462 Home Nature-Study Course. 



Common Birds in Their Relation to Agriculture "). The reason for this 

 is that the insect is acrid and disagreeable to the taste. By a little ques- 

 tioning get the pupils to see that the bright color of the larvae is am 

 advertisement to the birds, saying plainly, ." Do not touch us, for we 

 are very disagreeable to the taste, and if you do eat us you will have 

 stomach ache." After the bird has tried it once it learns to leave this 

 orange-colored insect alone. 



LESSON XX. 



HOW TO FIGHT THE POTATO BEETLE. 



Purpose. — To give the young gardener methods of protecting the 

 potato vines. 



As soon as the pupils are interested in gardens, there should be a 

 lesson on the ways of preventing the ravages of the potato beetle. See 

 " Insects of Garden," and bulletins on spraying. 



LESSON XXI 



A LESSON IN ENGLISH. 



Purpose. — To interest the pupils in the story of the march of the 

 Colorado potato beetle from Colorado to the Atlantic Ocean. 



For this story of the effect of a new food plant upon the habits and 

 distribution of an insect species, see " Insects of Garden," by Mary Treat, 

 Orange Judd Co. 



THE SQUIRREL. 

 LESSON XXII. 



Preliminary Work. — A squirrel in a cage is somehow an anomaly and it is far 

 better to stimulate the interest of the children in this fascinating creature by 

 getting them to observe it out-of-doors', directing their observations by questions in 

 which the teacher shows a personal interest. These questions may, in part, follow 

 the lines suggested by the following lessons, and the children should be encouraged 

 to give the results of their observations in the form of stories told before the 

 school as informally as possible. 



Purpose. — To induce the pupil to notice how the form of the squirrel 

 is adapted to its life. 



Observations may be made on squirrels out-of-doors or on a pet 

 squirrel. The squirrel has long, strong hind legs to aid it in leaping from 

 branch to branch of trees. It has eyes at the side of the head so that 

 it can see the enemy from behind as well as in front. It has long, strong, 



