38 THE AUDUBON BU DIAG Cie 

Bird Study in High School 
Biology 
Jerome Isenbarger, Crane Junior College, Chicago, III. 
HERE is no subject which is more worth while in high school 
biology from the esthetic side or from the point of view of science 
and pure natural history than the study of birds. The living bird 
may be studied in its own habitat, free and happy and engaged in its 
natural activities. The field study of birds arouses interests which are 
abiding. Aside from the fact that bird study provides for a worthy use 
of leisure time in the open air, it also shows the relation of birds to man’s 
welfare and stresses importance of protection and encouragement. It 
is important for everyone to know that with a sufficient bird population, 
the greater part of the loss of $1,049,500,000 each year, due to insects, 
could be saved to the people of this country. 
Field work on birds should extend throughout the year along with 
observations on insects, trees, fungi, weeds and flowers. The study 
may assume the form of a survey of a suitable selected plot. In the 
country districts an ideal site could include the orchard and house lot. 
Location in the city is no excuse for omitting this essential part of the 
biology course. The nature of the work must be varied to meet the 
conditions. I have conducted field work from five different schools in 
Chicago, three of which were in the congested districts, and I have found 
plenty of suitable spots easily accessible. The limited scope of this 
paper will not permit a detailed outline of the different types of field 
work which may be carried on in any given plot. One main line of 
investigation might be to determine whether there are enough birds in 
the area to hold the insects in check. This study would lead to the 
problem of determining what special features attract the birds to nest 
on the plot. The question, ‘‘Why is the bird here?” calls for much clear 
observation. It is equally important to study the elements which ac- 
count for a scarcity of bird life. The pupil must determine what neces- 
sities are absent. From these considerations it is only a step to the 
problem of determining what may be done to attract the birds to any 
given location. 
Other lines of bird work that may be taken up relate to the de- 
struction of weed seeds and the control of rodents. The problem will 
involve a study of bird migration and means of providing for the winter 
birds so that they may be attracted within easy range of observation. 
The spring migration calls for a study over a wider field with the 
emphasis on identification and related details. The opportunities offered 
