182 NA TURE-STUD Y RE VIEW [17:4— Apr|l, 1921 



The campers are encouraged to bring in their own specimens, 

 because in making the collections they have a chance to see the 

 things in their natural environment. Sometimes the collections 

 are posted and a test given to see how many names are known. 

 Three hundred and forty tests have been passed during the season 

 by eighty-five different girls. Eleven girls have made, instead of 

 the required no points, from 122 to 187 points, and have been 

 awarded the special insignia with the gilt center. These final 

 stars were stencilled in an interlaced pattern more pleasing than 

 the simple double triangle, and were awarded on banquet night 

 with the other high honors. 



One afternoon a bird pageant was given in a natural out-of-door 

 theatre. Simple costumes of crepe paper were designed to por- 

 tray the correct coloring of about thirty birds, and one especially 

 talented camper whistled the bird calls as each entered. With 

 music by the orchestra and glee club and a few folk dances inter- 

 spersed, an enjoyable and instructive entertainment was provided. 



The beauty of the voluntary system of nature work is in the joy 

 which it enkindles. No obligation is laid on anyone who is not 

 interested; but one who is interested may spend her leisure time 

 profitably whenever the spirit moves. 



Who can suggest a more delightful way to spend a few minutes 

 than in watching baby hermit thrushes open their orange-lined 

 beaks? The nests that were found included those of the house- 

 wren, the robin, the junco, the song sparrow, the bam swallow and 

 the hermit thrush. Caterpillars which spun their cocoons in the 

 Nature Bungalow were luna, cecropia, promethea, polyphemus 

 and dagger moth. Every new discovery brought joy, even the 

 imequal balance of an elm leaf. 



To one of the campers near the end of the season came a great 

 sorrow, — a telegram brought the news of the death by drowning 

 of three of her relatives. She said to the nature councillors: 

 "In this crisis nature has meant more to me than anything else. 

 I had to get away from people, but I went into the woods and 

 found comfort." This gave them the greatest satisfaction of any- 

 thing in their summer's work, for they felt that they had led the 

 girls through nature to a realization of nature's God. 



