FIELD STUDY 37 



nite goal by maintaining a standard of measure- 

 ment. 



In addition to a comprehensive analytical plan 

 others are useful. Particularly is this true when 

 several lines of work are being done simultaneously 

 or when the work must be interrupted frequently. 

 Under such circumstances even a daily program may 

 aid in utilizing many of the fragments of time which 

 are so easily lost. In this way incomplete observa- 

 tions, verifications, and similar small items which 

 are time-consuming may be made. These plans 

 apply with particular force to field study when 

 several lines of observation are being driven abreast. 

 I have found it profitable to keep memoranda on 

 note slips which will recall items needing further 

 attention, at certain places in the field or on certain 

 subjects. Thus, for example, if plans are suddenly 

 changed and another locality is visited, the proper 

 note slips indicating the points for special study at 

 such a place are quickly secured, and one can 

 hasten to the field prepared for the work of the day. 

 Of course, similar plans are applicable to many 

 kinds of work. 



To learn how to study in the field, and not simply 

 to collect, is one of the most important habits which 

 a field naturalist and the ecologist has to acquire. 

 This is one which he must, to a large degree, master 

 alone, without the ready access to assistance, as is 

 usually the case in the laboratory study. It is also a 

 subject about which it is difficult to give useful sug- 

 gestions, other than those of the most general nature. 



