io Bird Comrades 



When I began my bird studies I spent much valuable 

 time in simply trying to learn the modus operandi, and 

 while I do not consider the time thus spent entirely 

 wasted, still I am anxious to save my readers as much 

 needless effort as possible. This I shall do by showing 

 them how they may begin at once to form an acquaint- 

 ance with the various families and species of birds. 



It goes without saying that, to become a successful 

 nature student, one must have good eyes, strong limbs, 

 nimble feet, and, above all, an alert mind. People who 

 lack these qualities, especially the last, will not be 

 likely to pursue the noble science of ornithology. The 

 stupid sort will prefer to drowse in the shade, and the 

 light-minded will care only for the gay round of social 

 pleasures. Any bright and earnest person, however, 

 can in good time become an expert student of the feath- 

 ered creation, provided only that he feels a genuine 

 interest in such pursuit. No one, let it be repeated, can 

 study nature successfully in a dull, perfunctory spirit. 

 Here, as in religion, one must have the baptism of fire, the 

 temper of devotion. 



In the study of birds it must be admitted that men 

 and boys have some advantage over their cousins of 

 the gentler sex. Men folk may ramble pretty much 

 where they please without danger, whereas the freedom 

 of women folk in this respect is somewhat restricted. 

 However, the engaging works of Mrs. Olive Thorne 

 Miller, of Mrs. Florence M. Bailey, and of many others 

 prove that women are not debarred from outdoor studies, 



