Pe eee we Ue BeOeNe BeU sD EB barstN 13 
Finch, Field Sparrow.) — Raymond Grow (compiler), Virginia Reuter- 
Skiold. 
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Around entire lake by car, stopping at suitable 
localities for observations. December 26; 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lake 
entirely free of ice. Group in two cars, mostly together; 55 miles by car, 
5 miles on foot. Wind NW; ground bare with a few spots of snow; 
visibility % mile in fog and clouds; temperature 25° at start, 32° F. at 
end. Horned Grebe, 2; Pied-billed Grebe, 9; Canada Goose, 1; Mallard 
Duck, 60; Black Duck, 50; Gadwall, 2; Redhead, 15; Ring-necked Duck, 
220; Canvas-back, 300; Lesser Scaup, 75; American Golden-eye, 125; 
Bufflehead, 25; Ruddy Duck, 30; Hooded Merganser, 12; American Mer- 
ganser, 100; Red-breasted Merganser, 100; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Rough- 
legged Hawk, 1; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3; American Coot, 150; Herring 
Gull, 30; Ring-billed Gull, 12; Screech Owl, 1; Short-eared Owl, 1; Red- 
bellied Woodpecker, 1; Red-headed Woodpecker, 5; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; 
Downy Woodpecker, 6; Horned Lark, 2; Blue Jay, 14; Common Crow, 
25; Black-capped Chickadee, 10; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Brown 
Creeper, 5; American Robin, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 7; Starling, 7; 
English Sparrow, 15; Red-winged Blackbird, 1; Cardinal, 11; Common 
Redpoll, 7; Pine Siskin, 17; Common Goldfinch, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 7; 
Tree Sparrow, 35; Swamp Sparrow, 3; Song Sparrow, 3, Total: 47 species, 
1525 individuals. — Earl Anderson, Karl Bartel, Laurie Binford, Charles 
T. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Campbell, C. O. Palmquist (compiler). 
Si i ne 
Conservation News and Notes 
By Dr. R. M. STRONG 
PRAIRIE CHICKEN. The National Wildlife Federation has created a ‘“Na- 
tional Committee on the Prairie Chicken” with Mr. R. A. Brown, attorney, 
of St. Joseph, Missouri, as chairman, and with 14 other members. Illinois 
is represented by Dr. Ralph E. Yeatter of Urbana, Ill. The members of 
the committee were chosen from states which still have flocks of these 
disappearing birds. Only four states — Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, 
and Wisconsin — still had enough prairie chickens to get limited hunting 
seasons this past year. It is a pity that this fine bird has open seasons 
anywhere, in view of the great danger of its being exterminated, A por- 
trait of the prairie chicken was included in the last issue of conservation 
stamps published by the National Wildlife Federation. 
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION. Governor William G. Stratton has ap- 
pointed Mr. Glen Palmer of Yorkville, Illinois, as director of the state 
Department of Conservation. Mr. Palmer has had long experience in 
game management, particularly under the father of the new governor, 
many years ago. It is reported that Mr. Palmer had the first game farm 
ever established anywhere, and he has conducted it for years. 
Meanwhile, another effort is being made to change the setup for the 
state Department of Conservation, under the leadership of the Illinois 
Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. Similar efforts have been made in 
