16 T- HEY A U DU B°O°N; (BU chee 
Book Review 
Mr. AUDUBON’s Lucy, by Lucy Kennedy. Crown Publishers, Inc., New York. 
The Chicago Public Library describes this book as: “A pleasant, enter- 
taining, fictionalized biography of the wife of John James Audubon, the 
man who became the greatest bird artist the world has known.” But to the 
interested bird student the book should reveal a new Audubon — an 
Audubon seen through Lucy’s eyes. Husband and wife were a team and 
one is held spellbound by the story of the tremendous effort behind “The 
Birds of America.” They suffered hardships and disappointments con- 
stantly, such as the calamitous loss in Henderson of one thousand draw- 
ings. It happened while Audubon was away on one of his many journeys; 
he returned to find that rats had nested in the portfolio storage box, de- 
stroying all. 
Perhaps Audubon was the first bird-bander when he, at age nineteen, 
showed Lucy, at sixteen, the nest of the phoebe and told her of his observa- 
tions. He was sure the same ones returned to the site of hatching but he 
longed for proof. He said: “Perhaps some kind of wire which the older 
birds could not peck off... .” Lucy offered her bracelet of braided silver 
wire: “Could not a wire be drawn out?” The cause being good, he grate- 
fully took it. Thus for Lucy began a lifetime of service to the shared goal, 
publication of “The Birds of America.” 
We in Chicago are fortunate to have access to the rare volumes of 
Audubon’s work, known as the “Elephant Folio.”” They are owned by the 
John Crerar Library, 86 East Randolph Street. Requests to view the draw- 
ings should be made to the head librarian. 
Marie Nilsson, 6034 N. Maplewood Ave., Chicago 45, Ill. 
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Thanks to Mrs. Waller 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the I.A.S. last month accepted with regret the 
resignation of Mrs. Ruth Waller as chairman of the membership commit- 
tee. During the past three years, Mrs. Waller has been responsible for 
maintaining the mailing records of the Society, inviting people to join, and 
taking memberships at the Screen Tour Lectures. She has resigned because 
moving to Hammond, Indiana will make it impossible for her to give this 
office the time it deserves. However, she will continue to serve as a Director. 
She has spent many hours performing her valuable work, and she will be 
sorely missed. President Paul Downing has appointed Mr. E. F. Block of 
Chicago to serve as membership chairman in Mrs. Waller’s stead. In another 
appointment, Mr. Harold Lenz of Chicago was named publicity chairman, 
replacing Mrs. Russell Mannette. Mr. Lenz has been an active Director of 
the Society for more than 10 years, and should fill the job admirably. 
