BIRDS AND BIRD LIFE 



31 



LABORATORY EXERCISES 



Exercise No. 1. — Secure and have in the classroom a 

 common representative of each of the three classes of birds, 

 as follows, — a domestic fowl to represent land birds, a duck 

 to represent water birds, a house canary, sparrow or other 

 wild bird to represent birds which fly in the air. Let different 

 members of the class point out different characteristics of 

 these three specimens, showing points in which they are 



Fig. 30. — A, Slate-colored Junco or "Black Snowbird" on feed shelf. Such a 

 shelf is easily constructed, with a hopper similar to a poultry feed hopper, for 

 holding the mixed bird seed, bread crumbs and meat scrap which form an acceptable 

 addition to their winter menu of weed seed. B, Purple Finches on feeding shelf. 

 (Photos by B. S. Bowdish, Secretary, New Jersey Audubon Society.) 



similar and parts which are unlike. The special points of 

 difference, as mentioned in the text, should be shown to the 

 class. 



Exercise No. 2. — Let each student collect three or four 

 feathers. The feathers selected for study should be from 

 different parts of the body, from the tail, wings, back, and 

 body fluff will be sufficient. With the aid of a small 

 hand lens study the structure of each feather. Point out 

 and be sure that the class is familiar with the different parts 

 mentioned in the text. Study the difference in structure 



