40 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 



much greater diversity of locality), coolness, steadiness of hand, 

 quickness of eye and of ear — especially the latter ; in fact all the 

 accomplishments of a first-rate shot will be of service, and some of 

 them are indispensable to successful collecting. The main rehance, 

 however, is on the ear for the detection of birds by their notes, and 

 involves a knowledge the more accurate and discriminating the 

 better, which can only be acquired by experience, and always 

 characterizes the true woodsman, whether naturalist or hunter. 



" This ability is of incomparable value to the collector, 

 whether in the tangled forest, the deep recesses of the swamp, on 

 the sea coast, or in the clear woodlands, on mountain or prairie ; it 

 advises him of whatever birds may be there, and affords him a 

 higher gratification, announcing the presence of a bird he does not 

 know. We recognize no more exquisite pleasure than to hear in the 

 woods the note of a bird that is new to us. It is in the latter case 

 that the cultivated quickness of the eye of the experienced collector 

 is especially important, and his coolness and steadiness of nerve is 

 fully tested. It will not do to be flustered. But, in fact, all these 

 qualities must be possessed for the acquirement of the smaller 

 species of birds found in our woods. Some species, such as the 

 Warblers, are constantly in motion in the pursuit of insects, and are 

 most frequently met with in the tops of trees ; they are, moreover, 

 only to be killed with the finest shot, or they are spoiled for 

 specimens. The obtaining of these little birds always requires the 

 most careful and skilful shooting." 



With us the Warblers arrive with remarkable regularity about 

 the loth of May. Should the season be a late one, they may be 

 observed at this time gleaning their scanty fare among the almost 

 leafless branches ; or again, if early, the leaves may be opening out 

 by the first of the month, yet the little birds do not appear till their 

 regular time. As the first flocks arrive they rest and recruit for a 

 day or two, and then pass on to make room for others who arrive 

 and take their places. So the stream flows on till the Queen's 

 birthday (May 24), About this time the Black Poll arrives, and 

 when it goes the season may be considered over, as it is always the 

 last of this class to arrive in spring. Thrushes, Orioles, Tangers 

 and Flycatchers are now all here in full life, and 'the busy collector 

 can hardly spare time to sleep — if he does, it is to see flocks of 

 desirable species arise before his excited vision, and not till the 



