242 



Bird -Lore 



matter, and in March, 1913, they formed 

 a Nature and Culture Club. This ran a 

 rather irregular course, but they held 

 their meetings, and they earned their 

 first book. Reed's 'Bird Guide.' In 

 November, 1913, these girls learned of the 

 offer by the National Association of 

 leaflets and buttons to any class of ten 

 children, and at once began a canvass for 

 a class. On November 15, twelve girls 

 met in my kitchen for organization, and 

 since then interest has steadily increased. 

 Meetings are held twice a month in the 

 homes of the members, invitations com- 

 ing weeks ahead. The club is their own, 

 they take pride in it; the mothers are 

 cordial toward it, and new members join 

 it at nearly every meeting. 



"They have studied four leaflets, have 

 colored their outlines, are able to answer 

 questions about these birds, and are wide- 

 awake for the spring arrivals. They 

 bring clippings and sketches for the roll- 

 call, and always repeat the Lord's prayer 

 and a psalm, led by their young president. 

 Many are keeping their leaflets for bind- 

 ing. Boxes and tomato cans are going up 

 fast, for bird-houses. The leaflets are 



always eagerly received and carefully 

 studied, as the answers of even the little 

 ones show. The mothers must be learning 

 through helping their children. This 

 plan of work will do wonders for the rising 

 generation. 



"For years, teachers in Bethel schools 

 have given the children some instruction 

 in nature-studies, though it is not in the 

 course. This year Miss Ellen Preston is 

 helping her boys to make bird-houses, 

 some of which are bought by the girls 

 in the class. The boys in the front row 

 of the illustration are hers. They do 

 not belong to the Audubon Class, but are 

 interested in their house-building, and are 

 anxious for tenants." 



Lists of Members, Etc. 



We greatly regret that we have not 

 space this month to print the customary 

 lists of New Members and of Contributors 

 to the Association. They will be given in 

 the next issue of Bird-Lore; and will be 

 found to be of encouraging length. 



EAGER YOUNG BIRD-LOVERS AT BETHEL, VERMONT 



