A BIRD'S BIOGRAPHY. 73 
than in central Illinois or at Washington, D. C., and a 
week earlier than at Boston. In the fall these conditions 
are reversed. 
A Bird's Biography.—As a further guide to your 
observation a list of the principal details which enter into 
a bird’s life-history is appended : 
1, Description (of size, form, color, and markings). 
2. Dauxts (up'and, lowland, lakes, rivers, woods, flelds, ete.), 
8. Movements (slow or active, hops, walks, creeps, swims, tail 
wagged, etc.). 
4. Appearance (alert, pensive, crest erect, tail drooped, ete.). 
5. Disposrtion (social, solitary, wary, unsuspicious, ete.). 
6. Fuicat (slow, rapid, direct, undulating, soaring, sailing, 
flapping. etc.). 
7. Sono (pleasing, unattractive, continuous, short, loud, 
low, sung from the ground, from a perch, in 
the air, etc. ; season of song). 
8. Caut-notes (of surprise, alarm, protest, warning, signaling, 
etc.). F 
9. Season (spring, fall, summer, winter, with times of ar- 
rival and departure, and variations in num- 
bers). 
10. Foop (berries, insects, seeds, etc.; how secured). 
11. Matixe (habits during courtship). 
12. Nestixe (choice of site, material, construction, eggs, incu- 
bation). 
18. Tue Youno (food and care of, time in the nest, notes, actions 
flight). 
From observations of this kind, consisting of a simple 
statement of facts, you may philosophize according to 
your nature on the relation between habit and structure, 
colors and haunts, an intelligent adaptation to new con- 
ditions. Beware, however, lest you be led to draw faulty 
conclusions from insufficient observation. Do not make 
the individual stand for its species, or the species for its 
family, and remember that one is warranted in theorizing 
only when the facts in the case are facts indeed. 
