218 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



therefore called kingbird. Let the children tell of their 

 observations on this topic. 



It migrates south from here early in September, when the 

 first frosts occur. Why should it leave so early ? Do you 

 know of other birds that arrive late and leave early ? Why 

 do they ? 



37. The Prairie Hen, or Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus 

 Americanus), and The Quail, or Bob White. 



MATERIAL: Freshly killed birds, if the lesson is given during the 

 open season ; if not, pictures or outdoor observations must suffice. 

 Study these two birds together. 



OUTLINE FOB LESSON 



Descriptions. Prairie Hen : About tl^e size of a half- 

 grown domestic chicken, but more compact; legs shorter; 

 feathered on the side and in front. Describe the plumage 

 from the bird before you. 



Quail: Only about half as large as the preceding, being 

 about the size of a robin, but body much stouter and tail 

 shorter; legs stronger, fit for running and scratching. 

 Describe the plumage as above. 



Habits. Both nest on the ground; lay from fifteen to 

 twenty eggs. The young are not fed in the nest, but run 

 about with the mother like young chickens. In spring and 

 early summer all subsist largely on insects; in fall and 

 winter they feed on seeds, especially on waste grain in the 

 field. In severe winter weather the prairie hens flock into 

 the woods ; the quails find shelter and food about outbuild- 

 ings, corn bins, and straw stacks. , 



Both birds have increased much in number since the country 

 became settled, wherever common-sense game laws are enforced. 

 In Minnesota both are more common now than they were 

 in the early days. The reason for this is that the grain- 



