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132 Bird -Lore and its friends on April 19, in the Teach- ers' Club Room. Another plan acted upon was the send- ing of notices to the principals of the pub- lic schools, proposing the celebration of Bird Day in conjunction with Arbor Day. With these proposals there were compli- ances, and some of our own members took part in the exercises held in the suburbs on that day. Later, a committee called the School Committee, was appointed to personally visit school districts where interest in the purposes of the Audubon Society seemed lukewarm, and a knowl- edge of the Society and its aims was still further extended. At the September meet- ing, another step onward was taken when the members voted to consider some sub- ject of ornithological interest at each monthly meeting. It may be stated in conclusion, that while this Society has avowed one of its purposes to be the prevention of cruelty and wanton destruction of birds and their nests, eggs and haunts, it aims to do so, not by prosecuting but by educating. One of the fondest hopes of its founder, Miss Russell, was that a wide dissemina- tion of a knowledge of birds would evoke such an interest and friendliness for them, that women could not thoughtlessly wear their plumage and men and boys could not wantonly destroy them. And when we consider that the majority of the Society's members are educators in either morals or intellect, it seems possible for right efforts to lead to its achievement. Respectfully submitted, Harriet H. Hastings. WISCONSIN SOCIETY {T/iitd AmiKai Repoit) Very early in the history of the Wiscon- sin Audubon Society the executive officers decided that in no other way could they do such good work for bird protection as by arousing the interest of children in the matter, and finding that Mr. L. D. Harvey, the State Superintendent of Public In- struction, stood ready to assist them, they threw most of their energy into this chan- nel After three years they feel that re- sults have justified this policy. By April I, 1900, 380 school branches had been or- ganized, with an aggregate membership of 10,290. In this way the Society is reach- ing not only the children but their parents, and although there has been scarcely any increase in the adult membership, there can be no question that a very wide-spread sentiment of opposition to the fashion of wearing feathers has sprung up, and that many hundreds of women who have not joined the Society have resolved to act hereafter in accordance with its princi- ples. The children are controlled and directed through Miss Boynton's little nature study paper, "By the Wayside, for which every school branch must subscribe. Each issue of this paper contains the de- scription of some common bird, and prizes for observations and good reports are given to teachers and children. Through the generosity of Mrs. George Gordon, of Milwaukee, it has been possible to purchase a small library of bird books, which have been placed in charge of Miss Bossert, 719 Franklin St., Milwaukee, who will be glad to receive gifts of additional volumes These books are intended for the use of school branches. In March a series of illustrated lectures upon birds and wild animals was given un- der the auspices of the Society, in different towns of the State, by Mr. Ernest Inger- soll. All persons interested in bird protection are urged to become Associates, since it is upon thip, class of members that the So- ciety depends for its income. The different classes of membership are as follows : Patrons, paying $25. Life Associates, paying $5 Associates, paying $1 annually. Life Members, paying 25 cents, and not subject to further assessment. Teachers and children paying no fee. Elizabeth Gifford Peckham, Secretary. Milwaukee, April 20, 1900.