comstock] JANUARY NATURE-STUDY 35 



Orion — This beautiful constellation adds a splendor to the sky 

 in winter evenings that may not be equalled at any other season. 

 At eight o'clock in early January it fills the 

 southeastern quarter of the sky. It* is the 

 constellation that most people know because 

 of the three stars that ornament the belt of 

 Orion, the mythical hunter. However, the 

 constellation contains two magnificent, stars, 

 and learning to know them adds much interest 

 to the study of it. Old Betelgeuse whose fires 

 are red and therefore waning, is the most 

 interesting of them all because, in oiir fancy 

 we can imagine its fires extinguished, and 

 it growing cold, — great dark, dead star. On the other hand, 

 Rigel is a young star as we can tell by its white and blue light 

 and has just started on its career. A diagram of Orion, as 

 here given, should be placed upon the board and left there for 

 several days. The questions in the lesson on p. 896 should be 

 asked a few at a time, and the answers given the next day. 



The Building of Bird Houses — This is an excellent occupation 

 for January, since the bird houses when completed may be put up 

 before our song birds return. In making a bird house, the pupil 

 should have in mind definitely the bird for which it is meant. Size 

 of the hole and depth of the cavity below the hole and behind the 

 hole are all of the utmost importance. Directions for making these 

 nests may be had by applying to the Audubon Society. When a 

 boy makes a nest box, he should also put it up. This will lead him 

 to study the natural haunts of the bird and to learn the height 

 above the ground at which the bird usually nests. 



The Sumac Winter Banquet — Sumac "bobs" spread a banquet 

 for birds all winter and it would be well to encourage the pupils to 

 note any birds that are eating them. They also harbor many 

 insects, and an interesting lesson may be had in a nature's winter 

 quarters by taking to pieces one of the "bobs" on a newspaper and 

 noting all the living creatures that may have been hidden in it. 

 Use Obs. 4, 5, p. 809 for a lesson on the sumac fruit. 



