Bird-Lore's Fifteenth Christmas Census 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 



THE bird life of our country this winter, as revealed by the Christmas 

 Census, is remarkable chiefly for what it lacks. There are few instances 

 of summer residents' staying exceptionally north, and only the com- 

 monest of winter visitors have come south. Song Sparrows seem more abund- 

 ant and Fox Sparrows are more generally distributed (though usually only one 

 or two to a locality) further north than usual. There is not a Crossbill of either 

 species in the entire Census, Pine Grosbeaks occur in only two localities and 

 Redpolls in three, and Northern Shrikes and even Siskins are rare. Further- 

 more, Black-capped Chickadees and to some extent Tree Sparrows are at least 

 locally scarce Several observers speak of the fewness of birds in general. 



Santa Barbara, California, with io8 species, breaks by five its wonderful 

 record of 191 2. It has no competitors. The great numbers of waterfowl seen 

 there and at Currituck Sound in the East make mighty good reading. 



The number of lists published slightly exceeds that of last year, in spite of 

 the exclusion of many as seeming unrepresentative, especially those showing 

 less than two hours spent in the field and those dated before December 20th 

 or after the 30th. There was a general improvement in the make-up of the 

 reports, and only thirteen of those published had to be entirely rewritten 

 When undated, Christmas Day was assumed. — C. H. R. 



Amprior, Ont. — Dec. 25; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear; 6 in. of snow; wind north, light; 

 temp. — 10° to -(-4°. Canadian Ruffed Grouse, 3; American Crow, i; Purple Finch, 21; 

 Goldfinch, 77; Snow Bunting, 3; Brown Creeper, i; White- breasted Nuthatch, 5; Red- 

 breasted Nuthatch, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 16. Total, 9 species, 130 individuals. — 

 Charles MacNamara and Liguori Gormby. 



Franklin and Reaboro, Ont. — Dec. 23; 6.55 a.m. to 1.15 p.m.; 2.20 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. 

 Clear a.m., overcast p.m.; 7 in. of snow with much drifting; wind northwest, moderately 

 strong; temp. 2° to 8°. Canadian Ruffed Grouse, 10; Hairy Woodpecker, 8; Downy 

 Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 17; Purple Finch, 14; Goldfinch, 13; Pine Siskin, go-f-; Red- 

 poll, 3; Snow Bunting, 75; Song Sparrow, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nut- 

 hatch, 8; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Chickadee, 45. Total, 14 species, 294 individuals. 

 One Great Horned Owl seen on early morning of 24th. Golden-crowned Kinglet in 

 vicinity. — E. W. Calvert. 



London, Ont. (vicinity of). — Dec. 25; 8.30 a.m. to 12 m. Clear, sun very bright; no 

 wind; 15 to 18 in. of snow; temp. 20°. Trip taken on snowshoes. American Merganser, 

 22; American Goldeneye, 2; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 10; Purple Finch, 

 i; Tree Sparrow, 30; Slate-colored Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 3; Brown Creeper, i; 

 White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; Black-capped Chickadee, 5; 

 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 7. Total, 14 species, 105 individuals. Also observed recently 

 Vesper Sparrow (first winter record). Bronzed Crackle, Cardinal (pair). — J. F. Calvert, 

 C. G. Watson and E. M. S. Dale. 



Millbrook, Ont. — Dec. 25; 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Clear; foot of snow; wind north, 

 light; temp. zero. Ruffed Grouse, 2; Blue Jay, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy 

 Woodpecker, 2; Redpoll, 30; Snow Bunting, 300; Chickadee, 10. Total, 7 species, 348 

 individuals. — Sam Hunter. 



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