State Audubon Reports 303 



Audubon Society. Over one thousand colored plates and educational Leaflets 

 were given the teachers, with the suggestion that the pupils be allowed to copy 

 the colored pictures and write bird stories; also that the children be encouraged 

 to make note of the date of the arrival of the different varieties of birds, during 

 the spring migration. In man}' instances these suggestions were followed, with 

 the result that in the annual exhibit of school work, the bird booklets were of 

 especial interest. 



In June, two public meetings were held, one in each library, the interesting 

 programs being given by the pupils of the different schools and the elder members 

 of the Society. 



Through the efforts of our Secretary, Prof. John Cameron, of Kansas City, 

 was secured by the local Chautauqua Association for the presentation of three 

 illustrated lectures on the subjects of Nature and Birds. These lectures were 

 practically interesting and profitable. — Mrs. W. B. Small, President. 



Kansas. — It is most singular that Kansas, one of the greatest agricultural 

 states of the Union, with such a vast number of progressive citizens, should be 

 among the last to recognize bird life as one of its chief assets. This territory 

 is a portion of the great inland highway for bird migration to the northward 

 in the spring and southward in the autumn, and immense hosts stop here for 

 the summer sojourn. 



With some misgivings, an effort was made to combine the protests of bird- 

 lovers and sportsmen against the appalling destruction of birds into a recogniz- 

 able force. Happily, all doubts were dissipated by a unanimity that justified 

 preliminary action in August to effect a regular Society for the protection of birds. 

 On October 2, 1908, a permanent organization was founded, with a charter 

 membership of forty-five, which may run up to sixty or seventy by the time 

 we are readv to print our by-laws. A charter from the state of Kansas is now 

 in process of completion. 



Among the things we hope to accomplish is the amendment of the present 

 state bird laws to conform to the established standards elsewhere, and to pro- 

 vide for the absolute protection of all harmless wild birds and animals. 



That there are several species of birds that are destructive to horticultural 

 interests there is no doubt; but we hope to put a stop to the indiscriminate 

 slaughter that is going on simply because a few species are harmful. Recently 

 a man stated to me that he had used 2,400 gun shells during a single season, and 

 I have been told of another that used 6,000 shells, directed against all classes 

 of birds. 



Indifference to the crying evil of egg-stealing, skin-stuffing, summer shoot- 

 ing (especially by the youth) and other vandalism against bird life is much 

 more difficult to contend with than the instances quoted above. This state pos- 

 sesses a full quota of bird-lovers, and a strong effort will be made to enlist their 

 influence to make it possible for the feathered friends of the agriculturalist, 



