24 DHE AUDUBON BOUL TU Eis 
since then, the number of individuals seen that day are given to represent 
the present population. 
Ducks and Geese and other waterbirds. Very scarce. 
Bob-white. Evidently had a successful breeding season and are as 
numerous as I have ever seen them this time of year. I have heard 
several comments from farmers and hunters on their abundance. Decem- 
ber 22, I saw nine covies totaling 127 birds and tracks of many others. 
The birds appeared somewhat weakened by lack of food due to the snow, 
but I do not think they were in any danger of actual starvation. 
Prairie Chicken. I believe these birds to be extinct in this part of the 
state. I think the shooting season on them should be closed, at least in 
those counties where they are rare or non-existent. 
Ring-necked Pheasant. Our farm consists of about 160 acres of 
original prairie land and 600 acres of mostly cleared timberland bordering 
the Sangamon River. Although all our pheasants were released near the 
center of the timberland, more have been seen on the 160 acres of prairie 
land than all the rest of the farm. On the prairie land they seem barely 
able to hold their own in numbers, on timberland they cannot. Pheasants 
also show a preference for river bottom land. As far as I can see they are 
entirely desirable. 
Mourning Dove. Probably suffered more than any other species from 
the blizzard on the 18th. The following day two were picked up in open 
sheds too weak and cold to fly. Both recovered and were released. Since 
then a flock of 7 have been seen feeding with the hogs. 
Marsh Hawk. Occasionally seen. Dec. 24, 1; Dec. 27, I. 
Goshawk. Probably the same individual was seen Dec. 29 and 30. 
Apparently was interested in the domestic pigeons. Second Goshawk 
seen this December. 
Red-tailed Hawk. Commonest Hawk. Dec. 22, 3. Rough-legged 
Hawk. Dec. 22, 3. 
Screech Owl. Dec. 22, 2. Great Horned Owl. Dec. 22, 2. Hairy 
Woodpecker. Dec. 22, 2. Downy Woodpecker. As usual. Dec. 22, 17. 
Red-bellied Woodpecker. As usual. Dec. 22, 7. Red-headed Wood- 
pecker. None, usually absent but common last winter due to large crop 
of acorns. Flicker. Dec. 22, 1; Dec. 23, 1. 
Prairie Horned Lark. First seen on the 19th. Since then 6 to 12 
almost daily. 
_ Blue Jay. As usual. Not as common as last winter when they were 
unusually numerous. Dec. 22, 11. 
Crow. As usual. Dec. 22, 263. Large flocks have been seen feeding 
on fish frozen in shallow lakes. , 
Starling. Dec. 19, 3; Dec. 27, 35. Not as numerous as last winter 
when they were seen for the first time. No nesting records. 
Goldfinch. Less common than usual. Dec. 22, 7. Pine Siskin. A 
flock of 150 seen feeding in same place Dec. 24 and 25. Tree Sparrow. 
