58 



Bird Notes and News 



BEDFORDSHIRE. 



Challenge Shield. — Wobiirn Boys' 

 Council School. 



The Woburn Boys' School Team have for 

 some time applied themselves to the study 

 of Birds and Trees with much zeal and 

 assiduity, and their papers this year are 

 really interesting monographs on the subjects 

 dealt with. The subjects themselves are 

 exceptional, including among the Birds, 

 Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Little 

 Owl, Pochard, and Woodpeckers. The boys 

 have an advantage in point of age over other 

 Teams from the county, and they have 

 used to the fullest the opportunities afforded 

 them in those extra years ; their long 

 essays, written without notes, being remark- 

 able performances for lads of thirteen and 

 fourteen of any class or any district. 

 Eggington takes Second Prize with a 

 particularly good set of papers, distinguished 

 by many bright and intelligent touches 

 that show the genuine knowledge of the 

 writers. Mo ger hanger, which took the Shield 

 last year, sends again work that is pleasant 

 and sincere and shows considerable obser- 

 vation, but it is a little too perfunctory to 

 gain full marks. Genuine outdoor study 

 has also inspired the papers from Clophill, 

 those on Trees being especially excellent ; 

 and one nine-year-old student promises to 

 take front rank in a year or two. It is 

 in wi'iting on Trees that Thurleigh and 

 Lidlington likewise shine. Though not 

 profoimd, the Lidlington papers express 

 the alert individuality of the children ; 

 and this personal note gives a charm to 

 all the Bedfordshire essays this year. When 

 the Thm-leigh girls know their Birds as well 

 as their Trees, they will take some beating ; 

 why do not the Thurleigh boys distinguish 

 themselves on this side of the Competition ? 



BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 



Challenge Shield. — Coleshill C.E. 

 School. 



Last year the contest for second place 

 was keen between Coleshill, Princes Ris- 

 borough, and Ellesborough. This year it | 

 is equally strong in competition for the 

 Shield. Coleshill is successful because the 

 general level of the papers is highest, those 

 on Trees particularly showing that genius 

 for taking pains which goes far in the 

 making of a naturalist. The majority of _ 

 schools entered a good many more Cadets ^ 

 than the Team of nine, and Pi*inces 

 Risborough takes the lead in this respect 

 in the county, mustering no fewer than 

 forty young nature-students, though the 

 village is by no means in the best part of the 

 county for bird-study. The essays are all 

 well and naturally written, showing that 

 the young people have learned to look 

 appreciatively at the things about them. 

 The Ellesborough papers are attractive as 

 usual and that on the Moor-hen is one of 

 the best Bird-papers sent in from the 

 county ; they are illustrated by admirable 

 coloured sketches. Two new competitors 

 come well to the fore : Penn should certainly 

 win the Shield before one of its present 

 Team (a girl of ten) leaves, for her two 

 papers are astonishingly good for her age 

 and all the essays have an exceptionally 

 nice tone ; Lacey Green does very creditably, 

 but disregards the rule as to selection of 

 Birds. There is always freshness and in- 

 telhgence about the Bucks essays, which 

 makes them agreeable to read ; thoroughness 

 of observation must also be aimed at by all 

 who look to winning the Shield. 



