154 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [16:4— April, 1920 



2. Compare the size of the bird with that of the crow, the robin, 

 or the English sparrow. 



3. Its most striking colors are: Gray, slate, brown, chestnut, 

 black, white, blue, red, yellow, orange, green, olive. 



4. Does it show flash colors when flying? If so, where and what 

 color? Wing, rump, tail, under tail. 



5. In action is it : Slow and quiet or active and nervous? 



6. Does it occur alone or in a flock? 



7. In flying does it go: Straight and swift. Dart about. Up 

 and down, wave-like. Flap the wings constantly. Sail or soar with 

 wings steady. Flap the wings and then sail? 



8. Describe its song or call note? Where does it sit when sing- 

 ing? Does it sing while flying? 



For Closer Observation 



9. Colors and markings of: Breast, wings, tail, top of head, 

 eye streak, back. 



10. Is the bill: Slender and long, short and thick, medium, 

 curved, hooked? 



11. Is the tail: Forked, notched, square, rounded? 

 Following each page for field observations should be a page to be 



filled out from books of reference if the field observations fail to 

 cover the points. This work may be done in the school room. 



12. What is the food of the bird and how obtained? 



13. Where does the bird spend the winter? 



14. Describe the nest, where placed, how far from the ground, 

 how supported, of what material is the outside made, how lined' 

 The color and number of eggs. 



15. How are the young fed and cared for? The colors of plu- 

 mage of the young birds. 



17. Is this bird beneficial to us, and if so, how and why? 



The work should begin promptly in September with observation 

 on migrants and dates for the departure of our summer residents. 

 A bird census of a limited area (not exceeding two or three acres) , 

 carried on for the whole year will add greatly to the interest. 

 This area, to be ideal should include woods, fields, fencerows, and 

 a stream; but any place frequented by birds will do. Parks in 

 towns, school grounds, certain shaded streets will do if nothing 

 better is available. The census should include permanent resi- 

 dents, summer and winter residents and migrants. 



