The Brookline Bird Club 361 



thus giving all the members an opportunity for expressions of thought and 

 social intercourse, which could not be had in any other way. Junior members 

 are permitted to attend these meetings if they wish to, but other talks and 

 walks are arranged for them by Dr. John B. May. 



The walks for senior members are held every other Saturday during the 

 winter, though the members go somewhere every Saturday on walks that are 

 not provided for by the committee on walks and lectures. In the spring, 

 schedules are arranged for every Saturday, and, during the height of migration, 

 twice each week. So many persons have availed themselves of this instructive 

 field work that next year two walks with two leaders will be held the same day. 



The popularity of the bird exhibition held last year in connection with the 

 Forestry Department of the town, and described in detail in last year's report, 

 convinced the club directors that another should be held. The exhibition was 

 open the entire month of March and, in addition to last year's features, special 

 emphasis and more exhibits placed, showing the work done by the birds in the 

 destruction of insects. Sections of trees showing gypsy- and brown-tail-moth 

 nests, the work of leopard moths, elm tree beetles, and wood lice were dis- 

 played, and other specimens that were gathered by the men of the Forestry 

 Department, with the destructiveness of other pests in evidence, formed one 

 of the main features. More than fifty species of berry-bearing shrubs and 

 plants were displayed, with lists of shrubs near at hand telling what to plant 

 to attract the birds. A chart illustrating the work of the American Bird Band- 

 ing Association aroused much interest, as did large colored plates and maps 

 defining migration routes of many of the birds. A report of the activities of 

 the Bird Club would not be complete without a word concerning the services 

 of the Forestry Department in connection with bird protection. This depart- 

 ment has placed more than four hundred bird-boxes in the shade trees along 

 the streets in Brookline. Each box is numbered on the bottom, so that it can 

 be easily seen from below, and its location, occupant, and anything of interest 

 regarding it recorded in the superintendent's office. The boxes are of various 

 types and designs, some of them made by the department, and the results 

 are satisfactory. During the winter one hundred and fifty feeding-stations 

 are maintained all over the town, suet is fastened to the trees in wire screens, 

 and grain scattered after every snow- or sleet-storm. It is surprising how 

 readily the birds come to be fed, and the quickness with which they find these 

 stations. During the open season this fall, the posted land will be patrolled, to 

 guard against gunners and fire. 



Several members of the Club have spoken before other organizations of 

 the character of the Boy Scouts and bird clubs on 'How to Study Birds.' Com- 

 munications have been received from many places in other states in regard to 

 our work and exhibition. 



The Club, as a club, is now affiliated with the National Association of 

 Audubon Societies, Massachusetts Audubon Society, American Ornithologists 



