EE 
22 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 
which desire to protect the natural flora and fauna of our streams. 
He contended that control measures employed against the marsh mosquito, 
drainage of casual field pools and temporarily wet prairie marshes, the 
drainage of water impounded by elevated sidewalks in real estate subdi- 
visions, and the oiling of wet lots in villages, could not be considered 
harmful to bird life. 
When it came to a discussion of abatement measures in woodland 
areas, Mr. Clark frankly criticized the customary methods of oiling 
and drainage as employed against the woodland group. He showed that it 
has worked in direct conflict with the most essential feature of bird con- 
servation, namely, the protection of the nesting place. he favorite nesting 
place of many birds is in the dense growth of trees, shrubs and tall grasses 
of the typical woodland pool. Drainage destroys all. Oiling as ordinarily 
done burns plant foliage and if birds enter the oiled water their feathers 
are aftected. 
“Mosquitoes of the woodland group,” quoting Mr. Clark, “may be 
controlled without destroying the woodland pool. ‘The remedy as I discern 
it after having made many trips with those interested in bird conservation 
is not drainage or oiling, but fish control. Very few woodland pools are 
deep enough to hold water throughout the summer. In these, deep per- 
manent water holes could be constructed similar to deep water holes for 
cattle. From the deep central fish hole small lateral ditches or fish avenues 
would lead to shallow parts of the pond. This method of treatment of our 
present temporary woodland pools would make them comparable in most 
respects, so far as mosquito production is concerned, to our clean rivers 
and streams and permanent ponds, where mosquito production is almost 
negligible, except the malaria-carrying species.” 
In the discussion that followed Mr. Clark’s report, inquiry as to the 
actual injury to bird life because of the oil spray was raised. No one in 
the conference, it appeared, was able to cite specific instances of that sort. 
There was no first-hand evidence. It seemed probable that the alarming 
reports of bird mortality that had been given space in the papers were not 
based upon fact. However, it was not the desire either of the Audubon 
Society representatives or the mosquito abatement officials to dismiss serious 
charges of that sort without searching investigation. It was therefore 
agreed that for the coming season a record would be kept of the occurrence 
of dead birds and each specimen would be examined for evidence of 
injury from the effects of oil spray. The abatement officials volunteered 
to co-operate with officers of the Audubon Society in this work. The 
biologist of the New Trier High School and the nature study director of 
the Glencoe schools, both familiar with conditions in the North Shore 
Abatement district, have promised to examine all specimens brought into 
their laboratories and the Audubon officials will endeavor to enlist others 
in that and the other districts. 
