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EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH — A flock of four was seen at the North- 
western University fill on Oct. 2 (JW and BB). One of the birds was a 
beautiful adult; two were immature and the fourth was not clearly seen. 
They did not appear to be escapes. 
A list of the observers and initials used: 
BB Bedford P. Brown, Jr. JS Jeffrey Sanders 
CS Miss Catherine Schaffer EB Miss Eleanore Bilandik 
RV Robert Vobornik RA Robert Anderson 
JW Mrs. Jean Wattley LB Lawrence Balch 
IS Ira Sanders HB Howard Bloom 
33 East Cedar St., Chicago, Ill. 60611 
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BIRD HAVEN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 
Bird Haven is a natural area of over 102 acres located two miles north of 
Olney, Illinois. The tract was owned and developed by Dr. Robert Ridgway, 
who for over 50 years was Curator of Birds at the Smithsonian Institution. 
Before his death in 1929, Dr. Ridgway arranged to have Bird Haven taken 
over by the University of Chicago. Ornithological friends provided a sub- 
stantial endowment. The University of Chicago is now the supervisor and, 
among other things, provides a caretaker who gives guide service. The 
Ridgway Bird Club of Olney will provide, preferably by appointment, 
guide service for groups and individuals who wish to cover the area more 
extensively. 
The varied topography of Bird Haven supports three types of vegetation: 
upland mesophytic forest, dominated by oak species; bottomland forest, 
primarily of sycamore and black birch; and shrubby field area with heavy 
tree growth along the stream banks. A stream meanders across the area, 
providing water from underground springs for wildlife even during severe 
droughts. Here many birds have been known to breed, among them the 
Green Heron, Louisiana Waterthrush, White-eyed Vireo, Acadian Fly- 
catcher, Ovenbird and Prothonotary Warbler. On the flood plains grow the 
Closed Gentians, and in the somewhat rolling part of the shrubby field can 
be found Ladies’ Tresses Orchids, where the Bell’s Vireo and Prairie Warbler 
have reared their young. In the upland forest, the Whip-poor-will and 
Yellow-throated Vireo nest. The entire area is in its natural state, with 
undergrowth and tangles of vines providing excellent cover for wildlife. 
Bird Haven is well worth visiting, since here is preserved a great 
variety of the native flora and fauna of the Lower Wabash Valley Region, 
unmolested by the mechanisms of the modern-day world. The city of Olney 
is seeking to flood almost all of Bird Haven and use the site as a water 
reservoir. The Ridgway Bird Club is seeking the recall of Mayor Frank 
Bower and the Olney City Council. 
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