The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-08-04
Island Can Be Focal
Point For Observing
Birds, Expert Says
ONLY PLACE in COUN.
TRY CERTAIN ONES
CAN BE SEEN; AUDI
BON UNIT FORMING

Advised by experts that Ke,
West can become an outstandin,
focal point for observing rare
birds, a group of citizens tool
steps Saturday afternoon at the
Woman's Club to form an Audi
bon Society here.
Harold Laubscher, manager o.
the Chamber of Commerce. was
elected temporary chairman anc
named a nominating committee
TO propose officers of the Key
West chapter of the National AS.
ISOLATION of Audubon Societies
Mayor w. w. Demeritt, George
Mills White, Miss Gertrude
Laubscher and Oliver Griswolo
were named on the committee.
Charles M. Brookfield, of Mi
ami. Audubon tropical Florida
representative addressed the
group land enlightened his listen
ers on the excellent possibilities
which Key West has for becoming
a center for observing rare birds.
The Miamian, who conducts
bird lovers on trips to see birds
in tho Cape Sable and new Ever
glades Park region, said there is
no reason why similar tours by
car and boat cannot be arranged
here. He said he had received
numerous inquiries regarding the
migrationS of birds over the Flor
ida keys and said that many
wished to come here to observe
the winged creatures.
Brookfield said that Key West
is about the only place in the
United States where the snowy
crested dove is found. He said he
recently found several making
themselves at home in the Botan-
ical Gardens here. Near Key
West, he said. Is the only place
in the world Who're the great
white heron can be observed
nesting.
You would have no trouble in
bringing great numbers of people
here from all over the United
States" Brookfield said. "The
Audubon Society might send
somebody and organize tours out
Of Key West if the interest is suf-
ficient."
The Audubon Society does not
care about making any profit but
il must "break even, Brookfield
added. The society would supply
the boats and paid supervisor
here would greatly encourage os-
Establishment of tours out of Key
West.
Mayor Demeritt surprised a
number of those present with his
store of knowledge of bird life.
He explained how he had once
banded 10000 Eastern mourning
doves and received replies from
many parts of the country where
his banded birds had been shot or
caught"
The mayor said that Key West
is for few days the stopping
point for many types of birds on
their north-south migrations. He
said he once caught two tawny-
shouldered blackbirds. the only
ones ever found in the United
States. to his knowledge He sent
them to authorities in Washing
ton,
.-Brookfield reminded his listen
ets that Audubon himself consid-
cred Key West an extraordinary
spot for observing rare birds and
once saw the European green
shsnks here, the only time one
was ever seen in this country.
Excessive hunting of egretS or
keys off Key West was perhaps
the most important factor in
bringing about the founding of the
National Audubon Society, Brook.
field said. The society had Fed.
eral laws passed and found con.
siderable opposition from plume.
hunters in enforcing it.
Guy Bradley, a warden. wa:
shot in 1905 up in southern Flor.
ida" he said, and another wa.
shot few years later at Charlotte
Harbor. Only recently warder
was shot while attempting to en-
force bird laws in southern Flor
ida"
Brookfield said that PreSiden
Baker of the National Audubon
Society, is coming to southern
Florida in the near future anc
probably will come to Key West
The bird tours. he explained
which are being conducted out o
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