The Audubon Societies 



203 



Death of Mrs. Dommerich 

 In the death of Mrs. C. F. Dommerich, 

 which occurred in New York city, Novem- 

 ber 9, 1900, the cause of bird protection has 

 lost a staunch and efficient supporter, who 

 had chosen for her field of work a state 

 where her services were greatly needed. 



It was through Mrs Dommerich 's efforts 

 that the Florida Audubon Society was 

 formed in March, 1900. Under her lead- 

 ership it promised to be an organization of 

 more than usual influence, and it is sin- 

 cerely to be hoped that in its ranks there 

 is some one who will carry on the work 

 which Mrs. Dommerich so successfully 

 inaugurated. 



Seizure of Gulls in Baltimore 



Acting under advice received from the 

 U. S Biological Survey, the Game and Fish 

 Commission of Maryland seized, in Oc- 

 tober last, 2,600 Gulls and Terns in the 

 possession of Dumont & Co., of Baltimore. 

 Under the provisions of the state law the 

 birds were confiscated, no defense being 

 made. A criminal case, to determine 

 whether Dumont & Co. are liable to the 

 fine imposed by the state law, of from $1 

 to $5 for each bird found in their posses- 

 sion, is still pending. 



This case thoroughly aroused the whole- 

 sale feather dealers of Baltimore, who re- 

 quested Dr. T. S. Palmer, of the Biological 

 Survey, to examine their stock. As a result 

 of this examination they promptly with- 

 drew all prohibited feathers, including 

 Grebes' breasts and Herons' aigrettes, 

 and each firm made a statement to the 

 effect that hereafter it would not deal in 

 birds protected by state or federal law. 



In this instance the state law covered 

 the ground, but it is clearly much strength- 

 ened by the support of the Lacey bill, and 

 it is evident that the section of this bill 

 which makes a bird subject to the law of 

 whatever state it chances to be in will, 

 under Dr. Palmer's energetic administra- 

 tion, exert so restraining an influence on 

 the trade in feathers that, fearing to in- 

 volve their customers in legal difficulties, 

 feather dealers will eventually abandon 

 the use of the feathers of our native birds. 



Reports of Societies 



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SOCIETY 



The annual meeting of the Society was 

 the largest and most successful one ever 

 held. 



After the election of officers, and reports 

 of treasurer, secretary, and committees, 

 the secretary read a History of the Audu- 

 bon Movement in America, beginning with 

 an account of the original general Society, 

 followed by the State Societies, in the 

 order of their inception, and a concise 

 history of each organization, its officers, 

 membership, main objects, and most suc- 

 cessful lines of work. 



Mr. Harry Oberholser followed with 

 'Glimpses of Audubon,' an interesting 

 talk about the famous naturalist, illus- 

 trated with a number of views of his first 

 home in America, and pictures from his 

 works. 



Mr. Wood gave great pleasure and 

 amusement by his clever imitations of the 

 notes, calls and cries of "our friends in 

 feathers and furs." 



At this meeting it was announced that 

 Mrs George Colton Maynard's book, 

 'Birds of Washington and Vicinity,' had 

 been adopted as a text-book in our public 

 schools, 500 copies having been ordered 

 for that purpose. A complete set of the 

 publications up to date of each Society 

 has been bound and placed in our free 

 library, as well as a full set of the papers, 

 reports, etc., of the Society in England for 

 the Protection of Birds, very kindly given 

 to us by its honorary secretary, Mrs. 

 Lemon. Our collection of expensive books 

 of reference placed in the library for the 

 use of teachers and students grows each 

 year, as does our membership. 



One hundred bird specimens were 

 bought, and used by individual students 

 and by members to illustrate talks and 

 lectures. 



Classes for the study of birds were held 

 by Dr. Palmer and Mr. Oberholser in the 

 normal school during the spring. 



In May, June and July, popular talks 

 were given by Miss Elizabeth V. Brown 



