Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-04-04

cut, Iowa, New Jersey and Tennessee-are with
out such feathered representatives. but an effort
lis under way to swing them into line.
The ruby-crowned kinglet has been suggested
as an appropriate avian emblem for Connecticut
1t has been suggested that the Hawkeye state
would be an even more appropriate nickname
for Iowa II 1t adopted the sparrow hawk for
Its official state bird; the bobolink ("Robert OF
Lincoln") is a suggestion that la meeting with
favor for New Jersey; and Tennessee Ia being
urged to choose the painted bunting or nonpareil
The birds thus honored by the states have
been selected for a variety OF reasons-because
OF traditional associations, for their beauty, their
pleasing songs or their economic value. In some
cases the campaign to have a state bird named
was conducted by the state Audubon society but
In most instances the selection was the direct
result OF the efforts of the State Federation of
Women's clubs.
An outstanding leader In this movement has
been Mrs. Katherine B. Tippetts, chairman of
the division OF conservation of the General Fed
Grafton of Womens' clubs.
Some time ago the American Nature ~associa-
ton published a booklet called Birds of the
States-How, When and Why They Were Chosen
as Official Emblems' and In this booklet, Mrs.
Tippetts reviews the campaigns which brought
about the selections of the various official state
birds as follows.
I'm 1927, at the request of the Ladies Memorial
association, the legislature of Alabama adopted
the Flicker. or yellow hammer as the official
state bird. The members Of this organization
urged the choice because the Alabama soldiers In
the Confederate army were known as Yellow
Hammers and the yellow lining OF the birds
wings and tail recall the uniform colors of the
Alabama cavalry.
"In Arizona Mrs. d.. I. Craig, chairman Of con-
s~ervatfon for the state, launched a campaign for
a state bird and ballots were cast for various
candidates. But when these were counted the
cactus wren was out In front In a runaway
contest.
an Arkansas the State Federation of Women's
clubs sponsored the mockingbIrd for official
honors. A campaign was conducted under the
direction of Mrs. W. A. Utley. this bird being the
overwhelming choice.
1.-The California Audubon society and kindred
groups sponsored the campaign for a state bird
for the Golden state. The final ~balloting revealed
the valley quail In the lead, and on June IL,
1881, the governor made the choice Official.
'In Colorado the selection of the lark bunting
came at the climax OF a campaign which was
conducted by ardent partisans.
lin Delaware the mockingbird made an I'M
successful run for state honors against the
cardinal, which was selected by a large majority
of those voting In the campaign organized by
Mrs. L. v. Atkins.
sponsored by the Audubon Society of 81.
Petersburg, the vote for Florida's state bird was
active and interesting although overwhelmingly
for the mockingbird.
Running safely ahead Of the red-headed wood
pecker and the purple martin. the brown thrasher
was chosen by the school children of Georgia
In 1928. The campaign was inaugurated by the
Fifth District of the State Federation of Wom-
ems clubs and was sponsored by the Atlanta
Bird club and kindred groups.
Interest In the campaign In Idaho ran high.
As the state federation conservation chairman,
Mrs. K. I'll. Barton presented the western tanager
as the choice of the women's clubs of the state.
But the children overruled her and In the balloting
the mountain ~bluebird. meadowlark and robin
were f~avorites. The former led the field and
was generally endorsed, so Mrs. Barton fostered
official approval by the Legislature and this be-
came law In 1881.