Ctje &utiubon i^ociettes " You cannot with a scalpel find the poet's soul, Nor yet the wild bird's song." Edited by MRS. MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT and WILLIAM DUTCHER Communications relating to the work of the Audubon and other Bird Protective Societies should be addressed to Mrs. Wright, at Fairfield, Conn. Reports, etc., designed for this department, should be sent at least one month prior to the date of publication. In Memoriam It is our painful duty to announce the death on July 2 of Mrs. Edward Robins, secretary of Pennsylvania Audubon Society. To all who knew Mrs. Robins, her work in behalf of birds and animals for a number of years is familiar. Ten years ago entirely through her energy the Pennsylvania Audu- bon Society was established at a time when only one other organization of the kind was in existence, and she continued actively in charge of its work until failing health com- pelled her to relinquish it. Mrs. Robins was also active in the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and was President of the Spencer Baird Ornithological Club. — W. S. Legislative Season. New York. — Whenever the legislature is in session in this state it is a season of anxiety to the Audubon Society, as the game and bird laws are always subject to attack. During the session of 1906 a number of very bad bills were introduced which required the most determined and energetic efforts to defeat. No one who was not on the fight- ing line can begin to realize how much hard work had to be done to prevent the passage of these bills, and had any one of them become a law it would have been a decided setback to the work of bird and game pro- tection. It is only by eternal vigilance that the good laws now in force in nearly all the states can be maintained. Should the Audu- bon watchfulness be relaxed for a moment, great harm could be done. The regular annual attempt was made to repeal the anti- spring duck-shooting law, which is now best known as the " Brown Law," as it was originally introduced by Senator Elon R. Brown, of Watertown, who has successfully maintained its integrity to the present time. Senator Burr, of the 1st District (Long Island), introduced the repeal bill. This year there were no hearings held on the bill as there had been in the past. No new arguments could be advanced by the advo- cates of the bill, but, on the other hand, those opposed to the bill could point to an increased supply of wild fowl last fall, due, without doubt, to the prohibition of spring shooting. The activity of the Audubon forces was con- fined to letters written to members of the legislature and personal appeals to commit- tees in charge. The last circular letter sent, which undoubtedly had considerable weight, is given herewith : "Senator Burr's Plea May Win Spring Duck-shooting Said to Be Factor in His Political Fate. Special Dispatch to the Evening Post. Albany, April 27. — The present plan of the Senate, so far as it is possible to de- termine, is to report from committee and pass the Burr bill for "spring duck-shoot- ing" on Long Island. Senator Burr has made the plea that the passage of the bill is essential to the carrying of his district by the Republican party this fall, and that it is necessary to him for securing his re- nomination. This appeal always wins much sympathy among fellow legislators, and seems to settle the fate of the measure. Notice has been given of the purpose to suspend all rules and pass the bill, and there is grave danger that it will be passed, despite the widespread objection to permit- ting wholesale slaughter over a long period of time. — From Evening Post, April 2J , iqo6 . (142)
