Reports of Field Agents 417 



there has not been a single outbreak of disease. Until sales are complete we 

 cannot know the exact money value of this feathered "crop," but it promises 

 to be considerably over $4,000, with a total acquired property of about $5,500. 



One of the delightful features of this work is in extending the courtesies of 

 the National Association of Audubon Societies to visiting bird-lovers, and giv- 

 ing them a novel good time. The birds' evening feeding at 5 o'clock has become 

 almost a theatrical event. Yesterday there was quite a throng of visitors who 

 came by automobile from Hartford and other places. The day before, a delega- 

 tion from the Hartford Bird Study Club, out on our beautiful lake, went almost 

 wild with excitement, seeing for the first time in their lives some Double- 

 crested Cormorants which had dropped in on their migratory flight. 



Experiments are under way in systematizing practical methods for the 

 Propagation of Quail and Grouse on a larger scale than heretofore. A mono- 

 graph detailing new methods for breeding the Ruffed Grouse has been prepared 

 for the New York State Conservation Commission, and will shortly be published. 

 A similar one on larger production of Quail is also planned. Song-birds have 

 not been overlooked. More and more do they flock to our bird-boxes, and 

 the large tract abounds with them. At our tupelo or sour gum trees, in autumn, 

 with their wealth of small berries, one may watch a varying host of small birds 

 the livelong day. Check is kept on the enemies of birds. 



Some additional motion-picture films and plate photographs have been 

 taken for the Association. Arrangements have been made with the Chester 

 Outing Pictures management to use parts of the Audubon films for world-wide 

 distribution and already two have been issued — "Teddy Birds," and "Where 

 the Screen-Tree Grows," with credit given in title to this Association. A film 

 featuring "John Burroughs, the Naturalist," has also been taken for the above 

 company. The other work of the Department progresses normally. 



REPORT OF ARTHUR H. NORTON, FIELD AGENT 

 FOR MAINE 



Early in January, 1919, the state legislature was convened, and held in 

 session through the last week of April. Considerable time and effort were 

 necessary to secure information concerning numerous bills referred to various 

 committees and to see what they contained that might have a bearing for 

 good or ill upon birds, or affect to their detriment the lands supporting 

 large colonies of them. Happily, nothing of a retrogressive nature was at- 

 tempted. 



A helping hand has constantly been extended to the local bird societies, 

 to the Grange, and to schools, through illustrated talks, anfl advice. 



Inspection of the colonies of birds within twenty miles of Portland were 

 made and all found to be in exct-llcnt condition. The colon\- of Herring Gulls 

 within this radius (reported last year) showed a substantial increase; Roseate 



