The Birds' Calendar 



tinctly. A few weeks of effort in this and in 

 all kindred pursuits bring very forcibly to the 

 mind of the beginner the truth of the old coup- 

 let 



" I hearing get, who had but ears, 

 And sight, who had but eyes before." 



A good opera-glass is an indispensable com- 

 panion in one's researches, and it is not amiss 

 to suggest that he cannot too quickly conquer 

 his diffidence in using the glass freely, even 

 though it attract the curious attention of people 

 about him. I have lost many a good view of 

 a bird I wanted to see, through dislike of the 

 gaping looks of an idle passer-by. Without 

 approaching a bird as closely as would be neces- 

 sary without a glass, you avoid frightening it 

 away, and can have a much longer view ; for a 

 bird is always keenly alert with eye and ear to 

 discover any one's approach, but they are 

 sharp enough to know there is less danger from 

 a mere passer-by, however boisterous, than 

 from one who suspiciously loiters about in the 

 vicinity. It is as amusing as it is exasperating 

 to see how quickly they sometimes detect your 

 purpose. 



Having discovered a specimen, it requires a 



