Reports of Affiliated Organizations 83 



many readers in western New York. At the direction of the Executive Com- 

 mittee, the Secretary prepared an article on 'How to begin Bird Study,' and 

 mailed it to twelve newspapers in Erie County, outside of Buffalo. Copies of 

 papers containing the printed article were returned by the publishers to the 

 Secretary. '- ' "■^--■- ;^^ 



Four bird identification walks, free to members of the Audubon Society, 

 were conducted by the Secretary in May. Nineteen bird talks were given by 

 members during the year, under the auspices of the Society: C. B. Hersey 

 gave three, H. C. DeGroat gave two, and the Secretary gave fourteen. Ten new 

 lantern-slides have been added to the set owned by the Society. There are now 

 sixty-five slides, all in perfect condition. Seven members of our Society were 

 sustaining members of the National Association of Audubon Societies the past 

 year. The Tri-State Bird Contest for 19 16 was won by western New York. 

 Owing to the much-regretted death of Rev. Reuben F. Randolph, who orig- 

 inated the Tri-State Contests, a challenge from New York has not been 

 accepted for 19 17. 



The past year has furnished an opportunity to every member of the Society 

 to help further protective legislation. Calls were received as follows: August, 

 1916, to protest against an extension of an open season on wild-fowl in any part 

 of the county; September, 19 16, to help save Lake Malheur, Ore., as a bird res- 

 ervation; February, 19 17, to help in passing the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; 

 March, 19 17, to endorse the State Legislature imposing a tax on cats. The 

 response of members to these calls for help have been most gratifying. 



Realizing the need of educating the general public regarding bird helpfulness 

 to man, bird laws, and how to have laws enforced, 25,000 copies of a circular 

 fully explaining these points have been printed and distributed in more than 

 100 schools of Buffalo and western New York. Additional circulars are in the 

 hands of the Secretary, Miss C. A. Doll, 587 ElHcott Street. Upon request they 

 will be sent, to the number of 100 or less, to persons or places where they would 

 be helpful. Members are asked to give thought to this offer. A special meeting 

 of the Audubon Society, held May 5, led to a change in the administration 

 of the affairs of the Society. At the annual meeting of May 18 a new constitu- 

 tion was adopted. Ofi&cers and Directors were elected as follows: President, 

 Dr. Channing E. Beach; Vice-President, Dr. Anne E. Perkins; Secretary, Miss 

 Caroline L. Doll; Treasurer, Miss Harriet S. Baker; Directors, Miss Mary 

 ElHs, James Savage, J. M. Overfield, Jr. According to the new constitution of 

 the Society, the annual meetings are to be held the third week in February. 

 Dues are payable (in advance) March i of each year. 



The Secretary has received a most courteous response from all newspapers 

 when requested to give publicity. The appreciation of the Society is due to 

 our printer, Charles M. Nicholson, of 84 Ellicott Street, for the interest he has, 

 for seven years, shown in rendering prompt and accurate service at a very 

 moderate price. In closing a service of eight years, on account of the removal of 



