35 
County. Rabbits are increasing and plentiful in Crawford County. 
Rabbits are increasing and plentiful in both counties. No waterfowls, 
only in the spring, and then only for a short time. There are few 
streams or other fishing waters in these counties. The Embarrass 
River runs through the southwest part of Crawford County, and is the 
best fishing stream, but on account of pollutions of the water from oil 
wells there are not many fish to be found there. 
Fayette, Effingham and Jasper Counties, Deputy Pearson report- 
ing: In these counties prairie chickens, quails, rabbits and squirrels 
are to be found in increasing numbers, all of which may be accounted 
for by reason of better protection, more favorable breeding year, and 
the further fact that farmers are not permitting so much hunting as 
in the past. Not many pheasants to be found in either county; few 
were ever distributed to this territory, and what were put here seem 
to not increase very well. Waterfowls and shore birds, in decreasing 
numbers each year stop here on their flight to the north; none stay 
here during the year. The principal fishing waters are the Kaskaskia, 
Little Wabash and Embarrass Rivers. In these streams all kinds of 
fish, found in the waters of the State, are found in increasing numbers, 
except German carp. The most noticeable increase in kind is the 
black bass in the Kaskaskia and Embarrass Rivers, which are now fish 
preserves. Besides the rivers named, there are a few small lakes, 
among which is Kennagga Lake near Effingham, which abounds in 
crappie, sunfish, black bass and bullhead. cat. This lake is an ideal 
breeding place for fish, it being fed by springs and tile ditches, and 
since there has been given better protection the fish have increased 
very rapidly. There is also Skillet Lake near Vandalia. It, too, is 
well adapted for breeding fish, being fed by springs and ditches. In it 
is found bullhead cat, black bass, crappie and sun perch. There is a 
strong sentiment here for a closed season of three years on quails, and 
an open season for seining in fish preserves during the month of 
August. 
Shelby, Coles and Cumberland Counties, Deputy Monfort report- 
ing: In Shelby and Cumberland Counties prairie chickens are found 
in increasing numbers, while in Coles there are few and they are 
seemingly on the decrease. There does not seem to be much increase 
in quails in these counties this year; just what the cause is not known, 
unless it is the excessive wet weather during the nesting season. 
About the same number of squirrels and rabbits are to be found this 
year as last. Doves are reported to be very plentiful, a noticeable 
increase over last year. Waterfowls and shore birds are here only in 
their flights north and south, and then only in small numbers. The 
Kaskaskia, Embarrass and Little Wabash Rivers are the principal 
streams in these counties, the first two being fish preserves. In these 
streams most all kinds of fish are found in increasing numbers, espe- 
cially black bass. Reservoir Lake, owned by the City of Mattoon, is 
near the head of the Little Wabash, and has been stocked with fish 
by the State, and fish are fast increasing under the better protection 
that is being given. 
Moultrie and Douglas Counties, Deputy Cochran reporting: In 
Moultrie County prairie chickens are found in increasing numbers, 
especially in the vicinity of Sullivan, where close protection by the 
