422 Bird - Lore 



the Board of Health, and succeeded in interesting that department in our 

 work. Dr. William Plecker, of the Vital Statistics Department, who has 

 already done much work for the Audubon Society, will give talks through 

 the state, in connection with his work, showing birds useful in destroying 

 mosquitos, flies, etc., the worst enemies of human life. This is great gain 

 to our cause. At the annual meeting, held in Clifton Forge, I was appointed 

 for my sixth term, Chairman of Wild Life Department, Virginia Federation 

 of Women's Clubs. At this meeting, we received the zoological circulars 

 from Doctor Hornaday, of New York, and took action at once in a special 

 resolution offered by me, in favor of the feather proviso. This resolution 

 was printed and sent throughout our state, to our senators and representatives 

 in Congress, and prominent women and men in every direction. In the heat 

 of battle over the Clapp amendment, hundreds of letters were written to 

 Senator Clapp and congressmen throughout the country, by our various 

 club-women, and finally we appealed to President Wilson, "as Virginia's son," 

 to "help us in our struggle to put down this barbarous custom of the slaughter 

 of our wild birds for millinery purposes, to fill the pockets of a few New York 

 feather-dealers." It was my privilege to represent the women of my state 

 in all legislative work, and, when things seemed dark, I formed a committee, 

 and, with the Hon. C. C. Carlin, of the Eighth Virginia District, went in person, 

 and had special interviews with our own senators and others, insisting that 

 they should not only give us their vote, but active work, in this great fight. 

 Our senior Senator, T. S. Martin, was at this time floor leader of the Senate. 

 Virginia certainly did her part in this great struggle and, we feel, had especial 

 weight in the final decision. 



In February, I was invited by the Florida Audubon Society, through their 

 President, Dr. William F. Blackman, to give a course of talks in the interest 

 of bird-protection. 



After consultation with the National Office in New York City, it was de- 

 cided that I could leave my work in Virginia for two months, and cover, if 

 possible, the important points before the Legislature met. My work was 

 most interesting, and, I trust, profitable. The many courtesies extended to 

 me by the Audubon Society, Federation of Women's Clubs, colleges and 

 universities, deeply touched me. My visit to Tallahassee was made just 

 before I returned to Virginia. I called at once on Governor Trammell and 

 presented my letter from my own honored Chief Executive, William Hodges 

 Mann. Governor Trammell received me most graciously and gave me one 

 hour conference, when I laid before him the conditions observed during my 

 travels in the state, as to the destruction of forests, fish and bird life. After 

 this delightful interview, I went to the Capitol and was recognized by senators 

 and representatives and given courtesies of both houses. A committee was 

 appointed and an invitation given me to address a joint session of the legis- 

 lature. I appreciated this high compliment, and accepted, although a little 



