478 NATURE-STUDY 



Sponge: Examine different kinds. Brief description of 

 the living animal, its sedentary habit, plant-like. How 

 "fished" and prepared. Skeleton. The children would 

 be interested in the little green fresh-water sponge of our 

 lakes and streams. Perhaps a specimen may be found. 

 (i5> i8, 23, T,s, 34, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92.) 



Birds: A bird's wing:* Prepare wing bones and make 

 comparison with our own arm. Bird's leg.* Treat in a 

 similar manner. Plumage : Uses, different sorts of feathers,* 

 moulting, spring colors. Flight. Study of a feather in de- 

 tail. (108, 95, 100, 33, 34, 21, etc.) 



Spring 

 Animals. 



Birds: (95, to 125.) Cardinal,* towhee,* indigo bunt- 

 ing,* bank-swallow, peewee. Identify and study habits. 



Observe again birds learned before. Let individual chil- 

 dren examine special birds * to write up later. Make a com- 

 parative study of the usefulness of wood-peckers (120, no), 

 also of hawks and owls from the economic standpoint. 



Discuss and observe the mating colors of the robin,* 

 oriole,* cardinal,* rose-breasted grosbeak,* rooster, and 

 peacock. Refer also to the change of dress, in the fall, of 

 the thistle bird, the bobolink, and scarlet tanager.* (95 to 

 125.) Talks on egg collecting, shooting, wearing feathers. 

 Protect birds, obey bird laws, observe Bird Day. (108, 



"7. "3> 478-) 



Insects: Observation of insects in the garden and 

 orchard. Note harm done; look up remedies and apply. 

 (132, 136, 148, 246, "Insecticides," "Codling Moth".) 



Fishes: Identification study of the common fresh-water 



