Tkachkr's Leaflet. 1151 



them one morning they started for the brook via the corn field ; she called 

 to them sharply, " No, no, you must not go that way!" They stopped 

 and conferred ; she spoke again and they waited, looking at her as if 

 trying to make up their minds to this exercise of self-sacrifice; but when 

 she spoke the third time they left the corn field and took the other path 

 to the brook. She could bring her geese into their house at any time 

 of day by calling to them, " home, home." As soon as they heard this 

 word they would start and would not stop until the last one was housed. 

 In times of old, Greek maidens had geese for pets ; and often there 

 was such devotion between the bird and girl that when the latter died 

 her statue with that of the goose was carved on her burial tablet. This 

 lesson, we hope, will stimulate an interest in this keen and clever bird of 

 such ancient honor. 



Lesson XIX. 



GEESE. 



Purpose. — To cause the pupils to observe carefully the adaptations of 

 the goose for a life in water and on land. 



Method and material. — This lesson should not be given unless there 

 are geese where the pupils may observe them. The questions should be 

 given a few at a time and answered individually after the pupils have 

 had opportunity for making the observations. If there are no geese in 

 the neighborhood, it might be well to ask for an essay based upon stories 

 of wild geese, as this would tend to widen the intelligence of the pupils 

 and interest them in these truly wonderful birds. 



Observations: 



(i). In general appearance, what is the chief difference between a 

 goose and a duck? 



(2). How does the bill of the goose differ from that of the duck, both 

 in shape and in texture? 



(3). Describe the nostrils and their situation. 



(4). What is the difference in the shape of the neck of a goose and 

 that of a duck? 



(5). Describe the plumage of the goose as to qualities of feather and 

 color. How are geese picked? At what time of year? How many 

 feathers does one goose yield at a picking? Which feathers are plucked 

 for use in pillows and beds? 



