CHAPTER XVin 



BIRD CLUBS 



Meriden Bird Club. Other agencies which are 

 aiding the cause of bird-protection are bird clubs 

 which have been organized in various parts of the 

 country. The best known of these is the Meriden 

 Bird Club, in Meriden, New Hampshire, organized 

 through the efforts of Mr. Ernest Harold Baynes, 

 who has been instrumental in the organization of 

 many other clubs. Meriden is a small village of 

 about three hundred inhabitants and is the seat 

 of Kimball Union Academy. The students of the 

 Academy and the people of the village were first in- 

 terested in birds by lectures given by Mr. Baynes, 

 and in December, 1910, the club was organized. The 

 club had for its objects " the increase and protection 

 of our local wild birds, the stimulation of interest 

 in bird life, and the gradual establishment of a 

 model bird sanctuary." The total number of mem- 

 bers the first year was 214, and 356 the second year. 

 There are many associate members interested in the 

 formation of the club who are scattered over about 

 thirty States. During the winter special attention 

 is given to feeding the birds. In the spring, nesting- 

 houses are put up by the members of the club. A 



