Bird Watching

The bird watcher, photographer as well as hunter, can best find upland birds in the autumn with the use of a bird dog such as a pointer, setter, or spaniel.

These dogs have the pointing instinct and flushing habit, so are traditionally used in locating, holding and flushing or "putting up" the birds for the hunter. Excellent photos can be taken during these hunts by the man who prefers to shoot with a camera.

Wildlife sanctuaries such as the Audubon sanctuaries, are wonderful spots for the study of the ducks and geese during the spring and fall migration seasons. It is possible there to identify and photograph as many as ten or fifteen species and to see clouds of migrating birds in the air at one time.

But before taking off with binoculars, gun or camera, the beginner can gain a great deal as a starter from the illustrations and information in this little volume. He can investigate further into the books listed in the bibliography. Then comes the visit to museums to see the mounted specimens. Quite often many zoos and game farms have these birds on exhibit. All this can be done even before the first walk into the woods and fields.

There is much material on hunting at the book stores and sporting goods stores giving tips and hints which can be used by nature lovers and photographers as well as hunters, for each is hunting, in that he wants to get a close look at the actual bird in its natural surroundings and to study its habits.

Much valuable information of this sort is available in the outdoor and nature magazines which print stories of hunts and stories about the various species. The Audubon Society publications, and the sporting magazines are most helpful. An example of the latter is Sports Afield. Quite often they feature very informative series on the game animals and birds of our country and ways to identify and find them.

From: A Sportman's Guide to Game Birds
by: Ray Ovington - Enjoy - Don Trosper.

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