HOW NATURE STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 1 55 



Then what infinite variety in the snow crystals ; 

 what marvelous silky beauty in the blocks of 

 " frost coming out of the ground ; " what delicate 

 traceries on the lower side of the ice from beneath 

 which the water has dried away ; what exquisite 

 tapering outlines of the leafless twigs against the 

 background of the cold, blue sky ! 



Birds now are to be observed, but they do not 

 confuse by their numbers. Winter birds seem 

 to say, We are worth your careful study, there- 

 fore there are few of us. 



Go frequently to the winter fields and woods, 

 to the marshes, and into the mazes of the swamps 

 where you cannot so easily go in summer ; go to 

 see things, and for the sake of long walks ; go 

 alone and with companions ; in sunshine and in 

 storm ; go with that elasticity of step, that joy of 

 heart and brightness of eye that only winter can 

 produce. 



Then go again. 



