46 Bird - Lore 



BIRD-LORE AS A TEXT-BOOK 



It is suggested that teachers will find material in each issue of BlRD- 

 LORE which will have a seasonable value in the study of birds. In the 

 present number, for example, Dr. Merriam's tribute to Audubon might well 

 be made the subject of a lesson on the life of this naturalist. Miss Hub- 

 bard's Study of Bluebirds contains much original observation and may well 

 be used to supplement the more general information contained in Mrs. 

 Wright's Leaflet. 



The Bird Census furnishes a wealth of material for a study of the dis- 

 tribution of winter birds. The Chickadee, Junco, Crow, Downy Wood- 

 pecker, or some other abundant widely distributed winter bird may be taken 

 as a subject for study and the student asked to outline its winter range, as 

 shown by the census, on the map. In this connection the maps supplied by 

 the School Department of the National Association of Audubon Societies 

 may be used and the birds' distribution plotted upon them. 



Professor Cooke's Migration Tables will also supply information in regard 

 to the distribution of birds, while as an aid to the study of bird migration 

 they are obviously of great value. A bird's journey northward may be 

 followed by the records from the localities given, its average rate of speed 

 reckoned, and the times of its arrival at each locality be used as some index 

 of the northward advance of spring itself. 



In Mrs. Wright's Editorial Essays on the month, which will be continued 

 through the year, the teacher will not only find matter of exact seasonal 

 interest, but we are sure an incentive to the study of nature as well. 



F. M. C. 



NOTES FROM YOUNG OBSERVERS 



Boys and girls of 14 years and under are invited to send to the Editor of the School 

 Department, of the National Association of Audubon Societies, at 141 Broadway, New 

 York City, notes of interest in regard to their study of birds. Contributors should state 

 their age. 



A Bird Walk in December 



Filling my pocket with nuts, I started at 8 o'clock for a tramp about the 

 woods and fields in search of birds. It rained nearly all the time I was out. 



I started toward the east, but, hearing a Woodpecker, returned to where 

 I heard the call and found that it was a Hairy one. Turning to my left I 

 entered a wood, but, not seeing many birds, thought it best for me to come 

 out into the opening. 



As I approached the clearing once more, I observed two Chickadees 

 examining the bark of an apple tree. 



