chapter two

hundred and seventy-six of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-six, or wears such feathers for the purpose of dress or ornament, shall be punished as provided in said section: _provided_ that his act shall not be construed to prohibit persons having the certificate provided for in said sections from taking or killing such birds; and _provided, further,_ that this act shall not apply to Natural History Associations, or to the proprietors of museums, or other collections for scientific purposes.

_"Approved June 11, 1897."_

The Statute was copied in several other States. I think the petition helped a good deal the healthy reaction which, owing largely to the efforts of humane societies and Natural History Associations and especially of some very accomplished ladies, has arrested the destruction of these beautiful ornaments of our woods and fields and gardens, "our fellow pilgrims on the journey of life," who have so much of humanity in them and who, like us, have their appointed tasks set to them by the great Creator.

##