38 



in visiting the nests, if one does it in the right way. I have visited 

 hundreds of them and have kept many records of the number of eggs 

 and the dates when they were laid, how long before they hatched, and 

 when the birds flew away; and the birds took no offense at my 

 inquisitiveness. These are some of the cautions to be observed: 

 Watch only those nests which can be seen without climbing, for if you 

 have to climb the tree the birds will resent it. Make the visit when 

 the birds are absent if possible ; at least, never scare the bird from the 

 nest. Do not touch the eggs or the nest. Make your visit very short. 

 Make up your mind just what you want to see, then look in quickly 

 and pass on. Do not go too often, once or twice a day will be 

 sufficient. Do not take the other children with you, for you are then 

 apt to stay too long and to offend the birds. 



Now let us see how intimately you can become acquainted with 

 some bird this summer. 



(^ 



