2 T HE TAU DUB ONG@B UO ieee 
A list published by the Illinois Audubon Society about 30 years ago 
shows 10 additional species in the same category. Although most of 
these could be added to Dr. Pettingill’s list, there are some interesting 
exceptions. A note on the old list reads as follows: “The cardinal, al- 
though found here and there in northern Illinois, can be said to be 
common only in central and southern Illinois.” As we all know, our 
state bird is now also common in the northern section of the state. The 
little Bewick’s wren is listed as nesting only in the south. It also is 
apparently extending its range northward, as I have found it singing 
in Urbana, and last year I found it nesting near Peoria. 
There are also several species nesting in the north that are not seen 
in the south during the summer. Furthermore, without any recent 
published information on the subject, we may suppose that several northern 
winter residents, such as the tree sparrow which is common in Rockford 
and Chicago, would not be so regarded in Carbondale and Cairo. 
In view of these facts, it seems to me that the individual bird-watchers 
and the local clubs throughout the state could make a splendid contribution 
to ornithological literature by co-ordinating their observations through 
the State Society in an up-to-date study of the distribution of Illinois birds. 
We now have available most of the data necessary for the northern 
section. We would like very much to hear from all our members and 
friends regarding this project — particularly those in the west central 
and southern sections. Please address your communications to my attention. 
809 Michigan Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 
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Dr. Strong Elected Honorary President 
BY UNANIMOUS VOTE of the Board of Directors, Dr. R. M. Strong was 
elected Honorary President of the Illinois Audubon Society in January, 
1952. The by-laws provide that: “Any member or benefactor who has 
performed distinguished service to the Society and is not an active director 
or officer may, at the discretion of the directors, be elected to honorary 
office.”’ 
Dr. Strong, for the past ten years President of the Society, richly de- 
serves the honor so bestowed. He still maintains his office at the Chicago 
Museum of Natural History and performs much of the daily work of the 
Society, handling correspondence and answering phone calls. For all his 
unselfish and long-continued efforts, we earnestly say, “Well done!” 
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Membership Dues Notices 
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY will soon receive notices that their dues for 1952 
are payable. In order to save the expense of individual mailings and 
follow-ups, all members will be billed each spring, regardless of when 
their memberships expire in the year. Please send in your dues promptly 
to help simplify the bookkeeping problem. Each membership will be 
carried forward to the anniversary of joining the Society, regardless of 
the month in which dues are paid. 
