12 INTRODUCTION 



Suggestions as to the most important points to 

 observe will be found on page 194. 



If you have time for only a walk through the woods, 

 go as quietly as possible and stop often, listening to 

 catch the notes that your footsteps have drowned. 

 Timid birds may often be attracted by answering their 

 calls, for it is very reassuring to be addressed in one's 

 native tongue. 



Don't try to see too much at first. Take careful 

 descriptions of a few birds and then refer to a bird 

 book and identify them.. 



Reference books may be examined at the Hbrary 

 of the Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture, though they cannot be taken from the room, 

 and many of the popular books, as well as reference 

 books, will be found in the Washington Free Public 

 Library. Migration blanks, and publications on the 

 food habits of birds can be had on application to the 

 Biological Survey. 



Records of rare birds should be reported to Dr. 

 Richmond at the Smithsonian, who may also be 

 consulted about birds that cannot be otherwise iden- 

 tified. 



Aside from the many advantages afforded by access 

 to experienced ornithologists and the government 

 collections, Washington is a particularly good place 

 in which to get acquainted with birds. The numerous 

 city parks, and the large grounds of the Capitol, 

 White House, Agricultural Department, and Smith- 

 sonian are good observation grounds in themselves, 

 not only in the migrations but in the nesting season, 

 as we are favored by having twenty-five species of 

 birds nest in the city. 



