M a s s a c h u s e 1 1 s Audubon Society 3 



CHRISTMAS IS COMING 



The value of the Audubon Bird Charts, Calendars, bird books and 

 other bird-protection material noted in the price-list included in this issue of 

 the Bulletin should appeal to all members. Many of the things obtainable 

 here are not to be had elsewhere and form unique and valuable Christmas 

 Gifts. The money received from their sale goes directly into the work of 

 bird-protection which the Society is carrying on with its utmost vigor through- 

 out the State. Much material bought of us is mailed postpaid from the 

 office and thus the purchaser is saved expense and trouble. 



A SONG SPARROW GUEST 



Those of our members who pass the summer on Mount Desert Island, 

 Maine, often drive to the Somes House, Somesville, where this incident was 

 observed last August. 



As the dining-room was crowded, two tables had been set on the piazza 

 close together, one for us, the other for some people who were expected. 

 As we ate and talked merrily, a song sparrow alighted on the unoccupied 

 table and partook of a full leisurely meal of bread, leaving only when he 

 had been fully satisfied. He was not in the least disturbed by the noise of 

 talking and laughing, and when the people finally came, the sparrow had 

 gone and they never noticed his depredations. T. 



SOUTH AFRICAN BIRD PROTECTION 



Few countries in the world are blessed with greater numbers and 

 variety of native birds than South Africa. Many of the feathered tribe are 

 beautiful, with flaming red, bright green, orange or blue wings and tails. 

 Among the most interesting is the secretary-bird, a tall heron-like creature 

 with long feathers sticking out from the back of the head suggestive of a 

 pen stuck over a person's ear. The secretary-bird is an enemy of snakes 

 and consequently has been protected by law many years. 



With the exception of one or two other species, the birds of South 

 Africa have not been protected by man, and every year sees quantities of 

 them slaughtered by boys, both of the white and black races. Many birds 

 are caught in snares and by the use of bird-lime. Realizing that unless 

 something is done soon to stop this useless slaughter, South Africa will 

 be as denuded of birds as it has already been of wild game, a few interested 

 persons last year organized the Wild Birds Protection Society of South 

 Africa, with Mr. P. J. Frost, of Zeerust, Transvaal, as honorary secretary. 

 The Society was started mainly through Mr. Frost's personal efforts, but it 

 is fortunate in having attracted to its membership numerous prominent men 

 and women of the country, including Mr. F. W. Fitzsimons, director of the 

 museum at Port Elizabeth; Sir Lionel and Lady Phillips; Sir Abe Bailey 

 and Prof. E. Warren, of the LIniversity of Natal. 



Last year the society held an essay contest on the protection of birds 

 open to the school teachers of the Union of South Africa and Southern 

 Rhodesia, which brought forward a great many essays both in English and 

 Taal. The prize essays were published in the newspapers throughout the 

 country and resulted in much public interest in the protection of birds. 

 This year the Society held an essay contest open to school-children. 



