JANUARY 



I HE best time to begin to study 

 birds is, for several reasons, the sea- 

 son when they are to be found not 

 most but least frequently. In the 

 annual circuit of bird-life we shall find that win- 

 ter is the true chronological starting-point, and 

 on other accounts, which will immediately ap- 

 pear more forcible to the beginner, the new year 

 is of all times the most favorable for his first 

 essays in this new pursuit, whether the study 

 be undertaken as a mere diversion or with more 

 serious intent. 



At this season there is not such a variety of 

 species as to confuse one who has not learned 

 what to look for, nor how properly to look for 

 it. An adept will often gather at a glance 

 enough of the distinctive marks of an unfamiliar 

 species to enable him to identify it fully; while 

 the novice would only be bewildered, and not 

 knowing how to look at the specimen discrimi- 

 natingly, would fail of seeing anything dis- 



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