316 Bird -Lore 



societies, 85 per cent of such societies having been formed in the universities, 

 academies, and public schools. 



In the strenuous efforts made during the current year, I desire to express 

 grateful appreciation for encouragement afforded the Texas Audubon Society 

 by Governor Tom Campbell, Attorney-General R. V. Davidson, Turner E. 

 Hubby, Hon. E. W. Kirkpatrick, of McKinney, President of the Texas Farmers 

 Congress; Dr. R. B. Cousins, of Austin; State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 

 tion; Col. R. T. Milner, President of the Agricultural and Mechanical College; 

 Dr. H. H. Harrington, former President of the same, now in charge of the state 

 experiment stations; Prof. Wesley Peacock of San Antonio, President of the 

 Peacock Military School; Hon. John A. Porter of Paris, Texas, General Manager 

 of the Paris Transit Company; Hon. George H. Hogan of Ennis, Miss Kate 

 Friend, President of the Waco Federation of Women's Clubs; Dr. H. P. Attwater, 

 Industrial Agent of the Southern Pacific; Hon. W. W. Seley, President of the 

 Waco Business Men's Club; Hon. Homer D. Wade, Secretary of the Stamford 

 Business Men's Club; to the entire press of the state, and to ministers and edu- 

 cators in general. 



In lecturing with and without the lantern and slides, covering a territory 

 in Texas equal to three or four of the smaller eastern states, the lectures have 

 been invariablv received with kindness and consideration and have been accorded 

 all the attention and assistance we needed. In every case, the Audubon lecturers 

 have been permitted to use large halls, auditoriums and opera-houses, and have 

 been afforded plenty of light, and have had the assistance of intelligent and 

 helpful ladies and gentlemen who lent their skill, energy and high social stand- 

 ing in making the lectures successful; in more than one case, young ladies handling 

 the stereopticon. 



As long as the railways were permitted to do so, they gave free transpor- 

 tation, and, that courtesy having been cut off by legislative enactment, the rail- 

 way officials continue by every means in their power to aid the Audubon work. 



The volume of bird life in Texas is on the increase, except Doves, Water-fowl, 

 and Prairie Chickens. Ruthless Dove slaughter broke out the latter part of last 

 August, and has not yet ceased, in spite of vigorous efforts to suppress it. With 

 inadequate revenue to support it, the state warden system has not been fully 

 able to cope with the situation, but has done a great deal toward the suppression 

 of the inveterate butchery directed especially against Doves. 



Gun clubs at Houston and Beaumont have been active in protecting both 

 water-fowl and game generally in the regions contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 while in the northwestern Texas counties land owners, railway men, and state 

 officials have done much for the protection of antelopes, deer, Wild Turkeys 

 and Prairie Chickens. 



In all the work accomplished, the Texas Audubon Society proved the most 

 prominent agency in the state in encouraging the preservation of wild life, in 

 fields, forest, and on the plains. 



