AGRICULTURAL NATURE STUDY OUTLINES 
43 
3. Animal Life throughout the Year 
Insects. — (Reference, Essig’s Injurious and Beneficial Insects of 
California.) 
Codling-Moth. — (Essig, pp. 436-438.) Study in connection with 
the apple. Description of eggs, larvae, etc. Life history. Nature of 
work. Food. Control. When to spray, etc. Children make observa¬ 
tions in orchards and report. 
Other insects. —In like manner study San Jose scale (Essig, pp. 
179, 180) ; Walnut Aphis (Essig, pp. 82, 83) ; Squash bug (Essig, pp. 
202, 203) ; Potato tuber moth (Essig, pp. 446, 447) ; see also Monthly 
Bulletins of the State Horticultural Commission. 
Birds. —As tree protectors. Select for study those birds that 
especially feed on insects, as Red-sliafted Flicker or Yellowhammer, 
California Woodpecker, Western Meadowlark, Bullock Oriole, Black¬ 
headed Grosbeak, Western Warbling Vireo, California Bush-tit, 
Western Blue-bird. Classify birds as to permanent residents, summer 
residents, winter residents, migrants. See other pages for description. 
Geese. —General appearance. Chief differences between a goose 
and a duck as to bill, length of neck, legs, wings, walk, flight. Examine 
track of goose. How different from track of the duck? When are 
geese “picked”? Why? Describe in shape and color the Toulouse, 
the Embden, the African, and the Chinese geese. How many found 
in the school district ? Describe food of geese; nest and eggs. What 
name given to the young of geese? Describe in general appearance 
and covering. How do the old take care of their young? How does 
a goose fight? What care does a goose take of her body? Stories of 
geese as to their intelligence, etc. 
Sheep. —Any in the district? What kinds? Are they “mutton” 
or “ wool ” sheep ? Meaning of terms. Study habits of sheep. Describe 
the mouth? How many and what kinds of teeth? How can the 
sheep eat the grass so closely? Are sheep allowed in forest reserva¬ 
tions? Why not? Enemies of the sheep. How does a sheep fight? 
Hearing and seeing of the sheep. Describe a young lamb. Name the 
principal breeds of sheep ? What are the chief things that distinguish 
a sheep from other animals? What are the chief qualities of a good 
shepherd and his dog? Where was the original home of the sheep? 
How does a sheep differ from a goat ? 
Wild mammals. —Study habits of California mole; California coon; 
California skunk; California pocket gopher. Consult Comstock’s 
Handbook of Nature Study for Teachers for valuable suggestions and 
