"We are not to know them, then, hj catching them, nor stuffing 

 them, nor collecting their eggs. Persons who make a business of 

 studying birds may shoot birds now and then, and collect their eggs. 

 But these persons are scientists and they are grown-up people. 



Boys and girls should not make collections of eggs, for these col- 

 lections are mere curiosities, as collections of spools and marbles 

 are. They may afford some entertainment, to be sure, but one can 

 find amusement in liarmless ways. Some people think that making 

 collections makes one a naturalist, but it does not. The naturalist 

 cares more for things as they really are in tlieir own home than for 

 museum specimens. One does not love the birds when he steals 

 their eggs and breaks up their homes; and he is depriving the 

 farmer of one of his best friends, for birds keep insects in 

 check. 



Then let us go to the fields and watch the birds. An opera-glass 

 or spyglass will bring them close to you. Try to find out not only 

 what the colors and shapes and sizes are, but what their habits are. 

 What does the bird eat ? How much does it eat ? "Where is its 

 nest ? How many eggs does it lay ? What color are they ? How 

 long does the mother bird set ? Does the father bird care for her 

 when she is setting ? For how long do the young birds remain in 

 the nest? Who feeds tliem ? What are they fed ? Is there more 

 than one brood in a season ? Where do the birds go after breed- 

 ing ? Do they change their plumage ? Are the mother birds and 

 father birds unlike in size and color ? How many birds do you 

 know ? 



These are some of the things which every boy or girl wants to 

 know ; and we can find out by watching the birds ! There is no 

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

 visited hundreds of them and kept many records of the number of 

 eggs and the date when they were laid, how long before they 

 hatched, and when the birds flew away ; and the birds took no 

 offense. These are some of the cautiojis 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 



605 



