THE CHILD AND NATURE STUDY ON THE FARM. 20/ 



piece of worm that the lark had placed on the ground beside her, and 

 flying to a safe distance eat it with great relish. Finally the lark 

 had to fly with each separate worm to her birdlings. On a few oc- 

 casions we saw the lark's anger aroused, and she would attack the 

 sparrows, when away they would fly like a set of cowards. The lark 

 only received a temporary rest from their persecutions, and at last 

 wherever we saw the lark at work there we would see a flock of 

 sparrows also. 



We were filled with a great desire to find the nest of the lark. 

 We noted where she alighted with her worm, and we searched 

 the meadow over and over, but in vain. Finally one evening we 

 tried to secrete ourselves in the grass near the spot. However, we 

 did not escape the father's vigilance, and great was his consterna- 

 tion. As the mother lark started on her homeward trip he met her 

 and together they retreated, evidently to hold a consultation. We 

 remained until darkness was falling. Twice the mother bird had 

 flown to her accustomed spot, only to take alarm and fly away. All 

 became quiet, and we started for home bafiled. Great was our sur- 

 prise when from beneath our feet flew the lark. We marked the 

 spot and next day returned to find four little birds so- protected by 

 their mimicry that there was little wonder that the whirr of the 

 mother's wings was needed to reveal to us the nest and birdlings. 

 One egg had remained unhatched, and the contrast between the size 

 of the egg and the birds showed how the little ones had thrived by 

 the mother's unceasing labor. 



We next noticed the mother flying to dififerent points in 

 the field, for the birdlings had left the nest. By and by we 

 were attracted by a peculiar bird sound, and watching from 

 whence it came we saw that Mrs. Meadow-lark was taking 

 her brood with her as she searched for food. When she fed a worm 

 to one bird all the others voiced their dissatisfaction by a funny little 

 petulant bird-cry, greatly to the amusement of our children. One 

 thing that impressed my little girl vere much was the meadow- 

 lark's house-cleaning operations, and her question of, why does the 

 lark keep her nest clean ? afforded me an opening for an excellent les- 

 son in hygiene. 



But the birds did not monopolize our attention. The trees, 

 plants and insects received each a share. 



At the very beginning of our work with plants we learned a most 

 valuable lesson. Early in the spring we attempted lessons in germi- 

 nation by planting some beans in boxes. In order to note the root 



