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164 Bird-Lore the circulating libraries of natural history should be sent upon their journeys to the remote school-districts to bring a breath of hope and summer to those of whom winter makes 'shut-ins.' These libraries should not be wholly about birds, but comprise books on other na- tive animals and plants as well, the better to show the interdependence of all nature.— M. O. W. The Audubon Conference Following the suggestion given in Bird- Lore of a recent date that a conference of Audubon Societies be held in Cambridge, Mass., in connection with the meeting of the A. O. U. November 12-14, the Massa- chusetts Audubon Society announces that it has sent invitations to the secretaries of the various state societies asking them to send delegates to such a conference. The rapid increase in the number of Audubon Societies, and the many methods of working for bird-protection which have been in use by them, suggest that a com- parison of these methods, and a mutual interchange of opinions on this subject would be of benefit to all. There are now twenty-two of these societies and it is earnestly desired that each will send at least three delegates to this conference. The Massachusetts Audubon Society will cordially welcome the delegates, and will make arrangements for their convenience and comfort ; they also herewith extend an earnest invitation to all Audubon members and bird-lovers to attend this meeting. The committee are perfecting arrange- ments to make this first convention of Audubon Societies a pleasant and profit- able occasion, when "members may meet face to face and feel the fellowship that comes from the spoken word." For details of the conference and sug- gestions regarding the programme, address Harriet E. Richards, Secretary, care of Boston Society of Natural History. The Milliners' 'White-List' We have received the following names of milliners who are willing to make a specialty of bonnets trimmed without wild birds' feathers: BOSTON, MASS.— R. H. Sterns & Co., Cor. Temple Place and Tremont St. ; Caroline, 4S6 Boylston St ; Celeste, 415 Boylston St. WORCESTER, MASS.— Edith A. Cash- ing, I Chatham St. ; Mrs. Harriet A. Green, ig High St. ; Mrs. Ida S. Richards, 165 Pleasant St. MILLBURY, MASS.— Mrs. J. M. Cush- ing-Johnson, 271 Main St. Reports of Societies RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY The Audubon Society, in conjunction with the Game Association of this state, succeeded last year in securing the pass- age of a law creating a Bird Commission of five members, authorized to enforce the statutes relating to birds. This year, through the instrumentality of the same societies, and with the help of the Bird Commissioners, the Rhode Island bird laws have been greatly improved and now compare favorably with those of any state. The close season for game birds has been lengthened, and all other birds are protected during the entire year, with the exception of English Sparrow, Hawks, Owls, Crows, and Crow Blackbirds, which "may be killed at any time by any person upon his own land." This last clause was a necessary concession to the views of some of the rural legislators, ard we can only hope that in the near future it will be amended. One section of the law imposed a fine of f 20 for every Woodcock, Quail, or Ruffed Grouse sent out of the state The same penalty is imposed for disturbing or de- stroying the nest or eggs of any v;ild bird without a license from some scientific institution. In order to give publicity to the new laws, the Audubon Society has had ab- stracts of the same printed upon cloth and posted throughout the state. As a novel method of appealing to the public, this Society has recently made