460 Bird - Lore 



some 6,000 bird-buttons were provided, especially made for the Club and 

 inscribed with its name. It is believed that the foregoing arrangement with 

 the National Association, in conjunction with the valuable and sympathetic 

 aid of the district superintendents, has been instrumental in arousing much 

 interest among the public school-children, and should instil in them a love for 

 the bird and an interest in its care and protection that will prove of wide- 

 spread advantage in furthering the good work intended. 



The Bird Club has become a sustaining member of the National Associa- 

 tion of Audubon Societies and will cooperate with it in every way to advance 

 our mutual interests. The cat menace to bird-life has received careful consider- 

 ation, but while a wide discussion of this subject has as yet brought no con- 

 clusive results, it has at least awakened many people to a familiar knowledge 

 of the matter which will probably mean its ultimate solution. 



The Executive Committee wisely decided that life-membership fees should 

 be retained for investment, and only the income applied toward general 

 expenses; and in accordance with this decision the sum of $1,500 has already 

 been invested. The treasurer's receipts during the past year amounted to the 

 sum of $2,333.53, leaving a credit balance on July i, in addition to the fore- 

 going investment of principal, and after the payment of all necessary expenses, 

 of $301.76. It may be interesting to note that the Club is represented in no 

 less than fifty different localities on Long Island, and its influence is therefore 

 widely extended. There are at present some 448 members, of whom 355 are 

 annual subscribers and 93 life members. — (Mrs.) Alice Greenough Town- 

 send, Secretary. 



Bird Club of Meriden (Conn.) — Our Club was officially organized Feb- 

 ruary 26, 1 9 14, and now has 187 members. We have had regular monthly 

 meetings since the Club was organized, excepting in the summer months, and 

 each winter have put out food and shelter for the birds in the parks and at 

 private homes. We are trying to keep Partridges and Quails in Hubbard Park, 

 and we find that the farmers are showing interest in trying to shelter and keep 

 Quails through the winter. The Grange has shown interest in our Club, and 

 occasionally gives a report of what they are doing for bird-preservation. The 

 Club has had addresses by Mr. Bigelow, Mr, Herbert Job, Mr. Avis, Mr. Sage, 

 and Mr. Crawfton. We have assisted each year in taking a bird-census in this 

 locality. 



We have done no legislative work, but I wish we might in connection with 

 other clubs do something to decrease the number of cats in this locality. It 

 seems as if that might be the most helpful thing possible for bird-preser- 

 vation. 



This Club was formally affiliated by membership with the National Asso- 

 ciation of Audubon Societies on May 13, 1916. — (Mrs.) W. C. Homan, Secre- 

 tary. 



