.MK'IIICAN Al’DritOX SOCIK'I'Y. 
19 
as Xational reserves, the United States (Government offers 
proteetion in three (.Government ])arks in California and in 
the coast islands of the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. 
Chicago and St. Louis were shipping game from other states. 
The Xational authorities furnished information that led to 
prosecution and broke up this interstate traffic, at least to 
a large extent. 
G\lany states have protected their birds during severe 
winters by feeding them, probably the most systematic work 
having been done in Illinois, where appropriations were made 
by the legislature and by counties. New Jersey, West Vir- 
ginia, Indiana, Missouri, X'ebraska, District of Columbia and 
\drginia have all done more or less to protect their birds 
during the winter months. 
In spite of the fact that many who undoubtedly considered 
themselves all wise looked upon the Audubon Society as a 
joke and did wdiat they could to retard the movement, yet 
this society has accomplished a work not only for this but 
other countries that has astonished these all wise critics. The 
X'ational Society which is now composed of members of the 
various State Societies, has been officered by men and wo- 
men of ability and convictions. They have been untiring in 
their efforts to raise money for the work of the society and 
have used the funds judiciously. 
The Audubonists have looked upon the whole question 
from the practical side. They have entered into agreements 
with wholesale milliners’ associations representing both the 
East and the AAst. They have encouraged the taking of 
birds for scientific purposes, knowing that the government 
officials, colleges and scientists who killed the birds did so 
for the purposes of study only ; that they did not take more 
than they needed and took not for commercial gain nor be- 
cause of any fad, but for the purpose of informing humanity 
as well as for the interest of bird life. The majority of these 
men who have charge of such scientific work are ardent pro- 
tectionists and it is only the amateurs here and there who 
decry Audubon work. The leading ornithologists who have 
taken birds for study and informing the public of the worth 
of bird life have been the first to call attention to the need 
of bird protection. GMany of these men have been workers 
