40 Toi br SAA Dee *B ON ob Usa owl 
TO RIGHT THE RECORD 
Two of my April records were confused in Field Notes, Winter-Spring 1973 
issue. Here is the correction: 
Cattle Egret — 1 in breeding plumage (buff chest and back. . . orange- 
pink bill), leg color not noted. 
Small Heron — Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Ill. This bird was seen in a 
drizzle. There is no doubt of the I.D. 
Oregon Junco — 1 with black head with brownish body, Golf, II. 
—Ralph M. Eiseman 
FI ff ft fT 
Summary of a Four Year Bluebird Nesting Project 
In Wayne County for the years 1969 to 1972 
Few birds are held in so deep affection and easy recognition as our Eastern 
Bluebird (Sialia sialis). Called the “harbinger of spring,” is has produced 
tidings of love in verse and song throughout our nation’s history. 
The Bluebird is threatened with extinction unless more bird lovers 
provide its chief essential — suitable nesting boxes. If every bird lover 
would put out a few nesting boxes in appropriate places and properly care 
for them, the Bluebird population could be greatly increased. 
In a Wayne County project, over some 100 acres of open farmland, 
standard (Duncan or Musselman) wooden boxes, built from old or scrap 
lumber, were placed approximately four feet high, facing southeast on 
telephone, electric and steel posts about 40 to 60 rods apart. The nests were 
checked about every two weeks after being put out the first of March to 
the first of April. No perches were placed on the boxes; each had a screw 
fastener or hinged top for easy inspection. 
The main competitors were house sparrows. However the further away 
from buildings, the fewer sparrow nests. Each house sparrow nest was re- 
moved as soon as discovered, care being taken not to leave any nesting 
material near the site. No. 2 competitors were house wrens or Carolina 
wrens. No. 3 wasps (once a wasp builds a nest in a box, Bluebirds do not 
use it). 
Results of project for each year was as follows: 
1969 — 5 boxes — 3 successful broods. 
1970 — 12 boxes — 5 nests with eggs — 3 successful broods. 
1971 — 14 boxes — 9 nests with eggs — 9 successful broods. 
1972 — 14 boxes — 7 nests with eggs — 4 successful broods. 
Note — 1972 had a cold, wet, late spring. Two broods were fledged 
around August 25. These were the latest broods produced in the four year 
study. It might indicate that attempts are made to raise a brood until 
success is attained. Two nests were built over clutches of Bluebird eggs. 
I have no explanation for the cause. 
Bluebirds are observed all winter in our area. From 2 to 14 have been 
observed on Christmas census routes. 
— J. W. Galbreath 
