Vol-XXVII-j jjggg^ Breeding Birds of Central Illinois. 31 



88. Sitta carolinensis. White-breasted Nuthatch. — Common resi- 

 dent. Seen at all times during the year, yet I have found but one nest. 

 This was taken at Lynn Grove April 28, 1901, and contained eight eggs. 

 Troops of six to eight young are commonly seen by latter part of May. 



89. Bseolophus bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — Common resident. Ear- 

 liest nesting, 7 eggs. May 9, 1901; latest, 6 eggs, May 27, 1900. Comes to 

 the village during winter months. 



90. Penthestes atricapillus. Chickadee. — Common resident. Earli- 

 est nesting, G eggs, May 10, 1908; latest, 6 eggs, June 1, 1905. 



91. Polioptila caerulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Common summer 

 resident. Arrives April 19 to 30. Earliest nesting, 3 eggs, May 19, 1905; 

 latest, 5 eggs. May 22, 1906. 



92. Hylocichla mustelina. Wood Thrush. — Common summer resi- 

 dent. Arrives April 24 to May 2. Earliest nesting, 3 eggs, May 18, 1902; 

 latest, 4 eggs, June G, 1909. 



93. Merula migratoria. Robin. — Abundant summer resident. Some- 

 times seen through the winter months. Arrives Feb. 27 to March 4. 

 Earhest nesting, 4 eggs, April 19, 1897; latest, 4 eggs, July 18, 1908. 



94. Sialia sialis. Bluebird. — Common summer resident. Arrives 

 Feb. 28 to March 3. Earliest nesting, 6 eggs, April 23, 1905; latest, 4 eggs. 

 May 2G, 1908. 



Additional Suminer Residents. 



I have evidence of the breeding of the following ten species but have not 

 as yet secured a set of eggs. 



95. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Rare summer resident. On May 6, 

 1909, I found a female swimming in" Salt Fork Creek that would not leave 

 the vicinity. On May 18, 1904, I flushed three females and a male from 

 the Embarras in Bowse's grove. I am confident from the dates that this 

 bird occasionally nests with us. 



96. Porzana Carolina. Sora. — Not rare summer resident. Arrives 

 April 20 to May 1. On June 30, 1909, young Soras were numerous in the 

 Embarras swamp four miles south of the village. Nests here each year 

 but I have been unable to locate the nest. 



97. Porzana jamaicensis. Black Rail. — Rare summer resident. 

 In company with Dr. Jessee I found a nest of this rail in the Embarras 

 swamp, May 30, 1901. The nest was at the edge of the swamp and had a 

 roof, formed by grass stems broken over each other. Two eggs were in the 

 nest; they were cream wliite with small reddish dots covering them sparsely 

 We both examined thoroughly the nest and eggs and left it for a complete 

 set. Unfortunately a cow stepped into this rare home and deprived us of a 

 full record. 



98. Philohela minor. Woodcock. — Rather rare suminer resident. 

 On May 28, 1899, in Salt Fork timber, I flushed an old Woodcock and four 

 young just able to fly. The young I could have easily caught. Since then 



