vi OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



from which each might use what seemed to suit its requirements, 

 was dismissed as impractical while so large a proportion of 

 teachers were but slightly acquainted with the subject. It is 

 believed that the plan of making an elementary reading course 

 for general use, and a secondary book of a more technical char- 

 acter for use where practice courses are given, is the best solution 

 of the problem under existing conditions. 



In this first book the object is to tell in plain language the 

 things that every one ought to know about poultry, pigeons, and 

 cage birds ; to teach fundamental facts in such a way that they 

 will be fixed in the mind; to excite interest in the subject where 

 none existed; and to direct enthusiasm along right lines. While 

 the demand has been almost wholly for a poultry book, pigeons 

 and cage birds are included, because they are of more interest 

 than some kinds of poultry and better adapted than any other 

 kind to the conditions of city life. 



In regard to the time that should be given to this course, 

 one period a week for forty weeks is better than a period a day 

 for forty days, because the average person, young or old, retains 

 a great deal more of what is read or heard about a diversified 

 subject if the ground is covered by easy stages with compara- 

 tively long intervals between. References for collateral readings 

 and suggestions for original investigations are omitted, because, 

 in the author's opinion, what work of this kind it is desirable 

 for a high-school pupil to do should be done by those taking 

 practice work in the advanced course. 



JOHN H. ROBINSON 



RE A 1) I N G, M ASS ACH USETTS 



