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A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE 



DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS 



Official Organ of The Audubon Societies 



Vol. XVII 



March— April, 1915 



No. 2 



Bird -Life in Southern Illinois 

 III. Larchmound: A Naturalist's Diary 



By ROBERT RIDQ-WAY 



THE diary for 1913 was, necessarily, started much too late in the season 

 to include the spring migration; in fact, the last species to arrive 

 among the summer residents or transients had come very nearly a 

 month earlier. The record for 19 14, however, extends from the first of the 

 year to the end of November, broken only by short intervals when there was 

 nothing special to note, or pressure of other duties required neglect of obser- 

 vations. 



The Spring of 1914 was by no means an early one, but rather the contrary, 

 and the dates of arrival recorded for several species are much later than usual. 

 Thus the Purple Martin, first observed April 13, usually arrives near the first 

 of the month, often during the last week in March ; and the Barn Swallow and 

 Chimney Swift, first noticed on April 16 and 17, respectively, are normally 

 due at least a week earlier. It is probable, however, that these, as well as other 

 species, really arrived in the vicinity of Olney earlier than the dates when they 

 were first seen at Larchmound. 



1914 



January 2. Light rain, preceded by light 

 snow during night; maximum tempera- 

 ture 39°, dropping to :^s° a-t 10 P-m. 



January 4. California privet, com- 

 mon privet, crimson rambler, carmine 

 pillar, and some other roses, some other 

 shrubs, hepatica, etc., still in green foliage. 

 Neither sun, moon, nor stars have been 

 visible for nearly three weeks! 



January 6. Still overcast, but with 

 signs of clearing (sun appeared in after- 

 noon). Temperature at 7 a.m., 30^°; 

 at 2 P.M., 33°. 



January 7. Maximum temperature 45°; 

 a beautiful, clear, calm day. 



January 8. Maximum temperature 55°; 

 a perfect spring-like day. 



January 9. Temperature at 7.30 a.m., 

 42°, with damp S. W. wind, dropping to 

 38° at 10 A.M. 



January 11. Temperature at 8 a.m., 

 21°; ma.ximum, 33°, but a most beautiful 

 day, thawing slightly in sun. 



January 12. Temperature at 7 a.m., 

 17^°) but bright and clear, with slight 

 wind from North. First Tree Sparrows 



