^2 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. \^a^ 



process of formation in New York. As a striking sign of the 

 influence of the Massachusetts Society, it may be stated that one 

 of the fashionable milliners of Boston is a member of the Society 

 and, consequently, will not sell the plumage of wild birds to her 

 customers. 



A large and influential Society, having for its object the pro- 

 tection of birds has existed for some years in England, the 

 President being the Duchess of Portland, and the Secretary, Mrs. 

 F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, England. The literature issued 

 by the English Society has been sent to your Committee, and is 

 found to be very complete. A large part of it, with some modi- 

 fication, could be adopted by the American Societies to advantage. 



At a recent International Congress for the Prevention of 

 Cruelty to Animals it was decided to found, in the various countries 

 represented at the Congress, children's societies for the protection 

 of those birds which are now killed in such vast numbers for the 

 sake of adorning with their plumage feminine hats and dresses. 



While legislation may be of vast benefit in protecting all bird 

 life, yet we firmly believe that the true solution of the problem will 

 be the education of the children of our schools, both public and 

 private. They should be taught in every grade, from the kinder- 

 garten to the college, not only the assthetic but the economical 

 value of our birds. To this end the Division of the Biological 

 Survey, United States Department of Agriculture, has issued a 

 very valuable paper (Circular No. 17) which should be in the 

 hands of every teacher and educator on this continent, with an 

 urgent appeal that the suggestions in the circular be carried out 

 to the fullest extent. When we have educated our children laws 

 will be unnecessary. 



In conclusion, your Committee asks to be continued with the 

 power to add to its numbers from the members of the Society, and 

 suggests that each one of the 600 members of the Union shall 

 take an active interest in this work during the coming year, espe- 

 cially in distributing ' Circular No. 17,' and in the formation of 

 local societies in the localities in which they may reside. 

 Respectfully submitted : 



WILLIAM DUTCHER, 

 Chairman. 



