Bird-Day was most successfully observed in a large number of schools, and both teachers and pupils seemed well pleased with the results. We owe thanks to many of our local secretaries for their good work among children, and for the classes for bird study which they formed during the summer. This is a movement of the utmost importance, as with increasing membership it becomes more and more difficult for the secretary to conduct individual correspondence, and everyone who will band together local members and act as local secretary, will further the interests of the Society more than can be done in any other way.
We would like to call the attention of our members to the following:
1. When this Society was organized the quills used in millinery were all taken from large domestic birds. Lately the Brown Pelican, Eagles, Owls, and Turkey Vulture have been made to pay tribute to the fashions; and we wish most earnestly to protest against the use of these quills. A good illustration of the feathers to be avoided will be found in the October number of Bird-Lore.
2. We would also call attention to the fact that this magazine is the official organ of the Audubon Societies, and is essential to anyone desiring to keep up with what is being done for the protection of birds.
3. As heretofore, we are dependent almost entirely upon voluntary subscriptions for carrying on the objects of the organization, and we therefore appeal again for assistance from those interested in furthering the cause of the protection of birds. Increased funds will, of course, enable us to reach a larger number of persons, and to issue a larger amount of literature, for which there is a constant demand. Donations should be forwarded to the treasurer, Mr. William L. Baily, 421 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
For the coming year we have in view the usual course of lectures, by Mr. Stone, and also the furthering of bird study in the schools, to which end we hope to issue some educational circulars.
Julia Stockton Robins, Sec'y.
THE WISCONSIN SOCIETY
Our busy season is in the spring of the year. At about Easter time our State Superintendent of Schools issued his 'Arbor and Bird-Day Annual,' which contained an invitation to teachers and children to join the Audubon Society. This invitation brought an almost overwhelming response, every day for several weeks bringing me ten or fifteen letters from would-be branches, and our school membership mounted rapidly to over 10,000. A prize offered to these children for the best personal observation on a Bird Family was won by a little country girl, who wrote a very good composition on the Ground Sparrow. We have tried, with varying degrees of success, in different places, to institute the work of the 'Bird Restorers' among these children.
We shall soon have a little library of bird books circulating among the schools, and we are trying to raise money for a set of lantern slides to accompany a lecture—lecture and slides to be sent from place to place.