14 TH Ee ASU- DU. BYOrN? BUS Lela sisi 
Notes FROM THE NEsT: A record number of visitors went to our National 
Parks in August of 1959; over 12,100,000 were counted, with the Blue 
Ridge Parkway in Virginia topping all other units (over 910,000 visitors 
during one month). This compared with 778,000 in 1958... Last year forest 
fires burned a total of 3,280,000 acres, which is the lowest on record. This 
certainly proves the effectiveness of the “Smokey the Bear” program. . 
Governor Stratton has announced that Illinois is purchasing 15 acres of 
Indian mounds near Cahokia Mounds State Park in St. Clair County. The 
state is also taking option on an additional 80 acres which archeologists 
need. The $21,000 for the purchase was made possible by a release of funds 
from the state’s park development fund. . . A 3,000-acre forest preserve 
area in Elk Grove Township in Cook County has been named in honor of 
Edward Eagle Brown, the late Chairman of the Citizens’ Advisory Board 
of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. . . The Illinois General As- 
sembly declared a closed season on Wild Turkey. It also raised hunting fees 
one dollar for duck, geese and pheasant hunters. .. An electronics engineer 
named George W. Breck has made a gift to New Jersey of Montclair Hawk 
Lookout Sanctuary. It is considered second only to Pennsylvania’s famed 
Hawk Mountain as an observation point... An agreement has been signed 
in Florida between the state Audubon Society and Franklin Lumber and 
Basket Co. which will protect over 500 wood ibis nests. It is one of the 
largest rookeries of its kind... Congress and conservationists are becoming 
increasingly alarmed about disposal of radioactive wastes in off-shore oceanic 
areas. This may contaminate many beach areas. .. Add New Jersey to the 
list of honored states protecting Hawks and Owls. The Sharp-shinned, 
Cooper’s, Goshawk and Great Horned Owl are now protected under a new 
law passed early this year. Oklahoma also passed a protective law, but 
much milder in form. 
615 Rochdale Circle, Lombard, Ill. 
TV TOWER MORTALITY IN WESTERN ILLINOIS 
By PETER C,. PETERSEN, JR. 
DURING THE NIGHT of October 6-7, 1959, there was a severe mortality of 
migrating birds at the 983-foot tower of television station WHBF. The 
tower is located just south of Orion, Illinois, along Illinois Route 150. The 
tower is well-lighted as a warning to aircraft, but the twelve guy wires 
take a high toll of birds. No birds were found within 15 feet of the base of 
the tower. The birds were found below the guy wires, which are in three 
groups of four each. Due to a planting of alfalfa about 100 feet from the 
base of the tower in all directions, many birds were probably missed. 
The engineer who is on duty during the daytime, Mr. Ben Louie, called 
me on October 7th to say there were many dead birds around the tower. He 
picked up about 30 of the best specimens and placed them in a freezer for 
me. The next morning I checked the area more carefully and found about 
30 more birds. Three days later I returned and checked the roof of the 
equipment building, where the remaining birds were found. “a 
The night of October 6-7 was very overcast, with considerable fog and 
light rain. The temperature had remained fairly constant for the preceding 
