Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/306

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256 Bird - Lore ' The educational work is the major part of the year's work. A book on the birds of Illinois, ' How to Know One Hundred Wild Birds of Illinois,' by Dr. Lange, has been published under the auspices of the Society, and a nine-page leaflet, ' A List of Books and Periodicals Recommended by the Illinois Society,' has been prepared by the president, Mr. Ruthven Deane, and published for distribution to librarians, etc. Articles by several of the directors have been published in ' School News.' The usual letter from the secretary to the teachers of the state has been published in the Illinois Arbor and Bird Day Annual. A letter to the county superintendents of schools was written and sent by the junior chairman. A letter to the secretaries of the Farmers' Institute was written by the president and also published in the 'Prairie Farmer,' calling attention to the value of birds to the farmer. A letter on the winter feeding of wild birds was also sent with a postal card (published and purchased in Rhode Island) to the Secretaries of Farmers Institutes. One hundred copies of ' By the Wayside,' have been sent each month to teachers in the state; 8,228 leaflets have been distributed, being sent to the state superintendent of schools for distribution among the teachers. ' The president, Mr. Deane, with the cooperation of Mr. Dutcher and Mr. Bode, the latter being president of the Western Millinery Associ- ation, succeeded in bringing before the Association the great need of their cooperation with the Audubon Societies to save the bird-life of the country. The result was the passage of excellent resolutions, in which the members agreed to purchase no more aigrettes, etc. , after January 1 , 1906, and to sell no more after July 1. Unfortunately, these good resolutions, like many others, have not been strictly adhered to by all the members. Mr. Deane has also suceeded, with much patient effort, in inducing some of the large Chicago stores to take aigrette -trimmed hats from their show windows. ' There seems to be a notable increase of feather-wearing on the part of members of the Society. The feathers are largely those of domestic fowls and game birds, but it is a serious question as to whether these, though ' lawful,' are ' expedient,' their effect on children, in particular, being harm- ful. The Society has had paid over to it the sum of $1,000 — a bequest from Miss Nancy Laurence, of Watseka, a lover of birds in her death, as she was in her useful life. Aside from this bequest, the receipts for the year have been $299.50 and the expenses $247.57" — Miss Mary Drummond, Secretary. Indiana. — "The work of the society has been continued along the lines mapped out some years ago. Of these, by far the most important is the educational work. This includes the sending out of printed matter, publishing, in newspapers and journals, articles of interest regarding the birds and their protection, and lectures in schools and various organizations.