20 
The New York State College of Forestry 
become less noticeable; their singing season ebbs and fails, and 
their voices are heard otherwise to less advantage for observa- 
tion. In the heated midday hours of July and August few bird 
voices can be heard and the vegetation seems devoid of bird life. 
The spring and early summer, however, are crowded with 
opportunities for bird study; then one need merely go afield, 
and in some quiet spot, in the margin of grove or clearing 
or swamp, with patient eye and ear give attention to the signs of 
life in bush or shrub or tree, and look or listen as circumstances 
offer inducements. In this preliminary field study, learn to asso- 
ciate with each bird its leading song or call-note, with such mental 
impression of it as will bring the bird into mind whenever and 
wherever the song or call is heard ; this is an important and requi- 
site stej) in one’s acquiring a knowledge of the birds of any region. 
Get the song or call fixed in mind as you make the mental picture 
of the bird’s form and coloration, or any leading features which 
will aid you to learn about the bird in your references to descrip- 
tions. For instance, as I stand in this angle of the trail 
up Bear Mountain, my attention is attracted by a strange bird song 
in the trees nearby though beyond my vision. The song, as I try 
to write it in my note-book, sounds like “ Zee zee zee zee, ze-e-e ”, 
the first part drawled out noticeably. I note in my book that a 
strange little bird is singing in this peculiar measure, and I can 
remember the songster as my “ ze-e-e-e ” bird, referring to the 
peculiar drawl of the first portion of the song. Frequently I hear 
it, but as I move out to get a view the bird moves away also beyond 
my sight, and I resume my former station. Presently I hear the 
song near by, and I congratulate myself that my “ ze-e-e-e ” bird 
is coming near again. Patiently I wait, and soon a little bird 
flits into the saplings near me, in full view, singing “ zee zee zee 
zee, ze-e-e-e ”, and I barely get a glimpse of the black throat, yellow 
crown and yellow wing marks, when lo, the bird is gone; but 1 
have enough, for when I get home and refer to my books, I find 
that only one bird can answer to the song and description, the 
Goklen-winged Warbler. Thus I have gained a start and can study 
the bird to better advantage another day. 
