124 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



Where do sparrows like to build their nests ? What are 

 their nests made of ? 



One of their nests may be easily obtained from a corner 

 in a barn or elsewhere, and kept in the schoolroom for 

 study. Why do they have so many feathers in their nests ? 

 The children will be interested to know that after the 

 mother bird lays the eggs the father bird carries feathers 

 and covers up the eggs to keep them warm. 



Why are the birds called English sparrows ? Tell the 

 story of how they were brought here from England with 

 the hope that they would eat injurious insects. Instead of 

 proving a blessing they have become a real nuisance in 

 some places. Their real name is "house sparrow." Why 

 is this a good name for them ? 



This lesson should not be finished up in a day or two. 

 Time should be given for the children to make actual ob- 

 servations which may be reported occasionally. A few 

 minutes may be taken for this once or twice a week just 

 to keep up the interest. At the end of two or three weeks 

 a whole period may be taken in summing up all that has 

 been seen and heard. 



TOMATO WORM.— Fourth Grade 



Fall. — Problem: To find out what the tomato worm 

 does, and what it becomes when it is grown up. 



The tomato worm, a larva of a moth and an enemy of 

 the tomato, is frequently found on the tomato plants in 

 the summer and fall. Place about four inches of soil in 

 the bottom of a quart fruit jar. Break off a spray of the 

 plant on which the tomato worm is resting and place this 



