110 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



Observe, confer with and read reliable authors, then write. Other sul - 

 jects: Our permanent residents; the thrush family; the sparrow famil;^; 

 our water birds; our game birds and how to conserve them; value of 

 birds to trees; the relations of birds, trees and insects. Which are doing 

 most to hold injurious insects in check, birds or men? 



References. — The Audubon Society, 66 Newbury Street, Boston, has 

 leaflets about any bird you want. For interesting facts, especially eco- 

 nomic, the State bird books "Useful Birds and their Protection" and 

 "Game Birds, Shore Birds and Wild Fowl" are in every pubUc library in 

 the State and sold at cost, $1, by the Board of Agriculture, State House, 

 Boston. E. H. Forbush is the author of both. 



Readings. — More people wiU be interested in truthful pubUcations 

 like the above than in fancies and guesswork. Dramatic readings might 

 be arranged from Percy MacKay's "Bird Masque." This was played 

 before President Wilson. 



Stories. — Hunting with bird glass or camera, feeding birds, or watch- 

 ing birds' nests, etc., make stories which many students are eager to tell. 



Discussions. — Subjects: Could a bird club, organized by grange 

 ofiicers, be made a " community service " in this town? Could we make 

 a bird sanctuary in this town? (See bird club number of "Bird-Lore," 

 September-October, 1915.) Could we combine to keep large areas posted, 

 co-operating with the State Fish and Game Commission? Can we hold 

 in check rats and mice, and lessen the kind of cats that hunt birds? 

 (Reference: "Rats and Rat Riddance.")* 



Bird Laws, State and National. — A lawyer should lead in this, or 

 write to the Fish and Game Commission, State House, Boston, and the 

 Biological Survey, Washington, D. C. 



Music. — Reading and piano representations of bird music from 

 Matthews' "Field Book of Wild Birds and their Music." 



Contests. — 1. Some 30 or more of the most common of Reed's minia- 

 ture bird pictures are tacked around the hall with names covered. Those 

 who make the best lists of these are given prizes. 



2. Each member wears something to represent a bird. The best repre- 

 sentation may receive a prize. But this is more certain to succeed if 

 names of birds are "jumbled," that is, letters misplaced and pinned to 

 each member. Then members go around examining, and those who get 

 best Usts get prizes. This is very lively and social. 



Prizes. — Prizes may be offered at the beginning of the year or on bird 

 nights, and awarded on bird nights, grange fair nights or at close of year . 



For best essays by members. 



For best essays by school children. 



For most practical winter feeding device. 



For most practical summer watering device. 



For most practical nest box or house. 



Greatest number of occupied bird houses reported. 



Best success in attracting birds. 



Best yearly list of species seen or heard. , 



Best daily list of species seen or heard. 



Best imitations of bird notes. 



