NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

CENSUS OF CHRISTMAS BIRDS

Under a clear sky and with the temperature at 8° above zero a little party, consisting of Dr. A. E. Brower of Bar Harbor, Mr. Vernon Lunt of Indian Point, and myself, began our census of Christmas birds. Our plans, like the plans of so many other groups of bird enthusiasts who were compiling similar records for Bird Lore Magazine's 1933 Christmas census, were to spend the daylight hours in the field and, keeping within a prescribed area, list the species and numbers of birds observed. The area in which we worked lies within the eastern half of Mount Desert Island and includes various sections of Acadia National Park.

Snow covered the ground to an average depth of 10 inches and a light wind was blowing from the northwest. The highest temperature reading for the day was 20°.

Twenty-four species numbering 446 individuals were observed. Most outstanding of these, and the ones which gave us the greatest thrill, were American Crossbills and a lone female Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. The former were seen with the more common White-winged Crossbills feeding in the spired cone-laden crowns of the tall-growing red spruces which stand on the grounds of the Jackson Memorial Laboratory. The Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, working low on a large dead balsam fir, permitted me to approach within five feet before moving up the trunk. While all three of us were watching the bird, a Ruffed Grouse alighted upon a nearby tree in the snowy woods, but upon catching sight of us hurried away, sending the snow which lined the branches flying.

The birds seen in the course of the day were as follows:

- Arthur Stupka