M nthly B ulletifi 3 



THE STORY OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETY 



Twenty-jive years of Active and Effective Work for the Preservation of Wild 



Birdlife 



By Winthrop Packard 



The term "Audubon Society" was coined in 188G by George Bird 

 Grinnell, then editor of "Forest and Stream," and under this name an 

 organization for the protection of birds was formed with its headquarters 

 in New York City. Over 48,000 people are said to have signed cards, ex- 

 pressing their interest in the work, l)ut the Society soon ceased to exist. 



In 1896 the Massachusetts Auckibon Society for the Protection of 

 Birds was organized. Its membership and the scope of its work have con- 

 tinued and increased. It is now the oldest and, with the exception of the 

 National Association of Audubon Societies, the strongest and most active 

 bird-protection society in the country. It was not the first in the world, 

 however, for the Selborne Society, with Sir John Lubbock as President, and 

 the Roj^al Society for the Protection of Birds, Her Grace the Duchess of 

 Portland President, were already active in England and still continue. 

 The Massachusetts Society has been rightly called the "mother" of all 

 Audubon Societies, for directly through its example and influence similar 

 societies were formed one after another until nearly every state in the 

 Union has such a society. In 1902 the late William Dutcher was chosen 

 leader of the National Committee of Audubon Societies, whose aim was 

 to bind together and make more effective the work of the various State 

 organizations. Out of this grew in 1905 the National Association of 

 Audubon Societies with Mr. Dutcher President and Mr. T. Gilbert Pear- 

 son Secretary. 



While in close touch with the National Association of Audubon So- 

 cieties at all times, leaning much on it for advice and assistance, and fre- 

 quently contributing funds and service to its good work, the Massachu- 

 setts Society is an independent organization in all respects. Its main work 

 lies within its own State and its membership and financial support come 

 largely from within its borders, but sons and daughters of Massachusetts 

 go all over the world and Massachusetts interests and aflSliations go with 

 them. Loyal members of the Massachusetts Audubon Society are to be 

 found in most States of the Union and in many foreign countries. In the 

 same way, through its leaflets, charts, calendars, travelling lectures, libraries 

 and exhibits and through its service to the public in response to countless 

 personal ai:)peals for advice and encouragement in bird-protection matters 

 the direct influence of the Society goes out to every part of North America 

 and often to more distant lands. Russia, Alaska, Honolulu and Jerusalem, 

 even, have in recent years come to the Society for advice, encouragement 

 or bird-protection supplies. 



The first record-book of the Society records the first informal meeting 

 of the Board of Directors as having taken place at the residence of Mrs. 

 Augustus Hemenway, 273 Clarendon Street, Boston on Monday, February 

 10, 1896. There were present Mrs. Ciihoi, Mrs. Bolles, Miss Hall, Mrs. 

 Hemenway, Miss Richards, Secretary, Mr. Bangs, Mr. Lowell and Mr. 

 Minot. Nine days later a second, more formal meeting was held with Mrs. 

 Cabot at 3 Marlborough Street, Boston. At these meetings leaflets, by- 



