We learn by the receipts that the libraries
are not so much in use during the fall and
winter as in the spring, when outdoor ob-
servation can be carried on in connection
with the reading, which proves that a prac-
tical use is made of the books.
Pictures always appeal to children, and to
satisfy a demand for "more pictures," four
new libraries of eleven books each, profusely
illustrated, have been added this spring.
We feel that there can be no more satis-
factory way of reaching the children than
through the medium of these good books,
for to them not only the children, but the
older ones in the community, will owe an
influence in their lives which can hardly be
overestimated.
Gr.ace R. Moody, Librarian.
FLORIDA SOCIETY
It may be of interest to some of your
readers to know that Florida, the land of
sunshine, flowers and balmy breezes, has at
last awakened to the fact that these com-
bined are not all that make their state so
attractive and so different. They find (even
the most unconcerned) that their rivers,
lakes and woods are strangely silent, and
that some of the old-time charm and beauty
has gone. The tourist misses the pictur-
esque Heron, the White Crane with his
wise look of intentness, as with one leg
poised he waits by some quiet sheet of water
for his daily meal. The woods are no
longer alive with birds darting hither and
thither and filling the air with their cheerful
songs, the cheer-up, cheer-up that de-
lighted our fancy. 'Fhe birtis whom we
were sure some years ago said Deivey,
Deivey, Deivey, and even the harsh note
of the pretty Blue Jay are in some parts of
the state things of the past. A visitor from
Porto Rico told me there were no birds there
and added, "to this you will soon come un-
less you protect your few remaining birds."
So some to whom these feathered songsters
are real friends, and who grieved to see
them so wantonly destroyed, met together
and the Florida Audubon sprang into exist-
ence. Hardiv had its work begun wluii it
suffered a great loss in the death ot its
founder, Mrs. L. F. Dommerich. But tiiose
who are still members will try and carry on
the work so wisely planned by her. At the
first annual meeting, March 8, great in-
terest was shown. Bishop Whipple* is still
its honored president, and many persons of
influence are enlisted in our ranks, and the
work is again going on. Letters from all
over the state are daily received by the sec-
retary and new members are being added.
In West Palm Beach and Daytona, very
active interest is shown and strong measures
taken to protect bird life. Literature and
leaflets are being distributed throughout the
state, and we trust in a few years our eyes
and ears will be gladdened as of old. Sun-
shine, flowers and the happy song of our
thousands of native birds, and Florida is
Paradise indeed.
Mrs. I. V.ANDERPOOL, Secretary.
For Our Encouragement
"Birds are ten times as numerous as they
were five years ago," said a farmer to me.
as we were driving along a country road in
North Missouri, in July, 1901.
"How do )'ou account for it?" I asked.
"Well," he replied, "there are several
reasons. Principally, because they are let
alone. The boys have stopped killing
them. There is no more demand for them
for women's hats. The farmers learned,
too, that their orchards and grain crops
were suffering from insects, and they were
informed by writers in the newspapers and
magazines that the remedy was in saving
the birds. So tiieir children were told not
to disturli tlu-m nor tiieir nests.
" I have seen a number of articles written
by women, in such papers as the New York
Tribune and St. Louis Globe- Democrat.
l)lea(ling for the birds, and remonstrating
against the wicked custom of wearing them
on hats. Such articles are quoted and
talked about in tin- country, and have a
great influence. Another thing;— we farm-
ers iiave made a fight against the English
Sparrow. We will not let him stav about
our barns or liouses. Fhe children are
- While this report is on the press we learn wilh ilrop
regret of Bishop Whipple's death. — El>.
