16 THE AUDUBON SB UE 
before their second year after banding, five lived two years but less than 
three years, one died after three years, one after four years, one after five 
years, and one after six years, while the oldest one was shot just a few 
days ago when he was at least eight years old. 
The Baltimore oriole has not provided as many recoveries or returns as 
the blue jay, but we do have some information on 21 of them. Three of 
these were recovered; two in their second year, and one in his third year. 
The minimum ages of the 18 returning to our traps were: 10 at least two, 
two at least three, five at least four, and one at least six years old. 
There are records of cardinals living to be nine, ten, or even older, but 
the oldest cardinal in our records is one that was at least five years old 
when last captured. 
The robin has not produced many recovery cards, only four being in 
our files. The oldest one was at least three years old when killed. Twenty- 
eight returns to our traps produced six birds past three, one past four, 
and one past six years of age. 
Perhaps the starling is the most persecuted of all our passerine birds 
and, no doubt, most of them die at an early age. However, a few birds 
of this species live to chase many a woodpecker from his nesting hole. In 
cooperation with Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Flentge, formerly of Des Plaines, 
Ill., we have banded several thousand starlings. From our half of these 
birds we have received 142 recovery cards. These show that 61 of the 142 
(almost 43 per cent) were dead in less than one year after banding. Forty 
(about 28 per cent) lived less than two years. Twelve (about 8 per cent) 
survived almost four years, while one passed four years, two passed five 
years, and one individual was over eight. 
These are only a part of our records, but if all of them were included 
the number would be pitifully small considering that we have banded 
thousands of birds. Much has been learned through the banding method 
of bird study, but our knowledge could be increased even more if we could 
get a larger number of recovered bands. You can help in this study by 
examining dead birds for bands and sending any you find to the Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Laurel, Md. Use scotch 
tape to fasten the flattened band to your letter, and give your name and 
address together with any information you have about the bird wearing 
the band. Tell When, Where, How. You will receive a letter telling you 
when, where, and by whom the bird was banded, and you will have the 
undying gratitude of the bander. 
fi ff ft 
Blue Grosbeak Moving North? 
Dick Orr reports finding blue grosbeaks along the Sangamon river near 
Springfield. The editor found one much farther south in Illinois last 
summer and thought he was on the northern limit of their range then 
according to information in the bird books. Does anyone else have records 
of blue grosbeaks in the state? Is this bird extending its range northward 
as is its relative, the cardinal? 
