47 



has been brought about through tbe influence of tbese societies, and es- 

 pecially tbe Lacey act passed by Congress for the protection and preser- 

 vation of our birds. 



I am glad to say that there is not a State in tbe Union whicb does 

 not have its laws for tbe protection of our birds. In tbis State we bare 

 not lagged. We bave placed upon our statute books tbe ideal law for 

 that purpose, originally suggested by tbe American Ornithological 

 Association. 



Now, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to suggest in conclusion, that 

 the membership roll of our Audubon Society contains but few names of 

 tbe members of tbis association. We bave a membership of about one 

 bundred and fifty. Our first annual meetings under the provision of tbe 

 constitution were beld at Indianapolis. We learned, to our regret, bow- 

 ever, tbat in tbis great and beautiful city tbere were very few people 

 who were interested in tbis work. We cbanged our constitution. Since 

 tben we bave gone to Franklin. Richmond, Shelbyville, Fort Wayne, and 

 New Castle, wbere we bave been received most cordially, and we hope we 

 bave done good. 



Now, we bring our greetings to you, with tbe hope for future success, 

 and tbat you will renew your love for tbis. one of your offspring. I bave 

 looked over tbe program arranged for this tbe twenty-fifth annual meet- 

 ing of tbe Academy with its sixty-nine numbers and the additional num- 

 bers which Mr. Butler has read, and I find there are but two num- 

 bers which have any reference to our birds. These are No. 45, "The 

 Mocking Bird in Indiana," and No. 47, "Observations in Woodpeckers." 

 Now, ladies and gentlemen, to my way of thinking, this is not as it should 

 be. I believe tbese other things which you have been writing and talking 

 about are important, but of all of them the one particular thing whicb is 

 of the greatest interest and value is the preservation of our birds. With- 

 out them you will have no occasion to talk about botany or any of tbe 

 other things about which you have been writing and talking. It is the 

 birds of -our country to whicb we must look for its salvation. I thank you 

 for the opportunity to say a word for them. 



