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NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



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Editorial 



BIRD-FOUNTAINS AS MEMORIALS 



Those who have dwelt close to nature and have learned to love 

 her ways seem to have a different attitude toward death than do 

 others who have not been blessed with nature companionship. 

 This attitude is marked by satisfaction in the thought of dissolu- 

 tion; the fact that all the parts of this dear body, which we have 

 used so intimately will ultimately be reclaimed by the elements of 

 the universe is a substantiation of faith in immortality of the soul. 

 Nature's chemical processes in her world-laboratory are gentle, 

 invincible and reassuring. 



This being the case — the naturalist's especial corner of this 

 laboratory should be marked with something different from a block 

 of stone bearing a name and dates; it should instead establish a 

 point of contact with life; and what could be more appropriate 

 than to make it a place which the wild birds love and haunt. 



The newspapers have contained many suggestions for bird- 

 fountains in different parts of our country as memorials to Roose- 

 velt. Undoubtedly many of these will bear tribute to our appre- 

 ciation of the naturalist side of this great and diversely gifted man. 

 •Surely nothing could give him more satisfaction than to know that 

 in his name there should spring forth in a grateful country — 

 fountains where little birds may come down to drink and gain 

 refreshment. 



After life was represented by the Ancient Egyptians as a bird, 

 and the sun, the giver of all life, was symbolized with a pair of 

 wings. We still hold to the symbol with figures of angels and 

 cherubim. But no marble angel with drooping wings could repre- 

 sent the spirit of life like the swift-moving wings of a bird; and 



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