Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/296

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246 Bird -Lore One warden was employed in Oregon to guard the birds on the Arched Rocks off the coast near Netarts. The warden says: "The numbers of Gulls, Cormorants and Murres were so great that it is impossible to state whether there was an increase or not, but there is certainly a gain in the sympathy of the public." A warden was stationed at Stump Lake Reservation in North Dakota. This is a unique reservation because it is the breeding place of so many of the Anatidas. Those nesting were the Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveller, Pintail, Lesser Scaup, one of the Scoters, and the Canada Goose, together with California and Ring-billed Gulls, and Double-crested Cormorants. The warden reports a successful season and adds : "Am well pleased with the way people take interest in the protection of birds. If the reservation did nothing more, it would have much to its credit for awakening public interest." In Michigan, the Association had three wardens, — one at the Gull Rocks, north end of Isle Royal, one at the Siskiwit Islands Reservation, and one at the Huron Islands Reservation. Large numbers of Herring Gulls were the result of the careful oversight of the wardens, together with an increase of the other birds, mostly land species found on the islands. In conclusion, it is but just to add that it is believed that all of the wardens employed by this Association, together with those working for the State Societies and public-spirited individuals, not only give intelligent service but also take a personal interest in the care of the breeding bird colonies in their charge, and it is to their faithful supervision that the estimated increase of 250,000 sea-birds was possible. EDUCATIONAL WORK This is the most important future work of the Audubon Societies, and to it must be devoted most of our thought and energies. The millions of children in the public schools of the country must be reached, and they must be taught that kindness to the lower and helpless creatures is one of the fundamental principles of good citizenship. A cruel child can never become a gentle, kindly man or woman, and indifference to the rights of birds or animals breeds a disregard to the rights of one's fellow-man. The system of Educational Leaflets adopted by this Association in 1905 has been continued without intermission until the present time. The first Leaflets were illustrated with black and white drawings of the bird under consideration, but beginning with Number 17, which was issued December 1, 1905, the illustrations have been in the natural colors of the bird. The Leaflets are first published in the organ of the Audubon Societies, BlRD- Lore, and thereafter are issued as separates for general circulation, and especially for use in schools. The Leaflets aim to be scientifically correct