THE BIRD-WATCHER'S GUIDE. 



BY 



F. B. KIRKMAN. 



I. — Spring and Summer. 



1. Arrival of Summer - Migrants. — Date. Time. 

 Place. Number. Direction of flight. Sex of the successive 

 arrivals of the same species. Meteorological conditions. 



2. Local Distribution. — A map showing (a) the posi- 

 tion of each nest in a given area ; (6) the character of the 

 ground and of the growth in the area ; (c) the boundaries 

 of the " estates " of those pairs which confine themselves 

 strictly to a limited feeding-ground. Add the history 

 of each nest in respect to (1) the fate of eggs, young, 

 parents ; (2) any of the points detailed below under the 

 head nest-building ; nest ; eggs ; incubation ; nestlings ; 

 mortality ; leaving nest ; life of the young after leaving 

 the nest ; the second brood ; departure from the nesting- 

 area. Note whether the young of the first brood play 

 any part in feeding the young of later broods. 



3. Song and Notes. — Months in which the bird is 

 heard to sing. Does it sing at night ? Variation in the 

 song of the same species ; of the same individual in respect 

 to length, notes, quality. Does the hen sing ? On what 

 occasions ? Number and description of the various 

 notes (call-notes, alarm-notes, etc.) used by the cock, 

 hen and young. Occasions on which each is used. How 

 many of these notes form part of the song ? Does the 

 species sing when fighting ? Cause of the fights. Note 

 whether any recrudescence of song in autumn months. 



4. Courtship. — Exact description of courting or other 

 sexual actions, noting the number of individuals of either 

 sex taking part and the role played by each. Note whether 

 the hen selects and how, or whether she is merely appro- 

 priated by the strongest. Description of the sexual 

 displays which occur after mating. Instances of birds 

 attacking imaginary rivals in windows or mirrors. 



