Suggestions for Bird-Day Programs in the Schools 51 



I'OR lilRD-DAV I'ROCRAMS 



For the first Bird-Day in every school it would be well to have 

 some one read Senator Hoar's petition of the birds to the Legislature 

 of Massachvisetts. This remarkable paper deserves reading by all 

 friends of birds at least once a year. 



Compost'/ ions. — Have also original compositions, describing some bird studied, 

 or describing some of its habits, especially its habit of feeding, and the actions 

 showing its disposition. 



Persofialions. — Special interest will be awakened by having 'personations' of 

 birds. These are descriptions of birds told in the first person, as if the bird itself 

 were telling its own story. An accurate account of the bird's appearance, habits, 

 feelings, and life from the bird's view-point, is given, but without telling the bird's 

 name. At the close of the reading, the hearers vote upon the name of the bird 

 ' personated. ' 



Audubon Socicly I.ilcralurc. — The teacher should also obtain circulars from the 

 secretaries of the New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and other Audubon 

 Societies. The.se will give information concerning the rapid destruction of birds. 

 Extracts may be read from them. 



Poems.- — Extracts from the poets naturally form an interesting feature of Bird- 

 Day. Poets are generally bird-lovers and bird-seers. Among the poems peculiarly 

 adapted are the following : 



'Robert O 'Lincoln,' Bryant: 'The Mocking Bird,' Sidney Lanier; 'The Sky 

 Lark,' Shelly ; 'The O 'Lincoln Family,' Wilson Flagg ; 'The Rain Song of the Robin,' 

 Kate Upson Clark; 'The Titmouse,' R. W. Emerson; 'The Eagle,' Tennyson; 'To 

 The Skylark, ' William Wordsworth. 



Personal Experiences. — Another pleasant part of the program will be the short 

 statements of facts about birds, by the pupils, obtained from their own observation. 

 Birds of the Bible may also be given in short extracts. 



Prose Selections. — John Burroughs' ' Birds and Poets, ' and ' Wake Robin ; ' Brad- 

 ford Torrey's 'Birds in the Bush;' Olive Thorne Miller's 'Bird Ways,' and many 

 other books, abound in suitable passages for Bird-Day. 



The pupils will enjoy preparing a Bird-Day program much more 

 than learning little set speeches from one already prepared. The 

 preliminary observation of birds will arouse an enthusiasm that will 

 be of great value in all educational work. ' 



Summer Boarders for Girls and Boys 



'"I^HE Bureau of Nature Study of Cornell University offers to assist 

 -*■ all boys and girls who want to take bird boarders this season. 

 By addressing this Bureau, at Ithaca, N. Y., one may receive a copy 

 of an admirable leaflet entitled -The Birds and I.' containing nu- 

 merous designs for houses which may be constructed for the occupa- 

 tion of the expected 'boarders.' 



