Reports of Field Agents 407 



the non-game species are likely to be entirely protected from human molesta- 

 tion. And one of the most striking features of the swamp is the remarkable 

 abundance and variety of its game — lish of many kinds, alligators, Ducks, 

 Woodcock, Snipe, Bob-whites, Wild Turkeys, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, 

 deer, raccoons, bears, otters, wildcats, and an occasional panther. Surely 

 some means should be found for preserving the splendid fauna and flora of 

 Okefenoke Swamp. 



REPORT OF DR. EUGENE SWOPE. 

 FIELD AGENT FOR OHIO 



The educational side of the Audubon work in Ohio has greater need of 

 attention than any of the other features. For that reason I have, as directed, 

 devoted myself the past year almost wholly to the Junior Audubon Class 

 work. 



The laws of Ohio for the protection of wild life are probably as compre- 

 hensive as those of niost of the other states, but the need for more wardens 

 who will enforce them is apparent. There were, however, more prosecutions 

 and fines paid for unlawful killing of birds last spring and summer than in 

 former years, partly because of renewed interest of the Game Commission; 

 also, because new Junior Audubon members reported many violations that 

 otherwise never would have been known. 



My experience thus far in introducing bird-study in the Ohio schools has 

 been interesting, and, I believe, unique. In the first place, it must be remem- 

 bered that Ohio is a new field, and I inexperienced at this work; and in the 

 second place, I was unable to get the assistance I naturally expected. 'Bird 

 Men' at diff'erent points of the state did not cooperate in this feature of the 

 Audubon work. They were "too busy this year," but it must be said to the 

 credit of several that they often lectured and wrote in behalf of bird-protec- 

 tion and bird-study, and thereby helped increase public interest in birds. 



In inaugurating the Junior Audubon work in Ohio, my first step was to 

 send an announcement leaflet, a Robin leaflet, and a personal letter to each 

 superintendent of schools in the state. The same w.^re also sent to a few teach- 

 ers whose names I happened to have. Not one superintendent repHed ; three 

 teachers did, however, and classes were started. A second personal letter to 

 all the superintendents with specimen leaflets, caused two to ask for more 

 information. My next experiment was to send a full set of ten leaflets to half 

 the superintendents in Hamilton County. With each set went a personal 

 letter, and an envelope addressed and stamped for the return of the leaflets 

 "if they had no interest in the work" as stated in the letter. One set of the 

 leaflets was returned, none of the others were heard from. By this time I 

 well knew that if Junior Audubon Classes were to be formed in Ohio schools 

 that it meant an aggressive personal presentation of the matter; so I sent out 



