INTRODUCTION 



The study ot the birds included in this book is much more difficult than that 

 cf the small land birds. Many of the birds are large; some are very rare; all are 

 usually shy and have keen eyesight, trained to see at a distance; in fact, many of 

 them have to depend upon their vigilance for their very existence. Therefore, 

 you will find that the majority of these birds will have to be studied at long range. 

 Sometimes, by exercising care and forethought, you may be able to approach within 

 a few feet of the bird you seek, or induce him to come to you. It is this pitting 

 your wits against the cunning of the birds that furnishes one-half of the interest 

 in their study. Remember that a quick motion will always cause a bird to fly. 

 If you seek a flock of plover on the shore, or a heron in the marsh, try to sneak up 

 behind cover if possible; if not, walk very slowly, and with as little motion as possible, 

 directly towards them; by so doing you often will get near, for a bird is a poor judge 

 of distance, while a single step sideways would cause him to fly. Shore birds can 

 usually be best observed from a small "blind," near the water's edge, where they 

 feed. Your powers of observation will be increased about tenfold if you are equipped 

 with a good pair of field glasses; they are practically indispensable to the serious 

 student and add greatly to the pleasures of anyone. Any good glass, that has a wide 

 field of vision and magnifies three or four diameters, is suitable; we can recommend 

 +he ones described in the back of this book. 



WHAT TO MAKE NOTE OF. What is the nature of the locality where 



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