The Audubon Societies 265 



Recognizing the need of teachers to come into touch with each other regard- 

 ing this important branch, the National Association of Audubon Societies 

 proposes to devote half of its regular annual session to a Nature-Study Sym- 

 posium. Not only teachers, but educators, are invited to join in a discussion 

 of methods by which nature-study may be most successfully taught. 



Those who are unable to attend the meeting and join in the discussion in 

 person are invited to send to the program committee suggestions, questions, 

 or a description of methods tested by actual experience. 



This meeting will be held Wednesday, October 31, 191 1, at the American 

 Museum of Natural History, New York City. 



In taking up this matter, the National Association hopes to be of real 

 assistance to the many teachers who are now forced to meet the problems 

 connected with a successful presentation of nature-study, and to bring about 

 a clearer and more vital grasp of the entire subject. 



To this end, an exhibit of nature-study books and equipment will be ar- 

 ranged, with practical demonstrations by qualified persons, of the best and 

 most economical ways of arranging and presenting material in the school- 

 room. 



Will not every teacher who is doing work in nature-study contribute to the 

 success of this novel symposium by attending the meeting, or by communi- 

 cating with the committee? 



This Department will be glad to have a report of similar meetings or con- 

 ferences held elsewhere. In 1909, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island held 

 a Nature-Study Conference at the State Normal School in Providence. 



Some two hundred people, mostly teachers, were in attendance. In addition 

 to a special program, an exhibit of books and pamphlets was arranged, 

 with free distribution of much valuable printed matter. 



The conference was the first of its kind ever held in Rhode Island and was a 

 complete success. — A. H. W. 



A Suggestion to State Audubon Societies 



This is the season when Teachers' Institutes are held in many states, if 

 not in all. Why not take advantage of such an opportunity to arrange an ex- 

 hibit of nature-study equipment, with particular reference to birds, together 

 with a table of books, pamphlets, charts and any practical devices for helping 

 the teacher? Publishers are usually very glad to send sample copies for exhi- 

 bition, while the amount of free printed matter available from State and 

 Federal Departments of Agriculture makes it possible to distribute a good deal 

 of valuable information at slight cost. It is now possible to obtain American- 

 made nesting-boxes of the Von Berlepsch design. Every State Audubon 

 Society should own at least one set of these boxes for exhibition purposes. 

 Begin the New Year now with the opening of the schools, and strive to further 



