182 Bird - Lore
and theories of the writer: but it is nearly certain that any one faithfully following their lead will stumble on clues which, properly followed, will guide him to new ideas and unexpected light. Such has ever been the experience of those who have blindly but earnestly groped after the truth.
THE STUDY OUTLINE
1. Spring (Migration—Give earliest appearance, etci; state whether in flocks or singly, the species by itself or associated with congeners or wholly different species, males in advance or both sexes together, by day or by night ; crossing a lake or skirting its shores; flying high or low. Record in full the weather at the time of observation, also date, locality, moon, etc. Does the bird hide or return southward during the late spring storms?
2. Habitat—Is it found in dry uplands, dense forests or marshes, or does it manifest a preference for the vicinity of water, or especially of run- ning water? Can any reason be assigned for its choice of locality?
3t Vain of the [Waltz—Song and variations of the same ; height from ground when singing ; time of day ; alarm notes, song periods, song flight, song by night; influence of the weather.
4. Voice 0/ t1]: Fema[£.—Song, if any, and full particulars, as above.
5. Voice of the Young.* Has the young in first plumage a song charac- teristic of that period, as have some other species, and does this song resemble that of others of the genus in corresponding plumage ?
6. Car: 0] Young—What devices do the parents use to protect the young ?
7. Habit:.—What'_'are its peculiar tricks of attitude, motion and expres- Does it hop or run? Is its flight ever undulatory. like that of many of its relatives? Is it nocturnal or aquatic at all? Does it ever wade for food, swim or dive to escape its enemies? Does it indulge in any sort of play, especially in a social way ? Does it enter holes or burrows-? How is it aflected by loud sounds?
8. Cuo'peratian.‘ Do two or more individuals, mates or otherwise, ever unite to do something beyond the strength of one, as catch prey. break down stalks, move nesting material, resist an intruder?
9. Mimirry.—Do they mimic songs of other birds or other sounds? Do they ever imitate birds of prey, to drive away intruders?
tot SignalL—Can they distinguish the danger signals of other birds? What signals do they use besides vocal sounds? Do they tap with the beaks, wings or feet, or slap the water as a signal? Have they special night signals? How do they communicate with each other generally, by sounds or signs? Have they recognition signals?
11, Smut—ls their power of smell noticeable? eyes most ?
sion ?
Do they rely on their
