284 Bird -Lore 



and Rocky Mountain Sheep will be left unprotected. — ^Mrs. Harriet B. 

 Thornber, Secretary. 



California. — The past year has been one of the most successful in the 

 history of the Audubon Society. There seems to be a growing interest in 

 bird protection, and the first Bird and Arbor Day was widely observed. An 

 appeal was made to our Congressmen to vote for Senate Bill No. 7,242, which 

 would give better protection to the fur seals of the Pacific Coast; this bill 

 has since become a law. 



On February 4, a public reception was given by our Society in Los Angeles 

 in honor of our President, Mr. David Starr Jordan. About two hundred 

 people were present, and listened to a comprehensive address on bird pro- 

 tection by Dr. Jordan. 



During the year, our Society has been made an honorary member of the 

 State Humane Association. The State Federation of Women's Clubs became 

 a member of this Society, and invited our Secretary to tell of our work at the 

 State Convention, April 8 to 12. 



Two years ago the Supervisors of Los Angeles county appropriated two- 

 hundred and fifty dollars to rid the county of English Sparrows. A like amount 

 has been appropriated this year, and an effort is being made to get all the 

 southern counties to cooperate in an effort to keep out this pest, which has 

 gained such a foothold in northern California. 



Two cases of violation of the game-law by offering for sale the plumage 

 of the Snowy Heron w^ere found in San Francisco by William L. Finley, Field 

 Agent of the National Association. Mr. Finley found difficulty in handUng 

 these cases, because of the unwilUngness of the police judge, before whom 

 they must be tried, to issue warrants for the offenders' arrest. When the 

 arrests were finally made and the cases tried, one against a jewelry firm was 

 dismissed, because it pleaded ignorance of the law^; the milliners escaped with 

 a five-dollar fine. In Los Angeles one hat with plume was confiscated; it is 

 quite likely that some violations escaped notice, but, on the whole, the plum- 

 age law was very well observed. 



Our most important work during the past year was employing a School 

 Secretary, who gives her entire time to public lecturing. She visits teachers, 

 Farmers' Institutes, Women's Clubs and schools, and also organizes Junior 

 Audubon Societies. In seven months Miss Libby has given 230 bird talks 

 in twenty-five towns and seventy- two schools, speaking before 12,000 children 

 and 1,700 adults. Forty-six Junior Audubon Societies have been organized 

 with a membership of 2,395, making the total junior membership 3,135 in the 

 state. The funds for this undertaking were given by the National Associa- 

 tion, the Pasadena and Riverside Societies, the sustaining and junior 

 members, and from proceeds of lectures. 



It is an interesting fact that when Miss Libby was engaged there was 



