OUTLINE OF ANIINIAL STUDY. 35 



VERTEBRATES — BIRDS 



(March to June). 



. Life History. — \Y-Atc\\ in the school-room the development of the frog 

 from tlie egg. This will form a basis for the study of the development of 

 the bird in the egg. 



Relation to Environment. — Have children study out of doors the habits 

 of the birds, their coming, during March and April, their nest-building, 

 songs, and feeding habits, during May and June. Keep a live bird (canary) 

 in school-room and investigate its habits. 



Relation to Man. — The value of the birds to man, the beauty of song 

 and plumage, the great good they do in destroying insects, the little injury 

 they do to buds, fruits, and grains. 



Structure and Comparison. — Study as much as possible from living 

 birds, constantly relating structure to function. Compare typical scratchers 

 (chicken), swimmers (geese), perchers (canary), climbers (woodpecker), and 

 wadei's (snipe). (May and June.) 



Classification. — Bring out distinctive characteristics of common nat- 

 ural orders of birds, the characteristics which all birds have in common, 

 and the characteristics which show that they are vertebrates (June). 



SEVENTH YEAR. 

 Special Work. — Vertebrates. 



FISHES, TURTLES, AND MAMMALS 



(September to November). 



Life History. — Development of fishes and reptiles will, doubtless, have 

 to be told to pupils. 



Life and Habits. — Fishes, turtles, and mice or squirrels can be kept in 

 school-room. The habits of many other mammals can be readily investi- 

 gated out of doors. 



Structure and Comparison. — Sliould be emphasized and some study 

 made of internal structure, and particularly of the skeleton. This can be 

 made very helpful in the study of human physiology. 



Classification and Related Forms. — Each form studied must become a 

 type for related animals, about which pupils should read during the winter. 

 Distinctive characteristics of common orders of mammals, such as carniv- 

 orous mammals; rodents, or gnawers; ungulates, or hoofed animals. 



FROGS AND BIRDS 



(April to June). 



Frogs are particularly good as a study of life history and development. 

 Study also their structure and adaptation of structure to life and function 

 during different periods of life. 



Birds are interesting and valuable as a basis for the study of habits 

 and of classification. 



