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HERE COME THE BIRDS! 
... And Here Comes the New IAS 
Spring-Observation Program 
by VERNON M. KLEEN 
Non-Game Biologist, Department of Conservation 
Director, Illinois Audubon Society 
Over the years, many Illinois birders have gathered valuable information 
about the migration, population dynamics, and distribution of Illinois 
birds. Much of this information has been tucked away in personal files 
and will never be accessible. Some of it has been published—but often in 
obscure places, such as local Audubon newsletters, where it is difficult 
to locate. 
In order for us to better understand the birds of Illinois, all observers 
should be willing to share and compare notes. Most data presently ac- 
cumulated by even competent observers is not particularly worth pub- 
lishing as is; however, when comparative information collected by many 
such observers is assembled from all over Illinois, it would provide a 
valuable contribution to our knowledge of Illinois birds and should be 
recorded in the official state journal: Illinois Audubon Bulletin. This does 
not mean that people working on special research projects should forfeit 
scientific data they later intend to publish elsewhere. But, it does mean 
that even they should be willing to share general information concerning 
observations in their particular areas. 
Now is the time for us to prepare and coordinate programs which 
wil lead to the increased knowledge of Illinois birds through the accumu- 
lated records of our observers. 
As a start toward the improvement and the unification of such 
records, the following program has been designed for Illinois birders 
and can prove to be quite valuable. You, as observers, will readily be 
able to contribute the needed information. 
Practically everyone goes out in the spring to see the newly-arrived 
migrating birds in their bright breeding plumages. Many of you already 
record the date and location these species are first encountered each 
