314 



Bird - Lore 



some of the sample pictures and leaflets, they were glad to do this and became 

 enthusiastic when I allowed them to choose a name for the club by voting, as 

 well as to elect their own officers. Interest in the club did not lessen, because 

 of the regular meetings for which a program was arranged by the president 

 who secured the material and selected the pupils who were to take part. Short 





'"T'TT-rrT---- r 





NOVEL BIRD-HOUSES 



accounts of these meetings were kept by the secretary. On one occasion we 

 were guests of another club which entertained us quite pleasingly. 



A number of stuffed birds loaned by the Science Museum introduced to 

 the children birds of different families and gave them an idea of the relative 

 sizes of various birds which could not be obtained from pictures. The study 

 of these birds formed a good foundation for the outdoor excursions which 

 followed as soon as the weather permitted. 



After considering bird-houses from the standpoint of the birds' comfort, 

 measurements for houses which might be tenanted, were suggested and the 

 method of construction was discussed. Meanwhile the children placed out- 

 nesting material for the early builders. A few of the houses, which were made 

 at home, are pictured here. The results were purposely practical rather than 

 ornamental. One lad made a house from an old China teapot which was quite 

 ingenious if not altogether a work of art. It is hoped that next year the con- 

 struction of practical bird-houses may be included in our manual training work. 



We correlated our bird-work with drawing by cutting birds out of paper 

 and also by drawing them, following this by coloring them. The cover of the 

 secretary's book was also designed by one of the pupils. Several phases of our 

 bird- work formed a basis for written as well as for oral work in language. 

 In literature Celia Thaxter's poem "The Robin" took on added meaning after 

 they had actually heard a Robin singing during a spring shower. The children 

 became familiar with the calls and songs of some of our common birds through 

 the entertaining medium of the victrola. This trained them to listen for bird- 



