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THE 1962 CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS 
By William E. Southern 
A TOTAL OF 287 observers from 19 localities reported 113 species of birds 
between 23 December 1962 and 1 January 1963. Several reports from new 
areas (not in last year’s tabulation) were received and are included this year. 
Reports were not received for a few areas covered last year. The Savanna 
and Horseshoe Lake areas were excluded because I did not census those 
areas. I am certain that other Bird Clubs or individuals within the State 
make Christmas counts; or, at least, they are interested in doing so. If you 
know about such persons or groups, encourage them to participate and to 
submit their reports for publication. Our coverage of the State is widely 
spotted. During the next few years we should be able to double our cover- 
age! 
Several unusual records were received. All such reports, except that 
for the Harlequin Duck, were accompanied by supporting data. In both 
instances, the Bohemian Waxwings and a flock of Cedar Waxwings were 
observed simultaneously and compared. 
Few winter visitors were reported. One station had a Snowy Owl; one 
noted Red Crossbills; one listed Evening Grosbeaks (but not on the count 
day); and five included Snow Buntings. It is interesting to note that Myrtle 
Warblers were also reported from five localities. 
The number of individual birds observed totaled 125,770. Listed in 
order of decreasing abundance, the 10 most abundant species were: Starling, 
House Sparrow, Mallard, Slate-colored Junco, Tree Sparrow, Canada Goose, 
Common Crow, Rusty Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, and Cardinal. 
Next year I will not edit the census reports. Beginning in June I will 
be on leave-of-absence from Northern Illinois University and will devote 
full time to avian navigation research at Cornell University. Instructions 
for submitting next year’s reports will appear in the December number 
of the BULLETIN. 
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 
Editor’s Note: The impending departure of William Southern poses a serious problem for us. 
He has performed a tremendous task for the past three years, handling the compilation of 
the Christmas Census and the tabulation of results. In fact, it was upon his initiative that 
we again began reporting the censuses in tabular form, after going back to the narrative 
style for several years. Now we must find someone else with the time, the desire, and the 
ability to carry on this task. If you would like to volunteer your services, olease write to 
Paul H. Lobik, Editor, at Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 
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STATION DATA 
Bureau County, PRINCETON. Fifteen-mile diameter circle centered at 
Bureau Junction; includes Bureau Creek, Old Mill Road, Thomas and 
Callinan Woods, Illinois River area, Old Mark and Hennepin Pike Roads, 
Canal and Tiskilwa area. Town, 10%; farms, 20%; woods, 20%; roadsides, 
25%; creeks and river, 25%. Dec. 27; 0700 to 1630. Clear; 10° to 20°F.; wind 
SW, 3 m.p.h. Light snow on ground; creeks frozen. Ten observers in four 
parties. Total party-hours, 36 (32 by car, 4 on foot); total party-miles, 350 
(340 by car, 10 on foot). — H. Boyle, O. Cater, V. Dyke, D. Fry, J. Hawks, 
C. Kramer (Compiler), M. Powell, E. Rudiger, H. Thomas, E. Whitten. 
