110 SOME SUGGESTIONS FOE BIRD STUDY. 



(4) Breastbone in flying birds is prominently keeled. 

 This gives a large surface for attachment of the big 

 muscles of flight. 



(5) The shoulder girdle rests upon the breastbone. 

 This arrangement gives resistance to the downward wing 

 strokes and greatly adds to the stability of the body in 

 flight. 



Some of these points may be regarded as beyond the 

 capacity of the pupils to appreciate. This will be so if 

 too much is presented at one time. But they should be 

 clearly grasped by the teacher in the first instance so that 

 he may be in a position to effectively apply some or all of 

 them, not at one time but as a gradual process of instruc- 

 tion in the fundamentals of bird life. 



Notes on the feeding, nesting, and other habits of a few 

 selected birds are given in a succeeding section. 



MIGRATION. 



This is best studied in school observationally. 

 Commence, e.g., by noting : 



(1) Birds in evidence in the district throughout the 

 summer ; appeal for facts to the scholars. Draw up a list 

 with dates, when and where seen, etc. (Compare plant 



lists.) 



(2) A similar list of those seen in late autumn and in 

 winter, noting birds missing and additions. Do not assume 

 that all those missing have migrated from this country. 

 (Teacher may consult books for well ascertained facts.) 

 Feeding the birds in winter will help in this work. 



(3) A spring list of new appearances: note dates and 

 average temperature for week and month each year. 



(4) Meanwhile ask some simple questions as to what 

 birds get and do in summer and winter while in this 

 country. Elicit in particular two areas for a large number. 



A Northern Colder area for Breeding. 



A Southern Warmer area for Feeding and Growth. 



