526 Home Nature-Study Course. 



LESSON I. 



THE MEADOWLARK. 



Purpose. — To teach the pupil to know these 

 birds from ail others ; to interest him to discover 

 and appreciate their ways and characteristics. 



Observations for pupils: 



(i). Color of the head of the Meadowlark. 



(2). Color of the line above the eye. 



(3). Color of back, wings, tail. 



(4). Ground color and ornaments of breast. 



(5). Color and shape of beak. 

 The meadozc-Iark. ^^^^ j^ j^ j^^.^^^. ^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^j^^^^ ^j^^ ^^^-^^^ 



Facts for the teacher. — The color of the black and wings of the meadowlark 

 is brownish, each feather being streaked with black and browaiish. The line 

 above the eye is yellow bordered above and below by black. The outer feathers 

 on each tide of the tail are white; the sidse of the throat are whitish; the 

 middle throat and breast bright yellow. The "locket" on the breast is a large 

 crescent of black feathers. The beak is long, strong and black. The meadowlark 

 is a little larger than the robin. 



LESSON IL 



HABITS OF THE MEADOWLARK. 



Purpose. — To teach the pupil to observe closely the habits of this 

 bird. 



Obserzatioiis to he made by the pupils: 



(i). Where is the meadowlark found? 



(2). Describe its flight. 



(3). Imitate its note by song or whistle. 



(4). Does it sing while on the ground, or on the wing or while rest- 

 ing on a tree or fence post? 



(5). Note the date when the first meadowlark is seen in the spring 

 and the last day its song is heard in the fall. 



(6) Do the meadowlarks sing during the last of August and through 

 September ? 



(7). Where is the nest built? 



(8). Of what material is it built and how is it hidden? 



(9). The color and the number of the eggs. 

 (10). What are the meadowlark's enemies? 



Fads for the teacher. — The meadowlark is found generally in the meadows 

 of New York State and has a particular liking for those that border on streams. 

 Its flight consists of quick up-and-down movements at first and then long, smooth 

 sailing. The song is very beautiful and consists of a sweet, plaintive whistle. It 

 sings when on the ground, while on the wing, and while resting on some high 



