavifrons 61

Vireo gilvus gilvus 54. 96

Vireo griseus griseus 54

Vireo olivaceus 54. "2. 96

Vireo philadelphicus 96

Vireo solitarius solitarius. .S4> 72, 96, 102

Wilsonia canadensis 56, 73, 9^

Wilsonia citrina 73, 98

Wilsonia pusilla pusilla 56

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.s6. 61, 62

Zarhynchus wagleri 33

Zenaidura macroura carolincnsis 50

Zonotrichia albicolHs 58, 73

Zonotrichia 1. leucophrys 58, 73, too

, 88

. 98

, 92

. 93

, 95

100

Breeding Bird Data Wanted

There are very limited data available concerning the various
phases of the life-history of the breeding birds of the New York
Region. The Linnsan Society of New York is attempting to collect
such data in preparation for a new edition of the “Birds of the New
York City Region.’’

Your assistance in this enterprise is solicited. Will you please
take careful notes on all birds’ nests discovered by you during the
1935 breeding season and send them to the Linnasan Society of Xew
York, American Museum of Natural History.

Information should be in the following form:

Killdeer ; Englewood, X. J.

May 19, 1935, nest with 4 eggs
or

Hooded Warbler; Greenwood Lake, X. J.

June 21, 1935, nest with 5 half grown young
June 26, 1935, young leaving nest

It is particularly important to determine
the exact incubation period
the fledging time

the survival rate (if a number of nests are ob-
served)

and to secure information on the participation of
sexes in
nest-building
incubation
feeding of young

The Secret.ary.

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A ‘A ir-'

1935 No. 47

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Year Ending
March, 1935

Date of Issue, March 31, 1936
Price; Seventy-five Cents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Warren Francis Eaton — An Obituary - I

A List of the Birds of Essex County and of Hudson County, N. J.,
With Especial Reference to City Growth and Bird Population.

By Warren F. Eaton - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - j

Shorebirds of the North and Central New Jersey Coast. By Charles
A. Umer 77

The Half-Hardy Birds That Wintered Through 1933-1934 in the New
York City Region. By Walter Sedwits - -- 90

Observations from Field and Study - -- 98

A Surprising Encounter. Bird Mental Capacity.

By Charles A. Urner. By Charles A. Umer.

The Ornithological Year 1934 in the New York City Region. By Joseph
J. Hickey - -- -- -- -- -- - 100

Report of the Secretary for 1934-1935 - -- -- -- -- -- - 132

Officers and Membership Changes of the Linnaean Society of New
York 135

Index - -- -- - 137

Announcement of Linnaean Prize for Ornithological Research - - 142

[The name of the regular publication of the Linnaean Society of New York
beginning with Nos. 45 and 46 was changed from “Abstract of the Proceedings
. . to “Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New York.”]

WARREN FRANCIS EATON
1900....1936

WARREN FRANCIS EATON

1900-1936

Warren Francis Eaton, ex-president of the Einnaean Society
of New York, and one of the most forceful and vigorous workers of
his generation in the cause of bird conservation, passed away at Moun-
tainside Hos])ital, Montclair, X. J., on February 16, 1936.

Born in the town of Weston, Mass., the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Eaton, he manifested at a tender age an interest in nature'
and especially in birds. Much of his spare time and recreation as a
child, as a pupil in school, and as a student at Harvard, from which
he was graduated in 1922, was devoted to a study of bird life.

Possessed of a strong constitution and a wiry physique, he was
able to indulge to a full his love for the outdoors and for all natural
sciences. The wild trails of the Green Mountains he often explored
and he contributed substantially while still a student in college to the
knowledge of the bird life of that region. He revelled in the ornitho-
logical associations life at Cambridge permitted and he there became
an active member of the Xuttall Ornithological Club, serving as its
secretary.

From Xew England he came to Xew York, entering the cotton
goods business. But his heart and his paramount interest were with the
birds in their struggle to hold place before man’s progressive occupancy
of the country. His was not a maudlin sentiment — rather a most mas-
culine interest in the fate of the losers in the struggle to survive. This
is well shown by his early and sustained interest in the Hawks and
the Owls — predators all, preying upon other forms of life in their
effort to sustain themselves. But the friendlessness of these much-
harried bird forms and the growing danger of their extermination led
Mr. Eaton to assert his natural aggressiveness and to push himself to
the front as their protector and champion.

Warren Eaton gloried in the birds of prey, his adoration amount-
ing almost to an obsession. He was the prime mover and organizer
of the Hawk and Owl Society and he threw his energies into the fight
even though many friends of the predatory birds felt their cause lost.
Long odds against him never daunted Warren Eaton. As president
of the Hawk and Owl Society and later as head of the Hawk and

Owl protection work of the National Association of Audubon Societies,
he carried his fight into the enemies’ camp and he won, and was ever
winning for himself and his cause, wider recognition and respect
among game officials and sportsmen’s organizations.

Then death overtook him. Cut off in the full bloom of his vigor-
ous manhood — he was but 35 years old — his loss was a tragic blow,
not only to his family and friends, but to the great cause of conserva-
tion in general and to the future of our predatory birds in particular.

Warren Eaton was a veritable dynamo, constantly creating energy
and a will to do; a prodigious worker and a resourceful general. His
labors in behalf of the Linnaean Society of New York, which he
joined in 1924, have contributed definitely to the growth and interest
in the organization. He served for a number of years as a member
of its council, also as secretary, vice-j)resident and president. It was
Mr. Eaton who initiated the monthly summer meetings, so interesting
to the active field workers of the Society.

Mr. Eaton’s contribution to the knowledge of the bird life of his
adopted state. New Jersey, was already considerable at the time of
his death. His historical survey of the Birds of Essex and Hudson
Counties, which he finished shortly before his fatal illness and which
is published herewith, gives proof of his enthusiasm, his willingness
to search right into the city doorste])S and wastebaskets for the facts
of bird distribution, and the intensity of his search of the literature
for knowledge of the past. He was an avid reader. He had just
started a similar study of the birds of Passaic County, N. J., and he
had identified himself with various state organizations formed to
gather greater knowledge of the birds of the state — the New Jersey
Ornithological Society, which he founded, and the New Jersey Eield
Ornithologists Club, with which he affiliated.

It is rare indeed that nature, in the strange intricacies of her ways
in planting within us humans the seeds of our contrasting attributes,
bestows upon any individual such an unusual combination of sujier-
lative enthusiasm for a cause and such outstanding ability effectively
to labor in its behalf. In the passing of Warren Eaton the cause of
conservation and the ])astime of field ornithology have lost an aggres-
sive leader, with a potential for constantly expanding achievement.
1'he members of the Einnaean vSociety of New York have lost a treas-
ured and a stimulating com])anionship. — C. A. Ih

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

1935 MARCH, 1936 No. 47

A List of the Birds of Essex Co. and of Hudson Co., N. J.

With E.special Reference to City Growth and
Bird Population
By Warren F. Eato.n

The excellent papers published in the Abstract of Proceedings of
the Linnaean Society, “The Observations of the Late E. P. Bicknell at
Riverdale, Fifty Years Ago” by Ludlow Griscom, “The Birds of the
Greater Bronx Region” by John F. Kuerzi and the “Birds of the Union
County Region” by C. A. Urner, have served as inspiration for this
paper. M'hereas Mr. Griscom’s article was largely a summary of the
results of Mr. Bicknell’s observations and Mr. Urner’s was practically
his own alone, this list is a combination of records by the writer from
1925 to September, 1935, with the field data of numerous observers
in the areas considered. In 1930 the Montclair Bird Club compiled a
mimeographed list of 271 species, entitled “Preliminary list of the
birds of the Essex County Region,” which has been largely drawn
upon for Essex County records. I am greatly indebted to the following
persons, chiefly members of the Montclair Bird Club or of the Linnaean
Society for their notes and to a less extent to others mentioned in the
text itself: Messrs. James L. Edwards (J. L. E.), Charles A. Urner
(C. A. U.), Robert Clausen (R. C.), R. F. Haulenbeek (R. F. H.),
R. H. Howland (R. H. H.), William Rusling (W. R.), E. I. Stearns,
Jr. (E. S.), Louis S. Kohler (L. S. K.). Lester L. Walsh (L. L. W.),
Floyd Wolfarth (F. W.), Evarts Loomis (E. L.), O. P. Medsger (O.
P. M.), Edward Chaliff (E. C.), E. S. Marks (E. S. M.) and to Mrs.

C. S. Hegeman (Mrs. C. S. H.) and Mrs. Laura W. Abbott (Mrs. L.
W. A.). * Dr. James P. Chapin also, kindly put at my disposal the
few notes of the late W. de W. Miller on birds of these two counties.

Thanks are due Miss Eleanor Herrick for the opportunity of quot-
ing from her grandfather’s diary (Mr. Harold Herrick, late member
of the Linnaean Society), and the well-known papers of Dr. Witmer
Stone, the “Birds of New Jersey” (1909), Air. C. A. Urner, “The Birds
of Union County” and Air. Ludlow Griscom’s “Birds of the New York
City Region” have served as sources.

My personal observations have been distributed in both counties
and over all the months of the year as follows;

FIELD TRIPS

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept

. Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Essex - - -

Hudson - - -

These all represent trips of considerable length in the field from
an hour or so, to full days, chiefly, on foot in the most desirable places.
In addition, I have made many scattering observations by train or ferry
in my daily commuting through the two counties, across the Hacken-
sack Meadows and the Hudson River to New York. I have also not
counted as trips the numerous short observations of a few moments
duration in the vicinity of my residence in Upper Alontclair. Except
for limited vacations or absences I have seen some interesting bird or
other nearly every day of the year in the region considered. Aly
friends have been most indefatigable in reporting notable finds or
unusual observations. Literature published has been consulted,
museum collections checked, and old residents interviewed in the hope
of adding to the total knowledge of this area. In the annotated list I
have excluded records of adjacent Union, Bergen, Alorris and Passaic
Counties, confining the records strictly to the counties considered al-
though a number of species are thereby eliminated. It is admitted that
this definition is an artificial one, but as the survey is not ecological
but distributional, I have let it go at that ; for a study of the Palisades,

*Inttlala are those used In the annotated list.

the Passaic V’alley and the Hackensack Valley or the Watchung
Mountains, of which the two counties are a part, would carry us far
afield.

The chief factor underlying my concept of the paper is the effect
of human population upon the wild bird-life. To understand this,
remember that the total area of Hudson is 43 square miles, of Essex
127 square miles, while the population in 1930 (since increased) was
Hudson 691,000 and Essex 832,300, a total of 1,523,300 in an area of
I/O square miles or an average density of 9,495 per square mile. Forty
years earlier the density was only one-third or 3,124 per square mile.
Such a tremendous growth has had a rapid and very adverse effect
upon the bird-life (for comparative population and area figures, see
table I).

T.^BLE I

Population (From World .Almanac)
New Jersey
7,154 Square Allies

1790 - - - - -

- - - 184,000

1800 - - - - -

- - ' 211,000

1810 - - - - -

- - - 246,000

1820 - - - - -

- - - 278,000

1830 - - - - -

- - - 321,000

1840 - - - - -

- - - 373.000

1850 - - - - -

- - - 490.000

i860 - - - - -

- - - 672,000

1870 906,000

1880 1,131,000

1890 - -- -- -- - 1,444,000

1900 - -- -- -- - 1,884,000

1910 2,537,000

1920 - -- -- -- - 3,156,000

1930 -------- 4,041,000

Essex

Hudson

Union

Bergen

Passaic

Morris

127

43.

103

237.

196

475

Year

sq. mi.

A'ear

sq. mi.

1890 -

- 256,000

275.000

72,000

1890 -

- 47,000

105,000

54,000

1900 -

- 359,000

386,000

99,000

1900 -

- 78,000

155,000

65,000

1910 -

- 513,000

537.000

140,000

1910 -

- 138,000

216,000

75,000

1920 -

- 652,000

629.000

200,000

1920 -

- 21 1,000

259,000

83,000

1930 -

- 832,307

691.000

305,000

1930 -

- 365,000

302,000

110,000

People Per Square Mile

New Jersey ------- 565 Bergen - -- -- -- -- 1,600

Union - -- -- -- -- 3,000 Passaic - -- -- -- -- 1,500

Hudson -------- - 16,000 Morris - -- -- -- -- 230

Essex - -- -- -- -- 6,600

Hudson-Essex - - 170 square miles Population 1930 - - - - 1,523,000

Average per square mile in 1890 - 3,124 .Average per sq. mi. in 1930 - 8,960

Other considerations are at once evident from any road map —
that Hudson County is very largely surrounded by water, in fact con-

tains a large proportion of tide water area, and that the Hackensack
River meadow portion west of Bergen Hill is very sparsely peopled.
Essex County contains a smaller portion of water surface on Newark
Bay and the Passaic River, but west of the second Watchung Ridge
is a considerable block of land in the Great Piece Meadow-Hatfield
Swamp section of the Passaic Valley which is unsettled. There is
also a considerable portion of park land in the South Mountain Reser-
vation, of “waste” land at Port Newark and of farm land in the Cald-
well-Livingston area. It is probably a safe guess that in one hundred
of the 170 square miles the population therefore approximates 14,000
persons to the mile. The large cities of Newark, Jersey City, East
Orange, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, Kearney, etc., would seem
to preclude any great variety of bird-life.

It is well to bear in mind that Hudson County is bounded on the
east for its whole extent (13 miles) by the Hudson River and Upper
New York Bay, and on the west by Newark Bay and the Passaic River,
being cut in two and bounded also by the Hackensack River, both
wide, tidal streams now navigable for large ships. Three-quarters of
Newark Bay and more than half of New York Bay from St. George,
S. I., north, is within our area. About half of the primitive Hacken-
sack Marsh and the Newark-Elizabeth Meadows are included. Half
the route of the New York-Staten Island Ferry passes through Hud-
son County which includes also Ellis and Bedloe’s (Statue of Liberty)
Islands, Robbins Reef, and such interesting areas as Snake and Little
Snake Hills, and the Secaucus cedar swamps. Reverting back to primi-
tive days, it is obvious that here the combination of salt water and
rocky islands, tidal marsh and wooded islands, brackish cedar swamp
and wet meadow, high and heavily wooded ridges, three big rivers,
numerous creeks and clear upland brooks, fresh water swamps of great
extent and large sections of trap rock ridges over 400 feet in height
combined to make ideal conditions for concentration of bird-life. Fur-
thermore, the latitude is such that it is almost the junction point of the
Transition and Carolinian wild-life zones and also the theoretical junc-
tion point of the streams of bird migration following Long Island
from east to west, the Hudson north to south, the Hackensack Valley
and the Watchung ridge.

In early days all the tidal bays were abundantly stocked with fish,
shellfish and sea food of all sorts and the hills with forest foods, such
as mast, berries, fruits and the like. Diversity of environment meant
diversity and concentration of bird life. Remnants of the once great
wild-life population remain and a certain bit of historical data assists
in reconstructing the past. The Golden Plover still follow their ances-
tral routes to the Newark Meadows, the fresh-water ducks still use
the Hackensack flyway, the salt-water species still migrate on the Hud-
son and winter in New York Bay, the hawks still move northward
along the Watchung ridge in spring and the floods of land birds seek
resting places where once were fine wooded areas harboring the count-
less thousands of the wild or Passenger Pigeons. Only remnants of
the above remain but still they are most interest-compelling; the full
truth we shall never know. Quite conceivably the Purple Sandpiper
wintered on the rocky shores of the Kill van Kull, or the Oyster-
catcher summered at Caven Point, the eagle nested in the tall trees of
the Palisades, mergansers in the cedar swamps of the meadows, the
Pileated Woodpecker on the wooded slope of the trap-rock ridges, the
Labrador Duck fed on the sea foods of Robbins Reef, the Great Auk
swam in and out of the narrows in New York Bay. Probably the great
swans fed in white flocks on Newark Bay just as they do today on the
Chesapeake, the Skimmers on the ponds of the Newark Marshes as
now at Brigantine Beach, and the Golden Eagle pursued wild game on
Bergen Hill as it wandered over from the highlands of the Hudson.
LTndoubtedly, the Wild Turkey feasted in the oak woods, the Clapper
and King Rails clamored on the salt and fresh marshes, the Red-tailed
Hawk raised its young on the crest of Snake Hill. Possibly a few Pin-
nated Grouse once existed on the open dryer meadow or in the pied-
mont country east of the first mountain, the Carolina Parrakeet once
wandered about in its erratic course or the American Egret may have
reached its northernmost nesting ground in the stand of bald cypress
trees whose stumps may still be seen along the sluggish stream (Frank
Creek today), tributary to the Passaic not far from the present Man-
hattan transfer. Most of these word pictures are conjecture but enough
evidence can be quoted to furnish confirmation of the vast changes
that have taken place.

The following passages are taken from published works and
fragmentary as they are certainly stir the imagination :

“All the way to Newark (9 miles) is a very flat, marshy country, intersected
with rivers, many cedar swamps, abounding with mosquitoes, which bit our legs,
and hands exceedingly; where they fix they will continue sucking our blood if
not disturbed, till they swell four times their ordinary size, when they absolutely
fall off and burst from their fullness. At two miles we cross a large cedar swamp ;
at three miles we intersect the road leading to Bergen, a Dutch town, half a mile
on our right; at five miles we cross Hackensack (at Dow’s ferry), at six we
cross Passaic River (coaches and all) in a scowl, by means of pulling a rope
fastened to the opposite side’’ (about 1780).!

“Nature had furnished the country with all sorts of wild beasts and fowl,
which gave them their food and much of their clothing. Fat venison, turkeys,
geese, heath-hens, cranes, swans, ducks, pigeons and the like.’”

“Formerly the passage from Powles hook to Bergen was through a slough ;
but it is now a fine smooth road. The rivers, Hackensack and Passaic were,
until about 15 years ago passed in flats at ferries’’ (i8o7).»

Practically but sketchily, the geography of today may be described
from an ornithological point of view as follows:

Hudson County

Almost completely built up on Bergen Hill and east ; along Hud-
son, Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, Newark and New York Bays,
various water birds may be observed, especially in migration. There
are various spots where a residuum of land bird life may always be
found, Castle Point (Hoboken), Black Tom, Caven Point, Droyer’s
Point, etc., all areas now very much despoiled. North Hudson Park,
and to a lesser extent City Park and Hudson County Parks, Bayonne,
and Westside Park, Jersey City, contain a better representation but
the only spots which can even remotely be described as interesting
birding are the Snake Hill area on the meadows, the Arlington Ceme-
tery area in West Hudson and the Secaucus and New Durham-Fair-
view areas of the Hackensack Meadows. North Hudson and Westside
Parks and the Arlington Cemetery localities are like Central Park in
New York City, excellent for May and September migrations. The

’Old Hoads From the Heart of New York by Sarah Comstock. N. Y.. 1917. P. 140.
*P. 170 from Denton's Brief Description.

•From "The Picture of New York; or the Traveller's Guide, etc., 1807.’’ P. 14.

marsh area at Secaucus “airport” has been at times very excellent for
shorebircl migrants, and the swamp near Fairview as well as the former
spot still contain a few fresh water swamp breeders such as the gal-
linules and rails. The ponds beside the Erie railroad at Croxton near
Snake Hill, and the marshes at New Durham and Secaucus are well
worth visits at all seasons.

Essex County

After recognizing the marvelous facilities for all sorts of shore-
birds, gulls, herons, ducks, hawks and owls at the Port Newark sec-
tion of the Newark-Elizabeth Marshes as the best single place in Essex
County (and from 1928 to 1933 in the New York region), for real
rarities, it is well to glance at the map of the western edge of the
county. Here, along the Passaic River from Singac to Chatham, are a
number of connecting marsh areas which offer exceptional variety —
the Great Piece Meadows, Swinefield Bridge, Pine Brook, Hatfield
Swamp, and Dickinson’s Neck. In these areas are ducks in migration,
hawks and owls nesting, migrants and winter residents of all kinds, a
distinct touch of the Carolinian zone and above all a most interesting
and comparatively wild terrain. The Montclair area, so-called, con-
tains a considerable percentage of high, wooded trap-rock (over 400
ft.) on the first and second mountains, cut by the Peckman River at
Verona and sliced into sections on the east by the second and third
rivers (the latter known as the Notch Brook or Yantacaw River). Of
the parks, the best is the big wooded region of the Orange Reservation,
drained to the south by the north branch of the Rahway River and
the next best, the first river area now called Branch Brook Park in
Newark. Here, for migrants and summer residents, is what Central
Park was thirty years ago, a very fine land bird study area. Other
parks are smaller but better still than similar Hudson County areas —
Weequahic (Newark), Verona Lake (Verona), Grover Cleveland
Park (Caldwell), Nishuane, Anderson and Mountainside Parks (Mont-
clair), and Yantacaw Park (Nutley). Another feature must not be
overlooked, the fresh water pond or reservoir areas ; chief of these for
productive records is the East Orange or Commonwealth Watershed
Reservoir south of South Orange Avenue in Livingston, which is a
bird sanctuary, the Orange Reservoir in the Reservation, the Cedar

Grove Reservoir, Verona Lake and Oakes Pond where fresh water
ducks, or marsh birds may be found at times.

To glance at these geographic areas from an ecological point of
view and boiling them to their minimum, we may summarize as fol-
lows:* (See map.)

Typical Native Bird

I. Salt Water - -- -- -- -- Herring Gull

II. Salt Water Marsh ------- Sharp-tailed Sparrow

III. Brackish Marsh ------- Long-billed Marsh Wren

IV. Piedmont Upland chiefly Sandstone - Robin

V. Traprock Upland ------- Chewink

VI. Passaic Valley Fresh Water Lowland Tufted Titmouse

The botany of II and III has been summarized under the title
“The Vegetation of the Hackensack Marsh, a typical American Fen”
by J. W. Harshberger and V. A. Burns® and may be checked readily.
It is sufficient to say that the most generally distributed plants are
Phragmites communis, Typha angustifolia and T. latifolia, and Spartina
grasses {Glabra var. pilosa and G. patens).

Typical of the piedmont upland are the Red Maple {Acer rubrum),
Tupelo {Nyssa sylvatica), Sassafras (5. sassafras), and the Sweet
Gum { Liquidambar styraciflua). On the trap-rock upland, trees are
chiefly oak in character, the Chestnut {prinns), Red {rubra), White
{alba), and Black {velutina) species being interspersed with Tulip
Poplars {Liriodendron tulipifera) and Beech {Fagus Americana).
Along the Passaic River valley the Red Birch {Betula nigra), the
Swamp White Oak ( plantanoides) , Pin Oak {palusfris) , the Elm
{Ulmus americana) and Hornbeam {Carpinus Carolina) are also
typical. 'I'he Chestnut {Castanca dentata) was formerly one of the
best trees of the upland, now destroyed by blight except for various
small root-slioots, and the elm blight bids fair to do the same in ex-
terminating this fine tree {Ulmus americana).

Historically there is considerable of value to compile from Hudson
County. Messrs. E. S. Marks, L. S. Kohler and O. P. Medsger have

Tablp VII.

*’May lUl}). Vol. IX. Part 1. Trans, of Wagner Free Inst, of Sclonco of Philadelphia.

□

worked this region for many years (1905 and ff.) and have kindly
supplied a great detail of local material. Years ago Snake Hill was
much more heavily wooded than today, the Secaucus cedar swamps
and the tangle to the west of the Secaucus County road were much
more suited to a variety of breeding species. The large cedar swamps
south of Kingsland Creek were destroyed during the Civil War. The
Arlington Ridge, including the present Arlington Cemetery and
Schuyler’s Woods (now gone), were fruitful nesting and migration
areas up to about fifteen years ago. The Bergen Hill area, however,
was destroyed much further back (before 1880) as described in frag-
ments taken from Shaw’s History of Essex and Hudson Counties
(1884) as follows; P. 1300 —

Mr. Andrew Anderson, first postmaster. West Hoboken, N. J.,
says ;

“This region, in later years, was my gunning ground. I found here partridges,
<|uail, woodcock, snipes, etc. Rabbits were plenty.”

P. 1295/6® — Union Township:

Coons, rabbits and squirrels common.

“One would think nothing of shooting 2 or 3 high-olders at a shot off a dog-
wood tree. These birds with robins and wild pigeons, were plentiful in Dickies’
woods and about Price’s property. T have known,’ is the remark of an old resi-
dent, ‘the gunners to shoot 5 or 6 dozen robins in a short time’; I have myself
■shot 28 or 29 wild pigeons before breakfast. The river region was a resort too,
for game ; Michael Carley, who died in his eighty-second year about 22 years
ago (1862) had a taste for the sport of gunning and made it a source of profit.
His sons were excellent hunters too . . . and were fond of gunning on the land
for pigeons and robins ; basketfuls of these birds were sold by them in the city
market. Father was more partial to the river. He used to fetch plenty of ducks
home. Occasionally he had the luck to get a wild goose.”

P. 1286/1287';

Mentions moose, deer and elk in old days.

North Bkrcen

“Along the Hackensack the reports of fowling-pieces were frequent. Game
there in certain seasons was abundant.”

J. Frazier Kinzie “. . . appear the robin, owls and wren, with blackbirds, blue-
birds and meadowlarks.”

•Shuw’ij History of Essex and Hudson Counties.

Conrad Rapp . . . “gained many a partridge. He found the quail without
difficulty. ‘I have seen him,’ remarks a neighbor, ‘come in with 15 squirrels and
other game . . . made his living out of this pursuit for many years.’ ’’

Snipe shooting on the meadows’ and duck and rail shooting
continue after a fashion to the present day. Specimens may be
found in many a saloon or club attesting to the local nimrod’s skill.
An entertaining reference to Snake Hill is in Frank Forester’s
account of the “Dunkerdoo” or bittern which he obviously confused
with the Night Heron or Quawk which formerly perhaps nested on
Snake Hill. On an old print of the meadows I ran across a picture of
the cedar swamps and Snake Hill wooded to the water’s edge probably
with great trees like those at Inwood on the north end of Manhattan
Island.

From 1898 to 1910, Mr. R. S. Lemmon, then living in Englewood,
testifies he found excellent shooting on the lower Overpeck and Hack-
ensack from Englewood to Fairview. On the brackish area of the salt
marsh and along these streams, snipe were shot from about March 10
till May, with the best flight about April 15 and as late as xA.pril 22
one year. One bag numbered twenty birds in a four hour afternoon.
Woodcock were found on the uplands and Quail prior to 1903 and 1904
but the former were rather rare and the latter soon disappeared. It
was the flight shooting of snipe, rail and ducks that attracted the active
gunners to the meadows. In the fall, the rail flights usually reached a
maximum Sept. 15-18 when, with a big tide, it was sometimes possible
to get 40 up to 70 birds in a day, chiefly Soras, rarely Virginias and
regularly a few King Rail. The fall duck shooting was chiefly teal
(Blue-wing), Blacks and Mallards in September, followed by a few
diving ducks after northeast storms later in the fall ; the best flocks
of geese, Scaup and Pintail passed north in spring. Raptorial birds
were often noted. In the springs, 1898 to 1899, eagles were frequently
seen; the Osprey nested till 1898 on the Overpeck and in some winters
4 or 5 “great white owls” appeared with the usual wintering Red-tails
and Rough-legs.

’See Aug.. 1932. p. 34 and 35. The Sink-hole by R. S. Lemmon. Field and Stream.

For Essex County there is even more material available. Frank
Forester apparently lived in Belleville for a time as he says of the
Green-winged Teal;'

“In the spring of 1846, a couple of these birds haunted a small reedy island
in front of my house on the Passaic till May 29.”

He then complains they were frightened away by “rough-necks”
from the neighboring town of Newark. Old-timers now living still tell
of the beauties of the Passaic River in this locality before it was pol-
luted and when there was still fine fishing to be had from small boat
or river bank.

The late Harry Trippett, of Montclair, in the eighties and nineties
did considerable nesting and field work in what we now describe as
the Montclair region. On February 21, 1931, I called on him at his
house and now summarize our conversation from my notes: In those
clays, the thick woods came unbroken to Upper Mountain Avenue,
Montclair; below were farms with fields of clover, wheat, rye and
hay, where the farmers alternated their crops. Along Toney’s Brook
where Edgemont Park now is. Bobolinks and Meadowlarks were for-
merly abundant breeders. He felt practical'y all birds were (1931) less
common, especially such as the Baltimore Oriole and the Scarlet Tan-
ager. The eggs of the latter were used in exchange and he recalled
taking as many as twenty in an afternoon, obtained along the first
Watchung Ridge which were later traded for a loon egg on a basis
of 25 to I. In the summer breeding season he and a companion by
diligent search recorded 107 species of which 93 nested. He had local
specimens of the Barn Owl, Broad-winged, Red-shouldered, Pigeon
and Sharp-shinned Hawks. The first was taken from a barn in Bloom-
field near the cemetery where they were formerly found regularly.
He had not found the Barred Owl nesting in Montclair but did find
one in West Caldwell inhabiting a nest which had been used by a
Crow the year before, after renovating by adding a few sticks. The
•only Red-tailed Hawk nests were two, found on the second Watchung
Ridge in Caldwell, about 1890 or before. He told a story of a Ruffed
Grouse nest located by his brother which he visited but even when
standing at the base of the tree where it was he could not locate the

“Amerlran Oame. 1873. p. 245.

setting bird as it sat close on its eggs and did not flush until approached
within five paces. He said Screech Owls were formerly common in
the apple trees and could be traced by pellets, but now all the old trees
are gone.

One of the best posted of the local hunters was the late Peter
Speer, born in Little Falls, X. J., September 8, 1836 (d. 1935) who
moved to his home on Upper Mountain Avenue, Montclair Heights, in
1854. His Dutch farmhouse (built cir. 1735) had been the home of
his great grandfather and his grandfather, together with all the land
thereabouts, which was called Speertown. His father ran a farm with
15 teams of horses and raised corn, wheat, oats, rye and buckwheat.
Decrease of the growth of these crops, and excessive and illegal shoot-
ing have been the great factors in destroying Quail which were former-
ly plentiful. Mr. Speer started hunting at the age of twelve and stated
that before the Erie Railroad was put through (about 1870), the hills
were never burned over and Ruffed Grouse were very abundant on
the ridges. It was possible to shoot ten grouse in a day but later they
became wilder and he shot his last bird in the fall about 1920. The
yearly fires which bum the undergrowth on the ridges, killed the plants
which supplied berries and food for the birds and destroyed their
cover. He has whipped hundreds of trout from the Notch Brook
which was a famous trout stream and which formerly had a much
greater volume of water than now, fed by the springs “in the lots.” In
the meadow along this brook he would think nothing of getting a
dozen Woodcock in a day at the start of the local shooting season com-
mencing about July 4. The large owls used to be common and he had
shot many. He commented on the former abundance of Towhees,
Flickers, Meadowlarks, and especially of Blackbirds which would go
over in flocks two or three miles long. The flocks of Robins “would
darken the sky” and he and his brother once shot forty in a short time.
Bank and Barn Swallows used to be common but he apparently did
not know the Eave Swallow ; “chimbly swallers” are less common also
and the Purple Martin used to visit boxes here and in Little Falls.
He spoke of House ^^Tens eating green worms from the grape vines
and rose bushes and on being asked about Whip-poor-wills stated that
they used to stay all summer and would sing so loudly and commonly

at night it was sometimes difficult to sleep. His remarks on the Pas-
senger Pigeon follow : — saw very few himself, none after 1870 but
they appeared in bunches flying low over the ridge in spring and in
fall. His father and grandfather baited them with buckwheat and
would catch them in nets, several hundred sometimes in a day when
they were abundant. They had a special basket to keep them in and
the birds were then sold alive at pigeon shoots. Mr. Speer participated
in the last such shoot in Montclair at a place called Harrison Park.
The pigeons disappeared very suddenly and were never confused by
him with the Mourning Dove which also used to be more common
than now. He recalled the more rapid flight of the larger bird but
claimed he could usually shoot one or two from a bunch as they
migrated over.

In his excellent stories of the hunting field, Frank Forester
(Henry W. Herbert) describes a snipe shooting trip in the spring to
the Great Piece Meadows where these birds were most numerous and
could be seen and heard in their “bleating” flight performance. Peter
Speer spoke of the abundance of snipe and Woodcock there also and
claimed that at the time of the full moon he and three others got 67
or 68 Woodcock in one day. Frank Forester* writes;

“Once many years since sporting in the heavy thorn-brakes around Pine
Brook in New Jersey, I found them (Ruffed Grouse) and we had great sport,
bagging eight brace of Ruffed Grouse over points in addition to some eighteen
or twenty brace quail.”

This swamp area extended well up the Passaic River to Chatham
Bridge and the following interesting comments are taken from Harold
fTerrick (Linnaean Society paper, November 2, 1878) published in
Forest and Stream:^”

“Wilson’s Snipe breed yearly on the Chatham meadows.

“I have an egg taken from a set found there, and Mr. Dickinson takes young
often and last spring got a family of four in the down.”

“Woodcock Mr. Dickinson’s is the best swamp on the river and 120 fine birds
were killed in it July 4, 1878.”

All Grouse, Quail and summer snipe here are now gone ; the flight
of Woodcock is trifling in comparison and transient snipe are few.

•American Game, p. 296. 1873.

'"Forest and Stream XII. 1879. p. 166.

Although the area considered was probably once more easily di-
vided between Transition and Carolinian Faunal areas than today, there
are some tracings possible. The isolated occurrences of Solitary Vireo,
Nashville Warbler, White-throated Sparrow and the like in summer
are indicative. The Red-tailed Hawk, Golden-winged Warbler, Black-
throated Green Warbler, Cliff Swallow, Pileated Woodpecker, and
Wilson’s Snipe have distinctly northern associations. The Yellow-
billed Cuckoo, the Bobolink, the Alder Flycatcher, the Savanna Spar-
row, the Tree Swallow, Cedar Waxwing and Prairie Horned Lark
are near their southern limit as breeders. Conversely, the Carolinian
associations are present but very much more evident. We have the
Cardinal, Mockingbird, Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Orchard Oriole,
Blue-winged W arbler well toward their northern limit. The occasional
Blue Grosbeak, Prothonotary and Yellow-throated Warblers, Acadian
Flycatcher, Turkey Buzzard, Seaside Sparrow, Clapper Rail, Blue-grey
Gnatcatcher and Carolina Chickadee are near their northern limits even
as stragglers. Among the birds with southern affiliations, which regu-
larly get further north in the Carolinian belt are Barn Owl, Fish Crow,
Purple Crackle, Rough-winged Swallow, W’hite-eyed Vireo, Worm-
eating and Hooded W’arblers, Louisiana W'^ater-thrush and Yellow-
breasted Chat, all of which either occur now or have regularly occurred
in our area as normally common breeders. It is interesting to con-
template that the complex ecological changes brought about by man
and civilization have adversely affected most of the above listed species
with northern and southern affiliations. As these birds as a whole are
not near the center of their abundance it is a reasonable expectation
that such would be the case. The Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse,
Hooded W’arbler, and Purple Crackle, Savanna Sparrow and the Tree
Swallow seem to be the only species now at or near the peak of abun-
dance or expansion. Records of some indeed are now only historical
associations, like the Dickcissel, the Snipe, Red-tailed Hawk and Cliff
Swallow ; it is indeed likely that such species as Summer Tanager,
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, and others once were present
in some numbers at the apex of their northern cyclic expansion. This
statement is not mere idle theory as there is evidence in other localities
to back it up. I have neglected to touch also on the water birds or on

the northern wanderings of breeders like the Forster’s Tern or Yellow-
crowned Night Heron whose past history is somewhat obscure.

Perhaps the clearest way to show the comparative abundance of
breeders is by a table, two of which are submitted. The total figures
represent actual counts in breeding season, not pairs or nests, so allow-
ance must be made to some extent to make relative not absolute com-
parisons.

Table II — Montclair Region (chiefly Essex County), 7 years, 1929-
1935, inch

Table III — Hudson County, 6 years, 1930-1935, inch

The conclusion of these figures is that although once Hudson
County no doubt had the same total summer list as Essex, yet for the
years considered, 33 summer birds have been eliminated. In addition
also, it is obvious that the introduced species in Hudson County espe-
cially, to a less extent in Essex, are forcing out the native species as
shown here:

Native Introduced

Hudson - -- -- -- - 37.3%* 62.7%

Essex --------- 74.3%' 25.7%

•Based on per cent of total counts.

On an arbitrary scale a further classification brings these points

out further.

Essex

Hudson

Native

Introduced

Native Introduced

Very abundant -----

- - - I

Abundant -------

- - - I

* 0

Very common -----

- - - 17

!*♦

Common -------

- - - 17

!*•

Uncommon

- - - 18

Rare - -- -- -- -

- - - 8

Very rare

- - - 17

Occasional (once only) - -

- - - 9

Totals

- - - 88

••Rock Dove.

The first question which comes to mind therefore is “Which are
the species which are the first to go?” What little concrete evidence
can be produced is submitted herewith (Table IV). As llnd.son County
has l)een “civilized,” reaching its present density of population some

TABLE II

Breeding Season Counts, Relative Abundance, Montclair Region Only
(7 Years, 1929-1935 Inclusive; 92 Species, 13,756 Individuals)

Very abundant — 3 Per Cent

Robin ----- 16.94

House Sparrow - 12.70

Starling - - - - 9.60

Abundant — i

Song Sparrow - - 5.40

Very Common — 18
Towhee - - - - 3.50

Rock Dove, est. - 3.30

Purple Crackle - 3.03

Wood Thrush - - 2.93

Catbird - - - - 2.81

House Wren - - 2.80

Blue Jay - - - - 2.54

Northern Yellow-
throat - - - - 2.45

Red-eyed Vireo - 2.30

Chipping Sparrow - 2.00

Northern Flicker - 1.96

Red-wing - - - i.'7o

Mourning Dove - 1.60

American Crow - 1.39

Ovenbird - - - 1.39

Cowbird - - - - 1.13

Field Sparrow - - t.05

Indigo Bunting - - ....

Common — 17

Baltimore Oriole - - - -
Scarlet Tanager - - - -
Chestnut-sided Warbler - -
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - -
Wood Pewee -----
Brown Thrasher - - - -
Yellow Warbler - - - -
Chimney Swift -----
Barn Swallow -----
Goldfinch ------

Total In-
dividuals

2,330

1.748

1.317

746

481

452

417

403

387

380

349

337

318

276

270

239

213

192

191

158

144

132

- 117
109
109
107

- 105
104
103

102

- 98

- 85

Downy Woodpecker - - - - 75

Crested Flycatcher - - - - 71

Blue-winged Warbler - - - 63

Killdeer - -- -- -- - 57

Cedar Waxwing ----- 56

Meadowlark - -- -- - 55

White-breasted Nuthatch - - 51

Uncommon — 18

Kingbird - -- -- -- 48

Yellow-throated Vireo - - - 47

Cardinal - -- -- -- - 47

Veery - -- -- -- - 44

Vesper Sparrow ----- 41

Phoebe - -- -- -- - 36

Spotted Sandpiper - - - - 35

Black-capped Chickadee - - - 35

Total In-
dividuals

Kingfisher - -- -- -- 32

Least Flycatcher 30

Bob-white - -- -- -- 29

Sparrow Hawk ----- 28

Tufted Titmouse ----- 27

Redstart - -- -- -- - 26

Worm-eating Warbler - - - 26

Yellow-breasted Chat - - - 26

Screech Owl ------ 25

Warbling Vireo ----- 24

Rare — 9

Bluebird - -- -- -- - 18

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - - - 16

Hairy Woodpecker - - - - 15

Grasshopper Sparrow - - - 15

Swamp Sparrow ----- 12

Pheasant ------- - 12

American Woodcock - - - - 12

Black and White Warbler - - 12

Hooded Warbler ----- 12

Very rare — 17

Orchard Oriole ----- 9

Alder Flycatcher 7

Fish Crow - -- -- -- 7

\'’irginia Rail 6

Black-crowned Night Heron - 5

Sharp-shinned Hawk - - - 5

Green Heron ------ 4

Red-shouldered Hawk - - - 4

Louisiana Water Thrush - - 4

Long-billed Marsh Wren - - 4

Cooper’s Hawk ----- 3

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3

Rough-winged Swallow - - - 3

Sora - -- -- -- -- 2

Great Horned Owl - - - - 2

White-eyed Vireo - - - - 2

Prairie Warbler ----- 2

Occasional (only once) — 9
Barred Owl
Black-billed Cuckoo
Nighthawk
Whip-poor-will
Nashville Warbler
Canada Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Carolina Wren

Black-throated Green Warbler
Totals

1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935
71 65 64 71 69 74 72

TABLE III

Hudson County Breeding Season Counts — Relative Abundance
(Six Years, 1930-1935, 59 Species, 6,041 Individuals)

Total In-

Very abundant — i Per Cent

dividuals

House Sparrow

45-3

2,736

Very rare — 22

Very common — i

Sparrow Hawk - - - .

Starling - - - -

12.7

769

House Wren -----

Common — 8

Virginia Rail -----

Eastern Red-wing -

5-96

360

Kingbird ------

Long-billed Marsh

Bobolink -------

Wren - - - -

5-94

359

Veery -------

Swamp Sparrow -

574

347

Mourning Dove - - - -

Song Sparrow - -

5.39

326

Field Sparrow -----

Rock Dove, est.

4.67

[2821

Black-billed Cuckoo - - -

Robin - - - -

3-89

235

Redstart -------

Northern Yellow-

Marsh Hawk

throat - - - -

2.92

176

Pheasant -------

Black Duck - -

I 77

107

Towhee -------

Uncommon — lo

Green Heron -----

Purple Crackle

1. 14

Red-eyed Vireo - - - -

Killdeer - - - - -

Least Bittern

Sharp-tailed Sparrow

- -

Rough-winged Swallow - -

Fish Crow - - - -

American Biftern - - - -

Florida Gallinule - ■

Chipping Sparrow - - -

Indigo Bunting - -

Least Flycatcher - - - -

Yellow Warbler - ■

Cedar Waxwing - - - -

Flicker - - - - .

Baltimore Oriole - - - -

Catbird - - - - -

Occasional (once only) — 9

Spotted Sandpiper

. - -

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Rare— 8

Wood Pewee

Meadowlark - - ■

Crested Flycatcher

Blue Jay - - . .

Cowbird

Crow -----

Wood Thrush

Barn Swallow - - ■

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Black-crowned Night

Heron

Grasshopper Sparrow

Chimney Swift - - •

1 I

Cliff Swallow

Brown Thrasher -

White-throated Sparrow

Goldfinch . . - .

(Herring and Laughing

Gulls ex-

eluded.)

thirty to thirty-five years earlier than eastern Essex and as complete
disappearance of most species from the latter county is only starting,
the comparison is entertaining. Due to the past records kept by
Messrs. Marks, Kohler and Medsger in Arlington, etc., an area with
only local or sentimental interest, we have a record, faulty as it may
be, to show the fading out of species unable to stand change of en-
vironment or “civilization.” Historically, the first to go were probably
the Heath Hen (if ever present), the Wild Turkey, Passenger Pigeon,
the Pileated Woodpecker, the Bald Eagle, the Osprey, Great Blue

Heron, Night Heron, the Ruffed Grouse, the Red-tailed Hawk, the
Purple Martin, perhaps a few Carolinian species no longer present
(Note Cardinal in Hudson County) and the large owls. These were
followed in recent times by the marsh birds as their habitats have been
destroyed, such as the Least llittern. Pied-billed Grebe, Coot, rails,
etc. (in Hudson County the extent of marsh has preserved a few \'^ir-
ginia Rails, Bitterns and Gallinules), and then by the next smaller
birds and birds of prey, e.g. Red-shouldered Hawk, Crow, Green
Heron, the gamo birds. Woodcock, Rob-white, and lastly by the less
favored or adaptable passerine species. The Red-headed Woodpecker
is notably unable to withstand competition of the Starling; the swal-
lows. Cedar Waxwing, Whip-poor-will, many flycatchers, the Blue-
bird. several of the Carolinian species (Blue-winged Warbler, Caro-
lina Wren. Chat, Titmouse) have disappeared from Hudson and are
going from East Essex, to be followed by warblers, vireos and even
by members of tbe sj)arrow family which are comparatively successful
in reproducing themselves. The Screech Owl, Chimney Swift, Night-
hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Crackle, Blue Jay, Robin, Catbird and Song
Sparrow seem to be able to adapt themselves with a measure of ef-
ficiency to denser population and introduced competition. The present
breeding possibilities of Essex County today are about 103 species
total, for besides those listed (in summer) from the ^Montclair region
(92) there are found at Port Newark the Seaside, Sharp-tailed and
Savannah Sparrows, the Bobolink, Marsh Hawk and the Short-eared
Owl. and in the Passaic \*alley or on the second ridge. Short-billed
Marsh Wren, the Black, Wood and Mallard Ducks and Broad-winged
Hawk. Historically we know considerable about the destruction of
marsh areas in Essex County. The best fresh water marsh environment
described b}' Abbott" at Newark lasted only to about 1908; the rem-
nant was destroyed both on fresh and salt marsh about 1916 with the
creation of Port Newark. In West Essex, Long Meadow was filled in
for the creation of the Caldwell Airport in 1929, and the wonderful
Hatfield area was “improved” and destroyed (by drainage) in 1932.
Areas of woods suited to a few of the larger raptors still persist in
West Essex along the Passaic and on the two Watchung Ridges. Of

"Auk. 1907. p. 1-11.

course all the above relates to nesting species only : Several of these
areas are still unexcelled for migrants, waders, ducks and birds of
all sorts.

Another means of study was undertaken on a small scale and the
results are summarized herewith, i.e., the density of bird popula-
tion in given areas. I soon found that whether I counted birds in
Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, East Orange, or Montclair in the
settled areas, the total population was relatively stable. As the native
birds found conditions unbearable, the introduced species filled the
gaps — and quite densely. As many sparrows, pigeons. Starlings, Robins,
and Song Sparrows were to be found as there were food or nesting
sites and these were considerable and quite uniform. I then concen-
trated on native species.

CITY CONDITIONS— PARKS AND LIMITED OPEN SPACES
Number of Native Birds (individuals) Per Hour
Hudson Essex

Jersey City - -- -- -- -24 Newark - -- -- -- -- 73

Harrison and Kearney - - - - 28 Montclair - -- -- -- - 137

These figures are then the measure of deterioration of environ-
ment in and about the city parks. It is quite possible as time goes on
that Anderson Park, Montclair, now a very good place for Robins,
Catbirds, etc., will one day be as desolate and barren as Greenville or
some of the Bayonne parks. It is just a question of degree.

To give another feature of a numerical study, a considerable
amount of time has been spent in counting the number of individuals
of native birds recorded per hour on foot in relatively stable, and, so
to speak, the best of present natural conditions in the county. In the
environment previously entitled “V,” trap-rock upland characterized by
oaks, tulip tree, poplar, beech, etc., where the Towhee is the most com-
mon bird, the total is 104, quite below the best record (for the park
area) and then again lower than general mixed fields and woods giv-
ing a figure of 116 at Great Notch and 112 at Caldwell. These figures
represent respectively environments “IV” and “VI,” referred to above,
with Robin and Tufted Titmouse respectively as typical birds. For Hud-
son County, the chief area studied is number “HI” the habitat of fresh
marsh in which the characteristic bird is the Long-billed Marsh Wren

giving an average per walk hour of native birds 62. There is little
doubt that this is a lower figure than formerly, as the typical Plirag-
mitcs which is more abundantly distributed today than the cattails,
is hardly the best of breeding territory. Before diking and draining,
the density of bird population here was considerably greater for the
Red-wings, and wrens are much more common in the wetter portions
today.

The considerable records in Bird-Lore over a period of years make
possible another tabulation which in itself (Table V) shows simply
and clearly the preponderance of roughly a dozen species in making
up the winter population. In the earlier censuses the relative propor-
tion of the species is very diflferent from the later. The Starling has
increased out of all proportion to every other bird (excluding House
Sparrow; census counts previously omitted these), so that today
47% of the total individuals are of this species while in the early
years the figure 35% was more nearly representative. The several
gulls also are more abundant than formerly but how much we cannot
guess. In general, the less frequently seen species today bear a smaller
ratio to the sum total than formerly which is just a means of saying
that the species most efficient in adapting themselves to our changing en-
vironment are increasing relatively as well as absolutely. I believe that
in just the past few years our wintering crows are on the decrease
but otherwise they have been able to compete successfully with their
environment.

The annotated list contains extreme dates of migration so far as
available but none of the average figures listed in IMr. Urner’s paper.
It was thought better to show the average spring arrival figures by a
table (VI) of some of the key species, perhaps fifty in number, selected
from the different groupings in Mr. Griscom’s “Birds of the New
York Region.” Such dates obtained from 6-15 years representative
arrival figures averaged, is readily comparable with other localities in
other states. In comparing these with Union County, I may say that
in general our region shows a lag of a day or two which would be
reasonable but that in some of the West Essex records it was apparent
that some migrants tend to appear in the Caldwell area before they
are seen in the Elizabeth or Montclair regions. That this is not an

anomaly, one has only to glance at the map to see the possibility of
birds arriving from the south via the Upper Passaic Valley working
north from say Trenton, Princeton, etc., west of the long and curving
Watchung Ridge. Not enough data are at hand, however, to prove this
entertaining hypothesis. No complete fall averages have been given,
not through lack of general interest, but chiefly because of lack of
data. A few such, however, are listed below for comparison.

Northern Water-Thrush - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - August lo

Red-breasted Nuthatch - -- -- -- -- - September 5

Connecticut Warbler - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - “ 15

Prairie Warbler - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - “ 15

Black-poll Warbler - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - “ 16

Palm W^arbler ----------- “ ig

White-throated Sparrow - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- “ 18

Lincoln’s Sparrow - -- -- ------ “ 22

Junco - -- -- -- -- - - “ 25

Winter Wren - -- -- -- ------ “ 26

Brown Creeper - -- --------- “ 27

Broad-winged Hawk - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - “ 27

Golden-crowned Kinglet - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- “ 30

Solitary Vireo - -- - - -- -- -- -- -- -- - “ 30

Fox Sparrow - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - October 21

Tree Sparrow --- - November 2

Rough-legged Hawk - -- -- - ---- “ 2

Generally speaking, the fall data are much less regular than in
spring, e.g. only one Essex County Olive-sided Flycatcher record is at
hand compared to a series from Union County, while the exact con-
verse is true of the Prairie Warbler, which at Montclair is a reason-
ably common fall migrant. Why the average date of the Tree Sparrow
is some ten days behind Mr. Urner’s records is a puzzle when most
of the other common species show an earlier or similar arrival date in
Essex County.

The fall migration is very much a mystery to many of the un-
initiated who tend to cover the spring flight thoroughly but not that
in fall. The shorebird flight starts at Port Newark the last week in
June most years, is under way by July 4 pretty consistently and in
full swing a week later with a half dozen species. It continues active
well into October and in some seasons a number remain into Novem-

■|)er. August is the best mouth of the year along Newark Bay but the
•early duck flight starts in September and dci)ends to a large degree upon
the precipitation on the meadows. In some seasons the birds pass right
through, at other times may be seen readily in large flocks if the
proper places are visited early in the morning at proper tides. A word
must be said about the extraordinary post-breeding heron flight which
has fre(iuently concentrated these species in the same general area
near Newark Bay where the shorebirds are seen. The now historic
concentration in the locust grove beside Bound Creek in Essex County
is capably described by Mr. Urner as follows:

“During the summer of frequent trips to Newark Meadows permitted

the recording of the rise and fall of the W hite Heron movement and some facts
of possible interest concerning roosting habits. The first recorded Little Blue
Heron reached Newark Meadows about July loth. The number increased quite
rapidly after that date, reaching 102 by July 31st and 145 by August “th (one
blue adult on that date carried a band on the right leg). The peak was reached
.August 30th when 247 white and 6 adult birds were counted and the number held
up well until the first days of Septemlier, after which there was a rapid decline.
Only 86 went to roost on Sept. 13th, it on Sept. 21st and but i on Sept. 28th.

“The season’s first Egret in Northern New Jersey was on July 5th; the high-
est number on Newark Meadows was reached on August i6th (41 birds) and
the latest record was on Sept. 28th.

“From -August 13th to Sept. 21st on twelve separate evenings I checked the
herons as they lit in the locust grove on Newark Meadows. There were appar-
ently several factors affecting the time of arrival at the roost: — (i) time of
sunset: (2) light conditions, cloudy or clear; (3) lateness of season (probably
temperature) ; (4) distance from the roost the birds were feeding; (5) the state
of the tide at bedtime as it affected feeding conditions. There was a tendency,
though not uniform for the birds to roost earlier as the days shortened. On the
darkest, cloudiest evening all were at roost before sunset and on the clearest
evening, with moon, the majority went to roost after sunset. But this relation
of time of roosting to sky conditions was not constant, in fact the average time of
roosting on clear evenings was 25 minutes before sunset while the average time
of roosting on very dark evenings was 18 minutes before sunset, indicating that
other indefinable factors had an influence. The distance from the roost was of
jnly minor importance since the Little Blues roosting in the locust grove, as far
as I could determine, all spent their days on the surrounding salt marsh and were
rarely over a mile or two from the grove. It seemed certain that the birds roosted
■earlier in relation to sunset as the season advanced, a tendency possibly due to
lower temperatures and a desire to seek the shelter of the grove. Feeding condi-
tions seemed to have an influence on the time of roosting. The birds lived chiefly

upon grasshoppers and salt water minnows or other forms of aquatic life. Many,
each day, left the grasshopper infested salt meadows for the mud flats as these
were exposed by the falling tides. If the flats were just uncovering at roosting
time the tendency was to tarry and arrive at the roost later than under other tide
conditions.

“A clear indication of the effect of light conditions upon the roosting instinct,
independent of sun time, was observed on August 17th when a very heavy
thunder-cloud darkened the sky at 4.30 p.m. As the darkness deepened herons
began to fly to the grove. Some 20 had arrived when the cloud parted and these
all left the grove as the sun shone forth again.

“The Egrets, when alighting, mixed with the Little Blue Herons, but later
segregated and roosted, well spaced, in the taller trees.

“The locust grove for over two months, served as a heron roost 24 hours a
day, for the Black-crowned Night Herons roosted there throughout the hours
of daylight, flying out a few at a time as the white birds came in for the night.

At other seasons as in 1934, the southern heron concentration may
be almost lacking.

Another feature of the meadows is the concentration of roosting
birds which from my notes of September 5, 1929, may be of interest
to quote verbatim :

“As I returned toward the airport I saw vast clouds of birds settl-
ing in the dusk among the reeds between the roadway from the Hol-
land tubes to Newark and the Lehigh tracks. On going over I flushed
between 5,000 and 10,000 birds. I have no accurate manner of esti-
mating this number but there were more than i ever saw at once
before. As they flew up they made a dull roar — at least 4 flocks of
great size and hundreds of scattering. They were chiefly Red-wings
and Crackles with Starlings, Tree Swallows and a few Bobolinks,
probably also Cowbirds and Barn Swallows but I identified none of
these as it was too dark. There may well have been twice my estimate
and I know I have the Tree Swallows too low but I try to be conser-
vative :

Red-wing - - 3,000

Starling - 1,000

Tree Swallow - .soo

Crackle ----- 2,000

Bobolink - -- - 3

'^Quoted from Cassinla. Vol. XXVIII. 1929-30. Southern Herons In New Jersey by
Charles A. Urner.

On several occasions as described by Mr. Urner even larger docks
have been seen as they prepared to bed for the night in the Phragmites
of this locality.

Mr. T. M. Trippe” describes an immense dight of Tree Swallows
near Newark about 1867 in October just before a long northeast rain
storm followed by sharp frosts. He stated that tens of thousands
were in sight at any moment for an hour. The evolutions of these
birds are at times nothing short of marvelous as hundreds of birds as
if moved by common impulse veer, now here, now there, in rapid
ranks. Such a performance was seen in Branch Brook Park about
sunset September 23, 1934. In the declining light, the air appeared
dlled with dust or little motes, probably some form of small gnat,
but for no apparent reason the birds in pursuit would swarm in dight
close to the ground, backs shining, white bellies gleaming, and suddenly
mount into the air in a swirling mass. They then started eastward
and I decided were gone to roost on the meadows when, as if at-
tracted back by some magic electrical power, they would circle over-
head with confused twitterings, feeding and hawking about, only to
repeat the process several times, so that it was almost dark before
they dnally disappeared. I could not believe that the gnats were dying
so erratically but rather that the swallows were driven by some spur
of play or instinctive discipline which caused them to dash now high,
now low, in pursuit of their evening meals.

The docking of Starlings has so often been studied and described
that I shall only cite a little of interest on these birds. The roosts on
the meadows are at times wholly or in great part of this species and
for several years there has been a most interesting one in the neighbor-
hood of Montclair Avenue and Essex Street, Montclair. Starting
around the drst of July with a nucleus of Robins and Starlings, it at-
tracts Crackles and ever increasing number of Starlings, so that for
several years it has been a public nuisance and extreme methods of
control have been resorted to by the police. Persistent shooting of
birds with the killing of hundreds tends to break up the roost after a
time but it is a noisy affair at best. On July 16, 1934, a visit indicated
that three-quarters of the birds were Starlings, the balance Robins and

'•American Nature. 1874. p. 346.

a few Crackles, but the flock had been reduced by shooting to only
about a thousand birds.

The warbler flight so eagerly studied each spring in Central Park
passes our area in the same way but never in as concentrated a form.
Only every other year or so is the opportunity provided at Montclair
for the big, easily observed concentrations. Branch Brook Park and
several Hudson County parks, notably North Hudson Park and the
Arlington Cemetery are favored localities because the birds must con-
centrate of necessity. A number of rare species have resulted from
these waves at Branch Brook and continued observation such as that
of Mr. R. F. Haulenbeek will reveal much the same conditions as in |
New York following a proper combination of warmer weather, a
change in temperature or a fog.

A single special flight is that of loons observed at Montclair i

Heights in the spring of 1930. Starting with the first record on the 1

Reservoir on April 16 scattering birds were seen until May i when
“geese” were reported — at least twelve seen going over by one observer
as he walked to the train at the station near my home. A few moments
revealed they were loons, a flock of three and a single bird additional.

On the fifth, I saw six birds and on the seventh one, particularly not-
ing that it flew with bill wide open. On May 9 conditions appeared
to be so good that I took time before departing for New York to look
the flight over. The birds were silent, flying northwest from the direc-
tion of Newark Bay, rising gradually so they passed about thirty feet
over the tree tops on the ridge. At this point they seemed to head
more west than north. Some came singly, others in bunches up to ten,
a total in only a few minutes, of 42. Of thirteen I watched carefully
one after another, all had their bills wide open. It was a bright, rather
warm day, but whether this is done because of the heat or due to their j
need for oxygen in laboring flight like a panting dog, I do not know.

No more were seen that season nor later except a single bird flying
east May 29, 1932, a rather unusual date. Other years the loon has
been absent or rare which makes this influx the more strange. My
home is so situated that it is on a good migration route. For example
on July 8, 1929, T was astonished to see six Great Blue Herons mi-
grating in stately parade north along the ridge, a wandering from the

soutli along the same route used by myriads of crows, hawks, and other
birds in years past.

These crow and hawk flights have been the joy of some of the
local gunners for many years. Mr. T. M. Trippe“ describes a flight of
at least a thousand hawks which occurred in early May after a long
northeast storm with heavy rain. The Red-tailed, Sharp-shinned,
Cooper’s and Broad-winged Hawks were the most common and one
Golden Eagle was recorded as seen. Mr. K. V. S. Howland” reports
on the migration at Montclair, stating it began in late March and that
he had shot Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged, Marsh,
Cooper's, Sharp-shinned and Sparrow Hawks and Ospreys. On April
i8, 1893, thirty-seven hawks chiefly Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned
were shot from three blinds. Mr. Harry Trippett told me of seeing
numerous Pigeon and Broad-winged Hawks in migration and reported
five kinds in the air together on one occasion. He said that one after-
noon Peter Speer and others killed 84 hawks in three hours and that
they more than filled a bushel basket. As to the Golden Eagle they
were said to have been seen on several occasions, less often than the
Bald Eagle it is true, but once or twice migrating in pairs. He recorded
the crow flights as starting in late February and March along the line
of the ridge. He said that after the main flights there would be
scattered flocks of birds which traveled alone, composed of partly
crippled or diseased birds which were kept from the main flights.

Peter Speer, on being consulted, was the mightiest hunter of them
all ; he shot with several companions chiefly for sport and had killed
vast numbers of crows and hawks of various kinds. He gave March
I as the usual start of the crow flight and had shot for market, ob-
taining about fifteen cents each if fresh, shipping to New York by
the barrel. By such means he made over S50.00 one spring, enough
to keep him in shells for some time — until this practice was stopped
by the Audubon Society. The breast plumage of the crow was then
used in making feather capes for women and the wings were used on
hats. The hawks were valueless unless the skins were tanned but he
would not take the trouble to do this as they had to be free from
smell also. Hawk flights were often on warm days so that the birds

^♦American Nature, 1874, p. 346.
'^Forest and Stream, 1893, p. 513.

rose in the air and circled but the crows were dependent on a certain
wind so they could fly along the ridge at an acute angle making use
of the crosswise currents. His brother shot a Golden Eagle back of
the Normal School about 1870 and he spoke of another that was shot
in Great Notch and mounted, describing the golden feathers on the
neck and stating it was smaller than the Bald Eagle. He claimed that
roup or some disease which closed their eyes killed off “millions” of
crows but that even though blind they flew north instinctively to fall
prey to his willing gun.

My first experience of hawk flights came in 1929. On April 20
the Montclair Bird Club at Verona Lake reported an Osprey and
about 75 Broad-winged Hawks. A few days later I saw one of the
latter and on searching the hill on April 28 ran across a blind made
of a fallen tree and a few boughs and containing the bodies of about
20 crows, thirteen Broad-wings, a Cooper’s Hawk and five Sharp-
shins all quite fresh. There was also a long deceased Red-shouldered
Hawk. On March 19, 1930, shooting was heard and the following
day I picked up the remains of nine crows, a male Marsh Hawk and
a Red-shoulder. Shortly afterwards the shooting was stopped by the
game warden at the request of the New Jersey Audubon Society and
has not been continued. A few flights of hawks have been noted,
however, and details are given below of April 19, 1930; April 26,
1931, and April 23, 1932. No flight has been recorded 1933-1935 inc.
beyond scattering birds. The Broad-winged has been by far the most
common, followed by the Osprey but apparently the Sharp-shin is
much less common than formerly. It is often difficult to tell the falcons
or smaller Accipiters but in general the figures are accurate.

April 19, 1930 April 26, 1931 April 23, 1932
2-4 P.M. 6 :35-7 :46 P.M.

Hawk.s - -- -- -- -- 44 47 23

Broad-winged Hawk ----- 20 18 15

Osprey --- n 19 4

Duck Hawk - -- -- -- - 3 i 2

Marsh Hawk - -- -- -- 2 i I

Pigeon Hawk - -- -- -- 2 i i

Sharp-shinned Hawk ----- i x x

trooper’s Hawk ------- 4 x x

Sparrow Hawk ------- x i x

? Falcon x 3 x

Buzzard - -- -- -- -- i x x

Unidentified - -- -- -- - x 3 x

On April 20, 1930, a Sharp-shin, two Sparrow Hawks and a falcon
were noted but the flight was over. In 1931 the migration was accom-
panied by movements of crows, Mourning Doves and a blackbird, and
in 1932 by seven crows, all of which flew like the hawks low over
the trees.

The weather on April 26, 1931, is worth special attention in com-
parison with the note given above by Trippe. I had taken a ride to
Little Falls in a terrific downpour of rain and walked home via the
Cedar Grove Reservoir. ‘‘By this time the last black cloud from the
various showers was just east of me over the ridge and the sun was
breaking through the west. The wind was strong from the west, quite
blustery and getting stronger. I saw my first hawk, a Broad-wing, at
about 6:35 D. S. T. and then watched carefully until after dark at

TABLE IV
Hudson County

Last Breeding — (Records at Arlington unless otherwise shown)

1878 (before) Cardinal (Jersey City) 1920 Green Heron

1907 Cedar VVaxwing Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Blue-winged Warbler
1910 Woodcock

Phoebe

Yellow Warbler
Yellow -breasted Chat

Nighthawk (Jersey City)

1911 Yellow-throated Vireo

1912 Ovenbird

1913 Bluebird

1925 Red-headed Woodpecker

1928 Kingbird
Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Redstart
Thrasher
Bob-white

Crested Flycatcher (Secaucus)

1915 Red-shouldered Hawk

1916 Carolina Wren

1917 Titmouse
1919 Crow

1930 Hummingbird

1931 Wood Thrush

ChippingSparrow

Scarlet Tanager

Black and White Warbler

1933 Cliff Swallow (Secaucus)

Essex County
Last Breeding Records

1878 Wilson’s Snipe
1905 Purple Martin
1907 Coot

1928 Red-tailed Hawk
Florida Gallinule

1929 Cliff Swallow
1932 Least Bittern

Sora Rail

1908 Pied-billed Grebe

1926 Bank Swallow

1927 Ruffed Grouse

7 :50 D. S. T. There were never more than three in sight at once and
generally these would be either Broad-wings or Ospreys. The wind
was due west and the birds were flying at about a 6o degree angle

TABLE V

Winter Records Taken frotn 39 Bird Lore Censuses 1913-1934 Inclusive
(Essex County)

Total In-

Relative Abundance Per Cent dividuals

Starling - - - - 39.4 19,942

House Sparrow - 14.0 7,072

Crow - - - - 1 1.9 5,613

Herring Gull - - 6.01 3,090

Tree Sparrow - - 5.9 2,983

Junco ----- 3.33 1,686

Bonaparte’s Gull - 2.56 1,298

Bl.-cap Chickadee - 1.96 995

Blue Jay - - - - 1.87 947

Song Sparrow - - 1.66 838

White-throated

Sparrow - - - 1.36 691

Black Duck* - - 1.04 525

White-breasted Nuthatch - - 432

Goldfinch ------- 412

Tufted Titmouse ----- 371

Red-wing ------- 363

Horned Lark ------ 344

Rusty Blackbird ----- 340

Downy Woodpecker - - - - 301

Crow Blackbird** ----- 208

Meadowlark ------ 205

Ring-billed Gull ----- 187

Golden-crowned Kinglet - - - 129

Purple Finch - -- -- - m
Brown Creeper ----- 104

Myrtle Warbler ----- - 88

Robin - 73

Pine Siskin - -- -- -- 72

Red-headed Woodpecker - - 70

Hairy Woodpecker - - - - 65

Cardinal - -- -- -- - 63

Bluebird 56

Pheasant - -- -- -- - 53

Field Sparrow 52

Red-tailed Hawk ----- 49

Snow Bunting - 47

Swamp Sparrow ----- 45

American Merganser - - - - 41

Sparrow Hawk ----- 38

Red-shouldered Hawk - - - 37

Winter Wren ------ 29

Savannah Sparrow - - - - 28

*Includes Red-legged.

**lncludes both species of Crackles.

Total

Relative Frequency Times Listed

Tree Sparrow 39

Song Sparrow 38

Starling 37

House Sparrow ----- 37

Slate-colored Junco - - - - 36

Blue Jay --- 35

Crow - -- -- -- -- 34

White-breasted Nuthatch - - 33

Black-capped Chickadee - - - 32

White-throated Sparrow - - 31

Brown Creeper 28

Goldfinch - -- -- -- 28

Tufted Titmouse 20

Golden-crowned Kinglet - - 19

Red-shouldered Hawk - - - 18

Red-tail Hawk ----- 18

Hairy Woodpecker - - - - 17

Sparrow Hawk ----- 15

Robin - -- -- -- -- 15

Red-headed Woodpecker - - 13

Black Duck ------ - 13

Winter Wren ii

Bluebird - -- -- -- - n

Cardinal - -- -- -- - ii

Kingfisher - -- -- -- n

Myrtle Warbler ----- 10

Swamp Sparrow 10

Pheasant - -- -- -- - 10

Purple Finch ------ 9

Field Sparrow ------ 9

Flicker - -- -- -- - 9

Herring Gull ------ 9

Marsh Hawk 9

Fox Sparrow 8

Pine Siskin - -- -- -- 8

Meadowlark ------ 8

Hermit Thrush 8

Horned Lark ------ 7

Ring-billed Gull ----- 7

Screech Owl 5

Also Recorded i/i U'inter Also Recorded in IVinter

Rough-legged Hawk

Catbird

Long-eared Owl

Pine Grosbeak

Cedar Waxwing

Red Crossbill

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Mockingbird

Mourning Dove

Evening Grosbeak

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Goshawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-breasted Merganser

Mallard

Scaup (both species)

Great Blue Heron

Vesper Sparrow

Horned Grebe

Saw-whet Owl

Pintail

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Black-crowned Night Heron

Quail

W’ilson’s Snipe

Snowy Owl

Killdeer

Lapland Longspur

Short-eared Owl

House Wren

Barred Owl

•Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker

Great Horned Owl

Iceland Gull

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Glaucous Gull

Cowbird

Black-backed Gull

Redpoll

Brunnich’s Murre

Chipping Sparrow

■American Golden-eye

Northern Shrike

Duck Hawk

Orange-crowned Warbler

Bald Eagle

Pipit

Dovekie

Carolina Wren

Razor-billed .Auk

Towhee

White-winged Crossbill

Grand Total ------ 103

across it and parallel to the crest of the hill so that they were able to
soar for a while across it but had to circle occasionally to get height
or to change direction. Their actions were interesting. The Ospreys
traveled in twos and threes and seemed to circle more than the others.
I heard them calling twice. The Broad-wings would soar straight for
a while then recover direction and continue and the falcons almost
always seemed to be swooping down toward the trees at an angle. I
believe they must rise and then coast down wind more rapidly then
the others. They would go at least twice as fast as the larger hawks
and would be over often on folded wings like a shot, making them
hard to identify. The single Marsh Hawk was flying due north right
overhead. The falcons, doves and some of the Broad-wings would be
just over the trees, others of the Broad-wings very high up. Where
do these birds spend the night? I did not see one Accipiter! I noticed
the last Osprey at 7:27, Broad-wing at 7:35, and falcon at 7:43. With
the increased wind the temperature fell considerably. I believe the
crows were just local birds which were using the wind to fly on, as

they seemed to have no special direction, but I think the doves were
migrating north along the ridge also.”

In 1932 the wind was southwesterly and rather strong, the day
clear, sunshiny and warm, an ideal day for a flight. The hawks flew
both directly along over the ridge or circled and even went to the
east of the house a few times.

It has been possible due to circumstances to get only fragments
of the crow flights which appear later than the dates given by Trippett
or Speer and my notes are quoted as follows :

“March 6, 1931 — Crow flight along ridge. Fair day, wind light and near
ground, stronger higher up as was blowing clouds rapidly from northwest. First
noted 7:00 A.M. a great grey smoky cloud (snow flurry) which darkened sky.
Instead of flying north along ridge into cloud crows became perturbed and 100
or so circled about together. There were always 10 to 100 in air at once going
Still flying at 8:00 A.M. mostly on further side of ridge but Edwards who saw
flight about 7 at Watchung Avenue and from the train said they were generally
distributed as far east as West Arlington and mostly flying at height of about
1,000 feet or more. Had stopped by 8:30. None the next day. Estimated 6,000
to 10,000 crows today.

“March 18 — Clear and fair with a light northwest wind. Counted crows on

hill about 8 A.M.

2 Minutes - 55

2 Minutes - -- -- -- 51

I Minute - -- 36

Total — 5 Minutes ------- 142

I did not notice the flight till just as I was about to catch the train so have
not the faintest idea how many there were.

“March 19 — Yz hour only 30.

“March 14, 1932 — In 15 minutes between 7:15 and 7:30 I counted 103 crows
flying north over the ridge, quite high, some almost out of sight, never more than
7 in sight at once. Overcast and chilly wind, light and just south of west. Flight
continued only a short time.

“March 22, 1934 — Noted 14 crows flying north along ridge today.

“April I — 338 noted in small groups flying rather high 8:20 to 9:10. Ground
wind, light and south. Wind higher up northwest and stronger,
rather rapidly at actual rate of 550 in 5 minutes as I watched through window.

‘‘March 3, 1935 — Counted 227 flying at rate of about 20 a minute in early
morning. They approached the ridge from the east and south flying rather high
but heading almost due north at the Heights. Wind northwest but light increasing
later in day.”

That the weather has a secondary influence on these flights there
can be no doubt. As with the hawks the northwest wind at least higher
up is a prerequisite.

That birds are quick to respond to environment is well evidenced
by the partial, at times almost complete, draining of the Cedar Grove
Reservoir due to drought. In a comparatively short time this area,

TABLE VI

Spring Arrival Calendar — (Average Arrivals of Representative Species)

Essex

County Only

Feb.

26 — Purple Crackle

May

3 — Baltimore Oriole

Mar.

I — Bluebird

Catbird

Mar.

4 — Red-wing

May

5 — Chestnut-sided Warbler

Mar.

II — Fish Crow

Prairie W'arbler

Mar.

12 — Cowbird

Crested Flycatcher

Phoebe

May

6 — Kingbird

Mar.

15 — Woodcock

May

7 — Rose-breasted Grosbeak

.A.pril

4 — Hermit Thrush

Blackburnian Warbler

April

6 — Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Scarlet Tanager

April

9 — Chipping Sparrow

May

8 — Magnolia Warbler

April

Yellow Palm Warbler
II — Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

May

Black-billed Cuckoo
9 — Bobolink

April

13 — Osprey

May

10 — Red-eyed Vireo

April

17 — Barn Swallow

May

1 1 — Indigo Bunting

April

20 — Towhee

May

12 — W'hite-crowned Sparrow

April

21 — Brown Thrasher

Nighthawk

April

24 — House Wren

Gray-cheeked Thrush

April

Broad-winged Hawk
26 — Black and White Warbler

May

Olive-backed Thrush
13 — Wood Pewee

Chimney Swift

May

20 — Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

April

27 — Green Heron

May

21 — Olive-sided Flycatcher

Solitary Vireo

May

24 — Mourning Warbler

Black-thr. Green Warbler

May

25 — Alder Flycatcher

April

29 — Whip-poor-will

30 — Yellow Warbler

50 (6-15 year average)

May

2 — Ovenbird

1906-1931

W'ood Thrush

usually a resort of Kingfisher, Spotties, an occasional Killdeer or duck
in season, was visited in 1929 also by Little Blue and Green Herons,
both species of Yellow-legs, Least, Semipalmated and Solitary Sand-
pipers, Semipalmated Plover, and a Turkey Buzzard in search of the
dead fish. Several of the above are the only records for the Montclair
region in many years.

Fully as entertaining as the study of a limited local area is the
attempt to locate the nests of our now rare and fast decreasing local
raptors. The location of a Cooper’s or a Sharp-shin or a local Red-
shoulder Hawk or Barred Owl nest becomes an outstanding feature
of the season, something to point out a year or two later or to visit
often when the young are still about. Many a sad tale can be told of
birds destroyed or nests deserted. My most enjoyable recent pleasure
was finding in a few minutes, nests of Red-shoulder and Sparrow
Hawk both with young, and seeing a Sharp-shin nearby in June not
half a mile from the busy Pompton Turnpike.

In conclusion, the Essex County list stands at 283 forms and the
Hudson County list at 235 forms ; total 297 forms. That a few more
will be added is certain. We still have a large number of possibilities
such as Red-throated Loon, two scoters, European Teal, Snow Goose,
Brant, Purple Gallinule, Little Black Rail, Swallow-tailed Kite, Phila-
delphia Vireo, Swainson’s Hawk, either of the Brown-capped Chicka-
dees, Bewick’s Wren, Gray Kingbird, Arkansas Kingbird, Raven, Sum-
mer Tanager, and Cerulean Warbler which have been seen recently
nearby or reported on questioned authority, not to mention some of
the rarer accidentals. It is this that keeps up local systematic field
work, perhaps this that prevents the banding or life history studies we
ought to make. A fruitful source of added records is open to the
student of old histories or rare books of travel in the early days of
this part of our state. I must beg to differ with many who would ex-
clude certain old or sight or even questioned records for experience
shows that the authors of books even of a few years ago may err by
leaning backwards. The status in “Birds of the New York Region”
of the Forster’s Tern, the Artie Three-toed Woodpecker, the Snowy
Egret, the Nonpareil and the White Gyrfalcon are much to the point
as all such species are established today after only a few years study.

It is just as much an error to omit a reasonable, unsupported record
which may later be proved or supplemented as to include it in a list
like this, for there will always be some who insist on making up their
own minds anyway. I have tried to be sane throughout and to place
the facts and authority before you, judge as you will.

TABLE VII

Excluding Introduced Species, Ten Most Typical Breeding Species as Nearly as
Possible from Latest Breeding Counts

Area 2

Salt Marsh

(Brackish)

I. Long-billed Marsh Wren

6. Swamp Sparrow

2. Song Sparrow

7. Killdeer

3. Sharp-tailed Sparrow

8. Spotted Sandpiper

4. Red-wing

9. Savannah Sparrow

5. Meadowlark

10. Bobolink

Area 3

of Newark-Hackensack
Meadows

10.

Area 4
Upland

10.

Area 5

Traprock Ridge Over 400 Feet

1. Towhee 6. Crow

2. Robin 7. Blue Jay

3. Red-eyed Vireo 8. Wood Thrush

4. Ovenbird 9. Chestnut-sided Warbler

5. Northern Yellow-throat 10. House Wren

Area 6

Passaic Valley Lowland

6. Yellow Warbler

7. Crow

8. Long-billed Marsh Wren

9. Northern Yellow-throat
10. Tufted Titrriouse

1. Red-wing

2. Song Sparrow

3. Swamp Sparrow

4. Barn Swallow

5. Robin

1. Robin

2. Song Sparrow

3. Chipping Sparrow

4. House Wren

5. Wood Thrush

Killdeer
Fish Crow
Indigo Bunting
Yellow Warbler
Florida Gallinule

Catbird
Blue Jay
Flicker

Purple Crackle
Northern Yellow-throat

Fresh Marsh

1. Swamp Sparrow

2. Long-billed Marsh Wren

3. Song Sparrow

4. Red-wing

5. Northern Yellow-throat

ANNOTATED LIST

(E=Essex County; H=Hudson County. Unless otherwise noted records
are by the author.)

Loon {GaiAa immer immer)

Uncommon transient.

E — Regular on Cedar Grove Reservoir; Nov. 24, 1932 ; April 3, 1931 to May
29, 1932. An unusual flight May i to 9 in 1930, over 60 birds, Montclair.

Holboell’s Grebe (Colymbus grisegena holboelli)

Usually rare transient or winter visitant.

E — A few shot on the Passaic below Summit (H. H. Hann 1905, Stone, p.
39) ; Port Newark, March 3, 1929 (J. L. E.) to April 8, 1934 (R. F. H.) ; one
on Newark Bay in breeding plumage July 8, 1934 (W. F. E. and G. C. Rose). Some
seasons, as in 1934, flights occur in February and March.

Horned Grebe {Colyvvbus auritus)

Rare transient and winter visitant.

E — Port Newark, at times common on Bay, rare inland; Nov. ii, 1930, Mont-
clair, to April 23, 1911, Branch Brook Park (L. S. K.).

H — Occasional on Passaic and Hackensack Rivers; Feb. 12, 1934, Hacken-
sack River (L. S. K.) to April 18, 1934, Croxton Pond.

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilyfnbus podiceps podiceps)

Not common transient; formerly bred.

E — Not common transient, especially on Verona Lake and Cedar Grove
Reservoir; April 5, 1925 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to April 17, 1927 (J. L. E.) ; Sept. 10,
1925 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to Nov. 23, 1930 (J. L. E.) ; Feb. 15, 1934, one caught in ice
at Port Newark (L. S. K.). At Port Newark, now a migrant, formerly bred to
1908; on May 30, 1906, in spot now destroyed, Hann, Callender, and Abbott found
5 nests (Stone, p. 40).

H — Observed several times at swamp at foot of Bergen Hill in Jersey City
about 1901 (Eugene Smith, Linnaean Abstract, 1900-1902, p. 16). Rare fall mi-
grant, chiefly seen in Croxton Pond; Aug. 17, 1932 (J. L. E.) to Oct. 13, 1928.

Leach’s Petrel (Oceauodroma leucorhoa)

H — One record at Hoboken, Nov. 3, 1861 (W. Cooper, Griscom, p. 85).

Wilson’s Petrel (Occanites oceanicus)

Rare summer visitant to New York Bay.

H — June 14, 1934 to Aug. 21, 1934, extreme dates; seen also 1910, 1913, 1914,
1915, chiefly August (all L. S. K.) ; Sept. 6, 1907 (Chapin).

Gannet (Sula leucogasfer leucogaster)

Rare transient.

H — Newark Bay, Oct. i, 1930 (C. A. U.) only record; seen near C. R. R.
bridge, probably in both Hudson and Union Counties.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocora.r auritus aiiritus)

Rare transient.

E — Two records at Port Newark: May 20, 1928 (C. A. U.), and Sept. 2,
1932 (J. Kuerzi and E. Mayr).

Great Blue Heron {Ardea hcrodias herodias)

Uncommon transient, rare in summer.

E — March 31, 1928 (W. R.) to May 11, 1913 (L. S. K.) ; June 16, 1929, June
20, 1912 (L. S. K.), July 4, 1935 (Knobloch) to Jan. 22, 1928.

H — Uncommon but regular migrant on meadows, April 8, 1927 (E. S. M.) to
May 23, 1928 (L. S. K.) ; July i, 1914 (E. S. M.) to Sept. 16, 1933.

■American Egret {Casmerodiiis albus eyretta)

Sometimes common summer visitant at Port Newark.

E — July 6, 1929 (C. C. Dauterman) to Oct. i, 1933.

H — Rare summer visitant; July 7, 1935, Secaucus (J. L. E., R. T. Peterson,
R. C., and W. F. E.) to Aug. 4, 1933, Snake Hill (J. L. E.)

Snowy Heron (Egretta fhula thnla)

Rare summer visitant.

E — Port Newark, July 23, 1933 (L. L. W.) to Sept. 3, 1930; Sept. 6 to 18,
1932, ma.x. 12 (C. A. U., Proceedings of Linnaean Society, 1934, p. 84).

Louisiana Heron (Hydratiassa tricolor ruficollis)

The rarest summer visitant heron.

E — July 26, 1933 (W. Kessler) to Aug. 25, 1930 (J. Kuerzi).

Little Blue Heron (Florida caeridea caerulea)

Regular, sometimes abundant, summer visitant.

E — July 3, 1933 (C. Brown) to Sept. 21, 1930 (R. C.).

H — Records in 1907 and 1923 (E. S. M.).

Green Heron (Butorides virescens inrescens)

Not common summer resident.

E — .April 13, 1927 (Montclair Bird Club) to Oct. 13, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ;
nest and eggs. May 16, 1929 (W. R.) to June 30, 1893 (DeCourcey Cleveland).

H — Formerly bred, to 1920 (E. S. M.) ; May 15, 1927 to Aug. 12, 1928,
Arlington (E. S. M.) ; Aug. 19, 1899, Greenville (Miller) ; July 2, 1929, Bell-
man’s Creek (L. S. K.).

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)

Summer visitant ; formerly bred.

E — Less common in summer than in spring and fall ; present in summer but
no recent nests; April 5, 1929 (E. S.) to Dec. 22, 1929 (J. L. E.) ; one bird
Feb. 6, 1931 (Mrs. C. S. H.).

H — Formerly bred, Arlington (O. P. M.) ; July 7, 1935, Secaucus, to Dec.
24, 1929.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea violacea)

Uncommon summer visitant, usually in immature plumage.

E — July 15, 1931 (C. A. U.) to Sept. 25, 1927, Port Newark (J. L. E.) ; Sept.
23, 1934, Branch Brook Park.

American Bittern (Botanrus lentiginosus)

Rare summer resident and transient.

E — March 25, 1928 (C. A. U.) to Dec. 21, 1930 (J. L. E.). Nest and eggs
May 13, 1928 (E. S.).

H — ^Formerly bred, probably still does. One captured alive in airshaft in
Jersey City, April 24, 1935 (H. Brady) ; April 14, 1935, May ii, 1931, one dead
on meadows (L. S. K.) ; June 21, 1912 (L. S. K.) ; July i, 1914, Arlington (E.
S. M.) to Aug. 13, 1933.

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis exilis)

Migrant and formerly a rare breeder.

E — May 15, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; nest and eggs May 19, 1929, Long Meadow
(W. R.). At Port Newark bred up to 1916; May 30 to June 17, 1906, nests found
by Hann and Callender (Stone, p. too) ; migrants, July 23, 1933 to Sept. 12, 1934,
when one with wounded wing was picked up in Belleville (B. S. Bowdish).

H — ^Probably breeds still in county; May 13, 1931, Croxton Pond and May
23, 1928, Saw Mill Creek (L. S. K.) to July 7, 1935 and a few September
records when rail shooting (R. S. Lemmon).

Mute Swan {Sthenelides olor)

Introduced.

E — Two records: Oct. 15, 1932 (J. L. E.) and Dec. 15, 1929 (C. A. U.) ;
captive birds released on Verona Lake, 1932, and Edgemont Lake, 1935.

H — Feb. 7, 1925, C. R. R. N. J. ferry, probably this species (C. A. U. and
W. F. E.).

Whistling Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

Rare migrant.

H — De Vries (1639-42) reported swans on New York Bay with ducks and
geese. (Eaton “Birds of New York.”)

Canada Goose (Branfa canadensis catiadensts)

Uncommon transient, spring and fall.

E — Late March, 1922 (V. E. Gorman) to May 3, 1923 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; Nov.
15. 1931 (Mrs. Fry) to early December (L. S. K.).

H — Nov. 21, 1920 (O. P. M.) ; more common in spring (R. S. Lemmon) ;
De Vries (1639-42) recorded on New York Bay (Eaton “Birds of New York”) ;
formerly in North Bergen (“History of Hudson County,” Shaw) and formerly
common transient at Arlington (Paulson) ; April 14, 1935 flock of 56 flying north
at Fairview.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)

Migrant and rare breeder.

E — Migrant and rare breeder, at least formerly in Hatfield Swamp; March
ii 1935 (W. R.) to Dec. 26, 1931 ; fall arrival at Newark, Aug. 2, 1933 (C. A. U.)
and Aug. 17, 1929; feral birds from Verona Lake now casual in summer and fall.

H — Recorded, Newark Bay (C. A. U.) ; reported formerly, rather late in
fall (R. S. Lemmon, Field and Stream, Aug. 1932, p. 34).

Red-legged Black Duck (Anas nibripes rnbripes)

Winter visitant.

E — March i, 1935, Hatfield (W. R.) ; common in winter on Newark Bay;
several records of birds seen or collected. Sept. 14 to Nov. 4, 1913 (L. S. K.)

Black Duck (Anas rnbripes tristis)

Permanent resident and common transient.

E — Breeds and winters irregularly ; the most common duck, but rare in Mont-
clair region; May 13, 1928, nest and eggs, Caldwell (E. S.).

H — Permanent resident and regular breeder, but less often seen in winter on
Hackensack; formerly more common but local increase at North Hudson Park;
at times abundant on Newark Bay. Brood of young, June 3, 1932, North Hudson
Park; Oct. 15, 1914, flock of 10, D. L. & W. ferry (L. S. K.).

Gadwall (Chaulclasmus streperus)

Rare migrant.

E — April 2, 1933 (R. F. H.) at Port Newark (Proceedings of Linnaean
Society, 1934, p. 85).

European Widgeon (Mareea penelope)

Rare migrant.

E — One record at Port Newark, Jan. 6, 1929 (C. A. U.)

Baldpate (Mareea americana)

E — Few records on Newark Bay, March i, 1935 (W. R.) to March 17, 1929
(C. A. U.) ; Sept. 9, 1928 and Oct. 7, 1934.

H — One record, March 21, 1931, Croxton Pond (J. L. E. and W. F. E.).
Several records on upper Hackensack meadows (R. S. Lemmon).

Pintail (Dafila acuta tzitsihoa)

Regular transient, occasionally common in spring.

E — July 4, 1929 (C. A. U.) to Dec. 24, 1933; Feb. 4, 1928 (W. R.) to May 15,
1931 (C. A. U.).

H— March 28, 1934 (L. S. K.).

Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense)

Uncommon transient.

E — March i, 1935 (W. R.) to May 29, 1846 (H. W. Herbert) ; Port Newark,
Sept. 15, 1928 (J. Kuerzi) to Dec. 18, 1927 (C. A. U.).

H — One shot on Passaic at Arlington, 1904, by R. Belden (E. S. M.) ; also
reported formerly (R. S. Lemmon) in Field and Stream, August, 1932, p. 34.

Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors)

Uncommon transient.

E — March 15, 1931 (C. A. U.) to Alay ii, 1928 (E. S.) ; Sept. 3, 1928 to Oct.
12, 1932 (J. L. E.).

H — One shot by Cyrus Belden, Arlington (E. S. M.), also reported in Field
and Stream, August, 1932, p. 34; used to be common by Sept. 1 (R. S. Lemmon).

Shoveller (Spatula clypeata)

Rare.

E — Port Newark, Aug. 26, 1929 (R. C.) to Nov. 4, 1928 (C. A. U.).

W'ood Duck (Aix sponsa)

Rare breeder.

E — Rare breeder in Caldwell area (at least formerly), March i, 1935 (W. R.)
to Dec. 24, 1932 (E. Pontecorvo).

H — Specimen in Paterson Museum reputedly shot on Hackensack meadows in
September, 1822. R. T. Morris records it in winter on the Hackensack meadows
(Forest and Stream, 1888) ; a few records (R. S. Lemmon). Not recorded by
Medsger.

Redhead (Nyroca amcricana)

Rare migrant.

E — Feb. II to March 31, 1928 (E. S. and W. R.) ; Oct. 23, 1932 (Loomis).

H — Sometimes seen after northeast storms (R. S. Lemmon).

Ring-necked Duck (Nyroca collaris)

Occasional on reservoir ; apparently increasing in spring.

E— March 25, 1933 (J. L. E.) to April 23, 1933.

Canvasback (Nyroca valisincria)

Not common.

E — Only 4 records — ^Cedar Grove Res., Nov. 9 and 16, 1930 (J. L. E. and
W. F. E.) ; Port Newark, Feb. 12, 1928 (J. L. E.) and Feb. 15, 1934 (L. S. K.).

H — Reported formerly (Field and Stream, August, 1932, p. 34 — R. S. Lem-
mon ) .

Greater Scaup (Nyroca marila)

Common migrant and winter visitant.

E — March 15, 1931 (C. A. U.) to May 9, 1931; Cedar Grove Res. (Montclair
Bird Club).

H — Scaup (Sp.) common on New York and Newark Bays in fall and winter;
Jan. 8, 1933 to March 16, 1927.

Lesser Scaup (Nyroca af finis)

E — Newark Bay, Oct. 31, 1920 to May 29, 1921 (C. A. U., “Birds of Union
County”) ; June 17, 1906 (Hann and Callender, Auk, 1907).

American Goldeneye (Cjlaucionctta clangula aiiierica>ia)

Not common except at times in winter on Newark and New York Bays.

E — Dec. 23, 1927 (J. L. E.) to .April 4, 1930 (J. L. I-l).

H — Jan. 8, 1933, Black Tom.

Buflleliead (Charitoiietta albeola)

Rare migrant.

E — Nov. I, 1931 to Nov. 21, 1926 (J. L. E.) ; March 20, 1932 (J. L. E., W.
F. E.. Chaliff).

H — few (K. S. Lemmon).

Old Squaw (Ctanyula hyemalis)

Rare winter visitant.

E — Feb. 15, 1934, Newark Bay (L. S. K..) ; April 16, 1930, Cedar Grove Res.
(J. L. E.) ; Nov. 18, 1928 (J. L. E.) to Nov. 21, 1931 (Mrs. C. S. H.).

H — Taken in winter off Robbins Reef. Seen in taxidermist’s shop by W.
Rusling. .Also, Oct. 22, 1913, Hoboken (L. S. K.).

Harlequin Duck {Histrionicus histrionicus histrionicus)

H — On Sept. 7, 1913, keeper of light at Ellis Island exhibited to L. S. K.
skin of this bird which he claimed was killed hitting light.

White-winged Scoter {Melanitta deylandi)

Uncommon migrant.

H — From Erie ferry, Dec. 3, 1933, only record.

Ruddy Duck {Erismatiira janiaicensis rubida)

Rare and decreasing.

E — .April 23, 1915 (R. H. H.) ; Nov. 4, 1930 (J. L. E.) to Nov. 18, 1922’
(Mrs. C. S. H.).

H — Recorded (R. S. Lemmon).

Hooded Merganser {Lophodytes cucullatus)

Uncommon migrant.

E — Not common; March 24, 1935; March 31, 1928, Caldwell area (E. S. and
W’. R.) ; and March 20, 1932, East Orange W’atershed (W. F. E., J. L. E., and
E. Chaliff).

American Merganser (^Mergus merganser americanus)

Common migrant, sometimes winters.

E and H — On Newark Bay and inland on the Passic, Commonwealth, Cedar
Grove Reservoir, etc. ; winters some years, but more common in March ; Nov
24, 1932 to .April 13, 1929 (W. R.).

Red-breasted Merganser {Mergus serrator)

Common migrant, sometimes winters.

E — Newark Bay, Commonw'ealth and Cedar Grove Reservoirs and Passaic
River (winter) ; Oct. 23, 1932 to May 20, 1920 (J. L. EL).

H — Hackensack River, April 8, 1933.

Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura septentrionalis)

Rare in east, uncommon in west of county.

E — March 25, 1922 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to May 16, 1932; Aug. 18, 1929 to Oct.
27, 1929 (W. R.).

H — Sept. 7, 1913, Secaucus, one found dead (L. S. K.).

Eastern Goshawk (Astur atricapillus atricapilltts)

Rare winter visitor.

E — Dec. 6, 1934 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; Dec. 13, 1896 (coll, by W. E. D. Scott) to
March 13, 1928 (E. S.) ; only 7 records.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox velox)

Permanent resident.

E — Permanent resident, rare as a breeder, not common in winter, but regular
though decreasing migrant in numbers, spring and fall; May li, 1928, nest and
eggs (E. S.).

H — Regular migrant, rare in winter and probably formerly permanent resi-
dent; Sept. 6, 1925 (E. S. M.) ; January, 1929 (E. S. M.) ; Jan. i, 1910, Westside
Park (L. S. K.) to May 17, 1915 (E. S. M.).

Cooper’s Hawk {Accipiter cooperi)

Permanent resident.

E — Permanent resident ; rare in winter and uncommon breeder ; nest and
eggs, May 25, 1927 (W. R.).

H— Rare transient, probably formerly a permanent resident; Oct. i, 1921 to
April 18, 1916 and May 21, 1921, Arlington (E. S. M.).

Eastern Red-tailed Hawk {Buteo borealis borealis)

Winter visitant.

E — Formerly a resident, now only common as winter visitant. Last breeding
record, nest and eggs, Caldwell, April 2, 1928 (W. R.). Only four nesting
records, including set of eggs April 20, 1895, Short Hills, collected by De
Courcey Cleveland in Hallinan collection, Paterson Museum; July 10, 1908 (L.
S. K.) ; Sept. 5, 1922 (W. de W. Miller) to April 12, 1931.

H — Winter visitant on meadows, Oct. 15, 1921 to May 25, 1913 (E. S. M.)

Northern Red-shouldered Hawk {Buteo Hneatus lineatus)

Permanent resident.

E — Formerly common breeder, now rare; rare in winter; Feb. ii, 1934 to
Dec. 26, 1931; nest and eggs, March 29, 1928 (W. R.).

H — Formerly permanent resident, last probable breeding, 1915; migrant;
Sept. 12, 1914 to May 12, 1921 (E. S. M.) ; one dead, Dec. 26, 1925 (E. S. M.).

Broad-winged Hawk {Buteo platyptcrus platyptcrus)

Migrant.

E — At times common migrant, rare in summer; April 15, 1934 to Sept. 27,.
1930 and 1931.

H — Uncommon migrant; Sept. 20, 1910 (L. S. K.) and Sept. 20, 1921 (E. S.
M.) ; April 23, 1922, Arlington (E. S. M.).

■American Rough-legged Hawk (Butco lagopus s. johaunis)

Migrant and winter visitant.

I E — Not common ; Nov. 2, 1930 to F"eb. 7, 1925.

H — Regular, sometimes common, in migration and winter on meadows ; Oct.
19, 1934 to April 14, 1935.

Golden ELagle {Aquila chrysaetos canadensis)

Rare migrant.

E — Several records and reported specimens all old but one; May, 1865 (T. M.
Trippe, American Nature, 1874, P- 346) ; Nov. 25, 1934, one seen along Passaic
meadows near Dickinson’s Neck (E. Chaliff).

Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leticocephaltts leucocephalus)
f Rare migrant.

E — Now rare, formerly seen more often in migration; Oct. 7, 1928 (J. L. E.)

I to April 26, 1930 (J. Q. Adams).

Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius)

Permanent resident.

1 E — Permanent resident, regular at Port Newark, rare elsewhere except as a
|. migrant.

H — Rare permanent resident on Hackensack meadows ; more common in
I spring and fall as migrant.

I Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis)

Migrant ; occasional in summer.

E — April I, 1928 (J. L. E.) and April i, 1935 to Oct. 9, 1932; uncommon in
’ summer but not known to breed.

H — Now rare transient ; formerly regular migrant along Passaic at Arlington
(C. E. Paulson) ; April 24, 1929; Aug. 16, 1898, Newark Bay (W. de W. Miller)
to Oct. 22, 1933 [nest on Overpeck in Bergen County to 1898, R. S. Lemmon].

Duck Hawk (Falco peregrintis anatum)

Migrant.

E — Uncommon migrant, rare in winter; Sept. 3, 1928 to May 11, 1929 (J.
L. E.).

H — Nov. II, 1931 (J. L. E.) to Nov. 23, 1928; March 28, 1934 (L. S. K.) tO’
May 17, 1920. (E. S. M.).

Eastern Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius columbarius)

Migrant.

E — Less often seen than preceding species; April 4, 1909 (R. H. H.) to May
II, 1912 (L. S. K.) ; July 21, 1935 (L. L. W. and R. T. Peterson) to Sept. 29,
1928.

H — Medsger reports one taken in hencoop, Arlington; Sept. 13, 1931, Secau-
cus (J. L. E.) to Oct. 23, 1915, Westside Park (L. S. K.).

Eastern Sparrow Hawk {Falco sparverius sparverius)

Permanent resident.

E — Uncommon breeder and permanent resident; nest and young, June 15,
1910 (L. S. K.).

H — Very rare breeder and permanent resident.

Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus umbellus)

Extirpated.

E — No longer found; last records, Caldwell, March ii, 1927 (E. S.) ; Mont-
clair, Feb. I, 1928 (Mrs. Abbott) ; Orange, Feb. 15, 1925 (C. A. U.).

H — Formerly in North Bergen township, before 1887 (“History of Hudson
County”). [In Bergen County east of Englewood till about 1910, R. S. Lemmon.]

European Partridge {Perdix perdix perdix)

Introduced but extirpated.

E — Introduced in W'est Caldwell, bred, but killed off a few years ago (1932),
(former Warden, Fred Hall).

Eastern Bob-white (Colinus virginianiis virginianus)

Uncommon permanent resident and decreasing despite artificial plantings.

E Two records at Port Newark, fall 1934 (L. S. K.). So far as now

known a rare breeder in only one or two places. Last record (Orange region),
Dec. 24, 1932 (Chaliff) ; Montclair, July /, 1929, until stocked April, 1935, by
the Montclair Bird Qub.

H — Formerly bred in West Hoboken and North Bergen (“History of Hudson
County”), formerly bred at Arlington; last record July 16, 1928 (E. S. M.).

Florida Bob-white {Colinus virginianus floridanus)

Introduced ; now extirpated.

E — Specimen taken by Herrick at Chatham (now in Springfield, Mass.,
Museum) probably Dickenson’s Neck, Nov. 26, 1871, indicates their planting
many years ago.

Ring-necked Pheasant {Phasianus colchicus torquatus)

Permanent resident — introduced 1897

E — Permanent resident and rare breeder; June 8, 1927, nest and 14 eggs
(W. R.).

H — Very rare permanent resident; still breeds at Arlington; nest and eggs.
May I, 1920 (E. S. M.).

Whooping Crane {Grus amcricaiia)

H — De \'ries (1639-1642) rei>orts with swans, ducks and geese on New
York Bay (Eaton’s “Birds of New York”).

King Kail {Rallus elegans)

Formerly bred, rare migrant.

E — Nest down river from Summit, 1895 (Littlejohn, Stone, p. 110) ; May 13,

1 1928 (E. S.) and May 13, 1923 (Mrs. C. S. H.)

' H — few records in fall (R. S. Lemmon.)

Northern Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris crepitans)

Rare breeder and migrant.

E — Port Newark, formerly bred; no recent records except as migrants until
June, 1935, when this species became re-established on the only piece of undrained
marsh suitable (C. A. U.).

H — 1901, observed by Eugene Smith in March at foot of Bergen Hill, Jersey
City (Linnaean .Abstract, 1900-1902, p. 16).

, A’irginia Rail (Rallus limicola limicola)

I Rare breeder.

E — .April 23, 1929 (W. R.) to Sept. 24, 1933; now rare breeder; nest and eggs,

I May 17, 1927 (W. R.)

' H — Formerly bred, .Arlington to 1927 (E. S. M.) ; rare fall migrant when
i rail shooting (R. S. Lemmon). Still breeds on meadows, March 26, 1927 to
July 29. 1931.

Sora Rail (Parsana Carolina)

Formerly' rare breeder.

E — April 2, 1933 (R. F. H.) to Sept. 24, 1933 (W. F. E. and J. L. E.) ; nest
I and eggs. May 15, 1929 (W. R.).

H — Arlington, probably a former breeder to June 28, 1919 (E. S. M.) ;
Greenville, Aug. 19, 1899 (Miller) ; Saw Mill Creek, May 23, 1928 (L. S. K.) ;
May 6, 1920 (E. S. M.) to Oct. 22, 1933; Fairview; formerly abundant in fall
I flights (R. S. Lemmon) ; may still breed in meadows but no recent proof.

Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis)

, E and H — Herrick reports 4 to 5 specimens shot on meadows near Dickin-
son’s place; 2 specimens in collection labeled “about 1875” (Linnaean Society
meeting, Nov. 2, 1878) (Forest and Stream, XII, 1879, p. 165) ; a female in Her-
rick’s collection now in Springfield Museum, dated Sept. 17, 1877, Madison, N. J.

Florida Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus cacitinnnns)

Migrant.

E — Now extirpated as a summer resident at least in its former haunts at
I Long meadow and Port Newark; nest and eggs. May 16, 1926 (\V. R.) to July

I, 1905 (Abbot, Hann, and Callender, Auk, 1907, p. i-ii) ; April 26, 1929 (W. R.)
to Sept. 20, 1931 (J. L. E.).

H — Formerly bred in Kearney (O. P. M.) ; still breeds at Secaucus, Croxton
Ponds, and Fairview, June, 1922 (Griscom) to Oct. ii, 1931 (M. Rich) ; specimen
in hotel at Homestead.

Coot (Fulica americana americana)

Rare migrant.

E — Now a rare transient to Nov. 13, 1932 (Loomis) ; formerly bred at Port
Newark; nest, May 30, 1907 (Abbot, Auk 1907, p. 436).

H — April 26, 1933, Croxton (J. L. E.) to May 12, 1920 (E. S. M.) ; Oct.
28, 1905 (E. S. M.) ; 1901, observed by Eugene Smith in marshy spot at foot of
Bergen Hill, Jersey City (Linnaean Astract, 1900-1902, p. 16).

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus')

Rare migrant.

E — April 4, 1930 (R. C.) to May 20, 1928 (C. A. U.) ; Aug. 10, 1927 (C.
A. U.).

Semipalmated Plover {Charadrius semipalmatus)

Common migrant.

E — Rare inland; second shorebird in abundance at Port Newark; May 12,
1934 (C. A. U.) to May 31, 1930 and 1931 (J. L. E. and C. A. U.) ; June 27,
1933 (C. A. U.) to Oct. 23, 1932.

H — May to June 17, 1932, at Secaucus (M. Rich) ; July 26, 1931 to Aug. 13,
1933-

Killdeer {Oxyechus vociferus vociferus)

Permanent resident.

E — Permanent resident, rare in winter; has increased in last 25 years; Feb.
10, 1935 (D. Wilson); Jan. 15, 1933; Dec. 28, 1931 (L. S. K.) ; Jan. i, 1935;
young able to run, May 4, 1930. Migrants, July 3, 1931 (C. A. U.)

H — Regular summer resident at suitable places; March 6, 1910 (L. S. K.) to
Oct. 8, 1919 (E. S. M.).

Golden Plover {PhtiAalis dominica dominica)

Irregular migrant.

E — At times frequent transient in fall at Port Newark, Aug. 23, 1933 to
Nov. 12, 1932 (C. A. U.).

H — One reported shot on Hackensack meadows (L. S. K., The Gala gist,
February, 1931, No. 525, p. 25) ; Sept. 13, I93L several seen (by J. L. E., Herbert
and Kassoy) at Secaucus.

Black-bellied Plover {Squatarola squatarola)

Common transient, one winter record.

E— Port Newark, May 8 to June 8, 1929; July 27, 1930 (J. L. E.) to Nov. 18,
1928 and Jan. 6, 1935 (C. A. U.).

H— Secaucus, Sept. 13, 1931 (J- L. E., R. Herbert, and I. Kassoy).

Ruddy Turnstone {Arenaria interpres morinella)

Uncommon migration.

E — Port Newark, not common, Aug. 22, 1928 to Oct. 6, 1929 (C. A. U.).

H — Secaucus, Aug. ii, 1932 (VV. F. E. and J. L. E.) and Aug. 14, 1932
(J. L. E.).

Woodcock (Philohela minor)

Breeds.

E — Feb. 27, 1930 (W. R.) to Nov. 28, 1929; nest and young. May 11, 1929
(W. R.) ; young. May 12, 1934 (D. Wilson).

H — Formerly found in West Hoboken and nested in Arlington to about 1910
(O. P. M.) : seen May ii, 1927 (E. S. M.) ; March 26, 1927 to Nov. 15, 1920
(O. P.M.).

Wilson’s Snipe (Capella delicata)

Irregular migrant.

E — Formerly abundant on Great Piece Meadows and formerly bred on Dick-
inson’s Neck, March 25, 1928 (E. S.) to May 7, 1935 (L. S. K.) and May 26,
1910 (L. S. K.) at Bloomfield; Sept. 3, 1928 to Dec. 2, 1928 (C. A. U.) ; also
Feb. II, 1934; Feb. 10, 1935 (D. Wilson) and Feb. 17, 1935 (W. F. E. and J. L.
E.), all at Bloomfield.

H— Much less common than formerly; recorded in West Hoboken; March
26, 1927 to April II, 1920 (E. S. M.) ; formerly shot commonly in fall and spring,
March 10- April 30 (R. S. Lemmon). Specimens in hotel at Homestead.

Hudsonian Curlew (Phaeopus hudsonicus)

Rare migrant

E — Port Newark, July 23, 1930 (C. A. U.) to Aug. 29, 1927 (J. L. E.).

Upland Plover (Bartramia longicauda)

Migrant

E — Port Newark, July ii, 1928 (C. A. U.) to Sept. 25, 1927 (J. L. E.).
Specimen in Herrick collection labeled Passaic meadows, September, 1871.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia)

Breeds.

E — Common migrant and breeder; April 20, 1930 (W. R.) to Sept. 25, 1932;
nest, June 12, 1906, with 3 young and i unbroken egg (L. S. K.)

H — Occurs in suitable localities; formerly bred in Arlington (O. P. M.);
May 6, 1929 to Sept. 17, 1927 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria solitarid)

Common migrant.

E — Regular migrant inland; less common at Port Newark; April 28, 1929
to May 31, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; July ii, 1934 (C. A. U.) to Sept. 30, I933 (C. A. U.) .

H — Regular in fall at Secaucus, July 16, 1932 to Oct. 30, 1931 (J. L. E.).

Willet (subsp. ?) (Catoptrophorns seniipalmatus) [semipalmatus or iiisinatus]

Uncommon migrant.

E — Port Newark, May 15, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; July 21 to Sept. 29, 1929 (C. A.
U.) ; no collected specimens from our area.

Greater Yellow-legs (Totanus melanolencus)

Common migrant.

E — Rare inland; common at Port Newark, March 31, 1933 (C. A. U.) to
May 30, 1931 ; June 27, 1933 (C. A. U.) to Nov. 30, 1933 (C. A. U.).

H — Regular transient (Griscom, “Birds of New York City Region”) ; May 9,
1920 (E. S. M.) to May 30, 1934; also fall.

Lesser Yellow-legs (Totanus flavipes)

Abundant fall migrant ; rare spring migrant.

El — Rare inland and in spring; abundant in fall at Port Newark; April 30,
1931 to May 13, 1934 (C. A. U.) ; June 27, 1933 (C. A. U.) to Nov. 5, 1932
(C. A. U.).

H — Very rare in spring (Griscom, “Birds of New York City Region”) ; second
fall migrant in abundance at Secaucus ; July 8, 1934 to Sept. 10, 1935.

American Knot (Calidris canutus rtifus)

Rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, May 30 and 31, 1930 (J. L. E.) ; Aug. 17, 1930 (Herbert)
to Oct. I, 1933.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Pisobta melanotos)

Common migrant.

E — Port Newark, July 14, 1932 and July 14, 1934 (C. A. U.) to Nov. 6, 1934
(C. A. U.).

H — Fourth shorebird migrant in numbers at Secaucus; July 16, 1932 to
Aug. II, 1932.

White-rumped Sandpiper (Pisohia fuscicolUs)

Common migrant at times.

E— Port Newark, May 30, 1930 and 1931 (J. L. E.) ; July 2, 1933 (C. A. U.)'
to Nov. II, 1933 (C. A. U.).

H — Probably occurs at Secaucus; no positive record.

Baird’s Sandpiper (Pisobia bairdi)

Rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, 7 records in 1933, Aug. 30 (C. A. U.) to Oct. 7 (Breslau
and Sedwitz).

Least Sandpiper (Pisolna minutUla)

Common migrant.

E — April 20, 1929 (Wolfarth) to May 31, 1930 (C. A. U.) ; June 23, 1934
(C. A. U.) to Nov. 4, 1933 (C. A. U.).

H — Third migrant shorebird in abundance at Secaucus ; May 27, 1930, Harri-
son; July 7, 1935 to Sept. 10, 1935, Secaucus.

Red-backed Sandpiper (I’clidita alpina sakhalina)

Common migrant.

E — Port Newark, Oct. i, 1933 to Nov. 30, 1933 (C. A. U.) ; occurs in spring
but no county records at hand.

Eastern Dowitcher (Limnodromns ffriseus griseus)

Common migrant.

E — Port Newark, May 7, 1935 (L. S. K.) to May 30, 1930 (C. A. U.) ; June
21. 1935 (C. A. U.) to Oct. 29, 1933 (C. .-\. U.).

H — Secaucus, July 26, 1931, Hock of 15.

Long-billed Dowitcher (Liinnodromiis gruseus scolopaceus)

Very rare and no collected specimens.

E — Port Newark, Sept. 9 to 30, 1933, several sight records (C. A. U.).

Stilt Sandpiper (Micropalavia himautoptts)

More common migrant than formerly supposed.

E — Port Newark, July 7, 1934 (C. A. U.) to Oct. 12, 1934 (G. Rebell).

H — Secaucus, Sept. 5, 1931 (J. L. E.).

Semipalmated Sandpiper {Ereunetes pifsillus)

Most abundant shorebird ; some recent decrease.

E — May 12, 1929 (J. L. E.) to May 31, 1930 (C. A. U.) ; July 7, 1931 to
Nov. 9, 1930 (L. L. \V.).

H — Commonest migrant at Secaucus; May 27, 1934, Harrison, to June 17,
1932, Secaucus (M. Rich) ; July 16, 1932 to Sept. 10, 1935.

Western Sandpiper (Ereunetes maurii)

At times common migrant ; more frequently identified than formerly.

E — Port Newark, July 14, 1934 (C. A. U.) to Oct. 17, 1934 (L. S. K.).

H— Regular transient at Secaucus; July 26, 1931 to Aug. 30, 1931 (J. L. E.).

Bufl-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subrujicollis)

Very rare migrant, but recorded nearly every fall.

E — Port Newark, Sept. 6, 1931 (I. Kassoy and R. Herbert) to Oct. 9, 1932
(J. L. E.).

Marbled Godvvit (Limosa fedoa)

Very rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, Aug. 22 to Sept, i, 1928 (J. L. E.) ; Sept. 15 and 18, 1929
(Herbert, Hickey, and Kassoy).

Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)

Very rare.

E — Port Newark, July 3, 1925, in breeding plumage (C. A. U.) ; Aug. 31
(R. Friedman) to Oct. 13, 1928 (J. L. E.).

Uuff (Philomachus pugnax)

H — A specimen in the Jersey City Museum may have been taken in the
county but positive data are lacking.

Sanderling {Crocethia alba)

Not common migrant.

E — Port Newark, May 14, 1935 (L. S. K.) ; July 22 to Oct. 22, 1928 (C.A.U.).

H — Specimen in collection of mounted birds at Secaucus reported shot in
vicinity.

Avocet {Recurvirostra americana)

E — Port Newark, 1932. Three birds seen by many observers. Sept. 15 to
Oct. 4, reported as remnant of flock of 12 (C. A. U.).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)

Rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, one record. May 12, 1934 (C. A. U.).

H — Dr. Abbot (1868) records one shot on the Hackensack, June 27, 1863
(Stone, p. 1 17).

Wilson’s Phalarope (Steganopus tricolor)

Rare but seen more frequently than formerly.

E — Port Newark, Sept, i, 1930 (C. A. U.) to Oct. 8, 1932 (C. A. U.) ; only
one spring record. May 12, 1934 (C. A. U.).

H — Secaucus, Sept. 13, 1931 (J. L. E., R. Herbert, and I. Kassoy).

Northern Phalarope (Lobipes lobatus)

Rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, Aug. 23, 1933 (C. A. U.) ; Aug. 27 and Sept. 15, 1929 (R.
Herbert) ; Sept. 10, 1933 (Hickey) ; Sept. 18, 1934 (J. L. E. and J. R. Kuerzi,
Bird-Lore, p. 370, Vol. XXXVI).

Pomarine Jaeger {Stercorarins pomarinus)

E — H. Herrick writes (Forest and Stream, XII, 1879, p. 165, paper read
before Linnaean Society, Nov. 2, 1878) “Will Dickinson shot an immature speci-
men of the genus Stercorarius probably pomatorhimis (now pomarinus) in a
freshet on meadows after a storm in October, 1876.”

H — This species also reported in New York Harbor, Oct. 23, 1932, by Breslau
and Sedwitz (Proceedings of Linnaean Society, Abstract, May, 1934, p. 69).

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)

Rare winter visitant.

E — I, at Port Newark, Feb. 5, 1928 (C. A. U.).

H — Several killed on lower Hudson (Ghapman) ; more common from Ferries
than Iceland Gull; Nov. 21, 1928 to May 4, 1933 (J. L. E.) from Erie Ferry.

Iceland Gull {Larus leiicopterns)

Irregular winter visitant.

E — Frequent records at mouth of Bound Creek, Newark Bay, Jan. 15, 1922
to April 10, 1927 (C. A. U.).

H — Rare on Hudson River; Erie Ferry, Dec. 9, 1933 to Jan. 19, 1935 (J.
L. E.).

Kumlien’s Gull (var. Larus leucoptcrus x Larus argentatus thayeri)

H — Jan. 2, 1935, Staten Island ferry near Governor’s Island (Peterson and
Allen).

Great Black-hacked Gull (Larus nujrinus)

Winter visitant — chiefly in very cold weather ; much more common than before,

winter 1 934-1935-

E — Port Newark, Jan. 23, 1925 to March 5, 1923 (C. A. U.).

H — More common on Hudson-Erie Ferry; Dec. 2, 1915, Ellis Island (L. S.
K.) to March 5, 1932, Erie Ferry.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)

Abundant except in summer.

E — At Port Newark and on lower Passaic River abundant in fall and winter,
less so in spring; generally absent in early summer; July 23, 1933 to May 30,
1931 ; inland. Nov. 29, 1931 and 1934 to May 21, 1929 (W. R.) ; but more regular,
Dec. 22, 1929 (E. S. and W. R.) to April 5, 1931.

H — Abundant on Hudson, September to .■\pril, inclusive; immatures or non-
breeding birds less commonly seen from ferries. May to August ; formerly less
common. W. deW. Miller extreme old dates, Oct. 27, 1898 to May ii, 1901 ;
none in summer. Full adult birds last noted April 29, 1930, and first noted July
3. I935i Erie Ferry. Rather irregular on Hackensack and Passaic Rivers except
in summer when birds in any plumage are rare. Their habits and sight frequency
are governed by the tide.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Irregularly common, fall, winter and spring.

E — Port Newark, sometimes more abundant than formerly in fall and winter ;
not seen inland except one record at Weequahic Park; July 6, 1935 (J. L. E.) to
May 30, 1931: various June records (C. A. U.).

H — Rather rare on Hudson but more common on Newark Bay and Hacken-
sack River; Sept. 11 to June 8, 1931.

Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)

Locally abundant summer and fall.

E — Port Newark, abundant in late summer, July 16, 1931 to December; rare
in spring, April 2, 1933 (Haulenbeek) to June 8, 1929.

H — Common in fall on Hudson after 1921; formerly on Passaic (E. S. M.),
less often in spring; April 22 to June 8, 1931. First re-established spring observa-

tion, May 7, 1922 (W. deW. Miller). Average fall Hudson River last date,
Nov. 21 (9 years) ; July 5, 1932 to Nov. 30, 1935.

Bonaparte’s Gull {Lotus Philadelphia)

Irregularly common or abundant.

E — Port Newark, irregular, sometimes common to abundant; July 30, 1932
to May 30, 1930 (C. A. U.).

H — On Hudson more irregular than other gulls, at times unseen; often
abundant in December and January; July 26, 1934 (L. S. K.) to May 6, 1929 (J.
P. Chapin). On Hackensack, Nov. 3 to April 18, 1934.

Little Gull (Larus minutus)

E — Port Newark, one bird with Bonaparte’s Gulls, May 12, 1929 (J. L. E.,
W. F. E., and J. Thompson, Auk, Vol. XLVI, No. 3) ; also seen May 14 (C.A.U.).

H — New York Bay, May 7 and 8, 1933 (Chapin and Rich) ; May 6, 1929
(J. P. Chapin, Auk, Vol. XLVI, No. 43). Seen west of Governor’s Island from
Staten Island Ferry, probably same bird as Essex County record ; seen both
times with adult Bonaparte’s Gulls.

Atlantic Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla tridacfyla)

H — Hudson River, May 4, year not recorded (C. A. U.).

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica aranea)

H — L. S. Kohler reports on Sept. 7, 1913 — “light house keeper at Ellis Island
exhibited specimens of two terns killed by hitting light in late August; I believe
they were later mounted by Hofman in Brooklyn.’’

Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri)

Irregular migrant.

E and H — Newark Bay, seen irregularly in fall 1925, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932,
1934. 1935; Aug. 18, 1929 to Nov. 2, 1930 (C. A. U.).

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo hirundo)

E — Newark Bay, regular migrant spring and fall but rare in spring; Aug. 4,
1927 (J. L. E.) and 1935 to Sept. 18, 1932.

H — Frequent on Hudson River; most common late August; April 19, 1932
(M. Rich) ; May 14, 1929; July 29 to Oct. 22, 1922, from C. R. R. of N. J.
Ferry (W. deW. Miller).

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougalli dougalli)

Rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, one record only. Sept. 21, 1924 (C. A. U.).

Least Tern (Sterna antillaruin antillarum)

Rare migrant.

E — Three records only; May 15, 1929 (R. F. H.) ; Aug. 5, 1933 (L. L. W.) ;
Aug. 7, 1933 (R. Herbert and C. Farley).

Caspian Tern (Hydrol'rogne caspia imperator)

Rare migrant.

E — Port Newark, one record. May 20, 1928 (J. L. E.).

H — Bedloe’s Island, N. Y. Bay, 2 seen Oct. 9, 1934 (L. S. K.).

Black Tern {Chlidoiiias nigra siirinaniettsis)

E — Branch Brook Park, May 10, 1916 (L. S. K.) ; Port Newark, May 25,
1930 (J. L. E.) and May 29, 1932 (C. U.) ; .\ug. 4, 1927 (J. L. E.) to Oct.

6, 1906 (\V. deW. Miller).

H — Common on Hudson some years in late .August and September; July 26,
1934 (L. S. K.) to Sept. 21, 1925 (W. de \V. Miller).

Black Skimmer (Rynchops nigra nigra)

E — Port Newark, one record, .Aug. 29, 1928 (C. A. U.).

Razor-billed .Auk {Aha torda)

Rare migrant.

H — Two from Central R. R. of N. J. ferry, Dec. 5, 1926 (C. .A. U.).

Brunnich’s Murre (Uria lomz’ia lomvia)

Rare migrant.

E — Orange Reservoir, Dec. 24, 1899 (Babson; see Stone, p. 45).

H — On Jan. 14, 1929, C. .A. U. saw one from the Central Railroad of N. J.
ferry on the Hudson, and on Jan. 16 probably the same bird from the Erie ferry
(\V. F. E.).

Dovekie {Alle alle)

.Accidental visitant.

E — Flight, blown in by storm, Nov. 19 and 20, 1932; live specimens picked
up in Glen Ridge, Caldwell (Carrington Howard) ; Bloomfield, 3 (\V. .A. Young),
specimen sent to .American Museum; at least one bird released alive in Newark
Bay (\V. F. E.).

H — One seen from Central R. R. of N. J. ferrv on Hudson, Nov. 20, 1932
(C. .A. U.).

Rock-dove {Cohimba Ih'ia livia)

Feral.

E — Common permanent resident.

H — Common permanent resident.

Eastern Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macronra carolinensis)

Permanent resident.

E — Permanent resident, less common in winter ; has probably increased in
last 25 years; nest and eggs, March 20, 1921 (O. P. M.) to July 8, 1934, young
in nest; earliest spring arrival, Feb. 28, 1933 (Mrs. Greene).

H — Still a summer resident ; .April 8, 1935 to July 26, 1931.

Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius)

Extinct.

E — Formerly an abundant migrant (see text).

H — Formerly in Union township (Shaw’s “History of Hudson County”).

Carolina Paroquet (Conuropsis carol inensis carolinensis)

Believed extinct.

E — Albert Emmet Hedden, father-in-law of Harry Peck Havell of East
Orange, reported that Carolina Paroquets appeared in his father’s orchard in the
“eighteen fifties.” They did considerable damage to the apples, picking out the
seeds, and were regarded as destructive pests. They flew about in little flocks and
were seen during several hot summers.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccysus amcricanus americanus)

Not common breeder.

E — May 12, 1912 (L. S. K.) to Oct. 13, 1924 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; not common
breeder; nest and 3 eggs, June 2, 1907 (L. S. K.).

H — May 6, 1929 to Oct. 8, 1919 (E. S. M.) ; formerly bred to 1920, Arlington
(E. S. M.) ; nest and eggs, July 7, 1912, Kearney (L. S. K.).

Black-billed Cuckoo {Coccysus erythropthalmus)

Not common breeder.

E — May ii, 1897, G. H. Swezey (specimen in Newark Museum) ; May 11,
1929 to Oct. 2, 1931 (J. L. E.) ; not common breeder; nest and eggs. May 21, 1928
(E. S.).

H — May ii, 1927 (E. S. M.) to Sept. 17, 1933; Arlington, formerly bred to
1919 (E. S. M.) ; nest in trees along Sawmill Creek, 1930 (J. L. E.).

Barn Owl (Tyto alba pratincola)

Still breeds rarely.

E — Bred and raised 2 young in St. Paul’s Church, Newark, 1934 (VV. E.
Dillon) ; formerly bred up to 1920. Now appears to be chiefly a wanderer ;
March 12, 1935 to May 20, 1929 (W. R.) ; Oct. 14, 1932 to Nov. 30, 1928 (W. R.).

H- — Two records at Arlington Cemetery; Oct. 30, 1932 and Oct. 28, 1933.
Akhurst (1878) reports as seen frequently about Snake Hill (E. P. Bicknell,
Bulletin, Nuttall Ornithological Club TIT, 1878, p. 132).

Eastern Screech Owl (Otus a^io naevius)

Permanent resident.

E — Generally distributed permanent resident ; often heard but rarely seen ;
nest, April, 1905 (L. S. K.) ; young. May 7, 1928 (E. S.) to June 28, 1933, just able
to fly.

H — Permanent resident, 1929 (O. P. M.) ; Aug. 2, 1910, Arlington Ceme-
tery (L. S. K.). “Aug. 17, 1913 — one dropped to deck of Str. Monmouth near
Robbins Reef to rest in its flight from Greenville to Brooklyn. It quickly took
flight at being approached and soon made the Brooklyn side of the Bay — red
phase” (L. S. Kohler).

Great -horned Owl {Bubo virginianus virginianus)

Permanent resident.

E — Permanent resident, formerly bred ; may still now ; rare, most often seen
in winter; nest, March 4, 1903 (Callender); last summer records, July 2, 1917
(R. H. H.) and June 10, 1934.

Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea)

Rare in winter.

E — Rare, except in winters of big flights ; recorded three winters in last 20.
Nov. 12, 1926 to April i, 1922 (C. A. U.).

H — One record on Hackensack meadows (R. H. H.).

. American Hawk-owl (Surnta nJula caparoch)

E — Specimen in Dickinson collection reported by Larue K. Holmes in 1904
as taken on the property.

Northern Barred Owl {Strix varia varia)

Permanent resident.

E — Permanent resident, less common than formerly; one egg, March 1, 1935
(E. S.) ; full clutch, March 29, 1929 (L. S. K.) to April 8, 1907 (F. Merriam).

H — Winter only; one in a hemlock tree at .-Krlington, Jan. 26 to March 10,
1925 (E. S. M.) ; Jan. i, 1910, W'estside Park (L. S. K.).

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus flammeus)

Permanent resident.

E — Maximum ii on Jan. 27, 1935; rare resident on Newark meadows; often
seen in winter. One picked up dead in Branch Brook Park, Dec. 6, 1931, and
remains of one killed in Hatfield Swamp found Jan. 3, 1935 (Wolfarth).

H — Winters on meadows and migrates ; no summer records ; Oct. 30, 1932
to March 13, 1931.

Long-eared Owl (Asio u'ilsonianus)

Uncommon in winter ; rare breeder.

E — No positive breeding evidence until nest with sitting bird found March
18, 1935 R.) ; winters; most common in February; Dec. 19, 1919 (R. F. H.)

to April 22, 1911 (R. H. H.).

H — Winter visitant, formerly more common at Arlington ; Roost of 12, Feb.
29, 1920 (O. P. M.) ; Nov. 12, 1922 (E. S. M.) to March 21, 1920 (E. S. M.).

Saw-whet Owl (Cryptoglaux acadica acadica)

Rare winter visitant.

E — Nov. 9, 1929 (B. S. Bowdish) to Feb. 25, 1929 (V\'. R.).

H — Winter only, 1910 (O. P. M.) ; Jan. 13, 1922 and Feb. 17, and March
10, 1906 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Whip-poor-will {Antrostomus vocijenis vociferus)

Common migrant ; rare breeder.

E — Regular migrant, formerly common summer resident ; now very rare and
almost extinct as a breeder ; L. S. K. found 2 sets of eggs in 1906 and one in
1909 in West Orange; April 28, 1929 (C. A. U.) to Sept. 23, 1928.

H — Arlington, May 10, 1927 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Night-hawk (Chordeiles minor minor)

Common migrant ; breeds locally.

E — Common migrant, local breeder in city areas, especially Newark; May 10,
1930 to Oct. 15, 1928 (E. S.).

H — May 10, 1928 to May 31, 1915 (E. S. M.) ; nest and two young on roof
of Mengel Box Factory, Jersey City, July 9, 1910 (L. S. K.) ; Sept. 15, 1914
(E. S. M.) to Oct. 10, 1914, Westside Park (L. S. K.).

Chimney Swift {Chactnra pelagica)

Summer resident.

E — Common summer resident,, less so than formerly; April 3, 1926 (W. R.)
to Oct. 8, 1896, collected by W. E. D. Scott (Urner, “Birds of Union County”)
and Oct. 26, 1935 (M. Solomon) ; May 22, 1934, nest started; 4 eggs, June 3, 1934
(W. R.).

H — Uncommon summer resident; May 14, 1916 (E. S. M.) to Oct. ii, 1914
(E. S. M.).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird {Archilochus colubris)

Very rare summer resident.

E — Very rare summer resident, less common than formerly; May 5, 1924 (R. F.
H.) to Sept. 28, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; nest. May ii, 1912; eggs. May 25, at
Montclair Heights (L. S. K.) ; nest and eggs. May 27, 1894 to July I7. 1893,
Short Hills (De Courcey Cleveland, Hallinan collection in Paterson Museum).

H — Formerly bred to 1930, nest, Arlington (O. P. M.) ; May 14, 1924 to
May 28, 1927 (E. S. M.).

Belted Kingfisher (Mcgaceryle alcyon alcyon)

Resident.

E— A not uncommon resident, less common in winter but regular when any
open fresh water persists; March ii, 1928 (E. S.) to Dec. 6, 1931 ; nest and eggs,
June 9, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Formerly bred, Arlington (O. P. M.) ; uncommon migrant; March 25,
1929 to Sept. 30, 1934.

Northern Flicker {Colaples auratus lulcus)

Permanent resident.

E — Often quite rare in winter; nest, April 23, 1928 (E. S.) : migrant at Port
Newark, Sept. 24, I9.f3-

H — Rare in winter, formerly bred; Arlington, to 1919 (E. S. M.) ; Woodcliff,
1931: common migrant, March 30, 1935; nest. May 17, 1911, Westside Park
(L. S. K.).

Northern Pileated Woodpecker {Ccophloeus pileatus ahiclicola)

E — Recent workings near Verona Lake, 1915 (Fleischer — Linn. Abs. No. 27,
p. 40). A bird picked up dead, shot in neck and fresh, Feb. 22, 1929, in Essex
County Reservation (E. C.).

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Ccnltirus carolinus)

E — Herrick reports Dickinson took one specimen. (Linn, paper, Nov. 2, 1878,
Forest and Stream, XII, 1879, P- 165). Reported in Belleville swamp in 1927
(F. W.) and an excellent view of a ^ bird in company with Red-headed Wood-
peckers seen by J. L. Edwards and William Rusling at Pine Brook, Jan. 25, 1936.

Red-headed Woodpecker (Mclanerpes erythroccphaliis)

E — Irregular permanent resident. Some years absent as a wintering bird or
as a breeder. Once common in Passaic Valley west of the hills, chiefly in river
lowlands. Nest and eggs, June 7, 1928 (E.S.). Rarer than formerly in east part
of county.

H — Formerly bred, to 1925, at .Arlington (O. P. M.) ; .April i, 1920 to Oct.
25, 1908, Secaucus (L. S. K.). Last record as migrant. May 13, 1929 (E. S. M.) ;
formerly regular.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Spityrapicus varius varius)

Transient and winter visitant.

E — Regular in spring and fall ; irregular in winter, but half a dozen records
in December, January or February; .April 3, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to May 7, 1927
(W. R.) ; .Aug. 9, 1933 (L. S. K.) ; Sept. 21, 1928 (W. R.) to Nov. 6, 1927 (Mrs.
C. S. H.).

H — .April 22, 1917 (E. S. M.) ; Oct. 12, 1872 (collected by Herrick) to Oct.
14. 1933-

Eastern Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus z’illosus)

Resident.

E — Rare permanent resident except in east of county. Present in Branch
Brook Park, Jan. 15, 1928 (R. F. H.) ; June 18, 1927, young seen (E.S.).

H — .Arlington, three records by Marks: Jan. i, 1918; March 18, 1925: .April
4, 1924. Westside Park, Oct. 24, 1909 (L. S. K.).

Northern Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens medianus)

Resident.

E — Common permanent resident, more often seen in winter. Nest and eggs.
May 19, 1928 (W. R.).

H — Permanent resident to 1919 (E. S. M.) ; no longer breeds; winters. Sept.
30, 1934 to February.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis)

H — Specimen taken in Hoboken (in collection of G. N. Lawrence) some time
before 1866 (Stone, p. 180).

Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)

E — One bird, Upper Montclair, Feb. lo and ii, 1926 (R. H. H.).

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Summer resident.

E — Uncommon and rarer than formerly; May i, 1927 to Sept. 25, 1919 (Mrs.
C. S. H.). Nest and eggs, May 28, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Still breeds in county; Arlington to 1928 (E. S. M.) ; May 9, 1915 (E.
S. M.) to Aug. 8, 1931 (J. L. E. and C. A. U.).

Northern Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchiis crinitus boreus)

Summer resident.

E — Common, formerly (1873, Trippe) rare; April 29, 1927 (R. F. H.) to
Sept. 13, 1924 (Montclair Bird Club). Nest and eggs, June 2, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Formerly bred, Arlington (O. P. M.), June 15, 1913, Secaucus (L. S.
K.) to May 20, 1916 (E. S. M.) and May 27, 1934.

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoehe)

Summer resident.

E — Common transient; uncommon summer resident; once in winter, Feb. 9,
1929 (W. R.). March 2, 1930 (W. R.) and 1935 (E. S.) to Oct. 15, 1933. Nest
and eggs, April 14, 1928 (W. R.) to July 8, 1932 (E. S.).

H — Formerly bred, Arlington, 1920 (E. S. M.) ; March ii, 1929 to Oct. 24,
1909 (L. S. K.).

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher {Empidonax flaviventris)

Uncommon spring and fall migrant.

E — May 16, 1914 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to June ii, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; Sept. 8, 1910
<L. S. K.).

H — May 23, 1920 (E. S. M.).

.Acadian Flycatcher {Empidonax virescens)

Now accidental visitant.

E — Once undoubtedly a rare summer resident ; Orange, May 30, 1896 (col-
lected by Herrick). Only a few recent records of value, as most sight records
are not satisfactory; June 8 and July i, 1934, heard and seen (L. S. K.) ; Mont-
clair, Sept. I, 1932 (W. R.) to Sept. 10, 1898. (Specimen taken in West Orange,
in Dwight coll., Urner, Birds of Union Co.) Nest with i young and i added
egg, Bloomfield, July 4, 1871 (H. Herrick).

Alder Flycatcher {Empidonax trailli trailli)

E — Rare summer resident; May 11, 1929 (W. R.) to July 20, 1930. Com-
pleted nest, no eggs on June 12, 1932 (later destroyed) ; June 2i, 1934, three nests
with eggs, and July 12, 1934, with young (L. S. K.).

H — May 9, 1932 (L. S. K.) to May 30, 1913 (E. S. M.) (sight records only) ;
Sept. 8, 1890 and Sept. 26, 1889 (Dwight coll, from Statue of Liberty, Griscom,
“Birds of New York City Region”).

Least Flycatcher {Empidonax minimus)

E — Uncommon summer resident, formerly more numerous; April 27, 1930 to
Sept. 23, 1928. Nest and eggs, June 10, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Arlington, May 14, 1927 (E. S. M.) to May 21, 1925 (E. S. M.) and
July 26, 1931.

Eastern Wood Pewee (Myiochaiies vireus)

E — Common, May 6, 1922 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to Oct. 4, 1931.

H — Formerly bred, Arlington (O. P. M.) ; May 21, 1911 (L. S. K.) to Sept.
17. 1933-

Olive-sided Flyatcher (Xnttalloniis mesolcucits)

Rare spring and fall migrant.

E — May 10, 1928 (W. R.) to June 6, 1928 (E. S.) and Aug. 25, 1910 (R.
H. H.).

Northern Horned Lark (Otocoris alpcstris alpestris)

Winter visitant.

E — Common at Port Newark, rare elsewhere; Oct. 18, 1931 to March 17,.
1929.

H — Winters; Oct. 22, 1933 (J. L. E.) to March 12, 1935 (L. S. K.).

Prairie Horned Lark {Otocoris alpestris praticola)

E — Only two positive records before 1934: with Horned Lark at Port Newark,
Feb. 8, 1930 (R. F. H.) ; one bird with Horned Larks in Orange Reservation,
Feb. 23, 1920 (C. A. U.) ; Feb. 19, 1935 (Mrs. Fry and L. S. K.) ; migrating flock,.
Bloomfield, March 4, 1934; recorded twice in June at Newark .•\irport, June,
1934 (C. A. U. and Gerbert Rebell).

Tree Swallow {Iridoprocne bicolor)

.Abundant transient.

E — A rare summer resident in Caldwell area only; March 15, 1926 (W. R.)
to June 10, 1912 and scattered individuals to July (L. S. K.) ; migrants, July 9,
1932 to Nov. 6, 1928. Nest, May 17, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Frequently common in June, but no nesting data (E. S. M.). Roosts
commonly in marshes (F. M. Chapman) ; March 18, 1905 to June 15, 1913 (E.
S. M.), July 4, 1914 (E. S. M.) to Dec. 24, 1919 (R. C. Caskey, Bird-Lore, 1920,
p. 28) .

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia riparia)

Rare transient.

E — Formerly a rare summer resident in Montclair and Caldwell areas ; now
only a transient in the county; April 21, 1922 (Barbour) to Sept. 9, 1928 (J. L. E.).
Nest and 5 eggs, Jime 14, 1926 (W. R.) in Peckman Valley.

H — May 10, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; Aug. 9, 1913 (L. S. K.) to Aug. 30, 1931
(J. L. E.).

Rough-winged Swallow {Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripennis)

Very rare summer resident.

E — Local summer resident, formerly more common ; not common as tran-
sient; April 8, 1933 to July 31, 1927 (J. L. E.). Nest, May 7, 1932, Two Bridges.

H — Possibly once bred, Arlington, but no proof (E. S. M.). Nesting in old
iron works, Secaucus, 1933 and 1934 (L. S. K.) ; May 10, 1934 (L. S. K.) to
Aug. 9, 1913 (L. S. K.).

Barn Swallow {Hirundo erythroyaster)

Summer resident.

E — April 10, 1926 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to Oct. 22, 1927 (Crowell) ; less common
than formerly. Nest, May 4, 1928 (W. R.).

H — Formerly bred, to 1919 (E. S. M.) ; April 26, 1916 (E. S. M.) to Oct.
14, 1928 (E. S. M.).

Northern Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons)

Rare transient.

E — Formerly bred, to 1929, at Caldwell; April 15, 1930 (W. R.) to Aug. 24,
1930. Nests, May 10, 1929 (W. R.).

H— Former transient, may have once bred (O. P. M.) ; June 10, 1933, Secau-
cus, nesting in old iron works (L. S. K.) ; April 26, 1916 (E. S. M.) ; July 20,
1917 (E. S. M.) to Aug. 26, 1921 (E. S. M.).

Purple Martin (Prague sitbis subis)

E — Now rare transient; formerly bred, to 1905, Montclair (R. H. H.) ;
May 12, 1913, Bloomfield (L. S. K.) to Aug. 29, 1912, Newark meadows (L. S. K.).

Northern Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata cristafa)

Permanent resident.

E — Very common breeder ; sometimes abundant in migration. Nest and eggs.
May 13, 1927 (E. S.) ; Port Newark, migrant, Sept. 24, 1933.

H — Common transient. Rare permanent resident ; more common than formerly
(O. P. M.).

Eastern Crow (Corvns brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos)

Resident.

E — Very common summer resident west of first mountain; less common to
the east ; abundant migrant in great flights in spring ; regular but less common
than formerly in winter. Nest and 2 eggs, March 3, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Permanent resident, less common than formerly (Paulson). Bred to 1919
at Arlington; migrants, most common March and October (E. S. M.).

Fish Crow (Corvns ossifragus)

Summer resident and migrant.

E — Rare at all seasons but more often found as migrant. Very rare summer
resident; formerly regular at Brookdale. No winter records: Feb. 12, 1927 (E. S.)
to Aug. 12, 1911 (L. S. K.). Has nested at Port Newark (C. A. U.).

H — Uncommon, formerly bred along Passaic River at Arlington (O. P. M.) ;
March 12, 1935 to Nov. 20, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; still breeds at Secaucus.

Black-capped Chickadee (Penthestes alricapillus atricapillus)

Permanent resident.

E — Uncommon in summer ; common migrant and ahundaiu winter resident.
Nest, April 20, 1903 (L. S. K.) ; nest and eggs, April 21, 1928 (E. S.).

H— Formerly bred; winters; Sept. 30, 1934 to Jan. 2.s, 1922 (E. S. M.).

Carolina Chickadee (Pcnthcsles carolincnsis coroliiicnsis)

E — Mr. K. F. Haulenbeek is confident of 2 sight records in Branch Brook
Park, March i6, 1928 and March 28, 1933. (No collected specimens as yet north
of Raritan, however).

Tufted Titmouse {Baeolophtis bicolor)

Permanent resident.

E — Rare and local resident east of first mountain ; more often seen in winter ;
common to abundant locally, west; unusually common winter 1934-1935. Nest,
May 13, 1928 (\V. R.).

H — Formerly found to 1917 (O. P. M.) ; Arlington, March 3, 1935; Oct. 18,
1914 (L. S. K.) to .April 4, 1916 (E. S. M.).

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitla caroliiiensis carolincnsis)

Permanent resident.

E — Common permanent resident. Nest, .April 15, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Former permanent resident, recently bred (E. S. M.) ; winter visitant;
Oct. 22, 1933 to spring.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

E — Irregular migrant and winter visitant; .Aug. 28, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott)
to May 30, 1924 (J. L. E.).

H — Migrant; Oct. 12, 1911 (E. S. M.) to Dec. 6, 1912 (L. S. K.) ; May 16,
1928 (E. S. M.)

Brown Creeper {Certhia familiaris amcricana)

E- -Common migrant, uncommon in winter; Sept. 28, 1930 to May 4, 1924
(M. B. C).

H— Winter visitant and migrant; Oct. ii, 1914 (E. S. M.) to .April 29, 1916
(E. S. M.).

Eastern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon acdon)

E — A^ery common summer resident, probably more so than formerly ; April
18, 1922 (R. H. H.) and 1931 to Oct. 14, 1923 (R. H. H.). Two winter records
at Brookdale, Jan. 3, 1931 (R. C.), and Hatfield, March 2, 1935 (E. S.). Nest,
May 4, 1929 (W. R.).

H — Very rare summer resident ; formerly North Bergen ; still at North Hud-
son Park, in 1932 and Secaucus, 1935; Westside Park, Alay 21, 1911 (L. S. K.).

Eastern Winter Wren (Nannus hiemalis hicnialis)

E — Common migrant; not rare in winter; Sept. 18, 1932 (R. C.) to .April 23,
1929.

H — Oct. 29, 1913, Westside Park (L. S. K.) to Feb. 28, 1913 (E. S. M.).

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus)

Rare and irregular.

E — Very irregular permanent resident; may be seen at any time; breeds rarely
if ever. Temporarily killed off by winters 1917-18 and 1933-34. Only record in
1934, Nov. 13 (W. R.) at Caldwell.

H — Formerly bred on Snake Hill, to 1917 (O. P. M.) ; formerly at Arlington,
to June 28, 1919 (E. S. M.).

Long-Billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes palusfris palustris)

E — Locally common summer resident; May i, 1928 (E. S.) to Oct. 7, 1928
(J. L. E.). Nest, May 15, 1929 (W. R.).. Nests and eggs, May 22-30, 1912
(L. S. K.).

H — Common summer resident on meadows; April 27, 1932 (E. S. M.) to
Aug. 19, 1899 (W. de W. Miller). Nest and eggs, June 26, 1932; 55 nests, June
21, 1912 (L. S. K.) and 4 nests, June 18, 1910 (L. S. K.) ; June 12, 1869, 3 nests,
2 with 4, I with 3 eggs (H. Herrick), to July 7, 1935, nest with 4 eggs (R. T.
Peterson) .

Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorus stellar Is)

E — Very rare and local summer resident in Caldwell area; May 2, 1913 (L.
S. K.) to Oct. 21, 1934. Nest, May 19, 1929 (W. R.).

Eastern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos polyglottos)

E — Irregular at all seasons; more often recorded in December, January and
February. Nest and pair at Verona, April, 1932 (Miss Hornfeck) ; recorded 1930,
1932 and 1933 (by M. B. C.) and Feb., 1935 (Miss Hornfeck).

H — March 3, 1935, one seen, Hudson County Park, Bayonne.

Catbird {Duinetella carolinensis)

Summer resident ; rare in winter.

E — Very common; April 21, 1929 (W. R.) to Nov. i, 1931. In winter, Feb.
17 to 23, 1931, and Feb. ii, 1933 (Mrs. Geo. Taylor and others), Montclair.
Nest, May 15, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Uncommon summer resident; April 30, 1918 (E. S. M.) to Sept. 30, 1934,
and Jan. 10, 1918 (E. S. M.).

Brown Thrasher {Toxostoiiia riiftim)

Summer resident ; rare in winter.

E — Common summer resident ; more often recorded in winter than preceding ;
April 9, 1929 to Dec. 12, 1929 (Mrs. Alice M. Cox). Winter of 1922-23 (Mont-
clair Bird Club). One record, Jan., 1931 (P. S. Howe), Short Hills, and Jan. 8,
1930 (Mrs. Alice M. Cox), Montclair. Nest and eggs. May 20, 1934.

II — Summer resident at Arlington to 1928 (E. S. M.) ; April 26, 1916 (E. S.
M.) to Dec. 7, 1917 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Robin (Turdus migratorius migratorius)

Permanent resident.

E — Very abundant summer resident ; not common but regular in winter.
Nests April 6, 1929 (W. R.) to July 22, 1933.

H — Permanent resident ; common in summer, less common in winter ; arrival,
March 3, 1935, Hudson County Park, Bayonne. Nest, 2 young, i egg, April 24,
1921, Arlington (E. S. M.) to May 29, 1869; nest and 4 eggs, Weehawken (H.
Herrick).

Northern X'aried Thrusli (l.vornts iiocz’iiis mcriiloidcs)

H — One taken at Hoboken, Dec., 1851, by G. N. Lawrence (Stone, p. 315).
Wood Thrush (Hylociclila iitusicliiia)

E — Very common; April 21, u)2g (W. R.) to Oct. 20, 1924 (Mrs. L. E. W.
Abbot). Nest and eggs. May 16, I9.2() (W. R.) to July 4, 1871 ( H. Herrick).

H — Formerly summer resident at Arlington to 1931 (O. P. M.) ; May 6,
1920 (E. S. M.) to fall; May 18, 1905. Nest and 4 eggs, Arlington (L. S. K.) to
May 29, 1870, nest and 4 eggs, Weehawken (H. Herrick).

Eastern Hermit Thrush (Hylociclila c/uttata faxoni)

Transient and winter resident.

E — Abundant migrant; less common but regular in winter; .Aug. 26, 1896
(W. E. D. Scott) to May i, 1912 (L. S. K.).

H — Common migrant; Sept. 20, 1914 (E. S. M.) to Nov. ii, 1927 (E. S. M.) ;
March 20, 1921 (E. S. M.) to May 17, 191O (E. S. M.).

Olive-backed Thrush (Hylociclila iistiilata sicaiiisoiii)

Common transient.

E — May 4, 1924 (R. F. H.) to May 31, 1924 (M. B. C.) ; .Aug. 31, 1932
(W. R.) to Oct. 20, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott).

H — May ii, 1927 (E. S. M.) to May 28, 1931.

Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylociclila iiiiiiiiiia aliciac)

Common transient.

E — May 8, 1927 (J. L. E.) to June i, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; Sept. 13, 1924
(M. B. C.) to Oct. 20, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott).

H — May 18, 1913 (L. S. K.) to May 28, 1931 ; no fall data.

Bicknell’s Thrush (Hylociclila minima minima)

Migrant.

E — Probably more common than records indicate as little collecting is done ;
May 10, 1934 (R. F. H.), small size compared closely with Olive-back; one
banded. May 24, 1923 (R. H. H.) ; Sept. 29 to Oct. 15, 1896, six (collected by
W. E. D. Scott, see Aitk XLV, No. 2, p. 225) ; also Oct. 10, 1915 (C. B. Isham).
Veery (Hylociclila fiisccsccns fusccsccns)

Summer resident and transient.

E — Uncommon and local; .April 28, 1929 to Oct. 18, 1929 (Mrs. C. S. H.).
Nest and eggs. May 28, 1927 (E. S.).

H — Formerly bred at Arlington; still at Secaucus, 1935; .April 26, 1916 (E.
S. M.) to May 28, 1927 (E. S. M.) ; Oct. 10, 1915 (E. S. M.) ; May 26, 1869 and
May 29, 1870, nest and 3 eggs, Weehawken (H. Herrick).

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis sialis)

Permanent resident.

E — Resident ; common in migration ; now rare but formerly common breeder ;
not common in winter. Nest and 3 two-day old young, .April 8, 1906 (L. S. K.) to
May 2, 1928, nest and eggs (E.S.).

H — Formerly bred. North Bergen and .Arlington, to 1913 (E. S. M.) ; winter,
1914, 1915 and 1927; March ii, 1905 (E. S. M.) to -Aug. 9, 1913 (E. S. M.).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caeruica caerulea)

E — Four records, chiefly in Branch Brook Park; April ii, 1928 (R. F. H.) ;
Aug. 21, 1934 (Rebell, Bird-Lore, 1934, p. 370) ; Sept. 25, 1925 (Loomis) ; also
reported by Mrs. M. L. Cox.

Eastern Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulns satrapa salrapa)

E — Common transient and less common winter resident ; Sept. 25, 1932 to
May II, 1929 (W. R.).

H — Transient: less common in winter; Oct. 19, 1915 (E. S. M.) to April
27, 1922 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula calendula)

Common, sometimes abundant, transient.

E — Sept. 15, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to May ii, 1929 (W. R.) ; three winter
records in Caldwell area, 1928 and 1929; one in Montclair, 1924.

H — Migrant; Oct. 24, 1909 (L. S. K.) ; March 19 to May 6, 1905 (E. S. M.).

American Pipit (Anthus spinoletta rubescens)

Common transient, especially on the meadows.

E — Rare in winter; Sept. 18, 1932 to Dec. 23, 1928; winter; March 14, 1931
(F. W.) to May 8, 1927.

H — An abundant transient, rare in winter (1932) ; Oct. 2, 1930 to Oct. 29,
1872 (H. Herrick) ; March 17, 1900 (W. de W. Miller).

Cedar Waxwing (Bonibycilla cedrorum)

Common resident.

E — Uncommon summer resident and irregular permanent resident, at times
quite abundant as migrant. Nest in May, 1904, at Bloomfield (L. S. K.).

H — Formerly bred (O. P. M.) to 1907 (E. S. M.) ; April 21, 1925 (E. S. M.)
to Nov. 14, 1908 (L. S. K.) ; winter, Jersey City (O. P. M.).

Northern Shrike (Lanins borealis borealis)

Irregular winter visitant.

E — Nov. II, 1930 to Feb. 20, 1906 (R. H. H.).

H — Jan. 2, 1922 (E. S. M.) and Nov. 12, 1913, Kearney (L. S. K.).

Migrant Shrike (Lanins Indovicianns vtigrans)

Accidental visitant.

E — Rare; Aug. 23, 1911 (L. S. K.) and Aug. 26, 1933, at Montclair Heights
(L. S. K. and W. F. E.).

H — One record; Aug. 25, 1911, Westside Park, Jersey City (L. S. K.).

Starling (Stnrnns vulgaris)

Abundant resident

E — Very abundant ; most numerous in flocks in late summer, fall and winter.
Nest, March 24, 1929. Arrived Bloomfield, spring 1903 (L. S. K.) ; first seen
Montclair, Oct. 25, 1904 (R. H. H.).

H — Now abundant permanent resident; first recorded at Greenville, Jersey
City, Jan. 13, 1900. Probably bred there, June 3, 1901 (W. de W. Miller). First
recorded, Arlington, Nov. 25, 1905 (E. S. M.).

White-eyed V'ireo (Vireo griseus griscus)

Summer resident.

Fi — Very rare and local; April 29, 1929 (W. R.) to Sept. 25, 1932 (J. L. E.).
Nest and 4 eggs at Orange, July 5, 1877 (collected by H. Herrick).

H — Formerly rather common breeder (O. P. M.) ; May i, 1928 (E. S. M.)
to Sept. 19, 1914 (E. S. M.).

Yellow-throated Vireo (Virco flavtfrons)

E — Uncommon; formerly more frequent. May 5, 1929 to Sept. 13, 1924
(Montclair Bird Club). Nest and eggs, June 9, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Formerly bred (O. P. M.). Nest and eggs in maple at Kearney, May 21,
1905 (L. S. K.) to Aug. 9, 1913 (L. S. K.).

Solitary vireo (Vireo solitarius solitarius)

Common transient.

E — One nest record for South Orange (A. R. Dugmore, Bird-Homes, p. 119;
pub. 1900) ; April 13, 1923 (R. F. H.) to May 20, 1934; Sept. 18, 1932 (R. C.) to
Oct. 22. 1916 (C. H. Rogers).

H — April 27, 1922 (E. S. M.) to May 18, 1907 (E. S. M.) ; Oct. 14. 1928
(E. S. M.l to Oct. 29. 1921, Arlington (E. S. M.).

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)

Summer resident.

E — Very common; April 30, 1930 (W. R.) to Oct. 10, 1926. Nest and eggs,
May 26, 1910 (L. S. K.) to July 4, 1871, with i Cowbird egg (H. Herrick).

H — Summer resident (1932). Formerly bred at Arlington to 1919 (E. S. M.) ;
May 9, 1915 (E. S. M.) to Aug. 23, 1919 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus gilvns)

Summer resident.

E — Uncommon and local; April 29, 1927 (R. F. H.) to Sept. 13, 1924 (Mont-
clair Bird Club). Nest, June 3, 1926 (W. R.).

H — Formerly rare breeder (O. P. M.) ; May 21, 1911, Westside Park (L.
S. K.).

Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varia)

Summer resident and transient.

E — Rare summer resident in western part of county; April 18, 1933 (F. W.)
to Sept. 28, 1930. Nest and eggs. May 23, 1926 (W. R.).

H — Formerly bred, to 1919 (E. S. M.) ; April 29, 1916 (E. S. M.) to Oct.
10, 1915 (E. S. M.).

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

E — Very rare spring migrant. One breeding record a few feet over line in
Morris County (Quattlebaum) ; May 2, 1928 (R. F. H.) to June 6, 1925 (J. L. E.).

Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus)

Summer resident and transient.

E — Uncommon summer resident on ridges; May 4, 1930 (J. Q. Adams) to
Aug. 25, 1924 (Miss L. Morris). Nest, June 17, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Migrant, May 4, 1927 (E. S. M.).

Golden-winged Warbler {Vermivora chrysoplera)

E — Uncommon migrant; rare breeder. Cedar Grove and Caldwell; May 2,
1935 (L. S. K.) to May 31, 1924 (Montclair Bird Club) ; June 13, 1934 (L. S.
K.). Nest and young, July 4, 1933 (L. S. K.) ; Aug. 25, 1924 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to
Sept. 28, 1929 (W. R.).

H — Reported as migrant (O. P. M.) ; no record (E. S. M.).

Brewster’s Warbler {Vermivora leucobronchialis)

E — Very rare migrant; May ii, 1883, Orange (C. B. Riker, Auk, 1885, p.

378).

Lawrence’s Warbler (Vermivora laivreiicei)

E — Very rare migrant; May 20, 1928 (J. L. E.).

H — One record, Hoboken, Sept., 1876 (D. B. Dickinson, Stone, p. 270).

Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora pintis)

Summer resident.

E — Common; April 25, 1921 (R. F. H.) to Sept. 23, 1928. Nest and egg.
May 23, 1926 (W. R.).

H — Transient; formerly bred, 1907 (E. S. M.) ; May i, 1920 (E. S. M.) to
May 28, 1927 (E. S. M.).

Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina)

Transient.

E — Rare; fairly common some years as in fall of 1910 (R. H. H.) ; May 13,
1928 (E. S.) to June i, 1924 (R. F. H.) ; Sept. 30, 1934 to Oct. 9, 1932.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata celata)

E — Four records only; April 14, 1898 (S. Van Rensselaer, Griscom, p. 319):
May 19, 1927 (Griscom) ; Oct. 2, 1894 (S. Van Rensselaer, Griscom, p. 319) ;
Dec. 25 and 26, 1920 (R. F. H., Bird-Lore, 1921, p. 14).

H — Hoboken, May, 1865 (C. S. Galbraith collection, Griscom, p. 319).
Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla rujicapilla)

Not common migrant.

E — April 28, 1935 to May 29, 1932 and June ii, 1932, a singing male; Sept.
30, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to Oct. 9, 1932; a probable migrant, July 23, 1933.

H — Reported (O. P. M.) ; no record (E. S. M.).

Northern Panda Warbler (Compsollilypis americana pusilla)

Common transient.

E— April 23, 1916 (C. H. Rogers) to May 23, 1932; Sept. 28, 1930 to Oct.
14, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott).

H— May i, 1920 (E. S. M.) to May 30, 1913 (E. S. M.) ; Sept. 20, 1914 (E.
S. M.) to Oct. I, 1914 (L. S. K.).

Eastern Yellow W^arbler (Dcndroica acsiiva acsiiva)

Suimner resident.

E — Common; April 27, 1921 (R. F. H.) to Oct. 12, 1923 (Montclair Bird
Club). Nest and eggs, May 10, 1911 (L. S. K.) to May 30, 1907 (L. S. K.).

H — Summer resident ; formerly more common ; formerly bred at Arlington
(Paulson) ; to 1920 (E. S. M.) ; May i, 1920 (E. S. M.) to fall. Nest with 2
eggs at Weehawken, May 26, 1869 (H. Herrick).

Magnolia Warbler (Dcndroica magnolia)

Common transient.

E — May 2, 1920 (R. E. H.) to May 31, 1924 (Montclair Bird Club) ; Aug.
30. 1932 (W. R.) to Sept. 28, 1930.

H — May i, 1920 (E. S. M.) to May lO, 1928 (E. S. M.) ; Aug. 26, 1925 (E.
S. M.) to Oct. I, 1914 (E- S. K.).

Cape May Warbler (Dcndroica ligrina)

Rare transient ; probably more common in fall than spring.

E — May 7, 1924 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to May 20, 1926 (Mrs L. E. W. Abbot) ;
Aug. 31. 1932 (W. R.) to Oct. 6, 1929 (R. F. H ).

H — Reported (O. P. M.) ; no record ( E. S. M.).

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dcndroica cacndcsccns cacrulcsccns)
Common transient.

E — April 29, 1929 (W. R.) to ^^ay 20, 1934; Oct. i, 1928 to Oct. 16, 1896
(W. E. D. Scott).

H — May 7, 1927 (E. S. M.) to Mav 21, 1911 (L. S. K.) ; Sept. 14, 1924
(E. S. M.).

Myrtle Warbler (Dcndroica coronata)

-Abundant transient.

E — Usually regular, although not common in winter; Sept. 29, 1931 to May
16, 1931.

H — Migrant; April 4, 1924 (E. S. M.) to May 27, 1920 (E. S. M.) ; Oct. i,
1914 (L. S. K.) to Dec. 3, 1917 (E. S. M.).

Black-throated Green Warbler (Dcndroica virens virens)

Common transient.

E — Formerly probably rare breeder in Orange Reservation, 1928 (Urner
Birds of Union County) ; April 23, 1927 (J. L. E.) and 1929 (R. F. H.) to May
30, 1931, and June 9, 1935; July 25, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; Sept. 18, 1932 (R. C.) to
Oct. 12, 1923 (Montclair Bird Club).

H — May i to 27, 1920 (E. S. M.) ; Aug. 30, 1927 to Oct. 12, 1925 (E. S. M.).

Blackburnian Warbler (Dcndroica fusca)

Common transient in spring; rare in fall.

E — April 19, 1929 (F. W.) ; April 23, 1927 (R. F. H.) to May 25, 1929
(W. R.) ; Aug. 30, 1932 (W. R.) to Sept. 15, 1923 (Mr!s.)C. S. H.),

H — May ii to 22, 1927 (E. S. M.).

Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica dominica)

Rare in spring.

E — Two records; May i, 1928, Newark (J. H. Burnett and E. G. Loomis).
May 15, 1928, Orange Reservation (C. A. U.).

Chestnut-sided Warbler {Dendroica pcnsylvanica)

Common summer resident.

E — April 27, 1935 to September. Partly completed nest, May 10, 1912 (L.
S. K.) ; nest, May 21, 1927 (E. S.).

H — Migrant; formerly bred (O. P. M.) ; May i, 1920 (E. S. M.) to May
17, 1916 (E. S. M.).

Bay-breasted Warbler {Dendroica castanea)

Transient.

E — Not common, but abundant for three days in 1916 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; May
I. 1920 (F. W.) to May 29, 1927 (Montclair Bird Club) ; Aug. 21, 1896 (W. E.
D. Scott) to Aug. 25, 1928 (Mrs. C. S. H.).

H — May 14, 1916 (E. S. M.) and May 17, 1920 (E. S. M.).

Black-poll Warbler {Dendroica striata)

Transient.

E — Abundant; May 4, 1930 (W. R.) to June 7, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; July ii,
1930 (R. H. H.) a singing bird; Aug. 31, 1932 (W. R.) to Nov. 5, 1932.

H — Common; May 8, 1921 (E. S. M.) to June 3, 1932; September and early
October (O. P. M.).

Northern Pine Warbler {Dendroica pinns pinns)

Uncommon migrant.

E — April 2, 1933 to May 6, 1927 (W. R.) ; Sept. 29, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott).
H — Reported (O. P. M.) ; no record (E. S. M.) ; May ii, 1910, Kearney
(L. S. K.).

Northern Prairie Warbler {Dendroica discolor discolor)

Not uncommon migrant.

E — Regular; April 27, 1935 to May 24, 1927 (E. S.) ; Aug. 27, 1933 to Oct.
8, 1932.

H — May 8, 1921 (E. S. M.) ; May 14, 1922 (O. P. M.) to May 28, 1927
(E. S. M.).

Western Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum palmarum)

Rare in spring ; often abundant in fall.

E — April 23, 1926 (W. R.) to May ii, 1929 (W. R.) ; Sept. 10, 1923 (Mrs.
C. S. H.) to Nov. 2, 1930.

H — Sept. 30, 1934 to Oct. 22, 1921 (E. S. M.).

Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea)

Common transient.

E — April 5, 1921 (R. F. H.) to May 8, 1927 (E S.) ; Oct. 7, 1928 to Nov.
10, 1928.

H — April i6, 1925 (E. S. M.) to May 12, 1917 (E. S. M.) ; Sept. 14, 1924
(E. S. M.) to Oct. 30, 1932.

Ovcnbircl (Sciurus aurocapillus)

Summer resident.

E — Very common on trap rock ridges; .-\pril 27, 1925 (Loomis) to Nov. 20,
1924 (Mrs. C. S. H.). Completed nest, May ii, 1913 (L. S. K.).

H — Formerly bred (O. P. M.) ; to June 2, 1912, nest at Arlington (L. S.
K.) ; now migrant; May i, 1920 (E. S. M.) to May 31, 1925 (E. S. M.) ; Aug.

23, 1919 (E. S. M.).

Northern Water-Thrush {Sciurus uovchoracensis noveboracensis)

Common transient.

E — April 27, 1929 (R. F. H.) to May 30, 1929; .^ug. 2, 1930 to Sept. 29,
1929 (W. R.).

H — May ii, 1922 (E. S. M.) and May 12, 1920 (E. S. M.) ; Aug. 13, 1933,
Secaucus.

Louisiana Water-Thrush {Sciurus inolacilla)

Summer resident.

E — \'ery rare; April 7, 1929 (Montclair Bird Club) to Sept. 23, 1928. Nest
and eggs. May i, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Migrant (O. P. M.) ; July 21, 1912, Westside Park (L. S. K.).

Kentucky Warbler {Oporornis formosus)

E — Only six records, all in spring; May 8, 1911 (R. H. H.) to May 30, 1935.
Connecticut Warbler {Oporornis agilis)

Rare migrant in spring; more common in fall.

E — May ii, 1920 (R. F. H.) ; Aug. 26, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott) to Sept. 28,
1929 (W. R.).

H — -Aug. 26, 1933, Homestead (L. S. K.).

Mourning Warbler {Oporornis Philadelphia)

Uncommon migrant in spring. No records in fall.

E — May ii, 1929 (W. R.) to June 4, 1934 (D. Wilson).

H— Recorded (O. P. M.).

Northern Yellow-Throat {Geothlypis trichas brachidactyh)

Very common summer resident and transient.

E — Lingers until early winter on occasion; April 26, 1928 (R. F. H.) to Nov.

24, 1927 (J. L. E.). Nest and eggs. May 15, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Common breeder; May ii, 1916 (E. S. M.) to Sept. 30, 1934.

Yellow-breasted Chat {Icteria virens I’irens)

Summer resident.

E — Rare and local; less common than formerly; April 30, 1922 (R. F. H.)
to July. Nest, June 15, 1926 (W. R.).

H — Formerly a common breeder (O. P. M.) ; to 1920 (E. S. M.). Nest and
eggs at Homestead, June 18, 1915 (L. S. K.) ; May 2i, 1911 (L. S. K.) to Aug. 23,
1919 (E. S. M.).

Hooded Warbler {WUsonia citrvia)

Uncommon and local summer resident.

E — Probably more common than formerly; May 2, 1928 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to
Sept. 28, 1929 (W. R.). Nest and young, June 25, 1933 (W. R.).

H — May ii and 14, 1927 (E. S. M.) ; June 30, 1914, Westside Park (L.
S. K.). Probably formerly bred as H. Herrick records nest at Fort Lee, June

3. 1872.

Wilson’s Warbler {WUsonia pusilla pusilla)

Transient.

E — Not common; May 10, 1922 (Miss L. Morris) to June 7, 1934 (L. S. K.) ;
.\ug. 27, 1933 to Sept. 23, 1928.

' H — May 20, 1922 (E. S. M.).

Canada Warbler {WUsonia canadensis)

Common transient.

E — May 6, 1928 (R. F. H.) to May 30, 1929; Aug. 2, 1934 (L. S. K.) to
Oct. 2, 1926 (W. R.).

H — May ii, 1927 (E. S. M.) to May 28, 1931; Sept. 10, 1935 (Fr. E.
Goellner) .

Redstart {Setophaga ruticilla)

Uncommon summer resident on trap rock ridges.

E — Migrants; April 29, 1920 to June 5, 1927 (R. F. H.). Nest, May 20, 1908
(L. S. K.) to June ii, 1927; nest and eggs (W. R.). Fall migrants. Sept. 2, 1928
to Oct. 13, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott).

H — Formerly bred, to 1928, at Arlington (E. S. M.). Nest and 4 eggs, June

4, 1911 (L. S. K.) ; May ii, 1927 (E. S. M.) to Oct. 10, 1915 (E. S. M.).

House Sparrow {Passer domesticus domesticus)

Very abundant resident.

E — First recorded at Chatham about 1868 (Dickinson) ; first recorded, Cald-
well, 1870; East Orange, 1874 or earlier (H. B. Bailey). (See “The English
Sparrow in North America” by C. H. Merriam, 1889.) Perhaps less common
than formerly, but now more generally distributed. Nests chiefly April, May and
June. First nest of record. May, 1874, Orange (H. Herrick).

H — Most abundant breeder and permanent resident.

Bobolink {Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

Common transient and local summer resident.

E — Formerly abundant breeder (Trippet) ; now rare. Nest and eggs, June
9, 1928 (E. S.) ; May 6, 1928 (R. F. H.) to Sept. 13, 1931.

H — May 7, 1921 (E. S. M.) to Sept. 17, 1933. Formerly regular breeder on
meadows, to 1920 (E. S. M.) ; May still breed, 1930 (O. P. M.) ; migrants appear
early in July.

Eastern Meadowlark {Stiirnclla niagna niagna)

Resident.

F) — Locally common summer resident; formerly abundant where now absent

(Trippet) ; abundant at Port Newark as a permanent resident. Migrants, March
10, 1929 to Dec. 15, 1931 (L. S. K.). Nest and eggs. May 11, 1927 (\V. R.).

H — Permanent resident near Snake Hill; otherwise less common than former-
ly; Arlington, bred to 1919; March 26, 1916 (E. S. M.) to Jan. i, 1915 (E. S.
M.) ; winter.

Eastern Red-Wing {Agclaius f>hociiicciis phooticcus)

Common summer resident ; locally abundant ; rare in winter ; abundant migrant.

E— March 1, 1930 (F. W.) to Jan. 5, 1932 (L. S. K.). Nest and eggs. May
17, 1927 (E. S.).

H — Regular breeder; common migrant; rare in winter; Jan. 6, 1923 (E. S.
M.) and Jan. 10, 1925 (E. S. M.) ; Feb. 21, 1933 (L. S. K.) to Dec. 7, 1929.

Orchard Oriole (Icterus spiirius)

Uncommon summer resident.

E — May 4, 1929 (W. R.) to July u, 1932. Nest and young. May 30, 1904
(L. S. K.) to June 24, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Arlington, formerly heard and seen singing and probably bred (O. P. M.) ;
June 9, 1905 (E. S. M.).

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

Summer resident.

E — Still common, but far less than formerly (Trippet) ; April 26, 1925 (R.
F. H.) to Sept. 23, 1928. Nest, June ii, 1926 (W. R.).

H — Arlington ; formerly regular breeder, now rare ; probably still breeds
(O. P. M.) ; 1933; May 8, 1915 (E. S. M.) to fall.

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus caroliiius)

Common transient, rare in winter.

E — Feb. 27, 1933 (L. L. W.) to May 13, 1934; Oct. i, 1928 to Dec. 24, 1932
(J. L. E. and W. R ).

H — Oct. 14, 1933, North Hudson Park, to Nov. ii, 1914 (E. S. M.).

Purple Crackle (Quiscalus quiscula quiscula)

Resident.

E — Abundant breeder and transient; occasional in winter; Feb. 14, 1932 (Mrs.
C. S. H.) to Nov. 18, 1896 (collected by W. E. D. Scott — Birds of Union County,”
Urner). About the December, January and early February records there is doubt
as to the subspecific identification. Nest, April 30, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Regular migrant and summer resident; March 3, 1935 to Nov. 29, 1931;
uncommon in December, January and February, but subspecies not determined
positively.

Bronzed Crackle (Quiscalus quiscula aciieus)

Transient and winter visitant.

E — Common migrant ; often abundant ; probably more common in winter than
preceding: March 10, 1929 to March 27, 1929 (W. R.) ; Oct. 13, 1929 to Dec.

13, 1931-

H — No positive records but probably most winter birds are of this species.

Eastern Cowbird (Molothrus aier afer)

Transient and very common summer resident.

E — Often abundant in migration; March 6, 1926 (W. R.) to Dec. 24, 1933-,
(F. W.) ; egg, May 2, 1928 (W. R.) ; young able to fly, June 8, 1929 to July 4„
1871 (H. Herrick).

H — Formerly bred (O. P. M.) ; common transient; Feb. 25, 1926 (E. S. M.).
to Nov. II, 1934.

Scarlet Tanager (Piraiiga erythromelas)

Summer resident.

E — Common; formerly more so on oak ridges (Trippet) ; May 2, 1925 (R.
F. H.) to Sept. 28, 1930. Nest and eggs, June 5, 1870 (Herrick) ; nest and young
about week old, July 18, 1909 (L. S. K.).

H — Formerly bred (O. P. M.) and to 1919 (E. S. M.) ; May ii, 1927 (L.
S. K.) to Aug. 2, 1913 (L. S. K.).

Eastern Cardinal (Richmoiideiia cardinalis cardinalis)

E — Not common permanent resident but increasing; at northern limit of its
breeding range ; found in certain localities about the Orange Reservation, Mont-
clair and Essex Fells, etc. Nest, May 18, 1933 (F. W.).

H — Akhurst reports years ago (1878) pair breeding near Jersey City (Bick-
nell. Bull. N. O. C. HI, 1878, p. 132) ; rare; April ii, 1915 (E. S. M.), and Jan.
26, 1920, at Arlington (O. P. M.).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Hedymeles ludoviciaiius)

Summer resident.

E — Locally common; April 30, 1934 (L. S. K.) to Oct. 9, 1932 (Mr. and
Mrs. Theo. Edison) ; Dec. 4, 1932 (Mrs. G. G. Fry). Nest, June 10, 1927 (W. R.).

H — Formerly bred (O. P. M.) ; May ii and 14, 1927 (E. S. M.) ; specimen
in hotel at Homestead.

Eastern Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulca cacrulea)

E — May ii, 1935 (Mrs. Scott Bailey) and May 15, 1932 (Mrs. C. S. H.) in
garden in Montclair.

H — Several individuals noticed in a single day in spring by Mr. Akhurst near
Snake Hill before 1878 (E. P. Bicknell in Bull. N. O. C. HI, 1878, p. 132) ; one
seen at Arlington (O. P. M.) about September, 1925.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyaiiea)

Very common summer resident.

E — May 7, 1926 (R. F. H.) to Oct. 9, 1932.

H — May 6, 1928 (E. S. M.) to Aug. 2, 1913 (L. S. K.) ; summer resident
(nest) on Snake Hill, 1933.

Dickcissel (Spica americana)

H — In 1851 common summer resident at Hoboken (Auk, 1891, p. 395). This,
species has peculiarly disappeared.

Eastern Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina)

' Winter visitant, rare or irregular.

E — Recorded as follows: Probable record, Nov. 17, 1923 (Montclair Bird
Club) Verona; Dec. 31, 1929 (W. R.), Caldwell; Jan. 16, 1927 (C. A. U.), and
Jan. 26, 1930 (C. A. U.) in Orange Reservation; March 14, 1920 (Mrs. C. S. H.)
at Verona.

H — Jan. 26 to Feb. 23, 1920, at Arlington (O. P. M. and G. A. King).

Eastern Purple Finch (^Carpodacus purpureus purpurcus)

E — Common transient ; locally common about feeding stations in winter ;

I sometimes practically absent at this season; Sept. 29, 1931 to May 12. 1928 (Mrs,
j C. S. H.).

H — Oct. 14, 1933, North Hudson Park.

Canadian Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enucleator leuciira)

Irregular and sometimes common winter visitant.

I E — Dec. 22, 1929 to Feb. 16, 1930 (C. U.) ; also autumn 1884 (Trippet),

' and Dec. 25, 1903 (V. E. Gorman and F. T. Morrison, Bird-Lore, January-Feb-

ruary 1904 census).

H — Abundant at Weehawken, Oct., 1836 to March, 1837 (Ward — Trans.
N. Y. Acad. Sci., IV, p. 5) ; Dec. 20, 1913, Snake Hill (spec. coll, by L. S. K.).

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

E— Dec. 3, 1911 at West Orange, and Jan. 4, 1913 at Caldwell (L. S. K.).

H — Introduced at Hoboken in 1878 (Eaton, “Birds of New York,” p. 281,
Vol. 2). Last record. May 23, 1907, at Arlington (E. S. M.).

Redpoll {Acanthis linaria linaria)

Irregular winter visitant; at times common.

E — Dec. 20, 1926 (R. F. H.) to March 14, 1934 (L. S. K.).

H — Arlington, Feb. 23, 1920 (O. P. M.) to March 8, 1908 (L. S. K.).

Northern Pine Siskin (Spinus pimis pintis)

Irregular transient and uncommon winter visitant.

E— Oct. 21, 1928 to May 20, 1923 (R. F. H.).

H — Dec. 10, 1911 (L. S. K.) to March 10, 1917, Westside Park (L. S. K.).

Goldfinch (Spinus tristis fristis)

Common permanent resident; sometimes scarce in winter.

E — Migrants at Newark meadows, .'^ug. 21, 1932 to May 30, 1931, and winter.
Nest, July 26, 1926 (W. R.).

H — Permanent resident; formerly bred at Arlington to 1928 (E. S. M.).

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra pusilla)

Very irregular transient and winter visitant.

E — Oct. 17, 1896 (W. E. D. Scott) to April 10, 1925 (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; very
common winter 1899-1900 (A. R. Dugmore).

H — Recorded in winter at Arlington (O. P. M.).

White-winged Crossbill {Loxia leucoptcra)

E — Recorded only in winter of 1899-1900 when it was reported as common
•with preceding species (Babson and Dugmore, — Stone, p. 224).

Red-eyed Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus)

Summer resident.

E — Very common as breeder and transient ; a few winter records, especially
in December; April 14, 1929 to Dec. 26, 1928 (R. F. H.) ; winter 1922 and 1923.
Nest and eggs. May 8, 1932 (Paulson).

H — April 16, 1927 to Dec. 28, 1924 at Arlington (E. S. M.) ; formerly bred
4o 1922 (E. S. M.).

Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculits princeps)

E — Jan. 25, 1934 (L. S. K.) at Port Newark.

Eastern Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandivichensis savanna)

E — Common migrant; resident on Newark marshes; March ii, 1928 (E. S.)
to June 5, 1917 (R. H. H.) ; Oct. 26, 1930, and Jan. 18, 1931 in Montclair region.

H — Spring and fall transient ; may winter ; April 8, 1933 at North Hudson
Park; Sept. 30, 1934 to Dec. 23, 1929.

Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodranins savannarnm australis)

Rare and local breeder.

E — March 20, 1894, West Orange — specimen taken by Van Rensselaer in
Dwight collection — to Oct. 18, 1931 (W. F. E., J. L. E. and C. A. U.). Nest and
eggs. May 30, 1927 (E. S.) to July 4, 1871 (H. Herrick). Juvenile taken, July
19, 1898 .(Van Rensselaer).

H — Formerly bred at Arlington to June 15, 1913 (E. S. M.) ; one bird in
•song, Secaucus, Aug. 8, 1931 (C. A. U. and J. L. E.).

Eastern Henslow’s Sparrow (Passerhcrhulus henslozvi susurrans)

E — Three records — May 5, 1928, May ii, 1935 (E. S.) ; specimen taken by
Herrick recorded from Chatham, N. J., without data (probably Dickinson’s Neck).

Acadian Sparrow {Ammospiaa caudacuta subvirgata)

Rare transient ; probably to be found more often by careful search,

E — Recorded at Port Newark on Sept. 30, 1929 (R. T. Peterson).

H — One seen in marsh along Hackensack near Snake Hill, May 30, 1934.

Sharp-tailed Sparrow {Ammospiaa caudacuta caudacuta)

Summer resident.

E — Much less common than formerly at Port Newark; April 30, 1935 (L.
S. K.) to Oct. 23, 1932. Juvenile, Aug. 17, 1930.

H--I'ormerly bred at Kearney prior to fill (O. P. M.) ; still breeds along
the Hackensack in Jersey City (1935) ; June 6, 1896 to Aug. 19, 1899, at Green-
ville, Jersey City (W. de W. Miller).

Nelson’s Sparrow? (Aminospiaa caudacuta ncisoni)

E — Record of a Sharp-tailed sparrow reported by Thurber (Stone, p. 233) as
being taken on the Passaic River below Chatham, might have been this species,,
owing to its inland distribution.

Northern Seaside Sparrow (Aniniosf>ica iiiaritiiiia maritima)

E — A few pairs still occur on edge of Newark Hay at Port Newark ; April
30, 1934 (L. S. K.) ; April 30, 1931 to Oct. 2, 1934 (L. S. K.).

H — Formerly present at Greenville, June 6, 1896 to .-^ug. 19, 1899 (\V. de VV,
Miller).

Eastern X’esper Sparrow (Fooccctcs (/ram incus gramiucus)

E — Local and uncommon summer resident; March 30, 1929 (Montclair Bird
Club) to Dec. 26, 1921 (Robert Barbour). Nest and 4 eggs, May 10, 1878 (Her-
rick). Nest, June i, 1927 (E. S.).

H — Transient; not common; .April 10, 1920 (E. S. M.) and .April 12, 1922
at .Arlington (E. S. M.) ; Oct. 14, 1933 at North Hudson Park.

Eastern Lark Sparrow {Choudcstcs grammacus grammacus)

E — One seen (C. .A. U) on the Union County side of Bound Creek, might
have just crossed the line, Oct. 28, 1928 (C. .A. U.) ; one picked up dead. Sept.
19, 1934 (L. S. K.).

Slate-colored Junco {Junco Itycmalis hycmalis)

E — .Abundant winter visitant and migrant; Sept. 25, 1932 (J. L. E.) to May
5. 1931-

H — .Abundant migrant and common winter visitant ; Oct. 14, 1933 to May 5,
1928 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Tree Sparrow {Spicella arborea arborca)

.Abundant migrant and winter visitant.

E — Oct. 30, 1930 (Mrs. C. S. H.) to April 25, 1926 (J. L. E.).

H — Oct. 30, 1927 (E. S. M.) and Oct. 30, 1932 to April 18, 1920 (E. S. M.).

Eastern Chipping Sparrow {Sfi^eUa passeriua passerina)

Very common summer resident, may occur in winter.

E — March 31, 1929 (W. R.) to Dec. 24, 1923 (Barbour), and Jan. 4, 1935
(\V. R.). Nest and eggs, Alay 18, 1928 (E. S.).

H — Formerly bred at .Arlington (O. P. M.) ; to 1919 (E. S. M.) ; March 26,

1926 (E. S. M.) to Oct. 14, 1933 at North Hudson Park. Nests, May 29, 1870,
I, 2 eggs, I, 2 young, i egg, at Weehawken (H. Herrick).

Eastern Field Sparrow {Spicella piisilla pusilla)

Resident.

E — Very common summer resident; less numerous in winter; nest. May 15,

1927 (W. R.).

H — Arlington, formerly bred (O. P. M.) ; to 1928 (E. S. M.) ; still breeds
in North Hudson Park, April 14, 1935 to Oct. 14, 1933 ; winter 1916 and 1921
(E. S. M.).

White-crowned Sparrow {Zouotrichia lencophrys Icucoplirys)

Uncommon but regular migrant; more often seen in fall than spring.

E — .April 20, 1928 (E. S.) to May 21, 1927 (Loomis) ; Oct. 18, 1931 to Oct.
26, 1930.

H — Uncommon migrant; May 14, 1920 (E. S. M.) and May 19, 1915, at
Arlington (E. S. M.) ; Oct. 20, 1911, Arlington (E. S. M.), and Oct. 14, 1933,
North Hudson Park.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

-Abundant transient; common in winter; accidental in summer.

E — Sept. 7, 1932 (W. R.) to May 26, 1910 (L. S. K.) ; July 14 to 31, 1923,
an immature bird of this species seen, captured and banded (R. H. H.). In 1933,
Mrs. C. S. Hegeman had a pair of birds which lingered into June, one being
seen into July. There is a set of eggs in the Hallinan collection in Paterson
Museum, marked as taken in Short Hills, June 5, 1894, but there may be some
error about the locality.

H — Oct. 14, 1933 to May 28, 1927 (E. S. M.) ; a singing male in Secaucus
cedar swamp carefully observed July 7, 1935 (J. L. E., R. T. Peterson, R. C.
and W. F. E.).

Eastern Fox Sparrow {Passerella iliaca iliaca)

Common transient, rare and sometimes absent in winter.

E — Earliest spring migrant, Feb. 27, 1935, Montclair (Mrs. C. S. H.) ; Oct.
20, 1929 (J. L. E.) to April 30, 1934 (L. S. K.).

H — Oct. 22, 1933 to Dec. 10, 1917 (E. S. M.) ; March 3, 1935 to April 8,
1933: also winter (E. S. M.) ; 1920 and 1921, at Arlington.

Lincoln’s Sparrow {Melospiza Uncolni lincoini)

Rare but regular migrant.

E — May 2, 1928 (Loomis) to May 13, 1923 (R. F. H.) ; Sept. 6, 1934 (L. S.
K) and Sept. 24, 1896 (collected by W. E. D. Scott) to Oct. 6, 1923 (R. H. H.).

Swamp Sparrow {Melospiza georgiana)

Abundant summer resident in suitable localities ; rare elsewhere except as a
migrant and uncommon in winter.

E- — Nest and eggs. May 15, 1929 (W. R.).

H — Arlington, March 22, 1924 (E. S. M.) to Nov. 29, 1931; winter, Jan. 7,
1932, Feb. 9, 1920 (E. S. M.), etc.

Eastern Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia melodia)

Permanent resident.

E — .Abundant breeder ; less common in winter. Nest and eggs, April 30,
1928 (E. S.).

H — Common summer resident and even breeds in Hoboken. Nest and 3 eggs,
May 22, 1869, Bull’s Ferry (H. Herrick).

Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lappoiiicus lapponicus)

Irregular migrant and winter visitant on marshes.

E — Nov. 14, 1926 (C. A. U.) to March 22, 1922 (W. de W. Miller).

H— Recorded at Bayonne, March 3, 1935. and Feb. 22, 1933, both times with
flock of Horned Larks in City Park.

Eastern Snow Bunting (Flectrophcnax nwalis nwalis)

E — Rare winter visitant except on Newark marshes; Nov. 2, 1930 (J. L. E.)
to Feb, 19, tQO.S (L. S. K.).

Shorebirds on the North and Central New Jersey Coast

r>y Chabi.es a. Urner

Persistent combing of the salt marshes, mud Hats, shallows and
beaches of the New Jersey coast from Newark Hay to Brigantine
during 1932, 1933, and 1934 yielded sight records of a total of 38
species and suhsj)ecies, bringing the 7-year total to 39.

The writer continued, through 1932, 1933 1934- the compila-

tion of numbers of individuals of each species seen on field trips over
this area of the New Jersey Coast by observers trained in correct
identification of shorebirds. He has added to his own counts the totals
observed by Julian K. Potter and certain other members of Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club, James L. Edwards, Warren F. Eaton,
Charles K. Nichols, Lester L. W alsh, C. D. Brown and other members
of Linnsean Society of New York. The results have been summarized
by the same hiethod used in the four preceding years [see .Ink, 1929. p.

314: 1930. p. 424; 1931- P- 418; 1932. p. 470].

N'cmber of Locality Counts

North

Migration

South

Mig

ration

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

Newark Meadows - - - -

- - - 12

1 1

Manasquan River - - - -

- - - 6

Seaside Park ------

_ - - 7

1 1

Barnegat Inlet -----

Barnegat Marshes - - - -

- - - I

Beach Haven Inlet - - - -

- - - 6

Tuckerton Marshes - - - -

- - - 4

Brigantine and Absecon - -

- - - 6

1 1

Totals - -

- - - 44

148

150

168

The Distribution of Trips on Which any Shorebirds Were Seen
North Migration South Migration

1932 1933 1934 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35

February - -- -- — g — June - - - - 2 i 4

March ------ 2 12 7 July - - - - 30 26 28

April ------ 18 16 14 August - - - 33 41 48

May 22 13 13 September - - 27 30 30

June 2 2 — October - - - 22 15 16

— — — November - - 17 15 19

Totals ----- 44 52 34 December - - 5 7 18

Tanuary - - - 3 10 5

February - - — 5 —

150 168

Totals

148

The number and seasonal distribution of trips and localities cov-
ered has varied more or less so that the totals are not exactly com-
parable. But an even more important variable factor than number of
trips has been the feeding conditions of the areas covered. This has
had great influence during the summer on the number of birds stopping
and tarrying on areas such as Newark ^Meadows and Barnegat Marshes
and this variation must be considered in comparing one year with
another, the totals of those species preferring fresh or brackish muddy
shallows and marshes.

1932 — ^Summer and fall conditions were more favorable than in
the two previous years with more fresh water ponds on the Newark
fill and the various brackish marshes.

1933 — Summer and fall conditions were still more favorable on
Newark fill near the Airport where, because of shortage of funds, no
ditches were dug or dikes repaired by the Mosquito Commission and
where the brackish sewage-polluted waters of Bound Creek flooded a
large section of the fill every high tide, leaving ideal shallow ponds for
shore-bird feeding. On other areas of the fill shallow rain water j)onds
were a great attraction, and there was considerable bare ground or
ground covered only with low growths, furnishing good feeding
conditions.

1934 — On Newark Meadows ditching and dike repair, coupled
with protracted mid-summer drought, dried the excellent feeding
grounds of former years near the Airport, and Phragmitcs spread over
more of the bare ground making the site less attractive to shorehirds.
South of Bound Creek, toward Elizabeth, the unfilled but very dry
marsh was burned over in places and over it all grasshop]^ers and
insects abounded. Here, in spite of some extension of the Phragmitcs
patches, several species, chiefly Lesser Yellow-legs and Upland Plover,
were present in numbers and there was enough water in .some of the
ponds to attract a fair variety of s])ecies. However, except for a few
.species there was less accumulating of migrants than usual on Newark
Meadows and conditions were decidedly less favorable for holding
the smaller species, which must have gone elsewhere. Many congre-
gated on a piece of salt marsh along Raritan River, being filled in by
the usual sand-sucking method. The dryness of Newark Meadows

explains inucli of the drop in the totals for Lesser Yellow-legs and
Semii)almatcd Sandpiper. Conditions farther south in the area were
quite favorable.

The numbers of species and subspecies recorded during the three
years follow :

1932

1933

1934

Northbound

- - - - 24

Southbound

- - - - 34

Totals -------

- - - - 37

From the three years’ records the following observations are
pertinent :

Charadrius melodius. Piping Plover. — Extreme dates, Mar. 17 to Nov. 6. Some
increase. Good north flight Mar. 16, 1Q33, and, due to colder spring possibly,
April 8, 1934. High counts, southbound, July 16, 2 and 17 respectively.

Charadrius seiiiipalmatus. Semipalmated Plover. — Extreme dates April 4 to
June 4; July 7 to Dec. 24. Principal movements, northbound. May 7 to 28; south-
bound, Aug. 4 to Sept. 3. High counts, northljound. May 18, 7 and 20; southbound,
Aug. 6, Sept. 3 and Aug. 12.

Pagolla w. unlsonia. Wilson’s Plover. — One record. Sept. 15, 1934, by Julian
K. Potter at Brigantine.

Oxyechus z'. vociferiis. Killdeer. — Present all year. High counts, northl>ound.
May 18, Feb. 26 and May 13; southbound, July 9, 12 and 7.

Plirvialis d. dominica. American Golden Plover. — Totals for 1932 were a
new high for recent years ; sharp decrease since. First spring record for Newark
Meadows, May 30, 1933. Extreme dates, fall, Aug. 20 to Dec. 4 ; principal move-
ments middle two weeks in September. High counts, southbound. Sept. 15, 20
and 8.

Squatarola squatarola. Black-bellied Plover. — Present most of year in some
numbers ; sometimes all year. Principal movement north. May 7 to 28 ; south
Aug. 13 to Oct. 15, occasionally late. High counts, northbound. May 18, 28, and
20; southbound, Oct. 2, Sept. 17 and Nov. 4.

Arenaria inter pres uwrinella. Ruddy Turnstone. — Extreme dates, northbound.
May 7 to June 4; southbound, July 23 to Dec. 2. Principal movement, northbound.
May 14 to 28; southbound, Aug. 7 to Sept. 3. High counts, northbound. May
18, 28 and 20; southbound, Aug. 20, 25 and 12.

Philohela minor. American Woodcock. — Scattered records, only on coast.
Extreme date, Feb. 26 to Nov. 12.

Capella delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. — Extreme dates: Feb. 26 to May 16; Sept.
2 to Dec. 24. Principal movements not conclusively shown. High counts, north-
bound, April 17, I, and 28; southbound, Oct. 2, Sept. 24 and Oct. 14.

Phaeopus hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. — Probably some further increase.
Extreme dates, northbound, April 29 to May 27; southbound, July 2 to Sept.
17. Principal movements, northbound. May 7 to 27 ; southbound, July 21 to Sept.
3. High counts, northbound. May 18, 14 and 16; southbound, July 23, 30 and 21.

Bartramia longicauda. Upland Plover. — Some increase indicated. Spring
data inconclusive. Principal movement south, Aug. i to 30; latest. Sept. 9. High
counts, Aug. 14, 15 and ii.

Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Extreme dates: May 5 to Oct. 1.
Principal southbound movement, July 14 to Sept. 3. High counts, southbound, July
16, Aug. 16 and Aug. 18.

Tringa s. solitaria. Eastern Solitary Sandpiper. — Coastal records scattered,
but becoming more frequent. Extreme dates: northbound. May i to 18; south-
bound, July II to Oct. 14.

Catoptrophorus seniipalmatus, subsp.? Willet. — Numbers very variable from
year to year. Spring records few. May 7 to 21. All evidence indicates that sum-
mer birds are moving south. Extreme dates, July 10 to Oct. 14. Principal move-
ment Aug. 15 to Sept. 8. High counts. Sept. 3, Aug. 15 and Aug. 25.

RANKING OF SHOREBIRDS ON NEW JERSEY COAST
AND SALT MARSHES

Spring Flight of 1932

Largest

No. on I

Total

Rank

Times

Locality

No. All

Seen

Trip

Trips

Semipalmated Sandpiper - - - -

4,000

11,454

Semipalmated Plover - - - - -

- - - - 2

4,000

6,443

Black -bellied Plover ------

■ - - - - 3

2,000

2,7^

Eastern Dowitcher

, - - - - 4

C500

1,971

Least Sandpiper -

■ - - - - 5

1,500

2,150

Greater Yellow-legs ------

, - - - - 6

100

435

Ruddy Turnstone - -

- - - - 7

500

1,212

Sanderling - -- -- -- --

• - - - - 8

160

495

Hudsonian Curlew ------

- - - - 9

400

580

Killdeer - -- -- -- -- -

Spotted Sandpiper ------

- - - - II

Piping Plover - -- -- -- -

Red Phalarope --------

- - - - 13

300

327

American Knot -------

- - - - 14

100

18s

Red-backed Sandpiper - - - - -

- - - - IS

Lesser Yellow-legs ------

Solitary Sandpiper ------

Wilson’s Snipe -------

■ - - - - 17

. - - - - 18

American Woodcock ------

- - - - 19

Hudsonian Godwit ------

White-rumped Sandpiper - - - -

- - - - 21

Western Sandpiper

Northern Phalarope -

- - - - 23

Wilson’s Phalarope ------

- - - - 24

Totanus melanolciicus. Greater Yellow-legs. — Possibly some but no pronounced
recent increase. Extreme dates, northlx)und, March 25 to June 24; southbound,
June 27 to Dec. 2. Principal movement, northbound, April 23 to May 18; south-
bound, July 30 to Oct. 2. High counts, northl>ound. May 7, April 29, May 5;
southbound, Aug. 13, Sept. 2 and Sept 29.

Totanus flaz’ipcs. Lesser Yellow-legs. — Numbers seen and tarrying vary
widely with feeding conditions on Newark Meadows. Probably gradual continued
increase. Extreme dates, northbound, scattered few May i to 18 but record num-

RANKING OF SHOREBIRDS ON NEW JERSEY COAST
AND SALT MARSHES

Semipalmated Sandpiper
Lesser Yellow-legs - -
Eastern Dowitcher - -
Sanderling -----

Least Sandpiper - - -
Semipalmated Plover
American Knot - - -
Pectoral Sandpiper - -
Black-bellied Plover - -
Greater Yellow-legs - -
Killdeer ------

American Golden Plover
Hudsonian Curlew - -
Spotted Sandpiper - -
Red-backed Sandpiper -
Ruddy Turnstone - - -
Stilt Sandpiper - - -
Western Sandpiper - -
W'illet ------

Piping Plover - - - -
Upland Plover - - - -
WTiite-rumped Sandpiper
W'ilson’s Snipe - - -
Avocet ------

Wilson’s Phalarope - -
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
American W’oodcock - -
Marbled Godwit - - -
Red Phalarope - - -
Solitary Sandpiper - -
Baird’s Sandpiper - - -
Purple Sandpiper - - -

Ruff - -

Long-billed Dowitcher -
Northern Phala’^ope - -

Southbound Flight of 1932

Rank Times

Largest
No. on I
Locality

Total
No. All

Seen

Trip

Trips

2,700

27.651

800

6,745

2,450

9436

1,000

8,795

400

2,295

300

4,860

790

2,907

125

954

935

847

570

300

2,175

350

2,140

418

100

802

407

264

218

160

2.=;

3=^

hers with maximum of 24, May 12, spring of 1934, which may be indicative of a
broader migration route as numbers increase; southbound June 2^ to Nov. 12.
Principal movements, southbound, July 13 to Oct. i. High counts, southbound,
July 28, July 19 and Aug. 30. Usually two main movements with peaks in July
and September, though August movement at times quite heavy.

Calidris canutus rufiis. American Knot. — Wide variation in numbers seen
from year to year but 1934 totals encouraging. Extreme dates, northbound. May
7 to June 4; southbound, July 16 to Jan. 13. Principal movements, northbound.
May 16 to 28; southbound, July 23 to Aug. 18. High counts, northbound. May
18, 28 and 21 ; southbound, Aug. i, Aug. 6 and July 28.

Arqiiatella maritima. Purple Sandpiper. — Some recent increase in scattered
winter records, probably due to increasing number of artificial rock jetties which
furnish food supply. Extreme dates, Nov. 18 to April 7.

Pisohia melanotos. Pectoral Sandpiper. — Probably some increase. Spring
records few. May 7 to 16. Extreme dates, southbound, July 10 to Nov. 12. Prin-

RANKING OF SHOREBIRDS ON NEW JERSEY COAST
AND SALT MARSHES
Spring Flight of 1933

Largest

No. on I Total
Rank Times Locality No. All

Seen

Trip

Trips

Semipalmated Sandpiper - - - -

- - - - I

2,500

10,979

Black-bellied Plover ------

- - - - 2

600

2.244

Eastern Dowitcher ------

- - - - 3

5,000

6,909

Least Sandpiper

- - - - 4

700

1,^1

Semipalmated Plover -----

- - - - 5

500

1,973

Red-backed Sandpiper -----

- - - - 6

500

906

Ruddy Turnstone -------

- - - - 7

700

2,520

Sanderling - -- -- -- --

- - - - 8

400

1,024

Greater Yellow-legs ------

- - - - 9

443

Killdeer - -- -- -- -- -

156

American Knot -------

- - - - II

250

670

Piping Plover - -- -- -- -

- - - - 12

123

Hudsonian Curlew ------

- - - - 13

150

276

Spotted Sandpiper ------

- - - - 14

V\ hite-rumped Sandpiper - - - -

- - - - 15

American Woodcock ------

Northern Phalarope ------

- - - - 17

Wilson’s Snipe -------

- - - - 18

Western Sandpiper ------

- - - - 19

Red Phalarope -------

- - - - 20

Willet

Upland Plover --------

Solitary Sandpiper ------

- - - - 23

Lesser Yellow-legs ------

- - - - 24

Pectoral Sandpiper

- - - - 23

American Golden Plover - - - -

cipal movements variable; southbound, July 23 to Oct. i. High counts, southbound.
Sept. 15, Sept. 17 and Aug. 18.

1‘isobia fiisciiollis. \\ hite-rumped Sandpiper. — Numbers vary widely year to
year. Extreme dates, northbound. May 6 to 30; southbound, July 14 to Nov. 12.
Principal movements, northbound. May 7 to 27 ; southbound, Aug. 30 to Oct. 15.
High counts, northbound. May 8. 21 and 27; southbound. Sept. 28, 10 and 16.

I^isobia Iniirdi. liaird's Sandpiper. — N'o spring records. Southbound records
show a slight average increase. Extreme dates, Aug. 18 to Oct. 7. Principal
movements. Sept. 8 to Oct. 7. High counts. Sept. 10, 30 and 8.

RANKING OF SHOREBIRDS ON NEW JERSEY COAST
AND SALT MARSHES

Semipalmated Sandpiper
Lesser Yellow-legs - -
Semipalmated Plover
Eastern Dowitcher - -
Least Sandpiper - - -
Sanderling -----

Greater Yellow-legs - -
Black-bellied Plover - -
Western Sandpiper - -
Pectoral Sandpiper - -
Killdeer ------

Red-backed Sandpiper -
W'hite-rumped Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpii>er - - -
Spotted Sandpiper - -
Hudsonian Curlew - -
Ruddy Turnstone - - -
American Golden Plover
American Knot - - -
Upland Plover - - - -

Willet

Piping Plover - - - -
Wilson’s Snipe - - -
Wilson’s Phalarope - -
Solitary Sandpiper - -
Hudsonian Gc^wit - -
Purple Sandpiper - - -
Baird’s Sandpiper - - -
Marbled Godwit - - -
Northern Phalarope - -
Long-billed Dowitcher -
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
American Woodcock - -

Southl)ound Flight of 1933

Rank Times
Seen

1 72

2 70

3 67

4 61

5 65

6 46

7 74

8 59

9 48

10 56

11 80

- 12 31

- 13 41

- 14 45

- 15 55

16 19

17 21

- 18 23

- 19 25

20 21

21 17

22 20

- 23 21

- 24 19

- 25 12

26 10

- 27 4

28 7

- 29 4

30 6

- 31 5

32 2

- 33 I

Largest

No. on I

Total

Locality

No. All

Trip

Trips

4,000

52,146

700

12,445

500

5,318

500

3,116

400

3,439

500

6,567

150

1,328

350

1,530

500

1,121

300

1,663

964

324

2,469

200

894

716

296

250

888

387

143

173

143

205

107

Fisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — Extreme dates, northbound, April 28 to
June 4; southbound, June 23 to Nov. 4. Principal movements, northbound, April
20 to May 25 ; southbound, July 2 to Sept. 22. High counts, northbound. May 18,
7 and 12; southbound, July 13, 15 and 14. Sometimes fairly large September
movement.

Erolia testacea. Curlew Sandpiper. — One seen in flight Oct. 28, 1934; swung
close several times and passed at varying levels with mixed flocks. Bird very
light below, whiter than Red-backs, fairly dark above with distinct wing stripe
but not as prominent as Red-backs ; clear white rump and long evenly curved bill.
Note definitely different from either White-rump or Red-back. Size comparison
in conformity.

Petidna alpina sakfialina. Red-backed Sandpiper. — Increasing winter resident
from Beach Haven south up to extreme cold winter of 1933-34, since which the
northern limit of wintering flocks has moved slightly south again. Extreme dates,
July 9 to June 4, principally Sept. 30 to Feb. 12; few July and August often in

RANKING OF SHOREBIRDS ON NEW JERSEY COAST
AND SALT MARSHES

Eastern Dowitcher - -
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Black-bellied Plover - -
Least Sandpiper - - -
Greater Yellow-legs - -
Red-backed Sandpiper -
Semipalmated Plover
Ruddy Turnstone - - -
Piping Plover - - - -
Sanderling -----
Hudsonian Curlew - -

Killdeer

American Knot - - -
Spotted Sandpiper - -
Lesser Yellow-legs - -
American Woodcock - -
White-rumped Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper - -
Wilson’s Snipe - - -
Pectoral Sandpiper - -
Red Phalarope - - -
Upland Plover - - - -
Western Sandpiper - -
Purple Sandpiper - - -
Stilt Sandpiper - - -
Wilson’s Phalarope - -

Spring Flight of 1934

Rank Times

Largest
N o. on I
Locality

Total
No. All

Seen

Trip

1,000

Trips

2,296

800

2.418

800

1.843

250

538

100

346

100

383

200

488

150

451

153

258

200

295

1 12

.SI

breeding plumage. Might include stray Lhmlins but not identified. High counts,
northbound, May 15, Feb. 12 and April 29; southbound, Oct. 16, Dec. 24 and
Nov. 25.

Limnodromus y. griseus. Eastern Dowitcher. — Numbers vary but gains of
recent years fairly sustained though rate of increase has slowed. Extreme dates,
northbound, April 28 to June 18; southbound, June 30 to Nov. 4. Principal move-
ments, northbound, April 29 to May 21 ; southbound, July 7 to Aug. 25. High
counts, northbound, May 18, 7 and 20; southl)OUnd, July 10, 16 and 28.

RANKING OF SHOREBIRDS ON NEW JERSEY COAST
AND SALT MARSHES

Semipalmated Sandpiper
Elastern Dowitcher - -
Lesser Yellow-legs - -
Semipalmated Plover
Sanderling -----

Least Sandpiper - - -
Killdeer ------

Pectoral Sandpiper - -
Black-bellied Plover - -
Red-backed Sandpiper -
.“American Knot - - -
Greater Yellow-legs - -
Hudsonian Curlew - -
Western Sandpiper - -
Spotted Sandpiper - -
Ruddy Turnstone - - -
Piping Plover - - - -

W'illet

Upland Plover - - - -
Stilt Sandpiper - - -
Solitary Sandpiper - -
■American Golden Plover
White-rumped Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe - - -
American Woodcock - -
Wilson’s Phalarope - -
Marbled Godwit - - -
Long-billed Dowitcher -
Purple Sandpiper - - -
Baird’s Sandpiper - - -
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Northern Phalarope - -
Red Phalarope - - -
Hudsonian Godwit - -
Wilson’s Plover - - -
Curlew Sandpii^er - -

Southbound Flight of 1934

Rank Times

Largest
No. on I
Locality

Total
No. All

Seen

Trip

Trips

4,000

I5i575

1,200

5.435

400

5.249

350

4.426

500

4.232

250

1.382

777

350

1.146

150

1.097

500

1,812

1,000

3.258

701

960

2,896

100

301

315

273

296

162

163

.34

.36

Limnodromm g. scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. — Probably not as rare
as the scarcity of records indicates. No spring identifications. Scattered fall
records, Aug. i8 to Nov. 4 based on sight and note identification only.

Micropalma himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — One spring record May 12, 1934.
Extreme dates, southbound, July 7 to Oct. 12. Principal movements, July 19 to
Sept. 30. High counts, Aug. 21, Sept. 2 and Aug. 5.

Ereunetes pusiUus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. — Decrease in 1934 records prob-
ably due to poorer feeding conditions though some evidence of fewer birds in recent
years. Extreme dates, northbound, April 29 to June 18; southbound, July 2 to
Jan. 16. Principal movements, northbound. May 7 to June 4; southbound, July 15
to Sept. 30. High counts, northbound. May 18, 21 and 16; southbound, July 31,
July 30 and Aug. 26.

Ereunetes niaurii. VVestern Sandpiper. — Extreme dates, northbound. May 7
to 25; southbound, July 4 to Dec. 26. Principal movements, northbound. May 7
to 25; southbound, averaging later than Semipalmated, July 16 to Sept. 16. High
counts, northbound, May 25, 7 and 12; southbound, Aug. 28, Sept, ii and Sept. 16.

Tryngites siobruficollis. Buff-.breasted Sandpiper. — No spring records. Ex-
treme scattered dates, southbound, Aug. 30 to Oct. 9.

Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. — No spring records. Extreme scattered dates,
southbound, Aug. 5 to Sept. 10. High counts, Aug. 20, Sept, to and Aug. 5.

Liniosa hacmastica. Hudsonian Godwit. — Spring records, May 15 and 16 ;
southbound, Aug. 23 to Sept. 30, chiefly Sept. 8 to 30. High counts Sept. 17 and 8.

Philomachus pugnax. Ruff. — One record, 2 birds on Tuckerton Marsh, Oct.
2. 1932.

Crocethia alba. Sanderling. — Winters in small numbers usually, though frozen
out some years. Extreme dates, July 2 to June 4. Principal movements, northbound.
May 8 to 28; southl>ound, July 22 to Sept. 17. High counts, northbound. May 8,
14 and 20; southbound, July 29, July 30 and Aug. 25.

Recurvirostra americatui. Avocet. — The three birds seen by many observers
on Newark Meadows, Sept. 16 to Oct. 4, 1932, were, according to an anonymous
communication, the remnant of a flock of 12 birds first seen at Bay Pond, Sept. 4,
one being in breeding plumage, all of which were probably illegally killed except
the three in question, one of which was wounded.

I’halaropus fulicarius. Red Phalarope. — Spring records increasing; seen each
of the three years. Extreme dates, May 7 to 15. One fall record, Aug. 18, 1934-
at Beach Haven.

Steganopus tricolor. W’ilson’s Phalarope. — Records increasing. Seen May 18,
1932, and May 12, 1934. Fall dates more frequent. Extreme dates, Aug. 5 to Oct.
8, chiefly Sept. 3 to Oct. 8. ffigh counts, Sept. 3, Aug. 30 and Aug. 8.

Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalaroi)e. — Extreme dates, northbound, May 7
to 28; southbound, Aug. 23 to Sept. 18, chiefly Sept. 8 to 18. High counts. Sept.
8, Aug. 23 and Sept. 18.

In tlie accom|)anying tables the species liave been ranked by aver-
aging the ranking in three particulars: ) number of times seen; (2)

largest number seen in one locality on one day, and (3 ) totals of numbers
recorded on all trips, the latter total of course representing considerable
duplication since the same individuals are counted more than once in
the case of those species which linger for some time in favorable feed-
ing haunts. This duplication is most marked in the fall in species such
as Semipalmated Sand|)iper. Lesser Yellow-legs, Dowitcher, Least
Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover, and improves the showing of
these in comparison with birds which are seen merely passing on migra-
tion. Moreover, trips were not made every day and the main flight of
some species may have been witnes.sed one year and missed the ne.xt.

Because of the variable repetitive factor and other factors men-
tioned no single year's counts can be considered certainly comparable
either between different species the same year or between the same
species different years. However, the data of a series of years will
offer indications, in a general way, of any marked change in the status
of the various shorebird species on the New Jersey coast.

The observed trend toward more wintering shorebirds, especially
Red-backed Sandpiper and Black-bellied Plover on that section of the
Jersey coast covered during the several years of mild winters ending
with 1932-3 was checked by the colder winters of 1933-4 and 1934-5
when fewer birds were recorded through January and early February.
However, even when early February is cold and the birds move south
there is evidence of a later February influx as the weather moderates.
Several species have recently been recorded at new late dates, the trend
being tow'ard a longer season as numbers increase.

Tw'enty-nine species, including 9 of the 15 in the “rare” or “very
rare” groups, were seen in October; 21 species in November; 14 in
December; 8 in January and 6 in February. Those .seen after October
follow :

Piping Plover — Xov.

Semipalmated Plover — Nov., Dec.

Killdeer — Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb.

Golden Plover — Nov., Dec.

Black -bellied Plover— Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb.

Ruddy Turnstone — Nov., Dec.

Woodcock — Nov.

Wilson’s Snipe — Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb.

Greater Yellow-legs — Nov., Dec.

Lesser Yellow-legs — Nov.

American Knot — Nov., Dec., Jan.

Purple Sandpiper — Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb.

Pectoral Sandpiper — Nov.

White-rumped Sandpiper — Nov.

Least Sandpiper — Nov., Dec.

Red-backed Sandpiper — Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb.

Dowitcher — N ov.

Long-billed Dowitcher — Nov.

Semipalmated Sandpiper — Nov., Dec., Jan.

Western Sandpiper — Nov., Dec.

Sanderling — Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb.

Summarizing the southbound flight of the past 7 years and aveiag-
ing the rankings of each year, we get the following order :

ABUNDANT OR VERY COMMON

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Eastern Dowitcher

Lesser Yellow-legs

Sanderling

Semipalmated Plover

Least Sandpiper

COMMON

Killdeer

12.

American Knot

Black-bellied Plover

13-

Red-backed Sandpiper

Greater Yellow-legs

14-

Spotted Sandpiper

10.

Hudsonian Curlew

15-

Ruddy Turnstone

1 1.

Pectoral Sandpiper

16.

Western Sandpiper

IRREGULARLY AND LOCALLY

TOLERABLY COMMON

17-

American Golden Plover

21.

Willet

18.

Piping Plover

22.

Upland Plover

19.

White-rumped Sandpiper

23-

Wilson’s Snipe

20.

Stilt Sandpiper

24.

Solitary Sandpiper*

RARE

25-

Purple Sandpiper

29.

American Woodcock*

26.

Marbled Godwit

30.

Northern Phalarope

27-

Wilson’s Phalarope

31-

Buff^breasted Sandpiper

28.

Baird’s Sandpiper

32.

Hudsonian Godwit

VERY RARE

33-

Long-billed Dowitcherf

36.

American Oyster-catcher

34-

Red Phalarope

37.

Ruff

35-

Avocet

38.

Wilson’s Plover

39. Curlew Sandpiper

•Status along north and central Jersey coast only.

tprobably so ranked because of usual failure positively to identify.

The past seven years field work in New Jersey indicate, on the
whole, reasonable law observance in those areas of chief concentration
of shorebirds, and some average increase in the total number of shore-
birds under protection. However, most species have become so tame
that even a short reopening of the season, considering the number of
hunters and the concentration of birds in relatively few localities, would
undo in a few days the reconstruction of several years and put a num-
ber of species, now fighting their way back, again in a precarious
position.

The Half-Hardy Birds That Wintered Through 1933-1934
In the New York City Region

By Walter Sedwitz

A winter unprecedented for cold was that of 1933-1934. A glance
over the New York Meteorological [Monthly Summary shows that the
average temperature for the month of February was 20° F. The lowest
reading ever recorded by the New York Weather Bureau was on the 9th
of February, 1934, when the mercury fell to — 14° F. During this
month snow was widespread and storms were frequent. Rivers, bays,
lakes, creeks and ocean fronts were ice covered and ice clogged. If
our bird population, usually denoted as half-hardy, could survive
the weather then we had something worth while to record. It was
found to be of interest at the present as well as valuable data to the
future, to record the species of half-hardy birds and under what con-
ditions they survived the winter. That these birds survived the cold
wave which lasted over a month is a credit to their hardiness and adapt-
ability under abnormal conditions. The hardy land and sea birds
perished by the hundreds during this period of cold, while most land
birds of all kinds became very scarce. It is, therefore, a very good list
that my correspondents have helped me to compile, little different
from a list that one might collect during a less severe winter.

It will be noticed that in the above preamble I refer to the
winter and February quite as if one were the same as the other. In
the beginning of my compilation I was rather sure that the birds seen
between the date December 15th and February 15th would be the
ones that would he regarded as winter birds of the half-hardy type.
But in looking over my material I saw how wrong I was. Except for
a three day cold wave during the last days of 1933, December and
January were (|uite mild months, and many times my present list of
species were noted. However, when the famous cold wave of February,
1934, clamped down, most of these species disappeared completely. It
was found, therefore, to be more accurate to include in my list only
those species noted during February. But here again I found a little
confusion, for notwithstanding the severity of February, the latter
j)art of the month found a slight influx of migration from the south.
It was found justifiable to exclude certain species that could hardly

have wintered. To be exact in the matter of date.s 1 stretched my
period of winter from January 28th to March 3rd, 1034.

A few facts about the weather might give a better idea of what
conditions were like in the days of February. Right after Christmas,
as mentioned before, temperatures dropped to — o°F., — 3°F., — 6°F.,
on the 28th, 29th, and the 30th of December. However, these three
days, while a foretaste of the later days to come, (|uickly let up and
January was more or less mild and open. I’.ut on January 30, 1934,
the thermometer registered 5°F., which was followed by readings of
4°F. on the third, 5°F. on the sixth, — y°F. on the eighth, — i4°F.
on the ninth (low record), — 2°F. on the tenth, 3°F. on the fourteenth,
9°F. on the sixteenth, seventeenth and twentieth, 10° F. on the twenty-
first, io°F. on the twenty-third, 6°F. on the twenty-fourth, 9°F. on
the twenty-fifth, 9°F. on the twenty-seventh, 7°F. on the twenty-eighth,
and i5°F. on the first of March. After this sub-normal spell of weather,
temperatures became reasonably normal again.

But low temperatures were not alone as a force to test the endur-
ance of our half-hardy species, for along with the low temperatures
came snow storms frequent and severe. The end of December brought
10 inches of snow, which disappeared completely during January. On
the I St of February, 10 inches of snow fell and this fall covered the
ground until the 19th when 5 inches more covered the country ; on the
20th, 3 inches more were recorded. On the 25th of February 4 inches
of snow fell with 7 inches more on the 26th. At that time 14 inches
of snow were packed hard on the ground in New' York Cit\’, w'hich
meant tremendous drifts and banks in the wind swept open country.
On the 2nd of IMarch, 9 inches of snow still covered the ground.

Concerning open water, little was noted about New York and
Long Island. Every lake was frozen tight; Long Island Sound was
frozen a half mile from each shore; the bays on southern Long Island
were as solid as dry land, wdth only a few inlets connecting to the ocean
open. The Hudson River was partially frozen over and ice-clogged
completely as was New York harbor. The few places that did remain
open for some time w'ere the fresh water streams that ran into the
salt w'ater estuaries. Ice cakes floated in the ocean at many points and
soupy formations of ice w'ere seen to be forming in the ocean all along

the shores. Fresh water fowl fled the ice bound ponds and lakes for
the only open water, the ocean and sound. Land birds came to gardens,
sanctuaries, garbage dumps, sewers, swamps and farm-yards. It was
a critical time in the lives of our half-hardy birds.

In general the low temperatures are less injurious to our half-
hardy birds than snow and sleet. For as long as these birds can find
food and shelter they are fairly sure of surviving. But bring on hail,
sleet or snow, any one of which would cover most of the natural food
supply, and the birds weaken off and die unless they seek sanctuaries
where food is always present. Low temperatures and the lack of food
is an optimum condition for the destruction of our half-hardy species.
It is quite probable that our northern visitants can endure much longer
these mortal conditions without food; but our half-hardy birds lack
that extra stored up energy and must feed regularly or else move on.
Conditions for our-half-hardy species are far from ideal around Xew
York or else the bulk of these same species would winter in this region
instead of migrating hundreds of miles to the south. We can. there-
fore, describe a half-hardy species as a bird wintering north of
its normal range in winter, and which unlike some of the “softer”
species (Chat, Oriole, Yellow-throat, etc.) is more or less regularly
recorded from year to year long after the southward migration has
been concluded.

In all 31 species were recorded — a notable list for such a winter.
Most of the species listed in normal winters would be seed, berry, and
fruit eaters. But under the stress of cold and snow they seek human
agencies for a surer supply of food and a more adequate shelter from
the storms. However, in my listing I try to give all the information
passed on to me concerning j)lace, time, food, shelter and terrain.

Phalacrocorax auritus auritus. Double-crested Cormorant. — i, Coney Island,
Feb. II (Breslau, Cruickshank, etc.). Flying soutbwcstward, this bird was prob-
ably in migration to a less rigorous climate. Food no doubt was obtainable not-
withstanding the ice on the rivers, bays, etc. It probably had attempted to winter
on some fish weirs on the south shore of Long Island.

Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli. Black-crowned Night Heron. — Several, Masse-
pequa, Feb. i8th (Breslau, etc.). Wintering in a group of pines surrounding a
large estate. These herons must have found food very scarce in the usual place as
Great South Bay was completely frozen over. However, food in the tidal creeks

and sewers no doubt helped to forestall any damages to these birds. Four suc-
cessfully survived February, Idlewild Beach (Mayer).

.ii.r sf>onsa. Wood Duck. — A female in weakened condition almost captured,
Westbury, Feb. lo (Matuszewski). Probably a late bird, frozen out of its lake
or pond and unable to find food to support itself, it flew in an almost e.\hausted
condition around the nursery. It probably died or fell prey to cats, dogs, or hawks
about.

Xyroca collaris. King-necked Duck. — 9, Cross River, Westchester County,
Feb. 12 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi). The rapid increase of this formerly rare species
about New York City has been one of the most gratifying ornithological phenomena
of the last decade. In favored localities like the great Reservoirs of Westchester,
the species frequently winters where spillways manage to keep the waters open.
Though data are lacking as to whether or not Ring-necks remained throughout
the month of February, it is interesting to learn of their presence in an area where
the mercury hovered somewhere around 25° below zero.

Nyroca ajfiiiis. Lesser Scaup Duck. — 2, Coney Island, Feb. 17 (Cruickshank) .
In a flock of Greater Scaup, these more southern relatives were noted. Probably,
like the Wood Duck, they were frozen out of fresh water, but more fortunate in
their habits the Lesser Scaups came down to the ocean and were able to obtain
food to sustain life. The two birds were seen with Greater Scaup, Scoter, Old-
squaw, and Golden-eye.

Buteo platypterus plalyptcrus. Broad-winged Hawk. — Badly crippled bird,
\'an Cortlandt Park, discovered Dec. 7, 1933 (Cruickshank), was still present
Feb. 7, 1934 (W. J. Norse). This unfortunate bird was barely able to fly. It
sustained itself chiefly by remaining close to a garbage dump and apparently did
not survive the winter.

Rallus elegans elcgans. King Rail. — i, Baxter Creek Marshes, Dec. 23 (R.
G. Kuerzi and J. F. Matuszew'ski) . This individual was heard calling during the
Christmas Census. On March 6 it was found dead but apparently fresh (Malley).
It therefore wintered at least into February, but in all likelihood found the food
frozen over that had been available up to that time. Open tidal creeks supplied
the food area, but like almost everything else, finally froze over.

Capella delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. — 5, Alley Pond Sanctuary, Feb. 2 (Queens
County Bird Club) ; 2, Van Cortlandt Park Swamp, Feb. 22 (Cruickshank) ; i,
Eastport, L. L, Feb. 28 (Wilcox) ; 2, near Wantagh, on a mud bank next to the
open water, March 3 (Hickey). The numbers of this snipe seen indicate more
than just bare survival. Their mobility must have played a large part in their
survival, seeking unfrozen patches of mud banks where the tidal forces opened the
water ways.

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Eastern Mourning Dove. — 6, Speonk, Feb.
4, 15 on Feb. 28 (Wilcox) ; 10, Westbury, stayed all winter (Matuszewski) ; 7,
Mt. Sinai, all winter (G. P. Helme). The tree nursery at Westbury, the duck
farms at Speonk, and the swamp at Mt. Sinai, all formed excellent wintering spots

for these half-hardy birds. Shelter was abundant, and food was plentiful, with
house along with their shrubbery, crumbs, and a little natural food, all helped to
pull these Doves through the arduous month.

Megaceryle alcyon alcyon. Eastern Belted Kingfisher. — i. New Rochelle,
Feb. 12 (Marc C. Rich) ; i, Bronx Park, Feb. 21 (Malley) ; i. Fort Schuyler,
March 3 (Hickey). It must have been a trial for this species to live in a region
such as ours was when almost every patch of water was frozen solid. But being
quite adaptable to conditions as they came, the bird came down to the coastline
and proceeded to live on the salt and brackish water fish. Except for two small
areas in the duck pond at the Zoo there was no open water in Bronx Park on the
2ist. Here Malley had practically daily observation and it is therefore highly
probable that his bird was a wanderer from either the Hudson, the Harlem or
the East River, or Long Island Sound.

Colaptes auratus lutcus. Northern Flicker. — i. Flushing, Feb. 4 (McBride) ;
5, Pound Ridge, Feb. 22 (Colvin Farley) ; a few, Mt. Sinai, Feb. 2, 12, 22 (Helme).
The sheltered spots around and near habitations seemed to be the favorite winter-
ing places for this hardy woodpecker. When the landscape looks cold and wintry,
it is always a surprise to put up one or more of these “Golden Wings,” with their
summery colorings. Still they manage to find enough food in the berries, insect
eggs, cocoons, and suet at feeding stations to last out the winter.

Sayoniis phoebe. Eastern Phoebe. — i, Plainfield, Feb. 4, 5 (F. Clement
Scott). This is not the first winter report of a Phoebe and the other record is at
the same locality, in the winter of 1912-1913 (Linnaean Abstracts No. 24-25, page
139).

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — i. Alley Pond Sanctuary, all
winter until March 3 (Queens County Bird Club) ; i, wintered in the New York
Botanical Gardens by remaining close to a feeding station, where visitors placed
seeds, nuts and crumbs on boulders or on the ground ; this individual as well as
the Chicadees frequently lit on the heads or shoulders of his hosts and obtained
his food directly from their hands (Gibson and others) ; i, Westbury, Feb. ii
(Matuszewski). Whether this bird may be classed as a half-hardy one is a point
of discussion, but reacting to the cold waves just as surely as a Hermit Thrush,
this northern species disappears in the cold winter with few exceptions.

Nannus hiemalis hiemalis. Eastern Winter Wren. — i, Oakland Lake, Queens
County (Sheehan). This lone winter record of this uncommon winter resident
is rather good, considering that so many residential birds were found dead as a
result of the weather. Loving the tangles and swamps as it does, it would seem
a not unusual bird to find in this region in the winter ; however, it is rarely recorded
in that season. The tangled sheltering spots around Oakland Lake with its swampy
and rocky terrain is an ideal wintering place for such a bird.

Thryotliorus ludovicianus Indovicianus. Carolina Wren. — On the Palisades,
N. J., in greatly reduced numbers (R. A. Herbert) ; completely wiped out in the
New Jersey pine barrens (C. A. Urner) ; increase noted at Milltown, N. J. (P.

L. Collins). A clean sweep of destruction was noted on l-ong Island up to the
present time. .\t Orient a bird present in a garden the previous October survived
until late February only to be killed by a cat (Latham). G. P. Helme reported
one at Orient and Mt. Sinai respectively. In each case the birds were noted at
feeding stations. The Carolina Wren bad been on a great increase up until the
cold winter of 1933-1934. The winter dealt a great blow to this species, and the
birds that did not come to the feeding stations must have migrated or died.

Miniiis f>olyylottos polyyiollos. Eastern Mockingbird. — i. Saugatuck, Conn.,
Feb. 3 (Margaret Brooks) ; Riverhead, all winter on Main St. in the village
(Latham); i, Whitestone, L. L, Feb. 5th and 7th (Mrs. Beals and Reska). The
Mocker always calls to mind the deep south, but the extreme cold of 1933-1934’s
winter dispelled all ideas about this bird's lack of hardiness, for the above three
records speak for themselves. Smart and resourceful, never too shy to come to a
feeding station in a time of need, it is little wonder that it outlasted the winter.

Diiinctclla caroliiiciisis. Catbird. — i, Montauk, Feb. 12 (Queens County Bird
Club). This lone record, at the wild Montauk Point, is not unexpected, for the
many miles of tangled, brushy country might afford shelter to a few dozen of
these half-hardy birds. With the abundance of berries and seeds and shelter, the
Catbird was in no way put out as were many birds in less wild country where
most underbrush is cut out and shelter, therefore, practically absent.

T Urdus miijratorius migratorius. Eastern Robin. — 2, Rye Pond, h'eb. 12 (W.
F. Dresher) ; a few birds. Orient, February (Latham) ; East Moriches, some all
through February (Wilcox) ; i found freshly dead, Bronx Park, Feb. 8 (Gibson) ;
Miller Place, all winter in a swamp (G. P. Helme) ; Alley Pond Sanctuary, all
winter (Queens County Bird Club). Robin populations in winter are very irreg-
ular, appearing and disappearing, without warning. They seem to prefer the
wilder situations to the places where they breed during the warmer time of the
year. Being in winter a tree and bush feeder rather than a ground feeder, it was
easier to see how they withstood the storms and snow-covered ground.

Hylocichla guttata faxoiii. Eastern Hermit Thrush. — i. Forest Hills, Feb.
20 (Queens County Bird Club) : i, Rye Pond, Feb. 12 (Dresher) ; i, Mt. Sinai,
Feb. 2 (Geo. P. Helme). A surprise, after so many hardy birds deserted the
region, was to find this thrush still with us. A bird of the thickets in winter, it
still had enough stamina to last that cold wave, and find enough food to keep it
alive, a difficult task for ground feeders. Its winter berry eating habit saved
its life.

Sialia sialis sialis. Eastern Bluebird. — 10, Pound Ridge, in a cedar full of
berries, Feb. 22 (Colvin Farley) ; i, Bronx Region, February (Allen W. Thomas) ;
Mt. Sinai, dead birds after the storm of Feb. 2; 7 or 8 in a cedar swamp, originally,
but only 2 survived the winter (Geo. P. Helme) ; 200, Rye Pond, Feb. 12
(Dresher). Many individuals of this species evidently suffered and died from the
hazardous weather of February.

Dendroica coronafa. Myrtle Warbler. — too, Rye Pond, Feb. 12 (Dresher) ;
a few, Wading River, Feb. 18 (Queens County Bird Club) ; a few Montauk,
Feb. 12 (Queens County Bird Club) ; a few, Jones Beach, Feb. 15 (Breslau and
others). Usually a common winter resident, the cold drove these warblers south,
to become almost completely absent in this region. The species is therefore placed
on the list because the bulk of the birds fled, leaving only a few in the region in
February. They always prefer in winter the places where the baj'berry is the
thickest, but the cold dealt severely with these little birds, even with this plant in
large masses in our territory.

Agelains plioenicens phoeniceus. Eastern Red-wing. — 20, \'an Cortlandt
Swamp, Feb. 22 (Cruickshank) ; 13, Kissina Park, wintered through February
(McBride). Only in the swamps that had warm water outlets, as were the two
where the birds were seen, did the Red-wing find conditions suitable for winter-
ing. A little open water must have been a great help during those cold days
of February.

Euphagus carolimis. Rusty Blackbird. — i, Southhold, L. I., Feb. 8th (Latham).

Quiscalus quiscula aeitciis. Bronzed Crackle. — i, \’an Cortlandt Swamp, Feb.
22 (Cruickshank).

Molothrus atcr ater. Eastern Cowbird. — Speonk, Feb. 4, after the first great
snowstorm 50 were scratching and picking about in the duck pens there, 29 still
present Feb. 20 (Wilcox) ; Mt. Sinai, Feb. 9, birds were on lawn in front of
house (Geo. P. Helme) ; 50, Westbury, Feb. 4 (Matuszewski). Keeping close to
house and farm where food was plentiful, and clearings frequent, this canny bird
outlived the cold in fine shape.

Richmondena cardinalis cardiiialis. Eastern Cardinal. — i, Creedmore, L. I.,
Feb. 10 and ii and (A. and R. Borden). A lone bird that had been around the
spot all year and probably fed in and around the houses in that section of Queens
where food was plentiful enough at all times. Another individual may have
wintered at Eaton’s Neck, where observation is infrequent and where it was seen
by Matuszewski in July, 1933 and July 10, 1934.

Pipilo cry thro phthahnus erythrophthalmns. Red-eyed Towhee. — i. Alley
Pond Sanctuary, all through the winter (Queens County Bird Club). This bird
was captured in some other part of Queens and transferred to the Sanctuary where
it was seen up to March 2nd. Mt. Sinai, in a catbriar up until the first storm in
February (Geo. P. Helme). Each winter we find records of a few of these birds
which seem hardy enough to withstand any cold, but which barely find enough
food to sustain themselves, especially if snow covers the ground.

Pooecetes gramineus gramineus. Eastern Vesper Sparrow. — i, Westbury,
Feb. 4 (Matuszewski). In the sheltered nursery, full of groves and sheltered by
tangles, this rare winter resident found sufficient protection and food for wintering.

Spizclla pusilla pusilla. Eastern Field Sparrow. — Mt. Sinai, all winter, came
to feed at the feeding station and came through the winter fine (Geo. P. Helme) ;

Westbury, in the shrubbery around the farm house, Feb. 4 and 1 1 ; Speonk, Feb.
9, the coldest day of the year ( — I5?F.) (Wilcox). This species wintered with
ease, keeping close to the farms and houses in the terrain in which it was found.

Zouotrichia albicolUs. White-throated Sparrow. — Orient, all winter (Latham) ;
Lawrence, L. L, in a bushy hedge surrounding a house. A few of these birds
probably survived the rigors of the weather by keeping close to houses and the
accompanying food.

PassereUa iliaca iliaca. Eastern Fox Sparrow. — i. Botanical Gardens, Bronx,
fed at the feeding station daily throughout January and February (Gibson, Malley
and others). On Feb. 3 at 10:30 A.M. when the temperature was io°F., it was sing-
ing sotto voce from its perch high near the top of a hemlock. There are no records
at hand of this species surviving the winter of 1933-1934 without the help of man.

Mdospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. — .-X few, Kissina Park, in swampy
woods, Feb. 4 (Queens County Bird Club) ; 12, Van Cortlandt Park, Feb. 22
(Cruickshank) ; i, Speonk, in a swampy inlet, Feb. 9 and 20. It is curious that
around New York the same swamps that held Red-wings also had Swamp Spar-
rows. Why more of these sparrows do not winter is a mystery, for there is plenty
of territory around New York suited for its wintering, but even in mild winters
only a few are noted.

Observations From Field and Study

A Surprising Encounter — This is a tale of heroic self defense with a
happy ending that merits place in the annals of rodent history. I was driving one
bright morning in the late summer of 1935, about the Brigantine golf course on the
watch for shorebirds. A hunting Marsh Hawk of the year attracted my attention.
It had just lit upon a fairway and I idly turned my glass upon it to see whether
or not it wore a band. It was not far distant and in plain view with the sunlight
playing full on its rich plumage. I saw it suddenly ruffle its neck feathers, and
assume an attitude of defense. Looking closely I beheld before it on the ground
a mouse. I wish I could have identified the species to give credit where credit
is due. The mouse also had assumed a belligerant pose, facing its giant foe, and
in the ensuing almost unbelievable scenes proved to be a real, though cautious
aggressor. The hawk advanced a step or two watchfully ; the mouse lunged at
its throat, actually clearing the ground as it sprang to attack. The hawL seemed
uncertain what to do. This w^as apparently an unprecedented e.xperience. It re-
treated a step, whereupon the mouse turned tail and ran. But cover was far off
and it had gone barely two feet before the hawk started in pursuit, hopping along
w'ith a half sidewise gait and flapping its w-ings. It seemed to jump squarely upon
the mouse. But the little creature turned just in time, squirmed loose and again
faced the hawk. Again it crouched and again and again it sprang at the throat of
its towering enemy. Once more the hawk seemed taken aback and uncertain. It
stepped clear and again the mouse attempted a wise retreat. But the hawk knew
what to do when a mouse scurries to hide. It raised itself from the ground and
attempted to snatch its prey. However, the mouse was an apt scholar, — it was
learning fast, .-\gain it slipped from the hawk’s talons and again it faced its ad-
versary. I did not count the number of times these scenes were re-enacted. It was
a long hard fought battle across the close mowed ground. Evcn.ually the mouse
gained the sanctuary of a hedge of bayberry bushes and disappeared. Tlie hawk
inquisitively followed it in and when I ran to the hedge to observe the finale of
this absorbing drama I found the hawk so deeply involved in the hedge in its
search for its late opponent that I almost caught it before it could free itself and
fly away. — Charles .A. Urner.

Bird Mental Capacity — 1 was especially interested in the summer of
1935 in a family of Robins that nested in an ai)ple tree in the back yard of my
home. The female disappeared shortly after the four young were hatched and
the male attempted to bring up the family. .\ protracted dry spell made earth
worms scarce and hard to secure, and the Robin was forced to resort to a medium
sized grub which seemed ([uite abundant in the turf beneath the nesting tree —
probably the grub of the Japanese beetle. .As the young grew the male bird had
to work e.xtremely hard to provide sufficient food. I marveled at its endurance,
at the little rest and at the modest share of the food procured that it ate itself. I
noticed that, with the smaller units of food, it would try to secure two or some-
times three before flying to the nest, but when the hunting was poor it would
fre(|uently feed a single grub after a fruitless search of over two minutes for the

second. One young died and was carried from the nest by the parent. The parent
would always wait to carry away excrement after the young had eaten, except,
and I consider this significant, when only one small grub was fed. Then, fre-
ipiently, it flew from the nest promptly and with nothing in its bill.

When hunting was poor under the api)le tree the male would leave the yard
for an adjacent athletic field where the clipped turf offered a large feeding
ground. Many nesting Robins hunted grubs there, apparently without definite
allotment of territory and with little dispute. The field was also used by many
English Sparrows, Starlings and a pair of Chipping Sparrows. Looking out over
my back fence across the green of the field I was interested to watch the activities
of a Starling which was feeding a brood of full grown young, following after.
The Starling would sit on a post overlooking the field. It paid no attention
to the English Sparrows or Chipping Sparrows. Their feeding activities intrigued
it not one whit. But each time a Robin would stop, look or listen and start to
dig for a grub the Starling was at its side, would drive it away and procure the
located food for its own young. When more than one Robin stopped and started
to dig at the same moment the Starling was greatly agitated. It would run from
one to another and occasionally it did little but cause confusion, and nobody ate.

In this Starling’s activities we have something very like intelligence. The
species has been associated with .American Robins only a comparatively few
years. Tbe .American Robin usually eats earth worms, which Starlings do not
specialize on. A’et this Starling discovered that the Robins were at that time
eating the same food it was after, that the sparrows were not and that it could
save itself much labor and get more grubs merely by sitting on a post and letting
tbe Robins locate the grubs for it. This Starling’s activities for a week must have
kept the Robin nestlings hungry. However, the Starling stopped feeding earlier
in the evening than the Robins and the latter had at least a brief respite from its
pilfering. — Charles .A. Urnf.r.

lOO

The Ornithological Year 1934 in the New York City Region

By Joseph J. Hickey

The chief function of “The Ornithological Year,” it was agreed
at a Linnaean seminar some time ago, is the preservation of data for
the future author of the next Birds of the New York City Region.
To that end about eight hundred records are herewith presented. In
rough terms around 23 per cent of these cover summer or fall rarities
and interesting maxima; about 15 per cent are accounted for by spring
rarities and maxima, and another 14 per cent by winter rarities and
maxima. Only 9 per cent are made up by breeding records. The re-
mainder are what appear to be unseasonable migration dates : 6 per
cent early spring, 8 per cent late spring, 10 per cent early fall and 15
per cent late fall data.

During the year about 310 species and subspecies were reported in
this region, five of this number being sight records of birds for which we
have no locally collected specimens. Six or seven other varieties were
also reported from the area north of us or from near-by points on
the New Jersey shore. The total number of observers contributing
data to the summary was about 120 — an increase of 85 per cent over
the first tabulation inaugurated by the Society in 1926. Perhaps the
chief usefulness of these annual summaries lies in the fixing of re-
sponsibility for tracking down records made by the 95 per cent of
New York bird students who do not keep note-books. It seemed rather
senseless to us to drag out of busy people much data that we knew
would inevitably be preserved. On the other hand, local observers
who do not dignify their field work with careful and complete note-
taking must be contacted at some time or another. The most difficult
task has been the evaluation of notes generously sent to the compiler
by bird students whom he knew only by name. In several cases we
have quoted all the details of an observation so that the reader might
judge the record himself.

Notwithstanding many meteorological averages that closely ap-
proximated normal, the year 1934 was phenomenal for several extra-
ordinary features. There was severe cold and much snow late in
winter, intense heat in early summer, a cool and rainy late summer
and a mild, dry autumn. Most waterfowl were eventually reported in

lOI

fairly good numbers. liraiit were apparently recovering from their
discouraging low in 1933, but the Redhead was delinitely in a pre-
carious spot. Gulls and terns were noted in unusually large numbers.
Shorebirds were much the same as in 1933. The phenomenal heron
incursions of other years were not repeated but small, satisfying num-
bers of each si)ccies did come north. Raptores showed a slight increase.

During the year llemi)stead Lake, lirookhaven, ]\Iontauk and
.Barnegat received chief attention in the search for winter birds. Jones
Beach remained prominent for its ducks and shorebirds, and Mill Neck
and Troy Meadows remained the best rail swamps. The Ramble in
Central I’ark, the Botanical Gardens in The Bron.x, Troy Meadows in
New Jersey and Kissena Park on Long Island shared the warbler spot-
light while Oakwood Beach on Staten Island. Brigantine and Beach
Haven on the Jersey shore all remained much the same as did the
Tuckerton marshes. The great mud flats near the Newark Airport
finally succumbed to the tenacity of the New Jersey r^Io.s(|uito Com-
mission. Practically all the waders were, however, recorded on the
burnt meadows and about the ponds toward Elizabethport. New cause-
ways on the outer strip at Jones Beach made accessible a superb tidal
flat at Oak Island Beach and apparently increased the possibilities for
seeing Longspurs and Buntings. The artifically created Parsippany
Lake received more attention and produced some unique inland water
bird records for Ne\v Jersey. New York City parks continued to sup-
port a flora remarkable for its general propensities to grow downward
rather than upward. A new bird sanctuary was begun in Central
Park and the Alley Pond sanctuary in Queens was continued. Else-
where in the city most of the ruthless damage done to shrubbery abated.
The magnificent warbler vegetation of Van Cortlandt Park disap-
peared for the most part in 1933. Although most of it was effectively
ditched last spring, the unique cat-tail swamp there managed to sup-
port a pair of Least Bittern whose home life remained throughout the
summer a precarious exposure to the sticks and stones of Yosians and
similar so-called naturalists who were anxious to “scare ’em up.”

Although 1933 closed with a snow storm and a terrific cold snap
( — 6°), January was relatively mild and unspectacular. Since 1927
this month has had each year a mean temperature above normal. Once

102

again the same half-hardy species lingered. Longspurs began gradually
to thin out along the coast where they had been generally distributed
at the close of 1933. The white-winged gull invasion remained one of
the best in the last ten years. Similar hold-overs from the fall were
the Purple Sandpipers on the shore at Montauk and on the Lido P>reak-
water at Long Beach. Although northern finches were numerous in
Xew England and although practically all these species were reported
here in December, January records of this group consisted chiefly of
casuals or stragglers. Just to the north of us, however, where only
infrequent observation occurs in the rural communities, several large
flocks of Evening Grosbeaks were noted. In the Boston region Harle-
(,uin Ducks appeared in December and an unusual flight of Akidae was
concentrated along the coast. To the south of us around Philadelphia
Goshawks, White-winged Crossbills, Evening Grosbeaks were observed
in numbers. In our region the Grosbeaks were noted as above, the
Alcidae only casually, the Crossbills only as stragglers and the Gos-
hawks not at all. On the twentieth a lone Harlequin appeared at Mon-
tauk. Eresh water ducks were present in much the same numbers as
in tbe last few years. Euro])ean Teals at Hempstead Lake, Wood
Ducks in the Bronx, European Widgeon and the like were all noted.
This rather heterogeneous picture of the Xew York Region and the
Atlantic Seaboard was the opening act of one of the most amazing
winters we have had in recent years.

On the twenty-eighth of January the thermometer registered 57°.
In the ensuing eighteen hours the mercury dropped 52° and some
never-to-be-forgotten weather followed. February had a mean tem-
perature of 19.8°, the lowest Eebruary on record. As the ponds and
lakes froze over, heavy snows blanketed the countryside for the entire
month. Whereas the snowfall in January (0.2 inches) was the third
lowest on record, that of February (30. t inches, three times normal),
was the greatest in forty years. When a mercury reading of — 14° on
l’'ebruary 9 broke the all-time low for Xew York City, readings of — 20
to — 30 were common on the coast and in the rural sections of the
region. By this time practically every body of water here was solid
except a few channels, some inlets and the ocean itself, h'reshwater
(hicks, like the Hooded and .American Mergansers, took to salt water.

103

I.ong Island Sound almost froze over as far east as the Connecticut
River. Xear Fort Schuyler. Scaup piled up into a dense mass esti-
7iiated at 30.000. Exhausted birds were picked up on nearby beaches.

.Ground Xew York City emergency measures provided food for
hundreds (or thousands) of ducks that might have starved to death.
In Bronx Bark 7 Green-winged Teal. 6 Pintail. 18 Wood Ducks, 7
Baldpate and a Hooded Merganser all survived by mingling with the
clipped fowl (Drescher). At Coney Island an ice pack of several
hundred feet crunched against tlie beach, while the whole bay between
Rockaway Point and Manhattan Beach was one imi)assable jam. Here
thousands of Scoters were too far out to be identified ; those close-in
twice showed the same unusual ratio: — about four Surfs to each White-
winged. with only a scattering of American Scoters. Kittiwakes, small
fiocks of .American Mergansers and Canvas-backs, both Eiders and
both Cormorants were all seen along the usually barren shore from
Coney Island to Manhattan (Cruickshank and others). In the Barne-
gat area ducks that elected to remain were living on the vegetation
and shellfish adhering to the stone jetties. These included many Scau|)
and Scoters. Black Ducks. Canvas-backs and an odd Redhead (Urner).
Barnegat Bay did not o]>en until the 15th or 16th of March while
Shinnecock and Alecox out on Long Island were frozen until the i8th
of March. Only the canals there between the bridges at Ouogue and
Westhampton Beach remained free of ice. In the tiny open spot at
Wesihampton on Alarch 2 were 10 Canada Geese. 200 Black Ducks,
3.000 Scaup. 2 Redheads, 50 Canvas-backs, 12 Pintails, 25 Golden-eyes,
13 -American Mergan.sers. 30 Red-breasted Mergansers, 13 Holboell’s
Grebes and 3 Horned Grebes (Wilcox). Here the water fowl were
fed corn and the mortality was small.

The terrific cold spell froze over Lake Ontario about February
nth — the first time this had happened in about sixty years. On the
1 2th Holboell’s Grebes appeared in Lake Cayuga and, when this body
of water froze over a few days later. Grebes w'ere being picked up
dead or alive and carried to the university there by towns-people and
farmers {vide Aliss A. AI. Heydweiller] . In X^ew Jersey the first
Grebe movement reported was a Holboell’s found alive on the hill be-
hind Princeton on the i8th (Rogers). Of a trip to Alontauk on the

104

22nd, Leo Breslau writes : “The first sight as I stepped from the train
was that of 14 Holboell’s Grebes just alive enough to waddle in the
town street. Air. King . . . told me of hundreds of dead Grebes, a flock
of 12 Dovekies on February 21, a few Auks and Murres on the 22nd
A.M. (before I arrived) flying over the town. ... I counted 225 dead
Holboell’s Grebes — their frozen bodies all over Alontauk, but concen-
trated on the ocean beaches . . . 350 dead Horned Grebes all concen-
trated on the sound side. Many Grebes were seen alive but in the
most weakened condition that I have ever observed: 150 Holboell’s,
300 Horned Grebes.” Up at Westbury on the Rhode Island — Massa-
chusetts line, Ames found enough dead Grebes strewn along the beach
to have filled a dump cart (vide Peterson). This dispersal of Holboell’s
Grebes was apparently due to the extraordinary ice conditions inland.
The birds scattered southward along the Xew Jersey coast and were
noted in large numbers both inland and on the shore of New England.
The mortality due to starvation, ice, or oil, must have been terrific.
(See also Bird-Lore, v. 36, no. 3, Alay-June, 1934, pp. 178-80.) The
climax of the winter occured near the end of the month when lone
Harlequins scattered along the coast down to the Manasquan and the
Shark River in New Jersey after a N. W. gale of 51 M. P. H. and a
near occurrence (6°) of more sub-zero temperatures. All February
records of half-hardy species have been omitted from the annotated
list appended and the reader may study the effects of the winter on these
birds in the paper prepared by Walter Sedwitz elsewhere in the
Proceedings.

March provided a mean temperature that was practically normal.
The snowfall was, however, the greatest in any March since 1917 — a
total of 8.5 inches. Out on eastern Long Island, snow remained on
the ground until the 14th and in some spots even until the 20th. The
result was an anomalous migration which seems almost weird in re-
trospect. Land birds were late in arriving but not unprecedentedly so.
The first migrant in Central Park was the Fox Sparrow (March 2 as
against February 26th last year and snow 9 inches deep). In The
Flronx Grackles appeared on the 3rd and became common on the i8th;
Robins were first seen on the 7th but did not become common until
April 1st. During this very time the relentlcssness of the winter had

not relaxed its grip along the coast. Barnegat Bay still had some ice
on the 17th but Shinnecock and Mecox had only a few open spots
on the 25th.

At Montauk on the 3rd 80,000 Scoters were estimated to be pres-
ent. Some 10,000 of these were identified as W'hite-wingeds, about
1,000 were Americans and only 500 were Surfs — a ratio little typical
of normal conditions at the Point and suggesting that the birds came
from Long Island Sound or the coasts of New England.

It is practically impossihle to form any estimate of how many
ducks perished during the winter. The biggest numbers of dead were
found around the beginning of the month, but few observers kept notes
on conditions at that time. The following counts cover ( i ) about two
miles of beach at Montauk on Feb. 13 (Bohn), (2) on March 4th
(Farley) and (3) on the i8th (Hickey) ; (4) four miles of beach
south of Seaside Park on the 17th and (5) two miles of beach near
Beach Haven Inlet, plus a small section of salt marsh south of Beach
Haven (Rogers and Urner) :

(I)

Common Loon - -- -- -- -- —

Holboell’s Grebe - -- -- -- - _

Horned Grebe - -- -- -- -- —

Razor-billed Auk -------- i

Brunnich’s Murre - -- -- -- - i
Dovekie - -- -- -- -- -- —

Black Duck - -- -- -- -- - —

Canvas-back - -- -- -- -- - —

(I)

Scaup ------------ —

Redhead ----------- —

American Golden-eye - -- -- -- —

Old-squaw - -- -- -- -- - —

White-winged Scoter ------- 185

Surf Scoter - -- -- -- -- - i

-American Scoter - -- -- -- - 3

Red-breasted Merganser ------ i

Great Black-backed Gull ------ i

Herring Gull --------- - i

Ring-billed Gull -------- - —

Starling - -- -- -- -- -- —

House Sparrow - -- -- -- -- —

(2) (3) U) (5)

I I 2 I

iS 7 .13 2

6 3122

(2) (3)

I 3

1-2 doz.

sev.

1
5

4 —

4 13

— 4

(4) (5)

I —

— I

7 I

3 I

sev. sev. 20

On February 22 Breslau estimated about 400 dead Scoters along
the entire shore line at Montauk. Of course a small per cent of the
above counts represents the normal numbers of dead birds one always

io6

linds on our beaches. Many specimens were brought home from
Montauk, destroying the accuracy of any cumulative count. Autopsies
])erformed by Dr. W. H. Wiegmann on two such birds from the
Point disclosed the following; the entire stomach contents of a Greater
Scaup contained nothing but thirteen pebbles ; that of a White-winged
Scoter contained nothing but ten pebbles. Both birds were but slightly
polluted with oil.

By April spring was but a week or so late. The last killing frost,
March 29, was recorded 13 (la}’s ahead of normal. The maximum tem-
]ierature of the month, 75° on April 2nd, helped finally to clear the
bays and ponds of ice. By the middle of the month land migrants
were at last arriving in normal fashion. It was 34° on the 28th and
six successive nights of fog, rain and adverse winds following the
29th checked all movements of warblers and kindred species.

May opened with local breeders slowly coming into Litchfield
County and a complete drouth of migratory bird life around New York
City. On the fifth (when a major wave was occurring around Phila-
delphia) the vacuum here was beginning to crack. A spectacular wave
followed on the 6th when, with few exceptions, most of the s])ecies of
Group I arrived in a striking wave distributed over western Long
Island, New York City, and northeastern New Jer.sey. Practically all
the birds in Groups II and III were recorded in the region but always
in confused varieties or combinations which dififered widely at each
migration station. This wave was less imonounced northward in West-
chester County and absent entirely in Litchfield County where the first
wave did not occur until the tenth. It seems u.seless to ani])lify on the
remainder of the month. The land bird migration in Central Park
seems to have followed the grou]> arrivals noted by Griscom in 1919.
In this same locality one observer re])orted flights on the loth, 20th
and 21 st : another on the i6th, 18th and 21st. When such contradictory
conclusions are reached by two men after daily observation in the
same area, it will be seen how relatively large is the human factor in
migration summaries of this sort. In ])assing one cannot refrain from
mentioning one of the <|uaiutest notes of the month. On the 20th along
the llackensack River in New jer.sey, Messrs. C. K. Nichols and W’alsh
checked off in a short time no less than 35 species in a single tree. Like

107

tlic story of F. F. W atson chasing an aiik, this ty])c of sport is so
nearly unicine that it deserves ])erinanent record.

Sliorebirds, whose early Hights of the last few years have coincided
with their recent tendencies to linger here in winter, did not come
through until well into May. Heavy inoveinents of these birds were
observed from the 15th to the 20th but several .species ( Knot, W'hite-
rumiied) did not reach their maximums on Long Island until late in
June. Just at the time when observation is most infre(|uent on the
coast some shorebirds may have come through with such rajiidity as
almost to escape notice. That the Knot flight was missed on Long
Island is indicated by the Xew Jer.sey counts which showed a May
21 peak. Most of the breeding records [e.g. \ eery in Ocean
County, Clapper Rail in The IJron.x] were purely of local in-
terest. The appearance, however, of 3 Black Skimmers on Creat
South Bay on the i8th heralded one of the most satisfying events of
the year. Scattering birds were ob.served for some time subsecpiently
on Great South Bay, and finally on .\ugust i8th a nest containing
young was found by \ ogt in Gilgo State Park (Auk, v. 51. no. 4, ]).
521, Oct., 1934). This constitutes the second breeding record in modern
times for Long Island and Xew York State. On June 21, almost six
years to the very day after a similar bird had been found in Central
Park, a Purple Gallinule was di.scovered in the mos(juito ditches at the
Jones Beach Bird Sanctuary. A thunder storm on the 19th was
accompanied by a south-easter whose maximum velocity was 38 miles
per hour in Xew York City. This may have been the cause of this
southern visitor's occurrence on Long Island. It is interesting to note,
however, that the species was recorded in Cape May County on May
28 and along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania on June 15 {.Auk,
V. 51, no. 4. Oct., 1934).

Shorebirds remained well into June and even into July. In the
past there has always been a definite break between the northbound
and southbound migrations of each of these species in our region. To-
day with a few species this margin has almost vanished. J. L. Ewards
agrees with Wm. \’ogt that waders summered here in 1934 and C. A.
Crner believes that this condition will become more pronounced in cer-
tain species as shorebirds (and observers) increase. J. T. Xichols, how-

io8

ever, holds out the hypothesis that daily observation will continue to
show a lapse between departure and arrival on each species. In 1934
practically daily observation was obtained by only one observer for
the critical period under discussion. This was by Mayer at Idlewild
Beach at the western end of Long Island. His interesting results ap-
pear in detail in the annotated list appended.

By August it was apparent that the southern heron flight was
very light. On Long Island, American Egrets seem to have out-
numbered the Little Blues by about four to one while Snowy Egrets
were about half as common as the latter. There was, on the other
hand, a fair sized number of Yellow-crowned Night Herons reported.
Despite high temperatures which made August the hottest on record
but one, the mud flats and beaches received dozens of observers each
week-end. Where a decade ago a mere handful of enthusiasts made
the awkward boat trip each summer to Oak Island or Jones Beach,
crowded motor cars now raced over wide causeways to these favored
localities. A proportional increase in “rarities” has inevitably resulted.
In the face of this, a comparative analysis of the early water bird
migration on Long Island seems almost futile. A summary of the New
Jersey shorebird flight by C. A. Urner appears elsewhere in this pub-
lication.

September was notable chiefly for a severe wind and rain storm,
the result of a near-by hurricane. The rain on the 8th was 4.92 inches,
the greatest of the year for a twenty-four hour period ; the wind on
this day did not attain any marked velocity until 6 P.M. but at its
height, sixty-five miles an hour (north), was not only the greatest
noted here during the year, but also the greatest ever recorded in
September by the local weather bureau. As a result, .some 1 10 Skim-
mers were seen the next day at Jones Beach, and the species scattered
eastward reaching Orient on the 12th. Scattered too were numbers of
Forster’s Terns and much more rarely the Gull-billed Tern.

As usual the fall migration of warblers and other land migrants
received little attention. Geofifrey Carleton, however, furnishes us with
a practically complete account of summer conditions in the Ramble.
His first transient was a Kingfisher on July 19. The first small wave,
August 13, was followed by flights of fair size on .\ugust 21 and 29-30.

log

The warm foggy night of September 6th brought a wave of many
warblers into the park the next day along with the Philadelphia Vireo
and the Gnatcatcher. Further flights were observed on the igth and
28th. The first week of October was continuously good and after it
the warbler migration practically ceased.

October counts of ducks were somewhat distorted. The long
hunting season destroyed all chances of good fall maximums at Troy,
warm weather apparently affected the early numbers at Harnegat while
other places like Hempstead and Jones Beach had fine numbers of
certain species, particularly Green-winged Teal. A fine flight of Rough-
legged Haw'ks began around the early date of October 12.

November was remarkable for the unprecedented number of lin-
gering shorebirds, no less than twenty species (counting one cripple)
being present in this region and on the New Jersey coast. Longspurs
came down in big numbers although the new unusual maxima may
be due to the recent accessibility of favored areas. The Shrikes were
well distributed particularly on Long Island. A small but appreciable
flight of Snowy Owls eventually got as far south as Staten Island.
Most of the northern finches were unreported but the Purple Sandpi-
pers returned again to Long Beach and the Jersey coast. European
Teals once more favored Hempstead Lake with their presence. The first
killing frost in Central Park was noted on November 3. This gave a
plant growing season of 219 da)'S, 34 more than last year and ii
more than normal. A gale from the northwest set a new November
record here (61 miles per hour on the ist ) and may or may not have
caused the extraordinary appearance of Blue Geese on the Atlantic
seaboard during the month.

December found not only King Eiders at Montauk but American
Eiders as well. On the ist a 53 mile gale from the south drove a few
Dovekies onto the beaches of Long Island. White-winged gulls were
noted only infrequently. Christmas censuses were the ultimate that
time, effort and money could produce. Unfortunately the contingencies
of space forbid here the detailed statistical comparison with other years
that these 1934 censuses deserve. About 127 varieties were recorded
in the New York Region, and 16 more were also reported from Ocean
County, N. J.

I lO

In studying this summary of the ornithological events of the year,
the reader will undoubtedly gain some impression of the numerous con-
tributors whose notes have given the paper whatever value it has.
Many people, however, went out of their way to make the compiler's
task a lighter one. Dr. Alayr inaugurated an index system which we
found invaluable in keeping records; Mr. Cruickshank gave us prac-
tically all our information on the Grebe flight; Mr. Malley compiled
complete data on the spring migration in Bronx Park; Mr. Rich listed
all the spring arrival dates in The Ramble; Mr. VMgt made completely
accessible the correspondence on “The Season”; Miss Brooks under-
took, at our behest, daily observation on spring ducks and waders at
Old Greenwich; and Mr. Carleton gave us the most complete informa-
tion on the fall movement of warblers. A number of i)eople, like
Messrs. Ilelmuth and Latham, promptly and generously answered our
letters with clear, com])rehensive reviews of their observations. Active
observers, like iMessrs. Sedwitz and Urner, we have bothered time
and time again for information. Theirs and many others, has been a
cheerful willingness to make this report as complete as i)ossible.

Gazna inuner iiiuiicr. Common Loon. — Old Greenwich, May 29 (M. Brooks) ;
2, Moriches Inlet, Aug. ii (Wilcox).

Gazia stelJata. Red-throated Loon. — Easthampton, Aug. 29-30 (W. T. Hel-
muth III).

Colymbus griscgeiia Iwlhoelli. HollioeH’s Grebe. — 20 flying, “The Farms”
fishing hank, Jan. 7 ( Matuszewski) ; i, Princeton, Feb, 18 (Rogers) ; 50, Long
Beach, Feh. 22 (Sedwitz) ; Parsippany Lake, April 8 (Edwards) ; Old Greenwich,
May 18 (M. Brooks) ; i in full breeding plumage. Port Newark, July 8 (Eaton,
Rose) ; see also remarks by Breslau and others in summary previously given.

Colyiiibus auritus. Horned Grebe. — 70, Old Greenwich, .^pril 18 (M. Brooks) ;
48, Fort Salonga, .\pril 28 (Bohn).

Podilyiiibiis fiodicc/>s podiceps. Pied-liilled Grebe. — BrcKikhaven, Jan. 27 (.Astle
and Matuszewski); Bronx Park, May 7-8 (II. Lunt and (i. J. Schmidt); pair
bred near Somers, N. Y. (J. F. and R. (L Kuerzi) ; adult with young bird. Mill-
neck, July 2 (Bolin, Walker); Idlewild, appeared on July 24 and remained
(Mayer); 4, Mecox Bay, .\ug. 15 (Cobb, Wilcox).

Piiffiinis griscus. Sooty Shearwater. — 2, Jones Beach, May ly (Carleton,
Sedwitz); 3, Easthampton, May 20 (Ilelmuth); 2. two to five miles out from
Moriches Inlet, Aug. 25 (Cobb, Wilcox) ; 2, FListhampton, Sept. 7 (Helmuth).

I’ujfinus graz’is. (Greater Shearwater. — 3, Jones Beach, May 19 (Carleton.
Sedwitz) ; 2, ,'\ug. 19 (Cruickshank, Carleton, Sedwitz), and i, Sept. 2 (Cruick-

shank, and J. and H. Murdock) ; (>, Easthanipton, Sept. 7 ( Helnuith ) ; Oak Island
Beach, Sept. 9 (Cruickshank, J. and H. Murdock).

Pufjimis diomedea borealis. Cory's Shearwater. — 7, two to five miles out
from Moriches Inlet, Aug. 25, and 4, Aug. 31 (Cobb, Wilco.x) ; 23, Easthanipton,
Sept. 7 (Helmuth) ; 3, Sagaponack, Sept. 16 (Breslau, Carleton, Helmuth, Sed-
witz. Wolfram).

Occanites occaniciis. Wilson’s Petrel. — 40, Jones Beach, June 12, and too
well distributed off Rockaway Breakwater, June 13 (Matuszewski) ; 14, East-
hampton. Sept. 7 (Helmuth).

Moris bassaiia. Gannet. — 6, “The h'arms” fishing liank, Jan. 7 (Matuszewski) ;
Long Beach, Feb. 4 (Janvrin) ; Sagaponack, Sept. 16 (Breslau, Carleton, Hel-
muth, Sedwitz, Wolfram) ; 25. Montauk, Dec. 29 (Sedwitz).

Phalaerocora.v carbo carbo. European Cormorant. — Manhattan Beach, Feb.
to (Cruickshank) ; Dr. Helmuth reixirts 16 at Montauk, May 20, 2 at Easthamp-
ton. May 21, and i at Montauk, July 4; 2, off Barnegat, Dec. 23 (Evans, Walsh).

Phalaerocora.v aiiritus auritus. Double-crested Cormorant. — 5,000, Jones
Beach, .April 22 (Vogt and others) ; 75, flying. Bear Mt., May 19 (Kritzler) ;
Jones Beach, July i (Vogt) ; i flying over Central Park, .Aug. 2 and 2 over the
George Washington Bridge, Aug. 6 (Helmuth) ; Manhattan Beach, Jan. 15
(Wiegmann) ; 2 in the same general area, Feb. 10, and i dead on the beach at
Coney Island about Feb. 12 (Cruickshank).

Fregata spec. Man-o’-war-bird. — “I give this record for what it may be
worth; I myself believe it to be authentic. On Septemlier 5, my son, who has
seen Frigate Birds in Florida, came to me in great excitement to tell me of having
seen a large, black, long-winged and fork-tailed bird soaring across the sky at
Easthampton. The bird was at a great altitude, almost a speck in the sky, and
sailed northward without moving its wings. My son pointed out the bird to a
friend who agreed in the above description. Later in the same day, Mrs. Walter
Keck, of Easthampton, told me of seeing two large birds sweeping eastward over
the ocean. She saw them from her porch, which faces the sea, and they were
\ery large, coal black, and had the longest thinnest wings of any bird she had
ever seen. These wings they scarcely moved as they flew. They were so unusual
that she at once sent for me to tell me about them.” — Dr. Helmuth.

It is always of interest to check the weather phenomena attending records
of such distant visitors. -A tropical disturbance was reported about 500 miles east
of Jacksonville on Sept, i accompanied by squalls, winds and gales over a con-
siderable area ; this moved northward and by the third had markedly decreased.

Ardea herodias herodias. Great Blue Heron. — Orient, Jan. 22 (Latham) ;
Idlewild, June 5 (Mayer) ; 71 on the beach side of Shinnecock Bay, Quogue to
Southampton, Sept. 6 (Wilcox).

Casmerodius albus egretta. American Egret. — Jones Beach, April 25 (Vogt)
to May II (Mayer) ; Elizabeth Reservoir, May (Urner) ; Mastic, June I-3 (W. F.

1 12

and J. T. Nichols) ; Troy, June lo (Knoblauch) ; 21, Tuckerton, July 16 (Brown) ;
Jones Beach outer strip, July 20 (Vogt) to Sept. 30 (Vogt), maximum 18 on
Sept. 9; Orient, Aug. 2 to Sept. 4 (Latham) ; Speonk, Aug. 25 to Sept. 9, maxi-
mum 3 (Wilcox).

Egretta thula thula. Snowy Egret. — Tuckerton, Aug. ii (Timer) ; Jones
Beach, Aug. 28 (J. and R. Kuerzi, Vogt) to Sept. 9 (Matuszewski and others),
maximum 3.

Florida caerulea caerulea. Little Blue Heron. — Hempstead Lake, April 18-19
(J. L. Chapin, Terry) ; Rye, July 22 (Cruickshank) ; Easthampton, July 29; 6,
Wanaque Reservoir, N. J., Aug. 14, and 1, Montauk, Aug. 18 (Helmuth) ; 2,
Bayside, Sept. 2-16 (Rordan) ; Jones Beach outer strip. Sept. 9-30, maximum 3
(Breslau, Sedwitz and others) ; Orient, Sept. 16 (Latham).

Butorides virescens virescens. Eastern Green Heron. — Central Park, April
21 (M. Rich and others) ; Jamaica South, complete set of eggs. May 27 (Mayer) ;
Central Park, Aug. 7 (Sedwitz) ; Bronx, Oct. 16 (Malley).

Nycticorax nyticorax hoactli. Black-crowned Night Heron. — 2, Shinnecock,
Jan. 20 (Wilcox) ; Idlewild, 4 wintering birds increased to 20 on March 5, later
to over 50 (Mayer) ; 25 pair, Westhampton, May 17 (the eighth colony now in
the county — Wilcox) ; 1,000 nests. Great Neck, where the colony has existed for
many years (M. V. Beals).

Nycfanassa violacea violacea. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. — Mill Neck, May
5-6 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; Ozone Park, May 13 (Lind) ; Jamaica South, May 13-
14 (Mayer) ; Bayside, May 16 (Bohn) ; Mattituck, June 5-July 2, two birds
(Latham) ; Bronx, July 27 to Aug. 20 (Malley) ; Newark marshes, Aug. 11-12
(Urner, Sedwitz) ; Moriches Inlet, Aug. 21 (W'ilcox) ; Jones Beach, Aug. 26
(Vogt) to Sept. 16 (Moore), maximum 2 birds.

Botaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern. — Speonk, Jan. 14 (Wilcox) ; Troy,
March 29 (Walsh) ; 2, Central Park, Aug. 29 (Carleton) ; Idlewild, Nov. 22
(Mayer) .

Ixobrychus exilis exilis. Eastern Least Bittern. — Nest, Van Cortlandt Park,
June 2 (Cruickshank).

Sthenelides olor. Mute Swan. — Picrmont, flying up the river, Dec. 23 (Ed-
wards and others).

Cygnm columbianus. Whistling Swan. — Lake Como, N J., Nov. 11 (Rebell,
lYner) ; Montauk, killed striking wires, Dec. 28 (Walker, Wilcox).

Brania canadensis canadensis. Common Canada Goose. — Union Square, N. Y.
C., 6 flying over, March 5 (Staloff) ; Old Greenwich, May 18 (M. Brooks) ; East-
hampton, “flying strongly over ocean, may have been feral,” Aug. 4 (Helmuth) ;
20 honking and going westward, Easthampton, .Aug. 29 (J. L. Helmuth).

Branta beniicla hrota. American Brant. — 5, Mecox Bay, May 20 (Helmuth) ;
2, Gilgo, June 7 (Noble, \’ogt) ; 4,000, Shinnecock, Nov. 25 (Breslau, Carleton,
Johnson, Sedwitz).

Chen hyf>erborca. Snow Goose [subspecies?]. — 2, Barnegat, Oct. 14 (Urner) ;
Jones Beach outer strip, Nov. 4 (Astle, Hickey, Matuszewski) and Nov. 18
(Vogt); Tuckerton Marshes, Nov. 11 (Rebell, Urner); 2, Mecox Bay, Nov. 27
(Helmuth). Six immature birds arrived at the Oceanside Country Club, Long
Beach, Oct. 7. They soon learned to like grain, were eventually reduced (by
hunters?) to four, and occasionally wandered off. When they returned after the
longest of these intervals during the fall, al>out ten days, they were unusually
hungry and greedily raced toward the food thoughtfully provided for them by
Mr. Darmstadt, who discovered their first presence on the grounds ; seen by scores
of observers and still present Dec. ; track measurements corresponded to those
of atlaiitica, the Greater Snow Goose (Farley, Matuszewski). Birds at Tuckerton,
Nov. II. showed so much greater span than Blue Goose with which they were
associated that they were probably Greaters.

Chen cacrulcsccns. Blue Goose. — Small flock of 4, one of which was shot,
Shinnecock Bay, Nov. i or 2 (Cottam I’ide Leroy Wilcox) ; 2 flocks, the largest
containing 9 birds, Moriches Bay off Swan Island, Nov. 8 or 9 (Carlos Wilcox) ;
2, Tuckerton Marshes, Nov. ii (Rebell, Urner); Orient, Nov. 19 (Latham);
also 2, Shinnecock Bay, either this species or the last, Nov. 25 (.-\. M. Thomas) ;
evidences of this unusual deviation from the normal migration route of this species
were also noted elsewhere in the east.

Mr. Cottam writes that at least four birds were reported as killed early in
November by gunners (Dorsey Carter, Everett Talmadge, Samuel Lane) and
that another bird was also reported shot on Meco.x Bay early in December.
Records of this species on the Atlantic seaboard during the fall ran from Maine
down to South Carolina. At this writing the chronology of this extraordinary
movement is unavailable and a proper correlation with meteorological phenomena
is impossible. Late in October a disturbance of great intensity north of Lake Erie
moved toward the mouth of the St. Lawrence River causing strong northwest
winds and gales from Boston to Hatteras. A wind squall here on Nov. i was
the highest ever recorded locally in November.

Anas rubripes rubripes. Red-legged Black Duck. — Idlewild, 76 remained until
April 28; arrived in the fall. Sept. 27 (Mayer).

Anas rubripes tristis. Common Black Duck. — Oakland Lake, 9 eggs, April 22
(Scott) ; Jamaica South, 10 eggs, May 6 (Mayer).

Chaulelasmus streperus. Gadwall. — 4, Brookhaven, March 25 (J. F. Kuerzi,
Potter, Street and others) ; 4, Hempstead Lake, Sept. 23 (Matuszewski) ; Jones
Beach, Oct. 28 (Sedwitz) ; Brookhaven, 10 on Nov. 25 (Breslau, Carleton, John-
son, Sedwitz) ; 42 on Dec. 23 (Wilcox).

114

Mareca penelope. European Widgeon. — Hempstead Lake, 2 on Jan. 28 (Cruick-
shank, Cobb, Hickey, J. and H. Murdock), remained until April 18 (Mayer),
returned Oct. 7 (Chapin, Matuszewski) and two drakes on Dec. 9 (Berliner,
Sedwitz) ; Jones Beach, five spring records, March 23 to April 29 (Vogt and
others), maximum 2, and fall records, Oct. 7 to Nov. 25 (Vogt) ; Brookhaven,
definite winter data lacking, 2 on March 25 (Potter, Street and others), returned
Sept. 22 (Sedwitz) ; elsewhere only one record. New Inlet, Sept. 22 (Sedwitz).

Mareca american-a. Baldpate. — Idlewild, May 13 (Sedwitz).

Dafila acuta tsitsihoa. American Pintail. — 150, Jones Beach, Feb. 16 (Vogt) ;
Old Greenwich, May 5 (M. Brooks) ; Shinnecock Bay, May 19 (Sedwitz).

Nettion crecca. European Teal. — Hempstead Lake, 2 drakes wintered, last
seen April 15 (Kritzler, McBride, Scott), returned Nov. 29 (Rordan) ; Jones
Beach, April 3 (Vogt).

Nettion carolincnse. Green-winged Teal. — Jones Beach, May 13 (V'ogt) ; Idle-
wild, Aug. 13 (Mayer) ; 200, Jones Beach, Nov. 17 (Vogt) ; 57, Hempstead Lake,
Dec. 6 (Mayer).

Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. — Troy, nest of 12 eggs. May 13
(Chalif) ; 2, Mecox Bay, May 20 (Helmuth) ; pair, Jones Beach, until June 15
(Vogt); Idlewild, July 8, Aug. 11-12 (Mayer); Bronx, July 31 (Malley).

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — Hempstead, Jan. 20 (Astle, Matuszewski) ;
Brookhaven, March 18 (Cruickshank, Cobb, Hickey, J. and H. Murdock), March
25 (J. F. Kuerzi and others) ; Newark Marshes, Sept. 30 (Rebell).

Aix spoiisa. VN'ood Duck. — Westbury, banded bird weakly flying about, Feb.
10 (Matuszewski) ; Montauk, Feb. 22 (Breslau) ; Troy, 13 eggs in nest May 13
(Cruickshank), young June 16 (Brown) ; Barnegat region. Dec. 23 (Evans).

Nyroca americana. Redhead. — Jones Beach, .'Xpril 27 (Vogt) ; Old Green-
wich, April 23 (M. Brooks) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 14 (Sedwitz) ; rare and de-
creasing.

Nyroca coUaris. Ring-necked Duck. — Jerome Reservoir, Jan. 20 (Cruick-
shank) ; Hempstead, Jan. 21 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 9, Cross River, Westchester Co.,
Feb. 12 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi); 2, .Mley Pond Creek, March ii (Scott);
Parsippany Lake, 85 on April 8 (Eaton, Edwards), 22 on .April 22 (Mr. and
Mrs. Rich).

Nyroca valisincria. Can\-as-back. — Central Park, March 10 (Carleton) ; Par-
sii)pany Lake, April 29 (Cobb, Cruickshank, J. and H. Murdock).

Nyroca marila. Greater Scaup Duck. — 50,000 (est.). East River between Fort
Schuyler and Clason Point, Feb. 11 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi); Central Park,
.March 5-1 1 (Carleton) ; i (sp.?), Jones Beach, May 30 (Vogt).

Nyroca af finis. Lesser Scaup Duck. — Manhattan Beach, h'cb. 17 (Cruick-
shank) ; 7, Parsippany Lake, May 13 (Edwards and others) ; pair, Passaic River,
June 17 (Brown, Edwards) .; liye, Diec. 23 (Herbert and others). — Also the follow-

iiig reported without details: 2, Old Greenwich, May 29-30 (M. Brooks); Idle-
wild, July 14 and Aug. 11 (Mayer).

(ilaiicipiietta clanyu/la anu'ricaiui. .American Golden-eye. — 3, Old Greenwich,
May _'8 (M. Brooks) ; Jones Beach, May 28 (\’ogt) ; Hempstead Lake, Oct. 28
(Chapin. Matuszewski) .

Charitpuctta albeola. Buflle-head. — 2, Old Greenwich, April 20 (M. Brooks).

C'tinyula hyemalts. Old-squaw. — Old Greenwich, lingered until June 23 (M.
Brooks) : Suffolk Co., July 23-27 (J. L. Chapin) ; cripple, (Jakwood Beach, Aug.
12 (C'arleton, Cruickshank, J. and H. Murdock, Sedwitz).

Histrionia^s histnonicus htsfrioniciis. Eastern Harlequin Duck. — Montauk,
drake. Jan. 20 (Wilcox) to March 4 (Drescher, Farley, Herbert, Hickey, Kess-
ler) ; Lake Montauk, female, Feb. 22 (Breslau) ; Jones Beach, Feb. 25 (Vogt) ;
Shark River, N. J., Feb. 25 (Brown, Eaton, Edwards, Urner) ; Manasquan River,
N. J.. Feb. 25 (Urner) to March 3 (Brown, Edwards, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi,
Mayr). Unprecedented numbers were also seen in Massachusetts. A disturbance
of great intensity centered off the southern New England coast on Feb. 20th; this
had increased by the 23rd and moving in a north-northeasterly direction resulted
in strong northeast winds and gales.

Soiiiatcria mollissima dresscri. American Eider. — Brighton Beach and vicinity.
Fell. 3-17; Long Beach, Feb. 18-25 (Cruickshank and others); Montauk, 2 on
Dec. 16 (Helmuth, Sedwitz and others) ; i on Dec. 23 (Breslau, Carleton, Lind,
Sedwitz).

Soiiiatcria s/'cctabilis. King Eider. — Montauk, 8 on Feb. 23 (Breslau, Sed-
witz), I on Nov. n (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz), 9 on Dec. 16 (Hel-
niuth, Sedwitz and others) ; Orient, Nov. 30 (Latham) ; Manhattan Beach, Jan.
15 (Wiegmann), 2 same general area Feb. 3, i plus 2 sp., Feb. 17 (Cruick-
shank) ; Long Beach, Feb. 25 (Cruickshank and others).

Melanitta dcglandi. White-winged Scoter. — 80,000 (est.) Scoters mostly this
species, Montauk, March 4 (Drescher, Farley, Herbert, Hickey, Kessler) ; 150,
Saugatuck Shores, Conn., May 27 (Farley, Hickey) ; Gilgo, June 13 (Matuszew-
ski).

Melanitta perspiciUata. Surf Scoter. — Jones Beach, July 22 (Jaques, A'^ogt).

Oidcmia aiiiericana. .American Scoter. — 2, Bayside, Aug. 18 (Bohn) ; Gilgo,
Aug. 26 (Breslau, Cruickshank, Herbert, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi, Sedwitz).

Erismatura jainaicciisis rubida. Ruddy Duck. — Kensico, Jan. 28 (Cruick-
shank) ; 14, Parsippany Lake, April 29 (Cobb, Cruickshank, J. and H. Murdock) ;
2, Jones Beach, Alay 24-27 (\"ogt) ; 2, Central Park, Sept. 28 (Carleton) ; 6, Old
Greenwich, Nov. 17 (Cruickshank, H. Grere).

Lophodytes cucullattus. Hooded Merganser. — Pompton, March 29 (Walsh) ;
Troy, May 19 (Edwards) ; Jones Beach. July 29 (Rose, Sedwitz, Vogt) ; Rye.

Oct. 21 (Cruickshank), and 12 Dec. 2 (Oboiko and others) ; Jones Beach, Dec.
25 (Sedwitz).

Mergus mergatuser americanus. American Merganser. — Long Beach, Feb. 4
(Janvrin), and 4 Feb. 22 (Sedwitz) ; Central Park, March 26 (M. Rich) ; 135,
ParsLppany Lake, April 8 (Eaton, Edwards) ; Old Greenwich, May 10 (M.
Brooks).

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — 25, Parsippany Lake, .April 8
(Eaton, Edwards) ; 5, Oakwood Beach, May 21 (Wiegmann).

Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. — Sheepshead Bay, March 17
(Cruickshank) ; Amityville, April 21 (Welles) ; 10, Wingdale, Dutchess Co.,
May 6 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; Easthampton, Aug. 4 (J. L. Helmuth) ; 19,
boundary line between Dutchess and Putnam Counties, Oct. 21 (Frost) ; Central
Park, Oct. 28 (Sedwitz) ; west end of Southern State Parkway, Oct. 30 (Vogt) ;
Orient, Nov. 3 (Latham) ; Bayside, Nov. 15 (Sabin).

Cwagyps atratus atratus. Black Vulture. — Colts Neck, N. J., April 8 (Jan-
vrin and Urner) ; Bayside, Oct. 12, “seen moving about 250 feet overhead, I
noted the short, spread tail, rather wide wings and light almost white bases to
the primaries [which] gave an effect as though there were holes in the wings at
first. I know the Turkey Vulture very well and am positive that the bird in
ciuestion was a Black Vulture” (Herman Bohn).

Astur africapillus alricapillns. Eastern Goshawk. — Freshly killed bird, five
miles south of Kent, Conn., Nov. 18 (Edwards, Kassoy, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi,
Oboiko) ; Barnegat region, Dec. 23 (Walsh) ; 2, Queens, Dec. 29 (Sedwitz).

Accipiter coo peri. Cooper’s Llawk. — Staten Island, bred for the second con-
secutive year (Cleaves).

Duteo borealis borealis. Eastern Red-tailed Hwak. — Pair bred near Ruther-
ford (Rebell) ; Central Park, April 10 (M. Rich).

Buteo platyplerus platyplerus. Broad-winged Hawk. — Van Cortlandt Park,
badly crippled bird discovered two months earlier, still present Feb. 7 (W. J.
Norse) ; 8, Hook Mt., April 15 (Farley, Herbert, Meredith).

Buteo lagopus s. johannis. American Rough-legged Hawk. — Hohokus, N. J.,
“carefully identified at close range,” May 13 (Helmuth) ; eastern Long Island,
Oct. 12 (Wilcox) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 12 (Cobb, Maynard, Vogt) ; Bronx, Oct.
13 (R. G. Kuerzi).

Aqiiila chrysaetos canadensis. Golden Eagle. — Short Hills, N. J., Nov. 25,
well seen by an observer aware of its extreme rarity and familiar with the species
in the west (Chalif) ; New Jersey State Game Preserve, Forked River, trapped
Dec. 8 (Dowd vide G. G. Fry). Some doubt of position identification in latter
record.

Ilaliaeetus Icucocephalus (subsp.). Bald Eagle. — 9, Croton Point, Jan. 28
(Brandreth, Farley, Herbert, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi).

Pandion haliaetus carolinciisis. Osprey. — Millneck, nest in process of con-
struction, later abandoned, April 22 (Bohn) ; Mastic, Oct. 28 (J. T. Nichols) ; 2,
Millneck, Oct. 28 (J. L. Chapin) ; Idlewild, Nov. 3 (Mayer) ; Speonk, Nov. 14
(Wilcox).

Falco obsolctus. Black Gyrfalcon. — Orient, Feh. 15 (Latham), see "Notes,”
Proceedings, Nos. 45-46, p. 102; reported also from Jones Beach, Oct. 20 (Lane),
for details see Bird-Lore, v. 36, no. 6, Nov. -Dec., ’34. p. 3(>4.

Falco peregrimes anatutn. Duck Hawk. — Bernardsville, May 6 (C. K. Herbst).

Falco columbarius columbarins. Eastern Pigeon Hawk. — Hook Mt., April 15
(Farley, Herbert, Meredith) ; Central Park, April 23 (Cruickshank, E. and M.
Rich); Jamaica South, Aug. 31 (Mayer); Central Park, Nov. ii (Watson):
Orient, Dec. 11 (Latham) ; Bronx, Dec. 23, well seen by observers aware of its
winter rarity (R. G. Kuerzi and P. P. Malley).

Bonasa ambetlus umbellus. Eastern Ruffed Grouse. — Trap Rock Ridges,
L^nion Co., N. J., 2 pairs bred (Rebell) ; Barnegat region, Dec. 23 (Jackson).

Colinus 7’irginianus %'irginianns. Eastern Bob-white. — 15, Inwood Park, pres-
ent all fall (W. J. Norse).

Rallus elegans elegans. King Rail. — Dead bird, Baxter Inlet, Bronx, where
it was seen Dec. 24, 1933 (R. G. Kuerzi, Matuszewski) , March 6 (Malley) ; Troy,
April 20 (Walsh) ; Ozone Park, May 13 (Lind, Sedwitz) ; Jamaica South, May
18 and 20 (Mayer) ; Mecox Bay, July 4 (Helmuth).

Rallus longirostris crepitans. Northern Clapper Rail. — Dead bird in fresh
condition, Jamaica Marshes, March 18 (Wiegmann) ; Baxter Inlet, May 20 (R.
G. Kuerzi), female with brood, Aug. 20 (Malley) ; Long Beach, nest found June 3,
eggs still unhatched June 10, one egg left June 17 (Janvrin) ; has wintered regu-
larly during the last few years at Oakwood Beach (WJegmann) ; Barnegat area,
Dec. 23 (C. K. and C. M. Nichols) ; Baychester Marshes, Dec. 23 (Hickey,
Solotar, Weber); Flushing, Dec. 23 (M. V. Beals, Walker).

Rallus limicola limicola. Virginia Rail. — \'an Cortlandt swamp, Dec. 23 (R.
P. Allen, Cruickshank, J. and H. Murdock).

Porzana Carolina. Sora. — Flushing, Nov. 2 (Mayer).

Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — Bayside, “flushed twice in a dry
pasture . . . noted the small size, general yellow color and white wing patches,”
Sept. 19 (Bohn).

Creciscus jainaicensis stoddardi. Black Rail. — Jones Beach, Sept. 29 (Astle,
Matuszewski).

lofwrnis niartinica. Purple Gallinule. — Jones Beach, “captured in a mosquito
ditch and possibly carried north by the storm of June 19,” June 21 (Vogt) ; Barne-
gat strip, Oct. 28 (Urner).

Gallinula chloropus cachinnans. Florida Gallinule. — Mill Neck, April 15
(Kritzler, McBride, Scott) ; Troy, April 20 (Walsh) and 9 young, June 19
(Brown) ; Fort Salonga, L. L, Nov. 18 to Dec. 31 (G. G. Fry).

ii8

I’ulica a)nericana americana. American Coot. — 2, Kensico Reservoir, Jan. 28
(Cruickshank) ; Clove Valley, Dutchess Co., April i (Baker) ; Millneck, May 20
(Sedwitz) ; 2, Rye Lake, Dec. 16 (Cook).

Charadrius melodus. Piping Plover. — Jones Beach, egg hatching, June 3
(Vogt) ; 4, Oak Island Beach, Sept. 30 (Breslau, Sedwitz, Wolfram).

Charadrim semipul matios. Semipalmated Plover. — 2, Brigantine, April 4
(Walsh) ; Central Park, May 29 (E. and M. Rich) ; Idlewild, July 2 and 6
(Mayer) ; 4, Newark Marshes, July 7 (Urner) ; Baxter Inlet, Oct. 30 (Malley);
2, Oak Island Beach, Nov. 18 (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz).

Oxyechus vociferus vocijerus. Killdeer. — Central Park, March 19 (M. Rich) ;
Idlewild, full set of eggs, July ii (Mayer) ; Orient, very common and increasing,
lingered to Dec. 21 (Latham).

Fluvialis dommica dominica. American Golden Plover. — Mecox Bay, 76 ar-
rived Aug. 29 and remained in varying numbers until Oct. 5 (Helmuth) ; Jones
Beach, Aug. 5 (Breslau, Sedwitz) to Nov. 25 (Cruickshank, Jove, J. and H.
Murdock, W. A. Weber), maximum 5, Aug. 26 (Breslau, Cruickshank, J. F.
and R. G. Kuerzi, Sedwitz) ; 40, Hempstead Plains, Sept. 10 (Matuszewski) ;
Orient, Nov. 16 (Latham).

Sqmtarola sqnatarola. Black-bellied Plover. — Baxter Inlet, June 12 (Malley) ;
Idlewild, lingered to July 2, returned July 19 (Mayer) ; 15, Newark, Aug. 8
(Urner) ; Orient, Nov. 16 (Latham).

Arenaria interpres morinclla. Ruddy Turnstone. — Old Greenwich, May 16-28,
maximum 10, May 20 (M. Brooks) ; Baxter Inlet, Alay 21 (R. G. Kuerzi) ; Idle-
wild Beach, June 16, then July 13 and first regular migrants July 31 (Mayer) ;
Rye, Oct. 21 (Cruickshank) ; 3, Tuckerton Marshes, Nov. 25 (R. P. Allen,
Evans, Peterson, Walsh).

Philohela minor. American Woodcock. — Central Park, March 24 (Cruick-
shank) and May 19 (Carleton) ; 2, Port Chester, Dec. 16 (Cook) ; Bronx, Dec.
23 (Hickey, Jove, Norse, Solotar, \\ . A. WTber).

I’haeopus hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. — South Oyster Bay, .-\pril 23
(\'ogt) : TOO, Westbury, May 20 (Matuszewski) ; 3, Mecox Bay, June i (Wil-
cox) ; 2, Newark Marshes, Aug. 12 (Ivaton) ; Orient, July 2 to Oct. 13 (Latham) ;
960, Barnegat, July 21 (Urner).

Pariramia loiigicauda. Upland Plover. — Lamington, 6 pair bred (an increase
of two), arrived May 5 (C. K. Herbst) ; 12, New Hyde Park, Aug. 5 (Cruick-
shank, J. and H. Murdock, Sedwitz) ; 55 plus, Newark Marshes, Aug. ii (Urner) ;
2, Bronx, heard flying over, .\ug. 11 (J. F. Kuerzi) ; Orient, Sept. 17 (Latham).

Actitis macniaria. Spotted SandpiiK'r. — Sullivan Co., virtual colonial nesting
noted, 4 clutches completed May 24 (Mayr) ; 25, Old Greenwich, May 10 (M.
Brooks) ; Jamaica South, Oct. 5 (Mayer).

Tringa solitaria solitaria. Eastern Solitary Sandpiper. — Newark Marshes,
luly II (Urner); \’an Cortlandt Park, crippled bird, Nov. 18 (W. Weber).

Catof>lrophoriiS si'iiiipaliiiatiis subsp. Willet. — 2, July 20 (Vogt) ; good scat-
tering of fall birds along the coast ; inaximuin 12, Moriches Inlet, Sept. 1
(Cobb) ; 10, Jones Beach outer strip. Sept. 6 (K. Browning, J. F. and K. G.
Kuerzi. Oboiko). Leroy Wilcox, who has collected inoniatus on Long Island
and who is familiar with the measurements of sc mi pal mat tis, writes of an obser-
vation at Mecox Bay, Sept. g \ "In a flock of 11 W'illets, I picked out an Eastern
which was I'cry noticeably smaller than the Westerns. It was in young or winter

plumage. This is the first time 1 have been able to pick out the Eastern Willet

in the fall.” 2, Orient, Sept. 14 (Latham).

Totanus mclanolcucus. Greater Yellow-legs. — Central Park, May 6 (E. and
M. Rich) ; Jones Beach, "all of June ” (\'ogt) ; Idlewild, lingered to June 26, 6
returned July 3 (Mayer) ; Orient, June 29 (Latham) ; 3 "sw'imming and tipping

for food in a pool, exactly in the manner of ducks,” on a farm south of Flushing,

Sept. 20 (Astle, Matuszewski ) ; Idlewild, Dec. 4 (Mayer); Orient, Dec. 7
(Latham): 3, Old Greenwich, Dec. 23 (M. Brooks, Cook).

Totanus fhwipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. — Old Greenwich, 4 records of i or 2
birds, May 7-21 (M. Brooks) ; 9, Newark Marshes, June 30 (Urner) ; Idlewild,
July 2 (Mayer) ; Ocean County, Nov. 4 (Urner).

Calidris canutus rufus. .American Knot. — 18, Idlewild Beach, June 16
(Mayer); 16, Jones Beach, June 17 (\’ogt) ; 150, Ocean Co., X. J., Nov. ii
(L’mer) ; Beach Haven, Dec. 23 (C. K. and C. M. Nichols).

Arquatclla maritima. Purple Sandpiper. — Long Beach, ma.ximum of 24, Feb.
25 (Cruickshank) ; Montauk, remained until March 25 (P'arley, Potter, Street
and others) ; Oak Island Beach, Nov. 18 (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz) ;
4, Long Beach, Nov. 18 (Lind) ; Beach Haven, Dec. 23 (C. K. and C. M.
Nichols) : 4, Larchmont breakwater, Dec. 23 (Cobb, A'ogt).

Pisobia melanotos. Pectoral Sandpiper. — Jones Beach. Nov. 25 (Cruickshank,
Jove. J. and H. Murdock, W. Weber).

Pisobia juscicoUis. White-rumped Sandpiper. — 2 flocks of 50, Mastic, June
10 (J. T. and W. F. Nichols) ; Jones Beach, June 26 (A'ogt) : 50-75, Oak Island
Beach. Sept. 9 (Breslau, Sedwitz); Beach Haven, Nov. ii (Corner); Orient,
Nov. 19 (Latham).

Pisobia bairdi. Baird’s Sandpiper. — Jones Beach, June 3 (A'ogt), Aug. 25
(Evans, Lawn, X’^og^;) and Aug. 31 (Matuszewski) ; Idlewild, .Aug. 29 and 2 on
Sept. 9 (Mayer) ; Newark Marshes, Sept. 8 and 15 (Urner), and 22 (Rebell) ;
New Inlet, “catching insects on the wing,” Sept. 22 (Sedwitz); Oak Island
Beach, Oct. 21 (Breslau, Matuszewski, McKeever, Sedwitz).

Pisobia niinutilla. Least Sandpiper. — Idlewild, June 12 and 2 possibly south-
bound, June 24 (Mayer) ; Jones Beach, cripple, June 17 (A^ogt) ; 4, Newark
Marshes, June 30 (Urner) ; 4, Tuckerton, July i (Urner).

Erolia testacca. Curlew .Sandpiper. — Beach Hav-en, Oct. 28 (Urner).

120

Pelidna alpina sakhaluta. Red-backed Sandpiper. — Jones Beach, July 2 (Vogt)
and July 19 (Bohn, Walker) ; Brigantine, July 15 (Urner) ; 300, Beach Haven,
Aug. 12 (Urner) ; Oak Island Beach, Dec. 2 (Astle, Matuszewski) ; Moriches
Inlet, Dec. 14 (Wilcox).

Limnodrotnus griseus griseus. Eastern Dowitcher. — Old Greenwich, May 7
(M. Brooks) ; Baxter Inlet, May 20-21 (Malley) ; 300, Mecox Bay, May 19
(Sedwitz) ; 3, Jones Beach, June 26, and 2, June 30 (Vogt) ; 2, Idlewild, June
30 (Mayer) ; Newark Marshes, June 30 (Urner) ; 1,000 (est.). Brigantine, July
21 (Urner) ; 3, Jones Beach, Nov. 4 (Astle, Matuszewski, Hickey) ; 10, Tucker-
ton Marshes, Nov. 4 (Urner).

Limnodromus griseus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. — Jones Beach, July
I (Vogt) ; Tuckerton, Aug. 18, and 3, Nov. 4 (Urner).

Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — Newark Marshes, July 7 (Urner).

Ereunetes pusillu's. Semipalmated Sandpiper. — Idlewild, 2 arrived April 23,
123 as late as June 15, lingered until June 29 and returned July 4 (Mayer) ;
Central Park, May 29 (E. and M. Rich) ; 10, Jones Beach outer strip, Nov. 3
(Bohn, Walker and others) ; i, Nov. 18 (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz).

Ereunetes mauri. Western Sandpiper. — ^Jones Beach, June 10 (Vogt) ; 2,
Idlewild Beach, June 12 and 2, July 15 (Mayer) ; Oak Island Beach, Nov. 4
(Astle, Hickey, Matuszewski) ; Ocean County, N. J., Nov. ii (Urner).

Tryngites subru-ficollis. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. — Newark Marshes, Aug. 30
and Sept. 15 (Urner).

Litnosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. — Moriches Inlet, .^ug. 5 and Aug. 20-21
(Ciobb, Wilcox) ; Brigantine, Aug. 5-Sept. 2 (Edwards, Urner) ; Jones Beach,
Sept. 6 (K. Browning, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi, Oboiko) to Sept. 23 (Cruick-
shank, J. and H. Murdock), maximum 5 birds; Orient, Aug. 16 and Sept. 17
(Latham).

Limosa haeniastica. Hudsonian Godwit. — Brigantine, May 16 (Urner) ; East-
hampton. Sept. 10 (Helmuth) ; Newark Marshes, Sept. 18 (Urner) ; Oak Island
Beach, Oct. 28 (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz).

Crocethia albo. Sanderling. — Old Greenwich, .April 20. maximum 25 on May
7-8 (M. Brooks); 2, Idlewild until June 18, returned July ii (Mayer); 25,
Brigantine, July 15 (Urner).

Phalaropus fulicarius. Red Phalarope. — 2, Newark Marshes, May 19 (Urner) ;
Jones Beach, May 28 (Vogt) ; Gardiner’s Bay, June 26 (Latham) ; Beach Haven,
Aug. i8 (Urner).

Sleganopus tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope. — Newark Marshes, May 12, and
Brigantine, June 19 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, June 28 (Bohn. Walker) and July
29 (Sedwitz) ; Tuckerton Marshes, Aug. 5 and 4, Newark Marshes, .\ug. 8
(Urner) ; 4, Jones Beach outer strip, Aug. 26 (Breslau, Herbert, Vogt and others)
to Sept. 9 (Cruickshank, Sedwitz and others) ; 4, Gardiner’s Bay, Sept. 4
(Latham) .

I2I

Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. — Montauk, June i (Wilcox) ; Jones
Beach, Sept, g (\'ogt and others) and Sept. i6 (Farley, Herbert, Vogt) ; Newark
Marshes, Sept. i8 (Edwards, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi).

Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. — Oak wood Beach, a bird either
this species or the next. May 22 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; only a few shore
records during the fall.

Stercorarius lonyicaudus. Long-tailed Jaeger. — Jones Beach, June 8 (well
seen and carefully identified, J. F. Matuszewski).

Larus hyperboreus. Glaucous Gull. — Scattered individuals seen during the
winter, much less frequent during the fall ; 3, W'estchester Creek garbage dump,
Feb. 3 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; 2, Long Beach, April i (Cobb, Cruickshank,
J. and H. Murdock) ; between Shark River and Brigantine, .April 8 (Janvrin,
Urner and others) ; Hillview Reservoir, April 21 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; Atlantic
Beach, April 29 (Sedwitz and others) ; Jones Beach, May 6 (Cruickshank, J. and
H. Murdock) ; Easthampton, May 20 (Helmuth).

Larus Icucopterus. Iceland Gull. — Well distributed and most often at garbage
dumps and sewer outlets; S. W. of Scotland Light Ship, Jan. 7 (Matuszewski) ;
Hudson River, Englewood, Jan. 14 (Cruickshank) ; East River at Welfare Island,
Jan. 15 (Helmuth) ; Harlem River at 155th St., Jan. 27 (Hickey) ; 3, West-
chester Creek garbage dump, Feb. 3 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; 2, Long Beach,
Feb. II (Breslau, Cruickshank and Sedwitz) ; Little Neck Bay, .April 8 (Brown) ;
3, between Shark River and Brigantine, .April 8 (Janvrin, Urner and others) ;
Jones Beach, May 6 (Cruickshank, J. and H. Murdock) ; one summered at Beach
Haven (Urner); less numerous in the fall; probably 12 different birds at the
Westchester Creek garbage dump during the winter of 1933-34 (R. G. Kuerzi).

Larus kumlieni. Kumlien’s Gull. — Jones Beach, Dec. 16 (Peterson, Vogt).

Larus tnaritius. Great Black-backed Gull. — Over 200 in one flock. Long
Beach, Feb. ii (Breslau, Cruickshank, Sedwitz) ; 6, Montauk, July 25 (Sedwitz).

Larus ftiscus fuscus. Lesser Black-backed Gull. — Beach Haven, N. J., Sept.
9, sight record (Edwards, Urner), see Auk, v. 52, no. i, Jan., 1935.

Larus fuscus graeUsi. Lesser Black-backed Gull. — W'estchester Creek garbage
dump, Bronx, Dec. 9, sight record (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; see Proceedings,
V. 45-46, p. loi.

Larus delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. — 14, Old Greenwich, May 30 (M.
Brooks) ; 60, Jones Beach, June 17, where it summered (Sedwitz, Vogt).

Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull. — 1,000 (est.), two miles N. W. of Setauket,
Long Island, mostly immature plumage, June 27 (W'ilcox) ; Orient, Dec. 2
(Latham) ; Barnegat region, Dec. 23 (C. K. and C. M. Nichols).

Lartis Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull. — 3, Parsipanny Lake, April 22 (Mr.
and Mrs. Rich) ; 38, Old Greenwich, May 8 and 1,000 (est.), Southport, May 9

122

(M. Brooks); Idlewild, May 30 (Mayer); 1,000 (est.), Montauk, Dec. 29
( Sedwitz) .

Larus miniitus. Little Gull. — Oakwood Beach, April 22 (Drescher) and May

22 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; Lower New York Bay, off Robbin’s Reef, April
29 (Mr. and Mrs. Rich) and off the Staten Island Ferry, April 30 (J. P. Chapin).

Pagophila alba. Ivory Gull. — “A pure white gull fljdng in good view over
Gardiner’s Bay. I feel quite certain was this, although only a sight record,” Feb.

I (Latham) ; see Notes,” Proceedings, v. 45-46, p. 102.

Rissa tridactyla tridactyla. Atlantic Kittiwake. — 24, Idlewild, Jan. 16 ( Mayer") ;

2, Jones Beach, Jan. 31 (Mayer) ; Manhattan Beach, i on Jan. 26 (Rich), 6 on
Feb. 10 (Cruickshank) and 2, Feb. ii (Breslau, etc.) ; 8, Long Beach, Feb. ii
^ Breslau, etc.); 3, Montauk, Dec. 29 (Sedwitz).

Gelochelidon nilofica aranea. Gull-billed Tern. — Oakwood Beach, .\ug. 4
(Cruickshank); Jones Beach, Sept. 9 (Matuszewski and others); Sagaponack,
Sept. 16 (Breslau, Carleton, Helmuth, Sedwitz, Wolfram) ; 2, Mecox Bay, Sept.

17 (Helmuth).

Sterna forsteri. Forster’s Tern. — Jones Beach, July 29 (Sedwitz) ; Idlewild, | 1
.\ug. 29-31 (Mayer) ; 25, Jones Beach outer strip. Sept. 9 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; ' |
2, Moriches Inlet, Sept. 9 (Walker, Wilcox) ; 50, south shore of Long Island," I
Sept. 16-17 (Breslau, Carleton, Helmuth, Sedwitz, Wolfram); New Inlet, Sept.) !

23 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Barnegat region, Dec. 23 (C. K. Nichols, Walsh). |

Sterna hirundo hirundo. Common Tern. — Old Greenwich, May 5 (M. Brooks) ;

Orient, former colony of 4,000-5,000 now reduced to about 500 (Latham) ; 3, Fire
Island Inlet, Nov. 7 (Breslau, Johnson, Sedwitz). j!

Sterna paradisaea. .Arctic Tern. — Georgica Pond, Aug. 4 (Helmuth).

Sterna doiigalli dougalli. Roseate Tern. — Orient, colony of 400 now entirely j
wiped out (Wilcox) ; Mt. Sinai, adult feeding young bird, June 27 (W'ilcox) ; ,
Baxter Inlet, .Aug, 25 (Cruickshank) ; 3, New Inlet, Sept. 16 (Breslau, Carleton, I
Helmuth, Sedwitz, Wolfram),

Sterna fuscata juscata. Eastern Sooty Tern. — Barnegat Inlet, May 27
(Rogers). (

Sterna antillarum antillaruni. Least Tern. — Idlewild, 2 eggs hatched, July 15
(Mayer); 50, Moriches Inlet, -Aug. 11 (Wilcox). I

] lydroprogne caspia iinperator. Caspian Tern. — Barnegat area, Aug. 18 '
(Rogers) to Sept. 16 (Hickey, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi, Urner), usually 2 (Urner) ;
Jf)iie.s Reach outer strip, 4 on Sept. 9 (Breslau, Sedwitz), regularly until Oct. 14
(Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz), maximum 6, Sept. 23 (Cruickshank, J.
and H. Murdock) ; Moriches Inlet, 3 on Sept. 9 (Walker, W'ilcox) to 2, Sept.

16 (Colib) ; largest daily total between Montauk and Moriches, 8, Sept. 10 (Hel-
ninth) ; 2. Gardner’s Bay, Sept. 2 (l.atham) ; 2, Long Beach, Sept. 9 (Hagood) ;

Jerome Reservoir, Sept. 30 (Cruickshaiik) ; dead bird at [ones Beach was bande<l
July iS, 1931, by W m. Lyon at Hat Island, Michigan {vide \'^ogt).

Chlidonias nigra surinainensis. Black Tern.— Oakwood Beach, May 22 (J. F.
and K. G. Kuerzi) ; Rye, July 22 (Cruickshank) ; Gardner’s Bay, Sept. 26
(Latham).

Rynchol's nigra nigra. Black Skimmer. — 3, .^mityville, June 18 (Harris) and
Jones Beach outer strip, June 29, almost daily thereafter; Gilgo, nest found with
young birds, -^ug. 18 (\'ogt) ; Hudson River above Dyckman St. ferry. Sept. 3
(Cruickshank); no, Jones Beach outer strip. Sept. 9 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 16,
Moriches Inlet, Sep. 9 (Walker, Wilco.x), 24 on Sept. 12 (Wilcox), last seen Sept.
16 (Cobb) ; 6, Idlewild, Sept. 14, to 2, Oct. 0 (Mayer) ; 30, Long Beach, Sept. 9
(Hagood) ; 7, Orient, Sept. 12 (I.atham) ; 18, New Inlet, Sept. 16 (Breslau,

1 Carleton, Helmuth, Sedwitz, Wolfram).

ri/ea torda. Razor-billed .Auk. — .A few, Montauk, Feb. 22 (King, vide Bres-
I lau) ; Orient, March 4 and .April 4 (collected, Latham) ; Montauk, Dec. 29
(Sedwitz).

Uria lomvia lontvia. Briinnich's Murre. — 2, Montauk, Jan. 27 (.Astle, Matus-
zewski) ; Manhattan Beach, Jan. 28 (J. M. Cunneen) ; Brighton Beach, Feb. 18
(Rich) ; several, Montauk, Feb. 22 (King).

A He alle. Dovekie. — Jones Beach, Jan. 26 (\’ogt) ; S. W. of Scotland Light
Ship, Jan. 27 (Matuszewski) ; 12, Montauk, Feb. 21 (King) ; i. Swan Island,
Moriches Bay, i alive in road at Speonk Shore, Dec. i, and i at Moriches Bay,
Dec. 2 (Wilcox) ; 2, Mecox Bay, Dec. 1-2 (Ann and Boughton Cobb) ; 3 (2 oil-
soaked), Jones Beach, Dec. 2 (A’ogt) ; dead bird in fresh condition. Long Beach,

I Dec. 9 (G. G. Fry, C. K. Herbsl) ; dead bird, Montauk (Sedwitz) and another
' in fresh condition, Englewood (Cruickshank), Dec. 29.

Zetujidnra macroura carolinensis. Eastern Mourning Dove. — Idlewild, 2 eggs,

1 May 14 (Mayer) ; Central Park, Aug. 30 and Sept. 22 (Carleton).

Coccycits americaniis ainericanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — Miller Place, May
4 (G. P. Helme).

Coccysus erythrol'thahnus. Black-hilled Cuckoo. — Central Park, Aug. 13
(Carleton) .

Tyto alba pratincola. Barn Owl. — New Providence, young birds, June
(Rebell) ; Floral Park, dead bird, April 23 (Breslau, Cruickshank, Lind, Sed-
witz) ; Troy, June 16 (Brown) ; Hohokus, N. J., Aug. 7 to Nov. (Helmuth).

Otus asio iioei'itis. Eastern Screech Owl. — Jones Beach, May 12 to 27 (Vogt).

Bubo virginianiis znrginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Eastport, Nov. 27 (Wil-
cox) ; Idlewild, Dec. 12 (Mayer).

Xyctea nyctea. Snowy Owl. — Montauk, Jan. 1, second individual in nine days
(Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Mecox Bay, Jan. 2 (Helmuth) ; Orient, Feb. 5 (Latham) ;
Baxter Inlet, March 6 (Malley) ; Idlewild, April 29 (Lind) to May 3 (Sedwitz) ;

124

arrived in the fall Oct. 31, Eastport (Wilcox) and Flushing (shot, Molnar) ;
others recorded at Flanders, Idlewild, Jones Beach, Mecox Bay, Montauk, Orient
(three birds) Shinnecock Bay and Speonk; Bronx, Nov. ii (Knoblauch) ; Staten
Island, Dec. 23 (Rich, Wiegmann).

Strix varia varia. Northern Barred Owl. — East Patchogue, left nest about
Aug. I (Overton) ; Bronx Park, Nov. 6 (Gibson).

Asia wilsonianiis. Long-eared Owl. — Easthampton, crushed by car. Sept. 7
(Helmuth) ; Central Park, Nov. 14 (Watson). 1

Asia flammeus flarnmeiis. Short-eared Owl. — Central Park, Oct. 5 (Carleton). | j

Antrostomus I'ocifents vociferus. Eastern Whip-poor-will. — Central Park, | j
Aug. 29 (Carleton).

Archilochus colubris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — Jamaica South, Sept. 25
(Mayer) ; 2, Bronx Park, Oct. 8 (Gibson, Malley, Petersen).

Megaceryle alcyon alcyon. Eastern Belted Kingfisher. — Central Park, July 19 ,
(Carleton). j

Ceophloeus pileatus abieticola. Northern Pileated Woodpecker. — Dutchess
County, April 14 (Baker) ; North of Kensico Reservoir, Dec. 23 (Brand, Zimmer).

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — Rapidly decreasing;
now only a migrant in the Passaic River Valley (Eaton) ; bred in Pelham Bay
Park, three pairs (Malley) and in Scarsdale (Farley) ; 3, Hatfield Swamp, N. J.,
Jan. I and 2, Troy, April 2 (Brown) ; Central Park, May 18 (Rich, Sedwitz) ;
Baldwin, July 29 (Sedwitz).

Tyrannus tyrannus. Eastern Kingbird.- — Central Park, Sept. 10 and Wantagh,
Sept. 23 (Carleton) ; Jamaica South, Sept. 28 (Mayer) ; Bron.x Park, Oct. ii
(Gibson, Malley).

Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird. — Jones Beach, Aug. 28 (J. F. and
R. G. Kuerzi, Vogt) to Sept. 3 (Vogt) ; another. Sept. 9 (Vogt and others) ;
Wantagh, Sept. 12 (Mangels) ; Montauk, Nov. 11 (Breslau, Cruickshank, Sedwitz
and others) to 2, Nov. 18 (Freidle, Watson).

Myiarchus crinitus boreus. Northern Crested Flycatcher. — Jamaica South,
Sept. 14 (Mayer) ; Central Park, Sept. 19 (Carleton).

Empidonax jlaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. — Elmhurst, Aug. 17, 29,

30 and 31 (all trapped and identified in the hand — M. V. Beals).

Empidonax trailli trailli. Alder Flycatcher. — Central Park, singing male. May
21 (Cruickshank, E. Rich) ; Bayside, singing male, Aug. 21 (Bohn) ; Elmhurst,
Aug. 17 (trapped bird carefully identified in the hand — M. V. Beals).

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — Elmhurst, trapped, Sept, ii (M. V.
Beals) ; Jamaica South, Sept. 20 (Mayer), reported without details.

Otocoris alpesiris praticola. Prairie Horned Lark. — Newark Airport, June
23 (Urner) ; 2, Van Cortlandt Park, Oct. 25 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi).

125

Iridoprocnc bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Idlewild, May 31' (Mayer).

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis scrripctiiiis. Rough-winged Swallow. — Central Park,
April 20 (Rich and others) ; 3. Mattituck. June 29 (Latham) ; Westwood, June
30 (Carleton).

Hirundo erythrogaster. Harn Swallow. — Hempstead Lake, .April 3 (J. L.

Chapin) ; Springfield, N. J., albino bird (Rebell) ; Idlewild, 3 eggs.

May 28 (Mayer) ; 3, Jones Beach, Nov. 8 (Vogt) ; 4, Montauk and 4. New Inlet,
Nov. II (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz).

I PetrocheUdon albifrons albifrons. Northern Cliff Swallow. — Brewster, N. Y.,

I colony of 20-30 pairs. May 27 (Farley, Hickey) ; Idlewild, July 31 (Mayer).

Progne sitbis subis. Purple Martin. — Still nests at Baldwin (Matuszewski).

CyanociUa cristata cristata. Northern Blue Jay. — Large migration. May 6,
many localities; Jones Beach, May 7 (Vogt).

Conns corax principalis. Northern Raven. — W'awayanda Mt., Sussex Co.,
seen and heard May 2 (Helmuth).

Conns brachyrhyiichos brachyrhynchos. Eastern Crow. — Stillwater, Susse.x
Co., N. J., albino male with small testes taken -Aug. 6; albino female with un-
developed ovaries taken Aug. 21 (Ammann).

Conns ossifragus. Fish Crow. — Montauk, 2 pair breeding, June i (Wilcox).

Baeolophns bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — Pelham Bay Park, Nov. 12 (Carleton,
Hickey, A. M., P. A. and R. R. Thomas).

Sitta carolinensis carolinc7isis. White-breasted Nuthatch. — Battery Park, May
21 (Paul).

Certhia familiaris americana. Brown Creeper. — Garden City, Aug. 31 (J. T.
Nichols).

Troglodytes aedon aedon. Eastern House W'ren. — Central Park, Sept. 19
(Carleton) ; Millbrook, Dutchess County, Nov. 18 (Peterson).

Thryofhorus ludozicianus ludovicianus. Carolina Wren. — Orient, killed by cat
late in February after having remained in a garden four months (Latham) ; Jones
Beach, April 20 (Vogt) ; Milltown, N. J., “more common than I can ever re-
member,” May (Collins) ; Palisades, only one pair bred (Herbert) ; New Jersey,
pine barrens, entirely absent after the severe winter (Urner) ; Inwood Park, July
23 (Norse) ; Orient, 2 irregularly recorded during the fall, still present Dec. 24
I (Latham).

Telmatodytes palustris palnstris. Long-billed Marsh Wren.— Central Park,
I May 7 (Rich and others), Alay 18 (Cruickshank) ; Bayside, Oct. 27 (Sabin) ;
i Montauk, Nov. 18 (Astle, Drescher, Hickey) ; 6, Piermont Marsh, Dec. 23 (Peter-
son and others).

Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. — George Washington Bridge,
found dead Oct. 2 (Hadley) (identified by Rogers) ; Bayside, Oct. 5 (Bohn) ;
Hohokus, Oct. 24 (Helmuth) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 18 (Rose).

126

Mimus polyylottos polyglottos. Eastern Mockingl)ird. — Orient, wintered on
Main Street (Latham) ; Whitestone, Feb. 5-7 (M. V. Beals) ; Saugatuck, Conn.,
Feb. 3 and ii (M. Brooks) ; Jones Beach, April 29 (Vogt) ; Springfield, N. T-,
May 5 (Rebell) ; Elmhurst, Sept. 5 (M. V. Beals) ; Bronx, Sept. 9 (Malley) ;
Moriches Inlet, Sept. 9 (Walker, Wilcox); Rye, Oct. 5-11 (Oboiko) ; Montauk,
Dec. 23-29 (Breslau, Carleton, Lind, Sedwitz) ; Jamaica Estates, Dec. 23-28
(Knorr).

Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. — Georgica Woods, Jan. i (Breslau, Sedwitz) ;
Biltmore Shores, Jan. i (Astle, Matuszewski) ; Central Park, possibly summered,
May 31, Aug. 7, 13, 22 (Carleton) ; Jamaica South, 4 eggs, June 8 (Mayer) ;
Bronx Park, present all December (Gibson) ; Mastic, Dec. 9 (W. F. Xichols).

Taxostoma rufum. Brown Thrasher. — Rye, April 7 (Cruickshank) ; cripple,
Jamaica Estates, Dec. 29 (M. V. Beals, Knorr).

Turdiis miyralorius migratorhis. Eastern Robin. — Sullivan Co., 4 clutches all
hatching the same day. May 28 (Mayr).

Hylocichla mustelina. W'ood Thrush. — Central Park, Aug. 29 (Carleton).

Hylocichia guttata faxotn. Eastern Hermit Thrush. — 2 in the oak scrub and
pine woods between Sag Harbor and Easthampton, July 29 (Helmuth).

Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. — Bronx Park, June 9
(Malley) ; Central Park, Oct. 20 (Mayer).

Hylocichla fnsccscens juscescens. Veery. — Ocean Co., colony apparently breed-
ing birds near Collier’s Mills, June (Urner) ; Mill Neck, bred (Matuszewski) :
Elmhurst, Aug. 25 (M. V. Beals).

Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola. Willow Thrush. — Princeton, killed striking
a building, Sept. 10 (C. H. Rogers).

Sialia sialis sialis. Eastern Bluebird. — Darien, Conn., full clutch 5 eggs, nest
with 3 eggs, nest i egg, 4 other nests in boxes apparently nearing completion,
.April 21 (E. E. Dickerson) ; 4, Montauk, Dec. 29 (Sedwitz).

Polioptila cacrulea cacrnlea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Bronx Park, .\pril 25
(Malley and others) ; Newark Marshes, Aug. 21 (Rebell) ; Elmhurst, Aug. 29
CM. V. Beals) ; Central Park, Sept. 7 (Carleton) ; Jones Beach, Sept. 9 (Cruick-
shank ) .

Corthylio calendula calendula. Eastern Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Queens, Dec.
22-23 (Knorr).

Anthus spinolctta rubescens. .American Pipit. — Approximately 100. Orient.
Nov. 27 to Dec. 24 (Latham) ; 125, Idlewild, Dec. 25 (Sedwitz).

Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar W'axwing. — Small flock, Kent, March 28-31 (J.
F. and R. G. Kuerzi), 26, Milltown, April 26 (Collins) ; Central Park, May 6
(E. and M. Rich and others) ; 5, Hewlett, Nov. 20 (Hunt) ; 7, Riverdale, Dec.
23 (Cruickshank).

127

Lanins borealis borealis. Northern Shrike. — Few in the winter; generally dis-
tributed in the fall; Millneck, Jan. 21 (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; Kissena Park, Jan. 21
(McBride) ; arrived Garden City, Nov. 25 (J. T. Nichols) and 2, Montauk
Point, Nov. 25 (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz) ; 2, VN'estbury, Nov. 29
(Matuszewski) ; 3, Hempstead Lake, Nov. 29 (J. L. Chapin) ; recorded also at
Babylon, Orient, W hite Plains, Jamaica Estates, and south of Piermont.

Lanins ludovicianus migrans. Migrant Shrike. — Hicksville, Jan. 21 (Breslau,
Sedwitz; see “The Season,” Bird-Lore, v. 36, no. 2, March-April, 1934, p. 112) ;
Kent, April 14 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; Jones Beach, Aug. 26 (J. F. and R. G.
Kuerzi, Sedwitz and others) ; Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., Aug. 30 (Frost).

Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris. Starling. — Newark Marshes, over 90,000 blackbirds,
mostly this species and the Redwing, Nov. 6 (Urner).

Vireo griseus griseus. W'hite-eyed Vireo. — Bronx Park, Oct. 4 (Gibson).
Vireo flavijrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. — Bayside, Oct. 12 (Bohn).

Vireo solitarius solitarius. Blue-headed \^ireo. — Central Park, Sept. 19 (Carle-
ton) ; Elmhurst, Oct. 23 (M. V. Beals).

Vireo philadelphicus. Philadelphia Vireo. — Bernardsville, May 10 (C. K.
Herbst) ; Orient, May ii (Latham) ; Hohokus, May 21 and Easthampton, Aug.
27, “very carefully identified” (Helmuth) ; Central Park, Sept. 7 (Carleton).

Vireo gilvus gilvus. Eastern Warbling Vireo. — Kent, May 4 (J. F. and R. G.
Kuerzi) ; 2 nested, Easthampton, June (Helmuth).

Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler. — Bronx Park, April 29 (Hickey,
^falley) and May 27 (Malley) ; Jones Beach, May 8 (J. A. Vogt).

Helmitheros vermivorus. V\'orm-eating Warbler. — Jones Beach, April 20
(Vogt).

Vermivora chrysoptera. Golden-winged W'arbler. — Bayside, Aug. 6 (Bohn).
Vermivora Icucobronchialis. Brewster’s Warbler. — Miller Place, May 8 (G.
P. Helme) ; Idlewild, May 20 ^Mayer).

Vermwora laioreucei. Lawrence’s Warbler. — Bronx Park, May 7 (Schmidt).
Vermivora peregrine. Tennessee W^arbler. — Bayside, Oct. 7 (Bohn).
Vermivora celata celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — 2, Bayside, May 5
(Bohn) ; 3, Kissena Park, May 13 (Sedwitz) ; Bernardsville, May 24 (C. K.
Herbst).

Vermivora ruficapilla rnficapilla. Nashville Warbler.— Jamaica South, May
23 (Mayer).

Compsothlypis americana pusilla. Northern Parula Warbler. — Central Park,
June 26 (Carleton).

Dendroica aestiva aestiva. Eastern Yellow Warbler. — Complete nest, no eggs,
Jamaica, May 27, lingered to Sept. 21 (Mayer) ; Jones Beach, Sept. 27 (Astle).
Dendroica magnolia. Magnolia Warbler. — Barnegat region, Dec. 23 (Rebell).

128

Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens. Black -throated Blue Warbler — Elmhurst,
Aug. 31 (M. V. Beals).

Dendroica townsendi. Townsend’s Warbler (?). — “On August 18 at East-
hampton I saw a bird in a flock of Warblers, which I at length felt sure was a
Townsend’s Warbler, although it was not in the bright plumage of the Town-
send’s Warblers I have seen in the spring in the west. At first glance I took it
for a Blackburnian Warbler, but in a moment I knew this could not be — especially
after finding a real Blackburnian in the flock. My next supposition was that it
must be a very queer Black-throated Green Warbler, for it had a rather in-
definite blackish throat-patch, and a larger, more solid patch of dark color on the
cheeks than in any Black-throated Green I ever saw. In other respects, there
was much similarity between the two, but also the following differences: — The
blackish-green face patch extended forward to the base of the bill, was definitely
wedge-shaped, large, and distinctly outlined. The black of the throat ended far
up on the breast, and did not extend along the sides as in virens although it
tapered off in broken lines along each side. These lines were narrower than the
rather spotty markings on sides of virens also. Below the black, the bird’s breast
was decidedly yellow, though not of a very bright tone, a richer color than in the
Black-throated Green. The upper parts were olive-green, thinly streaked with
black, there were white wing bars, and white in the outer tail feathers, and a
pale yellowish spot under the eye was conspicuous, and unlike any marketing of
virens that I ever remember. Townsend’s Warbler was so far from my mind
that I did not think of it for several minutes, but it came upon me with com-
plete conviction — after it was too late to collect the bird. I personally cannot feel
any satisfaction, however, in this sort of record, without a specimen to back it up.”
— W. T. Helmuth III.

Dendroica virens virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — Idlewild, April 21,
and Richmond Hill, Aug. 31 (Mayer) ; Hempstead Lake, Oct. 14 (J. L. Chapin) ;
Fort Totten Reservoir, Oct. 31; Inwood Park, Nov. 2 (Norse).

Dendroica fnsca. Blackburnian Warbler. — Bronx Park, Oct. 12 (Cruickshank) .

Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler. — Central Park, May 6 (E. and

M. Rich).

Dendroica discolor discolor. Northern Prairie Warbler. — Bronx Park, April
25 (Gibson, Malley, Schmidt) ; a considerable number nesting at 600 feet elevation,
near Newburgh, May 20 (Murphy, Urner) ; 9 pair nesting, Bergen Co., June
(C. K. Nichols) ; Bronx Park, Oct. 12 (Cruickshank).

Dendroica pahnarum pahnarnm. Western Palm Warbler. — Central Park, April
19 (E. and M. Rich); 2, Montauk, Nov. n (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sed-
witz) ; 2, Hempstead Lake, Nov. 29 (J. L. Chapin), and i, Dec. 28 (Chapin,
Mahukin).

Dendroica pahnarum hypochrysea. Yellow Palm Warbler. — Oakland Lake,
April 5 (Scott) ; Baxter Inlet, Nov. 20 (Malley).

129

Seiuru^- auroca/>illus. Oven-bird. — Bronx Park, April 26 (Schmidt, Seyffroth) ;
Central Park. Aug. 13 (Carleton).

Seiurus noveboracensis tioveboracensis. Northern Water Thrush. — Bronx
Park, Oct. 11 (Malley).

Oporornis jormosus. Kentucky Warbler. — 2 singing males, Route 301, one
mile east of Post Road, Putnam Co., May 15 (L. N. Nichols) ; Bronx Park, May
21 (Malley) ; singing male. Orient, July i (Latham) ; singing male foot of
Storm King Mt., July 2 (Helmuth).

Of>orornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — Elmhurst, Oct. 3 (M. V. Beals) ;
Bayside, Oct. 10 (Bohn).

Ofiorornis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. — Bronx Park, May 25 (Fuld) ;
2, Milltown, May 23, and i. May 27 (Collins).

Ceoihlypis trichas brachidactyla. Northern Yellow Throat. — Inwood Park,
Oct. 2g (Norse).

Icleria tiVenj virens. Yellow-breasted Chat. — Central Park, May 6 (Rich,
Walker) ; Elmhurst, Oct. 16 (M. V. Beals).

U’ilsonia eitrina. Hooded Warbler. — Nest with one egg, northern New Jersey,
May 18 (Bowdish) ; Staatsburgh, Dutchess Co., probably bred (Frost) ; Bayside,
Aug. 6 (Bohn).

irUsoiiia pusilla pitsilla. Wilson’s Warbler. — Bayside, July 31 (Bohn) ; Elm-
hurst. Aug. 17 (M. V. Beals).

Wilsonia canadensis. Canada Warbler. — Jamaica South, Sept. 29 (Mayer).

Dolichonyx oryziz'onis. Bobolink. — Central Park, May 18 (Cruickshank) ;
200 males, Milltown, May 16, and 175 males. May 19 (Collins) ; pair feeding
young, Newark Marshes, .Aug. 11 (Urner) ; 2, Jamaica South, Oct. 10, where it
began arriving as a migrant July 6 (Mayer).

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird. — New Hyde Park,
adult male accompanying grackles to a roost, Aug. 5 (Cruickshank, Sedwitz).

Agelaius phoeniceus phocniceus. Eastern Red-wing.— Beaverkill, Sullivan Co.,
nesting in low pine trees, nidification in all stages from one egg in nest to two day
old young. May 26 (Mayr) ; Montauk, Nov. 25 (Breslau, Carleton, Johnson,
Sedwitz) and Dec. 16 (Helmuth, Sedwitz and others).

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — Singing male, Speonk, June 8 and later
(Wilcox) ; young male, Easthampton, July 20 (Helmuth) ; male and two im-
matures, Bronx Park, Aug. 7 (L. N. Nichols).

Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — Jamaica South, Oct. i (Mayer).

Quiscalus qtiiscula quisada. Purple Crackle. — Prospect Park, mixed flock of
too in which both races were identified with certainty, Nov. 19 (Cruickshank) ;
Central Park, Nov. 14, 15, 23 (Watson).

Pironga ludoznciana. Western Tanager. — “An adult male seen at close range
in a small patch of oak woods at Wainscott, L. I., on May 20. This bird is so

130

vivid, conspicuous and unmistakable that no detailed description is needed but
even so . . . the bird should have been collected” (Helmuth).

Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — Miller Place, April 27 (G. P.
Helme) .

Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis. Eastern Cardinal. — Eatons Neck, July 10
(Matuszewski) ; Bayside, Oct. 12 and Fort Totten, Oct. 31 (Bohn) ; Hastings-on-
Hudson, irregularly throughout December (M. Voyse).

Guiraca caerulea caerulea. Eastern Blue Grosbeak. — Young male collected,
New Inlet, Sept. 21 (Wilcox).

Passerina cyanea. Indigo Bunting.— Complete albino with pink eyes, road
between Cornwall and Lime Rock, Conn., all summer to Aug. 13 (Whitman).

Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina. Eastern Evening Grosbeak. — 50 or more,
Cannondale, Conn., Jan. 5 to at least Feb. 15 (M. Brooks) ; 50, Warwick, N. Y.,
Jan. 13 (Brown) ; 18, west of Carmel, Putnam Co., Jan. 28 (Brandreth, Farley,
Herbert, J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi).

Carpodaciis purpureiis purpureus. Eastern Purple Finch.— Singing male, East-
hampton, July 4 and on numerous occasions thereafter but no evidence of nesting
discovered (Helmuth).

Pinicola enucleator teucura. Canadian Pine Grosbeak. — Small flock, Bernards-
ville, mid-January and sporadically to February; 10, March 5-9 (C. K. Herbst).

CardueKs carduelis britannica. British Goldfinch. — Garden City, April 24
and 2, April 26 (J. T. Nichols) ; same place. Sept. 12 and Westbury, Oct. 20
(Matuszewski) ; 4, Jamaica Estates, Dec. 25 (Knorr).

Acanthis linaria linaria. Common Redpoll. — 2, Northern White Plains, Dec.
23 (Brand, Zimmer).

Spinus tristis tristis. Eiastern Goldfinch. — 500 or 600 in a single flock, War-
wick, Jan. 13 (Brown).

Loxia curvirostra pusUla. Red Crossbill. — Large flock, Westbury, Jan. 31
(Emory) and one, stunned striking a building, Nov. 2 (Matuszewski).

Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — Bronx, Jan. 3-6 (Malley) ; 6,
Dock Watch Hollow, Warren Township, N. J., Jan. 21 (Brown, Eaton).

Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus. Red-eyed Towhee. — Milburn, N.
J., Nov. 17 (Hix) ; Mastic, Dec. 9 (W. F. Nichols) ; Barnegat area, Dec. 23
(Bowdish) .

Atmnondramus savatmarum australis. Eiastern Grasshopper Sparrow. — Mill-
town, April 19 (Collins) ; Central Park, May 10 (Cruickshank) .

Passerherbulus hensloun susurratus. Eastern Henslow’s Sparrow. — Male sing-
ing, Freeport, July 12 (Thurston).

Ammospica caudacuta subvirgata. Acadian Sparrow. — Beach Haven, Dec. 23
(C. K. and C. M. Nichols).

Ammospisa caitdacuta caudocuta. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — Baxter Inlet, 2, Dec.
and I, Dec. 23 (Malley).

Ammospica tmritima maritinia. Northern Seaside Sparrow. — Idlewild, April
22 (Breslau, Cruickshank, Lind, Sedwitz) ; Long Beach, 4 eggs on June 10,
young being fed June 17 (Janvrin) ; Biltmore Shores, Dec. 2 (Astle, Matuszewski).

Pooecetes gramineus gramiiieus. Eastern Vesper Sparrow. — Central Park,
April 13 (M. Rich) ; Hempstead Lake, Nov. 25 (J. L. Chapin).

Chondestes grainmacus grammacus. Eastern Lark Sparrow. — Jones Beach,
Aug. 5 (Cruickshank, Sedwitz and others) ; Oyster Bay, Aug. 14 and Sept. 2
(Swope) : Easthampton, .^ug. 17 and Montauk, .^ug. 18 (Helmuth) ; Orient,
Sept, u (Latham).

Juiico hyemalis hyeinaJis. Slate-colored Junco. — Bronx Park, individual with
l>oth wings entirely albinistic, Oct. 22 (Gibson).

SpiceUa arborea arborea. Eastern Tree Sparrow. — Oakland Lake, April 22
(Scott).

Spicella passerina passerina. Eastern Chipping Sparrow. — 3, Westbury, Dec.
25 (Matuszewski) ; Queens, present throughout December (Knorr).

Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. — Jones Beach, Sept. 30, carefully
observed at close range and confirmed by examination of museum skins (Breslau,
Sedwitz).

Zouotrichia leucophrys leucophrys. W'hite-crowned Sparrow. — Baxter Inlet,
Dec. 23 (R. G. Kuerzi).

Passerella iliaca iliaca. Eastern Fox Sparrow. — Elmhurst, Oct. 9 (M. V.
Beals); W’estbury, Oct. 10 (Matuszewski).

Melospisa lincolni lincolni. Lincoln’s Sparrow. — Elmhurst, Oct. 17 (M. V.
Beals) ; Rye, Oct. 21 (Cruickshank).

Melospisa melodia melodia. Eastern Song Sparrow. — Jamaica South, 5 eggs.
May 9 (Mayer).

Calcarius lapponiais lapponicus. Lapland Longspur. — 10 plus, Westbury, Feb.
4 (Matuszewski) ; Orient, lingered until April 4 (Latham) ; extraordinarily heavy
flight in the fall; 3, Oak Island Beach, Oct. 21 (Breslau, Matuszewski, McKeever,
Sedwitz) ; Van Cortlandt Park, Oct. 25 (J. F. and R. G. Kuerzi) ; 60, Oakwood
Beach, Nov. 18 (Rose, Sedwitz and others) ; 12, Idlewild, Nov. 22 (Mayer) ;
30 or 40, Tuckerton Marshes, Nov. 25 (R. P. Allen, Evans, Peterson, Walsh).

Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis. Eastern Snow Bunting. — Orient, “much rarer
than last winter,” fall maximum only 30 (Latham) ; 400 (est.), Gilgo, Nov. ii
(Breslau, Carleton, Johnson, Sedwitz) ; 800 (est.) in 3 flocks, causeway Lido to
Jones Beach, Nov. 17 (G. G. Fry).

Report of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York
For the Year 1934-1935

The Linnaean Society of New York has held during the past year
15 regular, 4 informal summer meetings, and 6 ornithological seminars.
The average attendance at the regular meetings has been ; members,
33.8; guests, 43.5.

The Annual Dinner of the Society was held in the Flying Bird
Hall of the Museum, and the Annual Meeting, as usual, immediately
following, in the Duplex Hall. The speaker of the evening was Dr.
James P. Chapin, of the American Museum of Natural History in
New York, on: The Bird Life of the Galapagos Islands and its signifi-
cance for the study of evolution.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. John H.
Baker; Vice-President, i\Ir. Charles A. Urner; Secretary, Dr. Ernst
Mayr; Recording Secretary, Mr. Joseph J. Hickey; Treasurer, Dr.
E. R. P. Janvrin; and Editor, Dr. Ernst Mayr.

During the year the Society has been so unfortunate as to lose by
death Mr. linness Whitaker, a long time member.

Four members have resigned, or been dropped for non-payment
of dues, and 17 new members were elected. The membership now
stands: Honorary iMember, i; Fellows, 9; Non-Resident Members,
13; Resident Members, 143; total, 166, a decided increase over last
year.

Most of the papers read before the Society related to ornithology.

The speakers and their subjects were as follows:

March 27, 1934 — Dr. James P. Chapin: The Bird Life of the
Galapagos Islands and its Significance for the Study of Evolution.

April 10, 1934 — Mr. Charles A. Urner: The Influence of Human
Settlement on the Bird Life of the Pine Barrens.

April 24, 1934 — Mr. Alden H. Hadley: W'anderings of a Bird
Lover in the South.

May 8, 1934 — Dr. William K. Gregory: Remarks on the Origins
of the Ratites and the Penguins.

May 22, 1934 — General Discussion: The Current Spring Migra-
tion.

Dr. John B. May: Notes on the Birds of Gaspe.

133

October 9, 1934 — Mr. Robert P. Allen: Problems in Wild Life
Conservation.

October 23, 1934 — Mr. Warren F. Eaton: The Birds of Hud.son
and Essex Counties.

November 13, 1934 — Mr. Charles H. Rogers: The Woodpeckers,
their Relationships and Adaptations.

November 27. 1934 — Mr. William Vogt: An Experimental Study
in Sex Recognition in Birds.

December ii, 1934 — Dr. Austin L. Rand: Collecting in Papuan
Mountains.

December 26, 1934 — General discussion : Christmas Census

Reports.

January 8, 1935 — Dr. E. W. Gudger: Abnormalities in Flatfish
and their Evolutionary Significance.

January 22, 1935 — Dr. Arthur A. Allen: Breeding Birds of
Churchill, Canada.

February 12, 1935 — Mr. Seth Low: Observations on Tree

Swallows.

February 26, 1935 — Mr. Irving Kassoy: The Nesting Habits of
the Barn Owl.

The most notable event in the history of the society during the
past year was a change of the constitution which resulted in a more
even distribution of the work among the officers. The Recording
Secretary was free to devote all his time to the gathering of important
field notes and thus succeeded in a greater completeness than in almost
any previous year.

The creation of the office of Editor put the issuing of the pub-
lications of the society on a more stable basis. One double-number of
the Abstracts was published during the year, another number is in
press, and a third in active preparation.

Conservation matters have as usual taken the particular atten-
tion of the Society. Through its Conservation Committee it has urged
upon the Biological Survey the preservation of Troy Meadows as a
wild life sanctuary, supplied data and maps covering the area, and
supported the Audubon Association in opposing the destruction of
this, the finest fresh-water swamp in New Jersey. In the summer of
1934 it opposed the “rest day” provision of the Federal hunting regu-

134

lations, and in 1935 gave its support to the Audubon Association’s
policy of a one year closed season on waterfowl. One hundred dollars
were donated to the Emergency Conservation Committee for current
expenses of the Hawk Mountain sanctuary.

The Society’s most important conservation activity is unquestion-
able concerned with mosquito control. It was not until Conservation
Commissioner Osborne was requested, at a meeting of the Society, to
aid in correcting evils growing out of mosquito control, that local and
national forces rallied in a joint attempt to ameliorate a situation that
was rapidly becoming one of the worst hazards faced by our wild life.
Observations made by the Society’s members have included some of
the most important data available on the subject. One may probably
say, without exaggeration, that the cooperation now planned by federal
departments, and by state game departments and mosquito elimination
bodies, might not have been undertaken without efforts of this Society
to initiate such cooperation ; it is certain that this cooperation would
have been postponed, in spite of the fact that destruction of wild life
habitats by mosquito controllers was being constantly extended.

Field Work was as active as ever, and the results assembled to a
higher degree than in the past, thanks to the zeal of the Recording
Secretary. Careful preparations made the Christmas Census of 1934
an outstanding success. All time records were broken in New Jersey,
the Bronx Region, and on Long Island. Work on the breeding ac-
tivities of birds was pursued to a gratifying degree. In this connec-
tion, the investigations of John and Richard Kuerzi in Litchfield
County, those of the Queens County Bird Club on Long Island, the
work of Messrs. Vogt and Noble on sex-discrimination among birds,
and the continuation of Mr. Kassoy’s studies on the Barn Owl deserve
special mention.

The Ornithological Seminar for the review of important ornitho-
logical literature remained a center of stimulating discussions. There
were 6 meetings with an average attendance of 27.5.

The Secretary wishes to ex])ress to many members of the Society
his thanks for their cooperation during the past year, and, in particular,
his gratitude to the Recording Secretary, Mr. Joseph Hickey, for much
assistance during his illness and absence in Europe.

Ernst Mayr, Secretary.

135

Officers, Council and Committees of the Linnaean Society

of New York

President - - - -

Vice-President - -
Secretary - - - -

Recording Secretary
Treasurer - - - -

Editor -

OFFICERS— 1935-1936

William Vogt

- - - - Joseph J. Hickey

Charles K. Nichols

Allan D. Cruickshank

- - - - - - - - - Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb
Dr. Ernst Mayr

President - - - -

Vice-President - -
Secretary - - - -

Recording Secretary
Treasurer - - - -

Editor - - - - -

OFFICERS— 1936-1937

William Vogt

Joseph J. Hickey

Charles K. Nichols

Richard G. Kuerzi

Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb

- Dr. Ernst Mayr

COUNCIL— 1936-1937
Ex Officio

William Vogt
Joseph J. Hickey
Charles K. Nichols

Expire 1937
Clarence H. Brown

Robert P. Allen

Expire 1938
John H. Baker

E. R. P. Janvrin

Expire 1939
T. Donald Carter

Allan D. Cruickshank

Richard Kuerzi
C. B. P. Cobb
Ernst Mayr

Walter Sedwitz

Charles A. Urner

Edward B. Lang

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE 1935-1936
Charles A. Urner, Chairman

Warren F. Eaton Marc C. Rich

LOCAL AVIFAUNA COMMITTEE 1935-1936
Joseph J. Hickey, Chairman

Walter Sedwitz Lester L. Walsh

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 1935-1936
Ernst Mayr, Chairman

Charles K. Nichols

John F. Kuerzi

136

Change in the Membership of the Linnaean Society
of New York

(Between March i, 1935 and Feb. i, 1936.)

A. New Resident Members:

Ajello, Libero, 183 Weequahic Ave., Newark, N. J.

Allyn, Richard, 50 Haven Ave., New York City.

Birckhead, Hugh, 435 Monterey Ave., Pelham Manor, N. Y.

Bohn, Herman, 33-29 171st St., Flushing, L. I.

Rand, Austin, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Rosenblum, Lloyd, 603 Clinton Ave., Newark, N. J.

WoLFARTH, Floyd, 503 Summer Ave., Newark, N. J.

B. New Non-Resident Members:

Amman, Andrew, Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, Mich.

C. Deceased Members:

Lunt, Miss Helene,

Osborn, Prof. Henry Fairfield
Webster, Mrs. J. E. B.

D. Names of Members Transferred:

Yates, Leicester B., 1716 Victoria Ave., Los Angeles, Cal. (Resident to N. R.,
note new address).

E. New Addresses:

Allen, Fred, 227 Bay Ave., Highlands, N. J.

Bliemeyer, Miss Rose, 8770 115th St., Richmond Hill, N. Y. C.

Boulton, Mrs. W. R., Cherry Lane, Westport, Conn.

Cruickshank, Allan D., National Association of Audubon Societies, 1775
Broadway, New York City.

Desmond, Thomas C., 94 Broadway, New York City.

Frost, Allen, 143 Academy St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Howland, R. H., P. O. Box 51, Hudson Terminal, New York City.

Johnson, Julius M., 2935 Pleasant Ave., Ridgewood, N. J.

Smith, Mrs., H. W., 86 South Bay Ave., Islip, N. Y.

Stryker, Carol, Staten Island Zoological Society, Clarence T. Barrett Park
West, New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y.

Please notify Secretary of any change of address.

(For last published list of members see Proceedings, Nos. 45, 46.)

137

INDEX

Acanthis I. Unarm 31. 73. I30

Accipiter coopcri. .ly, 27, 28, 34, 42, 116
Accipiter v. velox

12, 17, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 42

Actitis macularia 17. 18

34. 35. 47, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 118
Agelaius p. phoeniceus

17, 18, 21, 24, 30, 33, 35. 71, 96. 129

Aix sponsa 19, 40, 93, 102, 103, 114

Aka torda 31, 53, 104, 105, 123

Alle alle 31. 53. i04. I05. 109, 123

Ammodramus sav. auslralis.17, iS, 74, 130
Ammospisa c. caudacula

8, 19. 35. 74. 131

Ammospiza caiidacuta nelsoni 74

Ammospisa caud. subvirgata. .iS, 74, 130
Ammospisa m. maritima . .15, ig, 75, 131

Anas p. platyrhynchiis ii, 19, 31. 39

Anas rubripes 39. H3

Anas rub. tristis

n, 18, 19, 30, 39, 103, 105, 1 13
Anfhus spinoletta rubesccns. . 126

Antrostomus v. vociferus

13. 17, 19. 33. 56. 124

Aquila chrysaetos 5, 27, 28, 43, 116

Archilochus coliibris. .17, 18, 29, 56, 124
Ardca h. herodias . . . .iS, 26, 31, 37, iii
Arcnaria interprcs morinella

47, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 1 18
Arquatella maritima

5, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 102, 109, 1 19

Asia f. flammeus 19, 31, 55, 124

Asia rvilsonianus 31, 55, 124

Astur a. atricapillus 31, 42, 102, 116

Bacolophus bicolor

8, 15, 17, .19, 20, 29, 30, 35, 61, 125
Bartramia longicauda

47, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 1 18
Bonasa u. umbellus

10, 12, 13, 14, 19, 29, 44
Bombycilla cedrorum

15, 17, 18, 19, 29, 31, 64, 126

Botaurus lentiginosus 18, 38, 112

Branta bernicla hrota 34, loi, 113

Branta c. canadensis 38, 103, 112

Bubo V. virginianus 17, 31, 55, 123

Buteo b. borealis

5, II, 12, 15, 19, 27, 29, 30, 42, 1 16
Buteo lagopus sancti-johannis

II, 22, 30, 43, 109, 1 16

Buteo 1. lineatus

12, 17, 19, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 42

Buteo p. platypterus

12, 19, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 43, 93. 116

Buteo s~icainsoni 34

Butorides v. virescens

18, 19. 29, 33, 34, 37, 112

Calcarius 1. lapponicus

31. 76, loi, 109, 131
Calidris canutus riifus

48, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 107, 1 19

Capella delicata 10, 14

15, 29, 31, 47, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 93

Carduelis carduelis 73, 130

Carpodacus p. purpureus 30, 73, 130

Casmerodius albus egretta

5. 23, 37, 108, 1 12
Cathartes aura septentrionalis

15, 28, 34, 42, 1 15
Catoptrophorus semipahnatus

48, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 1 19

Centurns carolinus 15, 57

Ceophloeus p. abieticola..$. 1$, iS, 57, 124
Certhia famil. aincricana . .22, 30, 61, 125
Chaetura pelagica . .13, 17, 18, 19, 33, 56
Charadrius melodus

79. 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 1 18
Charadrius semipahnatus

34. 46, 79, 81, 82, 88, 87, 1 18

Charitonctta albeola 41, 115

Chaulelasmus streperus 39, 113

Chen caerulescens 109, 113

Chen hyperborea subsp 34. 113

Chlidonias nigra surinaniensis. . - S3, 123

Chondestes g. grainmacus 75, 131

Chordeiles m. minor ... .17, 19, 29, 33, 56

Cistothorus stellaris 19, 62, 125

Circus hudsonius

18, 19, 27, 28, 30, 31, 43, 98

Clangula hycmalis 41, 105, 115

Coccysus a. americanus

15, 17, 18, 29, 54, 123
Coccysus erythropthalmus

17. 18, 33, 54, 123
Colaptes aur. tuteus.13, 17, 18, 30, 56, 94

Colinus virginianus floridanus 44

Colinus V. virginianus

10, 14, 17, 19, 29, 31, 44, 1 17

Columba 1. livia 17, 18, 53

Colymbus auritus

31, 36, 103, 104, 105, no
Colymbus gris. holboelli. 103, 104, 105, no
Compsothlypis americana pussilla.66, 127
Conuropsis c. carolinensis 5, 54

138

Coragyps a. atratus

Corthylio c. calendula. .. .31, 33, 64,
Corvus b. brachyrhynchos

17, 18, 19, 28, 29, 30, 35, 60,

Corvus corax principalis 34,

Corvus ossifragus.15, 18, 33, 35, 60,
Coturnicops noveboracensis. 45,
Creciscus jamaicensis stoddardi. .34,
Crocethia alba

50, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88,

Cryptoglaux a. acadica 31,

Cyanocitta c. cristafa. 17, 18, 19, 30, 35,
Cygnus columbianus 38,

Dafila acuta tsitsihoa.ii, 31, 39, 103,

Dendroica a. aestiva

17, 18, 29, 33, 35, 67,

Dendroica caerulea

Dendroica c. caerulescens 67,

Dendroica coronata 30, 67,

Dendroica castanea 68,

Dendroica d. discolor. 17, 22, 33, 68,

Dendroica d. dominica 15,

Dendroica fusca 33, 67,

Dendroica magnolia 33, 67,

Dendroica palm, hypochrysea

22, 33, 68,

Dendroica p. palmarum 68,

Dendroica pensylvanica . . . .17, 33, 35,

Dendroica p. pinus

Dendroica striata 22,

Dendroica tigrina

Dendroica townsendi

Dendroica v. virens... is, 17, 33, 67,
Dolichonyx orysivorus

12, 15, 18, 19, 24, 33, 35, 70,

Dryobates borealis

Dryobates pubescens medianus..i7, 30,

Dryobates v. villosus 17, 30,

Dumetella carolinensis

17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 33, 35, 62, 95,

Ectopistes inigralorius . . .5, 10, 14, 18,

F.gretta t. iJitila 37,

Hlanoides f. forficalus

Rmpidonas flaviventris 33, 58,

Empidona.r minimus 17, 18, 58,

Empidona.r t. trailli . . .13, 17, 33, 58,

F.mpidonax virescens 15,

F.reunetes maurii

49, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88,

Freuneles pusillus 34,

79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88,
Frismatura jamaicensus rubida... 41,

Erolia festacea 84, 85, 86, 88,

Euphagus carolinns 30, 71,

Falco c. columbarius . .12, 27, 28, 44, 117
Falco peregrinus anatum.. 28, 31, 43, 117

Falco rusticolus candicans 34

Falco rusticolus obsoletus 117

Falco s. sparverius

17, 18, 19, 27, 29, 30, 34, 44

Florida c. caerulea 23, 24, 34, 37, 112

Fregata in

Fulica a. americana 19, 29, 46, 118

Gallinula chloropus cachinnans

18, 19, 29, 35, 45, 1 17

Gavia i. immer 26, 36, 105, no

Gavia stellata 34, no

Gelochelidon nilotica aranea. ... 108, 122
Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla

17. 18, 35, 69, 92, 129
Glaucionetta c. americana.31, 41, 103, 115

Grus americana 45

Guiraca c. caerulea 15, 72, 130

Haematopus p. palliatus 5, 88

Haliaeetus 1. leucocphalus

5, 18, 27, 28, 31, 43

Haliaeetus leucocephalus subsp 116

Hedymeles ludovicianus 17, 33, 72

Helmitheros vermivorus . .13, 17, 66, 127
Hesperiphona v. vespertina. 31, 72, 102, 130
Hirundo erythrogaster

13, 17, 18, 24, 33, 35, 60, 125

Histrionicus h. histrionicus . .41, 102, I15

Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis 37

Hydroprogne caspia imperator. . .33, 122
Hylocichla f. fuscescens

17, 18, 63, 107, 126

Hylocichla fuscescens sivainsoni 126

Hylocichla guttata faxoni

30, 33. 63, 95, 126

Hylocichla minima aliciae 33, 63

Hylocichla m. minima 63

Hylocichla mustelina

17. 18, 33. 35. 63. 126
Hylocichla ustulata szvainsoni.. 33, 63, 126

Icteria i’. virens. 13, 17, 19, 29, 69, 92, 129
Icterus galbula. 12, 17, 18, 33, 71, 92, 129

Icterus spurius 15, 17, 71, 129

lonornis martinica 34, 107, 117

Iridoprocne bicolor ... .13, 24, 25, 59, 125
Ixobrychus c. cxilis. 18, 19, 29, 38, loi, 112
I.rorcus naevius meruloides 63

Junco h. hyemalis 22, 30, 75, 131

Lanius b. borealis 31, 64, 109, 127

I.anius ludovicianus migrans 64, 127

116

126

125

117

121

I 55

125

112

114

127

128

I 96

128

, 68

128

127

128

, 68

128

129

. 57

126

I 54

112

124

, 58

120

. 49

120

115

119

, 96

139

Larus argentatus sinitlisonianns

8, 3<). 51. 105

Larus atricilla 51, 105, 121

Larus delazvarensis 30, 51, 121

Larus /. fuscus

Larus fuscus graellsi

Larus hyperboreus 31, 50, 121

Larus kumlieni 121

Larus leucoptcrus 31, 51, 121

Larus leucoptcrus x Larus argcutatus

thayeri 51

Larus marinus 31, 51, 105, 121

Larus piinutus 52, 122

Larus Philadelphia 30, 52, 121

Limnodromus g. griscus

49, 81, 82, 83, 84. 85, 88. 120
Limnodromus g. scolopaccus

49, 8i, 83, 85, 86. 87. 88. 120
Limosa fedoa. . .49, 81, 83, 85, 86. 88. I2i
Limosa haemastica

49, 83, 85, 86, 88, 1 21

Lohipes lobatiis

50, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 88, 12 1
Lophodytes cucullatus . .41, 102, 103, 115

Loxia curvirostra 31, 73, 130

Loxia leucoptera 31, 74, 102, 130

Mareca americana 39, 103, 114

Mareca penelope 39, 102, 114

Megaceryle a. alcyon

17, 30, 34. 56, 94, 108, 124
Melanerpcs erythrocephalus

19, 29, 30, 57. 124
Melanitta deglandi. .41, 103, 105, 106, 115

Melanitta perspicillata 103, 105, 115

Meleagris gallopavo sihestris 5, 18

Melospiza georgiana .17, 18, 30, 35, 76, 97

Melospiza 1. lincoliii 22, 76,131

Melospiza m. melodia

17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 35, 76, 131

Mergus 5

Mergus merganser americanus

30, 41, 102, 103, 1 16
Mergus serrator . . . .31, 41, 103, 105, 116
Micropalama himantopus

49, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 120

Mimus p. polyglottos 15, 31, 95, 126

Mniotilta varia 17, 29, 33, 65

Molothrus a. ater.17, 18, 24, 31, 33, 72, 96

Moris bassana iii

Myiarchus crinitus boreus

17. 18. 33, 58, 124

Myiochanes virens 17, 18, 33, 59

Nannus h. hiemalis 22, 30, 61, 94

Neftion carolinense . .12, 39, 103,109, 114

Nettion crecca 34, 102, 109, 114

Nuttallornis mcsolcucus . . .22, 29, 33, 59
Nyctanassa v. violacca ... 16, 38, 108, 112

Nyctea nyctca 31, 53, 109, 123

Nylicorax nycticorax hoactli

II, 17, 18, 19, 24, 31, 37, 92. 1 12

Nyroca af finis 31, 40, 93, 114

Nyroca americana.. 40, loi, 103, 105, 114

Nyroca collaris 40, 93, 114

Nyroca marila.u, 31,40, 103, 105, 106, 114
Nyroca valisincria 40, 103. 105, 114

Oceanites oceanicus 36, iii

Oceanodroma I. Icucorhoa 3^>

Oidcmia americana 103, 105, 115

Oporornis agilis 22, 69, 129

Oporornis formosus 69, 129

Oporornis Philadelphia 33, 69, 129

Otocoris a. alpestris 30, 59

Otocoris alpestris praticola . .13, 59, 124
Otus asio naevius. 13, 17, 19, 30. 54, 123
Oxyechus v. vocifcrus . . . .17, 18, 31, 34
35, 46, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 1 18

Pagolla w. wilsonia 79, 85, 88

Pagophila alba 122

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis

18, 27, 28, 31, 33, 43, 1 16
Passer d. domesticus

17, 18, 21, 30, 70, 98, 105

Passerculus princeps 74

Passerculus sandwichensis .. .i$, ig, 30, 35
Passer ella i. iliac a. 22, 30, 76, 97, 104, 13 1

Passerherbulus h. susurrans 74, 139

Passerina ciris 34

Passerina cyanea. . .17, 18, 33, 35, 72, 130
Pelidna alpina sakhalina

49, 81, 82, 83, 84. 85, 87, 88, 120

Penthestes a. atricapillus 17, 30, 60

Pcnthestes c. carolinensis 15, 61

Penthestes hndsonicus littoralis 34

Perdix p. perdix 44

Petrochelidon a. albifrons

15, 18, 29, 60, 125

Phaeopns hudsonicus

47, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 1 18
Phalacrocorax a. auritus.37, 92, 103, iii

Phalacrocorax c. carbo 103, ill

Phalaropus fulicarius

SO, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 88, 120

Phasianus colchicus 17, 18, 30, 44

Philohela minor.... 10, ii, 13, 14, 17, 19
29. 33, 47, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 8s, 87, 88, 118

Philomachus pugnax 50, 81, 88

Picoides arcticus 31, 34, 57

Pinicola enucleator leucura.. . .31,73, 130

140

Pipilo e. erythrophfhalmus
8, 13, 17, 18, 20, 31. 33, 35, 74, 96, 130
Piranga erythromelas

12, 17, 29, 33, 72, 130

Piranga ludoviciana 129

Piranga rubra rubra 15, 34

Pisobia bairdi 48, 81, 83, 85, 88, 119

Pisobia fuscicollis

48, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 107, 1 19
Pisobia melanotos

48, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 1 19
Pisobia minutilla

34, 48, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 1 19

Plautus impennis 5

Plectrophenax n. nh’alis.30, 76, loi, 131
Pluvialis d dominica

5, 46, 79, 81, 82, 83, 85, 87, 88, 1 18
Podilymbus p. podiceps . . .ig, 29, 36, no
Polioptila c. caerulca. . . .IS, 64, 109, 126
Pooecetes g. gramineus

17. 31, 75. 96. 131

Porsana Carolina n, 17, 29, 45, 117

Progne s. subis 13, 19, 29, (k), 125

Protonotaria citrea 15, 65, 127

Puf films dioniedea borealis in

Puffinus gravis no

Puffinus griseus no

Querqiiedula discors n, 40, 114

Quiscalus quiscalus acneus 71, 96

Qitiscalus q. quiscalus 15

17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 30, 33, 35, 71, 104, 129

Kallus elegans clegans-S, 11, 45, 93. 117
Rallus 1. limicola. . .11, 17, 18, 19, 45, 117
Rallus longirostris crepitans

5, 15, 45, 117

Recurvirostra americana. . .$0, 81, 86, 88

Regulus satrapa satrapa 22, 30, 64

Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis

15, 17, 29, 30, 72, 96. 130

Riparia r. riparia 13, 29, 59

Rissa t. tridactyla 52, 103, 122

Rynchops n. nigra.... $, 53, 107, 108, 123

Sayornis phoebe 17, 29, 33, 58, 94

Seiurus aurocapillus . ly, 29, 33, 35, 69, 129

Seiurus motacilla 15, 17, 69

Seiurus n. noz’eboracensis . . . .22, 69, 129

Setophaga ruticilla 17, 18, 29, 70

Sialia s. sialis

10, 17, 19, 29, 30, 31, 63, 95, 126

Sitia canadensis 22, 31, 61, 94

Sitia c. carolinensis 17, 30, 61, 125

Soniateria niollissima dresseri

103, 109, 115

Soniateria spectabilis 103, 109, 115

Spatula clypeata 40, 114

Sphyrapicus v. varius 31, 33, 57

Spinus pinus pinus 30, 73

Spinus t. tristis. . .17, 18, 29, 30, 73, 130

Spi::a aniericana 15, 72

Spisella a. arborea 22, 30, 75, 13 1

Spisella pallida 131

Spizella p. passerina

17, 18, 29, 31, 33, 35, 75, 98, 131
Spisella p. pusilla..i7, 18, 29, 30, 75, 96
Squatarola squatarola

46, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84. 85, 87, 88, 118
Steganopus tricolor

50, 8i, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 120
Stelgidoptcryx r. serripennis

15, 17, 18, 59, 125

Stercorarius longicaudus 121

Stercorarius parasiticus 121

Stercorarius pomarinus 50

Sterna a. antillarum 52, 122

Sterna d. dougalli 52, 122

Sterna forsteri 16, 34, 52, 108, 122

Sterna f. fuscata 00

Sterna h. hirundo 52, 122

Sterna paradisaea 122

Sthenelides olor 112

Strix V. varia 12, 17, 31, 34, 55, 124

Sturnella tnagna magna

10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 30, 35, 70

Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris 17

1.8, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 30, 64, 98, 105, 127

.Sula 1. leucogaster 36

Surnia ulula caparoch 55

Telmatodytes p. palustris

8, 17, 18, 20, 35, 62, 125

Thryomanes bewicki beioicki 15, 34

Thryothorus 1. ludovicianus

15, 17, 19, 29, 31. 61, 94, 125
Totanus flavipes

48, 78, 79, 8i, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 1 19
Totanus melanoleucus

34, 48, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 119
Toxostoma rufutn..i7, 18, 29, 33, 62, 126
Tringa s. solitaria

34, 47, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84. 85, 88, 118
Troglodytes a. aedon

13, 7. 18, 31, 33. 35. 61, 125
T ryngites subruficollis

49. 81, 83, 85, 88, 120

Tympanuchus c. cupido 5, 18

Tyrannus d. doininicensis 34

Tryannus tyrannus. 17, 18, 29, 33, 58, 124

Tyrannus verticalis 34, 124

Tyto alba pratincola 12, 15, 54, 123

I4I

Vria 1. lomvia 31, 53, 104, 105, 123

Vermivora c. celata 31, 66, 127

Vermivora crysoptera 15, 66, 127

Vermivora laxvrencei 66, 127

Vermivora leucobronchialis 66, 127

Vermivora peregrina 66, 127

Vermivora pinus 15, 17, 19, 29, 66

Vermivora r. ruficapilla . . .1$, 17, 66, 127

Vireo flavifroiis 17, 29, 65, 127

Vireo g. gilvus 17, 65, 127

Vireo g. griseus 15, 17, 65, 127

Vireo olivaceus 17, 18, 33, 35, 65

Vireo philadelphicus 34, 109, 127

Vireo s. solitarius 15, 22, 33, 65, 127

IVilsonia canadensis 17, 70, 129

Wilsonia citrina 15, 17, 70, 129

IVilsonia p. pusilla 70, 129

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 129

Zenaidtira macroura carolinensis

14,. 17.. 18, 29, 31, 53, 93, 123
Zonotrichia albicollis

15, 17, 18, 22, 30, 76, 97
Zonotrichia I. leucophrys 33, 75, 13 1

142

Linnaean Prize for Ornithological Research

In an effort to promote a more constructive pursuit of bird-study
among its members, the Linnaean Society of New York announces a
prize of Twenty-five Dollars to be known as the Linnaean Prize for
Ornithological Research. Papers submitted must embody the results
of original research not previously published and not undertaken in
the course of professional duties. The prize will be awarded each year
at the Annual Meeting of the Society.

Conditions ;

(1) Eligibility. Membership in good standing of the Linnaean
Society of New York for at least one year prior to submission of the
manuscript.

(2) Date. Papers are to be submitted on or prior to February i
of the respective }'ear to the Secretary of the Society.

(3) Papers. Manuscripts shall be t}fpewritten, in English, ready
for publication, and shall be accompanied by all necessary tables, draw-
ings, diagrams, graphs and photographs.

(4) Award. A committee of judges shall be appointed by the
President of the Society to make preliminary recommendations to the
Council whose ratification and decision shall in all cases be considered
final. The Council shall reserve the right to amend conditions of the
award whenever it deems necessary, and it may withhold the prize in
any year where the papers submitted do not prove sufficiently
noteworthy.

(5) Publication. The Society reserves the right to prior publica-
tion of the successful paper but such publication shall not be con-
sidered binding upon the Society.

(6) Whenever and wherever published, the paper awarded the
prize shall be accompanied by the statement, “Awarded the 19. .
Idnnaean Prize for Ornithological Research by the Linnaean Society
of New York.”

fitfiffM i><iiiii ilTurTf

1936

No. 48

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Year Ending
March, 1936

Date of Issue, October 31, 1937
Price: Seventy-five Cents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Great Wisconsin Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1871. By A. W.

S charger 1

Notes on the Development of Two Young Blue Jays. By A. L. Rand 27

Recent Notes on Bermuda Birds. By William Beebe 60

The Ornithological Year 1935 in the New York Region. By Allan D.

Cruickshank 66

Notes from Field and Study

Intimidation Display in the Eastern Meadowlark. By William Vogt 96
Another Six Egg Clutch of the Song Sparrow. By Howard Kraslow 96
The Black-backed Gull as a Predator. By Richard G. Kuerzi . . 97

Additional Notes from Litchfield County, Conn. By Ernst Mayr,

John and Richard Kuerzi 98

On the Nesting of the Black Skimmer in New York State. By

Jos. J. Hickey and LeRoy Wilcox 98

Migrating Gannets. By Allan D. Cruickshank 99

Report of the Secretary for 1935-1936 loi

Officers, Council and Committees of the Linnaean Society of
New York 103

Index

. . 109

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

1936

OCTOBER, 1037

Xo. 48

The Great Wisconsin Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1871
By A. \\\ ScHORGER, Madison, Wisconsin

The nesting of the Passenger Pigeon at Petoskey, Michigan, in
1878, is assumed usually to have been the largest that ever occurred.
Professor Roney', in his paper so often cited, states regarding the
above : “Here, a few miles north, was a pigeon nesting of irregular
dimensions, estimated by those best qualified to judge, to be forty (40)
miles in length, by three to ten in width, probably the largest nesting
that has ever existed in the United States, covering something like
100,000 acres of land, and including not less than 150,000 acres within
its limits.” The nesting in Wisconsin in 1871 was so much larger that
one hesitates to believe the evidence. This nesting had a minimum
length of 75 miles and a width of 10 to 15 miles. A conservative esti-
mate of the area is 850 square miles. It can be stated without hesita-
tion that Wisconsin had the largest nesting that has ever been described.

For years I have been collecting information on the history of the
Passenger Pigeon in Wisconsin. The data in the formal literature
were disappointingly meagre. Little progress was made until the
thought occurred that any nesting or trapping of consequence should
receive mention in the local papers. An examination of the files of the
Wisconsin newspapers provided information that exceeded all ex-
pectations. It led to the “discovery” of the 1871 nesting and this paper
will be limited to it.

Distribution of Nesting Areas

It was characteristic of the Passenger Pigeon to fly and nest en
masse. A popular assumption is that the nestings were limited to a
single or a few large areas; but this is far from the truth. Within its
range the species nested over the entire area in single pairs, small groups,
and colonies covering from a few hundred to thousands of acres. Fre-
quently there were several nestings in the same region. In 1858, a
beechnut year, there were three separate simultaneous nestings in
Oconto County, Wisconsin, (Green Bay Advocate, June 3 and 10,
1858). There was one nesting 1.5 miles wide by 7 miles long on the
Peshtigo river ; a second on the Oconto river reported as larger than the
first; and a third, covering two square miles, on the same stream. In
certain favored sections the Pigeons nested annually in variable num-
bers, while in others nestings were erratic. Huge nesting areas were
the exception. Wilson mentions one south of Danville, Kentucky, in
1810, that was 3 miles wide by 40 miles long. In 1843 ( ?) there was
a nesting on the left bank of the Mississippi extending down the river
from La Crosse, Wisconsin, “the whole length of the roost being about
forty-five miles.’”

The food supply was a natural control on the size of the nestings
and their distribution. The breeding areas were usually in long lines.
The reason for this offers a fertile field for. speculation. Presumably
this form facilitated arrival and departure from the nesting. The
cruising range is stated to have been 50 to 100 miles daily. A simple
mathematical calculation will show that a line does not afford the
maximum accessible food area. Assuming a cruising range of 50
miles for a nesting covering 120 square miles, it is found that the
radius of a circular nesting would be about 6.3 miles. The feeding
area available 50 miles from this circle would be over twice that
afforded on the sides of a parallelogram 40 miles long by 3 miles wide.

In order to illustrate the distribution of the nestings during the
period under discussion, a few examples will be given. In certain
years no large nestings appear to have occurred due to lack of mast.

1864

Minnesota - - Nesting at St. Charles.

Wisconsin - - Large nesting in the Kickapoo woods south of Leon.

Michigan - - - Large nesting between South Haven and St. Joseph.

Canada - -
Wisconsin

Minnesota
Michigan - -

Pennsylvania
Michigan - -

Indiana - -

1865

Large nesting at Angus Station, Georgian Bay, Ontario.
Nestings at Afton, Brandon and Appleton destroyed by snow-
storm.

Nesting in the Chatfield timber near Rochester.

Large nesting at Marquette, upper Peninsula.

1866

Nestings in Potter County and at Wilcox, Elk County.
Nestings at Grand Haven on Lake Michigan; Forestville,
Sanilac County; Town of Vassar, Tuscola County; and Van
Buren County, where no nesting had occurred for fifteen years.
Large nesting at Martinsville, Morgan County.

1867

Nestings in Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin were broken up by shooting and
deep snow.

1868

Michigan - - - Large nesting at Manistee, Manistee County.

Permsylvania - Nestings in Northwestern counties.

Wisconsin

Michigan - -

Canada - -
Pennsylvania

Michigan - -

Wisconsin

New York -
Michigan - -

Wisconsin

Minnesota

1869

Comparatively small nesting in the Richland timber, southeast
of Monroe in Green County ; a large nesting south of Sparta ;
and a nesting at Oakfield, Fond du Lac County, broken up by
farmers.

Nesting at Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County.

There were also nestings in Indiana and Canada.

1870

Nesting at Goderich, Ontario.

Nestings in McKean and Potter counties reported to be the
largest since 1830.

Nestings at Glen Haven and Cheboygan.

1871

Large nesting in south central portion of the state.

1872

Nesting in the southern end of Ulster County.

Large nesting at South Haven, Van Buren County ; and an-
other at Clam Lake.

Nesting three miles long near Shawano, Shawano County ; and
a large nesting in Brussels Township, Door County.

1873

Small nesting in Springfield Township, Marquette County.
Nesting four miles long northwest of Rochester in Olmsted
County.

One dealer* has stated that he followed the main body through Michigan,
Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota and that there was no large nesting owing to the
scarcity of mast; and that he later learned that there was a small nesting in the
western part of Minnesota, a small one in New York and one in Michigan. An-
other dealer’ confirms this: “In 1873 we did baiting in Ohio and Wisconsin but
located no nesting.”

Distribution of Nesting Areas

In studying the nesting of 1871 I have attempted to get definite
information on the following points :

(1) The flight ways and movements northward.

(2) The area covered and its outline.

(3) An estimate of the number of birds nesting.

(4) The number of birds killed by trappers and sportsmen.

(5) The food consumed.

(6) The number of eggs or squabs in the nest.

(7) Was there a second nesting?

(8) Where did the pigeons go after the nesting?

The Flight Ways and Movements Northward

The Pigeons appear to have migrated into Wisconsin over the
western two-thirds of the state. The Mississippi and Rock River
valleys, especially the latter, were two main funnels by which the birds
poured into the nesting area. The main column passed through Beloit,
Monroe, Janesville, Stoughton, Madison, Jefferson, Watertown, Bara-
boo and Kilbourn.* The Mississippi columns passed over La Crosse
swinging northeast to Black River Falls, Sparta and Tomah.

The Beloit Journal of March 16, mentions that pigeons were fly-
ing north in large numbers, while on the 23rd extensive preparations
were being made for trapping in the vicinity. At the same time pigeon
hunters were out in force at Monroe. The Janesville Gazette of March
9 states that pigeons are flying northward; on the 15th large flocks
are mentioned, while on the 20th it is said: “Trapping pigeons is a
profitable vocation to many of our farmers.” On the 28th pigeons are
mentioned at Lake Koshkonong so that the flight continued over a

*Now called Wisconsin Dells.

period of at least three weeks. On March ii, the Madison Democrat
stated that “pigeons fly every morning in thousands.”

The JeflFerson Banner of March 15 states that “pigeons were flying
quite lively last week.” On the same date the Watertown Republican
informs us that “Myriads of wild pigeons . . . put in an appearance in
this vicinity last week.” They are mentioned at Columbus (Democrat)
for March 8 and 29, and at Lodi (Journal) on March 22. The Baraboo
Republic states on March 8 that “large flocks of pigeons have been
seen passing over the village for the past day or two.” We now ap-
proach the concentration point. The editor of the Kilbourn Mirror was
apparently not impressed by the early flights for pigeons are not men-
tioned until April 22. The day previous the entire village seems to
have turned out for a pigeon hunt, and it was estimated that 2,000
w’ere killed and 1,500 brought into town. Numbers finally made an
impression for the May 6 issue reads : . it seems unaccountable

where they all come from .... For the past three weeks they have
been flying in countless flocks which no man could number. On Satur-
day, April 22, for about two hours before nightfall, they flew in one
continuous flock from south to north darkening the air and astonishing
the people by the sound of their wings and could be seen for miles
in extent. And they have still continued to come, although not in so
great numbers.”

Snowstorms caused an ebb and flow. There was one in Adams
County as late as April 10, at which time the pigeons were reported
to be nesting. At Columbus on March 8, the birds were flying south-
ward. They appeared at Fond du Lac (Reporter) on March ii, and
on April 8 we read : “The flocks without-any-end-either-way succeed
each other in rapid succession.” Pigeons appeared at Wautoma (Wau-
shara Argus) March 2, several days prior to mention of their presence
in the southern part of the state. The Appleton Crescent on April i
states : “Wild pigeons are hurrying northward.” They were reported
as far north as Shawano on April 6. There was no nesting in the
northern part of the state so far as I have been able to determine. All
the birds that made an early appearance in the Lake Winnebago region
appear to have wheeled about eventually, to nest in Adams County.

In the region of the Mississippi Valley, pigeons appeared at La
Crosse on March 7, and on March 9, they “darken the vernal atmo-
sphere” (La Crosse Morning Leader). By the xyth they were at Hud-
son. The flight does not appear to have extended inland to any great
extent. The Viroqua Censor states on March 15th that wild pigeons
have made their appearance though they are not very plentiful as yet.
That the main western flight followed the river rather closely is sup-
ported by the statement of Leffingwell' that “they annually flew up
the Valley of the Mississippi following the river in its windings.”

The southwestern portion of the state had no flight producing
comment except at Platteville where on March 9 numerous flocks were
stated to have appeared. Most of the papers do not mention them at
all. Pigeons appeared at Mineral Point (National Democrat) , March
15, but are not mentioned again. At Darlington (Republican) they
are reported on March 15, but only in connection with a hunting acci-
dent. On the other hand, the flight of 1873 is noted.

Lack of editorial comment is not conclusive evidence of the ab-
sence of pigeons as will be observed from the papers within and on
the edge of the nesting area. The Friendship Adams County Press
does not comment until April 8 when “clouds of pigeons fill the air”
and damage to crops is feared. The editor of the Mauston Star is
finally moved to mention pigeons on April 20 after receiving a “fine
lot” for a pigeon pie. The new Lisbon Argus is more observing. On
March 16 it states : “During the early part of this week immense flocks
of wild pigeons were wending their way north, and they still continue
to come.” This is further proof that most of the pigeons came via
Kilbourn and the Rock River valley. At Sparta (Herald) pigeons are
not mentioned until April ii. On the i8th there are “immense num-
bers.” The birds arrived at Black River Falls (Badger Banner),
March ii, and by April 8 there were “thousands.”

Not one reference was found to pigeons moving along Lake
Michigan. The editor at Sturgeon Bay (Advocate) commented on
April 6: “No pigeons have made their appearance here this spring.”
This statement is important for the reason that in a year when the
pigeons nested in Michigan, part of them frequently followed the
shores of Green Bay. From this point they entered Michigan by way

of the Upper Peninsula or crossed Lake Michigan over the Manitou
Islands.

The Are.^ Covered and Its Outline

It is not possible to outline the nesting area with satisfactory
accuracy. There are ample independent observations as to its length,
however. John Muir' quotes Chief Pokagon as follows: “I saw one
nesting-place in Wisconsin one hundred miles long and from three to
ten miles wide.” Mershon' quotes from a letter received from Mr.
Henry T. Phillips, the Detroit game dealer: “In Wisconsin I have
seen a continual nesting for lOO miles, with from one to possibly fifty
nests on every oak scrub.” In neither case is there any indication as
to date or location. It is safe to assume that they refer to the 1871
nesting, since I have been unable to discover any other nesting since
1850 that approached it in magnitude. In a letter dated December 17,
1896, Pokagon,' without reference to size, mentions visiting a nesting
“north of Kilb[o]urn City, Wisconsin, about twenty-five years ago,”
making the date exactly 1871.

The local editors appear to have known little about the vast pigeon
roost outside of their own bailiwick. The best information comes
from visitors outside of the area. General Henry Hamden* visited
the section north of Kilbourn and spent several days on the breeding
ground. He states that the roost commenced five miles from Kilbourn,
was eight to ten miles wide, and extended as far north as Grand (Wis-
consin) Rapids in Portage County, a distance of forty or forty-five
miles. The editor of the Kilbourn Mirror, under date of April 22,
states that the nesting begins about six miles from the village. Accord-
ing to travelers and farmers, the nesting was “three miles wide and
fifty miles in extent north.”

There is a good description of the roost by Hugh Kelley pub-
lished in the Baraboo Republic for May 3. Abandoned nests were
found, on leaving Kilbourn, as soon as his party struck timber. They
went ten miles and pitched their tent where the pigeons were “thick
as locusts.” As a matter of fact, nearly all of the timbered portions
of Adams County seem to have been occupied by pigeons to some
extent. In the northern part of the county the nesting extended en-

tirely across it, a distance of 25 miles. The editor at Friendship
(Adams County Press, April 15) states: “The pigeons are nesting
three or four miles north of this place. The nesting ground extends
for miles in the towns of Strong’s Prairie, Monroe, Preston, Big Flats,
and Leola. Flocks containing tens of thousands of the birds are con-
tinually flying over, while the woods are literally alive with them.”
This shows that the nesting extended to the top of Adams County, if
not as far as Grand Rapids. Unfortunately, a paper from the latter
town is not available. It is entirely probable that the nesting did ex-
tend nearly to Grand Rapids for the Plover Times of May 13 states:
“Several loads of young pigeons passed through our village this week.
They were captured below Grand Rapids, where the pigeons have
nested and hatched.”

It would be conservative to take a length of 50 miles and an
average width of 8 miles, or 400 square miles for the nesting east of
the Wisconsin River. I have found no evidence that the nesting ex-
tended into Waushara and Marquette County, though the northwestern
corner of Marquette County, as well as Adams County, was considered
favored nesting ground. The Waushara Argus, of Wautoma, on
April 27 states : “These birds are very numerous in this part of the
state. It is said that they are nesting west of Flyte’s Mills in Adams
County.”

Mr. Hugh Kelley in the article above cited says: “This roost ex-
tends from Kilbourn to Black River Falls, and varies in width from
ten to fifteen miles. Inside this tract as far as I have been, not a single
tree has been slighted by the nest builders.” He is not alone in this
statement. There is a long article in the Fond du Lac Commonwealth
of May 20, in which the writer states that his party “headed for the
great pigeon roost, stretching from Kilbourn City on the Wisconsin
River, for scores of miles beyond.” The Portage Register of May 6
published a short article on the “Pigeon Trade.” The information was
obtained from agents of the American Merchants’ Union Express,
who should have been well informed of the extent of the nesting. It
states : “Few persons have any adequate idea of the extent of the
pigeon trade carried on at points on the La Crosse road west of here.
The country from Kilbourn City to Sparta and as far north as Grand

Situation and Extent of Wisconsin Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1871

Rapids, has been taken possession of by the pigeons, and converted
into one grand roost, from which the birds radiate.”

On April i8, the Sparta Herald states; ‘‘There is said to be a
pigeon roost on Silver Creek, from which large numbers are taken” ;
on April 25 : ‘‘These birds are a prominent topic of conversation . . .
in Sparta and vicinity. They are nesting in immense numbers in the
woods, extending from the Kickapoo far up into Jackson County, and
covering a territory many miles in extent eastward. They can be
reached by a drive of six to eight miles from Sparta, in a northeasterly
direction.” The Black River Falls Banner (April 29) extends the
roost by announcing: “From J. B. Melrose, we learn that the timber
land between this place and Big Creek is literally alive with pigeons
from three to seven miles in extent in every direction.” Whether the
nesting extended as far as Augusta is not known satisfactorily. From
Kilbourn to the known western extremity of the nesting is approxi-
mately 75 miles; if the nesting extended to Augusta the length was
100 miles, in agreement with the statements of Phillips and Chief
Pokagon. There are other reasons for believing that the nesting ex-
tended to Augusta, though Mr. Alvin McKnight of this city informed
me recently that they never nested there. Mershon'" has a letter from
Mr. E. Osborn to H. T. Phillips in which Osborn states: “In 1871 we
located a large body at Tomah, Wisconsin, and did some heavy ship-
ping .... We also shipped from Augusta, Wisconsin, express, $13.50
per barrel. A nesting at Eau Claire, but we could not get to do much
with them there.” In another letter Osborn says of large catches by
netting: “At Augusta, Wisconsin, in 1871, Charles Curtin, then of
Indiana, over one hundred dozen; William W. Cone of Masonville,
N. Y., Samuel Schook of Circleville, Ohio, and some other boys, 100
dozen and over.”

At this period trapping was usually done close to the nesting. The
evidence is not conclusive, however, that there was a nesting. The
Adams County birds fed extensively to the eastward and there was
much trapping by baiting in Waushara and Marquette Counties.

Taking the nesting west of the Wisconsin River as 75 miles long
and averaging 6 miles wide, we have 450 square miles. Adding to this

the 4CX) square miles in Adams County, we have a continuous “roost”
of 850 square miles.

This was not all. There were several isolated nestings of which
at least four are known. A nesting mentioned for Berlin appears to
have been a temporary roost. I have been unable to obtain further
information on the nesting at Eau Claire mentioned by Osborn. There
was a nesting of considerable size north of Bloomer. The Chippewa
Falls Herald under date of June 3 states: “Chippewa County, not to
be outdone by any other place in the state, has a pigeon roost, where
millions of ’em are nesting, just about four miles above Bloomer.
Parties who have been up there describe the scene as very interesting.”
There was also a nesting on an island in the Mississippi below Prescott
(Prescott Journal, June 21). The nesting at Durand was by nature
better defined. The Durand Times of May 2 states: “There are mil-
lions of pigeons nesting on Nine Mile Island and in the timber on the
bottoms below Plumer’s Mill. The oldest inhabitant says he has never
seen anything equal to the present numbers.” Plumer’s Mill was in
the town of Waterville below Durand. Nine Mile Island, in the Chip-
pewa River three miles north of Durand, has an area of about 4 square
miles. On May 8 an excursion party went by boat to the island from
Durand. In three-quarters of an hour 12 hunters shot 215 pigeons
that were recovered, in addition to many others that were not found.
There is reason for supposing that these isolated nestings were second
attempts and they will be discussed later.

The Number of Birds Nesting

The main nesting took place in the sandy, scrub oak region of
central Wisconsin. Chief Pokagon* states regarding the large Wiscon-
sin nesting: “Every tree, some of them quite low and scrubby, had
from one to fifty nests on each. Some of the nests overflow from the
oaks to the hemlock and pine woods. When the pigeon hunters attack
the breeding-places they sometimes cut the timber from thousands of
acres.” With specific reference to the nesting of 1871, he says: “I there
counted as high as forty nests in scrub oaks not over twenty-five feet
high ; in many places I could pick the eggs out of the nests, being not
over five or six feet from the ground.”* Quoting General Hamden on
the Kilbourn roost : “The General says the country is poor, sandy, and

scrubby. The pigeons have literally taken possession of the woods,
and their nests are to be seen on every tree. On one tree he counted
forty-six nests, and thinks there must have been at least a hundred on
some of the larger ones.” Kelley says : “The first belt of timber we
came to shows signs of the game, and no sooner have we struck the solid
forest than we come upon the deserted nests in great quantities, the
birds having been driven back or killed. Every tree is full of the nests,
— often we counted thirty in a single tree .... Whatever induced the
pigeons to stop here is more than I can comprehend. All the soil you
find is bottomless drifts of white sand, capable only of producing little
scrubby oaks and stunted pines, which appear to be better adapted to
bearing pigeons’ nests than foliage.”

For Friendship {Adams County Press, April 15) we read: “A
gentleman informs us that he counted forty nests on one tree, and he
don’t think it was a very good day for nests, either.”

The writer for the Fond du Lac Commonwealth (May 20) visited
that portion of the Kilbourn nesting extending along the shore of the
Wisconsin River. It is probable that some of his figures need revision,
but it should be mentioned that here the trees were much larger than
on the sandy plains. He states : “Leaving the rest of the party, we
drove off a few miles further into a high wooded ridge, where the
nests were located. Every tree contained from one to four hundred
nests .... We saw more than a hundred trees that had fallen, by rea-
son of the number of nests built upon its branches.”

I have found no estimate of the number of nests per tree at the
western end of the nesting, but the Sparta Eagle (May 12) says:
“Never in the history of the La Crosse Valley were such myriads of
pigeons seen cutting the air in all directions, and making the whole
valley resound with the noise of their constant fluttering. From early
morn to dewy eve the air is filled with flocks of the swift-flying birds, so
numerous that no man can number them.”

I have been so bold as to make an estimate of the number of nest-
ing birds within the main area. It will be noted that the statements
of various observers give from one nest per tree to as high as four
hundred. Consideration must also be given to the fact that every acre

within the area was not occupied by pigeons. There were marshes,
swamps, and some farm lands. I have assumed that the area would
average 25 trees per acre and that there was an average of five nests
or ten birds per tree, giving 250 birds per acre. As mentioned above,
the nesting area covered 850 square miles, or 544,000 acres. This
gives a total of 136,000,000 nesting pigeons. While this number seems
huge it is scarcely a tenth of the number of pigeons estimated by Wil-
son and Audubon to have been seen by them in a single flight. It
would appear that practically all the pigeons left in the United States
nested in Wisconsin in 1871. We came eventually to speak of the
northern and southern herds of bison. It would be equally proper at
this period to speak of the Appalachian and Mississippi flocks of
pigeons. This was not a beechnut year and I have failed to discover
that there was any extensive nesting elsewhere in the United States.
The reason for the congestion in Wisconsin is not apparent.

The Number of Birds Killed by Tr.appers and Sportsmen

I shall make an estimate of the number of birds killed based on
isolated figures. The slaughter by netting commenced as soon as the
birds entered the Rock River Valley early in March. The Berlin
Courant of May ii states: “The trade that at present seems to be do-
ing the most business is that of the pigeon catcher. Gentlemen of that
‘profession’ are doing a lively business a short distance from our vil-
lage and in . . . many localities in this and surrounding counties.” On
April 24, Wm. H. and Charley Locken caught 600 pigeons in one throw
of the net and on May 9 Charley Locken caught about 400. The num-
ber of birds trapped decreased steadily until by May 17 very few were
being caught.

A Michigan trapper passed through Wautoma on April 21 with
ninety dozen pigeons that were sold in Berlin at 50 cents a dozen. On
May 4 the trappers were netting at Wautoma and sending the pigeons
alive to market. The air was full of birds, morning and evening.
Trapping was conducted from one end of the nesting to the other. The
netting of the old birds meant the death of the squabs in the nest as
we shall see later.

The La Crosse Leader of May 20 states that a man from Bum-
ham’s Valley has contracted to deliver 100,000 pigeons to a La Crosse

dealer. It is unlikely that this contract was fulfilled since most of the
birds had left the region before the end of May. The Black River
Falls Banner of July 15, however, states that many pigeons were netted
this season in the vicinity of Augusta, and that recently 100 dozen —
1,200 birds- — -were caught in one haul.

Nearly all the shipments were made on the St. Paul railroad. I
was unsuccessful in my attempt to secure the shipping records for the
year 1871. The data available are simply indicative of the decimation.
The La Crosse Leader of May 13, states that during the past ten days
there were shipped from Lyndon Station to Boston and New York,
3,120 dozen pigeons on which the express charges were over $800. The
Portage Register of May 6 published some figures on the express ship-
ments by the American IMerchants’ Union Express.

Kilbourn April 21 to May 3 - -- -- -- 255 Barrels

Greenfield “ 12 “ April 28----------- - 108 “

New Lisbon “ 17 “ “ 29 ------------ 71 “

Sparta “ 19 “ “ 29 ----- - 75 “

Tomah “ 18 “ “ 28 - - - - - 103 “

Total ----------- - 612 “

S. S. McDuffie, the express agent, estimated that the total shipments
would total to date 1,000 barrels. Since each barrel contained 25 dozen,
or 300 pigeons, the total would be 300,000. These figures do not include
the live pigeons shipped in considerable quantities nor those shot by
hunters; nor do they include the birds shipped by fast freight.

On April 24 (Watertown Democrat) , ii tons of pigeons packed
in barrels, arrived in Watertown from Minnesota Junction for transfer.
On May 4, 195 barrels were received for trans-shipment to Chicago.
The Milwaukee Sentinel of May 2 states that 100 to 200 barrels were
being received daily over the La Crosse road.

The records show that express shipments began as early as April
12 and the season did not close until June. Shipment of 100 barrels
per day over a period of 40 working days would give 4,000 barrels,
or 1,200,000 pigeons. This figure would be conservative for the total
number killed.

Phillips, writing to Mershon, states : “There were nearly six hun-
dred names in the register book of pigeoners in Wisconsin. Nearly
every one of the farmers and their wives and daughters, were pigeon

catchers.” I wrote Mershon as to the exact meaning of the “register
book of pigeoners” and he explained that 600 professional pigeon
trappers were registered at the various hotels.

The Kilbourn City Mirror (May 6) gives a somewhat colorful
description of the pigeon trade: “Hardly a train arrives that does not
bring hunters or trappers. Hotels are full, coopers are busy making
barrels, and men, women and children are active in packing the birds
or filling the barrels. They are shipped to all places on the railroad,
and to Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New
York and Boston, being picked and packed in ice for the more distant
points. On no express trains is it possible to take the large amount
ofifered, and arrangements are made to forward them on the midnight
train going east. From ten to thirty thousand birds are forwarded
daily, most of which have to be picked after the arrival of the trains
at night, in many instances the work of picking and packing being
continued all night. One man has paid over a thousand dollars to the
express company in charges for forwarding. In about two weeks the
pigeon season will be over. Then look out for the squabs.” Here is a
stark confession that thousands upon thousands of adults were being
slaughtered with the young still helpless in the nest.

Pigeons appeared in the Milwaukee market on March 20. The
first quotation, 85 cents per dozen, was on April 27. The price de-
clined to 45 cents per dozen for undressed and to 65 cents for dressed
birds. Allowing for packing and transportation costs, and profits to
the commission man and retailer, it is doubtful if the trapper or hunter
received on the average more than 18 cents per dozen. H. T. Phillips
states that he bought carloads in Wisconsin at 15 and 25 cents per
dozen.

So much for trapping. While somewhat long, I cannot do better
than give excerpts from the article in the Fond du Lac Commonwealth
of May 20, to give a vivid description of the condition of the nesting
ground. Bear in mind that this gentleman was a hunter and note the
effect upon him.

Among the Pigeons

“Embarking on the 10 A.M. train, we found already on board, a party, like
ourselves, headed for the great pigeon roost, stretching from Kilbourn City on

the Wisconsin River, for scores of miles beyond. At Minnesota Junction, where
we change cars and go westward, another party from Milwaukee, fully armed
and equipped, joined us, and still again at Portage City, and so on at different
stations until, when we reached the Wisconsin at Kilbourn, we numbered twenty-
seven strong. Kilbourn City consists at present writing of innumerable coops
of pigeons ”

“Having made all needed preparations the night previous, we were early
called to arms by the wholesome voice of Mr. F. H., before referred to, and ere
long, were rolling at a break neck pace through the dark headed for the roost
10 miles beyond. The idea was to get an opportunity to rake the immense flocks
of pigeons as they left the roost for the fields and feeding places throughout the
State. The indescribable cooing roar produced by uncounted millions of pigeons,
as arousing from their slumbers they saluted each other and made up their foraging
parties for the day, arose from every side, creating an almost bewildering effect
on the senses, as it was echoed and re-echoed back by the mighty rocks and ledges
of the Wisconsin bank. As the first streakings of daylight began to break over
the eastern horizon, small scouting parties of the monstrous army of birds to
follow, every now and then darted like night spirits past our heads. Soon the
skirmish line, or perhaps more correctly pigeon bummers, who belong to no regu-
lar organization, swept past in small and irregular bodies. Our guide now told
us to get into position as quick as possible as the large flocks would follow in
rapid succession. We quickly ranged ourselves along the crest of a hill over-
looking a cleared valley through which the birds would fly on their outward
passage. It was yet a long way from being light, and as the various members of
our party scrambled through the thickets and brambles, to gain advantageous
locations pointed out by our leader, various expressions fell from their lips which
we feel rejoiced it is not our duty to record.” ,

“And now arose a roar, compared with which all previous noises ever heard,
are but lullabys, and which caused more than one of the expectant and excited
party to drop their guns, and seek shelter behind and beneath the nearest trees.
The sound was condensed terror. Imagine a thousand threshing machines running
under full headway, accompanied by as many steamboats groaning off steam, with
an equal quota of R. R. trains passing through covered bridges — imagine these
massed into a single flock, and you possibly have a faint conception of the terrific
roar following the monstrous black cloud of pigeons as they passed in rapid flight
in the gray light of morning, a few feet before our faces. So sudden and unex-
pected was the shock, that nearly the entire flock passed before a shot was fired.
The unearthly roar continued, and as flock after flock, in almost endless line,
succeeded each other, nearly on a level with the muzzle of our guns, the contents
of a score of double barrels was poured into their dense midst. Hundreds, yes
thousands, dropped into the open fields below. Not infrequently a hunter would
discharge his piece and load and fire the third and fourth time into the same flock.
The slaughter was terrible beyond any description. Our guns became so hot by
rapid discharges, we were afraid to load them. Then while waiting for them to

cool, lying on the damp leaves, we used, those of us who had [them], pistols, while
others threw clubs, seldom if ever, failing to bring down some of the passing
flock. Ere the sun was up, the flying host had ceased. It continued scarcely an
hour in all. Below the scene was truly pitiable. Not less than 2,500 birds covered
the ground. Many were only wounded, a wing broken or something of the kind,
which disabled, without killing them. These were quickly caught and their necks
broken. Four of the party were Chicago men who had come out to purchase or
otherwise procure several thousand birds for that market. We quickly negotiated
our interest to them at the rate of one cent per pigeon, and six hours later, we
understand, the birds having been thoroughly plucked and packed in ice, were
headed on a through freight to Chicago. Leaving the rest of the party, we drove
off a few miles further into a high wooded ridge, where the nests were located.
Every tree containing from one to four hundred nests. The young pigeons (squabs)
were hardly able to fly, and could be caught easily, when once ousted from the
nest. Here of course were hundreds of thousands of single birds (probably the
females), which could be shot one or two at a time, as fast as the hunter could
load and fire. We saw more than a hundred trees that had fallen, by reason of
the numbers of nests built upon its [their] branches. Many of the young pigeons
were dead in their nests, the mothers probably having been killed, and her young
starved.”

“Thousands driven by hunger had managed to crawl or flop from the nest,
and whose dead bodies lay thick upon the ground. Thousands of dead pigeons
also were scattered around, having doubtless been wounded away from home,
and flown to their young to die. It is estimated that not less than 100,000 hunters
from all portions of the Union have visited the roost during this season. Probably
as many as a thousand were there on the same day with us but scattered along
through the woods twenty or twenty-five miles.”

“Likewise attracted there were several tribes of Indians. We met numerous
squads, the men and boys armed with bows and arrows, the squaws carrying
long poles. When the nest was within reach the squaws punched the young
pigeons from its home, and caught it as it fell. When too high to reach, the skill-
ful archer generally at the first shot drove the large headed arrow plump to the
center of the nest, and the young bird, shot first upward, then fell dead. We saw
one young Indian shoot three pigeons on the wing, with his arrow, killing his
bird on each occasion ”

“The old men and squaws were engaged in picking and drying pigeons.

A full grown pigeon, when fully dried and smoked is about the size, shape and
hardness of an old, last year’s butternut ”

The expenditure of ammunition during the nesting was enormous,
A single dealer in Sparta, Wisconsin, Mr. J. H. Baldwin, handled 16
■tons of shot with the corresponding amount of powder.” Translated

into one ounce loads we have 512,000 rounds. It would seem accord-
ingly that the number killed with firearms throughout the period of
nesting must have equalled or exceeded the number caught by trapping.

The Food Consumed

All the pigeons killed by General Hamden at the Kilbourn roost
had their crops filled with wheat, oats and pigeon grass. At this period
spring wheat was the chief crop raised by the farmers and their com-
plaints of damage are frequent. Grain was sowed broadcast and then
dragged. The birds would frequently alight on the newly sown field
in such numbers that in a few minutes not a grain remained. Near
Wautoma a farmer while dragging could not get his oxen forward
until he had driven the cloud of pigeons away with a pole. The diffi-
culty did not end with sowing. The pigeons pulled up the grain even
when the sprouts were an inch high. Many acres had to be replanted.
One paper states : “It is of no use to resow the fields as long as these
swift plunderers are around, though hundreds of thousands of them
have been caught, and sent to market by the ton, no impression seems
to be made on them in the way of diminishing their countless numbers.”

A farmer near Prescott had seven acres of corn just planted,
“scratched up” by the pigeons one morning before breakfast. An editor
facetiously remarked that this farmer never knew corn to come up
so quickly.

By and large the chief food of the pigeon in Wisconsin was the
acorn. The Wood County Reporter speaking of the pigeons in Adams
County states : “Hundreds of flocks may be seen every morning flying
to the northwest to feed on the acorns of the oak forests in the western
portion of the county, and returning with the approach of night.” In
August the pigeons had returned to the vicinity of Brandon and were
feeding on acorns and in the wheat stubble.

Regarding the nesting on Duncan Creek, at Bloomer, a writer
(Chippewa Falls Democrat, June i ) speaks of “the pigeons who are
flying about by the millions filling their crops with acorns, and playing
sad havoc with the grain where sowed late.” Elsewhere, however, he
says : “Strange to say, the damage done by them to the crops so far
has been trifling.” He also speaks of passing through a magnificent

stand of hardwoods, consisting chiefly of white oak, on the E51oomer
Road, where the pigeons were very “thick.”

The New Lisbon Argus of June 22 states that “the young pigeons
have done a great deal of damage to the blueberry crop.”

The black oaks are the principal species in the sandy central basin
of W'isconsin. Most abundant is the Hill Oak, Quercus ellipsoidalis.
It sometimes produces a large trunk but is usually a low tree that
forms thickets and copses. The acorn is small and can be swallowed
readily in comparison with those of the white and red oaks. Of sig-
nificance for the nesting of pigeons is the fact that the acorns of the
red and black oaks require two seasons to ripen, while those of the
white and burr oaks require but one.

The favorite and most important food was the beechnut. It is an
interesting fact that during this decade at least the beech had nuts
only in the autumn of odd years and this seems to have held through-
out its range. I have data on this point covering many years and
have found but few exceptions. The distribution of the beech had
a profound influence on the nestings. While there are numerous minor
exceptions it can be stated as a general law that in odd years there
were heavy nestings in Wisconsin and Minnesota on account of the
oak mast while in even years the nestings were largely in Michigan
and Pennsylvania, due to the abundance of beechnuts.

It is singular that Professor Roney does not call specific attention
to this fact, but he merely states : “For many years Passenger Pigeon
nestings have been established in Michigan, and by a noticeable con-
currence, only in even alternate years, as follows: 1868, 1870, 1872,
1874, 1876, 1878.” The reason is apparent from the following quota-
tion from Merriam”: “My notes show that the beechnut crop was
good in the autumns of 1871, 1873, 1875, 1877, 1879, 1881, 1883, —
always on the odd years — while on the alternate seasons it failed.” A
beechnut crop in the fall of the odd year meant abundant mast for
nesting in the spring of the even year.

The beech in Wisconsin has a peculiar distribution. Its range
can be defined roughly by a line drawn from the southeastern corner
of the state to the southern end of Lake Winnebago, north along the

eastern shore through Oconto Falls. Prior to the year discussed in
this paper there were some large pigeon nestings in this area. It is
obvious that a beech-oak association meant mast in nearly every year
and for this reason it appears that there was scarcely ever a year in
which a nesting of size did not occur in Wisconsin.

The Number of Eggs or Squabs in a Nest

Ornithologists have always been bothered greatly by the discrep-
ancies in the literature regarding the number of eggs laid. The greater
evidence is in favor of a single egg, though there are authentic cases
apparently of two eggs. Not much reliance can be placed on the mem-
ory of old men.* In July, 1934, I interviewed Mr. William Dunwoody,
then 78 years of age, of Monroe. I questioned him specifically as to
the number of eggs in a nest. He replied that as he remembered, he
used to get two squabs from a nest. The same reply was given by
Sylvester Belveal who was raised in the “Richland Timber” near Mon-
roe, a favorite nesting ground for pigeons. The presence of two eggs
or squabs does not prove common parentage.

The male pigeons fed twice daily. They left the roost at daybreak,
returning at 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. to relieve the females. The latter
were gone until about 2 :oo P.M. and on their reassuming charge of
the nest, the males again departed to feed and return in the late after-
noon. Kelly, who shot at the Kilbourn roost, states that the best time
to hunt is in the morning and evening and that at this season the males
were “much preferable” to the females. It seems that the males suf-
fered, accordingly, to a much greater extent than the females from
shooting and trapping.

Under normal conditions the sitting bird did not leave the nest
until touched by its returning mate, and for this reason it may be
argued that two females could not lay in the same nest. An important

*I have interviewed and corresponded with many men familiar with the nest-
ings in Central Wisconsin. As an extreme case I will cite the following excerpt
from a letter received from a gentleman who lived adjacent to the last nestings:
“They lay two eggs and soon as they hatch they lay two more in the nest with
the young squabs and when the second pair hatch they push the first pair out of
the nest and lay two more eggs, and follow that procedure from April until
November, hatching a pair every two weeks, and in a warmer climate every two
weeks in every month except February.”

factor should not be overlooked. Trapping and shooting of the adults
took place from the time of selection of the roost until it “broke.”
Every adult killed meant probably the desertion of a nest. As noted
above the female was away for a four hour period and in case of the
death of the male the nest would be unprotected during this time. If
the female were netted, the nest was without doubt deserted. Where
as high as too nests were found on a single tree, competition for nest-
ing sites must have been keen. It is accordingly not at all improbable
that a female that needed a nest would appropriate an unoccupied one
and deposit a second egg.

The contemporaneous accounts of the 1871 nesting say nothing
at all regarding the number of eggs, and little as to the squabs. The
Fond du Lac correspondent writes as though there was but one squab
in a nest : “When the nest was within reach the squaws punched the
young pigeon (s)* from its home, and caught it as it fell. When too
high to reach, the skillful archer generally at the first shot drove the
large headed arrow plump to the center of the nest, and the young
bird, shot first upward, then fell dead.”

The writer on the Bloomer nesting says : “On every tree dozens
of rude nests are visible, over the edges of which an occasional ‘squab’
peeps his inquisitive head.”

The description of the 1882 nesting at Kilbourn is very specific

on this point: “ in each nest is a ‘squab’ — a little yellow pigeon

about as big as one’s thumb, and three-fourths mouth. These birds

have a rule which the pestiferous English sparrow might adopt with
benefit ^to Milwaukee — one egg to a nest.”

It is probable that two squabs were frequently found in one nest
but one was without doubt an orphan. A description of a nesting in
a beech forest in Pennsylvania mentions rows of nests on the limbs.
Where there were several nests on the same branch, a hungry, orphaned
bird, if able to do so, would naturally move into the nest of a squab
being fed, and be adopted into the family. This takes place with tame
pigeons. After the lapse of many years, the memory of an occasional
pair of squabs, coupled with the powerful subconscious stimulant of

*Evidently the plural is a typographical error.

two young for the tame pigeon and the mourning dove, leaves the firm
conviction that the Passenger Pigeon laid two eggs.

Was There a Second Nesting?

It is frequently stated in the literature, chiefly if not solely on the
authority of trappers, that the Passenger Pigeon nested two and three
times in a season. I can find no reliable evidence whatsoever that there
was a second nesting in Wisconsin in 1871.

The first specific reference to nests is in the Friendship Adams
County Press for April 15. The incubation period was precisely 14
days. The young were fed for 14 to 16 days by the parents and then
abandoned. At this stage the squabs were excessively fat and three
to four additional days were required before they could fly well. It
is important to keep these figures in mind as they fit remarkably the
data for the great “roost.” The parents were tied to the eggs and
squabs for a period of 30 days. If the eggs were laid about April 15,
there should have been a great flight of adults about May 15. We find
this in the La Crosse Democrat for May 15; “Wild pigeons for the
last few days have been flying over town in such myriads as to fre-
quently darken the sun like a cloud. Their flight has been mostly from
the northeast to the southwest, which leads us to believe that their
nesting operations have been fooled with to such a degree as to cause
them to desert their eggs, young and all. Hunters ought to have sense
enough to go slow a little and give the old birds time to bring forth
their young, or, they will desert this section of the country entirely,
but we don’t suppose the farmers would mourn much.”

On May 13 the pigeon hunters at Friendship reported tliat the
old birds were repairing their nests and the indications were that they
would stay in the section until a second brood was raised. On the same
date the Kilbourn Mirror states; “Next week will be time for squab
hunting. Get ready your poles to knock them from the trees. They
are better and fatter than the old birds.”

As a rule the squabs were not gathered until they were about to
be abandoned by the parents. The Plover paper of May 13 states
that during the week several loads of young pigeons captured below
Grand Rapids passed through the village. This might indicate that

the squabs were more advanced than subsequent information shows,
or that they were collected at a less mature stage than usual. There
is excellent agreement as to the flight of the young pigeons. The Sparta
Eagle of May 12 states that the young pigeons will be out in about a
week, i. e. May 19. The Kilbourn Mirror of May 19 states that the
squabs are beginning to fly and that the sport is about over. On the
26th it is stated that the pigeons have left for Minnesota.

Attention was called previously to the isolated nestings at Bloomer,
Durand and Prescott. They were very small in comparison with the
main roost, and I am of the opinion that these were second attempts
at nesting due to failure of the first. The pigeon front at Kilbourn,
and probably at many other places, had been driven back five miles by
persecution and slaughter, with the likelihood that the harrassed birds
went elsewhere.

Nine Mile Island is only a short distance above Durand. The roost
is first mentioned on May 2 at which time it probably began forming.
On June 8, approximately two weeks after the main roost dissolved,
there appears this laconic item: “7,000,000 squabs to be had on Nine
Mile Island.” They were ready for the harvest.

The roost at Bloomer is not mentioned until June 3. A visitor
to the roost on June 8 found “millions” of pigeons present. Since
an occasional squab could be seen peeping over the edge of the nest,
it appears that the squabs were nearly ready to fly and that this roost
was in about the same state of development as that at Durand.

The nesting at Prescott “broke” later. Pigeons did not excite
comment from their numbers until May 10. On June 21 it is stated:
“The pigeon roost on the island below the city is deserted — except by
a few of the latest squabs.”

The earliest possible date that can be assigned to the departure
of the old birds from the main roost is May 15. Allowing i day to
get to Prescott, 3 days for building the nest and laying the egg, 14 days
for incubation, 15 days for feeding the squab, and 3 days for the
young to fly, would require 36 days. This means that if the pigeons
had filled the crops of the squabs in the big nesting for the last time
on May 15. had proceeded at once to Prescott and reared a second

brood in all diligence, this brood could have been on the wing by June
20. We doubt if the Passenger Pigeon had so great an urge to pro-
create, and if so the percentage possessing it was excessively small.

Where Did the Pigeons Go After Nesting?

I have taken much pains to attempt to trace the summer and fall
movements of the pigeons but with meagre results. It was mentioned
above that there was a great flight over La Crosse into Minnesota about
the middle of May, and that the Kilbourn Mirror of May 26 stated
that the pigeons had left for Minnesota. The Brandon Times of June
14 states that Tom Wilson was still near Kilbourn catching pigeons,
and the week previous had over 1,000 live birds on hand. Probably
only young birds were being caught.

On June 3 pigeons, probably from the Bloomer roost, were plentiful
at Chippewa Falls and were reported as having been flying thickly for
the past two weeks. At Hudson they were numerous on May 26, and
were shot up to June i.

By May 27, all pigeons had disappeared from the vicinity of Plover.
They were abundant at Appleton May 27, and professional trappers
were busy at Kaukauna on June i. On June 20 they were reported as
plentiful in the Wisconsin River bottom at Boscobel, and on June 28
as quite plentiful in the groves around Lodi. The number, however,
that remained in the southern part of the state seems to have been rela-
tively small. The Superior Times of July 22 states: “Wild pigeons are
reported to be quite numerous in the woods adjoining town.”

There then follows a wide gap. On August 30 pigeons appeared in
large numbers at Brandon and at the same time they were reported as
plentiful at Columbus. They were present at Green Bay (Advocate)
September 7 “in considerable numbers.” At Oakfield (Fond du
Lac Reporter) they were reported “plentiful” on September 9; “plenty”
at Oshkosh (City Times) on September 13; and “quite numerous”
at Sturgeon Bay (Advocate) on September 14. Pigeon Hunting was
the principal excitement at Shawano (Journal) on September 14, while
at West Salem (LaCrosse Republican and Leader, September 15)
hunters were having “lively times” with them. Due to a hunting acci-
dent we knew that pigeons were being hunted August 26 at Wau-

kesha. At W hitewater there was considerable shooting the middle
of September, the largest morning’s score reported being 40. They
were fairly plentiful at Racine August 26, but not in quantities satis-
factory to the local hunters. At Kenosha on September 6 “millions of
pigeons’’ were flying southward. The latter single reference to a large
migration indicates that the fall flights were by no means comparable
to those of spring or that they dribbled southward.

The Sparta Eagle of May 12 states: “ those who are familiar

with their habits and follow them constantly, assert, that the indications
are that from here they will go to the Red River country and their
destroyers are preparing to follow them thither.” This seems like an
extraordinary prediction in view of the vast flight over La Crosse into
Minnesota that actually did take place a few days later; however, most
of the birds appear to have gone to the head of Lake Superior rather
than to the Red River. Mr. Alexander McDougall** has written: “In
1871 when this town (Duluth) was first building, there were millions
of them about here. In the Lake Superior region there are lots of

berries but no beechnuts, except near Grand Island, .” In summer

and early autumn there was little if any mast to be had anywhere, the
birds being forced to live at this period almost entirely on berries and
other fruits.

The Duluth Minncsotian for September 30, 1871, states: “Pigeon
shooting is about over, though we see some fine bunches coming in
occasionally.”

At this time the greatest winter roosts were in Missouri, and south-
ward to Texas. If the birds left for Minnesota in the great numbers
reported, it is possible that they went southward west of the Mississippi.

The dramatic passing of so many millions is often cited as a car-
dinal example of man’s greed and thoughtlessness. However greatly the
method of trapping the breeding birds is to be deplored, the extinction
of the species was inevitable on economic grounds. Wilson estimated
that the flock of 2,230,272,000 birds seen by him required 17,424,000
bushels of mast daily. Audubon, for a flock of 1,150,136,000, made a
comparable estimate of 8,712,000 bushels. It is obvious that if the
species had persisted in anything like its original numbers agriculture
would have been impossible. The pigeon was voracious. Dr. T. S..

Roberts’" mentions recovering 17 acorns from the crop of one bird.
Translate acorns into wheat for a few millions of birds and the loss
becomes enormous. When the purse of the farmer is touched he takes
matters into his own hands as we witness even today. Which would
have been preferable, our present day agriculture, or vast forests with
their thousands upon thousands of flashing blue meteors is a matter of
individual opinion.

References

1. Roney, H. B., Chicago Field 10 (1879), 345-7.

2. Bunnell, L. H. “Winona and its Environs,” Winona (1897), p. 187.

3. K[napp], H[enry]. Am. Sportsman 4 (1874), 387.

4. Pun-Lips, H. T. In Mershon, p. 114.

5. Leffingwell, W. B. “Shooting on Upland, Marsh, and Stream.” Chicago
(1890), p. 223.

6. Muir, John. “The Story of my Boyhood and Youth,” New York (1913),
p. 166.

7. Mershon, W. B. “The Passenger Pigeon.” New York (1907), p. 107.

8. Chief Pokagon. In Mershon, p. 205-206.

9. Harnden, Gen. Henry. Madison Wisconsin State Journal, May 15, 1871.

10. Mershon, W. B. 1. c., pp. 113, ii5-

11. Ibid, p. 115.

12. Sparta Herald, May 23, 1882.

13. Merriam, C. H. “Mammals of the Adirondack Region.” New York (1884),
p. 225.

14. McDougall, a. In Mershon, p. 134.

15. Roberts, T. S. “The Birds of Minnesota,” Vol. I (1932), p. 585-

Notes on the Development of Two Young Blue Jays
{Cyaiiocitta cristata)

By A. L. Rand
(i) Introduction

The following account is based on observations on the develop-
ment of two young Blue Jays that I removed from the nest and raised
for a time. The elder was fifty-three days old when released. Cap-
tivity may have affected somewhat the behavior of the two captives,
but probably did not change the order of the development of the in-
stincts. The following observations were made in the sj)ring and sum-
mer of 1935 at Woodmere, Long Island, X. Y.

I could devote but a small part of my time to this study and my
wife, Rheua M. Rand, undertook the care of the young Jays and
made a number of observations on their behavior, which I have incor-
porated into the discussion of the development of behavior.

In the spring of 1935 at Woodmere I found one Jay's nest (Xest
No. I ) with four eggs, visited the nest periodically until the young
flew; and found another nest with four eggs (Nest No. 2), visited it
as opportunity permitted until the eggs hatched, when my presence so
disturbed the old birds that they deserted.

(2) Growth of the Young

These notes were made on the contents of Nest No. i and Nest
No. 2 as indicated, and on two young Jays, A and B, removed from
Nest No. I.

Eggs: One egg in Nest No. 2 weighed 5.75 grams (June 17). This
egg would perhaps have hatched the next day if the nest had not been
deserted, but as it disappeared from the nest I was unable to examine it.

First day : The young are entirely naked with no trace of down
or feathers as Miller (1924, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., L, p. 331)
has already recorded. The color of the skin is : above pink, tinged gray,
below yellowish pink. The extent of the feather tracts can be traced
but there are no dark spots in the skin indicating developing feathers ;
eyes tightly closed, the dark eyeballs showing through the skin. (There

were 2 young, less than 24 hours old, in Nest No. 2, June 16, 10:30
A.M.)

The third young in Nest No. 2, which hatched between 7:30 P.M.
on June 16 and the following evening, was similar in size and color
at 7:30 P. M. on June 17. It weighed 5.25 grams.

Second day : Much darker than on the first day ; above dark gray-
ish pink, tinged olive, below more yellowish-pink, tinged olive, no pin
feathers showing in the skin, eyes still shut. One measured; bill from
nostril 4.2 mm., tarsus ii mm., total length 57 mm., weight 9 grams.
(Two young, between 36 hours and 60 hours old. Nest No. 2, June
17.) These were very differently colored than the other recently
hatched one in the nest on the same day. A similar initial color change
has also been recorded in the European Jay (Heinroth, 1924-1926,
Vogel Mitteleuropas, I, p. 234). The four young in Nest No. i, first
seen on June 3, were in this stage of development.

Fifth day: Dark pin feathers show under the skin of all the
feather tracts, and those of the developing down outside of the feather
tracts ; the remiges barely project beyond the skin. General color of
skin above is a dark olive gray, below dark yellowish pink ; the feather
tracts appear blackish, due to the developing feathers. The eyes are
open a mere slit. (Four young, Nest No. i, June 6.)

Seventh day: Little change except in the larger size, considerable
number of pin feathers breaking through skin ; eyes are slightly open
and the birds move the eyelid, opening and shutting the eye. (Four
young. Nest No. i, June 8.)

Eleventh day: The feathers of the dorsal and ventral tracts are
rather well developed, the feathers having broken out of the sheath
for several millimeters. The development of the feathers on the head
and neck is slow; the feathers have barely started to break from their
sheaths. The remiges are somewhat developed, about 20 mm. long,
and have begun to break out of their sheaths. Of these birds, one has
the remiges still completely in their sheaths. The tail is slow in develop-
ment, being only about two millimeters long. The body down (this
belongs to the juvenile plumage) is well developed and fairly plentiful.
The skin of the head is very dark olive-gray. The eyes are fully open
and dark brown. (Four young in Nest No. i, June 12.).

Fourteenth day: Feathers of sides of head and throat barely
breaking through sheaths, elsewhere the tips of the feathers have
broken from their sheaths so that the bird is fairly well clothed in
feathers, crest only slightly developed. Measurements: sixth primary
47 mm., central rectrix (not the longest) 15 mm., bill from nostril 10
mm., tarsus 37 mm. (One young, A, taken from Nest No. i, June 15.)

Eighteenth day: Another bird, B, taken from Nest No. i the
evening before and kept captive afterwards, was somewhat more ad-
vanced than A. Possibly A had been retarded in development by cap-
tivity but the two birds differ in the shade of blue as well as in amount
of development, so probably there was some inherent difference. B
was rather well feathered, but some of the feathers of the throat and
the sides of the head were still pin feathers. It measured : bill from
nostril, 12 mm., tarsus 38 mm., sixth primary 68 mm., tail 35 mm.,
weight 73.25 grams (i young, B, June 19).

Nineteenth day: The two young left in the nest were not examined,
as they would have left on my close approach (June 20).

Twentieth day: Two young had left nest by evening. I did not
see them on this day, but evidently they left nest with tail very short
and wings only partly grown (June 21).

I have not included detailed notes on the two birds I kept captive
as the records indicated that there was a pause in their growth, the
result of the change when kept captive, but the following is of interest.
Bill from Nostril 12.5 mm., sixth primary 72 mm., central tail feathers
43 mm., weight 72.5 grams (B, June 21). Not until the twenty-second
day did B appear completely feathered about the head and throat.

Thirty-third day: The tail was about three-quarters the length of
that of the adult.

Forty-third day : B appears now to be in full feather with the
tail fully grown.

(3) Flight

On the fourteenth day, the day it was taken from the nest, A
showed its objections to being handled by hopping across the floor.
Its fluttering wings were unable to raise it from the floor. On the
eighteenth day B, taken from the nest the night before, would not stay

in its box but kept hopping about the room. It could fly a few feet ]
and by jumping could get up onto the chairs. It was not attracted by
the light of the window, but tried to get onto the highest objects in the !
room, even when these were in the darker corners. Possibly this is an
adaptation to keep young birds, recently out of the nest and unable to 4
fly, out of the reach of ground haunting predators as Sumner ( 1934, |

Univ. Calif. Pub. Zook, XL, p. 341) has noticed in young raptorial !

birds. A, possibly influenced by the activities of B, also made a few i

very short flights of a foot or two on the 19th day. On the twentieth ■

day, the day the captives’ nest mates left the nest, B could easily fly
up two or three feet onto chairs. Apparently young Jays usually leave
the nest before they can fly much (see Forbush, 1927, Birds of Massa-
chusetts, etc., p. 376). By the twenty-second day there was a great
improvement in flight and B could easily fly twenty feet, on a horizontal
plane, across the room. Until the twenty-fourth day the birds often
missed their objectives and flew directly into the wall beyond and fell
to the floor. They often showed lack of discrimination in places they
attempted to perch, as on the picture moulding around the top of the
wall or a very narrow picture frame, and of course came falling to the
floor.

By the twenty-eighth day, eight days after it presumably would
have left the nest, B could fly well, though its flight lacked the firm,
smooth quality of the adults’ flight. It had developed wing power and
balance enough to alight gracefully, without flapping to keep its
equilibrium, and now discriminated against perches on which it could
not land. A was a few days behind in its development. On the thirtieth
day, ten days after leaving the nest, I saw what were presumably the
captives’ two free nest mates. They were flying freely between trees
fifty yards apart in the woodland. The captives’ flight seemed to be
quite equal to that of the wild birds.

(4) Development of General Behavior

When A was removed from the nest on the evening of the four-
teenth day it was in stage (c) of Kuhlmann (1909, Psychol. Review,

XI, p. 70) ; i.e., the stage of passive cowering. That evening, however,
when I was holding it in my hand, intending to measure it, it suddenly
hopped away and, with flapping wings, hopped across the floor (stage
(e) of Kuhlmann). It made no effort to evade capture but struggled

BILL

Feet

yellowish-

flesh

darker

dark-pinkish

yellow

darker, more
grayish,
nails gray at
base, rest
white

gray tinged
olive

gray, nails
gray with
white tips

slaty with
small white
tips to nails

Egg

Tooth

white

Gape Buccal

Cavity

yellowish-

flesh

deep pink,
posterior
edge of ton-
gue and spine
white ( I )

gaining a
bluish cast

bluish with
(3) a black
area on
horny palate

black area, of
larger size

white

whitish

pinkish-

white

pinkish

pink

grayish-pink |

grayish

Rest of
Bill

yellowish-

flesh

more grayish|

dark grayish
pink

darker gray-
ish-flesh

dark grayish,
mandible
slightly paler

[grayish

black

darker gray

nearly black

black

Base of
Mandible

white

whitish

flesh

light gray

black

Tomium

white

whitish

light gray

black

Tip

white

whitish

whitish (on
a very small
area)

small area
whitish

Age in
Days

33 - - - i

43 - - -

53 - - -

(1) First noted on 11th day. possibly not a change. (2) The last day the egg tooth retained; probably knocked off by flying into
objects, as one bird broke the tip of its bill in this way. (3) Though the horny palate acquired a bluish cast It did not gradually turn
black: the black color appeared suddenly on a small area and then increased in size.

to escape when held, and when returned to its box tried to escape. Of
me it showed no fear, hopping onto my hand to get high enough to
get over the edge of the box. Later in the evening it became quiet
again.

On the fifteenth day it spent most of the time crouched flat, sleep-
ing as in stage (c), except for a short time when placed in the sun-
shine. Then it stood up and watched objects about it, corresponding
to stage (d). That evening, when measured, it again became active
as the day before, and later became quiet again. From this it seems
that the transition from one stage to another may be sudden and pre-
mature, depending on the circumstances, and that for a short time at
least the bird may revert to the behavior of an earlier stage.

This is also seen in the actions of some birds after they have
left the nest, as was illustrated by a young Thrasher I found on June
3°) 1935- It was a short-tailed juvenile, apparently not long out of
the nest. When I first saw it, it was sitting rigidly in a low bush,
watching me, and it allowed me to approach and almost touch it before
making a movement. As soon as I reached out to touch it, however,
it fluttered to the ground, being hardly able to fly, and scrambled
away into the shrubbery. No adult bird was present. Here were the
actions of leaving the nest for the first time, re-enacted with fear
expressed in two ways.

On the sixteenth day, when I measured A, it did not try to get
out of my hand, evidently having become used to the operation. B
was taken from the nest on its seventeenth day, when it and its nest
mates sat quietly watching me as I removed B. The next day B would
not stay quietly in its cage but hopped and made short flights about
the room, and on the nineteenth day A, possibly inspired by B’s
example, also made short flights. This premature movement may
have been stimulated by their being handled, or may have been be-
cause they were on a flat surface. Sumner (1934, Univ. Calif. Pub.
Zook, XL, p. 336) records that Horned Owls, in a nest on a flat sur-
face, leave the nest when they cannot fly, some time before the age
at which young leave nests in trees.

This movement on the part of the birds was not the result of
fear of me. At this time, at a sudden noise, they usually crouched,
and turned the head to locate the sound. They had no shyness of

persons and would readily hop onto an offered hand, and they ap-
peared to enjoy being held in the hand and tolerated being strokefl
on the head. On the twentieth day A was taken outdoors for the first
time (the day its nest mates left the nest) and B for the first time on
the twenty-ninth day. There was no change in their behavior. With
Horned Owls, Sumner (1934, 1-C-, P- 339) that the changed

surroundings caused by taking them outdoors causetl fear to apj)ear,
but that it disappeared again when they were taken indoors. On the
other hand when confined in their cage after the twenty-first day, the
Jays were sometimes seized with fits of restlessness, almost amount-
ing to panic, continually trying to find a way out. If liberated in the
room, this restlessness soon subsided. Finn ( 1920, Bird Behavior, p.
267) records a somewhat similar condition in the Pekin Robin which
is frantic in a small cage, bold and inquisitive in a large one.

In a few days the birds no longer liked to be held, though they
were quite indifferent to a person’s approach and to a hand held near
them (except when they gave a food reaction to it). But they ob-
jected to being stroked and hopped away to escape. They still, how-
ever, begged to be fed, and hopped about on us sometimes when they
were loose in the room.

After the twenty-fifth day periods of restlessness became very
pronounced when they were in the cage. Sometimes a sudden noise
some distance away was the stimulus, sometimes there was no per-
ceptible reason. If this restlessness affected only one bird it was very
soon communicated to the other. It was during such a period of rest-
lessness that A suddenly flew out through the open cage door through
which it was being fed (on the thirty-second day). It flew quickly
away to a tall maple across the road, but returned to be fed and made
no objection to being taken in the hand and returned to its cage.

On the evening of the thirty-fourth day both flew out through
the open door of the cage and spent the night in the maple 50 yards
from the house. The next morning I went under the tree and they
came down to me to be fed, but frequently, after almost reaching me,
flew back up into the trees. Several times they were startled by the
sound of a motor horn, the passing of a car or the voice of a pedestrian
and went flying up into the tree. Finally, when they gave the food

response, they allowed me to pick them up without protest, and I
returned them to their cage.

On the thirty-fifth day, A spent the night in the maple across
the street, and in the morning came flying back to the shrubbery near
the house. Several times a Catbird attacked it and instead of staying
in the shrubbery it flew to the porch roof, the house apparently being
associated with safety. Fear or wildness was beginning to develop,
however, for it would not allow a close approach and was finally
caught when, after many trials on my part, it at last gave the food
response to food in my hand, and then allowed me to pick it up.

A escaped through a hole in its cage on the thirty-eighth day,
while I was absent, and it was not seen afterwards.

B was released on the fifty-third day. It had been flying about
freely in the house, and though it had followed me about, it was with
difficulty that I captured it. I then took it outdoors and released it,
allowing it to hop onto a horizontal bar in the garden. For some time
the Jay hopped about on the bar, ignoring me, then for ten minutes
or so hopped about on an upturned wheelbarrow before flying into
some shrubbery.

The communication of an “emotional” state from one bird to
another is well seen in the way one bird that is begging for food stim-
ulates the other to beg. I also saw an illustration of how the adults
communicate an emotional state to the young when I was watching
a House Wren’s nest. The House Wrens, a week before, had been
feeding at short, regular intervals, but on this day the adults, though
carrying food, did not enter the nest. They continually flew about
calling excitedly, and from within the nest came the chirping (not a
food call) of the young Wrens. After about a half hour a young
Wren came out arid flew strongly to the shelter of a thicket ten yards
away. I was too far away to aflfect the behavior of this young. It
was in a considerably more advanced state than the Thrasher men-
tioned above and the young Blue Jays of nest No. i when they left
the nest. I found it impossible to capture the young as it followed
the adults into the dense underbrush. This was later repeated with
another, apparently the last young of the brood.

Undoubtedly if the young Jays, when at liberty, had been in-
fluenced by wild adult Jays, they would not have allowed me to cap-
ture them.

A noticeable habit that developed late was the action of suddenly
springing into the air when something startled one of the Jays. Some-
times, as it alighted, the wind from its wings rustled a piece of paper,
and the bird sprang a few inches into the air. Sometimes no stimulus
was perceptible to me as the bird did this.

(5) Re.\ction to W ater

Drinking: On the nineteenth day one of the young Jays hopped
into a puddle of water and paid no attention to it.

On the twenty-fifth day a small dish of water was placed in the
cage. This was the second time water had been made available to
these Jays. At first the Jays paid no attention to it, and finally upset
it. A then tried to eat a speck of dirt in one of the puddles, acci-
dentally wet its bill and immediately put up its head, with bill pointing
upwards, and swallowed. Then B, perhaps in imitation of A, pecked
at the water, got its bill wet and then carried out the drinking action
in the manner of the species. They repeated this drinking action,
putting the bill in the water with a nibbling or tasting action.

On the twenty-sixth day and afterwards the Jays came to the
water and drank intentionally. I did not see them give the action to
stimuli other than water.

Breed (1911, Behavior Monographs, I, pp. 12, 13) shows that
with chicks the drinking instinct can be set in action by accidentally
wetting the bill, but that some chicks which have never drunk also
begin to give the drinking action to both water and to stimuli other
than water.

Thus the drinking instinct, which appears later than the seizing
and picking up instinct, can be set oflf prematurely (as can also flight,
for instance). It is surprisingly perfect when it appears and appar-
ently needs little experimenting to restrict it to the visual stimulus of
water. This is in contrast to the feeding actions.

Bathing: As already mentioned, one of the Jays gave no reaction
to water when it hopped into a small pool on the nineteenth day.

On the twenty-eighth day I put a large, flat dish of water before
the Jays. B hopped to it and drank, then hopped into the dish. No
sooner was the Jay in the water than it squatted down, belly in the
water, ducked its head, and flitted its wings, splashing water over
itself. A also hopped into the dish with B and squatted down but did
not bathe, though it did on the next day. Subsequently they bathed
frequently. This bathing was carried on in the same manner as is the
bathing of wild Jays.

The bathing instinct was first aroused by the touch of the water,
which may have been accidental. That is, the hopping into the water
of B the first time may have been without intent. A first hopped into
the water in imitation of B, but apparently the bathing instinct was
not completely developed by the twenty-eighth day. Finley, however,
had a pet Condor which learned to bathe before the time it would
normally have left the nest (see Sumner, 1934, Univ. Calif. Pub.
Zook, XL, p. 3SO-

I did not see the young Jays go through the bathing action before
they bathed in water. But on the twenty-ninth day A upset a small
dish of water in the cage, then went through the action of bathing on
damp paper. On being presented with a large dish of water it bathed
in it at once. On the thirty-third day, after bathing in water, A went
through the actions bathing on the dry paper at the bottom of the
cage. Sumner (l.c.) points out that apparently the visual stimulus
of water is sufficient to start the bathing instinct, but that the action
may take place outside of water. Apparently in Blue Jays the bathing
instinct arises later than the impulse to drink, and needs conditioning
to restrict its use to water, though the sight or feel of water is nec-
essary to start it.

(6) Reaction to Heat and Sunlight

Herrick ( 1935, Wild Birds at Home, pp. 61 and 278) has pointed
out that many birds erect their feathers to keep cool. After describ-
ing the sun bathing of a Thrush (Turdiis merula) he suggests that
this is a typical reflex or motor response to heat and is not necessarily
a sign of distress. Pycraft (1912, Infancy of Animals, p. 93) says

that with nestling and brooding birds exposed to sunlight the open
mouth and erected feathers, to allow as much air as possible to reach
the body, are signs of distress due to heat. Lewis (1929, The Natural
History of the Double-crested Cormorant, etc., pp. 75, 76) found that
the spreading of the Cormorant’s wings is not a reflex due to heat but
is solely for the purpose of drying wet feathers.

It is well known that birds fluff out, that is erect, their feathers
in cold weather to increase their insulating properties and it would
be surprising if the same action could also cool the bird by allowing
air to reach the body.

In the young Jays the first reaction to heat noted was the habit
of sitting with the mouth open. Later it was noticed that this was
accompanied by holding the feathers close to the body. This was when
the birds were sheltered from the sunlight and the air temperature
was between 90 degrees and too degrees Fahrenheit. Here the open
mouth appeared to be to hasten evaporation and the closely appressed
feathers reduced their conductivity, allowing body heat to escape.

When the cage was placed so that part of the floor was in bright
sunlight the Jays came down from the comparative coolness of the
shaded portion of the cage and repeatedly basked in the sunlight for
minutes at a time. This was first noticed on the thirty-third day, but
was not pronounced until the thirty-fourth day and was frequently
indulged in thereafter. The Jays flew down, squatted, tilted their
bodies sideways so that the sunshine fell full on the side, erected all
their feathers, somewhat spread wings and tails, and with heads on
one side stared open-eyed at the sun.

This was definitely sun bathing and appeared to be indulged in
for the pleasure of enjoying the sun’s rays. Frequently it was per-
formed after bathing, but sometimes when the feathers were dry.
Frequently the Jays came within the influence of the sun’s rays and
did not bask ; at other times they apparently came into the sunlight
for the purpose of sun basking. This seems to be an instinctive action,
comparable with bathing in water. Possibly it is of use to the bird in
such cases as nestling or incubating birds which cannot move out of
the sunlight. Then, with the outside temperature above that of their

body, the erected feathers could supply an insulation against the heat
of the sun’s rays.

(7) Food Responses

The instinct to feed and the instinct to play are both first ex-
pressed by pecking at things, then by picking them up and either
eating or playing with them. Later both food and play objects are
held under the claws and twisted, pulled and pecked at ; both play
and food objects are stored.

In the early stages it was difficult to decide whether motion was
a play reaction, or a food reaction performed because of lack of dis-
crimination. In any case the early differences are probably not im-
portant and probably both arise together. At first anything of con-
venient size within reach is probably eaten until experience shows
that it is not food, and then such non-food objects are still handled
in play.

When A was first removed from the nest and placed in a wooden
box it refused to give a food response to man-made chirping or to the
visual stimulus of a hand carrying food moved toward and away
from its bill. A tap on the box, however, aroused the feeding reaction
and food placed in the bill was swallowed. A was kept in a covered
box most of the time at first. The next day it soon associated the ap-
proach of a human being with food. When A did not respond to
the approach of a human being, the food response could usually be
aroused, except when the Jay was satiated, by moving the hand up
and down close to its bill.

B, taken from the nest on the seventeenth day, very soon learned
to associate, human beings with food and there was no trouble in feed-
ing either bird, except for sudden changes in food preferences. This
differs from the actions of Cuckoos and Thrashers (Herrick, 1935,
Wild Birds at Home, pp. 282, 283) which refused to give the food
reaction out of the nest, and that of a Black-billed Cuckoo, kept out
of the nest for twenty-four hours, that still refused to give the food
reaction and even regurgitated the food forcibly fed it. Sumner (1934,
Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., XL, p. 353) records a captive Barn Owl
that had to be forcibly fed.

In the two Jays there evidently was not a close association be-
tween the nest or parent and food response, and judging from the

numerous published pictures of young Jays taken from the nest to
be photographed and lined up begging for food it is the usual condi-
tion in these birds.

That Jays do not lack the power of discrimination, however, is
shown by the following. Mrs. Rand usually fed the Jays during the
day, giving a chirping call at feeding time. The Jays very soon learned
to give the food reaction in response to this call, even when Mrs.
Rand was out of their sight. They would sometimes respond to this
call, given by Mrs. Rand, when they refused to respond when I gave it.

It was not necessary to insert food in the throat for it to be swal-
lowed. But there was a pause or lag before food placed in the bill
was swallowed, while food placed in the throat started the swallowing
reflex at once. Herrick (l.c., p. 99) has recorded that Cuckoos some-
times practise mouth feeding and that when mouth feeding is used
there is the delay in the swallowing response.

By the twenty-first day, there was no change in begging for food.
But there was the difference that when food was placed in the Jays’
mouths they would draw back from it as though attempting to escape
taking the food. I did not at first realize it but this was probably a
change in instinctive behavior more or less coinciding with the develop-
ment of the habit to peck at things, which appeared the next day and
was later strongly developed. While the Jays pecked at various ob-
jects on the twenty-second day, it was not until the twenty-fourth
day that they picked up a little food and ate it. They were rather
slow in learning to pick up and swallow food, but if food was placed
in the tip of the bill they were fairly expert at getting food from the
tip of the bill into the throat with a jerk of the head. Especially
when very hungry they would not pick up and eat food, but continued
to beg. By the twenty-seventh day they would eat from the floor, if
their attention was called to the food by putting it in front of them
or by tapping near the food with a pencil. After the next day they
picked up more food, sometimes by themselves, and by the thirty-first
day evidently were quite capable of feeding themselves, but when we
were about they continued to beg for food, preferring to pick it from
our fingers. Until B was released on the fifty-third day it still begged
us to feed it, but when left alone with a supply of food it fed itself.

They never mistook my finger for food, but if a finger was placed
in a Jay’s mouth when it was begging for food, this at once set off
the swallowing reflex and there was an attempt to swallow the finger.

There was no sudden change from begging to be fed to self feed-
ing as Miller (1921, Condor, XXIII, p. 45) found with Linnets. With
the appearance of the habit of feeding themselves appeared another
action, perhaps closely connected with play, and more often used in
play at first. That was the habit of standing on their food, and if it
was hard, pecking pieces off; if it was soft, of twisting and pulling off
pieces and swallowing them. This habit appeared as play, before the
birds fed themselves to any extent.

After the birds were well able to feed themselves, most of the
larger pieces of food, many of a size that would have been swallowed
entire earlier, were pulled or pecked to pieces. Sometimes smaller
pieces were carried about in the throat, back to a perch or the floor,
and then regurgitated, and reduced to smaller pieces. Sumner (l.c.,
p. 337) has recorded somewhat similar habits in Owls, of not swal-
lowing food entire but tearing it to pieces after they are able to do so.

(8) Storing of Food

Up until the thirty-third day both birds had frequently carried
away food in the throat, then regurgitated, pecked at, and eaten or
dropped it. On the thirty-third day, however, I saw both birds place
food in a definite place, in a corner, crack, or a fold of paper. Later
this was always a prominent activity with both food and play objects.
Possibly it appeared first with food because food was more often
carried. None of these stored objects was ever covered with anything,
as is said to be the case with wild Jays (Forbush, 1927, Bird of
Massachusetts and other New England States, Vol. II, p. 376) and
as I have seen a tame Raven do, covering small fish with pieces of
paper. These stored objects were not guarded by the Jay that put
them there as I have seen one Jay immediately go and remove objects
stored by the other. These objects were often removed later, but
whether or not memory played a part I am not sure. The number of
places the Jay could go was restricted, so they were all visited fre-
quently; and possibly it was merely a case of happening on the stored
objects. Once, however, memory seemed to play a part. B was offered

some banana which it tasted but refused. At once it flew to a place
where it had stored some raw meat, took it and ate it.

Once I saw B take five blueberries from a dish and store them
in its gullet. It then hopped but a few inches, disgorged them, and
ate one of them. This appears to be an example of greed and possibly
the storing action is a further expression of greed. The birds cannot
resist taking the food, but not wishing to eat it, put it down some-
where rather than drop it. The tame Raven already mentioned used
to cover up stored fish, but never returned to get them even when
very hungry. That the storing up of food for a time of scarcity is
the conscious object is impossible as these birds had no means of
knowing there would be a time of scarcity. That such an action is
merely instinctive is also shown by California Woodpeckers (Hen-
shaw, 1921, Condor, XXIII, p. no, 115) which sometimes store
stones instead of nuts and sometimes push quantities of nuts through
a small hole where they could not possibly be retrieved. I have seen
a tame Raven continue to push small fish through a knot hole despite
the fact that the fish fell fifteen inches below the hole where the
Raven could not possibly reach them, and after each time the Raven
peered through the knot hole though it could not see the fish. The
storing habit appears to be instinctive, to appear relatively late, and
possibly to come about or to be started by greed.

(9) Ingestions of Foreign Objects

Under “Taste and Food Preferences” I have indicated that Jays
have a rather discriminating taste, but neverthless they swallow many
non-food objects. When preening the feathers bits of sheath which
stuck in the bill were swallowed. On the twenty-ninth day I took B
outdoors. While hopping about on the ground it swallowed a number
of pebbles and lumps of dirt, though it would not eat earthworms
and refused bread and blueberries, preferring meat. On the thirtieth
day I held up a rubber band to B who took it, worried it a moment,
and then swallowed it. On the thirty-third day I put a dish of dirt
in the cage and one Jay started to eat the dirt so eagerly that I
removed it.

Branches with green leaves attached were usually kept in the
cage and the Jays often pulled off the leaves and carried them about

and evidently sometimes ate them, as the green stained excreta in-
dicated.

Many other cases of swallowing foreign objects probably oc-
curred, but as the Jay has a habit of carrying objects like buttons
about in its throat and then ejecting them it is difficult to tell when
they were actually swallowed.

Since the young birds continually play with objects it is to be
expected that their inexperience would lead them to swallow some
non-food objects. But on the other hand the Jays ate pebbles on the
same day that they refused bread and blueberries m preference to
meat.

Here as in other forms of behavior teaching by the adult or
imitation of the adult probably plays an important part, but the young
can succeed without it, learning by trial and error.

(lo) Play Actions

The curiosity and play propensities of the Crow tribe are pro-
verbial, and play actions of the present two Jays became well
developed.

On the twenty-first day A was first seen to peck at objects and
marks on a paper. The next day both birds pecked at the screen of
their cage and the leaves on the shrubs in their cage. By the twenty-
third day play had assumed an important place in the activities of
the birds when they were not hungry. Their toes interested them,
they pecked at and twisted their own and each other’s toes, pecked
at leaves which the)' pulled from shrubs in the cage. Match sticks
were carried about and pecked. Allowed the freedom of the room
they pecked at the upholstery of chairs, pulling out threads, seized the
edges of the curtains, pecked at the print of newspapers and worried
the edges of paper.

Pencils and crayons on the desk appeared to interest them par-
ticularly and they were continually pecking and pulling them. On the
twenty-sixth day I saw B peck at and then shake a package of cigarette
papers. It seized it in its bill, then by sudden jerks of its head, now
one way, now the other, shook it, treating it exactly as it did the first
grasshoppers which were given it. In pecking, the bill is always

slightly open. Hard objects were always pecked repeatedly; soft or
flexible objects were seized, apparently pinched hard, and shaken.

By the twenty-eighth day they were standing on hard objects as
they pecked at them. This action was more used in play than in
feeding, possibly because there was less need of it in connection with
the food furnished them. The Jays i>ecked at their perch in a frenzy
of activity at times, and the blows were hard enough to be heard at
some little distance. Soon they were pecking splinters from their
perch and from the ends of the boards of their cage, as Crows also do.
(Finn, 1920, Bird Behavior, p. 53.)

By the twenty-ninth day experimentation was still going on, the
Jays were pecking at lines on the paper, holes in paper, knot-holes in
the walls of their cage, and I saw one pecking at the red lettering on
a bottle. It was not long before the birds began to discriminate more
and to confine their play activities largely to objects which they could
seize in their bills and move. On the thirty-sixth day they were still
pecking at their own and each others' plumage. There were two
perches in the cage, one above the other. The bird on the lower perch
sometimes reached up and pulled the tail feathers of the bird above.
These actions appeared to be from curiosity and experimentation in
the one way a Jay can experiment, by using its bill.

It was the thirty-fourth day that I first saw a Jay hide a play-
thing, a button, under a piece of cloth. This was the day after I saw
one hide food.

Some of the activities with grasshoppers which were killed and
not eaten, possibly belong in the category of play, though I have in-
cluded them under “Reactions to Live Prey.” On the thirty-fifth day
the Jays wearied of grasshoppers and turned to worrying a small
billet of wood. While they were still worrying grasshoppers I put a
nail in the cage and one at once came to play with that. Motion was
very attractive to the Jays and a straw thrust through a crack in the
cage was watched attentively to the exclusion of other objects, was
seized and drawn into the cage. One bird tried to pull it to pieces.
Later, buttons were favorite playthings and after A was gone B would
often go to the sewing basket to get one. These it would carry about
(if a small one, in its gullet), stand on and peck, and finally tuck

away under some object. It picked up any small available object. On
the forty-fourth day it discovered that cigarettes made good playthings
and pulled them from a package, and pecked one to pieces, but eating
none of the tobacco; later it repeated this.

The Jays’ play activities (in the early evening, the only time I
observed them in this period) were always confined to our immediate
vicinity, and it was interesting to see how the bird returned to the
same things ; the same magazines, the same buttons, cigarettes again,
then ourselves. Memory was not necessarily active here, as visual
stimulus would also have served.

On the forty-sixth day I tried for the first time to teach the Jay
to catch things. After the fourth trial it caught part of a match stick.
It never became very adept at this, but when the thrown object passed
close to its head it usually caught it.

These activities are play, not food activities carried on because
of lack of discriminations, though at first the two may not be dis-
tinguishable. They are continued with non-food articles when food
is available and when the bird is not hungry. The same non-food
articles are played with day after day.

This play activity is not solely carried on because of curiosity and
experimentation. Perhaps curiosity is the motive which first impells
the bird to examine certain objects, but play is afterwards carried on
for its own sake.

This play behavior seems to be explained best by Groos’ theory
(1898, The Play of Animals), that such activities appear to be carried
on for the pleasure in doing something. They have no end beyond them-
selves but by strengthening the muscles and increasing the accuracy
of coordination put the bird in a much better condition to capture live
prey. Their importance in the development in the birds’ behavior will
be more appreciated after considering the reactions to live prey.

(ii) Reactions to Live Prey

Earthworms were fed to the Jays before they began to feed
themselves. On the twentieth day they ate earthworms readily if they
were placed well back into the gullet, but if the loose ends wriggled
out over the bill or face, the worms were shaken out. By the next

day, however, even worms with their extremities wriggling out of the
bill as far as the Jay’s eyes, were gulped down. For some days, while
the Jays were learning to feed themselves, they would pick up and
worry worms, but rarely eat them. This is well illustrated by actions
on the thirtieth day when two worms were placed on the floor of the
cage. A seized them, one after the other, shaking them, dropping
them, and picking them up and shaking them again until both were
inert; but it did not eat them until I picked one up and gave it to
the Jay.

Its actions with the worms were very similar to those with crayons
and pieces of paper which 1 have recorded under “Play Actions.”
On the twenty-ninth day, with Jay B outdoors, it pecked at and killed
an ant crawling about near it but did not eat it, though it at once
began to pick up stones and eat them.

This introduction of earthworms to the Jays was discontinued
after the thirtieth day. The great difference between the activities of
earthworms and grasshoppers make it seem that the effects of learn-
ing from experience with the earthworms can be disregarded in con-
sidering the reaction of the Jays to grasshoppers.

On the thirty-third day I put a half dozen small-to-medium sized
grasshoppers into the cage, waiting until one was disposed of before
putting in another. This was the first time the Jays had seen grass-
hoppers but they chased them eagerly and seized them. This first
nip was often directed at a leg or an antenna and the grasshopper was
shaken vigorously, but then sprang clear in a moment. Captured again
the nipping and shaking were continued, the Jay’s head being close to
the floor and jerked rapidly sideways this way and that so that it
might appear to be beaten on the floor, but such was not the case.
The grasshopper’s legs, then its body, were seized indiscriminately
and the worrying continued until the whole grasshopper was in a limp
condition. The head and thorax received most attention, possibly
because there was most resistance there. The smaller grasshoppers
were swallowed entire, head or tail first ; the larger ones usually lost
their legs in the worrying process and these legs were swallowed first,
then the whole body. All but the last grasshopper were eaten. Only
once on this day did a Jay, B, stand on a grasshopper and pull it to
pieces.

These actions were essentially like those used in play, the grass-
hopper being seized by its conspicuous appendages or indiscriminately
on its body, the bird finally concentrating on the most solid parts.
To the usual play stimulus was the added one of the movement of
the grasshoppers which at once started the Jays to investigating them.
An ant was put in afterwards and as it started to crawl a Jay seized
and killed it, but did not eat it.

A mulberry was then put in and was treated exactly like a grass-
hopper, being squeezed, worried and picked up by its stem and
shaken. Pieces of paper, such as the Jay had played with for days,
were then put in and these also were treated in much the same way.
One piece was even bitten at intervals throughout its length as though
to break and kill it; several times a Jay stood on and pulled at a piece
of paper. The fact that the ant and one grasshopper were not eaten,
as well as the incident of the paper, showed that to kill or to secure
food was not the conscious motivation. Right afterward a dish of
sand was put in the cage to see if the birds might indulge in dust bath-
ing. The Jays at once began to eat the sand rapidly. All these ob-
servations show that they do not recognize at once what is food and
what is not.

On the thirty-fifth day I put in more grasshoppers. At first they
eagerly seized the insects, shook and ate them. After eating two or
three each they ignored the grasshoppers that were sitting quietly and
clamored to be fed. I fed the Jays and they sat quietly. A straw
thrust through a crack in the cage attracted their attention more than
the grasshoppers did. They seized the straw, dragged it into the cage
and worried it. They sometimes stopped worrying a grasshopper to
pick up a piece of wood and peck at it (in contradistinction to the
worrying of the grasshoppers) or to pick up a piece of meat or bread
and eat it, and play with other objects like nails, rubber bands, pebbles
or small billets of wood in their cage.

The Blue Jays being well fed and the novelty having worn olT,
they then treated grasshoppers like other play objects in the cage,
unless their attention was especially attracted by motion.

On the thirty-sixth day the Jays were again fed grasshoppers.
Another point appeared. Up until now the grasshoppers had been

swallowed head or tail first, but today I saw B try to swallow tail
first a grasshopper from which the wings and tail had not been re-
moved. The insect stuck in B’s gullet, was ejected and then when
tried head first was easily swallowed.

Probably prey is swallowed head first only after trial and error
has shown that this is the best way.

On the forty-second and forty-third days, grasshoppers were
again fed to B and the method used in disposing of them showed a
great improvement in technique as the following note from the forty-
third day shows.

( 1 ) B. was hungry ; I put a medium sized grasshopper into
cage. B caught it at once picked it by head only, shook it savagely,
crushing the head, and the grasshopper was dead. Then it seized the
long hind legs and shook and broke them one after the other. Thus
it killed and then dismembered the insect at once, without any indis-
criminate shaking. B started to swallow the grasshopper head first,
ejected it and standing on it pulled off one hind leg,swallowed it, and
then swallowed the grasshopper.

(2) Then I put in a large, adult grasshopper. The Jay seized it
by the head and shook it savagely, but the head was too hard to crush.
The Jay then stood on the grasshopper and pulled off its head, the
first time that it started to disable an insect in this manner. It did not
eat the head. B then pulled off the legs and ate them, pulled off one
wing cover, then left it. B later returned and pulled off and ate parts of
the insect, leaving wings, part of the abdomen and the head.

For the first time, I noticed that when B commenced shaking the
grasshoppers the nictitating membrane was drawn completely to cover
the eye.

These actions show a number of advances over the early treat-
ment of these insects. The actions of killing and disabling were di-
rected only at vulnerable places, the head (and sometimes possibly
anterior thorax) and the hind legs, though it is interesting to note
that the hind legs were broken after the insects appeared dead from

the attack on the head, so that the action was valueless. No longer

did the insects get away after the first nip. The drawing of the nicta-

tating membrane may have escaped notice earlier but if not it may be
a new action to protect the eye during the first few moments of the
engagement when the grasshoppers’ feet are most active.

When the usual method of disabling by crushing the head was
not effective, the Jay at once used a new method which worked, the

pulling off of the head. This is an efficient coping with an unprece-

dented circumstance (though possibly accidental).

In the natural state there is probably a certain amount of play
with inanimate objects such as leaves, but probably crippled prey is
also brought to the young so that this play reaction would pass natural-
ly into the taking of live prey and imitation of the adults would hasten
this. Sumner (1934, Uni. Calif. Pub. in Zook, p. 356) concludes that
the slowly developing ability to take live prey shown by the young
raptorial birds he had under observation was the result of learning.
He says that given an instinctive curiosity to follow moving bodies
plus an appetite for flesh, the rest follows naturally.

With the Jays, if live prey has been introduced from the first
there probably would have been a gradual increase in the effectiveness
of dealing with it that would have looked like learning. But when this
had been delayed until the instinct had matured, and play had had its
part in perfecting the Jays’ coordination, the instinct appeared perfect
enough to enable the birds to deal with the live prey effectively.

From this it can be concluded that the instinct to take live prey
develops slowly. It cannot he considered learning. The instinct and
ability to handle live prey was well developed when the live prey was
first introduced to the Jays. Learning was, however, an important
factor in the improving of the process of killing and eating such prey.

(12) Taste and Food Preference

A rather large number of foods was tried on the Jays (exclusive
of live prey), some of which are enumerated below. The first few
days the Jays were fed on hard boiled egg mashed up with cod liver

oil, soft bread and an occasional blueberry. By the twenty-third day
they refused egg and ate cooked meat eagerly; later raw meat was
eagerly eaten and all bread refused. After the thirty-first day they
would eat only dry bread crumbs, where formerly they would eat
only soft bread.

On the thirty-third day B would not eat meat (raw or cooked),
bread, egg, or blackberries, all of which it had fed on at times, and
all I could get it to eat was tomato (in addition to a few grasshoppers
that were given it). By the thirty-fifth day it was again eating meat
avidly, and pecking ofif pieces of dry bread and eating them. On the
forty-ninth day both sugar and salt were placed before it. It ate sugar
eagerly, but when it nibbled at the salt and got some of it into its
gullet it at once tried to eject it by shaking its head and working its
tongue, evidently not liking the taste.

A Barred Owl that I once fed on frogs and then presented with
a toad, seized the toad but rejected it with many expressions of dis-
gust. Afterwards it would touch neither toads nor frogs. But the
Jay’s experiences with salt did not keep it from continuing to eat
sugar and occasionally tasting salt.

Some foods, however, may be refused on sight, apparently based
on previous experience, as on the twenty-ninth day when Jays were
refusing bread, I held out a piece of suet to one. At first the Jay
refused to eat it, evidently mistaking it for bread, but at last when I
succeeded in getting it into its mouth so that it tasted it, the bird ate
it eagerly.

This appears to indicate that Jays have a rather discriminating
sense of taste, but may refuse food because of its appearance. Food
appeared to be tested only in the gullet and perhaps the base of the
tongue.

(13) Muting

Many nestling passerine birds mute directly after feeding. This
is presumably to facilitate nest sanitation by the adults (see Herrick,
1935, Wild Birds at Home, p. 300). The two Blue Jays, usually muted
after feeding, they occasionally muted at other times, even when first

taken from the nest. Also, on the fifteenth day when A was hopping
about on the floor it muted and the excreta were not in a mucous sac.

With this process of voiding after feeding was associated a very
definite rhythm. Even when placed on a flat surface and fed, the
Jays voided in this way. The tail was wagged violently from side to
side as the posterior end of the body was raised, the tail was brought
nearly to the vertical, and then the bird voided. The excreta were
sometimes propelled two to three centimeters. This rhythmical action
probably is comparable to that recorded by Nicholson (1932, Ibis, p.
545) in the humming bird Topesa pella.

Herrick (l.c.) says that the bird ordinarily voids shortly after
the food reaches its stomach, or at least after it swallowed and it
has been suggested that the adults’ waiting posture or even tapping
the anus (Pycraft, 1912, The Infancy of Animals, p. 74) aids in bring-
ing about voiding after feeding.’ The following action, though noted
but once, indicates that voiding after feeding is a reflex, following
the swallowing reflex.

On the sixteenth day, A was given a piece of food which was
too big for its gape. It shook it from its bill, then voided just as
though it had swallowed the food.

The action of muting after feeding was gradually lost. On the
twenty-first day it was noticed that the excreta were no longer in a
sac. On the twenty-sixth day muting, with its accompanying tail wag-
ging, after feeding, was last noticed.

(14) Time of Digestion

The Jay B was removed from the nest at dusk on June 18. It
was not fed until 7:15 the following morning, and then evacuated a
large sac containing some insect remains which had evidently been
retained in the body for over ten hours.

On July 22 B was not fed after 7:00 P.M. At 8:30 a clean paper
was spread in its cage. Between 8:30 and 10:30 it had voided several
times, and at 10:30 it voided. Thus it voided three and one-half hours
after feeding and possibly later.

>See also: Selous. Evolution of HaWt In Birds.

On seven different days the Jays were fed mulberries and blue-
berries and watch was kept to see how long it took traces of these
fruits to appear in the excreta. The following results were secured:

Bird’s age
in days

Time elapsed between
feeding and first ap-
pearance of stain

hour 35
“ 15

“ 20
“ 45

“ 10

minutes

Average i “ i6 “

This is a somewhat shorter period than Stevenson found for
several species of Finches (apparently full grown) where the average
time for the first stained food to pass through the digestive tract was
one hour and thirty-two minutes. Even so the digestive process had
been presumably hurried up by the Finches having been previously
starved for two hours or more (1933, Wilson, Bull., XLV, p. 161).

(15) Pellet Formation

As with its relative the Crow and many other species (Finn, 1920,
Bird Behavior, p. 94), the Blue Jay casts up undigested material from
its stomach in pellets.

Pellet formation was first noted on the forty-fourth day. The
hard parts of grasshoppers, the seeds of tomatoes, and kernels of
sweet corn were thrown up as pellets.

Though these pellets are firm enough to hold together they were
not covered with a slimy covering as are Owl pellets.

Only once did I see the Jay eject a pellet. Directly after it had
eaten a quantity of sweet corn it regurgitated the undigested pellets.
The bird was standing nearby, back to me, and stood quietly for some
minutes before lowering its head and depositing the pellet on its perch,
apparently with little movement. This is apparently similar to the
action of regurgitation in the Jackdaw (Guerin, 1928, La Vie des
Chouettes, p. 31).

(i6) Sleeping

The first night that A spent in captivity (fourteenth day) it slept
on the bottom of the box provided for it. Its position was much like
that assumed in the nest, squatting flat on its tarsus and abdomen,
head drawn in to its shoulders and bill pointed slightly ahead and
slightly upwards.

By the sixteenth day A occasionally went to sleep standing on
its toes, but gradually sank back onto its tarsus. When B was put
in the box with A on the seventeenth day, the birds slept side by side.
On the nineteenth day both birds dozed perched on the edge of the
box and various other objects. That night A slept on a perch while
B slept on the floor. On the twentieth day, the day that these birds’
nest mates left the nest, both captives spent much of the day dozing
on a perch. About midday B was seen to sleep with its head turned
over its back and the bill buried between the scapulars and the feathers
of the back. That night the birds slept side by side on the perch with
their heads turned over their backs and the bill resting in the apterium
between the scapulars and the dorsal tract so that the feathers covered
the head up to the closed eyes. This was the sleeping position main-
tained later, though as the birds developed they stood straighter. The
head was turned over the back on either side with no preference as
to right or left. Indeed, in a number of instances after being dis-
turbed, the bird put its head back on the opposite side, suggesting
regular alternation.

Up until about the twentieth day both birds slept much of the
time. With the development of more activity they slept less but still
dozed for long intervals. While dozing during the day the head was
seldom turned over the back but it always was at night.

Up until the thirty-eighth day the birds always spent the night
sleeping side by side and returning to a favorite perch to sleep. But
after the thirty-eighth day the birds often slept some distance apart.
Does this possibly coincide with a break up of the family group?

The tendency to sleep on a perch and not on the flat surface is
instinctive and may appear earlier than it would naturally be employed.
The instinctive turning of the head over the back when sleeping ap-
peared at the twentieth day, when the birds would normally have left

the nest. Stoner (1934, Auk, LI, p. 92), however, records that young
House Finches {Carpodacus mexicanus) tucked their heads “under
their wings” in the last six nights before leaving the nest.

(17) Preening and STurrciiiNC

These actions which are common to most passerine birds appear
to be typically developed in the Blue Jay as well.

Preening was carried on vigorously from the first day of obser-
vation (fifteenth day of the bird). A, sitting on the bottom of the
box, preened its remiges and body plumage occasionally. The bill
was passed along the length of the remiges and rectrices. Body feathers
were taken in the bill a few at a time. This action assists in clearing
the feathers of sheaths. This preening was carried on vigorously until
the feathers were well out of the sheath — about the twenty-fifth day.
After that, preening was still a frequent action, especially after bath-
ing, but not so continued ; there was little change in this behavior.

Also on the fifteenth day, A scratched the side of its head with

one foot, the foot being passed forward above the wing, and the body

being supported by the other foot, the wing on the opposite side,

and possibly the breast. There is little change in this behavior, more

or less characteristic of birds, which is retained. When the Jay began
to sit on a perch the body was supported by one foot and the wing
of the opposite side resting against the perch, while the foot, put for-
ward above the wing, was used to scratch the side of the head.

The nineteenth day was the first that the Jays were seen to wipe
their bill on objects and in a few days it was a common action. At
first they wiped their bills on anything within reach, even on each
other, but soon the action was almost entirely restricted to wiping
the bill on the perch. First on one side, then on the other, the bill is
rubbed on the perch. This is done to remove bits from the sides of
the bill, sometimes to remove an object, such as an earthworm, which
is in the bill but projects over its sides, and sometimes appears to be
mere habit after eating. By no means is it necessarily a sign of dis-
gust at the taste of some object, though it may sometimes indicate that.
Appearing at the same time as wiping the bill was the habit of some-
times rubbing the side of the head on the perch. The development

of this habit nearly corresponded with the normal time of leaving the
nest. With the development of wiping the bill on the perch, the action
of “licking the chops” with the tongue diminishes.

(i8) Exercise

Exercise in which may be included stretching and yawning is
an important part of the later nest life and my captive Jays indulged
in it from the first day of observation. This consisted of :

Exercise ( i ) : Extending and flapping the wings. This was dis-
continued after the young began to move about and fly.

Stretching ( i ) : Standing up on its feet to stretch its legs, and
often fully extending one wing downward and backward, so that the
body is somewhat turned. The only change was that after the twenty-
ninth day, presumably coincident with increased strength and balance,
as the wing is stretched, the leg of the same side is extended down-
ward and backwards clear of the perch, foot slightly closed, and the
tail is slightly spread toward that side. This is a common avian action
and I have seen it in such unrelated forms as Flickers and Bank
Swallows as well as in wild Blue Jays.

(2) : Raising both wings together above back and slightly de-
pressing the body. There appears to be no change in this. This also
noted in Fowl, Bank Swallow and Flicker.

(3) ; Shaking its body so that all its feathers stand on end.

Yawning: Not until the twenty-first day did one of them yawn,
and this was always an infrequent action. Herrick (1935, Wild Birds
at Home, p. 279) says that yawning is a relatively uncommon action
in birds, that in the Gull there appears to be the same sort of relief
in this act as there is to a man or a dog. With young birds which
frequently beg for food with widely open mouth there is little need
for yawning.

(19) Use of the Tongue

The tongue of members of the genus Cyanocitta is of moderate
size compared with the bill, and differs from the simple passerine
tongue chiefly in the development of the posterior marginal spines
(see Gardner, 1925, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 67, Art. 19, p. 25).

Gardner (op. cit., p. 7) has pointed out that the tongue of passer-
ine birds can be depressed at the tip and elevated posteriorly and by
being moved backward and forward used to force food down the
throat.

My young Jays used the tongue in three ways:

1. To force food down the throat. This was most clearly noticed
when the Blue Jay attempted to swallow the end of my finger, when
the rasping action of the spines could be clearly felt. Food which was
just too big for the gape and which stuck there as the birds attempted
to swallow it was not pulled in by the tongue but discarded by the
bird without further effort. Apparently the basal spines are used only
after food is inside the gape. This differs from Owls for instance. In
a captive young Barred Owl, the tongue with its basal spines is ex-
tended beyond food stuck at the gape and by being moved backward
and forward the basal spines help to pull the food into the gullet.

2. To force food out of the bill. This is also an important func-
tion. A pellet of food just too large for the gape, and apparently stuck
there, was sometimes pushed from its position with the tongue. I
have seen both Barred and Great Horned Owls remove food from
their mouths with one foot, but the Jays never attempted this. Jays
often carried objects in their gullet and these were pushed out by the
tongue. When attempting to store small objects I have seen the Jay
push the object with its tongue from the tip of its bill into a crevice.
The tongue was also used in moving food forward in the bill and in
arranging it in the bill before swallowing.

Food was also removed from the bill by shaking it out with a
sideways snap of the head and when the bird was older by wiping the
bill on objects about it.

3. To clean the edges of the bill. This action was commonly
used in the early stages of the bird’s life before the wiping of the
bill became a well established habit. It had almost disappeared by the
thirty-third day and was rarely seen afterwards. In this action the ton-
gue is extended to one side and to the other of the nearly closed bill, so
that it runs along the tomium. The extent to which it was sometimes
extended may be gathered from the fact that several times the posterior

marginal spines caught on the corner of the mouth so that for a moment
the tongue could not be withdrawn into the mouth.

The tongue may perhaps serve in a fourth way as an organ of
taste (see under “Taste and Food Preference”).

(20) Relations to One Another

The food-begging call of one bird usually roused the other to
the same action, even when the birds were not within sight of each
other. Herrick (1935, Wild Birds at Home, p. 284) has also com-
mented on this with young birds. Especially before they could fly one
bird sometimes begged food from the other, and this stimulated the
other to beg, so the two birds begged from each other. Herrick (1935,
Wild Birds at Home, p. 62) records nestling Cedar Waxwings begging
from one of their nest mates which apparently was mistaken for the
parent. This was probably the case when one Jay first started to beg
from the other, but when the bird solicited also begged from the first
it was a case of one bird stimulating the other to beg. I once kept a
tame Raven and a young Crow in the same cage. The young Crow
frequently begged the Raven for food, plainly a lack of discrimina-
tion on the part of the Crow.

The two Jays liked to keep more or less close together during
the day and when the two birds had their liberty on the night of the
thirty-sixth day they were together in the same tree the next morning.
This keeping together is of course a characteristic of young Blue Jays.
Their tendency to sleep side by side has been mentioned under
“Sleeping.”

Many young birds quarrel amongst themselves as with Miller’s
Linnets (1921, Condor, XXHI, p. 45). The Blue Jay has been called
many sorts of a rogue and a rascal, and certainly he despoils other
birds’ nests, and even catches and eats adult birds but in the reactions
of these captive birds to each other there was never any quarreling
nor animosity despite a certain amount of cause. However, I have
seen a brief quarrel between two wild Jays in the fall.

When the birds began to take an interest in the things about them
one often “nibbled” at the other’s toes (I have also seen a Tree Swal-
low nibble at the feet of a Bank Swallow, sitting on a telephone wire

next it, and have the Bank Swallow simply hop away as one would
expect in such inoffensive birds). They pecked at and pulled each
other’s body feathers ; when one bird was sitting on the perch above
the other in their cage one sometimes reached up and pulled the tail
feathers of the other. Both birds did this. Particularly the tail pulling
might be interpreted as mischievous but rather it appeared simi)ly that
the birds were exploring everything within reach with their bills.
These actions were never resented ; the bird touched simply moved
out of reach. Either bird might occasionally take the food from the
bill of the other, or pull away part of the food, but even over this the
birds never quarreled, one bird just trying to swallow its food before
the other got it, sometimes turning its back on the intruder. Once
lost, little effort was usually made to regain the food.

(21) Reaction to Enemies

On the sixteenth day, before the Jay A had begun to move about,
a 12 inch garter snake was put into the box with it. The snake slid by
the bird, touching it, but A paid it no attention. On the eighteenth
day B was hopping about on the floor and the same snake was moving
about nearby. B even hopped by chance onto and then unconcernedly
off the snake, as it wandered about.

On the thirty-sixth day, I put the same snake in the cage. As
it crawled about in the cage the birds were interested, watching it.
As it moved the birds did not come near it, but as it rested quietly
one came close to look at it. A movement on the snake’s part made
the Jay jump and sent the bird back to its perch. The snake curled
up in the back of the cage and the birds completely ignored it.

When I pushed a stick into the cage to disturb the snake, the
motion of the stick caused more consternation to the Jays than did
the snake. This same result has been noted before with Owls (Sum-
ner, 1935, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., XL, p. 339). Certainly the Jays
have no instinctive fear of snakes.

A small poodle dog was occasionally brought into the room where
the Blue Jays were. At first the Jays showed no fear of the dog and
it would probably have seized the Jay if not prevented. By about the
thirty-eighth day, however, when the dog came into the room, the

Jay flew up out of its reach, and beyond occasionally looking down
at it, ignored it.

On the thirty-fifth day a big grasshopper was left in the back
of the cage. As the Jay A hopped near it the grasshopper suddenly
spread its wings, the strikingly colored yellow and black underwings
making the act more conspicuous. At the motion A jumped and then
flew to a perch, leaving the grasshopper undisturbed. If it had been
a small grasshopper it probably would have been seized. The instinc-
tive fear appears to be of motion of objects of larger size' and this
fear only appears gradually. The single experience with the grass-
hopper seems to substantiate the hypothesis that “banner markings”
such as the bright under wings of a grasshopper, or the white rump
of a Flicker may be of service at times in magnifying and emphasizing
the size and movement of an animal. Though this might have an
effect in but a few instances in an animal’s life such a factor might
give the momentary diversion that would put a predator at a disad-
vantage for an instant and mean the difference between life and death
to the pursued (see G. M. Allen, 1925, Birds and their Attributes,
pp. 69-74).

Though fear of any large moving object may be instinctive, it
seems that this instinct is slowly matured. It may be dormant and
appear suddenly without apparent cause as with one of Miller’s
Linnets (1921, Condor, XXIII, p. 46) and with Sumner’s Horned
Owls when suddenly confronted with liberty (1934, l.c., p. 340). In
these two Blue Jays it did not develop very much while they were
under observation.

(22) Relation to Human Beings

There are relations which appear to be apart from food asso-
ciation.

After the Jays learned to fly they often came about us and
hopped on to and pecked at us, but in a manner to suggest that we
were no more than inanimate objects to them. But after A had its
liberty and B alone was kept, B came to seek our company. When
allowed the freedom of the house it followed us about from room to

'See also: Lloyd Morgan, 1896, Habits and Instinct.

room, liked to perch near us or on one of us, sometimes playing with
our buttons, hair, or ears, and finally would go to sleep by us. When
confined in its cage alone the Jay became very noisy and excited; it
at once became quiet if a person sat near it.

It allowed us to approach it and even quick movements near it
were not resented. Up until about the twentieth day the Jays appeared
to enjoy being held in the hand and tolerated being stroked on top of
the head, but later they resented being touched, moved away out of
reach and did not like being carried on a hand or wrist. About the
forty-fourth day B suddenly became very difficult to catch when at
liberty in the house. Though its behavior did not change otherwise
and it allowed us to approach, it always managed to fly from under
our hands at the last moment. When finally caught it only once made
a defensive movement, when it bit my hand. It never pecked at me.
For the rest they were always very gentle to handle and when re-
leased showed no fear of us. Talbot ( 1922, Auk, XXXIX, p. 346)
in banding wild caught Jays in Georgia had the same experience in
finding Jays very gentle to handle, and only once did a Jay bite him.
B’s sudden aversion to being caught may have been that he associated
capture with being put in the solitary confinement of his cage.

Strangers made little difference in the behavior of the Jays,
though they were not as familiar with them as with us.

Sumner (1934, Univ. Calif. Pub. in Zool., XL, p. 339) concluded
that the “affection” shown by Horned Owls was “based more on
utility than emotion” but with this Jay it appeared to be a genuine
attachment to us and the Jay really enjoyed our company.

Recent Notes on Bermuda Birds

By William Beebe*

During the last five years my area of observation in Bermuda has
shifted from Nonsuch Island to my own home and the Zoological
Society’s laboratory, New Nonsuch. This is at the north end of the
swing bridge which crosses from Long Bird Island, at the eastern end
of the Reach. The following notes were made either in Castle Harbor,
or at New Nonsuch, and westward from the latter place along Man-
grove Bay to and including the grounds of the Bermuda Biological
Station.

I have included notes only relating to species of birds new to
Bermuda or of migrant birds of unusual interest. The observations
were made during visits from August 15 to November 21, 1932;
August 19 to December i, 1933; April 26 to November 2, 1934; June
I to October 16, 1935, a week at New Years, 1936, and April 22 to
August 31, 1937. To the “List of Birds Recorded from the Ber-
mudas’’ (T. S. Bradlee, L. L. Mowbray and W. F. Eaton, Boston
Society of Natural History, December, 1931, pp. 279-382), I have
been able to add European Cormorant, Golden Eagle, Screech Owl,
Purple Crackle and the Zenaida Dove (introduced) not previously
listed, which, together with Mr. Griscom’s record of Palm Warbler,
makes a total for Bermuda of 252 species. The Whistling Swan
data of Mr. Mowbray’s is the first record since 1850; the Cahow,
Pomarine Jaeger, Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher and Holboell’s
Grebe are the second positive records. I have confirmed the breeding
of the Least Tern, Great Blue Heron and the Cahow, and probably,
new nesting records of the Barn Owl and Green Heron.

Holboell’s Grebe — Colymbus grisegena holboelli (Reinhardt)

On January 2nd, 1936, after a hard blow and rain, while driving around
the north-west corner of Mullet Bay, I saw what I thought at first glance was
a Horned Grebe, splashing and preening itself near shore. It seemed, however,
too large and after further examination I decided definitely it was a Holboell. A
few hours later on the same day, among the mangroves dfi my land at New
Nonsuch, I picked up a second individual of the same species in an advanced
state of decomposition. I saved only the skull.

‘Contribution Number 537, from tbe Department of Tropical Research, New York
Zoological Society.

Contribution from the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc.

Audubon’s Shearwater — Puffinus Iherminieri Ihenitiiticri Lesson

In June, 1931, I found ten pairs nesting on a small islet off Nonsuch Island.
For details and photographs see "Nonsuch : Land of Water,” Chapter IX, 1932.

Bermuda Petrel or Cahow — Pterodroma cahow (Nichols and Mowbray)

The second known specimen was obtained from the lighthouse keeper on
St. Davids, having killed itself against the glass on the night of June 8th, 1935.
It was identified by Dr. Robert C. Murphy and was a bird of the year in excellent
condition. Details and photographs in New York Zoological Society Bulletin,
Vol. 38. No. 6, November-December, 1935.

Leach’s Petrel — Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa (Vieillot)

Male killed against St. Davids Light, October 23, 1933. Squid beaks in
stomach.

Yellow-billed Tropic Bird — Phaethon lepturus catespyi Brandt

Not quite as abundant in recent years as in 1929 to 1931, but still very
numerous. A bird was seen in the Reach in January, 1934.

European Cormorant — Phalacrocorax carbo carbo (Linnaeus)

An immature male taken dead from a fish-trap near New Nonsuch, six feet
under water, October 20, 1932. A bird new to Bermuda.

Double-crested Cormorant — Phalacrocorax auritus auritus (Lesson)

About a dozen birds seen constantly in Castle Harbor, usually perched on
stakes and buoys, throughout November, 1933. A late spring record is a flock
of thirteen on May 6, 1937.

Man-O’-War Bird — Fregata magnificens Mathews

A female soaring over New Nonsuch and four others in Castle Harbor,
November 17, 1932. Two were shot by colored men during the next few days.

Great Blue Heron — Ardea herodias herodias Linnaeus

Observed a great many times each year especially in May, June, October and
November. Usually they are solitary but occasionally as many as four are seen
together, and on October 26, 1932, eighteen herons were counted perched on
Gurnet Rock, south of Nonsuch Island. Several half grown young each season
attest to their breeding in Bermuda. On June 10, 1934, an immature heron
joined confined birds at the Flatts Aquarium and remained there. Long Bird
Island takes its name from these “long” birds, which are reported to have bred
there in numbers in former years.

American Egret — Casmerodius albus egretta (Gmelin)

Individuals noticed November 14 to 21, 1933; September i, 1934; October
6, 1934, and three on Long Bird in company with other species on October 3,
1935-

Snowy Egret — Egretta thula thula (Molina)

Two in full plumage, with other herons, on Long Bird, opposite New Non-
such, on October 3, 1935. Both seen again ten days later.

Little Blue Heron — Florida caernlea caernlea (Linnaeus)

Three in juvenile white plumage on Long Bird Island on October 3, 1935,
and one seen again ten days later.

Little Green Heron — Butorides virescens virescens (Linnaeus)

Nested in New Nonsuch mangroves in 1934, from circumstantial evidence of
nest and egg-shells and glimpses of the birds later. One in Mangrove Bay through-
out October, 1933.

Black-crowned Night Heron — Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli (Gmelin)
Four in mangroves, two of which were in full plumage, September 12 to
October 3, 1935.

Whistling Swan — Cygnus columbianus (Ord)

In the Royal Gazette for January i, 1936, Mr. Louis Mowbray, Jr., writes:
“Through the kindness of Mrs. James Storrow of Fairwinds, Tuckerstown, the
presence of an exceptionally large bird was reported on her property on Sun-
day, December 29, 1935. After careful observation through binoculars at less
than a hundred yards, and checking up on its written description it proved to
be a not quite mature Whistling Swan.”

Blue-winged Teal — Querquedula discors (Linnaeus)

A male in lean condition at St. Davids Light, October i, 1935. In stomach,
green algae, squilla and minute bits of clear quartz wholly alien to Bermuda
geology. Two days before, a flock of at least one hundred and fifty reported by
Mr. Roundthwaite as rising from a Tuckerstown pond, and flying off east along
the south shore.

Golden Eagle — Aquila chrysaetos caiiadoisis (Linnaeus)

This bird new to Bermuda was seen half a dozen times throughout May ii
and 12, 1937, flying over Castle Harbor or perched on one or another of the islands.
It permitted me to approach within twenty yards.

Osprey — Pandion haliaetus carolincnsis (Gmelin)

One being mobbed by four crows on Long Bird, November 14, 1932; another
hovering over New Nonsuch and Castle Harbor, November 26, 1933 ; and one
seen for several weeks. May 24 to June 16, 1934.

Bobwhite — Colhius virginianus subsp.

Heard near New Nonsuch and on Long Bird in May and June, 1934, and July
and August, 1935.

Virginia Rail — Rallus limicola limicola Vieillot
Seen and heard among the mangroves, November 9, 1933.

Piping Plover — Charadriiis melodus Ord
One seen August 17, 1932.

Wilson’s Snipe — Capella dclicata (Ord)

Male bird of the year killed at St. Davids Light, October 3, 1934.

WiLLET — Catoptrophorus semipalmaliis subsp.
i On August 31st, 1937, a single bird preened, bathed and fed on Long Bird

I Island directly across from New Nonsuch. I watched it at intervals of twenty
I minutes through twenty-four power glasses.

Ruddy Turnstone — Arcitaria mterpres tnorinclla (Linnaeus)

There is no doubt that this bird is found throughout the year in Bermuda,
b although I have seen no signs of breeding. About twenty per cent of the birds

1 are slightly crippled. On April 28, 1937 I counted thirteen in a single flock

across from Nonsuch, and on May ii, thirty were feeding at low tide in the
mud flats.

Dowitcher — Limnodromus griseus subsp.

One hundred and twenty-five in a dense flock on a sand spit in the Reach

j just west of the swing bridge, October 13, 1935. They were sleeping, bathing,

I preening, fighting and carrying on pseudo-courtships.

I PoMARiNE Jaeger — Stercorarius pomarimts (Temminck)

j Female shot seven miles south of Nonsuch Island, June 14, 1929. Second

record for Bermuda.

American Herring Gull — Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues

Three birds, two of them adults, remained in Castle Harbor throughout
November, 1933.

Common Tern — Sterna hirundo hirundo Linnaeus
Thirty-two feeding at sea near Mills Breaker, September 12, 1935.

Sooty Tern — Sterna fuscata fuscata Linnaeus

A single bird in fine plumage flew slowly along the south shore of Long Bird
Island, September 25, 1935. This is the first record in twenty-eight years.

Least Tern — Sterna antillarum antillarnm (Lesson)

At least two pairs bred in 1935 on an islet in Harrington Sound.

Zenaida Dove — Zenaida zenaida zenaida (Bonaparte)

Three seen and postively identified near New Nonsuch, July 7, 1935. They
proved to be escaped birds brought from Turks Island, West Indies, several weeks
before. The three birds were again observed about ten weeks later, on Septem-
ber 26, in the same place, so they seem to have become established and deserve
mention in this list. They associate with ground doves.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo — Coccyzus americanus americanus (Linnaeus)

One in mangroves, October 3, 1933.

Barn Owl — Tyto alba pratincola (Bonaparte)

One pair is undoubtedly resident and breeding. Two birds seen, and heard
night after night near New Nonsuch and the Biological Station, 1933 to 1935,
in months of May, June and November, and April to August, 1937. One on
Nonsuch Island, August i to 18, 1934, reported by Arthur Tucker. An emaciated
bird picked up half dead on Tuckertown Beach, April 25, 1937.

Screech Owl — Otus asio subsp.

A new record for Bermuda. Seen and heard a number of times both at
New Nonsuch and the Biological Station, August 20 and in September, 1934,
and August 10, 1935.

Nighthawk — Chordeiles minor subsp.

One over mangroves, October 14, 1935. A late spring record is one hawking
over New Nonsuch, May 12, 1937.

Chimney Swift — Chaetura pelagica (Linnaeus)

One flying past New Nonsuch, August 26, 1935.

Belted Kingfisher — Megaceryle alcyon alcyon (Linnaeus)

In 1934 first noticed on September 23 ; and in 1935, on August 28. Last
spring record in 1937, was May 9.

Tree Swallow — Iridoproaie bicolor (Vieillot)

One on September i, 1933.

Barn Swallow^ — Hirundo erythrogaster Boddaert
Fiye on August 10, 1932; two on August 16 to 22, 1934; seven on September
12, 1935. In 1937 the latest spring record was two on May 13 ; earliest autumn birds
were seven on August 18.

Purple Martin — Progne subis subis (Linnaeus)

Two females over New Nonsuch and the Biological Station, September 23,
1935- One seen the following day.

Blue Jay — Cyanocitta cristata subsp.

The second record for Bermuda was a bird heard first and seen later at the
Biological Station, September 27, 1935.

Crow — Corvtis brachyrhynchos subsp.

Rare but still holding on. Four seen mobbing an osprey on Long Bird,
November 14, 1932; two heard Octolier 6, 1934: another chasing a great blue
heron, November 15, 1935.

Brown Thrasher — Toxostoma rufnm (Linnaeus)

The first definite record for Bermuda. One very tired bird in cedar tree at
New Nonsuch, September 30, 1935.

I Black-and-White Warbler — Mniotilta varia (Linnaeus)

One seen October 4, 1935.

^ Maryland Yellow-throat — Geothlypis trie has subsp.

A second spring record for Bermuda was a male in the mangroves at Noii-
I such, April 25, 1937.

Palm Warbler — Dendroica palmarunt palmarum (Gmelin)

I In “The Auk” for October, 1937, page 543, Ludlow Griscom writes : “On
I March 15th, 1937, I found a Palm Warbler, typical Dendroica palmarum, on
the golf-club grounds at St. Georges. It was very tame allowing a close approach,
and was under excellent observation with a Zeiss binocular for several minutes.
The subspecies was positively determined by the entire absence of yellow on
the under parts except for the vent and under tail coverts which were in sharp
contrast with the dirty brownish white of throat, breast and belly.”

This subspecies forms a new record for Bermuda.

Purple Grackle — Quiscalus quiscula quiscula (Linnaeus)

On September 12, 1935, I was astonished to see one of these birds on the
path near New Nonsuch. It was busily feeding and very tame, probably from
weariness. A few minutes later, when I returned, it had disappeared. It forms a
new record for Bermuda.

Scarlet Tanager — Piranga erythromelas Vieillot
A female or male in winter plumage near the Biological Station, feeding on
cedar berries, October 5, 1935.

Notes of Number and Dates of Fledgling Broods
May I to 10, 1934.

Catbird, 2 in brood
Catbird, i in brood
White-eyed Vireo, i in brood
White-eyed Vireo, i in brood
Bluebird, 2 in brood
Bluebird, i in brood
House Sparrow, 3 in brood
House Sparrow, 2 in brood

June I, 1934.

Catbird, i in brood.

This is interesting as showing that small size of clutches and broods holds good
on the mainland as well as on Nonsuch Island.*

(•) Aviculture, (2) 3, 1931, pp. 86-88.

The Ornithological Year 1 935 In The New York City Region

By Allan D. Cruickshank

Ten years have elapsed since the inauguration of the yearly ornith-
ological tabulation by the Linnaean Society of New York City. After
a careful analysis of the past nine “Ornithological Years” one is im-
pressed with the very slight variation in bird-life and bird movements
from one year to another. It would not be a gross exaggeration, I
believe, to state that having read the last nine summaries in the
Society’s abstracts one could write a ninety per cent accurate
“Ornithological Year” without even being present in the region. It
becomes apparent, moreover, that as the years go on the earliest ar-
rival, latest departure and straggling out of season dates will con-
tinue and will undoubtedly lead (centuries from now perhaps) to a
record for every day in the year for the majority of species occurring
regularly in the region. Upon first thought this contention might seem
impossible but when one studies the reliable records for the last decade
and finds wintering Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Orioles, Nashville Warblers,
House Wrens, Chats and what not, then the validity of the contention
becomes apparent. Of course the facts revealed in the “Ornithological
Year” are interesting and are worthy of preservation but it has often
occurred to my mind whether the final tabulation in value is com-
mensurate with and justifies the time and eflfort devoted by each con-
scientious Recording Secretary who utilizes at least one-eighth of all
his spare time tracking down records, accumulating data, organizing
index cards, ad infinitum. If not, just how can my successors, the
future Recording Secretaries, expend their conscientious efforts to
accomplish some work more valuable than the “Ornithological Year”?

I do not wish any of my foregoing remarks to be interpreted as
arguments against field identification directed solely towards year lists,
life lists, regional lists or record breaking dates. No matter what ones
personal opinion may be, this type of field work still stands unchal-
lenged as the supreme magnetic pole around which the great majority
of amateur ornithologists pursue their field sport and is therefore ex-
tremely worthwhile even if judged solely for its recreational or in-
spirational value.

An analysis of the field notes sent in by 106 observers shows that
306 species and sub-species were reported in the New York City Re-
gion during 1935. Of these, the Magpie and the Harris’ Sparrow are
the only species for which we had no locally collected specimens.
Strangely enough the Van Cortlandt Park swamp despite much con-
struction and ditching produced two of the most spectacular finds of
the year. On May 13 Doctor Wiegman discovered a single Glossy
Ibis in this area and in spite of the immediate invasion of hourly armies
of excited bird lovers tramping the swamp to get a glimpse of a new
"life species” this individual remained until May 15 when it might
have taken refuge in the extensive Troy Meadows marshes where a
bird of this species was seen by Mr. Edwards on May 26. Running
the Glossy Ibis a close second in popularity was an American Magpie
discovered in the same Van Cortlandt swamp by members of the
Sialis Bird Club on October 31. This bird which was last seen on
December 22 was at first suspected of being an escaped cage bird but
subsequent reports of Magpies in the Bear Mountain area, one flying
over Rye, another seen by a party en route to the annual meeting of
The American Ornithologists’ Union, and rumors of several other
sight records tend to indicate a light invasion of this species. This
initiates the speculation as to whether these birds came from the colony
now established in Nova Scotia or represent a movement from the
w’estern states.

As is to be expected in a region having as its center the latgest
city in the world, and stippled by numerous other cities, extensive
suburban areas and rapidly growing summer resorts, the local field
ornithologist sadly witnesses the slow but sure encroachment of civil-
ization into his favorite swamps, woods and beaches until it seems that
in years to come what is now the New York City Region will be
naught but a mass of towns, suburbs and recreational centers. During
the past year we have seen the destructive forces of man ruining the
Van Cortlandt and Kissina Park marshes and promising to do away
with possibly the best fresh water marsh in our area, Troy Meadows.
One is led to realize that in years to come the breeding of a heron or
rail or bittern within twenty miles of New York City will be but a
memory.

An examination of the annual Meteorological Summary with com-
parative data willingly furnished by the New York City Weather
Bureau shows that 1935 was outstanding for the record-breaking
deficiency in precipitation. Excluding a relatively mild spell between
the 6th and the loth January proved to be generally cold with a mean
monthly temperature of 29.2 or 1.7 below normal. This sub-freezing
mean froze all inland ponds, lakes and reservoirs, forcing most of
our waterfowl to seek the open water of the larger bays and rivers.
As usual numbers of these birds turned up on the grounds of local
sanctuaries and hunting preserves where feeding was done. Bluebirds,
Robins and several species of blackbirds which were not at all regular
in late December seemed to be forced down from further north and
suddenly appeared throughout the region in tolerable numbers.

Up to the 22nd of the month we had had less than three inches
of snow but then a fierce blizzard second only to the famous one of
’88 swept the area. The storm really began on the 20th with a two day
rain : on the 22nd a sudden drop in temperature changed the rain to
snow. On the 23rd a forty mile northwester sent the mercury down
to fifteen degrees below freezing and brought with it a wild blinding
storm that did not let up until there were 17% inches of snow on the
ground, approximately three inches within the ’88 depth. Then until
the end of the month near zero or sub zero temperatures were reached
every day keeping the snow in clean crisp condition. The 28th set the
record low of the winter when the mercury dipped down to or below
zero in all parts of our region with the lowest temperatures of 10 to
24 below zero reported from northern Westchester.

Excluding a marked flight of Snowy Owls, Lapland Longspurs,
Northern Shrikes and white winged gulls irregular winter visitants
were absent. Species such as the Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch
and Carolina Wren which are normally regular winter birds were aston-
ishingly absent. The case of the Black-capped Chickadee is especially
remarkable. Breeding birds seemed to gather in small flocks and re-
main in their general permanent territories. Let us examine, however,
that portion of The Bronx County Bird Club Census which covers
Bronx County proper : Here the Chickadee does not breed but is always
a common winter visitant yet none was recorded despite the presence

of over one dozen alert and active observers. The winter passed with
but few records for this species in some sections and all sections re-
ported Chickadees below normal. It is now interesting to recall dis-
cussions as to whether the record-breaking winter of 1933-34 had cut
down the numbers of this hardy bird; or whether we were at a low
mark in the species cycle ; or whether the northern Chickadees had de-
cided to remain on their breeding grounds. Late publication enables
me to insert that the following autumn Chickadees appeared in usual
abundance. The absence or near absence of Carolina Wrens can cer-
tainly be attributed to the severe conditions of the previous winter.

In spite of very severe weather one finds the usual scattered re-
ports of out-of-season species attempting to brave the rigors of winter.
A Catbird and a White-crowned Sparrow found shelter in a heavy
growth of yew in The Bronx Botanical Gardens and were regularly
fed by considerate bird students. A female Baltimore Oriole was re-
ported by Doctor Swope as wintering at Huntington, Long Island. My
observations lead me to believe that these out-of-season birds if they
survive generally attempt to winter year after year, but usually if the
first trial does not prove too much the second or third does and as a
consequence these revolutionary individuals are soon weeded out.

February with a mean temperature of 31.6 was approximately nor-
mal. The absence of prolonged warm spells, however, prevented any
heavy thaws from occurring with a result that inland lakes and re-
servoirs remained ice-coated until the second week of March. Bird life
was at its minimum during the early part of February; Several species
or individuals present in December and early January disappeared by
the beginning of the month. But strictly speaking there is no period of
the year when there is no migration. In the ramble of Central Park
small flocks of birds would appear from time to time, linger for a day
or two and then pass on. The usual 50,000 or so Scaup gathered in
New York City proper on the East River between Bronx and Queens
Counties; and the European Teal and European Widegon again graced
Hempstead Reservoir with their presence. The outstanding bird of the
month was an Arctic three-toed Woodpecker found working on a dead
pine in the Phelps Estate of Leonia, New Jersey, by Doctor Janvrin and
Doctor Heck.

While the weather remained evenly cold and raw well up into
March and allowed no heavy thaw, some potent factor in the migratory
urge greater than the temperature factor showed its presence and the
harbingers of spring came in one by one. Robins first appeared in Cen-
tral Park on the fourth beating the Crackles by several days for the
first time in a number of years. The mean temperature of 43.2 for
entire March was 5.5 degrees above normal. By the end of the month
all ponds and marshes were thawed and pronounced movements of
Redwings, Rusty Blackbirds, Kingfishers and waterfowl took place.

The Recording Secretary has an unusual opportunity to notice
how misleading local impressions are liable to be as a basis for general-
ization. Mr. Urner in reporting a satisfactory increase in the Eel-grass
growth on the Jersey coast records the heaviest spring duck flight in a
good many years. Mr. Vogt on the other hand reports spring ducks as
decidedly scarce on Long Island. To get a really complete accurate pic-
ture of the present status of our water fowl one would have to analyze
reports from all over the continent.

By March 17 the progress of spring was much in evidence. The
annual amphibian chorus was well under way and many turtles and
snakes were already out of hibernation. Field notes indicated that
migration was now a little in advance of normal. It was rather surpris-
ing to have Tree Swallows in northern New Jersey on March 24. Late
in the month Lapland Longspurs which had been scarce all during mid-
winter showed a decided return flight and a peak of seventy-five birds
was recorded on the Newark Marshes, April 6 (Umer).

A cold raw rainy spell during the first week of April partly checked
avifaunal movement. Rough-legged Hawks lingered later than usual :
a noticeable northward movement occurring on Long Island, April 7
(Vogt) ; and eight remaining around Barnegat until April 21 (Urner).

With the return of wami weather on April 19 there was a notice-
able influx of April migrants . . . fourteen species of shore-birds were
observed in the Barnegat area. By the end of the month pronounced
advancement in the vegetable and insect worlds brought in the insec-
tivorous species of birds and the annual phenomenon of vernal migra-
tion was everywhere in evidence. The mean monthly temperatures

for both April and May were less than .2 of a degree within normal.
The last killing frost of the year occurred on April 16, the last snow
on April 17 and the last frost on May 25. With migration well under
way the Recording Secretary received scores of reports showing the
annual dissention amongst representatives of the various local regions
as to the trend of vernal movements ; Some reported the season well
in advance of normal while others thought birds were decidedly be-
hind schedule. A collective analysis of all reports shows, however,
that the protracted cool period during the first two weeks of May made
birding rather disappointing for this usually exciting half month was
characterized by a scarcity of definite waves ... in fact the only move-
ment in Central Park that could be called “a wave” w'as on May 10.

A remarkable shorebird flight along the coast made up for the
unsatisfactory landbird showing. Mr. Urner reports the peak of shore-
bird migration in New Jersey on May ii when upwards of 50,000
birds in great flocks were seen leaving the coast near Tuckerton.

It is indeed a pleasure to report for Mr. J. T. Nichols the nesting
of the European Goldfinch in Garden City, Long Island. This Old
World species was introduced in Hoboken in 1878. For a few years
it showed signs of really establishing itself, but w'hile this promise has
not been fulfilled a few individuals are reported each year and there
still remains a possibility that the birds might some day increase in
numbers.

June as a whole was quite normal. The minimum temperature of
the month was 54 degrees on the loth, the maximum temperature 87
degrees on the 13th. With the exception of small northbound flocks
of Black Poll Warblers during the opening days of the month the
migration of passerine birds was concluded. Shorebirds on the other
hand continued to pass through in noticeable numbers. Interest now
centered on the breeding birds. American Egrets and Little Blue
Herons were again found nesting in southern New Jersey. Mr. Fred
Mangels, moreover, reported four American Egrets and several Yellow-
crowned Night Herons during June in a Black-crowned Night Heron
colony near Massapequa, Long Island, and suspects their breeding
there. This interesting discovery certainly is suggestive and should
stimulate a careful annual check up of all our local heronries so that

we may have a detailed record of the potential northward extension
of the breeding ranges of these southern herons into the New York
City Region.

The mass of data before me leaves no doubt in my mind that
several species of shorebirds summered along our coast. And while
small flocks of some species were still heading northward Mr. Urner
reports the first returning Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers and Hud-
sonian Curlew actually flying south over the regular Jersey course on
June 29. By the second week in July southward flights were pro-
nounced. A big Curlew flight came through on July 13-14. For some
time over one thousand of these birds used Egg Island, New Jersey,
as a nightly roost. These birds would leave each morning for popular
feeding grounds and return regularly each evening to their Egg Island
retreat. Mr. Urner counted 1,149 over Absecon at dawn on

July 27.

With all the active field work that is carried on in the New York
City Region surprisingly little is known about our off shore birds.
Practically no local field man gets off the coast during the winter
months and relatively few ever get off looking for pelagic species even
during the summer. As a sequel the exact status of the shearwaters
and petrels off our coast will have to await further study. On July
17 Messrs. Matuszewski and Rose took a fishing trip off Montauk
Point and found “acres of shearwaters of all three species” as well as
thirty or more Wilson’s Petrels.

By the end of the month the notes compiled in The Long Island
News Letter indicated an increase in the number of ducks and the
presence of twenty-one species of shorebirds. Swallows and black-
birds commenced flocking on the marshlands and our first migrant
warblers and flycatchers put in their appearance.

With most local observers rushing out to the coast during August
for shorebirds the landbird migration of the month was again sorely
neglected. I find myself with few notes of importance for our passerine
group in spite of the fact that these records are greatly needed. The
annual post nuptial flight of southern herons was pronounced but
light. Terns, Skimmers and Cormorants trickled in as the month

progressed and by the end of August we find reports of a large in-
teresting group of birds along the outer beaches.

The mean temperatures for July and August were only slightly
above normal in spite of the fact that both of these months had more
sunshine than usual. This clear calm spell was rudely snapped in early
September when a semi-cyclonic storm accompanied by eighty per
cent of the entire month’s rainfall rushed up the coast bringing flood
tides and causing considerable property damage. As was to be ex-
pected great numbers of our more pelagic, more powerful flying shore-
birds were forced to the coast and those observers fortunate enough
to be afield even for weeks after the titanic forces had passed found
birding to be quite exciting. Among the more interesting species to
show up at this time was an Avocet and a surprising number of Hud
sonian Godwits.

The first light frost of the autumn on September 24 brought a
heavy rush of warblers, thrushes and other passerine birds from the
north. Large daily lists were now handed in by local observers. While
September was generally cool and dark October reversed the tables
and presented thirteen per cent more sunshine than normally . . . the
highest on record since 1924. Because of this mild pleasant spell a great
number and variety of shorebirds and warblers remained well until the
end of the month.

Evidently not content to have just September and October estab-
lish new records for the meteorological charts November added an
extreme by presenting twenty-two cloudy days out of thirty . . . the
greatest on record. During the month large flocks of Red-backed
Sandpipers, the last of our transient shorebirds to pass through in the
fall, impressed one with the effect of sane conservation laws. It is
only a score of years ago that the discovery of a single individual of
this species in any part of our region was considered a lucky find.

The first killing frost of the autumn on November 17 cleared out
the large concentrations of shorebirds and brought Tree Sparrows,
Snow Buntings and Horned Larks in tolerable numbers. On the 24th
of the month there was a light widespread Goshawk flight. Two of
these irregular winter visitors were seen flying over Riverhead, Long

Island (Cruickshank) ; one was seen over Bronx Park (Hickey) ;
and two over Clason Point (Kassoy, Kuerzi and Peterson).

By early December the spirit of the annual Christmas census
rivalry was running high. Observers rushed afield each week-end to
meticulously comb the chosen area and perhaps uncover some po-
tential addition for the coming competition. The Long Island News
Letter reveals that twenty-six species of ducks and twelve species of
hawks were present on the first week-end of the month. Mr. Urner
reports shorebirds lingering later than usual around Barnegat with
eleven species present on December ist and eight species on December
8. While a sudden bitter snap on the 21st either killed or cleared out
many out of season species the day before the census, large lists were
turned in by all parties . . . The Bronx County Bird Club and Barnegat
tying with 106 species each.

One has but to glance through the pages of the annotated list to
realize that the compiler would have been unable to present such a
complete picture of the ornithological year had it not been for the
kind cooperation of all 106 observers who submitted their individual
compilations. To each and every one of these contributors I wish to
extend my appreciative thanks. A few individuals, however, were con-
stantly going out of their way to make my task a lighter one. Active
observers like Messrs. Kuerzi, Urner and Sedwitz never failed to
submit complete records of all field trips. Messrs. Hickey and Mayr
were ever willing to offer suggestions and to help with any problems
that arose. It has been a pleasure to experience such cheerful coopera-
tion from not alone friends and acquaintances but from utter strangers
as well.

Gavia winter immer. Common Loon. — Breeding plumaged birds arrived at
Kensico, March 30 (Gere and Murdock) ; one pair present up to early July
(Cruickshank) ; Miller Place, July 22 (Helme) ; heavy migration of both species
of Loons on Jersey Coast, Nov. 10 (Urner).

Gavia arctica pacifica. Pacific Loon. — Long Beach, Feb. 17 (Breslau, Carle-
ton and Sedwitz) ; “In all probability a Pacific Loon. Had a short small bill.
Back pattern exactly like that of a Common Loon. Black patch on each side of
the lower neck as if part of the black throat were in molt.” Montauk, Dec. 8
(Cobb, Janvrin and Peterson), “Most likely a Pacific Loon."

Gavia stellata. Red-throated Loon. — Exceptionally scarce during January
and February. Manhattan Beach, March 2 (Wel>er) ; Idlewild, May 4 (Lind).

Colymbus grisegena holboelli. Holboell’s Grebe. — Very scarce this year . . .
no marked flights. Mt. Sinai, Jan. 9 (Walker) ; Jones Beadi, April 4 (Mayer) ;
Pelham Bay, Nov. 5 (Cantor and Norse) ; Pelham Bay, Dec. 27 (Weber).

Colymbus auritus. Horned Grebe. — Rye, Sept. 29 (Cruickshank, Gere and
Oboiko) ; Millneck, Oct. 19 (Sabin).

Podilymbus podiceps podiccps. Pied-billed Grebe. — Franklin Lake, March 17
(Janvrin) ; Hempstead, March 16 (Mayer) ; Troy Meadows, March 17 (Rusling) ;
Miller Place, Aug. 2 (Helme).

Puffinus griscus. Sooty Shearwater. — 9, Jones Beach, May 25 (Jaques and
Vogt) ; “Several dozen off Montauk, July 17” (Matuszewski and Rose) ; 4, Jones
Beach, Aug. 28 (Bohn).

Puffinus grains. Greater Shearwater. — Beach Haven, May 19 (Fry) ; Long
Beach, July 7 (Sedwitz) ; “Large flock off Montauk, July 17” (Matuszewski and
Rose) ; Peconic Bay, July 24 (Latham) ; 4, Jones Beach, Aug. 28 (Bohn).

Puffinus diomedea borealis. Cory’s Shearwater. — 3, Moriches Inlet, July 2
(C. Cobb) ; “Large flock off Montauk, July 17” (Matuszewski and Rose) ; 3,
Montauk, Aug. 18 (Sedwitz) ; Montauk, Aug. 24 (Breslau).

Oceanifes oceanicus. Wilson’s Petrel. — 30, off Montauk, July 17 (Matuszewski
and Rose) ; 5, Mt. Sinai, July 20 (Helme) ; Oak Island Beach, Aug. 25 (Breslau
and Sedwitz).

Moris bassana. Gannet. — Long Beach, Jan. 5 (Sedwitz) ; Jones Beach, March
31 (Rose) ; Moriches Inlet, Aug. 10 (J. T. Nichols) ; Jones Beach, Sept. 15
(Sedwitz) .

Phalaerocorax carbo carbo. European Cormorant. — ^Jones Beach, Oct. 10
(Mayer) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 12 (Sedwitz).

Phalaerocorax auritus auritus. Double-crested Cormorant. — Tuckerton, April
7 (Urner) ; 1,500, Barnegat, April 27 (Urner) ; heavy flights on Long Island end
of April; 250, Rye, June 23 (Cruickshank); Mt. Sinai, July 17 (Helme); Van
Cortlandt, Oct. 26 (Norse).

Fregata magnificens. Man-o’-war-bird. — Brigantine, Sept. 15 (Tatum).

Ardea herodias herodias. Great Blue Heron. — ^Long Beach, Jan. 6 (Hickey,
Herbert and Kuerzi) ; Central Park, March 14 (Cruickshank) ; Van Cortlandt,
Dec. 22 (Allen, Norse and Kramer).

Casmerodius albus egretta. American Egret. — Troy Meadows, May 16
(Janvrin) ; “Four in Night Heron colony near Amityville during June, probably
breeding” (Mangels) ; 14, Jones Beach, June 30 (Cruickshank) ; Rhinebeck, July
31 (Vogt) ; Salem, Nov. 4 (Brown, Edwards and Urner).

Florida caerulea caerulea. Little Blue Heron. — Idlewild, April 28 (Lind) ;
Montauk, June 17 (Cynthia Church) ; 6, Jones Beach, July 14 (Hickey) ; Hemp-
stead, Sept. 2 (Chapin).

Butorides virescens virescens. Eastern Green Heron.— Speonk, April i (Wil-
cox) ; Barnegat, April 21 (Brown) ; Mecox Bay, Oct. 2i (B. Cobb).

Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli. Black-crowned Night Heron. — Well marked
migration during the third week in March.

Nyctamssa violacea violacea. Yellow-crowned Night Heron — Tuckerton, April
14 (Urner) ; 2, Kissina Park, May 12 to 19 (Lind and Sedwitz) ; Ridgewood, May
26 (Walsh) ; Jones Beach, May 26 (Vogt) ; Grassy Sprain, Oct. 7 (Weber).

Botaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern. — 2, Baxter Creek, Jan. 15 (Malley) ;
“one found dead near Baxter Creek, Feb. 19” (Malley) ; 2, Troy Meadows, March
24 (Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock) ; 3, Baychester, Dec. 22 (Hickey and Weber).

Ixobrychus exilis exilis. Eastern Least Bittern. — Barnegat, April 21 (Urner) ;
Van Cortlandt, May 15 (Cantor, Weber) ; bred in the Van Cortlandt marsh (Sialis
Bird Club).

Plegadis falcinelhis jalcinellus. Eastern Glossy Ibis. — A. single bird discovered
in the Van Cortlandt marsh. May 13 (Wiegman) ; remained until May 15 and seen
by Hickey, Kirerzi, Rich, etc.; Troy Meadows, May 26 (Edwards).

Sthenelides olor. Mute Swan. — 97, Quogue, Feb. 3 (Cobb, Cruickshank and
Gere) ; too, Shinnecock, Aug. 14 (Helme) ; 22, Barnegat, Nov. 10 (Urner) ; 2,
Hillview Reservoir, Dec. 14 (Cantor and Norse).

Cygnus columbianus. Whistling Swan. — Barnegat, March 10 and 17 (Urner) ;
Hackensack River, March 22 (Walsh) ; 4, Newark, Nov. 5 (Urner) ; 6, Idlewild,
Nov. 5 (Lind).

Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. — 40, Tod’s Point, March 10
(Cruickshank and Gere) ; 800, Barnegat, March 24 (Urner) ; 2,000, Shinnecock
Bay, March 16 (Wilcox).

Branta bernicla hrota. American Brant. — 125, Tod’s Point, March 3 (Cobb,
Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock) ; 700, Jones Beach, March 23 (Vogt) ; 1,100,
Jersey Coast, April 7 (Urner) ; 125, Jones Beach, April 28 (Sedwitz) ; 2,200,
Barnegat, Nov. 10 (Urner).

Anser albifrons albifrons. White-fronted Goose. — 4, Barnegat, Nov. 10 (Urner).

Chen hyperborea. Snow Goose (subspecies?). — 4, Long Beach, Jan. 6 (Her-
bert and Kuerzi) ; 300, Woodmere, April 14 (Berliner) ; 750, Lake Success,
April 14 (Rorden) ; 100, Tuckerton, Nov. 16 (Brown and Urner) ; 20, Jones
Beach, Nov. 17 (Breslau) ; 30, Jones Beach, Dec. 8 (Cruickshank).

Chen caerulescens. Blue Goose. — A single bird on the Sound between Bay-
ville and Center Island, March 17 (Lind).

Anas rubripes rubripes. Red-legged Black Duck. — Arrived in Westchester,
Sept. 22 (Cruickshank) ; 20,000, Salem, Nov. 4 (Brown, Edwards and Urner).

Anas rubripes Irislis. Common Black Duck. — Nest and eggs, Ridgewood,
March 9 (Walsh) ; 10 eggs, Newark, April 6 (Urner) ; 250, Shinnecock, July 27
(Wilcox).

Chaulelasmus streperns. Gadwall. — Hempstead, Sept. 22 (Matuszewski) ;
Tuckerton, Sept. 29 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, Oct. s (Sedwitz) ; 12, Brookhaven,
Nov. 3 (Cobb, Cruickshank and .Allyn) ; i6, Brookhaven, Nov. 10 (Breslau, Carle-
ton and Sedwitz). ,

Mareca penelope. European Widgeon. — 3 drakes, Hempstead, Jan. i (Cruick-
shank, Murdock and Peterson) ; 3 drakes, Brookhaven, Jan. 6 (Sedwitz) : Tones
Beach, March 24 (Vogt) ; 14, Brookhaven, Nov. 3 (Allyn, Cobb and Cruick-
shank).

Mareca aniericana. Baldpate. — Hatfield Swamp, March i (Rusling) ; Brook-
haven, Sept. 28 (Cobb) ; Hillview Reservoir, Dec. 22 (.-Mien, Cantor and Norse).

Daftla acuta tzitzihoa. -American Pintail. — 1,000 Hatfield Swamp, March 5
(Rusling) ; 2, Millneck, .\pril 28 (Chapin) ; 35, Brookhaven, Sept. 28 (Cobb).

Nettion crecca. European Teal. — 3 drakes, Hempstead, Jan. i (Cruickshank,
Murdock and Peterson) ; Troy Meadows, March 9 (Rusling) ; Newark Bay,
March 24 (Urner) ; 2, Hempstead, .\pril 27 (Berliner).

Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — Old Greenwich, Jan. i (Gere and
Murdock) ; Hatfield Swamp, March i (Rusling) ; 7, Central Park, March 22
(Cruickshank) ; 75, Barnegat, March 24 (Urner) ; 2,500, Salem, Nov. 4 (Brown,
Edwards and Urner).

Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. — Troy, March 16 (Edwards) ;
Speonk, June 16 (Wilcox) ; bred near Greenwich (Brooks) ; Speonk, July 8-14
(Wilcox) ; 75, Jones Beach, Sept. 15 (Sedwitz) ; 85, Barnegat, Sept. 22 (Urner) ;
Speonk, Dec. 4 (Wilcox).

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — 2, Hempstead, Jan. 15 (Kuerzi) ; 24, Brook-
haven, Feb. 3 (Cobb, Cruickshank and Peterson) ; Troy Meadows, March 17
(Rusling) ; 5, Newark Bay, April 21 (Urner) ; Brookhaven, Oct. 5 (Sedwitz) ;
17, Salem, Nov. 4 (Browm, Edwards and Urner) ; Bronx Park, Dec. 7-22
(Hickey, Kramer and Lehrman).

Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — One on Mills Pond, Long Island, all during Janu-
ary and February (numerous observers) ; nest with broken eggs in Troy Meadows,
April 14 (Gere and Murdock) ; Speonk, Dec. 12 (Wilcox).

Nyroca americana. Redhead. — Now one of the rarest ducks in the region;
40, Shinnecock, Jan. 2 (Helmuth) ; Brookhaven, Oct. 27 (Wilcox) ; 10, Croton
Point, Nov. 30 (Cruickshank and Gere).

Nyroca collarts. Ring-necked Duck. — 150, Brookhaven, Jan. 6 (Sedwitz) ;
15, Kensico, Jan. 27 (Allen, Cobb and Peterson) ; Troy Meadows, March 16

(Edwards) ; Kensico, May 12 (Cruickshank) ; Bronx Park, Oct. 27-Dec. 25
(Sialis Bird Club).

Nyroca valisineria. Canvasback. — 123, Croton Point, Jan. 13 (Allen, Murdock
and Peterson) ; 100, Shinnecock, Feb. 22 (Matuszewski and Thomas) ; Lake
Parsippany, March 23 (Edwards) ; 175, Brookhaven, March 10 (Sedwitz) ; 400,
Croton Point, Nov. 30 (Cruickshank and Gere).

Nyroca marila. Greater Scaup Duck. — 50,000, Eastern Bronx, most of Janu-
ary and February (Bronx County Bird Club) ; Idlewild, June 3-9 (Mayer) ;
Orient, Aug. i (Latham) ; Idlewild, Sept. 21 (Mayer).

Nyroca affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. — 4, Great Neck, March 17 (Allen, Gere
and Murdock) ; 40, Jones Beach, March 24 (Vogt) ; 5, Sagaponack, Oct. 13
(Sedwitz) ; 20, Easthampton, Dec. i (Helmuth). ,

Glaucionetta clangula americana. American Golden-eye. — Mecox Bay, April
28 (Sedwitz) ; Lake Parsippany, May 18 (Edwards, Hickey and Urner) ; Oak-
wood Beach, May 28 (Janvrin) ; Hempstead, Oct. 27 (Sedwitz).

Glaucionetta islandica. Barrow’s Golden-eye.— 3, Orient Point, Feb. i
(Latham).

Charitonetta albeola. Bufflehead. — 15, Kensico, Jan. 5 (Cruickshank and
Gere) ; 14, Montauk, Feb. 3 (Cobb and Peterson) ; Wantagh, one stayed well
into June (Mangels); Brookhaven, Oct. 27 (Wilcox).

Clangula hyernalis. Old Squaw. — 155, Tod’s Point, March 10 (Cruickshank
and Gere) ; 12, Jones Beach, Nov. 3 (Allyn and Cobb).

Somateria mollissima. American Eider. — Montauk, Jan. 2 (Helmuth) ; Hud-
son off Englewood, Nov. 19 (Wiegman) ; Easthampton, Nov. 30 (B. and A.
Cobb).

Somateria spectabilis. King Eider. — 14, Montauk, Jan. 2 (Helmuth) ; 8,
Montauk, Feb. 3 (Kuerzi and Matuszewski) ; Orient Point, March 17 (Sedwitz) ;
Montauk, Dec. 22 (Lind, McKeever and Sedwitz).

Oidemia americana. American Scoter. — Atlantic Beach, July 27- Aug. 8
(Arbib and Berolzheimer).

Melanitta dcglandi. White-winged Scoter. — 15, Orient, Aug. i (Latham).

Melanitta perspicillafa. Surf Scoter. — 25, Long Beach, July 16-27 (Breslau
and Sedwitz) ; Mt. Sinai, Sept. 20 (Helme) ; Rye, Oct. 13 (Herbert and Hickey).

Erismatura jamaicensis rubida. Ruddy Duck. — Brookhaven, Jan. 6 (Sed-
witz) ; Shinnecock, Feb. 3 (Farley, Kuerzi and Matuszewski) ; 14, Jones Beach,
Oct. 20 (Cruickshank, Lehrman and Weber).

Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Merganser. — 12, Rye, Jan. 4 (Cruickshank
and Oboiko) ; Troy Meadows, March 16 (Edwards) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 5 (Sed-

witz) ; 39, Barnegat, Nov. 24 (Urner) ; 40, Rye, Dec. i (Cruickshank, Gere
and Oboiko).

Mergus merganser amerieaiius. American Merganser. — 200, Stamford, Jan.
13 (Farley and Hickey) ; 350, Westchester, March 3 (Cobb and Murdock) ;
Croton Point, May 12 (Cobb, Cruickshank and Gere) ; Inwood, Nov. ii (Cantor
and Norse).

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Lake Parsippany, April 7
(Brown) ; 20, Rye, June 23 (Cruickshank) ; 640, Barnegat, Nov. 10 (Urner).

Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. — 2, Middletown, N. J., Feb.
24 (Edwards and Mayr) ; Troy Meadows, March 9 (Rusling) ; Prospect Park,
March 25 (Brennan) ; Van Cortlandt, April 23 (Norse) ; Bronx Park, April 24
(Cantor and Weber) ; Far Rockaway, Nov. 23 (Lind).

Aslur atricapillus atricapillus. Eastern Goshawk. — Bemardsville, Jan. 5
(Cynthia Herbst) ; Tod’s Point, April 14 (Brooks) ; definite widespread flight,
Nov. 24: Bronx Park (Hickey); Clason Point (Kassoy, Kuerzi and Peterson);
2, Riverhead (Cruickshank) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 28 (Sedwitz) ; Jones Beach,
Dec. 29 (Allen and Cruickshank).

Accipiter relax relax. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Miller Place, Feb. 8 (Helme) ;
Bayside, Aug. 24 (Bohn).

Accipiter caaperi. Cooper’s Hawk. — “Sitting on eggs. New Jersey, May 5“
(Bowdish) ; “Bred on Staten Island for third consecutive year’’ (Cleaves) ; Mastic,
June 23 (J. T. Nichols).

Butea barealis barealis. Eastern Red-tailed Hawk. — “2 over Pine Barrens,
Long Island, Aug. 14” (Helme) ; New Inlet, Aug. 18 (Sedwitz).

Butea lineatus lineatus. Northern Red-shouldered Hawk. — Nest building
near West Caldwell, March 5 (Rusling) ; Northbound migration in northern New
Jersey, March 24 (Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock).

Butea platypterus platypterus. Broad-winged Hawk. — Mastic, April 28 (J. T.
Nichols) ; Mt. Sinai, June 22 (Walker) ; Long Island Pine Barrens, Aug. 13
(Helme); 53, Alpine, Sept. 23 (Wiegman).

Butea lagapus sayicti jahannis. American Rough-legged Hawk. — Large num-
bers lingered much later than usual in the Spring. Marked flight, Jones Beach,
April 7 (Breslau, Sedwitz and Vogt) ; 8, Barnegat, .\pril 21 (Urner) ; Jones
Beach, Oct. 27 (Sedwitz).

Haliaeetus leucacephalus leucacephalus. Southern Bald Eagle. — 6, Croton
Point, Jan. 13 (Cobb, Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock) ; 5, Salem, Nov. 4 (Brown,
Edwards and Urner) ; Montauk, Nov. 29 (B. and A. Cobb).

Pandian haliaetus caralinensis. Osprey. — Barnegat, March 14 (Urner) ; West-
bury, March 30 (Matuszewski) ; “Numerous nests on Jersey Coast, some with

complete clutches, May 5” (Birckhead) ; 6, Mastic, Nov. 3 (J. T. Nichols) ;
Absecon, Nov. 16 (Brown and Urner).

Falco peregrinus anatum. Duck Hawk. — Egg in nest on Palisades, April 14
(Herbert).

Falco columbarius columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. — Bronx Park, March 18
(Weber and Stephenson) ; Oak Island Beach, Aug. 18 (Matuszewski and Rose) ;
25, Freeport, Oct. 17 (Cruickshank) ; Idlewild, Dec. 26 (Mayer).

Falco sparverius sparveriiis. Eastern Sparrow Hawk. — Nest building at
Speonk, March 14 (Wilcox) ; 25 in one flock near Montauk, April 28 (Sedwitz).

Bonasa umbellus umbellus. Eastern Ruffed Grouse. — Still resident around
Kensico (Birckhead and Gere) ; Elmsford Ridge, May 12 (Cobb and Cruick-
shank) .

Colinus virginianus virginianus. Bob-white. — ^36, Hempstead, April 19

(Chapin) ; still breeds in Inwood (Mayr and Norse).

Rallus elegans elegans. King Rail. — Troy Meadows, April 14 (Cruickshank,
Gere and Murdock) ; 2, Troy Meadows, April 21 (Walsh).

Rallus longirostris crepitans. Northern Clapper Rail. — 2, Tuckerton, April 7
(Urner) ; nest and ii eggs near Hewlett, May 22 (Lawrence School Nature
Club) ; 3, Baychester, Dec. 22 (Hickey, Stephenson and Weber).

Rallus liniicola limicola. Virginia Rail. — Idlewild, March 21 (Mayer) ; Oak
Island, Sept. 22 (Mayer) ; Baychester, Dec. 22 (Hickey, Stephenson and Weber).

Porsana Carolina. Sora. — Troy Meadows, March 17 (C. K. Nichols) ; Idle-
wild, March 20 (Mayer) ; young in Troy Meadows, May 7 (Elliot and Janvrin) ;
Central Park, Aug. 17 (Rich) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 19 (Cruickshank) ; Van Cort-
landt, Dec. 15-22 (Cruickshank and Norse).

Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — Fresh dead bird, Troy Meadows,
March 31 (Eaton and Edwards) ; remains of another, Jones Beach, Nov. 28
(McKeever and Sedwitz).

Creciscus jamaicensis stoddardi. Black Rail. — Montauk, July 8 (Church).

Gallinula chloropus cachinnans. Florida Gallinule. — Speonk, April 13-14 (Wil-
cox) ; Jones Beach, May 25 (Vogt) ; young in Van Cortlandt swamp, Aug. 4
(Norse) ; Elmhurst, Nov. 3 (Walker).

Fulica americana americana. American Coot. — 65, Brookhaven, Feb. 3 (Cobb,
Cruickshank and Peterson) ; Jones Beach, March 25 (Vogt) ; 60, Barnegat, Nov.
10 (Urner) ; on Hudson off Englewood, Nov. ii (Cantor and Norse).

Charadrius melodus. Piping Plover. — Moriches Inlet, March 16 (Wilcox) ;
Barnegat, March 17 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, March 17 (Weber) ; 69 between
Jones Beach and Oak Island, April 7 (Sedwitz, Lind and Wolfram) ; Oak Island,
Oct. 5 (Sedwitz).

Charadrius scmipalmatus. Semipalmated Plover. — 4, Barnegat, April 20
(Urner) ; Barnegat, Nov. 10 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 19 (Cruickshank).

Pagolta wilsonia wilsonia. Wilson’s Plover. — Brigantine, Aug. 9 (Lx>etscher
and Street).

Oxyechus vociferus vociferus. Killdeer. — 2, Central Park, March 13 (Cruick-
shank) ; young, Demarest, April 29 (Bowdish) ; Rye, Dec. 22 (Herl>ert and
Oboiko).

Pluvialis dominica dominica. Golden Plover. — Newark Meadows, Aug. 10
(Urner) ; 38, Newark Meadows, Sept. 28 (Urner) ; Rye, Sept. 29 (Gere) ; Idle-
wild, Nov. 3 (Mayer) ; Newark, Nov. 9 (Urner).

Squatarola squatarola. Black-bellied Plover. — Oak Island Beach, April 7
(Breslau and Sedwitz) ; Dutchess County, May 25 (Baker and Peterson) ; 6,
Tuckerton, Dec. 8 (Urner) ; Stamford, Dec. 24 (Cruickshank).

Arenaria inter pres morinella. Ruddy Turnstone. — ^Jones Beach, June 30
(Cruickshank) ; Moriches Inlet, July ii (Wilcox) ; Tuckerton, Dec. i (Urner).

Philohela minor. Woodcock. — Central Park, Feb. 24 (Cobb) ; Bronx Park,
March 29 (Stephenson) ; one in full song at Montauk, April 28 (Sedwitz).

Capella delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. — 5, Idlewild, Feb. 5 (Mayer) ; Jones Beach,
March 18 (Vogt) ; Central Park, March 21 (Birckhead) ; Central Park, Nov. 7
(Birckhead).

Phaeopus htidsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. — Beach Haven, April 20 (Urner) ;
Oak Island Beach, June 12 (Berliner) ; heavy flight at Barnegat, July 13-14
(Urner) ; 1,149 flying over Absecon at dawn, July 27 (Urner) ; Oak Island, Sept.
22 (Matuszewski and Rose).

Bartramia longicaiida. Upland Plover. — Kensico, April 21 (Cruickshank and
Gere) ; Newark Meadows and New Egypt, June i (Urner) ; Orient, July 31
(Latham) ; Long Beach, Sept. 5 (Sedwitz) ; Rye, Sept. 5 (Cruickshank).

Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Barnegat, April 20 (Urner) ; marked
wave on Long Island, April 28: Bayside (Bohn) ; Lake Success (Rorden) ; Mon-
tauk (Sedwitz), etc.; Hempstead, Oct. 27 (Sedwitz). ,

Tringa solitaria solitaria. Eastern Solitary Sandpiper. — Lake Success, April
28 (Rorden) ; Speonk, July 20 to Sept. 22 (Wilcox).

Catoptrophorus semipahnatus subsp. Willet. — Idlewild, June 4 (Mayer) ;
“Much fewer August Willet on the Jersey Coast” (Urner) ; New Inlet, Aug. 18
(Sedwitz) ; Staten Island, Aug. 24 (Knoblauch and Wiegman).

Totanus melanoleuciis. Greater Yellow-legs. — Idlewild, Feb. 21-23 (Mayer) ;
Jones Beach, June 23 (Matuszewski and Rose) ; 4, Hempstead, Dec. 6 (Cruick-
shank) ; 4, Tuckerton, Dec. 8 (Urner).

Totanus flavipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. — Sagaponack, April 28 (Sedwitz) ;
“Good flight on Jersey Coast, July 27” (Umer) ; Wantagh, Oct. 20 (Sedwitz) ;
Tuckerton, Dec. i (Urner) ; Sagaponack, Dec. 8 (Sedwitz) ; Hempstead, Dec. 18
(Cruickshank).

Calidris canutus rufus. American Knot. — 3, Brigantine, Jan. 6 (Urner) ; 5,
Barnegat, April 20 (Urner) ; 75, Oak Island Beach, May 26 (Sedwitz) ; 725 on
Jersey Coast, July 27 (Urner) ; Barnegat, Dec. 8 (Urner).

Arquatella maritima. Purple Sandpiper. — Long Beach, Jan. 6 (Herbert,
Hickey and Kuerzi) ; Montauk, Feb. 3 (Cobb, Gere, Murdock and Peterson) ; 5,
Long Beach, March 20 (Janvrin) ; 4, Long Beach, Nov. 18 (Cruickshank) ;
Tuckerton, Nov. 24 through December (Urner) ; Montauk, Dec. 22 (Lind,
McKeever and Sedwitz).

Pisobia melanota. Pectoral Sandpiper. — ^Jones Beach, April 4 and 13 (Vogt) ;
Grassy Sprain, Oct. 7 (Weber) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 14 (Mayer) ; Tuckerton,
Dec. I (Urner).

Pisobia fuscicollis. White-rumped Sandpiper. — Barnegat, April 27 (Urner) ;
6, Oak Island Beach, April 28 (Sedwitz) ; Tod’s Point, Nov. 10 (Cruickshank) ;
Mecox Bay, Dec. i (Helmuth).

Pisobia bairdi. Baird’s Sandpiper. — ^Jones Beach, Aug. 18 (Mangels) ; Newark
Bay, Aug. 25 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, Aug. 28 (Bohn) ; 3, Brigantine, Aug. 30
(Loetscher) ; Brigantine, Aug. 31 (Urner).

Pisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — Barnegat, April 20 (Urner) ; Oak
Island Beach, June 12 (Berliner) ; “Southbound birds on Jersey Coast, June 29”
(Urner) ; Idlewild, Oct. 18 (Mayer).

Pelidna alpina sakhalina. Red-backed Sandpiper. — 2, Freeport, Jan. 13 (Bres-
lau) ; Long Beach, Feb. 3 (Heck and Sedwitz) ; 1,000, Barnegat, April 20
(Urner) ; Southampton, July 21 (Mahnken).

Limnodromus griseus griseus. Eastern Dowitcher. — Barnegat, April 20
(Urner) ; Moriches Inlet, April 20 (Wilcox) ; Tuckerton, June 29 (Urner) ; 14,
Jones Beach, June 30 (Cruickshank) ; 2, Jones Beach, Nov. 19 (Cruickshank).

Limnodromus griseus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. — Idlewild, Aug.
24 (Mayer) ; Jones Beach, Sept, i (Matuszewski and Rose) ; Mr. Urner sends
the following records for Jersey: Barnegat, Aug. 18; Newark Bay, Nov. 5;
Tuckerton, 8 present, Oct. 6-27; one still present, Nov. 10.

Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — Newark, April 28 (Urner) ;
Sagaponack, May 25 (Helmuth) ; 35, Jones Beach, July 20 (Sedwitz) ; Jones
Beach, Oct. 20 (Banner, Sedwitz and Weber).

Ereunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. — Oak Island, April 28 (Breslau,
Carleton and Sedwitz) ; Newark, June 21 (Urner) ; Idlewild, Nov. 6 (Mayer) ;
Jones Beach, Nov. 19 (Cruickshank) ; Barnegat, Dec. 22 (Urner).

Ereunetes tnauri. Western Sandpiper. — Oak Island Beach, May 26 (Sedwitz) ;
Idlewild, Oct. 29 (Mayer) ; Beachhaven, Nov. 4 (Urner).

Tryngitcs subnificollis. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. — Brigantine, Aug. 30
((Loetscher) ; Oakwood Beach, Sept. 8 (Wiegnian and Lehrman) ; 5!, Wantagh,
Sept. 30 (Mangels).

Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. — Brigantine, July 27 (Urner) ; Oak Island
Beach, Sept. 7, 15 and Oct. 20 (Sedwitz) ; New Inlet, Sept. 8 (Matuszewski and
Peterson) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 15 (Sedwitz).

Limosa haemastica. Hudsonian Godw'it. — Newark, Sept. 6 (Urner) ; 3, Mor-
iches Inlet, Sept. 8-19 (Cobb and Wilcox) ; 2, Rye, Sept. 29 (Cruickshank, Gere
and Oboiko) ; Tuckerton, Oct. 6 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 27 (Cruickshank,
Walsh and Vogt).

Crocethia alba. Sanderling. — 3, Long Beach, Feb. 17 (Breslau, Carleton and
Sedwitz) ; Moriches Inlet, April 20 (Wilcox) ; Idlewild, June 20 (Mayer).

Recurz'irostra americana. .A,vocet. — New Inlet, Sept. 8 (Matuszewski, Peter-
son and Sedwitz) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 20 (Cruickshank, Sedwitz and Weber) ; Jones
Beach, Oct. 24 (Mayer) ; Freeport, Nov. 6 (Cruickshank).

Phalaropus fnlicariiis. Red Phalarope. — Barnegat, May 4 (Urner) ; “One
found dead at Sayville, May 5, following a series of easterly storms, apparently
.died of starvation” (H. G. Smith) ; Tuckerton, Oct. 6 (Urner).

Steganopus tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope. — Newark Bay marshes, Sept. 6-12
(Urner) .

Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. — 2, Idlewild, Aug. 26 (Mayer) ; Oak-
wood Beach, Sept. 7 (Stephenson and Weber) ; 2, Newark Bay, Sept. 28 (Urner).

Stercorarius pomarinus. Pomarine Jaeger. — “Four observed on September 2
from the New London Ferry between Orient Point and Plum Island. They al-
lowed rather close approach and I saw the peculiar central tail feathers” (Bohn).

Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. — Lower Bay, Sept. 8 (Rich) ;
Montauk, Sept. 9 (Cobb and Wilcox) ; 3, Jones Beach, Sept. 15 (Sedwitz) ; Jones
Beach, Oct. 13 (Lind).

Stercorarius longicaudus. Long-tailed Jaeger. — Montauk, Aug. 25 (Breslau) ;
“Flying only ten feet from the boat.”

Larus hyperboreus. Glaucous Gull. — Baxter Creek, Jan. 1-29 (Kuerzi and
Malley) ; 5, Pelham Bay, Feb. 17 (Kuerzi) ; Idlewild, Feb. 23 (Mayer) ; Shark
River, March 17 (Urner); Freeport, Dec. 9 (Cruickshank).

Larus leucopterus. Iceland Gull. — 3, Havermeyer Dump, Bronx, Jan. 17-30
(Kuerzi) ; 2, Coney Island, Jan. 16 (Cruickshank) ; 2, Inwood, Jan. 31 and Feb. i
(Norse) ; Hudson River, Jan. 19 (Eaton) ; Montauk, Dec. 8 (Cobb, Janvrin and
Peterson).

Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull. — Over 200, Long Beach, March 23
(Chapin) ; 3, Moriches Inlet, June 5 (Wilcox) ; fling off Sandy Hook, June 27
(Eaton).

Larus kumlieni. Kumlien’s Gull. — Kings Point, Jan. 16 (Matuszewski) ;
Baxter Creek, Feb. 12 (Cruickshank and Gere).

Larus delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. — 56, Eastern Long Island, Jan. i (Hel-
muth) ; “Spring flight later than usual ... no big flocks at Newark until April
21” (Urner).

Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull. — Rockaway, April 3 (Chapin) ; Tuckerton,
April 7 (Urner) ; Central Park, April 13 (Cruickshank) ; 20, Seacliff, Dec. 3
(Cruickshank).

Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull. — Over 1,000 at Montauk, Jan. 2 (Hel-
muth) ; Oakwood Beach, Aug. 24 (Knoblauch and Wiegman) ; Idlewild, Sept. 2
(Lind and Mayer) ; Darien, Conn., Dec. 22 (Brooks).

Larus minutus. Little Gull.— “A single bird of this species was studied care-
fully in New York Bay on April 20” (Cantor and Norse).

Rissa tridactyla tridactyla. Atlantic Kittiwake. — Long Beach, Feb. 17 (Berk-
heimer and Cruickshank) ; Barnegat, March 24 (Urner) ; Montauk, Nov. 29 (B.
and A. Cobb).

Sterna forsteri. Forster’s Tern. — Oakwood Beach, Aug. 24 (Knoblauch and
Wiegman) ; New Inlet, Oct. 5 (Sedwitz) ; 12, Newark, Oct. 12 (Urner) ; 2,
Freeport, Nov. 8 (Cruickshank).

Sterna hirundo hirundo. Common Tern. — Freeport, May 5 (Sedwitz) ; nest
and eggs on Oak Island Beach, May 26 (Gere and Murdock) ; 2, Oak Island
Beach, Oct. 20 (Breslau).

Sterna dougalli dougalli. Roseate Tern. — Oak Island, July 21 (Berliner) ; 75,
Montauk, Aug. 18 (Sedwitz) ; Oakwood Beach, Aug. 24 (Knoblauch and Wieg-
man) ; Rockaway Point, Oct. 3 (Wiegman).

Sterna antillarum antillarum. Least Tern. — 30, Oak Island Beach, April 28
(Breslau, Carleton and Sedwitz) ; many eggs. Oak Island, May 26 (Gere and
Murdock) ; Idlewild, Sept. 16 (Mayer).

Thalasseus maximus maximus. Royal Tern. — Brigantine, Sept. 15 (Tatum).

Hydroprogne caspia imperator. Caspian Tern. — Tuckerton, July 20 (Allen) ;
Idlewild, Sept. 3 (Mayer) ; 7, Barnegat, Sept. 29 (Urner) ; Oak Island, Sept. 15
(Sedwitz) ; 2, Upper Greenwood Lake, Oct. 6 (Brown).

Chlidonias nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. — Oak Island, June 12 (Berliner
and Berolzheimer) ; 150, Bayside, Sept. 7 (Bohn) ; 500, Moriches Inlet, Sept. 14
(Wilcox).

Rynchops nigra nigra. Black Skimmer. — 6, Oak Island, June 12 (Berliner
and Berolzheimer) ; nest again at Oak Island (Matuszewski and Rose) ; 35, New
Inlet, Aug. 25 (Sedwitz) : 40, Moriches Inlet, Sept. 14 (Wilcox).

.A/ca torda. Razor-billed Auk. — Long Beach, Feb. 3 (Sedwitz).

Uria lonwia lomvia. Brunnich’s Murre. — Montauk, Dec. i (B. and A. Gsbb).

Alle alle. Dovekie. — Between Montauk and Southampton, Jan. i (Helmuth) ;
dead bird found at Montauk, Dec. 22 (Carleton, McKeever and Sedwitz).

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Eastern Mourning Dove. — 18, Westbury,
Jan. 13 (Matuszewski) ; Caldwell, Jan. 4 (Rusling) ; Kensico, March 22 ((iere) ;
nest and eggs, Rye, April 14 (Oboiko).

Coccycus americanus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — Oak Island, Sept.
22 (Matuszewski).

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Black-'billed Cuckoo. — Bayside, April 28 (Sabin) ;
Idlewild, Sept. 22 (Mayer).

Tyto alba pratincola. Barn Owl. — Pelham Bay, one young still in nest, Jan. 9
(Kassoy) ; Miller Place, Feb. 9 (Helme) ; West Caldwell, March 5 (Rusling) ;
Prospect Park, April 4 (Cruickshank) ; Westhampton, Nov. 14 (Wilcox).

Otus asio naevius. Eastern Screech Owl. — 2, Central Park, March 14-March
29 (Birckhead, Kuerzi and Mayr).

Bubo virginianus virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Nest near Boonton, Feb.
12 (Brown) ; three young in nest on Palisades, April 14 (Herbert).

Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Owl. — Long Beach, Jan. 13 (Darrow and Watson) ;
Oceanside, Jan. 27 (Sedwitz) ; Jones Beach, March 25 (Vogt) ; Idlewild, Oct. 20-
Nov. 5 (Lind and Walker) ; 2, Jones Beach, Dec. 8 (Allen, Cruickshank and
Eynon) ; Pelham Bay, Dec. 27 (Weber) ; Newark Meadows, Jan. 26-Feb. 10
(Urner).

Strix varia varia. Barred Owl. — One egg in nest near West Caldwell, March
2; one young and two eggs, April 14 (Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock).

Asio •wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl. — Bird on nest near Caldwell, March 18
(Rusling) ; 2, Hunters Island, March 23 (Norse).

Asio flammeus flammeus. Short-eared Owl. — 18, Newark Meadows, Jan. 26
(Urner) ; Chestnut Ridge, Dutchess County, April 28 (Baker and Murphy) ;
Courtship display on Newark Meadows in early April, later two broods of young
seen (Urner) ; 4 young, Jones Beach, June 30 (Cruickshank),

Cryptoglaux acadica acadica. Saw-whet Owl. — Miller Place, Jan. 21 (Helme) ;
Troy Meadows, Feb. 24 (Rusling) ; Rye, Oct. 17 ((Sere) ; Jones Beach, Oct. 20
(Cruickshank) ; Elmhurst, Nov. 6 (Beals) ; Hunters Island, Nov. 29-Dec. 22
(Sialis Bird Club).

Antrostomiis vociferus vocifertis. Eastern Whip-poor-will. — Barnegat, April
21 (Urner) ; Long Island City, April 22 (Beals) ; Prospect Park, April 30
(Cruickshank) ; Central Park, Oct. 5 (Birckhead) ; Inwood, Aug. 28 (Cantor).

Chordeiles minor minor. Eastern Nighthawk. — ^Nest with two young. Miller
Place, June 21 (Helme) ; remarkable flight along Jersey Coast from Aug. 29 to
Sept. 7; “Several thousand seen in short time . . . 700 over South Amboy most
impressive group. Sept, i” (Urner) ; partially crippled bird in Freeport, Oct. 23
(Cruickhank) .

Chaetura pelagica. Chimney Swift. — Flushing, April 20 (Sabin) ; Riverdale,
April 21 (Walsh) ; Van Cortlandt, April 25 (Banner, Cantor and Norse).

Megaceryle alcyon alcyon. Eastern Belted Kingfisher. — Caldwell, Jan. 5
(Rusling) ; Central Park, March 4 (Cruickshank).

Colaptes anrafus luteus. Northern Flicker. — Arrived in Central Park, March
13 (Kuerzi) ; heavy flight in Central Park, March 29 (Herbert) ; 60, Central
Park, Sept. 24 (Knoblauch).

Ceophloeus pileatus abieticola. Northern Pileated Woodpecker. — Lake Sur-
prise, Union County, N. J., March 9 (Urner) ; 2, Bearfort Mountain, May 4
(Brown).

Centnrus carolinus. Red-bellied Woodpecker. — Prospect Park, June 27
(Cruickshank).

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — A number bred in
Pelham Bay Park (Malley) ; 2 present until end of year (Hickey, Kassoy and
Weber) ; Central Park, Sept. 7-1 1 (Holgate) ; Montauk, Sept. 9 (Cobb and
Wilcox) .

Sphyrapicus varius varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Miller Place, Jan. 21
and Feb. 17 (Helme) ; Prospect Park, March 30 (Brennan) ; Central Park,
Sept. 25 (Knoblauch).

Dryobates pubescens medianus. Northern Downy Woodpecker. — ^Jones Beach
Sanctuary, Nov. 19 and Dec. 29 (Allen and Cruickshank).

Picoides arcticus. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. — “A female of this species
was observed working on a dead pine in the Phelp’s Estate, Englewood, Feb. 16“
(Heck and Janvrin).

Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird. — Definite wide ranging wave on April 28, first
spring reports from Jersey, to Chestnut Ridge, Dutchess County (Baker and
Murphy) ; southbound migration noted at Tuckerton, July 6 (Urner) ; 35 migrants
in Long Island pine barrens, Aug. 14 (Helme).

Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird. — Barnegat, Sept. 8 (Urner) ; Stony
Brook, Sept. 12 (Helme) ; Moriches Inlet, Oct. 13 (Lind and Sedwitz) ; Barnegat,
Nov. 10 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 14 (Herholdt).

Myiarchus crinitus boreus. Northern Crested Flycatcher. — Feeding young,
Speonk, July 13 (Wilcox) ; Central Park, May 2 (Cantor).

Sayornis phoebe. Eastern Phoebe. — Inwood, March 13 (Cantor) ; Mastic,
March 16 (D. G. Nichols) ; Syosset, Dec. 12 (Cruickshank).

Empidonax jlaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. — Miller Place, Aug. 10
(Helme) ; Mrs. Beals sends the following banding records from Elmhurst: Aug.
25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 ; Sept. I, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 22.

Empidonax virescens. Acadian Flycatcher. — Singing bird in Central Park,
May 8 (Cruickshank and Kuerzi) ; Bayside, Aug. 25 (Bohn and Sabin).

Empidonax trailli trailli. Alder Flycatcher. — Banded at Elmhurst, Sept. 7 and
10 (M. Beals).

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — The following banding record from
Elmhurst: May 19-23: Aug. 29-31; Sept. 9-26 (Beals).

Nuttallornis mesoleiicus. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Miller Place, Aug. 17
(Helme) ; Montauk, Aug. 18 (Sedwitz) ; Richmond Hill, .Aug. 31 (Mayer).

Otocoris alpestris alpestris. Northern Horned Lark. — 200, Westbury, March
17 (Matuszewski) ; 12, Tod’s Point, April 20 (Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock) ;
4, Van Cortlandt, Oct. 9 (Banner and Kramer) ; 300, Bayside, Nov. 3 (Bohn).

Otocoris alpestris praticola. Prairie Horned Lark. — Westbury, Jan. 13 and
March 17 (Matuszewski) ; Tod’s Point, March 10 (Cruickshank and (Sere) ;
Newark Meadows, July 14 (Urner).

Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Troy Meadows, March 16 (Edwards) ;
hundreds in same locality on March 24 (Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock) ; 14,000,
Idlewild, Sept. 22 (Mayer) ; Oakwood Beach, Nov. 16 (Cantor and Norse).

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. — Ridgewood,
March 31 (Walsh) ; Metedeconck, April 7 (Urner) ; Kensico, April 19 ((Sere) ;
Miller Place, Sept. 6 (Helme).

Hirundo erytlirogaster. Barn Swallow. — 2, Shinnecock, March 31 (Latham) ;
Idlewild, Oct. 19 (Mayer) ; Jones Beach, Nov. 14 (Herholdt).

Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons. Northern Cliff Swallow. — Metedeconck,
April 7 (Urner).

Progne subis subis. Purple Martin. — Rye, April 4 (Oboiko) ; Blairstown,
April 7 (Edwards) ; Millneck, April 28 (Matuszewski and Rose) ; six pair nested
at Rocky Point, Long Island (Helme).

Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Blue Jay. — “Flight of hundreds,” Central Park,
Sept. 30 (Knoblauch) ; twenty in with a flock of 500 crows over Jones Beach,
Nov. 19 (Cruickshank).

Pica pica hudsonia. American Magpie. — General reports indicate a light in-
vasion in the eastern United States : One bird discovered in the Van Cortlandt
Marsh, Oct. 31 (Sialis Bird Club) and remained until Dec. 22 (Cruickshank) ;
a single bird flying over Rye, Dec. 21 (Cruickshank) ; specimen collected at Bear
Mountain, Nov. 14 (Carr).

Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Eastern Crow. — Definite flight from
the southwest towards the northeast over Westchester all day, March 3 (Cobb,
Gere and Murdock) ; 76 over Bronx Park, March 3 (Malley).

Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow. — 7, Westbury, Jan. 16 (Matuszewski) ; 40
wintered at Baxter Creek (Kuerzi and Malley) ; Troy Meadows, March 17
(Rusling) ; 15, Jones Beach, Nov. 14 (Mayer).

Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. Black-capped Chickadee. — Strangely absent
during the winter of 1934-35 around New York City where it is usually a common
winter resident.

Baeolophus bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — One pair bred along the Pelham
Manor-Bronx line: 3 still present, Dec. 15 (Hickey, Schmidt and Weber) ;
Massapequa, June 30 (Cruickshank and Murdock) ; Scarborough, Aug. 14 (Mrs.
Slaker).

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Miller Place, Feb. 2 (Helme) ;
excellent autumn migration; 5, Mastic, Sept. 7 (J. T. Nichols) ; 12, Jones Beach,
Oct. 27 (Gere, Knoblauch and Vogt).

Certhia familiaris americana. Brown Creeper. — Van Cortlandt, May 2 (Cantor,
Stephenson and Weber) ; a singing bird at Alpine, New Jersey, June 28 (Cantor).

Troglodytes aedon aedon. House Wren. — Hempstead, April 14 (Chapin) ;
Miller Place, April 17 (Helme) ; bred in Central Park for the first time in many
years and raised three young (Ridi).

Nannus hiemalis hiemalis. Eastern Winter Wren. — Central Park, May 7
(Kuerzi).

Thryothorus Indovicianus ludovicianus. Carolina Wren. — 3, Barnegat, March
17, first since Feb. 1934 . . . “became somewhat re-established during the year”
(Urner) ; Oyster Bay, April 8 (Swope); Greenwich, April 28 (Brooks).

Telmatodytes palustris palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. — “In song,” Jones
Beach, April 21 (Vogt).

Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. — Jones Beach, Jan. 6 (Her-
bert, Hickey and Kuerzi) ; Barnegat, April 14 (Urner) ; 20, Croton Point, May
12 (Cobb, Gere and Murdock) ; nested at Idlewild (Mayer).

Mimus polyglottos polyglottos. Mockingbird. — Montauk, Jan. 6 (Sedwitz) ;
Bayonne, March 3 (Eaton) ; Woodmere, April 4 to 21 (Berliner and Adelberg) ;
Jones Beach, Aug. 28 (Bohn) ; Rye, Dec. 22 (Herbert and Oboiko).

Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. — Bronx Park, Jan. 2 to 12 (Gere and Cruick-
shank) ; Miller Place, April 20 (Helme) ; Bronx Park, Dec. 21 (Hickey) ;
Jamaica, Dec. i6 to 22 (Knorr).

Toxostoma nifuui. Brown Thrasher. — Islip, Feb. 2 (Bohn) ; Jones Beach,
April 21 (Vogt) : Bronx Park, Dec. 22 (Allen, Kramer and Lehrman) ; Jamaica,
Dec. 26 (Knorr).

Hylocichla tiiusteliiia. Wood Thrush. — Rye, April 28 (Cobb and Cruick-
shank) ; Idlewild, April 28 (Mayer) ; Central Park, Oct. 12 (Cantor) ; Montauk,
Oct. 13 (Lind).

Hylocichla guttata faxoni. Eastern Hermit Thrush. — Caldwell, Jan. 5 (Rus-
ling) ; Bayville, March 31 (Bohn) ; four singing birds during July near Quogue
(Cobb) ; Elmhurst, Sept. 23 (Beals).

Hylocichla minima aliciae. Gray-checked Thrush. — Bron.x Park, April 27
(Banner, Cantor and Weber) ; the following banding records from Mrs. Beals
at Elmhurst: May 13 to 28; Sept. 24 to Oct. 9.

Hylocichla minima minima. Bicknell’s Thrush. — The following banding

records from Mrs. Beals at Elmhurst: May 27; Sept. 10, 12, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,

28, 29, 30; Oct. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14. One picked up dead at Barne-

gat. Sept. 29 (Urner).

Hylocichla jusccscens fuscescens. Veery. — W'oodmere, April 22 (Chapin) ;
Hewlett, April 22 (Mayer) ; Westbury, Sept. 7 (Matuszewski).

Sialia sialis sialis. Eastern Bluebird. — 12, Kensico, Jan. 5 (Gere) ; 4, Mon-
tauk, Jan. 6 (Sedwitz) ; spring flight in Westchester, March 10 (Gere and
Cruickshank).

Polioptila cacrulea caerulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Millneck, April 21

(Harrower and Rand) ; Barnegat, April 21 (Brown) ; Bayside, Aug. 24 and 30
(Bohn) ; Central Park, Sept. 17 (Weber).

Regulus satrapa satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Jones Beach, March 24
(Vogt) ; a decided flight in Westchester, March 31 (Gere).

Corthylio calendula calendula. Eastern Ruby-crowned Kinglet.— Prospect
Park, March 30 (Brennan) ; first Central Park wave, April 16 (Knoblauch,
Kuerzi and Mayr) ; Grassy Sprain, Dec. 22 (Heck, Mayr and Phillips).

Anthus spinoletta mbescens. American Pipit. — 30, Idlewild, Jan. 7 (Mayer) ;
Troy Meadows, March 17 (Rusling) ; Oak Island, Sept. 22 (Matuszewski) ;
Grassy Sprain, Oct. 13 (Knoblauch) ; over 500, Hicksville, Oct. 16 (Cruick-
shank).

Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing.— 16, Idlewild, Jan. 16 (Mayer) ; 12,
Miller Place, Feb. 5 (Helme) ; 18, Central Park, Sept. 17 (Knoblauch) ; Saw
Mill River Valley, Dec. 22 (Solotar and Thomas).

Lanius borealis borealis. Northern Shrike. — Kensico, Jan. 27 to Feb. 9 (Gere
and Kuerzi) ; Amaganset, Feb. 3 (Farley, Kuerzi and Matuszewski) ; Barnegat,
March 7 (Urner and Vogt) ; Montauk, March 10 (Sedwitz) ; Riverhead, Nov. 24
((Cruickshank).

Lanius ludovicianus migrans. Migrant Shrike. — Westchester, April 5 (Cruick-
shank) ; Montauk, Aug. 18 (Sedwitz) ; Floral Park, Aug. 23 (Lind) ; Newark,
Sept. 2 to 12 (Urner) ; Freeport, Oct. 23 (Cruickshank).

Vireo griseus griseus. White-eyed Vireo. — Bronx Park, April 29 (Gell-
Mann) ; “A singing bird at Kent, Connecticut, June 15 to July 6 . . . probably a
slight northern extension of the bird as a breeder” (Kuerzi) ; Freeport, Oct. 15
(Cruickshank).

Vireo jlavijrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. — ^Bronx Park, May 2 (Weber) ;
Bayside, Sept. 2 (Bohn).

Vireo solitarius solitarius. Blue-headed Vireo.— Bronx Park, April 15 (Mal-
ley) ; Stamford, April 20 (Gere and Murdock) ; Central Park, June 2 (Sedwitz) ;
Elmhurst, Nov. i (Beals).

Vireo olivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. — Bronx Park, May 4 (Weber) ; Speonk,
Oct. 17 (Wilcox); Bayside, Nov. i (Bohn).

Vireo philadelphicus. Philadelphia Vireo. — Grassy Sprain, May ii (Weber).

Vireo gilvus gilvus. Eastern Warbling Vireo. — Easthampton, June 28 to 30
(Helmuth) ; recommenced singing in Rye during last days of September, present
to Oct. 13 (Cruickshank and Gere).

Mniotilta varia. Black and White Warbler. — Millneck, April 21 (Harrower
and Rand) ; Freeport, Nov. 8 (Cruickshank).

Helmitheros vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. — Bronx Park, May 4
(Cantor) ; one of most abundant warblers on Elmsford Ridge, May 12 (Cobb,
Gere and Murdock) ; Jones Beach, May 26 (Cruickshank).

Vermivora chrysoptera. Golden- winged Warbler. — Woodmere, May 5 (Lind
and Sedwitz) ; Bayside, Sept, i (Bohn) ; Kensico, Oct. 6 (Cruickshank and
Gere).

Vermivora pinus. Blue-winged Warbler. — Bayside, April 28 (Sabin) ; Bronx
Park, April 28 (Gell-Mann).

Vermivora leucobronchialis. Brewster’s Warbler. — Bronx Park, April 28
(Gell-Mann) ; Bronx Park, Sept. 27 (Stephenson).

Vermivora peregrhta. Tennessee Warbler. — Kissena Park, May 19 (Sed-
witz) ; Central Park, May 21 (Knoblauch and Kuerzi) ; Idlewild, Sept. 3 (Mayer).

Vermivora celata celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — 3, Old Greenwich, Jan.
6 (Cruickshank, Gere and Murdock) ; Bronx Park, Sept. 17 (Weber) ; Elmhurst,
Oct. 22 (Beals).

Vertnivora ruftcapilla ruficapilla. Nashville Warbler. — ^Westchester, April
28 (Cobb, Gere and Murdock) ; “A singing bird at Briarcliff, June 20 (Eaton) ;
Herrick, Aug. 24 (Lind and Rose) ; Central Park, Nov. 9-11 (Birckhead).

Compsothlypis americana pusilla. Northern Parula Warbler. — Bronx Park,
April 26 (Sialis Bird Club) ; Millneck, April 28 (Matuszewski and Rose) ; a
singing bird at Mastic, June 23 (J. T. Nichols).

Dendroica acstiva aestiva. Eastern Yellow Warbler. — Mt. Sinai, April 27
(Walker) ; Bronx Park, April 27 (Cantor and Weber) ; “Migrants passing
through Westbury, Aug. 6” (Matuszewski).

Dettdroica magnolia. Magnolia Warbler. — Bronx Park, May 4 (Cantor and
Stephenson) ; Idlewild, Oct. 15 (Mayer).

Dendroica tigrina. Cape May Warbler. — Central Park, May 10 (Knoblauch
and Kuerzi) ; Woodmere, May 19 (Sedwitz) ; Miller Place, Aug. 24 (Helme) ;
Rosedale, Sept. 17 (Mayer).

Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler. — Bronx
Park, April 27 (Sialis Bird Club) ; Lake Success, April 28 (Rorden) ; Inwood,
June 12 (Norse) ; Rye, Nov. 10 (Cruickshank).

Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. — 4, Rye, Sept. 3 (Cruickshank and
Gere).

Dendroica virens virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — Webbs Mills, June
8 (Urner) ; Mt. Kisco, June ii (Fry) ; Belleterre, June 21 (Helme) ; 2, Inwood,
Nov. I (Norse) ; Rye, Nov. 10 (Cruickshank).

Dendroica fusca. Blackburnian Warbler. — Lake Success, April 28 (Rordan) ;
Bronx Park, April 30 (Kramer, Malley and Weber) ; Idlewild, Sept, ii (Mayer).

Dendroica dominica dominica. Yellow-throated Warbler. — Troy Hills, New
Jersey, May 5 (E. and M. Rich).

Dendroica pensylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler. — Bronx Park, April 27
(Cantor and Weber) ; nest and eggs at Miller Place, Jime 21 (Helme).

Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler. — Staten Island, May 5 (Hickey
and Kuerzi) ; Jones Beach, May 12 (Lind and Sedwitz) ; Kensico, Oct. 6 (Cruick-
shank and (Jere).

Dendroica striata. Black-poll Warbler. — Idlewild, “to June 8” (Mayer) ;
Speonk to June 17 (Wilcox).

Dendroica pinus pimis. Northern Pine Warbler. — Phelps Estate, March 30
(Janvrin) ; Bronx Park, March 30 (Malley) ; Miller Place, singing bird present
during June (Helme) ; Easthampton, Dec. i (Helmuth).

Dendroica discolor discolor. Prairie Warbler. — Bronx Park, April 20
(Weber) ; 2, Bedford Hills, June ii (Fry) ; Mt. Sinai, June 22 (Walker).

Dendroica palmarum palmarum. Palm Warbler. — Idlewild, Sept. 7 (Mayer) ;
Inwood, Dec. 4 (Karsch) ; 9, Montauk, Dec. 22 (Carleton, McKeever and
Sedwitz).

Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea. Yellow Palm Warbler. — Clason Point,
Jan. 15 (Malley) ; Barnegat, March 17 (Urner) ; Bronx Park, April 15 (Banner
and Norse) ; Bayside, Nov. 8 (Sabin). ,

Seiurus aurocapillus. Oven-bird. — Central Park, April 27 (Cruickshank and
Kuerzi) ; Inwood Park, Dec. 17-21 (Karsch and Norse).

Seiurus noveboracensis. Northern Water-thrush. — Kensico, April 21 (Cruick-
shank and Gere) ; Riverdale, New Jersey, April 21 (Walsh) ; Orient, July 26
(Latham) ; Idlewild, Oct. 15 (Mayer).

Seiurus motacilla. Louisiana Water-thrush. — Bronx Park, April 15 (Norse
and Weber) ; Millneck, April 19 (Narrower and Rand) ; Westbury, Sept. 10
(Matuszewski).

Oporornis formosus. Kentucky Warbler. — Grassy Sprain, May 26 (Banner
and Weber) ; Montclair, May 30 (Eaton) ; 2 pair, Elmsford, June 9 (Hickey).

Oporornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — Idlewild, Sept. 21 (Mayer) ; “Two
adult males at Idlewild on October 31st are very late. These birds were very
carefully studied in good light for a half hour. All field marks noted, including
the grayish hood, white eye-ring, and yellow under tail coverts. The birds were
in an aster-over-grown swamp” (Mayer).

Oporornis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. — Easthampton, May 25 (Hel-
muth) ; Central Park, May 27 (Knoblauch and Kuerzi) ; Elizabeth, June 10
(Urner) ; Inwood, Aug. 28 (Cantor) ; Bronx Park, Oct. 7 (Weber).

Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla. Northern Yellow-throat. — Barnegat, April 7
(Urner) ; Miller Place, Nov. 26 (Helmuth) ; Speonk, Dec. 10-15 (Wilcox).

Icteria virens virens. Yellow-breasted Chat. — Elmhurst, Oct. 14 to 27 (Beals).

Wilsonia citrina. Hooded Warbler. — ^Jones Beach, May 12 (Sedwitz) ; Bay-
side, Aug. 24 (Bohn).

Wilsonia pusilla pusilla. Wilson’s Warbler. — Bronx Park, May 4 (Gell-
Mann) ; Bayside, Aug. 24 (Bohn) ; Elmhurst, Oct. 17 (Beals).

Wilsonia canadensis. Canada Warbler. — Miller Place, Aug. 9 (Helme) ; In-
wood, Nov. 13 (L. N. Nichols).

Setophaga rusticilla. American Redstart. — Idlewild, June 5 (Mayer) ; 2,
Westbury, Aug. 9 (Matuszewski).

Passer domesticus domeslicus. House Sparrow. — Nest with four eggs as early
as March 23, Prospect Park (Cruickshank).

Dolichonyx orysivorus. Bobolink. — Ninety-three pair in the Newark Marshes
during June (Urner) ; nesting near Freeport, Long Island (Matuszewski and
Rose) ; migrants at Secaucus, July 7 (Eaton).

Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus. Eastern Red-winged Blackbird. — Seventy-
five in the Van Cortlandt Marsh all winter (Bronx County Bird Club) ; twenty
bright males in Troy Meadows, Feb. 10 (Cobb, Gere and Murdock) ; 80, Idlewild,
Feb. 12 (Mayer) ; heavy flight over Central Park, March 13 (Cruickshank).

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — Glen Cove, June 2 (Fry) ; Roslyn, June
13 (Fry) ; Westbury, June 16 (Matuszewski and Rose).

Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — A single male bird wintered at Huntington
(Swope).

Euphagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. — Flock in Central Park, March 13
(Cruickshank) ; several hundred in Troy Meadows, March 24 (Gere and Mur-
dock) ; 1,100, Inwood, Nov. 13 (L. N. Nichols).

Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Purple Grackle. — Central Park, March 4 (Cruick-
shank) ; Caldwell, March 8 (Rusling) ; 700, Orient, March 16 (Breslau and
Sedwitz) ; Garden City, Dec. 2-8 (J. T. Nichols).

Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. — Bronx Park, Jan. 12 (Cruick-
shank and Gere) ; Inwood, March 13 (L. N. Nichols) ; Passaic Valley, March
31 (Brown).

Molothrus ater ater. Cowbird. — Twenty-four at Croton Point, Jan. 13 (Gere
and Murdock) ; 80, Shinnecock, Feb. 3 (Kuerzi and Matuszewski) ; one young
Cowbird being fed by Red-eyed Vireo in Inwood Park (Mayr).

Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — Idlewild, Oct. 15 (Mayer).

Piranga rubra rubra. Summer Tanager. — Bayside, Sept. 7 (Bohn) ; Oyster
Bay, Sept. 7 (Swope).

Richmondena cardinalis cardimlis. Eastern Cardinal. — Hastings during Janu-
ary and February (Cruickshank and Gere) ; Central Park, March 27 (Rich) ;
Miller Place, April 19 (Helme) ; Jones Beach, May 27 (Vogt) ; Central Park,
July i9-.\ug. 7 (Rich).

Hedymeles ludovicianus. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. — Dutchess County, April
28 (Baker and Murphy) ; Demarest, April 28 (Bowdish) ; Bronx Park, April 29
(Stephenson and Weber).

Passeriua cyanea. Indigo Bunting. — Central Park, April 18 (Rich) ; St. James,
Long Island, May i (Lane) ; nest with four Bunting eggs and one Cowbird egg,
Elmsford, June 15 (Gere) ; Mt. Sinai, Aug. 13 (Helme and Walker).

Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. Eastern Purple Finch. — Scarce all during
January and February. Present in Rye all through June (Cruickshank and

Oboiko) ; pair, Glen Cove, June 6 (Fry) ; Mt. Sinai, June 22 (Walker) ; Central
Park, Sept. 30 (Knoblauch).

Carduelis carduelis britannica. British Goldfinch. — ^Jamaica, Jan. 5 (Knorr) ;
Inwood, March 6 (Norse) ; 2, Garden City, April 4 (D. G. Nichols) ; nest with
two young, Garden City, June 14 (J. T. Nichols) ; 2, Jones Beach, Nov. 19
(Cruickshank).

Acanthis linaria linaria. Common Redpoll. — Rocky Point, Long Island, Jan.

29 (Helme) ; Montauk, Dec. 8 (Breslau and Sedwitz) ; 13, Van Cortlandt, Dec.
22 (Cantor, Cruickshank and Norse) ; 2, Westchester, Dec. 22 (Phillips).

Spinus pinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Garden City, April 8 (D. G. Nichols) ;
Bearfort Mountain, May 4 (Brown) ; 20, Kensico, Oct. 6 (Cruickshank and
Gere) ; 80, Jones Beach, Oct. 27 (Matuszewski and Sedwitz).

Loxia curvirostra. Red Crossbill. — 20, Central Park, Long Island, Dec. 15
(Breslau).

Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — 10, Central Park, Long Island,
Dec. 15 (Breslau).

Pipilo erythrophthahnus erythrophthalmus. Red-eyed Towhee. — Baxter Creek,
Jan. 1-15 (Malley) ; Miller Place, Feb. 12 (Helme) ; Kensico, April 19 (Gere) ;
400 near Speonk during middle of July (Wilcox) ; 3, Westchester, Dec. 22 (Orth).

Passerculus princeps. Ipswich Sparrow. — Idlewild, Jan. 9, through March 26
(Mayer) ; Newark, Jan. 27 (Urner) ; Barnegat, April 21 (Brown) ; Oak Island
Beach, Oct. 20 (Weber).

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. — Central Park, March

30 (Mayr) ; Van Cortlandt, March 30 (Norse) ; 20 pair breeding at Orient
(Latham) ; 125 pair in Newark Marshes during June (Urner).

Animodramus savannarum australis. Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow. — Staten
Island, April 28 (Weber) ; 19 pair breeding on Newark Marshes (Urner) ; Mon-
tauk, Oct. 13 (Lind) ; Idlewild, Oct. 23 (Mayer). ,

Passerherbulus henslowi susurrans. Eastern Henslow’s Sparrow. — 15, Bar-
negat, April 14 (Urner) ; Jones Beach, May 26 (Sedwitz) ; Mastic, July 27
(Cobb and Wilcox) ; Van Cortlandt, Oct. 7 (Weber).

Ammospiza caudacuta subvirgata. Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — Jones
Beach, Oct. 20 (Banner and Sedwitz) ; Freeport, Nov. 16 (Cruickshank) ; Idle-
wild, Dec. 2 (Mayer) ; Baychester Marshes, Dec. 15 and 22 (Hickey, Stephenson
and Weber).

Ammospiza caudacuta caudacuta. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — Nest with four
eggs, Moriches Inlet, June 14 (Wilcox) ; Jones Beach, Dec. 8 (Cruickshank) ;
Baychester Marshes, Dec. 22 (Hickey, Stephenson and Weber).

Ammospica caudacuta nelsoni. Nelson’s Sparrow. — Piermont, Dec. 22
(Matuszewski, Eynon and Van Deusen) : “Excellently seen and almost caught
in the hand : sharply contrasted back markings, much buffy below, unstreaked
breast; carefully checked time after time again in good light.” Probably the same
bird seen in exactly the same place on Dec. 29 and carefully studied (D. and R.
Deed) : “Studied within fifteen feet.”

Ammospisa maritima maritima. Northern Seaside Sparrow. — 3, Gilgo, April
28 (Breslau, Carleton and Sedwitz) ; present at Idlewild up to Oct. 29 (Mayer).

Pooecetes gramineus gramincus. Elastem Vesper Sparrow. — Kensico, March
10 (Cruickshank and Gere) ; 30, Riverhead, Aug. 7 (Wilcox) ; Jamaica, Nov. 24
(Knorr) ; Wainscott, Dec. i (Helmuth).

Chondestes grammacus grammacus. Eastern Lark Sparrow. — Brigantine, Aug.
12-18 (Lehrman) ; Tuckerton, Sept. 29 (Urner) ; Idlewild, Nov. 8 to 13 (Mayer).

JtOKO hyemalis hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. — Singing flocks commenced
passing through Central Park, March 4 (Cruickshank) ; Kensico, May 12 (Cobb
and Gere) ; Oyster Bay, Aug. 26 (Swope).

Spizella arborea arborea. Eastern Tree Sparrow. — Bayville, April 27-29
(Bohn and Sabin) ; arrived in marked wave on Nov. 3.

Spizella passerina passerina. Eastern Chipping Sparrow. — Caldwell, Jan. 4
(Rusling) ; Central Park, March 30 (Cruickshank) ; Prospect Park, March 31
(Brennan) ; Miller Place, Nov. 24 (Helme).

Zonotrichia querula. Harris’s Sparrow. — Troy Meadows, May 7 (Elliot,
Janvrin and Tucker).

Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Bronx Park,
Jan. 12, 18, 19 (Gere, Gibson and Cruickshank) ; marked wave in Central Park,
May 21 (Kuerzi) ; Tod’s Point, Oct. 13 (Brooks and Gere).

Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. — Scarce in late winter; spring
migration later than usual. Central Park, May 27 (Knoblauch) ; a singing bird
in Secaucus, July 7 (Eaton).

Passerella iliaca iliaca. Fox Sparrow. — Singing flocks in Central Park, March
4-14 (Cruickshank and Kuerzi) ; Kensico, Oct. 6 (Cruickshank and Gere).

Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Lincoln’s Sparrow. — Millneck, April 21 (Har-
rower and Rand) ; banded at Jones Beach, May 4 (Vogt) ; banded at Elmhurst,
May 4, 20, 25, 26, 28; Oct. 17 (Beals).

Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus. Lapland Longspur. — 25, Newark, Jan. 6
(Urner) ; 2, Rye, Feb. 4 (Cruickshank and Oboiko) ; present on Newark Marshes
to April 6 (Urner) ; Freeport, Oct. 23 (Cruickshank) ; Van Cortlandt, Nov. 6
(Weber).

Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis. Snow Bunting. — Bronx Park, Jan. 23 (Ephram) ;
2, Orient, March 30 (Latham) ; Jones Beach, Oct 26 (Gell-Mann).

Notes from Field and Study

Intimidation Display in the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) —
On May 7, 1937, at 8:50 A.M., on a Spartina patens marsh near Fortesque, N. J.,
I observed an interesting exchange of displays by two male Meadowlarks. They
had been feeding in the recently mowed grass, some distance east and west of
my blind, which was apparently on the boundary between their territories. In the
course of their feeding they approached to within a few yards of each other. Then,
silently, so far as I could tell, they walked still closer to each other, stopping
every few inches to stretch the tips of their beaks skyward. This pose they would
hold, a second or two.

As they drew nearer, they turned their backs, from time to time, and flashed
their white rectrices by flicking them apart and together; the effect was as if a
semaphorist should, as briefly as possible, signal a series of N’s. When they were
separated by only 15 or 20 feet, they would hop into the air, back to, with rectrices
flashing. After a few minutes of this — Willets claimed most of my attention and
I did not carefully time the Meadowlarks, though their performance surely took
less than 6 minutes — they seemingly tired of the performance and drifted apart
again. The flashing diminished in frequency and intensity as the distance between
them increased.

No females had been observed and since this was the seventh day I had
spent in the blind, it seemed probable both the displaying birds — seen repeatedly —
were unmated. — William Vogt.

Another Six Egg Clutch of the Song Sparrow — Mrs. Margaret M. Nice,
in her recent paper, “Studies of the Life History of the Song Sparrow,” states
that she found in only one instance the Song Sparrow laying six eggs in one
clutch in her region (Columbus, Ohio).

On June 10, 1937, while on a field trip near Newfoundland, New Jersey,
Myron Mittleman and I stumbled over a nest of the Eastern Song Sparrow
{Melospiza melodia melodia) with six eggs. On further examination all the
eggs proved to be those of the Elastern Sparrow with no Cowbirds eggs among
them.

Unfortunately, nothing is known of the history of this clutch. In the case
described by Mrs. Nice the first and second nests of the particular bird had come
to grief, which leads Mrs. Nice to this explanation :

“As to the six egg set, I believe this was in the nature of a combination of
the second and third set, somewhat as with a young bird the fourth egg that
normally goes with the first set sometimes appears in the second.” (Page 109.)

She continues further by adding ;

“I believe that this phenomenally large set had some eggs in it that should
have been laid in the second set.” (Page no.)

The date of the laying of the third set by the Ohio bird was May 23 or 24.
1933. It is quite possible that my Song Sparrow had a similar history because of
the late date that it was discovered, although there did not appear to be any
destroyed or deserted nests in the immediate vicinity. Unfortunately, I was unable
to return to Newfoundland and learn the subsequent history of this interesting
nest. — Howard Kraslow.

The Black-backed Gull as a Predator — On January 1, 1936, with Allen
Thomas, and Hobart van Deusen, I witnessed the rather unique spectacle of a Great
Black-backed Gull killing and eating an adult male Red-breasted Merganser,
off Tod’s Neck, Conn. The combat took place about a quarter of a mile off shore.
The Sound was very calm, and with the use of a 60 power telescope, a fairly
accurate observation was obtained.

The few scattered flocks of scoters, goldeneyes, and sheldrake had been checked
over, when a scream of a Black-backed Gull drew our attention to a flock of
mergansers, at which the gull was diving. Instinctively rather than consciously,
and with the naked eye I watched the outcome, which ordinarily results in the
ducks diving or scattering, and the gull flying off.

This time, however, a struggle ensued, a general commotion among the flock,
which took wing, leaving two birds beating and flapping their wings. With the
binoculars it became evident that the gull had a firm grip on the duck, which
was making frantic efforts to get away by flying rather than diving. Within
perhaps less than a half-minute the merganser’s wing flapping was becoming
much slower, the grip of the gull was apparently paralyzing in some way. By
the time the telescope was trained on the pair the paralysis was almost complete.
Very shortly the gull released its grip on the back, and the duck remained mo-
tionless. Next the gull administered three or four powerful, and vicious blows
with its beak on the sheldrakes neck and head, w’hich dropped perceptibly. A
few more vicious pecks by the gull concluded the kill. The body of duck floated
belly up with the head submerged, and the killer vigorously began tearing at
the entrails. When we left some fifteen minutes later, the gull was still feeding.

From the speed and efficiency with which the Black-backed Gull dispatched
the merganser, it would seem safe to say that it was not the first such encounter.
Just how the paralyzing was effected, remains problematic. Unfortunately we
did not observe the initial strike, which may have been instrumental in the final
result. However, what we do know is that the duck was very active and lively
immediately following the first blow.

No doubt the element of surprise was greatly to the gull’s advantage, for a
duck under ordinary conditions would not associate the Black-backed Gull as a
killer. This fact is borne out when we read in Forbush’s Birds of New England
the account of the actions of coots which were preyed upon by Black-backed
Gulls. Their normal instinct to dive and avert danger entirely left them when

pursued by these gulls. They kept above the water, and made easy targets for
the killers. ,

That this gull will kill and eat incapacitated ducks is well known. The
importance of this observation lies in the fact that the merganser was appar-
ently a perfectly healthy bird. — Richard G. Kuerzi.

Additional Notes from Litchfield Co., Conn. — To secure new information
on the distribution of certain Canadian species in Connecticut, we undertook
another survey of northern Litchfield County between May 29 and June i,
1936. Interesting records of the following species were obtained;

Prairie Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris praticola). — One pair on field
on Skiff Mt. (May 30). No sign of nest or young.

Brown Creeper (Certhia fantiliaris americana). — Nest with 6 young found
at Sharon Spruce Bog (1,400 feet altitude) (McClean property) on May 30,
1936. The nest was about 3 feet from the ground under the loose bark of a dead
tree. This seems to be the first definite nesting record of the Brown Creeper for
Connecticut.

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa). — One pair observed at the Sharon
Spruce Bog on May 30. This is the second Connecticut locality (see Proc. Linn.
Soc., N. Y., No. 43/44. P- 3. 7).

Winter Wren (.N annus h. hiemalis). — A single singing male observed for
^ hour in the Canaan Mt. Hemlock Gorge on May 31. The bird moved about
a great deal and gave no evidence of nesting.

Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronata) . — On May 31 a singing male was
observed at Lower Doolittle Pond and on June i another bird in the hill country
southwest of Winchester. Neither bird seemed to be nesting although the dates
are unusually late for stagglers of this species.

Northern Parula Warbler (Dendroica americana pusilla).- — One bird near
the shore of Highland Lake (Winsted) on June i. The species has previously
been recorded from this locality. — Ernst Mayr, John and Richard Kuerzi.

On the Nesting of the Black Skimmer in New York State — Our attention
has been called by Wm. Vogt to an apparent error which appears in “The
Ornithological Year 1934” (Proc. Linn. Soc., No. 47, p. 107) wherein Rynciwps
nigra nigra, the Black Skimmer, is mentioned as having previously been recorded
among the breeding birds of the state. A nest of this species was found off Fisher’s
Island, N. Y., on August ii, 1919, by Mr. Charles C. Manmer, a veteran egg-
collector of East Hartford, Conn. In compiling his material for Birds of the
New York City Region, Ludlow Griscom heard that but one egg had been laid
by the birds and that this egg was in Mr. Hanmer’s possession. He accordingly
wrote Mr. Hanmer asking that the egg be sent to the .American Museum for

complete verification of the record. This Mr. Hanmer refused to do, and Mr.
Griscom was justified in giving such a freak occurrence no further consideration.

In a correspondence with those observers who have worked the eastern part
of Long Island, Wilcox subsequently resurrected this report and Mr. Hanmer
wrote to him as follows : “Regarding the Black Skimmer I would say that the
single pair of these birds was all that I ever saw at any time around Fisher’s
Island. The first time I saw them was probably two or three weeks before
collecting the egg on August ii, 1919, on Flat Hummock, one-half mile just off

to the north of Fisher’s Island I had spent parts of two seasons in Florida

where I became well acquainted with these birds. Thus I was able to recognize
the birds at first sight. Flat Hummock is a small sand spit, so that when Mrs.
Hanmer and I rowed out to it, it was impossible not to see the bird sitting on
the single egg. The location was carefully checked and upon walking to the place
from where the bird flushed the egg was very easily found. This bird is too
characteristic to be confounded with any other bird that I ever saw. The egg
was not sent to the American Museum as I did not want to risk breakage or

losing it The lateness of the find has always seemed queer to me

Certainly I was very much surprised to find the pair at Fisher’s Island.” Mr.
H. L. Ferguson has also written Wilcox that the Skimmers were seen by “all
of us throughout the season.”

Since the psychology' of egging has been brought out hut recently, modern
ornithologists can appreciate Mr. Hanmer’s motives for keeping his egg much
better than Mr. Griscom could at the time. East Hummock, lying as it does off
the main portion of Fishers, is in the opinion of R. P. Allen, ecologically suitable
for the species. The date, which years ago must have been inexplicable, takes
on added interest today when the normal nesting season of the Skimmer on
Long Island is readily discernible. Bent gives dates for Virginia from June
2 to July 26 as the extremes for full clutches, adding that this is one of the
last sea birds to lay. At Moriches Inlet where Skimmers now nest, of four
nests found by Wilcox on July 31, 1936, all contained eggs, while one nest

contained two eggs and two freshly hatched young. A check on August 15

showed still more young only just hatched.

The fact that Mr. Hanmer secured his egg with no conception of its

documentary value does not in our mind cancel the authenticity of his observa-
tion, and we believe that in view of the above evidence his aberrant nesting
record should now be accepted in the literature of our local avifauna. — Jos. J.
Hickey and LeRoy Wilcox.

Migrating Gannets — On the afternoon of March 26, 1936, while observ-
ing a decided northward migration of Gannets (Moris bassaiia) off the shore
of Jones Beach, Long Island, I thought it might be interesting to see just what
percentage of the passing birds were adults and what percentage were im-

mature. Very careful scrutiny for the next two and one-half hours revealed

lOO

that of the 107 Gannets counted 76 were adult birds, 17 were mottled immature
birds and 14 were intermediate representatives with the black and white patchwork
appearance. These figures themselves seemed of little importance until April 30th
when I chanced to observe another heavy flight of Gannets off New Inlet further
east on Long Island and found that on this particular afternoon of 214 Gannets
counted, 147 were immature birds, 31 were in the black and white stage and only
36 were apparently full adults. An analysis of the figures obtained on these two
occasions leads one to believe that the majority of adult Gannets move forward
early in the Spring while only a few of the old birds linger late enough to be
caught in with the definite flight of immature Gannets towards the end of the
migration period for this species.

A contention built solely on two days observations is admittedly open to
question but nevertheless it allows room for thought. If field observers would
keep tabulations on not alone the number of birds seen on a single trip but, if
possible, the age and sex ratios, in a few decades many interesting facts con-
cerning migration could be definitely established. — Allan D. Cruickshank.

lOI

Report of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York
For the Year 1935-1936

The Linnaean Society has held during the past year i6 regular
meetings, 4 informal summer meetings and 7 ornithological seminars.
The average attendance at the regular meetings was 29.8 members and
31.3 guests. The average attendance at the informal meetings was 13.5
members and 10.25 guests.

The ])apers presented were as follows :

March 26, 1935 — Symposium on Mosquito Control and its Efifect
on Wild Life.

April 9, 1935 — Wild Life Conservation in America; J. H. Baker.

April 23, 1935 — A Himalayan W'alking Trip; C. H. Rogers.

May 14. 1935 — Birds of our Southland; F. R. Oastler.

May 28, 1935 — Field Notes and Current Migration Data.

October 8, 1935 — Field Notes by Members.

October 22, 1935 — Distribution of Breeding Birds of Ocean
County ; C. A. Urner.

November 12, 1935 — Tbe Homing Ability of Birds; Ernst Mayr.

November 26, 1935 — In the Everglades and Elsewhere South;
H. H. Cleaves.

December 10, 1935 — The Hawk Migration at Cape May Point;
R. T. Peterson.

December 26, 1935 — Discussion of the Christmas Census.

January 14, 1936 — Relationship between Structure and Function
in Birds ; E. Stresemann.

January 28, 1936 — Backstage at the Zoo; C. W. Leister.

February ii, 1936 — The Vernay-Hopwood Chindwin Expedi-
tion ; H. C. Raven.

February 25, 1936 — The History of the Roseate Spoonbill in the
United States ; R. P. Allen.

March 10, 1936 — Annual fleeting — A Winter with the

Eskimos ; G. M. Sutton.

102

At the annual meeting the following officers were elected :

President ------ William Vogt

Vice-President ----- Joseph J. Hickey

Secretary ------ Charles K. Nichols

Recording Secretary - - - - Allan D. Cruickshank

Treasurer ------ Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb

Editor ------- Dr. Ernst Mayr

During the year the Society lost by death the following four
members :

Warren F. Eaton
Miss Helene Lunt
Prof. Henry Fairfield Osborn
Mrs. J. E. B. Webster

The deep regret of the Society at the loss of Mr. Eaton was ex-
pressed by a resolution adopted at the regular meeting of February 25.

Seven new members have been elected as members of the Society
and eight have resigned or have been dropped.

Dr. Walter Granger was elected a Fellow of the Society.

Numbers 45 and 46 of the Proceedings of the Linnaean Society
of New York for the two years ending March, 1934, were issued as
of April 15, 1935.

(Signed) C. K. Nichols, Secretary.

103

Officers, Council and Committees of
The Linnaean Society of New York
OFFICERS 1937-1938

President Joseph J. Hickey

Vice-President Charles K. Nichols

Secretary - -- -- -- - Robert P. Allen

Recording Secretary - -- -- -- - Walter Sedwitz

Treasurer - -- - Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb

Editor - - Dr. Ernst Mayr

COUNCIL 1937-1938
Ex Officio

Joseph J. Hickey Walter Sedwitz

Charles K. Nichols Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb

Robert P. Allen Dr. Ernst Mayr

End of Term 1938

E. R. P. Janvrin Charles A. Urnei

John H. Baker

End of Term 1939

Allan D. Cruickshank Edward B. Lang

T. Donald Carter

End of Term 1940

James L. Edwards Allen M. Thomas

Richard H. Rough

FIELD WORK COMMITTEE 1937-1938
Robert P. Allen, Chairman

James L. Edwards Frederick P. Mangels Roger T. Peterson

Walter Sedwitz Charles A. Urner

William Vogt

Stone,

1878^
< 1920)

1878

:(I920)

.(1920)
1878
1878
< 1920)

1878

1921

1928

1935

1937

1928

1931

1935

1931

1935

1924

1928

1937

1931

1937

1936
(1920)

1934

104

Membership List,^ September 1, 1937

Honorary Member

WiTMER, Sc. D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fellows

Benner, Franklin, 2223 Pleasant Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.

' Chapman, Frank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History,
New York City.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., The Plymouth, Washington, D. C.

Granger, Walter, Dr., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

Griscom, Ludlow, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
Ingersoll, Ernest, 404 West ii6th St., New York City.

Merriam, C. Hart, 1919 i6th St, N. W., Washington, D. C.

Nichols, John T., American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

Osborn, William C., % Osborn, Fleming and Whittlesey, 20 Exchange
Place, New York City.

Urner, Charles A., 173 Chambers St., New York City.

Resident Members

Abbot, Mrs. Laura W., R. D. 2, Bristol, Pa.

Ajello, Libero, 183 Weequahic Ave., Newark, N. J.

Aldous, Miss Ruth, National Association of Audubon Society, 1775
Broadway, New York City.

Allen, Fred, 227 Bay Ave., Highlands, N. J.

Allen, Robert P., National Ass. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New
York City.

Allyn, Richard, 50 Haven Ave., New York City.

Archbold, Richard, American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

Astle, William C., 149-31 Delaware Ave., Flushing, Long Island, N. Y.
Baker, John H., 1165 Fifth Ave., New York City.

Baldwin, Roger N., 31 Union Square, West, New York City.

Banner, Gilbert, 1924 Loring Ave., Bronx, N. Y.

Barber, Arthur, 177 Jackson Ave., Jersey City, N. J.

Beals, Mrs. A. T. (Marie V.), 5833 85th St., Elmhurst, Ixing Island.
Berliner, R. W., 205 Club Drive, Woodmerc, Long Island, N. Y.
Birckhead, Hugh, 435 Monterey Ave., Pelham Manor, N. Y.

Bishop, Louis B., 450 Bradford St., Pasadena, Cal.

Bliemeyer, Miss Rose, 8770 115th St., Richmond Hill, N. Y.

'The figure preceding each name indicates tlie year of election to the Society.
’Founders of the Society arc indicated by the year 1878.

’(1920) indicates that the member was elected to the Society prior to 1920.

105

1929 Boehrer, Charles A., 500 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

1937 Bocert, Miss Cardine, 151 East 79th St., New York City.

1935 Bohn, Herman, 33-29 171st St., P'lushing, Long Island, N. Y.

1923 Boulton, W. R., Jr., Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111.
1925 Boulton, Mrs. W. R., Cherry Lane, Westport, Conn.

1920 Bowdish, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J. ,

193s Bowen, Leon VV., 77 Evergreen Ave., Bloomfield, N. J.

1931 Brand, Albert R., 208 Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.
1923 Brandreth, Courtenay, Ossining, N. Y.

1931 Breslau, Leo, % Laurel Printing Co., 480 Canal St., New York City.

1933 Brooks, Miss Margaret, Shore Road, Old Greenwich, Conn.

1934 Brown, Clarence D., 222 V’alley Road, Montclair, N. J.

1925 Butler, Mrs. Ellis Parker, 144-41 35th St., Flushing, Long, Island,
New York.

1932 Carleton, Geoffrey, 52 West 94th St., New York City.

1925 Carr, William H., Trailside Museum, Bear Mt. Park, Iona Island, N. Y.

1921 Carter, T. Donald, American Museum of Natural History, New Y'ork

City.

1934 Chalif, Edward L., Barnsdale Road, Short Hills, N. J.

(1920) Chapin, James P., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

(1920) Chubb, Samuel H., American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

1931 Church, Miss Cynthia, Kings Point, Great Neck, L. I.

(1920) Cleaves, Howard H., 8 Maretzek Court, Princess Bay, Staten Island.

1933 Cobb, Dr. Clement B. P., 1261 Madison Ave., New York City.

1931 Cook, William B., 65 Wesley Ave., Port Chester, N. Y.

1928 CooLiDGE, Oliver, Broad Brook Road, Bedford Hills, N. Y.

1920 Crandall, Lee S., New York Zoological Park, New York City.

1927 Crowell, Noyes A., 216 West 105th St., New York City.

1926 Cruickshank, Allan D., Nat. Ass. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New

York City.

(1920) D.avis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, Staten Island.

1920 Denton, Myron P., M.D., 146 East 37th St., New York City.

1929 Desmond, Thomas C., 94 Broadway, Newburgh, N. Y.

1930 Edge, Mrs. C. N., 136 East 67th St., New York City.

1927 Edwards, James L., 27 Stanford Place, Montclair, N. J.

1927 Eliot, Ellsworth, Jr., M.D., 34 East 67th St., New York City.

1937 Eynon, .A.LFRED E., 1718 Andress Terrace, Union, N. J.

1930 Farley, Colvin, 4 Martine Ave., White Plains, N. Y.

(1920) Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

(1920) Fleisher, Edward (Prof.), 295 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
1937 Flynn, Michael, 928 East 40th St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

io6

1921 Friedman, Ralph, 14 East 75th St., New York City.

1923 Frost, Allen, 143 Academy St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

1925 Fry, Mrs. Gladys Gordon, 66 Eagle Rock Way, Montclair, N. J.

1923 Garvan, Mrs. Francis P., 740 Park Ave., New York City.

1937 Gilliard, E. Thomas, 957 Madison Ave., New York City.

1928 Grinnell, Lawrence L., 1160 Park Ave., New York City.

1934 Guernsey, Raymond G., Eden Terrace, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

1928 Gutlohn, Mrs. Walter, 112 West 59th St., New York City.

1937 Guy, Loren, M.D., 446 East 66th St., New York City.

1926 Hagood, Major Lee, 15 West 51st St., New York City.

1935 Harriot, Samuel C., Nat. Ass. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York

City.

1924 Hasbrouck, Henry C., 61 Broadway, New York City.

1935 Heck, Edson B., M.D., 117 West nth St., New York City.

(1920) Helme, Arthur H., 223 Bayview Terrace, Port Jefferson, Long Island.

1932 Helmuth, Dr. W. T., HI, 667 Madison Ave., New York City.

1928 Herbert, Richard, 961 Fox St., New York City.

1929 Herbst, Mrs. Cynthia Kuser, Bernardsville, N. J.

1924 Hickey, Joseph J., 2952 Marion Ave., New York City.

(1920) Hix, George E., % Equitable Life Insurance Co., 393 Seventh Ave., New
York City.

1924 Holgate, W. D., 155 West 82nd St., New York City.

1921 Howland, R. H., 80 Wall St., New York City.

1924 Hunter, Roland Jackson, 68 Broad St., Freehold, N. J.

1937 Hutter, Elmer P., 304 Argyle Road, Brooklyn, N. Y.

(1920) Hyde, Frederick William, 340 43rd St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

1933 Ingersoll, Mrs. Raymond V., 380 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

1929 Ingraham, Edward A., 16 Court St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

(1920) Janvrin, E. R. P., M.D., 38 East 85th St., New York City.

1925 Jaques, F. L., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
(1920) Johnson, Julius M., 2935 Pleasant Ave., Ridgewood, N. J.

1937 Karsch, Henry, Jr., 136 Seaman Ave., New York City.

1925 Kassoy, Irving, 817 Faile St., New York City.

(1920) Kieran, John F., 525 West 238th St., New York City.

1937 Kraslow, Howard, 2025 Regent Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

(1920) Kuser, John Dryden, Bernardsville, N. J.

(1920) LaDow, Stanley Vaughan, % C. N. Edge and Company, 20 Exchange
Place, New York City.

1935 Lang, Edward B., 156 Joralemon St., Bellville, N. J.

1936 Lehrman, Daniel S., 136 West i68th St., New York City.

1921 Litchfield, Miss Gertrude, 183rd St. and Pinehurst Ave., Hudson View
Gardens, N. Y.

1937 Mangels, Frederick P., 2047 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

1937 Manning, Miss Elizabeth S., Caroline Country Club, Scarsdale, N. Y.

107

1932 Mathews, Wm. H., 27 St. Andrews Place, Yonkers, N. Y.

1924 Matuszewski, John F., 6 \V. i6th St., New York City.

1932 Mayr, Ernst, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New York

City.

1922 McAui.iffe, George B., M. D., 26 West 87th St., New York City.

1937 McDermott, John, 95 Dwight St., Jersey City, N. J.

1937 McKeever, Christopher, 1043 Carroll St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

(1920) Naumburg, Mrs. Elsie M. B., American Museum of Natural History,
New York City.

1934 Nelson, Miss Theodora, 2695 Heath Ave., New York City.

1930 Nichols, Charles K., 212 Hamilton Road, Ridgewood, N. J.

1934 Nichols, Mrs. C. K., 212 Hamilton Road, Ridgewood, N. J.

(1920) Nichols, Edward G., Rev., % L. N. Nichols, 315 East 68th St., New
York City. ,

(1920) Nichols, L. Nelson, 315 East 68th St., New York City.

1937 Norse, William, 531 West 211th St., New York City.

1927 Peterson, Roger T., Nat. .\ss. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York
City.

1923 Philhower, Charles A., 303 Mountain Ave., Westfield, N. J.

1937 Phillipp, Frederick B., Gap Road and West Road, Short Hills, N. J.

(1920) Phillipp, P. Bernard, 220 Broadway, New York City.

1937 PouGH, Richard H., Nat. Ass. Aud. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York
City.

1936 Preston, Ralph C., Bronxville Public Schools, Bronxville, N. Y.

1935 Rand, Austin, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.

1929 Rich, M. C., 92 Morningside Ave., New York City.

1922 Rich, Mrs. M. C., 92 Morningside Ave., New York City.

(1920) Riker, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.

(1920) Rogers, Charles H., Princeton University (Mus. of Zoology), Prince-
ton, N. J.

1934 Rose, George C., 202 Linden Road, Mineola, Long Island, N. Y.

1935 Rosenblum, Lloyd, 603 Clinton Ave., Newark, N. J.

1926 Runyon, Mrs. Clarkson, Jr., 1175 Park Ave., New York City.

1935 Rusling, William J., 335 Central Ave., West Caldwell, N. J.

1936 Sabin, Walton, Flushing, N. Y.

1931 Sedwitz, Walter, 124 West 79th St., New York City.

1922 Smith, Mrs. H. W., 86 South Bay Ave., Islip, N. Y.

1933 Stalofp, Charles, 75 Fort Washington Ave., New York City.

1937 Stephenson, Orlando, Jr., 105 Mt. Hope Place, Bronx, N. Y.

1929 Stevens, Charles W., M.D., i West 68th St., New York City.

1929 Stevens, Mrs. Charles W., i West 68th St., New York City.

1933 Stewart, Miss E. Grace, 457 West 123rd St., New York City.

1933 Stoddard, Mrs. Ralph, 535 Oak Ave., Flushing, Long Island, N. Y.
1937 Storer, Robert, 522 Vose Ave., South Orange, N. J.

io8

(1920) Streeter, Daniel D., 217 Havemeyer St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

1925 Stryker, Carol, Staten Island Zoological Society, Clarence T. Barrett

Park, West New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y.

1923 Taylor, Irving K., % W. A. Taylor & Co., 13-15 Laight St., New York
City.

1933 Thomas, Allen M., Graham School, Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y.

1926 Thomas, Mrs. Margaret L., 366 West 245th St., Riverdale-on-Hud-

son, N. Y.

1925 Thornton, A. P., 27 West 44th St., New York City.,

1925 Tucker, Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

1923 Tucker, Mrs. Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

1933 VAN Deuzen, Hobart, 210 East 68th St., New York City.

1928 Vogt, William, Nat. Ass. And. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York City.

1924 Walsh, Lester L., Nat. Ass. And. Soc., 1775 Broadway, New York City.
(1920) Walters, Frank, 536 Grand Central Palace, New York City.

1937 Weber, William A., 576 West 183rd St., New York City.

193s Whitman, F. Burton, Jr., United Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 10 East
40th St., New York City.

1933 Whitman, Roger, 540 East 89th St., New York City.

1928 Wilcox, LeRoy, Speonk, Long Island, N. Y.

193s Wolfarth, Floyd, 503 Summer Ave., Newark, N. J.

1937 WooDBRiDGE, Miss Nancy, 37 Washington Square, West, New York City.

1933 WooDELTON, Mrs. Helen S., 454 Seventh St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Non-Resident Members

1936 Ammann, Andrew, Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, Mich.

(1920) Ayer, Mrs. Nathan Edward, 1300 Hillcrest Drive, Pomona, Calif.

1925 Baasch, K. W., 86 Harrison Ave., Baldwin, Long Island, N. Y.

1937 Buchheister, Carl W., 822 Main St., South Hingham, Mass.

1923 Ferguson, Henry L., Fishers Island, N. Y.

1937 Herholdt, John, Colonial Hotel, Smyrna, Del.

(1920) Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

(1920) Ingersoll, a. M., 908 F St., San Diego, Calif.

1933 Kritzler, Henry, 36-27 216th St., Bayside, Long Island, N. Y.

1924 Kuerzi, John F., Box 273, Ridgefield, Conn.

1927 Kuerzi, Richard, R.F.D., Kent, Conn.

1933 McBride, Arthur, Marine Studios, Inc., St. Augustin, Fla.

(1920) Morris, Robert T., M.D., Box 554, Stamford, Conn.

1934 Murdock, James, 835 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, Cal.

1937 Nice, Mrs. Margaret Morse, 5708 Kenwood Ave., Chicago, 111.

(1920) Oberholser, Harry C., Ph.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

1925 Riggenbach, H. E., % A. Sarasin & Co., Basle, Switzerland.

1921 Williams, Laidlaw, Box 453, Carmel, Calif.

1934 Yates, Leicester B., 1716 Victoria Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

Please notify Secretary of any change of address.

109

INDEX

Acanthis 1. linaria 94

Accipiter cooperi 79

Accipitcr v. vclox 79

Actitis macularia 81

Agelains p. phoeniccus 93

Aix sponsa 77

A lea torda 85

AUe alle 85

Animodramus savannarum australis. . 94

Ammospica c. caudacuta 94

Ainiiiospica caudacuta iiclsoiii 95

Ammospisa caudacuta subvirgata 94

Annnospisa tii. maritiiua 95

Anas r. rubripcs 70

Anas rubripcs tristis 77

Anscr a. albifrons 76

Antlius spinoletta rubescens 89

Antrostomus v. vociferus 86

Aquila chrysaetos canadensis 62

Ardea herodias hcrodias 61, 75

Arenaria interpres niorincUa 63, 81

Arquatella maritinia 82

Asia f. flammcus 85

Asia lAlsonianus 85

Astur a. atricapillus 79

Baeolophiis bicolor 88

Bartramia longicauda 81

BombyciUa cedroruin 89

Bonasa it. umbellus 80

Botaurus lentiginosus 76

Branta bernicla hrota 76

Brant a c. canadensis 76

Buteo b. borealis 79

Buteo lagopus sanctijohannis 79

Buteo 1. lineatus 79

Buteo p. platypterus 79

Butorides v. virescens 62, 76

Calcarius 1. lapponicus 95

Calidris canutiis riifus 82

Capella delicata 63, 81

CardueUs c. britannica 94

Carpodacus p. purpurcus 93

Casincrodius albus egretta 61, 75

Catliartcs aura scptcntrionalis 79

Catoptrophorus scinipalinatus 63, 81

Centurus carolinus 86

Ceopliloeus pilcatus abieticola 86

Certhia fainiliaris americana 88, 98

Chaetura pelagica 64. 86

Charadrius inelodus 63, 80

Charadrius scinipalinatus 81

Cliaritonctta albcola 78

Cliaulclasinus streperus 77

Chen caerulescens 70

Chen hyperborea 76

Chlidonias nigra surinaincnsis 84

Chondestes g. graiiunacus 95

Chordciles minor 64, 86

Cistothorus stellaris 88

Clangula hyeinalis 78

Coccycus a. ainericanus 64, 85

Coccycus erythropthahnus 85

Colaptes auratus lit tens 86

Coliiius virginianus 62

Colinus V. virginianus 80

Colyinbus auritus 75

Colyinbus grisegena holboelli 60, 75

Compsothlypis americana pusilla . . .gx, 98

Corthylio c. calendula 89

Corvus brachyrhynchos 64, 88

Corvus ossifragus 88

Coturnicops iwveboracensis 80

Creciscus jamaicensis stoddardi 8a

Crocethia alba 83

Cryptoglaux a. acadica 85

Cyanocitfa cristata 27-59, 64

Cyaiiocitta c. cristata 87

Cygnus coluiiibianus 62, 76

Dafila acuta tsitsihoa 77

Dendroica a. acstiva 91

Dcndroica c. caerulescens 91

Dcndroica castanea

Dendroica coronata gi,

Dendroica d. discolor

Dcndroica d. dominica

Dendroica fiisca

Dendroica magnolia

Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea. . . .

Dendroica p. palmarum 65,

Dendroica pensylvanica

Dendroica p. pinns

Dendroica striata

Dendroica tigrina

Dendroica v. virens

Dolichonyx orysivorus

Dry abates pubescens mediamis

Dumetella carolinensis

Ectopistes migratoria i

Egretta t. thiila

Empidonax jlaviventris

Empidonax minimus

Empidonax t. trailli

Empidonax virescens

Ereunetes mauri

Ereunetes pusillus

Erismatura jamaicensis rubida

Euphagus carolinus

Falco c. columbarius

Ealco peregrinus anatum

Falco s. sparveriiis

Florida c. caerulea 62,

Fregata magnificens 61,

Fulica a. amcricana

Gallinula chloropus cachinnans .

Geothlypis trichas

Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla
Glaucionetta clangnla americana
Glaucionetta islandica

Haliaeetus 1. leucocephalus

Hedymeles ludovicianus

Helmitheros verrnivorus

Hirundo erythrogaster 64, 87

Hydroprogne caspia imperator 84

Hylocichla f. fuscescens 89

Hylocichla guttata faxoni 89

Hylocichla m. minima 89

Hylocichla mustelina 89

Icteria v. virens 92

Icterus galbula 93

Icterus spurius 93

Iridoprocne bicolor 64, 87

Ixobrychus e. exilis 76

Junco h. hyemalis 95

Lanius b. borealis 90

Lanius ludovicianus migrans 90

Earns argentatus smithsonianus 63

Earns atricilla 84

Earns delawarensis 84

Earns hyperboreus 83

Earns kumlieni 83

Earns leucopterus 83

Earns marinus 84. 97

Earns minutus 84

Earns Philadelphia 84

Eimnodromus griseus 63

Eimnodromus g. griseus 82

Eimnodromus griseus scolopaceus . . . . 82

Eimosa fedoa 83

Eimosa haemastica 83

Eobipes lobatus 83

Eophodytes cucullatus 78

Eoxia curvirostra 94

Eoxia leucoptera 94

Mareca americana 77

Mareca penelope 77

Megaceryle a. alycon 64, 86

Melanerpes erythrocephalus 86

Mclanitta deglandi 78

Melanitta perspicillata 78

Melos pica 1. lincolni 95

Mclospica m. melodia 96

-26

1 1 1

Mergus merganser americaiius

Mergns serrator

Micropalama himaiitof>its

Mimiis p. polyglotlis

Mniotilla varia 65,

Molothrns a. ater

Moris bassana 75,

Myiarchus criiiitus boretis

Namius h. hiemalis 88,

1 Nettion carolinense

i Nettion crecca

I Nnttallornis mesoleucus

I Nyctanassa v. violacea

i Nyctea nyctea

I Nyctocorax n. hoactli 62,

Nyroca affinis

Nyroca atnericana

Nyroca collaris

Nyroca marila

I Nyroca valisineria

1 ■ Oceanites oceanicus

Oceanodroina 1. leucorhoa

Oidemia atnericana

Oporornis agilis

Oporornis fortnosus

Oporornis Philadelphia

Otocoris a. alpestris

Otocoris alpestris praticola 87,

Otus asio

Otiis asio naevins

Oxyechus v. vociferus

Pagolla w. zvilsonia

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis 62,

Passer d. domesticus

Passerculus princeps

Passercidus sandivichensis savanna...

Passerella i. iliaca

Passerherbtdus henslowi susurrans. . . .

Passerina cyanea

Pelidna alpina sakhalina

Penthestes a. atricapillus

Petrochelidon a. albifrons 87

Phaeopiis hudsonicus 81

Phaethon lepturus catesbyi 61

Phalacrocorax a. auritus 61, 75

Phalacrocorax c. carbo 61, 75

Phalaroptts ftdicarius 83

Philohela minor 81

Pica pica hudsonia 88

Picoides arcticus 86

Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus 94

Piranga erythroinelas 93

Piranga r. rubra 93

Pisobia bairdi 82

Pisobia fuscicollis 82

Pisobia melanota 82

Pisobia minutilla 82

Plectrophcnax n. nhvlis 95

Plegadis f. falcincllus 76

Pluvialis d. dominica 81

Podilymbits p. podiceps 75

Polioptila c. caernlea 89

Pooecetes g. gramineits 95

Poroana Carolina 80

Progne s. siibis 64, 87

Pterodroma cahozv 61

Puff inns diomedea borealis 75

Puffinus gravis 75

Puffinus griseus 75

Puffinus 1. Iherminieri 61

Querquedula discors 62, 77

Quiscalus quiscala aeneus 93

Quiscalus q. quiscula 65, 93

Rallus e. elegans 80

Rallus 1. limicola 62, 80

Rallus longirostris crepitans 80

Recurvirostra atnericana 83

Regidus s. satrapa 89, 98

Richmondena c. cardinalis 93

Rissa t. tridactyla 84

Rytichops n. nigra 85, 98

Sayortiis phoebe 87

Seiurus aurocapillus 92

112

Sehirus motacilla

Seiiirus noveboraccnsis

Setophaga ruticilla

Sialia s. sialis

Sitta canadensis

Somateria mollissima

Somateria spectabilis

Spatula clypeata

Sphyrapicus v. varius

Spinus p. pinus

Spizella a. arborea

Spizella p. passerina

Squatarola squatarola

Steganopus tricolor

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripennis . .

Stercorarius longicaudus

Stercorarius parasiticus

Stercorarius pomarinus 63,

Sterna a. antillarum 63,

Sterna d. dougalli

Sterna forsteri

Sterna f. juscata

Sterna hirundo hirundo 63,

Sthenelides olor

Strix V. varia

Sfurnella magna

Telmatodytes p. palustris

Thalasseus m. maximns

Thryothorus 1. hidovicianus

Totanus jlavipes

Totanus mclanoleucus

Toxostoma rujuin 64, 89

Tringa s. solitaria 81

Troglodytes a. aedon 88

Tryngites subrujicollis 83

Turdus merula 36

Tyrannus tyrannus 86

Tyranmts verticalis 86

Tyto alba pratincola 64, 85

Uria 1. lomvia 85

V ermivora c. celata 90

Vermivora chrysoptera 90

V ermivora leucobronchialis 90

Vennhora peregriua 90

Vermivora pinus 90

Vermivora r. ruficapilla 91

Vireo flavifrons 90

Vireo g. gilvus 90

Vireo g. griseus 90

Vireo olivaceus 90

Vireo pliiladelpliicus 90

Vireo s. solitarius 90

Wilsonia canadensis 92

Wilsonia citrina 92

Wilsonia p. pusilla 92

Zenaida z. zenaida 63

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis 85

Zonotrichia 1. leucophrys 95

Zonotrichia querula 95

1937

No. 49

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Year Ending
March, 1937

Date of Issue, October 15, 1938
Price ; Seventy-five Cents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Charles Anderson Urner (1882-1938). By /. L. Edwards i

Preliminary Notes on the Behavior and Ecology of the Eastern

WiLLET. By William Vogt g

Black-crowned Night Heron Colonies on Long Island. By Robert P.

Allen - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 43

General Notes

Birds on an Atlantic Crossing. By Ernst Mayr - 54

A Probable Eared Grebe on Long Island. By E. R. P. Janvrin - - 58

A Flight of Red Phalaropes (Phalaroptts fulicarius) on Long Island.

By LeRoy Wilcox 60

Notes on a Captive Kumlien’s Gull. By Joseph J. Hickey - - - - 63

Black Terns Sitting on Telegraph Wires. By O. K. Stephenson, Jr. 66

Approximate Incubation Period of the Florida Gallinule. By Robert

G. Kramer - - 66

Hoarding Behavior of the Red-headed Woodpecker. By 0. K.

Stephenson, Jr. ------ - --- - 67

A Long Island Bird Roost. By /Ilian D. Cruickshank ----- - 68

A Few Warbler Observations. By Allan D. Cruickshank - - - - 70

Colonial Birds on Long Island, 1938. By LeRoy Wilcox - - - - 71

Report of the Field Work Committee, 1936-37. By Joseph Hickey - - - 73

Report of the Field Work Committee. 1937-38. By Robert P. Allen - 84

Report of the Secretary for 1936-37. By Charles K. Nichols - - - - 93

Report of the Secretary for 1937-38. By Robert P. Allen 95

Officers, Council and Committees of The Linnaean Society of New
York, 1938-1939 99

The Linnaean Society of New York, 1878-1938 - - - - 100

Index - 102

Announcements

104

Charlie Vrner zvilli Oscar Rayre, his boatman,
on one of his many obscrz'alion trips at Rarncc/at.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

1937 OCTOBER, 1938 Xo. 49

CHARLES ANDERSON URNER

1882 - 1938
By J. L. Edwards

The death of Charles A. Urner on June 22, 1938, terminated an
unusually productive ornithological career and, in a sense, wrote finis
to an era for X'ew York field students. For Charlie, as he was known
to countless friends, had for many years so profoundly influenced the
development of local ornithology that he had come largely to dom-
inate it.

The fact that he, who was one of the most modest of men, had
so deeply affected the attitudes and interests of dozens of asso-
ciates, is both a tribute to his personality and an indication of rare
grouping of admirable qualities.

In the first place, everybody liked him. Those of us who knew
him well, had for him a genuine affection. He possessed the twin
gifts of understanding and humor to such a degree that, even now.
sadness at his going is never free from pleasure at memory of him.
One liked him at first meeting, and the longer one knew him, the
more this feeling ripened.

He also had, to an unusual degree, a wide-ranging and imagina-
tive mind that not only kept pace with the developing ideas of his
associates, but often outstripped them. His native intellectual en-

dowment was strongly reinforced by an amazing knowledge that
touched many fields of human activity. After years of association
with him, one would still discover new subjects upon which he was
unusually well informed.

Finally, he was as honest as a yardstick and critical both of his
own efforts and those of others; yet his criticism carried such invari-
able appreciation and understanding — whether he was analyzing the
New Deal or a hypothesis in bird behavior — that his advice was not
only welcome but sought out. His leadership, which brought with it
inspiration and guidance, is sorely missed by those who have the
responsibility of carrying on.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jer.sey, on March 29, 1882, Charlie lived
there, except for the period from igoo to 1904 during which he at-
tended the University of Wisconsin, until his death. He received his
early education at the Pingry School in Elizabeth. After graduating
from college he became associated with the Urner-Barry Company
in New York City — an organization founded by his grandfather. He
worked as a reporter for their publications, covering various produce
markets, and in later years as Editor-in-chief of the American Produce
Review. He was Vice-President of the Company at the time of his
death.

From the days of childhood, Charlie was interested in birds and
other phases of nature study. He was long an ardent hunter and
spent many days on the Elizabeth meadows, then an unspoiled wide
expanse of fresh and salt marshes dotted with ])onds and rich with
a varied bird population. On those marshes he accpiired the funda-
mentals of knowledge of shore-birds and water fowl in general that
were to make him an outstanding authority on those birds.

For a few years after his return to Elizabeth from college, he
was strongly interested in botany. After his marriage in 1908 to
Margaret English, who always encouraged his outdoor studies, this
interest in the plants of the region was fostered by his father-in-law,
who was keenly interested in botany and knew the local plants well.
When his father-in-law died in 1910, Charlie’s interests gradually

reverted to ornitliology, and by iqi6 he was actively engaged in record-
ing observations on bird life in Union County. After a few years of
intensive work in the Elizabeth region. Charlie began to make the
acquaintance of other active field ornithologists, and in 1920 he joined
the A. O. U. as an Associate. In 1921 he joined the Linnaean Society
of New York. He later joined the Cooper Ornithological Club and
for many years was a member of the Delaware \'alley Ornithological
Club. At the meetings of the latter he occasionally i)resented |>apers,
and among its members he counted Julian K. Potter, J. Fletcher
Street, and Dr. W'itmer Stone as close friends. He was also actively
connected with the New Jersey Audubon Society, and for .some time
was a member of its Board of Directors.

His association with the Linnaean Society undoubtedly gave
Charlie more pleasure than anything else in an ornithological way.
He became a regular attendant at its meetings, and practically all its
more active members eventually shared with him the delights of bird-
ing on the Jersey coast. His early field reports were given with ex-
treme modesty, but his excellent knowledge of the local birds was
soon apparent and bis outstanding ability as a field observer was
quickly recognized by the Society. From 1924 to 1926 be served as
Secretary, and from 1927 to 1929 and again from 1933 to 1935 he
held the office of \’ice-President. He was elected President in 1929
and held that office until 1931. During the few years in which he
did not hold office, the Society took advantage of his wisdom and
experience by electing him to the Council. The many occasions on
which his firm printed the Society's Proceedings and Transactions
were particularly happy ones for the Editor, who could thus rely on
a sympathetic, intelligent and utterly reliable printer.

In 1931 he was made a Fellow in recognition of his distinguished
services to the Society. In the meantime he had won recognition out-
side of the New York region. In 1933 he was elected a Member of
the A. O. U., and he was for several years chairman of the Waterfowl
Committee of the National Association of Audubon Societies.

Charlie always kept up his interest in the birds of Union County.
The results of his observations up to 1927 were published by the
Linnaean Society as an extremely detailed statistical study, which.

in the opinion of many, is the finest county list ever published. In
1919 — an example of his leadership — he began a breeding bird census
of two hundred and ten acres and he continued this annually until
his death. He visited the marshes bordering Newark Bay regularly
and kept a close watch on the ever changing conditions there. He
never failed to rue the absence of a complete picture of the bird life
of the county in colonial times.

This region near his home did not long remain his sole interest.
In 1922 his family spent the summer at Point Pleasant in Ocean
County on the New Jersey coast, and for several years thereafter
they returned to that place in summer. Charlie spent week-ends there,
and soon became intensely interested in the bird life of the coastal
region. He now began the long series of trips to Barnegat Bay that
were to prove so productive. Almost a hundred miles from his home
in Elizabeth, this area was better known to Charlie than is their home
region to many field workers. Beginning with the knowledge gained
from early hunting trips in the vicinity of Waretown and Barnegat,
and from summer exploration trips during his vacations at Point
Pleasant, he gradually developed a detailed knowledge of the region.
His interest in the bird life of the County led him to visit systematic-
ally all parts at all seasons of the year. For a long period he made
monthly trips to Seaside Park, arriving there before dawn and walk-
ing down the ten mile peninsula to Barnegat Inlet, covering the ocean
beach one way and the bay shore the other. Eater he changed his
routine to regular tri])s by boat around Barnegat Bay with Oscar
Eayre, best informed of the Barnegat haymen, as his guide. His statis-
tical studies of water- fowl were regularly sent to the U. S. Biological
Survey and were of considerable assistance to that Bureau in the
determination of open sea.sons and other regulations. After discon-
tinuing these trij)s excej)t for sjiecial occasions, such as the Christmas
Census excursion, he began to make more frecjuent visits to the be.st
shore-bird territory, usually covering Beach Haven Point, the Tucker-
ton meadows, and fre<|uently points outside of Ocean County, such
as Brigantine Island. This visit which was made almost every week
throughout the year usually took )>lace on a Sunday morning. Leav-
ing home in time to be at Brigantine or Tuckerton at dawn, Charlie

would cover tlic other jioints on the way hack and would return to
Elizabeth hv i 130 P.M. in time for dinner with his family. The re-
sults of these excursions were jiuhlished in his analyses of shore-bird
flights in various numbers of The Auk and in reports of the occur-
rences of rare birds in the same journal. The story which they tell
of the gradual increase in the numhers of shore-birds after the aboli-
tion of shooting was a source of immense satisfaction to Charlie —
and, incidentally, the most ini])ortant statistical evidence of that in-
crease. Hut as Dowitchers aud Curlew became common and as bay-
men began to urge the resumption of such hunting, he energetically
maintained that no species of bird in North America today, dependent
upon a small, single clutch of eggs aud migrating in massed flocks
over huge distances, could withstand the terrific ])ressure of modern
gunning.

Charlie's enthusiasm in his ])ursuit of ornithological knowledge
was unequalled among his associates. He was tireless in the field,
often abandoning observations only when all of his companions had
become too exhausted to maintain further interest. On a trip to
Barnegat, starting from Elizabeth in the small hours of the morning
with a group of active and frequently younger bird enthusiasts, he
would lead the party at high speed through a long day of interesting
sights, and then drive his car back at night, usually the only one awake
in the party.

His famous “Big Day’’ trips in May were the envy and despair
of ever}' migration watcher along the coast. Over a period of years
of experimentation he developed a route which would give maximum
results in number of species seen in a day — a day of 24 hours all spent
in the field. This route was rated at about 175 species under good
conditions, and 185 was possible with ideal conditions. In the sched-
uled day, which was generally the Sunday nearest to the i8th of May,
the participants would meet at the Urner home for midnight break-
fast. Final arrangements would be made and the party would be off
on a trip covering hundreds of miles with stops at such favored spots
as Troy Meadows, Boonton, Lamington and Princeton, continuing
across the Pine Barrens to Brigantine, where the last hours of day-
light would be spent on the shore. At dusk the party would turn

towards home again, making a few stops for the night birds on the
long trip back, and thus ending a field trip that only the seasoned bird
enthusiast could appreciate fully.

In addition to his enjoyment of bird study as both .sport and
science, Charlie was keenly alive to its esthetic aspects. For over a
decade he annually composed Christmas verses and sent them to an
innumerable list of friends in the Linnaean' Society and the D. V. O. C.
These were greetings from Barnegat, from Crooked Creek, and from
“The Plains” of the Jersey Pine Barrens, dedicated to June and to
November, to the Pines, to the Salt Marsh and to “Blackie” hiding
in the muddy shallows. For many }?ears he carefully collected the
impressions of shore-bird tracks, finally securing the imprint of all
such birds as regularly visited New Jersey. These impressions he
transferred to a concrete walk in his garden, and it was no little
triumph when he at last took the print of an accidental American
Avocet on the Newark mud-flats.

In the last few years Charlie had begun a survey of the bird life
of New Jersey on a scale never before attempted. Through breeding
bird censuses and mid-winter censuses taken at hundreds of points
throughout the State by scores of observers, correlated with ecological
data, he planned to build up a picture of the bird fauna of New Jersey
that would be truly comprehensive. He fully realized the magnitude
of the task and had plotted the methods to be used over a period of
years. This work was largely carried out through the New Jersey
Field Ornithologists' Club, a coalition of active field observers from
the northern and southern parts of the State, which Charlie had helped
organize. Among the projects was the preparation of large maps
showing the known nesting stations for each species of bird that bred in
tbe State. A number of these are now filed in the library of Princeton
University.

More recently, when the number of active bird students in the
section centering around Newark increa.sed to the point where a new
local organization was desired. Charlie’s advice was sought and the
first meeting was held at his home in Rlizabcth. This group rapidly
increased in numbers and under the name of “The Raritan and Passaic
Valleys Ornithological Club” began to hold regular meetings in

Newark. From the beginning Charlie refused to hold office, but he
could not avoid being the actual leader and in recognition of this fact
the name of the organization was changed to the “Urner Ornithological
Club” after his death.

Charlie Urner’s friends among bird students were innumerable.
At the Linnaean Society his reports on the latest observations at
Newark Bay or Barnegat were u.sually the main feature of the field
notes. Charlie always had something of interest and significance to
report and was always interested in the reports of others. His primary
interest in birds always remained an ecological one; bird behavior was
a fascinating diversion about which, unhappily, he never had time to
write. ( It should be remembered that his vigorous ornithological career
was merely recreation from an equally crowded business career.)
He liked to discourse on the male Catbird in his garden and on the
pair of Robins which nested in a neighborhood tree but held no terri-
torial rights to the ground below it.

He saw the same things that less gifted observers also saw, yet
his grasp of ornithology and its problems was such that he possessed
a sure instinct for the significant phenomenon.

His absence from a Linnaean meeting occurred so rarely as to
cause no little comment. This close association continued until his
death, which was brought about by a heart attack suflfered on his way
home from the meeting of June 21st. Tho.se who have participated in
one of his Barnegat trips or have followed him through a “Big Day”
will long remember the event. His uncanny ability to pick the right
places to visit to .see rarities, and his invariable accuracy of observa-
tion combined with his unfailing good humor and consideration for
his companions, made him irreplaceable as a friend and leader.

Preliminary Notes on the Behavior and Ecology of the
Eastern Willet^

By William Vogt
CONTENTS

PAGE

I. Technique - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- jo

II. Methods of Sex Determination - u

III. Voice and Posture - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 13

IV. Monogamy and Time of Pairing - -- -- -- -- -- 21

V. Sex Recognition - -- - - 22

VI. Defense of Female and Territory - -- -- - 23

VII. Courtship and Copulation - -- -- -- -- -- -- 28

VIII. Nesting and Nest Relief - -- -- -- -- -- -- - 31

IX. Social Behavior - -- -- ----- - 35

X. Ecology and Conservation - -- -- -- -- -- -- 37

XI. Summary - -- -- -- -- ---- - 40

XII. Bibliography --------- - 41

In 1936, the period from May 23rd to June 20th, and in 1937,
the period from iMay ist to 9th, were devoted to a study of Willets
Catoptrophorus s. soiiipalmatus (Gmelin), in the salt marshes near
Fortescue, N. J. Tliough much more work remains to be done, it is
believed that data of sufficient interest were gathered during the 204
hours of actual field work to justify the presentation of a preliminary
report at this time. It should be emphasized, however, that all con-
clusions advanced are tentative, and that discussion and interpretation
have been limited because the data presented are admittedly only a
fraction of what further study will disclose. The paper is published
now to make available such facts as were noted, and in the hope other
observers — especially amateur bird students — will initiate comparable
studies. The writer might remark, parenthetically, that in ten years
of bird study no other field work even began to offer as much in ex-
citement and satisfaction as did the hours devoted to outwitting, and
trying to understand, these birds.

1. Awarded the I^lnnje.in Prize for Ornithological Research In 1938.

Fortescue was chosen for the study because of the large number
of W’illets that nest conveniently near lodgings.

The habitat of the birds, extending many miles along the east
side of Delaware Bay, is a broad expanse of salt marsh still, for-
tunately, for the most part imditched. Like other marshes of the
region, it is dominated by large areas of cord grass (Sl'artiiia patens),
cow grass {S. alteniiflora) , with interspersed patches of spike grass
{Distichlis spicata), samphire {Salieoniia sp.), narrow-leaved cat-
tail {Typlia angiistifolia) and. in the marsh ponds, widgeon grass
{Rnppia nwritiina) . The marsh is cut, in many places, by tidal estuar-
ies and is bounded, on the west, by the low dunes and sandy shores
of Delaware Bay.

Avian associates of the W'illets include Black Ducks (.iiias
riibripes) ; Black-crowned Xight Herons {Nycticorax n. hoactli) ;
Marsh Hawks (Circus liinisonius) ; King (Rallus e. clegans), \’irginia
(R. 1. liniicola). Clapper (R. longirostris crepitans ) , and Black Rails
(Crcciscus janiaicoisis stoJdardi) ; American and Fish Crows (Corvus
brachyrhynchos and C. ossifragus) ; Red-wings (.Igclaius p. pliocni-
ceus) ; Meadowlarks (Sturnclla niagna) ; and Sharp-tailed (Annno-
spica c. caudacuta) and Seaside (A. ni. niaritiina) Sparrows. Migrat-
ing Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea atlantica) and Brant (Branta
bernicla Jirota) improve feeding conditions for the W'illets (see Sec-
tion X).

Concerning the behavior of the W'illet, little is known. Recent
studies of shore-birds by Huxley, Tinbergen. Pettingill, and others,
and the flash-pattern of the wings (closely resembling that of Chettusia
gregaria), interested the writer in making observations of this access-
ible, and strikingly marked, species. The older literature concerning
the bird is summarized by Bent (1929). As this paper was being
written, two more items appeared (Stone, 1937: Tomkins, 1938).

My thanks are due to the American Museum of X^atural History
for the loan of a mounted W'illet, used in studying sexual behavior ;
to Dr, G. K. Xoble for bibliographic assistance; to Mrs. Margaret
Morse X^ice, Dr. Ernst Mayr, Dr. X". Tinbergen, and i\Ir. D. S. Lehr-
man for criticism and suggestions ; to IMr. Richard H. Rough and the
Rev. Benjamin B. Brown, for much appreciated transportation ; and

to Mr. A. D. Simmons for his superb photograph of a flying bird (Fig.
I). The New Jersey Game Commission kindly granted essential per-
mission to collect a small number of Willets ; only one was taken.

I. TtCHNIQUE

The major part of the time used in field work was passed in blinds.
Seventeen days were devoted, in 1936, primarily to one nest, within
twenty feet of the blind. In 1937, studies were made from a blind
the floor of which was six feet above the marsh ; this elevation
was most helpful and alone made possible the observations on which
territorial findings are based. This year two pairs were closely,
watched. Throughout the two periods the behavior of several score
of birds was under superficial observation. The 1937 blind was situated
between two marsh ponds where, the previous year’s observations had
demonstrated, Willets were likely to be present in numbers ; it was
erected early in April, before the return of the birds, and was so
casually accepted by them that they constantly fed almost beneath its
floor. The birds became so accustomed to my presence that often they
would not flush as I passed to and from the blind.

Incubating birds, in 1936, were extremely shy, once they had been
flushed. Although a large wooden tripod was left near a nest for
three days, the addition of a small camera, before the observer entered
the blind — distant about seventy feet — kept the bird from its nest dur-
ing a long period, and it immediately flushed at the click of the shutter.
This nest was not the one watched over a long period, though the
blind had been in position about five days. It is doubtful whether a
picture could have been secured without the remote control device. By
contrast. Seaside Sparrows, feeding young, accepted the presence of
the tripod and camera within a few moments, and permitted the tak-
ing of more than thirty pictures nearly as quickly as the threads could
be pulled. In both cases there was equal disturbance of nesting cover.

Ordinarily, when the 1936 blind was entered, it was kept between
the observer and the nest, and the incubating birds did not flush. The
noise made by walking through the grass .seemed not to disturb them.

In 1936 one attempt to mark individual birds was successful.
Ordinary artists’ oil colors were squeezed onto the edges of nests, after

the method reported by Johnson (1935) ; and one bird which, subse-
quently collected, proved to be a female, wore a conspicuous red smear
on her breast.

A mounted Willet was used, as in earlier studies (Noble and
Vogt, 1935), to test the reactions of birds in the field. Hausch and
Lomb 7x35 binoculars, and a Leica camera were used. TMate I shows
the distribution of territories, location of blinds, etc.

II. Methods OF Sex Determi.v.xtion

So much of the paper is concerned with the relations between the
sexes that methods of sexing these birds, which seem to exhibt no sex-
ual dimorphism, should be explained at the outset. As a matter of fact,
discrimination between the sexes proved surprisingly easy ; the marked
female collected had been provisionally identified as to sex days be-
fore she was shot. Size gives the first clue ; though measurements
of a series of skins in the collection of the American Minseum of
Natural History showed an overlapping, in the field the female fre-
quently may be known by her larger size ; surmises as to sex, based
on size, were repeatedly checked against behavior in three pairs, and
the sexes verified. This criterion, alone, however, is not entirely trust-
worthy since birds appear differently in various lights, and their bulk —
as determined by compressed or expanded feathers — varies with the
weather and the birds’ emotional states.

Attacks, in defense of territory or mate, are by the male bird
only, though the female will bluff occasionally ; similarly, only the
male responded — with an attack reaction — to the mounted bird. This
attack reaction extended into the incubation season and the male could
be depended on to fight the mount. \\'hen the male was incubating,
as well as before incubation had begun, the female was tested with
the mount — and never attacked.

The female is more sedentary in her habits than the male ; she
seems not so given to making wide flights, as he, and when feeding
on the territory she often confines herself to a smaller area than does
the male. The female of the ‘east pair’ — so-called from the relation
of its territory to the blind — did most of her feeding on a space (see
Plate I) of S. patens not over too feet square.

The female is careless about territorial bounds, when feeding,
and will sometimes trespass, unmolested. The male, on the other hand,
is visibly uneasy when he trespasses, and, except at the beginning of
the breeding cycle, he is usually driven off at once.

These ilifferences were often observed in the pair whose female
was collected, and they were repeatedly checked in 11)37 by watching
copulations, after I had reached a decision as to which sex was which.

These sex differences render it relatively easy, in markedly terri-
torial birds like W’illets, to follow the actions of individual birds ; they
are first assorted and separated by their innate drive to claim a terri-
tory and much of the time the observer need solve merely a two-bird
puzzle.

III. Voice .and Postures

“The real difficulty in the investigation and the recording of the
behavior of higher animals.” writes Konrad Lorenz (1935), “consists
of the fact that the observer himself, as a subject, is so similar to the
object of his observation, that a true objectivity cannot be achieved.”
In making the observations on which this paper is based, a deliberate
effort was, at all times, made to subordinate the factor of human
psycholog}' and to reach conclusions, as far as possible, on the basis of
cause and effect. Meaning is attributed to observed phenomena only
when certain reactions have been observed to follow certain well-
marked stimuli. The field student of bird behavior faces a problem
much like that of the palaeontologist who finds a femur, humerus,
and maxilla and with these attempts to approximate the whole animal.
Rare, indeed, is the researcher who, like Mrs. Nice (1937), has frag-
ments accumulated by almost daily observations over several years.
Data comparable to hers are not available on any shore-bird, and the
writer, with only two vacation periods on which to draw, does not
suggest that he has found more than fragments — or that all of these
fragments are susceptible of valid interpretation.

The fragments, in this case, are not fossils, but certain phenomena
apprehended through the ear and through the eye. Since this attempt
to gain an understanding of the biolog}’ and psychology of the Willet
was limited by the hearing, observation, and interpretation of notes

and bodily behavior, it would seem logical to describe these calls and
postures and give, so far as possible, their meaning.

While the Willets’ vocabulary is large, the number of syllables
is not, with the result that their language (if it deserves this name)
seems to include many homonyms. It thus becomes difficult to attach
definite significance to certain calls.

One note, however, leaves no doubt as to its valence. It is pre-
ceded by a slow dik-ing (see below) as a male approaches a female
and seeks copulation. Its tempo is augmented until the bird is clicking
faster than one can count — nearly as rapidly, indeed, as does the
cicada {Tibicen sp.) — and continues until about the end of the sexual
act. The call is loud and can be heard at distances estimated to exceed
one-eighth mile. It was heard scores of times, when the male giving
it was visible, only as a preamble or accompaniment to the sexual act.
This is unquestionably the note recorded as kuk-kuk by J. T. Nichols
(Bent, 1929). It might be named the male copulation note. The female
was heard to give, during copulation, a grunting eh-eh note.

Another note closely associated with nesting and copulation is a
throaty whistle, somewhat suggesting the whistle of the Pintail (Dafila
acuta tsitsihoa), that was recorded in the field as yoick-yoick or
yoicker-yoick. This was noted at the beginning of a search for a nest-
ing site or scrape (V-2-37) ; by the male shortly before attempting
copulation (V-3-37) and when copulation had been refused by the
female (V-3-37) 1 seemingly as an invitation to hunt a nest site
(V-3-37); during scrape ceremony (VI-io-36), and by the female,
who apparently used it to drive the male to his incubating duties (\T-8-
36). It was frequently heard during the 1936 season but the fact
that the blind was on the ground made it impossible to watch the
birds at a distance; only further observations will narrow the meaning
of the note.

A call that was described in my notes as a twitter or as the IVren
note because of its resemblance to the song of a basso Long-billed
Marsh Wren (Tehnatodytes palustris) was recorded on four occa-
sions: when defending the female from an intruding male — the twitter
given by the bristling husband (V-i-37) ; by an undetermined mem-
ber of the east pair to warn the male of the west pair not to tres-

»5

pass, though the west female was feeding on the east territory (V-4-
37) ; by the w'est male in calling the female to him from the east terri-
tory; and, on the next day, by the same male, in an apparent attempt
I to call the female, who failed to respond. Because this note was so
I successful in either driving or calling another bird, it might be called
the compulsion note.

1 The justification for the interpretation of compulsion here may

! be shown by a quotation from my notes. On May 4, K)37. west
male had been driven from the territory of the east pair at 5-20 P.M.

5 :25 — Male flies to the west side of his territory and gives pill-unll-willet
call. Female feeding (still on east territory).

5 :3o — Male feeding toward blind. Diks, flies few feet south, calls
willet. Female not far from blind now.

5:40 — Male flies west again, pill-u'ill-xvUleliiig. His lady ignores him — and

eats.

5:50 — Male perched on jetsam to west, female eating well in east pair’s
territor>-.

5 ;5i — Male flies to blind and lands, pill-will-u’illeting. His unwillingness to
trespass farther is obvious.

(It should be e.xplained that my blind, by happy accident, was on the boundary
between the territories of the east and west pair. The latter, occupying the land
used by the long-studied pair in 1936, received most attention in 1937.)

5:55— Male pill -ifill-u.’illcts. Xo response from female. Then he leans over
(forward) and gives Wren note and she comes at once.

A simple note, given in a confusing variety of situations, is a
staccato, reedy dik, often rapidly repeated, and not very loud. It was
recorded as expressing emotion under the following circumstances :
antecedent to copulation note ; between series of Wren notes in
threatening interloper; associated with Terning (see below) in mob-
bing ; alone, when threatening interloper on territory ; when excited
by mounted bird on territory; when attacking Crow (Corvus sp.) ;
when flushed from nest; when scolding the observer; and sotto voce
— by incubating female — as male scales silently over the nest. Diks
are also heard when, so far as I ascertained, they seem not to have
any particular relation to an emotional state. The note is used by both
sexes and repetitions were counted up to 188 times a minute. It is

usually associated with emotional stress and, judging by my observa^
tions, most frequently anger. On May 2, 1937, distant diks that sound-
ed, to my ear, like all others, attracted the attention of every Willet in
sight ; the birds stopped feeding and stood, for a short period, with
necks erect. This is the note recorded by Julian Potter as "quip, quip,
quip” (Stone, 1937).

A wailing call that might be represented by the word k-a-aty ( to
be pronounced as is the feminine name) was frequently heard, and
though its interpretation was not always clear to me, it rarely failed
to call forth marked interest. Since it was given, interspersed with
Terning (see below), by birds chased by dogs, and by mobbing birds,
it is presumably associated with predators; however, it was also given
by the west male as he flew of¥ his territory to attack another Willet.

A note that suggested the sound made by ruffling a deck of cards
was heard three times, near or at the nest, in 1936. On May 31 the
male flew over the female, which I had just flushed from her nest,
and uttered it; on June 6 the female gave the same note just before
going to the nest ; and the next day the male uttered it as he dropped
near the nest; the female half rose from the eggs, then resumed in-
cubation. What the note means to the birds is not clear to me.

On May 3, 1937, the west pair were prowling through long grass
and the male uttered a chattering note — the only time I recorded it —
that was apparently a means of maintaining contact with the female
since, when she again came into sight, the note stopped. A similar
action by Phalaropes has been reported (Tinbergen, 1935). This might
be called the contact note.

This list of calls leaves to be described two that are, perhai)s, most
interesting of all because of the light they seem to cast upon the rela-
tionships and sociology of the birds.

The first of these — a strident teec-cccr — 1 immediately named, in
the field, the Tern note because it was “very like the high pitched
and thin Arctic” Tern (Sterna paradisaea) call; unlike the .Avocet’s
(Kccurvirostra avosetta) “gull-cry” (Makkink. 1936) it seems not to
be specific for any predator — indeed, the most interesting thing about
it is that, though it is at times evoked by predators, it is repeatedly

Fig. 2. The male attacking the mount.

I-'iG. I. /ia.stern ll'illet. I'holo courtesy of .llhcrl Di.vou .Simmons.

given for no ascertainable cause. It is. however, like the gnll-cry of
the Avocet. seldom heard early in the breeding cycle, hut common when
eggs have been deposited.

In 1937 when, np to the time 1 was forced to abandon the study.
I had been able to find no evidence of eggs, it was five times recorded
on May i. during a fight; once on May 3 during the first mobbing
(see below — Section IX) of the year; twice on May 7. during —
api)arently pointles.s — mobbing; and once on May 8 as supposed east
male attacked a Fish Crow. In I93(>. when most of the birds had
eggs from the time of my arrival on May 23rd. the Tern note was
recorded on the 23rd. 25th. 26th. 28th. 30th. 31st. June 2nd. 3rd. 4th.
6th, 7th, 8th. 9th. loth. iith. 14th. i6th. 17th. 19th, and 20th — usually
many times a day. During 1937, alive to the possible significance of
the Terning. I carefully recorded all instances; in 1936, before its
meaning and development had become significant. I umiuestionably
failed to record it in some instances. Therefore, it is obvious that as
the nesting cycle developed this note played an increasingly important
part in the behavior of the birds.

In early May, the first Terning was heard during fights, noted
as especially vicious, but whether the call came from the attacker or
the attacked, I could not determine. It was also heard when, later, I
flushed birds from their nests, and it brought an angry group about
my ears, from estimated distances of a quarter of a mile. It was fre-
quently heard as predators — Crows and a domestic house cat— were
mobbed. The gravity of its message to the birds was constantly appar-
ent; time after time birds would jerk to attention at the note, and,
usually, a number would congregate about the screaming bird and,
with a semblance of hysteria, add to the racket. In early May, how-
ever, “ganging up” was exceptional. The most interesting functioning
of this call will be discussed under Section IX.

The pill-n'iH-willct call that has supposedly given this bird its
name, naturally bridges the gap to a discussion of postures — well de-
fined and often-repeated bodily movements — since it accompanies the
most spectacular behavior of the Willet. The call itself is, by human
standards, a rich, ringing, sweet and moving performance. It may be

heard, on calm days, at distances estimated to exceed, considerably,
a half mile. While it may, for the Willets, be characterized by differ-
entiating shades of tone, pitch, and emphasis, to my ears it was re-
peatedly the same pill-zmll-willet though given under a wide variety
of circumstances. There is no question in my mind, after hearing it
hundreds of times, that its most important function is territorial and
that, in this usage, it is analogous with the songs of passerine species.
It is given not only when attempting to secure territory (see Section
VI) but as a warning when strange birds trespass on, or pass over,
a territory, and in driving birds from a territory. It is also given, along
with the Tern note, while mobbing; by the approaching bird in nest
relief ; before returning to a vacant nest with clutch ; and when ob-
jecting to a human interloper. Tomkins (1938) reports it as “incessant
at all hours ... of the night.” In my experience, nocturnal calls were
rare; this may be true only of the portions of the breeding cycle before
hatching of the eggs.

Its most striking — and probably significant — manifestation is in
connection with a gesture I called, in my field notes, Spottying from
its similarity to a performance I have watched in the Spotted Sand-
piper (Actitis macularia). It is undoubtedly analogous to the Black-
tailed Godwit’s “ceremonial flight” (Huxley, 1926). In this act the
male, rapidly and loudly calling pill-will-zvillet over and over again,
would rise into the air and, with wings arched stiffly downward and
moving in short, quick beats, fly in circles — occasionally out of sight
over the marsh, when the performance would stimulate other birds
to the same action ; at times over the territory he was attempting to
take from another male; frequently over the approximate bounds of
his own territory. Flying in the.se circles, he would mount higher and
higher, often until he nearly vanished. At times he would drop thirty
or forty feet only to zoom upward again with a vigor and lightness
it was difficult not to call ecstatic. The tips of the wings flicker like
tongues of black and white flame and at extreme heights the ruptive
pattern, as in the Nighthawk (Chord dies minor), so breaks the wings
that only the inner, dark areas are visible. Against an intense blue
sky, or piled cumulus clouds, this display is as stirring a performance
as I have ever seen in the bird world. This performance is more fully
de.sGribcd in Vogt, 1938.

After riying about iii circles of varying diameters, and for vary-
ing amounts of time, the male would begin to descend, often almost
perpendicularly, often with wings barely moving as it rode the wind
head-on, and with long legs drooping. The pill-ivill-n.'iUeting usually
continued, unabated, until the male had dropped near to the ground;
the final descent was noiseless.

Often — but not always — after the male had been Spottying for
a time, the female would fly up and hover a few feet below him, also
giving the pill-ivill-zinllet call ; in her flight, voice and descent, I could
never detect the wild vigor and abandon that seemingly possessed the
male.

Comparable behavior has been noted in many shore-birds (Bent,
1927, 1929) and discussed in detail in the case of the Black-tailed
Godwit (Huxley. 1926), and the Phalarope (Tinbergen, 1935). The
former says, “The ceremonial flights of the Godwit and many other
waders, such as the Redshank, Lapwing. Purple Sandpiper, Curlew,
Snipe, etc., are similar to song in that they are prominent from afar,
and stand often in some relation to territory, but (like the waders’
territory itself) they appear not to be f]uite so specialized.’’

Certain diflferences in Willet behavior from that of species studied
by Huxley and Tinbergen should, however, be noted. The Willet is
a highly territorial bird and guards the boundaries of its demesne,
through much of the breeding season, as vigilantly as does any
passerine. In driving off interlopers the ceremonial flight is fre-
quently used, probably at least till the end of incubation. It was also
observed as an integral part of the actions of a pair that was trying
to lop off a piece of the east pair’s territory. These observations would
seem to indicate that the ceremonial flight is definitely territorial in
character.

That it in addition serves to unify the pair (Huxley, 1914) also
seems very likely since the female so frequently participates in it;
however, the ceremonial flight in the Willet often does not — though
further observations may indicate it sometimes does — have anything
to do with “desire for a sex partner” as in Phalaropes (Tinbergen,

1935)- It is given over extended periods by mated pairs; on May 27th
the male of an incubating fair did the ceremonial flight in chasing
tvt'o birds that flew across his territory.

Hostility is displayed, in Willets as in other birds, by bristling —
erection of the feathers in such a manner that the apparent size of
the bird is increased. This is often accompanied by a longitudinal
flattening of the body with the neck drawn in and the long bill extended
as a prolongation of the body axis ; this gives the bird such a striking
resemblance to a huge snout-beetle (Rhynchophora) that, in my notes,
I called the posture Beetling

Hostility is also shown by exaggerated strutting, similar to that
I have seen in the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) . With head
up, body erect, and breast thrust forward, the bird advances with
exaggeratedly long steps that at once brought back old memories of
the cake-walk. (At the time this was written I was not familiar with
the application of the term to similar posturing of the Semipalmated
Plover [Bent, 1929].)

.A.t times, in the stress of battle, the M'illet will lie down, much as
does the Avocet (Makkink, 1936).

I cannot agree with this author's interpretation of such behavior
as “disgust,” which seems to carry a strongl}' anthropomorphic con-
notation. Rather, since such behavior suspends the fighting, it func-
tions as a means of securing a truce. It seems possible it may derive
from a temporary “inferiorism” (Allen, T934) that, however, does
not last ; as is well known, a bird on its own territory commonly pos-
sesses a moral (or psychological) superiority over invaders of its
own species.

Two tail-displays were noted. In the first, the sexual, the tail
is narrowed and depressed. The gesture characterizes male birds that
are seeking copulation and both sexes in nest-site hunting or scraping.
Selous (1927) reports similar display in both sexes of courting Red-
shanks (Totanns calidris).

The intimidation tail-display differs from the sexual in that the
tail is .somewhat depressed, spread, and tilted sideways, with its upper
surface extended before the opponent.

My experience agrees with that of Tomkins (t»j3.S) in finding
no “broken wing" performance.

d'he various calls and postures will he referred to further in dis-
cussing courtship, territory, etc.

1\'. *Mo.\(k'..\mv .\.\d Tjmk of 1’.\.'RI.\g

W'illets had been on their breeding grounds about two weeks be-
fore my arrival in K)37; Robert Haines and Philip C. Walton re-
ported to Julian K. Potter that they had arrived by .\pril i8. The
population density is high — nearly eighty birds were present in one
mobbing aggregation — and, des]nte vigorous territorial defense, the
birds move about a good deal. For these reasons, 1 was unable to se-
cure data on pairing. On several occasions, however, I watched terri-
torial establishment, and in each case the accpiisitive male was accom-
panied by a female. This would indicate that pairing takes place before
territory assum])tion unless these birds had been evicted from their
territory elsewhere, which seems extremely unlikely, in view of their
territorial tenacity.

Females I was able to watch closely were repeatedly approached
by males, early in May, which suggests that there is a surplus of this
sex; that they had not yet found mates, but would later; or that they
are polygamous.

On November i, 1937. Alexander Sprunt. Jr., of Charleston,
S. C., wrote me; “I will be interested to know whether you will run
across any instances of more than one female using the same nest. It
occurs locally, and I have records of several instances. Sometimes
the multiple number of eggs is accepted, sometimes the interloping
female’s eggs are rolled out of the nest.

“Highest number of eggs in one nest found here has, to date, been
eight.” In the thirteen nests observed by the writer, the clutches
ranged from one to four eggs. No instances of double-occupancy were
observed. As is noted in Section VIII, there is a notable dift'erence
between New Jersey and southern coastal \\’illets in their flushing re-
actions, possibly the result of different ecological conditions. Whether
double-occupancy of nests may also be correlated with a difference in
nesting-cover is not known. In any case, these large clutches of eggs

suggest the possibility of parasitism — often, apparently, a habit that
is rather casually assumed, as by some of the Ducks — or of polygamy.
This last possibility I cannot believe to be ver}' common because of
the repeatedly observed preoccupation of known males both with their
territories and their mates.

V. Sex Recognition

It is usually possible, on the territory, to recognize the sex of
Willets under observation, as has been pointed out. Since the human
observer can do this, it seems highly probable that the birds, them-
selves, are able to recognize sex without resorting to the trial-and-
error method reported by Allen for Grouse (1934). and Whitman for
Pigeons (1919). My conclusions on this point, as regards the Willet,
tentatively agree with those of Makkink (1936) on the Avocet: “. . .
the birds must be able to distinguish each others’ sex already in the
beginning of the meeting ... by means of . . . characters which are
too subtle for our discrimination.” The possibility that individual
birds were known, as individuals, to these unmated males, cannot be
ignored in view of the reports of Whitman (1919) and Schjelderup-
Ebbe (1935). This acquaintance seems less probable, however, in the
case of wide-ranging, free birds that are not members of a flock nor,
so far as could be determined, even possessed of a near-by territory,
from which they might come to know the females subsequently ap-
proached. In early May, 1937, repeated approaches by males to a
mated female were observed. As will be described below, at this period
there was no perceptible territorial defense ; when, early in the season,
the male interloper pitched into the territory near its feeding owners,
no difference in the behavior of these two birds toward the newcomer
was perceptible. Yet, so far as could be seen, the approaching male
was, for not even an instant, uncertain as to which was the female.
Dropping from the air at a precipitous rate, he would land near the
female, and begin moving toward her.

Tinbergen (1935) expressed the opinion that “the emotional state
of the reacting bird had influence on its discrimination power.” M'hile,
in the case of the Willets, there was no evidence of this, further obser-
vations may cast light on this interesting psychological problem.

\’I. Defense of Female and Terkitory

The two causes of strife between Willets are discussed together
because protection of the female as a defense-motive seems to be re-
placed by protection of the territory as a defense-motive in such a
way that it is impossible to determine — at least without vastly more
study, and an improved techni<iue — where the first ends and the second
begins. Certain it is, however, that as the breeding season progresses,
one gives way to, or is masked by, the other. For example, during
the first days of May the bird I called west male, made few at-
tempts to protect his land, though he was valiant in repulsing males
that approached his mate. Later his land was sacrosanct. (See Tin-
bergen, 1936. “By comparative observation we find in various species
a great many different objects ‘defended’ against competitors. We
conclude that an object is ‘defended’ when we see the fighting restrict-
ed to its vicinity. It is well to emphasize that our knozcledge of these
objects is no hypothesis, but a fact”)

Something about May Day morning, 1937, seemed to exert an
aphrodisiac effect upon the birds, and attempts by wandering males —
presumably unattached — to make off with attached females seemed
especially frequent. A description of one of these encounters, trans-
lated out of my field short-hand, may illuminate the subject.

The west pair have been having their troubles with interlopers.

8:20 A.M. — As another male approaches from the north, west male twitters
(=Wren note) warningly. Newcomer — X — answers. West male pill-will-willets.
West female (which has been feeding, for some time) settles down as though
asleep on nest, with legs folded underneath and her bill in scapulars. X approaches
her, strutting (= cake-walk). West male dik-diks and comes closer. X works
around to opposite side of west female until their relative positions are thus :

X west female west male

and threatens (?) with strutting approach. West female gets up, jumps clean
over back of west male, so positions are :

X west male west female

West male rushes X, who retreats a few feet, and feeds. West female again
settles down, as though to sleep, and west male moves off a score of feet to
slightly elevated perch on heap of grass. Twitters from time to time.

Here the female was threatened — and defended — but no attempt
was made to defend territory. The strange male was allowed to feed
in peace- — something that would not have occurred later. (The terri-
torial bounds subsequently guarded by the west male so closely agreed
with those of the bird I named the “white male" in 1936, that they
suggested to me the possibility this was the same bird defending the
same territory. Pettingill [ 1936] believes the same male Woodcock
returns to the same territory.)

Another sexual defense, the same day:

1 141 P.M. — A presumptive male, vigorously pill-zmll-willeting , drops in near
west female — which, twenty minutes before had been seen in inferior position in
copulation. New male approaches her, and she and west male l>oth go toward
interloper with breasts thrust out, taking very long steps {— cake-walk). New-
comer stands ground until west male rushes in as though to attack and then flies
off with the west male in pursuit.

On May 2 (5:50 A.]M.) there was again defense of female but
not of territory— probably by east male ; the male drove an interloper
from his mate but permitted him to feed near-by. In this instance the
tail-tilting, noted above as a minatory gesture, was very noticeable.

The dominance of sexual defense (by which is meant defense of
the female, as distinct from defense of territory) over territorial
defense did not, however, exclude territorial defense to the degree
that, subsecpiently, territorial defense seemed to make sexual defense
unnecessary by preventing wandering males from approaching mated
females. The resj)onse of the west male to a mounted bird, on May
2, was obviously territorial defense — since a dead mount cannot ap-
proach a female (see Fig. 2). It should be remembered that the pre-
vious day, the west male had defended its female but not territory ; a
half hour after the attack to be described, there was again pure .sexual
defense.

3:21 P.M. — The mounted bird, bent with body axis parallel to the earth, just
west of blind [about fifty feet away]. The west pair come in to territory, from
east. The female dropped by the blind, the male flew casually westward. Then
it spied mount, rushed to within three feet, diked several times, and attacked vigor-
ously. Pecked back of head from left side, jumped over it and hit from right,
jumped on its back and hammered head more, then stood on back a few seconds
as though puzzled. Jumped to earth, went around front, and pecked near eyes.

making leathers fly, until 1 rescued dummy. The male was loath to leave and
it stayed within thirty-five feet as I picked up the mount. [.\t the time of this
attack the mount was a considerable distance from the female. The se.x of the
mount is unknown.]

On May 4. the so-called southeast male exhibited what was ap-
parently mere sexual defense — the interloper was permitted to feed
near-by — : and the west male showed the same defense but this may
have been because the conflict took place on the ]>eriphery of the terri-
tor>’ where limits, and emotions aroused by them, were often vague.

From this time on. territorial defense became increasingly obvious
and because strange males were not permitted within territorial
bounds, clear sexual defen.se vanished. Interesting evidence of the
strength of the territory-defense urge was e.xjyerimen tally shown.

-An abortive attempt to trap the west male — defeated by the wind,
if not by other factors — left me with a four foot .square of white mos-
quito netting that for some days was piermitted to lie in the middle
of the territory. The west pair obviously eyed it with some sus-
picion at first, though they subsequently came to feed in its vicinity
without apparently paying it attention. On May 5. at 5:00 P.M., the
mount was placed in the center of the square of net. Xo birds were
present on the west territor}-.

6:00 — Male flies low over mount. pill-will-u'iUeting and drops near-by. Feeds.

6:07 — Female drops in, pill-uill-u-iUeting. Both feed toward mount; male
outdistances female. He reaches square of mosquito net on which mount is placed
and logins to walk around it. He does this several times, skirting net, then finally
jumps at mount and strikes it with bill. Flutters back to ground. Does this four
more times, carefully avoiding net. imtil he knocks mount over. Female, mean-
while, has come up and is standing close by. Now both birds walk slowly
away, feeding.

Under more accessible conditions, the mounted bird was, several
times, attacked by males — though never by females. Territorial defense
was seen, many times a day, over many days. So alert were the
birds to trespass that a bird merely flying across a territory usually
evoked a warning pill-ii'iU-zcillet call, this given by either the male
or the female. As was pointed out above, no evidence was seen of
territorial defense by females though, on a few occasions, they were
seen to bluff interlopers, both in the presence of their fighting mates.

and in their mates’ absence. The fighting often seemed to satisfy
Selous’s definition of formalization (1933) but at times it was a
serious affair.

8:13 A.M., May 7, 1937 — A strange pair (at least I do not know where they
came from) drop near the west pair, south of the blind. Pill-ivill-willcts are
exchanged, then a stranger rushes the west male. The latter spars, exchanging
wing blows (the clashing of the primaries could sometimes be heard) and then
lies down. Beetles forward, attacks stranger, who graibs west male by base of
bill and shakes him as they flop around. West male finally pulls loose, and does
not continue fight. Newcomer, however — I suspect south male — walks slowly off.
Females, during this, had not participated. West male shakes head from side to
side as though bill hurt.

It has been pointed out, above, that the so-called spotty per-
formance seems to be used in securing territory. When, in 1937,
I took up my observations, the entire mowed strip of Spartina patens,
east and west of the blind, seemed to be occupied by two pairs of
birds whose territorial boundary lay just about at the blind. By the
time I left, nine days later, the so-called northeast pair — utilizing the
spotty performance — had carved a piece off the territory of the east
pair. The pair seeking territory systematically utilized the ceremonial
flight over the area they were trying to appropriate. Time and again,
giving the pill-will-willet call, they dropped onto the desired land ;
and time and again they would be driven away — sometimes after an
exchange of threatening postures — by the owner. As nearly as I
could tell, they secured title to the land by the process of wearing
down the owner's resistance over a period of several days. It is
probable that had they sought the center of the territory, their efforts
would have been vain ; in the cases I observed, it was peripheral
sections of territory that were lost to interlopers. Outlying portions
of territory are apparently less vigorously defended ; there seems to
be a sort of territorial center of gravity, the distance from which
proportionately reduces vigor of defense.

The east pair lost a sizable area, and the west pair a small piece
— never very vigorously defended — to the south pair, whose holding
included South Pond (Plate I) and but little mowed area. Then the
northeast pair lopped another piece from the east pair, leaving them
as little of the mowed strip as the southeast and northeast birds had.

As late as June 19, 1936, the spotty performance was noted, though
the history of the calling birds was not known.

Another probable territorial act is the habitual use, by Willets,
of the same position on the territory- as what I called a “look-out” ;
this was more obvious during incubation than before it. It is very like
the “Standplatz” of Herring Gulls {Larus a. argentatus) (Goethe,
1937)* ^936 both the male and the female under extended obser-

vation constantly — though not invariably — stood on a bare patch,
where cattails formerly had grown, while the mate was on the nest.
From here they would watch the territory, protest against passing
birds, and, in the case of the male, initiate defense. This look-out was
used so consistently, and from it there so often rang out the warning
pill-'fill-zi'illet, that I could not help regarding it as the catoptrophorine
equivalent of the passerine song-perch. It was situated approximately
half the length of the territon,- away from the nest.

It is apparent to the writer that fighting, in Willets, is: (i) in de-
fense of the female, at a period when the territory is not invariably
defended, and (2) in defense of the territory. This fighting was never
observed when the birds were known to be away from their territories,
as on the feeding grounds at the bay edge, but observations there were
casual and, probably, inconclusive.

Unfortunately it was not possible to stay in the field, in 1936,
long enough to study the relationship of young birds to the territory.
No young were seen, none of the eggs under observation had hatched,
and there was no perceptible change in behavior to suggest the presence
of young in the tangled grasses. Willets, like other members of their
family, are precocial ; Tomkins (1938) reports that soon after hatch-
ing the birds apparently desert the nest by “at least a half mile” ;
furthermore, Arthur Wajme (Bent. 1929) is authority for the state-
ment that the adults earn,- their young away from the nest. What,
then, is the value of territory to the Willet?

Certain possible fallacies occur in discussions of territoriality
(Makkink, 1936, expressing agreement with Huxley, 1925a') in shore-
birds, namely the assumption that the bird “has plenty of suitable nest-
sites at its disposition and needs therefore no territorial instinct. Xo

more does there exist any necessity for reservation of a territory for
reasons of food ; soon after the newly hatched are dried, the family
leaves the nest-area and makes for the water, where the food is
abundant.” While these statements would probably be true in the
case of the Northern Phalarope, it seems dubious whether they would
be in the case of such species as the Avocet and Willet. The latter,
certainly, is much less numerous than it was in its aboriginal circum-
stances, and it seems entirely possible that when its numbers were at
their peak, nest-sites and food may have been at a premium. This
assumption is given support, it would seem, by the reports of Dircksen
(1932) who found that on Norderoog Island the European Oyster-
catcher (Haematopiis ostralegus) by its territoriality tended to keep
its numbers low through the high mortality rate suffered by immature
birds whose territorial boundaries did not permit access to mud-flats
for feeding purposes. Information on territory, after hatching, and
on care of the young, in Willets, is casual and inconclusive ; it is pos-
sible that, like the Oyster-catchers, young Willets have a better chance
of survival on ecologically superior areas. (Their concentration on
mowed areas — see Section X — would, at least in southern New Jersey,
suggest such a possibility). If young are not confined to the territory,
of what value is it to the birds? Since the male defends the female
before he defends the territory, it would scarcely seem necessary to
develop the territorial urge as a means of sexual defense. Without
more data than are now available, I find myself as much at a loss to
interpret the territoriality of this shore-bird as have been observers
of other species.

VII. Courtship and Copulation
Courtship in a limited sense — that is, as a series of acts directly
connected with, and stimulating, copulation — is a simple affair in the
Willet, and corresponds remarkably to that of the Redshank (Totanus
totanns) (Huxley, 1912). The writer is not inclined to include with
courtship such phenomena of behavior as sexual defense, territorial
defense, and spottying or the ceremonial flight. While these are closely
associated with the reproductive cycle, they seem not to be limited to
])re])aration for the sexual act; they apparently bear as close a rela-
tionship to nesting and care of the young as to cojnilation itself. Con-

cerning sucli courtship as may precede formation of ])airs, there are
no data.

Courtshi]), then, appears to consist of calling and posturing for
a brief period. In only one instance, out of many observed, did there
seem to be any j)OSsibility that the female initiated courtship; iu this
case, she walked rapidly toward the male as he Hew into the territory.
In all other observations the male initiated the courtship, usually by
walking slowly toward the female. Me would then begin to utter the
deliberate dik-ciik, which became more rai)id and reedy until it de-
veloped into the clicking, described above. As the male walked toward
the female he depres.sed the closed tail ( without tilting it ) and as the
speed of the diks increased he raised his wings over his back and be-
gan to wave them through a narrow arc. The rate of waving in-
creased until it could be accurately called only a vibration; of course
the female could plainly see the flickering, flame-like wing-tips. Selous
(1927) reports the fluttering of wings above the male Redshank's
back, antecedent to copulation. The Northern Phalaropes indulge in
similar behavior (Tinbergen, u)35) as. Dr. Francis Harper tells me,
does the Lesser Yellow-legs {Totamis flavif^cs).

In the majority of cases, the response of the female W'illet to the
clicking and wing-waving was simply to walk away a short distance. In
all such cases observed, this gave the quietus to the male’s invitation. He
immediately closed his wings, and usually continued to feed — the prin-
cipal occupation of the Willets.

W hen, however, the female was sexually responsive, she would
stand rigid as the male approached, then slowl}- incline her body for-
ward. When her tail had been tilted above the horizontal, the male
would flutter lightly to her back and to the sound of his clicking the
act would be completed. ^

As he approached, in at least one instance where the female was
receptive, she diked with him. and during the act uttered a grunting
eh-eJi note. At other times the female's bill was seen to move though
it was impossible to determine whether or not she was calling.

The copulation was usually terminated by the female tossing the
male lightly over her head — apparently, at times, much to his disgust.

On one such occasion the male rushed her with a threatening bill ; on
another he attempted to avoid the tossing by grabbing her neck in
his bill ; and the third time he was observed to give expression to his
unreadiness to cease copulation he held her neck, just behind the head,
and when she tossed him over her head he tumbled her with him.

In most instances, copulation was followed by quiet feeding, the
birds side by side on the territory.

Copulation was observed — though it was extremely rare — as late
as June ii, 1936. This year Mr. Richard H. Rough reported that he
witnessed one copulation that took place in the water of one of the
salt marsh ponds; the female extended her neck and body along the
water, apparently after the manner of the European Avocet (Makkink,
1936). At no time was an incomplete copulation, such as is reported
for other shore-birds, observed ; it seemed that when the impulse in
the female was too low in intensity (Howard, 1929) she terminated
the attempt by merely walking away.

The writer was first impelled to study the Willet through curiosity
as to the biological significance of the Willet’s striking wing-pattern,
which is invisible when the bird is at rest, and most striking when it
is in flight (Fig. i). Here, it seemed, was a clear-cut problem. It is
likely that a solution can be found only by experimental methods, in
the field and in the laboratory ; eventually it would seem desirable to
isolate the factor of wing-pattern in relation to behavior, by staining
or otherwise destroying it ; and possibly to eliminate calls by destruc-
tion of membranes of the syrinx. But to do this requires more effec-
tive trapping methods than now exist. One can, however, surmise what
the results of such experimentation would be.

The vibrating of the Willet’s wing seems clearly to satisfy Lorenz’
(W3S) requirement of “improbability” as a criterion of a releaser
impinging u])on innate ])erce])tory ])atterns ; through long familiarity
with the bird on migration, and through more than 200 hours’ obser-
vation in the courtship, nest-hunting, and incubation phases of the
breeding cycle, the vibration was noted by the writer only in associa-
tion with spottying and copulation. In the former case, of course,
the wings are held horizontal, and in the latter they approach the

vertical. While the physical equipment — and frequently, in spottying,
the behavior — are shared by both sexes, in courtship the supposed “re-
leasing action’’ of vibrating wings seems as purely masculine as is the
penis in the Rhea {Rhea amcricana) , and is probably comparable with
copulatory organs (Huxley, 1921).

Willets fall more nearly in Lorenz’ Chromide type than in the
lizard or labyrinthine fish types in their sexual relations. Yet, except
for male displeasure at the termination of copulation, never, in my
experience, did “the threatening behavior and the display of these
animals reveal themselves" (Lorenz, 1935). They certainly indulge
in mutual display, but in this I could see nothing of antagonism, and
I cannot help seriously questioning the validity of applying such
Keyserling-like concepts of sexual antagonism to birds. In some species
they may be justified; in the Willets, in which an equilibrium between
the sexes appears to obtain, there seems no reason for establishing a
“ranking order of the individual mates,” and I could see no evidence
such an order existed.

The possibility that the “sudden transformation of a grayish-
brown bird into one predominantly black and white at the moment of
taking to wing” (the words of Lorenz, 1937, but a perfect description
of the Willet) “most probably is essential for the following or flocking
together reaction of the fellow-member of the species,” must not be
overlooked. The visual cue here, however, is probably that of pattern,
whereas in the ceremonial flight and courtship the visual cue is pattern
plus wing-vibration.

VIII. Nesting and Nest Relief

It was impossible (vacations being limited) for the writer to
remain in the field long enough in 1937 to witness actual nest con-
struction, and determine incubation periods, or in 1936 to witness the
emergence of young. The incubation period is given by Tomkins
(1938) as twenty-one or twenty-two days. Obvious scraping or nest-
site hunting (differentiation was impossible) was observed in 1937,
however; thirteen nests were discovered in 1936, with eggs in all
seen, from May 23 on ; and the striking nest-relief ceremony was sev-
eral times observed at close range.

Nest-site hunting (or scraping?) was observed on the first day of
observations in 1937 (May i).

9 :2S A.M. — With loud pill-will-zvilleting, two .birds come from the east and
drop west of blind. There is some dik-ing, and the yoicker-yoick note .... Both
tend to depress tail, displaying to one another. One pokes around clumps and
even pokes in under them as though nest hunting. Then thej' fly up — or, rather,

one does, and gives Spotty performance- — and other bird flies up lielow it ... .

They come down together west of blind and are joined by a third bird that

seems to drive them up. All fly to the bay’s edge and disappear.

On the following day, these observations were made on the
west pair.

9:36 A.M.^ — Number 2 (presumably the male) begins to sidle toward number
I (presumably the female) — tail somewhat depressed. Goes into patois clump
and bends over^ — ^feeding or nidification preparation — and suddenly backs away
as though scared. Walks around clump, watching it, past number i. Walking
rapidly and apparently aimlessly aliout marsh ....

9:43 .^.M. — Number 2 settles down in clump with movements that suggest nidi-
fication. No. : flies near. Slowly walks toward No. 2, who is sitting down and
saying yoicker-yoick. No. i walks into clump and appears to walk over No. 2 —
as in nest relief. Walks out to east. No. 2 soon follows, and flies east, out of
sight, followed at some distance by No. i.

May 3, 1937, 12:55 P.^I. — The male, judging by size, led hunt for nest and
after passing through several patens clumps stopped at one until the female came
up to him, whereupon he bounced out as though he had been stuck with a pin.
Female stayed a little while, seemed to settle down, then came out. Male went
on, skirting edge of several clumps, as though continuing to hunt. Then both
perched on flotsam.

Two days later I noted, of the west male, that it seemed he could
“scarcely go near a tuft of grass without exploring its possibilities.
I’d guess he is much more concerned with a nest site than she.”
Whether or not this resulted from unequal development of the sexual
cycle in these two birds, or is usual behavior, as Lorenz (1935) implies
in the case of diiotidae, I did not determine.

Seven minutes later (9 :45 A.M.) I wrote : Seems to be a good hunch. Male
starts back toward female, walking rather rapidly, comes to patens tuft that has
not been cut, sticks in his head, settles down, turns around with tail high, as
though shaping nest, tries several positions, comes out on south side, shakes him-
.self, and begins to feed nearby .... Meanwhile, female is feeding again.

Fig. 3. .Ill iiicnbatiiii) ll'illd.

Fig. 4. The “u'bite male'' topf>lcs the mounted U'illet. The zviiigs are spread merely
because the bird has just fluttered from the back of the falling mount; they zvere
not displayed during the attack.

Since, four days later, there is no sign of nesting at this site, and
since the birds have meanwhile been investigating other clumps of
grass, the above performance would seem to be nothing more conclu-
sive than the scrape ceremony that is so generally indulged in by Laro-
I Limicolincs. In 1936 the nest was built, and scraping-site hunting had
been concluded, before my arrival. In 1937 I was forced to leave
before the actual nest site had been determined. Therefore, the inter-
pretation of this behavior must await further investigation. It seems
noteworthy, however, that the sexual tail-display (Section III) is
common both to scraping and pre-copulatory behavior ; that this scrap-
I ing took place on the same days as copulation ; and that I regarded
an exchange of places in the scrape as closely resembling nest-relief,
j That is, the female appeared to walk onto the back of the male, which
darted out from beneath her. I regarded the observation as tentative,
however, because of the distance of the birds from me.

The wide variety of nest sites utilized by the Willet is described
in Bent (1929). Most of the nests seen by the writer were in dense
Spartina patetus near the ecotone at which this grass met Spartina-
alterniflora or Typha atigustifolia. Though the observer stood di-
rectly over the nest, it was usually invisible because of the thick canopy
I of grass. The birds lay close — sometimes striking the obser\-er’s leg
as they flushed — but never permitting the close approach said, by
Alexander Sprunt, Jr., and Roger Torv- Peterson, and by Tomkins
(1938), to be characteristic of southern coastal birds nesting in ex-
posed situations. It may be that the greater readiness of the Xew
Jersey birds to flush is correlated with the efficient cover that so
thoroughly conceals their eggs.

Incubation is by both sexes, and I was unable to determine that
there is any regular on-and-off periodicity. This is also true of the
CK'ster-catcher (Dircksen. 1932). Some nights the male incubated,
during others the female; birds flushed, at night, from the territorj’
were probably the non-incubating owners. Identification was, of course,
impossible in the darkness.

The nest-relief ceremony is an interesting performance that is
far more beautiful, watched within a few yards, than my field notes,
indicate. The role of the sexes seemed to be identical.

June 9, 1936, 9:14 A.M. — Female flies over the nest from the east and drops
at usual post (= lookout) at hay. Preens vigorously.

9:27 A.M. — ^Female comes sneaking along through grass, looking very small. I
believe she has walked all the way (at least 100 yards). She nervously walks
past north side of nest, pushes through grass on east, then comes into open between
blind and nest. She walks up to it and seems to bend her body slightly forward,
also bending legs so as to drop body lower. Male gives soft yoicker-yoick notes.
Female answers with soft, then loud, pill-will-willet and male flies off. Female
pushes onto nest with back to blind.

June 10, 1936, 12:56 P.M. — Female flies to west lookout. Walks from there,
feeding at first, as she goes to nest, which she does not reach until i :4i. She
is extremely cautious and after walking just east of nest, climbed out of furrow
through which she had sneaked, and watched for a long time. Finally pushed
through grass and walked along another furrow to south side of nest — that toward
blind. When within four feet, one of the birds — I think the female — gave throaty
dik. As she approached, both obviously made this sound. Male did not offer to
leave nest. Female bent body forward, diked two or three times, then gave pill-
will-willet twice. Walked onto nest, on top of male, who suddenly pushed out from
beneath her and flew south. When couple of hundred feet away, gave pill-will-
Tvillet call.

When the blind was first put near this nest, it obviously made
the birds extremely nervous and it seems likely that the method of
leaving the nest, at relief, described for June 9, was abnormal in that
the incubating bird departed so readily. Subsequent observations in-
dicate that the second description given is more nearly normal and
that the incubating bird leaves at the touch of the reliever’s breast —
not merely at the call. Lorenz (1935) states, without giving examples,
that “all birds avoid dorsal contact as much as possible.”

The birds were frequently away from the nest at the same time.
Indeed, they usually abandoned the territory in the early morning, to
resort to the edge of Delaware Bay, where they fed and bathed.

Behavior on the nest was not, so far as I could tell, noteworthy.
Sometimes the incubating bird faced one way, sometimes another.
While on the nest, the incubating birds at times gave the impression
of being bored. They would poke their bills about in the grass, some-
times catching insects, and sometimes apparently getting nothing. Occa-
sionally they would tug at grass-blades, as though to initiate play. They
would also fidget with their eggs. Boredom is an admittedly question-
able interpretation to place upon such behavior, but it resembled closely

similar behavior on the part of an incubating Marsh Hawk that not
only seemed to the writer to be clearly bored, but that played with bits
of dried grass by tossing them about. If this was not boredom, and
play-relief, what was it?

IX. Soci.'VL Behavior

One of the most interesting aspects of Willet behavior is its
marked socialized character. Many species of Gulls and Terns — in
the manner of passerines heckling an Owl — will mob an enemy, diving
at it, spraying it with excrement, and even attacking. Some of the
shore-birds (Bent and others), will repel invaders in much the same
way.

The Willet, whose territorial intolerance has already been de-
scribed, disregards all territorial boundaries when repulse of an enemy
is involved. Dogs running through the nesting grounds, a common
sight at Fortescue, are followed by a motley mob of screaming, dart-
ing Willets that join the group from long distances. This, then, would
seem to be normal behavior for many species of this interesting family.
One needs to see nothing more than the hasty retreat beat by Crows
to surmise its effectiveness, for Willets.

But Willets go one step beyond most other members of their
order. They form screaming mobs, repeat the frantic Tern note,
gather in knots, and vaingloriously rise and fall (exactly as above
a predator) — when no enemy exists to draw their fire. This is the
more remarkable since, as Mr. J. J. Hickey reminds me, the birds
are often solitary, on migration, or nearly so. Although one cannot
be certain, when the Willets are at a distance, that there is no enemy,
I have repeatedy witnessed this apparently pointless mobbing within
a few yards of the blind — when I was sure no enemy was present.
What set off this hysterical behavior, I could not even surmise.

This type of mobbing cannot, so far as I can tell, be differ-
entiated from anti-predator mobbing, except that the predator draws
the flock along with him, and the pointless mobbing ends with the
birds casually dispersing, or dropping briefly to the ground in a loose
flock. This up-flying seems to express none of the fear ascribed to
Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) by Kirkman (1937) in his

discussion of their flocking. In the case of the Willets, the governing
emotion is clearly excitement, with, perhaps, an infusion of anger.

The power of Willets, mobbing and Terning, to attract other Wil-
lets is very great. The mob excitement is pervasive and one observation
indicated that a bird was drawn from its nest to join the mob — though
usually incubating birds showed a complete disregard of the uproar.
Non-incubating birds seem rarely, if ever, to ignore it.

Tinbergen (1931) has pointed out that, in the case of Common
Terns {Sterna h. hirundo), there is no such sharp difference between
social and individual life as Eliot Howard claims. Their social life
does not suddenly develop into sexual life, as in the case of Howard’s
Buntings (1920), but during a certain length of time now one and
now the other predominates. In the Willet, so far as my observations
are concerned, the difference is even more marked. Here the sexual
phase is characterized by much more obviously social behavior than
are the pre- and post-breeding phases, and the social behavior — evoked
in many territorial birds by the presence of enemies — seems not to
depend on any extra-specific animal as an agent. IMakkink (1936),
recording “collective rising” in Avocets, throughout the breeding sea-
son, reaches the conclusion that, “The Avocet is a true social bird
in which the inclination to gather never fully dies away.” The Willet
seems not to be a particularly social bird, but its gregariousness cer-
tainly increases during the breeding season.

Whether or not this apparently pointless behavior is a formalized
version of opposition to predators, as Selous might have suggested,
its utility is obvious ; it unquestionably tends to unite the birds into
the semblance of a colony, despite their fierce territoriality. Whether
or not their united front is actually needed for defense, the unfailing
effectiveness of the mobbing and Terning tends to keep the birds
from scattering, and makes them constantly available for action.

It is significant — though scarcely unexpected — that the mobbing
increased in frequency and intensity as the breeding season progressed.
From a rare occurrence in early May, when the birds apparently did
not yet have eggs, it became, after eggs had been laid, so common-
place I neglected to note instances, and thus lost an opportunity to
study accurately its growth

The power of mobbing birds assemble cooperators, gives striking
support to Lorenz’ (1935) generalization that: ‘‘Certain social-attack
reactions of various birds are as compelling as the release of the
reaction inducing the animal to join in the take-off” (a reaction, by
the way, whose force this distinguished biologist seems to exaggerate).
While 1 have never watched the mob emotion with sufficient care, as
has Lorenz, to observe that its strength was proportional to the size
of the mob. there seems no doubt that the social-attack reactions are
among the strongest felt by Willets. Lorenz further postulates, con-
cerning these reactions, ‘‘f'erhaps they represent instinctive acts which
are least depndent upon the physiological condition of the bird at the
moment.” How he discriminates, in wild birds, between physiological
and psychological conditions, he does not say ; without attempting to
do this in the Willet, the writer should emphasize the increase in
frequency of mobbing as the breeding season progressed.

X. Fxology .\xd Coxserv.miox

Though no attempt was made, in the limited time available, to
make an ecological study, certain interesting observations concerning
distribution of the birds, feeding, and predation, were made.

X'owhere, on southern New Jersey’s vast marshes, were the
\\’illets found in greater abundance than about the village of Fortescue,
with its swarming populations of dogs and cats. How effective these
predators may be in restricting Willet numbers can only be surmised,
but it was obvious that their presence makes life hectic for the birds,
which are constantly being sent into an uproar by the mammals. The
concentration of the birds within range of these beasts would seem
inexplicable were it not for the fact that in the area where cats and
dogs are most numerous, salt hay (Spartina patens) is annually cut.
The birds, probing in the earth for much of their food, concentrate
on the mowed areas and jealously guard such places against territorial
invaders. That baymen burn over the marshes, thus destroying the
matted grass cover, as a means of improving shore-bird shooting is
well known. The birds concentrate on the stubble. The only place
where I observed a W'illet population comparable to that on mowed
areas was at Egg Island, X^. J.. where wintering Brant, in the absence
of eel-grass (Zostera manna), and Greater Snow Geese, function as

effectively, from the viewpoint of Willet ecology, in cropping the
grasses, as does the modern mowing machine. It seems certain that
the easier feeding provided by mowed areas creates a favorable envir-
onment for the birds; it may well be a factor of major importance
in maintaining their numbers at a sufficiently high point to offset
destruction of favorable environment elsewhere.

During my observations, by far the greater part of the birds’
food was taken on the territory. Although they resorted frequently
to the bay-shore, or to inland areas, much of their time was spent
probing among the grass roots. When the water in the marsh ponds
was at a favorable height, these areas were frequently visited. Some
food was picked off the grass blades. Surface water on the marsh was
much sought for feeding and drinking. The food resources in such
areas have been studied by Cottam and Bourn (Vogt, 1937) and

Nicol (1935)-

Off-territory feeding, like other activities, was noticeably affected
by the wind. May gales piled a real surf against the bay shore, and
on such days the birds flew far inland, on the marsh, presumably to
bathe, eat and drink along the marsh creeks. On windless days the
birds rarely flew back on the marsh, except to join in mobbing; their
extra-territorial activities were concentrated along the beach. High
winds were obviously distasteful to the birds and put an end to most
activities. No correlation of extra-territoriality with rise and fall of
tides was observed, though something similar to this has been noted
by others (Bent, 1927, 1929, Makkink, 1936, etc.).

No evidence was secured that any other species was a serious
competitor of the Willets though a male Meadowlark that had just
defended its territory against another Meadowlark rushed the west
female and drove her a few yards by sheer bluff.

Though little direct evidence on the problem of predation was
secured, the following predatory species were observed on the Willets’
nesting grounds : domestic dog and cat ; American and Fish Crow ;
Marsh Hawk; Black Snake {Zanienis constrictor L.) and Snapping
Turtle (Chelydra serpentina L.). Of these, the domestic animals and

the two Crows drew most attacks from the Willets ; the other three
animals, so far as my observations went, were ignored. Of cours, it
is entirely likely that after the hatching of the young the reactions
toward predators changed.

Whatever the role of Red-wings and Sparrows may have been
as competitors, it is clear that they served the Willets well as buffer-
species. Their eggs and young were frequently observed in the pos-
session of Crows, and the Red-wings, especially, were valiant allies
in driving off the Corvids.

One Willet nest was known to have been destroyed by a farmer’s
plough, but there was no evidence of deliberate molestation of the
birds by man. While the residents of Fortescue saw no sense in spend-
ing so much time with the birds (and therefore concluded it must be
a governmental activity!) they apparently enjoyed seeing them about
the village and probably would discourage deliberate molestation.

Whatever the role of the respective predators in the areas under
observation, they are not disproportionately lethal. Willets abound
on the marshes and, for a number of years at least, are .said to be
increasing. Mowing of salt hay undoubtedly creates more favorable
conditions for the birds, and it would undoubtedly be good ‘‘manage-
ment” practice to remove the stakes and poles that sparsely stud the
marsh. Only once was one of these observed in use by a Willet, and
Crows used them daily as they watched for nests.

One dire threat hangs over the bird.s — the Xew Jersey Mosquito
Extermination Commission and the C.C.C., in this region wild-life
enemy number one. The extent to which the birds depend on marshes
for nesting cover and food has been indicated. Ditching of the marsh
for mosquito control profoundly changes the vegetation, as can now
be seen just north of Fortescue, and wipes out a high percentage of
animal food (Vogt, 1937). It seems, therefore, probable that if the
so-called “mosquito controllers” slash the surface of the marsh with
their ditches, the high density of Willets, built up under favorable con-
ditions, will be sharply reduced. It is even conceivable that this beauti-
ful and interesting species may be exterminated in the area.

XL SUMMARY

1. Observations on the breeding-season behavior and ecology of
the Willet, acknowledged not to be exhaustive, are given.

2. Most of the observations were made from blinds; one female
was marked and subsequently collected ; a mounted bird was used
to test reactions.

3. Methods by which the observer sexed the birds — size and
behavior, checked against the marked bird and against copulatory
positions — are described.

4. Ten distinct notes — male copulation, female copulation, com-
pulsion, contact. Tern, and territorial, plus four whose meaning has
not yet been delimited — are described.

5. The ceremonial flight, fight postures, and tail displays are
described.

6. The belief is expressed that the birds are monogamous, and
that they are usually paired before claiming territory.

7. The conclusion is advanced that Willets are able to recognize
the sex of other Willets without resorting to trial-and-error methods,

8. The female appears to be defended by the male before he
defends territory. At a later date the territory is vigorously defended,
by the male, both against other males and the mounted bird. Photo-
graph is shown (Fig. 2).

9. Courtship and copulation are described and the possible role
of the flickering wings as a releaser (Lorenz, 1935) discussed.

10. Both sexes participate in nest-site hunting and incubation;
no on-and-off incubation rhythm was perceptible. The nest-relief
ceremony is described.

11. Typical Charadrii forme mobbing of predators is e.xtended,
in the Willet, to mobbing flights that are virtually identical — except
that they are indulged in in the absence of predators.

12. Willet populations are noted as denser on marshes that have
been cropped by man or Geese, and observations are given on feeding

and predators. Dangers to the birds, inherent in the mosquito-control
work, are pointed out.

XII, Bibliography

.Allen, A. A. 1934. Sex Rhythm in the Ruffed Grouse and Other Birds. Auk,
51 :i8o-99.

Bent, A. C. 1927. Life Histories of North .American Shore Birds. Part i.
Bii//. U. S. Nat. Mus. 14^.

1929. Life Histories of Nortli American Shore Birds. Part 2.

Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 146.

Dirck.sen, Rolf. 1932. Die Biologie des .Austernfischers, der Brandsee-
schwalbe und der Kustenseeschwalbe nach Beobachtungen und Urvter-
suchungen auf Norderoog. Journal jiir Ornithologie, 80:439-58.

Goethe, Friedrich. 1937. Beobachtungen und Untersuchungen zur Biologie
der Silbermowe (Larus a. argentatus Pontopp.) auf der V'ogelinsel
Memmertsand. Journal fiir Ornithologie, 85:1-118.

Howard. H. Eliot. 1920. Territory in Bird Life. London.

1929. An Introduction to the Study of Bird Behaviour. Cambridge.

Huxley, Jullw S. 1912. .A First .Account of the Courtship of the Redshank
(Totanus calidris L.). Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1912:647-55.

1914. Courtsliip Habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps

cristatus), with an Addition to the Theory of Sexual Selection. Proc.
Zool. Soc. London, 1914:491-562.

1921. The Accessory Nature of Many Structures and Habits .Asso-
ciated with Courtship. Nature, 108:565-6.

1925. Studies in the Courtship and Sexual Life of Birds. V. The

Oyster-Catcher. Ibis, 1925 :868-97.

1925a. .Absence of “Courtship” in the Avocet. British Birds, 19:88-9.

and Montague. 1926. Studies in the Courtship and Sexual Life of

Birds. VI. The Black-Tailed Godwit. Ibis, 1926:1-25.

Johnson, Hazel. 1935. Intrepid Plovers. Bird-Lore, 37:167-72.

Kirkman, F. B. 1937. Bird-Behaviour. London.

Lorenz, Konrad. 1935. Der Kumpan in der Umwelt des Vogels. Journal
fiir Ornithologie, 83:137-213, 289-413.

1937. The Companion in the Bird’s World. Auk, 54:245-73.

Makkink, G. F. 1936. .An .Attempt at an Ethogram of the European .Avocet
(Recurvirostra avosetta L.). Ardea, 25:1-62.

Nice, Margaret M. 1937. Studies in Life History of the Song Sparrow I.
Trans. Linn. Soc. N. Y., IV.

Nichol, E. a. T. 1935. Ecology of the Salt Marsh. Journal Marine Biological
Association of the United Kingdom, 20:203-61.

Noble, G. K., and William Vogt. 1935. An Experimental Study of Sex Recog-
nition in Birds. Auk, 52:278-86.

Pettingill, O. S., Jr. 1936. The American Woodcock. Memoirs of the Bos-
ton Society of Natural History, 9, no. 2:167-391.

Schjelderup-Ebbe, Thorleif. 1935. Social Bdiavior of Birds. A Handbook
of Social Psychology, edited by Carl Murchison. Worcester, Mass.

Selous, Edmund. 1927. Realities of Bird Life. London.

1933. Evolution of Habit in Birds. London.

Stone, Witmer. 1937. Bird Studies at Old Cape May. 2 vol. Philadelphia.

Tinbergen, N. 1931. Zur Paarungsbiologie der Flusseeschwalbe (Sterna
HiRUNDO hirundo L.). Ardea, 20:1-17.

1935. Field Observations of East Greenland Birds, I. The Behaviour

of the Red-Necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus L.) in Spring.
Ardea, 24:1-42.

1936. The Function of Sexual Fighting in Birds ; and the Prol>lein

of the Origin of “Territory.” Bird-Banding, 7:1-8.

Tomkins, Ivan R. 1938. The Eastern Willet. Nature Magazine, 31:14-6.

Vogt, William. 1937. Thirst on the Land. Circular No. 32, National Associa-
tion of Audubon Societies, New York.

. 1938. Will and Kate. Yale Revieiv, XXVII, 9.

Whitman, C. O. 1919. The Behavior of Pigeons. Posthumous works of Charles
Otis Whitman, Vol. III. Publication No. 257, Carnegie Institution of
Washington.

Black-Crowned Night Heron Colonies On Long Island
By Robert P. Allen
Introductory

There is obvious value and interest in accurate information on
the breeding distribution of the birds of any given locality. Data of
this nature on colonial nesting species, are more readily obtainable
than for solitary nesters and may be assembled in advance of more
complicated distributional material. Information on the breeding lo-
calities of the Black-crowned Xight Heron (Nycticorax n. Iwactli)
in the New York City region has never been brought together and
analyzed. The present paper treats localities occupied during recent
years on Long Island. In New Jersey the mapping of heronries is
in progress; data for the Hudson River valley are still incomplete.

At the present time there are three species of herons breeding
on Long Island, the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Yellow-crowned
Night Heron (iVyctanassa violacea) and the Eastern Green Heron
{Butorides v. virescens) . The last named may occupy nest sites within
the breeding areas of the Black-crown and, in addition, may nest in
isolated locations. No attempt has been made to map the breeding
distribution of the Green Heron, although its occurrence in Black-
crown heronries is indicated. The Yellow-crown is known as a nester
in but one location on Long Island, and as it appears to have first
nested on the Island in 1937, no study has been made as yet of the
local habits of these particular pairs. Therefore, this paper will con-
fine its discussion to the breeding distribution of the Black-crowned
Night Heron in this area.

Griscom (1923) wrote as follows of the Black-crowned Night
Heron :

Long Island. Common summer resident, rare in winter. No large rookeries
now known. In fact the nesting of the Night Heron is something of a mystery.
The few small nesting colonies located do not account for the multitudes in every
marsh on the Island.

This lack of information on the breeding of a common summer
resident on such well-worked ground as Long Island creates an addi-
tional incentive for a census in this region.

Further reasons for the census may be termed biological and
conservational. Nicholson (1929), who reported on the exhaustive
inquiry into the history and distribution of heronries in England and
Wales, emphasized the biological importance of “satisfactory data
regarding the numbers of animals in relation to space and time,” and
pointed out that a lack of such information may restrict and even
prevent the progress of research. In addition, it has been apparent
on Long Island, that many nesting sites have disappeared in recent
years and others are currently threatened through one cause or another.
An examination of these causes and a survey of the present status of
heronries will therefore serve as a definite basis for a conservation
program.

Acknowledgement is made of the assistance given by various
cooperators, in reply to the original questionnaire mailed early in 1936,
and to the correspondence and personal inquiry that has been carried
on since. I am especially indebted to Messrs. LeRoy Wilcox, and Roy
Latham, and also to Mrs. Marie V. Beals, Bernard P. Brennan, Allan
D. Cruickshank, Dr. David E. Harrower, James Lane, Frederick P.
Mangels, John Mayer, Dr. E. P. Maynard, Jr., C. K. McKeever,
Robert Ralston, Walter Sedwitz, James W. Shapter, John Smigel,
and Loring W. Turrell. Furthermore J. T. Nichols aided by giving
the scientific names of various fishes reported with local and vernacular
appellations. I am further indebted to James O. Stevenson for a
critical reading of the manuscript.

Numbers

In 1935 there were twenty heronies on Long Island with a total
Black-crown population of approximately 3,500 pairs. During 1936
and 1937 four of these heronries were destroyed and the total popula-
tion apparently reduced to about 3,000 pairs. The average number of
pairs per heronry (1937) is 188.3.

During the winter there may be many as 500 Night Herons in
the New York City region (exclusive of New Jersey), and winter
roosts have been recorded at eleven locations. The average number
of Black-crowns in these winter roosts is 49.5.

Map I. Location and Relative Size of Night Heron Colonies, New York City Region, J935-I937-

Known Age of Heronries

Of the twenty heronries on which information was obtained, the
age of six is unknown. Records do not go back farther than fifty
years in any case, and only four heronries have been known for that
length of time. These are the three on Gardiner’s Island and the
former location near Cutchogue, the last having been occupied until
1936. Interest in these nesting places is of such recent date that the
average period they have been known is only 22.2 years.

Nesting Environment

Choice of a suitable environment for nest building appears to lie
with equal favor in three distinct habitats; Red Cedar (Juniperus
■virginiana) , Swamp Maple (Acer rubrum), and mixed hardwood,
chiefly oak (Quercus sp.). Only one nesting site was recorded in low
bushes (Salix sp.). The areas in which cedar is the dominant tree
growth are generally dry. The Swamp Maple habitat, on the other
band, is frequently wet. Where the trees selected are oak with other
bardwoods — maple (Acer rubrum), gum (Nyssa sylvatica) beech
(Fagus sp.), hickory (Carya sp.) — the ground is more often dry, but
•exceptions may depend on weather conditions.

The relative proximity of tidal estuaries, brackish and salt marsh-
es, fresh-water ponds, creeks, marshes and other feeding grounds has
not yet been studied in detail.

Food Habits

Observations of the food preferences of Black-crowns in four-
teen heronries were reported. Fish were included in the diet of all
of these birds, and species consumed included top minnows (Fundulus
heteroclitus), four locations; eels (Anguilla rostrata), four locations;
small herring (Clupeidae) , three locations; sunfish (Lepomis gib-
bosus), shiners (Menidia), and billfish (Tylosurus marinus), one
location each.

Mammals were taken by the herons of five colonies; rats (Rattus
sp.) in one location, and mice (Microtus p. pennsylvanicus) in four
locations.

Herons of three colonies fed on crabs (Callincctes sapidtis, Uca
sp.), and in one instance each, clams (Venus mercenaria) and mussels
(Mytilus edtilis) were taken.

In two locations algae were given to young herons, and in a single
instance a Night Heron was observed carrying a Garter Snake (Tham-
nophis sp.) into the colony.

Proximity of Other Species

Green Herons were recorded as nesting in six of the heronries,
and doubtless were overlooked in other areas.* In two colonies Wood-
cock (Philohela minor) were found nesting, and in two others, the
Long-eared Owl (Asio wilsonianus).

Other birds of special interest in their relation to the Night Heron
were mentioned as occurring (not necessarily nesting) in certain of
the heronries. The figure after each name below indicates the number
of heronries where the species was particularly noted.

Green Heron (Butoridcs z-irescens) — (8)

Great Blue Heron {Ardea h. herodias) — (3)

Yellow-crowned Night Heron {Nyctanassa violaced) — (3)

American Egret {Casmerodius albus egretta) — (i)

Little Blue Heron {Florida c. caerulea) — (i)

Fish Crow (Corz'us ossifragus) — (2)

Eastern Crow (Corvtis b. brachyrhynchos) — (2)

Northern Blue Jay {Cyanocitta c. cristata) — (2)

Cooper’s Hawk {Accipiter cooperi) — (2)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) — (i)

Natural Predators

The following birds and mammals were reported as natural preda-
tors, or possible predators, of the nesting Black-crowns ;

Fish Crow (Corz'us ossifragtis)

Eastern Crow (Corz'us b. brachyrhynchos)

Northern Blue Jay (Cyanocitta c. cristata)

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis)

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)

Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Eastern Red Fox (Vulpes fulva)

House Cat (introduced) (Felis domestica)

Eggs appear to be taken chiefly by crows, and the two species
(ossifragus and b. brachyrhynchos) native to the Island are evidently
the Night Herons’ most consistent predators. The writer has watched
brachyrhynchos take Night Heron eggs on several occasions. The
operation is very efficient, the contents of an entire clutch of four dis-
appearing in almost as many seconds. Usually the eggs are replaced
and the writer has concluded that on Long Island, crow predation
is by no means a threat to the nesting success of the Black-crown.

Wilcox and Mayer listed the Fish Crow as a species that takes
eggs, and Wilcox also included the Eastern Crow. Latham recorded
the taking of young and eggs by crows (sp.). Jays were mentioned
by Mayer as taking eggs in the small colonies near Rosedale and
Idlewild. Latham reported the Cooper’s Hawk taking young from
the nest and Ospreys harrying adult Herons, though actual damage
by the Osprey is to be questioned.

Mayer reported the destruction of eggs by a Gray Squirrel in
one instance only. Latham stated the foxes take young from the
ground and from low trees. Sedwitz suggested that house cats may
take young, apparently from the ground and from low nests, but has
not observed predation from this source.

Herring Gulls and owls may take young birds and the former
are frequently observed flying low over nesting colonies when eggs
are most numerous. However, no evidence of predation is recorded.

Causes of Desertion and Depletion

There are three general causes for the breaking up or reduction
of Long Island heronries: (i) land development, (2) human persecu-
tion, (3) natural calamities. Of these, the most serious and, unfor-
tunately, the most frequent cause is land development. This is re-
ported as follows, the figures after each item indicating the number

of examples cited :

Cutting (both clearing and lumbering) - -- -- -- 4

Drainage - -- -- -- -- -- - 3

Real estate projects 3

Farming operations i

Human persecution is at present less serious a hazard than the
destruction of habitat. Four examples of shooting were given, one
of these at a fish hatchery near the heronry. In two instances the
cause of reduction in numbers was given as the disturbing effect of
human intruders.

Natural causes — severe storms and accumulation of old nests —
were held responsible for the reduction of one colony and the deser-
tion of another.

SiGNIFIC.VNT D.\TES

Replies to the questionnaire indicated the following dates with
relation to the Black-crown on Long Island ;

Average date of earliest arrival, March 12.

Date of average arrival, March 22.

Average date of first occupied nests, .'\pril 17.

Average date of first eggs, April 19.

Average date of first young on the wing, June 25.

Discussion

This report should be regarded as a preliminary one. Although
the numbers of nesting birds given represent the most complete in-
formation available, one can be certain the data are incomplete. It
is equally true that a vast number of other extremely interesting facts
are still unknown about our local herons. If, as seems likely, the
present Night Heron population is rather precipitously declining, it
will be well to determine whether or not this decline is ultimately
checked. It is of course not uncommon for a colonial species similar
to the Black-crown to show considerable variations in censuses of this
type. In reporting somewhat similar counts of Rooks (Corvus frugile-
gus) in the Oxford District, the Nicholsons ( 1930) listed lOi rookeries
as present in 1928. Three years later, 17 had disappeared, 15 addi-
tional ones had been recorded (2 of them of considerable age), 36
colonies had increased and 47 diminished (Alexander, 1933).

Careful data are still needed on local numbers of non-breeding
birds. Some of these are more or less undetectable in the heronries them-
selves ; others are said to be present in small groups in the parks of
New York City: at Inwood and at Pelham Bay Park. Whenever

new colonies are discovered, observers are urged to learn from natives
in the locality the approximate time the colony has been in existence
and any changes which are known to have taken place in its history.

Summary and Conclusions

Approximately 3,500 pairs of Black-crowned Night Herons
nested on Long Island in 1935, while only 3,000 appear to have been
present two years later. This reduction amounted to 14.2%. .^gainst
this, one may contrast the 3,600 to 4,000 estimated by Nicholson
( 1929) for the Common Heron {Ardea cinerea) in England and Wales.
The twenty Long Island colonies ranged from 600 to 4 pairs and aver-
aged 188.3. The 210 English colonies ranged from one to more than
100 birds and averaged sixteen birds per colony. Mention might also
be made of the size of colonies of Rooks {Corvns frugilegns) which,
on the Wirral Peninsula averaged 63.1 nests per rookery, with the
highest as 425, and a resultant density of twenty-one nests per square
mile [excluding areas of towns] TMarples, 1932). On the Wirral
Peninsula, Marples reports a distinct tendency for rookeries, when
numerous, to be situated one mile apart, and he suggests that this
may be due to the presence of communal “nesting territories” near
the rookery. Mitchell (1938), investigating rooks in Denbighshire,
did not find this same tendency to space rookeries a mile apart. He
suggests that preference for rookery sites may be influenced by prox-
imity to water and by altitude, there being no nests above 600 feet. No
suggestion of this is contained in the British Birds' census of heronries
(Nicholson, 1929), but it should at least add to the interest of mapping
the feeding ranges of Black-crowned Night Herons here on Long
Island.

The table see pages 52-53 is given as a general summary. It will be
noted that sixteen heronries remain on Long Island (1938) and that
for the most part the status of all but five of these is either uncertain
or unfavorable. Those with some certainty of survival are located in
parks or private estates (King’s Point Park, Strong’s Neck, Gardiners
Island). One heronry (West Neck, Huntington) has decreased, al-
though established in a private park.

Chief cause of desertion and depletion of Long Island heronries
is land development. Recent losses have been at an average rate of
two heronries each year.*

1. The East Moriches and Westhampton heronries were deserted in 1938.

Bibliography

Alexander, W. I. 1933. “The Rook Population of the Upper Thames Region,”
Journal of Animal Ecology, 2:24-35.

Griscom, Ludlow. 1923. "Birds of the New York City Region," American
Museum of Natural History, New York.

Marpi.es, B. J. 1932. "The Rookeries of the Wimal Peninsula,” Journal of Ani-
mal Ecology, 1:3-11.

Nicholson, E. M. 1929. “Report on the British Birds Census of Heironries,”
British Birds, 27:270-323.

1935. “An Index of Heron Population,” British Birds, 23:332-341.

Nicholson, E. M. and B. D. 1930. “The Rookeries of the Oxford District,"
Journal of Animal Ecology, 18:51-66.

Mitchell, M. 1938. “The Rook (Corvus frugilegus) Populations of North-
west Denbighshire,” Journal of Animal Ecology, 7:20-21.

Table I

ON TWENTY LONG ISLAND HERONRIES

Authority

Roy Latham

LeRoy Wilcox

C. K. McKeever

LeRoy Wilcox

i§

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John Mayer

Dr. David E.

Harrow
Theo. Pettit

1 Walter Sedwitz

Gilbert Raynor
(Wilcox)

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Westhampton

Huntingrton
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East Moriches

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General Notes

Birds on an Atlantic Crossing. — It is amazing how little exact
knowledge on the distribution of the pelagic birds of the North At-
lantic was available until very recently. The paper by Wynne-
Edwards: On the habits and distribution of birds on the North At-
lantic (Proc. Post. Soc. Nat. Hist., 40, No. 4, pp. 233-346, 1935) is
the most notable publication on the subject and has provided a solid
basis for all further work. Still, there are a great many gaps to be
filled and it sfeenis worthwhile to publish the following material.

My westward crossing to New York, July 28-August 5, was my
ninth Atlantic crossing, but the first one favorable to the study of
sea-birds. All but one of my previous crossings had been done on
fast boats, and it seems impossible to make satisfactory sea-bird ob-
servations on steamers which do much more than 20 knots. I might
furthermore mention, that the third-class decks near the bow of the
boat are by far the most advantageous position for observations, since
pelagic birds tend to fly away from the steamer, and furthermore,
since the vibration at the rear of the ship makes the use of glasses
very difficult.

The “Deutschland” (22,000 tons, speed 19-20 knots) sailed from
Hamburg on July 28, 1938, and called at Cobh (Ireland) on the evening
of July 30th, after an ornithologically uneventful passage through the
Channel and the Irish Sea. Since I was principally interested in
pelagic birds, I did not start systematic observations until July 31,
when we had left Ireland well behind. I might say that no birds fol-
lowed in the wake of the liner during the whole trip (except in coastal
waters).

July 31. — (Noon position: 51® 03' N., 17® 13' W.) Clear, slight
winds. 9:00-10:00 A.M., several Greater Shearwaters, at about 51°
10' N., and 15® 50' W. ; 3:00-3:30 P.M., 4 Fulmars; 7:45 P.M.-
8:10 P.M., I' Fulmar, 6 Greater Shearwaters, 5 Arctic Terns.

August I. — (Noon position: 49® 32' N., 29® 34' W.) Clear, abso-
lutely calm. At 7:45 A.M., a flock of at least 30 Greater Shear-
waters with a school of Porpoises (Blackfish) at about 49® 44' N.,

27° 3o' W.; between 8:20 A.M. and 8:55 A.M., 28 Greater Shear-
waters, 2 Cory's Shearwaters, 6 Fulmars, 2 Skuas flying high in the
far distance; 9:10 A.M. -9:45 A.M., about 42 Greater Shearwaters,
6 Cory’s Shearwaters, 2 Fulmars, flock of 7 Jaegers; 1 1 ;oo A.M.-
11:30 A.M., 9 Greater Shearwaters, i Cory’s; 2:00 P.M.-3:oo P.M.,
83 Greater Shearwaters (75 in one flock), 2 Cory’s, 2 Fulmars; 4:00
P.M.-5;i5 P.M., 49 Greater Shearwaters, 9 Cory’s, 2 shore-birds;
6:50 P.M.-7:30 P.M., ii Greater Shearwaters, 2 Cory’s.

.August 2. — (Noon position: 46° 28' N., 40° 52' \\.) Clear, very
light wind. 8:30-9:30 .A.M.. not a single sea-bird seen; 11-45-12:00,
no sea-birds .seen; 2:00-3:00 P.M., 22 Leach’s Petrels, 1 Skua; 5:15-
6:00 P.M., 3 Leach’s Petrels; 7:15-8:00 P.M., 10 Leach’s Petrels. Not
one Shearwater all day.

August 3. — (Noon position: 43° 04' N., 51° 25' W.) Heavy fog
with warm south wind; visibility at times very bad. 7:30-8:00 .A.M.,.
4 Greater Shearwaters, Leach’s Petrels not visible in fog ; 8 :30-9 '.30-
.A.M., 2 Leach’s Petrels, 3 Greater Shearwaters; 9:37 .A.M., i shore-
bird (? Phalarope) ; 1:00-2:15 P.AL, 24 Leach’s Petrels; 3:33 P.M.,.
I Tree Swallow : 3:39-5:45 P.AL, 40 Leach’s Petrels, i Skua, 3 Cory’s,
Shearwaters (40° 50' N., 53° 30' W'.). 3 Puffins ( ?, seen against
the light, identification quite uncertain); 7:30-8:00 P.M., a few.
Leach’s Petrels, 4 Shearwaters (apparently Cory’s, but light poor).

August 4. — (Noon position: 41° 55' N., 62° 24' W.) Light south-
erly winds, visibility fair, occasional fogs. 9:13-10:45 .A.M., 16 Leach’s
Petrels ; 2 :oo-3 :oo P.M., 54 Leach’s Petrels, i Shearwater, i Puffin ( ?).

.August 5. — (.At noon off Long Island; ship docks at 9:00 P.M.)
Heavy fog most of the day. The fog prevented systematic observa-
tions. In heavy fog near Fire Island Lightship a large flock of Shear-
waters (unidentified) ; in lower New York Bay numerous Wilson’s
Petrels.

Discussion of the Species

Greater Shearwater (Puffinus gravis) : With a little experience
this species can be identified at considerable distances. In fact, during
the entire trip no bird that was seen in fair light and within reason-.

able distance of the ship escaped unidentified. On the calm days,
particularly on August ist, large numbers were sitting on the water,
one raft comprising at least 75 birds. No migration movements were
observed. Wynne-Edward’s statement that “schools of whales or por-
poises almost invariably have an attendant flock of Hagdowns” seems
exaggerated. Of four such schools observed on this trip, only one
was accompanied by Shearwaters. I was interested to see on July
31st a number of birds in the area west of Ireland which was left
vacant on Wynne-Edwards’ map (p. 254, 1. c.).

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinns griseus) : Not a single individual
was seen, which is not surprising, since it was very foggy in the off-
shore zone where the species is most frequently encountered.

Cory’s Shearwater (Puffinus kuJilii) : I am restricting myself to
the points where I disagree with Wynne-Edwards. In additions to
the field characters listed by W.-E. (1. c., p. 265, plate 3), I found
the yellow bill quite noticeable whenever the birds came closer to the
ship. At distances of less than 50 yards, the white tips of the longest
upper tail-coverts also became visible, although never forming the
■conspicuous band of gravis. In habits I found quite a bit of difference
“between the two species. In the calm weather which prevailed during
-most of my trip, the birds were forced to use their wings extensively,
instead of gliding as they do in strong winds. The wing beat oi’kuJilii
is considerably slower than the rather labored flapping of gravis. In
fact, I picked the few kiihlii with the naked eye out of the gravis flocks
and the check-up with glass invariably confirmed the correctness of
Ihe identification. In my experience gravis also hugs the water more
(Closely than kiihlii, and of the birds that went so high that they rose
above the horizon, all except one were knhlii. The kuhlii also tended to
come closer to the steamer. Although they were much in the minority,
every Shearwater (and there must have been half a dozen or more) that
came closer than 50 yards to the steamer, was a kuhlii. Of distribu-
tional interest is the fact that I found both species mixed during almost
the entire trip. There is probably a larger zone of overlapping than
realized by W.-E. (p. 265).

Fulmar (Fulmarns glacialis glacialis) ; This is my first summer
crossing of the Atlantic on which I have seen Fulmars. The two de-

grees by which the Ireland route is further north tlian the usual Chan-
nel route, probably accounts for this. The southern limit of distribu-
tion at this season is near the 50th parallel, as shown hy W.-E. on
his map (p. 277). Our boat with its 19!/^ knots speed was too fast
for the Fulmars to follow very far in the wake, particularly in view
of the light wind.

Leach’s Petrel {Occanodroma Icttcorlioa) : For days, I was try-
ing to separate the Leach’s and Wilson’s Petrels, but all petrels looked
alike; it was not until the last day of the trip that I realized that every
single petrel seen by me August 2ud-Augtist 4th was a Leach’s Petrel.
Wilson’s apparently rarely go so far north, an observation also made
by W.-E. The number of these birds in certain parts of the ocean
is tremendous. On August 3rd and August 4th there were 5-15 petrels
per square mile of ocean. I do not believe that these are all non-
breeding birds, nor could they have been through with breeding at
this early date. But do nesting birds feed so far out in the ocean?
Remarkable was the rather sudden appearance of this species in the
afternoon of August 2nd, when the vessel was about 500 miles from
the nearest land. Since Leach’s Petrels are much less conspicuous
than Shearwaters, it is certain that many were overlooked. Great care
was taken not to count the same bird twice. This was facilitated by
the fact that the speed of the boat was just a little faster than that
of the birds.

Wilson’s Petrel {Occanites occauicus) \ None was seen until the
outer New York Bay was reached where the species was quite
numerous.

Phalaropes : On two occasions shore-birds were seen on the high
seas, in both cases probably Phalaropes, although poor light prevented
a real identification. At 49° 00' N., 31® 35' W., two birds were ob-
served (one of the few mid-Atlantic records), and at 43° 30' N., 50®
20' W., a single bird. No big clouds of Phalaropes were observed, as
I have encountered them on other trips.

Jaegers: A flock of seven birds, flying fairly high, was seen at
.49® 41' N., 28° 20' W. Although the birds were too far for specific

identification, I am fairly certain that they did not have a very long
tail. They probably were Parasitic Jaegers (Stercorarius parasiticus) .

Skua {Catharacta skua) : On August ist, two were seen at 49“ 47'
N., 27° 34' W., another single on August 2nd, at 46° 08' N., 42° 05' W.
In both cases they were not associated with other birds.

Arctic Tern {Sterna paradisaea) : A flock of five birds was seen
on July 31st, at about 50° 30' N., 21° 20' W. They were flying almost
directly southward and may have come from Iceland, which is just
north of the point of observation. The fall migration of this species
begins about July 25th (\\'ynne-Edwards, 1. c., p. 327).

Tree Swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor) : A single bird tried to alight
on the steamer on August 3rd, at 42° 56' X., 52° 58' W., just about
south of Cape Race and about 240 miles away from the nearest land.

The steady south wind and the earliness of the season were
undoubtedly the reason why more land birds were not observed. In
September, particularly after strong west winds, I have encountered
American land birds amazingly far out at sea.

Ernst M ayr.

A Probable Eared Grebe on Long Island. — On reaching the
strand at Long Beach, Nassau County, Long Island, X. Y., on the
morning of January 9th, 1938, my attention was attracted to a very
dark-colored grebe actively diving near the shore. Walking towards
it, I met my fellow member of the Linnaean Society, Mr. Walter
Sedwitz, who had also discovered the bird and was photographing it.

The grebe was about forty feet from the beach, the sun was
shining brightly and there was very little surf, so that we could ob-
serve the bird carefully through 8X binoculars, and compare it with
several Horned Grebes near-by. It was of appro.ximately the same
size as a Horned Grebe, but lacked the sharply-contrasting white
throat, fore-neck and under parts, and the dark crown, back of the
neck and upper parts, of Colymbus auritus — the nnderparts in this in-
dividual being a dirty gray color, which gradually merged into the
dark coloring above. What particularly impressed us. however, was

the shape of the bird's bill, which was comi)ressed from above down-
ward near its base, producing a profile which, compare<l with that of
a Horned Grebe, was similar (in miniature) to that of a Red-throated
Loon (Gavia stellata) as compared wdth a Common I.oon’s (Gavia i.
immer). The bird did not behave like an ‘oiled’ individual, as it was
swimming and diving actively and shaking its head nervously from
side to side at frequent intervals.

Mr. Sedwitz and I discussed the question of identification for
some time and finally decided that the Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigri-
collis) was the most likely possibility. On returning home, the writer
consulted various books on European birds and birds of the Pacific
Coast of North America and the following day examined skins and
mounted specimens of the Eared Grebe in the American Museum of
Natural History. He finally concluded that the bird we had observed
was, without question, an Eared Grebe (on account of its size and
shape of the bill) and, in all probability, an individual of the European
race (C. ». nigricoUis), as in that subspecies there is apparently even
less contrast in color between the under and upper parts in the winter
plumage than there is in the Eared Grebe of western North America
(C. n. calif oniicus) .

It remains to be stated that, on January i6th, Mr. Sedwitz and
I saw (presumably) the same individual in the same locality, and
the writer, later in the day, observed the bird in flight — noting white
wing-patches, apparently in the secondary feathers. Enlargements of
photographs taken by Mr. Sedwitz on January 9th, while not very
satisfactory, nevertheless showed the very dark appearance of the
bird, and, to a slight extent, the characteristic shape of its bill.

C. n. nigricoUis does not nest in northern Europe but has recently
extended its range as far west as Ireland. There are winter records
from Madeira, the Canary Islands and the Azores.

Inasmuch as the western Eared Grebe has never been observed
on the Atlantic Coast of North America, and the European subspecies
has never been recorded from any part of the North American con-
tinent, Mr. Sedwitz and I feel that our observation is of considerable
interest.

Baird, Brewer and Ridgway. 1884 The Water Birds of North America.
Bailey, F. M. 1917. Handbook of Birds of the Western United States.
Coward, T. A. 1925. The Birds of the British Isles and their Eggs.

Hoffman, R. 1927. Birds of the Pacific States.

Witherby, H. F. 1920. A Practical Handbook of British Birds.

E. R. P. Janvrin, M.D.

A Flight of Red Phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarins) on Long
Island, N. Y. — On April 28, 1937, Mr. Sven Raven and the writer
were rather fortunate in witnessing perhaps the largest flight of these
birds to be seen by any bird students on Long Island. No doubt other
flights just as large or larger have occurred in the past but with no
ornithologists present to witness them. Ludlow Griscom (1923) stated
that there were a scant twenty records of its occurrence on Long
Island.

On the night of April 27 the tail-end of a gale swept the Atlantic
seaboard. Winds of 60 mile-an-hour velocity were registered in New
York City early on the morning of the 28th. It rained nearly all day
on April 27 with strong southeast wind changing to moderate south-
west on the morning of the 28th.

We arrived at West Bay Bridge at Westhampton Beach about
8:30 A.M. and immediately saw numbers of Phalaropes flying east
and many swimming in the bay. Birds were in the air almost con-
tinuously, those arriving from the west alighting in the water, while
others in the water were getting up and flying east. It was foggy
and visibility was only a few hundred feet. The main flight had al-
ready passed, according to Mr. Timothy Robinson who has the boats
at the West Bay Bridge for fishing parties. He estimated 2,000 had
already passed in the early morning. The big majority were Reds
with only a small sprinkling of Northerns (Lobipcs lobatus) inter-
spersed among them. I estimated that we observed between 300 to
400 Reds after 8 :30 A.M. They were in all plumages from full winter
to nearly full breeding plumage with all intermediate phases. One
was picked up on the bridge, apparently stunned by hitting the wires.
They were exceedingly tame and would allow approach to within five
or six feet in some instances. Some were swimming almost within

arm’s reach of a row boat in which a party was fishing. At lo A.M.
I collected a female in breeding plumage, the length 229 mm., wing
136 mm., tail 65 mm., iris black and weight 49.7 grams. Also collected
one male, length 222 mm., wing 129 mm., tail 63 mm., iris black and
weight 45.0 grams.

They had two call notes but the common note was tweep, tzveep.
They were eating live jelly-fish (Cyanca capillata) in the water as
well as dead ones left up on shore by the receding tide. They would
swiftly circle several times around the jelly-fish in the water and then
proceed to feed upon it. If the jelly-fish was too deep they would be
forced to go down half way under water but none were actually seen
to dive. They were not in close, compact flocks but were scattered
individuals; in fact they did not seem to tolerate others near them and
were continually fighting while feeding. If one Phalarope noticed an-
other feeding nearby it would swiftly swim up to the feeding bird,
crouching low in the water with bill extended. The aggressor would
get hold of the feeding bird and then there would ensue a short tussle
until one was driven away. The usual food of this species appears to
be Crustacea, smaller mollusca and insects (Witherby, 1920-24), and
from a casual examination of the literature I believe that this is the
first time fulicarius is recorded as feeding on jelly-fish.

As the day advanced they began to thin out more and more and
in the afternoon many were sleeping on shore, standing on one foot
with bill under wing, while others were sleeping out on the water. None
was seen at Moriches Inlet on the morning of April 28, but two were
standing in the road just west of Aloriches Coast Guard Station. Many
species were migrating east all during the morning; some of these
noted were 10 Common Tern (Sterna h. hirundo), 2 Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia imperator), 7 Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla),
200 Brant (Branta bernicia hrota), and 500 Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
a. auritus). On the 28th at ii A. M. a single Red Phalarope was in a
fresh water pond at Speonk, one mile north of Moriches Bay, and
two were in the creek just south of this pond.

As the birds seemed so tame and were feeding entirely on jelly-
fish I thought it would be a good opportunity to attempt trapping some.
So after getting together some pieces of wire netting I went back in

the afternoon to try out the trap. The birds were not nearly so numer
ous but were still feeding on shore. I used one-quarter inch mesh two
feet high for the sides and two inch mesh for the top. The trap was
about four feet wide and six feet long, with the front left entirely open,
The trap was placed on the shore line and about a dozen jelly-fish
placed inside. I had my doubts whether they would venture near
it but did finally succeed after two hours in trapping four and catching
two others with a scoop net. These latter were caught as they were
swimming near shore and by crouching down behind grass I quickly
reached out with the net and caught them. One capture in the trap was
rather unusual in that one Phalarope flying along shore came to the
trap, saw jelly-fish inside, alighted on top of the trap and squeezed
down through the two inch mesh to the inside of the trap. As they
went into the trap I had to run quickly up to it with a scoop net to
retrieve them otherwise they would quickly turn around and fly right
out. The weights on those banded averaged 44.2 grams and were
as follows :

Band No. 36-206510 — One-half breeding plumage - -

“ “ 36-206511— “ “ “ - -

“ “ 36-206512 — Winter plumage ------

“ “ “ — Caught again one-half hour later

“ “ 36-206513 — ^Winter plumage

“ “ 36-206514 — Three-fourths breeding plumage -

“ “ 36-206515 — Winter plumage ------

After weighing the birds in my car they were released and would
just run around on the floor of the car, not attempting to fly up
against the windows as most birds would. Mr. Lincoln of the Biologi-
cal Survey informed me that only about five Red Phalaropes had been
banded before. It was quite a thrill handling these handsome little
birds, wondering where their journeys would take them.

On April 29 at daylight, about 4:30 A.M., it was slightly foggy
with light west wind. There were six Reds at West Bay Bridge, one
dead in the beach road near Roger’s Beach, one live on ocean beach
at Roger’s 100 feet from the surf in the drift. It was calling on the
ground and when flying, the characteristic tisjcep, tu'ccp. There were
six in Quantuck Bay, six in Moriches Bay, one-half mile west of

Weight 43.5 grams

“ 431

“ 43-7 “

430

45-6

38.0

West Bay Bridge, and four at Moriches Inlet. Also picked up one dead
in the road one-half mile east of Moriches Coast Guard Station. This
was a female, length 8.75 inches, wing 5.44 inches, tail 2.75 inches,
iris black and weight 36.5 grams. 1 did not observe a single Phalarope
on tbe ocean on either the 27th or 28th.

On April 30 a single Red was seen in a small fresh water pond
at Flanders. On May i there was a single bird left at West Bay
Bridge. .Also found two dead there. On May 7 a single bird in winter
plumage was in Lake Agawam, a fresh pond at Southampton. This
latter bird was apparently the last straggler of the big flight of April
in the area which I covered. Smaller numbers were reported from
western Long Island: two at Jones Beach on April 25th (Cobb, 1938),
nine Reds and seven Northerns at the same place on May ist (Urner,
1937) and four more Reds there on May 9th (Cobb, 1938). A similarly
large flight of Red Phalaropes, during a northeast storm, was observed
by Messr.s. Urner and Edwards in the Barnegat Region on May 12,
1932 (Urner, 1932).

Bent, A. C. 1927. Life Histories of North .American Shore-birds I, U. S. Nat.
Mas.. BulL 142.

Cobb, C. B. P. 1938. “Red Phalarope at Oyster Bay, L. I.” Auk, 55:528.

Forbush, E. H. 1925. Birds of Massachusetts and Other Neiv England States I.
Mass. Dept, of Agric., Boston.

Griscom, L. 1923. Birds of the New York City Region. .Am. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Handbook Series, No. 9, New York.

Urner. C. .A. 1932. Phalaropes in New Jersey in Spring. Auk, 49:475-6.

Urner, C. .A. 1937. “The Season [in the] New York City Region.” Bird-Lore

39:313-15-

WiTHERBY, H. F. 1920-24. A Practical Handbook of British Birds II. London.

LeRoy Wilcox.

Notes on a Captive Kumlien’s Gull (Larus kumlieni). — In
August, 1936, a wretched looking specimen of this disputed species
was captured alive at Jones Beach, N. Y., by Messrs. K. Browning,
R. A. Herbert, I. Kassoy, J. F. Kuerzi, and the writer. The receded
webbing on the bird’s left foot and the completely worn-off ends of
the primaries suggested that the bird had been unable to fly for some

time. Despite its unprepossessing appearance, the captive was given
to the New York Zoological Park where, under the capable care of
Curator Crandall and Keeper Atkins, it rapidly regained health.

In May, 1938, this bird accidentally and irreparably injured itself
and had to be killed. This unfortunate circumstance thus cut short
the most interesting part of its sequence of plumages. In summariz-
ing those which I witnessed, it is necessary to point out that these
occurred largely under artificial conditions :

(1) First nuptial plumage. When captured this bird possessed a
generally dirty white plumage with light brown streakings. The head'
was streaked slightly more heavily and this gave the bird something
of a masked appearance. The tail was barred with brownish. Because
the bird may have been in a weakened condition for many months
before its capture, it is possible that it failed to molt any feathers
during the spring and that its feathers in August, 1936, were those
of the first winter plumage.

(2) Second winter plumage. According to Mr. Atkins this was
assumed in October, 1936. (I made no notes until November.) The
bird’s scapulars, interscapulars and wing-coverts now became pearl
gray while the secondaries and tertials became grayish with a tinge
of brownish. The primaries, which we now saw for the first time,
were gray with light outer margins to the webbing (c. f. Forbush, 1925 :
“first four primaries dark brownish-gray, darkest on outer webs”).
The tail became much whiter with a slight barring which graduated
to more heavy barring at the end of the tail feathers. The rump was
now white, the underparts scarcely changed : grayish with consider-
able brown mottling. There was no noticeable change on the head.
The complete effect was of a bird one-third adult, two-thirds immature.

(3) Second nuptial plumage. According to Dwight (1906) the
body plumage is more or less renewed. A study of the bird in May,
1937, revealed no noticeable changes. Fairly complete sketches had
been made during the winter and the more prominent feathers of
immaturity had been committed to memory.

(4) Third winter plumage. This had been comj)letely assumed
when I next saw the bird on November 7, 19.37. It was still present
on March 19, 1938. The tertials and .scapulars now became entirely
gray except for white tips to a few feathers. The new primaries were
gray and white, being somewhat similar in pattern but darker than
those of an adult figured (No. 225) in Dwight’s monograph (1926,
p. 374). The tail was now entirely white except for some small, ob-
scure mottling on three central tail feathers. The underparts were
still a mottled gray and white. The streakings on the head appeared
to be slighter but were still darkish around the eye, much as when the
bird was discovered at Jones Reach.

There was very little change in the coloration of the soft parts
during the period of study. The legs were always pink, the toe nails
always black. Detailed notes on the bill were not taken until Novem-
ber, 1936, when the specimen had acquired its .second winter plumage.
The upper mandible was then a dirty yellow for the two-thirds nearer
the base; the other third was a black or brownish black with a tiny
spot of yellow at the tip. The lower mandible contained less of the
dirty yellow — about one-quarter — which was situated at the base ;
the other three-quarters, except for a tiny spot at the tip, were black
or brownish black. These two dark areas on the mandibles gradually
contracted as the bird grew older; after nineteen months, they were
still dark and were confined to about one-quarter of the bill.

The molts summarized above indicate that this bird acquired
the second winter plumage much as predicted by Dwight (1906).
The fact that it failed to a.ssume an adult plumage after the second
post nuptial molt is a condition that does not occur “except perhaps
in a ver)' few cases” (Dwight, 1906, p. 39).

I have been unable to find any description in the literature of
the voice of either Kumlien's Gull or of Iceland Gull {Lams Icu-
copterus). The captive bird was generally silent and, being a stranger
in a cage of many species, quite naturally seemed to occupy a low
position in the peck order of its companions. I heard only two notes ;
( I ) a “cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk” similar to that which I have heard adult
Herring Gulls (Larus argciitatiis smithsonianus) give as they flew
over while I was in their nesting colony; the knmlieni note was slightly

shriller and very difficult to transpose into words; (2) a single-noted,
shrill squeal — quite unlike that of any Herring Gull I have so far
heard.

The skin of this bird was presented by Mr. L. S. Crandall, curator
of birds at the Zoological Park, to the American Museum of Natural
History where it was sexed as a female and given No. 448,094 in the
study collection. Dr. Ernst Mayr has kindly assisted me in identifying
various parts of this bird’s topography.

Bent, A. C. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. Bull.
1 13, U. S. Nat. Mus.

Dwight, J. 1901. The Sequence of Moults and Plumage of the Laridae (Gulls
and Terns). Auk, 18:49-63.

1906. Status and Plumages of the White-winged Gulls of the Genus Larus.
Auk, 23 :26-43.

1926. The Gulls(Laridae) of the World; Their Plumages, Moults, Varia-
tions, Relationships and Distribution. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. Vol. 52,
Art. 3:63-401.

Forbush, E. H. 1925. Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States.
Vol. I. Mass Dept. Agric., Boston.

Soper, J. D. 1929. A Faunal Investigation of Southern Baffin Island. Bull. 53,
Nat. Mus. Canada, Ottawa.

WiTHERBY, H. F. 1923. A Practical Handbook of British Birds. Vol 2. Wither-
by & Co. London.

Joseph J. Hickey.

Black Terns Sitting on Telegraph Wires. — In The Auk, vol.
55, p. 529, Alexander Sprunt, Jr., records Black Terns (Chlidonias
nigra surinamensis) sitting on telegraph wires. At Brigantine, N. J.,
the same behavior was observed by the writer on September 9th and
loth, 1936. The birds gathered at dusk and sat on telegraph wires,
occasionally catching insects on the wing. Whether they roosted there
all night was undetermined, but they were observed sitting there when
it became dark.

O. K. Stephenson, Jr.

Approximate Incubation Period of the Florida Gallinule. —
During the course of studies on the breeding bird population of Van
Cortlandt Park swamp. New York City, by members of the Sialis
Bird Club in 1937, the following numbers of eggs were noted in a

fi-

nest of tlie Floritla Ciallimilc (Galliitiilu cltloro/'iis cacliiiiiians) : May
29 — six eggs; May 31 — eiglit eggs; June 3 — eleven; June 10 — eleven;
June 19 — eleven; June 21 — ten; June 23 — nest empty.

It is evident that this bird laid one egg a day to complete the
clutch on June 3rd; and unless the nest was robbed by a predator, it
would appear that the period of incubation was between eighteen and
twenty days.

Forbnsh (1925) writes that the incubation period of the Florida
Gallinnle is "unknown, probably variable and about 22-25 days.” The
same author (l.c.) gives 23-25 days for the Purple Gallinnle {lonornis
martinica) and adds that the period of the American Coot (Fulica a.
americam) is “said to be about 27 days.” W’itherby (1923) writes
that the incubation period of the Moor Hen (Gallinula ch. chloropus)
is “variable; usually 20-22 days but Kelso records 15-17 and once 28
days (last probably abnormal).” The same author gives 21-23 days
for the European Coot (Fulica a. atra).

Forbush, E. H. 1925. Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States
I. Mass. Dept, of Agric., Boston.

WiTHERBY, H. F. 1923. A Practical Handbook of British Birds II. Witherby
& Co., London.

Robert G. KR.^MER.

Hoarding Behavior of the Red-headed Woodpecker. — In Octo-
ber, 1937, Robert Kramer and the writer watched a Red-headed Wood-
pecker (Melanerpcs crythrocephalus) at Pelham Bay Park, New York
City, carrying acorns from a Black Oak (Qiiercus vehitina) into an
American Elm (Ulmus americana) . A visit in November revealed 91
acorns, all without their cups, stored in crevices in the bark of elms
and oaks, as well as in natural holes of near-by telephone poles. In
December most of these acorns were found pierced and empty.

Bailey (1878) records this species as storing over 100 grass-
hoppers (Orthopfera) in a large crack in a fence and later eating
them. Merriam (1878) says that the occurrence of the Red-headed
Woodpecker in upper New York in winter depends upon the beech
nut crop, enough of which may stay on the trees to form an ample
food supply. This woodpecker, as Forbush ( 1927) points out, ap-
pears to partake of the food most readily accessible. It is known to

be a tyrant, attacking squirrels in particular. In some of these cases
it may be that the birds are defending a stored cache of food against
other nut-eating animals. The fact that this species eats whatever it
stores seems to support the hypothesis of a “food territory” rather
than a general dislike of squirrels as the basic cause of such attacking
behavior.

Because so many writers, like the Lacks (1933), have deprecated
the significance of food in relation to territory as Howard conceived it
in 1920, more careful field observations of Red-headed Woodpeckers in
the future may create an additional classification of territory which was
not set forth by Mayr (1935)- The writer would be interested in
communicating with any ornithologists who possess actual observa-
tions of these birds returning to their caches or any other additional
information on this interesting subject.

Bailey, H. B. 1878. Some New Traits for the Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus). Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club, 3:97.
Forbush, E. H. 1927. The Birds of Massachusetts and Other Neiv England
States, vol. 2, p. 289. Mass. Dept, of Agriculture.

Howard, H. E. 1920. Territory in Bird Life. London.

Lack, D. and L. 1933. “Territory Reviewed.” Brit. Birds, 27:179-199.

Mayr, E. 1935. “Bernard Altum and the Territory Theory.” Proc. Linn. Soc.
N. Y., Nos. 45-46:24-38.

Merriam, C. H. 1878. “Remarks on Some of the Birds of Lewis County,
Northern New York.” Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club, 3:123-28.

O. K. Stephensox, Jr.

A Long Island Bird Roost. — In the last two winters during
my daily travels about Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Long Island,
N. Y., I became increasingly conscious of a large Starling (Stunius v.
vulgaris) and Blackbird (Icteridae) roost somewhere on Long Island.
Each morning and evening, no matter where I happened to be between
Lynbrook and Center Moriches, points aiiproximately fifty miles apart,
I could see groups of Starlings and occasionally scattered Blackbirds
heading towards what appeared to be one common goal.

On the afternoon of February 14, 1938, Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Allen,
J. J. Hickey, my wife and I set out to locate this roost. We eventually
located the chosen spot in some phragtnitcs beds of the Heckscher

State Park. Not only were immense numbers of Starlings coming
into this area but also thousands of Blackbirds of several species which
are seldom reported in winter by the numerous field observers in this
region. Subsequent observations led me to estimate that during Feb-
ruary there were approximately 150,000 Starlings and over 15,000
mixed Blackbirds, cbiefly Crackles (Quiscaliis cjuiscitla subsp.), using
this roost every night. I have been unable to determine where all
these Blackbirds are in the daytime. Careful checking with a score
of active field observers on Long Island shows that they consider it a
lucky day to see even a small flock of Crackles in Nassau and Suffolk
Counties during the mid-winter; or especially Red-wings {Agelaiiis p.
plweiiiccus) , Rusty Blackbirds (Eupitagus caroliiiiis) and Cowbirds
(Molothrus a. ater), all of which were represented in this roost. A
week before the discovery of this relatively large roost. I had reported
an observation of 250 Crackles flying east of Heckscher State Park
at dawn as an unusual sight for Long Island, to be correlated with the
extremely mild and open winter.

This roost has been occupied for over five years, according to
local fishermen and oystermen, and until this current winter it was
only in use until Christmas time. It was originally pointed out to the
many people who attended the last A. O. U. meeting in New York
and who participated in a field trip to this area at that time.

As Roebuck (1934) and others have stated elsewhere, the Star-
lings going to a roost make their trips in a series of hops. Cenerally,
the big flights that came in to Heckscher Park were from an easterly
direction. This roost drained Starlings from thirty miles to the west
and from at least twenty miles to the east. This distance matches the
longest authenticated flight line reported for the same species in Creat
Britain by Marples (1934). Since Long Island averages about twenty
miles in width over this stretch, we may safely say that i.ooo square
miles were affected. If my estimates for both area and the numbers
of roosting birds are correct, this section of Long Island may be ex-
pected to average 150 Starlings a day per square mile.

The period of these birds’ arrival at the roost was rather short
and extremely spectacular. In February the first birds appeared around

five o’clock, and the last birds settled an hour later. More than three-
quarters of all the birds dropped into the phragmites within twenty
minutes’ time. The entire incident of arrival constituted a sight that
is not easily forgotten.

Marples, B. J. 1934. The Winter Starling Roosts of Great Britain 1932-33.
Journ. Animal EcoL, 3:187-203.

Roebuck, A. 1934. The Starling in the East Midlands. Brit. Birds, 27:325-332.

Allan D. Cruickshank.

A Few Warbler Observations. — During the last two summers
at The Audubon Nature Camp in IMuscongus Bay, Maine, I have had
an unusual opportunity to obtain intimate daily observations of a
great many birds. I herewith present a few unrelated facts about
six of our local warblers that have been thoroughly substantiated.
The incubation periods of these species have been checked and as
far as I am able to ascertain two of the.se (those of the Parula Warbler
and Black-throated Green Warbler) may be new to ornithology.

Myrtle Warbler 12 days

Magnolia Warbler - -- -- -- -- -- - 12-13 days

Bay-breasted Warbler --13 days

Yellow Warbler - -- -- -- -- -- - u days

Parula Warbler ii days

Black-throated Green Warbler - -- -- --12 days

On our island all of these birds except the Yellow Warbler nest
in spruce and it is interesting to note that in every case checked to
date each of the spruce nesting birds has selected a spot where an
overhanging branch forms a close canopy right over the nest, not
alone concealing it but acting also as a protector from the hot
summer’s sun. These spruce nesting warblers seem unable to stand
direct sun rays for any length of time. In photographing them I
had to be exceedingly careful for, if the canopy was tied aside for
more than five or ten consecutive minutes, the incubating bird would
invariably open its mouth wide, clo.se its eyes, droop its head to one
side and appear to be fainting. Once the canopy was lowered, how-
ever, and the bird shaded, she .soon raised her head, opened her eyes
and regained her normal alert appearance.

In all of the six species of warblers both male and female took
turns in feeding the young. Generally the female took care of most
of this work but under abnormal conditions in the presence of man

the male, apparently the bolder, shouldered the greater part of the
duty. In all cases, however, these warblers seemed to have little
profound fear of man for during my studies I have had both sexes
of all except the Yellow Warbler feed young which I held in my hand.

After periods varying from nine to fourteen days, the young left
the nest and apparently once they moved more than a few feet from
their natal cradle never voluntarily returned, even though they were
present for a week and were being fed in the territory of their parents.

In all of these six warblers injury feigning was observed at one
time or the other. There seemed to be no set rule for this performance.
Some pairs, in spite of numerous disturbances put on no act what-
soever. In some cases only the female performed, in others only the
male, and in still others both birds of the disturbed pair. Regardless
of species the complete injury feigning act, as far as I could make
out, was essentially the same ; the disturbed bird tumbling off the
nesting limb, fluttering with seeming helplessness downward from
one branch to the other with wide spread tail and fluttering wings
and finally dragging itself along the ground with rigid wing extended.

Ribuogr.xphy

Forbush, E. W. 1929. The Birds of Massachusetts and Other Nezv England
States, Vol. 3. Mass. Dept, of Agric.

Knight, O. W. 1908. The Birds of Maine, Bangor, Me., C. H. Glass & Co.

All.an D. Cruicksh.ank.

Colonial Birds on Long Island, 1938. — As a supplement to the
report of R. P. Allen published elsewhere in this issue of the Proceed-
ings, the following 1938 nesting counts and estimates for pairs of
various colonial birds on Long Island may be interesting.

Cart-

Three

Orient

Moriches

wright

Reeves

Dana’s

Ram

Mile

State

Inlet

Cilgo

Island

Varb.

Park

(west side)

Island

Herring

Gull -

- 30-40

about

Common

Tern -

600

500

250

(50)

a few

Roseate Tern -
Least Tern - -
Black Skimmer -

100

about

a few
at least
LS

Osprey

I understood the Superintendent of the park at Orient to say
that only about 50 pairs of Common Terns nested there this year.
In addition to nesting pairs of Skimmers there have been many more
non-breeding adults present in the colonies than in any previous
season. The highest counts were 68 at Moriches Inlet and 90 at Gilgo
Island (R.P.A.). The latter count included 20 )^oung of the year.

LeRoy Wilcox, Speonk, N. Y.

Repxjrt of the Field Work Committee, 1936-37
By J. J. Hickey, Chairman

At a Linnaean Society meeting on October 14, 1919, Dr. Frank
M. Chapman proposed that a detailed account be prepared of the birds
of our area. A Local Avifauna Committee thereupon began bringing
up to date the necessary data. Eventually, its task was taken over by
Ludlow Griscom of the American Museum’s staff, and the Birds of
the New York City Region was ultimately published in 1923. The
Committee, manned by a varying personnel, continued in existence,
its duties gradually restricted to an evaluation of the sight records of
rare birds reported locally. On March 17, 1936, the Council of the
Society unanimously agreed to coordinate the observations of local
migration watchers, as far as possible, by the appointment of a Field
Work Committee. The purposes of this Committee were stated by the
Council to be as follows :

(1) To encourage and conduct constructive field work in the
New York City region.

(2) To promote discussion of local faunal problems at meet-
ings of the Society.

(3) To assist the Editor in securing papers by members for the
Proceedings, and especially to stimulate competition for the
annual Linnaean prize for amateur ornithological research.

The Committee ultimately was composed of R. P. Allen, J. L.
Edwards, F. P. Mangels, R. T. Peterson, Walter Sedwitz, C. A. Urner,
William \^ogt, and the writer.

Because, for half a century regional bird lists have occupied the
chief attention of local bird clubs, the Committee gave its early atten-
tion to a review of this subject.

Since these lists have so long been simply efforts to summarize
and to bring up to date all the available data about distribution and
migration, any deviation in their purpose merits the careful consid-
eration of every local natural history society and bird club. The vast
changes which man has wrought upon the bird population of the New

York City region have been ably summarized by Griscom (op. cit.,
pp. 48-52 ) . Such changes in America have been so marked in the past
twenty years that more than one student has been led to conjecture
on the exact status of various species in their primitive state. “What
would the present-day New England naturalist give,” writes G. M.
Allen (1928), “if he might have an accurate picture of conditions
here three hundred years ago !” However much we may rue this lack
of information about the distant past, it is a remarkable fact that
we do not possess an exact portrait of local bird life of fifty years
ago or even of today, for while we have some concept of the Starlings
{Sturnus v. vulgaris) which appear to have displaced the Red-headed
Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), even that hypothesis is
open to objection. At the same time, we do not know what caused
the disappearance of the Dickcissel (Spiza americana) , the Acadian
Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) , the \\'hite-eyed Vireo (Vireo g.
griseus), or the Kentucky \\"arbler (Oporornis formosus) in certain
parts of our region. Did those birds of these species, which disap-
peared, leave voids or blank environmental niches as their numbers
decreased? Is their change in status the result of some cyclic disease?
Was their decrease correlated with a lowering of their survival ratio,
with an increase in their competitors or predators, or with a subtle
change in their habitat? With equal helplessness w’e can also ask our-
selves just how' much of these birds’ habitats did exist fifty years ago,
what w'as the exact character of the environment, w'hat were the other
birds which nested there, and how widespread in our region did each
habitat exist?

The changing purpose back of the regional bird list is succinctly
stated in the recently published Bird Studies at Old Cape May: “The
primary object in the preparation of the present work has been to
furnish, for the purposes of future comparison, as accurate a picture
as possible of the bird life of Cape May during the decade, 1920-30,
with an account of the changes that have taken place in the years that
have followed” (Stone, 1937). On can pertinently ask, in any region
just how accurate a picture of local bird life is it possible to obtain?
This quite obviously depends on the size of the area and the man
power obtainable. Observe how Ontario, wdth apparently less observers,
is fifty times larger than New Jersey. If we consider that the quanti-

lative picture of local bird life is an important one, it may be said that
no complete regional list has yet been published. Some very interesting
progress along these lines has already been made in the Middle West,
and the results, when ultimately published, should make for some
fascinating comparisons. That our interest in the exact status of every
species has been steadily rising since early ornithological times is
demonstrated by the breaking point to which such generalities as
“common” and “rare” as applied to a species are carried in one of
the more recent regional bird books (Hagg and Eliot, 1937):

accidental

casual

rare

more or less rare
rather rare
very rare
unusually rare
chance
possible
not unusual
occasional
local

somewhat local
rather local

irregular

occasionally irregular
somewhat irregular
rather irregular
highly irregular
sporadic

somewhat erratic
common

sometimes common
locally common
unevenly common
irregularly common
hardly common
rather common

very local
unusually local
uncommon

rather uncommon
generally uncommon
more or less uncommon
not really uncommon

fairly common
generally common
quite common
very common
abundant
locally abundant
sometimes abundant
almost abundant

What is needed today is not an elaboration of such indefinite
terms, but actual figures which will indicate the exact changes, if
any, in a species' status from year to year and from decade to decade,
according to whether the data are for breeding birds or for migrants.
As Nicholson (1932) writes, no “universal and reasonably stable
standard of numbers” seems to have reached general acceptance
among bird students, and “Up to the middle of the twentieth century
at least, it seems likely to remain one of the most pressing interests
of ornithology'.”

The study of number of birds has always attracted migration
watchers in a curiously vague sort of way. The more striking changes
like those connected with market gunning and the millinery trade were

universally noticed. Other changes in bird life — which are equally
important — have also been taking place, but the reasons still remain
a mystery. As breeding species Chestnut-sided Warblers {Deudroica
pensylvanica) and Nashville Warblers (Vermivora r. rufkapilla)
have steadily increased in numbers in the past fifty years. Is this due
to the fact that both species utilize a habitat — young forest before the
canopy closes — which has become extensive during the same period?
Has the abandonment of farm lands been the reason? Answers to
these questions depend on the surveys which were made of these en-
vironmental types half a century ago. So far as I know, none have
ever been published. There are indeed no actual figures available to
show what the numbers of these warblers were in 1890, in 1910, and
in 1930. Are these two birds subject to a cycle? Were their numbers
once decimated by a plague? \\’as some competitive factor moved
from what was once a balanced population? Have they stopped in-
creasing, and if so, when and why?

The Pileated Woodpecker (Ceopliloeus pileatus abieticola) was
once popularly regarded as a species of the primitive wilderness and
even as late as 1937 its disappearance was attributed by some ornith-
ologists to the spread of civilization. Has the phenomenal increase
of this bird in the last twenty years been due to an adjustment wherein
the Pileated has “become reconciled to some contact with civilization”
(Griscom, 1923)? We are left with an unsatisfactory answer, for
no clear record of this species was left in the eighteenth century when
the bird might conceivably have been particularly numerous and
actually present in the immediate vicinity of farms in the Northeast.
That habitat “selection” may depend on the numbers of an animal,
was shown in an admirable example quoted by Elton (1936, p- I45)«
The African Buffalo {Bos coffer) once lived out in the open grass-
land and fed by day. In 1890 it was almost wiped out by an epidemic
of rinderpest, and for many years after, the few remaining animals
fed at night and retired to forests and dense swamps during the day.
Since 1910 these animals have increased and appear to have regained
their old habits.

It must be obvious that the study of the birds of one's local region
will always be incomplete unless particular attention is given to the

numbers of all species and deliberate studies are also carried out of
their environment. X'arious systems concerning the former have been
proposed. The simplest of these is the daily list, an illustration of
which is found in The Birds of Dutchess County, \ew York ((iriscom,
1933). If we wished to compare the bird population of May, 1939,
with that illustrated by a trip given in detail for May 23, 1929, all
kinds of annoying factors would weaken our comparisons; (i) we
probably would not know the exact “big day route complete"; (2)
we might vary in the number of hours afield . . . and be entirely
unaware of this; (3) we might have express highways and super
motor cars reducing to an absolute minimum our traveling time around
the country; (4) we might be slow of foot, and walk only a fraction
of the mileage covered by our predecessors; (5) we might have very
adverse or extremely favorable weather for observation; and (6) even
if we did count every single bird identified, we still would not know
the numbers of birds which Griscom and R. J. Eaton saw fit to record
only as “common.” Then too, comparisons based on a single day’s
observations contain well known inconsistencies, and even some aver-
ages may weaken under the personal equation. Quite a number of
field workers on the Atlantic coast would hesitate to match their
average efficiency in recording birds against that of a renowned
migration watcher like Mr. Griscom.

Few bird students seem to be aware of the various indices which
have been proposed as estimates of bird populations. Periodic and
thorough censuses of tracts of known acreage, which began with
Burns in 1901, have always remained the most exact method yet
devised : personal equations are here usually reduced to a minimum,
the study areas are often identifiable in later years, and the observa-
tions can be repeated at sufficient interv^als so that weather conditions
of any particular day do not modify the count (see Cooke, 1916;
Cooke, 1923; Hicks, 1935). This method involves an enormous
amount of time, as Lack (1937) has pointed out, and it generally
discourages all but the most persistent observers from repeating the
census on the same tract over a period of years.

Birds can, however, be censused in units of time afield, as well
as by acreage. Grinnell and Storer (1924) were the first to do this

by counting birds per hour. Here in the East, environmental types
are rather small, and the half-hour count suggested later by Dice
(1930) seems more applicable. When such counts are carried out
by a large number of observers in a relatively large area such as the
New York City region, the inevitably great differences in observa-
tional efficiency may make for some confusion. In parks, observers
who consistently follow recognized and well marked trails can work
out interesting data over a period of years ; these trails can be
measured and a ratio of linear density calculated. The New York
City region is now a place where most environmental types have
no extensive acreage. Most observers here will find it difficult to
walk for a solid half hour through a single habitat, but by constant
experimentation and frequent discussion at its meetings, members
of the Linnaean Society can ultimately agree upon a system of record-
ing their birds in the field, whether their observations take place on
Long Island, in New Jersey, or in the Hudson River Valley. For
those who would like to read the various suggestions which have
emanated from other regions. Lack’s recent summary of the subject
(1937) offers a stimulating and comprehensive bibliography. Atten-
tion can also be directed with profit to Saunders’ interesting cruises in
the Alleghany State Park (1936).

If the next regional list for the New York City area is to present
a real picture of local bird life, those observers contributing to the
report will be quite familiar with a list of local habitats which the
Society considers worthy of study. The following environmental types
are herewith presented with suggested indicator species as aids in an
intensive analysis of our breeding bird population . . . and in the
hope that an additional insight into our locally wintering species will
also be obtained.

♦Ocean Beach
Other Beaches

Piping Plover Least Tern

Common Tern

Spotted Sandpiper Killdeer

•The Indicator .species listed her© for forest succession are taken almost verbatim
from n. E, Hicks (1935) and from A. A. Saunders (1936).

Sand Dunes
Bayberry
Pitch Pine
High Artificial Fill

Holly

Salt Marsh

Spartina altertiiflora
Spartina patens

Jiiiicus gerardia
Uncultivated Fields
Dry
Wet

Fields with Beginnings of Forest
Cedar
Pine

Oak Scrub
Locust-Blackberry
Sassafras
Blueberry- Azalea

Northern Vellow-throat
Pine Warbler
Least Tern
Piping Plover
Kingbird

Seaside Sparrow
Clapper Rail
Meadowlark
Black Duck
Black Rail

Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow’s Sparrow

Kingbird

Common Tern

Cedar Wax wing

Clapper Rail
Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Willet

Bobolink

While these should be separately studied at first,
it should be kept in mind that birds are usually
not interested in the species of trees but are ap-
parently more concerned with the density of vege-
tation, the singing perches it affords, the nesting
sites it offers, and the amount of protection given
them from predators.

Sprouts and Seedlings i-io Feet High*

Indigo Bunting Field Sparrow

Towhee Chestnut-sided Warbler

Second Growth 10-20 Feet High (Forest crown converges, humus begins)*

4 birds above now replaced :

Red-eyed Vireo
Ovenbird

Rose-'hreasted Grosbeak
Least Flycatcher, etc.

Second Growth 20-30 Feet High. (Temporary species of plants have disappeared
by this time; herbaceous plants have developed on the forest floor.) ;

In addition to the above birds, the following now
appear :

Ruffed Grouse Blue Jay

Scarlet Tanager

Second Growth 30-50 Feet High. (Smaller trees now shaded out.)

Second Growth 50-65 Feet High. (Many dead trees now present.)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak drops out
Many new species now come in :

Wood Thrush Veery

Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker

Crow

Mature Forest 65-90 Feet High.* (Numerous old stumps and logs. Considerable
undergrowth shades out the herbaceous plants of the forest floor.)

Robin 1 W^ood Pewee 1

Grouse ) disappear White-breasted Nuthatch )

Chickadee J

Hooded Warbler (perhaps) j

first time

•The indicator species listed here for forest succession are taken almost verbatim
from L. E. Hicks (1935) and from A. A. Saunders (1936).

These stages of succession will be found in varying degrees in:

Cedar Pitch Pine

White Pine Oak-Hickory

Maple-Beech Hemlock

Further modifications :

Alleghanian Swamps (red maples)

Canadian Swamps (balsam and spruce)

Other Climax Types

Prairie (Hempstead Plain)

Bogs j sphagnum

I coastal plain

Rolling Moors (Montauk Point)

Disclimax Types. (Disturbance communities held in condition chiefly by man’s
activities.)

Farm Lands Break down all open habitats according to presence

Pastures of hedge rows, singing perches.

Crops

Fallow Fields
Orchards

Lawns and Buildings
City Parks
Golf Courses
Forest Subjected to Fire
Bird Sanctuaries
Reservoir Plantations

The most vigorous efiforts to compile an exact picture of local
bird life have been led by the late C. A. Urner, under whose direction
each breeding species of New Jersey was separately mapped. In order
to begin the development of a comparable picture for Long Island
and the Hudson River Valley, a questionnaire was sent out hy the
Committee. This asked members to report on various species and
the results will be given later (see report of this Committee for
1937-38 by R. P. Allen).

An effort was made by the Committee to draw up a list of all
fresh-water marshes in the region, along with their breeders. Some
excellent data on this were contributed by John flayer for western
Long Island, but the remaining parts of the region are still unmapped.
A well organized census here could ultimately be completed of .such
birds as the Pied-hilled Grebe (Podilyiiibus p. podiceps), .American
Bittern (Bofaiinis leiifiginosiis) , Least Bittern (I.vobryclius c. cxilis).
King Rail (Rallns c. elegans), Virginia Rail (Rallus 1. limicola),
Sora Rail (Porcaiia Carolina), Florida Gallinule (Galliiiula chloropus
cachinnans) , and American Coot (Fulica a. americana) — all of which
breed in this restricted type of habitat.

Population studies were freely discussed at meetings, but only
two were undertaken by members of the Society. The late C. A. Urner
made his seventeenth annual census of 210 acres of mixed environ-
ments in Union County, N. J. ; J. J. Hickey began a census of 40
acres on a wooded slope in Westchester County, N. Y.

The Committee has stood ready at all times to advise members
interested in pursuing life history studies. This valuable phase of field
ornithology can never, in our opinion, be easily pursued by the many
business men in the Society whose time afield is sharply confined to
week-ends. Two projects were, however, started : one by William \ ogt
on a colony of Willets {Catoptropliorns s. scDiipalinatus ) at Forte.scue,
N. J.., and another by R. P. Allen and F. P. Mangels on a colony of
Black-crowned Night Herons {Nycticorax u. hoactli) at Mas-sapecpia,
N. Y. These ambitious undertakings should not close the eyes of
others in our region to the great possibilities of simple bird-watching
involving the application of one’s reading to intensive observation
over a single week-end of a single phase of the breeding biology of
our commonest birds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I wish to acknowledge my great ap-
preciation of the ready cooperative spirit of the members of the Field
Work Committee on many occasions ; they have also carefully checked
the suggestions, given in this rej)ort, for local habitats worthy of
further study. I am greatly indebted to Miss Margaret Brooks and
Mr. James O. Stevenson for their editorial criticisms of this manuscript,
and to the former for her aid in typing. The Committee itself owes
much to President Vogt and the Council of the Society for much need-
ed encouragement and financial assistance. The enormous enthusiasm
of Robert P. Allen and his constant readiness to take on responsibilities
have made the chairman’s task a relatively light one and have done
much to give the committee its present momentum and drive.

SUMMARY. The Field Work Committee represents an eflfort to
encourage constructive field observations of the birds of the New
York City Region. It hopes to do this by promoting discussions of
local problems at meetings of the Society ; by offering a working cir-
culating library to members unable* to buy, or otherwise consult, the
interesting and extensive periodical literature of ornithology ; by stand-

ing ready to assist with bibliographic and other kinds of help mem-
bers interested in pursuing special studies ; by summarizing local
knowledge through the medium of questionnaires ; and by gradually
building up a detailed picture of the numbers of local birds in relation-
ship to their present environment. The importance of this latter pro-
ject to the ornithologists who will study this region in the future can
scarcely be estimated. Its completion rests upon the mapping of every
breeding species, analyses of many complex environmental types, and
adaption of adequate methods of counting the numbers of local birds.

Bibliography

Allen, G. M. 1928. “A New Need in Natural History.” Bull. Northeastern
Bird-Banding Assn., 4:89-93.

Bagg, a. C., and S. A. Eliot, Jr. 1937. Birds of the Connecticut Valley in
Massachusetts. The Hampsihire Bookshop, Northampton, Mass.

Cooke, W. W. 1916. “Second Annual Report of Bird Counts in the United
States, with Discussion of Results.” U. S. Dept. Agric. Bull. 396, 1-20.

Cooke, M. T. 1923. “Report on Bird Censuses in the United States, 1916-1920.”
U. S. Dept. Agric. Bull. 1165, 1-36.

Dice, L. R. 1930. “Methods of Indicating Relative Abundance of Birds.” Auk,
47 ;22-24.

Elton, C. S. 1936. Animal Ecology. Macmillan, New York.

Griscom, L. 1923. Birds of the New York City Region, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Handbook Series No. 9.

1933- “The Birds of Dutchess County, New York.” Trans. Linn.

Soc. N. Y., 3:1-184-

Grinnell, J., and T. I. Storer. 1924. Animal Life in the Yosemite. Berkeley,
Calif.

Hicks, L. E. 1933. “The Breeding Birds of .Ashtabula County, Ohio.” IVils.
Bull., 45:168-195.

1935. “A Ten Year Study of a Bird Papulation in Central Ohio.”

Am. Midland Nat., 16:177-187.

Lack, D. 1937. “A Review of Bird Census Work and Bird Population Prob-
lems.” Ibis, Series i4:3b9-395-

Nice, M. M. 1937. “Studies in the Life History of the Song Sparrow I.” Trans.
Linn. Socy. N. Y., 4:1-245.

Nicholson, E. M. 1937. The Art of Bird Watching. Clias. Scribner’s Sons,
New York.

Saunders, A. A. 1936. Ecology of the Birds of Quaker Run Valley, Alleghany
State Park, Nciv York. N. Y. State Mus. Handbook 16. AHony, N. Y.

Stone, W. 1937. Bird Studies at Old Cape Afay. The Dela. Valley Ornith.
Club, Philadelphia.

Urner, C. a. 1930. “The Birds of Union County, N. J., and Its Immediate
Vicinity — a Statistical Study.” Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. Y. Y., Nos.
39-40 144-98.

Report of the Field Work Committee, 1937-38

By Robert P. Allen, Chairman

For a second year the Field Work Committee has continued its
efforts to encourage constructive field work, promote discussion of
local faunal problems and stimulate projects and papers by members
of the Society. These purposes have been furthered by means of addi-
tional questionnaires, by personal contact and correspondence and
through the inclusion of field work meetings in the program schedule
of regular meetings. This last item is discussed in the Report of the
Secretary for this same period. The present report will endeav^or to
outline the main points that have resulted from personal contact, cor-
respondence and the four separate inquiries sent out by the Committee
to date.

An examination of these results will demonstate at once that little
original work has been inspired by the Committee’s efforts. At best,
we have succeeded in compiling such information for Long Island
and the Hudson River Valley as reposed in the note-books of the
Society’s membership, relating for the most part to breeding bird
distribution and to a few miscellaneous items of inquiry. However,
this compilation is a definite basis for purposeful field work in the
future. It should be mentioned that far more progress has been made
in New Jersey by way of accurately mapping the breeding bird dis-
tribution than in these other sections of the New York City region.
Full credit is given the late Charles A. Urner for his leadership and
ability to organize, plan and conduct the amazingly comprehensive field
work necessary to achieve the results obtained in New Jersey. The
program of the New Jersey Field Ornithological Club should be an
encouragement and inspiration to those who spend their hours afield
in the Hudson River Valley and on Long Island, fertile areas that
are still, to a considerable degree, terra incognita from the viewpoint
of modern field ornithology*

An important result of the collective inquries is an indication —
in detail — of the gaps that must be filled by field workers during sue-

^Mappinp of the breeding bird distribution of Long Island, and studies of the plant
ecologry have been carried on Independently by LeRoy Wilcox, of Speonk. These studies,
relating chiefly to the eastern portion of the Island, are still in progress.

«5

ceeding years. For example, Release Xo. 3 (April 1937) rc(|uested
data on the incubation periods of twenty-seven s])ccies of birds. Ap-
proximate data on five of these were found in the literature; no data
whatever could be located for the remaining twenty-two, which arc
as follows :

King Rail (Kalliis c. elcgans)

Piping Plover {Cliaradrius mclodiis)

Eastern Willet (Catoptro(>horus s. sciiiipalinaltis)

Black Skimmer (Ry>u'hops n. nigra)

Rougli-winged Swallow {Slelgidopteryx ruficollis scrripciinis)

Tufted Titmouse {Baeolophus bicolor)

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta c. carolincitsis)

Brown Creeper (Ccribia jamiliaris americaua)

Eastern Winter Wren (Naiinus h. hicmalis)

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioplila c. cacrulea)

Northern Parula Warbler {CompsotMypis amcricana pusilla)’

Black- throated Blue Warbler (Deiidroica c. caerulesceiis)

Black-throated Green Warbler (Deiidroica v. vircits)^

Northern Pine Warbler (Deiidroica p. piiius)

Kentucky Warbler (Opororiiis foriiiosiis)

Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia cilriiia)

Canada Warbler (IVUsonia canadensis)

Eastern Savannah Sparrow (Passerculiis sandivicliensis savanna)

Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodranius savannariiiii australis)
Eastern Henslows Sparrow (Passerlierbuliis liensloioi siisiirrans)
Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Aniniospiza c. caudacuta)

Northern Seaside Sparrow (Ammospica in. iiiaritiiiia)

Vague and incomplete information is recorded in the literature
on the following species :

Sparrow Hawk (Falco s. sparverius)

Virginia Rail (Rallus 1. limicola)

Florida Gallinule (Gallinnla chloropus cachiiinans)

American Bittern (Botaurus leiitigiiiosus)

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus e. exilis)

Here, then, is significant field work waiting to be done !

The spare time required of one proposing to take a breeding bird
census or population count, has proved a distinct handicap to many
who have desired to start such a project. The censuses of Messrs.

•See note by Allan D. Cruickshank on page 70.

Urner and Hickey have been continued, and the population of a fresh-
water marsh has been studied by a group working in Van Cortlandt
Park, Messrs. Feigin, Gell-Mann, Karsch, Kramer, Lehrman, Norse
and Stephenson. In the course of this undertaking fledging Red-wings
(Agelaius p. phoeniceus) were marked with colored celluloid bands
so as to indicate the sector of the marsh in which they were hatched,
as a basis for additional inquiries into the habits of that species. An-
other interesting census was conducted in Inwood Park by Henry
Karsch, Jr. These reports were subsequently published in Bird-Lore
(Hickey, 1937)-

Preliminary studies of the behavior of the Willet {Catoptrophorus
s. semipalmatus) were completed by William Vogt’, who carried on
his research at Fortescue, N. Y. Similar research with the Black-
crowned Night Heron (Nyticorax n. hoactli) as the subject, was con-
tinued for a second season by Messrs. Allen and Mangels, who pre-
sented a preliminary report of their findings to the A. O. U. Con-
vention at Charleston during November. Although no new projects
of this nature were begun during the year, discussion at meetings has
revealed an added interest in bird behavior, and the technique of
modern behavior studies is becoming more generally understood and
appreciated by the members. The publication, by the Society, of Mrs.
Nice’s outstanding paper on the Song Sparrow {Mclospir:a melodia),
provided a marked incentive in this direction. Once again, however,
the Society’s amateur students found it difficult to spend enough time
in the field during the critical breeding season. Early morning work
on species that have territories close to one’s home can solve this
problem. Every bird in North America, except the Song Spar-
row, awaits a searching examination into its behavior, local dis-
tribution, survival, ecology, etc., to which that species has been sub-
jected by Mrs. Nice. It should be pointed out that in the light of
present-day trends further projects in any way comparable to the work
of Mrs. Nice remain largely for the amateur to undertake in such
free time as may be at his disposal. It should not be difficult for a
typical ‘nine-to-five’ office worker to find at least too hours during a
breeding season that can be devoted to a single species. This Com-

“Mr. Vogt’s paper on the behavior of the Wlllet has been awarded the Linna>an Prize
as the best example of ornithological research submitted by an amateur or by a professional
working in his spare time during the year 1937-38. — Kd.

mittec has, as one of its chief purposes, the encouragement of such
projects, and is ready at all times to give advice and other assistance.

As an experiment in the large-scale use of colored bands that
may be recognized on sight, the Field Work Committee proposed to
C. L. Whittle, the Editor of Bird-Baiuhng, a cooperative Herring
Gull project, involving the use of celluloid bands. .Mr. Whittle’s en-
thusiastic response, and the subseciuent cooperation of many individ-
uals in the Northeastern llird-Banding .Association, the U. S. Biologi-
cal Survey, the Bowdoin Scientific Station, La Societe I’rovancher
d'llistoire Naturelle du Canada, the Lands, Barks and Forest Branch
of the Department of Mines and Resources of Canada, and the Na-
tional .Association of .Audubon Societies, have made possible the in-
auguration of a study of the Herring Gull {Lants argcntatiis sniitli-
sonia)iiis) that employs for the first time definite combinations of
colored celluloid bands. During the 1937 season, young (lUlls were
banded at nine stations from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Block Island
Sound, to the total of 6,140. Combinations were arranged to indicate
the natal origin of each bird so marked. Obviously, if these combina-
tions can be identified readily in the field, a host of new data will
be accumulated on winter distribution, plumage changes, exact breed-
ing age, family grouping, return to natal area in the breeding season,
etc. It should be remarked that the Herring Gull was chosen be-
cause of its abundance, and the ease with which large numbers may
be observed during migration.

By the close of the present year, it is apparent that sight re-
coveries of Herring Gulls banded with color combinations are entirely
feasible. In the New York City region alone, banded Gulls from each
of the nine stations have been frequently and satisfactorily identified.
.A total of over 180 individual sight records have been accepted as
bona fide for our region. Details of this project are reported from
time to time in Bird-Banding and references to these articles will be
found at the end of this report.

The initial release, mailed by the Committee early in 1936, was
overly enthusiastic in attempting to cover a large field comprehensively.
There were four sections, one each on Distribution, Ecology, Popula-
tion Densities, and Life History Studies. Responses were quite

naturally limited almost entirely to the first section on Distribution,
and confined chiefly to the items on colonial species. A fairly satis-
factory series of maps, showing the breeding distribution of seven
colonial species on Long Island and in the lower Hudson River \"alley
has resulted, and the maps accompanying this report have been pre-
pared from these data. Except for scattered information, no mapping
is yet possible for the following;

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis)

Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosiis)

Acadian Flycatcher {Empidonax viresceiis)

Warbling Vireo (Vireo g. gilvus)

Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)

White-eyed Vireo (Vireo g. griseiis)

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Incomplete data on the breeding distribution of Hawks and Owls
(except Sparrow Hawk {Falco s. sparveriiis) and Screech Owl (Otus
asio naevius) do not justify mapping at this time. Only meager
lists of fresh-water marshes have been obtained, and mapping must
be postponed until more complete information is available.

Suggestions in this first release with regard to population and
life history studies may not be expected to bring about immediate re-
sults, but doubtless will show returns over a long period. In fact,
this release, although perhaps too inclusive to be entirely practical,
may prove to have been wholly appropriate in reviewing the major
phases of field ornithology that will, in all likelihood, occupy students
of the New York City region for a generation to come.

Release No. 2 (April 13, 1937) requested data on the arrival,
etc., of twenty-one key species, selected chiefly because of their group-
ing as migrants, their abundance and the general ability of field stu-
dents to observe them locally. The main purpose of this inquiry was
to encourage the recording of more significant migration data, par-
ticularly as a basis for including only outstanding and significant re-
ports in “The Ornithological Year,” changes in which have been recom-
mended by the Field Work Committee.

Observers were asked to supply, wherever possible, dates giving
(i) when such birds first arrived, (2) when they became common,
(3) when they became abundant and (4) when such migrants de-

Map 2. Location of Seabird Colonies, Next) York City Region, igsj.

Map 3. Location of Swallow ami Martin Colonics, New York City Region, J937-

parted. Dates were also asked (5) when certain local breeders ar-
rived on their nesting territories and (6) when such birds became
common.

The following species were included in this imiuiry :

Grackle {Quiscalus subsp.)

Fo.\ Sparrow (Passerclla i. iliaca)

Phoebe (Sayornis f>hoebt’)

Greater Vellow-legs (Totanus melanolcucus)

Chipping Sparrow (i'/>irc//a />. fasscrina)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio c. calendula)

Towhee (Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus)

Barn Swallow (Hirundo erythrogaster)

Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufutti)

Chimney Swift (Chactura pclagica)

Yellow Warbler (Dcndroica a. aesih'a)

House Wren (Troglodytes a. acdon)

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Parula Warbler (Compsothlypis ainericana pusilla)

Ovenbird (S'ciuruj aurocapillus)

Bobolink (Dolichonyx orych’onis)

Black-poll Wart)ler (Dcndroica striata)

Wood Pewee (Myiochanes z’irens)

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Ring-necked Plover (Charadrius sc mi pal mat us)

Replies to this inquiry were decidedly disappointing in point of
numbers, although the few returned contained much data of value and
interest. That ornithologists in other regions have long assembled
migration data with regard to its utmost significance is demonstrated
by a copy of this questionnaire which the Committee sent to J. Murray
Spveirs of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zodlog\-. Mr. Speirs not only
was able to fill in most of the blanks in our inquiry- from his per.sonal
notes, but wrote us, “Similar dates are available for most of these species
for the Toronto region, but are based on about 15.000 daily lists com-
piled by a number of obser%-ers during the past fifty years.” This
inquiry parallels a similar and more ambitious project initiated by
the Linnaean Sociew during the '20’s and carried on for a number
of years under the vigorous leadership of Ludlow Griscom, John F.
Kuerzi, the late Warren F. Eaton, and Charles A. L rner. This
undertaking tended to prove that birds preferred week-ends as the

period of maximum abundance ( !), but, viewed in a broader light,
the data compiled at the time represent a veritable mine of informa-
tion which still awaits analysis and summarization.

Release No. 3 (April, 1937) concerned incubation periods, as
already mentioned earlier in this report. Release No. 4 (April, 1937)
included a preliminary map of the breeding distribution of colonial
nesting birds on Long Island. A list of these colonies was appended,
with an estimate of numbers, when available, of pairs in each colony.
This material constituted the results, in part, of Release No. i, and
was sent out by the Committee in order to correct and amplify these
new data obtained through the initial inquiry. The maps in this re-
port include additional information returned as a result of this last
release. Also included are more recent data on distribution turned
in to the Committee up to the date of publication. Unquestionably,
the accompanying maps will be incomplete in certain instances and
incorrect in others. We will appreciate the full cooperation of all
those who can offer corrections. It is hoped that the publication of
similar maps for these and additional species will be possible from
time to time as a record of the changing bird life of our region.

The Committee is grateful to many persons, members of the
Society and of other groups, who have assisted us in a variety of
ways during the past year, especially to Mr. Charles L. Whittle for
launching the Cooperative Gull Survey in Bird-Banding, to Mr. Fred-
erick C. Lincoln who arranged for the purchase of so many celluloid
bands by the Biological Survey and to our many banding associates in
Canada and in the north-east.

Bibliography

Allen, R. P. 1937. “Report on the Cooperative Herring Gull Project,” Bird-
Banding, 8:173.

Hickey, J. J. (ed.) 1937. Bird-Lore’s First Breeding Bird Census,” Bird-

Lore, 39:373-386.

Hickey, J. J. 1937. “What Is the Next Step in Bird-Banding?” Bird-Banding,
8 :73-74-

Hickey, J. J., and Allen, R. P. 1937. “A Preliminary Announcement of Plans
for a Cooperative Study of the Herring Gull,” Bird-Banding, 8:74-75-
Hickey, J. J., and Allen, R. P. 1938. “First Sight Recoveries of Marked
Herring Gulls,” Bird-Banding, 9:51-54.

Report of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York

For 1936-1937

The Linnaean Society of Xew York held, during the past year, 15
regular and 4 informal meetings. Five ornithological seminars were
also conducted. The average attendance at the regular meetings was :
Members 32, guests 31.

The Annual Dinner >)f the Society was held on March to, 1936, in
the Flying Bird Hall of the Museum, with the .Annual Meeting immedi-
ately following. The speaker was Dr. George M. Sutton who in a talk
entitled “A Winter with the Eskimos” told of the year he recently
spent studying the bird life of Southampton Island in Hudson Bay.

At the annual meeting the following officers were elected : —
President. Mr. William \ ogt ; A’ice President. Mr. Joseph J. Hickey;
Secretary, Mr. Charles K. Xichols; Recording Secretary, Mr. Richard
G. Kuerzi ; Treasurer, Dr. Clement B. P. Cobb ; Editor, Dr. Ernst Mayr.

During the year Mr. Kuerzi found it necessary to resign as Record-
ing Secretary as he had removed from the City. Mr. Walter Sedwitz
was named to fill the unexpired them.

It is with deep regret that the Society records the loss by death of
one of its outstanding members. Dr. Frank R. Oastler. Hardly a year
has passed but that Dr. Oastler generously gave his time to address the
Society on some recent bird trip and to show some of his unrivaled
photography.

The Alembership of the Society as now comprised is : — Honorary
Member: i. Fellows: 10, Resident Members: 147, Non-resident Mem-
bers: 19, a total of 177, a moderate increase.

The speakers and their subjects for the year's meetings were as
follows : —

March 10, 1936 — A Winter with the Eskimos, Dr. George M.
Sutton.

March 24, 1936 — Bird Life of the W'estern National Parks, C. A.
Harwell.

April 14, 1936 — Current Problems in Local Ornithology, Joseph
J. Hickey.

April 28, 1936 — Ornithological Notes from the Gobi, Dr. Walter
Granger.

May 12, 1936 — In the South Seas on the Zaca, Dr. James P.
Chapin.

May 26, 1936 — Field Notes and Current Migration Data.

October 13, 1936 — Summer Notes.

November 18, 1936 — The Role of Predation in Nature, Richard
H. Rough.

November 28, 1936 — Notes on the Behavior of Black-crowned
Night Herons, Frederick Mangels and Robert P. Allen.

December 8, 1936 — The Biological Significance of Bird Sound,
Albert R. Brand.

December 29, 1936 — Discussion of the Christmas Census.

January 12, 1937 — Plant Associations of the New York Area, Dr.
H. K. Svenson.

January 26, 1937 — Summer Birding on the Maine Coast, Roger
Tory Peterson.

February 9, 1937 — Natural History of the Hempstead Plains,
Henry Hicks.

February 23, 1937 — Some Studies of the Social Habits of Snakes,
Dr. Harry J. Clausen.

During the year a plan has been put into effect whereby recent
magazines and reports relating to Ornithology are made available at
the meetings of the Society and may be borrowed by the members.

The Secretary wishes to take this opportunity to express his
appreciation to the other officers of the Society for the assistance they
have given him in the preparation of the program for the year.

Respectfully submitted,

C. K. Nichols, Secretary.

Rep)ort of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York

For 1937-938

III planning the program schedule of the past year an attempt was
made to recognize all phases of interest within the membership of the
Society. Exactly one half of the sixteen regular meetings were g^ven
over to travelogues; the other half to field oniitholog>- meetings. Field
notes were reported at all of the regular meetings, as well as at the four
summer meetings. The travelogues were sufficiently varied as to locale
to have a general appeal, and the bird life of the following regions
was discussed at these particular meetings: Florida, Texas, Panama,
the Gaspe, and the eastern Congo. Two such papers were of a general
nature. The field ornitholog>' meetings were a new departure. By
having two or three short papers in an evening, it was possible to
cover a variety of subjects. Altogether, fourteen papers were given at
the eight meetings ; four on field identification of special groups ; tw’o
on methods of censusing bird populations ; two on bird behavior ; two on
distribution and numbers of birds in specific localities, and four reviews
of recent papers. Including travelogues, twenty-two papers were giv'en
during the year, almost all of them by members of the Society. The
papers presented were as follows :

Field Idextific.\tiox .\xd Display of Study Skixs

I. Identification of May Rarities

R. T. Peterson

.\pril 27

2. Identification of Fall Rarities

D. Cruickshank

October 19

3. Identification of Pelagic Species

L. L. Walsh

November 23

4. Identification of the Finches
Methods of Cexsusixg Bird Popul.\tioxs

R. T. Peterson

January 25

I. Methods of Censusing Bird Popula-
lations

J. J. Hickey

April 27

2. Some Remarks on Bird Census
Methods

Bird Beha\tor

C. A. Umer

May 25

I. Territorial Behavior of the Song
Sparrow (lantern slides)

Mrs. M. M. Nice

March 23

2. Behavior of the Willet

William Vogt

December 28

Distributiox -\xd Numbers ix Specific Localities

i. Known Distribution of Colonial
Birds on Long Island

R. P. Allen

April 27

2. The Increase and Decrease of Cer-
tain Birds in the Northeastern
States

Ludlow Griscom

February 27

Reviews of Important Papers

Huxley on Courtship

Joseph Dixon’s “Territorial Habits

D. S. Lehrman

May 25

R. H. Pough

October 19

of the Golden Eagle”

Recent Papers on the Herring Gull

Dr. Ernst Mayr

November 23

Recognition of Eggs by Birds

F. P. Mangels

January 25

Illustrated Travelogues

Moving Pictures of Elorida Birds

L. L. Walsh

.<\pril 13

Hunting for Bird Colonies from

Dr. T. G. Pearson

May II

Maine to the West Indies

Birding in Panama

Dr. D. E. Harrower

October 5

Bird Habitats of Coastal Texas

R. P. Allen

November 9

.-\n Evening of Florida

Messrs. Allen, Cobb,

December 14

Bird Life

Peterson, Sedwitz,
Urner and others.

Moving Pictures

a. Our Vanishing Wildlife

(U. S. Biol. Sur.)

January ii

b. Falconry

(R. L. Meredith)

Experiences on the Gaspe Peninsula

A. D. Cruickshank

February 8

To the Eastern Congo in 1937

Dr. James P. Chapin

March 8

Informal Meetings

Field Notes by Members

June 15

u u u <<

July 20

U << (« «

August 17

(( <( u a

September 21

In addition to Dr. Chapin’s talk at the Annual Meeting on March
8th, the minutes of the first meeting of the Society were read by the
first recording secretary, Ernest Ingersoll. At the same meeting, the
first award of the Linnaean Prize for Amateur Ornithological Research
was presented to William Vogt for his paper on “The Behavior of
the Willet.”

In spite of the considerable amount of time given by the Chair
to field notes, the Council has felt that these have been on the whole
rather uninteresting, due largely to the failure of many of those report-
ing to acquaint themselves sufficiently with the status of birds in the
New York City region. Nevertheless, the demand for time in which to
report field notes has necessitated a revision of the original plan of
having three short papers given at field ornithological meetings, there
being insufficient time for discussion. At some of the recent meetings,
the field notes were limited to a single subject, viz. bird roosts, and
only two papers were given. This allowed a full thirty minutes for
informal discussion. This last was accomplished by setting a time limit

on each phase of the program, an innovation that has much to recom-
mend it, so long as tlie interest and vitality of the program itself is
not sacrificed. Commuters found the 9:30 adjournments a definite boon.

Xo doubt further adjustments and experiments will be necessary in
the immediate future, if we are to keep j)ace with varied and changing
interests in the wide field of ornithology. The mere fact that there is
in the membership of the Society at this time a variety of special
interests and a demand from each group that their favorite be given
its proper recognition, ajtpeals to the Secretary as an excellent indication
of the Society's vigor and health in spite of its having reached its
sixtieth milestone.

The Council feels that while we would like to see our organization
a body devoted to the scientific pursuit of natural history, there is no
educational group in the Xew York City region that can adequately
meet the varied demands of amateur bird students. In other words,
the Society faces the necessity of providing inspiration and encourage-
ment to each of the many different types of bird students.

In the past there has been considerable delay in publishing both
Proceedings and Transactions of the Society, due chiefly to the fact
that no one person has been designated to act as editor. This situation
has been greatly improved through the conscientious labors of Dr. Ernst
Mayr, who is now responsible for publications. The Proceedings have
now virtually been brought up to date and publications may be ex-
pected on schedule. The Transactions have been notably improved,
with resultant comments of a highly favorable nature. During the past
year, \’ol. I\’ of the Transactions was published, containing Part I of
Mrs. Margaret M. Nice’s “Studies in the Life History of the Song
Sparrow.”

The Library — a recent experiment — has been continued and am-
plified. Its purpose is to make current ornithological periodicals and
important books available to members of the Society on a free loan
basis. Samuel C. Harriot, who was appointed Libarian by the President,
has given much of his time to this project and in addition has donated
a majority of subscriptions to the various publications. Mr. Rich pre-
sented many volumes of The Auk. An average of over 10 persons per
meeting have borrowed books and periodicals. This service to our mem-

bers has been so generally applauded that a definite place for it must
now be considered in the Society’s budget. Members who wish to
donate books or funds with which to make purchases should com-
municate with Mr. Harriot.

Field work has been carried out on an increasingly high plane. A
F'ield Work Committee has held numerous meetings and sponsored
various projects and inquiries. The Cooperative Gull Project — one of
these activities — has attracted wide attention.

The real life blood of any organization is its membership, and the
direct and personal interest of this membership in the organization
itself is certainly reflected in the attendance records. Since last March
there have as usual been sixteen formal and four informal meetings.
The average attendance of resident members during the past year was
thirty-six at formal meetings, a gain of about 20% over last year. At
informal meetings, a similar gain was recorded for resident members.
\hsitors have fallen ofif in attendance at formal meetings, probably due
to a lack of travelogues appealing to outsiders totally uninterested in
bird study. Total attendance of members and guests at formal meet-
ings averaged sixty-four and at informal meetings, twenty-six. Both
figures represent gains in the neighborhood of 20% over last year.

During the year the Society lost one member by death and two
others by resignation. There were eighteen new members elected.

To summarize, the current membership stands at 184. which is
made up as follows :

Fellows - -- -- - - -- -- -- -- -- 10

Honorary members - 1

Resident members I54

Non-resident members 19

This total figure shows an encouraging gain, there being on the list
eighteen more members than there were two years ago, and thirty-nine
more than a decade ago. It is very likely that a resident membership
of two hundred persons would be .sufficient to enable the Society to
carry out adeciuately the lecture, library, mapping and publication serv-
ices which it is now attempting to extend to the membership.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert P. Allen, Secretary.

Officers, Council and Committees of
The Linnaean Society of New York

President - - - -

Pice-President - -

Secretary - - - -

T reasnrer - - - -

Editor - - - - -

Recordini) Secretory

OFFICERS 1938-39

- - Joseph J. Hickey

- Charles K. Nichols

- - Robert P. Allen
Allan D. Cruickshank

- - - - Ernst Mayr

- - Alfred E. Eynon

COUNCIL 1938-39
Ex-Officio

Robert P. Allen
Allan D. Cruickshank
Alfred E. Eynon

Term Expires I93i>
T. Donald Carter Roger T. Peterson

Term Expires 1940
James L. Edwards Richard H. Rough

Term Expires 1941
E, R. P. Janvrin (Charles A. Urner)

Joseph J. Hickey
Ernst Mayr
Charles K. Nichols

Edward B. Lang

Allen M. Thomas

William Vogt

FIELD WORK COMMITTEE 1938-39
Robert P. Allen, Chairman

James L. Edwards Roger T. Peterson Alfred E. Eynon

(Charles A. Urner) Frederick P. Mangels

William Vogt

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE 1938-39
Ernst Mayr, Chairman

M iss Margaret Brooks William Vogt

Daniel S. Lehrman Charles K. Nichols

lOO

THE LINNAEAN SOCIETY

OF NEW YORK

1878 1938

FOUNDED MARCH 7th, 1878

II. B. B.uley
Franklin Benner
E. P. Bicknell
John Burroughs
Harold Herrick

C. Hart Merriam, M.D., 1878-79
Eugene P. Bicknell, 1879-87
George B. Sennett, 1887-89
Joel A. Allen, 1889-97
Frank M. Chapman, Sc.D., 1897-99
Jonathan Dwight, M.D., 1899-1921
Walter Granger, 1921-22
John T. Nichols, 1922-25

Dr. Frederick H. Hoadley
Ernest Ingersoll
Newbold T. Lawrence
Dr. C. Hart Merriam
W'lLLiAM C. Osborn

Presidents

E. R. P. Janvrin, M.D., 1925-27
Ludlow Griscom, 1927-28
James P. Chapin, Ph.D., 1928-29
Charles Urner, 1929-31
Warren F. Eaton, 1931-33
John H. Baker, 1933-35
William Vogt, 1935-37
Joseph J. Hickey, 1937-39

/ ’ice-Presidents

Harold Herrick, 1878-79
H. B. Bailey, 1879-80, ’82-84
Richard F. Pearsall, 1880-82
A. K. Fisher, M.D., 1884-88
Frank M. Chapman, Sc.D., 1888-97
Jonathan Dwight, M.D., 1897-99
William Dutcher, 1899-1903, ’06-10
John L. Childs, 1903-04
Walter Granger, 1904-06, ’19-21
Clinton G. Abbott, 1910-14
Julius M. Johnson, 1914-19

John T. Nichols, 1921-22
Ludlow Griscom, 1922-23
James P. Chapin, Ph.D., 1923-24
E. R. P. Janvrin, M.D., 1924-25
L. Nelson Nichols, 1925-27
Charles A. Urner, 1927-29, ’33-35
Samuel H. Chubb, 1929-31
T. Donald Carter, 1931-33
Joseph J. Hickey, 1935-37
Charles K. Nichols, 1937-39

Ernest Ingersoll, 1878
Franklin Benner, 1878-79
Clarence H. Eagle, 1880-82
L. S. Foster, 1882-86
Louis A. Zerega, M.D., 1886-87
Jonathan Dwight, M.D., 1887-92
Arthur H. Howell, 1892-94
Walter Granger, 1894-1904
Clinton G. Abbott, 1904-10
Francis Harper, 1910-12
Ludlow Griscom, 1912-15

Secretaries

Charles H. Rogers, 1915-20
E. R. P. Janvrin, M.D., 1920-22
James P. Chapin, Ph.D., 1922-23
T. Donald Carter, 1923-24, ’30-31
Charles A. Urner, 1924-26
Warren F. Eaton, 1926-28
John F. Kuerzi, 1928-30
William Vogt, 1931-33
Ernst Mayr, Ph.D., 1933-35
Charles K. Nicliols, 1935-37
Roliert P. .Mien, 1937-39

lOI

Recording Secretaries

Joseph J. Hickey. 1934-35
Allan 1). Cruickshank, 1935-36
Richard G. Kuerzi, 1936

H. B. Bailey, 1878-79 ■

Newbold T. Lawrence, 1879-89
C. Slover Allen, M.D., 1899-90
L. S. Foster, 1890-1901
Lewis B. Woodruff, 1901-21
T. Gilbert Pearson. Ll.D., 1921-25

Walter Sedwitz, 1936-38
Alfred E. Eynon, 1938-39

Treasurers

John H. Baker, 1925-29
Maunsell S. Crosby, 1929-31
E. R. P. Janvrin, M.D., 1931-35
C. B. P. Cobb, M.D., 1935-38
Allan D. Cruickshank, 1938-39

Editor

Ernst Mayr, Ph D., 1934-39

102

INDEX i

Acctpiter coopcri 47

Actitis macularia 18

Agelaius p. phoeniceus 9, 39, O9. 86

Ammospisa c. caudacuta 9

Ammospiza m. maritima 9

Anas riibripes 9

Ardea cinerea 52

Ardea h. herodias 47

Asia wilsonianus 47

Bonasa u. umbellns 22

Branta bernicla hrota 9, 61

Butorides virescens 43, 47

Casmerodius albiis cgretta 47

Catharacta skua 55-58

Catoptrophoriis s. semipalmatus . .8-41, 86

Ccophloeus pileatus abicticola 76

Charadrixis scmipahnatus 20

Chen hyperborea atlantica 9

Chettusia gregaria 9

Clilidonias nigx-a siirixiaxncxxsis 66

Chordeites minor 18

Circus hudsonius 9, 35, 38

Colitniba livia 22

Colymbus nigricollis 58-60

Compsothlypis americaxia piisilla 70

Corviis brachyrhynchos . .9, 15, 38, 47, 48

Corvus frugilegus 49, 52

Corvus ossifragits. .. .9, 15, 17, 38, 47, 48

Creciscus jamaicensis stoddardi 9

Cyanocitta c. crista ta 47

Dnidroica a. aestiva 70

Dendroica castaxiea 70

Dendroica coronata 70

Dendroica magxiolia 70

Dendroica pensylvanica 76

Dexidroica v. virens 70

Haexnaiopits ostralcgus 28, 33

Heron, Black-crowned Night.... 9, 43-53 '
Hydroprogne caspia ixnperator 61

Icteridae 68 •

Iridoprocnc bicolor 55, 58, 88

Larus a. argentatus 27

Larxis a. smithsonianxis,

47, 48, 65, 71, 87, 89

Larus atricilla 61

Lax'us kumlicxxi 63-66

Larxis lexicoplerxis 65

Larxis ridibundus 35

Linxosa I. linxosa 19

Lobipcs lobatus 16, 19, 28, 29, 60

Melancrpes erylliroccphaliis 67-68, 74

Molotlxi'xis ater 69

Nyctanassa violacea 43, 47

Nycticorax n. Ixoactli 9, 43-53

Occanitcs occaniciis 57

Oceanodrouxa 1. Icucorhoa 55-57

Oporornis fornxjsxis 74

Pandion haliactus carolinensis 47, 71

Phalacrocorax a. auritiis 61

Phalarope spec 57

Phalaropus fulicarius 60-63

PIxilohcla nxinor 24, 47

Pigeons 22

Progne sxibis 88

Pxiffinus diomcdca borealis 55-56

Pxiffinxis gravis 54-56

Pxiffinus griscus 56

Pxiffinus kxililii 54-56

She

Sit

Si/

Sit

Sin

Sill

Empidonax vircsccns 74

Euphagus carolinxis 69

Florida c. caenilca 47

Pxilnxarus glacialis 54-57

Gallinula chloropus caeixinnans 66-67

Quiscalxis guiscxila 69

Ralliis c. elegans 9

Rallxis 1. liniicola 9

Rallus longirostris crepitans 9

Reexirz'irostra az'osctta . . ib, 20, 28, 30, 36

Rhea amcricana 31

RIxynchops n. nigra 71, 87

Riparia r. riparia 88

Shearwater, Cory’s 55-

Shearwaler, Greater 54-

Shearwater, Sooty

Spica aiiicricaiia

Sterna a. aniillaruin "i,

Stertia d. dout/alti /i.

Sterna h. hirnndo 3^. hi. 7i-

Sterna paradisea 54i

.Stumella in. manna 9,

Sinrnus v. vuloaris 68.

Totanus totanns 20, 28, 29

Totanus flavipes 29

Vermirora r. ruficapilla 76

Vireo <j. grisens 74

Warblers 70-7'

Willet 8-41. 86

■56

104

Linnaean Prize for Ornithological Research

Conditions :

(1) Eligibility. Membership in good standing of the Linnaean
Society of New York for at least one year prior to submission of the
manuscript.

(2) Date. Papers are to be submitted on or prior to February i
of the respective year to the Secretary of the Society.

(3) Papers. Manuscripts shall be typewritten, in English, ready
for publication, and shall be accompanied by all necessary tables, draw-
ings, diagrams, graphs and photographs.

(4) Award. A committee of judges shall be appointed by the
President of the Society to make preliminary recommendations to the
Council whose ratification and decision shall in all cases he considered
final. The Council shall reserve the right to amend conditions of the
award whenever it deems necessary, and it may withhold the prize in
any year where the papers submitted do not prove sufficiently
noteworthy.

(5) Publication. The Society reserves the right to prior publica-
tion of the successful paper but such publication shall not he con-
sidered binding upon the Society.

(6) Whenever and wherever ])ublished, the pajicr awarded the
prize shall be accompanied by the statement. ‘‘Awarded the i(). . .
Linnaean Prize for Ornithological Research by the Linnaean Society
of New York.”

S'-

1938-1939

Nos. 50, 51

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Two Years Ending
March, 1939

Date of Issue, October 25, 1940
Price: Seventy-five Cents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Studies of the Nesting Behavior of the Black-crowned Night Heron.

By Robert P. Allen and Frederick P. Mangels - -- -- -- -- l

General Notes

Faunal Records from Eastern New York State. By Joseph Janiec 29

A Doubtful Occurrence of the Reddish Egret in New Jersey. By

Dean Antadon - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30

A Nest of the Black Duck. By Allen Frost -------- - 30

Albinism in Gulls. By Allan D. Cruickshank - -- -- -- - 32

The Breeding of the Herring Gull (Larus argeniatus sinithsonianus)

on Long Island in 1939. By Christopher McKeevcr - - - - 32

A Christmas Census of Banded Herring Gulls. By Samuel C. Harriot

and Joseph J. Hickey - -- -- -- -- 33

Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull on Long Island. By John

Elliott - -- -- -- -- -- -- - 34

A Note on the ‘Begging’ of Nestling Flickers. By Daniel S. Lehr-

man and Orlando K. Stephenson, Jr. - -- -- -- -- 36

The Roosting of Tree Swallows (Iridoprocnc bicolor). By Richard

G. Kuersi - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 38

Nesting of the White-eyed \^ireo in the Housatonic \’alley. By

Richard G. Kuersi - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 39

The Ornithological Year 1936 in the New York City Region. By

Walter Sedwits - -- -- -- -- - -- - 41

The Ornithological Year 1937 in the New York City Region. By

Walter Sedwits - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 50

The Ornithological Year 1938 in the New York City Region. By

Alfred Eynon, Jr. - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 60

Report of the Field Work Committee, 1938-1939. By Robert P. Allen and

J. J. Hickey 73

Report of the Field Work Committee, 1939-40. By Robert Arbib, Jr. - 76

Report of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York for the

Year 1938-39. By Robert P. Allen - - - - 79

Report of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York for the

Year 1939-40. By John F. Mathews - -- -- -- 83

Officers, Council and Committees of the Linnaean Society of New

York, 1939-1941 85

Membership List 86

Index 91

Recent Publications of the Society 93

1938-1939

Nos. 50, 51

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Two Years Ending
March, 1939

Date of Issue, October 25, 1940

Price: Seventv-five Cents

Studies of the Nesting Behavior of the Black-crowned
Night Heron* ’

By Robert P. Allen and Frederick P. Mangels

CONTENTS

I. Introduction and Methods 1

II. Functional Equipment 2

III. Arrival of Flock on Nesting Site 3

IV. Formation of the Pair 7

V. Copulation 17

VI. Incubation 21

VII. Food and Care of Young 24

VIII. General Picture of Hero.nry 25

IX. Summary 27

Introduction and Methods

This paper presents the results of three seasons (1936-37-38) of
study of a colony of the Black-crowned Night Heron (Nyctkorax
nycticorax hoactli Gm.) in Nassau County, Long Island, New York.
The period of study in each season began with the arrival of the birds
and ended with the fledging of the young. The heronry is located in
a grove of red cedars {Jiiniperus virginiana) on the edge of a salt
marsh. Beneath the cedars the ground is covered with a heavy mixed
growth of poison ivy, sumac, honeysuckle, bayberry, smilax and vari-
ous bushy plants. Approximately 350 pairs of Black-crowns occupied
nests in this area.

During the first season (1936), only one blind was used. This was a fixed
frame on the ground, 3' x 3' x 3', covered with burlap. Peepholes were cut as
desired. For the second season (1937), an elevated blind was constructed. This
blind was a 6' x 4' x 5' burlap-covered frame with wooden floor and canvas top.
It rested on posts 20’ in height. A collapsible 5' x 5’ x 5' ground blind was also
used to study parts of the heronry not visible from the tower. This also was a
burlap-covered frame. Other equipment included aluminum bands and colored
celluloid bands for marking birds, and paint of various colors for marking both
birds and eggs. A 15' wooden ladder was used as an aid in reaching nests. Zeiss
binoculars (8X and 18X) were used, and a Bausch and Lomb spotting scope
(19.6X to 36X).

‘Read in part by Frederick P. Mangels at the annual meeting of the A.O.U.,
Charleston, S. C., November, 1937 ; and by Robert P. Allen at the annual meeting
of the -A.O.U., Washington, D. C., 1938.

‘Awarded the Linnaean Prize for Ornithological Research in 1940.

This study was made with the intention of observing, recording,
and insofar as possible, interpreting the Black-crown's behavior dur-
ing certain important phases of its life cycle. The combined total of
time in the field was 175 hours for the two observers. This represents
actual observation time only, and does not include time devoted to
construction of blinds and preparation of other equipment.

We are indebted to many persons for encouragement of one sort
or another. Critical assistance of great value has been given us
throughout the course of our study by Joseph J. Hickey, Daniel Lehr-
man, Dr. Ernst Mayr, Mrs. Margaret M. Nice, and M'illiam Vogt.
The manuscript, in whole or in part, has been read, and helpful sug-
gestions given us by all of the above, and also by Dr. Konrad Lorenz
and Dr. N. Tinbergen. To Allan D. Cruickshank we wish to express
our thanks for the use of photographs taken by him, and to Roger T.
Peterson for the pen and ink drawings which he has made from our
notes and rough field sketches. We are grateful to Dr. G. K. Noble
for much bibliographic assistance.

Functional Equipment of the Black-crown (external)

A brief mention of the functional equipment of the Black-crown
is necessary at this point to enable the reader to understand better the
discussion which follows.

Those external parts of the heron which have important functions
in courtship are: the plumes, soft parts (lores and legs), and the
normal adult plumage. The plumes, usually three in number, are long
white feathers located on the top of the head. By far the most un-
usual feature of the functional equipment is the change in the color
of the legs. Normally a pale greenish-yellow in color, they change to
brilliant salmon-pink for the period beginning after the arrival of the
birds on the nesting grounds and ending with the laying of the com-
plete clutch. The lores become deep blue-black during the same period.

In general, the plumage of adult Night Herons is of two types:
fully adult and what may be termed ‘dusky adult.’ The latter does not
have the immaculate white plumage on the throat, breast and under-
parts, and the crown, saddle and back are not a glossy, greenish-black
as in the mature adult. Underparts have a dirty or dusky appearance,
being washed with grays and browns, and the back has a brownish
tinge. No detailed plumage studies were made, but these dusky adults
were assumed to be birds in their third spring and summer plumage,
or, about two years of age. Lorenz (in lit.) found this to be true for
Nycticorax n. nycticorax.

♦ . -•

<ii>

■rf

Plate I.

Fig. 1. — Black-crowxed Xigiit Herox.
Ste.\lthy appro.vcii to the xest.

1^'iG. 2. — ISl.u k-crowxei) Xight Herox.

('lETTIXG I.X’ POSITION EOR IXCUBATION.

The i)erceiilage of dusky adults appeared to vary in different
years, there being a relatively high percetitagc in 1936 and among
first arrivals in 1938. When the entire population of the heronry had
assembled, there was no time when these younger adults could have
exceeded 10% of the total flock, hut this is a very general estimate.

Plumes of dusky adidts appeareil shorter than in herons that
had reached full adult plumage. However, the dusky birds showed
soft part changes that are evidently comi)arable in degree and func-
tion with those of the mature adults.

Song — The song of the male Black-crown is a biicc {hiss, Noble,
Wurm and Schmidt, 1938, hereafter referred to as .Noble, et al.)
preceded by a soft plup such as might he made by ;i bursting bubble
of mud. .An impression of the buzz may be obtained by stretching a
heavy rubber band across the top of a chair and ‘twanging’ the band
lightly. .A description of the accompanying action will be given under
pairing.

ARRtV.AL OF h'l.OCK ON NESTING StTK

The first appearance of .Night Herons at the Massapequa heronry
has been in late Alarch in each of the three seasons of study. Actually,
four birds that were assumed to be migrants, were ob.servcd at the
nesting site on March 20 in 1937 and again in 1938. In 1936 the birds
were present in late .March but the arrival date was not observed.
These first arrivals evidently do not stay in the heronry, however,
.Arrival of the first flock — usually a group of from forty to seventy
herons — averaged .April 7th. ‘

In 1937 it wa.s noted that migrant Night Herons did not appear on the south
shore of Long Island between March 15 and 19, when a low i>ressure area was
moving east and then north along the Atlantic coast. Northerly winds prevailed
until the 17th, when conditions changed with the appearance of two highs over
the southeastern interior. From March 18 to 20 winds were southerly from Florida
to Long Island, and a high pressure area had moved to a point off Long Island
by the 20th. The general tendency at this time was toward a rising temperature.
The first herons to appear were observed at the Massapeciua nesting site on
March 20.

Thus, on the south shore of Long Island, individual birds and
small groups of migrants appear at the nesting site toward the last
week of Alarch, the first sizable flock about the end of the first week
of April. Evidently these arrival dates may be counted on regardless
of weather conditions and apparently irrespective of temperature, al-
though winds from an unfavorable quarter may retard migration.

'Replies to questionnaire sent to observers on Long Island indicated the fol-
lowing average dates for this species : earliest arrival, March 12 ; average arrival,
March 22; first occupied nests, .\pril 17; first eggs, April 19 (.Allen, 1938).

First arrivals have been adults with no observed exceptions. As
with some other birds the immature herons seem to travel together,
at least during their northward migration. Numbers of immature
birds were observed in the heronry some days after the arrival of
the adult flocks. Verwey (1930) found this same behavior in the
Fischreiher {Ardea cinerea). There are numerous other examples.
Immature hawks of several species migrate southward in flocks that
may not contain a single adult, and adults of the Sharp-shinned Hawk
{Accipiter velox) more often than not take an inland route while im-
mature Sharp-shins journey southward along the Atlantic coast (Allen
and Peterson, 1936).

It seems reasonably certain that adult Night Herons migrating
northward in spring have pale lores and yellow legs on arrival at the
nesting site.

The stimulating function of the flock on its individual members
has been noted by Lorenz (1937) and discussed by Darling (1938)
and Marshall (1936). It is our belief that this stimulation is necessary
to the preparation, as it were, of the Night Heron for reproduction.
The attainment of essential releasing equipment (Lorenz, 1935) marks
so definite a change and is so indispensable to that which follows, that
suggestions regarding the conditions and circumstances that may be
correlated with such attainment should be of interest.

If we accept the idea that Night Herons move northward in spring
as a result of internal physiological changes resulting chiefly from
rising temperature (Nice, 1937) and increased light (Rowan, 1925,
1931), it may be assumed that they reach the nesting location with
enlarged gonads, ready for pairing and the succeeding stages of the
reproductive cycle. Are we to suppose, then, that between arrival at
the nesting site and the pairing activities, the essential color changes
in soft parts take place automatically, regardless of the presence or
absence of certain circumstances, environmental or otherwise?

Darling (1938), in his thought-provoking essay on bird flocks
and the breeding cycle, suggests that a concentrated number of the
same (or of a similar) species, and the visual and auditory patterns
exhibited by the activities of these assembled individuals, are indis-
pensable to the reproduction of colonial birds. From observations of
the Night Heron it is our impression that this stimulating function of
the flock organization very likely is essential to reproduction in that
species.

Behavior of the flock on arrival is reasonably uniform. Noble, et
al. (1938) state, "When the flocks of herons return from winter

quarters in early spring they settle down on or near trees which con-
tain last year’s nests. Each bird selects a certain territory in accord-
ance with the territorial requirements found even in immature herons.”
Early in the season and prior to formation of the pairs, Night Herons
at the Massapequa heronry appeared to occupy various perches in
the nesting area and in the nearby maple grove without any evidence
of seeking to claim or defend definite territories. As is frequently
observed in gulls, terns, and in many other herons, there is competition
between individual birds of an unmated flock for perches. Usually
a gull, for example, will replace another gull on a perch by flying at
the perched bird so as to throw it off balance, thus forcing it to leave
the perch. A similar behavior was observed throughout the flock be-
fore formation of the pairs, although the displacement of a heron
from its perch seems to depend simply on the precariousness of its
balance, rather than on any territorial claims or establishment of a
social hierarchy. In short, we were unable to find evidence that the
same perches were occupied day after day by any of the herons at
this time. It is a fact that the heronry is divided later on into definite
sectors or nesting groups, but we observed no tendency to group prior
to nest-building.

Behavior on and after arrival is definitely responsive to climatic
conditions. On the second day of the flock’s appearance in 1938 (April
3) the temperature at 9 A.M. was 45°F., wind moderate to strong
northwest, sky clear. The herons were found perched low among
the cedars in the midst of the nesting area. Most of this group were
in the dusky adult plumage and none of them showed red or reddish
legs. When disturbed, they rose and flew to the grove of red maple
(Acer rubrum) and gum (Nyssa sylvatica) about three hundred yards
west. This group contained approximately 40 birds.

Nine days later, after a period of freezing temperatures and snow
during which all Black-crowns left the heronry, there was a sudden
rise in temperature and between 150 and 200 herons appeared. The
bulk of these birds were in a narrow strip of birch trees (Betula sp.)
on the southeastern edge of the heronry. This entire group was dis-
covered at 9:30 A.M., perched with their heads under their feathers,
evidently asleep, in the comforting warmth of the early sunlight. They
were evidently exhausted since we were able to approach within a
few feet before they took alarm. Undoubtedly they had just com-
pleted a long flight’. The herons of this newly arrived group had yel-

*On this date there were large flights of Double-crested Cormorants {Phala-
crocorax auritus') and some movement of Loons (Gavta i. immer).

low legs. However, a score or more that were located in the center
of the heronry — in trees in which there were many old nests — show'cd
red legs, and the first ‘song’ was heard. This change in behavior marks
the beginning of the pairing phase.

The following chart shows an apparent correlation between tem-
perature and flock behavior during the first days of the breeding season.

T.\BLE I

Apparent Effect of Temper.\tuke and Other Clim.\tic Factors on
Beh.wior of Night Herons (1938)

Temp. °F. Precipi-

Date

High’

Low

ration

\N^ind

Behavior

.^pril

Cloudy

.Arrival of 70 adults at
nesting site.

April

Snow

Herons disappear.

April

Rain

No herons at nesting
site.

April

Rain

Calm

No herons at nesting
site.

.April

Cloudy

No herons at nesting
site.

.April

-Arrival of 12 herons.

April

.Arrival of 150 herons
First red legs, first
song.

.April

Pairing in progress
200 herons present.

April

Rain

Pairing continues.
V^ery active.

.April

Much less activity.
Singing has fallen off.

April

Pairing at a standstill.

In south Florida (author’s observation — R. P. A.) where coin-
|)arable low temperatures during the principal nesting momhs would
be extremely rare or unheard of. and where temperature changes are
not an important factor, other factors seem to inhibit pairing among
several species of wading birds, notably among White Ibises (Guara
alba). There appears to be a correlation in such instances with the
availability of food. Over a period of eight years .several heronries
and ibis ‘rookeries’ on the southwest Florida coast were occupied dur-
ing three seasons only. .Accumulated rainfall was close to the mean
average up to the usual nesting date in each of these three sea.sons.
In the five sea.sons when the birds did not nest the accumulation was
eillier well below or considerably in excess of the mean average.

Formation of the Pair

Pairing in tlio Hlack-crownecl Xight Heron apparently takes place
each year shortly after the arrival of the Hock at the nesting area. In
1938 the first flock (approximately 70 herons) to settle in the .Massa-
pequa heronry arrived April 2 (in 1937, April 4; 1936, April 11 ). fhi
April 3 this flock was carefully ohservetl and all individual members
were adults icith ycllo'iv legs.

The behavior of the flock at this time is extremely puzzling on
first acquaintance. For the iiKJst part the birds pass the entire day,
perched nearly motionless in the vicinity of the nesting area. 7 hey
seem to have no interest in each other. ( )n windy days, or when there
is a drop in temperature, the entire flock seeks low perches, in this
case well sheltered areas in the center of the thickest cedars. \\ hen
disturbed they fly out in scattered groups or sometimes en masse,
and generallv move westward ab(.)nt 300 yards to a grove of red
maple (.-leer rnbriim) and gum (.Vy.^sa syh'atica) . I he anthropomor-
phic imjiression made upon the novice is that these birds are waiting
for .something to happen. In a sense this is correct.

Com])ared with the seeming uncertainty and the relative inac-
tivity of the flock upon arrival, the behavior that immediately precedes
and overlaps pair formation is in startling contrast. The following
extracts from our notes describe briefly the behavior on the first day
of the pairing phase.

April 12 (1938) : Much wanner, clear and bright. First ‘song’ heard, south
of tower blind. This song is not completely audible and only the initial ‘plup’
can be heard. However, the performing heron can be seen, an adult with red
legs. Another heron with red legs observed. These are the first red legs noted
this season.

Change in behavior of flock very striking. Today the herons are very rest-
less. They fly and walk from perch to perch, their movements stealthy, like a
heron approaching the nest later in the cycle. Plumes are much in evidence, i. e.,
they are frequently raised vertically, and sometimes, in the excitement that accom-
panies the proximity of another heron (female?), forward so as to fall across
the crown, arching in front so that the tips lie below the bill (“specific salutation
ceremony” — Lorenz) .

Singing is nervous and irregular, so much so that it was impossible to count
the number of performances per minute. Not only is the spacing of songs irregular,
but the birds preen and shake out their feathers continually. Preening movements
are concentrated in the region of the lower breast feathers and brood patch. Very
little twig-shaking noticed. ‘

The first visual evidence of an interest in pairing is quite definitely
coincidental with the appearance of pink or red legs and darkened lores.
And, as noted, at this same time the first songs are heard, and the
general behavior changes abruptly. Before discussing this behavior any
further it should be stated that temperature seems to have an important
bearing not only on the initiation (Table I) but also on the progress
and completion of pairing in this species.

The following condensation of notes (1937) indicates the consider-
able delay in the progress of pairing that may be occasioned by climatic
factors.

April 8 — 48°F. at 7 :30 A.M. Wind SW. First red legs noted.

Singing heard but no progressive pairing activity.
Flock restless, moving from one area to another.

April 10 — 10° drop in temperature. Wind NW, 26 m.p.h. Sing-
ing stopped. Herons move out of nesting area.

April 15 — Slightly warmer with high of 68° recorded. A few
herons in nesting area, some of them singing faintty.

April 29 — Warmer. Large number of herons at nesting site.

May 2 — Much warmer. Singing general. Pairing begins in

earnest.

Noble, et al., studied Black-crowned Night Herons breeding in
captivi :y and state that “the first pair courted February 15, and the
last egg of their first set was laid April 3.” It should be mentioned
that these birds were in a room where an approximate temperature of
70° F. was maintained. As these authors found that Night Herons (in
captivity) require an average interval of about 45 hours between eggs,
the pair that completed their clutch on April 3 must have had their
first egg about March 27. This indicates, in this instance, with tem-
perature control, an interval of about 39 days between the initial court-
ship {i.e., initial pairing?) and the first egg.

In nature there is evidently considerable variation in the time
between the attainment of red legs and actual pairing, but the interval
between pair formation and the first egg is regular in time. It is con-
siderably shorter than the period just cited. Table II shows average
dates and variation in significant intervals during three seasons at the
Massapequa heronry.

TABLE II

Significant Average Dates and Intervals

Part A: Averages

(a) Average date of first red legs, April 8.

(b) Average date when pairing is completed (in one or more pairs), April 25.

Part B: Intervals

(a) Average interval between attainment of red legs and completion of pair-

ing, 16 days. Longest interval recorded, 26 days. Shortest interval,

2 days.

(b) Copulation usually follows on first or second day after formation of the

pair.

tion; 4 to 5 days after pair formation.

(d) One record of 11 days was obtained for completion of the clutch.

Thus, although captive Night Herons in a constant temperature
of 70® may require as much as 39 days between the first ‘courtship’
and the first egg, the average interval under natural conditions ap-
pears to be only about four or five days. Lorenz (in lit.) explains
this by saying that they are “instinctive actions ‘accumulated’ through
climatic inhibition, breaking forth with a rush when it grows warmer.
Under abnormally constant temperature, no accumulation, constant
‘stripping’ of reaction, high intensity never attained.’’

The pair formation is initiated by the male Night Heron, occupy-
ing a perch near an old nest and engaging in a special performance
that may be described as a ‘song and dance.’ This performance sup-
plies visual and auditory patterns that serve to stimulate female herons
in the vicinity so that they respond by approaching the performing
male and attempting to join him.

Invariably in our experience these singing males are adult birds
with red legs. Exhaustive observations of a long series of lores and
mandibles of such birds were not made, but Noble, et al., found that
“the lores and bill of the courting bird tend to become bluish black.”
We noted, however, many examples wherein birds with pink or red
legs had darker lores and bills than birds with yellow legs.

The females also show a color change in the legs and probably
on lores and mandibles, but, as Noble, et al., state, “females usually
lag behind males in plume length and often in leg reddening.” It is
also possible that the degree of redness in the legs of the female herons
varies according to the presence or absence of stimuli, i.e., a perform-
ing or displaying male.

’Single act of copulation observed on April 8, prior to the formation of pairs
throughout the flock.

We believe these color changes, combined with the auditory stim-
ulus of the male’s song, are essential to pairing, and that their prin-
cipal function is to stimulate the female heron by releasing inborn
patterns that result in her awareness or recognition of the male, and
her approach to the male. We did not observe paired birds with an
incomplete clutch in which both the male and female did not have
red legs. Red legs iii the female (as in the male) would appear to
be determined by the degree of sexual development or ‘readiness’
that she has attained, and male birds always refused females who
overtured during the pairing performance, if the female did not have
legs that were somewhat pink.

Noble, et al., correlate the fact that males may have "pinker legs”
with the observation that the males display them more "during the
courtship ceremonies” but do not attribute to these pink legs any func-
tion as releasers. In fact, they seem to misinterpret the term ‘re-
leaser.’ Lorenz uses the term releaser to signify actions or structures
delivering stimuli which act upon the sensory organs of a fellow mem-
ber of the species so as to launch a responsive chain of acts. These
actions or structures are highly specialized and possess a “minimum
of general probability” (Lorenz). For example, the releasing com-
bination of red legs and a specialized type of song in the Night Heron
are highly unlikely to appear (that is, are generally improbable) ex-
cept during an extremely limited period in the year’s cycle. Otherwise
there might be an ‘‘accidental release of the reaction at the wrong
place, biologically speaking” (Lorenz). There is nothing in the evi-
dence of Noble, et al., to show that these characters (leg color, plumes,
etc.) are not releasers.

We believe that the ability to acciuire red or pink legs for a period
of two to four weeks, more or less, of the reproductive cycle is an
inborn character of Nycticorax ii. hoactli functioning chiefly as a re-
leasing stimulus and serving as an indicator of readiness for jiairing.

It is true that the male herons ‘display’ their legs more than do
the females during the ‘court.ship ceremonies.’ In our belief the releas-
ing function of red legs has a greater .scope and necessity in the male
than in the female. Red legs in the male must release in female herons
a pattern of sexual behavior of the utmost importance. They are an
outstanding visual stimulus and as such they function in combination
with special posturing and use of voice, all of which, separately and
especially in combination, are highly improbable. Rut it is likely that
this combination is al.so important in stimulating other male herons

Pl.ATF TT.

Fig. 1. — l)L.\fK-cKu\vNEi) Xigiit Herux.
Settling on the eggs.

Fig. 2. — Black-crowned Xight Heron.
Incubating wooden blocks.

by hastening these developments in them, a fact which lends it still
greater scope and significance.

We believe that although the physiological state of the bird is a
necessar>- condition for the full development of the releaser equipment
it is not a sufficient condition. The stimulating efifect of the song is
necessary for its further development. For instance, the song of one
bird, desultorily given, stimulates another binl to the same effort. This,
in turn, further stimulates the first bird. This spreads through the
entire group of birds. Repetition may also cause a lowering of the
threshold of reaction.

On the other hand, the changed color in female legs appears to
have less scope. Rv means of this releaser the male heron in his turn
responds favorably to the female respott.'c. .‘\bsence of special color
in female legs appears to provoke a threatening or defense reaction
that mav correspond to the reaction toward all fellow members of
the species except the first pink-legged female to respond at this time.

We did not observe the reversal of subordination and dominance
between male and female Xight Herons as found by Noble, ci al. The
pairing act. in our experience, generally takes place as described in
our notes, extracts of which follow :

-April 15. 1938—7:10 .A. M. (E. S. T.)— Heron //. adult with very red legs,
singing from rim of old nest. .Another adult heron. FI, approaches H. Legs of
FI show the merest suggestion of pink ; are more yellow than pink. // raises
feathers of back (saddle), stops singing and shuffles restlessly. FI comes near,
perching on limb beneath nest, plumage unruffled, bill raised toward H. FI claps
(rattles) bill close to head of FI.

Third adult heron. F2. approaches. Legs yellowish. FI threatens F2 with
neck extended, wings raised forward in j>osture comparable to intimidating dis-
play of certain owls, at same time he gives ‘snap’ note, which is first part of
^ong*. FI takes no part in this exchange. F2 departs. H then threatens FI and
FI departs. Both FI and F2 perch on nearby cedars within about 20 feet of H.

Fourth adult heron. F3, appears close to H. F3 approaches H. H continues
song and dance. F3 has pale yellowish legs. F3 perches just beneath and close to
H, and sits motionless, without any form of display. This posture resembles the
‘crouch’ of the female, but body is less depressed. (7 :38) H stops singing, threatens
and drives off F3.

‘Xoble ct al. termed this the “peck-hiss” and considered it a combination of
"the usual peck of territory defense with the snap-hiss ceremony” (song-dance).
They state that it is “given by the male soon after a female has joined him and
before the paired condition is fully established.” Our obser^^ations indicate that
this behavior is limited to male herons who wish to threaten and drive off females
that are not ‘ready’ for pairing. It was not used against females with pink legs
(see p. 13).

7 :40 — H continues song-dance display at rate of eight complete performance*
to the minute*. A fifth adult heron, F4, approaches and H picks up a loose twig
from the nest and with the twig between mandibles bobs head up and down.

7 :4S — F4 occupies position close to and below H. H rattles bill near head of
F4, but one minute later threatens and drives off F4. Legs of F4 very pale yellow
with no evidence of pink.

Four herons that have been repulsed by H now perched close together. They
are restless and appear to be watching H as well as each other. Occasionally one
of them will attempt to fly toward H, and the nearest other one will fly at this
bird, throwing if off balance. Both birds will then resume approximately their
original perches. H meanwhile has resumed his song-dance display.

8:03 — One of the four herons succeeds in reaching H again (we will term it
F5). F5 has yellow legs. H leaves nest and assumes perch immediately above.
F5 walks from perch beneath nest to nest rim and then stands in nest itself. H
descends and climbs onto back of F5, who walks from imder. Both perch on limbs
near nest. H has stopped song-dance display.

8:15 — H resumes song-dance. F5 inactive. H moves in and out of nest, sing-
ing irregularly, preening beneath wings frequently, and grasping loose twigs and
nearby branches and shaking them nervously.

8:20 — H moves toward F5, clapping bill. F5 turns head toward H and
claps bill. H threatens F5, driving F5 out on limb of nest tree. H returns to nest
and shakes twigs and branches nervously. F5 preens vicinity of brood patch.

8:21 — FI walks out on limb again, threatening and driving F5 out of tree.
H resumes song-dance from nest, F5 perches in nearby tree near three other F
birds.

8:25 — F5 approaches H but is repulsed.

8:35 — H resumes song-dance.

8:36 — F5 flies to nest tree, perches on limb above nest. H suddenly stops song,
moves toward F5 with threatening posture and drives F5 out on limb, returns to nest,
but does not resume song. H resumes song-dance at irregular intervals. F$ re-
mains quiet, turned slightly away from H.

9:20 — No change, except that singing is retarded throughout heronry.

10:02 — No change. Left blind.

The behavior of H indicated that this heron was a male. Noble,
et al., assume that this behavior, the “snap-hiss ceremony,” is “char-
acteristic of the male before he secures a mate.” We also observed
male herons engaging in this ceremony after a mate had been secured
and the clutch started. On one occasion a male heron went through
the entire ceremony while standing on the back of a female, the female
being crouched and therefore prepared for copulation. There was
one egg on the nest. After a series of song-dance displays a success-
ful copulation appeared to follow.

Herons Fi to F5 were assumed to be females on the basis of
behavior.

‘Average number was seen. Noble, ct al., recorded 8 to 10 minute. Maxi-
mum number we recorded was twelve per minute.

Pairing behavior wherein the responsive bird (female) had pink
or red legs is described in the following extract from field notes.

May 1, 1937 — 8:38 A.M. (E.D.S.T.) — Bird observed singing on nest about
60 feet north of blind. Legs very red. Another bird sitting about 8 feet away
assumed to be a female. This bird also has red legs. Bird on nest faces this bird.
Pulls twigs between songs and preens feathers of breast with a single stroke of
the beak. Sitting bird shows little interest in song but seems to be watching.

8:45 — Bird which had been sitting away from nest goes to bird on nest. Bird
on nest erects feathers and plumes and, rattling, touches beak of other. They stand
caressing beaks. Bird on nest reaches out with opened bill and erected plumes
and shakes head at other.

Their subsequent behavior was typical of mated birds and there
were eggs in the nest the following week-end.

We note that the male ceased singing as soon as a female with
red legs approached and entered the next stage of the cycle; mutual
caressing and copulation. We never observed this if the approaching
female had yellow legs.

The male’s singing display may result chiefly from a combination
of (1) the male’s physiological condition at this season, and (2) stim-
ulation by the songs of others. Thus, according to this theory, an
unmated male would continue to sing until other males ceased sing-
ing, or until an acceptable female responded. Mated males may sing
and dance with diminishing interest and vigor, until the first one or
two eggs of the clutch are deposited. However, such examples may
prove to be the exception and ordinarily it would seem that this par-
ticular ceremony is no longer necessary after pairing has been accom-
plished, and therefore ceases altogether or is greatly retarded at this
time.

Verwey (1930) quite definitely establishes a song in Ardea cinerea
that is of vital significance in the reproductive cycle of that species.
In cinerea, the male selects a nest site and sings from this location.
Apparently the unattached females move from one singing male to
another. When a male bird is “satisfied” with the visiting female,
the song ceases. This, however, does not mean that the male will be
satisfactory to the female, and if he is not, she will leave, and his
singing begins again immediately. This procedure continues until two
birds meet that are mutually satisfactory, and when this occurs, pair-
ing follows.

It should be stated that Lorenz (1934) has mentioned a “nest-
luring call” in Nycticorax n. nycticorax, which may be similar in most

respects to the song of our Black-crown. Bent (1926), quoting from
Huxley’s notes, speaks of a performance of the male Louisiana Heron
{Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis) in which the bird “droops its wings,
erects its neck vertical!}' arid its head almost so and gives vent to a
groaning sound.” Townsend (1928) describes the song of the Green
Heron (Butorides v. z'irescens). The bird “stands erect on a perch
and at intervals raises his head and neck, opens wide his bill and emits
his curious song. The repetitions are irregular in time, sometimes only
once, twice or three times a minute, sometimes eight or ten times and
sometimes as often as ten times in a quarter of a minute. ...” No men-
tion of sex of bird giving this performance is made. There may be
similar male songs in many or in all of the herons.

The typical song of our Black-crown is always given in conjunc-
tion with some degree of bowing and leg movement. Occasionally the
‘dance’ is observed minus the song, but we believe the herons in these
instances were males that never secured mates. Such performances
were more frequently observed after incubation had begun.

The so-called dance is a treading movement. In the first position
(figs. 1 to 5) the heron stands erect, neck extended. The legs are
lifted alternately, and the toes flexed so that when the leg is lowered
the toes are stretched to maximum length and as far apart as possible.
.As the leg comes up, the bird arches the back and extends the neck
and head forward and down. The plumage of saddle, crown, neck,
throat, and breast is raised ; plumes are raised almost vertical or

Fig. 1. Song — First position.

Fig. 2. Song — Second position.

vertical. The eyes are dilated and appear to literally ‘pop’ from their
sockets. Their redness seems greatly accentuated. When the bill is
almost level with the feet the song is given, and a preening movement
usually follows. The dancing movements with legs and feet accom-
pany the bowing throughout. The head is raised and the performance
repeated. Series of songs are broken by twig-shaking and preening
movements, which may be inserterl either between each separate per-
formance or between brief -series.

Fin. 3. So)ip — Third position.

Fig. 4. Song — Fourth position. Fig. 5. Song — Fifth (preening; position.

The dance as distinct from the song-dance is described in notes of
May 7, 1937:

Preen, lift right leg then left leg. Walk out on linih, preen, lift right, left,
walk back on limb. Left leg, right leg, turn around. Right, left, preen. Quiet.
Preen, shake twig below, repeat twig-shaking, preen in region of brood patch.
Shake twig, turn around, right leg. left leg. Quiet, preen under wings. Right
leg, left leg, etc., etc.

This particular heron, assumed to be an unmated male, continued
a nearly unbroken series of dancing performances for thirty-six min-
utes (5:04 — 5:40 A.M.). He was in full adult plumage with two long
plumes that reached almost to the middle of his back. He flew' into a
crotch in a cedar close to the top and near another heron that had been
indulging in a partial dancing ceremony. This first bird moved out
of sight a few minutes after the second heron began dancing. The
second bird remained on the same limb forty-eight minutes. There

was no nest in this tree or in that particular section of the heronry.
No other herons came near this individual during his performance
and eventually he flew off. At this date, pair formation had not been
completed in the heronry and it is possible that the individual described
was a male that had not as yet reached the full development necessary
to success at pairing. Response of a female to the dance only is a
doubtful possibility.

Herons observed later in the season (during the early incubation
period) were seen performing greatly diminished dance ceremonies.
These birds were congregated in a sector of the area in which there
were no nests. They were assumed to be males that had not been
successful in securing mates, possibly because of a retarded or incom-
plete physiological development that prevented the completion of their
equipment for pairing.

We were unable to trap adult herons and therefore did not con-
tinue these pairing studies experimentally. For example, coloring the
legs and mandibles and pasting a light patch on the lores of several
marked birds that were known to be males from their behavior prior
to pairing, might prevent success in finding a mate. Also plugging
the ears of marked female birds might prevent response to pairing
overtures of the male, and in male birds, might bring a halt to the
song-dance ceremony. These and similar experiments will result in
more definite and more comprehensive information on the pairing of
this species than we have been able to assemble in these preliminary
studies.

We found that, during the periods covered by this paper, there
was little difference between day and night behavior. During the court-
ship period there is a pronounced lull in activities during the middle
of the day, but during incubation and when there are young in the
nest there is no appreciable difference in behavior. Other observers,
working on other birds, have used various methods of night lighting.
We did not attempt this, however, since we wished to avoid creating
artificial conditions as much as possible.

It was known from the works of Gross (1923) and others that
the young were fed throughout the night so that we concentrated on
night courtship observation. The night of April 15, 1938 (11 ;30 P.M.,
April 15 — 7:12 A.M., April 16) was spent in the heronry. Since the
night was rather overcast very little of the birds’ behavior could be
seen but one familiar with the song and other notes can obtain a very
complete behavior picture by careful listening. No pause in courtship
activity occurred at any time during the night.

Copulation

Copulation usually takes place at or near the nest site. It is
mutual, never coercive within the record of our observation.

Copulation usually occurs after a pair has been sitting quietly for
some time near the nest site or on the nest. The birds often occupy
the nest together during this period. Verwey also found this true of
cincrea. The phase of the cycle immediately preceding copulation is
a quiescent period, somewhat similar to the “bethrothal period” (Nice,
1937) of the Song Sparrow (Melospica melodia beata). This is not

Fig. 6. Typical greeting ceremony.

characterized by total inactivity, however, for it is at this time that
the singing of the male reaches its peak. This singing takes place when
the female is absent, and the presence of the female is characterized
by quiescence on the part of both birds. Thus, the general picture
consists of lone singing males, pairs sitting quietly together, and occa-

Fig. 7. Crouch of female. Fig. 8. Typical copulatory positions.

sional copulation. In Florida, where the natives may have an intimate
acquaintance with members of the heron family, it is not unusual to
find a typical ‘cracker' who is well versed in certain phases of bird

behavior. Audubon wardens engaged in locating nesting ‘rookeries'
along the southwest Florida coast describe almost perfectly the ‘be-
trothal period.’ This ‘settin’ around,’ as they term it, is evidently well
known to the bird-wise native. See also Huxley (1916).

A few typical instances of observed copulation are given here as
they appear in the notes.

1. Two birds in tree near nest sitting about six feet apart. Male approaches
female. Both erect feathers and touch beaks — beaks at this time are open. Sit close
together and caress each other’s heads with their beaks. Male then casually walks
around female and mounts. Copulation takes place, .\fter act, birds preen feathers
and remain in tree.

2. A female flies to tree in which male is sitting. Caress beaks — female then
goes to branch below and stretches neck as if inviting male, who then mounts
female. After act birds sit quietly and preen.

3. Two birds sitting on nest together. After some moving about and some
caressing, male mounts female. Copulation occurs. Female stays on nest. Male
moves about one foot away. Female shakes head vigorously upon completion of
the act.

4. Male at irregular intervals breaks off a twig from the tree and presents it
to female on nest. Female works twig into structure. Male then sits on nest
with female and caresses back, neck, breast and beak of female. Male mounts
female without display. After act, caressing ceases for some time.

5. Pair of birds alight in tree — remain several minutes. Female proceeds to
nest. Male immediately follows. Both birds erect feathers, stretch out necks,
touch beaks, rattle beaks, shake heads and call ivok wok softly. Copulation occurs.

The erecting of feathers and plumes and rattling of beaks men-
tioned in the foregoing notes is the usual greeting ceremony. This is
performed by the members of the pair when they meet both before
the eggs are laid and during incubation preceding each nest relief. A
series of soft ‘wok zvok’ notes accompanies the bill rattling (fig. 6).

The diagram presents a chronological sequence of the steps in
the copulatory behavior of a mated pair. It is evident that there are
five steps leading to the initial copulation. Subsequent copulations
follow the original sequence of a shortened form as indicated in the
diagram. In this shortened form, step 3a is characteristic during the
early copulatory period and 3b later on and up to egg laying. (Fig. 6
shows step 3, fig. 7 step 4, fig. 8 step 5, fig. 9 shows quiescent state.)

The action of each of these steps upon the next step following
has important releaser significance. This action may be explained
by comparing it to the method used by barbaric African tribes in
sending a message over long distances. Drum beats at point A are
relayed one hundred miles or more to point B, which is entirely be-
yond sight and sound of A. However, relay drums at regular inter-

vals between .1 and B are essential in transmitting the message and
are comparable to the essential steps in our diagram. In other words,
the special behavior of each stej) releases the behavior that character-
izes the following step, and so on. We believe that this is a purely
mechanical process and that the heron cannot sec beyond the ne.xt step

Dr. Lorenz (in lit.) has pointed out that single steps in such a
chain may be skipped. The single subsequent actions may have dif-
ferent thresholds in the intensity of specific excitation necessary for
their being released. If the level of intensity is raised by damming
up the reaction (by taking away specific stimulation! a very high

level may be reached without releasing any reaction. If then the
proper stimulus is presented, the highest intensity reaction may result
at once without those usually preceding it. Thus Verwey saw copula-
tion at once when females were secured by male herons (Ardea cin-

Fig 9. ‘Quiescent’ position.

ered) who had been unable to secure mates for a long period. Lorenz
(in lit.) states, “It is well to remember that there are tzvo chains of
events guaranteeing the sequence of actions; (a) the sequence of thres-
holds and (b) the corresponding chain of releasers, acting with a
stimulating function absolutely correlated with the reactional intensity
of the action itself.”

Verwey states; “Almost the whole behavior of the Fischreiher
{Ardea cinerea) takes its course artificially . . . that the actions are to
be taken as the more or less direct reaction on the incentive.” The pair-
ing, copulatory and intermediate behavior has been explained (Noble,
et al.) by a shift in dominance from male to female and then back
again. This is based on similar observed positions of dominance in
immature birds when pairs are formed regardless of sex. We have
observed no such immature pairs under natural conditions, nor any

Fig. 10. Male breaking off nest material.

evidence of peck order. It would appear that peck order is a phen-
omenon that is associated closely with caged bird behavior. Nice
(1939) found evidence of peck order in the Song Sparrow {Melospiza
melodia beata), a highly territorial bird, when confined.

Nest construction in the Black-crown is not to be regarded as a
separate step in the reproductive cycle. In the diagram we have noted
step 3b, “Presentation of nest material to the female,” which, as men-
tioned, is characteristic of the later stage of the copulatory period and
persists until long after the eggs are laid.

Twigs are obtained by the male by breaking them from trees (fig.
10) and occasionally by picking them uj) from the ground. In the
absence of the female, males are seen working twigs into the nest
structure but we have not seen a female do this except with twigs
presented to her by a male bird. This presentation is accompanied
by behavior similar to the greeting ceremony (fig. 11). In these ob-
servations sex was determined by subsequent behavior. No first-year
birds were observed breeding. Since they arrived much later and are
never very numerous, their chances of getting a mate are rather slim.
We never saw a first-year bird with red legs, with plumes or singing,
although Noble, ct al., observed this under artificial conditions.

Aside from its importance as a receptacle for the eggs and young,
the nest is of great importance as a bond between the members of the
pair. During the ‘honeymoon’ period, the approach of the female to
the nest is the signal for the male to renew activity and copulation
usually follows. As wdll be shown in experiments to follow, the nest
or nest site exerts a far stronger influence on the birds than does the
contents.

Continuous incubation with the Black-crown begins with the first
egg, and is of about twenty-four days' duration. Incubation is per-
formed by both sexes ; the exact amount of time and period of the
day for each sex was not observed.

The nest relief ceremony was observed many times, and there
is little variation in the procedure. The relieving bird approaches the
nest and goes through the usual greeting ceremony, which is responded

Fig. 11. Typical twig-presentation, male to female.

INCUB.A.TION

to in a like manner by the brooding bird. The change takes place fol-
lowing this display. The length of the display appears to depend upon
the willingness or reluctance of the brooding bird to be relieved.

As in copulation, the bond between the pair appears to be the
nest or nest site. The eggs or young cannot very well have significance
as a bond, as neither are recognizable to the parent.

In order to test the ability of this species to recognize their eggs,
we painted eggs with different colors and color patterns, and in addi-
tion substituted for the eggs foreign objects such as wooden cubes,
wooden spools, china eggs and rubber balls. We also tested the Black-
crown’s ability to recognize their young by removing young and sub-
stituting eggs from a nearby nest. Out of a large number of experi-
ments the following are typical :

Experiment 1. Recognition of eggs. — Part 1.

Climbed tree F to nest V, which contained four eggs. Painted horizontal lines
in bright red on surface of each egg (5:05 A.M.). Returned to blind. Herons
in nearby nests returned at 5 :20. Bird returned to painted eggs in nest F at 5 :35
and after peering into nest momentarily, settled on the painted eggs and brooded
them without further behavior of unusual nature.

This experiment was repeated several times with different colors
and patterns. All birds accepted the painted eggs. Incidentally, al'
of these eggs hatched without complication.

Experiment 1. Recognition of eggs. — Part 2.

a. Replaced three eggs in nest WIV with three spools (10:30 A.M.). Usual
cotton thread spool used. Bird returned to tree 10:48 and perched above nest. At
10:49 bird settled on nest in normal manner. Sat rather high and seemed to have
some difficulty adjusting spools to brood patch. At 10:51 bird was brooding
normally.

b. Selected two nests, one (N7) an empty nest about four feet below N8,
which contained four eggs. At 8 :52 four eggs in N8 placed in N7 and four wooden
cubes placed in N8 to replace eggs. These cubes were 1}4" x V/i" x V/i", and
of unpainted wood. At 9 :05 bird arrived in top of nest tree, and at 9 :06j4 bird
is brooding blocks in normal manner and pays no attention to its real eggs in
N7, although at first it had some difficulty in arranging blocks in brood patch
Bird continues to sit normally.

Experiment 2. Recognition of young. — Part 1.

Selected two nests, one of which (N8) contained four eggs, the other (N9)
four young. At 9:28, the contents of these nests were exchanged. At 9:33 the
adult bird returned to N8 and covered young. At 9 :35 adult of other pair returned
to N9, stood above nest and inspected eggs. At 10:22 this bird settled on eggs.
Young birds in this experiment about four days old. At 11:00 no change. Seven
days later, young thriving in both N8 and N9.

Another experiment gave re.sult.s which aj)peared to be strikingly
different, but wliich ultimalely jiresontcd similar results.

Experiment 2. Recognition of young. — Part 2.

Placed three young from nest U in nest V and three eggs from I in nest U.
Nest U is four feet above nest V in same tree, .\dults from both nests returned
and bird that had been caring for vigorous young approximately fifteen to twenty
days old, accepted the substituted eggs without the slightest hesitation. However,
adult from nest V seemed startled upon seeing young in nest and struck at them,
showing a partial attack reaction, which lacked the usual outcry and violence.
The young struck hack vigorously, a natural counter reaction. The foster adult
retired to nearby limb and the young began their normal food call. This caused
an uneasiness in their actual parent, brooding the substituted eggs in the nest
above. Again the foster adult attempted to approach the young in nest F. The
attacks were repeated on both sides. This time the actual parent left the nest above
and attacked the foster parent, driving it off. The actual parent then approached
the young in the usual, stealthy manner — a crouching walk, with head lowered,
neck pulled in — and was accepted by the young without (lucstion. It brooded the
young, but soon became restless and returned to its own nest. This stealthy,
crouched approach is shown in the photographs. The foster adult — presumedly
the same that had recently retired — returned and again approached young. In
spite of their antagonism it forced itself upon the young and brooded them. The
mate of the foster parent returned to the nest. It simply relieved the first foster
parent without complications. This marked the end of abnormal behavior on the
part of either pair.

On analyzing the above experiment it can be readily seen that
there was actually no recognition of the yoimg birds as their own by
either pair. Each step on the part of all the birds concerned was a
normal reaction to the preceding stimulus. The hesitation of the
foster parent returning to its nest and finding young instead of eggs
is due to the fact that the bird naturally accepts very small young but
must be conditioned to them in the more advanced stages of growth.
In part 1 of the experiment, the young were small, itiactive and prac-
tically the same as newly hatched birds so that no conditioning was
necessary to elicit a normal reaction. The ultimate acceptance of these
young by the foster parent can be explained by the strong nest tie,
which overcame the lack of conditioning. In the case of the second
foster parent, we have the normal reaction of a relieving bird. The
fact that the upper bird defended the young in the lower nest can be
explained by the fact that it was already conditioned to react to the
alarm call of the young. However, this bird was also overpowered
by the strength of the nest tie.

Another experiment showed the bird’s inability to recognize its
eggs and demonstrated as well the strength of attachment to the nest.
A false nest was constructed next to the actual nest (see plate 4) and
the clutch placed therein. Wood blocks were placed in the actual nest.
As can be seen in the photo, the bird returned to the nest and brooded
the wooden blocks, paying no attention to its eggs.

There is a territory about the nest which is roughly an ellipsoid,
with the nest at the center. This ellipsoid has a long, horizontal di-
ameter of about 8' (variable) and a short vertical diameter of about 4'.

Vertical territorial limits are governed seemingly by the distance
the bird can reach with its beak without leaving the nest. The deter-
mining factors of the horizontal territory limits are not known. No
evidence of territory on the feeding grounds has been observed, all
birds feeding peacefully together as at any other time of the year.
The existence of three-dimensional territory appears to have been first
mentioned by Palmgren (1933). Williams (1936) describes two nests
of the Red-eyed Vireo {Vireo olivaceus), one of which was approxi-
mately 64' directly over the other. Urner (in lit.) has described simi-
lar territories in the Eastern Robin (Ttirdiis migratoriiis). In such
cases it is suggested that in the definitions of territory of Mayr (1935)
and Tinbergen (1939) the term ‘area’ be replaced by the term ‘space.’

Food and Care of Young

Young Night Herons start calling for food shortly after hatch-
ing. This call is an incessant chip, chip, chip, as if two stones were
struck together so as to scrape slightly when striking. The exact age
of the bird at the time of the first feeding is not known. Both parents
feed tlie young. Feeding usually occurs just after the bird has -re-
lieved its mate on the nest. No voluntary attempt to feed is made,
feeding being a response to clamorous begging on the part of the nest-
lings. Here again we have blind action being released by a set stimulus.
The heron feeds its young not because it knows they need food but
because the behavior of the young releases the feeding action.

Feeding evidently takes place only at the nest, although there
may be exceptions in the same species under artificial conditions
(Lorenz, 1934).

Gross (1923) goes into some detail in describing the food of the
Black-crown, and his data indicate that there is variation from one
locality to another, which would seem to demonstrate the importance
of availability. Our observation of the food habits of the herons at
Massapequa show that mice (Microtus pennsylvanicus) fonn a major
item of diet when their abundance makes large numbers of mice avail-
able. In 1935 they ate Microtus to the almost complete exclusion of
other items. However, in 1936 and 1937 these birds turned to fish as
an exclusive diet and no evidence was obtained of Microtus being
taken in even a single instance. The Microtus cycle in the Great Lakes
Region reached a periodic low in 1936 (Wing, in lit.). Apparently

this low extended to Long Island where it was not only evidenced by
a marked change in the feeding habits of the Black-crowns but by
a scarcity of the usual wintering Rough-legged Hawks (Butco lagopus
s. johannis), also a mouse-eating species.

The importance of availability is discussed by Elton (1935) in
connection with the size of food taken by various animals. The smaller
the size of the prey the greater the number that must be taken. Con-
sequently, when Microtus arc scarce a sufficient number cannot be
caught per unit of time to satisfy the food requirement, therefore, a
larger or more numerous prey must be taken. Elton points out; “Foxes
find it worthwhile to live entirely on mice in the years when the latter
are very abundant, but prey on larger animals, like rabbits, at other
times.”

Geneio\l Picture of Heronry

VVe have given a close-up of various phases in the life cycle and
we now give a general picture of the rookery as a whole. As already
mentioned, each separate phase is not reached simultaneously by all
the pairs, and all stages may be observed during that period beginning
with the first eggs and ending with the first young. The end of egg
laying occurs just about the time the first young appear. Therefore,
we have roughly, the following general periods for the rookery as
a whole :

A. Flock units

No obvious pairs
Singing

Some copulation
No nests

B. Pairs formed
Copulation
Occupation of nests
Singing.

C. Pairs intact
Eggs

Copulation (diminishing)

Singing (diminishing)

Nest of major importance

D. Pairs intact
Eggs and young
Copulation ceased
Singing ceased

Nest still highly important

E. Young in all states
Pairs breaking up

Nests with young still important, others deserted.

We observed what were ultimately considered as unmated males,
occupying perches in a remote corner of the heronry where they went
through the singing performance. This singing was not done at or
near a nest or nest site, but from the upper branches of nestless trees.
It produced no response on the part of other herons, although the
most extended song periods were recorded in these instances. As
mentioned, one bird, evidently an unmated male, sang for thirty-six
minutes without cessation, but did not dance throughout this per-
formance.

The foregoing does not necessarily prove that there is an un-
balanced sex ratio in the Night Heron, and that there is a preponder-
ance of males. There could have been any number of unmated females
whose presence it would be almost impossible to detect since we know
of no special behavior, such as singing, in the case of the male, which'
would distinguish them from other herons.

If there is a balanced sex ratio, then there are several conclusions
that might be reached. Possibly in a certain percentage of both sexes
some physiological deficiency prevents successful pairing. Nothing
further can be said until the presence of unmated females is definitely
established.

At the Massapequa heronry only one predator was observed,
the crow (ossifragus and brachyrhynchos) and the damage done was
considerable in number of eggs destroyed. However, the net effect
of the crow after being counterbalanced by replacement of destroyed
eggs by the female herons, is impossible to state without further data,
but from our observation would seem to be of no great importance
to the survival of the species in its present number.

The attitude of the herons, as a group, toward the crows is in no
way hostile, thereby differing greatly from the tern-gull relationship,
for example, except when the crow is in the act of robbing a nest or
in the territory previously described. Then the crow will be driven
away by the owner of the nest. No other herons show the slightest
concern over the pilfering of a neighboring nest.

No evidence was obtained indicating that the Black-crowns in
the Massapequa heronry raise second broods. Other herons are re-
ported as raising second broods in Florida (Grimes, in lit.) but the
question is raised as to whether these are actually second broods or
merely later nestings by pairs wbich were unsuccessful the first time.

In the initial situation, the arrival at the heronry site, the physi-
ological condition of the individual and, therefore, of the heron’s equip-
ment (plumes, red legs, etc.,) are the outstanding releasers. But with

the incubation the legs facie to the usual yellow. Is a change in the
gonacis responsible? Can a second change take place, giving the legs
a reddish hue for a second time in the same season?

Recrudescence of courtship behavior or copulation was not
definitely observed among birds that had raised first broods. Lorenz
(in lit.) states, however, that his herons {Nycticorax u. uycticorax)
always attained red legs the second time and rarely a third time.

The resumption of the Hock unit is casual to all appearances. The
post-nuptial flock is made up indiscriminately of adults and immatures.

1. The Black-crowned Night Heron has an elaborate courtship
display in which, we believe, (a) a change in the color of the legs,
(b) the plumes, and (c) the song play important parts as constituents
of rather complicated relea.sers.

2. The behavior of the Black-crowned Night Heron upon arrival
at the heronry depends to a considerable extent upon temperature.
The normal cool temperatures of spring so inhibit the instinctive ac-
tions of the bird that a much shorter period elapses between the be-
ginning of pairing and egg-laying than occurs under the abnormal
conditions of captivity. This inhibition causes an accumulation of
instinctive actions resulting in a higher intensity and a lower threshold
of reaction.

3. We find no evidence of peck order or of dominance and be-
lieve that they are strictly cage-bird phenomena.

4. There is no important difference between day and night be-
havior during the ‘courtship’ period.

5. The construction of the nest is an integral part of the court-
ship and the nest forms a very powerful bond between the members
of the pair.

6. The Black-crown is unable to recognize its eggs and will ac-
cept almost any object of comparable size in their place. It also seems
unable to differentiate between its own young and the young of other
Black-crowns. However, the nest exerts such a powerful attraction
that it may overbalance other stimuli in these experiments.

7. The food of the Black-crown on Long Island consists chiefly
of fish or mice depending upon the laws of availability.

8. A small territory about the nest is vigorously defended. How-
ever, this may not be ‘territorv-’ in the generall)- accepted sense of
this term.

Bibliography

Allen, R. P. 1938. Black-crowned Night Heron Colonies on Long Island. Proc.
Linn. Soc. New York, 49 (1937) : 43-51.

and R. T. Peterson. 1936. The Hawk Migrations at Cape May Point,

New Jersey. Auk, 53 : 393-404.

Bent, A. C. 1926. Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds. Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mus., 135: 197-213.

Darling, F. F. 1938. Bird Flocks and the Breeding Cycle. Cambridge.

Elton, C. 1935. Animal Ecology. New York: 59-60.

Gross, A. O. 1923. The Black-crowned Night Herons of Sandy Neck. Auk,
40: 1-30, 191-214, 12 pLs.

Huxley, J. S. 1916. Bird-watching and Biological Science. Auk, 33 : 267.
Lorenz, K. 1934. Beobachtungen an freifliegend zahmgehaltenen Nachtreihem.
Journ. f. Ornith., 82: 160-161.

1937. The Companion in the Bird’s World. Auk, 54: 245-273.

Marshall, F. H. A. 1936. Sexual Periodicity and the Causes Which Determine
It. Philos. Trans. Roy. Soc., 226: 423-456.

Mayr, E. 1935. Bernard Altum and the Territory Theory. Proc. Linn. Soc. New
York, 45/46 (1933-34) : 24-28.

Nice, M. M. 1937. Studies in the Life History of the Song Sparrow I. Trans.
Linn. Soc. New York, 4.

1939. The Social Kumpan and the Song Sparrow. Auk, 56: 255-262.

Noble, G. K., N. Wurm and A. Schmidt. 1938. Social Behavior of the Black-
crowned Night Heron. Auk, 55 : 7-40.

Palmgren, P. 1933. Die Vogelbestaende zweier Waeldchen, nebst Bemerkungen
ueber die Brutreviertheorie und zur quantitativen Methodik bei Vogelbestand-
aufnahmen. Ornis Fennica, 10: 61-94.

Rowan, W. 1925. Relation of Light to Migration and Developmental Changes.
Nature, 115: 494-495.

1931. The Riddle of Migration. Baltimore.

Tinbergen, N. 1939. The Behavior of the Snow Bunting in Spring. Trans. Linn.
Soc. New York, 5: 69.

Townsend, C. W. 1928. The Song of the Green Heron (Butorides v. virescens).
Auk, 45: 498-499.

Verwey, J. 1930. Die Paarungsbiologie des Fischreihers. Zool. Jahrb. (Allg.
Zool u. Physiol.), 48: 1-120.

Williams, A. B. 1936. The Composition and Dynamics of a Beech-Maple Climax
Community. Ecological Monographs, 6: 318-408.

General Notes

Faunal Records from Eastern New York State. — In order
to complete the picture of the avifauna north of the New York
Region, the following sight records of birds that are relatively rare
for Schenectady County, are herewith presented :

Bllue-winged Teal. — A nervous female and five small young
were seen on July 18 and 20, 1939. Sixteen miles away a second pair
with seven young were also observed on .\ugust 3rd.

Turkey Vulture. — Studied on May 6, 1939; contrary to many
authorities the bird was observed to be flapping and sailing while soar-
ing with spread tail. Details of the observation were sent to .'\. C.
Bent who confirmed the identification.

Gre.\t Black-backed Gull. — One, carefully observed along the
Mohawk River, April 14, 1939; apparently the first county record.

Mockingbird. — Photographed at the feeding station of B. D.
.Miller of Schenectady; arrived in late March, 1939, began to sing
.April 1st and disappeared about mid-April ; first county record al-
though this species has been rejwrted in spring from nearby Albany
in 1900 and in 1928.

Orange-crowned W'.\rbler. — Observed May 10 and May 16,
1934, and again on May 11. 1939, at \’ale Cemetery in Schenectady;
previously reported by Eaton, May 10. 1916.

Northern Prairie Warbler. — This species is still very rare
here although I am told it is rapidly increasing in the Northeast. In
the rolling scrub oak-pine country known as the Pine Bush section
halfway between .Albany and Schenectady, Dr. Bronson, of the New
York State Teachers College, observed one of these birds some years
prior to 1937. About the middle of May, in 1937, Dr. Homer D.
House discovered another bird in the same habitat, and Edgar Bedell
and the writer have now ascertained that a colony of about two dozen
pairs resides there.

Migrant Shrike. — Bedell and the writer found an apparently
breeding pair along the Schenectady — Saratoga Road, from June to
August, 1939.

Philadelphia Vireo. — Seen well on May 19 and .August 28,
1939. The fall arrival for New England is given by Forbush as
September 7th.

Orchard Oriole. — .A singing first-year male was observed in
the Collins Lake section, June 11, 1939.

Joseph Janiec, Schenectady, N. Y.

A Doubtful Occurrence of the Reddish Egret in New Jersey. —
A specimen of the Reddish Egret, Dichromanassa rufescens, now in
the American Museum of Natural History has a label reading “Egg
Harbor, New Jersey. Coll. (Collection of) Geo. N. Lawrence.” If
this locality is correct, the record represents the only occurrence of
this heron in the north-eastern United States. The skin is that of a
bird in first-winter or perhaps retarded adult plumage, presumably
a non-breeding bird, and as it was taken when this species was still
abundant in Florida, this individual may quite possibly have wandered
north to New Jersey.

I.awrence did not include the Reddish Egret in his Catalogue
of Birds observed on Neu' York, Long and Staten Islands, and the
adjacent parts of New Jersey, published in 1866 {Ann. Lyc. N^at.
His. N. y., V. 8, p. 292). His collection was not purchased by the
museum until 1887, so the undated specimen may have been acquired
after the appearance of the list. However, reference to the manu-
script copy of this article, which fortunately still exists, shows that
the Reddish Egret was included and then crossed out ; it is the only
species thus deleted. Opposite its name in the margin is the word
“Note” used in the manuscript to designate birds of rare occurence
which were annotated in the published “Catalogue Lawrence,

then, rejected this record for reasons unknown but suggested, perhaps,
by an admonition of Mr. Ludlow Griscom (to whom 1 am indebted
for comments regarding this specimen) : “Remember that several very
dubious birds were purported to have been secured at Egg Harbor.
New Jersey, a century or so ago.”

This specimen has apparently been overlooked during the com-
pilation of all modern lists of New Jersey birds. Hence it seems best
to present the above evidence against the validity of the record before
the facts are further obscured by the passage of time.

De.\n Am.\don.

A Nest of the Black Duck {.Inas nibripcs). — On March 10, 1938,
the first migratory Black Ducks appeared in the Clarence Fahnstock
Memorial State Park in Putnam County. One pair eventually settled
in a marsh not fifty feet from the parkway, laying their first egg on
March 21st. The set was completed on April 2nd when the twelfth
egg was laid. This early date may be contrasted to the dates be-
ginning with April 2 listed by Forbush (1925) for New England, and
April 5 for Montauk and April 19 given by Chapman (1932).

In characteristic fashion no lining was put into the nest until the
last egg was laid. Daily visits were made to the nest and on April 27

at 6:30 P.^VI. the female was observed to be still brooding. At 8 A.M.
the next day only a few bits of shell were found in the nest and a
search of the surrounding area revealed the adult and twelve young
in a wooded swamp across the parkway from the nest. The period of
twenty-six days’ incubation was a normal one, according to data in
Bent (1923), but it is interesting to note that on April 6th a heavy
fall of snow occurred and on April 7th, the female was brooding sur-
rounded by a six-inch blanket of snow. In spite of this, there was a
hundred percent hatch and as late as May 6th the entire family was
found intact.

Bent, A. C. 1923. Life Histories of North American Wild Fowl. I. Hull. U. S.

Nat. Mus. 126: 50-64.

Chapman, F. M. 1932. Birds of Eastern North America, p. 188.

Forbush, E. H. 1929. The Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England

States, V. 1, p. 196.

Ai.lf.n Frost.

Albinism in Gulls. — On December 19, 1938, at Jones Inlet,
Long Island, I was startled to see a pure white gull of small size. Being
very familiar with our two regular white-winged gulls, the Glaucous
(Larus hyperboreiis) and Iceland {Lams leucopterus) , I naturally
immediately suspected that I was seeing my first Ivory Gull {Pago-
phila alba), a species of extreme rarity in any part of the United States.
The bird was uniformly snowy white, entirely too small to be even
a minimum sized Iceland Gull and its flight was far too rapid and
graceful. I studied the bird intently as it flew down the middle of the
inlet darting to snatch particles of food from the water.

The bird w-as a bit too far off for me to record accurately the
coloration of the feet and bill but its size and coloration had me feel-
ing certain that it could be nothing but an Ivory Gull. When the bird,
however, flew into a group of Bonaparte’s Gulls (Lams Philadelphia)
and its size, actions and wing beats were seen to be identical, I realized
that it was not an Ivory Gull that I was observing but a perfect albino
Bonaparte’s Gull. A half hour’s observation of this bird as it mingled
with this flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls flying, feeding and at rest leaves
not the slightest doubt in my mind that it was of the same species.

Singularly, a light flight of Ivory Gulls actually did reach the
New England coast the following winter. Sight records were reported
by Griscom from Newburyport, Gloucester (2) and Rockport in mid-
January, 1940, and an actual specimen found on the shore at Island
Beach, New Jersey, on February 3, 1940, is now preserved in the
Museum of Princeton University. During this flight my albino could

very well have been alone and momentarily darted in to some inlet ; an
observer could easily be convinced that he had seen an Ivory Gull.
It is true that even a small Ivory Gull is slightly larger than a large
Bonaparte’s Gull . , . but then size is deceptive. This discussion
naturally brings up the whole question of albino gulls. Unquestionably
such birds are extremely rare but I am led to wonder whether albino
Herring Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Bonaparte’s Gulls, et ah, are not
often seen and reported as something else.

Allan D. Cruickshank.

The Breeding of the Herring Gull (Larns argentatus smithson-
ianits) on Long Island in 1939. — The 1937-1938 Report of the Field
Work Committee by R. P. Allen (1938) lists only two Long Island
colonies for this species in 1937, one on Wicopesset Island and the
other on Cartwright Island, without attempting to estimate the num-
ber of pairs. However, in another note, LeRoy Wilcox (1938) records
30 or 40 pairs for Cartwright Island in 1938. No other attempts have
apparently been made to find out just how many pairs breed in the
area. Inasmuch as this species is a comparatively recent breeder and
seems to be spreading, it appears that the only way to keep track of
it properly is to record the location of the colonies and their approxi-
mate population for 1939. Then there will be a sound basis for future
work in calculating the rate of increase or decrease from season to
season.

The number of colonies, in two groups of islands off the eastern
tip of Long Island, has increased to five. The location and known age

of each colony

and an estimate of the nu

mber of pairs

in each for

1939 follow:

Year First

Estimated

Group

Colony

Known

No. of Pairs

Fishers Is.

East end

1939

Wicopesset Is

750

Gardiner’s Is.

Bostwick Bay

1939

Great Pond

1939

150

Cartwright Is

1936

125

Total

1057

The first-n

anted colony was definitely

new that year

. The same

cannot be said for the other two, which were first known

in 1939, but

judging from their size it is probable that the Bostwick Bay colony
was a new one, and just as ])rohahle that the one at Great Pond was
as old or older than the one on Cartwright Island, which it slightly
exceeded in size. John L. Ilelmuth of Fasthampton. L. I., in 1936

found a set of eggs of this species and about a dozen pairs of very
excited adults on Cartwright Island. This is apparently the first record
of their breeding in this group. According to Dr. \\ illiam T. Helmuth,
also of Hasthanipton, the number of nesting pairs on Cartwright in
1937 was about the same as that estimated by W ilcox for 1938.

Dr. llelmuth also reported that he had found a set of eggs of
this species anti several nesting hollows on Goff Point in 1939. This
is on the mainland, south aiul a little east of Cartwright Island. Un-
fortunately, on a later visit, they were found to have been deserted.
Wilcox had the same experience with a set of eggs he found in 1938
on the west side of Moriches Inlet, a location which was not used in
1939. These attempts seem to indicate that the species is still extending
its range and that a close watch will have to be kej)t on all likely loca-
tions if we are to get an accurate picture of its spread.

I am indebted to Wilfred C. O’Brien of Noank, Conn., for the
data he sup])lied on the Fishers Island group.

Allen, R. P. 1938. Report of the Field Work Committee, 1937-38. Proc. Linn.
Soc. N. y.. 49: 84-92.

Wjlcox, L. 1938. Colonial Birds on Long Island, 1938. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. V.,
49:71-72.

Christopher K. McKeever.

A Christmas Census of Banded Herring Gulls. — On December
23, 1939, a systematic count of Larus argentatus smitlisoniamis was
made in the general vicinity of New York City by E. Adelberg, R.
Arbib, M. Brooks, A. D. Cruickshank, J. Elliott, S. C. Harriot, J. J.
Hickey, J. ^Mayer, T. S. Pettit, O. K. Stephenson, Jr., and H. M. Van
Deusen. These eleven observers, working in eight parties, thoroughly
covered Jamaica Bay, the East River, most of the upper New York
Bay, nearly all of the north shore of Long Island, and a concentration
at Freeport. Age ratios were reported as follows :

Number of

Locality Gulls Seen 1st Year 2nd Year 3rdYe;ar Adult

Jamaica Bay 3700 33% 12% 25% 30%

Staten Island 2156 23%' ■ ■ ■ ■ — ^ — 77%

Brooklyn and Queens 4792 20%' 8% 4% 68%

The Bronx 1400 28% 14% 12% 46%

Freeport 700 45% 55%

Fulton Fish Market 235 32% 6% 11%' 51%

North Shore 970

Totals 13,953 3116 2866 1298 5518

It is interesting to note that the total number of approximately
14,000 birds is far less than estimates reported in Bird-Lore’s Christ-
mas censuses for this region. Every major concentration point near
New York was checked, however, with the exception of a few in
New Jersey and two in Connecticut. Based on impressions from two

previous years’ work of this sort.

we would say

that the

numbers of

first-year birds are too high, those

of adults too

low. In

addition the

following birds vith colored bands

were seen:

1937

1938

1939

Totals

St. Mary Islands, P. Q

—

Razades Islands, P. Q

Kent Island, N. B

Duck Islands, Maine

Muscongus Bay, Maine

Heron Islands, Maine

—

Isles of Shoals, N. H

—

Penikese Island, Mass

Wicopesset Island, N. Y

—

Kent Island, N. B. (adults)

—

In only a few cases were the conditions suitable to a thorough
search for marked birds, so that the 61 listed above represent but a
fraction of those banded gulls actually present in this region at
the time of the census. Four birds also wore defective combinations
as a result of one celluloid band breaking or falling off ; two adult gulls
wore aluminum bands only.

1940. Bird-Lore’s Fortieth Christmas Census. Bird-Lore, 42:66-136.

R. .-\rbib et al. 1939. First Census of Banded Herring Gulls. Bird-Lore, 41 :S6.

Suppl.

Samuel C. H.vrriot and Joseph J. Hickey,
for the Gull Survey Committee.

Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull on Long Island. —
While examining a flock of gulls, which were on Oyster Bay Bird
Sanctuary pond at Jones Beach, Long Island on October 30, 1939, I
found one which I identified as an adult Scandinavian Lesser Black-
backed Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus).

I observed the bird carefully from about 8:18 A.M. to 9:08 A.M.
with a SOX telescope in good light at a distance of about four hundred
feet. Direct comparison with 125 Herring Gulls (Larus argcntatus
smiths onianus) and some 50 Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus mari-
nus) was available.

The bill was of the common, larger, adult Laridac type (yellow
with a red .spot on the downward projecting angle). It was rather

dull, resembling some of the other adult birds which were going into
winter plumage. I noticed that both bill and bird were slightly smaller
than some and larger than others of the surrounding Herring Gulls.
This is in accordance with the measurements in W’itherby (1920-24)
relative to these species. The head, upper parts to the beginning of
the mantle, under parts and tail were pure white, except for a slight
grayness in the posterior auricular area, extending to, but not includ-
ing the nape. The back and wings were slaty black and in this respect
agreed with the mantles of the adult Great Black-backed Gulls stand-
ing beside it. The feet and legs were distinctly yellow.

On January 13, my wife and I saw what I believe was the same
bird on an ice-covered pond near the same place. The head and neck
were slightly streaked, otherwise it was similar to the October 13th
specimen. The dark mantle and yellow feet and legs were very evi-
dent. There was very little, if any, streaking on the throat and breast,
which were white as were the rest of the under parts. Subsequently,
I visited the American Museum of Natural History and examined a
series of Scandinavian and British Lesser Black-backed and a number
of Great Black-backed Gull skins, which convinced me that I had ob-
tained the first sight record of the Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed
Gull for Long Island and one of the very few for North America.
On February 22, 1940, Mr. and Mrs. Allan D. Cruickshank found a
Lesser Black-bjicked Gull at Heckscher State Park, Long Island, N. Y.,
in a flock of Herring Gulls and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls. They
informed me that it was similar in size to argentatus and that its back
and wings matched L. mar inns in color, obviously being Lanis f. fuscus.

Previous records of this subspecies in North America are limited
to two sight identifications, one in New Jersey (Edwards, 1935) and
one in Florida (Sprunt, 1938). Records of graellsii include a speci-
men from Greenland (A. O. U. Check-List) and sight records in New
York (J. and R. Kuerzi, 1935) and New Jersey (by C. A. Urner;
Sedwitz, 1940).

. 1931. Check-List of North American Birds (Fourth Edition).

Edwards, J. L. 1935. The Lesser Black-backed Gull in New Jersey. Auk, 52:
85-86.

Kuerzi, J. and R. 1935. Occurrence of the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus
fuscus graellsi) in Bronx County, N. Y. C. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. Y., 45, 46;
101-102.

Sedwitz, W. 1940. The Ornithological Year 1937 in the New York City Regioa
Proc. Linn. Soc. N. V., 50, 51 : 57.

Sprunt, Alexander. 1938. Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull at Key West,
Florida. Auk, 55 :671-672.

WiTHERBY, H. F. AND G. 1920-24 Practical Handbook of British Birds.

John Eluott.

A Note on the ‘Begging’ of Nestling Flickers. — Konrad
Lorenz (1935), speaking of the release of the gaping (or ‘begging’)
reaction in nestling birds, remarked . . very many young hole-nesters
begin to beg when darkness descends, because to them the darkening
of the entrance of the cave or hollow in which they are situated always
means the arrival of the parent bird . . (transl.)* This statement,
with no supporting examples, was the only published discussion of
this particular problem, until the experiments of Tinbergen and Kuenen
(1939) on the European Blackbird (Tnrdus iiierula), a species that
builds its nest in the open, showed that young of that species raised in
the laboratory, do not gape in response to lessened illumination. Slightly
later, Holzapfel (1939) showed that young of the Starling (Sturnus
vulgaris), which builds its nests in holes, do not gape at lessened illum-
ination either. Consequently the following simple experiment, while not
at all conclusive, constitutes, so far as we know, the first definite
evidence for Lorenz’s statement, and is therefore worth publishing.

On June 7, 1939, in Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx, X. Y., we
discovered a nest of the Flicker (Colaptes auratiis liiteus), containing
three half-grown young, in a telegraph pole ; the external opening of
the nest was only about two feet from the ground. We were able to
cause the fledglings to gape by various methods — tapping the pole,
making clicking noises, moving our hands in front of the hole, etc.
By looking into the hole, we noted that we could always tell whether
the young were gaping or not b}- a characteristic, continuous note,
given only when they were gaping.

In order to test the effect of diminishing illumination, we ar-
ranged the following experiment: An ordinary shoebox (12” x 6” x 6")
was used. ^Ve tore the two side-fastenings of one end, so that it was
attached to the box only by a single hinge. We placed the box against
the pole, its lower end flush with the lower edge of the opening, the
hinged flap at its upper end.

The line AB indicates the angle of the sun. Therefore no move-
ment of the flap could be reflected in a movement of a shadow inside
the nest. The line CD indicates that the birds at no time could see
the movement of the flap directly. Therefore the only optical stimulus
presented by a lowering of the flap must be a darkening of the nest.
When we lowered the flap, absolutely soundlessly, a loud begging call
was instantly started by the birds. If we waited for it to die down (a

*We are indebted to Dr. G. K. Noble for tbe translation of Lorenz’s paper.

matter of 20 seconds or so), and then raised the flap, there was a
slight reaction, but very much weaker tlian that resulting from darken-
ing. We repeated this experiment four times, each time with the same
result.

This experiment does not, of course, indicate whether the stimu-
lus-pattern is inborn or learned (Tinbergen and Kuenen showed that
all the elements of the gaping-releaser in Turdus are inborn). But
it seems to show that young Flickers gape at decreased illumination.
We publish this note as a suggestion, since neither of us has, at present,
an}' intention of investigating the problem further.

References

Holzapfel, M. 1939. Analyse des Sperrens und Pickens in der Entwicklung des
Stars, /. /. O., 87 : 525-553.

Lorenz, K. 1935. Der Kumpan in der Umwelt des Vogels. /. f. 0., 83 : 137-213,
289-413.

Tinbergen, N., und D. J. Kuenen. 1939. Uber die ausldsenden und die richtung-
gebenden Reizsituationen der Sperrbewegung von jungen Drosseln {Turdus
m. merula L. und T. ericetorum Turton). Zeitschr f. Tierpsychol., 3: 37-60.

Daniel S. Lehrman and Orlando K. Stephenson, Jr.

The Roosting of Tree Swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor). — While
acting as warden-observer at the Witmer Stone Sanctuary during
the autumn of 1937, I witnessed one of the most spectacular features
of the Tree Swallow migration, their mass roosting. The incident
occurred at the Pond Creek Marsh, a large fresh-water marsh of about
100 acres, situated immediately northeast of the sanctuary at Cape
May Point, N. J. It can best be described by quoting from my journal
under date of -September 22, 1937 :

“Arrived at sanctuary 7 :45 P.M. and Tree Swallows were already
arriving from a southerly direction at a relatively low elevation of
perhaps 50 to 100 ft., and moving toward Pond Creek. When I came
to Cedar Point (an observation point on the south margin of the
marsh), the air over the entire marsh was literally filled with swallows
milling about in all directions, at an elevation of about 100 ft. After
a little over ten minutes, the influx of birds ceased and the birds over
the marsh began to consolidate until the flock resembled a huge dark
mass, that gyrated about like a monster balloon caught in a whirlwind.
Immediately following this condensation, the flock gradually gained
several hundred feet in altitude and finally began to steady itself. In
a few seconds a dark column or stream of swallows began to pour
down from the center of the flock. When they reached the tops of
the cattails, they flowed over the surface like a pall of black smoke.
This coursing back and forth (actually more of a rolling action) con-
tinued until the entire flock was drained from the sky, as through a
huge funnel. While the last individuals were descending to the marsh,
the first were already dropping among the cattails to roost. In a very
few minutes no trace of the birds could be seen or heard.”

The sound of these swallows rushing through the air on the down-
ward plunge was incredibly loud, and could be heard as a low muffled
roar at the relatively great distance I was from the actual roosting
site. Pond Creek Marsh was not used again that season as a roosting
place by the Tree Swallows. Nor was it used at all during the 1938
season. To attempt an estimate of the number of swallows in this
great concentration would be merely to venture a guess, .^fter re-
viewing my daily notes on the numbers of migrants that passed through
Cape May during the autumnal period, I feel that in all probability this
flock represented a major portion of the Tree Swallow population
using the coastal flyway. A somewhat similar observation has been
graphically described by Forbush (1929) with this difference: in
southern Florida, where the birds winter, the Tree Swallows appar-

ently collected at some distant spot and then approached the roosting
marsh like “a huge hlack cloud.”

Chapm.\n, F. M. 1903. liir(1 Shuiit's ~cith o toiiicni, ])p. 89-105.

Forbush, E. H. 1939. lUnh of Masstnlmsctts and Other Neu' England States,
vol. 3, pp. 157-158.

KlClI.VRD ('•. Ki’erzi.

Nesting of the White-eyed Vireo in the Housatonic Valley. —
The cyclic changes in the abundance of Carolinian species at the north-
ern edge of their breeding range are always an interesting feature of
bird distribution. It is with this in mind that the following notes are
offered. On June 15, 1935. a singing male White-eyed Vireo
{Vireo g. griscits) was discovered near a small wooded swamp
just southeast of our property at Kent, Connecticut. This area is
surrounded by abandoned farm lands that have grown up to black-
berry, bush dogwood, cedar and a few fruit trees. Hedgerows are
also an important part of these lands. Other Carolinian species breed-
ing regularly in this habitat are the Chat and Prairie Warbler. Daily
observations were not possible that year, but the bird was heard again
on June 29 and July 4. .\ singing male was present again in 1936.
During both these years the bird was very localized and could be found
within the same three-acre tract, a possible indication of its breeding
during this period.

In 1937, the bird arrived on !May 16 and a concerted effort was
made to determine if the bird was a nonbreeder, or else to procure the
first nesting record for the region. Aided somewhat by a late spring
(foliage was over a week behind normal), a pair was located and it was
possible to observe the female in the process of finishing the nest and the
male singing near at hand. The pendent nest was affixed to a lateral
branch of a small alder bush, and was a mere eighteen inches from
the ground. A small thicket of shrub cinquefoil surrounded the alder,
and when the foliage matured, the nest was perfectly concealed. In
place of the usual scrap of paper, the nest contained a few strips of
white birch bark. By May 28, the nest was complete, and although
the female was found on the nest, there were no eggs. The first egg
was laid on May 29. Two more were laid on the 30th and the fourth
and final on May 31. On June 12, three of the eggs hatched and the
fourth on the following day, June 13. The nestlings were still in the
nest on the evening of June 23, but a visit the following morning
found the nest empty and the remains of one nestling on the ground
beneath the nest. The male was in full song nearby, but the female
could not be located. Whether the three remaining fledglings had

flown or been destroyed is not known. But the male sang continuously
until July 21. Such behavior might indicate in a good many species
that the fledglings or the female, or both, had been destroyed. How-
ever, the White-eye indulges in much post-breeding song. At Cape
May Point, N. J., this species sings regularly past mid-September,
and in 1938 was heard as late as October 5. In any event the adolescent
period was very nearly, if not actually, complete by June 24, and it
may be that the fledglings had left the nest.

In 1938, the White-eye returned on May 18, and on May 22 two
singing males were present in the same locality. No attempt was made
to locate nests, but the birds were again present and singing until the
third week of July. This past season, 1939, the White-eyes failed to
return, thus terminating a four-year period, during which time one
pair definitely bred in at least one of the years. It is probable that
they nested in all four years. This breeding record of the White-eyed
Vireo constitutes a more northerly extension of its range in at least
the Housatonic Valley, and is a new record for northwestern Litch-
field County. The incubation period of thirteen days diifers slightly
from the twelve days reported by E. A. Samuels and the sixteen days
found by A. A. Saunders.

Forbush, E. H. 1929. The Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England

States, vol. 3, p. 193.

Sage, J. H., L. B. Bishop and W. P. Bliss. 1913. The Birds of Connecticut.

Conn. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv. Bull. 20, p. 147.

Samuels, E. A. 1872. The Birds of New England and Adjacent States, p. 277.

Rich.vrd G. Kuerzi.

The Ornithological Year 1937 in the New York City Region

Bv Walter Sedwitz

The following summary is but a brief outline of llie year, with
none of the embellishments that my j)redecessors have been accus-
tomed to give ; the annotated list of birds, however, is as complete as
my research would allow. Anyone familiar with the status of the
various species will understand the reason for inclusion of the records,
and those who are less familiar with the past history of our birds
and our region are directed to (jriscom's Birds of the Nezv 1 ork City
Region, and the various Proceedings of the Society.

It was apparent in January that we were to have a good flight
of Redpolls. Records came from almost all the local regions, from
the mountains of New Jersey to the shores of Long Island. The tem-
perature readings for January were higher than normal, and the same
was true to the north of us, leading to the belief that food shortage,
and not climatic conditions, was forcing this species south of its range
into our territory. The latter half of this month was very cold, and
the suft'ering among the birds on land and water was widespread.
Ducks and gulls were frozen in the ice at the shore, and in a barn at
Troy Meadows, N. J., several Jays and a Kingfisher were found
frozen to death, as well as a Starling which was still on its perch.
Alcidee were scarce on the coast, and records were on hand for only
a few species.

February brought more Redpolls and records of large flocks of
birds occurring in new localities accumulated rapidly. A newspaper
article, stating that there were 500,000 Scaup in the East River, caused
action among the Society’s more accurate counters ; aided by an air-
plane, these observers finally estimated the wintering population to
be about 60,000.

March, warmer than usual, erased the signs of winter, and spring
weather prevailed. A Louisiana M'ater-Thrush was noted toward the
end of iVIarch, an early date.

April, cooler than normal, halted any land migration, but Gannets
and Cormorants were seen in vast numbers on the coast.

May found grebes and loons still present in numbers. Sooty and
Cory’s Shearwaters were first noted in this month. The first hint that
Yellow-crowned Night Herons might be nesting locally was found
when a bird was observed carrying sticks to a Black-crowned Night
Heron colony. Great numbers of Knots were seen on the Jersey coast.

June found Prairie Horned Larks nesting on Long Island and
in New Jersey with greater frequency than ever noted before. An
American Egret’s nest was found in southern Jersey, the first nesting
of the species in or near our region for many a generation. Upland
Plover nested on Long Island on the Hempstead Plains, a rediscovery
that had been hoped for and sought after for many years. Both Red
and White-winged Crossbills were found in the central New Jersey
pine barrens in August, having either bred or summered in that region.
White herons were seen in fair numbers everywhere, but no extensive
flight was noted.

The late summer brought the rare western species, as of years
gone by, and in September a hurricane blew hard, but little was
brought up with the storm.

In October the ducks came south in goodly numbers, a hearten-
ing sight to observers. Certain species were very scarce, the Redhead
being present in greatly reduced numbers.

Small birds were very numerous until the cold snap in November,
when most of the lingerers went south. Only a few stayed into
December, which was mild and open.

For the help that Dr. Narrower and the Messrs. Hickey, Mc-
Keever, Breslau and Carleton gave, I extend sincere appreciation,
and to the unnumbered observers who always contributed their records
and made my work possible, I give a vote of thanks. As the popular
names of the following birds conform to those given in the Fourth
Edition of the A.O.U. Check-List, scientific names have been omitted.

Red-throated Loon. — 9, in full adult
plumage, Eaton’s Neck, May IS
(Cruickshank) ; 1, May 22-27, found
dead on latter date, Bayside (Sabin).

Holboell’s Grebe. — 1, Sept. 10, Rye
(Cruickshank).

Horned Grebe. — Flock of 100 birds,
Jones Beach, March 8 (Cruickshank) ;
100, Jersey coast, March 8 (Urner).

Pied-billed Grebe. — 1, Dec. 27,
Shinnecock Bay (McKeever, Sedwitz) ;
1, Dec. 27, Inwood Park (Norse, Can-
tor, Karsch).

Sooty Shearwater. — 50, off the New
Jersey coast. May 14 (Breslau) ; 1,
Aug. 25, Brigantine (Banner).

Greater Shearwater. — Common at
Easthampton, Mecox Bay, and Mon-
tauk, Aug. 27-30 (Helmuth) ; few,
Long Island, Sept. 27 (Sialis Bird
Club).

Cory’s Shearwater. — 4, May 24,
Seaside Park (Walsh) ; common, Aug.
27-30, Easthampton to Montauk (Hel-
muth) ; some on Long Island, Sept.
27 (Sialis Bird Club) ; 600, Mecox to
Montauk, Oct. 12 (Helmuth) ; 200,
Montauk, Oct. 25 (Cruickshank) ; 2,
Long Beach, Nov. 21 (Cruickshank).

Wilson’s Petrel. — 14, June 7,
Jones Beach (Sedwitz) ; 2000, Lower
New York Harbor, Aug. 17 (Stephen-
son) .

E. Brown Pklican. — A bird seen
very well at Rwkaway Point on May
10, and substantiated by careful notes
and other observers (Joseph F. Buske) ;
another individual, perhaps the same
bird, was noted at Beach Haven, N. J„
on May 13, flying south over the surf
(Urner).

Gannet. — 147 birds out of 214 seen
at Moriches Inlet, April 30, were im-
mature (Cruickshank) ; 1, immature,

feeding in Jamaica Ray, Nov. 9
(Mayer).

European Cormorant. — 1, Jan. 1,
Long Beach (Cruickshank) ; 2, Feb.
16, Quogue (Sedwitz) ; 2, Sept. 3,
Easthampton (Helniuth).

Doule-crested Cormorant. — 1000,
April 25, Massapequa (Cruickshank).

Am. Egret. — First seen June 7,
Jones Beach (Sedwitz) ; a count from
Pawling, N. Y., to Danbury, Conn., in
August, revealed over 50 birds, the
abundance possibly due to the drought
in Virginia and southeastern states
(Preston) ; breeding in a colony of
Great Blue Herons, T uckerton
(Brown) ; maximum of 29, Jones
Beach, Aug. 10 (R. and B. Berliner) ;
1, Nov. 8, Jones Beach (Cruickshank).

Snowy Egret. — 2, Aug. 2, Jones
Beach (Bronx County Bird Club) ; 1,
East Moriches, Aug. 15 (Wilcox,
Rose) ; 13, Newark Meadows, Aug. 26
(Umer) ; 25, Tuckerton, Aug. 30

(Urner, Mayr, Fables) ; 1, Newark
Meadows, Sept. 26 (Urner).

Little Blue Heron. — 1, .\pril 17-
24, Hewlett (Peterson) ; 1, Prospect
Park, May 16 (Kraslow) ; 3, July 7,
Southampton (T. Mahnken).

Yellow'-crowned Night Heron. —
Its presence with the Black-crowned
Night Heron throughout the breeding
season was noted on Long Island and
in northern and central New Jersey,
but actual nesting not positively proved.
1, April 22, Eaton’s Neck (Cruick-
shank) ; 3, in colony of other herons,
carrying sticks, suggestive of nesting.

May 6, 9, 10, Massapequa (Cruick-
shank) ; 2, May 30, .-\bsecon (Rich,
Brown) ; 1, Sept. 27, Newark Meadows
(Urner).

-\m. Bittek.n. — Wintered at Jones
Beach, and noted by many observers.

Least Bittern. — May 17. Troy
Meadows (T. D. Carter) ; .-\ug. 8,
Wantagh (Mangels) ; both in dark
phase.

Mute Swan. — 1, March 22, Inwood
(Karsch).

Whistling Swan.— 9, south of Sa-
lem, N. J., March 29 (Urner, Jan-
vrin) .

.\m. Br.\nt. — 1500, .\pril 5, Jones
Beach (Peterson) ; also seen same day,
18,000 Am. Scoters, 1000 White-winged
Scoters, and 4000 Surf Scoters ; 50,
May 6, Upper New York Bay (Solo-
mon) .

Greater Snow Goose. — 1500, .March
29, Fortesque (Janvrin, Urner, et al.) ;
40, Nov. 18, Van Cortlandt Park
(Karsch) ; 1, Dec. 23, Montauk (Hel-
muth).

Blue Goose. — 4, March 29, Fortesque
(Janvrin, Urner, ct al.) ; 1, April 12-13,
Idlewild (Mayer) ; 1, Oct. 24-Nov. 8,
Jones Beach (Norse, Cantor).

Common Black Duck. — “Still hold-
ing own, when all other ducks are de-
creasing,” from a letter of Nov. 10,
written by Umer.

Gadwall. — 1, Jan. 26, Shark River
(Edwards) ; 2, March 22, Brookhaven
(Cruickshank) ; 20, Oct. 11, Brook-
haven (Carleton, Sedwitz).

European Widgeon. — 1, Nov. 21,
Lake Como (Urner).

Am. Pintail. — May 31, Quogue
(Fry) ; 4, July 25, Cold Spring (Heck).

European Teal. — 5 pair, March 15,
Hempstead (.-^delberg, Harrower) ; 1,
March 22, Heckscher State Park
(Cruickshank) ; 4, Nov. 23, Hemp-
stead (Cruickshank).

Blue-winged Teal. — ^11, March 18,
Heckscher State Park (Cruickshank) ;

females, July 29-31, Speonk (Wilcox) ;

1, Nov. 23, Hempstead (Cruickshank).

Shoveller. — 6, March 22, Brook-

haven (Cruickshank) ; 6, March 22,
Heckscher State Park (Cruickshank) ;

2, April 30, Brookhaven (Cruick-
shank) : 1, Sept. 6, Jones Beach (Ber-
liner, et al.) ; 50, end of Oct., Fort Mott
(Urner).

Redhead. — 2, Nov. 23, Hempstead
(Cruickshank) ; 7, “on Long Island in
one day,” Dec. 5 (Carleton, McKeever,
Sedwitz) ; 200, Dec. 23, Montauk (Hel-
muth) .

Ring-necked Dlxk. — 60, Jan. 5,
Brookhaven (Sedwitz).

Canvas-back. — 200, March 15, Cro-
ton Point (Cruickshank).

Greater Scaup. — A flock of birds in
the East River, variously reported to be
500,000 ducks, was estimated by R.
Kuerzi and R. T. Peterson to be about
60,000. These birds are generally re-
ported each winter from the same re-
gion.

Lesser Scaup. — Wintered at Bayside
(Sabin) ; also wintered at Idlewild
(Mayer).

Barrow’s Golden-eye.— Jan. 5, Rari-
tan Bay (Urner).

Am. Eider. — 5, Nov. 18, Moriches
Bay (Wilcox) ; 1, Dec. 5, Montauk
(Carleton, McKeever, Sedwitz).

King Eider. — 1, May 9, Eaton’s Neck
(.•\llyn, R. Berliner, Whitman, Lehr-
man) ; 1, changing male. May 15,

Eaton’s Neck (Cruickshank) ; 2, Nov.
27, Rockaway Point (Kraslow) ; 8,
Dec. 5, Iilontauk (Carleton, McKeever,
Sedwitz) ; 5, Dec. 24, Long Branch
(Black, Seeley).

Hooded Merganser. — 1, pine barrens
of New Jersey, Aug. 1 (Edwards) ;
24-|-, Nov. 29, Rye (Cruickshank).

Am. Merganser. — 1500, March 15,
Croton Point (Cruickshank).

E. Goshawk. — 1, Jan. 5, Hempstead
(Mathews, Rose) ; 1, Jan. 16, Bayside
(Sabin) ; 1, Feb. 6, Babylon (Cruick-

shank) ; 1, adult, April 26, Van Cort-
landt Park (Lehrman, Stephenson) ;
1, Oct. 3, Van Cortlandt Park (Can-
tor, Norse, Karsch) ; 1, Nov. 21, Hun-
ter’s Island (Norse, Karsch) ; 1, Nov.
23, Watermill (Wilcox).

Broad-winged Hawk. — 1, March 10,
Idlewild (Mayer).

■\m. Rough-legged Hawk. — 1, May
8, Newark Meadows (Peterson) ; 1,
Oct. 6, Freeport (Cruickshank).

Golden Eagle. — About Nov. 1, Bear
^fountain (Deeds).

Bald Eagle. — 1, May 29, Rockville
Center (Mahnken) ; 1, Mav 29, Elastic
(J. T. Nichols).

Osprey. — 1, March 15, Woodmere
(Berolzheimer) ; a bird banded on
Gardiner’s Island in 1914, found dead
on the same island, having lived 21
years (Cleaves).

E. Pigeon Hawk. — 1, March 15,
Bayside (Sabin).

King Rail. — 1, May 10, Troy Mead-
ows (Wolfarth) ; 1, May 14-16, Van
Cortlandt Park (Lehrman, Norse).

N. Clapper Rail. — 1, Jan. 11, Idle-
wild (Mayer); 1, Jan. 26, Orient
(Latham) ; June 28, nest with 14 eggs,
nest with 9 eggs; July 3, 3 pair, one
chick, Idlewild (Mayer).

Virginia R.\il. — ^July 5, nest with 5
eggs; July 7, 4 eggs and one chick,
Idlewild (Mayer) ; 1, Nov. 28, Free-
port (Cruickshank).

Yellow Rail. — .\pril 29, Freeport
(Breslau).

Florida Gallinule. — Two pair bred,
\'an Cortlandt Park (Lehrman).

Piping Plover. — May 10, Oak Is-
land, 200 birds on the flats and a nest
with 4 eggs (Gere and Cruickshank) ;
May 21, 23 nests each with 4 eggs,
Jones Beach (Cruickshank).

Semipalmated Plover. — .\pril 26,
\’an Cortlandt Park (Kramer) ; 1000,
maximum, Aug. 6, Idlewild (Mayer).

Killdeer. — Nest with 4 eggs, Troy
Meadows (Sialis Bird Club) ; nest

with 4 eggs, April 26, Lake Success
(Rorclen).

Am. Golden F’lover. — 3, Aug. 27,
Easthanipton (Hclimith) ; 2, Sept. 7,
Newark Meadows (Edwards) ; 1, Sept.
13. Oak Island (Mangels, Mathews,
Ro.se) : 18. Oct. 12, Mecox to Montauk
Point (Helnuith).

Bl.\ck-rellied Plover. — 350, June 2,
l((lewild (Mayer).

Ruddy Turnstone. — 1, daily, June
17-July 2, Idlewild (Mayer) ; 1, June
26, Orient Point (Latham).

.•\m. Woodcock. — -April 26, adult
with 3 young, .Alley Pond Park (Ror-
tlen).

Long-billed Curlew. — July 26,
alone, but size and long bill were indi-
cative of the species. Egg Island
(Umer).

Hudsoni.^n Curlew. — 158 on July
18, 1208 on July 26, 170 on -Aug. 8
(after a cold snap). Egg Island roost
(Urner) ; 1. June 3, Idlewild (Mayer).

Upland Plover. — The rediscovery of
this species as a breeding bird is a
tribute to the persistent effort of Mr.
McKeever and his work on Long Is-
land. In June, south of Hicksville, he
found several pairs, but in July the
young were seen on the plains, though
no nest had been found. 45, July 18,
Newark Meadows (Umer).

Spotted S.andpiper. — ^June 14, nest
with 2 eggs. Idlewild (Mayer).

E. Solitary Sandpiper. — 1, .April 4,
Pawling ( Preston) .

E. WiLLET. — May 9, Meco.x Bay
(Helmuth) .

W. WiLLET. — Oct. 25, Moriches In-
let (Cruickshank and .Audubon So-
ciety) .

Greater Yellow-legs. — 1, Jan. 1,
Hempstead Reservoir (Rose) ; 4, March
26, Cold Spring Harbor (Cruickshank) ;
present up to Dec. 28, Rye (Herbert,
Gere, Oboiko, Cruickshank).

Lesser Yellow-legs. — Jan. 27,
Hempstead Reservoir (Peterson) ; 1,

May 3, Montauk (Scdwitz) ; 500, max-
imum, July 18, Newark Meadows
(Urner) .

.Am. Knot. — 1500, May 30, .Atlantic
Beach (Brown); 4, Nov. 8, Jones
Reach (Cruickshank) ; 3, Nov. 30,
Swan Island, Moriches (Wilcox) ;
Dec. 27, Barnegat (Christmas Cen-
sus) .

Purple Sandpiper. — Feb. 22, Coney
Island (Sialis Bird Club) ; .April 28,
Montauk (Sedwitz) ; Oct. 31, Montauk
(Raynor, Wilcox) ; at Rockaway
Point, 24 on Dec. 5 (Kraslow), 13 on
Dec. 13 (Kraslow, Flynn), 10 on Dec.
20 (Kraslow, Flynn), 1 on Dec. 24 (Al-
periii).

Pectoral Sandpiper. — Several flocks
late in March and early .April, probably
due to the severe storms on the New
Jersey coast (Urner) ; .April 4-5, New-
ark and Tuckerton (Urner) ; 55, July
25, Newark Meadows (Urner),

Baird’s Sandpiper. — 1, May 3-June 7,
Oak Island (Breslau, Mathews, Sed-
witz) : 6, May 9, Georgica Bay (Hel-
muth) ; 1, .Aug. 17, Brigantine (Loet-
scher) ; Sept. 7, Newark (Urner) ; Sept.
13, Jones Beach (Mathews, Mangels,
Rose).

E. Dowitcher. — -April 11, Long Beach
(Cruickshank) ; 1375, July 25, Jersey
coast (Urner).

Long-billed Dowitcher. — 1, Aug. 19,
Idlewild (Mayer) ; late Oct., Delaware
River, near Ft. Mott (Edwards, Urner,
ct ah).

Western Sandpiper. — May 24, Ale-
cox Bay (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 1, Alay
31, Jones Beach (Alathews, Sedwitz) ;
2, Dec. 27, Barnegat (Christmas Cen-
sus).

AI.arbled Godwit. — Alay 17, .Absecon
(Walsh) ; numerous records from Aug.
20, Brigantine (Banner) to Sept. 20,
Oak Island (Breslau, Sedwitz) ; 1,

Aug. 23, Idlewild (Lind, Afayer).

Hudsoman Godwit. — Aug. 21, Ne-
ponsit (Mayer) to Oct. 12, Tuckerton
(Urner) ; New Inlet, Sept. 7-20, nu-
merous observers.

Avocet. — Sept. 27, Moriches Inlet
(Wilcox).

Red Phalarope.— 2, April 29, Fire
Island Inlet (Breslau) ; May 17, Sea-
side Park (Walsh) ; Aug. 31, Brigan-
tine (Banner) ; Sept. 20, Oakwood
Beach (Norse) ; Oct. 4, Elizabeth (Ur-
ner) ; 1, Oct. 5, Aloriches Inlet (Wil-
cox).

Wilson’s Phalarope. — Adult female.
May 12, Jones Beach (Cruickshank) ;
Aug. 30, Mecox Bay (Helmuth) ; Sept.
11, Newark Meadows (Fechtner).

Northern Phalarope. — 1, Aug. 21,
Rockaway Point (Alayer) ; Sept. 20,
Oak Island (Norse).

PoMARiNE Jaeger. — 1, Aug. 27, Geor-
gica Pond (Helmuth) ; Sept. 27, Jones
Beach (Lehrman) ; 1, Oct. 25, Montauk
(Cruickshank).

Parasitic Jaeger. — 2, possibly 3,
May 9, Jones Beach (Allyn, Berliner,
Lehrman, Whitman) ; May 13, Atlantic
Beach (Mayer) ; 20, Aug. 31, Oak Is-
land Beach (Mathews, Mangels, Rose) ;
several, Oct. 25, Montauk Point
(Cruickshank) ; 1, Dec. 5, Montauk
(Carleton, McKeever, Sedwitz).

Long-tailed Jaeger. — Aug. 29,
Georgica Pond (Helmuth).

Glaucous Gull. — May 13, Atlantic
Beach (Mayer).

Iceland Gull. — ^June 12, Jones Beach
(Mayer) ; /\ug. 2, Jones Beach. Pre-
sumably the same bird, with worn-off
primaries in the first winter plumage,
was collected alive, and presented to
the New York Zoological Park; in a
few months the bird molted out into a
perfectly plumaged Kumlien’s Gull
(Hickey).

Great Black-backed Gull. — June
25, Jones Beach (Mayer).

Laughing Gull. — .\pril 21, Bay.side
( Sabin) .

Bonaparte’s Gull. — Summered on
Newark Bay (Urner) ; Jan. 5, 4500
birds in one flock, Montauk (Sedwitz).

Little Gull. — May 1-4, New York
Harbor (Chapin, Rich).

Atlantic Kittiwake. — 1, immature.
Sept. 20, Moriches Inlet (Breslau, Sed-
witz) ; 1, Oct. 5, Montauk (Helmuth) ;
8, Dec. 5, Montauk (Carleton, Mc-
Keever, Sedwitz) ; 1, immature, after
a hard storm, Dec. 24, Rockaway Point
(Alperin, Kraslow).

Sabine’s Gull. — Nov. 8, Barnegat
Bay (Walsh).

Gull-billed Tern. — Aug. 26, Mo-
riches Inlet (Fry).

Forster’s Tern. — 6, Aug. 27, East-
hampton (Helmuth) ; 100, peak of

flight, Oct. 12, Newark Meadows (Ur-
ner) ; 50, Nov. 6, Rockaway Point
(Mayer) .

Common Tern. — May 10, Oak Is-
land, a maximum count of 1500 on the
flats (Sedwitz) ; 800, Nov. 6, Rock-
away Point (Mayer).

Least Tern. — May 10, 6 nests with
3 eggs each (Sedwitz).

Caspian Tern. — 2, May 8-9, East-
hampton (Helmuth) ; 1, June 20,

Jones Beach (Chapin, Mahnken, Po-
sel) ; 1, July 25, Jones Beach (Sabin) ;
Aug. 26, Oakwood Beach (Norse) ; 4,
Aug. 29, Easthampton (Helmuth) ;
Sept. 20, Asbury Park (Mitterdorf) ; 1,
Sept. 21, 26, Moriches (Wilcox).

Black Tern. — May 31, Jones Beach
(Fry) ; in August, 22 miles off the
coast of New Jersey, suggesting that
they migrate regularly offshore each
fall (Urner).

Black Skimmer. — April 30, Mo-
riches Inlet (Cruickshank) ; 1, June 7,
Oak Island and Gilgo (Sedwitz) :
Moriches Inlet, 8 on July 2, 10 on July
3, one pair west of the inlet in tern
colony; July 31, 5 nests, one with
young (Wilcox) ; 1, July 8, Idlewild
(Mayer) ; 1, immature. Nov. 6, Rock-
away Point (Mayer).

Razor-billed Auk. — 1, March 7,
Long Beach (Mayer) ; 1, Dec. 27, \ron-
tauk (McKeever, Sedwitz).

Dovekie. — Feb. 16, Montauk (Sed-
witz, Stephenson, Weber) ; Dec. 26,
Moriches Inlet (D. G., J. T. and W. F.
Nichols) : Dec. 27, Montauk (Mc-
Keever, Sedwitz).

Black Guille.mot. — Dec. 27, Newark
Bay (Urner) ; Dec. 27, Montauk (Bres-
lau).

E. Mouk.xing Dove. — ^June 18, Ros-
lyn, nest with 2 eggs, placed in this
year’s nest of a Robin (Fry).

Barn Owl.— Oct. 15, 22, 23, Elm-
hurst (Mrs. Beals) ; Dec. 23, Montauk
(Helmuth).

Great Horned Owl. — Dec. 26, Pali-
sades, N. J., “so tame that observer
scratched the owl’s head and neck, with-
out making the bird move; later the
bird flew' away, perfectly normal’’
(Karsch).

Snow'y Owl. — 2, Jan. 19, Long
Beach (Cruickshank) ; March 26, Idle-
wild (Mayer).

E. Whip-p(X)R-w'ill. — 2 pair bred at
Forest Lake, White Plains (Cook).

E. Nighthawk. — 20, Sept. 2; 200,
Sept. 3 ; 1000, Sept. 4, Port Chester
(Cook).

Chimney Swift. — Oct. 10, Summit
(P. Murphy).

N. PiLE-ATED Woodpecker. — March 1,
Sparta (Wolfarth).

Red-bellied Woodpecker. — 1, Jan.
25, Hatfield Marshes (Edwards, Rus-
ling) ; 1, Dec. 23, Woodmere (nar-
rower).

Red-headed Woodpecker. — Dec. 29,
Bayside (Sabin).

Yellow-bellied Sapsucxer. — Feb.
24, Rye (Cruickshank).

Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.—
Oct. 12, Georgica Woods (Helmuth).

Arkansas Kingbird. — 2, Sept. 7,
Miller Place (Helme) ; Sept. 27, Jones
Beach (Lehrman) ; Oct. 11, Jones
Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz) ; 2 and 1,

Oct. 4, and Oct. 31, respectively. Idle-
wild (Mayer).

E. Phoebe. — Dec. 27, Van Cortlandt
Park (Cruickshank, Lehrman).

Acadian Flycatcher. — Nest with
one egg, June 9, Long Branch (Seeley).

N. Horned Lark. — 1500, March, Ori-
ent (Latham).

Prairie Horned Lark. — Bred at
Idlewild, having two broods (Mayer, et
al.) ; 1, Nov. 8, Jones Beach (McKeev-
er, Sedwitz).

Tree Swallow. — 5, March 15, Bay-
side (Sabin).

Barn Swaluiw. — March 15, West-
bury (Mathews).

N. Cliff Swallow. — April 7, Brook-
haven (Allyn, Berliner, Whitman) ;
the studies of Wolfarth and Wilson
show that this species has shifted its
distribution in central New Jersey, 110
nests being found at West Milford.

Am. Magpie. — Feb. 12, Englewood
(Norse, Cantor).

E. Crow. — Nest with 2 eggs, April
8, Yaphank (Cruickshank).

Fish Crow. — May 10, 2 nests, Mas-
sapequa (Fables).

Carolina Chickadee. — ^January and
February, Union (Fables).

E. House Wren. — 1, Dec. 27, Queens
County (Queens County Bird Club).

Short-billed Marsh Wren. — 2,
daily throughout August, Idlewild
(Mayer).

E. Mockingbird. — 1, Aug. 7, Mt.
Sinai (Helme) ; Dec. 25-27, at a feed-
ing station, Essex County (Essex Coun-
ty Bird Club).

N. Varied Thrush. — This rare wes-
tern species w'as found in the garden
of Mrs. John H. Boesh on Staten Is-
land, Nov. 24, and the record corrobo-
rated by Miss Mackie and Mr. Davis
(see Auk, Bird-Lore, Staten Island
Bulletin, etc.).

Bicknell’s Thrush. — Sept. 12, Oct.
12, Nov. 8, birds caught in traps, Elm-
hurst (Mrs. Beals) ; 1, injured bird,
Oct. 6, Kensico (Gere, Cruickshank).

Greenland Wheatear. — 1, Dec. 27,
Montauk. Studied for over 3 hours, at
times as close as 10 yards, while it fed
and flew with a flock of SO Snow Bunt-
ings (Breslau).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — May 1,
Mastic (D. G. Nichols) ; autumn rec-
ords from Aug. 14, Central Park
(Mathews) to Oct. 27, Columbia Col-
lege (Stephenson).

Cedar Wax wing. — June 2, Central
Park (Rich).

N. Shrike. — March 15, Montauk
(McKeever, Sedwitz) ; March 22, Kew
Gardens (Sedwitz) ; Nov. 23, Hemp-
stead (Cruickshank) ; Dec. 27, Mon-
tauk (McKeever, Sedwitz).

Migrant Shrike. — April 18, Queens
Village (Rorden) ; Aug. 22, Miller
Place (Helme).

Blue-headed Vireo. — April 21, Bay-
side (Sabin).

Red-eyed ^''IREO. — Nov. 3, Palisades,
N. J. (Norse, Cantor, Karsch).

Philadelphia Vireo. — May 4, In-
wood (Norse).

Prothonotary Warbler. — Aug. 18,
Elmhurst (Mrs. Beals) ; Aug. 22, In-
wood (Norse).

Worm-eating Warbler. — ^July 26,
Elmhurst (Mrs. Beals) ; Oct. 11, Bronx
Botanical Gardens (Lehrman).

Blue-winged Warbler. — April 28,
Bronx Park (Solomon).

Orange-crowned Warbler. — Sept.
25 and Nov. 13, Inwood (Norse) ; Dec.
23, Rye (Cruickshank) ; Dec. 28, Alley
Pond Park (Astle, Imhof, Fischer).

N. Parula Warbler. — Singing male,
June 20 and 21, Mastic (J. T. Nichols) ;
Nov. 18, Manorville (Raynor).

Myrtle Warbler. — A coastal flight,
March 1, Jones Beach (Peterson).

Black-throated Blue Warbler. —
Nov. 3, Palisades, N. J. (Norse, Can-
tor, Karsch).

Yellow-throated Warbler. — April
12, North Wildwood, N. J. (Norse,
Cantor, Karsch).

N. Prairie Warbler. — Increase in
Dutchess County (Preston).

W. Palm Warbler. — Dec. 26, Prince-
ton (Loetscher, Russell).

Oi-EN-BiRD.— June 18, Roslyn, feed-
ing one young out of the nest (Fry).

N. Water-Thrush. — ^July 20, Elm-
hurst (Mrs. Beals).

Connecticut Warbler. — Sept. 7,
Elmhurst (Mrs. Beals) ; Oct. 1, In-
wood (Karsch) ; Oct. 18, Jones Beach
(Cruickshank).

N. Yellow -throat. — ^Jan. 4, Jones
Beach (Cruickshank) ; Dec. 25, Bronx
Region (Bronx Christmas Census).

Yellow-breasted Chat. — Aug. 26,
Elmhurst (Mrs. Beals).

Bobolink. — ^June 30, migrating south-
west and calling, Idlewild (Mayer).

E. Red-wing. — July, Floral Park. A
pair of nests in the middle of a plain,
the closest water being over a mile
distant. The nests were in stunted trees
not over a foot and a half from the
groimd, and contained 4 eggs each. The
unusual situation was made more unique
because the birds seemed to be feeding
exclusively on the tent caterpillars that
infested the trees, sucking the insects
dry and leaving the hairy skins all over
the trees. Not a live caterpillar was
found within 50 feet of the nests (Sed-
witz).

Rusty Blackbird. — 1, Jan. 17, Idle-
wild (Mayer).

Boat-tailed Grackle. — May 10,
Beach Haven, a male and female seen
in the high-tide bush on the marshes
(Urner).

Grackle (subsp.). — 10,500, Dec. 26,
Princeton (Christmas Census).

E. Cardinal. — .'\pril 12, 16, 20, 23,
Central Park ‘Ramble’ (Lehrman, Jan-
vrin, Knoblauch) ; April 12, 19, Bronx
Park (Sialis Bird Club) ; 1, singing
male, Aug. 15, Idlewild (Mayer).

E. Blue Grosbeak. — August, Prince-
ton (Loetscher).

E. Even’ing Grosbeak. — 15 or 16,
Nov. 27, and 2 weeks previous. West
Point (Gerard Haigh).

E. Purple Finch. — Nested at Chap-
paqua (Pangburn).

Canadian Pine Grosbeak. — 18, Jan.
5, Montauk (Sedwitz, Wolfram).

British Goldfinch. — March 15,
Hempstead (Rorden) ; April 12, Sea-
ford (Mangels) ; Aug. 8, Bayside
(Bohn).

Redpoll. — One of the greatest inva-
sions ever known in our region was
recorded by numerous observers, in all
parts of the New York City area. A
good flight of the species was noted in
January, but in February it became very
heavy. A flock was seen in the fall of
the year, although no real flight ap-
peared at that time. Maximum number
of Redpolls in one flock was 300 at
Orient, Jan. 26 (Latham) ; 150, Oct.
30, Bronx Park (Banner) ; latest rec-
ord in the spring was April 8, 2 birds
at Inwood (Karsch, Werner). The
flight was noted as far south as Prince-
ton (Rogers), and the birds were not
uncommon on the outer beaches (Cruick-
shank) .

N. Pine Siskin. — 200, Jan. 4, Jones
Beach (Cruickshank).

Red Crossbill. — 9, Jan. 9, Syosset
, Cruickshank) ; 4 of this species were
observed summering before and after
Aug. 14, Pine Lake Park, near Tom’s
River (Fables).

White-winged Crossbill. — 3, July
10, Pine Lake Park (Fables).

Ipswich Sparrow. — 1, March 29,
Montauk (Sedwitz).

Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — July 5, nest
with 5 well-feathered young, Idlewild
(Mayer) ; 1, caught in web of the
Golden Spider, Newark Meadows, Aug.
16 (Urner).

Nelson’s Sparrow. — Dec. 22, Bronx
Region (Bronx County Bird Club).

N. Seaside Sparrow. — ^Jan. 18, Free-
port (Cruickshank) ; June 28, nest with
3 eggs, Idlewild (Mr. and Mrs. Beals,
Mayer) ; Oct. 20, Pelham Bay Park
(L. N. Nichols).

E. Lark Sparrow. — July 25, Jones
Beach (Sabin) ; Oct. 10, Freeport
(Cruickshank).

E. Chipping Sparrow. — 4, March 25,
Garden City (Cruickshank) ; 1, Dec.
27, Van Cortlandt Park (Cruickshank).

Lincoln’s Sparrowl — May 7, Idle-
wild (Mayer) ; 3, one in song, Roslyn
(Fry) ; Nov. 8, Hempstead (McKeever,
Sedwitz).

Lapland Longspur. — Feb. 15, Hill-
view (Norse, Karsch) ; 1, Nov. 7, 8,
Rodman’s Neck (Banner, Lehrman) ;
10, Nov. 8, Jones Beach (Cruickshank).

Brewster's Warbler. — May 31,
Grassy Sprain (Lehrman) ; June 6, fe-
male mated to a Blue-winged Warbler,
Grassy Sprain (Norse) ; July 24, Great
Swamp (Rebell) ; July 28, 31 and Aug.
15, Inwood (Cantor, Norse).

THE ORNITHOLOGICAL YEAR 1937 IN THE
NEW YORK CITY REGION
By Walter Sedwitz

With little beyond bare details of the highlights of the year, and
a smattering of general discussion, this report is presented with the
hope that in the near future a publication will consolidate the great
fund of material that is to be found in the fertile territory of the
New York City region.

The year 1937 was a most successful one for the many bird ob-
servers who were constantly in the field, for it was a year of unusual
and rare birds in our section. Moreover, it was the first year that
young Herring Gulls were marked with the bright red, yellow, and
blue celluloid bands that gave these usually stodgy, mottled, and unat-
tractive birds new life in the eyes of bird watchers. When one could
say that he or she had seen a gull from Kent Island, N. B., it added
interest to the report. Records from fishermen, sailors, and many
keen sportsmen soon came through the mails from many sections,
and by the end of the year a splendid set of records was at hand.
Several species of birds, long absent from our region, were definitely
reported as nesting; and a new breeding record was finally substan-
tiated for a species long suspected of nesting in this State.

January was a mild month, with several snowfalls ; in each case,
the snow lasted only a few days. This was to the advantage of the
wintering birds, especially our smaller species. There was little general
frost, and a temperature reading on the 15th was 65°F. In discussing
the weather, Mr. Urner thought that the warm winter was a great
aid in preserving our small wintering birds, and predicted a fine breed-
ing season for these species. Forsythia and pussy willows were bloom-
ing in mid-January in the Barnegat region, according to Urner. Great
flocks of many varieties of shorebirds wintered on the flats in the
Barnegat region, as many as twelve species being noted at one time.
Pintails were migrating north over the coastal marshes in mid-January.
Upland birds, however, were little affected by the unseasonable
warmth, and what migration was detected consisted of a slight in-
crease in Grackles and Song Sparrows. Mr. Vogt thought, and his
opinion was corroborated by many observers, that there was a definite
decrease in the number of small land birds, and he expected a corre-
sponding decrease in the Raptores that prey on these species for food.
Observers from eastern Long Island told of a fine flight of Kittiwakes,
with maximum counts at Montauk, and a fair sprinkling of records

along the south shore. King Eiders were seen on western Long
Island, in numbers rarely recorded. A small flight of Auks and Dove-
kies was also reported.

February, until the middle of the month, was as mild as January,
but after the 15th lasting snows fell. There was a diminution of mi-
gration and a general lull in bird life. To shake the dust off the records,
however, Urner reported a careful identification of the Lesser Black-
backed Gull at Newark Bay, w-here he had an opportunity to compare
the actions of the bird wdtli the many other species of Larus present
at the same time.

March, a normal month in a meteorological way, brought one of
the real ornithological finds of the last few decades. Observers lo-
cated a roost of blackbirds that, at first, was regarded as impossible
to count. Conservative estimates w'ere in the vicinity of 100,000. The
roost consisted mainly of Starlings, Crackles, and a scattering of the
other blackbirds. This roost, at Raritan Ar.senal, N. J., was found only
after diligent detective work on the part of cooperating observers, who
tracked the birds over many miles of the State.

April was a rainy month but, in spite of the inclement weather,
there were many interesting records. In southern New Jersey, over
5000 Snow and Blue Geese were found in a flock off Fortesque. In
early April, migrants showed up many days ahead of their usual ap-
pearance and late in the month a fine May-like wave of warblers and
other migrants was noted all over the region. At Moriches Inlet, L. L,
a great flight of both ocean-going phalaropes was observed about
April 29th. These birds stayed into May, and were seen as far west
as Jones Beach by many observers.

May, with very^ little rain and a great deal of heat, was dis-
appointing because of the lack of the concentrated waves that are
always expected. Due to this condition, the big-list days in mid-!May
were only fair, and the higher counts were made only with great
effort. The rara axns nevertheless came through, as witness: Oyster-
catcher and Purple Gallinule from Long Island, Yellow Rail from
northern New Jersey, and Summer Tanager from Manhattan and
Brooklyn parks. An amazing date for the Purple Sandpiper was
recorded at Tuckerton marshes in late May.

June still found many species migrating, such as Kingbird, Chat,
Robin, and a host of warblers. Having lasted past the calendar date
of May 31, the duration of the migration brought forth comment,
although few are the bird hunters who venture out in search of mi-

grants at that date. Nesting birds claimed attention, with the follow-
ing results ; nests of the Prairie Horned Lark, Upland Plover, Herring
Gull, and Black Rail, all found in the confines of our region.

July was a month for the rarer species : Glossy Ibis, up to five in-
dividuals in southern Jersey; European Bar-tailed Godwit in the Barne-
gat Bay region; Red Crossbills all summer near Lakewood, N. J. ;
and a most astounding number of Wilson’s Petrels in Lower New
York Bay, estimated at 100,000. There was a fair flight of white
herons, all three species being present for several weeks in favored
spots. A definite warbler movement was observed in late July by
two independent observers, Norse from Inwood Park, and Carleton
from Central Park.

August was very warm and excessively rainy, factors that helped
to break the dryness of the two previous months. Both godwits were
recorded toward the end of the month after a small blow, and a Curlew
Sandpiper was noted at Jones Beach.

September saw a great flight of Broad-winged Hawks over a two-
day period at Clifton, N. J., when more than 1600 birds were counted
in a short time.

October brought a wide flight of warblers, and large lists were
compiled all over the region, especially near the seacoast. An Avocet
was seen and collected on Fire Island in the early days of the month.
The first appreciable numbers of ducks showed that the flight was
not up to par.

November found the ducks well below normal counts, with the
exception of the Ruddy. There were some fair flocks of Redheads
reported from Long Island. Working with foresight, endurance and
speed, Cadbur}'^ and Cruickshank recorded twenty-nine species of
ducks, geese and brant in one day on Long Island, an outstanding
list anywhere. Urner attributed the duck shortage in New Jersey to
the lack of new eel grass in the bays of eastern New Jersey, while
others thought the lack of cold weather held the ducks to the north
of us. There were several records for the Green Heron.

December was mild, but a definite flight of Snowy Owls was noted
all through the coastal region, with as many as five and six noted at
one place in a few hours, such as at Jones Beach, L. I. There was
also a small flight of Dovekies on Long Island, but the majority of
birds were found dead.

With this brief resume, the notes that follow are meant to be the
meat of this re])ort, and if any important data have been omitted, the

observer is to blame, for along with the regular notes of the Society,
Bird-Lore and Long Island Bird Motes were carefully searched for
worthwhile records.

Finally, thanks are due to Dr. Narrower, Mr. Hickey, Mr. Cruick-
shank, Mr. Carleton. Mr. McKeever, and the late Mr. Urner, as well
as to the host of friends who have been kind enough to go through
their notes and unearth pertinent facts. As the popular names of the
following conform to those given in the Fourth Edition of the .-f. 0. U.
Check-List, scientific names have been omitted.

P.^ciFic Loon’. — 1. Oct. 3. Long
Beach, “still dark on the fore neck . . .
paleness in crown was still present, but
the bird in general was changing into
winter plumage (Sedwitz).

Red-thro.\ted Loox. — 5, May 16,
Eaton’s Neck (.Mlyn, Berliner, Har-
rower) ; 1, May 22, Lake Parsippany
(Fleischer. Solitar, Solomon).

PiED-Biu.En Grebe. — 1, Feb. 7, Brook-
haven (Carleton).

SooTV She.\r\v.\ter. — 2, May 23, Oak
Island Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz, Ste-
phenson) : 2, May 29, Moriches Inlet,
and 1, Southampton, same day (Mc-
Keever, Sedwitz) : 1, May 30, Jones
Beach (Denniston) : 1, Sept. 12. Jones
Beach (Sabin).

Gre.xter She.\rwater. — 3, May 4,
Easthampton (Helmuth) ; 5, Sept. 19,
Jones Inlet (Lind).

Cory’s She.arw.atfjj. — 2. June 26,
Mastic (J. T. Nichols) ; 1, June 27,
Oak Island Beach (Carleton, Sed-
witz) ; 200, Nov. 7, Montauk (R. T.
Peterson) : present, Nov. 11, Montauk
(Arbib. Berolzheimer) ; 1, Nov. 14,
Long Beach (Sedwitz).

-\tl.\n-tic Fulm.ar. — 1, Oct. 13, “an
adult bird in the light phase was noted
fluttering and circling about 100 feet
outside the surf, near Ft. Tilden . . .
pigeon-like head, etc. ...” (Mayer).
A well-authenticated sight record of
one of the rarest pelagic birds to visit
our shores.

Wilson’s Petrel. — 100,000, June 1,
New York Harbor (F. .Allen) ; esti-
mated over 30,000, about same place and
date (Breslau) ; as far north as Ft.
Lee ferry (Deeds) : 100, June 14, Rock-
away Point (Imhof) : 50, July 3, Long
Beach (Sedwitz) ; 3, Sept. 19, Jones
Inlet (Lind).

Gannet. — Common on the south shore
of Long Island, Jan. 17 (Carleton,
Cruickshank, Mangels, McKeever,
Rose) ; 15, Jan. 19, Jones Beach

(Cruickshank) ; 20, Feb. 13, Montauk
(Wilcox) ; 125, Feb. 7, Montauk

(Carleton, McKeever, Staloff, Stephen-
son) ; 1, Sept. 19, Jones Inlet (Lind).

European Cormorant. — 5, Nov. 11,
Montauk (Arbib, Berolzheimer).

Double-crested Cormorant. — 1,
Jan. 3, Rockaway Point (Sedwitz).

.Am. Egret. — 1, .April 25-26, Orient
(Latham) ; 3, June 25, Tobay Beach
(Denniston) ; 60, present on Long Is-
land, July 25 {Long Island Bird
Xoti’s) : 40, middle of Sept., Oak Is-
land {Long Island Bird Azotes) ; 1,
Nov. 12, Moslem Springs, Pa. (Broun,
Shainin) .

Snowy Egret. — 1, .Aug. 15, Gilgo
Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz, Shainin,
Stephenson) : maximum, 4, early Sept.,
Jones Beach (Cruickshank) ; 1, Oct. 1,
F reeport ( Cruickshank) .

Little Blue Heron. — 1, .April 30,
Hewlett (Cruickshank) ; present in
small numbers throughout Sept, on
Long Island.

E. Green Heron. — 1, Nov. 7, Green-
wood Cemetery (Hix) ; 1, Nov. 16,
Long Beach (Cruickshank) ; 1, Nov.
26, Mecox Bay (Wilcox).

Yellow-crowned Night Heron. — 2,
April 24, Seaside Park (Painter, Shain-
in) ; 1, May 3, Woodmere (Adelberg,
Lustberg) ; 1, May 23, Idlewild

(Mayer) ; 1, Oct. 11, Hewlett (Cruick-
shank) .

Am. Bittern. — 1, Jan. 2, Port New-
ark (Rosenbaum).

E. Least Bittern. — 3, Aug. 29,
Idlewild (Mayer).

E. Glossy Ibis. — As many as 5 at
one time at Fallsboro, N. J., during
July (Urner) ; 1, Aug. 15, Jones Beach
(Carleton, Sedwitz, Shainin, Stephen-
-son).

-A.m. Brant. — 3800, April 10, Jones
Beach (Sabin) ; 1, all summer. Oak
Island Beach (many observers).

Greater Snow Goose. — 5000 to
6000, April 4, Fortesque (Urner) ;
large flock, April 13, over Union City
(Eynon) ; 1, immature, Sept. 26-Oct.
3 (Lind, Rose) ; 1, Dec. 22, Westport
( Cruickshank).

Blue Goose. — A few mixed in with
the Snow Geese, April 4, Fortesque
(Urner).

Gadwall. — 1, Jan. 17, Lake Agassiz
(Norse) ; 2, Oct. 3, Hempstead (T.
Mahnken) ; 2, Oct. 3, Brookhaven

(Cruickshank) ; 8, Nov. 21, Brook-
havcn ( Cruickshank) .

European Widgeon. — ^3, Nov. 21,
Brookhaven (Cruickshank).

.\m. Pintail. — 1, Aug. 29, Van
Cortlandt Park (Norse).

European Teal. — 1, Jan. 24, Jones
Beach (many observers) ; 6, April 16,
Hempstead (Cruickshank).

Blue-winged Teal. — 1, Nov. 22.
Hempstead (Cruickshank).

Shoveller. — 18, Feb. 12, Brookhaven
(Raynor) ; 150, mid-Nov., Ft. Mott
(Urner) .

Wood Duck. — 12, March 13, Oak-
land Lake and Alley Pond (Sabin).

Redhead. — 1, May 22, Watermill
(Sabin) ; 1, Oct. 9, Baldwin (Norse,
Cantor) ; 8, Watermill, and 6, Brook-
haven, Nov. 10 (Cadbury, Cruick-
shank) ; 35, Nov. 25, Little Neck Bay
( Bohn) . In .view of the local rarity, it
is the author’s view that every record of
the Redhead should be recorded, to keep
a strict watch on the future status of
this diminishing species.

Greater Scaup. — All summer at Old
Mill (Imhof).

Lesser Scaup. — 5, Oct. 2, Northport
(Fry, Ingersoll).

Am. Golden-eye. — 1, female, all sum-
mer at Old Mill (Imhof).

Barrow’s Golden-eye. — 1, Feb. 1,
Montauk (reported for Pangburn, by
Hickey).

Buffle-head. — I, May 1, Kensico
(Cruickshank) .

Am. Eider. — I, March 14, Montauk
(McKeever, Sedwitz) ; 1, ^larch 21,
Montauk (Helmuth) ; 1, Dec. 12, Mon-
tauk (Arbib, Davis) ; 1, Dec. 19, Mon-
tauk (Cobb, Helmuth, Peterson).

King Eider. — 9, Jan. 3, Rockaway
Point (Sedwitz) ; 3, Jan. 9-10, Montauk
(Janvrin, Vogt) ; 1, adult, Feb. 28.
Northport (Allyn, Janvrin) : 2, March
17, Eaton’s Neck (Cruickshank) ; 4,
March 21, Montauk (Helmuth) ; 1, Oct.

16, Rockaway (Painter) ; 13, Dec. 12,
Montauk (Allyn, Carleton, Sedwitz,
Woodbridge) .

Ruddy Duck. — 1, May 16, Eaton’s
Neck (.Allyn, Berliner, rt al.) ; 239,
Nov. 7, Kellis Pond, L. I. (Peterson).

H(X)dei) Merganser. — 2, Nov. 7,
Rockaway Point (Sedwitz).

.Am. Merganser. — 3. July 4, Dela-
ware Water Gap (Ajello, Sanford).

Red-breasted Merganser. — Seen
with young in Barnegat Bay during the
summer (Potter).

Turkey Vulture. — 2, .April 3-12,
.Ashoken Reservoir (Cruickshank) ; 1,
April 12, Inwood (Norse) ; 2, March

17, Eaton’s Neck (Cruickshank) ; 2,

May 15, Pound Ridge (Cruicksliank) ;

1, May 31, Orient (Latham) ; 3, Aug.
25. Idlewild (Imhof).

Black Vulture. — 1, May 23, Tu.k-
edo (Berliner).

E. (^SHAWK. — 1, Feb. 1, Pelham Bay
Park (Norse) ; 1, Feb. 13, Rosedale
(Mayer) ; 2, March 13, Pound Ridge
(Cruickshank) ; 1, Nov. 26, Montauk
(Shainin, Jacobson).

Cooper’s Hawk. — Nesting on Staten
Island for the 5th consecutive year
(Cleaves).

Broad-wingei) Hawk. — 1. .April 12.
Freeport (Cruickshank) ; 1200 on Sept.
20, 900 on Sept. 21, Clifton (Mangels) :

2, Sept. 26. Jones Reach (Cruick-
shank).

Bald Eagle. — Aug. 13-15, Mastic (J.
T. Nichols) ; 1, Sept. 12, Brookhaven
(Rose): 1, Sept. 20, Bayside (Sabin).

Osprey. — 1, March 20, Hempstead
(Kraslow) ; 1, Nov. 7, Mastic

(Nichols): 1, Nov. 11. Oak Island
(Imhof).

King Rail. — 1, June 10, Troy Mead-
ows (Kraslow) : 1, Nov. 2, Hewlett
(Cruickshank).

SoRA. — Bred and raised young in Van
Cortlandt Park (Sialis Bird Club).

Yellow Rail. — 2, calling, early May,
Troy Meadows (Hun).

Black Rail. — Noted from early May
until June 20, when the nest and 8
eggs were found at Oak Island. On
June 27, 3 eggs and 4 downy young
were seen. This constitutes the first
State breeding record for the bird
(Carleton, Sedwitz. Stephenson) ; about
the same time, young were found at
Long Beach, L. I. (Mrs. Beals).

Purple Gallinule. — 1, .April 28,
Freeport (Cruickshank).

.Am. Oyster-catcher. — 1. May 9,
Moriches Inlet (Sven Raven, and cor-
roborated by Wilcox).

Piping Plover. — 12, Oct. 3, Point
Lookout (Sedwitz).

Killdeer. — Nest with 4 eggs, hatched
out on May 7 (Cruickshank).

.Am. Golden Plovt-;r. — 1, .April 18,
Idlewild (Mayer) : 8, Sept. 6, Mecox
Ray, and 9, Sagaponack (Carleton, Mc-
Keever, Shainin, Stephenson) : 17, Sept.
13, Mecox Bay (Sedwitz, Carleton) :
13, Sept. 25, Oak Island Beach (.Allyn,
Brooks, Carleton, Woodbridge) ; 1,

Nov. 2, Idlewild (MayerL

Ruddy Turnsto.ne;. — 1, Nov. 14,
Rockaway Point (Carleton) ; 1, Dec.
26, Sands Point (Cruick.shank) .

■\m. WooikiX'k. — .A great movement
on Nov. 1 (Rich).

Hudsoxian Curlew. — 1. .April 18,
Oak Island (.Allyn, .Vdcllierg, Berliner,
Whitman) : 3, May 23, Oakwood Beach
(Mr. and Mrs. Rich) ; 300, July 17,
.Absecon (Urner) : 1, Oct. 29, Freeport
(Cruickshank).

Upland Plover. — 2, .April 9, Free-
port (Cruickshank) ; 6, May 4, Farm-
ingdale (Cruickshank) ; several pair
probably breeding in Morris County,
N. J. (Eynon).

Spotted Sandpiper. — 1, Nov. 14,
Newark (.Ajello).

E. WiLi.ET. — Several, .April 29, Mor-
iches Inlet (Wilcox) : 2, May 23, Oak-
wood Reach (Mr. and Mrs. Rich).

Greater A’eli.ow-legs. — ^Jan. 1. Rye
(Cruickshank).

-Am. Knot. — Jan. 24. Barnegat
(Umer).

Purple Sandpiper. — 30 wintered on
the Barnegat strip (Urner) : 3, May
23, Tuckerton (Rogers, ef a/.) : on L.
L, came in on Oct. 9, Long Beach
(Cruickshank) : Oct. 12, Oak Island
(Kraslow) : Oct. 17, Atlantic Beach
(Mayer) : 13, Dec. 19, Montauk (Cobb,
Helmuth, Peterson).

Baird’s Sandpiper. — 1, May 16, Oak
Island (.Allyn, Berliner) : 4, May 22,
Mecox Bay (Carleton, Sedwitz) : 2
July 23, Oak Island (Denniston) : 1,
Sept. 15, World’s Fair grounds (Fisch-
er, Sabin) : 1, Oct. 20, Idlewild

(Mayer).

Curlew Sandpiper. — 1, in pale spring
plumage, June 27, Oak Island Beach
(Carleton, Sedwitz, Stephenson) ; 1,

Aug. 8, Jones Beach, possibly same
bird (?) (Allyn) ; 1, Oct. 3, Brigantine
(Urner).

Red-backed Sandpiper. — 2, Aug. 8,
Oak Island Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz,
Stephenson), one in full winter plum-
age and the other in breeding plumage,
both associating with the Curlew Sand-
piper.

Long-billed Dowitcher. — 1, May 9,
Brigantine Beach (Nathan, Staloff,
Weber) ; 1, Sept. 10, Jones Beach
(Mayer) ; 1, Sept. 11, Tuckerton

(Storer) ; 1, Sept. 12, Jones Beach
(Allyn, Brooks, Carleton, Sedwitz,
Woodbridge) .

Stilt Sandpiper. — 1, May 16, Brigan-
tine (Urner) ; 1, July 1, Jones Beach
(Carleton, Stephenson).

Western Sandpiper. — Wintered in
N. J. (Urner) ; 2, June 3, Point Look-
out (L. N. Nichols) ; great influx on
Sept. 19.

Marbled Godwit.— 1, Aug. 27, Oak
Island (Norse) ; 2, same place, Aug.
28 (Brooks, Allyn) ; 2, early Sept.,
Newark Bay (Carleton, Urner) ; 2,
Sept. 11, Tuckerton (Storer) ; 1, Sept.
19, Meadowbrook Causeway (Mayer) ;
1, Oct. 3, Oak Island (Rose) ; 2, Dec.
26, Baniegat (Urner).

Bar-tailed Godwit. — 1, July 17, Ab-
secon (Urner). One of the few con-
tinental records for this species ; it was
present in that region for over a week.

Hudsonian Godwit. — 1, Aug. 29,
Jones Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz, Steph-
enson) ; 2, Oak Island, same day, same
observers: 1, Aug. 12-16, Moriches In-
let (Cobb) ; 1 on Sept. 11, Newark, 1
on Sept. 19, Baniegat, 1 on Sept. 26,
Tuckerton (Urner).

.Avocet. — 1, shot, Oct. 3, Point Dem-
ocrat, Fire Island (reported to Dr. E.
Mayr by Ed. Hen of Amityville).

Red Phalarope. — 2000 or more, 75%
Red, April 29, and still present a week
later. Fed on the tentacles of a species
of large red jellyfish washed ashore in
great numbers by the storm that brought
in the phalaropes (Wilcox) ; 2, April
25, Jones Beach (Allyn, Carleton, Sed-
witz) ; 11, May 1, Jones Beach to Oak
Island Beach (Shainin) ; 8, Sept. 18,
Brigantine (Painter) ; 6, Sept. 19, Oak
I sland ( Cruickshank) .

Wilson’s Phalarope. — 1, July 11,
Jones Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz,
Stephenson) .

Northern Phalarope. — 25%' of the
2000 phalaropes at Moriches Inlet, April
29 (Wilcox) ; 4, May 2, Jones Beach
(Carleton, et al.) 1, Alay 9, Jones
Beach (Solomon, Solitar).

Pomarine Jaeger. — 2, Sept. 12, At-
lantic Beach (Mayer) ; 1, Aug. 29,
Quantuck (Cobb) ; 1, Oct. 23, Rock-
away Point (Kraslow) ; 2, Nov. 26,
Montauk (Jacobson, Shainin).

Parasitic Jaeger. — 2, May 9, Jones
Beach (Allyn, Cobb) ; present through
June and July, off Jones Beach (Cruick-
shank) : 1, Dec. 3, Rockaway Point
(Mayer) .

N. Sku.a. — “At Montauk Point; gen-
eral rich brown color, even on wings
. . . also buff patches at bend of wings
. . . soaring over water like a shear-
water . . . dived hawk-like at Herring
and Laughing Gulls,’’ Nov. 11 (Arbib) ;
also reported verbally to the writer by
Helmuth.

Glaucous Gull.— 4, Feb. 13, Hill-
view Reservoir (Stephenson) ; 1, Dec.
12, Montauk (Arbib, Davis).

Iceland Gull. — 1, Feb. 12, 10 miles
south of Rockaway (Carleton, Mc-
Keever) ; 1, Feb. 13, Hillview Reser-
voir (Stephenson) ; 1, May 7, Idlewild
(Mayer) ; 1, Central Park (Mrs. R. T.
Peterson) ; 1, immature. May 1, Upper
New York Harbor (Storer) ; 1, Oct.
16, Canarsie (Jacobson, Kraslow).

Kumlien’s Gull. — 1, March 26,
Northport (Woodmere Bird Club),

Great Black-hacked Gull. — 1, June
27, Atlantic Beach (Mayer) ; 1, Jones
Beach, same date (Carleton, Sedwitz,
Stephenson) .

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus
fiiscus gracllsii). — Feb. 7, Newark
Meadows (Urner).

Bonaparte’s Gull. — 5, June 26,
Long Beacli (Denniston) ; 5 to 10 all
through June and early July (Carleton,
Sedwitz, Stephenson) .

Little Gull. — New York Bay, April
20-23 (Rich), and April 30 (Carleton).

Atlantic Kittiwake. — 1, Jan. 16,
Rockaway (Kraslow) ; hundreds, Jan.
17, Montauk (Carleton, Cruickshank,
et al.) ; 4, Feb. 7, Long Beach (Mayer) ;
2, May 23, Mecox Bay (Hehnuth) ; 2,
Nov. 7, Montauk (Peterson) ; 100, Nov.
26, Montauk (Cadbury, Cruickshank).

Forster’s Tern. — 2, Moriches Inlet
(Rorden, Mayer) ; 10, Sept. 24, Rock-
away Point (Mayer).

Common Tern. — IS, Nov. 10, Rock-
away Point (Mayer) ; 1, Dec. 4, same
place (Flynn, Jacobson, Kraslow,
Painter).

Arctic Tern. — July 11, Oak Island, 2
birds, in breeding plumage, along with
several Roseate Terns; neither were
present the week before (Carleton, Sed-
witz) .

Roseate Tern. — 35-50, nesting, July
8, Gardiner’s Island (Cobb).

Caspian Tern. — April 29, Moriches
Inlet (Wilcox).

Black Tern. — 1, May 9, Jones
Beach (Allyn, Cobb) ; 8, May 23, Oak
Island Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz).

Black Skimmer. — 13, adults, July
14, Moriches Inlet (Wilcox) ; 12,

adults, young and eggs, Aug. 20, Mor-
iches Inlet (Cobb, Helmuth).

Razor-billed Auk. — A few, Jan. 9-
10, Montauk (Janvrin, Vogt) ; 3-6, Jan.
17, Montauk (Cruickshank, Carleton,
et al.) ; 4, March 14, Montauk (Mc-
Keever, Sedwitz) ; 2, April 1, Montauk
(Sabin) ; 2, Nov. 21, Atlantic Beach

(Breslau) ; 3, Dec. 19, Montauk (Cobb,
Peterson).

Brunnicii’s Murre. — 1, March 4,
Orient (Latham) ; 1, Dec., Moriches
Inlet (Wilcox).

Dovekie, — 1, Jan. 9, Montauk (Jan-
vrin, Vogt) : 1, Jan. 16, same location
(Carleton, Sedwitz) : 11, dead, Jan. 18-
22, south shore of Long Island (Cruick-
shank) ; 1, Jan. 27, Rockaway Point
(Karsch, Kraslow, Norse, Sabin) ; 3,
Feb. 22, Montauk (Nathan) ; 1, Nov.
26, Rockaway (Kraslow) : 1, dead,

Woodmerc (Harrower) ; 1. Dec. 8,

Rockville Center (Denniston) ; 1, Dec.
12, Montauk (Carleton, Sedwitz).

.\tlantic Puffin. — 4, Feb. 1, Mon-
tauk (Pangburn, through Hickey),
without details, and therefore open to
question, as this is one of the rarest
winter visitants in our region.

E. Mourning Dove. — 32, Jan. 19,
Bridgehampton (.Astle).

Barn Owl. — 1, Jan. 23, .^lley Pond
Park (Imhof) ; 1, .April 24, Van Cort-
landt Park (Imhof) ; 1, .Aug., Old Alill
(Imhof) .

Great Horned Owl. — 1, Orient
(Latham) .

Snowy Owl. — 1, Nov. 26, Rockaway
Point (Fischer, Sabin) ; 1, Dec. 1,
Beach Haven (Potter) ; 1, Dec. 4,

Floyd Bennett Airport (Kraslow) ; 1,
Dec. 5, Jones Beach (Carleton, Sed-
witz) ; 1 at Phillipsburg, 1 at Newark,
2 at Beach Haven, in Dec. (Urner) ;
6, Dec. 19, Jones Beach (Cadbury,
Cruickshank) ; 3, Dec. 26, Montauk
(Carleton, McKeever, Breslau, Sed-
witz).

Long-e.ared Owl. — 1, March 26,
Manondlle (Raynor) ; 1, March 26,
Grassy Sprain (Imhof, Kraslow,
Norse) ; pair on nest, southern Nassau
County, April 18, with eggs, but de-
serted before the young hatched (R.
-Allen, Cruickshank) .

Short-eared Owl. — Nest with 2
eggs, 6 young, southern Nassau County
(Mangels).

Saw-whet Owl. — 1, Feb. 7, Alley
Pond Park (Astle) ; 1, Nov. 25, Hill-
side Park (Fischer) ; 1, same location,
Nov. 30 (Astle) ; 1, Dec. 1, Hillview
Reservoi r ( Komorowski ) .

Chimney Swift. — 34, Oct. 24,
Watchung Ridge (Eynon).

N. PiLEATED Woodpecker. — May 25,
Short Hills (Mrs. Jay Kilpatrick).

Red-bellied Woodpecker. — 1, April
25, Woodmere (Harrower).

Red-headed Woodpecker. — At least
one pair nesting at Bayside (Sabin) ;
pair nesting, Troy Meadows (Mr. and
Mrs. Rich) ; 1, Feb. 6, Bayside (Im-
hof).

E. Hairy Woodpecker. — May 10,
nest with 3 young, Bayside (Sabin) ;
May 8, nest with young (Cruickshank).

E. Kingbird. — 1, June 26, Central
Park (Carleton) ; 1, Aug. 3, Central
Park (Carleton).

Arkansas Kingbird. — 1, Oct. 14,
Idlewild (Mayer).

N. Crested Flycatcher. — 1, Dec. 4,
Oradell Reservoir (L. W. Robinson).

E. Phoebe. — 1, Jan. 23-25 and Feb.
3-9, Speonk (Wilcox) ; 1, Feb. 7, Van
Cortlandt Park (Peterson) ; 1, Feb.
22, Hempstead (Keil) ; 1, Nov. 11,
Jones Beach (Carleton).

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. — 1,
May 14, Great Neck (Cruickshank).

Olive-sided Flycatcher. — 1, Aug. 2,
Central Park (Carleton).

Prairie Horned Lark. — Bred twice
— 6 young on Aug. 4, Idlewild
(Mayer) ; bred at Canarsie, several pair
(Imhof) ; at least 2 pair bred in Morris
County (Eynon) ; 1, Feb. 28, assuming
nuptial plumage, Idlewild (Mayer).

Tree Swallow. — 2, Cypress Hills,
Feb. 27 (Kraslow) ; Jan. 11, 11 birds,
Jones Beach (Cruickshank) ; 3000, July
18, Orient (Latham).

Bank Swallow. — 1, Oct. 24, Ne-
peague Bay (Audubon Society, noted
by many observers).

Barn Swallow. — 1, Dec. 19, Jones
Beach ( Cruickshank) .

N. Cliff Swallow. — 13 nests in one
colony south of Greenwood Lake, June
29 (Carleton, Kramer, Stephenson) ; 4,
-\pril 24, Moriches Inlet (Cruick-
shank) ; 20, Sept. 6, Jones Beach
(Cruickshank).

Am. Raven. — 1, May 23, Tuckerton
(Fleischer).

Brown Creeper. — July 4, Catfish
Pond, Kittatiny Ridge (.Ajello, San-
ford).

Short-billed Marsh Wre.n. — 6,
daily, Idlewild (Mayer), all spring and
summer; 1, Oct. 12, Rockaway (Im-
hof) ; 1, Dec. 3, Van Cortlandt Park
(Norse) ; 1, Dec. 26, Montauk (Mc-
Keever, Sedwitz).

E. Mockingbird. — 1, Jan. 22, New-
ark (J. Fetchner) ; 1, May 4, Inwood
(Norse) ; 1, May 23, Tuxedo (Ber-
liner) ; 1, July 1, Riverside Drive, seen
from a bus (Vogt) ; 1, July 6-7, Old
Mill (Imhof) ; 1, Sept. 1, Jones Beach
(Sabin) ; 1, Sept. 9, Inwood (Board-
man) ; 1, Sept. 12, Moriches (Lind) ;
1, Dec. 19, Pelham (Stephenson).

E. Robin. — Great movement on
March 14.

Bicknell's Thrush. — Sept. 22, Elm-
hurst (Mrs. Beals).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — 1, .\pril

24, Bronx Botanical Gardens (Sialis
Bird Club) ; 1, Oct. 3, Van Cortlandt
Park (Norse).

E. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.— Feb.
27, Hempstead (Carleton, Karsch,
Norse).

N. Shrike. — 1, Feb. 15, East Mor-
iches (Wilcox) ; 1, March 21, Montauk
(Helmuth).

Migrant Shrike. — Aug. 15, Jones
Beach (Carleton, Sedwitz, Stephenson).

Yellow-throated Vireo. — 3, .\pril
19, near Hanover Neck (Mr. and Mrs.
Rich) .

Philadelphia Vireo. — 1, May 4,
Central Park (Sedwitz, ct al.) \ 1, .^ug.

25, Turta, N. Y. (Painter).

Red-eykd Vireo. — 1, Nov. 7, Moii-
tauk (Peterson).

E. Warbling Vireo. — Parents feed-
ing young, June 11, Roslyn (Fry).

Prothonotary Warbler. — 1, male.
May 9, Summit (Lang).

Nashville Warbli-ji. — 1, Nov. 30,
Central Park (Cantor).

N. Parula Warbler. — 1, singing
male, June 8, Prospect Park (Shainin).

Mag.nolia Warbler. — 1, June 29,
Wawayanda Plateau (Carleton, Kram-
er, Stephenson).

Cape May Warbler. — 1, Oct. 24,
Inwood (Norse).

Cerulean Warbler. — 1, Aug. 3-6,
Central Park (Carleton).

N. Pine Warbler. — 1, Feb. 14, Mon-
tauk (Mr. and Mrs. Rich).

W. Palm W.arbler. — 1, March 11,
Orient (Latham) ; 1, April 17, Bayside
(Sabin).

Yellow Palm Warbler. — 1, Feb. 26,
Hempstead (Carleton, Kraslow, Norse,
Imhof) : 1, Dec. 26, Montauk (Carle-
ton, McKeever, et al.).

Oven-bird. — Nest and eggs. May 23,
Elmsford Ridge (Cruickshank) ; Nov.
3, St. Nicholas Park (Norse).

Kentucky Warbler. — 2, May 23,
Elmsford Ridge (Cruickshank).

Connecticut Warbler. — 1, Aug. 17,
Alley Pond (Sabin) ; 1, Sept. 10, In-
wood (Kane) ; 2, Sept. 21, Inwood
(Boardman, Karsch) ; 2, Oct. 3-5, Bay-
side (Fischer, Sabin) ; 1, Oct. 8-10,
Idlewild (Mayer) ; 1, Oct. 31, Prospect
Park (Breslau).

Mourning Warbler. — 1, May 16,
South Mt. Reservation (Rosenblum) ;
1, May 18, Great Neck (Cruickshank) ;

I, Sept. 1, Inwood (Norse) ; 1, Sept.
18, Idlewild (Mayer).

N. Yellow-throat. — Present all
winter, Hempstead (Rorden) ; 1, April

II, Mill Neck (Lind).

Hooded Warbler. — Breeding at Bay-
side (Sabin).

Gracklk (subsp.). — 62,000, Raritan,
Nov. 7 (Eynon) ; 50,000, Dec. 12,
Princeton (Carleton, Sedwitz).

E. CowBiRD. — 300, Jan. 19, Bridge-
hampton (.Astle).

Scarlet TANAc.bu<. — 1, female, Nov.
7, Demarest (Bowdish).

Summer Tanager. — 1, .April 26, Cen-
tral Park (Peterson) ; 1, May 5, Pros-
pect Park (Kraslow, Nathan).

E. Cardinal. — 1, .April 24, Massa-
pequa (R. Allen, Mangels) ; 1, .Aug.
14, Central Park (Carleton) ; 1, Oct.
4, Bryant Park (L. N. Nichols) ; 1,
Nov. 21, Sunken Meadows, L. I.
(Cruickshank).

Indigo Bunting. — 1, .April 25,
Orient, freshly dead (Latham) ; 1,

April 25, Seaside Park (Kramer,
Shainin) .

British Goldfinch. — 1, .April 17,
Weequahic Park, Newark (Sanford).

Common Redpoll. — .A flock, Jan. 9-
10, Montauk (Janvrin, \^ogt) ; 2, Oct.
31, Palisades (Shainin) ; 1, Dec. 19,
Van Cortlandt Park (Komorowski,
Norse) .

Red Crossbill. — 9, Feb. 21, Bronx
Park (Nathan) ; 12, May 15, Pound
Ridge, N. Y. (Cruickshank) ; 6, Aug.
14, Tom’s River, N. J. (Fables).

White-winged Crossbill. — 1, Dec.
26, Montclair (Christmas Census).

Red-eyed Towhee. — 1, Feb. 22, Ny-
ack (Peterson).

Ipswich Sparrow. — 1, Nov. 6, Pel-
ham Bay Park (Cantor).

E. Henslow’s Sparrow. — 1, Oct. 3,
Van Cortlandt Park (Norse).

Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — 1,
.April 25-May 16, Oak Island (Carleton,
Sedwitz) .

Nelson’s Sparrow. — 1, Sept. 21, Oak
Island (Sedwitz, Stephenson).

Slate-colored Junco. — I, May 22.
Jones Beach (Shainin).

E. Tree Sparrow. — 2, May 8, Rye
(Cruickshank).

E. Chipping Sparrow'. — 1, Feb. 26,
Central Park (Carleton).

The Ornithological Year 1 938 In The New York City Region

By Alfred E. Eynon

The attempt to condense for publication within the restricted
limits now imposed by the Society the abundant material turned in
to the Recording Secretary while essaying to impart some value as a
record of the year for future use, is a task made possible only through
the generous contributions of field data by over 100 observers. About
312 forms were reported to the writer as being present in the region
during the course of the year, four of which are birds for which no
local specimen has ever been secured. These species are the Eared Grebe,
Franklin’s Gull, European Black-headed Gull, and Western Tanager.

The year opened with the second real mild January in succession.
The cold snaps were short in duration and apt to come and go with
decided suddenness. An example of this rapid fluctuation occurred
during the last week of the month, when the temperature reached
56° F. on the 25th, only to dive to 15 °F. on the 28th. Little snow fell
and the month closed with a slight deficiency in precipitation. The
outstanding ornithological event of the month was the discovery of
an Eared Grebe at Long Beach on the 9th by Dr. Janvrin and Mr.
Sedwitz. These observers re-located their bird in the same locality
on the 16th and a full account of their observations and the reasons
why they decided that the bird was of the European subspecies can
be found in Proc. L., S. N. Y., No. 49, p. 48. A Sabine’s Gull was
closely studied at Atlantic Beach on the 16th (Brigham). The late
Charles A. Urner found an unusual winter bird in the Marbled Godwit
he observed at Barnegat on January 8. An Orange-crowned Warbler
on January 29 (Cruickshank, Helmuth), and a Harlequin Duck on
January 30 (Brigham, Helmuth, Jacobson) were notable records from
Montauk Point. All during the month numerous people turned in
records of the Snowy Owl, a good incursion of which had taken
place in the fall. There were six birds on the outer strip from the
Jones Beach Tower to Fire Island Inlet (Cruickshank), four about
New Inlet, many singles at other spots on the Island, one up at Tod’s
Point, and in New Jersey the bird was reported from Newark
Meadows, the Raritan River marshes, Barnegat, and Tuckerton (Urner,
et al.). White-winged Gulls were scarce, and there were but a few
scattered Alcid reports. Northern Shrikes were reported only from
eastern Long Island. Tree Swallows again wintered at Jones Beach
(Cantor, Jacobson) and hundreds of Mourning Doves wintered near
feeding stations on the North Shore (Cruickshank). Wintering in-
dividuals of Bittern, Wood Duck, Virginia Rail, Wilson’s Snipe,

riioebe. IVaire Horned Lark. Long-billed Marsh Wren, Catbird,
Migrant Shrike. Northern Yellow-throat, Towhee, and Chipping Spar-
rovv, and other half-hardy species swelled the lists of local bird-lovers.

Fcbntarx was chiefly notable for the absence of snow, only a
trace being recorded, the smallest total on record. When we note
that 161 °F. of e.xcess temperature had been accumulated since Janu-
ary 1 at the end of February, we can easily see how favorable the
weather was for the wintering birds. In New Jersey, the second
annual mid-winter census conducted under the auspices of the N. J.
Field Ornithologists’ Club showed 150 species present and a great
increase in the total number of wintering individuals. Twelve, possibly
thirteen, species of shorebirds were included in this survey. The tre-
mendous concentration of Starlings and Rlackbirds roosting in the
marshes near the Raritan Arsenal, N. ]., was given much attention
by C. A. Urner and others. At its peak, this huge assembly totaled
over 200,000 birds and those who heard Urner’s vivid descriptions of
the arrival and dispersal at the roost will fully realize what a spec-
tacular part of the winter’s bird-life it made up. On Long Island,
the flight lines of Starlings were watched and at Ileckscher State
Park, R. P. Allen, J. J. Hickey, and A. D. Cruickshank located a
roost of at least 20,000 birds. During February reports of a few Red-
polls came from several observers, and a Red Crossbill turned up at
Atlantic Highlands on the 5th (Urner). Early in the month, evi-
dence of north-bound migration in several species was reported. A
Golden Eagle was also seen at Great Neck, L. L, on the 26th (Mayer).
Among the ducks, a King Eider appeared at Atlantic Beach on the
14th (Breslau), and as many as 18 Gadwall were present at Patchogue
•on the 5th (Raynor, Wilcox).

The mild weather so prevalent during February continued in
March. Exceptionally warm weather from the 19th to the 25th, with
a high reading of 74° F., broke the highest weekly mean record for
the period. ^Migration seemed a bit ahead of normal. The Robin took
possession of the countryside and presented an interesting picture.
Doubtless due to the high survival ratio made possible by the two
successive mild winters, the returning birds found competition keen
when attempting to settle on their territories. At Elizabeth, N. J,,
Urner saw as many as seven male Robins battling for territory in an
area which in certain past years had been occupied by a single male
without serious competition. The outstanding record for the month
was the discovery of a female Western Tanager at Island Beach,
N. J., on the 6th by a party led by C. H. Rogers. This was the first

of its species to be found in the state. For the whole region there is just
one previous sight record of the species from Long Island. Peculiarly
enough, the bird frequented a feeding station where it fed on bread
crumbs ! It was reported that it had been in the locality about three
weeks at the time it was identified. Several parties of enthusiasts
rushed down to Island Beach on the subsequent week-end and were
rewarded with close views of the bird. The last report for Snowy
Owl was from Tod’s Point on the 24th (Miss Brooks). A flock of
six Common Terns was seen in the Raritan River on the 20th (Cant,
Eynon ) and about the same time some were reported off the south
shore of Staten Island. Since they were seen in company with Bona-
parte’s Gull, there is a possibility that they may have wintered through
with that species along the Jersey coast. Roy Latham found a Wood-
cock’s nest, with eggs well incubated at Sandy Beach, Greenport, on
March 26.

Early April was favorable and the plant world showed great de-
velopment. Spring suffered a temporary setback on the 6th and 7th,
however, when a snowfall of five inches, heavier than any fall during
the preceding winter months, covered the region. This reversion to
winter was but temporary and tbe remainder of the month was
warmer than normal, with a good rainfall. As a result, vegetation
was over a week ahead of normal by the middle of April and by the
end, was so heavy that warbler hunting became a trying task. As the
migration of fresh-water ducks passed its peak, a notable increase
was evident in tbe numbers of Green-winged Teal (Urner, Sedwitz).
Good numbers of Brant were seen at Jones Beach on the 2nd (Norse,
Cantor). Quite a few Lesser Yellow-legs were also noted during this
period. The closing days of the month saw a heavy Double-crested
Cormorant flight passing Long Island, and there was a great Loon
flight on the 30tli (Cruickshank). Among the early April migrants
appearing ahead of normal in numbers were the Barn and Rough-
winged Swallows. The Semipalmated Plover and the Semipalmated
Sandpiper were reported from Long Island as early as the 2nd and
3rd respectively (Jacobson, Sedwitz). Mr. Urner identified three
Long-billed Dowitchers at Tuckerton on April 10.

A slight incursion of Turkey Vultures near the city was evident
during the third week of the month. Several were seen at Van Cort-
landt Park and Fred Allen had the somewhat unique experience of
seeing five Buzzards migrating north over New York Bay on the
24th. Good hawk flights were noted along the ridges in New Jersey.
With the month’s progress, the migration rapidly gained momentum
and many birds appeared on dates ahead of normal. Least Terns at

Tones Beach on the 20th broke the arrival date for tluit si)ccies. There
were more than the normal number of Blue-gray ( jiiatcatchers re-
ported from all parts of the region. Sedwitz s party saw a male
Indigo Bunting at Jones Beach on the 24th, and Ma_\er at Idlewild
reported two unusual birds for the period, two Golden Plover on the
22nd, and an adult Little Blue Heron on the 28th. Southerly winds
began on the 26th and the prevailing wind was southwest until the
29th, ideal weather for a mass arrival of birds. Xorth of us in Xew
England, the migration during this period was the earliest ever record-
ed. The W hite-eyed \ ireo reached Ocean County, .X. by the 21st
(Urner) and Pros])ect Park by the 23rd (Shainin). The general
arrival in numbers of the Chestnut-sided \\ arbler on the 28th and
29th was early indeed. Half the birds in (iriscom's Group 1 (May
migrants) had arrived near the City by April 27-28.

With the ct)ming of .l/(7V. favorable weather eontinued and in
Xew England. Griscom reported the migration ])assiug its peak by
die 7th. Around Xew York City, the ])icture is more complicated.
Exceptionally early migration took place through the 6th. which agrees
with conditions in Xew England. May 7 to 16 was a rather back-
ward period locally with only small waves reported, but tine weather
returned on the 17th and on the following day and again on the 21st
and 22nd, the year's heaviest flights took place. Ai)parently these
big waves never reached the region around Boston, where the migra-
tion after the first week of the month was poor. Those Group I birds
that had not appeared in April were present .May 1-4. Group II
showed indications of arrival on April 30 and the remainder came in
May 2-4. By ^lay 6, most of Group HI birds were present near the
City, and most of Group 11 had pushed eastward into Suffolk County
(Cruickshank). The appearance of a Cape May Warbler in Bronx
Park, April 29-30 (Gell-Mann), was an outstanding example of the
early arrival of warblers. This same species was at its peak ]\Iay 6-7
generally, much earlier than normal. An exceptionally early Gray-
cheeked Thrush reached South Orange, X. J., by May 3 (Storerj.
Group I\' birds were distributed over the region by May 3-8, an ex-
ample being the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, the general arrival of which
was reported throughout the region May 1-3. An Olive-sided Fly-
catcher was carefully identified in Kissena Park May 4 (J. Mann).
As usual, some indications of migration were still evident during the
first week of June. Among land-bird rarities. Dr. Helmuth saw and
heard a pair of Summer Tanagers at Easthampton on May 8, and
Jacobson discovered a male of this species at Jones Beach on May 18.

On tlie coast, the height of the shorebird migration seems to
liave been reached in New Jersey about ^lay 12, when Urner observed
a notable concentration of shorebirds at Brigantine. Unusual num-
l)ers of White-rumped and Red-backed Sandpipers were seen on Long
Island and a Curlew Sandpiper in full breeding plumage delighted
dozens of observers by remaining at Jones Beach Pond from May
21 to 30. Big Days were popular at the migration’s height. Mr. and
Mrs. Cruickshank, on a rather spontaneous trip prompted by the
favorable conditions on the morning of May 18, found 148 species
on Long Island. The late Mr. Urner led his last New Jersey Big
Day over the usual route on May 15, and despite the worst weather
imaginable for a trip of this sort, the party listed 151 species. In the
Bronx, the group led by O. K. Stephenson, Jr., found 126 species on
May 14. Even as late as the third week in i\lay, there was some
evidence at hand to show that some of the early spring migrants were
still on the move. Urner and Edwards found Robins at this time
that could only have been migrants and Dr. Helmuth’s observations
on Long Island convinced him that Crackles were still on the move
in migrating flocks.

June was a wet month, finishing with an excess of 4.26 inches
above normal rainfall, the third heaviest amount of precipitation in
the history of the local M’eather Bureau. Four rains were of an inch
or more! The disastrous effects of such heavy rainfall upon our
breeding birds are too well known to be cited here, but suffice it to
say that the beach nesting species suffered the most and many of their
young were lost. On the Jersey coast, mortality was high among the
nesting Terns and Skimmers. The outstanding breeding record of
the year was the discovery of the first nesting of the Yellow-crowned
Night Heron in New York State by A. D. Cruickshank. Four pairs
nested near a large Black-crowned Night Heron colony in Nassau
County and a full account may be found in The Auk, vol. 55. p. 666.
The Praire Horned Lark continued to occupy new areas as a breeder.
Mr. Urner added it to the breeding birds of Union County, N. J.,
and new spots for the species on Long Island were discovered. Mr.
Urner also reported a good-sized colony of Black-throated Green
Warblers breeding in the Manahawkin Swamp, a southward exten-
sion of this s])ecies near the coast. The Black Skimmer nested again
at Oak Island (Sedwitz). The Bobolink was found near the limit of
its range at Long Branch, N. J. (Seeley). British Goldfinches con-
tinued to increase in the Mas.sapec|ua area, where F. P. Mangels saw
as many as 17 birds in one day. Roy Latham reported that the Wood
Ii)uck was nesting on Shelter Island and that in a colony of eleven or

more nesting Mourning Doves located near Greenport. L. I., ten
doves were found sitting on second clutches of eggs in June.

too, was very wet and no less than 16 thunderstorms were
recorded hy the Weather lUireau. This had no very noticeable effect
on birding — the immense numher of mosquitoes produced made many
spots unbearable to summer enthusiasts! L nusual conditions obtain-
ing offshore seem to have affected pelagic species. No Shearwaters
were seen, despite the fact that some observers, notably Sedwitz, were
on especial look-out for them. Time reported unaccustomed high tem-
peratures prevailing off Montauk Point, bringing Gulf Stream fish
such as blue marlin and blue runners out of their usual range. Dr.
llelmuth reported unusual c|uanlities of gidf-weed deposited on east-
ern Dong Island beaches, while oft the Jersey coast, Fred .Alien re-
ported conditions similar to those oft Montauk. Date in the month,
rain-pools inland cau.sed a wide variety of shorebirds and waders
to be attracted to spots where they normally do not occur. The big-
gest movement of south-bound shorebirds on Dong Island appar-
ently took ])lace during the last week of the month. The Golden
Plover arrived early and was continuously reported into October.
Three Wilson’s Snipe at Hanover Neck, N. were an unusual record
for July 17 (M’olfarth). Among the rarities reported during July were:
the second specimen of .Audubon’s Shearwater for the region, a dead
bird picked up at I^ong Beach on the 24th by Alessrs. Dind and Rordan
and reported by them in The Auk, vol. 56, p. 73; Deach’s Petrel, one
picked up dead at Echo Bay. New Rochelle, on the 28th, the same
day that Petrels of unidentified species were reported to Deo Breslau
as appearing at Titicus Dake in Westchester County ; Black Vulture,
at Easthampton, on the 31st (Helmuth); Purple Gallinule, one cap-
tured at Southampton on the 27th (Cobb) ; Dittle Gull, a species
which had failed to turn up in May. on the 29th, New York Bay (F.
Allen) ; and a Summer Tanager near Clifton, N. J. (Mangels).

August was quite normal, save for a deficiency in rainfall, a con-
dition which caused the rain-pools of the previous month to disappear
early and e.xposed large areas about the margins of our larger ponds.
The land-bird migration gathered way as shown by the usual reports
of birds like Aligrant Shrike and Golden-winged Warbler on Dong
Island. American Egrets which had appeared earlier in the year
reached maximum numbers in August, the flight amounting to a
slightly better than normal influx. Dittle Blue Herons were common
and a number of Snowy Egrets were reported from both Dong Island
and New Jersey. A Douisiana Heron was seen at Stone Harbor, N. J.,

on the 13th (Lehrman). Fred Allen counted 350 Wilson’s Petrels
between the City and Sandy Hook from a steamer on the 29th. There
was a wide variety of summering ducks on the Jones Peach Strip.
The Blue-winged Teal present may have bred, but Brant. Baldpate,
Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Scaup, Ruddy Duck, and Hooded Mer-
ganser were also seen. Dr. Helmuth reported a drake King Eider
present on the Oyster Rond, Montauk, during June, July, and August.
Marbled God wits were seen in unusual numbers, an example being
the continual presence of a flock at Beach Haven from mid-August
until October. There was a good flight of Stilt Sandpipers on Long
Island and a Curlew Sand])iper was seen at Oak Island on the 6th
(Mayer). A Long-billed Curlew was identified by Helmuth at Georgica
Pond, L. I., on August 11.

Early September was about normal, the middle of the month
wet, and the final week cool and favorable for hcav}' migration. A
decided flight of Cory’s Shearwaters off Montauk was noted during
the first week of the month, followed by a smaller number of Terns
and Jaegers (Cruickshank) . On a three-day trip over the Labor Day
week-end Sedwitz found 24 sj)ecies of shorebirds between New Inlet
and Montauk Point. On the 10th, tiny young of the Black Skimmer
were photographed on Gilgo Island by K. P. Allen and A. 1). Cruick-
shank. Mrs. Cruickshank and Mrs. Selby found two noteworthy birds
on Oak Island on the 14th — Wilson’s Phalarope and Lark S])arrow.
An Orange-crowned Warbler was carefully identified at Neponsit,
Queens, also on the 14th (Albert Rees).

On September 18, a hurricane originating in the low latitudes was
reported central at 8.30 A.iM. due east of the Bahama Islands. Thus
began the story of the most violent meteorological disturbance in the
New York City region since 1815! As is often the case, the storm was
first headed for the .southern tip of Ffforida, where residents wisely
took the precautions that unhappy experiences have taught them to
take. Making a characteristic curve northward, the storm .speeded
up and by 8.30 A.M. on the 21st, was centered off Cape Hatteras.
The normal movement of this storm would have continued northeast-
ward, offshore, but in this case, there was a high pressure area over
the land and another high pressure area over the ocean beyond the
hurricane. Thus a valley of low pressure lay between, forming a
trough more on a true northward course, a perfect right of way for
the terrific whirling mass of air that now headed directly for Long
Island.

September 21 was the day of the highest tide of the year, the
so-called equinoctial tide jndled up by the gravitational tug resulting
when the sun and moon are in line with the earth. Eastern Long
Island lay on the right side of the storm’s center, known to mariners
as the dangerous semi-circle, where the most violent winds and waves
of the storm are felt; central Long Island’s south shore was exposed
to the hurricane’s own high tide — the cone of water formed under
the low pressure area at the storm’s center. Climbing the shoaling
bottom of the continental shelf, this great wall of water struck the
coast with the nearest possible parallel to a tidal-wave that it is pos-
sible to imagine in this latitude. Hreaking and thundering out at
sea, the waves Hung their tons of water against the shore with an
impact so great that at Fordham L'niversity. the .seismograph recorded
the vibrations of the earth as though an eartlKpiake were in progress.
The water went over the shore, flooding the marshes and sweei)ing
into the bays. The toll taken on the lives and works of man is a
matter of history. Here we can consider only the ornithological as-
pects of the storm.

Ornithological interest surrounding a hurricane is two-fold. There
is the immediate effect — i.c.. the exciting discoveries of storm-blown
rarities and exotics which may be deposited in one’s local region, and
the more permanent, more de])ressing effects of the damage done by
the storm to the local avifauna and its habitat. The great hurricane
of 1938 produced the second result with shocking suddenness and
left us surprisingly few visitants from distant parts. The real out-of-
range birds — the Yellow-billed Tropic Birds. Cory’s and Greater
Shearwaters, I’etrels, etc., — were for the most ])art. blown far over
Long Island and dropped in nortbern New England. Our own records
as reported may be listed here ;

Yellow -billed Tropic Birds, 2, found dead along the beach at Easthampton
in October (Helmuth).

Mediterranean Shearwater, 1, found dead at Montauk Point in early October
(Helmuth).

Sooty Tern. 1. seen during a lull in the hurricane in company with Least
Terns at Manorville (Raynor).

Wilson’s Plover, 1, seen at Long Beach, Sept. 22 (Cruickshank) .

It is questionable whether the few western sparrows — Lark Sparrows,
Clay-colored Sparrows, Dickcissels — seen shortly after were really
brought here by the disturbance, since the tendency of these birds to
appear at scattered spots in the Xorthea.st in fall has been noticed in
recent years. Aside from these, some other immediate effects of the

storm are interesting. Cruickshank, on the ocean front during the
blow, found that an unprecedented flight of Laughing Gulls came in.
Shortly after a definite increase in the ducks along the coastal marshes
was noted. Hummingbirds, our smallest feathered inhabitants, were
undoubtedly efifected, for three were seen at Long Beach and four at
Atlantic Beach on the day following the storm (Cruickshank, Arbib).
The birds seen by Arbib were flying east to west across the surf !

The other side of the picture is even more interesting, but the
fact remains that the majority of local field students failed to survey
and interpret properly the first evidences of permanent damage left by
wind and wave on the avifauna. The toll of dead birds was probably
the highest ever taken in a single stroke in Long Island's ornithological
history. A list of those found just about runs the gamut of the A. O.
U. Check-List. At Long Beach, Mr. Cruickshank found dead King
Rail, 1 ; Clapper Rail, 3; \'irginia Rail, 1 ; ^leadowdark, 1 ; and several
Savannah Sparrows. He also caught a Brant in such weakened con-
dition that it was taken in the hand. Dr. Helmuth found a great
many dead birds in his area, including Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue
Heron, .Mute Swan, Sora, Herring Gull, and Common Tern. Roy
Latham kindly summed up his observations in the Orient Region in a
letter to the writer dated iNJarch 1, 1939, and his notes are so interest-
ing as to warrant inclusion here x’crhatiiu. Describing conditions just
before the storm, .Mr. Latham writes;

The wind was fresh to strong southerly during tlie morning, following the

heavy rains of the preceding night. Large flocks of Tree Swallows w'ere present

throughout the morning, with the usual numbers of various other common birds.
By noon, the wind had varied to due east, steadily increasing to gale force by two
P.M., and all birds had sought shelter or become quiet. None were seen or heard
thereafter during the height of the storm while trees and buildings were being

razed by the strength of the wind. Three hours later, after the wind had abated

appreciably several Pectoral Sandpipers were noticed alighting on the culti-
vated fields directly ahead of the advancing tides, which were rapidly rolling in
over the farms. These Sandpipers appeared e.xtremely weak from fatigue and
sought food immediately, but had to move frequently to keep heyond the approach-
ing water. No other birds were seen that day.

The following morning the usual species and numbers of birds apparently
were present, and no distraction seemed visible in their movements locally. The
marine tide had reached a point inland apiiro.ximately one-half mile farther than
any previous record estahlished within the memory of living man. The whole
southern border, paralleling the salt marshes was flooded, and water stood from
four to ten feet deep over all the salt meadows. Consequently, the greatest
mortality should be e.xpected among the Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The remains
of these sparrows were found in numhers mixed w'ith the tide trash left by the
receding water on lawns, among crops on farms, among wreckage in woods, and
wherever trash from the salt meadows had been deposited by the tide. The

birds naturally sought shelter within the meadow grasses and as the water rose
quickly while the wind was still near its maximum power, these birds were
forced to fly or be engulfed. Once in the air, their resistance was nil against
such velocity, filled with driving salt spray, and they were swept before the gale
to succumb to the elements. Upward of a thousand individuals of this species
evidently perished in the Orient Region. Binls of this order would be incapable
of alighting on perches in such strong wind, even if such were available. Between
twenty and thirty dead bodies of the Pectoral Sandpiper were found in the tidal
trash, also a few Catbirds, Towhees, Robins, and one each of Flicker and several
other common forms. .Apparently only birds within reach of the tide were com-
l)dled to move, and once they flew, they were swept along to doom or safety.
One Gannet with a fractured wing was picked up on the beach, the only sea
species noted from the storm. .\n Osprey was found exhausted on the Sound
beach; after resting over night, it was able to fly. It was a young of the season,
banded by l.eRoy Wilcox in Orient. No doubt but that many birds were carried
into or over the Sound along with the storm here where the distance between
bay and Sound is narrow. The exact result of the hurricane on bird-life here
may never be correctly determined, but it does not appear to be generally severe.

Mr. Latham'.>^ inter|)retations may be accepted as j^eneral for
most of those parts of the Island so affected hy tlie storm. The heavi-
est toll naturally would he among the weak-winged species, flooded
out of their usual spots of refuge hy the advancing waters, and car-
ried away hy the fnry of the storm. The list of dead birds found hy
numerous observers hears this out.

'I'he other angle of this (luestion concerns the changes made in
exi.sting habitats used hy those species not |)resent at the time of the
storm. The Rough-legged llawk was generally reported as scarce on
eastern Long Island during the late fall and early winter following.
We find a likely explanation in the story told to R. I’. Allen, and re-
peated by him to the writer, of large numbers of Microfus seen riding
tide-propelled driftwood and wreckage across the wind-swept bay.
Hundreds of .small mammals must have perished thus and the staple
food supply of the Rough-legs was removed. This hawk was more
numerous than is usual in the Rarnegat region during the winter of
1938-39, suggesting that those birds normally frequenting Long Island
were forced to move southward to an area that suffered compara-
tively little damage from the hurricane. Late in the fall, Sedwitz re-
ported a “lack of Myrtle Warblers. Savannah Sparrows, and all small
birds due to the destruction of their normal cover on the eastern end
of Long Island.” Shortly after the storm, the Department of Com-
merce sent out a bulletin notifying mariners that maps compiled by
the Coast and Geodetic Survey were useless to a great extent from
Cape Cod to Cape ^lay. Imagine, then, the changes wrought in the
normal feeding grounds of the hundreds of sea-fowl usually resorting
to the.«:e waters. Observations since the hurricane have shown the

old areas largely deserted and the ocean ducks — Old-squaws, Scoters,
etc., — congregating in good numbers in areas where they were form-
erly much less abundant. The effect on the breeding birds as yet re-
mains to be determined. The numbers of those species breeding in
the devastated forests of New England may be due for fluctuations
that will alter their status as transients in the New York City Region.

Shortly after the storm, exceptionally fine weather for a mass
movement of southbound land birds occurred, September 25 being a
day on which a widespread wave flooded the region. As many as
112 species were seen by one party on Long Island that day, and the
northwest wind swept land birds across the New Jersey Pine Barrens
to deposit them in unusual numbers along the outer beaches. It was
a day on which conditions were at an optimum for hawk migration
and the Urner Ornithological Club witnessed from a favorite look-
out near Montclair, N. J., what is probably the largest hawk flight
ever seen in one day near the City. The total number of hawks seen
was about 2,600, mainly Broad-winged Hawks. There was a grea*
movement of Blue Jays over Long Island at this time. A rarity for
this eventful day was a winter-plumaged Franklin’s Gull, under obser-
vation at Long Beach for several minutes at close range ( .\llyn,
Breslau, Carleton, Jacobson, and Sedwitz). A Hudsonian Godwit
was present, surviving the hurricane, from September 12 to October
17 in the Mecox area (Sedwitz, ct ciL). On the 27th, Cruickshank
found a Bob-white with newly hatched young at Brookville. L. I.
Edward Chalif discovered a Brewster’s Y’arbler in his yard at Short
Hills, N. J., on the 29th. On September 28-29, another decided flight
occurred on Long Island and by Octol)er 1-2, all three Scoters had
come in in numbers, and big flights of Pipits, iNlyrtle W arl)lers, aiif
Red-breasted Nuthatches were noted (CruickshankL

October was abnormally warm on the whole. On the 8th aiu.
9th, there was a spectacular migration of Double-crested Cormorants
over eastern Long Island and on the 10th, a definite sparrow flight,
bringing many Vespers (Cruick.shank). On the 23rd, tliere was a
large movement of small land birds in the hills of northwestern New
Jersey (C. D. Brown). huge nunil)er of Starlings and Blackbirds
resorted to a roost in the Hackensack Meadows near Kingsland, N. ].,
during the month, the peak about 250,000 birds (Ik'^"’". Wolfarth).
.\ Sabine’s Gull was seen on October 10 at Easthamj)ton, an immature
European Black-headed Gull on the 11th at Georgica Pond, and an
immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Watermill on the 16th
and 17th, all reported by Dr. Helmuth. There was a greater than
normal number of late lingering birds. American E.grets were i)resent

at Jones I’.each until tlie 9th and one stayed at South I’lainlield, N. J.,
until October 29 (J. T. S. I limn). Ihack Skimmers stayed well into
October at Oak Island. On October 11. at Smithtown, h. I., Cruick-
shank found \\ hi])-poor-will. Eastern Kingbird, and P>ank Swallow,
all far beyond their normal dates of departure. He also saw a W'hite-
eyed \’ireo at Cold Spring Harbor on the 13th, and a Canada Warbler
on the 28th at liayville. Late in the month, Purjile Sandpipers reached
Rockaway Point in numbers and Goshawks were reported from the
ridges of northern .\ew Jersey.

Xoi'i'iiibcr continued the warm weather of October until winter
arrived with a blizzard that brought 14 inches of snow on Thanks-
giving and the day following. Late October and early November were
notable for the large numbers of ducks seen, particularly on Long
Island. P.aldpate were especially numerous and there were tremendous
rafts of Scoters off Jones Peach. In New Jersey, Poonton Reservoir
served as a concentration sanctuary for ducks during the hunting
season. The best Snow Goo.se flight in a number of years now took
place. Although the birds were reported as early as October 12, the
first real flock was seen on ( )ctober 23, fifty birds passing over Pel-
ham (Kramer). Mr. Cruickshank saw several with Canada Geese
flying over Long Island. November 6-9. and a single bird was present
with two Plue Geese at Jones Peach. November 5-11. Lee Edwards
and A. S. Peterson saw a flock pass the ^Montclair look-out while
hawk-watching on the 13th, and as late as the 25th big flocks were seen
flying southwest at Manorville, L. I. (Raynor). An immature bird
was picked up at Princeton on December 7 and identified by C. H.
Rogers as a Greater Snow Goose.

There was a heavy, concentrated Loon flight on Long Island
(Cruickshank, llelnmth). Black Skimmers stayed about Barnegat
Inlet until November 20 (Watson). The European Widgeon was
widely distributed in southwestern Connecticut, Long Island, and New
Jersey, and the Buffle-head. Ruddy Duck, and Hooded Merganser
showed remarkable increases. The Redhead continued its status as
one of our rarest ducks ! Evidence came in of a slight Goshawk in-
vasion near the city and a few Northern Shrikes reached eastern
Long Island. The presence of several Tufted Titmice near Wilton,
Conn., November 3-27. repre.sents a northward extension of the range
of this species (Heck). Dr. Helmuth saw Blue-headed Vireos several
times in November and a House Wren on the 26th, all at Easthampton.

December was warmer than normal with little snow. Records of
lingering birds continued to come in despite the Thanksgiving Day

blizzard. Piping Plover were still present at Barnegat Inlet on the
4th (Watson), and five Lesser Yellow-legs remained in the Mecox
region until the end of the year (Sedwitz). Blue-winged Teal lingered
in Van Cortlandt Park until the 17th (Norse, Cantor), and eight Clap-
per Rails were in the vicinity of Floyd Bennett Field on the 24th
(Hickey, R. T. Peterson). Most surprising of all was the Black-
throated Blue Warbler discovered at Montauk Point on December 11
( Helmuth, iMcKeever, Sedwitz). In contrast to the invasion of the
previous year, only one Snowy Owl reached Long Island (Cruick-
shank). The Pileated Woodpecker is pushing forward right to the
edge of the City's doorstej) — a bird was discovered at Grassy Sprain,
five miles from the City limits, on the 26th, and remained for the
winter (Thomas, \’an Deusen). There were reports that British Gold-
finches, increasing so rapidly on Long Island, were moving westward
— December 1, Short Hills, X. J. (Chalif) and December 26. Sand’s
Point (Cruickshank ). A drake Harlequin Duck appeared at Jones
Beach on the 22nd and remained into the new year, being seen by
numerous observers. The Christmas Census as usual occupied the
attention of local bird-lovers as the year drew to a close. The long-
reigning leaders in the New York City Region, the Barnegat and
Bronx groups, tied with a list of 94, but were replaced in the top bracket
by the group working on western Long Island with a list of 104 species.
Considered as a whole, the various censuses in the region showed
fresh-water ducks present in unusual numbers. ])articularly high counts
being turned in in the case of the Black Duck. Landbirds, especially
the Junco, were below the normal.

The now abandoned annotated list of the birds seen during the
Ornithological Year has one strong point in its favor— it gave credit
and fixed responsibility where they were due. to all observers who
turned in their notes. In a summary such as the Recording Secretarv
now prc])ares. only the more outstanding records can be included and
it is easy to loose sight of the fact that all general statements regard-
ing bird movements during the year are only ba.sed in the end on the
trends indicated in a perusal of all the notes turned in. Records not
included here are preserved in the files of the Society and to all who
contributed, the writer wishes to express his thanks. Certain people
were particularly kind and helpful, notably the late Charles A. Umer.
Dr. Ernst Mayr. and Messrs. Cruickshank. Ilickey, and Sedwitz.

Report of the Field Work Committee, 1938-1939
Hv Rokkkt I’. Ai.i.kn and j. J. Hickf.v

The committee's efforts to stimulate co(>perative Held work in this
area were limited to the ('mil project mentioned in an earlier report,
and to the follow-up work on regional hreeding-bird maps.

In .May, about 4(X) check lists were distributed for preliminary cen-
suses of breeding birds in the various habitats of the lludson River
Valley and Long Island. The techni(|ue of ’spot censuses’ had been
successfully developed in Xew Jersey by the late Charles ,\. Urner in
1937. but his sudden death in June, 193tS. robbed the current .scheme
of most of its leadershi]) and inspiration. ( )nly one observer, .\. D.
Cruickshank, turned in any considerable number of reports. This
method remains, however, the best one so far devised for an initial
analysis of local environmental types . . . and it will not, we hope, be
drop])cd. It could easily be applied, for instance, to spot censuses of
the habitats suggested in an earlier report of the committee (Hickey,
1938).

review was also made of the many species that once bred com-
monly in this general region but are now extirpated. Among these,
as given by Griscom (1923) and by Stone ( 1937 ) are the following:

Laughing (juII ( I.arus atrhia ) — last known to nest on Long Island
in 1888.^

Snowy Egret {lu/rctta tliula fliiila) — undoubtedly bred on I.ong
Island; small com])anies regularly recorded up to 1885.

Avocet {Rcciin'irostra Liiiicricaiwo — bred on the lower Xew Jersey
coast up to about 1829.

Black-necked Stilt { Hinuwtol'iis iiic.vicaniis) — bred sparingly in
southern Xew Jersey to at least 1843.

Eastern Mockingbird [Miiinis polyylottus polyglottus) — colonies
once found as far north as Sandy Hook and Keyport.

Cardinal (Riclimondciia cardiiialis ) — formerly a common summer
resident at the extreme western end of Long Island, breeding in Pros-
pect Park up to 1902.

Dickcissel (Spica aincricdiia) — a common summer resident on
Long Island in 1842 and in Xew Jersey at Hoboken in 1851.

Because of the slowness with which wildlife management is ap-
proaching the problems of non-game species, the committee secured
the council's permission to transport six dozen Snowy Egret eggs

from Florida to the Black-crowned Xight Ideron {Nycticorax nycti-
corax hoactli) colony at Massapeqna, L. I. These were obtained for
us by Samuel A. Grimes, of Jacksonville, and were placed in Long
Island nests by Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Crnickshank and R. P. Allen. In
spite of extreme care in candling by Mr. Grimes, only four eggs
hatched. The young were subsequently found dead under their sepa-
rate nest.s — about one week after hatching. The result very closely
paralleled a similar experiment with Stork eggs that were placed in
the nests of Gray Herons (Ardea cincrea) in England and reported
by Blockey (1939).

Disappointment in the present case may possibly have been due
in the initial stage to the failure of ordinary candling to detect in-
cubation one day advanced, and in the secondary stage to failure of
the white nestlings to release normal parental patterns of behavior in
the adult Night Herons. Young Black-crowns normally develop a
gray down. Damage to the eggs that failed to hatch may have re-
sulted from handling during transport. The egg transportation tech-
nique, however, is extraordinarily cheap (our costs ran to about $10.00)
and it can be effective. Some 260 eggs of the Common Gull {Lams
caniis), Schiiz (1939) reports, were shipped 500 km. to a Black-
headed Gull (Larus ridibundus ridibiindiis) colony at Rossiten in 1934.
Seventy-nine j'oung were successfully raised by their foster parents
and were banded. In spite of the fact that the region there was ecologi-
cally unsuited to them, two pairs of these birds returned in 1938 and
succeeded in raising tbeir own young.

The study of the banded Herring Gulls around New York has
been a particular source of pleasure to many members of the Society.
Over one thousand sight recoveries were accepted by the committee
up to March 1, 1939, and a majority of them came from this region.
Monthly reports to the banders were .sent out and a .special progress
report has just been completed. This was read in ]>art at the last meet-
ing of the Eastern Bird-Banding Association in Philadelphia by J. J.
Hickey of the committee. In the course of the next two years, the
picture of the autumnal migration of this sj^ecics through our region
will, we are confident, be an unrivaled one. No rc])ort will be pub-
lished, however, until all the recoveries are in. Progress in the study
of plumage se(|uences of the Herring Gnll has o])ened up a new phase
of the study. Over 250 sketchy field descriptions have been submitted
to tbe committee — almost all of them from this region. There is, how-
ever, a great op])ortunity for some collector to build u|) a uni(|uc .series
of study skins of these marked birds.

With the (loath of Mr. rrner, tlie number of breeding-bird cen-
suses, completed on an acreage basis in this region in 1938, dropped
to one (by Hickey in Westchester County). The magnificent stand
of primeval hardwoods on Gardiner's Island was, we are told, almost
completely swept down by the great hurricane of last September. This
brought to a tragic close one of the great unwritten chapters in our
avifauna, for no complete |)icture of this forest — one of the finest in
our state — was ever obtained by ornithologists east of the Alleghanies.
An e.xample of similar primitive woodland, we are told by Ludlow
Griscom, still exists on an island in lluzzards Lay, like the tract on
Gardiner's unexplored and neglected excejn by botanists.

After due study, the committee recommends to the Society a
suggestion of Dr. H. 1>. Heck that the ne.xt Birds of the Xcio York
City Re(]ion be published in loo.-^e leaf form. This method has been
very successful in such i)ublications as the Oxford Loose Leaf Medi-
cine and is eminently suited to meet the needs of an ever changing
avifauna.

Au.ex, R. P.. and J. J. Hickey. 1939. Progress Report on tlie Cooperative Gull
Survey. (Unpublished manuscript filed in the Bureau of Biological Survey.)
Bi.ockey, R. 1939. Experiments with Storks. IXme Congress Orn. bit., Rouen:
93-96.

Griscom, Ludlow. 1923. Birds of the New York City Region.

Hickey, J. J. 1938. Report of the Field Work Committee, 1936-37. Proc. Linn.
Soc. N. V. 49: 73-83.

ScHUZ, E. 1939. Ueber kiinstliche Verpflanzung bei \'6geln. IXme Congress
Orn. Int., Rouen: 311-325. (Reviewed by Margaret M. Nice. 1939, in Bird-
Banding, 10: 164-165).

Stone, \\\ 1937. Bird Studies at Old Cape May.

Report of the Field Work Committee, 1939-1940

Bv Robert Arbib, Jr.

Cognizant of the growing interest among bird students in studies
concerning breeding birds, and recognizing the dearth of published or
collected information for the New York City region in this field, the
committee is now conducting an intensive survey of the distribution,
habitat, and status of the breeding birds of the region. Before focus-
ing attention on problems concerning individual species, it was felt
that a general study of the whole region would be both more adaptable
and more acceptable to the varied interests of the membership of
the Society. Therefore, in the spring of 1939, the committee set out
to compile accurate maps of the local ranges of all breeding birds in
the territory. From the list of 129 species known to breed within
the area, 43 were tabled for the present, as being so common as to
warrant specialized studies ; nine others had been treated in a previous
survey of colonial nesting species. Those remaining, however, are
either unknown, slightly known, or in such a state of transition or
instability, both as to range and abundance, that immediate mapping
seemed eminently worth while.

Every reader of ornithological literature is struck with the gen-
eralities unrelated to the fact or statistics with which he must reconcile
his own observations. In seeking to learn whether a certain species
has decreased or increased over a period of years, he runs across con-
stant obstacles. He must weigh the author's personalized compara-
tive terms, his ])owers of observation, his experience, and the reliability
of his sources. There can be only one true basis for accurate com-
parison— figures. Nothing but guesswork can be deduced from many
records left to us by the past, but it is the desire of the present com-
mittee to provide as highly accurate statistics as possible in this cur-
rent survey, for the benefit of the future as well as the present.

For the first year of the survey, 15 species were chosen which
presented particularly interesting problems, such as striking changes
in status, habitat, or abundance, or about which little was known.
Questionnaires were sent on June 1 to .some 200 members of the
Society and to others among the list of local bird students. Positive
replies were received from 45 observers, and further correspondence
resulted in additional information from 30 other sources. The 15
species mapped were Pied-billed Grebe, Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck,
Florida Gallinule, Barn Owl, Prairie Horned Lark, Carolina Wren,
Hermit Thrush, Louisiana Water-Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warb-
ler, Canada Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat. Orchard Oriole, Bobo-

link, and Cardinal. Oucstion.s were asked regarding locality of breed-
ing, evidence of breeding, number of pairs located, type of habitat,
and the present status of the species in the area rejtorted on.

Although the rejtlies are still iu the process of evaluation, pre-
liminary study reveals a marked change iu the status of these sjtecies
since the last authoritative ])ublication, (iriscom’s Birds of the Nezv
York City Region, of 1923. I'or example, Griscom summarizes the
status of the I’icd-billed (irebe by listing .several very old records
from New Jersey, commenting that “at the present time no breeding
colony is known in our area.” lie concludes that a rea.souable pos-
sibility exists of it breeding in northern New jersey and sporadically
at least on Long Island. The 1939 returns indicate no less than 21
pairs breeding. For Wood Duck the contrast is even more striking.
I'or 1923 Griscom states, “Now nests in a few scattered localities.”
The current survey located more than 113 pairs in the same area.
For Florida Gallinule Griscom states that all known colonies on Long
Island had been wiped out, but lists a few for New Jersey. Present
returns show more than 29 breeding pairs, about half from Long
Island. Put can we infer that these birds have increased during a
period when much of their natural habitat has been destroyed ? A
large part of their apitarent increase must be attributed to a more
thorough coverage today of areas within our region which were un-
touched in 1923. -\s noted above, unfortunately there is no method
of measuring the.se unknown factors. With re.spect to Parn Owls,
Griscom indicates that there were no nesting pairs knozen at the time
of writing, e.xcept on Staten Island. In 1939, 23 definite breeding
stations were located.

In the case of Prairie Horned Lark, a very marked change has
occurred, dating back no further than 1935. .According to Griscom
this species bred only in northern New Jersey. In 1939, 34 pairs were
recorded from the area, and the spread can be readily traced. It was
recorded as far east as Gardiner’s Island and ^lontauk, but it is prob-
able that these birds are offshoots of an earlier-established Block
Island colony. Similarly, for the other species, a more perfect picture
of the distribution and numbers is found in the data gathered by the
committee. Such interesting facts are revealed as the apparent change
in the range and habitat of the Orchard Oriole and Pobolink, the
marked fluctuation in the status of the Carolina Wren, and the peculiar
distribution of the Hermit Thrush and Cardinal.

In a preliminary questionnaire for the use of the committee, the
birding preferences and interests of the observers, their chosen terri-
tories, and the length of their observations were polled. From these

returns and the response to the breeding questionnaire it was found
that there are still sizeable areas in the region where no constant or
even occasional observation is maintained. Among these localities
are northern Westchester County, Rockland County, .scattered sec-
tions of New Jersey, Staten Island, and the southwest ])ortion of
Suffolk County, from the west boundary to Mastic. It is hoped that
this brief report will spur observers to help fill in the.se blank spots
with the ink of investigation.

For the coming year, an additional twenty species will be studied,
all presenting interesting distribution problems. Questionnaires similar
to those of 1939 will be sent to all active observers i:i the region, and
a wide response is urgently solicited. The following species have been
added to the list for 1940: Red-shouldered Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Spar-
row Hawk, Clapper Rail, Virginia Rail. American P)ittern, Fish Crow,
Screech Owl. ^\’ood Pewee. Rough-winged Swallow. Xighthawk.
Whip-poor-will. Bluebird. White-eyed \hreo. Blue-winged Warbler,
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler. Indigo Bunt-
ing, Seaside Sparrow, and Swamp Sparrow. Coincidental with this
surve\'. observers will be asked to continue reports on the species
mapped last year, as well as to supply data on all hawk and owd
stations.

The committee is greatly indebted to the many ob-servers who
cooperated in submitting their data for correlation and integration in
the work now in progress, and regrets that space will permit only
collective acknowledgment of gratitude at this time.

Report of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York
For the Year 1938-1939*

The activities of the Society during the past year have been the
usual compromise between the ideals of its officers and the limited
time at their disposal, between their hopes and the exigencies of life
in a modern metropolis, between the past and the present. The Society
has reached a respectable age and it has changed much since that day
in March, 1878, when Franklin Benner and Ernest Ingersoll first
summoned a group of kindred spirits to meet in an office on Liberty
Street. In order to throw our more recent activities into sharper focus,
we should like to review here the early conditions under which the
Society then operated. There were no .•\udubon societies at that time,
nor was there an A. O. U. The early meetings were devoted to dis-
cussions of mammalogy, entomology, botany, ornithology, parasitology
and ichthyolog}’ — all relatively unexplored fields of natural history.
About six members, and perhaps one or two visitors, appeared at the
monthly gatherings where a great deal of time was given to the task
of creating precedents for such things as meeting places and publica-
tions. To miss a meeting in those days was more disconcerting than
it is today. “For absence from regular meetings,” an early by-law
stated, “there shall be imposed a fine of twenty-five cents ( !).”

For some years the Society met in the rooms of the American
Geographic Society, but in 1891 it moved to the American Museum,
and attendance increased noticeably. Shortly thereafter its present
affiliation with the New York Academy of Sciences and other local
scientific societies was undertaken. Timely announcements of meet-
ings have long been extended to our members by the Academy in its
periodic bulletins, a source of assistance which every secretary has
deeply appreciated. About this time the membership list was multi-
plied about four times by the Society’s amalgamation with another
organization. These new members paid their dues for years, but they
seldom attended meetings. As a result, the Society rapidly acquired
a sound financial position, but it gradually found itself unable to ob-
tain quorums for its regularly scheduled meetings. This led to the
inclusion of ladies in its membership, a step dictated by necessity
which has never since been regretted.

In the course of its sixty-one years, our organization has set up
two special classes of membership. Among its Fellows are five Found-

*Condensed for publication. A fuller report has been placed in the archives
of the Society.

ers (Dr. C. Hart Merriam — its first president, Ernest Ingersoll — the
first secretary, Franklin Benner, Dr. A. K. Fisher and \\filliam C.
Osborn) and three valued ex-presidents, Walter Granger, Ludlow
Griscom and John T. Nichols. To this group, who have specially
distinguished themselves in its service, the Society elected on March
8, 1938, Dr. James P. Chapin, its president from 1928-29. At the
same time, H. Eliot Howard, the late Dr. Joseph Grinnell, and Dr.
Erwin Stresemann were elected Honorary Members, and the first
Linnaean prize for ornithological research was awarded to William
Vogt for his paper, “Preliminary Notes on the Behavior and Ecolog)^
of the Eastern Whllet.” Assisting the council in judging the latter
were Mrs. M. AI. Nice, Dr. Herbert Friedmann and Dr. Ernst Alayr.

During the past five years, the Society’s annual income from
dues has averaged about $400.00 a year. Annual expenditures, ex-
clusive of the occasional publication of Transactions, have exceeded
this income by about $50.00. It was the considered opinion of the
council that these expenditures have been timely and important and
that they could not be reduced without seriously impairing the effec-
tiveness and usefulness of the Society.

Changes in the Society's membership since 1920 are shown in the
following table :

1920 1923 1926 1929 1932 1935 1938 1939

Honorary Members and Fellows 4 3 6 9 10 10 11 14

Resident Members 81 103 127 159 153 143 154 154

Non-resident Members 26 24 23 17 10 13 19 17

Total Ill 130 156 185 173 166 184 185

During the year, the Society lost three members by death, Fred-
erick William Hyde, Airs. Herbert W. Smith and Charles A. Urner.
Air. Hyde had been a member over twenty-five years. Airs. Smith a
member since 1922. Like the loss of Warren F. Eaton in 1936, Air.
Urner’s death was an irreparable and untimely loss upon which the
officers received many personal messages of condolence as well as a
memorial message from the D. AA O. C. A saddened and shocked
membership adopted the following resolution ;

“With profound sorrow and a sense of deep personal loss the members of
the Linnaean Society of New York have learned of the sudden and untimely dealth,
on June 22nd, 1938, of Charles A. Urner, Past President and Fellow of this
Society.

Be it therefore resolved: That the Linnaean Society of New A'ork place on
record its feeling of untold regret at the untimely close of a life so outstanding
in accomplishments in field ornithology and so remarkable as an inspiration to
his innumerable friends. His leadership was kindly and his followers found it

easy to become his disciples. His unfailing good humor and thoughtfulness made
him the best of companions in the field. His vivid descriptions of field observa-
tions and his scholarly interpretation of the factors involved have contributed
vastly to our store of knowledge, and those interested in ornithology will be his
debtors for many years to come.

“Be it further resolved : That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
Mrs. Margaret E. Urner that we may e.xtend to her and to the members of the
family this e.xpression of our sincere sympathy and our lieartfelt condolences.”

Scheduled papers and speakers

Date

March 8, 1938
(.Annual)
March 22. 1938

-April 12. 1938
April 26. 1938

May 10, 1938
May 24, 1938
June 21, 1938
July 19, 1938
.August 16, 1938
September 20, 1938
October 11, 1938
November 1. 1938

November 15, 1938

November 29, 1938

December 13, 1938
December 27, 1938

January 10, 1939

January 24, 1939
February 14, 1939
February 28, 1939

Speaker

Dr. J. P. Chapin

C. -A. Urner

J. J. Hickey

Dr. C. \V. Leister
Robert P. Allen

J. J. Hickey

J. F. Street

Dr. N. Tinbergen
F. P. Mangels

J. J. Hickey

R. T. Peterson
R. H. Rough
R. P. Allen
J. F. Porter
R. P. Allen

James Bond

O. K. Stephenson

Ernest G. Holt

Dr. E. Mayr
R. L. Birdsall
T. E. Gilliard

were as follows ;

Title

To the Eastern Congo in 1937

The Midwinter Census of New
Jersey Birds

Bird-Lore's Second Breeding Bird
Census

Recent .Acquisitions at the Bron.x Zoo
The Cooperative Herring Gull Pro-
ject to Date

Symposium on Fly-Lines of Warblers
in the New A'ork City Region
Edward Harris and His Birds
Field Notes on the Spring Migration
Informal Meetings

-A A’ ear in Greenland
Pairing in the Black-crowned Night
Heron

Notes on the Breeding Birds of a
Wooded Slope

Sj’mposium on Bird Photography

Preliminary Notes on the Migration
and Homing of Herring Gulls
Birds of the Bay Islands, Honduras
Discussion of the Christmas Censuses
Notes on the Breeding Birds of Van
Cortlandt Park

Wildlife Program of the Soil Conser-
vation Service

The Proportion of Sexes in Birds
•A Recent Expedition to Karakorum
The Phelps- Venezuela Expedition to
the Guiana Highlands

The sixty-first Annual ^Meeting and dinner was held at the Hotel
Alamac on iMarch 8, 1939. The occasion was an extremely informal

one. Weird cartoons of non-existent birds were exhibited — “bean birds,”
“bugle birds,” and “gimlet-nosed snoos” — and were subsequently raffled
off to a delighted audience. President-elect Cruickshank introduced
the greatest ornithologist he had ever met — himself ! — and thereupon
launched info an amusing recital, “Great Ornithologists Who Have
Known Me” — a series of candid camera pictures of Linnaean mem-
bers sleeping, yawning, and in other unguarded moments. As a
means of intensifying the bonds of friendship between our members,
this meeting struck a new note and proved to be one of the most suc-
cessful ever held by the Society.

The average attendance at the informal summer meetings, four-
teen members and six guests, did not depart from the average for
these gatherings since their inception over a dozen years ago. The
crowded programs of 1937-1938 — travelogues alternated with meet-
ings crammed full of field ornithology — encouraged the highest at-
tendance of members in the history of the Society. As the council
wished, these meetings discouraged purely casual visitors and indif-
ferent strangers, but there was a slight falling off in 1938-39 when
less varied programs were scheduled.

1895 1915 1920 1923 1926 1929 1932 1935 1938 1939

Members 9 10 14 18 27 27 34 34 36 33

Guests 8 15 11 14 22 28 48 43 28 23

Totals 17 25 25 32 49 55 82 77 64 56

The Secretary wishes to express his thanks to all those who have
helped him in carrying out his duties.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert P. Allen, Secretary.

Rep)ort of the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New York
For the Year 1939-1940

During the year, the Linnaean Society has held sixteen regular
meetings and four informal meetings. The average attendance at
regular meetings has been; members 38, guests 30 — summer meetings:
members 19, guests 7.

The calendar for the year was as follows;

March 8 — Annual Meeting.

March 28 — A Recent Trip to Colombia, South America, by Dr.
Robert Cushman Murphy.

April 11 — The Private Life of the Ciannet (motion picture).

April 25 — At Home with the Ospreys, by Samuel II. Chubb.

May 9 and 23 — Discussion of the Spring Migration.

October 10 — Discussion of Field .Votes by Members.

October 2-1 — The Prairie Falcons of William’s Canyon, by Drs. W.
Sargent and .A. B. Klots.

November I-l — A Discussion of the Hurricane's Effect on Local
Bird-Life, by Dr. William Todd Helmuth 3rd.

November 28 — Southern Sanctuaries, by .Alexander Sprunt, Jr.

December 12 — Birding in the Southwest, by Roger Tory Peterson.

December 26 — Further Notes on the Cooperative Gull Survey, by
J. J. Hickey.

January 9, 1940 — Evolution of Species of Birds, by Dr. Ernst
Mayr.

January 23 — Behavior of Some Young Blue Jays, by Dr. .Austin
L. Rand.

February 13 — New England Aligration Elyways, by Ludlow
Gri scorn.

February 27 — -Little Known Florida, by .Allan Cruickshank.

At the .Annual Aleeting, Alarcli, 1939, the following officers were
elected: President, .Allan Cruickshank; \’ice-President, Dr. E. R. P.
Janvrin; Editor, Dr. Ernst Alayr; Treasurer, Irving Kassoy; Secre-
tary, John F. Alathews; Recording Secretary, Robert Storer.

Two Honorary Alembers, Dr. Witmer Stone and Dr. Joseph
Grinnell, and two resident members, Dr. Loring Turell and Irving K.
Taylor, passed away during the year.

Twenty new members have been elected and six have resigned
or been dropped. The total membership now stands at 202 members,
the largest membership in the history of the Society.

Dr. N. Tinbergen’s behavior study of the Snow Bunting was
published in Volume V of the Transactions and distributed to the
members.

The most notable events in the history of the Society during the
past year were the creation of a “Charles A. Urner Memorial Fund”
for the promotion of ornithological field work in New Jersey, New
York, and Connecticut, and for the publication of studies made in
these areas, and of an “Endownment Fund,” the income of which is
to be devoted primarily to the publication of worthy ornithological
papers.

The secretary wishes to express his thanks for the cooperation
and help received during the past year from the many members of
the Society.

Respectfully submitted,

JoHX F. M.jiTHews, Secretary.

Officers, Council and Committees of
The Linnaean Society of New York
OFFICERS 1939-40, 1940-41

President -------

Vice-President -----

Secretary -------

Treasurer -------

Editor - -- -- -- -
Recording Secretary (1939-40)
“ “ (1940-41)

Allan D. Cruickshank

- - E. R. P. Janvrin

- - John F. Mathews

- - - Irving Kassoy

- - - - Ernst Mayr

- - Robert VV. Storer

Richard H. Pouch

COUNCIL 1939-41
Ex Officio

Allan D. Cruickshank

E. R. P. Janvrin Irving Kassoy

John F. Mathews Ernst Mayr

Robert W. Storer (1939-40) Richard H. Pough (1940-41)

Term 1937-1940
Richard H. Pough
Term 1938-1941
Alfred E. Eynon
Term 1939-1942
Margaret Brooks
Term 1940-1943
Robert Arbib

James L. Edwards
Joseph J. Hickey
Mrs. Gladys G. Fry

Allen M. Thomas

Robert P. Allen

Samuel C. Harriot

Christopher K. McKeever
M’illiam Sargent

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

John F. Mathews, Chairman William O. Astle

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Ernst Mayr, Clieirman

Margaret Brooks Joseph J. Hickey Hobart M. Van Deusen

FIELD WORK COMMITTEE
Robert Arbib, Jr., Chairman

John Bull Alfred E. Eynon Christopher K. McKeever

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Richard A. Herbert Irving Kassoy

E. R. P. Janvrin Marc C. Rich

GULL SURVEY COMMITTEE

Samuel C. Harriot, Chairman

Theodore S. Pettit Joseph J. Hickey

Librarian Samuel C. Harriot

Membership List, March 1 , 1 940t

Honorary Members

1938 Howard H. Eliot, Clarelands, near Stourport, Worchestershire, England.
1938 Stresemann, (Prof.) Erwin, Zoologisches Museum der Universitat In-
validenstrasse 43, Berlin N 4, Germany.

Fellows

1908 Chapin, James P., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

1886 Chapman, Frank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History,
New York City.

1878 Fisher, A. K., M.D., The Plymouth, Washington, D. C.

1891 Granger, Walter, Dr., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

1907 Griscom, Ludlow, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
1878 Ingersoll, Ernest, 404 West 116th St., New York City.

1878 Merriam, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th St., N. W., Washington, D. C.

1905 Nichols, John T., American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

1878 Osborn, Wm. C., % Osborn, Fleming and Whittlesey, 20 Exchange
Place, New York City.

Resident Members

1928 Abbot, Mrs. Laura W., R. D. 2, Bristol, Pa.

1928 Allen, Fred, 4202 Layton St., Elmhurst, N. Y.

1931 Allen, Robert P., National Ass. Aud. Soc., 1006 5th Ave., New York

City.

1935 Allyn, Richard, % St Luke’s Hospital 113th St. and Amsterdam Ave.,
New York City.

1938 Amadon, Dean, 318 West 71st St., New York City.

1938 Arbib, Robert, 115 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, L. L, N. Y.

1931 Archbold, Richard, American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

1935 Astle, William O., 45-64 158th St., Flushing, L. L, N. Y.

1924 Baker, John H., 1165 Fifth Ave., New York City.

1928 Baldwin, Roger N., 31 Union Square West, New York City.

1937 Barber, Arthur, 181 Clerk St., Jersey City, N. J.

1939 Beach, Miss Elizabeth H., Basin Harbor Hotels, Vergennes, Vt.

1931 Beals, Mrs. A. T. (Marie V.), 5833 85th St., Elmhurst, Long Island,

N. Y.

1937 Berliner, R. W., 205 Club Drive, Woodmere, Long Island, N. Y.

JThe figure preceding each name indicates the year of election to the Society.
*Life members.

1936

1892

1934

1929

1923

1925

1920

1935

1923

1931

1938

1933

1934

1939

1938

1939

1932

1925

1921

1934

1893

1931

1910

1933

1931

1928

1920

1927

1926

1938

1939

1911

1929

1939

1930

1927

1939

1937

1923

1940

1939

Birckhead, Hugh, 435 Monterey Ave., Pelham Manor, N. Y.

Bishop, Louis B., 450 Bradford St., Pasadena, Calif.

Buemeyer, Miss Rose, 115-04 89th Ave., Richmond Hill, N. Y.
Boehrer, Charles A., 500 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Boulton, W. R., Jr., Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111.
Boulton, Mrs. W. R., Cherry Lane, Westport, Conn.

Bowdish, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J.

Bowen, Leon W., 77 Evergreen .\ve., Bloomfield, N. J.

Brandreth, Courtenay, Ossining, N. Y.

Breslau, Leo, % Laurel Printing Co., 480 Canal St., New York City.
Brigham, H. Stdrrs, Jr., 2246 Sedgwick .^ve., Bronx, N. Y.

Brooks, Miss Margaret, 191 Shore Road, Old Greenwich, Conn.

Brown, Clarence D., 222 \’alley Road, Montclair, N. J.

Buchheister, Carl W., National .-\ss. .-\ud. Soc., 1006 5th Ave., New
York City.

Bull, John, Jr., 90 .^rgyle .-\ve.. New Rochelle, N. Y.

Cant, Gilbert B., 91 Crescent .Ave., Roselle, N. J.

Cantor, Irving, 155 West 99th St., New York City.

♦Carleton, Geoffrey, 438 M'est 116th St., New York City.

Carr, William H., Trailside Museum, Bear Mt. Park, Iona Island, N. Y.
Carter, T. Donald, .American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

Chalif, Edward L., Barnsdale Road, Short Hills, N. J.

Chubb, Samuel H., .American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

Church, Miss Cynthia, Kings Point, Great Neck, L. I.

Cleavtis, Howard H., 8 Maretzek Court, Princess Bay, Staten Island, N.Y.
Cobb, Dr. Clement B. P., 1261 Madison .Ave., New York City.

Cook, William B., 20 Irenhyl .Ave., Port Chester, N. Y.

CooLiDGE, Oliver, Broad Brook Road, Bedford Hills, N. Y.

Crandall, Lee S., New York Zoological Park, New A'ork City.
Crowell, Noyes A., 216 West 105th St., New York City.

Cruickshank, Allan D., National .Ass. .Aud. Soc., 1006 5th Ave., New
York City.

Cushman, Elizabeth, 400 East 53rd St., New York City.

Dale, Mrs. .Allene H., 390 Riverside Drive, New A"ork City.

Darrow, Harry N., 49 East 2nd St., Mt. Vernon, N. Y.

*D.avis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, Staten Island,
N. Y.

Desmond, Thomas C., 94 Broadway, Newburgh, N. Y.

Doepel, Mrs. Henry, 6 Poplar Road, Larchmont, N. Y.

Edey, Maitland, Glenhead, L. L, N. Y.

Edey, Mrs. Maitland, Glenhead, L. L, N. Y.

Edge, Mrs. C. N., 1200 5th .Ave., New York City.

Edwards, James L., 27 Stanford Place, Montclair, N. J.

Eliot, Ellsworth, Jr., M.D., 34 East 67th St., New York City.

Elliot John S., Park .Ave., Seaford, L. I., N. Y.

Eynon, .Alfred E., 107 Halsey St., Newark, N. J.

Ferguson, Henry L., Fishers Island, N. Y.

Fischer, John J., 794 Faile St., New York City.

Fischer, Richard B., 142-08 Cherry .Ave., Flushing, L. L, N. Y.

1917

1914

1937

1921

1923

1925

1923

1939

1937

1928

1934

1928

1926

1935

1924

1935

1902

1932

1928

1929

1937

1924

1937

1914

1921

1924

1939

1933

1929

1939

1918

1925

1912

1937

1925

1914

1937

1913

1935

1936

1940

1921

1937

1938

1937

1924

Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New
York City.

Fleisher, Edward (Prof.), 295 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, X. Y.
Flynn, Michael, 125 College Place, Syracuse, X. Y.

Friedman, Ralph, 14 East 75th St., New York City.

Frost, Allen, 143 Academy St., Poughkeepsie, X. Y.

Fry, Mrs. Gladys Gordon, 66 Eagle Rock Way, Montclair, X. J.
Garvan, Mrs. Francis P., 740 Park Ave., New York City.

Gillen H. W., 120 Broadwaj", New York City.

Gilli.ard, E. Thomas, American Museum of X'atural History, New York
City.

Grinnell, Lawrence L., 1024 Stewart Ave., Ithaca, X. Y.

Guernsey, Raymond G., Eden Terrace, Poughkeepsie, X. Y.

Gutlohn, Mrs. Walter, 112 West 59th St., New York City.

Hagood, Major Lee, 120 Broadway, New York City.

Harriot, Samuel C., 200 West 58th St., New York City.

Hasbrouck, Henry C., 61 Broadway, New York City.

Heck, Edson B., M. D., Spectacle Lane, Wilton, Conn.

Helme, Arthur H., 223 Bayview Terrace, Port Jefferson, Long Island,
X. Y.

Helmuth, Dr. W. T., HI, 667 Madison Ave., X'ew York City.

Herbert, Richard, 961 Fox St., New York City.

Herbst, Mrs. Cynthia Kuser, Bernardsville, X. J.

Herrick, Miss Eleanor, Smith St., Woodmere, L. I.

Hickey Joseph J., 132-24 Maple Ave., Flushing, L. L, X’. Y.

Hildt, Mrs. Thomas, Prosser Cottage, East Palisade .\ve., Engelwood,
X. J.

Hix, George E., 337 72nd St., Brooklyn, X. Y.

Howland R. H., Box 224, Church St. Annex, Xew York City.

*Hunter, Roland Jackson, 68 Broad St., Freehold, X. J.

Imhof, Thomas, 413 .Autumn .Ave., Brooklyn, X. Y.

Ingersoll, AIrs. R.wmond V., 380 Clinton .Ave., Brooklyn, X^. Y.
INGR.AHAM, Edward .A., 16 Court St., Brooklyn, X. Y.

Jacobson, .A. Malcolm, 285 Hawthorne St., Brooklyn, X. A’.

Jan\tun, E. R. P., M.D., 38 East 85th St., Xew York City.

J. AQUES, F. L., .American Museum of Natural History, Xew A’ork City.
Johnson, Julius M., 2935 Pleasant .Ave., Ridgewood. X. J.

K. \rsch, Henry, Jr., 136 Seaman .Ave., Xew A'ork City.

Kassoy, Irving, 817 Faile St., Xew A'ork City.

Kieran, John F., 4506 Riverdale .Ave., Bronx, X. Y.

Kraslow, Howard, 2025 Regent Place, Brooklyn, X. Y.

Kuser, John Dryden, Box 194, Far Hills, X. J.

Lang, Edw.\rd B., 156 Joralemon St., Bellville, X. J.

Lehrman, D.\niel S., 136 West 168th St., Xew A’ork City.

Lester, Selah B., Easthampton, L. L, X’. A'.

Litchfield, AIiss Gertrude, 183rd St. and Pinehurst .Ave., Hudson A’iew
Gardens, X. A’.

Mangels, Fred P., 2047 Xostrand .Ave., Brooklyn, X. A’.

Mann, John, 110-50 207th St., Hollis, L. I.

Manning, Miss Elizabeth S., Caroline Country Club, Hartsdale, X. A’.
Mathews, John F., 528 Riverside Drive, Xew A’ork City.

1932

1939

1922

1937

1919

1934

1930

1918

1916

1937

1939

1940

1927

1939

1938

1923

1937

1907

1939

1938

1937

1939

1936

1935

1939

1929

1922

1886

1911

1934

1940

1939

1935

1939

1931

1938

1939

Mathews, \Vm. H., 27 St. .Andrews Place, Yonkers, N. V.

Mayr, Ernst, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New York
City.

Mundv Miss Barbara, 1009 Park .Ave., New A'ork City.

Mc.Auliffe, George B., M.D., 26 West 87tli St., New Aork City.
McDermott, John, 95 Dwight St., Jersey City, N. J.

McKeever, Christopher K., 1043 Carroll St., Brooklyn, N. A.

Nacmburg, Mrs. Elsie M. B., .American Museum of Natural History,
New A’ork City.

Nelson, Miss Theodora. 2695 Heath .Ave., New A’ork City.

Nichols, Charles K., 212 Hamilton Road, Ridgewood, N. J.

Nichols, Edward G., Rev., % L. N. Nichols, 315 Hiast 68th St., New
A'ork City.

Nichols. L. Nelson, 315 East 68th St., New A’ork City.

Norse, William, 531 West 211th St., New A’ork City.

O’Hare, Thomas, 3418 3rd .Ave., New A’ork City.

Peloubet, Mrs. S. W’., 228 Sagamore Road, Milhurn, Long Island, N. A’.
Peterson, Roger T., National .Ass. .And. Soc., 1006 5th .Ave., New A’ork
City.

Peterson, Russell, 42 Overlook Road, A’erona, N. J.

Pettit, Theodore S., 224 Donahue .Ave., Inwood, L. I., N. A’.
Philhower, Charles .A., 303 Mountain .Ave., W estfield, N. J.

Philipp, Frederick B., 152 Main St., P-atontown, N. J.

Philipp, P. Bernard. 27 W. 44th St., New A’ork City.

Philips. John B., 115 E. Mosholu Pkway., New A’ork City.

Poor, Hustace H., 112 Park .Ave., A’onkers, N. A'.

Porter, John F., 27 Normandy Terrace, Bron.wille, N. A'.

Posey, How.ard L., 170 Irving .Ave., South Orange, N. J.

PouGH, Rich.ard H., National .Ass. .Aud. Soc., 1006 5th .Ave., New A’ork
City.

PouGH, AIrs. Richard H., 144 East 45th St., New A’ork City.

Preston, Ralph C., 509 W’est 121st St., New A’ork City.

R-and, Dr. .Austin L., .American Museum of Natural History, New
A’ork City.

Reid, Hoch, 45 Marble Hill .Ave., New A’ork City.

Rich, AI. C., 2 West 83rd St., New A’ork City.

Rich, AIrs. AI. C., 2 West 83rd St., New A’ork City.

Riker, Cl.arence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.

♦Rogers, Ch.arles H., Princeton Universitv (AIus. of Zoology), Princeton,
N. J.

Rose George C., 202 Linden Road Alineola, Long Island, N. A’.

Ry.an, AIiss K.ay', 412 East 65th St., New A’ork City.

Sabin, W’.alter, 150-03 Sanford .Ave., Flushing, L. I.

Sanford, Lloyd S., 603 Clinton .Ave., Newark, N. J.

Sargent, Dr. W’illi.am, % Bio. Dept., C. C. N. A’., 23rd St. and Lex-
ington .Ave., New A’ork City.

Scott, F. C., % Time Inc., Time and Life Building, New A’ork City.
Sedwitz, W' .alter, 124 West 79th St., New A’ork City.

Shainin, Vincent, 255 Ocean .Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Skopec, .Arthur, 3637 202nd St., Bayside, L. I., N. Y.

1939

1933

1937

1929

1933

1939

1933

1937

1925

1939

1933

1926

1925

1923

1933

1928

1917

1906

1939

1937

1935

1928

1937

1933

1936

1919

1938

1884

1933

(1888)

1937

1893

1925

1939

1938

1921

Smith, Mrs. Isaac, 3411 148th St., Flushing, L. I., N. Y.

Spofford, Dr. Walter H., School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, Tenn.

Staloff, Charles, 75 Fort Washington Ave., New York City.
Stephenson, Orlando K., Jr., 50 Haven Ave., New York City.

Stevens, Charles W., M.D., 1 West 68th St., New York City.

Stev'ens, Mrs. Charles W., 1 West 68th St., New York City.

Stewart, Miss E. Grace, 457 Oak Ave., Flushing, L. I., N. Y.
Stockelbach, Mrs. F. E., 25 Gordon PI., Verona, N. J.

Stoddard, Mrs. Ralph, 535 Oak Ave., Flushing, L. I., N. Y.

Storer, Robert, 522 Vose Ave., South Orange, N. J.

Stryker, Carol, Staten Island Zoological Society, Clarence T. Barrett
Stryker, Carol, Staten Island Zoological Society, Clarence T. Barrett
Park, West New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y.

Teague, Mrs. Cecilia, 14 Sutton Place, New York City.

Thomas, Allen M., Graham School, Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y.
Thomas, Mrs. Margaret L., 366 West 245th St., Riverdale-on-Hudson,
N. Y.

Thornton, A. P., 27 West 44th St., New York City.

Tucker, Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

Tucker, Mrs. Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

Van Deusen, Hobart Merritt, 8 Wellesley Road, Upper I^Iontclair,
N. J.

Vogt, William, Compania Administradera del Guano, Casilla 2147, Lima,
Peru.

Walsh, Lester L., 294 Bronxville Road, Bronxville, N. Y.

Walters, Frank, 536 Grand Central Palace, New York City.

Weber, Orlando F., Jr., 22 East 82nd St., New York City.

Weber, William A., 576 West 183rd St., New York City.

Whitman, F. Burton, Jr., Brunswick, Blaine.

Wilcox, LeRoy, Speonk, Long Island N. Y.

WooDBRiDGE, Miss Nancy, 37 Washington Square West, New York City.
WooDELTON, Mrs. Helen S., 454 Seventh St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Non-Resident Members

Ammann, G. a., Shingleton, Mich.

Ayer, Mrs. Nathan Edward, 1300 Hillcrest Drive, Pomona, Calif.
Hamilton, Miss Mary Alice, % University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Mich.

Ingersoll, a. M., 908 F St., San Diego, Calif.

Kritzler, Henry, State University of Iowa, Dept, of Zoology, Iowa City,
Iowa.

Morris, Robert T., M. D., Box 554 Stamford, Conn.

Nice, Mrs. Margaret Morse, 5708 Kenwood Ave., Chicago. 111.
Oberholser, Harry C., Ph.D., 2805 18th St., N.W., Washington, D. C.
Riggenb.ach, H. E., % Sarasin & Co., Basle, Switzerland.

Schmidt, Arthur H., Marine Studios, St. .Augustine, Fla.

Stevenson, James O., .\ransas Migratory Bird Refuge, Austwell, Texas.
Watson, Frank G., 2433 Haste St., Berkeley, Calif.

Williams, Laidlaw, Box 453, Carmel, Calif.

INDEX

Species recorded in the ‘Ornithological \ ears’ of 1936 and 1937 are listed in the
order of the A.O.U. ‘Check-List’ and are therefore excluded from the present index
(see pp. 42-49 and 53-59).

Acanthis Unaria 41

Aix sponsa * 77

Ammospiaa caudaciita 68

Anas rubripes 30

Aqnila chrysaetos 61

Archilochus colubris 68

Baeolophus bicolor 71

Buteo lagopus 25, 69

Carduclis carduclis 64, 72

Cathartes aura 29

Ceophlocus pileatus 72

Chaulelasinus strcpcrus 61

Chen hypcrborca 71

Chlidonias nigra 67

Chondestes graniinacus 66

Colaptes auratus 36

Colinus virginianus 70

Colyntbus n. nigricollis 60

Coragyps atratus 65

Corvus brachyrhynchus 26

C on-us ossifragus 26

Dendroica caerulcscens 72

Dendroica discolor 29

Dendroica tigrina 63

Dendroica vircns 64

Dichromanassa rufcsccns 30

Egrefta thula 73

Erolia tastacca 65, 66

Gallinua chlorpus 77

Guara alba 6

Histrionicus hisfrionicus 60, 72

Hydranassa tricolor 65

Icteridae roosts 51, 61, 70

Icterus spurius 29

lonornis martinica 65

Iridoprocnc bicolor 38, 60

Lanius ludoi-icianus 29

l.arus argcntatus 32, 33, 74

Larus f. fuscus 34

l.arus mar in us 29

Larus minutus 65

Larus Philadelphia 31

Larus pipixcan 70

Larus r. ribidundus 70

Limosa fedoa 60

Limosa hacmastica 70

Mimus polyglottos 29

Moris bassnta 69

Nuincnius ainericanus 66

Xyctanassa i-iolacca 64

Xyctea nytea 60

Xyticora.v nycticorax 1-28, 74

.\yrocinac 70

Otocoris alpestris 64, 77

Pagolla ioilsonia 67

Pagophila alba 31

Phaethon lepturus 67

Piranga ludoviciana 61

Piranga rubra 64, 65

Podilynibus podiceps 77

Polioptila caerulea 63

Pujjinus d. diomedea 67

Qucrquedula discors 29

Rynchops nigra 64, 66, 71

Sterna antillarum 62

Sturnus vulgaris 51, 61, 70

Turdus migratorius 61

Tyto alba 77

V crmivora cclata 29, 60

Vireo griseus 39

Vireo philadelphicus 29

Xcma sabini 60, 70

Zcnaidura carolinensis 60

Recent Publications of the Linnaean Society of New York

(For an earlier list see Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. New York, 43/ (1934), p. 87-89)

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1940-1941

Nos. 52-53

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE ,

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

For the Two Years Ending
March, 1941

Date of Issue, December 29, 1941

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Life History Studies of the Tree Swallow. By Richard Gottron Kuerzi 1

Notes on the Distribution of Oceanic Birds in the North Atlantic
1937-1941. By Hilary B. Moore, Ph.D. 53

The Ornithological Year 1939 in the New York City Region. By
Robert W. Storer - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 63

Notes on Bermuda Birds. By Hilary B. Moore, Ph.D. - - 70

Red-wing Observations of 1940. By Ernst Mayr - 75

Distribution and Habitat Selection of Some Local Birds. By Chris-
topher K. McKeever - 84

General Notes - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 113

Report of the Secretary for the Year 1940-41 148

Report of the Treasurer for the Year 1940-41 150

Obituaries - -- -- 151

Henry Eliot Howard
Walter Granger
Arthur H. Howell
Philip Bernard Philipp

Constitution and By-Laws of the Linnaean Society of New York

(as of December 1, 1941) - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 153

Membership Miscellany - -- -- -- 157

Officers, Council and Committees of the Linnaean Society of
New York, 1941-42 - 158

Membership List, November 1, 1941 159

Index

164

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

NEW YORK

1940-1941 DECEMBER, 1941 Xo. 52-53

Life History Studies of the Tree Swallow

By Richard Gottrox Kuerzi

CONTEXTS

I. IXTRODUCTIOX 1

II. Time of Arrival .at the Colony 7

III. Mass Departure 8

I\'. Towering 11

\’. Territory 12

VI. Call Notes 16

VII. Nest Building 18

VIII. Courtship 19

IX. Eggs and Egg Laying 20

X. Seco.nd Broods 26

XI. Incubation 27

XII. Nestling Period 30

XIII. Feeding of Young 33

XIV. Mortality 35

XV. Reproducti\"e Efficiency 36

XVL Banding Operations 40

XVII. Plumage Notes 45

XVIII. Discussion 47

XIX. .Addenda 48

XX. Summary 49

I. Introduction

The following paper is a factual account of a Tree Swallow
{Irodoprocne bicolor) colony founded on a small tract of land in the
Housatonic \’alley, a few miles south of the town of Kent, Litchfield

County, Connecticut. It is based on almost daily observations covering
three breeding seasons. Representing the only sizable colony within the
state that has been under observation and study, it forms a favorable
basis of comparison with the colonies at Princeton (Chapman, 1935
and 1939), and Cape Cod, Massachusetts (Austin and Low, 1932 [Re-
ferred to throughout this paper as Low, 1932] ; Low, 1933 and 1934).

The project was undertaken with a view to song-bird manage-
ment that could be applied to other similar areas in New England.
Primary stress was, therefore, given to the colony’s rate of increase,
reproductive efficiency and the subsequent relation of these quantities
to other species nesting within the area. To reduce the possibility of
error to a minimum in determining these two elements necessitated
allowing the colony to operate under natural conditions with as little
disturbance as possible. The latter policy has been followed through-
out the study, and is, I believe, reflected in the results.

In the course of the project, however, other phases of the breed-
ing cycle were naturally under observation and are included in the
work. Considering the work as a whole it furnishes a fairly complete
picture of the breeding cycle of the Tree Swallow for the latitude of
southern New England.

The author wishes to thank Mrs. Margaret M. Nice, Dr. Ernst Mayr
and Joseph J. Plickey for constructive criticisms and helpful suggestions
in the preparation and organization of this paper. I am also greatly
indebted to Miss Carmen F. Lewis, not only for her kindness in typing
the lengthy manuscript, but also for her valuable editorial criticism.
And last, but by no means least, the writer wishes to express a debt
of gratitude to his father, Francis J. Kuerzi, whose constant sympathy
and cooperation made this project possible.

A. Description of Colony Site and Environs

Four miles below Kent the liousatonic is dammed for power,
causing the river to resemble a long narrow lake. On the eastern bank
of the river a mile above the dam is the area on which this colony was
founded. Rising from the western shore to an average height of 1200
feet (375 meters) are the Schaticoke Mountains, foothills of the
Taconic Range. To the east there is a gentle rise of hills which drops
off to a secondary valley. In this valley are two small lakes, which
are at most but a mile from the colony. Connecting these lakes is a
rather extensive swampy tract, the flora of which consists mostly of
pond lilies (Castalia), a swamp tussock grass, cattails (Typha), a
fair sprinkling of swamp alder {Alnus), and along the borders, red
maple (Acer riibrnin).

The actual site of tlie colony is a played-out tobacco lot, three
acres (1.3 hectares) in extent. To the east and north are fields once
farmed, but now growing up to cedar (Junif>erus), speckled alder
{Alnus incana), bush dogwood (Conius sp.), and an occasional fruit
tree. On the south are open fields terminating in a small ravine, which
includes a small spring-fed swamp, pretty well choked with bush
cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) . The ground elevation of the colony
site is 450 feet (137 meters) above sea level.

Considered in relation to its surroundings, the colony area is not
unlike a natural habitat for Tree Swallows, if we except the actual
nesting boxes themselves.

B. History of the Colony

In 1930 one acre (.4 hectare) of this land was acquired, and upon
completion of a house, plantings were begun with a view to attracting
birds. Two years later a few bird boxes were erected in the hope of
attracting some box-nesting species. A small flock of Tree Swallows
visited the place in late July 1933, and inspected the few boxes. Next
spring, 1934, the first pair nested in bo.x 11 and reared one brood. In
1935 1 pair again nested. Four more boxes were added in the early
spring of 1936 making seven in all. but the new boxes were placed in
hedgerow positions. Nevertheless, 3 pairs nested that year.

During the fall of 1936 two more acres (.8 hectare) were ac-
quired. In the spring of 1937 a concerted effort was made to increase
the number of pairs by the placing of ten new boxes. The response was
an increase to 10 pairs. In 1938 fifteen more boxes were added with
a resultant increase to 23 pairs for that year. Again in 1939 twelve
new boxes were erected, and the colony increa.sed to 35 pairs. In the
autumn of 1939 twenty more boxes were erected.

It should be remembered that, including the buildings and drive-
way, the total area available for boxes was only 3.25 acres (1.3 hec-
tares) ; and that in addition to the swallows there were in 1939 one
pair of Starlings (Stuniis vulgaris), 2 pairs of Bluebirds (Sialia sialis),
8 pairs of House Wrens (Troglodytes a'cdou), and 19 pairs of open-
nesting species — a total of 65 pairs. Thus we find for that year a
density of 20 pairs per acre (8 per hectare! representing 14 species.

During the period of this study. 0])en-nesting birds steadily in-
creased both in the number of species and individuals. In 1930 only
3 pairs of birds (1 Song Sparrow — Mclos('iza iiiclodia, 1 Field Spar-
row— Spizella pusilla, and 1 Northern Yellow-throat — Geothlypis
trichas brochidactyla) were found on the actual area. Their subse-
quent increase to 19 pairs in 1939 can best be correlated with the matur-

ing of the plantings which afforded both food, cover, and nesting sites.
Since this increase was progressive over the three-year period and
paralleled the Tree Swallow increase, the box-nesting species either
had no effect or were perhaps beneficial.

On June 27, 1940, an opportunity was had to check over the colony
in an attempt to discover the number of pairs of Tree Swallows for
the year. Instead of an anticipated increase to 50 pairs, there was
actually a loss of 5 pairs over the 1935 nesting season. Whether this
colony has begun to decrease as Chapman (1939) found at the Prince-
ton area in 1936 or whether the heavy losses this species suffered dur-
ing the severe winter of 1939-40 in the South have had a direct effect
is problematic at this time. However, more recent reports from the
Xew England states (Griscom. 1940) tend to prove that the species
suffered a general decrease over its northeastern breeding range as a
result of the preceding severe winter in the South.

The 1940 check disclosed no decrease in the number of Bluebirds
or House Wrens. These two species have probably, as was to be ex-
pected, reached a stationary condition in their respective populations.
Another fact, perhaps significant, was disclosed in the 1940 survey,
namely, the total absence of Phoebes (Sayornis phcebe), where for
the past two years 2 pairs have bred. This is another species which
might have suffered losses as a result of the severe cold on its southern
wintering grounds.

C. Rel.\tive Isol.atiox of the Colo.vy

During the nesting seasons, 1933, 1934 and 1936, extensive breed-
ing-bird surveys were made of northwestern Litchfield County (J. F.
and R. G. Kuerzi, 1934). These investigations revealed only a few scat-
tered pairs of Tree Swallows nesting in natural haunts. Xo colonies
were found and few, if any, natural habitats remain in this part of
Connecticut. The few scattered pairs were found not in the Housa-
tonic Valley, but in the smaller and higher valleys to the east. At the
present time there are no known colonies or even individual pairs in
the Housatonic Valley between X"ew Milford and Canaan — a distance
of over 50 miles. Xo doubt their absence can be accounted for by a
lack of nesting sites, as was the case at Cape Cod (Low, 1932).
Enough field work has been done in the Harlem \’alley from Brewster
through Pawling and Millerton to Sharon. Connecticut, to establish
the absence of this species in that extensive area, or at least to exclude
the possibility of any sizable colonies.

Princeton, Massachusetts, where Chapman established his colony,
is 100 miles northeast of Kent in a straight line. Xorth Eastham,

Cape Cod, the location of the Austin Ornithological Research Station,
where Low worked with Tree Swallows, is practically the same lati-
tude as Kent, hut 200 miles directly east.

The Kent eolony studied by the author is on the Housatonic River in Connecticut,
Chaf’inan's colony at Princeton is 100 miles northeast, Austin and Lozv's at North
Eastham is 200 miles east.

D. Type of Bird Boxes

Government specifications were followed fairly closely in the con-
struction of the boxes. Inside measurements were roughly : floor
6" X 6" (15.2 cm. x 15.2 cm.), rear height 7" (17.8cm.), front height
6" (15.2 cm.) with an opening of 1.5" (3.8 cm.) in diameter 4" (10.2
cm.) from the floor. Roofs slant down toward the opening (overhang
was found to be unnecessary), and are hinged on the side rather than
the rear with a hook and eye locking device on the side opposite the
hinge. Fronts do not open. The side-hinging has two advantages over
the conventional type: the roof will not blow open even if unlocked,
and will not curl due to moisture warping. This insures a weather-
tight lid at all times. For banding operations, manually controlled
shutters were employed, and access to the trapped birds was had
through the hinged lid.

)

These boxes are set out on creosoted posts and average from 4 to
5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m.) above the ground. The posts for the 1939 sea-
son were on 50-foot (15.2 m.) centers, and the total number of boxes
for the same season was 50.

In the matter of paint some experimenting was done to determine
the most weatherproof kind of color that would be accepted by the
birds. The Tree Swallows accepted (as did Bluebirds and wrens) boxes
stained with creosote or painted a dull brown, gloss brown, white,
gray, blue, orange or aluminum. Aluminum paint was finally adopted
for general use, not only for its excellent weather-resistant qualities,
but also since it was found to keep the boxes cooler. This latter qual-
ity may be important during the fledgling period when hot spells
usually occur, particularly when we realize that the birds’ natural nest-
ing sites are normally in cool situations above or near water. How-
ever, Weydemeyer (1934) found that Tree Swallows could success-
fully stand temperatures as high as 98° F. (36.7° C.) during the fleldg-
ling period.

E. Box Locations and Preference

As expected, houses placed out in the open are most eagerly sought
by the swallows, but occasionally a hedgerow box is occupied. How-
ever, the hedgerow boxes have a very definite value in the plan of
the colony, as they afford nesting sites for wrens for their first broods.
To reduce further any possible friction between the swallows and
wrens, one or two wren boxes have been placed each year at suitable
points. Results seem to indicate that such manipulation of boxes cuts
down possible damage resulting from this interspecial antagonism.

Unfortunately, this latter technique cannot be applied to the Blue-
bird situation, which so far has not been serious, but which will prob-
ably become more acute as the swallow population further increases.
Here again the policy of keeping boxes available in excess of the num-
ber actually required may help to lessen this pressure.

Herewith is a tabulation for the three seasons covering the three
species of box nesters in the colony; swallow, wren and Bluebird.

TABLE I

1937

1938

1939

Number of boxes available

“ “ “ occupied

“ “ “ in excess

Percentage of boxes occupied

73.9%

77.5%

84%

“ “ “ in excess

26.1%

22.5%

16%

In the other colonies where similar studies were undertaken, boxes
were not placed nearly as closely for the simple reason that the areas

under investigation were considerably larger than the area at Kent.
However, there is a record of a Tree Swallow colony in ^Massachusetts
where boxes were placed as densely as 7 foot centers, and according
to reports were occupied (Whittle, 1926). This gives some inkling as
to the Tree Swallow density that can he attained in a given area.

II. Time of Arriv.\l at the Colony
First arrival dates were as follows :

1937 — April 8 3 birds

1938 — April 11 3 birds

1939 — April 5 8 birds

Average date of arrival for three years — April 8.

Other investigators seem to agree that early April is the normal
time of arrival for the Tree Swallows. Low (1932) gives April 3
for Cape Cod, and Forhush (1929) April 12 for eastern Massachusetts.
Chapman (1935) and Weydemeyer (1934), in their respective papers,
set the time as early .April.

From the tabulation it is evident that the swallows at Kent usually
arrive in a small band, rather than singly. This small band of swallows
is daily augmented until early May when the entire colony is pretty
well established. During the latter part of the third week of April, or
as in 1938 the early part of the fourth week of April, the first immature
females appear in the colony. By the middle of May these later im-
mature arrivals have settled down to nest building, when egg-laying is
already underway among the fully adult birds.

It is at this time each year that a secondary flight of Tree Swal-
lows occurs. This interesting feature of the spring Tree Swallow
migration is noted by Sage. Bishop and Bliss (1913), but neither Chap-
man nor Low make any mention of it.

Checks made of these movements over the three years revealed
that about 40% of the birds were immature or brown females. The
remaining 60% have been found to be green, and hence their age is
indetenninable, since the male attains the green plumage the first year.
It may possibly be that this unknown quantity is composed wholly of
first-year males, and that the secondary flight is of first-year males
and females.

Needless to say, these late arrivals cause much disturbance in the
already established colony, especially at dawn and dusk when they are
most in evidence. That these intruders are successfully driven off is
attested to by the fact that over the three breeding seasons not one pair
from this secondary flight has nested in the colony. The latter fact
is substantiated by the dates of first eggs for each pair within the group.

Dates of these secondary flights were :

1937 — May 13 to 15, and May 19, 20.

1938 — May 16, 17 and 18.

1939 — May 22 and 23.

It is evident that these flights are abnormally late for Tree Swal-
low migration. It is true that, in all, these late movements contain per-
haps only from 150 to 200 birds; but it should be remembered that
the Housatonic Valley is only a very minor migration route, particu-
larly in the spring migration. It might be well to add that these late
migrants are present only for the two or three days indicated in the
above tabulation.

Further considering the birds in this late flight, let us suppose
they do wander on and perhaps within a hundred or more miles find
a favorable nesting locality. The locating of a nesting site, nest-
building, courtship, etc., would at the very least consume from ten
days to two weeks or more. This would bring the date of laying of
the first egg to sometime in early June, which would be late for the
latitude of Kent. These late arrivals, then, would seem to be either
nou-breeders for the first year (as Chapman’s fledgling returns tended
to show), or, more likely, birds that finally locate and nest in a more
northerly latitude where the breeding season is later. In Forbush
( 1929) we find egg dates for Alaine from May 30 to July 12, which
would fit the above theory rather nicely. However, the answer can
only lie in more extensive banding operations over the entire New
England area. Then it might be found that this late flight of Tree
Swallows, which might represent the surplus population, disperses in
a northerly direction from its ])oint of origin.

III. M.\ss Dep.\rture

One interesting but rather perplexing feature of the pre-egg-lay-
ing period is what might be termed the mass departure of the swallows
from the colony. Depending on certain meteorological conditions they
may leave in the morning, at noon or in the early afternoon and stay
away for the remainder of the day. In some few instances they have
been absent all day. While this behavior is more usual during the time
of box selecting and nest building, it is carried over into the egg-laying
period. And in a few cases females have been known to leave com-
plete sets of eggs that had already been incubated.

Chapman (1935), Weydemeyer (1934), Shelley (1934) ami For-
bush ( 1929) all make mention of this i)henonienon, but fail to give
the answer as to where the swallows actually go when they leave a
given colony. All seem agreed that it is a reaction to climatic con-

ditions wliich directly affect tlie food supply of the species.

During the three-year period an effort was made to determine
what meteorological factors inducetl tlie swallows to leave. In Table
II are arranged several instances of ilays on which the birds left, to-
gether with weather data. It is (piite evident from the temperature
column that the birds invariably dej>arted on a rising temperature,
which would exclude that factor at least as an immediate cause. Wiml
intensity, which might have a hearing on the swallows’ fooil supidy.
was also found to he a negligible factor for the birds remained at the
colony on days when the wind intensity ecjualled or even exceeded the
figures given in this table.

T.J^BLE II

Meteorological Conditions .Affecting Mass Departure*

Year

Date

Temp. (Mean)

Wind (.M.P.H.)

Weather

Time of Dei>arture

19.17

.Apr. 12

45°

F. Rising

X. 18

Pt. Cloiidv

2.00 p.m.

•• 14

58°

S.W. 25

2.(H) p.m.

“ 20

54°

X.W. 22

1.00 p.m.

46°

X.E. 13

Cloudv

12.00 p.m.

39°

F. Static

X. 15

Absent all dav

” 23

42°

F. Rising

X. 24

9.00 a.m.

1938

-Mav 13

49°

F. Rising

S.W. 18

Pt. Cloudv

11.00 a.m.

•• 14

54°

S. 16

4.00 p.m.

•• 16

48°

X.W. 22

Cloudv

Ab.sent all d'.’-

1939

-Apr. 28

44°

F. Rising

X.E. 15

Cloiulv

.Absent all dav

50°

X. 12

Pt. Cloudv

1.00 p.m.

50°

E. 15

’.00 p.m.

.Mav 1

50°

X. 15

12.00 p.m.

•• 13

47°

S. 14

Cloudy

12.00 p.m.

50°

S. 16

Pt. Cloudv

.Absent all dav

" 15

52°

E. 16

Clear

Present all day

•Weather data courtesy of U. S. Weather Bureau. Hartford Station.

In considering the character of the day, we have what would seem
to be the real detemiining factor, namely the lack of sunshine. In no
instance when there was bright sunshine did the swallows depart. They
were present on days of bright sunshine even though the temperature
was as low as 28° F. Yet they left the colony on a cloudy day as
early as 9 A.M. when the temperature was 60° F. Under the column
marked “Weather" we find nine days of partly cloudy skies. In these
cases the clouding-over preceded the birds’ departure time by less than
an hour.

On days of actual hard rains in this period the birds were totally
absent. But this fact is not unusual, as most birds are inconspicuous
under similar conditions.

Chapman (1935) and Forbush (1929) described this mass depar-
ture behavior and attribute it to lack of food in the immediate vicinity of
the nesting grounds. While this could very readily have been the
case at Princeton, it would hardly seem to hold for Kent. Here feed-
ing conditions should be better than on any near-by areas, for the deep-
set Housatonic Valley and lesser valleys to the east could readily af-
ford shelter for insects, even during unfavorable weather condi-
tions; and at the same time the large water areas should tend to stab-
ilize temperatures.

Probably the answer lies in the birds’ roosting habits. That they
roost elsewhere than at the colony site normally is evident from the
fact that in the pre-egg-laying period both birds are absent from the
boxes no matter what the climatic conditions. Forbush (1929) states
that during such periods of low temperature the swallows resort to
protected cavities and nest boxes. This was definitely not the case at
Kent, for on several occasions during such absences all boxes were
checked and no birds found within.

It would seem, then, that lack of sunshine is the determining
factor in the birds’ leaving. It is conceivable that the absence of sun-
light could lessen the available insect food supply to a considerable
extent. However, such conditions would hardly be of a local char-
acter, and the birds would have to travel a considerable distance to
find a better food supply. Their prompt return when the sun again
shines w’ould argue against such a practice.

It may well be that lack of sunshine slows up the breeding im-
pulses in this species to such an extent that they revert to such pre-
nesting behavior as they would exhibit during migration or on their
wintering grounds. Thus, a diminishing degree of light could con-
ceivably cause premature roosting. If such a theory is at all possible,
it would do away with the necessity of basing the cause of mass de-
parture on lack of a sufficient food supply. As with other investigators,
all attempts to locate the birds during their absences within a con-
siderable distance of the colony proved futile.

Similar behavior was noted with a pair of Phoebes that nested
on the house. On May 13, 1939. a cloudy day with the thermometer
32° F. at dawn, the female was absent from the nest all day. The nest
contained a complete set of eggs which had already been incubated
for six days. The sun came out on the following morning and the
bird returned to incubate. Neither bird was seen about on the 13th.
The five eggs were unaffected by the female’s absence, for all five later
hatched.

At Kent the only box-nesting species that seems to be unafFected
by these low temperature periods is the Bluebird. During the time of
these investigations, the Bluebird was noted incubating consistently,
irrespective of climatic conditions.

I\'. Towering

Coinciding with this period of mass departure is still another action
participated in by the colony as a unit. For convenience I have termed
it ‘towering.’ W ithout apparent reason one bird takes to the air utter-
ing a note that closely resembles the alarm note, and immediately the
entire colony follows this same behavior pattern. They generally as-
cend to about 100 feet. The whole flock then boils about for perhaps
a minute, when just as suddenly the birds break ranks, cease calling
and descend to the boxes. This towering occurs principally between
the time of arrival and the start of general egg laying. There appears
to be little or no correlation between this behavior and weather con-
ditions other than the fact that it is more frequent on warm days. It
occurs principally during the morning hours but has also been noted
during the afternoon. It is most frequent during the nest-selecting
and building stages of the cycle and is participated in by all individ-
uals of the colony, whether they happen to be resting on the box or
working within.

At first towering was thought to be the reaction to some predator
invisible to the observer, but subsequent observation proved this false.
The Tree Swallows’ reaction to an actual enemy, whether it be on the
ground or in the air, is quite different. Then they do not tower at
all but swarm about the intruder, and any thing but man is pretty
effectively driven off. Tree Swallows are very pugnacious and fear-
less birds. Xot even the Cooper's Hawk {Accipiter cooperi) is free
from attack if it happens too near the colony. Another difference be-
tween this towering and the reaction to an intruder is that the latter is
not carried out by the entire colony as a unit. What usually happens
is that only the birds in the immediate vicinity of the disturbance are
alarmed.

Towering, then, would not seem to be a fear reaction, but must
represent some obscure aspect of the Tree Swallow's colonial behavior
pattern. Similar and possibly a parallel behavior is noted by Kirkman
(1937) in the case of the colonial Black-headed Gull of Europe (Larus
ridibtindus). He found that the presence of an enemy would cause the
entire nesting flock to take wing (‘up-flights’) and leave the nesting site
for a period of an hour or more, after which they usually returned. It
was also noted to extend over the same period as the towering of the

Tree Swallows, being indulged in most frequently before nest building
had begun. Tlie shyness exhibited by these birds in their ‘up-flights’
decreases sharj)ly with the nest-building and egg-laying periods, and
when it does occur during these periods, it is localized at the point of
disturbance. The only points of difference between these ‘up-flights’
and the towering of the Tree Swallows were that the swallows never
left the colony site, nor was any visible enemy present. It may well be
that these are differences of degree rather than kind.

Terri-tory

Following the pattern of most colonial-nesting species and, in
particular, most swallows, the Tree Swallow's territory is restricted to
the actual nest or nest box. Competition among these birds at the
breeding season would seem to be for nesting sites rather than avail-
ability of food. Thus it is that we have the danger of a Tree Swallow
colony increasing beyond the carrying capacity of the area through
the artificial stimulus of bird boxes. Such a condition admittedly
existed in the Princeton colony and resulted in an abnormally high
fledgling mortality.

Once tlie individual selection of the nest box is made (probably
by the male), it is protected against all rivals (probably by both male
and female). The following cases tend to show how effectively this
protective activity is carried out.

On May 12. 1937. during a daily box check a pair of dead adult
Tree Swallows was discovered in box 16. The one bird in fine green
plumage, undoubtedly a male, was lying on its back with legs ex-
tended and feet in a defensive fighting pose. There were six small
holes in the left lateral process of the sternum which was exposed.
The diameter of these punctures was exactly tlie width of the terminal
portion of a Tree Swallow’s bill. That this bird died in a struggle was
further evidenced by a small white breast feather which was still
clinging to its half-open bill. Alongside this male was the body of a
brown female resting on its side and with no api^arent injuries. This
particular bo.x is mounted on a steel pole, so only a bird could have
entered the bo.x. I'n fortunately, at that time there was no way of
obtaining post-mortems.

P)Ox 16 was not of home manufacture, and the ojtening was a
full 7I/6 inches from the bottom which made it very deej). Immediately
following this discovery the box was altered to standard specifications
and placed back on the same location.

On May 21 of the same year another brown female, which later
nested in box 16, had the male from box 15 (50 feet north of 16) on

the ground. The ensuing .struggle was watched for a full minute. On
this occasion the male was belly down and tlie female was perched
on his rump (perha])s pinning down the male's wings with her feet),
delivering hard blows to the hack of his head. Several blows would
be given and then the female would rest for a few seconds. .A closer
approach was attempted which frightened off the female, and only
after several seconds did the male take wing. During the struggle the
male was motionless.

There were several more of these combats in 1937 and again in
'38 and '39 involving others pairs. Invariably a brown female was in-
volved and generally proved to be tlie aggres.sor. On May 18. 1939,
a similar encounter was in progress beneath box 32. It so happened
that there was a tangle of ground blackberry at the spot, and in their
combat the pair had workeil down into it. The male in this case seemed
to be the aggressor. ,\s I approached, the male extracted it.-ielf and flew
off, but the female was firmly pinned down and was easily captured. Al-
though unbanded, this was clearly a first-year bird. It was then banded
and later was found to be mated to a first-year male (fledgling return ).
The pair used box 32.

.Another curious case was discovered on May 7. 1939. at box 50.
Xo nest had been started in the bo.x. At 7 P.M. a check of this box
disclosed that there were three Tree Swallows in it. On capture one was
found to be an unbanded female in the first-year plumage ; the other
two were males that had been banded the previous year as fledglings.
One of these males later mated with this brown female and used box
50. The other mated with a two-year-old female (banded in '38 as a
brown female) and used bo.x 10. only 50 feet from box 50. Another
similar ca.se was noted in 1937 in box 20. Rut as this occurred before
banding operations had commenced, the birds could not be traced. It
is, however, a fact that the female which did nest in box 20 that year
was a brown female.

While checking the boxes for nest development on .April 30. 1939.
a male Tree Swallow in fine plumage was found dead under box 27,
impaled on a short stalk of golden rod. The field had been cut over
the previous year, and this particular stalk had been cut off 41/2 inches
above the ground. Somehow the bird had been driven down on this
rather sharp stick. The latter entered the bird's body at the breast,
went clear through, and protruded 1/4 inch from the middle back region.
The bird was found thus, belly down, axis of body lowered toward
the head, wings three-quarters spread and tail closed. It appeared as
would a butterfly or moth that had been mounted on a pin.

A tentative explanation of this freak accident is that this bird was
involved in a territorial struggle, locked in midair with the rival, and
both had fallen to the ground. In the fall the dead bird accidentally
hit the stalk and was impaled.

This locking in midair and falling practically as dead birds, I have
witnessed many times, and it is general!}^ concluded on the ground
with a struggle. Generally, the locking does not occur much above 20
or 30 feet, but in this case the height may have been greater.

Barn, Bank and Rough-winged Swallows (Hinuido crythrogaster,
Riparia riparia riparia, and Stelgedoptcryx ruficollis serrepennis)
breed very near the colony site, and during the spring migration Cliff
Swallows pass through the area. All these species can freely enter
the colony limits to feed or gather nest material without any molesta-
tion by the Tree Swallows. However, on June 11, 1938, a female Pur-
ple Martin entered the colony and was immediately set upon by the
Tree Swallows. The whole colony was agitated for about 30 minutes,
but the martin was soon mercilessly driven off. Townsend (1920)
cites an instance of a pair of Barn and a pair of Tree Swallows nest-
ing within the same enclosure without the least amount of friction.

Interspecies friction exists to a high degree between Tree Swal-
lows and Bluebirds, and to a lesser degree with House Wrens. The
latter retire to the hedgerow boxes for their first brood nestings which
greatly reduces the competition. But the Bluebirds prefer the open-
site boxes, and so are in direct competition with the swallows. Mani-
festations of this friction between the Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
can best be shown by citing actual instances of nest competition.

In 1937 only one pair of Bluebirds nested in the colony, and as
there were only ten pairs of swallows, little competition existed. The
following year (’38) one pair again nested, and a second pair entered
the colony for what was a])parcntly a second brood. Again a minimum
of friction ensued, for the second pair of Bluebirds began nesting when
most of the swallows had already left. During the spring of ’39 con-
ditions were different, for 2 ]>airs of Bluebirds arrived at about the
same time as the swallows. This meant that they were in direct com-
petition with the swallows. Pair No. 1 was driven from a partially
completed nest to box 24. Unfortunately for the Bluebirds, a pair of
Tree Swallows (fledgling returns) also selected this box, and for the
next three days the male Bluebird tried to get jiossession of the box.
When the Bluebird lit on the box, it was set upon by the Tree Swal-
lows and literally knocked off the box and driven to the ground. On
the fourth day the Bluebird reliiujuished claim to the box and success-
fully used another near-by.

Pair No. 2, toward the rear of the colony, began and completed
a nest in bo.x 43. Within a short time (3 hours) after tlie laying of
the first egg, the latter was destroyed and thrown out, undoubtedly by
the Tree Swallows. The llluebird ne.xt tried box 39 where the first
two eggs were again destroyed, and the bird abandoned the nest for
box 45 where it finally raised a brood. However, even after the Tree
Swallows’ young were more than half grown, the Bluebird in approach-
ing its box would occasionally light on a near-by box before entering
its own. If this box contained Tree Swallows, the latter immediately
drove the Bluebird off. Once the Bluebird gained its own box it was
no further molested.

While not the sole cause, this friction was at least a partial de-
terminant in the reduction of the Bluebird’s reproductive efficiency
from 80% in ’38 to 20% in ’39.

Another instance of the severity of this competition with the
Bluebird was discovered in box 22 in '37. Near-by (50 feet) a pair of
Tree Swallows was using box 23. During the construction of the
Bluebirds’ nest the Tree Swallows showed resentment by attacking
them. However, the Bluebird persisted and laid its full complement
of eggs by May 2, and normal incubation continued until May 20
without any loss or destruction of the five eggs. On the 20th one egg
was found on the ground beneath the box, but the female continued
to incubate despite the fact that the eggs were either infertile or had
been chilled and could not possibly hatch.

At noon on May 21 the female Bluebird was found dead beneath
the box. The bird was on its back with feet and legs extended in a
defense position. There was no decided or appreciable disarrangement
of the feathers to indicate traumatic death, yet the posture of the bird
could hardly indicate any other cause. The probable explanation would
seem to be that the near-by Tree Swallow had driven the Bluebird to
the ground and with a little more violence than usual had struck a
vital part of the bird with its bill causing death. While this is at best
only circumstantial, a casual study of the Tree Swallow’s behavior
pattern would reveal not only the feasibility of such action, but its
probability as well.

About the middle of June ’38 a pair of English Sparrows {Passer
domesticus) came to the area to nest and selected a box in the center
of the colon3^ Amidst considerable friction the nest was completed.
The first egg w*as laid on June 16, but on the afternoon of the 17th
the two eggs were destroyed, probably by the swallows, and were
found on the ground. The pair of sparrows was discouraged and

abandoned the colony. In 1939 no attempt was made by the English
Sparrow to nest in the colony. Both Hersey 11933) and Forbush
( 1929) mention the pugnaciousness of the Tree Swallow both with
its own kind and with other box-nesting species, such as English Spar-
row, Bluebird, House Wren and Purple Martin.

A discussion of the pugnacious character of the Tree Swallow is
not complete without a reference to Shelley's observations (1934)
in Massachusetts during 1933. An immature female entered his colony
on June 10, and during the next eight days killed over 19 nestlings,
representing 5 broods. This female killed the young “by striking them
at the posterior corner of or just above the eye, probably doing this
when the young lifted their heads to be fed.” Another adult female
was noted to kill 3 of what were presumed to be its own 5 nestlings
in the same manner. Even though these observations concern nestlings,
they illustrate the Tree Swallow’s ability to kill its own kind.

All these data are given in an attempt to prove that the Tree Swal-
low’s territorial and interspecies friction is caused by its demand for
nesting sites rather than by its attempt to insure an adequate food
supply for its young.

VI. C.\LL Notes

Four main notes are heard during the breeding cycle : the court-
ship song, the mating call, the alarm note, and the food call of the young.

The courtship song consists of three fairly long descending notes
that terminate in a liquid warble. During establishment of the colony
each spring this song is much in evidence. In the courtship behavior
the song plays an important part and is accompanied by much bobbing
and bowing. It is usually given when the female is near-by. This song
is more in evidence during the morning hours from the first sign of
dawn until noon. Indulged in most at the courtship time, it was found
to continue less persistently during the incubation period, and rarely
if ever was heard during the nestling period. Weydemeyer (1934) re-
ports a similar description for the courtship song. During the actual
courtship antics, the male gives more emjthasis to the gurgling or liquid
notes and less to the three longer opening notes.

Townsend ( 1920) refers to the courtship song as “a rather
monotonous and rather labored re])etition of rolling or warbling notes.
Every third or fourth is sharper and shorter and at times the note may
possibly be called melodious." While the aesthetic value of bird song
does not ])ro]>erly belong in a scientific treatise the writer cannot agree
with Townsend, but since he does agree that association plays a large
part in such a subjective value as bird song, we can go on to a more

scientific angle. The above description could be considered correct, but
I would favor my own as more correct.

A short, sharp rapidly repeated call is the usual note of alarm.
During the earlier part of the pre-egg-laying period this note sounded
by one bird will, as described elsewhere, cause the entire colony to
respond as a unit — and towering results. When there is an actual in-
tnider within the nesting area, this note is given freely by the birds
nearest the disturbance and is not answered by the whole colony. Both
males and females use this note. It may well be that what I term an alarm
note, heard in connection with towering, is really a flight organization
note, or it may be that this note induces two different resjxmses. To
my ear it sounds similar to the usual alann note, but may be dilTerent
in fact.

During the act of copulation a call is given by the male which
may be termed the mating call. It is a metallic twittering note and
is uttered as the bird is descending toward the female. The female has
not been noted to give any notes during the act.

There were a few males during the 193S and 1939 seasons that
developed a habit of diving at my head whenever their nest boxes were
approached. If I were anywhere near these boxes, which were all on
the south line, the males would immediately tower above my head, go
into a power dive, only to pull out so close to my head that the com-
pression of the air could be readily felt. The accuracy and ability of
these birds to maneuver were remarkable, for no matter what obstruc-
tion was placed in the way of their rapid descent they could always
veer off, even though their headway was a matter of mere inches. Dur-
ing this descent a note was given, which to my ear was identical with
the mating call. There would seem to be little connection between the
two stimuli. The only apparent similarity between these two instances
(mating and warding off an enemy) is that in each case the bird is des-
cending when the note is given.

food call, which can best be described as somewhat similar to
tlie alarm note, but less sharp, more rounded, and perhaps more musi-
cal. is a familiar souryd in the colony during the fledgling period of the
nestlings. Xormally. this note is first given by the nestlings when they
are from twelve to fifteen days old. but has been noted as early as the
ninth day. It becomes more persistent as the time of leaving nears.
It has also been heard in late July and early August when the migrants
from farther north begin to move south along the Housatonic River
\’alley. By the middle of July all the Kent birds have left, and the
majority usually leave before the first week of July. During the fall

of 1940, at Myrtle Beach on the South Carolina coast, the first im-
mature Tree Swallows to arrive in July were still occasionally giving
the food call. It has also been heard by the writer in the large flocks
of Tree Swallows that congregate at Cape May Point, Xew Jersey, in
September.

VII. Nest Building

The time taken for completing the nest varies, for first arrivals go
about nest construction in a leisurely manner and are subject to more
interruptions than later birds. These early comers have the better part
of a month for the task. Occasionally, a later arrival will complete a
nest within a week, but the more usual time requirement is two weeks
or, as in a few cases, close to three weeks. Substantially, these figures
agree with the findings of Low (1932) on Cape Cod.

Weydemeyer (1934) describes nest building as a slow process av-
eraging 29 days. He noted that on days of relatively low temperature
nest building ceased. In the case of second broods he found that only
three or four days were necessary for completion of the nest. Cessation
of nest building during cold days was noted at Kent, but such was to
be expected, as elsewhere in this paper it is shown that the birds very
often left the colony entirely under such climatic conditions.

Low (1933), in his rather detailed account of the nest construc-
tion of the Tree Swallow, gives the time consumed as from a few days
to two weeks. On Cape Cod, nest foundations were composed of marsh
grasses and pine needles. At Kent this portion of the nest was com-
posed wholly of broom grass (jlndropoycii ) , which grows plentifully
both on the colony site and in the near-by fields. Of the feathers used
in the lining of the nest Low found that 99^ were those of the Herring
Gull (Larns argcntatus smitlisoiiumns) , and the few remaining were
those of ducks, geese and Great Horned Owls (Bubo virguiiaiius).
Only a very small fraction were of domestic fowl, even though the
latter were available at least to some of the boxes. As was true at the
Kent colony, he found that the position of the hollow for the eggs
varied, being either to one corner or at the center.

Unlike the colony on Cape Cod, the feathers used by the Kent
birds were practically all from domestic fowl. This was to be expected
for there were farms within a mile either side of the colony. Only a
very few feathers of wild birds were found among the nests — mostly
hawk and owl feathers. One bird was individualistic enough to use a
bright green feather from a jiarrot. This latter was olitained at a farm
a (piarter of a mile distant.

With the fully mature birds the nest is complete ami well-lined
with feathers before the first egg is laid. This was not found to be
the case with the brown or first-year females. Very rarely have
feathers been found in nests of these immature birds at the time of
laying of the first egg. In fact, there was one case this past season
(1939) of a female (fledgling return) which nested in box 25, where
even the grass foundation was incomplete and the eggs rested on the
bare floor of the box. Incubation was carried on, but no more material
was added to the unfinished nest. The more usual procedure with
these brown females is for them to add feathers to the nest as incuba-
tion progresses. However, they never seem to attain the full comple-
ment of the more adult birds.

The rule at Kent was for both birds to participate in the nest
building, but tire female was usually found to be either more proficient
or industrious. In one instance the male of the pair assisted in neither
the nest construction nor the later feeding of the young.

While further study would be necessary to substantiate the fol-
lowing, it would seem that the male brings the first few pieces of
grass and probably in this way establishes his claim to the box. This
theory was also advanced by Low (1932).

In a few instances, even after the eggs had hatched, the adult birds
would bring an occasional feather to their nests. When such a bird
arrived at the colony with a feather, he or she was immediately set
upon by its nearest neighbors, and a scramble for the feather would
ensue. Usually tlie original owner lost the feather, which would pass
through many ‘hands’ before finally arriving at its destination. In
Weydemeyer’s paper (1934) a description of the above can be found.

Vni. Courtship

During the courtship period the pairs are often seen perched on
the roofs of the nest boxes. Usually the male makes a short flight
with quivering wings (wing beat is more rapid and the wing arc more
shallow) about and over the nesting box. Returning to the lid, the
bird walks slowly toward the female accompanied by much bobbing
and bowing of head and body. Sometimes the pair indulge in bill car-
essing. During this behavior the courtship song is freely given by
the male. If the female responds, copulation takes place.

Copulation has been noted to take place for the first time five
(2 pairs) and six (2 pairs) days before the laying of the first egg.
In these four cases the females were observed to refuse the males
three days before insemination actually occurred. However, these ob-
servations are too meager for any generalizations.

The act of copulation consists of from four to eight contacts of
a few seconds duration each. Following the courtship behavior, the
male takes wing and hovers a few feet above the female, darts down
on quivering wings emitting at the same time a twittering of almost
metallic notes in rapid succession. If the female is ready, the axis of
the body is lowered toward the head and the male makes contact, grip-
ping the back of the head feathers of the female with the bill. Con-
tact is broken, and the male again mounts the air over the female
and the procedure is repeated. When the female rejects the male,
there is no lowering of the body, and the male's approach is warded
of? by a motion of the wings or head.

That copulation continues after incubation has begun is suggested
by the disarrangement of the head feathers of the females captured
while brooding complete sets of eggs, the disarrangement being caused
by the gripping of the male’s bill during the act of copulation as ex-
plained above.

IX. Egg Laying

Normally, the Tree Swallow deposits its eggs at the rate of one per
day (24-hour period). At Cape Cod, Low (1932) noted only a few
exceptions to this rule : first, where a female laid two eggs within the
24-hour period and, second, where there were lapses between eggs,
two of two days and one instance of four days. Shelley (1934) cites
one instance of a female that laid three eggs in a 24-hour period. At
Kent there were only three instances where a female laid two eggs
within a 24-hour period, but quite a few instances where there were
delays in the egg laying anywhere from a day to 7 days.

TABLE III

Suspension of Egg Laying (in Days)

Due to Temperature Decrease and Decrease in Sunsliine

No. No. of eggs
of days at time of Final

between temperature No.

$ No. eggs drop (eggs) No. Hatched

30 — brown 4 14 4

18 — green 3 2 6 4

20 — green 3 14 4

48 — brown 12 5 5

46 — green 4 2 3 2

38 — green 3 16 6

39 — fledgling retuin 3 1 2 destroyed

40 — green 7 14 3

5 — fledgling return 7 15 5

Table III gives the number of days between the laying of eggs
within the same set caiisetl by low temi)eratures from May 13 to 18.
This five-day period averaged 6.2° F". (3.4° C.) below normal, with
the percentage of possible sunshine at 78.5%. For convenience, the
females are given the numbers of the bo.xes they occupied. Table III
illustrates that once the egg-laying period is well underway tempera-
ture and, to a less e.xtent, sunshine are still important factors in egg
production. This fact was well established during the 1939 season. On
the afternoon of May 12. the tem])erature started to drop and on the
13th was 10° F. (5.5° C.) below normal. The percentage of possible
sunshine fell from 100% on the 12th to 17% on the 15th. This ab-
normal low continued until May 18 when the normal temperature
was again reached. The effect of this prolonged cold spell was that
egg production fell to zero among nine laying females, and no first
eggs of new sets were laid between the 14th and 18th. On the latter
date egg production went back to normal.

It is clear from the numbers under the fifth column in Table III
that these suspensions do not affect the fertility of the eggs, for in
five of these set, 62.5%, all the eggs hatched. We can disregard female
Xo. 39, for the set of eggs was destroyed before completion.

T.ABLE IV

Date of First Egg and Related Meteorological Data

Year

Date of
1st Egg

Average Degrees
F. for 6th, 7th
and 8th days

Humidity

Possible

Sunshine

1937

May 9

59.0° F. (15.0° C.)

50.0%

100.0%

1938

May 2

53.3° F. (11.6° C.)

67.3%

92.6%

1939

May 7

50.0° F. (10.0° C.)

62.3%

72.6%

3-Year

Average

May 6

54.0° F. (12.2° C.)

59.8%

88.4%

An effort was made to determine if possible what meteorological
factors govern the laying of the first egg and the start of general lay-
ing. The latter was found to correspond within a day or two with
the laying of the first egg. We know from the time of replacement
of a destroyed set that the Tree Swallow’s egg development requires
from six to seven days. If we follow Nice’s treatment (1937) with
respect to the Song Sparrow, the meteorological conditions on the 6th,
7th and 8th days before the laying of the first egg should be the deter-
mining factors.

Table IV lists the dates of the first egg for the Kent colony over
the three-year period and the meteorological conditions influencing
the same. In working over this material its meagerness is only too
apparent and perhaps excludes any definite conclusions. Nevertheless,
it is worthy of some consideration. While temperature is undoubtedly
the prime factor, sunshine may well prove to be a secondary deter-
minant. For the three years the per cent of possible sunshine clearly
runs consistently high. However, more study will be needed to place
this factor in its possible causative position. Humidity would seem to
have little bearing, and probably at best only works as a complement
to the other two factors.

In considering the dates of the first eggs for the Kent colony,
it might be well to compare these with what other observers have
found. In New England Forbush (1929) gives the date of the first
egg for eastern Massachusetts as April 19, which would seem excep-
tionally early. Low ( 1932) at the Cape, gives May 7 for one year of
his study there. For Kent we find that the three-year average of May
6 is practically the same as that of Low’s colony and is probably rep-
resentative of the southern New England area.

CHART I
Thresliold of Laying

'I'he data contained in Chart 1 are for the 6th, 7th and 8th days
preceding laying of the first egg and are based on tlic ])eriod of the
Tree Swallow’s egg development. Following the formula given by

Nice (1937) for the Song Sparrow, a very tentative one is given here
for the Tree Swallow, 55.3° — 0.6 d., .ie., the first egg is probably laid
6 days after the mean temperature of three successive days was 55.3° F.,
and the threshold decreased about 0.6° F. each day thereafter. The
data of 1937 plainly do not fit this curve, but since the colony consisted
only of 10 pairs, the date of laying of the first egg is not exactly com-
parable with those of the two subsequent years. However, at best this
formula is decidedly tentative.

It might be well to point out that in 1937 and 1938 the average
temperature of the 6th, 7th and 8th days was 6.6° F. and 3.0° F. re-
spectively above normal. In 1939 the temperature was 2.0° F. be-
low normal for the 6th, 7th and 8lh days. However, if we consider a
ten-day period preceding these three days, we find that the temperature
averaged 3.3° F. above normal, which may have been a compensating
factor. The percentage of possible sunshine ran consecutively high for
all three years and is no doubt a contributing element in the egg pro-
duction. as well as in other phases of the Tree Swallows’ breeding
cycle.

T.-\BLE V

Time of Replacement of a Destroyed Set

9 Xo.

Xo. of Eggs Days

Destroyed Incubated

Inter\’al

between

Sets

No. of
Eggs in
Repeat Set

1937

5 (complete)

11 days

20 (1st repeat)

2 (incomplete)

8 daA's

20 (2nd repeat)

5 (complete)

7 days

1938

I (incomplete)

6 days

5 (complete)

6 days

1939

5 eggs and 1 fledgling

7 days

1 (incomplete)

Xo delay

2 (incomplete)

11 days

5 (complete)

6 days

5 (complete)

7 days

6 (complete)

7 days

In computing the time interval between the destruction of a set
of eggs and the laying of the first egg of a repeat set, it seems from
Table V as if the number of days were not as constant as was found
by Nice (1937) in the Song Sparrow. In the case of the Song Spar-
row, Nice found that the time of replacement of a destroyed set was
invariably five days. However, the discrepancies in the number of

days can largely be explained on the basis of temperature fluctuation.
Thus in the case of 9 No. 8, whose set was destroyed on May 18,
the temperature on May 19 and 20 averaged 6° below normal, which
was found to be sufficient to cause delay in egg production and explains
the eleven-day interval. An unseasonable cold spell also intervened in
the case of 9 No. 39 in 1939, which again supplies an explanation for
the eleven-day interval. The eight-day intervals also involved periods
of subnormal temperatures. Although 9 No. 27 involved the destruc-
tion of a fledgling, the time interval was no longer and may indicate
that the Tree Swallow follows the pattern of the Song Sparrow. There
was no delay in the record of 9 No. 38, probably due to the fact that
only the first egg of the set was destroyed.

Another interesting record for the 1939 season was 9 No. 11.
The fifth egg had been laid on the morning of May 13, and the five
eggs were destroyed the same afternoon. On the following morning.
May 14, what was probably the sixth egg of the destroyed set was
laid, but was also destroyed the same day. Seven days later the first
egg of the repeat set was laid and again the set numbered six.

With only two exceptions in the records of these destroyed egg
sets, the number of eggs in the repeat set equaled the number in the
destroyed set.

The average number of days between the destruction of a set of
eggs and the laying of the first egg of the repeat set is 7.6. However,
I think that under normal temperature conditions six to seven days
would be the rule.

On the basis of 68 pairs of Tree Swallows over the three-season
period, the following data are tabulated with respect to the number of
eggs per set.

TABLE VI

Number of Eggs per Set Covering 68 Pairs Over Three-year Period

Number of pairs with 3 eggs per set:

2— 2.9%

“ “ “ “ 4 :

10—14.7%

5 “ “ “ :

30—44.1%

6 :

24—35.2%

“ 7 :

2— 2.9%

Three-season average for 68 pairs — 5.6 eggs per set.

From the above Table \’I we see that the number of pairs with
sets of five eggs predominate, and that those witli six run a fairly close
second. Low’s Cape Cod findings ( 1932, 1933) for a two-season period
(1931 to 1932) showed a similar predominance of five-egg sets, but
in 1931 four-egg .sets were second, and in 1932 6 replaced 4 for second
place. Mis average number of eggs per set over a three-season period
(1931 to 1933) on the basis of 291 j)airs was 4.7 eggs per set. This is
one egg less per set than the Kent colony. .\t Princeton. Chapman’s
(1935) average number of eggs per set over a three-season period
(1933 to 1935) on the basis of 58 pairs was 5.3 eggs per set, nearer
to, but also below, the average at Kent. In Montana W eydemeyer
( 1934) found that the average number per set was six, which is con-
siderably higher than any of the eastern colonies.

Combining the results of these three colonies over a three-year
period covering 417 pairs of Tree Swallows, we arrive at an average
of 5.2 eggs per set, a figure which should be fairly representative for
the species in the latitude of southern Xew England.

Before concluding this section on the Tree Swallow’s eggs, the
egg records of four individual females are worthy of mention. The
first three of these females, banded as adults in 1938, were typically
brown first-year birds. They returned to breed in 1939, and Table VM
gives the dates of their first eggs and the number of eggs per set for
the two years 1938 and 1939. Xice (1937) found with Song Sparrows
that the first-year females tend to lay their first eggs considerably later
the first year, .apparently this also holds true of Tree Swallows, for
these three females laid their first eggs eight, twelve and seven days
earlier in their second year or an average of nine days earlier, despite
the fact that laying started May 2 in 1938 and not till May 9 in 1939.

T.\BLE VII

Egg Records of Four Individual Females

9 No.

Date of First Egg

No. of Eggs

in Set

1938

1939

1938

1939

138-11231

Mav 19

May 11

138-11213

May 23

May 11

138-11230

May 20

May 13

138-11209

May 12

Judging from the plumage characters of the fourth female (138-
11209) also banded as an adult in 1938, it was a second- or third-year
bird at the time of banding. There was no difference in the dates of
the first eggs in 1938 or 1939.

The age at which six females laid their first egg is given in Table
VIII.

TABLE VIII

Age at Which Six Females Laid First Eggs

9 No.

Date of Hatch

Date of First Egg

Age in Days

1. 138-11240

May 28, 1938

May 12, 1939

349

2. 138-11241

May 28, 1938

May 13, 1939

350

3. 138-11256

May 29, 1938

May 13, 1939

349

4. 138-11286

June 3, 1938

May 13, 1939

344

5. 138-11287

June 3, 1938

May 20, 1939

351

6. 138-11290

June 3, 1938

May 23, 1939

354

Extremes

344-354

Average age for 6 birds

Since the Tree Swallow in the latitude of Kent is not a two-
brooded bird, there is relatively little variation in the age of these six
birds (Table VIII). In the case of the Song Sparrow (Nice, 1937), a
wider variation was recorded, namely from 316 days to 372 days, or 56
days for the Song Sparrow and only 10 days for the Tree Swallow.

X. Second Broods

A review of the literature on the Tree Swallow covering the New
England states in no case gives a clear-cut or thoroughly substantiated
statement that this swallow raises two broods. In both cases (Low and
Chapman) where a systematic investigation has been undertaken, there
has been no evidence that this species is anything but a one-brooded
bird. The unsubstantiated data which we occasionally find may well
be based on repeat broods rather than true second broods. Therefore,
until such thorough studies disclose the contrary, there would seem to
be little reason to consider the Tree Swallow a single brood species.
Weydemeyer’s (1934) work in Montana proved the species to be a
two-brooded bird in that locality; but it was not until his colony had
been established for two years that the birds began to raise two broods.
So it is with these considerations in mind that the following note is
offered from the Kent studies.

There was only one instance supported by rather strong circum-
stantial evidence of a second brood, and that occurred during the 1937
season. It happened to be before the banding of adults was under-
taken so the exact identity of the parent birds was not known. How-

ever, there were certain plumage and behavior characteristics tliat made
their individual identity practically certain.

The first nesting began the third week of April, and the first egg
was laid May 5. This latter date is relatively early, considering that
the first egg for the entire colony in 1937 was May 2. There were five
eggs in the set, and the four fledglings (one egg failed to hatch) left
the nest box June 12. The parent birds remained in the vicinity, and
on June 19 the first egg of the possible second brood was laid. This
set also contained five eggs, four of which hatched on July 7. Three
fledglings left the nest box on July 25, one having died on July 24. If
this were a second brood, it would mean that the young of the Tree
Swallow are independent very shortly after leaving the nest box, a
fact which seems to be further substantiated by the discussion in the
chapter on fledgling development.

XI. IXCVB.VTION

It was found at Kent that under normal conditions the female
invariably does the incubating. This statement is contrary to that given
by Forbush (1937), who states that both birds incubate, but it is in
agreement with the findings of Low (1932). Only one instance of a
male incubating occurred at Kent — in 1939 in box 9. The female of
this pair died of a fungus mold disease (see section on mortality)
three days after incubation had begun, and the male took over the in-
cubation; on the 15th day all five eggs hatched and were later success-
fully fledged.

W hile the male does no incubating under normal conditions, it
is usually on hand to protect the eggs in the female’s absence. W hen
the female leaves for feeding, the male immediately enters the nest
box, reappears after a few seconds and remains, until the female re-
turns, with its head and shoulders filling the hole and its feet resting
on the inner lower circumference of the opening. Sometimes, when
the female is ready to leave at the termination of an incubation inter-
\'al, she will remain perched at the opening until the male appears be-
fore she actually leaves to feed. If the male returns before the female
has concluded the incubation period, he is refused entry and so is
forced to remain near-by until the female is ready to leave.

In connection with incubation the following paragraph quoted
from Low (1932) is of importance, for it explains how the Tree Swal-
low can reproduce efficiently under seemingly adverse conditions.

“The normal incubation temperature of the Tree Swallow is slight-

ly below the body temperature of the parent which is given bv Wet-
more as 106° to 107° F. Development will go on at a considerably
lower temperature, but its rate is retarded in proportion to the lower-
ing of the temperature and ceases altogether in the neighborhood of
70° F. Cooling in its early stages does not result in the death of the
embryo, which will resume its development when it is brooded even
after the egg has been kept for many days at ordinary temperature."

On the basis of 67 nests covering the three seasons, 1937, 1938
and 1939, the incubation in days follows:

TABLE IX

Duration of Incubation Period*

Duration of Incubation Number of Nests

13 days 17

14 “ 21

15 " 22

16 “ 6

Three-season average of incubation period — 14.5 days.

Extremes — 13 days and 16 days.

•Following Low so that a comparison could be had. the incubation periods are estimated
from the day the last egg was laid to the day the first one hatched.

Working on daily observations, an attempt was made to determine
what factors influence the duration of the incubation period other than
the brooding idiosyncrasies of the individual females. In respect to
the number of eggs per set it was found that the size of the set had
no apparent bearing on the length of the incubation period.

At the Kent colony 15 days for this period predominates, with
14 and 13 running a fairly close second and third. At the Cape Cod
colony 14 days predominated, with 15 days and 13 days running second
and third. Weydemeyer (1934) gives 14 to 15 days as the incubation
period for his Montana colony, and Forbush (1919) gives the period
as about 14 days.

Concerning the incubation period Weydemeyer (1934) speaks
of delays in the incubation as “sometimes as long as a week.” .At Kent
no such long delays were noted, but on rainy or cloudy days of relatively
low temperature complete sets, some in fact where incubation had al-
ready begun, were neglected for a day or two until favorable climatic
conditions were again reached.

I’oth Weydemeyer (1934) and Cash (1933) refer to the fact that
the male brings food to the female during this period. While such
procedure was not noted at Kent, it cannot definitely be stated that
such did not occur.

Incubation Rhythm
TABLE X

Records of Incubation Rhytlim — 1939

Date, Hours Minutes Minutes Date, Hours Minutes Minutes

and Temperature on off and Temperature on off

9 138-15971

June 11

3.00 to 4.12 P.M.

—

Temp. 87“ F.

—

(30.5“ C.)

—

June 12

—

6.40 to 7.37 P.M.

—

Temp. 78“ F.

—

(25.5“ C.)

—

June 14

—

6.50 to 7.24 P.M.

—

Temp. 66“ F.

—

(19.0“ C.)

—

9 138-15988

J une 1 1

7.00 to 821 P.M. — 20

Temp. 77“ F. (25* C.) 53 —

— 8

June 13

7.20 to 8.00 P.M. — 7

Temp. 68“ F. (20“ C.) 10 —

— 10

13 —

June 16

7.52 to 8.27 P.M. 28 —

Temi). 75“ F. (24“ C.) — 7

9 138-11230

June 14

7.25 to 7.45 P.M. 11 —

Temp. 66“F. (19.0“ C.) — 9

The material set up in Table X is too meager to form any gen-
eralizations. In the three afternoon periods (eggs five to seven days
incubated), female 138-1^971 incubated for 6 to 16 minutes, averaging
10.4; and was off for periods 5 to 15 minutes, averaging 10.4. In the
case of the second female, 138-15988, we can disregard the two long
periods as the lateness of the hour might suggest that the female had
already settled for the night but was disturbed and so left. Disregard-
ing these two birds, we find the female averaged 11.5 minutes incubat-
ing and 8.5 minutes olT. The third female, 138-11230, incubated 11
minutes and was off 9 minutes. Averaging the records of these three
females, we find that the three females incubated 10.9 minutes and
were ofiF for 9.3 minutes.

In Hirundo rustica iMoreau (1939 a) found that both parents in-
cubated with periods of 8 to 12 minutes on the nest and from 5 to
6 minutes off of it. Considering that this species is not a hole or box
nester, the periods off would naturally be shorter, for the loss of heat
would be greater than in the case of the Tree Swallow which nests in

a very well insulated house. For the House Martin {Deliclion u.
urbica) the same author found the usual period on the nest was 7 to
14 minutes.

XII. Nestling Period

In some sets of eggs, mostly among the earlier nests where incu-
bation did not begin until the set was complete, all the fertile eggs
hatched on the same day. It was more usual for the later sets to hatch
over a two-day period (48 hours). No study was made at the Kent
colony of the weights of the nestlings, for the plan was to avoid any
disturbance that might affect normal or natural conditions. At the
Cape colony Low (1933) made studies of the progressive weights of
the young Tree Swallows, and since they are probably representatice, a
summary of his material is included here.

On the basis of three nests under observation he found that the
newly hatched young weighed about 1.5 grams on the average. From
that point approximately 2 grams each day for the first eleven days,
dropping to 1 gram per day until the peak was reached on the four-
teenth day. They then seesawed, gradually losing weight until they
left the nest. A great deal of variation may be accounted for by the
time elapsed between the weighing and the excreting. The fecal sacs
vary in weight between 1 and 2 grams. Low {op. cit.) adds:

“At their peak the young weigli more than the adults, but grad-
ually regress to normal adult weight before they fly. Two adults were
weighed with empty stomachs and two were apparently full. The
weights were 9 19.5 g., and 9 20.3 g., S 19.7 g., and 3 21.2 g. The
average for the four is 20.2 g.”

For the first three days after hatching, the young are consistently
brooded by the female. One pair under obser\^ation, both of which
were fledgling returns, had one-day-old young. The female was ob-
served for a 31-minute period. During this time she was in the box
for two 12-minute intervals and out for 7 minutes. During the two
12-minute intervals the female alternated with 1 -minute brooding and
1 minute perched at the opening, or 50% of her time at the box was
spent brooding.

Based on 66 pairs over the three seasons, the following table gives
the duration of the nestling ])eriods figured from the day the first egg
hatched to the last day that young remained in the nest.

TABLE XI
Xestling Periods

Duration of Nestling Period Number of Nests

15 days 1

16 “ 1

17 “ 1

18 “ 16

19 *• 14

20 “ 22

21 “ 7

22 “ 3

23 “ 0

24 “ 1

In no case did the young leave prematurely through disturbance,
for they were banded when they were twelve days old to avoid any
such possibility.

TABLE XII
Nestling Period

Yearly averages — 1937 18.4 davs

1938 19.7

1939 19.4 “

Three-year average 19.16 “

TABLE XIII

Number of Young Raised Per Nest — Based on 65 Pairs Over Three Years

No. of Young No. of Nests Nestling Period

2 7 19.5 days

3 4 . 20.3 “

4 14 19.1 “

5 28 19.3 “

6 12 20.0 “

Yearly averages — 1937 4.5 per nest

1938 4.7 “ “

1939 4.3 “ “

Three-year average 4.5 “ “

At Cape Cod, Low (1932) found that the number of nests with
23-day nestling periods predominated, with 22 as second and 21
as third. For the Kent colony the number of nests with 20-day periods

predominated, with 18 and 19 second and third. This might indicate
a more abundant food supply at Kent and perhaps a more healthy
colony. Weydemeyer (1934) gives 17 to 23 days for his colony.

Bearing on this discussion of the nestling period are three inter-
esting cases from the 1939 season. [Mentioned in the section on the
Tree Swallow’s eggs was the pair in box 9. The female had died
before incubation had been completed. The male incubated the eggs
and successfully reared a brood of five, and yet the nestling period was
only 18 days. In the instance of the pair in box 5 the male did not
desert but he was never observed to feed the young, yet the nestling
period for the five fledglings in this nest was 20 days. Despite the fact
that only one bird did the feeding in these cases the average duration
of the nestling period was 19 days, below the average for the three
years.

Contrary to the findings of Low in the case of the Tree Swallow,
but in agreement with Nice regarding the Song Sparrow, there seems
to be no correlation between the size of a brood and the number of
days the young are in the nest. A glance at Table XIII clearly shows
this for the two extremes, namely, 2 and 6 young in nests, only show
a difference of one-half day. And the number with 4 young in the
nest had shorter nestling periods than the nests with only 2 young.

The feeding range of the adults during the nestling period was
found to be anywhere within a mile south and three miles north of
the colony site along the river. More usual limits were a mile either
side of the colony on the Housatonic River. Some little feeding was
done to the rear of the nesting area (about 1000 feet) over a small
swamp fed by a spring. The latter was resorted to in the later portion
of the nesting season.

The excreta sacs of the nestlings were carried from the nests most-
ly by the females. For some curious reason these sacs were invariably
carried out over the river before they w'ere dropped. This meant that
the birds with the rear boxes transported the .sacs some 700 feet before
disposing of them. On one occasion a female was ob.served to start
for the river with a sac but lost hold of it in getting under way. The
bird immediately dived to regain it, but the attempt failed. Stoner
(1936) mentions this trait in the case of the Bank Swallow. It would
seem to indicate that the sanitary instinct of this species is pretty well
developed, and ])crha])S is a carry-over from the time the Tree Swal-
lows’ nests were usually located over water.

TABLE XIV

Data on P'eeding Rytlim of Four Pairs

Box N

!o.* Date

Hour

•\ge of Young

No.
by S

of Visits
by 9

7/10/37

6.55 to 7.55 p.m.

11 (lays

7/11/37

6.55 to 7.35 p.m.

12 (lays

7/13/37

1.00 to 2.00 p.m.

14 days

6/11/39

2.00 to 2.55 p.m.

1 day

6/22/39

8.05 to 8.30 p.m.

12 days

6/28/39

8.15 to 8.45 p.m.

18 days

6/28/39

7.35 to 8.05 p.m.

9 days

7/3/39

7.00 to 8.00 p.m.

13 days

6/30/39

5.15 to 5.55 p.m.

8 days

7/1/39

7.20 to 8.20 p.m|

9 days

7/2/39

9.55 to 10.25 a.m.

10 (lays

•Box No. indicates Pair No.

Pair 20 — 9 probably 1st yr. (plumage characters), $ unknown.

“ 24 — 9 1st yr. (fledgling return), $ 1st yr. (fledgling return).

“ 42 — 9 probably 2nd yr. (plumage characters), 5 unknown.

“ 51 — 9 adult (plumage characters), $ unknown.

XIII. Feeding of the Young

Except for the first few days after the young hatch, the normal
or average number of visits by both parents was approximately one
visit every two minutes (see Table XIV). However, this frequency
varied during a 60-minute period, speeding up for a while and then
slackening off. It was probably during these slack periods that the
parents fed themselves.

The case of the pair in box 20 is interesting since it indicates that
the first-year females (determined by plumage characters') do not fol-
low the pattern of the more adult birds. Here the male made three
visits to ever)' one made by the female. Box 24 also bears this out,
and in this instance both birds were definitely known to be first-year
birds through banding.

In the case of the pair in box 43, where the female (from plum-
age characters) was most likely a second-year bird, the number of
visits by each parent was nearly equal. Box 51, where the female was
a full adult, illustrates the more normal ratio of the visits of each
parent — the female exceeding the male.

On several occasions while banding the adults during the nestling
period, one of the parents would be captured before it had a chance
to feed the nestlings. In such cases it was noted that the birds carried
many insects in the bill at one time. In a few instances the bird never
released the insects that it was holding in its bill during the whole of
the banding procedure. Upon the bird’s release it would eventually
carry these insects to its young.

Within a day or so of the fledglings’ leaving, the adults definitely
attempted to coax the young to leave. They could be seen flying to
the boxes without apparently carrying any food. The adult would
perch at the opening for a moment, flutter off, and then return. The
young reacted, as though food were being brought, with the usual
chorus of the food call. Each time the adult appeared at the box the
young would strain out a little further, and in a few instances they
were observed to leave on their first flight following three or four such
attempts by the parent. Once out, the parents seem to drive the young
on, rather than to assist them.

However, in some instances the young were noted to leave of
their own accord. One such nestling was watched with a field glass
during its first flight and observed to cover close to a mile before it
left the limit of vision. Such initial flights would seem to indicate that
the young of the Tree Swallow are independent almost immediately
after leaving the nest. Feeding by the parents after the fledglings had
left the nest box continued for not more than three days.

Weydemeyer (1934) states that the nest of the second brood is
begun three days after the young of the first brood have left. In view
of these facts it would seem that the young of the Tree Swallow are
independent, if not immediately, at least within a very few days after
their leaving.

In no instance were the young observed to re-enter the box after
they had left, as was the case in Weydemeyer’s colony. Low (1933)
is in agreement with the findings at Kent, for he definitely states that
the young never entered a box they had once left. Only once was a
nestling seen to enter a box that contained half-grown young of
another brood.

XIV. Mortality

Both adult and fledgling mortality may now be considered.

TABLE XV

Adult and Fledgling Mortality During the Nesting Season

1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 Total

Adult 15 0 15,1$ 1$ 15.1$ 6(3 5,3$)

Fledgling 0 115 1 8

5-year average — adult 1.2 per year (3.6%)

“ “ — fledgling 1.6 “ “ (2.4%)

Comparative Data (Fledglings)

Cape Cod — over 2-year period 18.5%

Princeton — over 5-year period 27.5%

It is evident from Table XV that the fledgling mortality over five
years was so low as to be negligible. These extremely low figures would
seem to prove that crowding a Tree Swallow colony is a comparatively
safe procedure, provided a good food supply is assured. Of the five
young that died in 1938, three died in one nest containing five. Post-
mortems were not available at the time so the cause of the mortality
is unknown. However, it seems safe to say that starvation was not the
cause, for the weather at the time was favorable for insect life, the
food supply of the swallow. The other two may have died of starva-
tion, for during the days previous to their death heavy rains inter-
vened, which may have cut down the possible food supply. The other
single individuals for 1937 and 1939 most likely died of causes other
than starvation.

The relatively high fledgling mortality of the Cape Cod and Prince-
ton colonies, 18.5% and 27.5% respectively, are attributed to lack of
a proper carrying capacity of the colony sites. Both Low and Chap-
man agree that lack of food was the primary cause of their high fledg-
ling mortality. If we assume this to be correct, then it may very well
follow that at Kent ecological conditions for the Tree Swallow are
fairly near the ideal.

Nice (1937), in her work on the Song Sparrow, found the fledg-
ling mortality of that species to be 23.5%, a rather high mortality, but
to be expected with an open-nest species. However, the comparison
shows what a high fledgling mortality Chapman had for a hole-nesting
species.

Adult mortality, though also very small, is of note, for no mention
of such is made by Low or Chapman. Unfortunately, however, post-
mortems could not be obtained until recently. Thanks to the cooperation
of Dr. C. Brooke Worth and the Bird Disease Project of the Eastern
Bird Banding Association they are now available.

Fifty per cent of these adult birds met a traumatic death as de-
scribed elsewhere in this paper. Of the three remaining, which evi-
dently died from some disease, I have one postmortem through the
courtesy of Dr. C. Brooke Worth. The bird in question was a female
and was captured on May 12, 1939, while brooding two eggs, and was
banded. On i\Iay 17 the female was recaptured and released at about
8 P.M. This same bird was found dead the next morning, May 18,
in box 29, where there was a partially completed nest. Box 29 is fully
300 feet from this female’s nest box, which was box 9. The bird was
immediately sent to Dr. Worth, and I quote from his report in Hit. as
follows ;

“The Tree Swallow had a severe mold disease caused by a mold
or fungus known as Aspergillus. This involved left lung and extended
down through left abdominal air sac, gluing the viscera of that side to
the body wall. Emaciation suggests bird was ill for a long time.

“The disease is primarily one of the air passages, and is trans-
mitted from bird to bird by spores which are breathed in. I don’t know
how contagious it is, but suggest you burn any boxes known to have
been visited by the bird this year.”

This latter advice was not followed, since one of the aims of the
colony project was to determine the Tree Swallow’s breeding efficiency
under conditions of minimum molestation. This implied little or no
interference on my part. However, the infection ended with the dead
bird, for both boxes were subsequently used by Tree Swallows, and
no further adult or fledgling mortality resulted.

XV. Reproductive Efficiency

Chart II illustrates the relation that has existed for the past three
seasons between the colony’s rate of increase and the reproductive
efficiency. This relationship would .seem to be a fair index of the
health of a colony.

The sudden sharp rise in the rate of increase is correlated with
the systematic introduction of nest boxes, as outlined under the section

on the history of the colony. So far, there has been no tendency for
the rate of increase to level off, as was found to be the case at Prince-
ton*. This probably indicates that at Kent there is an ample supply
of Tree Swallows passing through each spring, and that the sole limit-
ing factor is availability of nesting boxes.

CH.\RT II

-A. Hate of increase efficiency

Data on the 1941 f’opiilation are discussed in Section XIX of this popper.

\\ e see from this chart that the increase in the reproductive ef-
ficiency has begun to level off. This may indicate that there is a sea-
sonal fluctuation or that the colony is becoming too crowded. To date,
both the rate of increase and the reproductive efficiency indicate a
healthy colony operating under ver\- favorable ecological conditions.
The danger of over-crowding still seems remote in view of the ample
food supply which practically surrounds the nesting area.

T.ABLE XVI

Reproductive Efficiency and Relative Data

Season

Xests

Lay

Hatch

Mortalitj-

Fledged

Efficient'

1937

47 — 61.07r

1 — 2.1%

59.74%,

1938

152

110 — 72.4%

5 — 4.5%

105

69.17%,

1939

201

153 — 76.1%

1 — 0.6%

152

75.62%

3-year

average ....

72.09%

2.4%,

70.46%

*In itself the 1940 decrease misht be taken as an indication that the Kent colony has
begnn to level off and decrease, thus following the Princeton colony pattern. However,
correlating the great and general decrease of the Tree Swallow due to severe cold in Its
winter Quarters, it would seem wiser to disregard the 1940 figure as any indication of a
normal increase or decrease at the Kent colcmy.

TABLE XVII
Comparative Data

Season Hatch Mortality

Cape Cod Colony — Low
1931 to 1933 (3-year average) 81.3%

Princeton Colony — Chapman

1933 to 1937 (5-year average)

1933 to 1935 (3-year average) 89.8%

36.2%

31.8%

Efficiency

50.0%

62.16%

It is evident from Tables XVI and XVII that the percentage of
eggs hatched is considerably higher in both the Cape Cod and Prince-
ton colonies. The percentage of fledgling mortality is, however, so
much higher than at the Kent colony that the greater number of eggs
hatching is more than nullified and the reproductive efficiency is sharply
reduced.

TABLE XVIII

Total Number of Eggs and Percentage Destroyed

.Season No. Eggs Laid No. Eggs Destroyed Percentage

1937 77 12 15.5%

1938 152 6 3.9%

1939 201 26 12.9%

3-year average 10.23%

From Table XVIII it is evident that egg destruction is a consider-
able factor at Kent in the lowering of the bird's efficiency. Some little
study has been given this phase, and the tentative conclusion is that
the cause of this egg loss lies with the swallows themselves, either
directly or indirectly : directly through competition for nesting sites,
and indirectly when, during periods of low temperature, the birds
abandon complete or jiartially complete sets of eggs ; and it is fairly
certain that the actual destruction is done by birds rather than by any
other predators. It might possibly be explained on the basis of hunger
of the parents during the periods of low temperature or, what seems
more likely, by wandering birds.

Low’s (1932, 1933) percentage of eggs destroyed for two years
averaged 4.4%, considerably below that of Kent. Chapman (1935,
1939) gives no data on the point.

For a direct comparison with the same years we refer again to
the Princeton colony for fledgling mortality (Table XIX).

TABLE XIX
Fledgling Mortality

1937

1938

Avg. for 2 seasons

Princeton Colony

21.5%

52.8%

422%

Kent “

2.1%

4.5%

3.3%

While the heavy mortality at the Princeton colony could be as-
cribed to an inadequate food supply during the nestling period, this
same reason would hardly seem to hold for the Cape where the food
supply was admittedly plentiful. However, it is conceivable that ad-
verse weather conditions in such a relatively exposed area as the Cape
could reduce the plentiful supply to a dangerous low.

Table XX is of considerable interest for it proves that the first-
year birds are to a great extent quite competent in carrying out the
complete breeding cycle. Their average efficiency of 75.0% is fully
as high as the more adult birds (Table X\T).

TABLE XX

Data on Ten Individual Pair.s
in Which One or Both Birds Were Fledgling Returns

Pair No.

No. Eggs

No. Fledged

Age of One or Both Parents

3 and 5 fletlgling returns

9 a fledgling return ;
age of 3 unknown

3 a fledgling return;

9 (on plumage) 1st yr.

3 a fledgling return;
9 2nd yr. bird

3 a fledgling return;

9 (on plumage) 1st yr.

3 a fledgling return;

9 (on plumage) full adult

Average

4.8

3.6

Reproductive efficiency of these 10 pairs

75.0%

TABLE XXI

Reproductive Efficiency and Relative Data
House Wren

Season

Nests

Lay

Hatch

Mortality

Fledged

Efficiency

1937

51 — 67.10%

6 — 1.14%,

59.21%,

1938

37 — 52.11%

6 — 1.61%

43.66%o

1939

47 — 73.43%

5 — 1.06%c

65.93%

3-year

average

63.98%'

Bluebi rd

1.26%r

55.92%,

1937

4 — 80.00%,

0 — 0

80.00%

1938

12 — 92.30%,

2 — 1.6%,

76.92%o

1939

3 — 20.00%o

0 — 0

20.00%,

3-year

average

57.57%o

1.5%

51.51%

The percentages in Table XXI show the abilit}- of the wren to
cope with the Tree Swallow despite the latter’s superiority in numbers.
Use of hedgerow boxes by the House Wren is probably the reason
for this species’ relatively high efficiency within this particular colony.

While at first glance the Pduebirds’ situation would seem to be
entirely due to Tree Swallow competition, this is not the complete pic-
ture, for the greatest single factor causing the reduction in efficiency
was the number of eggs that failed to hatch — the latter being either
infertile or chilled. So it would appear that the overcrowding point at
Kent has not as yet been reached.

XVI. Banding Operations

Banding was begun in the spring of 1938 with two features in
mind, the banding of all fledglings to determine the percentage of re-
turn for this small tract, and the banding of all brown and greenish
first-year females to find out when full nuptial plumage is acquired.
In 1938, bands were given 15 females, of which 7 were first-year birds,
and 108 fledglings which represented the entire crop of young. Fol-
lowing this procedure in 1939, but with an added effort to capture all
adults, 50 adults and 153 fledglings were banded. This adult figure
represented all the females and 50% of the males.

It might be argued that, had the remainder of the males been
captured, the percentage of fledgling returns might have been higher
than the figure actually obtained. However, 1 am fairly certain that
the percentage is quite accurate for two reasons : ( 1 ) immatures are
among the later arrivals, and only the males of the earlier arrivals
escaped capture due to a delay in obtaining shutters for the boxes ; (2)
a very close daily check revealed no banded individuals among the un-
captured group. While these reasons are not strictly conclusive, they
tend to show that the margin of error was very slight.

A. .\dult Rclurns

Uf the 15 adult ft'nialcs banded in 1938, 4 (26.7^) returned ‘o
breed in 1939. Xone of these females returned to the same box to
nest. In Tabic XXlll, distances the birds nested from their 1938
boxes are indicated.

TABLE XXIII

5 Xo.

1938 Box

1939 Box

Distance

138-11231

50 feet (15.2 meters)

138-11213

2(K) feet (61 meters)

138-11209

100 feet (30.5 meters)

138-11230

1(K) feet (30.5 meters)

Average

1>. Fledgling Returns

As was mentioned previously, 108 fledglings were banded in 1938.
One of these birds died shortly after leaving the nest box, and another
died on September 3, 1938. This brings the number of return possibilities
to 106. Of this number 11. or 10.4^, returned to the three-acre (1.2
hectares) tract to breed — males and 54.5% females. This sex
ratio, with only a slight preponderance of females, is of note, for it
agrees with Klnijver’s (1935) findings regarding the Starling, another
hole-nesting species. In his studies he found that the sex ratio of the
fledgling returns was practically equal. In the case of the Song Spar-
row, Nice (1937) found that almost twice as many males returned as
females, or 26 males to 14 females. The number of swallows here
treated is, of course, comparatively small.

TABLE XXIV

Comparative Return Percentages

Species

Colony

Adult %

Fledgling

Tree Swallow

Cape Cod, Mass. (Low, 1933)

30.0%

11.0%

Tree Swallow

Kent, Conn. (Kuerzi)

26.7%

10.4%

Tree Swallow
Swallow of the

Princeton, Mass. (Chapman, 1939)

48.5%

4.6%

Genus Hirundo

Japan (Uchida, 1932)

46.0%

1.6%

Bank Swallow

Iowa and New York (Stoner, 1937)

5.2%

1.4%

Table XXI\' clearly shows how closely the Kent colony follows
the pattern of the Cape Cod colony. It also illustrates that Chapman’s
findings agree favorably with the results reported by Uchida (1932)
in studies carried on in Japan. A consideration of this material would
seem to show a direct correlation between the adult and fledgling re-

turn percentages. In other words, the higher the adult return percent-
age, the lower the fledgling return percentage. This may well be the
case with the Tree Swallow, for as shown elsewhere the adults are the
first or earlier arrivals to the colonies. Hence what Whittle (1932)
attempted to show with Song Sparrows in New Hampshire, that “the
reason juveniles do not seem to return to their birth places is that the
old returns preempt the nesting territories used,” may be just as true,
and even more so, with the Tree Swallow.

In comparing the data for three Tree Swallow colonies in the
Northeast, it is well to remember that the Cape Cod colony covered a
square mile in extent and that Chapman’s results were obtained in
two areas four miles (6.4 km.) apart, both of which clearly exceeded
in extent the Kent colony site which is a mere 31/4 acres (1.3 hectares).
This note is given to illustrate that an increase in the extent of the
colony site does not increase the return percentages of fledglings, and
that the excess of the fledglings which we assume are driven off by
the adults must disperse to a more distant location for nesting. It may
well be that much more extensive banding operations over the entire
New England states would shed much light on the fledgling dispersal
problem.

C. House Wren Population

In connection with the relatively high fledgling return percentage
of the Tree Swallows at Kent, the following note on the wren popu-
lation is of interest. Banding operations on this species began in 1938
when all the nestlings were banded, totaling 32 birds. During 1939
this procedure was continued, with the addition of capturing and band-
ing all adults for the second brood.

The 1939 season proved an interesting one with this species. Four
pairs nested in the colony for their first brood, augmented by four
more pairs during the second brood period, or an increase in the popu-
lation of 100%. Banding operations carried on during this second
brood period disclosed that the male (138-11335) of the pair nesting
in box 16 was a fledgling return from the previous year. The bird had
been banded on July 21, 1938, which would indicate it had been banded
as a second-brood fledgling of that year. It had been reared in box 4
(only 100 feet — 30.5 meters — from box 16) with five other nestlings.

This record gives the Kent colony a House W’ren fledgling re-
turn percentage of 3.12%, which is higher than the 2.6% return of
Kendeigh (1934) in his studies at Gates Mills, Ohio. In considering
this percentage, we should not lose sight of the fact that the area at
Kent is relatively very small.

• TABLE XXV

Distances between Fledglings’ Birthplace and Nest Box

Fledgling No.

1938 Box 1939 Box

Distance

1. S 138-11226

400 feet ( 122 meters)

2. 3 138-11228

250 feet (76.2 meters)

3. 3 138-11243

50 feet (15.2 meters)

4. 3 138-11250

100 feet (30.5 meters)

5. 3 138-11269

250 feet (76.2 meters)

6. 9 138-11240

4(X) feet (122 meters)

7. 9 138-11241

3(X) feet (91.3 meters)

8. 9 138-11286

50 feet (15.2 meters)

9. 9 138-11287

100 feet (30.5 meters)

10. 9 138-11256

100 feet (30.5 meters)

11. 9 138-11290

4(X) feet (122 meters)

.\verage distance between fledgling birthplace and

nest box for

11 fledgling returns

... 218.18 feet (66.5 meters)

Maximum possible distance in the colony .

... 600.00 feet ( 182.8 meters)

Table XX\' illustrates what can be expected from a Tree Swal-
low colony on a small area. This material is not comparable to either
Low’s or Chapman’s colonies, for both areas were much greater in
extent. Chapman's colony site was over twelve acres (4.8 hectares)
and Low’s a full square mile (256 hectares). Due no doubt to the rela-
tively confining limits of the Kent colony, the distances between the
fledglings’ birthplace and their first-year nesting boxes are probably
the smallest on record. Low’s distances ran from 150 feet (47 meters)
to 30 miles (48 kilometers), based on 48 fledgling returns and covered
both the main station and several substations. Chapman gives no data
on his first-year birds.

TABLE XXVI

Known Survival Percentages of Eight Broods Based

on Fledg

ling Returns

Fledgling No.

Origin 1938 Size

of Brood

Survival in 1939

1. 3 138-11226 , ^

2. 3 138-11228 f ^''others

Box 29

33.3%

3. 3 138-11243

Box 15

16.6%

4. 3 138-11250

Box 11

20.0%

5. 3 138-11269

Box 30

20.0%

6. 9 138-11240 1 „.

7. 9 138-11241 f Sisters

Box 18

50.0%

8. 9 138-11286 | „.

9. 9 138-11287 f Sisters

Box 35

40.0%

10. 9 138-11256

Box 40

20.0%

11. 9 138-11290

Box 38

25.0%

Average known survival for 8 broods

28.11%

Before discussing Table XX\'I it is worth noting that in this
group of fledgling returns there were two pairs of sisters and one
pair of brothers. Speaking of his high percentage of fledgling returns
for 1932, Low (1933) says that "two nestlings returned from each of
three broods but in no instances did more than two from a brood come
back.” In six years of study, Chapman's only fledgling return occurred
in 1935 when two nestlings returned from each of two broods. Xeither
of these workers mention the sex ratio of these returns, and neither
are explicit as to whether they actually bred.

In plumage characters the brothers were similar, as was found
to be the case with all the male Tree Swallows irrespective of age. On
the other hand the sisters were different, for in each case one was
brown and the other greenish. Whether this proportion is representa-
tive is unwise to predict, for the greenish phase would seem to be the
commoner first-year plumage.

Table XX\'l, on the known survival of eight broods, stimulates
more questions than it answers. How nearly representative of the
actual number of nestlings that survive the first year is the high of
50.0% or the low of 16.6%, or in fact the average of 28.11%? We
could theorize much, but we would still have unsolved the problem of
the actual suritlus and the attendant problem of its distribution or
dispersal.

D. Distant Recoveries

At the time of this writing there have been only two distant re-
coveries. One, a bird banded as a nestling on June 17, 1938, was found
sick and died September 3, 1938, at Leonardo, New Jersey (near At-
lantic Highlands). The other bird, banded as a nestling June 10, 1939,
was killed by an auto January 26, 1940, at Homestead, Florida.

There is nothing unusual about the first record, for the location
is on the eastern or coastal flyway of this species, and the bird was
found at a time which is normal for the species at that point. In a
direct line Leonardo is 90 miles (145 kilometers) south .southwest of
Kent. It therefore throws no light on the problem of the fledgling
dispersal immediately after leaving the nest. Sight records at Kent
would seem to indicate a northerly disper.sal, but the records are too
local for any ])redictions. Furthermore, their early arrival along the
coast at points south of their breeding localities would argue against
any considerable dispersal northward immediately after leaving the
nest boxes. Chapman records two fledgling recoveries, both of which
were obtained at points south of his colony and during the same sum-
mer of their hatching. He is of the belief that the birds move south
immediately after leaving their nest boxes (Chapman, 1935).

The second distant recover}’ for the Kent colony is of interest in
view of the decrease in the number of breeding pairs for the 1940 sea-
son. It no doubt indicates that at least some of the Kent birds were
in peninsular Florida at the time of the severe cold spell wdiere and
when a great many Tree Swallows perished. Therefore, the 1940 de-
crease could readily be attributed to the decimation of these birds at
their winter cjuarters. Howell in ‘Florida Bird Life' (1932) describes
several such instances where unseasonable cold spells so cut down the
insect population that the Tree Swallows died in great numbers, ap-
parently from starvation.

X\'II. Pli’M-vge Notes

One of the purposes of this study was to determine at what age
the female ac(|uires the full (green) adult nuptial plumage. This in-
volved a fuller knowledge of the so-called brown female, both as to
age and corresponding y)lnmage characteristics. Before considering
these immature birds, it is well to realize that in the field a fully adult
female is indistinguishable from the male even with the best binoculars,
if we rely on plumage alone. And even in the hand, differences are
so slight as to be unreliable. If the female can be distinguished from
the male, that female is not fully mature. As Low (1933) found on the
Cape, actions will readily separate the sexes in the field. Apart from
the fact that the female incubates, the infallible guide is that a female
will always enter the box directly, while the male invariably perches
at the opening before entering.

The following plumage characters have been worked out based
on fifteen birds banded in 1938 which returned to breed in 1939. Of
these fifteen birds, four were adult returns and eleven were fledgling
returns.

Among the first-year females, there are two distinct j)lumages.
For convenience we can term the one plumage ‘brown,' in which there
is hardly any trace of green. At anv distance these birds appear to be
entirely brown above. The second and commoner plumage is what
might be termed ‘greenish,' in which very definite traces of green ap-
pear on the back of the head, on the back between the shoulders and
on the leading area of the inner half of the wing. In flight these females
appear darker above than the brown females and have a decided
smoky cast to the wings and tail.

Following these plumages through to the second year, we find
that the typically ‘brown’ plumaged bird acquires the ‘greenish’ phase
in its second year; and that the first-year ‘greenish’ females may ac-
quire the full adult nuptial plumage, or may still bear faint traces of

immaturity in their second year. In these latter birds the forehead is
still washed with brownish, and a slight smoky cast still remains on
wings and tail. It would appear, then, that the female Tree Swallow
requires at least two years to attain the full green-blue adult nuptial
plumage, and in some few instances it does not attain it until the third
breeding season after hatching. In other words, if the first-year female
is a typically ‘brown’ bird, it will take three years to attain the adult
green-blue plumage ; and if the first-year female is a typically ‘greenish’
bird, it may attain the adult green-blue plumage either in the <^econd
or third year.

In no instance did a female attain the green-blue adult plumage
the spring after its hatching. On the other hand, all five fledgling re-
turn males did attain the adult nuptial plumage. Of the 68 males
under observation during the three seasons, there was no instance of
males in any but the green-blue plumage of a full adult.

Thus, when Forbush (1929) describes the adult female in breed-
ing plumage as “similar to male or as male, but usually duller above,
often chiefly dusky-grayish brown, with only tips of feathers glossy
blue or greenish; upper breast frequently shaded brownish gray,” he
is not entirely correct. The latter half of his description fits a second-
or third-year female, and not a fully adult bird. Again, his plumage
notes for “immature in first breeding plumage” as similar to adults is
only half true for it would only hold for the males. Immature females
would never be similar to adult females.

TABLE XXVII
Plumage Changes
Adult Returns

1. ? 138-11231, banded as brown first-year in 1938, returned as a greenish bird
and bred in 1939.

2. 9 138-11213, banded as a greenish first-year in 1938, returned with traces of
immaturity and bred in 1939.

3. 9 138-11209 and 9 138-11230, banded as greenish first-years in 1938, returned
as full green-blue adults and bred in 1939.

9 138-112901

Fledgling Returns

9 138-11241

9 138-11286

banded as nestlings in 1938, returned as greenish first-year birds

9 138-11240

and bred in 1939.

9 138-11256

9 138-11287 J

$ 138-11243'

$ 138-11250

banded as nestlings in 1938, returned as green-blue adults and

$ 138-11228

$ 138-11226

bred in 1939.

$ 138-11269

XVIII. Discussion

Before the introduction of bird boxes the determining factor in
Tree Swallow distribution and relative abundance was availability
of actual nesting sites. These sites were usually to be found at the
heads of lakes, borders of fresh-water marshes and along river valleys,
where whole stands of dead trees occur. Cavities formed as a result
of tree decay and old woodpecker nest holes supplied the need. Only
a casual survey of such natural areas would reveal that a swallow
food supply is guaranteed and would probably be far in excess of the
need of the number of birds that natural cavities or woodpecker holes
could accommodate. This undoubtedly developed in the economy of
the Tree Swallow a disregard for the food .supply of an area, since
under natural conditions food could be taken for granted. Nesting
sites then became the dominant motivation in its breeding distribution.

In the New England area this urge could readily explain the
species’ eagerness to adopt the artificial nest box, particularly as we
know that with the development of this country the natural habitats
of this species have been fast disappearing for many years.

Bird boxes have introduced a new element which is tending to
satisfy this species’ drive for nesting sites. While it may be effecting
an increase of Tree Swallows in New England, it is much too recent
an innovation to have caused any change in the birds’ economy. This
species will probably continue to function instinctively on the basis
that actual nesting sites always insure adequate food supplies.

In describing the Princeton site Chapman (1935) writes that the
“colony is located on a small area of open farmland that is very un-
favorable for a nesting site for this species.’’ He goes on to point out
that there are no ponds nearer than two miles and that the only water
areas are a few small alder-choked brooks. Besides these unfavorable
conditions the elevation of the area is high (1100 feet) and the colony
site entirely exposed to the northwest. Surely no trained ecologist
would expect to find Tree Swallows in such a habitat, but yet the in-
troduction of bird boxes has brought this swallow to such an ecologi-
cally poor area.

Low (1932, etc.) gives no detailed description of his areas at
Cape Cod. However, in telling of the main station he states that it
has “an excellent food supply.’’ Therefore, we can take for granted
that some sort of fresh-water lake is either on the site or near-by. But
here again the seacoast could not be considered the ideal breeding
habitat of Tree Swallows, for such areas are too exposed to severe
easterly storms which would cause detrimental fluctuations in the
birds’ food supply.

Speaking of natural nesting sites such as cavities, Low (1932)
states that on the Cape they “are so few, if not even non-existant, they
may be eliminated from the discussion.” Considering the flora of Cape
Cod it seems highly improbable that any sizable natural habitats ever
existed on the Cape for Tree Swallows to use. Therefore, the relative
abundance of this species at that area has been affected by the intro-
duction of nest boxes. Thus again we find this artificial stimulant,
working as it does on the species’ drive for nesting sites, has caused
the Tree Swallow to nest in the country where the ecological condi-
tions are at times very unfavorable.

Kent, on the other hand, with the exception of the actual nesting
boxes very closely approaches the natural nesting habitat of the Tree
Swallow. Aside from the river which is in actuality a long narrow
lake with a few swampy coves, there are several small lakes and
swampy areas to the east. It has some elevation (450 feet — 137 meters)
and, being situated in the deep-set valley of the Housatonic, is well
protected by the hills to the west and the east. What the actual carry-
ing capacity of this area, is remains for future years to divulge. It is,
however, safe to say that, up to the present at least, results indicate
ecological conditions existing at Kent can support a considerable fur-
ther increase in its Tree Swallow breeding population.

XIX. Addenda

'I'lie following notes are given to supplement the material con-
tained in the body of the paper. These data are based on observations
made in the colony from April 10 to May 11 (inclusive), 1941.

The period from April 10 to 30 inclusive averaged 8.9° F. above
the normal mean, and the period from May 1 to 11 inclusive 1.5°
above normal. Clearly this period was abnormally warm. It should
have had an appreciable effect on the date of the laying of the first
egg, since temperature is conceded to be one of the major factors in
the early stages of the reproductive cycle. Yet the date for the laying
of the first egg for 1941 was May 6, corresponding exactly with the
average of 1937, 1938 and 1939 when no such abnormally high tem-
peratures occurred.

On the other hand the Bluebird did respond to the higher tem-
peratures, by laying its first egg on April 13, the previous earliest date
in this study being April 21. This was a very decided advance and
can be readily attributable to the abnormally warm spell.

Just why the Tree Swallow, a box-nesting species, did not react
in a similar way is a problem for future study. In itself it would ap-
pear to lessen the importance of the effect of tem])erature on the re-

productive cycle of the Tree Swallow. 1 lowevcr, one such instance
is hardly a basis for generalization, and more data would be necessary
in my opinion to decrease the im|)ortance of temperature in the life
cycle of this species.

Another unexpected fact was disclosed by the 1941 observa-
tions. This was the gratifying comeback which the Tree Swallow
staged at the Kent colony. It is best illustrated in Chart II (see Page
00 1 . The rate of increa.se following 1940’s low even exceeded the
steep rise in 1937. 1938 and 1939. Ilased on the findings up to May 11
the colony in 1941 reached a new peak of 50 j)airs. P>y May 11, 14
females were laying, and at least 36 other nests had progressed to a
point where it was certain that the breeding cycle had begun. Whether
the increase witnessed at Kent was a general condition over the entire
Xew England area is not at ])resent known to the writer. Should it
be the case, it gra])hically illustrates the fecundity of the Tree Swallow
in the Northeast.

Towering was again under observation with .sjjecial emphasis on
the cjuality of the note that provoked it. Here it was found that the
towering note was softer, less harsh and more rapidly repeated than
the true alarm note, such as is giv'en at the close approach of humans.
P>eing of a diflferent ciuality. it may well he the reaction to a different
stimulus. Judging from the results which this towering note produces,
it is the belief of the writer that it is a flock organization call note.

Since drafting the main body of the paper another recovery
record was obtained. A bird banded as a nestling on June 10, 1939
was found dead May 21. 1941 at Lakeville, Connecticut, a point 17
miles — 30 km. — north (a few degrees west of north) of the colony
site. The date could readily indicate that the bird was breeding in
the vicinity. The individual, who found the bird, reports that the Tree
Swallow is seen during the summer months at that point. If we can rely
on this statement it would perhaps indicate a northerly dispersal of
the fledglings. In other words the fledglings tend to return to the
jtoint of their origin, some few remain there to breed, while the others
are perhaps driven off by the more mature birds and continue their
migration north until suitable nesting sites are found. The latter may
be a few miles or many miles from their point of origin, or it may
result in wandering non-breeding birds.

XX. SUMM.\RV

1. This pai)er is a nesting study of the Tree Swallow in southern
Xew England based on almost daily observations for three breeding
seasons at an isolated colony which grew to 35 pairs. From 74 to 84%

of the nesting boxes were occupied, the excess lessening friction with
other species. The best type of box is described.

2. The average date of arrival at Kent was April 8, a secondary
flight occurring in the middle or third week of May. This latter flight
is believed to be a mass arrival of first-year birds or birds which bred
farther north.

3. Mass departure during the nesting season was directly cor-
related with lack of sunshine rather than a drop in temperature.

4. A curious towering of the entire flock into the air is not be-
lieved to be a fear reaction and has no acceptable explanation at this
time.

5. Territory was limited to nesting boxes but the birds sometimes
killed one another in the competition for these sites.

6. Various call notes are described and discussed.

7. Mature females were more efficient in nest-building than one-
year-old birds, two weeks being the average time and the nest com-
posed of material locally available.

8. Details of courtship displays and copulation behavior are given.

9. Eggs were laid normally at the rate of one per day. A drop
in temperature would suspend egg-laying but had little or no effect
on the percentage hatched. The date for the first egg (average May 6)
was influenced by temperature and possibly by the amount of sunshine.
It is tentatively believed to be six days after the mean temperature
is 55.3° F. (12.8° C.), the threshold decreasing 0.6° F. each day there-
after. Clutch size varied from 3 to 7 eggs; 68 sets averaged 5.6 eggs
per set. Sets destroyed were replaced in 6-7 days. One-year-old females
appear to lay later than older birds.

10. In New England this species is generally single-brooded.

11. Females normally carry on all incubation, the males guard-
ing the nest-site in their absence. The incubation varied from 13 to
16 days, averaging 14.5 in 66 cases. Random observation of the rhythm
indicated 19 minutes on the nest, 9 off.

12. All eggs in early clutches hatched on the same day, those in
late clutches over a two-day period. Young were consistently brooded
for the first few days after hatching and left the nest when 15 to 24
days old. In 66 instances this age was 19.2 days, and in 65 was 4.5
young per nest. No correlation existed between duration of nestling
period and size of brood.

13. Nine hours’ observation on young of various ages showed an
average of one visit ever}' two minutes by the parents. Parents definite-
ly coaxed their young to leave, the initial flight of fledglings covering
a considerable distance and feeding by the parents ceasing 2 or 3 days
later.

14. Ideal ecological conditions for this species apparently existed
at Kent, an average of only 3.6^ of the adults and 2.4% of the nest-
lings dying during the breeding seasons of a five-year period.

15. The systematic introduction of nesting boxes promoted an
increase in tlie size of the colony, and until 1939 this was accompanied
by an increase in reproductive efficiency. The latter averaged 67.7%
over a 3-year period, egg destruction being the most serious mortality
factor. First-year parents had the same nesting success as adults.

16. Returns after one year were 26.7% for 15 adults, 10.4%
for 108 fledglings. Sex ratio of the latter (11 birds) was 45.5%
males to 54.5% females. The known survival on 8 broods varied be-
tween 16.6 and 50.0%, averaging 28.1%. Distant recoveries were limit-
ed to two cases, in Xew Jersey and Florida.

17. Males invariably acquired the nuptial plumage in one year,
females requiring at least two years.

18. Nesting sites are believed to be such an important factor
in the distribution of this species, that the erection of nest boxes may
even cause colonization in areas where ecological conditions are poor.

19. Severe climatic conditions on the birds’ wintering grounds
early in 1940 brought about only a brief decline in the growing colony
which was studied.

Bibliography

Austin, O. L., Jr. and S. H. Low. 1932. Notes on the Breeding of the Tree
Swallow. Bird-Banding, 3 :39-44.

Cash, J. A. 1933. Tree Swallows: Some Observations Made at Close Quarters.
Bird-Lore, 35 :201-205.

Chapman, L. B. 1935. Studies of a a Tree Swallow Colony. Bird-Banding,
6:45-57.

1939. Studies of a Tree Swallow Colony (Second Paper). Bird-

Banding, 10:61-72.

Forbush, E. H. 1929. Birds of Mass and Other New England States, vol. 3.
Mass. Dept, of Agric., Boston. •

Griscom, L. 1933. Birds of Dutchess Co., N. Y Trans. Linn. Soc. N. Y.
3:1-184.

1940. The Changing Seasons. Bird-Lore, 42 :373-374.

Hersey, F. S. 1933. Notes on Tree Swallows and Bluebirds. Auk, 50:109-110.

Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Fla. Dept. Game and Fresh Water
Fish in cooperation with Bur. of Biol. Surv., U. S. Dept. Agric.

Kendeigh, S. C. 1934. The Role of Environment in Birds. Ecol. Mono.,
4:299-417.

Kirkman, F. B. 1937. Bird Behaviour. T. Nelson and Sons, Ltd., London.

Kluijver, H. N. 1935. Waarnemingen over de Levenswilze van den Spreeuw
{Sturnus v. xndgaris) Uet Behulp van Geringde Individen. Ardca,
24:133-166.

Kuerzi, J. F. and R. G. 1934. Notes on the Summer Birds of Western Litch-
field Co., Conn. Ahs. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. Y. Nos. 43, 44:1-13.

Low, S. H. 1933. Further Notes on the Nesting of the Tree Swallows. Bird-
Banding, 4 : 76-87.

1934. Nest Distribution and Survival Ratio of Tree Swallows. Bird-

Banding, 5 :24-30.

Moreau, R. E. 1939. Numerical Data on African Birds’ Behavior at the Nest :
Hirundo s. smithii Leach the Wire-tailed Swallow. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lon-
don, 1 09 A : 109-126.

Moreau, R. E. and W. M. 1939a. Some Observations on Swallows and House
Martins at the Nest. British Birds, 33:146-151.

Nice, M. M. 1937. Studies in the Life History of tlie Song Sparrow I. Trans.
Linn. Soc. N. Y., 4:1-247.

Sage, J. H., L. B. Bishop and W. P. Bliss. 1913. The Birds of Conn. Com.
Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey, Bull. No. 20, pp. 1-370.

Shelley, L. O. 1934. Tree Swallow Tragedies. Bird-Banding, 5:134.

Stoner, D. 1936. Studies on the Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia riparia Lin-
naeus) in the Oneida Lake Region. Roosevelt M'ild Life Annals, 4:126-
233.

1937. Ten Years’ Returns from Banded Bank Swallows. Circular

No. 18, N. Y. State Museum.

Townsend, C. W. 1920. On the Nesting, Song and Play of Tree and Barn
Swallows. Bull. Essex Co. Ornith. Club: 31-38.

UcHiDA, S. 1932. Studies of Swallows by the Banding Method. Bird-Banding,
3:1-11.

Weydemeyer, W. 1934. Tree Swallows at Home in Montana. Bird-Lore,
36:100-105.

Whittle, C. L. 1926. Notes on the Nesting Habits of Tree Swallows, .duk,
43 :247-248.

1932. Are Nesting 1 erritories Always Available for Returning

Juvenile .Song Sparrows? 3 :106-108.

St. Marys,

Georgia.

Notes on the Distribution of Oceanic Birds in the
North Atlantic 1937-1941

P>y Hilary 15. Moore, I’h.U.

There are a few birds, chiefly sliearwaters, petrels and phalaropes
(in the North Atlantic), which live most of their lives, excejit for the
breeding period, at sea. For this reason, and because their identification
must usually depend on sight records, we have relatively little detailed
information as to their distribution and seasonal migrations. In fact
the bulk of our knowledge is based on two papers by jesjiersen ( 1930).
and W'ynne-Kdwards ( 1935). .\dditional information, however scanty,
is therefore valuable. The |)resent notes are based on four transects
of the .Atlantic between ICngland and llermuda,* three by the author
and one by Miss K. S. Russell, and on observations made from the
Royal Society's ketch "Culver" between 193.S and 1941. the latter all
within thirty miles of llermuda. A few land records made at Itermuda
between 1937 and 1941 are also included, hut most of these, together
with records of land birds seen at sea round llermuda, are treated in
another pajier (Moore, 1941). No attempt at a general bibliography
has been made, since W’vnne-Edwards Hoc. cit.) has given so good a
summary of the available information.

Specific identification of storm i^etrels has not always been possible,
hut all those of which I could be certain were Wilson’s ( Occanites
occaiiictis ) . Similarly some of the large shearwaters might have been
either Puff inns gravis or P. knhlii, though on most occasions these tw'o
could be separated with certainty, and once the jiresence of both to-
gether afforded a u.seful comparison. The actual numbers of birds
seen are given in tables at the end of the j)a])er, those for Bermuda
being grouped together as totals for each month.

Jesper.sen Hoc. cit. ) has given a chart showing the average num-
bers of birds observed per day in different ])arts of the North Atlantic.
Between Bermuda and the Azores these ranged from one to four per
day, and from there to the Bay of Biscay >11 and >18. If we take
the figures in Tables I to A* and express them, for comjiarison, as num-
bers of birds per ten hours watching, we get 6.5 for the area round
Bermuda, 19.6 for the July transect (excluding time in port on all
transects). 83 for the November transect and 79 for the December
one. In the case of the last of the.se the area of Land’s End has been

•Notes on the first of these have already been published (Moore. 1938).

omitted, but if this is included the value is 1,235. No doubt our figures
for the Bermuda area are higher than Jespersen’s because they refer only
to an area close to the island, and this is a breeding ground for tropic-
birds, whereas his figures refer to a much larger area of the Sargasso
Sea. But the difference between our figures for the region between
Bermuda and Europe and his, is so great that we must regard the
minimal figures which he describes, as definitely too low.

30 20 10 0

Fig. 1. Areas in which Greater Shearwaters were seen, and their southern limit in
August as given by IVynne-Edzvards. In this and subsequent figures, presence
is indicated by a black circle and absence by an open one. Circles show noon
positions, and the letters by them indicate the month (July, September,
November or December).

Greater Shearwater, Puffinus gravis (O’Reilly). — According to Wynne-
Edwards’ summary, this bird, which nests only at Tristan da Cunha, crosses the
equator and moves northwards in the western North Atlantic in the spring and

(close hatching) and November (cross hatching).

early summer. It spreads across the whole northern North .Atlantic during the
summer, and in the autumn it moves south again in an eastern and a (smaller)
western stream. Our data, though few, fit in well with this outline, although they
do little to elaborate it. There are definite records of single birds round Bermuda
on May 10 and 15, and three on May 18. There are also records of either this
or the next species for early June and September. Finally Bradlee, Mowbray and
Eaton (1931) record it at Bermuda in June. Tbe Greater Shearwaters undoubtedly
move northwards very rapidly in the spring, as Wynne-Eclwards gives their south-
ern limit on June 25 for the western side of the North .Atlantic as about 40° N.,
whereas the earliest arrivals pass Bermuda (32° N.) in mid-May.

20 10 0 20 10 0

Fig. 3. Records of Gatwets.

Fig. 4. Records of Manx Slicanoatcrs.

In July, except for two doubtful records, which were probably P. kidilii, we
found Greater Shearwaters only in a patch about six hundred miles northeast
of the Azores, and then not in great numbers. In September on a more southern
route, none were seen, but in November they were present in large numbers off
Land’s End, and a large shearwater, probably this species, was present in smaller
numbers about three hundred miles west of the Spanish coast. None were seen
in November either in the Bay of Biscay or round the .Azores. Finally in Decem-
ber, on a northern route, none were seen at all, and it is to be presumed that they
had all moved well south by tliat time. Except tiiat our records northeast of
the Azores in July are farther south than the limits given by Wynne-Edwards
for that month, our records of both presence and absence agree well with his
account.

North -Atlantic or Cory’s Shearwater, Puff inns kuhlii (Boie). — Our records
for this species are of more help in filling in details as to distribution since its
northern limits fall more within the area covered by our transects than do those
of P. gravis. The earliest record is of three birds near Bermuda on May 28, and
there are single records of either this or the previous species in June and September
also. According to Wynne-Edwards it reaches Cape Cod about August, and its
farthest north on the west side is about 44°. On the east side of the Atlantic its
limit is about 50°, and it reaches this in .August and September. In July we found

Fig. 4

Fig. 3

Fic., 5. Records of storm petrels. Only tho.u' on the July transect, and those of Bermuda in .May u-ere definitely li'ilson's.

it present on the western side at 38°-43° N., (4 definite identifications, and three
probably this species), and at about 46° N., on the eastern side. The Nicholsons
(1931) found it present in the same month right across the Atlantic on a more south-
erly transect. Our September transect found it only in an area centering on the Azores
and running from 15° to 38° W., although Wynne-Edwards states that it may
occur in the mouth of the English Channel at this time. The Nicholsons’ October
records are about this area, though rather farther east. In November we saw
them on only one day, slightly southwest of the Azores. The December transect
was too far north to be of any use. Taking all these observations together we are
able to make some picture of the seasonal movements of the northern limit of P.
kuhlii in the central North Atlantic.

Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus (Gmelin). — None were seen on any of the
transects, but round Bermuda a bird which was probably this species was re-
ported (not seen by me) on April 26, and single birds were definitely identified
on May 15, 16 and 28, and one was caught on the “Culver” on October 20. Bradlee,
Mowbray and Eaton (/oc. cit.) also record them close to Bermuda in the winter
of 1907 and 1908. Our spring records agree with Wynne-Edwards’ statement that
they appear on the North American coast at the end of May, and remain in the
North Atlantic throughout the summer. Their general scarcity compared with
the last two species may account for none being seen on any of the transects.

Audubon’s Shearwater, Puffinus Iherminieri Ihcrniinieri Less. — I have as-
signed all small shearwaters seen round Bermuda to this species, which breeds
here in small numbers, but they might possibly have been P. puffinus, of which
there are two definite and one doubtful record from Bermuda. Two were seen in
May, two in July and one in September, all close to a known nesting site. None
were seen out at sea.

Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus Briinnich. — I have assumed that all small
shearwaters seen in the eastern North Atlantic were this species. They were
recorded off the Bay of Biscay and round La Pallice in July but not later in the
year, off the Welsh coast in September, and off Land’s End in November. None
were seen far out at sea.

Wilson’s Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl). — Specific identification of storm
petrels is always difficult with sight records, and these are of little value unless
the evidence for them is given. In May, 1939, when they were fairly abundant
round Bermuda, all those seen had a similar type of flight and marking. In a
few of these cases the projection of the feet beyond the tail in flight was well
seen. It may safely be assumed therefore that all these were Wilson’s Petrels.
In the July transect, others were seen which, from their habit of following the
ship, their markings, and the similarity of their flight to the May ones, were fairly
certainly also Wilson’s Petrels. From the above, and the locality and time of
year they were very unlikely to have been Hydrobates, and the flight did not
agree with that described for Oceanodronia. Those seen on the September and
November transects, and other Bermuda records, might have been this species,
but are uncertain.

Jespersen found storm petrels, probably this species, in large numbers in the
Sargasso Sea towards the end of April. We found Wilson’s Petrels present in
maximum numbers round Bermuda in May, although present (sp. ?) from April
to September, and Bradlee, Mowbray and Eaton record them as present there
regularly throughout the summer. Tn July, when Wilson’s Petrels are widely dis-

tributed in the North Atlatitic (Wynne-Edwards), we found them about half-
way between the Azores and the American coast in latitude 41°-43° N., and again
halfway between the Azores and Ireland. These are all the definite records, but
in September storm petrels (sp. ?) were seen northeast of the Azores, and in
November southwest of the Azores, while in December on a northern transect
none were seen.

Fulmar, Fulmarus glaciaUs glacialis (Linn.). — Only recorded once, off Land’s
End in November. Our July, September and November transects were all south
of where, according to Wynne-Edwards, Fulmars would be expected at these
times, but our December transect, which ran along or north of the 50th parallel
from the south of Ireland to 27° W., and crossed the 40th about 49° W., was well
north of the limit he gives for January, and yet none were seen. This suggests
either that they do not reach their extreme southern limit until after December 31
or else that this limit may at times be farther north than Wynne-Edwards indicates.

Gannet, Sula hassaiia (Linn.). — The only records are in the Bay of Biscay and
off Land’s End in November, off the Welsh coast in September, and off the south
of Ireland in December. None of these were far from land.

Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinns Linn. — Although most of the gulls
cannot be considered as oceanic, a few were seen on the transects and round Ber-
muda, which is about 580 miles from the nearest land, so the observations are
best included here. The only records of Great Black-backed Gulls on the transects
were near Liverpool and off the south of Ireland. None were seen round La
Pallice. Wynne-Edwards says that they are rarely seen more than forty miles
from land, but they occur regularly in small numbers round Bermuda, although
they do not breed there. Bradlee, Mowbray and Eaton record them at Bermuda
in December and February or March, and we have seen them there from October to
February, so they may be regarded as regular winter visitors. Both adult and
immature birds occur.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus Linn. — None were seen far out to
sea, and none have been recorded at Bermuda. They were seen round Liverpool
and in the Irish Sea in September and December, off Land’s End in November,
and round La Pallice and in the Bay of Biscay in July and November. In Decem-
ber six birds follow'ed the ship from the south of Ireland as far as about 16° W.

Herring Gull, Larus argentatus Pontoppidan. — These gulls w'ere seen round
Liverpool and in the Irish Sea in September, November and December, off Land’s
End in November, and round La Pallice and in the Bay of Biscay in July and
November. In December, on the way to Bermuda, an adult and an immature bird
were picked up at about 39° N., 51° W. These had not previously been following
the ship. The next day six birds (two immature) were seen, and the next day
one. They frequently came close under the stern of the ship, where an excellent
view of them could be obtained, and there could be no question of confusing them
with fulmars (see Wynne-Edwards). Bradlee, Mowbray and Eaton record them
as regular winter visitors to Bermuda, occurring in moderate numbers from Novem-
ber to March. I have seen both adults and immature birds there regularly from
December to March.

Mew Gull, Larus canus Linn. — Seen only at La Pallice in November and at
Liverpool in December.

Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundiis Linn. — These were seen only at Liver-
pool, La Pallice, and in the Bay of Biscay, all in November.

Atlantic Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla tridactyla (Linn.). — -The July, September
and November transects were too far south for their respective seasons for Kitti-
wakes to be present out at sea (see Wynne-Edvvards) , and the only record on
any of these was off Land’s End in November. In December, by which time they
have dispersed well south, they were seen from about 50° N., 16° W., to 47° N.,
37° W., and from 41° N., 50° W., to 39° N. 51° W. These records consisted of
both adult and immature birds. Bradlee, Mowbray and Eaton record them in
small numbers at Bermuda from December to February, and I saw' one young
bird there on April 18. None were seen at sea around Bermuda.

Common Tern, Sterna Jurutido Linn., Least Tern, N. aiilillaruiii (Less.). —
No terns were seen on any of the transects, and the individuals of these two species
which we saw' round Bermuda were probably local residents.

Great Skua. Calharacfa skua skua Briinnich. — One was seen in July at about
46° N., 16° W., tw'o (+2?) in the Bay of Biscay in November, and one at about
50° N., 22° W., in December.

Man-o’-war-bird, Pregata magnijicens Mathews. — None were seen on any of
the transects, but two were seen at sea near Bermuda in May. 1939, and one in
May, 1940. Beebe (1937) records it there in November, and Bradlee, Mowbray
and Eaton in September, April and May. Jespersen found none north of about
the 23rd parallel.

Yellow-billed Tropic-bird, Phaeton leptunis catesbyi Brandt. — None were seen
on any of the transects except for a single bird in September, less than one day
out from Bermuda. They nest at Bermuda, and we have seen them there regu-
larly out to the limits of our cruises — about thirty miles from the island.^ — and
in all months except January.

Phalaropodidce. — Ten phalaropes in winter i)lumage were seen in November
a short distance southwest of the Azores.

Summary of Obseuv-ations

A. Sh.=.\udubon’s Shearwater

At. Sh.=Atlantic or Cory’s Shearwater
Fgt.=:Frigate Bird or Man-o’-war-bird
Fu.=Fulmar

B. H. G.=Black-headed Gull
G.=Gannet

G. B. B. G.=Great Black-backed Gull
Gt. Sh.=Greater Shearwater

Gt. Sk.=Great Skua

H. G.=Herring (jull

Kit.=Kittiwake

L. B. B. G.=Lesser Black-backed Gull

M. G.=Mew Gull

M.x. Sh.=Manx Shearwater
Pet.=Storm petrel sp.

Phal.=Phalarope sp.

S. Sh.=Sooty Shearwater

T. B.= Yellow-billed Tropic-bird
Wi. Pet.=\Vilson’s Petrel

Note that, owing to war time conditions, only very a|)proximate noon p"'>tions
can be given for the transects in September and December, 1939.

Numbers are the actual numbers seen. If in italics they represent birds fol-
lowing the ship. Times are hours of observation.

TABLE I

Liverpiud to Hennuda, \'(n'einher, PK^T. Observer II. P. \l.

4. xi.37 — Round Liverpool: 1 G. B. B. G. ; 50 II. (i. : 4 B. H. G.

5. xi.37 — Noon position 50° 13' N., 06° 53' \Y. (3 hr. 22 mt.) : 2 L. B. B. G. : 71

H. G. : ea. 400 Kit.: 1 b'u. ; ca. 1500 Gt. Sh.; 4 Mx. Sh. ; ea. 750 G.

O.xi.37 — III aiul round La Pallicc: 100 L. 1>. H. G. ; 2 H. G. ; 1 M. G. ; 50 B. H. G.

7. xi.37 — Noon position 44° 59' N., 07° 03' \V. (3 hr. 22 mt.) : 13 L. B. B. G. ;

3 G.; 7 (+7?) B. H. G.; 2 (+2?) Gt. Sk.

8. X1.37 — Noon position 41° 40’ N., 15° 25' \V. (3 hr. 00 mt.) : 3 (?) Gt. Sh.

9. xi.37 — Noon position 38° 15' N., 22° 55' W. (4 hr. 30 mt.) : no birds.

10. xi.37 — Noon position 30° 47’ N., 30° 47' W. (2 hr. 30 mt.) ; 1 Pet.; 25 At.

Sh.; 10 Phal.

11. xi. 37 — Noon position 35° 34’ N., 38° 37' \V. (2 hr. 30 mt.) : no birds.

12. xi.37 — Noon position 34° 00' N., 45° 03' W. (1 hr. 30 mt.) ; no birds.

13. xi.37 — Noon position 33° 23’ No., 52° 54' \\\ (1 hr. 15 mt.) : no birds.

14. xi.37 — Noon position 32° 40' N., 00° 45' \\'. (1 hr. 30 mt.) : no birds.

15. xi.37 — Bermuda: no birds seen.

TABLE 11

licniiiida to Lk'cr/>ool, July, 1939. Observer H. B. M.

12. vii.3‘^ — Near Bermuda (1 hr. 21 mt.) : 3 T. B.

13. vii.39 — Noon position 35° 39’ N., 58° 58’ \V. (2 hr. 00 mt.) : no birds.

14. vii.39 — Noon position 38° 21’ N., 52° 30’ W'. (1 hr. 00 mt.) : 1 At. Sh. (?).

15. vii.39— Noon position 41° 04’ N.. 40° 03’ W. (2 hr. 30 mt.) : 13 \Vi. Pet. + 1

Pet. (sp. ?) ; 4 At. Sh. ; 15 sp.?

16. vii.39 — Noon position 43° 18’ N., 39° 01' \\ . (2 hr. 40 mt.) : 4 W^i. Pet.; 2 At.

Sh. (?).

17. vii.39 — Noon position 44° 54’ N., 31° 39’ \V. (1 hr. 00 mt.) : no birds.

18. vii.39 — Noon position 46° 00' N., 24° 15' W. (1 hr. 00 mt.) : 2 Gt. Sh.

19. vii.39 — Noon position 46° 37’ N., 16° 19' W. (1 hr. 35 mt.) : 1 \Vi. Pet.; 1 Pet.;

1 Gt. Sh. ; 58 At. Sh. ; 1 Gt. Sk.

20. vii.39— Noon position 46° 31' N., 08° 11' W. (1 hr. 53 mt.) : 1 H. G. ; 23 At.

Sh. ; 5 Mx. Sh. ; 1 sp. ?

21. vii.39 — La Pallice and near (1 hr. 05 mt.) ; 15 L. B. B. G. : 30 B. H. G. ; ea.

130 Mx. Sh.

La Pallice to Plymouth: visibility nil.

TABLE III

Lizrrpool to Bermuda, September, 1939. Obsen'er K. S. R.

4.1X.39 — Round Liverpool : Many L. B. B. G. ; many H. G.

5.ix.39 — Noon position 52° 30' N., 05° 30' \V. : Many L. B. B. G. ; many H. G.
6.ix.39 — Milford Haven: Many L. B. B. G. ; many H. G. ; 1 Mx. Sh.

7.ix.39 — Milford Haven: Many L. B. B. G. ; many H. G.

8.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 51° N.. 06° \V. : Many L. B. B. G. ; many H. G.; 5 Ga.;
6 Auks, sp.?

9.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 48° N., 10° \V. : no birds.

10.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 46° N., 15° : no birds.

ll.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 43° N., 22° W. : 2 Pet.; 4 .At. Sh.

12.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 41° N.. 28° \V. (2 hr. 20 mt.) : 1 Pet.; 26 At. Sh.

13.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 38° N.. 34° W. (0 hr. 55 mt.) : 6 -At. Sh.

14.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 37° N., 39° \\’. (1 hr. 50 mt.) ; no birds.

15.1. x.39 — Noon position ea. 36° N., 45° W. (0 hr. 45 mt.) : no birds.

16.1. x.39 — Noon position ea. 34° N.. 52° W. : no birds.

17.ix.39 — Noon position ea. 33° N., 50° W. : 1 T. B.

18.ix.39 — Bermuda: no birds.

TABLE IV

Liverpool to Bermuda, December, 1939. Observer H. B. M.

19. xii.39 — Round Liverpool (1 hr. 00 mt.) : a few L. B. B. G. ; 200 H. G. ; i M. G.

20. xii.39 — Noon position 51° 00' N., 09° 57' W. (2 hr. 15 mt.) : 2 G. B. B. G. ;

2 L. B. B. G. ; ca. 150 H. G. ; 4 G.

21. xii.39— Noon position 50° 43' N., 16° 04' W. (2 hr. 10 mt.) : (5 L. B. B. G.;

20 Kit.; 1 Auk, sp. ?

22. xii.39— Noon position 50° 14' N., 22° 07' W. (2 hr. 20 mt.) : 30+ Kit. ; 1 Gt. Sk.,

23. xiii.39— Noon position 48° 57' N., 28° 06' W. (1 hr. 05 mt.) : cs. 35 Kit.

24. xii.39— Noon position 46° 34' N., 33° 52' W. (1 hr. 15 mt.) : 4 Kit.

25. xii.39 — Noon position 44° 13' N., 39° 42' W. (1 hr. 20 mt.) : no birds.

26. xii.39— Noon position 41° 30' N., 45° 53' W. (1 hr. 15 mt.) : 80 + 20 Kit.

27. xii.39— Noon position 38° S3' N., 51° 36' W. (0 hr. 30 mt.) : 1 ( + 1 juv.) H. G.;

30 Kit.

28. xii.39— Noon position 36° 07' N., 57° 32' W. (0 hr. 55 mt.) : 4 (+2 juv.) H. G.

29. xii.39 — Noon position 32° 47' N., 62° 30' W. (1 hr. 35 mt.) : 1 H. G.

30. xii.39 — Bermuda: no birds.

TABLE V

Monthly Summary of Observations at Sea Round Bermuda
January — No observations.

February — 8 hr. 15 mt. : 3 gull sp. ?

March — No observations.

April — No observations.

May — 78 hr. 41 mt. : 13 T. B. ; 3 At. Sh. ; 3 At. or Gt. Sh. ; 4 Gt. Sh. ; 2 A. Sh.;

3 S. Sh. ; 55 Wi. Pet. ; 3 Fgt. ; 4 gull sp. ? ; 3 sp. ?

June — 6 hr. 30 mt. : 2 T. B.; 1 At. or Gt. Sh.

July — 25 hr. 10 mt. : 10 T. B.; 1 Pet.; 1 Phal?

Aug;ust — 30 hr. 45 mt. : 31 T. B.

September — 56 hr. 43 mt. : 14 T. B. ; 5 At. or Gt. Sh. ; 6 Pet.

October — 18 hr. 25 mt. : 5 T. B.; 1 G. B. B. G. ; 1 sp. ?

November — 5 hr. 53 mt. : no birds.

December — 52 hr. 37 mt. : 4 T. B. ; 1 G. B. B. G. ; 1 gull sp. ; Isp. ?

References

Beebe, W. 1937. Recent notes on Bermuda birds. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. V., 48,
pp. 60-65.

Bradlee, T. S., Mowbray, L. L. and Eaton, W. F. 1931. A list of birds recorded
from the Bermudas. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 39, 8 pp. 279-382.
Jespersen, P. 1930. Ornithological observations in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Dan. Dana Exped,, 1920-22, Oceanogr. Kept. 7 , pp. 1-36.

Moore, H. B. 193^ Notes on birds seen in the North Atlantic. Brit. Birds, 32,
2, p. 47.

Moore, H. B. 1941. Notes on Bermuda birds. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. V., 52, 53,
pp. 70-75.

Nicholson, E. M. & B. D. 1931. An ornithological transect of the North Atlantic.
Brit. Birds, 24, pp. 266-274.

Wynne- Edwards, V. C. 1935. On the habits and distribution of birds on the
North Atlantic. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 40, 4, pp. 233-346.

Biological Station ' •

Bermuda.

The Ornithological Year 1939 in the New York City Region
Hy Robert W. Stoker

The summarizing of the large quantity of material turned in to
the Recording Secretary was much facilitated by the previous year’s
Secretary, Mr. Eynon, whose new style of Ornithological Year has
been used as a pattern by the writer. The large amount of data and
the many observers reporting have made it difficult to evaluate .some
of the records, especially those of observers not known personally by
the writer; but in spite of this, it is hoped that a minimum of errors
has entered this summary. .\ total of about 317 forms was reported
for the region during 1939. Of these, there are four forms for the
occurrence of which no actual proof in the form of specimens has been
obtained in this region. These birds are the White Gyrfalcon, the
Lesser Black-backed Gull, the Brown-headed Nuthatch, and the Green-
tailed Towhee; and must therefore, according to establislved precedent,
be relegated to the hypothetical list. Since the popular names of all
birds mentioned in this paper are tho.^^e used in the A. O. L7’s Check-
List, scientific names have been omitted to save space and increase
readability.

While January had its share of cold weather and snow, this
weather was alternated with periods of higher temperatures which
melted the snow and prevented any protracted cold spells from pro-
ducing unfavorable conditions for the winter birdlife in the region.
Cowbirds wintered in numbers near Mastic, while Robins were absent
through the winter on Long Island, coming in at the end of the month
and early in February (J. T. Nichols). L’nusual wintering records
were those of a Baltimore Oriole at Flushing (x^stle) and a White-
crowned Sparrow at Sea G\rt, New Jersey, on the 15th (Rogers,
Storer). Waterfowl were present in good numbers with many of the
rarer species such as European Widgeon, European Teal, Gadwall,
Shoveller, and King Eider having been recorded several times and
Barrow’s Golden-eye, Harlequin Duck, and Hooded Merganser once
each. Black-bellied Plover, Red-backed Sandpiper, and Sanderling
were present during the month at Beach Haven (Eynon) ; American
Bittern was reported in two places on Long Island ; and a Virginia
Rail was found at the Flushing .Airport on the 28th (Fischer). The
most outstanding records of the month were those of one Black and
one White Gyrfalcon both seen on the 8th within one-half a mile of
each other. The former was found by Mr. Cruickshank at Short

Beach, L. I.; and the second by Air. and Airs. Pough flying over the
Freeport Causeway. A Razor-billed Auk picked up oiled at Island
Beach, N. J. (Rogers, Storer) on the 15th was the first of a series of
Alcid records lasting as late as April 15th.

In spite of an average daily excess of 6.1° above the normal, birds
were not numerous in the region in February; and the first waves of
transients were not noted until the 19th and 24th of the month. Sharp-
tailed and Seaside Sparrows and Clapper Rails wintered in the salt
marshes in the region ; and several Pied-billed Grebes were found on
Long Island. Barrow’s Golden-eye was reported at Leonardo, N. J.
(Brown, Edwards, Wolfarth) ; at St. James Harbor, Smithtown (Ral-
ston) ; and at Stillwater on the upper reaches of the Hudson River
(H. D. A’. Allen). Wintering owls were scarce with Snowy Owl
recorded at only two localities (Oak Island on the 5th, Sedwitz ; and
Old Alill from the 3rd to the 19th, Imhof). Prairie Horned Larks
continued to increase on Long Island, the first singing bird being re-
ported on the 6th at Canarsie (Norse, Cantor). A flight of Redpolls
was noted from the 11th (1 at Beechhurst, D. and W. Reid) until
April 21st (2 at Heckscher, Airs. Cruickshank) and was highlighted
by the discovery of a bird described as a Hoary Redpoll, seen with 32
of the common .species at Scarsdale on Alarch 14th (Lichten, Rosen-
heim). Another rarity was a Kumlien’s Gull observed from the ferry
opposite Jersey City on the 10th (Cant).

March had its share of raw, cold weather but the average tem-
perature was slightly above normal and the more than average precipi-
tation, combined with the February excess, filled streams and ponds
and got plant growth off to an early start. This month saw the start
of a particularly heavy Purple Finch flight especially on eastern Long
Island, but occurring throughout the region and leaving stragglers
to be reported as late as Alay 14th (Queens, Queens County Bird
Club; and the N. J. Pine Barrens, Urner Ornithological Club). The
first hawk flight of the season was recorded at Alontclair, N. J., on
the 9th (60 birds including an Osj)rey, Wolfarth). A wave of land
birds was reported at Prospect Park on the 24th (Jacobson) followed
by records of American Bittern (Troy Aleadows and Smithtown on
the 25th) ; Long-billed Alarsh Wren (Troy Aleadows on the 25th,
Norse and Cantor) ; and Chipping S{)arrow (Kissena Park on the
26th, Bernhardy). Alayer re])orted an early Aligrant Shrike at Idle-
wild on the 22nd while a marked flight of both species of loons was
observed on the 30th and 31st ( Helmuth) and 40 Red-throated Loons,
probably part of the .same flight, were .seen at Jones Beach on April 1st.

More rain than usual was coupled with cool weather during April;
but after a cold snap on the 9th, good numbers of early transients were
reported almost daily to the end of the month. Two concentrations
of Holboell’s Grebes were found in the region, 64 at Point Lookout,
L. I., on the 11th and 21 at Long Reach on the 22nd. A Yellow-crowned
Night Heron showed up at the Massapecpia Black-crowned Night
Heron colony on the 8th, followed by Little Blue Heron on the 9th
and Snowy Egret on the 20th (Cruickshank). An early American
Egret was seen at Idlewild on the 16th (Mayer) and an early Least
Bittern at Van Courtlandt Park on the 23rd (Norse). A flock of 1,600
Brant at Freeport on the 9th (Sedwitz et al.) was an encouraging sign
after the scarcity of this species during the winter. Scaups and Scoters
were seen in a large flock 7-8 miles long off Jones Beach on the 9th
(Sedwitz et al.), and a great flight of the latter was observed on the
16th going past Montauk by the same observer. The largest observed
hawk flight of the season at Montclair occurred on the 3rd when 145
birds of nine species passed the quarry (Wolfarth et al.). A flight of
Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks was also recorded on the 15th at
Montauk (Helmuth). Early records include Rough-winged Swallow
at Van Courtlandt Park on the 11th (Norse) and Golden-winged
Warbler in Bronx Park on the 30th (Komorowski et al.). Several
rarities were found during the month, including an Orange-crowned
Warbler at Newark on the 30th (Lang) ; a Western Palm Warbler
on the 15th in Central Park (Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Nichols) ; Summer
Tanagers at Bronx Park on the 22nd and 23rd (numerous observers)
and in Prospect Park on the 25th (Breslau) ; a Lark Sparrow in full
song at Riverdale on the 11th (Griscom) ; and 2 Brown-headed Nut-
hatches on the 22nd between Toms River and Lakewood, N. J. (L. L.
Walsh).

The month of May brought more than its share of warm, dry
weather, threatening drought conditions. The paucity of rain and fog
was responsible for unusually few waves of transients, the only pro-
nounced ones coming on the 14th, 18th, and 25th with smaller ones on
the 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 19th, and 28th. Small birds, especially
flycatchers, seemed scarce, probably due to this lack of marked waves,
but large flocks of shore birds were noted several times. The following
maxima were reported for Idlewdld : Dowitcher, 8,000 on the 12th, Semi-
palmated Plover, 6,000 on the 17th; Black-bellied Plover, 1,200 on the
17th; Least Sandpiper, 5,000 on the 19th; and Semipalmated Sand-
piper, 4,000 on the 25th (Mayer). A notable flight of 3,000 Red Phal-
aropes were recorded by Helmuth at Easthampton on the 16th, and
a large list of other rare shore birds was reported. This included

Golden Plover at Idlewild from the 5th to the 13th (Mayer), 9 Purple
Sandpipers at Atlantic Beach on the 7th (Mayer), Baird’s Sandpiper
on the 16th, 17th, and 25th at Idlewild (Mayer), Curlew Sandpiper
from the 28th to 30th at Jones Beach (Bull, Sedwitz et al.), and Hud-
sonian Goodwit present at Idlewild from the 13th to 17th (Mayer).
Wilson’s Petrel and Sooty Shearwater were both seen on the 28th,
the former at Atlantic Beach (Mayer) and the latter at Jones Beach
(Sedwitz et al.). Hybrid Vermivorae were unusually common, 3
Brewster’s Warblers and one Lawrence’s Warbler having been seen
at Waterloo, N. J., on the 14th (Urner Ornithological Club), and a
total of 8 Lawrence’s Warblers was recorded between May 7th and
September 6th. Two records of Connecticut Warblers were turned
in, one bird in song on the 13th at St. James, L. I. (Jas. W. Lane),
and three birds on the 6th at Makania Swamp, N. J. (Hunn). It should
be noted that only one spring specimen of this last species has ever
been collected in this region. Orange-crowned Warbler and Summer
Tanager were again recorded, the first at Woodmere on the 14th by
Sedwitz et al., and the second in Central Park on the 9th by Mathews.
Other rarities included a Philadelphia Vireo at New Rochelle on the
24th (Bull) ; a Glossy Ibis at Troy Meadows on the 21st (Brown,
Edwards) ; and a Purple Gallinule at Peekskill on the 31st (Breslau).

The first half of Jiine continued warm and dry, but plenty of rain
in the latter part made up for the earlier deficiency. This weather
had little adverse effect on the breeding birds, and several non-breed-
ing water birds appeared to summer in the region. These included all
three Scoters, Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Parasitic Jaeger,
and Great Black-backed Gull ; while an apparently non-breeding Ivnot
and three Red-backed Sandpipers were seen at Jones Beach on the
29th by Bull and Young. An Oyster-catcher appeared for the third
consecutive year at Moriches Inlet on the 10th (Wilcox) ; and Herring
Gull, Turkey Vulture, Black Rail, Black Skimmer, Prairie Horned
Lark, and Carolina Wren seemed to be on the increase as breeding
birds. Kentucky Warblers were recorded as having bred in five locali-
ties in the region, and Hooded Warbler was added to the list of breed-
ing birds of Litchfield County, Conn. Mrs. Beals reported a Black-
burnian Warbler on the 8th at her banding station at Elmhurst, L. I.

July was very dry with precipitation only 10% of the normal for
the period. This also apj>eared to have little effect on the breeding
birds, but transients were uncommon except along the coast where
the shorebird fliglit was about normal. Stilt Sandpipers appeared in
somewhat larger numbers than usual, a maximum of 30 having been

seen at Jones Beach. Also out of the ordinary were reports of 2 Baird’s
Sandpipers at Jones Beach on the 16th (Sedwitz et al.), and a Curlew
Sandpiper in winter plumage on the 16th at Oak Island Beach (Mayer
and Rose). The increasing number of records of this last species in
recent years may be due to an increase in the number of competent
observers in the region or possibly to a westward extension of the
breeding range of the species. If this last hypothesis is correct, it
would seem odd that all or almost all of these birds do not migrate
along their ancestral route along the European coast, like the Green-
land Wheatear.

Unusual summering birds were Greater Scaup on Pelham Bay
on the 16th (Bull and Preston) and a European Cormorant seen
twice on eastern Long Island in early July (Helmuth and McKeever).
The invasion of white herons was smaller than usual, the only siz-
able gathering having been at Titicus Reservoir where 1 Snowy Egret,
4 American Egrets, and 22 Little Blue Herons were present (C. Pang-
burn). Carleton and Jacobson reported a pair of Saw-whet Owls,
possibly breeding, at Glen Spey, N. V., on the 22nd. This is especially
interesting to the writer who has for several years held the opinion
that it will be only a matter of time before some keen observer re-
discovers this species as a breeding bird in this region.

The first half of August continued warm and dry, but the drought
was broken by heavy rains on the 19th; and the total precipitation for
the month ended up about normal, while the mean temperature re-
mained up (3.7° above average). The shore bird flight continued about
normal, and several rarities were reported. These included a Wilson’s
Phalarope at Newark Bay on the 12th (Eynon) ; a Red Phalarope at
Atlantic Beach on the 20th (Mayer ) ; and a Northern Phalarope at
Manorville, L. I., on the 22nd (Raynor). Western Sandpipers ap-
peared in the middle of July and reached a maximum of 165 at Idle-
wild on August 16th (Mayer). There was a scattering of records of
Marbled Godwit over the region. Little movement of land birds was
noticed until the 26th and 27th when the first big wave occurred. Carle-
ton reported that the migration in Central Park was later than usual.
Other observers found that elsewhere the birds were more or less on
schedule. Early arrivals were a Canada Warbler on the 1st at Elm-
hurst (Mrs. Beals) and a Wilson’s Warbler on the 8th at New Rochelle
(Bull). The beginning of a rather heavy flight of Forster’s Terns
occurred on the 11th when 2 birds were seen at Moriches Inlet (Ray-
nor). Roseate Terns also appeared to have increased in the region.
Bull and Young reported a flock of 70 at Montauk on the 28th.

The weather during September was dry but otherwise about nor-
mal. Waves of land birds were noted on the 1st, 6th and 7th, 12th
and 13th, 18th, and 21st and 22nd. The last brought a Philadelphia
Vireo to New Rochelle (Bull). A Lark Sparrow was seen at Oak
Island on the 3rd, (Fischer et al.), and on the 8th, a Dickcissel appeared
in Central Park where it was seen over a period of a week by numer-
ous observers. On the 9th at Moriches Inlet, Cruickshank and Cadbury
found ten Black Rails and topped off the day with a Ruff at the same
place. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Sagaponack on the
24th and October 1st by several observers, and a Wilson’s Phalarope
showed up at Idlewild on the 9th .(Mayer). Four Caspian Terns
were seen at Sagaponack and another at Mecox Bay, all on the 24th
(several observers) ; and a report of 200 Black Skimmers at Moriches
Inlet was particularly gratifying to everyone who had been watching
with interest the increase of this species on Long Island. The out-
standing record was that of a Bell’s Vireo seen for over a week in
a back yard at Easthampton by Helmuth who had the good fortune
to hear it sing and also to compare it with a White-eyed Vireo which
was present at the same time.

An early killing frost on October 18th was followed by generally
warm weather with strong northwest winds on the 22nd and 29th
when large flights of land birds were seen. Earlier flights occurred
on the 2nd when 19 species of warblers were recorded in Central
Park (Carleton), and on the 7th and 8th when large numbers of Song,
Swamp, and White-throated Sparrows and Juncos were observed
(Fischer). White-crowned Sparrows were unusually abundant through-
out the region for the greater part of the month. Rare shore birds con-
tinued to turn up. A Curlew Sandpiper was found at Mecox Bay on
the 1st (Helmuth, Sedwitz) ; an Avocet was seen at Hunter’s Island,
The Bronx, on the 7th and 8th by several observers; and a Purple
Sandpiper appeared at Moriches Beach on the 26th (J. T. Nichols).
Blue-winged Teals, unusually numerous this fall, were found in a
large flight on the 8th on Long Island with a flock of 115 at Sagaponack
(Helmuth, Cruickshank, Sedwitz). The warm weather after the frost
on the 18th was possibly the reason for the lingering of a Green Heron
until the 26th (Mastic, J. T. Nichols) and a Yellow-crowned Night
Heron until the 21st (Idlewild, Norse, Cantor). A flight of Saw-whet
Owls appeared on the 24th and remained in somewhat larger numbers
than usual through the rest of the year. The most notable records
were a Black Gyrfalcon seen on the 8th by Sedwitz at Montauk, and
a Lesser Black-backed Gull carefully noted on the 30th at Jones Beach
by Elliott who checked the identification with study skins.

Generally mild weather continued throughout November, and con-
sequently several birds were recorded later than usual. Scarlet Tanager
stayed until the 2nd (South Salem, N. Y., Wheeler) ; Arkansas King-
bird until the 6th (Montauk, Church) ; Nashville Warbler until the
18th (Idlewild, Norse, Cantor) ; and Laughing Gull until the 28th
(Pelham Bay Park, L. N. Nichols). The northern finches which in-
vaded central New England failed to reach the New York City Region,
with the exception of 5 Evening Grosbeaks on the 12th (Wheeler)
and a Pine Grosbeak on the 20th at Pound Ridge Reservation, N. Y.
(Wheeler). Waterfowd, however, continued to come in in good num-
bers with several rarities including a Whistling Swan at Jones Beach
from the 19th of this month to December 24th ; a Blue Goose at Boon-
ton Reservoir on the 26th (Cadbury, Hiatt) ; and one American and
one King Eider at Rockaway on the 26th (R. T. Peterson). Most
unusual was a Black Guillemot at Boonton Reservoir on the 26th
(Cadbury, Hiatt).

The abnormally mild weather of November continued through
the first three weeks of December, and consequently many birds re-
mained longer than usual. A good increase of ducks might be ex-
plained in part by this warm weather. This year’s cooperative census
of waterfowl on Long Island between the 9th and 13th of the month
showed 190,000 birds of 34 species as against 115,000 birds of 31
species for 1938. Great increases were found in both some of the
commoner species (Mallard, Black Duck, Baldpate, Canvas-back,
Golden-eye, and Old-squaw) ; and some of the rarer forms (Shoveller,
Redhead, and Hooded Merganser). Brant were alarmingly scarce
while Ruddy Ducks and Coot were both down in numbers. Fifteen
Baldpates, 4 Pintails, and 30 American Mergansers stayed at Mastic
until the 24th (J. T. Nichols), and an exceptionally late Snowy Egret
stayed at Jones Beach until the 3rd (Skopec, Sabin). Shorebirds also
lingered abnormally late. On the 3rd, Pectoral Sandpiper was reported
at Idlewild, Greater Yellow-legs at Hempstead, and 475 Red-backed
Sandpipers at Oak Beach (Bull, Darrow, Elliott) ; while 6 Black-
bellied Plovers and 26 Knots remained at Jones Beach until the 24th
(Elliott). The mild weather also was a factor in making some of the
largest Christmas Censuses ever made in the region. The Barnegat
group, high with 110 forms, was closely followed by western Long
Island with 108, the most out of the way bird having been a singing
Baltimore Oriole reported by W. and D. Reid on the latter census.
C. H. Rogers noted a scarcity of small buntings in the Princeton area
while Meadowlarks were numerous. Meadowlarks, Horned Larks,
Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings were found by others to be

up in numbers. Xorse and Cantor discovered a Green-tailed Towhee
at Overpeck Creek, N. J., on the 23rd. The bird remained on through
January and leaves one with no logical explanation for its appearance.

The task of writing a summary of this nature would have been
an impossibility without the cooperation of the many people who were
kind enough tO' send in their notes. It may appear that only a few of
these notes were used because of the necessarily few actual records
cited ; but those not quoted directly were most valuable in forming
the general statement. So it is to all observers whose data have made
the Ornithological Year that the Recording Secretary is deeply in-
debted. He also wishes to thank Mr. J. J. Hickey for much advice
in the preparation of this paper and Mr. D. G. Nichols for many help-
ful suggestions.

Berkeley, Calif.

Notes on Bermuda Birds

By Hil.ary B. Moore, Ph.D.

This paper is not intended as in any way a full list of Bermuda
birds, but rather as a supplement to that of Bradlee, Mowbray and
Eaton (1931) and Beebe’s notes (1937). It gives additional data on
various species, further records of some rare species, and one new
record. The observations were made, mainly, in the neighbourhood
of the Biological Station and on Longbird Island, between 1937 and
1941. Some records from other parts of the islands are included, as
well as some from the Royal Society’s research ketch “Culver” w'hich
worked within a radius of about thirty miles of Bermuda, but the
latter have been treated in more detail in a separate paper (Moore,
1941). No records of the smaller sandpipers have been included, since
I did not feel sufficiently familiar with these to identify them with
certainty in winter plumage. It might however be mentioned that sand-
pipers were present in unusual numbers in the autumn of 1940.

Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps podiceps (Linn.). — Five to nine were
seen regularly throughout the winter (October to January) on Mangrove Lake,
and one to four on Trott’s Pond (January).

Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla tridactyla (Linn.). — One young bird was seen on
Harrington Sound in .April, 1938.

Great Black-backed Gull, Larits iitariiius (Linn.). — In four winters I have
seen five (three immature) near the land, and two within thirty miles of the islands.
None were seen from March to September. .Apparently increasing.

Herring Gull, Larus argentatus Pont. — These records probably refer to the
American sub-species L. a. sniithsoiiiaints, but I cannot be certain of this. I have
seen them regularly in small numbers (maximum 33) each winter from January
to March. Apparently increasing.

Conmion Tern, Sterna hirundo hintndo (Linn.). — Bradlee, Mowbray and
Eaton (loc. cit.) .say . . . "Formerly abundant summer resident, now a regular
visitor in small but increasing numbers.” In August, 1940 I saw several pairs,
one pair accompanied by a young bird. The latter group flew regularly round
a small island, and cried loudly whenever I approached it. I could find no trace
of a nest, but the island was covered with their droppings, and I think it is very
likely that they had nested and reared the young bird there. Since this bird has
already once been exterminated from the islands, it is unwise to specify the exact
locality.

Least Tern, Sterna antillarnin antillarum (Less.). — Seen in small numbers
near their known nesting site. No increase evident.

Greater Shearwater, I’ujfinus gravis (O’Reilly). — Probably passes near the
islands regularly in the spring and autumn. I have seen several in May, and sev-
eral of either this or the next species in June and September (see Moore, 1941).

North Atlantic Shearwater, Puffinus kultlii (Boie). — This species also prob-
ably passes regularly near the islands in the spring. I have definitely identified
several in May, and seen others, either of this or the last species, in June and
September (loe. eit.). It has not previously been recorded from Bermuda.

•Audubon’s Shearwater. Pnfjinus Ihcrniinieri Iherminicri Less. — Two were seen
in May, two in July and one in September, all off castle Roads, which is near a
known nesting site. The identification is not certain, since they might have been
P. puffinus, although there are only two certain records of the latter species from
Bermuda. This formerly abundant resident is presumably still rare on the islands.

Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseiis (Gmel.). — This species might be ex-
pected round the islands in small numbers throughout the summer. I have seen
it several times close to Bermuda in .April, May and October. Identification is
certain, since one was caught on the “Culver” on October 20, 1938.

Wilson’s Petrel, Occanites occanicus (Kuhl). — These were seen in fair num-
bers round the islands in May, and definitely identified (Moore, loc. cit.). Smaller
numbers of storm petrels were seen in July and September also, but not specifically
identified.

^’eHow-billed Tropic-bird, Phaeton lepturus eateshyi Brandt. — I have seen
these birds regularly up to thirty miles from Bermuda, but have very rarely seen
them settled on the water (at sea) or diving. They are too well known to need
further comment except for the following dates of early and late records : 1938,
last seen December 12; 1939, first seen February 28; 1940, first seen March 4,
last October 8; 1941, first seen February 26.

Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocora.v auritus auritus (Less.). — I have
seen these regularly in small numbers (maximum 7) each winter, usually in Castle
Harbour, but occasionally in Ferry Reach and St. George’s Harbour. I have
twice seen birds in immature plumage. Records extend from October 19 to April
7. Increasing.

Man-o’-war-bird, Fregata magnificens Mathews. — These were seen twice near
Bermuda in May, 1939, and once in Alay, 1940. Little change in status.

Red-breasted Alerganser, Mergus serrator Linn. — .A group of five or six ducks
wintered in Ferry Reach in 1937-38 and 1938-39, and in February, 1939, they
were joined by a drake. A group of five birds is recorded in the same locality in
the winters of 1929-30 and 1930-31 by Bradlee, Mowbray and Eaton. One duck
was seen on Mangrove Lake in the winter of 1940-41. .A small but perceptible
increase in numbers.

Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.). — One duck was seen with
the Red-breasted Mergansers on Ferry Reach from December, 1937 to February,
1938. Little change.

Mallard,/dw<ij platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linn. — Three ducks were seen in
the small pond northwest of Trott’s Pond in December, 1940.

Shoveller, Spatula clypeata (Linn.). — A drake was seen on Mangrove Lake
in December, 1940, and January, 1941. There is only one previous record for
Bermuda.

Lesser Scaup Duck, Nyroca affinis (Eyt.). — Two ducks were seen on Man-
grove Lake in January, 1938, and one drake in January, 1941. A duck and drake
were seen on Trott’s Pond in December, 1940, and January, 1941. Excellent views
were obtained, so there was no doubt as to the species.

Ibis, sp. — In October, 1940 a small flock of birds was seen round St. George’s.
They were described to me by two different observers as being all white birds,
like small herons, but with bills curved downwards. One of the flock was brown.
There can be little doubt that these were five adult and one immature ibis, and
the descriptions suggest the White Ibis, Guara alba Linn., although this species
has not previously been recorded from Bermuda.

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias herodias Linn. — -There are usually one to
four of these herons fishing in Ferry Reach, and I have seen them there in all
months of the year, so they can certainly be considered as permanent residents.
I have never seen either nests or very young birds. Those which I have watched
fishing were feeding mainly on crabs. Not definitely known to have bred here
since 1846.

American Egret, Casmerodius alhus egretta (Gmel.). — One was seen on Long-
bird Island in January, 1939, and one in Ferry Reach in April, 1940. The species
has not apparently increased here during the past decade.

Snowy Egret, Egretta thula thula (Molina). — One was seen at St. George’s
in March, 1940.

Little Blue Heron, Florida caeriilea (Linn.). — One or two are usually present
in Ferry Reach throughout the winter. I have seen them there in all months from
November to March, and had reports of them also in August and September.
The juvenile white phase is less common than the mature blue. One, which was
watched through the winter, had only one or two dark feathers on its back in
December, but had nearly as many dark as light feathers by the following March.

Little Green Heron, Butoridcs virescens vircsccns (Linn.). — Single birds were
seen at Tom Moore’s in June, and at the small pond northwest of Trott’s Pond
in December.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Nyctanassa violacea violacea (Linn.). — These
birds are present throughout the year round Longbird Island, and, from the way
that pairs of adults are seen with young birds in the autumn, I think it is quite
likely that they breed there. One such party of two adults and a young bird was
seen repeatedly in October, 1940. They are usually present in small numbers, but
I once saw six together, and once eleven. Formerly regarded only as a migrant.

Florida Gallinule, Gallinula chloropns cacliiiinans Bangs. — Seen regularly on
Mangrove Lake and the small pond northwest of Trott’s Pond.

American Coot, Pulica amcricana amcricana Gmel. — Seen regularly in winter
on the small pond northwest of Trott’s Pond.

Hudsonian Goodwit, Limosa haemastica (Linn.). — One was seen on Mid-Ocean
golf course on August 24, 1940.

Greater Yellow-legs, Totanus uiclanolcucus (Gmel.). — Seen at Longbird

Island, Mid-Ocean golf course and Spittal Pond. Up to twelve at once in August
and September, and regularly in ones and twos from then to March. Some birds
almost certainly winter here.

Lesser Yellow-legs, Totanus flavipcs (Gmel.). — One was seen on the small
pond, northwest of Trott’s Pond in March, and one caught on Castle Island on
August 21. The latter was exhausted and had probably just arrived on migration.

Hudsonian Curlew, Numcnius hudsonicus Lath. — Two or three regularly
spend the winter on Longbird Island, and two definitely spent the summer of 1938
there. I have also seen two at Lover’s Lake, St. George’s in March, and one at
Spittal Pond in July.

Black-bellied Plover, Squatarola squatarola cynosurae Thayer atid Bangs. —
Regularly present on all suitable beaches in the winter. A few probably spend
the summer here, as I have seen them in all months except July. The following
counts of the population of the shore of Longbird Island (averages, 1937-41) show
clearly the seasons of arrival and departure :

Month Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

.Apr. May Jun.

Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov.

Dec.

Average No 18

No. of observa-

8 2 1

0 2 118

tions 7

3 2 2

12 112

Mr. T. C. Desmond (personal communcation) reported birds in summer plum-
age at Spittal Pond on .August 21 and November 1, but I have never seen any.

Killdeer, Oxyechus vocijerus vocifcnis (Linn.). — Six were seen on Longbird
Island in November, twenty-two on Cooper’s Island in December, and one or two
near Ferry Bridge in November and February.

Ruddy Turnstone, Arcuaria intcrprcs morincUa (Linn.). — Common on all suit-
able beaches throughout the winter, and a few remain all summer and assume
summer plumage. The following counts of the population of the Longbird Island
beaches (averages, 1937-41) show the main seasons of arrival and departure:

Month

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

•Apr. May Jun.

Jul. Aug.

Sep. Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Average No

No. of observa-

8 13

1 4

6 7

tions

3 1

2 2

2 I

The following counts show the proportion of birds in summer plumage :
April 2, none out of 40: .'\pril 11, 4 out of 19; April 29, all of 29; May 13,

all of 13; May 27, all of 4; June 26, all of 13; July 24, 1 of 4.

Bob-white, Colinus virginianus virginianns (Linn.). — Though common in other
parts of the islands, I have never heard this bird on St. George’s Island.

Domestic Pigeon, Colitviba livia Gmel. — Many of these birds have gone wild,
and I saw several nests, one with eggs, in the cliffs on Harrington Sound in
August, 1940.

Bermuda Ground Dove, ColumbigaUma passerina bermudiana (Bangs and
Bradlee). — Common. I have noted birds sitting on eggs on April 17, and newly
hatched chicks on April 16 and 25.

American Osprey, Pandion halidetus caroHnensis (Gmel.). — One was seen
near Gurnet Rock in the winter of 1937-38, one stayed round Ferry Reach and

Castle Harbour from January to March, 1939, and one was seen there in April,

1940.

Barn Owl, Tyto alba pratincola (Bonap.).— One was seen near Ely’s Harbour
in August, one on St. David’s in June, one at the Biological Station in March

and August, and one heard several times near Harrington Sound in October and
November. These birds are probably resident in small numbers.

Belted Kingfisher, Megaccryle alcyon alcyon (Linn.). — Widely distributed
in ones and twos during the winter. Seen regularly in Ferry Reach from November
to April.

Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm. — .4 small flock of about nine has been
seen regularly round the east end of the islands.

European Starling, Sturnns vulgaris Linn.— On two occasions, one in the
winter of 1937-38, and one in the winter of 1940-41, small flocks of birds, which
looked like Starlings, have been seen near the Biological Station. In February,
1941, at the same place, two or three Starlings were seen several times and posi-
tively identified. There are only two previous records for Bermuda.

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus (Linn.). — Still very abundant. Eggs have
been found from mid-March on.

European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis (Linn.). — Fairly common.

Cardinal, Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.). — Common. The first
dates on which its summer song was heard were: January 7, 1938; February 2,
1939; February 1, 1941. They may, however, commence singing as much as a
week earlier in other parts of the islands.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Hedymelcs ludoviciamis (Linn.). — One was reported
near the Biological Station in April, 1939.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica erythrogastcr Bodd. — Two were seen near
Ely’s Harbour in August, 1938. Other swallows seen have not been specifically
identified.

Bermuda White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griscus bcrmudiamis Bangs and Bradlee. —
Common. I have seen a young bird flying with its parents as early as .A.pril 25.

Black and White Warbler, Mniotilta varia (Linn.). — One was seen near the
Biological Station in October, 1940.

Nashville Warbler, V ermivora ritficapilla ruficapilla (Wils.). — One flew
abroad the “Culver” close to Bermuda in September, 1938, and one was seen on
Longbird Island the same autumn. There is only one previous record.

Myrtle Warbler, Dendroica corouata (Linn.). — large flock invaded the
grounds of the Biological Station about October 28, 1940, although none were
seen more than half a mile away. For a time they were nearly as common as
vireos, and they remained abundant up to about November 20. The last was
seen on January 1, 1941.

Oven-bird, Seiurus aurocapilliis (Linn.). — One flew on board the “Culver”
close to Bermuda on May 12, 1939. There are no recent records of this species.

Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.). — A hen bird flew on board the “Culver”
close to Bermuda on May 12, 1939. This is the second record for Bermuda.

Catbird, DumetcUa carolinensis (Linn.). — Common. Nests with eggs in May.
First summer song — as distinct from squawk — on February 10, 1940.

Bluebird, Sialia sialis sialis (Linn.). — Common. The first summer song was
heard on February 26, 1941. A nest with young was seen on .April 4, 1938, and
another had two eggs on April 16, four on .April 24, two chicks and two eggs
on May 5, and three chicks and one egg on May 10.

Summary

Notes are given on 56 species of birds seen at or near Bermuda
between 1937 and 1941. Of the.se, one, tlie North .Atlantic Shearwater,

has not previously been reported, two are second records, and one is
a third record.

Despite the fact that previous records of Hermuda birds were
of a spora{lic nature, present observations nevertheless indicate certain
population trends which reflect similar trends on the North American
mainland. Birds like the Red-breasted ^lerganser. Herring Gull, Great
Black-backed Gull, and Starling are now increasing, but the latter is
not yet known to be a resident species.

Kefkrences

Beebe, W. 1937. Recent notes on Bermuda birds. Proc. Linn. Soc. ,V. 1’., 48:
60-65.

Br.\dlee. T. S., Mowbh.-\y, L. L., and E.\tox, \V. F. 1931. list of birds record-
ed from the Bermudas. Proc. Boston Soc. Xat. Hist., 39, 8 :279-382.

Moore, H. B. 1941. Notes on the distribution of oceanic birds in the North
Atlantic, 1937-1941. Proc. Linn. Soc. X. 52-53, pp. 53-62.

Biological Station

St. George’s, Bennuda.

Red-wing Observations of 1 940
By Er.vst M.vyr

The extensive monograph of the Red-winged Black-bird {Agelaius
phoeniceus) b\' Arthur A. Allen (1914) was written in “preterritorial”
days, and it seemed worthwhile to study this interesting species again
in the light of our increased knowledge of bird behavior. Unfortun-
ately, I had to interrujU the work repeatedly and was, therefore, pre-
vented from obtaining a continuous story. Even so. some of the ob-
servations seem to be valuable enough to justify ])ublication. All ob-
servations were made early in the morning, late in the evening or on
Sundays and holidays.

Are.\ of Observ.\tiox. — Most observations were made in two
swamps in northern Bergen County, New Jersey, along the county
road that leads from Englewood to Nyack, parallel to the Hudson
River, but on the bottom of the western slope of the Palisades. “Mor-
gan Swamp” is an almost pure cattail swamp with a few elderberry
and poison sumac bushes. There were no Rallidae in it, but one Black
Duck’s nest was found and Swamp Sparrows were common. The
swamp is about 120 x 80 yards and surrounded by bushes in drier
terrain. “Henslow Swamp” ('see map) hardly deserves the name
swamp. It practically dries up during the summer, but consists of
flooded brush-land during the spring with a few small cattail puddles.
The two swamps lie in the same valley at the same altitude about ^
mile apart. Occasional observations were made in a few additional
swamps.

Season. — Field work was started early in February, but due to
the particularly hard and long winter no blackbird migration was ob-
served until March 20th. On March 22 a careful survey failed to re-
veal any birds in several of the smaller swamps, but there was a flock
in some trees near the large Piermont marsh. No birds were in the
marsh itself. March 24th was the coldest Easter on record in the
New York Region, with a low of 13°F., a high of 31 °F., and a mean
of 23°F., which is 17° below normal for this date. Occupancy of the
smaller swamps was initiated during the last days of March when
the weather began to be warmer.

Occupation of Territory. — On March 31, 1940, male Red-
wings were beginning to occupy territories in most of the smaller
swamps and were singing occasionally. No females were seen, but
migrant flocks of blackbirds passed by continuously. In M. S. (“Mor-
gan Swamp”) two males had taken up stations, in H. S. (“Henslow
Swamp”) only one male (the East male). Male A in M. S. arrived
at 9:08 A.M., sang about 7-10 songs per minute, but paused repeatedly
for 1-2 minutes during which time he just called check-check. He left
the swamp 9 minutes later to feed on the ground in the nearby woods.
On April 6th (1:50 P.M.) and April 13th (forenoon) no Red-wings
were visible in any of the visited smaller swamps, but some birds were
seen in trees along the margin of Piermont marsh. On April 19th two
males in M. S. were observed at 5:40 A.M. and had apparently spent
the night in the swamp sitting in the lower branches of some elder-
berry bushes. Three displaying males were noted in H. S. On April
20th, there was pouring rain all day. Between 3:30-4:30 P.M. no
birds were seen to display in H. S., but one was feeding on the ground
between some bushes. No sign of any Red-wings in M. S., but a flock
of about 30 males, 40 females was feeding on a last year’s cornfield,
east of the swamp. These were the first females seen this year, but
none were observed in the swamps. After April 27th, male Red-wings
were found in the swamps fairly regularly, but they still had periods
right up to and including the egg-laying time when they left the
swamps to feed in the uplands. It seems that at the beginning of the
season more time was spent away from the swamp than at the swamp.

Observations were not completed in M. S., but there seemed to
be 4-6 males stationed there at the height of the season, while only
2-3 males were observed there on April 27th and May 4th. Henslow
Swamp was thoroughly covered during the second half of May and it
was definitely established that only 3 males were established there.
Their territories are illustrated in the sketch map.

Territory. — The territorial situation in this species is usually
rather complicated since the singing posts of the males tend to be
situated at some distance from the location of nests. This was the
situation found in Morgan Swamp. In Ilenslow Swamp the territory
layout was more diagrammatic, even though perhaps not as typical.

Henslow Szcainp

This swamp was neatly and completely divided into three terri-
tories, belonging to the E(ast), N(north) and S(outh) males. E was
the first male to arrive; it was observed on March 31st in its future

territory. No Red-wings were observed in H. S. on April 6th or
April 13th, but three males displayed on April 19th. Of these three
at least E and N were settled permanently. The third male observed
on this date may or may not have been S ; it stayed near the southern
end of S territory and did not act as if permanently settled. No Red-
wings were visible in H. S. on April 27th between 2 :00 and 2 :45 P.M. ;
they must have been feeding at a considerable distance from the swamp.
May 4-11, both E and N males had definite territories which touched
each other. There was some fighting with additional males, particu-
larly in the south region, but there was no evidence until May 18th
that the S male was definitely established and was defending a terri-

tory of his own. On that date the S male had definitely conquered the
SW tree, as well as a broad belt of bushes around it, part of which
had belonged to E and part to N. Xo further change of the territorial
situation was observed during the 1940 season.

Morgan Szvamp

This swamp is an open cattail marsh interspersed with not more
than three or four low elderberry and poison sumac bushes. All the
nests of the females were in this open part of the swamp, while most

Fig. 2. The six territories in Moryan S'a'ainf’ (diayranimatic).
of the singing posts of the males were outside this nesting area on
older shrubs and maple trees. It was impossible in view of this com-
plicated set-up to determine the size and number of the territories.
Furthermore, since one or two (or more?) males were always absent
or inactive, at any given time, it was not even possible to determine

the exact number of the males. Uf these there were not less than four
and not more than six. The way in which the territories seem to have
been arranged is indicated diagrammaticallv in the attached sketch

(Fig. 2).

Territory Defe.nse. — The details of the staking out and defense
of territory were observed only in Henslow Swamp. This is the lo-
cality to which all the following notes refer, except when some other
locality is specifically mentioned.

Early in the season, when the weather was still cold and the males
had just recently established themselves in their territories, they spent
a good deal of their time sitting on the top of small bushes or old cat-
tail stalks and calling softly chuck-chuck, particularly when migrating
blackbirds flew overhead. They were rather fluffed uj) and only the
yellow margin of their shield showed. As soon as a singing spell “over-
came" one of the birds his whole attitude changed, and he displayed
his red brilliantly — only to fall back into his former lethargic condi-
tion when the singing was ended. Due to the rather cold weather and
the low density of the Red-wing populations, no pugnacity between
males was observed until late in .April. Two or three migrating males
settled down in Henslow Swamp on .April 19th at about 7:00 .A.M.,
but they did not show any red, did not sing or display and were not
molested by the three singing males which already held territory.

On .April 27th at 1 :30 P.Al. a large flock (about 80-100 birds)
of migrating Red-wings fed in an old cornfield about 300 yards from
Morgan Swamp. Every five or six minutes the whole flock flew up
to a big maple tree, and the males sang actively with the red well
visible but without intolerance toward each other. At 1 :48 P.M. male
B of Alorgan Swamp chased half-heartedly another male as it arrived
from the feeding ground. Both descended eventually into the cattails
(for feeding?) without singing or further commotion. This was the
first sign of territorial pugnacity observed in 1940, although no con-
sistent observations had been made between April 19th and April 27th,
particularly in the all important morning hours.

May 7: Hensloiv Sivamp. — East male still half asleep at 5 :50 A.M. (Daylight
Saving), sits quietly low in a bush and shows no red (only yellow) although on
his territory. Is alarmed at my presence and flies to higher bush, incessantly call-
ing chuck. This wakes up the North male who begins to sing. At 5 :55 a strange
male arrives in East territory and without showing his red wing patch he approaches
East female which is feeding at bottom of bush. East male drives him away im-
mediately amid much commotion but very little singing. The driving away consists
of threatening postures (with showing of the red shoulder patches), but no actual
combat takes place.

6:10 — East male flies threateningly at another male which is attempting to
enter its territory. The other male retreats immediately.

6 :20 — Several males enter East territory simultaneously ; all birds fly around
excitedly. Finally four males together with one female Cowbird settle down on
the top of the westernmost tree in East territory. All birds sit there without much
movement but chattering excitedly, showing no red. After about three minutes
one male flies off ; suddenly East male “wakes up,” shows red, sings once and
drives the other two males off.

May 11: Heiisloiv Swamp. — Watching East male from 5:00 A.M. on; 5:41
East male gives his first song, while North male had started at 5 :26. At 5 :50
both males sing actively “against” each other from their favorite song perch, about
six songs per minute. 5 :53 East male is “patrolling” the border of his territory,
shifting his singing perch repeatedly to stay opposite N male which comes close
to the territory border. There is no fighting, only a song contest and N male
does not enter E male’s territory.

6 :00 — E male fighting intruding male ; 6 :03 E male chasing out two intruding
males ; 6 :08 E male chases a female which trespasses his territory, but which
leaves at once with another male. Most of the fighting takes place in the high
elms and maples above the territories; 6:10 E male chases another male.

May 18: Henslow Swamp. — N male goes feeding after a song period, the red
no longer shows while he is feeding; 6:18 A.M. E male chases other male out of
his territory, both settle on the southwest elm (which is still part of E territory),
the intruder slender with the red withdrawn, E male displaying actively ; 6 :20-6 :30
one territorial fight follows the other so quickly that I can hardly follow what is
going on. There are more males in the swamp than on earlier days. At 6:35
strange male enters E territory, is chased out without actual combat, but much
calling: chick-chick. The same bird enters N territory and is chased out in actual
combat. At 6:45 everything rather quiet now, no singing, no territorial fights.
Nearly all the territorial activity seems to occur within the first fifty minutes after
awakening.

May 25: Morgan Sivamp. — Two males of adjoining territories leave simul-
taneously at 4 :34 P.M. to feed on farmland several hundred yards away ; return
again at 4 :39 P.M. and sing actively.

May 26: Henslow Swamp. — All three territories have now nests with eggs,
and the males attack me as I enter the territories. N and E males stop their
attacks as soon as I leave their territory, while S male joins with E in attacking
me on E territory. He is not chased or bothered by E, the territory owner.

Alay 30: Demarest Swamp. — The only two males of this swamp protest against
my intrusion from the same tree without molesting each other.

June 30: Henslow Swamp. — E territory abandoned (10:15 .A.M.). N terri-
tory, nests empty, both male and female present, but disappear without a sound.
No young seen.

These observations indicate that territorial disputes are frequent
particularly during the early morning hours, that the territorial owner
drives out intruders mostly by threatening rather than by actual com-
bat, and that territorial defense relaxes in the course of the breeding
season.

Polygamy. — Polygamy is well-known in this species [Allen, 1914;
Roberts, 1932, etc.]. In H. S. males E and N had two females each.

male S had only one. In view of the rather secretive behavior of the
females, I did not succeed in obtaining the exact dates of pair forma-
tion. In the general vicinities of the territories the first females were
observed in a migrating flock on April 20th ; this flock consisted of
about thirty males and forty females. East male in H. S. was appar-
ently mated on May 4th. No females were apparent in M. S. as late
as May 7th during a fifteen minute observation period in early morn-
ing. An apparent sexual flight between E male and female (1) was
observed on May 7th at 6:10 A.M. On May 11th H. S. was under
observation from the first dawn. The E female ( 1 ) woke up and
began calling at 5 :40, its mate (E male) began singing one minute later.
Only one female seemed to be in E territory, but two females were
clearly seen in N territory.

May 18. — Two females were now resident in E territory. It is
probable that pair formation between E male and the second female
took place between May 11th and May 18th. E male was mated with
only one female probably for at least one week. S male in H. S.
swamp was mated with only one female. The two mates of E and N
were studied for considerable time. They generally stayed in each
others vicinity, but paid no attention to one another. One of the N
females was climbing through small trees at 6:35 A.M. on May 18th
calling for food or inviting copulation. Its male paid no attention to
it. This female had a nest and laid its first egg on May 20th.

In Morgan Swamp there were 4-6 males and about 10-13 females,
but my studies were interrupted before the actual territories and mat-
ings could be established.

Another male was studied in an isolated swamp (Closter Swamp)
which had undoubtedly only a single female.

Sexual Flights. — Flights during which a male pursues his own
female or a potential mate are frequent among certain species of birds
and seem to have an important physiological function, as pointed out
by Howard (1929) and Tinbergen (1939). A few observations on
such sexual flights may, therefore, be quoted from my note-books :

May 7: Hen-slow Szcatnp. — E female (1) is chased by E male in sexual flight,
at about 6 ;05 A.M.

May 11: Henslow Swamp. — 6:17 A.M. Sexual flight of North male with
female, repeated at 6 :23. It is not clear which of the two N females is involved.

May 22: Morgan Sivamp. — 7:50 P.M. Much chasing of females. One female
in particular, which seems to be feeding near a territory border (?), is being
chased by two males almost continuously.

May 25: Morgan Swamp. — NE male chases female for almost five minutes,
circling around in a small area. She finally retreats to territory which belongs
to southeast male. The owner immediately gives chase, she returns to NE terri-
tory and finally flies far away to some bushes in neutral area.

The Start of Egg-laying. — Red-wings can be considered, with
certain reservations, to be colonial birds. We find that even in large
marshes the nests are invariably clustered in a semi-colonial fashion.
It seemed, therefore, worthwhile to check Darling’s (1938) contention
that on account of the mutual stimulation, breeding starts earlier in
larger colonies than in smaller ones. To check this hypothesis was
one of the reasons why 1 undertook the present study.

It was found that, exactly opposite to expectation, the isolated
pairs and small colonies had nests and eggs before reproduction be-
gan in the large colony (about 12 nests) in Morgan Swamp. The exact
figures are as follows :

Hcnslozv Swamf> (3 5, 5 9)

E female 1

first egg

May

N female 1

first egg

May

S only female

first egg

May

E female 2

first egg

Mav

N female 2

first egg

.May

Demarest Swamp (2 5, 2

Nest 1

first egg

May

Nest 2

first egg

May

2.=.

Closter^

Sivamp (15, 1?)

Only nest

first egg

May

Morgan Su'awp (4-65, 10-13 9)

May 24 : 2 fresh nests, no eggs

May 30: 1 nest with 4 eggs (first egg probably May 26 or 27)

2 nests with 1 egg (apparently laid on May 30)

5 fresh complete nests without eggs

3 partly complete nests
X nests not yet built

The last visit to the territories was made on this date.

General egg-laying started in Morgan Swamp 5-10 days later
than in the other localities where only 1-5 females were present. The
reason for this delay is obvious as soon as we consider the ecological
conditions of the nesting site. Henslow Swamp, the earliest nesting
locality, has three waterholes which coincide with the three territories.
However, bushes and trees cover the entire area closely, except for a
small cattail patch of about 300 square feet in East territory. In a
nest in the dead cattail of this patch the first egg was found on May
20th. All the four other nests of this swamp were built in bushes and
were, therefore, rather well concealed even though the leaves came
out very late in the spring of 1940. I’he three nests in Demarest and
Closter Swamps were in small but thick, old cattail stands, surrounded
by trees and shrubs.

Morgan Swamp, on the other hand, is much larger than the other
three and consists of a practically unbroken cattail area of about 80
yards length and 20-50 yards width. There were no bushes inside the
nesting colony, except for three or four bare .sumac or elderberry
bushes. It is unknown to me whether the greater exjursure delayed egg-
laying or the lack of singing posts for the males impeded the stak-
ing out of territories. There was a considerable amount of dead cat-
tail in the marsh. Much of it, however, had been flattened out during
the winter and it is possible that it was not adequate for nest construc-
tion. As a matter of fact, nearly all the new or incomplete nests that
were found on May 30th had been constructed on new and growing
cattail stems. The nest with the four eggs was one of the few excep-
tions. It seems, therefore, a fairly sound conclusion to state that the
vegetational diiiference between Morgan Swamp and the other swamps
was the primary reason for the delay in egg-laying. How this worked
in detail, whether through the females (delayed ovulation due to lack
of psychological stimulation due to lack of proper nesting sites) or
through the males (lack of singing posts inside the nesting area making
territory establishment and pair formation more difficult) can not be
stated at this time. It is certain, however, that Darling's hypothesis is
not supported by the Red-wing colonies studied by me.

The period between start of nest building and the laying of the
first egg (which is normally 5-6 days) seemed to be longer in the
second female of polygamous males. Female 2 of E male and female
2 of X male had superficially finished (but not com]detely lined)
nests on ]\Iay 18th. but their first eggs were laid May 24th (E female)
and May 25th (X female).

SuMM.\RV. — The behavior of Red-wings was studied in a small
swamp in which 3 males had territory. Occupation and defense of
territory is described. Two of the three males were polygamous. Egg-
laying started earlier in .several smaller colonies than in a large one.

Literature

Allen, .4. A. 1914. The red-winged black bird; A study in the ecology of a cat-
marsh. Proc. Linn. Soc. A'cic York, 24-25 :43-128.

Darling, F. F. 1938. Bird flocks and the hreedinej cycle. (Cambridge Un.
Press) : 124 pp.

Emlen, John T., Jr. 1941. An experimental analysis of the breeding cycle of
the Tricolored Red-wing. Condor, 33:209-219.

Roberts, Thomas S. 1932. The birds of Minnesota. (Minnesota Un. Press) ;
p. 306.

Distribution and Habitat Selection of Some Local Birds*

By Christopher K. McKeever

This report, utilizing the data received in reply to the 1939 ques-
tionnaires sent out by the committee, attempts to present vdth some
degree of accuracy, the present distribution in the New York City
region of the 15 breeding species chosen. At the same time an effort
is made to describe the habitat or habitats which each species favors
in this region, and where possible, its status, not in terms of “common”
or “rare,” as was formerly done, but rather by giving the total of
known nesting pairs or occupied stations. In such a task as the last,
it is needless to say that it is by no means considered that any of the
figures represent total population of that species in the area. While
the coverage in this region is now many times more widespread than
it was when Griscom (1923) was gathering the data for his Birds of
the Nezv York City Region, it can not even now be said that the region
is completely covered. We would only be deluding ourselves if we
claimed it was.

It is hoped that the studies of each species, as given later on in
this report, will provide for the bird students of the future in this
region something, which the present day students lack and miss sorely,
namely, a reasonably accurate basis for comparison of local changes
in the distribution or status of a particular species. The present day
student, when he goes over the past literature on the birds of the region
in an effort to find out if a species has increased or decreased, is con-
stantly confronted by statements that the bird is “uncommon,” or per-
haps “locally common” with absolutely no inkling of where the localities
are or were. How is it possible for him to judge what the writer desig-
nated as “common” ? There were innumerable factors entering into
the writer’s decision or judgment, and the reader, confronted by the
bare statement, can only hazard a guess as to what they were. It is in
an effort to fill this need, which 'was so clearly and in much greater de-
tail discussed by J. J. Hickey (1938) in the 1936-1937 Field Work
Committee Report, that the present work was undertaken.

Before taking up the individual species and discussing them, it is
well to mention several factors, which undoubtedly have a bearing on
the marked discrepancy between the findings of the present survey on
several species and those given by Griscom in 1923. The first of these
is the great increase in the number of competent field observers. While
Griscom (op. cit.) in the preface to his book comments on the great
increase in the number of observers since the publication of Dr. Chap-

•Report of the Field Work Committee, 1940-1941.

man’s The Birds of the Vicinity of Nezu York City (1908), he re-
stricted himself in his acceptance of sight records to those by people
known to him personally, or whose ability he had an opportunity to
verify. The publication of Griscom's own book and later on of Peter-
son’s Field Guide (1934) enabled novice observers to become much
more quickly profficient at identifying birds than was previously pos-
sible, when it was necessary to pore through long descriptions in order
to determine what bird one had just seen. Consequently, except in
the case of certain species difficult to distinguish, it is now possible
to accept records from persons who have shown an active interest in
birds, especially in the case of breeding species, where for the most
part opportunity is offered for several observations.

The second factor could be called progress in land transportation.
This includes (a) improvements to automobiles, both as to comfort
and speed; (b) improvements to and extensions of road systems. The
combined effect of these improvements has been to render almost any
part of this region accessible in two or three hours’ driving, and to
open up localities which had formerly been nearly unw^orked because
of difficulty of access by land. It is necessary to stress the word ‘land’
since there has been very little utilization of water transportation lo-
cally, despite the marked improvement in that field also. W hile not
pertinent to a breeding bird survey, it should be noted that the aspect
of local ornithology which has shown the least increase of knowledge
concerns the pelagic species.

Unfortunately there is no way to weigh these factors and make
allowances for them when attempting to compare the present data with
those given by Griscom. However, they might have less effect than
one would suppose. While it is not to be doubted that they have re-
sulted in much better coverage of our region, one of the most con-
spicuous effects is that they permit observers to concentrate their efforts
in the zones where the occurrence of rarities is most frequent, and
most of them do just that, to the detriment of the intervening areas.
The best example of this is the south shore of Long Island with its
well known waterfowl and shorebird focal points. The great majority
of observers visit these places, and any records of land birds they
turn in, aside from those on the coastal migration route, are usually
those which they are able to pick up while travelling at fifty miles per
hour or better from point to point. Consequently the region on the
south shore from Lindenhurst to Mastic is probably one of the most
traversed and least worked in our region.

Before making any acknowledgements, it is only fair to say that
the present writer is an interloper, and that, but for a recent call to

army life, Robert Arbib, Jr. would be the author of this report. It is
hoped that his ideas have been expressed and his plans have been
carried out in the manner he wished them to be. To him belongs the
credit for initiating this inquiry, and for the original spade work in
composing the questionnaire and compiling and evaluating the data
received in reply in 1939. However, in the compilation and evaluation
of the data, and in securing information from other sources, the efforts
of the entire Field \\’ork Committee were so necessary that without
them, the task would have been impossible. Therefore, a debt of grati-
tude is owed to John L. Bull, Jr., Alfred E. Eynon, Robert \V. Storer
and Hobart M. Van Deusen for their full hearted cooperation.

Grateful acknowledgement must also be made, especially to J. J.
Hickey, W. Sedwitz and A. D. Cruickshank for their advice and assist-
ance, and also to the following who cooperated wholeheartedly by
turning in useful data to the committee, either on the reply sheets,
orally, or in correspondence with one or another of the committee
members: R. P. Allen, R. X. Baldwin, B. S. Bowdish, Mrs. C. A.
Burt, J. Callaghan, \\\ H. Carr, H. H. Cleaves, P. Collins, Dr. C. P. B.
Cobb, Mrs. i\I. Dumont, J. J. Elliott, Dr. E. M. Evans, H. L. Ferguson.
R. B. Fischer, Mrs. G. G. Fry, K. Garland, H. O. Havemeyer. Dr.
E. B. Heck, G. Helme, Dr. W. T. Helmuth, R. Hines, T. Imhof,
Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin, I. Kassoy, L. S. Kohler, J. W. Lane, Roy Latham.
Lawrence School Nature Club, F. P. Mangels, J. F. Mathews. J.
Mayer, Dr. E. Mayr, Dr. R. C. Murphy, B. Nathan, J. T. .Nichols,
M. Oboiko, F. M. Packard, C. H. Pangborn, H. L. Posey. R. C. Pres-
ton, N. D. W. Pumyea, G. Ralston, G. S. Raynor, W. and D. Reid,
G. Rose. L. Sanford, G. ]\1. Seeley, Mrs. J. .-\. Selby, J. Smigel, J. R.
Sprow, J. Terry, A. Walker, Le Roy Wilco.x, and G. S. Yerbury.

Throughout this report the New York City region is understood
to include that section treated by Griscom (northern New Jersey,
W'estchester County and Long Island) as well as Rockland CounU'.
New York.

Pied-billed Grebe
{Podilymhns podiccps podkcps)

This species’ status is one of the outstanding examples of the
discrepancy between that given by Griscom {op. cit.) and what it is
now. He considered this species to be a possible, rare breeder over
most of the area, but could only cite three actual or probable
breeding localities for it. He added that much work remained to be
done on this species to settle its summer status in our area.

Our returns indicate that this dab-chick has no contiguous range
in this region, but is widely and sparsely distributed throughout, breed-

ing in i)uiuls, reservoirs and large marshes. Of tlie 25 stations known
for it, a dozen are on Long Island, five in Westchester County and 8
in the New Jersey section. So far as can he seen from the information
on the returns, it is impossible to point out any particular type of pond
or plant association and say that all the stations in use conform to it.
The best one can say is that all the sites are in fresh or slightly brack-
ish water areas with a moderate or large amount of surface and edges
provided with the thick emergent vegetation. This seems to be
necessary, if this species is to nest successfully. However, since there
are many other ponds in the region, which to the human eye appear
to be just as suitable, and are never used, it will take more than a casual
study to find out, if possible, what induces the birds to use (juite steadily
certain locations, and just as steadily shun others.

The two basic requirements for this species to nest successfully
would seem to be (1) adetiuate shelter from the elements and from
animal and human enemies, and (2) a sufficient siq)ply of food for
the adults and young all through the breeding season. The first re-
quirement seems to be satisfied by a variety of plant associations with
such dominants as cattails (7'v/’/ni), rushes {Jitiiciis and Scirpiis) and
water lilies {Xyiiiplwca ) , no two stations having the same proportions
between the various species of plants making up the association.

The second rec|uirement also seems to be satisfied by a variety
of associations as is shown in the Xew York State Conservation De-
partment’s “Biological Survey of the Fresh Waters of Long Island.’’
This survey was made in 1938. Because it was primarily concerned with
sporting fish, it dealt with only three of the known stations used by
this species. One of them was a coastal pond, somewhat brackish, but
with a fresh water marsh at its upper end. The other two are both
ponds resulting from dams thrown across south shore streams. Ac-
cording to the survey all three bodies of water support cjuite a varied
fish life, none of them having fewer than 9 species, a figure which is
well above the average for the 65 ponds surveyed. However the con-
ditions are so varied in these three ponds that the eastern barred killi-
fish (Fu)idulus d. diaphaniis) is the only fish common to all three.
This has no significance, how'ever, since the species was found in two
out of every three ponds so surveyed.

Another indication of the variations in the aquatic conditions is
the fact that, while all of them are described as white water ponds
with sand and muck bottom, two with abundant submergent vegeta-
tion and one with scanty, the stocking recommendations were dif-
ferent with respect to each of the ponds, indicating differences in the
areas not disclosed in the rather brief tables. The coastal pond was

considered most suitable for largemouth bass {Hiiro salmoides), the
stream pond with abundant vegetation for brook trout {Salvelinus f.
fontanalis) and the one with scant vegetation for panfish only.

The Pied-billed Grebe does not show nearly the degree of de-
pendence on man that the Florida Gallinue does in this region, and
well over half its stations are in natural ponds. The water level of
the pond is very important as is shown by the fact that, when the
coastal ponds on eastern Long Island break out through the barrier
beach and empty into the ocean, the grebes will not nest, until they
are filled up again.

It is also note worthy that nearly all the ponds in use by this
species have no boats on them. If there are boats, these have not
access to the section frequented by the grebes. Therefore, even though
some of the stations are in well settled areas, the species is relatively
undisturbed by anyone but prying birdmen, since access by land usually
entails getting very wet and muddy.

Blue-winged Teal
(Querquedula discors)

There is no longer any doubt that the Blue-winged Teal should
rightfully be included as a breeding bird in our region. Up to 1930
it was only an accidental breeder in the area and the only record was
a nest found by Latham at Orient in 1922. Chapman (1906) did not
include it in his list of summer residents and referred to it only as a
migrant. Griscom, writing in 1923, probably when this species was
at its lowest ebb, mentioned that “it was said to have bred many years
ago,” but added no details to this terse report. It is possible he had
in mind the statement by Giraud (1844) that it may have bred at
Montauk.

In 1938 Wilcox reported seeing young birds of this species at
East Moriches. He has also recorded it as nesting at Speonk. These
are the only positive Long Island records, and apparently conditions
there are not sufficiently suitable to cause it to breed regularly. Since
it is on the increase and this last season (1941) bred as far south
as South Carolina, it can no longer be said, as it once was, that we
are south of the southern limit of its breeding range. This was once
considered to be western New York and Maine (Bennett, 1938).
There are now considerable numbers of this bird breeding well to
the south of us, and the only reason, it would seem, that this is not
so in our region, is that favorable nesting areas are few and far
between.

Conditions in New Jersey seem to be more favorable and it was
thought to have bred at Troy Meadows in 1930, and a nest with eggs

was located there in 1931. Since then it has been recorded as breeding
at Morristown and South Plainfield, and there is little doubt that
this species can be considered as a very rare but regular breeder in
that portion of our region.

Few local data were turned into the Committee on the habitat
this species prefers for breeding, but it probably does not vary much
from that used in other parts of its range. There it .seems to use most
often the vicinity of a small or medium sized fresh water pond,
usually bordered by fields and meadows, with a grassy or marshy
growth of protective cover at the water's edge. Quite often, however,
it does not ])lace the nest clo.se to the pond, but in grass forty or more
yards from the edge, making it that much harder to locate (Bennett,
op. cit.). Detailed data will have to be secured on several local nest-
ings before we can say that its preference here conforms to that
given above.

Wood Duck

(/If.v spo)isa )

Our study of this duck shows one of the most heartening and at
the same time, definitive results of the entire survey. It indicates,
in no uncertain figures, a tremendous increase in recent years, in both
the migrating and nesting numbers of this handsome species, despite
the steady shrinkage of favorable habitats and of wilderness areas.
This improvement in conditions can readily be seen by quoting from
two reports of its status, covering the period when its numbers were
lowest in this region. In 1906 Chapman stated that it was “a rare
summer resident on some of our more retired wooded streams.”
Griscom, as late as 1923; painted an even more unfavorable picture,
saying that “it now nests in a few scattered localities.” His specific
information was confined to about four stations in New Jersey, one
in The Bronx, and two on Long Island.

As late as 1930 there were practically no known breeding sites
on Long Island, and ornithologists regularly journeyed from there to
Van Cortlandt Park swamp in order to acquaint themselves with the
species. The present survey indicates that the Wood Duck can be
found breeding in nearly forty different locations in the region. Seven-
teen localities in New Jersey were reported, fourteen on Long Island,
and about seven or eight in the \\’estchester region. The word ‘loca-
tions’ is used advisedly to distinguish pairs from stations in the dis-
cussion. Many of the reports turned in cover fairly large areas such
as several miles of stream valley, and include an estimate of the num-
bers of pairs usually found there. In one case, that of the Bear Moun-
tain State Park, no less than 22 pairs were estimated to breed. This

is an exceptionally large tract of wilderness land for the New York
City region. However many of the returns showed several pairs breed-
ing in a single localit}-, so that the estimated total number of pairs was
about 115.

The chosen haunts of the W'ood Duck are well known, and in
this region conform to those generally described for this species else-
where. While this species has increased greatly of late, there are
many apparently suitable areas which are not occupied by it during
the breeding season. This is especially noticeable on the south shore
of Long Island. Most of the streams on the Island run south into
the Great South Bay, and most of the apparently suitable woodland
swamps are there. Yet most of our returns are from the little ponds
and small streams on the north shore of the Island. It is just possible
that the areas not occupied lack suitable nesting sites, and it would
be most interesting to experiment with some nesting boxes somewhere
in the area to see if M’ood Ducks could be induced to nest. Another
factor in this apparent scarcity, which cannot be definitely weighed
to determine what part it pla)'s, is the lack of thorough field study in
the area mentioned. It is probable that some birds breed there, but
certainly it is not as common there as elsewhere in the region.

Florida Gallinule
(Galliiiitla chloropus cacJiiimaus)

This species has probably not increased in numbers since Griscom
outlined its status and so well described its habitat. However, at the
present time there are 18 known locations where it has nested in the
last few years. Half of them are on Long Island, six in New Jersey,
and three in the New York State section. About half as many old.
abandoned stations were recorded, and when all of them are mapped
out together, it is seen that for the most part the presently occupied
stations are away from the metropolitan area and the abandoned ones
are in it.

Of thirteen present and former stations known on Long Island,
only four are beyond thirty miles from the western tip of the Island,
and none are beyond seventy.

This change in distribution is indicative of this bird’s peculiar
dependence on man for a suitable nesting site in this area. Griscom
was only half right when he said that the Florida Gallinule was being
driven away from the metropolitan area by fill and drainage opera-
tions. Our jiresent knowledge allows us to state definitely that in
most cases the suitable habitat was first created by some operation of
man. This is especially noticeable in the New York and Long Island

areas which were provided by nature witli few spots favorable for
this bird.

While we have incomplete data on some sites, it is evident from
what data we have that the majority of them were created in one of
two ways. The first was by damming up a fresh water stream. In
the course of time the resulting pond at some j)oint (depending on
land contour, the establishment and spread of acpiatic vegetation, and
the maintainance of a proper and stable water level ) became ecologically
suitable for this .species. Two of the New York stations were known
to have been created in this manner, those at \’an Cortlandt Park and
Grassy Sprain, and five of the Long Island ones, namely, Plandome,
Mill Neck, Oyster Pay and Wantagh, and an old one at Ro.sedale. As
a general rule these were not as desirable as those created in the second
manner and not as regularly occupied. Probably a closer study of
these areas will itidicate that the fluctuation of the water level decides
whether or not a site is used.

The second method of creating a “niche" was by fill operations,
and such former stations as at Dyker Heights, Long Island City,
Hunt's Point, W est Farms, and possibly the present one at Old ^lill
on Jamaica Bay were so formed. It is apparent from a study of these
localities that there is a time when there are created in a partially
filled marsh, better conditions for this species than existed in the
original area.

This can best be shown by reviewing the hi story of the Long
Island City marsh, first brought to prominence by the records of the
Hendricksons (1906) for this species, coot and rails {Rallidae). Orgi-
nally the tract in question was a section of salt or brackish marsh
(Spartinc) bordering Newtown Creek. It was then entirely cut off
from the salt water by the construction of a railroad embankment, and
after many years became a deep water fresh marsh suitable for this
species. Unfortunately for ornithologists, neither here nor elsewhere,
where a similar chain of operations occurred, did the filling-in cease
at this point. Invariably it continued to completion. If the character
of these marshes had not been first changed, there is little doubt that
they would have been entirely unsuitable for this bird. It is certain
that the railroad embankment, mentioned by Urner (1934) in his
account of the colony found on the Newark Meadows, and probable
that the one mentioned by Clinton G. Abbott (1907) writing of a
large colony in the Hackensack marshes, maintained a favorable water
level which would not have otherwise occurred. Therefore, even in
the case of the largest known colonies of former times, man first
created the habitat before he destroyed it. The Belt Parkway fill along

the shore of Jamaica Bay is doubtless in the process of altering the
character of the brackish and salt marshes above it in a similar man-
ner, and a detailed study of the changes would be of great interest.

In New Jersey the situation may be different from that described
above, and the proportion of the half a dozen colonies in natural
habitats is doubtless higher, since there was more of it originally.
The largest known colony in the New York and Long Island area
contains two or three pairs. Most of the stations are occupied by
single pairs, so that the total population now is probably not any
greater than that of the single large colony described by Abbott
{op. cit.).

Barn Ow'l
(Tyto alba pratincola)

Both Chapman (1906) and Griscom (1923) called this species a
rare permanent resident, but the latter came nearer to the mark when
he stated that “in all probability it is commoner than the scant records
would indicate.” So far as definite breeding stations were concerned,
Griscom knew of no positive nesting pair on Long Island at the time
of writing. He gave one record for Staten Island and several old ones
for New Jersey, but added that “no effort has been made recently to
determine whether the bird still occurs.”

In marked contrast to this rather inconclusive report, the returns
sent in to this committee disclosed a number of valid breeding records
for the region. Once again the factor of better coverage of the region
enters into the picture. Therefore it is next to impossible to deter-
mine conclusively whether this reflects an actual increase in numbers
or merely more intensive and effective methods of search. Our own
opinion, given as such, is that observers in the past could not have
been quite so careless or disinterested as to overlook this bird, and
that it has been increasing slowly and steadily in numbers, throughout
most of this region. This is given support by the fact that, during the
same period, it has been slowly spreading northward in southern New
England.

This bird, in common with nearly all the other members of its
family, very frequently eludes the ordinary, everyday ornithologist.
It requires special methods of search and snooping around old deserted
buildings, and familiarity with its call notes to uncover a nesting site.
Most of the stations were located by luck rather than by deliberate
search for them, and many others were found by natives of the nest-
ing area who heard the food call of the young birds. As a matter of
fact, the best way to locate them is to watch the local newspapers
for accounts of workmen who, while engaged in repairing or painting

some water or cluirch tower, encounter tlie l)irds. Because so many
of the stations are located by natives unac(iuainted with their worth,
the nestings so found usually end in disaster, the birds killed, or as
at Oakdale in 1941 the young sent to Frank Buck’s Jungle Camp.

A noteworthy factor, discouraging all but the most persistent
searchers, is the fact that in our region this species might be nesting
at almost any season of the year, as eggs and young have been found
in nearly every month. This was determined by Irving Kassoy. In
1939 a pair, which he studied, made four attempts at nesting in the
same place, three of which were successful. The first clutch was
laid in February and the last in October, and both of them were
successful.

Altogether 28 old and new stations were recorded in this region,
22 of them being used in 1939 or later. The latter total was made
up as follows: 10 on Long Island; 1 definite location on Staten Island;
4 in the Bronx-Westchester area; and 7 in New Jersey. There were
4 old stations on Long Island, two of them occupied in 1938, and one
each in Westchester and New Jersey. According to the returns, the
favored nesting places seemed to be old uniKsed water towers and
church or other building towers, even though the latter premises were
occupied by man. Several pairs were reported as using tbe primitive
type of location, namely, hollow trees.

These stations seem to be rather evenly distributed throughout
the better settled portions of the region, ranging from the suburbs
through the rural residential towns out into the farming towns. Where-
ever the country is well wooded with few cultivated or overgrown
fields, it appears to afford insufficient hunting grounds for this species
or else it provides competition with some one of the woodland owls.
It is probable that the rat-infested dumps of some of the larger cities
and the filled areas afford this species far more fruitful hunting grounds
than any it can find in a natural, undisturbed habitat, or even in a
farming area. The eastern end of Long Island from Riverhead east
had only two nesting pairs at the time of the survey, one at Watermill
and the other on Gardiner’s Island, and can be cited as a possible ex-
ample of a region where food is the determining factor in limiting
the distribution of this species. Most of the south fluke, with the ex-
ception of the Montauk peninsula, is wooded. However, there are
also fairly large areas of cultivated ground just back of the ocean
front. The Orient peninsula, on the other hand, is mostly under culti-
vation with a comparatively small amount of woods and very little
brushy country. The method of cultivation in both areas is very similar.
The farm land is worked in very large units and, as there are few or

no hedgerows, is a good example of clean farming. If a field is left
fallow for a season it is usually back in crops the following season.
All this has the effect of keeping the rodent population at a minimum
in those areas and may have something to do with the scarcity of
breeding records for this species in that region.

In contrast to this, the farming on the rest of the Island is more
varied in its land utilization, with smaller fields and hedgerows. At
the present time there are large expanses of abandoned fields, which
tend to grow up rather rapidly. W'hile they are doing so, they probably
afford shelter to a fairly high number of rodents and are not so dense as
to entirely protect them from this species.

Pr.mrie Horned L.ark
{Otoe oris alpcstris praticola)

When Griscom (op. cit.) wrote of this species, it bred in our
area only in the south portion of Sussex County, New Jersey, and
was rarely even recorded elsewhere. Since then it has been found
as breeding also in central Sussex Count}^ but no check had been
made of the earlier stations. Prior to 1936 it was recorded away from
that area only at Lamington, New Jersey, in 1929. In 1936, however,
John Mayer made the surprising discovery of a nest and eggs of this
species at Idlewild on Jamaica P>ay. This was the first record for
the metropolitan area, though not the first for Long Island as Latham
had previously found it at Montauk and Gardiner’s Island, offshoots
probably of the well established colony on Block Island.

One would naturally expect any increase in numbers in our region
to occur near to one of the larger breeding groups, the surplus birds
of which would populate unused adjoining areas. Instead, while these
stations remained in a static condition, the one at Jamaica Bay, nearly
midway between them, formed the nucleus of a newly ’ founded but
steadily growing breeding range. The following season this species
was recorded for the first time as breeding at Canarsie (5 miles west)
and at Valley Stream (3 miles east). The latter station was not used
again, probably because the abandonment of the airport there made
vegetational conditions unfavorable. In 1938 it spread about four
miles south to Atlantic Beach, the limit of land in that direction, and
about ten miles west to Dyker Park.

In 1939, perhaj)S because of the present survey, we have the great-
est number of new localities reported. That year, it was first recorded
on the Freeport-Jones Beach Causeway, about 12 miles east; at West-
bury, about 12 miles northeast; near Astoria, about 8 miles northwest;
and at Miller Field, Staten Island, about 18 miles west. The stations
above mentioned are only the most distant from Idlewild recorded
that season. It was also found at intermediate points such as Lido
Beach, Hewlett, and Floyd Bennett Field, llrooklyn, for the first time.

According to the returns, the total estimated population that season,
not including an unknown number known to breed on the inaccessible
(by land) islands in Jamaica Bay, was about 40 pairs. Seventy-five
per cent of these were on the shores of the last mentioned bay, and
half of the birds there were in the two oldest groups, equally divided
between Idlewild and Canarsie. As a census, however, this survey is
already made out-of-date by the subsequent tremendous increase in
numbers. This is best illustrated by John Mayer’s estimate of 34 pairs
breeding at Idlewild in 1941 and R. B. F'ischer’s estimate of 15 pairs
along Ocean Parkway.

In 1940, a new, slightly more distant station w^as found at West
New Brighton, Staten Island, but the greatest increase of range was
to the east where the bird occupied the whole length of Ocean Park-
way, running from Jones Beach to Oak Island Beach. The last state-
ment can be made with a good deal of assurance, because that stretch
of road connects several of the best worked birding spots on Long
Island, and this species could hardly have been overlooked if it had
been present in 1939. This past season (1941), no greater distances
were recorded, but within the range the increase in numbers has been
marked, especially along the Ocean Parkway.

The only recent breeding records which do not tie up into this
pattern are at South Plainfield, X. J. (1937), Allwood, X. J. (1939)
and X^ewark, X. J. (1938). It is possible however, that the last locality
may have been populated from the western Long Island group. A
single observation of a singing male at Sunken Meadow in 1940 by
Cruickshank is rather weak evidence of breeding which was not sub-
stantiated in 1941, when the ground was carefully covered by the
author. If a pair was breeding there, it was using an area more like
that occupied by Prairie Horned Larks at the eastern end of Long
Island, and less like that u.sed in most instances by the western end
birds. The finding of a nest and eggs of this species at Easthampton
and a pair at Wainscott by W. T. Helmuth this past season may be
an indication that the eastern end birds have started to increase also.

The most interesting thing about this remarkable increase is the
fact that it is greatest where man has been most active in changing
the general aspect of the landscape. Practically all of the nests found
have been either in sandy, sparsely covered fill areas, or on closely
cut sod. The latter has been provided by two dift'erent types of opera-
tions. One is by the building of golf courses, the fairways of which
provide suitable sod. The second is the practice of the Park Com-
missions in laying a narrow strip of sod on each side of the concrete
roadways, where they run on sandy stretches, either natural or fill.

Most of the records have been near water areas, probably because fill
operations are most often found there, and the ideal combination
appears to be a fill area with some sod on it. There are great numbers
of golf courses on western Long Island, and with but one exception
those used by this bird are close to some bay and for the most part
on filled in ground. The exception to this is the Westbury station
which was an inland golf course. However, this course differed from
most others in that it was located on the Hempstead Plains, a natural
prairie where the dominating plant was one of the Andropogon grasses.

On the eastern end of Long Island, from the few records we now
have, the preferred habitat seems to be sandy, sparsely covered waste-
lands, though the Easthampton pair was on golf course sod, near
water. It is possible that the relatively static condition of the species
there can be correlated with the relatively few changes made by man
in that area in comparison with those effected at the western end of
the island.

Carolina Wren
{Thryothorus ludovicianus)

This species is still one of the most variable in status in the New
York City region. Since Griscom wrote about it and so accurately
traced its status through to the low point in 1922, one complete cycle
has been completed, and we are in the midst of another one. Accord-
ing to him the very severe winter of 1917-1918 cleaned out this
species completely throughout the whole area. This appears to be open
to some doubt however, since Dr. Helmuth recorded it at Gardiner’s
Island on a Christmas census in 1924, and as breeding in 1925 and
1926. It would seem quite remarkable, no matter how favorable the
habitat, if this bird could jump over 100 miles of empty territory at
one step and re-establish itself in the same spot. It would be more
likely that a few birds survived on the island and formed the nucleus
of the new colony. Always excepting the factor of better coverage
of the area, it would seem that on Long Island at least, this species
was commoner in 1932 and 1933 than it was at any other time in
recent history. This bird has its own idiosyncracies which make it a
little difficult to judge properly all records of its occurrence and say
definitely whether or not it is breeding in a particular locality. The
first of these is the skill with which it conceals its nests, comparatively
few of them ever having been found in our region. The second is a
tendency for singing birds to establish themselves in a territory for a
while and then vanishing before a successful nesting could have been
completed. There are many records occasioned by vagrant birds which
appear for a few days and then move on. Also considered as vagrants

are birds for which tlie interval between arrival and departure was less
than a couple of months during the breeding season.

From the records on hand, it is safe to say that in the peak years
mentioned above, the Xew Jersey ara was sparsely occupied, with
a colony along the Palisades. No birds established themselves in
Westchester, but on Long Island there were several pairs living in
widely scattered localities on the north shore, a slightly larger number
on the south shore, mostly at the west end. In addition to these there
was the thriving colony on Gardiner’s Island and a relatively large
population on the north and south flukes at the eastern end of Long
Island. At that time Dr. Helmuth estimated that there were over a
dozen pairs living in the area from Easthampton to Montauk. Sing-
ing birds were recorded in the woods only a half-mile or so from
Montauk Point.

During the winters of 1933-34 and 1934-35 sustained, extreme
cold and heavy snowfalls throughout the region, again wiped out all
the individuals of this species excejit for a few on Gardiner’s Island.
How many individuals survived there we do not know, since there
is no record of any visit by an ornithologist to the island until June,
1939, when on a two-day survey of it. Dr. Helmuth and the writer
recorded, as carefully as we could. 26 singing birds. In view of this
large number only four years after the conditions which extirpated
them elsewhere, it would seem that a fair number of them survived
those rigorous winters. In support of this is the fact that in 1937
an individual of this species was recorded for the first time on Fisher’s
Island, 12 miles across the water to the northeast. By 1939 there were
three singing birds established on that island. This expansion was
in a direction never before noted in the periodic increases of this species.

As before, this nucleus at Gardiner’s Island, has started to over-
flow onto the surrounding areas. Dr. Helmuth reported the occurrence
of several individuals at Easthampton in 1938. and felt certain that
at least one pair bred there in 1939 and 1940. Latham has reported
it as breeding in 1939 at Orient and Greenport on the northern fluke,
and on Shelter Island — several miles directly west of Gardiner’s.
Singing birds have been recorded as far west as Aquebogue on the
northside and Speonk on the south, but these were apparently only
wanderers. Up to date there have been no records of other than
vagrant birds for the rest of Long Island. In Xew Jersey, the severe
winters pushed the breeding range south of the southern limit of our
region. In the years following a gradual come-back has occurred. At
the present time there are a few pairs sprinkled around the region
and a small colony along the Palisades. It is probable that a com-

bination of two factors allows the birds to survive and flourish at
Gardiner’s Island.

(1) The first of these is that the woodland there has not been
subjected to the fires and cutting which prevent the forests on most
of Long Island from being anything but second growth. In fact it
has been described by Norman Taylor as the finest climax deciduous
forest in the state. Unfortunately the hurricane of 1938 laid low a
large proportion of the trees. However on our visit in June, 1939,
it was easy to see that the woods differed greatly from any seen on
Long Island in size and species of the trees. Several trees were seen
which are only found on Long Island at the western end of the north
shore, such as Basswood (Tilia glabra) and Elm {Ulmits americanus) .
In addition the woodland had a heavy undercover in its drier parts of
Smilax and Poison Ivy {Toxicodendron radicans) ; in its wet, swampy
parts of various shrubs. There seemed to be ample cover to provide
both food and shelter for Carolina Wrens.

(2) The second favorable factor is that the climate of eastern
Long Island is more temperate than that of northern New Jersey and
Westchester. While no detailed statistics are available on tempera-
ture and precipitation in the latter regions, it will be acknowledged -that
both areas have appreciably more severe weather than New York
City. Yet Gardiner’s Island, in the same latitude with Armonk in
Westchester and Ring\vood in New Jersey, has a more favorable cli-
mate than has New York City (Taylor, 1927). No weather tables
are available for the island and none for ^Montauk, but Norman Taylor
(ibid.) wrote an article dealing with the climate of all Long Island
and for Montauk used data compiled at Block Island. These tables
can safely be used since Gardiner’s Island is at its nearest point two
miles from any land which would act as a windbreak. Assuming
that the critical months for this species are those of December. Janu-
ary and February, we find that, though the mean yearly temperature
at Montauk is 2.5 degrees lower than that of New York City, the
mean average temperature for these three months is about 1.5 degrees
higher. This is mainly because the ocean surrounding this region is
warmer than that at the western end of Long Island until late winter,
when conditions become reversed until the following November. The
total average yearly precipitation at Montauk is only about 1.5 inches
less than that of New York City, and about three inches less than
that for Long Island generally. However during the critical months,
it is the same as that of New York City. Because of the higher tem-
perature, more of this precipitation falls as rain at Montauk instead
of snow. Snow also melts faster on eastern Long Island, so that the

necessary feeding areas are not covered as long in that region.

Probably the most important climatic factor in keeping the feeding
areas open, is that Montauk is the windiest point on the Atlantic coast.
From December through March it has on the average 80 winds of
over 50 miles per hour jirincipally from the northwest. .Anyone who
has gone birding on Montauk may be surprised to learn that it is so
relatively warm, but he would not be surprised to learn that it is the
windiest point along the coast, and would not need tables to prove
that comparatively little snow falls and covers, since the winds usually
sweep it into drifts and leave bare great stretches of country.

Hermit Thrush
{Hylocichia guttata faxoni)

This species is described by Griscom {op. cit.) as locally common
on Long Island and as a possible breeder in northwestern Xew Jersey.
At the present time it is considered to be a very rare and sporadic
resident of the latter section, southeast to Boonton. Griscom (ibid.)
gave no localities for the bird and did not attempt to show its range
on Long Island. President information indicates that the Hermit
Thrush breeds locally and not uncommonly in loose colonies up to
a dozen pairs or more, from Comae east to Hither Hills. As just
noted, this range is not a continuous one and the birds seem to group
themselves in thinly settled ‘colonies’ which may run a mile or more
each way. as at Comae, Manorville and X'orthwest Woods. Colonies
are now know at ten localities, five from Hither Hills to North Sea
on the south fluke of the island, and five from Quoque to Comae. Be-
tween these latter two points, there are four other localities where
the species had been recorded in summer years ago, but no check has
been recently made of them. Since it is possible that these stations are
still occupied, they are named with the hope that some one will try
to check on them in the near future. They are Lake Ronkonkoma,
Lake Grove, Yaphank (just east of the town), and Long Pond (north-
west of Manorville). The territory which this species occupies, holds
little attraction for the rarity seekers among bird students and con-
sequently is not very well worked. It is entirely possible that further
work within the limits of its range will show it to have a nearly con-
tinuous one, at least in the Quogue-Mastic-Manorville triangle. Any
attempt to explain why this species should have an established range,
well to the south of its main one and so different in habitat, seems in-
adequate. Geologically, most of the stations lie on or close to the
Ronkonkoma moraine, which runs through the center of the island,
south of Comae, out through the center of the south fluke. The only
exceptions to this are the Quogue and Elastic areas which are well to

100

the south of the moraine on Manhasset formation covered with a thin
coating of morainal outwash, and the Comae area most of which, jf
not all, lies in the so-called ‘Smithtown driftless area’ just to the north
of the moraine. This is so named, because in some manner — probably
by a covering of snow or ice — the surface of the ground there was once
protected from glacial action and now shows the eroded contours of
a pre-Wisconsin river valley.

So far as the habitat goes, it is quite varied and seems in no
way to restrict the colonies, as apparently the same types can be
found in many places where the bird has never been found breeding.
Most of the colonies are naturally in rolling country, but several of
them are in nearly level areas. It seems to make no difference to
the species whether or not it is close to fresh water, or what type the
ground cover is. It has been found equally often ( 1 ) in heavily
undergrown scrub woodland of the barrens type; (2) in normal de-
ciduous second-growth or taller, mixed or unmixed with pitch pine
{Finns rigida) ; and (3) in scrubby or tall pitch pine woods. Most of
the reports indicate that this species maintains its numbers well and
sticks to its chosen area for years. Because it is rather thinly spread
over a locality, most of the returns gave merely rough estimates of
the number of pairs. Consequently we can merely do the same. The
probable total population — as now known — is somewhat under one
hundred pairs.

Bl.\ck-throated Blue W.arbler
( Dcndroica caerulescens )

The Black-throated Blue W’arbler is a bird that seems to have
increased slightly in our region during the past half-century. But in
the case of this species, the ajjparent increase may very well be caused
by more thorough search and coverage of the outlying district. Chap-
man (1904) regarded it purely as a migrant. Griscom (1923) stated
that it had recently been found nesting locally in Sussex and Passaic
Counties, New Jersey, in the northwestern portion of our region. The
species can be found breeding in the Kittatiny ^Mountains and on the
Wawayanda Plateau east to Wyanokie. However, the only definite
records turned in to the Committee were as follows: 2-3 pairs at
Bloomingdale in Pas.saic County, six pairs in the Ramapo Mountains,
and a pair at Bowling Green Mountain near Green Pond Ridge. The
last represents the first definite record for Morris County, though birds
had been recorded regularly north of Newfoundland, on the border
between iVIorris and Passaic Counties. Because of the lack of adequate
coverage, it would be the merest pretense to atteni|)t an estimate of
the total number of breeding pairs. The typical breeding habitat in

101

northeastern Ihiited States is a well wooded hillside with a heavy
undergrowth, preferably of mountain laurel ( Kaliiiia latifolia), and
a small woodland clearing and some water nearby. If that was all
that this species re(|uired, it would be breeding throughout many .sec-
tions of the region, as there are numerous localities which satisfy
all those specifications. Consequently there must be some other factor
limiting it to these areas and to those north of us.

Loi'isian a Watkr-tiiri'sii
{Sciunis iiiotacilla)

In the case of this species, what (iriscom said about it in 1923
is substantially true today, lie considered it a rare and local summer
resident on the northern shore of Long Island, and common in north-
ern Westchester and in .\'ew Jersey, .\bout the only point, at which
issue can be taken, is this l)ird’s status in Westchester, where the re-
turns show it to be rather local, at least, at the present time. Whether
this represents a real decrea.se. or merely a disagreement as to what
the word ‘common' covers, we are in no jjosition to say. Judging
again from the returns, it is still widespread through New Jersey por-
tion of our region and in Rockland County. Xew York. From New
Jer.sey, a total of 73 pairs were recorded in 15 separate localities, an
average of nearly 5 pairs ])er location. From the mainland section of
Xew York State, a total of 20 pairs were found in 8 places, averaging
2.5 pairs per locality, while from Long Island were reported 11 pairs
at 6 locations, less than 2 ])airs average. So far as the writer can tell,
the coverage on Long Island is complete, but that of Westchester is
probably not. If we take it to be a representative samjde of the area,
however, one can hardly put it in the same class as Xew Jersey, since
the average number of ])airs ])er location is only half.

In Westchester, the southernmost points for definite breeding
locations .seem to be around Bedford and Chai)pa(|ua, though it has
been recorded as an occasional breeder at Grassy Sj)rain in the southern
portion of the county. This is probably the same limits and location
referred to by Griscom (1923) tbough in the absence of any place
names, we cannot be certain of this.

On Long Island, all the definite records for this .species are on
the north shore, from Mill Xeck to Greenport. The latter location
represents a considerable jump to the east from the next western
location at ^liller Place. Since the Lousiana Water-thrush nested in
1939 at Greenport for the first time in Roy Latham's long study of that
area, it is probably only .sporadic that far east. How many stations
west of Mill Neck have been lost through the destruction of the habi-
tat from various causes cannot be guessed at, for we have no definite

102

records of nesting localities prior to this study, except Cold Spring
Harbor and Huntington. The latter was destroyed long ago. It is
probable that at one time, the suitable combination of woods and
streams existed as far west as Flushing or even Long Island City. The
long destroyed woods of those localities were much richer than any-
thing now used on the island, if we are to judge by the remnants
around Flushing and Bayside.

We cannot be certain of this, however, because at the present
time, much suitable, apparently unspoiled territory on the north shore
remains unoccupied by this bird. This is especially noticeable along
the Nissequogue River around Smithtown. This stream is the largest
on the north shore, and yet only a single pair of this species has been
found on it by Wilcox. The writer has traversed much of the western
portion of the Nissequogue in a vain effort to locate this species. In
sharp contrast to this is the Cold Spring Harbor brook (only a mile
or so long), where the author once heard 5 singing birds on an early
June morning. The most conspicuous differences between the two
areas were as follows : The Cold Spring Harbor valley had steeper
and higher sides which were better wooded. Both valleys had mainly
red maple (Acer rubrmn) in the wet portions, but there was a greater
variety at Cold Spring Harbor in the composition and height of the
woodland. The most noticeable tree present in good numbers there
(and entirely absent from the portions of the Nissequogue visited)
was the Tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera) , which at that place grows
to at least 70 or 80 feet in height.

As Griscom (ibid.) noted, this species appears to be entirely
absent from the south shore of Long Island, although by far the
greater portion of the wooded streams and swampy lowland woods on
the island are on this side. Most of these areas are distinctly less rich
than the north shore in the composition and variety of the woodland.
Practically all of the former, because they cross the outwash plains,
are in shallow valleys. It is probable that the combination of both
these factors, renders these areas unsuitable for this bird. It may nest
there occasionally, however, since the pair at Greenport were recorded
in a wooded swamp in a shallow depression. It is not without signifi-
cance that this swamp, Roy Latham’s studies indicate, is a good deal
richer in vegetation than the average south shore swamp.

Yeixow-breasted Chat
(Ictcria v. z’irciis)

In 1906 Chapman called this bird common throughout the region,
but Griscom in 1923 said that, though it was generally distributed, it
could not be called common. The latter seems to be nearer to the

103

truth and roughly describes its status at the present time. It is prob-
able that Chapman's designation was colored by the fact that he did
most of his work in northeastern llergen County where even today,
this species is commonest. Gri.scom called it uncommon north of the
coastal plain on Long Island. This is not strictly true today as will
be shown later, lie remarked on its decrease in the suburban areas,
but failed to note the trend wliich at the same time was creating
habitats for the Chat just beyond this zone.

Present reports indicate that on Long Island this species bred
in 1939 in ten different localities with an estimated total of 22 pairs.
Two of these and two old stations were on the western end of the
south shore. The rest of them, as well as 2 more old stations, were
along or clo.se to the Harbor Moraine which forms the ‘backbone’ of
the north shore. Included in this, because it is merely a continuation
of the moraine, was a pair on Fislier’s Island. Aside from two aban-
doned stations on the Orient ]KMiinsuIa and an occupied one on
Gardiner’s Island, the remainder were on the north shore from Rocky
Point west. W’e cannot say, however, that the Chat favors that region,
because one of the largest groups of this species on Long Island breeds
at Massapequa on the south shore. According to Breslau, this is only
one of a number of j)laces, since it could be found on the south shore
as far east as Bay Shore. In Westchester we have record of 9 places
with a total of 25 pairs for 1939. There locations were very well dis-
tributed throughout the length and breadth of the county and appear
to show only a sample rather than the greater part of the population
which the Long Island records cover. They indicate that the bird is
local, however, and confined to a si)ecial type of habitat. Several pairs
can still be found on Staten Island within the city limits. In New
Jersey 55 pairs (plus) were reported from 13 locations. Many of the
latter included large stretches of country compared to the returns
from the rest of the region. The returns show that the Chat is well
distributed throughout the eastern half of this region and probably
only slightly less so in the western half. It seems to taper off through
Rockland County, and become very local, so that only a single pair
was found in the Bear Mountain area.

In this region this bird is very definitely one which depends in
most instances for a favorable habitat in a plant succession. It ap-
parently has no need at all for the presence of water in the areas it
inhabits. It is nearly always found in an old overgrown field, with a
hedgerow near-by, also usually overgrown. So far as can be found
from the returns sent in, the vegetation consists of a mixture of low
and high thickets and trees bound together and enmeshed in such

104

vines as cat-briar (Sinilax), poison ivy {Toxicodendron radicans),
Virginia creeper {Parthcnocissns qiiinquefoUa) , or grape {Vitis). In
the writer’s experience the thickets are formed of snch bushes and
trees as sassafras, choke cherry (Padtis J^irqiniana) , red cedar (Jiini-
periis Virginiana ), and bay-berry (Myrica Carolincnsis ) . Possibly
these combinations are usually found on Long Island. There they
represent one of the stages in the transition of a cultivated field or
pasture to woodland. In the writer’s experience they only follow those
two types of land use, as when the woods are cut over or burned
in that area (mainly around Huntington), the succession is entirel}'
different, usually consisting of stump sprouts which form a low
growth of the same general composition as the original woods. De-
pending upon the fertility of the soil and the amount of disturbance,
in that area it probably takes from 15 to 20 years for an abandoned
field to reach a stage favorable for this species. Only one definite case
can be cited in this re.spect. In about 1928 the writer found a Meadow-
lark’s (Sturnclla magna) nest in a field on which the old furrows were
still noticeable though it was already starting to grow up. In 1939
the Chat first came into this area, not, it is true, where the Meadow-
lark was nesting previously, but about 50 yards away, where it was
already bushy in 1928. How long it takes for the growth of the vege-
tation to make it unsuitable for this species, has not yet been, noted.
There is a fair number of such areas around Huntington, most of
them brought about by the abandonment of farms because the soil
(or the farmer ) was played out. This trend is not local, however, but
is noticeable all the way into New York City limits, the fields lying idle
until the suburbs engulf them, and destroy the succession.

Worth noting is the fact that, in the writer's experience at least,
wherever this species is found, the White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)
is also present. The converse is not true, however, since there are
two locations where the latter occurs, to every one for the present
species in the same area. There seems to be no apparent difference in
the stations where both Chats and vireos are found and those where
only the latter are found.

Can.\d.\ W.vrbler
(JVilsonia canadensis)

The Canada Warbler is still found most frequently in Sussex and
Passaic Counties in northwestern New Jersey, south to Rudd Lake and
east to Newfoundland. This is the outline of its range as given by
Griscom in 1923. Inasmuch as the species is at the extreme southern
limit of its range here, all the stations are at a fair altitude and not in
any of the lowland portions of our region. As is to be expected the

1U5

greater part of the returns were from the area mentioned above and
give a good idea of its distribution along the eastern edge. Two re-
ports were from the vicinity of Newfoundland, indicating 2 pairs
at Buck Mountain and several jiairs in another near-by location. Other
returns showed locations somewhat to the east of the line drawn by
Griscom (1923) and may indicate a slight extension of range in that
direction. A report of 5 pairs at Bowling Green Mountain, Green
Pond Ridge in western Morris County, is one of these. Further to
the north, the report of six ])airs in the Rama])o Mountains (five at
Yawpaw) in western Bergen County seems to show a slight movement
to the east. The only other reports for the rest of the region are from
northern Rockland County and northeastern W estchester County in
New York. The former has si.x known pairs at Bear Mountain at an
altitude of 1,000 feet. A pair was .seen throughout June and most of
July in a mountain laurel (Kahiiia latifolia) thicket at 700 feet eleva-
tion in the Poundridge Reservation in 1940 by W'heeler. No nest was
found, and this was the first time the sj)ecies had been recorded there
in the breeding season.

This tendency to favor the mountain laurel has been remarked
on before and seems to be pretty well established. However there are
hundreds of acres. perhaj)s thousands, of woodlands in our area with
this plant as the dominant under-growth. These woodlands are of all
sorts, wet and dry, level and hilly, thick and thin, so that if laurel was
the only requirement it could he met in numerous areas where this
species has never bred and would not be expected to breed, on the
basis of our present experience. The limiting factor for this species
is something not so obvious and probably will have to be found in
a close analysis of its habitats in the optimum areas as well as on the
fringe of the range. The only easily noted difference between the areas
used here and those not used is that the average temperatures, which
the species favors at moderate altitudes, are considerably lower than
those of the rest of the region.

Bobolixk

( Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

It is felt that this species has increased in numbers since Gris-
com’s time. but. because of the lack of any true standard of compari-
son, it is impossible for us to say so with certainty. The same tend-
ency to move away from the city in the face of the ever advancing
suburbs, on which Griscom iop. ct.) remarked, is still noticeable.
-Also noticeable in the present survey was a marked habit of occupy-
ing a field for several seasons, and then abandoning it while condi-

106

tions remained about the same and apparently just as suitable. Since
this species nests in open areas, which are usually of a uniform plant
association, it is possible to describe its chosen habitats in fairly good
detail. The returns showed it to be breeding in at least 45 localities
within the region but, with the exception of Long Island, it is felt
that this does not include the total population, because the reports
from northern Westchester and northwestern New Jersey on this
•species were rather incomplete. The total number of pairs, which are
given in the estimates sent in, was a little over 250 pairs. This might
seem low for a small bird which is considered to be not uncommon.
However, both the habitats used and the conspicuousness of the breed-
ing males in their flight song make it one of the easiest birds to spot
even by casual or transient birders. These characteristics should yield
a much higher number of observations of this species than would an
equal number of such birds as the Henslow’s {Passerherbuhis hens-
lozvi) or Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodroiinis savannariim) in the
breeding season. There seems to be no particular range in our region
for this species, but its distribution is spotty, because its favored
habitats are so located. An analysis of the breeding stations known
for it indicates that no less than four environmental types are used in
nesting. All agree in being open, nearly level areas covered with low
grasslike vegetation.

( 1 ) The first type is a purely natural one, that of parts of the
Hempstead Plains, a natural prairie, the remnants of which are still
found in central Nassau County on Long Island. The word ‘parts’
is used because the areas presently available for study are not entirely
uniform, and the Bobolink uses only one type. The prairie can be
divided into three general floral areas or sub-types, all of them dom-
inated by the beard grass {Andropogon scoparius). (A) Where the
black-jack and post oaks (Quercus Marylandica and Q. steltata) grow
to a good size, the prairie is of course not used. (B) The second sub-
type is that entirely dominated by the grasses to the exclusion of any
bushy vegetation. This is not used by Bobolinks, and may be likened
to the poor fallow fields which they do not favor either. (C) The
last sub-type on the prairie is that where the gray birch (Betula popu-
lifolia), Dwarf and Scrub Oaks {Quercus prinoides and Q. ilicifolia)
grow, the former sometimes to a height of several feet, and the two
latter in large patches rarely over a foot or perhaps a little more high.
The only nest of the Bobolink, which the author ever found in this
subtype, was next to an isolated birch. It would appear that the
bushes were necessary not only for song perches, but also for shelter.
The only Bobolink colonies on the prairie were in the third subtype.

107

(2) The second environmental type in the region is also to some
extent a natural one, but it is probable that the action of man has
made this more favorable than it was originally. It consists of the
upper, usually brackish portions of salt marshes. In the Newark
marshes, the late Charles A. Urner noted an increase in the numbers
of this species as the marsh was progressively dried up by the ditch-
ing and drainage operations. John Mayer recorded the start of a
colony at Idlewild in 1936 which is still in existence. Whether this
was merely one of those irregular movements noted in the first para-
graph of the discussion of this species, or represents an improvement
of habitat due to ditching and drainage operations, our present data
cannot allow us to determine. The stations of this type are mainly
along the south shore of Long Island on the landward side of the big
bays. However in this habitat, the Bobolink — at least in the smaller
colonies — has a habit of moving into an area, occuping it for several
years and then deserting it, all without any apparent change in vegeta-
tional conditions, amount of moisture, etc.

The last two ypes to be discussed are entirely man-made, and
there the bird is entirely dependent on man for the maintainance of
a particular station. They are so nearly alike that they could be dis-
cussed as one. The only reason they are separated is because the
processes, which create them, are different.

(3) Along the south shore of Long Island, from Southampton
to Amagansett, the large potato fields are planted with a winter cover
of grass. When it is decided to allow a field to lie fallow through
the following spring and summer, it is covered during those seasons
with a rather sparse growth of grass, free of those weeds which so
quickly creep into fallow fields elsewhere on the island. With few ex-
ceptions the colonies of this species in this section of the south shore
nest in these fields. Since these fields are rather intensively cultivated,
it is rare that they lie fallow two years running and consequently the
colonies have to shift frequently.

(4) .Along the north shore of the island, from Roslyn east fo
Smithtown, the fourth type is found — the lush grassy upland fields,
which are probably typical of most of the stations in M'estchester and
inland New Jersey. .All those known on Long Island are in dry situa-
tions, but it is probable that with the different topographical condi-
tions in the rest of the area a large proportion of such stations are near
streams or lowland marshes. These stations on Long Island are lo-
cated without exception on large estates, which are usually kept as
showplaces or operated by gentlemen farmers. In either case part's
of such estates are kept as extensive grassy fields, often merely for

108

scenic purposes, often for hayfiekls. Unless positive action is taken
every few years to maintain them in that condition, these fields usually
deteriorate into weedy areas, or a succession will start to cover the
field with bushes and small trees. Either happening will spoil such
tracts for this species. These colonies are also extirpated by mowing,
grazing, or turning the grass under for crops.

It is felt that it would be futile to name specific breeding stations
when so many factors (including the whims of the birds themselves)
mitigate against their re-appearance over successive seasons. Con-
sequently a detailed description of the habitats used should be of more
assistance to those searching for a colony. It is not claimed, however,
that wherever such habitats occur, there will be found Bobolinks. So
far as we can now tell, the species occupies only a portion of the avail-
able area in any one season.

Orch.vrd Oriole

( Icterus spuriiis )

It is doubtful if the status of this species has changed much since
Griscom wrote it up in detail in 1923. However, because of the more
widespread coverage, we now know that it breeds nearly all along
the north shore of Long Island, .sometimes in the interior, and a little
more frequently on the south shore. We also know that, while it is
local in Westchester, it cannot be classified as ‘rare and irregular’ there.
Starting from the extreme eastern end of our area, this bird breeds on
Fisher’s Island and Gardiner’s Island (piite regularly, though only a
pair or so at each place. The same holds true of the north fluke of
the east end of Long Island where there are three stations for it. The
harborless and unbroken stretch of shoreline along Long Island Sound
from Mattituck to Miller Place is apparently unoccupied, but from
there to the City’s suburbs at Beechhurst scattered pairs can be
found, mostly close to the shoreline or some fresh water. .A few scat-
tered pairs have been found in the interior of the island from Deer
Park west to Hicksville. There seems to be a regular station for it at
Massapequa on the south shore, and possibly another one at Mrook-
haven. The total number of locations is 28, and the total number of
pairs about 40. In Westchester, the number of reports is onlv four
and the number of pairs six. but according to John L. Bull, Jr., the
Orchard Oriole is local along the sound shore and along the stream
valleys in the southern portion of the county. In New Jersey reports
were received from 16 localities totaling 30 pairs. Most of these were
from the northeastern ])ortion of that section and show the same scat-
lered population which Gri.scom {op. cit.) mentioned. It is interesting

109

to noit tliat as one gt>es south, the reports include a progressively larger
number of i)airs in a locality, indicating that there is a steady increase
of density southward.

The descriptions of habitat given in the returns indicate that this
species is at present nearly always found in the following disclimax
types; rural estates or villages, well planted suburbs, parks, orchards
and nurseries. This is so often the case that one is led to wonder what
niche the Orchard Oriole occupied in the j)rimeval woodlands which
at one time covered most of the area. The present laud-use in a large
]>art of the area has greatly decreased the number of orchards, but
at the same time increased the number of nurseries which seem some-
times to make an acceptable substitute. All the inland records noted
on Long Island have been away from any water, but have been in
nurseries. If there are pear orchards in the vicinity, this species seems
to prefer them to apple or peach, .\side from the records just men-
tioned, the overwhelming majority were from locations in the vicinity
of water. The water ranged from small streams and ])onds through
rivers and lakes to the .salt waters of Long Island Sound. The majority
also indicated that this species was (|uite regular and usually bred in
the same location each year. Others claimed that the bird was irregular
from year to year. .An analysis of the various returns showed that
most of those, where the birds did not return to breed the next year,
were where fresh water was absent. This included the inland nursery
stations mentioned and a great many of those along the Sound shore.
The writer’s per.sonal experience at Huntington has been along the
same lines. There some birds nested in a park with a brook running
through it, while others were in the pear orchards .some distance in-
land, away from any water other than a mudhole. Still others were
on estates fronting on salt water, without any ponds near-by. The
only birds that can be located every year are those along the brook.
.Along shore the birds seem to desert and move out completely, but
if enough shoreline is worked, the species will usually be picked up at
some entirely different place. Occasionally, however, a group of pairs
along shore will persist at a station from year to year. This is
the exception, not the rule. The returns from Long Island probably
include a very high percentage of the total population. The reasons
are that this species occupies areas where it is easily found, espe-
cially when in song, and that the main areas occupied are summer
residential areas, which are thus well covered at the best time of year
to record the oriole's presence.

110

Cardinal

(Richmondena c. cardinalis)

The history of this bird in our region is most interesting. In
1922, when Griscom was discussing its status, he could record only
two definite locations for it, both in Union County, New Jersey, one
at Plainfield and the other at Elizabeth. According to him, it had ap-
parently bred as far west as Morristown at one time, and as far north
as Englewood Cliffs. As for the rest of the region, it had never been
found breeding in the Bronx-W'estchester area and had not been found,
except as a visitant, for many years in Central Park and on Long
Island. Staten Island was brief!}- dismissed with the statement that
it was probably extirpated there. This shrinkage of range Griscom
unequivocally attributed to the rapid advance of the suburbs, with its
consequent clearing of woods and thickets, which he said, either de-
stroyed the bird’s haunts or rendered them uninhabitable. It is prob-
able that in the case of Central Park and Long Island this was so. In
the area lost in northern New Jersey, events since then render another
explanation necessary.

The returns received by this committee show definitely that the
withdrawal in New Jersey was only a temporary one and also that
the Cardinal has now moved beyond the original range described for
it by Griscom. Because of the manner in which it has done so. it is
best to describe it in some detail. The New Jersey records, which
were received, listed 16 localities for it with a total of about 40 pairs.
As it would be expected, the greater density is shown at the more
southern localities. As we go north, only a pair or two are reported
from a station. The movement from the Union County stations has
been to the north, so that eastern Essex County is fairly heavily popu-
lated, extreme eastern Passaic County less so. There were seven sta-
tions recorded from eastern Bergen County, totaling 9 pairs. The
majority of them were in the Hackensack Valley and back of the Pal-
isades. The westernmost station, also northernmost, was at Park Ridge.
The northward movement was not stopped by the state boundary,
however, and now a few scattered pairs can be found in southeastern
Rockland County, mainly in the vicinity of N}'ack. Just when or how
the next step was taken, we cannot say but about 1924 this species
was found breeding at Scarsdale in southern Westchester County.
Historically speaking, this represented the first step into never before
occupied territory east of the Hudson River. Since 1931, it has been
found at Scarborough in central Wstchester on the east bank of
the Hudson. In 1937 it was found at Chappaqua, a few miles to the
east, and in 1939 there were 3 pairs there. No other stations for it

Ill

were found until 1940 when it was fouiul at three definitely new spots.
They were Croton Point, a few miles north of Scarborough, Grassy
Sprain and New Rochelle in extreme southern Westchester, the latter
on Long Island Sound. Except for the Scarsdale record, we could
map out a nice movement coming into the county from across the
Hudson and going east and then south nearly to City limits. The only
breeding locality not yet mentioned is Staten Island where this bird
is said to be fairly common, with no venture as to the number of
pairs. We have no data on the status between the time of Griscom’s
book and the present time. Consequently we are not in a position to
say whether it moved out and then regained the area. It seems rather
remarkable that it could stage a comeback there in the face of the
steady destruction of habitat, which is supposed to have driven it out,
and which is still continuing there. There is one direction however,
which in the writers' opinion, has been closed to the Cardinal by the
destniction of habitat. That is directly east to llrooklyn. There, there
is now such a wide belt of unsuitable territory that it seemingly forms
an insuperable barrier to this sj)ecies, and prevents it from recovering
any part of western Long Island, though wanderers are not infre-
quently recorded in that area. There is |)robably considerable suitable
habitat still left in northern Nassau County and, if it is ever occupied
naturally, it will probably be by birds from southern Westchester across
the Sound. The word, ‘naturally,’ is necessary here because experi-
ments have been started in the vicinity of Roslyn in releasing trapped
birds brought in from a distance in an eltort to establish them in a
wild state there.

The chosen habitat of this species in this region seems to conform
to that used throughout most of its range, but there are large areas
of seemingly suitable country which it does not use and has not yet
occupied. It is generally considered to be increasing, however, and
perhaps some or much of this empty area will be taken up in the near
future.

SUMM.\RY

These studies are based on returns received as a result of a coop-
erative sun'^ey conducted by the Field \\’ork Committee of the Linnaean
Society of New York among all known persons interested in birds
in the New York City region, both members and non-members of the
Society. They attempt to present the true status of the species chosen,
in number of pairs rather than use the often misleading terms such
as ‘common’ and such. The survey discloses that several species have
unusual habitats in the areas, some of them directly or indirectly man-
made. It also discloses that other species are irregularly distributed

112

and do not fully occupy the seemingly favorable habitats within the
region. In other words we cannot say, on the evidence submitted,
that certain species will be found breeding wherever a seemingly suit-
able habitat is found for them. This is true, not only of species which
are here on the northern or southern edge of their ranges but also of
several for which this region is considered to be well inside the main
breeding grounds.

Bibliography

1939. A Biological Snrz’cy of the Fresh Waters of Long Island.

Supplemental to the 28th Annual Report, (1938) of the Conservation De-
partment of the State of New York.

-Abbott, Clinton G. 1907. Summer Birds of the Newark, New Jersey Marshes.
Auk, 23:1-11.

Bennett, L. J. 1938. The Blue-ivinged Teal — Its Ecology and Management.
Collegiate Press, Inc., Ames, Iowa.

Braislin, W. C. 1906. The Florida Gallinule Nesting on Long Island, N. Y.
Auk, 23:189-194.

Brimley, C. S. and J. H. Grey, Jr. 1940. The Season in the Carolina Region.
Aud. Mag., 43 :469-470.

Carter, T. D. 1934. The Ornithological Year 1930 in the New York City Region.

Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. ¥., 43-44:48-57.

Ch-apman, F. M. 1908. The Birds of the Vicinity of Xczu York City. .Am.
AIus. Nat. Hist., Guide Leaflet No. 22.

Fuller, Myron L. 1914. The Geology of Long Island, X. Professional
Paper 82 of the United States Geological Survey.

Giraud, j. P. 1844. The Bii-ds of Long Island.

Griscom, Ludlow. 1923. Birds of the .\eiv York City Region. .Am. Mu^. Nat.
Hist. Handbook Series No. 9.

Harper, R. M. 1918. A^egetation of the Hempstead Plains. Mem. Torrcx Bot.
Club, 17:262-286.

Hendrickson, J. H. 1906. Wild Birds Nesting in New A’ork. Forest and
Stream, LXVI :420-421.

Hickey, J. J. 1938. Report of the Field Work Committee, 1936-1937. Proc.
Linn. Soc. X. Y., 49 :73-83.

Peterson, R. T. 1939. A Field Guide to the Birds. (Revised) Houghton. Mif-
flin Co., Boston, Mass.

Taylor, Norman. 1923. The J’egetation of .Montauk. Part One, of A'olume
Two of the Memoirs of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

1927. The Climate of Long Island. Bull. 458 of the Cornell Univ.

.Agric, Exp. Station.

Urner, Charles .A. 1934. What Ditching and Diking Did to a Salt Marsh.
Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. X. Y., 43-44:40.

\^OGT, Wm. 1934. The Ornithological A'ear 1931 in the New York City Region.
Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. A’.. 43-44:58 60.

113

General Notes

The inclusion of General Notes is a z’ital and iiroxving part of
the Society's Proceedings u'hich its members should note unth interest.
The published nwterial, idiich folloix’s, however, undoubtedly repre-
sents but a small fraction of the many valuable observations in the
field made by members and still unpublished. These do not necessarily
have to be restricted to those occurring within the past year. Local
migration routes, roosting habits, distribution, very rare faunal records,
behaznor notes — fragments like these are zeanted. Members, zolio do
not have access to library facilities, should feel no compunction in
asking the editorial committee to check their ma)iuscripts against litera-
ture already published. — The Editor.

Hawk Migration Routes in the New York City Region. — The
subject of the routes followed by various species of birds in their mi-
grations has been responsible recently for much discussion and not a
little published material. This is a natural outgrowth of our coming
of age in our migration studies. The cpiestion of when a species mi-
grates, with proper allowance for variations of the particular year,
has long been an established fact. W'e are now well into the “where”
stage and are beginning to enter the "how". Xo grouj) of our local
birds offers more o])portunity for the study of routes and methods
of migrations than the hawks. Large, conspicuous and entirely diurnal
in their movements, they twice annually pass our region in greater
numbers than the average local field student realizes. In order to ap-
preciate this latter fact, he must learn to watch for hawks and upon
discovering the best localities, visit them regularly under proper flight
conditions. Since 1937. members of the Urner Ornithological Club in
Xew Jer.sey have been actively watching the sjiring and fall hawk flights
in the northern half of the state. As a result the picture in this area
has been fairly well blocked in. This note is published herewith to
sketch roughly for students in other sections of the X^ew York City
region the present knowledge of these flights with the hope that they
will become sufficiently interested to complete the picture in their
own areas.

The fall flight regularly begins in late August and continues for
the next three months. Three flight lines are well known to cross the
state of X^ew Jersey and a fourth undoubtably does also. Because of
its proximity to the metropolitan area, the best known of these is the

114

Watchung flight. This one is really “double- jointed,” because two
entirely different types of migration can be expected along this route —
a ridge flight and a cross-ridge flight. It is best observed along the
first ridge at “the Quarry” above Upper IMontclair, but can be seen
in part at least at various points along the first and second Watchung
ridges in Essex and Union Counties.

The second flight line enters the state southwest of Mt. Peter
and follows along the Highlands. This route is an old favorite of the
hawk shooters, and good spots for observation are Breakneck IMountain,
Stag Lake, and the Bowling Green fire tower.

The third flight line follows the long Kittatinny Ridge across the
state from High Point to the Delaware Water Gap. This, of course,
practically the same flight that has made Hawk ^lountain near Drehers-
ville. Pa., famous, the Blue Ridge of Pennsylvania being but a con-
tinuation of our Kittatinny.

The fourth route has not been adequately observed in northern
Jersey but it is at once obvious that it must pass quite near New York
City, since a distinct flight along Long Island’s south shore and outer
strips and a similar one along the outer strip in Ocean and Atlantic
Counties, N. J., are undoubtedly made up of the same birds. iMany of
these eventually form part of the Cape May flights.

The spring flight always commences even in backward seasons
by early March and continues through May. Less field work has been
done at this season, and most of the observation has been along the
Watchungs where a ridge flight with numbers of birds nearly com-
parable to fall has been noted. The relative numbers using the second
and third routes remain to be determined, and data on the fourth route
are almost non-existent.

Reference was made above to the two types of hawk migration
observable at Montclair. These are (1) a flight composed of birds
following along the ridge and utilizing the up-currents generated by
winds striking the sloping sides of the ridge; and (2) a flight of birds
circling upward on thermals until the updraft is exhausted, then gliding
on set wings in the direction of migration with a gradual loss of altitude
until another thermal is reached. A third type of migration has been
noted — birds progressing with an alternation of flapping and gliding
at high altitudes. This apparently occurs more often in spring and
usually takes place over hilly country.

These three types are predicated upon a single apparent fact
pointed out by James L. Edwards whose keen insight and interpreta-
tions have proved invaluable in this study. This is simply that hawks
constantly endeavor to move along their migration routes with the

least exjXMuliture of energy in wing motion, and they accomplish their
purpose in a remarkably efficient manner by adopting their mode of
flight to conditions of weather, wind, and local topography. Knowing
the New Jersey tiight lines and the types of migration employed by
the hawks, the observer in other sections of the New York City region
can feel prepared to do the necessary field work that must be completed
in order to prove our theories as to what takes place in other areas.
When New Jersey's hawk enthusiasts gather, their conversation usually
gets around to what is happening north and east of them, and it often
tends along the following hypothetical lines.

From the observations of field workers in New Jer.sey, it is ap-
parent that there is a southwestward drift of hawks in fall across south-
eastern New England. As we get further westward their numbers in-
crease. Long ago in The Auk the hawk flights at Fisher’s Island, New
York, off the Coast of the southeastern Connecticut, were brought to the
attention of ornithologists. In the northwest winds, many of these
birds get across Long Island Sound to Long Island, particularly the
coastal preferring species — Falcons, Accipiters, Marsh Hawks (Circus
hudsonius) . These birds are well known migrants along Long Island
south shore beaches. At ^lorgan. New Jersey, on the south shore of
Raritan Bay, hawk gunners formerly found good shooting, parficularly
of Sharp-shins (Accif'itcr velox). Probably these birds are an integral
part of Long Island flights, but the route followed between points re-
mains largely speculative. Remembering that hawks as well as species
with lesser powers of flight are wont to cross Iwdies of water at their
narrowest width, bird students in Kings County, in [Manhattan, and on
Staten Island should be able to discover the route employed. In spring
under favorable weather conditions, it is suspected that the northward
moving hawks may use the “outside" route from Sandy Hook to
Rockaway Point but more work is needed to support this interesting
conjecture.

The bulk of the birds probably do not cross the Sound but con-
tinue across Connecticut. A\’estchester, and The Bronx to New Jersey.
At Montclair many of these birds approach from the direction of the
George \\’ashington Bridge and make up the cross ridge flight under
favorable conditions, or they may turn and follow the Watchung
ridges, if these are reached during northwest winds. The exact route
followed across western Connecticut, Westchester and The Bronx re-
mains to be worked out by watchers in those areas.

What happens to the migrating hawks at Mt. Tom, Massachusetts,
in the fall flight? These birds probably cross New Jersey on one of
the more western routes but we are not at all sure of this. Here is an

116

opportunity for students up the Hudson River Valley, in the Ramapos
or in the Shawangunks to work out the flight lines there and perhaps
furnish us with the missing links in the chain.

It cannot be too strongly emphasized that incidental or casual
hawk watching will fail entirely or at best give us no more than a
smattering of information on the best routes. The observer should
spend his time at some advantageous lookout and watch the sky, re-
membering that brisk to strong winds blowing against slopes generate
ridge-type flights and warm sunny days with thermals (best located
by watching cumulus clouds which are the tops of these thermals)
generate flights of the circling-gliding type. He should watch the
weather and remember that, generally speaking, westerly winds usually
mean some to many hawks and easterly winds few to no hawks. Hawk
watching is highly contagious. Observation of one good flight is often
all that is needed to make the otherwise indifferent birder a devotee.

Bibliography

-•\llen, R. P. and R. T. Peterson. 1936. The Hawk Migrations at Cape ^[ay
Point, New Jersey. Auk, 53 :393-404.

Edwards, Jas. L. 1939. General Observations on Hawk Migration in New
Jersey. Bulletin No. 1, Unier Ornithological Club.

Ferguson, A. L. and H. L. 1922. The Fall Migration of Hawks as Observed
at Fishers Island, New York. Auk, 30:488-496.

Alfred E. Eynon.

Local Roosting and Migration Routes near New York City. —

There appears to be increasing agreement among migration watchers in
the New York City Region that a number of extremely interesting flight
lines can be mapped by a cooperative effort. Herewith then are a few
that the writer has observed in or near New York City.

(1) Departure of Greater Scaup Duck from the East River in
spring. Nyroca marila is well known to bed down in large numbers
(25y000-50,000) in or near Eastchester Bay both in winter and in
spring. On April 9, 1933, A. D. Cruickshank, R. A. Herbert and the
writer observed approximately 1,000 of these birds cross the Hudson
River in a west by northwest direction. The birds were grouped in
flocks of 20 to 100 and quite evidently started from the general vicinity
of Eastchester Bay. The flight was first noticed at 5 :44 P.M. and was
still in progress when visibility ceased at 6:44. Scaups were seen
crossing the river as far south as the George Washington Memorial
Bridge and as far north as Yonkers — a distance of about 2V^ miles.

(2) Departure of Canvas-back in spring. Nyroca valisineria,
which winters in various bays on the East River, apparently uses the

117

same general Higlu line as the Scaup above. A tlock of 20 were seen
among the Scaup on the date previously mentioned.

(3) The Hudson River has been well described by Griscom
(1923j as a highway for waterfowl. It is al.so used in si)ring by
Ospreys {Pandioii haliaiUiis caroliiieiisis) , Duck Hawks {Falco pere-
^rimis amitum) and Sparrow I lawks ( F. sparverins). In the writer’s
experience the lower part of the river, .say from Ossining south, is too
wide to permit daily crossings by Starlings {Stenins vulgaris) to and
from communal roosts. Purple Grackes (Quiscalus quisciila) regu-
larly cross it, however, during the spring, llronx birds passing each
evening from Manhattan to Fort Lee or ])oints farther south.

(4 ) Bronx to Long Island is jjrobably a standard route but very
little inter-change of birds lias been directly observed. There are ap-
parently no communal roosts of Kastern Crows {Corz'us h. braciiy-
rliynchiis) or Kish Crows (C'. ossifragiis) now in Bronx County or
lower Westchester. These birds regularly cross Long Island Sound
near City Island and at other points to the north. On January 25,
1936 they were .seen to reach Manhasset Xeck about mile in from
Barber Point. .At 11 :05 A.M. on the same day, a single Eastern Gold-
finch {Spinus t. tristiis) crossed the East River to Long Island from
Ferry Point despite a westerly wind of 14-24 miles per hour. On the
following day 9 Northern Horned Larks {Otocoris a. alpestris) ap-
parently made this same journey in the A.M. when there was but
little wind.

Griscom, L. 1923. Birds of the Xcio York City Region.

Joseph J. Hickey.

A Local Migration Route of the Bam Swallow. — On August
10, 1941, the writer, in the company of Mr. John Bull, Jr., and Dr.
Oliver K. Scott, spent the day in a small fishing boat at the entrance
to New York Harbor, most of the day being spent about four miles
south of Fort W'adsworth. Throughout the entire day a steady flight
of Barn Swallows (Hiriindo crythrogaster) was noted crossing the
Lower Bay, apparently leaving Long Island from Rockaway Point
and flying west to Staten Island. Single individuals flying from two
to twenty feet above the water passed by the boat at the rate of one
bird every few minutes. The day was clear and cool, and a moderate
northwest wind was blowing.

Thi.s observation would appear to indicate a definite migratory
movement of Barn Swallows over a recognized local flight line.

Hust.\ce H. Poor.

118

Autumnal Migration Counts in Central Park. — Herewith are the
total individuals which I recorded in five years of regular observation
in Central Park, New York City, August-October inclusive. As the
popular names of the birds listed here conform to those in the A. O.
U. Check-List of North American Birds (Fourth Edition), the scien-
tific names are omitted.

1934

1937

1939

1940

1941

Mourning Dove

Eastern Belted Kingfisher

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Eastern House Wren

Veery

Blue-headed Vireo

Black and White Warbler

'Golden-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler

-Cape May Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Black-poll Warbler

197

Western Palm Warbler

Oven-bird

Wilson’s Warbler

American Redstart

107

Scarlet Tanager

X — ^Not counted.

This list of selected species shows remarkable regularity in the
case of some species from year to year, and divergence in others. The
amount of observations in each period was approximately the same,
about 15 trips of 1^2 hours’ duration being made each month. The
time per trip given is an average figure which tended to be less in
August and October, and more in September.

Geoffrey Cari.etox.

Some By-products of Bird Banding. — For doubtless far the
greater number of banders, bird banding involves two main objectives,
getting bands on as many birds as possible and securing the greatest
possible number of returns or recoveries. The great mass of banders
have barely enough time available for this activity to band, to keep
their records and to transmit the necessary data to Y’ashington. Not
for them are the specializations which involve time and labor many
times greater than merely banding and recording. They help, however,
to swell the data of the Fish and Y'ildlife Service, and their records

119

are’ available to tlie analyzers. Though the routine of the mere bander
may seem drab compared to the ])erformance of the specialist, it
nevertheless brings him many side gleanings without materially greater
time expenditure.

As an aid to those interested in knowing what birds are near-by,
when one is closely limited in available time for investigation, it is
surprising what revelations may be found in the traps, of birds that
might otherwise go unnoticed in the neighborhood. Wilson’s (IVilsoiiia
p. pusilla), Connecticut (Oporornis iigilis) and Mourning Warblers
(0. Philadelphia), Northern Water-Thrushes (Seiuriis n. novebora-
coisis) and many others have been taken in our traps although not
otherwise observed, either before or after the trapping record.

The number of a given species, which visit a small area within a
comparatively brief jjeriod, would never be suspected were it not for
the figures which the handing record shows. In the second half of
1937 we banded 134 Catbirds (Dmiictclla caroliiieiisis) in an area about
100 by 200 feet. Strangely enough the distant recoveries of Catbirds
do not compare with those of Brown Thrashers {Toxostoma rufiim),
of which we do not band half as many. Our old friend, Ludlow
Griscom, reported that Catbird A201858. which we banded August 17,
1931, broke its neck by flying against a window at Riverdale, N. J.,
July 26, 1933. Number 38-134003, banded June 25, 1938, was killed
by a motor vehicle at Teaneck, N. J., August 11 of the same year.

We used to suppose that flocks of about 50 Purple Finches {Car-
podacus p. purptireus) remained about our feeding stations a good
part of the winter until banding showed that few of the individuals
remained over a week, departures being offset rather evenly by new
arrivals.

Not exactly by-products of banding are the unexpected, striking
recovery records. A Crow (Cori'iis b. brachyrhynchos) , banded as
an adult b)-^ the writer, American Bird Banding Association band
23021, at Tabusintac, New Brunswick, June 22, 1917, was reported
as found dead by Tice C. Lobbreght at Paterson, N. J., October 21,
1924. A little more than seven years after its banding many hundred
miles from the home of the bander, this Crow came to about fifteen
miles from the bander’s back doorstep to register its final record. Inci-
dentally, this was perhaps the first definite record that a Crow sum-
mering in New Brunswick visited New Jersey on its winter journey.

Mr. and I\Irs. Frank W\ Commons placed band number 84691 on
a Junco {Junco h. hyemalis) at Crystal Springs, Minnesota, October
13, 1923; this bird was taken in one of our traps, January 9, 1926, one
of our first striking experiences of diagonal cross-country flights.

120

A quite puzzling question as to why Myrtle Warblers (Dendroica
coronata) exceed in numbers almost all the other eastern warblers
combined, or if they do not, why it appears that they do, is accentuated
by banding. In an area not more than 100 feet square, Keahon Gar-
land banded 714 of these birds in the single month of October, 1938.
Myrtle Warblers were no more abundant in that one little area than
they were over vast stretches of similar terrain.

Bearing much the same relationship to other finches that the
Myrtle does to other warblers is the Purple Finch. Six hundred and
sixty-one of these represent our banding record for one winter in the
same small area referred to above. Other banders did much better
and we could also, if other compelling matters permitted us to devote
full time to it. Purple Finch 66137 was retrapped by us February 12,
1923, and 66146 ]\Iarch 12. Both were banded at the Connecticut
.Audubon Society’s bird sanctuary at Fairfield on January 22. Obvi-
ously they did not travel from Fairfield to Demarest in the same com-
pany. The second bird could never have neglected sunflower seed
bait so long. Yet, either they followed the same course or, at least,
they arrived at the same destination. As a by-product, banding sug-
gests many c|uestions for which the answers are not yet possible!

B. S. Bowmsu.

Report on the Wyanokie Bird Census 1934 to 1940 Inclusive. —
In 1933, the late Warren F. Eaton made an excellent report (1934)
on the Wyanokie Bird Census from the time it began in 1916 up to and
including 1933. The following report completes the record for twenty-
five years during which the census work has been carried on. As the
popular names of birds mentioned conform to those in the .A. O. U.
Check-List, scientific names are omitted for tho.se .s]>ecies discussed
below.

Hcologv

Since Eaton's re])ort [op. cit.) on the environmental conditions
of the section in which the census has been taken, there has been little
change. The major change before 1933 was the construction of the
great Wyanokie reservoir and tlic destruction of farm buildings along
the reservoir. Some of the land which had been cultivated was allowed
to revert to a wilderness, and a considerable |)ortion was covered by
water. The only change which has taken ])lace in the last .seven years
is the increased growth of the trees in the forested area and .some
more hrush in the areas abandoned to the wild. There has been no
decrease in the amount of land under cultivation.

121

Chance i\ Numbers

The Eastern Purple Finch and the Black-bellied Plover are the
only species added to the totals given in Eaton’s report {op. cit.).
These may be considered migrants. This makes a total of 1 16 breed-
ing species and 26 migrants or non-breeders for the entire twenty-five
years.

The effect of bad weather conditions on the number of individuals
reported in 1938, 1939 and 1940 is very noticeable. In those years, dur-
ing the hours devoted to the census, there was rain, fog or heavy
clouds. In such weather birds do not sing to the extent they do in
sunny weather. Since the census is based largely upon the number
of birds heard singing on a single day, the effect of weather is easily-
understood. The number of species, however, is not changed appreci-
ably. In the following tabulation both numbers of species and of in-
dividuals are shown for the seven years covered by this report :

Year

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

Species

Individuals _

2,029

2,538

2,536

2,424

1,724

1,417

1,788

In table 1, a comparison has been made of average numbers of
individuals of leading woodland species for the first eighteen years
and the last seven years. An analysis of some of these comparisons
may be of interest. The notable increase in Pileated Woodpeckers
may be explained by the increase of woodland areas in much of north-
ern New Jersey and adjoining New York State. Marginal lands have
returned to brush ; brush-land to forest and the trees have grown
larger. This increase has been noted in other sections near the Wyano-
kie area. The large increase in Scarlet Tanagers may be due to much
the same reasons. The most striking change has been the loss of
an average of 59 Oven-birds. This seems to indicate that they are
more influenced by bad weather conditions than many other birds
and do not sing as much. Only 92 were recorded in 1939 when the
weather was very stormy as compared with 240 in 1935 when the
weather was favorable. Ninety-six were noted in 1938 and 101 in
1940, both on bad weather days. The year 1939 was especially bad
and affected the results of the census by' making a new low record in
number of species and of individuals in the case of most species.

122

TABLE I

Comparison of Average Numbers of the Leading Woodland Birds

Average
18 Years

Average
7 Years

Gain

Loss

Ruifed Grouse

12.3

8.5

3.8

Pileated Woodpecker

1.5

8.4

7.35

Eastern Hairy Woodpecker

6.7

8.9

2.2

Northern Crested Flycatcher

59.8

63.

4.8

Eastern Wood Pewee

252

16.8

8.4

Wood Thrush

37.7

41.7

Red-eyed Vireo

197.8

2012

3.4

Black and White Warbler

116.4

106.4

10.

Worm-eating Warbler

61.1

58.5

2.6

Oven-bird

219.

160.

. .59.

Hooded Warbler

49.4

57.1

7.7

.\merican Redstart

100.4

92.

8.4

Scarlet Tanager

81.

97.1

16.1

Totals

45.55

89.2

A comparison of numbers of other birds shows few significant
changes. Among them are the following: The Northern Clift" Swallow
shows a loss of from 60.7 to 27.2. The 1940 count recorded only one
pair. The barn on Noble Rhinesmith’s farm has had most of these
birds. As he encourages them to nest on his premises and other factors
seem to be the same as for the previous years, I can oft'er no explana-
tion of their disappearance. The Barn Sw’allows, on the other hand,
have increased from an average of 31.6 to 69.8. While much of this
increase has been very noticeable in the barn on the Rhinesmith farm,
the increase is found in much of the open country covered by the census.
The Eastern Crow shows a large decrease, perhaps due to the lessened
area of farm land caused by the construction of the reservoir.

Some Suggestions in Regard to Bird Censuses
A study of the ^^’yanokie Bird Census over a period of twenty-
five years has given the writer some ideas in regard to methods of
taking bird censuses.

1. The methods used^li?^ Wyanokie give a fairly accurate picture
of the number of species in this area. The number of individuals is
only approximately correct and may serve to show trends of bird pop-
ulations w'hen tlic census is taken over a long series of years as in
this case.

123

2. A much more accurate count of individuals is possible if the
following suggestions could be carried out:

(a) The census should be taken over a period of at least a week
and on the same dates each year. This would, in large measure, do
away with the variations due to weather conditions.

(b) The same observers should be used each day of the week
and each year. These observers should be the best obtainable who
can identify birds both by ear and by sight.

(d) A census group, covering a fairly long trail, should consist
of an ob.server, a guide and a recorder.

(e) There should be a sufficient number of census groups to cover
the territory thoroughly.

It is realized that these suggestions are impossible to carry out
under the conditions obtaining at Wyanokie. The census is made by
volunteers and most of these have leisure for the purpose only on
week-ends. The number of volunteers varies from year to year both
in numbers and in quality. Probably only a paid body of observers,
connected with some institution, such as the American Museum of
Xatural History, could carry out such a census.

. 1931. Check-List of North American Birds (Fourth Edition).

Eaton, W. F. 1934. Eighteen Years of Wyanokie (1916-1933). Abst. Proc. Linn.
Soc. N. Y. 43, 44:14-26.

Julius M. Johnson.

Additional Remarks on the Wyanokie Census. — Warren F.
Eaton in his report (1934) pays a tribute to the various participants
in the Wyanokie Census. But, with the completion of the twenty-five
year period inaugurated by Prof. M ill S. Monroe in 1916, an addi-
tional word of appreciation should be expressed.

Year after year, a small group of enumerators has formed the
nucleus for the census, thus, in a few instances, covering the same
trails as they covered in previous years. But new recruits have nec-
essarily been added to take the place of others who have been obliged
to drop out. To the faithfulness and enthusiasm of these enumerators
are due the reports of M'arren F. Eaton (op. cit.) and Julius M.
Johnson (1941).

Guides from the New York Section of the Green Mountain Club
have kept each enumerator and his recorder to the allotted trail, so that

124

variations from year to year in this respect have been reduced to a
minimum.

In recent years, as a memorial to Prof. Monroe, the New York
Section of the Green Mountain Club has voted from its treasury
funds sufficient to cover the expenses of the commissary department.
This department, which for many years has included some former
students of Prof. Alonroe, has faithfully assumed responsibility for
the Saturday evening meal, the three A.M. rising on Sunday morn-
ing, the breakfast served by candlelight, the start before dawn, the
trail lunch, and the noon-day meal served after the trails have been
covered. Without all this faithful service, the census as conducted for
the twenty-five years would not have been possible.

After each census, a report has been sent to the United States
Bureau of Biological Survey, and each year, an acknowledgment has
been received, expressing appreciation of the work which has, been
carried on in tbe area covered. Frederick C. Lincoln, in charge of
the Division of Wildlife Research, as the department is now designated,
urges that we continue the census as many years more as possible,
thereby adding to the value of the data thus collected.

The Wyanokie Census will therefore be continued with such
improvements as can be made in its operation for one day in the year.
The cooperation of the helpers who have so faithfully served in the
past, with the addition each year of new enthusiasts, will insure such
continuation.

Eaton, W. F. 1934. Eighteen Years at Wvanokie (1916-1933). Abst. Proc. Linn.
Soc. N. Y. 43, 44:14-26.

Johnson, J. M. 1941. Report on the Wyanokie Bird Census 1934 to 1940 Inclu-
sive. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. V. 52, 53:120-123.

Laur.a Woodw.ard .Abbott.

A Breeding-Bird Census on the Adirondack Forest. — In 1933
and 1941 I took a breeding census of an area of perhaps 40 acres in
the Canadian zone of the Adirondacks, altitude about 800 feet, near
Elizabethtown, N. Y. The area is mixed deep woodland, second growth,
and overgrown meadows with no water. Consi)icuous trees are white
birch, sugar maple, white pine, red spruce, hemlock, and poplar. In
most cases the count showed very little change. Representative species
follow, their popular names corresitonding to those in the A. O. Lb
Check-List. This is not a complete list.

125

1933 1941

Broa<l- winged Hawk 1 1

Ruffed Grouse 3 3

Barred Owl 1 1

Whip-poor-will 1 2

Pileated Wixxlpecker 2 1

Hairy Woodpecker 1 1

Least Flycatcher 2 4

Black-capped C hickadee 8 5

Red-breasted Xuthatch 2 1

Wood Thrush 1 3

Hermit Thrush 3 1

Veery 4 3

Blue-headed Vireo 2 1

Red-eyed Vireo 11 13

Black and White Warbler 4 3

Nashville Warbler 2 3

Magnolia Warbler 4 3

Black-tliroated Blue Warbler 3 3

Chestnut-sided Warbler 6 6

Blackburnian Warbler 4 4

Black-throate<l (ireen Warbler 3 3

Oven-bird 8 10

Mourning Warbler 1 0

Redstart 3 6

Scarlet Tanager 2 2

Indigo Bunting 3 3

Junco 3 2

Chipping Sparrow 9 9

Song Sparrow 1 1

The area in general has become more deeply wooded, though this
change is slight. The Redstart, inhabiting the edges of woods, has
increased. The W'ood Thrush has largely replaced the Ilennit, which
prefers secluded clearings. The tract is typical of the Adirondacks
at an altitude of 800 feet.

Gt;OFFREY C.VRLETOX.

Duck Hawk Killing American Egret. — On September 14, 1938,
while the observer was watching a feeding American Egret (Cas-
mcrodius albiis cgrctta) at Jones Beach Sanctuary pond, a low-flying
Duck Hawk (Falco pcrcgrinus anatum) winged its swift way over
the white heron. The closeness of this falcon was immediately appar-
ent to the Egret, for it froze in its tracks, and only relaxed when the
dark hawk flew out of sight beyond the tall phragmites. However,
the small shorebirds were distrustful of the hawk and flew silently
to the other end of the pond. Upon going to the top of the highest

126

sand dune on the northwest side of the pond, the writer clearly saw
the hawk fly by, swing about and again fly over the Egret. The second
visit completely unnerved the heron, for it ran aimlessly in the shallow
waters of the pond, with no eye for the food that had it so busy a few
moments before. The hawk flew a hundred yards past the heron, and
settled on the south end of the pond, among the deep grasses and mud
clods, where it was completely concealed from view. The Egret now
flew up and slowly traced the path that the hawk had taken a few
moments before. The fine picture of an Egret in flight was upper-
most in the observer’s mind, and the hawk was forgotten, when the
Egret suddenly careened and flapped madly, white wings flashing. Up
from the deep grass like a dark rocket came the Duck Piawk at the
Egret overhead. Just as it reached its prey the hawk rolled and struck
the Egret full in the breast with its talons. So effective was this surprise
attack that both birds plummeted to the deep grass. The only sign
of the ensuing struggle was a broad, wildly waving white wing, that
was instantly hidden by the grass.

Later, following directions, Mr. A. D. Cruickshank, chased a
Duck Hawk off the half-eaten body of an American Egret.

Walter Sedwitz.

Feeding Habits of Black-crowned Night Herons. — Nycticorax
nycticorax hoactli generally feeds by patiently waiting for small fishes
to swim within reach of its quick, powerful bill. On the lower Hudson
River, however, this species can be often seen coursing along near the
shore, exactly as a Herring Gull {Lams argentatus smithsonianus)
would in search of food. This is especially true along the Palisades
Park in May and June and appears to continue throughout the summer.
Birds seen doing this have so far all been adults and may possibly be
non-breeding individuals. They appear to be searching for small dead
fish floating on the surface. Occasionally these herons sit on the water,
and one individual was seen to float in this position for about ten
minutes. Mr. J. L. Bull, Jr., writes {in lit.) that he once saw a Night
Heron which not only swam but also submerged itself beneath the
surface of the Grassy Sprain Reservoir at Yonkers, X. Y.

At Hunt’s P’oint in The Bronx, there is no question but that these
birds will feed on sewage. In this locality immature individuals
are more often j)resent than adults . . . and they frequently feed di-
rectly at sewer outlets.

Richard .A. Herbert.

127

Golden-eyes Roosting in Spring. — Although Glaucionctta
clangula amcricaiui is well known as a tree-nesting species. I think it
unusual to record a pair of these birds roosting high uj) in a large
oak late in the afternoon of .March 12, 1937 at Tuckahoe, N. Y. Un-
fortunately both birds diished from this tree so that their subsequent
actions on their high i)ercli could not be followed. Tlieir identity was
checked not only while they were on the wing but also when they
settled on a near-by lake. In this region the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
is the only hole-nesting .-^iiatidac, and prior to this, the only one I
have seen roosting on trees in this region.

joiix L. Bull, Jr.

Aggressive Incidents Relative to Marsh Hawks. — In many
cases the Marsh Hawk (Circus liudsoiiius) seems to control the low-
lands along the Long Island seashore against intruding hawks of other
species during the winter months. Only some such method as banding
could prove whether some of the more aggressive of these were raised
in the vicinity. In all cases listed below, however, there was an ever-
present Marsh Hawk throughout the winter hunting over the same
area, and in one case, where gunshot had clipi)ed several primaries
from one wing, it was undoubtedly the same individual. The Marsh
Hawk’s method of slowly (juartering the lowlands brings it within
range of intruders cjiiicker than if it remained perched so that indig-
nation against the intruder on its winter range may impel it to fight.
It is not surprising, therefore, to see an occasional attack made on an
intruding hawk. In such attacks I have usually found the Marsh Hawk
the aggressor.

On December 27, 1938, a Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus s.
johannis) had recently taken up its quarters at Jones Beach. A Marsh
Hawk quartering that portion of salt marsh strongly resented the in-
trusion. \\'ith a harsh cry it flew at the Rough-leg which began to
circle upward. The broad wings of the latter permitted it to cut a
much smaller arc, and it was quite amusing to see the Marsh Hawk,
outwitted and outflown, attempt to make up for its lack of wing ca-
pacity by flying obliquely upward with several quick wing strokes
and then soaring skyward on the momentum, while the Rough-leg
circled ever higher. Even this procedure proved unsuccessful, and
when some four hundred feet above the dunes, the Marsh Hawk flew
off on a long downward slant while the Rough-leg went in the opposite
direction. As winter progressed a more tolerant relationship developed
and the birds paid little attention to each other.

128

In mid-January 1937, 1 was going along the W'antagh causeway
when I saw two Duck Hawks (Falco percgrinns aiiatiim) engaged in
an aerial combat with a single Marsh Hawk. A full gale was blowing
and the falcons were diving at the hawk with terrific speed. The
Marsh Hawk occupying these meadows had been shot at earlier in
the season, and several primaries were missing from one wing. In
spite of this, it showed remarkable skill in avoiding the rapid lunging
attacks. Dodging adeptly, it avoided injury but got no chance to get
in an aggressive blow, and was driven inexorably out of the marshes
across the bay to the east where all three birds passed out of sight.

Although resenting the quartering Marsh Hawk’s presence, which
generally spoils hunting for the perching bird of prey, I usually find
single Duck Hawks leaving the scene as if their methods of hunting
were interrupted. On an early April morning in 1937, 1 was examining
the extensive Gilgo marshes when I saw a Duck Hawk coming like a
streak out of the southeast. I had a full view of my surroundings
and watched the magnificent flier swoop and alight, apparently adding
an extra foot to a low stub with eye-deceiving rapidity. The bird
seemed hungry and its head turned slowly, searching for some moving
prey. Before long a Marsh Hawk came along, carefully quartering
marsh and dune. As it approached, the big falcon tossed itself into
the air and flew at high speed into the northwest. Up out of the
marsh stretched the long black necks of a score of feeding Canada
Geese {Branta c. canadensis) noting the falcon’s approach. They
immediately flew upward in a startled manner as if to get out of range.
From their comparative sizes there should be little to fear, but terror
seemed to reign in these birds as they Hew with extremely fast moving
wings ahead of their small pursuer. As the Duck Hawk reached the
geese it dove at the end bird which shot downward for ten feet. The
goose, however, recovered its balance and flew on untouched but badly
scared. The falcon, not missing a wing stroke, disappeared rapidly
from view, while the Marsh Hawk dropping lightly on a field mouse
composedly settled itself to its meal.

John' J.\cksox Eluott.

Feeding Behavior of a Harassed Duck Hawk. — While watch-
ing migrants on the Newark (N. j.) marshes in September, 1935, the
writers saw a Duck Hawk (Falco pcreyrinns anatiiin) plunge into a
flock of feeding shorebirds and (juickly bind to a victim. Without
further ado, the falcon carried its prey to a dry part of the spartina
meadows where it began feeding in the grass. This capture, however,
had also been witnessed by a young Marsh Hawk (Cirus liudsonius)

129

which, to our surprise, winged its way over the falcon and dropped.
The Duck Hawk eluded this maneuver and took its prize some hun-
dreds of yards away where it recommenced its meal. The Marsh Hawk
slowly followed and again attempted to drop on the falcon. The latter
once more slipped away. Hut it had no peace. Chased from its third
feeding position, it began to ascend in circles, with the harrier in deter-
mined but unavailing pursuit. At a height of perhaps 500 feet, the pur-
suer gave up the chase. The falcon continued to soar in greater and still
greater circles. Finally it faced into the wind and with more or less
motionless wings began feeding far above us. For some time we
watched it, energetically tearing the carcass apart, drifting with the
wind and sending a stream of feathers earthward. Ultimately it dis-
appeared in this position in the haze to the eastward.

Rich.xrd a. Herbert

Joseph J. Hickey.

The ‘Freezing’ Reaction of a Ruffed Grouse. — The following
incident, though unsatisfactory in some respects, is given as an in-
teresting example of the ‘freezing’ behavior with which some birds
react to the presence of enemies. It occurred in November, 1937, in
Litchfield, Connecticut. I was driving a light truck and upon round-
ing a curve saw an object, apparently a stone, in the center of the
narrow road. 1 drove to allow it to pass between the wheels. Just
as it disappeared beneath the car, it became evident that this was not
a rock, but a large bird. 1 stopped as quickly as possible, and while
doing so noticed a hawk circling low above the road about seventy-
five yards ahead. The bird in the road was still lying or crouching
in the same position and I ran back to see if it was dead or only dis-
abled. When about to pick it up, to my astonishment it sprang into
the air in the vigorous manner typical of a Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa
iimbellus). It dodged off through the tops of a plantation of pines
and disappeared over a ridge. My thoughts returned to the hawk.
Already it was soaring a considerable distance off’. Without a glass,
I could only identify it as a large hiiteo, probably a young Red-tail
(Bittco borealis). Apparently while crossing the road or while dust-
ing, this grouse had been surprised by the sudden appearance of the
hawk. It at once crouched or “froze” on the spot. Although the
moving truck would have ordinarily caused the grouse to fly, in this
case it completely failed to produce this reaction, for the bird remained
immobile while the noisy vehicle passed directly over it.

Dean Am.a.don.

130

On Piping Plover Feeding. — On June 15, 1941, at the west side
of Moriches Inlet, Long Island, the tide on the ocean side of the
beach was low, gradient at the water’s edge slight, and the wash from
the waves ran back leaving a glistening film of water which retreated
more slowly from the belt of dark, soaked sand immediately above it.
Piping Plover (Charadriits melodus) were feeding here, mostly on the
bright film area, and at one time I counted some seven of them scat-
tered along a relatively short space. They were moving about in
characteristic plover manner, running a few steps, standing like minia-
ture statues, then tipping forward, or turning to one side to do so,
seemingly picking something up, and running on again. I noticed that
when a bird was standing, its weight was supported on one leg, the
other directed slightly more forward was vibrated rapidly with a
treading motion, so that other parts of the bird sometimes seemed to
quiver. After this had been noticed I found it was at least the rule
with all the individuals watched for it. Once a bird did this, it then
ran on a few steps and repeated before bending down, but it usually
bent to pick something up after each such pause. The obvious con-
clusion is that the purpose of this ‘treading’ with one foot was to
start small amphipods or what not into active movement at the surface
within range.

It would be interesting to know how common such action is with
plover. I had never noticed it before, but it is something that would
be easily overlooked. Apparently at least one other shorebird feeds in
this manner, since E. H. Forbush ( 1912) describes observing the Soli-
tary Sandpiper {Tringa s. solitaria) stirring up algae at the bottom of
a ditch or pond with the rapid and gentle movement of one foot in
order to catch water insects as they darted away.

Forbush, E. H. 1912. Game Birds, Wild-fou'l and Shore Birds, page 308.

J. T. Nichols.

Wilson’s Plover Again Nesting in New Jersey. — On May 19,
1940, a number of observers (A .E. Eynon, J. F. Street, etc.) .saw
two Wilson’s Plover (Pagolla wUsonia wilsonia) at Beach Haven
Point, N. J. I missed seeing the.se birds at this time and also on a couple
of days in June when I returned to search for them. However, on
July 10 I saw a single adult Wilson’s in such poor light that the sex
could not be satisfactorily determined. On July 14 I again visited
the Point with J. T. S. Hann of Plainfield, and we found the female
with an unfledged young about five days old. They were observed
for about 10 minutes under very favorable conditions. The female
made no attempt to feign injury, but gave the alarm notes "kip” and

131

"kikip” repeatedly. As on previous occasions when 1 have seen young
Wilson's in \ irginia, 1 was impressed by the size of its bill. In fact
this feature was more conspicuous in the unfledged bird at Beach
Haven than in Hedged birds I had seen at Cobb Island. No other
Wilson’s Plover was seen or heard near-by at the time of this last
observation.

The unfledged condition of the young leaves no doubt that it
was hatched at Beach llaven. This is the second breeding record of
this species in New Jersey during modern times.

.According to Wilson (1814), the first specimens ever collected
were two males and a female which he and George Ord secured on
-May 13. 1813, at what is now Caj)e -May City. Ord and Titian Peale
subseciuently found these plovers "jjretty common" in the vicinity of
Brigantine Beach (north of .Atlantic City), observing them also at
various places between Great Kgg Harbor and Long Beach (Stone,
1937).

There were no New Jersey records between July 17, 1843, when
William Baird collected a bird at Cape May (Stone, op. cit.), and
September 15. 1933 when J. Fletcher Street saw a single bird at Sea
Isle City (Street. 1935). Subseciuent reports indicate that this sjjecies
is now more or less casual as far north as Brigantine where on June
8. 1935, R. F. Miller. E. G. Reimann, and R. W. and Daniel Smith
found a pair with one pi])ped egg (Reimann, 1940).

Repeated efforts to find Wilson's Plover breeding at Beach Haven
in 1941 failed, although other observers saw single individuals at vari-
ous times, and two birds were reported on July 19 by E. and Q. Kramer.
Potter, J. K. 1935. Wilson's Plover at Brigantine, X. J. Auk, 42-80-81.
Reim.\nn, E. j. 1940. Wilson’s Plover Nesting in New Jersey. Auk, 57:414-15.
Stone, W. 1937. Bird Studies at Old Cape May (pp. 378-79).

Street, J. F. 1935. The Shorebirds of Sea Isle Beach. Cassiuia, 29:1-17.
Wilson, .A. 1814. Ameriean Ornithology (page 77).

Gilbert C.vxt.

A Curious Plumage of the Solitary Sandpiper.— On August
4th, 1941, while observing several varieties of shorebirds in the upper
pond at Wantagh, L. I., our collective attention was suddenly drawn
to a shorebird that flew in and alighted among the Killdeer (Oxycchus
2>. vocifenis) . We immediately noticed that here was an unusual bird,
because its plumage was totally different from any in our memory
or any species encountered in our experience. A\'ith the morning light
at our backs and a battery of 8, 10, and 12-power binoculars focussed
on the bird, little escaped our eyes. We approached within 15 yards

132

of the individual, and while the Lesser Yellow-legs {Totanus flavipes) ,
Killdeer, Pectoral (Pisobia mclanotos) , and Semipalmated Sandpipers
(Eureunetes ptisilliis) flew and scattered, our bird remained quiet and
undisturbed. Generally the bird was dark slate gray on the back and
dirty smoke brown on the breast and belly. The extreme underparts
were dirty white. The crown was black or very dark grey, the cheeks
plain gray. There were no lines, spots, or dots anywhere in the plum-
age, nor was there an eye ring or eye line visible. The bill of the bird
was long and slender, the legs long and gray-green. The bird was the
size of a Pectoral Sandpiper.

While straining our eyes for a clue to its identification, another
bird flew in and landed within 3 feet of our enigma. This new in-
dividual was immediately recognized as a Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa
cetliia alba), but for no particular cause, all the birds flushed, and with
them went the Solitary Sandpiper and our dark bird. They both showed
the same tail barring, and flew out of sight together.

A little research on the European shorebirds revealed that the
counterpart of our species abroad had white upper tail coverts, though
being closer in plumage than our Solitary Sandpiper. What makes
this bird so unusual is the rarity of either albinism or melanism in
shorebirds. Apparently our bird showed presence of the latter. Shore-
birds may vary in plumage, but there is always a precedent for this
plumage, as in the Ruff (Philomachus piignax) and Sanderling {Cro-
cethia alba), but in a sober plumaged bird like the Solitary Sandpiper,
we think it worth while to record this color phase of the species.

Ruth Leffert Allyn
Richard Allyn, i\I.D.
Geoffrey Carleton
Walter Sedwitz.

Visits to Gull Colonies in New York State. — During the early
part of the summer of 1941, 1 visited two of the Herring Gull {Earns
argpnfatus smiths onianns ) colonies at which young birds had been
marked with colored leg-bands during the 1937 to 1939 banding pro-
gram spon.sored by the Linnaean Society of New York and other or-
ganizations (Allen and Hickey, 1937).

The first of the islands visited was Wicopesset Island, which
lies off' the easternmost tip of Fishers Island, N. Y., close to the Con-
necticut shore near Stonington. According to Mr. Wilfred C. O’Brien,
formerly Audubon warden of the colony {in lit., 1941), “Wicopesset
was mostly washed away in the storm of ’38. The gulls moved to the

133

east end of Fishers Island, where the colony is growing stronger each
year.” W’icopesset now covers about one acre, is at the highest point
only about five feet above water, and is chiefly rocky, with a few small
salt jiools bordered with salt grass, and much driftwood.

I visited W’icopesset on June 29. 1941. About 250 adult Herring
Gulls and about 30 brown j)lnmage snb-adults, presumably non-breed-
ing, were on the island, as well as many juvenals in all stages of growth,
and (juite a few nests with eggs. Xo other species of birds nest upon
the island.

The gnlls were of course much alarmed when we landed on the
island, but seemed to forget their fear (piite soon, and approached us
rather closely. I was able to observe five gulls bearing colored 'bands.
Four of these wearing a white band over a blue band on one leg had
hatched on W’icopesset in 1938. The fifth bird had a blue and a red
band on the same leg, but the bands had slipped together, one inside
the other, so that it was impossible to tell which one had been on top
originally. This bird had hatched in 1937 on either W’icopesset or
Penikese Island, Massachusetts.

On July 5, 1941, I visited two of the Four Brothers Islands, which
are in Lake Champlain a mile or two offshore from W’illsboro, X^ Y.
The Four Brothers Islands are very different from W’icopesset Island.
Kach of the Four Brothers is several acres in extent, rises twenty to
forty feet out of the water, and is partly grass-covered and i>artly
forested. \’arious land birds nest on the island, and a number of
Spotted Sandpiper (.-Ictiiis inaciilaria) nests with eggs were found.

Black Duck (Anas mbripes shs]!. ) was flushed from a brush tangle
on one island, and it is (piite possible that this and other species of
water birds nest here.

There were approximately a thousand Herring Gulls in the vicinity
of the islands, about half of which were brown plumage birds. On
the first island visited ( the northernmost) were deserted nests, but no
nests with eggs and no juvenal birds. On the island immediately
south of this one were many more deserted nests, but none with eggs,
and half a dozen or more juvenals, ranging in age from about a week
old, I should guess, to just unable to fly.

The nesting season was so nearly completed that the adult birds
had no incentive to stay on the islands, and those that were resting on
the shore flew off at our approach. Thus all the gulls of flying age
that we saw were either swimming in the water or flying about, either
action effectively preventing observation of bands.

134

On returning to the mainland, I talked briefly with Mr. Hatch,
who until recently owned the islands. Mr. Hatch told me that most of
the nesting activity is in May.

It seems surprising that the breeding season on Lake Champlain
should be concluded so early while it is in full swing along the Atlantic
coast. Egg dates for Maine are given by C. W. Townsend in Bent
(1921) as ranging from May 4 to August 8, half of the records being
from June 12 to 30. Michigan egg dates checked by Townsend {op.
cit.) varied between May 21 to June 24, half of them lying between
May 27 and June 10. Chapman (1937) gives May 3 as the date of a
complete clutch from Midriff Lake, N. Y.

Allen, -R. P. and J. J. Hickey. 1937. A Preliminary Announcement of Plans
for a Cooperative Survey of the Herring Gull. Bird-Banding, 8:74-75.

Bent, A. C. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. U. S.
Nat’l. Mus. Bull. 113.

Chapman, F. M. 1937. Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America. D.
Appleton-Century Co., New York, page 301.

Hust.ace H. Poor.

An Intoxicated Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — On October 12,
1938, in some open woods at Tuckahoe, N. Y., I was attracted by a
fluttering of wings and a gasping, choking sound. On the trunk of an
oak I found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Spliyrapicus variiis z'arius)
acting in the most peculiar manner. While endeavoring to retain a
foot-hold on the bark, its head dropped back, its wings flapped, and
the bird toppled to the ground below. When I rushed over to pick it
up, this sapsucker flew feebly to an adjacent hickory and clung to
the trunk less than a foot from the ground. It ultimately crawled up
the trunk of the tree and remained out of reach. I left it a half-hour
later.

In studying the oak tree from which this bird had fallen, I found
typical sapsucker holes drilled into the cambium, and .sap flowing slowly
but freely. This sap was obviously in a state of fermentation, and I
was therefore forced to conclude that the bird was intoxicated.
Inebriety has apparently never been reported in this sjiecies, although
Bendire (1895) felt that it probably occurred.

Bendire, C. E. 1895. Life Histories of .Worth .imerican Birds. U. S. Natl. Mus.

Spec. Bull. 3.

John L. Bull, Jr.

135

Roosting and House-wrecking Downy Woodpeckers. — In the
fall of 1936 two of tlie several bird houses in our garden were oc-
cupied by two Downy Woodpeckers {Dryobates piibcsccns inedianus) ,
a male and female. The male had the bird house about 20 feet from
the sun-parlor window, ami the female slept in the one 50 feet west
of the male’s wdnter abode. These two birds w'ere not friendly toward
each other. At times if one rested on the house belonging to the other,
it was chased by its owner.

The night was s])ent in the bird house, each arriving at about 4 :30
P.M. The approach to the bird house was rather cautious; short
flights from the near-by tree, then a (piick examination of the house
and then back to the tree where several raj)idly repeated call notes w'ere
uttered, and again a hurried hop to the house. Now- the Downy would
go all around its house, occasionally ])ecking at it. .After this pro-
cedure, it w^ould go to the oi)ening, look in and then back out. This
looking in and backing out w'ould be repeated several times, when
suddenly it w'ould disappear into the house. Sometimes, however, it
would reappear at the opening and look around for a few seconds be-
fore settling down for the night. The morning exit was always made
betw'een 7 and 7 :30, according to the length of the winter days. Their
arrivals and departures were almost as well regulated as the hands of
a clock.

These two Downies spent practically the entire day in or near
the garden. .At times during the day. one of them would go to its
bird house, apparently to assure itself that no invaders had pre-
empted its house. On one of these daylight inspections, the male found
an intruder, an English Sparrow (Passer dojiicsticus). The Downy
immediately entered the bird house and gave battle to the .sparrow.
After a few seconds, it reappeared at the opening with a tight hold
on the neck of the invader. The Downy dragged it out through the
opening and dropped it to the ground. For a few seconds the sparrow
was somewhat bewildered, but recovered and flew away.

After some weeks of this routine by the Downies, one of my
neighbors called to inform me that a small bird was damaging the
shingles of the side wall of her dwelling. She asked what she could
do to stop this bird from tearing dowm her house. Observations showed
that this small house-wrecking bird was the female Downy. My
neighbor was assured that so small a bird could do no real damage
to a dwelling and that a hole or two through the shingles would be
the limit of its destruction. This reply seemed to satisfy the neighbor.
But a few days later she complained again that the situation had be-
come serious, for the Downy was spending the whole day pecking

136

holes into the shingles, and that she wanted something done to prevent
further marring of her house. She was told to complain to the New
York Conservation Department. After such an appeal to the depart-
ment, two wardens arrived, both of whom interestedly watched the
actions of the Downy. My neighbor told the wardens that this par-
ticular bird roosted each night in one of our bird houses. So the
wardens then called on me to see if I could catch the Downy and carry
her to another locality. Otherwise, they would have to shoot this
house-wrecking bird.

A day or two later, a ladder was placed at the bird house occupied
by the female Downy. As the time approached for the Downy to
enter its house, I hid near-by. When the bird had entered its house,
I attempted to climb the ladder, but as soon as I had a foot on the step
of the ladder, the bird stuck out its head and uttered several notes. As
I climbed step by step, the Downy continued its scolding. When I
was high enough so that I could reach the opening of the bird house
with my hand, I remained still until nightfall when I quickly put my
hand over the opening. With my other hand I arranged a small cloth
bag to the exit, tapped on the house and the Downy flew into the bag.
It spent the night in a small cage. The next morning, November 24th,
band number 34-244204 was placed on its right leg, and Mr. Beals
then took this bird to Van Cortlandt Park, some ten miles distant from
our garden. Upon its release in the park, it flew from tree to tree, then
took wing flying toward the hills along the Hudson River. This female
Downy has not reappeared in our vicinity, and my neighbor’s dwelling
was repaired and is still standing.

Throughout that winter the male Downy continued to sleep in
its usual house.

Marie V. Beals.

Purple Martin Notes at Rye, N. Y. — A colony of Progne subis
subis was established in 1913 on the William H. Browning estate at
Rye, N. Y. From several pairs at the start, this colony reached a maxi-
mum of about 140 pairs in 1932. A steady decline in numbers has
been apparent since 1935. The remarkable sub-normal temperatures
recorded in Florida and other parts of the southeast early in 1940
apparently caused many of these birds to perish. This disaster was
further augmented a few days after the first four males arrived at
Rye in 1940 (April 9) when a cold snap, accompanied by snow, killed
these early arrivals and presumably others which had almost reached
the colony-site. No other Purple Martins arrived for a week.

137

The arrival of these birds in the spring was carefully followed up
in 1937 by the writer with the help of Allan D. Cruickshank. That
each sex participated in two main flights at this time can be seen in

TABLE I

Arrival of Purple Martins in 1937

Date Males Females Total

April 6 2 1 3

April 11 9 4 13

April 20 31 15 46

April 24 36 15 51

April 29 36 15 51

May 9 36 16 52

May 16 36 16 52

May 23 47 33 80

May 30 42 37 79

Table 1. No further counts were made after May 30 in order to avoid
disturbing those pairs which were nesting. The low point in the
Purple Martin population curve occurred in 1940 when only eight pairs
nested although seventy-five per cent of their young successfully
fledged.

In 1941 the colony had increased to fourteen pairs. Observations
again indicated a slightly unbalanced sex ratio which can be seen in
Table II. It should be stated that this colony is completely isolated
from any other colonies of the same species.

TABLE II I

-Arrival of Purple Martins in 1941 ■

Date Males Females Total

.April 7 1 — 1

April 14 2—2

April 20 4—4

May 4 8 2 10

May 11 14 10 24

May 18 14 12 26

May 25 15 12+ 27+

Mich.\el Oboiko.

On the Field Identification of the Immature Orange-crowned
Warbler. — I wish to present some points which I have not seen in
print regarding the identification of the immature Orange-crowned
Warbler {Vermivora c. celata). The bill of the Orange-crowned is
thicker than the Tennessee \\’arbler’s (Vermivora peregrina) . The
upper tail coverts of the Orange-crowned are olive-green, while those
of the fall Tennessee are bright olive. The Tennessee has a thin but
conspicuous silvery mark at the end of the wing. This is quite different

138

from the white spot at the base of the primaries of the female Black-
throated Blue Warbler (Dcndroica nigrcscciis ). This spot of the Black-
throated Blue’s is not visible in, perhaps, one out of fifteen cases.

The immature Yellow Warbler {Dcndroica ccstiva) presents diffi-
culties. It is a different looking bird, with a large, light-colored bill,
but is drab throughout and has faint streakings. These streaks form
less of a breast-band than do those of the Orange-crowned. The belly
and under tail coverts of the Yellow appear the same as the rest of
the underparts, whereas the belly of the Orange-crowned is apt to
be whitish in contrast to the light yellow under tail coverts. The
Yellow has some yellow spots in the tail, but these are often difficult
to see. Even the Wilson's Warbler {IVilsouia p. pusilla) may have
streaks on the breast and may look like the Orange-crowned to one
who has never seen the latter. The Yellow can be further distinguished
from both Wilson’s and Orange-crowned by the light edging on some
of its primaries and secondaries.

Chapman, F. M. 1932. Handbook of Birds Eastern North America.

Forbush, E. H. 1929. Birds of Massachusetts and Other Nezv England States.
Griscom, L. 1923. Birds of the Neiv York City Region.

Peterson, R. T. 1934. A Field Guide to the Birds.

Geoffrey Carleton.

Red Crossbills Nesting in New Jersey. — Loxia curvirostra has
been observed in the pine barren area around Lakehurst, New Jersey,
annually since 1935, except for 1940 when I was present in the region
but a short time. Each year during which the birds were observed
there was a predominance of immature individuals. There were dark
red adult males ; olive, yellow-rumped females ; and immature-
plumaged birds which ranged from a brown and white streaked pattern
(resembling female Purple Finches, Carpodaens pitrptircns) through
a variety of drab olive-browns, bright olive with flashes of yellow,
and olive splashed with dull red to birds with a considerable amount
of red in the plumage. All this seemed to indicate that the crossbills
were breeding in the vicinity.

The first birds were seen in pitch pines (Pinas rigida) late in
Augu.st, 1935. While the writer watched them for an hour, they moved
no greater distance than fifty feet from the spot where they were first
discovered. This tendency, to remain in one tree or a small group
of trees for long periods of time, was repeatedly noticed during sub-
seciuent observations. The presence of immature birds on this occasion
at once raised the ([uestion of their ])ossibly breeding in the vicinity.
On July 10, 1936, several White-winged Crossbills (L. Icucoptcra)
were also recorded. These were evidently of casual occurrence, and

139

none have been seen since. Observation of Red Crossbills continued,
however. There were two records of their occurrence in 1935, two
in 1936, two in 1937, fourteen in 1938, one in 1939, and three in 1941.
These twenty-four records over a seven year period ranged between
mid-June and mid-Sejitember. The writer was seldom in the area at
any other season. The birds were never seen feeding on anything other
than seeds of the pitch pine, and in August, 1936, Charles A. Urner,
Dr. Ernst Mayr and the author collected a number of these cones
which the crossbills had ojiened in their (juest for food.

On June 16. 1941, while taking a breeding bird census, 1 noticed
a crossbill perclied on the rim of a nest some twenty-five feet up a
pitch pine. For the ne.\t lialf-hour this bird moved little except to twist
its head. It was uniformly “mou.sey" gray in appearance. When I
finally approached the tree, this bird fiew, wobbling a bit but not too
uncertainly. Coasting downward, it landed near-by at a tiny rainpool
in the sand. It then proceeded to drink while I mounted the tree.

The nest was a work of art. It was about four inches wide and
between two and three inches deep. The framework consisted of pine
twigs with a few rootlets mixed in. The whole affair was constructed
in a very loose manner, and. though more compact than that of the
Mourning Dove {Zenaiiiiira nwcroiira), reminded one of the feeble
attempts of that s])ecies. This nest was placed several feet out from
the trunk on a limb which was (|uite thin. It contained no other birds
nor any egg shells at the time of this inspection. When 1 withdrew to
a distance of about fifty feet, the young crossbill made an uncertain
flight back to the nest. Here it settled down and was still present when
observation ceased at dusk. That night the nest was dashed to the
ground by the worst electrical storm witnessed by local people in a
decade. A nest of the Wood Pewee ( Myiochanes z'ircns), not far
distant, came through in perfect condition. On June 17th, the immature
bird and what was presumably a female remained on the nesting tree
and adjacent pines throughout the day. Their cracking of the cones
could be heard one hundred feet away. Xo crossbills were again record-
ed until August 22 when a single individual was noted.

This appears to be the first ne.sting record of the Red Crossbill
in X"ew Jersey. According to Griscom (1937), this species after big
southern flights breeds casually on the Atlantic coastal plain from
Massachusetts to ^Maryland. A male and one juvenile bird just able to
fly were collected near the District of Columbia line on May 18, 1885
(Smith, 1885). The species also found nesting at Riverdale (now
X'ew York City) by Bicknell in 1875 and at Miller Place, Long Island,
by Helme in 1883 (Griscom, 1923).

140

Griscom, L. 1923. Birds of the Neiv York City Region.

1937. A Mongraphic Study of the Red Crossbill. Proc. Boston Socv.

Nat. Hist., 41 :77-210.

Smith, H. M. 1885. Breeding of Loxia americana in the District of Columbia.

Auk, 2:379-380.

D.wid F.ables.

A Peculiar Oven-bird Song. — During June, 1941 we were at-
tracted to a very peculiar warbler song in the woods at New Rochelle,
N. Y. It suggested on off-colored song of the Prairie Warbler {Den-
droica discolor) but ended in a lisp. Subsequent observation proved
that the singer was an Oven-bird (Seiitrus anrocapilliis ) . This individ-
ual sang this same song throughout the month and never to our
knowledge uttered the customary ringing song of its species.

Joiix L. Bull, Jr.

Addison Young.

Green-tailed Towhee in New Jersey. — While taking a Christ-
mas Census of the Overpeck marsh area on December 23rd, 1939, Mr.
Irving Cantor and I discovered a bird which was decidedly unfamiliar
to us. It was in a wooded swamp, the floor of which consisted mainly
of buttonbush, red maple, alders and scattered patches of cattails. The
bird was with a flock of about thirty Tree Sparrows {Spizella arborca),
a few Field Sparrows {S. pusilla), White-throated Sparrows ( Zouo-
trichia albicollis) and Fox Sparrows (Passerella iliaca).

Mr. Cantor discovered it first and called it to my attention, and
together we examined it. The bird was about eight inches long, con-
siderably larger than the Fox Sparrow which was with it, and had a
proportionately longer tail. It seemed obviously, from its bill and
general structure, to be a member of the Fringillidee. The crown and
back of the head were a bright rufous color, similar to the crown of
the Tree Sparrow. The back, most of the wings, and the tail were
olive-greenish, the edge of the wing being bright yellow. There was
also a white patch on the throat, reminding one of the Swamp
(Melospiza gcorgiana) and White-throated Sparrows. The sides of
the head seemed to be a dark gray, almost j unco-like in color, so
that the white throat patch stood out sharply. The underparts were
gray, but lighter in color than the sides of the head, and became paler
on the breast, shading into white on the belly. The sides were more
buffy than grayish, and the under tail coverts were likewise buffy.

We were able to watch the bird but five minutes or so on this
date, and as it was unfamiliar to us, we discussed the observation with

141

several other observers and consulted several books on the birds of
the western United States. The species which seemed to fit our notes
was the Green-tailetl Towhee (Oberliolseria chlorura) and subsequent
examination of museum skins reenforced our opinion. Circumstances
prevented our return to the locality until January 30th, 1940, when at
the same place and with the same species of birds, Mr. Cantor and I
found apparently the same bird again, and this time we examined it
at much greater length and under the most ideal of conditions. The
bird was silent at all times.

The breeding range of this species is described as the mountainous
area of the western United States, extending westward from the east-
ern part of the Rockies, north to Montana and Idaho and south to
southern California and western Texas. The winter range occupies
the southern part of the breeding area and south to middle Mexico
and southern Lower California. According to Chajiman (1932), it is
accidental in \'irginia and South Carolina.

Chapman, F. M. 1932. Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, page 518.

\\’iLLi.\M J. Norse.

A Tree Sparrow that Dropped Dead. — Several years ago a
friend told me of an incident in which an observer — I believe he was
a Linnaean member — was studying a Blue Jay (Cyaiiocitta cristata
cristata) perched in a tree. To the observer's astonishment, the bird
suddenly tumbled off the branch and fell to the ground, dead as the
proverbial door-nail.

On the afternoon of February 21, 1939, I witnessed a similar oc-
currence which, however, was not quite so striking. During the course
of a field trip in the Flushing Airport Marsh on that afternoon, I
worked the north edge of the marsh which on that side changes abruptly
from phragmites to a sparsely wooded slope. While walking along,
I saw two Tree Sparrows (Spiselta arborea arborea) get up in front
of me and fly across the path. My attention was directed to the one
which flew into the phragmites. The bird had apparently landed on
the ground, and as I drew closer it sprang up again. The sparrow
was about three feet above the ground when it suddenly collapsed and
fell to earth again. I approached cautiously until about ten feet from
where I judged the bird had fallen. There it lay, breast down, with
its head on the ground. I drew closer but, in spite of the noise of
snapping reeds, it made no attempt to escape. When I was only six
feet away, it was easy to see that the bird was breathing convulsively.
Suddenly all movement ceased ; the bird was dead.

142

Since this Tree Sparrow had finally reached the “post mortem
stage” in its life cycle, I sent the carcass to Dr. C. Brooke Worth
at Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., for his diagnosis. Dr. Worth,
who will gladly perform autopsies on recently dead birds sent to him
from this region, gave me the following report :

TREE SPARROW, SEX?

History. Found dying in Flushing, N. Y. * * * Received Feb. 24; P.M.
same day by C. B. W.

General. An adult bird in full plumage. No external evidence of injury.

Carcass. Decomposition moderate. Subcutaneous fat abundant. Nutrition
good. No sign of injury.

Viscera. Both lungs markedly congested, one of them completely consoli-
dated. Jugular veins engorged. Numerous hemorrhages visible through
skull.

Heart. Pulmonic ventricle engorged. Systemic ventricle empty.

Proventriculus empty. Gizzard contains moderate amount of fine sand with
very little admixture of organic material.

Intestines show hemhorrages in duodenal area ; normal elsewhere. No gross
parasitism.

Liver grossly normal. Pancreas liquifying. Spleen not found.

Gonads have liquified. Kidneys grossly normal. Sections of heart, both
lungs, liver, kidney, and rectal caecae fixed in formalin.

Smear of heart and lung put on file.

Gross Diagnosis. Pneumonia, etiology not determined.

There are apparently rather few descriptions of wild birds dying
as an observer watched. Stevenson (1941) once saw a Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca) succumb much as the bird above did. Huey (1924)
also observed an Audubon’s Warbler {Dendroica auduboni) act ab-
normally on a rose bush and then drop dead. Neither of these birds
were autopsied.

Huey, L. M. 1924 The Natural End of a Bird’s Life. Condor, 26:194-195.
Stevenson, H. M., Jr. 1941. Natural Dealth of a Fox Sparrow. Auk, 58:266.

Rich.xrd B. Fischer.

The Henslow’s Sparrow on Long Island. — Having found the
rather inconspicuous Henslow’s Sparrow (Passerherbuhis hensloim
susurrans) an interesting addition to the breeding bird life on the
south shore of Long Island, and living almost midway between the
extremes of its limited nesting range there, I decided to study the
bird, its habitat and locations containing summer residents. The last
published summary of its distribution on the island is given by Griscom
(1923): “Locally common summer resident at Mastic and probably
at Orient.”

Although a few may arrive in April and leave in late October —
probably migrants — they usually do not appear on their nesting grounds
before May 1 to May 5 in regular numbers. They may breed for a

143

number of years in tlie same area |)rovicling the ecological conditions
remain the same. Xesting occurs almost, if not entirely, in that narrow
belt along the south shore where u])land meets the salt marsh. Although
I have searched diligently and (juestioned many observers, I have not
found a single authentic record of any breeding birds occurring along
the entire north shore of Long Island or on either of the eastern
flukes. Ap])arently the regular breeding range does not extend beyond
the vicinity of S])eonk where LeRoy W ilcox found at least two nests
with young some years ago. Intermittently it extends westward to
the Idlewild area of Jamaica Ray where a few birds usually summer
and no doubt breed.

Singing birds into June may not indicate a nesting area. For
example, in 1937 a bird sang during May and into early June almost
on the pre.sc:.i site of the new Seaford School, then an old dry field.
No female was found. .After June 10 the place was deserted.

In Dutchess and Columbia counties I have found colonies usually
in large damp meadows ranging upland to the dry fields. On Long
Island they may breed occasionally in the bordering dry fields but
more commonly in extensive areas where upland edges are fringed
with Agrostis or Sfartiiia pcctinata. From there the species ranges
to the upper dryer borders of S[<artina patens, but does not frecpient
the wetter Spartinas .so attractive to the Seaside { Aminos piza mari-
tinw) and Sharp-tailed Sparrows (A. caiidacuta) . In these thick-
grassy situations an under bed of dry materials is essential, and
burned over territory for several years later may be devoid of this
species and Short-billed Marsh Wrens (Cistothonis stellaris), which
often breed in the same areas. This has occurred in Alassapequa at
least five times to my knowledge. The site of a breeding colony, which
had built itself up in four years to six pairs, burned over in 1939 and
it has not been occupied since. The same conditions resulted after a
fire partially burned over a regular breeding area in Alerrick. The most
widespread range of the bird in any one locality is at Alassapequa
where it usually breeds in three places. However, none of these can
really be considered colonies, as in 1940 and 1941 there were less than a
dozen pairs in all three.

Real estate developments along the upland edges have cut into
the breeding range of the species, and now the more consistently oc-
cupied areas from Speonk to Idlewild are at Lindenhurst, Alassa-
pequa and Alerrick. bordering Freeport. The largest single colony
found in 1941 was on the east bank and 1,000 feet eastward of the
Santapogue River in Lindenhurst, with six or seven pairs. No birds
appeared in Alerrick during 1941 because of the fire. Fairly good

144

margin lands where birds may breed in the future are to be found
east of Patchogue, at Great River, Copaigue and Wantagh, head of
Jackson’s Creek. Apparently nests have been located only at Mastic,
Speonk and Massapequa. As far as our records show the first nest
on Long Island was found at Mastic, May 30, 1916, by John T.
Nichols and Charles H. Rogers. Nichols claims (in lit.) that no sum-
mering birds have been located in this area for the last 15 years al-
though they were formerly regular breeders. The nest containing four
eggs in a grassy cup was located in an old dry field bordering the
marshes. Heavy rains later destroyed the young. When located, Wil-
cox’s nests at Speonk contained young which he banded. For 14 years,
except when the area was burned over, a pair of Henslow’s Sparrows
spent the breeding season in a large tract composed almost entirely
of Spartina pectinata at iMassapequa. Massapequa was definitely es-
tablished as another breeding location when on June 24, 1941, I flushed a
Henslow’s Sparrow out of a clump of Spartina patens intermingled
with upland growth. Concealed was a nest containing four eggs. The
male sang throughout my first brief visit (I could find only one pair
in this area), but on subsequent trips and especially after the }'oung
were hatched, showed great agitation, following me to the extreme
limits of the nesting grounds with his mate and remaining excited for
some minutes after I had passed from view. Loth birds were closely
observed. The young hatched on 'July 2, and grew rapidly in spite of
three days of heavy showers. On July 9 they were well fledged and
on the morning of July 12 the nest was empty. Shortly afterward I
presented it to the American Museum of Natural History where it
was accepted as a rarity.

Griscom, Ludlow. 1923. Birds of the Neiv York City Region.

John J.ackson Elliott.

Alder Flycatcher Breeding on Long Island. — The Alder Fly-
catcher (Empidonax trailli) has long been known as a rare transient
on Long Island (Griscom, 1923) and until the writer found a nest
at Kissena Park, Flushing, in 1939, it was unknown as a resident
species. From 1939 through 1941 eight nestings were observed in
habitats of five different types. These types, arranged in a progressive
order of dryness, are described in the accompanying table (p. 147). It
will be noted that the author regards a bird present in any of the Kissena
Park habitats after May as representing a breeding pair, for if, as
Farley (1901) points out, the species has always reappeared on its
breeding grounds in Massachusetts by the end of May, then the same
is surely true for Long Island.

Observations of the Long Island .‘Xlder Flycatchers, part time

145

though they were, suggest that in the New York City region, as in
-Massachusetts (ibid.), the species is one of our latest nesting passerine
birds. In many of the cases where singing males were found in early
I line, females did not appear until several days later. .\nd when care-
ful searches for nests were made before mid-June, none was ever
found. In two cases it was jiossible to show that egg-laying took place
after June 15. On July 7, 1939, I found, entirely by chance, an .-Mder’s
nest in one of the stand of red maples growing in the grassy field in
habitat \'. The nest, about 4Y> feet from the ground, was built in
what amounted to a half-fork, and immediately impressed me as
being in a precarious position. The whole affair was strongly sug-
gestive of a carelessly-made, poorly-concealed Yellow Warbler’s (Den-
droica aestira ) nest. The two eggs it contained were laid between
June 26 and 30. The young were almost ready to lly when they were
banded on July 25; a week later they were seen in the nesting habitat
being fed by the parents. It is interesting to note that, although habitat
\' is least typical of the .species’ preferred habitat (ibid.), it is the
only one in which a nest was actually found. The second ca.se con-
cerns a young flycatcher captured and banded in habitat II on July 14,
1940. Judging from the bird’s weak jiowers of flight, it had left the
nest that day. thus placing the date of egg laying at about June 18.

-■\side from the interest naturally attached to the breeding of this
flycatcher on Long Island, I think the most fascinating aspect of the
birds is their .song and call. Roth are sur|)risingly different from the
vocal efiforts described by writers like Forbush (1929). The only
song I ever heard at Flushing was always a sudden, sneez}* fits-bcu'
which, according to Peterson (1939), is the Ohio song. I never heard
Dawson’s (1903) swcc-clice or szi'ce-cliu, though his sz\.’ce-bezv might
be the song I hear as fitc-bczc. Xesting birds in the near-by Troy
Meadows of Xew Jersey also sing a totally difTerent song. Rather
than ascribe these wide differences in .syllabizing to individual hearers’
impressions, I agree with Eaton (1910) that the .species sings dift'er-
entl}' in different parts of the country. The song period on Long
Island is short. lasting from their arrival in late May to sometime in
the latter part of June. During this period the males peculiar fitz-brnus
may be heard at any time of day, the singer often selecting a rather
high and exjxjsed dead twig as his favorite song perch. Twenty feet
appears to be the ma.ximum height of this perch which, nevertheless,
Farley {op. cit.) found to be as low as two or three feet. The male
will suddenly appear on it and, throwing back his head each time, will
gasp his song several times before plunging down into the shrubbery
below.

146

The call note, too, is totally at variance with that described by
numerous others. The most common syllabization is pip or pep. How-
ever, the only call note I ever recall having heard at Flushing is an
emphatic ivhit, which is indistinguishable from the similar note of
the Least Flycatcher (Brnpidonax minitmis). F. H. Allen (1902) was
aware of an emphatic one-syllabled note which he unfortunately did
not transcribe. This one note apparently expresses a variety of moods,
for individuals in the sexual chase utter it, and the birds use it as a
scolding note. The writer is well aware of the incompleteness of these
studies, but he believes that the interest attached to the breeding of
this flycatcher on Long Island warrants their publication. Since there
is still much to be learned, it is hoped that detailed studies of the birds
will be possible in 1942.

References

Allen, F. H. 1902. The Song of the .Alder Flycatcher, Auk, Vol. 19:84.
Boulton, Rudyerd and J. T. Nichols. 1940. A List of The Birds of Oyster
Bay and Vicinity, Lone; Island, No. 2, issued bv the Bird Club of Long Island,
p. 38. ’ '

Chapman, F. M. 1932. Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, (Second
Revised Edition), New York, D. .Appleton and Company, pp. 370-371.
Dawson, W. L. 1903. The Birds of Ohio, Columbus, Wheaton Publishing
Company, p. 330.

Eaton, E. H. 1910. The Birds of Nezv York, (2 vols.), .Albany, University of
the State of New York, p. 197.

Farley, J. A. 1901. The Alder Flycatcher as a Summer Resident in Eastern
Massachusetts. Atik, 18:347-355.

Fischer, R. B. 1940. .A Study of the Ecological Changes and .Altered Bird
Life of the Kissena Park Region, Bulletin of the Queens County Bird Club,
Vol. IV, No. 2, pp. 1-5.

Forbush, E. H. 1929. Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States,
(3 vols.), Norwood, The Norwood Press, II, pp. 354-358.

Griscom, Ludlow. 1923. Birds of the New York City Region, New York,
American Museum of Natural History, Handbook Series No. 9, p. 236.

Long Island Bird Notes — .A weekly column in the Nassau Daily Review-Star,
Rockville Centre, Long Island.

Peterson, R. T. 1939. A Field Guide to the Birds (Revised Edition), Cam-
bridge, The Riverside Press, p. 99.

Stanwood, C. j. 1910. Nest and Young of the .Alder Flycatcher, Journal of the
Maine Ornithological Society, 12 :3-5.

Ricii.xrd R. Fischer.

Acknowledgement

The Editor wishes to express his deep appreciation of the assistance rendered
him in the publication of this issue of the Proceedings. Personal requests for Gen-
eral Notes met with a warm response from many members. Dr. Mayr, C. K.
Nichols and Margaret Brooks critically read the more important manuscripts.
Messrs. Carleton, R. B. Fischer, L. N. Nichols and Van Deusen read proofs on
various articles. Miss Brooks read almost the entire issue. Dean Amadon pre-
pared the index, and R. B. Fischer assumed the responsibility of mailing copies
to out-of-town members. — J. J. Hickey.

HABITATS

Ill

General

Type

Cut-over Wooded
Swamp

Cattail Marsh
and Field

Clearing in a
Young Wooded
Swamp

Field with a
Moist Place

Trees . . - •

2 scrawny elms
25-30 ft. high. 1
fine oak 50 ft.
high. Tlie densest
habitat.

1 large, old wil-
low. i or 4 young
willows. Third
densest habitat.

1 willow 20 ft.
high. Miscellane-
ous trees and
shrubs occupied

35% of area.
Fourth densest
habitat.

3 red Maples av-
erage 25 ft. high.
Second densest
habitat.

1 oak 25 ft. high.
Least dense habi-
tat.

Shrubs

and

Underbrush

Red maple sap-
lings dominant.

N e w branches

sprouting on many
of old stumps.
Much viburnum

and elder around
edges.

Viburnum domin-
ant. A few alder,
elder. and red

maple saplings.

Dense tangle of
elder, smilax, and
blackberry occu-
pied 10% of area.

Red maple sap-
lings dominant,

mixed with much
Viburnum and el-
der. A few ash,
elm, pignut hic-
kory and tupelo
saplings. Small

amount of button
bush & sweet pep-
erbush.

Small (25 ft. di-
ameter) stand of
red maple sap-
lings mixed with
a few viburnum.
Small patch of
willow saplings, a
little elder and
buttonbush in the
moist place.

Ground

Cover

Much skunk cab-
bage, jewelweed.
cinnamon fern, &•
short, lush grass.
Scattered cattails
and phragmites,
latter forming a
small stand in one
place.

Much skunk cab-
bage, jewelweed.
cinnamon fern, &
short, lush grass.
Phragmites and a
few cattails inter-
spersed through-
out.

15% fields.
40% cattails.

Much skunk cab-
bage, jewelweed,
cinnamon fern,
golden rod, and
short, lush grass.
Some blackberry
a n d phragmites,
very few cattails.

Some cinnamon
fern, and skunk
cabbage ; a very
few cattails, grow-
ing in the moist
place. Tall grass-
es in the field.

Water

Water table near
surface. Ground

“mushy.” Several
small springs.

50% marsh. Wide,
deep drainage
canal occupied
west edge.

40% marsh.

No marsh, b u t
damp.

Dry — only water
a shallow drain-
age ditch through
the moist place.

Observed Size
of Territory

Diameter 75 ft.

Diameter 60 ft.

Diameter 70 ft.

Diameter 90 ft.

i Associated
Species

Robin, Yel. Warb-
ler, Yel. - throat.
Red-wing, Swamp
& Song Sparrow.

Marsh Wrens

(long -bill). Red-
wing,

Brown Trasher.

Robin. Red-wing.

Yellow Warbler,

Yellow - throat,
Redwing.

Song Sparrow.

Surrounding

Area

Surrounded by

fields except for
a small connection
with a large marsh.

Field on 2 sides,
thicket on 1 ,
marsh on 1 .

Marsh on 2 sides,
fields on 2 sides.

Y o u n g wooded
swamp, trees av-
eraging 25 ft.

high, on E., S., &
W'. Patch of scrub
oak on N.

Surrounded b y

fields except for a
wooded thicket on
N.W. edge.

Observations

Singing cf on 6/
6/37. Pair pres-
ent in 1939. Scold-
bird on 6/8/40
and 6/3/41.

Scolding bird on
7/7/39. Pair pres-
ent in 1940. Ap-
parent absence in
1941 due to in-
sufficient field
work.

cT singing from
willow on 5/26/
38, 5/25/39. Pair
present in 1939.
Had no time to
check habitat in
1940 or 1941-
birds probably
again present.

.Appeared for first
time in 1941.

Singing d on 6/3
and 6/10.

Pair present in
1939, 1941. Ap-

parent absence in
1940 due to insuf-
ficient field work.

Singing

Perch

Noted once on red
maple 20 ft. high.

The 20 ft. willow
was the Singing
Perch.

20 ft. red maple
was the Singing
Perch.

Feeding Perch -

General

Nest and Young

Neither found.

1 young on
7/14/40.

Neither found.

Nest on 7/7/39.

148

The Linnaean Society of New York
Report of the Secretary for the Year 1940-1941

The Linnaean Society of New York has during the year held
sixteen regular meetings and four informal summer meetings. The
average attendance at the regular meetings has been thirty-five mem-
bers and twenty-two guests. At the informal summer meetings the
.average attendance was fifteen.

The calendar for the year was as follows :

March 12, 1940 — Annual Meeting. “Animals of Australia,” by
Mr. H. C. Raven.

March 26 — “The American Cuckoos and Their Foreign Rela-
tives,” by Mr. Charles H. Rogers.

April 9 — “A British Columbia Wilderness Study,” by Mr. John
F. Stanwell-Fletcher.

April 23 — “Birds in War Torn China,” by iSlr. Edward V.
‘Gerlick.

May 14 — “Night Movies in the Wilds,” by Mr. Howard H.
Cleaves.

May 28 — “Discussion of Spring Migration,” by members.

October 8 — “Problems of the Spoonbill Study,” by Mr. Robert
P. Allen.

October 22— “Discussion of the Fall Migration,” by members.

November 12 — “Quest of the Quetzal” or “Jungle in the Clouds,”
by Mr. Wolfgang Von Hagen.

November 26 — “The Peregrine Falcon Population East of the
Rockies,” by Mr. Joseph J. Hickey.

December 10 — “Current Traffic in Feathers for Millinery Pur-
poses,” by Mr. Richard H. Rough.

December 30 — “General Discussion of the Recent Christmas Bird
Census,” by members.

January 14, 1941 — “Symposium on Identification of the Rare
Winter Species,” led by Mr. Walter Sedwitz.

149

January 28 — "Some Observations on the Coastal Population of
the i'eregrine Falcon," by Dr. W illiam I). Sargent.

Februar\- 11 — "Zonal Distribution of Arizona Pirds,” by Mr.
Hustace H. Poor.

February 25 — "A Movie on Nesting Birds of Maine and the
Gaspe Peninsula,” by Mr. John F. Porter.

At the .Annual meeting March 12, 1940, the following officers
were elected; President, Mr. .Allan D. Cruickshank; \'ice-President,
Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin; Editor, Dr. Ernst Alayr ; Treasurer, Mr. Irving
Kassoy ; Secretary, Mr. J. F. Mathews; Recording Secretary, Mr.
Richard H. Pough.

During the year two resident member.', Dr. Alyron P. Denton
and Mr. Albert R. Brand, passed away. Fifteen new members have
been elected to the society and ten have resigned or been dropped.
The total membership now stands at 203 members.

Numbers 50 and 51 of the Proceedinys were published as a single
issue and distributed to members late last fall. It contained several
interesting articles of a diversified nature and also “Studies of the
Nesting Behavior of the Black-crowned Night Heron” by Robert P.
-Allen and Frederick P. Alangels. This paper was awarded the Linnaean
Prize for Ornithological Research in 1940.

According to a new procedure adopted by the society, proposals
for membership must be submitted in writing to the secretary and
must contain the name and address of the nominee and the name of
the sponsor.

The secretary wishes to express his thanks for the cooperation
and help received during the past year from various members of the
society but especially Aliss Margaret Brooks, Air. Joseph J. Hickey
and Air. Irving Kassoy.

Respectfully submitted,

John F. Mathews, Secretary.

150

The Linnaean Society of New York
Report of the Treasurer for the Year Ending March 1 st, 1 94 f

RECEIPTS

Annual Dues $517.50

Sale of Publications 85.03

Interest on the Savings Account 54.96

Total $657.49

EXPENDITURES

Publications (including Linnaean Prize) $362.77

Membership in National Audubon Society, Cooper Ornithological Club,

Eastern Bird Banding Assn., The N. Y. Academy of Sciences, and

subscription to “British Birds” 56.60

Motion Picture and Slide Operators 36.50

The Linnaean Field Work Committee 28.14

Secretary’s Expenses 25.16

Contributions to The Albert R. Brand Memorial and to The Emergency

Conservation Committee 20.00

Postage 14.81

Expenses of Guest Speakers 14.35

Treasurer’s Expenses 10.11

Total $568.44

Total funds on hand March 1st, 1940 $3,863.68

Surplus for the year ending March 1st, 1941 89.05

Total funds on hand March 1st, 1941 $3,952.73

Distribution of funds :

On deposit with Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank $3,417.64*

On deposit with Irving Trust Co 535.09

Total $3,952.73

•Includes $500.00 designated as The Charles A. Urner Memorial Fund.

Respectfully submitted,

March 11, 1941.

IRVING K.A.SSOY, Treasurer.

March 20, 1941,

Approved by Auditing Committee :
E. R. P. JANVRIN, M.D.
HOBART M. VAN DEUSEN,

OBITUARY

HENRY ELIOT HOWARD

Eliot Howard, who in 1938 was elected an Honorary Member of the
Linnaean Society of New York, <lied in Eneland on DecembcT 26, 1940 at the
age of sixty-seven. Educated at Eton, he entered business after some travels
abroad and rose to become director of an important firm in Worcestershire. This
career limited his observations of birds chieHy to those in his immediate neighbor-
hood. It also reduced his contacts with professional ornithologists and rendered
him a superb individualist in the pursuit of his hobby. The behavior of local
birds he accordingly observed with unusual care, analyzed with uiuiuestioned bril-
liance and systematically followed with consideral)le tenacity of purpose.
Hypothesis after hypothesis was set up, testetl and rejected. The tortured story
of these found its way into Howard’s fxK>ks which, in time, became increasingly
difficult to read. .\n amateur writer and scientist, the autlior made the unprofes-
sional decision of forcing his readers to think! Many chapters thus have to be
read twice, but his finely sculptured style lends itself well to re-reading and much
of his prose is an admitted delight.

Mr. Howard wrote five notable books, all of tliem still first editions and
unfortunately expensive to purchase: The British Warblers (1907-14), Territcrry
in Bird Life (1920), Introduction to the Study of Bird Behavior (1929), The
.\ature of a Bird's World (1935) and .1 Water lien's World (1940). His most
signal contribution was his success in convincing the scientific world that birds
generally recognize certain territories as their own or as others’ . . . and that they
act and breed accordingly. This thesis struck a nearly mortal blow at Darwin’s
old explanation of the evolutionary survival for certain species — by means of
sexual selection. It forced the re-writing of every song bird life history that
had previously been published. It gave a new meaning to song and color in bird
life, and provided bird watchers with a refreshing stimulus which they will feel
for at least half a centurj- to come. The vitality of Mr. Hovrard’s thinking
affected many branches of zoology, elevated his books to the level of classics,
and marked him as one of the outstanding naturalists of the twentieth century.
He is survived by his wife, the former Ann Stewart, together with one son and
four daughters. — J. J. Hickey.

WALTER GRANGER

Dr. Walter Granger, w-ho became a member of the Linnaean Society in 1891,
died at Lusk, Wyoming, on September 6, 1941 during his usual annual expedition
for western fossils. Dr. Granger was born in Middletown, Vermont, on November
7, 1872. After attending high school in Rutland, he joined the American Museum
of Natural History as an assistant in taxidermy. From 1894 to 1904 he served
the Linnaean Society as secretary, and twice served one-year terms as vice-
president. From 1921 to 1922 he acted as president. It was in recognition of
his many years’ service that the Society subsequently elected him a fellow.
Whereas circumstances changed his professional field to palaeontology in the
nineties, he always retained a keen interest in living birds, mammals, and general
natural history. He was an active participant in the Linnaean Society until pre-
vented from being so by the press of other interests in recent years. Then when
he met any of his old Linnaean associates his first words were apt to be of what

152

birds thej' or he had seen recently. Or he would speak of faunal changes since he
first collected for the American Museum, when there was still much usma moss on
trees of eastern Long Island and the Parula Warbler was generally distributed as
a breeding species there. These old associates will miss him greatly.

Dr. Granger was successively a field collector in zoology for the museum, an
assistant curator, associate curator, and finally curator of fossil mammals. He par-
ticipated in the first discovery of fossils in the Peking area in 1920 and in the
great series of expeditions which the museum made to the wastelands of the Gobi,
China and Mongolia. His trips to the western badlands began in 1894 and over
47 years created a superb picture of the ancient fossils of the continent.

One of the most interesting single specimens resulting from these expeditions
was an almost complete giant fossil bird, Diatryma, the relationships of which
gave rise to much speculation by his colleagues. But, he would say, what we
need is not more theories but more specimens.

Dr. Granger was a member of the Palaeontological Society of America, an
honorary life associate member of the A. O. U., a fellow of the American Geological
Society and a director and former president of the Explorers Club of 'New York.
He is survived by his wife, the former Anna Dean, whom he married on April
7, 1894.— J. J. Hickey and J. T. Nichols.

ARTHUR H. HOWELL

Arthur H. Howell, who joined the Linnsean Society of New York in 1891,
died July 10, 1941 at Washington, D. C. Mr. Howell was born May 3, 1872 at
Lake Grove, New York, and was subsequently educated in the public schools of
Brooklyn, New York. From 1892 to 1894 he served as Secretary of the Society,
leaving the city a year later to accept a position as biologist in the Biological
Survey. Near the beginning of the present century he began a series of notable
faunal explorations in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Illi-
nois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama (1911-16), Georgia (1927-33), Rorida
(1918-39) and North Carolina. He was the author of Birds oj Arkansas (1911),
Birds of Alabavta (1924) and Florida Bird Life (1932). In addition to this work
in ornithology, Mr. Howell was a notable mammalogist, publishing revisions of
the American skunks, harvest mice, marmots, flying squirrels, chipmunks, pikas
and ground squirrels. He was a member of the Biological Society of M'ashington,
the Cooper Ornithological Club, the American Society of Mammalogists and a
fellow of the .American Ornithologists’ Union. He is survived by his wife, the
former Grace Bowen Johnson whom he married in 1900, by two daughters and by
one son, Elbert J. Howell. — J. J. Hickey.

PHILIP BERNARD PHILIPP

When, from his New York home, on July 11, 1941, Philip Bernard Philipp
passed into the great Ijcyond, not only did the world of bird lovers and conserva-
tionists lose an earnest and forceful worker, but also a companion whose genial
and generous personality never failed to register strongly with those w'ho were
privileged to enjoy intimate association with him. Mr. Philipp, son of Moritz
Bernard and .\bby .Ann (Baker) Phillip, was born at Ipswich, Massachusetts,
March 19, 1879. His father was of Danish descent, and “Phil” markedly showed
the traits of tlie race. He acquired his education at Gibbens and Beech and
Columbia Grammar Schools in New York, graduated with honors from Harvard,
and took a post-gradnatc course at Columbia Law School from which he received

153

the degree of LL.B. in 1903. He thereupon took up patent law practise in the
offices of his father’s firm of Philipp, Sawyer, Rice and Kennedy, and in 1912
became a partner therein, continuing as a very able practitioner until his retire-
ment from active business about 1931. On October 26, 1904, Mr. Philipp married
Grace Kimball Ballard from whom he was subsequently divorced. His second
wife was Bessie Adelaide Decker, whom he married on February 16, 1918, and
who survives him together with two sons and a daughter by his first marriage
and another daughter by his second.

At an early age Mr. Philipp became e.xceedingly interested in birds and
particularly in the study of oology. By 1909, when the present writer met him,
he had laid the foundations for what was to become one of the world’s foremost
collections of North .American birds’ eggs. He personally collected throughout
the eastern states, Canada and the Magdalen Islands, and by e.xchange and pur-
chase he added to his own results those of the foremost collectors of other regions.

In oological study and collecting, as in other pursuits to which he gave his
interest, Mr. Philipp excelled. He had ability, confidence and optimism which
easily triumphed over all obstacles. With several chosen companions he investi-
gated the breeding habits of such birds as Cape May and Tennessee Warblers,
Philadelphia V’ireo and other little known species. The results of these studies
were given to the ornithological world through The Auk and other publications.
For twenty years he was president of the New Jersey .Audubon Society and more
recently was research associate in oology at the .American Museum of Natural
History. To this latter institution he presented his superb collection of nests
and eggs on December 24, 1937. To his friends are left the memory of his
thoroughly democratic character, his simple and wholesome tastes and the gener-
osity and companionableness that made him a prince among men. — B. S. Bowdish.

Constitution and By-Laws of the Linnaean Society
of New York

(.As of December 1, 1941)

Section 1. General Organisation.

Article 1. This Society shall be composed of persons, amateur or professional,
interested in some branch of natural history, with particular reference to the
New York City region.

Article 2. It shall consist of Life, .Active and .Associate, and Honorary
Alembers, and Fellows.

Article 3. Active Members, Life Members and Fellows only shall be entitled
to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees and Council and to transact business.
Associate Members and Honorary Members may attend the meetings and take
part in the scientific discussions of the Society. Each class of members shall be
entitled to receive the various publications of the Society.

Article 4. The officers of the Society shall be a President, a Vice-President,
a Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Editor. (With the excep-
tion of the Treasurer and Editor no officer shall hold the same office more than
two consecutive years, but shall again be eligible for election one year after the
expiration of such a term.) Such officers, together with nine members at large,
shall form a committee for the management of the concerns of the Society to be
called the Council. Councilors shall serve for a term of three years.

154

Article 5. By-Laws for tlie more particular regulation of the Society shall
from time to time be made.

Article 6. This Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote to that
effect of three-fourths of the Active Members, Life Members and Fellows present
at any meeting of the Society ; each .Active Member, Life Member and Fellow
having been notified in writing at least thirty days previous to action on the
proposed change.

Section 2. Of Members.

Article 1. Active Members shall be persons who have shown an interest in
some branch of natural history. .Active Members may become Life Members upon
the payment to the Treasurer of Fifty Dollars, at one time, which shall be in lieu
of annual dues.

Article 2. .Associate Membership shall be open to persons interested in some
branch of natural history, residing 50 miles or more from New York City and
unable to attend meetings of the Society regularly.

Honorary Members shall not exceed ten in number, and shall be persons
eminent for their attainments in zoology.

Any Member may be elected a Fellow in recognition of distinguished service
to the Society.

Article 3. .All classes of Members shall be chosen by majority vote, after
having been nominated at a preceding meeting and approved by the Council. Can-
didates for Active Membership must be known personally to at least two members
of the Council.

Section 3. Of Officers and Their Dufies.

.Article 1. The President shall preside at meetings of the Societj' and of the
Council ; shall preserve order ; regulate debate ; and conduct all business proceed-
ings, strictly in accordance with parliamentary usage.

Article 2. The Vice-President shall have charge of the archives of the
Society, shall assist the Secretary and President in planning the programs of
meetings, and shall perform the duties of President in the absence of the latter..

Article 3. The Secretary shall give notice to persons of their election as
members, and to committees of their appointment ; shall give notice of all regular
meetings of the Society: shall call special meetings when directed by the President;
shall give notice to all members of the Council of all Council meetings ; shall in-
form officers of all matters requiring their attention; shall conduct the correspond-
ence of the Society and prepare all letters to be written in its name, retaining
copies of them; and shall with the advice of the President and Vice-President
prepare the programs for meetings of the Society.

Article 4. The Recording Secretary shall take and preserve correct minutes
of the proceedings of the Society and shall preserve and compile in systematic
order all field notes presented by members.

Article 5. The Editor, with the assistance of .Associate Editors, who may
he appointed by the President when necessary, shall edit and supervise all pub-
lications of the Society, and shall exchange and distribute them.

Article 6. The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due; shall pay all bills
against the Society when approved by vote of the Council ; shall keep a correct
account of all receipts and expenditures and shall make a detailed report of the
same at the Annual Meeting.

155

Article 7. Officers shall be nominated by the Council and chosen at the
Annual Meeting, and a majority vote of the Active Members, Life Members, and
Fellows present shall be sufficient for a choice. The foregoing shall not be con-
strued as precluding nomination of officers from the floor. Any office which be-
comes vacant during the year shall be filled at the next meeting of the Society
in the same manner.

Section 4. Of the Council and its Duties.

Article 1. The Council shall pass upon all nominations of candidates for
membership, and shall make such recommendations as it sees fit on new business
initiated by properly qualified members. Its recommendations shall be presented
by the Secretary at the ne.xt meeting whenever possible. A majority vote of the
members present shall be sufficient to ratify favorable recommendations.

Article 2. It may initiate any new business, promoting the general interests
and welfare of the Society, and a majority vote of the members attending the
meeting at which such new business is presented shall be sufficient for ratification.

Article 3. It shall act as a nominating committee for officers and shall hold
a special meeting for this purpose prior to the .Annual Meeting of the Society.

Article 4. It shall hold regular meetings for the transaction of general busi-
ness. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of any
three Councilors.

Article 5. Councilors shall be nominated by a committee to be appointed by
the President at the .Annual Meeting, such committee to consist of three mem-
bers of the Society who are not members of the Council. This shall not be con-
strued as precluding additional nominations from the floor. Councilors shall be
chosen at the first regular meeting after the .Annual Meeting, up to the number
sufficient to fill the vacancies. In case the number of nominations exceeds the num-
ber of vacancies the election shall be by ballot. Those receiving the largest number
of votes of Resident Members, Life Members, and Fellows present shall be elected.
If, for any reason, a Councilor does not complete his term of office his successor
for the remainder of the term shall be chosen at the next regular meeting by-
nomination from the floor and election as prescribed above.

Section 5. Of Meetings.

Article 1. .A meeting shall be held annually for the choice of officers and for
other general purposes. .At this meeting the Secretary shall present a report upon
the publications, meetings, membership, etc.; the Treasurer upon the receipts and
expenditures. Previous to the .Annual Meeting the President shall appoint a
committee of two members, neither of whom shall be a member of the Council, to
audit the accounts of the Treasurer.

By-Laws

Section 1. Of Members.

Article 1. Every Active Member shall be subject to annual dues of three-
dollars ($3.00) and every .Associate Member to annual dues of one dollar ($1.00),
payable at the first regular meeting in March. No dues shall be required of any
member until one month succeeding his or her election, and then only on a pro-
rated basis for the remainder of the Society’s fiscal year. .Any Member absent
on a scientific expedition, on military service, or engaged in academic studies dur-
ing an entire year may, upon application to the Treasurer and with the approval

156

of the Council, be excused from payment of dues for that year. Upon recommenda-
tion of a majoritj' of the Council, a person who has been an .-Kctive Member of
the Society for twenty-five consecutive years may be considered a Life Member.

Article 2. Any member who shall neglect to pay his regular dues for one year,
upon receiving due notification from the Treasurer, shall have his or her name
erased from the roll of members.

■Article 3. Any Active or Associate Member may withdraw from the Society,
by giving written notice of this intention and paying all arrearages due the Society.

Article 4. .Any undesirable member may be expelled from the Society upon
recommendation of the Council by a three-fourths vote of the Active and Life
Members and Fellows present at any regular meeting, notice having been sent to
each -Active Member, Life Member and Fellow, and to the person accused at
least 30 days previously.

Section 2. Of Meetings.

■Article 1. The .Annual Meeting shall be held the second Tuesday in March.

.Article 2. Regular meetings shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays
of each month from October to May inclusive, except when suspended by a ma-
jority vote of the Society at a preceding meeting.

Article 3. Nine .Active Members, Life Members and Fellows shall form
a quorum.

.Article 4. The order of proceedings at meetings shall be at the discretion of
the presiding officer.

1. Reading of minutes of the previous meeting by the Recording Secretary.

2. Reading of correspondence received by the Secretary.

3. Proposal of candidates for membership.

4. Election of members.

5. Business (a) Unfinished; (b) New.

6. Presentation of formal papers.

7. Presentation of field notes.

8. General discussion.

9. .Adjournment.

Section 3. Of Changes of By-Lazos.

Article 1. The By-Laws of the Society may be altered or amended by a
three-fourths vote of the .Active Members, Life Members and Fellows present
at any meeting, notice of the proposed change having been sent out to each 30 days
previously.

Section 4. Of Committees. The President shall appoint such Committees as
he or the Society may deem necessary to conduct its affairs and interests.

.Article 1. A Conservation Committee shall be appointed annually by the
President to investigate such matters involving the preservation of the fauna and
flora of the New York City region as may arise from time to time; and to represent
the Society on conservation matters in general.

Article 2. .An Editorial Committee, with the Plditor acting as chairman, shall
be appointed annually by the President to read and prepare papers for the Society’s
publications. Such Committee shall publish, annually if possible, and with the consent
of the Council, an issue of the Society’s Proeeedings, which shall contain the annual
reports of the Secretary and Treasurer, reports of pertinent Committees, general
notes, and such scientific papers as may be available on the birds of the New York

157

City region, or otherwise written by Members of the Society. The Editorial Com-
mittee shall also recommend to the Council, for inclusion in the Society's Trans-
Oi'lioiis, publication of extensive papers that are submitted to it from time to time
and which, by reason of their length, are disbarred from the ordinary channels
of scientific communication. Upon recommendation by the Council, the publication
of each volume of the Traiisac lions shall be subject to the approval of a majority
of the Fellows, Life Members, and .Active Members present at a regularly
scheduled meeting of the Society.

.Article 3. A Field Work Committee shall be appointed annually by the
President to encourage and conduct constructive field work in the New A’ork City
region ; and to promote the discussitm of local faunal problems at meetings of
the Society.

Section 5. Of Funds and Friers.

Article 1. A prize of twenty-five ($25.tKJ) dollars, to be known as the Lin-
naean Prize for Ornithological Research, shall annually be awarded at the dis-
cretion of the Council to that Member of the SiK'iety who submits the best paper
which embodies the results of ornithological research not previously published
and not undertaken in the course of professional duties. The Council shall fix
the conditions of the prize, shall act as final judge, and shall announce such awards
as are made at the annual meetings of the Society.

-Article 2. The Society shall administer a fund to be known as The Charles
-A. Urner Memorial Fund,,* the principal and interest of which is to be used for
the promotion of field ornithology in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut,
and for the publication of studies made in said areas.

-Article 3. The Treasurer is authorized to accept from Members and other
interested persons contributions to a Publication Endowment Fund, the income of
which is to be devoted primarily to the publication of worthy scientific papers.

•The sum of S500.00 has been appropriated toward this fund by the Society.

Membership Miscellany

Miss Eleanor Herrick is now Mrs. .Albert Stickney, Jk. Seven members'
of the Society are now reported in militar}' service. .As a rule, mail addressed
to their homes will reach them with the quickest dispatch. Corporal Robert
-Arbib, Jr., is a member of the 36th Engineers Regiment, Plattsburgh Barracks,.
N. Y. Private Irving C.antor is stationed at Fort Slocum, N. Y. Corporal
Harry N. D.arrow is in Headquarters Co., 39th Infantry, Fort Bragg. N. C.
John J. Fischer is reported to be a member of the .Army -Air Corps at Randolph
Field, Texas. Thom.as Imhof is temporarily training with the 7th Medical Bat-
talion at Camp Lee, Va. Private .Arthur T. Skopec is in Company B, 12th
Battalion, .A. F. R. T. C., at Fort Knox, Ky. Daniel D. Streeter is also said
to be in military service.

158

Officers, Council and Committees of
The Linnaean Society of New York

President

Viee-President

Secretary

Recording Secretary

T reasurer

Editor

OFFICERS, 1941-42

Richard H. Pouch

Margaret Brooks

Hustace H. Poor

Samuel C. Harriot

Joseph J. Hickey

Gladys Gordon Fry

COUNCIL, 1941-42
Ex-Officio

The five officers above
Term 1939-41

Christopher K. McKeever Dean Amadon

Term 1940-43

Hobart M. Van Deusen Roger T. Peterson William D. Sargent, Ph.D

Allan D. Cruickshank

Term 1941-43

Irving Kassoy P2rnst Mayr, Ph.D.

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
John F. Mathews, Chairman

William 0. Astle

Marc C. Rich

Margaret Brooks
Geoffrey Carleton

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Josejih J. Hickey, Chairman

L. Nelson Nichols
Hobart iM. \'an Deusen

John L. Bull, Jr.
Robert W. Storer

FIELD WORK COMMITTEE
Christopher K. McKcever

Alfred E. Eynon
Hobart M. N'^an Deusen

Joseph J. Hickey

GULL SURVEY COMMITTEE
Samuel C. Harriot

Hustace H. Poor

159

Membership List, November 1, 1 94 1 1

Honorary Members* *

1941 Bent, Arthur C., 140 High St.. Taunton, Mass.

1941 Pinto, Dr. Olixerio, Dcpartincnto dc Zoologia, Secretaria de Estato dos
Negociosda .Agricnltura. Industria c Cuinercio, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
1938 Stresem.wn, (Prof.) Erwi.v, Zoologisclies Museum der Universitat, In-
validenstrasse 43, Berlin N 4, Germany.

1941 Taverner, Percy .\.. National Museum, Ottawa, Out.

Fellows

1908 Chapin, James P., Ph.U., Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
1886 Chapman, Prank M., Sc.l)., Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
1878 JP'iSHER, A. K., M.U., The Plymouth, Washington, D. C.

1907 Griscom, Ludlow, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
1878 JIngersoll, Ernest, 404 West 116th St., New York City.

1878 tMERRiAM, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th St.. N. W., Washington D. C.

1905 Nichols, John T., Am. Museum of Natural History. N. Y. C.

1878 tOsBORN, M’illiam C., 20 P'xchange Place, New York City.

Active Members*

1928 Abbott, Mrs. Laura W„ K. D. 2, Bristol. Pa.

1928 -Allen, Fred, 4202 Layton St., Elmhurst, N.

1931 .Allen, Robert P., Nat. Audubon Soc., 1006 5th .Ave., N. Y. C.

1935 .Allyn, Dr. Rich.nrd, Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn.

1941 Alperin, Irwin, 1100 E. 19th St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

1938 .Amadon, Dean, 300 Windsor Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

1938 .Arbib, Robert, 115 Lafayette St., \^'oodmere, N. Y.

1931 .Archboli), Richard, .Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.

1935 -Astle, William O., 45-64 158th St., Flushing, L. L, N. Y.

1924 Baker, John H., 1165 Fifth .Ave., New York City.

1928 Baldwin, Roger N., 170 Fifth .Ave., New York City.

1937 Barber, Arthur, 181 Clerk St., Jersey City, N. J.

1939 Beach, Miss Eliz.abeth H., Basin Harbor Hotels, Vergennes, Vt.

1931 Beals, Mrs. .A. T. (Marie \'.). 58-33 85tb St., Elmhurst, Long Island.

1937 Berliner, R. W., 205 Club Drive, Woodmere, Long Island, N. Y.

1936 Birckhead, Hugh, 222 E. 56th St., New York City.

1892 Bishop, Louis B., M.D., 450 Bradford St., Pasadena, Calif.

1934 Bliemeyer, Miss Rose, 115-04 89th Ave., Richmond Hill, N. Y.

1929 Boehrer, Charles .A., 500 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

fThe figure preceding each name indicates the year of election to the Society.
tFounder of the Society.

*Life Members are designated by an asterisk.

1923

1920

1935

1941

1923

1931

1938

1933

1934

1939

1940

1938

1939

1932

1925

1921

1934

1893

1931

1910

1933

1931

1928

1940

1920

1927

1926

1938

1939

1911

1929

1939

1930

1927

1941

1927

1939

1937

1923

1940

1939

1914

1937

1921

1923

160

Boulton, Mrs. W. R., 19 Compo Road, North Westport, Comi.
Bowdish, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J.

Bowen, Leon W., 77 Evergreen Ave., Bloomfield, N. J.

Brand, Mrs. Albert R., 805 West End Ave., New York City.
Brandreth, Courtenay, Ossining, N. Y.

Breslau, Leo, % Laurel Printing Co., 480 Canal St., New York City.
Brigham, H. Stores, Jr., 2246 Sedgwick Ave., Bronx, N. Y.

Brooks, Miss Margaret, 191 Shore Road, Old Greenwich, Conn.
Brown, Clarence D., 222 Valley Road, Montclair, N. J.

Buchheister, Carl W., Nat. Audubon Soc., 1006 5th Ave., N. Y. C.
Bull, John L., Jr., 28 Mt. Joy Place, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Callaghan, James, Roosevelt Bird Sanctuar}-, Oyster Bay, N. Y.
Cant, Gilbert B., 43 Bedford Road, Summit, N. J.

Cantor, Irving, 155 West 99th St., New York City.

♦Carleton, Geoffrey, 438 West 116th St., New York City.

Carr, William H., Trailside Museum, Bear Mt. Park, Iona Island, N. Y.
Carter, T. Donald, Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
Chalif, Edward L., Barnsdale Road, Short Hills, N. J.

Chubb, Samuel H., Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
Church, Miss Cynthia, Kings Point, Great Neck, L. I.

Cleaves, Howard H., 8 Maretzek Court, Prince Bay, Staten Island, N. Y.
Cobb, Dr. Clement B. P., 1261 Madison Ave., New York City.

Cook, William B., 20 Irenhyl .\ve.. Port Chester, N. Y.

Coolidge, Oliver H., Broad Brook Road, Bedford Hills, N. Y.

Cormier, Francis J., 214-41 29th Ave., Bayside, N. Y.

Crandall, Lee S., New York Zoological Park, New York City.
Crowell, Noyes A., 216 West 105th St., New York City.

Cruickshank, Allan D., Nat. Audubon Soc., 1006 5th Ave., N. Y. C.
Cushman, Elizabeth, 400 East 53rd St., New York City.

Dale, Mrs. Allene H., 390 Riverside Drive, New York City.

Darrow, Harry N., 49 East 2nd St., Mt. Vernon, N. Y.

Davis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant PI., New Brighton, St. Is., N. Y.
Desmond, Senator Thomas C., 94 Broadway, Newburgh, N. Y.
Doepel, Mrs. Henry, 6 Poplar Road, Larchmont, N. Y.

Edey, Maitland, Glenhead, L. L, N. Y.

Edey, Mrs. Maitland, Glenhead, L. I., N. Y.

Edge, Mrs. C. N., 1200 5th .-\ve.. New York City.

Edwards, James L., 27 Stanford Place, Montclair, N. J.

Eisenmann, Eugene, 574 West End .'\ve.. New York City.

Eliot, Ellsworth, Jr., M.D., 34 East 67th St., New York City.

Elliott, John J., Park Ave., Seaford, L. I.

Eynon, Alfred E., 107 Halsey St., Newark, N. J.

Ferguson, Henry L., Fishers Island, N. Y.

Fischer, John J., 892 Faile St., New York City.

Fischer, Richard B., 140-19 Beech .Ave., Flushing, L. I., N. Y.
Fleisher, Prof. Edward, 295 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Flynn, Michael, 125 College Place, Syracuse, N. Y.

Friedman, Ralph, 14 East 75th St., New York City.

Frost, Allen, 143 .Academy St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

1925

1923

194(1

1941

1939

1937

1^28

1934

1928

1935

1924

1935

1902

1932

1928

1929

1924

1914

1921

1924

1939

1933

1929

1939

1918

1925

1937

1925

1914

1937

1913

1940

1921

1938

1937

1924

1932

1941

1939

1922

1937

1919

1934

1930

1916

161

Fry, Mrs. Glahys Gordon, 66 Eagle Rock Way, Montclair, N. J.
Garvan, Mrs. Francis P., 740 Park Ave., New York City.

Gattkll. Benoni B., 80 William St., New York City.

Gilbert, Be.njamin, 265 Cabrini Blvd., New York City.

Gillen. H. W., 120 Broadway, New York City.

Gii.liari), E. Thomas, .American Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
Grinnell, Lawrence I., 710 Triphammer Road, Ithaca, N. Y.
Guernsey, Raymond G., Eden Terrace, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Gutlohn, Mrs. Walter, 112 West 59th St., New York City.

Harriot, Samuel C., 200 West 58th St., New York City.

Hasbrouck, Henry C., 61 Broadway, New York City.

Heck, Edson B., M.U., 112 E. 73rd St., New York City.

Helme, Arthur H., 223 Bayview Terrace, Port Jefferson, N. Y.
Helmuth, Dr. W. T., Ill, Box 383, Easthampton, N. Y.

Herbert, Richard .A., 961 Fox St., New York City.

Herbst, Mrs. Cynthia Kuser, Bernardsville, N. J.

Hickey, Joseph J., 132-24 Maple .Ave., Flushing, L. I., N. Y.

Hix, George E., 337 72nd St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Howland, R. H., 1819 Broadway, New York City.

♦Hunter, Rol.xnd Jackson, 68 Broad St., Freehold, N. J.

Imhof, Thom.as, 413 .Autumn .Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Ingersoll, Mrs. Raymo.nd V., 380 Clinton .Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.
IngR-AHam, Edw ard .A., 430 Clinton .Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Jacobson, .A. Malcolm, 245 Hawthorne St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Janathn, E. R. P., M.D., 38 East 85th St., New York City.

Jaques, Francis L., .Am. Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Karsch, Henry, Jr., 136 Seaman Ave., New York City.

Kassoy, Irving, 817 Faile St., New A'ork City.

Kieran, John F., 4506 Riverdale .Ave., Bronx, N. Y.

Kraslow, How ard, 2025 Regent Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Kuser, John Dryden, P. O. Box 194, Far Hills, N. J.

Lester, Selah B., Easthampton, L. L, N. Y.

Litchfield, Miss Gertrude, Hudson A'iew Gardens, 183rd St. and
Pinehurst .Ave., New York City.

Mann, John, 110-50 207th St., Hollis, L. I.

Manning, Miss Elizabeth S., Caroline Country Club, Hartsdale. N. Y.
Mathews, John F., 528 Riverside Drive, New York City.

Mathews, Wm. H., 27 St. .Andrews Place, Yonkers, N. Y.

Mayr, Ernst, Ph.D., .Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
Moeran, Edward H., 541 Bronx River Road, A’onkers, N. Y.

Mundy, Miss Barbara, 1(X)9 Park .Ave., New A’ork City.

Mc.Auliffe, George B., M.D., 26 \N'est 87th St., New A^ork City.
McKeever, Christopher K., 1043 Carroll St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
N.aumburg, AIrs. Elsie AI. B., .Am. Aluseum of Natural History, N. A*. C.
Nelson, AIiss Theodora, 2695 Heath .Ave., New' York City.

Nichols, Ch.arles K., 212 Hamilton Road, Ridgewood, N. J.

Nichols, L. Nelson, 331 East 71st St., New A'ork City.

1937

1941

1940

1939

1940

1927

1939

1938

1923

1937

1939

1938

1937

1939

1936

1935

1941

1939

1929

1922

1886

1911

1934

1940

1939

1935

1939

1931

1940

1939

1933

1937

1929

1933

1937

1939

1933

1906

162

Norse, William J., 531 West 211th St., New York City.

North, Miss Anna, Time, Inc., Time and Life Bldg., N. Y. C.
Oboiko, Michael, Box 166, Rye, N. Y.

O’Hare, Thomas, 3418 3rd Ave., New York City.

Peloubet, Mrs. S. W., 228 Sagamore Road, Milburn, N. J.

Peterson, Roger T., Nat. Audubon Soc., 1006 5th Ave., N. Y. C.
Peterson, Russell, 42 Overlook Road, Verona, N. J.

Pettit, Theodore S., 422 Burns St., Forest Hills, N. Y.

Philhower, Charles A., 303 Mountain Ave., Westfield, N. J.

Philipp, Frederick B., 152 Main St., Eatontown, N. J.

Philips, John B., 115 E. Mosholu Pkway., New York City.

Poor, Hustace H., 112 Park Ave., Yonkers, N. Y.

Porter, John F., 27 Normandy Terrace, Bronxville, N. Y.

Posey, Howard L., 170 Irving Ave., South Orange, N. J.

PouGH, Richard H., National Audubon Soc., 1006 5th Ave., N. Y. C.
Rough, Mrs. Richard H., 33 Highbrook Ave., Pelham, N. Y.

Preston, Ralph C., Bronxville Public School, Bronxville, N. Y.

Rand, Austin L., Ph.D., Am. Museum of Natural History, N. Y. C.
Raynor, Gilbert, Manorville, N. Y.

Reid, Hoch, 45 Marble Hill Ave., New York City.

Rich, M. C., 2 West 83rd St., New York City.

Rich, Mrs. M. C., 2 West 83rd St., New York City.

Riker, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.

*Rogers, Charles H., Princeton Univ. (Mus. of Zoology), Princeton, N.J.
Rose, George C., 202 Linden Road, Mineola, Long Island, N. Y.

Ryan, Miss Kay, 412 East 65th St., New York City.

Sabin, Walton, 33-02 169th St., Flushing, L. I.

Sanford, Lloyd S., 603 Clinton Ave., Newark, N. J.

Sargent, William D., Ph.D., Biol. Dept., C. C. N. Y., 23rd St. and
Lexington Ave., New York City.

Scott, F. C., % Time Inc., Time and Life Building, New York City.
Sedwitz, Walter, 124 West 79th St., New York City.

Sellars, J., Box 392, Palisades, N. J.

Skopec, Arthur, 36-37 202nd St., Bayside, L. I.

Smith, Mrs. Isaac, 34-11 148th St., Flushing, L. L, N. Y.

Spofford, Dr. Walter H., Sch. of Medicine, \’anderbilt University,
Nashville, Tenn.

Staloff, Charles, 56 W. 65th St., New York City.

Stephenson, Orlando K., Jr., 50 Haven Ave., New York City.

Stevens, Charles W., M.D., 1 West 68th St., New York City.

Stev'ens, Mrs. Charles W., 1 West 68th St., New York City.

Stewart, Miss E. Grace, 457 West 123rd St., New York City.
Stickney, Mrs. .Albert, Jr., 350 East 52nd St., New York City.
Stockelbach, Mrs. F. E., 25 Gordon PI., Verona, N. J.

Stoddard, Mrs. Ralph, 535 Oak Ave., Flushing, L. L, N. Y.

Streeter, Daniel D., 214 Fenmore St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

1925

1939

1933

1926

1925

1923

1933

1928

1917

1906

1939

1935

1928

1933

1940

1936

1919

1941

1938

1884

1912

1933

1927

(1888)

1937

1918

1893

1925

1939

1938

1937

1939

1921

1937

163

Stryker, Carol, Staten Island Zoological Society, Clarence T. Barrett
Park, West New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y.

Teague, Mrs. Cecilia, 14 Sutton Place South, New York City.
Thomas, .'\llen M., Graham School, Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y.
Thomas, Mrs. Margaret L., 366 West 245th St., New York City.
Thornton, A. P., 27 West 44th St., New York City.

Tucker, Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

Tucker, Mrs. Carll, 733 Park Ave., New York City.

Van Deusen, Hobart M., 8 Wellesley Road, Upper Montclair, N. J.
Vogt, William, Compania Administradora del Guano, Casilla 2147, Lima,
Peru.

Walsh, Lester L., 69 Tappan Landing Road, Tarrytown, N. Y.
Walters, Frank, 537 Grand Central Palace, New York City.

Weber, Orlando F., Jr., 22 East 82nd St., New York City.

Whitman, F. Burton, Jr., The Mustard House, Brunswick, Me.
Wilcox, LeRoy, Speonk, Long Island, N. Y.

WooDELTON, Mrs. Helen S., 454 Seventh St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

\ ouNG, Addison, 93 .^rgyle Ave., New Rochelle, N. Y.

Associate Members
-Ammann, G. a., Shingleton, Mich.

Ayer, Mrs. Nathan Edward, 1300 Hillcrest Drive, Pomona, Calif.
Brown, Prof. V. E., Taylor University, Upland, Ind.

Hamilton, Miss Mary Alice, 389 Altoona Place S. W., Atlanta, Ga.
Ingersoll, a. M., 908 F St., San Diego, Calif.

Johnson, Julius M., 293 So. Pleasant Ave., Ridgewood, N. J.
Kritzler, Henry, State Univ. of Iowa, Dept, of Zoology, Iowa City, la.
Kuerzi, Richard G., St. Marys, Ga.

Morris, Robert T., M.D., Box 554, Stamford, Conn.

Nice, Mrs. Margaret Morse, 5708 Kenwood Ave., Chicago, 111.
Nichols, Rev. Edward G., Batlagundi, Madura District, South India.
Oberholser, Harry C., Ph.D., Cleveland Museum of Natural History,
Cleveland, Ohio.

Riggenbach, H. E., % A. Sarasin & Co., Basel, Switzerland.

Schmidt, Arthur H., Marine Studios, St. Augustine, Fla.

Stevenson, James O., Wildlife Division, National Park Service, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Storer, Robert W., 2420 Channing Way, Berkeley, Calif.

Watson, Frank G., 2535 Regent St., Berkeley, Calif.

Williams, Laidlavv, Box 453, Carmel, Calif.

WooDBRiDGE, Miss Nancy, 62 Park St., New Haven Conn.

164

INDEX

Ayciaitis phoeniceus 75-83

Aix sponsa 89-90

Anas platyrbynchos 72

Ardea herodias 72

Arenaria inter pres 73

Bonasa umbelhis 129

Branta canadensis 128

Biitco lagopus 127

Butorides %’ircscens 72

Carduelis carduelis 74

Carpodaens purpurcits 119, 120

Casmerodius albus 72, 125-126

Catharacta skua 60

Charadrius melodns 130

Circus hudsonius 127-129

Colinus virginianus 73

Columba livia 73

Columhigallina passerina 73

Corvns hrachyrhynchos 74, 117, 119

Cori’us ossifragus 117

Dcndroica caerulcsccns 100-101

Dcndroica coronata 74, 120

Dolichonyx oryaivonis 105-108

Dryobates pubeseens 135-136

Dumetella carolinensis 74, 119

Egretta thula 72

Einpidonax trailli 144-146

Falco pcregrinus..\\7, 125-126, 128, 129

Falco sparverius 117

Florida caerulea 72

Fregata magnificens 60

Fiilica anicricana 72

Fulmarus glacialis 59

Gallinnia chloropus 72, 90-92

Glaucionetta clangula 127

Hedymeles hidovicianiis 74

Hirundo erythrogaster 117

Hirundo rustica 74

Hylocichla guttata 99-100

Icteria virens 102-104

Icterus spurius 108-109

Iridoprocne bicolor 1-52

Junco hyemalis 119

Ixirns argentatus 59„ 70, 75, 132-134

I.arus canus 59

I.arus fuscus 59

Lams inarinus 59. 70, 75

I.arus ridibundus 59

I.imosa haemastica 72

Lophodytes cucullatus 72

I.oxia curi'irostra 138-139

I.oxia leucoptcra 138

Mcgaccrylc alcyon 74

Mergus serrator 75

Mniotilta varia 74

Moris hassanus 56, 59

Numcnius hudsonicus 73

Nyctanassa violacea 72

Nycticorax nycticorax 126

Nyroca affinis 72

Nyroca marila 116

Nyroca I’alisineria 116-117

Oberholscria chlorura 140-141

Oceanites oceanicus 53, 57, 58, 59

Otoe oris alpestris 94, 117

Oxyechus vociferus 73

Pagolla unlsonia 130-131

Pandion haliaetus 73, 117

Passer domesticus 74

Passerherbulus henslowi 142-144

Phaeton lepturus 60

Phalaropodidae 60

Podilymbus podiceps 70, 86-88

Progne subis 136-137

Puffinus gravis 53, 54, 56

Puffinus griseiis 58

Puffinus kuhlii 53, 56, 58

Puffinus Iherminieri 71

Puffinus puffinus 56, 58

Querquedula disc or s 88-89

Quiscalus quiscula 117

Richmondena cardinalis 74, 110-111

Rissa tridactyla 60, 70

Seiurus aurocapillus 74, 140

Seiurus motacilla 101-102

Setophaga ruticilla 74

Sialia sialis 74

Spatula clypeata 72

Sphyrapicus varius 134

Spinus tristis 117

Spisella arbor ea 141-142

Squatarola squatarola 73

Sterna antillarum 60

Sterna hirundo 60

Sturnus vulgaris 74, 75, 11/

Sula bassana 56, 59

Thryothorus ludoz'icianus 96-99

Totanus flavipcs 73

Totanus melanolcucus 72

Toxostoma rufuin 119

Tringa solitaria 131-132

Tyto alba 73. 92-94

V ermivora celata 137-138

Vermwora ruficapilla 74

Vireo griscus 74

IVilsonia canadensis 104-10^

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