472 Bird - Lore 



urgent reasons to the contrary, it is best to concentrate on the endeavor to 

 teach children the value, the beauty and the attractiveness of birds, rather 

 than to spend time in an endeavor to convert the older people, whose interests 

 in life have become more or less rigid and permanent. Moreover, the brilliance 

 and liveliness which some forms especially exhibit appeal more strongly to 

 children than to older persons. Likewise, for a number of reasons, childhood 

 is the time when an individual should make his or her acquaintance with 

 nature. 



For these reasons, we are devoting our energies to the publication of our 

 monthly paper "By the Wayside." Herein we have two departments; one for 

 older people, in which we present subjects on general, as well as on special, 

 phases of bird life. The children's department we try to make true to its 

 name; not a very easy task. Here we present sketches of common birds, stories, 

 and contributions from our younger correspondents. 



What we consider of especial importance is the endeavor to furnish teachers 

 with material and topics for class work. Educators the country over admit 

 the value of nature-study, but many cannot introduce it for the lack of com- 

 petent teachers. We are trying to bridge the gap. — Roland E. Kremers, 

 Acting Secretary. 



