Bulletin


STATE OF ILLINOIS

DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION

DIVISION OF THE

NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY
THEODORE H. FRISON, Acling Chief

Vol. XIX. BULLETIN Article II.

Records of Spring Migration of Birds

at Urbana, Illinois, 1903-1922

BY

FRANK SMITH

PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

URBANA, ILLINOIS

OCTOBER, 1930



STATE OP ILLINOIS

DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION

M. F. Walsh, Director

BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

W. F. Walsh, Chairman

WiLLLVM Trelkask. BiolOQy

Henry C. Cowlks. Forestry

EnsoN S. Bastix. Geology

William A. Noyks. Chemistry

John W. Ai.miim). Engineering

CiiABLEf; M. TiioMrsox. Beprrsenting

the Picsidcnt of the Vniversity of

Illinois

STATE NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY DIVISION

Theodoke H. Fkison. Acting Chief

H. C. Oestekling, Editor

SoiiNEPP & Barnes, Printers
Spri.ngfiki.d. III.

4IS4S—1500



VOLUMK XIX. Article II.

RECORDS OF SPRING MIGRATION OF
BIRDS AT URBANA. ILLINOIS

1903-1922*

FRANK SMITH

The chief object in view in the preparation of this paper has been

to make available to those interested certain data connected with spring

bird migration activities in East Central Illinois in tlie vicinity of

Urbana.

Historical.—A regular course of instruction at the University of

Illinois involving field work in ornithology was given by the writer in

the spring of 1903 and annually thereafter for more than "iO years.

Although he had been interested in birds in a general way for a num-

ber of years, their study had not been his major field of research and

he was led to offer such a course, in part, because of the growing in-

terest in bird study in some schools of the state and hence the need for

an opportunity for the preparation of persons desiring lo take charge

of such work. During the first year records of the numbers of the

various kinds of birds seen on each of the field trips were made and

filed, but without any very definite plans for their further use. .\t a

meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

in December, 1903, the writer learned from Dr. C. C. Adams, then

Curator of the Museum of the University of ]\Iichigan, of the observa-

tion by N. A. Wood that a study of weather maps during the spring

migration in the Ann Arbor region enabled one to predict with a con-

siderable flegree of certainty the "bird waves" when tmusually large

numbers of arrivals of species and individuals are recorded. ,\ desire

to learn whether there might be such a definite correlation in I'lastern

Illinois between the migration activities and certain kinds of weather

conditions led to definite [jlans for daily observation trips throughout

the spring migration season and including as wide a range of habitats

as feasible. Especial effort was made to have the dates when rejiresen-

tatives of the various migratory species were first seen correspond as

• Contributions from the Zoolosital I.,.il)oratory of the University of IllinoLs,
No. 380.

fl05]



106 Jl.LlNOIS NaTL'UAI, HiSTOKY SLUVEY BlLLKTIN

closely as possible with the dates of actual first arrival. The coopera-

tion of competent and interested observers who made records in dif-

ferent areas in the vicinity aided niateriallv in accomplishing this re-

sult. .\mong these collaborators at various times were advanced stu-

dents who were working on problems in which such observations were

a more or less important part of their work. Included in the list of

those who were especially helpful were A. O. Gross and T. E. Mussel-

man, who have since contributed to our knowledge of Illinois ornitho-

logy, and F. C. Gates, well known for his work in plant ecclog}".

Since the correlation between migration flights and certain kind^

of weather conditions was the object of study, special ettort was made

to obtain records of the first appearance of birds of the various species

in the particular areas available for daily observation rather than in

more remote areas which might be more attractive to birds of some

species and perhaps have earlier arrivals, but to which it was not prac-

ticable to make daily trips. It is quite probable that in wooded areas

along the banks of larger streams with bottom-land ponds or lakes

and with marshy areas, the dates of arrival may have been somewhat

earlier for some species of birds than the dates given in the following

table. Alore favorable conditions attracting larger numbers of in-

dividuals of any particular kind are quite likely to result in earlier

records for the observer who can make daily trips to such areas.

During the period of I!iu:5-Ui22 there were extensive changes in

the environmental conditions of some of the areas studied which had a

marked effect on their bird faunas.* With some species a marked ad-

verse change in environment has been accompanied bv a reduction from

a large number of records per annum to a much smaller number. This

has sometimes resulted in the average of the "first seen" records for

the later years being several days or even a week or more later than

that for the years when the species was abundantly represented. In

a few cases of this kind it has seemed advisable to omit some of such

abnormally late records when determining the median date of the

records for use in the following talnilar list.

Areas in i^'liich records leere luude.—The areas most thoroughly

sttidied were necessarily those readily accessible from the university

campus, since the records were made chiefly by those in charge of

sections of the classes in ornithologv while doing field work, or liy

those making early-morning trips. In cither case it was not feasible

to spend ver}- much time in journeying to jilaces too far removed.

One inipnrtant source of records was an artificially forested

area of about 1 .J acres, locally known as the l-"iiri'siry. which is a part

of the campus. DiUMng the first lew )ears of ihe jieriod discussed.



Spki.ng Migration of Birds at Uruaxa 101

the roadway on the east side of this area was bordered on each side b\

hedges, and the land on the east side was used by the owners chiefly

for orchards and pasture. Shrubber)- and brush heaps were common,

and the character of the environment made the region very attractive

to many of the migrant species. In the Forestry itself there was con-

siderable shrubbery and occasional brush heaps.

With the passing of the years and the great increase in the develop-

ment of the university and the growth of the neighboring city, there

was brought about the disappearance of hedges, brush heaps, and much

of the shrubber)- : the pastures were replaced by dooryards, and in the

Forestry itself the trees were trimmed high and the forest floor

cleaned up in such a manner as to make it far less attractive to many

of the ground-feeding species. A natural result of such changes has

been that most of the birds of some of these species have sought more

attractive localities and the records of dates when they were first seen

have been less reliable for indicating the time of their first arrival in

the region.

A cemetery lying south of the university campus is another definite

area which was regularly visited and which supplied a quite important

share of the records. A very considerable number of large trees

scattered through the area attracted a good many kinds of birds, while

some hedges and considerable shrubbery attracted others. In the

earlier years many of the burial lots were surrounded by hedges and

contained much shrubbery, but the tendency in recent years has been

to eliminate the hedges and most of the shruljbery, with resulting

diminution in the numbers of some species of birds attracted by such

an environment.

One very important area regularly visited contains what is locally

known as Crystal Lake. It was the chief source of records for species

having a preference for stream, lake, and marsh environments. It is

also the area which has sutTered most, from the ornithnlogist's point of

view, because of changes affecting the environmental conditions. The

region about Urbana and the University of Illinois has a slightly higher

altitude than most of the adjacent territory and is without natural

lakes, while the streams are mostly ditches and merely the beginnings

of water-courses that l:)ecome rivers elsewhere. ( )ne of these streams

known locally as Salt Fork, has its origin a few miles north of Urbana

and flows through the northeastern part of the city, then has an easterly

course and is one of the tributaries of the Vermilion River. .\t some

time in the earlier history of Urljana, a dam several feet high had been

built across the stream in the northeastern part of the city, which re-

sulted in the formation of an artificial lake of several acres in extent



108 Illinois Natiral History Sukvev Billetin

(Crystal Lake) and also produced some tracts with marsh-like condi-

tions. The banks of the lake were adapted to the needs of shore birds,

and considerable numbers of coots, ducks, and other water birds were

also regular visitors during the migration seasons. The stream above

the lake had a meandering course through some wooded tracts, and the

patches of willows and shrubbery along its banks made habitats that

were attractive to birds of quite a large number of species.

Extensive changes made in this area in IfiOS greatly altered the

environmental conditions, with resulting changes in the bird life. For

the more effective drainage of farm lands north of the city, an exten-

sive drainage ditch was dug that replaced the old stream bed. but had

a much more direct course and had steep, bare banks manv feet in

height. The part of the old stream bed where the lake had been formed

was not included in the course of the ditch, but with the aid of the

dredge a long curved excavation was made in the area that had been

covered by the lake, which had been included in a city park. This sub-

stitute for the former lake received its water supply from the draina,ge

ditch and had steep banks which were later mostly covered by shrub-

bery. The low marsh-like tracts and muddy flats attractive to shore

birds were eliminated, and although the area has been successfully de-

veloped for park purposes, there is little to attract shore and water

birds and several other kinds formerly fnund in the region.

Genera! considerations.—In the accumulation of the following

data it soon became obvious that it is sometimes difficult to be certain

of accuracy in determining the "first seen'" dates. Frequently one may
not have an opportunity for a sufficiently careful detailed study of a

s]5ecimen because of intervening brush or foliage, or because of its

timidity and hasty departure. In making use of data furnished by

other observers one cannot always be sure that they had sufficient

knowledge to allow accurate identification of all kinds seen or that

they listed only those which furnished an ojiportunitv for an adequate

study. In the preparation of the following data it has been the usual

practice to omit the records tiiat were considered doubtful.

In a study of the bird fauna of a region like the one under con-

sideration, one must expect to deal with some species of which speci-

mens are rarely seen, and not infreiiuently there will be but one or

two records in a season and for some s]iecies but one or two records

for the entire ]ieriod, Such records may be of but little use in an at-

tem])t tt) determine the earliest and latest limits of a normal migration

])eriod for the species. The lack of suitable environments for many

species of water liirds accounts for the ]iaucity of records for some

species, although thev may be common in more faxorable localities in

the same county.



Sprin'o Migration of Biriis at Uruana 109

Irregularities in the migration activities of birds of some species

have been noticed that are similar to those recorded in other regions.

Several species normallv rated as summer residents have been repre-

sented by a few individuals which have stayed in the region during one

or more winters. The Mourning Dove, Red-headed Woodpecker. Red-

winged Blackbird, Robin, Bluebird, and others are examples. The

Song Sparrow is re|iresented throughout the year although presumably

all of the individuals are migratory. Its summer and winter ranges

overlap in this region, and hence it may l>e listed as a permanent resi-

dent, although the majority of the individuals seen are annual visitants,

wdiile a few are summer residents and a few others are winter residents.

The Mockingbird seems to have been altering its winter range some-

what. February IS, ]!!()(), and March ".^S, 11)08, are the only records

of its being seen earlier than April during any year preceding the winter

of 1917/1018. Specimens were seen that winter and in each succeed-

ing winter except that of 1918/1919. They were frequently seen in

midwinter feeding in hedges and asparagus beds of city dooryards and

gardens.

Lists of recorded species and z'urieties.—Of the 22'^ different kinds

on our records, the names of all but eight may Ije found in the tabular

list which follows. Four species of especially irregular occurrence and

not in that list include the Snowy Owl and (iolden Eagle, of each of

which sjiecimens were taken in Novemljer of two dififerent years ; the

Bald Eagle, seen in March of 1905 and 1930; and the Duck Hawk, of

which a specimen was taken in May of 1908. F. C. Gates made records

of four other species as follows: Whistling Swan, April 23, 1908;

Little Blue Heron, May 17, 1908; Sandhill Crane, May 11, 1910; and

Semipalmated Sandpiper, April 25, ]!)()8. For the convenience of

those who may be interested in other than migrant species, the names

of all birds regularly seen have been included in the list.

The recorfls for most of the migratory species that are listed in

the following table include: (column i) the earliest date record of any

one of the years; (column 2) a median "first seen" date record, which

is the median date for those recognized as summer residents and an-

nual visitants; (column j;) a median "last seen" record for winter resi-

dents and annual visitants; and (column 4) a latest spring record for

any one of the years. The month is indicated by a Roman numeral

and the day Ijy an Araljic numeral. The number of years in which any

given species was recorded (column f,j is i)reccded in some instances

by a lesser number which indicates the number of years of which "first

seen" records were used in determining the median date. This lesser

number occurs with some species which were represented during the



110 Ir.Lixois Natikai, History Survey BtLLEXix

winters of some years by a few specimens and also with certain other

kinds which in some years had but one or few records and these late

in the season. Symbols indicate the migratory group to which each

species belongs (cohiinn 6), as follows: A. V. indicates annual visitants

that spend the summers further north and the winters further south

;

W. R., winter residents ; S. K.. summer residents ; and P. R., permanent

residents, including non-migratory forms and also certain migratory

forms of which the summer and winter ranges overlap in the region

and hence representatives are normally present at all times of the year

even though the individuals are migratory. Interrogation marks after

such symbols indicate uncertainty concerning the actual status of the

species in this locality. Conflicting data in different papers dealing

with the seasonal distribution of birds in the state are frequently found.

A paper by Forbes and Gross (1923) has been especially helpful as

a source of distribution data. During some years our data included

no records made after June 1st., and hence the data for 'last seen''

records are less complete and reliable than those used for the "first

seen" records.

Records of the V'eery and its western variety, the \\'illow Thrush,

are combined in the records of most years. This is due in part to the

difficulty of ready distinction between the two forms in the held, and

in part to the fact that in the earlier years of the period it was not

realized that both forms were represented in the region. Similarly,

the two species of Chickadees were not carefully distinguished in the

earlier years of the period. Apparently the Carolina Chickadee is the

one commonly found breeding and the other is common chiefly in the

winter season. No attempt was made to separate the records of the

House Wren and its variety, the Western House Wren : nor those of

the Water Thrush and its variety, Grinnell's \\ater Thrush. For each

of these species the records are listed under the name of the form

which seems to be most commonly represented.

The writer has thought best to follow the example of Lynds Jones

(1914) and use the median dates of "first seen" records rather than

the average dates since thev are less affected by extremes in earliest or

latest records. The names of the species are listed in the same order

as that followed in the American Ornithologists" L'nion (.\.0. U.)

Check List, by N. A. Wood (1907) in his report on bird migration in

Michigan, and by Forbes and dross (1923).

A comparison of the median dates of our "first seen" records with

those of Hess (1910), which were obtained a few miles farther .south

and in the same county, reveals that in most cases the dates here listed

are several days earlier than those of Hess. This is jiresumably due



Sprung MKiHAXioN of Birds at Urisaxa 111

to his lack of opportunity for daily observation trips and to his lack

of sufficient aid from other observers, as intimated in his iiajier (p. 20).

For the convenience of those who are interested in the general

subject of bird migration but who have not yet gained a detailed

knowledge of the various phases of the subject or of the extensive

literature dealing with them, it has seemed advisable to refer briefly to

some facts which have a direct relation to the times at which various

kinds of birds may be expected to appear in a region. Some kinds,

including the Bluebird and the Meadowlark, usually appear in Central

Illinois in February and often so early that their lives are in peril be-

cause of interference with their food supply by snow storms and freez-

ing weather that may prevail after their arrival. The majority of

birds that migrate arrive later in the season, and a good many kinds

are not to be seen until Way. The time of arrival is largely dependent

on the location of the region in which the birds of any particular species

spend the winter. Birds that winter in Southern Illinois or but little

further south may be expected to arrive weeks before those that winter

in the states along the Gulf Coast and months before those that winter

in South Arnerica.

Birds of about seven-eighths oi the species common in Illinois

make annual journeys back and forth between their summer and winter

homes, and birds of nearly one-half of the siiecies have the areas oc-

cupied as summer and winter homes entirely separated, and hence tliey

are annual visitants in the intervening territory. The l)irds of about

one-third of our Illinois species journey beyond the boundaries of the

United States to reach their winter homes. A few kinds winter in

the West Indies, some in Mexico, others in Central America, while

birds of about one-fifth of our species extend their journeys into

South America. Included among these are some of the thrushes,

warblers, swallows, flycatchers, cuckoos, and sandpipers. Hennit

thrushes, phoebes, and myrtle warblers that winter in the states be-

tween Illinois and the Gulf of Mexico have much shorter distances

to travel in spring than do some of the other thrushes, flycatchers,

and warblers that winter in South America, and it is only natural that

they should arrive in Illinois much earlier than do those that have

much longer distances to travel.

A study of the daily records made during the spring migration

periods under consideration shows a great lack of uniformity in the

amount of migration activity on successive nights. On some mornings

we have found new arrivals of as many as 15 or 20 species not ])revi-

ously seen that season, and such movements are often preceded and

followed by nights of but little migratory activity. Such extensive



112 Illi.nois Natikai. Histoicy Sikvey Bilif.tix

movements, or "bird waves," are not due to food conditions, but seem

to be closely correlated with certain weather conditions. A careful

study of the weather maps during the time when records were being

made revealed that the greatest migratory activity in spring occurred

at times when the weatlier maps showed an area of low barometric

pressure approaching from the west, with the south winds and rising

temperatures which normally accompany such movements. Definite

illustrations of such correlation will be found in two papers by the

writer ( lltK and l!t'^l). In the latter of these two papers (Illinois

Birds as Travellers) there are also memoranda on winter homes of

certain kinds of Illinois birds and on the routes followed in the journeys

to and from them. In the use of this latter paper much confusion ma>

be avoided by the correction of an unfortimate error made in publica-

tion : the reference in the text to Fig. 1 should be to Fig. 3. and the

one to Fig. 3 should be to Fig. 1.

LITERATURE CITED.

Forbes. S. A., and Ghdss. A. 0.

192.3. On the Numbers and Local Distribution of Illinois Land Birds

of the Open Country in Winter. Spring, and Fall. //(.

Kat. Hi.st. Suit. BuL. Vol. 14. pp. 397-4.53.

Hess. I. E.

1910. One Hundred Breeding Birds of an Illinois Ten-mile Radius.

Thr Auk. Vol. 27, pp. 19-32.

Jones, Lyxds.

1914. Nineteen Years of Bird Migration at Oberlin. U'if.vow Bui. No.

89, pp. 198-205.

Smith. F.

1917. The Correlation between the Migratory Flights of Birds and

Certain Accompanying Meteorological Conditions. Wilson

Bui. No. 98, pp. 32-35.

1921. Illinois Birds as Travelers. lU. .^uiil. I'uh. Iii.str. Cin\ No. 151.

"Arbor and Bird Days." pp. 20-29.

Wood. N. A.

1907. Twenty-five Years of Bird Migration at Ann Arbor. Michigan.

Mich. Acail. Sci., Stii Ann. Rrpt.. pp. 151-156. Table No. 1.



Spring MKiitATiox of Birds at Uiii!A.\A 113



114 Ili.ixois Natural History Survey Bulletin

.



Spring Migration of Birds at Urmana 115

Common name of

species

Earli-

est

date
record

Median
of "first

seen"
records

Median
of "lastl

seen"
records

Latest
spring
record

Num- Migra-
ber of I tory
years ! group

Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Rusty Blackbird
Bronzed Crackle
Purple Finch
English Sparrow
Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill

Redpoll
Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Snow Bunting
Lapland Longspur
Smith's Longspur
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Leconte's Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
Montana Junco
Bachman's Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Towhee
Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel
Scarlet Tanager
Summer Tanager
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Rough-winged Swallow
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Migrant Shrike
Red-eyed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo

lV-25



116 Ilh.nois Natlkal History Survey Bulletin



Sl'HlXG lIlGRATIOX OF BiRDS AT UhHAXA 117

Z
D
d

Common name of
species

Earli-

est

date
record

Median
of "first

seen"
records

Mediani
of "last!

seen"
records

Latest
spring
record

Num-
ber of

years

Migra-
tory
group

721
721a
722
724

725

726
727

72S
731

735
736
748
749
751

755
756
756a
757
75Sa
759b
761
766

House Wren and |
Western House Wren

[

Winter Wren
Short-billed Marsh
Wren

Long-billed Marsh
Wren

Brown Creeper
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee
IGolden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
iWood Thrush
.Veery and |

Willow Thrush
j

Gray-cheeked Thrush
Olive-backed Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Robin
Bluebird

ni-26