Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 in East Royalty on Mar. 26 (MW), 5 in Montague Mar. 30 and 31 (fide JW), 15 m + 2 f in Waterside on Apr. 10 (EEC), 5 in Brooklyn on Apr. 10 (WEC).

Pine Grosbeak - 50 at Head of Cardigan in mid February (BP).

Common Redpoll - about 12 in Green Meadows on Mar. 18 (DG).

American Goldfinch - 12 on Mar. 30 and 10 on Apr. 8 in Brooklyn (WEC). Evening Grosbeak - 50-60 in Indian River on Mar. 29 (TC). ‘ MISCELLANEOUS SIGHTINGS

Toe Breakup - occurred on Hillsborough River at Scotchfort on Mar. 23 (GGH).

Seal_- 18 on ice off Lower Montague on Apr. 5 (SM).

Raccoon - 1 seen sunning itself on a barn roof in Springvale on Apr. 15 (GGH). Chipmunk - 2 first seen in Indian River on Mar. 29 (TC).

Weasel - 1 in New Dominion on Apr. 21 (WEC).

Spring Peeper - first heard in Brooklyn on Apr. 17 (WEC).

Honeybee - 2 seen in Springvale on Apr. 20 (GGH).

Thanks to all who contributed to this issue of the newsletter: John Alway (JHA), Lenore Andrew (LA), Roger Andrew (RA), Winifred cairns (WEC), Thelma Clark (TC), Dorothy Curley (DEC), fhilip curley (PVC), Rosemary Curley (PRC), Dude Eckfbrd (DE), Vicki Friesen (VF), Daryl Guignion (DG), Geoff Hogan (GGH), David Holman (DH), Jerry Ivany (JI), Eleanor Lamont (EL), Kimball Lelacheur (KL), Arlene MacGuigan (AAU, Stella MacKean (SM), Evelyn Meader (EM), Bruno Peripoli (BP), Julie Schroeder (JS), Mary Willms (MW), John Wright (JW).

BLUE JAY AS PREDATOR

by Geoff Hogan, Springvale

On March 22, 1984 I witnessed an event that demonstrates that the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is an opportunistic bird, quick to take advantage of an easy meal. As I watched from my kitchen window, a Blue Jay landed behind the house and seized an adult Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) on the ground. There was long grass nearby but very little snow cover. The bird struck the struggling rodent several times about the head; backed off; then repeated the performance. The vole did not appear to defend itself but attempted to escape when released. Within five minutes, after several attacks, the vole seemed to be dead and the Blue Jay began to eat it. Several times the jay attempted to pick up the vole with its beak but it appeared to be too heavy. There were several other Blue Jays visiting a nearby feeding table but none showed interest in the vole. After about twenty-five minutes all of the jays had departed to the nearby woods. Upon examination, it was observed that the Blue Jay had eaten much of the v0le's head but left the body intact. Another vole in similar condition was found in the same area.