Surrounded on three sides by three major rivers, with both upland and lowland forest and with dramatic topographic relief in the unglaciated Shawnee Hills, southern Illinois offers a wide variety of habitats and birds unusual to Illinois and the Midwest in general.

W. Douglas Robinson documents current knowledge of the birds of southern Illinois by surveying both the published literature on the subject and the unpublished field notes of active observers, field notes summarizing many important observations that have never before been easily available.

Compared with studies in central and northern Illinois, there have been few active field observers in the south; yet the contributions of those who have worked in southern Illinois have been considerable. Robinson displays their efforts convincingly in this book. And to stimulate further research, Robinson points out gaps in current knowledge. Throughout the species accounts, in particular, he discusses what is missing or unclear regarding the status and migratory dates of birds.

Designed to help bird watchers in the field and at home discover the significance of their observations, this book includes information on early arrival and late departure dates of migrants, the highest reported single-day counts in each season, and records of all vagrants. In addition, Robinson includes maps and guides to some of the best birding areas in the region to encourage birders and others to explore the many birding and scenic attractions in southern Illinois.

Robinson has produced a definitive reference for ornithologists and amateur bird watchers alike, conservation and government agencies, college students in biology, and future researchers who wish to determine the status and abundance of southern Illinois birds.