6 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



strates the present need and increasing scope of usefulness of just such 

 sanctuaries as this. 



With special reference to the wild flowers, — over three hundred of 

 which may now be found growing here under natural conditions, — we have 

 had many interested students. A recent visitor from Pennsylvania made a 

 special trip to our sanctuary for the purpose of securing information in 

 regard to the establishment of a wild flower preserve in the vicinity of 

 Philadelphia. Assistance of a similar nature has been furnished to other 

 parties, thereby carrying our methods and the influences for which we 

 strive to distant points, which in turn establish new centers to continue and 

 enlarge upon these principles of wild life preservation. 



Words of encouragement and letters of appreciation, some of which have 

 been accompanied by substantial checks for the Society's work, are also con- 

 crete evidence of the growing interest in the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary 

 and its work. 



Of practical value also have been the constant additions to the area 

 of our sanctuary. By securing the interest and co-operation of adjacent 

 land owners we have this year increased our protected area from about 

 two hundred to more than five hundred acres of varied land most admirably 

 adapted for a wild life reservation. This land still remains under private 

 ownership; the experimental and protective work upon it by the Audubon 

 Society and the State interfering in no way with the use of the same for 

 agricultural purposes. Neither does our work or posting of the land con- 

 stitute any lien whatsoever upon the property. On the contrary, it brings 

 about a beneficial influence by promoting the welfare of the birds, which are 

 of great economical value to woodlands and orchards, and by protecting 

 the property from vandals and law-breakers, thereby working in the owner's 

 interest without expense to him. 



The co-operation of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation, 

 through its Division of Fisheries and Game, in our work at the Moose Hill 

 Bird Sanctuary has proven of valuable assistance, working as it does in 

 harmony with the interests of the Audubon Society, and carrying with it the 

 influences of the State as regards the enforcement of the Fish and Game 

 Laws and experimental work upon the wild life. 



Numbers of game birds and fish are released here each season, which, 

 like the breeding wild birds, disperse and help to populate the surrounding 

 covers. Specific plans are now under way for the raising and exhibition 

 of pheasants and other game birds here during the coming year. It is 

 also planned to merge the entire tract over which we are working into a 

 State Reservation under Chapter 327, Acts of 1906, which provides for the 

 setting apart of such lands at the request of the owners for purposes of 

 scientific investigations and experiments upon useful wild birds and quad- 

 rupeds. 



The hearty good-will of the public is necessary for the success of any 

 undertaking for the public benefit. This has been received at the Moose 

 Hill Bird Sanctuary and has been much appreciated by those in charge. 

 The interest in our various collections and library of nature books, — con- 

 stantly growing and always open for study and reference, — voices part of 

 this public appreciation. 



The results of our eff'orts are due to your co-operation. We thank you 

 for it and ask for its continuance. 



