236 FROM BLOMIDON TO SMOKY. 



different from one another as I formerly sup- 

 posed one species of bird to be from another. 

 At one time I should have shot a barred owl 

 without a twinge of conscience; now I should 

 as soon shoot my neighbor's Skye terrier as kill 

 one of these singularly attractive birds. 



Sentiment aside, bird individuality, if real, 

 is of deep scientific interest. If we knew more 

 of the influence of individuals, we might have a 

 clearer perception of the forces governing evolu- 

 tion. Serious science is now so fully given up 

 to laboratory as distinguished from field study 

 that but little thought is given to problems of 

 this kind. This fact makes it all the more pos- 

 sible for amateurs to work happily in the woods 

 and fields, encouraged by the belief that they 

 have innumerable discoveries still to make, 

 countless secrets of nature still to fathom. 



