State Reports 347 



in the interest of birds, forest and wild flowers, were presented through the 

 courtesy of the National Association, Mr. William Butcher being the first speaker 

 after the first conception of the movement; and Mr. Beecher S. Bowdish, in his 

 many lectures, quickening the interest in, and love for "our little brothers of 

 the air," through his words and the presentation of his very beautiful lantern- 

 slide-pictures. 



The basis of the League is the sentiment of kindness, — a gentle considera- 

 tion for the weak — a sentiment which creates a co-partnership among its mem- 

 bers in defending each remnant of passing nature; which awakens to a conscious 

 joy in the act of relieving suffering, or of creating content in behalf of even the 

 most humble form of God-given life. 



During the past year it has been the interest of the League to awaken energy 

 in conserving nature's riches, accentuating its necessity through press notices, 

 addresses, and the distribution of about four thousand Leaflets in the interest 

 of our passing birds, forests and flowers of the wilds. 



While it is too true that nature must recede before the advancing step of 

 civilization, it is also true that a universal love and unselfish consideration for 

 the fair wings of the air, the blooms scattered under foot, may save for future 

 generations at least a remnant of the vanishing pageants of the year. 



New York. — Less work of an initiative nature has been undertaken during 

 the past year than heretofore. Slowly and quietly, however, the educational 

 efTort goes on, and the fruits of such work as many of our faithful local secre- 

 taries are doing, the future alone can show. The teachers are interested through- 

 out the state. Many reports are received of successful boys' clubs, and of these 

 it is always a pleasure to hear and to help in every possible way. The distribu- 

 tion of thousands of Leaflets and of wall charts, upon application, has been 

 continued. Our present membership is 8,770. 



In regard to legislation, this has not been an idle year. Mr. Dutcher, as 

 president of the National Association, was the instigator of two bills in behalf 

 of bird protection; one to prevent the sale of wild fowl after the commencement 

 of the close season (allowing dealers ten days only in which to dispose of sur- 

 plus stock); the other bill was to forbid cold storage of any birds or game. In 

 spite of the fact that the aid of Audubon workers in all parts of the state was 

 sohcited by means of appeals issued by Mr. Dutcher, and sent out by the New 

 York Society, and every effort made to secure the passage of the bills, they were 

 never reported upon by the committees to which they were referred. On the 

 other hand, the attempts to pass dangerous Foreign Game Sale bills were 

 frustrated by Mr. Dutcher's vigorous action. 



The matter of most concern to the Society, as is shown by the great number 

 of complaints received, is the shooting of small birds, especially Robins, by Ital- 

 ians. The law posters may be distributed as widely as possible, but this does 

 not deter the law-breakers. More stringent measures are needed; more game 



