American redstart House sparrow

Bobolink

Red-winged blackbird Rusty blackbird

Common grackle Brown-headed cowbird Rose-breasted grosbeak Purple finch

Pine siskin

American goldfinch Savannah sparrow Northern Junco Chipping sparrow White-throated sparrow Song-sparrow

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Sightings for the MBBA included a Kildeer doing a distraction display at Harmony Junction, nesting Yellow-bellied sapsuckers'in the Town- shend Woodlot, Souris Line Road, and a nest— building Evening grosbeak in the Valleyfield . demonstration Woodlot. Meanwhile, in Mischouche, Diane and Kevin Griffin were able to "confirm" seven nesting species in 3 hours, finding nests of Flicker, Chipping sparrow, Robin, Starling, and House sparrow and observing nest—building by a Crow and a Blackburnian warbler.

The low daily total reflects the absence of most raptors, a slow return of flycatchers and poor luck with seeing usual goodies such as Mourning doves, Scoters and Eiders, and the more unusual shorebirds, woodpeckers, warblers and sparrows. Nevertheless, the day was a good ex- cuse to explore the countryside and refresh memories of bird songs.. ‘

Participants were: Kathy Crockett, Rosemary Curley, Diane and Kevin Griffin, Geoff Hogan, Winston Johnston, Norah Longworth, Gerald Mac- Donald, Joyce MacLeod, Margaret Mallett, Arlene and Paul McGuigan and Sylvia Sterns.

Legends surround wild carroiL

BY BRUCE MacLAREN .

The Wild Carrot (Daucus Carota), also known as Queen Anne's Lace, is by no means an endangered species! However it is a plant of some interest and perhaps it will be possible to present some of its more interesting features. Fifty or more years ago it was confined largley to the New Glasgow and Rustico areas of P.E.I. Since that time it has spread through— out the province and can be found on just about every roadside. It is also

spreading into cultivated land and, at some time in the future, is almost sure to be a difficult weed.

First let us consider its origin. One write de—

finitely states that it originated in Afghanistan. Other writers are a bit less precise, but it seems likely that the plant was first found in the Middle East. From there it found its way across Europe and eventually to England. From there it was a simple matter to get to North America. Apparently there is a record of it being grown in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1609. v

The flower of Wild Carrot is in large clusters with up to 500 or more individual florets in a sin— gle cluster. The shape of the flower clusters re- semble a lace pattern, hence the name Queen Anne's Lace. Very often, particularly in the larger'clust— ers, a single floret will be found in the centre coloured red or purple. At one time these florets were believed to be poisonous; later it was thought to be a cure for epilepsy. A more romantic legend has it that Queen Anne, while crocheting, pricked

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