Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-29
FRIENDS OF THE BIRDS
FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING OFF THE
AUDUBON SOCIETY.
Addresses by DIR. T. 9. Palmer and Mr..
Frank NJ. Chapman - Elec-
ton of Officers.

The fourth annual meeting of the Audi
bon Society of the District an organization
for the study and protection OF birds, was
held last evening at the Columbian unlNer-
sity. First there was business meetf,S'
and then in the large lecture hail a PUBIC
one during which DR.. T. s. Palmer. assist
ant chief of the biological survey, Depart
ment of Agriculture, spoke OF bird protec-
tion detailing the work Of the Audubon So
cietieS of the country and of the enforce
ment of the Lacey act, and Mr.. Frank NJ.
Chapman of the American Museum of Nat
ural History, New York, talked on the col
ors of birds, each address being illustrated
by lantern views. Both the business and
public meetings were well attended, the al,
tendance at the public one completely filling
the hall.
Result of Election.
At the business meeting Miss Anna 8.
King, the acting secretary Of the society.
submitted report showing the work of the
organization during the past year. The
other officers of the society also submitted
reports. showing its condition to be most
satisfactory and encouraging These re-
ports stated that a complete set of the pub
lcations of each state society, and full
set Of the papers. reports, etc. of the Sc
ciety in England for the protection Of birds
have been placed in the Washington Public
Library. One hundred bird skins nave been
purchased for the of individual students
and for illustrations by members, classes
for the study of birds being held by DR..
Palmer and Mr.. H. c. Oberholser in the
Normal School. The teachers Of the public
schools were interested in the societys ef-
forts to protect the birds, 1t was said. and
much good has already resulted from the
support given by the teachers. The bill
passed by the House for the protection of
birds and game was prepared by the So
ciety. and every effort will be made to Sc
cure its passage by the Senate, 1t being be-
heved that 1t Will prove to be one of the
most effective measures of its kind ever en-
ac,ed. The press of the city was most gen.
erous 1t was stated in supporting the work
of the society.
The election Of officers resulted as follows
President, Surgeon General Geo. NJ. Stern
berg: honorary vice presidents, Mr.. Chas.
j. Bell. Mrs. Henry F. Blount, Justice Job
Barnard. Mr. John Burroughs. DR.. Theodore
Gill, Mrs. Gardiner Hubbard, DIR. L. o. How
ard, Mrs. Rudolph Kaufman. Mrs. VIM.
Bruce King, Miss Isabel H. Lehman DR.. c.
Hart Merriam. DR.. JAS c. Merrill, Us A;
Andrew c. Bradley. associate justice of Su-
preme Court of District of Columbia; Mrs.
Olive Thorne Miller, Miss Virginia Miller,
Miss Cornelia 1. Morgan. Mr.. VIM. B. Pow
ell Mr.. Robert Ridgway. Miss Alice Riggs,
Theodore Roosevelt, Right Rev. H. Y. Sat
terlee. Miss Olive Risley-Seward. Mr.. Thos.
w. Sidwell. Jas. Wilson. Mr.. S. w. Wood
ward; secretary. Mrs. G. d. Patten; treas
u-er. Mrs. Wallace Radcliffe.
Executive committee-Mrs Florence Mer-
lam Bailey. Miss Elizabeth V. Brown, Mrs.
Arnold Hague, Bernard T. Janney. Miss
Anna s. King. Mrs. George Cotton May
nard, Miss J. c Eddy, Miss Ella F. Given,
Mr. H. c. Oberholser, chairman; Mr.. A. M.
Reed, Mr. Henry Odds, DR.. 7. S. Palmer,
Mrs. Robert Ridgway and Major Richard
Sylvester
Themes Discussed.
DR. Palmer, in his address at the public
meeting. explained that the local society Is
one of twenty-five In this country, which
societies represent twenty-three states. The
District society during the past year did
much good work. he stated, as did the De-
partment of Agriculture in the enforcement
of the Lacey act. 1t will surprise many
people, said the doctor, to learn that there
are in the District or It's immediate vicinity
no less than POI different species of birds,
or about one-fourth of the number in this
country and British America. He spoke Of
the work of the District game warden,
Major Richard Sylvester, saying that he
has done much and is doing much for the
protection of the birds. The Department of
Agriculture. said DR. Palmer, has, in its en-
forceElent of the Lacey act, done much to
discourage and prevent the killing of birds
for their feathers or skins. The law has
been rigidly enforced In every instance,
and many Of the big millinery houses Of
the country have decided to discontinue the
business.
ly illustra ed with colored views Color, he
said, is the most variable characteristic Of
birds, and is primarily used for protection
against their enemies. He followed these
ideas out, giving most interesting account
Of the colors Of the different species