252 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



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 re- 

 markably 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 main- 

 tain its own ground in undiminished numbers, but in due 

 time will increase and extend its range. 



