Bird lore - Project Puffin

474
Bird - Lore
Rock Island County (111.) Bird Club.—We were not formally organized until
January 20, 1916, but even in this short time enough has been accomplished to
augur well for the future. There is much evidence that the cause of bird-protection
is bearing fruit. Birds are becoming very numerous around our homes
and exceedingly tame; bird-boxes abound everywhere, as well as drinking-
fountains and, during the winter, food-shelves. Through the cooperation of our
County Superintendent, and the city principals of Rock Island and Mohne,
bird-clubs have been organized in many of the city and rural schools. Already we
have a membership of over 1,500, including the member-clubs in the various
city and county schools. One Rock Island school-club numbers nearly 200;
another in Moline about 250. This work of organizing is still going on, and an
active campaign is planned for this fall. Through the cooperation of city
officials and the Humane Society, the few complaints of nest-robbing and shoot-
ing have been investigated. These are growing less each year.
The Club is fortunate in having for its president Mr. Burtis H. Wilson, a
man well qualified for the management of such an organization. Mr. Wilson
has made a study of birds since boyhood, and his lectures at the schools and
churches of the county have aroused and stimulated interest in bird-protection
and conservation. He has also lectured at the Y. M. C. A.'s of Moline and Rock
Island, officers of which are working faithfully with our Club. The boys'
departments of the Y. M. C. A. have been greatly interested in the work, also
the Boy Scouts.
We have taken active interest in the legislative work at Washington, and
have telegraphed and written to senators, representatives, and officials inter-
ested in the Migratory Bird Law, the Canadian treaty, the new game laws, the
draining of Lake Malheur in Oregon, and other items.
Secretary.
—
Nellie E. Peetz,
Rumson (N. J.) Bird Club.—This Club was organized in June, 1916.
It comprises four classes of membership: Patrons, $10 annually; active,
$5 annually; permanent (or native residents), $1 annually; Juniors, 25 cents
annually. The ofi&cers of the Club are as follows: Ira Barrows, President;
Colonel William Barbour, Vice-President; Henry A. Caesar, Treasurer; Mrs.
George A. H. Churchill, Secretary. The Executive Committee is composed of the
ofl&cers, ex-officio, together with Edward D. Adams, Rev. Arthur McKay,
Miss Grace Porter, Mrs. Reuel B. Kimball, and Mrs. Robert H. McCarter. Our
annual meeting is held on the second Saturday evening in October. We already
have a membership of more than 100 and have collected upward of $500 in dues,
etc.
Three lecturers have appeared before the members of the Club. These
were Lee C. Crandall of the Zoological Park in New York; Herbert K. Job,
associated with the National Association of Audubon Societies, and T. Gilbert
Pearson, Secretary of the National Association of Audubon Societies. We pro-