MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Volume 2 2 JUNE 19 6 6 Number 2 Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Cylbum Mansion, 4915 Qreenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21209 State Officers President: Mr. V. Edwin Unger, West Central* Ave. , Federalsburg 21 632 754-2291 First V.P. : Dr. W. Rowland Taylor, 1540 Northboume Rd. , Baltimore 21212 ID3-1803 Second V.P.: Mr. Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Md. 20810 776-6760 Treasurer: Mr. Winfield Henning, 113 Jacobs Ave. Bridgeville, Delaware 19933 Area 302-332-7280 Secretary Mrs, Edwin C. Gras, 125 Academy St., Annapolis 21401 003-4708 Exec. Sec'y: Miss Mildred F. Cole, 4201 Belmar Ave., Baltimore 21206 HA6-0190 Executive Council Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner, 6005 Lakehurst Dr., Baltimore 21210 DR7-8990 Mr. Marvin W. Hewitt, Greensboro, 21639 HU2-5781 Dr. Howard Hodge, 436 W. Greenwood Rd. , Linthicum Heights 21090 ST9-3687 Mrs, Edward Mendinhall, R. D. 2, Chestertown 21620 778-3691 Mr. Carl W. Carlson, 5706 Lone Oak Dr., Bethesda 20014 EM5-3836 Mr. David Bridge, 12A Plateau Place, Greenbelt 20770 474-1463 Mrs. E, 0. Hulbert, Double Mills Farm, Rte 4, Easton 21601 TA2-0996 State Trustees Allegany: *Mrs, Leo Isaacs Harford: Miss Nan Livingstone Anne Arundel *Miss Miriam Parmenter Kent: Miss Dorothy Mumford Baltimore: *Dr. W. Rowland Taylor Montgomery: Mr. Compton Crook Mr. Irving E. Hampe Patuxent: Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner Soldiers Caroline: *Mr. Marvin W. Hewitt Delight: Mrs. Carol Scudder Talbot Frederick: *Mrs. Mary S. Motherway Dr. Howard Hodge * Chapter President ♦Mrs. Grace H. Wright Miss Estella Everett ♦Mrs. Daniel 2. Gibson Mrs. Edward Mendinhall ♦Mr. Carl W. Carlson Mrs. Marjorie L. Golae ♦Mr. Morris R. Collins Mr. David Bridge ♦Dr. Elmer G. Worthley Mrs. Bertha Poe ♦Mrs. Edwin 0. Hulbert Miss Edith Adkins Mr. Richard Kleen Active Membership (adults) Junior Membership (under 18 years) Family Membership (Mr. & Mrs.) Sustaining Membership Life Membership Out - of - State Membership J> 2.00 plus local chapter dues .50 plus local chapter dues 3.00 plus local chapter dues 5.00 plus local chapter dues 100.00 (payable in 4 annual installments) $2.00 ( Maryland Birdlife only) Cover: Partially Albino Robin Photo by William Bucci and Dr, Charles Stine Headings: Irving E. Hampe, Art Editor MARYLAND BIRDLIFE C/^uCCiilzzcl cjua.rts.xCtj Ctj tfis. 500 birds including 1,000 Blue Jays. Mr. Elwood Fisher, one of our directors, sponsored the build- ing of 200 bluebird houses by the Laurel Rotary Club. Pipe was furnished to put them on and Boy Scout troops of the Laurel and Savage, Maryland area, and individual members put them up. To date 20 of them have been occupied by bluebirds. They are being checked constantly in order to see what the final results will be. Mrs. Robbins continues to give us much needed and valuable publicity in her weekly column in the Laurel News Leader. Mrs. Robbins is also directing, very successfully, a Junior Audubon Club. They meet once a month and have around 15 members. Last, but far from least, we now have a larger meeting place and if the results of our first meeting in it continues, the coming year should be a very good one. Morris R. Collins, President MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22. Ho. 2 TALBOT COUNTY CHAPTER The Talbot Chapter survived another year of natural and unnatural phenomena. In sum, we enjoyed 8 breakfast hikes, 7 regular meetings with programs, 2 work trips at Mil Creek Sanctuary, Christmas Count reporting 104 species, My Count reporting 101 species, 5 Audubon Screen Tour lectures, and February trip to Ocean City. Mill Creek Sanctuary now has a bulletin board. The bulletins will follow. A picnic table seating from one to twenty (depending on elbow pressure) is in situ . Three new signs marking the east and west bound- aries, and the acreage on the north side of the road, contributed in memory of R. R. Spring, have been ordered. Trails are being elaborated, with the harden Club marking flora and installing rustic benches. A fund honoring the memory of Nita Nevius is building up, the consensus thus far favoring the installation of a fireplace. All members are urged to partake of the satisfying beauty Mill Creek Sanctuary has to offer. Robert Sharp, 2nd, President REPORT OF AUDITING COMMITTEE The Auditing Committee for 1966, comprising John Wanuga, Capt. J. E. M. Wood, and Mabon Kingsley, Chairman, made an examination of the books and records of the Maryland Ornithological Society on May 8th, 1966. The scope of the audit included an examination of the income and expense items, a study of the balance sheet, and a verification of the bank balances attested by letters from the depositary institutions. I am pleased to report to the membership that the books were in balance, and the records for the last four quarters in good order. The Committee further wishes to compliment our Treasurer, Winfield Henning, and those who preceded him (Mr. Edward Mendinhall and the late Turner Smith) for a most creditable work under the difficulties of com- posing the records of three Treasurers during one fiscal year. Mabon Kingsley, Chairman BOOK REVIEW Robbins, Chandler S. , et al . BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. II. Y. , Golden Press, 1966. $2.95 At last a field guide that fits the pocket and presents illustration., range map, description, and silhouette on opposite pages for quick refer- ence. Many verbal song descriptions are enhanced by Sonagrams. Excellent color illustrations are by Arthur Singer. This is a guide every birder will want. M.G. June 1966 MARYLAND BXRDLIFE ^7 January, February, March, 19 66 Chandler S. Robbins The outstanding event of the winter was the 2 -foot snowfall of Jan. 29-30, which was followed by several days of bitter cold accompanied by high winds. This made it impossible for the Highway Department to keep roads open, and the children enjoyed a delightful school vacation for an entire week. The snowfall and chilly blasts were by no means limited to the Middle Atlantic States. In Alabama the mercury plummeted to an incredible -2^° (yes, 2h° below zero) at Russellville on the 30th; the freeze line stretched its icy tongue within a few miles of the Miami airport; and in upstate hew York moisture -laden airflow off Lake Ontario so reinforced "our" storm that the city of Oswego on the lakeshore found itself under 8 l/2 feet (101 inches) of fresh snow when the storm had finally spent its fury on Feb. 1. The closing days of January, therefore, were the critical ones for bird survival. Countless thousands were saved by housewives who persis- tently added seeds to windswept feeders and what few partially cleared areas seemed most sheltered from the drifting snow. To what extent such winter -sensitive permanent resident species, as the Carolina Wren, survived the week of critical conditions should be revealed by the Breeding Bird Survey in June . The trend toward cold, wet weather continued through February. We welcomed the excess precipitation, which helped to replenish the sorely depleted water table. March averaged slightly warmer than normal, but a cold snap at the end of the month effectively blocked the arrival of in- coming summer residents, as shown by first arrival dates in Table 1. Table 1 summarizes the progress of early spring arrivals across the State. This table is restricted to the species that usually arrive by the end of March. The columns are arranged geographically from northwest (Washington and Frederick Counties) to southeast (Lower Eastern Shore), so the earliest dates tend to appear in the right hand columns. Most of the species in the table winter in small numbers, at least in the Lower Eastern Shore, so it is only when a noticeable influx occurs that ar- rival of new individuals from the south can be detected. As usual, "W" indicates that spring arrivals could not be distinguished from wintering 48 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 22, No. 2 individuals, "0" means that the species was not reported during the 3- month period, and a dash signifies that the date submitted was too late to he considered a significant first arrival. For some of the finches, arrivals are clustered in February, January, or even late December. These apparently are southbound birds rather than spring arrivals in the usual sense. By placing these dates on record we hope we may contribute to a better understanding of the erratic and unpredict ably population shifts of these species. Principal contributors to the table, by counties, were the follow- ing: Washi ngton County: Mrs. Alice Mallonee, Mrs. W. Donald Cutchall, Ella Pfeiffer; Frede rick County: William N. Shirey; Balt imore City and County: Stephen W. Simon, Bill Clark, Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner; Howa rd County :Mrs. Harry B. Rauth, Morris Collins; Montg omery : Carl W. Carlson, Robert W. Warfield, Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Pyle, Nell Cooley, Mary Porter; Prince Georges: John H. Fales, George Robbins, H. M. Johnson, Will Russell, Herbert and Hilda Douglas; Anne Arundel: Paul and Danny Bystrak, Bill Anderson, Prof, and Mrs. David G. Howard; Calvert: John H. Fales; St. Marys: James M. Banagan; Kent : Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mendinhall; Carol ine : Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Marvin W. Hewitt; Talbo t : Don Meritt, Jan Reese; Lower Eastern Shore (Dorchester and Worcester Counties): Mike O'Brien, Mrs. Sarah Baker, Carl W. Carlson, Sam Dyke. Table 1. Spring Arrival Dates, 1966 Wash Fred Balt Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Kent Calv St.M Caro Talb LES Great Blue Heron Whistling Swan Canada Goose Wood Duck Ring-necked Duck 4/11 3/26 3/26 4/ 9 3/15 3/ T 3/19 3/13 0 3/18 3/23 3/9 0 3/10 3/13 3/18 3/21 3/10 3/ 5 3/11 3/17 - - 3/ 5 - 3/5 3/5 -- - - — -- - 3/13 - 3/ 5 - -- -- — 4/16 4/20 4/ f 4/ 4 4/ 9 3/17 3/21 - - -- 3/5 3/3 w W W 2/ 1 -- 2/15 -- 2/20 2/17 -- 3/ 1 — -- -- — 3/27 -- 4 / 9 - V 3 0 — -- 4/29 4/17 -- — 4/27 — - 2/l4 -- 2/21 - 3/ll 3/18 3/23" 3/3 W 3/l4 3/ 7 3/16 2/ 3 - 3/30 3/5 w w w 3/5 W -- 2/13 3/ 5 W 3/l9 3/26 W 3/10 3/19 w 3/19 3/26 4/l4 3/19 Osprey Killdeer Am. Woodcock Common Snipe Gr. Yellowlegs Yel -shaft Flicker 3/ 54/4 Eastern Phoebe Tree Swallow Purple Martin Robin 3/22 2/19 W 3/ 6 W 2/ 9 -- W W W — 3 /i 8 3 / 6 3/13 3/18 3/13 3/20 3/17 3/22 3/13 3/20 2/27 __ __ -4/8 3/24 - 4/9 3/29 4 / 2 4 /ll 3/23 - 3/19 — -- - V 5 3/26 3/24 4 / 44/9 3/13 3/21 3/21 3/27 -- 3/ 3 2/28 2/12 2/15 2/18 2 / T 2/12 2/25 2/ 5 2/ 1 w w w 4/16 — 4/12 4/18 3/26 4/18 3/28 4/19 3/19 — 4 / 6 -- 4/17 0 0 — 3/20 3/26 -- -- 3/20 3/19 3/20 3/ 5 -- 4/16 4/15 4 / 4 3/23 4 / 7 4/20 4 / 9 -- 4/8 -- 3/31 2/26 — 3/ 2 2/10 2/17 2/17 2 /l 4 W W W w 3/ 3 — 3/23 — 2/19 3/12 w w 2/15 w w Ruby-cr . Kinglet Pine Warbler La. Waterthrush Red-w. Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Common Grackle 3/ 5 3/ : 2 3/2 1/27 2/18 2/17 w w w — 2/26 w w Brn-head Cowbird -- -- 3/23 3/ 2 3/ 1 2/28 w W w -- w w w Evening Grosbeak 2/ 1 -- 2/ 2 2/ 5 2/ 6 2/1112/29 1/10 2/12 -- 1/21 Purple Finch 2/- - ' 2/ 8 w w 1/26 4/20 1/31 w 3/20 w House Finch 12/ 9 12/26 ----- 12/-- 1/ 612/30 0 -- -- 0 -- 1/30 White -w. Crossbill -- 2/- - -- 0 1/15 3/12 27^ 0 -- -- 0 0 0 Ruf -sided Towhee 4/24 3/31 3/21 3/21 3/15 3/i9 3/30 2/ 8 -- 3/15 w w Savannah Sparrow -- -- 4/12 3/19 3/26 3/19 3/so 3/22 w w Vesper Sparrow 4/10 -- 4/ 1 -- 3/24 4/ 8 3/26 w Chipping Sparrow 4/21 -- 3/25 3/24 4/ 7 3/23 4/1 4/10 3/19 4/12 3/18 4/ 2 3/27 Fox Sparrow -- -- 2/18 ivSr 2/27 irfr 3/ 2 w w 2/ir w 3/ 5 w June 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE hi Geese and Ducks . The record -high numbers of Snow and Blue Geese that were at Blackwater Refuge at the close of December dwindled rapidly during January and February. Harry Armistead and Mary Mallam saw only 9 Snows and 2 6 Blues on Jan. 1 6 and only small numbers of Snows after that date. The first Gadwalls ( 3 ) ever reported from Caroline County were seen on Feb. 3 at Denton (Mrs. A. J. Fletcher); this species has now been identified in all Eastern Shore counties with the possible exception of Wicomico. There were only single records at Ocean City of the rare northern sea ducks , all reported to Audubon Field Notes by out-of-state observers: a Harlequin Duck and a Common Eider on Mar. 3 (John and Robert Miller) and 2 King Eiders on Feb. 12 (Phyllis Hurlock) . On Feb. 12 Phil Etter counted 68 Ring -necked Ducks at Seneca- -a good mid -winter tally for this Piedmont location. Hawks . An immature Golden Eagle wintered at Blackwater Refuge, and on Mar. 19 an adult also was seen there (Carl Carlson). Rough-legged Hawks wintered on the Eastern Shore marshes, but continued to be very scarce west of Chesapeake Bay; the only 2 reported were within sight of the Bay at the Aberdeen Proving Ground airport on Jan. 28 (Thomas Crebbs). The first 2 Ospreys were seen in western Talbot County on Mar. 19 by Jan Reese and Don Meritt. On the 27 th they counted 20 individuals in this important nesting area; yet it was not until Apr. 7 that the first Osprey was seen west of the Chesapeake. Gallinules . The secretive Common Gallinule is seldom found in Mary- land in winter. One was at Garland Lake, Denton, through Jan. 25 (Mrs. Fletcher). One seen at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, on Jan. 26, is the northernmost winter observation for the State (Crebbs). Qystercatchers . Although American Oystercatchers winter regularly at Chincoteague Refuge, just a few miles south of the Maryland border, it was not until this year that the first winter record was obtained for the Free State: Seal Brooks found 2 at Ocean City on Feb. 12. Probably these birds retreated farther south for the rest of the winter, as it was not until Mar. 26 that the next oyster catcher was viewed on the Maryland coast (Mike O'Brien and Sarah Baker). Shorebirds . January records of shorebirds (other than Killdeer, woodcock and snipe) are so few in the Chesapeake area as to make the following worthy of mention: a Black-bellied Plover, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs and 4 Sanderlings at the mouth of the Little Choptank River on Jan. 15 (Armistead and Miss Mallam), 17 Dunlins on the Kent County Christmas Count on Jan. 2, a Greater Yellowlegs on the Jan. 2 St. Michaels Count, and 10 Sanderlings on the Annapolis Count on the same day. Way inland, at Lilypons in southern Frederick County, Carl Carlson established the first Piedmont winter record for the Semipalmated Sandpiper when he identified one on Jan. 15- Gulls . The June issue of Audubon Field Notes adds another observa- tion of the Little Gull in Maryland — seen on Mar. 3 at Ocean City by John and Robert Miller of Philadelphia. MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22, No. 2 52 Nuthatches , Wrens . It was a good winter for the White -breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches in all sections of the State. Two House Wrens were seen in the Piedmont in early January, but they probably did not survive the blizzard; one was found on the Rock Run Christmas Count, Jan. 1 (Mrs. Richard Cole), the other was found at Hughes Hollow above Seneca on Jan. 8 (Carlson, O'Brien and Etter). Catbird . Martina Luff described the misfortunes of a Catbird that attempted to come to her feeder after the January blizzard. She first found it stunned on the snow after it had flown against the window. Her two subsequent sightings were of the Catbird being driven away by a bel- ligerent Mockingbird. The Mockingbird also attacked her towhee, but the towhee was persistent enough to get enough food to survive. As the Mockingbird continues to increase in Maryland it could become a limiting factor in the winter distribution of the Catbird. Bluebirds . There were several encouraging reports of flocks of Eastern Bluebirds. They are all dwarfed, however, by an almost incred- ible estimate of 1,000 along Romancoke Road on Kent Island on Jan. 15 (Jerry Howe). Kent Island has long been recognised as a favored spot for this species, but this is almost three times as high as any previous mid- winder count for our State. Waxwings . Mrs. Harry B. Rauth submitted daily counts of Cedar Waxwings at her Howard County home. She counted a maximum of 91 on Feb. 12. Without similar counts from other parts of Maryland and adjacent states it is not possible to tell whether the fluctuations resulted from local wandering or from an influx from "outside". Admittedly we know very little about the erratic wanderings of this species, which sometimes winters with us and in other years does not return from the South until May. For a provocative discussion of this problem see page 398 of the June issue of Audubon Field Notes . Warblers . There were two Piedmont Yellowthroats . One was seen at Emmitsburg, Dec. 22-31 (John W. Richards). The other, apparently a first-year male, was watched at leisure in the Pennyfield Lock area near Seneca on Jan. 22 (Mrs. E. B. Hannay). A very early Louisiana Water- thrush was see and heard at Laurel on Mar. 23 (Will Russell). Baltimore Oriole . A Baltimore Oriole frequented a Baltimore feeder from Feb. 9 until late March; a second one arrived on Feb. 10, but stayed only about three days (Mrs. Rosalie Archer). Evening Grosbeak . The hoped-for concentrations of Evening Grosbeaks did not reach Maryland feeding stations, despite the many reports early in the fall. Only a few members had Evening Grosbeaks on a daily basis. The highest counts reported (from counties noting 10 or more birds at a time) were 125 a t Hagerstown on Feb. 1 (Mrs. W. Donald Cutchall); 100 on the St. Michaels Christmas Count, Jan. 2; 80 at Greensboro (Hewitt); 50 at Laurel, Feb. 11 and Mar. 6 (Vernon Kleen, Mrs. Ida Timmons); 19 near Seneca, Jan. 23 (Ray P. Teele); 18 at Annapolis, Feb. 10 (David and Marguerite Howard); 15 at Wiltondale (Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Strack; and June 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 51 12 at Fulton in Howard. County., Feb. 6 (Mrs. Rosamond Munro). Combining the data from the arrival table and the peak dates we detect at least a minor influx during the second week of February. Purple Finch . The David Howards played host to a continuous but ever -changing parade of winter finches in their Annapolis garden and they most thoughtfully compiled a complete record of the daily counts of each species. Purple Finches were present with hardly a break from Oct. 2k through May 5 j peak numbers were a flock of Ik adult males and 10 brown - plumaged birds from Jan. 2 6 through Feb. k. During most of the winter the flock ranged from 3 to 15 . Many other observers had small numbers of Purple Finches off and on, but almost no one felt their small numbers were worth reporting. House Finch . M. 0. S. members responded splendidly to the request for information on the invading House Finch. Elting Arnold prepared a manuscript which is published elsewhere in this issue. Mrs. Dwight Collmus submitted a well -documented report of the first record for Frede- rick County: about 3 birds (maximum a dozen) at her Frederick feeder from some time in November on into the winter. The Howards' daily counts show the first 2 arrivals on Nov. 10, an increase to 5 on the 13 th and 6 on the l^th. Subsequent influxes raised the total present, at one time, to 12 on Dec. 1 5 , 1 6 on Dec. 30> l 8 on Jan. 2, and 21 on Jan. 5- During most of January and February, 10 to 15 birds were present, with the number dropping abruptly to 3 birds on Mar. 12. The last one was seen on Apr. 6 . This continuous record is cited in some detail to show the lack of cor- relation between stations. The centers of abundance in Maryland appeared to be in Montgomery County and in the Baltimore area. Alex Frey at Gaithersburg estimated 100 or more at his feeder in mid -January, and in other Montgomery County localities there were peak counts of 25 at Rockville in December and January (G. E. Shoemaker), and singles at Travilah (Lucille Smith) and Burtonsville (Feb. 19, Mrs. Charles C. Keach). Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lubbert banded 65 at Anneslie Rd., Baltimore, from Jan. 2 6 to Feb. 2k, with 29 of them on the latter date. Only 9 of the 65 were captured in January. Twenty-seven (^2 percent) of the 65 were in male plumage. Elsewhere in Baltimore, House Finches were seen at Wiltondale (7 birds, Stracks), Blythewood Road (Bruce Beehler), Dumbarton Apartments (Grace Naumann), Owings Mills (Fasties), and at Towson State College where Compton Crook noted that they were again building nests. Top tallies in other counties were 25 at Hagerstown through the winter (Mrs. Cutchall), 7 in mid -March at Suitland in Prince Georges County (Jesse Mason), 56 on the St. Michaels Jan. 2 Christmas Count, and up to lA at Churchton in Anne Arundel County (Friel Sanders). The southern- most Maryland record of the winter was of 2 birds at Plum Point on Nov. 20 (John Fales). An unspecified number were present at the Aldridge Peppers 1 feeder at Denton, and at least L were at the Washington, D. C. feeder of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Patzel in mid- January. Pine Grosbeak. Mrs. Ida Timmons reported a Pine Grosbeak in female MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 22 No. 2 52 . plumage at her Laurel feeder on an unspecified date in February; it was finally confirmed on Feb. 2 6 when seen at close range in a flock of Eve- ning Grosbeaks (George Robbins). Redpolls. Common Redpolls were found only as single individuals. The first, at Plum Point on Nov. 21, broke the earliest Maryland arrival date (John Fales); it was seen again, Dec. 25-30. A male was studied at close range on a feeder at Greensboro on Feb. 5* This first observation for Caroline County was described in detail by Marvin W. Hewitt. Another was discovered at Columbia in Howard County on Jan. 23 (Mr. and Mrs. William Goudy). What may have been the same bird appeared at the Elwood Fishers' feeder northeast of Laurel in Anne Arundel County, Mar. 11, then at the Morris Collins' feeder near Savage (3 miles southeast of the Goudys ' ) on Mar. 12, where it remained about k days. After being "lost" for a few days it visited Mrs. Earl Huber in Laurel (Prince Georges County, 4 miles south of the Collins') on Mar. 19- Melvin Kleen, who lives near Mrs. Huber, tried in vain to see the redpoll at her feeder-- only to return home and find it caught in his own banding net. Securely banded, the redpoll returned to the Fishers' (2 miles away), where it remained through Mar. 2b, establishing the latest departure record for the State. Siskins . Pine Siskins, which had been only erratic visitors at feeding stations earlier in the winter, were resident daily at the Howards' in Annapolis from Feb. J through the end of the period; starting with a single bird, numbers increased almost one by one except for a jump from 10 to 2 k on Mar. 18-20. No other observer reported more than a dozen individuals except on the St. Michaels Christmas Count, Jan. 2. Goldfinches . The Common Goldfinch invaded feeding stations to a much greater extent than usual. It was the commonest species at the Howards' Annapolis feeder, maintaining a peak of 86 through much of February. White -winged Crossbill . These erratic northern finches were found either as single individuals or very small flocks feeding usually in hemlock or spruce trees. We wish to correct the Bethesda record of Dr. Fred Evenden that appeared in the March issue : 12 birds were seen on Nov. 25 (not 11 on Dec. 2^) and 2 were observed at the same place on Dec. 18 . Other reports in the Bethesda area came from the homes of Carl Carlson (3 on Jan. 15 ) and Jane Cox (7 on Feb. ll). Two were seen near Sandy Point on Feb. 8 by Prof. Wierenga, one was seen at Baltimore by Agnes Windsor, and a small flock was found at Lutherville by Mrs. Alfred Bolz. The southernmost record was of 6 birds at Solomons on Feb. 12 (Jesse Mason) . Sparrows . Four Oregon Juncos were reported seen at feeding sta- , tions by experienced observers: one near Rockville, Feb. 7-H (Carlson and Grace Simms); one at upper Loch Raven, January and February (banded by Compton Crook); and one to 2 at the Howards' feeder in Annapolis (also seen by many others on Jan. 8). We hope some of these birds were photographed.' June 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Longs purs . Hilda Smith found 3 Lapland Longspurs at Sandy Point State Park on Feb. 12, and Thomas Crebbs added this species to the Harford County list when he discovered 2 at the Aberdeen Proving Ground airport on Jan. 28. Exotic Birds . Most of us have mixed feelings about, exotic birds that either escape or are deliberately released into the wild. To a degree they add some interest and' excitement for the birder; but this excitement is later tempered with apprehension if the number of survivors is large enough to serve as the nucleus for rapid expansion (as we have seen in the House Finch and Cattle Egret). Those of us who are interested in geographic distribution of birds and in validation of local records are plagued with an almost impossible task of trying to determine which un- usual records are legitimate, and which involve escaped birds that had been transported by man. Some escapes, like that of an African Fish Eagle from the Washington zoo, are well documented. On the other hand, a Shelduck, being fed with domestic ducks in the mouth of the Little Magothy River, Feb. 8-22 (Harold Wierenga), while almost certainly an escape from one of the many raisers of exotic waterfowl, cannot be traced with certainty. Brazilian Cardinals, which are introduced and thriving in arid areas of Hawaii, have previously been found at Maryland feeding stations in Anne Arundel (Fort Meade) and Howard Counties. This winter one was present from mid -December on at Timonium (Dr. and Mrs. William Newmann) and another (or the same) in Hampton, Jan. 1-18 and later (William Groff, Herbert Sheppard). Attractive as these crested, red- headed birds may be, they certainly are not a part of our native avifauna. Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel Dates for submission of material for publication "Do it now" is the best policy. The earlier your articles, notes, observations, reports, photos and other material are received, the easier it is for the editorial staff to make the best use of them. If conven- ient, type all material double spaced, 72 strokes to the line. Material Feature articles Short articles Notes for Season report Coming Events County lists Christmas Bird Counts State-wide Bird Count Annual Chapter reports Nest Records Send to Chandler S. Robbins Chandler S. Robbins Chandler S. Robbins Mildred F. Cole Hank Kaestner Chandler S. Robbins Melvin Kleen Chandler S. Robbins Ted Van Velzen Date due 15th Jan., Apr., July, Oct. 1st Feb., May, Aug., Nov. 1st Feb., May, Aug., Nov. 10th Feb., May, Aug., Nov. 10th of January 10th of January Annual Convention Annual Convention 10th of October MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22, Ho. 2 5^ REPORT OF STATE -WIDE BIRD COUNT, MAY 7, 1 966 Melvin H. Kleen The nineteenth annual May County was held on May 7 } a day that was ideal for birding throughout the State. The final totals show that 68,636 individuals were recorded representing 248 species. The goal of having a count in every county was not attained. No reports were received from Cecil, Calvert, Charles, St. Marys or Dorchester Counties. The total of 248 species seen is very high compared with previous years. Although the total number of individuals seen is considerably low- er than last year, it too compares favorably with the past. The list of 185 observers who took part in the count includes many new names. We hope that these new birders will be back with us again next year, to be joined by many of the familiar faces that were missing this year. Mr. Henry Armistead made a fine count in Dorchester County on May 6 in which he reported 39H individuals of 133 species. We regret that this count and several other counts could not be used in the official tabulation. Due to the date taken or the fact that the numbers of each species were not recorded, these counts could not be included. This should caution each group to check with their club leaders to be certain of the details needed for this report so that we can obtain maximum coverage. Look over this report before you go out next year so if you find a rare species, or an unusual number of a species, you can give very careful attention to the observation and thus provide additional details for veri- fication. Usually projects are handed down from Father to Son, but this one went the reverse way this year. Vernon Kleen, who has been making this report for the last five years, is now with the U. S. Army stationed in Japan. 339 Talbot Ave . , Laurel Summary of Coverage GARRETT COUNTY (Gar). 6 observers. 240 miles by car, 11 on foot. Glenn Austin, Charlotte Folk, Mel Garland, Billie Taylor, Dick Douglass, John Workmeister. ALLEGANY COUNTY (All). 11 observers. 106 miles by car, 11 on foot. Mr. & Mrs. Ken Wolf, Kendrick Hodgdon, Ron Rosher, Fred Becker, Nan Livingston, Nellie Isaacs, Douglass Schwaub, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Minke, Anderson J . Mart in . WASHINGTON COUNTY (Was). 15 observers. l6l miles. Dr. Ralph Stauffer, Alice & Bill Mallonee, Scott Matheny, Lois Downin, Robert Eckstine, Marie Wampler, Francis Cutchall, Stanley & Grace Eckstine, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Welty, S. Baker, C. W. Carlson, P. Fereau. CENTRAL FREDERICK COUNTY (CFr). 6 observers. 80 miles by car, 8 on foot. Louise Anders, Dr. John Beck, Yvonne Beck, Charles Mullican, Sarah STATE -WIDE BIRD COURT Species Gar All Was CFr SFr Crl How Mon Har Bal LRa PRC BRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Ken Que Car Tal Som Poc o.c Wor Total Common Loon 5 _ _ _ 1 - _ _ _ 5 _ _ 3 - 4 2 _ _ _ 1 _ 21 Red-throated Loon 1 1 Horned Grebe 3 1 4 Pied-billed Grebe 15 - - - - - - - - - - 3 - - - - - 4 - 2 - 1 - - - 25 Double -cr . Cormorant 7 26 170 203 Anhinga 1 1 Great Blue Heron - - - - - 1 - - - 1 1 4 - - - 3 - 35 5 8 1 1 1 1 3 65 Green Heron 3 5 1 - 3 - 2 - 2 1 12 10 - - 1 2 1 15 2 7 - 15 1 6 2 91 Little Blue Heron l - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - 1 _ - - 2 - 1 3 7 16 Cattle Egret - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 - - - 2 95 2 6 119 Common Egret - 2 1 1 2 3 9 Snowy Egret 2 4 15 19 40 Louisiana Heron 1 1 - - 2 Bl. -Cr .Wight Heron 1 1 Yel-er. Wight Heron 2 2 Least Bittern 1 1 American Bittern 1 - - - 1 - - l - 1 1 1 - _ - 1 _ - - - 1 - - - 8 Glossy Ibis 6 25 30 45 106 Mute Swan 1 1 Whistling Swan 1 - ll 1 - 2 - - - - 15 Canada Goose - - - - - - - - - - - 16 - - - - - 143 9 - 15 - - - - 153 Mallard 2 6 3 2 1 13 7 2 2 27 - 1 - 15 2 145 2 1 6 - 8 10 19 283 Black Duck - L - 4 - - - - - 1 1 8 - - - 4 l 5 ^ 23 9 l 4 12 1 4 6 146 Gad wall 2 2 pintail - 8 8 Blue -winged Teal - - - 2 - - - - - - 3 3 - - - - - 6 - - - 6 - 2 - 22 American Widgeon - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - 2 - - - ~ - - - 6 Shoveler 3 3 Wood Duck 7 - 3 10 20 - 2 17 - 9 - 42 6 - 2 - - 17 3 12 - - 3 - l 154 Bedhead 1 6 l 8 Ring -necked Duck l 1 Canvasback - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - 11 - - - - - - - 13 Gr. Scaup - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 - 31 - - - - - - - 40 Lesser Scaup 7 - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - 1 - - 3 - - - - 17 Bufflehead 2 - 1 - - - 3 - - - - - - - - 10 - - - - - - 16 Oldsquaw 8 8 Harlequin Duck 2 - 2 White -wing Scoter 3 3 - 6 Common Scoter 6 1 7 Ruddy Duck - 7 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 4 - 3 - - 6 - - - - 21 Hooded Merganser § \ji 1 1 1966 Species Red-br. Merganser Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Sharp -shinned Hawk Cooper^ Hawk Gar All Was CFr SFr Crl How Mon Har Bal LRa PRC BRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Ken Que Car Tal Sora Poc O.C Wor Total T 6 l l ' T 17 19 12 25 3 57 23 ll 10 25 13 l 10 3 3 157 12 197 10 7 75 - 20 1 1 1 1 2 30 1 73 4 12 799 46 6 3 hoi o\ Red -tailed Hawk Red-sh. Hawk Broad -winged Hawk Bald Eagle Marsh Hawk 1 3 l 31 17 23 3 8 Osprey - 2 3 l l - 2 1 - - - 1 - 2 1 19 T 5 ~T 3 2 7 11 73 Sparrow Hawk - 5 - - - l 3 - 3 2 - 2 1 - 2 1 - 1 - 4 - - - _ - 25 Ruffed Grouse 2 2 Bobwhite 1 17 31 7 8 - 36 ll 33 11 18 17 2 8 22 17 10 233 20 115 25 25 55 40 24 786 Ring -necked Pheasant 1 _ _ k - l 3 1 2 6 8 - - - - 2 - 10 - - - - 1 1 40 Clapper Rail Virginia Rail Sora Common Gallinule 2 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 American Coot Am. Oystercatcher Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Killdeer 22 11 3 27 2 - 18 4 15 2 12 25 10 3 ~~r 6 8 28 1 ~T2 18 43 38 112 Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turnstone American Woodcock Common Snipe Upland Plover - 20 - 1 13 25 30 5 44 “59 38 57 5 1 Spotted Sandpiper — r- - 2 7 15 1 _ — 5— - 5 2 ~T~ “ — - 3' 8 1 2 2 _ 1 2 - 85 Solitary Sandpiper 4 - - 6 6 1 - 11 l 2 3 - - 12 - 3 18 5 3 - 1 1 1 78 Willet 25 35 83 1^3 Greater Yellowlegs 2 1 15 1 8 2 9 16 15 13 82 Lesser Yellowlegs 5 - - 3 - - l 1 - 1 - - - 2 - - 3 - 10 29 < o H ro ro o Pectoral Sandpiper White -rumped Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Dunlin 31 25 28 30 - 10 240 53 1 2 83 250 Short -billed Dowitcher 3 27 30 BIEDLIFE Species Gar All Was CFr SFr Crl How Mon Har Bal LRa PRC BRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Ken Que Car Tal Som Poc O.C Wor Total Semipalmated Sandpiper 400 4l3 Sanderling -- -------------------- - 25- 25 Great Black-backed Gull - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5-11----3 17 27 Herring Gull 137 - 4 - - - - 50 2 99 9& 33 50 6 - 35 215 727 Ring-billed Gull 23 6 - - - - 5 2 173 - - - - - - 90 l l68 207 42 50 -85 50 98 1000 Laughing Gull 4 4 4 = = = 4 1 1 : - 1 1 1 : 1 1 9 77 702 150 27 275 40 170 1450 Bonaparte ' s Gull ------- 2 --------- 3-----20 1 26 Gull -billed Tern ------- 4 2 6 Forster’s Tern --------- - 20 -65 85 Common Tern ------- 4 12 1_ _ 1 - 10 4 5 300 374 Least” Tern ~- - - - - - - - - “ - - “ “ " “ " 2 1 - - - - 2 6 B 73 Royal Tern 9 Caspian Tern -____-______---2-------2 - 4 Black Tern ----- __ 2 8 10 Black Ski mmer - ~ ~ : . ~ ' * ~ ~ ' ~ 35 33 6 cs Mourning D~e 5 5 T 3 6 TB 7 102 65 48 21 27 43 4 12 25 35 8 176 27 91 20 3 16 10 21 633 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - - - 1 4--2-1 9 Black-billed Cuckoo ------- 2 - - - 1 -------- - - - 1 - 4 Screech Owl ____-_2------l-l----l - --" 5 Great Ho rned Owl -----l-3---~-~"~~2 -- - 1 ~ 7 Barred Owl 1 - - - 1 - 5 2 - 2^ - 1 - - 5 “ 2 1 4 5^ - ~ 2 2 4 37 Chuck-will's -widow - - 36 1- -- 20 - 57 Whip-poor-will 2 1 22 4 - 2 - t - 1 21 2 12 17 19 ~ ~ 5 6 6 115 Common Nighthawk - 3 Chimney Swift 15 64 72 47 53 10 34 66 90 86 31 57 10 20 12 55 - 44 58 104 10 30 24 1 15 1008 Ruhy-thr. Hummingbird — - 2 2 1 - 3 4 19 S 2 1 1 - I 5 25 S 10 5 1 3 5 1 “ 95 Belted Kingfisher 43 - l _ l 4313 £ 4--251 13 462---l 60 Yellow-shafted Flicker 37 32 20 14 16 6 26 24 51 13 2 10 4 3 18 21 1 67 4 32 4 1 4 5 40 455 Pileated Woodpecker 3421--47-l-£l"322--3224-3 46 Red-hellied Woodpecker 4 1 3 12 13 4 37 42 20 11 9 26 4 5 22 20 7 ^3 l4 43 6 4 20 5 12 407 Red-headed Woodpecker - 2-1--1311111----2-2---13 20 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - -2---12-1-----1-1-21-1- - 12 Hairy Woodpecker 594 l-l 8244 -12l6-2 10l6l-211 72 Downy Woodpecker 20 9 9 9 7 1 27 27 26 l4 6 12 4 3 15 25 8 28 11 £2 3 1 2 1 3 293 Eastern Kingbird 9 1 5 9 19 3 29 20 16 9 8 24 3 2 8 20 5 64 20 75 2 6 31 20 32 440 Gt. Crested Flycatcher 3 I 5 1 if 10 7 29 4 6 1 10 4 2 9 5 4 33 1 34 4 5 13 3 3 209 Eastern Phoebe 15 943829 13 13 6653 - 425 10 5 30 128 "5 l68 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher -1---------------1------ - 2 Acadian Flycatcher --2 - 6 1 13 31 - 1 1 3 2 1 25 10 1 1 4 15 2 2 11 1 7 140 Traill's Flycatcher - 1 Le asiTFlyc at che r II 4 4 4 I I I 2 4 I 4 I I 4 _ 1 4 _ - - - 4 4 4 2 20 VJl June 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE CD Species Gar All Was CFr SFr Crl How Mon Har Bal LRa PRC BRC PrG CAA Gilo Ann Ken Que Car Tal Som Poc O.C Wor Total Eastern Wood Pewee 33 - 2323 15 ~~ 1 F - - S’ - 13 12 IT 3 30 “ F 17 3 1 ~ IIF Olive -sided Flycatcher 1 1 2 Horned Lark 10 - l - 16 1 3 3 21 1 - - - - - - - 1 3 18 4 - 6 5 4 97 Tree Swallow 14 - - - 12 - 2 23 - 4 1 39 - - 2 16 2 91 l 82 6 20 7 5 21 348 Bank Swallow 2 18 2 - 11 - 1 - 267 - - 11 - 1 - 2 8 100 - 23 15 - - - - 46 1 Rough -winged Swallow 3 20 2 3 24 5 5 4 28 12 1 - - - 25 17 - - 3 0 2 - 1 5 - i55 Barn Swallow 25 14 38 17 79 30 ll6 45 59 26 105 43 7 29 59 100 31 291 85 269 50 4l 88 50 188 1885 Cliff Swallow 7 - - - - - 6 - 15 - - - - 4 - - 1 - - - - - - - - 33 Purple Martin 100 25 17 27 12 3 23 7 io4 - - 20 - 36 30 150 - 160 8 121 25 20 - 20 31 939 Blue Jay 78 49 24 33 45 20 139 99 175 145 16 29 11 29 57 500 23 138 27 111 10 2 11 10 6 1787 Common Crow 38 20 30 37 50 5 88 82 117 l4 23 32 15 9 34 31 5 T88^ 22 120 20 9 45 5 61 1100 Fish Crow - - 6 - 5 - - 1 - - - 9 1 - 2 3 2 8 8 2 6 l 2 3 25 84 Black-capped Chickadee 34 12 - l 47 Carolina Chickadee - _ 14 4 26 1 44 65 93 42 8 27 7 8 35 95 4 77 11 84 20 7 8 5 13 698 Tufted Titmouse 18 39 9 14 26 2 66 5? 30 32 6 29 8 7 43 4 108 5 83 12 5 29 3 13 674 White -hr. Nuthatch 12 13 - - - 1 8 16 2 7 4 3 l 1 - 2 1 4 - - - 1 1 - 6 83 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 - - - - 1 1 2 - 2 - 1 - - 2 1 - - - 4 1 - - _ 3 19 Brown -headed Nuthatch 2 2 - - 2 11 17 Brown Creeper 2 2 - - - 1 - 3 2 - - 1 - - 1 - - 1 - - - - - - 2 15 House Wren 11 10 7 22 25 2 22 15 11 6 8 10 - 2 6 8 3 20 5 l4 - l - 5 16 229 Winter Wren 2 2 Bewick's Wren - 1 2 3 Carolina Wren - 1 4 4 11 1 12 18 23 7 3 1 2 1 7 3 2 51 3 l4 8 - 8 - 25 209 Long -billed Marsh Wren - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - 9 2 - 3 - - - 19 Short -billed Marsh Wren - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - 1 - - - 5 Mockingbird - 20 18 18 29 - 87 36 44 18 i4 22 i4 12 4o 120 15 269 64 96 25 ib 8 10 2b 1025 Catbird 48 27 31 20 20 10 73 33 69 48 27 54 10 21 35 130 8 87 15 88 2 50 33 15 24 978 Brown Thrasher 32 7 7 18 8 2 36 16 24 l4 4 12 15 8 24 135 9 66 15 73 6 7 7 3 17 565 Robin 145 107 112 135 67 4 157 68 142 88 11 34 17 29 56 50 27 159 27 194 - 30 27 £5 27 1738 Wood Thrush 42 20 6 5 11 15 89 39 33 30 7 23 9 7 75 20 16 29 9 62 30 2 37 2 9 627 Hermit Thrush - 1 - - - - - 9 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - 3 i4 Swainson ' s Thrush - - - 1 - - - 2 l - - 3 - - - - - - _ - - - - - - 7 Gray -che eked Thrush 1 8 9 Veery 23 - 1 - - l 6 1 - 8 l 2 l 3 6 5 - - - 2 - 15 4 - 1 80 Eastern Bluebird 9 12 2 8 6 - 7 6 6 1 - 8 - - 4 - - 7 2 17 - - - 3 - 98 Blue -gray Gnatcatcher 3 - - 3 25 6 15 145 99 16 6 ^3 3 l 11 4 1 - 11 8 1 5 30 5 13 454 Golden -crowned Kinglet - 5 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 13 - 1 2 1 7 1 7 3 4 2 - - - 10 17 1 - - - - - - - 2 71 Water Pipit _ - - - 6o - 1 - - - - - - - 10 - - - - - - - - - - 71 Cedar Waxwing 4 5 - 4 2 - 23 - - - - 62 - l4 2 2 - 53 - - - - - - - 171 Loggerhead Shrike 1 1 BIRDLIFE Vol. 22. No. Species Gar All Was CFr SFr Crl How Mon Har Bal LRa PRC BBC PrG CAA Gib Ann Ken Qua Car Tal Som Poc o.c Wor Total Starling 105 220 179 173 22F 5 155 E31 102 boo 105 ~b2 “5f 100 90 "bo 2S2 302 39b" 10 - 270 100 500 bTb3 White -eyed Vireo 1 - - - 6 2 2h 10 26 8 12 22 9 2 IT 3 b lb 2 38 2 12 78 10 12 3lb Yellow -throated Vireo 1 b 2 1 2 6 12 20 2 3 - 10 3 - 19 1 1 - - 5 3 3 11 - b 113 Solitary Vireo 26 - - - - l 1 2 - h 35 Red-eyed Vireo lb 9 9 - 18 2 28 119 35 13 16 T5 lb T 88 60 9 22 b bT 25 9 90 5 18 736 Philadelphia Vireo l Warbling Vireo - - 10 1 T - - 9 l - - - - - 1 - - 3 - 2 - - - - - 3b Black-&-white Warbler 8 12 5 - 6 2 12 12 ll 8 - ll T - 25 5 - 20 1 25 b 2 29 5 3 213 Prothonotary Warbler - - - 6 - - 20 6 - - T - - 6 - - b 2 18 - 2 bo 1 2 lib Swainson's Warbler 3 Worm-eating Warbler 1 - 1 - 2 6 h 6 l 6 - 2 2 1 5 - - - - 2 1 - 8 - 1 b9 Golden -winged Warbler 2 2 - - - - l 2 - - - 2 1 - 3 - - - - - 1 - - - - lb Brewster ' s Warbler - l Blue -winged Warbler - - - - 2 1 3 - 1 1 - 5 b - T l - 1 2 8 3 - 3 - - b2 Tennessee Warbler - 3 Nashville Warbler 2 2 - - 1 - 2 1 2 3 2 15 Parula Warbler - - 3 1 11 - 13 3b 26 h 6 2b 5 2 3b 18 8 1 1 19 15 b 23 - 8 260 Yellow Warbler 22 28 10 - 20 - 13 IT IT T T T l - 2 9 2 10 - 20 5' 9 T 2 6 221 Magnolia Warbler IT - 1 - 2 1 1 10 10 h - b - - 1 b - 2 - 2 l - - - - 60 Cape May Warbler - 1 - - 2 1 2 6 - 3 - - - - - 2 - - - - - 2 1 - - 20 Black -thr. Blue Warbler IT 5 2 - h 1 2 15 6 9 - 12 - - 15 6 - 1 - 6 3 - 3 - - 107 Myrtle Warbler 12 h 15 1 ll 20 28 69 8 18 - 8 6 b 21 13 2 bT 8 59 20 3b 5b - 19 b8l Black -thr. Green Warbler IT l 2 - l 1 2 6 1 h - - - - b 6 - - - 2 3 - - - - 50 Cerulean Warbler 1 h 3 - 2 - 8 15 8 l 1 1 bb Blackburnian Warbler 11 2 - - - 1 3 5 h h - IT - l b 2 - l - b 1 l 1 - 1 63 Yellow-throated Warbler 2 2 1 1 1 1 - 3 18 2 10 bl Chestnut-sided Warbler 12 h 2 - 3 1 h 10 - 5 - lb - - T 31 1 l - 2 2 - 3 - 1 103 Bay -breasted Warbler 1 l Blackpoll Warbler - - - - - - - 6 - 2 - 1 - - 5 - - - - 1 1 l 5 - 2 2b Pine Warbler b 6 3 6 3 2 b 30 Prairie Warbler 1 2 3 - 5 2 ll 21 99 1 22 3 b 3 10 1 1 8 - 8 l 18 6 5 b 239 Palm Warbler - - - - - - 2 - - 1 - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - - - 6 Ovenbird ho 1 1 - 2 3 12 T T 13 6 15 b - 29 9 1 l b 16 l 5 32 - 16 225 Northern Waterthrush 3 - - - - l - 3 2 b - b - - 1 1 - 1 - b l - 1 - - 26 Louisiana Waterthrush 2 3 - 1 - l 12 11 2 10 1 l - 2 5 - - - 3 6 - 1 21 - 3 85 Kentucky Warbler - - - - - 2 12 h - 8 - T - 1 27 1 1 8 - 21 2 l 18 - 2 115 Connecticut Warbler - 2 2 Yellowthroat 11 13 8 6 18 5 5b 3^ 63 27 bo bl 8 T 50 - 2 37 20 52 6 18 22 5 20 567 Mourning Warbler 1 1 1 3 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 6 1 h T 2 21 26 29 b 16 9 5 - IT 5 - IT T 19 - 8 6 - 5 215 Hooded Warbler 3 - - - 1 - 5 l - 5 - 9 1 - 19 ll 1 1 - - 1 2 5 - 3 68 June 1966 MAKYLAM) BIKDLIFE Species Gar All Was CFr SFr Crl How Mon Har Bal LRa PRC BRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Ken Que Car Tal Som Poc 0.C Wor Total Wilson's Warbler - - - 3 - 1 1 - 4- 1 2 1 - 2 5 20 Canada Warbler 9 - - - 8 - 4 26 18 4 - 17 1 - 5 6 _ 2 _ 1 1 2 _ 104 American Redstart 14 16 3 1 13 2 27 72 27 5 23 78 4 - 38 10 2 7 _ 8 2 9 36 16 413 House Sparrow 81 305 199 205 188 5 100 48 83 53 39 11 5 13 59 146 16 420 298 431 10 48 215 50 80 3108 Bobolink • 12 16 1 - 10 - 98 100 50 1 - 52 - - 4 - - - - 55 - _ l - 400 Eastern Meadowlark 49 59 36 7 46 1 87 21 25 11 1 5 2 5 9 6 3 160 20 46 5 _ 2 10 27 W 3 Bed-winged Blackbird 132 i4t 76 25 206 10 176 228 110 581500 100 15 15 47 102 18 1019 991 464 25 58 78 70 586 6256 Orchard Oriole - 2 2 8 1 - 7 15 - 1 _ 2 - _ 2 3 _ i4 _ 26 _ 2 1 1 4 91 Baltimore Oriole 9 15 19 27 22 1 14 36 l4 19 3 3 2 3 5 11 _ 35 12 22 8 2 3 3 12 300 Rusty Blackbird - 5 - - - - 1 1 8 4 19 Boat-tailed Grackle 30 4 10 86 130 Common Grackle 130 182 T 02 352 218 10 667 239 482 90 1000 165 63 62 189 108 61 1296 44o 1121 50 52 325 50 532 8586 Brown-headed Cowbird 53 62 7 32 39 20 82 84 45 21 26 8 3 4 16 60 1 123 35 66 20 8 25 15 25 882 Scarlet Tanager 8 i4 6 - - 4 32 44 10 8 - 31 6 2 31 10 6 4 1 25 2 _ 11 6 261 Summer Tanager 4 3 3 - 2 35 Cardinal 10 53 42 40 56 4 122 94 152 30 18 4o 11 11 75 87 74 476 79 224 4o 14 150 10 ^3 1955 Rose -breasted Grosbeak 5 3 - 2 1 1 11 59 10 1 1 15 3 1 1 7 2 5 - 5 1 _ 9 - 2 145 Blue Grosbeak 1 - 7 3 12 1 _ 8 2 _ 35 Indigo Bunting - 12 6 12 26 2 14 49 35 6 4 47 7 4 35 4 - 12 l 12 2 3 8 1 l4 316 Dickcissel 4 Evening Grosbeak ■ - 3 - - - - 5 5 - 5 - - - 8 - - 60 4 - 58 _ _ _ _ _ — IK5 Purple Finch 4 37 12 13 10 - 5 92 34 37 - 3 1 - 33 - 2 2 8 4 - _ _ _ _ 297 House Finch 2 Pine Siskin 15 American Goldfinch 169 74 90 239 20 126 546 182 83 85 n? 28 23 93 67 50 166 124 121 45 8 34 30 20 2596 Rufous -sided Towhee 48 58 18 6 13 30 72 39 To 29 24 15 9 19 43 152 10 71 11 99 10 5 32 12 33 93^ Savannah Sparrow - - - - 2 - 5 8 1 - - 3 - 5 2 4 - 39 7 16 _ 7 2 3 104 Grasshopper Sparrow T - 4 - 18 - 21 7 1 6 - - - 1 4 - - 5 10 9 4 11 _ 2 110 Henslow's Sparrow 2 _ 4 Sharp -tailed Sparrow 2 1 _ 3 Seaside Sparrow 25 2 2 — IT 33 Vesper Sparrow 7 - 1 - 18 1 - 2 4l Lark Sparrow 1 Slate-colored Junco 4 - -. - - - 2 - 1 1 - - _ - 1 - _ 13 _ - _ _ _ _ 22 Tree Sparrow - 2 5 Chipping Sparrow 47 111 7 9 20 2 52 48 103 13 12 18 8 2 10 17 10 90 17 124 10 12 85 10 30 867 Field Sparrow 18 18 3 10 16 10 67 43 28 11 13 9 3 5 16 2 4 69 7 64 5 2 6 5 9 443 White -crowned Sparrow - 2 7 3 12 - l4 9 3 - - 7 - - 2 1 - 8 2 3 - . 73 White -throated Sparrow 7 1 10 20 13 50 27 32 11 24' 3 16 5 2 64 137 - 70 11 42 4 1 2 _ - 552 Fox Sparrow 2 Lincoln's Sparrow 2 Swamp Sparrow 4 - - 3 1 2 - 26 2 4 4 . 1 7 4 _ 3 3 8 _ _ 1 1 74 Song Sparrow 24 59 25 23 34 10 52 60 17 27 15 4 - 5 6 35 5 34 20 18 1 12 13 20 32 551 TOTAL SPECIES 118 95 86 77 103 85 124 130 107 112 78 121 66 70 111 119 79 133 99 125 101 99 121 118 133 248 TOTAL INDIVIEUALS 2025 2062 2438 3863 4455 3735 463 2140 672 3503 1028 3069 5200 2323 1659 A37 4231 1601 2106 581 3245 84 16 7097 889 l4i8 68.636 TOTAL PARTY -HOURS 33 24 50 20 21 9 37 46 9 25 15 15 9 9 28 37 25 120 13 85 6 3 26 13 12 690 o\ o ro BIKDLIFE Vol. 22 , No. June 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 6l Quinn, William Shirey. SOUTHERN FREDERICK COUNTY (SFr). 5 observers. 19 miles by car, 10 on foot. S. Baker, C. W. Carlson, P. Fereau, G. Asenath, Edwin T. McKnight. CARROLL COUNTY (Crl) . 7 observers. 16 miles by car, 3 on foot. Mrs, Cantwell, Bill Hilgartner, Jim Peters, Bertha Poe, Mrs. Smoot, Bill Worthley,. Dr. Elmer Worthley. HOWARD COUNTY (How). 7 observers. 75 miles by car, l8 on foot. Chandler S. Robbins, George & Stuart Robbins, A. D. Geis, Rosamond Munro, Dorothy Rauth, Morris Collins. MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Mon). At least 12 observers. Betty Riedel, Vincent Jones, Eloise Shaw, Phil Dumont, Charles Mason, Herbert 8c Hilda Douglas, Lucille Smith, Robert Pyle Group, Messersmith Group. HARFORD COUNTY (Har). 8 observers. 40 miles. Gladys Cole, E. Gregory, Mr. & Mrs. Early, R. Jones, J. Gelgood, G. Wright, G. Fielder. BALTIMORE CITY AND COUNTY (Bal) . 12 observers. Mrs. Cantwell, Bill Hilgartner, Jim Peters, Bertha Poe, Mrs. Smoot, Bill Worthley, Dr. Elmer Worthley, Betty 8 s Fred Ward, Jane Daniels, Alice Kaestner, Stephen W. Simon. LOCH RAVEN, BALTIMORE COUNTY (LRa) . 6 observers. 50 miles by car, 7 on foot. Janet Bowman, Gerald Elgert, Marian and Melvin Kreithen, Ono Lescure, Phyllis Ravesies. PATUXENT RESEARCH CENTER (PRC). 3 observers. 4 miles by car, 20 on foot. E. Martin, R. Andrews, M. Sorensen. BELTSVILLE RESEARCH CENTER (BRC). 2 observers. l4 miles by car, 5 on foot. Dr. T. M. Valega, Dr. R. Doolittle. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY (PrG). 5 observers. 11 miles by car, 8 on foot. Chandler & Eleanor Robbins, George & Stuart Robbins, Melvin Kleen. CENTRAL ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (CAA). 3 observers. 100 miles by car, 24 on foot, 5 'by bicycle. Danny 8 c Paul Bystrak, Bill Anderson. GIBSON ISLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (Gib). 20 observers. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Buchanan, Mr. 8c Mrs. L. Buck, Mrs. Robert Cochran, Robert & Jimmy Dwight, Mrs. Richard Henderson, Mr. 8c Mrs. R. Boult, Mr. 8c Mrs. Robert Johnson, Mr. Sc Mrs. George Metcalf, Godfrey Rockefeller, Mrs. J. L. Sprunt, Jr., Mrs. E. Symington, Mr. Mann, Dr. Robert Woods, Dr. Widdenhall . ANNAPOLIS AREA, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (Ann). 4 observers. Mr. & Mrs. David G. Howard, H. Reissman, J. Wilson. - KENT COUNTY (Ken). 32 observers. Howard P. Bailey, Dr. & Mrs. A. J. Delario, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Eliason, William Friedburg, James Golds - berry, James Jones, Mabon Kingsley, Mrs. John Nelson, Mr. 8c Mrs. Roy Ruhnka, Mrs. Turner Smith, Carl Westerdahl, Mr. 8c Mrs. Truman Young, Mrs. Gertrude Bos, H. K. Dugdale, Mrs. Mary Ann Emerine, Mr. 8c Mrs. Brian Kane, Sr., Dr. 8c Mrs. Daniel Gibson, Mrs. W. Clarke Grieb, Mr. 8c Mrs. Harris McKinney, Mr. 8c Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, Mrs. Richard Sevin, James Terry, Mr. 8c Mrs. Clark Webster. QUEEN ANNES COUNTY (Que). 1 observer. 148 miles by car, 4 on foot. David Bridge. CAROLINE COUNTY (Car). 24 observers. 363 miles by car, 29 on foot. Winifred Bright, Margaret Butenschoen, Dorothy Dreschnack, Jean DuPont, Edith 8c Wilbur Engle, Jerry 8c Roberta Fletcher, Winfield Henning, Marvin 8c Naomi Hewitt, Alicia Knotts, Roberta Leggett, Aldridge & Essie Pepper, Ethel Poore, May Thompson, Carol 8c Joann Scudder, John 8c Percy Scudder, Jacqueline 8c Mattie Smith, V. E. Unger. 6 2 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22, No. 2 TALBOT COUNT! (Tal). 2 observers. TO miles by car, 5 on foot. Dick Kleen, Don Meritt. SOMERSET COUNT! (Som). 4 observers. W. C. Bussell, H. T- Armistead, J. Terborgh, K. Stecher. POCOMQKE RIVER AREA, WICOMICO AND WORCESTER COUNTIES (Foe). OCEAN CITY AREA, WORCESTER COUNTY (O.C.). 10 observers. S. T. Brooks, A. R. Stickley, J. R. Ritter, T. T. Talarowski, B. Garrick, E. Strickland, R. Turrett, L. L. & G. Falk, D. Falk. WORCESTER COUNTY (Wor). 8 observers. Peggy & Walter Bohanan, Mary & Lyman Bryan, H. T. Armistead, W. C. Russell, J. Terborgh, K. Stecher. THE BIRDS OF BIG RUN, GARRETT COUNTY David Bridge On the 2nd and 3rd of July 1966 my family and I camped at Big Run in Garrett County. Big Run drains into the Savage River from the east side of Meadow Mountain. The area where we camped, at the junction of Monroe Run with Big Run, has a few small openings but is mostly for- ested. Hemlock, Shagbark Hickory and rhododendron were common around camp. The following bird observations were made in about four hours between 1520 and 1540 feet: Barred Owl (2 or 3); Whip-poor-will (one heard from down along the Savage River), Pileated Woodpecker (l), Downy Woodpecker (3), Acadian Flycatcher (2 heard calling and singing many times), Eastern Phoebe (a pair had recently nested under a bridge), White -breasted Nuthatch (2), Black-capped Chickadee (several), Blue Jay (2), Catbird (several and a nest with young), Wood Thrush (common). Cedar Waxwing (a flock of five flew over), Red-eyed Vireo (common), Solitary Vireo (2), Worm-eating Warbler (l). Golden -winged Warbler (l). Magnolia Warbler (2), Black -throated Blue Warbler (3; 1 female carrying food and another scolding vigorously). Black -throated Green Warbler (l), Ovenbird (common; 1 seen carrying food), Northern Waterthrush (4), Yellowthroat (2), Canada Warbler (4), Scarlet Tanager (several), Rose- breasted Grosbeak (2 pair), and Rufous -sided Towhee (several). This is apparently only the second locality record for the Aca- dian Flycatcher in Garrett County and the first for the Potomac drainage (Stewart and Robbins, Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia, 1958: 203-204). Maurice Brooks ( Natural History Society of Maryland Bulletin 7:8, 1938) records the Acadian Flycatcher as a "common summer resident in the Beech Woods along Bear Creek". Bead Creek is in north- west Garrett County and drains into the Youghiogheny River. At its mouth, near Friendsville, Bear Creek is at an elevation of 1480 feet and reaches well over 2000 feet on Negro Mountain. However, J. J. Murray (A Check-list of the Birds of Virginia, 1952) records the Acadian Flycatcher as occurring up to 1500 feet and it "has been found on Apple Orchard at 295° feet and in the Shenandoah Park to 2800 feet . " Stewart and Robbins (op. cit . ) also give between 2000 and 2200 feet as the lower elevation limit for Solitary Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, Magnolia, Black -throated Blue and Canada Warblers where along Big Run they were all found at approximately 1530 feet. 12 -A Plateau Place, Greenbelt June 19 66 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE £3. MARYLAND WEST SUMMARY FOR 1964 David Bridge The 1964 nesting season summary set no new highs compared with the past few years , hut participation was good and nests of ninety-eight spe- cies were reported from 15 counties. Talbot County led with a high spe- cies count of 45 under the leadership of Jan Reese and Donald Meritt. Prince Georges County was close behind with 43 species , but only because of the large number of observers (l8). Anne Arundel County was third, re porting 30 species, principly through the work of Paul and Danny Bystrak. If no new quantitative records were set in 1964, certainly a qualitative record was. The new nest cards were in use for the second year and most observers gave complete data on them. Much new information on nest sites and habitats was reported. Many observers recorded several visits to a single nest; this data will be a ’goldmine 1 of knowledge for future stu- dents of avian life histories . The Nest Card Program also received about 40 late nest cards, not turned in in past years. Forty-eight nest cards were received from out- of-state; 32 from Arkansas, 12 from Virginia, and 4 from New Hampshire. Nest records from out-of-state should be sent to the appropriate local nest record program or if none exists, to the North American Nest -record Card Program at Cornell University. If the records are not going to any other program we would be happy to receive them. The distribution of cards, species, and observers by counties is shown in Table 1. County Allegany Anne Arundel Baltimore Caroline Charles Frederick Garrett Harford Montgomery Prince Georges St. Marys Talbot Washington Wicomico Worcester Table 1. County and State Totals for 1964 Number of Number of Number of Number of species observers nests cards 2 1 2 2 30 4 50 47 16 2 20 20 4 2 10 10 3 3 152 3 T 3 16 16 5 2 6 6 3 2 3 3 11 12 11 ll 43 18 24? 242 12 3 518 17 45 8 890 342 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 26 4 1266 46 98 44 3192 768 State Totals 64 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 22, No. 2 The forty-four people who contributed observations in 1964 are listed below: Bill Anderson, Glen Austin, Mark Beall, David Bridge, Margaret Bridge, Bill Bryan, Danny Bystrak, Paul Bystrak, Doug Carroll, Mike Calhoun, Roger Clapp, Mary Cockey, Gladys H. Cole, Mrs. George Cropper, Sam Dyke, Roberta B. Fletcher, Mel Garland, Bill Hilgartner, Bill Johnson, Miss M. Kemner, Vernon Kleen, Ken Libby, Frank B. McGilvrey, Don Meritt, Bonnie Mogaverna, Brent Nelson, Mrs. Carl Owens, Sarah E. Quinn, Jan Reese, Chandler S. Robbins, Eleanor C. Robbins, George Robbins, Fred C. Schmid, William Schneider, Leslie Schunick, Carol Scudder, Marcia Snyder, Peter Shefler, Richard Shaw, Billy Taylor, Francis M- Uhler, Tom M. Valega, Willet T. Van Velzen, John Wanuga. ANNOTATED LIST Brief notes of the 100 species reported in 1964. Record-breaking dates have been underscored. GREAT BLUE HERON — Two colonies, with 300 and 400 nests. GREEN HERGN--A record 112 nests reported; 9 nests with young on the early date of May 17 (JR, DM, LS, BB) and 9 nests with eggs on the late date of July l8 (JR, DM, BB). LITTLE BLUE HERON — 113 young banded at two colonies. CATTLE EGRET — Only 30 young banded; down from the past two years. COMMON EGRET- -132 young banded at two colonies; nesting in Talbot County again this year. SNOWY EGRET--I96 young banded in the Worcester County colonies. LOUISIANA HERON- -45 young banded in Worcester County. BLACK -CROWNED NIGHT HERON — 53 young banded at two colonies. GIDSSY IBIS --54 young banded at the Worcester County colonies. MALLARD --13 nests were recorded from Talbot County; one late nest with eggs on July 8 (DM). Four early egg dates from Prince Georges County are March 12, l4, 15, and l8 (FBM,FMU). BLACK DUCK--14 nests. WOOD DUCK — 36 nests at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; 2 early hens began laying on March 1 and 6 (FBM,FMU). HOODED MERGANSER — Two nests at Patuxent W.R.C. Egg laying began on March 15 and 17; both nests had 11 eggs but only one set hatched. BLACK VULTURE --One nest with one egg in Talbot Co.; large young "9/l0 feathered’’ still at nest on July 19 (DM, JR). RED -TAILED HAWK --One nest with young in Anne Arundel County. RED -SHOULDERED HAWK — 19 young in six nests in Prince Georges Co. (FCS). 0SPREY--129 nests. Two nests with early egg dates; 2 eggs April and 1 egg April 11. Also two nests with young on May 17, both recorded as "about one week old", and 3 nests which had f eggs each (JR). SPARROW HAWK- -3 young off the nest in Charles Co. on June 10 (FCS). B0BWHITE — An early nest with five eggs on April 25 in Talbot Co. (JR). PIPING PIDVER — Two pairs with at least 5 young on As sate ague Island. KILLDEER--3 broods of young : 4, 4, and 2; all in early May. HERRING GULL- -Two early nests with 2 eggs on June 6 (DB). LAUGHING GULL — 302 young banded at Robbins Marsh on July 4. FORSTER'S TERN- -25 nests all with eggs at Robbins Marsh, July 4. COMMON TERN- -A colony in Talbot County of about 75 to 80 pairs. June 1966 MARYLAND BIRDLXFE 65 LEAST TERN — 23 young banded on As sate ague Island. BLACK SKIMMER --About 140 pairs in Worcester Co.; 104 young banded. MOURNING DOVE — 13 nests reported. 15 day incubation period recorded for 1 nest in Prince Georges County (MKjVK). YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO — One nest in Frederick Co. had 3 eggs on May 30, BARN 0WL--14 nests all in duck blinds. SCREECH OWL- -Four nests with young. GREAT HORNED OWL- -One nest in Talbot County. BARRED OWL- -One young, nearly full grown, standing in entrance to nest- hole in a Sycamore at Mill Creek Sanctuary on May 10. CHIMNEY SWIFT — A nest with 4 eggs in Talbot County on May 30. RUBY -THROATED HUMMINGBIRD --One nest in Talbot Co. at l8 ft. in Silver Maple . BELTED KINGFISHER - -A nest in St. Marys Co. had 7 eggs on May 6 (FCS). YELLOW -SHAFTED FLICKER - -Eggs or young were determined for three nests; this year each had five (PS,LS,MB). A late nest in Anne Arundel _ Co- had young on August 7, but was empty on the 8th (BA). RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER- -Nest being dug on April 21 in Anne Arundel Co. HAIRY WOODPECKER- -Three nests with young between May 28 and June 13. DOWNY WOODPECKER --Three nests with young between May 28 and June 5. EASTERN KINGBIRD- -Two nests in Talbot Co. with eggs. May 26 and July 7. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER --An early nest In Prince Georges Co. with 6 "newly hatched" young on June 10 (FEM,FMU). EASTERN PH0EBE--17 nests on man-made structures, 2 on natural cliffs. A late nest in Garrett Co. had 3 young on August 2 (D.Bystrak). ACADIAN FLYCATCHER- -A Prince Georges Co. nest had 3 eggs on May 29. HORNED LARK- -Building in Caroline County on May 2. TREE SWALIOW - -Two nests in May at Denton, Caroline County. BANK SWALLOW — A large colony, with about 300 nest holes, in Charles Co. BARN SWALLOW- -23 nests reported. PURPLE MARTIN — Seven single (not colonial) nestings were reported. A nest in Prince Georges Co. tied the early egg date of May 22 (see Maryland Birdlife 19:94, 1959)- BLUE JAY — Four nests reported, each with four young. COMMON CROW- -Two nests with young on May 2 and 5- CAROLINA CHICKADEE — Nestling period for one nest was l6 days (PB). Another nest was only 6 inches above the ground. TUFTED TITMOUSE --Two nests, one with young on May 20 and 28. WHITE -BREASTED NUTHATCH --Young out of nest on May 30 at Patuxent W.R.C. BROWN -HEADED NUTHATCH — Two nests reported, both in dead pines; 15 and 18 feet. Each had young; one in Talbot Co. on May 30 (JR) and one in St. Marys Co. on May 2 (KL,VK). HOUSE WREN- -Incubation period”for one nest was 14 days (ECR). CAROLINA WEEN--Five nest reports received. MOCKINGBIRD- -21 nests reported. Average clutch of 3.3 eggs for 17 nests. CATBIRD --An early nest In Talbot Co. with one egg on May 4 and 4 eggs on May 7 (JB). “ BROWN THRASHER— Incubation period was 13 days in 2 Talbot Co. nests(JW). ROBIN- -Incubation period was determined for 7 nests: 12, 13, 13 and less than 14 days (DM); 12 days (JW); 12 or 12+ days (LS); and 12 or 1 3 days (ECR). WOOD THRUSH- -10 nests, all in late May. 66 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE Vol. 22, No. 2 BLUEBIRD- -1^ nestings reported. One pair or female (?) nested 3 times in the same box. First nesting: 5 eggs laid, .one young fledged; 2nd nesting: 3 eggs, two young left the nest; /3rd nesting: 2 eggs on August 6, female incubating. The female was last seen in the box on Sept. 3> almost a month later and there were still only 2 eggs (TMV) . BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER — 2 eggs in a Worcester County nest on May 10. STARLING - - 102 nests reported from the Wood Duck boxes at Patuxent W.R.C. BLACK-&-WHITE WARBLER — A nest found in Prince Georges Co. on June h, had 1 egg, one dead young warbler and 1 live Brown-headed Cowbird. PR0TH0N0TARY WARBLER — 3 nests from Poeomoke Swamp; 2 from Patuxent. WORM-EATING WARBLER — Three young out of nest being fed by adults on June 26 in Anne Arundel County. PAKULA WARBLER- -Building in late May in Prince Georges County. YELLOW WARBLER- -Two young about to leave nest on June 26 in Pr.Geo. Co. MAGNOLIA WARBLER — Adult seen feeding cowbird on Aug. 2 in Garrett Co. BLACK -THROATED BLUE WARBLER — Male feeding cowbird on Aug. 2 in Garrett. CERULEAN WARBLER- -A nest at Rock Run Sanctuary in a Tulip Popular (GHC). PRAIRIE WARBLER--Two nests in Anne Arundel Co. in July raised 5 young. OVENBIRD - -h very small young just out of the nest. May 27, in Pr.Geo. Co. LOUISIANA WATERTHKUSH— Two broods of young out of nest, May 25, P.G.Co. KENTUCKY WARBLER — A nest at Patuxent W. R. C. with five eggs on May 25 hatched on June 8; incubation period - l4 days. HOODED WARBLER --Adults feeding young cowbird on July 10 in Baltimore Co. AMERICAN REDSTART --Building June 9 in Prince Georges County. HOUSE SPARR0W--9 nests reported, but very little information on them. EASTERN MEADOWLARK — 5 eggs on May 9 at the Ocean City Airport (VK). RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD — 51 nests reported from four counties. ORCHARD ORIOLE --One nest at 6 l/2 ft. in an apple tree, Fred. Co. (SEQ) . BALTIMORE ORIOLE — A nest in Talbot Co. had k young on June 7- The nest was made entirely of chestnut -colored pony hair ‘(JW). BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE--27 nests in Worcester County. COMMON GRACKLE--67 nests reported; 1 with a nestling period of 1^ days (LS). BROWN -HEADED COWBIRD- -Hosts for the cowbird were: Black-&-white, Magno- lia, Black -thr. Blue and Hooded Warblers, House Sparrow, Red- winged Blackbird (2), and Common Grackle. SUMMER TANAGER--Sam Dyke found a nest in Worcester Co.; the female was incubating on June 4 and Ik. CARDINAL — Nine nests from four counties. BLUE GROSBEAK — One pair in Caroline County nested four times; the first two were unsuccessful. First egg on May 5., late egg date August 30 , late nestling date September 7; all by C. Scudder. INDIGO BUNTING — Nest with 2 small young on June l8 at Rock Run Sane. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH- -A nest in Anne Arundel Co. raised three young. RUFOUS -SIDED T0WHEE--2 nests from A. A. Co.; 1 had half grown young Aug.l6. SAVANNAH SPARROW — No nest of this species has ever been found in Md. One young, just out of the nest, was caught by hand on New Design Road near Rt. 28 in Frederick Co. on May 30 (VK). SEASIDE SPARROW- -An early nest with three eggs was found on Assateague Island on May 16 (SD). CHIPPING SPARROW- -Three nests with dead young, all on July 9 after heavy rain. Prince Georges and Talbot Counties. Five other nests. June 1966 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE M FIELD SPARROW— A nest in Cumberland had k young on June 16 . SONG SPARROW — A nest in Talbot Co. with two young on July 5. 12 -A Plateau Place } Greenbelt COMING EVENTS July 9 STATEWIDE - Membership picnic at "Damsite" , Chestertown, Md. , home of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mendinhall. All day. Executive Council meeting in afternoon, Sept. 10 BALTIMORE - Lake Roland for fall migrants. 9.a.m. Leaders Edward Rykiel, Jr. 542-5490 Sept. 11 STATEWIDE - Membership picnic at Capt. & Mrs. J. E. M. Wood's, 101 Old Crossing Road, Annapolis. Meet at Sandy Point Park 9s 00 a.m. R.S.V.P* to Mrs. Wood for bean soup served at noon. 003-3229 Sept. 11 BALTIMORE - Twilight Funneling of Chimney Swifts. Meet at Belvedere and Roland Ave. 6:15 p.m. Cancelled if raining. Leader: Miss Grace Naumann. DR7-9012 Sept. 15 MONTGOMERY - Monthly meeting, "Observing the Fall Migration". Sept. 16 BALTIMORE - Monthly meeting at Qylbum. 8 p.m. Mr, & Mrs. Carl Lubbert will show slides and tell us of their "Trip to Iceland" . Sept. 17 MONTGOMERY - Expeditions Skyline Drive, Va., for ravens, hawks, and migrating warblers Sept. 18 MONTGOMERY - Bird trip - Monument Knob, South Mountain BALTIMORE - Lilypons near Frederick for shore birds; nearby area for dickcissels and upland plovers; South Mt. for hawk watching and warbler hunting with Montgomery Chapter. Leaders Mr. Carl Carlson, Sept. 23-25 New Jersey Audubon Society’s Annual Autumn Cape May Weekend. For information call Mrs. William Gerringer, VA5-21 75 Oct. 1 BALTIMORE - Dedication of Florence Burner and Seth Low Memorials at Rock Run Sanctuary. Hosts: Dr. & Mrs. W. Rowland Taylor. Bird walk at 9 a.m. with Mel Garland. Dedication at 11:30 a.m. OPERATION RECOVERY September and October 1966. Volunteers to help with records at Damsite, Chestertown, or North Ocean City, contact Mrs. Edward Mendinhall or Mrs. Richard D. Cole. 68 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol, 22. No. 2 00N TENTS, JUNE 1966 An Unprecedented Concentration of Saw- whet Owls Jan G. Reese 31 House Finch Populations at a Chevy Chase Banding Station Eltlng Arnold 32 Empidonax Flycatcher at Seneca in January Michael D. O'Brien 33 The President's Page V. Edwin Unger 34- Membership 1965-66 34 - Minutes of Annual Meeting, May 14-, 1 966 35 Committee Appointments 1 966—6? 3 8 Annual Report of Treasurer Winfield Henning 39 Annual Reports of Local Chapters 4-1 Report of Auditing Committee 46 Book Review 46 The Season Chandler S. Robbins 47 Submission of Material 53 Report of State-wide Bird Count, May 7 , 1966 Melvin H, Kleen 54 The Birds of Big Run, Garrett County David Bridge 62 Maryland Nest Summary for 1964 David Bridge 63 Coming Events 67 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage and Study the Birds in Maryland Editor* Asst. Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel Mel Garland, 36 Burke Ave. , Towson, Md. 21204 Editorial Board* C. Douglas Hackman, Vernon Kleen, Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Production * Ethel Cobb, Mildred Cole, Mel Garland, Shirley Geddes, Phyllis Ravesies, Ted Van Velzen. JJ^astinaS -YV\i iramar 9 s Ocean City, Maryland On the Boardwalk — Open All Year 90 ROOMS, 60 WITH BATH Phone: Ocean City : ATIantic 9-7417 EXCELLENT MEALS 30 BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS PARKING SPACE SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDERS