334 - Bird - Lore 



Vermont. — A forward mi)vcnient was made for bird protection at the recent 

 session of our State Legislature, when a hunters' Hccnse law was passed. Although 

 the bill was modified somew'hat from that originally introduced, we feel that the 

 principle was recognized. The bill, as amended, provides for a fee of fifty cents 

 for resident hunters and fifteen dollars for non-resident hunters. Although the 

 law has been in force only a little over a month, it is reported that 20,000 licenses 

 have already been issued, thus bringing $10,000 at least for bird protection. 



A law was enacted prohibiting the shooting of Wild Ducks by any kind of 

 artificial light, or with a boat propelled otherwise than by hand. 



A closed season was made for Upland Plover until the year 1915, for Quail 

 until 191 1, for English Pheasant until 1913. The open season for Ruffed Grouse 

 and Woodcock was shortened fifteen days, from September 15 to November 15. 

 The number of Grouse and Woodcock that a single hunter may shoot during 

 the open season was lessened from thirty-five to twenty-five. 



A bill providing a bounty on Hawks was introduced, but died in Committee. 

 A bill allowing fruit-growers to kill Cedar birds gave us a struggle. It passed 

 the House, and probably would have passed the Senate but for the timely appear- 

 ance on the scene of Mr. E. H. Forbush. In fact, most of the legislation mentioned 

 above may be credited, in large part, to his persistent and faithful efforts. The 

 influence of the State Game Commissioner, Mr. H. G. Thomas, was on the right 

 side, and helped us greatly. 



The Secretary has distributed thousands of Audubon Leaflets, and given 

 many bird lectures in different parts of the state. 



At the suggestion of the State Commisssioner of Agriculture, the Secretary 

 has prepared a forty-page bulletin, entitled, " Birds in Relation to the Vermont 

 Farmer," which will be distributed to the farmers of the state and also to the 

 schools. — Carlton D. Howe, Secretary. 



Virginia. — The Audubon Society of Virginia, organized in December, 1908, 

 chartered April 2, 1909, now numbers about two hundred and fifty members 

 in the city of Richmond and several hundred throughout the state. 



Junior Societies for the study of birds have been formed among the school 

 children under the direction of Miss Weddell. 



Leaflets on birds have been distributed among them. 



The boys have made bird-boxes, which have been put on the grounds of sub- 

 urban residents. 



Several outings were held in the spring for the purpose of studying the native 

 birds. 



Three free lectures, illustrated by stereopticon views, were given during the 

 winter, the first by Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary of the Audubon Society 

 of North Carolina, the second by Dr. Henry Oldys, Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C, and the third by Mr. Frank M. Chapman, the foremost 

 ornithologist in the country. 



