Report of Secretary 415 



than 3,000,000 pages of printed matter conccrninj}; bird-study and bird- 

 protection. 



The volume of material, in the form of books, bound leaflets, and field- 

 glasses, sold from the office, has been more than doubled during the year. 

 In the office, the Secretary now has the constant help of twelve busy assistants. 



FINANCIAL 



During the year, fees for 36 Life Memberships have been received, making 

 the total Life Membership to date, 172. The Sustaining Members have in- 

 creased in number from 1,625 to 2,336. The income of the Association for 

 general expenses has amounted to over $70,000. In addition to this, the fol- 

 lowing sums have been added to the permanent endowment fund: By gift, 

 from the heirs of Mr. L. F. Dommerich, $5,000; by bequest of Carolina M. 

 Martin, $1,900; and from Life Members, $3,600, or $10,500 in all. Thus it 

 will be seen that the gross income of the Association for the year exceeded 

 the very gratifying sum of $80,000, which is over $21,000 more than the income 

 last year. 



As is well known, the most difficult problem confronted by those engaged 

 in work of the character in which we are working is the securing of sufficient 

 funds to meet pressing needs and admit of normal growth. Much of your 

 Secretary's time and attention is, therefore, necessarily expended in fostering 

 this particular feature of the Audubon movement, without which it would be 

 impossible to carry forward our various activities. 



In this connection your Secretary wishes the membership to know that, 

 as the Executive Officer of this Association, he constantly feels a deep sense 

 of gratitude to the other ofiicers and members of the Board for their constant 

 and hearty personal cooperation in the great work which, three years ago, 

 he dared to undertake; and should he, in a moment of weakness, point with 

 pride to the fact that the income and working force of the Association has, 

 during that time, more than doubled, he would have it known also that this 

 has been in large part due to the kindly, sympathetic support which the Board 

 has given his every effort. 



And now a word as to the future. The passage of the splendid federal 

 bird-protective laws the past year and the strengthening of many state laws 

 to a point which seems to make them little short of perfect, does not mean 

 that our troubles are at an end. These measures will doubtless be assailed 

 in the courts, and never has there been a time when the influences of wise 

 and earnest educational endeavor were more needed than at present. 



In addition to the lines of work in which we have already engaged, there 

 are new fields of opportunity opening before us the coming year, and the 

 future holds much in the way of service which will call for stoutest hearts 

 and most courageous minds. 



