Vlll 



BIRDS OF AMERICA 



only a few yards away. To find birds one must cultivate the senses of sight and hearing 

 to the utmost. 



The bird student soon finds that some locahties are better supplied with bird-fife than 

 others. Many species, while migrating, follow or visit such coasts or broad river valleys 

 as lie along or across their natural lines of migration. 



Even the novice need not be taught how to approach the more common and familiar 

 birds, which seem to court, rather than, to shun human companionship; but there are times 

 when it becomes necessary to get close enough to a rare bird to examine it carefully or to 

 observe its habits, while a near approach to a shy bird may tax the powers of the most skilful 

 observer. 



WILD LIFE PHOTOGRAPHER MAKING A PORTRAIT STUDY OF GREAT HORNED OWL 



To be successful in this, the beginner must imitate, in some respects the behavior of the 

 fox or lynx, animals which are able occasionally to get near enough to wild birds to capture 

 some that the human animal finds difficult to get within range of his field-glass. How are 

 the wild animals enabled to do this? (i) They are inconspicuously or protectively' colored. 

 (2) Their feet are softly padded and their movements noiseless. (3) They go on all fours, 

 crawling close to the ground, and, taking advantage of the cover, keep concealed as much 

 as possible. (4) Their movements are so slow, at need, as to be imperceptible. In all 

 these things we may imitate them. 



Bird students often are dressed conspicuously, and shod with hard leather. Their 

 tread, as it jars on the delicate senses of the lower animals, seems to shake the ground. The 

 dead wood is broken under foot. They talk, laugh, and even shout with a loud voice. 

 Standing erect, they are exposed to the view of birds for a mile or more around. Some of 

 them wear large headgear, adorned with long feathers, and turn their heads about quickly. 



