Preface 



A tentative "Check List" of Illinois birds ap- 

 peared in the Spring 1917 Bulletin of the Illinois 

 Audubon Society and again with certain revisions 

 and additions in the succeeding number. The value 

 of efforts of this sort was so evident that it was de- 

 cided to undertake the preparation of a check list 

 which would recognize as far as possible all authen- 

 ticated data relating to the occurrence of birds in 

 Illinois, and serve as a standard for the recording 

 of bird notes in every portion of the state. The so- 

 called "Comprehensive Check List of the Birds of 

 Illinois" which occupies the greater portion of this 

 booklet is the outcome. It is the work of Benjamin 

 T. Gault, a member of the Board of Directors of 

 the Illinois Audubon Society, and an ornithologist 

 whose peculiar fitness for this task is known to all 

 students of bird migration in the Illinois area. For 

 many years an accurate and discriminating ob- 

 server, he had accumulated private records which 

 have been of the greatest value in the preparation 

 of this list. The project has involved an almost 

 endless amount of work and a great deal of pains- 

 taking research. Mr. Gault's sole compensation 

 for this is to be in the assistance which the Check 

 List will render to observers and students of bird 

 life everywhere in Illinois. 



Elsewhere, Mr. Gault acknowledges his indebted- 

 ness to Mr. Robert Ridgway and others whose con- 

 tributions to the Check List have been of the 

 highest importance, and who have generously co- 

 operated in every possible way. To all these and 

 to Mr. Gault, likewise, the Illinois Audubon Society 

 wishes to extend its thanks and the assurance of 

 deepest appreciation of service rendered. The So- 

 ciety is honored in being permitted to put its im- 

 print on this composite effort. 



For some years the Illinois Audubon Society has 

 furnished schools with a wall chart containing a 



