Vol. XXI 

 igo4 



I DuTCHER, Report of Committee on Bird Pi'otectton. ^'\'\ 



majority. It demonstrates the lively interest that is taken in bird 

 protection, even by men who ordinarily would vote for a bill at the 

 request of a fellow legislator when doing so would in no way reflect 

 upon them in the eyes of their constituents. 



" During the year a prosecution was instituted in Jacksonville 

 against a young man for removing some young mockingbirds 

 from their nest. The prosecution was based upon a mistaken set 

 of facts and was forthwith dismissed. The young man, instead 

 of removing the birds from the nest, was endeavoring to replace 

 them, a sudden gust of wind having dislodged them. This, too, 

 demonstrates some progress in protection. 



"The Florida Audubon Society is very active and is accom- 

 plishing a great work in the right direction, /. e., educating the 

 people to the value of birds ; the time is not far distant when the 

 subject will form part of the school and college curriculum. 



"Progress in this direction must be slow. Prejudices and 

 instincts of generations must be overcome ; all the signs, however, 

 are encouraging." 



Georgia. — Legislation. — After a long, hard fight, extending 

 over three legislative seasons, the A. O. U. model bill became a 

 law by approval August 15, 1903, but by its own provisions does 

 not go into effect until January i, 1904. In addition to the non- 

 game bird law the game law was greatly improved by materially 

 shortenimg the open seasons. 



Warden system. — No wardens were employed by the Thayer 

 Fund, but during the coming season it is proposed to extend the 

 system on the Georgia coast to all localities where birds are found 

 breeding in colonies of such size as to warrant the necessary 

 expenditure. 



Audubon work. — In June last Dr. E. E. Murphey, of Augusta, 

 wrote the Committee as follows : " Within the last few days I 

 have been approached by several of the most influential and prom- 

 inent people of our city in regard to inaugurating the Audubon 

 movement here. I believe that the time is ripe for us to do this 

 and trust that within a very few weeks you may shade Georgia on 

 your map." 



Later a letter was received from Prof. Starnes, of the Experi- 

 ment Station, saying, "I shall endeavor to push matters on to a 



