Guide for North Dakota Bird Study 
Growth of Bird Study 
The rapidly growing interest in the study of birds has 
made necessary the preparation of a guide which may serve 
to direct the many bird observers in North Dakota along 
the lines which should yield the greatest pleasure and pro- 
fit to themselves and the largest advantage to the state. 
It is earnestly hoped also that the pointing out of the 
way to make a beginning may stimulate others, who have 
hesitated because of apparent difficulties or obstacles in the 
way, to enter this fascinating field where so many important 
discoveries await the alert and sympathetic student. The 
past decade has witnessed a most remarkable spread of in- 
terest throughout the United States in bird life from the 
relatively few enthusiastic ornithologists to. the hundreds 
of thousands of people who are now coming to know and 
appreciate birds as never before. This movement is only in 
its beginnings, however, and the coming decade should see 
a much wider diffusion of the spirit of first-hand bird study. 
Many factors have contributed to give dynamic impetus and 
to render this movement possible. Organizations have been 
effected which united, stimulated and directed the members. __ 
in all parts of the country. An abundant literature accom- 
panied by simple methods of learning the names of biras 
has been developed. Colored pictures showing with remark- 
able accuracy the color, form and appearance of the living 
birds often in their natural haunts have been prepared by 
the greatest of naturalist artists and placed upon the mar- 
ket at prices which put them within the reach of all and 
through the proper use of these the birds themselves come to 
be recognized and known. 
The development of methods of bird photography has 
not only afforded interesting activity for many people but 
has provided a wealth of illustrative material for popular 
accounts of birds and their habits in books, periodicals and 
lectures. 
The extensive investigations of the United States bureau 
of Biological Survey have not only furnished important in- 
formation relative to the distribution, abundance and mi- 
gration of birds but have provided a substantial basis of 
economic facts in their publications for a proper apprecia- 
tion of the important relation of birds to human industries. 
