OKLAHOMA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 2>7 



A trip to some neighboring lake or small stream will result 

 in abundance of crayfish, clams, snails, leeches, and larger fish. 

 There is no dearth of crayfish but one must look for them. 

 Searching along some narrow stream, turning up ricks, peeping 

 into crevices or sheltered places will always result in a prize. We 

 pick the crayfish up with our fingers, but not the clams, since they 

 are usually in deeper water. We secure the clam by placing a 

 stick between the valves where the foot is protruded. Immediately 

 it will close tightly and the mussel can be lifted out. Leeches are 

 frequently found adhering to the shell. Everyone is familiar with 

 snails and their habits. What child has not been amused or enter- 

 tained himself with their shells at least? The Periwinkles are 

 also of much interest. These leave clusters of eggs on sticks and 

 blades of grass. The little animals float on their backs or climb 

 perpendicularly to the surface where protruding from their spirally 

 twisted shell they search for food. 



In early spring, the habits of the birds can be studied side 

 by side with growing plants and whirring insects. On one outing 

 the students observed a couple of blue jays return to an old nest 

 they had watched them buiild the previous spring. Two orioles set up 

 housekeeping in a nearby tree ; the jays seemed to resent this prox- 

 imity to their domicile and many battles took place. On one occa- 

 sion Mr. Jay lighted suddenly on the female and holding her fea- 

 thers in his beak he circled round and round, interrupting these 

 antics with vigorous shakes. A few well directed clods persuaded 

 him to release his hold and retreat in high dudgeon to his own 

 quarters, no doubt to await a more opportune time for the con- 

 tinuance of hostilities. iHowever, the class had the satisfaction of 

 seeing both young broods reach maturity. A brown thrasher bui!t 

 a nest in a honeysuckle vine on the school grounds and became so 

 tame as to take food out of the children's hands. When fully sat- 

 isfied the bird was seen to hide the remainder of the meal in a 

 hedge for future use. 



During the winter months the small streams abound in Spiro- 

 gyra, Cladophore, and other forms of Algae. These are found 

 floating on the surface and at the bottom of the water, sometimes 

 forming a growth so luxuriant as almost to choke up the stream. 

 A visit to a neighboring watering trough will result in a collec- 

 tion of good specimens of Sphaerella, Ocilliatoria, and occasion- 

 ally Nostoc. 



Mosses are then at their most flourishing period and Sporan- 

 giums in all stages of development can usually be found. If one 



