larly, since color is often of secondary or no value 

 in distinguishing live birds as found in the field; 

 while various other features may serve this pur- 

 pose., often completely, still more often as the 

 chief clues. These "other features," as size, voice, 

 habits, considered as aids to identifying the birds, 

 are given in approximately the order of their rel- 

 ative value with each species. 



It is taken for granted that the serious ob- 

 server who makes use of this booklet will 

 have access upon returning from the field, to 

 a volume such as "Bird Life," "Hand-book of 

 Birds of Eastern N. A." (Chapman), or "Birds 

 of New York State" (Eaton, University of the 

 State of New York, Albany) ; not only that he may 

 verify his possibly doubtful identifications, but to 

 find descriptions of such of the less common species 

 as cannot be given space in these limited pages: 



It is hoped the beginner will find this unconven- 

 tional summary of our common birds so convenient 

 to carry and so simple for reference that its use 

 in the field may not seem such a task as to 

 impair the joy and freedom which should accom- 

 pany his communion with Nature through the 

 most inspiring, the most joyous and beautiful of all 

 her creatures — the birds. 



Edmund J. Sawyer. 



Watertown, N. Y., April 12, 1916. 



