332 Bird -Lore 



enacted we must present our cause before the District Committee of the United 

 States Congress. A year or more ago some of us did our first ' lobbying, ' cooper- 

 ating with the Fish- and Game-Protective Association of the District, and were 

 successful in having a bill passed prohibiting all hunting or shooting in the 

 District, except for a limited time, and then only on the marshes. 



Our Chief of Police, Major Sylvester (who is a member of both societies), 

 has cooperated most efficiently with us, and during the winter his mounted 

 police have been provided with food for the birds (toward which our Society 

 made an appropriation), which they have carried to outlying districts, and in 

 that way have furnished sustenance for many of the birds during the severe 

 weather. During the last three winters a few Mockingbirds have stayed with 

 us. 



We have an adult membership of 240, and our junior members number 98. 

 The close of each year finds our Society farther advanced, both as to member- 

 ship and finances, and the outlook for the coming year is more encouraging 

 than ever before. — Miss Helen P. Childs, Secretary. 



Florida. — The Florida Society cannot show any great gain numerically, 

 •during the past year, yet, as the interest seems extending in educational lines, 

 it has the courage to continue in its efforts, even while realizing its failure to 

 prevent the illegal shooting and sale of plumage birds, or to secure more pro- 

 gressive legislation for bird protection, thereby hoping to save the existing rooker- 

 ies from devastation. The following statistics give some indication of our activity: 

 Membership, including all grades, 950; leaflets, circulars, reports distributed, 

 14,730; summary of the state bird laws for posting, 130; warning-notices, 200; 

 Audubon charts in use of schools, 75 (in Orange county, 40; Manatee county, 

 25; Duval county, 4; Frankhn county, 2; and one each in Gadsen, Lee and Put- 

 nam counties); teachers having free membership, 160. 



One Leaflet was published this year, making eighteen which have been 

 published by the Florida Society. Two prizes were given for compositions, and 

 four for coloring outline drawings were awarded to children between the years 

 of six and twelve. The weekly hour for bird-study, carried on in the schools 

 at Orange county last year, will be continued, and this year the schools of Mana- 

 tee county, will follow similar methods. We would especially urge that bird- 

 study be made a part of the course in normal schools, for one great difficulty 

 lies in the fact that no matter how ready teachers may be to instruct the pupils, 

 it is only in exceptional cases they have knowledge of the subject. 



The Robert Hungerford Normal and Industrial School, Eastonville (colored) 

 continued its work in bird-study. At the commencement exercises in May, 

 two prizes were given for compositions on ' The Birds of Florida. ' In November 

 a book was given as a prize to a member of Mrs. Kirk Munroe's ' Boys' Club, ' 

 'The Rangers.' This year a prize will be given them "for good work in pro- 

 tecting nests." During the winter they are to hold a 'Bird Fair.' President 



