Monthly Bulletin 5 



public libraries are small or lacking, have been in constant use. At the 

 beginning of the year they were thoroughly inspected and revised, worn out 

 material was replaced, and many new and desirable books were added. There 

 is no charge for the use of these libraries, which may be had on application 

 to Miss Alice G. Chandler of Lancaster, Mass. 



ANNUAL LECTURE COURSE 



In spite of inclement weather, the Society's Annual Lecture Course was 

 most successful. It was held at Symphony Hall, the lecturers being Louis 

 Agassiz Fuertes, William L. Finley, Carl E. Akeley, George K. Cherry, 

 Charles C. Gorst and Edward Avis. Remarkable movies of the birdlife, 

 pictures of two Roosevelt expeditions in the wilds of Africa and the Brazilian 

 wilderness and others of great interest to bird-lovers were shown. Three of 

 the lecturers, Mr. Gorst, Mr. Avis and Mr. Fuertes gave whistling imitations 

 of bird music. Both financially and as an exposition of the wonders of bird- 

 life these lectures were a great success. 



ANNUAL BIRD DAY 



The Society's annual Bird Day was held on May 17th at the Moose Hill 

 Bird Sanctuary in Sharon. It eclipsed all others in point of attendance, some 

 five hundred persons being present, and showing great appreciation of our 

 efforts in bird protection and methods of attracting birds. There was the 

 usual convention of Local Secretaries, presided over by the President of our 

 Society, Mr. Edward Howe Forbush. Other than that there were no formal 

 exercises. The Sanctuary headquarters was thronged throughout the day 

 with people interested in our exhibits. The neighborhood birds fed on the 

 door stone and about the place in close touch with all who cared to observe 

 them. Parties scattered throughout the Sanctuary on bird walks and there 

 was opportunity for close observation of bird-life all day long. At the Sanc- 

 tuary many rare wild flowers are protected as well as all the common species, 

 and these were observed with special interest by members of the Society for 

 the Protection of Native Plants which joins us in our work. 



MOOSE HILL BIRD SANCTUARY 



The Society now carries on its demonstration work at the Sharon Sanc- 

 tuary throughout an area of more than five hundred acres, having secured 

 the co-operation and sanction of interested owners of land adjacent to the 

 Field property. The Superintendent, Mr. Harry G. Higbee, has been con- 

 stantly on hand and with the assistance of Mrs. Higbee has given careful 

 attention to the constantly increasing demands of the position. Acting also 

 as Warden for the State Conservation Commission, as a United State Deputy 

 Game Warden and as Special Police Officer Mr. Higbee has patrolled the 

 grounds throughout the year, preventing trespass and prosecuting violations. 

 His work includes a constant biological survey of the area, keeping record 

 of the wild life therein. The Sanctuary has been increasingly valuable to 

 the cause of bird protection during the past year through the throngs of 

 visitors who have come there to observe and learn. During 1920 more than 

 2600 people came to the Sanctuary for this purpose. Every portion of our 

 State has been well represented by these visitors; others, especially during 

 the summer vacation season, have come from far distant points both in this 

 country and abroad. The publicity value of the Sanctuary, not only for the 

 general cause of bird protection, but for the special work of the Massachu- 

 setts Audubon Society is thus very great. The various departments of our 

 work are so inter-related that it is difficult to tell which is of most importance. 

 Certainly our demonstration sanctuary is very valuable. Extracts from the 

 Superintendent's Annual Report will be found elsewhere in this issue. 



