ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 43 



RANTOUL: This report covers the period of the spring migratory season up to, and on, 

 April 2, 1916. The weather has been very unfavorable for birds, because of the small number 

 of fair days and the frequency of cold rains, which is ever a cause for tardiness in arrival of 

 the birds. 



1. Robin, arrived February 22, in very small numbers, increasing on March 6, when the full 

 volume of migration began, but is now falling. Earliest date of arrival February 6; latest March 5. 



2. Bluebird, arrived February 22, migration now decreasing. Earliest date February 13; latest 

 March 18\ 



3. Hermit Thrush, arrived April 1; much earlier than ordinary; former earliest date, April 6; 

 latest April 24; six were seen on April 1 in one flock. 



4. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, March 31; earliest date of arrival March 20; latest date of arrival 

 April 12. 



5. Golden-crowned Kinglet, March 27; earliest date of arrival February 13; latest April 5; 

 height of migration is now present. 



6. Chickadee. Several chickadees have been steady and contented winter residents the past 

 winter. First winter record in the past few years. Earliest February 21 ; latest March 20. 



7. Winter Wren. But one record so far this record, on February 14. Further records are 

 expected during the first of April, according to former years. Earliest February 21 ; latest April 19. 



8. Bewick's Wren. March 21; earliest March 6; latest April 6; record is quite usual, though. 



9. Brown Thrasher, March 31; March 12 is the earliest date of arrival; latest April 13. Mi- 

 gration is thus but beginning. 



10. Migrant Shrike, March 8; full tide of migration from March 22 to March 25. Earliest 

 date, February 28, 1910; latest March 24. 



11. Cardinal. Permanent resident in this region. 



12. Towhee. March 21 was the first record of this year, and it was a cheery one at that. 

 No more records were observed till April 1. The bulk of the migration is now due. Earliest 

 date February 20; latest April 19. 



13. Fox Sparrow. March 31. Full migration is now in force. Earliest date March 5; latest 

 March 28. This year's record is extremely late; in 1913 they were even a winter resident. 



14. Swamp Sparrow. March 21. Earliest date of arrival March 5; latest April 3. 



15. Song Sparrow. Permanent resident. 



16. Junco. Though a regular winter resident, the migrations of those which winter further 

 south is now at the high tide. 



17. Field Sparrow. March 21. Migration at its height. Earliest March 3; April 6 is the 

 latest. 



18. Tree Sparrow. Winter resident. No movement has yet been observed. 



19. Lapland Longspur. Winter resident. Apparently all residents to have moved north. 



20. Vesper Sparrow. March 7. Full migration started on March 31. Earliest date March 3; 

 latest April 12. 



21. Bronzed Grackle. February 20. Full migration started about March 12 and is now 

 ebbing. Earliest date February 11; latest March 17. 



22. Meadowlark. March 7; full tide of migration dated from March 10 to March 25. Prac- 

 tically no further movements will be recorded. Earliest January 30; latest March 17. 



23. Red-winged Blackbird. February 20. Migration is still going on. Earliest date February 

 18; latest date of arrival March 18. 



24. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. April 1. Earliest date of arrival March 29; latest April 9. One 

 of the migrants noted for appearing on almost regular time. 



25. Kildeer. February 22. Heavy migration started March 19 and ended March 25, in one 

 wave, and another wave which started March 29 is now in progress. Earliest date February 16; 

 latest March 14. 



26. Golden Plover. April 2. Migration started, earliest date March 30; latest May 1. 

 Other birds which are permanent residents, but which seem still to have waves of migrations 



are (27) Crow, (28) Flicker, (29) Blue Jay, (30) Prairie Horned Lark, (31) Downy Woodpecker, 

 (32) Mourning Dove, (33) Red-tailed Hawk, (34) Sparrow Hawk, all of these birds seem to have 

 finished their final wave of migrations. 



Another group, those which are permanent residents with no apparent migratory character- 

 istics, include (35) Bobwhite, (36) Prairie Hen, (37) Screech Owl, (38) Cooper's Hawk. 



There are a few occasional records of peculiar import and classification is difficult for these. 

 These are, for this season, (39) Great Horned Owl on March 31 and (40) Brant on March 10. 



Very few wild ducks and no wild geese have been observed. In former years there has 

 never been such a dearth of these, though they are never by any means plentiful. Practically 

 all birds which have been recorded in these recent years before this time have been recorded this 



