6 T HE AU DUB OIN SB Usb eae 
The analysts stated in their report that, although all birds except the 
grackle had detectable poison in their tissues, only the robin with the 5.34 
ppm assay probably died of Heptachlor poisoning—and this was a year 
after treatment! 
CHICKEN EGGS FOUND TO CONTAIN HEPTACHLOR 
I work in a biological supply house that handles thousands of chicken eggs. 
These eggs must be fertile to be of use. The first few hundred received in 
the spring of 1961 were found to be only 50% fertile. Since I knew that 
these eggs came from the area of Watseka, Illinois, and I knew that Hepta- 
chlor had been applied at Sheldon, Illinois (10 miles east), I assumed that 
the infertility could have been the result of the chemical treatment. 
A dozen of the questionable eggs were sent to the State Natural History 
Survey for analysis. The sensitivity of their test is not accurate below 
.02 ppm, and hence they did not find that these eggs were contaminated. 
Nevertheless, the analysis did show a trace. We must not overlook the fact 
that 50% of the eggs in our entire lot were fertile, and that possibly the 
eggs I sent for testing could have consisted of the fertile stock. After we 
notified the hatchery, they procured eggs from another farmer and the new 
stock was all fertile. 
Despite all of this gloomy history, it is now most encouraging to hear 
House Wrens in every other back yard in Blue Island, and to see and hear 
Robins again in normal numbers. Once again I see two Mockingbirds, as 
well as Catbirds and Brown Thrashers, flitting through the bushes. And 
once again I hear the “perty, perty, perty!” call of the Cardinal. 
2528 W. Collins St., Blue Island, Illinois 
ft ft ft ft 
CONFESSION 
In October, 
when autumn 
wraps my world 
in loneliness 
and my heart 
is not my own, 
a wisp of warbler 
following the sun 
strikes a pagan chord, 
and we are one. 
Emeline Ennis Kotula 
fa ft ie re 
THE 1962 N. R. C. I. MEETING 
WILLIAM GARRIGAN, Acting Chairman of the Natural Resources Council 
of Illinois, writes that his group will hold its Annual Outdoor Conservation 
Conference at Allerton Park, near Monticello, Illinois, on September 28-29-30. 
The theme of the Conference will be, “Development and Recreational Needs 
of Illinois.” Participants will try to determine how Illinois can obtain 
urgently needed new State Parks and Conservation Areas. 
Joseph Meek and Arnold Maremont, both outstanding business and civic 
leaders, will discuss these problems. Details of the meeting have been sent 
to all clubs affiliated with the Illinois Audubon Society. 
