19 



tion of a nest and its eggs with dates of building, hatching and 

 fljring in the "Nature Notes " of the School-Room is far better than 

 the ruined home with its empty shells. It should be known also that 

 the destruction of harmless birds or their eggs is an offence punishable 

 by fine or imprisonment. In this way the law recognizes the value of 

 the birds in destroying insect enemies of farm and orchard, and in 

 entertainiog us by their songs. 



There is one bird, however, that deserves no such protection. It builds 

 no nest at all but lays its egg along with those of one of its neighbors 

 where it hatches out and bullies the honest 

 nestlings, often causing their death. When 

 such an eo'cr is found in a nest it should be 

 destroyed for the sake of the others. What 

 bird is this ? 



In many places very good local colkc- 

 tions of rocks and minerals may be made. 

 These should be ticketed or labelled so that 

 their names and localities may be readily 

 seen, and in the case of useful minerals the 

 composition should also be stated in some 

 simple way. For instance, magnetic iron 

 ore might be shown as containing nearly 

 three-fourths of its weight of iron, or 

 crystalline marble as merely a form of limistone. 



Stones or pebbles which show the action of nxtural forces like frost, 

 runninof water, etc., have an interest and a use without regard to the 



materials which 

 they contain. 

 Specimens of 

 fossil animals 

 or plants are of great value as 

 illustrating the simple world- 

 history, now taught in con- 

 nection with physical geo- 

 graphy. 



Besides the actual objects 

 and its owner? as here described representa- 



tions such as pictures, drawings, water-color paintings and photographs 

 from nature are all valuable additions and can be used to beautify the 



Fig. 20 



One of the earliest .spring birds 



colored "like the sky above and 



like the earth below." 



Did you ever find 



"the nest ? 



Fig. 21. A good drawing. Do you know this nest 



o 



