ll be found to contain many suggestions about bird feeding and
nesting boxes, and the proper way to make and place the latter.

_Colouring Outlines._--The children, using crayons or water-colour
paint, may place the natural colours of the birds upon the outline
drawings provided, using the coloured plates for comparison. This is
one of the best ways to fasten in the memory the appearance of the
birds, and thus quickly learn to recognize them in the field. Many
teachers have utilized this as an exercise for the regular drawing hour.

[Illustration: Colouring of Birds upon Outline Drawings]

{257}

_Teaching Children Approved by the Government._--Considering the
importance of the subject and the success that the plan has met, it is
little wonder that the Hon. P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner
of Education, early gave it his unqualified endorsement. In one letter
he wrote:

"I consider the work of the Junior Audubon {258} Classes very important
for both educational and economic results, and I congratulate you upon
the opportunity of extending it. The bird clause in the Mosaic Law
ends with the words: 'That it may be well with thee, and that thou
mayest prolong thy days.' The principle still holds. I hope that
through your efforts the American people may soon be better informed in
regard to our wild birds and their value."

In America we have neglected the subject of protecting our bird life,
and as a result in many sections we are suffering to-day from scourges
of insects. Too long the careless and thoughtless have been allowed to
wander aimlessly afield and shoot the birds that caused the winds of
prosperity to blow. We must teach the children to avoid the errors
that we have made. It is our duty to the child to give him of our
best, and teach him with all his getting to get understanding.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BIRD STUDY BOOK***

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