THE IMMORTAL NIGHTINGALE 247 



which to compose an essay on the bird, selected — 

 the gist of his observations; to be reminded at the 

 same time that he is one of the team of nine chosen 

 for the work, that the eyes of the village are on him, 

 that he must do his best to win the county shield for 

 the school. The conditions are not too favourable; 

 nevertheless, the children are doing remarkably 

 well, because, as I have said, their heart is in it, and 

 one is delighted to find that this study of a bird has 

 not only quickened the child's interest in nature but 

 has taught him to think of the bird in a new way, 

 with the feeling which seeks to protect. We may 

 safely say that these children will not forget this new 

 lesson they are being taught, whatever else may drop 

 out of their memories when they leave school; that 

 in coming time, when they are fathers and mothers 

 themselves, they will instil the same feeling into 

 their own children. 



This then of all the various efforts we have made 

 and are making to save the wild-bird life of our 

 country is to my mind the most promising for the 

 future, and makes it possible to believe that the bird 

 of greatest lustre we possess, our nightingale, will 

 not only maintain its own ground in undiminished 

 numbers, but in due time will increase and extend 

 its range. 



