THE BIRDS OF SINXAPOEE ISLAND 
wing respectively and are from Howard Saunders' Manual of 
British Birds ; — 
Wren ... 
3.5, 
1.9 
Blue Titmouse 
4.2, 
2,4 
Redbreast 
"■ 575. 
3 
House Sparrow 
... 6, 
3 
Blackbird 
10, 
4.9 
Turtle Dove 
ir.5, 
7 
Moorhen 
... 13- 
6.75 
Jay 
... 14,25, 
7,2 
Red grouse 
16, 
8-4 
Rook 
19, 
12-75 
Mallard 
-. 24- 
Gt. Black-backed Gull 
... 30. 
20. 
Heron 
36. 
18 
Under "Distribution'* we have outlined the geop-apbical 
rang^e of the species and always broadly only. Some of the 
difficulties that arose under this heading are mentioned in the 
chapter devoted to the bustard-quail, 
** Status- in Singapore" needs no explanation. 
"Field notes" include mention of the fa%^ourite local haunts 
of the birds with directions for identifying them in the field. 
Many birds betray their specific identity by little tricks and 
mannerisms or by some feature in their plumage which shows 
up at a distance. Identification of birds in the fifld is larg^ely 
a matter of experience and when the eye is educated it is for 
instance possible to identify the small wading birds at gunshot 
distance by the way in which they run about. Some have a 
short jerky run. others pick up their feet deliberately : the 
common sandpiper always seems to have a smaller head than 
other waders of a like size and to many naturalists the identity 
of flocks of migratory birds passing over in the night is as 
sure 'as though the birds were on the table in front of thein for 
so well do they recognise the call notes of the various species. 
Under this heading certain notice of the birds' habits naturally 
[26] 
