ert UD Ue BeOrNe BU Dol BeT-ION 31 
Vrs. Harry J. Riegel August 30, 1968 
dwight, Illinois 60420 
Year Mrs. Riegel: 
/ am very belatedly replying to your letter dated June 20, 1968. My apologies for the 
ong delay. 
Ne have recently converted all of the Bureau’s bird banding and recovery data to com- 
outer files. This transition has taken place during recent months, and during the transitory 
seriod, we were unable to work with these data. | have recently received data concerning 
‘ose-breasted grosbeaks’ longevity records and am now able to answer some of the 
juestions posed in your letter. 
| was very interested in the 20-year-old grosbeak you have. This, to the best of my know- 
edge, is probably a longevity record for that species. We have several recoveries of this 
species in our files; however, the oldest we have is approximately 10 years old. This 
sird was banded on May 19, 1956, and subsequently found dead on May 14, 1966— 
lacking just a few days of being 10 years old. This bird was an adult when banded so 
t could have been older. 
| would suggest that you contact Mr. D. William Bennett, Editor, Illinois Audubon, 49 Valley 
Road, Highland Park, Illinois 60035. A longevity record such as this should be documented 
n the ornithological literature for future reference. 
Mr. Bennett could probably also provide you the information you seek concerning instructions 
for the care of the bird. 
| would also contact a university or museum. When the bird finally dies, | am sure the 
curators would be very interested in receiving it for inclusion in their collection of reference 
skins. The skins of KNOWN-age birds are very difficult to obtain and are of great value 
in collections such as this. 
i you have any questions or if we can be of further assistance, please let me know. 
Sincerely yours, 
Earl B. Baysinger, Chief 
Bird Banding Laboratory 
| MAKING OUT YOUR WILL? 
This appeal is specifically directed to IAS members, and through 
them to their friends or relatives, who have a parcel of land which 
would make a suitable contribution to the Society in the further- 
ance of its programs of preserving natural areas. 
Three recently deceased members have perpetuated their in- 
| terest in the work of I.A.S. by making bequests in their wills. Have 
| you thought of making a similar bequest in your will? Suggested 
bequest form: I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Illinois 
Peiiponeoociety the sum Of ............ dollars to be used for 
the general purpose of said Society. 
A gift of land will serve as a living memorial. Each successive 
season will bear testimony to the generosity, to the thoughtfulness 
and to the love of man and nature in the character of one making 
such a contribution. Paul Schulze 
Treasurer, IAS 
