12 THE A‘U DiU'B'‘ON UB UL LET nN 
It is too late now to revive the Mourning Dove bill. But it is not too early 
to begin work on a new one, for legislative action for two years from now. 
Senator Boughner needs your support. He needs to know that there are 
enough bird clubs, garden clubs, outdoor groups and just private citizens in 
this state to back him strongly the next time he sponsors a bill to protect a 
song bird. Let him know how you feel about Mourning Doves: write to State 
Senator Jackson L. Boughner, 710 E. Kenilworth Road, Palatine, Ill. Send 
a copy of your letter to your Editor if you like. But write today. The birds 
cannot speak for themselves — you must speak for them. 
Paul H. Lobik, 4835 Wabansia Ave., Chicago 39, Ill. 
va ia ft 
Sixty Years of I.A.S. Progress 
By RAYMOND MOSTEK and JOHN BAYLESS 
THE ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY on April 1 this year reached the mature age 
of 60. Founded in 1897 — eight years before the National Audubon Society 
— our organization has attained an honored position among the many for- 
ward-looking groups throughout the United States that are working con- 
stantly toward conservation and appreciation of Mother Nature’s bounties. 
The Society’s early objectives, as listed in the March 1951, issue of The 
Audubon Bulletin (written by Mr. C. O. Decker, former treasurer and 
editor, now an honorary director) have been largely accomplished. Feathers 
of wild birds are no longer used to adorn women’s hats; most birds and their 
eggs are protected by law from wanton destruction; much progress has been 
made toward “encouraging the study of birds,” and toward enforcement of 
laws relating to birds. These were the goals of the I.A.S. in 1897. 
Through the years we have broadened our views and our objectives to in- 
clude virtually all phases of conservation, emphasizing at the same time 
that being an ardent conservationist can also be fun. That name itself has 
undoubtedly scared off many persons. “Bird-Watcher,” on the other hand, 
too often brings a smile, so some of us hesitate to proclaim ourselves thus. 
Whatever we call ourselves, we are growing in number and in influence. 
We and others in the conservation movement have made ourselves heard and 
respected: in Congress, where we saved Dinosaur National Monument from 
destruction; in military officialdom, where we saved the wintering grounds 
of the whooping cranes in Texas from disturbance by aerial bombing prac- 
tice; in Springfield, where we have kept inviolate the nature section of IIli- 
nois Beach State Park on Lake Michigan. These are but a few of our vic- 
tories. We have also met defeats. The battle to conserve and enhance our 
heritage must never end. 
Bringing our history up to date, we find the following: 
MEMBERSHIP: This has fluctuated widely in 60 years. About 30 years ago 
we had 700 members. In 1946 we had 225. A vigorous membership campaign 
during 1947 and 1948, initiated by Director Harry Smith (later president 
and now an honorary vice-president), increased the roll to 335. The total 
