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The article describes the land acquisitions by the Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) and its partnership with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). In 1998, IAS began its land acquisition program after a large endowment given for the purchase of land. She says the long-term partnership between IAS and INPC has protected more than 2,330 acres of precious habitat to date, conservatively valued at more than 6 million dollars.

The article focuses on the blue grosbeak (Guiraca caerula) found in Illinois. Description of the bird is offered, including its breeding records which were allegedly observed at Midewim National Tallgrass Prairie, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, in Kane County, and in Kennekuk County Park and Forest Glen Preserve in Vermillion County. Also explored is the feeding behavior of the birds.

The article recognizes some staff of Illinois Nature Preserves Commission who have worked hard to preserve Illinois' native landscapes, and also three Board members of Illinois Audubon Society who have just retired from serving the Society. The author says he worked with Bob Edgin who was instrumental in preserving Karcher's Post Oakwoods Nature Preserve and in creating plans for prairie chicken sites. He has worked with Debbie Newman to preserve Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve.

The article presents a message from the editor about birding adventures, submission of images and articles for possible use in the magazine, and the annual meeting of the Illinois Audubon Society.

The article reports that songs from members of the tyrant flycatcher group, the eastern phoebes and wood-pewees, depict the sounds of summer in Illinois. Although flycatchers especially the kingbirds are insectivorous, they eat some fruits. For habitats, willow flycatchers prefer scrubby edges, the eastern wood-pewee and great crested flycatcher like the woodlands, and the Acadian flycatcher are drawn to the forest under story along streams.

The author explains the modern sightings of sandhill cranes all over Illinois. He believes that despite the last claimed sighting of the cranes in Champaign County in 1872, the birds were discovered at the Heron Pond boardwalk in Vermillion County. The author tells that photos of the cranes and their habitats were taken by photographers Bob Schifo and David Weible.

The article focuses on the courtship behavior of birds. Particular focus is offered for the members of the grouse family found in Illinois. It explores the confrontation of male native greater prairie-chickens in foot-stamping dance routines to attract hens to mate. Also discussed is how tom turkeys use their voice and display their colors to court female birds.