Birds Through an Opera Glass.

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 2899, 6 October 1909, Page 76

Birds Through an Opera Glass.

I Florence A. Merriam, in "Birds Through on Opera Glass," says: "When you begin to study the birds in the fields and woods, to guard against scaring the wary you should make yourself as muoh as possible a part of the landscape-. . . r nb© observance' of a few siniple rules will help you to be unobtrusive. x "First, avoid light or bright-coloured clothing. . . "Secondly, walk slowly and noiselessly. Among the crisp, rattling leaves of the i woods a bit of moss or ah old log will often deaden your' stop, at the critical moment. "Thirdly, avoid all quick, jerky motions. How many birds J have soared away by. raising my glass too suddenly t "Fourthly, avoid all talking, or speak onJy in an undertone. . . "Fifthly, if the bird was singing, but stops on youi approach, stand still a moment and encourage him by answering his call. If ne gets Interested he will often let you oreep up within opera-glaes distance. Some of the most charming snatches of friendly talk will come at such times. "Sixthly, make a practice of stopping often and standing perfectly still. In that way you hear voices that would be lost if you were walking, and the birdt com* to the spot without noticing you, when they would fly away in advance if they were to see or hear you coming towaxd them. "Sevently, conceal yoursell by leaning against a tree, or Dialling a branch down in front of you. The best way of all is to select a good place and sit ther-o quietly fot several hours to sea what will come. Then you get a* the home life ot the birds, not merely seeing* them whenthey are on their guard. A low stump in, a raspberry patch and a log in an aid/:? . swamp prove most profitable seats. "In going to look for the birds it is important to consider the timo of daj and the weather. Birds usually follow the 6un. . . . During heavy winds and storms you are most likely to find birds well under

cover of the woods no matter at what timo of day, and then often on the side opposite that from which tho wind comes. . . . In clear weather be sure to -gei between the sun and your bird. In the wrong light a scarlet tanager or a blue-, bird will look as black as a orow. Let your eyes rest or the trees before you, and if a leaf stirs or a twdg sways you will soon discover your bird. At a little distance it is well to gaze through youx ; glaas." '•'•'

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