Tel EeA UDUBON?BOUELE TIN a9 
Notes From Fulton County 
The weather this year was very poor for observation. On days 
on which I was free to take a trip the weather was that preceding a 
storm, the visibility was poor and I find that during such periods the 
birds are inactive. 
The finest weather for observation is after a fresh snow with 
a temperature of 20° to 80° F. with the sun shining. Visibility at such 
times is at its very best and all bird life will be moving. Snow gives 
one an excellent opportunity to observe those birds which feed on the 
ground or on the weed heads. 
The Quail population is very low. On my trips this year I 
found only one covey where last year I found three although those 
found last year were very small while the one I found this year con- 
sisted of fourteen birds. The Quail suffer from the extended season 
on rabbits which place hunters in the field until spring. This would 
not be so serious if it were not for the snowfall which places the 
Quail at a serious disadvantage. I also feel that the change in the 
open season on Quail this year was a mistake. 
Increased rainfall during the past season resulted in a fine growth 
of plants of all kinds the seeds of which are now furnishing an abun- 
dance of food for the seed-eating birds. I note greatly increased num- 
bers of Song and Tree Sparrows, Juncos and Goldfinches. I also find 
these birds slow in coming in to my feeding stations due I believe to 
an increased food supply in the field. 
I urge that you bring the Snyder Bros. Nursery to the attention 
of your readers. I believe they have the most complete stock of shrubs 
and trees, beneficial to birds, of any nursery in the middle west. If 
we wish to have birds around our homes it is necessary that we also 
plant trees and shrubs for their protection and food supply. By plant- 
ing trees, shrubs and vines on my premises I have increased the nest- 
ing bird population by at least ten times greater than it was six years 
ago. 
I also wish to report that all the pupils of the Fiatt school are mem- 
bers of the Junior Audubon Club of that school. This result I feel is 
due to the splendid co-operation of the teachers. 
We still have with us that predator which preys on all Illinois 
wildlife which is a politically controlled Conservation Department. I 
feel that the first major objective of all conservation societies in this 
state should be the starting of a movement for the establishment of a 
non-political game commission and to this end all conservation societies 
within the state should unite their efforts. If we carry this movement 
to a successful conclusion we will have removed one of the greatest 
obstacles standing in the path of practical conservation. This has been 
proven by our neighbor the State of Iowa. I also urge that you bring 
to the attention of the public the fact that the Illinois Conservation 
Department has not issued a public report since 1930. There can only 
be one reason for the refusal of the officials of that Department to issue 
a report and that is for the purpose of concealing their inefficiency. 
HAROLD AULT, Fiatt,. Ill. 
