APPENDIX 235 



Texas. — H. P. Attwater, Houston, Texas. 



Virginia and West Virginia. — Dr. Wm. C. Rives, 1723 I street, Wash- 

 ington, D. C. 

 Wisconsin. — H. Nehrling, Milwaukee, Wis. 

 Eastern Canada. — E. D. Wintle, 17 Saint John street, Montreal, Canada. 



The student who has a handbook can not only get from it the name of his 

 specimen, but can learn of its geographical range and its habits of migra- 

 tion, and thus know at what season to look for it. He can get hints of its 

 nesting, food and other habits, which tell him enough to give him an intelli- 

 gent foundation for further observation regarding the species. If the 

 student will continue the work of identifying and observing birds during a 

 vacation, or as opportunity offers, he will soon notice with joy the increas- 

 ing number of friends which greet him each time he goes afield. 



An occupation most stimulating to the study is to make a list of all 

 the birds seen and positively identified in a neighborhood. The bird popu- 

 lation is constantly changing, and it varies with the seasons as the great 

 waves of the annual migrations pulse to and fro. By keeping a sharp look- 

 out one ought to be able to determine one hundred or more varieties of 

 birds in an ordinary neighborhood in a year's time. A magazine of popular 

 ornithology. Bird Lore, published by the Macmillan Company at Harris- 

 burg, Pa., for $1.00 a year, is a valuable periodical for all bird lovers. 



Suggestions to Teachers 



Although it is recognized as essential that a teacher should have a 

 pretty fair understanding of a subject before attempting to teach it, no 

 such rule should hinder the beginner in bird study from endeavoring to 

 interest others in the subject. It is a deference to this rule that keeps many 

 teachers from branching out in nature work of this character. 



The teacher need not assume to know much about the birds, but he 

 can work and observe with his pupils. Children always become fascinated 

 with bird study if their eff'orts are appreciated. 



At the time of the opening exercises in the morning, or for a short 

 period during the day, permit the students to make reports of birds they 

 have seen since that time the day before. The teacher should keep a list 

 of these on the blackboard. The pupils should be encouraged to make a 

 list of the foods of birds. 



