THE 



NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



DEVOTED PRIMARILV TO \LL SCIENTIFIC STUDIES OF NATURE IN 



ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 



Published monthly, except June. July and August. Subscriptions price, including mem 

 bership in the American Nature Study Society. Ji.oo per year (nine issues*. Canadian post 

 age 10 cents extra, foreign postage. 20 cents extr.i. 



Editorial 



THB LOVE POR BIRDS 



One May morning we chanced to observe a rugged old farmer 

 standing beneath an apple tree, listening intently to the song of a 

 robin that was putting forth its best efforts as a virtuoso on the top- 

 most twig. The listener's face was lifted, a happy smile radiated 

 from the lips over the- glowing ruddy cheeks and reached the shin- 

 ing eyes which were as blue as the sky above. In that scene this 

 man's character was made manifest and it was no surprise later in 

 the day to see him. as he toiled up across the hill pasture, followed 



by a procession consisting of the horse, the cow, a dozen hens in 

 straggling parade, the dog and the cat, even- animal at liberty in 

 the pasture, all trailling contentedly his beloved footsteps. His 

 generosity, his never failing kindness t<> the unfortunate, his lov- 

 ing care for every <>ne and everything dependent upon him were all 

 clearly revealed. 



"Mild and gentle as he was brave, 

 When the sweetest love of his life he gave 

 To simple things; where the violets grew 

 Pure as the eyes they were likened to 

 The touches of his hands have strayed 

 As reverently as his lips have prayed." 



While writing the outline for bird study in the grades for this 

 number of the Review there was one thought uppermost : "How 

 can we, in teaching about birds be sure that we are inducting into 

 the child heart a love for birds ; a love that shall be unselfish and 

 protecting; a love that shall act as the fundamental factor in build- 

 ing the gentle character; a love that once implanted will grow 

 through natural nourishment until it shall be able to enfold 

 comfortingly all who are in need. Unless bird study accomplishes 

 this it will not reach its highest success. 



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