Pig LolNiOrl SATU DU B'O NB UlLeL Er TiN 15 
Only 39 counties were responsible for reporting the high individual 
total for one or more species; TABLE 4 shows the 16 counties which 
reported the high totals for three or more species. Column C of TABLE 
4 represents the number of high counts per party per county thereby 
allowing realistic comparisons of all counties, especially those with few 
observers. Although impossible, similar comparisons would be appropriate 
for the number of species observed in each county. 
For the first time, the Common Grackle was not the most numerous 
bird reported and in fact was only 68% as common as in 1974. (Could 
this be a result of spraying last winter?) [he Redwinged Blackbird was 
most numerous in 1975 with the Grackle second and followed by the 
House Sparrow, Starling and Robin—the same order as in past years. 
Because the count was held on a later date in the season, more Gray 
Catbirds and Indigo Buntings had migrated into the state and were 
among the 20 most common species reported for the first time (TABLE 
5). Our state bird, the Cardinal, dropped from tenth to eleventh position. 
Of the 20 most common species, only 9 were more numerous than in 
1974; this may indicate a real population decrease since there was a 
16.4% increase in the number of party-hours afield. Even with the 
increase in party-hours, the combined numerical decrease of the five most 
common species from 1974 to 1975 was 19.0% and all species was 
4.1%; the statistical decrease for these same species was 30.4% and 
17.6% respectively. It is this kind of data that must be continuously 
monitored; however, such information must be used cautiously. The low 
number of Chimney Swifts reported last year was contrasted to an 
excellent number this year. 
In order to compare bird populations throughout the state, we 
previously established the four latitudinal AREAS (shown in FIGURE 
|). Although no individual species comparisons have been prepared this 
year, the basic AREA statistics are presented in TABLE 6. The total 
county data appears in TABLE 7. Column 2 indicates the AREA in 
which each county lies; Column 4, the total number of species; Column 
5, the total number of individual birds reported; Columns 6 and 7, the 
number of observers and parties, respectively; Column 8, time of 
observations (in the 24-hour system); Columns 9 and 10, the number 
of miles walked or driven, and hours walked or driven, respectively; and, 
Column 11, the name of the county compiler. TABLE 8 compares the 
first four statewide counts. 
Again, there were a few identification difficulties and insufficient 
evidence for including some species on county reports. Occasionally, 
records submitted on documentation forms were inadequate or incomplete 
and had to be excluded. Some people are not yet familiar with the new 
bird names and others confuse similarly appearing names such as the 
Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-throated Warbler and therefore record 
the incorrect species. However, the ability of observers to properly identify 
and report birds is noticeably improving—for which everyone, especially 
compilers, must be given credit and to whom much appreciation 1s 
extended. 
