at the suggestion of the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia,
in the belief that a local work giving untechnical descriptions of all
birds likely to be seen in this vicinity, with something of the haunts
and habits of those that nest here, will be useful to many who desire
an acquaintance with our own birds, but do not know just how to go
about making it."
The book seems admirably adapted to achieve this end. The opening pages
by Miss Merriam are a capital introduction to the study of birds in
the District of Columbia. They are followed by 'A Field Key to Our
Common Land Birds,' and attractively written biographical sketches of
the breeding species. The migrants and winter residents are treated
more briefly, and an annotated 'List of All Birds Found in the District
of Columbia,' by Dr. C. W. Richmond, is given. There are also nominal
lists of winter birds, birds that nest within the city limits, etc.,
and an 'Observation Outline,' abridged from Miss Merriam's 'Birds of
Village and Field.'
The book is, in fact, a complete manual of ornithology for the District
of Columbia, and will undoubtedly prove an efficient guide to the study
of the birds of that region.
Bird-Life: A Guide to the Study of Our Common Birds. Teachers'
Edition. By Frank M. Chapman. With 75 full-page plates and
numerous text-drawings by Ernest Seton Thompson. D. Appleton & Co.
New York. 1899. 12mo, pages xiv + 269 + Appendix, pages 87.
This is the original edition of 'Bird-Life,' with an Appendix designed
to adapt the work for use in schools. The new matter consists of
questions on the introductory chapters of 'Bird-Life,' as, for
instance, 'The Bird, its Place in Nature and Relation to Man,'
'Form and Habit,' 'Color,' 'Migration,' etc.; and, under the head
of 'Seasonal Lessons,' a review of the bird-life of a year based on
observations made in the vicinity of New York City. This includes a
statement of the chief characteristics of each month, followed by a
list of the birds to be found during the month, and, for the spring and
early summer months, a list of birds to be found nesting.
For the use of teachers and students residing in other parts of
the eastern United States there are annotated lists of birds from
Washington, D. C., by Dr. C. W. Richmond; Philadelphia, Pa., by Witmer
Stone; Portland, Conn., by J. H. Sage; Cambridge, Mass., by William
Brewster; St. Louis, Mo., by Otto Widmann; Oberlin, Ohio, by Lynds
Jones, and Milwaukee, Wis., by H. Nehrling.
The Appletons have also issued this book in the form of a 'Teachers'
Manual,' which contains the same text as the 'Teachers' Edition,' but
lacks the seventy-five uncolored plates.
This 'Teachers' Manual' is intended to accompany three 'Teachers'
Portfolios of Plates,' containing in all one hundred plates, of which
ninety-one, including the seventy-five plates published in 'Bird-Life,'
are colored, while nine are half-tone reproductions of birds' nests
photographed in nature. The one hundred plates are about equally
divided in portfolios under the titles of 'Permanent Residents and
Winter Visitants,' 'March and April Migrants,' and 'May Migrants and
Types of Nests and Eggs.'
Audubon Bird Chart
A most practical step in Audubon educational work is the publication,
by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, of a chart giving life-size,
colored illustrations of twenty-six of our common birds. On the whole,
both in drawing and coloring, these birds are excellent, and while a
severe critic might take exception to some minor inaccuracies, the
chart may be commended as the best thing of the kind which has come to
our attention. It is accompanied by a pamphlet containing well written
biographies, by Mr. Ralph Hoffmann, of the species figured. The chart
is published by the Prang Educational Company, of Boston, from whom,
with Mr. Hoffmann's booklet, it may be purchased for one dollar.
=Bird-Lore=
A Bi-monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
=Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN=
=Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY=
=====================================================
Vol. 1 February, 1899 No. 1
=====================================================
=SUBSCRIPTION RATES.=
Price in the United States, Canada, and Mexico,
twenty cents a number, one dollar a year, postage
paid.
Subscriptions may be sent to the Publishers, at
Harrisburg, Pa., or 66 Fifth avenue, New York City,
or to the Editor, at Englewood, New Jersey.
Price in all countries in the International Postal
Union, twenty-five cents a number, one dollar and
a quarter a year, postage paid. Foreign agents,
Macmillan and Company, Ltd., London.
-----------------------------------------------------
Manuscripts for publication, books, etc., for review,
should be sent to the Editor at Englewood,
New Jersey.
-----------------------------------------------------
Advertisements should be sent to the Publishers
at 66 Fifth avenue, New York City.
-----------------------------------------------------
COPYRIGHTED, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.
-----------------------------------------------------
During the past six years New York and Boston publishers have sold
over 70,000 text-books on birds, and the ranks of bird students are
constantly growing. With this phenomenal and steadily increasing
interest in bird-studies, there has arisen a widespread demand for a
popular journal of ornithology which should be addressed to observers
rather than to collectors of birds, or, in short, to those who study
"birds through an opera-glass."
The need of such a journal has also been felt by the Audubon societies,
and in concluding his report for the year 1898, Mr. Witmer Stone,
chairman of the American Ornithologists' Union's Committee on Bird
Protection, remarks on the necessity of a "magazine devoted to popular
ornithology which could serve as an organ for the various societies and
keep the members in touch with their work. All societies which have
reached a membership of several thousand realize that it is impossible
to communicate with their members more than once or twice a year,
owing to the cost of postage, and the success of the societies depends
largely upon keeping in communication with their members."
It is to supply this want of bird students and bird protectors that
Bird-Lore has been established. On its behalf we promise to spare no
effort to make it all that the most ardent bird student could desire,
and, in the event of our success, we would appeal to all bird-lovers
for such support as we may be deemed worthy to receive.
We have issued a 'Prospectus,' setting forth in part the aims of
Bird-Lore, and as a matter of permanent record, we enter its substance
here. It stated that Bird-Lore would attempt to fill a place in the
journalistic world similar to that occupied by the works of Burroughs,
Torrey, Dr. van Dyke, Mrs. Miller, and others in the domain of books.
This is a high standard, but our belief that it will be reached
will doubtless be shared when we announce that, with one or two
exceptions, every prominent American writer on birds in nature has
promised to contribute to Bird-Lore during the coming year. The list of
contributors includes the authors just mentioned, Mabel Osgood Wright,
Annie Trumbull Slosson, Florence A. Merriam, J. A. Allen, William
Brewster, Henry Nehrling, Ernest Seton Thompson, Otto Widmann, and
numerous other students of bird-life.
The Audubon Department, under Mrs. Wright's care, will be a
particularly attractive feature of the magazine, one which, we trust,
is destined to exert a wide influence in advancing the cause of
bird-protection.
The illustrations will consist of half-tone reproductions of birds
and their nests from nature, and on the basis of material already in
hand, we can assure our readers that, whether judged separately or as
a whole, this volume of Bird-Lore will contain the best photographs of
wild birds which have as yet been published in this country.
At present Bird-Lore will contain from thirty-two to forty pages, but
should our efforts to produce a magazine on the lines indicated be
appreciated, we trust that the near future will witness a material
increase in the size of each number.
=The Audubon Societies=
"_You cannot with a scalpel find the poet's soul,
Nor yet the wild bird's song._"
Edited by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright (President of the Audubon Society of
the State of Connecticut), Fairfield, Conn., to whom all communications
relating to the work of the Audubon and other Bird Protective Societies
should be addressed.
DIRECTORY OF STATE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
With names and addresses of their Secretaries.
=New Hampshire= Mrs. F. W. Batchelder, Manchester.
=Massachusetts= Miss Harriet E. Richards, care Boston Society
of Natural History, Boston.
=Rhode Island= Mrs. H. T. Grant, Jr., 187 Bowen street,
Providence.
=Connecticut= Mrs. Henry S. Glover, Fairfield.
=New York= Miss Emma H. Lockwood, 243 West Seventy-fifth
street, New York City.
=New Jersey= Miss Mary A. Mellick, Plainfield.
=Pennsylvania= Mrs. Edward Robins, 114 South Twenty-first
street, Philadelphia.
=District of Columbia= Mrs. John Dewhurst Patten, 3033 P street,
Washington.
=Wheeling, W. Va.= Elizabeth I. Cummins, 1314 Chapline street,
(branch of Penn Society) Wheeling.
=Ohio= Miss Clara Russell, 903 Paradrome street,
Cincinnati.
=Indiana= Amos W. Butler, State House, Indianapolis.
=Illinois= Miss Mary Drummond, Wheaton.
=Iowa= Miss Nellie S. Board, Keokuk.
=Wisconsin= Mrs. George W. Peckham, 646 Marshall street,
Milwaukee.
=Minnesota= Mrs. J. P. Elmer, 314 West Third street,
St. Paul.
This department will be devoted especially to the interests of active
Audubon workers, and we earnestly solicit their assistance, as our
success in making it a worthy representative of the cause for which it
stands largely depends upon the heartiness of their coöperation. Others
also, who are lovers and students of nature in many forms, but who
have never, for divers reasons, engaged in any bird protective work,
may, through reading of the systematic and effective methods of the
societies, become convinced of the necessity of personal action.
We intend at once to establish the more practical side of the
department by printing in an early issue a bibliography of Audubon
Society publications, in order that anyone interested may know exactly
what literature has appeared and is available. For this reason we ask
the secretaries of all the societies to send us a complete set of their
publications, stating, if possible, the number of each which has been
circulated, and, when for sale, giving the price at which they may be
obtained.
We also request the secretaries to send us all possible news of
their plans and work, not merely statistics, but notes of anything
of interest, for even the record of discouragements, as well as of
successes, may often prove full of suggestion to workers in the same
field, and aid toward developments that will broaden and strengthen the
entire movement. A movement in complete harmony with the great desire
of thinking people for a broader life in nature, which is one of the
most healthful and hopeful features of the close of this century.
M. O. W.
Reports of Societies[A]
[Footnote A: The editor acknowledges the receipt from Mr. Witmer
Stone, chairman of the Committee on Bird Protection of the American
Ornithologists' Union, of a number of the following reports, which,
before the establishment of an official organ for the Audubon
Societies, had been sent to Mr. Stone for inclusion in his annual
report to the A. O. U., from which, through lack of space, they were
necessarily omitted.]
THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY
The Massachusetts Audubon Society has reissued the Audubon Calendar
of last year and it is having a good sale. The drawings were made
especially for the calendar by a member of the society; the originals
are painted in water colors on Japanese rice paper, and are very
artistic bird portraits. The same artist is now at work on drawings of
new birds for a calendar for 1900, which the directors hope will be
reproduced by a more accurate and satisfactory process.
The Bird Chart of colored drawings of twenty-six common birds, which
the Directors undertook last spring, is now ready. The drawings have
all been especially made for the chart by E. Knobel and are reproduced
by the Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Co., on twelve stones. Some of
our best ornithologists have seen the color proof and pronounce it
good. The society has published a descriptive pamphlet to accompany the
chart which has been prepared by Ralph Hoffmann. His sketches of the
birds are delightfully written, and the book is valuable in itself.[B]
[Footnote B: See note on this chart and pamphlet in _Book News and
Reviews_.]
The Directors have recently sent out a new circular mainly in Boston
and vicinity, which briefly describes the work undertaken and asks
for further coöperation from interested persons, and states that
"in addition to our first object, the support of other measures of
importance for the further protection of our native birds has been
assumed by the Society." Among such measures may be mentioned:
1. Circulation of literature.
2. Improved legislation in regard to the killing of birds, and the
better enforcement of present laws.
3. Protection during the season for certain breeding places of Gulls,
Herons and other birds, which, without such protection will soon be
exterminated.
4. Educational measures. This includes the publication of colored wall
charts of birds, Audubon Calendars and other helps to bird study.
The response to this circular has been gratifying.
The society now numbers over twenty-four hundred persons, twenty-six
of these are Life Associates, having paid twenty-five dollars at one
time; four hundred and seventy-five are Associates, paying one dollar
annually; the remaining are Life Members, having paid twenty-five cents.
While the rage for feather decoration is unabated, we feel that there
is steadily growing a sentiment among our best people in condemnation
of the custom. There is a noticeable decrease in the use of aigrettes
and of our native birds, excepting the Terns and the plumage of the
Owl; and a marked increase in the employment of the wings and feathers
of the barnyard fowl. While the latter continue to feed the fashion
they are harmless in themselves.
Harriet E. Richards, _Sec'y._
THE RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY
The Audubon Society of Rhode Island was organized in October, 1897, and
has now about 350 members.
The purposes of the society, according to its by-laws, are: the
promotion of an interest in bird-life, the encouragement of the study
of ornithology, and the protection of wild birds and their eggs. Some
work has been done in the schools, abstracts of the state laws relating
to birds have been circulated throughout the state, lectures have been
given, and a traveling library has been purchased for the use of the
branch societies.
Nearly five thousand circulars of various kinds have been distributed,
and it is evident that the principles of the society are becoming well
known and are exerting an influence, even in that difficult branch of
Audubon work, the millinery crusade.
Annie M. Grant, _Sec'y._
THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY
A score of ladies met in Fairfield on January 28, 1898, and formed
"The Audubon Society of the State of Connecticut." Mrs. James Osborne
Wright was chosen president and an executive committee provisionally
elected, representing so far as possible at the beginning, the State of
Connecticut.
An effort was made to find every school district in the state, and
a Bird-Day programme was sent to 1,350 of these schools. Care was
naturally used to see that the rural schools, at least, should be
reached. Through the kindness of Congressman Hill of this district, one
of our vice-presidents, 740 copies of Bulletin No. 54, 'Some Common
Birds in their Relation to Agriculture,' issued by the United States
Department of Agriculture, were received by the secretary, and 600 of
these have been mailed to individuals.
The Society has had two lectures prepared, one by Willard G. Van Name,
entitled 'Facts About Birds That Concern the Farmer,' illustrated by
sixty colored lantern slides, and one by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright, on
'The Birds About Home,' illustrated by seventy colored slides. A parlor
stereopticon has been purchased for use in projecting the slides.
The lectures and slides are intended primarily for the use of the local
secretaries of the society, and after these for such members of the
society as desire to give educational entertainments in the interest of
bird protection.
The only expense connected with the use of the lectures and slides will
be the expressage from Fairfield to place and return.
Under no circumstances will the outfit be allowed to go outside of the
State of Connecticut.
The oil lantern accompanying the slides is suitable for a large parlor
or school room, and can be worked by anyone understanding the focussing
of a photographic camera, but it is advised that when the audience is
to be composed of more than fifty people the exhibitor should secure a
regular stereopticon.
Applications should be made at least two weeks before the outfit is
desired.
_No admission fee is to be charged at any entertainment at which the
outfit is used_, the intention of the Audubon Society of the State of
Connecticut being to furnish free information about our birds, and so
win many, who may never have given the matter a thought, to a sense of
the necessity and wisdom of their protection.
The secretary is glad to report on January 1, 1899, that the society
has had practical proof of the success of its experiment in sending out
these free illustrated lectures. Much interest has been awakened by
them, and the State Board of Agriculture has listed both lectures for
the Farmers' Institutes, held during the winter months. Much enterprise
is being shown by local secretaries. An illustrated lecture by Mrs.
Kate Tryon, having been given in Bridgeport, November 19, under the
auspices of Miss Grace Moody (local secretary), Mrs. Howard N. Knapp,
and Mrs. C. K. Averill. While Mr. Frank M. Chapman lectured before a
large audience at the Stamford High School, on December 2, under the
auspices of Mrs. Walter M. Smith, the local secretary of that city.
Harriet D. C. Glover,
_Cor. Sec'y and Treas._
NEW YORK SOCIETY
Since November, 1897, the society has distributed 13,465 leaflets,
making a total distribution of over 40,000 since its organization on
February 23, 1897.
In spite of this large circulation of literature, the society has only
529 members, including 9 patrons, 7 sustaining members, 356 members,
157 junior members.
Financially, the society is now in a sound condition.
During the year two public meetings have been held in the large lecture
hall of the American Museum of Natural History, at both of which the
hall was well filled. Addresses were made by Dr. Henry van Dyke, Dr.
Heber Newton, and others.
A 'Bird Talk' was also given by Mr. W. T. Hornaday, at the house of one
of the honorary vice-presidents, which was well attended.
In educational work we have secured the publication of a paper on 'The
Relation of Birds to Trees,' by Florence A. Merriam, in the annual
Arbor Day Manual of New York State, and Mr. Chapman, chairman of
our Executive Committee, reports that in connection with Professor
Bickmore, of the American Museum's Department of Public Instruction,
and a committee representing the science teachers of the fourteen
normal colleges of the State, he has prepared a course in bird study
for the normal colleges for the present year.
Further interest in birds was shown by the science teachers of the
State in their invitation to Mr. Chapman to address them on the subject
of 'The Educational Value of Bird Study,' during their convention, held
in New York City, December 29-30, 1898.
That the good work accomplished cannot be gauged by the number
of members is proved by the constant reports received from local
secretaries and others, telling of classes formed for bird study, of
clubs that have taken up the subject, of bird exercises in schools,
etc. If all these silent sympathizers would only realize how much the
cause might be strengthened by open, concerted action, shown by a large
membership roll of the Audubon Society, its influence would be greatly
increased.
Emma H. Lockwood, _Sec'y._
NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
We have at present 124 members and have distributed over 1,000 general
circulars in regard to the work, and 1,000 aigrette circulars written
by Mr. Chapman. We expect to have new literature issued during the
coming year, and are now having the State bird-laws printed for
distribution.
Mary A. Mellick, _Sec'y._
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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_.]
OHIO SOCIETY
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
=Bird-Lore=
[Illustration]
Edited by
FRANK M. CHAPMAN
The Macmillan Company
ENGLEWOOD, N. J.
NEW YORK LONDON
COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN _R. Weber_
=Bird-Lore=
April, 1899
CONTENTS
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
FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
Suggestions for Bird-Day Programs in the Schools. _C. A. Babcock_ 49
Summer Boarders for Boys and Girls. 51
A Bird-Day Program. _Elizabeth V. Brown_ 54
Migration Tables for April and May. _Dr. A. K. Fisher_ 52
FOR YOUNG OBSERVERS
The Legend of the Salt. Illustrated. _Frank M. Chapman_ 55
The February Walk Contest. 57
A February Walk in Central Park. _Floyd C. Noble_ 57
The Myth of the Song Sparrow. Illustrated. _Ernest Seton Thompson_ 59