342 Bird - Lore 



We have decided not to issue new plates tor ttie 1908 calendar, but to 

 use the same plates we had for our 1906 and 1907 calendars, giving patrons 

 a chance to buy either set. These are the plates that were printed in Japan. 



A Bird Class, under the leadership of Mr. C. J. Maynard, was substituted 

 for the usual lecture course. Besides the regular monthly meeting of the Board 

 of Directors, a successful public meeting was held, with Mr. Ralph Hoffman, 

 Mr. Edward Howe Forbush and Dr. George W. Field as speakers. 



Legislation at the State House was closely watched, as usual, by our Protec- 

 tion Committee, and complaints of violations of law received were reported 

 to the state officers, the Fish and Game Commission. The Society works closely 

 in touch with the State Board of Agriculture and the Fish and Game Commission. 



An Italian gentleman, who has become interested in our work, has written 

 us an excellent warning poster and leaflet in Italian, with which we hope to do 

 some effective work. The poster is also used by the Fish and Game Commission. 



A report of our work for the past five years is being prepared by the secre- 

 tary. — Miss Jessie E. Kimball, Secretary. 



Michigan. — The Michigan Audubon Society began the year with much 

 trepidation, not only fearing the meeting of the legislature, but also the sports- 

 men and farmers who had bills to offer, which if they became laws, would undo 

 much of the work of our Society. The legislature remained in session until 

 June. During the session bills were introduced to pay bounties on Kingfishers, 

 Great Blue Herons and English Sparrows. A bill for a bounty on 'Chicken' 

 Hawks was urged by farmers. The Society opposed these measures vigorously. 

 The bill for a bounty on Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons passed the House, 

 but the Senate Committee did not report it. The Audubon Society was respon- 

 sible for the defeat of the Hawk bounty by taking advantage of a dilemma. 



We insisted on knowing what was meant by ' Chicken ' Hawks. Those urg- 

 ing the bill asked many authorities, but were unable to ascertain with any cer- 

 tainty. During the time discussion was taking place, we sent all the literature 

 concerning the value of Hawks we could secure. Dr. Merriam's statement 

 as quoted in Mr. Chapman's preface to the 'Birds of Eastern North America,' 

 concerning legislation on Hawks in Pennsylvania, did more to halt the legis- 

 lature than any other literature presented. A number of sportsmen desired the 

 Meadowlark to be put on the list of game-birds. Our Society aroused so much 

 sentiment on this question as to have it passed over by the Game Committee. We 

 also strenuously opposed a proposal to lengthen the season for spring shooting. 

 We opposed a bounty on English Sparrows, but finally withdrew our opposition 

 with the understanding that bounties would be allowed during the winter months 

 only. The bill passed with such restriction. 



We increased the prohibition of Sunday shooting to two more counties, and 

 found such a strong sentiment among the members of the legislature from the 

 agricultural districts against Sunday shooting that we felt if they had had a 



