tte ore t/a ds Wr Nien Bt Ua Gasket IN 7 
produced. The September census showed a population of about 225 
quails. After sustaining average hunting and other losses during the 
fall months a fairly large per cent of the September population was 
still present at the beginning of winter. Following sustained periods 
of low temperature and deep snow it was found by a census in mid- 
March that less than 45 birds remained alive. The breeding season of 
1936 coincided with a drought period, and was on the whole unfavor- 
able. It is evident that the losses of 19385 and 1936 were not over- 
come until 19388, a season that apparently was favorable for many 
forms of wildlife. At that time quails reached the highest point in 
several years. 
SEPTEMBER QUAIL POPULATIONS ON JASPER COUNTY STUDY AREA 
1935-1938 
Year Number of Quails 
LSS oo cs. See Se Ree ok een Comme rar 225 
Shee CR PP See ee eh I ose my ei cs Mad sah ap di ok af hoe 90 
WE cope OS eS Fe ee . 160 
FE Eo We. SO oh, PRE Us es ag sue deal a Abs sees 300 
Quails are probably holding their own in Illinois except in the 
prairie section where hedge pulling is still reducing their range. An 
encouraging side of the picture is that wildlife management dove- 
tails closely into the movement for conservation of soil and water. 
Fortunately wildlife is recognized in the program of State and Federal 
agencies dealing with land use and many farmers and agricultural 
leaders are sympathetic with the conservation of wildlife. Planting 
of trees and shrubs to hold soil, a practice that is becoming more 
widespread, will provide many new habitats for quails and other 
wildlife. 
Rock Island County Winter Records 
By JOHN J. SCHAFER 
A barn owl] was first seen in our hay barn during the last week 
in January and has been staying there ever since. This is the first 
time this rare owl has been seen on our farm. It is remarkable 
that the pigeons which roost in the barn are not at all afraid of the 
owl. Two rusty blackbirds were seen in the barnyard the last week 
in January. Two mourning doves were here several weeks ago. 
Last week only one dove came back. Probably some one shot the 
other. 
A sparrow hawk comes nearly every day and sits on a large old 
burr oak to watch for the English sparrows. A few gulls were seen 
flying over in January. Some herring gulls and a good many Amer- 
ican mergansers and American golden-eyes stay on the Mississippi 
river during the winter. There are no red-headed woodpeckers here 
this winter; they all left early last fall. A few rough-legged hawks 
are seen occasionally, and sometimes a Cooper’s hawk comes and tries 
to catch a pigeon. 
Port Byron, Feb. 15, 1939. 
