96 NATURE-STUDY 



Let them also study the subject of color in birds. The 

 birds of bright and conspicuous color will interest the lit- 

 tle children most. Let them consider these colors chiefly 

 from the aesthetic point of view. The older pupils will be 

 able to appreciate something of the theory that the bright 

 coloration of birds is a mating device; that the female birds 

 are supposed to select the handsomest males, and so the 

 brightest colors are transmitted in the race. 



But the fact should be brought out that bright coloration 

 is almost the exception to the rule, for the great majority of 

 species are inconspicuously colored in drab, gray, brown, or 

 olive, so as to blend with and be concealed against the back- 

 ground of water, grass, or foliage. This is an interesting 

 observation for the older children. Let them be on the look- 

 out for birds that are protectively colored in a remarkable 

 degree, and let them explain the adaptation in each case. 

 Call attention to the case of the scarlet tanager, rose-breasted 

 grosbeak, red-winged blackbird, etc. Here the male bird is 

 handsomely and conspicuously colored, while the mate is 

 protectively colored. Ask the children of what advantage 

 this difference in coloration is. 



In this connection, refer to the natural enemies of the 

 birds. The reason for the protective coloration will then be 

 clearer. Ask the children not to add themselves to the list 

 of enemies. 



Another interesting subject and one on which observa- 

 tions are readily made is the way in which the old birds care 

 for the young. Note how solicitous the parents are for the 

 young. Observe how hard they have to work to satisfy the 

 hungry mouths. Count the number of trips the parents make 

 with food in a certain time, say an hour. From this the 



