INTRODUCTORY 



Admit into thy silent breast 



The notes of but one bird, 

 And instantly thy soul will join 



In jubilant accord. 



— Johanna Ambrosius. 



PROGRESS is defined as advancement of any kind; growth, develop- 

 ment, improvement; and is a high word for the promotion of 

 human knowledge, character and general welfare. In all these 

 things we feel that the great economic movement in which we are 

 engaged has made positive gains, not only on the material, but also on 

 the spiritual side. The material gains can always be seen, recognized and 

 enumerated, because they are tangible; for instance, there is the model 

 law adopted in two important states, an active Audubon Society organized 

 in another important state, and additional colonies of water-birds discovered 

 and effectively cared for by paid wardens, while many of the colonies 

 that have had protection for several years show a marked increase in size. 

 The spiritual gains are intangible, but are nevertheless positive and 

 recognizable in increased interest, willingness to work, inquiry about 

 methods, and, above all, a growing and generous response to financial 

 calls for support. 



HISTORY OF THE AUDUBON MOVEMENT 



In order that the great gains that have been made may be more easily 

 recognized, let us take a retrospective view. 



As early as 1883 there was an evident awakening to the fact that 

 too many birds were being killed, for 'Forest and Stream,' in comment- 

 ing on a communication from a correspondent, remarks: "The subject 

 of protecting our small birds is, we are glad to see, occupying each year 

 a larger share of public attention." Later in the same year, in an editorial 

 on 'Spare the Swallows,' it says: "The milliners now demand the breasts 

 and wings of Swallows for decorating ladies' hats. To supply the call, 

 thousands of these birds are killed by agents of the millinery taxidermists." 

 During the following year, 1884, this awakening was more evident, from 

 the greater number of newspaper articles that appeared under such titles 

 as the following: 'Protect the Small Birds,' the writer of which says: 

 "For several years I have watched the decrease in numbers of our small 

 birds"; 'Protecting Song Birds,' 'Preservation of Song Birds,' in which 

 the writer says : "Let us have a law to prevent the shooting, by men 



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