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The 1960-61 Christmas Bird Census 
Introduction by WILLIAM E. SOUTHERN 
IN THE 1960-61 Christmas Census, 293 observers from 18 stations reported 
a total of 117 species and 299,646 individuals. Count dates were from De- 
cember 22, 1960 to January 2, 1961, inclusive. 
Compared with last year, the counts of waterfowl were higher in spite 
of the reportedly poor year for waterfowl in general. Twenty-two species 
of ducks, geese, and swans were recorded this year with a total of 221,221 
individuals; last year, 17 species and 11,948 individuals were reported. 
Even if we exclude the estimated 200,000 Canada Geese at Horseshoe Lake 
(an area not censused last year), an increase of about 9,000 is evident. 
Mourning Dove counts were considerably higher, with 16 stations report- 
ing 1,033 individuals contrasted to 1959, when 12 stations reported 350 in- 
dividuals. One hundred and forty-five Bald Eagles were counted. Signifi- 
cant numbers of hawks and owls were also recorded. A Purple Sandpiper 
was reported at Waukegan. There were many interesting records of pas- 
serine species. 
Some of the winter visitants recorded were Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, 
Red Crossbill, Lapland Longspur, McCown’s Longspur, and Snow Bunting. 
Although a Snowy Owl invasion was reported this winter (records as far 
south as Georgia), only one station reported the species for Illinois. The 
record of McCown’s Longspurs was of special interest. The observers were 
able to compare McCown’s and Lapland Longspurs in the field, and thereby 
made their identification more reliable. 
Unusual species occurred in several areas. For most of these the station 
compilers submitted written evidence to support the observation. The in- 
itials of the observer(s) follow some of these species in the write-ups. In 
the future, we hope that all compilers will submit such valuable evidence. 
If we desire our sight records to be accepted and to be of value, we must be 
willing to substantiate them. Otherwise it is obvious that only data obtained 
from collected specimens can be relied upon by ornithologists. If you are in 
doubt, please leave it out! Some of these unusual records were: Mute Swan, 
Green-winged Teal, Turkey Vulture, Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Fal- 
con, King Rail, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Myrtle Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, 
Oregon Junco, and Chipping Sparrow. 
You will note that 14 counties were represented in the Christmas Census. 
Next year, if we all try, perhaps we can have as many additional counties 
censused. This will provide interesting and valuable data regarding distri- 
bution, concentrations of individuals, ete. 
We wish to thank the contributors for their efforts to aid the Editor. It 
makes the Editor’s task much simpler if the species are listed in correct 
order, the data typewritten and double spaced, and the same style followed 
as in the previous year’s reports. Thanks again and keep up the good work! 
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 
Ft ft ft 
vwAlexander County, HORSESHOE LAKE REFUGE. Approximately a 15- 
mile diameter circle centered upon the refuge. Open water and flooded wood- 
land, 60%; woodland, 20%; roadsides, 20%. This was not intended to be a 
Christmas Census of the area. The species listed were observed during the 
period of our field work. Since this area was not covered by other observers, 
