eee el) BPO UN BU Ly LAEYT IN 15 
Grey-headed Junco — A couple of sketchy reports. A specimen is 
essential before including this species on the Illinois list. Juncoes display 
a high state of evolution, and only an experienced museum man can tell 
for sure. 
Baird’s Sparrow — Three or more observations. A specimen is essential. 
Competent field men hesitate to identify this species, particularly during 
migration, and particularly when the bird is 500 miles off its route. 
PROBLEM SPECIES: Both the European Goldfinch and the Ringed 
Turtle Dove are problem species as far as the Illinois list goes. It is fairly 
sure that neither species got here on its own. Both are often found caged, 
and the Illinois records probably originated from caged birds. Both species, 
however, have nested within the state. The goldfinch nested at Lincoln Park 
in 1954 and the dove has recently nested at Beardstown and Springfield. 
Nesting is usually a criterion for including the bird on a state list, but 
both species have failed to establish themselves. It is my belief that a 
species must establish itself here before being included in the list for nest- 
ing species. The Chukar is another species frequently released in Illinois, 
and it may occasionally breed, but there is no evidence that the Chukar has 
established itself. All such species belong in a category by themselves. 
ADDITIONAL SPECIES: Long-Billed Dowitcher — Since “Birds of Illinois” 
came out, this former sub-species has been recognized as a full species. 
There are specimens and photos of both dowitchers from Illinois. 
REJECTED & RUMORED SPECIES: Reports of the Louisiana Heron, Sage 
Thrasher, Mountain Bluebird, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Arctic Tern, 
Rufous Hummingbird, and several other species have appeared from time 
to time, but available evidence is too sketchy to include them on the 
hypothetical list or on the list of possibles. 
The Illinois list — including the possibles and hypotheticals — is 
nearing 400 species, one of the largest lists for an inland state. Further 
substantiation of the possibles and hypotheticals is seriously needed. The 
author hopes that additions, corrections, and comments now will begin 
to appear in THE AUDUBON BULLETIN. 
=~ 1020 Ashland Ave.,.Wumette, 11L 
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIST 
Santa, my list to you 1s long: 
To start, one woodland full of song; 
A stretch of river, wild and free; 
At least one kind of every tree; 
A beaver lodge, an eagle's nest; 
A valley running east and west; 
Some whitetail deer, one ten-point buck; 
A sandy hill and one old ’chuck; 
One stretch of waving prairie grass; 
A pond that’s ruled by one old bass; 
Flowers along a shady lane; 
A row of hills, a level plain; 
A cabin near a clear, cold spring 
Completes my list of things to bring. 
—Clarence Sparks 
