In order to appreciate what wonderful structures birds' nests really
are, it is sometimes helpful to try to build a nest.
Equipment: Let each child gather several handfuls of dried grass, short
dead twigs, strips of inner bark, leaves and similar nesting
material. These may be brought to the classroom or else the game
may be played in the open.
Rules: The instructor should give a brief talk on different types of
birds' nests such as the Robins' and Crows'. For this purpose,
several real birds' nests as examples would be most useful. The
children should be allowed a given time to construct their nests.
At the end of this period, it is just barely possible that there
may be one nestlike structure in the group. This nest will of
course be the winning one. This is one way in which the children
may appreciate the true birds' nests.