AMERICAN BIRDS Sl,l•t•t½l. '•987 A seasonaljournal devotedto the birds of the Americas Published by the National Audubon Society AMERICAN BIRDS

Summer 1987 ß . . from the editor's desk Vol. 41, No. 2

Les Line skills. The millions of cosmopolitan peepsand stints that have sur- Senior Vice President, Publications NOW,inmidsummer, itis time tosharpen yourshorebird identification vived their sometimeschaotic annual breedingcycle have left the high latitudes of their circumpolar breedingdistribution and are en route to EDITORS their southernnonbreeding areas, some of which are well beyond the confinesof the North American continent.These long-distance migrants Susan Roney Drennan Editor can be found during this seasonand well into autumn continentwide Manuela G. Soares and in oftentimesconfounding plumages. For your field-viewingpleasure Associate Editor and in responseto the requestsof so many, we have here repeated one Kenn Kaufman of our great seminalarticles of 3 yearsago: 'Field identificationof smaller Editor, Regional Reports sandpiperswithin the genus Calidris' by Veit and Jonsson. Chandler S. Robbins Marshall Howe's 'Wetlands and waterbird conservation,' is a note- Technical Editor worthy contribution to our International Council for Bird Preservation J.P. Myers series.We exhort you to keep in mind his cogent points and some of SpecialProjects Editor the environmental outrages visited upon the nation's wetlands while AIdeen and Wi!let T. Van Velzen Co-editors.Breeding Bird Censuses shorebirdingyour favorite haunts this season.Criticizing ecologicaler- Calvin L. Cink and Roger L. Boyd rors, commending noteworthy contributionsto the protection of our Co-editors, natural heritage,and monitoringthe progressof preservationprograms Winter Bird-Population Studies is the responsibilityand obligationof each of us.Conservationists heaved Fredrick Baumgarten an enormoussigh of relief when finally, in April 1987, the United States Editorial Assistant becamea signatoryto the Ramsat Convention. This is the only inter- Tony Leukering national wildlife conservationtreaty whose focus is the protection of Christmas Bird Count Editor habitat. As a contractingparty, the United Stateshas the obligationto Nancy Johnson-Monroe BusinessManager formulate and implement land use planning for designatedwetlands. In short,this means that the federalgovernment has the moral obligation to create new wetland reserves. What better time for birders nationwide to voice their views? The EDITORIAL ADVISORS useful momentum generatedby accessionto the Ramsar Convention

Carl E. Bock clears the way to designate more areas "wetlands of international im- Mary H. Clench portance." John Farrand, Jr. The time is ripe for you, as a shorebird enthusiast,to sit down and Thomas R. Howell Frances C. James write an extremely political letter. Do your share to preservethe won- Robert J. Newman drously complex ecosystemsour migratory shorebirdsdepend upon. Kenneth C. Parkes Communicating with your electedrepresentatives is no more difficult Roger Tory Peterson than sendinga letter. Influencing the legislative processdoesn't mean Olin Sewall Pettingill,Jr. Alexander Sprunt, IV traveling to the nation's capital. Writing lettersand making telephone Dale A. Zimmerman calls are effectiveand time-honoredways of deliveringyour political message.Because these are electedofficials, every message is very care- fully recordedin the officesof our congressionaldelegates. More im- portantly, voiced viewpoints of voters are carefully consideredwhen it AMERICAN BIRDSis publishedfive times a year. Editorial and business offices are located at 950 Third comes right down to voting on a particular issue. Avenue,New York, N.Y. 10022 (212) 546-919 I. Sub- Air your point of view. Use a letter to your membersof Congressas scriptions,all in U.S. $: One year $25, Canadaand Foreign$30, Librariesand lustitutions$32. Single an opportunity to inform him/her about the importance of wetlands copies:Christmas (Bird Count)Issue $15, SpringIssue preservation.Urge your state and federal representativesto designate (AutumnMigration), Summer Issue (Winter Season), Fall Issue(Spring Migration), Winter Issue(Nesting Bowerman Basin in Washington state,Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas,and Season)all $4.50each. Checks and moneyorders in San FranciscoBay as complementsto the four wildlife refugesalready U.S. $ onlyshould be madepayable to AMERICAN BIRDS. Secondclass postage paid at New York, N.Y. identified as "wetlands of international importance." andadditional Post Offices. Copyright ¸ 1987by The NationalAudubon Sociely_ If you really care about all of thosepeeps you enjoy seeingas they migratethrough your area, let your representativeknow how you feel. Postmaster.Send addresschanges to AMERICAN Stay tuned!! BIRDS, 950 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. ISSN 0004-7686. S.R.D. Mrs D A Lacoss William Rlsser StephanieLanday Rick Robinson 1987 BIRDATHON SPONSORS Dave Lange Martha M Roney Dr. J. M. Langham Mr. & Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt,Jr We would like to expresssincere thanks and recognitionto thefol- Mrs. F. David Lapham David & M. Rorick lowtngpersons who so generouslysupported our 1987 Birdathon, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Y. Larkin Mrs. Paul D. Rosahn whtchenabled us to raise$20,000 on behalfof AMERICAN BIRDS: Greg Lasley Mrs. William J. Ross Paul Lehman Peter M. Ross Mr. William T. Lenehan Carl Safina Dr John W. Aldrich Mr. Edwin S. Duerr Mr. & Mrs. John G. Leness Robin Schiffman Mr & Mrs. John H. Allan Dr. Charles D. Duncan Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Leukering Betty L. Schmidt ClydeAnderson Robert A. Duncan Tony Leukering Anne Schwartz Karen Anderson Chris Duthie Mrs. Sandra M. Lewis SeaboardSeed Company Mr & Mrs. O.K. Anderson Mr. & Mrs. JamesA. Edgar, Jr. Rochelle Lieberstein David Seay Richard E. Andrews David A. Edwards MaggieLinn Donald M. Self Dr R. K. Archibald Cynthia D. Ellis Daniel London Kenneth D. Seyffert Eltmg Arnold David L. Emerson Dr. & Mrs. Edward J. Lorenze, III Leonard A. Shelton H C Ashman Dr. & Mrs. John W. Espy Barbara A. Lurid Mr. Jay M. Sheppard Mrs A. W. Augustson Mrs. R. H. Evans John Lynes Philip Sheridan A C Bacon Kate Feeney Mr. & Mrs. David Mackintosh John W. Shipman Sidney Bahrt Davis W. Finch Mr. & Mrs. Alfred L. Malabre Richard B. Sichel Mr Robert B. Baird Howard Fischer Helen C. Maneher Mr. David E. Simpson Burr S. Barnon Mr. & Mrs. C. Herbert Fisher Juliet KelloggMarkowsky Mrs. Samuel E. Sims Mr & Mrs. Abraham Baumgarten Erma J. Fisk The Hon. & Mrs. Anthony D. Mar- Sam W. Sinderson,Jr. Fredrick Baumgarten Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Fletcher, Jr. shall Mr. & Mrs. David C. Siphron Mr & Mrs. SidneyBaumgarten Florida OrnithologicalSociety Peg Martin Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Siphron Samuel Baumgarten Mary Ford Susan P. Martin Mr. John R. Siphron Mrs Edward F. Beatty Mr. & Mrs. Cruger D. G. l:bwler, Jr. Russell Marx Mr. & Mrs. Alexander B. Slater Wfiham Belton David B. Freeland Mr. & Mrs. Hamish Maxwell ChristopherSmith Ellen Benner Anna Freytag Franklin McCamey David Smith Mrs Karl Bergey Dorothea H. Frysinger Rev. McCandless Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Smith Peter A. A. Berle Karen EastmanGalley Ellery McClintock Mrs. Arlo I. Smith Leo R. Best Edwin F. Gamble Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mclntosh Robert T Smith GeorgeF. Bing Mr. Henry Gardiner Hugh McMillan, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Austin L. Smithers Francois Blouin Mr. Clifton C. Garvin, Jr. Carole McNamara Patricia R. Snider Bob & Jean Boardman Mrs. Philomene A. Gates J. A. Meadows Manuela Soares Ray F. Boehmer Daphne Gemmill GeoffreyMelior Mr. George Soares Kyrle Boldt Jerome L. Gifford Helen C. Menchef Mr. & Mrs. John Somonick Gerald L. Boyd C. R. & P. Godchaux Paul R. Meyer Dr. JeffreySpendelow Mr & Mrs. Otis Bradley Betty L. Goodwin Mary Miller Walter R. Spofford Robert C. Bradley Ada& Frank Graham Mr. Frank A. Miller Richard Stackpole Herb Btammeier,Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John Griffith Wayne Mones Mr. & Mrs. James F. Stebbins Mr & Mrs. William J. Brennan,Jr. Deborah Grimes Ms. Colleen J. Monroe Dr. James H. Strauss Antoinette Brevillier Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin A. Groves Mr. Edwin Morgens Connie Stroud Hal W. Broadfoot, Jr. Bryan Hale Mr. & Mrs. George K. Moss Mrs. Kathleen Struthers Howard P. Brokaw Mrs. Violet Hallerr Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Mott John E. Sunder Mrs Dwight Brooke Mrs. Henry W. Happel Dr. Peter Muhlenberg Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Swint. Jr. Mr & Mrs. J. M. Brotherton Larry E. Hare Dr. & Mrs. Eldred Mundth MelissaD. Synco Mrs W. L. Lyons Brown Mr. Ed N. Harrison Paul A. Murphy Sandra Tanzer Mrs Donald J. Bruckman Mrs. Henry F. Hartmann Dr. J. P. Myers Richard J. Tego Dorothy Bryan Tbeo R. Haugen James Nelson Mrs. JosephA. Thomas Margaret Buckwalter Brian E. Hay Vic Nelson Patricia A. Timmons BucksCounty AudubonSociety Lois Heilbrun Richard Newman Gary S. Triandos Jeff Buecking Mr. & Mrs. Cowles Herr Mr. & Mrs. CharlesW. Nichols,Jr. ShelleyVakay Mr AlexanderA. Cameron,Jr. Dr. Theodore M. Hiatt Mrs. Robert Ames Norton Willet T. Van Velzen Mrs Victor B. Carboni JosephJ. Hickey Robert W. Oberfelder Mrs. Robin Verbose Mrs Evelyn T. Chace. Joel R. Hitt Ginny Olcott William Verry Lee B. Chamberlalne Virginia Bly Hoover Arlene Omphroy Ellen K. Viereck Neal A. Clark Juliet Howard Mr. & Mrs. Roger B. Oresman Mr. & Mrs. Elliot E. Vose GeorgeA. Clark, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Bruce S. Howard The Hon. & Mrs. T. Decker Orr K. B. Wagner Mr & Mrs. Robert H. Clayton,Jr. Mrs. L. P. Howe Janet Ortiz Mr. & Mrs. Carroll L. Wainwright Dr Mary H. Clench Jean Howell Robert E. Ostrander Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Walker Jane Rose Cole Mrs. Merle L. Hoyt Dr. Kenneth C. Parkes John B. Walsh Dr Charles T. Collins Ronald D. Huffman Mrs. H. J. Pauchey Ernest & Betty Wargo Thomas Collins Carol Hyatt Dr. Robert O. Paxton Daniel M. Watson John Comstock Dr. Frances C. James Bruce G. Peterjohn Lila Weber Dr Malcolm Coulter Astrid Jarvis Dr. Roger T. Peterson Brian J. Weed Mr William F. Crandall Rev. A. N. Jergens Jean K. Peterson Mr. & Mrs. John Weikart Catherine Crean David B. Johnson John J. Petrella Gates Weisberg JamesCunningham Mr. & Mrs. Hoyle C. Jones Noel Pettingell Mr. & Mrs. D. B. Wetherell, Jr. Eric Cutler GeorgeJonkel Anne P. Phelps Dr. Nathaniel R. Whitney, Jr. Richard M. Cutler Miss Julie Kammerer Mr. & Mrs. Howard Phipps,Jr. Rosemarie Widmer Dorothy M. Davis C. J. Kaplan Robert Pipal Claudia Wilds Mr Wallace C. Dayton T. W. & P. Keesee Timothy S. Poole Dr. Bradford T. Williams Mary Jane De Froscia Kenneth L. Ketwig Nancy Prine Erika M. Wilson Mr & Mrs. John W. Dean Lloyd Kiff Michael C. Pritzl John W. Wilson, Jr. Mr & Mrs. William D. DeCamp ChristineKing Mrs. SheilaPulling Mr. William Winchester Wanda L. Deis Mary King Mr. Eben W. Pyne ColeenWithgott Ella Delap Warren B. King Mr. & Mrs. JosephV. Quaties Christine Wolfe StephenB. Dempsey Dr. MargueriteKingsbury Robert K. Rains Mrs. Emily H. Womach Jody Despres R. Van Kirk Mr. & Mrs. Bayard D. Rea Linda Woods JohnHenry Dick Mrs. O. Kitazono Mr. & Mrs. Bayard D. Rea Eleanor Wootten Matthew Paul Drennan Eugene Knoder Dr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Rees Mr. & Mrs. JosephC. Wyman Maureen Roney Drennan Mary Kotowski Robert R. Reid, Jr. Sara Yager SusanRoney Drennan Ivy Kuspit Mr. & Mrs. Harmon L. Remmel Dick Young Alfred T. Driscoll Richard E. Kust Michael Riesenberg James R. Youse

Volume 41, Number 2 183 At, IERICAN BIRDS REPRINTS

AmericanBirds has an inventoryof reprintsavailable to our readers.To order,simply Indicate the quantityto the left of eachtitle desired.Use this form or write the title andquantity on a separatesheet of paper.Mail reprint request, alongwith check or moneyorder to: AmericanBirds, Box R, 950 ThirdAvenue, New York, N.Y. 10022.(Prices include postageand handling)

THE BLUE LISTS FROM 1979 through 1982 __ AudubonChristmas Bird Counts.(,4udubon Field Notes) __ 1979.R. Arbib. (32/6) Nov. 1978.8 pp. St.00 each R. C. Clement (20/1) Feb. 1966. 1 p. 50½each __ 1980.R. Arbib. (33/6) Nov. 1979.6 pp. St.00 each __ Wintering areas of bird speciespotentially hazardousto __ 1981.J. Tare, Jr. (35/1) Jan. 1981.8 pp. St.00 each aircraft. D. Bystraket al. Soft-coverbook. 156 pp. $4.50 __ 1982. J. Tare, Jr. & D. J. Tare. (36/2) March 1982. 10 each pp. St.00 each DUCKS __ 1986.J. Tare,Jr. (40/2) Summer 1986. 10 pp. $2.00 each __ Sex ratios, sexual selection and sexual dimorphism in THE BREEDING-BIRD CENSUS & THE WINTER waterfowl.D. E. Brown. (36/3) May 1982. 4 pp. St.00 each BIRD-POPULATION STUDY __ Occurrenceof the Sinew in British Columbia, with com- Breeding-Bird Census Instructions. W. T. Van Velzen. ments on other North American records. W. C. Weber & (26/6) Dec. 1972.5 pp. 50½ each R. W. Campbell. (32/5) Sept. 1978. 3 pp. 75½each Breeding-BirdCensuses: Why and How. (,4udubonField Notes) G. A. Hall. (18/3) June 1964. 4 pp. 50½each EGRET AudubonWinter Bird-PopulationStudy. (,4ububonField __ Winter populationtrends in the Cattle Egret. S. E. Larson Notes) H. Kolb. (19/3) June 1965.3 pp. 50½each (36/4) July 1982. 7 pp. St.00 each __ An appraisalof the Winter Bird-PopulationStudy tech- ICBP nique.C. S. Robbins.(26/3) June 1972.4 pp. 50½each __ Federal research on migratory non-game birds: is the RELATED ARTICLES... United States Fish and Wildlife Service doing its job? StanleyE. Sennet.(40/3) Fall 1986. 5 pp. St.00 each __ Comparisonof Breeding-BirdCensus techniques. J. G. __ Biopolitics,management of Federal Lands, and the con- Dickson.(32/1) Jan. 1978.4 pp. St.00 each servation of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Jerome A __ Ariasing the distribution of the breeding birds of North Jackson.(40/5)Winter 1986.7pp. St.00 each. America.S. B. Laughlin et al. (36/1) Jan. 1982. 14 pp. (w/covers)$1.25 each MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES __ A Quantitative Method of Habitat Description. F. C. __ Bird kills at lighted man-made structures:not on nights James& H. H. Shugart,Jr. (24/6) Dec. 1970. 10 pp. 50½ closeto a full moon.F. J. Verheijen. (35/3) May 1981.4 each pp. St.00 each __ On understanding quantitative surveys of vegetation. __ Fifty years of bird soundpublication in North America: F. C. James.(32/1) Jan. 1978.4 pp. 50½each 1931-1981. J. Boswall& D. Couzens.(36/6) Nov. 1982 __ Recommendations for an International Standard for a 12 pp. with record:$2.00; without record:$1.25 Mapping Method in Bird CensusWork. C. S. Robbins. __ Birdwatchingetiquette: the needfor a developingphilos- (24/6) Dec. 1970. 4 pp. 50½ each ophy. R. L. Glinski. (30/3) June 1976. 3 pp. 50½each __ Caution neededin use of playbacksto censusbird pop- __Regional reports... have they any scientific value? ulations. M. K. McNicholl. (35/2) March 1981. 4 pp. W. B. Robertson. (32/6) Nov. 1978.3 pp. 50½ each St.00 each __ Time-line of the life of Robert CushmanMurphy. (40/3) __ Breedingbird atlasesadd zip to summerbirding. Gregory Fall 1986. 8 pp. ()$1.25 each S. Butcherand CharlesR. Smith. (40/3) Fall 1986. 10 __ Robert Murphy's Minions. Ron Naveen. (40/3) Fall 1986. pp. St.00 each 6 pp. (color) $1.25 each __ Rollo Beck--Old-school collector, member of an endan- THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT gered species.Frank A. Pitelka. (40/3) Fall 1986.3 pp __ The effect of weather, people and time on 12 Christmas (color) 75½each Bird Counts.K. G. Smith. (33/4) July 1979.5 pp. St.00 __ Christmas Island--a photographicessay. Sidney Bahrt each (photos),Elizabeth A. and Ralph W. Schreiber(captions), __ Effort, locationand the ChristmasBird Count tally. J. L. and Susan R. Drennan (text). (40/3) Fall 1986. 8 pp Confer et al. (33/4) July 1979. 3 pp. 75½each (color) $1.25 each

Pleasesend me the AmericanBirds reprints I haveordered above. Enclosed pleasefind my checkor moneyorder in the amountof $

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP PASSENGER PIGEON __ Status of the American White Pelican: an update. J. G __ Gone Forever--A contemporarylook at the extinctionof Sidleet a! (39/5) Winter 1985 7 pp $1.00 each the PassengerPigeon. D. E. Blockstein& H. B. Tordoff. __ Recordsof tropicbirdsin the North Atlantic and upper (39/5) Winter 1985. 8 pp. (color)$1.25 each Gulf of Mexico, with commentson field identification. D. S. Lee et al. (35/6) Nov. 1981.4 pp. St.00 each PASSERINES __ The PracticedEye, Cassin'sFinch versusPurple Finch. Kenn Kaufman. (40/5) Winter 1986.3pp (color). St.00. SHOREBIRDS __ Gray-collared Becard in Sonora. Gale Mortson. (40/3) __ Sight recordof EskimoCurlew on West Coastof James Fall 1986. 2 pp. (color) 75½each Bay. J. A. Hagar & K. S. Anderson.(31/2) March 1977 __ Winter records of the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Den- 2 pp. 50½ each droica chrysoparia).Michael J. Braun, David D. Braun, __ The decline and fall of the Eskimo Curlew. R. C. Banks and Scott B. Terrill. (40/3) Fall 1986. 3 pp. (color) 75½ (31/2) March 1977. 8 pp. $1.00 each each __ The Promiscuous Pectoral Sandpiper. J.P. Myers (36/ __ The diurnal migrationof passerinesalong an Appalachian 2) March 1982.4 pp. (w/covers& records)$1.25 each ridge.G. A. Hall & R. K. Bell. (35/2) March 1981.4 pp. $1.00 each __ The secondthrough fourth recordsfor North America of RAILS, CRANES the PechoraPipit. B. King. (34/3) May 1982.5 pp. $1.00 __ Spotted Rail: First record from the Yucatan Peninsula, each Mexico. P. E. Scottet al. (39/5) Winter 1985.1 p. (color) __ The field identificationof North American pipits, includ- 50½ each ing Further commentson the field iden_tiffcationof North __ Sandhill Cranesin Alaska: a populationsurvey. B. Conant American Pipits. B. King & K. C. Parkes.(35/5) Sept. et al. (39/5) Winter 1985.6 pp. (color) $1.00 each 1981 & (36/1) Jan. 1982. 14 pp. (w/covers)$1.25 each __ Population trends of the LoggerheadShrike in the United RAPTORS States. M. S. Morrison. (35/4) July 1981. 4 pp. $1.00 each __ Field identification aspects of some Red-tailed Hawk __ Flame-colored Tanager in Arizona. R. J. Morse & G. subspecies.James W. Lish and William G. Voelker. (40/ Mortson. (39/5) Winter 1985.2 pp. (color) 75½ each 2) Summer 1986.6 pp. (color)$1.25 each __ Jackdawsreach the New World. P. W. Smith. (39/3) Fall 1985.5 pp. $1.00 each SITE GUIDES & PLACES OF INTEREST PELAGIC BIRDS __ The avifauna of the Pond Inlet region, N.W.T.W. E __ The breeding birds of Funk Island, Newfoundland: an Renaudet al. (35/2) March 1981. 11 pp. $1.25 each historical perspective.I. R. Kirkham & W. A. Monte- __ Birds of El Triunfo Cloud Forest, Mexico, with notes on vecchi.(36/2) March 1982. 8 pp. St.00 each the Horned Guan and other species.T. A. Parker III et __ Pelagic Birds in the Gulf of Maine. D. W. Finch et al. al. (30/4) Aug. 1976.4 pp. $1.00 each (32/2) March 1978 & (32/3) May 1978. 30 pp. $3.00 __ Noteworthyornithological records from Abaco,Bahamas. each W. B. King et al. (33/5) Sept. 1979. 3 pp. 75• each __ Petrels and Storm-Petrels in North Carolina's offshore -- Site Guide: Purace National Park, Colombia. S. L. Hdty waters:including species previously unrecorded for North & J. R. Silliman. (37/3) May-June 1983. 10 pp. $1.00 America.D. S. Lee. (38/2) March-Apr. 1984. 13 pp. $1.00 each each Site Guidesfrom SpecialCanadian Issue (40/1) Spring1986 __ Bulwer's Petrel in the South Atlantic Bight. J. C. Haney __ Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada.G. Tom & S.C. Wainright. (39/5) Winter 1985.3 pp. 75½each Hince. 6 pp. $1.00 each __ Long-tailedJaegers wintering along the Falkland Current. Holiday Beach Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. R. Veit. (39/5) Winter 1985.6 ppoSt.00 each A. Chartier. 3 pp. 75• each __ Status and subspecificidentity of White-faced Storm- __ Presqu'ileProvincial Park, Ontario, Canada.R D Petrels in the Western North Atlantic Ocean. George E. McRae. 2 pp. 50• each Watson, David S. Lee, and Edward S. Backus(40/3) Fall __ AlgonquinProvincial Park, Ontario, Canada. C E. 1986. 8 pp. (color) $1.25 each Goodwin. 2 pp. 50• each __ Remote sensingof seabird environments.J. Christopher __ Beanharnois Power Dam, Montreal, Quebec. R J. Haney. (40/3) Fall 1986. 5 pp. (color)$1.25 each Barnhurst. 2 pp. 50• each __ Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. S. R. Drennan 1 p PELICANS & ALLIES 50• each __ Status of breeding colonies of White Pelicans in the __Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico. United States through 1979. No F. Sloan. (36/3) May Kathryn L. Robinson. (40/2) Summer 1986.7 pp. 1982. 5 pp. $1.00 each (color)$1.25 each

Send to: AMERICAN BIRDS BOX R 950 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022

IS RETIREMENT PLANNING FOR THE BIRDS?

It canbe if that'swhat you want. You can make a significantgift to supportAMERICAN BIRDS and NationalAudubon's other efforts on behalfof our naturalheritage that will payyou (and yourspouse, ifyou wish) income forlife. The new tax law haseliminated the IRA deductionfor manypeople and greafiyreduced the amountyou may invest in a Keoghor SEPplan. The NationalAudubon Society can helpwith your retirement planning by suggesting a custom-tailoredplan that provides: --No limit on tax-deductible contributions -- Completeavoidance of capital gains tax if youfund the plan with appreciated stocks --Securelifetime income to beginnow or whenyou retire Toqualify for an Audubonretirement plan, you must be at leastfifty years old and contributea minimumof $5,000. For free informationon retirement planningfor yourselfand for the birds, return the attachedcoupon or call Wayne Monesat (212) 546-9212. •--'--CONFIDENTIAL [] Pleasesend free informationonCharitable retirement plans

Amo•n•of anticipated • tOcks re•l estate If yod'aregiving stock•,or land, what was yquLorigin• cost? Yofirdate of birth • YO••antto include your glmUSe inibis plan• If so,please gave Spouses date o birth: Returnto: WayneMbnes, Nafibfial AudfibO6 S•iety, 950•i?d Avenu• N• York•NY 10022

Volume41, Number2 347 It takes more than a few barbs to protect wildlife it takes activism.

subscribetothe Audubon Activist. >.%•,•,•..-•

[] Yes, I want to become part of the Audubon Activist Name team. Send me AudubonActivist six times a year and ActionAlerts when wildlifeor wild places really need my Address help. Enclosedis my check for $10. City State [] Yes, I want to subscribe to the Audubon Activist. Enclosedis my check for $6. Zip

Make checks payable to National Audubon Society. Audubon Activist, 950 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022

mm

Prints and Slides from the same roll SeattleFilmWorks has adapted Kodak's professional MotionPicture film for usein your35mm . $2 INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL Now youcan use the samefilm--with the same I [] RUSHmetwo 20- rollsofKodak MP film for rrty I microfinegrain and rich color saturation-- Hollywood'stop studios demand. Its wide exposure Eastman35mmcamera.5247©Enclosedand 5294. is ©$2100% for a2-rollSatisfaction starter packGuaranteed including ! latitudeis perfect for everydayshots. You can capture specialeffects, too. Shoot it in brightor lowlight--at up to 1200ASA. What'smore, it's economical. And remember,Seattle FilmWorks lets you choose prints or I NAMEADDRESS slides,or both,from the sameroll. Trythis remarkable film today! Mail to: Seattle FilmWorks I 500Third Avenue W.,P.O. Box 34056 Kt,dak, 5247 ,red 5294 are trademarksot F•stman Kodak Co. Seattle FilmWorks •swholly I CITYSeattle,WA 98124 STATE ZIP__ >eparatefrom the manut,•cturer.Process ECN-[I. 1986 SFW

348 American Birds,Summer 1987 ACCOMMODATIONS MISCELLANEOUS Market Place SHORECREST LODGE--GRAND BIRDERS' BUDDY IS OFFERING A 10% MANAN.A charmingcountry inn run by DISCOUNT TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE and for naturalists on an island blessed BIRD COUNT, SEE AD PAGE 345, THIS w•th an abundance of birds, whales and MarketPlace Rates: $1.15/word for one ISSUE. w•ldflowers. Contact: SHORECREST, insertion;90C/word for 2-4 insertions; North Head, New Brunswick,EOG 2MO, 60C/wordfor 5 insertions.Send payment Canada; (506) 662-3216. with copy. Copy deadlines: Fall issue: OPTICAL EQUIPMENT August 17; ChristmasBird Count issue: September10; Winterissue: October 15; Spring issue: February 20. Send to: LEITZ, ZEISS, B&L, BUSHNELL, STEI- AMERICAN BIRDS, Market Place, 950 NER, SWIFT, NIKON, OPTOLYTH, CE- BIRD FEEDERS Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. LESTRONoptics and accessories.Wdte for discountlist. Specify literaturede- sired. Large stock. Orders filledday re- BACKYARD BIRDWATCHING SUP- ceived. Postpaid. BIRDING, Box 5-E, PLIES.Feeders, houses, books, spe- Amsterdam, NY 12010. cialtyfeeds and accessories. For catalog send$1.00, refundablewith firstorder, BINOCULAR SALES AND SERVICE to THE BARN OWL, Dept. AB, 2509 Repairingbinoculars since 1923. Align- Lakeshore Dr., Fennville, MI 49408. ment performedon our U.S. Navy colli- mator. Free catalogue and our article AMERICA'S FINEST SQUIRREL/ "Know Your Binoculars," publishedin STARLING-PROOF DIALABIRD FEED- BOOKS AudubonMagazine. MIRAKEL OPTICAL ERS,HOMES. Free Catalog. KOPECKY, CO., INC., 331 Mansion St., West 1220-S Ridge Road, Hypoluxo, FL NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS--The Coxsackie,NY 12192 (518) 731-2610. 33462. Old,and Rare, and New. Large selection (many10% discount).Also Foreign field B & L, QUESTAR, MEADE, LEITZ, guides.$2.00 for quarterlycatalogue. SWAROVSKI, ZEISS, etc. We field test PATRICIA LEDLIE-- BOOKSELLER, all optics availableto us. Results are Box 90A, Buckfield,ME 04220 (207) yours for a call. Trade-ins, low prices, BOOKS 336-2969. full service. Ask for a consultant. ROB- ERT MANNS & ASSOCIATES, 877 BIRDING ON THE NAVAJO AND HOPI GlenbrookDr., Atlanta,GA 30318 (404) BOOKS on Birds and Natural History 352-3679. subjects,new and out-of-print.Catalog RESERVATIONS,locations, graphs, $1 50 PETERSENBOOK CO., Box 966, checklist,132 pages. $7.95 plus $.75 Davenport, IA 52805. shipping.JACOBS PUBLISHING,Dept. aus JENA BINOCULARS (GER- NS, Sycamore,MO 65758. MANY)--Experience the ultimate in BRILLIANCE and CLARITY! Europe's BIRD BOOKS. Send $2.00 to be on our DISTRIBUTION OF THE BIRDS OF largestmanufacturer of PremiumQuality catalogmailing list. BUTEO BOOKS, PO CALIFORNIA--Grinnell and Miller's in- Binoculars.Consumer and dealerinqui- Box 481, Vermillion,SD 57069. dispensable615-page classic. Hard- ries invited. EUROPTIK, LTD, Box 319- bound $25, paper $18. ARTEMISIA B, Dunmore,PA 18509 (717) 347-6049 NATURE BOOKS DISCOUNTED! For PRESS,P.O. Box 119C, Lee Vining, CA pnceI•st send SASE. DOUG KIBBE,Box 93541. BINOCULARS, SPOTTING SCOPES 34, Maryland,NY 12116. B&L, BUSHNELL, SWIFT, LEUPOLD, NATURAL HISTORY AND SCIENCE ZEISS. Free List. ExperiencedConsul- NATURAL HISTORY: includinghun- BOOKS--out of print and rare. Free tant. Low Prices. WENTLING'S, Box dreds of scarce and out-of-printbird catalogs and search service. AMAR- 355, Hershey, PA 17033. (717) 533- books, journals and pamphlets.Send ANTHBOOKS, PO Box527, IowaCity, 2468. $2 00 forcatalog and addition to mailing IA 52240. hst HWK BOOKS, 540 W. 114th St., SWAROVSKI, AUS JENA, ZEISS, B&L, New York, NY 10025. STEINER, BUSHNELL, SWIFT, FUJI- NON, optics and accessories. Low PEACOCKBOOKS, Box 2024, Littleton, prices.Free catalogor quote. OPTICAL MA 01460 sellsout-of-print bird books, ADVANTAGE, Box 32791-E, Pikesville, both popularand technical.Send $2.00 MD 21208 (301) 653-3306. for yourfirst catalogue. FEEDERS NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS (ALSO RENTALS PRINTS) BOUGHT AND SOLD. Fine il- FEED BIRDS, NOT SQUIRRELS. Our lustratedin the main; antiquarianand birdfeederis 100% squirrelproof!Mon- later,rare, scarce,out-of-print and new. eyback guarantee, free brochure. BIRDING SCANDANAVIA 19887 Please Free catalogue from GREYFRIARS, Courtyard-AB,21W120 Irving Park, write: Oddvin Lund, Gamlev 119, 2040 Dunw•ch,Suffolk IP17 3DW England. Itasca, Illinois60143. Kloefta,Norway.

Volume41, Number2 349 RENTALS TOURS TOURS

BLOCK ISLAND SUMMER AND FALL TRINIDAD & TOBAGO--ASA WRIGHT BIRDINGIN COSTA RIGA.850 species MIGRATION--1820 Farmhouse on NATURE CENTRE & LODGE Bearded including:Quetzal, Black Guan, Rery- 2 1/2 acresoverlooking Atlantic and Old Bellbirds, Scadet Ibis, Oilbirds and billedAracari, Scadet Macaw, Coppery- Harbor; garden; pdvate beach access; hundreds more! The classic tropical headedEmerald, Yellow-billed Cobnga, fully equipped;every amenity;perfect birdingexperience. 7 to 13 day tourswith Wrenthrush, Volcano Junco. Profes- condition beautifullyfurnished: Ameri- expertguides, from $495. Individual and sionalbirder guides. For tour informabon cana, antiquesand quilts.Sleeps 8-12 group rates also available. Special T. J. Lewis, COSTA RICA EXPEDI- very comfortably,2 1/2 tile baths, out- Christmas Bird Count Tour and Summer TIONS, P.O. Box 6941, San Jose, Costa doorshower; barns and outbuildings.No Seminarprograms also offered,exclu- Rica, Central America. Ph: 22-0333, smokers or pets; smaller groups pre- sivelyby GALlGOVENTURES, INC. 387 Telex: 2917 CREAR. ferred. (203) 789-0488 evenings and Main Street, Armonk, NY 10504 Toll Free weekends. 800-426-7781, in NeW York 800-327- 2753 or (914) 273-6333. MATINIGUS ISLAND MAINE--20 miles FLY SEAPLANE TO DRY TORTUGAS- Fly 70 miles into the Gulf of Mexico to to Sea. Pdvate OceanfrontCottages. TOBAGO, RENT PRIVATE BEACH Puffin colony. Spectacularviews. Un- majesticFort Jeffersonin the Dry Tor- COTTAGES. Snorkeling, swimming, tugas -- the most inaccessibleNational usual. May-October. Photos. Katz, 156 fishing,scuba. Bird watcher's paradise. Francestown Road, New Boston, NH Monumentand largest masonry Fortress Scores of exotic species. Brochure. in the westernhemisphere. A phenom- 03070. 603-487-3819. ChadesF. Turpin.Charlotteville, Tobago, West Indies. enaldisplay of birdlife is availabledunng season,with as many as 150 vanebes spottedannually. These include Tropic- STAMPS AUSTRALIA.Start your birdingat Gas- birds, Boobies, Frigatebirds,and the sowary House, in the rain forest, near Sootyand Noddyterns nesting by the Cairns.Good accommodation and guid- thousandson adjacentBush Key 1/2- BIRDS, FLOWERS,ANIMALS on post- ing. Direct Qantas flights. JOHN day/full-daycamping; Write or call Key age stampsfrom many countries. 60 diff. SQUIRE, CassowaryTours, Box 252, West Seaplane Service, Inc., 5603 Jr $1.00. Allthree $2.65. GEORGEFORD, Kuranda 4872, Australia. Tel. 6170- College Road, Key West, FL 33040 P.O. Box 5203-A, Gulfport,FL 33737. 937318. (305) 294-6978.

350 AmericanBirds, Summer 1987 CONTENTS SUMMER 1987, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 2

The Winter Season December 1, 1986-February 28, 1987 182 . . . from the editor's desk 253 Northeastern Maritime Region Blair Nikula

183 1987 Birdathon Sponsors 258 QuebecRegion Michel Gosselin, Richard Yank, and YvesA ubry 260 Hudson-Delaware Region 184 The PracticedEye, Terns overhead William J. Boyle, Jr., Robert O. Kenn Kaufman Paxton, and David A. Cutler 264 Middle Atlantic Coast Region Henry T. Armistead 188 The "Old Northeastern" subspeciesof Red Crossbill 269 Southern Atlantic Coast Region Robert 144.Dickerman Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. 272 Florida Region John C Ogden 195 Common Black-headed Gulls on Petit Manan Island, Maine 275 Ontario Region Matthew P. Drennan, David C. Folger, and Charles Treyball Ron D. Weir 279 Niagara-ChamplainRegion DouglasP. Kibbe 197 The status of the Common Black-headed Gull in Newfoundland 281 AppalachianRegion and Labrador GeorgeA. Hall W. A. Montevecchi,D. K. Cairns,A. E. Burger, R. D. Elliot, and 284 Western Great Lakes Region J. Wells David J. Powell 286 Middlewestern Prairie Region Bruce G. Peterjohn 204 ICBP Column: Wetlands and waterbird conservation 290 Central Southern Region Marshall A. Howe David P. Muth 295 Northern Great Plains Region David O. Lambeth 210 Regional ReportsPictorial Highlights--Winter 1986-1987 297 Southern Great Plains Region Frances Williams 300 South Texas Region 212 Field identification of smaller sandpiperswithin the genus Greg W Lasleyand ChuckSexton Calidris 303 Northwestern Canada Region Richard R. Veit and Lars Jonsson I• G. Johnston and C. A. McEwen 305 Northern Rocky Mountain- Intermountain Region 237 Back to Birding ThomasH. Rogers Paul R. Ehrlich 308 Mountain West Region Hugh E. Kingery 312 SouthwestRegion 246 The PeregrineFalcons of Paul Donahue Janet Witzeman,David Stejskal, and John P. Hubbard 316 Alaska Region 248 The Changing Seasons D. D. Gibson, T. G. Tobish, and M. E. Isleib Eirik Blom 318 Northern Pacific Coast Region Bill Tweit and Philip W Mattocks, Jr. 336 Birders' Bookshelf 322 Middle PacificCoast Region JosephMorlan, StephenF. Bailey, and Richard A. Erickson 343 Announcements 327 SouthernPacific Coast Region Guy McCaskie 332 Hawaiian Islands Region Robert L. Pyle Cover :Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) by Ron Austing. 334 West Indies Region Back coverphotograph: Common Snipe (Gallinagogallinago) by BrooksBrann. Robert L. Norton