S38 Home Nature-Study Course. 



Photo by J. T. Lloyd. 



The Swallows. 



THE SWALLOWS. 



It is important that the children of the fifth and sixth grades should 

 become interested in some family of birds; such an interest will do for 

 them the following quite important things: It cultivates in them the 

 habit of observing very carefully the differences in appearance between 

 two similar birds; it makes them interested in studying the differences 

 in flight and makes them observant of the locality in which the birds 

 are found. The swallows make a very excellent subject for this study 

 and it is well for even the younger pupils to know the benefit, accruing 

 to the farmer and fruit grower from these birds. 



References. — The Bird Book, Eckstorm; Chapman's Bird Life, new 

 edition; A Guide to Birds, Hoffman. 



Lesson XLVI. 



the swallow. 



Purpose. — To fix in the pupils' minds the structural differences between 

 the swallows and other birds. 



Observations: 



(i). What is the general shape of the bird? 



(2). What is the color of forehead, throat, upper breast, rump, back, 

 tail? 



(3). What is the shape of the tail during flight? 



(4). Describe the form of the boak and for what it is especially fitted. 



(5). Describe the flight of the swallow. 



(6). What is the purpose of its long, swift flight? 



(7). In what particular location do you see the swallows darting 

 about? 



(8). At what time of day do they seem most active? Why? 



(9). Describe the swallow's legs and feet and explain why they are 

 so different from those of the robin, or blackbird. 



