The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-07
TO PROTECT NATIVE BIRDS.
Prof. Hodge Writes of What Has Already
Been Done Among the Schools

FFOIs ViiRGS VI NbHdh iiaS NA'SNNJ
Been Done Among the Schools
Prof. C. F. Hodge writes The Spy as
follows:-"So much interest and COM
ment has been aroused in Worcester and
elsewhere in the work of the Ten to One
clubs that it is hoped to run a weekly
series of notes, Saturdays and Sundays,
during May at least, which shall report
the progress and afford opportunity for
suggestions as to best methods of at
tracing and protecting our native
birds.
First In order to coordinate and
unity the work. the following system OF
numbering and recording the clubs, has
been adopted. Each club will be known
by the school to which it belongs ana
will be sent a number on receipt by
the undersigned of notification of that
organization, the number to correspond
as nearly as possible to the order of
formation of the clubs Notification Of
organization of a club should give the
following information.
First: Date of formation. Second,
Name of club. Third: List of officers
Fourth: Number of members. Fifth:
time to time, give number of nests pro-
tected number of bird houses placed
and special lines of work that the club
may have undertaken, with suggestions
that may be made as to best methods
Of operation s. --~~s.z.. ---..-l..,.s
up to date, seven schools have re-
ported club sorganizati TONS, viz Wood
land. Upsala, Elizabeth, DIX Canter-
bury, Cambridge and Quinsigamond
In some of the schools clubs have been
formed in certain grades, generally the
higher, and In others all grades have
come in. Two schools, Upsala- street
and Quinsigamond, report every pupil
enrolled in the various sections of cir
cles of the school club. These two
schools alone stand for about 100 boys
and girls who are working for our
birds. Four hundred and ten members
are reported from Dix street. about SOC
more from Elizabeth street. Statistics
have not yet been received from the
other clubs, but probably not less than
| $500 pupils have been enlisted in the
work.
"These figures are a little surprising
at first, but we only need to think OF
the value of the birds about our homes
to find the reason why practically every
| child is eager to do all he can to at
tract and protect them. The question
practically is: How many of you, boys
and girls, would like to have a pair Of
robins or blue birds or orioles or other
birds come and build their nest close
| to your window, where you can SEE
them work and hear them sing. All whe
would like to have them come viii nat
urally be glad to do what they can tc
| invite them.
1--WE are. then, dealing with positive
rather than prohibitory and negative
education, and as soon as a bird house
has been SET. in place, or a dish of water
or some store Irvine for the orioles OF
worms and crumbs have been provided
no child can purposely frighten a bird
away from his house lot. This seems
to be the way it is working. The chill
dren in the Elizabeth street school are
working especially to attract house
useful birds, and two members have
reported wrens in their houses. A
truly magnificent discovery has been
reported by a member of the same club
1t is no less than the nest of loon, In
one of our ponds. The boy reports feed
ing the two little looms with wet bread
from his hands, and says that the OLD
looms are becoming so tame that they
do not seem to be frightened at his
presence. The loon is one of our most
active and beautiful aquatic birds.
When we come to realize the beauty
of the living and value it above the
| fun of shooting or the CHASTITY spec
tacle of a stuffed specimen, we may
have them grace our waters in num-
| bers.
IF the above information for each
of the above clubs, and as many more
as can be formed. can be sent in by
Friday night of next week, May u, q
fuller report will be made, giving the
number of clubs, number of members,
lists of officers as well as suggestions
and observations of interest which may
| have been noted"