THE CHICKEN 83 



that her ears are so small? Why do the ears need 

 to be thus protected? 



It is said that the hen's scent is good, as well as her 

 hearing. How can we find out if this is so? Where 

 is this hen's nose? (The children will find its nos- 

 trils, quite likely.) Are they protected? 



Now look at this hen and tell me what you like 

 about her looks. (Her feathers are pretty.) What 

 is it that you admire about her feathers? What else 

 do you think is pretty about the hen? (She wears a 

 pretty red comb on top of her head.) How do you 

 like the looks of the little chicks? (They are cun- 

 ning.) How are they dressed? (In fluffy down.) 

 With their round bodies and heads, and tiny wings 

 and bill, and bright little eyes, they make a beautiful 

 sight. 



Where did these little chicks come from? (From 

 eggs.) How do you know? Tell what care the eggs 

 must have that they may hatch. (Before the chickens 

 are hatched, the mother hen must sit on the eggs 

 three weeks, keeping them warm all the time, or they 

 are kept warm in an incubator.) How does the hen 

 get food and drink? (She leaves the nest just long 

 enough to get food and water.) Would you know a 

 sitting hen were you to meet one? How? When 



