12 INTRODUCTION. 



the actual notes of his song as nearly as may be. 

 Suggestions as to the most important points to 

 observe will be found on page 192. 



If you have time for only a walk through the woods, 

 go as quietly as possible and stop often, listening to 

 catch the notes that your footsteps have drowned. 

 Timid birds may often be attracted by answering their 

 calls, for it is very reassuring to be addressed in one's 

 native tongue. 



Don't try to see too much at first. Carefully note 

 descriptions of a few birds and then refer to a bird 

 book and identify them. 



It will be a great help to compare your note-book 

 descriptions with the Smithsonian cases of summer 

 residents of the District, in the Children's Room, and 

 labelled " Familiar Birds of the United States." Ref- 

 erence books may be examined at the library of the 

 Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 though they cannot be taken from the room, and 

 many of the popular books will be found in the Wash- 

 ington Free Public Library. Migration blanks, and 

 publications on the food habits of birds can be had 

 on application to the Biological Survey. 



Records of rare birds should be reported to> Dr. 

 Richmond at the Smithsonian, and he should also be 

 consulted about birds that cannot be otherwise iden- 

 tified. 



Aside from the many advantages afforded by access 

 to experienced ornithologists and the government col- 

 lections, Washington is a particularly good place in 

 which to get acquainted with birds. The numerous 

 city parks, and the large grounds of the Capitol, 



