Auk 
Jan. 
32 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 
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 esthetic 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. 
