Chapter II 

 BIRD STUDY 



"For Nature, true and like in every place, 

 Will hint her secret in a garden patch.'* 



— Naturiy Emerson. 



It seems to be the common belief that bird 

 life is confined almost exclusively to the country; 

 that so far as the city is concerned the only 

 opportunity to pursue this most interesting 

 phase of nature study is found in the museums 

 and avaries of the zoological gardens. That this 

 impression is false may be easily proved. Even 

 slight investigation will show that there is much 

 bird life to be seen in all our towns and cities, 

 even in New York City itself, which might be sup- 

 posed to offer as little attraction to these feath- 

 ered friends of ours as any city that one could 

 name. 



In all city parks, where there is suitable shel- 

 ter, a goodly variety of birds will be found 

 throughout the summer. Along the tree-shaded 

 streets, in the gardens and on the lawns, in short 

 wherever there is found the desired protection 

 from their natural enemies, birds will be found 

 in some numbers at all seasons; and during the 

 migration periods of spring and autumn certain 

 city parks are among the very best places to 

 make the acquaintance of a great number of 



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