338 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



and can make her note book more than tally with any 

 sportsman's gaming bag. 



Birds are now — May 25, 1899 — fast coming and 

 leaves afford less chances for cover than later. Prepara- 

 tory to setting out she might acquaint herself with certain 

 facts pertaining to her field of investigation. Eists of 

 the bird migrants she may expect to arrive, a bird manual 

 of the birds of her locality or state, at the library, may 

 be very helpful. Also, a few trips to a museum to 

 familiarize herself with the lists. An opera glass and a 

 note book, in the way of equipments, are quite indispen- 

 sable, and she may, if she does not mind the extra 

 luggage, take along some bird book, but this is not 

 necessary. A small boy or a congenial companion, or a 

 dog, if he be the right sort, as a bugbear to impudent 

 vagrants or uncertain cattle which may cross her path. 



The next thing is a choice of a wood or field for activity, 

 but this is sometimes quite a problem. Birds are erratic 

 in their choice of stopping places, and the point to find 

 out is where they hold forth. But, as this is the age of 

 bicycle riding, distance does not count. One of my 

 favorite woods used to be the St. Stephen rural cemetery, 

 and Mr. Almond's smiling face was always ready to 

 welcome me, however early I might get there. Hon. G. 

 F. Hill's woods, out on the valley road, was another 

 good place where I found birds to congregate. At Mill- 

 town, St. Stephen, out back of Mr. Roy's, back of Todd's 

 mountain, so called, and in the Butler pasture and up 

 about ' ' burned hill' ' road. The more the beginner moves 

 about, unless she is absolutely certain of her ground, 

 the better is her chance of finding something. 



