The Audubon Societies 245 



the progress made in agriculture, horticulture, farming, forestry and the con- 

 servation of natural and cultivated resources. Some very startling discoveries 

 will be made in the course of this study and some very hopeful signs. We have 

 reached a point now, where everyone's duty is to become well informed as to 

 the sources of the world's food-supply, and measures to increase and conserve 



it. 



SUGGESTIONS 



1. Look up the meaning of isolhcymal and isohyctal. 



2. Consult the Century Dictionary under the words palmer and palmer-worm. 



3. Turn to the Bible under Joel i :4 and 2:25, also Amos 4:9, for further references to 

 palmer-worms. 



4. What is a tiiicid molh? What harm does it do to apple-trees in June? What is its 

 !ar\al form? 



5. See, also, in Century Dictionary cuts under coni-inol/i and hear [section 6, cut of 

 common yellow bear-moth in its larval stagej. 



6. Study the most common insect pests of our gardens and grain-fields; learn whether 

 they are native (indigenous) or introduced, and, also, what species of birds destroy them. 



7. Which grains are native and which are introduced? 



8. Why is corn of unusual value and usefulness in the United States? 



The following lesson on the Blue Jay is an admirable outline to take up at 

 this season. Similar lessons have preceded this and it would be well to refer to 

 them again as well as to work out some lessons of your own. With the bulletins 

 which are available through the federal and state Departments of Agriculture, 

 no one need be at a loss to determine the common insect pests of this country. 

 Make a special effort to correlate bird-study with the study of insects and 

 \egetation. May every home-gardener succeed this season and every home- 

 garden vield a store of knowledge as well as of food ! — A. H. W. 



Suggestive Lessons in Bird-Study 

 THE BLUE JAY 



By WILLIAM GOULD VINAL 



■Ilu' Rhode Island Normal School 



1. FIELD OBSERVATIONS 



There is only one jjractical use to which you can put these suggestions. Make them 

 the purpose for wood excursions, not for the class, but for individuals and small groups. 

 No one should try to teach what he docs not know, but there is a great deal about a 

 Blue Jay that one can know. You must catch the spirit before the lesson, and a single 

 excursion into the woods of autumn or winter will give it. for the Blue Jay is a jicrmanent 

 resident. You ought to hear his notes ring through the silence of the October frost! 

 Stand still and see if \()u tan discoxer liis business. 



1. In what sort of a localil> do you discover him? 



2. Describe his method of flight. 

 ,5. Does he walk or hop? 



4. What docs he eat? 



