Vol. XX 1 DuTCHER, Report of Commiiiee on Bird Protect ion. T4I 



"In the year just closing Mr. Woollen furnished a series of 

 papers regarding the birds and plants around Indianapolis. These 

 were so timed that they could be used in the nature study work in 

 the schools. I furnished a series of ' City Bird Sketches,' from 

 week to week, very simple and non-technical, written after talking 

 with some of the supervising principals, to make a sort of local 

 guide for the teachers and pupils of the birds to be found about 

 the city at the time. For instance, in January winter birds were 

 discussed; in February, ' Birding on Washington Street ' (Birds 

 of the Bonnets) ; late February, the Bluebird ; then the Robin 

 and Meadowlark. 



"This newspaper work has proved of a good deal of value and 

 we are now planning to extend it through the State. We shall have 

 sketches in as many of the State papers as we can get the material 

 for, and also in at least one set of ' patent insides.' The only limit 

 to this sort of work is the getting people who can and will write 

 the sketches. Almost all our people are so busy that they think 

 they cannot take the time to write ; indeed, what Audubon work 

 is done in Indiana is done by busy people who have to slip it in 

 as best they may, with their regular work. 



"The work in the schools receives such recognition that the city 

 librarian has agreed to add enough bird books to meet the demands 

 of the teachers and pupils, at least in part. This year the attend- 

 ants at the library tell me that the stock of bird books was only 

 a drop in the bucket, compared to the demand. I am now work- 

 ing out a list of books, numbers of copies of each needed, etc. 

 They agree that these books shall be in and ready for distribu- 

 tion by the time the spring nature work opens in the schools. 



" I do not know how many societies we have in the State, but 

 the bird work, organized or not, is progressing. I had a report last 

 week from a bird club in Hanover. This week I am correspond- 

 ing with some of the teachers and newspaper people in Noblesville, 

 looking toward an organization among those interested in the 

 work there. 



" I greatly regret that all I can give you now in the way of a 

 report is this inadequate and informal letter. Another time, with 

 the work in hand, I trust that I may be able to meet your require- 

 ments and send a report that can be properly so called." 



