38 THE =AvuhD UBIO NG br ee sem 
ber of Harris’s Sparrows whisked about the lowland brush piles. 
Henslow’s Sparrows dart in and out of the marsh grass while above 
the Baldpate Ducks have added to the variety of marsh life. My neigh- 
bors’ Martin box is lined with tired newcomers. 
MARCH 28. Today occurred another dust storm. Juncos and 
Creepers are still here. 
MaArcH 29. Many Bluebirds have eggs. 
MArcH 30. Today was a big “flock” day for the sparrows. Fox, 
Vesper, Song Sparrows and Juncos are here in the largest flocks I have 
ever seen. This is due to days of north wind which banked the birds 
south of us. Today’s south wind released them in waves. 
MARCH 31. Canada Geese are nesting. 
APRIL 1. Five Tree Swallows were flying close to the river’s sur- 
face gleaning a meager fare from tiny insects. For several weeks these 
birds will be common migrants but few nest here. The Illinois River 
is their nesting area. Box elders are in bloom. 
APRIL 4. Caught and banded a White-crowned Sparrow. I also 
heard the insect-like call of a Grasshopper Sparrow. 
APRIL 5. Brown Creepers are still here. The 15 degree weather 
killed practically all of the Bluebird eggs. Four out of five of my 
boxes have full complements at present. At least four hundred eggs 
were killed by this irregular cold snap. I found three mother Blue- 
birds dead on the frozen eggs. 
APRIL 6. Warmer today. 
APRIL 7. Ash trees are in bloom. Ruby-crowned Kinglets are 
hunting aphids in my lilac bushes and they occasionally stop long 
enough to sing their bubbling song. I saw a stray Red-headed Wood- 
pecker. 
APRIL 9. Field Sparrows are trilling with joy at the warm spring 
sun. Juncos are still here. Catkins are hanging long and golden on 
the yellow birches. 
APRIL 11. Today was a singing day. Carolina Wrens, Brown 
Thrashers (which were new), Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Robins, and 
Cardinals were all vieing with each other. Dutchman’s breeches are 
in bloom, also upland cress and spring beauties. Cricket frogs are al- 
most silent but hylas are all talking in the ponds. Winter Wrens and 
Pied-billed Grebes are common in brush pile and ponds respectively. 
Coots are abundant and are eating the green sprouting wheat near 
Goose Lake. 
APRIL 12. Made the round of my Bluebird boxes and found one 
with young birds. Had to clean out the soiled nests and spoiled eggs in 
the others. Lark Sparrows are singing from the meadow. Clover 
moths are flying. 
APRIL 13. Spicebush is blooming. . 
APRIL 14. Shepherds’ purse is in bloom. Buckeye buds are burst- 
ing into leaf. Black snakes are out but are sluggish. Barn Swallows 
are investigating the barn rafters. The first Swifts are back from 
“somewhere.” 
APRIL 16. Doves and Robins were singing at four-fifteen A. M. 
