156 



THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



When last autumn it was decided to 

 dedicate the sanctuary, Mr. Percy 

 Mackaye wrote for the occasion a bird 

 masque. Two of President Wilson's 

 daughters, Miss Eleanor and Miss Mar- 

 garet Wilson took part, and the masque 

 was produced in the little village of 

 Meriden, eight miles from the nearest 

 railroad, before six hundred of the most 

 distinguished people in New England at 

 that time, including President and Mrs. 

 Wilson. The masque was a success 

 and in the repertory of the Coburn 

 Players continues to play its part in the 

 campaign for wild bird conservation. 

 But after all, this work is only a be- 

 ginning. It is a beginning however of 

 which we are proud, for similar clubs 

 are springing up all around us — in Han- 

 over, Cornish, Claremont, Charlestown, 

 Walpole and Franklin in New Hamp- 

 shire; Brookline, Milton, Springfield, 

 Southboro, Groton, and Pittsfield in 



Massachusetts; Montpelier in Vermont; 

 Glens Falls in New York, and many 

 other places — all as a direct result of 

 the work done in our little village of a 

 hundred and fifty people. And in every 

 town and village where there has been a 

 bird club the results have been good. 

 Not only have the birds been benefited 

 but the girls and boys as well, for they 

 have been taught kindness, thoughtful- 

 ness and generosity and children who 

 learn these things make pretty good citi- 

 zens whether they are taught anything 

 else or not. 



My experience so far has led me to be 

 fully convinced that if a network of these 

 clubs can be stretched across the country, 

 such an interest and love for the birds 

 will be created that, as I said in opening, 

 there will be little need for legislation 

 and what legislation is needed will readily 

 be secured. 



Young catbirds discussing the pure food question 



