Monthly Bulletin 3 



time to time such birds as are found dead and thus slowly augmented the 

 supply. Present conditions have given these an exceptional opportunity. 

 Rightfully the State issues but few permits for collecting song-birds. Such 

 permits have in the past been often abused and the number of museums 

 where specimens may be studied is large here in Massachusetts. Birds 

 found dead are, on the other hand, reasonably and legitimately used for 

 tiiis purpose. 



Many bird-lovers who have fed the birds throughout the winter have 

 been wise enough to keep up their feeding through these disastrously in- 

 clement weeks and have been richly rewarded by finding unusual birds at 

 their stations. Tanagers in particular have seemed more numerous and 

 friendly than ever before. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar H. Hill at their fine estate 

 in Dudley have been entertaining a pair of these at luncheon regularly. At 

 the recent Grange Bird Day held at Dudley they were to be seen there 

 several times during the day, eagerly eating sponge cake. The birds, com- 

 ing about the back door, evidently hungry, had been tried out on a variety 

 of things eaten by the other birds, but had refused them all. In some way 

 it was discovered that they would accept sponge cake, so it was dispensed 

 to them after that. The beautiful scarlet male, the greenish female and 

 the yellow sponge cake made quite a color scheme. 



Certain birds seem endowed by nature with colors and characteristics 

 which place them among the aristocrats of their world. Of such are the 

 tanagers. To those who feel that they can afford it the scheme of attracting 

 these aristocratic birds with this aristocratic diet is recommended. 



Hillcrest, at Dudley, is a beautiful estate of several hundred acres, 

 peculiarly adapted by nature for a bird sanctuary, a condition which Mr. 

 and Mrs. Hill have done much to improve with appropriate food and 

 nesting-boxes. The orchard and shade trees all about the house have many 

 of these, each house containing a bird family, while on the beams in the 

 great barn are half a score of swallows' nests. Shelves have been placed 

 in the trees for robins, and these are all occupied. The air about the place 

 is vibrant all day long with flitting wings and with song. Such pleasure 

 may be found in thus sanctifying and beautifying a country place that it 

 is a wonder that all such are not made bird sanctuaries. It is not a diflScult 

 thing to do. Put up the Audubon Society posters forbidding hunting. 

 Drive out vermin. Put out food and water for the birds. Put up nesting- 

 places for them. When you plant shrubbery, plant such as will feed and 

 shelter them. Make a game of it, a fad if you will, and you will be sur- 

 prised at the interest you will take in it all and the good returns in so many 

 ways that will come through the increased numbers of the birds there, 

 summer or winter. 



Thornton Burgess of Springfield, who writes the delightful nature 

 stories for children, is heading a movement to make every farm a sanctuary, 



