1905] _ Nature Stupy—No. 24. a7. 
Character of Presentative Material—As regards the materials 
of Nature Study, it may be noted in the first place that many of 
the models offered for sale are very poor substitutes for the original 
object. The study of the singing bird in its natural habitat is likely 
to prove a much more attractive and helpful exercise (especially 
with beginners) than the investigation of the mounted specimen 
or the inaccurately colored picture ‘‘11-17 of the original size.” 
However, in some cases, after he has failed repeatedly to obtain a 
close and continuous view of the flitting object of his investiga- 
tion, the learner turns to a study of the school model with a due 
appreciation of its special advantages. At the beginning, out- 
door study is most valuable, and with proper preparation and care 
an occasional field excursion presents the best form of non-con- 
ventional Nature Study for the little child, and the most lasting 
results will be those gained from such outdoor study by the pupil 
without any immediate assistance from the teacher. Fields and 
woods are always accessible, the domestic animals, garden plants 
and flowers, birds and insects, the wonders of water, earth, air, 
forest and sky, are available in every locality, and all that is re- 
quired is a sympathetic attitude toward nature, a genuine desire 
to investigate, and a few simple suggestions regarding the mode 
of procedure. I know a boy of 12 years of age who, with very 
slight preliminary instruction, has acquired a good working 
knowledge of all of our common local birds, their appearance, 
migration, nesting, song, adaptation etc., and has formed a close 
acquaintance with several of them. His interest in the subject is 
normal and wholesome, and his method of study quite ingenious, 
e. g., he never takes an egg except from a deserted nest and yet 
he has a fairly good collection. Making out-door investigation 
the starting point, the teacher soon finds that the children them- 
selves bring specimens to the school for examination. Thus a 
collection of specimens for a cabinet is begun. Asa rule children 
enjoy making collections, and there is a sense of proprietorship 
about such a possession which is a desirable factor and cannot 
be gained from bought specimens. The materials for definite 
study can very often be brought by the children, e. g., each 
child may bring a sample of the flower to be studied. There is 
no difficulty in securing a number of pet animals in a similar way. 
