LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS OF 

 NEW ENGLAND. 



INTRODUCTION. 



§ A. Ornithology is the science of birds, and oology that of 

 eggs, or, in a common but limited sense, that of birds' eggs. 

 The two are intimately connected, and often form a joint 

 study, one embracing the other. They are useful, because, 

 when properly pursued, they cultivate observation and a love 

 of nature, and necessitate healthful exercise. " Ornithology," 

 says an enthusiastic but anonymous writer,* " has two depart- 

 ments, which are more or less incompatible, namely. Natural 

 History and Science, or the study of animate birds and of 

 those inanimate. The former, especially as opposed to an ex- 

 treme of the latter, I recommend to all young students as 

 the higher and better pursuit of the two. I further advise 

 them, when not shooting at targets or legitimate game, never 

 to fire a gun. My own experience has proved that, when 

 science is so far advanced as at present, one can obtain an ac- 

 curate knowledge of our birds, and a good collection of their 

 eggs, by following the above rule and having proper books of 

 reference, or a like resource. Egg-collecting can be con- 

 ducted under humane principles. A parent-bird should never 

 be shot, except in cases of extreme necessity, it being often 

 preferable even then to snare the female by placing a slip- 

 noose of horsehair around the inner edge of her nest and at- 

 taching it to some neighboring object. I myself, from as 

 near a standpoint as possible, and often aided by an opera- 

 glass, observe, if I can, the female when actually upon her 

 * That is, H. D. M. 



