CHAPTER XL 

 AVES. 



OUTDOOR STUDY OF BIRDS. 



THE following set of questions is general and may be applied to 

 any bird that comes within our range of observation. The English 

 sparrow serves well for study, since like the poor it is always 

 with us. These studies should include a careful study of the 

 domesticated birds. 



Place of Living. Does the bird stay most of the time on the 

 ground or in the trees? In open fields or in thickets? In open 

 woods, or dense forest ? On dry soil, or along the water ? Is it 

 fitted for perching, running, swimming, wading, climbing, or for 

 what general kind of life ? 



Flying. Does it fly swiftly or slowly? Do the wings vibrate 

 rapidly as in the quail, or slowly as in a hawk ? Is the vibration 

 uniform, or do the wings make a series of rapid motions, followed 

 by a rest during which time the bird sails, as with the quail? Is 

 the flight quiet as in owls, or accompanied by a whirring sound as 

 with a quail ? Is the flight in comparatively straight lines, or in 

 loops or festoons, as with woodpeckers? Does the bird ever 

 " soar," or " hover " ? What is the use of the tail in flying? How 

 are the legs and feet held during flight ? Why do some birds fly 

 most of the time while others fly little? What characteristics have 

 the birds that spend much of the time flying? Name some of the 

 best flyers you know. Name some of the poorest flyers that live 

 near you. 



Walking. What birds really walk ? Why do so many birds 

 hop, while on the ground, instead of walking ? Do you know any 



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