Entertainment in Winter 131 



importance of the work, and has a good general 

 effect. The necessity for feeding the birds in 

 winter is explained very carefully, and then a 

 few committees are appointed to arrange details. 

 One committee devotes itself to obtaining bird- 

 food and money to buy food, and sometimes 

 calls to its assistance such available outsiders as 

 may be able to help. There are very few people 

 in any American town who will refuse to help 

 such work along in one way or another, if the 

 matter is brought directly to their attention in 

 a proper way. It is usually possible to approach 

 many people personally; but, in any case, the 

 school-children can be urged to explain the 

 matter to their parents, and local papers are 

 usually very willing to make known the needs 

 of the committee. Local grocers, butchers, and 

 grain-dealers I have found to be among the most 

 generous contributors, and often, after they 

 have given all they can afford, they will sell to 

 the bird-feeders a considerable amount of food 

 at cost. 



In the meantime another committee is busy 

 getting the names of volunteers to distribute the 

 food in the woods and fields. Here let me say 

 that this work is not, as a rule, suitable for small 

 children, girls, or women ; it should be done by 

 strong, healthy boys, and by such men as can af- 



