S02 Bird -Lore 



large number of leaflets on the formation of Junior Societies were distributed, 

 resulting, it is believed in an increase in these organizations in Maine. 



REPORT OF WINTHROP PACKARD, FIELD AGENT 

 FOR MASSACHUSETTS 



During the past year the work of your Field Agent had dealt largely with 

 legislation. All the legislatures of the New England States were in session, 

 and it has been necessary to watch carefully all bills introduced. It is gratify- 

 ing to note that the sentiment in favor of bird-protection has grown to be so 

 strong a force in New England that comparatively few bad bills have been 

 listed, and that it was possible through earnest effort and the very efficient 

 aid of state organizations to combat these successfully. In New Hampshire 

 an attempt was made to remove protection from the Kingfisher and the Great 

 Blue Heron on the plea that these birds depleted the trout fisheries, a claim 

 that seems to have been made through a misunderstanding as to the food and 

 habits of these birds. The New Hampshire Audubon Society, through the very 

 able work of its Secretary, the Rev. Manley B. Townsend, rallied the bird- 

 lovers of the state, and, seconded by your Secretary, made a successful appeal 

 to the Legislature, so that the bill was killed. New Hampshire legislators were 

 very fair and open-minded in the matter, and treated the bird-lovers — and in 

 the end the birds — with every consideration. 



In Rhode Island a strong attempt was made by reactionary interests to 

 replace the present able and fair-minded bird commissioners with a committee 

 of huntsmen, to increase the open season, and to discredit the Federal law. 

 These attempts failed signally. 



In Massachusetts the bill forbidding unnaturalized ahens to possess a rifle 

 or a shotgun went through, and its good effect is shown in much improved con- 

 ditions in the hunting season now open. This law is practically identical with 

 the one now in force in Pennsylvania, and is felt to be legislation of prime 

 importance in the cause. A large number of bills, proposing to make minor 

 changes in Massachusetts' present excellent game-laws, were defeated, as was 

 an audacious attempt to have the Massachusetts Legislature protest against 

 the Federal law. 



During the year more than 20,000 letters have gone out from the office, 

 calling the attention of New Englanders to the need of bird-protection and 

 urging them to participate in the work of the National Association of Audubon 

 Societies, and the response has been generous. During the year your agent gave 

 forty-one lectures before various organizations throughout the state to audi- 

 ences varying in number from fifty to five hundred. 



Three Bird-Day celebrations were held in Massachusetts during May, in 

 Boston, Springfield, and Greenfield, the National Association joining with the 

 Massachusetts Audubon Society and the State Grange in big, open-air mass- 



