Usipiereee Di O“N Tob Uo lly Lal N 15 
Although there has been no systematic study of the birds that have 
been seen on Goose-Lake Prairie and in the prairie marshes, some of the 
birds that have been recorded are: Henslow’s sparrow, marsh hawk, coot, 
various ducks and geese, and even a mockingbird. While many species of 
birds have been observed on the prairie, this prairie could and should 
support many more within a few years. On the other hand, there were 
sandhill cranes, prairie chickens, upland plovers, long-billed curlews, short- 
billed marsh wrens, Wilson’s phalaropes and red-head ducks on the virgin 
prairies. Some of the species (such as the prairie chicken) could be rein- 
troduced with protection and proper management. They could again be 
part of the nesting bird fauna of the Illinois prairie. 
Insects have suffered from the destruction of the Illinois prairies. 
In the virgin prairies there was a continuous series of blooming flowers 
which were a source of food for our native bees, some of them obtaining 
nectar and pollen from only one species of prairie plant. Among the many 
insects which are indigenous to the Illinois prairies and which have become 
rare or extinct are: the prairie bumblebee (Bombus fraternus), the largest 
of our bumblebees, whose queens are an inch-and-a-half long; the wierd 
looking cone-headed katydid (Neoconocephalus ensiger), which was found 
on wet prairies; the beautiful and graceful regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria 
idalia), whose caterpiller feeds on prairie violets; the prairie cicada (Okana- 
gana balli), the male of which sings atop the tall bluestem grass; and the 
large and quick prairie robber flies (Asilidae) that are the accipiter hawks 
of the prairie insect world. While we ordinarily do not think of protecting 
them, all these interesting, and in many cases beautiful, insects would find 
a sanctuary on the Goose-Lake Prairie. 
Unfortunately, industry is making strenuous efforts to prevent the for- 
mation of the park. Until recent years the State of Illinois has lagged in 
the field of conservation. With the acquisition and dedication of the Goose- 
Lake Prairie, our state would have the largest protected tall-grass prairie 
in the country; this would represent a great advance for the cause of 
conservation in Illinois. Will the people of Illinois today and their grand- 
children of tomorrow, through their duly elected officials, receive this 
birthday present? 
va ai ff ft 
“ENCOURAGED—BUT WORRIED’ / “While reading the March BULLE- 
TIN, I was encouraged by the efforts of the Lincoln Trail Chapter to 
conserve wildflowers, and have consequently been inspired to urge the 
Illinois Audubon Society to try to protect the prickly pear cactus in Illinois. 
The prickly pear is, to my knowledge, the only cactus in Illinois. It is 
relatively scarce. Last spring, however, I found an entire field of prickly 
pear between Ottawa and Starved Rock on what I believe is Route 71. 
Adjacent to the open field was a private home, and one of my fears is 
that the virgin land will be disturbed and the stand of cactus lost to 
posterity. Is there any hope the IAS can act to protect Lllinois’ only cactus?” 
—wW. Darrell Semelroth, Triton College, Northlake, III. 
