440 NATURE-STUDY 



hawk. Compare general appearance, especially note similar 

 beaks and claws. What are they used for? Look up the 

 food of these hawks and form an opinion as to the harmful- 

 ness of all hawks. What good do they do? What kind 

 of hawks should not be shot ? Consider the owls in a similar 

 way. Compare their feet and bills with those of hawks. 

 Hawks and owls are "relatives," and show a "family like- 

 ness." (H, 95, etc. I20.) 



Swimming Birds: Tame wild ducks and geese. The fall 

 hunting season would be an appropriate time for this study. 

 Observe the birds brought in by hunters. Observe the tame 

 ducks and geese. Note their bills,*. and feet,* their walk, 

 how they swim and dip with their long necks. What are 

 they dipping for? What else do they eat? Observe them 

 in the water. Do they get their feathers wet? Why? Try 

 a little experiment with oiled and unoiled chicken feathers 

 in water. Preening. Moulting. Feathers used by man. 

 The eider duck. For what other reasons do we keep ducks ? 

 Show picture of wild mallard.* Compare with the common 

 tame duck. Domestication. Show pictures of other kinds 

 of wild ducks, especially the teal and wood duck. Note 

 beautiful colors. Observe the migration of ducks. Can 

 tame ducks and geese fly? Why do they not fly away? 

 Where do the others go ? Study the swans * in the parks. 

 Note their purity and grace. Observe how skilfully they 

 swim. Are they graceful walkers? Why not? What is 

 the use of such feet? Refer to wild swans. Compare all 

 these birds as to general appearance, and especially as to 

 feet. These also show a "family hkeness." (G, H, 95, etc., 

 118, 120, 124.) 



Game birds: Ducks, geese, bobwhite, ruffed-grouse, 



