HINTS FOR FIELD WORK 19 



a trick of flight, or some mysterious general effect. Let the 

 beginner patiently continue his walk, keeping, if possible, 

 near mixed growth of trees or bushes, especially near water. 

 Before long he will come upon some bird, or group of birds, 

 busily occupied in feeding, or startle one from the ground to 

 a neighboring twig. Now is his opportunity ; if the bird is in 

 good view, let him seize opera-glass, note-book, and pencil, 

 and note everything possible about the stranger. On every 

 walk, though the great majority of birds will tantalize a 

 beginner by their restlessness, some one will favor him with 

 a chance for leisurely survey, and a cataloguing of all its 

 markings. It is frequently possible to draw birds out of thick 

 cover by kissing the back of one's hand, so as to produce a 

 squeaking sound. 



After the student has learned the commoner birds, he 

 should begin following up strange sights and sounds. Often 

 the chase is long and futile ; but generally, by cautious and 

 persistent stalking, one brief glimpse after another yields the 

 desired total. A new song should be followed to its source and 

 the singer noted. I have then found it helpful to set down 

 in syllables what the bird seemed to my ear to say. This 

 habit not only trains one's ear but also aids in fixing the 

 song, so that it can be recalled. 



The secret of rapid progress lies, as in all things, partly in 

 native talent, a quick eye and ear, and a retentive memory, 

 but also in preparation. Each new week in the year, each 

 new place one visits, should be read up beforehand, as one 

 reads up a city in a guide-book. If April is approaching, 

 look through the key for April, and note that one of the 

 Warblers that is now to be looked for has yellow under 

 parts, wags its tail, and has a song like that of the Chipping 

 Sparrow. If besides, one has an opportunity to visit a large 

 museum, and to see the mounted bird, one will have a men- 

 tal image that will often make instant recognition possible. 

 The study of good drawings of the birds is the next best 



