BIRD NOTES AND NEWS. 



65 



EUesborough School, which won the Shield in 

 1907 and stands second this time, celebrated Arbor 

 Day on December 21st, when the Team planted a 

 horse-chestnut tree, given by Miss May Couper, in 

 the grounds of the Parish Hall. An appropriate 

 programme of Bird and Tree songs and recitations 

 was gone through in the Hall by the scholars, under 

 the head master, Mr. Arnold ; the prizes were 

 presented by Mrs. R. C. Clarke, the Society's report 

 and some of the essays were read, and encouraging 

 addresses given by the chairman of managers (Rev. 

 R. C. Clarke) and Dr. L. H. West. 



The feature of the Festival at Princes Riaborough 

 on December 8th, was an admirable performance 

 by the children of Mrs. Suckling's interesting play 

 The New Law Courts. The rector (Rev. Josiah 

 Mander) presided, and the Bird and Tree prizes 

 were handed to the winners by Mrs. Coningsby 

 Disraeli. Mr. Disraeli, who warmly complimented 

 the head master (Mr. Dyer) on the work of the 

 children in essay writing, acting, and gardening, 

 afterwards planted in the churchyard a lime tree, 

 given by Mrs. Floyd, the children marching thither 

 with flying flags. 



At Coleshill Festival, held on February 8th, an 

 excellent address was given by Mrs. Dixon Davies, 

 of Beaconsfield, who presented the prizes. Owing 

 to bad weather the tree-planting was postponed to 

 a later date, when twelve apple-stocks were planted 

 in the school-garden in order that the boys may 

 learn to graft. 



CUMBERLAND.— Greystoke School, winners of the 

 Shield for the second time in four years, did not 

 allow even the heavy rain of their Festival Day, 

 November 21st, to damp the ardour of the pro- 

 ceedings. Oak, plum, and rose trees were planted 

 in the school playground, and the subsequent 

 meeting in the reading-room was largely attended. 

 Mr. H. C. Howard, of Greystoke Castle, presided. 

 A charming address, full of suggestion and en- 

 couragement, was given by Mr. F. Marshall, of 

 Keswick, who observed humorously that he was the 

 one person present who could offer congratulations, 

 for everyone else, Mr. Howard included, no doubt 

 felt that he or she had some share in winning the 

 Shield. Songs and recitations were contributed by 

 the scholars, and cheers given for the head master, 

 Mr. Titterington. 



At Kirkoswald a bright and happy gathering took 

 place on December 23rd, when the scholars were 

 entertained in the gaily decorated schoolroom, the 

 awards were distributed by Mrs. Fetherstonhaugh, 

 and two ivy trees were planted. The vicar (Rev. 

 R. Duncan) spoke of the value of a real knowledge 

 of birds as ensuring their protection, and of the 



destruction of many most interesting species 

 through thoughtlessness and ignorance. 



The girls of St. John's School, Keswick, who wen: 

 represented in the competition by two teams (thanks 

 to the enthusiasm of the mistress, Miss Hayes), 

 had a gala day on December 12th. Tea was pro- 

 vided by Mrs. R. D. Marshall, of Castlerigg Manor, 

 whose little grand-daughter, Miss Eileen Law t her, 

 a small maiden of five summers, performed with 

 conscious dignity the ceremony of planting the 

 commemorative beech tree in the Fitz Park. The 

 vicar presided at the ensuing meeting, when Mrs. 

 H. M. Jenkins presented the prizes. Mr. Cowley, 

 of Brigham School, commenting on the harm done 

 by the nest-robbing proclivities of boys, remarked 

 that twelve or fourteen years ago the Dipper was 

 a common bird of the waterside, but had now 

 becoma so rare that it was difficult to find one. 

 He thought if boys went in for Bird and Tree work 

 this sort of thing would not happen. 



HAMPSHIRE. — A large company gathered at the 

 Havant Council School on December 23rd to con. 

 gratulate the head master, Mr. Beeston, and the 

 scholars on winning the Hampshire Shield, the 

 presentation of which, and of the book prizes and 

 medals, was made by Lady Fitzwygram. Canon 

 Seott (rector) presided, and the speeches were 

 interspersed with readings and songs, including some 

 recitations written by the children. Mr. D. T. 

 Cowan, Director of Education for the county, said 

 that success in this competition did a school special 

 credit, because it was not one that could be won by 

 faked accomplishments, it necessitated real, solid, 

 individual effort. It also demonstrated the fact 

 that the master could only guide a child's mind, 

 the real work must be the outcome of personal 

 endeavour. He wished that more counties would 

 take up the Bird and Tree Competition, which he 

 regarded as one of the greatest educational efforts 

 in Hampshire to stimulate the child's ideas and 

 powers. 



The Sandown Boys' National School, winners of 

 the second prize, celebrated Arbor Day on December 

 23rd, in conjunction with the Girls' School, which 

 was adjudged " Excellent."' In the afternoon a 

 meeting was held in Christ Church Parish Hall, the 

 Rev. W. T. Storrs, B.D., presiding, some of the essays 

 were read, songs sung, and addresses given by the 

 chairman and by Mr. T. A. Wright, C.C., who 

 congratulated Mr. Prickett, head master, and Miss 

 Watson, mistress, on the continued success of the 

 teams. Nine trees were afterwards planted. 



The Festival in connection with St. Peter's Girls' 

 School, Bournemouth (winners of the third prize) 

 was divided into two parts. On January 19th 



