CHAPTER XVIII 



SOCIAL BIRD-STUDY 



gA ^WO are better than one " is a truth that 

 has wide application. Though it is per- 

 * fectly possible to enjoy the birds alone, 

 the pleasure of the study is greatly enhanced by 

 knowing others with whom to share it. There is 

 something so fascinating, so enlivening, about out- 

 door study of birds, that those who acquire the 

 taste for it fall into a sort of natural fraternity. 

 People who know the birds are acquainted the mo- 

 ment they meet. 



There are times, of course, when it is not at all 

 necessary, or even desirable, to have human company 

 afield. In photographing birds, save in some special 

 cases where assistance is needed, the fewer people 

 there are around the better. If one is active and 

 agile and really wants to " find things," it is a hin- 

 drance to have someone along for whom it is neces- 

 sary to be constantly waiting. In cases requiring 

 careful, patient observation, company may prevent 

 one from taking time for the best work. The birds 

 themselves are very good company. 



All the same, however, it adds greatly to the zest 

 of the thing to be working, through various chan- 

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