354 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



HINTS TO ORNITHOLOGISTS. 



Nature never did betray the heart that loved her. 



A HINT ofttimes proves of the greatest service, and it 

 is in tliis belief that I pen down the following few 

 remarks, trusting that they will be of benefit to the 

 novice, and aid him in the difficulties that will befall, 

 him more or less on the threshold of the science he has 

 adopted. 



In the first place, a few general hints for the field, 

 together with one or two instructions how best to attain 

 an insight into the habits of birds, will doubtless be of 

 service. The observer cannot do better than provide 

 himself with a first-class telescope or field-glass, which, 

 like his note-book, should be his inseparable tompanion. 

 Morning and evening will be found the best times for 

 ' field service,' although a stroll taken at no matter what 

 hour of the day is, to an observer who makes the best 

 use of his eyes and ears, always productive of interestand 

 information. As ornithology and oology are in my 

 opinion inseparable, both will be treated with under one 

 head ; and therefore the observer, if information be the 

 sole object he seeks, must be prepared to explore many a 

 perilous cliff, and climb numbers of the loftiest trees, for 

 the purpose of prying into the nesting economy of various 

 birds. But with the latter mode of observation especially 

 I would pray him to use the greatest caution, and make 



