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The Nebrdskd Bird Review A Magazine of Orn.ithoLogy of the Nebraska Region

VOLUME XXIX APRIL,1961 NUMBER 2

0'(00 Published by the NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS'UNION, INC: ,r:'

Founded 1899 0

TABLEo OF CONTENTS

.~. ' Wintering Bald Eagles in Nebraska, 1959-1960 ______26 1956-1960 Nesting Reports ______31 Dr. George Miksch Sutton ______-- ______35 Dr. Olin Sewell Pettingill, Jr. ______36 Fall Field Trips and Winter Meeting ______37 Treasurer's Report ______, ______38 General Notes ______------,-- 39 Letter To The Editor ______40 Book Reviews ______------40

Published quarterly in .January, April, .July, and October by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union as its official journal and sent free to all members who are not in arrears for dues_ Subscriptions at $3_50 per volume in the United States and $3_75 in all countries, payable in advance_ Single numbers, $1.00 each_ All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to the Treasurer, R_ G_ Cortelyou, 5109 Underwood Ave_, Omaha 32, Nebraska_ Orders for back numbers should be sent to the Custodian, Miss Bertha Winter, University of Nebraska State Museum,o Lincoln, Nebraska_ All manuscripts for publication o should be sent to the Editor, Doris B_ Gates, NebraskaoState Teachers College, Chadron, Nebraska_ 26 Nebraska Bird Review Wintering Bald Eagles In Nebraska 1959- 1960 Cooperative Survey by Nebraska Ornithologists' Union by Gail M. Shickley The survey of Bald Eagles in Ne­ building of diversion dams on Ne­ braska during the winter months of braska rivers. These provide more 1959-1960 was undertaken to gain a open water throughout the winter fairly close approximation of the and, hence, more opportunities for number of eagles using the state for the eagles to obtain fish. and other winter feeding grounds, to determine suitable items of food. the areas supporting the birds, and Observations of Bald 'Eagles were to learn what items constitute their reported from 14 separate locations food. It was also the hope of the in Nebraska. The sites ranged the members participating in the survey full width of the state, from the that the data acquired would be of Missouri River on the east to the value to the National Audubon Lake Minatare and the Walgren Lake Society in the projected continent­ refuges in the panhandle. There were wide study of Bald Eagles and that 24 observers who participated in the thereby they eould make a contribu­ survey. Even so,. it is realized there tion to the efforts of that group to are eagles in some -areas' of the state save America's national bird from where there are no NOU members extinction. to serve as observers; consequently The story of the declining numbers there are some unfortunate gaps in of Bald Eagles, of their unsuccessful the survey. nestings, and- of the organized efforts Some of the reports covered a to discover the reasons for the decline single observation of an eagle or a have been published many times. small group of eagles. Others covered There will be no attempt to repeat observations of the birds in a certain any of that material in this l'eport. area over a per-joel of several days The data given are fimitlid to the or weeks. The extreme case is -the survey of a single season. report on the population of the roost This was the first time an effort near North Platte from October 31, had been made .to keep records cover­ 1959, to May 5, 1960. This area was ing the entire state for a full season reported cooperatively by several by members of the Nebraska Orn­ members, with observations made ithologists' Union. Lack of similar often enough to give a fairly com­ records for past years makes any plete picture of the population fluct­ comparison impossible, but observers uations at the roost over the entire -- who -make frequent field trips seem season. to be agreed that the wintering pop­ One outstanding feature of the Ne­ ulation of Bald Eagles has been in­ braska survey is the high percentage creasing in recent years. Probably of juvenile eagles noted. Reports from they are more plentiful now than at over the state, aside from the North any time since the early history of Platte roost, recorded almost as many the state, when they were said to juveniles as adults. At the roost near be rather common and to nest within North Platte a plumage count was the state. This increase would appear made whenever the light permitted. to be due to the establishment of A season average showed approxi­ numerous artificial lakes and to the mately 35% adults and 65% juvenlies .. Nebraska Bird Review 27

inhabiting this roost. As one studies of the observers making the reports: the records over the state there seems Site # 1 : west bank of Missouri to be some evidence of more juveniles River at Aspinwall townsite, in the western part of the state. This about two miles downstream observation is interesting in view of from Nemaha. Reporter: Ruth the small number of juveniles ob­ Wensien, Brownville. served in states east of Nebraska. December, 1959. Two adults and In a survey made along the Missis­ one juvenile feeding in this area sippi River near the tri-cities area daily. (Davenport, Iowa; Rock Island and February, 1960. Three adults Moline, Illinois) only about 15% feeding at the same location. juveniles were discovered among the Site #2: along Platte River between Bald Eagles observed ("A Survey of North Bend and Ashland. Wintering Bald Eagles" by Elton Reporter: Carl J. Gruener, U. S. Fawks, Iowa Bird Life, September, Game Management Agent, Lin­ 1960). The small number of success­ coln. ful nestings in the Florida nesting March 16-23, 1960. Seven adults areas has been a matter of deep con­ and ten juveniles. Observations cern to those interested in the sur­ were made from a plane while vival of the Bald Eagle. There is no making food drops to game birds known reason for a higher percentage during severe weather. of juveniles in the western areas. Site #3: Platte River, eight miles It will be most interesting to note west of Columbus. Reporter: future surveys to see if this pattern Columbus Daily Telegram, No­ continues to prevail. vember 18, 1959. Following is a summary of the ob­ November 17, 1959. One adult, servations reported in this first Ne­ with broken wing, captured by 'braska survey, including the names hunters.

Sites from which observations of Bald Eagles were reported in the 1959-60 survey. 28 Nebraska Bird Review

Site #4: south of Polk. Reporter: M. F. Shickley, all of North Lee Morris, Bradshaw. Late Platte. March, 1960. One adult, flying In this area the North Platte north. Two probable juveniles, and South Platte rivers meet a also flying north, but too far short distance east of the town away for positive identification. of North Platte, forming the Site # 5: 13 miles northwest of Platte River, which flows east­ Central City, between the Platte ward toward the Missouri River. River and the Loup River. Re­ Downstream from the confluence porter: Donna Ferris, Central of the north and south rivers a City. diversion dam raises the level of March 13, 1960. Two adults and the water so that it can be turn­ one juvenile. ed into a canal of the Central March 23, 1960. Three. Nebraska Public Power and Ir­ March 27, 1960. Two. Plumage rigation District. In the hills at was not specified on the last the south rim of the valley there two dates. is an artificial reservoir, Lake Site #6: vicinity of Newark, south Maloney, with the canals leading of Kearney and near Platte into and away from it. At these River. Reporter: Norma Rad­ two locations there is some open ford, North Platte. water throughout the winter, November and December, 1959. except during extended spells of One to three adults frequently extremely cold weather, thus seen either perched or in flight. providing suitable winter habitat The birds probably remained in for some of the fish-eating birds. the area longer, but there was An old timber claim on the no further opportunity ob­ to bank of the Platte River is used serve them. as a roosting area by Bald Site #7: near Elm Creek, about one Eagles wintering in the vicinity mile north of Platte River. and, apparently, since there are Reporter: Marvin Schwilling, notable fluctuations in the pop­ Burwell. ulation, it is also a roost for March 25, 1960. One bird, flying eagles migrating through the over open fields. area. Frequently a few birds Site #8:along Platte River near may be seen feeding on fish in Phelps and Dawson County line. the trees during the daytime, Reported: H. B. Guyer, Lexing­ or hunting in the area, but it ton. is about sundown when the February 21, 1960. Ten adults. birds begin arrIvmg at the Mr. Guyer, a state game officer, grove to roost for the night. By reports that this is a favorite dark it would appear that all wintering area for Bald Eagles of the eagles have gone to roost and that there are usually be­ in these trees. tween 25 and 40 of them in the The first eagles of the season area during the winter months. were observed on October 31, Site #9: near North Platte. Re­ 1959, when two of the big birds porter: Gail Shickley. Observers: were roosting there. Others Norma Radford, Margaret Mor­ joined them during the next few ton,Catherine Viehmeyer, Glenn days, and by November 7 there Viehmeyer, Ella Nielsen, and were fifteen eagles at the grove. Nebraska Bird Review 29

Throughout November, Decem­ On the evening that 84 birds ber, and January the numbers roosted in the grove it was im­ varied somewhat, but in general, possihle to keep an exact count anywhere from 10 to 17 eagles of the birds in adult plumage, were seen at the roost each time but it was estimated that at a count was made. The lower least half of the birds were numbers could have been due, to adults. By April 3 the percent­ some extent, to birds feeding age of adults had dropped again, later than usual or to observers and only 10 out of 32 birds were not waiting until it was dark in adult plumage. After that enough for all of the birds to date only juveniles were seen. be in. On January 25, 22 birds During these observations the were counted at the roost. After eagles frequently were seen to that date the number gradually carry food to the branches of increased until February 15, the trees and to continue eating when 52 Bald Eagles were roost­ there for a while. After the ing in the grove. Some very cold spring departure of the eagles, and stormy weather followed two observers walked through that date, and counts were dif­ the grove to discover what re­ ficult; but there was no question mains of food, castings, or other that the number of birds at the signs of the eagles' roosting roost dropped sharply. By March might be found. It was a sur­ 1 only 17 birds could be counted. prise to find the grove entirely After March 1 the number in­ clean, with no sign of the eagles' creased again until March 19, occupancy, either in the trees or when there was a count of 83; on the ground. and March 21, a count of 84. These were the high counts of With so many eagles roosting the season; by March 26 only in the grove there were, of 25 birds could be counted, and course, many observations of the number continued dropping the birds hunting or feeding until all appeared to 'be gone by throughout the entire area. Most April 23. On May 5 one juvenile of these observations were made was reported in the grove, but along the Platte Rivers or in the no trace of it was found later. vicinity of Lake Maloney. A favorite feeding area was just As indicated earlier in this below the diversion dam on the report, there were many more Platte River. This was especially juveniles observed at the roost true following times when the than birds in adult plumage. gates of the dam had been Throughout most of the winter opened to release water and then approximately one-third of the closed again. After the water birds counted were in adult had drained away below the dam plumage. In the first population many fish were left exposed on surge, during early February, the dry river bed, and Bald there seemed to be more juve­ Eagles could be seen feeding on niles than adults, tht:! plumage these fish. Other birds that were counts indicating that only 'one­ seen feeding included a Great fourth of the birds were in adult Blue Heron, which remained plumage. In the later population throughout the winter, Ring­ increase this trend was reversed. billed Gulls, and Magpies. 30 Nebraska Bird Review

In most instances the eagles Mae Vance and Mrs. Jack were seen feeding alone, but oc­ Brashear, Scottsbluff. casionally there were loose March 19, 1960. One adult per­ groups of three or four. On ched in a dead c<>ttonwood tree one occasion 11 eagles were seen at river's edge. in a large concentration of ducks Site #13: four and one-half miles at Lake Maloney. The ducks west of Scottsbluff. Reporter: were standing on the ice at the Jack Brashear, Scottsbluff. edge of open water or swimming January 14, 1960. One adult in the water near the ice, and feeding in a cornfield about the eagles stood on the ice one mile from the North Platte at widely separated locations River. Lake Minatare was among the ducks. The ducks frozen over at the. time; so it evidenced no alarm at the pre­ may have been one of the birds sence of the eagles, nor did the from the Lake Minatare Refuge. eagles show any signs of molest­ ing the ducks. Only one of the Site #14: Walgren Lake Refuge, eagles seemed to be eating, and south of Hay Springs. Reporter: it was too far away to determine Wayne S. Chord, Hay Springs. what its food might be. These bird's were also reported Site #10: west of Lewellen. Report­ by Doris Gates, Chadron, and er: James McIntosh, North Mr. and Mrs. John Mathisen, Platte. December 2, 1959. Two Alliance. adults were observed on a hay­ Late November, 1959, to late stack between highway 26 and March, 1960. Two adults and one the North Platte River. juvenile remained at the refuge throughout this period. They fed Site #11: Lake Minatare Refuge, on rabbits, ducks, and pheasants. near Scottsbluff. A. Reporters: Mr. and Mrs. Roy It will be noted that the majority Witschy, Scottsbluff. of these. observations were made November 4, 1959. Four adults from sites along or near the Platte and six juveniles remained four rivers. This fact does not necessarily weeks in the area. On one occas­ mean that the majority of the eagles sion, while eagles were feeding in the state are concentrated on those on the ice of the lake, a Magpie rivers; it is possible that there have was seen to sneak in behind an not been interested observers report­ eagle and steal the food from ing the birds in many places where between the eag!e's legs. they are wintering. For instance, dur­ B. Reporters: Mr. and Mrs. Jack ing the summer of 1960 there were Brashear, Scottsbluff. rumors of eagles having wintered on December 20 and December 30, ranches near Wauneta and Imperial. 1959. Four adults and' six juve­ These rumors could not be included niles were observed on these two in this report, but it is hoped that dates. They were feeding on the if the eagles return to those areas ice, perched in trees beside the there will be definite reports to in­ lake, or soaring in the neighbor­ clude in future surveys. hood. It seemed strange there were not Site #12: North Platte River, about more reports of eagles from areas three and onehalf miles west adjoining the Missouri River. In an of Scottsbluff. Reporters: Nora attempt to gain further information, Nebra.ska Bird Review 31 inquiry was made from Mr. William Eagles counted near Yankton, South Youngworth, a well-known naturalist Dakota, (Site #15) in the Christmas of Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Youngworth census of 1959. Mr. Youngworth's had no records that were made with­ records clearly indicate that the Bald in the state of Nebraska during the Eagle is making a strong come-back season of this survey, but he had re­ along the Missouri River near the cords for many years past, taken northeast corner of Nebraska. from areas along the northeastern It is realized that records for one borders of the state. It would seem a year are inconclusive, but these re­ fair.ley safe assumption that these cords will serve as a foundation for birds would do some hunting and future studies. It is intended that feeding, perhaps even roosting, in the the survey shall be continued for Nebraska area. Mr. Youngworth gen­ several years, in the hope that de­ erously copied these records to make finite trends of the Bald Eagle pop­ them available for this survey. In­ ulation in Nebraska may be establish­ cluded in these is a report of 11 Bald ed. -North Platte

1956-1960 Nesting Reports A Five-Year Summary Compiled by M. L. and C. G. Pritcha'rd Since 1956 thirty-nine individuals One hundred forty-five species and three clubs have submitted have been reported nesting in Ne­ seventy-six nesting reports repre­ braska: senting thirty counties. Grebes The··five areas established in 1956 1. Horned Grebe 2 (Fig. 1) have remained unchanged. 2. Eared Grebe 1, 2, 3 From Area 1 we have had reports 3. Pied-billed Grebe 2, 3 from four counties; from Area 2, Cormorants six counties; from Area 3, four 4. Double-crested Cormorant 1, 4 counties; from Area 4, six counties; Herons and Bitterns and from Area 5, ten counties. Special 5. Great Blue Heron 1, 2, 4, 5 recognition and appreciation go to 6. Green Heron 4, 5 Mr. and Mrs. J. Mathisen (Alliance), 7. Black-crowned Night Heron 1, Doris Gates (Chadron), Marvin D. 3, 4, 5 Schwilling (Burwell), Mrs. Morris 8. American Bittern 3, 5 Cox (Hershey), Harold Turner Ducks (Bladen), and Audubon Naturalists' 9. Mallard all Club (Lincoln), who have submitted 10. Gadwall all three or more annual reports. State­ 11. Pintail all wide records accumulated by the Ne­ 12. Green-winged Teal all braska Game, Forestation and Parks 13. Blue-winged Teal all Commission for game and ecologically 14. American Widgeon 1, 2, 4 associated species have been incor­ 15. Shoveller all porated each year as, of course, waf! 16. Wood Duck 2, 5 the recently published list by Short. * 17. Redhead all

*Nebr. Bird Rev. XXIX (1): 2-22 32 Nebraska Bird Review

18. Canvasback 1 39. Killdeer all 19. Lesser Scaup 1, 2, 5 40. Long-billed Curlew 1, 2 20. Ruddy Duck 1, 2, 3, 5 41. Upland Plover all Hawks, Eagles, etc. 42. Spotted Sandpiper 2, 4, 5 21. Red-tailed Hawk 3, 5 43. Willet 1 22. Swainson's Hawk all 44. American Avocet 1 23. Ferruginous Hawk 1, 5 45. Wilson's Phalarope 1, 3 24. Golden Eagle 1 Terns 25. Marsh Hawk 1, 3, 5 46. Least Tern 3 26. Prairie Falcon 1 47. Black Tern 3, 5 27. Sparrow Hawk all Doves Grouse, Quail, and Turkeys 48. Mourning Dove all 28. Greater Prairie Chicken 2, 3, C;:,ckoos 4, 5 49. Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2, 3, 4, 5 29. Sharp-tailed Grouse 1, 2, 3, 4 50. Black-billed Cuckoo 1, 3, 4, 5 30. Bobwhite all Owls 31. Scaled Quail 2 51. Barn Owl 3 32. Couternix Quail 5 52. Screeh Owl 1, 3, 5 33. Ring-necked Pheasant all 53. Great Horned Owl all 34. Gray Partridge 2, 3 54. Burrowing Owl 2, 3, 4 35. Merriam's Turkey 1 55. Long-eared Owl 1, 2, 3 Rails and Coots Whip-poor-will and Nighthawk 36. Virginia Rail 3 56. Poor-will 1 37. Sora 5 57. Common Nighthawk 1, 2, 3, 5 38. American Coot all Swifts and Hummingbirds Plovers and Sandpipers 58. Chimney Swift 3, 5

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Fig. 1 Nebraska Bird Review 33

59. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5 98. Mountain Bluebird 1 Kingfisher Shrikes 60. Belted Kingfisher 1, 3, 5 99. Loggerhead Shrike all Flickers and Woodpeckers Starling 61. Flicker all 100. Starling a.ll 62. Red-bellied Woodpecker 1, 4, 5 Vireos 63. Red-headed Woodpecker all 101. Bell's Vireo 2, 3, 5 64. Hairy Woodpecker a.U 102. Red-eyed Vireo 1, 2, 3, 5 65. Downy Woodpecker all 103. Philadelphia Vireo 2 Flycatchers 104. Warbling Vireo 3, 5 66. Eastern Kingbird all Warblers 67 . Western Kingbird ali 105. Black and White Warbler 1 68. Great Crested Flycatcher 1, 3, 106. Yellow Warbler all 4,5 107. Myrtle Warhler 5 69. Eastern Phoebe 1, 2, 3, 5 108. Ovenbird 1, 2 70. Say's Phoebe all 109. Yellowthroat 1, 3, 4, 5 71. Eastern Wood Pewee 5 110. Yellow-breasted Chat 1, 2, 5 72. Western Wood Pewee 1 111. American Redstart 1, 2 Larks Weaver Finch 73. Horned Larks all 112. House Sparrow all Swallows and Martins Meadowlarks, Blackbirds and Orioles 74. Violet-green Swallow 1 113. Bobolink 2, 3, 4, 5 75. Bank Swallow 1, 2, 3, 5 114. Eastern Meadowlark 3, 5 76. Rough-winged Swallow all 115. Western Meadowlark all 77. Barn Swallow all 116. Yellow-headed Blackbird 2, 3, 78. Cliff Swallow all 4, 5 79. Purple Martin 3, 4, 5 117. Redwinged Blackbird all Jays, Magpie and Crow 118. Orchard Oriole all 80. Blue Jay all 119. Baltimore Oriole 2, 3, 4, 5 81. Black-billed Magpie all 120. Bullock's Oriole 1 82. Common Crow all 121. Brewer's Blackbird 1, 3 83. Pinon Jay 1 122. Common Grackle all Chickadee and Nuthatches 123. Brown-headed Cowbird a.ll 84. Black-capped Chickadee 1, 2, Tanagers 4,5 124. Scarlet Tanager 2, 5 85. Tufted Titmouse 5 125. Western Tanager 1 86. White-breasted Nuthatch 1, 5 Grosbeaks, Sparrows, Juncos, etc. 87. Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 126. Cardinal 2, 3, 4, 5 Wrens, Thrashers, etc. 127. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3,4,5 88. House Wren all 128. Black-headed Grosbeak 1, 3, 4, 89. Bewick's Wren 5 5 90. Long-billed Marsh Wren 5 129. Blue Grosbeak all 91. Rock Wren 1, 4 130. Indigo Bunting 3, 5 92. Mockingbird 1, 4, 5 131. Lazuli Bunting 1 93. Catbird 1, 2, 3, 5 132. Dickcissel all 94. Brown Thrasher all 133. Evening Grosbeak 5 Robin, Thrushes and Bluebirds 134. House Finch 1 95. Robin all 135. Pine Siskin 1, 2 96. Wood Thrush 3, 5 136. American Goldfinch 2, 3, 4, 5 97. Eastern Bluebird 3, 5 137. Rufous-sided T9whee 1, 2, 3, 4 34 Nebraska Bird Review

138. Lark Bunting 1, 2, 4, 5 At the same time there is a fallacy 139. Grasshopper Sparrow 2, 3, 5 in the "all" concept. It may, but does 140. Vesper Sparrow 2, 3, 5 not necessarily, mean "state-wide." 141. Lark Sparrow all Forty-three species (or 23% of the 142. Chipping Sparrow 1, 2, 5 list) are reported nesting in all areas. 143. Clay-colored Sparrow 2, 3, 5 We might, then, logically expect to 144. Field Sparrow 2, 3, 5 find magpies in Lancaster County-· 145. Song Sparrow 2, 5 but we don't. Magpies may be found There are 98 species reported in the western part of Area 5, but nesting in Area 1, 87 species in Area not in the eastern part. 2, 94 species in Area 3, 71 species in Weare suggesting that areas 3 Area 4, and 104 species in Area 5. anI! 5 be divided as shown in Fig. 2. A not-too-critical reading of the In this way certain eastern and west­ list should raise some questions. For ern species may be traced more ac­ instance, 23 species (or about 15% curately. of the total) are reported from areas We need more observers. 1 and 5 (the eastern and western extremes of Nebraska) and usually We need more reports. in some but not all of the areas be­ EVERYWHERE. tween 1 and 5. With the exception of Note to 5E reporters: No Whip­ the Mockingbird, these species will poor-wills have been reported nesting probably be found nesting in all five in Nebraska during this five-year areas. period.

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Fig. 2 Nebraska Bird Review 35 Dr. George Miksch. SuHon * Dr. Sutton, a noted author, illus­ trator and ornithologist, was born on May 16, 1898, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He has received several degrees which include his B.S. and Sc. D. at Bethany College in West Virginia, his Ph. D at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Early in his career he was an Assist­ ant Curator of Birds at the Carnegie Museum and an Instructor ill Orni­ thology at the University of Pitts­ burgh. In 1924 he became the State Ornithologist of Pennsylvania and Chief of the Bureau of Research and Information for the State Board of Game Commissioners of Pennsylvania. After finishing his doctorate at Cornell, he became Curator of Birds there. He is now Research Professor of Zoology, Curator of Birds and Ornithologist of the State Biological Survey at the University of Okla­ homa. He is a Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Unions, the Arctic In­ stitute of North America, and the Cranbrook Institute of Science at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Dr. Sutton has for years been a for his bird drawings. He made illu­ contributing editor of "Audubon strations for books written by Arthur Magazine". He was the ornithologicai A. Allen, Thomas S. Roberts, Thorton editor for the American College Burgess, Thomas D. Burleigh, W. E. Dictionary and Encyclopedia Arctica. Clyde Todd, J. Van Tyne, Andrew J. He made the colored bird illustration Berger, and others. He is a member for The World Book Encyclopedia. of the Cooper Ornithological Society, Dr. Sutton has been on several the American Geographical Society, Carnegie Museum and Cornell Un­ the British Ornithologists' Union and iversity ornithological expeditions to the Spanish Society for Ornithology. Labrador, Hudson Bay, the Cape He was twice president of the Wilson Sable Region of Florida, British Ornithological Society. He is now on Columba, Saskatchewan, and the Rio the Board of governors of the South­ Grande Valley. He has visited the western Association of Naturalists. North Country ten times, Mexico ten times, Europe once, Iceland once. His book on Iceland is now in press. He was a Major in the Air Corps !I< Sketches of Dr. Sutton and Dr. during W orld War II. His war work Pettingill were prepared by Miss Dee took him to Alaska and the Aleutian Dishman, student at Nebraska State Islands. He probably is best known College at Chadron, Nebraska. 36 Nebraska Bird Review

His research has consisted in the Dr. Sutton lives in Norman, Okla­ study of the life histories, plumages, homa. His "Ecological Check-list of distribution and the taxonomy of Oklahoma Birds" is almost ready for Middle American and Arctic birds. His books include Eskimo Year, Birds press. He continues to gather data in the Wilderness, and Mexican for his magnum opus, "Birds of the Birds: First Impressions. Arctic." Dr. Olin Sewell Pettingill, Jr. Dr. Pettingill, a noted author, lecturer, and professor in the biolog­ ical field, was born October 30, 1907 in Belgrade, Maine, is married and has two children. He received his A. B. degree from Bowdoin College and his Ph. D. in ornithology from Cornell University, and also an Honorary D. Sc. from Bowdoin Col­ lege. He taught one year at Bowdoin College, another year at Westbrook Junior College, and served for 18 years (1936-54) on the faculty at Carleton College. Since 1938 (except for 1946 and 1958, he has taught ornithology each summer at the Uni­ versity of Michigan Biological Station in northern Michigan. He has just recently been appointed Director of Development of the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University. Dr. Pettingill has lectured for Audubon Screen Tours since their beginning in 1943, and for many other organizations. Probably the people he has lectured before total nearly a million. this diminishing species from extinc­ Besides lecturing ,teaching classes, tion. He and his wife were sent by and going to school himself, Dr. Walt Disney productions to Falkland Pettingill has spent many months in Islands in 1953-54 to make a docu- the "great outdoors" on various ex­ mentary film on penguins. Three peditions. He has been on a trip to films by Walt Disney Productions­ Hudson Bay for the Carnegie Muse­ "Nature's Half Acre", "Water Birds", um, the Cornell University-Carleton and "Vanishing Prairie", contain College ornithology expedition to many of Dr. Pettingill's pictures. He Mexico, and a jaunt to Northwest was also photographer and script Canada for the National Audubon writer for eight films on birds, Society and U. S. Fish and Wildlife produced by Coronet Instructional Service in search of Whooping Cranes. Films. The latest trip made by the His findings on this particular trip Pettingills was to Iceland in the were of value in the fight to save summer of 1958. Nebraska Bird Review 37

He has held important offices in Falkland Islands. He has written A ornithological societies. These include Labo1'atory and Field Manual of Orn­ secretary for the American Ornitho­ thology, a text widely used in colleges logsits' Union of which he is a fellow; and universities, and A Guide to Bird secretary, president, and' vice presi­ Finding East of the Mississippi and dent for the Wilson Ornithological A Guide to Bird Finding West of the Society, and president of the Maine Mississippi. In the last-named book Audubon Society. He also is or has he has a chapter on Nebraska to been a member of the foUowing: which many members of the N.O.U. Cooper Ornithological Society, Nut­ contributed information. This book tall Ornithological Club, Wildlife and its companion volume for' eastern Society, Pacific Northwest Bird and United States have become well­ Mammal Society, the National Aud­ known and much-used Baedekers for ubon Society, in which he is presently bird watchers who like to travel. a director, and the British Ornitho­ logists' Union. Dr. Pettingill has made studies on Dr. Pettingill has been an Honor­ life histories, behavior, distribution, ary Member of The Nebraska Orni­ and ecology of birds in the United thologists' Union since 1947. Dr. States, Canada, Mexico, and the Sutton since 1941.

Audubon Society with Miss Mary Fall Field Trips Sturmer as president was the host Fall Field Trips were held Septem­ club. ber 25, 1960, in the vicinity of The program was as follows: "Pop­ Kingsley Dam near Ogallala, and ulation Studies on River Flood October 9 in Auburn and Nemaha Plains," Willieam F. Rapp, Jr.; County. Both trips were quite well "Recent Developments of a Bald attended and good lists were made by Eagle Study in Nebraska," Gail M. both. More enthusiasm is being gen­ Shickley; "A Proxy Visit To Jamaica erated each year for these field days Bay Sanctuary, New York City," which come at a time when interest (illustrated) Mary M. Tremaine; in birds needs to be increased. There "Your Editor Speaks," Doris B. is little doubt that if a similar amount Gates; "Bringing Greetings From of energy were used in fall studies as The Kansas Birders," L. B. Carson; are usually given to spring studies, "A Visit With Flamingos," (illustrat­ a number of new migrating species ed) Georgia F. Mackie; "Gage would be uncovered. Be watching for County Hawks," William Hepperlin; the dates and places of the Fall Field "Homestead National Monument," Trips of 1961. Donald G. Warman. Following the afternoon session the group visited the Monument. Winter Meeting January 22 field trips were organ­ The Fifth Annual Winter meeting ized starting at Beatrice and ending was held at the First National Bank in Wymore at the home of Mr. and in Beatrice on January 21, 1961, with Mrs. Floyd Patton. A tota.l of 32 51 persons registering. The Beatrice kinds of birds was listed. 38 Nebraska Bird Review

Treasurer's Report

Delayed payment of 1959 membership 3.00 Donation 1.00 146 Active members 438.00 37 Sustaining members 185.00 627.00

Bond Interest Received 2.50 Membership list sold 5.00

634.50 Less prepaid item previously taken into income 9.00

Net dues and general receipts for 1960 625.50 (A.llocated 85% ($531.68) to Review Fund and 15% (93.82) to General Fund) REVIEW FUND Allocation of dues and general receipts for 1960 531.68 Subscriptions to Review - 19 Direct 66.50 via agency, 13 domestic 39.00 1 foreign 3.25 108.75

Cut paid for 2.00 Back copies sold 4.00

646.43 Less prepaid item previously taken into i.ncome 3.00

643.43 Printing costs 115.56 111.30 137.62 176.28 540.76

Gain on Review for year 102.67 GENERAL FUND Allocation of dues and general receipts for 1960 93.82 Net receipts from winter (Lincoln) meeting 46.38 Receipts from spring (Chadron) meeting 30.25 less costs of programs etc. 24.60 5.65

Postage paid in .25 52.28

Gross receipts to General Fund 146.10 Officers' expenses Mrs. Lueshen 32.56 Miss Winter 9.23 Miss Gates 6.03 R. G. Cortelyou 11.53 59.35 Nebraska Bird Review 39

Cost of Treasurer's bond 5.00 Cost of NOU News 1959 76.80 Part of 1960 53.55 130.35

Copy of Review Mailing list 2.75 197.45

Deficit in General fund for year (51.35) OCCASIONAL PAPERS FUND Checklists sold 48.50 Other papers sold 4.75 Printing Field' cards 79.55 less sales of cards 34.95 (44.60)

Net gain for year 8.65 OCCASIONAL PAPERS Fund turned over 73.96 less accrued expenses due 2.03 71.93

Life membership paid in 50.00 Increase in prepaid memberships and subscriptions 128.50 Cash and bank balance January 1, 1960 334.91

Bank balance December 31, 1960 645.31 ASSETS 1-1-60 12-31-60 Cash and bank accounts 334.91 645.31 Bonds at cost 316.00 316.00 Unrecovered balance of Checklist costs 299.00 225.00

949.91 1,186.31 LIABILITIES Life Membership Fund 578.00 628.00 Prepaid memberships and subscriptions 151.00 279.50 Due on Occasional Papers 43.28 Balance (General funds) 220.91 235.53

949.91 1,186.31 R. G. Cortelyou, Treasurer Nebr. Ornithologists' Union, Inc.

General Notes CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD AT observed repeatedly at rest and in NORTH PLATTE-A male Calliope flight through binoculars and under Hummingbird, Stellula calliope, in ideal light conditions. The striped red full adult plumage was observed and white gorget and head markings feeding on hybrid Penstemon at the left no doubt of the species identifica­ Glenn Viehmeyer residence two miles tion. Since the bird repeatedly rested south of North Platte, Nebraska, in a wire fence with three-inch mesh, August 8-10,1960. This bird' was it was possible to measure the size Nebraska Ornithologists' UDion BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE 325 So. 1 lib S:treet Lincoln. Nebraska P A I D Lincoln. Nebr. Permit No. 202

visually. Two days later a second bird thought to be a female _or immature Letters To The Editor male was observed at the same loca­ "The bird I reported as a Swallow­ tion. Size appeared rightbut'_positive identification of the second bird is, tailed Kite last spring was really not claimed. a Caspian T~rn. "-Carl H. Swanson, The positive identification of the Calliope H llmmingbird adds a new Omaha (This error is in print in the species to the Lincoln County list. Oct. 1960 Review.) -Glenn Viehmeyer, North Platte

Book Reviews THE BIOLOGIST'S HANDBOOK diary, observations, and e;x:periences OF PRONUNCIATIONS.-By Ed­ as well as from his contacts with mund C. Jaeger, D. Sc. Charles C. others. It is written in such a way Thomas, Publisher, 301-327 East that the reader is likely to be re­ Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, III. minded of his own experiences not 1960: 317 pp. $6.75. only with birds but with mammals This guide is a list of over 9,000 and insects as well. It is both pleasant terms including scientific names of and informative. ' both plants and animals. The con­ DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. ventional pronunciation marks are -A Sunset Junior Book by Herbert used, and translations are given for H. Wong. Lane Book Company, some of the terms making them more distributed by J. B. Lippincott Com- meaningful. It is a handy book to _pany, 1960: 65 pp. $2.95. have on the shelf with other scientific This delightfully illustrated chil­ works. dren's book is a primer for study of THE WONDERS I SEE.-By John certain water birds. It includes mi­ K. Terres. J. B. Lippincott Company. gratory routes, some diseases of East Washington Square, Philadelph­ ducks, uses_ of banding, and similar ia, Pa., 1960: 256 pp. $5.00. pertinent facts. It is unfortunate that In reading this book by Terres, the Goldeneyes are mis-labeled -on one gleans understandings from his page 46.