300 Bird -Lore 



and need of a Game Commissioner is felt at every turn, although our sheriffs 

 have given more help than formerly. 



We should give public expression of our sorrow at the death of Hon. George 

 W. Wilson, editor of the 'Times-Union.' Mr Wilson was a vice-president of our 

 Society from its foundation, and his generous help and sympathy will never 

 be forgotten. 



In the death of Ex-President Grover Cleveland, we meet with the loss of 

 an Honorar}- Vice-president. Mr. Cleveland approved the efforts of our Society, 

 and was a defender of the rights of the lower order of creation, as well as of 

 the higher. While he was a sportsman, he was so in its best sense; for he believed 

 that no cruelty or wanton sacrifice of life should be allowed or practiced. 



I but voice the feeling of all the officers of the Florida Audubon Society, 

 as well as of all bird lovers, when I make a plea for some action to be taken by 

 the National Association, in concert with the State Audubon Societies, to place 

 restrictions on the shooting from 'motor-boats,' of birds and animals. Their 

 destruction or slaughter is not perhaps realized; but in Florida, with its rivers, 

 lakes, and beautifully wooded creeks, where birds have their haunts, is offered 

 every inducement for a motor-boat, and shooting from it soon becomes a reck- 

 less amusement; for, as the boat does not stop in its course, the dead or dying 

 creatures are left on the water or shore. We have reports of quantities of wild 

 Ducks shot in this way, which have been found on the water or on the banks. 



The picture is before you — the cruelty is apparent! Cannot some action be 

 taken to prohibit it ? — Mrs. Kingsmill Marks, Chairman of Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



Illinois. — The annual meeting was held in May, and was most interesting 

 because of the address of Dr. Lynds Jones of Oberlin College, Ohio, on 'Sea Birds 

 of the Washington Bird Reservation.' At this meeting a resolution was passed, 

 asking that the subject of bird protection be considered at the meetings on 

 conservation of the nation's resources to be held in Washington. Doubtless, 

 the Illinois Audubon Society was not the only one that felt that the birds deserved 

 a place as a 'resource' of the nation, and those engaged in forestry work should 

 recognize, more than they do, their important part in the preservation of the 

 forests. The Society has sent out over seventeen thousand Leaflets this last 

 year, the largest number in its history. It has also sent the little paper 'By-the- 

 Wayside' to loo teachers in the state. 



The lUinois Arbor- and Bird-Day Annual of this year was a credit to the 

 state, much of its interest being due to the work of two members of the Audubon 

 Society, Professors F. L. Charles and Thomas L. Hankinson. 



The Audubon Department in 'School News,' under the charge of Mrs. E. 

 S. Adams, has been continued, and has brought large results in the increased 

 interest of teachers and scholars. Owing also to the fact that in the lUinois 

 'course of stud\' teachers were advised to write to the Audubon Societv for 



