elite Aa LOIN BeUslala eli oN D 
junco were added to our previous list. * * * The great event of the trip was 
the study of an Indian mound. It is about 100 feet long and four or five 
feet high. It resembles a snake with distended jaws and a round object in 
front, through which a tree has grown. Mr. Wasson discovered it while 
making a survey of the area, and it may be an Indian ceremonial mound. 
March 13—In spite of the cold, disagreeable weather 16 members re- 
ported for the Audubon hike. Only seven winter birds were observed and 
an opossum. The Indian mound was visited again. 
March 20—Today the group numbered 21, coming from Western Springs, 
Chicago, Oak Park, Maywood and River Forest. Two score species were 
listed; besides the winter residents, spring records began. Among them 
a bald eagle was most obliging, soaring just over the tree tops, displaying 
beautifully its snow white head and tail. 
March 27—Nearly 50 individuals made up the Audubon class Saturday. 
The soft maples were in bloom and the elm trees had attractive brown 
feather decorations. The big showy northern robins which interested us 
so much last week were replaced by our summer residents. How boldly the 
plump migrants ate the fleshy staghorn sumac seeds to give them energy 
for pressing northward. (A list of 29 species observed is given.) 
April 24—More than 100 persons have responded to the invitation to 
join the Audubon trips in Thatcher Woods since late February, and 43 
species of birds have been identified. It is surprising what changes in the 
bird population occur from week to week. Juncos numbered 100 April 3; 
April 24 six were seen. Cowbirds have increased noticeably during the 
month; flickers have grown in numbers and are busy with mating antics, 
even to drumming on metal in the wee morning hours; hermit thrushes and 
fox sparrows have gone further north; few kinglets were seen on April 24; 
myrtle warblers so prevalent April 17 were all gone a week later. New 
hawks observed are red-shouldered, red-tailed and sharp-shinned. Two 
handsome great blue herons flapped deliberately over the tree tops. Little 
green heron will soon be back to feed along the shore and nest in the 
hawthorns near the river. A marked movement northward must have 
occurred this week. Palm and black-and-white warblers were conspicuous 
by their absence. 
Early May will bring to us hosts of summer residents and migrants 
northward bound. Warblers time their arrival with the opening of the 
first fruit blossoms and do much in destroying insects, larve, and insects’ 
eggs. We may expect 30 species of warblers like so many gay butterflies. 
Cubans call warblers “mariposa,” meaning butterflies. ‘Candelita” is their 
appropriate name for redstart. A half dozen flycatchers will be appearing. 
By Decoration Day the migrants will have disappeared and summer resi- 
dents will prevail until August, when the return south will begin. 
May 1—It was a chilly, sunny May 1st with ruby-crowned kinglets in 
full song as they darted about for insects, or glared with ruby crest erect 
at a rival. Flocks of white-throated sparrows scratched noisily among the 
leaves or sang their mournful songs. Chewinks or towhees, too, announced 
their presence with call note and song as they scratched with both feet at 
