State Audubon Reports 315 



Massachusetts. — During the past year our membership has increased to 7,198 

 persons, of which 2,302 are juniors and 122 local secretaries. A new class of 

 members has been admitted, called active members, who pay twenty-five cents 

 per year. In addition to our local secretaries, we have four branch societies, 

 called local committees. 



A great many Leaflets, cloth warning-posters, and copies of the laws, have 

 been distributed. Also, postal-cards issued by the State Fish and Game Com- 

 mission, stating the law in regard to birds protected in our state, calling attention 

 especially to the law forbidding the use or possession of feathers of small birds, 

 Terns, Gulls, Grebes, Herons (including "aigrettes," "ospreys"), certain Owls 

 and Hawks. The Educational Leaflets published by the National Association 

 were especially liked. 



Complaints of violations of law received were immediately reported to the 

 state officers, the Fish and Game Commission, and promptly attended to. 



Our four traveling libraries have been in constant use, and our three traveling 

 lectures were used in a number of schools and clubs. There has been a good sale 

 for our bird-charts, calendars, and plates. For our calendar this year we are 

 to republish the plates used on our calendar for 1909. These plates, which came 

 from Japan very late last fall, are uniform in style and artistic merit with our 

 calendars for the past four years. 



Our protection committee watched legislation closely, and we tried to aid Mr. 

 Forbush in every way in our power. At the end of the season, it was voted that 

 our Society appropriate $100, to reimburse the National Association for legis- 

 lative work up to May i. We also voted a contribution of $100 to the work for 

 the Heath Hen which Dr. Field is doing at Martha's Vineyard, and one of $50 

 toward the further protection of Gulls, etc. 



Much time and work were given by one of our Directors, with a view to 

 increasing our membership and coming into closer touch with our local secre- 

 taries than the Secretary's duties left her opportunity for. 



The Society has offered a lecture on birds, free of expense; to the four local 

 secretaries, or local committees, sending the largest number of new members 

 before January i, 1910. 



Plans have been made for a three weeks' lecturing tour through the state by 

 Mr. Baynes, for the purpose of stimulating interest in the work, and thus helping 

 the local secretaries and committees. Subscriptions to cover part of the expense 

 have been received. 



Through the courtesy of Mr. Forbush, our charts, calendars, plates and leaf- 

 lets were shown at the Sportsmen's Show. This fall we are planning an exhibit 

 for the New England Fruit Show, and one for the " Boston 1915" Exposition. 



The question of incorporation is under consideration, and a report of our 

 work is to be published soon. 



In addition to the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Directors, an 

 annual meeting, open to the public, was held, and a course of four lectures given. 



