golden-crowned kinglet. In 1904 and 
1905 flocks of 25 to 30 were reported, 
specimens were collected, and spectac¬ 
ular migrations were noted (14 ,15,22). 
The species was recorded again in May 
1930, May 1937, and on several occa¬ 
sions in May and June during the 1940's 
and early 1950's (29,30,35,36). Gilbert 
concluded that the species was a rare 
summer resident ( 30) . During the early 
1960's Shelton heard singing males in 
late spring and early summer, especially 
in the spruce-fir-birch forests (39). 
MOTACILLIDAE (Pipits) 
127. Water Pipit ( Anthus spinoletta 
(Linnaeus)) 
The water pipit is a rare migrant, 
although flocks of 100 and 200 were 
reported in 1904 and 1905 (14, 15 ). 
Preferred habitats are the lake shores 
and beaches and the small clearings. 
Single birds or small groups were ob¬ 
served again in 1937 (21) , and by 
Shelton in the fall of 1961 and the 
spring and fall of 1962 (39). 
BOMBYCILLIDAE (Waxwings) 
**128. Cedar Waxwing ( Bombycilla 
cedrorum Vieillot) 
The cedar waxwing is a common 
summer resident, possibly more abun¬ 
dant during migrations. Both nests 
and young have been reported on 
numerous occasions (30). Preferred 
habitats include lake shores and 
beaches, the aspen-birch-conifer type, 
the swamp forest type, and the clear¬ 
ings and partial clearings. In 1904 
and 1905, the species was abundant at 
Washington Harbor and Rock Harbor, 
nests were common, and young birds 
were found (14,15,22). A single speci¬ 
men was noted in 1930, and a flock of 
20 or more was recorded in 1938 (21). 
During the 1940's the species was ob¬ 
served on numerous occasions during 
the summer months, and nests were quite 
common (27,30). In May 1950, five were 
noted on Houghton Point (35). During 
the early 1960's Shelton found it to 
be a fairly common summer resident 
(39). Four were seen at Windigo on 
August 9, 1963 (34). 
LANIIDAE (Shrikes) 
129. Northern Shrike ( Lanius 
excubitor (Linnaeus)) 
The northern shrike is an un¬ 
common migrant and a winter visitor. 
Preferred habitats include the clear¬ 
ings and partial clearings and the 
aspen-birch-conifer type. Between the 
falls of 1890 and 1892, this shrike 
was a winter resident at Windigo and 
migrant from the north (17). Single 
birds were noted at the same location 
in 1905, and one was eating a song¬ 
bird (14,15). Gilbert (30^) concluded 
that the northern shrike was common 
during migration. On December 15,1944, 
he sighted a single bird following a 
flock of robins. Shelton saw a shrike 
chase a flock of rusty blackbirds at 
the McCargo Cove Campground, October 
10, 1962. On March 1,1963, he saw a 
single bird at Windigo ( 39) . 
130. Loggerhead Shrike ( Lanius 
ludovicianus Linnaeus) 
This shrike apparently visits 
Isle Royale only on rare occasions, 
as there has been but one sight record 
One individual was observed in a clear 
ing at Windigo on August 23,1905 (14). 
STURNIDAE (Starlings) 
**131. Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris 
Linnaeus) 
This exotic species apparently 
did not reach the island until the 
early 1940's. At present the starling 
is an uncommon summer resident. It 
has been sighted most often around 
beaver ponds and streams, the 1936 
burn area, and the clearings and par¬ 
tial clearings. Apparently the burn 
area offers the most suitable habitat, 
because it not only has a good supply 
of dead trees for nesting but also 
has flickers that make the nesting 
42 
