INTRODUCTION. 



The Vermont Bird Club has been in existence nearly five years. It 

 was formed for the purpose of collecting and preserving information con- 

 cerning the birds found within the state; of creating and encouraging an 

 interest in birds ; of promoting scientific investigations and of securing 

 protection of all useful species. Since its organization the feeling has 

 existed among the members that the proceedings of its meetings should 

 be printed, thus giving them tangible and permanent form and allowing 

 those who cannot attend the meetings regularly to keep in closer touch 

 with the work of the Club. The final expression of this feeling was the 

 authorization at the last winter meeting of the publication of an annual 

 Bulletin. It is not the intention to publish a bird magazine, simply a 

 condensed record of the proceedings of the meetings. 



The Vermont Botanical Club will issue a similar bulletin and these 

 are to be made of like form that those who wish may easily keep and 

 bind them together. 



A HISTORY OF THE VERMONT BIRD CLUB. 



In July, 1901, at the annual field meeting of the Vermont Botanical 

 Club a preliminary meeting was held at which steps were taken toward 

 the formation of a State Bird Club. Previous to this there had been 

 some discussion among members of the Botanical Club, who were also 

 interested in birds, as to the advisability of forming such an organiza- 

 tion. At this preliminary meeting a committee was appointed with Mr. 

 Clifton D. Howe as chairman to formulate a constitution to be pre- 

 sented at a meeting to be held in conjunction with the annual winter 

 meeting of the Botanical Club at Burlington the following January. 



Thus on January 25, 1902, a constitution was adopted and an or- 

 ganization effected. Prof. G. H. Perkins was chosen president, J. B. 

 Ham, vice president, and G. H. Ross, secretary and treasurer. In 1903 

 Carlton D. Howe was chosen vice president. Since that year these officers 

 have been continuously reelected. An executive committee of three who 

 are elected annually aid the officers in arranging meetings, programs, 

 and in other activities of tlie Club. 



At the January meetings officers are elected, other business transacted, 

 and papers are read and discussed. 



As many members of the Bird Club belong also to the Botanical Club, 

 the annual meetings are held at the same time and the joint session of 

 the two clubs is a most interesting feature. In arranging programs care 



