The Audubon Societies 59 



suggestions 

 The Weather. 



a. Use a thermometer, barometer and weather-vane. 



b. Keep a large chart hung up in the school-room, for records of temper- 

 ature, barometric readings and the direction of the wind. A large sheet of 

 manila paper will answer, divided into squares corresponding to the number 

 of days in the month. Enter the daily records in one square, using colored 

 pencils to distinguish the three records taken. 



c. Divide the pupils into squads, whose duty it shall be to make weather 

 observations and to fill in the records day by day. 



The Isotherm of Spring. 



a. Correlate observations on the weather with a simple study of the 

 advance of spring, following the isotherm of 35° F. from the Gulf States to- 

 Alaska, using the accompanying map. 



h. Hang up a plain manila chart, on which is sketched the outline of North 

 America with the divisions of the United States and British America, using 

 a colored pencil to trace the courses of the principal mountain ranges and larg- 

 est rivers. On the following dates, Jan. 15, Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Apl. 15, May 15; 

 and June 15, draw in the isotherm of 35° F. according to its average position at 

 those times, letting the pupils see how different in latitude, places of equal 

 temperature are likely to be. 



c. Keep a large colored map of North America on the wall beside the 

 isothermal chart and the weather-record. As the pupils learn different geo- 

 graphical places, let them observe whether spring is likely to reach these 

 places early or late, as compared with the locality of their home-town or city. 



d. Procure a wxather-map from the U. S. Weather Bureau, Washing- 

 ton, D. C, and compare the pictures of the weather made by isobars with 

 those made by isotherms. Without attempting to explain in detail isobaric 

 lines, point out the most conspicuous areas of high and low pressure, stating 

 that, by a careful study of isobars and isotherms, it is possible to predict what 

 the weather is likely to be. 



Nature. 



a. Find out what plants and trees will blossom when the temperature is- 

 35° F., and also what insects and animals will be active at this time. 



h. Follow the northward migration of the Robin as given on the accom- 

 panying map. Between what dates does it travel the fastest, and why? 



c. Keep a record of the earliest arrivals of migrating birds, the length of 

 their stay in yomr neighborhood, the birds which come in flocks and those 

 which come singly or in pairs. 



General. 



Ask the pupils to design and make weather-vanes. Explain in the simplest 

 way the principles of the thermometer and barometer. 



