Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 
distinctive peculiarities, and the ability to do this comes to few except through training. 
The bird’s markings should be carefully studied ; the tail and wings should be noted, 
whether they be long or short, slender or full, and whether the former be rounded, square 
or notched ; the tints of bill and legs should be remarked ; attention should be given 
to characteristic habits, such as the flight, whether straight or undulatory ; the position 
maintained in the tree, whether high or low in the branches ; the general deportment, 
whether restless or composed ; the nature of the environment, whether marsh, meadow, 
wood, upland or lowland; and above all, the song or note of the bird should be so 
thoroughly learned that it will be instantly recognized when again heard. These and 
a host of other observations of a kindred nature should be diligently made and faithfully 
transcribed in your note-book. They will assist you greatly, not only in determining 
the species when you have opportunity to consult your reference book, but, if you chance 
already to know the individual, they will strengthen former records of its habits. not 
unfrequently show variations either before not remarked or peculiar to locality, and will 
always tend to increase your intimacy with the bird. 
During the actual inspection of a specimen, it is usually unadvisable to withdraw 
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