THE CHICKEN 77 



Have any of the other animals that we have 

 studied feather coats? What kind of coats did 

 they have? (The shepherd dog, cow, cat, and 

 horse have hair coats, the sheep a wool coat.) 



Where did we find the rooster in our story 

 roosting at first? Where later? Where do the 

 chickens that you know roost? Why should they 

 leave the ground? (Sometimes the ground is cold 

 and damp. When on a high roost the chickens are 

 not so apt to be disturbed or killed by rats, skunks, 

 dogs, etc.) How do they hold on to the roost? [If 

 no one in the class can tell, the children may be 

 given time to find out for themselves by watching 

 the chickens at home.] (Its three front toes curve 

 around the roost in front this way (showing 

 with the fingers) while its hind toe reaches around 

 behind and steadies it.) But when the hen is 

 asleep will she not stop holding on and fall off? 

 Notice a hen as she raises her foot in walking 

 slowly. How do the toes look ? They curl up very 

 much as if holding to a perch. When do her toes 

 spread out? (Only when her feet come down on 

 the flat ground. At other times her feet are in a 

 position to hold on to a perch. And the weight of 

 her body only tightens her hold.) When the hens 



