HOW TO KNOW THE BIRDS 55 



this time. Later, when home duties begin, there is 

 less singing and birds are more wary about exposing 

 themselves. June, when the nesting-season is at its 

 height, is also an interesting month for bird-study. 

 During the late summer, birds are moulting, and re- 

 main quiet and concealed, so that it is a discouraging 

 season for bird-study. Then during the fall follows 

 a more active period when the fall migration is un- 

 der way. During the winter there is opportunity to 

 study at close hand the winter birds that may be 

 attracted by food. 



The best time of the day to study birds is in the 

 early morning up to about nine o'clock, as this is 

 the time when birds are most active and do most of 

 their singing. The next best time is in the late after- 

 noon. 



How to study birds. In order that one may be 

 most successful in finding birds, a few precautions 

 need to be observed. Loud noises should be avoided, 

 as should quick, sudden movements. It is well 

 sometimes to seat one's self in one place and remain 

 quiet for some time, to find the birds that may be 

 seen in that one locality. Birds may be attracted by 

 making a sort of squeak, which is made by kissing 

 the back of the hand vigorously. This will often 

 bring out birds whose presence had not been sus- 

 pected. 



Every season of the year has something new in the 

 line of bird activities, so that there is a constant 



