45^ Home NATURE-STunv Course. 



questioning note ; when she calls her chicks she clucks. The rooster 

 crows to show his importance and to assure his flock that all is well. 

 When he finds some tid-bit he makes a call which brings all of his hens 

 running to him, though he often thinks better of it and swallows the 

 morsel himself; he also gives a warning note when disturbed. 



After the pupils have learned the language of the chicken, let them 

 study how the turkeys and ducks express displeasure, fright, and how 

 they carry on amiable conversation. This will lead to a later study of the 

 call notes and songs of other birds. 



LESSON X. 



THE ENEMIES OF THE BARNYARD FOWLS. 



Purpose. — (a) To acquaint the pupil with the enemies of fowls, (b) 

 To suggest that all animals are subject to attacks by other animals, ana 

 that many of the habits and characteristics of animals are related to the 

 need of self-protection. 



These are usually weasels, skunks, foxes, crows, hawks and owls. 

 Of these, all except crows and hawks are night prowlers, which steal 

 unawares on the sleeping fowls. 



The following list of books will give interesting accounts of these 

 robbers of the roost : " Kindred of the Wild," C. G. D. Roberts, " The 

 Boy and Hushwing," " Little Beasts of Field and Wood," William Everett 

 Cram (weasels, foxes, mink and otter). " Squirrels and Other Fur 

 Bearers," John Burroughs, (skunk, fox, weasel and mink). ''American 

 Animals," Stone & Cram. " Wild Life Near Home," Dallas Lore Sharp, 

 "Wood Pussies" (skunks), "Second Crops" (owls). "Wilderness 

 Ways," William J. Long, " Kookooskoos and the Wrong Rat" (owl). 

 " Ways of Woodfolk," Long, " Snowy Visitors." 



LESSON XL 



THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



Purpose. — To get the pupils thoroughly interested in the different 

 breeds and be able to tell them apart. 



This lesson must depend on the opportunities of the pupils for per- 

 sonal observation. It would prove an excellent topic for a lesson in 

 English to have them describe the differences between a Plymouth Rock 

 and a Black Spanish hen, or between any two dift'erent races, covering 

 the following points: (a) size; (b) color; (c) shape of head, comb, 

 wattles; (d) shape of body; (e) ])luniage and character of markings; 



