18 TIDE AUDUBON Bouse ieee 
THE CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS - 196° 
By Mrs. Harry C. Spitzer 
Here is the Christmas Count for 1969. For a change, we will make no co: 
ments whatever on species or numbers of birds, since the table really cove 
the whole picture quite adequately. 
Some compilers will find that our “Total for Species” differs from t 
total submitted. A few of these changes resulted from mistakes in additi 
by the compilers. Other changes were made because it is physically impc 
sible to stretch the pages to include all the unidentified (“sp.”) species whi 
were included in some totals. 
There is one change—an “X” in the chart for birds seen during t 
count period, but not on count day. This inclusion added a few lines, b 
does cover some birds which have been buried in the “STATION DAT, 
for several years. How do you like this change? Several areas report 
hybrid mallard—black duck—and/or—pintail combinations. These are list 
as “Mallard Hybrids.” 
On a lighter note, you may enjoy the following excerpts from t 
Cook—DuPage—Kane report: “Adjustment of habitat percentages ... 1 
flects loss of agricultural lands to housing developments ... increased urba 
ization of ... small towns and villages ... This list from the residential al 
town area has not been included in the main count: Golden Eagle ( 
Standard Station weathervane), 1; Flamingo (plastic), 3; Rooster (bla 
wrought iron, 1; Red Owl (super market), 1; Chicken (Unlimited), 1; BI 
Goose (fruit market), 1; Crane (Plumbing Company), 1; White Owl (cig 
stub), 1; ‘Tern’ (Style Shopping Center), 1.” 
It is hard to believe that this is the seventh Christmas Census I ha 
compiled for you, the last three unassisted. I started with a co-compiler ai 
five children who could be pressed into service as proof readers, occasion 
typists, and adding machine operators. My friend moved to Arizona and t 
only son at home is too busy with studies and work to be bothered wi 
birds. And last week the adding machine broke! I tell you this by way 
apology for any mistakes you may find. 
1776 Rogers Avenue, Glenview, II]. 600 
fl a fs ra 
Census Editor’s Note—Once again, we wish to thank all participants in o 
1969 Christmas Census for a job well done. We believe that this is the 30 
year without interruption for a number of the areas on our chart—sure 
something of a record. If the totals this year seem tremendously high, r 
member that we included over 250,000 blackbirds that roost every wint 
near Caseyville—a total we have omitted in other years. Our counts | 
waterfowl, birds of prey and passerines have not increased markedly ov 
the years, except for the House Sparrows, Starlings, and Common Grackle 
As always we are limited to about 28 reporting stations by the width 
our table, and we cannot include additional areas unless if a previous 0) 
