"BIRD PAGE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

"BIRD PAGE."

'All those who read our recent " Bird Pago " must havo noted and admired the striking special heading, with its lettering in bird-song notes. I rather wondered how tho young artist, Mollio Bell, 3J.M.8.G., had managed to think out such a striking and unusual design. A letter received from her this week gives an interesting explanation, and X think you will all enjoy reading it. Just a, short time ago soon after tho competition for the Bird Pago had closed, 1 was reading your letter in " Girls and Boys." where you told us what a wonderfull collection of entries you had received for that page. After I had finished your letter J said to m,other, "Miss Morton has received fiuch a lot of lovely entries this time that I am sure my poor drawing will not bo among the winning ones. Never mind, it might be among those marked ' use if possible.' " But all tho same, I was entirely without hope. Thus. Miss Morton, you can judge how delighted' I was to sec my heading at the top of the page. Now I must tell yon from where T got my idea. One afternoon I was standing ill tne back door gazing at a plum tree, which stands only a few yards from the house, and wondering when the little buds, which were •very tiny at that' time, would burst. Beside, the plum tree stands the wash-house. This is partly covered with ivy which at present is bearing small berjies. As I gazed up frpm the door a huge thrush (I am-sure he must have been a grandfather one) swallowed a berry, sang a few notes, and eyed me in wonderment. A pair of cheeky sparrows took a rest, on the plum tree. There was my picture. ' Billy, our cat, feeling a little frisky in the clear, cool air, at that moment dashed for the tree, ran up it and seeing what he thought would make a delicious tea flit carelessly away, he descended in a very crestfallen manner. My picture was gone, but the thoughts still remained, and that evening I began my heading. ■