eet Usa oe Os Nee Bale ta ly Bel N 29 
Ash-throated Flycatcher — The first record of this western bird was first 
seen at Washington Park, Springfield on Nov. 2 and collected Nov. 9 
by David Bohlen. 
Hermit Thrush — One called out with Screech Owl tape near Spring Valley 
Church, Whiteside County on Nov. 24. Peter Petersen. 
DECEMBER 1973 
Whistling Swan — One at Swan Lake near Lock 17, Mercer County, seen 
by Henry Runge, an experienced hunter on Dec. 17, fide Petersen. 
Snowy Owl — Week of Dec. 10, seen by Earl Anderson at his farm near 
Cameron, Warren County; fide Alice Palmer. 
Northern Shrike — Dec. 29, adult closely observed in Ogle County, north 
of Lowell Park, Edgewood Road. Shaws. 
Northern Oriole — Dec. 11 and 12; carefully observed eating cedar berries 
and bathing, Dixon. Maurice Reed. 
JANUARY 1974 
Mute Swan — Mid-Jan. through mid-Feb., two along Mississippi between 
Port Byron and Cordova; very tame. Ernie Sadler, fide Petersen. 
Goshawk — Jan. 5, adult, Green River Conservation Area. Shaws. 
Brown Thrasher — Jan. 24 and occasionally thereafter—one—Goodmiller’s 
feeder north of Mt. Carroll in Jo Davies County (quite northerly 
record). Shaws. 
CROSSBILLS IN JANUARY 
White-winged Crossbills appeared at White Pines State Park in January 
with a maximum of five (Shaws). A few White-winged were seen at Oregon 
by Thelma Carpenter at her feeder on Feb. 1. Several people in the Tri- 
Cities reported small groups of White-winged and some Red Crossbills in 
mid-late January. 
WATERFOWL CENSUS-TAKERS ALSO COUNT EAGLES 
Some 532 Bald Eagles were sighted along Mississippi and Illinois rivers 
recently during waterfowl census conducted by Department of Conservation 
biologists. The count, though incidental to biologists’ primary objective, 
turned up 302 adult and 117 immature along the Mississippi, plus 83 adults 
and 30 immatures on the Illinois. Numbers of immatures considered en- 
couraging, showing eagles reproducing well. (A more comprehensive, state- 
wide eagle census was held at mid-February under IAS auspices. This 
report will appear in the summer issue.) 
U.S.F. and W.S. WARNS OF DWINDLING DUCK SPECIES 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is warning that canvasback and redhead 
ducks may be approaching “endangered species” status. In an appeal to 
industry, the Service’s Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife asks for 
cooperation and diligence in protecting and preserving diving ducks and 
their habitat on the Mississippi River. Federal and state waterfowl experts 
estimate the total continental population of canvasbacks to be less than 
300,000 birds—fewer than American alligator numbers. (The alligator is on 
the endangered species list.) 
