ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 35 



Notes from Hinsdale 



The winter was not fruitful in the line of rare northern birds, 

 but still we found some interesting things. Redpolls were absent, but 

 some snowflakes were observed, which makes up for their absence. 

 Blue Jays were in isolated pairs here and there, a few always remain 

 in the village. Downy Woodpeckers were common, three pairs re- 

 maining near my place to feed on the suet almost every day. Crows 

 were less frequently seen than in former years. A few Brown 

 Creepers stayed among the pines at the Clarke's at Hinsdale. Tree 

 Sparrows were not seen in big flocks as usual. Once in a while a 

 Hairy Woodpecker, a Junco, a couple of Cardinals or some Gulls would 

 be seen, otherwise the woods were dreary and solemn. A few Song 

 Sparrows, a couple of Robins and a Flicker were seen at Riverside 

 all Winter. Prairie Horned Larks can always be found on the La- 

 Grange Country Club golf grounds and occasionally a Lapland Long- 

 spur. Chickadees were seen in the town proper hardly at all but the 

 woods had a few scattered bands. Screech Owls were found in the 

 town quite commonly. They seem to show themselves more in the 

 early Spring. A pair of Titmice was seen on the 24th of February. 

 There seemed to be a decided northward push in the migration on the 

 last named date when I took a long hike along Salt Creek and west 

 of Fullersburg, which lies in a northwesterly direction from here. 

 About twenty-three varieties were seen, among some of the most 

 noteworthy ones being the first Bluebird, a Robin, about two hun- 

 dred Snowflakes (a wonderful sight) a flock of fifteen Cedar Wax- 

 wings which have wintered at Hinsdale and a lone Bohemian Wax- 

 wing with the flock of Cedar Wax wings. Three hundred and forty- 

 one individual birds not counting the English sparrows were seen 

 on this trip which I consider pretty good for so early in the season. 

 One of the most surprising things which was brought out this last 

 winter was the total absence of White-breasted Nuthatches. 



Some of the first records in the real migration are the following: 

 Robins, March 1 ; Bluebird, March 2 ; Canada Geese, March 2 ; Marsh 

 Hawk, March 2 ; Sparrow Hawk, March 2 ; Bronzed Grackle, March 2 ; 

 Killdeer, March 5 ; Red-winged Blackbird, March 10 ; Meadowlark, 

 March 17; Mourning Dove, March 18; Cowbird, March 18; Fox 

 Sparrow, March 18; White-throated Sparrow, March 18; Golden- 

 crowned Kinglet, March 18; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, March 20; 

 Goldfinch, March 24; Kingfisher, March 24; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 

 March 31 ; Vesper Sparrow, March 31 ; Woodcock, March 31 ; Wilson 

 Snipe, March 31 ; Pectoral Sandpiper, March 31. 



So far the birds are arriving rather early. 



Esther Craigmile, Hinsdale. 



