CHAPTER XVII 



BIRD-WORK FOR INDOORS 



DURING the off-season the devotee of the 

 rod and reel is generally supposed to find 

 diversion in overhauling his apparatus and 

 counting the days until he can use it again. Like- 

 wise the sportsman with the gun is lovingly wiping 

 his beloved instrument and fingering the triggers, 

 while memory and imagination run riot. The stu- 

 dent of birds is never reduced to such dire extremity, 

 not while health and vigor continue. Yet, though 

 the activities of the field are extended throughout the 

 year, a very real part of the work, fortunately, is 

 for the indoors which permits of the continuance of 

 the recreation during evenings, and especially in the 

 inclement periods when home is the most attractive 

 spot on earth. For such times there are a number 

 of lines of employment and research in reference to 

 birds which are extremely fascinating. 



First, one naturally thinks of the literature of the 

 subject, which is now abundant, diversified, rich in in- 

 terest and excellence, and further brightened by 

 admirable illustration. To give a catalogue and de- 

 scription of all the books on birds would almost re- 

 quire a hand-book of bibliography. One may secure 

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