32 



NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION 



during the right reason, you will have several facts from pupils who 

 have seen and observed a Woodpecker during the period since the 

 previous lesson. Never fail to treat of the good points of a bird and by 

 a vote have it declared either a "good bird" and worthy of protection 

 'or a "bad bird" deserving of extermination. The teacher can mould 

 the opinion of the school in accordance with established facts. 



In the grammar and high school grades a different plan works best. 

 Here every pupil should have a note book in which he should record 

 liis own observations. These should include the time of arrival, num- 

 bers, nesting, food, departure, acts of depredation, value to roan, etc. 

 Every note should be dated to be of value. Encourage the pupils to 

 Tiring specimens to school. In the course of a year the pupils will find 

 several dead birds and capture several alive. Shooting birds for speci- 

 mens should not be tolerated. Last year we had twenty-two birds 

 brought to school for study. Among those brought alive were the 

 Barn Owl, Coot, Horned Grebe, Meadowlark, Barred Owl, and Flicker. 

 'Several diiferent kinds of ducks were brought and a number of dead 

 Tairds, among them a Black-headed Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Warbler, 

 Bohemian Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, and American Bittern. I 

 mention these to show the actual iJossibilities in this line. 



At the end of the year we made a table like this: 



The table does not need nu;ch explanation. A list is made' up from 

 'the notes of all of the pupils but each marks his own. One pupil will 



see the Northern Shrike and mark it "seen," while another can only 

 'mark it "reported." No bird is put on the list without the approval 



of the teacher. Last year we had seventy-three birds on our list, 



and I can answer for every one of them. 

 Now I believe this to be true bird stiidy and its utility and common 



sense are its defense. Only fifteen minutes about twice a week was 



needed to keep the notes and the time was not missed. An interest was 

 "aroused and the diversion from regular school work was pleasing. Many 



pupils rejjort an added pleasure in verifying their notes and observa- 



