The Making of Birdcraft Sanctuary 



By MABEL OSGOOD WEIGHT 

 With pliotographs by the author and Wilbur F. Smith 



\X7'IIILE there is nothing new in tlie idea of song-bird protec- 

 ^^ tion by individuals, the setting apart of spaces of land 

 wherein they may find Sanctuary, in the medieval sense of the 

 word, is distinctly novel. The Song Bird Sanctuary is an oasis 

 in a desert of material things. In it the bird may lead its own 

 life for that life's sake, and the joy of many of such lives over- 

 flows all arbitrary boundaries in its ethical l)enefits to the com- 

 munity and state. 



There have always been yjlaces where a certain amount of 

 protection was accorded to song ])irds. Also, since the firm es- 

 tablishment of the present Audubon Movement by William 

 Dutcher (who must always l)e regarded as its patron saint, be- 

 cause it was the vital spark of his practical enthusiasm that kept 

 the smouldering fire from extinguishment until it was fairly 

 swept into its present flame by Gilbei't T. Pearson), more than 

 one cooperative isle of bird safety has been established, notably 

 that under charge of the Meriden (New Hampshire) Bird Cluli. 



This Sanctuary was brought into prominence by the masque 

 Sanctuary, written by Percy Mackaye, acted for the first time 

 within the grove that was its inspiration and, later, in New York, 

 where its allegory of the evil ways of Stark, the Plume Hunter, 

 and his redemption through the awakening in him of the sense 

 of beauty, gave birth to Birdcraft Sanctuary now under consid- 

 eration. This, in its turn, has the distinction of being the first 

 owned and governed by a State Audubon Society ; placed by en- 

 dowment beyond the vagaries of public caprice, and therefore, 

 from its birth, in a position to work for the highest aims. 



"Connecticut must have a Sanctuary and you must make 

 it," said The Donor (this being the only name by which the pub- 

 lic may know the self-effacing giver), at the close of an evening 

 where a group of Connecticut bird-lovers had enjoyed Mackaye 's 

 masque together. 



It was a charming thought, but seemed to me rather a part 

 of the evening's illusion than a reality. Yet the next morning, 



