comstock] NOVEMBER NATURE-STUDY 365 



English Pheasant. — These beautiful birds have been introduced 

 into many parts of our country and it is surely a wise plan to 

 interest the children in them. As in the study of the quail, it is 

 best to begin with actual observation, giving an account of its 

 appearance and habits. Then should follow English themes on: — 

 The history of the English pheasant. The way to feed and care 

 for pheasants. The habits of pheasants. 



References.- — Pheasant Raising in the United States, H. Oldys. 

 Farmers' Bulletin, No. 390, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Outdoor 

 Work, Mary Rogers Miller. Pet Book, Comstock. 



Geese. — November is the month when we see most often the wild 

 geese in their flight southward; and this naturally turns our 

 thoughts to these intelligent and interesting birds. A study of 

 these birds and their habits may be made by observing domestic 

 geese, using obs. 1-6, p. 141. The obs. 1, 2, 3 at the bottom of p. 

 142 and 4, 8 on p. 142 will prove inspiring' subjects for short 

 English themes. For supplementary reading, use "In Quest of 

 Waptonk, the Wild" in Northern Trails by W. J. Long, and "The 

 Homesickness of Kehonka" in Kindred of the Wild. Roberts. 



Homes of the Carpenter Bees and Wasps. — When walking through 

 the fields, it will surely add to our interest to do a little house 

 hunting. These houses are the deserted nests of the little six- 

 footed carpenters and may be found in almost any dead twig of 

 sumac or bramble. If- the partitions which divided the cells 

 were made of mud, then the nest owner was a wasp ; if it was formed 

 of bits of the pith glued together, it was the nest of the little 

 carpenter bee. For a lesson on these homes, use obs. 1, 2, p. 441. 

 Obs. 4 and 5 suggest subjects for English themes. 



