44 
THE AUD U BOWE UD Earn 
THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE 
ON THIS PAGE in the summer issue, members were invited to 
contact me about items of concern to the society. One of our mem- 
bers wrote of the fears of several Peoria members concerning the 
scheduled two month season on American Woodcock and Common 
Snipe. 
The society needs to bring its concern on matters such as this 
to the attention of the proper people in the Department of Con- 
servation. Sportsmen’s groups are always very vocal regarding their 
views for longer seasons and increased bag and possession limits. 
With the number of bird watchers in our ranks who are fre- 
quently in the field, we are in a position to provide the Department 
of Conservation with data indicating the decline of game species. 
If you keep detailed records on numbers of individuals of a species 
present in your area over the years send this information to Elton 
Fawks or work up an article for the Audubon Bulletin presenting 
your findings. Participation in the Spring Bird Census and the 
Christmas Bird Count is another way of adding to the data needed 
and wanted by those who establish the seasons to enable them to 
do the best possible job. 
THE SOCIETY can be more of a conservation force by growing. 
One of the most effective ways to increase our membership is for 
each member to recruit one new member. Finding just one member 
seems like a very simple task and it should be easy. | challenge 
you all to help us double our membership with this basic and un- 
sophisticated method. The office in Downers Grove will supply 
membership forms and other literature about the society. Just let 
us know what you need to help you help us. 
DO YOU HAVE A YEN to see the exotic birds of foreign lands? 
It there is sufficient interest, we could look into the possibility of 
organizing birding and conservation tours. Group air fares are less 
than single fares, and often a good guide can be lined up for a much 
more favorable price for a group than for one or two people. If 
you are at all interested, drop me a line and perhaps we can in- 
vestigate the possibilities. 
—PETER C. PETERSEN 
