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The Neiv York State College of Forestry 
with eyes open for bird movement, color and form in the shrubbery 
and trees, and with ears alert for call-note, song, or chirp, will 
generally disclose the presence of birds not far away. Instead of 
moving rapidly in quest of birds, it is better to choose a seat in a 
quiet spot in the edge of a wood or thicket or within sight of a 
tree visited by birds active in the neighborhood ; under such quiet 
circumstances the birds will come and go without alarm, affording 
better opportunities to study them than if the observer were thrash- 
ing through the bushes or walking hurriedly along the trail or road. 
In my personal methods of field study, I am guided chiefly by 
the ear rather than by the eye. Whenever I hear the chirp of a 
bird or a call-note or song, I seek to get a definite impression of 
the sound so fixed upon my mind that I can recognize it again; 
then, and not until then, do I press forward to obtain a glimpse of 
the bird. Often I have heard the singing or call-note of a particu- 
lar bird for several days or even weeks, guided solely by sound, 
until eventually the author of the notes revealed himself to me in 
form, color and movement, and uttered the familiar sounds while 
under close observation. 
In beginning the study of birds in the field, it is more profitable 
to give definite attention to any bird or bird-sound before the mind, 
rather than to distract the attention by trying to include all the 
birds within sight or hearing. Frequently in field study with 
others, while I have been calling attention to the singing of a 
particular bird at hand, another song has come to the ear and some 
one would ask immediately regarding the author of the intruding 
song without yet having obtained a definite impression of the one 
then under observation. In a locality populous with birds, several 
kinds new to beginners may be singing or active within range of 
hearing or vision ; under such conditions, study one bird definitely, 
excluding the others temporarily, and giving fixed attention to 
notes, form, color, actions and peculiarities of the one first attract- 
ing the notice by its call, song or movements. After this bird has 
been given its share of attention, and it has passed from the range 
of observation by eye and ear, then another may be studied in 
similar definite manner. Upon hearing or seeing a bird claiming 
observation, do not push forward to get a better view; stand 
