CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS 
How TO MA KK A CHRISTMAS BIRD CHXSl'S 
Bv MYRLE L. JONES 
History, Christinas bird censuses have proved popular with bird 
Students in all parts of the United States, and recent numbers of 
'Bird-Lore' ( first to use the idea) even include lists from Hawaii and 
other countries. 
Enviable records on Iowa birds have been compiled by Fred J. Pierce, 
who for more than 20 years has taken a Christmas bird census in north- 
east Iowa. During this time he observed 4 0 species. The greatest 
number of species for any census was 24 in 1020; the least, 7 species 
In 1921.* 
Why, To the regular readers of the Towa Bird Life' it is super- 
fluous to explain why anyone should compile a mid-winter bird list, 
but for the newer members it might be well to explain that such lists 
compiled in many localities year after year will provide much destr- 
ble scientific information. 
Not only do many people attach scientific value to the census but it 
serves as a safety valve. What fishing or duck hunting is to some, the 
Christmas bird census is to others. Make it a game, but remember 
that even games are regulated by rules. If the rules are followed, the 
census will be scientific as well as providing the finest type of recreation. 
How, Such a field trip should be well organized. If you are not 
familiar with the territory, invite a hunter friend or an older boy scout. 
They can help you and you can expose them to the hard-biting bird 
bug. It is much better If the territory can be carefully inspected at 
frequent intervals before the climax “bird hunt”, for" one will not 
wish to waste time on this trip. Many bird students are reasonably 
sure that they will find Cardinals in this thicket or an owl in that be- 
cause they have gone over the field many times. Many of our bird 
friends whom we chose to call permanent and winter residents range 
over but a few acres throughout the winter season. Thus, it is but a 
matter of learning their “street and number”, then calling on all your 
friends in that district on the census day. 
You will, of course, want to include all sorts of habitat from prairie 
roadsides and hilltops to marshlands, rivers, and lakes, if possible. 
Not infrequently someone thinks that with an early start in the morn- 
ng the trip should end at noon. Hardly! If you cant hike as you 
could some years back, do part of your birding from an auto. Not until 
dark should the hike end, and even then owls will often be missed if 
one does not listen for them quite late in the evening. 
Personal comfort. Such a trip need not involve great hardships and 
personal discomfort. On the contrary, it should be an event to look 
forward to from one season to the next. It often hanpens, however 
at someone does not dress warmly enough, and cold hands or fee" 
draw all interest from the purpose of the hike. The inner man, too. 
must be satisfied, and the hour out for lunch will often be one of the 
nriost profitable hours of the day. It should not be difficult to find some 
sheltered nook, start a fire and warm up both internally and externally 
while both eye and ear remain alert to bird activity of the neighborhood. 
The writer has many times enjoyed such a mid-winter "picnic”— not 
so much for what it does for the inner man or what it adds to the bird 
ls ~ because it brings closer together friends with a common interest. 
Technique. Just as you can identify a dog by his bark or a train 
by its whistle, so you can depend upon the ear to help identify your 
birds. But here the matter is not quite so simple. Some of the wood- 
nec ker cal l s are easily confused by the amateur bird student, and even 
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