3.636 | Zi oe x 
SP yakry (i | oo 
Reprinted from The Educational Reudew for M: Kon 1899, 
(Copyrighted by Henry Holt & Co.) 
FOR THE 
Audubon Society of the State of New Waork., 
THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE (OF | BIRID-STUDY* 
In our necessarily superficial treatment of zodlogical 
studies what should we consider as of primal importance? 
A knowledge of structural affinities and classification, or 
an acquaintance with the forms of life about us? As an 
answer to these questions let me ask another: What is, or 
should be, the chief object of elementary nature-studies? Is 
it to crowd an often unappreciative, because unprepared, 
mind with generalities and technicalities, or to bring the 
student into direct contact with Nature, show him her infi- 
nite resources, and establish between him and the outdoor 
world an intimacy thru which he will derive not only pleas- 
ure, but also physical, mental, and spiritual strength? 
Interest in nature is inherent and universal, but}to be self- 
supporting it needs encouragement. The same fact may be 
made to arouse eager attention or to cause heavy-eyed 
apathy. Let us begin, therefore, by presenting the subject 
in its simplest and most attractive form, gradually awaken- 
ing and stimulating an interest which will permit our pupils 
to share the pleasures of Gilbert White, even if it does not 
enable them to appreciate the philosophy of Darwin. And 
by simplest form I mean let us make nature-study real, pos- 
sible, personal. Let us teach children to know the animals 
which they may actually meet in nature. Then we shall not 
only have accomplished something practical at once, but 
have laid the foundation for those broader biological ques- 
tions which, when forced on an unwilling, because untrained, 
mind, create a dislike for the subject treated which will for- 
ever debar one from its enjoyment. 
‘In order to be impressed by man’s inherent interest in ani- 
1 An address delivered before the third annual meeting of the New York State 
Science Teachers’ Association at the American Museum of Natural History, New 
York, December 30, 1898. 
242 
