Powe oo Ub ORNs BAU be lal N 11 
Conservation News and Notes 
By RAYMOND MOSTEK 
EcHo PARK DAM. At the time this Bulletin went to press, the U.S. House 
of Representatives had taken no action on the proposal to build a dam in 
Dinosaur National Monument. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 58 
to 23. As Senator Paul H. Douglas said on the floor of the Senate during 
prolonged debate: “It is not unpatriotic to point out that the West has 
three per cent of the population of the country but 16 per cent of the repre- 
sentation in the Senate.” If you wish to help protect our National Parks 
System, you are asked to write to your representative immediately. (For 
full details on the Echo Park Dam problem see Audubon Bulletin for March, 
1955.) 
DUCKS IN ILLINOIS. Our state is an important one for wildfowl. It is said 
that there are more ducks in Illinois than in any other state on the Missis- 
sippi Flyway and that some stay here from eight to nine months. Mallards 
are the most popular species in the state. It is estimated that up to a quarter 
million ducks are killed annually by hunters in our state, with each duck 
costing a hunter about $10.00. We have about 250,000 acres of waterfowl 
habitat in Illinois. 
THE SINCLAIR OIL CORPORATION deserves high praise from every bird lover 
and conservationist for its excellent series of advertisements appearing in 
national magazines. These ads pay tribute to the work of groups like the 
National Parks Association and the National Audubon Society. 
FACTS ABOUT OUR WETLANDS. It is estimated that of some 76 million acres 
of wetlands in our nation, only 23 million acres may be considered of high 
or moderate value for birdlife. Although a 1946 act of Congress requires 
that due consideration be given to wildlife values in all water-control and 
water diversion projects, this is seldom done. The act gives the wildlife 
agencies no veto power. The engineering decisions are made first, and after- 
wards the fish and wildlife agencies are called in to make their studies. 
While many projects have been modified, it is apparent that Congress must 
strengthen the Co-ordination Act in order that our wetlands be protected. 
In Minnesota, there is a $10 million plan under way to acquire 209,000 acres 
of the most desirable potholes and marshes. Huge buttons, bearing the 
label “Save Minnesota Wetlands Fund” are being sold by sportsmen’s clubs 
and other groups for one dollar apiece. 
WHOOPING CRANES. These magnificent birds, which stand four feet tall and 
have a wingspread of seven feet, now number but twenty-one in the whole 
world. The nesting ground of these cranes is still to be found. Last fall no 
new members of the flock came south. 
Foxes AND PHEASANTS. After five winters of study, Michigan biologists re- 
leased a report uncovering the fact that foxes do not take as many phea- 
sants as is sometimes claimed. Foxes feed mainly on mice and carrion. It 
was found that the fox kills less than one pheasant per 40 miles of hunting.- 
It travels about five and one half miles per night. 
