Sit Nt ASU s BOW Baril eT ON 
3 
October 6, 1975 
Dear Mr. McCutcheon, 
I am writing this in repley to the article written by Mr. Ronald 
Kotulak on Monday, September 29, 1975, entitled “The Encepha- 
litis War May Fell Birds.” It has been a long time since I have seen 
an article so full of errors and misinformation in the Tribune. First, 
there is no point in a mass killing of birds in general and [ seriously 
doubt if this would be allowed. Any destruction would have to be 
for a bird species proven to be a high percentage carrier of the virus. 
Second, there is no method of destroying one or two species of 
birds during the summer months. The only way to effectively 
destroy birds at this time of year would be a blanket aerial spray of 
some toxic chemical which must be non-selective and would wipe 
out many forms of animal life and would be toxic to humans as well. 
Third, and with all due sympathy and respect for those who 
have lost loved ones and friends, thirteen people is an extremely 
small percentage in a state whose population numbers over eight 
million and is really insignificant when compared with such things 
as cancer, automobiles, illegal firearms or even air pollution. I also 
doubt that all of the cases of encephalitis recorded in the report are 
of the St. Louis type or are even proven encephalitis cases. Many 
are simply suspected cases. 
Fourth, I would like to know who Mr. Kotulak’s expert is that 
states there is an increase in the number of birds. There is no way 
that there could be any evidence to support this claim. Anyone 
checking the records of spring bird counts, nesting surveys, Christ- 
mas counts or the hundreds of field trip records of any of the bird 
groups in the state can see the drastic drop in almost all bird 
species. [he only possible exceptions may be the Starling, House 
Sparrow and Common Grackle. The statement about more birds 
because of more sanctuaries is completely untrue. For every acre of 
land that conservationists are able to set aside, thousands of acres 
are lost to roads, suburbia, industry, parking lots, etc. The term 
sanctuary is used to designate an area set aside in hope to stop its 
destruction; it has always been there producing birds, it does not 
produce more just because we now call it a sanctuary. 
I will close by saying that measures must be taken to control 
this virus. I also feel that it must be directed at the mosquito and 
the elimination of their breeding places and possibly some type of 
biological control. I further feel that any type of mass destruction 
of birds will bring us much more trouble than we are in nght now. 
Sincerely, 
Peter Dring 
President 
Illinois Audubon Society 
P.O. Box 92 
Willow Springs, Ill. 60480 
