Birds and Nature, Vol. 08, No. 2, September 1900: Illustrated by Color PhotographyVarious
History
Birds and Nature, Vol. 08, No. 2, September 1900: Illustrated by Color Photography
Various
Birds -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals
Nor is this world so difficult to enter as it seems at first.
Science--whose help is needed--has, to be sure, shrouded itself
in technicalities, buried its facts under scientific terms, and
hidden its names in a dead language. But all this, which perhaps
was necessary, can be got over. With a little courage, and some
perseverance, this bristling array of difficulties may be broken
through, and the charming goldfinch be as lovely and bewitching
under the name of Spinus tristis, as of thistle bird, or yellow
bird.
How shall we go to work? This is the first question always.
Let me give you a few hints: Some fine morning dress yourself
in modest-hued array, dull olive of medium shade best; discard
all conspicuous details of costume; take off ribbons and
veils, and all fluttering things; reject the spring hat with
its eccentricities of flowers, fruits, feathers, or general
fluffiness, and put on a plain shade hat, as near the color of
the dress as possible; leave parasol, bag or basket and book all
at home. Slip into a flat pocket on the outside of your gown or
coat, a small note book with sharpened pencil attached to it,
and suspend by narrow ribbon around the neck, so that it will
hang above the waist and be ready for instant use, an opera glass
without its case. On your left arm carry a light folding camp
stool--and start out.
Bid adieu to your friends, and go alone, for the temple of Nature
can never be entered in crowds, nor even in pairs. Turn your
steps to the best place you know of; an old orchard, a grove with
underbrush near a house, a ravine, a swamp, or the edge of woods.
Walk slowly and leisurely along, with little noise of footsteps,
and without swinging arms.
Arrived in your chosen spot look sharply around for the flitting
forms of the birds. When you see one, stop at once; quietly slip
your stool off your arm and sit upon it, with as little motion as
possible. If you place it against a tree trunk, to furnish a back,
you can be comfortable in that one position an hour without moving.
Now slowly raise your opera glass to your eyes, adjust the focus
to bring the bird clearly before you, and proceed to study him.
First you want his description so that you can name him. Look
very carefully at him, his size and shape, his coloring above and
below, his peculiar markings, the shape of his tail at the end,
and the color and shape of the beak. As you settle one point write
it in your note book, which you have quietly drawn out of its
pocket.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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