36 Handbook of Nature-Study 



EYES AND EARS OF BIRDS 



Teacher's Story 



' HE hen's eyes are placed at the side of the head so that 

 she cannot see the same object with both eyes at the 

 same time, and thus she has the habit of looking at us 

 first with one eye and then the other to be sure she 

 sees correctly; also the position of the hen's eyes give 

 her a command of her entire environment. All birds 

 have much keener eyes than have we; and they can 

 adjust their eyes for either near or far vision much 

 more effectively than we can ; the hawk, flying high in the air, can see 

 the mouse on the ground. 



There is a wide range of colors found in the eyes of birds; white, red 

 blue, yellow, brown, gray, pink, purple and green are found in the iris of 

 different species. The hen's eye consists of a black pupil at the center, 

 which must always be black in any eye, since it is a hole through which 

 enters the image of the object. The iris of the hen's eye is yellow; there 

 is apparently no upper lid but the lower lid comes up during the process of 

 sleeping. When the bird is drowsy the little film lid comes out from the 

 corner of the eye and spreads over it like a veil; just at the comer of our 

 own eye, next the nose, is the remains of this film lid, although we cannot 

 move it as the hen does. 



The hearing of birds is very acute, although the ear is simply a hole in 

 the side of the head in most cases, and is more or less covered with 

 feathers. The hen's ear is like this in many varieties; but in others and 

 in the roosters there are ornamental ear lobes. 



LESSON IV 

 Eyes and Ears of Birds 



Leading thought — The eyes and ears of birds are peculiar and very 

 efficient. 



Methods — The hen or chicken and the rooster should be observed for 

 this lesson; notes may be made in the poultry yard or in the schoolroom 

 when the birds are brought there for study. 



Observations — i. Why does the hen turn her head first this side and 

 that as she looks at you? Can she see an object with both eyes at once? 

 Can she see well? 



2. How many colors are there in a hen's eye? Describe the pupil 

 and the iris. 



3. Does the hen wink as we do? Has she any eyelids? 



4. Can you seethe film lid? Does it come from above or below or 

 the inner or outer corner? When do you see this film lid? 



5. Where are the hen's ears? How do they look? How can you 

 tell where the rooster's ears are? 



6 . Do you think the hen can see and hear well ? 



