12 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



A Word from the Secretary 



It is somewhat difficult for the Secretary to find time at this busy season 

 of the year to write even a brief Avord for print. The usual busy round of 

 writing letters, sending out literature, lantern slides and libraries and ar- 

 ranging dates for lectures reaches its maximum in April and May, and 

 leaves few spare minutes for anything else. One might even miss the ar- 

 rival, of the song sparrow were it not for the open window. 



Any message from the Secretary naturally reflects to a certain extent 

 the monotony of this everyday work. She is always glad, however, to 

 help give publicity to this continuous effort that is carried on by the Society, 

 and it is an especial pleasure to make use of the opportunity afforded by 

 the Bulletin. In this new seasonal publication, she feels she has found a 

 new voice which will reach every portion of Illinois. So at the risk of 

 being tedious to those familiar with our endeavors, she will use it on this 

 occasion to repeat the details of our more important activities for the 

 benefit of such readers as are not already acquainted with our work. 



While the Society desires to be in touch with everyone who is interested 

 in birds and their conservation, it wishes especially to reach the teachers, 

 since it is largely through their influence that the ideas and ideals of the 

 rising generation will be formed. We send to teachers on request a liberal 

 supply of literature on bird topics consisting of illustrated Educational 

 Leaflets issued by the National Association of Audubon Societies, and spe- 

 cial leaflets concerning the economic value of birds, methods of attracting 

 and protecting birds and other similar topics. We also provide a complete 

 list of birds found in Illinois arranged as a migration record. Our travel- 

 ing libraries consisting of ten books on bird subjects are available for a 

 month's use by any teacher who will ask for them. 



Perhaps our most important educational aid is the illustrated lecture. 

 We have a number of sets of beautifully colored stereopticon slides of birds 

 and their nests. These slides are new and much superior to those we 

 loaned in former years, nearly all of them being made from photographs 

 of the living bird in its natural surroundings. Each set is accompanied by 

 a typewritten lecture. The lantern slide lectures are also available for 

 clubs, churches and other organizations. The use of libraries and lantern 

 slides is free, but the borrower pays express charges both ways. On occa- 

 sion, we are also able to furnish a lecturer who will give a bird talk with 

 the slides, for a very moderate recompense. It is hardly necessary to add 

 that such a talk is much more interesting and valuable than any type- 

 written lecture. 



.Two years ago, Mr. Henry Oldys of Washington, made two lecture 

 tours in Illinois in the interest of both State and National Audubon So- 

 cieties, one in the fall and another the following spring. You may have 

 enjoyed his very interesting imitations of bird music, or have been impressed 

 by his presentation of the remarkable economic value of these feathered 

 friends. One of the objects of Mr. 01dys ; trip was to awaken an interest 

 in the formation of Junior Audubon Clubs in Illinois. As a special 

 stimulus to these organizations, Mr. Oldys conceived the idea of offering 

 prizes to clubs doing the best work. This suggestion met with generous 

 response from one of our directors, for many years an ardent bird lover 



