Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 No.l January, 1934
TUFTED TITMOUSE AND CATBIRD AT SCHENECTADY, AND
GREEN-WINGED TEAL AND SCAUP AT TROY AMONG
FEATURES OF LOCAL CHRISTMAS COUNTS
New High for Schenectady, 42 - New High (or Troy, 34 - Baltimore Oriole Is
Also Recorded during Week of Count - Four Bald Eagles and Ninety-four
Mourning Doves Found — Northern Species Mostly Absent and So Was
Winter — Schenectady*s 25-year Composite Reaches Eighty Species
The 1953 Christmas Counts in S B C territory set several
records. In both the Schenectady and Troy areas there were
new highs for species seen — 42 for Schenectady, and 34 at
Troy. Previous records were 40 in 1944 for Schenectady, and
30 in 1952 at Troy.
The Tufted Titmouse, which had been visiting several
feeding stations in Niskayuna since hovenber 29, was the
outstanding record. B. D. filler kept track of the bird,
recorded it on the necessary day, and a couple of hours la
ter recovered the dead bird — it was found under a bush
near a feeder. Its death was not witnessed, but a Northern
Shrike had been seen for several days in the vicinity and
the Titmouse had a crushed head — a frequent story when the
Shrike attacks. There seems to be only one previous region
al record for the Titmouse; one visited I.Irs. C. G. Grace
for one day in Hay, 1952.
The Catbird was another addition to the Schenectady list.
It was recorded at the feeder of Stephanie Podrazik, where
it had been seen regularly since Thanksgiving. Still other
species new for the local count were the Old-squaw and Bald
Eagle. This was Schenectady's 25th consecutive Christmas
Count, and the four additions brought the composite total to
80 species, plus two subspecies.
Highlighting the Troy count were two previously on neither list — Scaup (sp?), and Green-winged Teal. Although thespecies of Scaup could not be determined at the distance onTomhannock Reservoir, a Greater Scaup had been determined a
week previous on the Hudson Hiver. Also new on the Troy
list were Canada Goose, Peregrine Falcon, Mourning Dove, and
Vesper Sparrow. This was the 6th SBC count in the Troy area
and the six additions makes the composite total 45 species.
The hiigi counts were attained without benefit of many ofthe northern species. There were no Grosbeaks, few Finches,
no Hed-breasted Nuthatches, no Waxwings, no Snowy Owls, fewHawKs. There was more open water than usual, ground surface
was thawed, and snow was lacking. 'Twasn't winter.1
8 by car. 91Totals, 34 spe-
KATHERS January, 1954
FEATHERS is publiakedmonthly by
SCHENECTADY -BIRD CLUB, INC.
Editor: Guy BaetUtt, 1053 Tarfewood BUL
Circulation; "Kabel Barnes, Ilk McCUUan Si'"Viola Tvtabb, Treasurer, 1624 Becker Stecet
Anmial Membership Dues: Sustaining, $5; Active, 93; Associate, $2; Junior, $1
Composite Lists
SCHENECTADY COMPOSITE: Same overall area as in recent years;
Saturday, December 26; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus 9:30 p.m.;temperature at start, 24° at Thacher Park, 30 in city;temperature maximum 38°; partly cloudy to cloudy; windsouth, 4-8 mph; no snow, ground surface thawed; streams
open, reservoir and river partky open, ponds frozen. 19
observers in 7 parties of 2 or more, plus feeding stations;
47 party-hours, 30 on foot, 17 by car. 189 party-miles,
33 on foot, 156 by car. Totals, 42 species, 3708 individuals. Dr. Malcolm E. McDonald, leader.
TROY COI4POSITE: Same area as in previous 5 years; Sunday,
December 27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 20° to 30 ; partly cloudy;wind north, 0-10 mph; no snow, Hudson River open, Hoosic
and Llohawk Rivers and Tomb,annock Reservoir partly open,
small streams partly open, ponds frozen. Four observers
in 2 parties. 12 party-hours, 4 on foot,
party-miles, 10 miles on foot, 81 by car.
cies, 1161 individuals.
Sohenectady Observers
Party 1 - Collins Lake, Gordon Road, Poentic Marshes,
Schermerhorn Road; 9 party-hours, 7 afoot, 2 by car; 16 party-miles, 6 afoot, 10 by car. Rudolph Stone, Frazer R. Tur-rentine.
Party 2 - Collins Lake and environs; 2 party-hours afoot,
2 party-miles afoot. t.'x, and Mrs. E. V/. Scott.
Party 3 - Niskayuna, Lock 7, Crescent wide waters; 10
party-hours, 8 affot, 2 by car; 38 party-miles, 8 afoot, 30
by car. Kr. and LIrs. R. E. Eitelman, Dr.Malcolm E. McDonald,
Robert Yunick.
Party 4 - Vischers Ferry and ponds, area north of river;
7 party-hours, 2 afoot, 5 by car; 40 party-miles, 3 afoot,
37 by car. Alice Holmes, ?. Schuyler Killer, ilellie Silli-
man, Nelle G. Van Vorst.
Party 5 - V/atervliet Reservoir and environs; 8 party-
hours, 4 afoot, 4 by car; 36 party-miles, 6 afoot, 30 bycar. Guy Bartlett, Donald Tucker.
Party 6 - Thacher Park, Altamont, tleadowdale, Voorhees-ville, State Farm Road; 7 party-hours, 3 afoot, 4 by car; 54
party-miles, 5 afoot, 49 by car. Mrs. C. G. Grace, 3yron T.
Hippie, Jr., Samuel R. J&dison.
Party 7 - Central Park, Parkview Cemetery, Balltovra Road;
3 party-hours afoot, 4 miles. Stephanie Podrazik, Agathe
Schuurmann.
Party 8 - reeding stations of Mrs. R. M. Brockway, i-Irs.C. G. Grace, B. D. ICiller. Also included are the 700 Starlings in city roosts* The Shrike, Hobin and Oriole records
in parentheses in the table were not seen on the day of thecount but on neighboring days.
2
FEATHERS
Party
Species
Individuals
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
Green-winced Tea!
Scaup (Sp?)
American Golden-eye
Old-squaw
American Merganser
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Ring-necked Pheasant
Killdeer
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Screech Owl
Horned Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Catbird
(American Robin)
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Gray Shrike)
Common Starling
House Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
(Baltimore Oriole)
Purple Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
T
3708
1
3
1
10
1
2
1
2
8
4
8
911
1
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£
22
364
38*221
1
40
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35(1)
1266
522
2
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19Pz1
128
67^1
ft
SCHENECTADY, December 26
26
463
1
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Z
1
141
ay*
7
1
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60
110
2
51
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1642
10
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103
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28
47
3
464
1
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1
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73
32
3
27
n
181
4
1
137
1
15
1
5
420
1
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6
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2511
13
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522
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64
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-6
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805
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ianuory# 1954
TROY, Dec. 27
27
921
17220
2
19
2
•7
1
1
1
2
2^5
3
l
2
2
18
14
80100
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121
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19240
2
10
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70
51
2
36
1
4
1
1326
4
6
32
L
8
I
llbl
2
10
290
2
51
2
55
3
1
1
2
2
259
-
1
2
4
7
3140
4
86
'3
8
8
32
FEATHERS January, 1954
Troy Observers
Party A - Hudson, Koosic and Mohawk Rivers, and environs;
8 party-hours, 3 afoot, 5 by car; 46 party-miles, 6 afoot,40 by car. G.L&lcolm Andrews, Guy Sartlett.
Party B - Troy to Tamarack Swamp (Cropseyville), to Tom-
hannock Reservoir; 4 party-hours, 1 afoot, 3 by car; 45 par
ty-miles, 4 afoot, 41 by car. ;.ir. and Lira. 3yron T. Hippie.
Some Records
First Records, Schenectady: Old-squaw, Bald Eagle, Tuft
ed Titmouse, Catbird. (Also Baltimore Oriole, near date).
First Records, Troy: Green-winged Teal, Scaup (Sp?)f Canada Goose, Peregrine Falcon, Mourning Dove, Vesper Sparrow.
New Maximum Counts, Schenectady: I-fourning Dove 91 (24previously); Pileated Woodpecker 5 (3); Winter V/ren 6 (3) ;Golden-crowned Kinglet 35 (31). Also tied for maximumcount, Great Blue Heron 1, Sparrow Hawk 8, Killdeer 1.
New Maximum Counts, Troy: Loon 2 11); Old-squaw 2 U);Bald Eagle 3 ID; Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 U)"» Red-winged 'Blackbird 3 (l); Tree Sparrow 134 (54); Swamp Sparrow 3 11).Also tied for maximum count, Belted Kingfisher, 1.
Gallupville Count
Beyond the limit for Schenectady counts, Mrs. Chester
dimmer fisted her feeding-station visitors on December 26 atGallupville, Schoharie County, ^ix species: Hairy Wood-
pecker, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, 'Vhite-
breasted Nuthatch, Common Starling, House Sparrow. Also on
near dates: Pileated Woodpecker, Tree dparrow, Song Sparrow.
•Amsterdam Count
Also beyond "limits territorially was the Christmas Countmade December 26 by Llrs. Gerald Fitzgerald at her home in
Amsterdam. Twelve species: 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Pile
ated Woodpecker, 4 Hairy Woodpeckers, 8 Downy Woodpeckers,
4 Black-capped Chickadees, 10 White-breasted Nuthatches,
2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 8 Cedar v/gxwirigs, house Sparrows,
15 Purple Finches, 5 American Goldfinches, 35 'i'ree Sparrows,
Also, December 27, Sparrow Hawk and American Robin.
SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTSEsly HoHenbeck and Leon A. Wiard, Co-chairmen
SNIPE Vlscher Ponds. Hov. 1
A clear and sunny day — warm for November — gave 20
species for the four observers on the SBC field trip of No
vember 1. The list: Pied-billed Grebe, 1; Great alue Her
on, 1; Mallard, 2; Green-winged Teal, 2; Wilson's Snipe, 2;Pectoral Sandpiper, 4; Hairy Woodpecker, 8; Downy Woodpeck
er, 6; Horned Lark, 4; blue Jay, 4; Urow, 3; tilack-cappedChickadee, 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Starling, 3; Red-
winged Blackbird, 150; furple Grackle, 1; American Goldfinch,
13; White-throated Sparrow, 7; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Song Spar
row, 4. — Dr. Malcolm E. McDonald(The Grebe record was by Allen aenton; the Heron record
by Jiir. Bruce.)
4
FEATHERS January, 1954
NOT COLD ENOUGH Saratoga Lake. Uov.15
The beautiful November 15 lured six SBC members into the
field; the annual convention of the National Audubon Society
was in session, so some of our members v.ere there instead.
On many very windy, cold days the S3C folk have listed a
wide variety of ducks, geese, and gulls; but this tine the
watchers enjoyed a calm and sunny da3r somewhat affected by
the smog, sniaze or whatever you wish to call it. Iviost of
the rlucks were not in the Saratoga Lake area. It takes a
cold spell north of us really to bring the waterfowl down
to local waters.
A pauze at Round Lake, where a group of four or five de
coys made the telescopes coiae forth. The only waterbirds
were the Herring Gulls. However, a Red-winged Blackbird
caused some excitement when he flashes his red epaulet as he
flew with some Tree Sparrows through the marsh.
On to Saratoga Lake, and the usual walk to dtony ^oint,
which furnished no startling rewards. From the ^oint, where
there used to be the old summer house, a welcome shelter for
birders, a group of Buffleheads, one brilliant male and
three females, were noticed. The Horned Grebes, showing all
their winter white, were easily recognized.
Many Golden-eyes, both sexes, formed a large raft which
shifted from place to place. A few female Mergansers were
enjoying the waves as they tossed about in their sleep.
Brown's Beach always has some good birding. This time
the usual Ring-billed Gulls equalled or outnumbered the Her-
ring Gulls. Standing on a sand bar with two h.illdeer were a
few Bonaparte's Gulls, some Herring and Ring-billed, so
their sizes were easily noted.
V.Tien the trip terminated at Kayderos Park the folks re
luctantly started home, feeling that a pleasant naming had
been spent — but the birding had been rather poor as isoften the case when fine weather prevails. The 23 species:
Common Loon, 5; Horned Grebe, 12; Redhead, 2; Lesser Scaup,
75; American Golden-eye, 250; Bufflehead, 4; American i..er-
ganser, 2; Killdeer, 3; Herring Gull, 50; Ring-billed Gull,
12; 3onaparte*s Gull, 5; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Hairy 7<ood-
pecker, I; Downy V/oodpecker, 2; 31ue Jay; Crow; Black-cappedChickadee; Y/hite-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Starling; House Spar
row; Red-winged Blackbird, 1; Goldfinch; Tree Sparrow.
— Nelle G. Tan Vorst
BRIEFING THE RECORDFrazer R. Turrentine, Records Cemmittee Chairman
Reporting on the period from mid-October through Novem
ber in our local area, the weather was warm and dry, summer
birds were remaining late, and northern species were failing
to arrive.October was the secorid warmest on record, with average
daily temperature of 53.9 d'egrees. November was the thirdhighest, with 43.4 degrees average, or 4.8 above normal.Both months were deficient in precipitation. November had
two inches of snow, half on the last day. Tall canker moths
and other insects were in flight through November, and
night-crawlers were out November 22. As was the case in5
FEATHERS January, 1934
early fall, there were no appreciable waves of migrants,
whether water-biros, hawks, or song-birds.
LOONS - DUCKS: llo Loons were seen. Horned and Pied-
billed Grebes were in usual numbers at Saratoga Lake through
rJovember. Ivlallards, Blacks, Teal and other early ducks con
tinued late in numbers; Golden-eyes, Buffle-heads and Mer
gansers were in by mid-November, but their numbers and most
other late species had not yet arrived at month1s end.
liAV.'KS - O'VLS: The region is not noted for hawk flights,
and no wave was apparent. End-of-November indications were
that Sharp-shinned, Sparrow and Red-shouldered Hawks were
tarrying. Several Sharp-shinned and Sparrow Hawks were be
ing seen regularly at the banding station of Mrs. Gerald
.Fitzgerald, Amsterdam.
Two Wilson's Snipe and 4 Pectoral Sandpipers were listed
on the November 1 field trip. November records of the Ring-
billed Gull indicated increased abundance; four Bonaparte's
Gulls were at Saratoga Lake November 15.
StiIFES - SHRIKES: A few Kingfishers remained through No
vember. City and suburban records of the Pileated Woodpeck
er were fairly common.
A Tufted Titmouse appeared regularly at several feeders
in Niskayuna, beginning Nov. 29; and about the same time
another at feeders in Woodlawn, 3 or more miles away. There
is one previous regional record for the species, in the
spring of 1952.
A Catbird appeared regularly at the feeder of Stephanie
Podrazik, staring November 26.Robins continued in flocks, but by November's end were
few. A Hemit Thrush was at Jenny Lake uov. 21. Bluebirds
were scarce. Cedar Y-'axwings, abundant in early fall, were
also scarce. A few Northern Shrikes were recorded by late
iMOvember.
VIREOS - V.rAR3LERS: Last vireo record was a Solitary on
October 17 IHallenbeck;. Myrtle Warblers continued through
October 27 ILIrs. French). Transient Bay-breasted Warblers
were more common than usual, with a flock of eight continu
ing in one city block three weeks to October 1^ (Bartlett).
BLACK3IRDS - SPARSOV.'S: keadowlarks, Red-winged Black
birds, Purple Grackles, and Cowbirds all continued through
November.
Two Baltimore Orioles were listed. One was visiting
feeders at Ballston Lake, for the third successive winter.
Another was eight miles west of Amsterdam, at a feeder (Re
ported to lirs. Fitzgerald).
There were small flocks of Purple Finches after Nov. 2,
and a flock of Pine Siskins at Jenny Lake wov. 21. Evening
Grosbeaks were unrecorded; Juncos and Tree Sparrow were
light migrants. Last date for the *'ox Sparrow was Nov. 8
I Jenny Lake; and -UDudonville, ivirs. French).
SBC CALENDAR
Nellfe Silliman, Secretary
Monday, .February 15 - Audubon Screen Tour; Auditorium, Cen
tral Park Junior iiigh School, Mm and Bradley Streets,
FEATHERS January, 1954
8 p.m. Roger Tory Peterson of Washington, D. C., "Wild
America."
Sunday, February 21 - Regular SBC field trip, upper iiudson
Kiver area. Meet at union Street and Gainer Avenue,
8 a.m., or at Saratoga and Ontario Streets, Cohoes, at
8:30 a.m.
Lionday, February 22 - Annual meeting of Schenectady Bird
Club, inc.; ?ine Room, First Methodist Church, State
and Lafayette Streets, 8 p.m. Officers and Jirectors
will be elected.
jp N E W S AND NOTES IN BRIE ff^V
1953. WEATHERWISE
1953 was a warm year, setting several heat records. It
was the second consecutive year with no below-zero readings;
we already know 1954 will not be the third consecutive.
Snowfalls were less than normal.
Twenty-one heat records were set, and the year's average
daily temperature was 4.2 degrees above normal, or 51.4 .
May had 7.04 inches of rain, and it was the v/ettest May ever.
Snov.1 during the year was 19g inches below normal, with a
mere 40 inches. Total precipitation in 1953 was 1.34 inches
above normal, with a total of 36.59 inches. There was a 25-day dry spell — August 11 to September 5 — with hardly a
trace of wetness.
V/armest day of the year was July 18, at 99 degrees; cold
est was February 5f at 5 above. Readings of )0 or higher
were attained on 17 days.
The last three months of the year were all of interest so
far as temperatures were concerned. October, with 53.9°average daily temperature, was the second hottest on record.
November had 43*4°, and was the third highest on record. Andthen came Deceaber which broke the record, with 35.3°, which
is 9.4 above normal. High reedings included 460 on Dec. 15and 52° on Jec. 21. Records were also tied with 49° onJec. 12 and 42° on Jec. 30. i'he nonth ranged between 9° onthe 19th and 55° on the 4th, 5th and 8th. There were 2.87inches of precipitation, 0.44 inch above normal. Snowfall
was 4*75 inches. There were 15 clear, 7 cloudy, and 9 part
ly cloudy days.
AMST3RDAK RECORDS
In addition to the records for Amsterdam elsewhere in
this issue (pages 4 and 6), Lira. Gerald Fitzgerald had rec
ords of the Northern Shrike November 28, an immature Red-
winged Blackbird in early December, Purple Grackles and
-burning Doves in December. Evening Grosbeaks did not ap
pear until 1954 — four on January 2; a fev; had been in theBroa'.ialbin area earlier, however. Purple Finches v.ere rela
tively abundant.
G-E OWL
A 3srred Owl visited General Electric Nov. 23. Said the
Schenectady 7,'orks itews: "It v.as a mystery to early birds at
FEATHERS January, 1954
GE "londay 'nornin?; why they were greeted in the cold gray
hours by the proverbial late bird. A large, somewhat sleepy
owl perched atop a tall tree between 31dRS. US and 52."
SIJOV.T INVASION?
A winter migration of Snowy Owls fro::i the Arctic tundra
into northern and central states has been reported by Na
tional Audubon Society. Field observers have reported the
owls from widely scattered areas, though the tabulation in
dicates a considerably smaller flight than in 1949-1950.
An exodus of Snowy Owls froa the Arctic has occurred
every four years since 1926-1927, except in 1937-1938 whenthey carue after on^y a three-year interval, NAS states. The
migrations have closely coincided with the cyclic die-offs
of learnings, which often serve as breakfast, lunch and din
ner for the owls. Reports indicate a scarcity of leanings
this season. <Vhen the mouse-like creatures vanish, the owls
head south in search of food.
It is then that startled housewives, farmers and other
solid citizens sometimes report excitedly they have seen
"white ghosts." NAS explains that the silent-winged spectre-
like Snowy Owls are often a shock to people whose acquaint
ance with birds is limited to pigeons and sparrows.
The white owls have had little experience with man and
hence are quite unafraid. They soraetimes cone into cities,
including Albany and Schenectady, and perch on buildings or
poles from which they can survey the area for food.
Vhe Snowy Owl, with its five-foot wingspread, makes an
easy and imposing target. Although many states protect the
owls by law, large nunbers of then are shot by people who
apparently can't believe their eyes and shoot to make sure.
In New York State the Snowy Owl is protected by law.
I-i>st of the Snowy Owl records so far this winter are from
the northern states, mainly from New England to the Dakotas.
One owl has been seen in Maryland, however, and it is likely
that others will penetrate farther south. Four years ago a
New York woiaan saw the first Snowy Owl ever to be reported
in Florida.
Unlike most of their tribe the Snowy Owls hunt for ro
dents and other food by day, so are more often seen than the
owls which roost during the day and hunt at night. Shores
and dunps are particularly likely spots to find them. By
Ivlarch most of the owls have disappeared. Some naturalists
believe the majority of them fall victims of gunners, but
some have been known to return to their Arctic haunts.
CHATHAM CARDINAL
An early January note from Anna M. Mickle, Chatham, spoke
about a male Cardinal which for six days had been, and stillwas, at her feeder, in company with Juncos and Tree Sparrows.
It was the first time she had had the bird in her yard.
Speaking of Chatham, a Pileated V/oodpeckei/ last autumnreg^arly made early-mornins visits to the very large stump
of an elm which had been blighted and cut down. The stump
was only 20 feet fron the house, and quickly was surrounded
by large chips.
And, speaking of Pi.leateds, the Frazer Prices had one intheir Rosendale Road yard during November.
8
Published by Schenectady Bird Clubjnc.
Vol.16 No.2 February, 1954
"EASTERN NEW YORK* IS NOW ELEVEN-COUNTY AREA
For yeara SBC has talked glibly of its ten-county area,
and has referred to the territory as "Eastern New York." In
its publications and in its record books, ten counties have
been included. Admitted, however, is the fact that some of
these counties have been poorly covered, so far as field
trips and records have been concerned. The counties — Al
bany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Sa
ratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington.
An enlarged and renamed region has now been set up by The
Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. Warren County has
been added, and it has been designated Region 8, Hudson-Iiab-
hawk. The new region will be used in publishing the region-
al reports in The Kingbird, the Federation's quarterly, and
in compiling records for the new state bird book the Federa
tion is promoting. In the interests of uniformity, S B C is
planning on using the same territorial limits. In the re
gion at present there are only two known bird clubs — Sas
safras Bird Club of Amsterdam, and SBC. Albany is, of
course, well re-
I presented in SBC.
j As pointed out1 by the Federation,■j added clubs or/ individuals con
tributing data
are needed at
Glens Falls, Scho-
i\ harie, Hudson and
M\ Catskill, and pos-'- sibly Saratoga
Springs. Data ob-
TBE ELEVEN COUNTIES
which now comprise
SBC's "Eastern
New York"
Region 8, Hudson - Mohawk,inoludes all of Warren,
Washington, Saratoga,Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, Albany, Schoharie,
Rensselaer, Columbia, andGreene Counties
bers should be
given to the SBC
Records CommitteeChairman for lo
cal use or trans-
mittal to other
regional offices.
FEATHERS ftbrectry, 1954
FEATHERS is published montkly bySCHENECTADY 'BIRD CLUB, ING
Editor: GuyBartlett, 1053'Paefewood Blod..
Circulation: 'Mabel Barnes, 114 Mcdellan Si.
'Viola *Mabb, Treasurer, 1624 BeckerStreet
Annual MembersKip Duea: Sustaining, $6; Active, $3; Associate, #2; Junior, $ 1
TUFTED TITMOUSE IN SCHENECTADY
According to ray observations the Tufted. Titmouse is a
pretty rare bird in these parts. Some local bird students
agree. Even Forbush does not include New York in its range,
and apologizes for not having had a good opportunity to -stu
dy its habits. Forbush gives its range as New Jersey south.
Reed says they are common in the southern states and breed
from the Gulf to New York and Illinois.
Considering what the books tell us about this bird, I was
much surprised when one appeared at our feeding station on
Myron Street November 27. We saw only one specimen but, as
it perched only 10 or 15 feet outside our kitchen window, we
had an excellent opportunity to study its markings, without
glasses. The gray or slate color above, and prominent head
crest made it a conspicuous bird, easy to identify.
As one of its visits was made while a Y/hite-breasted Nut
hatch was also feeding, it was easier to make a comparison
and note its different shape.
* * *
The above item was written at the time by fl. D. Miller,
probably the first to have seen and identified Schenectady's
Tufted Titmouse or this winter. His feeding station, inci
dentally, has had other strange visitors, including a 15ock-
ingbird for several days in the very early spring of 1939.
In the next few days the Titmouse was identified and re
ported at several other Niskayuna feeders. Mrs. L.A.Taylor
of Myron Street, Mrs. Vf. C. Hutchins of Almeria Road, and
Mrs. F. L. Lamprey of Grand Boulevard were among those to
identify the bird at their feeders.
All continued to see the Titmouse regularly until Decem
ber 26, the day of Schenectady's Christmas Count. It was
then recorded early in the morning, as related in FEATHERS
last month, and at noon was found dead at the base of a bush.
A Northern Shrike had been in the vicinity, and is con
sidered as possibly to blame for the bird's death. The re
port of the biologists at State College, Albany, where the
Titmouse is now a specimen skin, shows a crushed skull.
Possibly Schenectady had another Tufted Titmouse. There
were records of one in late November and early December in
the vicinity of Livingston Avenue and Kings Road, a considerable distance from the Niskayuna feeders.
There is at least one earlier reoord for the Tufted Titmouse in the looal area. Mrs. C. G. Grace of Slingerlandsin the spring of 1952 recorded one in her yard throughout awhole day.
10
FEATHERS February, 1934
SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS
Esly Hollenbeck and Leon A. Wiard, Co-chairmen
DUCKS AND CROWS Upper Hudson. Jan. 24
Twenty degrees above zeroI Could this reading be right,
after so much sub-zero weather, for the morning of January
24 when the SBC trip was scheduled for Cohoes and the Upper
Hudson?
Although the reading was 20° the wind at the Ford GreenIsland plant was almost unbearable. Black Ducks with a few
Mallards filled the small space of open water and also occu
pied some of the ice.
Not muoh time was given to the area in Cohoes and Green
Island, so the seven birders were on their way up the river,
stopping where open water could be seen, and at the locks.
In a wooded section near Lock 1 a small flock of Chicka
dees and Golden-crowned Kinglets was found enjoying the win
ter morning. Just south of Mechanicville a large flook of
Crows were scattered in the trees and along the river edge.
A dozen species were recorded: Mallard, 40; Black Duck,
850; American Golden-eye, 41; American Merganser, 25; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Pheasant, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 1;
American Crow, 510; Blaok-capped Uhiokadee, 6; Golden-
crowned Kinglet, 5; and Tree Sparrow, 20.
MORE ABOUT EVENING GROSBEAKS
Y/ith reason, there is considerable local interest in the
Evening Grosbeak — that is why, in reoent months, so much
space has been devoted in LEATHERS to items concerning this
bird.
Through January of this 1953-1954 winter the local records of the bird have been far from numerous. Hone appeared
on the Christmas Counts. There were a few early-winter rec
ords for Broadalbin, but apparently none elsewhere. It wasnot until January 4 that Mrs. Gerald Fitzgerald, who has
banded so many of them at Amsterdam, had her first four of
the winter.
Wllliamatown Report
At V/illiamstown, Mass., Willis J.. Milham reports, thesituation is much the same. "October, 1953, oame and passedand not a single grosbeak deigned to give even a passing
glanoe at V/illiamstown. On November 1 an observer thought
she heard a grosbeak, but none was seen. On JMov. 27 and la
ter two or three were seen at the feeders in the Williams
inn area. This can thus be considered the date of their ar
rival. During the first part of December there were nogrosbeaks in or near V/illiamstown. On December 15 five or
six suddenly appeared near Williams inn. They remained justone day. During the last half of uecember there were no
grosbeaks in the area."
Still other areas have similar reports on record dearths.
11
FEATHERS February, 1954
Llore Summer Data
In FEATHERS of December, 1953, page 89, several SBC members reported on summer observations they had raade of Even
ing Grosbeaks in flew ¥ork state. Additionally, the Jf'razer
Prices observed the birds regularly during their summer va
cation at Lake Pleasant.
In its report on the nesting season of 1953, Audubon
Field notes. October, 1953, said in its report for the
Kudson-St.Lawrence Region:
"For a number of years the Evening Grosbeak has been
known to breed in eastern Canada and reports of this sum
mer's observations indicate an extension of the nesting area
in Quebec. ... For several summers some have nested in the
Adirondacks near Saranac and there have been sporadio rec
ords of breeding in northern New England. In the past sum
mer there has been an extraordinary expansion of the terri
tory occupied in northern New York and New England and the
birds have pushed south in considerable numbers. In the
Adirondacks they were seen about Trudeau all summer and a
nest with young was found at Saranac Lake (G.M.Meade); atPaul Smith's about ten miles to the northwest an immature
male apparently just off the nest was seen on June 28; this
bird's bill was yellowish-green and not horn-colored as is
usually described (James Bond, C.C.Ross); a flock summerednear Lake Placid (Betty Ball). During the first two weeksof July at Indian Lake about 40 miles south of Saranac a
flock of about 25 was present, some of them immatures being
fed by adults (G.Davenport); at Blue Mountain Lake, also in
the Adirondacks, on June 30 two males and a female were
seen; they were there during the week following, feeding on
the ground and frequently flying into the tall trees nearby,
but there was nothing to oonfirm nesting (R.Arbib). About75 miles south of Saranao and near Lake George a small flock
was present up to July 10 (Krs.R.S.Carpenter); at StonyCreek, also near Lake George a pair was seen in early July,
and others during the summer in not distant Speculator (J.J.Elliott). Throughout the Green Tabuntains, Vt., EveningGrosbeaks sunmered in considerable numbers and were well
scattered throughout the area. ... In extreme northern New
Hampshire a few Evening Grosbeaks were seen throughout the
summer."
"Survey News" Report
"Shortly after the general departure of the Evening Gros
beaks for their northern nesting grounds, more people than
usual were surprised to see a number of birds remaining in
their vicinity and frequenting their feeders throughout the
month of June," said Evening Grosbeak Survey News in its
December, 1953, issue. "July brought the answer — the
birds had remained to raise their young oh the fringe of an
ever-widening breeding range, or the density of the breeding
population had inoreased to the extent that the appearance
of the Evening Grosbeak was far more frequently observed.
Both of these situations are welcomed, for the Evening Gros
beak appears to be nearly a perfect bird insofar as our ag
ricultural economy is concerned. In addition it brings
pleasure to a large number of people during its winter vi
sits. Only occasionally has anyone been heard to remark orwrite about the bird's undesirability. Owing to the fact
12
FEATHERS February, 1954
that it eats sunflower seeds almost exclusively one can eas
ily discourage visits from the Evening Grosbeak by elimina
ting this seed from the feeding trays. As one reads through
the records it is quite evident that we will probably have
the delightful Evening Grosbeak with us over a large part of
the winter range again this v;inter.
"Summer records of the Evening Grosbeak were received
from 33 areas in New York, New England and the Liaritime Pro
vinces, with 11 of these reports including immature birds.Prior to 1953 the total of all breeding records in this area
was only 11. It is not unlikely that the reports involving
only mature birds in some cases reprsent breeding areas andthe young were not noted in the tabulation of birds or con
fused with the adults. Of the reports of summer birds for
1953t 10 came from the area previously reporting EveningGrosbeaks between June 1st and September 1st, and 23 from
new regions. This may indicate an extent ion of the breeding
range to the south, especially in Vermont. Isolated reports
of adults and immatures have come in the past from points
considerably to the south of the main breeding area. These
isolated cases, although few in number, may indicate a grad
ual expansion of the breeding area to the south.
"Two breeding localities are of especial interest. At
Saranac Lake, where young Evening Grosbeaks have been repor
ted every summer since 1947, Greenleaf Chase estimated a
larger breeding population than ever before. He observed
the courting of males and the nest building by a female in a
mature red spruce in his yard. Unfortunately nesting was
not successful here but young were raised in two nests he
located high in hard maples on the upper slope of Shingle
Bay Mountain outside Saranac Lake Village."
ffNEWS AND NOTES IN BRIEF,
PFTT.T.TiiTS
Walter H. Shackleton, in his very fine lecture of Decem
ber 10, showed pictures of and told us about the hooks on
the tongues of predator birds such as hawks. Their function
is to assist in swallowing the hair, feathers, etc. of ani
mals preyed upon, he said. This was news to me, and mostinteresting.
I wish he had told us something about how these same
birds disgorge the indigestible portion of their diet. I
have never found an explanation as to how this is done.
Maybe some of our readers oan tell us how it is accomplished.
The owl pellets I have examined consist almost entirely
of hair, with a few larger bones and teeth of mice. They
are football-shaped, surprisingly compact and free of any
thing with food value. The mechanism doing the work, what
ever it is, must be highly effioient.
I have watched crows regurgitate and reject such pellets.
With them it is done with little effort, consisting of a bowor two. I assume all hawks, owls and crows are in this
class. Are there others, and how do they do it?
— B. D. Miller
13
FEATHERS F«bw»«ry, 1954
IN COMB BUNTINGS
Comments concerning birdlng In December were that north
ern speoies had failed to arrive. Then in early January-
came first reports for Evening Grosbeaks.
A flock of Snow Buntings was seen in Central Park January
16 by Alioe Holmes. Within a few days more buntings in thearea were seen separately by Hellen Cole and Frazer Hunt.
WINTER RUBY
Additional to the few local winter records for the Ruby-
orowned Kinglet is one four years ago — Dr. R. H. Harring
ton of Keyes Avenue had one in his yard December 9-11, 1950.
LIKE BIRD-LIME
It was — and maybe still is — that Europeans were inthe habit of oatching birds by spreading bird-lime, a sticky
mess, on perches. Last summer there was a looal incident of
similar nature.
The roof of a Holland Road garage had just been freshly
tarred in mid-August. A flock of 22 House Sparrows landed
en masse on the roof. There they remained until removed in
dividually with a bamboo pole, but they did not survive.
WREN HELP
Did you ever watch a House Wren struggling to get twigs
through the standard 7/8-inch circular entrance of most nesthouses. Helene Joel has called attention to a suggestion in
"Handbook of Attracting Birds" by Thomas P. McElroy. "An
oblong entranoe 7/8 x 2-1/2 inohes will keep out EnglishSparrows and make it easier for the Wren to get sticks in,"
the book says.
Another idea to accomplish the same objective. Mark cen
ters for two holes 1-5/8 inches apart horizontally. Bore7/8-inch holes with those centers, and saw out between them.
STATE FEDERATION NEWS
CONSERVATION CHAIRMAN
Stanley Oliver Grierson of Katonah has been appointed as
chairman of the Conservation Committee of the Federation. He
succeeds Samuel R. Madison, SBC member, who at the last Fed
eration meeting asked that he be relieved after 1953. Mr.Madison is currently chairman of the SBC conservation com
mittee.
NEXT CONVENTION
The seventh annual convention of the Federation of New
York State Bird Clubs will be held at Ithaca on Saturday and
Sunday, September 11 and 12, 1954» at the invitation of the
Laboratory of Ornithology of Cornell University. Committee
meetings will be held there Friday evening, September 10.
It will be recalled that Schenectady was host for the
fifth convention, held in Ivlay, 1952.
14
FEATHERS frbwory, 1934
ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE
IT SAID SO IN THE PAPERS
Maybe there was a follow-up story with added information,
but herewith is an Associated Press dispatch of last Oct.25:
"Oneida, N.Y. — State police today held the carcass of a
Golden Eagle shot down by a 26-year-old automobile mechanicwho said the big bird attacked him in woods near Sylvan
beach.
"The eagle had a wingspread of more than six feet, al
though troopers said it was a young bird.
"Robert Skellham of Oneida told the state police that he
was starting out of heavy woods late yesterday when two rab
bits darted from a clump of maples and raced between his
legs,. Skellham said he looked up, saw the eagle coming at
him and just had time to slip the safety from his shotgun
and fire two or three blasts of birdshot.
"Skellham notified the troopers when he returned hone.
Eagles are rare in this section of the country and it is il
legal to shoot them. Troopers filed no charges against
Skellham, however."
BIG FLIGHT
WGY News of last October 31 quoted a United Press item
from down-the-river Kingston, reporting on a Starling flight
10 miles long and a half mile wide, headed south, that blot
ted out the early-morning sun.
A daytime train trip to New York City on January 28 re
vealed few ducks, chiefly because of so little open water.
Two pairs of mature bald eagles were seen, one pair at rest
in a tree; the other, a few miles away, walking on the river
ice. Gulls became more common as New York City was neared,
with an occasional Great Black-backed Gull Identified. There
were Black Ducks on the outskirts of the big city.
ROCKLAND SANCTUARY
Rockland Audubon Society is well known to SBC members who
attended the Federation Convention at Bear Mountain last
spring — it was the host club. It has just been announced
that a 20-aore plot from the estate of the late Thomas W.
Lamont has been turned over to the Rockland Audubon Society
for use as a nature sanctuary.
The property is in the southeast corner of RocklandCounty, next to the New Jersey border and just south of Co
lumbia University's Lamont Geological Observatory. The
sanctuary is bounded on its south by Palisades Interstate
Park, on the west by U. S. Highway W, and on the east bythe cliffs of the Palisades. It overlooks the Hudson River,
400 feet below, and it has a set of waterfalls.The plot has a large variety of trees, including syca
more, hickory, maple, oak and birch. The property is, too,
thick with shrubbery.
15
FEATHERS ftbrnmy, 1954
1 CONSERVATION CONSENSUS""^/Samuel R. Madison,Committee Chairman
SOME DEFINITIONS
A recent NBC Public Affairs network broadcast had four of
America's leading conservationists in a panel discussion of
"These Are Your Lands." During the program, definitions
were given of "national park," "wildlife refuge," and "wild
life management."
Conrad V/irthf director of the National Park Service, said"A national park is an area of superlative scenery set aside
for the American people and kept in its natural condition
for the use and enjoyment of the people and also for the use
and enjoyment of generations yet to come."
Albert Day, director of the IT. S. Fish and Wildlife Ser
vice, stated "The wildlife refuges are a series of areas set
aside for the protection and preservation for future genera
tions of various forms of wildlife. The federal government
has about 300 of them scattered throughout the country con
taining about 17-1/2 million acres, and for many differentforms of wildlife — big game as well as waterfowl and other
birds."
Dr. Ira Gabrielson, director of the Wildlife Management
Institute, had this definition: "Wildlife management is a
comparatively new phrase to cover something which we have
been doing for a great many years, with some new things
added — new xaethods and new techniques — but essentially
it's the control of human activities and the management of
land and water and vegetation in a condition to maintain
strong and healthy populations of wildlife species that we
want to preserve.
John H. Baker, president of the National Audubon Society,
was the other panel member* "John James Audubon was a great
American naturalist and bird painter,"he said, "and it
therefore is appropriate that the Society, devoted to public
awareness of the need of conservation of soil, water, plants
and wildlife in relation to human progress, should bear his
name."
In summarizing the panel discussion Miss Rea King of National Audubon Society and leader of the discussion, said;
"It would certainly appear that we are all agreed that na
tional and state parks and wildlife refuges constitute an
important phase in our American way of life, that these
lands represent such a small acreage of our country that no
counercialization of any kind can ever warrant their sacri
fice in any way. V,re are also agreed that it's important to
each of us that these lands be kept available, not only for
us to enjoy but so that we shall fulfill our responsibility
to future generations by preserving the great natural herit
age with which our country has been so magnificently en
dowed. Our panel members tell us that there are constant
threats to the security of some of the most scenic areas in
our country as well as to many of the areas that are essen
tial to the preservation of our wildlife. And they also
tell us that each one of us must voice active opposition
whenever any danger threatens! The organizations represent
ed here today express the sentiments of all the conservation
organizations that are fighting to preserve America's natur
al heritage."
16
Published by Schgnectady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 No.3 Math, 1954
1953 FIELD TRIPS HAD 173 SPECIES LOCALLY,
INCLUDING TITMOUSE AND WHITE-EYED VIREO
Esly HaHenbeck and Leon A. Wlard, Co-chairmen
Including the Tufted Titmouse and Y/hite-eyed Vireo among
its local rarities, SBC accounted for 173 species in local
field trips during 1953• Record high counts were set in the
Century Run in Kay and in both Christmas Counts. Also of
interest were numerous out-of-season records, such as the
Christmas Catbird.
In addition to the 173 species on 25 local trips, there
were 13 more kinds, including a hybrid, on the Bear Mountain
trip of the State Federation, so well attended by SBC.
In the following table the page references are to the de
tailed reports in FEATHERS during 1953. In the next table
the birds shown with (*) were seen only on the Bear Mountaintrip. The list:
Date Place No. Seen Page
Jan.11
Feb.15Mar. 8
Mar.22
Mar.29Apr. k
Apr.18
Apr. 19
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
(N)0
P
QRS
T
U
V
w
X
T
Z
Kay
May 3May 6May 9
May 16May 24
May 30
June 7
Aug.22
Sep.13Sep.19
Sep.20Oct. 4
Oot.17
Nov. l
Nov.15
Dec.26Dec.27
Upper Hudson
Upper Hudson
Collins Lake
Campbell-Schermerhorn Roads
Saratoga-Round Lakes
Watervliet Reservoir
Vischer Ponds
Vischer Ponds
Washington Park, Albany
Central Park
Rosendale Road (Vespers)
Century Run
Indian Ladder, &eadowdale
(Bear Mountain Park)Kerners Sand Barrens
Alcove Reservoir
Vischer Ponds
Lower Hudson
Indian Ladder (Hawk Count)'iVatervliet Reservoir
Karners Sand Barrens
Central ParkVischer Ponds
Saratoga-Round Lakes
Schenectady Christmas Count
Troy Christmas Count
24142326
3730
444323
2719
15460
110
40
6252
456
451412
20
2342
34
720
29
2935353536
454546
414646
478383838484
851954 - 4
51
1
17
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
American Egret
Green Heron
Black-cr. Night Heron
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
American Widgeon
Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Wood Duck
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Canvas-back
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
American Golden-eye
Buffle-head
Old-squaw
White-winged Scoter
Hooded Merganser
American Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Turkey Vulture (*)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Osprey
Peregrine Falcon
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Ring-necked Pheasant
Virginia Rail
Son
Florida Gallinule
American Coot
KilldeerAmerican Woodcock
Wilson's Snipe
Upland Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellow-legs
Lesser Yellow-legs
Pectoral Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Laughing Gull (* )Bonaparte's Gull
Common Tem
Black Tern
E
F
C
F
A B
A B D E F
A
D F
E F
E
E
A D E
E
E
A B E
C
J?"
B F
B D F
ABC F
c. n *
ABODE
B C E
G H K
G H
G U
G H
H
G H
H
G H
G H
G H
G
G H
G H
G H K
G
0
K
G I
L
L
L
L
L
L N 0 P
L N
LM N
L N
L N
L NO
L OP
L
L
L
L N
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
N
L N
L
L N
L
h
L
L P
L N P
L N
L N 0 P
L N
L
L
L
T. M Iff 0 P
L
L
T. N P
L 1!
L N
L
L N
L N
L N
H
L
£
T
QR T
R
QRQR
QR
T
Q R T
QR
T
Q R T
Q T
S
S
R
R
QR S T
R
S
R S T
QR
QT
QR TT
T
QT
QR
R
x zX
w
W Y "
Z
w z
Y Z
w z
X
X ZX Z
X
Y Z
X Y Z
Y
Y Z
Y Z
y
z
Y Z
Y Z
V Y Z
w
w
X Y Z
X Z
X
18
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Screech Owl
Horned Owl
Whip-poor-will
Common Ni^hthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-thr. Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsuciscr
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher *
Traill's Flycatcher (*)
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Wood Pewee
Olive-sided Flycatcher (*)
Homed Lark
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Purole Martin
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Carolina Wren (*\
Winter Wren
Long-billed Marsh Wren
Catbird
Brown Thrasher
American Robin
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Olive-backed Thrush
Veery
Eastern Bluebird
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Water Pipit
Cedar WaxwinR
Common Starling
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Solitary Vireo
Red-eved Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Black and White Warbler
A E F
E F
AC E F
A CD
A C D E F
E F
A C
E F
A B C D E F
A B C D E F
A B C D E F
A D E F
E
A E
D E F
D E F
E
E
ABODE
G H I J
K
G J
G H I J
G H J
GHIJK
G H I
G H
G H
h
G H K
GH J
G H J
GH J K
H J
J
I
I J
I K
J
GHIJK
J K
I
K
G H J
G
G H I J
G
GUl'j
L N 0 P
N P
L N P
L
L N
L M N P
LOO
L N P
L N 0 P
L N
L
L
L M N 0
L M N
LOOP
LOOP
LUN P
N
N
L N 0 P
LUN P
N
L P
LUN P
L N P
L n
1 M N 0 P
L
L
LMNOP
LISNOF
LUN
N
LUN
L
L
LMNOP
N
L
L N
LMNOP
L N 0 P
LMNOP
L M N P
L U P
L N
L N 0 P
LUN P
L
L
L
L N P
LMNOP
N
L N
L N
LUNOP
L
L N
LUN
QR T
QR
QQR T
Q R T
S
T
Q R T
Q R
Q
Q R T
Q
Q
QQ R
Q
QR
Q R T U
QR TU
Q R T
Q R T
Q
R
Q R T
Q R TU
R T U
Q R T
Q T U
Q
Q
Q T
Y Z
Y
Y
XYZ
Y
V Y
W X Y Z
W X Y Z
W Y
v w x y z
V W X Y Z
V W Y Z
T
V X Y
Y
Y
Y
V
W Y Z
V
V WX Y Z
19
Wonn-eating Waibler
Golden-winged Warbler
Blue-winsed Warbler CM(Lawrence's Warbler)(*)
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-thr. Blue Warbler
Myrtle Warbler
Black-thr. Green Warbler
Blackbumian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-poll Warbler (*)
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Oven-bird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler (*)
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-breasted Chat
Hooded Warbler (*)Black-capped Warbler
Canada Warbler
Redstart
House Sparrow
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlarlt
Red-winged Blackbird
Orchard Oriole (* )Baltimore Oriole
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Scarlet Tanager
Cardinal (♦)Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Red Crossbill
Eastern Townee
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow*s Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Sons Sparrow
20
F
ABODE
D E F
C D E F
A C D E F
F
E
A CD
D
A CD
A D F
ABODE
E
D
C
C
C D E F
K
H I J K
G H
K
J
G H I J
G H
G H
G
GHIJ
GHIJK
I
G H
I
H K
I J K
GHIJ
I J
H K
I J
G H
GHIJK
L M N
L H N P
N
N
M N
L
L
L M N 0 P
L N
LU
L N
L M
LHNFQ
L N
LMNOF
N
N
L 0
L NO
L
LOOP
L M N 0
L M N
N
L M NO P
L N P
N
N
L M N
L M N P
LMNOP
LMN P
LMN P
L M N 0 P
N
LMNOP
L M N 0 P
LMNOP
LMN P
N
LMN P
LMNOP
L
LMNOP
L
LMNOP
L
LMNOP
L N
L M P
L M P
L P
L M
LMNOP
LMNOP
L
L
LMN
LMNOP
T
Q T
Q UT
T
T
QR
T
Q
R IU
QR T
QR
Q
R ID
R T
T
Q T
T
Q R IU
R ID
R
U
U
TQ R ID
V X T Z
nxrz
W Y
Y
V WX Y Z
Y2
V Y Z
X Y Z
W
W Y Z
W Y Z
FEATHERS March, 1954
SBC CALENDARNellie Silliman, Secretary
tSun. March 7: Collins Lake - Sunnyside Road field trip;
Nellie Silliman, leader. Since the Sunnyside 3ridge is
closed, meet in front of Glen Sanders Mansion at Scotia
end of Gateway Bridge at 8:30 a.m.
Mon. March 29: Audubon Screen Tour, Robert C. Hermes, "Once
Upon an Island." Central Park Junior High School, 8 pm.Sun. Apr. /»: Watervliet Reservoir field trip; Stephen C.
Fordham, leader. Meet at Van Curler Garage, Washington
Avenue, at 8 a.m. or at Reservoir flridge at 8:30 a.u.
Sat. Apr. 10: Vischer Ponds - Crescent Lake field trip;
Welle G. Tan Vorat, leader. I.'eet at Union Street and
Palmer Avenue at 8 a.m.Sun. Apr. 25: Central Park field trip; Viola Kabb, leader.
Meet at Fire Tower at 7-30 a.m.
Mon. May 17: Final Audubon Screen Tour; Olin Sewall Pettin-
gill, "In the Hills of Gold."
NEWS AND NOTES IN BRIEF,
JANUARY WEATHER
January was about normal in temperature, and had somewhat
more snow than normal — and it was iauch more wintry than
was December, fifteen days — about half of the month —
featured thav/ing weather, but there were three sub-zero days.
It dropped to -15° on the 15th.- High for the month was 46°.Average temperature for the month v/as 20.7°, or 0.8° belowthe average. Snowfall amounted to 25.2 inches; the total for
a whole winter averages 50.3 inches.
COLLINS Y/INTERERS
Among the species featuring the Christmas Count in the
Uollins Lake area were wintering Great tJlue Heron and Kill-deer. During January and early February both were still
there, ftsly Hallenbeck found. He also recovered a dead
Robin there, missed on the Christmas Count but seen on sev
eral trips.
WILLIAMSTOVJN GROSBEAKS
During the first 16 days of January no Evening Grosbeakswere seen or heard in Williamstown, Uass. On the 17th four
or five came to feeders in the Williams Inn area. It was
the same on the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st. Suddenly on Jan
uary 22 some 50 or 60 appeared. On January 23 the numberincreased a little, and the birds spread out over a larger
area of the town. From the 24th to the end of the month the
number in Williamstown was about 70, strongly concentrated
in the V/illiams Inn area. Males predominated, about two to
one, and no marked or banded birds were seen.
— Willis I. Milham
21
FEATHERS March, 1954
JENNY LAKE BIRDS Barrington S. Havens
A glance at the indexes of FEATHERS shows that Jenny Lake
is frequently mentioned. There are several reasons — it is
only 40 road-miles and one hour from Schenectady; it is in
the Adirondack State Park at 1100-feet elevation; several
SBC members own camps there and spend considerable time
there in summer; there are some who are there frequently in
spring and autumn; and there's at least one who is there for
most winter week-ends.
Most reports from Jenny have been for summer birds, but
there have been some springtime Century Run additions to the
composite list from there; and on occasions there have been
Christmas Counts.
Allen H. Benton ("Some Rensselaer County Notes," FEATHERS,November, 1953, p. 82) has pointed out that Rensselaer County has many sections that need study. The same can be said
of Saratoga County; Saratoga Lake and the southern part of
the county receive most of the attention. Saratoga County
has its peaks and forests in the northern part, but field
trips into the area have been few — back in 1947 SBC did
have one trip to Jenny Lake.
The following list of 98 species definitely does not in
dicate all the birds of Jenny Lake and its environs. Ra
ther, it summarizes the list of species which have been re
ported in FEATHERS by various observers in notes since 1942,
plus a few unpublished notes. It is probably a fair indica
tion of the breeding species, but insufficient with regard
to transients and stragglers. Species shown in bold-face
type are permanent or summer residents; the others are tran
sients or winter visitors. The list:
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
American Egret
American BitternCanada Goose
Black Duck
Wood Duck
American Merganser
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged HawkOsprcy
Ruffed Grouse
American WoodcockSpotted Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Whip-poor-willChimney Swift
Ruby-lhr. Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
22
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Crested Flycatcher
Eastern PhoebeYellow-bellied Flycatcher
Traili's Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Wood PeweeOlive-sided Flycatcher
Tree SwallowBarn SwallowBlue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted NuthatchBrown Creeper
House WrenWinter Wren
Catbird
Brown Thrasher
American Robin
Wood ThrushHermit Thrush
Olive-backed ThrushVeery
Eastern Bluebird
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing
Common Starling
Solitary VireoRed-eyed Vireo
Black and White Warbler
Nashville WarblerYellow WarblerMagnolia Warbler
Black-thr. Blue Warbler
Myrtle Warbler
Black-thr. Green Warbler
Blackburnian WarblerChestnut-sided Warbler
(Cont.)
FEATHERS March, 1954
FEATHERS ia publi-ned monlnly bySCHENECTADY SIRD CLUB, INC
Editor: GuyBactlett, 1053 Tarlntfood BWd.
Circulation.: Tv(abel Barnes, 114 McOellan St.*Viola'Mabb, Treasurer, 1624 BeckeeSteeei
Annual Membership Dues: Sustaining, S^, Acttai, $3; Associate, $2; Junior, $1
Oven-bird
Mourning Warbler
Common YellowthrocrtCanada Warbler
Redstart
House Sparrow
Eastern Mcadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore OrioleRusty Blackbird
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbtrd
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted GrosbeakIndigo Bunting
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Pine Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Red Crossbill
Eastern TowheeSlate-colored Junco
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
FEATHERS Morch, 1954
1954 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ARE NAMED
Nelle G. Van Vorst was reelected president of Scheneotady
Bird Club, Inc., at the annual meeting held February 22 in
the Pine Room, First Methodist Church.
Samuel R. i&dison was named vice president. Viola Mabb
was reelected treasurer. Mildred D. Crary was elected sec
retary.
Three two-year directors were named. Guy Bartlett was
reeleoted, and Paul O'Meara and Dr. Minnie B. Scotland were
newly eleoted. Directors remaining in office until the next
annual meeting are Alice Holmes and Leon A. Wiard.
Committee chairmen appointments awaited the next meeting
of the board — the nine officers and directors.
SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS
Esly Hollenbeek and Leon A. Wtard, Co-chairmen
SPRING — EARLY ? Upper Hudson. Feb. 21
Red-wings, Crackles and a Song Sparrow were included in
the count of the Upper Hudson field trip on February 21. In
fact there were two flocks of Red-wings seen, one just south
of Cohoes and the other on the Schenectady-Clifton Park
road. It was the latter flock that contained the Grackles.
The cloudy day did not bring the large number of water
birds expected. The Black Ducks on the Hudson were not in
large rafts, and the Llergansers and Golden-eyes were scat
tered individuals. I-Iallards were diligently sought. Both
the Ifohawk and Hudson rivers were open except for a stretch
in the Hudson between Mechanicville and Stillwater, where a
surface of ice still remained.
One species that was sought without success was the Great
Black-backed Gull. Two days earlier, on Friday the 19th, 10
of them had been seen flying north over the Hudson River in
Troy. The ornithology vlass at State College, Albany, had
this rare opportunity to observe these shore-inhabiting
birds in this inland region. The gulls gave the class a
view of them also riding on the surface of the water. The
first-mentioned appearance of these large gulls in this area
was in 1943. Again in 1947, 1948 and 1951 reference to themwas made in FEATHERS.
Also missed on the SBC field trip was the Tufted Titmouse.
A stop was made at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Crandall,
RD 1, Cohoes. They had had a Titaouse at/their feeder since
November 25, practically daily; it simply was not there,
however, when the SBC members stopped. The bird had been
photographed by the Crandalls.
Eighteen species were noted: Mallard, 9; Black Duck, 150;
American Golden-eye, 20; American Merganser, 25; Sparrow
Hawk, 2; Herring Gull; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Horned Lark, -1;
31ue Jay, 10; Crow, 10; Black-capped Chickadee, 1; White-
Breasted Nuthatch, 1; Starling; House Sparrow; Red-winged
Blackbird, 20+8; Purple Grackle, 2; Tree Sparrow, 10; and
Song Sparrow, 1. __ Dr< ^^^ ^ Scotland
24
Published by Schcnectady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 No.4 April, 1934
BIRDS OF THE ALBANY COUNTY PINE-OAK BARRENS
Edward D. Traacy
The pine-oak barrens, lying between Albany and Scheneota-dyt New York, have an unusually Interesting avifauna. For
some years the Sohenectady Bird Club has made annual field
trips to this locality, but little intensive work has been
done. This study was initiated for the purpose of determin
ing the actual bird population of a portion of this area
during the breeding season.
The author is indebted to Dr. Minnie B. Scotland and Dr.Allen H. Benton of the Hew Tork State College for Teachers
at Albany for advice and encouragement and to Mr. Rueben
Warrell for assistance in the field work.
The total area of these barrens is now approximately 35
to 40 square miles. The soil is predominantly sandy, its
upper portions being somewhat loamy fine sand, the deeper
portions a coarse compact sand (Bitter, Alice M. 1941 —A biological survey of a sandy area west of Albany, Albany
Co., N.Y. Unpub. thesis, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y.), Theelevation of the area varies from 200 feet above sea level
at the southern border to 360 feet in the northern portion.This large area of sand originated as a delta formed in a
glacial lake, known as Lake Albany.
Its Trees and Shrubs
Fart of the area was forested, at one time, with white
pine, but at present the trees and shrubs of the area in-
olude these prominent species — Scrub Oak (Querous ilici-
folia, Wang.), Dwarf Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinoides, Wild.),Black Locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia L.), Sweet Fern (Compto-nia peregrina (1) Coult.), Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida, Mill.),Large-toothed Aspen (Populus grandidentata, Michz.), Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides, Michz.), Smooth Sumac(Rhus glabra L.), and Staghom Sumac (Rhus typhina L. ).
The history of the barrens is one of disturbance. After
the original pine-oak growth was out or burned off by theearly settlers, attempts at farming were made. Poor soil
conditions and wind-blown shifting sands soon discouragedmost attempts, but remnants of orchards and cleared fieldsstill persist. More and more the periphery of the barrens
is being populated, and residential districts of considerable size are springing up. The New York State Thruway fromNew York City to Buffalo, to be completed soon, is cuttingthrough the heart of the area and is but one of the manydisturbing agents. The area is used extensively for reorea-
25
FEATHERS April, 1934
FEATHERS is publishedmontkly bySCHENECTADY *BIRD CLUB, INC
Editor: GuyBartlett, 1053 <Parkw»od BlwL
Circulation: 'Mabel Bacnee, 114 McCtellan St
Viola. *Mabb, Treasurer, 1624 BeckerSteset
Annual MembecsKip Dues: Sustaining, $6; Actwe, $3; Associate, $2; Junior,
tion, with bridle paths transversing it in many plaoes. Evl-
denoes of past pionio sites are everywhere, and wholesale
dumping of trash and refuse has unfortunately marred many
ravines. Almost yearly vast areas are burned over by fire,
springing from carelessly attended picnic fires and unat
tended dumps. It is probable that this periodic firing of.
the.area plays a major role in controlling the present bird
population.
A Thirty-acre Study Area
In February 1951 a study area was selected in the center
of the sand barrens new Karner, Albany County. A 30-aore
tract was marked off in a grid on lines 208 feet 8 inches
apart in the manner described by Pough in 1947. During May
1952 on eleven separate occasions a census was made by walk-:
ing slowly along each line with map, pencil.and binoculars.
Each bird seen or heard was noted on the map and after each
trip the records were transferred to maps for each species.
Forty-two species of birds were observed during these
trips, but only eighteen species appeared to be resident on
the study area (Table 1). To this number may be added theCowbird which was seen frequently on the study area.
TABLE 1 Territories of eighteen species established on area
Field Sparrow. ... 6 pairsRed-eyed Towhee. . . 5
Black-cap.Chickadee. 4
Brown Thra'sher ... 4
Chestnut-s.V/rblr . . 4
Chipping Sparrow . . 4
Kingbird 2
Blue jay 2
Bluebird 2
Total 45
Starling 2Pine Warbler 2
Indigo Bunting .... 2
Flicker. ....... 1
House Wren 1Catbird 1
Yellowthroat ..... 1
Scarlet Tanager. . • . 1
Vesper Sparrow . . . . 1
pairs
pairs
It will be seen from Table 1 that forty-five pairs of
birds, representing eighteen species, had established territories on this thirty-aore tract. Disregarding the faot
that many of these territories extended beyond the study
area this represents 1.5 pairs per acre.
Of the forty-five breeding pairs, twenty-seven belonged
to six species. These six — Field Sparrow, Red-eyed Towhee, Black-capped Chickadee, Brown Thrasher, Chestnut-sidedYterbler, and Chipping Sparrow — are the only ones which
oould be considered oommon.
The chickadee territories were in areas where Pitch Pine
was present. Probably this tree was the only plant speciesof the area of sufficient size to provide nesting holes. The
towhee was found in areas where Scrub Oak was the dominantplant, although one territory included a locust grove. All
four pairs of Chipping Sparrows were in and around an open
26
FEATHERS April, 1934
area where an abandoned farm existed* Three of the four
pairs of Chestnut-sided Warblers were found in groves of lo
cust, although their territories extended beyond these
groves in every case. A possible explanation for this dis
tribution is that the males have the habit (here) of singingfrom relatively high perches.
No consistent pattern of ecological distribution could be
determined for the Field Sparrows and Brown Thrashers which
occurred more or less uniformly over the entire area.
Of the less common species, several were limited in habi
tat. Two apirs of Starlings had territories on the aban
doned farm. Pine Warblers were restricted to Pitch Pine
groves; both Indigo Bunting pairs were found in locustgroves; Catbird and Vesper Sparrow were near the abandoned
farm, though the latter was usually heard singing from a lo
cust tree.
Records of the Schenectady Bird Club show that several
other interesting species probably breed in this sand barrenhabitat, although they were not found in the study area.
These species are Red-shouldered Hawk, Crow, Yellow Warbler,
Prairie Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Cedar Waxwing, and Song Sparrow. Most of these are local in
distribution over the area. The Prairie Warbler colony is
of considerable extent and is probably the largest such
group in upstate New York*
(This article by Mr. Treacy is reprinted from The Kingbird* Vol. Ill, No. 4, December, 1953, pages 84-857 TheKingbird is the quarterly publication of The Federation of
New York State Bird Clubs. Mr. 'xreacy now resides at Highland Falls, N.Y. )
SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS
Dr. Roy E. Hvnt and Pauline Baker, Co-chairmen
AN EARLY PIPIT Scotia* March 7
There was no doubt about the most interesting record of
the SBC field trip along Collins Lake and Sunnyside Road in
Scotia on March 7. A Pipit was spotted and identified byNancy Harrington, and observed by several others of the dozen trip participants. Several others among the 20 listed
species also indicated early spring. The list:
Black Duck, 17; American Merganser, 10; Killdeer, 2; Her
ring Gull, 50; Mourning Dove, 1; Belted Kingfisher, 1; HairyWoodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 5» Crow, 15;
Black-capped Chickadee, 5; Robin, 1; Pipit, 1; Starling, 30;
House Sparrow, 5;.Red-winged Blackbird, 4; Purple Grackle,3;Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 7; and Song Sparrow, 3»
It was a three-hour field trip, from 8 to 11 a.m. It wasa sunny day, with a moderate wind, and a below-freezing 25
degree temperature* The itilldeer was not an unexpected
record; there were several previous winter records for thebird there this season. The Pipit, however, really was an
unexpected, and welcome, addition to the day's list.
— .Nellie Silliman
27
FEATHERS April, 1»84
BRIEFING THE RECORDDr. Alton H. Button, Retards CommHte* Chairaian
\
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
Although January was unusually cold (4. degrees below normal), several species wintered locally, somewhat north oftheir usual winter range* One Killdeer wintered at Collins
Lake (EHallehbeok), and a Great Blue Heron was seen in January (EH7. Robins were reported several times in mid-winterfrom Albany (ABenton) and Soheneotady (EH). A small flockof Bluebirds spent the winter near Slingerlands (Mrs.CGraoe),coming grequenlt to Mrs. Grace's feeding station. AnTmma-ture Baltimore Oriole spent the winter at this same feeding
station, and was observed daily. Occasional Red-wings werereported through the winter. Song Sparrows winter regular
ly, In a few favored spots; at least one has spent the pastseveral winters at Six-mile Reservoir (AB).
Other notable records during January include: Gray Shrike,
Scotia, Jan. 9 (NSilliman) and Jan. 14 (EH); Snow Buntings,four, at Schenectady Jan. 12 (MAndrews). This is our onlyrecord for Snow Buntings this year.
After a few cold days February was warmer than usual,with most of the precipitation in the form of rain. This
resulted in a flood of early migrants at the end of the
month. Grackles appeared in Sohenectady as early as Feb. 19
(GMeader), and Red-wings appeared soon thereafter. A Cow-bird was seen in Albany on Feb. 22 (HHarrington). Robinsbegan to appear in some numbers about Feb. 25, and were wide
spread by the end of the month. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was
seen at Warrensburg on Feb. 28 (EH); they wintered as usualat Jenny Lake (GBartlett). Other noteworthy records includea Short-eared OwT near Rensselaer on Feb. 7 (NH); GrayShrike at Delmar Game Farm on Feb. 26 (MScotland).
The numbers of our winter birds were for the most part
normal or below* Purple Finches, however, were present in
unusual numbers. They were present at feeding trays in
Scheneotady (Mrs. WButler. EH), Scotia (NS), Amsterdam (Mrs.HDeGroff), Ballston Lake (Mrs. EUuraane), and SlingerlandsTSG). Evening Grosbeaks oame leTe and in small numbers. Onereport was reoeived of their appearance at Ballston Lake on
Jan. 9 and 15, but most observers reported them as arrivingin late January or February. Small numbers were seen at Amsterdam on Jan. 26 (HD), Schenectady three times in February (WB), at Ballston Lake beginning on Feb. 5 (Elf), and atWarrensburg Feb. 28 (EH). Tree Sparrows were common everywhere. Horned Larks were reported in small numbers. Lar
gest flock was about 50 seen along Shaker Road, Colonla, on
Jan. 16 (AB). Other small flocks were reported by Hallen-beck and the SBC Hudson-Mohawk trip of Feb. 21.
Although March records are not due at this time, two are
of such special interest that they may be included. An Ice
land Gull was seen beneath the Western Gateway Bridge, Sche
nectady, on Maroh 2 (EH). Three Shovellers were seen atVlscher Ponds on Maroh 7 by Mr. and Mrs. Foote and Nancy
Harrington. Other noteworthy reoords of the field trip of
March 7 will be found in the regular report of the trip.
28
Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 Ne.5 May. 1954
It's for the BirdsOwners and tenants of Schenectady buildings, like those
in many other communities, will be interested in the experi
ment in the City of State College, Pa., which resulted in
getting rid, temporarily at least, of the thousands of star
lings which annoyed the community.
In three square miles there are 10,000 to 12,000 star
lings and the racket they set up when they congregated on
buildings and in trees was enough to drive honest folk out
of their minds. Many devices have been used in various ci
ties in effort to get rid of starlings, short of turning a
machine gun on them, but each method has either failed or
has been impractical.
At State College, scientists tried something different.
They captured one starling and shook it, making it squeal in
anger, protest, or whatever it is birds do when shaken. A
recording was made of the chirping, and then amplified many
times. Then the amplified sound was directed up into the
trees where thousands of starlings mey for their daily song-
fest. Either they were tricked into thinking some of them
were having their necks wrung, or they just didn't like the
noise; in any event they left in a hurry and didn't come
back — to that spot.
From all the stories of anti-starling devices which look
good at first but proved futile in the long run, we respect
fully decline tc hail the "recorded starling voice" as THE
solution. Starlings, pigeons and other dumb creatures have
too often proved themselves not so "dumb." VJe also wonder
whether the cure night not be worse than the disease if it
is necessary to blast starlings out of their wits with even
greater noise than the starlings make. However, we pass
along the idea in case anyone wants to try it locally.* * *
The above item appeared as an editorial in a recent is
sue of The Sohenectady Gazette. It might be further sug
gested that Cornell bring out a special album of records,
including not only the starling, but also the pigeon and thehoure snarrow.
t BRIEFING THE RECORDDr. Allon H. Benton, Record* Committee Chairman
March started off pleasantly enough, but King Winter as
serted himself before the middle of the month and continued
to hold sway until April 1. The unseasonable cold slowed
29
FEATHEBS Mqy, 1954
migration and brought winter birds swarming to feeders. By
the end of the month, however, nost of the expected species
had appeared.
Pied-billed Grebe was seen at Collins Lake on March 31
(EHallenbeck), Horned Grebe at Saratoga Lake on March 28(NHarrington). Canada Geese were first seen on March 15(Rl?itelman). Ducks were present in.good nunbers, with unusually numerous reports of Hooded Mergansers. Others seen
and worthy of note include Shovellers, Redheads, Vischer
Ponds, March 11 (EH); Bufflehead, Alcove Reservoir, March 21.(-SMadison). Saratoga Lake March 28 (Nil); Red-breasted Mergansers, Collins Lake, Maroh 31 (EH).
Killdeers began to appear in numbers about March 20.
Kingfishers were first reported at East Nassau on &arch 28(ACNewman). A Tree Swallow was seen at Saratoga Lake March28 (NH) and a Barn Swallow was reported at Schenectady onthe same day (HE). Phoebes were first reported on March 29from Albany (ABenton) and Vischer's Ferry (NVanVorst).
Robins straggled along through the month, nost observers
reporting arrival dates between the 10th and 20th. Blue
birds appeared in numbers after March 20. Meadowlarks were
seen on March 19 (AB) and 21 (EH), Mrs. Grace's BaltimoreOriole burst into song on March 29, and is now in adult maleplumage, lira. Fitzgerald reports a Rusty Blackbird at Am
sterdam on March 30, and a Cardinal on-March 24 and 28. Cow-birds, reported twice in February, as possible wintering
birds, arrived as migrants on March 9 (AB) and were commonby the 20th. A Savannah Sparrow arrived at Gallupville on
March 30 (GZimmer). Fox Sparrows in small numbers were reported throughout the month. A Flicker was reported from
Burnt Hills on February 28, but missed last Month's records.
Wintering birds held on to the end of March, with several
new speoies reported. A delayed report is that of a Snowy
Owl in the vicinity of Chatham through mid-February. Sever
al additional January and February reports of Snow Buntings
have also reached us. New species include Goshawk, March 15
at Schaghticoke (ACN): Pine Grosbeaks, four seen near Voor-heesville April 1 (GZj; and Pine Siskins from Jenny Lake(GBartlett) and Gallupville (GZ). Evening Grosbeaks continued in small numbers, with 15-20 at Amsterdam throughout
March (Fitzgerald), 30-40 at Gallupville March 30 (GZ), and40 at Ballston Lake April 3 (GHackett). Four Gray Shrikeswere seen at Vischer Ponds March 12 (EH). A single Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen at Saratoga Lake March 28 (EH).
t SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS
Dr. Roy E. Hunt and Paulina Baker, Co-chairmen
NOT MUCH LIKE SPRING Schermerhorn-Campbell Roads. Inarch 21
The combination of a 15 to 20 mile "breeze*, a tempera
ture of 30 to 34, and a snow squall did not contribute to a
long list of species for the Schermerhorn-Campbell Roads
trip of March 21. There were nine participants, 16 species;Black Duck, 2; Killdeer, 4; Herring Gull, 6; Ring-billedGull, 2; Hairy V/oodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay,2; Crow, 12; Bluebird, 1; House Sparrow; Meadowlark, 1; Red-
30
FEATHERS
FEATHERS ia published monthly by
SCHENECTADY «BIRD CLUB, ING
Editor: Guy Bartlett, 1053 Tackwtood Blvd.
Circulation: 'Mabel Barnes, 114 McCUllan St
Viola *Mabb, Tccaeucec, 1624 Becker Street
Annual Membership Dues: Sustaining, $6;
May, 1954
Active, $3; Associate^ $2; Junior $1
winged Blackbird, 6; Goldfinch, 25; Tree Sparrow, 4; FoxSparrow, 1; and Song Sparrow, 4. — Esly rlallenbeck
COLD. AGAIN Saratoga and Round Lakes, frlarch 28
It was a raw raorning (22°) with a penetrating breezesweeping across the lakes, but the ducks didn't seem to mind.
The Greater Scaup, American Golden-eyes, and American Mergansers were plentiful. It was partly cloudy, but the sun
broke through often enough to let our scopes pick up sharp
iioages of brilliant pluriuges afloat.
A large flock of Golden-eyes and Scaup were viewed with
the sun shining on our backs, and the greenish cast on the
ureater Scaups' heads was clearly seen by all. Nine Canvas-backs alternately bobbed up and down on the waves and took
off on short flights for our inspection. American Widgeon,
Buffle-head and a Hooded Merganser added their colors to the
list. Song Sparrows sang everywhere. A Sharp-shinned Hawk
sailed overhead as we were jotting down the score. The 34
species:
Pied-billed Grebe, 2; Black Duck, 15; American V.'idgeon,3;Ring-necked Duck, 4; Canvas-back, 9; Greater Scaup, 700;Lesser Scaup, 50; American Golden-eye, 400; Buffle-head, 2;
Hooded Merganser, 1; American llerganser, 200; Sharp-shinned
Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; American Coot, 1; Killdeer,
5; Herring Gull, 100; Uourning Dove, 2; 3elted Kingfisher, 1;
Hairy V.'oodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow; Slack-
capped Chickadee, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; American
Robin, 12; Eastern Bluebird, 3; Concaon Starling; House Spar
row; Red-winged Blackbird; Purple Grackle; Purple Finch, 1;
American Goldfinch, 4; Slate-colored Junco, 3; American Tree
Sparrow, 12; Song Sparrow, 40. Also, en route, Eastern Msa-
dowlark. — Samuel R. Madison
SIGN OF SPRING Watervliet Reservoir. April 4
At 8:30 a. n. the two early ones were at the bridge at T"a-
tervliet Reservoir, and saw'a dozen Hooded Mergansers in
good light. By the time the leader and the Schenectady del
egate had arrived, the birds had reached shore and were
harder to see. 3y climbing and approaching from the side,
all agreed to the Hooded Mergansers.
Though it was plenty chilly, the ducks seemed to be enjoying the lake. The Wood Duck flotilla did not display
their colors well but the pattern was clear and sure. The
31ue-winged Teal flirted their wings and displayed the light
blue patches in all their width. The Golden-eyes were clean
and the white spot very evident. The Ring-necked Ducks were
in good form and showed their white crescents. The sudden
flight of the Flicker was a welcome surprise, and the wag-
wag of the Phoebe on the wire was a true spring sign. The
Chickadees came near when they heard the saueak of Eslyfs
bird-caller.The call of the Nuthatch; the singing on the wing of the
Meadowlarks, and the five busy Downy Woodpeckers were good
31
Moyt 1954
sights. The Downy can certainly do a stripping job! The
Tree, Song, Fox Sparrows amd Junco nixed sociably. But the
best was the last stop off Hurst Road, toward G-uilderland,
where five Red Crossbills were swinging and chatting as they
gnaweo. the hemlock cones. V/e could not miss thera for the
shower of shells that came down. And on the ground below
were Pine Siskins. It was a good morning! — Pauline Baker
NEWS AND NOTES IN BRIEF.
The Human Ornithological Perch Society (HOPS) foundersrecently held their first meeting since the society was
founded. The meeting was for the sole purpose of tightening
up the requirements for membership.
Some persons have qualified for membership through the
establishment of feeding stations at which the wild birds
have become so tame they light on their benefactors. Al
though this may be considered a slight stretching of the
qualifications for membership, yet we have felt that such
bird lovers, who have worked hard to win the confidence of
their free boarders, deserve the distinction of membership.
»Ve do not feel, however, that we can extend this attitude
to cover friends of feeding-station operators. The mere
fact of a visit to a feeding station where birds have lost
their fear of man and have lit on the visitor as well as the
proprietor of the station, should not in itself be consi
dered a qualification for laembership in HOPS.
So, from now on, the regulations of the society will be
considered to have been amended to conform to this philoso
phy. V,:e thought you ought to know.
— Uelle G. Van Vorst and BHrringtbn S. Havens
MIGRATION DATES NEEDED
Of course you are, as requested, sending in all your mi
gration dates and other records to Dr. Allen H. Benton by
the 5th of the following month.
For his use in compiling a special report in a cooperative study of bird migration. He needs all possible reports
on 1954 arrival dates of:
Canada Goose, Marsh Hawk, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Mourn
ing Dove, Nighthawk, Chiraney Swift, Ruby-throated Humming
bird, Yellow-shafted Flicker.
Eastern Kingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, E.
Wood Pewee, Barn Swallow, Purple Llartin, Common Crow, House
Wren, Catbird, Brown Thrasher.
7,'ood Thrush, E. Bluebird (male); E. Bluebird (female);Red-eyed Vireo, Black and White V/arbler, Yellow V/arbler,
Myrtle Warbler, Oven-bird, American Redstart.fled-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo 3unting, American Goldfinch,
Slate-colored Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Y/hite-crowned Spar
row, White-throated Sparrow.
Dates for individuals which wintered should not be inclu
ded. Departure dates should be included, if known, if so
marked.
Benton's address — 11 Saradale Street, Albany, N. Y.
32
Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc
Vol.16 No.6 June, 19S4
CENTURY RUN IS WETTEST EVER --
BRANT FEATURES LIST OF 129 SPECIESG. MALCOLM ANDREWS. Century Run Chairman
Rain was the order of the day on Saturday, May 8. Sever
al times anxious birders scanned the low-hanging clouds for
signs of clearing, and several times the sun almost broke
through, but each time the rain slowed down it came gushing
forth again to dampen birds and birders alike.
In spite of the one-inch rain, which incidentally may
have made many species less wary and more approachable, SBC
birders came through with a tidy total of 129 species. Only
one observer topped the century mark, with 101 species.
It was the first year in which the Sacandaga Reservoir
area v/as covered on a Century Run. One interesting result
of this coverage was the finding of Evening Grosbeaks well
established as probable summer residents at Day, Edinburgh
and Broadalbin, not too many air-miles from the Albany-Sehe-
nectady area — it is an area which should experience more
intensive exploration by SBC members in the future.
One species was added to the grand total for all local
Century Runs. Flocks of Brant were seen at Saratoga and
Round Lakes, and oh the Mohawk River at Rexford bridge.
'•There were 22 well-soaked participants, in eight groups.
Those participating, their areas and their totals were:
Group A Mr. and Mrs. William R. Foote, Carrington How
ard, Nancy Harrington, Richard Booth, Dr. Roy Hunt, Mrs.
Howard E. Fuller; 5:30 to 9 a.m., 10:30 to noon, 3:30 to
6:30 p.m. Alplaus, Burnt Hills, Vischer Ponds, BallstonLake, liohawk River at Rexford; 62 species.
Group B Samuel R. Madison, Leon 7/iard, Ellen Bair; 4:20
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Y/ashington Park in Albany, Delmar, L'ea-
dowdale, Indian Ladder. 58 species.
Group C Mrs. Chester Zimmer; all-day watch at home.
Gallupville; 22 species.
Group D Nelle G. Van Vorst, Dr. Minnie B. Scotland, and
Alice Holmes in one car; Esly Hallenbeck, G. Malcolm An
drews in second car. Two cars together half of time; 3:30
a.m. to 8 p.m. Areas covered together, Kosendale Road, Nis-
kayuna, Wide Waters, Crescent Bridge, Vischer Ponds; first
car only, Saratoga Lake and city, Round Lake, Slingerlands;
seoond car only, Central Park, Meadowdale. Composite total,
89 species.
Group E Guy Bartlett, Barrington S. Havens (part time);
33
FEATHERS
FEATHERS w published monthly bySCHENECTADY *BIRD CLUB, ING
Editor: GuyBartlett, 1053'Padewood Blwd.
Circulation: *Mabel Barnes, 114 McCleUan St.
Viola.Tvtabb, Treasurer, 1624 BeckeeSteeei
Annual MembersKlp Dues: Sustaining, $5;
June, 1954
Active, $3; Associate, $2} Junior, $1
5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jenny Lake, Saratoga Lake, Sacandaga Res
ervoir, Mayfield, Schuylerville, Northville,Efner Lake, and
Stafford's Bridge; 200+ miles by car; 101 speoies.
Group F Mrs. Lillian C. Stoner, Pauline Baker; 8 a.m. tonoon. Washington Park, Routes 32 and 144, Van Wie Point onHudson River, Cedar Hill; 25 miles by car, 1/2 mile on foot.36 speoies.
Group G Allen Benton; 5*30 to 8 a.m. Albany, Jiarners,
Troy, laenands Bridge; 38 species.
Group H l«3rs. G. M. Eddy; Stone Ridge Road at Sohenectady,
and Gallupville; 21 species.
The 129 species on the composite total for the day:
Common LoonHorned Grebe
Pied-billed GrebeGreat Blue Heron
Green HeronBlk-cr.Night Heron
American Bittern
Canada Goose
American Brant
Mallard
Black Duck
American Pintail
Blue-winged Teal
Wood Duck
Lesser Scaup
Soaup (sp?)Amer. Golden-eye
Ruddy Duck
Amer. Merganser
Red-br. Merganser
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered tiawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Osprey
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Ring-necked .fheas.
Virginia Rail
Sora
Florida Gallinule
Killdeer
Woodoock
Upland Plover
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
a
a
a
a
b
a
b
b
a
b
b
b
ab
b
ab
b
ab
a
a
e
e
d
d
de
de g
de
d
de
d
def
d
de
e
d
d
e
de
e
e
e
d
e
e
de
d
e
e
d fg
e
d
de
de
e
d
de
Pectoral Sandpiper
Semipalm. Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Rins-billed Gull
Common Tern
Mourning Dove
V/hip-poor-will
Chimney Swift
Ruby-thr.Hummingbird
Belted kingfisher
flicker
Pileated WoodpeckerYel-bel. Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Kingbird
Crested Flycatoher
Phoebe
Traill's Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
RouRh-winaed Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Purple Martin
Blue Jay
Crow
Blk-cap.ChickadeeWhite-br.Nuthatch
Red-breasted nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Long-b.Marsh Wren
Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Robin
d
d
ab def
de
d
ab defg
e
b de
e
ab de g
abedefgh
e
e
bede h
a cdef h
d
ab de
abedef h
e
cde Eh
a de
abede
ab de g
b d
abede ghab de
de
abedefghabedefg
ab de h
cdef h
e
e
ab defghb de
ab def£
ab defg
abedefgh
34
FEATHERS 19S4
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Veery
Bluebird .
ab defg
be e
ab de g
bede h
La. Water-thrush d
Common Yellowthroat ab defg
Canada Warbler e
American Kedstart de
Golden-cr. Kinglet
Ruby-cr. Jiinglet
Water Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
g
House Sparrow abedefgh
Bobolink ab d f
ileadowlark ab def
Red-winged Blackbird abode gh
Starling
Solitary Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireomg
~Wh1
abedefgh
ef
ef
b d g
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Grackle
CowbirdScarlet Tanager
abedefg
abedefgh
abedefgh
ef
Blk & White Warbler
Golden-wing.Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville V/flrbler
de g
d
Se g
Rose-br. urosbeak def
Evening U-rosbeak e
Purple Finch b def h
.Fine Siskin e
Yellow Warbler ab def
Magnolia Warbler a e
Blk-thr.Blue Wrblr. ab de
Myrtle Warbler ab defg
Goldfinch
Red-eyed Townee
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
abedefgh
ab defg
b e
a de
Blk-thr.Green Wrblr. de
Blaokburnian Warbler d
Chestnut-sided Wrblr a de g
Pine Warbler eg
Slate-colored Junco e
shipping Sparrow abedefgh
.Field Sparrow ab defg
Wh-crowned Sparrow a
Prairie Warbler
Oven-bird
Worth.Water-thrush
ab de
a e
S White-thr. Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
| Song Sparrow
a defg
ab de
abedefgh
t BRIEFING THE RECORDDr. Allen H. Benton, Records CommHtM Chairman
APRIL, although not so wet as last year, had precipita-
tion slightly above normal. The weather behaved in typicalApril fashion, with some very hot periods and some cold,
rainy days. Average temperature was about three degrees
above normal, xaigration was for the most part normal after
the first cold days of the month.
Pied-billed Grebes were seen throughout the month. Amer
ican Bittern was first seen at Vischer Ponds on Apr.22
(MBScotland and NWorst). Black-crowned wight Herons were
seen there Apr. 30 IMBS). Fourteen Whistling Swans droppedinto Vischer Ponds Apr. 4 (WRFoote). Other waterfowl wereobserved in fair numbers at widely scattered localities.
Some April arrival dates were: Blue-winged Teal, Apr.l, Vis
cher Ponds INW & EHallenbeck); Wood Duck, Albany, Apr. 1
(AHBenton).
JSJost of the expected hawks have been reported, but with
no large flights noted. A Cooper's Hawk was seen on the SBC
Central Park trip of April 25. Pigeon Hawks were reported
near Tomhannock Keservoir Apr.2 (JffiS) and vischer ronds onApr. 4 IWRF). No reports of Broad-winged Hawks have been
received.
No new shore-birds had been reported by April 30. *ourBonaparte's Gulls and nine Common Terns were seen on the m>-
hawk Kiver at Frazier's Ferry on Apr. 17 iFRTurrentlne and
RStone).
35
FEATHERS J»n«, 1934
Flickers appeared in numbers in early April. Yellow-bel
lied Sapsucker was first seen at Gallupvilie Apr. 8 (CZim-mer) and appeared in Albany and Schenectady before the 15th.A Crested Flycatcher v/as seen near Slingerlands on Apr. 29
(LGrace), a Least Flycatcher at Vischer Ponds on the 30th(MBS). Swallows were on time, with reports of Rough-wingedApr. 22 (MBS & NW); Bank on Apr. 30 (MBS); Barn on Apr. 10(SBC Vischer Ponds trip); Purple Martin Apr. 27 at Gallup-ville ICZ).
A Tufted Titmouse has been patronizing a feeder in Oohoes
and was reported on Apr. 3 (jTCrandall). Both iiouse Wren and
Winter Wren were reported by several observers, earliest
dates for both being Apr. 9 \FLLaiaprey, MBS). Catbird wasfirst seen on Apr. 27 IFLL), Brown Thrasher Apr. 24 (AHolmes,AHB). The earliest nermit Thrush was reported on AprT~l9(GMeader). Ruby-crowned Ainglets were first seen Apr. 13l3HB) and were migrating in large numbers about the 25thwhen they were reported in large numbers by several obser
vers. A laggard Northern Shrike was seen at Tomhannock
Keservoir on Apr. 3 (NVT, JiE).
April vireos included Ked-eyed, Apr. 9 iFLL) and Solitary
Apr. 25 ISBC Central Park trip). Warblers were bellow, Apr.
30 IMBS); Myrtle, Apr. 22 (MBS, DlW)j alack-throated ureen,Apr. 24 lAH); jfarula, Apr. 25 IFLL); Pine, Apr. 30 (AHB);and Louisiana Water-thrush, Apr. 22 (MBS, JHW).
Rusty Blackbirds were reported from loudonville Apr. 1
(MFrenchJ and vischer ronds Apr. 4 IV/RF). Evening Grosbeaks
were still at Ballston Lake Apr. 3 (Ilrs. liHackett). Pine
Grosbeak, Apr. 1 ICZ), Ked Crossbill Apr. 4 (SBC WatervlietReservoir tripj, and .fine Siskin Apr. 1 INVV, EH) were late
individuals of wintering species. Towhees were first seen
Apr. 20 (MF), Vesper Sparrow Apr. 19 ILG), Field SparrowApr. 10 (SBC Vischer .rond trip); White-crowned Sparrow Apr.28 (FLL), and Hiite-throated Sparrow .Apr. 9 IFLL).
CONSERVATION CONSENSUJ""^Samuel R. Madison,Committee Chainnan
CORMORANT. PROTECTED
Governor Dewey has signed the bill which removes the cormorant from the list of unprotected birds in Wew Xork State.
Two species are protected, the Double-crested Cormorant of
ooastal and inland waters, and the Common uormorant which
frequents coastal areas only. The only present nesting
place of the Double-crested Cormorant in New York State of
which we know is Gull island, in Lake untario between Sack-
etts Harbor and Henderson Bay, and not far from General El
ectric 's Association Island. .During the past two years
there have been about 20 nests on Gull Island. John B. Bel-
knap of the North Country Bird Club reports that very few
young have been successfully hatched, however, beoause of
ruthless shooting. It is extremely doubtful that the birds
would continue such unsuccessful attempts at nesting on Gull
Island without protection. Only the House Sparrow, Starling,
Crow, Horned Owl, Grackle, Kingfisher, Sharp-shinned Hawk,Cooper's Hawk and Goshawk and now unprotected in this state.
36
Published by Schcnedady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 No 7 July, 1934
EASTERN NEW YORK -- WHAT IT ISDr. Allen H. Benton
Scheneotady Bird Club territory consists of the eleven
counties of Fulton, Montgomery, Scheneotady, Schoharie,
Greene, Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, V/arren and
Washington. It is an area of lakes, rivers, and mountains,
oultivated in the valleys and completely wild in many parts.
The most prominent streams are the Hudson River, which
traverses the entire area from north to south, and the Mo
hawk River, which crosses most of the area in a general west
to east direction. Hundreds of lakes dot the landscape, of
which the largest are Lake George, Sacandaga Reservoir, Saratoga Lake and Round Lake.
Elevation above sea level varies from about 25 feet at
the Hudson River south of Albany, to 4,000 feet at the top
of several of the Catskill peaks. The highest point in the
region is Hunter Mountain, in Greene county, which towers
In025 feet above sea level. None of the higher Adirondack
peaks occurs in this region, but several respectable moun
tains of about 3,000 feet elevation are found in Warren
County.
Besides the Adirondack and Catskill ranges, several other
mountain chains, enter the region. Outliers of the Berkshire
mountains, locally known as the Grafton Mountains, enter
northeastern Rensselaer county at elevations of about 2500
feet. The Taconic Range extends along the eastern border ofRensselaer and Columbia counties, with the highest peaks
reaching about 2,000 feet. The Helderberg Escarpment, an
outlier of the Catskills, lies slantwise across Albany-
county, reaching elevations of more than 1,600 feet. In
these mountainous areas, much of the land is covered with
some type of forest, although practioally all of it has been
forested at some time.
Ecologically, most of the forests are of the oak-hickory,or Appalachian forest association, and the hemlock-northern
hardwoods association. At the higher elevations, the northern coniferous forests of spruce and balsam may be found.
Besides these dominant formations, there are numerous bogs,
(The above article is adapted slightly from Dr. Benton»sdescription in the Regional Reports in the May, 1954 issueof The Kingbird, the publication of the Federation of NewYork State Bird Clubs, pages 21-22. In those reports the SBC"Eastern New York" is known as the Mohawk-Hudson Region.)
37
FEATHERS Jwly, 1954
cat-tail marshes of considerable extent, and other minor but
interesting areas. Among the largest and most interesting
of these smaller areas is the pine barrens near Albany and
Schenectady. In this area of sand, pitch pine is the onlycommon tree, and the entire area is covered with scrubby
plants such as scrub oak, hazelnuts, sheep laurel, and New
Jersey tea. This is the only known breeding habitat in ourregion for the prairie and pine warblers, and has many in
teresting plants and animals.
Two bird clubs are at present located in this region. The
Sassafras Bird Club at Amsterdam and the Schenectady Bird
Club, Inc., with members in Schenectady, Albany and Troy, aswell as in outlying districts, cover Montgomery, Schenectady
and Albany counties with a fair degree of effectiveness. Un
fortunately, the highly interesting areas in Greene, V/arren
and Rensselaer counties are poorly covered by these groups,
and additional bird clubs in these counties would be very
helpful. A club with headquarters in Glens Falls could co
ver Warren, Washington and parts of Saratoga counties, one
in the area of Catskill or Coxsackie would improve coverage
of Greene county, while a' Rensselaer-Columbia county group
is needed to adequately survey these neglected spots.
Well studies spots include Amsterdam, Schenectady, Alba
ny, Vischer Ponds along the' I/Iohawk River north of Albany,the pine barrens, the upper Hudson River above Albany, the
Tomhannock Reservoir in Rensselaer county, and the Mohawk
River from Schenectady to Cohoes. A summer colony at Jenny
Lake in Saratoga county has led to a careful study of the
summer birds in that locality. Work at the Huyck Preserve,
near Rensselaerville, Albany county, has resulted in ade
quate knowledge of the birds of that vicinity. Many other
areas remain relatively poorly known.
THOSE TANTALIZING AUTUMN WARBLERSDorothy W. Caldwell
Warbler migration in the spring in the northeast is a
source of Joy and stimulation to most of us bird-watchers
once we succumb to the lure of these exquisite little crea
tures. Identification of migrating warblers in the autumn
is more difficult, and often tantalizing. They seldom sing
for us, and they are no longer in gay nuptial plumage. Thefoliage of trees and shrubs is still luxuriant, and it is
often hard to get a good look at the little sprites as they
emerge momentarily and then flit back into dense leafy co
verts.
Until the past few years I have never been able to follow
the fall migration regularly in one locality. Since 1951 I
have been at work part of each week at a sanatorium north of
Woroester, Mass., looated on a pleasant hilltop (elevationabout 700 feet) with extensive grounds but lacking brooks orponds. Apparently we are out of the spring migration fly-
ways, and I was surprised late in the summer of 1952 to dis
cover that migrating warblers find our woodlands much more
interesting in the fall than they do in the spring. Not
38
FEATHERS July, 1954
FEATHERS i» published monthly bySCHENECTADY*BIRD CLUB, INC.
Editor: GuyBartlett, 1053'Packwood Blvd.
Circulation: *Mabel Barnes, 114 McCUllart St.*Viola *Mabb, Treasurer, 1624 Becker Street
Annual Membership Duea: Sustaining, $6; Actwe, $3; Associate, $2; Junior, f1
that I have ever experienced anything like the fall migra
tion of land birds that Maurice J3roun reports from the Look
out at Hawk I<fountain in his "Hawks Aloft", but I have had
fun enough to inspire a special effort to make certain early
evening walks as regularly as possible from mid-August into
October on the few days each week that X happen to be "in
residence.*
One favorite short walk down the western slope through
pine woods with a few oaks and maples makes a pleasant
stroll, but the birding is usually limited to occasional
chickadees, robins and oven-birds. Farther down the hill
side, between the woods and a grassy field bordered by an
old stone wall, lies a strip of low shrubby growth about 200
feet or more in width. The shrubs and small trees are pre
dominantly gray birch, wild cherry, thorn, and sweet fern,
where thrashers and towhees abound.
Season of 1952
August 15, 1952 I found the woodland walk as birdless as
usual, but when I reached the lower shrubby stretch I was
surprised and delighted to find an appreciable number of
warblers feeding busily. Among them I identified two Black
and Vfliite, one Golden-winged, one I^rrtle, four Chestnut-
sided, and one Prairie Warbler.
It was August 19 before I could revisit the territory.
I found only several Ifyrtle V/arblers, an immature Black-
capped, and a Least Flycatcher.
Un August 27 I was rewarded by a Magnolia Warbler andeight to 10 Blackpolled.
September 4 gave one House Wren, one Olive-backed Thrush,
three Chestnut-sided Warblers, one Bay-breasted, six Black-
polled, one Common xellowthroat, and one Canada Warbler.
September 9 I was able to identify only two Oven-birds,
three Blackpoll and one Ruby-crowned Kinglet, though there
were other small birds about.
It was late in the month before I could make the rounds
again. There were a few Black-poll Warblers still present,
but the Juncos, V/hite-throated and Chipping Sparrows had
pretty well taken over.
The Story of 1953
In August 1953 I tried to visit my little birch-oherry
grove more frequently, but saw no evidences of fall migra
tions at any time, Meanwhile 1 had found a gravel road
leading through similar territory a bit farther along on the
same western slope, and there I had my good hunting lastfall. At times the shrubs and small trees simply teemedwith birds, and 1 always felt that I was missing many more
individuals and species than 1 was able to identify. Occa
sionally 1 was rewarded with fine close-ups for a few moments that gave real thrills, as my really good views of a
39
FEATHERS July, 1954
Prothonotary and a Mourning Warbler, a Philadelphia Vireo, a
Gray-cheeked Thrush, and a Lincoln's Sparrow. These were
offset, however, by many frustrating glimpses of birds that
emerged momentarily and then disappeared forever from my
view.
liiy 1953 fall migration really started on August 12 near
the Sanatorium buildings with a small wave of flycatchers,
including nine Kingbirds, one Olive-sided Flycatcher, a Wood
Pewee and three Phoebes. No warblers were seen this date.
August H, on ray western slope, I found a Solitary Vireo,
a Red-eyed Vireo, a Nashville VJarbler, one Blackburnian, two
Chestnut-sided and one Prairie 'Yarbler, and one Redstart.
August 18 gave one Blaok and V/hite, one Prothonotary,
three Nashville, one Chestnut-sided, three Pine, one Black-
capped, and one Canada 7/arbler.
August 19 I saw well one Red-eyed and one Philadelphia
Vireo, three Blaok and White Warblers, three Nashville, one
Myrtle, two Black-throated Green, one Blaokburnian, two
Chestnut-sided, two Prairie V/arblers, and a Redstart.
August 20 gave essentially the same species and numbers,
but minus the Philadelphia Vireo and adding a Mourning
Warbler.
August 25 I saw no warblers. On August 26 I had a flockof abour 20 Chimney Swifts overhead, and on September 2 a
flock of nine Nighthawks. On September 9 two Pine 7/arblers
and one Black-throated Green were seen.
September 16 the warblers were moving through again. Ifound a B\aek and V/hite vYarbler, five Black-throated Green,and two Redstarts. The birch trees were simply alive with
Black-poll Warblers, at least 50 and probably more.
September 22 I found only two Black-poll V/arblers and one
Nashville. September 24 I saw no warblers, but had an ex
cellent view of a Lincoln's Sparrow.
October 1 brought me a Lyrtle V/arbler, two Black-throated
Green, one Bay-breasted, and about a dozen Black-poll and
two Palm Warblers, as well as a Gray-cheeked Thrush. On Oc
tober 4 I found a %rtle and six Black-poll Warblers still
about, and one Olive-backed Thrush. October 8 closed my
season's warbler chapter at the Sanatorium, with a lone
Black-poll V/arbler.
Now I am looking forward to the fall season of 1954.
f~CONSERVATION CONSENSUS"^Samuel R. Madison, Committee Chairman
CORMORANT BACKGROUND
The Cormorant is now protected in New York State. It was
a year ago when the Conservation Committee of the Federation
of New York State Bird Clubs determined to sponsor legisla
tion to protect the bird. The New York State Conservation
Council agreed to support the measure. Scientific studiesshow the bird is helpful in the regulation of fish popula
tions; it lives largely on ooarse, shallow-water and bottom-
feeding species — generally undesirable kinds.
40
Published by Schcntctady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 Np.8 August, 1954
BIRDS AT YOUR BACK DOOR ciaxe,.
It will soon be that time of year when the available food
supply for the birds must be running very low, especially
for those that seem to contain themselves within about the
same area day after day. They have inspected all possible
twigs for insect eggs, hunted along all crevices, and have
chipped off rough pieces of bark here and there in. hopes of
finding something palatable thereunder.
So, to make sure our winter birds do not starve and will
have all the energy possible to attack in force the hordes
of bugs and other insects when they appear on the scene la
ter, it is important that we augment the wild feed of the
most useful of our winter birds. In feeding them, we haveto admit, there is an excusable selfish reason too. We only
have to reflect on the enormous number of pests the birds
keep out of our hair; of course if we dish them out a little
extra food, they will be more apt to linger around our imme
diate neighborhood.
The birds like their natural wild food well enough so
they will not ask you to feed them when woods and field have
quantities of worms, bugs and other insects. One will find
that, as their natural food increases with warmer weather,
they will visit your feeding station less and less often.
The visits practically cease along toward the end of April
or in May, and you might as well take in your feeding trays
for the summer. But let the middle of November come, and
cold weather settle down, and here they come again. We did
find that a Downy Woodpecker visited us frequently during
the summer. Not only that, but he brought along an offspring.
Six Feeders
In our back yard we now have six feeding stations. One
is a covered tray on the window sill, for sunflower seeds;
another is a glass-covered box about six feet from the win
dow, in which sunflower seeds also are scattered. Suspended
horizontally from branches of trees are two small timbers
about one foot long (we call them swings), on the top sideof which are bored six to eight holes an inch in diameter
and 3/4 inoh deep. In these holes are packed a number ofdifferent foods — ground suet, peanut butter, and vegetableshortening. The other two feeding boards are like these but
are tied vertically on the sides of small trees about sixfeet from the ground. We use only suet in them.
41
FEATHERS Amvst. 1954
FEATHERS la publishedmoniklyby
SCHENECTADY 'BIRD CLUB, 1NCEditor: GuyBartlett, 1053 Tadatfood Blvd.
Circulation:'Mabel Barnes, 114 McCUUan St*"Viola"Mobb, Treosuwwi 1624 BackerSteoftt
Annual Memberahip Dues: Sustaining, #6; Acttoa, $3; Associate, $2; Junior, $1
By actual count we have had two Nuthatches, two Hairy
Woodpeckers, four Downy Woodpeokers, two Brown Creepers,nine Chickadees, and three or four Jays. These are the num
bers of each kind seen at any one time, but we have no as
surance, of course, that there may not have been others that
came around. The Creepers, although occasional visitors, donot feed at the boards much. The Jays, Nuthatches and the
Chickadees feed at all stations, while Downy seems to confine himself to suet and shortening. Hairy, although an
early visitor, did not stay with us last winter. Juncos
come around some but, being infrequent visitors, we have not
been able to devise a satisfactory feeding station for them;
our feeding facilities so far have not covered the birds
that eat seeds only.
Our Hamburg Street home is at the end of an L-shaped
growth of small trees. We feel that this has some advantage
because Chickadees seem to travel by very short flights, and
apparently in groups. There may not be one in sight. Then
one flies onto a board, and in a moment it seems as if
Chickadees are coming from several directions to attack you.
Hardly ever is there only one around alone. Without quite a
number of trees near, we are sure our feeding stations would
not be visited nearly so much.
"Peaoeful" Eaters
You have probably seen pictures of many birds feeding to
gether. Not so with ours. Wo two birds of the same or dif
ferent species will eat together at the same tray. Two Jays
may do so very rarely, but they will drive away all others.
The Downy takes precedence over the Nuthatoh lor "Nutty" as
we call him) and he in turn drives off the Chickadees. Even
a Chickadee will drive away another for some unfathomed rea
son — seniority rights, probably — or else will sit nearby
and wait until the first is finished.
Each species has its peculiar and often amusing manner.
Downy eats very deliberately, and wags his head from side to
side between pecks. Nutty picks up a sunflower seed, then
runs either up or down a tree, looking for a crevice to hold
the seed while he pecks off the outer casing. The Jays and
Chickadees will hold a seed under their claws while breaking
Into the meat, either at the feeder or on a limb of a tree.
Sometimes a Jay will swallow sunflower seeds whole, as many
as six or seven in succession.
Chickadees are the most active. They flit from place to
place so energetically that it is almost impossible to count
them when there are more than five. We did oatoh them oneday — and that was the only time when they were sitting
around rather quietly — and that was the time nine were
counted*
We do not know yet where any of them roost at night, pre
sumably back in the thicker part of the woods, but they usu-
42
FEATHERS Auqurt, 1954
ally show up shortly after daybreak, and a dozen times a day
until late afternoon.
We do notice that Downy and Nutty sometimes stay around
for quite long periods, hardly moving — Downy clinging up
right on a tree, and Nutty in his characteristic pose upsidedownt giving rise to his being called the "upside-down bird.1*
Because some of our birds then seem content just to rest
and not to be always on the move looking for a small mite to
satisfy their hunger, the impression is given that they must
be sufficiently feasted at our backyard table so they will
be strong and healthy for the nesting season, and In fine
fetter to march against our enemy pests come another spring
and summer.
BRIEFING THE RECORDDr. Allen H. Benton, Receids Committe* Chairman
MAY was slightly oooler than usual, with considerably
more rainfall than normal. Migration was unusually slow,
and diffuse, with relatively few noticeable waves. Most
birds arrived at near normal times, but In small numbers,
and the greater numbers of birds were late. Myrtle War
blers, for example, were first seen on April 22, but the
migration continued until near the end of May.
The Century Run reoords, with 129 species, have already
been reported (June, page 33). Other notable records forMay inoludet
Two American .Egrets at Hudson May 27, SMadison (This spe
cies is now seen in our area almost every spring; we must be
on the watch for possible nesting colonies); one blue-wingedTeal and one Coot, Vischer ±*onds, May 31, KHnilenbeok; Turkey Vulture, iiarner SBC trip, May 30; White-rumped Sandpi
per, Visoher Ponds, May 31, EH; two Gray-cheeked Thrushes,
Loudonville, May 25, MFrenoh; one Water Pipit, umdonville,
May 23, MF; Blue-winged Warbler, tfiscaer Ponds, May 31, EH;Black-capped Warbler, May 14, Delmar, SM.
Nesting records for May include: Black Duck, Six-mile
Reservoir, 10 eggs, four of which hatched May 29, ABenton;Ruffed Grouse, near Vborheesville, May 2k, PLemon;~7eery,Shaker Road, two eggs, one hatched June 10,""SB; Meadowlark,Gallupville, May 31, HEddy; Field Sparrow, Karner, two eggs
on June 1, AB; Chipping Sparrow, Karner, May 30, SBC trip.♦ * *
JUNE was a very normal month, with temperature only 0.7
degree warmer than usual, and precipitation about a half
inch less than normal. A rather cool first half was followed by a heat wave from the 20th to the 22nd, but the rest
of the month was normally comfortable. Heavy rains occurred
on the 15th and 22nd.
Few reports reached this committee during June, but the
few that appeared have been very interesting. Most unusual
is the report of a Mockingbird, aeen at Burnt Hills June 9by Mrs. W.R.Foote. A Peregrine Falcon was reported nearSouth Berne June 26, SM. An SBC field trip to Crawford Road
43
FEATHERS August, 1954
on June 6 turned up 27 species, and Mrs. French turned in
a list of 36 species for the month. Highlights of her listincluded:
Young Barn Swallows out of nest June 25; young Blue Jay
out of nest June 21; Baltimore Oriole, young out of nest
June 23 and 24; two or more Slate-colored Juncos singing
in Thacher Park June 19 — this may indicate breeding birdsof this species in the park.
Records from your committee chairman's file include:eight singing Prairie Warblers and four singing Pine War
blers between Six-mile Reservoir and Karner in early June;
Horned Lark, Shaker Road, June 28; Canada Warbler and Black-
throated Blue Warbler, ttreat Bear Swamp near tfesterlo, June
29; Whip-poor-will singing nightly near Shaker Road until
about the 20th; Chipping Sparrow, young out of nest June 16;
Blaok-oapped Chickadee, pair digging nest hole near Six-mile
Reservoir, June 12.
* ♦ *
JULY was a month of approximately normal temperature,
with precipitation only about 50 per cent of normal, in
deed, the first 27 days of the month had only about a half
inch of rainfall, and the rain of the last four days was
almost equal to this total.
Few July records were submitted to your committee. A
list from the vicinity of Warrensburg, July 17 to 24, wassupplied by Esly Hallenbeck. included in that list werethese species:
American Merganser, Mourning Dove, Kingfisher, Flicker,
Crow, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Least Flycatcher,
Tree Swallow, Bank Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Robin,
V/ood Thrush, House Wren, Yellow-throated Yireo, Northern
Yellow-throat, Red Crossbill, American Goldfinch, Eastern
Towhee, Field Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow,
and Song Sparrow.
Mrs. Emma Rogers of North Creek, Warren County, reported
a family of Evening Grosbeaks, parents and three young, in
early July. Apparently the Adirondack population is in
creasing.
Students and faculty of the biology Department, N. Y. S.
College for Teachers, Albany, have been studying bird life
in the sand-plain area in and near the city of Albany. The
following pertinent notes are extracted from their reoord
books:
July 3, male and female Prairie Warbler feeding Oowbird;
July 8, two singing male Pine Warblers; July 8, male and fe
male Canada Warbler; last week of July, Bluebird feeding two
young; Towhee feeding two young out of nest; Prairie Warbler,
immature seen. Dates of song cessation include: Field Spar
row, July 27; Indigo bunting, August 7.
Esly Hallenbeck submitted not only the Warrensburg list
already mentioned, but also some notes for Sootia, and one
for Loudonville. Included were: Scotia - July 1, WarblingVireo, Purple Finch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blaok-crowned
Night Heron, Wood Thrush; July 7, Yellow-billed Cuckoo. AtLoudonville, July 7, a pair of Brown Thrashers seen withyoung.
44
mutpmi —
Publiihcd by Sduncctady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 No.9 S*ptomber, 1954
BIRDS IN SPAIN Pauline E. Baker
On July 2 I flew to Spain and remained there and in Por
tugal to tour for five weeks. I returned by ship, Andrea
Doria, from Gibraltar, reaching home August 16. Most of mytravel was by bus and so 1 was close to the land, passing
through little towns and villages as well as the country
side, as we went along, I tried to see all the wild life I
could, as well as to observe the Spanish way of life.
Spain has very many birds. Many of them are strikingly
marked with black and white. Most of the birds I saw were
south of a line from Coimbra, Portugal to Valencia, Spain.
The Tuitle Dove and House Sparrow were common near the
wheatlands, and that harvest was going on all over Spain.
Also there were many hawklike birds which I now feel must
have been Buzzards above the fields.
Hoopoe, A Surprise
The Hoopoe with his plumage lighter than our Flicker. t»nd
about his size, but with bold bars of black and white across
his back and tail (he looked like a prisoner) and long,
slightly curved bill — and with a crest of bright, tawny
tipped-with-black feathers — was a surprise. He usually
flew low over orchard-field areas of the southland to the
north and west of Granada.
Another — the brightest of all birds I saw — was the
Golden Oriole. I was riding to Salamanca, and he was hust
ling to a wire from a low, woodsy area. You can imagine my
delight when at Cornell for the convention of the State Fed
eration I beheld a specimen in the case. I made inquiry of
Dr. Hewitt and he told me it was a foreign oriole, found in
southern Europe. My_ Spanish bird was at Cornell, and in
much the same pose as the live bird I saw in his native land]
I saw one small owl in a tree which seems like the Tawny
Owl; and a Skylark on the ground and a Robin sitting on awire. All of these were in the greener sections of thesouth — not on wheatlands between Madrid and Granada.
There were countless Magpies in the open and often instony fields flying toward scrubby little trees, showingtheir smart black and white. I saw the first ones on theway from Madrid to Valencia. There were many more in thesouth, approaching the Portuguese line.
Near Seville a White Stork stood guard over his nest on a
45
FEATHERS
chimney. In a park area near Lisbon there were others alongthe water's edge. Birds build nests in the eucalyptus ofPortugal, and House Sparrows were about. I could not see
any birds in the cork oaks nor in the pines along the Span
ish-Portuguese border. Sparrow Hawks had a nest over the
entrance of Seville Cathedral, and one swooped outside mywindow in Coimbra, Portugal. The market was across the way.
Voluble Blackbird
The Spotless Starling was in the south too, and I am sure
it was a Fied Flycatcher sitting like our Kingbird over theManzanares wheat district. The Blackbird was the most volu
ble, and could be heard in city straets and from trees in
front of buildings. I heard him first in the Barcelona-
Montserrat region; his song is loud and a rather melodious
carol. The Woodchat of the southern olive regions (Granada
to Seville) was certainly striking in white patches on black
and chestnut-red crown. There were many aged olive trees on
Mallorca, with lovely holes for nesting, but I saw no birds.
There were many Swallows and Swifts. The Swifts especially were noisy and active at Montserrat, way up high by the
topmost cliffs. There were House Martins too in that dis
trict. Swallows were often found. At Aranjuez I went into
a wood-milling shed where the bus had stopped, and saw sev
eral nests with young and parents coming to feed and to rest
on the nearby wire.- Malaga also had its swallows.
Down at Gibraltar where I was awaiting my ship, a Coaltit
was acting and sounding like our Chickadee, in a tree in the
garden before the Rock Hotel. And then leaving Gibraltar,
the Herring Gulls screamed, and again when we approached the
Azores there were young ones and a Tern, probably Common.
I have studied Peterson's "Field Guide to the Birds of
Britain and Europe." I feel quite sure of these birds —
and find I have missed many in the book. I shall have to go
again — which I most sincerely hope will happen. Peter
son's illustration of the Bee-eater and the Azure-wingedMagpie are enough to make one want to go again. And — the
elmwoods of Granada failed — I have yet to hear the song of
the Nightingale;
CALIFORNIA OBSERVATIONS b°°« i.
During a California visit early in 1954 we found the mostcommon birds in Highgrove, one mile from Riverside, to be
the Mockingbird, California Blue Jay, Brown Towhee, Brewer's
Blackbird, Anna Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Green-backed
Goldfinoh, and House Sparrow.
In January and February we saw large flocks of White-
crowned Sparrows, and once saw a Spotted Towhee and a Robin
near the house. The Blue Jays around the orange groves have
no crest — brown on back; and head, tail and wings a beautiful blue, and underparts gray.
The Anna Hummingbird is the only one that stays all
46
FEATHERS Sfrtambw, 1954
FEATHERS is published monthly bySCHENECTADY 'BIRD CLUB, ING
Editor: Guy Bartlett, 1053 Torkwood Blwd.
Circulation; 'Mabel Barnes, 114 McClellan St.*Viola Tvtabb, Teeaeuww, 1624 Becker Street
Annual Membership Dues: Sustaining, $B; Active, $3; Associate, $2; Junior, $1
winter, and is the largest of all the hummingbirds. He has
a moat "beautiful ruby-red head and throat. At the Audubon
Tucker Sanctuary we saw nine at one time feeding from bottles filled with red-colored, sweetened water on the other
side of the screen of the observation platform, about three
feet away. The birds did not mind at all our talking, but
flew away immediately if we pointed to them.
Mrs. Vaughn, president of San Bernardino Wild life Con
servation Audubon Society, invited me to go on a field trip
to the Tucker Bird Sanctuary — 16 miles east of Orange inModjeska Canyon, about 70 miles drive one way.
On our way to the sanctuary we got out to watch the hawks
flying low and very near. They were not at all afraid. We
saw two Turkey Vultures, two Red-tailed Hawks; Red-bellied,
Red-shouldered and Sparrow Hawks, and a pair of White-tailed
Kites sitting side by side on a low, dead tree. They hardly
moved for half an hour.
On the way, in Irvine Park, we saw flocks of Valley Quail
with thair waving plumes.
f BRIEFING THE RECORDDr. Allan H. Benton, Records Committe* Chairman
AUGUST was a cool period, 2.5 degrees below normal, with
the highest temperature only 88°. Rainfall was slightly
above normal for the month, because of a tremendous 2.25-
inch fall on the 31st; otherwise the precipitation was con
siderably below normal.
Two field trips were reported to your Records Committee.
The SBC Watervliet Reservoir trip of August 22 recorded 47
species. Only one duck, the Wood Duck, and three species of
shore birds, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper and Lesser Yellow-
legs, wefre reported.
Among interesting land birds on that trip were Cooper's
Hawk, TJellow-billed"Cuckoo, and six species of warblers, including several fall migrants: Black and White, Black-
throar-ed Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Northern
Yellow-throat, and Redstart.
A trip made by Rudd Stone, Frazer Turrentine and Bob Yu-nick on August 29 covered Watervliet Reservoir and Indian
Ladder. They reported only two shore-birds, a Killdeer anda Woodcock.
Among their notable land birds were an Olive-sided Fly
catcher, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Worm-eating Warbler, and
Junco. Their total list was kk species.47
FEATHERS
t SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTSDr. Roy E. Hunt and Pauline Baker, Co-chairmen
(A) Geese, and Wind Vlsoher Ponds, April 10
The April 10 trip to Vlscher Ponds was a very windy one.
Sixteen observers braved 35- to 45-mile winds to count 41species. Because of the high wind the 51-degree temperatureseemed on the cool side. The sky was mostly clear.
One of the outstanding flights of the morning was 45 Canada Geese overhead. .Another 65 were close to shore on the
Mohawk. Eight Canvas-backs, 60 Herring Gulls and a Ring-billed Gull were mixed with the geese on the river. Pin
tails and Blacks were constantly overhead, flying in slow
motion because of the winds. Some 50 Ring-necks were on the
ponds, and several Wood Ducks were flushed up from the ponds
close to the road. Other ducks counted were a pair of Buf-
fleheads, a dozen Mallards, and six Blue-winged Teal.
A thrill to all was an Oaprey with his fish. A Red-
tailed Hawk also soared over our heads.
The Tree Swallows were everywhere, and numbered about
110. Two Barn Swallows were also seen. The Woodpecker fam
ily was represented by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, one Hairy
and three Downy Woodpeckers, and four Flickers. Two Savan
nah, two Vesper and a Field Sparrow were counted, as well as
Tree and Song Sparrows. — Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Foots
(B) First Warblers Central Park. April 25
The morning was cloudy and threatening but there was no
wind when an even dozen birders met at the Fire Tower in
Central Park at 7:30 a.m. on April 25.
Several Fliokers were heard, and Brown Thrashers sang
loudly in the tops of the tall trees. Many Myrtle Warblers
had arrived, as was to be e-xpected, but the Black-throated
Green seemed to have broken the standard pattern of first
migration by showing up with the Myrtles.
White-throated Sparrows were fairly numerous, and the
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, in full song, pu-t on a fine display.
The list added up to 33 species. — Viola Mabb
(C) More Warbiers Central Park Breakfast, May 2
The annual breakfast hike in Central Park was again high
ly successful — in an ornithological as well as gustatory
sense. This was despite the somewhat damp and unpromising
prospects when Trip-leader Hunt and Maitre d8Skillet Silli-
man conferred by phone at 4:25 a.m. on May 2. However, the
slight drizzle stopped shortly thereafter. Seven persons
worked up an appetite on the pre-breakfast trip, including
Mr. and Mrs. .Arthur C. Brattle of Hamburg, N. Y., who were
visiting Esly Hallenbeck. The Brettles, active members of
the Buffalo bird group, were en route back home after a win
ter of bird ing across Florida.
a combined total of 54 species were counted by the main
party and two supplementary groups covering the park. Al
though no spectacular listings appeared, an early warbler
count of 13 varieties seemed a good omen for the Century
Run a week hence. (Ed. note: In retrospect, some of these
48
FEATHERS Swtwwbw. 1954
songsters must have been discouraged by the weather and
headed baclc south before the following Saturday!) Towheeaand Brown Thrashers were abundant — or at least seemed so.
Particularly, the five thrashers, apparently strategically
deployed through the park, provided much more than theirshare of the vocal background, as well as an occasional
disappointing "false alarm."At breakfast, for whioh 18 turned out to sample Nellie
Sllliman's golden-brown flap-jaoks and the steaming coffee
kindly provided by the visiting Brettles, two Solitary Vi-reos added their notes from a nearby elm-top. About 9:30
thirteen well-filled participants headed off through the
park once again. By the sand quarry off Oregon Avenue a
song ascribed at first to a Yellow Warbler turned out to be
a handsome Nashville Warbler, whose gray head and eye-ring
served to confirm his identity for several members adding
him to their life-lists. — Hoy Hunt
(D) Evening Woodcook Rosendale Road, May 5
A cool, persistent westerly wind made sweaters and top
coats the order of the evening during the "Woodcock Walk,1*
held near the gravel pits off Roaendale Road May 5. Al
though several members had heard him a day or two previously
in his usual location, the experts were not at all reassur
ing about the prospect of getting\£im to perform for the 16club members and guests who attended this annual SBC func
tion. As darkness approached, however, the group were re
warded for their patience. At least two birds could be
heard while climbing to the sky for their rapid descent, ao-
oompanied by the characteristic nighthawk-like "peenk-ing.11
Another expected evening visitor, the Whip-poor-will, appar
ently found the weather too cold, and failed to put in an
appearance, despite a special caravan to several swampy
areas of Vly Road. The evening's list totalled 20 species,
including a striking silhouette of four Black-crowned Night
Herons against the nearly faded twilight sky. — Roy Hunt
Century Run May 8
Chronolpgicallym the annual Century Run of Saturday, May
8, was the next scheduled SBC field program. The Run, with
its 129 speoies, has been separately reported (June, p.33).
(E) Worm-eater Indian Ladder, May 16'
The day was perfect and conditions good all around for
our little group of seven on the Indian Ladder trip May 16.
We were very glad for the escort of Roy Hunt and also for
the fact that the Zimmer family know the territory well.
Although the old Carriage Road is barrloaded below, we
were able to walk down from above for a good distance and
hear the Worm-eating, Black-tor oatad Blue and Black-throated
Green Warblers, Crested Flycatcher, Orioles, Tanagers, and
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. The Yellow Warbler and Canada War
blers put on good shows.
Many of our finds were made in the valley at the foot of
the carriage road, others in the park itself or along thecountry roads, Tygert, Picard, Altamont. On the return tripthe leader stopped at the sanctuary of Mrs. Grace and added
Bluebird, Purple Pinch, and Warbling Vireo. The count for
the trip itself was 53 species. — Pauline Baker
49
FEATHERS Sophwnbor, 1954
(F) Black-capped Nlskayuna, May 23
There were a half dozen participants out for the late-May
visit to Niskayuna Wide Waters, to which the strong wind didnot contribute favorably. The 61 recorded species containedrelatively few water- and ahore-birda, but a dozen kinds of
warblers, including the Black-capped. — Mrs. W. R. Foote
(G) Vulture Karner, May li^
May 30 was a glorious late-spring day, with bright sun
shine and moderate wind, temperature in the 60's. ElevenSBC members were on hand at 8 o'clock for the half day of
good birding. Among the better results of the trip were
unusually good views of Turkey Vulture, Chestnut-sided War
bler, Prairie Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting.
Chet Zimraer had his movie camera in action, and SBC members
can expect to see the results at our next movie session.
The total list included 170 individuals of 44 species, plusa probable Red-shouldered Hawk. — Allen Benton
(H) Mew Area Crawford Road, June 6
In spite of the gray cold of the morning, seven SBC mem
bers mat at the WGT parking lot at 7:30 a.m. June 6. Wetraveled west on Route 5S for about five miles, turned left
up the hill on Crawford Road, and parked about a half mile
from the new State Thruvsay construction. Taking off across
the open fields on the south side of the road, we came to a
wooded area bordering a deep ravine. Here the Tanager and
the Veery were singing as we walked up the path along the
edge. After a while we came back to the road and, as we
climbed, we cams to the Shipper residence, where the magnificence of the view is exceeded only by the beauty of the
garden. Mr. Shipper, a very pleasant and genial gentleman,
invited us in to see both, and we spent nearly an hour ad
miring the flowers, in addition to continuing our birding.
It was the conclusion of all those attending that, in spite
of the inclement weather, with 27 species seen or heard and
the fine views, this area should be visited more often.
— Fraser Price
(I.) Yellow-legs Comparison Vlscher Ponds, July 18
Th«> half dozen observers on the Vischer Ponds trip of Ju
ly 18 had opportunity to study the field marks of the Great
er and Lesser Yellow-legs, for one of each were together.
What the 20 young ducks were, mixed in with 30 Mallards and
16 Black Ducks, was more difficult to say. The windless,partly cloudy morning offered a list of 47 species, with the
American Egret, Ringed Plover and Least Sandpiper among the
more interesting. — Donald Tucker
(J) Hummers Watervllet Reservoir, August 22
Their count of 10 made the Ruby-throated Hummingbird one
of the eight most common species for the 16 observers at Wa-tervliet Reservoir August 22. The highest oounts among the
47 species for the day were: Red-winged Blackbird, 35; Ce
dar Waxwing, 25; Goldfinch, 18; Barn Swallow, 12; Chickadee,
12; and Wood Duok, Red-eyed Vireo and Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 10 each.
It was not a trip featuring hoped-for shore-birds.
— Lucille Grace50
FEATHERS
SBC Field-trip Summaries
TRIP
Great Blue Heron
American EgretGreen Heronaiack-cr.Nt .Heron
American BitternCanada GooseMallard
Black Duck
Pintail
Blue-winged TealWood Duck
Ring-neoked DuckCanvas-back
Buffie-headTurkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's HawkRed-tailed Hawk
Osprev
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Ring-nk.Pheasant
Ringed PloverKilldeer
American Woodcock
Spotted Sandpiper
Great.Yellow-legs
Lesser Yellow-legs
Least Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Yel-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-thr.Hummingbd.
Belted .Kingfisher
Yel-shaft.Flicker
Yellow-be1.Sapskr.
Hairy WoodpeckerDowny Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Crested -Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Least Flycatcher
East.Wood PeweeTree SwallowBnnU- Swallow
Rough-wing. Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue JayAmerican Crow
Blk-oap.Chickadee
White-br.NuthatohBrown CreeperHouse Wren
Winter Wren
Long-b.Marsh Wren
ABC
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
c
b
ab
a
a c
a c
a
a
DEFGI
f
f
d f
f
f
g
g
September, 1954
195L April 10 through August 22
i
i
i
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j
f h j
ef
efg
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Catbird
Brown Thrasher
American Robin
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Olive-back.Thrush
VeeryBluebird
Golden-or.Kinglet
Ruby-or. Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing
Common Starling
Yellow-thr. Vireo
Solitary Vireo
Red-eyed VireoWarbling Vireo
Blk.& White Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Golden-wing .Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape Mar Warbler
Black-thr.Blue Wblr.
Myrtle Warbler
Blk-thr.Green Wblr.Blaokburnian Wblr.
Chestnut-side .Wblr.
Black-poll Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Oven-bird
North .Yellow-throat
Black-capped Wblr.
Canada Warbler
American RedstartHouse Sparrow
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-wing .Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Grackle
Brown-hd. Cowbird
Scarlet Tanager
Ro se-br. Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Eastern Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-col. Junco
Amer.Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-thr.Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
defg ij
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51
FEATHERS September, 1954
Sun.,
Mon.,
Sun.,
Oct
Oct
Oct
. 3
.11
.17
Sun., Oct.31
SBC CALENDAR
Mildred D. Crary, Secretary
Field trip, Niskayuna Wide Waters; Stephen C.
Fordham, leader, Delmar 9-3805. From Union
and Palmer, 8 a.m.
Audubon Screen Tour, Central Park Junior High
School .auditorium, 8 p.m.; Allan Cruickshank,
"River of the Crying Bird."
Field trip, Meadowdale Swamp; Leon A. Wlard,
leader, Delmar 9-2010.. Meet at Yan Curler Ga
rage at 7:30 a.m., or Route 156 and HenneseyRoad (Opposite Government Warehouse at Guil-
derland Center) at 8 a.m.
Field trip, Alcove Reservoir; Pauline Baker,
leader, All). 6-9782. Start from State andFehr Ave., Schenectady, at 7:30 a.m., or Dela
ware and Kenwood Aves., Delmar, at 8:15 a.m.
tDOME ISLAND
CONSERVATION CONSENSUSSiroud R. Midlson, Committee Chairman
Help Preserve It
Quoting from Nature Conservation Hews, published by The
Nature Conservancy:
"Dome Island, in New York's Lake George, is being set
aside in its wild state as a permanent nature preserve
through the efforts of the Eastern New York Chapter of the
Nature Conservancy and conservation-minded residents of the
lakeshore.
"Rising from the oenter of the lake's widest part to aheight of 75 feet, the oak and pine-oovered island is one of
the area's prime scenic attractions. It is a glacial kame
with a rounded boulder and pebble base, about 2300 feet long.
Covered by a forest of old-growth black and white oak, white
and red pine, hemlock, beech, basswood and canoe birch, witharbor vitae along the waterline, it is the scenic gem of
Lake George.
"Mr. John S. Apperson (of Scheneotady), owner of Dome Is
land for the past 15 years, acquired it to preserve its nat
ural beauty undisturbed. He now seeks a more permanent form
of preservation, and will turn it over to the Nature Con-
servanoy. if adequate funds are raised for its continued care.
An endowment of $20,000 is being sought."Dr. Irving Langmulr, Nobel prize-winning physicist and
retired scientist of General Electric's research laboratory,has been appointed by the Nature Conservancy's board of gov
ernors to head the Dome Island committee. Working with him
are Alvin G. Whitney, Albany, as New York representative of
the Conservancy, Mr. Apperson, members of the Eastern New
York chapter, and summer residents of Lake George.
"Headquarters of the Dome Island committee are at Dr.Langmulr's home, Schenectady. Contributions should be
marked "Dome Island Fund."
52
Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc
Vol.16 No.10 October. 19S4
LOCAL RECORDS, 1952 & 1953 FrazerR.Wntine
In 1952 SBC members recorded 208 species and one hybrid in the 11-
county local area, and in 1953 191 species and a hybrid. The fieldtrips of the two years have already been summarized (FEATHEHS, Feb-53
and liar-5b) • The following, greatly condensed list gives first and lastdates recorded, and indication of the periods of the year commonly pre
sent. Hare species and extreme dates are-underlined, and in most cases
the observers indicated. SBC field trips have not been designated par
ticularly. Abbreviations of observers' names are tabulated on page 60.
Dates shown are inclusive. The records!
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Dbl-cre$led Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
American Egret
little Blue HeronGreen Heron
Black-cr. Night Heron
Yellow-cr. Night Heron
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Glossy Ibis
Blue Goose
MallardBlack Duck
52 Trans.vis. Apr.l2-May 17 and Oct.12-Nor.l6
53 Trans.vis.Mar.29-ltoy 9 & Oct.5-Nov,15; winter
vis.Dec.27(Troy Christmas Count)
52 Trans-vis.Apr.12 & Oct.l2(RY)-Nov.l
52 Trans.vis.Apr.U-26 4 Oct.12-Nov.16
53 Trans.vis.far.21-May 9 & Nov.12-15
52 Summer resident, tar. 22 - Nov. 11
53 Trans.vis.Apr.k-May 9 & Sep.20-Mov.19 (EH)52 Trans,vis .liay 17-18 4 Sep.U,
52 Winter vis.Jan.27;summer res.Mar.9-Nov.l
53 Winter vis.Jan.k} trans.vis.Feb.16-I!ay 9 &Aug.lii-Mov.lj winter vis. Dec.26-31
52 Summer visitor, June 21 - Sep. 1U
53 May 9} summer visitor Aug.lh - Oct.1152 Ore, VischBr Ponds, Aug.2 (McD)
52 Summer res. May 10-Sep.21; also Nov.11 (EH)
53 Summer res. Kay 8-Sep.l352 Summer res. Mar.29 - Sep.lh
53 Summer res. Apr. 18 - Sep. 1352 Second local record, May Zh (FNTfSBC Conv.trip)
52 Summer resident, Apr. 12 - Oct. 5
53 Summer resident, Apr. 18 - Oct. 13
52 Summer resident, recorded Jun.21,Sep.7 & 27
53 Summer resident, recorded May 9
52 First local record, May 17-19, Vischer Ponds
52 Winter vis. Jan.11; trans.vi8.Mar.22-Apr.13
52 Trans .vis ..Mar.22-May 17 & Aug.2lj-0ct,l6j bred
at Watervliet Rsvrj winter vis. Dec.27
53 Trans.vis.Mar.lli-Uay 17 & Aug.7-Oct.9; few local breeders; winter vis.Jan.5 & Dec.27
53 First local record, one, Mar.15, State Farm Rd.(AH,SH,NW)
Both years: Resident
Both years: Common resident
FEATHERS October, 1954
Gadwall
European Widgeon
American Widgeon
Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Shoveller
Wood Duck
RedheadRing-necked Duck
Canvas-back
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
American Golden-eye
Barrow's Golden-eye
Buffle-head
Old-squaw
White-winged Scoter
Ruddy Duck
Hooded Merganser
American Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Turkey Vulture
GoshawkSharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed HawkRed-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
54
52 Trans.vis. Apr. 13 - 2753 Trans.vis. Apr. 2k52 Third local record, 1 male, Vischer Ponds
Apr. 6 (RS) - Apr.20
52 Trans.vis. Mar.22 - Apr. 20 & Oct. 11
53 Trans, vis. Mar. 22 - May 952 Trans .vis .Mar.22-May 11 & Sep.7-Nov.llj winter
vis. Dec.28 (Troy Xmas Count)
53 Trans.vis. Mar.l-May 9j winter vis. Jan.11
52 Trans .vis .Mar. 22-k'ay 18 & Oct.5-12 J one June 21at Vischer Ponds (RS)
53 Trans.vis.Mar.22-Apr.2U & Sep.20-Nov.lj wintervis. Dec.27
52 Trans.vis.Apr.6-May 18 & Sep.lU-0ct.l8j simmer
res. at Vischer Ponds
53 Trans.vis.Apr.l8-May 9 & Sep.13-0ct.Hij summer
res. at Vischer Ponds
52 Two, Vischer Ponds, May 18 (RS, FT)52 Summer res.Mar.22-Sep.21jincreasing locally
53 Summer resident Mar.22 - Noy.15 (EH)53 One, Saratoga Lake, Nov.]5 (SBC)
52 Trans .vis .Mar.21-May 10 & Nov.2j Dec.lU (EH)53 Trans, vis. Mar. 22 - May 9
52 Saratoga Lake, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7
53 Saratoga Lake, Mar. 29
52 Trans, vis. Kar.22-Apr.6j also Dec.lU (EH)
53 Trans, vis. Mar. 21 - May 9
52 Trans.vis.Mar,30-May 17 & 0ct.19-Dec.10j two,
upper Hudson, Feb.23 (RS,DT)53 Trans.vis. Mar.21-May 9 & Nov.12-1552 Winter and trans.vis. to Apr.26j returned Nov.l
53 Winter and trans.vis. to May 9j returned Nov.12
52 Saratoga Lake, Mar. 30 and April 6
52 Trans.vis. Mar.30 - May 10j Dec. lli (EH)
53 Trans, vis. Uar. 18 - May 9 & Nov. 1553 Recorded Feb.20, Mar.29, Dec.26-2752 Trans.vis. May 18 & Nov.2-Dec.llj
53 Recorded May 9
52 One, Saratoga Lake, Nov.16 (SBC)
52 Trans.vis. Mar.21-23 & Nov.l-Dec.17
53 Recorded Jan.l, Mar.22. and May 9
52 Winter vis. to May 18 j returned Oct.1353 Winter vis. to May 9j returned Nov. 15
52 Trans.vis. Apr.12-26 & Nov.l-l6j also Dec.l7(EH)
53 Trans.vis. Uar.8-May 952 One May 17j eight, Cookesburg Aug.10 (LW)
53 Mar.29 (lt)j Apr.l, Apr.21*, June 152 One Dec, 27
52 Winter vis. to Feb.l6j summer res.Mar.l2-Wov.9
53 Winter vis.to Jan.lSj summer res.May 9-4ug.21
52 Winter vis.Feb.28 & Dec.27Jsummer res.Mar.20-
Sep.753 Recorded Apr.b and Dec.26
Both years: Resident
52 Recorded Feb.2"June 8 and Aug.23-Sep.lli53 Recorded Jan.l7-May 9 and Sep.13
52 Trans.vis.Apr.20-Kay 17 & Sep.7-Oct.l8j suiaaer
res. at Jenny Lake
53 Recorded May 9, Aug.l3-21,0ct.23, & Jenny Lake
FEATHERS October, 1954
Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Osprey
Peregrine Falcon
Pigeon Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Ring-necked Pheasant
Virginia Rail
Sora
Florida Gallinule
American Coot
Ringed Plover
Killdeer
52 Recorded May 17 and Sep, 29
53 Recorded Dec. 8 and 12
52 Recorded Apr.17 (EH)53 Recorded Mar.l & 21, May 9, Dec. 26 & 27
52 Summer resident March 8 - Oct. 19
53 Summer res.Mar.6-0ct.liii winter vis.Dec.26
52 Trans.vis.Apr.1;-May 3 & Aug.23-Oct.ll}Jul.2O53 Trans.vis.Apr.18-June 7 and Aug.1352 Recorded Oct. h and Nov. 2
53 Recorded Mar. 23, Aug. 19, Dec. 2752 One adult, Ravena, May 18 (DT)Both years: Resident
Both years: Resident
Both years: Resident
52 Siunmer resident, Apr. 27 - Oct. lx
53 Recorded May 9
52 Summer resident May 25 - Sep. 21
53 Recorded May 9
52 Simmer resident Apr. 27 - Oct. 11
53 Recorded May 9 and Aug. 22
52 Trans .vis, Apr.l3-May 25 & Sep.27-Oct.1953 Trans.vis. Apr.l8 - May 9 & Oct. 2-25
52 Trans.via. May 17-25 & Aug. 2li
52 Summer resident March 17 - November 9
53 Summer resident Mar.22-Nov.l5; winter straggler, Collins Lake, Jan. Feb. Dec.
52 Second local record five, Vischer Ponds,Kay 2552 Summer resident, arrived March 3153 Summer resident Apr. 2li - Sep. 20
52 Summer resident Apr. 19 - Nov. 9
53 Recorded Oct. 13 and Nov. 1
52 Summer resident, arrived May 2753 Recorded May 952 Summer resident Apr. 26 - Sep. 21
53 Summer resident May 9 - Aug. 1652 Trans.vis. May 10-2b & Aug.23-2ij
53 Trans.vis. May 9-31 & Aug.LU-2252 Trans.vis.tfay 17-18 &. Oct.12
53 Trans.vis. May 9-15 & Sep. 2052 Trans.vis. May l8,Aug.2U, Sep.lli, Oct.li
53 Trans.vis. May 9 & 1552 Trans.vis. Sep. 21 - Nov. 1
53 Trans.vis. May 15 and Nov. 1
White-rumped Sandpiper 52 Trans.vis. May 17-25 and Aug. 23
53 Trans.vis. May 15 and Oct. UiLeast Sandpiper 53 Recorded May 9 and 15
Red-backod Sandpiper 52 Trans, vis. May 2b-25 and Sep.27-Oct,i;
Eastern Dowitcher 52 Vischer Ponds, twenty-one, May 18 (RS)Semipalmated Sandpiper 52 Trans.vis. May 17-25; July 20, Aug.23-2li
Ruddy Turnstone
American Woodcock
Wilson's Snipe
Upland Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellow-legs
Lesser Yellow-legs
Pectoral Sandpiper
Sanderling
Northernj'halarope
Great Black-backed GullHerring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Common Tern
53 Recorded May 3, Collins Lake (EH)
52 One, Saratoga Lake, Nov.l(FT,RS)-Nov,5
53 Seven,three sites Feb.23(RY); three Mar.l; (RS)
52 Recorded every month except June and July
53 Recorded every month except June, July, Oct.
52 Winter and trans.vis.to Kay 18; arr.Aug.23
53 Winter and trans.vis.to May 9} arr. Sep. 1352 Recorded Apr .11: and May 2k
53 Recorded May 7 and 9, and Nov. 15
52 Trans, vis. May 11-25
53 Recorded May 955
FEATHERS
Black Tern
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Barn Owl
Screech Owl
Horned Owl,
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl
Whip-poor-will
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-rhr. Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Traill's Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Wood Pewee
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Horned Lark
Tree Swaflow
Bank Swallow
Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Purple Martin
56
October, 1954
52 Recorded May 25, July 27, August 23 and 2\i
53 Recorded Kay 952 Seer, each month; summer res. Mar. 16 - Oct. 15
53 Recorded each month
5? Sumner resident L'ay 1? - Sep. Hj
53 Summer resident, arrived May 15
52 Sumirer resident May 17 - Oct. li
53 SUi-nroer resident, arrived Way 952 One, Scotia, June 3 (PM) - early AugustBoth years: Resident
Both years: Resident
52 Recorded late November, French's Hollow (EH)
Both years: Resident
52 Summer resident, arrived May 7
53 Summer resident, arrived May 6
52 Summer resident May Ik - Sep. 29
53 Summer resident May 18 - Sep. 21
52 Summer resident Apr. 22 - Aug. 2li
53 Summer resident May 3 - Sep. 10
52 Summer resident May 11 - Oct. 9
53 Summer resident May 9 - Sep. 22
52 Recorded each month except Jan. and Feb.
53 Recorded each month except Jan,
52 Summer resident Mar. 2 - Oct. 16
53 Summer resident Mar.8-Oct.12jJan.iijDec.26Both years: Resident, increasingly common
53 Recorded May 952 Trans.vis.Apr.l-May 17jSep.23-Oct.3953 Trans, vis. Apr. 22 - May 9 and Oct. li - 7Both years: Resident
Both years: Resident
52 Summer resident May 10 - Aug. 2U
53 Summer resident May 9 - Sep. 13
52 Sumner resident May 10 - Sep. 7
53 Summer resident May 9 - Aug. 22
52 Summer resident Mar. 23 - Oct. 19
53 Summer resident Mar. 22 - Oct. 8
52 Transient visitor May 6-17 and Sep. 3-11
53 Transient visitor Aug. lU - Sep. 2li52 One, Loudonville, Sep. 29 (MWF)52 Summer resident, arrived May 2U
52 Summer resident May 10 - Sep. 19
53 Summer resident May 1 - Sep. 16
52 Summer resident May 2ii - Sep. 15
53 Summer resident May 9 - Aug. 2952 Recorded May 30
52 Winter visj summer rea. Mar.2-Nov.ll53 Winter visitor and summer resident
52 Summer resident Mar.30 - Oct.5
53 Summer resident Mar. 29 - Sep. 1352 Summer resident Apr. 27 - Aug. 2U53 Summer resident Apr. 18 - Aug. 2252 Summer resident, arrived April 26
53 Summer resident, arrived April 19
52 Summer resident Apr. h - Sep. 7
53 Summer resident Apr. 18 - Sep. 13
52 Summer resident May 17 - Aug. 2lj
53 Summer resident, arrived May 7
52 Local sum.res.Saratoga, recorded June 2
53 Recorded May 9, Saratoga
FEATHERS
Gray Joy
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Long-billed Marsh Wren
Mockingbird
Catbird
Brown Thrasher
American Robin
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Olive-backed Thrush
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Veery
Eastern Bluebird
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Water Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Gray Shrike
Common Starling
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Solitary Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
October. 1954
53 One, Delmar Qame Farm, Mar. 15 (NW)
Both years: Resident
Both years: Resident
Both years: Resident
52 First local record, March 31 (Mrs.C.J.Grace)53 At Niskayuna feed stations Nov.29-Dec.26
Both years: Resident
52 Winter and trans .vis. to May 18j arr.Sep.25
53 Winter & trans .vis* to May 9; arrived Sep.lii
52 V/inter & trans .vis. to May 17 J arrived Sep.23
53 Winter & tran3.vis.t0 May 9jarrived Oct.l
52 Summer resident Apr. 25 - Oct. 11
53 Summer resident Apr. 26 - Sep. 1352 Winter &. trans.vis.to May 17; returned Sep.2lj
53 Winter & trans.vis.to May 9l returned Oct.8
52 Summer resident May 17 - Nov. 1 (RS)
53 Summer resident May 9 - Sep. 13
53 One at Loudonville Aug. 17 (MWF)52 Summer resident May 2 - Oct. 5
53 Summer res.May 2-Oct.l3j Dec.26 at feeder
52 Summer resident, arrived April 27
53 Summer resident May 3 - Oct. 352 Summer resident Mar.l5-Oct.26,plus -winter dates
53 Summer resident Feb.23-Mov.19i and Dec.252 Summer resident Apr. 25 - Oct. 5
53 Summer resident Apr. 30 - Sep. 2\\
5? Trans.vis.Apr.l8-June 8 L Oct.5-1953 Winter vis* Jan.9-18,Feb.23; trans.vis.Apr.2U-
June 6 and Oct.2-26; local summer resident
52 Trans.vis.May 10-23 & Sep.l-Oct.lt53 Trans, vis. May 7-17 and Sep. 10 - 2552 Trans, vis. May 17 and Sep. 22 - Oct. 19
53 Transient visitor Sep. 23 - Oct. 1
52 Summer resident, arrived Kay 10
53 Summer resident May 6 - Aug. Ill
52 Summer resident Var. 22 - Nov. 11
53 Summer resident Mar. 21 - Oct. 20
52 Trans .vis .Mar.30-May 10 & Sep.25-Nov.l6jwinter
visitor
53 Winter & trans.vis.to May 9jarrived 0ct,7
52 Trans.vis. Apr.lO-May 16 and Sep*27 - Nov. 2
53 Trans, vis. Apr. 18 - May 9 and Oct. 1-2352 Trans, vis. Apr.12 - May 19 and Oct. 5 - Nov. 9
53 Oib record, May 9
52 Summer resident Mar.l6-Oct.19j winter visitor53 Summer res. Mar.21 - Oct.28j winter vis.Feb.28
52 One record, March 16
53 One record, March 2
Both years: Resident
53 First since 1937j June 7(SBC),Aug.l6(MWF)52 Summer resident Apr. 23 - Sep. lli
53 Summer resident May 9 - Aug. 22
52 Trans.vis.May Ii-18 &. Sep.23^3ct.l8; Iocs.res.
53 Trans.vis .Hay 9 & Sep.l6-Oct.17j loc.s.r.52 Summer resident Kay 9 - Oct. 653 Summer resident May 9 - Sep. 2552 Recorded May 25 and Oct. 3
53 Recorded May 9 and Sep. 2552 Summer resident Apr. 29 - Sep. 1353 Summer resident, arrived May 6
FEATHERS October, 1954
Black and White Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
(Brewster's Warbler)
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-thr. Blue Warbler
Myrtle Warbler
Black-thr. Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-poll Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Oven-bird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-breasted Chat
Black-capped Warbler
Canada Warbler
Redstart
58
52 Summer resident May 3 - Sep.27
53 Summer resident, arrived May 652 Local summer resident, arrived May 11
53 Local summer resident, arrived May 9
52 Summer resident, arrived Kay 10
53 Summer resident, arrived May 6
52 Vischers Ferry, May 17-2li and June 21
53 Recorded Aug.lt (W7F)
52 Recorded Kayl753 Recorded May 16
52 Transient visitor May 17 - 21*53 Transient visitor May 12 - 1652 Transient visitor May li-lfl and Sep. 20 - Oct. $
53 Transient visitor May 6-10 and Aug. II4 - Sep.25
52 Transient visitor May 10-25 and Sep.lO-Oct.553 Transient visitor May 9-16 and Sep. 25
52 Summer resident May U - Oct. 5
53 Summer resident May 6 - Sep. 20
52 Trans.vis. May 10-2U and Aug.23 - Oct. 1253 Trans, vis. May 7-9 and Aug.22 - Oct. 8
52 Trans, vis. Vay 10-21* and Aug.U - Oct.8
53 Trans, vis. May 2-17 and Sep. 20
52 Trans, vis. May 10-18 and Sep.25-Oct.ll
53 Trans.vis. May 7-9 and Sep.2U52 Trans.vis.Apr.22-May 18 and Aug.2l4-Nov.3
53 Trans.vis.Apr.19-May 17 & Aug.22-Oct.27jFeb.23
52 Summer resident May 3 - Nov. 3
53 Summer resident May 8 - Oct. 8
52 Trans, vis. May 10-18 and Aug. 23 - Sep. 753 Recorded May 8 and 9
52 Summer resident May 10 - Sep. 21
53 Summer resident, arrived May 7
52 Trans.vis. ilay 17-2U &. Sep.6-Oct.6 (RY)53 Recorded May 15 and Sep. 20
52 Trans.vis. May 15-25 and Sep. 7 - Oct. Ik
53 Trans, vis. May 16 - 29 and Sep. 20 - Oct. 11
52 Summer resident Apr. 26 - Oct. 12
53 Summer resident Apr. h - Sep. 28
52 Summer resident, Karners, arrived May 17
53 Summer resident, Karners, arrived May 9
52 Trans, vis. Apr. 23 and Oct. 5
53 Trans, vis. April 18-19 and May 9
52 Summer resident May 10 - Sep. 25
53 Summer resident May 1 - Sep. 25
52 Trans, vis. Apr, 26 - June 8 and Sep. 7-20
53 Trans, vis. May 9 - 30 and Aug. 20
52 Summer resident, arrived May 3
53 Summer resident, arrived May 3
52 Trans, vis. May 17 - 2052 Summer resident May 8 - Oct. 26
53 Summer resident May 8 - Sep. 26
52 Summer resident, arrived May 17
53 Stumer resident, arrived May 9
52 Tpans. vis. May 17-23 and Aug. 2ij
53 Trans, vis. Sep. 20
52 Trans, vis. May 17-30 and Aug.2U - Sep. 1053 Trans.vis. May 8-16 and Aug.1752 Summer resident May 6 - Sep. 26
53 Summer resident May 7 - Sep. 16
FEATHERS October, 1954
House Sparrow
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Scarlet Tanager
Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Pino Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Red Crossbill
Eastern Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Both yearst Resident
52 Summer resident May k - Aug. 2k53 Summer resident May 3 - Aug. 22
52 Summer res.Uar.22-Oct.l8; also Feb.2l4,Mar»2
53 Summer res.Mar.15-Nov.lUj also Jan. 152 Summer resident Mar.13 - Nov.3Oj Dec. 27
53 Su-rmer resident Kar.lj-Nov.2ii; Jan. and Dec*
52 Recorded at Ravena May 11 and 17
52 Summer resident May 8 - Sep. 6
53 Summer res. May 6-Aug.31» one immature, Ball-
ston Lake feeders thru Dec, and one at
Slingerlands Dec. 31 et seq.
52 Trans.vis. Mar.22-Apr.26 and Sep.2t4-Nov.l
53 Recorded Mar.22 and Apr. 18
52 Summer res. Mar.13-Nov.l6j Jan.6, Dec.2353 Summer res. Mar.U-Nov.l; Jan.l & ll, Dec.2652 Summer res. Mar.21-Nov.llj live Jan.6 (RY)
53 Summer resident March 22 to November lli
52 Summer resident May 11 - October k
53 Summer resident Kay 9 - Sep. 2k52 One, Loudonville, Jan.l-Mar.21(MWF); Apr.17 and
Nov.13, Catskillj May 19, Elsmere
53 One, Collins Lake, Scotia, Aug.1652 Summer resident May 7 - Sep. 25
53 Summer resident May 7 - Sep. 20
52 Summer resident May 15 - Oct. 5 (RS)53 Summer resident May 9 - Sep. 20
52 Common winter vis; large flocks to Kay 18;arrived Nov. 2
53 Conmon winter vis. to Mar.18; also May 9 and
Dec.13; no fall influx recorded
52 Common wint.vis.; summer res.Mar.U-Nov.2
53 Winter vis; summer res. Mar. 29 - Nov. 2
52 Winter visitor to Mar. 30
53 Winter vis. to Mar.22; also Apr.l8-19(SBC)
52 Winter vis. to Apr. k} returned Nov. 1
53 Winter visitor to Apr. 19; no fall dates
52 Winter &. trans.vis. to May 2k; arr.Oct.ll
53 Winter & trans .vis .to Kay 9; no fall dates .
Both years: Resident
52 Flock of 200 Mar.7,Indian Ladder; Nov.2
53 Trans, vis. Apr, 18 - May 9
52 Summer resident Apr. 23 - Oct. 12
53 Summer resident May 2 - Oct. 10
52 Summer resident Apr. 13 - Oct. 11
53 Summer resident Apr. 2k - Sep. 1352 Summer resident, arrived Kay 17
53 Summer resident, arrived May 952 Summer resident, arrived May 11
53 Summer resident, arrived May 9
52 Summer res. Mar.3O-Oct.5j also Fab,2ft (RS)53 Summer resident Apr. 2k - Aug. ll*52 Winter and trans .vis.to May 17; air. Sep. 2553 Recorded each month except June and September
52 Winter visitor to Apr.l3j returned Oct. 2553 Winter visitor to Mar.29; returned Oct. 30
52 Summer resident Apr« 17 - Oct. 3053 Summer resident March 21 (EH) - Oct. 8
59
FEATHERS October, 1954
FEATHERS is published montkly bySCHENECTADY 'BIRD CLUB, INC.
Editor: Guy Bartlett, 1053 "Parkwood Blod,
Circulation: *Mabel Barnes, 114 McCUllan St.
Viola itCabb, Treaeueec, 1624 Beckec Steeet
Annual Membership Dues: Sustaining, $5; Active, $3; Associate, $2; Junior, $1
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-lhroafed Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lapland Longtpur
Snow Bunting
KEI to Abbreviations:
52 Summer resident Apr. 6 - Oct. 19
53 Summer resident Mar, 22 (SBC) - Oct. 8
52 Trans, vis. May I0-2U and Sep.13 - Oct.19;also Feb. 3, 5, 11 (D.C.Prince)
53 Trans, vis. May 6-17 and Sep. 25 - Oct. 13
52 Trans.vis.Apr.20-May 19 & Sep.2lHfov.l6; localsummer res.; also Feb.13, Mar.22, Apr.7
53 Trans.vis.Apr.20-May 16 & Sep.9-Nov.l; local
summer res; Jan.ii-Mar.29 at Collins Lake52 Trans, vis. Mar. 23 - Apr. 25 & Nov. 1 - 1153 Trans, vis., recorded Kay 3 and Nov. 852 Trans, vis. Sep. 2li - Oct. 11$3 Recorded Sep. 23
52 Summer res. Apr. 10-Oct. 19$ straggler Nov.l &
16j also Bee. 2353 Summer resident Apr. 18-Nov. 1; also winter
visitor both winters
Both years: Resident
53 Recorded Jan. 1 and Feb. 2252 Winter vis, to Mar. Uj; returned Nov. 2
MBFrench
EHallenbeck
ATTolmes
MEMcDonald
FMHTerRStone
DTucker
FTurrentine
NWorst
LWiard
RTunick
SBC CALENDAR
Mildred D. Crary, Secretary
Sun.,Wov.lit? SBC field trip, Saratoga and Round Lakesj leader, Dr. Minnie B. Scotland, Albany 2-3J&L. Start from Union andPalmer at 8 a.m. or meet at Round Lake at 8:30 a.m.
Wed.jNov.l?: Second Audubon Screen Tour, Central Park Junior High School
Auditorium, 8 p.m. Murl Deusing, Milwaukee, "Outlaws inNature." Season tickets only.
A story of wildlife creatures that live by fang and claw —
the predators — a veritable rouge's gallery of theworld of nature. In color and action, a dramatic and understanding portrayal of the struggle for existence.
Thu.jDec. 9: Third Audubon Screen Tour, Central Park Junior High SchoolAuditorium, 8 p.m. G. Harrison Orians, Toledo, "GreatSmoky Skyland."
Purple mist, towering trees and sky-high ridges. The village names tell the storyj Balsam, Skyland, Boone, Chim
ney Rock, Highlands, Lake Lure, Little Switzerland, Mount
Airy, Pocahontas. One of our greatest remaining "wilder
ness areas. Birds and other "wildlife, scenic beauty,
hidden wildflowers and primitive civilization of mountainfolk.
60
Published by Schcnedady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 No.11 November, 1954
WE WERE THERE, IN NUMBERSThe seventh annual meeting of the Federation of New York
State Bird Clubs was held at the scenic campus of Cornell
University, Ithaca, August 27-29, under the auspices of the
University's Laboratory of Ornithology, the Cayuga Bird Cluband the Cornell Field Ornithology Club. This year the Sche-
nectady Bird Club did not attend in a greater number than
did the local club, but it led the remainder of the clubs.
Wo group transportation or hotel accommodations were arj
ranged, but by diverse routes, singly or in pairs and occa
sionally in greater numbers, by auto and by air 22 SBCers
descended upon Ithaca.
The convention started with committee meetings Friday
evening. Registration went along smoothly that evening and
was completed Saturday morning. A total of 215 was regis
tered, decidedly bettering the previous high of 161 set atSchenectady in 1952. After registration some spent the
morning birding on .local field trips, while others enter
tained and educated themselves at the various exhibits in
i'ernow Hall.
The Council meeting commenced at 9>3O a.m. Saturday with
^resident Harold D. Mitchell presiding. Twenty-nine dele
gates, representing 19 clubs, answered the roll call. Miss
Audrey Wrede, chairman of the Membership Committee, reported
the total membership of the Federation as 27 clubs and 320individual members.
The .fublications and Kesearch Committee reported that ur.
Stephen Jiaton needs more papers for publication in The King
bird, with special emphasis upon reports of extensive data
accumulated by several years' study in any interesting localarea. This is a matter which SBC members should heed since
we should be able to contribute much in this respect.
To incorporate
The Council voted to consider the incorporation of the
Federation. Three members of SBC were appointed as members
of a committee to study the matter and to take the steps
they deem necessary to have the Federation incorporated. The
SBC members so appointed are Samuel A. ],ladison, Ouy Bartlett
and Mrs. Dayton Stoner. The Council also voted to accept
the proposal of the finance Committee to increase individual
dues from #2 to $2.50 per year, and to submit this proposalto the member clubs for ratification.
The Conservation Committee proposed that a resolution beadopted by the Council expressing its opinion that the con-
61
FEATHERS Novmber, 1954
FEATHERS is published montnly bySCHENECTADY *BIRD CLUB, INC
Editor: GuyBactlett, 1053'Parkwood Bltfd.
Circulation: T*abel Barnes, 114 McCUUan St"Viola"Mabb, TreasucOT, 1624 BeckeeSfcegt
Annual Membership Dues: Sustaining, $5; Active, $3; Associate, $2; Junior, $1
stitutional provision that tlie State forest preserve lands
be kept forever wild be retained in its present form. The
following resolution was adopted:
"RESOLVED that the federation of flew York State Bird
Clubs favors retention of Article ilV, Section 1 of the
wew Xork State Constitution which proteots the forest
preserve by requiring it to be forever kept as wild fo
rest lands, without modification or amendment, and that
the Conservation Committee be authorized to take such
action as it deems necessary to achieve this result."
Mrs. atoner presented a plan to the council whereby mem
ber clubs and other organizations sponsored by member clubs
could sell Barton-Cotton note paper and other wild life il
lustrated items at a profit. By having an officer of the
local bird club sign the orders forwarded to Barton-Cotton,
with a statement on the order that it is to be credited to
Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, the Federation
would receive a percentage of the amount which the oompany
would receive for the items sold — a percentage beyond that
given the local club. The Council voted to approve this
plan for raising much-needed funds to meet Federation ex
penses.
Officers Named
Officers elected for the calendar year 1955 were: Presi
dent, Harold D. Mitchell, Buffalo; Vice President, Guy Bart-
lett, Schenectady; Recording Secretary, Elizabeth A. Feld-
husen, Saratoga Springs; Corresponding Secretary, Elizabeth
S. Manning, New York; and Treasurer, H. Everest Clements,
Rochester.
The Council voted to accept the invitation of the Chemung
Valley Audubon Society to hold the Eighth Annual Convention
at Elmira in 1955.
After the Council meeting everyone adjourned to tfillard
Straight Hall on the campus for lunch. The afternoon ses
sion, which commenced at 1:30, filled Fernow Hall to over
flowing.
Movies and Talks
Harold D. Mitchell presented a paper, accompanied by mo
tion pictures, of an unusual Killdeer nesting — on a flat
roof in downtown Buffalo.
Dr. Stephen Eaton read a paper on "The Birds of the High
Plateaus of Southwestern New York." His observations showthat fewer species nest in these areas than in the nearby
lowlands.
Mrs. Edward C. Ulrich read a paper on "The Arctic Wood
pecker Invasion of Western New York During the Past Winter."Her talk was illustrated by motion pictures of this northern
species which appeared in western New York in greater thanusual numbers.
62
FEATHERS Novmbefr 1954
Edward L. Seeber read a paper on "A Recent Extension of
the Ranges of the Blue-winged and Golden-winged ./arblers
into the Ithaca Areas." This interesting paper represented
the results of much intensive field work.
Mrs. Southgate Y. Hoyt presented a paper on "Bewick's
Wren in New York State." Her paper was illustrated with a
short motion picture of this member of the wren family whichhas made some appearances in New York State recently.
In the absence of Dr. Allen H. Benton (caused by the arrival of another bird, the stork), a paper he had preparedon "Birds and Utility Lines'* was read by title into the pro
gram.
Lawrence S. Smith, refuge manager of Montezuma tfild Life
Refuge, described the scene of Sunday's field trip and pre
sented an entertaining history of the Refuge.
The annual banquet was held at Cornell Heights Residen
tial Club at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Mitchell delivered the annualpresidential address, followed by William Dllger's humorous
and fictitious account of a scientific expedition to a re
mote island. The evening was brought to a close by Drs.
Peter Paul Kellogg and Arthur A. Allen, who told of their
recent trip to Churchill and the surrounding tundra terri
tory. Their talks were illustrated by motion pictures ofthe birds and their own activities in photographing and re
cording the songs of the northern species.
The Aliens Cook, and Cook
Those who attended the field trips to Kontezuma Swamp
were invited to breakfast at G-lenside, the home of Dr. and
Mrs. Allen, at 7 a.m. Sunday. After a hearty repast, we
were prepared for the coldness and dampness (polite for
rain) at the swamp.
The large pond immediately north of the refuge headquar
ters was drained and afforded little opportunity for bird-
ing. The best results were obtained by taking Route 4.14 to
the northwestern part of the swamp and following the dike
which passes along the northeastern edge of that portion of
the swamp (See map of Ivlontezuma Swamp, FEATHERS, Hay, 1950,page 36). The total number of species seen at the swamp bySBC members was not too impressive, partly because of the
weather but also because the strenuous activities of the two
preceding days had sapped the determination of most of the
birders to cope with the elements.
The woodpecker family furnished the high spot of the
birdlng activities. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were
first spotted by a member of SBC. Then a pair of Red-bel
lied Woodpeckers were seen at a nest hole not over 200 feet
from the dike. The hole was on the dike side of the tree
and afforded a beautiful chance for observation of this alltoo rare species. Just as we were leaving the swamp two
Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen.
A Whistling Swan was working its way through the swampywoods, but could be seen clearly by careful observationthrough the telescope. Several Least Bitterns showed themselves clearly as they flew about in the swampy area. Flo
rida GalUnules allowed themselves to be observed for a long
63
FEATHERS November. 1934
time, and once several Gallinules and Coot were in the fieldof the telescope at the same time. Two Bald Eagles and an
Osprey were seen. In all, a total of at least 70 specieswere identified by SBC members in the field — they are tab
ulated on page 65.
SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS
Dr. Roy E. Hunt and Pauline Baker, Co-chairmen
HERONS. DUCKS AND HAWKS Hudson River Trip. Sept. 25
Twelve SBC members participated Saturday, September 25,
in the Stoner Hudson River Trip — the trip named for the
late Dr. Dayton Stoner. The Albany weatherman reported 47°at 7:30 a.m. and 65° at 3:30 p.m. daylight time. However,the overcast sky and increasing wind made it seem colder as
we drove from the capital city down the east side of the
Hudson River and across the Rip Van Winkle bridge to the
small park where we had our lunch stop.
Some ten stops were made on this round trip of 80 miles.These stops gave observers an opportunity to get a good view
of two Long-billed Marsh Y/rens, two Green Herons, Great Blue
Herons, American Egrets, and other kinds of birds.
It is quite interesting that 15 of the total of 16 Black-crowned Night Herons were seen together in one area.
The 16 Green-winged Teal were the most outstanding ducks
recorded, as they are not now so frequently reported here.
The two flocks (six in one and 10 in the other) were in dif
ferent localities. They were studied by telescope by Mr.
and Mrs. Foote and others. Our list also contained two Wood
Ducks, eight Mallards, and 100 or more Black Ducks.
The one Turkey Vulture, fir3t seen by Ella Robinson, was
distinguishable from the nearby flock of flying Crows by its
V-shaped wings, dix Marsh Hawks and six unidentified hawks
were also noted.
The one Yellow-throated Vireo was identified by Esly Hal-
lenbeck on one of the early stops. Then, when we were about
20 miles south of Albany on main Highway 9. we watched a
Black-billed Cuckoo as it flew about in the foliage of one
of the roadside trees; the Cuckoo was first noted by lir.
Howard.
Other especially interesting solitary records were the
Spotted Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Flicker, Phoe
be, (these last two noted by Pauline Baker), Ueadowlark, andVVhite-breasted Nuthatch (noted by Misses Abel, Holmes, Ker-
ley and Maxon).
Although the River Trip was later than usual this Septem
ber, we were glad to see two each of Chimney Swiftg and Yel-
lowthroats, and three each of Catbirds, Purple Finches, andChipping Sparrows.
The 35 Blue Jays were by actual count, but estimates were
made of the 100 Black Ducks, 65 Crows, 50 Starlings, 25House Sparrows, 1500 Red-winged Blackbirds IThis could havebeen 2,000 or more as the swampy reeds seemed full of these
birds, besides the many flocks in the air), and 25 Goldfinches, which were heard frequently.
Although we kept watching, no Bald Eagles, 0spreys,burning Doves or Bluebirds were visible to us. Had the
64
FEATHERS November, 1954
tide been low instead of high and the weather more favorable,
v;e had hoped that Bess Wood might have secured a picture of
soiae of the 2,000 individual birds or at least one of the 42
species we listed on the trip.
As usual, one of the main objectives of this trip is the
number of American Egrets that we can see on this eastern
flyway. Out of a total of 31 that were recorded, 22 were
counted at one place just a short distance north of the Rip
Van Winkle bridge. This was on the return trip on the westside of the river. Prom a rather precipitous vantage point
above the water we looked across to the east bank of the ri
ver and saw 17 American Egrets resting in two trees. These
large white birds were perched on midway branches of the
fairly tall trees. Three others, not too distant, were set
tled in a tree top, and two more were seen flying above the
water. Although a large boat went by, the birds were not
especially disturbed.
So, our beautiful view of the Hudson with these large
white Egrets in the trees on the river bank made a striking
memory picture for our last stop — and one we will long re
member. — Lillian C. Stoner
NISKAYPNA, AND &EADOYJDALE Details Later
The October 3 trip to Niskayuna Wide Voters and the Octo
ber 17 trip to Keadowdale were chronologically next on the
SBC field-trip program. Those trips will be reported later.
RUDDIES. AND EVENINGS Alcove Reservoir, Oct. 31
Although October 31 was chilly and there was a fog, nine
SBC members joined the leader in Delmar and proceeded to Al
cove, and by way of Routes 32 and 143 were able to cover the
reservoir area. The first sight was a flock of ducks but
the light was not good, so the party reversed its route and
was able to account for 25 species. There were four Common
Loons, a Horned Grebe, 31ack Ducks, and, at the very last, a
dozen Ruddy ihacks and four Canvas-backs. They were a joy to
behold, and the party lingered long near the causeway to en
joy them. Hawks included three Red-tailed and a Sparrow
Hawk. Two Robins and two Bluebirds were noted, and two Myr
tle Warblers. About 25 Goldfinches and 25 Meadowlarks added
to the day. We were glad to welcome the Evening Grosbeak,
to the number of four. As the day went on the sun failed
and the clouds thickened. It was rather cold when the party
returned to Delmar. — Pauline E. Baker
PINE GROSBEAKS Round-Saratoga Lakes. Nov. 14
With temperatures from 38 to 50 degrees and skies from
gray cloudy to blue with the sun shining, the SBC birders
had a satisfactory trip to Saratoga Lake on November 14.
There were 18 adults and four children participating. When
Round Lake was given a survey it seemed as though the day
was not going to produce many birds. A mere five Black
Ducks and three Herring Gulls were found there. However, at
Saratoga Lake the ducks were relatively near, and could be
easily identified by the skilled observers with the aid oftelescopes — of which several were in use. The numbers^
were not great. Junday was, incidentally, a closed day in
the duck-hunting season.
Scaup were the most common, with Golden-eyes trailing. Of
65
FEATHERS Novmbor, 1954
the grebes the Horned out numbered the Pied-billed 6:1 (or36 to 6, to be exact). Outstanding were two Old-squaws inth6 midst of some Scaup and Buffle-heads. About 16 Canvas-
backs were observed, and four White-winged Scoters and two
Ruddy Ducks were spotted. A Killdeer appeared almost at our
feet. The three species of gulls — Herring, Ring-billed
and Bonaparte's — obligingly grouped themselves so that
with one look through a scope all three were on the field.
The Bonaparte was in winter plumage. At Brown's Beach a
Kingfisher occupied one of the posts usually claimed by
gulls. Bluejays were heard, as well as Chickadees. At theend of the trip a White-breasted Nuthatch sounded off. The
search for Grosbeaks was not in vain, as four Pines were
counted. Only three Tree Sparrows could be stirred up. The
total of 24 species was the result of a fine morning of
birding. Conspicuous misses were Mergansers, Hawks, Wood
peckers, Goldfinches, Juncos, and Song Sparrows.
— Dr. Minnie B. Scotland
FOUR TRIPS 93 Species
In the following reports on 93 species the key is: (A)Montezuma, August 29; (B) Hudson River, September 25; IC)Alcove Reservoir, October 31; (D) Round-Saratoga Lakes, No
vember 14*
Common Loon od Ringed Plover aHorned Grebe cd Killdeer ab dPied-billed Grebe a d Spotted Sandpiper abPiedbilled r
Great Blue Heron
American Egret
Green Heron
ab
ab
ab
Black-crowned Night Her. ab
American Bittern a
Least Bittern a_
Solitary Sandpiper a
Herring Gull abedRing-billed Gull ab d
Bonaparte's Gulld
Common Tern a
Mourning Dove a
7/histling Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
American Widgeon
Green-wineed Teal
Black-billed Cuckoo b
Chimney Swift ab
Ruby-thr. Hummingbird ab
abed Belted Kingfisher ab d
a Yellow-shafted Flicker ab
b Pileated Woodpecker a
a
a c
ab
Blue-winged Teal
Wood Duck
Canvas-back
a Red-bellied Woodpecker a
ab Red-headed Woodpecker a
od Hairy Woodpecker a c
Lesser ScaupAmerican Golden-eye
Buffle-head
cd Downy Woodpecker t
d Eastern Kingbird a
d Crested Flycatcher a_
Old-squaw
White-winged Scoter
Ruddv Duck
d Eastern Phoebe
d Wood Pewee
a_od Tree Swallow
ab
a
ab
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue «Tay
a
a
abed
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Osprev
a
ab
a
Sparrow Hawk a c
Hawk (Sp?) bRing-necked Pheasant bFlorida Gallinile a.
American Coot a
66
American Crow abed
Black-capped Chickadee abed
White-breasted Nuthatch abedLong-billed Marsh .i/ren ab"Catbird ab
American Robin aboBluebird
Cedar YJaxwing
a c
ab
FEATHERS
Common Starling
Yellow-throated Vireo
Black and White WarblerYellow ./arbler
Myrtle Warbler
Common YellowthroatRedstart
House Sparrow
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
abed
b
a
a
c
ab
a
abed
a
abc
ab
a
November, 1954
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Pine Grosbeak
American Goldfinch
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
ab
a
c
b
d
abc
c
d
ab
a
abc
t BRIEFING THE RECORDDr. Allen H. Benton, Records CommHfe* Chairman
September, like most of 1954, was slightly cooler than normal, with a high of 86° on the 5th. Precipitation was morethan an inch below normal, although clouds obscured the sun
much of the time, and sunshine was 24$ lower than normal.Bird migration has been good, with warblers especially being
much more obvious and in larger waves than was true during
the spring.
Pied-billed Grebes were seen at Vischer Ponds on Sept.24.The Stoner Hudson River trip (page 64) featured 31 AmericanEgrets. Black-crowned Wight Herons were seen at Collins
Lake on Sept. 21 lEHallenbeckJ. Hawks reported include Os-prey at Vischer Ponds on Sept. 24 (EH), Cooper's iiawk atSchenectady on Sept. 29 (HEddy), and a Turkey Vulture on the
Stoner trip Sept. 25.
Last date for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is Sept. 24 at
Loudonville (MFrench), Nighthawk Sept. 26 \1ZF), Chimney
Swift Sept. 20 IMF), Kuby-throated Hummingbird Sept. 24 \15F).
.First dates for fall migrants are Yellow-bellied Sapsuck-
er, Sept. 25 (MF); Yfinter Y/ren Sept. 21 {UF); Ked-breastedNuthatch Sept. 25-26, Slingerlands. (LGrace); ulive-backed
Thrush, Sept. 21, Collins Lake IEH); Kuby-crowned Kinglet
Sept. 21, Collins Lake (EH); Solitary Vireo Sept. 12 (MF);
Philadelphia Vireo Sept. 22 {IZF).
Warbler records, migrant and resident, are abundant this
month. Thirteen species were reported, as follows lfirst
records only): Black and White, Sept. 15 U^FJ; Washville,Sept. 15 (EH); Magnolia, Sept. 9 U&1); Black-throated Blue,Sept. 21 (MF); Black-throated Green, Sept. 6 (i/j'j; Parula,Sept. 26, Shaker Road (ABenton); ,yrtle, Sept. 24, VischerPonds (EH); Yellow, Sept. 29 (HE); Black-poll, Sept. 10 (LE1);
Oven-bird, Sept. 21 (JSP); Yellowthroat, Sept. 24 (MF); Black-capped, Sept. 10 [ME); Cape liay, Sept. 27 (MF); and Redstart, Sept. 6 (ItfCB1).
Other first dates include: V/hite-throated Sparrow, Sept.
15, Scotia (EH); White-crowned Sparrow, Sept. 24, VischerPonds (EH); Lincoln's Sparrow, Sept. 21, Loudonville (MF).
October was about 5 degrees warmer than average, with an es
pecially wana spell from the 10th to the 16th. Precipitation was slightly below normal. A low temperature of 25 to30 degrees on the 8th effectively ended the frost-free season, and set a new low record for that date at Albany.
The fall migration proceeded in a satisfactory manner,
67
FEATHERS Novmber, 1954
and several species occurred in unusual nunbers or at unusu
al dates. Coramon Loons v/ere reported by GBartlett from Jen
ny Lake on Oct. 2 and by SBC from Alcove Dam on Oct. 31. One
American Egret still lingered at Niskayuna until Oct. 3,
where it was seen by members of the SBC field trip. Water
fowl moved south by the end of the month, and five species
of ducks and geese, as well as Horned Grebe and Loon, were
recorded at Alcove Dan on the 31st by the SBC trip. Stand
out among the ducks were 12 Ruddy Ducks.
Late date for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo was Oct. 11 (MF),Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were reported several times, last
date on Oct. 23 (MF). Three reports of Pileated V/oodpeckerswere received (NHarrington, NWorst. GB). Last date for theHouse Wren was Oct. 1 (MF), and for Winter Wren Oct. 16-17(BLWilson). Olive-backed Thrushes were seen on Oct. 7 and11 at Loudonville (ivIF).
Both species of Kinglets were migrating throughout themonth, with heavy concentrations of Golden-crowned reported
from several areas. Red-breasted Nuthatches were reportedfrom feeders at Schenectady (HE) and Jenny Lake (GB). Reports of warblers and vireos were too numerous to list indi
vidually, but the following species were reported, most of
them by more than one person: Red-eyed and Solitary Vireos;
Nashville, Parula, Ivlagnolia, Cape l.Iay, Black-throated Blue,
Myrtle, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Palm, Black-cappediVarblers and Common Yellowthroat.
The biggest news in the grosbeak-sparrow family is that
it appears to be another Grosbeak Year. By November 1 Even
ing Grosbeaks had been reported on four occasions from wide
ly scattered areas. Pine Grosbeaks, normally much less com
mon, were reported twice: Oct. 24, Thacher Park, 2 (NH); andOct. 28, Loudonville, 5 (Iff). First date for the EveningGrosbeak was Oct. 17, one male at Mrs. LGrace's feeding station at olingerlands. All members should be on the lookout
for these birds, in expectation of an excellent season.
f NEWS AND NOTES IN BRIEF,
CHRISTMAS COUM1 Sunday. December 26
The local (Schenectady) Christmas Count will be made Sunday, December 26. Yet to be decided is the date for theTroy count — either Saturday, January 1, or the followingday. Plans for both will be completed at the December meet
ing of SBC, on Monday, the 13th, in the Pine Room of the
First Methodist Church, State and Lafayette Streets.Those who expect to participate in the Christmas Count
but cannot attend the meeting on the 13th should communicate
with Guy Bartlett, 3-0014, concerning coverage.
"MYSTERY" BIRD Heron. Of Sorts
A long-necked, green-legged, speckled-feathered bird baffled the Gazette of November 15. The bird, apparently with
an injured foot, was found in an alley next to 1391 StateStreet. Green Heron, said the Gazette.
It was an American Bittern. It was taken to the DelmarFarm for recuperation and liberation.
68
Published by Schencctady Bird Club, Inc.
Vol.16 Wo.12 December, 1954
A (Quarter (ttetttunj of GUfrteimaH Qtauttte
Eighty Species and More than 100,000 Individuals Have Been Counted —
Only Ten Kinds Show on All 25 Lists -- 160 Participants Went 4134
Miles — Starling, Crow, and House Sparrow Represent Three-fourths of
Total within Schenectady's Fifteen-mile Circle
It was a little more than a quarter century ago when a
few Schenectady birders drew a circle of 15 miles diameter,
so situated that it would encompass as many as possible of
their favorite birding areas ia v/inter — the top of Indian
Ladder for its local rarities, Lock 8 of the Barge Canal for
its open water, Vischer Ponds and Niskayuna Wide V/aters for
their Lock 7 and other possible open waters, as well as Mea-
dowdale liarshes, V.'atervliet Reservoir, and Schenectady's
Central Park.
On December 22 and 23, 1929, seven observers were afield,
finding 1029 counted individuals of 20 species of birds.
Since then, within a few days of Christnas each year, a si
milar count has been made within the sane territory — 25
such enumerations have now been completed.
Eighty species have been recorded, and in addition therehave been two recognized subspecies. The total count has
passed the century-thousand mark — 102,751 is the figure.
The observers traveled 4,134 miles in groups, 1128 miles ofit afoot and the rest by cars.
The 15-uile Circle
The same area of 15 miles diameter has been used for all25 Christmas Counts, but the area is "the same" geographi
cally only. Much has happened to it. Its population has
increased and hence farm lands have become suburban, andsuburban have become urban. Favorite dirt roads of thenhave become traffic-laden paved highways; major routes havebeen straightened and extended; and now the new New YorkState Thruway bisects the area. Many of the favored smallmarshes and swamps of then have been drained or filled, and
are now back-yards. V.'ooded areas have been cut back, butformer brush-covered areas have become light woods. Visaher-^onds have been developed by the state as one of its twelveV/aterfowl Management Areas. The map (pages 76-77) hardlyreflects all these changes.
(Text continued on Page 81}
69
FEATHERS
Table 1, Section 1
Year
December:
Number of Observers
Number of Parties
Party-hours, Total
On Foot
By Car
Party-miles, Total
On Foot
By Car
Time
Temperature
Wind
Weather
SpecieSjTotal
Number of Individuals
Added, Near Dates
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
American Golden-eye
Old-squaw
American Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Goshawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
European Partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant
American Coot
Killdeer
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Screech Owl
Homed Owl
Snowy Owl
Year
70
Ho.
Ira
1
31
315
l
21
1
10
I187
ii
l
151
2423
25
2
22
312
11
12
2
Total
Count
160
193
1273
944329
413411283006
80102751
2
1•z
12
1397141
288
24
11
rl
ii21
1
21
1
HI
147/
505
i
2
1B7
'i144
13H
Total
SUIE.JIRIES
Ufiff.
'onnt
4312
5620
301
76225
7am
8pm-22
56
427700
1
1
12
9
2311
66
24
6
9
1
31
b"
137
90
4
443
2
32
Has
'29(1)
23
61
10
91
29
920
75816
slN
ed
838
3
1
#
;s
•29
(2)22
1
1
4
1
44
ft2b
si
W
00
an
9191
3
3
2
•29(2)
and
1930
21
52
18
15. 3
771760
74
3542si
n
Pod
283100
4
#
7
l
#
1
2
1
2
1
ti
2
1
1930
1929 -
III2b
16
7
715120
190
30
lbO
75
1520
vstr
HW
ol
756b
9
2311
66
24
1
1
2
13
0
233
1
•31(1)
•31(2)27
1
1
7*4
10
10
812
12
32si
BW
ol
11
202
♦31(2)
December,
1933
1932(1)
24
10
5
50
30
20
11520
95
75
32
45-
0
el
297700
1
1
22
b
47
5
1
1
#
1954
Incl.
1932
2b
152
3621
15
105
20
85
75
3240
0 to
atrW
P
ed
22
1300
1
9
1
3
1932(2)
1933
23
145
50
3020
120
30
90
75
20
29
0
ed
322010
1
1
45
1
1
8
54
10
1933
FEATHERS December, 1954
Table 1, Section 1 (Cont'd)
Year
Barred Owl
Long-eared Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Homed Lark
(Northern, subsp.)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren (#)
Catbird
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Bluebird
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwine
Gray Shrike
Common Starling
Mvrtle Warbler
House Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-wineed Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole (Tf)
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Cardinal
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Pine Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
(Greater, subsp.)
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
White-winged Crossbill
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Year
16
710
1
2325
f252525
2514
12
t1
11
4
20
2
812
25
2559
341
59b
11
f8
25
2
2425
1
24
\
Total| Max.
CountCount
12
627
lb
25
271
8131
Ib2
1576
5270
93038
ggg
24
1
21
6
27b
2(J17
399721
10591
M21
6801
171631
3271726
2
4
400
25
Total
2
6
4
b
5
29
651
f195
4200
376
12
26b
1
52
20
352
141
396b*l
1400
511
375i
2971
580
24b
3742
2
748
3
20
200
SUKKARIE3 1
•29(U
1
10
r
3759
#
268
90
12
10
1
6
#
27
l)
•29
(2)
1
277
2
129
1Y
•29
(2)
1930
1
1
3
f
3
#
15Ibl7
85
742
19
945
135
5
30
192
7
1930
and 1929-1933 incl.
1931(1)
1
1
8
52000
88
5
13
3
6
3600
1400
2
75
6
9
23121
7
•31(1)
2
2
12
20
21
53
2
1
35
70
•31(£)
1
1
6
23
20
484200
163
20
10
3
1
6
1
2200
1
30
7214
21
1932(2)
CMCM1
4
10
10
400
164
18
lB
200
100
5
55
56
1
1932(2)
1933
1
4
519
18
550
76
252
2
1
9
l
700
100
12
29211
4
#
1933
FEATHERS
Table I, Section 2
Year
December:
Number of Observers
Number of Parties
Party-hours, Total
On Foot
By Car
Party-miles, Total
On Foot
By Car
Time
Temperature
Wind
Weather
Species,TotaI
Number of Individuals
Added, Near Dates
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
American Golden-eye
Old-squaw
American Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Goshawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Ring-necked Pheasant
American Coot
Killdeer
Herring Gull
Ring-billed GuD
Mourning Dove
Screech Owl
Horned Owl
Snowv Owl
Year
72
193423
13550
3?18
125
7*5
7-18
0
od
307390
3
2
1
2
2
lb
2
5
i
1934
193521
12
5
4530
15
105
3570
7-4
5-10
vstr
w
od
263070
1
2
2
6
7
z
1
1935
193626
12
3622
14
95
87-53»-56si
sv
Od
272444
12
1
1
b9
9
3
1
1936
19372b
20
7
63
81364690
7-530-
450 to
IB 81
p ed
,.352609
2
3
52
1
1
6
13
15
2
1
1
1
1937
193?26
22
9
5620
152
S
7-510 •
30
0
ol
344439
2
7
1
1
1
3
17
8
5
1
1
1938
1934 .
1939
23
247
6
119
8 -
4*30IS .
38vstr
w
el -
ed
26
34695
1
#
6
1
2
1
1
1
54
12
15
fi
1939
1940
22
299
51*4?9J-
220
48
172
4,30
3b-
39si
a
od -
rtla
30
3501
4
27
1
1
1
2
55
b«
f
#
1940
December, 1954
- 1943 incl.
194121
_%47
3219840
158
7-4*30
-4-13si
RW
el
333935
1
6
2
1
9
3
2
9
37
4
2
1941
194220
2310
40
*
95
7*-4
-22
-20
0 to
8lW
el
4
2
2
1
1
7
14
1
1
1942
194326
239
166
8-510 .
30si
3
p ed
302898
2
1
2
3
8
13
23
I
1
1
1943
FEATHERS December, 1954
Table 1, Section 2 (Cont'd]
Year
Barred Owl
Long-eared Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucfcer
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Homed Lark
(Northern, subsp.)
Blue Tav
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nudiatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren [#)Catbird
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Bluebird
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwine
Gray Shrike
Common Starling
Mvrtle Warbler
House Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole ($)
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Cardinal
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Pine Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
(Greater, subsp.)
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
White-winged Crossbill
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lapland LongspurSnow Bunting
Year
1
l
2b
20
24
34
9l
27
3943
495
374
21
296
43l
35
1934
l?3?l
312
32
12
1300
77
7
3
1
933
221
1
110
14
11
296
11
1935
1936
3
b
19
24
242
4B
52
4
2
772
193
2
34
62
93
4
2
1956
19?7
6
1
9
34
3
47
212
2
71
1
4B
•j
839
41B
52
16
197
12
1937
19^8
1
B28
3
24
2800
249
47
2
1
1
14
3
610
3b9
1
4
10
Jg
5
1938
1934
1939
724
14
2io8
21
I
*
314
145
1
2
1563
1
118
5
1939
1940
12
3b
#
703
266
8312
1
1
19
1
1
1250
225
2
1584
28446
lb
1940
- 1943 incl.
1941
2
1547
110
1133240
42
■*
2
4
2
599
5472
188
fa
94
748
15
30
1941
1942
1
B
54
12
125858ISO
32
37
1
1
lb
1
679
155
1
33
142
439
1320
51
1942
1943
toro#
21
65
8
92
792
1
31
f
969
443
1
483
13
84
20
194373
FEATHERS
Table I, Section 3
December, 1954
1944 - 1951 inr»1.
Year
December:
Number of Observers
Number of Parties
Party-hours, Total
On Foot
By Car
Party-miles, Total
On Foot
By Car
Time
Temperature
Wind
Weather
SpecieSjTotal
Number of Individuals
Added, Near Dates
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
American Golden-eye
Old-squaw
American Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Goshawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Marsh Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Sparrow Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
European Partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant
American Coot
Killdeer
Herring Gull
Ring-bflled Gull
Mourning Dove
Screech Owl
Homed Owl
Snowv Owl
Year
1944*\329
443410
181
126
8-«j
lB -
320-5 ?
W
p od
403951
2
1
2
2
1
I
13
2
1944
194523
268
453510
148
106
7-4
l -
19
MO
el
291579
5
3
1
1
1
31
2
2
1945
194622
15037
21451
163
7-
28 -
5-35w
Od
ocol
333105
1
17
1
1
2
3
2
3
b
10
6
1946
194721
4312
765719
225
7-
20 -
31w-im
0-20
base
•nol
7156
7
1
Z
b
1
1
74
22
1
1
1
1
1947
194826
3311
564511
192
58134
7-
•10
1
HV-W
O-25
el
26^6
1
3
1
1
1
4
b
4
24l
1
1948
19492b
3510
35
213
7-
V3B-W
0-10
ed
slrn
565^
1
4
8
#•
12
1
72
10
1
23
1
#
1949
195023
2310
58
20b
69137
7 -
w
0-2
el -
ed
377012
7
1
2
1
8
1
5b
5
10
1950
195130
299
46
3214
23845193
7 -
35-45B-S
od
slrn
5528
8
1
1
I
4
1
5
90
1
2
1
1951
195227
2710
513120
17550
125
7-
30-
10
E-HH
0-25
p ed
ol
o392871
12
13
50
1
4
88
20
44
1
1
1952
19532b
19
4730
189
37-5
24 -
383
4-8
p ed
ed
4|3708
1
3
1
10
I2
1
2
8
4
25
1
8
911
1
1953
74
FEATHERS
Table I, Section 3 (Cont'd)
December, 1954
19LL - 1953 inol.
Year 1944 1945 1946 1947 19481949 1950 1951 195a 1953Barred Owl
Long-eared Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucfccr
I2 550 22 38
To i6~40 32
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
29 126
13 22
33 36
Homed Lark
(Northern, subsp.)
Blue Jay <**> JS 93
24
J35JMAmerican Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
542150
427 1342205 296
7»4258 341
23b
261 341310 302178 221
1White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
56 21
2
26 10
39 351 2
1A 20
55 301
20
T5-E5
14 8
"28 46
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren [j'f]Catbird
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Bluebird
52
20
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing
18
108
8 10
2
16
141
35
Gray Shrike
Common Starling
Myrtle Warbler
1394 227 89439661
839 3033 383O 3642 918 1266
House Sparrow
Eastern Mcadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
710 267 219 531
1
409 682
11
515 5545
399 522
2Baltimore Oriole (if )
Purple Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
#1 2
Cardinal
Evening Grosbeak
Purple Finch
6 29
71Pine Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
(Greater, subsp.)5 27 580 5 50 164
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
White-winged Crossbill
1682 8 114 17
24b
231 37 122 8e
Vesper Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow53
White-throated Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
116 11308
2
45 75255 420
20
299
1
16 128
359 674
Song Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
SnowBunting
58 3
200 15 8
7 19
12
34 134
IB-
1944 1945 194& 1947 1948 1949 195« 1951 1952 195375
FEATHERS
Pocotnbw, 1954
KEY
SCHENECTADVS
15-mile Circle of
CHRISTMAS
COUNTS
(Adapted from U. S. Geological
Survey Topographical Kaps.
Some of main roads shown "by
heavy lines, with Highway
numbers boxed.)
Collins Lake, Scotia
Woestina Sanctuary
Vale Cemetery, Schenectady
Central Park, Schenectady
Parkview Cemetery
U. S. Army Warehouse, South
Schenectady
Lock 7i Barge Canal and Mo
hawk River
Lock 8, Barge Canal and Mo
hawk RiverNormans Kill
Watervliet Reservoir
Bozen Kill
Black Creek
Meadowdale Marshes
Altamont
Guilderland Center
Helderberg Escarpment —
Indian Ladder — Thacher
State ParkThompson's Lake
Vborheesville
Fuller Road — Six-mile Water Works — One of the
Albany municipal parks
Karners — Sand Barrens
Hunger Kill (includingGuilderland Reservoir)
Albany Airport
Lisha Kill
Kbhawk View
Crescent Lake — Niskayuna
Wide Waters
Vischer PondsVischer Terry
Stony CreekGrooms CornersAqueduct
Consaul Road
Niskayuna River Road
Vischer Ferry Road
77
FEATHERS
FEATHERS to published monthlybySCHENECTADY *BIRD CLUB, ING
Editor: Guy Bartlett, 1053 'PaefeuJood Bind.
Circulation: "Mabel Barnes, 114 McClellan St.
'Viola Ttfabb, Treasurer, 1624 Becker Street
Annual Memberaklp Duea: Sustaining, $6;
December, 1954
Active, ?3; Aauoriate, $2; Juntos $1
Table {I Relative Abundance
(A) Total,
Common StarlingAmerican CrowHouse Sparrow
Am.Tree Sparrow
25 years (B) llaximum one-year count(A) (B)
39972 396626922 4200
10591 14008026 748
Red-winged BlackbirdHorned Owl
Gray Shrike
Pine Grosbeak
21 1117 317 317 5
Blk-cap.Chickadee 5270 376
American Goldfinch 1726 374Common Redpoll 1631 580Blue Jay 1576 195
Yel-shafted Flicker 16 6
American Golden-eye 14 11
Eastern 1/Ieadowlark 14 5Mallard 13 9
Slate-colored Junco 1373 243
White-br.Nuthatch 930 83Downy Woodpecker 813 65Ring-neck.Pheasant 505 90
Screech Owl
Canada Goose
Barred Owl
Goshawk
13 212 12
12 2
11 2
Song Sparrow 400 58
Snow Bunting 353 200
Pine Siskin 327 246American Merganser 288 66
Red-shouldered Hawk 11 3
Swamp Sparrow 8 4
Cooper's Hawk 7 2
European Partridge 7 7
Golden-cr. Kinglet 27635Hairy Woodpecker 271 29
Cedar Waxwing 268 141Brown Creeper 222 26
Ring-billed Gull 7 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 2Long-eared Owl 6 6Hermit Thrush. 6 2
Herring Gull
Horned Lark
Ruffed Grouse
Mourning Dove
187162
147
144
4432
13
Purple Grackle 6 3
American Coot 4 4l/Vhite-throated Sparrow 4 2
Great Blue Heron 3 1
Purple Finch 116 71Sparrow Hawk 111 8
Black Duck 97 23Brown-headed Cowbird 80 75
Snowy Owl 3 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 2
Vesper Sparrow 3 2
Fox Sparrow 3 3
Everting Grosbeak7529Red-tailed Hawk 43 6Red-br. Nuthatch 38 12
Eastern Bluebird _35 20
Killdeer 2 1
White-winged Crossbill 2 2
Horned Grebe 1 1
Old-souaw 1 1
Belted Kingfisher 27 4
Pileated Woodpecker 25 5
Lapland Longspur 25 20
Red-breast.Merganser 24 24
Bald Eagle 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 1Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 1
Eastern Phoebe 1 1
Marsh Hawk 24 3
Winter Wren 2k 6Rough-legged Hawk 21 9
American Robin 21 5
Tufted Titmouse
Catbird
Myrtle Warbler
Cardinal
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
Table II!American Crow 4200
Com. Starling 3966House Sparrow 1400
Am.Tree Sparrow 748
Common Redpoll 58O
Blk-c.Chickadee 376Am. Goldfinch 37478
Maximim one-year counts, 50 or more
Pine Siskin 246
Slate-col.Junco 243
Snow 3unting 200
Blue Jay 195Cedar Waxwing 141
Mourning Dove 91Ring-nk.Pheasant 90
Wh-br.Nuthatch 83Br-hd.Cowbird 75
Purple Finch 71Amer.j&rganser 66
Downy Woodpecker 65Song Sparrow 50
FEATHERS
Table IV
25 Years do gpecies)
Ring-necked PheasantDowny WoodpeckerAmerican Crow
Black-capped ChickadeeWhite-breasted NuthatchCommon StarlingHouse Sparrow
American GoldfinchAmerican Tree Sparrow
2L Years (3)Sparrow Hawk
Slate-colored JuncoSong Sparrow
2j Years (3)Ruffed Grouse
Hairy Woodpecker
Brown Creeper
22 Years (l)
Herring Gull
21 Years 11)
American Merganser
20 Years (1)
Golden-crowned Kinglet
18 Years (1)Red-tailed Hawk
16 Years (1)Belted Kingfisher
15 Years (2)Black Duck
Marsh Hawk
14 Years (2)Horned LarkRed-breasted Nuthatch
12 Years (L)Mourning Dove
Horned OwlWinter Wren
Gray Shrike
11 Years U)Rough-legged Hawk
Soreech Owl
American Robin
Common Redpoll
10 Years (2)Goshawk
Pileat ed ./oodpeeker
9 Years (3)Barred Owl
Red-winged Blackbird
?urple Finch
December, 1954
Number of years recorded
8 Years (3 species)Cedar WaxwingPine SiskinSnow Bunting
7 Years (2)Red-shouldered Hawk
Yellow-shafted Flicker
6 Years (1)Cooper's Hawk
5 Years (5)Sharp-shinned Hawk
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Headowlark
Evening Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
U Years (2)Hermit Thrush
Brown-headed Cowbird
3 Years (7)Great Blue Heron
Mallard
American Golden-eye
Hing-billed Gull
Purple GrackleSwanp Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
2 Years (5)Killdeer
Snowy Owl
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Vesper Sparrow
V/hite-throated Sparrow
1 Year (17)Horned GrebeCanada Goose
Old-squaw
Red-breasted MerganserBald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
European Partridge
American Coot
Long-eared Owl
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerEastern Phoebe
Tufted Titmouse
Catbird
i..yrtle 7/arbler
Card inal
'.Vhite-winged Crossbill
Fox Sparrow
79
FEATHERS December, 1954
14
1?
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
Years
Years
Years
Years
iears
Years
Years
Years
Years
(1)
12)
U)
ID
(1)
14)
(2)
(2)
(9)
TabUV Participants
15 Years (2): Guy Bartlett (25), Alice Holmes (19)
Rudolph H. Stone (15)
3. D. Miller 119), JUelle G. Van Vorst (18)
Esly Hallenbeck U5J, P. Schuyler Miller 116)
Stephanie Podrazik
Dr. Vincent J. Schaefer 114)
Mrs. Laura o. Beck, .Frank Freese (11J, Dr.
Minnie B. Scotland, John H. Voght
George H. Bainbridge (14), Pauline E. Baker
Mrs. Chester N. Moore (10), Chester N.Moore (13)
Mrs. VI. E. Blowney, Mrs. R. M. Brockway, Mrs.
C. J. Grace, Edna Hallenbeck, Mrs. H. G. Kel
ley, Mrs. E. W. Scott, Benton R. Seguin (11),Donald Tucker, Leon A. Wiard
5 Years (5): Alice Abel, G. Malcolm Andrews, Mrs. George H.Bainbridhe, Idella M.Heacoz, Samuel A. Madison
4 Years (4)$ Mrs. VI. Lawrence Butler, Mrs. M. E. Rexford,Mrs. Lillian C. Stoner, Mrs. John H. Voght
3 Years(15): Mrs. Clarence C. Bailey, William G. Bartlett,Edna Becker (5), Dorothy Y/. Caldwell, Mary E.
Christie, Floyd Dov/ns. Agnes Eddy, Stephen C. Fordham Jr.,
Barrington S. Havens 111), Marilyn Kelley, Dr. Malcolm E.McDonald, Gloria Meader, Edna Sachs, E. VI. Scott, Robert
Yunick
2 Years (32): Henry V. D. Allen, James J. Anderson, Elizabeth Bigsbee, Mrs. Stephen C. Fordham Jr.,
Mrs. Frank Freese, J. V/. Freese (5), Robert Goble, Dr. Lawrence S. Hill, H. G. Kelley, Paul Kornecke, Mrs. Paul Kor
necke, Viola Mabb, Mrs. L. J. Llattimore, Mrs. W. S. McGraw,
Harry Oleson, David Pelton, Joseph Pollak, Mrs. Joseph Pol-lak, D. A. Ruddy Sr. (4), Peter Runge, Dorothy Sawyer, Agatha Schuurman, Michael Shepard, Nellie Silliman, Margaret A.
Smith, James Staley, Beatrice Sullivan, J. M. Tucker, Frazer
R. Turrentine, Robert Underwood (6), Dr. Franklin H. West,Glenn Vlilson
1 Year (45): Mrs. R. F. Abell, Mary Lou Aughenbaugh, Kyr-tice A. Blatchley, Hellen Cole, Mildred D.
Crary, Mrs. L. S. Davenport, Mrs. Anna Desinger, Dr. VJ.
Crawford Dunlap, R. E. Eitelman, Mrs. R. E. Eitelman, Mary
Ellis, Dan Fiscusi, Virginia Freligh, Chester Griffith, Jer
ry Hare, Arthur Hewitt, Byron T. Hippie Jr., Mrs. Hans Huth-steiner, Gary Jameson, John Kelly, Arthur L. Kimball, .Fred
erick A. Klenm, V/illiam Matthews, L. J. Mattimore, Lois M.
Maxon, Mrs. James MoMillan, Mrs. B. D. Miller, Joan Pollak,Mrs. David C. Prince, Frances Reeves, Carl Renscheid, Ruth
Retzloff, Edward Rindfleisch, D. A. Ruddy Jr. (3), PeterRumsey, James Schaefer, Susan Schaefer, W. Roy Steele (4)fMrs. W. Roy Steele, Robert L. Stone, Mrs. Leon A. Wiard,Mrs. A. K. Vlilley, Arthur J. Woodward, and James Zell.
80
FEATHERS Decwnbcr, 1954
Table VI Maxima and Minima
25-year Averages 9-1/2 hours per count; 26° I averaging 20°for day and 32° for high of day); 22 observers; 46 party-hours; 45 miles on foot,
120 by car; 32 species, 4110 individuals.
25-year Totals
Highest Count
Highest Total
80 species, plus 2 subspecies, plus two
added species on near dates; 102,751counted individuals. 160 different obser
vers; 1273 party-hours afield; 1128 miles
afoot, 3006 by car, 4134 miles total.
42 species in 1953; lowest, 13 in combined
trips of 1929.
9000 in combined trips of 932; or 7700 in
one of 1932 trips; lowest, 1029 in combined
trips of 1929.
Maximum duration 11 hours; minimum, S-l/2 hours.
Laxiraupi Temperature 560 in 1936; minimum, -22° in 1942.
Most observers 43 in 1947; fewest, 14 in 1929.
Max, party-hours 76 in 1938; minimum, 14 in 1929.
Miles On foot, from 13 (1929) to 76 11947)By car, from 20 (1929)to 225 U947)Total, from 33 (1929)to 301 (1947).
Twenty-five Years in Summary Table I
Table I (pages 70-75) summarizes the 25 years of Schenec-tady Christmas Counts but omits considerable information re
quired in any detailed study or analysis of the Counts. The
omission is because several issues of FEATHERS would be re
quired for all of the details. Who went where, who found
what — these and other data are in the annual reports inFEATHERS.
The first ten Counts — those before SBC existed — are
summarized in FEATHERS, Vol. 1, No. 7, pages 31-34 (Decem
ber, 1939). The count showed 59 kinds and 42,859 individuals.
A 15-year summary was published in FEATHERS, Vol. 6, No.2,pages 9-15 (February, 1944). It showed 62 kinds and 59,530individuals.
Still another summary, for 20 years, was in FEATHERS,
Vol. 11, No. 12, pages 89-95 (December, 1949). The totalsby then had reached 72 species and 77,977 individuals.
Complete details for all the 15 most recent trips have
been published in the January issues, page 1.
Table I uses the symbol (#) to indicate a species seen.ona day within the Christmas Count period but not on the count
itself. Two species are thus included: Carolina Wren and
Baltimore Oriole. Subspecies counts have been included in
the species itself.
81
FEATHERS December, 1954
Starlings and Crows — Common Table II
The statistics in Table II (page 78) leave no doubts concerning the abundance of three species — Starling, Crow and
House Sparrow. The Starling is by far the most common, but
it is of interest to note that for 18 years the Crow held
high total. Those were in the years when large flocks ofCrows could be seen overhead in early morning and late afternoon, leaving or returning to their roosts in Carnan and
Mechanicville. Those roosts are no longer used; the Carman
Barrens of then have become suburban. The roosts disap
peared more than the seven years ago, but it took a few
years for the Starling count to catch up on the lead the
Crow count had attained. The Crow roosts tell only part ofthe story, for the Starling roosts in down-town Schenectadyhave increased enormously, despite half-hearted attempts to
disperse the birds.
The Starling has accounted for 39 per cent of the total
count, and the Crow for 26 per cent. Together they repre
sent practically two-thirds of all. The House Sparrow shows10 per cent. Those three total 75 per cent — three of
every four. They with the Tree Sparrow and Black-capped
Chickadee are 88 per cent of the count. Ten species — aug
menting these five with the Goldfinch, Redpoll, Blue Jay,
Junco, and White-breasted Nuthatch — add up to 95.5 per
cent. That leaves less than 5 per cent for all the other 70
species on the composite list.
4200 of One Table III
It does not necessarily follow that those birds having
high totals for the composite list are the ones with the
highest one-year counts, it is shown in Table III (page 78).
In 1932 4,200 Crows were counted, and it looks as though
the record for that species will not be broken, for counts
in more recent years have been far smaller — well under a
thousand in each of the six most recent years.
Probably some year there will be a Starling count higher
than 4200 — 3966 is now the maximum.
In the case of 20 species there are counts of 50 or more
for at least one year. The list, however, contains several
species far less common than might thus be indicated — the
Cedar Waxwing, Mourning Dove, Purple Finch and Cowbird have
been, on the whole, relatively uncommon on Christmas Counts.
Ten without Fail Table IV
Table IV (page 79) features 10 species which have beenseen each time. No water- or shore-birds are included; there
have been winters when there was a real minimum of open wa
ters within the 15-mile circle. Nineteen species have been
recorded 20 or more years, including the Herring Gull and
American Merganser. Only 25 kinds have been found in at
least have of the Counts.
At the other extreme are 17 species recorded one year on
ly. The European Partridge, seen in 1932, was an introduced
species, and is considered extirpated* With few exceptionsthis one-year list can be considered as one of accidental
visitors or stragglers, as can those five species recorded
in only two years.
82
FEATHERS December, 1954
160 Participants Table V
There have been as many participants as 43 in 1947, andas few as 14 in 1929. In all, there have been 160 collaborators. Table V (page 80) lists those 127 who have taken partin any of the 15 SBC counts, there were 33 additional counters in pre-SBC days.
In the case of 20 names in Table V a parenthesized numberis shown. It indicates the complete total of trips, inclu
ding those of pre-SBC days. Fifty SBC members and guests
have participated in at least three of the Counts, and ninein at least ten of the recent ones.
IJostests. and Leastests Table VI
Averages and statistics can be misleading, as witness the
statistician who calculated the average depth of a stream as
only two feet and then was drowned when he attempted to wadeacross it. Nevertheless, as shown in Table VI, the average
local Christmas Count has had 32 species and 4110 individu
als, and was made on a day of 26° average temperature.
V.'hat's Ahead? Plenty
Eighty species and tv/o subspecies have been listed on
Schenectady counts, and there have Ijeen two additional spe
cies on near dates. Can more be expected?
Many more species are entirely possible. There are the
Carolina Wren and Baltimore Oriole, possible because they
have already been found here on near dates. There are the
Common Loon, Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Soaup, and
Hooded Llerganser, possible because they have already been
found on SBC Christmas Counts in the Troy 15-mile circle.
And there is the Red Crossbill, possible because It has been
shown on an SBC Jenny Lake count.
Those are only a few of the possible additions. A survey
of other New York State Christmas reports show many more,
particularly If winters continue to be warmer and to arrive
later, as is now indicated. With more open water there will
be plenty of opportunities of new species of loons, grebes,
swans, geese, ducks, herons, gulls and terns, shorebirds,
and even alcids. There are further possibilities among the
hawks, owls, woodpeckers, swallows, titmice, waxwings,
blackbirds, and finches and sparrows.
The possibilities are even beyond those. Feeding-stationrecords in New Jingland and around metropolitan New York show
that western stragglers can be expected. And Schenectady
counters have been frugal in the amount of time they have
given over to the investigation of the interior of large
wooded areas.
Very fev; trends in winter bird population can be drawn
from the local summaries, chiefly because specific areas
have not been covered annually under non-varying conditions.However, the same criticism holds for a large number of the
Christmas Counts throughout the country.
54 Years Ago
The nation*s 54th Christmas Bird Count was made in 1953.It was in 1900 that the first counts were made. There were
25 such counts published in Bird-Lore, made by 27 persons.
83
FEATHERS 1954
Audubon Field Notes, one of the successors to Bird-Lore,
carried 521 reports for 1953 in its April, 1954 issue. Total individuals were 9,480,000; 1952 3et the record with
12,100,000. There were 7384 participants in 1953; they were
afield 18,789 party-hours and covered 68,715 party-miles,including 13,715 afoot. The 1953 reports included 45 withmore than 100 species, with Wilmington's 162 the highest.Back in 1950 Harlingen, Texas, set the record of 172.
Among the published reports for New York State in 1953were the following:
Atlantic Ocean off Long Island 6 sp. 393 count
3rooklyn 89 50,495Central Suffolk County, L.I. 90 12,262
Montauk, L.I. 63 5,275Northern Nassau County, L.I. 67 9,462Quogue to V.'atermill, L.I. 63 6,894Smithtown, L.I. 74 6,628Southern Nassau County, L.I. 116 45*249V/estern Long Island 124 102,692Bear Llountain - Harriman Park 44 1,924Binghamton 41 7,204
Bronx-V/estChester 100 53,233
3uffalo 67 29,477Conesus and Hemlock Lakes 30 608Cortland 41 1,282
Deposit 17 362Elmira 44 1,733Fort Plain 21 216Geneva 52 8,369Gouverneur 13 591
Hamburg, Orchard Park,E.Aurora 44 8,536Jamestown 34 4,020
Keuka Park 57 2,379Kingston-Mohonk-Ashokan 43 1,257Manhattan Island 43 148,840Llonticello 24 1,281
Olean 25 872Port Chester - Stamford,Conn. 102 30,543
Rochester 77 21,624Rockland County 64 7,772Saranac Lake 23 729
(SBC) Schenectady 42 3,708Staten Island 67 18,487Syracuse 55 4,405
(SBC) Troy 34 1,161Watertown 33 1,650
Watkins Glen 26 71°
In the above list the Manhattan Island total included anestimated 140,000 Starlings; Nashville, Tenn., had 200,000
of them. Highest of all 1953 counts was that of the Red-
winged Blackbird, of which there were 540,000 at Eeelfoot
Lake, Tenn., of a grand total of 1,350,667. individual highcount was that of the Redhead — 555,157 at Laguna Atascosa,Texas.
Twenty-sixth Best Yet?
Schenectady Bird Club's 26th annual Christmas Bird Countis scheduled for Sunday, December 26; it could be the big
gest and best yet. — G. B.
84