The Audubon Societies 



41 



gloves, haunts the cheaper shops, lunching 

 on either beer or soda water, and in sum- 

 mer rides a man's wheel, chews gum, and 

 expectorates with seeming relish. 



The headgear of a fashionable audience, 

 gathered at the first night of a new play, 

 was another encouraging sign. Those 

 who arrived without bonnets wore in their 

 hair a single flower, a filet of ribbon or 

 some flexible metal, or lace choux. I only 

 recognized half a dozen Egrets among 

 them, and these were worn by women of 

 the dubious age and complexion that may 

 be excused from the shock of abandoning 

 time-honored customs. During the five 

 minutes' millinery show allowed, before 

 the rise of the curtain causes the well-bred 

 to unhat, absolutely no feathers were dis- 

 -coverable, save a few white breasts, Ostrich, 

 and Maribou plumes ; the effect of so 

 much softly draped, delicately tinted gauze, 

 mingled with gold, silver and flowers, 

 giving greater brilliancy to the house than 

 had a Bird of Paradise, a Humming-bird, 

 or a Cockatoo been perched on every head. 



We may ask ourselves if the change has 

 any special significance. Is it a mere freak 

 of fashion ? Is it owed to the law or to 

 the lady ? 



Let us credit it to the law a7id the lady, 

 and hope that the two are standing with 

 locked hands, as they exchange New Year's 

 greetings and form a twentieth century alli- 

 ance in the cause of Bird Protection, as 

 they have so often done in other things that 

 elevate the race. — M. O. W. 



Reports of Societies 



NEW YORK SOCIETY 



Among the salient features of the recent 

 work accomplished by the New York Audu- 

 bon Society, especial mention should be 

 made of the satisfactory results which have 

 attended the issuing of the Bluebird button, 

 and the establishment of the free associate 

 membership — open to those under eighteen 

 years of age. 



The triumph of the past year was the 

 success of the Hallock Bill, signed by 

 Governor Roosevelt on May 2, 1900. An 

 earnest plea, signed by Mr. Chapman and 



Mr. Dutcher, was sent to all adult mem- 

 bers of the society, to urge favorable action 

 on the bill upon the assemblymen and 

 senators at Albany. The response to this 

 appeal from all parts of the state proved 

 the advance made by the army of bird pro- 

 tectors, and greatly strengthened the untir- 

 ing efforts of Mr. Hallock, Mr. Dutcher 

 and Mr. Chapman in securing the passage 

 of this law. 



The new law, in poster form, has been 

 sent to over 3,500 postmasters. Large 

 linen posters have also been circulated. 



At the annual meeting, held June 2 at 

 the American Museum of Natural History, it 

 was stated that since the former report 

 11,719 leaflets had been distributed. Since 

 that date 11,405 have been put into circula- 

 tion. The total number printed by the 

 Society approximates 125,000. Over 100,- 

 000 have been distributed. Since the last 

 report of the New York Society appeared in 

 Bird-Lore, the following valuable leaf- 

 lets have been issued: 



' The Educational Value of Bird Study,' 

 b)^ Mr. Chapman; 'Consistency in Feather 

 Wearing,' by Mrs. Wright (kindness of 

 Connecticut Society); 'Save the Birds,' by 

 Mr. Dutcher (first issued by Pennsylvania 

 Society); 'The Passing of the Tern,' by 

 Mr. Chapman, reprinted from Bird-Lore; 

 'Law Posters and Leaflets,' and ' Letter of 

 Appeal,' by Messrs. Chapman and Dutcher. 



The present membership is 2,479. 



Through the courtesy of the American 

 Museum of Natural History, the members 

 of the Audubon Society residing in the 

 immediate vicinity of New York city have 

 enjoyed the privilege of hearing the special 

 course of lectures, given by Mr. Chapman 

 at the Museum, on 'Birds in Nature.' 



It would be unjust not to speak of the 

 great help afforded by many of our local 

 secretaries, especially in the all-important 

 work among the children. 



The New York Audubon Society is con- 

 stantly deterred in its efforts by the lack of 

 funds. To develop the educational side of 

 this movement will require large additional 

 income, and how to devise means to attain 

 this is the immediate task before us. 



Emma H. Lockwood, Secretary. 



