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Christninsseecnsise— al on 
THIS YEAR’S BIRD COUNT produced a greater variety of species and a larger 
total of birds than ever before. Altogether, 107 different species and 
41,584 individuals (including estimated counts) were reported. These in- 
creased figures are due to a larger number of groups (22) reporting 
their results and to a wider variety of areas covered than in previous 
years. Of course, since some of the areas were covered more than once 
during the census period, these totals show some duplication. 
Mr. Karl Bartel, who has been collecting and forwarding these reports 
for many years, suggests that we show totals of species also. It would 
be possible to do this if we compiled our report in the form of a table, 
rather than in the summary form now used. A table would also permit 
easy comparisons of one area with another. We would appreciate hearing 
from members of the Society if they particularly favor or object to a 
tabulated census report. 
Decatur, Macon county; 7% mile radius centering at the Transfer 
House, and including Lake Decatur, Sangamon river, Steven’s creek, and 
Big creek; Dec. 24; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; overcast with light snow 
flurries in the afternoon; temperature 30° to 35°; wind WSW-W, 10-15 
m.p.h.; all water open; no snow on ground; water 30%, river and stream 
bottomlands 20%, thickets and weed areas 17%, open fields 10%, shore 
and marsh 8%, cutover woodlots 7%, scrubby pastureland 5%, evergreens 
2%; 9 hours (7% on foot, 1% by car); 86 miles (15 on foot, 71 by car). 
Mallard, 2,564 (2,500 estimated, 64 counted); Black Duck, 689 (2900 est., 
489); Pintail, 11; Green-winged Teal, 6; Redhead, 11; Ring-necked Duck, 
4; Canvas-back, 11; Lesser Scaup, 21; American Golden-eye, 30 (est.) ; 
American Merganser, 57; Buffle-head, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow 
Hawk, 1; Bob-White, 15; American Coot, 1; Killdeer, 6; Ring-billed Gull, 
633 (400 est., 233); Yellow-shafted Flicker, 13; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 
10; Hairy Woodpecker, 7; Downy Woodpecker, 33; Horned Lark, 19; 
Blue Jay, 20; American Crow, 64; Black-capped Chickadee, 35; Tufted 
Titmouse, 49; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; 
Brown Creeper, 9; Carolina Wren, 17; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3; Com- 
mon Starling, 181 (100 est., 31); House Sparrow, 167 (115 est., 52); 
Red-winged Blackbird, 7; Cardinal, 95; American Goldfinch, 29; Eastern 
Towhee, 1; Slate-colored Junco, 34; Eastern Tree Sparrow, 169; Swamp 
Sparrow, 1; Song Sparrow, 32. Total: 41 species, 5,010 individuals. (Seen 
in area Dec. 22-28: Double-crested Cormorant, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 
3; American Rough-legged Hawk, 1; Marsh Hawk, 5; Osprey, 1; Mourning 
Dove, 2; Barred Owl, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Winter Wren, 5; Northern 
Shrike, 1; Eastern Meadowlark, 1; Bronzed Grackle, 1; Purple Finch, 6.) 
— Paul Rivard, Bob Kirby, Dean Fisher (compiler). 
Chicago, Cook county; (Foster Ave. south along the lake front to 
Armitage Ave. 51% lake front and harbors, 48% park lands, 1% golf 
courses. 84% miles on bus and 4% miles on foot.) 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 
Dec. 29, 1952; cloudy with light variable winds, SW tc W. to NW. 
Temperature 28° F. rising to 37° F. by noon. Lake Michigan slushy, 
Montrose harbor frozen, Belmont harbor % open, and Lincoln Park %4 
