The Audubon Societies 



369 



A BIRD-WALK IN CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF 



WALT F. McMAHON. 



A NEW AUDUBON ACTIVITY 



The National Association has established 

 another public educational feature that is 

 welcomed by bird-lovers in New York 

 City. Realizing the great need of local 

 bird-walks, such outings have been ar- 

 ranged, with Walt F. McMahon, of the 

 home oflSce, as leader. Every Saturday 

 morning, weather permitting, the party 

 meets at 8 o'clock at the Band Stand on 

 the Mall in Central Park. For two hours 

 the wooded paths are explored, and the 

 edges of the lakes and the open lawns are 

 examined for migrant bird-life. 



Under the protection of the City Depart- 

 ment of Parks, the birds are remarkably 

 tame and allow intimate inspection by the 

 enthusiastic observers. On one trip an in- 

 teresting game of tag between a Sharp- 

 shinned Hawk and a group of Flickers 

 offered exciting entertainment. A pair of 

 Black-crowned Night Herons, in iminature 

 plumage, was contributed to the check- 

 list by one of the Park workmen who, 



noting the group scanning the tree-tops 

 with bird -glasses, offered the suggestion 

 that there were "some kind of Night- 

 Owls" in a tree near-by. Many interesting 

 little glimpses of wild bird-life have added 

 much pleasure to these excursions. Op- 

 portunities are offered to observe the 

 commoner birds of the region, and there 

 is also that ever-present charm of a bird- 

 walk — the exciting possibility of finding 

 some unexpected species. At the end of 

 the trip check-lists are compared and the 

 leader gives a short informal bird-talk, 

 commenting briefly on the characteristics 

 of the species recorded. 



These outings are public, and all who 

 are interested in bird-study are cordially 

 invited. Those who have attended have 

 expressed their pleasure and, judging by 

 their prompt appearance week after week, 

 this new activity of the National Associa- 

 tion is received with appreciation and 

 approval. 



