The Birds’ Calendar 
tinctly. A few weeks of effort in this and in 
all kindred pursuits bring very forcibly to the 
mind of the beginner the truth of the old coup- 
let— 
‘* T hearing get, who had but ears, 
And sight, who had but eyes before.” 
A good opera-glass is an indispensable com- 
panion in one’s researches, and it is not amiss 
to suggest that he cannot too quickly conquer 
his diffidence in using the glass freely, even 
though it attract the curious attention of people 
about him. I have lost many a good view of 
a bird I wanted to see, through dislike of the 
gaping looks of an idle passer-by. Without 
approaching a bird as closely as would be neces- 
sary without a glass, you avoid frightening it 
away, and can have a much longer view ; for a 
bird is always keenly alert with eye and ear to 
discover any one’s approach, but they are 
sharp enough to know there is less danger from 
a mere passer-by, however boisterous, than 
from one who suspiciously loiters about in the 
vicinity. It is as amusing as it is exasperating 
to see how quickly they sometimes detect your 
purpose. 
Having discovered a specimen, it requires a 
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