OSCAR BIRD WARREN. 85 
in some wooded dale in the companionship of the spirited 
sweet-tongued songsters, than a day among lifeless skins, 
searching for infinitesimal differences in size and plumage. 
However, collections should be made, especially in a locality 
whose avifauna is but little known; yet these collections 
should be as small as absolutely necessary, in the number of 
skins and eggs of each species. The greatest care must 
always be taken in the preparation of each specimen to make 
it as perfect and durable as possible; and every portion that 
might serve for study should be preserved for future reference. 
Knowledge of the songs and notes is much more valuable 
than remembrance of scientific terms and names. Nothing 
is of more importance to the itinerant ornithologist than 
thorough acquaintance with the notes of birds; for, when 
making observations in different parts of the country, he will 
be able to record with certainty the occurrence of those species 
with which he is familiar, if he but hears their songs or 
peculiar chirping calls. Who would think it necessary to 
see a Whip-poor-will singing in order to identify it? Indeed 
there are many who could not distinguish it from the Night- 
hawk unless they heard its song. The twittering of Swal- 
lows, the chattering of Swifts, the drumming of the Grouse, 
or the whistling of the Quail, are familiar sounds to any 
country lad; yet equally so to the careful observer, are the 
notes of the woodland Warblers, the songs of the Sparrows, 
and the piping of the Plovers. He is as certain of the 
presence of these rarer birds as the farmer boy of his com- 
monest feathered friends. 
It is during the seasons of migration that we listen with 
the greatest eagerness for the first notes of the returning 
birds. Perhaps we are out fora ramble some early spring 
morning, when afar in the clouds of dawn we hear a faint 
pure note. Nearer and clearer comes the sound, till from 
the limitless expanse of blue down flutters a form of azure 
touched by the ruddy gleams of the rising sun. Did we 
need to see him first to know him? No, those first sweet 
