Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-06-26
BRArTLEB0Ro BIRD CLUB.
Splendid Work of the Audubon Society and
the School Children.

Brattleboro has fourishing Audu-
bon society, with so members, besides
a promising junior auxiliary of 200
school children. These organizations
have encouraged the coming of the
birds by feeding them and building
houses for their occupancy. Not only
have the birds increased in numbers,
but there is observed an interesting in
crease in variety Since this organic
alton began its humane protection, sem
timent has changed to a marked de-
gree among the loca! school children,
who no longer rob the birds nests for
I egg collections, having heeD taught the
/ habits of the birds and the necessity
OF their preservation. The number of
birds which the school children have
| seen and can accurately describe is
I rather remarkable, considering the age
! OF the society, says the Republican
/ correspondent. Some of the children
are familiar with as many as 30 differ
ent varieties, many of which they have
fed, while noting their growth and de-
velopment from the nest. The great
increase of birds in the past two years
may be due, as is claimed by MANY, to
the decrease of the English sparrow.
Though the Audubon society has had
no part in what might be termed ex
termination, yet the sparrow has fallen
an easy prey TO prejudiced sentiment.
until to-day there are comparatively |
few of these birds where a few wears
ago they were unpleasantly numerous. |
The welfare of the birds is not wholly |
dependent upon the children of the |
public schools. for their interest is I
literally sustained by home sentiment. |
which finds public expression in the |
organization of bird clubs. embracing
a membership of all ages.
Brattleboro's first bird society was
organized four years ago, through the
efforts of Mrs. Elizabeth B. Dayen-
port, as branch of the American So
clety of Bird Restorers. This organic
alton was continued for two wears.
when 1t was discontinued and the Yer.
mont state Audubon society was
formed, of which the president is
RANGES b. Horton; vice presidents.
MRS. +; b. Davenport, Mrs George o.
Croweli secretaries. Mrs. F. X. Bar.
rows. Miss Emma j. Gregg: treasurer.
Miss Kate K. Selleck. together with n
large number of honorary vice presi-
oents and an executive board.
branch societies have been started ,
ooth at Newfane and Putney: while
the president has gone into several of
Cne towns with her bird lectures. in
Ieresting the principals of schools and
presidents OF Vermont academies in the ,
pTotection and study of bird life
meetings are regularly held here dur.
ing the winter season in the school
louses Tor the juniors, who pursne
% Investigations outdoors DURING
ne summer months.
MRS. Horton has probably the f;ras,
of birds and their nests 70 he
ounu In the state. most of her snec;
mems having met with accidental deaths
'uu preserved by her own hand. Wills
'!ner: are importations. The local so.
,ie!y invests its fees chiefly in circn.
ans ilprarles, two of which they :
.aVe established. The books, after uo,
ny through all the village and subnr-
'au schools hereabout, are loaned tn l.
.;n societies. Some financial aid is Y
.. the national society. At least d b
.ases nave Audubon Organizations g
no through the influence of the na' P
,ohai committee the millinery and Y,
ny goods stores of New York citv and Il
ta.e nave agreed not to buy birds for G,
mr. Iree years for the decoration of hats to
nc me !1cai society is endeavorinp To
'r.eu LIE rule strictly adhered 10 in =,
anr.n and vicinity, while dis a.
,or ing the use of plumage by tba ~
~ n i OF the town. Mrs. Davennort Al
o ou iocal society's vice president, Is q;
..r aLlIornla attending the Amer 81
ian genealogical union. -'iiier- o.
i'oin the common and famil- NJ