thirty-five of these islands have been occupied by breeding colonies, not including several small ledges, where scattering pairs overflowing from near-by colonies gather to nest. The Association has continued to exercise a guardianship, as usual, over these birds, to protect them as far as possible from eggers, and from possible raids of Indians, who annually sell Gulls' wings in the towns of Nova Scotia.

In addition to those watching the Maine colonies, the Association's line of wardens extends southward along the coast, stationed at various places in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. Three others are stationed in Florida, and two in Louisiana. These latter are employed jointly with the Government to guard some of the Federal bird-reservations of that southern territory. Colonies of birds at various points inland, notably on Moosehead Lake, Maine, and in Lake Michigan, are protected in like manner.

The wardens make many reports of their work, and, in addition, we frequently receive special reports from ornithologists who visit these regions. It is, of course, highly interesting to note the extent of bird-life found in these great bird-communities, and to observe how far the Association is successful in protecting the feathered inhabitants from their human enemies, in order that they may have normal increase from year to year.

When the colonies are small, it is possible to determine with accuracy the extent of the bird-population. Where, however, many thousands of birds assemble on one of these rookery islands, any account given of their numbers must be more or less in the form of an estimate. For several years the Secretary has made it a point each season to visit a few, at least, of the guarded colonies. From observations made on these occasions, he feels justified in saying that the report showing the numbers of breeding-birds here submitted is very conservative.

In the fourteen colonies of Herring Gulls protected during the past summer, it is estimated that there were 59,420 adult birds inhabiting the islands; in the eleven colonies of Common and Arctic Terns, 50,240; and in five colonies of Black Guillemots, 1,540. Among the other more numerous species, we may mention Least Terns, 9,550; Forster's Terns, 5,225; Royal Terns, 17,500; Cabot's Terns, 3,800; Clapper Rails, 5,000; Puffins, 600; Eider Ducks, 100; Leach's Petrels, 5,000; Laughing Gulls, 118,400; Mergansers, 200; Pelicans, 4,500; Ospreys, 200; Louisiana Herons, 25,700; Black-crowned Night Herons, 3,000; and Black Skimmers, 15,500, in addition to large numbers of Willets, Caspian Terns, Spotted Sandpipers, and Wilson's Plovers.

The enumeration above does not include, of course, many thousands of land-birds, which, in these isolated spots, are apparently in no special danger of human disturbance; nor does it include the tens of thousands of Wild Ducks that in certain seasons of the year are found on some of the guarded reservations.

The income from the Mary Dutcher Memorial Fund has been expended

the past year in protecting these birds, in which President Dutcher has long taken so warm and personal an interest.

EGRET PROTECTION

Quite aside from this general warden work, is our special effort for the protection of Egrets, on behalf of which sixteen guards were employed during the past spring and summer. These colonies are situated in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Egrets, today, are not sufficiently abundant to cause much embarrassment in determining the numbers that inhabit any particular colony; especially has this been the case with those rookeries in Florida which have been personally visited by Oscar E. Baynard, our Supervising Warden for that state. During the past summer, Mr. Baynard spent many days struggling through these rookeries to count the occupied nests, and in doing so he was often forced to wade waist-deep in water infested with moccasins, alligators, and innumerable unpleasant insects, as the Secretary can testify, after having accompanied him on one of these expeditions.

In the eleven colonies of large Egrets protected, and carefully counted, we believe there were about 5,100 birds; while the count of Snowy Egrets, in thirteen colonies, was 2,375. With few exceptions, Egrets were found in rookeries inhabited by numerous other wading-birds. Counts and estimates of these show Black-crowned Night Herons, 1,055; Louisiana Herons, 6,200 (in addition to those being cared for by the general warden force, above referred to); Ward's Herons, 1,000; Green Herons, 800; Least Bitterns, 700; Water Turkeys, 2,922; Purple Gallinules, 1,500; Florida Gallinules, 2,000; Little Blue Herons, 7,076; White Ibis, 26,800; and Wood Ibis, 60,500.

It is with special pleasure that we record the presence, in our protected colonies, of 160 Limpkins and 147 Roseate Spoonbills, scattered through five rookeries; also three pairs of the now extremely rare Glossy Ibis. Other interesting birds that have had protection in these guarded nesting-groups are Wood Ducks, Great Blue Herons, Swallow-tailed Kites, King Rails, Boattailed Grackles, Florida Redwings, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, and Florida Dusky Ducks.

Many of the estimates given above, particularly those in reference to the Wood Ibis, the Little Blue, and the Louisiana Herons, are far beneath the true figures. I believe it very conservative to state that about 550,000 waterbirds of various kinds received admirable protection from their human enemies during the nesting season of 1914, as a result of the watchful efforts of this Association.

JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASSES

The greatest reward of the conscientious teacher is to watch the minds of her pupils unfold and develop under her guidance. Some suggestion of this is

the sensation which those of us feel who have been instrumental in preparing for the rapid growth of the Junior Audubon Movement.

Last year it was reported in these pages that 52,000 children were enrolled in these classes. The school-year which closed July 1, 1914, revealed the fact that the growth this year had shown an increase of over one hundred per cent. In the Southern States, 19,121 children joined as Junior Members, and in the North, 95,918; making a grand total for the year of 115,039 enrolled. Think

LAKE, FLORIDA

Photographed by Oscar E. Baynard

what an army of young bird-students is recruited each year; for every one of these thousands has systematically studied the habits and activities of at least ten birds, has made colored drawings of them, and has worn the Audubon Button, as well as receiving instruction in the building of bird-nesting boxes and the feeding of birds in winter.

Two persons are responsible for all this, and without their support practically nothing in this line would be accomplished. One is Mrs. Russell Sage, whose generous gift of $5,000 a year makes possible the work in the South; and the other is a good friend of the birds and of the children, who last year provided $14,000 for extending this effort in the other states of the Union. I regret that we are forbidden to mention the name of this benefactor. This

work will go steadily forward the coming year, for Mrs. Sage has renewed her subscription, and our generous, unnamed patron has already subscribed $20,000 for the Junior work in the North.

The amount of labor devolving upon the office force in placing this subject before the teachers of the country, and later in supplying the teachers and pupils with leaflets, pictures, and buttons, can be guessed only by those who have visited the offices of the Association. In this Junior endeavor, we have, during the past year, enjoyed, as heretofore, the hearty coöperation of many of the State Societies, especially those of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida.

LEGISLATION

Few states held legislative sessions during the year of 1914. In Massachusetts, the usual attempts were made to modify adversely the laws protecting birds and game. The Audubon workers of that state, assisted by others similarly interested, successfully withstood these onslaughts, and took the initiative in endeavoring to secure certain additional restrictions much needed.

In Virginia, we aided the State Society in its renewed efforts to secure the establishment of a State Game Commission. A very heavy campaign for the support of the proposed measure was waged throughout the state, but once more the legislature went on record, by a narrow margin, as being opposed to a modern state game-warden system.

A wide campaign of more than usual intensity has been waged in California during the past summer and autumn to defeat the efforts of the marketmen, who were seeking to secure the repeal of the law which prohibits the sale of wild-fowl. It has been a great pleasure to your Board to be able to contribute to the expenses of our associates in this work.

We have also contributed financially to the strenuous efforts being made by our English friends to secure an act of Parliament prohibiting the importation of feathers. The unfortunate war now raging put this work at an end for the present, when victory was almost in sight.

We were particularly engrossed, for some weeks early in the year, in helping to bring before Congress the necessity of appropriating not less than $50,000 for the use of the Department of Agriculture, in enforcing the regulations established under the Federal Migratory-Bird Law. Our joy at the successful outcome of these efforts on our part, and on the part of others, was much dampened later, when, as a result of political pressure, those representatives of the Department of Agriculture empowered to make restrictive regulations regarding the killing of birds deemed it necessary to recede in many points from the stand previously taken. Especially do we deplore the action by which all Federal protection was removed from Bobolinks in the states of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, thus giving the Govern

ment's stamp of approval to the slaughter of these beautiful song-birds during an open season in these states. This Association protested most earnestly against what we regard as an unwarranted and unnecessary concession to the destroyers of bird-life; and we shall not rest content until Bobolinks are accorded the complete Federal protection they so justly deserve.

FIELD AGENTS

The Board employed five field agents and lecturers during the past year for a part or all of their time. Miss Katherine H. Stuart, of Virginia, has continued her active and resourceful efforts, and the cause of the birds has been championed by her in every nook and corner of the Old Dominion. Winthrop Packard has divided his time between his duties as field agent and lecturer for the National Association and his duties as Secretary of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Dr. Eugene Swope has done yeo man service not only in his home state, Ohio, but traveled for four months in Florida, where he lectured in every town and city of any importance.

William L. Finley, of Oregon, and Arthur H. Norton, of Maine, have been as active in the interests of the Association as their other duties would admit.

Edward H. Forbush, although he resigned last year as an active agent of the Association, has nevertheless continued in the capacity of an honorary supervising Audubon agent for New England.

Details of the work of these representatives of the Association will be presented more fully by them in their reports, printed elsewhere in these pages.

A NEW DEPARTMENT

Of late there has been growing rapidly a demand for exact information regarding the best methods of attracting birds about the home and on the farm, as well as incessant calls for information as to proper means to be employed in rearing Ducks, Geese, Pheasants, and other wild game-birds by artificial means. The Directors felt that it would be well for the Association to meet the needs called for by this new demand by employing someone to give all his time to collecting such information, and to carrying it to the public by means of lectures and bulletins. Mr. Herbert K. Job, well known as a lecturer and author, who has for some time occupied the office of State Ornithologist of Connecticut, was chosen for this undertaking, and began his duties on August 1, 1914.

The Department of Applied Ornithology we expect to develop rapidly, and shall hope from time to time to be able to report marked progress.