4 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



There remains, however, one very important matter, and that is to 

 provide means and methods for its enforcement. This requires that Congress 

 pass an "Enabling Act." Early in the last session the forces gathered at 

 Washington, the act was drafted, revised, and finally submitted. It places 

 entire authority for enforcing the treaty, providing minor regulations con- 

 cerning it, the appointment of wardens, etc., in the hands of the Secretary 

 of Agriculture. It appropriates $170,000. for the same and provides that 

 the act shall take effect on passage. Recognizing the great importance of 

 this act in the cause of bird protection, the Audubon Societies have been 

 doing their best to procure its passage. The Massachusetts Society appro- 

 priated SIOOO to help secure its enforcement. Mr. T. Gilbert Person, Sec- 

 retary of the National Association of Audubon Societies, was continually on 

 the ground at Washington and all possible efforts were made both by 

 individuals and organizations. In spite of this the shortness of the session 

 and the stress of threatened war worked against the bill and the session 

 came to an end before it could be voted upon. An extra session has been 

 called for April 2. President Wilson is known to be favorable to the 

 passage of the act. Renewed efforts will be made and there is good reason 

 to hope for success. 



LOCAL BIRD NOTES. 



WINTERING Mockingbirds and a Northern winter seem to most 



MOCKINGBIRDS. people incompatible. Yet the two occasionally meet 

 in Massachusetts. There is a mockingbird which 

 inhabits the Arnold Arboretimi at Jamaica Plain, and has for several win- 

 ters past. He is often found by following the path from the Administration 

 Building to the little ponds not far away, though as with any bird you can 

 never be sure of his whereabouts. He has been reported as singing there 

 on sunny days in the latter part of the winter. One day early last March 

 Mr. Henry Oldys of Washington, who was then beginning his lecture tour 

 of the State in the interests of the Audubon Societies, heard him there in 

 full song and came into the office all in a glow of delight over it. Later in 

 the spring Miss Jennie Robbins of the Miss Hattie Audubon Society of 

 Louisville, Ky., had a similar pleasant experience. A mockingbird in full 

 song for the enjoyment of visiting Southerners is one more evidence of 

 Boston hospitality. But Boston is not the only part of the State thus 

 favored. Dr. H. E. Maynard of 80 Church Street, Winchester, reported a 

 mockingbird at his window the morning after Christmas. The bird gladly 

 took food that was put out for it and has been about the neighborhood 

 ever since. The Rev. Manley B. Townsend, Secretary of the New Hampshire 

 Audubon Society reports a mockingbird at Manchester, New Hampshire, in 

 November. 



EVENING These beautiful birds from the far Northwest have visited 



GROSBEAKS. New England in increasing numbers during the last few 

 winters. They are reported in various places from Maine 

 to Connecticut this year. A large flock has been in and about Lexington 

 durinf most of the winter, where hundreds of people have seen them. They 



