M&O Serials QL 671 -G84 THE MONTHLY Volume 20 1 N . • ' • ^^\j/ Llc*HArt/ 1938 SAN FRANCISCO, MAR^ A Junior Audubon at Work and Play In the fail of 1934, an active Junior Audubon Club was organized by the children of the Ross Grammar School, Ross, Marin County, California. Twenty- five children joined this group, and each ensuing year more have become in- terested in the study and protection of bird life until its present membership totals ninety. Membership in a Junior Audubon and interest in birds will grow if a pro- gram that is varied and interesting is offered to young people. A leader of Junior Audubon work realizes that the primary requisite to bird study is the Held trip. There is no better way to lead children to see the value of bird life than by actual observation. With this idea in view, the Ross Juniors are en- couraged to attend a series of bi-monthly field trips. Each field trip, an hour before school, is taken with the purpose of learning to recognize birds by their songs, calls, flight, and special characteristics, as well as to become acquainted with their habits and the important part they play in our every day lives. A number of oaks, two feeding stations and a bath attract birds near the school building and interesting studies are made from classroom windows. As members became acquainted with their new bird friends, evidence of their interest and enthusiasm was manifested in various ways. Note books made an appearance and in these was organized a wealth of material including pictures, drawings, poems, newspaper clippings and stories concerning birds. During the Christmas season, when the spirit of giving to make others happy was uppermost in our hearts, the Ross Juniors did not forget the services ren- dered by their feathered friends. With a unity of purpose the children came to a special meeting with contributions of food. With joyous enthusiasm wreaths were made, decorated with food and placed on shrubs or trees in home gardens. Likewise a birds’ Christmas tree was decorated. The tree was colorful with all its offerings. On it were seeds and bread crumbs wrapped in colorful cellophane and tied to the tree to suggest ornaments. Fruits v/ere halved and wired to the tree. Suet was inserted into old redwood cones and bits of it stning to represent popcorn chains. Pine cones were dipped into a mixture of melted suet and chopped walnuts. A piece of toast, star-like in shape, beamed from the top of the tree. Vials to be filled with sweetened water were attached as a gift to the hummingbirds. And lastly, small lengths of colored yarn and string added the finishing touches of tinsel, these to be distributed in the spring for nesting material. The value of contacts with bird-minded people in the community cannot be over-estimated. Several opportunities presented themselves which were educational and furthered interest. One, a bird banding demonstration by Mrs. Otis H. Smith, furthered an interest in the travel of birds. An excursion to visit Mr. Eric C. Kinsey’s wild birds in captivity at Manor acquainted the children with many familiar as well as new species at close range. A visit to see Mr. — 9 — [ March THE GULL 1938] E. C. Schumaker’s pheasants at the Ross Fire Department and to hear an in- structional talk on the pheasant and state game farms was the object of one of our held trips. Interested parents are kind and generous in aiding our social affairs cli- maxing the activities of the Junior Audubon at the end of the school year. An outdoor breakfast in Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kent's grove of redwoods and an outdoor supper at the barbecue pits near Phoenix Lake have been heartily enjoyed. Other activities included the making of a rustic birdhouse which was oc- cupied a year later by a family of, Titmice; collection of newspaper clippings for the large scrapbook, and the keeping of a variety of interesting material pinned to the Junior Audubon bulletin board in the entrance hall of the school. Each year the coming of a pair of 'Western Flycatchers is expected. For the past three years they have returned to occupy the same nest on a ledge below a classroom window. Interested children quietly look out of the windows and observe much of interest that takes place in the home life of the flycatcher family. Not far distant, in a eucalyptus, the pendent nest of the bush-tits with their young concealed offered a bit of wonderment to youthful observers below. I wondered, too at these feathered creatures who trusted their treasured young so close to us. I like to feel that in us they have found friends who know and understand and through that understanding lead others to enjoy and see the light. Alice M. Bello, Ross Grammar School, Ross, California. Birds Along the Sears-Point Toll Road The Sears-Point Toll Road is in the extreme western part of Solano County on the north shore of San Pablo Bay. The marshland and sloughs on either side of this paved highway are favored during the fall, winter and spring by a great many waterfowl and shore-birds. Certain species remain to nest. A trip to this area was made by the undersigned on January 29, 1938, in order to see what species might be observed. The weather was clear, and the time spent was from 10:30 a. m. to 2 p. m. The species and estimated number of each were: Pied-billed Grebe... . 12 White-tailed Kite 3 Western Gull 250 Pelican (in air) . 3 Marsh Hawk 6 California Gull 100 California Heron . 10 Coot .1000 Bonaparte Gull 50 American Egret . 10 Killdeer 2 Short-eared Owl 1 Black-cr. Night Heron 1 Blk. B. Plover . 500 Tree Swallow 6 American Bittern 1 L. B. Curlew 150 Suisun Marsh Wren 5 White-frt. Goose . 110 Western Willet 300 Pipit 25 Mallard . 20 Least Sandpiper 100 Meadowlark 150 Baldpate . 2 Red-bckd. Sandpiper.. , 200 Brewer Blackbird .... 20 Pintail . 500 L. B. Dowitcher 500 House Pinch 15 Shoveller . 800 Western Sandpiper.. 250 Willow Goldfinch 4 Canvas-back .2000 Marbled Godwit 700 Savannah Sparrow.... 50 Bufflehead . 50 Avocet 300 Song Sparrow 200 Ruddy Duck .1000 Glaucous-winged Gull 12 About half of the Canvas-backs were feeding just offshore in the Bay. The geese were excellently observed; they were loafing on the bank of a pond near the road, flew as we left the car, circled and landed nearby. J. Duncan Graham and Emerson A. Stoner, Benicia, California. February Field Trip: On account of very stormy weather Sunday, February 13 our regular field trip was postponed. For the previous sixteen days we had had — 10 — [March TllK GULL 1938J almost unceasing wind and rain which l)lew down many trees and in places pro- duced Hood conditions. However, in spite of the rain three of our members, Mes- dames A. Raer, Silas Sinton and Miss Selma Werner went by machine to the San Mateo Briilge and for some distance along the Bay Shore Highway where they noted the following species: Western Grebe, Shoveller, Canvas-back, Scaup, American Golden-eye, White-winged and Surf Scoters, Ruddy Duck, Sparrow Hawk, Killdeer, Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Yellow-legs, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls, Pipit, Meadowlark, Red-winged and Brewer Blackbirds, San Francisco Towhee and ilocks of Sandpipers. One member, Master Harold Kirker, went to Burlingame and also listed the following: Anna Hummingbirds 2; Red-shafted Flicker 2; California Jay 2; Barlow Chickadee 10+ ; Plain Titmouse 2; Bush-tit 4; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Audubon Warbler 2; San Francisco Towhee 1; Brown Towhee 2; Junco 3; Nut- tall Sparrow 1. Sunday the 20th was a beautiful day and eleven members met at Burlingame and took the usual walk along Easton Drive, Baileyana, Oakdale and Summit roads. Their list for the day was thirty species as follows: Cooper Hawk 2; Red- tailed Hawk 1; Sparrow Hawk 1; Anna Hummingbird 1; Allen Hummingbird 3; Red-shafted Flicker 2; California Woodpecker 3; Say Phoebe 1; Horned Lark 12+ ; California Jay 2; Barlow Chickadee; Plain Titmouse 4; Bush-tit; Vigors Wren 2; Robin many; Varied Thrush 1; Hermit Thrush 2; Ruby-crowned King- let 1; Pipit; Audubon Warbler; Meadowlark; Purple Pinch 1; House Pinch; Pine Siskin; San Francisco Towhee 1; Brown Towhee 2; Junco; Nuttall Sparrow; Golden-crowned Sparrow 6; Song Sparrow. Members attending were: Messrs, and Mesdames Millard, Stephens; Mes- dames Baer, Courtright, Dorn, Kelly, Mitchell; Miss Cohen; Mr. Power. Returning to San Francisco by the Bayshore Highway we saw a great many shore birds on the marshes, hundreds of Willets and large masses of Sandpipers, a few Yellow-legs, one American Egret and one California Heron. The water was so high it almost completely covered the marsh and the birds were finding it difficult to feed. In the distance were still more shore birds with a large group of gulls which made identification uncertain. Observations Gordon Bolander: in an abandoned quarry at the south end of Castro Street, December 27th, Rock Wren; west side of Twin Peaks, January 25th, Say Phoebe, Lincoln Sparrow; Lake Merced, January 21st, Barn and Burrowing Owls; Feb- ruary 17th, Allen Hummingbird, Tree and Violet-green Swallows. Dead birds found after the recent heavy storm on Thornton Beach: 1 Red-throated Loon; 1 Western Grebe; 3 Pacific Fulmars; 1 Sooty Shearwater; 1 Brown Pelican; 3 Brandt Cormorants; 5 White-winged and 2 Surf Scoters; 1 Sanderling; 5 Glau- cous-winged, 2 Western, 1 Herring and 2 California Gulls; 2 California Murres; 6 Cassin and 3 Rhinoceros Anklets; opposite Fleishhacker Pool, 1 Western Grebe; 1 Brandt Cormorant; 2 Western Gulls; 1 Short-billed Gull; one each Cassin and Rhinoceros Auklets. Mrs. Mary L. Courtright: Larkspur, Februaiy 4th, Allen Hummingbird. Bert Harwell: Yosemite Valley, February 6th, Eared Grebe, Ring-necked Duck and Varied Thrushes, the latter in large numbers for the past three or four weeks. Richard G. Johnson: Mt. Diablo, February 6th, Road-runner. Commander and Mrs. Henry E. Parmenter: Sears Point Toll Road, January 20th, 27 American Egrets, 10 Green-winged Teal, 7 Cinnamon Teal, 35 Buffle- heads, 200± Long-billed Dowitchers, 1500± Avocets; San Mateo Biddge, 21st, 5000+ Lesser Scaup; Dumbarton Bi’idge, 57 American Golden-eyes; Tomales Bay, — 11 — [March THE GULL 1938] 24tli, 1000+ Black Brandt; Sunset Boulevard, San Francisco, February 3rd, 33 Herring Gulls. Joseph J. Webb: Presidio, January 30th and February 6th, Varied Thrush. Miss Selma Werner: South Lake, Golden Gate Park, January 26th, Sora. Mrs. Stephens: Golden Gate Park, February 17th, Allen Hummingbird, 19th, Lawrence Goldfinch; Lake Merced, 26th, Bufflehead and American Golden-eye. Audubon Notes March Meeting: The regular meeting will be held on Thursday evening, the 10th, at 8 o’clock, in room 19, Ferry Building. The speaker will be Dr. E. Wlritney Martin of Stanfoi’d University, whose subject will be “A Year with the Shore-birds — South San Francisco Bay and Pescadero.” Members may bring guests. March Field Trip The March Field Trip will be taken on Sunday, the 13th, to Fairfax, Marin Co. Buy round-trip ticket, 50c, and take 8:15 a. m. Sausalito Ferry. In case of heavy rain, trip will be taken the following Sunday. Bring luncheon. Leader, Mrs. Junea W. Kelly. February Meeting: The 246th regular meeting was held on the 10th, in room 19, Ferry Building, with thirty members and guests present. President Junea W. Kelly presiding. The following new members were elected: Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Fair of Piedmont; Mrs. Dorothy W. Dorn of Berkeley; Mrs. Harlan M. Mitchell, Mrs. Alberta L. O’Connell and Miss Vernabelle Olson of San Francisco. Dr. Ralph W. Chaney, of the Department of Paleontology at the University of California gave an illustrated talk entitled, “Birds in the Trees around the Pacific.” Dr. Chaney explained that because birds’ skeletons are so fragile they seldom become fossils. But given the fossils of leaves, mammals and insects of a certain locality it is possible for the paleontologist to reconstruct the forest and other vegetation that formerly fiourished there, and by comparison with similar living forests today it is logical to conclude that the bird life of the an- cient forest was approximately the same as that of its modern counterpart. Audubon Association of the Pacific Organized January 25, 1917 For the Study and the Protection of Birds President. Mrs. G. Earle Kelly 1311 Grand St., Alameda, Calif. Corresponding Secretary C. B. Lastreto— 260 California St., San Francisco Treasurer Mrs. A. B. Stephens 1695 Filbert St., San Francisco Monthly meeting second Thursday, 8 P. M., Room 19, Ferry Building. Address Bulletin correspondence to Mrs. A. B. Stephens, Editor, 1695 Filbert St., San Francisco. Membership dues, payable January 1st, $3.00 per year. Student memberships, $1.50 per year. Life memberships, $50.00. Members are responsible for dues until written notice of resignation is received by Treasurer. — 12 —