ebeter Asc elab ON Se Bal lale Ketel 19 
Illinois seems to have a major invasion of Red Crossbills and White- 
winged. Most observers reported them, far too many to give proper credit. 
[he Red Crossbills are the most numerous. Locally (Tri-Cities) flocks of 
30 to 100 seen. Up to 20 White-wings in some reports. Pine Siskins and 
Hedpolls seem to be all over the state as well as scattered Evening Gros- 
oeaks. Snow Buntings, too, are in quite a few reports. 
BLACKBIRD ROOST 
Zach morning and evening we can see streams of blackbirds going to or 
rom a roost at I-70 & 55 and State route 111, near Fairmont City, Ill. They 
“ome into the roost at about 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. At 4:30 there are clouds of 
slackbirds coming in, and most of the trees are covered with them. We 
estimate over 250,000, about 100,000 Starlings, 100,000 Grackles and 50,000 
ted Wings. —Lucas Wrischnik, Southwest Chapter 
THE BROWN CREEPER IN ILLINOIS 
[he two notes on Brown Creepers seen during the summer months—as 
‘eported in the December 1969 issue of the AUDUBON BULLETIN— 
were of special interest to me, since we have found the bird apparently 
1esting in Allerton Park during two different years recently. Although 
| have not made a complete search of the literature, definite summer 
‘ecords for the species in Illinois appear to be as follows: 
'907 — On cypress and tupelo trees near Olive Branch in Horseshoe Lake 
area; one bird on August 11 (Ferry 1907). 
‘963 — In floodplain forest of Allerton Park, near Monticello: one bird 
seen on June 3, 12, 15, 19, July 14, 26; two birds seen on June 27 
but no nest found (Case, 1964). 
1966 — On levee along Mississippi River in Mark Twain National Wildlife 
Refuge near Keithsburg: one bird seen on June 14; a few days 
later a nest, both adults, and young seen leaving nest (Greer, 1966). 
.967 — (a) In floodplain forest of Allerton Park, near Monticello: one bird 
on June 28, July 26; two birds on same tree July 1; singing also 
recorded on June 12, July 7, 12, 14, 26; no nest or young found 
(Hudson, 1968). 
(b) Horseshoe Lake area; one bird seen on August 31 (Haw, 1969). 
968 — (a) Horseshoe Lake area: one bird seen on July 3 (Haw, 1969). 
(b) Cobden, Union County: “a heavily molting young female was 
secured” (George 1969). 
969 — (a) Horseshoe Fish and Game Preserve: “apparently nesting” 
(Clark 1969). 
It appears that during the last seven years, either birdwatchers have 
een more active during the summer months or there has actually been a 
narked tendency for the species to remain in some numbers to nest rather 
han proceeding as is their usual custom to the coniferous forests of Canada. 
topefully, observers will be alerted to follow what develops during the 
ext few years. 
I am indebted to Dr. Richard R. Graber for help in compiling these 
ecords. 
—S. Charles Kendeigh, Professor of Zoology 
University of Illinois 
