The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-04-05

I'm Illinois the state bird campaign developed
the meadowlark, song sparrow. wren and the
bobwhite as favortes together with the catblrd.
Mrs. ]. D. Mckinney of the state federation
sponsored bill for the catbird, which, for some
reason emerged as bill for the cardinal, which
was legally approved on June a. 1929.
Back In 1924 under the leadership Of Miss
Madeleine Aaron, secretary OF the Audubon
Society OF Kansas, a campaign was launched for
selection OF state bird. Widespread publicity
was given and large vote was gotten out
giving the western meadowlark plurality of
some $4,000 votes over the other candidates.
flames Lane Allen made the cardinal the
favored bird of Kentucky In his famous book
of that name, and 1t was both natural and in
evitable that 1t be established as the official
state bird The 1925 session of the legislature
passed such a resolution, which was approved
February II. 1926.
.The pelican was established as Loulsianas
state bird through the medium of the state seal,
which was formally designated In 1902 by the
then Governor Heard
"Malnes legislators officially approved the
chlckadee as the state bird In 1927 after a CAM
pagn conducted by the State Federation Of Wom-
ems clubs with the leadership OF Mrs. Carl +.
Kelley Clubs, schools and the state grange
Joined In the balloting.
ut may be said that Maryland was presented
with state bird nearly q century and half
before 1t became a state. 1t Is related that
George Calvert selected as the colors for his
coat OF arms the orange and black Of beautiful
bird that he found common among the trees.
century later Catesby, In the account Of his
famous travels In Virginia and Carolina, called
this the Baltimore bird, and from his descrip-
tlon the great naturalist Llnnaeus formally de-
scribed the bird In 1853 Ever since that time
the Baltimore orlole has been Marylands state
bird
"From October, 1923, to May. 1929, the State
Audubon Society OF Michigan conducted sys-
tematlc campaign with the cooperation Of the
press libraries, schools and many groups.
total of 1S4.209 votes cast, the robin lead
Ing with vote OF 45,54i The choice was legal
lied on April 8, 1881.
minnesota was faced with an embarrassment
OF excellent candidates In its state bird vote
organized by Mrs. Willard Bayllss then president
of the State Federation of Women's clubs After
much publicity and substantial vote for the
goldfnch 1t was selected.
Debates in the schools. special club programs
and publicity attended MissIssippis state bird
campaign conducted by Mrs. G. II, Reeyer, chair.
man. which was made the outstanding work Of
the conservation division OF the state federation
in 1920 The mocknghird proved to be the
popular choice.
"Choice OF the western meadowlark as the
state bird Of Montana came as the result OF a
rousing state campaign led by Mrs. l. p. Iiadzor,
then conservation chairman of the state fedora
ton
"Twenty-seye candidates contested In Ne
braska In the campaign submitted to the schools
by Mrs Elizabeth Hoefer. state chairman OF con
seryatlon, after the state federation had ap
proved such drive The Meadowark was sue
cussful and was officially recognized on March
o. 1929
Nevada citizens and school children had little
difficulty In arriving at choice OF state bird
the mountain bluebrd leading the field In ar