Junior Naturalist Monthly. 319 



THE HEMLOCK. 



1. Notice how pretty the hemlock trees are in this December weather. How 

 one enjoys looking at a single branch such as we see in the illustration, Fig. 9. 



2. Look at the branch of hemlock you have brought to school. Tell us ten 

 different things about it: — the arrangement of the leaves, the length of the leaves, 

 size of the cones, and other facts that you learn from your own observation. 



LESSON III.— A CHRISTMAS TREE FOR THE BIRDS. 



Do not forget to give the birds a Christmas tree this year. You 

 will enjoy it as much as they. Let me tell you how to do it. 



First, select the tree. An evergreen tree in your own garden will 

 be best. Then I want you to think about the gifts for your little 

 winter neighbors. 



You know the chickadee, the little gray bird that wears a white 

 waistcoat and a black cap? He is the one that says " Chick-a-dee-dee- 

 dee-dee" or sings "Phoe-be" through the cold winter weather. 

 Chickadee likes suet and I hope you will put a large piece on the tree 

 for him. Doubtless other birds will share his gift. Tell us how 

 many you see eating the suet. If you do not know the names of the 

 birds, describe them. 



A good-sized bone that has not been salted will attract crows, 

 nuthatches and woodpeckers. Perhaps the downy woodpecker will 

 come for his Christmas dinner. How glad you will be to see this 

 sociable little bird! 



Some of our winter neighbors are seed eaters: — tree sparrows, 

 snow buntings and the like. You know what strong little bills they 

 have. These bills were made to crack seeds. The sparrows and 

 snow buntings will be pleased with a nice basket of seeds, so I should 

 advise you to provide this gift for them. I want you to find out 

 whether they take any of the gifts provided for the other birds. Do 

 they eat the suet? Notice whether the English sparrow takes an 

 interest in the tree. 



