Peete Ue UU RON eB UalLaL. Wet. r N 15 
path. They alight at some distance and walk quietly through the grasses. 
The four to six white eggs are speckled with brown and purplish. A second 
nesting is not uncommon. Usually the meadowlark is monogamous. “The 
young remain in the nest 10 days to two weeks, and then wander about in 
the grass until their wings are strong, attended by their solicitous 
parents.”’ (Forbush). 
In diet the meadowlark is chiefly beneficial. One-half of its intake is of 
harmful insects; 27 per cent is vegetable matter, either grass or weed seeds 
or waste grain, and the remainder useful beetles or neutral insects and 
spiders. 
It is a hardy bird, not strictly migratory, as some birds remain in the 
northern states all winter. 
The popularity of the western meadowlark is attested by the fact that 
it is the state bird of Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas. 
here ee ot 
Let’s Do It Again in 1949 
The membership committee reports 155 new Illinois Audubon Society 
members for 1948. All except 10 of these joined during the membership 
campaign which started April 1 and closed Jan. 1. Fifty-four of the new 
affiliations were obtained by 36 members, whom the committee and Board 
of Directors wish to thank for their cooperation. 
Mrs. Theron Wasson was the prize producer with seven new members, 
followed by Mrs. John Shawvan, Mrs. Amy Baldwin, and Miss Doris Plapp, 
with six each, and Mrs. Anna C. Ames, with four. 
It is encouraging to see our new members already bringing their friends 
into the society and we got off to a flying start in 1949 with five new 
members the first week in January. If you are not one of those who started 
the membership snowball rolling in 1948, you can help keep up its mo- 
mentum by interesting at least one of your friends in the I.A.S. tais year. 
We! ri fa 
Mr. Decker Retires 
The Directors of the Illinois Audubon Society wish to thank Charles 
O. Decker for the many years he has actively participated in forwarding 
the aims of the Society. After 20 years as treasurer and 10 years as editor 
of The Bulletin he has decided to take a well-earned rest. These duties, 
voluntarily taken up without compensation other than the satisfaction of 
having done that which needed doing, now devolve on other members of the 
Society. Mr. Decker, as an Honorary Director, still will participate in 
decisions on policy and give his successors the benefit of his long experience. 
We need that help and the help of all members. 
