158 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [16:4— April, 1920 



should be made by the pupils. These tables may not be of any 

 practical use but making them will serve to make the matter clear 

 in the pupil's minds. 



The legislatures of all our states have passed game laws, and 

 digests of these may be obtained by applying to the proper authori- 

 ties at the state capitol. The U. S. game laws may be obtained 

 from the U. S. Biological Survey; a description of the bird sanc- 

 tuaries in our country may be obtained there also. The study of 

 the game laws and the bird sanctuaries are very closely correlated 

 with the work in elementary forestry which is also properly eighth 

 grade work. 



An Ovenbuilder 



Adeline M. Wenger 



Tenefly, N. J. 



Nature, the handmaid of God Almighty, doth nothing but with good advice, 

 if we make researches into the true reason of things. — James Howell. 



With a feeling of the truth expressed in the above quotation, I 

 cannot help but combine with a citation of facts regarding the little 

 warbler known by the common names of Ovenbird, Golden- 

 crowned Warbler, Wood Wagtail, Wagtail Warbler, Land Kickup, 

 Crescendo Chicken, and a few other variations of these names, a 

 bit of which I shall call a ' ' sermonette" for want of a better name. 



If the year is still in early May, you may see our feathered friend 

 walking daintily about your garden. He will not remain with you 

 long, — a week will perhaps suffice for him to look about with an 

 alert air, as if making up his mind as to the lady of his choice, whom 

 he will follow to and woo in a quiet woodland of hickory, oak and 

 beech, where ferns grow along the banks bordering and sloping 

 toward a stream, or preferably a high, dry spot thickly carpeted 

 with fallen leaves. There you shall have an opportunity of wit- 

 nessing that this little bird "doth nothing except with good 

 advice." 



As you enter this domain of Nature's creatures, take with you 

 an open mind and heart, — both are needed. You are then ready 

 to receive instruction, patient to wait for it, and ready, when it 

 comes, to mediate upon its meaning. 



Perhaps you will first become aware of the presence of the bird 

 you are seeking by a call, at first loud and seemingly close at hand, 

 then repeated from a distance, " Teach ! Teacher ! Teacher ! Teacher ! 



