THE MAKING OF BIRDCRAFT SANCTUARY 



13 



OLD ORCHARD FROM THE OVERLOOK 

 Photographed by Wilbur F. Smith 



having served its purpose has l)eeii rephiced liy a meadow group. 



The arrangement of our little museum aims at doing away 

 with the confusion that falls upon the amateur when visiting 

 great collections, for we limit ourselves to birds common to 

 Connecticut, and, in addition to the picture groups, we are de- 

 veloping three "study cases" wherein the birds are shown in 

 pairs, or male, female and immature, and plainly labeled. 



Have people tired of this exhibit? No. Those who came at 

 first from mere curiosity, came again with interested friends. 

 Teachers make visits a reward of merit for their Junior Classes, 

 and automobilists leave the post-road to "take in Birdcraft." 

 Our last annual record of visitors was 6,200 people, a small 

 number for a city museum, but very significant for a rural, 

 cottage affair. The use of the ground inside the so-called cat- 

 proof fence is confined to Members of the Conn. Audubon 

 Society and accredited adult 1)ird-students admitted by card. 



One hundred and thirty birds killed l)y natural causes have 

 been l^rought in by children. Permission having been given us 

 by the State Commission of Fish and Game to retain these birds, 

 they were mounted by the warden, for the museum, and dupli- 

 cates kept as "skins" for exchange. 



