74 



Bird - Lore 



BURYING A DEAD SPARROWHAWK, FOUND AND BROUGHT TO SCHOOL. MEMBERS 

 OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASS AT HIGHLAND, NEW YORK 



means of identification are resorted to, viz., 

 size, color and markings, bill, call or song, 

 mode of flight, manner of alighting, food- 

 plants, etc. A discussion of these important 

 and interesting facts is of distinct value to 

 the pupil, in that it provides a source of 

 information, and develops the powers of 

 observation to a remarkable degree of 

 keenness. If the description proves incom- 

 plete or unsatisfactory, the colored plate 

 will often clarify the cloudy atmosphere 

 which envelops the bird in the mind of the 

 pupil. If good fortune preva'ls, the teacher 

 may be able to identify the bird if it comes 

 into view while both pupil and teacher 

 are present. 



The blackboard affords an excellent 

 means of illustrating the various features 

 of physical structure in the bird, thus ren- 

 dering its identification less difficult b)'^ 

 calling attention to the presence of certain 

 dominant characteristics. If these are not 

 present, then the process of elimination 

 will narrow the list to a certain point where 

 identification results in a positive form. 

 On the blackboard drawings are so arranged 

 that the bird's adaptability to its environ- 



ment is made clear. At this juncture it is 

 also made a matter of relative importance 

 to emphasize the economic value of the 

 bird to agricultural conditions, in addition 

 to its beauty of dress, and sweetness of 

 song. 



During the winter, when the absence of 

 foliage reveals readily the presence of the 

 bird, and the lack of food supply forces 

 it to seek more intimately the society of 

 man, the children are then encouraged to 

 feed and study the birds, making them 

 their friends. The winter birds under the 

 prevailing conditions are easily studied and 

 ciuickly identified. The placing of suet in 

 the trees and the scattering of grain upon 

 the snow or ground creates in the child such 

 an interest in birds that, by the time the 

 great migratory waves of spring occur, he 

 has grasped with an awakened interest the 

 influences of an unknown and an unlimited 

 number of species. Each season he is en- 

 abled to grasp and absorb a little more 

 from the passing procession of northern 

 migrants. The pupils are taught to reason 

 that there must be a counter-migration 

 in the fall. 



