Page:Bird-lore Vol 05.djvu/224

 The Audubon Societies

members of this society, tor which no charge is made Fifty or sixty teachers comprise the mem- bers of these classes. Illustrations are given by means of two hundred bird-skins owned by the socicn These are also available for use in private schools and for lectures.

diﬁerent ornithologists.

classes for popular instruction were held through April and May. and Created great enthusiasm. especially the outdoor classes, realizing tor the treasury a neat little sum. Field meetings were held through April and May tor members and their triends, each personally conducted by two or more trained ornithologisls. Leading, as they did, through the beautitul woods, so easy of access around Washington. to which was added one water excur n. these meetings are said to be the crown g pleasure of the year’s work,

For the protection of birds there has been examination of millinery stores by oﬂicers of the. society; cooperation with the Audu- bon Society of the state of Virginia to se- cure enactment of adequate laws for that state; cooperation with the game-wardens of Montgomery county, Maryland. copies at our game»|aws being sent to all wardens in the county. Occasional examinations oi markets and commission houses have revealed no ﬂagrant violation of game-laws. no song- birds oﬁered for sale.

Protection has been given to two breeding colonies of Night Herons near the eastern branch of the Potomac, The existence of breeding colonies so near the city of Wash- ington is of great interest.

All sale of Grebes and “Water Witches" in the markets has been effectively stoppetlt The sale of live native birds has been re- duced to a minimum, and the trapping of song-birds near the city has been practically stopped.

The laws tor the protection of birds and game have been generally well observed.

The society numbers about three hundred members. and some of its ofﬁcers have been told that “more good is accomplished with less money expenditure than would ever have been thought possible."~jzr\t\‘lz MAUR" PATTEN, Sure/or}.

207

Report or the Audubon Society at Vet- rnont {or 1903

The year (903 has brought much encour- agement to those interested in Audubon work in Vermont. Membership has not increased rapidly. but sustained snort has been made to create a public sentiment which will secure to our agricultural inter- ests the protection of bird-life. and to en» courage among all our people that interest in living birds which makes forthe enlarge- mentand enrichment of life from the esthetic side.

We have had the hearty cooperation of our state superintendent of educa n, Mr. Walter E. Ranger, who has furnished us with much valuable printed matter. ptth lished under his direction. by the State Board. He has also invited members of our society to present methods of bird study at the summer schools for teachers, held under state authority We have endeavored to avail ourselves of these opportunities, and ﬁnd a lively interest in the subject among all the teachers with whom we have been able to communicate. Nature work in its largest sense-—man's true relation to the world about him—is the growing idea un— derly g the work of our educators. We now have Audubon members among the instructors in two of our State Normal Schools. which insures aid to those soon to be enrolled among the teachers of the state

The subject of birtl protection by the iarmer, not legal protection, but such indi- vidual protection as can result only from an

intelligent comprehension of the economic value of birds to our agricultural interests. was ably presented by Amos ]. Eaton at the Dairymen's Meeting held under the auspices of our State Board or Agriculture. No topic discussed awakened kecncr inter- est. We hope to extend this feature of our work through the granges of the state.

A lantern and.

ides would be of material help. but our ﬁnances will not admit of purchase at present. Mr. Eaton had only the Massachusetts charts for illustration. We have added another circulating library during the yeart These books reach the homes through the children. Parents be- come interested in the topics which absorb