"When you find a strange bird, try to see quickly a few of the things most necessary to naming him. I will make a measure of your middle finger for you such as Olive used to wear. Then you must try to answer the following questions:
"How many inches long was he?
"What was his general color?
"Was his breast plain or speckled?
"What was he doing—feeding on the ground or in a tree?
"Did he walk with one foot after the other, or hop with both feet together?
"Did he sing or only call?
"At first you may only remember two or three of these questions, and they will probably be his size, color, and song, if he happens to be singing at the time.
"You may not think that a bird, who is hopping about in the grass or flitting among the branches of a tree, is doing anything in particular. But really he may be either collecting material for his nest, or searching for food of some particular kind, in a way which will tell you to what guild of the Bird Brotherhood he belongs.
"Everything in the daily life of a bird is interesting. You will find that every bird has its regular times for bathing, pluming, eating, sleeping, working, and playing, all in its own ways, just as you yourselves have. And everything he does is done cheerfully and promptly.