﻿226 Bird -Lore 



tent, while the letters of sympathy sent to the officers are a source of great 

 encouragement. Many of the members have taken special interest in 

 securing additional members, while others have made liberal contributions in 

 addition to the annual fee of $5. 



The interest and earnestness of our members is an added guarantee of 

 the future of the National Association. Our membership is now just over 

 the thousand mark ; this gives an income of $5,000 from fees, and, as many 

 of our members give special contributions in addition, our income from these 

 sources the past year has been $8,773.67. With the greatest economy in 

 expenditures, our finances showed a deficit at the end of the year of $523.54. 

 During the coming year our income will be increased by the amount earned 

 by our legacy. 



At this time it is fitting to speak of two matters of moment ; first, the 

 very great importance of an increase in membership. The value of a large 

 number of members is two-fold, for, in addition to the income so produced, 

 the moral influence exerted is very great ; the individual has a personal in- 

 fluence in his neighborhood ; the group of members has a still larger power 

 for good in a state or nation, especially in creating public sentiment in favor 

 of good legislation and the enforcement of laws. The membership of the 

 National Association in no way conflicts with that of the separate but cog- 

 nate membership of the State Societies. The second matter is in relation to 

 the permanent endowment, which now practically amounts to $335,000. 

 This is a superb beginning for a Society that was incorporated less than two 

 years ago, but the endowment must not remain at this figure, for there is 

 too much work still to be done. We have at the present time thirty-seven 

 life members, whose fees are a part of the endowment. All of these mem- 

 bers have the satisfaction of knowing that, when their life activities have 

 ceased, their contribution of $100 will go on forever earning money with 

 which to carry on the work of wild bird and animal protection in which 

 they were interested. There are probably few individuals who are situated 

 as was our great benefactor, first, with a compelling desire to protect help- 

 less wild life; second, with the wealth to carry out such a desire, and, finally, 

 with no family or dependents who could justly claim his protection. How- 

 ever, there are many of our members who are in a position to add to our 

 endowment, either now by becoming a Life Member, a Patron, a Founder 

 or a Benefactor, or by a legacy. This thought is commended to your con- 

 sideration in order that your present interest and support to this great and 

 important movement may be perpetuated. 



In presenting the above suggestions regarding additional members and 

 further legacies, I am simply carrying out one of the directions of our bene- 

 factor, Mr. Willcox, from whose will the following quotation is made : 



"The other one-half of my residuary estate, after the death of my brother, David 

 Willcox, I gave, devise and bequeath to the National Association of Audubon Societies for 



