544 Home Nature-Study Course. 



THE FOX. 



Preliminary Work. — If this lesson be given in rural districts, there will be 

 plenty of stories which the teacher may elicit concerning the cunning and the 

 cleverness of the red fox. In such places there will always be opportunity in 

 winter for studying fox tracks upon the snow. The interest of the pupils in this 

 night marauder is always great, and the lesson should begin with some recent 

 appearance of a fox in the neighborhood. Special attention should be given to 

 enforcing upon the pupils the close relationship between foxes and dogs. They 

 make similar tracks, each barks, each runs down its prey, and often where the 

 dogs are small enough, foxes have been known to play with them. 



LESSON CXI. 



WHAT THE FOX DOES. 



Purpose. — To make the pupils familiar with the habits of the fox. 



Unless there are hunters in the class this will naturally be a lesson 

 from books or from stories of local hunters. Let the pupils answer the 

 following questions through reading or through inquirhig of fox hunters : 

 Where do the foxes live? At what time of year are the young born? 

 Do both parents care for and provide for the young? What is the chief 

 food of the fox in the summer? In the winter? Bring out the fact 

 here that the fox is an aid to the farmer in ridding him of several pests, 

 like mice, grasshoppers, etc. When chased, does the fox run away ? Does 

 it run in circles? What are its tricks for throwing the dogs off scent? 

 How does the fox carry its prey? 



References. — Probably the best fox story is " Red Fox " by Roberts. 

 This is a complete volume and although it belongs to animal fiction, yet 

 it is based upon fact and is a most interesting book, presenting a whole- 

 some picture of the life of a successful fox. Other references are : 

 "American Animals," p. 264. " Little Beasts of Field and Wood," p. 25. 

 " Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers," Chapter VII. Fox Ways in " Ways 

 of Wood Folk." The Springfield Fox in " Wild Animals I Have Known." 

 " Familiar Life in Field and Forest," p. 213. " Nights with Uncle 

 Remus," which through fable and folk stories illustrate the cunning of 

 the fox. 



THE CECROPIA. 



Preliminary Work. — During the fall and winter ask the pupils to bring in the 

 cocoons. The cecropia cocoon is the one called the cradle by the children; it is 

 made of thick silk hung along the lower side of a twig. After the cocoons are 

 brought into the schoolroom they should be kept in a box covered with wire netting 

 and placed outside of the window sill where they may have natural conditions. If 

 kept in the schoolroom they should be dipped and thoroughly soaked in water at 



