enero ee BION, VC BeU by Bers N 11 
What Is Your Membership Status? 
In response to the last billing for membership dues it was gratifying 
to note that several active members of the Society remitted $5 and 
changed their classifications to contributing members. The next bills will 
be sent out shortly after this issue of the Bulletin is mailed and additional 
changes in membership status will help us meet the steadily increasing cost 
of operation. If you are an active member and wish to make such a change, 
merely change the figures in your bill from $2 to $5 and make your remit- 
tance accordingly. 
All members are urged to return the blank form enclosed with their 
bill, listing the name and address of one or more prospective members. 
Better yet, get a new member and enclose the remittance with your own. 
fl fl i 
Christinasewensus)—— 1949 
THE 1949 CHRISTMAS census may well be remembered as the one of the 
snowy owl. This infrequent visitor from the far north was recorded in four 
reports, including two individuals in the report by Mr. and Mrs. Albert 
Campbell. A snowy owl first appeared on Northerly island in Meigs airport 
early in November and was seen more or less regularly there and at the 
lake front at the foot of Randolph st., Chicago, throughout November, 
December, and January. Another spent some time in Lincoln park and 
others were reported from northern and western suburbs and along the 
lake shore in northern Indiana. We hope these beautiful birds find their 
way safely back to their arctic habitat where they can rid themselves of 
the sooty shading they so quickly acquired here. We should thank them 
for their industrious assault on our rats. 
Other high points in the census included an arctic three-toed wood- 
pecker, glaucous and Iceland gulls, duck hawks on two reports, brown 
thrasher, Carolina wrens, a saw-whet owl, evening and pine grosbeaks, 
and a flock of about 50 mourning doves. 
The census again was too nearly confined to the Chicago area. We 
should be happy to receive reports from members throughout the state. 
Plan to take a census next year and send it in by mid-January. This year’s 
reports follow: 
Chicago, Cook County; 15 mile diameter circle centering at Touhy and 
Lincoln aves., including lake front from Belmont harbor north to Tower rd., 
Graceland, Rosehill, Irving Park, and Memorial Park cemeteries, Chicago 
river forest preserves from Foster av. north to Tower rd., Des Plaines 
river forest preserves from Belmont ave. north to Dempster st.; deciduous 
river woods, 45%, lake front and harbors, 22%, feeding stations 7% 
cemeteries 7%, city parks 6%, open fields 6%, clay and gravel pits 4%, 
golf courses 2%, drainage canal 1%; Dec. 28; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; cloudy 
early, clear by noon; temperature 24° to 42°; wind SW, 10-15 m.p.h.; 
ground bare, water open. Eighteen observers in five parties and at one 
