94 



NATURE-STUDY 



I^atcr in the summer, when the birds are tlirough witli tlicir 

 nests, coUeet dilTercnt kinds and laljel them properly, teUing 

 the species to which they belong. A neat way to mount them 

 is to fix them in a wire frame on a wooden base. These nests 

 would make a very useful addition to the school museum or 

 cabinet, and would be very desirable in the next year's bird 

 study. If the branches to which the nests are attached are 

 small, the nest may be left on the branch to show the method 



Fig. 13. Grass and Mud Nest of a Barn-Swallow. 



of attachment. Cut off the piece of a log containing a wood- 

 pecker's nest, and break away a portion of the side to show 

 the depth of the nest. If no other species of birds can be 

 found to study during the nest-building period, the English 

 sparrow will probably be found almost anywhere in towns. 

 Although their nest is not a model of beauty and skill, it 

 nevertheless shows well the activity of the birds that make it. 

 Examine the eggs. Do not take them out of the nest. 

 Note the color, their number and size. Try to find out how 

 long it takes the mother bird to hatch the eggs. Try to 



