§24 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 
from enlarging a little on the last and best of the blessings just 
enumerated. ‘he excellent health that is always enjoyed by a 
naturalist gives him the fine virtue of cheerfulness. If you meet 
him on one of his rambles, you will be sure to receive a friendly 
greeting. And should you desire a little diversion yourself, take 
a walk with him, and you will soon forget all annoyances and 
become infected with his buoyancy of mind and heart. Fortunate 
is the community that has a number of naturalists to keep it 
fresh and sanguine. 
But the bird lover confers yet more benefits upon his 
neighbors and friends. His knowledge of bird life will make him 
welcome to bird societies, either local or in places distant from his 
home. So soon as any person is known to be interested in birds, 
his acquaintance will be eagerly sought by other bird lovers. 
And there is in all lovers of birds a sympathy for one another 
that is admirable. Although strangers in other respects, as soon 
as ornithologists meet they are at home in each other’s company. 
They seem also to possess certain traits of temperament that make 
their society congenial to themselves. Next to religion, nothing 
can develop sympathy for all of God’s creatures more readily 
than the love of nature. 
Let me now, before ending this short paper, emphasize the 
educational value of the study of birds. It has been admitted by 
noted educators that the system of instruction in our schools, 
colleges, and universities does not give the fullest development 
possible to their students. Too much stress is laid upon class 
exercises and tests, and too little upon the close companionship 
with nature. The opportunities for the delightful study of the 
varied phenomena of nature are greatly undervalued. All the 
requisites of an open and sympathetic mind are found in the 
study of the creatures that live in our midst. Briefly the bird 
lover is introduced into a world that is well-nigh limitless in the 
interest it can arouse in its devotees. Beauty, song, instinct, 
habits, migration, distribution are but a few of the aspects of 
ornithology. Every bird that flies within view at once enlists the 
attention of the observer, who knows that he may learn some- 
thing new and noteworthy. Try to estimate, if you can, the total 
effect of a life devoted to the study of birds. If there is an earthly 
paradise, it will be found in the fresh fields and secluded woods 
where the birds raise their sweet voices in praise of their Maker. 
Pages 467-502, Vol. IV., Am. Mid. Nat., published Oct. 3, 1916. 
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