38 



contrasts. A dull dead-leaf color, like that of the shooting 

 coats ordinarily sold to sportsmen, is good at any time. In 

 spring and summer green is very good. Certain grays and 

 browns harmonize with natural objects. 



The vision of most birds is far superior to our own, or that of 

 mammals; it is nearly, if not absolutely, perfect. Therefore, 

 it is necessary in approaching shy birds, such as waterfowl or 

 hawks, to use as cover, trees, shrubs, or grasses. Often one can 

 advance only on hands and knees, or crawl prone like a serpent. 



Frequently I have approached wild fowl by creeping in the 

 paths made by raccoons, hares, opossums and other animals 

 under grasses and low shrubbery. At other times I have been 

 obliged to creep or wriggle through short grass, in mud and 

 water, to reach some desired point of observation. In such 

 cases, when within sight of the birds, a screen of vegetation 

 must be kept always before the face, or the birds will take 

 alarm and be off at once. Birds so wild that they will not 

 allow a man on foot to come within half a mile may be ap- 

 proached noiselessly in this way within twenty or thirty yards, 

 but the labor and discomfort are great. 



The approach a la serpent. 



When nearing shy birds in this manner, keep under cover and 

 do not raise the head. If it becomes necessary to take an ob- 

 servation, the head must be raised but little, and both raised 

 and lowered so slowly that the motion will be imperceptible. 

 Always approach against the wind if possible, for the birds are 

 then less likely to hear you. Do not allow the sun to strike on 

 any metallic or glass object, for the reflection or flash will give 

 the alarm. 



Many people will not take such pains in approaching birds. 

 Others cannot, but must either decoy the birds within reach, 

 watch them with long-range glasses from wooded shores, or get 



