12 Da AUD UBIO ™N WB Us igi eae 
fying the bird, its rarity, and its normal range. A strange-sounding crow 
near Cairo would be more likely the Fish Crow, found as far north as 
Tennessee, rather than the Northwestern Crow of the Pacific Northwest. 
The competence of the observer, the number of observers (the more the 
merrier), the number of times the species has been recorded within the 
state, and whether the bird may show signs of being an escaped bird — 
all are factors to consider. Occasionally, correlations can be found in 
records from nearby states. In the case of Ivory Gull records, similar 
observations were made in other Great Lakes states at the same time, 
adding some weight to the Illinois records. 
My records come from “Birds of Illinois” (Springfield, 1955), from 
“Field Notes” and other manuscripts in THE AUDUBON BULLETIN, from 
“Birds of the Chicago Region” by Edward R. Ford, and from my own 
observation and study notes. And, in a matter of my own opinion, those 
species marked with an asterisk (*) warrant inclusion on the “hypothetical” 
list of Illinois species. Those printed in CAPITAL LETTERS belong on 
the main list. The remainder should be listed as species that are “possible,” 
but which — according to the evidence — should not be recorded as hypo- 
theticals. Exceptions to these evaluations are noted where they occur. 
A good hypothetical species is one that has been observed two or more 
times by competent observers. One record by a highly-competent observer 
is usually acceptable if the bird is identifiable in the field. A record by 
an observer whose qualifications are doubtful or unknown can only be 
placed on the “possible” list. 
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Arctic Loon — Reported Nov. 25, 1966, at Chicago. A specimen is 
highly desirable, as loons tend to hybridize where their ranges overlap. 
This species has been reported from Wisconsin also. 
Mexican Cormorant — Some doubt as to whether a specimen found 
in 1879 “near Cairo” was from Illinois. Kentucky and Missouri are so 
close to this area that the record should be just a “possible.” 
Anhinga* — Several sight records, but a specimen is desirable. 
CATTLE EGRET — Dozens of records and one nesting record. Has been 
photographed, but no specimens as yet. 
Reddish Egret* — Several records but no specimens . 
American Flamingo — Several recent records from the Chicago area 
and southern Illinois River Valley. All were not accounted for by zoo 
escapes; a highly questionable species in inland America; perhaps only 
the recovery of a banded bird would put this species on the Illinois list. 
White-faced Glossy Ibis* — Reported by several experienced observers 
at Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve and photographed on May 30, 1965. 
However, there was no indication made in the report that the photographs 
were clearly of this species. Thus, the species must remain on the hypo- 
thetical list. 
Bar-headed Goose* — Reported at Crab Orchard Lake by qualified wild- 
life personnel Dec. 22, 1961. Apparently the same bird was reported earlier 
that month at Horicon Refuge in Wisconsin. Are pictures available for this 
bird in Illinois? Here is Siberian species that is accidental in North 
America. Any rare waterfowl seen in Illinois may be an escapee, since 
most of the world’s waterfowl may be purchased somewhere. 
Trumpeter Swan* — No specimens from Illinois. Extinct here since the 
1800s, but records from Minnesota and Nebraska indicate it might some- 
time occur here again. 
