Ornithology

English Articles Ornithology The branch of zoology devoted to the study of birds. Like entomology it has a substantial hobbyist following, mainly because of the aesthetic appeal of the brightly coloured plumage that many birds exhibit and the fascination of their ability to fly. The observation of patterns of bird migration had a particular scientific significance in ancient times by assisting agricultural calculations; the arrival of a particular species in a locality was often employed as a signal when calendars were still primitive. This utility undoubtedly assisted various bird species to acquire a reputation as omens, although the establishment of carrion crows and vultures as birds of ill omen had a more obvious cause....

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Franklin’s Academy

English Articles Franklin’s Academy The academy founded in Philadelphia, in 1751, by Benjamin Franklin and his supporters, who espoused his idea of practical, free, universal public education. Chartered as the Academy and Charitable School in the City of Philadelphia, classes began with about 145 boys. The school was unusual (and was the source of some controversy) because it was the first academy open to boys other than the sons of the elite and because it all but eliminated theology as the central course of the curriculum. The six-year curriculum was unique for the era, in that had it had three departments: English, Latin and Mathematics. English was initially given equal weight with Latin and Greek, the original scriptural...

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