Bi Om oe At Dwi BO NS Bi olan TEN 
~J 
The LA.S. 1974 Christmas Count 
By Kathleen Struthers 
ONCE AGAIN THIRTY-SIX Christmas Count reports were received in time 
to be included in the main body of this compilation. One arrived in Febru- 
ary and is summarized following the station data. Three counts were new 
— Adams and Pike Counties, Alexander County, and Jo Daviess County. 
Vermilion County reported late last year and was summarized, but is 
included in the table this year; Williamson County reported in 1972 but 
not in 1973. Those failing to report this year were Adams, Jersey and 
Calhoun, McLean, Ogle and Lee, and Randolph Counties. 
There were 144 species, an increase of 7 over last year, and 1,988,979 
individual birds. (See Note on actual totals for species — Ed.) Eighteen 
species were represented by a single bird—some out of their usual range 
(Red-necked Grebe, Swainson’s Hawk, Iceland Gull, and Rock Wren); some 
out of their usual season (Double-crested Cormorant, Am. Bittern, Virginia 
Rail, Common Gallinule, Am. Woodcock, E. Wood Pewee, Gray Catbird, 
Black-and-White Warbler, Pine Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Dick- 
cissel, Vesper and Chipping sparrows); and one recently established bird 
(the Monk Parakeet). 
Those species seen during the count period but not on count day were 
White Pelican (Champaign Co.), Harlequin Duck (Chicago North Shore), 
Snowy Owl (Cook, DuPage and Kane, and DuPage and Cook), Palm 
Warbler (Chicago Urban), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (DuPage and Cook). 
Of the 256 Bald Eagles reported this year (340 last year), 140 were adults, 
113 immatures, and 3 unidentifiable, as shown below: 
County Adults Immatures Unidentifiable Total 
Adams and Pike 3 — — 3 
Alexander i 8 — 15 
Carroll and Whiteside 14 7 —— 21 
Fulton and Mason 6 5 — 11 
Marion — 1 — 2 
Mercer 29 8 — 37 
Peoria—Chillicothe 1 — — 1 
Rock Island 8 — — 8 
Rock Island and Mercer Vi 14 3 34 
Rock Island and Whiteside 20 30 — 55 
Union 30 18 — 48 
Williamson 5 vty — 22 
Total Eagles 140 is 3 256 
All three of the Golden Eagles reported were immatures. One each 
Was seen in Alexander, Union, and Williamson Counties. 
Those reports with the highest numbers of species were again from the 
southern end of Illinois and were areas with varied habitat, including water 
—Alexander County at the tip of Illinois, including Horseshoe Lake and the 
