Bird lore - Project Puffin

460 Bird - Lore
some 6,000 bird-buttons were provided, especially made for the Club and
inscribed with its name. It is believed that the foregoing arrangement with
the National Association, in conjunction with the valuable and sympathetic
aid of the district superintendents, has been instrumental in arousing much
interest among the public school-children, and should instil in them a love for
the bird and an interest in its care and protection that will prove of wide-
spread advantage in furthering the good work intended.
The Bird Club has become a sustaining member of the National Associa-
tion of Audubon Societies and will cooperate with it in every way to advance
our mutual interests. The cat menace to bird-life has received careful consider-
ation, but while a wide discussion of this subject has as yet brought no con-
clusive results, it has at least awakened many people to a familiar knowledge
of the matter which will probably mean its ultimate solution.
The Executive Committee wisely decided that life-membership fees should
be retained for investment, and only the income applied toward general
expenses; and in accordance with this decision the sum of $1,500 has already
been invested. The treasurer's receipts during the past year amounted to the
sum of $2,333.53, leaving a credit balance on July i, in addition to the fore-
going investment of principal, and after the payment of all necessary expenses,
of $301.76. It may be interesting to note that the Club is represented in no
less than fifty different localities on Long Island, and its influence is therefore
widely extended. There are at present some 448 members, of whom 355 are
annual subscribers and 93
send, Secretary.
life members.— (Mrs.) Alice Greenough Town-
Bird Club of Meriden (Conn.)—Our Club was officially organized February
26, 1 9 14, and now has 187 members. We have had regular monthly
meetings since the Club was organized, excepting in the summer months, and
each winter have put out food and shelter for the birds in the parks and at
private homes. We are trying to keep Partridges and Quails in Hubbard Park,
and we find that the farmers are showing interest in trying to shelter and keep
Quails through the winter. The Grange has shown interest in our Club, and
occasionally gives a report of what they are doing for bird-preservation. The
Club has had addresses by Mr. Bigelow, Mr, Herbert Job, Mr. Avis, Mr. Sage,
and Mr. Crawfton. We have assisted each year in taking a bird-census in this
locality.
We have done no legislative work, but I wish we might in connection with
other clubs do something to decrease the number of cats in this locality. It
seems as if that might be the most helpful thing possible for bird-preser-
vation.
This Club was formally affiliated by membership with the National Association
of Audubon Societies on May 13, 1916.— (Mrs.) W. C. Homan, Secre-
tary.