BIRD STUDY 89 



Bird Lessons in the Grades 



The most appropriate time to study the birds is in the spring, 

 at the time of their migration from the South. Then they are 

 apparently most abundant and are the tamest. Moreover, 

 their interesting mating habits can then be seen. The first 

 robin or the first bluebird always causes a mild excitement. 

 It is then that a series of lessons on the returning birds should 

 be given in any grade. This study should contain enough 

 of the structure and coloration to serve for identification. Of 

 course the habits will form a chief feature of the work. Bring 

 out the reasons for the subdued or the conspicuous colors, and 

 by all means bring out well the economic value of the birds. 



As with mammals, so bird study ought to be comparative, 

 and there should be simple classification according to structure 

 or according to habits. Even primary children can class 

 the duck and goose together as swimmers, and differentiate 

 them from the wading heron and bittern. Much more of 

 this may be expected from older pupils. 



For the purposes of nature-study it is sufficient to class the 

 birds as Swimmers, Waders and Shorebirds, Scratching 

 Birds, Birds of Prey or Robbers, Climbers, Perching and 

 Song Birds. Avoid the technicalities of scientific ornithology, 

 and yet try to bring out the fact of the relationship of birds. 



The following list of birds is suggested as suitable for 

 nature-study. These are, with a few exceptions, common 

 and native to the northern and eastern parts of the United 

 States: 



SWIMMERS: Loon, tern, gull, pelican, duck, goose, swan. 



WADERS AND SHOREBIRDS: Blue heron, bittern, crane, 

 stork; coot, rail; sandpiper, snipe, plover. 



