BIRD DAY IN THE SCHOOLS. 



IRD DAY! Have you 



heard of it? Whether 



^t) J you have or not, we wish 



to-assure you that it is 



worthy the thoughtful 



consideration of all teachers, and of all 



others interested in protecting and 



preserving our sweet birds. 



Bird day has already proved a great 

 success in two cities of the United 

 States, both in the enthusiasm shown 

 by the children in their friendly 

 study of birds and in the result of such 

 study. 



In 1894, Oil City, Pa., observed the 

 day, and in 1896 it was celebrated in 

 the schools of Fort Madison, Iowa. 



Of the results in his schools, Supt. 

 Babcock, of Oil City, says, " There has 

 been a complete change in the 

 relations existing between the small 

 boy and the birds." 



Although we in Fort Madison have 

 been engaged in bird study less than a 

 year, and have observed but one BIRD 

 DAY, results similar to those secured 

 by Supt. Babcock are becoming mani- 

 fest. Only a few days ago a boy said 

 to his teacher, " I used to take pleasure 

 in killing all kinds of birds. Now I 

 don't wish to harm even an English 

 Sparrow." 



The object of BIRD DAY and the 

 study that leads to it, is to diffuse a 

 true knowledge of the aesthetic and 

 practical value of birds and to arouse 

 an interest in bird protection. 



And it is high time that something 

 be done. From all over the country 



come reports of a decrease in native 

 birds. In many places some of our 

 sweetest songsters and most useful 

 insect destroyers have become very 

 scarce or have disappeared entirely. 

 The causes are many, but the greatest 

 is an inexcusable thoughtlessness on 

 the part of young and old of both 

 sexes. Johnny teases for a gun. His 

 fond parents get it for him. Result — 

 Johnny shows his marksmanship by 

 shooting several birds in his vicinity. 

 Or, perhaps, the ladies need new hats. 

 Nothing except birds for trimming 

 will do, though ten thousand sweet 

 songs be hushed forever. 



The study of bird life is one of 

 especial interest to children and if 

 properly pursued will develop in them 

 sympathetic characters that should 

 make them kinder towards their play- 

 mates now and towards their fellow- 

 men in the coming years. 



Impress upon a child that 



" He liveth best who loveth best 

 All things, both great and small," 



and you have built into his life some- 

 thing that shall shine forth in good 

 deeds through countless ages. 



And how go about this work? 

 The limit of space allotted this article 

 forbids a full answer. Briefly, — study 

 the birds themselves. Get a boy 

 aroused to a friendly, protective 

 interest in one bird and you have 

 probably made that boy a friend of all 

 birds. If you are a teacher, take your 

 little flock out early some bright, 

 Spring morning and let them listen to 



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