NEW BIRDIES "FOR GOLFERS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 6 December 1930, Page 25

NEW BIRDIES "FOR GOLFERS

SANCTUARY COURSES PROPOSED

Converting golf courses into bird sanctuaries not only for the benefit of the bird but for the improvement of the turf and the enjoyment of the golfer was the subject of a report by Dr. Arthur A. Alben, professor of ornithology, at Cornell University, made before the Massachusetts branch of the American Ornithologists' Union meeting, says the Boston "Christian Science Monitor.'-' The project was begun by the National Association of Audubon Societies less than a year ago, and tried out in New York, Dr. Alben declared. It has been productive of satisfae--tory results, he said, since out of 330 golf clubs in New York which were circularised to enlist their co-operation, 114 responded and 35 have gone ahead with the proposal for making sanctuaries of their courses. "The idea is taking hold," Dr. Alben told Ms audience. "Bequests for information have come to us from all over the country, and from Germany and Australia. The project,.as outlined by the Audubon Societies, suggests making available more nesting places for birds by putting.up bird houses appropriate to the course and suitable for the birds. In this work the aid of Boy Scouts' and caddies is enlisted, developing in the boys employed about the ..place a greater interest in the club and providing for their leasure time. " The plan" also suggests the planting of trees, like the mulberry and the dogwood, which are not only attractive in themselves," but provide bird food. When water is not available, it is proposed/to put in bird baths. Some clubs have made water fowl sanctuaries of their water hazards, which attract especially the beautiful wood ducks. The

added bit of activity is a delightful and desirable feature."

A motion picture film illustrating the project has been prepared, and is available for golf clubs anywhere. The representative committee working earnestly for the project,-it was said, includes Bobby Jones, the golf champion; Grantland Rice, sports writer; Bruce Barton; Eugene Wilson, vice-president of the American Telephone and, Telegraph Company; Dr. Frank N. Chapman, of the American Museum of Natural History, New York; and T._ Gilbert Pearson, president 'of the National Association of Audubon Societies. Speaking of the activities of the Audubon Society, Dr. Pearson told the "Christian Science Monitor," that the protection of the 150,000 birds in the everglades' of Florida until that area is" set off as a national park was a project receiving the society's close attention. He said they had raised money and organised a -wander force of eight men to patrol the area and guard the nests of the egrets and herons. Concerning bird protection in Europe, Dr.-Pearson said that the sentiment in Switzerland is fine,' that Northern Europe, England, Scandinavia, and Germany have active agencies for protection of the birds, and that in Southern Europe the sentiment is growing. An interesting and satisfactory result of the passage in Ohio five years ago of a law putting the quail on. the songbird list, was outlined by Dr. W. C. Herman, of Cincinnati) Five years ago, Dr. Herman said, you could not find a quail in, Ohio. Since that law went into effect they have been coming back, and now they are frequently on our doorsteps, ten minutes from the post office, in the heart of the city. The "Bob White" is a frequent visitor.-