8 i Eee ASU) SU SBF Os Nets. Can ese Le 
of species; Col. 5 the total number of birds reported; Col. 6, the number 
of observers; Col. 7, the number of parties; Col. 8, the time of observations 
(in the 24-hour system); Col. 9 and 10, the number of miles walked 
and driven, and the number of hours walked and driven, respectively; 
Col. 11, the name of the county compiler.). Table 8 shows comparisons 
between the 1972 and 1973 counts. 
As last year, the compilation of this report was difhcult. Many days 
were spent tabulating, deciphering, analyzing and writing the report. 
Most compilers did excellent work in submitting their reports; unfor- 
tunately, some did not use or complete the count forms provided, or 
made copies of the form which were illegible. Next year, some reports, 
if submitted as they were this year, cannot be accepted. Computation of 
party hours and party miles were not always correct and must be com- 
puted properly if we expect to obtain meaningful results from any bird 
count. It is nearly impossible for observers to walk two miles in one hour 
and expect to see many birds; yet, some compilers reported over twice 
as many miles walked as hours walked. Normal walking and birding speed 
is about one mile per hour and, in most cases, Table 7 shows this to be 
true. 
Again, many species reported for 73 were not substantially docu- 
mented or documented at all. Species which should have been documented 
include those which had, for the most part, migrated out of Illinois 
(Rough-legged Hawk, Rusty Blackbird, Slate-colored Junco, Fox Spar- 
row, Tree Sparrow, etc.), those which arrived much earlier than expected 
(Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, 
Connecticut Warbler, etc.), and those which were outside their normal 
range (European Tree Sparrow). 
It seems unusual that outstanding birders failed to report some 
of the. aforementioned species in areas where they could possibly have 
been found, while other observers found these same species in areas where 
they would not have been expected and without documentation. For this 
reason, some species were not accepted. 
However, several records were accepted and this report is undoubt- 
edly “loaded” with incorrect identifications. Only one reporter indicated 
why he had Brewer's Blackbirds rather than Rusty Blackbirds and why 
TABLE 6 
Coverage Within the Four AREAS 
Possible No. No. Counties No. Ave. No. P.H.* 
AREA of Counties Participating P.H.* per County 
il 2s 16 (69.6%) 266 16.6 
2 28 IL). (CS i/n ILA) A 2675 
3 Dil DOW Ciass/s) 611@ B2ne 
4 24 2 (Sie) 929@ 46.5 
Total 102 Tor (CHA sA) 2227@ By, /& 
* P.H. = Party Hours 
@ Party Hours were not available for Putnam or Livingston 
counties; therefore, none of their data have been included. 
