ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 13 



been of the greatest value in the preparation of the List. The 

 project has involved an almost endless amount of work and a 

 great deal of painstaking research. Mr. Gault's sole compensa- 

 tion for this is to be in the assistance which the Check List will 

 render to observers and students of bird life everywhere in 

 Illinois. 



Elsewhere Mr. Gault acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. 

 Robert Ridgway and others whose contributions to the Check 

 List have been of the highest importance, and who have co- 

 operated in every possible way. To all these and to Mr. Gault 

 likewise, the Illinois Audubon Society wishes to extend its 

 thanks and the assurance of deepest appreciation of service ren- 

 dered. The Society is honored in being permitted to put its 

 imprint on this composite effort. 



For some years the Illinois Audubon Society has furnished 

 schools with a wall chart containing a list of two hundred of 

 the more common birds of Illinois. It is purely arbitrary in its 

 nature and represents a sort of compromise on the part of those 

 who were asked to state their opinion as to the two hundred 

 birds which are "more common" in Illinois. This list is in- 

 cluded in this booklet with the hope that it will be of value for 

 ready reference and that the beginner may look upon it as a 

 satisfactory working list. 



The key to birds' nests which is also included in this book- 

 let is the work of Dr. Arthur A. Allen of Ithaca, New York, and 

 has appeared in a recent issue of Bird-Lore. Doctor Allen has 

 waived the copyright privileges for its use in this Check List 

 and the Illinois Audubon Society is greatly indebted to him for 

 this favor. The key should prove to be of great service to ob- 

 servers in the field. 



Park Areas in Illinois 



The Report on Proposed Park Areas in the State of Illinois 

 which has been under preparation for some time by the publica- 

 tion committee of the Friends of Our Native Landscape has re- 

 cently issued from the Alderbrink Press in Chicago. It is in 

 every respect a splendid piece of work. It contains 120 pages 

 with 13 maps and 53 halftone illustrations. No one can read 

 this report without being thrilled at the possibility of dotting 

 Illinois with spiritual possessions of this sort. The report has 

 been prepared by nature lovers expert at appraising the natural 

 beauty of the landscape and it should prove an inspiring appeal 

 for the conservation of the primitive scenery of Illinois. Copies 

 of this Report can be obtained at one dollar each postpaid upon 

 application to the Secretary, Mr. E. L. Wheeler, 215 West Huron 

 Street, Chicago. 



