IDENTIFYING BIRDS 45 



pulsive to my better feelings, spoiling the day and the 

 trip. 



This will suggest limitations also as to the matter 

 of scientific record. A " form ' or " sub-species v 

 could hardly be distinguished without collecting the 

 bird, and, even then, in some cases, " examining it in 

 a correct northern light," as they put it! With- 

 out the gun we cannot expect to distinguish the so- 

 called bronzed and purple grackles, nor always 

 with it, for that matter. Whether the distinction 

 in these forms holds or not is mainly a question of 

 interest to those who are making certain technical 

 studies. For the vast majority of us it is quite suf- 

 ficient to call it a crow blackbird. 



In the case of the supposed occurrence of a very 

 rare bird, or one new to the region, of course the 

 specimen in possession would prove the record. 

 When the bird is merely seen, much will depend upon 

 circumstances whether or not it can count as a record. 

 If it is very distinct in appearance, easy to recognize, 

 and is seen by a person familiar with the species, it 

 may be accepted, whereas of a puzzling species, or of 

 supposed rare records made by the absolute novice, 

 there would be room for doubt. This need not trou- 

 ble bird-lovers of modest attainments. They are not 

 burning with zeal to astonish the scientific world 

 with new records. The study of birds for its own 

 sake is abundantly worth while. We do not need 

 to be anthropologists to enjoy our fellows, nor learned 

 scientists to exult in our experiences with birds. 



