6 BULLETIN 4 and 5 



help me in the identification of species and consequently in 

 creating a live interest, than any other factor. 



Why not use any available material for this work? There 

 is a collection here at the University of Vermont that would be 

 of immense value to many of us, if it were used to illustrate 

 papers given by Club members, especially if these members were 

 familiar with collections. Two years ago I borrowed a small 

 collection of bird skins from the museum of the University and 

 used them to good advantage in school, in our local Club, and 

 with individuals just beginning bird study.' I also used them to 

 paint from, thus adding to my collection of bird paintings. 



Some years ago I learned how to prepare birds skins and 

 now have a collection of over fifty, all of these birds with the 

 exception of two or three having met death from natural causes. 

 People in Woodstock and in Hartland have been interested to 

 send me specimens always wishing to know about the bird 

 itself. It seems desirable that a Club member in each section 

 should be able to prepare skins and so save them for purposes of 

 study. A lesson demonstrating the skinning of a bird, the 

 preservation and stuffing of the skin would be both helpful and 

 practical. 



When there are several State Club members in one town, 

 they can band themselves together into a local organization and 

 so serve as a centre for the promotion of interest in bird study. 

 If as in Hartland, the members of the Botanical Club join hands 

 with those of the Bird Club and embrace nature work in general, 

 a most dtsirable result is effected. Whenever the Hartland 

 Nature Club has made exhibits or holds meetings of a public 

 character, it has invited the local members of the State Club and 

 in so doing has formed their acquaintance and made them con- 

 tributing factors to a good cause. I cannot emphasize too 

 strongly the possibilities that lie in this one direction. 



Of course the Bird Club stands for the protection and 

 preservation of bird life, but so long as the >vomen who are its 

 members persist in wearing feathers on their hats, I do not feel 

 that the Club has reached its highest possibilities in this line. 

 The last time I appeared before you my hat was topped with a 

 wonderful creation made up of guinea wings in their natural 

 colors combined with others dyed in beautiful blue green. I 

 knew all the time I wanted nothing of it but the milliner, in 

 sweetest tones, convinced me that it was the only thing she had 

 that preserved the color harmony of my attire. She succeeded 

 in accomplishing her purpose for the moment, but she effectually 



