42 HOW TO STUDY BIRDS 



what you are after." This is over against the idea 

 which some beginners have that an " expert " with 

 birds can do or see anything he wants. 



Remember that bird-study at its best, followed thor- 

 oughly, is an active, manly sport, — or else it would 

 not appeal to vigorous youth. So don't let us hear 

 any weak repinings about the bird not waiting to give 

 you a good look. So much the worse for you, if you 

 missed it; you will have to try again. Maybe an- 

 other time you will have better luck. The bird may 

 happen to come your way just right. Or, at the first 

 meeting, you may have blundered by being too pre- 

 cipitate or making too much noise. Some birds are 

 shy and always hard to approach. Get your inge- 

 nuity unlimbered and try some cunning scheme. If 

 the bird will not let you come to it, try to make it 

 come to you. One way is to hide or keep still and let 

 it come your way, or else have someone go around and 

 drive it toward you. 



And do not, I pray, complain that you cannot get 

 where the bird is, — that is a pitiable confession of 

 weakness, unless excused by a real physical disability ! 

 If the fastness be a morass, get on the rubber boots 

 and go in, even if, perchance, a slip should make it 

 ** all over." Never mind, there are dry clothes at 

 home, soap Is cheap, and you will not catch cold while 

 exercising. If by any chance you are of the dignified 

 kind, honestly, a tumble into a mud-hole would do 

 a world of good. 



The various haps and mishaps are part of the fun, 



