24 THE ATU DIU BO NB Uli ee eee) 
OTHER SPECIES: Bald Eagles have appeared in good numbers this 
winter in the area of Keokuk and Hamilton, Ill. Had 117 on Jan. 16, 1968; 
counts of 105, 132, and 232 on other days. Have seen from 2 to 8 daily at 
Quincy through the winter....I’m glad to report that Bluebirds are 
showing a good increase. In my 1,000 boxes I have about 10% more than 
in 1962. 
124 South 24th Street, Quincy, Illinois 
fi Fi fl ae 
Winter Birding in Montana 
By Norman Roesch 
AN ASSIGNMENT ON THE Minute-Man Missile has kept me in Great 
Falls, Montana, during the winter of 1962-63. I travel throughout this area 
and have many opportunities to observe wintering birds. Here at Great 
Falls is a giant spring which keeps the Missouri River open regardless 
of the temperature. Near the spring thousands of Mallards and Common 
Goldeneyes are spending the winter. There are also four pairs of Common 
Mergansers which feed upon fish and other aquatic life in the river. 
Mallards are commonly seen in the grain fields searching for food. 
There is a huge flock at the Greenfield Lake area near Fairfield. Ducks are 
also found wandering on the country roads. A _ severe blizzard had 
little effect on them. Near Fairfield I passed fields literally black with 
ducks just before the blizzard. Our crew was marooned for twelve hours 
in a stalled vehicle by blinding snow and winds at 60 m.p.h. 
The next morning, when we were finally rescued by a wrecking truck, 
the temperature was below zero and the snow had drifted. However, the 
ducks were back, searching the blown areas of the fields for food. They had 
all weathered the storm with no trouble. 
Last fall, in the sloughs around Greenfield Lake, I saw huge flocks of 
swans, Canada Geese, and Snow Geese. The swan formations were some- 
thing to see and hear. I am not sure whether they were Whistling or 
Trumpeter Swans — but their calls were beautiful. I estimate there were 
many thousands of Snow Geese. They stayed until the early part of Decem- 
ber. The swans were last to leave; it is said that they winter in Yellow- 
stone Park. 
Other common birds here are Horned Larks, Marsh Hawks, and of 
course the Magpies. Montana is truly a magnificent state, a fine area for 
birding. I am looking forward to visiting the Audubon Club at Great Falls. 
3800 Tenth Avenue S., Great Falls, Montana 
ibs! ff FI fl 
BOOK REVIEWS 
Our Crowded Planet — Edited by Fairfield Osborn. Doubleday and Com- 
pany, Garden City, N.Y. 1962. 240 pages. $3.95. 
Subtitled a “Collection of Essays on the Pressure of Population,” this 
book has among its contributors such outstanding scientists and writers 
as the late Sir Charles Darwin, Prof. Paul Sears, Sir Julian Huxley, and 
André Maurois. Statesmen, religious leaders, and economists have con- 
tributed their bit. Mr. Osborn in his introduction states that the results 
