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Published Quarterly by the 
PereeleNaW looea Us DUB ONS, 0 G:il.E. TY. 
ROOSEVELT ROAD AND LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO 5, ILL. 
Number 95 September, 1955 
Refuges Needed for Illinois Prairie Chickens 
By Dr. RALPH E. YEATTER 
THE GRASSLANDS AND their inhabitants occupy an important niche in Ameri- 
ean folklore. The fortunes of the pioneers, Indians, and native animals on 
the prairies have long been a source of entertainment and wonder for 
audiences, young and old. Originally the “‘sea of grasses” extended from the 
Mississippi Valley to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Transformation 
of the fertile soils to farms and ranches destroyed the unique wildness of 
the region and left only small remnant groups of many of the larger mam- 
mals and birds. Although national parks and monuments in various parts 
of the country now are helping to preserve for the future some segments of 
our native wildlife, no such areas have yet been established to perpetuate 
the splendid fauna and flora of the grasslands. 
One of the most picturesque grassland birds, the prairie chicken, or pin- 
nated grouse, formerly was common throughout the Illinois prairie. Prairie 
chickens are still present in several Illinois counties, but in most places 
their future is threatened by recent changes in agricultural practices. Many 
years ago, these birds disappeared almost entirely from the intensively cul- 
tivated dark prairie soils. Nevertheless, on certain sand prairies in northern 
Illinois and on the gray soil prairie of the south central counties, they held 
on with surprising persistence. An increase in grazing and the growing of 
grains in these regions during the past 15 years unfortunately has greatly 
reduced nesting cover, resulting in serious loss of range and in lower popula- 
tions for the remaining prairie chicken colonies. 
Seriously threatened with ultimate extinction are the prairie chicken 
colonies of the sand prairies in Lee County and a few other localities in 
northern Illinois. Since the beginning of World War II, the area of the 
prairie chicken range in Lee County has shrunk to possibly one-fifth of its 
former size, chiefly as the result of more intensive farming in that region. 
During the same period, colonies elsewhere in northern Illinois have dis- 
appeared or have become noticeably smaller because of this same agricul- 
tural trend. 
The relation of undisturbed grassy areas to the welfare of prairie chickens 
was summarized by the writer in a recent article published in The Living 
Museum: “An increase in prairie chickens in Illinois during the coming of 
early agriculture was followed by a sharp decline beginning in the 1870’s 
when the acreage of farmland was nearing its present level. Although heavy 
hunting hastened this decline, the principal cause was undoubtedly the 
plowing of the last wild grasslands. Prairie chickens have a relatively short 
breeding season, chiefly from April to early July. Because they do not very 
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