LIBRARY IN ALTAMONT

Colony Club Responsible for Association Organized Monday Night — Trustees Elected — About $300 Already Raised.

At Sturges’ hall, Monday evening, May 8, the progressive Colony Club launched its latest project for the benefit and improvement of Altamont — a free library. This project had been planned by the club some time ago, and in fact rooms were rented this spring for that purpose. The meeting was open to members of the club, their husbands, and members of the old Knowersville Library association.

The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Robert W. Shannon, president of the club. Edward C. Sturges was chosen chairman of the meeting and Mrs. Charles E. Taber, secretary.

After stating the object of meeting, the chairman introduced Miss Webster, of the State Education department, Albany, who explained the advantages of each of three methods of organizing and maintaining a library: First, a “public library,” owned by the village and supported by taxation; second, a “free library,” owned by a chartered association and working under the general direction of the State Library and maintained by private subscriptions, and entitled to share in state moneys; third, a “private library,” open to members of the association only and maintained by book charge and annual dues.

After a thorough discussion, the “free library” was decided upon as most advisable, and it was unanimously voted to organize one. This gives free use of all books to any resident of the village.

AUDUBON BIRD NOTES.

During the past week the Audubon society of the Altamont school have been able, through the courtesy of Mr. O. Lainhart, to become intimately acquainted with one of the species of herons. The bird was captured because of an injury to one of its feet.

There are 75 species of herons, but only six or seven regularly visit the United States. Their large size renders them conspicuous, and though worthless as food, few sportsmen can resist the temptation of shooting them when opportunity offers. Several of the species are adorned during the nesting season with the beautiful aigrette plumes, and one can hardly blame the plume hunters, who are generally poor men, for killing birds whose plumes are worth their weight in gold. But there are no words with which to express condemnation of the man who kills one of the herons wantonly.

The presence of a stately heron or a crane adds an element to the landscape which no work of man can equal. Its grace of form and motion, its large size is a constant delight to the eye, a symbol of the wild in nature.

Herons are said to devour large quantities of fish. But is not the laborer worthy of his hire? Are the fish more valuable than this, one of the grandest birds?

The one captured in Altamont is big pearly-gray, standing fully two feet high, with black crowned head from which their long, narrow, white wedding feather falls over the black top of the back.
From the Audubons and from the conservation commission we are informed that the heron is protected both by state and federal law, and as soon as the bird has entirely recovered he must be set free.