20 HOW TO STUDY BIRDS 



and geology are delightful, and many bird-lovers are 

 versed in these also, yet there is nothing so interest- 

 ing as life. I do not wonder that I was fascinated 

 by the birds, and that it has become the most popular 

 branch of nature-study. 



Indeed those who acquire this taste and interest 

 are to be congratulated. One misses a great deal 

 who does not have some outdoor interest as a means 

 to health, vigor, and relaxation. It is well not only 

 to dabble a little with birds, but to gain sufficient grip 

 on the subject to make it a matter of life-long interest. 

 Even if unable to keep up active field-work, as the 

 cares of life increase, one can always dip into it at 

 any time again, during vacations and holidays. I 

 have seen this illustrated many a time by busy men 

 who were interested in birds during boyhood and 

 have never completely lost their interest. 



The beginning of bird-study is a critical time, the 

 period of greatest *' mortality," as with all infancy. 

 A good many try it a little, become discouraged over 

 the difficulties, and drop out. But if one can only 

 persevere through the early stages, there is a wealth 

 of enjoyment ahead. In most cases, as it was in my 

 own, the awakening of interest in birds is a gradual 

 process. One is impressed with some incident in 

 bird-life and begins to notice things which never be- 

 fore had won attention. Some friend, fond of birds, 

 inveigles one into an occasional jaunt afield. The 

 first thing the beginner knows, he or she has caught 



