HOW TO NAME THE BIRDS II 



has been mastered, the majority of species, when fairly- 

 seen, can be identified in a few minutes. 



To identify a bird by this or by any other method, 

 it is of course necessary to have a distinct view of it, and 

 to note its chief markings, which are covwionly on head 

 and breast. Wing-bars and tail-spots are also sometimes 

 diagnostic ; learn to estimate its approximate length, 

 using for standards of measurement the crow (20 inches), 

 robin (10 inches), and Enghsh sparrow (6 inches). Ob- 

 serve the bird in as many different positions as possible, 

 and from the simward side; and, first of all, become 

 perfectly familiar with the different areas of a bird's 

 body, as illustrated in the following charts. 



With a good opera-glass the characteristic marks of 

 even the smallest specimens can be clearly seen ; and 

 the use of a glass has the additional advantage of giv- 

 ing a good view at much longer range, whereby the 

 birds are not frightened, and can be observed longer. 



N. E. means New England States ; N. Y., New York; 

 N. J., New Jersey; Pa., Pennsylvania; ''northern 

 edge " means the northern part of Maine, of New Hamp- 

 shire, and of Vermont, with the Adirondacks (Ad'r'ks) 

 of New York; ''southern edge," the southern boundary- 

 line of Pennsylvania and of New Jersey; S. E. N. Y., 

 southeastern New York, where Alleghanian and Caro- 

 linian faunas join ; " above " means the bird's upper 

 side, including wings and tail; "below," its under 

 side; <? is the usual sign for male; $ for female; fig- 

 ures always refer to a bird's proper number, under 



