A Book on Birds 



mind, it may contain. And (the indus- 

 trious pair of Red-breasts opposite having 

 disappeared for a bit) let us consider some 

 of these, during their absence, in a more 

 general way. 



It will appear at once that all our quest- 

 ing, considered merel}^ for its purpose of 

 adding to our acquaintance with birds, 

 will be simplified and become easier as 

 we get clearly familiar with every possible 

 song and call as we proceed. 



In many cases, of course, reliable 

 knowledge of this kind is difficult to acquire 

 and will come only after extended experi- 

 ence. Yet in just as many more it may be 

 gained upon the very threshold of things; 

 and long before you have reached that 

 expert stage where you can invariably 

 distinguish (let us say) the music of the 

 Song Sparrow from that of the Grass- 

 finch, you will have found, if patient, 

 that you have picked up a great deal of 

 other skill that is well worth while; birds, 

 which else would confuse you and escape 

 identification, now fixing themselves surely, 



[38] 



