82 NATURE STUDY LESSONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES 



chicken step? (Examine tracks in snow or mud.) 

 Does the hind toe help any in walking? Of what 

 use is it ? Are the front toes all of the same length ? 

 Which is the longest? Why is it well that the 

 chicken has long toes? (If his toes were very short 

 his body would more easily tip over. He could 

 not grasp the perch well.) Are their long nails 

 in the way when walking? Why not? Look 

 at the base of the front toes. (A little web is 

 there.) Why? What keeps their toes from being 

 hurt by stones, rough dirt, stubble, etc.? (They are 

 covered by tough, hard rings.) This long part from 

 the toes up to the joint is the chicken's heel. Is the 

 heel naked ? (No, covered by plates of tough, hard 

 skin.) Have you ever seen any chickens with 

 feathers on the heel and toes ? Notice how tiny 

 are the little chicken's toes. Can they get about 

 well? 



Did you ever call the chickens to feed them? Did 

 they hear you ? Then what did they do? How can 

 the chickens hear when we call? Have they ears? 

 Did you ever see them? [Very likely the children 

 may never have thought of a chicken's ears.] The 

 teacher calls attention to the ears on the tame hen, 

 or better, the children find them. Why is it well 



