106 Notes

Northern Fulmar Sighting at Moosonee, by Bryan Merritt

On 30 November 1992, a Northern Conditions at the time of capture Fulmar IFulmarus glacialis) was were quite severe. Temperatures sighted in Moosonee. Mr. Redfern were well below freezing and there Whiskeychan, a resident of was approximately 2 feet 10.7 m) of Moosonee, reported an injured snow on the ground. The day prior to ,'seagull" to Ministry of Natural the capture, the last of the Moose Resources officials. Ministry River adjacent to Moosonee had Compliance Specialist Bryan Merritt frozen. The capture location was less attended the location and captured than 200 metres from the River but the then flightless fulmar. The bird would have been one half mile from was taken to the local Ministry office the last open water. The townsite of where positive identification was Moosonee is located approximately 12 made by Doug McRae and District km up the from James 0 0 Biologist John Thompson. Bay lat 51 17'N & 80 39'W).

Figure 1: Northern Fulmar at Moosonee on 30 November 1992. Photo by Doug McRae.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1993 107

The fulmar was euthenized at the multiple birds. All reported sightings district office due to the extremely in the area were recorded weak and emaciated condition of the between 19 October and 15 January. bird. The following data were These include two and three reports recorded from the bird prior to from East Point and Netitishi Point, preparation of the specimen: weight respectively, in 491 gms, wing length 285 rnm, (McRae 1994J. Interestingly, on 8 culmen length 37 mm, tarsus length December 1974, a fulmar was 58 mm, and tail length 113 mm. captured inland from Moosonee in a Other characteristics observed during spruce forest (prevett 1975J. The the necropsy included: absence of conditions appeared to be quite body fat; one leg had a small injury; similar to those under which this and there was a small hole in the fulmar was captured. web of one of the feet. These measurements were taken according to Pettingill (1985). The Literature cited study skin was prepared by Doug McRae, D. 1994. The status of the Northern McRae and the fulmar was Fulmar in Ontario. In prep. Pettingill, O. S. Jr. 1985. Ornithology in subsequently delivered to the Royal Laboratory and Field. Academic Press, Ontario Museum. Orlando. Florida. This fulmar is the 17th reported Prevett, J. P. 1975. Fulmar from southern James in Ontario, although some of the Bay in December. Canadian Field-Naturalist other reported sightings are for 89: 462-463.

Bryan Merritt, Ministry of Natural Resources, Box 190, Moosonee, Ontario POL 1YO.

Leg and Bill Colour of Purple Sandpipers by Ron Pittaway

On both 6 November and 14 wing cqverts (Cramp and Simmons November 1993, Jean Iron and l­ 1983J. Both birds (or perhaps the observed a single Purple Sandpiper same birdJ had fairly bright orange (Calidris maritimaJ on the rock jetty at coloUred legs as well as the base of Whitby harbour, Durham Region. the bill. Ron and Doug Tozer (pers. They were aged as being in first comm. J observed two Purple winter (first basicJ plumage based on Sandpipers at Whitby harbour on 14 the contrasting pale fringes to their November 1993. They also described

VOLUME 11 NUMBER 3 108

the legs and base of the bill as being I watched three Purple Sandpipers at "quite bright orange" in colour. Niagara Falls. Their legs were usually These observations are contrary to covered by water, but showed the colours of the soft parts as yellowish-orange at times. The colour described in most of the literature of the legs was more orange than (Bent 1927, Chandler 1989, Cramp yellow and quite bright. Kevin and Simmons 1983, Godfrey 1986, McLaughlin (pers. comm.) has seen Oberholser 1974, Peterson 1980, and Purple Sandpipers in southern Prater et al. 1977). A typical Ontario a number of times. Most description is found in Hayman et aI. have been in first winter plumage (1986), the standard reference on and-had "yellow-orange" legs. shorebirds, who describe and illustrate the legs and base of the bill The two most accurate examples as "dull yellow often tinged brownish of leg colour in the Purple Sandpiper or greenish". lllustration 202b on are on page 220 in Jonsson (1993), ­ note the bright and decidedly orange p~ate 8~ shows. a first non-breeding coloured legs on the first winter bird; lflrs~ wmter) bIrd. The greenish legs remmd me of a Least Sandpiper and the fairly bright yellowish-orange (CaIidris minutilla), certainly not a legs .on the (first) winter bird on page Purple Sandpiper of this age! 393 m Farrand (1983). No guide adequately describes the brightness of Interestingly, Chris Lemieux the legs, particularly when viewed (pers. comm.) observed 6-8 Purple against a dark background, or states Sandpipers on 11 November 1993 at that the orange leg colour is often Presqu'ile Provincial Park. He visible at considerable distances. Is it observed the birds using a 20x power scope and at a distance on an island. possible that some of the early and inaccurate descriptions, for example, Occasionally he noted a flash of Bent (1927), have been repeated by orange from the legs as the birds subsequent authors? Another moved about on a log. As well, possibility is that considerable age, Lemieux (pers. comm.) had many seasonal, and/or individual variations close views of + 18 Purple Sandpipers over a ten day period on exist in the colour of the soft parts. the Shetland Islands off the north In summary, it appears that the coast of Scotland in late August and rather bright yellowish-orange colour early September 1992. He found their of the legs and base of the bill of leg colour reminiscent of a Ruddy Purple Sandpipers is poorly described Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), being in much of the literature. I encourage more orange and vibrant in colour birders to carefully note the age, and than expected. leg and bill colours of Purple Sandpipers. I would be interested to Previously, Ron Tozer and I have hear of your observations. often observed Purple Sandpipers in November at great distances on the ledge rocks above Niagara Falls. They Acknowledgements resembled European Starlings (Stumus I wish to thank Michel Gosselin, Jean vulgaris) except for the occasional Iron, Chris Lemieux, Kevin flash of their orange coloured legs! McLaughlin, Doug Tozer and Ron On 21 November 1993, Jean Iron and Tozer for information on Purple

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1993 109

Sandpipers. Jean Iron, Chris Lemieux, Godfrey, W. E. 1986. The Birds of . Ron Tozer, and Mike Turner kindly Second Edition. National Museum of Canada, reviewed and commented on the first Ottawa. draft. Hayman, P., J. Marchant and T. Prater. 1986. Shorebirds: An Identification Guide to the Literature cited Waders of the World. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Bent, A. C. 1927. Life Histories of North American Shore Birds. United States National Jonsson, L. 1993. Birds of Europe with North Museum Bulletin 142, Part I, Washington, Africa and the Middle East. Princeton D.C. University Press, New Jersey. Chandler, R. J. 1989. The Facts on File Oberholser, H. C. 1974. The Bird Life of Texas. Field Guide to North Atlantic Shorebirds. Volume I. University of Texas Press, Austin Facts on File, New York and Oxford. and . Cramp, S. and K. E. L. Simmons {eds.}. 1983. Peterson, R. T. 1980. A Field Guide to the Birds. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume Houghton Mufflin Company, Boston. 3, Waders to Gulls. Oxford University Press, Prater, A. J., J. H. Marchant and]. Vuorinen. New York. 1977. Guide to the Identification and Ageing Farrand, J. {ed.}. 1983. The Audubon Society of Holarctic Waders. British Trust for Master Guide to Birding. Volume I: Loons Ornithology Field Guide Seventeen, Beech to Sandpipers. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Grove, Tring, Herts.

Ron Pittaway, Box 619, Minden, Ontario KOM 2KO.

Short-billed Dowitcher Nest Found in Ontario by Gregory J. Soulliere

Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus has remained "hypothetical" (Peck griseus) nest primarily in central and James 1983). Canada, northern , and On 10 June 1992, I found a Short­ southern Alaska (Bull and Farrand billed Dowitcher adult incubating a 1977). In Ontario, their breeding nest in , 20 km west status is poorly documented, but they of the Winisk River and 15 km south are believed to be rare, probably of the coast (55 0 27'N & restricted to the Hudson Bay Lowland 85 0 50'W). The nest was near the (Harris 1987). In 1963, downy young edge of an open fen, which was 200 and fledglings were found near the m wide and between 2 parallel black Winisk River on Hudson Bay (Tuck spruce (Picea mariana) ridges. It was 1968). However, a nest was not on top of a 0.3 m tall sedge hummock recorded and their breeding status surrounded by 0.1 m deep water

VOLUME 11 NUMBER 3 110

intermixed with other hummocks. It tundra/sedge-covered wetland near contained four buffy greenish-brown "the treeline". A number of eggs with brown flecks. The nest interesting sightings were noted by bowl was lined with sedge. I the group, including additional photographed the nest and the adult, dowitchers. Although we found only which calmly remained less than 20 one Short-billed Dowitcher nest, the m from the nest after being flushed. area of potential nesting habitat It app~ red to be the L. g. hendersoni appeared vast. Short-billed subspecies (Jaramillo et aI. 1991). Dowitchers may actually be regular This was the only dowitcher nest breeding species in this transition noted during a rather unique and zone (forest/tundra/sedge meadow), intensive birding venture. From 5-20 but because of the extreme June 1992, I assisted with a "ground remoteness of the Hudson Bay survey" of Canada geese nesting Lowland, nests have gone unreported. within 50 km east and west of the former village of Winisk, Aclmowledgements Ontario (destroyed by icelflood in Doug McRae assisted in bird 19891. Survey participants were identification and John Schneider and transported by helicopter from our Nancy Wilson reviewed the base camp (55 0 15'N & 85 0 OO'WI to manuscript. 30 "lowland forest" and 29 "coastal tundra" survey transects (0.5 x 2.0 kmI that were remote and otherwise Literature cited inaccessible. Coastal transects were Bull, J. andJ. Farrand, Jr. 1977. The Audubon less than 5 km from areas influenced Society Field Guide to North American by Hudson Bay tides, and interior Birds. Chanticleer Press, Inc., New York. Harris,. R. 1987. Short-billed Dowitcher. transects were less than 40 km inland Page 535 in M.D. Cadman, P.F.J. Eagles, from the coast. and F.M. Helleiner (comps.). Atlas of the A 16-person survey crew Breeding Birds of Ontario. University of systematically walked and thoroughly Waterloo Press, Waterloo, Ontario. searched a total of 59 square km of Jaramillo, A., R. Pittaway, and P. Burke. 1991. Hudson Bay Lowland comprising the The identification and migration of breeding 59 transects. In addition to geese, plumaged dowitchers in southern Ontario. Birders Journal 1: 8-25. nearly all members concomitantly Peck, G. K.~ and R. D. James. 1983. Breeding noted unique bird sightings; avid Birds of Qntario: Nidiology and Distribution. birders assisted others with Volume I: Nonpasserines. Life Sciences unfamiliar species. Perhaps 15% of Miscellaneous Publications, Royal Ontario the study area was sparsely treed fen, Museum,'Toronto. similar to the dowitcher nest location. Tuck, L. M. 1968. Dowitcher breeding in An additional 50% of the area Ontario. Ontario Field Biologist 21: 124. searched was open or semi-open

Gregory J. Soulliere, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, Box 798, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1993 111 Hour of laying of the House Finch and the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher by David M. Scott

Introduction It is noteworthy that excellent I observed three nests of House summaries of the nesting biology of Finches. One found in 1991, was birds (e.g., Peck and James 1987) about 3 m above the ground at the tip usually lack information on the hour of an overhanging branch of a 15 of laying of common birds. This m-tall Blue Spruce (Picea pungens). reflects the scarcity of records of Standing on a small portable ladder laying times, a scarcity that results . and using a mirror, I could inspect from the difficulty of recording laying the contents of the nest. The other times and also from the reluctance of two nests, built in 1992 by apparently observers to disturb a laying bird. As the same female, were on a lamp . there is increasing interest in the time bracket about 2 m from the floor of of laying in relation to the time of the porch of my home, and could be copulation (Birkhead and M0ller readily inspected using a mirror. In 1992), it is worthwhile to record each location, I could sit in my car some laying times of some House and watch the comings and goings of Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) and a the female. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila I observed only one nest of the caerulea), two species for which no Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a nest that precise laying times seem to have was supported on a branch close to been reported. I recorded laying the trunk of a hawthorn (Crataegus times for these species at London, sp.), about 2 m above the ground. Ontario. Again, using a mirror and a kitchen step-ladder, I could inspect the nest's Methods. contents. To estimate laying times, I used I relate time of laying to the time Skutch's method (1952). I arose at of sunrise (SR) which I extracted . dawn, well before sunrise, to visit a from Tables of Sunrise, Sunset, and nest before laying had occurred for a Twilight in the supplement to the given day and then observed or American Ephemeris, 1946, published estimated the time at which the by the United States Naval female arrived at the nest to lay. I Observatory, Washington, D.C. All then watched her until she had left times recorded by me are Eastern after laying or I returned periodically Standard Time. until she was no longer on the nest. If the female had not left within about 30 minutes of her arrival, I forced her to leave the nest.

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Results House Finch Nest 1 20 Apr - 0 eggs at 1200h EST; 21 Apr - Egg 1 present at 1000h; 22 Apr - Egg 2 laid at 0555h ± 15 min (SR + 22 ± 15 minI; 23 Apr - Egg 3 laid at 0547h ± 15 min (SR + 16 ± 15 min); 24 Apr - Egg 4 laid at 0615h .± 15 min (SR + 45 ±115 minI; 25 Apr - Egg 5 (last of clutchI laid after 0602h (SR at 0528hl. Nest 2 (probably same female as for nest 31 09 Apr - Egg 1 laid before 0630h (SR at 0554hl; 10 Apr - Egg 2 laid at 0610h ± 18 min (SR + 18 ± 18 minI; 11 Apr - Egg 3 laid at 0620h ± 15 min (SR + 29 ± 15 min); 12 Apr - Egg 4 laid at 0617h ± 10 min (SR + 28 ± 15 minI; 13 Apr - Laying of Egg 5 (last egg of clutchI unobserved. Nest 3 08 Jul - Egg 1 laid at 0544h ± 17 min (SR + 50 ± 17 min); 09 Jul - Egg 2 laid at 0527h ± 17 min (SR + 31 ± 17 min); 10 Jul - Egg 3 laid at 0530h ± 15 min (SR + 35 ± 15 minI; 11 Jul - Laying of Egg 4 (last egg of clutch) unobserved. The nine periods during which eggs were laid ranged in length from 20 min. to 36 min. As females probably spent a few minutes before and after laying (e.g., Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor in Nolan 1978), the mid-points of the periods observed by me must have been close to the actual laying times. Thus, the eggs were laid about midway in the hour following sunrise. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 23 May - 1 egg (presumably the first egg of the clutch) present at 1000h EST; 24 May - Egg 2 laid at 0533h ± 13 min (SR + 39 ± 13 min); 25 May - Egg 3 laid at 0515h ± 15 min (SR + 22 ± 15 minI; 26 May - Empty at 0435h. The mid-points of the observed laying periods, as for the House Finch observations, must have been close to the actual laying hour. Thus, the eggs were also laid close to 0.5 h after sunrise.

Discussion at Sacramento in late April, when the The laying times of House Finches sun rose at about 0515h. Roe (pers. observed by me agree with comm. J observed at Mendenhall, PA, observations reported previously. that Egg 2 was laid on 2 Apr 1992 Bergtold (19131 in Colorado reported between 0645h and 1030h and that layings between 1900h and 0700h Egg 3 was laid before 0630h on 3 and Evenden (19571 reported that Apr; the combined records suggest four eggs were laid before 0730h, the that laying occurred well after sunrise last being laid between 0545h - 0740h which occurred about 0545 h.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1993 113

House Finches seem to lay closer Literature cited to sunrise than does a congeneric Bergtold, W. H. 1913. A study of the House species, the Common Rosefinch Finch. Auk 30: 40-73. (Carpodacus erythrinus), judged by the Birkhead, T. R. and A. P. Moller. 1992. following records. Steinfatt (1937), in Sperm Competition in Birds: Evolutionary what was East Prussia, determined Causes and Consequences. Academic Press, London. that the fourth egg of a five-egg Ellenden, F. G. 1957. Observations on nesting clutch was laid between 0445h and behavior of the House Finch. Condor 59: 0545h on 8 June when sunrise was 112-117. about 0300h. Stjernberg (1979) in Nolan, V., Jr. 1978. The ecology and behavior western Finland found that eggs were of the Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor. laid in June between 0430h and Ornithological Monographs 26: 1-595. 0600h (there, sunrise on 21 June was Peck, G. K. and R. D. James. 1987. Breeding about 0239h). Birds of Ontario: Nidiology and Distribution. My observations on laying times Volume 2. Passerines. Life Sciences of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher are Miscellaneous Publications. Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. apparently the first precise record of Schifferli, L. 1979. Warum legen Singvogel the hour of laying for any member of (Passeresj ihre Eier am fruhen Morgen? the genus Polioptila. Om. Beob. 76: 33-36. Laying soon after sunrise by the Skutch, A. F. 1952. On the hour of laying and two species listed herein is hatching of birds' eggs. Ibis 94: 49-61. characteristic of many other small Steinfatt, O. 1937. Das Brutleben des birds, as pointed out by Skutch (1952) Karmingimpels. Beitr. FortpflBiol. Vogel 13: 210-223. and Schifferli (1979). Stjernberg, T. 1979. Breeding biology and population dynamics of the Scarlet Rosefinch Acknowledgements Carpodacus erythrinus. Acta Zoologica I thank A. M. Roe for his record of Fennica 157: 1-88. laying by a House Finch.

David M. Scott, Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7.

Breeding Habitats of Brewer's Blackbird in Central Ontario by Bill Crins and Steve 0'Doimell

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus range, west of Ontario, it generally cyanocephalus) is a common and selects nesting sites in open scrubby widespread, loosely colonial species woodland, sagebrush, or wet of the prairies and agricultural areas meadows and bushy swamps (Hom of centr:al and western Canada and 1968, Walkinshaw and Zimmerman the U.S.A. In the bulk of its breeding 1961). There is considerable variation

VOLUME 11 NUMBER 3 114

Figure 1: Pair of Brewer's Biackbirds in peatland habitat. Drawing by Christine Kerrigan.

in nest placement. In some areas, By 1950, it had reached Indiana and nests are rarely located more than 3 Michigan. The first nesting record in m above ground, and nests situated Ontario occurred in the Thunder Bay directly on the ground, on dry sites in area in 1945 IAllin and Dear 1947), meadows, on banks above small and it had begun to nest in the Sault creeks, or in dried, recently burned Ste. Marie area by 1953 IBaillie 1953, marshes, are frequent. However, Wood 19551. These early Ontario there are also reports of nests in nesting sites were located in cleared conifer snags and stubs up to 40 m areas with scattered dead trees and high IFurrer 1975, Walkinshaw and along roadsides lined with planted Zimmerman 19611. Furrer 119751 has White Spruce IPicea glaucallAllin shown that, at least in eastern and Dear 1947, Speirs 19541. Washington, no particular nesting site Following the successful type provides an overall advantage, establishment of the species in the with regard to fledging success. Sault Ste. Marie area, there has been Since about 1914, the Brewer's a steady eastward expansion, and Blackbird has been undergoing a small colonies can now be found in range expansion eastward all areas with cleared land between IWalkinshaw and Zimmerman 19611. Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury IDevitt

ONTARIO BIRDS DBCEMBBR 1993 115

1964, pers. obs.). It has also nested at sexes) were extremely agitated, and other scattered locations in central on several occasions, were observed and southwestern Ontario (Devitt carrying caterpillars and other larvae. 1969, Richards and Peck 1968). Adults were also seen flying to and Walkinshaw and Zimmerman from the golf course and an adjacent (1961) noted that Brewer's Blackbird drained beaver meadow. Although will nest in peatlands, at least in the visits to nests were not actually eastern part of its range, although this observed, it was clear that nests habitat preference would generally be containing young were located in the considered more typical of Rusty immediate vicinity. One flightless Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (Flood young was discovered (premature 1987). Gordon 11987) made no fledging) on a wet hummock of small mention of this habitat type for Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Brewer's Blackbird in Ontario. Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), Bog Laurel, and In recent years, Brewer's Sphagnum. The nest was not found, Blackbird has established small but because of the flightless condition colonies in the vicinity of Lake of the young bird, it was probably Nipissing, and southward to somewhere on that, or an adjacent Sundridge and Magnetawan. Several hummock. The surrounding area of these colonies are situated in within the peatland was characterized peatlands (Magnetawan, Powassan, by scattered small Black Spruce and South River), although others are Tamarack (Larix laricina), with located in disturbed habitats such as various ericaceous shrubs, Dense upland cut-overs with windrows Cotton-grass, other sedges, and (Trout Creek), hay fields (Sundridge), grasses. Although the site occupied and rows of conifers (Verner). The by the blackbirds could be considered South River site was in a peatland a bog, most of this peatland would be that had been logged a few years ago, classified as a poor fen. and retains some typical peatland We often have preconceived species, such as Labrador-tea (Ledum notions about the habitat preferences groenlandicum), Dense Cotton-grass of birds. However, the occurrence of (Eriophorum spissum), and Bog Laurel Brewer's Blackbird in peatlands (Kalmia. polifolia I. should serve to reinforce the idea that In June 1992, one of the authors some species are opportunistic, (SOD), as well as Jann Atkinson nesting in various kinds of habitats, (pers. comm.) and several other and are not as stereotyped in their observers, independently noted nesting habitat preferences a~ we Brewer's Blackbird adults in a might expect. peatland, and on an adjacent golf It is noteworthy that in situations course, at Powassan. On 26 May where Brewer's Blackbirds do nest in 1993, sixteen birds were seen, all peatlands, there are usually open along Hwy. 11 and the above­ fields, roadsides, golf courses, and mentioned golf course (SOD). On 8 other open habitats in the immediate June 1993, at least three pairs were vicinity. Perhaps these peatlands present in the same peatland adjacent provide a more constant breeding to the golf course. The adults (both habitat than hayfields and pastures,

VOLUME 11 NUMBER 3 116

Figure 2: Female Brewer's Blackbird foraging on grass. Photo by Don Gunn.

where the probability of disturbance Flood, N. 1987. Rusty Blackbird. Pp. 476-477 in causing nesting failure is much higher Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (due to mowing or grazing and (Cadman, MD., P.F.J. Eagles, and F.M associated trampling). Thus, the Hel/einer, compilers). University of Waterloo peatlands may provide good nesting Press. Waterloo, Ontario. habitat, and the open grasslands and Furrer, R. K. 1975. Breeding success and nest roadsides nearby may provide the site stereotypy in a population of Brewer's Blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus). necessary foraging habitat. Oecologia 20: 339-350. Gordon, A. G. 1987. Brewer's Blackbird. Acknowledgements Pp. 478-479 in Atlas of the Breeding Birds of We thank Ron Tozer and Ron Ontario (Cadman, MD., P.F.J. Eagles, and Pittaway for commenting on this F.M. Hel/einer, compilers). University of Waterloo Press, Waterloo, Ontario. manuscript. Horn, H. S. 1968. The adaptive significance of colonial nesting in the Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus). Ecology 49: Literature cited 682-694. Allin, A. E. and L. S. Dear. 1947. Brewer's Richards, J. M. and G. K. Peck. 1968. Blackbird breeding in Ontario. Wilson Nesting of Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus Bulletin 59: 175-176. cyanocephalusl in Ontario and Durham Baillie, J. L. 1953. Ontario - western New York Counties. Ontario Field Biologist 22: 25-27. region. Audubon Field Notes 7: 306-307. Speirs,]. M. 1954. Brewer's Blackbird nesting Devitt, O. E. 1964. An extension in the breeding at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Bulletin of the range of Brewer's Blackbird in Ontario. Federation of Ontario Naturalists 65: 29. Canadian Field-Naturalist 78: 42-46. Walkinshaw, L. H. and D. A. Zimmennan. Devitt, O. E. 1969. First nesting records of 1961. Range expansion of the Brewer's Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalusl Blackbird in eastern North America. for King Township and Simcoe County, Condor 63: 162-177. Ontario. Ontario Field Biologist 23: 41-42.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1993 117

Wood, D. M. 1955. Nesting of Brewer's Blackbird at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Ontario Field Biologist 9: 23.

Bill Crins, RR I, South Waseosa Road, Huntsville, Ontario POA lKO. Steve O'Donnell, RR 2, Sundridge, Ontario POA lZ0.

Book Review

Birds.of Presqu'ile Provincial Park. 1993. By Steve M. LaForest. The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Brighton. (softcover) XII + 436 pp. illustrated. $21.95 + $3.00 Postage and handling from The Friends of Presqu'ile Park, P.O. Box 1442, Brighton, Ontario KOK IHO. Presqu'ile Park is one of Ontario's account for each species covered premier birding areas. Like all major starts with a brief one-to-three line promontories along the Great Lakes, statement of overall status. it is a migrant trap, bottling up Subsequent treatment then varies. landbird migrants both spring and fall For those birds that are regular in the on the hook-shaped peninsula. park, the author traces their seasonal Offshore ducks congregate, while the status from spring through winter, long beaches provide shorebirds with giving the first and last dates, high some of their best foraging along the counts and any other information of lower Great Lakes. In the breeding interest, including egg dates when season the marshes, deciduous and' available. In the case of Ring-billed evergreen woodlands and old fields Gull, a three page account gives attract a rich array of nesting birds, details of the history of the huge and in winter Snowy Owls sit on the colony, with banding data and ice ridges and winter finches chatter population counts. in the conifers. In all 312 species Rare species are accorded have been recorded here, and 126 similarly thorough coverage. For the have nested. rarest full details of the record are This book is the account of this given, with mouth-watering verbatim rich birdlife. The first published list quotes from the (often dazed) of the birds of the park was by Ron observer! More regular vagrants have Scovell in 1960, and in 1982 Doug all their occurrences listed, while the McRae's Birds ofPresqu'ile appeared. simply unusual have their outside That booklet was 74 pages long; the dates and high counts given. In all present book has 436 pages, an cases any changes in status are indication of both the amount of field discussed, and there are references to work summarized here, and the occurrences in adjacent areas (such as completeness of the treatment. Brighton) where relevant. Seven For those accustomed to regional species are listed separately, in a bird listings, the format of this category of "Unacceptable Records, present book will be familiar. The Extinct Species and Escapees".

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