Ron Dougan writes his kids 03/25/1960

Ron Dougan writes his kids 03/25/1960 

“Dear kids, do you know Plainfield? There’s an area

near there where prairie chickens mate every year.

They are nearly extinct but are making a comeback 

in this sand country. A naturalist couple keeps records. 

The cocks have their personal strutting areas and respect 

each other’s territories. After much male showing off

the hens start to sidle in to the drumming areas. I’m

telling you this because the couple has birdwatchers come

help count. Everyone gets up at 4 because the activity

is all over by 6. We went the other night to enjoy the a.m.

fun but it snowed so nothing happened. We’ll go again!” 

This article appears in Construction season.