A LESSON IN BIRD STUDY. 33 



But when shall we begin the study? Begin 

 now. " Now is the accepted time " in bird study 

 as well as in matters of religion. It may be in the 

 midst of winter, but if you will go to the woods, 

 you will find a few hardy birds which have not 

 been driven South by the rigors of the climate, and 

 you can take the first step in your researches by 

 studying them. If there are not so many species, 

 you will not be so likely to become confused. I 

 remember when I thought it scarcely worth while 

 to go to the woods to stud}^ natural history in the 

 winter time, especially on stormy days ; but I have 

 greatly modified my opinions on that point. Some 

 of the most delightful hours I have ever spent 

 in the haunts of the birds have been when the 

 wind howled dismally through the bare forest trees 

 and the snow lay a foot deep upon the ground. 



In identifying the birds you will find a clear day 

 most favorable. If you keep the sun to your back, 

 the blue sky forms an excellent background for 

 bringing out plainly the markings of the plumage, 

 while a clouded sky is rather too light, and there- 

 fore blurs the colors of the birds and blinds the 

 eyes of the observer. However, if I wanted to 

 study the inhabitants of the air, I should not stop 

 for inclement weather. 



