54 BIRD FRIENDS 



brought to their very doors, because many birds, migrat- 

 ing largely at night, are attracted by the lights of the city 

 and stop off in their long journey to feed, so that a city 

 park often contains a greater variety of feathered visitors 

 than an equal area in the country. 



One will see a greater variety of birds if he visits 

 a number of different localities. Some birds have 

 certain habitats where they are chiefly found. In the 

 swamps are found water-birds, which are not often 

 found elsewhere. In the woods one is more apt to 

 see the vireos, warblers, and some of the thrushes. 

 In the meadows are found the bobolinks and some 

 of the sparrows. The orchard is a locality where a 

 great variety of birds may be found. 



When to find birds. A good time to begin the 

 study of birds is in the late winter or early spring. 

 The number of birds seen at this time is compara- 

 tively small, and it is not so confusing to the beginner 

 as it is later when the birds are numerous. By start- 

 ing at this time one may learn a few birds at a time 

 and keep increasing the number as the later mi- 

 grants arrive. Another advantage in beginning at 

 this time is that the birds can easily be seen, because 

 there is no foliage to conceal them. Later in the 

 season, when the leaves have developed, it is much 

 more difficult to see them. 



The spring is the most interesting season to study 

 birds. It is the season of bird song and of nesting, 

 and birds render themselves very conspicuous at 



