Bird lore - Project Puffin

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Bird- Lore
feature into the school-work this year by giving a series of lectures in places
where particular interest had been shown in bird-study, or where it seemed
advisable to create such an interest. This was done by Game-Warden Wilbur
F. Smith, with gratifying results and much appreciation.
As to our 'Birdcraft Sanctuary,' we have added a new room to the Museum,
with three new groups in their habitats,—one a water-scene, another shore-
birds, and the third a group of Connecticut mammals. There is a study-case
of birds in the new room, and it is hoped that this will be the beginning of a
more accurate knowledge of local bird-life. The Hartford Bird Club presented
the Museum with a beautiful specimen of an American Eagle, which was put
up, holding an American shield in its claws, on the day before Flag Day.
There have been 4,509 visitors to the Sanctuary. Seventy-nine nests have
been found in the Sanctuary, and no species of birds wer"e seen, among them
a Great Blue Heron, a Bittern, a Black-crowned Night Heron, and King-
fishers.
The Connecticut Audubon Society feels honored that the one who did most
to get the migratory-bird law ratified between the United States and Canada
was one of the citizens of Connecticut, the Hon. George P. McLean, of Simsbury.
Helen W. Glover, Secretary.
District of Columbia Audubon Society.—It is harder than usual to write
the report for this year, for death has brought more changes in our personnel
than ever before. In the winter our first president, and always interested
member. Gen. C. H. Sternberg, U. S. A., was taken from us, followed soon
after by Prof. B. T. Janney, for years a member of our Executive Committee,
and until his death one of our honorary vice-presidents. The third death was
not only a personal loss to our Society, but it can be truly said was a national
loss, for Prof. Wells W. Cooke was known wherever there was an Audubon
society. A lover of people and nature seems the most appropriate description
of him, for he was always ready to help one in any way. He was the heart and
soul of our spring outings and it seemed as if they could hardly be carried on
without his moving spirit; but that seemed a poor way of showing our appre-
ciation of his work. He had already planned the walks, and everyone connected
with them did his or her best to make them a success. We had a larger atten-
dance than ever before, more persons going on all the walks than at any pre-
vious time, and a greater variety of birds was observed than has been recorded
in the past.
Under Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey's most efficient leadership we had
our bird-study classes; and Louis Agassiz Fuertes most courteously gave us his
lecture on 'Bird Songs' in place of an expected lecture from Professor Cooke on
'Bird Migration.' We have also had delightful illustrated lectures from W. L.
Finley, and Herbert K. Job. Three numbers of 'Current Items of Interest'
have been published by Henry Oldys. Helen P. Childs, Secretary.