WORK OF THE AUDUBOX SOCIETIES 179 



protection are sanctioned. The Association has also 

 been active in furthering national legislation. 



Warden work. Many of the water-birds nest to- 

 gether in large colonies where thousands of birds 

 nest within a small area. The Association employs 

 about twenty-five wardens to guard these colonies 

 during the breeding-season. The colonies which are 

 thus protected are situated on the islands off the 

 coast of Maine, along the coasts of Xew York, Xew 

 Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and in the lakes of Michi- 

 gan. It was estimated that during the season of 

 1913 about two million birds were protected in 

 these colonies, and that during 1915 at least half 

 a million young birds were brought to maturity. 



Egret protection. For many years the Association 

 has been endeavoring to save the egrets, whose 

 extermination was threatened by the demands of the 

 milliners. One of its wardens was shot while pro- 

 tecting colonies of these birds, and their numbers 

 were reduced to such an extent that it seemed doubt- 

 ful whether these beautiful birds could be saved, 

 but persistent efforts have been made and the Asso- 

 ciation has raised a special egret fund to be used 

 in protecting these birds, and the outlook is now 

 very encouraging for their preservation. During 

 1915 the Association had seventeen special wardens 

 protecting these egret colonies, which are located 

 in Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri. During 

 the season of 1915 these wardens had under their 



