Pengo mA ee SD ON AB Us GET N 33 
HAWKS, EAGLES, OSPREYS and FALCONS. There were at least four 
migrant Cooper’s Hawks observed in the Decatur/Springfield area during 
the period. The number of Red-shouldered Hawks reported in the central 
and northern part of the state was encouraging—let’s hope they were cor- 
rectly identified (four each in March and April). Forty Broad-winged Hawks 
were found in Skokie Lagoons, 20 April (L. Balch). The first Swainson’s 
Hawk appeared in Kane County, 19 April (R. Sandburg); other documented 
individuals were present in southern Cook County, 20 April (*J. Surman) 
and Mason County, 26 April (*D. Bohlen). The last Rough-legged Hawk 
of the season (a dark-phase individual) was reported from Mason County, 
26 April (D. Bohlen—CIMT). An immature Golden Eagle was still present 
at Union County Refuge as late as 19 April (B. Peterjohn). Ospreys were 
reported between 13 April and 30 May; however, most were seen in April. 
Two spring Peregrine Falcons included one at Springfield, 19 April (D. 
Bohlen) and the other photographed in downtown Chicago, 10 May; the 
latter remained through 31 May (fide L. Balch). 
PRAIRIE CHICKENS, CRANES, RAILS and GALLINULES. The 102 
cock Greater Prairie Chickens in our sanctuaries represent a 28.7% decrease 
from the 143 cocks of 1974; this is the second consecutive year of decline 
after a steady increase from a low of 37 cocks in 1968 (R. Westemeier). 
Sandhill Cranes were normally reported along the eastern portion of the 
state; a flock of 10 were observed as far south as Lawrence County, 17 
March (*D. Jones). The only Yellow Rails reported were found at Sangchris 
Lake; two on 24 April and one each on 3, 10 and 11 May (D. Bohlen). A 
Purple Gallinule appeared in a Piper City garden in early April (exact 
date not available) and was kept alive in captivity (photo) until its death 
on 24 June; the specimen was donated to the Illinois State Museum (A. 
Weber, D. Kirkham). ; 
SHOREBIRDS. Owing to lack of habitat, these species were scarce in 
the Chicago area; however, elsewhere there seemed to be good numbers. 
There were no Piping Plovers reported this spring. Normal numbers of 
American Golden Plovers were reported and many were still passing 
through in early May (note the Spring Bird Count Results). As expected, 
the majority of Black-bellied Plovers were reported in mid-May. Late- 
departing Ruddy Turnstones included 100+ at Waukegan, 4 June (R. Pal- 
mer). The last seasonal Greater Yellowlegs was present in Mason County, 
24 May (D. Bohlen—CIMT). At least three Lesser Yellowlegs were present 
in Mason County through the end of May (D. Bohlen—CIMT). As expected, 
White-rumped Sandpipers arrived right at or shortly after mid-May and 
lingered into early June; the maximum one day high was 15 reported on 31 
CHECKLISTS, BIRD COUNTS and TABLES 
Contributors should be advised that the Editor does not screen 
checklists, tables or bird counts (including the Christmas Counts and 
Spring Counts) for records to be used in the SEASONAL REPORT. If 
an important observation is made (an early or late date, large 
numbers of unusual species, accidental occurrences, etc.), please 
send separately written details about that observation directly to 
the Editor. Regular migration data should be sent to the appropriate 
District Compilers. 
