The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-03
ORGANIZING THE
 BIRD-L0VERS OF
 CONNECTICUT
A Proposed Federation Fol. Restoring Bird
 Life in State
(State Ornithologist's Letter for
 April.)

(State Ornithologist's Letter for
 April)
 The general interest in our wild birds has led to the springing up here and there in Connecticut of so-called Bird Clubs the special purposes of which is personal acquaintance with all forms of wild bird life afleld. Among these organizations are the New Haven, Hartford and Norwalk Bird Clubs, and the Waterbury Ma turalists' club. It Is now proposed to federate these clubs under an or ganized plan for a definite purpose, and to establish other clubs of this federation throughout the State. Com rnittees of the local clubs are being appointed to confer. together and de- eide the details of the general plan, which latter is as follows:
 There has arisen throughout the State, as elsewhere, widespread in- terest in the birds, and a general de- sire to see them restored again to normal abundance. Various beautiful an Invaluable species are almost ex- tinct, and may soon disappear for taken. While the basis of interest for the clubs would be personal &C., uuaintance with the birds outdoors, there would also be a definite prac- tfcal program for the restoration of bird life in Connecticut. For instance. systematic winter feeding of the birds throughout the State would probably be arranged, and preparation for nest ing-sites for desirable species about gardens and farms. Educational pro- paganda would be arranged and speakers and lecturers secured for itinerary among the clubs at reduced rates. Active cooperation, in this r. NFexIY1 Cp branches of the State Audubon Soci- ety among the school children, and effort made to secure the general adoption of reasonable amount of conservation study of birds in the schools, thus preparing future con- stituency for the clubs. Cooperation would also be sought with sportsmen's organizations for various good ends. Publications would be prepared and circulated by the clubs. Through such organization effective and speedy ac- ton could be taken against reaction ary legislation or for any needed changes in the laws.
 It Is particularly desired that the proposed organization shall be on no narrow lines, but broad enough to include everyone interested in birds and their restoration. All good sports men are invited to join in the move ment and help to make it as effective as possible. One of the first neces- sary steps will be to secure lists of names of people in each town and city of Connecticut who are inter ested in birds. The State Ornitholi- gist will greatly appreciate the send ing to him at once by volunteers in every locality of such names or lists of names, with brief annotations des- cribing kind and degrees of interest, etc. This will greatly facilitate the work of organization.
 There Is something of the spirit of the hunter and explorer, at least la tent, in most people, particularly men and youth. It is a splendid thing, particularly as Spring now sounds the tocs.n of the call of the great outdoor world, to have some definite taste and interest that im- pels one to roam afield. The wild birds, so varied in appearance and breezy in their ways, furnish a most attractive quest. For people to range forth in friendly groups over field. woodland, swamp Or shore and armed with field glass or camera, to secure birds or photographs of fsthem or to trace out with skilled woodcraft the carefully concealed nests, furnishes one of the finest sports, adapted to every age. sex, and condition, with addi- tional rewards of health and of far reaching economic benefit. Why may not thousands of new recruits thus get outdoors these pleasant days, and unite forces with the many other friends of the birds in our beautifully diversified little State?
 HERBERT K JOB,
 State Ofnithologist, West Haven.