HOW TO KNOW THE BIRDS 53 



Many birds have one or two conspicuous field 

 marks by whicli they may be identified. So that it 

 is not necessary to make a detailed description of 

 every part of all birds seen, as one soon comes to 

 learn these conspicuous markings and to name the 

 birds from them. 



Where to find birds. The best place to begin the 

 study of birds is right around one's own home, if this 

 be situated in the country or a small town, or on the 

 edge of a city. Many birds prefer to live around 

 human habitations if the houses are not too thickly 

 crowded together. If measures are taken to attract 

 birds and if they are protected from their enemies, 

 the number of birds found around one's home may 

 be increased. The birds found here one may enjoy 

 at all times without undertaking any special bird 

 trips. If one lives in a city, the parks are good 

 places in which to study birds, especially during 

 the spring migration. In the Boston Public Gar- 

 den, one hundred and ten species have been re- 

 ported in nine years; in Lincoln Park, Chicago, one 

 hundred and fourteen species have been seen; and 

 in Central Park, New York City, one hundred and 

 forty species have been recorded. In a little book by 

 Herbert E. and Alice H. Walter, entitled " Wild Birds 

 in City Parks," the authors write in their preface: — 



Any one caring to make use of these hints may be 

 assured that during the migrations of the birds, city 

 dwellers have one of the keenest delights of country life 



