532 Home Nature-Study Course. 



ragweed, beggar ticks, sunflower seeds, etc. The goldfinches are of 

 great benefit to us by destroying a vast amount of weed seed in fail 

 and winter, thus keeping it from growing the next spring. Note how 

 the canary prepares its seeds for eating, that however fine they are it 

 shells them with its wide, sharp beak. Note that the beak is not long, 

 like the robin's, which is fitted for eating insects, but it is broader and 

 stronger, fitted for cracking seeds. Note how the canary takes off pieces 

 of cuttlebone; if its beak were not so strong it could not remove bits 

 of this hard substance. Note how the bird drinks, by lifting the head 

 and letting gravity do the work of getting the water down the throat. 

 Note where the nostrils are. Note the way the canary looks at anything, 

 first one side and then the other ; bring out the idea that its eyes are at 

 the side of the head, so that it can see backward as well as in front. 

 Note when it becomes drowsy how its eyes close with a little inner lid. 

 Note that its legs and feet are covered with a little armor of protecting 

 scales. Describe the toes and compare the length of the nail with the 

 toe and see how the feet with the nails are fitted for grasping instead 

 of walking on the ground. Show that the goldfinch has little need to be 

 on the ground, but is always on some swaying weed-top or twig. Note 

 especially how the toes are arranged when the canary is on its perch. 

 Is the toe behind larger because it needs to be strong enough to balance 

 the three toes in front? Does the canary walk or hop on the bottom of 

 the cage? Describe the color of the plumage of the head, back, tail, 

 wings, breast and lower parts. Are the sexes of the same color? Note 

 that in case of the goldfinches the male is yellow with black wings ; the 

 female is dull, olive green. In the winter the father goldfinch changes 

 his color to resemble his mate. A good exercise in close observation is 

 to get the pupils interested in counting the number of tail feathers and 

 wing feathers on the canary. 



LESSON XCVII. 



THE HABITS OF THE CANARY 



Purpose. — To cause the pupils to observe more closely the habits 

 of the canary. 



If there are two birds in the cage, are they always pleasant to each 

 other? How do they show displeasure and bad temper? How many 

 notes does the canary have, which we can understand? There is the 

 cheerful " pweep," which means all is well, the joyous greeting when 

 the friend who feeds it comes into the room, the long, disconsolate " peep " 

 that comes from loneliness or hunger and thirst, and a quick little cry of 

 fear. The father bird has besides these his beautiful song. Note that 

 the bird when singing is like 'y tr ift his beak and throw his head back, 



