Pitta OU BON BULLETIN 
Published Quarterly by the 
mimiieN Ol. AU DU BLO NYS O'¢ TE Tay 
ROOSEVELT ROAD AND LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO 5, ILL. 
Number 81 March, 1952 
The President’s Page 
By Harry R. SMITH 
THE FACT THAT MOST of my predecessors as President of our Society were 
distinguished scientists, while I have had virtually no formal training in 
biology, made me somewhat ‘apprehensive at my election. However, whether 
or not we would have it so, the administration of the organization has 
come to involve business affairs almost as much as conservation or orni- 
thology. In fact, so much of my time is devoted to correspondence and 
other business details that I am forced to pass over many projects that 
should be the primary concern of the President. 
As Dr. Strong has pointed out in these pages, we need more members 
who will volunteer to give some of their time, but we need even more an 
Executive Secretary to co-ordinate the work of those who are willing to 
help. Our by-laws provide for such an office, but it has been filled for 
only a few months in the past several years. It would be very helpful if 
some of our members could suggest the names of volunteer workers for 
consideration as possible holders of this office. 
Unquestionably there are many among our membership who could 
serve in this capacity. Either an unemployed woman, preferably with 
some business experience, or a man with some spare time, could make a 
fine contribution to the Society by devoting a few hours each week to 
this work. 
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After a steady increase for four years, our membership has again 
started to decline. This could be easily remedied if each member would 
resolve to secure a new member during the next three months. There is 
no better time than the spring to interest our friends in birds and in 
the work of the I.A.S. 
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Due to its great length — nearly 400 miles — Illinois has a wider 
variation in climate between its northern and southern sections than is 
generally recognized. Consequently there is a corresponding diversification 
in its bird life, of which the average bird student is unaware. It was, 
therefore, gratifying that Dr. Pettingill mentioned this situation in his 
new book, A Guide to Bird Finding East of the Mississippi. In the 
chapter on Illinois he lists 13 characteristically southern species, such as 
the mockingbird, white-eyed vireo and hooded warbler, that nest regularly 
in the central or southern sections of the state, but are rarely if ever 
seen in the north. 
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