I q6 Dutcher, Report of Committee on Bird Protection. \ j 



"Tlie subject of bird protection by the farmer, not legal protec- 

 tion, but individual protection, such as can result only from an 

 intelligent comprehension of the economic value of birds to our 

 agricultural interests, was ably presented by our member, Amos J. 

 Eaton, at the Dairymen's meetings held last winter under the 

 auspices of the State Board of Agriculture. No topic awakened 

 a deeper interest. Mr. Eaton had only the Massachusetts charts 

 for illustration. A lantern and slides would have been of great 

 value, and we earnestly hope financial aid may come to us in this 

 matter. Our wish is that this feature of the work may be extended 

 through the Granges of the State. 



" We have had the hearty co-operation of our State Superinten- 

 dent of Education, Hon. Walter E. Ranger, who has also furnished 

 us with much valuable printed matter for distribution, which was 

 issued by the Board under his direction. The interest of bird 

 study is deepening in our schools. We number among our mem- 

 bers teachers in our normal schools, which will insure definite aid 

 to those soon to be enrolled among our teachers. 



'' During the month of August the interests of the Audubon 

 Society were presented at several of our summer schools, and met 

 with much intelligent appreciation. Nature work in its largest 

 sense, which means one's relations to the world about him. is the 

 growing idea underlying the world of our educators. 



"We have now three libraries in circulation among our schools. 

 We place a copy of ' Bird Lore ' upon the table in the reading 

 room of our town library." 



ViRviiNiA. — Legislation. — During the last session of the legis- 

 lature an excellent game law was adopted, including the main 

 features of the A. O. U. model; besides this, spring shooting of 

 snipe and shore birds was stopped, the open season for wild 

 fowl and upland game birds was materially shortened, and the 

 sale and export of game from the State was prohibited. For this 

 admirable legislation special mention is made of the intelligent 

 work of Senators Keezell, Halsey and Mcllwaine, and Delegates 

 Caton, Christian and Mathews, who were untiring in their efforts 

 to make the game laws of Virginia stand in the front rank of 

 modern and enlightened protective statutes. The next session of 

 the legislature will be held in 1904. 



