This region is famous for its greater prairie chickens. A
20-foot-tall statue of one stands along Highway 52 in the town
of Rothsay. You can see the real-life bird at Richard M. &
Mathilde Rice Elliott Prairie, which is part of a network of
preserves where this chicken-sized bird continues to live. The
Conservancy dubbed greater prairie chicken one of the "Unlucky
13" grassland birds because its numbers have dwindled. Best
known for their spectacular courtship and mating rituals, it
once numbered in the millions. Its populations in many parts of
the United States are imperiled. Minnesota’s populations of this
bird, however, are rebounding. This preserve, along with the
nearby Western Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, combine to
create 817 acres of habitat for this bird. From Barnesville, go
south four miles on Highway 52 to County Road 188. Turn east and
go one mile to the southwest corner of the preserve. Continue
one-half a mile to a pull-off on the south side of the road to
park. Richard M. & Mathilde R