Report of Secretary 269 



to be in New York, lie has dirccLed Lhc efforts of ihe fifty-seven game wardens 

 of the North Carolina state Society, through whose efforts 153 convictions 

 were secured in the courts for violations of the bird and game protective laws. 

 His main work in the field has been in connection with the passage of the Shea 

 Plumage Bill by the New York Legislature. From January 4 until May 6, 

 his time was largely occupied with matters at the state capitol at Albany. 

 He interviewed frequently many of the members of both branches of the legis- 

 lature, and spoke at the committee hearings and the hearing before Governor 

 Hughes. During this period, he also gave fifteen public lectures in the state, 

 with a view of securing still further support for the passage of the measure. 

 In the interests of pending legislation, he also \isitcd the legislatures of New 

 Jersey, Georgia and Mississippi. 



In February he spoke at the meeting of the National Association of State 

 Game Wardens and Commissioners, at New Orleans, of which organization 

 he has the honor of being the president. In July he conducted a class in bird 

 study at the Summer School of the South, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and gave 

 four illustrated public lectures on the work of the Association. Since that time 

 the Audubon work has been revived in Tennessee by the formation at Knox- 

 ville of the East Tennessee Audubon Society, with Mr. H. Tullson as presi- 

 dent. Among other addresses delivered were those at the dinner given in honor 

 of Commander Peary, in New York City, by the Canadian Camp Fire Club; 

 the Congress of the Daughters of American Revolution, at Washington, D. C; 

 the National Farmers' Congress, at Raleigh, North Carolina; the annual 

 dinner of the Montclair, New Jersey, Game Protective Association; and the 

 meetings of the State Sportsmen's Associations of New Y^ork, Connecticut 

 and Michigan. 



FEDERAL CONTROL OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



The question which will doubtless be given very serious consideration in 

 the near future is that of placing the protection of all migratory birds in the 

 United States under federal control. 



The Weeks' Bill, now pending in Congress, contemplates such action. 

 By its provisions, the United States Department of Agriculture would have 

 authority to make rules regulating the killing and disposition of all migratory 

 birds. The present widely differing state laws give these birds woefully inade- 

 quate protection, and centralized control seems to be absolutely necessary 

 if our migratory game-birds and song-birds are to be preserved for the benefit 

 and enjoyment of future generations. 



President Dutcher has stood squarely and emphatically for the principle 

 involved since its first suggestion. During the year, we have been active in 

 promulgating arguments favoring its adoption, and in securing commenda- 

 tory resolutions from representative bodies. Thousands of letters and docu- 

 ments have been mailed from the New York office on the subject. It is worthy 



