The Coolidge examiner., 1934-04-06

~
AN \ states have Joined the ranks of
~ those which have an ~officlal
wv state bird" By formal action Of
@|fN the legislature the Carolina chick
IX%~4f4>sl Adec was adopted In North Caro-
IA, HA&R Ina. and IN Indiana that honor
lZET@z&JtTi fcu 90 the eastern cardinal. al
#LHE%s-Isl though the rosc-hrcasted gros-
lseukHz,.S bcak was strongly urged for H.
- Now only four sfates-Couuecii-
cut Iowa New Jersey and Teuneseee-are with
out such fcathcrcd representatives. but an effort
II under way 90 swing them into line.
The ruby-eruw ned kingiet has been suggested
as an appropriate avian emblem FOR Connecticut:
II has been suggested that the Hawkeye state
would be more appropriate nickname
for Iowa n IL adopted The sparrow hawk FOR
It's ofhcial state bird the boholink t''Robert OF
Lneoln") Is suggestion that Is meeting with
favor for New Jersey: and Tennessee Ia being
urged 20 choose the painted bunting or ponparclL
The birds thus honored by the states have
been selected for n variety of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OF traditional associations for their beauty. their
pleasing songs or their economic value. In some
eases the campaign 10 have state bird named
was conducted by the state Audubon society but
In most Instances the selection was the direct
result of the Efforts % the State Federation OF
womens clubs
An outstanding leader In this movement has
been Mrs. Katherine r. Tippetts. chairman OF
the division of conservation OF the General Fed
Grafton Of Womcus' clubs.
some time ago the American Nature assocla.
ton published n booklet called Birds OF the
states-How. When and Why They Were Chosen
as oneial EmblemsT and In this booklet Mrs.
Tippetts reviews the campaigns which brought
about the selections Of the various official state
birds follows:
In 1927. at the request Of the Ladies Memorial
association the legislature Of Alabama adopted
the Flicker, or yellow hammer the Official
state bird. The members of this organization
urged the choice because the Alabama soldiers in
the Confederate army were known Yellow
Hammers. and the yellow Hnng Of the birds
wings and tail recall the uniform colors OF the
Alahama cavalry.
in Arizona Mrs. u. l. Craig. chairman OF CON
servation 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.
In Arkansas the State Federation OF womens
clubs sponsored the moekipgblrd for official
honors. campaign was conducted under the
direction OF Mrs ". A. Utley this bird being the
overwhelming choice
The California Audubon society and kindred
groups sponsored the campaign for a state bird
the valley quail In the lead. and on June II
1891. the governor made the choice official.
~In Colorado the selection OF the lark bunting
came at the climax OF campaign which was
conducted by ardent partlsans.
In Delaware the mockinGblrd made IN
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 ST.
Petersburg the vote for Florida's state bird was
active and interesting although overwhelmingly
for the mockinsblrd.
Running safely ahead, ,pf the redheaded 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 f. II. Barton presented the western tanager
as the choice OF the women's clubs OF the state.
But the children oyerruled her and In the balloting
the mountain bluebird meadOwlark and robin
were favorites The former led the field and
was generally endorsed. Mrs. Barton fostered
official approval by the legislature and this be
came law In 1881.