344 NATURE STUDY AND LIFE 



two before this occurs. The preceding table, which we 

 may call a Life Chart of a few of our commoner species, 

 may serve to bring a number of points of interest together 

 in convenient form for reference. It would be well if, 

 each spring, classes in nature study could make a table 

 of this kind for their own localities. This would bring 

 out variations in season from year to year, define these 

 periods more exactly, and furnish incentive and guidance 

 to active work in supplying homes and nesting materials. 



Organized Bird Protection ; the Audubon Societies. — " As for 

 the birds that are the special object of preservation of 

 your Society, we should keep them just as we keep trees. 

 They add immeasurably to the wholesome beauty of life." ^ 



These words of President Roosevelt express the matter 

 in a nutshell. We should have birds about our homes 

 just as we have trees and flowers. In planning for farms 

 or gardens, for public parks or for homes, we should 

 always provide for birds. Bird life, in fact, is the natural 

 complement of plant life, both useful and beautiful. 



To impart to our work for the birds the universality 

 that shall render it effective for the whole country we 

 need organization. Happily, this is provided for in the 

 Audubon Societies, now established in twenty-two states. 

 Both teachers and pupils may join the societies of their 

 respective states, and it would be none too many if every 

 nature-study class should form a branch Audubon Society. 

 The teachers receive suggestion and help, and the chil- 

 dren feel the inspiration there is in all working together 

 for a cause of truly national importance, — the universal 

 protection, domestication, and increase of our native birds. 



1 From a letter of Theodore Roosevelt, Bird-Lore, vol. ii, p. g8. 



