Cfje ^ububon Societies; 



SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 



Edited by ALICE HALL 'WALTER 



Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- 

 ment to the Editor, 67 Oriole Avenue, Providence, R. I. 



A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE 



In the preceding issue of Bird-Lore, bird-clubs were described in detail. 

 Another phase of activity is described in the following article, showing how a 

 State Audubon Society took advantage of the opportunity to add an exhibit to 

 a Pure Food Fair, which was open to the public for two weeks, during which 

 time 75,000 or more people were in attendance. The expense necessary to pres- 

 ent an exhibit of sufficient magnitude to attract attention was a source of some 

 anxiety to the Society, but the success of the exhibit fully justified the venture. 

 —A. H. W. 



AN AUDUBON EXHIBIT AT A FOOD FAIR 



At the Pure Food Exposition held in Pro\'idence, R. I., in February, 1915, permis- 

 sion was given to the Rhode Island Audubon Society to place an exhibit illustrating its 

 work, on the stage,— the most advantageous position in the hall. The exhibit, which was 

 in charge of Harold L. Madison, curator of the Roger Williams Park Museum, proved 

 to be one of the most attractive and, it is hoped, most permanently beneficial of the great 

 variety of demonstrations. The stage was divided into three aisles, through which people 

 were guided by red arrows, thus avoiding confusion. In the first aisle the spectator saw 

 a collection of birds found in Rhode Island, with a screen containing specimens of 

 wild and cultivated fruits used for food by birds. A revolving disc bearing lantern- 

 slides, giving the life history of Bob-white from egg to maturity, proved a great attrac- 

 tion, as did also a similar contrivance showing harmful weed seeds destroyed by birds. 

 The remaining aisles showed methods of attracting and protecting birds, with a large 

 collection of suet-bags, bird-baths, weather-vane food-houses, and bird-houses. Birds' 

 enemies were represented by a stuffed cat, red squirrel, and turtle, while methods of 

 protection were suggested by such devices as the English Sparrow-trap. Near the infor- 

 mation desk were a large map of Providence and one of the state of Rhode Island, 

 upon which red stars were placed as visitors reported feeding the birds. The accom- 

 panying picture of the map showing the position and number of feeding stations for 

 Providence, is kindly loaned by Mr. Madison. 



Regular attendants were in constant charge of the exhibit, ready to explain and give 

 information along all lines of bird work. These attendants were assisted by members of 

 the Civic Biology class of the Rhode Island Normal School, each student being on duty 

 one afternoon and one evening. The time was filled with obtaining information for the 

 feeding-station maps, receiving new Audubon members, both adult and junior, dis- 

 tributing leaflets, and explaining puzzling features of the exhibit. As the study of birds 

 was being taken up as a first and very important problem in the class, the very helpful 

 opportunities given to the girls in their work at the exhibit were thoroughly appreciated. 

 The students gave reports of their experiences to the Civic Biology and Nature-Study 

 classes at the Normal School, and later to the Audubon Society. — Marion D. Weston, 

 Instructress in Nature-Study. 



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