372 Bird -Lore 



birds has gone a long way in solving the problem of teaching others how to become 

 most certain of bird neighbors in all conditions of adverse light, distance, and unusual 

 phases of plumage. 



The exhibition described al)o\e has an added interest for our readers because of the 

 judicious and patriotic disposal of the proceeds of the entertainment. There cannot be 

 too much of this cooperation between Junior and State Societies. — A. H. W.] 



BIRD EXHIBITS IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES 



Marian A. Webb, of Fort Wayne, Ind., writes of a proposed i)lan to 

 hold bird exhibits in the pubhc hbraries of Indiana. The idea is an excellent 

 one. 



[For many reasons, public libraries, and particularly the children's dc])artments in 

 them, are most advantageously situated for the display of bird-exhibits as well as for 

 reaching a large number of people in a short time. Now that the public needs graphic 

 instruction in many essential points relative to national welfare and conservation, the 

 libraries throughout the land would do well to discuss some form of concerted action 

 in this connection. Food conservation exhibits are not infrequent in public buildings 

 like museums and libraries, and attract large numbers of interested persons who really 

 wish to learn the essential facts about present methods and needs in establishing regula- 

 tions which shall insure safety to ourselves and all nations now dependent upon us for 

 food. As time goes on, and the requirements of all the allied nations are being more care- 

 fully systematized, it becomes the duty of every thinking and patriotic person to obtain 

 information which is entirely reliable. Many who have neither time nor patience or, 

 perhaps, who cannot read the various conservation bulletins which are going broadcast 

 through the land, will grasp the truth and heed the warning conveyed by a carefully 

 arranged exhibit. Not alone birds but many other natural resources must be studied 

 with a view to wise conservation, and, for many persons, an exhibit which silently pre- 

 sents the actual state of affairs now existing, without comment or antagonizing argu- 

 ment, is more effective than lectures, bulletins, or personal appeals. Undoubtedlj', 

 thousands of adults and children came into sympathetic touch with the national situa- 

 tion last year, as well as with future national necessities, through the clear and truthful 

 presentation of the matter in the detailed exhibit shown in the main entrance hall of 

 the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Any exhibit, however 

 small its scale, can reach the public if it illustrates a fact truthfully. The cooperation 

 of libraries and museums is greatly to be desired at this juncture. — A. H. W.] 



ATTRACTING BIRDS TO MY HOME 



I would like to tell readers of Bird-Lore my lovely experience in tr\-ing 

 to attract the birds to my home. 



Our home, with its yard of trees, shrubbery, vines, and garden, faces a 

 small lake. The first summer we lived there we had very few birds. The 

 next year we put up nesting-boxes and began feeding the birds to make them 

 feel we were their friends. The food we used was only the left-overs from the 

 table, such as cereals, crumbs, and dry bread, which they carried away to their 

 babies as fast as we put it out. This summer we had thirty-six varieties, so you 

 can see what protection and food means to the birds. 



