MAKING OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS 157 



means. Other opportunities for making a more 

 satisfactory inspection will doubtless offer them- 

 selves, and the very difficulty of obtaining a good 

 view of some particular bird adds to the interest 

 which surrounds it. It is better to remain in 

 ignorance than to gaze on the limp and lifeless 

 body of some poor tiny creature whose life we 

 have taken, yet which was so full of activity and 

 happiness until our curiosity condemned it to death. 



When making observations on birds and be 

 it remembered the best time for so doing is while 

 the trees are yet leafless a good field-glass is a 

 necessity. If provided with shades, so much the 

 better, as the sunlight falling on the glass is apt 

 to be annoying. A long walking-stick is very 

 useful, not only for walking with, but also for 

 the purpose of steadying the hand and preserving 

 the bearing of the glass when making notes. 

 Where it is practicable, all notes should be entered 

 in a book kept for the purpose, and on the spot. 

 A light campstool is a luxury much to be ap- 

 preciated when, as is so frequently the case, it 

 may be necessary to watch and wait for a long 

 time for the approach of some special bird. One 

 other article remains to be mentioned : this is a 

 gun. 1 would suggest that it should always be 

 left behind on such occasions. 



The Rev. Warde Fowler, in his delightful book, 

 ' A Year with the Birds,' has done much to 

 simplify the difficulties which existed amongst 

 amateurs in recognizing the eight warblers which 



