444 JSird - Lore 



New York Bird and Tree Club. — The most important work the Club has 

 done during the year has been the raising of over $ii,ooo for the planting of 

 fruit trees in the devastated regions of France, where it has been estimated that 

 one hundred million fruit trees were destroyed. These funds were raised through 

 the sale of a simple memorial card, costing $i, which insured for the purchaser 

 a fruit tree planted in France, in memory of those who there made the supreme 

 sacrifice in the cause of human freedom. When our contributors visit these 

 orchards at some future time we shall expect them to find numerous birds as 

 well as the much-needed fruit, both helping in a measure to restore peace and 

 prosperity. 



The Club meets once a month during seven months, usually at the American 

 Museum of Natural History, but, when the season permits, it holds its meeting 

 out-of-doors. The most delightful of these outings was held on May 23 at 

 the home of the Vice-President, Mrs. Thomas A. Edison, at West Orange, 

 N. J. Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton conducted the council in true Indian fashion 

 around a campfire on the lawn, and called upon the members for bird stories and 

 for their observations of nature. During the picnic supper hour Mr. Edison 

 joined the circle and delighted the members with an account of a trip he had 

 taken with John Burroughs in the Cumberland Mountains. 



The second of these outdoor meetings was held on October 10 at Interstate 

 Palisade Park. Mr. Seton again conducted the council, giving some of his most 

 interesting experiences and stories of "Animals I Have Known." Dr. George 

 F. Kunz, the President of the Club, gave some reminiscences of the saving of 

 the Palisades and spoke of the region as particularly adapted to many varieties 

 of birds. He said that Audubon had made his home nearly opposite to this Park 

 because of the opportunities thus present for observing birds. 



Perhaps the most interesting of the indoor meetings of the winter was the 

 occasion when T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary of the National Association of 

 Audubon Societies, related his wonderful experiences in cruising the Gulf Coast 

 of the United States to determine for the Food Administration the status of 

 the Pehcan as a food-fish destroyer. The PeHcan was endeared anew to all 

 who heard this most interesting address, as it has been for ages the emblem of 

 unselfish love and sacrifice for its young. — Henrietta O. Jones. 



Pasadena (Calif.) Audubon Society. — Our Society is doing what it can 

 along the lines that seem wisest. Our local press is very kind in giving space, 

 and our reporter puts thought and care on the work. Our individual meetings 

 were fewer than usual on account of the influenza epidemic, but they were good, 

 touching the subject from many viewpoints. The annual picnic, which we feel 

 is an important feature, was an especial success, numerically and socially, and 

 Charles B. Hutchins, the bird whistler, rapid sketcher, and earnest protection- 

 ist, was the very man for the occasion. Last winter was not our state legislative 

 year, so the contingent that keeps its eye on such matters had little to do 



