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 " Vou cannot with a scalpel Jind the poet's soul. Nor yet the wild bird's song." Edited by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright (President of the Audubon Society of the State of Connecticut), Fairfield, Conn., to whom all communications relating to the work of the Audubon and other Bird-Protective Societies should be addressed. Reports, etc., designed for this depart- ment should be sent at least one month prior to the date of publication. Notes The ever-important question of how to retain the interest of those already banded together by membership in the Audubon Societies is still before us, and seemingly as far from being settled as ever. As yet there has been no general meeting of workers in this branch of bird -pro- tection, no interchange of personally related experience. I am glad to be able to state definitely that the long-talked-of conference is to be held this fall, and I urge as large a response as possible to the hospitable invitation of the Audubon Society of the state of Massachusetts. It is quite fitting that this Society should be the first to act as host, as it has been the pioneer of all that is best in the work — at once progressive and con- servative. with a living at stake to be more moral than the woman who has sufficient means to buy her headgear ready made? One milliner writes : "I am in sympathy with the Audubon movement, and I think it is a great pity that the dear little birds should be sacrificed for millinery trimming, but as long as my patrons demand them I feel it right to use them. Stop the demand, and the milliners and dealers will soon forget about them. * * * It is my plan to have a great many hats and bonnets without the plumage of wild birds, and if I could get sufficient support from members of the society, I would do away with them altogether. " This, from a well-known Boston milli- ner, drives the nail home, and is a clear ex- pression of the sentiments of the majority of the intelligent trade. Some time ago Professor M. A. Willco.x made the suggestion that a 'White-List' of milliners be obtained, if possible, in every city and large town ; this list to be composed of the names of those who would be willing to keep on hand some tasteful hats and bonnets from which all but Ostrich plumes should be absent or, in short, to make it easy for customers to obtain 'Audubonnets' if they so desire This is a praiseworthy experiment, and I should like every secretary to endeavor to send a list of names by November i. Personally, I think it is handling the matter by the wrong end. Women should refrain from demanding feathers rather than throw the responsibility upon the milliner, who must keep well in the front with novelties in the push of trade-rivalry or go to the wall. Why should we expect the milliner I wish to call particular attention to Bird-chart No. II, issued by the Massa- chusetts Society. It is fully the equal of No. I, and the two, picturing as they do fifty-two of our common birds, with accom- panying descriptive text by Ralph Hoff- mann, are a practical answer to the daily question, "How can I instruct my children about the birds ? We do not live near a museum." The Rhode Island Society has issued a very striking poster printed on heavy card, bearing a picture of a Tern, and urging women to refrain from wearing the plum- age of both Gulls and Terns. Copies may be purchased from the secretary. The schools are again in session, and the season for teaching via the book opens as the season of observation for the many draws to a close. This is the time that