14 TH Ee? AU -D°U BO Ne SB el aL eee 
Seen, a ST IE IST SS | ST 
ventory covered the more important known wintering grounds of Alaska, 
Canada, United States, Mexico, and the West Indies. The survey also in- 
cluded waterfowl areas in British Honduras, Honduras, Nicaragua, and 
Costa Rica. About 1500 cooperating observers participated in the survey 
in the United States. More than 80 aircraft were used, and these planes 
flew more than 60,000 miles on survey flights. 
A release dated June 15 was also optimistic about the prospects for the 
central Canadian breeding grounds this past spring. However, a decrease 
in both water areas and ducks was reported from North and South Da- 
kota and Nebraska. 
However, a latter from Dr. Clarence Cottam, acting director of the 
Fish and Wildlife Service, dated July 16, reported that a snow storm in 
Alberta on June 5 and 6 had changed the prospects considerably. About 
10,000 square miles of the better prairie breeding grounds were covered 
with snow ranging in depth from 6 inches to over three feet. All first nest- 
ings of ducks in this area were completely destroyed except for a very few 
which had hatched. The males were observed gathering in large groups 
after the storm, and it seemed doubtful if second nesting attempts would 
occur to any considerable extent. 
It seems likely that the waterfowl population will show another de- 
cline when the next inventory is made. As there is no prospect of a decline 
in the population of hunters, the waterfowl] control efforts of the Fish and 
Wildlife Service will be under continued attacks by unreasonable “sports- 
men.” 
5716 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago 
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Membership Dues to be Increased 
Steadily increasing costs of printing the Bulletin and conducting the 
business of the Illinois Audubon Society have reduced our treasury to a 
dangerous minimum. After much discussion, the Board of Directors passed 
a resolution to increase the annual dues, effective January 1, 1952. 
As a second change, the Directors agreed that all dues would be placed 
on a calendar year basis, that is, would be subject to renewal on January 
Ist. Several additional types of memberships were established. The ad- 
visability of reduced rates for members living outside of Cook County 
was also considered. In accordance with the constitution of the Society, 
the proposed changes will be discussed at the September meeting of the 
Directors, after which a final vote will be taken.” The proposed schedule 
for memberships is as follows: 
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS. 95.5 oc he han ee eee 3.00 annually 
STUDENT: MEMBERSHIP. .305, asa) eee eee 2.00 annually 
GROUP MEMBERSHIP (two Bulletins per group)....5.00 annually 
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP (two members, one Bulletin) 5.00 annually 
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP. 7. 4).).'-.0. «5-10 ee ee ee 25.00 
LIFES MEMBERSHIP...2i5 3-065 oe eel. ee ee 100.00 
