SEC. Ill SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK 17 



plains ; the herons more particularly in heavy bogs and dense 

 swamps. Under cover, waders are oftenest approached by stealth ; 

 in the open, by strategy ; but most of the smaller kinds require the 

 exercise of no special precautions. Swimming - birds, aside from 

 water-fowl (as the "game" kinds are called), are generally shot 

 from a boat, as they fly past ; but at their breeding-places many 

 kinds that congregate in vast numbers are readily reached. There 

 is a knack of shooting loons and grebes on the water ; if they are 

 to be reached at all by the shot it will be by aiming not directly at 

 them but at the water just in front of them. They do not go under 

 just where they float, but kick up behind like a jumping-jack and 

 plunge forward. Rails and several kinds of sparrows are confined 

 to reedy marshes. But why prolong such desultory remarks? 

 Little can be said to the point without at least a miniature treatise 

 on ornithology ; and I have not yet even alluded to the diversified 

 host of small insectivorous and granivorous birds that fill our woods 

 and fields. The very existence of most of these is unknown to all 

 but the initiated ; yet they include the treasures of the orni- 

 thologist. Some are plain and humble, others are among the most 

 beautiful objects in nature ; but most agree in being small, and 

 therefore liable to be overlooked. The sum of my advice about 

 them must be brief. Get over as much ground, both wooded and 

 open, as you can thoroughly examine in a day's tramp, and go out 

 as many days as you can. It is not always necessary, however, to 

 keep on the tramp, especially during the migration of the restless 

 insectivorous species. One may often shoot for hours without 

 moving more than a few yards, by selecting a favourable locality 

 and allowing the birds to come to him as they pass in varied troops 

 through the low woodlands or swampy thickets. Keep your eyes 

 and ears wide open. Look out for every rustling leaf and swaying 

 twig and bending blade of grass. Hearken to every note, however 

 faint ; when there is no sound, listen for a chirp. Habitually move 

 as noiselessly as possible. Keep your gun always ready. Improve 

 every opportunity of studying a bird you do not wish to destroy ; 

 you may often make observations more valuable than the specimen. 

 Let this be the rule with all birds you recognise. But I fear I 

 must tell you to shoot an unknown bird on sight ; it may give you 

 the slip in a moment and a prize may be lost. One of the most 

 fascinating things about field-work is its uncertainty; you never 

 know what's in store for you as you start out ; you never can tell 

 what will happen next ; surprises are always in order, and excite- 

 ment is continually whetted on the chances of the varied chase. 



For myself, the time is past, happily or not, when every bird 

 was an agreeable surprise, for dewdrops do not last all day ; but I 

 have never yet walked in the woods without learning something 



C 



