_Mr. William L. Finley’s story_ of the condor appeared in the “Century Magazine.” It is one of the most interesting bird stories ever written. _This is the season of flowers_: among the helpful and interesting flower books for field use are “Gray’s Manual,” Mrs. Dana’s “How to Know the Wild Flowers,” and Chester A. Reed’s little vest-pocket _Guide_ with colored plates of the common flowers. PAGE 25 _rain down little toads_: I saw it again in the deserts of Oregon, the quick shower making millions of western spadefoot toads hop up out of the sand. As the sun came out again, presto! all were gone--into the sand out of sight. CHAPTER IV TO THE TEACHER In reading this story point out the very narrow margin of life among the wild animals; that is to say, show how little a thing it often is that turns the scales, that makes for life or death. We need all our powers, and all of them developed to their very highest degree of efficiency for the race of life. Only the fittest survive, and for these the race is often under too great handicaps. FOR THE PUPIL PAGE 27 _plumers_: those who used to kill birds for their beautiful plumage. _Klamath Lake Reservation_: is partly in California. It was set aside by President Roosevelt. _the coyote_: is the prairie or desert wolf. He is larger than the red fox, but smaller than the gray, or timber, wolf. PAGE 29 _homesteader_: one who settles upon land under the Federal home-steading laws. CHAPTER V TO THE TEACHER With a map of Boston follow the course of this title--from the crowded wharf and water-front to the wide, country-like fields of Franklin Park. It is a five-cent car-ride, a good half-day’s walk if you watch the wild life on the way. Map out such a course in your own city and take your pupils over it on a tramp, watching for glimpses of animal and bird life and for the sight of Nature’s face--the sky, the wind, the sunshine, trees, grass, flowers, etc. Make the most of your city chance for nature-study. It is an important matter. FOR THE PUPIL T wharf, long one of the busiest fish wharves in the world, perhaps the busiest, is, as I write, on the point of being abandoned by the fish-dealers of Boston, who are to occupy a huge new pier at South Boston, built by the State at a cost of about a million dollars. Franklin Field is a great athletic field adjoining Franklin Park in the southern part of Boston. PAGE 39 _list of saints_: these immortal names are carved in various places on the outer walls of the Public Library. _cranium_: the head, or rather the skull.