Vol. 16, No. 6 
Page 2 
Isolated (relict) populations of gray squirrels in towns and parks today may be 
the remnants of former wild populations. This assumption is open to challenge in 
that there are known cases of successful urban introductions of gray squirrels by 
man. However, where isolated areas of forest (in 1320) coincide with present 
distribution of pockets of gray squirrels (such as the "Big Woods" in the center of 
Champaign County), it seems reasonable to accept these squirrels as remnants of 
formerly abundant wild populations. 
Continuous grazing and burning of many woodlots rendered them less suitable 
for gray squirrels, and the gray squirrel was becoming relatively scarce in the 
1880 1 s and 1390's. Today, gray squirrels are common only in the southern third 
of Illinois and in some of the heavily timbered river bottoms remaining in the 
central and northern part of the state. 
Responses of Bobwhites to Habitat Manipulation 
The prebreeding census of quail was conducted on the Dale and Forbes areas in 
early March 1973- On the Forbes Area, 11 coveys containing 102 quail (4.2 quail/100 
acres) were recorded during the census. This prebreeding estimate was 12 percent 
lower than the prebreeding estimate made in 1972 and was only slightly lower than 
the long-term mean, 4.4 quail/100 acres, for the prebreeding populations. Estimates 
of the prebreeding populations on Forbes have ranged from 1.9 to 7*3 quail/100 acres. 
^ On Dale, 10 coveys with 114 quail were observed during the prebreeding census 
in March. This estimate of 10.4 quail/100 acres was 35 percent greater than the 
prebreeding estimate for the previous year and 30 percent greater than the long-term 
mean for the prebreeding populations. The estimates of the prebreeding populations 
have ranged from 3*5 to 12.0 quail/100 acres. 
Winter losses on the Forbes Area in 1972-73 totaled 82 percent of the estimated 
fall population; on Dale, winter losses totaled 73 percent. Overwinter losses of 
similar magnitude have been recorded during previous years. Hunting accounted for 
most of the mortality among the populations. 
Responses of P rairie Chickens to Habitat Manipul ation 
R. L. Westemeier, 
D. R. Vance 
During the spring of 1973, 405 people (in contrast to 301 in 1972) visited the 
prairie chicken sanctuaries in Jasper County on a reservation basis. In addition, 
an unknown number of people without reservations visited the Bogota area and watched 
the courtship display from roadsides instead of from blinds on the booming grounds. 
Forty groups representing 27 different universities, colleges, high schools, clubs, 
or other organizations and agencies were involved on 26 mornings this spring. 
Academic groups represented included the following: Miami University (Ohio), 3° 
individuals; Indiana University, 23; Southern Illinois University, 20; Western 
