350 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD 



in this as in everything else renders the work easy, certain, 

 and rapid. At the start few bird voices Avill be heard ; after 

 a little experience, the woods and fields will seem to resound 

 Avith them. To the beginner the bird notes mean little ; to tlie 

 bird lover they are replete with meaning. 



In studying birds in the field, the observer must remem- 

 ber that they are naturally timid aiid have remarkably 

 sharp eyes and ears ; almost invariably they see before they 

 are seen. They desire to investigate, not to be investigated; 

 so, the more careless the learner appears to be, the less he 

 shows that he is studying the birds, and the more strange 

 chirps and whistles he can utter, the nearer he can approach 

 and the better he can observe. 



Methods of study. — There are three methods of studying 

 birds. (1) To stay in good bird localities and await the ap- 

 proach of the birds. (2) To walk quietly in field and wood, 

 on the alert, while advancing, for the objects of study. (3) To 

 be driven slowly in a carriage or other conveyance through good 

 bird localities. The first method is by far the best for begin- 

 ners ; the others are very useful after a score or more of 

 common birds are well known. The success of the last method 

 will be a surprise. Birds do not expect observation from the 

 occupants of moving vehicles, and so will act naturally and 

 may be closely approached. The slowest of walking horses 

 should be used. 



Locality. — In order to choose a good locality for carrying 

 out the first plan, attention must be given to the fact that 

 some birds are always to be found in forests, some in shrub- 

 bery, some in open fields, some near the water, some on the 

 ground, and some in the tree tops. Hence a place which com- 

 bines as many forms of landscape as possible within the scope 

 of the eye and ear will be the one to select. If a stream of 

 water flows through a wood and then into a field, a covered 

 position near the brook at the point wliere it issues from the 

 forest Avill be well adapted for a view of many kinds of bird 

 haunts. Then, if the proper time of day and the proper time 



