Mrs. John Dewhurst Patten, secretary of the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia, reports much valuable work. A course of six lectures was given by Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller, and others by Mr. Chapman and Dr. Palmer.
A successful and fashionably attended exhibit of millinery was held in April. Nine of the leading milliners contributed hats and bonnets, which, of course, were entirely free from wild bird feathers. The society has designed an Audubon pin after a drawing of the Robin, by Mr. Robert Ridgway. This has already been adopted by the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts societies. At the suggestion of the secretary of the Pennsylvania society, efforts have been directed towards the establishment of societies in the south.
In response to a great demand for a cheap book of information about local birds, this society has been instrumental in issuing 'Birds of Washington and Vicinity,'[C] by Mrs. L. W. Maynard--200 pages 12mo, illustrated, which may be had for the small sum of 85 cents. The price placing the volume within the reach of teachers and pupils in the public schools.
[Footnote C: See a review of this book in _Book News and Reviews_.]
Miss Clara Russell, corresponding secretary of the Ohio society, informs us that at a meeting held in Cincinnati on December 14 an Ohio Audubon society was organized with the following officers: President, William Hubbell Fisher; vice-president, William H. Venable; corresponding secretary, Miss Clara Russell; secretary, Mrs. T. B. Hastings; treasurer, Mrs. W. T. Armor.
On December 30 Miss Russell writes: "We have over fifty members, and feel much encouraged that we have aroused a sentiment in this locality to know more about our feathered friends, and to protect birds from being wantonly destroyed for pleasure, fashion, or the table."
[Illustration: pointing hand] Reports from the New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Societies, will appear in the April number.
VOL. 1 20c. a Copy No. 2 APRIL, 1899 $1 a Year
COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN _R. Weber_
Frontispiece--Least Bittern, Nest and Eggs. From a Photograph by E. G. Tabor. The Camera as an Aid in the Study of Birds. Illustrated. Concluded from February Number _Dr. Thomas S. Roberts_ 35 A Least Bittern Portrait. Illustrated _E. G. Tabor_ 39 Loons at Home. Illustrated. _William Dutcher_ 40 Photographing a Bluebird. Illustrated. _Robert W. Hegner_ 43 A Tragic St. Valentine's Day. _Annie Trumbull Slosson_ 45 Clark's Crows and Oregon Jays on Mount Hood. Illustrated. _Florence A. Merriam_ 46