50 BULLBriN No. 35 



next thing is to become familiar with the life of the bird by 

 personal acquaintance. Clearly the only \va\- to Jo this is to 

 get among the birds where they live. The\' soon become fel- 

 low beings to us, in their daily life showing most of the human 

 characteristics. Few of us can hope ever to know the individ- 

 ual birds apart, but all of us can enter, in greater or less meas- 

 ure, into acquaintance with many indi\'iduals about us while 

 thev are rearing their young. 



There is no better way to become familiar with the birds 

 than to pursue a course of study that will keep the birds before us 

 every day, if possible several times a week at least. This sort 

 of study need not be one which necessarily consumes much 

 time, but may be planned t(j occupy all or but part of one's daily 

 leisure or time for recreation. But this leisure time, if it is to 

 count for much, must be definitely planned. Something \\ ill be 

 accomplished if we aim at the most general and cursory notice 

 of what birds are seen, but with a definite plan in mind the re- 

 sult will be far greater and withe greater expenditure of energy. 

 One good definite plan may be the making of a census for some 

 limited area. Few of us are so closely hedged about tliat there 

 is not some sm ill area which can be compassed successfully 

 with but little effort. Let me make a few suggestions about 

 census taking. 



In the first place, a carefully made census of a known area, 

 however small, for a definite limited time when there will be no 

 change in the bird population, will furnish a fairly exact basis 

 for Comparison in the vears to come when we nti:'^ to know 

 whettier or not the birds are decreasing and at what rate. It 

 will also furnish a basis for estimating the whole bird popula- 

 iation for a large number of similar areas. In the second place, 

 it will furnish the basis for determining vvhat changes, if any, 

 may be brought about it the habits of birds due to environment 

 where the conditions are constantly changing. In the third place 

 it will furnish us with a definite purpose for our work, and so 

 give to the work a gi eater interest, and in this way keep us 

 alive to many other things than the census which are sure to. 

 pass in review before us. They are surprises for the most ad- 

 vanced ornithologist when he least expects them. In the 



