34 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



is a ver>^ good time to begin the study of birds. 

 Then the museum may be visited where one 

 easily becomes familiar with the plumage of 

 many varieties. Field work also may be profit- 

 ably taken up at this time of the year when, be- 

 cause the varieties are few, one is less liable to 

 become confused. Besides, experience gained at 

 this time will be found of great value when the 

 migration sets in and new arrivals are appearing 

 almost daily, and sometimes several varieties 

 in a single day. 



To succeed in this study, first of all one should 

 cultivate patience, and while in the field move 

 quietly and deliberately, with eye and ear 

 fully alert. An excellent way is to seek cover 

 which birds frequent, sit down and remain 

 quiet; then you will nearly always be rewarded 

 by the appearance of some interesting bird. 

 It is of much importance to learn the call 

 notes and songs, for this will help greatly in the 

 identification of various species. And, besides, 

 you will hear many birds that you do not see, 

 and really that you do not need to see, for you 

 know them by their utterances when once their 

 calls and songs are familiar. It adds much to 

 the interest of bird study if notes are taken, 

 especially of the dates of arrival in the spring of 

 the different varieties. Interesting conclusions 

 may be drawn from a series of such notes made 

 through a period of several years. One greatly 

 needs a pair of opera glasses, field glasses, or 

 binoculars. 



Classifiication. All birds may be broadly in- 

 cluded in four general classes; 



