STUDIED "GOOD LUCK. 7 



or try to lure you from the precious structure by 

 feigning a lameness to attract your vain pursuit. All 

 these signs the bird-collector must learn and profit by 

 if he would succeed. The most valuable nests are 

 constantly being brought to light by apparently happy 

 accident ; but it is only such good luck as comes to 

 those who are quick-witted, industrious, watchful and 

 unwearied. The secret of success here, as elsewhere, 

 is hard work. 



BIRD-PREFERENCES . 



One who goes to distant, wild regions to collect 

 eggs of land birds, is generally disappointed. Birds 

 are drawn by various circumstances near to the 

 abodes of man. They seek a place for their homes 

 combining an attractive site, safety from enemies, 

 material for their architecture, and food for them- 

 selves and for their fledglings, when the latter shall 

 arrive. The union of these conditions determines a 

 bird's choice of the locality for its home within the area 

 of its general distribution in the breeding season; 

 for, because a species is known to breed both in New 

 England and in Texas, it is by no means certain that 

 its nest will be found everywhere between, even 

 though the species may not be an uncommon one ; 

 the case of the cliff swallow (to be alluded to more 



