State Audubon Reports 313 



The increased interest in bird study in the regular school work is gratifying; 

 many of the schools having the stvidy of one bird carried through the year in 

 each grade. The pupils begin with the nest study in the winter, which leads to 

 interest in watching for the return of the bird being studied, and a sympathetic 

 study of its habits, song, etc., on its return. This kind of work is developing an 

 interest in the living bird, which means much in the way of bird protection. 



The annual meeting of the Society was held this year in Newcastle. At the 

 two evening meetings held in the largest church, the house was filled to the doors, 

 to listen to stereopticon lectures by Mr. A. W. Butler and Dr. D. W. Dennis. 

 The afternoon meeting was held in the Horticultural and Historical Society 

 rooms, with "standing room" only. These societies are very strong organiza- 

 tions, working along the line of the economic value of birds, doing much field 

 study, and their influence is much felt in their part of the state. The morning 

 sessions were held in the various schools of Newcastle, bird talks being given 

 by the Audubon Society members in every school in the city. — Florence A. 

 Howe, Secretary. 



Iowa. — The growth of the Society has been slow, but substantial and gratify- 

 ing to all workers. Many Leaflets have been sent out, and 167 names added to 

 the membership. Warning notices have been sent to miUiners, in some locaHties, 

 regarding the law concerning the sale, transportation and shipping of plumage 

 of all non-game birds killed within or without the state. 



The teachers in our public schools are endeavoring to instill the love of nature 

 into the minds of the young, and,, generally speaking, they find the children 

 very responsive to suggestions for bird study. 



During the spring time, the members and officers of the Audubon Society 

 receive and respond to many invitations from teachers' clubs and library asso- 

 ciations, for talks on birds and nature study. 



We are greatly indebted to Miss Jane Hammond, of Schaler, Iowa, for a 

 lantern and sixty beautiful slides, accompanied by a lecture prepared by Edward 

 D. Clark of Washington, D. C, also several hundred valuable Leaflets on the 

 subject of birds. This equipment is freely oiJered for use in any locality of the 

 state, the only stipulation being that the shipping expenses be paid by the Society 

 making the application for its use. 



The club women of Iowa have taken up the cause. At the last Biennial of the 

 Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs, May, 1909, the outgoing president, Mrs. 

 John A. Nash, assisted in making the Audubon Society a part of the Federation, 

 and, at the present time, the incoming President, Mrs. Julian W. Richards, 

 has also greatly assisted the cause by placing the President of the Audubon Society, 

 Mrs. W. B. Small, of Waterloo, on the standing committee on Conservation. 

 So, henceforth, the conservation of our natural resources in the standing com- 

 mittees of the I. F. W. C. will include the protection of birds, as well as the pre- 

 servation of forests and waterways. 



