On the 6th day of April, 1897, at the call of Mrs. Arthur E. Clarke, a meeting was held at her residence in Manchester, for the purpose of organizing the New Hampshire Audubon Society, which was duly accomplished.
The work of the society throughout the state is carried on by means of branch societies, the presidents of which act as vice-presidents of the state society; or, when this is not practicable, local secretaries are appointed to carry on the work, and such secretaries have already been appointed in more than twenty places.
Special pains has been taken to influence the children in the public schools. A junior Audubon society was early formed, and a very interesting meeting was held in June, 1897, at which about three hundred school children were present. A similar meeting was held in June, 1898, and it is proposed to hold others from time to time.
With the same end in view, an 'Outline of Bird Study' was prepared for use in the schools.
At the suggestion of the society, extracts from the game laws of the state, relating to penalties for the destruction of song birds and their eggs, have been posted in conspicuous places, thanks to the prompt and energetic action of the street and park commissioners. Similar action has been taken in various other cities and towns.
Lectures were given by Mrs. Orinda Hornbrooke, Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, on 'The Educational Side of Bird Protection,' and by Mrs. Harriet E. Richards, secretary of the Massachusetts society, on the general work of the Audubon societies.
The society has distributed nearly 7,000 leaflets and circulars, several of them having been procured of the United States government, through the kindness of our members of Congress.
An additional circular has recently been issued in which prizes are offered to the school children of New Hampshire on the following conditions: Two prizes, one of ten dollars and one of five dollars to children over twelve and under seventeen years of age; and two more, one of five dollars and one of three dollars to children under twelve years of age. These prizes are to be awarded for the best compositions on 'Birds,' the compositions to be written as the result of personal observation, the contest to close January 1, 1900.
The society has adopted the bird chart lately published by the Massachusetts Society, and is introducing it as rapidly as possible into the schools of the state.
Annie V. Batchelder, Sec'y.