Bird Study 



31 



ful flowing barbs that form the setting to the central gem, are all 

 a training in aesthetics as well as in nature-study. After the 

 children have studied such a 

 feather let them see the peacock 

 either in reality or in picture 

 and give them stories about this 

 bird of Juno; a bird so incon- 

 spicuous if it were not for his 

 great spread of tail, that a child 

 seeing it first cried, "Oh, oh, see 

 this old hen all in bloom!" 



The whole question of sexual 

 selection may be made as plain 

 as need be for the little folks, by 

 simply telling them that the 

 mother bird chooses for her mate the one which is most brightly and 

 beautifully dressed, and make much of the comb and wattles of the 

 rooster and gobbler as additions to the brilliancy of their appearance. 



Peacock feathers. Is beauty useful? 



LESSON II 



Feathers as Ornament 



Leading thotight — The color of feathers and often their shape are for the 

 purpose of making birds more beautiful ; while in others, the color of the 

 feathers protects them from the observation of their enemies. 



Methods — While parts of this lesson relating to fowls, may be given in 

 primary grades, it is equally fitted for pupils who have a wider knowledge 

 of birds. Begin with a comparison of the plumage of the hen and the 

 rooster. Then, if possible, study the turkey gobbler and a peacock in life 

 or in pictures. Also the plumage of a Rouen duck and drake, and if 

 possible, the Baltimore oriole, the goldfinch, the scarlet tanager and 

 the cardinal. 



Observations — i. Note difference in shape and color of the tail 

 feathers of hen and rooster. 



2. Do the graceful curved tail feathers of the rooster help him in 

 flying? Are they stifif enough to act as a rudder? 



3. If not of use in flying what are they for? 

 the more beautiful the hen or the rooster? 



4. In what respects is the rooster a more beautiful fowl? 



5. What other parts of the rooster's plumage is more beautiful than 

 that of the hen? 



6. If a turkey gobbler sees you looking at him he begins to strut. 

 Do you think he does this to show off his tail feathers? Note how he 

 turns his spread tail this way and that so the sunshine will bring out the 

 beautiful changeable colors. Do you think he does this so you can see 

 and admire him? 



7. Describe the difference in plumage between the hen turkey and 

 the gobbler? Does the hen turkey strut? 



8. Note the beautiful blue-green iridescent head and wing patches 



Which do vou think 



