136 TEACHING CHILDREN TO BE HUMANE. 



Even the one egg used as a model need only be 

 borrowed from a nest and returned when the 

 model is cast and coloured ; or one may be lent 

 for the purpose from the collection of a friend. 

 The young artist would be able to enjoy the 

 thought that his specimens were of a permanent 

 nature, and that there had been no rifling of the 

 nests of valuable birds, without whose incessant 

 labours we should have endless insect plagues. 

 For the modus operandi of this last idea I would 

 refer my readers to Miss Carrington's little book. 1 



In trying to discourage the collecting mania 

 I know I am treading upon delicate ground, 

 and I must define my meaning clearly, else I may 

 convey wrong ideas and provoke needless discus- 

 sion of vexed questions. I do not think very young 

 children should be allowed to kill any living 

 creature in order to make a collection it must 

 tend to make them hard-hearted ; far better is it 

 to lead them to watch and admire every bird and 

 insect they come across. As they arc taught to 

 know the ways and habits of living things, and 



1 "Extermination of Birds," by Edith Carrington. Wm. 

 Reeves. 



