18 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



When they saw us approaching, they jumped into the water, 

 but turned right back to shore. I wonder whether the boys 

 can tell us why the frogs were sitting along the shore. 

 Why do they not go far into the lake or river ? In quiet 

 shallow places we noticed several kinds of small animals 

 wriggling or darting about. The minnows and young fish 

 live on these. 



If we can hide near the shore of a large pond or lake, we 

 may see some wild ducks alight on the water. They swim 

 about very gracefully and search for food, which consists of 

 small fishes, insects, roots of water plants, and wild rice. 



Have you ever seen the Great Blue Heron fishing? I 

 believe he catches more fish than many a small boy. 



The Blackbirds and Bobolinks made the bushes and reeds 

 lively with their song, but when we approached their nests, 

 they gave us a sound scolding and seemed very much inclined 

 to fight us. Why are the mosquitoes so abundant about lakes 

 and streams ? 



13. Willows and Poplars. 



MATERIAL : Twigs and fruit catkins of different willows and pop- 

 lars ; flower catkins, if still to be found. 



NOTE TO TEACHER. It is not necessary to give any specific names 

 of willows to the children. The family is easily recognized by the 

 flowers ; but it is often difficult to distinguish the numerous species. 



Very soon after the snow had melted, we found the pretty 

 pussy willows. When we examined them closely, we were 

 a little surprised to find two kinds, but only one kind on the 

 same bush or tree. The catkins on some bushes consisted 

 entirely of tufts of stamens with large yellow or reddish 

 anthers, while on others they consisted of small greenish 

 ovaries, with little scars or stigmas on top. Honeybees, 



Observations. Try to find the places where some of this soil was again 

 deposited. 



