OBSERVATIONS 407 



note that several sparrows so poisoned have been fed to a house 

 cat with no bad results. 



The above recommendations may appear rather harsh to bird 

 lovers, yet the writer, in common with many others, is so convinced 

 that the presence of this sparrow is a menace to other birds that 

 he does not hesitate to urge its destruction. 



How to Study Birds. For one disposed to make a study of 

 birds, a few reliable and helpful books, referred to at the end of 

 this chapter, a pair of inexpensive field glasses, a note-book, and 

 a love of field and wood to invite to the haunts of birds, are all 

 that is necessary. A camera, if one should have the time and 

 inclination toward that phase of the work, will add to the interest. 

 Observation sheets may be obtained from the Bureau of Biological 

 Survey at Washington; and this bureau is always glad to receive 

 notes on bird migration and kindred phenomena. 



The writer, as a result of several years' observation, con- 

 structed a table for reference, something as follows: Twelve 

 spaces, separated from each other by heavy lines, are made on 

 cards of suitable size for the pocket. These spaces represent the 

 months. An additional wider space is ruled on the left for birds' 

 names. Opposite the name of each bird studied is entered a mark 

 denoting whether the bird was common, fairly common, rare, or 

 a summer resident, a permanent resident, or an occasional visitor. 

 A line is drawn through the month spaces so as to show the date 

 of its arrival and departure. For instance, opposite the name of 

 robin appeared a long, heavy dash running from the latter part 

 of the space devoted to March, through the space devoted to the 

 intervening months, and into November far enough to indicate 

 approximately the date of departure of the robins. A bird which 

 is rare would have a lineal mark of some sort, possibly a broken 

 line. Bird clubs, such as the national and state Audubon societies, 

 print forms suitable for bird notes. 



These cards or notes may be inclosed in a leather-covered case 

 and carried in the pocket, forming a ready reference for use on the 

 field trips. On starting into the field with a card previously made, 

 one could tell at a glance what birds might be found. New and 

 unrecorded observations would occasionally call for changes on 

 cards. 



Observations should be made of a number of things: (1) Food 

 habits during the nesting season. (2) Food at other times. (3) 

 When nesting begins. (4) Kind and location of nests. (5) Dates 



