20 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



into a bird refuge to be under protection of the Illinois State Game and 

 Fish Commission. 



The students of biology at the DeKalb Normal School under the 

 leadership of Prof. Ralph E. Wager are doubtless entitled to the honor 

 of identifying that school with so worthy a project. An especially valuable 

 aspect of the matter is its suggestiveness. Surely there are other educa- 

 tional institutions, small as well as large, that can perform a similar 

 public service, the conspicuousness of which attract attention to the im- 

 portance of the conservation of wild life. 



A Few Notes From Gresham, Wisconsin 



The town of Gresham is about three hundred miles north of Chicago. 

 It is close to the Menominee Reservation where there still are acres upon 

 acres of uncut timberland, where the Nature-lover can follow the moss 

 and fern-covered path of the deer and other game which leads between 

 century-old birch, hemlocks, and pines down to the green-fringed shores 

 of the Red River, that rapidly flows over the many rapids and winds its 

 way along the edge of the woods. From the midst of a cluster of shrub- 

 bery comes the faint "meow" of the cat bird bringing food to its never- 

 satisfied young. Near the shore the brown thrasher bathes in the cooling 

 waters of the stream, while the kingfisher sounds his clattering call in 

 skimming over the water's surface. Coming away from the river and going 

 up the hillside you are greeted with the jubilant sounds of music pouring 

 forth out of the throats of so many cheerful creatures. Deeper in the 

 woods you may hear a mysterious sound above you, similar to "klunk," 

 "klunk." Looking up, you behold at the very top of a dead tree the 

 pileated woodpecker. He is easily distinguished from others of his kind 

 by his longer tail, his black body, and his long neck, on both sides of which 

 runs a broad, white stripe. As headdress he wears a conspicuous crimson 

 crest, which he usually raises when angry. He does not mind the sound- 

 ness of a tree but will tackle it in search for food. While you are still 

 watching him he is steadily hammering away at the tree, and every now 

 and then a piece of wood drops down which he has chopped off. It often 

 happens that while one bird is peacefully feeding, another hungry one 

 comes to share the food with his friend. Now the quarrel begins during 

 which they fly from tree to tree and are lost to your sight. 



Passing on you may see the brown creeper in his protectively colored 

 dress, searching the bark for the larvae of some noxious insect. The 

 warblers are some of the most common birds in this territory. The north- 

 ern Parula, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, and a few other 

 warblers I found to be quite common. 



One of the most beautiful birds is the Indigo Bunting (Passerina 

 cyanea). Its nest, which consists of dry grass, at times lined with horse- 

 hair, is generally built in low maple trees, about four feet from the ground. 

 Four pale-blue eggs are usually laid, but at times you may find five in a 

 nest. I found a few nests with eggs in them as late as August 23rd. The 

 Indigo Bunting is one of the j oiliest songsters in the northern woods. His 

 call is a sharp chirp which you can always hear upon approaching his nest. 



