M nthly B ulletin 5 



Realizing that an organization moves forward only on fvnids, care was 

 taken at the very beginning to provide these through incnnbership fees and 

 donations and the Treasurer's report, puhhshed in October, 1897, toward 

 the close of the second year, shows receipts of $3,322.12 and expenditures 

 of $1,904.19, leaving a balance of $1,317.93. At the very first meeting a 

 legislative agent was appointed to represent the Society in regard to pro- 

 posed legislation concerning the game laws. 



One of the purposes of the Society, as stated in the hrst paragraph of 

 its first circular, was to discourage the buying and wearing of the feathers 

 of any wild birds. For this, throughout its existence it has worked un- 

 ceasingly and with a large measure of success, but as the foregoing shows 

 it immediately stepped forward into the greater conflict for general l)ird 

 welfare, where it has ever since remained. 



William Brewster, of Cambridge, was elected President of the Massa- 

 chusetts Audubon Society at its beginning and continued in that office 

 until a pressure of other duties caused his resignation in December, 1913. 

 He was succeeded by Edward Howe Forbush, State Ornithologist, who 

 still (1921) is the head of the Society. To its two Presidents the 

 Massachusetts Audubon Society owes much of its prestige and success. 

 The foundation of these were laid by Mr. Brewster, whose personality and 

 training so admirably fitted him to lead in work of this sort. "His influence 

 was always toward the best efforts and the highest ideals, both in scientific 

 work and personal conduct and association with him was always stimulat- 

 ing and improving." All his life a field naturalist and collector, at the 

 time of the founding of the Society Mr. Brew^ster was already known 

 throughout the country as one of the foremost ornithologists of his time. 

 His scientific attainments, his deep knowledge of l)ird-life and broad and 

 sympathetic understanding of it peculiarly fitted him to be the foremost 

 representative of a Society for the protection of birds. He added to these 

 qualities a temperament that was invariably calm and judicial, blended 

 with a forceful yet always genial leadership that was an inspiration to 

 those who came in contact with him. Set upon the broad foundations of 

 tolerance and wisdom laid tluring his administration, the Society has always 

 been free from any suggestion or charge of fanaticism. Through his in- 

 fluence it went serenely forward to its great work, tact and patience always 

 directing its energy and enthusiasm. 



This sane guidance and balanced as well as fostered enthusiasm has 

 been admirably continued in the able leadership of Mr. Forbush. 



The Society's first Secretary-Treasurer was Miss Harriet E. Richards 

 of Brookline, and as it owed much to the wisdom and deep ornithological 

 knowledge of Mr. Brewster, so it did to the tact, zeal and tireless 

 devotion of Miss Richards. Upon her fell the l)runt of the detail work of 

 the organization. As Secretary-Tr(>asurer, lectur(>r, demonstrator and 

 field organizer she worked day and night for the building up of the Society. 

 At the end of the first year, largely through her activities, the Society listed 

 385 school members and 926 Associate Members, who by vote of the 

 Directors came to be known as Founders, a title of privilege which they 

 still retain. 



With these two in direct charge and with an active and keenly inter- 

 ested Board of Directors, the work of the Society went forward surely and 

 successfully. Through the courtesy of the Boston Society of Natural 

 History, deskroom for the Secretary was provided in the library of the 

 building free of charge, a friendly hospitality which was continued for near- 



