78 



BIRD-STUDY. 



To be intimate with Nature is as im- 

 portant to the investigator as the abiHty 

 to technically classify the things found 

 therein. 



In this connection we copy, by permis- 

 sion, the words of Olive Thorne Miller, 

 from the "School Room Methods and 

 Nature Study :" 



"Recognizing a bird on sight or hear- 

 ing, knowing his nest and eggs, when he 

 arrives in the spring, and when he de- 

 parts in the fall, does not by any means 

 imply that one is acquainted with the 

 bird himself. All these facts are easily 

 acquired ; they have been set down in 

 the books these many years. 



But whoso really desires to know the 

 little being so beautifully enshrined ; to 

 see his home ways with his mate and lit- 

 tle ones ; to find out his personal habits ; 

 his likes and dislikes ; his tastes ; his dis- 

 position ; in a word his personality, for 

 him is something very different from 

 book study. He must go into the field 

 and observe for himself; for well as we 

 may know our common birds by sight, 

 glibly as we can explain their anatomy, 

 give their scientific names, and their 

 place in our classification, of their lives 

 and habits we are in almost total igno- 

 rance. 



This is a field of inquiry as fascinating 

 as it is fresh and unexplored. Nothing 

 but the greed of collecting and the pas- 

 sion for classifying, could so long have 

 blinded men to the charm of studying 

 life instead of death, the individual in- 

 stead of the skin. And this is the beauti- 

 ful work left for us to do, to make the 

 world acquainted with the lives of our 

 little brothers in feathers. 



For this work are needed, patience 

 that knows no fatigue, accuracy of ob- 

 servation, enthusiasm that scorns such 

 trifles as wet feet, torn garments, insect 

 bites and stings, burning sun or blistering 



wind, and above all — lacking which all 

 else is useless — truthfulness that will re- 

 port correctly, without exaggeration or 

 coloring. To one possessing these qual- 

 ities a whole world of delight is open. 



Nor is this world so difficult to enter as 

 it seems at first. Science — whose help is 

 needed — has, to be sure, shrouded itself 

 in technicalities, buried its facts under 

 scientific terms, and hidden its names in 

 a dead language. But all this, which 

 perhaps was necessary, can be got over. 

 With a little courage, and some perseve- 

 rence, this bristling array of difficulties 

 may be broken through, and the charm- 

 ing goldfinch be as lovely and bewitching 

 under the name of Spinus tristis, as of 

 thistle bird, or yellow bird. 



How shall we go to work ? This is the 

 first question always. Let me give you 

 a few hints : Some fine morning dress 

 yourself in modest-hued array, dull olive 

 of medium shade best ; discard all con- 

 spicuous details of costume ; take ofif rib- 

 bons and veils, and all fluttering things ; 

 reject the spring hat with its eccentrici- 

 ties of flowei-s, fruits, feathers, or general 

 fluffiness, and put on a plain shade hat, 

 as near the color of the dress as possible ; 

 leave parasol, bag or basket and book 

 all at home. Slip into a flat pocket on 

 the outside of your gown or coat, a small 

 note book with sharpened pencil attached 

 to it, and suspend by narrow ribbon 

 around the neck, so that it will hang 

 above the waist and be ready for instant 

 use, an opera glass without its case. On 

 your left arm carry a light folding camp 

 stool — and start out. 



Bid adieu to your friends, and go 

 alone, for the temple of Nature can never 

 be entered in crowds, nor even in pairs. 

 Turn your steps to the best place you 

 know of; an old orchard, a grove with 

 underbrush near a house, a ravine, a 

 swamp, or the edge of woods. Walk 



