Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/267

 The Aububon Societies 219 "Birds - of - Paradise were also rather cheaper; 2,098 light plumes, and 1,850 various were offered. Vulture quill fea- thers sold well, and there was a large sup- ply of Eagle, Hawk, Pelican and Albatross quills. Japanese Waxwings fetched id. per skin; East Indian Pheasants, %&. ; Bee- eaters, 7'sd.; Crested Pigeons, is. 6d.; Ibis wings, 5d." It certainly is good news that the falling off in the sales of aigrettes was "on account of the absence of American trade. " Perhaps some of the aigrettes sold were from Florida, because it is well known that these plumes are shipped from there to Nassau, and are no doubt reshipped to London. It is also well known that some of these plumes are sent to New York, but it is done so secretly that it is practically impossible to secure the evidence that will convict the shipper and consignee. Quite recently a merchant in one of the interior towns was detected shipping one dozen plumes, and the justice before whom he was taken fined him $75 and costs, which was promptly paid. It therefore seems that the campaign of protection and education that is being car- ried on by the Audubon Societies is having some effect. In thisconneetion, it is pleasant to be able to record the fact that at the recent annual meetings of the Federation of Women's Clubs of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, resolutions were adopted "that, in the future, club women would not use 'ai- grettes' and that they recommend to the other women of their respective states like action in regard to these plumes." Club women are a power in moulding good public opinion, and it is hoped that the Federations in other states will follow the excellent example set by the club women of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is shameful to kill such splendid birds as Eagles, Hawks, Pelicans and the Alba- tross, simply for the purpose of securing a few quills, and words fail to express the measure of a person who will kill a bird as beautiful as a Waxwing for a penny. — W. D. Politics vs. Audubon Society. — It is reported that the Gunners' League of Curri- tuck, North Carolina, will make desperate efforts to abolish the State Audubon Society or have the county of Currituck released from the provisions of the game laws. This faction simply desires to be permitted to exercise its selfish ends regardless of the best interests of the state, without a thought for the result of their action on the future. Certainly there will be enough wise and unselfish men in the next General Assembly to uphold the credit of the state and not permit any retrogade step. The Audubon society of North Carolina is an honor to the state, and the influence for good it exerts beyond the borders of the commonwealth is very great. — W. D. Cage-Birds. — There are still a few Cardinals and Mocking-birds being clan- destinely shipped from this country to Ant- werp and London, notwithstanding the utmost vigilance to prevent the traffic. A member of the National Association recently reported having seen a number of Cardinals in a shop in London, but he was unable to ascertain from what American port they were shipped. It is thought, h( wever, that they were from Philadelphia. Some foreign cage-birds were recently smuggled into the port of New York, and, although they were not of a prohibited species, the vessel own- ers were fined $400 for not having reported them on the manifest. — W. D. Notice Members and others are requested to ad- dress all correspondence to the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City. Membership in the National Association: $5 paid annually constitutes a person a sus- taining member, #100 paid at one time constitutes a life membership, $1,000 paid Constitutes a person a patron, $5,000 paid constitutes a person a founder, $25,000 paid constitutes a person a benefactor. Form of bequest: I do hereby give and bequeath to the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals (incorporated) of the city of New York.