TRIBULATIONS OF A BIRD-STUDENT 165 



hogs root it up. Bird-study in the vicinity 

 of sometimes curious, sometimes vicious cows 

 is not pleasant even though one may agree 

 with Thoreau that a cow is good company be- 

 cause she has not to be entertained. A hen 

 suddenly going into hysterics hen-fashion 

 makes distracting interruption to study. 



If the place selected for study is a 

 neglected spot, or the inviting corners of 

 an old rail fence on which Nature has been 

 at work, producing vines and quick-growing 

 plants, till it is beloved of birds and bird- 

 lovers, no sooner does one set up her study 

 there than a spasm of " virtue " seizes the 

 owner, who straightway appears with horses 

 and plough or a scythe to cut down or plough 

 up the growth that made it a delight. 



If a bit of open woods tempt the student, 

 woods not good enough for cattle, it will be 

 sure to be filled with sheep with their horned 

 protector, who like other folk has his 

 suspicions of an intruder on his domain who 

 seems to have nothing to do, and is amply 

 able to make himself disagreeable. 



These are no fancy sketches. They are 

 sadly and dishearteningly common. In all 



