BIRD NOTES AND NJEWS. 



Temps ford School had a hearty and hajipy 

 festivity on February 1st, beginning with a 

 tea and games, and ending with a dance. 

 Between these gaieties came an entertain- 

 ment of songs and readings, the reading of 

 essays, and the presentation of prizes by the 

 Rector, in the unavoidable absence of Lady 

 Owen Mackenzie. 



A particularly appropriate and attractive 

 programme was arranged for the Eggingfou 

 Festival on March 7th, and was caj)itally 

 performed by the children before a 

 crowded audience. In addition to the 

 play "The Skylark's Release," the songs 

 and recitations all had reference to Birds 

 and Trees. Major Haines, who presided, 

 congratulated the school on winning a cer- 

 tificate on its first attempt, and on the 

 interest taken in the study by the mistress. 

 Miss F. A. Woods. Birds might do a certain 

 amount of damage to plants and fruit for a 

 short time, but for nine months in the year 

 they lived on insects and weed-seeds. 



At Keysoe, on February 25th, the scholars 

 gave an entertainment, and the prizes were 

 presented by Mr. W. Hartop, Manager. A 

 tree was planted by the elder boys. 



At Mogerhanger, on December 17th, the 

 elder scholars gave a Cantata, " Father Time 

 and his Children," the group of seasons and 

 months forming a pretty scene ; and the 

 younger children evidently enjoyed "Adapted 

 Nursery Rhymes." Mrs. Thornton distri- 

 buted books and medals, and the report was 

 read by the mistress, Miss Cartwright. 



Buckinghamshire. — Stony Stratford C.E. 

 School, which has won the Shield three times, 

 had on this occassion a three days' festivity, 

 the entertainment given at the prize presen- 

 tation on December 21st, being repeated the 

 following evening ; while on the 23rd, the 

 tree-planting ceremony took place. The 

 children went through a long and elaborate 

 programme of songs, costume sketches, and 

 dialogues, most successfully, and the room 

 was crowded on both occasions. The Vicar, 

 Rev. H. Last, presided, and complimented 

 the master and mistress, Mr. Baldock and 

 Miss Fryer, and the staff, on the school's 



achievement. The tree-planting took place 

 in Vicarage Walk, whither the children went 

 in procession with flags flying ; and a horse- 

 chestnut tree, given by Mr. W. Paterson, of 

 Wakefield Estate Office, was planted by the 

 top boy and essayist, C. W. Green, under 

 the superintendence of Mr. F. W. Woollard, 

 J. P. In addition to the nine members of 

 the team to whom books were presented by 

 the Society, fourteen other scholars who had 

 studied birds and trees during the year, 

 received book awards. 



At Cuddington a capital programme was 

 gone through by the children, including the 

 play " The Skylark's Release." A fine 

 young oak-tree, given by Mrs. Napier 

 Higgins, was planted, the leading planters 

 being the youngest girl and the oldest boy. 



Elleshorongh School, which would have re- 

 ceived the second prize had the competition 

 been sufficiently large, was awarded a special 

 prize of £1 by the County Council in recog- 

 nition of its good work. The rector. Rev. 

 R. C. Clarke, presided over a gathering in 

 the Parish Hall, on February 3rd, and the 

 awards were presented by Mrs. Clarke. Dr. 

 L. H. West gave a congratulatory and 

 encouraging address, and an excellent selec- 

 tion of Bird and Tree songs and recitations, 

 given under the direction of the master, Mr. 

 A. H. Arnold, showed that the children's 

 voices were as well trained as their obser- 

 vation. A number of briar stocks were 

 planted in the school garden. 



Princes Rishorougli, keeping Festival on 

 December 20th, had the benefit of a charming 

 address on "Observation, Thought, and Kind- 

 ness," from Mrs. Boutwood, of Bledlow, who 

 also distributed the Bird and Tree Prizes, to 

 which she kindly made several additions. 

 The master, Mr. Dyer, read the two best 

 essays, and Bird and Tree songs were sung. 

 The Rector presided. A tree was afterwards 

 planted in one of Lord Rothschild's fields. 



Coleshill had its Festival on December 21st, 

 but the hard frost compelled postponement 

 of the tree planting. The Rev. C. G. Walker 

 presided over the gathering, Mrs. Dendy 

 presented the prizes, together with other 



