to or from school, or at home. A record is kept, and
pupils are urged to compete for the longest list of different species.

Later in the season, when the leaves are well off the trees, we start a
nest-hunting contest, the object being to see who can find the greatest
number of nests in a specified time. Samples of nests are secured and
put up in the school room.

[Illustration]

When cold weather comes the question of food supply is considered.
Shelters for the birds are constructed, and feeding places are
prepared. One method is to place a feeding board outside a south
window, and fastening a good-sized branch of a tree outside the window,
upon which pieces of suet are fastened. The remains of the children's
lunches, together with seeds, kernels of nuts, etc., are placed upon
the board, and birds soon learn to come to the banquet prepared for
them. The pupils are urged to go home and do likewise.

Monthly bird lists are kept, showing the kinds of birds that may be
seen each month, and pupils are required to keep note-books in which
anything of interest may be noted.

In the spring the question of housing the birds is considered, and
pupils are taught to construct simple bird houses, and all are
interested in placing these boxes about their homes.

In connection with this field work, attention is given to the
literature upon this subject. Scrap-books are kept, and any article
relating to birds found in papers or magazines is clipped and pasted in
this book.

We have in the school room over one hundred and fifty pictures in
colors of the birds to be found in this section of the State, and using
these as a basis, I give frequent "lectures" on the habits or any other
points of interest concerning these birds.

The pupils are very enthusiastic in the work, and the influence has not
only extended throughout the entire district, but other teachers and
pupils in the surrounding districts have caught the spirit and much is
being done along this line throughout the township.

--_Reprint from Nature and Culture._

THE WHITE BIRCH.

BY CHARLES DEGARMO.

Have you seen the white birch in the spring, in the Spring?
When the sunlight gleams upon her branches in the spring?
When her green leaves, young and tender,
Through their soft concealment render
Glimpses of her outlines slender in the spring.

Have you seen her wave her branches in the spring, in the spring?
Wave tho