A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN BIRD-BANDING ASSOCIATION

A METHODFOR PROPER DETERMINATIONOF BANDSIZES IN NORTHAMERICANBIRDS by Don Bleitz. • . • . . . • . • . 1 DATER (OR WING) METHODOF REMOVINGBIRDS FROMMIST NETS • 4 BANDINGWHITE PELICANS by Eugene Kridler. . • • • • . . . 5 RECOVERIES OF GLAUCOUS-WINGEDGULLS by Zelle. M. Schultz • 6 RECOVERIES OF ROBINS by Howard L~ cogswell. • . • • • . • .• 7 FOR HIGBER MIST NETS by Gerald Klingenberg • . • . • • • . 10

A METHODFOR PROPER DETERMINATIONOF BANDSIZES IN NORTHAMERICANBIRDS

There have been a number of methods used to determine band sizes, all consisting of utilizing some method of accurate measurement of the legs of the living birds. Since there is such extreme variation between various races of the same species, and even between individuals of the same races, the compilation of an accurate list of the proper band sizes by species presents certain complications. In order to alleviate these problems as much as possible, a durable and accurate field gauge of some sort is necessary. The design I offer is probably similar to that thought of by many other banders, but seems to me to be the best and most simple way of approaching the problem. It consists of a rectangular piece of aluminum or duraluminum in which slots corres- ponding to the inside diameter of the various band sizes have been accurately ~"~~~""~~~~"~~~~_"~""mi]]ed. ~_In-"o~derto"JIlBke~:thi.agaJlge,_Lstarted-..by maki ng -S.OlIIe-.feeJer. gaJlges.__ of the exact inside diameter of each of the pand sizes.

In addition to the normal band sizes utilized by the Fish and Wildlife Service, I have added three others which I designate as X, Xa, and Xb. In this case X is the size of the Hummingbird bands as we produce them. Xb being the smallest band size necessary to use on Hummingbirds and Xa being an intermediate size between these two, suitable for Hummers such as the Anna's, etc., while Black-chinned, Calliope, etc., would take the Xb sizes. Starting out then with the smallest, the sizes in inches are as follows:

Size Diameter Size Diameter Size Diameter

Xb .050 la .l48 6 ·372 Xa .060 2 .l98 7a .435 X .070 3 .2l6 7b ·562 0 .093 3A .232 8 .690 l .l09 4 .250 9 .875 lb .l'9 5 ·3l0 lO 1.25

These diameters are actual measurements of bands as they are produced today, and there is obviously some variation from time to time in bands of the same designated number. The slots on this gauge are each marked with the appropriate number, and so it is an easy matter to slip the leg of a bird into the various slots until the proper one is found. Utilizing this gauge, I have been compiling a check list of the birds of North America, north of MeXico, including Alaska and the oceanic birds of Hawaii; designating the correct band sizes from actual measurements. All of us have been aware of some inevitable inaccuracy in the lists that have been available up to this time . Undoubtedly, and especially in the case of rarely trapped species or in the banding of nestlings, incorrect band sizes were sometimes used, and these band sizes were then included in the list of recommended sizes. There are also rather a considerable number of small birds, such as Kinglets, Bush-Tits, some of the smaller Warblers, etc., for which the regularly supplied size 0 is in reality too large, and proves unduly uncom- fortable to the small birds. These are fitted excellently with the size X Hummingbird band.

The Hummingbird bands that have been preViously described in "The News" are made by photographically irnprinting the numbers on aluminum which is then anodyzed to form a durable and permanent image. The bands are then cut and formed, at this time, by hand. This photographic process has been worked out essentially by Mr. Bill Kirsher, and I have only added a few ideas in forming the bands themselves. We hope that in the early future one of the commercial organizations engaged in producing this type of identification band will pro- duce these small bands in quantity.

During the season of 1959 I recaptured several Anna's Hummingbirds carrying these bands which had been affixed more than two years ago. These bands still retained perfect legibility and had caused no impairment to the legs of their tiny hosts. I cannot recommend the use of any but these specially produced bands for Hummingbirds. All altered bands I have ever seen used, must, if still legible, cause impairment to the birds' legs. Among those birds, in addition to Hummingbirds, which have been recaptured using these tiny bands are Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Four returns wore bands affixed a year ago and one brown creeper from one year ago. In all cases the bands were in good condition and readily legible.

Nestling birds, just prior to first flying stages and for awhile there- after may in many species require larger bands than do adults of the same species. After varying periods of time, the legs of the young birds lose the fatty tissue which accumulates just prior to flight; and as a general thing in the case of GUlls, Terns, and most other shore birds, the legs will shrink by about one band size. Conversely, when shore birds are kept in captivity, and therefore do not take the long flight to which they are accustomed, they tend to add tissue to the legs and will then require a band about one size larger than otherwise. Some properly fitted bands which had been affixed to some shore birds donated to the San Diego Zoo were, after a period of approxi- mately eight months in the zoo, found to have abrasions from the bands which were at this time too tight. I have never found this difficulty in free- flying wild birds.

In my banding over the past several years, I have been gradually accumu- lating some information which is of value for the manuscript of our forthcoming "The Birds of North America". This information consists of the measurements, including the measurement in inches from the center of the eye to the tip of the bill which is an easily obtained, accurate measurement, and which I find particularly useful in scaling photographs. I also have been obtaining the normal perched length of the various birds (which is the way they are observed through binoculars). Another measurement that I find valuable is the average normal wingspread. of the living birds, and in some cases the tarsai and other leg measurements are included. When a sufficient number of species have had this information cataloged, I shall reprint the little check list including this measurement information.

All directions for removing birds from nets that I have seen advise starting with the feet. Usually about 50 percent of removal time is consumed in releasing the feet.

The method I use eliminates this time. I have never had a broken leg or wing in the several years I have been using this system.

First, ascertain from which side the bird entered the net. Working from that side, place your thumb (either left or right hand) on the bird's back; at the same time slipping your two middle fingers under the breast with the tail pointed toward your wrist. Your little and first fingers will auto- matically slide under the bird 1 swings. You are now ready to remove the meshes from the bird.

With the other hand work the mesh off the bend of one wing. The wings are the mo st flexible part of the bird' s body with whi ch to work. You will be surprised how easily the net can be removed. The wing may be spread out or folded tight against the body for this operation. Don't be afraid to use a little pressure on the joint at this stage. Then ease the meshes from the second wing and lastly the head.

The head is usually left until last, but may be first or after the first wing, depending on the extent of the entanglement. By the time the wings are released the bird feels free to fly and usually automatically releases his own feet. If not, it is a simple matter to slip the meshes off the feet with your fingers, or you may need the assist of a manicure orange stick. This stick is handy to use if the tongue has become caught.

In employing this method the possibility of having to cut or break the net is reduced to a ID.J.n~mum.The faster you remove birds from nets the less likely you are to find a bird "in shock", as prolonged handling can be dis- astrous. Ebba's secretary, John Given, uses this method and endorses it 100 percent. Anaho Island is located in Pyramid Lake, which lies in west-central Nevada near the town of Nixon. Established as a national wildlife refuge in 1913, it has long been known for its large nest- ing colony of White pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), reputed to be the largest in existence today. Totaling about 250 acres, it lies approximately one-half mile off the east shore of the lake. The land slopes gently from the edge of the water by a series of beaches, relics of times when the lake was much higher than at present, for several hun- dred yards, then sweeps sharply upwards to a height of over 550 feet. Sparse growth of saltgrass, alkali weed, salt- bush, and greasewood are scattered about the island. A long neck of land in the southeast corner juts out toward the mainland, and if the level of the lake keeps receding the island will become a peninsula in the not-too-distant future. If this occurs, it is very likely that predation by coyotes and other animals will seriously threaten the nesting colony.

Although populations fluctuate yearly, studies made by a number of observers have placed the young at various times from 300 to 5,400, depending on the date of visi- tation. Late June and early July are the best times for estimating production, because by this time most of the eggs have Figure 1. Recoveries of White hatched, and the early hatched young are Pelicans banded at Anaho Island, still too immature to leave the island. PYramid Lake, Nevada. Circles Giles and Marshall, of the U. S. Fish and representing first-winter birds of Wildlife Service, visited the island during 1954 banding. Dots are adult the first week of July in both 1950 and recoveries of this and other earlier 1951 for the purpose of censusing adults bandings. and young. They estimated 4,160 and 3,742 young produced respectively in those years, and it was felt that the breeding popu- lation the year before was even higher. During our visit last summer no attempt was made to estimate either young or adults because of our desire to band as large a sample as possible in the very limited time available. The banding party on this date, June 26, 1959, was madeof John Kiger and Dale Haines of the stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, and Edward01 Neil and the writer of the SacramentoNational Wildlife Refuge. The island was reached by boat from the launching site near Sutcliffe on the west shore.

Although we started at dawnfrom Fallon, strong winds caused the lake to get quite rough, and travel to and from the island was hamperedconsiderably, and precious time was lost. Welanded at the California Gull colony on the south shore which contained several thousand young. Several dozen Caspian Terns nests were located within the gull colony. Our landing caused somedisturbance amongboth terns and gulls, and the latter were quick to seize the opportunity to destroy and eat tern eggs and youngbefore we drove them off.

Small colonies of pelicans were found farther north along the east shore, and these contained youngin all stages from eggs to those almost fully feathered. Closer to the base of the hill several thousand youngwere found in an immenseband. Theypushed, shoved, and fell over each other in their clumsy attempts to stay well ahead of us. Westayed as far behind this band as possible in an effort to cause the least disturbance. Small groups wouldbe cut out and corralled by two menwhile the other two would smoothlymovein, seize a young bird by the leg, drag it back away,and band it, usually placing a foot lightly on the neck to prevent undue struggling. During this operation great care must be taken to prevent the band from jammingtogether and piling up. The weight of those on the top of the pile can result in the suffocation of the unfortu- nate individuals on the bottom. This can be especially serious on a hot day. It is best to allow someto escape if the group is too large for safe handling. Those pods consisting of 20 to 30 birds are easiest to work. During the twelve hours spent on the island a total of 500 pelicans and 96 cormorants were banded. Several hours were spent in running downyounggulls for Fred Gallup, who cameout with his grandson specifically for that purpose, and over 400 of these California gulls were banded. This all totaled up to a full day, and we were spent at its end.

To date no recovery reports have been received for the pelicans banded this trip, but banding of youngduring the summerof 1954 has yielded someinter- esting data. Apparently a large percentage of the birds movesouth and west during the fall and winter. Manywinter along the west coast of Mexicoin the states of Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Michoacan.

by Zella M. Schultz

48-709052 banded at Bare Island, San Juan County, Washingtonin July 1948. This bird was seen and identified by band number, by myself, aj; Fauntleroy, Seattle, on January 15, 1949, whenit was six months old. OnApril 2, 1959, at an age of ten years nine months it was sighted and a description given meby Mr. R. F. Oldaker, at City Dump,Vancouver, B. C. It was found dead at East Sound, Orcas Island, almost within sight of the island where it had been banded eleven years before, on July 30, 1959. This, it appears to me, is a very exceptional recovery, considering the age of the bird and the fact that there were two sight records so far apart, and then the bird was recovered dead.

48-732466 banded at Skipjack Island, San Juan County, Washington, August 6, 1949. This bird was caught by hand and released with the band attached on June 19, 1950, when almost a year old, at pt. Brown, near Tacoma, Washington. This bird was observed by Mr. Oldaker at Vancouver, B. C., on July 23, 1959, when ten years old. The mystery is, why was this bird so far from its home island in the middle of the breeding seaSon? It is nearly 50 miles from Skip- jack to Vancouver, which almost eliminates the possibility that it was foraging from a nesting site close to its original home. Could it have been none-breeding, or did it settle to breed on some island substantially nearer Vancouver?

In addition to these two reports, Mr. Oldaker has observed the following very old birds of my banding:

48-709323 Flower Island, JUly 22, 1948 Vancouver, May7, 1959 48-731132 Bare Island, July 16, 1949 11 April 15, 1959 48-73ll36 11 11 11 11 July 28, 1959 48-731164 11 11 II 11 March 26, 1959 48-731182 11 11 11 11 April 9, 1959 48-731186 11 11 11 11 April 3, 1959 48-731239 II " 11 July 31, 1959 48-731248 11 11 11 April 7, 1959 48-732161 Colville Isl. July 27, 1949 11 April 9, 1959 48-709779. Flattop Isl. July 1948 11 Aug. 20, 1959 Oct. 1, 1959 48-731771 Hall Island July 1949 11 Oct. 22, 1959 48-731137 Colville Isl. July 27, 1949 11 Sept. 2, 1959

Commenton the Bare Island birds: Bare Island is a far northern San Juan Island, and perhaps birds from there might be expected to appear in Vancouver oftener than some of the more southerly ones, such as Flower and Colville. How- ever, I banded only 181 birds there in 1949, and there are at least 15 recoveries beyond these sight records. Sighting of seven birds alive in their tenth year must"be a phenomenal record of some sort.

In a special study of the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) at and near a large winter roost in Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland, some 444 birds of this species were banded by various WBBAmembers in the 1957-58 season. All but 13 of them were captured with mist nets set in gaps in the trees along the ridge between the canyon in which the birds roost and the residential areas of Oakland to the southwest.

While birds were captured on at least l2 different dates from November through January, no bird was taken a second time in the nets which were set each time at or near the same place (the only suitable one found on the approaches to the roost). Although someingress and egress is assumed to take place between the population using this roost (estimated to total 30,000 or more in 1957-58), and others in the wintering range of the species, it would also .seemthat with a roost such as this one in use steadily over a period of years the majority of birds would be in settled winter residence, and would fly to the roost every af±ernoon along somewhatthe same flight lanes--at least for the periods during which they foraged ins particular area. Why,then, no repeats?

One factor, of course, maybe merely that our sample of the population is such a small one, the bulk of the approaching birds goes over the ridgetop far too high to reach with our nets. Then, too, the birds that fly low on one day and get caught perhaps learn quickly by the experience to fly higher, or over the ridge at other points on later dates.

Birds banded at this roost and found at other points makea muchbetter showing, however, a total of l5 having been so reported to me to date for the winter of banding or the following summer. This includes one sight record of a color-banded bird. This is a recovery record of nearly 3-l/2-percent the first year, which seems quite good for a song bird. Pertinent data for the recovered birds is tabulated below:

DATEBAl'IDED DATERECOVEREDELAPSEDTIME DISTANCEAND DIRECTIONFROMROOST I In potential feeding from the roost:

l. ll/25/57 2/8/58 74 days 7.5 mi. NWby N 2. ll/28/57 l/3/58 36 days 2.7 mi. S by E 3· ll/28/57 3/3/58 24 days 3.l mi. S by W 4. l2/6/57 l2/24/57 l8 days 8.l mi. NWby N 5. l2/ll/57 l2/3l/57 20 days 2.8 mi. WNW *6. l2/ll/57 5/l8/59 522 days 5.4 mi. NWby W 7· l2/28/57 l2/3l/57 3 days 3.8 mi. N by E 8. l/5/58 3/4/58 60 days 3·9mi.W .9· l/5/58 2/l0/58 36 days 6.4 mi. SSE *lO. l/5/58 6/4/58 l50 days l.l mi. SSW

II At locations beyond the probable foraging range from the roost, and all, therefore, probably or certainly after at least somenorthward migration:

l. l2/6/57 3/26/58 llO days 503 mi. N 2. l2/l9/57 4/23/58 l25 days 473 mi. N 3. l2/28/57 l/lO/58 l3 days l5.2 mi. NEby N 4. l2/28/57 4/28/58 l2l days 640 mi. N 5· l/5/58 3122/58 76 days 700 mi. N 6. l/5/58 5/30/58 l45 days 915 mi. N It is of considerable interest to note that the two birds starred (*) in part I of the table were recovered .in the Oakland-Berkeley area at dates well within the breeding season and when the population of wintering birds had been gone a month or more, demonstrating, together with part II of the table, that both local and long-distance migrants use this roost.

Mr. C. V. Duff, Business Manager of the Cooper Society, writes enthusi- astically of the up-coming annual meeting, 11 •••• The meeting will be held in Los Angeles May 5 to May8 in honor of the delegates from many countries who will be here at that time to embark for Japan and the meeting of the Inter- national Committee for Bird Protection. Here are the present plans:

Thursday afternoon, May5th, we have been invited to Ray Thomas' beautiful estate in Bel-Air to see the wonderful collection of c.aged birds that he maintains.

Thursday evening there will be a reception at the Los Angeles County Museumput on by the MuseumAssociation for the opening of a 19th Century Bird Art Exhibition. This will include original Audubons, Goulds, and others. Refreshments will be served by the association.

Friday, May 6th, Scientific sessions in the new Los Angeles County Museum Auditorium. Friday evening outstanding entertainment at the same place for the guests.

Saturday evening, Banquet at the Hotel Statler; the movies will be an outstanding film, in color, of Maurice Machris' expedition to India.

Sunday, May8th, a field trip to see the California Condors, and we will practically guarantee that we will see them as a result of the unusual plans that have been made. The following is a description of a method "Which I have found to be satisfactory for raising mist nets to height beyond those normally used and then lowering the nets to remove trapped birds without having to bunch the nets in the process. The poles described are suitable for raising nets to about 14 feet (height indicated is the uppermost strand of the net) and heights up to about 20 feet may be reached by further extending the poles through additional pole-sections. The apparatus has the added advantage that when additional height is not needed, the poles may be broken down into their sections and the sections used as individual poles in the -SCREW EYE IN DOWEL usual manner.

In brief, each 14-foot pole is equipped with an 8-foot carrier bar which is rigged to slide up or down the pole when pulled or released by an attached cord. The net is attached by means of clips between these carrier bars and then vertically stretched in the usual manner. Each carrier bar is then raised to the desired height and the cord secured to prevent the bar from sliding down tl:>.epole due to its own weight. When it is desired to lower the net, the cord is released and the carrier bar and net allowed to descend by their own weight.

The actual construction of these poles and the carrier bars is ~u"l,U."£4'~ANO I CtlRnUNC/./p relatively simple as shown in the "'-PLUMBERS TAPE accompanying diagram, but a few points to bear in mind are:

1) Cost of the poles will vary according to the choice of material Figure 1. Klingenberg mist used for the poles and to the desired net elevator. height of the poles. In my case, aluminum tubing was chosen because of its light weight and resistance to rust. The cost of my poles came to around seventeen dollars, but it should be possible to materially reduce this cost by careful selection of building materials.

2) The means used to join the sections (if sections are to be used) should prOVide a smooth fit without ridges which might catch the carrier loops and pre- vent them from sliding freely. :3) While I used an aluminumbar for the carrier, I would suggest that another piece of tubing be used instead due to the tendency of the bar to bow under too much tension.

4) If wood dowels are used to join the pole-sections, the diameter of the dowel should be such that it just fits the inside diameter of the pole and that the free end of the dowel slides easily into the next pole-section. Also, since excessive moisture will cause these dowels to swell and make it difficult to either join or take apart pole-sections while the dowel is swollen, I would strongly advise the use of some sort of water-proofing the dowel.

5) The loops which hold the bar to the pole may be made from the metal stripping used by plumbers to support pipe by simply bending it into the desired shape and size and then securing it to the bar by means of a bolt through the bar.

1) Drive the support dowels or rods into the ground at the correct distance for the length of the net. (A great deal of guessing can be eliminated if a piece of string is kept handy which is the correct length.)

2) Completely assemble the poles, carrier bars, pull cords and support cords while the apparatus is on the ground.

:3) Attach the net by means of the clips between the carrier bars, then stretch the net vertically as usual.

4) Tie downthe support cords in such a manner that the poles are as straight as possible. (If' the poles are bent too much, the carrier bars are pre- vented from sliding freely up and downthe poles.)

5) Elevate each end of the net to the desired height and secure the pull- cord to keep the carrier bar from sliding bE.ckdown.

I1Thef'all has been characte:tized by mild weather which does not contribute to a high concentration of birds in the valley. Even the Christmas count is belovT last year, both in number and :variety.

starlings are present, though they seem to move around quite a bit. The flock numbers.probably 2, 000 birds. They mingle with a large flock of Brewers Blackbirds which, I am.told, has broken some electric wires due to their concen- tration on the long spans. Hawksand owls are abundant,; the eXPansive be.an fields, hay and seed fields are apparently rewarding to them.

Golden-crowned Sparrows have not been taken in the numbers I had hoped for. Possibly with the establishment of a larger feeding station we may be able to concentrate them more. Those that we did take have been color-banded as a part of the project being conducted by the WBBA.Harvey Quinby did a good job on a flock of goldfinches that he found feeding on crushed walnuts in his front yard. I think he banded over 400 in about a month.11 1/67 LYN8~OOK WAY SAN JOSE 29 CAUF.

WILLIAM K. KIRSHER 1167 LYNBROOK WAY SAN JOSE. CALIF. April 1960

NOTICE OF 1960 ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the Western Bird Banding Association will be held May 14 and May 15 at the ranch of Mrs. William Hatton, 200 Calera Canyon Road, Salinas, California. The ranch is reached via Highway 101 to Salinas. From Salinas take the Salinas-Monterey Highway for about 7~miles to Shell Oil station on south side of road. Turn left onto Corral de Tierra Road. At crossroads two miles distant continue on Calera Canyon Road 2 miles to Hatton Ranch.

Members may arrive at the ranch anytime after 1;00 p.m. Saturday. The afternoon will be devoted to mist netting, getting acquainted, and informal discussions. A social hour with slides is being arranged for the evening. (Bring yours!)

Accomodations consist of numerous camp sites and a few indoor situations where sleeping bags can be used. A few miles distant are motels. Bring your own food.

Sunday morning there will be a guided field trip of the area followed by a business meeting, election of officers and reports. Aninteresting program of papers is being arranged. Any members who can present a paper at this time are hereby invited to do so. Just communicate the title and other pertinent information to the secretary, Mrs. Enid Austin, 1116 Mandana Boulevard, Oakland 10, Calif.

·All WBBA memoers and other banders are cordially invited to attend this meeting which promises, from past experience, to be a thoroughly enjoyable and profitable one.

1959 ANNUAL REPORT. • ...... •••••. 13 SUMMARY REPORT OF INDIVIDUAL BANDERS. .. ..•... 22 COMMENTARY ON ANNUAL REPORT, Dr. L. Richard Mewaldt.. .••• 19 REC OVERIES . . • • • . • ...... • . . . . • . • 27

Address correspondence for News from the Bird Banders to William K. Kirsher, Editor, 1167 Lynbrook Way, San"J'O"S'€29, Calir:-- An analysis of Bird-Banding reports for the year 1959 wi thin the area of the Western Bird-Banding Association

Compiled by Emerson A. Stoner, Marjorie Elmore, Enid K. Austin and L. RiclJard Mewaldt

Yukon Hawaii, Bri t·Col: Wash. Idaho Nevada Wyoming Arizona Pacific Alaska Alberta Orep;. Mont. Calif. utah '::010. New Mex. Mexico Tslands Total = , Common Loon 1 ! I ! , , Arctic Loon ' I I 1 . .~ I i· 2 Red-necked Grebe I 4 -..:=-1 ! JL.

1 Horned Grebe 1 I I 1'57 8 1 .:-=::;t= I 166 Eared Grebe 2 ' '1 I I ! 11 i I 2 i 6 Western Grebe 1 ? ! ...L-- 2 I , Pied-billed Grebe 1111 5 I i 1 116 Leach's Petrel i 1 i i I I ! Ashy Petrel ! L I Red-tailed Tropic-Bird I 721 72 I White Pelican i <;00 1 <;00 : ! Brown Pelican I 1 Double-crested Cormorant QO I 00 I ! Brandt's Cormorant 1 1 ! 1 " I ·1 ! Pelagic Cormorant 1 - -_.,. Frigate Bird I 1 50 I 50 ! Great Blue Heron ! <; I i <; , Green Heron I ? ? I I , I Little Blue Heron I , i I I Common Egret I I I , Snowy Egret I 11 I i I i 11 I , I Black-crn. Night Heron ~ I ~ I Least Bittern I I 1 I 1 1 American Bittern i '{ I I i '{"""j White-faced Ibis i i

Whistling Swan i Trumpeter Swan '{'I I I i 33 I Canada Goose 1400 ! I 580 1511 1<;<;4 16~2 140 ~42 i 726L.j Black Brant I 1 White-fronted Goose 2 1 i 1 ..+t I Snow Goose I 12 1 I 1~ I Ross' Goose I I i 80 ""1 Fulvous Tree Duck 80 I I , Mallard 1 , 19 i '5059 '1519 '{021 14'10 046 i3994 Mexican Duck i 1 20 .·- 20 l

..l- 1 Black Duck 1 Gadwall 76 4 i 61 01 1 2'l~ 1 Pintail ~O'{ 1 1 2<;4<; 7ho I f\770 ~h.oo 844 16'r~:) Green-winged Teal 165 1 en ..l647 .L.t-4~1 ~:)<;, 451 468 I Blue-winged Teal 20 114 46 '{ 2 1 1268 I I ~5

1 1 1 Cinnamon Teal 2 100 258 174 ~O <;7~ 1 1 I I Blue-wgd.&/or Cinn.Teal 1 ~H 106 80 ~oo I American Widp;eon I I 458 600 711 '1165 151 14 i 4459 I EurolJean WidJ>:eon 1 i ! , I Shoveler 47 1 28 '1'58 12 6 : 451 I Wood Duck 96 1 i ! 97 I Redhead 78 8 7ll 17'5 79'5 '{80 , I 2147 Ring-necked Duck 'I 1 11 6 4 ! 251 Canvasback 'lOCi 1 1'{ 254 1 1 579 1 Greater Scaup 5 5 i 10 ,i ,{79 i Lesser Scaup 1 1069 13 139 2 9 1611 i Tufted Duck I : I Connnon Goldeneye I ! 1 1 2 Barrow's Goldeneye 1 388 I ~ Bufflehead 1047 i 1'1 25 1085 Oldsquaw 7 I I 7 Harlequin Duck I i White-winged Scoter 76 1 77 I Surf Scoter 2 2 ~uddy Duck 1 27 '{'{ 48 100 I Hooded Merganser I Common Merganser 1 '{ 4 Red-breasted Merganser I Turkey Vulture I I Black Vulture I White-tailed Kite 1 I 1 1 Goshawk .1 'l '{ 1 Sha:tJ.l=shinnedHawk 2 1 'l i Cooper's Hawk 1 ·2'l 1 1 1 26 Yukon Hawaii, Bri t· Col: Wash. Idaho Nevada WyomingArizona Pacific Alaska Alberta Orep;. Mont. Calif. Utah Colo. NewMex.Mexico Islands Total

! Red-tailed Hawk 2 ':t7 1 40 I Red-shouldered Hawk 7 7 i Swainson' s Hawk 4 4 LB9ugh-legged Hawk 42 1 2 I 4'5 ~~!,ruginous Hawk I ':t i ~ Golden Eall:le I 14 . 7 21 Bald Eagle 1 ! I 1 Marsh Hawk l; 4 6 I 1'5 Osprey 1~ 13 Prairie Falcon 1 1 8 10 Peregrine Falcon ~~ 1 ~4 Pigeon Hawk 1 1 S"parrowHawk 11 1 I 4 11Q _ 116 241 ~:J.~_<:_Grouse I 167 I 167 L...fu2-ruceGrouse ! 1 i 1 I Ruffed Grouse ! I : i Willow Ptarmill:an I : Rock ptarmill:an !

t I Shar"p-tailed Grouse .- __ 0'. ~Grouse I 1 1 Bobwhite I -L- 2 2 i i Scaled Quail t I California Quail I 12 153 165 Gambel's Quail lQ 19 Mt. Quail 1 1 Ri~-necked Pheasant 1 1 2 Chukar 1 1 Grav Partridll:e

t Sandhill Crane 59 59 0- Cla"P"PerRail 1 1 L.Y:l,.rginiaRail I I Sora I 1 1 I CommonGallinule I 4 4 American Coot 177 2'50 2010 1 212 2650 I 0 I Black Ovstercatcher i 6 t Semi"palmated Plover 1 ~ 4 SnowyPlover ':t 3 I Killdeer ~ 2 2 14 6 62 ~erican Golden Plover 12 12 I Black-bellied Plover ~ 1 ~ i Ruddy Turnstone 1 7 8 I Black Turnstone 7 1 8 CommonSnipe 1 1 I LOM-billed Curlew ~imbrel Upland Plover ! Spotted Sandpiper 1 4 2 2 9 I Solitary Sandpiper '5 1 6 I Willet L Greater Yellow-legs ~ 3 ~sser Yellow-legs 2 I 5 7 ~ectoral Sandpiper 6 1 7 Baird's Sand"pi"per I 1 9 10 fI;east Sandpiper 56 75 131 ~nlin 12 ~ '5 20 ~.Sho_~t-billed Dowitcher 5 5 ~-billed Dowitcher 15 15 Semipalmated Sand"pi"per 12 12 i Western Sandpiper 92 92 i Marbled Godwit 1 1 Sanderling 5' 5 American Avocet 13 13 Black-necked Stilt 1 1 2 Red Phalarope 33 I 'B i Wilson's Phalaro"pe I I Northern Phalaro"pe 31 31 Glaucous-wiMed Gull 218 772 4 1 QQ'5 Western Gull 1 1 - HerriM Gull California Gull 1 I 490 577 353 281 1702 ! Ring-billed Gull 100 8 108 I Mew(}ull 22 1 23 I Franklin I s Gull lBonaparte1s Gull 2 1 3 f-Heermann's Gull I I : Forster's Tern 1 .- I 11 U::ommonTern I I Yukon Hawaii, Bri t·Col: Wash. Idaho Nevada Wyoming Arizona Pacific Alaska Alberta Orep;. Mont. Calif. utah Colo. New Mex. Mexico Islands Total

Arctic Tern 1~ '':1 Sooty Tern Least Tern '0 " 10" Caspian Tern o~ ? 0':1' Black Tern I Common Murre Pigeon Guillemot I Cassin's Auklet Rhinoceros Auklet ~ 6 Band-tailed Pigeon 160 4 164 White-wiIUl:ed Dove R 1?~' 1 12~O MourniIUl:Dove h. ~~ 7?O ~ ~,; ~~ 11102 Spotted Dove 1':1 n RiIUl:edTurtle Dove --,-; Ground Dove 0 ~ Inca Dove ':11., U Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 ~ Roadrunner , Barn Owl oR Q Screech Owl 1 ? ~':I , 2 Horned Owl I ,1.. ? 1 Snowy Owl Pygmy Owl .,1 l. Elf. Owl . -,:; "l BurrowiIUl: Owl ~ 2 toIUl:-eared Owl A l; 1 Short-eared Owl 11 1 1 Saw-whet Owl 1 ? , , , / Poor-will ':I 1 Common Nip;hthawk ~ ':I -:a , Q Lesser Nip;hthawk .- Black Swift i 1" Vaux 's Swift !:) 2 White-throated Swift Lucifer HummiIUl:bird :, Black-chnd.HummiIUl:bird HI 1':1 Costa's HummiIUl:bird ':I 1 ~ Anna's Hummimlbird A B Broad-tailed HummiIUl:bird 1 ~ Ji 1h 21 Rufous HummiIUl:bird , 1 Allen's HummiIUl:bird <; Ii Calli one HummiIUl:bird ? ~ Belted KiIUl:fisher 1 , 2 Yellow-shafted Flicker ~ ':I Red-shafted Flicker ~ 'iR ? -.; 0':1 Hvbrid Flicker " " Gilded Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Gila Woodpecker Acorn Woodpecker ':1'5 35 Lewis' Woodpecker 4 1 2_ Yellow-beld. Sapsucker 1':1 1 14- Williamson's Sapsucker 1 ~ 4 Hairy Woodpecker 1 ~ 1 1 1 7 Downv Woodpecker 1 4- 7 1':1 2 27 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 2 Nuttall's Woodpecker 16 16 White-headed Woodpecker 4 4 Eastern KiIUl:bird 1 1 Western Kingbird 2Q ~ U Ash-throated Flycatcher 24- ~ ~. Black Phoebe <;1 ~1 Say's Phoebe 6 ~ B Traill's Flycatcher. Q 2Q 1 ~ 42 Hammond's Flycatcher 1 4- '1 6 Dusky Flycatcher !:i !i 4 Gray Flycatcher ~ , ':I Western Flycatcher 10 l:lO 01 ':I ':I un Empidonax sp. 1 2 .2 Western Wood Pewee 1 ':I 0 107 ~ "I 1':10 Olive-sid. Flycatcher ~ ':I Vermilion Flycatcher ~ 1 ':I Horned Lark ':t , 14 Violet-p;reen Swallow 1 17 B6 .2 ~ 118 Tree Swallow .lI. ~ 2~ 1 6~ Bank Swallow n" ~ 7'> l. Roup:h-wiIUl:edSwallow 4. ~ 1'7 - 2'5 Yukon Hawaii, Bri t·Col: Wash, Idaho Nevada Wyoming Arizona Pacific Alaska Alberta Oreg. Mont. Calif. utah Colo. New Mex, Mexico Islands 'Total Barn Swallow !)h 001 !) !)C;7 74 456 Cliff Swallow C;7 '0: An 187 ~~ Purple Martin : Gray Jay Ii. 4 Blue Jay 1 10 10 Steller's Jay 241 1 6i 12 <; 105 Scrub Jay 2~ 12Q 1 153 Mexican Jay 1 1 Black-billed Magpie 1 2 2 6 11 Yellow-billed Magpie Common Raven 10 10 Common' Crow Pinon Jay Clark's Nutcracker ~ 3 Black-canned Chickadee c; 41 C;1 0 ~1 137 Mountain Chickadee 112 10 q 131 Boreal Chickadee I; 5 Che stnut -bkd .Chi ckadee, 7 12 5 144 168 Plain Titmouse 12~ I 7 130 Verdin 8 '1T 15 Common Bushtit 22 27 49 White-breasted Nuthatch 6 11; 2 23 Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 1 2 1 8 PYf1Jl1.YNuthatch 147 1 llKj Brown Creeper 4 10 1 15 Wrentit 1 7~ 74 Dinner 2 2 House Wren 2 18+- 20 1 ~ ~ 47 Winter Wren , ~I ~ 7 Bewick's Wren I; 21;1 ~ ~ 71 Cactus Wren I I ~ I; 8 Lo~-billed Marsh Wren I Ii Ce,nyon Wren ! ~ Rock Wren 1 2 Mockirurbird 127 8 13' Catbird t:. ~ ~ ,~ Brown Thrasher ,,, r. ,h Bendire's Thrasher !) ~ Curve-billed Thrasher l:: c; California Thrasher ,It ,11. Le Conte's Thrasher , , Crissal Thrasher c; I; SB.Il:eThrasher 1 -;k Robin a ~~ I __ ~ ____ ' ~f"I ,oh ~ 00 711; Varied Thrush r,~ , c;i:\ i:. Hermi t Thrust. , 'r. ~oa ,I, h;h Swainson's Thrush 1)("1 H> '71: ,;,~ ~ , ?h~ Veery , , -, I ~ Western Bluebird A '7A ~I'I 111> Mountain Bluebird 'n , ,n Townsend's Solitaire It 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Blk.-tald.Gnatcatcher , 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet ~ ~ , I> Ruby-crowned Kinglet ,j!; "f, J. ~ ,?7 Water Pipit , , Bohemian Waxwing !) I. <>1 ~,n ~?7 Cedar Waxwing l:: ?A 'TI ; !) ,no Phainopepla " ' , , Northern Shrike a I 1: Loggerhead Shrike ~ 'c; hJ Starling ·hn 7 , ~ ,hA ~ ~l' Hutton's Vireo , Bell's Vireo , I ~ I i Soli tan Vireo !) !) ; 111\ Red-eyed Vireo l:: " c; ;,. WarbliIUl:Vireo l::~ I:. ~ 71 Tennessee Warbler " Or~e-crowned Warbler , ~ ~'7 , .;" I,,, ,QII; Nashville Warbler 'j:, 1A "" 1;11. lo Virginia's Warbler 0 ,~ , ,1:. l::~ , oA i Yellow Warbler ", " 1= Myrtle Warbler !) , ,1 ~ c; i:\o Audubon's Warbler c; ,!)~ '!)Q~ I Blk. -thro ,Gray Warbler I j ?, I ~wnsend 's Warbler, I --L__ ±_.ll____,;L-±;1----J I -.-- ,c; I Yukon Hawaii, Bri t·Col' Wash. Idaho Nevada Wyoming Arizona Pacific Alaska Alberta Orep;. Mont. Calif. utah Colo. New -Mex. Mexi co I slancls Total

Hermi t Warbler 6 6 Northern Waterthrush !:I - 2 MacGillivray's Warbler !:I -!:I~ h ~~ h -~, 8Q Yellowthroat 0 ~ 'k ''.1 !:I 2~ Yellow-breasted Chat , A 7 oh ho Wilson's Warbler , l) ho:: '0<; l)A "l"l ~m American Redstart , 1 ·House Sparrow A' ~ 147 Bobolink . , Ii. Western Meadowlark '0; 'i 3~ , '.IA Yellow-head.Blackbird ~f'I., l) -;, 71 Redwinp:ed Blackbird '.1<; ''1 h<;~ , 17 'i4'i TricoLored Blackbird '.Iii 'UQ Hooded Oriole 7 Scott's Oriole ~ Bullock's Oriole , <::' ,,,:; h. 172 Rusty Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird ~, ASl <::. ~''.I l) '.I 442 Common Grackle h 4 Brown-headed Cowbird '7 l)~ , <;, '.I l)l) 206 Bronzed Cowbird , 1 Western Tanag'er ,IJ '76 0 <::h. 15~ Cardinal ''7 17 Pyrrhuloxia hi) 40 Black-headed Grosbeak - ,~ Ao 6 ~ ll~ Blue Grosbeak h 4 8 Lazuli Bunting ?A ,~ ~ 55 Dickcissel " , 1 Evening Grosbreak .L , V7 6 2.8 PuI'l)leFinch 6 ''':;'1 <;6 , 2":l0 Cassin's Finch ?A 7A 117 HOuse Finch h.f.'7 '.IA0:: ,<; ,7Al) !:I<; !:l7A 8 2Q57 Pine Grosbeak Gray-crowned Rosy Finch Black Rosy Finch Hoarv Red'DOll I, 4 Common. Redpoll '":1 20 Pine Siskin ~ 'Ti ":I' --,-n , <;, 60~ American Goldfinch ~o <;7.1 !:I AA; 0 . 1504- Lesser Goldfinch , <;f'li i; '7 'i2.8 Lawrence's Goldfinch !:II 25 Red Crossbill - White-winged Crossbill Green-tailed Towhee 0:: . ,h. ,h ":Ih. 64 , Rufous-sided Towhee ~~ ,~ '.:Y.l' ~ 'f'I 'i14 Brown Towhee , hl)' l) , 4.28 Abert's Towhee h. 4 Lark Bunting , 1 Savannah Sparrow ,A <::0 <::l) ":I l2'i Grasshopper Sparrow Baird's Sparrow Vesper' Sparrow 0 , h , 15 Lark Sparrow ? ,A h -j 24 Rufous-winged Sparrow - 1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow , !:I 12 Black-throated Sparrow hA , 4Q Sage Sparrow ,67 167 White-winp:ed Junco 6 6 Slate-colored Junco 7 , , Q , Orel/:onJunco " <;<;0 , !:Ih.'7 he ,f,f,h 2~ 144- 00 -~J~i Gray-headed Junco 1 ~4 ~ 422 Tree Sparrow ~ 46 49 Chippinp: Sparrow '7 ,<;~ h ,?A 1 ~ 742 Clay-colored Sparrow '~ Brewer's Sparrow , a ~ 8 21 Black-chinned Sparrow , 1 Harris' Sparrow !:I , <; 8. White-crowned Sparrow <:: aA ":1":1'7 ~'.I <;~o !)'7 lli ~'7<; 6616 Golden-crowned Sparrow ~o 101 f. !)Q!:I~ 1 ~l6o White-throated Sparrow , 1i; , 17 Fox Sparrow 6 6 !:I<; ~~ ~TI Lincoln's Sparrow i; , -O~ ''7 <;!:I 17~ SanP:'Sparrow ,60" 4~ , '.Il.A , 4~ 1 Q

Yukon Hawaii, Bri t· Col' Wash. Idaho Nevada WyomingArizona Pacific Alaska Alberta Orep;. Mont. Calif. utah Colo. NewMex.Mexico Tslands Total

II- 'R ••• 11_ T.•••n•• ? 2: ItT ••••• + -it.••.}... 11- 4! lAVA"'''' 11~7 11~7 I 'Rol;,•.•1r_i"""+"'AAlb ••.•••.•ss 241 241 i W"'d••.••_TA'lled :ter 185 185 "",-Oft+-" Tal I -+---- 4 41 !If 'Btmin Ia~l 511 511 ! B1""-:fa""'d "Rnnbv I 47 47 J Brown Boobv I 31 31 R"d-:f~t...n Boobv - 141 141 lit 01" va" ••nus I'!~~rant 1 1 !H- 1 1 i 1 Pin+",'1 'Rv'hrid +----- 1 _.- .C xican ~brid '5 i 5 'Pi ••+.,,' - 'R~rid 1 1 .2 i i*Spectacled :Bider .2 * a.•._" __ ls Eider 6 6! * Gny RaJdt 1 1 '* Harris' RaJdt 2 2 * ()vrf'••.lcon 10 10 '*..T;'"••.",•• b b - _+.h1ah.,d Curlew 2 I -ji Wi Tattler 1 -situ Sandni nar 1 1 2 .2 * 'RJl,.-T.ai1ed Godwit .2 I :rae"'er 1. I I' * PR.1"Jlaitic Jae ••.••r '5 5' T.nn",_+.••i1ed J,.••"'er 'i 5 a••bin,,' a Gull '5 5! 1 ~,.;.:;-""",." 1 * '5 5 lInddv Tern 40 40

* .••".•..r "' ••_ 1 1 * 'Rol•••.•tr 'i c; ",••_ ••A 1:>0•.•• """ •• 1 i * n.., * -- -- n...l 1" I "1 * 1'1...... 1'1_.. n.., , , Wh".•.•_ ", ';) ';) * 1 1 All ••••'a ,.-;;;;: 'A••i"",••• ]0 10 * I. 1 i 1 * 'Aivn1iI. ';) ? * 'Rol••__ ~ 1 1 * 'Ro.•••..••••_.••"1' ••••• < < .iIiI••A_h...d ••d , , * 1 I 1 Wi••d '. /'!,...a+Ad1i'1vca+'l!h~Ir ? 2 -, 1 u"a"+' 2 2 * Moo•• '""'V" S1I8l.1ow 10 10 l'!mv 7 7 * ?iSh l'!1"nV 1 1 :Bridl..,d 4 4 *: 'R1,f'n••••_"••.•1rPtl"Rnh"n 1 , G1"JlV_ Th,.""h ~ ~ Y",1'n,.. 1 1. * lhn•• ?7 27 -T.>ll"V'. - T ~ * 'Rol.;'1r_ Bl ••• 1 1: Audubon i7;;;r M;;t1'" Warl: er ~ 3, Ovenbird 1 l' .2 2' ST.,...••'Ir_h ••• 1r••i1(h:.lnl •• 6 I v__ .•.,,_ 6 .2 I 2, A ••;"".....- , i I' v ••1"1 •• i1 2 , ? i * Whi+.p_--"---" 1 I ] i 'Ro.•••.•.•.•••_•.•••.•.•••••A "D __ ••.••••• 7 I -'" ~ i I ?7(,7 , "iA?< A(,(Y.) Q7C;7 -Who 1"C;47 4Q I mwm TOTAL -9295 h6'iQ7 .2487 112844 , ! i --; I 'I'O'I'AT. ~ 'J71r .COMMENTARY ON THE 1959 ANNUAL REPORT by L. Richard Mewaldt

Active bird-banders reporting to the WBBA in western North America in 1959 numbered 167. This is nearly the same as the 169 in 1958 but substantially lover than the 191 in 1957. The grand total of nearly 113,000 birds banded is about 18,000 less than in 1958. This decrease maybe attributed chiefly to fewer game birds banded in California and Alberta. The 373 species banded is, however, a very substantial increase over the previous high of 307 species in 1958. Much of this increase of 66 species maybe credited to Don Bleitz who banded 224 species in 1959 compared to his "modest" 174 species in WBBA territory in 1958.

Those who make use ·ofthe tabulations will notice the consolidation of the several geographical areas which comprise the territory covered by this report. These combinations make it possible to place all bandings in one continuous tabulation. ·This not only permits a better comprehension of activities, but also makes more realistic the rather tremendous task of com- piling the annual report. This is dramatized by Table 1 which shows trends in banding activities in western North America. It is perhaps significant to note that State, Provincial, and National boundaries are political and that birds are probably not politically conscious.

TABLE 1. .TRENDS IN BANDING ACTIVITIES IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA AS REVEALED BY DATA· REPORTED TO THE WBBA AT 5-YEAR INTERV AI.S, 1925-1959

Number Game* Non-game Total Year of Species Birds Birds Birds Banders Banded Banded Banded Banded

1925 ? 117 500 8,000 8,500 1930 60 124 4,000 12,500 16,500 11935 106 176 17,000 22,500 39,500 1940 101 245 15,500 25,000 40,500 ~1945 37 164 3,000 9,000 12,000 1950 91 202 32,000 32,000 64,500 1955 157 251 70,000 39,900 106,000 1959 167 373 69,000 44,000 113,000

Table 2 presents a summary of the numbers of species and numbers of individuals banded in each of 1958 and 1959 by order. Table 3 presents a summary of bandings by f'amily.in the order Passeriformes. No new orders or families were added in 1959. Approximately 61 percent of all birds banded were game birds banded almost exclusively by professional game biologists.

Banding more than 1000 birds each in 1959 were eleven banders, not includingSta,te, Provincial, or Federal projects. The eleven includes: Bleitz, 2857; Kridler, 2356 (of a total of 5029); Collister, 2268; Gallup, 2080; TABLE 2. NUMBERS OF SPECrm AND OF INDIVIDUALS OF NORTH AMERICAN ORDERS OF BIRDS REPORTED BANDED IN WBBA TERRJ:TORY IN 1958 and 1959

Number of Species Numbers of Individuals ORDER 1958 1959 1958 1959 Gaviiformes (Loons) 1 3 1 5 Podicipediformes (Grebes) 5 6 ~18 298 Proce11ariiformes (Albatrosses, Petrels) 6 5 7,973 2,078 Pelecaniformes (Pelicans, Cormorants) 7 10 483 934 Ciconiformes (Herons, Bitterns) 6 6 113 25 Anseriformes (Swans, Ducks and Geese) 32 30 69,502 54,232 Falconiformes (Yultures, Hawks) 14 20 379 481 Galliformes (Quail, Pheasant) 6 9 1,959 359 Gruiformes (Cranes, Rails) .5 5 2,508 2,715 Charadriiformes (Sandpipers, GUlls, "Terns) 42 53 5,736 4,392 Columbiformes (Pigeons, Doves) 6 .6 8,160 12,562 Psittaciformes (Parrots) o 0 0 0 Cuculifor.mes (Cuckoos, Roadrunner, Anis) 12 W 3 Strigiformes (Owls) 1012 418 186 Caprimulgiformes (Goatsuckers) 2 5 11 21 Apodiformes (Swifts, HUII'lIIlingbirds) 8 13 101 74 Trogoniformes (Trogons) o 0 0 0 Coraciiformes (Kingfishers) 1 1 2 2 Piciformes (Woodpeckers) 10 12 145 211 Passeriformes (PerchinG bi:rdy) 147 176 33,3!~() 34,266

309 374

Travises, 1701; Mewaldts, 1558; Linsdales, -1165; Stoner, 1120; Balch, 1097; Elmores, 1030; and Feltes, 1025. Another eleven cooperators banded between 500 and 1000 birds including Hughes in British Columbia; Ransom and Kline in Washington; Moos in Montana; Crenshaw, \:i.uinby,and Payne in Oregon, and Reinelt, ~ Harry Smith, Felt, and Lakata in California. Those banding birds of more than 50 species in 1959 include Bleitz with 224; Collister, 94; Kridler, 78 (of 85); Travises, 71; Mewaldts, 59; and Payne, 52.

A total of 479 species have been recorded banded in WBBA annual reports in the past 36 years. Thirty-one new species added in 1959 are indicated in the listing by an asterisk (*). Well over ·half of the new species were banded by Don Bleitz in Mexico, Arizona, and Alaska. Others adding new species include Hansen, Robbins, Holmes, Gallup, Mackay, and the Travises. Another 47 species banded in 1959 had been banded in but 1 to 3 previous years. Birds conspicuous by their absence from the 1959 listing (having been present in at least four of the previous six years) were the Little Blue Heron, Whistling Swan, Ross' Goose, BlackOystercatcher, Gila Woodpecker, Yello~-b111ed Magpie, and Pinon Jay. 21 (April 1960)

.TABLE3. :NUMBERSOFSPECIESANl)OFINDIVIDUAI.SOF WESTERNNORTHAMERICANFAMILIES OF PASSERINEBIR:OOREPORTEDBANDEDIN WBBATERlUTO~YIN 1958 and 1959

FAMILY 1958 1959 1958 1959 Cotingidae (Cotingas) o o o o Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) 12 18 239 443 Alaudidae (Larks) 1 1 3 14 Hirundinidae (Swallows) 6 7 2,233 1,087 Corvidae (Jays, Magpies, and Crows) 10 10 707 305 Paridae (Titmice, Verdins, and Bushtits) 7 8 493 639 Sittidae (Nuthatches) 3 3 114 179 Certhiidae (Creepers) 1 1 II 15 ChaJ:naeidae(Wrentits) 1 1 84 74 Cinc1idae (Dippers) 1 1 7 2 TroglodYtidae (Wrens) 6 7 1148 144 Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) 7 8 165 188 Turdidae (Thrushes, Solitaires, andBJ.uebiltds) 8 10 1,512 1,675 Sylviidae (Gnatcatchers and Kinglets) 3 3 166 134 Prunellidae (Accentors) o o o o Montacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) 1 2 1 2 BOlIlbycillidae (Waxwings) 1 2 152 436 ptilogons.tidae (Silky Flycatchers) 1 I' 1 1 Laniidae (Shrikes) 2 2 32 60 $turnidae (S,tarlings) 1 2 94 344 Vireonidae (Vireos) 4 5 85 103 parulidae (WoodWarblers) ,14 20 1,403 2,232 Ploee1dae (weaver Finches) 1 1 579 147 'Icteridae (Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.) 11 12 1,927 1,810 Thraupidae (Tanagers) 1 3 104 156 Fringillidae (Finches, Sparrows, etc.) -44 48 .22,980 24,076 33,340 34,266

Podic1pedif'ormes. Hansen in Alaska topped his 147 Horned Grebes of' 1958 with 157 in 1959. The 111 Pied ...bi1led Grebes .banded by Moos in Montana is more than twice the n~ber banded intheprev10us 35 years. Proce1lariformes. Chandler Robbins reports most of the 185 Wedge-tailed Shearwate;r:-s(23 preViously banded) were caught by hand on MidwayandKure Islands. His 511 Bonin Island Petrels, a first for the species, is more than double the total of all petrels previously banded in 'WBBAterritory.

Am~eriformes. The 54,000 banded is more than 15,000 less than last year. Greatest decreases were in Snow Geese (2340 to 1) and in P1ntails (18,614 to 8779) banded in California. Especially interesting are 309 Canvasbacks, 1069 Lesser Scaups, 388 Barrow· s Goldeneyes,and 1047 Buff1eheads banded by Hansen in Alaska. Falconif'ormes. Numbers are generallY down except for some 42 Rough- legged Hawks, 10 Gyrfaleons , and 34 Peregrine Falcons also banded by Hansen. Gruif'ormes. The 58 Sandhill Cranes .banded on the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge well exceeds the 11 banded in the previous 35 years.

Charadriiformes. Six of the very interesting Jacana were banded in Mexico by Bleitz. ,The 931 Caspian Terns banded .by Gallup (811) and the Sta11cups (120) c,onstitute a new high for the species. Forty Noddy Terns were captured by Robbins as they roosted on bushes along the beach on Kure Atoll. He also took the two Bristle~thighedCurlews and the first Wandering Tattler in 23 years by hand at night on Kure Island. Columbiformes. Interest in Mourning Doves is eVidenced by the increaseto 11,102 banded in 1959. While the number banded in California dropped from 4791 to 729, the total for Arizona and New Mexico increased from 1310 to 8651, most of which (6591) were banded by personnel of the Arizona Fish and Game Department.

Passeriformes. The 108 Chestnut-backed Chickadees banded by Reinel t in California accounts for the increase of more than 100 to an all-time high of 168. The 148 Pigmy" Nutnatches were accounted for chiefly by Felt (95), Reinelt (34), and Harry Smith (14). A substantially increased high (424) in Hermit Thrushes was due to Bleit,z (171), Kr,'idler (50), Balch (25), Kinsey (23), and 31 other banders. The 318 Bohemian Waxwings (of 327) banded by Collister in Colorado were captured in four small automatic traps and one hand-operated trap. 'Twenty-seven Crested Mynas banded by Mackay in Vancouver, British Columbia suggest they are established and may be expected to expand their range. Numbers of warblers banded are increasing each year with Bleitz, Kridler, Feltes, and the Travises handling the largest numbers. It is odd to note that the number of Hooded Orioles banded has dropped to less than 10 for the first time since 1923.

In the large family Fringillidae, eight new highs were posted in 1959. Gould surpassed his 33 Pyrrhuloxias of 1958 by banding 40 in 1959. The 1504 American Goldfinches represents a new high by almost 1000 birds.. Principal banders were Quinby (452), Balch (344), Kridler (251), and Stoner (114). Numbers of Oregon Juncos were down from 5693 in 1958 to 3787 in 1959 even though 80 banders reported this species, both years. Banding more than 200 were the Linsdales (295), Crenshaw (278), Elmor~ (274), and Felt (218). The 742 Chipping Sparrows are more than ,double the previous high of 356 in 1938; most banding was done by Collister (264), Travises (161), and Crenshaw (100). In 1959 more White-crowned Sparrows were banded (6616) than any other passerine and more banders (96) contributed to this total 'than to any other species. Banding more than 200 were Mewaldt (734), Kridler (512), Feltes (359), Colli- ster (350), Stoner (259), Balch (244), Travi ses (233), Edna Williams (2a9) and Ransom (209). The 3160 Golden-crowned Sparrows were banded by a surprising 68 cooperators lead by the Linsdales with 622. Others with more than 100 include Harry Smith (262), Reinel t (189), as well as Kridler, Mewaldt, Elmore, Balch, and Emily 8mith.

SUMMARY REPORT OF INDIVIDUAL BANDERS (If no state is named, California is understood)

Sp. Anderson, Anders H. 3221 E. Kleindale Rd. Tucson, Ariz. 2 Argante, Mrs. A.J. 1728 Richmond St. Sacramento 25 1 Ariz. Game & Fish Ariz. State Bldg. Phoenix, Ariz. 8 Armi tage, Jame s H. 23122 Carlow Rd. Torrance 7 Austin, Enid K. 1116 Mandana Blvd. Oakland 10 1 23 (April 1960)

vi Balch, T. E. P.O. Box 9 Glenn 1097 44 Bear Riv.Mig.BirdRef. P.O. Box 603 Brigham City, utah 1763 12 Berrey, C.R. Box 220 Casper,Wyoming 14 7 Birchett, Mrs. J.T. 202 East 7th st. Tempe, Arizona 86 12 Bleitz, Donald L. 2047 CastilianDr. Hollywood28 2857 224 Bosque del Apache Ref. Box 1, San Antonio New Mexico 890 6 Bowdoin N.W.L. Ref. Box 1125 Malta, Montana 2721 15 Bradley, Mrs. D.M. 1848 Mathers Ave. W. Vancouver,B.C. 314 24 Brown, JerramLo M.V.Z. Berkeley 4 43 2 Brubaker, Mrs. G. 191 Mt. View Ave. San Jose 27 17 2 Calder, W.A., Jr. Rt. 1,Box 595, Port Angeiles;.Washington 256 24 Calif. F&G (F. Koslick) 722 CapitalAve. Sacramento 9340 9 Carver, Mrs. Mona Box 245 Glennville 4 1 Cady, W.G. . 3300 Calvert Road Pasadena8 203 11 Channing, C.H. Box 331, Clear Lake Washington 243 28 Channing,E.C. 1445 Weller st. San Francisco17 1 1 Cogswell, H.L. Box 9486, Mills College Oakland 13 354 33 tf' 0 Collier, Gerald Dept. of ZOol. U.C. Los .n.&.'6A~~eles24 78 2 q.(. o.b v Collister, Mrs. C.N . 706 Hover Rd. Longmont, Colo. 2268 94 ',.J'IJ ,~Crenshaw, Dr. F. Route 1, Box 339 Hillsboro,Oregon 881 34 ~~ CrOWley, L.D. 1212 Cascade Boulder, Colo. 14 6 Crunden, C.W. 150 West Pine Elko, Nevada 7 3 CunnilJgham,J. D. 23280 M:>bile st. Canoga Park 2 1 Curtis, Mrs. V.K. 2412 Cohasset Rd. Chico 71 10 Davis, C.V. Z&E Depts. MOnt.S. College Bozeman,Montana 13 7 DaVis, Dr. J. Hastings Reservation Carmel Valley 6 2 Diem, K. L. Zool. Dept. U.W. Laramie,Wyoming 281 1 DuBois, H.M. Rt. 1, Box 370 Clackmas,Oregon 250 30

Duffield,Mrs. J. W . 1472 Eskridge Way Olympia,Wash 0 32 11 Eddy, Garrett 4515 Ruffner St. Seattle 99, Wash. 75 2 Elder, A.W. 354 S. Spring (. Los Angeles 13 220 1 v Elmore, Mrs. MoM. 1022 Bille Rd. Paradise 1030 36 Erickson, Miss M.M. 3505 Foothill Rd. Santa Barbara 19 3 Evans, Mr. & Mrs. R.A. Klamath Trout Hatchery Klamath Agency, Ore. 44 8 Evenden, F. G. 1336 Fitch Way Sacramento25 191 13 -I Felt, Arthur C. 617 N. Newlin Ave. Whittier 558 34 q.G~~~ Feltes, Charles H. 437 Myrtle AVe 0 Modesto 1025 31 '.;'"Fischer, Rudolph 215 E. Foothill Blvd. La Verne 6 3 Foree, Dr. Lynn 6260 Castle Drive Oakland 11 4 3 Fowle, J.T. R.R. 2 Vernon, B.C., Can. 295 21 Galicz, George 13281 60th Ave. N. Surrey, B.C. Can. 63 7 lJ""v~J>vGallup,Fred N. 142 W. 6th Ave. Escondido 2080 28 ~/tI, Gillespie, J&M 313 Sharp Ave. Glenolden,Penn. 15 7(in Cal.) "Gould, Patrick ZOol. Dept. Univ. Ariz. Tucson, Ariz. 316 36 Gray, Alice G. 6645 HeartwoodDr. Oakland 11 186 14 Griffin, Homer V. Paonia Colorado 35 3 Guild, Capt. EoR. Box 548 Glenwood Springs,Col. 3 3 Hagan, Jack W. 1429 S. Flower St. Santa Ana 58 7 Hagar, Donald C., Jr. Ranger Station Salyer 39 5 v Hansen, Henry A.(U.S.F.W.S.)P.O. Box 2021 Juneau, Alaska 6014 28 Harrington,R.F. P.O. Box 278 Elk River, Idaho 38 14 Hatton, Mrs. L.M. 200 Calera Canhon Rd. Salinas 93 9 Hawes, W.D. P.O. Box 974 Lancaster 104 3 Henderson,Mrs. R.N. 6000 SacramentoBlvd. Sacramento24 104 Hayes, Charles R. Bldg. 45, D.F C., Denver, Colo. 156 Henningsen,Mrs. L.K. 124 CambridgeWay, Piedmont 49 Holmes, R.T. 8669 E. Duarte Rd. San Gabriel 157 VHughes, W.M. 8755 S.W. Marine Dr. Vancouver14, B.C. 616 Idaho F&G Dept. 518 Front st. Boise, Idaho 4504 Jameson, E.W., Jr. Zeol. Dept. U.C. Berkeley4 50 v Jeffrey, R.G. Rt. 1, Box 809 Stanwood,Wash. 3423 Johnson, Mr. K.F. 2504 Erie st. Eureka 19 Kaminsky, Muriel 1213 RobertsonWay Sacramento18 70 :o'\)Kebbe,Chester E. 5414 N.E. Emerson st. Portland18, Ore. 278 ,).v Kinsey, Eric C. 17 SouthwoodAve. Ross 303 ~. Killpack, Merlin L. 3525 WashingtonBlvd. Ogden, utah Kittredge, Joseph 2663 Tallant Rd. Santa Barbara 318 Kirsher, WIn. K. 1167 LynbrookWay San Jose 36 Klimes, R.M. 14940 Ossego St. Sherman Oaks 21 Kline, Mrs. L.H. Rt. 1, Box 41 Blaine,Wash. 567 Klingenberg,Gerald F. 2338 N. Calif. st. Stockton4 74 Kridler, Eugene (Sacto.Refuge) Rt. 1, Box 311 Willows 5029 Kullrich, Mrs. W. Rt. 3, Box 440 B Shelton,Wash. 205 Lakata, G.D. 1025 Cedar St. Wasco 539 Lane, Kenneth 1349 Clermont St. Denver, Colo. 93 Larson, Gunnar J. 512 Balra Dr. El Cerrito 138 Legg, Ken 3431 Fort Ave. Eureka 309 Linsdale, J.M.&M. HastingsReservation Carmel Valley 1165 Low, J .B. 648 SummerwildAve. Logan, ytah 20 Mack, W.E. 1140 Riebli Rd. Santa Rosa 103 Mackay, Mrs. J.R. 4014 W. 37th Ave. Vancouver13, B.C. 376 Malheur N.W. Ref. Burns Oregon 545 Miller, Paul D. Rt. 3, Box 190 Molalla, Oregon 15 McCarty, J.D., Jr. 1043 Stuart St. Lafayette 33 McCaskie, R.G. P.O. Box 241 Tahoe City 386 McIntyre, Mrs. G Colo. N.Mon., Fruita Colorado 10 Merilees, Wm. J. 1836 W. 62nd Ave. Vancouver14, B.C. 410 Merovka, L.J. P.O. Box 1306 Albuquerque,N.M. 107 Meyer, R.E. Bldg. 45, D.F.C. Denver, Colo. 23 Mewaldt, Dr. L.R. 4150 Golf Dr. San Jose 27 1558 Minidoka N.W. Ref. Rt. 4, Rupert Idaho 224 Moos, L.M. Box 1342 Billings,Mont. 753 Muir, Mr. A. 4386 Ledger Ave. Burnaby 2, B.C. 438 \Nat'l Bison Range Moiese Montana 285 Neff, J .A. Bldg. 45 D.F.C. Denver Colorado 108 N.M. G&F Dept. (Pickens)Box 2060 Santa Fe, N .M. 4491 Oakland Park Depto(Covel)624 14th st. Oakland 12 364 Oregon S. Game Comm. P.O. Box 4136 Portland 8, Ore. 5855 Orians, Gordon H. Musm. Vert. Zoo. Berkeley 4 302 Parratt, L.P. 500 W. 14th st. Upland 19 Payne, D.E. 2232 Greenbrierst. Springfield,Ore. 561 Peyton, SoE. R.D. 2, Box 260 Fillmore 211 Phillips, Mrs. V 1010 Monte Dr. Santa Barbara 87 Potter, H.G. Rt. 1 Colville,Wash. 2 Quinby, H. 2042 E. 17th Ave. Eugene, Oregon 737 Ralph, C.L. & C.J. 1043 Merced st. Berkeley 7 229 Ransom, W. H. 9676 Evergreen Dr. Bellevue, Wash. 841 Reinelt, Mrs. F. 344 Arroyo Seco Santa Cruz 901 Richardson, Carl Trail Oregon 115 Richardson, Frank Zool. Dept. U.W. Seattle 5, Wash. 29 Robbins, C.S. 1409 Brooklyn Br. Rd. Laurel, Md. 993 Rogers, Thomas E. 10820 Maxwell Spokane 62, Wash. 109 Roest, A.L Cal. St. Poly. College San Luis Obispo 2 Rogan, Mrs. F.E. 44108 Second St. E. Lancaster 225 Romig, Mrs. A. 351 Alma Real Dr. Pacific Palisades 72 Ross, Miss R. 4157 W. 13th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. 120 Ryder, R.A. Colo. S. Univ. Fort Collins, Colo. 13 Ruby Lakes N.W.R. Ruby Valley Nevada 2200 Salton Sea N.W. Ref. Calipatria Box 247 5429 Saltzer, Helene B. 335 W. Lincoln Ave. Nampa, Idaho 134' Sarles, J.G. 3883 Forest Ave. S. Burnaby, B.C. 60 Schultz, Mrs. Z.M. 22809 W. 53rd Ave. Mt. Lake Terr.Wash 303 Schumacher, Mrs. D.M. 7027 Sycamore Ave. Seattle, Wash. 123 Sharpless, Evelyn M. Pauma Valley 15 Silvernale, Max N. 755 N. Robinson Rd. Topanga 1 Smith, Emily D. 19651 Glen Una Dr. Saratoga 202 Smith, H.R. 1549 Escalona Dr. Santa Cruz 680 Smith, Mrs. O.H. 207 Alexander Ave. Larkspur 158 Stabler, R.M. Colo. College Colo. Springs,Col. 105 Staebler, A.E. Fresno State College Fresno 26 21 Stair, J.L. Atiz. G&F State Office Bldg. Phoenix, Ariz. 7781 Stallcup, L.L.&R.W. 6227 Buenaventura Ave. Oakland 5 451 Steel, Paul E. Colombia N.W. Ref. Othello, Wash. 60 Stillwater W.M. Area Box 592 Fallon, Nevada 582 Stock, A.D. 100 S. 781 E. St. George, Utah 132 Stockton, Mrs. F. Granite Station Via Bakersfield 284 Stokely, J.M. 45 Marinita Ave. San Rafael 218 Q-IIF .; Stoner, .E.A. 285 East L St. Benicia 1120 Storm, Dr. R.M. 637 N. 17th St. Corvallis, Ore. 118 Thompson, C.G. 587 Arlington Berkeley 7 385 Thompson, W.L. Wayne State Univ • Detroit 2, Mich. 161 Thomssen, Mrs. R.M. 168 Loma Vista Dr. Sonoma 83 Thorne, Dr. Oakleigh 1229 University Ave. Boulder, Colo. 183 .\~Turnbull, N.W. Ref. Box 268 Cheney, Wash. 303 ,/1- ,; Travis, Mr.&Mrs. J.R. 4258 Fairway Los Alamos, N.M. 1701 ~ Twining, W.E. Pinecrest Chalet Pinecrest 3 Utah F&G Comm. 1596 W.N. Temple Salt Lake City,Utah1999 Walsh, David B.LA. School Barrow, Alaska 96 Washburn, Mrs. V. 1013 Walnut Ave. Santa Cruz 140 Weston, Dr. H.G., Jr. San Jose State College San Jose 14 14 Williams, Roger 1051 Overlook Rd. Berkeley 8 27 Winter, F.C. 904 N. Rexford Dr. Beverly Hills 491 Williams, Mrs. W. Granite Station Via Bakersfield 472 Wilson, G.A. Patuxent W.R.C. Laurel, Md. 1494 Woody, J.B. P.O. Box 481 Wells, Nevada 91 Woolfolk, E.J. 392 Colorado Ct. Lafayette 148 Wyo " G&F (Wrakestraw) Box 378 Cheyenne, Wyo. 140 (April 1960) 26

Wyo. G&F (Mueller, C.R.)P.O. Box 964 Cheyenne, Wyo. 1264 Wright, F.E. P.O. Box 678 Reno, Nevada 1169 Zwickel, Fred Rt. 4, Box 4113 Wenatachee, Wash. 172

Mr. C. G. Thompson, 587 Arlington Avenue, Berkeley 7, Calif., a longtime bander, offers some longevity data:

"During the nineteen years that I have been banding birds I have been interested in their longevity. Below is a table showing the number of birds with their ages above four years. I do not expect any of these are world's records, but perhaps some of the bird banders would like to compare them with their own. II

SPECIES fL AGE IN YEARS ,i). Song Sparrow 5 6 7 8. 9 Golden-Cr. Sparrow ,.f,' 1 4 2 2 1 Gambel Wh. -Cr. Sparrow ( 2 1 Nuttall ft Ii X 1 if if ti- 3 Pug. Snd. () 1 1 1 1 Brown Towhee 2 1 1 Fox Sparrow srtt 1 Mourning Dove 1

HarvyQuinby, 2042 E. 17th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon, tells how he captured goldfinches:

"••• I feel quite proud of last year's 452 American Goldfinches. These were obtained by use of the very simple drop trap baited with about five pounds of walnut meats (finely ground) under our walnut tree. It took only 8 days, and then they were on their way. Out of all these birds only one foreign retrap was obtained, this from Eugene Kridler, Sacramento Nat'l. Wildlife Refuge in Willows, Cal. (See RECOVERIES. Ed •.)

Mrs. Laura Law Bailey, charter member of the WBBA, writes from Rockbridge Alum Springs Biological Laboratory, R.F.D. 2, Goshen, Virginia, enclosing a reprint of an article by the late Harold Michener on B~ Size Determination (Bird Banding, Vol. XVIII, April 1947). Mr. Michener described and advocated the use of a leg gauge much like the Bleitz gauge illustrated in the January News. Recoveries, as we have mentioned before, are the real fruits of the bander's labors, and we are always pleased when we can publish interesting recovery data. This time among several significant recoveries we have two statistics--defying cases of banders trapping other bander's birds at a considerable distance.

Dr. L. R. Mewaldt in San Jose trapped an immature WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (pugetensis) on November 7, 1959 that had been banded 50 days earlier (Sept. 18) by Mrs. Lucille Kline 600 miles almost due north at Blaine, Washington.

Near Willows, California on April 23, 1959.Eugene Kridler banded an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH that travelled north some 400 miles to be retrapped by another active bander, Harvy Quinby of Eugene, Oregon, the following October 15.

Probably the first recovery of a California banded STARLING, one of seven banded during 1959 by Eugene Kridler, near Willows, California (on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge where multiple thousands use the acres of cattails for their winter roost) was "caught in a trap" at Sangudo, Alberta, Canada (70 miles NW of Edmonton), about 1100 miles north and east of the banding site. The bird was banded January 24, 1959 and recovered the following June 25· (For discussion of NE to SW migration and extension of range across the United States see Condor (1953) Vol. 55 No. 2 p. 49-67 Distribution and Migration of the European Starling in North America by Brina Kessel. Ed.) ------. ------Another Kridler-banded bird, a BROWN-HEADED COWBffiD banded on the Refuge near WillOWS, California October 30, 1958, was "found dead" near Pine Lake, Washington, about 650 miles due north, the following June 8.

The band only of a CALIFORNIA GULL banded June 17, 1957 on the Snake River near Weiser, Idaho by the Idaho Fish and Game Department was found on the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge during the week following November 23, 1958. There was a lapse of a year before the band was turned in. The band was recovered about 450 miles SW of the banding site.

Another belated report is of a ROBIN banded in Sacramento, California by Mrs. A. J. Argante February 7, 1958, and "killed by a hawk" at Castlegar, B.C., Canada .about 800 miles Nand E 80 days later (April 28).

We are quite aware that graphic representation of banding recoveries can be misleading. For example, in the last News, as Eugene Kridler pointed out, the lines connecting the White Pelican recoveries to the banding site tended to ob- scure a pattern roughly delineating the route of migration that these birds apparently take across 'the Sierras and down the Central Valleys of California and thence down the west coast of Mexico.

Nevertheless, with prudent interpretation, we believe there is value in the graphic method, and rre would like to try it again, this time with robins. So to this end we are asking our readers to send us all their recovery dates on robins. We will plot the data on a Il1ap,and you ~ar..drai-!your 01·!!l. conclusions from what- ever patterns might show up. Please respond to the editor by the first of June. 1/67 LYN81l00K WAY SAN JOSE 29 CAUF:. REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING. • • • • • • • • • 0 • • • " A SURVEY OF THE CALIFORNIA GULL, by R. F. Oldaker •

NOTES FROM COLORADO • • • 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • NEWS FR

by Don Blei tz ...... It • • • 0 • • • • • • 0 • • • • • WINTER WEIGHTS OF WHITE~CROWNED SPARRCMS, by Allister Muir. •

Address correspondence for News from the Bird Banders to William K. Kirsher, Editor, 11~4mbrook Way, San Jose 29, Calif.

The 35th annual meeting of the Western Bird-Banding Association was held at the ranch of Mrs. Louise Hatton, Salinas, California, May 14 and 15, with 31 members and guests present. Saturday afternoon was taken up with mist netting, informal discussions on traps and techniques and banding in general. A social hour, with Mr. Otis Smith showing slides, provided the evening program.

Sunday morning the business meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock. The financial report of retiring Business Manager, Leland Stallcup, showed income for the 12 months ending March 31, 1960 was $1,079.19, while dis- bursements for the same period were $1,046.18. There followed a discussion as to the advisability of increasing membership dues. The questioJl1was referred to the Council for further study. 29 (July 1960)

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING (cont-inued)

The following slate of officers presented by the nominating committee was elected by acclamation:

Don Bleitz Los Angeles, California Eugene Kridler Willows, California ZelIa Schultz Mountlake Terrace, Wash. Anna Margaret Smith Larkspur, California William K. Kirsher San Jose, Calif ornia

Business Manager and Treasurer

These elected officers, together with the past presidents, constitute the Executive Council.

Mr. Leland Stallcup, retiring business manager, and Mrs. Enid Austin, who has served as secretary for 9 years, were thanked for their services. Mrs. Austin was appointed Chairman of the Membership Committee; Mrs. ZelIa Schultz was appointed Contributing Editor to the Ring, succeeding Laidlaw

Williams 0

Further Reports on Golden-crowned Sparrows (illustrated), Mrs. otis H. Smith, Larkspur, Calif.

A British-Columbian Nest Scheme, Harvey B. Quinby, Eugene, Oregon

Studying Chestnut-backed Chickadees with Color Bands (tape recordings) Laidlaw Williams, Carmel, California

The Effect of Castration on Migratory Restlessness in Golden-crowned Sparrows, Martin L. Morten, San Jose, Calif.

One XhQ,usand Miles of White-crowned Sparrows at San Jose (illustrated), 11. Richard Mewaldt, San Jose, Calif.

Okinawan Bird Notes, Mrs. D. E. Rosenquist, Carmel, Calif.

A report on the Insecticides in Relation to Toxic Effect on Birds, George Lakata, Wasco, Calif. A SURVEY OF THE CALIFORNIA GULL, CARRIED OUT IN 1959

The following summary of raywork on the California Gull_may be of interest to the banders. All of these birds were observed in Vancouver, British Columbia. All band readings were obtained by high-powered telescope,

and all have been confirmed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 0

In order to give a clearer picture of the coastward migration of the juvenile birds from their natal colonies, as well as the earliest known arrival dates, I have listed them separately. Two juveniles were observed as early as July 9, but these unfortuna:te1y were not banded. From that date on, the number increased steadily until the peak was reached during the first two weeks of October. The southward migration appeared to begin in the latter half of October when there was a sudden and rapid decrease in the population. No juvenile was observed after November 7, but a few adults remained in the area until the end of November. It is interesting to note that the l-year old biras may remain for a long time in an area where food is abundant. Some of those banded in 1958 were sighted repeatedly over periods of many weeks.

626-45553 Snake R., Weiser, Idaho June 30, 1959 July 23, 1959 626-43712 " " " June 30, 1959 Aug. 5, 1959 555-689:L7 Chase Lake Refuge, Kensal, N. Dakota June 20, 1959 Aug. 19, 1959 545-63561 No information from bander (Wyoming) Aug. 20, 1959 545-37265 Arod Lake, Conrad, Montana June 28, 1959 Aug. 25, 1959 555-43548 Bamforth Lake, Laramie, Wyoming July 4, 1959 Aug. 26, 1959 545-64859 Chase Lake Refuge, Kensal, N. Dakota June 20, 1959 Aug. 26, 1959 545-37126 Arod Lake, Teton County, Montana June 28, 1959 Sept. 9, 1959 555-68958 Chase Lake Refuge, Kensal, N. Dakota June 20, 1959 Sept.22, 1959 545-09280 Freezeout Lake, Montana June 30, 1959 Oct. 2, 1959 556-33552 Arod Lake, Conrad, Montana June 28, 1959 Oct. 2, 1959 545-37196 " " " " June 28, 1959 Oct. 2, 1959 556-33507 June 28, 1959 Oct. _6, 1959 555-65859 Mono Lake, California June 23, 1959 Oct. 9, 1959 555-65673 " " " June 23, 1959 Oct. 9, 1959 555-49073 Snake R., Weiser, Idaho June 30, 1959 Oct. 15, 1959 555-49313 " "" June 30, 1959 Oct. 16, 1959 555-65667 Mono Lake, California June 23, 1959 Oct. 16, 1959 555-43529 Bamforth Lake, Laramie, Wyoming July 4, 1959 Oct. 26, 1959 555-49431 Snake R., Weiser, Idaho June 30, 1959 Oct. 27, 1959 545-36560 Freezeout Lake, Teton County, Montana June 17,.1958 June ?, 1999 525-02606 Pelican Is., Lake Newell, Alberta July 23 , 1957 June. J,:1999 545-36602 Freezeout Lake, Teton County, Montana June 18, 1958 June lO, 1959 606-29357 Yellowstone Park, Wyoming July 19, 1958 June 12, 1959 545-36587 Freezeout Lake, Teton County, Montana June 17, 1958 June 12, 1959 606-29140 Yellowstone Park, Wyoming July 19, 1958 June 12, 1959 606-29202 tI " " July 19, 1958 June 18, 1959 505-27891 Molly Is., Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming July 5, 1957 June 19, 1959 606-29299 Yellowstone Park, Wyoming July 19, 1958 June 24, 1959 606-29467 " " " July 19, 1958 June 24, 1959 606-29050 July 19, 1958 June 24, 1959 545-86004 Snake R., Weiser, Idaho June 17, 1958 June 24, 1959 535-81674 Last Mountain Lake, Penzance, Sask. June 23, 1958 June 29, 1959 545-36623 Free zeout Lake, Teton County, Montana June 18, 1958 July 8, 1959 535-81672 Last Mountain Lake, Penzance, Sask. June 23, 1958 July 16, 1959 545-86271 Snake R., Weiser, Idaho June 17, 1958 July 16, 1959 545-86094 II " " June 17, 1958 July 21, 1959 545-86295 June 17, 1958 July 23, 1959 505-27661 Molly Is., Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming July 5, 1957 July 23, 1959 525-83421 Arod Lake, Teton County, Montana June 27, 1956 July 23, 1959 606-29440 Yellowstone Park, Wyoming July 19, 1958 Aug, 6, 1959 515-14066 Pelican Is., Lake Newell, Alberta July 2, 1956 Aug. 6, 1959 545-36549 Freezeout Lake, Teton County, Montana June 17, 1958 Aug. 7, 1959 525-03183 Redberry Lake, Hafford, Sask. July 23, 1955 Aug. 7, 1959 525-02509 Pelican Iso, Lake Newell, Alberta June 23, 1957 Aug. 14, 1959 545-36624 Freezeout Lake, Teton County, Montana June 18, 1958 Aug. 21, 1959 606-29453, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming July 19, 1958 Oct. 9, 1959 606-29133 " " " July 19, 1958 Oct. 9, 1959 505-27799 Molly Is., Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming July 5,1957 Oct. 15, 1959 545-86314. Snake R., Weiser, Idaho June 17, 1958 Oct. 15, 1959 555-43295 Bamfo:r:-thLake, Laramie, Wyoming July 4, 1958 Oct. 29, 1959

Mr. Wo Eo McKay Alberta Dr. S. Houston Saskatchewan

Idaho Fish and GameDept 0 Idaho Montana Fish and GameDept. Montana

Mr0 Louis Moos Montana Dr. D. de L. Condon Yellowstone Park, Wyoming Mr. K. L. Diem Laramie, Wyoming Dr. and Mrs. Ro To Gammell No Dakota Mr. Fo Gallup California The birds listed under "Other Sightingsil which, with one exception (52,-t)3183), are immatures and sub-adults, have undoubtedly arrived in the Vancouver area by following the coastline fram their southern wintering grounds, said to be in California, Mexico, and on the Pacific Southwest coast, and not by flying directly from the banding sites as the juveniles did. The exact location of the starting point of each individual bird's spring northward migration being unknown, it is impossible to chart its movements. Number 525-03183 was in adult plumage when obser~ed August 7, 1959, and could conceivably have already carried out its nesting duties in Saskat- chewan or elsewhere and then returned immediately to the coast as many of them do. It would h'!!yahad plenty of time to do this as we have ~een that some of the earlier nestlings are raised to flying age by about the end of June.

Robert W. Stabler, biology instructor at Colorado College (Colorado Sp~ings), is running a survey of blood parasites in connection with his banding operations. By snipping a tip of a toenail he secures a blood sample, and now has over 1500 films which he is examining for parasites. Larval worms, malarias and kindred organisms have shown up with pleasing frequency.

Perhaps his most interesting record to date is that of a parasite dis- covered in the blood of a Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius). This bird was trapped near Denver by John Flavin, and banded by Mr. Stabler (553-30606), filmed from the toe and released. Subsequent study of the film revealed the presence of what may prove to be a new species of bird malaria.

Hybridizing normally occurs but rarely among wild birds, and.would seem to take place only or mostly along the border of- overlapping ranges, Where the sex ratio of one or of both species may be upset (Dr. A. A. Allen). The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanes) is regarded as a rare breeder in this Cirea, while the Lazuli Bunting (Passerina smoena) is a common summer resident.

In 1959 Colorado Bird Notes reported the mating of a male Indigo-Bunting with a female Lazuli Bunting at Red Rocks Park near Denver. The nest was located on July 5 and later contained two eggs which subsequently hatched. Two or three male hybrid Indigo-Lazuli Buntings were also seen at Red Rocks. They were dark blue above and white below, and lacked the cinnamon breast band. Another male hybrid similarly marked was observed by a friend and myself near Longmont, Colorado on May 20, 1959, and one in the same area on May 10, 1960. A few days later two hybrid buntings were captured and banded in the area. The two banded birds differed from those seen earlier. The blue of the head and throat was somewhatdeeper than that of the Lazuli, and a few scattering rust-colored feathers were noted on upper breast and sides. Mixed with them and with the white of breast, belly and under tail coverts were a number of dark blue feathers. These birds had no wing-bars. Out of more than 90 Buntings banded in 1960, only these two were thus marked.

From Cleveland, Ohio, where he is working with the CJeveland Zoological Society, RONALDREUTHERsends greetings. Ron used to be an active bander in California, and was one of the founders of the Northern Chapter, WBBA.

GORDONC. ODLUM,Race Rocks Light Station, Victoria, B. C., whose banding report was not received in time for inclusion with the annual sUll1Illary(April issue) has added two more species, Black Oystercatcher (6) and Pigeon Guillemot (1), bringing the 1959 species total to 375. He also banded 72 Glaucous-winged gulls.

CHARIESH• .FELTES,437 Myrtle Avenue, Modesto, California, this year celebrates his 30th year of banding.

"I am especially interested in Cedar waxwings, having banded them by the thousands manyyears ago. These birds furnished the best returns of any variety I ever banded. Returns came in from as far south as San Bernardino, thence north through California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Idaho,

and two from Alabamawithin 50 miles of the Atlantic coast 0

This spring we caught our first Cedar waxwingsof the season on February 15th using pyracantha berries for bait. WhenI ran out of pyracantha berries I used Toyon berries and raisins. I trapped birds intermittently until April 21st, the date on which I took the last one. We (mywife and I) banded 634 between these dates.

Weare also interested in banding Texas nighthawks, although I've never had a return on any that I have banded. I live in hope that someday one of them will comethrough for: me. Wefind the nests in the dry gravelly stream beds of western Stanislaus County, although they are also present all up and downthe San Joaquin valley. All birds banded are nestlings as we have not developed any method by which we are able to trap adult birds. It is a very hot and fatiguing operation as these canyons produce sweltering heat during the nesting period of this species. These birds lay their eggs right amongst the gravel in the hot sun, and when the young are hatched they move into the shade of a small plant or bush. At about the age of one-and-a-half to two weeks the leg is about the size of that of the adult bird, and will retain the correct size band."

From FRED GALLUP, 142 W. Sixth Avenue, Escondido, California, comes a report on varied activities:

"Did not do so good on the Barn owls--only banded 79. Also banded 5 Elegant terns, 811 Caspian terns, 929 California gulls and 8 Ring-billed gulls. Received several recoveries on the California gulls. The serial numbers were read with a telescope by Mr. R. F. Oldaker of British Columbia, a new way of reading numbers. The gulls were banded June 23, 1959 at Mono Lake, California, and observed by telescope in Vancouver, October 9.

Nearly all the recoveries on the Caspian terns are from Mexico down along the west coast. They are reported as "sea gulls". The most distant recovery of a Barn owl has been from Ensenada, Baja California. The owl was banded 4/3/55 and shot in February 1956. Most of the recoveries on the Caspian terns and Barn owls were for birds of less than a year.t1

The unique distinction of having banded a California condor belongs to Mrs. MONA CARVER, Granite Station, Bakersfield, California, who writes:

"A California condor was captured two miles northwest of Granite Station on the Grisedale Ranch at a water hole on June 28. This bird was crippled, and was caught by Deputy Sheriff Pete Waltman, Rod Shakelford, and Judge Warren Stockton. Judge and Mrs. Stockton, son John and fanily had located it the day before and found it to be either crippled or sicko John shot two rabbits and fed it. The bird seemed very hungry; the next day they contacted the California Fish and Game Department in Bakersfield.

The men fed the Condor a rabbit and then walked up and threw a canvas over it, It was caught very easily and didn't put up any fight.

I came along about the time they had the bird secured in the canvas for the trip to Bakersfield to go to the veterinary. I asked if I could band it and they gave me permission to do so. I am sorry to say I didn't have a band that would go around the leg and clamp se"curely. I used a No. 9 band, the largest I had, but we had to loosen it so it would turn easily. We fixed the edges of the bamd so they would not catch on anything, and even if they did we figured a bird that powerful could pull the band off. "This bird was an adult with a wingspread of about seven feet and an estimated weight of 25 to 30 pounds. It was very thin; it also had a terrible odor. In Bakersfield it was found to have a dislocated leg. After the leg was put in place the Condor was taken to Hart Memorial Park east of Bakersfield and turned loose to leave Votheneirerit was able."

CLYDE CHANNING, Box 331, Clear Lake, Washington, representing the Pacific International Chapter of the WBBA sends in some suggestions that came up for discussion at the last PIC meeting:

1. Trapping in rainy weather c an be helped by covering small traps (such as Potters) with a covering of clear plastic which will keep bait and birds dry. The door opening not being covered gives plenty of air.

2. Bait wafers are very handyo When a bird is caught in a Potter trap with grain bait it quickly kicks grain all over the place and makes it hard to get birds to go back in trap as grain is now-scattered all arounde This can be ranedied by using bait wafers" To p:repare these wafers cut pieces of light metal into sections about two by three inches. SIlBar the metal generously with "Elmer I s Glue" and then sprinkle generously with" scratch" , milo, or whatever bait is desired. When thoroughly dry knock off excess materiaL Birds come readily into traps for these wafers.

3. To construct a portable water dripper use an eight or ten-quart galvanized pail, a brass petcock and three six-foot lengths of one-inch dowel to make a suspending tripodo Pumch hole in bottom of pail, insert petcock and solder into placeo Paint outside of pail. Place screw-eye in top of each dowel and lace the three poles together. Suspend the pail under tripod so that water will drip into a shallow dish. Drip can be very accurately controlled.

Water is one of the best sources of attraction for birds in our arid western United States. There are a number of suitable traps to be used in conjunction with dripping water. I have had a preference for the Brenkle type, of which I have designed and built several which are highly satisfactory. The most important part of trapping, of course, is in providing the proper bait-- in this case, water. Water attracts very rapidly where it is dripping slowly or drizzling audibly. All birds, and particularly Warblers, quickly discover the source of the water when the dripping or drizzling noise is readily audible. One of the best methods I know for providing a convenient source of drizzling or dripping water is to use lengths of copper tubing to conduct the water to the trap. If the distance is not too great (up to 200 feet or so from a possible water source) liB-inch outside diameter copper tubing is perfectly satisfactory, and this may be purchased in hundred-foot rolls from plumbing supply houses. It is very easy when you provide a source to this copper tubing by either of the following two methods which I will describe briefly.

1. Use a standard copper tubing petcock, such as catalog number 351 needle valve petcock for compression type fittings, available from most plumbing supply houses. By using a siz.e 5/16-inch drill and a tap for liB-inch pipe thread, it is easy to temporarily turn off the water supply, drill a hole into the water pipe, tap the hole and screw in a small petcock The water supply may then be turned on again and the pet cock turned off while the connections are made using the copper tubing. This same petcock may be used with 1/4-inch copper tubing as well where water pressure is low or the distance to be run is greater. This little pet cock can easily be adjusted to provide the exact amount of water flow desired and can be buried in the ground to be out of the way between the source of the water and the trap area.

2. Another simple way is to pre-drill and tap some short nipples in both ~-inch and 3/4~inch pipe sizes with these little petcocks already in place by carrying art extra coupling. It is very simple to unscrew a garden faucet, add the nipple to the line and the coupling, and then replace the faucet ahead of this combination which very quickly allows you to tap into the water supply. By conducting the copper tubing to a convenient clump of vegetation, where the trap may be placed III the shade and cover provided for the birds, it is possible to trap many species of birds which are seldom seen in the area; for the dripping water draws them like a magneto

In preparing copy for the April issue of the News our typewriter slipped a cog and spoiled Mr. C. G. Thompson's table of longevity. Here it is reproduced correctly:

AGE yrs. yrs. 7-yrs. yrs. yrs. Song sparrow 1 4 2 2 1 Golden-crowned sparrow 6 2 3 4 . White-cr. sparrow (gambel) 2 1 (nuttall) 3 1 "II " " lpuget. ) 1 1 1 1 Brown towhee 2 1 1 Fox sparrow 1 Mourning dove 1 Scro:NOTES ON THE WINTER WEIGHT OF THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARRCM

IN SOUTHWEST BRITISH COLUMBIA

by Allister Muir During the period October 1959 to March 1960 a flock of about 20 White-crowned Sparrows (ZONOTRICHIA IEUCOPHRYS) wintered in the area of my feed station in central Burnaby. Seventeen of these birds were trapped 24 times during the study period, an average of four being taken or retaken each month. The flock consisted of birds of the year.

A drop trap, two Channing-type potter traps and mist nets were used to catch the birds for banding and weighing. Most of the trapping was done in the early morning.

Food used to attract the flock consisted of peanut heart, bread and other household wasteo

U) 29 ? « et. 28 l!) z 27 l- :r:. 26.. ~ I.LJ ?' 25 In a letter from Mr. Allen J. Duvall, Chief, Section Population and Distribution Studies at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, WBBA banders are invited to participate in a study of different band legends. Mr. Duvall says:

"The objective is to test the band reporting rate of the currently used banding address with a different legend having no indication of a Federal agency. Thus the controls will use our regular size 2 and size 3 bands, and the experimental bands with the legend

write Po 00 Box ,66, Bowie, Md., U.S.A.

The three species to be banded with these special issued control and experimental bands will be the Red-winged Blackbird, the Bvonzed and Purple Grackle and the Starling. Only flying (non- nestling) birds will be banded and each will be single banded only. Thus, experimental bands will be used alternately with the regular or control band. And both experimental and regular bands in the test will be supplied direct by the Banding Office and are only to be used on the species mentioned in the test. In your notice to the banders it should be pointed out that we desire only those banders to participate who believe they can band at least 100 (50 experimental and 50 controls) of any one of the three species, and that is hoped that the quotas can be met by December 31, 1961. Banders, when they contact this offioe, should indicate the species they hope to band and the quantity of each."

We are informed that Mr. Geoffrey Gill, 24 Overlook Drive, Huntington, Long Island, New York is offering for sale a good assortment of well-built traps at reasonable prices. Write to Mr. Gill for descriptive literature and prices. 1/67 LYN81l00K WAY SAN JOSE 29 CAUF.

WU.Lh'lI It. It IRSHER It~" LYNBROOK \lAY SAlIIJO,SE. CALIF. BAND READING BY TEIESCOPE, by R. F. Oldaker. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 39 SEVEN YEARS OF BANDING GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULI..S,by WIn. M. Hughes •• 42 NOTES FROM COLORADO, by Mrs. Carl N. Collister. • • • • • • • •• 46 ON BANDING HUMMINGBIRDS, by Don Bleitz • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 48

Address correspondence concerning membership to T. E. Balch, Business Manager, P. O. Box 9, Glenn, California. Address correspondence for News from the Bird Banders to William K. Kirsher, Editor, 1167 Lynbrook Way, San Jose 29, California.

The telescope has been used successfully for many years by Mrs. Zella M. Schultz, of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, as a means of reading the band numbers of Glaucous-winged Gulls and studying the plumage sequences of birds of known age as they advance towards maturity. Mr. Gerry van Tets, Dept. of Zoology, U.B.C., had also used this method on Cormorants and Black Oystercatchers on Mandarte Is., near Sidney, B. D., working in well-constructed blinds, and in the summer of 1958, read the bands of over 100 birds. My own band-reading activities did not begin until November 1958, a few months after my home-built scope was first put into use. The advantages of reading by telescope are obvious. Not only is the band recorded 'Without any risk whatever of injury to its bearer, but much factual information can be obtained about the bird1s migrations, nesting habits, plumage sequence, molts and other phases of its life. It is also quite feasible that a team of observers strategically placed could compile complete life histories of some birds. Already many of the bands read in Vancouver have been recovered elsewhere, one of them as far away as Vallejo, California, 48 days after my sighting. Others were also read by Mr. G. van Tets on Mandarte Is.

My telescope is 29 inches in overall length, has 81 nun. clear objective aperture, and can be used, by changing eyepieces, at powers ranging from 23 x to 55 x. Using the higher powers, a size 7 band can be read at 200 feet if necessary, but only under ideal weather conditions, and provided the band is clean and not too abraded. However, much useful work could be done 'With a smaller instrument, perhaps of 60-65 nun. aper- ture and 25 x 30 x, 'With which it should be possible to read bands of size 5 or larger at distances up to at least 100 feet. Such an instrument would, in fact, be preferable to a larger one in 'Windy weather, being less susceptible to vibration. For working on the Gulls my choice of eyepieces is the 35 x, which gives adequate light and magnification, as well as a comfortable field of view. It is seldom necessary to use the higher powers, and then only when a close approach is impossible, or when the band is so abraded that a close-up is necessary to ensure accurate reading.

The purchaser of a telescope intended for band reading would do well to make sure that the instrument he chooses can be brought into focus on an object as close as 35 feet. This is most necessary as there are times when the observer is unable to choose his distance, such as when working on a rocky nesting island, around buildings, or in an enclosed area. To speed up the work, and thus minimize the percentage of failures, the scope should be equipped 'With a finder. A 6 x monocular fitted 'With a crosshair or post reticule would be ideal. This may be permanently attached to the telescope or, like my own, which is 7 x, simply strapped tightly into a bracket on the main scope when needed. At other times it can be carried as a pocket monocular. It does not need to be a precision job, like a rifle- scope or astronomical finder. If it can be adjusted to bring the band into the field of view of the main scope, that is all that is required.

The finder serves a double purpose. Firstly, it is used to scan the birds for bands, and then, "When one is located, it is lined up 'With the reticule, "Which brings it tnto the field of the main scope. If the distance is suitable, it is then only necessary to focus the eyepiece, and a partial reading is obtained in a matter of seconds, provided, of course, that the joint of the band is not facing the observer. What further sightings 'Will be necessary to complete the reading 'Will depend, among other things, on the type of band the bird is wearing and what part of the number has been read on the initial examination. In any case, if the bird is resting quietly, or preening, or studying its feet (all the GullS, and possibly other birds, seem to be fascinated by their feet, and 'Will bend over to study them intently for long periods) it is advisable to try an encircliBg movement, if the terrain permits, taking a new reading at about every 90 of arc, or wherever a clear view of the band maybe obtained. In order to record the digits in their correct sequence, their position in relation to the joint of the band, or to the words of the inscription "Avise, write etc." should be noted. Experienced bird watchers will knowthat a maneuver of this sort, to be successful, must be carried out in slow motion. The birds will react instantly to any sudden movement. On bright days the telescope should be carried in such a way that the sun will not flash on the lenses. Also, when close to a bird, it is inad- visable to stare fixedly at it. This will certainly make it feel uneasy, as no wild bird or animal enjoys such an experience. Using the "walking around" method, it is seldom necessary to make more than three exami- nations of the band. Twosightings from well-chosen angles will suffice to read some of the older type bands. However, the circumstances are different in every case. The bird maybe standing in a rut or depression where the band can be seen from only one diredtion. Rocks, debris, vegetation or other birds may obstruct the desired view. If' a sui table position cannot be found to complete the reading then the bird must be made to move. If it sits downit must be brought to its feet again. With care both these things can be done by walking quietly towards it, or, as I have often done, by driving another bird in its direction.

If the bird is restless, or feeding, or otherwise engaged, it is better to remain at the telescope and let the bird do the moving. In this case the bird must be kept in the field of view and sharply in focus at all times. Using a high-powered telescope at close quarters, a change in distance of as little as 6 inches will necessitate a change of focus. The greater the distance, the less adjustment is needed. The band, of course, cannot be read while the bird is walking, but each time it pauses to examine or eat something, and turns this way and that, a few more digi ts are revealed, and sooner or later a complete and accurate reading may be obtained. This is facilitated if the band is free to rotate, as we believe it should be. Sometimes a cooperative bird will rotate its band by scratching its head. with the banded foot. The success or failure of such an attempt, and the time taken to complete the reading naturally depend on the nature of the surroundings. On rough ground, or on the beaches, such attempts can tax the observer's patience to the limit and frequently end in failure. On the other hand, on smooth ground, a complete reading can be obtained in a surprisingly short time. I recently read the band of a restless juvenile Ringbilled Gull within 20 seconds of discovery, without having to move the telescope.

There are many pitfalls against which the band reader must be constantly on guard, and the worst of these is the occasional presence of foreign matter on the band, such as mud, fuel oil, paint, cement, etc. In winter snow and ice may adhere to the cold metal. California Gulls have been found withbarnacles on their bands. If this foreign matter is not recognized at once, the results can be disastrous. The moral is, if any digit does not appear clear and distinct, or if there is any doubt whatever about its accuracy, the reading should be discarded. There is no room for guesswork in this project, and misinformation supplied to the Banding Office, and to the bander, is worse than no information at all. It is better to wait and hope for a more favorable opportunity. Few observers will find themselves as fortunately situated as I for reading bands. Here in Vancouver we are literally surrounded by Gulls of many species, as well as Cormorants and other sea birds. The City Dump can be relied upon to yield a few readings at any time of the year. The foreman, Mr. D. Chalmers, has kindly given me a permit to wander at will over the area and it is there that most of my band- hunting is done. In unsettled weather, there are the public parks and playgrounds, beaches, canneries and fish docks within easy walking distance, where shelter for myself and my equipment can quickly be found in case of rain.

Whatever the field conditions, the bandreader will find that frustration is his constant companion. He will suffer many disappoint- ments, and may feel at times that the fruits of his labors do not compensate for the time and energy expended. Rather than fret over his failures he should congratulate himself on his successes. The bird that escapes the telescope is not necessarily lost forever. Should it be a Gull, the chances of encountering it again are excellent. The prerequisite is patience. The observer who has his share of this, as well as the time, the telescope and the birds, is bound to succeed, and may look forward to many exciting and unexpected experiences in the pursuit of his useful and fascinating hobby.

In conclusion, I would like to point out to the banders how it will be to their ultimate advantage to see tbat their bands are properly oriented on the birds' legs. So many of the bands I have found are upside down band is not easy to read in any case and many records have been lost for no other reason than this. In suggesting this, I am looking ahead rather than thinking of myself and my own efforts. The army of bird-watchers increases yearly and at the same time good tele- scopes are being 'made available to the public at prices that put them within the reach of the average wage-earner. We must look forward to the fast-approaching time when the telescope will come into universal use as a means of s·olving some of the mysteries of the lives and habits of our bird friends, many of whom will still be wearing the bands that are being applied today.

SEVEN YEARS OF BANDING GIAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS (LARUS GLAUSCENS)

It was eleven years ago when'I first banded gulls. The following are some of the results of this banding. Most of the banding was done on one small island, Christie Island, co-ordinates 49-25 North, 123-30 West. Christie Island is only three acres in area and about half of the three acres is bare rock. The central area is covered with coarse grass, some rose bushes and low bushes. Nests are found on all parts of the island, but the. bare rocky parts contain more nests than the grassy and brush areas. Banding was done on this island for the years 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1959, and 1960. Banding was done on Snake Island and Five Fingers Island, co-ordinates 49-13 North, 123-53 West, as well as Christie Island for the year of 1959. No banding was done for the years 1951, 1955, and 1957, due to bad weather on the days I was free to band. In 1958 I banded no gulls as I instructed local banders in gull banding. . Gulls banded this year, 1960, are not included as no returns have come in as yet. All banding was done in the month of July. Earliest date of banding was July 15th, latest date July 26th. The best dates in this area are July 19th or 20th. By July 28th the young gulls are larger and are more likely to run. The young from each nest become separated, leave their territories and are subject to severe picking by adult gulls other than their parents.

During this seven year period 3,880 gulls were banded. From this banding 188 returns were received. Percentage of returns'received from all birds banded was 5.8%. Analysis of these 188 returns shows the following:

7 had been shot 1 killed by a Goshawk 2 died in fire on island where banded 1 found floating in oil tank 71 just reported found dead

Thirteen bands read by birds being caught by hand and birds released. Band read while sitting on window ledge and by binoculars; 77 read by telescope; 8 birds were caught, bands read and removed and birds released; 8 bands only found. Twobands found on island where banded, one of these in a crow1s nest; 6 in different parts of Vancouver.

Ages of eighty-two birds found dead

Under one year old 50 One year old, less than two years 16 Twoyears old, less than three years 9 Three years old, less than four years 4 Four years old, less than five years 2 Nine years old, less than ten years 1

Percentage of returns received for all gulls banded and found dead 2.4%. Some of these eighty-two birds were within a few weeks of being in the next age group. It is interesting to note the mortality of the birds under, one year, a little better than 60% of all birds found dead. From this it would seem that if the birds survive their first year, their chances of reaching maturity are fairly good. In the following table are included the thirteen birds whose bands were read by various ways, plus the seventy-seven read by telescope:

Birds under one year old 29 One year old, less than two years 5 Twoyears old, less than three years 7 Three years old, less than four years 10 Four years old, less than five years 11 Five years old, less than six years 8 Six years old, less than seven years 9 Seven years old, less than eight years 5 Eight years old, less than nine years 3 Nine years old, less than ten years 2 Ten years old, less than eleven years 1

Percentage of returns fo! all gulls banded whose bands had been read 2.5 + %

Under one year old 6 One year old, less than two years 2

Fifteen returns were received from outside of British Columbia

Washington State 12 Point Roberts 1 Tacoma 1 Seattle 6 Shelton 2 Port Townsend 1 Sequim 1

Oregon 1 Bay City 1 California 2 Colusa 1 Treasure Island, San Francisco 1

Total 15" 15" It would seem by the above table that birds 1ll1dertwo years old move or wander greater distances than other age groups. I have no British Columbia records to equal distance traveled of fourteen of the above returns. However, with only fourteen returns there is not enough evidence to be certain of this.

This movement, based on the number of returns received, proves to be quite local. Of the 173 returns received for B. C., 141 are from the Greater Vancouver area, which is about 18 miles from Christie Island and 24 miles from Snake and Five Fingers Islands. The farthest B. C. returns are Jervis Inlet about 88 miles north and west of point of banding on Christie Island. The remaining 32 range from points of banding up to the maximum of 88 miles.

There were 184 birds banded on Snake and Five Fingers Islands July 26th, 1959. There have been 16 returns received for these 184 birds or about 8.7%. Five of these returns are from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. All were f01ll1ddead. The remaining eleven are from Vancouver and band numbers read by telescope. All 16 birds were 1ll1derone year old.

For many years I was concerned that returns showed so few adult birds. As yet I am not sure when glaucous-winged gulls reach maturity. By maturity I mean breeding age, not necessarily plumage. It may be three or even four years. Mrs. Zella M. Schultz of Montlake Terrace, Washington, is working on this and will likely have the answer soon. However, if we take three years as the age of maturity and look at the mortality returns for this area there are 7 out of 88 that would fall in the age group as mature, just about 7.9%, a very small number. When we look at the returns for the 90 birds that had their band numbers read we find 49 -:tnat could be classed as mature or a little better than 54% of all birds whose band numbers have been read.

It would seem by the small number of returns I have received that if the birds survive their third year there is a good chance some of them will live for quite a few years longer. Just how long a gull lives in this area I do not know, as my banding records are only eleven years old. It requires more years of banding and more returns.

Of the 188 gulls for which returns were received three are reported more than once. These extra returns are not included in this report so far. Band No. 48-728598 was placed on the gull July 21, 1952. Four returns were received; three of these were by different people and were read as the gull sat on window ledge of Sylvia Court Hotel, Vancouver. First reading was February 10, 1953; second, February 11, 1953; third, December 18, 1953. A fourth return of this bird was received for February 10, 1960; this was read by telescope by Mr. Olaker at Stanley Park a few blocks from where the previous readings were made. Band No. 527-28099 was placed on a bird July 19, 1954, and was read by Mrs. Zella Schultz at Green Lake, Seattle, Washington, November 27, 1955 and February 18, 1956. The third bird will be dealt with in gullts returning to island to breed. For many years I wondered if gulls banded on the island as y01lllgreturned to breed. While banded adults had been seen on the island at nesting time, it was never possible to capture the birds or read the band numbers.

It was not 1llltilJ1llle21, 1959, that Mr. Oldaker was landed on Christie Island that my .first proo.f that a bird banded as y01lllgreturned to breed. He read Band No. 48-727701 on an adult glaucous-winged gull that was hatching eggs. This band was placed on the bird 'by me on July 15, 1950. This bird was eight years, eleven months, and twenty- .four days old on date band was read. On J1llle19, 1960, he read the same band number again and the bird was nesting within a .few .feet o.fwhere it had nested the previous year. This bird was nine years,eieven months, and twenty-six days old on date o.f second reading. On July 17, 1960, Mr. Oldaker read three more o.fmy banded gulls attending y01lllgon Christie Island. As no returns have been received to con.firm his .findings, I am not able to give ages, etc. There are likely more banded gulls on this island but it is very rough, often windy, which makes banding reading di.fficult.

My oldest record of a banded gull was taken by Mr. Oldaker at the Vancouver City Dump on April 7, 1960. The band was No. 48-730418, which was placed on this bird July 15, 1949, my .first gull-banding year. This bird was ten years, eight months, and twenty-three days old when band was read.

Great credit must be given to Mr. Frank Oldaker of 436 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, B. C., .for his splendid work done on reading band numbers with his telescope. If it had not been for him my seven years o.f banding would not have shown much results. O.fthe 188 returns received .from all sources, 77 were read by Mr. Oldaker. This is nearly 41% o.f all returns received. Furthermore, all o.f his readings are on live bird~, and there is a very good chance we will learn much more o.f these birds by .further re-readings o.f their bands.

For the second year several banding stations along the eastern slope o.f the Rockies took part in the coordinated netting project known as "Operation Recovery". The name, abbreviated to OR, stemmed from the original idea o.f recovering .fall migrants banded at stations to the north. Though .few birds were recaptured it was .fo1llldthat the project yielded other valuable data, including the e.ffects o.fweather changes on migration. It was discovered that daily arrivals and departures of large numbers of individual birds at many stations could be compared quantitively with specific weather conditions. Preliminary analysis of OR records has shown that greatest migratory activity takes place one or two days after passage of a cold front. Since birds react to many diverse factors there is need for much further information, which it is hoped may be obtained through OR.

The 1960 program included participants at Atlantic Coastal stations, Bermuda and West Indies, Appalachian Mountains and Gulf Coast, Ontario and Great Lakes States, as well as the Rocky Mountain States of New Mexico and Colorado. Dates of this year's program were September 3 through October 2, with continuous operation of stations urged for at least two weeks of that period. A coordinator was named for each region, inclUding Dr. Howard E. Wilson of Denver for the Rocky Mountain States.

Since use of nets is comparative~ new in this area, only three stations participated in OR - the Los Alamos, New Mexico station of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Travis; that of Mrs. Berene Sullivan hear Boulder, Colorado; and my station near Longmont, Colorado, where I was ably assisted by Dr. Wilson. A brief description of the Longmont station and summary of OR netting follows.

Lykin's Gulch, seven miles west of Longmont, was chosen as the site for OR netting. This ravine adjacent to the foothills, the only one in the immediate farmland area, supports a dense growth of native hawthorn, chokecherry, currant, plum, poison oak, and a few low willows and narrow-leafed cottonwoods. A small spring-fed stream, dense cover and abundant wild fruit, as well as a plentiful supply of weed seeds attract birds of many species throughout the year and especially during migration.

Since hours of operation were limited by available time only the morning hours were devoted to netting, usual~ from about sunrise to 10 or 11 o'clock. From one to six nets were operated on 29 days for an average of 4! hours per day, for a total of 534 net hours. During this period 1107 individual birds of 42 species were banded. Principal species: Chipping Sparrows, 564; White-crowned Sparrows (Including Gambel's), 294; Lazuli Buntings, 40; Orange-crowned Warblers, 30. There was one station return, a Virginia's Warbler (31-32072) banded October 1, 1959, and 80 repeats. There were no rarities, though a Scrub Jay was out of its normal range and Sharp-shinned and Cooper's ~awks were of more than casual interest.

Data obtained included age and sex when determinable, length of wing chord and fat class as indicated by subcutaneous deposits. Time of removal from net was also recorded for each bird. Complete reports will be filed with the Bird Banding office at Laurel, Maryland. Over a period of time OR promises to be a rich source of information which, through expert analysis, will greatly augment present knowledge of migration habits. It seems probable that interest may well spread to other sections of the country as the potentialities of OR are recognized. Participation in OR lends purpose and meaning to the work of individual banders, and gives them an opportunity to contribute in

a small way to a valuable scientific undertaking 0

During the spring and summer of this year ~ I captured and banded a number of hummingbirds, mainly Annas, Costas, Black Chins and AlIens. A few of these were kept in captivity for some months to study the effect, if any, of the bands.

Since the closed foot of many species of the trochilidae is little larger than the' tarsus, some persons had felt that the sizes recommended in the little check list which I had prepared were a trifle large. Accordingly, I experimented with several internal diameters of the little Xa and Xb bands on these captive birds. The recommended size for Annas hummer is 0.06011 inside diameter. I tried 0.050, 0.055, 0.060, and 0.065 on this species. 0.050 was definitely too tight and would not close properly and still revolve freely on the tarsus. 0.055 would close and revolve freely, but within two weeks the band had caused an irritation of the tarsus with a resultant swelling so the band was removed. Within a few days, the leg returned to normal.

The 0.060 size was satisfactory. The 0.065 size slipped partly over the closed foot of the bird.

Since these tiny bands are hand-trimmed and formed, which can in some cases leave rough edges which might cause irritation, I have prepared a little mimeographed instruction sheet detailing the steps to follow in order to insure a smooth-fitting, accurately formed band in these tiny hummer sizeso I will be happy to send it to anyone interestedo

From time to time I have read where someone has cut down a No. 0 band to fit a hummirigbird. Such bands cannot be used without resulting in eventual severe injury to the legs of any of the hummers found in the United States. Even the Rivolis and Blue-throated species cannot carry a No. 0, no matter how it may be trimmed, unless the numbers are destroyed in the trimming. A number of years ago I used some special No. OIS which were very much smaller than those regularly supplied. The numbers carried only three digits. Even with careful individual filing and shaping, these little bands were too wide for the tarsus of any of the. hummers,and on later trapping they were removed and replaced with the special X size.

I do not recommendattempting to band hummersunless the bander has very nimble fingers and good eyes, or strong close-up glasses.

This year I captured five Annas hummerswhich were banded three years ago, and one which was banded four years ago. I also captured a Costas hummerwhich was banded three years ago. All of these bands were wearing well except for the Costas and this band was 0.046 in diameter instead of the recommended0.050. The leg had calloused to partly cover the band. I removed it, and replaced it on the other leg with a band of proper size.

I also captured six other Annas hummerswith bands more than one year old, and one of this group was a little tighter than it should have been and caused a callous to form on the leg, so it was also removed and replaced with a slightly larger band which freely slips up and downthe tarsus. !.

Thinking that perhaps the aluminumitself might have caused an allergic reaction in this species, I coated a group of bands with a plastic preparation after forming, and tried these out. The plastic coating improved the condition whena band of slightly less than desirable size was used, but only partially alleviated the problem. '.

"l am in the process of writing up the Pacific Coast races of white- crowned sparrows for the Bent Series of Life Histories of North American Birds. It is possible that bird banders may have some information on this species which has not yet been published. Of especial interest would be longevity records of banded individuals,c early and late dates for fall arrivals and spring departures, respectively, or data on nesting. Any .,such information which banders are willing to contribute should be sent to: Dr. Barbara B. DeWolfe Department of Biological Sciences University of California, Santa Barbara Goleta, California

Since I am trying to meet a deadline of December31, 1960, I should appreciate receiving the information before that date." 1/67 LYN8NOOK WAY SAN JOSE 29 CAi.lF.