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than have been here for several years. Many farmers feed the quails during 
the winter months. Not many prairie chickens, but more than last year. 
Pheasants are more plentiful. Song birds are more plentiful, due to the fact 
that I have been cooperating with the schools, educating children in the 
economic value of birds. Many are furnishing houses and food for the birds. 
Besides the numerous streams of this territory there are several private 
fishing resorts and lakes. There is a noticeable increase in game fish in the 
streams, especially in Salt Creek and the upper Sangamon. 
Champaign and Piatt Counties. A. J. Tabaka Reporting. There are few 
prairie chickens, with small increase. Quails are found in all parts of the 
two counties and seem to be slowly increasing. No water fowls or shore birds 
here. A few pheasants are scattered about, but they do not seem to be in- 
creasing to any extent. Rabbits are more plentiful than ever before, prob- 
ably double the number last year.. Squirrels in timbered sections about the 
same numbers as last year. In the Sangamon, Salt Fork, Embarrass, Kas- 
kaskia, and Lake Fork Rivers and in Crystal Lake are to be found black 
bass, crappie, catfish, carp, sunfish, and suckers. These waters are fish pre- 
serves, in which only hooks and lines are permitted to be used. The plan of 
setting such waters aside as preserves seems to be popular among more than 
three-fourths of the people. Song birds are being protected by many people. 
School children are being educated to the economic value to farmers and land- 
owners, of song and insectivorous birds. 
Moultrie and Douglas County. C. M. Cochran Reporting. Quails win- 
tered well in these counties last winter, as there was an abundance of feed 
and a wonderful growth of vegetation on the ground, making conditions ideal 
for protection of birds. Weather conditions of spring and summer months 
have been good for breeding of the young. I have cbserved that there are 
two hatches this spring and summer, the last broods coming off the latter 
part of June, and as the dry weather has been suitable, these little fellows 
have a good show to survive. Prairie chickens are found in some parts of 
this territory; not many pheasants. There are no water fowls or shore birds 
here. Doves are plentiful. Squirrels seem plentiful, but the open season is 
too long. Open season should close December 1. On account of high price 
of ammunition, it is my opinion there will be less hunting this fall and 
winter than ever before. Song and insectivorous birds are increasing in 
great numbers. Many species are now seen here that have not been observed 
before, the cause of which I attribute to the means and efforts being taken 
to attract and protect such birds. Rabbits plentiful. The Kaskaskia River 
is the principal fishing waters of this territory, this stream having been set 
aside as a fish preserve. People generally are well pleased from results ob- 
tained since seines, nets and traps have been prohibited in these waters. 
This is one of the best bass and crappie streams in the State, and I hope 
seining, netting and trapping fish will be forever barred in this river. ince 
these devices have been barred it is an easy matter to take with hooks and 
lines enough fish for a large family, in a short time. Instead of a few people 
getting all the fish, all the people may get a few fish. 
Christian County. J. A. Cannon Reporting. There is a very noticeable 
increase in number of quails, doves, squirrels and rabbits over last year, 
which are found in all parts of the county. Prairie chickens in about the 
same numbers as last year, and are found principally in the eastern and 
southern part of the county. Very few water fowls or shore birds here. 
There is an increase in pheasants, but there are many complaints that these 
birds destroy nests of quails and kill the young ones; also that they kill 
young rabbits. Bass, crappie, perch, catfish, carp, and a few buffalo are found 
in the North Fork and the Sangamon Rivers and Flat Branch, and all the 
lakes adjacent. The North Fork of the Sangamon River is a fish preserve. 
Sewerage from the cities along the streams destroy a great number of fish. 
Shelby County. J. M. Patterson Reporting. Squirrels are more plentiful 
than for five years past. Big increase in quails and in most parts of the 
county farmers are giving them close attention and protection. Along the 
south border of the county there are many prairie chickens. Snipes and 
plovers are very scarce. There are no water fowls or shore birds here except 
