Reports of Field Agents 353 



children who wrote the best essays on our Virginia birds. A number of these 

 were awarded on May 4. The work done by the club women in this hne, 

 under their able leader, Mrs. W. W. King, and their readiness to assist me 

 at all times, has greatly aided the movement in the state. 



I have been in close touch with Mrs. Crocker and Mrs. Hornbrooke, 

 representing the National Federation of Women's Clubs, in all their splendid 

 work for the Appalachian Bill and the Conservation of our Birds. We sent a 

 petition to the New York Assembly, at their earnest request, during the late 

 controversy over the plumage bill. 



In outside work, I gave a bird talk and outing to the children of Mill- 

 brook, Dutchess County, N. Y., and did some work in the White Mountains, 

 to arouse interest in the National Association. I am glad to do such work 

 whenever the opportunity presents itself. 



The circular sent out to the Game Wardens, asking their cooperation, 

 and urging the winter feeding of wild birds, did vast good, and the results 

 are shown in an increase of Wild Turkeys, and Bob-whites and other game 

 birds. The school children were asked to make and put up bird-boxes, and 

 hundreds have united in this work, thus increasing our Wrens and Bluebirds, 

 which have been quite numerous this season. There are many "lunch-tables" 

 in the old gardens, and the interest is great all over the Old Commonwealth 

 in better protection for our bird life. Dr. William Plecher, a distinguished 

 member of the State Board of Health, has done splendid work in the counties 

 of Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Brunswick and Greenville. He has given ninety 

 lectures to ten or twelve thousand people. His work is ''a labor of love," and 

 the thanks of our state is due him for his efforts in behalf of our "feathered 

 brothers." Our Governor declared May 4, Audubon's Birthday, Virginia 

 Bird Day, and called on all the schools to observe it. This we regard as the 

 best result of our efforts this year, and in this act Governor Mann has greatly 

 endeared himself to all nature lovers, and we see a brighter day dawning for 

 Virginia in bird protection. The day was beautifully observed all over the 

 state, not as a holiday, but a day to study and know these feathered friends 

 as our schools never knew them before. 



The increase of our song and insect-eating birds has been marked, espe- 

 cially the Mockingbirds, flocks of them having been seen in Bedford county 

 and other places; and they have appeared in historic gardens near our old 

 town, where they have not been seen for thirty-five years. 



Our attention will be largely turned, during the winter, to getting a State 

 Game Commission appointed. The time is ripe, and we feel sure that our 

 next Legislature will better conditions on these lines. The Robin will be looked 

 after by the children of the state, and we hope that he will be given his free- 

 dom on the 19th day of January, the birthday of our immortal Robert E. Lee, 

 whose tenderness for his horse "Traveler," and love for the birds make him — 

 to quote from Dr. Stillman, President of American Humane Association — 



