INTRODUCTION. 



A. Ornithology is the science of birds, and oology that 

 of eggs, or, in a common but limited sense, that of birds' 

 eggs. The two are intimately 'connected, and often form a 

 joint study, one embracing the other. They are useful, 

 because, when properly pursued, they cultivate observation 

 and a love of nature, and necessitate healthful exercise. 

 " Ornithology," says an enthusiastic but anonymous writer, 

 u has two departments, which are more or less incompatible, 

 namely : Natural History, and Science, or the study of animate 

 birds, and of those inanimate. The former, especially as 

 opposed to an extreme of the latter, I recommend to all young 

 students as the higher and better pursuit of the two. I fur- 

 ther advise them, when not snooting at targets or legitimate 

 game, never to fire a gun. My own experience has proved 

 that, when science is so far advanced as at present, one can 

 obtain an accurate knowledge of our birds, and a good collec- 

 tion of their eggs, by following the above rule, and having 

 proper books of reference, or a like resource. Egg-collecting 

 can be conducted under humane principles. A parent-bird 

 should never be shot, except in cases of extreme necessity, 

 it being often preferable even then to snare the female by 

 placing a slip-noose of horse-hair around the inner edge of her 

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