CHAPTER XXXII. 
ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE BIRD. 
Tue brief Story of the Birds is done. You know 
a little of their structure, their history, their pedi- 
grees, costumes, customs, and their general develop- 
ment as science sees it now. but to know the aims 
and purposes of the individual bird when you meet it 
—the acquaintance with the bird itself—this, unlike 
the kingdom of heaven, cometh only with much ob- 
servation. 
It is not meant that you need know the name, 
though that is better for the purpose of comparing 
notes and reading bird literature. Some of the best 
of observers, so far as their own pleasure was con- 
cerned, have had names of their own for the species ; 
but so closely had they noted every feature of color, 
song, haunt, and habit, that no field ornithologist 
would have much difficulty in knowing the bird from 
their name or description. 
Not every one has opportunities for observing the 
bird, but many that have only see them. A bird is 
just a feathered biped to them, nothing more. Oth- 
ers feel that only in the deep woods or long walks 
should they put on their habits of Nature study, and 
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