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By Paul H. Lobik 


KICKAPOO STATE PARK SAVED - Illinois Conservationists won at least one major 
victory in legislative action this summer. H.B. 1619,which would have permitted 
destruction of the best areas of Kickapoo State Park near Danville, was vetoed by 
Governor Kerner because (as he stated): "There was such atrenendous public pro- 
test against the bill." 
The Vermilion County Audubon Society, led by Director §. Glidden Baldwin, M.D., 
launched an all-out campaign to save the park in July. The Legislature, in its 
waning moments, had passed the bill almost unnoticed. Over 103 acres of the park, 
including the picnic areca, parking lot, and pert of the cempground and entrance, 
would have been handed over to the Ayrshire Gollicries in exchange for 430 acres 
of worthless strip mined land adjoining the park. The same company bought 116 
acres of the perk in 1952 and strip mined them, leaving waste soil banks. 
Ironically, much of Kickapoo Park was created by public donations of land and 
money by the people of Champaign, Ecgar, Troquois, and Vermilion counties many 
yeers ago. About 1600 acres of the perk consists of old strip mine hills, gullies, 
and ponds, with only a few acres suitable for reereation other than fishing. When 
H.B.1619 was published, the Vermilion County Society enlisted the aid of the 
Illinois Audubon Society and through them, many other clubs. The DANVILLE 
COMMERCIAL NEWS and two newspepers in Champaign-Urbena took up the cause with 
articles and editorials protesting the theft of state park land. Letters poured 
in from all over the state. Governor Kerner's veto followed, The Vermilion 
County Audubon Society and Illinois conservationists everywhere are to be con- 
gratulated on their vigorous and successful battle to save one of our most popular 
parks. 
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DR. STRONG HONORED AGAIN - Our Honorary President, Dr. R. M. Strong, was the 
guest of honor at the Annual Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society this 
May in Charleston, South Corolina. The Wilson group is recognized as the leading 
society of professional ornithologists in america, The meeting this year marked 
the 75th anniversary of the Wilson Society, and for the past 12 years Dr. Strong 
has been the sole surviving founder of the group. 
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DUCKS AT A DISTANCE - The U. S. Department of the Interior has just published a 
24-page field guide, DUCKS AT A DISTANCE, on americen waterfowl. Purpose of the 
book is to enable hunters and bird students to recognize the various kinds of 
ducks at a glance, even in poor light or at a distance. Printed in color, the 
booklet (pocket size), shows ducks in spring plumage and in fell migration colors. 
It gives distinctive ficld marks, take-off behavior, flock patterns, and other dis- 
tinguishing features. Since hunting regulations this year are more restrictive 
than ever (no more than two wood ducks; no more than two mallards and/or black 
ducks, ete.), it is important that hunters Imow what they are aiming at. The 
book conteins an intriguing illustration of comparstive sizes of oll American 
ducks and geese. Here is a handy little guide for bird watchers. The Society 
plans to sell these through the book storo - 25¢ plus postage. 
PRAIRIE CHICKEN NECKTIES FOR CHRISTMAS--SHOP EARLY 
You cannot be too early....just too late. Send in your order_now. 
Ties come in Maroon, Blue, Black and Brown. Each tie shows two Prairie 
Chickens in flight and below a male bird struts through the grass. 
Make checks and money orders out to Illinois Audubon Society. Send to 
LeRoy Tunstall, Chairman, Book Service Committee, 323 E. Wesley, 
Theaton, Illinois, Ties are $2.50 each. 


















