A Successful Bird Exhibit 239 



carrying away with them the names of varieties that had formerly been known 

 to them only by sight. 



In connection with the exhibit, a series of competitions was opened for 

 both children and adults in bird-houses, compositions on birds, photographs, 

 and drawings or posters, and prizes ofiFered consisting of bird-books and cash 

 premiums. 



The fair was open during one week. Members of local bird-clubs took 

 turns in being in attendance at the exhibit, for the purpose of answering ques- 

 tions and looking after the displays, and the government ornithologist thought 

 so highly of the undertaking that he gave his entire time to it, thus not only 

 rendering invaluable assistance toward the success of the exhibit itself, but 

 also getting in touch with those interested in bird matters, and acquainting 

 the public with the purpose of his office. The amount of interest shown in the 

 exhibit on the part of the fair patrons was gratifying. Naturally, there were 

 many who looked in simply out of curiosity, or for the purpose of securing 

 whatever was being 'given away,' and many were like one young girl who 

 glanced at the sign 'Our Native Birds' over the exhibit, and was heard to 

 remark to her escort, "Aw, come on, we don't want to see none of that feeble- 

 minded stuff!" But there were others who came and came again, bringing 

 their friends with them, and pronouncing the display one of the most attrac- 

 tive features of the fair. 



Similar undertakings in connection with agricultural fairs throughout the 

 country would certainly be equally successful, and an immense amount of 

 good could be done in thus visualizing the question of bird protection. An 

 exhibit will surely be undertaken in Spokane another year, and, with the ex- 

 perience gained in this initial experiment, many difficulties can be avoided. 

 New ideas will suggest themselves and new features will be added, so that the 

 next attempt must be even more successful than the last as a means of arousing 

 public interest. 



