176 BIRD FRIENDS 



next few years with organizations in other States, 

 until now there are societies in thirty-seven States 

 and in the District of Columbia. 



The National Association of Audubon Societies. 

 After these state societies were organized, it was 

 felt that there should be a central national organi- 

 zation to bind the others together and direct their 

 work. Accordingly, in 1902, a federation, known as 

 the National Committee of Audubon Societies, was 

 formed, composed of one member from each state 

 society. The work of the committee grew rapidly 

 and in 1905 led to the organization of the National 

 Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection 

 of Wild Birds and Animals. Besides being a medium 

 of exchange between the several state societies, this 

 association has taken on other functions, such as the 

 formation of new societies, encouragement of proper 

 legislation, promotion of educational work, and other 

 lines of work, and it is to-day the mainstay and back- 

 bone of the whole Audubon movement. The objects 

 of the organization are stated as follows in a circular 

 issued by the Association : 



The objects of the Association are to arouse in a 

 greater degree the public conscience on the important 

 subject of preserving wild birds and game animals of the 

 country and to secure protection at all times for the 

 valuable non-game bird life. 



The credit for the initial success of this movement 

 is due largely to the enthusiasm and untiring effort 



