Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 



comments upon the quadrupeds, birds, insects, worms, vegetables, weather and 

 antiquities of his parish, have been the delight of succeeding generations of readers, 

 whether naturalists or simply cultivated people of no especial calling. 



"1 find," he writes, "that that district produces the greatest variety which is the 

 most examined ; " a significant remark, and, coming from a past-master in his art, 

 worthy of full credence. We may, therefore, be assured that whatever place we are in 

 will be found to offer full scope for studies in natural history. All that need concern us 

 is lest we ourselves fall short in requisite diligence. 



It has been intimated that special training, if not special faculties for precise observa- 

 tion are needful to make one a really good observer. Henry D. Thoreau may be cited 

 as a type of this sort of student, and though his personal character may repel one by 

 reason of its intense egotism ; and though one be constantly excited to resent the scorn 

 with which he regarded his fellow-men and which he did not hesitate to express ; still 

 his reverent love of nature must produce sympathy, and his untiring energy in the 

 pursuit of a knowledge of her secrets must command respect, while the contemplation 

 of his life and work must always be of use to a person engaged in similar research. 



