BIRDS 



161 





its lower surface; its upper surface. What effects are 

 noticed ? 



Study the scales on the leg of a bird (Fig. 300). Why is 

 the leg scaly rather than feathered from the ankle down- 

 ward ? Which scales are largest? (Fig. 300.) How do 

 the scales on the front and the back differ? What can you 

 say of the scales at the bottom of the foot ; at the joints 

 of the toes ? Explain. How does the covering of the 

 nails and the bill compare in colour, texture, hardness,and 

 firmness of attachment with the scales of the leg? 



Draw an outline of the bird seen from the side. Make 

 drawings of the head and the feet 



more detailed and on a larger 

 scale. 



Why does a goose have more 

 feathers suitable for making pil- 

 lows than has a fowl? In what 

 country did the domestic fowl 

 originate? (Encyclopaedia.) Why 

 does a cock crow for dawn? 

 (Consider animal life in jungle.) 



Activities of a Bird. — Observe 

 a bird eating. Does it seem to 

 chew or break its food before 

 swallowing? Does it have to 

 lift its head in order to swallow 

 food ? To swallow drink ? Why 

 is there a difference ? After feed- 

 ing the bird, can you feel the 

 food in the crop, or enlargement 

 of the gullet at the base of the 

 neck? (Fig. 304.) 



Feel and look for any move- 



Fig. 301. — An Altrical Bird, 

 i.e. poorly developed at hatch- 

 ing. Young pigeon, naked, 

 beak too weak for eating. 



Fig. 302. — A Precociai. Bird 

 (well developed at hatching). 

 Feathered, able to run and to 

 pick up food. Precocity is a 

 sign of instinctive life and low 

 intelligence. A baby is not pre- 

 cocious. 



Question: Is pigeon or fowl ex- 

 posed to more dangers in infancy t 



