296 Bird - Lore 



STATE AUDUBON REPORTS 



The brief reports submitted by the several state societies show in the main 

 a growing activity in the special line of work which most of them follow, i. e., 

 the education of children that they may have a more intimate knowledge of 

 the live bird in its natural surroundings. The love of birds once established 

 in the mind and heart of a child is a guarantee that thereafter bird protection 

 will occupy a large place in the child's thoughts, and is also a warranty of the 

 growth and strength of the Audubon movement for years to come. — William 

 Dutcher. 



Arizona. — An Audubon Society was organized last April. The following 

 were chosen officers of the Society: Mr. Herbert Brown, President; Rev. W. W. 

 Breckenridge, Vice-president; Mrs. Harriet B. Thornber, secretary; Mrs. Flor- 

 ence McCallum, treasurer. The Society adjourned during the hot summer 

 months, but is ready now to take up work for the coming year. Requests to 

 become members are constantly being made by people of education and ability. 

 Arizona is a rich field for Audubon work. — Mrs. J. J. Thornber, Secretary. 



California. — During the past year, much of our energy and most of our 

 money has been used in educational work. About ten thousand Leaflets, reports, 

 warning-cards and signs have been distributed, including large editions of Leaf- 

 lets No. 5, a new Dove Leaflet and a digest of the bird laws, a great many 

 copies of which were placed with game-wardens, principals and teachers in 

 the public schools, and interested workers in all parts of the state. It is pleasing 

 to be able to report that the Society has been able to supply every request for 

 educational literature and warning-signs made during the year. 



Fifteen illustrated lectures on the economic value of the wild birds were de- 

 livered by the secretary. Professor Stebbins, of the State Normal School at 

 Chico, and Dr. Emily G. Hunt, of Pasadena, have also greatly aided our work 

 by illustrated lectures before local organizations and schools; and Prof. L. H. 

 Miller, of the State Normal School at Los Angeles, has given a number of inter- 

 esting and instructive bird talks in aid of our work. 



An effort to check the traffic in bird skins and bird eggs, carried on in vio- 

 lation of the state law, has brought about very much better conditions with regard 

 to the "collecting" evil; and, with continued cooperation of the State Fish Com- 

 mission, which issues permits under the law for scientific collecting, the abuses 

 of bird and egg collecting, more or less in evidence in almost every state, will soon 

 be reduced here to the minimum. 



The Society continues to combat the practice of killing Doves in the nesting 

 season, and by the circulation of a large amount of educational literature fully 

 covering the details of this species of cruelty, and the aid of humane sportsmen 



