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Tue Stupy oF Birp LIFE. 149 
ornithologist is most anxious to explore, although it must be said 
that in many cases when he is able to explore either the one or 
the other, it turns out of little or no value in comparison with 
others which he has liberty to explore whenever he likes, and 
which for that very reason he leaves, for the most part, unex- 
plored. But this peculiarity applies to other things besides 
ornithology. 
As a general rule, it will save an immense amount of trouble 
and anxiety if permission is asked, and it will not be often 
refused. And here again the advantage of going alone comes 
in, as it is easier to get permission for one than for two or more. 
‘Common sense will guide anyone as to the possible damage he 
may do to game—the main obstacle to permission—and indeed 
it would be useless and almost an impertinence for an ornitho- 
logist to go over any preserved land if he were not at least fairly 
well acquainted with all that comes under the head “ game,”’ 
the living thing itself, its haunts and habits, and so on. Other- 
wise he might.not only do much real damage, but what is almost 
as bad from another point of view he might bring his science into 
contempt. 
It is pretty safe to say that when a man wants to go in 
pursuit of ornithology, he will find himself able to go, and it is 
also pretty safe to say that where he goes without permission he 
will do much less good for himself, as every rustle behind him, 
every bark of a distant dog, and every other sound which might 
denote the coming of the owner or of a keeper will so distract his 
attention that he will be looking round at the very time he ought 
to be looking forward, or listening for notes very different from 
those of birds, or thinking of anything rather than the business 
in hand. 
If the ornithologist is accidentally on land where no notices 
are posted, civility and a certain amount of modesty will go far 
jn turning away the wrath of the owner or keeper, and a little 
gentleness in pacifying even the dogs. 
It may not be out of place in this connection to call to mind 
‘the advice of a late naturalist to those who find themselves in a 
part of the country new to them, and which they wish to explore. 
ii as this:— 
1. Get ordnance maps or sheets of the district to be visited. 
2. Read all about the district to be visited, its features, 
