REPORT OF T. GILBERT PEARSON, SECRETARY 



INTRODUCTION 



A most striking evidence of the esteem in which the public holds the work 

 of the National Association of Audubon Societies and the principles for which 

 it stands has been manifested during the past year. 



The entrance of our nation into the world war has called for public service 

 and financial support to an extent never even approached in this country 

 before. Innumerable war charities of the most worthy character have made 

 constant appeals for funds, and huge sums of money have gone into war relief. 

 As a direct result, many institutions supported by the general public have suf- 

 fered severely. Some have closed their doors, and others have curtailed their 

 activities. Forty-six hospitals in New York City alone are behind in their 

 budgets, and numerous worthy institutions are on the verge of collapse. With 

 this Association it has been different. True, some of our good workers marched 

 away to the war, and some hitherto large supporters have dropped their contri- 

 butions, but others have come forward to take their places. Now, at the close of 

 our year, it is with much pleasure we announce that in not a single line of our 

 endeavor has it been necessary for us to curtail during the past year, and in 

 most lines of activity we have been able to expand, because of the magnificent 

 support the Association has received, for we have not only held our own, but 

 the sustaining membership has grown 33 >^ per cent during the past twelve 

 months. 



This fact demonstrates clearly the seriousness with which the supporters 

 of the Audubon movement regard the value of saving the wild life of the coun- 

 try, and we may take it further as an expression of public confidence in the 

 manner in which the Board of Directors conduct the Association's affairs. 



AFFILIATED SOCIETIES AND BIRD CLUBS 



All the active State Audubon Societies and the larger per cent of the active 

 local Bird Clubs under various titles are affiliated by membership with the 

 National Association. These affiliations during the past year have grown in 

 number from 114 to 134. About 65 of these Societies and Bird Clubs have 

 submitted reports of their work the past year, and it is planned to publish 

 these in connection with the Annual Report of the National Association. A 

 perusal of these pages will astonish anyone not familiar with the vast amount 

 of local effort being put forth for bird-study and bird-protection in this coun- 

 try. The harmonious cooperation between the National work on the one 

 hand, and the state and local work on the other, is bringing forth many splen- 

 did results. 



If space permitted, it would be interesting to give here a complete list of the 

 work done by these affiliated organizations, which in the aggregate would 



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