Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25
AUDUBON SOCIETIES
Important Work by the Ma
tional Committees.
SAVING THE SEAGULlS
LONELY WARDENS DOING GOOD
WORK ON SLENDER PAY.
How to Help Enforce the State Laws in
Your Locality-Post Office
Cooperation.
SAVING THE SEAGULlS

Written for The Evening Star.
The year 1900 was a most important one
for the Audubon movement A demand for
the skins of gulls and terms led to renewed
attack upon these inoffensive and useful
birds, and, as this demand was greater
than the supply, several species seemed to
be doomed to determination. Among those
who protested against this heartless slaugh-
ter was Mr. Abbott H Thayer, who made
a strong appeal to bird-lOvers, and sue
ceeded in raising generous fund to De used
for the special purpose of protecting the
sea birds during the breeding season. This
was accomplished by means of wardens APP
pointed for the purpose. Mr.. Thayer kept
up his good work year after year, with
ever-increasing results, so that last year
there were thirty-four wardens employed.
as follows: Maine 10: Massachusetts, l;
New York, 2; New Jersey, .; Virginia, s;
North Carolina, 4. Florida, 4; Texas, /;
Michigan, /; Oregon, L; and contract has
just been made with warden in Louisiana.
Still more important was a meeting held
in November of the same year, for the pur-
pose of discussing the federation of the
state Audubon societies, with a view 10
strengthening the bird-protection movement
and of placing it upon a more lasting basis.
At this meeting committee was appointed,
and year later, at a meeting held in New
York, the committee reported follows:
a. That the several societies retain their
individuality, that is, that they be not
merged into national organization.
CD But, in view of the Increased eff
cheney that would always result from some
form a union which would admit of con-
certed action, ii is recommended that
81 The several societies shall each ap-
point one member of a committee to be
known as the national committee of the
Audubon societies of America
a. That the members of the committee
may be empowered to represent the So
ceties wherever concerted action on the
part of the societies be deemed by the COM
mittee eXpedient.
60 That an annual conference be held.
Newspaper Propaganda.
Since its formation the national COM
mittee has had charge of the formation of
the new Audubon societies, the fostering of
the new and weak organiza tons, the war
den system, legislation and general educa-
tional work, and it also is an additional
medium of exchange between the several
state societies. In 1903 this committee be-
gan to issue a series of illustrated leaflets,
each devoted to some useful bird which
needs protection. These leaflets have been
distributed by thousands throughout the
country and have been benefit not only to
the birds, but to those who, by reading
these interesting papers, became more or
less intimate with their feathered neigh
bors. The official organ of the committee Is
Bird Lore, a beautiful little magazine de-
voted to birds, and edited by Mr.. Frank NJ
Chapman. than whom there is no more re-
liable authority on ornithology. Bird
Lore contains information given simply