the writer wishes to express his appreciation and 

 thanks to each of the following persons : R. Magoon 

 Barnes, Henry K. Coale, Ruthven Deane, C. W. 

 G. Eifrig, Chreswell J. Hunt, Orpheus M. Schantz, 

 George P. Lewis, Nathan Leopold, Jr., Frederic H. 

 Pattee, Colin C. Sanborn, Jesse L. Smith, Herbert 

 L. Stoddard, Harry S. Swarth, and Otto Widmann. 



In addition to the foregoing, special reference 

 should be made to the four following names : 

 Edward R. Ford, who has contributed the nesting 

 and breeding records for the northern part of the 

 state, chiefly that portion known as the "Chicago 

 Area," a careful observer and a specialist in his line ; 

 Isaac E. Hess, a conscientious ornithologist who 

 has done exceedingly good work in the Champaign 

 County district in the central part of the state, and 

 has supplied, on this occasion, the breeding data for 

 that portion of the county within a ten-mile radius 

 of his home in Philo ; C. B. Vandercook, a bird- 

 student of long years' standing who, likewise, has 

 rendered a similar service for the Marion, and a 

 portion of the Clinton County, district of Southern 

 Illinois ; and, finally, our good friend, the veteran 

 ornithologist, Robert Ridgway, who, independent of 

 his other achievements, which have given him an in- 

 ternational reputation, is regarded as the leading 

 authority on the birds of this state. These gentle- 

 men have very generously contributed the specific 

 information relating to the birds of their respective 

 districts, and to them are especially due the thanks 

 of the writer and of the Illinois Audubon Society. 



BENJAMIN T. GAULT. 



