246 Educational Review [March 
the animal kingdoms, calling the first a course in botany, the 
second a course in zoology; and under botany we have to 
study only plants and plant-life, but under zoology we have 
everything from the lowest to the highest forms of animal 
life, and consequently, each of the great classes of the animal 
kingdom will be studied thru perhaps a single species. 
In botany, therefore, we have some opportunity to bring a 
practical knowledge into the lives of our pupils which will be 
a source of pleasure to them when they have almost for- 
gotten the names of other studies. But in zoology what will 
they learn about the birds so abundant around them? 
In reply to my inquiry concerning natural-science studies 
in the public schools of the City of New York, I have been 
given an outline of the course in elementary science for the 
year 1897--98. In it, under plants, I find very properly in- 
cluded “ Wild and cultivated flowers of New York and 
vicinity.’ But under zoology I look in vain for anything 
about the birds of New York and vicinity. In fact, I find 
birds mentioned only once, as follows: ‘“ Classification of 
quadrupeds, birds, fishes, radiates, reptiles, mollusks ’’; and a 
prominent member of the Teachers’ Association tells me 
that birds will be represented in this course by one species, 
either a pigeon or a chicken! So far as a pigeon represents 
the Class Aves it will doubtless answer all the purposes of 
the instructor, but an attempt to make it represent a class of 
animals which more than any others may be of personal 
interest and importance to us, is an evident failure to recog- 
nize the intimate relation which should and does exist be- 
tween bird and man. 
Most people will be satisfied with comparatively little in- 
formation concerning clams and starfish; their experience 
with them will doubtless ever be more or less limited, but 
they would like to know something about the birds that nest 
in their gardens or orchards. Bird-study thus has a prac- 
tical value. It introduces us to creatures with whom we may 
come in daily contact, and does not end therefore with 
school days, but forms a permanent bond between us and 
nature. 
