38 ANIMAL ECOLOGY 



Directions for collecting are, on the other hand, simpler 

 and more accessible in the form of numerous manuals 

 filled with practical suggestions. 



Field study is not confined to observations alone, 

 but to the securing of all kinds of evidence from the 

 field which will aid in the interpretation of the 

 field relations of animals. Thorough intimacy with 

 the animals can only be acquired through repeated 

 and prolonged excursions in the field. This may 

 mean excursions at any hour of the day or night. Part 

 of this familiarity is best acquired by an intensive 

 study of some limited area or association, and by 

 thus establishing a unit for comparison so that the 

 differences in other places are more readily perceived 

 and described. 



Before selecting a limited area for study one should 

 make a general examination of a much larger tract, so 

 that one may be sure that the area selected is a fair 

 sample and worthy of the special study. There are 

 also many advantages in selecting areas little modi- 

 fied by man. Such modified areas may, to better 

 advantage, be considered later; just as pathology 

 should be studied after one is grounded in normal 

 histology. Undoubtedly the normal, or its approxi- 

 mation, is the best foundation upon which to build, 

 and here we have the educational argument for 

 natural preserves for animals and their superiority 

 over highly modified "parks" for the same purpose. 



Having selected a locality, repeated and prolonged 

 visits, careful observation, and description of the 

 place and animals will enable one to acquire the de- 



