Report of the Secretary 495 



souri, three in South Carolina, and twelve in Florida. They had under their 

 care twenty distinct rookeries. Many of these colonies of birds change their 

 nesting-places from year to year, influenced by the draining of swamps, exces- 

 sively high water, or the drying up of the shallow ponds in which stand the 

 trees occupied by the birds. Hence it is not possible in all cases to keep a 

 close watch and record of the fortunes of many of the birds we most desire to 

 protect, although especial effort is made every season to do so. Funds are 

 raised and local agents employed as wardens. Our yearly statements of the 

 number of Egrets and their associates protected are compiled from the reports 

 of wardens, visiting ornithologists, and occasional inspection- trips by the 

 Secretary. As far as can be determined the Egret rookeries guarded by the 

 Association the past year contained about 7,340 Egrets, and 3,240 Snowy 

 Herons. In addition to these there were counted, or in some cases estimated, 

 about 50,000 Little Blue Herons, and approximately the same number of Wood 

 Ibises and White Ibises. Perhaps 1,000 Ward's Herons also receive protection, 

 as well as at least 5,000 Louisiana Herons, 500 Night Herons, 800 Water 

 Turkeys, 800 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, 50 Florida Ducks, 275 Limpkins, 

 and 63 Roseate Spoonbills, scattered through three Florida rookeries; also 

 about 1,000 Least Bitterns, 3,000 Florida Gallinules, 2,500 Purple Gallinules, 

 3,000 Boat-tailed Crackles, and 900 Creen Herons. 



JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASSES 



No part of the Association's activities annually brings to the office so many 

 commendations as does the very large system of educational enterprise among 

 the children which we call our Junior Classes. The organization of local bird- 

 classes has increased this year with an accelerated pace, 7,723 clubs having 

 been organized, with a total paid membership of 152,179 children. Space in 

 this brief summary is not sufficient to enlarge on the glorious results obtained, 

 but members may glean some idea of what is being achieved from the notes 

 published in Bird-Lore from time to time. We can pause long enough, how- 

 ever, to say that this work has resulted in hundreds of school-exhibitions, 

 thousands of special Bird Day programs, and the building and erection of 

 innumi rable bird-boxes all over the country. In many places, also, the boys in 

 these classes serve as scouts for the local game-wardens, with most interesting 

 results. As heretofore, this entire work has been supported by a contribution of 

 $5,000 from Mrs. Russell Sage, and a gift of $20,000 from a benefactor whose 

 name we are not privileged to publish. The success of the Junior Audubon 

 work is due in no small part to active cooperation by many State Audubon 

 societies, local Audubon societies, and bird-clubs. 



SUMMER SCHOOLS 



During the past year the Directors authorized an entirely new under- 

 taking, namely, courses in bird-study to be given by well-known experts in 



