Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/304

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254 Bird - Lore dred notices, publications, Bird-Lore Circulars and Leaflets have been sent out this past season. More children belong to the Society than ever before. We know that each year this Society grows in strength and efficiency." — Mrs. John Dewhurst Patten, Secretary. Florida. — "Membership, including all grades, 830; Leaflets and circu- lars distributed, 8,000; summary of the state bird laws for posting, 75; warning notices for posting in hotels, stations and express offices, 500 (for those in express offices through the state thanks are due the Southern Express Co.); Audubon Charts for use of schools, 36; teachers having free membership, 122. Five prizes of two dollars each were given for com- petitive papers on ' Birds' at ' The Students-Help Fair.' Two leaflets have been published. ' The Palmetto Club ' of Daytona, ' The Florida Federation of Women's Clubs,' and the 'Fortnightly' at Palm Beach, subscribe for 'sus- taining memberships.' The ' Housekeepers Club ' of Cocoanut Grove and ' Fortnightly ' at Winter Park, have annual memberships ; the ' Sunshine Society ' includes the care and love of birds in its altruistic teachings. At the Robert Hungerford Normal and Industrial School, Eatonville (for colored children), 'bird talks' with the charts have been given, while even- ings are frequently devoted to song and recitations on birds. Our failure to enlist the cooperation of teachers generally, is a matter of great regret. This- year the school boards of Orange county have promised that one hour each week shall be devoted to bird study in the schools. The Florida Audubon Society supply, free, charts and literature. "At the annual meeting of the ' State Federation of Women's Clubs ' in April, at Tampa, able papers were read on bird protection. Mrs. E. A. Graves, chairman of the Bird Preservation Committee, reported active interest and good work in a majority of the twenty - two clubs of the Federation. The Auxiliary Committee at Port Orange and San Mateo have been efficient helpers. At Cocoanut Grove Mrs. Kirk Munroe formed in January, 1906, a club of twenty-five boys, 'who are banded together not only for the protection of birds but for good citizenship.' 'The Rangers ' is the name the boys have taken. When elected, each boy pledges not to kill a bird, and to protect, as well, all animals from cruel treatment. The club motto is ' Be kind to the birds.' Some native bird is chosen each week for study and for discussion at the club meetings. The Florida Audubon Society has offered a prize (book) to the club for the best essay on birds. Most of the boys have been preparing for this during the summer. It will be awarded this fall. ' The subject of providing game wardens is a serious one. Few respon- sible men, after the murder of Guy M. Bradley, are willing thus to jeopar- dize their lives, for, if the laws of the state cannot be enforced and criminals brought to justice, no man has a guarantee for his safety. There are forty-