334 Bird -Lore 



for the appreciation of wild animal life, which, in years to come, shall contribute 

 prominently to the joy of human existence. 



The Audubon work, today, is little more than in its infancy. It takes no 

 very wide sweep of imagination to believe that the movement will grow to 

 large proportions and with astonishing rapidity, nor need we go far afield 

 to see abundant evidence that the tide of public opinion is setting strongly 

 that way. Who, fifteen years ago, for instance, would have thought that 

 the states of the American Union and the Provinces of Canada would now 

 be employing, in the aggregate, whole regiments of agents to enforce the 

 bird and game-protective laws? Who would have dreamed, nine years ago 

 this fall, when a little band of bird lovers, headed by Mr. William Dutcher, 

 gathered in a room in Washington city and formed the National Committee 

 of Audubon Societies, that today we should see the splendid organization 

 we now represent, with its wide range of specialized work, and which during 

 the past year has expended a total of $36,000 in behalf of the wild life of our 

 country? Things like these do not simply happen, nor grow in a night, like 

 a Norwegian gourd; they come to pass because many human beings, reach- 

 ing forward for better things, are naturally drawn toward the light. To the 

 great beacon of conservation which has been kindled on our shores, the 

 National Association of Audubon Societies and the State Societies are con- 

 tributing of their materials joyously and without stint. > 



During the year just closed, your Board of Directors has conducted the 

 work of the Association along certain well-defined lines of action, similar 

 to those heretofore employed, under the leadership of our founder, William 

 Dutcher. 



LEGISLATION 



In the field of legislation, results have been very gratifying. The New 

 York Plumage Law, enacted in May, 19 10, which prohibits the sale of the 

 feathers of many native birds, or those taken from foreign species belong- 

 ing to the same family as those protected in the state, was such a tremendous 

 blow to the feather trade that no surprise was felt when, early in the legis- 

 lative session of 191 1, a bill to modify its provisions was introduced, to give 

 relief to the merchants engaged in the feather traffic. The officers, directors 

 and members of our Association instantly began to arouse the public to the 

 ■danger which threatened the bird life of the Commonwealth. From the New 

 York ofiice, in addition to hundreds of letters, 21,000 printed appeals were 

 •distributed, asking bird protectionists to communicate at once with their 

 Senator and Assemblyman. The New York Audubon Society took a strong 

 part in this work, as did virtually all the active Game Protective Associations 

 in the state; the Linnaean Society worked for the cause; the Camp- Fire Club 

 of America was exceedingly helpful; the National Federation of Women's 

 Clubs, through its Conservation Committee, rendered splendid service, as 



