THE CHICKEN 7 1 



on the chicken. Why is that? (It has the feathers 

 off.) [If possible, the teacher should have a gentle 

 hen in the class, also the wing of a dressed chicken, 

 and a wing with feathers upon it. Compare in 

 size the two wings.] Is this hen going to fly now ? 

 How do you know she is not? (Her wings are 

 not spread.) The teacher extends and contracts 

 gently the wing of the hen a few times. Does that 

 make you think of anything you sometimes see? (A 

 fan.) When does the chicken close its fans? When 

 it does not wish to use them in flying? Why does 

 it not keep them stretched out all of the time? 

 (They would be in its way.) When? Can you show 

 with your arms how the hen closes her wings, or 

 arms? What does she do when she wishes to fly? 

 [Children relate their observations.] Show how, 

 starting with your arms in the position of the closed 

 wings. This will require close observation. [Call 

 attention to the position of the thumb or forefinger 

 in the dressed wing.] Do your arms now look like 

 the chicken's spread wing ? (No, the skin that holds 

 the two parts of the hen's arm, or wing, together 

 is wanting in our arm.) What, then, can you do 

 with your arms that the hen cannot do with hers? 

 (Stretch them out straight.) Picture on the board 



