io8 Bird - Lore 



offered is not as complete as it should be in its showing of the work that is 

 being done in the state outside of Portland." 



Pennsylvania. — The very brief report of the secretary, Mrs. Robins, 

 tells of progress in that most important line of work, new local branches 

 with consequent increased membership and support. 



"Work has been carried on as usual. There has been a steady increase 

 in membership and a most gratifying increase in local societies and clubs for 

 the purpose of bird study and bird protection. As our state is such a large 

 one, it is almost impossible for us to keep in touch with the members ex- 

 cepting where these branches exist and our energies for the coming year 

 are to be largely devoted to encouraging the forming of these clubs and 

 branches, under the care of our local secretaries or some other competent 

 person. 



"The traveling libraries continue to do good work. 



"A new bird and game bill is to be introduced in the state legislature at 

 its next session, and the society will take steps to ensure such improvements 

 as are needed for the preservation of wild birds, and use its best efforts to 

 aid the passage of the bill." 



Rhode Island. — Notwithstanding the protest of the Audubon Society, 

 the National Committee, and the intelligence of the commonwealth, the 

 legislature passed a law providing for the payment of a bounty of twenty -five 

 cents each for the scalps of Hawks, Owls and Crows. This statute is such 

 a monument to ignorance and prejudice and is so far behind the times that 

 it is published in full, in order that the public may have an opportunity of 

 reading the very worst bird statute in force in any part of the United States. 

 It is unfortunate when a commonwealth lacks laws for the protection of its 

 birds, but it is much worse to have a bounty law for birds that scientific 

 investigation has proved to be beneficial as a class. Bounty laws for birds 

 or animals are wrong, both in principle and in practice. 



CHAPTER 1160. 



An Act Entitled an Act for the Protection of Song Birds and Game. 

 (Passed April 13, 1904.) 



It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 



Section i. Every person who shall kill any wild hawk, except fish 

 hawks, wild crow, or wild owl within the limits of this state shall, upon 

 presentation of the proof hereinafter designated, receive for every such ani- 

 mal so killed the sum of twenty-five cents, to be paid by the general 

 treasurer. 



Sec. 2. Before such person shall be entitled to receive the aforesaid 

 reward he shall exhibit to any town clerk or state senator of any town, the 



