24 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 



Little can be said to the point without at least a miniature 

 treatise on ornithology ; and I have not yet even alluded to 

 the diversified host of small insectivorous and granivorous 

 birds that fill our woods and fields. The very existence of 

 most of these is unknown to all but the initiated ; yet they 

 include the treasures of the ornithologist. Some are plain and 

 humble, others are among the most beautiful objects in nature ; 

 but most agree in being small, and therefore liable to be over- 

 looked. The sum of my advice about them must be brief. 

 Get over as much ground, both wooded and open, as you can 

 thoroughly examine in a day's tramp, and go out as many days 

 as you can. It is not always necessary, however, to keep on 

 the tramp, especially during the migration of the restless 

 insectivorous species. One may often shoot for hours with- 

 out moving more than a few yards, by selecting a favorable 

 locality and allowing the birds to come to him as they pass in 

 varied troops through the low woodlands or swampy thickets. 

 Keep your eyes and ears wide open. Look out for every 

 rustling leaf and swaying twig and bending blade of grass. 

 Hearken to every note, however faint ; when there is no 

 sound, listen for a chirp. Habitually move as noiselessly 

 as possible. Keep your gun ahvays ready. Improve every 

 opportunity of studying a bird you do not wish to destroy ; 

 you may often make observations more valuable than the 

 specimen. Let this be the rule with all birds you recognize. 

 But I fear I must tell you to shoot an unknown bird on 

 sight ; it may give you the slip in a moment, and a prize may 

 be lost. One of the most fascinating things about field-work 

 is its delightful uncertainty : you never know what's in store 

 for you as you start out ; you never can tell what will happen 

 next ; surprises are always in order, and excitement is contin- 

 ually whetted on the chances of the varied chase. 



For myself, the time is past, happily or not, when every 

 bird was an agreeable surprise, for dewdrops do not last all 

 day ; but I have never yet walked in the woods without learn- 

 ing something pleasant that I did not know before. I should 

 consider a bird new to science ample reward for a month's 



