is often mistaken for the robin, for these two birds are nearly equal in
size. The carmine colour of the upper surface of the male grosbeak
distinguishes it from the grays and blacks of the upper part of the
robin. The grosbeak frequents the rowan trees.

The bird sounds which attract attention during the winter are the
cheerful notes of the chickadee, the bold clarion call of the blue jay,
and the sharp tap, tap, tap, of the downy woodpecker.

The downy woodpecker and the chickadee have snug winter homes within
hollow trees, but, when the weather is favourable, they go about
searching industriously for the eggs and larvae of insects that infest
forest and orchard trees.

CORRELATIONS

Literature:

Do you know the chickadee,
In his brownish ashen coat,
With a cap so black and jaunty,
And a black patch on his throat?

Language: Write a story about the winter experiences of a downy
woodpecker.

Geography: Describe the summer home of the snow bird.

ANIMALS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

Pupils who have an opportunity to visit museums or zoological gardens
will observe more intelligently if the visit is preceded by such a
discussion in the class-room as will arouse their curiosity respecting
the habits, movements, and adaptive features of the animals about to be
studied.

CLASS-ROOM LESSON

Name the kinds of bears you have seen or have read about. What kind was
the largest?

Are all bears wholly flesh-eating animals? Find out what food the
keepers give these animals.

What features give to the bear his great strength? Observe the length of
his "arms", teeth, claws.

Does the bear climb a pole in the same way that a boy does?

Read:

Rogers. Wild Animals Every Child Should Know. McClelland, Goodchild, &
Stewart. 50 cents.

Thompson-Seton. Wild Animals I Have Known. Briggs. $1.50.

Roberts. Children of the Wild. Macmillan. $1.35.

CHAPTER VIII

FORM II

SPRING

GARDEN WORK

The pupils have now arrived at an age when they are able to do most of
the work of preparing and planting their own plots. The seeds have been
selected and placed in readiness for planting long before the ground is
ready. The plans for the garden and the varieties to be sown in the
different plots have likewise been arranged. Fertilizers, lines, tools,
and labels are made ready for use. With such thorough preparation the
making and planting of the garden becomes a pleasure and a delight to
both