upon each question till it is answered correctly, and all agree upon the answer.
A similar plan may be followed for studying the Robin, Bluebird, Catbird, Oriole, or other birds as they arrive, or as they become accessible to certain of the pupils. In April, two years ago, one little girl had observed, and described accurately, seventeen different species of birds which she had seen in the little yard of her home. They had been attracted by the food she had put out for them.
The nest-building of birds is also a good subject for observation, the Robin being, perhaps, the best species for a first study.
QUESTIONS ON NEST-BUILDING, AND NESTING HABITS
Which bird does most building, the male, or the female?
Do both carry material?
Does the male ever seem to be acting as escort or guard to his mate?
What materials are used? What is the appearance of the nest? Its situation—sheltered, or not?
After the nest is completed, watch it till the young are hatched. Which bird sits upon the eggs? Does the male ever relieve his mate at this task? Does he bring food to her? Does he spend some time singing to her, as if he were trying to keep her cheerful? Does he protect her from attack by birds or other enemies?
SOME QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED ABOUT ROBINS
Learn to distinguish the voices and call notes of the male and female. Which bird wakes first in the morning and calls the other ? You may also notice, sometimes, in the night, that one bird wakes and calls the other. Which one generally wakes first at these times?
Do Robins raise more than one brood in a season? If so, do they use the same nest twice? If they raise two broods, what becomes of the first, while the mother is sitting upon the eggs for the second?
Watch for a Robin leading out a family of chicks. Notice the feeding after the birds are old enough to run and fly fairly well. The young birds are placed apart by the parent, who visits each one in turn, and rebukes any who tries to be piggish, sometimes nipping it with its bill when it runs up out of turn. Notice this parent teaching the young to sing,—it is a very interesting sight.
The teacher will need some good manual to aid in identifying some of the species, though much of the work the first season would better be upon common, well-known birds. The following are recommended:
‘Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America’, by Frank M. Chapman, published by D. Appleton & Co.: ‘Bird-Craft,’ by Mabel Osgood Wright, published by The Macmillan Company.
