398 Bird - Lore 



mas census. A most interesting bird-box contest took place in Danville, 

 under Mr. Perkinson, who offered prizes of from one to five dollars to the boys 

 and girls of the public schools for the most attractive bird-box. Fifty pupils 

 took part in the contest. Mr. Perkinson is one of the most influential men 

 in the city of Danville. We regret that we have not a picture of this interest- 

 ing sight. The whole city was invited to witness it at a public hall, and the 

 evening closed with a stereopticon lecture. The gold medal offered by the 

 Virginia Audubon Society for the best composition on our Virginia birds was 

 won by Jesse L. Chrisman, of Staunton, Virginia, and has given great impetus 

 and interest to the Junior Audubon work m the state. The children of the 

 Jimior Classes have written many letters on birds, and received prizes offered 

 by the Times-Dispatch of Richmond. The Robin Petition has done more to 

 arouse interest in bird-protection than any other force yet tried. The fact 

 that it was a state- wide issue gave the Virginia Audubon Society great promi- 

 nence and more strength for its future work. 



The Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs has worked earnestly in every 

 direction, especially in getting the passage of the Robin Bill, and letters and 

 talks to their respective senators and representatives, urging a State Game 

 Commissioner. Their cooperation and enthusiasm in this work has been a 

 tower of strength to me as their chairman, which position I have held for six 

 years, and to which I have been unanimously called by this splendid body 

 for the coining year. 



REPORT OF JAMES HENRY RICE, JR., FIELD AGENT 

 FOR SOUTH CAROLINA 



The work of the year, or such part of it as included active operations, 

 has been devoted almost exclusively to exploration and protection. What 

 intervals there were have been spent m lecturing, particularly during January, 

 February and March. 



Throughout the year, a series of short articles on the life histories of birds 

 of the region, with especial reference to their economy, have been pubHshed 

 in the leading daily and weekly papers of South Carolina, and many in Georgia. 

 At present a somewhat more comprehensive series has been begun in 'Uncle 

 Remus' Home Magazine,' published at Atlanta, Ga., and widely circulated 

 from Maryland to western Texas. Another series is appearing in 'Southern 

 Farming,' an agricultural journal with a large circulation among southern 

 farmers. 



The territory embraced in my exploration for rookeries of Egrets extends 

 from the southern North Carolina line to Jacksonville, Florida. The attempt 

 to penetrate and explore Okefenoke Swamp failed for the reason that the 

 guides refused to remain inside, owing to heat and attacks of insects. I was 

 forced to give it up, comforted somewhat by the reflection that if a half breed 



