OUT-DOOR BIRI3 STUDY ix 



They swing their arms, and move about, pointing, gesticulating and assuming attitudes, 

 all of which no doubt seem menacing and fearsome to the shyer birds. 



Even such students will sec birds, for many of our feathered friends have become 

 accustomed to strange sounds and antics. But the expert who sees all the birds has taken 

 lessons from the fox — he hunts alone. 



When one is in the company of others, nature never com])letcly enthralls him. His 

 attention is more or less distracted by his companions; he fails to see and hear all. The 

 bird student should attend entirely to the birds, and then they will requite his singleness 

 of purpose. When alone, he has no one to talk to, and no intcrrui)tions. The human voice 

 warns all creatures from afar of the approach of their arch enem>-, man; let it be stilled, 

 and nature is at peace. 



We many mufiPle the tread by wearing rubbers, or, better, shoes with rubber soles. 

 Those having merely an outer lift and tap of rubber on heel and toe are best. The rubber 

 will prevent the feet from slipping on rocks and pine-clad hillsides. The light canvas tennis 

 shoes commonly used are not sufficient protection to the feet on rough, stony ground. 

 Leather footgear should not be stiff or squeaky. We may avoid the rustling of dry leaves 

 by choosing for our tramps the early morning, when the dew is on, or the hour succeeding 

 a light shower. Care should be used not to tread on dry sticks so as to break them, as 

 sharp sounds alarm all wild creatures. 



In dress, avoid black, white, and all striking colors and contrasts. A dull, dead leaf 

 color, like that of the shooting coats ordinarily sold to sportsmen, is good at any time. In 

 spring and summer a dull green is very good. Certain grays and browns harmonize with 

 natural objects. 



The vision of most birds is far superior to our own or that of mammals; it is nearly, 

 if not absolutely, perfect. Therefore it is necessary, in approaching shy birds, such as water- 

 fowl or Hawks, to use, as cover, trees, shrubs, or grasses. Often one can advance only on 

 hands and knees, or crawl prone like the serpent. 



Frequently I have approached wild fowl by crawling in the paths made by raccoons, 

 hares, opossums, and other animals under grasses and low shrubbery. At other times I have 

 been obliged to creep or wriggle through short grass, in mud and water, to reach some desired 

 point of observation. In such cases, when within sight of the birds a screen of vegetation 

 must be kept always before the face, or the birds will take alarm and be oflf at once. Birds 

 so wild that they will not allow a man on foot to come within a half a mile may be 

 approached noiselessly in this way within twenty or thirty yards, but the labor and 

 discomfort are great. 



When nearing shy birds in this manner, keep under cover and do not raise the head. 

 If it becomes necessar>' to take an observation, the head must be raised but little, and both 

 raised and lowered so slowly that the motion will be imperceptible. Always approach 

 against the wind, if possible, for the birds are then less likely to hear you. Do not allow 

 the sun to strike on any metallic or glass object, for the reflection or flash will give the alarm. 

 Many people will not take such pains in approaching birds. Others cannot, but must 

 either decoy the birds within reach, watch them with long range glasses from wooded shores, 

 or get up to them in less difficult and more conventional ways. Such people may see shy 

 birds sometimes at rather close quarters by driving slowly along the country roads with 

 a horse and carriage. The extra elevation given the observer by the vehicle increases his 

 visual possibilities, and the birds have learned not to be suspicious of such an equipage on 

 the road. 



Birds sometimes may be approached on horseback better than on foot. Gunners 

 sometimes employ grazing cattle as moving shields, behind which they near the game 

 unnoticed. 



When approaching shy birds on foot in the open, a zigzag, circular, or sidelong course 

 may bring you much nearer than will a direct forward movement. It is well to avoid the 



