State Reports 113 



"The keeper of the Matagorda Lighthouse was employed as a warden 

 during the breeding season. He protected all the birds in his locality, and 

 reports a larger increase in 1904 than at any period for some years past. 

 The birds protected were Royal and other Terns, Laughing Gulls, Black 

 Skimmers, etc." 



Vermont. — The report of the secretary, Mrs. Barrows, shows very 

 satisfactory progress, especially along educational lines: 



"During the past year the Audubon Society has endeavored to form 

 branch societies in various parts of the state, with notable success in several 

 towns. Societies have been organized in Castleton, Proctor, Essex 

 Junction and Springfield. We had previously organized societies in Wil- 

 liamsville and Putney. Our three traveling libraries have been in circulation 

 in several towns during the year, and we have received appreciative letters 

 from the teachers who have had the use of them in their schools. One 

 teacher writes, ' Before these books were placed in the hands of teachers 

 and pupils, there was practically no interest in the subject of birds on the 

 part of either. Now there is no lack of interest in the community. It 

 scarcely seems possible that so much could have been learned in so short a 

 time.' In our own town, while there has been little organized work done, 

 there has been much individual work, and a stimulus given to bird study 

 and protection. Many of our citizens are interested in feeding the birds 

 through the winter months; and it is pleasant to record that several of the 

 teachers in our public schools have placed shelves outside the school win- 

 dows for the benefit of the birds who come there for daily lunch, thus 

 pleasing and interesting the children who watch them. The Educational 

 Leaflets published by the National Committee have been bought and dis- 

 tributed. A copy of Bird-Lore has been placed on the reading table in 

 our public library. Our society has contributed twenty-five dollars to the 

 National Committee to aid in its work of bird protection. We have pur- 

 chased a lantern, and hope to secure the slides necessary for a traveling 

 lecture the coming year. 



"To Rev. Wm. R. Lord, of Rockland, Massachusetts, we are much 

 indebted, for work in summer schools held for teachers. His illustrated 

 lectures were received with great appreciation and enthusiasm." 



Virginia. — Eight wardens were employed during the past breeding sea- 

 son, this being the fifth consecutive year that special protection has been 

 given at the extensive breeding grounds in Accomac and Northampton 

 counties. The chairman, early in July, explored this territory quite 

 thoroughly and made the acquaintance of nearly all of the wardens. No 

 one can realize the vast extent of the beaches and marshes that stretch from 

 Chincoteague on the north to Cape Charles on the south. At intervals of 



