30 
IIISTOKY A^■l) WORK OK THE 
attracting- them and the Baltimore orioles came in large 
numbers. Xon-poisonons sumach are enjoyed by the birds, 
besides they look attractive. The climbing bittersweet looks 
inviting in the antnmn and will be frequently visited by the 
birds, and the same is true of the Virginia creeper. Those 
who have the gronnd can experiment and acquire knowledge 
at first hand in the course of two or three seasons. All ber- 
ries should be left on the vines or trees, as winter birds are 
fond of all varieties and the spring birds are sure to discover 
what may l)e left upon their return. 
The State of Illinois spends about five thousand dollars 
each winter in feeding their birds. It is customary in some 
States to scatter food over the ground or snow for quail, as 
well as in openings in crusted snow, as the quail frequently 
get imprisoned in such holes and slowly starve to death. 
This is especially so after a sleet or rain when snow is on 
the ground, as the openings are made too small for the 
bird to escape or entirely closed. In many States the schools 
undertake the feeding of birds and useful wild animals. 
Tiie first step to protect birds and animals against the 
depredation of boys is to get the superintendents and teachers 
i.f schools interested in bird and animal protection. If the 
teachers are so disposed, they can arouse a sense of right 
in cliildren and impress them with the fact that the world 
was not created or evolved for man alone, but that other 
useful creatures should enjoy the same privileges of life and 
happiness. It is not advisable to invoke the law in the case 
of children disobeying the game law, without first informing 
the instructors. Both teachers and parents should be ap- 
{)caled to. However, it sometimes has a wholesome effect 
to have boys punished who persist in destroying in defiance 
of the law. Some boys follow the reasoning of their elder 
sportsmen and kill animals and birds because such animals 
or birds are considered harmful. The boys should be taught 
that it is wrong for them to kill such animals or birds. Ad- 
vise them to leave the matter of regulation to scientists, or 
to the State. Many of the ‘‘weather proi)hets” in the com- 
munity are mistaken in regard to animals and birds and fre- 
(piently advise the killing of all hawks, yet the majority of 
hawks are among the most useful birds our country pos- 
