14 LH. AUD ULB OcN BiUeD beter 
THE CHRISTMAS 1966 BIRD CENSUS 
By Mrs. Ross R. Norton and Mrs. Harry C. Spitzer 
It’s that time again—when our local groups go out to count birds as part 
of the great National Christmas Census, and we have quite a showing this 
time: 131 species, and just under 335,000 individuals. About one-fourth 
of these birds were reported by a new group of observers in Jersey and 
Calhoun counties, who covered Pere Marquette State Park and the Mark 
Twain National Wildlife Refuge. There are some interesting additions 
to the list, one of a kind, while several of last year’s “rare birds” were 
not seen in ’66. Because of several new reporting groups, it is difficult 
to judge whether any one species is decreasing or increasing in number. 
You will notice that we have changed the direction of the chart, thus 
allowing space for more counties. Therefore, every report received (26 in 
all) has been included in the table this year so that none of your cold noses 
and cold hands and feet were in vain. Supporting data were provided for 
nearly all of the unusual sightings, such as the Whistling Swan, Black- 
legged Kittiwake, Virginia Rail, Swainson’s Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, 
Bobwhite, Catbird and Field Sparrows. 
Now, if next year’s compilers could just heed the admonition to MAIL 
EARLY, we will truly be able to say that we enjoyed every minute we 
put in at this end. Some reports lack descriptions of area and the weather; 
this data is essential. Thanks to all of you. 
Mrs. Ross R. Norton, 1509 Sequoia Trail, Glenview, Ill. 
Mrs. Harry C. Spitzer, 1776 Roger Avenue, Glenview, Ill. 
STATION DATA 
Bureau County, PRINCETOWN. (All points within a 15-mile diameter 
circle centered at Bureau Junction; town 10%, fields 20%, woods 25%, 
roadways 20%, creeks and rivers 25%). Dec. 27: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 
sunny in a.m., cloudy in p.m.; temp. 10° to 35°; wind SSW 12 m.p.h.; 17 
observers in 6 parties. Total party-hours 50 (38 by car, 12 on foot); total 
party-miles 278 (250 by car, 28 on foot) — Alfred Behrens, Hazel Boyle, 
Walter Drennen, Alfred Dyke,. Vinnie Dyke, Donnabelle Fry, James 
Hampston, Gynetha Hawks, Daisy Henky, Virgil Kasbeer, Carl H. Kramer 
(compiler), Peggy Kramer, Fern Nelson, Richard Nye, Marjorie Powell, 
Harry Thomas, and Fred Warnecke. (In the area during count period: 
10,000 ducks, 500 geese, 75 turkeys, a few partridge; seen during count 
week: Mockingbird, Purple Finch, Eagles, Great Horned Owl, Quail.) 
‘a fi ‘ai fH 
Carroll and Whiteside Counties, SAVANNA, FULTON, CLINTON. (All 
points within a 7%-mile radius circle centered one-half mile south of 
Elk River Junction, Iowa). Dec. 28; 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; overcast, snow 
and snow flurries; temp. 15° to 23°; wind NW 12 to 20 m.p.h.; river 90% 
ice-covered; 7 to 8” drifted snow; 8 observers in 3 parties. Total party- 
hours 19% (4 on foot, 15% by car), total party-miles 215 (5 on foot, 210 
by car). — Fred and Maurice Lesher, John and W.M. Lonnecker, Peter 
Petersen, Jr. (compiler), Paul Van Nieuwenhuyse, and Phillip Vaughan. 
Station Data continues on page 19 
