12 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



"More than 60,000 letters at the New York office alone have claimed the 

 attention of the Executive Officer and the office force, and the Secretary- 

 has personally engaged in such widely diversified activities as attending a 

 legislative hearing on the Deer Law in Albany • supplying material on con- 

 servation to the Czecho-Slovak Republic; investigating a reported sale of 

 American Woodpeckers in a New York bird-store, which turned out to be 

 South American Parrots ; and explaining to a correspondent why the 

 Association could not immediately raise a fund of one million dollars to 

 exterminate English Sparrows." 



During the past year the Association employed thirty- six wardens on 

 bird reservations and the number of birds guarded in the various Audubon 

 colonies during the breeding season must have numbered close to two mil- 

 lions. The society maintained three patrol boats, one on Lower Klamath 

 Lake, Oregon, another on Pelican Island Reservation, Florida, and the 

 third on Breton Island Reservation, La. This service as well as that of 

 the wardens was given in cooperation with the United States Biological 

 Survey. However the Survey has now taken entire charge of the employ- 

 ment of wardens and the Association in withdrawing has leased its patrol 

 boats to the Biological Survey for an indefinite period at a nominal rental. 



The reports of the special field agents and of the state societies repay 

 careful reading. Especially notable is that of Wm. L. Finley, Field Agent 

 for the Pacific Coast States, which tells of the approaching destruction of 

 the two large federal wild-bird reservations, Lower Klamath and Malheur 

 Lakes. The former has been accomplished by the Reclamation Service cut- 

 ting off the flow of water from the Klamath River. The diversion of water 

 for irrigation purposes is likewise threatening the destruction of Malheur 

 Lake. It is a melancholy story of the ''commercialism that would destroy 

 everything of beauty in the hope of turning it into money." 



Among the state reports, that of Illinois prepared by our former Secre- 

 tary, Roy Monroe Langdon, is naturally of especial interest to us. In this 

 well prepared report the activities in our state are seen to compare very 

 favorably with those of other states. The very substantial achievement of 

 legislation during the past year is rightly emphasized. Among affiliated 

 organizations the Elgin Audubon Society presents a remarkable showing 

 which is commented upon elsewhere in this issue. 



The National Association of Audubon Societies is evidently covering its 

 great field with a success more than commensurate with its resources. It is 

 maintained in part from interest on endowment funds but in larger part 

 from contributions and membership dues. Contributions from one dollar 

 up are gladly acknowledged. Sustaining members pay five dollars a year. 

 All members receive free Bird- Lore and the publications of the Association 

 as they appear. It is good to invest in a national organization of this kind. 



