Alabama, 19 15. 17 



of their volatile nature. To do this a good opera glass is a requisite. 

 It partly annihilates distance, and brings the bird up to your eyes. 

 You should get one with a large eye-piece, for with a small one you 

 will find some difficulty in focussing the binocular upon the desired 

 object. Be sure to avoid a glass that has bright colors, which will 

 reflect the gleam of the sun into your eyes. Dark colors are best. 



A bird key or manual is indispensible for purposes of identifica- 

 tion. Somehow, you cannot enjoy the bird's society until you know 

 its cognomen. A bird's name may even be very inapt, and yet — well, 

 there is something in a name, even if it seems un-Shakespearian to 

 say so. It is a wonderful satisfaction to know that the flitting piece 

 of diminution in yonder tree is a golden-crowned kinglet, and not a 

 warbler or a vireo. I refer to the English names now in vogue 

 among scientific men. * * * 



Do you ask when you had better begin the study of birds ? Now ! 

 In bird study, as in most right pursuits, "now is the accepted time." 



— Leander S. Keyser. 



