
_ 4 - I.A.S. Newsletter, February 1966 

















































natural history (identification, life history items, and ecology) --especially 
reports gleaned through firsthand observations made in the field and fortified by 
careful appraisal of the literature? In the December 1965 issue of The Audubon 
Bulletin, field notes editor, Elton Fawks, has asked for an increase in field 
records. Attention to this detail on the part of chapters and affiliated organiza- 
tions, as well as individual observers, would result in a steady increase in this 
department of IAS, Mr. Eckert has done well in bringing his felt need to the 
attention of IAS. --Editor. 
NATIONAL BREEDING BIRD SURVEY BEING STARTED 
The Division of Wildlife Research of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working 
out details for a systematic approach to understanding bird populations, by means of 
establishing breeding bird count routes in all states and Canadian provinces. 
Techniques have been developed from work done in Maryland and Delaware. Plans call 
for 54 routes to be established in Illinois and run by volunteers early in June 1966. 
At this moment, it is not known who will act as Illinois coordinator for this project, 
or if enough volunteers can be gathered to run all the routes. Plans call for routes 
in all states east of the Mississippi River in 1966, then in subsequent years to ex- 
pand into all the states and Canadian provinces, except southern Ontario, which is 
already in the survey. 
Here is a big project which, if conducted carefully in the field aspects and record 
keeping and repeated annually, should lead to facts about bird population trends. 
Results will be coded on IBM cards and can be computerized for fast analyses, Over 
a period of years, by repeating on the established routes, it may be possible to come 
up with excellent trend indications for many species, Running a route will call for 
strict adherence to prescribed techniques and development of real skills on the part 
of route teams. In this survey, there is no interference with nesting birds. Ob- 
servations are by sight and sound, primarily froma pre-determined number of stops 
along a given route driven by car over a prescribed distance and time interval. If 
you are definitely interested in helping in this project, details can be obtained 
from Dr. Chandler S. Robbins, Chief, Migratory Non-Game Bird Studies, Division of 
Wildlife Research, Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel, Maryland 20810. 
WHAT WILL YOU DO ON ARBOR DAY? 
In Illinois, Arbor Day and Bird Day always falls on the last Friday in April. For 
1966, then, the date is April 29. The idea of an Arbor Day was suggested by J. 
Sterling Morton and passed as a resolution in 1872 by the Nebraska Board of Agricul- 
ture. The idea caught on, with Nebraskans planting over a million trees to celebrate 
its first Arbor Day. Soon other states adopted the idea and in 1883 the American 
Forestry Congress and a year later the National Education Association endorsed an 
Arbor Day. In 1955 an Arbor Day Association was formed in the United States ami 
Canada, The thought has spread internationally. The United Nations in 1956 promoted: 
an annual "World Festival of Trees." 
What can you do? You can plant a tree or shrub on your own property or a friend's 
property. If you are an educator, there are many possibilities for programs and 
involvements through the curriculum, If you have access to a park, make a map of the 
kinds of trees, You can study tree diseases and employ recommended practices for stay- 
ing the ravages of some diseases (however, avoid use of chemicals which are known to be 
damaging to animal life, especially birds). You can promote releases and programs in 
local newspapers, radio, and TV. Get the local industries to place special ads in local 
papers, 
You can visit areas devoted to trees and other plants (in northern Illinois, a day in 
the Morton Arboretum would be worthwhile). If you are fortunate to have a few country 
roads lined with trees and other native plants in your area, start a program which will 
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