86 NATURE-STUDY 



tion of the habits of those birds. These observations may 

 then be utilized in indoor lessons. 



For the purposes of nature-study it is not necessary, it is 

 even contrary to the spirit of nature-study, to shoot the birds 

 in order to study them. It is not absolutely necessary to 

 have a museum full of birds. Instead, observe the living 

 bird, in its free state. The opera-glass and field-glass are 

 used by many students to bring the birds nearer. 



Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey, who has done so much to 

 popularize bird study, gives the following directions to ob- 

 servers of birds in her "Birds Through an Opera-Glass," 

 a delightful little volume: 



FIRST. Avoid light or bright colored clothing. Wear clothing that 

 will blend with the background. 



SECOND. Walk slowly and noiselessly. 



THIRD. Avoid all quick, jerky motions. Raising the opera-glass 

 too suddenly will scare away many birds. 



FOURTH. Avoid all talking, or speak only in undertone a most im- 

 portant but obnoxious rule to young observers. 



FIFTH. If a bird was singing, but stops on your approach, stand 

 still a moment and encourage him by answering his call. If he gets 

 interested, he will often let you creep up within opera-glass distance. 



SIXTH. Make a practice of stopping often and standing perfectly 

 still. In that way you will hear voices that would be lost if you were 

 walking, and the birds come to the spot without noticing you, when they 

 would fly away if they were to see you or hear you coming toward them. 



SEVENTH. Conceal yourself by leaning against a tree, or "pulling a 

 branch down in front of you. The best way of all is to select a good 

 place and to sit there quietly for several hours, to see what will come. 

 Then you get at the home life of the birds, not merely seeing them wher 

 they are on their guard. 



EIGHTH. Gaze. Let your eyes rest on the trees in front of you, and 

 if a leaf stirs or a twig sways, look there for a bird. 



In going to look for birds, it is important to consider the time of the, 



