88 NOTES ON THE OBSERVATION OF BIRDS. 



on the sand bars, along the lake shores, on the banks of 

 rivers, and in the marshes. 



The observer must visit all localities — marshes, swamps, 

 hardwood and pine forests, fields, meadows, low creek 

 bottoms, and in fact all places presenting any diversity of 

 conditions, if he wishes to know every bird of his locality. 



In the perusal of nature, as in the reading of books, to 

 derive the most benefit copious and accurate notes must be 

 taken. The memory is a treacherous servant and cannot be 

 depended on ; therefore we must take our notes in the field 

 and then rewrite them at leisure in the study. 



During migrations the number and sex, if possible, of each 

 species seen on the first days of its appearance should be 

 taken. Such observations become invaluable when compar- 

 ing notes with other observers, to determine the time elaps- 

 ing in the passage of the birds from station to station, and 

 the route taken. Such a record, covering the observations of 

 several years, will be interesting as showing the regularity 

 with which the different species come and go. Thoreau is 

 said to have been so careful an observer that should he have 

 fallen into a deep sleep lasting many years, on awaking, he 

 could have told the day of the month by the flowers that 

 were blooming and the birds warbling about him. Such a 

 high degree of excellence cannot be achieved without the 

 greatest care in the regularity with which our observations 

 are made and in the preparation of notes, guided always by 

 our love for the study. 



During migrations we should also note the exact locality 

 where first appearance was made, conditions of weather, 

 temperature, etc. At all times the kinds and quantities of 

 food taken, that we may determine the utility of the different 

 species and protect them from their numerous enemies. 

 Carefully noting everything of importance, all songs and 

 call notes, nesting habits, peculiar movements on foot and 

 wing, and preferences for certain localities, soon we will be- 

 come so thoroughly acquainted with our feathered friends, 



