INTRODUCTION 



The popular interest and love for wild 

 birds has advanced with such strides in the 

 past twenty years that it seems quite un- 

 likely that any more bird species will com- 

 pletely disappear through the destructive 

 agency of man. The most far-reaching influ- 

 ence in America to-day for fair play and 

 protection to birds is the widespread organ- 

 izing of school children in junior Audubon 

 societies. A class of approximately three 

 hundred thousand pupils each year, who re- 

 ceive illustrated educational leaflets of the 

 commoner birds has become a vital influence 

 in protecting and encouraging wild birds 

 about the home. 



The National Association of Audubon 

 Societies and the different state Audubon 

 societies have molded public opinion and 

 secured the pasage and enforcement of proper 

 laws and have built up a general 4ove and in- 

 terest in birds. This has resulted in a greater 

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