State Audubon Reports 429 



National Secretary, and Dr. George W. Fields, of Boston, with us for a part 

 of the evening, both of whom gave us charmingly informal talks. 



We have had our usual bird-study classes under the efficient leadership 

 of Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey, followed by five field meetings, all of 

 which were well attended. 



During the year we published a history of our bird-study classes from their 

 first formation in 1898 to the present time. — H. P. Childs, Secretary. 



Florida. — Owing to ill health, Mr. Dommerich resigned in February 

 the office of President of the Florida Audubon Society, and at the annual 

 meeting held in March, at Maitland, Dr. William Fremont Blackman, Presi- 

 dent of Rollins College, Winter Park, was chosen to fill his place, Mr. Dom- 

 merich being made President Emeritus. At the same time, the Executive 

 Committee was reorganized so as to extend the interest more widely. It was 

 with deep regret that news was received of the death of Mr. Dommerich on 

 July 23, in New York. We would here publicly acknowledge our apprecia- 

 tion of ]Mr. Dommerich's devotion to the interests of the Society since its 

 foundation. 



The general outlook in the state is favorable. Literature has been widely 

 distributed among schools, clubs, and societies wherever possible. Printed 

 cards showing a summary of the Florida state laws have been conspicuously 

 posted, but even these are unheeded, as the game 'bag' of some gunners on 

 the St. Johns River was found to contain, among other birds, eleven Laughing 

 Gulls and a Blue Heron. Complete ignorance as to laws for illegal shooting was 

 expressed by these men, and also by the Jacksonville city officials to whose 

 attention the matter was brought. 



'Robin hunting' was a favorite diversion during the past year, when not 

 only Robins, but numberless small birds (insectivorous and weed-seed-eating) 

 were slaughtered. Another 'bag' reported to us contained "six dozen Robins, 

 six Turtle Doves, sLx Ground Doves, besides Meadowlarks and White-throated 

 Sparrows." It is the urgent wish of this Society that Robins shall be put on 

 the list of protected birds, and that game-wardens shall be fined who do not 

 arrest persons shooting them. 



Mrs. Kirk Monroe is now on the Executive Committee. She is also Chair- 

 man of the Bird Protection Committee of the Federation of Women's Clubs, 

 but still continues her interest at Cocoanut Grove, where the Library Club 

 has offered a prize of ten dollars to the boy or girl writing the best bird 

 story. Bird Day has been observed by nearly all the clubs of the Federation, 

 and many meetings have been held. 



The prize of ten dollars ofTered by Doctor Blackman for the best essay 

 on 'Bird Protection.' to any boy or girl in the high schools of the state, was 

 won by Henry T. Dunn, of Jacksonville, Class of 1913. 



At St. Petersburg, Mrs. Tippetts reports many meetings and an exhibition 



