BIRDS 



161 



its lower surface ; its upper surface. What effects are 

 noticed ? 



Study the scales on the leg of a bird (Fig. 300). Why is 

 the leg scaly rather than feathered from the ankle down- 

 ward ? Which scales are largest? (Fig. 300.) How do 

 the scales on the front and back differ ? What can you 

 say of the scales at the bottom of the foot ; at the joints 

 of the toes ? Explain. How does the covering of the 

 nails and bill compare in color, texture, hardness and firm- 

 ness of attachment with the scales of the leg ? 



Draw an outline of the bird seen from the side. Make 

 drawings of the head and feet 

 more detailed and on a larger 

 scale. 



Why does a goose have more 

 feathers suitable for making pil- 

 lows than a fowl ? In what 

 country did the domestic fowl 

 originate? (Encyclopedia.) Why 

 does a cock crow for day ? 

 (Consider animal life in jungle.) 



Activities of a Bird. Observe 

 a bird eating. Does it seem to 

 chew or break its food before 

 swallowing ? Does it have to 

 lift its head in order to swallow 

 food ? To swallow drink ? W 7 hy 

 is there a difference ? After feed- 

 ing the bird, can you feel the 

 food in the crop, or enlargement 

 of the gullet at the base of the 

 neck ? (Fig. 304.) 



Feel and look for any move- 



M 



FIG. 301. AN ALTRICAL BIRD, 

 i.e. poorly developed at hatch- 

 ing. Young pigeon, naked, 

 beak too weak for eating. 



FIG. 302. A PRECOCIAL BIRD 

 (well developed at hatching). 

 Feathered, able to run and to 

 pick up food. Precocity is a 

 sign of instinctive life and low 

 intelligence. A baby is not pre- 

 cocious. 



Question: Is pigeon or fowl ex- 

 posed to more dangers in infancy ? 



