Reports of Affiliated Organizations 93 



During the past months men of reputation in the bird world have inspired 

 us. Among them, Charles C. Gorst, of Cambridge, Mass., by his remarkable 

 imitations of bird-songs; Howard H. Cleaves by his 'Experiences in Wild Bird 

 Photography;' Herbert K. Job, by his helpful talk and wonderful motion- 

 pictures; and Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright, who pointed to us the way of 'The 

 Making of a Bird Sanctuary.' 



From time to time letters have been written our Congressmen relative to the 

 passage of such bills as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Cat License Bill, 

 etc., in the good cause of bird-conservation. 



A specially delightful feature of the spring was a series of bird-walks under 

 the competent leadership of Howard H. Cleaves of the Staten Island Museum, 

 Charles H. Rogers of the American Museum of Natural History, and others. 

 When nearly 40 members tumble out of bed to meet at a remote station of the 

 town at 6 a. m., the enthusiasm may be taken for granted, but — (addendum) 

 — Dr. Frank M. Chapman was our leader! 



Recently the following officers were elected: President, Dr. Frank M. Chap- 

 man; Vice-President, W^illiam M. Shackford; Secretary, Miss Irene A. Hackett; 

 Treasurer, Howard Barton. — (Miss) Elizabeth A. Dana, Secretary. 



Forest Hills Gardens (N. Y.) Audubon Society. — A noticeable increase 

 in the number and variety of the birds visiting the Gardens and remaining 

 there to make their nests is the most important thing to record for the spring 

 and summer of 19 17. It is believed that this increase is due to the fact 

 that in Forest Park the underbrush has been cleared away and the natural 

 cover so destroyed that the birds have taken refuge in the Gardens where the 

 shrubbery has grown rapidly and where there is abundant food, water and 

 protection. Only the vagrant cat remains a problem, especially to the little, 

 low-nesting birds. 



The Society lost its efficient President, E. A. Quarles, and gained a genuine 

 bird- and nature-lover and knower in Fritz Hagens. Two lectures, one by 

 Neil Morrow Ladd, President of the Greenwich Bird Protection Association, and 

 one by Mr. Button of the State College of Agriculture, N. Y., were given dur- 

 ing the year. But the main efforts of the Society were concentrated on an exhibit 

 of local birds which was held during the Easter holidays at the schoolhouse. 

 Besides the specimens of stuffed birds, there were charts and other educational 

 matter loaned by the American Museum of Natural History, the Children's 

 Museum of Brooklyn, and the National Audubon Society. Some one of the 

 trustees was in charge each day, and each afternoon there was some sort of 

 entertainment. One day Mrs. Schoonover, from the Children's Museum of 

 Brooklyn, gave a talk, and another time the Garden Society gave a copy of 

 Reed's 'Bird Guide' to the l)()y and girl able to name the most birds out of a 

 possible list of twenty-five. 



A feature of our work which is continuous throughout the year is the 



