the request of Mr. Witmer Stone, I presented at this convention the text of a new law for the protection of birds and their nests and eggs, as drafted by our committee on Bird Protection. The convention agreed to submit the proposed law to each of their respective legislatures.
Great credit is due to the efficient work which has been done in our state by Warden H. W. Loveday and his deputies. Since the first of the year over one hundred prosecutions and convictions have been made, for the wanton killing and trapping of song and insectivorous birds by men and boys largely Italians and Bohemians. In 1897 there were 580 convictions in the state for the illegal killing and transportation of game birds. This year the game has been so carefully watched and such prompt action taken of reported cases of violation, that the poachers and market hunters have been less bold, and the number of arrests and seizures of game have been reduced over one-half.
On April 9, 1898, as a result of the efforts of County Superintendent of Schools Mr. Orville T. Bright, a meeting was held in Chicago in the interest of the school teachers of Cook county. Over three hundred were present, and the meeting was devoted exclusively to birds, and addresses given by several members of the Audubon Society. A " Finding List " of sixty species of birds, compiled by Mr. Frank E. Sanford, Superintendent of the La Grange, Ill., Schools, was distributed. This is a most effective method to inspire the teachers and in turn impart their love for birds to the scholars. Ruthven Deane, President.
IOWA SOCIETY.
Under the auspices of the Keokuk Woman′s Club, the Audubon Society of Iowa was organized April 5, 1898. The first work taken up was the establishment of Bird Day in the public schools.
The second meeting was held in Rand Park. Short talks were made by Hazen I. Sanger, John Huiskamp, Rabbi Faber, Doctor Ehinger, and a paper was read by Miss Read.
We have bought and distributed through the schools, from kindergarten up, bird pictures and bird literature.
One of our men milliners asked to become a member.
On August 6 the officers of the society met and adopted articles of incorporation, this being the first Audubon Society to be incorporated under the laws of Iowa. The laws of Iowa give fair protection to the birds; our work is in creating the right sentiment. Nellie S. Board, Sec′y.
MINNESOTA SOCIETY
Mr. John W. Taylor, President of the Minnesota Audubon Society, reports the passage of a law establishing Arbor and Bird Day in Minnesota, and writes: “It is, as you can well imagine, a source of great gratification to the lover of birds in the state, and especially to the Audubon Societies. Through this law we can do more towards bird protection than we could accomplish in many years′ labor without it. It brings the subject before the teachers and children, and as you educate the child so you mould the man. We have now in this state 58 branch societies, besides many school organizations and children′s bird clubs. The number of members I am not able to give, as I have not all the reports in. We have sent out considerable literature, and used the press largely to interest our people. We feel that we are doing wonders for the first active year we have had, and congratulate ourselves that the hardest work is done. We hope by April 1st to have a branch in every county in Minnesota.”
Reports from the New Hampshire and Wisconsin Societies and a notice of the American Society of Bird Restorers are necessarily postponed until June.
