THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



in part on their opportunity for observation, but 

 more especially, perhaps, on their individual taste and 

 liking for things out of doors. 



It would seem safe to assume that there is hardly 

 any one who does not know by sight at least a few 

 birds. Nearly every one in the eastern United 

 States and Canada knows the Robin, Crow, and 

 English Sparrow; in the South most people are 

 acquainted with the Mockingbird and Turkey 

 Buzzard; in California the House Finch is abundant 

 about the towns and cities; and to the dwellers in 

 the Prairie States the Meadowlark is very familiar. 



Taking such knowledge, however slight, as a 

 basis, there is no reason why any one, if he so desires, 

 should not, with a little effort, get on neighbourly 

 terms with a large number of birds of the region, 

 and spring is a most favourable time to begin such 

 an effort. One may learn more about a bird's habits 

 by closely observing its movements for a few hours 

 at this season than by watching it for a month later 

 on. The life that centres about the nest is most 

 [4] 



