Sept., 1904 I 
THE CONDOR 
141 
matter concerning this amendment, post the same near the polling place or on their post-office bul- 
letin board a few days before election. 
California Audubon Society 
The California Audubon Society was organized at Pasadena on March 25, 1904. The officers 
elected to serve during the first year are: President, Dr. Garrett Newkirk; Vice-president, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Grinnell; Secretary and Treasurer, W. Scott Way. A local society was soon afterwards 
formed atGarvanza, with Mrs. Harriet W. M3'ers as President, and Miss Foneta Chase Secretar}-, 
and another at El Monte, with M. F. Quinn as President and Miss Lida Mays Secretary. Junior 
sections for persons under eighteen years of age are connected with these societies, each having 
its local secretary. 
The Ladies Songbird Protective Association, Mrs. J. C. McCracken, President, of Santa Cruz 
county, has affiliated with the Audubon .Societies giving a total membership at the last report of 
about six hundred. 
It is intended by those having special interest in the movement that the local societies shall 
federate as a State society when several local branches now forming have completed their organ- 
ization. Mr. Charles Keeler is interested in the work and has informed the Pasadena society’ of 
his intention to take an active interest in the organization of a local society at Berkeley. 
The purposes of the Audubon Societ}', as set forth in the by-laws are: (i) To discourage the 
purchase or use of the feathers of wild birds for ornamentation. (2) To discourage the destruction 
of birds and their eggs, and to aid in the enforcement of the laws made for the protection of the 
same. (3) To spread information of the value of birds in their relation to agriculture. (4) To aid 
in establishing Bird Day exercises in the schools. (5) To distribute educational literature in the 
interest of bird protection, and to encourage the study of Natural Histor}\ (6) To assist in the 
protection of game and game birds by enforcing the laws provided therefor, and, in co-operation 
with game protective associations, in efforts to obtain additional game protective legislation. 
The society is making a special effort in the interest of the mourning dove, the destruction 
of which, under existing laws, forebodes the early extermination of the species. The legislature 
will be urged to take this bird from the game list and protect it at all seasons. In efforts to ob- 
tain continuous protection for the dove and a general law for protection of wild birds other than 
game birds, barring harmful species. A number of Granges and other organizations of farmers 
and fruit-growers have promised the society their influence and co-operation. 
The society has already secured the enactment of local ordinances protecting some thirt\' spec- 
ies of non-game birds and prohibiting all shooting on the public road in both Los Angeles and 
Santa Cruz counties, and also, in the latter county, an ordinance protecting the mourning dove at 
at all times until 1909. 
Several thousand cards and posters containing summar}’ of the bird and game laws have been 
issued and circulated by the Pasadena society, and 2000 leaflets in the interest of dove protection 
are now being distributed throughout the State. Several thousand of the educational leaflets is- 
sued by the National Committee of .\udubon Societies have also been circulated, chiefly among 
farmers and in the schools. 
W. Scott W.w, Secretarj-. 
American Association of Camera Hunters. — national association of wild animal 
photographers is being formed for the purpose of promoting the new form of sport popularly 
known as “camera hunting.” The main object of this organization will be to bring about the 
renunciation of the gun for the camera; and it is hoped that it will be an effect! vs means of dis- 
couraging the unnecessary slaughter of the liirds and other wild animals of America. All inter- 
ested should communicate with Le Roy Melville Tufts, “Thrushwood,” Farmington, Maine. 
During the week beginning September 4, an extensive forest fire has been raging in the 
Santa Cruz mountains, California. The State Park, known as the Big Basin, containing proba- 
bly the finest stand of redwoods {Sequoia sempervirens), has been threatened with total destruc- 
tion, but press despatches state that some of it will be saved. It is impossible at present to ascer- 
tain the amount of damage done. Dr. Ralph Arnold, a club member, viewed a portion of the 
fire from a high ridge, and tells us that the upper Pescadero was like a roaring furnace, the 
redwoods going along with the drier underbrush . In this connection it is well to note what a 
destruction of animal life such a fire entails, although this is one of the least serious aspects of 
the matter. The forest of the Big Basin was one of surpassing grandeur and beauty, and if it is 
destroyed, the loss is national, as well as local. 
Now that the collecting and outing season is about over, members should send in their notes 
while experiences are fresh in mind. The more that members co-operate the more readable and 
representative will be the magazine. 
