News Notes 



NEW YORK 



Chautauqua Institution 



In spite of war conditions the enrollment in the Natural History depart- 

 ment of the Summer School at Chautauqua, N. Y. was practically the same 

 as last year. Certainly there -was no dimunition of interest and enthusiasm. 

 The courses were conducted by Professor Vaughn MacCaughey of the Uni- 

 versity of Honolulu and by Miss Emma Davis of Johnstown. 



As usual the work offered was a Course for Teachers of Nature-Study, a 

 Nature Lovers' Course, Bird Study and an Evolution Course. In the first 

 course Miss Davis emphasized the methods of presenting subject matter to 

 classes while in the second Professor MacCaughey stressed familiarity with 

 the materials of nature-study for one's own spiritual growth and pleasure. 



Once a week as is her custom Miss Davis gave a demonstration lesson in 

 the elementary school. 



The bird classes had daily field trips for ear and eye training and a short 

 series of indoor talks on bird life, the food, plumage, etc. 



Perhaps one of the most attractive features of the department was offered 

 in the week-end hikes and camping trips to representative natural history 

 regions in the vicinity of the Lake. To equip for these the young women car- 

 ried with them a blanket roll and provisions for four or five meals. The 

 party usually left the Assembly grounds in the morning, riding, tramping and 

 camping by turns and returning the following afternoon. The cooking was 

 done in the open and at night a cheerful bonfire around which the campers 

 gathered for stories and readings contributed much to the enjoyment of the 

 trip, after which to roll in a blanket and sleep under the stars was the last 

 delightful experience of a day quite new to many. In this way the deep 

 gorge of Chautauqua Creek, the interesting old port of Barcelona on Lake Erie 

 and a number of other points of interest were visited. 



On the whole the summer has been one of marked success and happiness. 



MASSACHCSETTS 



New England Federation of Natural History Societies 

 The fall meeting was held in Springfield at the Museum of Natural History, 

 September 20-21, by invitation of the Allen Bird Club. The announcement 

 indicated real enthusiasm and that much was accomplished. It is given below. 

 "Friday evening September 20, there will be a public meeting at the museum 

 lecture room at which there will be several addresses on the work of the 

 Federation, the Allen Bird Club, and other Natural History organizations 

 past and present, in Springfield. 



"Saturday morning there will be an excursion, or several excursions, into 

 the country for observation and collecting and members from outside the 

 city are advised to come on Friday so as to be in time for these outings. It is 

 expected that several members of the Boston Mycological Club will be present 

 and assist in making a collection of mushrooms to be exhibited in the after- 

 noon." 



354 



