CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7847, 8 July 1911, Page 13

CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT

THE “BLUE-BIRD CLUB” BOYS and GIRLS desirous of joining this Club must enclose with their application the above coupon. The name and address of the writer must be given, hut will not 'be published. "ZEALANDIA ” will be pleased to answer any questions on subjects of interest to “ BlueBird” Boys and Girls, and invites them to write to her.

Tho glowworm is not a worm, but’ a beetle; and it is wrong to speak of the coral insect, which is not an insect at all. —'‘Children's Encyclopedia.

Dear Blue-Birds,— You are indeed becoming quite a flock! From North and South, East and West, Birds are flying to be changed into Blue-Birds. Since I wrote to you last, three now comrades. Donah, Nessie, and Madeline, have become members of the Club, and others are waiting. So now there are twenty-five Blue-Birds, and that is a quarter of a hundred, which sounds .much more important. Next week I shall give you a very charming competition, just the thing for a wet Saturday, when you cannot get out for any- open-air fun. * * *

“Hazel” wrote mo such a nice letter in answer to my question about that great 1000 acres of bush, near which she lives. Will you like to hear* what she says? "There are not many berries, but there are a lovely lot of—ferns and creepers. The name of the berries axe supplejack, wincberries, and blackberries. I do not know many of the names of the ferns. But the ones I do know are kidney forns, the large tree-ferns, and the maiden-hair ferns. The names of the creepers are clematis and lawyer. That is all I know the names of. but there are. several more." I am sorry to hear you have blackberries iu the bush, “Hazel.” They are very impudent visitors, and soon choke out the beautiful native inhabitants., There is a pretty native creeper called “Parsonia" which I think would grow in your bush. It has clusters of very tiny white flowers, and the seeds are in long narrow pods, hanging down like French beans. If you find it, first open a pod to see how wonderfully tho seeds are packed away! Is not the seed on tho kidney ferns pretty? Just like a row of pale green, beads sown on round tho edge. I wonder if you have ribbon-wood trees with their pretty flowers like cherry -blossom growing at the edge of tho bush? And tawa trees, with their purple berries like oval

damson plums, only tasting strongly of turpentine? How is the doll getting on. Hazel? "What a pity your sister Annie is over the age. Perhaps she would have dressed one, too? * * * “Donah” says: "I think I can . find two more members for the Blue-Bird Club. Tho answer that I find for the picture puzzle is ‘Sleep/ The answer to the geographical puzzle is ‘Bodmin/ May any /Blue-Birds send puzzles? I would like to, if w'o can. I am sorry to say I have only one pet, w'hich is a black cat, half Persian, but it is rather wild.” X am very glad you are bringing more members to the Club, Donah, because I hope there will be some more doll-dressing members among them for one thing. It will be so nice to have a show of dolls worthy of the Blue-Bird Club, for I want “Blue-Birds” to be noted for doing their very best in everything. I think Persian cats are always more restless and uncertain in temper than ordinary oats. Your answers to the puzzles are correct. If you have any very good puzzles, dear, you could send them to me if you like. * * * ' “Joe.” —Your answers, too, are correct, Joseph: and I am glad you are enjoying the Blue-Bird Clwb, and are bringing a friend. Of course I want every boy who joins to be manly, loyal, and straightforward in all things, just as I want every girl to be truthful and kind and generous. Have you begun your letter about the Exhibition yet? It would be nice if you won tho 7s 6d prize! jjr jXj “Madeline” writes: “I am very anxious to join your club, having taken a great interest in the puzzles, and also tho doll-dressing ■ competition. I am twelve years old, and am in the Sixth Standard. Next week the second South Taranaki winter show is to take place. I will write later and tell you about it.

Another friend of mine wishes to join your club. She is a school friend of mine.” So glad to hear that as far away as Hawera, Madeline, X shall have BlueBirds working in tho doll-dressing competition! The prizes are worth winning, are they , not, dear? I wonder how you are going to dress your doll ? You’ll make her clothes by hand, and to take on and off, will you not ? For that is half tho pleasure to the invalid children who will get them. Yes, write again. You have guessed the puzzles quite correctly. Very glad'to welcome you. # * *

“Dorothy” writes: “My dear mother is now ill in bed, and so I have to help about the house. I had to cook the dinner, and although I cooked it, it was not as nice as when mother is about; but, never mind, I will do my best until she gets well again. Mother was very pleased with the answer you gave mo to my letter, and she says that I may try dressing tho doll. I have guessed the answer to this week’s puzzle. The thing we do at night is sleep. I am glad I was successful last week, that is the second puzzle I have guessed in your letters.” That’s right, Dorothy; it must be a great comfort to your mother that you can do so much for her. You can never do too much, dear, for though life may bring you many friends, you can have but one mother. You are very successful with my puzzles. * * » ' “George.”—l think your father must have been very pleased that you sent him tho letter. So you are a King’s namesake? Why, you had a sort of special interest in the review for “George Rex.” I hope you sang with a will, and that yon will be one of the King’s most loyal subjects. » '* * "Nessie” writes; “I have one or two questions to ask you. Do the competitors have to answer all tho puzzles? Do they have to go in for all the competitions?” No, Nessie. Onlv as many as you wish to, or can answer. .The com-, petition which I want all you girls to

enter is the doll-dressing competition, and that not only, for the sake of winning the prizes, blit because of tho pleasure you jvill give to the. little invalid or cripple children in Homes or Hospitals who cannot run about and play in tho fresh air and sunshine as you can. Now, dear Blue-Birds, good-bye. Your Friend, —ZEALANDIA. '* * * PICTURE PUZZLE

What herb? Answer to last week’s picture puzzle: Peacock. Solved by Muriel and Isabel. Answers to Other, Puzzles DOUBLE ACROSTIC. Martin Luther. 1. M urie L. 2., A die U.’ 3. R aT. i, T arshis H. 5. I nsid E. 6. N eighbou R. Solved by Muriel NUMERICAL PUZZLE. Longfellow. Solved by "Muriel. # It is always good to know, if only in parsing, charming human beings. It refreshes one like flowers and woods and clear brooks.—George Eliot.