Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 



others of its companions noiselessly flitting among the branches of some adjacent trees, 

 and our first friend finally joined these and all departed. 



Doubtless, there are specially favored spots in every region, where the observer will 

 meet with the objects of his search in greater variety and profusion than in other places, 

 and to him who once becomes attentive to ornithological pursuits, they will speedily 

 become well-known and favorite resorts. Mr. Burroughs, a constant observer and a 

 charming writer, tells of a certain hemlock wood where, during one ramble, he counted 

 " over forty varieties." But it is not essential that multitudes of birds should be present 

 to render the occupation of the student attractive. In fact, it is not certain that too 

 great a variety would not be a means of confusing the beginner. His attention would 

 possibly be diverted from one specimen to another with such rapidity that he could not 

 sufficiently familiarize himself with any. Certainly, the closest observers have never 

 made it a matter of complaint that objects for study were not at hand. Mr. Bradford 

 Torrey, either from necessity or choice, made the Common in the City of Boston a field 

 for his study of birds. One would say that this was not a promising site. In fact, Mr. 

 Torrey admits that the place is not an ideal one for such a purpose, though in justice 



