44 TD Hohe ACUSD a BON ou ye beta 
The birds were flying approximately 150 feet high. They were com- 
pletely white with black primaries ... and their heads seemed to have 
dark markings, but the exact color was not possible to see at that height. 
The birds approached, and then they suddenly changed their course from 
west to north; the Zimmermans watched as these birds with 90-inch wing 
span gracefully continued. The bright sun and the white snow seemed to 
complement the event. 
They excitedly searched through their bird books. What bird could 
possibly be as large as a Sandhill Crane (it seemed even larger); what bird 
could be so white with such magnificent black primaries? A Whooping 
Crane! There are only around fifty known Whooping Cranes in existence. 
The Zimmermans were so shaken that they could barely speak. They 
called their ecology instructor at Highland Community College, Keith 
Blackmore, who lives near Forreston. He questioned them at great length. 
Had they attempted a picture? Ironically, no. Their camera was all set for 
instant photography, and they have taken many pictures with the telephoto 
lens. But, they were too excited to think. 
Mr. Blackmore called Professor Wade, Northern Illinois University; he, 
in turn, called friends in Illinois and Minnesota. They concluded that this 
was a “possible sighting.” (Technically, it cannot be a “confirmed sighting.’’) 
Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are avid birders and purposely vacation often 
near Black River Falls, Wis. to watch the Sandhill Cranes (where there may 
be 12 to 15 at one time). Roger Allen, amateur ornithologist, said the 
fierce 50-mile blizzard winds the previous day could most certainly have 
blown the cranes this direction, inasmuch as Iowa (west) experienced con- 
ditions similar. Migrating lower than usual could have indicated the dismay 
experienced by the cranes in search of food or lodging amidst their un- 
precedented flights! 
ff ft ie! fig! 
The Monk Parakeet, Another Introduced Resident? 
by Dale E. Birkenholz and Mark Shoger 
Department of Biological Sciences 
Illinois State University, Normal 
The Monk, or Gray-headed parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) has been one 
of our popular cage birds for several years. In 1968 alone, 11,745 birds 
were imported into the United States (Banks, 1970). During the past three 
years increasing numbers of the birds have been reported living in the 
wild, and the species is now an established permanent resident in at least 
five localities in New York and New Jesey (Trimm, 1972; and personal 
communication). 
Birds also have been reported from Arkansas, Michigan, North Dakota, 
Virginia, and Wisconsin; in the latter state, a flock of 8 to 15 birds now are 
present in suburban Milwaukee (Wells, 1973). Recent unpublished reports 
Material for FIELD NOTES should be sent to the Editor, Elton Fawks, 510 
Island Ave., East Moline IIl. 61244. 
