Introduction 
while other kinds, unknown to him, will swarm about him. And, if he reverses the 
method, and singles out a specimen from those he does find, noting its markings, song 
and habits, with the intention of subsequently identifying it in the written descriptions, 
it will similarly appear to him that either such peculiarities as he has observed appertain 
equally to several varieties, or, worse still, if the books are to be trusted, they belong 
to none at all. Hence, whichever way he turns the result is the same—many birds 
seen but none identified. 
This is, indeed, a serious dilemma, sufficiently embarrassing and disheartening ; but 
itis to the student arrived at such a despondent frame of mind that the writer hopes to 
be of use, both with his advice and by means of the plates herewith presented. 
As for the advice, though of the simplest, it is believed that it will prove effective. 
It will be given in detail in the following pages ; but the most important, if the least 
startling features of it, may be here briefly stated. 
Study one bird at a time. 
Begin with the commonest, that is, the most abundant and most easily recognized 
ones ; it is the province of this book to point such out. 
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