58 Handbook of Nature-Study 



For third or higher grades the pupils should have individual note- 

 books in which each one may write his own answers to the questions of the 

 successive series, which should be written on the blackboard at proper 

 time for the observations. This note-book should have a page about 6x8 

 inches and may be made of any blank paper. The cover or first page 

 should show the picture of the robin colored by the pupil, and may con- 

 tain other illustrative drawings, and any poems or other literature 

 pertinent to the subject. If prizes are awarded in the school, a bird book 

 should be given as award for the best note-book in the class. 



Observations by pupils — Series a (To be given in March), i. At 

 what date did you see the first robin this year? 



2. Where did the robin spend the winter; did it build a nest or sing 

 when in its winter quarters? 



3. What does it find to eat when it first comes in the spring? How 

 doe's this differ from its ordinary food? 



4. Does the robin begin to sing as soon as it comes North.'' 



Series b (To be given the first week of April) . i . How large is tHe 

 robin compared with the English sparrow? 



2. What is the color of the beak? The eye? Around and above 

 the eye? 



3. The color of the top of the head? The back? The throat? 



The breast? 



4. Do all the robins have equally bright colors on head, back and 



breast ? 



5. What is the color of the wing feathers? 



6. What is the color of the tail feathers? Where is the white on 

 them? Can the white spots be seen except during flight of the bird? 

 Of what use to the robin are these spots? 



7. Is there white on the underside of the robin as it flies over you? 

 Where ? 



8. What is the color of the feet and legs? 



Series c (To be given the second week of April). 



1. At what time of day does the robin sing? Is it likely to sing 

 before a rain? How many different songs does a robin sing? 



2. What note does a robin give when it sees a cat? 



3. What sounds do the robins make when they see a crow or a 

 hawk ? 



4. Does a robin run or walk or hop? 



5. Do you think it finds the hidden earthworm by listening? If so 



describe the act. 



6. Describe how a robin acts as it pulls a big earthworm out of the 

 ground. 



7. Do robins eat other food than earthworms? 



Series d (To be given by the middle of April), i. At what date 

 did your pair of robins begin to build their nest? 



2. Where was the nest placed and with what material was it begun ? 



3. Can you tell the difference in colors between the father and 

 mother birds? Do both parents help in making the nest? 



4. How and with what material is the plastering done? How is 

 the nest molded into shape? Do both birds do this part of the work? 



