Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 



But if the would-be observer looks forward to what may be called professional 

 work, and intends to make an exhaustive study of ornithology, he must kill birds 

 and learn to skin and preserve them ; and for this purpose he must have a gun 

 and a set of taxidermist's instruments. Dr. Coues, in his KEY, gives full directions 

 regarding the use of these, together with ample instruction in the formation and care 

 of a collection. In the present little woik this branch of the subject will not be 

 discussed, and only such familiarity with birds will be sought for as may be attained 

 by observation alone and through the instrumentality of no weapon more deadly than 

 the opera-glass. 



Armed, therefore, with opera-glass and note-book, start out in the early morning 

 or towards sunset. It is at these times during the summer season, that birds are active. 

 In the heat of the day, no observations can be made of sufficient importance to repay 

 the personal discomfort and even risk which exercise at such a time involves. The few 

 hours immediately succeeding day-break are best of all, but for obvious reasons a some- 

 what later period will be chosen by most people, and indeed there is enough occurring 

 for quite a large portion of the morning to repay the watcher. After all, the occupation 



