166 THE NATURE STUDY COURSE. 



before trees are in leaf, is best for observation. Teachers will have 

 opportunities to observe with their classes such birds as robin, 

 crow, swallow, hawk, blue-bird and flicker. Insects will be found in 

 abundance, and prove a source of great interest. One or two nets 

 should be provided for each class. 



5. Geography. — A very important use of these field days will be the 

 aid pupils will receive in Geography. They will get elementary notions 

 at first hand. The compass will be consulted to teach direction. Such 

 natural objects as soil in all its forms, rock, granite, limestone, boulders, 

 brooks, swamps, springs, rivers, waterfalls, hills, valleys, shore, river- 

 bed, beach, bluff, island, cape, peninsula, bay, watershed, river-mouth, 

 tributary, lake, outlet and bog — all these are within reach and may be 

 studied at first hand. 



The most uncompromising "anti-faddist," self-styled, would 

 find difficulty in framing an objection to using ten after- 

 noons in the year in the manner proposed above, especially by- 

 children brought up in a large city. Rural school children 

 have less urgent need of this important kind of education at 

 first-hand and by direct contact, but even they would be 

 greatly stimulated and quickened by the competitive observa- 

 tion called out in a properly conducted field excursion. The 

 importance of planning an excursion for a definite object 

 cannot be too strongly emphasized, (p. 118). 



Phenochrons and Phenology. — Weather records have 



been described (p. 91). The most advanced classes, par- 

 ticularly if the school is supplied with a barometer, may 

 extend the schedule there proposed. Besides the kind of 

 cloud, the extent may be added, by writing in a circle the 

 estimated number of tenths of the sky that is clouded at the 

 time of observation. If three-tenths be the estimated clouded 

 area, it is written thus : (z). A column may be headed 

 "Estimated Hours of Sunshine per Day." The difference 

 between the readings of a dry thermometer and one whose 

 bulb is covered with cotton batting conveying water to it 



