2 THE A U-D U BON? BU Db DES 
their continuing to serve: Mrs. Bertha Huxford, Mrs. Vinnie Dyke, and 
Mrs. Ruth Waller. 
The afternoon session opened with a welcome by Myrtle Jane Cooper, 
president of the Decatur Audubon Society. Mr. Bayless took over as chair- 
man, and presented Mrs. Naomi McKinney of Arthur, Ill., a member of the 
Decatur Society, who told of a study of owl pellets she initiated while 
teaching at Atwood. She showed samples of both pellets and the bones and 
fur they contained, classified as to species. These were mounted on an 
elaborate display board. A pellet study, she pointed out, proves conclusively 
the value of owls in controlling mice and shrews. 
Mrs. Harry Shaw of Sterling, president of the White Pines Bird Club, 
reported on a program of putting up nesting boxes for bluebirds. She and 
Mr. Shaw have a “bluebird trail” north of Elizabeth, Ill., which began 
with six houses six years ago, and has now grown to 23 boxes. Last year 
in 20 boxes they had 96 baby bluebirds. From experience in having nests 
destroyed, they now mount boxes on metal posts protected by pronged steel 
strips, and put them high enough that they must use a ladder. 
Elton Fawks reported on a study he had made on the disturbing shortage 
of young bald eagles. His counts along the Mississippi river show an aver- 
age of 28 adults to one immature, where he used to see about the same 
numbers of each. He pointed out that the young and old birds are easily 
distinguishable, as the young do not get the white head and tail of the 
adult until four or five years old. Other eagle experts find the same situa- 
tion. He quoted a letter from Charles Broley, who bands in the Tampa, 
Fla., area each year. He knew of only four young eagles there this year, 
one of which he was able to band. 
Mr. Broley said it was his belief that 80% of the Florida birds are 
sterile. He wondered if it might be from insecticides. He pointed out that 
thousands of fish were killed on the Gulf coast by insecticide, and that the 
eagles ate the dying fish. Other reports on eagles, from Canada, the east 
coast, and Hawk Mountain sanctuary, also show an alarming decline in the 
young. Fawks concurred with Broley that a careful study of the effect of 
insecticides on eagle breeding should be made by a responsible agency. 
Milton Thompson called on everyone interested in birds to make breeding 
bird censuses in Illinois this year. He would like to have the material by 
Sept. 1 if possible. Mr. Thompson expressed regret that last year’s reports 
were so meager; only 39 species were reported on, while Illinois has prob- 
ably 200 nesting species. He asked the audience to make observations and 
send them in to him in any form desired. 
Mr. Bayless then turned the meeting over to John Helmer, who presided 
over a session devoted to nature education at our Illinois museums. He first 
paid tribute to the Chicago Natural History Museum, in which the Society 
has its headquarters, and mentioned a film, “Through These Doors,” telling 
about the museum and available free of charge to any club. He also men- 
tioned the Chicago Academy of Sciences, which is to undergo a program 
of renovation. Dr. William J. Beecher, one of our directors, is new acting 
director of the Academy. 
Mr. Helmer also mentioned what influence a museum can have on a 
