revisions, and hosting special events such as the Society's picnic. He was 
     
     a regular contributor of sightings and both he and his wife Jean were quite 
     
     receptive to unexpected visitors, avian and naturalist alike. 
     
    

    
     In celebration of Wendell's many contributions and achievements, the 
     
     Society purchased an Honourary Deed from the Island Nature Trust. Although 
     
     small in nature, this deed will commemorate in perpetuity Wendell’s love and 
     
     dedication to both the Island and our Society. Thank you Wendell, we shall 
     
     miss you. 
     
    
   
   
    
     FUTURE VISION - ARBORETUM/NATIVE HERB GARDEN by Barbara Currie 
     
    
   
   
    
     A group of visionaries met on Thursday, April 28th to discuss the 
     
     possibility of developing an arboretum and nature herb garden on the property 
     
     now'being used by the Agriculture Research Station in Charlottetownfl Visions 
     
     of not only an arboretum and nature herb garden but also a scented garden for 
     
     the visually impaired, a wheelchair accessible garden for the physically 
     
     challenged, community gardens, community greenhouse, wetlands, rail trail 
     
     enhancement, a green area for Charlottetown, Parkdale, and Sherwood, 
     
     walkways, demonstration hedgerows, and flower beds were some of the ideas 
     
     that were flying thick and fast. Members of the Natural History Society who 
     
     are interested in the idea and might support it through use, membership, 
     
     and/or volunteer hours are invited to express their interest to the president 
     
     or any other member of the executive. Any ideas about the role the NHS might 
     
     play in the realization of this vision would be well received. 
     
    
   
   
    
     * Agriculture Canada is phasing out its use of this property and 
     
     eventually will carry out most of its work in Harrington. 
     
    
   
   
    
     199d-5 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS SUMMARY by Dan McAskill & 
     
     Ruth Richman 
     
    
   
   
    
     Perhaps the most asked question of the 1994 - 1995 CBCs was "where are 
     
     all the finches?" With the exception of the American Goldfinch in all three 
     
     areas and Evening Grosbeaks in the Montague count area, the finch family 
     
     members were definitely few and far between on the Island counts (look 
     
     towards the end of the listing prOVided below). These low numbers compared 
     
     to those of the last few years certainly demonstrate the finches irruptive 
     
     occurrence pattern. 
     
    

    
     While finches were scarce, Cedar Waxwings (yes, Cedar!) and American 
     
     Robins were abundant on the National Park and Hillsborough counts. Both 
     
     these species were responding to the large crops of false holly and mountain 
     
     ash in these count areas. Why they were scarce in the Montague count area is 
     
     unexplained as this normally balmy area of the Island often records robins 
     
     when the other two areas miss them. Why the Cedar Waxwing was present (it 
     
     normally migrates south late in the fall) and no Bohemian Waxwings were seen 
     
     is also unexplained. While the distinction between Cedar and Bohemian 
     
     Waxwings can sometimes be difficult due to winter lighting, the waxwings were 
     
     very cooperative while gorging on Mountain Ash and the counters had excellent 
     
     views of the yellowish rather than reddish rumps. 
     
    
   
   
    
     - 5 _