150 . NATURE STUDY REVIEW [9:6— Sept., 1913 



teeth.) Where do they find their food? Describe their attitude 

 while eating it. Have you ever seen one wash its face? 



10. How does the squirrel express excitement, anger, or joy? 



11. How does the squirrel's language differ from the chip- 

 munk's language? 



12. Describe or sketch the tracks made by the squirrel. 



13. Where do the squirrels spend the winter? The chip- 

 mimks? Where do each lay up their winter stores? 



It is possible that the children may not be able to find for 

 themselves the nests of the squirrels. In case one should make 

 these observations, he should tell his story to the class. How- 

 ever, the homes of these animals may be written up by consulting 

 books and may be a part of an exercise in English. In fact, the 

 best way to round up a lesson after the children have made their 

 observ^ations is to let them read all that they can find about these 

 animals and write the story. The summer nests of the squirrels 

 made in the tops of trees and their winter nests in protected 

 places, like hollow trees, and the chipmunk's cave with its pro- 

 tected entrance are all excellent topics for exercises in 

 English. 



The following books may be consulted: "Squirrels and Other 

 Fur Bearers," John Burroughs; "Wild Life in Orchard and 

 Field," Ernest Ingersoll; "Little Beasts of Field and Wood," 

 Cram; "Familiar Wild Animals," Lottridge; "American Ani- 

 mals," Stone & Cram; "Secrets of the Woods," Long. 



Children's Interests in Nature Materials 



Gilbert H. Trafton 



[Editor's Note. The following article by Mr. Trafton appeared in 1904 

 in a local publication of practical studies in Passaic Public Schools. It 

 deserves a wider publicity among those interested in nature-study.] 



The child is Natirre's direct product, developing and evolving 

 for unknown ages from the lowest form of animate and perhaps 

 inanimate creation. When the product is finished and the child 

 comes into cognizance of that Nature of which he is a product, 

 what shall be his relation to his ancient mother? The characters 

 which first appear in the child and many of later developments 

 are heritages from this Nature, some good, to be encouraged,. 



