How to Learn a Bird's Name. 



In the case of closely related species, and particularly subspecies, the 

 subjects of range and season are of the utmost importance. Most sub- 

 species resemble their nearest allies too closely to be identified in life 

 by color alone, and in such cases a bird's name is to be learned by its 

 color in connection with its distribution and the season in which it is 

 seen. 



During the breeding period, unless one chance to be in a region 

 where two races intergrade, subspecific names may be applied to the 

 bird in nature with some certainty, for it is a law that only one sub- 

 species of a species can nest in the same area; but during migrations, 

 and in the winter, when several subspecies of one species maybe found 

 associated, it is frequently impossible to name them with accuracy. 



For example, during the summer one need have no hesitancy in call- 

 ing the Robins of the lowlands of South Carolina the Southern Robin 

 {Merula migratoria achrustera;) but later, when the Northern Robins 

 {Merula migratoria) begin to appear, it would be difficult, if not im- 

 possible, to distinguish them in life from the resident birds. 



If it were possible to impress the student, who proposes to name the 

 bird in the bush, with the absolute ?iecessity for careful, definite observa- 

 tion he would be saved many disappointing and discouraging experi- 

 ences. 



It is not possible to examine your bird too thoroughly. Never be 

 satisfied with a superficial view and a general impression. Look at 

 your bird, if you can, from several points of view; study its appearance 

 in detail, its size, bill, crown, back, tail, wings, throat, breast, etc., and 

 at once enter what you see in a note-book kept for that purpose. In 

 this way, and this way alone, can you expect to compete with those 

 who use the gun. 



It does not follow, however, that because one does not collect speci- 

 mens of birds one cannot study them scientifically. While the student 

 may not be interested in the classification of birds purely from the 

 standpoint of the systematist, he is strongly urged to acquaint himself 

 with at least the arrangement of the Orders and Families of our birds 

 and their leading structural characters. 



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