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 The Audubon Societies 33 ing and bird-destruction should bear the signature of some one whose word is that of authority. There is too much random pen work. The recent interest in bird- protection in all branches has led the various journals of the country, with a well intentioned interest in current events, to publish an unusual amount of natural history items, either collected at random by the office shears or contributed by the many ornithological Munchausens with all the plausible volubility of little knowl— The mis-statements so published, for which no one seems to be exactly respon- sible, give the lie to many carefully stated truths that the protectionists wish most to inculcate. These errors, also, being more in accord with the ideas of feather-headed ladies, are eagerly received, and even after they have been corrected as tar as possible, still continue their influence. It is on this point that a new impulse can be given the work of the Audubon Socie- ties. Newspaper publicity of the right sort is what the cause most needs, as the news- paper is the only literature that reaches the greater part of the community with any sort of directness. Do what we will, our appeals and leaflets reach but compara- tively few. Let each Audubon Society organize a special press committee composed of two persons, one with a bent for reading, the other to be one who mingles much in so- ciety, observing what the local vagaries of headgear may be. Let the reader go once a week to a public library and look over the papers, with a view of keeping in touch with all that is said in regard to feathers, and let the social member keep note of the forbidden or questionable feathers that ap- pear on bonnets, so that necessary local warnings may be given. By this means flagrant mis-statements can be locally corrected, making the work doubly sure, and valuable statistics as to local feather- wearing can be published from time to time. Of course great care must be taken in the choosing of these committees. The members must be well informed as well as zealous, for in all reform movements, espe- cially those where sense and sentiment are interwoven, there is but a step from the sublime to the very, very ridiculous. If every Society will form such a press com- mittee, able to do conservative and reliable work in its own state, a committee upon which editors can rely, knowing that it has behind it the authority and advice of Bird-Lore's Advisory Council, the first step will be taken toward the desired Fed- eration of Audubon Societies, with an annual convention where members may meet face to face and feel the fellowship that comes from the spoken word. M. O. W. An Appeal to Bird-Lovers. [The following appeal for the Gulls and Terns has been issued by the American Ornithologists' Union. Copies of it may be obtained, without charge, by address- ing Mr. Abbott H. Thayer, Scarboro, N. Y.— Ed.] Fashion has again attacked the Gulls and Terns, and the feather dealers state that the demand for the skins of these birds far exceeds the supply. The last moment for saving the surviv- ing Terns has come, and the American Or- nithologists' Union therefore appeals to every bird-lover for money, to be used in hiring wardens to protect the birds while nesting. Contributions should be sent to Mr. William Dutcher, treasurer cf the Union, at 525 Manhattan avenue. New York city, who will furnish all desired in- formation. Abbott H. Thayer. William Brewster, Pres. Mass. Audubon Society. Witmer Stone. Chairman A. Ci. V. Com. on Bird Protection Robert Ridgway, President A O. U. C. Hart Merriam, Chief U. S Biological Survey; Vice Pres. A. O. U. A. K. Fisher, Ass't Biologist, U. S. Biological Survey. J. A. Allen, Curator Vertebrate Zoology, Am. Mus. Nat. His. Frank M. Chapman, Ass't Curator Ver. Zoology, Am. Mus. N. His. William Dutcher, Treasurer A. O, U.