The Birds and Poets 25 



on bright days, for then the birds are out in their 

 favorite haunts, feeding, and may, if carefully 

 approached, be studied at close range. 



The eyesight and hearing of the birds is far 

 superior to that of man, so that walking in the 

 birds' haunts should be avoided as much as pos- 

 sible. Upon arrival at the place where one may 

 expect to find the birds, he should quietly stand 

 or sit, and wait for them to appear. A favorite 

 and very effective ruse to attract them is to kiss 

 the back of the hand, held closely against the 

 mouth. The squeaking sound thus produced 

 closely resembles the mating call of many birds, 

 and if practiced cautiously will often bring around 

 the observer a number of his feathered friends. 

 While the eyesight of birds is very keen, they are 

 frightened only by unusual sounds or by move- 

 ment, and if one stands or sits still he will find 

 abundant opportunities for studying their plumage 

 and habits. 



Observing these few simple precautions, I have 

 found that the crow, the most cunning and alert 

 of all our birds, the fox of the feathered tribe, 

 will alight in a tree but a few feet distant, and 

 comport himself with the same unconcern as if 

 he were in the remotest forest, observed by no one. 



Do not use a gun. It is unnecessary. 



Opera or field glasses, however, are indis- 

 pensable. The distinguishing marks of many 

 birds are not discernible with the naked eye from 

 the distance at which one is usually compelled to 



