The Audubon Societies 213 



HOW TO STUDY BIRDS 



When you see a bird, watch what he is doing, and his particular markings. 

 Get as close as you can, to be sure how large he is; notice what he is eating. 



I have a bird-house. It has five rooms. When you make a bird-house, you 

 must have plenty of air in it for the mother bird. When you want a House 

 Wren to build, he must have a little hole to fit him about an inch high. He 

 can drive the Sparrow and the Bluebird away. He is a saucy little fellow. 

 He is quick and sly. One year we put a box in a tree. The Bluebird built his 

 nest in it first. The eggs were about to hatch. Then the Wren came and took 

 possession of the house. Then the Bluebird went away. The Wren went 

 and brought his wife. They threw the eggs and hay out of the box. They 

 put in new. Then more eggs were laid. The young hatched. They were 

 fed spider's eggs. When they were quite large they came up to the hole to 

 get their meals. We put another box up. The father bird built another 

 nest in it. Then the mother bird laid eight white eggs. The family of birds 

 came out and went off to the woods, then came back. In a few weeks the birds 

 hatched. I could not go to school without seeing birds. — David Prudden 

 (Grade V, age 12). 



[The closing sentence of this letter has a message for everyone. When one is wide- 

 awake to the outside world, the trees and shrubs and roadsides are alive with birds and 

 life of all kinds, and going to school becomes a journey of discovery instead of a 

 tiresome compulsory walk. — A. H. W.] 



THE FLYCATCHER CLASS 



The Flycatcher bird is a lively bird, On seeing one, he's off like a flash, 

 And a way of his own hath he, For a capture quick, and then, 



To perch perchance on a weed or a post With easy, dancing flight, returns 

 Or the outer branch of a tree. To his chosen perch again. 



There, turning his head from side to side, Oh, the Flycatcher birds are lively birds. 

 He looks with an eager eye. And sportsmen every one, 



Above, below, and all around, They always take their game on the wing, 



For insects as they fly. Without the noise of a gun. 



— By permission of Dr. Garrett Newkirk. 



