10 THE’ AUDUBON BULL Ee 
Of land-use problems the Committee says: ‘‘The increasing demand for 
space in which to live and work and the growing demand for the things 
which can be produced on the land are affecting the bird fauna through 
altered habitat. Some avian populations may have been favored, and some, 
such as the Prairie Chicken in Illinois and Wisconsin, are in danger of 
regional extirpation. Refuges or modification in land-use practices may be 
required in specific instances to protect birds.” 
Pesticides and oil are only two of the items mentioned in the statement 
on pollution: “The application of extremely toxic pesticides, the accidental 
dumping of oil into aquatic habitats, the silting of water areas with eroded 
soil, and general pollution of waterways with industrial and residential 
wastes present an extremely sensitive problem that must be controlled in 
some reasonable fashion. ... The ornithologist can protect his interests only 
by aggressively engaging in research on these pollution problems, being 
alert to conditions in his region, and encouraging needed action.” 
The committee membership includes Dr. Ralph E. Yeatter of the Illinois 
Natural History Survey. Single copies of the report are available on request 
to Dr. Thomas G. Scott at the address below. 
State Natural History Survey Division, Urbana, IIil. 
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ILLINOIS FIELD NOTES — 1961 
CROSSBILLS: We had a major invasion of Red Crossbills in the Tri-Cities 
region in March 1961. On March 19 I found 25 at Hampton, Ill. On the 22nd 
I counted 87 on the ground and at least as many in the trees above. On the 
24th I found 33 Red Crossbills and one White-winged Crossbill. On the 26th 
only three crossbills were seen. During this period I had phone calls from 
three people in the area telling about crossbills in their yards. On April 24, 
1961, Peter Petersen, Jr.. and Demet Smith reported approximately 25 
crossbills at Eagle Point, Clinton, Iowa. 
Elton Fawks, Route 1, Box 112, East Moline, Illinois 
ft ft ft 
The following record of bird observations includes only those listed as 
uncommon or rare in the Distributional Check List of Birds of Illinois. 
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: May 14, 1960. Seen at close range early in the 
day and again an hour or so later — may have been two individuals. 
CERULEAN WARBLER: May 10, 1961. First observed about 6:00 p.m. feeding 
high in the trees. Identified by dark line across breast. Later the bird flew 
into some bushes and displayed clearly its azure blue back. 
LARK SPARROW: June 38, 1961. Seen in the afternoon on the edge of a large, 
elevated clearing. At least three individuals, possibly nesting in the area. 
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: May 27, 1961. Sighted near a low, brushy hillside. 
Very reluctant to leave area; possibly nesting in the low bushes. 
Calvin Moser, Roanoke, Illinois 
