140 Notes and News. [^an^ 



This report includes an outline of the work of the Secretary for the past 

 year, under the heads of 'Legislation,' 'Field Agents and other Workers,' 

 'State Societies,' 'Bird Colonies,' 'Wardens,' 'Egret Protection,' the 

 'Mrs. Russel Sage Fund,' 'Miscellaneous,' and 'Financial.' The report 

 of the Secretary, Mr. T. G. Pearson, is followed by reports from field 

 agents in New England, on the Pacific coast, in Texas, in Virginia, and 

 from various bird colonies. Added to this are reports from the thirty-eight 

 State societies which form, as it were, State agencies for the National 

 Association, and which can deal with local issues far more effectively than 

 could a national organization not familiar with local conditions. 



The report of the Treasurer, Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., shows that the income 

 of the Society for the year ending October 20, 1911, was $36,599.72, of 

 which no less than $10,000 was made up of special contributions, and it is 

 hoped that as the increasingly important work of the Association, with its 

 State allies, becomes more widely known, it will receive even greater finan- 

 cial support from the public. The report in question is one of the best 

 arguments which the Association could put forth as an appeal for funds 

 with which to carry on its work, the limits of which are governed only by 

 its means. The past history of the whole movement for bird protection 

 has been one constant struggle to secure, retain, and enforce proper legis- 

 lative measures designed to protect birds. Up to the present time the 

 efforts of the Audubon Societies have of necessity been so largely directed 

 toward this end that they could not devote due attention to the educational 

 aspects of their work. In the future, however, let us hope that public 

 sentiment has become so thoroughly aroused that there will be less danger 

 of the repeal of the excellent laws which, generally speaking, prevail 

 throughout the Union, and that in consequence the National Association 

 may devote a greater part of its time and income to the diffusion of knowl- 

 edge of the economic and sesthetic value of birds. 



