210 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [11:4— Apr., 1915 



most children to realize what harm cats do to birds until they, 

 themselves, make careful note of it. But even then many children 

 and perhaps as many grownups regard the cat as highly as the 

 birds, and esteem her so valuable as a pet that the question of 

 getting along without cats is perhaps better omitted until the 

 children come finally to value birds at their true worth. Debates 

 on the subject are not only interesting but profitable. 



But in order that children shall make friends with the birds they 

 must become well acquainted with them. For this the first and 

 greatest requisite is a teacher who knows and loves birds. Her 

 enthusiasm and joy will be her best helpers. 



There are many ways of getting the children to make their 

 aquaintance. A search through the books on the subject in the 

 public library will often reveal unexpected help and inspiration. 

 A Nature Chart is a valuable addition to one's equipment if the 

 pictures are not too highly colored. One in our building has been 

 kept in almost constant use for several years. The children like to 

 look at it on rainy day recesses. It is a friend in time of need when 

 some child reports a bird the like of which never was on land or sea. 

 For children will persist in seeing tropical birds ! Another help is 

 found in the various bird societies such as Junior Audubon and 

 Libertv Bell. The cost of joining is little or nothing and the bene- 

 fits great. I have always found children eager to join. The 

 colored pictures sent to members of the former are often the 

 beginning of a fine collection which is most valuable if it be of 

 common birds. The badges are very popular. 



As children become interested in birds it is a good plan to keep 

 in some prominent place in the room, a record of the birds seen in 

 the vicinity with separate places for winter residents, migrants, and 

 summer residents. Or again, the chart may contain simply the 

 names and the date on which each was first seen. Unless one is 

 careful to insist on absolute accuracy of identification, however, 

 the children's tendency to see with their imaginations and to jump 

 at conclusions will prevent their ever obtaining that sense of keen 

 satisfaction which is given by positive knowledge, not guess work 

 ■ — in identification. 



Then when spring really arrives there comes an added inspiration 

 to nature-study — a free use of the out-of-doors. Then the record 

 shows new arrivals almost every day. Then the nests are being 



