Bird lore - Project Puffin

428 Bird - Lore
guidance or assistance in all matters pertaining to birds, and the work of your
agent taking him all over the state. Sixty lectures have been given before
audiences totaling 15,000 people.
Two Bird-Day celebrations were held in Massachusetts in which the
National Association joined with the state society and the state grange, and
the work was explained to large and enthusiastic audiences. In the same way
the Association joined with the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture and
the state society in an exhibition at Horticultural Hall in Boston, where many
thousands of visitors were interested.
As in previous years, the Association joined with the Massachusetts Audubon
Society in sending out a general request that the birds be fed during the
winter. Posters were placed in the post oflSices, all newspapers published the
appeal, and all Audubon Society members, women's clubs and Daughters of
of the American Revolution chapters were reached. The response was very
generous, and reports show that even in the remote, thinly settled districts
the birds were taken care of. The sportsmen's associations joined heartily in
this work, and there is much evidence that they appreciate the value of it and
are progressing steadily toward an understanding of the aims of the Audubon
societies and a realization that they can work with them for the common good.
A few bad bills were proposed in the Massachusetts Legislature, the
worst, perhaps, being an ingenious attempt to give licensed hunters the right
to go on any man's land, posted or not, on showing their license to hunt.
This was vigorously pushed but was signally defeated. Your agent was able
to enlist many sportsmen against this bill, and they materially assisted in its
defeat.
REPORT OF EUGENE SWOPE, FIELD AGENT FOR OHIO
Now that state normal schools and teachers' colleges are introducing courses
in bird-study as necessary to the preparation of present-day teachers, we know
that the tide of public opinion has securely turned in favor of the birds. This
movement in Ohio is largely a result of the activities of the National Associa-
tion. The organization of Junior Clubs, with their attending educational
features, has been the main factor in awakening a tardy humane sentiment
toward wild birds. Perhaps one of the most telling signs of this interest in
Ohio is shown in the cordial reception given your Field Agent at teachers'
institutes. Teachers want to know how to conduct their Junior Clubs in a way
to get their full educational value. All sorts of organizations that formerly
gave no attention to birds are now inviting instructive illustrative lectures.
They want to know birds, the why and the wherefore, and the progress of
bird-protection. Ohio newspapers in increasing numbers are asking for Audu-
bon news-items.
The Cincinnati Audubon Society, the Columbus Audubon Society, and