The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-04
North Dakota
Bird Notes
BY o. A. Stevens, Agricultural
College Secretary, State Au-
dubon Society

uuDoU SoCNty
The crest of the late migration
wave is past, but there are a few
things not yet recorded. The writer
saw the night hawk For the first time
on May %. No other report of them
has been received excepting, one Of
about IA monthealier and this still
is being regarded as doubtful No
report yet for cuckoo, dickcissel or
hummng bird.
The rcdheaded woodpcckcr appear
cd at Fargo on May %. This date is
substantiatcd by the records of two
other persons and by Mr.. Harris of
Kindred Previous years records by
the writer are twice on May % and
once on May 80. Earlier reports
continue to be a mystery.
The secretary has a notion that
warbling vircos arc common, but he
had been confusing their song with
that of the yellow warbler and gold
finch, and being busy with other
matters, neglected to observe closely
enough to record their arrival. They
were reported at Wahpeton on May
., and jamestown May 10.
A number of common birds have
been noted BY only a few observers.
Cat birds were reported at Hope
May 20 and Flaxton May 25: gold
finch at Medora, Darlington. Willis
ton and jamestown May II, 10, %
and 81; yellow warbler at Bowman
and Power May IL and Is; chimney
swift, yellow throat and least fly
catcher (chebec) by one or two per-
SONS only. Mr.. Bruening says this
must be bobolink year, and we
believe they have been more COM
mon than usual. Mr.. Humphrey has
reported the redstart, May 20; also
pileated woodpeck er seen cast of
Moorhead. The pileated is much
larger than our other woodpeckers
and is more strictly confined to the
forested. regions.
Some one has asked, What is the
Audubon Society,"" and perhaps
there are others who would like to
know. 1t is an organization Of peo-
pie who are interested in birds. II
tries to increase interest in bird life,
to increase and extend our knowledge
of birds. and especially to protect
them from unnecessary destruction.
The National Association with head
quarters i'm New York City is one
Of the chief agents in bird protec-
ton. 1t works continually for bet
ter laws and employs a number Of
-wardens to watch some of the inn
portant reservations where nesting
birds are especially in danger from
illegal hunting and other things. The
Educational Leaflets. in which it has
distributed illustrations of and in
formation on over loo birds, have
been one valuable part Of it's work
These are sold at less than cost to
Junior societies organized by school
; teachers.
Nearly every state has an associa-
ton working along the same lines
| to the extent Of their means. The
North Dakota Society at present is
| practically without funds to carry
on anything farther than these ar.
ticles.. 1t has been maintaining {
sustaining membership of $500 pei
year in the National Association. I,
has one set of lantern slides in cir
culatiOn through the Visual Instruc
ton Of the Agricultural College and
has planned to put on another set
whenever funds are available. ,Dona
tions of any amount will be welcom
cd. The present arrangement j:
that $1.OO per year constitutes ;
sustaining membership, $500 pc
year an active membership.