Arbor and Bird Day Bulletin 



of their beauty and song, but their economic value should be under- 

 stood. The very orchardists who accuse the birds of destroying the 

 fruit crops should be their most enthusiastic protectors, for without 

 them the trees soon would be killed by the insects they eat. Bird 

 baths and the remains of school luncheons, if they are habitually put 

 where the birds can get at them unmolested, will attract the "feathered 

 citizens" close to the school windows, from which they may be studied 

 to advantage. Bird houses are commonly made by the manual training 

 departments, and should be designed to meet the requirements of the 

 bird families they are to house, rather than solely as practice work 

 in joinery. 



While April 13 has been set aside for Arbor and Bird Day, let 

 those of us who, as executives and teachers, are in charge of the 

 public schools of the state, make it a day for renewal of interest in a 

 work which continues throughout the year rather than a sporadic 

 effort without permanent results. 



MRS. JOSEPHINE CORLISS PRESTON, 



Superintendent of Public Instruction. 



THE FIRST BLUEBIRD 



Jest rain and snow! And rain again! 

 And dribble! drip! and blow! 



Then snow! and thaw! and slush! and then- 

 Some more rain and snow! 



This morning I was 'most afeard 



To wake up when, I jing! 

 I seen the sun shine out and heerd 



The first bluebird of Spring! 



Mother she'd raised the winder some; 

 And in acrost the orchurd come, 



Soft as a angel's wing, 

 A breezy, treesy, beesy hum, 



Too sweet fer anything! 



The winter's shroud was rent a-part 



The sun burst forth in glee, 

 And when that bluebird sung, my hart 



Hopped out o' bed with me! 



James Whitcomb Riley. 



