64 Bird -Lore 



knowledge of birds and their usefulness to man better than mere class-room 

 work and could well be made part of the regular curriculum in our schools. 



Every child interested means one less unconscious destroyer of bird-life 

 and one more active helper in its conservation. 



[To these practical suggestions, the School Department can add only its unreserved 

 approbation. Concrete work with a definite end in view will help to raise the standard 

 of bird-study more than any other one thing. For further advice in this matter, see 

 Circular No. 2, 'Cemeteries as Bird-Sanctuaries,' National Association of Audubon 

 Societies.— A. H. W.] 



A WORD OF APPRECIATION AND A TESTIMONY TO THE 

 VALUE OF BIRD-STUDY 



I get the American Boy, Boys' Life, Boys' Magazine, Youths' Companion 

 and many other magazines, but Bird-Lore has always been my favorite 

 paper. I started getting it November-December, 1914. I enjoy reading it 

 through again and again. I wouldn't stop getting it for the world. 



My favorite pastime is bird-study. I am just 13 years old but have seen, 

 mostly in Hampden, 104 species of wild birds, including the Wood Duck, 

 Snowy Owl, Great Blue Heron, Woodcock, Little Green Heron and Bittern. 

 All of these were seen in Hampden. The Robin, Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Crow 

 and Junco are already here from the South, and to-day I put up a ten-room 

 and a three-room Swallow house and a two-room and a one-room Bluebird 

 house. I already had out several houses and two big lunch-counters. Today 

 I put out a cement bird-bath. 



I will be mighty glad when I get the next issue of Bird-Lore. — Norman 

 Lewis, Hampden, Maine. 



[It is pleasant to know that Bird-Lore is so much appreciated, especially when it is 

 compared with such admirable publications as those cited above. One reason for the 

 strong appeal which this magazine makes is the fact that it is based almost entirely upon 

 actual observation of living birds. In no study is there a wider opportunity for keen 

 observation, careful discrimination, and esthetic appreciation. Again the controversy 

 comes to mind of the value of bird- and nature-study for purposes of culture and utility. 

 It hardly seems that any other study is better adapted to these ends. — A. H. W.] 



A RURAL JUNIOR AUDUBON SOCIETY 



As the teacher of Junior Bird Class 783, Hudson, Mass., I would like to tell 

 you a little of our work. *» >v 



During the year we held twenty-nine meetings. The average attendance 

 was eight. May 6 we had an exhibition in the primary room of our rural church, 

 which was attended by interested friends, who examined carefully the work of 

 the children. A collection of forty nests, belonging to the class, was shown. Our 

 oldest member gave us the Audubon motto beautifully lettered. Another 

 member had a most interesting collection of feathers, each mounted on a card. 



