Massachusetts Audubon Society 3 



This in itself makes a valuable reference library which is available for con- 

 sultation by members or, indeed, by any one interested at any time when 

 the office is open. The gift has a double value in that these volumes were 

 the property of the late Henry Augustus Purdie, a well-known ornithologist 

 and a friend of our Society and to all interested in bird study. 



FINE FEATHERS 



The thanks of the Society are due to the National Association for a 

 valuable gift of bird feathers. These feathers, from the bird of paradise, 

 the egret and the Goura pigeons, were seized by the custom authorities while 

 being smuggled into the United States. They will later be shown under glass 

 for educational exhibition purposes and as a warning as to what not to wear, 



CHECK-LISTS 



The Audubon Society furnishes free to all interested bird observers a 

 printed check-list of birds as authorized by the A. 0. U., giving the common 

 name of the birds, preceded by the Union check-list number, each number 

 being followed by a blank space for recording locality, whether seen or 

 heard, or both, and the date. These are much used by bird students and the 

 Society will be glad to receive lists at the end of the year, showing what 

 birds and how many have been observed. Among those at hand. Miss Bessie 

 M. Graves, of Southampton, Mass., lists 104; Mrs. George H. Mellen, of 

 Newton Highlands, 116; Miss Clara F. Wright, of South Sudbury, 169; 

 Mr. Alfred E. Merrill, of Winchendon, 52. The editors hope that many of 

 these lists will be used during the coming year, and will be glad to record 

 returns made and make note of any specially rare birds seen. Check-lists 

 will be mailed on request. 



POST YOUR LAND 



There has been an increasing use of the cloth posters for warning 

 against illegal hunting and trespass during the past season. These posters 

 are strong, and, properly put up, will last for years unless torn down. They 

 are effective in a good cause. It is true that they do not always prevent 

 poaching or illegal hunting, but no law is always observed. They certainly 

 serve as a deterrent and in case the law is broken help the police officer or 

 game warden in securing a conviction. Putting them out helps the birds; 

 it also helps our Society because each one of them calls attention to the need 

 of our work. 



BIRD FEEDING 



Signs of spring are visible as this Bulletin goes to press. It is possible 

 that by the time you receive it these signs will have become more numerous, 

 yet the snow is deep and there is a great coating of ice over the earth. Un- 

 questionably, it will be wise to continue the feeding of our wild birds for 

 some time to come. The Audubon Society's appeal for funds to help out 

 in this work has been very generously met. To date $169.75 has been sub- 

 scribed and immediate application of it has been made. In the April 

 Bulletin a list of subscribers to this fund will be published. 



