The Bird Study Book | Page 6

of a Yellow
Warbler the observer feels, without quite knowing why, that he has
discovered another Warbler of some kind when a Redstart or
Chestnut-sided Warbler appears. Once identify a Barn Swallow
coursing through the air, and a long {16} stride is made toward the
identification of the Cliff or Tree Swallow when one swings into view.
The flight of the Flicker, the Goldfinch, the Nighthawk, and the
Sparrow Hawk, is so characteristic in each case that I have often been
able to name the bird for a student upon being told its approximate size
and the character of its flight. Who can see a Wild Duck swimming, or
a Gull flying, without at once referring it to the group of birds to which
it belongs? Thus the first step is taken toward learning the names of the
species, and the grouping of them into families.
Artificial Cover in Hiding.--When studying the larger or the shyer
species it is sometimes well to hide one's self from view with whatever
articles are at hand that resemble the natural surroundings. This may be
done by covering with hay if in a field, or by holding some leafy
branches about you if in the woods.
On a lonely island in Pamlico Sound I once got some fishermen to
cover me with sand and sea-shells, and in that way managed to get a
close view of {17} the large flocks of Cormorants that came there to
roost every night. The island was small and perfectly barren, and any
other method of attempted concealment would have failed utterly.
Another time, while crouched among some boulders watching for a

flock of Gambel's Quails to come to a water-hole in the Santa Catalina
Mountains of Arizona, a Canyon Wren alighted on my back, for I was
covered with an old tent fly so spotted with mildew that it closely
resembled the neighbouring rocks. A moment later it flew to a point
scarcely more than a foot from my face, when, after one terrified look,
it departed.
[Illustration: A ferocious young eagle]
The Umbrella Blind.--A device now often used by ornithologists is the
umbrella blind, which is easy to construct. Take a stout umbrella,
remove the handle, and insert the end in a hollow brass rod five feet
long. Sharpen the rod at the other end and thrust it into the ground.
Over the raised umbrella throw a dark green cloth cut and sewed so as
to make a curtain that will reach the ground all round. A {19}
draw-string will make it fit over the top. Get inside, cut a few vertical
observation slits six inches long, and your work is done. Erect this
within ten feet of a nest, and leave it alone for a few hours. The birds
will quickly get accustomed to it so that later you may go inside and
watch at close range without disturbing them in the least. This blind is
often used for close bird photography. I have taken pictures of Herring
Gulls at a distance of only six feet with the aid of such a blind. If you
wish to use it on a windy day it may be stayed by a few guy-lines from
the top and sides.
[Illustration: The Umbrella Blind]
The foregoing instructions include all the necessary aids to a beginner
in bird study who desires to start afield properly equipped. To
summarize them, all that is really necessary is a field glass, a notebook
for memoranda, inconspicuous clothing, and a desire to listen and
learn.
In the next chapter we shall discuss some of the things to be learned in
the study of the life about the nest.
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NOTE.--The following publications will be found of great aid to the
student in identifying wild birds:
"Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America," by Frank M. Chapman,
published by D. Appleton Or Company, price $3.65, postpaid.
"Handbook of Birds of Western United States," by Florence Merriam
Bailey, published by Houghton, Mifflin Company, price $3.68,
postpaid.
"Water and Game Birds: Birds of Prey" and "Land Birds East of the
Rockies: From Parrots to Blue Birds," by Chester A. Reed, published
by Doubleday, Page & Company, price of each in sock cloth, $1.10,
postpaid; inflexible leather, $1.35, postpaid.
Educational Leaflets, published by the National Association of
Audubon Societies, New York City, a series of nearly one hundred,
price 2 cents each.

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CHAPTER II
THE LIFE ABOUT THE NEST
In view of the fact that birds display much activity about their nests
there is a great advantage in studying the nesting bird. Once locate an
occupied nest, and by quietly watching for a time, your field glass and
bird guide will usually enable you to learn the owner's name. If you do
not know where any nest is to