Method of Bird Study and Photography 3 r 



Any interruptions are therefore opportunities for the display of 

 patience rather than for the increase of knowledge. 



We have already seen that the displacement of the nest or 

 nesting branch does not introduce unnatural conditions of any 



Fig. 13. Cedar-bird's nest in its new site. Nesting bough moved fifty feet to open field. 

 Compare Figs. I, 4, and 12. 



importance into the life of the birds. Of course every change 

 wrought by man is in a certain sense unnatural. If we pluck a 

 single leaf from a tree, that tree is no longer in its natural state, 

 but the change counts for nothing. If we keep on plucking 

 leaves, however, a time will come when the arm of the balance 

 is disturbed, and the denuded tree is sure to suffer. The re- 

 moval of a leaf or twig about a nest is of no practical conse- 

 quence, but this should not be carried too far, both on account of 



