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The 1959 Breeding Bird Census 
By MILTON D, THOMPSON 
WE ARE INDEBTED this year to 25 members who have sent in reports on 
70 different species of birds scattered throughout the state of Hlinois. As 
one studies these reports, it is apparent that certain counties are much 
better represented than others due to the extensive work of individuals 
and groups in these areas. 
The nesting report this year, though not nearly as complete as it should 
be for the state, has actually brought in an appreciable amount of data 
all of which has been recorded in the files at the Illinois State Museum and 
will be available for further studies and in revising the “Distributional 
Check List of the Birds of Illinois.”” We sincerely hope that this much-ex- 
panded effort over last year’s contribution will be continued and that more 
data on the nesting species of Illinois will be presented. 
The unusual number of mourning dove nests reported undoubtedly re- 
flects the interest in its status as a game bird and certainly demonstrates 
its nesting habit, as the dates run from April 11 through September 25. I 
wish that comparable data could be available on all species of birds. 
A particularly noteworthy report is that the Swainson Hawk continued 
to nest in the Rockford area. It is tragic that these rare birds which are 
apparently trying to establish themselves in that area so often meet with 
disaster. Both nests that Mr. David E. Seal found this year were destroyed. 
Also noteworthy is the discovery by Mr. Lee G. Johnson of the Chestnut- 
sided Warbler, which is a rare summer resident in northern Illinois. 
In the Report which follows, each observation is followed by the county 
and the name of the observer. A complete list of those who sent in reports 
will be found at the end of this census. 
Illinois State Museum, Springfield 
Nesting Reports 
HERONS — Ciconiiformes 
Great Blue Heron: July 2. Feeding young (25 nests). Winnebago County. Johnson. 
Common Egret (American Egret): August 5. About a dozen nesting in this colony 
for the first time this year. St. Clair County. Springer. 
Black-crowned Night Heron: August 5. Colony of 50 to 75 nests. St. Clair County. 
Springer. 
DUCKS — Anseriformes 
Mallard: May 1. Ten eggs; June 5, young out of nest. Williamson County, Crab 
Orchard Refuge. Bush. 
June 5. 13 young, west of North Chicago. Lake County. Downing. 
Wood Dueck: May 20. Young out of nest. Lee County. Keegan. 
May 30. Young out of nest. Winnebago County, south of Cherry Valley. Johnson. 
HAWKS — Falconiformes 
Cooper’s Hawk (All in Winnebago County): June 21. 5 miles northeast of Pecatonica, 
feeding 3 young. Seal; 4 miles northeast of Rockford, feeding 4 young. Seal; 3 
miles northeast of Roscoe, feeding 3 young. Seal. 
