

24 SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 
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 en 
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 ornithologist. 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 over- 
looked. 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 youcan. 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 with- 
out moving more than a few yards, by selecting a favorable 
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 recognize. 
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 7 
be lost. One of the most fascinating things about field-work 
is its delightful 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 excitement is contin- sg 
ually 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 learn- 
ing something pleasant that I did not know before. I should 
consider a bird new to science ample reward for a month’s 

