472 Bird -Lore 



We headed the hst in the annual Christmas bird-census report of 191 5, our 

 members having identified 121 species on December 26, 1915. Some members 

 have secured fine specimens for the Museum — birds dead or disabled. A Great 

 Blue Heron, an American Bittern, and a Russet-backed Thrush have been 

 mounted and placed in cases, and a Surf Scoter, a Cassin's Auklet and a Dusky 

 Shearwater have been added to the collection of skins. 



We are proud to report the publication of our president's fine article in 

 Bird-Lore (January-February, 1916) entitled 'California Brown Pelicans,' 

 illustrated by her own photographs. In the same number was another paper 

 by one of our members, John V. Fredericks, on the 'Mockingbird.' 



We have used out best efforts in assisting the State Society in all legislative 

 work. We appointed two game-wardens to look after local bird-protection, 

 complaints, etc. Some of our best-informed members have talked about birds 

 before schools and Audubon societies in nearby towns, sometimes illustrating 

 with pictures and lantern-slides. Our new work will be along the lines of the 

 economic value of birds, their use to the farmer, etc. — (Mrs.) George H. 

 Crane, Secretary. 



Meriden (N. H.) Bird Club. — The chief activity of the Meriden Bird 

 Club during the past year has been in the direction of organizing other bird 

 clubs having the same general objects in view. As the result of lectures on the 

 Meriden Bird Club delivered by Ernest Harold Baynes, and through the pre- 

 sentation of Percy MacKaye's bird-masque, 'Sanctuary,' the writing of which 

 was inspired by the work of this organization, about 200 bird clubs have been 

 organized in the following states: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 

 Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, 

 North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, 

 Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and 

 Texas. The membership of some of these clubs is already in the thousands, 

 and some of them have already established bird-sanctuaries. It is Mr. Baynes' 

 purpose to federate as many as possible of these bird clubs under the banner 

 of the National Association of Audubon Societies. 



In addition to the above, the Meriden Bird Club has made many improve- 

 ments in its bird-sanctuary. Many trees, shrubs, creepers, and wild flowers 

 have been planted, bird-baths installed, footpaths cut, and the nucleus of a 

 little ornithological museum started — all this work having been done under 

 the supervision of the superintendent, Walter M. Buswell. A census of the 

 breeding birds in the sanctuary shows that the population has more than 

 doubled since the refuge was established five years ago. During the course 

 of the summer hundreds of people have visited the sanctuary, and gone away 

 inspired to do similar work in their own towns. 



Monthly meetings have been held under the management of the secretary, 

 Miss Elizabeth F. Bennett, whose plan was to appoint an entertainment com- 



