Suggestions for the Coming Year 307 



ments. Feathers of wild birds can be dyed and manipulated in such a way 

 that even the expert ornithologist can detect the deceit only after the most 

 careful examination. How, then, can a layman, under such conditions, know 

 what feather ornament to wear ? There is only one thing to do — eschew all 

 plumage, except that of the Ostrich, and thus have a clear conscience your- 

 self and set a good example to your neighbor. 



Again, it is your duty to do some Association work yourself, and not ex- 

 pect it all to be done by your officers and directors. Our members are 

 widely scattered over the country, and each one has a local influence that can 

 always be exerted in behalf of bird protection and the building up of our 

 Society. A gentle word on a fitting occasion, a warning when necessary, a 

 suggestion of the importance of Audubon work, directing the attention of the 

 agricultural folk to the good birds do, a hint that the Association needs a 

 largely increased membership, and that it depends on dues, gifts and legacies 

 for its support, are all opportunities for the lay worker to secure good for the 

 Society and, by reflex action, for himself. 



A membership card and some of the publications of the Association 

 should always be at hand for use at the proper moment, and, above all, the 

 merits of our organ, BiRD-LoRE, should be on your mind, and you should 

 by every means in your power widen its chance to do good. It is the medium 

 of communication between workers in widely separated fields, it contains 

 current news of Audubon activities, and the larger its circulation the greater 

 will be its influence. 



Legislation for Cats. — The question of the cat as a bird-destroyer is daily 

 becoming of more importance and should have attention from this Associa- 

 tion. Reference is made to it at this time in order that some expression of 

 opinion may be given and placed on file. Many of the ornithologists of the 

 country, and others who have made investigations of the habits of the cat, 

 run wild, believe that there is no greater cause of bird destruction than a 

 feline that is compelled by force of circumstances to procure its own living. 

 This Association, being established for the protection of birds and animals, 

 cannot consistently advocate the wholesale killing of cats. It should, how- 

 ever, advocate a larger degree of responsibility on the part of their owners. 

 This class of domestic animals is far too numerous at the present time, and 

 some means should be taken at once to prevent an undue and further in- 

 crease. This can best be brought about by restrictive legislation similar to 

 that applied to dogs. Every person who owns a cat should be compelled by 

 statute to pay an annual tax on the same, in the same amount that he pays 

 on the dog he owns, and the same care should be exercised to see that the 

 cat should be kept confined and not permitted to range at will. No citizen 

 in any state is permitted to allow his horses, cattle, sheep, or any other do- 

 mestic animals to range at large to become a nuisance to the public, and 

 there is no good reason that can be advanced why any exception should be 



