Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 
is undertaken for recreation, and let him to whom early rising is an abomination, in the 
name of Morpheus, slumber on ; only, when his tardy start is effected, he shall not witness 
bird-life so exuberant, nor listen to such floods of melody, nor inhale such richness of 
perfume, nor find refreshment in airs so balmy, as he might have done had he been 
earlier astir. 
In Spring and Fall, however, the conditions are somewhat different, and mid-day 
walks may well be productive of good ; while in Winter they are sometimes best of all. 
When exploring open country, such as field and meadow, walk briskly. Here 
you cannot hope to steal up to your bird and study him, yourself unobserved. The 
most you can do is to come upon him suddenly, mark the spot whence he starts that 
his nest may be searched for ; note his manner of flight, getting at the same time such 
details of plumage as may be possible, and perhaps stalk him in the tree or thicket 
where he has taken refuge. And this stalking must be deftly done. Approaches must 
be accomplished by detours, with advantage taken of trees, bushes, rocks and mounds 
for partial concealment. Nor may you push your investigations too far; a_bird’s 
quickness of sight and hearing is remarkable, and its dislike of inspection a universal 
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