120 THE FALL OF THE YEAR 



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as Bobolink among the reeds of the distant Orinoco : The bobolink 

 winters even farther south — beyond the banks of the Amazon. 

 to sleep until dawn of spring : What is the name for this strange 

 sleeping ? What other American animals do it ? Name three. 



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frogs frozen into the middle of solid lumps of ice : Of course, this 

 was never done intentionally : each time the frogs were forgotten 

 and left in the laboratory, where they froze. 



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they seem to have given up the struggle at once . . . : This may not 

 be the explanation. One of the author's friends suggests that it 

 may liave been caused by exposure, due to their having been 

 frightened in the night from their usual bed and thus forced to 

 roost where they could until morning. 



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timothy : " Herd's-grass " or " English hay " — as it is sometimes 

 called in New England. 



plenty for the birds : What are the " weeds " made for ? You 

 growl when you are set to pulling them in the garden. What are 

 they made for ? Can you answer ? 



CHAPTER X 



TO THE TEACHER 



Perhaps you are in a crowded school-room in the heart of a great 

 city. What can you do for your pupils there ? But what can't you>do ? 

 You have a bit of sky, a window surely, an old tin can for earth, 

 a sprig of something to plant — and surely you have English spar- 

 rows behind the rain pipe or shutter ! You may have the harbor too, 

 and water-front with its gulls and fish, and the fish stores with their 

 windows full of the sea. You have the gardens and parks, burial- 

 grounds and housetops, bird stores, museums — why, bless you, you 

 have the hand-organ man and his monkey ; you have — but I have 

 mentioned enough. It is v, hungry little flock that you have to feed, 

 too, and no teacher can ask more. 



