of Julius Mosen, by Longfellow.

On the cross the dying Saviour
Heavenward lifts his eyelids calm,
Feels, but scarcely feels, a trembling
In his pierced and bleeding palm.

And by all the world forsaken,
Sees he how with zealous care
At the ruthless nail of iron
A little bird is striving there.

Stained with blood and never tiring,
With its beak it doth not cease,
From the cross it would free the Saviour,
Its Creator's son release.

And the Saviour speaks in mildness:
"Blest be thou of all the good!
Bear, as token of this moment,
Marks of blood and holy rood!"

And that bird is called the Crossbill,
Covered all with blood so clear,
In the groves of pine it singeth,
Songs, like legends, strange to hear.

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
AMERICAN RED CROSSBILL.]

BIRD DAY IN THE SCHOOLS.

Bird Day! Have you heard of it? Whether you have or not, we wish to
assure you that it is worthy the thoughtful consideration of all
teachers, and of all others interested in protecting and preserving our
sweet birds.

Bird day has already proved a great success in two cities of the United
States, both in the enthusiasm shown by the children in their friendly
study of birds and in the result of such study.

In 1894, Oil City, Pa., observed the day, and in 1896 it was celebrated
in the schools of Fort Madison, Iowa.

Of the results in his schools, Supt. Babcock, of Oil City, says, "There
has been a complete change in the relations existing between the small
boy and the birds."

Although we in Fort Madison have been engaged in bird study less than a
year, and have observed but one BIRD DAY, results similar to those
secured by Supt. Babcock are becoming manifest. Only a few days ago a
boy said to his teacher, "I used to take pleasure in killing all kinds
of birds. Now I don't wish to harm even an English Sparrow."

The object of BIRD DAY and the study that leads to it, is to diffuse a
true knowledge of the aesthetic and practical value of birds and to
arouse an interest in bird protection.

And it is high time that something be done. From all over the country
come reports of a decrease in native birds. In many places some of our
sweetest songsters and most useful insect destroyers have become very
scarce or have disappeared entirely. The causes are many, but the
greatest is an inexcus