Reports of Field Agents 503 



meetings, at which the work of bird-protection was put before large audiences. 

 Bird-club exhibits in considerable numbers throughout New England have 

 been assisted with advice and materials, and the joint office of the National 

 and State Societies has been continually the headquarters of interest, informa- 

 tion and assistance, not only to New England bird-lovers but for the country 

 at large. Requests for advice and assistance come to us from far distant states, 

 as California, and Florida, as well as from others nearer home. 



REPORT OF KATHARINE H. STUART, FIELD AGENT 



FOR VIRGINIA 



The educational work in Virginia during the past year has been similar to 

 that of the previous five years. In September we had a large meeting at the 

 Manassas High School of the three adjoining congressional districts. Litera- 

 ture was distributed, and the Governor's Bird-Day Proclamation read and 

 discussed. I was invited to bring before the assembled educators the Junior 

 Audubon Class work and the importance of observance of Bird Day and 

 Arbor Day. During the Teachers' Conference held in November in Richmond 

 we conducted a successful Junior Audubon Exhibit. The drawings, original 

 poems, and bird-boxes, the last made by the children of the schools, attracted 

 wide attention; methods of feeding the birds in winter were also shown. Mrs. 

 Robert Smithey, State Secretary, and D. M. Rucker, were untiring in their 

 efiforts to make it a success. Mr. Rucker collected a large number of beautiful 

 colored drawings, and the bird-boxes made by the Richmond school-children, 

 which, with those sent in by Mrs. Mary Moffett from the school at Herndon, 

 formed a most striking part of the exhibit. Each day we had short talks on 

 bird matters. 



In December I visited the schools of Alexandria County and of Fairfax 

 County. This was a most delightful experience, and many classes were formed 

 in these two counties. In January I was invited to visit the schools of Rich- 

 mond, and the Board of Education detailed Mr. D. M. Rucker, Superintendent 

 of the Stonewall Jackson School, to take me to the schools of the city. Mr. 

 Rucker has a thorough knowledge of birds, and has done much in the Rich- 

 mond schools to awaken interest in the Junior Audubon work. We found a 

 lively interest in bird-work in all the schools. In many of the rooms excellent 

 drawings were displayed. I visited the southwestern part of the state later, 

 and gave several talks to the 300 pupils of the State Normal School. These 

 girls are later to be teachers, and are doing some work in bird lines. On May 4 

 a fine program was prepared for the Bird Day observance. I have visited six 

 or more of the State Normals, and have given talks and lectures. Mrs. Smithey 

 prepared a splendid Bird Day program, which has been printed in many of 

 the state papers, and sent to teachers and superintendents. 



After reading an article by T. Gilbert Pearson in the January Craftsman I 



