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A MESSAGE FROM THE, FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 

Contributions and/or bequests are needed to support expansion of the activities of 
the Illinois Audubon Society, including: 
-EXPANSION OF DR, ALFRED LEWY MEMORIAL BOOK AWARD. 
~ESTABLISHMENT OF A FILM AND PUBLICATIONS LIBRARY. 
-PUBLIC CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND ENACTMENT OF CONSERVATION 
MEASURES. 
-ESTABLISHMENT OF “VILDLIFE SANCTUARIES. 
-ADDITIONAL AUDUBON WILDLIFE FILM PROGRAMS, 
-EXTENSION OF I.A.S, ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. 
-PUBLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ARTICLES ON BIRDS 
AND WILDLIFE, 
~ INCREASED SIZE OF THE AUDUBON BULLETIN AND I.A.S. NEWSLETTER. 
-INCREASED CONSERVATION ACTIVITY AMONG YOUTH GROUPS. 
There is an ever-increasing challenge to the Society resulting from continuous 
threats to wildlife and natural lands and waters. Contributions and bequests are 
welcome in any amount, small or large. Contributions may be made by cash or check 
payable to the Society and sent to Mr. John Helmer, Treasurer, 2805 Park Place, 
Evanston, Illinois, 
Testamentary bequests may be made as follows: "TI hereby bequeath the sum of 
to the ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY for its gencral purposes (or for the 
purpose you specify). OR, your attorney might suggest a trust with the ILLINOIS 
AUDUBON SOCIETY as beneficiary, with income reserved to you for life. Contributions 
and bequests are deductible from income, inheritance, and estate taxes. 
~---Kenneth N. Anglemire, Chairman 
LAKF, MYSTERY UNFOLDS AS GULLS DEVOUR FISH, DIE 
The Illinois Audubon Society, the state conservation department, and an 
Evanston veterinarian are trying to unravel a mystery: What is killing the 
Ring-billed Gulls along the lake front? 
The cause has becn laid to enterotoxemia (food poisoning). The source of the 
poisoning is believed to be the fish called alewife, which die in great hordes at 
this time of year, Dr. Robert Storm of North Shore Animal Hospital, Evanston, said 
six gulls recently were found to be suffering from food poisoning, but died without 
responding to treatment. Mark L. Tuttle, -2 conservation department inspector, said 
the birds apparently had been eating the dead alewives, which are normally salt 
water fish but have migreted into the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence seaway. 
"Every summer, these fish dicd by the thousands, but nobody seems to know 
why," Mr. Tuttle said. “They usually spawn in fresh water rivers, but it could be 
that they haven't completely adapted to a full life in fresh water." 
Dr. Storm said that an analysis of stomach contents has been unproductive 
because the birds were treated for a period of time before thcir deaths. Paul Ee 
Downing, past president of the I,A4.S., seid that persons who find dead or sick 
gulls along the lake should telephone ID] ewood 2-0566 or Alpine 1-4103 to make 
arrangements to have the birds picked up for study. 

BLUEBIRDS UNLIMITED 
The Grand Rapids Audubon Club is producing hundreds of inexpensive, prefabricated 
Bluebird houses. More than 500 were distributed in first two weeks of their 
Campaign, A local lumber firm cuts the nesting boxes from scrap. Club members 
package the easy-to-assemble houses with nails and instructions, The wood is pre- 
Stained, and in the opinion of project chairman Releigh R, Stotz: "The houses 
should last 10 to 15 years." By mail, the houses are available for $1.75 each or 
$5.75 for 4 boxes from Grand Rapids Audubon Club, c/o Grand Rapids Public Museum, 
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 


