The Audubon Societies 245 



the progress made in agriculture, liorticulture, farming, forestry and the con- 

 servation of natural and cultivated resources. Some very startling discoveries 

 will be made in the course of this study and some very hopeful signs. We have 

 reached a point now, where everyone's duty is to become well informed as to 

 the sources of the world's food-supply, and measures to increase and conserve 

 it. 



SUGGESTIONS 



1. Look up the meaning of isothermal and isohyetal. 



2. Consult the Century Dictionary under the words palmer and palmer-worm. 



3. Turn to the Bible under Joel 1:4 and 2:25, also Amos 4:9, for further references to 

 palmer-worms. 



4. What is a tineid moth? What harm does it do to apple-trees in June? What is its 

 larval form? 



5. See, also, in Century Dictionary cuts under corn-moth and bear [section 6, cut of 

 common yellow bear-moth in its larval stage] . 



6. Study the most common insect pests of our gardens and grain-fields; learn whether 

 they are native (indigenous) or introduced, and, also, what species of birds destroy them. 



7. Which grains are native and which are introduced? 



8. Why is corn of unusual value and usefulness in the United States? 



The following lesson on the Blue Jay is an admirable outline to take up at 

 this season. Similar lessons have preceded this and it would be well to refer to 

 them again as well as to work out some lessons of your own. With the bulletins 

 which are available through the federal and state Departments of Agriculture, 

 no one need be at a loss to determine the common insect pests of this country. 

 Make a special effort to correlate bird-study with the study of insects and 

 vegetation. May every home-gardener succeed this season and every home- 

 garden yield a store of knowledge as well as of food ! — ^A. H. W. 



Suggestive Lessons in Bird-Study 



THE BLUE JAY 



By -WILLIAM GOULD VINAL 



The Rhode Island Normal School 



1. FIELD OBSERVATIONS 



There is only one practical use to which you can put these suggestions. Make them 

 the purpose for wood excursions, not for the class, but for individuals and small groups. 

 No one should try to teach what he does not know, but there is a great deal about a 

 Blue Jay that one can know. You must catch the spirit before the lesson, and a single 

 excursion into the woods of autumn or winter will give it, for the Blue Jay is a permanent 

 resident. You ought to hear his notes ring through the silence of the October frost ! 

 Stand still and see if you can discover his business. 



1. In what sort of a locality do you discover him? 



2. Describe his method of flight. 



3. Does he walk or hop? 



4. What does he eat? 



