Pointers for the Study of Bird Life 
It is the experience of the society' that the most efficient 
bird protectionists are those who are interested in ornith- 
ology, for the reason that their sympathy is constant. The 
state is well supplied with symipathizers who know little or 
nothing of bird life and the value of a bird to the state. If 
these persons show an active interest, it is usually a passing 
one, and they' cannot be relied upon, because, not being inter- 
ested in the study of bird life itself, their attention is com- 
manded by' subjects that attract them elsewhere. There are 
notable exceptions of philanthropists and public-spirited citi- 
zens who have every' good work in the community^ at heart. 
The Audubon Society desires the support of all and wel- 
comes everyone, even though they can give no more than 
good will, for after all, we are finally dependent on public 
opinion. Yet the fact remains that the better informed ren- 
der the better service. There are a number of workers who 
deplore the fact that they' are unable to answer questions 
regarding the various species of birds, the localities in which 
they may' be found, their food, their value to the state, their 
nesting habits, the periods and zones of migration, and the 
best means of protection. (Jther persistent questions and 
usually considered the most important in beginning the study 
of birds, are their identification by color and by song. In 
order to aid in answering the first question, a few of our com- 
mon birds in color are presented in this volume. 
Many' of the above questions cannot be taken up, as they 
require whole volumes, and for those who desire further in- 
formation and study', a list of desirable books will be given 
later. 
We agree with many- writers that the best time to take 
up bird study is during the winter, because the species are 
comparatively' few and the confusion is not so great. Once 
get interested in the winter birds, and your further progress 
is assured. 
Beginners frequently' become discouraged because they 
find they' cannot identify' all the birds in one or two seasons. 
