CHAPTER II. 

 FIELD WORK. 



10. The first need of the student, in order that the course 

 may be more than a mere book course, is a view of the 

 field and its possibilities. He must actually see and 

 study the country about him, and some of -the native 

 animal life as it is found there. Book interest and labo- 

 ratory interest, while valuable, are both secondary and 

 artificial as compared with this. 



The surroundings of our schools are so different that 

 no universal rule can be laid down for the guidance of 

 classes in this sort of work. In general, the large cities 

 are the least favorable place for the study of animals in 

 their natural conditions; but even here the case is by no 

 means hopeless, if the most is made of the opportunities. 

 There are back yards and gardens, vacant lots, parks, 

 botanical and zoological gardens. Oftentimes there are 

 streams or lakes. Each of these has something to con- 

 tribute which will make the work in class real and natural. 

 Museums have a value in this connection. 



In smaller cities and towns, usually a half-hour's walk 

 in any direction will bring the student into contact with 

 animal life varied enough to serve as the foundation of 

 good field work. 



The time of the year and the weather conditions cause 

 differences that make specific rules for this work im- 

 possible. If, however, the necessity of the field work is 

 recognized, the materials will be found. 



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