CHAPTER XXVIII 
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING BIRDS 
Season for Beginning. — The best time of the year to 
begin bird study is the spring. The males, the more easily 
recognized, are then most in evidence, they then sing the best, 
their colors are brightest and most characteristic, and there 
are no young to confuse you. In the groves you can see them 
best before the leaves are out. 
Locality. — Remember that some birds are to be found on 
the prairie and in fields, others in trees and shrubbery, some 
in marshy places, and others near the water or on the water. 
The best kind of place is one that combines several of these 
features. On.the open, level prairie, far away from trees and 
shrubbery and water, the variety of birds is comparatively 
small. 
Time of Day. — The best time of day is the early morning, 
beginning about sunrise. The next best is in the evening 
before sunset. Birds are wonderfully appreciative of a beauti- 
ful morning, and show their happiness by the greatest activity 
in song and movement. 
Discovering Them.— The usual way is to walk along 
quietly, being constantly on the alert for call notes and songs 
as well as for a view of birds. Beginners usually make the 
mistake of depending too much upon their eyes. Especially 
among trees and bushes, we generally hear birds before we 
see them. Insuch a locality it is often a good plan to sit down 
and quietly wait for the birds to come near. 
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