233 We find terra incognito! 



without young, three pairs with 1 young each, and one pair with 

 2 young. In addition, another pair with twins was observed on 

 Matagorda Island. This count was checked next day from a plane, 

 and the grand total was 20 adults and 8 young, including both 

 sets of twins that we had first sighted near the Sass River in July, 

 2,500 miles to the north. These 8 young represented the largest 

 number of juveniles to reach the wintering grounds in Texas since 

 our records began in 1938-1939. 



Not only had we learned the location of the Northern breeding 

 grounds and much as to their nature and inhabitants, but in this 

 same year we had seen the whooping-crane population increase 

 at a rate that is more heartening than anything that has happened 

 to them in recent years. Perhaps these great birds and their destiny 

 have now caught the attention and commanded the good will of 

 all who live along the critical route of the flyway. If the shooting 

 of these birds during their migrations has been halted for good, 

 then we can begin to believe that they have at last turned the 

 corner and, God willing, will be able to make the long flight back 

 from the dark and soundless void of oblivion. 



