lxXXViii PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
not long ago, and I made the best of my opportunity to watch it 
procuring its food. It went to a muddy pool of water and put its 
bill into it. In a moment it came up again with a worm in it. The 
bill is pointed, to enable the Blackbird to dig, but there is also a 
reason why the bill is long. When a Blackbird digs with its bill, 
sand and stones are thrown into the air. If the bill were a short 
one, the sand and stones would go into its eyes. The long bill of 
the Blackbird then enables it to dig without fear of hurting its eyes.” 
Nearly all the essays are illustrated by sketches of the bills and 
feet of different birds, done either in pencil, ink, or coloured chalk, 
some of which show a considerable amount of artistic talent, as well 
as careful observation. I think we may fairly claim, therefore, that 
the competition has done something to train both hand and eye, as 
well as to stimulate a love for the things of Nature. The subject of 
Essay for next season will be “The Trees of Perthshire,” and the 
conditions will be the same as formerly. 
I cannot leave the subject of the Essay Competition without 
expressing my indebtedness to one who, alas ! has been taken from 
us by death within the last few days, namely, the late Mr. William 
Whyte, H.M. Inspector of Schools for Perthshire. Mr. Whyte 
frequently expressed his warm approval of the movement, and did 
much to encourage it by commending the competition to teachers, 
especially in the country districts of the County. 
The following is the Prize-List for the past season :— 
First Division, Age 14-15 (9 Essays). 
1st Prize—Margaret Duncan, Caledonian Road School, Perth. 
2nd ,, —Jessie Menzies, Royal Grammar School, Dunkeld. 
3rd ,, —Alexander Barrie Grieve, Public School, Aberfeldy. 
Cert, of Merit—Agnes C. M. Macgregor, Royal Grammar School, Dunkeld. 
,, —William Sanderson, ,, ,, 
,, —Edith A. Macgregor, ,, ,, 
Second Division, Age 13 (24 Essays). 
1st Prize and Bronze Medal—James Hutton, Royal Grammar School, Dunkeld. 
2nd ,, —George Stewart, ,, ,, 
3rd ,, —Robert Todd, Caledonian Road School, Perth. 
4th ,, —James Smith, ,, ,, 
Cert, of Merit—Ormond Steven, Public School, Ivillin. 
,, —Margaret Gow, Torwood Public School, Birnarn. 
Third Division, Age 12 (31 Essays). 
1st Prize—Christina R. Stewart, Caledonian Road School, Perth. 
2nd ,, —Mabel Duncan, ,, ,, 
3rd ,, —Robert F. Robertson, ,, ,, 
4th ,, —Vinnie Esplin, Western District School, Perth. 
5th ,, —Archie Henderson, ,, ,, 
Cert, of Merit—Robert Sanderson, Royal Grammar School, Dunkeld. 
,, —Francis Hutchison, Western District School, Perth. 
,, —George Bannerman, ,, ,, 
,, —Maggie D. Forbes, Torwood Public School, Birnarn. 
Fourth Division, Age n and under (17 Essays). 
1st Prize—Charles Keay, Western District School, Perth. 
2nd ,, —Maggie Thomson, ,, „ 
Cert, of Merit—James Hill, ,, ,, 
,, —James Anderson, ,, ,, 
,, —Maggie B. Stewart, Caledonian Road School, Perth. 
