Introduction 



while other kinds, unknown to him, will swarm about him. And, if he reverses the 

 method, and singles out a specimen from those he does find, noting its markings, song 

 and habits, with the intention of subsequently identifying it in the written descriptions, 

 it will similarly appear to him that either such peculiarities as he has observed appertain 

 equally to several varieties, or, worse still, if the books are to be trusted, they belong 

 to none at all. Hence, whichever way he turns the result is the same many birds 

 seen but none identified. 



This is, indeed, a serious dilemma, sufficiently embarrassing and disheartening ; but 

 it is to the student arrived at such a despondent frame of mind that the writer hopes to 

 be of use, both with his advice and by means of the plates herewith presented. 



As for the advice, though of the simplest, it is believed that it will prove effective. 

 It will be given in detail in the following pages ; but the most important, if the least 

 startling features of it, may be here briefly stated. 



Study one bird at a time. 



Begin with the commonest, that is, the most abundant and most easily recognized 

 ones ; it is the province of this book to point such out. 



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