242 HOW TO STUDY BIRDS 



nels, with fellow enthusiasts. On many, if not most, 

 occasions afield the presence and cooperation of an 

 alert and enthusiastic person are pleasant and desir- 

 able. Conversation will help the time pass when 

 birds are not in evidence. If the one is especially 

 keen of hearing and has a good ear for songs, and the 

 other excels in quickness of sight, two will surely find 

 more birds than can one alone. And, though they 

 should be evenly matched, two can cover more ground 

 than one, flush more birds, beat out more nests, sur- 

 round a tree or thicket where birds are hiding. 



If on the water, two can row a boat farther and 

 faster than one. If one is to climb a tall tree to a 

 hawk's nest in lonely woods, it is little short of folly 

 to do it alone, and it steadies the nerves and helps to 

 prevent accident simply to know that someone is on 

 hand. All in all, it is very pleasant to have con- 

 genial company when afield. 



Even though varying hours of business or duty 

 may rob us of desired company for a walk, we can 

 well afford to be out alone often if there are fel- 

 low workers with whom we can share experiences. 

 " Swapping yarns " is a custom which will be popu- 

 lar as long as the human race shall last. The 

 search for birds is a productive source of discovery 

 and incident, eminently fitting in with social pur- 

 poses, and, through comparing experiences, each will 

 learn much and receive a great deal of pleasure. 



In case one is just beginning to study birds, it is 

 a good plan to try to induce a few others to begin 



