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Interesting Chicago Bird Records 
By RALPH M. EISEMAN 
AN IMMATURE Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini), a rare visitor to the Chicago 
area, was seen at the breakwater near the east end of the Montrose-Wilson 
beach, Chicago, Illinois, during the afternoon of October 19, 1953, by Mrs. 
Amy G. Baldwin, Miss Nelda McQuate, Mr. Don Magnus, and the writer. 
The presence of the gull had been reported to Mr. Magnus the day before 
by two people who had seen it at the pier that extends north from the 
breakwater at the east end of Montrose-Wilson beach. 
While we were searching, a passing fisherman called our attention to a 
strange bird that was swimming next to the breakwater. This was the 
Sabine’s Gull. It was rather tame, for it usually swam within five or ten 
feet of the breakwater wall, unless it was frightened by too much com- 
motion from any of us, especially when I photographed it.’ Then it would 
swim twenty or thirty feet out into the lake. 
When Mr. Magnus flushed the gull, it showed the typical Sabine’s Gull 
wing pattern — black outer primaries, a white triangular patch behind, 
and the rest of the mantle gray. The fork of the tail had a black border, 
a mark typical of the immature Sabine’s Gull. 
On the same day and at the same place, a flock of eleven Snow Geese 
(Chen hyperborea) and eighteen Blue Geese (C. caerulescens) which were 
flying south, one or two immature Franklin’s Gulls (Larus pipixcan), and 
one Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta, perhaps nelsoni) were 
also seen. In addition, an adult Little Gull (L. minutus) was seen among 
a flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls (L. philadelphia) by Mrs. Baldwin and the 
writer. 
Finally, two trips to Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, produced two Sharp- 
tailed Sparrows (A. caudacuta) for the writer. The first was seen at the 
east end of Navy Pier on October 15, 1953; the second, on October 23, 1953, 
in the weeds along the west side of the Men’s Gym. 
7928 So. Colfax, Chicago 17 
10Only one photograph showed the general pattern of the gull’s plumage, but the print was 
not suitable for publication. 
fi ft ft 
Bird Walks in the Chicago Area 
THE ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY sponsors only one or two field trips a year, 
chiefly in connection with the spring annual meeting. It is regrettable that 
we do not meet more often, as members cannot expect to become acquainted 
through such rare meetings. The need becomes most apparent at the 
Audubon Screen Tours, when visitors and members approach officers at the 
book desk and ask: ‘‘Where and when do you hold your bird walks?” 
The Society urges its members to participate in the outings of nature 
study groups in their own areas. To encourage this, the Bulletin has pub- 
lished accounts of the activities of some local bird clubs in Illinois (see 
