Three Years After 



203 



In the second unit there are three large picture groups: (i) One of Ducks 

 and other Shore-birds of the New England coast. (2) A wood scene, with per- 

 spective glimpses of hills and meadows, against which are grouped many of 

 the birds of prey and the chief mammals of Connecticut, shown because of 

 the relation of some to the destruction of game-birds, i. e., a gray fox is shown 

 stalking some Quail while the fox cub in its den is nosing the remains of a 

 RufTed Grouse, etc. (3) A picture group of the Sanctuary itself is used to 

 show all the birds that have either nested therein, rested there during the 

 migrations, or been its winter guests. The value of this group is to show 

 students the scope of bird-life that may be found in the neighborhood, as the 



• ■fyi??^j 



A VlMlOk 



records kept by the warden place the (lisi)lay upon a scientific basis and 

 eliminate anything like guesswork. 



The arrangement of our little museum aimsal doing awa\' with iheconfusion 

 that falls upon the amateur when \isiting great collections, for we limit our- 

 .sclves to lairds common to Connecticut, and, in addition lo the picture grt)ups, 

 we are developing three "study cases" wherein the birds are shown in |)airs, 

 or male, female and immature, and plainly labeled. 



Have people tired of the exhibit? No. Those who came at tir>l from mere 

 curiosity, came again with interested friends. Teachers make \isits a rewani 

 of merit for their Junior Classes, and automobilists leave the i)ost-road lo "lake 

 in Hirdi raft." Our last annual record of visitors was 6,200 peo|)le, a small nuni- 

 l)er for a tit\ nui>eum. but \erv signiticant for a rural, cottage affair. The use 



