Birds of Oregon and Washington 29 



asked by friends whether there were any birds 

 about that particular spot, while, with the win- 

 dows open, not less than ten varieties of birds 

 were pouring their melodies into the unattend- 

 ing ears of these people, who have never been 

 accustomed to listen. 



First, then, learn to listen ! Then learn to 

 see ! 



Birds are beautiful on account of their color, 

 though in some kinds it sometimes seems dull 

 and even ugly. Beautiful are they, too, in shape 

 and in movement. Learn to love all these qual- 

 ities, if you would truly know all about the birds. 

 There are the nesting fashions that you will, by 

 and by, want to watch with sympathetic inter- 

 est and helpful attention sometimes furnishing 

 material for the roofless cottage in the tree, as 

 you may. But in the Beginning your attention 

 will most naturally and profitably be given to 

 the song and the appearance of the birds. It 

 is to help you in taking these first steps that 

 this " First Book upon the Birds of Oregon and 

 Washington " is written. 



How, then, shall you best learn to know birds 

 by their songs and their looks ? You will learn 



