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private property or unclaimed Federal land. Now these magnificent gorges 
are to be buried under tons of water and silt, to generate kilowatts of power 
for a few scattered ranches and towns. Thus we squander the last remnants 
of our wilderness. 
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ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE, the I.A.S. has sent a letter of thanks to the Illinois 
Federation of Garden Clubs for establishing a “downtown garden” on the 
west bank of the Chicago river between Washington and Randolph streets. 
Incredible as it may seem, dozens of species of songbirds have come to this 
green oasis in the desert of man-made stone pinnacles. The women who 
planted and tended all the flowers and shrubs reported that their biggest 
thrill was the discovery of a bird’s nest — that of a mallard near the water’s 
edge. And one day in late June, while several gardeners watched excitedly, 
the mother duck plunged into the Chicago river and swam bravely toward 
the lake, with a brood of tiny yellow ducklings trailing behind her. 
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Rambling Notes 
By THEODORE R. GREER 
I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED in bird study for many years, spending much time 
afield. For the last few years, however, flower growing has claimed most of 
my leisure time. Two years ago I heard reports of a red-headed woodpecker 
with a yellow head. Upon investigation I found a pair of woodpeckers nest- 
ing in an oak tree. The male’s head was about the color of a Baltimore 
oriole. The youngsters were normal in coloring. The male did not return 
this spring. This incident was all I needed to renew my old ardor for bird 
study. 
While in Chicago last fall I examined about a dozen makes of binoculars, 
finally selecting a Japanese model called ‘Jason.’ These were superior to 
all the others in that I could get within nine feet of an object and retain a 
sharp image. This spring we organized a local Bird Study Club, and as Mrs. 
Greer seemed to be growing interested, I bought a pair of wide angle 
glasses. Now, after months of use, I prefer them to the common type — in 
fact, when I chance to look through a regular glass, it gives me claustro- 
phobia! 
This last winter we were able to identify practically all the varieties of 
ducks along the Mississippi River. South of here is a very large mud flat 
where we found many hundreds of sandpipers. Feeding with the least sand- 
pipers were several of the beautiful Wilson’s phalarope. A few dowitchers 
were seen, but the greatest thrill was a lone Hudsonian godwit. He was feed- 
ing with several greater yellowlegs and we were able to approach quite 
closely. Soras and Virginia rails were abundant, as well as marsh wrens. 
Warblers were scarce, and although we were especially alert for them, 
less than two dozen varieties were observed. Prothonotary warblers and 
