James, Douglas A.

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Journal of the Arkansas Academy of ScienceVolume 14 Article 51960Some Recent Findings Concerning the Avifauna ofArkansasDouglas A. JamesUniversity of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaasPart of the Ornithology Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology CommonsThis article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able toread, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking priorpermission from the publisher or the author.This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academyof Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu, ccmiddle@uark.edu.Recommended CitationJames, Douglas A. (1960) "Some Recent Findings Concerning the Avifauna of Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science:Vol. 14 , Article 5.Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/5SOME RECENT FINDINGS CONCERNINGTHE AVIFAUNA OF ARKANSASDouglas JamesUniversity of ArkansasIBaerg's 1951 edition of "Birds of Arkansas" (1951. Univ.Ark.1c.Exp. Sta.,Bull.no. 258) is the most recent statewide appraiof bird distribution. In 1953, Meanley and Neff (1953. Wilson1., 65:200-201) supplemented this with new data from the Grancirie region. The records which followare some important findingce 1953, plus a few unpublished ones which preceded that dateiannotations that refer to previous status were based primarilyBaerg , supplemented by Wheeler (1924. The Birds of Arkansas.. Bur. Mines. Manufactures and Agriculture) and Howell (1911.S. Dept. Agric, Blol. Sur. ,Bull, no. 38).The specimen catalogue numbers refer to the University of Ar-kansas zoology collection (U.A.Z.). Recently, the important sightrecords have been described in writing on a standardized form dis-tributedby the Arkansas Audubon Society. These documents (A.A.S.are numbered serially and filed with the Society. Whether so docu-mented or not all the sight records are followedby the names of theobservers . The terminology and sequence follows the fifth editionof "The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds."iThe collection and organization of the data used in this studys made possible by funds for research from the College of ArtsISciences at the University of Arkansas, by the sponsorship ofArkansas Audubon Society, and by assistance from Frances C.les. Beginning in 1955, all the Arkansas records have been cat-gued in the files of birdabundance and distribution maintainedth Arkansas Audubon Society.IGavia immer. Common Loon. Only three previous records ex-ad, but it is now regular, though uncommon, at Fayetteville fromrch 21 to May 10, and from October 25 to November 16 (James,W. Beall), and has been observed at Conway on November 18,16 (V.B. Scarlett). A specimen taken atLonoke on April 10, 1956,in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission collection and wa stured in the Arkansas Gazette newspaper on April15, 1956.tPodiceps casplcus .Eared Grebe. Up to nine occurred at Con-r from April 6 to 27, 1956 (W. M. Shepherd). This followed antward movement of wintering populations into Louisiana (New-1. 1956. Audubon Field Notes , 10:256-260). Another was seer3 35) at Lonoke on December 26, 1959 by T. H. Johnston. Theree two previous records .¦ Plegadis . Ibis. The first Arkansas record of this genus occur-at Lonoke on September 16, 1956, and was collected (UAZ 381)8Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 19609SOME RECENT FINDINGSKre the 21st. The species of this immature bird could not be de-nined (Belknap. Observations on the white-faced ibis in Louis-a. La. State Univ., Master's Thesis , p. 73).Olor columblanus . Whistling Swan. The first specimen andthird state record was an Immature bird obtained at Gillett on Janu-ary 23, 1959. The skin is at the Little Rock Natural History MuseumThe sternum and trachea are in the University collection (UAZ 368).A flock of six swans occurred at the Holla Bend National WildlifeRefuge nearRussellville from February 2to March 18 in 1960 (J. M.Dale) .Anser albifrons . White-fronted Goose. Prior to 1955 ,this spe-cies was known only from an Audubon record, and from unpublishecobservations of 500 on October 13, and 800 on the 14th in 1937, atthe Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Manila (S. Crossley) ,and two at Stuttgart on November 19, 1950 (F. T. Carney). FromDecember 28, 1955, to January 27, 1956, an immature bird was seenat the White River National Wildlife Refuge near St. Charles (P. J.Van Huisen) . Single birds were seen at Prairie Grove (James)andInway (W. M. Shepherd) on November 17, 1956. An Adult photo-phed(UAZ 378) nine miles north of Fort Smith remained there fromI-Octoberl956, to April21, 1957 (J. W. Price, J. S. Mulhollan).lock of thirty-four occurred at the Big Lake Refuge on March 28,58 (W. H. Julian). Thirty-nine occurred at the Holla Bend Refugem March 25 to April 7, 1958, and a flock of eight occurred therefrom February 27, 1960 to March 18, 1960 (J. M. Dale). A flock of265 occurred at Fort Smith on March 18, 1960 (R. D. Fox).tCallipepla squamata palllda. Scaled Quail. One was collec-(UAZ 353) by Rollie Rich five miles east of Griffithvilleon Jan-f31,1958, and identified by T.D.Burleigh of the U. S. Nationalseum. Since this sedentary bird was some five hundred milest of its normal range, it probably was introduced even though itwed no external signs of a captive existence.IPorphyrula martinlca. Purple Gallinule. A female with matureLicles was collected (UAZ 328) in a marshy reservoir four milesth of Grady on May 27, 1955 , and another was seen at the samece on M y 31. This species previously was known only fromioke.ICharadrius melodus . Piping Plover. Baerg listed one record.956, one occurred at Lonoke on April15 and September 21 (Ja mes) ,three were observed at Fort Smith on August 21 (B. W. Beall,V. Price). Also at Fort Smith, one was seen on August 8, andon September 5, in 1959 (B. W. Beall, J. W. Price).tArenaria interpres. Ruddy Turnstone. Single birds were seenonoke five times from September 10 to 21,1956 (AAS 43; James,M. Shepherd, V. B. Scarlett, V. G. Springer et al.). Plumageation indicated that at least two birds were present. The onlyious record was from the last century.9Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/510ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCETotanus flavlpes. Lesser Yellowlegs. Winter occurrences o(icommon transient species were unknown previously. Three weren at Horseshoe Lake near Bruins on February 10 and 24, 1952D. Smith, Jr.), and at Lonoke one was seen on January 1, 1954D. Smith, Jr.) ,twowere seen on November 24, 1955 (B. B. Cof-, Jr., L. Coffey, James, F. C. James), and two were seen onsember 24, 1955 (G. Payton) .iErolla alpina. Dunlin. Several were seen at Stuttgart on May1951 (B. Meanley), and one of two birds was collected (UAZ342)e miles southwest of Rogers on November 15, 1957. These werethird and fourth occurrences in the state .Limnodromus . Dowitcher. Baerg listed only one record of thisform, but recently ithas been a regular but uncommon autumn tran-sient at Lonoke. There have been seven records since 1950, be-tween August 20 and October 18. Spring records are from MorriltonConway, Lonoke, and Brinkley. It has occurred at Lonoke in threewinters: Twelve on November 28, 1954 (B. B. Coffey, Jr.); and in1955, six on January 1 (R. D. Smith, Jr., H. Landis , Jr., H. H.Wilcox); five on January 30 (B. B. Coffey, Jr.); two onDecembe24 (R. D. Smith, Jr.); and six on December 26, 1959 (AAS 38; JamesW. M.Shepherd, V. B. Scarlett). These last were called scolopaceusbecause their beaks were longer than the beaks of nearby CommonSnipe (Capella galllnago) . Otherwise, the species was not desig-nated untila specimen (UAZ 358) was taken by W. P. Scarlett onAugust 30, 1958, at Lonoke, and another (UAZ 359) was collectedthere by myself on September 6, 1958. Both were griseus . Threespecimens (UAZ 364, 365, 366) from a flock of fifty-nine near Eng-land on October 12,1958 ,were scolopaceus . The rest of this flockemitted the "keek" sound of the long-billed form.Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. One at Lonoke on September13, 16, 18, and 21, 1956 (James, V.B. Scarlett, V. G. Springer etal.) was the first state record.¦ Limosa haemastlca . Hudsonian Godwit. Two occurred at Op-o on April 29 , 1956 (AAS l). This was the first state record.Recurvirostra americana. American Avocet. Baerg listed threerecords since 1930, one erroneously (Coffey, 1951. Migrant, 22:50-52). Three were seen at Stuttgart on October 13, 1950 (B. Mean-ley); nineteen occurred at Fayetteville on October 14, 1954, ancnine were observed there October 13, 1955 (B. W. Beall); one wascollected (UAZ 361) at Lonoke on September 6, 1958; and two wereseen near England on October 12, 1958 (James, R. D. Fox).Lobipes lobatus . Northern Phalarope. One at Fort Smith onSeptemberl4, 1958 (AAS 19; B. W. Beall) was the first state record.Sterna alblfrons. Least Tern. Itlong has been speculated thatthis species nested in Arkansas, but direct proof was lacking. OnJune 8, 1958, B.W. Beall and R. D.Fox found a colony of six nestson the sand bars of the Arkansas River downstream from the Fort10Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1960I11SOME RECENT FINDINGSSmith-Van Buren bridge. Three eggs were laid before the colony wasInundated after June 21. In1959 , young hatched and probably werefledged in the same colony.Geococcyx californianus . Roadrunner. Baerg found that thisIacies entered the state from the Southwest in the mid-30's, amispread through the western tier of counties north to Crawfordunty by 1950. Since then it has occupied Washington and Bentonunties to the north, and has moved eastward to Chidester in theithern part of the state, and Little Rock in central Arkansas. The:ansas River Valley seems to have been a main route of eastwarcICrotophaga sulclrostris . Groove-billed Ani. Meanleyand Neff53. Wilson Bull., 65:200-201) secured the first record in 1952.isequently, one was killed by a cat (UAZ 329) at Nashville in latemember, 1955 ,and three were seen (AAS 32) at Fort Smith on No-lber 17, 1959, by J. Keller.Nyctea scandiaca . Snowy Owl. A mounted specimen in Mat-thews hardware store at Pine Bluffwas collected near Moscow around1946 by the late Charles Hunter. Another one was collected one mileeast of Guy in mid-November, 1954, by James H. Maudlin of Quit-man. Ihave seen both of these specimens. In the same winter ofMaudlin's record stillanother was seen by Ruth Thomas at Morriltonon January 4, 1955. The only previous record was one reported byAudubon.IAegolius acadicus. Saw-whet Owl. One was found dead by T.Holder on a road near Reydel on November 11, 1959. The onlysr record was an old one which Howell believed was invalid.Colaptes cafer. Red-shafted Flicker. In autumn, winter andspring of 1956-57, single birds were seen in northwestern Arkansasat Fayetteville on October 6, and March 15 (B. W. Beall),at Lowellon February 21,and at Prairie Grove on the 24th (James ,H. H. Dan-iel). T. G. Hoffman saw one at Texarkana on January 8, 1959 (AAS25). The only previous record was dated 1911.IPyrocephalus rubinus . Vermillion Flycatcher. The three previ-records were from scattered localities in southern Arkansas,ently, one or two birds have occurred nearly every winter ation.BSalplnctes obsoletus . Rock Wren. One seen (AAS 17) six milesh of Murfreesboro on May 31, 1958 (B. B. Coffey) was the firste record .Anthus spragueii. Sprague's Pipit. This species apparently isa newcomer to Arkansas occurring in the short sparce grasslands ,primarily airports , which have been produced by man. They havebeen reported from Benton, Farmington, Fort Smith, Hot Springs ,PineBluff,Jonesboro, Wynne, West Helena, Hope, Texarkana, Conway,Lonoke, Carlisle, Stuttgart, Monroe County, Crittenden County,and occurred regularly at some of these places . Two specimens have11Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/512ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCEbeen collected; one at Farmlngton (UAZ 336) on December 25, 1956and one by B. B. Coffey, Jr. , at Carlisle on April 3, 1955. Howelwas justified in questioning the validity of the only previous recordThe behavior and numbers of the birds referred to by Dr. Coues definitely describes splnoletta ,and not the secretive solitude-seekingspragueii. Hunt's speculations on spragueli (1921. Auk, 38:370-381) were invalid for the same reason, plus the unsuitability of theIVlreo griseus . White-eyed Vireo. One was seen (AAS 7) by. and Mrs. H. N. Marvin at Little Rock on December 29, 1957.Ls is the only winter record.IVireo solltarlus. Solitary Vireo. One was collected by A. J.iberg at El Dorado on December 31, 1955. This is the only win-record.tVermivora celata . Orange-crowned Warbler. Single birds wereat Little Rock on December 28, 1957, byW. M. Shepherd (AASat ElDorado on December 31, 1955 (James) and throughout De->er in 1959 (AAS 34), including one specimen collected there by[. Mattocks, Jr. These are the only winter records.IGeothlypis trlchas . Yellowthroat. One occurred at StuttgartFebruary 23, 1954 (B. Meanley) . At Lonoke one was seen on Jan-y 1, 1955 (R. D. Smith, Jr.), two on January 30, 1955 (James,B. Coffey, Jr.), and one on December 26, 1959 (AAS 39; W. M.pherd) . These are the only winter records .neglecta . Western Meadowlark. The status of this:ies has been clarified and it no longer is considered unusual,igularly occurs in winter in small numbers in the northwesterneast-central parts of the state.IPheuctlcus melanocephalus . Black-headed Grosbeak. The firstDrds in Arkansas coincided with a marked eastward movement ofi species in the winter of 1956-57 (Pettingill. 1957. AudubonIdNotes , 11:244-246). Three birds were seen at Little Rock on:ember 28, 1956, by V.G. Springer (AAS 6) ,and another occurrecmghout March, 1957, at El Dorado (AAS 8; A. J. Hoiberg et al.).iwas trapped at El Dorado on February 11,1959 ,by P. M. Mat-ks, Jr. ,and subsequently was photographed (UAZ 369).KAcanthis flammea. Common Redpoll. A male and two femaleserved (AAS 28) by V. G. Springer ten miles north of Stuttgart orember 2, 1959, was the first state record.tPipilo erythrophthalmus . Rufous -sided To whee. Western formsgnized by their "spotted" plumage have been seen at Lowell,Smith, Clarksville, Morrilton, and Little Rock. One was pho-iphed at Little Rock in March 1955 (UAZ 377). There were noious records of this form.IPasserherbulus caudacutus . LeConte's Sparrow. This speciesot as rare as previous records indicated. Recent records sug-that it is common in winter intall-grass old fields. The Lonoke12Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196013SOME RECENT FINDINGSSistmas count often leads the nation in the number of this species,cimens have been collected (UAZ 330, 331) at Calion and PetitiMountain.Junco oreganus . Oregon Junco. Previously there was only onerecord. Recently one was collected (UAZ 367) at Fayetteville onJanuary 22, 1959. Inthe winter of I960, this species was reportedfrom Fayetteville, Little Rock (AAS 41) , and Crittenden County.Calcarlus plctus . Smith's Longspur. Like the Sprague's Pipit,this species has followed man's artificial short-grass "prairies"eastward. Itnow occurs regularly in winter on airports and the likein the Arkansas River Valley and east-central region of the state.Also, it has been found in other regions. One was collected atJonesboro on February 26, 1955 ( B. B. Coffey, Jr.). Baerg listedonly one record.ICalcarius ornatus. Chestnut-collared Longspur. Six observed'ort Smith on December 25, 1953, by E. J. Wilhelm, Jr. , was thet Arkansas record. One was collected there by myself (UAZ 337)a a flock of twenty on December 29, 1956, and three were seenxjnoke on January 26, 1957, by W. M. Shepherd, L. Coffey andB. Coffey, Jr.KPlectrophenax nlvalis. Snow Bunting. A specimen (UAZ 372)ected at Calion by H.H. Shugart and A. P. Parker on November959, was the first state record.13Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/5

Some Recent Findings Concerning the Avifauna of Arkansas

UARK (University of Arkansas )

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science Volume 14 Article 5 1960 Some Recent Findings Concerning the Avifauna of Arkansas Douglas A. James University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas  Part of the Ornithology Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Recommended Citation James, Douglas A. (1960) "Some Recent Findings Concerning the Avifauna of Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 14 , Article 5. Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/5 This article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able to read, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu. SOME RECENT FINDINGS CONCERNINGTHE AVIFAUNA OF ARKANSASDouglas JamesUniversity of ArkansasIBaerg's1951 edition of "Birds of Arkansas" (1951. Univ.Ark.1c.Exp. Sta.,Bull.no. 258) is the most recent statewide appraiof bird distribution. In 1953, Meanley and Neff (1953. Wilson1., 65:200-201) supplemented this with new data from the Grancirie region. The records which followare some important findingce 1953, plus a few unpublished ones which preceded that dateiannotations that refer to previous status were based primarilyBaerg , supplemented by Wheeler (1924. The Birds of Arkansas.. Bur. Mines. Manufactures and Agriculture) and Howell (1911.S. Dept. Agric, Blol. Sur. ,Bull, no. 38).The specimen catalogue numbers refer to the University of Ar-kansas zoology collection (U.A.Z.). Recently, the important sightrecords have been described in writing on a standardized form dis-tributedby the Arkansas Audubon Society. These documents (A.A.S.are numbered serially and filed with the Society. Whether so docu-mented or not all the sight records are followedby the names of theobservers . The terminology and sequence follows the fifth editionof "The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds."iThecollection and organization of the data used in this studys made possible by funds for research from the College of ArtsISciences at the University of Arkansas, by the sponsorship ofArkansas Audubon Society, and by assistance from Frances C.les. Beginning in 1955, all the Arkansas records have been cat-gued in the files of birdabundance and distribution maintainedth Arkansas Audubon Society.IGaviaimmer. Common Loon. Only three previous records ex-ad, but it is now regular, though uncommon, at Fayetteville fromrch 21 to May 10, and from October 25 to November 16 (James,W. Beall), and has been observed at Conway on November 18,16 (V.B. Scarlett). A specimen taken atLonoke on April 10, 1956,in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission collection and wa stured in the Arkansas Gazette newspaper on April15, 1956.tPodicepscasplcus .Eared Grebe. Up to nine occurred at Con-r from April 6 to 27, 1956 (W. M. Shepherd). This followed antward movement of wintering populations into Louisiana (New-1. 1956. Audubon Field Notes , 10:256-260). Another was seer3 35) at Lonoke on December 26, 1959 by T. H. Johnston. Theree two previous records .¦ Plegadis . Ibis. The first Arkansas record of this genus occur-at Lonoke on September 16, 1956, and was collected (UAZ 381)8Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 19609SOME RECENT FINDINGSKre the 21st. The species of this immature bird could not be de-nined (Belknap. Observations on the white-faced ibis in Louis-a. La. State Univ., Master's Thesis , p. 73).Olor columblanus . Whistling Swan. The first specimen andthird state record was an Immature bird obtained at Gillett on Janu-ary 23, 1959. The skin is at the Little Rock Natural History MuseumThe sternum and trachea are in the University collection (UAZ 368).A flock of six swans occurred at the Holla Bend National WildlifeRefuge nearRussellville from February 2to March 18 in 1960 (J. M.Dale) .Anser albifrons . White-fronted Goose. Prior to 1955 ,this spe-cies was known only from an Audubon record, and from unpublishecobservations of 500 on October 13, and 800 on the 14th in 1937, atthe Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Manila (S. Crossley) ,and two at Stuttgart on November 19, 1950 (F. T. Carney). FromDecember 28, 1955, to January 27, 1956, an immature bird was seenat the White River National Wildlife Refuge near St. Charles (P. J.Van Huisen) . Single birds were seen at Prairie Grove (James)andInway(W. M. Shepherd) on November 17, 1956. An Adult photo-phed(UAZ 378) nine miles north of Fort Smith remained there fromI-Octoberl956, to April21, 1957 (J. W. Price, J. S. Mulhollan).lock of thirty-four occurred at the Big Lake Refuge on March 28,58 (W. H. Julian). Thirty-nine occurred at the Holla Bend Refugem March 25 to April 7, 1958, and a flock of eight occurred therefrom February 27, 1960 to March 18, 1960 (J. M. Dale). A flock of265 occurred at Fort Smith on March 18, 1960 (R. D. Fox).tCallipeplasquamata palllda. Scaled Quail. One was collec-(UAZ 353) by Rollie Rich five miles east of Griffithvilleon Jan-f31,1958, and identified by T.D.Burleigh of the U. S. Nationalseum. Since this sedentary bird was some five hundred milest of its normal range, it probably was introduced even though itwed no external signs of a captive existence.IPorphyrulamartinlca. Purple Gallinule. A female with matureLicles was collected (UAZ 328) in a marshy reservoir four milesth of Grady on May 27, 1955 , and another was seen at the samece on M y 31. This species previously was known only fromioke.ICharadriusmelodus . Piping Plover. Baerg listed one record.956, one occurred at Lonoke on April15 and September 21 (Ja mes) ,three were observed at Fort Smith on August 21 (B. W. Beall,V. Price). Also at Fort Smith, one was seen on August 8, andon September 5, in 1959 (B. W. Beall, J. W. Price).tArenariainterpres. Ruddy Turnstone. Single birds were seenonoke five times from September 10 to 21,1956 (AAS 43; James,M. Shepherd, V. B. Scarlett, V. G. Springer et al.). Plumageation indicated that at least two birds were present. The onlyious record was from the last century.9Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/510ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCETotanus flavlpes. Lesser Yellowlegs. Winter occurrences o(icommon transient species were unknown previously. Three weren at Horseshoe Lake near Bruins on February 10 and 24, 1952D. Smith, Jr.), and at Lonoke one was seen on January 1, 1954D. Smith, Jr.) ,twowere seen on November 24, 1955 (B. B. Cof-, Jr., L. Coffey, James, F. C. James), and two were seen onsember 24, 1955 (G. Payton) .iErollaalpina. Dunlin. Several were seen at Stuttgart on May1951 (B. Meanley), and one of two birds was collected (UAZ342)e miles southwest of Rogers on November 15, 1957. These werethird and fourth occurrences in the state .Limnodromus . Dowitcher. Baerg listed only one record of thisform, but recently ithas been a regular but uncommon autumn tran-sient at Lonoke. There have been seven records since 1950, be-tween August 20 and October 18. Spring records are from MorriltonConway, Lonoke, and Brinkley. It has occurred at Lonoke in threewinters: Twelve on November 28, 1954 (B. B. Coffey, Jr.); and in1955, six on January 1 (R. D. Smith, Jr., H. Landis , Jr., H. H.Wilcox); five on January 30 (B. B. Coffey, Jr.); two onDecembe24 (R. D. Smith, Jr.); and six on December 26, 1959 (AAS 38; JamesW. M.Shepherd, V. B. Scarlett). These last were called scolopaceusbecause their beaks were longer than the beaks of nearby CommonSnipe (Capella galllnago) . Otherwise, the species was not desig-nated untila specimen (UAZ 358) was taken by W. P. Scarlett onAugust 30, 1958, at Lonoke, and another (UAZ 359) was collectedthere by myself on September 6, 1958. Both were griseus . Threespecimens (UAZ 364, 365, 366) from a flock of fifty-nine near Eng-land on October 12,1958 ,were scolopaceus . The rest of this flockemitted the "keek" sound of the long-billed form.Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. One at Lonoke on September13, 16, 18, and 21, 1956 (James, V.B. Scarlett, V. G. Springer etal.) was the first state record.¦ Limosa haemastlca . Hudsonian Godwit. Two occurred at Op-o on April 29 , 1956 (AAS l). This was the first state record.Recurvirostra americana. American Avocet. Baerg listed threerecords since 1930, one erroneously (Coffey, 1951. Migrant, 22:50-52). Three were seen at Stuttgart on October 13, 1950 (B. Mean-ley); nineteen occurred at Fayetteville on October 14, 1954, ancnine were observed there October 13, 1955 (B. W. Beall); one wascollected (UAZ 361) at Lonoke on September 6, 1958; and two wereseen near England on October 12, 1958 (James, R. D. Fox).Lobipes lobatus . Northern Phalarope. One at Fort Smith onSeptemberl4, 1958 (AAS 19; B. W. Beall) was the first state record.Sterna alblfrons. Least Tern. Itlong has been speculated thatthis species nested in Arkansas, but direct proof was lacking. OnJune 8, 1958, B.W. Beall and R. D.Fox found a colony of six nestson the sand bars of the Arkansas River downstream from the Fort10Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1960I11SOME RECENT FINDINGSSmith-Van Buren bridge. Three eggs were laid before the colony wasInundated after June 21. In1959 , young hatched and probably werefledged in the same colony.Geococcyx californianus . Roadrunner. Baerg found that thisIaciesentered the state from the Southwest in the mid-30's, amispread through the western tier of counties north to Crawfordunty by 1950. Since then it has occupied Washington and Bentonunties to the north, and has moved eastward to Chidester in theithern part of the state, and Little Rock in central Arkansas. The:ansas River Valley seems to have been a main route of eastwarcICrotophagasulclrostris . Groove-billed Ani. Meanleyand Neff53. Wilson Bull., 65:200-201) secured the first record in 1952.isequently, one was killed by a cat (UAZ 329) at Nashville in latemember, 1955 ,and three were seen (AAS 32) at Fort Smith on No-lber 17, 1959, by J. Keller.Nyctea scandiaca . Snowy Owl. A mounted specimen in Mat-thews hardware store at Pine Bluffwas collected near Moscow around1946 by the late Charles Hunter. Another one was collected one mileeast of Guy in mid-November, 1954, by James H. Maudlin of Quit-man. Ihave seen both of these specimens. In the same winter ofMaudlin's record stillanother was seen by Ruth Thomas at Morriltonon January 4, 1955. The only previous record was one reported byAudubon.IAegolius acadicus. Saw-whet Owl. One was found dead by T.Holder on a road near Reydel on November 11, 1959. The onlysr record was an old one which Howell believed was invalid.Colaptes cafer. Red-shafted Flicker. In autumn, winter andspring of 1956-57, single birds were seen in northwestern Arkansasat Fayetteville on October 6, and March 15 (B. W. Beall),at Lowellon February 21,and at Prairie Grove on the 24th (James ,H. H. Dan-iel). T. G. Hoffman saw one at Texarkana on January 8, 1959 (AAS25). The only previous record was dated 1911.IPyrocephalus rubinus . Vermillion Flycatcher. The three previ-records were from scattered localities in southern Arkansas,ently, one or two birds have occurred nearly every winter ation.BSalplnctes obsoletus . Rock Wren. One seen (AAS 17) six milesh of Murfreesboro on May 31, 1958 (B. B. Coffey) was the firste record .Anthus spragueii. Sprague's Pipit. This species apparently isa newcomer to Arkansas occurring in the short sparce grasslands ,primarily airports , which have been produced by man. They havebeen reported from Benton, Farmington, Fort Smith, Hot Springs ,PineBluff,Jonesboro, Wynne, West Helena, Hope, Texarkana, Conway,Lonoke, Carlisle, Stuttgart, Monroe County, Crittenden County,and occurred regularly at some of these places . Two specimens have11Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/512ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCEbeen collected; one at Farmlngton (UAZ 336) on December 25, 1956and one by B. B. Coffey, Jr. , at Carlisle on April 3, 1955. Howelwas justified in questioning the validity of the only previous recordThe behavior and numbers of the birds referred to by Dr. Coues definitely describes splnoletta ,and not the secretive solitude-seekingspragueii. Hunt's speculations on spragueli (1921. Auk, 38:370-381) were invalid for the same reason, plus the unsuitability of theIVlreogriseus . White-eyed Vireo. One was seen (AAS 7) by. and Mrs. H. N. Marvin at Little Rock on December 29, 1957.Ls is the only winter record.IVireo solltarlus. Solitary Vireo. One was collected by A. J.iberg at El Dorado on December 31, 1955. This is the only win-record.tVermivoracelata . Orange-crowned Warbler. Single birds wereat Little Rock on December 28, 1957, byW. M. Shepherd (AASat ElDorado on December 31, 1955 (James) and throughout De->er in 1959 (AAS 34), including one specimen collected there by[. Mattocks, Jr. These are the only winter records.IGeothlypistrlchas . Yellowthroat. One occurred at StuttgartFebruary 23, 1954 (B. Meanley) . At Lonoke one was seen on Jan-y 1, 1955 (R. D. Smith, Jr.), two on January 30, 1955 (James,B. Coffey, Jr.), and one on December 26, 1959 (AAS 39; W. M.pherd) . These are the only winter records .neglecta . Western Meadowlark. The status of this:ies has been clarified and it no longer is considered unusual,igularly occurs in winter in small numbers in the northwesterneast-central parts of the state.IPheuctlcusmelanocephalus . Black-headed Grosbeak. The firstDrds in Arkansas coincided with a marked eastward movement ofi species in the winter of 1956-57 (Pettingill. 1957. AudubonIdNotes , 11:244-246). Three birds were seen at Little Rock on:ember 28, 1956, by V.G. Springer (AAS 6) ,and another occurrecmghout March, 1957, at El Dorado (AAS 8; A. J. Hoiberg et al.).iwas trapped at El Dorado on February 11,1959 ,by P. M. Mat-ks, Jr. ,and subsequently was photographed (UAZ 369).KAcanthis flammea. Common Redpoll. A male and two femaleserved (AAS 28) by V. G. Springer ten miles north of Stuttgart orember 2, 1959, was the first state record.tPipiloerythrophthalmus . Rufous -sided To whee. Western formsgnized by their"spotted" plumage have been seen at Lowell,Smith, Clarksville, Morrilton, and Little Rock. One was pho-iphed at Little Rock in March 1955 (UAZ 377). There were noious records of this form.IPasserherbulus caudacutus .LeConte's Sparrow. This speciesot as rare as previous records indicated. Recent records sug-that it is common in winter intall-grass old fields. The Lonoke12Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196013SOME RECENT FINDINGSSistmas countoften leads the nation in the number of this species,cimens have been collected (UAZ 330, 331) at Calion and PetitiMountain.Junco oreganus . Oregon Junco. Previously there was only onerecord. Recently one was collected (UAZ 367) at Fayetteville onJanuary 22, 1959. Inthe winter of I960, this species was reportedfrom Fayetteville, Little Rock (AAS 41) , and Crittenden County.Calcarlus plctus . Smith's Longspur. Like the Sprague's Pipit,this species has followed man's artificial short-grass "prairies"eastward. Itnow occurs regularly in winter on airports and the likein the Arkansas River Valley and east-central region of the state.Also, it has been found in other regions. One was collected atJonesboro on February 26, 1955 ( B. B. Coffey, Jr.). Baerg listedonly one record.ICalcariusornatus. Chestnut-collared Longspur. Six observed'ort Smith on December 25, 1953, by E. J. Wilhelm, Jr. , was thet Arkansas record. One was collected there by myself (UAZ 337)a a flock of twenty on December 29, 1956, and three were seenxjnoke on January 26, 1957, by W. M. Shepherd, L. Coffey andB. Coffey, Jr.KPlectrophenax nlvalis. Snow Bunting. A specimen (UAZ 372)ected at Calion by H.H. Shugart and A. P. Parker on November959, was the first state record.13Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 5https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/5

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Some Recent Findings Concerning the Avifauna of Arkansas

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