Bird Bingo

"How about we play a game - and learn which birds are which at the same time?" asked Bubbles. "There may even be a prize in it for someone. And think how much it will help when we do the RSPB Bird Watch next year."

Now the other bears were becoming more interested. "OK," said Harry. "I'd like to learn some bird names, and I like the idea of winning a prize for it." He smiled.

Bubbles and Scary laughed. "Well, if that's what it takes," said Bubbles, "I'll go and find a game we can all play." He ran off inside and came back very shortly with a sheaf of papers and a big box of coloured counters. Everyone gathered around him.

"This is something I call Bird Bingo," explained Bubbles. "You each take a piece of paper and a handful of counters. On your sheets of paper there are pictures of 16 different garden birds in a grid of 4 by 4. The idea is that you cover with a counter the picture of the bird that matches any you see in the garden.

Under each picture there are some characteristics about the bird such as the colour of its feathers or the length of its tail so you can check you have chosen the correct bird. There is also the name of the bird so you can learn it for future use. The first person to fill in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins a prize. If anyone manages to cover all of the pictures they receive a big box of chocolates."