Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 
and his capacity to comprehend has been enlarged, while his health, by reason of abundant 
out-of-door exercise, and in consequence of the relaxation which comes from a diversity 
of agreeable pursuits, has received great benefit. 
It has been thus with many who have been led on by insensible degrees, until they 
have attained considerable proficiency in natural lore ; and so it will doubtless be with 
many more ; and while it is not to be expected that every one who desires an intelligent 
understanding of the subject will aim to become a learned scientist, still it is desirable that 
every one should start in the right direction and then the point to which he will arrive 
may be safely left to the determination of the many circumstances and conditions which 
govern the conduct of each individual. 
Concerning that branch of natural history termed Ornithology, which we are here 
briefly considering, three methods of procedure have been indicated and advice has been 
given concerning each. In the first two, the student walks through woods and forests, 
and in open fields and meadows. In the last he is seated at ease in some favorable spot 
known to be inhabited or frequently visited by birds. And while it has been pointed out 
that each of these methods requires different treatment, it has been assumed that ail of them 
