BOYS and GIRLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25036, 28 October 1944, Page 4

BOYS and GIRLS

I - Bird Families 1 ? \ DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS,- ' I expect many of you have been birdnesting these fine days—and by "bird-nest-ing" (please, boys!) I don't mean robbing the nests of their little eggs, but seeking out the nests and watching the young birds developing. It really is a fascinating pastime. There seem to be nests everywhere in our garden and along the roadways in the hedgerows. You would be very surprised to know where one of ' our Blackbird families was brought up. It was j on the wood-heap where we had stacked old i branches of trees and sticks for the fire. I'm f sure it couldn't have been more than three ' feet from the ground and yet our two pussies t and the neighbouring cats didn't find the babies. The last time I peeped through the dry branches at them they were almost birds t and were so tightly packed into their nest j I thought one at least would be pushed out. r How I expect they hove gained their "wings. ' ' Chippy Chaffinch and his neat little wife have a nest somewhere in the garden, but I we just can't discover where it is. Both mother and father bird come every morning 1 and take beaks full of breadcrumbs to their 1 babies. I wish we knew where they were hidden. 3 One bird family has been unlucky, for the 5 Starlings built their home in the wash-house J chimney and their four little eggs were "cooked." It was most unfortunate, but the J washing had to be done and I'm sure Mrs 3 Starling will be wise and lay some more eggs in a safer place. As I said last week my pussy cat, Grey i Malcolm, will be thankful when nesting time j is over. He spends his days making faces 3 through the window at the agitated Black--3 birds who scold him yery loudly. i Jolly bird - nesting •. - for you all, gay days 1 of sunshine and smiles and love from ' ' .

—Original sketch by Angela Wilson (14), M.B.G. The Lake So deep, so blue, so calm it lies, Nestled 1n a valley green, While bush-clad mountains on each, side Add to this enchanting scene. All alone vet far from lonely, It dreams 'ncath an azure shy, While gentle breezes play around And stately poplars sway and sigh. Sometimes its surface gleams serene, Sometimes silver ripples fall And on its face the moonbeams dance. When night creeps 'ncath the tree-tops tall. —Orifrlnal, by Thelma Lnmont (14). Watching the # Dear Anne Shirley,—On our farm (here is a pool in which there are frogs. M.v brother and I go down and watch for frogs' heads popping up. We listen to them croaking, often trying to catch them. It is interesting to watch them swim, Anne Shirley. They use their back legs, pushing them out > behind them like we do in breast-stroke.—Your "froggy" Wend, Joyce Fegler (10), Paerata,.

1 A FAIRY'S HOME 3 —Original sketch by Joy Bowen. r Like Twilight Fairies Dear Anne Shirley,—l wonder how many ■ members have the lovely mau\%. double wis- » teria creeper in their gardens? We have it , in our garden and it does look lovely with " its gracefully drooping flowers swaying in the 2 gentle breeze. They remind me ever so much , of little twilight fairies dancing a ballet. " I do think that the wee flowers are the very 5 sweetest. I sometimes wonder if the speckle 2 thrush thinks so, too. for every morning she perches on one of the boughs and sings so gaily. Happy days of gardening in the sunj shine and love. —From Avonnc Rogers, Otorohanga. s In a Chocolate Factory Dear Anne Shirley.—One day we went to a chocolate and toffeo factory. A toffee- wrap, ping machine -interested me very much. The paper was on a reel and a long line of uncut toffee was at the left of the machine. It was gradually being sucked to a place where it hiet a piece of paper. The toffee and the paper were both cut, then the paper was wrapped round the toffee, another part of the machine twisted the two ends, and the toffees fell into a tin which collected them at the bottom. There were also big tubs like washing machines full of chocolate going glug-glug for 72 hours for each Jot of chocolate. We were allowed to dip our fingers in the tubs and twist chocolate round them and suck off the chocolate. —From your friend David Blaiklock (8), Mount Albert

♦ ♦ » ♦ » ♦ ■» ♦ ♦ * ♦ D.D.M.B.G. Wo have much pleasure in announcing that another member of the Herald Circles has succeeded in gaining her third hundred points, thereby becoming a Doubly Distinguished Member of Boys and Girls r»nd winning the cash award of 10/-. This time It goes to CLADYS ZA>iOVICH, of Frankton. Hearty congratulations, Gladys, nnd our very best wishes for continued success. »»«♦«.»!»»»- ♦ »:« Welcome to Our Circles A warm welcome is extended to the following new members of the Herald Circles:— Joyce Filac, Anne Finlayson, Bob Hetaraka, Ri'lla Seabourne, N. Moore, Marion Bear, Owen McQuoid, Jean Eoke. Doreen Vincent, Jan Moyle, Roger Seabourne. Joyce Ellis, Florence Ellis, Nancy Graham. Ross McKenzie. Joy Aitkenhead, June Wilkin&on, Alison Campbell, Timothy McFarland, Dong- ' las Grierson, Marsden Heaslip. ] Glowworms' Magic Lanterns Dear Anne Shirley,—l would like to tell 1 you about the glowworms that we see along : the school road. Sometimes after tea when : we go for a walk to see them there seem : to be hundreds shining along tho banks. : They look as if they are the lights of fairy : villages. Have yon ever seen them? Last Saturday we saw a kingfisher on our back fence. He was a funny-looking fellow, with his long beak, but, when he turned his back how pretty he was with his shining bluegreen feathers.—Yours sincerely, Glenys Praser, Run tab una. Limerick There was an old woman of Keel, ] Who had a ,voung boy named Xealj She took him to the zoo, The animals to view. But the lions thought he'd make a good meal. , —Original, b,y Juno Fenning (14), ,

All Hallowe 'en Witches, hobgoblins all, Come; respond to the call, tiring pumpkin-lanterns along ,U you come to join our eerie throng. Mount your broomstick steeds And come to perform mystic deeds. Hound the cauldron sport, and play Till there break.? the day. The black cats sit. in a circle there Where the faggots begin to flare. Quick! Mix a bat's car, a newt's eye, The heart of a frog, the wings of a fly! Make a strange brew while the cauldron boils And the smoke upward coils. Xow the brew is distilled in magic kegs.Dance around the spindley legs. nut look, my sisters, the break of day! Witches and hobgoblins, all away. —Original, by I'oggle Madgwlck (13). Our Competition There Is still another week to go for the Junior Painting Contest, but we are announcing another competition for tho.ie who hrfve finished their entries. This time it is open to all readers of 19 years and under. The idea for this contest was sent in by Jack Gates (13). What you have to do is to draw In black ink a bird, animal, fish or any other object, to represent a letter of the alphabet. For instance an S looks just like a swan, an O can be transformed into a tortoise and a small h into a giraffe. You will be surprised how many different things you can draw from the letters of the alphabet. Mark the letter with heavy lines so that It Is quite clear which letter you have chosen. All drawings must'be in black ink as we shall publish the best entries. Two five-shilling and four half-crown prizes are offered for the neatest and most original drawings. Don't forget to add your name, age and address at the bottom of the paper, and send your entry to Anne Shirley, Herald Office, Box 32, Auckland, C.I. THE CONTEST CLOSES ON SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 18.

THE OLD AND THE NEW —Original sketch by Nola Nealo (12). Word Problem The answers begin and end with tho name Idlers. 1. A State, in America. '2. Noise made by a lion. Vehicle drawn by a horse. 4. Another name for country. 5. To look without being seen. <i. A fish. 7. Fenialo sheep. 8. Swift-flowing water. (Answers elsewhere.) —Original, by John Thorby (13).

CHILDREN OF HOLLAND --Original sketch by Kitty Ilalcombe (15). Not in Your Library "Ghost Stories," by U. Horror. "Lovers' Lane," by U. R. Sweet. "Kound tho World," by A. Capo. "Sweet Babies," by A. Dear. "Tell Me," b.v B. A. Darling. —Original, by Judith Tompkins. Hidden Names Find the hidden names of boys and girls in these sentences: — 1. "This Franc is for yon," he said. 2. He lent mo his book. 3. Tho storm was at its worst, but the shin sailed on. •I. I risked having a broken leg. 5. He took endless pains with his work. 0. Don't forget to call for your oysters. (Answers elsewhere.) —Original, by Kathleen Atwell (11). Going to the Zoo Shall we go down to the zoo today To see the elephants there, Where monkeys chatter, donkeys bray? We might catch a glimpse of Pooh Bear. Shall we go down to the zoo today? I'm sure it would be fun; The lions' growls, the tigers' roars Are sure to make you run. (Would the author or this original poem please send nirae and address to Aline Shirley). Thank You Thank you to the following boys and girls for items which have been accepted:—Faith Fauchelle, Glenys Fraser. Xoeline Moore, Jean Fortune, John Casey, David Blaiklock, Joyce Pegier, Patsy Thompson, Lorna Trewin, Gladys Bromell, Granville Fraser. Enid Loveday, Peggy Adams, June Fenning, Kitty Halcombe, Margaret Feist. .Avonno Rogers. Thanks also go to tho following boys and girls whose items were not quite suitable for publication. Better luck next time. Hilda Wiparno, Julie Irwin, Mary Roche, Glenys Fraser, Rilla Seahourne, Valerie Tapo. Ross McKenzie, .Margaret Feist. John Buckland, Gladys Bromell, Joyce Martin, Moya Burke, Colleen Green, Gladys Helleur, Elsie Howell, John Casey, Dennis Perenara. Answers Word Prohloni.—l, Ohio. 2, Roar. Gig. 4, Nation. ">, Peep. 0. Trout. 7. Ewo. 8. River. Hidden Names.—l, Francis, M. Helen. Don. 4, Iris. 5, Ken. 6, Roy.