BIRD LOVERS 523 
writer that many who were brought up on farms, or who have 
lived in the country for much of their lives, have yet so little 
interest of any kind in bird life. Naturally we should expect our 
scientific ornithologists to come from this class. Why are so few of 
such persons interested in birds? I think there are various reasons 
for their apathy to so delightful a pursuit. Although they live in 
the country, their sympathy with nature remains undeveloped. 
They lead lives that are as artificial as those of the city. The 
newspaper, their own avocation or profession, consume all their 
time; or if they have any leisure, it may be spent in novel reading 
or frequenting the shows of the neighboring town. Thus most 
persons become slaves to the conventions of civilization. 
Can anything be done to lessen this dullness and insensi- 
bility to the superior pieasures that nature affords her devotees? 
Yes, there seems now to be an excellent opportunity to well-nigh 
revolutionize the sad condition that has existed for generations. 
This is to get our yourg people interested in bird life, and happily 
to. do so is a pleasant task for teacher or friend. The young are 
born naturalists, waiting only for the necessary encouragement in 
order to develop their endowments. 
Beyond doubt the youthful student of ornithology is likely 
to become a true bird lover. Such habits of mind as attention, 
observation, judgment, appreciation of the beautiful being in the 
process of formation, the impulse to persevering efforts to gain 
all the facts of this branch of natural history is strong and stimu- 
lating. Probably ro other pursuit is as fruitful ia opportunities 
to cultivate these indespensible requisites of an educated man. 
At the same time, it is also probably true, that hardly any other 
study is less irksome than the observations of the ornithologist. 
So while accumulating valuable scientific knowledge, the student 
of bird life is strengthening his mental power continually. How 
much better is it for the boy or youth who acquires a taste for 
ornithology to spend his free hours in such a way as to develop his 
body and mind than to fritter away the precious years of his early 
life in unfruitful diversions. 
Incidentally many other advantages will be the result of the 
persistent labors of the bird lover. Fresh air, a good appetite, no 
loss of sleep, and above all an unfailing cheerfulness are but a 
few of these advantages. Nothing need be said to prove how great 
a gain it is to possess these benefits. I cannot refrain, however, 
