Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 



and his capacity to comprehend has been enlarged, while his health, by reason of abundant 

 out-of-door exercise, and in consequence of the relaxation which comes from a diversity 

 of agreeable pursuits, has received great benefit. 



It has been thus with many who have been led on by insensible degrees, until they 

 have attained considerable proficiency in natural lore ; and so it will doubtless be with 

 many more ; and while it is not to be expected that every one who desires an intelligent 

 understanding of the subject will aim to become a learned scientist, still it is desirable that 

 every one should start in the right direction and then the point to which he will arrive 

 may be safely left to the determination of the many circumstances and conditions which 

 govern the conduct of each individual. 



Concerning that branch of natural history termed Ornithology, which we are here 

 briefly considering, three methods of procedure have been indicated and advice has been 

 given concerning each. In the first two, the student walks through woods and forests, 

 and in open fields and meadows. In the last he is seated at ease in some favorable spot 

 known to be inhabited or frequently visited by birds. And while it has been pointed out 

 that each of these methods requires different treatment, it has been assumed that all of them 



