maps. The symbols (the letters displayed in the QLL blocks) describe the status of the bird species 

 observed in that particular QLL reported for years 1996-2002. The status denotes whether the species 

 recorded for that QLL exhibited behavior indicating "breeding," "indirect evidence of breeding," "no 

 evidence of breeding (transient)," "wintering," or was "obser\ed at least once during the wintering 

 season." The status of bird observations is indicated by a lettered symbol: 



B = direct evidence of breeding 



b = indirect evidence of breeding 



t = no evidence of breeding 



W = overwintering 



w = seen during winter, but not confirmed as overwintering 



The symbol within each quarter-latilong rectangle displays the highest documented status for that 

 species for that quarter-latilong ("B" higher than "b" higher than "t"). Because the wintering season 

 maps are smaller, in order for them to be readable, the data are presented in latilong blocks (where "W" 

 is higher than "vv") rather than quarter-latilongs. 



The lettered symbols and colored blocks are defined as follows: 



Status Symbol Codes and Criteria 



BREEDING SEASON (Februarv 16 to December 14) 



For observations of birds during the breeding season, the letters "B," "b," or "t" are used to indicate 



the birds' breeding status. 



B 



Direct evidence of breeding or " evidence of young ." 



"B" is used to designate direct evidence of breeding. This status requires evidence that 

 young (or eggs) have been produced. 



D 



Breeding is not assumed simply by the presence of adults or behavior. "B" is used only if 

 one or more of the following criteria are met: 



1. Occupied nest - adults entering or lea\'ing nest site in circumstances indicating an 

 occupied nest (includes high nests or nest-holes, the contents of which cannot be 

 seen) or adult incubating or brooding. 



2. Recendy fledged young (of altricial species) incapable of sustained flight, or downy 

 young (of precocial species) restricted to the area by dependence on adults or limited 

 mobilit}'. 



3. Adults attending young - adult carrying food or fecal sac for young, or feeding recendy 

 fledged young. 



4. Used nest or eggshell founci (identification must be convincing for such records to be 

 accepted). 



5. Nest with egg(s) that can be clearly identified. The presence of cowbird eggs or 

 young is confirmation of breeding for both cowbird and liost species. 



Historic quarter-latilong information for "B" (records for sightings prior to 1996) is 

 represented by the dark green background in each QLL block. This represents the highest 

 status reported for this species in this particular QLL. 



NOTE: Records of direct e\idence ("B") of breeding are on/\' accepted when at least one of the five 

 criteria listed above is observed and information to justity* a "B" designation is included in the Comments 

 section. If no supporting information is given, the record will be recorded as a "b," (see following). 



