The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-04-06

"Choice of the western meadowlark the
state bird of Montana came the result OF
rousing state campaign led by Mrs. l. D. Hadzor,
then conservation chairman of the state fedora
ton.
"Twenty-seve candidates contested in Ne
braska in the campaign submitted to the schools
by Mrs. Elizabeth Hoefer, state chairman Of con-
servation, after the state federation had ap-
proved such a drive The Meadowlark was
cussful and was officially recognized on March
o. 1929
Nevada citizens and school children had little
difficulty in arriving at choice of a state bird,
the mountain buebird leading the field in an
extended vote during 1880 and 1881. This bird
the nominee of the club women of the
state.
1.-THE New Hampshire Federation Of Women's
clubs, through Mrs. Lucy F. Richardson, then
chairman of conservation, sponsored a vote In
1927 that returned the purple finch victor in
the state bird ballot.
Dividing the state into districts, New Mex
leo was thoroughly canvassed for its opinion
a state bird and the road-runner led all the
rest. In fact the vote for this typical bird was
just about unanimous. Mrs. Tom Charles presi-
dent, reported the choice.
San old campaign for state bird Of New York
having selected the robin and let the matter drop
there, a campaign launched in 1928
under Mrs. Charles Cyrus Marshall. Although
the robin was included a nominee, he ran
well behind the bluebird, which now is regarded
as the state bird.
Through the circulation of leaflets describ-
ing the three most useful birds not then selected
for state bird honors elsewhere, Mrs. /. T. Frary,
chairman of wild life for the state federation OF
Ohio conducted an effective campaign in 1928
Ballots were included and the vote gave the
house wren lead of 7,469 votes over its nearest
rival.
More than $4,000 votes were cast in Okla
homa's campaign for a state bird under the
leadership of Mrs. w. A. Campbell and Mrs.
Ellen Howard Miller, and the bob-white tri-
umphed by wide margin.
'In 1925 the Oregon Audubon society asked
for a vote for state bird and got more than
$4,000 votes for the western meadOwlark out OF
$1,000 cast.
1.-The ruffed grouse was legalized as the state
bird of Pennsylvania by the legislature OF 1891
after long campaign and deliberate voting.
Mrs. Harry ]. Shoemaker, chairman of birds and
flowers and the officers of the State Federation
of Womens clubs as whole urged the selection.
SCHOOLS, clubs oranges, scout troops and
other organizations Joined in voting for the bob
white Rhode Islands state bird.
'The campaign in South Carolina under
the leadership of Miss Claudia Phelps and In
1890 the Carolina wren won honors over the
CdrOLna uONe
Various organizations joined with the State
Federation of Women's clubs In Texas in select
ing state bird. More than 100000 children
added their ballots and the victor was the west
ern mockngbird.
"Utahs state bird is the sea gull In grateful
remembrance of the gulls that delivered the
crops of the farmers from the pest of the insects
In 1S4S. and monument to the birds stands in
the park of the Mormon Tabernacle.
"In Vermont rhe State Federation of Women's
clubs conducted campaign In 1927. the hermit
thrush emerging victorious In Virginia the
late Miss Katherine Stuart drew together bird
lovers and conservatonists in educational
campaign that made the robin state bird by
popular vote. The robin ran way ahead in the
vote taken In Wisconsin under the leadership
of Mrs. Walter Bowman, who conducted the
campaign as conservation chairman In 1928.
Mrs. Edward Ewel Of Wyoming was one Of the
first to respond to the call for state bird
campaign. and by 1925 the western meadowlark
was established as the favorite."
g by Western Newspaper Union.