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these secretaries are women with family cares, who conduct a correspondence that amounts to a business wholly without pay,
The editors of BlRD-LORE cheerfully an- swer all like requests so far as possible, but there is promotive (I would use the word missionary but that it covers so many in» discretionsl work to be done in this wide field both by voice and pen that can only be accomplished by the undivided attention of a discreet man who will not only make it his business to keep informed of all local and general work. but also when possible either attend the meetings of game pro— tective associations, granges, horticultural societies or spur some local representative to do so, who in short must act as the secretary of the National Committee.
So far the imperative mood carried the day-then came the conditional, the pay» ment of this important officer?
This must be done by the joint contribu- tions of the state societies and their friends. It each society will pledge itself for one year from July t to give a certain slim down or if more convenient in quarterly payments, this most important experiment may, at least, have a fair trial; and its efticency can be proven in no other way
otconrse many societies are themselves struggling and hampered for funds, but the tonic etfect upon the whole cause will in itself be retroactive in no small degree. “There are so many calls for money,” is the constant plea of those who are ap~ preached. “and surely human needs should be considered before those of animals.” Certainly they should. and the protection of what is elevating and wholesomer beau~ tiful is one of the most crying human need: of today. What" is left for humanity when there is no convenient retreat from where indoors and city and self are fettered together.
In today‘s push and scramble humanity must everywhere have refuge where Heart of Man may realize that however much he may have changed, the iowls or the air and the flowers of the field are as of old, and that Heart of Nature still lives and is work- ing out the plan made ltim by Heart of God.
Bird-Lore
Give 1 give that we may thus work for the dawn of a new day and banish from this peerless land the lowering of a night wherein no call of migrant birds shall drop from above.7M. 0, W.
Minutes ot the First Meeting of the National Committee of the Audubon Societies of the United States
Pursuant to a resolution passed at a con- ference of the Audubon Societies held at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, on November 14, rpm, Mrs. H. T. Grant, Jr., secretary of the Rhode Island Society, was appointed temporary secretary and was requested to correspond with each Audubon Society then organized or which might be organized prior to April, tgoz, and ask them to sand on: delegate to a meeting of the Committee of the National Audubon Societies, and also to designate the time and place when and where such a meeting could be held, the object of the meeting being for the purpose of organizing 3 Ways and Means Committee and discus- sion of the scope of the committee’s field of action.
In response to this call the first meeting of the delegates was held in New York City, on Friday morning, April 4, in the small assembly room of the American Mu- seum of Natural History, the use of which had been generously given by the museum authorities.
The meeting was called to order at 10 A. 14., delegates from the following state societies being present: Vermont, Massa- chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Dis- trict of Columbia, Virginia, Iowa and New York.
Mr. Frank M. Chapman, the chairman of the conference held in November, 1901, temporarily presided, and welcomed the delegates in behalf of the museum.
Dr. T. S Palmer, delegate from the District of Columbia, offered the following resolution:
REJDIfi/t‘fl', That William Dutcher, dele- gate from New York, he and he is hereby made chairman of the National Committee
of the Audubon societies. This motion being duly seconded was carried.
