8 Bulletin of the 



be a part of the curriculum of the schools throughout the country. 

 The economic importance of birds is becoming so well recognized 

 that the scholars in the country schools, the childre i who will 

 within a few years become farmers and farmers' wives themselves, 

 should be given a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the 

 economic value of all birds; such knowledge will prove both 

 pleasant and profitable to them in after life. 



A fourth line of work should be that of educating the agricul- 

 turists of the state. Unfortunately very few of the present day 

 farmers have more than a very slight understanding of the value 

 of birds as farm helpers. During the childhood of the present 

 generation of farmers, especially those who are past middle life, 

 but little was known of the economic value of birds, and preju- 

 dice begat of ignorance was the result. Happily this condition 

 is changing very rapidly ; from all parts of the country the farmers 

 are beginning to ask for information about birds, and in many 

 sections of the country, where the matter has been forcibly 

 brought to their attention by serious crop losses, they are demand- 

 ing more rigid protection for the birds they are now beginning 

 to recognize as their friends. 



The National Committee of Audubon Societies have com- 

 menced the publication of a series of Educational Leaflets, each 

 one of which will treat of a single species ; these will be illustrated 

 by Air. Fuertes, the well known bird artist, and will give not 

 only an accurate description of the plumage of the bird, but also 

 its distribution in North America. In addition the very latesl 

 information regarding the economic status of the bird will be 

 given. 



A liberal circulation of these leaflets will be the means of 

 conveying much valuable information to the teachers and scholars 

 of ^Michigan, as well as the farmers and fruit-growers. 



Suggesting these channels of activity to the members of the 

 Michigan Ornithological Club, and wishing them great success 

 in their personal and club work, T am, Very cordially, 



Chairman Protective Committee, 

 American Ornithologists' Union. 



