The Passenger Pigeon, Vol. 70, No. 3, 2008
sharp decreases followed by sharp in-
creases. While the American Crow was
20% below its 10-year average, the
Common Raven (922 over 53 counts)
was 9% above average. The 53 counts
on which ravens were found break the
old record of 47 set in 2006. The num-
ber of individuals is surpassed only by
the 977 of 1999.
Lark-Although snow cover should
help in the finding of Horned Larks,
this year's snow came so early and re-
mained so deep that perhaps many
larks departed before they could be
counted. Even though lark numbers
were down 15% from their 10-year av-
erage, that 10-year average is much
enhanced   by the unprecedented
10,764 larks found in 2000. In the his-
tory of the CBCs, the 3,076 Horned
Larks reported in 2007 are the third
highest total on record. Only 2000
(mentioned above) and 2005 (with
6,703) have had higher numbers.
Chickadees, Titmouse, Nuthatches,
and Creeper-Both Black-capped and
Boreal Chickadees were found in nor-
mal numbers. The Tufted Titmouse
(720 over 40 counts) continued its his-
tory of increase with numbers that
were 45% above the 10-year average.
Although 33% above its 10-year aver-
age and widespread across the state
(appearing in 100 of 105 circles), the
Red-breasted Nuthatch (with 2,039 in-
dividuals) was below the record set-
ting total of 3,027 in 2006. Following
an impressive count in 2006, the
Brown Creeper had its weakest totals
since 2000.
Wrens and Kinglets-Both the Car-
olina Wren (19 over 13 counts) and
the Winter Wren (14 over 8 counts)
had solid totals. The Golden-crowned
Kinglet (76 over 24 counts) had its
weakest totals since 1985.

265

Thrushes-For the third consecu-
tive count, Eastern Bluebirds have had
numbers much higher than ever be-
fore. When 779 bluebirds were found
over 54 counts in 2005, all previous
numbers were insignificant in com-
parison. This was followed by 475
bluebirds over 29 counts in 2006.
These numbers though not so high as
those in 2005 had, in contrast to previ-
ous years, nothing near to them. Now,
in 2007, the number of bluebirds re-
ported is the exact number reported
in 2005, that being 779. The number
of circles reporting bluebirds was 46.
This is a number not that distant from
the 54 of 2005 but much above the
old high of 20 that existed before
2005. The winter of 2007-2008 has
been long. It might be wondered how
well Eastern Bluebirds have fared
through this and what numbers will
show in coming counts. Not to be out-
done by bluebirds, Townsend's Soli-
taires had a count no less remarkable.
Solitaires are now nearly annual on
the CBCs. Starting with 2000, they
have been found every year other
than 2003. That makes 7 out of 8
years. Before 2000, they were reported
but 6 times in a span of over 60 years.
None had ever been found previous
to 1980. But, as well as Solitaires have
done in recent times, they never
showed on more than 2 counts in any
given year. In 2007, Townsend's Soli-
taires were reported from seven circles
and, from other information gath-
ered, they were found in more loca-
tions than those noted in the counts.
There has never been a winter similar
to this for Solitaires. Among other
thrushes, the Hermit Thrush and
American Robin were found within
normal ranges.
Mockingbird through Waxwings-A