x HINTS TO OBSERVERS. 
without noticing you when they would fly away in advance 
if they were to see or hear you coming toward them. 
Seventh. Conceal yourself by leaning against a tree, or 
pulling a branch down in front of you. The best way of 
all is toselect a good place and sit there quietly for several 
hours, to see what will come. Then you get at the home 
life of the birds, not merely seeing them when they are on 
their guard. A low stump in a raspberry patch and a log 
in an alder swamp prove most profitable seats. 
In going to look for birds it is important to consider the 
time of day, and the weather. Birds usually follow the 
sun. In spring and fall you will find them in the fields 
and orchards early in the morning, but when the sun has 
warmed the south side of the woods they go there ; and in 
the afternoon they follow it across to the north side. Dur- 
ing heavy winds and storms you are most likely to find 
birds well under cover of the woods, no matter at what 
time of day; and then, often on the side opposite that 
from which the wind comes. 
For careful observation in general, three rules may be 
given. 
1. In clear weather be sure to get between the sun and 
your bird. In the wrong light a scarlet tanager or a blue- 
bird will look as black as a crow. 
2. Gaze. Let your eyes rest on the trees before you, 
and if a leaf stirs, or a twig sways, you will soon discover 
your bird. At a little distance, it is well to gaze through 
your glass. 
3. Beware of the besetting sin of observers. Never 
jump at conclusions. Prove all your conjectures. 
