NOLAN] AGRICULTURAL NATURE-STUDY 351 



story about pigeons and a few questions which will arouse the 

 children's interest in the birds. A pigeon in a cage before the class 

 ma}^ be desirable. 



2 . Question the children's observations : 



(a) Color of the pigeon you saw? 



(b) What do pigeons feed upon? 



(c) How does the pigeon drink? 



(d) Do they sail through the air in flying, or constantly flap 

 their wings? 



(e) What sounds do pigeons make? 



(f) Describe the nest, eggs, and young birds. 



(g) How do parents feed their young, and on what material? 

 (h) Are pigeons of value to us? How? 



(i) How can we help them in any way ? 



(j) Would pigeons make good pets? 



(k) Where do they like to stay and nest? 



3. Read to the pupils "Arnaux," in Animal Heroes. 



Lesson IX 

 Title : The English Sparrow. 



Aim: To teach interesting facts about the EngHsh sparrow. 

 Material: The birds for observation. 

 Subject-matter and method: 



1. Let the pupils make their observations on the English 

 sparrow about the homes or on the streets wherever they can find 

 the birds. 



2 . Question observations : 



(a) Are all the sparrows in the flock colored alike? Describe 

 the colors. The ones with the black cravats are the cock sparrows, 

 the ones less ornamented are the hen sparrows. 



(b) What is the food of the English sparrow? Where do they 

 find it? 



(c) Are these sparrows kindly or quarrelsome ? 



(d) Do they go south or remain with us in winter ? 



(e) Where does this sparrow build its nest ? Describe the nest. 



(f) Are the English sparrows our friends or foes? Why? 



(g) Tell why and how the English sparrows came to be here, 

 (h) Are there any successful ways to get rid of them .-' 



3 . Make it clear that there are many other kinds of sparrows, 

 and that all the rest are fjood birds and should never be killed. 



