168 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society 

 FOR THE Protection of Birds. We are in le- 

 ceipt of the minutes of the annual meeting of the 

 Canadian Society for the Protection of Birds, held 

 in Toronto, Dec. 31, 1918. 



Preceding the business meeting a complementary 

 luncheon was held in honor of the retiring president. 

 Dr. C. K. Clarke, at which felicitous remarks and 

 speeches were made. 



The secretary's report showed that though a lack 

 of funds had been felt, considerable work had been 

 accomplished through the year. The society brought 

 Mr. Harold Baynes, of Meriden, N.H., to lecture 

 on April 4 during the convocation of the Ontario 

 Educational Association on "Wild Birds and How 

 to Attract Them." In September a bird fete was 

 organized at which Mr. W. D. Hobson, of Wood- 

 stock, spoke. Another lecture was also given by 

 Mr. Hobson on Nov. 19, on "Bird Calls and Bird 

 Ways". 



The following officers were unanimously elected 

 for the coming year: President, Frank F. Payne; 

 vice-presidents. Dr. N. A. Powell and Principal 

 Charles G. Eraser; secretary, Miss Laura B. 

 Durand; directors. Miss Barbara A. Ewan, Mrs. 

 L. Clark Macklem, Mrs. Arthur McFarlane, Mr. 

 Herbert Barton. 



At the first meeting of the Executive on Jan. 6 

 Dr. Clarke was elected the society's first honorary 

 president and Dr. A. H. Mackay, Superintendent of 

 Education, N.S., the first provincial vice-president. 

 It is understood to be the policy to have similar 

 representation in the other provinces. 



The object of the society is: (a) to instruct the 

 public regarding the importance of protecting bird 

 life in the interests of the country, by holding 

 meetings, lectures and exhibitions; (b) to publish 

 and distribute literature relating to birds and co- 

 operate with the Federal and Provincial Govern- 

 ments and regularly organized natural history socie- 

 ties throughout Canada in this respect; also to ac- 

 quire and maintain a library; (c) to secure legisla- 

 tion on behalf of bird protection in addition to ex- 

 isting legislation and to assist in enforcing the same; 

 (J) to forward the study of migration and all other 

 matters relating to the nature of birds. 



The members are of four classes, honorary, life, 

 annual and junior. Life members are those who 

 pay the tsum of $10.00 at one time, annual members 

 pay $1.00 each year. Juniors are children of fifteen 

 years of age or under who are enrolled without fee 

 on signing the pledge. 



Branches may be formed in any place and affilia- 

 tion is invited. County clerks and all other persons 

 are asked to co-operate and report violations of bird 



protection acts, and the public is asked to limit the 

 number of cats in order that birds may increase, 

 to confine pet cats or keep them under observation 

 during the nesting season, and report to the local 

 Humane Society's officers the presence of stray 

 or unowned cats. 



The pledge of the Society is as follows: 

 "In becoming a member of the Canadian Society 

 for the Protection of Birds, I pledge myself to pro- 

 tect all useful wild birds from their enemies by every 

 means in my power; to promote the study of their 

 lives, and to influence others to do the same". 



The Ottawa Naturalist wishes the society 

 every success. 



Alberta Natural History Society. ^The 

 13th annual meeting of the society was held at Red 

 Deer, Friday, Dec. 27, 1918. At the afternoon 

 session the usual business was transacted, including 

 the reading and passing upon of the report and 

 financial statement of the secretary-treasurer, and 

 the election of officers for the ensuing year, viz: 

 Hon. president, Hon. D. Marshall; Hon. vice-presi- 

 dent, Mr. J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P. ; second Hon. vice- 

 president, Mr. H. A. Craig; president, Mr. F. C. 

 Whitehouse; vice-president, Mrs. W. A. Cassels; 

 second vice-president, Dr. H. George ; directors, 

 Mrs. George, Mrs. Pamley, Mrs. Root, Miss Cole, 

 Miss Goudie, Mr. E. Wilton; Edmonton Messrs. 

 K. Bowman, F. S. Carr, D. Mackie. 



At the evening session the following papers were 

 read: the executive report, Mrs. Cassels; annual 

 entomological report, dealing with insect pests, etc., 

 Mr. Whitehouse ; Alberta mammals of the carnivor- 

 ous group. Dr. George. Dr. George's paper was 

 fully illustrated by specimens from his fine collection; 

 Faunal zones, Mr. Whitehouse; insects and other 

 specimens, representative of the different Alberta 

 zones, were shown, with maps, defining the areas 

 of life. 



During the past two years the following papers 

 have been given: 



March 28, 1917 Insect Pests, Mr. Whitehouse. 



April 25 Water-birds at Sylvan lake, Mrs. W. 

 A. Cassels. 



Birds of Alberta, Dr. H. George. 



May 30 Fishes of Alberta and adjacent waters, 

 Mr. Whitehouse. 



Sept. 26 Dragonflies, Mr. Whitehouse. 



Oct. 26 Nature study in Schools; its difficulties. 

 Miss M. Cole. 



Nov. 23 Alberta Beetles, Mr. F. S. Carr, of 

 Edmonton. 



Insect collecting Mt. Coliseum, Nordegg, Alta.,^ 

 Mr. Whitehouse. 



