i6i 



the bird-protection movement and more effectually place it 

 upon a lasting basis. A committee was appointed, which re- 

 ported at a meeting held in New York in November, 1901, as 

 follows : 



1. That the several societies retain their individuality, that 

 is, that they be not merged into a National Organization. 



2. But in view of the increased efficiency that would al- 

 ways result from some form of union, which would admit of 

 concerted action, it is reconmiended that, 



3. The several societies shall each appoint one member of 

 a committee to be known as tlie National Committee of the 

 Audubon Societies of America. 



4. That the members of the committee may be empowered 

 to represent the societies \vhenever concerted action on the 

 part of the societies be deemed by the committee expedient. 



5. That an annual conference be held. 



Since 1901, the National Committee has had charge of the 

 formation of new Audubon Societies, the fostering and en- 

 couragement of the new and weaker organizations, the warden 

 system, legislation, and general educational work, and it is 

 also an additional medium of exchange between the several 

 state societies. 



In 1904, two communications brought before the National 

 Committee have a direct bearing on bird life of the Pacific, 

 and as the information contained therein is probably not 

 known to many of our readers, they are given beloAv : 



Dr. Richmond, writing in behalf of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, says: "We have recently received from the Treasury 

 Department several specimens of birds from the island of 

 Lisiansky, one of the outlying Hawaiian islets, with the fol- 

 lowing history : Capt. O. C. Hamlet, of the Revenue Cutter 

 Service, commanding the U. S. S. 'Thetis,' was sent to this 

 island for the purpose of taking away certain Japanese who 

 were unlawful-y engaged in the killing of birds. No doubt 

 these fellows were collecting plume-birds. The skins were 

 made by the Japanese and have no data or labels attached. 

 The species represented one Albat|ross, one Tropic Bird and 

 three Terns." 



The newspaper account of this slaughter is correct and is 

 given herewith : 



