Reports of State Societies and Bird Clubs 503 



stereopticon views. On May 4, a number of our members made a pilgrimage to 

 'Slabsides' and had a delightful visit with John Burroughs. Our next meeting 

 was a 'Burroughs Evening' w^ith anecdotes and extracts from his writings, show- 

 ing the various phases of his character and charm. Other papers prepared by 

 members for our monthly meetings have been unusually interesting: 'National 

 Forest Reservations,' 'National Bird Reservations,' 'Causes for Migration,' 

 and many others covering a wide scope. Most of these were printed in 

 our town papers, and the result has been to simulate local interest and public 

 spirit. 



So valuable have our 'bird-guessing contests' been that mention of them 

 here may prove of use to other clubs. We borrow collections of about twenty- 

 five specimens from the American Museum of Natural History, and each 

 member writes the names of as many as known on a numbered list. The correct 

 list is then read and unfamiliar birds looked up. Books are always at hand, and 

 experienced members see that no query goes unnoticed. For one contest. Miss 

 Broomall and Miss Prescott wrote a 'Conservation Stor\%' having various words 

 identical with bird-names scattered throughout. Each member was given a 

 copy with blanks for the bird-names, and the results were amusing as well as 

 instructive. The Committee on Junior Clubs has been active, organizing new 

 groups, holding bird-walks, and interesting the children, and through them the 

 parents. Several motion-picture reels were borrowed from the State Conserva- 

 tion Commission and were shown at special children's matinees. 



By far the most important event of the year has been the decision of Joseph 

 S. Auerbach to convert Hewlett Bay Park into a bird sanctuary. Mr. Auerbach 

 has become very much interested in the work of the Rockaway Bird Club and 

 has authorized his lawyer to make a game- and bird-preserve of his entire 

 estate, consisting of about 400 acres, the Club being invited to cooperate. The 

 estate was thoroughly examined and notes made. Herbert K. Job, of the Na- 

 tional Association, has consented to go over the tract and make suggestions 

 as to its development. Mr. Auerbach's sanctuary, like that of Mrs. Lord's, 

 reported last year, borders on the ocean. The severe winter killed thousands of 

 Sparrows, many being found in the hedges in the spring, but with their usual 

 tendency to overcome conditions, they are, so far as we can observe, as thick 

 as ever. 



The Heronry at Mrs. Lord's 'Sosiego' has nourished. There the Green Heron 

 and the shy Black-crowned Night Heron tind a paradise. At the slightest 

 movement of the watcher, they rise from the woods in a huge flock and ily otT 

 over the salt marshes, uttering their coarse quawk. Although all of our members 

 are working in some of the many war activities, and there are many demands 

 upon the time of the most active ones, the Club has had a fair attendance at 

 all of its meetings and enters upon its third year with bright prospects for future 

 usefulness. — Margaret S. Green, Secretary. 



