he 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 be found go out and hunt for one.
This in itself will be an exciting sport, although it should be pursued
with good judgment. Children unattended should not be permitted to
hunt nests in spring. A very excellent way to find one is to keep a
sharp watch upon birds at the time when they are engaged in nest
building.

_Nest Hunting._--By noticing every bird suspected of being interested
in domestic affairs, you are pretty {22} sure to see one before long
with gra