SJGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING BIRDS 297 
at your back. Furthermore, it is often hard to distinguish the 
colors when seen against the bright sky. In such a case you 
must try to observe the bird with foliage or grass in the back- 
ground. 
What to Notice. — See your bird definitely, noting: 
Size. — Estimate length in inches, using the English Sparrow (6% 
inches), Robin (10 inches), and Meadowlark (102 inches), as standards 
of comparison. Most beginners underestimate the length of a bird; 
it is taken from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. , 
Bill. — Length as compared with length of head; stout and conical, 
or slender; straight, or curved. 
Wing. — Length as compared with tail. 
Colors and Markings. — Of head, back, rump, tail, wings, breast, 
belly, wing bars, if any; tip of tail, rounded, square, or notched. 
Song and Cail Notes. 
Habits. — Of perching, flying, feeding, walking or hopping, etc. 
Opera Glass. — Unless your eyes are particularly sharp, 
you will find an opera glass or field glass a great help. It will 
enable you to see the finer points on which identification often 
depends. 
Notebook. — Immediately after an important observation 
make a note of what you have seen. If you are to write it 
down you will be more sure to see with exactness. Then, too, 
a written memorandum is far more reliable than memory. 
The Bird Family.— If you familiarize yourself with the 
family characteristics as described in this book it will be easy 
to recognize the family to which your bird belongs, and it will 
be gratifying to know, at least, that it is a Wood Warbler, for 
example, or Vireo or Flycatcher or Sparrow. More specific 
identification may come later. It is sometimes very difficult. 
