ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 21 



just beginning bird study; local occurrence's in bird life worthy of note and 

 various informing items. 



Last year the club conducted a series of Spring Bird Walks. This 

 project was somewhat of an innovation, but awakened sufficient interest 

 to repeat the plan this year. 



These walks took place every Saturday and were announced in the 

 local paper. 



All those interested in becoming better acquainted with the birds of 

 their own vicinity were invited to join the walks. Two convenient meet- 

 ing places in different parts of town were arranged and definite time ap- 

 pointed. Here the walkers were met by leaders of experience and in small 

 groups fared forth on their voyages of discovery. 



Checking Up 



It has been suggested that space be set aside in the Bulletin for check- 

 ing up statements commonly made as to the habits and economic status of 

 certain birds. As a beginning in this inquiry and for the purpose of in- 

 viting communications and discussions, our readers are asked to consider 

 the following questions : 



" 'The Loggerhead Shrike' or the 'Butcher Bird' impales its surplus 

 prey on a thorn, sharp twig, or barb of a wire fence." Query: Did you 

 ever see a Shrike do this? What different species of victims have you 

 found thus impaled? 



"The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is so fond of the Colorado potato-beetle 

 that it has earned the name of 'Potato Bug Bird.' " Query: Have you 

 seen Grosbeaks eating Potato Beetles? Did you ever hear it called locally 

 "The Potato Bug Bird?" 



"The chief song of the Prairie Horned Lark is poured forth in the air 

 as it soars aloft, like a Skylark." ("Springing from the ground with rapid 

 fluttering wings, the Skylark rises perpendicularly higher and higher, 'till 

 he is almost lost to sight in the clouds though his song drifts to us in un- 

 affected clearness; then in a spiral curve he slowly descends, the song 

 ceasing as he reaches a spot within a few feet of wmere he rose.") . Query : 

 Have you ever observed this song flight of the Prairie Horned Lark? 



Mr. Jesse L. Smith writes: 



"One morning in May, while driving across country on the way 

 to Ottawa, I saw a Shrike fly out of a wild crab-apple tree along the road- 

 side fence. I searched among the branches and found a mouse impaled 

 on a thorn-like short twig. The mouse had been beheaded and blood was 

 dripping from the body. I had disturbed the Shrike with a fresh victim. 

 I suppose this was the Migrant Shrike which is the common summer resi- 

 dent of Illinois. 



"One January morning, while scouting over Waukegan Flats looking 

 for northern visitors, I found in a bush, a dead American Crossbill hang- 

 ing by its neck from a forked twig. This, I suppose was the work of 

 another northern visitor, — the Northern Shrike. 



"I have only once heard the Horned Lark sing as it soared. This 

 was one fine April morning when I was tramping across a meadow north 

 of Joliet. A bird soared high aloft giving the same song one commonly 

 hears from the stubble morning and evening. As I recall, this particular 



