Report of Secretary 269 
to be in New York. He has directed the efforts of the fifty-seven game wardens 
of the North Carolina state Society, through whose efforts 153 convictions 
were secured in the courts for violations of the bird and game protective laws. 
His main work in the field has been in connection with the passage of the Shea 
Plumage Bill by the New York Legislature. From January 4 until May 6, 
his time was largely occupied with matters at the state capitol at Albany. 
He interviewed frequently many of the members of both branches of the legis- 
lature, and spoke at the committee hearings and the hearing before Governor 
Hughes. During this period, he also gave fifteen public lectures in the state, 
with a view of securing still further support for the passage of the measure. 
Im the interests of pending legislation, he also visited the legislatures of New 
Jersey, Georgia and Mississippi. 
In February he spoke at the meeting of the National Association of State 
Game Wardens and Commissioners, at New Orleans, of which organization 
he has the honor of being the president. In July he Sorting a class in bird 
study at the Summer School of the South, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and gave 
four illustrated public lectures on the work of the Association. Since that time 
the Audubon work has been revived in Tennessee by the formation at Knox- 
ville of the East Tennessee Audubon Society, with Mr. H. Tullson as presi- 
dent. Among other addresses delivered were those at the dinner given in honor 
of Commander Peary, in New York City, by the Canadian Camp Fire Club; 
the Congress of the Daughters of American Revolution, at Washington, D. C.; 
the National Farmers’ Congress, at Raleigh, North Carolina; the annual 
dinner of the Montclair, New Jersey, Game Protective Association; and the 
meetings of the State Sportsmen’s Associations of New York, Connecticut 
and Michigan. 
FEDERAL CONTROL OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 
The question which will doubtless be given very serious consideration in 
the near future is that of placing the protection of all migratory birds in the 
United States under federal control. 
The Weeks’ Bill, now pending in Congress, contemplates such action. 
By its provisions, the United States Department of Agriculture would have 
authority to make rules regulating the killing and disposition of all migratory 
birds. The present widely differing state laws give these birds woefully inade- 
quate protection, and centralized control seems to be absolutely necessary 
if our migratory game-birds and song-birds are to be preserved for the benefit 
and enjoyment of future generations. 
President Dutcher has stood squarely and emphatically for the principle 
involved since its first suggestion. During the year, we have been active in 
promulgating arguments favoring its adoption, and in securing commenda- 
tory resolutions from representative bodies. Thousands of letters and docu- 
ments have been mailed from the New York office on the subject. It is worthy 
