4 THE: AUD U BION BIULL ieee 
Kankakee River in Kankakee county. This brings to 15 the number of 
dedicated nature areas under the new system .. . Ornithologists fear 
that the decline of the Puerto Rico Parrot is due to the density and ever- 
increasing human population of the island. The species is estimated to 
number about 200, most of which now live in the El Yunque rain forest, 
where their nesting sites are threatened by rats. Cultivation of land has 
destroyed the former range . .. The Cape Cod National Seashore was 
formally dedicated on Memorial Day. Massachusetts has donated over 5,000 
acres to this new 15,000 acre federal park, which is expected to draw over 
2.5 million visitors in 1966. . 
The Illinois Natural History Survey reports that “a mere 60 years 
ago the Illinois River teemed with fish and waterfowl.” Now “some of 
the favorite kinds of ducks have practically vanished from the river.” 
The report points out that since over 9 million persons live along the 
river and its drainage basin, much effluent is found in the river. Silt from 
rich Illinois farmlands found its way to the river, choking out plant life. 
Sloughs and lakes were diked and farmed. The Bellrose report indicates 
an alarming decline in Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup Ducks, and 
Canvasbacks in the last two decades, due primarily to loss of food staples 
such as clams, aquatic plants and insects... 
Illinois will use $2,996,225 in federal funds for highway beautification. 
Most of the money will be used to construct 38 rest stops on busy Illinois 
roads. Landscaping projects and acquisition of scenic routes are planned. 
Each rest area will be about four acres in size... Chicago has 6,662 acres 
ot park, 3 harbors and 30 public beaches along 30 miles of lake front... 
The Ridgway Bird Club is leading a battle to save Bird Haven, in 
Olney, Illinois, world-famous home of noted ornithologist Robert Ridgway. 
Mayor Frank Bower and Congressman George Shipley are working to 
obtain use of the 130-acre site for part of a 900-acre water reservoir for 
the city. All but ten Ridgway acres would be covered by the new lake. 
Bird Haven is said to contain more species of oak trees than all of New 
England. About 150 species of trees and 65 species of shrubs grow on the 
area. Almost every kind of bird native to Illinois is said to be found there. 
Ridgway purchased 18 acres of the preserve back in 1908. His grave is 
marked by a large boulder which bears a plaque. He died in 1929. The 
sanctuary was later increased through purchase by friends and turned 
over in 1932 to the University of Chicago, which still maintains it. At 
present it appears that the university will not make an effort to persuade 
Olney officials to change the site. Almost 1800 persons have signed petitions 
against the plan, and local residents are calling for a referendum. It was 
Henry David Thoreau who once remarked that: “A town is saved, not 
more by the righteous men in it, than by the woods and swamps that 
surround it.” 
615 Rochdale Circle, Lembard, Ill. 60148 
