364 



NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:8— Nov., 1916 



of the history of the corn. All 

 these lessons should be a prepara- 

 tion for a study of the growing 

 corn in the fields and gardens next 

 summer as outlined on p. 666. 



Bobwhite.— Whether this charm- 

 ing little bird has been exter- 

 minated or not in your region, it 

 should be made the subject for a 

 lesson. If it has survived, then 

 encourage field observation by 

 individual pupils, asking them to 

 , report to the class. The quail 

 I are most beneficial birds since 

 w they feed on insects in spring and 

 summer, and on weed seeds in fall 

 and winter. There is some hope 

 that with attentive care these 

 friendly little birds maybe brought 

 back and again make their homes in our fields. To establish these 

 birds, they must be provided with a field in which there are clumps 

 of sumac, wild-rose, blackberry bushes, or young pine woods. 

 The ideal shelter, with food combined, is made by laying down 

 upon the ground for several yards square, first a pile of weeds and 

 chaff, or hayloft sweepings ; over this should 

 be placed a layer of stiff brush ; and over all 

 should be piled a layer of coarse weeds, cut 

 before the seeds drop; these may be rag- 

 weed, pig-weed, dock, wild-sunflower and 

 the like. The brush should be left exposed 

 on the south side. Fresh supplies of screen- 

 ings should be thrown intothe brush at 

 frequent intervals during the winter. 



There should be three English themes written upon this bird as 

 follows : How the quail benefits the farmer. The nesting habits 

 of bobwhite. How we can induce bobwhite to live in our fields. 

 References. — Useful Birds and their Protection, Forbush. 

 Bob and Some Other Birds, — Wild Life in the Rockies, Enos A. 

 Mills. Birds of New York — Vol. I, Eaton and Fuertes. Pet 

 Book, Comstock. 



