The Audubon Societies 475 



Corner, which is always arranged for club meetings, there are birds' nests, leaves, flowers, 

 country scenes, stuffed birds, curios, and al'U'ays I have something netv and fresh from the 

 woods. Then we sing nature songs, and recite bird and flower poems. 



"The 'Wake Robin' is not one of the school clubs. I have gathered the children 

 from various neighborhoods, and hold the meetings at my own home. It has been some- 

 what difficult to organize, on this account. The children sometimes forget the dates of 

 meetings, and I am obliged to telephone, write cards, etc., as reminders. Now it has 

 developed into a very successful club with a membership of nineteen. The children love 

 to come, and especially do they love the "hikes," as they call them. I take them away 

 ofi" into the wild country places where trolley cars and automobiles are unknown. They 

 see picturesque portions of the country they did not know before. The walks are about 

 five miles, and we never retrace our steps. The children come home with roses in their 

 cheeks and the joy of outdoors in their hearts." The subjoined picture is a likeness of 

 the youngest member of the 'Wake Robin.' He is holding a Vireo's nest in his hand. — 

 A. H. W.] 



THE BIRDS' CHRISTMAS TREE 



A few days after Christmas, I helped my brother take down the Christmas 

 tree. He took it out into the yard, to wait until the ashman came to take it 

 away. I happened to be there, and thought it a good idea to set it up for the 

 birds. I asked my brother to fix it for me, which he did. Then I went to the 

 store and asked for som^e suet, which I tied on the tree. I also got some small 

 pieces of bread and fastened them to the twigs. At first I got discouraged, as 

 I thought the birds were not coming, but in a short time a number of Sparrows 

 came, and the flock became larger and larger each day. I kept feeding them for a 

 week or two, and then, when the snow had gone, my father cleaned up the yard 

 and took the Christmas tree away. He did not know I had it fixed for the 

 birds, but I continued throwing bread out of the window to them. They come 

 every morning as if they know the bread will be ready for them. — Beatrice 

 M. Daley (age 12), Beverly, Mass. 



[A bird's Christmas tree is such a delightful idea that everyone ought to try decora- 

 ting and providing food suitable for the birds' use, in connection with one. A Christmas 

 tree is an attraction always, in itself, but a bird's Christmas tree is so unique an idea 

 that we lose the pleasure we might easily have if we undertook to maintain one for a 

 few weeks. Even monkeys like Christmas trees, as visitors to the "Zoo" in Lincoln 

 Park, Chicago, know. — A. H. W.] 



"Midwinter comes tomorrow 

 My welcome guest to be." 



— W. J. Linton. 



