26 Lily STN: O8l tS eA D UB ew BULLETIN 
py-VERNON M. KLEEN 
BREEDING SEASON 
The Breeding Season is the most important season of all. It is that one 
season of the year when all species reproduce their kind to assure survival 
of the species. It is at this time of year that each pair of birds establishes 
a territory and defends it from all other birds of the same species; each 
pair requires a minimum amount of desirable habitat that includes enough 
food and water to raise its young and adequate shelter from the weather 
and potential enemies. Without satisfactory habitat in sufficient quantity 
and quality, a species may not be able to successfully reproduce. 
Compared to last year, the 1975 Breeding Season was excellent; some 
species, such as the American Robin, attempted a third brood after having 
successfully fledged their first two. The mild weather made this possible. 
Of special interest this season was the establishment of the first nesting 
colony of Ring-billed Gulls; breeding and summering ducks; and increasing 
populations of species whose ranges have been gradually expanding the 
past few years (both northward and southward). There were few comments 
about declining populations. 
Observers have found it more and more difficult to locate some nesting 
species and therefore visit isolated sanctuaries to observe those particular 
birds. 
As usual, many observers assisted with the Breeding Bird Surveys and 
the Breeding Bird Atlases (we always welcome competent assistants); and, 
still more turned in completed Nest Record Cards. For the record, 45 con- 
tributors submitted 793 Nest Record Cards for 960 nests of 79 species in 34 
counties. We appreciate all contributions and look forward to continued 
assistance. The following persons are particularly acknowledged for sub- 
mitting most of the information for this report: Larry Balch, H. David 
Bohlen, Bill Boyd, Elaine Burstatte, Marilyn Campbell, Charles Clark, 
Aura Duke, L. Barrie Hunt, Vernon Kleen, Roy Knisley, Richard Palmer, 
Bruce Peterjohn, Gerald Rosenband, Patrick Ward and Ron Westemeier. 
Reference to many observers is denoted by the letters ‘“m.ob.’”’ Documenta- 
tions have been denoted by an asterisk (*). 
CORMORANTS, HERONS and EGRETS. The exact number of nesting 
Double-crested Cormorants at the Carroll County colony was not reported; 
however, federal refuge personnel placed nesting platforms in the two 
remaining trees and some of the platforms were apparently used by the 
cormorants for nesting. There were no Illinois reports of nesting Great Blue 
