4 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



BIRD DAY 



The Society's annual all-day outing at the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary, 

 Sharon, has usually been held at the season when the warbler migration is 

 near its height on some Saturday between the 12th and 20th of May. As 

 Saturday, the 14th of May this year falls nearest that date and as the mild 

 winter thus far gives promise of a fairly early spring it is believed that the 

 14th will be the most desirable date this year. Further notice in regard to 

 details will be published in later issues of the Bulletin. Last year over 

 five hundred people visited the Sanctuary on Bird Day and enthusiastically 

 declared themselves well repaid. It is probable that the attendance will be 

 even greater this year. 



ANNIVERSARY SUBSCRIPTION 



The response to the request for an anniversary subscription in celebra- 

 tion of the Society's twenty-fifth year of continuing service to the community 

 has been prompt and very gratifying. A substantial sum has thus far been 

 realized and further subscriptions arrive almost daily. A complete report 

 on this fund will be made in a later issue of the Bulletin. The Directors 

 of the Society feel most deeply grateful for this generous response and the 

 trust thus reposed in them. It is their earnest purpose that every dollar of 

 the money thus received shall be put to the most effective use in the cause of 

 bird protection. 



LEGISLATION 



The most important bill before the Legislature this year from the stand- 

 point of our Society is that to authorize an appropriation for the publication 

 of a two-volume work on the Birds of Massachusetts by Edward Howe For- 

 bush, State Ornithologist. The plan is to prepare and print five thousand 

 copies, five hundred copies to be given to free public libraries, museums, 

 agricultural high schools, etc., in Massachusetts, and the remainder of the 

 edition to be sold to individuals at a price which will in the end repay every 

 dollar of the expense incurred. An appropriation of $8,000 is asked of the 

 Legislature this year for the colored drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, 

 whose work as a bird artist is well known and will guarantee their excellence. 

 In the beginning it is proposed that ten thousand portfolios of these colored 

 plates be prepared, printed and sold at a profit sufficient to pay for the five 

 hundred copies of the work given free. In this way the State will get back 

 every dollar of the money expended and a work of great value to all bird 

 students and those interested in wild life will be placed within easy reach 

 of all. It is earnestly hoped that all members of our Society will use their 

 influence in any way possible to further this very desirable plan. 



An attempt has been made to get a bill through the Legislature, pro- 

 hibiting the possession or offering for sale of the plumage of birds of para- 

 dise, goura and all birds the importation of which is forbidden by the Fed- 

 eral law. The effect of this bill would be stop the selling and advertising 

 for sale of paradise feathers and others now smuggled in quantities and 

 shamefully offered for sale by otherwise reputable milliners. Many organi- 

 zations and individuals appeared at the hearing and spoke in favor of this 

 bill and there was no opposition before the Committee at the hearing. The 

 Committee, however, reported "leave to withdraw." This unfavorable re- 



