State Reports 99* 



so strong that Governor Murphy called an extra session to reconsider the 

 * Pigeon Bill.' At this session the bill was passed in a few minutes. 



"About a hundred new members have been received in the New Jersey 

 Society during the past year, but this inadequately represents the interest 

 aroused by the work of the society. This interest is contagious, and many 

 are devoting time and thought to the study and protection of birds, and in 

 the schools especially much attention is given to this work." 



New York. — A determined effort was made by the baymen and hotel 

 keepers of Long Island to have the law prohibiting spring shooting of Ducks 

 and Geese repealed, but, owing to the strong fight made by the sportsmen of 

 the other parts of the state, aided by the entire Audubon influence, the at- 

 tempt was unsuccessful. The stopping of spring shooting for two years has 

 increased the numbers of the above-named game birds very materially, and it 

 is reported by reliable observers that more Wood Ducks and Black Ducks 

 were hatched and successfully reared in New York State than for many 

 years past. Two wardens were employed to care for the Terns breeding at 

 the north and south end of Gardiner's Island, and each of them report a 

 very large increase in the numbers of these Sea Swallows. The two colo- 

 nies now number some thousands of birds which are not molested, as the 

 people residing in the vicinity of the breeding grounds are fully acquainted 

 with the law and generally observe it. 



Miss Lockwood, secretary of the Audubon Society, makes an extremely 

 encouraging report, which is added: "The same methods have been fol- 

 lowed during the past year by the New York Audubon Society as hereto- 

 fore. The wall charts, the traveling lantern and slide outfit, the educa- 

 tional and other leaflets, have done effective work. 



"Over 17,000 leaflets have been distributed; of these, 2,700 were sent 

 to the State Fair at Syracuse. The law posters have been circulated in 

 both English and Italian. 



"The lecture ' Travels of a Bird Student,' given by Mr. Chapman for 

 the benefit of the society at Sherry's, added over $400 to the funds. 

 $125 was contributed toward the expenses of the National Committee. 



"In October, Mr. Dutcher spoke in behalf of the society at the Con- 

 vention of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals, at 

 Syracuse. 



"From all parts of the state reports are received showing increased pop- 

 ular interest. One local secretary writes: 'I am delighted with the 

 progress being made with the work of the Audubon Society: in the general 

 information and awakened intelligence of the people whom I meet, greatly 

 in contrast with that of a few years ago.' Another secretary was told by a 

 leading clergyman of her town, after reading 'An Open Letter to Clergy- 

 men' by Mr. Dutcher: ' I will aid you all I can, and will take the cause 



