440 Bird - Lore 



and I am sure will prove effective in keeping up the interest and stimulating 

 the activity of our membership. I believe the plan is worth adopting by 

 other societies that want live members. A considerable correspondence has 

 been carried on since last spring in getting in touch with the people who are, 

 or who should be, interested in the work. — W. B. Bell, President. 



Ohio. — Without doubt the most important matter to report is the appoint- 

 ment in January, 1912, of Dr. Eugene Swope, as Field Agent for Ohio. The 

 desirability of having such an agent in this section of the country had long 

 been felt, and the ability of Doctor Swope, coupled with his willingness to act 

 in that capacity, made his appointment a source of gratification to the Society. 

 The work he has accomplished in his educational campaign in Ohio has far 

 exceeded our expectations, and the Society sees the ideal almost realized: 

 that is, the perpetuation, through a definite office, of the work which has been 

 attempted so far, by volunteer workers. In Cincinnati, the work of the Society 

 in connection with the schools and libraries has become a great factor in the 

 educational work of the city. But until the appointment of Doctor Swope, no 

 efforts to carry the work beyond, into the rural districts of Ohio where it 

 was so badly needed, had been very successful. 



To reduce it to figures, it can be estimated that in six months' time 3,500 

 children in Ohio have become members of the Society, who had never before 

 been interested, and through these members several thousands of parents, 

 relatives and friends will hear something of the value and the beauty of 

 birds. The benefits should not be underestimated, since its effect is three- 

 fold — first it protects the birds; second, it helps the farmer; and third, but 

 by no means least, it creates a new standard of life and appreciation of the 

 beautiful in nature to these same individuals. 



The lectures in the libraries in the suburbs of Cincinnati are still as popular 

 as ever, and very well attended; there have been some fifty or more talks 

 and lectures to organizatibns, schools, churches, hospitals, etc., and the increase 

 in enthusiasm and a growing respect for the work of the Society is due to the 

 splendid type of men and women who have so vaUantly and with so many 

 sacrifices of time, gone forth as champions for their httle feathered friends. 



A very satisfactory agreement was reached between the milliners of Ohio 

 and the game-wardens by which the former agreed to abandon the further 

 sale of aigrettes until the law shall be tested in the higher courts. This was 

 especially gratifying to the Society, as it believes in the most peaceful methods 

 of enforcing the law that are, at the same time, practical. 



There is a noticeable awakening to a proper appreciation of bird-life in 

 Ohio, and the number is steadily increasing of those who preach the gospel of 

 "Hast thou learned to know the birds without a gun? 

 Hast thou loved the wild flower on the stem, and let it live?" 



Katherine Rattermann, Secretary. 



