é Stacked against us 
     
    
   
   
    
     BY EVELYN MEADER 
     
    
   
   
    
     People interested in the environment know know that April showers 
     
     bring more than May flowers. Even Ronal Reagan recognizes the problem. 
     
     Sadly, the raindrops which keep falling on our heads are loaded with sul- 
     
     phuric or nitric acid. This harmful precipitation kills the fish, damages 
     
     trees, increases farming costs (more limestone needed), pollutes our 
     
     water, eats buildings, car and trucks and has negative effects on our 
     
     health. Shakespeare could no longer write of "gentle" falling rain. What 
     
     falls to earth is a harsh concoction, a product of industrial "progress". 
     
    

    
     From "Acid News", a Swedish-Nowegian publication, comes a story, 
     
     "Acid Rain and Dementia". A Vermont scientist, Daniel Perl, has found 
     
     that aluminum released from the soil by acid rain may be a cause of such 
     
     illnesses as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. He has found a high con- 
     
     centration of aluminum in brain cells of victims. He is doing more study 
     
     on how the aluminum gets into the body and its effect there. It does make 
     
     a person consider trading in the aluminum pots for stainless steel. But 
     
     we could be just steeling ourselves for other problems when we cook up 
     
     food for more than thought. 
     
    

    
     The annual meeting of the C.C.A.R. was held April 23 in Toronto. This 
     
     should result in a flood of acid rain bulletins. At least the mails are a 
     
     fairly safe place for acid rain. It'll take a long time getting to us. 
     
    

    
     Are you curious about the acidic content of our rainfall? Environ— 
     
     ment Canada (566-7060) will give you the readings on recent Maritime pre- 
     
     cipitation. All that sulphur that goes up from the tall stacks must come 
     
     down. Thus, even the drops are stacked against us! 
     
    
   
   
    
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     The Trustees of the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research 
     
     supported six projects in 1986 for a total of $2880.00 in 1986. Applica— 
     
     tions are welcome for funding in 1987. All projects must be conducted in 
     
     Canada, and although all types of bird research are eligible for consid— 
     
     eration, preference will be given to projects conducted by amateur re— 
     
     searchers and to those by professionals who use a high level of amateur 
     
     participation. Thesis projects and others likely to receive support from 
     
     other agencies are less likely to receive support than similar quality - , 
     
     projects with little or no access to other funding. 
     
    

    
     All applications must be submitted on forms available from the Sec- 
     
     retary, and should be postmarked by 31 December 1986 to be guaranteed 
     
     consideration by the Trustees. 
     
    

    
     The current board of Trustees consists of Fred Bodsworth (chairman), 
     
     Robert Curry, Clive E. Goodwin, Dr. David J.T. Hussell, Dr. David M. Scott, 
     
     Dr. J. Murray Speirs and James Woodford. Application forms, instructions 
     
     and further information can be obtained from Dr. Martin K. McNicholl, Sec— 
     
     retary, c/o Long Point Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ont. 
     
    

    
     NOE 1M0. Donations should be sent to the same address. The chief source~ofllfin 
     
     funding is the Jim Baillie Birdathon conducted annually by the Long Point_fl:§ 
     
     Bird Observatory, but direct donations are welcome and tax deductible. Arlrff 
     
    
   
   
    
     " so: 
     
    
   
   
    
     receipt will be issued. _ “‘WSé 
     
    
   
   
    
     —.'-~—T‘.-=I 
     
    
   
   
    
     - 7 _