12 FIELD ORNITHOLOGY. 



of migrants about equals that of summer visitants ; the permanent residents equal the winter 

 residents, both these being fewer tlian either of the first mentioned sets ; while the irregular vis- 

 itors, or stragglers, that complete the bird fauna, are about, or rather less than one-half as many 

 as the species of either of the other categories. About Washington, therefore, I would readily 

 undertake to secure a greater variety of birds in the nine weeks above specified than in all the 

 rest of the year; for in that time would be found, not only all the permanent residents, but nearly 

 all the migrants, and almost all the summer visitants ; while the number of individual birds 

 that might be taken exceeds, by (juite as much, the number of those procurable in the same 

 length of time at any other season. Mutatis mutandis, it is the same everywhere in this 

 country. Look out then, for "the season;" work all through it at a rate you could not 

 possibly sustain the year around; and make hay while the sun shines, [h.) Time of day. 

 Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are the best times for birds. There is a myste- 

 rious something in these diurnal crises that sets bird-life astir, over and above what is ex- 

 plainable by the simple fact that they are the transition periods from repose to activity, or 

 the reverse. Subtile meteorological changes occur; various delicate instruments used in 

 physicists' researches are sometimes inexplicably disturbed ; diseases have often their turning 

 point for better or worse ; people are apt to be bom or die ; and the susceptible organisms of 

 birds manifest various excitements". Whatever the operative influence, the fact is, birds are 

 particularly lively at such hours. In the dark, they rest — most of them do ; at noonday, 

 again, they are comparatively still ; between these times they are passing to or from their 

 feeding grounds or roosting places ; they are foraging for food, they are singing ; at any rate, 

 they are in motion. Many migratory birds (among them warblers, etc.) perform their journeys 

 by night ; just at daybreak they may be seen to descend from the upper regions, rest a while, 

 and then move about briskly, singing and searching for food. Their meal taken, they recu- 

 perate by resting till towards evening ; feed again and are ofi" for the night. If you have had 

 some experience, don't you remember what a fine spurt you made early that morning ? — 

 how many unexpected shots offered as you trudged home belated that evening ? Now I am 

 no fowl, and have no desire to adopt the habits of the hen-yard ; I have my opinion of those 

 who like the world before it is aired ; I think it served the worm right for getting up, when 

 caught by the early bird ; nevertheless I go shooting betimes in the morning, and would walk 

 all night to find a rare bird at daylight, (c.) Weather. It rarely occurs in this country that 

 either heat or cold is anendurably severe; but extremes of temperature are unfavorable, for two 

 reasons : they both occasion great personal discomfort ; and in one extreme only a few hardy 

 birds will be found, whUe in the other most birds are languid, disposed to seek shelter, and 

 therefore less likely to be found. A still, cloudy day of moderate temperature offers as a rul& 

 the best chance ; among other reasons, there is no sun to blind the eyes, as always occurs on a 

 bright day in one direction, particularly when the sun is low. While a bright day has its good 

 influence in setting many birds astir, some others are most easily approached in heavy or fall- 

 ing weather. Some kinds are more likely to be secured during a light snowfall, or after a 

 storm. Singular as it may seem, a thoroughly wet day offers some peculiar inducements to 

 the collector. I cannot well specify them, but I heartily indorse a remark John Cassin once 

 made to me: — "I like," said he, "to go shooting in the rain sometimes; there are some 

 curious things to be learned about birds when the trees are dripping, things too that have not 

 yet found their way into the books." 



How many Birds of the Same Kind do you want ? — All you can get — with some 

 reasonable limitations : say fifty or a hundred of any but the most abundant and widely diffused 

 species. You may often be provoked with your fiiend for speaking of some bird he shot, but 

 did not bring you, because, he says, "Why, you've got one like that!" Birdskins are 

 capital; capital unemployed may be useless, but can never be worthless. Birdskins are a 



