4 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



JUNIOR CLASSES 



The work of establishing junior classes in bird study among school- 

 children and others throughout the State is being systematically and force- 

 fully carried on by the National Association of Audubon Societies through 

 its office with the Massachusetts Society at 66 Newbury Street. The attention 

 of teachers in public and private schools is most earnestly called to this 

 work, which can be made of great value to their pupils. Each pupil joining 

 receives a set of six colored pictures of common birds, together with accom- 

 panying educational leaflets containing accounts of the habits of the birds 

 with outline drawings of the birds for color work. By special arrangement 

 every teacher who forms a club of twenty-five or more receives a year's sub- 

 scription to the beautiful illustrated magazine, Bird-Lore. This magazine 

 is not only of great interest to the general reader but contains very many 

 valuable suggestions for teachers. Any one interested in this work should 

 communicate with Winthrop Packard, Massachusetts Agent, 66 Newburv 

 Street, Boston, Mass. 



A MAINE COAST BIRD SANCTUARY 



Having acquired by purchase an island of twenty acres or more in 

 Broad Bay, near the town of Bristol, known as Western Egg Rock, the Cum- 

 berland County Audubon Society will establish a sanctuary for sea-gulls 

 and other birds native to this coast. Articles of incorporation have been 

 filed and name the officers of the society as: President, Arthur H. Norton; 

 vice-president, Mrs. Percival B. Rolfe; recording secretary, Mrs. Alice 

 Black; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Herbert F. Twitchell; treasurer, Mrs. 

 Nellie M. Neal; assistant treasurer, Mrs. Fred B. Martin. 



Western Egg Rock is about three miles off the shore from New Harbor, 

 is one of the best breeding places for birds in this vicinity, and is the home 

 of the laughing gull, which, except for its colony there, is a stranger to the 

 Maine coast. Herring gulls, sea-pigeons and stormy petrels also make their 

 home there, and it is for the protection of these birds that the rock has been 

 bought. Arrangements will be made to have a warden there to warn off 

 intruders, and also efforts will be made to arouse local interest in the pres- 

 ervation of this island as a bird sanctuary. 



The new Audubon Society will engage in other activities allied to this 

 preservation of bird life which cover a wide range. The purposes of the or- 

 ganization, according to the incorporation papers, are: "To acquire and 

 diffuse knowledge of birds, and their great importance to the life and health 

 of mankind in the economy of nature; to protect birds and endeavor to in- 

 crease their numbers; to advocate that all public cemeteries, parks and 

 estates be made bird reservations, and to advocate the increase of food- 

 bearing plants in the selection of decorative trees, shrubs and vines for the 

 same; and to encourage like care by private owners." 



An executive order signed in June enlarges the Indian Key Reservation 

 in Florida by the inclusion of Bush Key and three smaller keys; these are 

 of considerable value to the nesting birds, which are increasing in this 

 vicinity. It is especially notable that considerable numbers of roseate 

 spoonbills are congregating about this reservation. These beautiful birds, 

 among the most interesting and picturesque of all the avian inhabitants of 

 Florida, were nearly exterminated years ago by plume hunters. Under pro- 

 tection they are gradually increasing in numbers and may again become one 

 of the well-known inhabitants of the State. 



