50 Bird -Lore 



'Bird-Laws,' and 'An Appeal to the Women of the Country in Behalf of 

 the Birds.' 



In this Bulletin was presented the first completed draft of what has since 

 been known as the A. O. U. Model Law, 'An Act for the Protection of 

 Birds and their Nests and Eggs.' While the Model Law has been im- 

 proved and strengthened as the result of experience, yet it substantially 

 remains the same as when first drawn in January, 1886. One of the tangi- 

 ble gains in bird protection work is the fact that in January, 1886, the 

 Model Law was not in force in a single state ; today it is in full force in 

 twenty-eight states, the territory of Alaska and the Northwest Territories, 

 across the border. 



Organization of the First Audubon Society. — An editorial entitled 'The 

 Audubon Society' appeared February 11, 1886, in 'Forest and Stream,' 

 from which is quoted some facts relating to the organization of the first 

 Audubon Society, the successor of which we now are: "Very slowly the 

 public are awakening to see that the fashion of wearing feathers and skins 

 of birds is abominable. Legislation of itself can do little against this bar- 

 barous practice, but if public sentiment can be aroused against it, it will die 

 a speedy death. While individual effort may accomplish much, it will work 

 but slowly, and the spread of the movement will be but gradual. Some- 

 thing more than this is needed. 



"In the first half of this century there lived a man who did more to teach 

 Americans about birds of their own land than any other who ever lived. 

 His beautiful and spirited paintings and his charming and tender accounts 

 of the habits of his favorites have made him immortal, and have inspired his 

 countrymen with an ardent love for the birds. The land which produced 

 the painter-naturalist, John James Audubon, will not willingly see the 

 beautiful forms he loved so well exterminated. 



"We propose the formation of an Association for the protection of wild 

 birds and their eggs, which shall be called the Audubon Society. Its mem- 

 bership is to be free to every one who is willing to lend a helping hand in 

 forwarding the objects for which it is formed. These objects shall be to pre- 

 vent, so far as possible, (i) the killing of any wild birds not used for food ; 

 (2) the destruction of nests or eggs of any wild bird, and (3) the wearing 

 of feathers as ornaments or trimming for dress. 



"To bring this matter properly before the public at large, we shall em- 

 ploy every means in our power to diffuse information on the subject over 

 the whole country. Those who are willing to aid us in our labors are 

 urged to establish local societies for work in their own neighborhood. To 

 such branch societies we will send, without charge, circulars and printed 

 information for distribution among their neighbors. A little effort in this 

 direction will do much good. As soon as the association shall have a 

 membership and shall be in a position to organize, and shall have attained 



