see whether an easier approach can be made there. The sub-heading "Spot
or patch on throat, sides, breast or sides of neck" looks comprehensive
enough to apply, while in this case it contains fewer examples. Comparing
the numbers there given with those under the first heading selected, it
is found that only 10 and 23 appear in both places. On looking up 10 and
23 it is found that they refer to the _Song Sparrow_ and _Sapsucker_, two
species so widely different in coloration, habits and movements that it
ought not to be necessary to study the key further in order to be sure of
the bird in question--namely, the _Song Sparrow_.

_Observation:_ A bird in flight, pure white below, without doubt over 10
inches on account of its long tail. Not having seen the general color
with any certainty, but being fairly sure of the white breast and long
tail, try "Under Parts" first. Only two birds over 10 inches are given
under the sub-heading "Pure white or ashy," and these are 103 and 109.
Turning to "Tail," both numbers appear under "very long, sometimes keeled
or forked," but only 103, the _Yellow-billed Cuckoo_, comes under "Outer
tail-feathers conspicuously white or spotted." _If conspicuous tail spots
had been seen_ the key would have helped to identify the bird, but the
key alone cannot make up for lack of observations.

The second illustration may give force to the suggestion that certain
birds can be satisfactorily identified only after very careful
observation and some further study.

BRIGHT COLORS
Streaked Barred Spotted
A1 Showing Blue, blue-gray or bluish-ash
A2 Showing Red, chestnut, light or reddish-brown
A3 Showing Yellow, orange or buff
A4 Showing conspicuous Black markings
_NEVER_ Streaked Barred Spotted
A5 Showing Blue, blue-gray or bluish-ash
A6 Showing Red, chestnut, light or reddish-brown
A7 Showing Yellow, orange or buff
A8 Showing much Black
IRIDESCENT
B1 Showing iridescent black, blue, green or brownish
DULL COLORS
Few Markings
C1 Sharply defined
C2 Obscure
D1 NO MARKINGS
STREAKED BARRED OR SPOTTED ON BREAST BACK OR BOTH
E1 Above and Below, rarely bright colors
Plain Above
E2 Heavily streaked or spotted below
E3 Lightly streaked or spotted below
E4 Plain Below, rarely with one conspicuous spot on breast
E5 Highly Variegated