ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 17 



Bird Study in Public Schools 



During my last years in college the opportunity came 

 to get acquainted with our native birds in the classes of 

 Dr. Lynds Jones of Oberlin College. It was such a de- 

 light to have this door to birdland opened to me, I re- 

 solved to pass on the inspiration to the youngsters who 

 might fall to my lot in school work. Sharing with them 

 has been a real pleasure since their enthusiasm is so 

 marked. 



During the autumn months not much is attempted in 

 bird study. A review of summer experiences is sometimes 

 worth while for most children get close to Nature's heart 

 on summer outings. Some slight attention is given to fall 

 migration but no census is ever taken. The immature 

 birds are often so unlike the adults and the fall plumage less brilliant than 

 that of spring, so that careful identification would be difficult. 



In November a profitable period may be spent in discussing and dem- 

 onstrating bird counters, shelters and feeding stations. The National 

 Audubon Society for Juniors has some very suggestive circulars illustrating 

 these topics. I glean the best suggestions from this material and give copies 

 of hints to the pupils. In December we acquaint ourselves with the winter 

 residents and await guests at our bird counters. The bird friends do not 

 always accept our friendly invitations at first but some interesting reports 

 come in. 



In January intensive study begins. I have prepared typewritten lists, 

 compiled from my records since 1900, of the birds which are commonly 

 found here as winter residents or visitors. Such a list is prepared for each 

 grade studying so pupils may know what to expect to find. "Never expect 

 to see what your judgment tells you should not be seen," was a wise 

 proverb Mr. Frank E. Sanford, a pioneer in the study of Cook County 

 birds, used to tell his bird pupils in LaGrange. This wards off the possi- 

 bility of children reporting swallows and warblers in January. I have 

 similar lists posted for the spring arrivals in March and early April. Chil- 

 dren soon learn to be accurate in reporting and say diplomatically, "Is it 

 too early to see the bobolink yet?" About May first I assure them I shall 

 not be skeptical about any report. 



Pupils are encouraged to keep their own lists for the year, making 

 careful records of the date and place of the birds observed. Beside these 

 individual lists a group list for the whole room is. worth while. The Illinois 

 Audubon Society has prepared a wall chart of 200 birds to be found in 

 Illinois. This chart has the birds arranged in families so the pupils are 

 getting a fine idea of the relationship. Blank spaces occur for the date and 

 name of the first observer of each bird. This chart becomes an object of 

 increasing interest as the season advances. My classes in the Grammar 

 Grades usually record about 160 birds identified by the end of June. My 

 Second Grade, where sense perception is keen, often report as high as one 

 hundred. The joy these youngsters find in this work can hardly be de- 

 scribed. Generally I challenge a whole group to compete with my in- 

 dividual list for the year. If I am fortunate to get out on sufficient trips 



