26 Twelve Months With 



observe them. With a good small glass, and the 

 sun at one's back, the markings become clear and 

 definite. Notes of the markings, methods of flight, 

 songs and calls should be made on the spot, first, 

 because the mere process of reducing them to 

 writing tends to accuracy of observation and 

 description, and second, because the memory is 

 faulty, and if many strange birds are seen the 

 marks and songs of different birds will become 

 confused in the mind of the student, so that he 

 cannot recall them definitely when he consults 

 his key, in an effort to identify them. 



One or more simple guides to the classification 

 and identification of birds is essential. This, sup- 

 plemented by a book listing and describing the 

 birds of the local area in which the student lives, 

 will be sufficient for all his purposes. If, in addi- 

 tion, a good museum is available where the 

 mounted birds may be seen and studied, much 

 that is difficult will be made easy. 



If these suggestions are followed, little real 

 difficulty will be experienced by the student in 

 identifying the more common birds, and many 

 that are not so common, and the joy that a new 

 identification will bring will more than compen- 

 sate for all his pains. Often, after a new bird 

 has been identified, the student will be surprised 

 to find how common it is, and will wonder how 

 he has passed it by, unseen and unheard, for so 

 many years. 



In my own modest yard I am visited each April 



