38 T Hor cAvUeD i Us B OeNcees elie alan 
February Eagle Count: 
(continued from page 21) 
Illinois River had more complete coverage this year. However most of 
the increase on the Illinois was from Grafton to Hardin. This area is close 
to the Mississippi: 99 immatures were found here. They were feeding on 
ducks and geese that were dead or dying from lead poisoning. 
The Squaw Creek Refuge had 98 adults and 110 immatures on Dec. 19 
and were down to 21 of each age group by count dates. 
The Missouri River was covered by two planes. One flew from Kansas 
City down river to Lexington. The other flew from Kansas City to Laurence 
on the Kansas River and to St. Joseph on the Missouri. Only two Bald 
Hagles were found (Richard G. Dawson). On the Missouri from Glasgow 
to Herman, Mo., a total of 4 eagles were found (Jim Rathut). 
It seems reasonable to guess the Mississippi eagles came from these 
or other areas. It would be impossible for this kind of increase from pop- 
ulation growth or from the close-by regions of Canada. The closeness of 
the immature ratio in the different areas reported is of extreme interest. 
Nebraska had better coverage. The author saw an adult Bald Eagle 
with a dark brown or reddish marking on tail terminal. This was seen 
near Kearney, Neb., March 19. 
—Elton Fawks 
The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has 
banded and color-marked some 200 sandhill cranes at the birds’ 
wintering grounds in the north central part of the state. 
The large, gray-brown cranes, with conspicuous red crowns, 
may be wearing red or green plastic wing tags (measuring 3x1 
inches) or colored plastic leg bands. 
Readers in any state or Canadian province are asked to 
report sightings of marked sandhill cranes to: 
Wildlife Research Projects Office 
Fla. Game and Fish Commission 
2606 N. E. 17th Terrace 
Gainesville, Florida 32601 
The researchers particularly need to know the date and 
exact location of each bird observed, and tag colors, of course. 
In the past, marked cranes have been seen in Georgia, Tennessee, 
Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and in Manitoba, Canada. 
Cooperators will be supplied with a report of research find- 
ings, when compiled, listing all sightings of the migratory sand- 
hills, which feed in broad fields and marshlands. The first de- 
partures of marked birds northward from Florida occurred in 
late February. 
