Annual Report of the National Associa- tion of Audubon Societies for 1906 CONTENTS Report of the President : Introductory : The Year's Work ; Legislation : Results Attained in Certain States ; Work for 1907 ; Alien Hunters ; Protection for Small Shore Birds; Bartram's Plover; Eskimo Curlew ; Wood Duck; Spring Shooting; Gun Licenses ; Aigrettes. Reservations : Wardens. Educational Work. Sug- gestions for Special Audubon Work ; Bird Clubs ; Bird Boxes ; Feeding Places. Reports from State Societies. List of Members and Contributors. Report of the Treasurer. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT By WILLIAM DUTCHER INTRODUCTORY Members of the Association: Before presenting to you the results of the past year's work and the plans for future development, let us lock backward for a few years. Abbott Thayer's "An Appeal to Bird-Lovers" was widely published in February, 1900. Of this appeal it may be truly said "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth." From this time to the present moment the history of this Association has been one of steady progress and, during the past year, by the magnificent beneficence of one of our members, the late Albert Willcox, the Association has been changed from a weak and struggling Society to a permanent and strong organization with a substantial endowment fund. In the few short months of our corporate existence we have therefore secured a foundation so broad and strong that it surpasses the ardent hopes of our most optimistic members. Let us trust that this fact will not lead our members to believe that their support is no longer required ; it is needed as much as, if not more than before. In the past, the work of the Society has been very greatly restricted by lack of funds, and much good that might have been accomplished was, for this reason, necessarily neglected. In the near future, after our legacy has been received and is safely invested in conservative securities, the income of the Association will be so materially increased that the work of the Society can be amplified in many directions. In this connection, your president wishes to express his gratification and thanks to the members of and con- tributors to the Association ; their loyalty and generosity has been persis- (225)
