HOME NATURE-STUDY COURSE. 



TEACHER'S LEAFLET. 



BASED ON THE WORK FOR FOURTH AND FIFTH YEAR PIiriLS AS OUTLINED 



IN THE SYLLABUS OF NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE ISSUED BY 



THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. 



THE WOODCHUCK. 



Within convenient distance for observation of every country school- 

 house and of most village schoolhouses may be found a woodchuck 

 and his dwelling; for this animal has thriven with civilization notwith- 

 standing the farmers' dog, gun, traps and poison. In fact, this animal 

 is so common that we forget to study it and take it for granted that it 

 is not interesting. But like all other creatures, whether human or other- 

 wise, the woodchuck is most interesting to those who best understand 

 him and his ways. 



Lesson I. 



THE WOODCHUCK OR GROUND HOG. 



Purpose. — To interest the pupils in the habits of this animal. 



Observations. — (i). Where is the woodchuck found?' 



(2). On what does it feed, and at what time of day does it feed? 



(3). What does it do when startled? What are its enemies? 



(5). Is the woodchuck a good fighter and what are its methods of 

 fighting? How does it escape its enemies when in or out of its burrow? 

 How does it look when running? 



(6). What noises does the woodchuck make and what do they mean? 

 Some naturalists think that woodchucks are fond of music, and show 

 evident pleasure when they hear an accordion or mouth organ or other 

 musical instruments. Do you think this is true? 



(7). At what date do the young woodchucks appear? 



(8). How does the woodchuck prepare for the winter? 



(9). How and where does it pass the winter? 



