ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 41 



Mr. Schroder reported seeing about 300 Double-crested Cor- 

 morants, October 1, several Harris Sparrows, October 16, some 

 Purple Finches during the week of October 9, and thousands of 

 w r ater fowl (species unknown) on October 7. 



I have not yet observed the water birds on the Mississippi 

 River this fall, but heard much shooting there Sunday, November 

 13. There are a good many ducks on Rock River Bottom this fall, 

 and one hunter reported killing nine Wilson's Snipes on Novem- 

 ber 6. 



Acorns were plentiful this fall, and during September there 

 were thousands of Redheaded Woodpeckers in the woods, and 

 there are many of them staying here at present. The first 

 snowstorm for this fall came on the night of November 10, and 

 the fall migration seems to be over. The last Bluebird was heard 

 November 11, and some Blackbirds November 13." 



River Forest 



From the vicinity of the Cook County Forest Preserve comes 

 Miss Esther A. Craigmile's interesting report: 



Did you ever take a bird census on Christmas or New Year's 

 Day? A sweep through the snow near Riverside along the 

 Desplaines and the scouring of the woods and fields near Hins- 

 dale usually results in a list of ten or twelve species during 

 the day. Winter feeding of birds in the Cook County Forest 

 Preserve makes the taking of a bird census a comparatively 

 easy process. Feeding stations have been established in var- 

 ious sections of the preserves, usually remote from buildings, 

 so that the English Sparrow factor is eliminated. Generous ra- 

 tions of corn are supplied for the Ring-necked Pheasants, millet 

 seed for the desirable Sparrows, sunflower seed for the Chicka- 

 dees, and suet for Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, and Nut- 

 hatches. 



An hour's walk just after sunrise is a delight. Flocks of 

 contented Chickadees and Titmice declare their enjoyment 

 of their breakfast with notes of gratitude. They peer at you 

 fearlessly as you approach them. The suet counter is a popular 

 place, where various birds await their turns and chirp with 

 eager anticipation or with discontent at the greedy fellow who 

 usurps more than his share of time, for only one bird feeds at 

 a time. Numerous Cardinals and from twenty-five to one hun- 

 dred Tree Sparrows and perhaps twenty-five Juncos frequent 

 .the millet quarters. Some Song Sparrows and one Fox Spar- 

 row were often seen last winter. After light refreshments of 

 millet they scour the Forest Preserve and adjoining territory 

 for weed seed. 



The crowing of the Cock Pheasants causes great consterna- 

 tion among the Crow family. The jargon of the Blue jays and 

 the twitter of Tufted Titmice are heard far and near. Cardinal 

 favors us with a number. One morning a busy flock of Red- 



