26 A GUIDE TO THE BIRDS 



But birds are often not seen to advantage ; it is hoped 

 that in such cases students of this book will learn to be con- 

 tent with the belief that the puzzling bird was probably one 

 of two or three, and wait for another opportunity to settle 

 the matter. No method is more harmful to a real advance 

 in knowledge than the anxiety to get some name or other 

 for every bird seen. The best field ornithologists of my 

 acquaintance are most distinguished by their reluctance to 

 give a decision on insufficient evidence. Yet one can be too 

 timid, and a habit of doubting one's own powers of observa- 

 tion leads to discouragement. If one has a description noted 

 on the spot, it is good mental training to come to some defi- 

 nite decision, to sa}^ that the weight of evidence is strongly 

 in favor of this or that species. Certainty will come in time, 

 with widening acquaintance. The beginner must realize, too, 

 that his powers of observation are probably not yet fully de- 

 veloped ; his untrained eye is confused by a flying or mov- 

 ing bird, and gets only a glimpse of color, where a skilled 

 observer sees steadily, and discovers the distinctive field- 

 mark. 



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